May 10, 2022 Commissioners Court

[00:00:02]

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> YOU LOOK BETTER WITH THAT MASK ON.

>> DO YOU SEE THAT GUY BEHIND YOU AND TO YOUR RIGHT?

THAT ONE? YEAH. DON'T TALK TO HIM. >> HE MADE A GRAVE ERROR YESTERDAY.

AND Y'ALL WON'T HAVE TO WORRY BECAUSE I HAVE TO GET UP EVERY MINUTE OR TWO, I AIN'T WEARING PANTS.

>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:05.

I'M CALLING THIS MAY 10TH MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS ON ZOOM AND IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL JOIN US JUST FOR THE VOTING PORTION.

WE WILL NOT VOTE ON RESOLUTIONS TODAY.

THAT WON'T BE UNTIL WE VOTE ON ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS. WE WILL START WITH OUR INVOCATION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

[Master Jian Tan Shifu, the Abbot for the Chung Tai Zen Center in Houston.]

>> YES.

WE ARE HONORED TODAY TO HAVE MASTER JIAN TAN AND PART OF THE CHUNG TAI ZEN S*P -- CENTER.

WHILE A STUDENT HE DISCOVERED HIS LIFE PATH FROM ZEN MASTERS HE JOINED IN 2003 AND GRADUATED FROM THE BUDDHIST INSTITUTE.

HE LATER CAME TO THE UNITED STATES AND EARNED A MASTERS DEGREE FOR NON-NATIVE SPEAKERS AT SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY.

HE MOVED TO HOUGHTON TO THE CHUG TAI ZEN MONEY -- MONEY GNAW STAIR -- MONESTARY.

THESE ELDERS BE RESPECTED AND TO OUR JUNIORS BE KIND AND WITH ALL HUMANITY BE HARMONIOUS AND ALL ENDEAVORS BE TRUE.

HAVING SPENT TIME IN THAILAND IN THE CHANG MAI AREA FOR MANY WEEKS THERE, I FOUND THE COUNTRY TO BE VERY ENGAGING. ENJOYED IT.

THEY LOVE AMERICAN MUSIC IN FACT.

I HEARD CREDENCE CLEAR WATER REVIVAL MORE THAN ONCE WHILE THIS THAILAND.

WELCOME, PLEASE.

¶ ¶ MAY ALL BEINGS EVERYWHERE PLAY WITH BODY AND MIND.

QUICKLY BE FREE.

MAY THOSE FRIGHTENED CEASE TO BE AFRAID AND MAY THOSE BOND BE FREE.

MAY THE POWERLESS FIND POWER AND MAY PEOPLE BE SINGING OF BEFRIENDING ONE ANOTHER.

MAY THOSE WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN TRAPS, THE CHILDREN, THE AGED, THE GUARDED, BE

[00:05:03]

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL RECITE THE PLEDGE NOW.

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.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE 9 RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING.

[Departments (Part 1 of 10)]

MY UNDERSTANDING -- NUMBER SIX FIRST.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL READ IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

THIS IS A RESOLUTION FOR ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.

EACH YEAR OUR NATION DEDICATES THE MONTH OF MAY TO HIGHLIGHT THE CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR SOCIETY BY THESE AMERICANS OF ASIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER DECENT.

WE ARE ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COMMUNITIES AND KNOW THESE WONDERFUL, PROUD AND DIVERSE NEIGHBORS WHOSE FAMILY ROOTS BRANCH OUT FROM MANY UNIQUE REGIONS AND COUNTRIES AND WHEREAS THEY EMBODY THEIR SPIRIT, HARD WORK, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND THEIR THIRST FOR FREEDOM AND EQUALITY AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN MADE INTO A BETTER PLACE TO LIVE FOR EVERYONE BECAUSE THEY CHOOSE TO CALL HERE THEIR HOME.

AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS RECOGNIZE ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THE RESOLUTION?

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 8)]

>> YES, MA'AM. WE HAVE ONE, KENNETH CHI SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS KENNETH LEE.

I AM THE CHAIRMAN OF THE SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND ALSO THE CHAIRMAN OF ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.

ON BEHALF OF THE ASIAN COMMUNITY WE DO APPRECIATE THE HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZE AAPI COMMUNITY.

EVERY MAY WE CELEBRATE WITH ASIAN RESTAURANT MONTH AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ACTIVITY.

I APPRECIATE THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE ASIAN COMMUNITY AND FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

WE ARE PROUD TO BE PART OF HOUSTON.

WE ARE PART OF -- PROUD OF TO BE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

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

IT IS GREAT TO HAVE YOU JOIN US.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAYOR LEE, I JUST WANT TO SAY I HATE MISSING YOU IN PERSON, BUT GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I'M GOING TO VOTE ON YOU FOR YOUR RE-ELECTION FOR MAYOR.

>> UNOFFICIAL, BUT THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU WILL LET US KNOW OF YOUR EVENTS.

YOU DO A GREAT JOB AND WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE PART OF OUR DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

>> WE CANNOT DO IT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MUST SAY THE PRAYER WAS IMPRESSIVE AND QUITE APPROPRIATE TODAY AS WELL.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN TO THAILAND, BUT HAVE I BEEN TO CHINA.

I WAS JUST THINKING THE GREAT MUSIC THE COMMISSIONER GOT, I WONDER IF JAMES BROWN MADE IT OVER THERE.

I REALLY LIKED THE RHYTHM.

>> YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> WE MISS YOU.

YOU USED TO BE OUR FAVORITE STATE SENATOR.

THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL TAKE MY RESOLUTIONS.

[Departments (Part 2 of 10)]

[00:10:05]

THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS PROCLAIMING THE FIRST WEEK OF MAY AS NATIONAL ARSON AWARENESS WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE THEME FOR THE 2022 ARSON AWARENESS WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY IS ARSON IN HOMELESS COMMUNITY COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WEEK.

THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND THE U.S.

FIRE ADMINISTRATION SHARE INFORMATION TO RAISE AWARENESS OF ARSON.

ACMO WILL TALK ABOUT FIRES AND HIGHLIGHT TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AND CREATE OUT REACH STRATEGIES TO DECREASE ARSON WITHIN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY PROCLAIMS MAY 1 THROUGH 7, 2022 AS NATIONAL ARSON AWARENESS WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SPEAKERS.

CHIEF CHRISTIANSON, WELCOME.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR OFFICE.

AND YOU GET TO HEAR ME TALK A LOT, SO I WOULD ACTUALLY LIKE TO LET MY CHIEF INVESTIGATOR AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU SAW THE EMAIL I SENT, BUT WE HAVE AN EMPLOYEE WHO WON AN AWARD BECAUSED ON THE WORK WITH ARSON.

>> THE FIRE ADMINISTRATION'S FOCUS HAS BEEN ON REDUCING FIRES IN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS DONE.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE HAS AN INITIATIVE TO BRING HOMELESS OUT REACH GROUPS AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT TOGETHER.

FIRE DEPARTMENTS ENCOUNTER HOMELESS COMMUNITIES OUT IN THE FIELD AND THEY COME TOGETHER WITH OUT REACH GROUPS THAT PROVIDE SERVICES FOR THE HOMELESS AND MAKE THEM AWARE OF THE LOCATIONS AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER WHICH THEY HAVE ENCOUNTERED THEM SO THE OUT REACH GROUPS CAN PROVIDE SERVICES DIRECTLY TO THE HOMELESS WITHIN THEIR COMMUNITIES. OUR AIM IS TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF FIRES IN THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY ITSELF.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU ALL.

>> YES, SIR.

THANK YOU AGAIN.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL.

I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN THE FIRES THAT OCCURRED LATELY IN PARTS OF THE STATE AND THOSE ARE THE THINGS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE INVESTIGATE AND LEARN FROM.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> GREAT JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THAT RESOLUTION, TIFFANY?

>> GUSTAVO LOPEZ. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK HE'S HERE.

>> OKAY. THAT'S ALL, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS DECLARING THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEREAS NEARLY ONE IN FIVE ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES LIVES WITH A MENTAL ILLNESS, YOUNG ADULTS AGED 18 TO 25 HAD THE HIGHEST PREVALENCE OF MENTAL ILLNESS COMPARED TO OTHER AGE-GROUPS.

APPROXIMATELY 5.6% OF ALL U.S.

ADULTS HAVE A SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS RESULTING IN SEVERE FUNCTIONAL IMPAIRMENT THAT INTERFERES WITH OR LIMITS ONE OR MORE MAJOR LIFE ACTIVITIES.

50% OF THE PERSONS WHO EXPERIENCE A SUBSTANCE ABUSE DISORDER HAD A CO-OCCURRING MENTAL ILLNESS.

MENTAL HEALTH IS BEING CALLED A PARALLEL EPIDEMIC WITH ITS PROFOUND IMPACT ON ADULTS AND CHILDREN GRAPPLING WITH GRIEF, DEPRESSION, ISOLATION, HOUSING INSTABILITY AND JOB AND HEALTHCARE LOSS.

WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION BETWEEN AUGUST OF 2020 AND FEBRUARY OF 2021, THE PERCENTAGE OF ADULTS WITH RECENT SYMPTOMS IN ANXIETY OR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER INCREASED FROM SITTER -- 36.4% TO 41.5% AND BECAUSE OF THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS MANY PEOPLE DO NOT SEEK THE HELP THEY NEED FOR THEMSELVES OR LOVED ONES.

WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MENTAL HEALTH SYSTEM TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF MENTAL ILLNESS SUCH AS HEALTHY MINDS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES INITIATIVE AND THE REHABILITATION AND RE-ENTRY CENTER, BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DE -- DECLARES THE MONTH OF MAY AS MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THAT ITEM?

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 8)]

GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M DR.

LEE AND I AM THE CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER AT THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD.

[00:15:06]

THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS DONE SO MUCH TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH DELIVERY SYSTEM FOR THE COUNTY AND BEYOND.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOUR BROADER SUPPORT TO DE CRIMINALIZE MENTAL ILLNESS AND SAVE LIVES.

WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER ON HEALTHY MINDS AND HEALTHY COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO A DIFFERENT KIND OF CARE THAT DOES OUT REACH IN THE COMMUNITY INITIATED CARE APPROACH.

AND WE WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

WE ARE SO EXCITED ON NUMEROUS ACTIVITIES THAT WE HAVE FOR SUPPORTING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS INCLUDING PARTNERING FOR A WALK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DR.

LEE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR.

LEE, WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

THIS IS AN AREA OF INTEREST OF MINE FOR YEARS.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU AND OTHERS LIKE YOURSELF DEDICATE THEMSELVES TO.

I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE CLINIC AND I WAS ABLE TO ATTEND THEIR EVENT LAST WEEK WHERE HARRIS COUNTY AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS HONORED FOR THEIR WORK IN BEING CONTEMPORARY IN DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES IN THE COMMUNITY. AND JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING A STEDFAST PARTNER.

I AM EXCITED THAT WE ARE GETTING VERY, VERY CLOSE TO REMOVING THE STIGMA AS MUCH AS IT CAN BE AND I WANT TO THANK WAYNE YOUNG AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON FOR THEIR COLLABORATION.

ONE OF THE FIRST TRIPS I MADE TO MICHIGAN -- WAS TO JOPLIN, JOE -- JOPLIN, MISSOURI.

IT WAS AFTER THE HORRIFIC TORNADO.

AT EVERY TURN THERE WAS A SIGN SAYING PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES PROVIDED.

OR AVAILABLE. YOU LOOK AT THIS GREAT TOWN AND YOU LOOK AROUND TO SEE WHERE YOU WOULD SEE A SIGN LIKE THAT AND I WOULD PUT A THOUSAND BUCKS OF MY MONEY ON THE TABLE TO SAY FIND ME ONE.

THERE ISN'T, IF ANY.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND WAYNE YOUNG ARE WORKING TO COLLABORATE SO THAT THERE IS COMMON SPACE AND DR.

PORSA. THERE IS TIME AND SPACE SO THAT THE ACCESS IS EASIER WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN CRISIS.

AND DEFINITELY WHEN YOU ARE NOT INTERACTING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I AM PROUD OF YOU, DOCTOR, THAT YOU CHOSE THIS CAREER PATH.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

IT IS A GREAT RESOLUTION.

DOCTOR, I WAS WONDERING IF YOU CAN JUST COMMENT A BIT ON THE UP TICK AND WE HEAR A LOT ABOUT IT.

COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS HOW MUCH MORE OF A CHALLENGE IS IT?

>> WE WERE ABLE TO GATHER CRISIS CALLS AND THEY ARE CALLING IN FOR HELP.

WE ANSWERED 147 CRISIS CALLS AND THERE WAS A 24% INCREASE OVER THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. IN ADDITION WE ANSWERED 10,620 CALLS ON THE STATEWIDE COVID-19 HOTLINE.

IT IS FOR PEOPLE OVERWHELMED BY COVID-RELATED ISSUES.

THERE IS A NEED ACROSS THE CLINICS AND THOSE CALLING IN FOR SUPPORT.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION BECAUSE AS HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THIS IS SOMETHING WE CARE ABOUT A LOT IN TERMS OF HOW IS THIS IMPACTING THE EVERY DAY PERSON? HOW IS THIS IMPACTING PEOPLE WITH FAMILIES AND HOMES.

THIS IMPACTS EVERY CITIZEN AND BEING ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHETHER OR NOT THEIR MENTAL HEALTH IS IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC.

[00:20:07]

>> I WAS THINKING WHEN I HEARD COMMISSIONER GARCIA POINTED OUT THE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH IT, I THINK OUR DEMOGRAPHICS NOW PROBABLY HAVE US AT ABOUT 78 OR MAYBE 80% OF COMMUNITIES OF COLOR IN THE COUNTY NOW.

ANY COMMENTS THAT YOU CAN KEEP THE DATA OR IF YOU CAN EVEN TELL WHAT -- WITH THE HIPPA REQUIREMENTS.

>> THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD TO TRACK RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF THOSE THAT BREECH AN ACCESS OF BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES HISTORICALLY WHEN WE LOOK AT TRENDS ACROSS THE NATION IN TERMS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT TRY TO ACCESS CARE.

WE NOTICED LESS ACCESS FROM THOSE THAT DON'T OR MIGHT NOT KNOW ABOUT SERVICES AND THOSE ARE OFTEN DISPROPORTION NATIONALLY -- DISPRAU MOTIONER -- DISPROPORTION ALLEY FROM COMMUNITIES FROM PEOPLE OF COLOR AND THERE ARE MORE BROADER STUDIES ABOUT THAT.

THIS IS AN AREA THAT I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF NATIONAL ATTENTION ON RECENTLY IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY AND PSYCHIATRISTS IN THE NATION ARE RECOGNIZING THAT ACCESS TO CARE CAN BE A REAL CHALLENGE FOR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF WORK INTENTIONALLY LOOKING AT HOW DO WE PROVIDE EQUITABLE ACCESS AND TAKING A LOOK AT THAT DATA MORE INTENTIONALLY NOW.

I THINK THAT WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY WE ARE LUCKY BECAUSE WHEN I LOOK AT THE DATA FOR OUR SETTINGS, WE SERVE A LOT OF INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR AND OPEN OUR DOORS THOSE THAT NEED CARE WHO ARE AFRICAN-AMERICANS, WHO ARE HISPANICS AND NEED TO ACCESS CARE.

IN ADDITION OUR SERVICES ALLOWS FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO JUST NEED CARE NO MATTER YOUR INSURANCE, NO MATTER WHAT BACKGROUND YOU COME FROM.

RMP PC ALLOWS YOU -- RMPC ALLOWS YOU TO GET ACCESS.

IF YOU ARE IN DISTRESS YOU CAN CALL THE HOTLINES AND BE ABLE TO ACCESS SOMEBODY WHO IS TRAINED TO BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

WE WILL SEND OUT TEAMS. OUR ACCESS AND REACH HAS BEEN MORE INTENTIONAL AND FOCUSING FOR THE UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES.

IN ADDITION, THE HEALTHY MINDS AND THE HEALTHY COMMUNITIES PROJECT IS REALLY AIMED AT HELPING THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE PARTICULARLY UNDER SERVED.

WE ARE REALLY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THOSE ZIP CODES THAT ARE OFTEN HARD TO REACH AND START TO DO A COMMUNITY OUT -- OUT REACH PROJECT FOCUSING ON KEBLGTING -- CONNECTING WITH THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT LEARNING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH, FIRST-AID AND BEING ABLE TO GET THE SERVICES THAT THEY NEED. AND TO BE ABLE TO CREATE MORE ACCESS POINTS.

I THINK HISTORICALLY WHEN YOU THINK OF ACCESS POINTS IT IS AT THE PSYCHIATRIST'S OFFICE OR MAYBE YOU DON'T HAVE AN EASY A WAY TO ACCESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH.

NOW WE ARE TRYING TO PROVIDE SUPPORT THROUGH PASTORS OR THROUGH SALONS OR THROUGH OTHER ACCESS POINTS WHERE FOLKS ARE TRAINED AND THEY KNOW ABOUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THE DISCUSSIONS AND THE CONVERSATIONS BECAUSE IT CAN BE REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE TO TALK ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IN CERTAIN COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT PROJECT.

AND SO JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT BECAUSE I ACTUALLY THINK IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE MADE A MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL APPROACH THROUGH THE LEADERSHIP AT THE HARRIS COUNTY -- AT THE HARRIS CENTER.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

WE DO LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT PARTNERSHIP.

WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK LEFT TO BE DONE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL VOTE ON THIS LATER ON WITH THE REST.

>> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER FOR THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN TAKE THE PICTURES.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY.

>> WE HAVE JACOB CLEMENTAGE.

HE IS SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND ITEM SIX UNDER RESOLUTION.

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>>

[00:25:05]

YOU. >> HI.

I'M JACOB CLEMENTAGE AND I AM HONORING ASIAN AMERICANS AND NATIVE AMERICANS. IT IS RIGHTEOUS AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE.

I AM EMPLOYED BY EARMARK AND ALSO AT NRG STADIUM PARK.

MY MANAGER IS CINDY MUNOZ AND SHE IS THE THEY MANAGER -- SHE IS THE EVENT MANAGER.

I HAVE MET THE CONCESSIONS MANAGER AND THE BEVERAGE MANAGER AND THE DIRECTOR OF FACILITIES AND THE HR MANAGER AND THE FACILITY'S GENERAL MANAGER AND THE VISITING MANAGER FROM IOWA.

WHAT I WANT TO SAY NOW IS THAT, WELL, AFTER THE -- AFTER THE ASTROS WON A GAME, I GOT SOME BOTTLES OF -- NOT BOTTLES, BUT -- YEAH BOTTLE HAD THAT HOLD BEVERAGES AND THOSE BEVERAGES -- I WAS GOING TO KEEP THEM FOR MYSELF, BUT THERE WAS A FAMILY FROM HOLLAND THAT WAS AT A BUS STOP AND SO I GAVE THEM TO THEM WHEN WE WERE RIDING THE BUS TO THE MARKET SQUARE FACILITY HERE IN DOWNTOWN HOUSTON.

AND WHAT I ALSO WANT TO SAY IS ON THE BUS THIS BLACK FEMALE WHO WAS ALSO WORKING FOR AIR MARK, SHE GAVE THEM A BOTTLE TO THE HOLLAND FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> WE ARE WELL REPRESENTED.

>> THANK YOU, JACOB.

>> OKAY.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

>> I FORGOT TO MENTION I AM PRO-LIFE.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS AND SO I ASK AGAIN THAT WE ARE IN A COURTROOM AND IF YOU ARE AT THE MIC, WE WILL ALL BE LISTENING TO THE FOLKS AT THE MIC, BUT OTHER THAN THAT, I ASK THAT WE NOT INTERRUPT AND THAT WE NOT MAKE NOISES AND THAT WE ARE APPROPRIATE SO EVERYBODY CAN HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD WHEN IT IS THEIR TIME TO SPEAK.

LET'S PLEASE DO THAT.

[Departments (Part 3 of 10)]

IT IS HARD TO TELL TODAY.

WE HAVE TWO MEMBERS JOINING US VIRTUALLY, BUT WITH A COUNTY OF FIVE MILLION PEOPLE AND HALF OF WHOM ARE WOMEN, ARE THERE IS ONLY ONE WOMAN ON THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THAT IS ME.

IN THE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN OFFICE I WORKED TO BRING THAT PERSPECTIVE INTO CERTAIN AREAS AND ONE OF WHICH IS HELPING LEAD HARRIS COUNTY IN ESTABLISHING BEST IN CLASS FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES.

WE DID THAT A YEAR OR TWO AGO, 12 WEEKS PAID FAMILY LEAVE FOR MOTHERS AND FATHERS AND MINIMUM WAGE AND CERTAIN POLICIES THAT FOR SOME REASON WERE FORGOTTEN UNTIL A WOMAN ARRIVED ON THE COURT, AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT.

IT MEANS ALSO OFFERING A PERSPECTIVE ON AN ISSUE WHERE I STAND WITH THE VAST MAJORITY OF WOMEN, THE VAST MAJORITY OF TEXANS AND AMERICANS. LET ME READ THIS RESOLUTION AS A WOMAN AND A PROUD ONLY WOMAN ON THIS COURT.

WHEREAS ON MAY SECOND, 2022 A DRAFT SUPREME COURT OPINION ANNOUNCED TO THE WORLD THAT THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN IN AMERICA COULD BE CURTAILED AGAIN.

THE RIGHT TO AN ABORTION HAS BEEN GUARANTEED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE THE SUPREME COURT SET PRECEDENT IN ITS 1973 RULING ON ROE V.

WADE. THE DRAFT OPINION REPRESENTS AN ASSAULT ON WOMEN'S HEALTH AND THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

ONE OF THE MOST CHERISHED VALUES IN OUR NATION AND IN TEXAS.

[00:30:04]

STRIKING DOWN ROE V.

WADE WILL FAIL TO ELIMINATE ABORTIONS FROM HAPPENING.

WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WITHOUT ROE V.

WADE. MILLIONS OF WOMEN PROCEED TO GO FOR BACK ALLEY PROCEDURES.

THIS WILL FURTHER EXPOSE WOMEN TO HARM.

WHEREAS IN A STATE WITH AN 18.4 UNINSURANCE RATE AND A HIGH MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK WOMEN, DENYING ABORTIONS CAN BE A DEATH SENTENCE FOR THEM.

TWICE AS MANY AMERICANS SUPPORT ROE AS OPPOSE IT.

78% OF TEXAS VOTERS BELIEVE ABORTION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN SOME FORM.

WHEREAS ENSHRINING THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE WAS OUR MOTHERS AND OUR GRANDMOTHERS' FIGHT, IT SHALL NOW BE OUR FIGHT AS WELL.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY CALLS ON THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION AND FOREVER PROTECT THE LONG-ENSHRINED RIGHTS OUTLINED DECADES AGO IN ROE V.

WADE AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVE THAT'S HARRIS COUNTY STANDS FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS AND IN OPPOSITION TO THE EXTREME DRAFT OPINION BEING CONSIDERED BY THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I KNOW YOU SAID WE ARE NOT VOTING ON RESOLUTIONS.

CAN WE NOT TAKE ACTION ON THIS ONE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER, BUT WE SHOULDN'T VOTE ON IT.

WE WILL VOTE ON EVERYTHING TOGETHER SO COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL CAST HIS VOTE AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.

I KNOW THAT WE MAY HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE A QUICK FOUR POINTS THAT WERE MADE EARLIER AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH YOU.

ONE, I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON A GREAT SPEECH AT THE RALLY WITH 5,000 PEOPLE FROM HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT WAS IN 100-DEGREE WEATHER, MIGHT I ADD.

MY FIRST POINT IS DOES THIS INVOLVE HEALTHCARE FOR THE REST OF US? IF NOT FOR HEALTH -- HEALTHCARE ACCESS FOR MEN IT WOULD NOT BE AS MEANINGFUL.

-- AN ISSUE. WE ARE SEEING A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS BEING ERODED.

OUR COUNTY WAS AT GROUND 0 FOR THE EFFORT TO ROLL BACK VOTING RIGHTS BECAUSE OF THE SUCCESS WE HAD WITH MAIL IN BALLOTS AND DRIVE-THRU VOTING AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

OUR STATE PREEMPTED US.

THERE ARE SEVERAL RESTRICTIONS ON VOTER REGISTRATIONS AND ID LAW AND CITIZEN AUDITS AND CRIMINAL AND CIVIL PENALTIES, ELECTION OVERSIGHT COMMISSIONS AND ALL IN AN ATTEMPT TO UNDERMINE THE RIGHT TO VOTE, A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT.

SECOND POINT IS THEY ARE CHANGING 50 YEARS OF PRECEDENT I'M 68.

AS YOU SAID, THIS ISSUE WAS DECIDED 50 YEARS AGO IT IS A TEXAS CASE, BY THE WAY.

OTHERS ARE WORKING THEIR WAY UP, BUT IT WAS A TEXAS CASE.

YOU HAVE A HOST OF OTHER BAD IDEAS COMING ALONG THROUGH THE PIPELINE.

THE DON'T SAY GAY BILL.

I MEAN, IT IS RIDICULOUS.

IT IS AN INSTANCE OF PEOPLE TRYING TO FOCUS ON DIVISIVE ISSUES BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO FOCUS ON REAL ISSUES THAT IMPACTS PEOPLE'S LIVES. THIS IS NOT ONLY BAD FOR INDIVIDUALS, BUT IT IS BAD FOR HEALTHCARE.

STUDIES SHOW THAT PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO TRAVEL OUT OF STATE AND MAYBE OUT OF THE COUNTRY IF THEY CAN AFFORD IT.

THEY WILL BE FORCED TO CARRY PREGNANCIES TO ANOTHER STATE TO GET THE HEALTHCARE THEY NEED.

AND RESEARCH HAS SHOWN -- I JUST GOOGLED THIS, OR MY STAFF DID LAST NIGHT.

STATE-LEVEL ABORTION RESTRICTIONS COST $105,000,000,000 PER YEAR BY REDUCING LABOR FORCE AND EARNINGS LEVELS AND IT INCREASES THE TURNOVER AND THE TIME OFF FROM WORK AMONG WOMEN AGES 14 TO 44.

[00:35:03]

WHEN WE DO VOTE, I WOULD BE PROUD TO VOTE FOR IT AND HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL VOTE FOR IT AS WELL.

IF NOT, AT LEAST THREE. >> TOM RAMSEY: A VERY SAD RESOLUTION INDEED. I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR IT.

I WILL NOT BE VOTING FOR IT.

I WILL TELL YOU WHY. THIS ISN'T ABOUT SOME HEALTHCARE ISSUE.

THIS IS NOT ABOUT SOME RIGHT TO VOTE ISSUE.

THIS IS LIFE.

I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST IT, AND I WILL BE THINKING OF 63,000,000 LIVES LOST SINCE 1973.

AND I DON'T THINK GOD IS GOING TO BLESS AMERICA UNTIL WE DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE.

FOR THAT REASON I WILL BE VOTING NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, TIFFANY.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 8)]

>> YES, MA'AM. THE FIRST IS TARA BULA SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS MAKING HER WAY, TIFFANY.

>> THANK YOU. >> MS. HIDALGO AND MR. ELLIS, I COME TO SPEAK AGAINST YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

I HAVE SEEN BOTH OF YOU CONSISTENTLY COURT EVIL IDEOLOGIES AND POLICIES.

LAST MEETING MS. HUH -- MS. HIDALGO HIRED SECURITY USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

MOST LIKELY THIS IS OCCURRING BECAUSE YOU ARE FEELING THE OVERWHELMING HEAT OF PUBLIC DISAPPROVAL OF DEMOCRAT POLICIES.

YOUR POLICIES ARE A FAILURE.

YOUR PRESIDENT IS A FAILURE.

IF YOU REALLY THINK CONSTITUENTS WANT TO PAY FOR YOUR PERSONAL SECURITIES, THEN TAKE IT OUT OF YOUR OWN CAMPAIGN FUNDS AND STOP USING PUBLIC TAX DOLLARS AS YOUR PERSONAL COFFER.

DEMOCRATS IDENTIFY WITH MURDERERS.

DEMOCRATS ARE THE PARTY OF DEATH.

PEOPLE ARE BEING MURDERED IN OUR STREET WITH LITTLE TO NO CONSEQUENCE.

DEMOCRATS CONDONE AND PUSH THE MURDER OF INNOCENT CHILDREN IN A WOMAN.

AMONG THE CHAOS YOU CREATE, YOU PROTECT YOURSELF AND NOT OTHERS.

STOP THE HYPOCRISY AND STOP THE MURDER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

>> TERRY BULA. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS TOM NOVICE SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THIS IS TOM NOVIS FROM COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS STATED, THIS IS A DIVISIVE ISSUE.

AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL, IT IS YOUR JOB TO REPRESENT ALL HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

PLEASE VOTE NO OR TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM AS IT DOES NOT REFLECT THE POSITION OF ALL HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

WE ARE GRANTED BY OUR CREATOR UN -- UNALIENABLE RIGHTS WHICH IS LIFE, LIBERTY AND PURSUIT TO HAPPINESS.

THERE IS NO RIGHT TO ABORTION IN THE CONSTITUTION.

AS SUCH POWERS DEEING GATED TO THE CONSTITUTION ARE REVERSED TO THE STATES WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE SUPREME COURT IS DOING IN RETURNING THIS ISSUE TO THE STATES WHERE IT BELONGS.

THANK YOU FOR THE CONSIDERATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS DAVID WELCH SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS DAVE WELL -- WELCH THE DIRECTOR OF THE HUMAN PASTOR COUNCIL REPRESENTING HUNDREDS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND.

SIMPLY AND QUICKLY AND VERY EASILY, THIS RESOLUTION IS AN ABOMINATION TO GOD, AN OFFENSE AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION AND IT IS AN ASSAULT ON THE BASIC FUNDAMENTALS OF LIFE AND LIBERTY FOR ALL CITIZENS.

10,000 BABIES ARE SAVED EVERY DAY IN TEXAS SINCE THE HEARTBEAT BILL HAS GONE INTO EFFECT.

NONE OF THE CHAOS IS OCCURRING, NONE OF IT.

WHAT IS THIS ABOUT? IS IT POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ATTEMPT TO MOBILIZE YOUR POLITICAL BASE AT THE EXPENSE OF HUMAN LIFE.

WE WILL NOT STAND BY SILENTLY FOR THIS.

WE WILL DEFEND LIFE AND YOU WILL PAY THE COST AT THE POLLS FOR YOUR STAND FOR UNBRIDLED AND UNLIMITED DEATH AND SLAUGHTER OF THE UNBORN AND ASSAULTS ON WOMEN WHICH IS WHAT IT IS. BE ASSURED THAT IF THIS BODY CHOOSES DEATH, GOD WILL NOT BE SILENCED.

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[00:40:03]

>> NEXT IS DOUGLAS HARRIS OF CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM DOUGLAS HARRIS THE LEAD PASTOR AT THE BAPTIST CHURCH.

I COME AS A CITIZEN OF THE COUNTY AND REPRESENTATIVE OF MY CONGREGATION.

WE STAND IN OPPOSITION TO THIS PROPOSED RESOLUTION.

IN THIS COURT MOMENTS AGO WE PLEDGED OUR ALLEGIANCE TO OUR NATION AND OUR STATE.

IN BOTH CASES WE SAID WE WERE A NATION AND A STATE UNDERGOD.

UNDER GOD. WE UNDERSTAND THAT TO BE THE GOD OF THE BIBLE AND THUS WE MUST ORCHESTRATE THE LAWS OF OUR LAND TO BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH HIS WORD.

AND WE KNOW AND UNDERSTAND THAT BRINGING HIS WORD ALL LIFE IS SACRED FROM CONCEPTION TO THE GRAVE.

AND THAT INCLUDES OUR LIVES AS WELL AS THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO ARE YET UNBORN AND THEY SHOULD BE PROTECTED BY THE LAW OF THIS LAND.

IT IS OUR CONVICTION AND OUR BELIEF THAT ALL LIFE MUST BE PROTECTED IN THE WOMB AND OUTSIDE OF THE WOMB.

I AGREE WITH PASTOR DAVE THAT SHOULD THIS COURT OR OUR NATION MAKE A CHOICE OTHERWISE AND UPHOLD THE EVIL THAT HAS BEEN TAKING PLACE SINCE 1973 DASH TKAORB.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WE WILL HAVE THE WRATH OF GOD UPON US.

>> NEXT IS HERNIE CASTANO SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM PASTOR HERNAN CASTANO.

I AM THE HISPANIC DIRECTOR FOR THE TEXAS COUNCIL.

IT IS A SAD DAY INDEED TO BE STANDING TO SUCH COURAGEOUS MEN THAT DEFEND LIFE AND PROTECT OUR LIVES, AND YET TO HEAR THAT WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO KILL BABIES AND TAKE AWAY LIFE.

GOD SAYS AND I SAY THAT HE ALONE GIVES THE BIRTH AND HE IS THE RIGHT GOD THAT GIVES LIFE.

BUT IF YOU DON'T BELIEVE IN GOD, HERE WE ARE WITH A RESOLUTION SAYING WE ARE PROUD TO VOTE FOR IT AND GO AGAINST THE SUPREME COURT OF THE LAND.

AGAIN, HERE WE ARE, HARRIS COUNTY AND I CAN SEE THE TEXAS FLAG, AND WE ARE SAYING THAT WE ARE TEXANS AND THIS IS THE WILL OF TEXANS.

IT IS NOT. AS A PASTOR OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY, I KNOW THE PEOPLE OF FAITH HAVE A VOICE, AND THAT VOICE WILL BE HEARD IN THE DAYS TO COME.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ALEXI SWARTSKY SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND 168 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I WILL SPEAK ON THE ELECTION ISSUE AND THE ABORTION RESOLUTION.

GENESIS 1:27 GOD SAYS GOD CREATED MAN IN HIS OWN IMAGE.

EVERY HUMAN BEING IS CREATED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

THERE IS NO INHERENT RIGHT TO KILL A CHILD GOD BECAUSE BORN OR UNBORN.

IN FACT, GOD COMMANDS US NOT TO MURDER.

JUDGE HIDALGO IS ATTEMPTING TO PASS A RESOLUTION MAKING MAY MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH, AND AT THE SAME TIME WANTING TO INCREASE MENTALLY -- THE NUMBER OF MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE WITH HER PRO-ABORTION PROPOSAL.

ABORTION IS CONSISTENTLY ASSOCIATED WITH THE ELEVATED RATES OF MENTAL ILLNESS COMPARED TO PWEPL -- WOMEN WHO HAVEN'T HAD AN ABORTION.

AT 21 DAYS AFTER CONCEPTION THE CHILD HAS A HEARTBEAT.

AT CONCEPTION EACH CHILD HAS A UNIQUE DNA WHICH IS NEVER REPLICATED BEFORE OR AFTER HISTORY.

GOD MADE EACH PERSON UNIQUE AT THE TIME OF CONCEPTION.

I ALSO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THE ELECTION --

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

I'M SO SORRY. >> I'M SORRY, WHAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> UH -- ALEXI SWRATSKY. I AM SPEAKING FOR CONCERNED WOMEN OF AMERICA.

>> NEXT IS MARISSA HANSON.

SHE IS SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND ITEM 168 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU CLAIM THAT THIS IS ABOUT MY BODY, MY CHOICE.

WHERE WERE YOU DURING THE VACCINE MANDATES OF HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS THAT WERE FIRED FROM THEIR JOBS FOR THE VACCINE MANDATES? YOU KNOW, YOUR LOGIC FOR -- IT IS NOT ABOUT PROTECTING WOMEN'S RIGHTS.

IT IS ABOUT PROTECTING LIBERAL RIGHTS.

YOU WEREN'T THERE -- YOU MANDATED MASK MANDATES FOR CHILDREN.

[00:45:01]

IT WASN'T ABOUT -- THIS TPHEFRP HAS BEEN ABOUT MY BODY, MY CHOICE.

IT IS ABOUT POWER TO YOU.

AND MANY PEOPLE ARE STARTING TO VIEW IT AS THAT.

YOU KNOW, YOUR -- YOU'RE AWARDING A COMPANY $6,000,000 FOR COVID TESTING.

YET, YOU JUST HAD A MASSIVE PROTEST WITH 5,000 PEOPLE ALTOGETHER AND YOU ARE STILL GIVING MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS AWAY FOR COVID.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> MARISSA HANSON.

>> NEXT IS KATHERINE TULLEY SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS KATHERINE TULLEY AND A WIFE AND MOM AND NATIVE HOUSTONIAN.

A WOMAN HAS A RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH HER BODY IN PRIVACY.

AND A MAN HAS A RIGHT TO CHOOSE WHAT TO DO WITH HIS BODY IN PRIVACY.

THE LONG ARM OF THE LAW INTERVENES WHEN THE MAN USES VIOLENCE AGAINST AN INNOCENT PERSON AND HIS SEXUAL ADVANCES AND IT IS RAPE AND IT IS WRONG.

WHEN AN EGG AND SPERM UNITE THEY FORM A NEW AND UNIQUE HUMAN BEING.

WHEN THE WOMAN IS PREGNANT IT IS HER BODY AND HER BODY PLUS ONE.

WHETHER IT IS CONCEIVED WITH RAPE OR VIOLENCE, VIOLENCE IS NEVER THE QUESTION.

TURN TO THE PERSON ON YOUR LEFT AND ASK WHEN DID YOUR LIFE BEGIN? WHEN DID YOU BECOME WORTHY OF PROTECTION? IT IS HORRIFYING THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAVE BAD STATS FOR HEALTH OUTCOMES.

HOW DARE A POLITICIAN AND CIVIC LEADER CLAIM THE SOLUTION FOR THIS PROBLEM.

HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD BE THE MODEL FOR MATERNAL HEALTH FOR ALL WOMEN.

IT IS TRAGIC OUR DAUGHTERS ARE TAUGHT THE ONLY WAY TO BE EQUAL FOR A MAN --

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NECCA E HANECHO SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS NACA HMENCHO.

I AM HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THE PASSING OF THE ROE VS.

WADE RESOLUTION. IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS A SYMBOL OF THIS COURT'S CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THE HOUSTONIANS THEY REPRESENT.

HOWEVER, HOUSTONIANS MEAN MORE THAN SYMBOLISM.

THEY NEED REAL ACCESS AND NEED IT NOW.

THIS IS THE TIME TO GET CREATIVE AND FIND SOLUTIONS TO MAKE ABORTION ACCESSIBLE FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS WORKING ON THE GROUND INCLUDING RIVER POWER HOUSTON TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO ABORTION CARE AND THEY NEED YOUR SUPPORT BEYOND NAME ONLY.

AS YOU PROBABLY HAVE HEARD, THERE WAS A CONFIRMED DRAFT LEAK OPINION THAT THREATENED TO OVERTURN ABORTION RIGHTS.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT MOST IMPACTED BY THE OVERTURNING OF ROE VS.

WADE IS BLACK, INDIGENOUS AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR, TRANS FOLKS AND LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES.

OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE ALWAYS SUPPORTED PRO-ABORTION POLICIES NOW IT IS TIME FOR YOU TO AS WELL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS JONATHON MARRAN SPEAKING IN PERSON.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE IS MAKING HIS WAY.

>> REGARDING THE PRO-ABORTION AGENDA ITEM, I WANT TO BRING UP THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE DEBATE AND THAT IS THE MORAL QUESTION.

WE ALREADY KNOW WHAT SCIENCE SAYS.

THE INTERNET HAS SO MANY TESTS, STATISTICS AND FACTS PROVING AN INDIVIDUAL LIFE STARTS AT CONCEPTION.

NOW WE HAVE MANY GOD-GIVEN RIGHTS BECAUSE -- BUT YOU CANNOT FIND AMONG THEM THE RIGHT TO KILL THE INNOCENT.

HERE IS MY QUESTION, WHAT ABOUT GOD'S RIGHT NOT TO BE OFFENDED? SEEING HOW MUCH DOCTRINE RA*EU -- WEIGHS ON THE DEBATE WE CAN SEE GOD'S CHURCH AS ATTACKED.

THE SERMON WAS STANDING STRONG AGAINST PRO-ABORT THREATS AND THEY VANDALIZED THE OUTSIDE DOORS.

WHAT DOES SOMEONE FIND WITH KILLING THE UNBORN? THE FALSE DYE COT ME IS EITHER ABORTION OR MISERABLE LIFE.

WHAT IS THE REAL ANSWER? PURITY.

PURITY IS THE ANSWER.

ASK GOD TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY FROM THIS EVIL AND LEAVE OUR COUNTRY WITH A CLEAN CONSCIENCE.

REJECT THE SIN OF ABORTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND UH -- UH 5 KWRAEUGS.

>> JONATHON MARINA. I AM A CATHOLIC AND A CITIZEN OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE VANDALISM IS UNACCEPTABLE AND THANK YOU FOR RAISING IT.

>> NEXT IS CEASAR FRANCO SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

[00:50:16]

>> RONALD REAGAN SAID I NOTICED EVERYBODY WHO IS FOR ABORTION HAS ALREADY BEEN BORN.

LET ME REPEAT THAT FOR THE ROOM HERE.

EVERYBODY WHO IS FOR ABORTION HAS ALREADY BEEN BORN.

IN OTHER WORDS, IT IS VERY CONVENIENT TO BE IN FAVOR OF ABORTION WHEN YOUR NECK IS NO LONGER IN DANGER OF AN ABORTION DOCTOR'S SCALPEL.

I AM TOTALLY OPPOSED TO THE MEASURE TO SUPPORT ABORTION.

THERE WAS A TIME WHEN SLAVERY WAS ALLOWED IN THIS COUNTRY AND AMERICANS CAME TO THEIR GOOD SENSES AND THEY ABOLISHED IT.

THE FACT THAT ROE VS. WADE IS ABOUT TO BE OVERTURNED AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT TO LIFE IT IS A GREAT THING.

I REPUTIATE WITH ALL OF MY SOUL THE VANDALISM ABORTIONISTS HAVE BEEN DOING TO CATHOLIC CHURCHES BECAUSE OF THEIR STANCE AGAINST ABORTION.

WE ARE A CATHOLIC GROUP AND HAVE 10,000 MEMBERS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JOHN TOMBA SPEAKING IN PERSON.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JOHN TOMBA AND REPRESENTING TMP AMERICAN NEED FATIA.

AS A CATHOLIC MAN WHO OPPOSES ABORTION THE MOST COMMON RESPONSE I GET FROM WOMEN WHO THINK THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO KILL THEIR CHILDREN IS THAT I'M A MAN AND THEREFORE I CAN'T HAVE AN OPINION ON THE ISSUE.

WELL, THE REALITY IS THAT ABORTION AFFECTS EVERYBODY.

IT AFFECTS BOTH MEN AND WOMEN.

MEN ABSOLUTELY HAVE A SAY IN ABORTION AND IN THE ABORTION DEBATE BECAUSE IT AFFECTS SOCIETY AS A WHOLE AND DENIES THE MOST BASIC HUMAN RIGHT WHICH IS THE RIGHT TO LIFE.

THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE TO KILL YOUR CHILD IS NEITHER A RIGHT NOR A CHOICE.

THIS IS A REVOLUTION AGAINST THE ORDER OF NATURE THAT GOD CREATED.

MEN HAVE A DUTY TO DEFEND THE UNBORN AND NOT STAND BY AND WATCH AS THEY ARE MURDERED BY THE THOUSANDS EVERY DAY.

THIS IS ESPECIALLY -- WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DEFEND -- WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE THE DEFENDERS OF THE WEAK AND THE PROTECTORS OF SOCIETY AND TRUE AS THE PRO-ABORTION MOVEMENT IS MORE VIOLENT WITH THE CHURCHES BEING ROBBED AND DESECRATED AND VANDALIZED.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NEXT IS JOSEPH JENSON SPEAKING.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. ON SUNDAY WE CELEBRATED MOTHER'S DAY.

IT IS A DAY WE THANK OUR MOTHERS FOR EVERYTHING THEY'VE DONE FOR US.

MOST IMPORTANTLY FORGIVING US -- FOR GIVING US THE GIFT OF LIFE.

THE RIGHT TO LIFE IS UNDER ATTACK.

THAT'S WHY I STRONGLY OPPOSE THE RESOLUTION AND THE AGENDA TO PROTECT A WOMAN'S SUPPOSED RIGHT TO AN ABORTION.

THERE IS NO RIGHT TO KILL.

YOU CAN SEE HOW INTOLERANT THE PRO-ABORTION CROWD CAN BE.

ON MOTHER'S DAY WE CATHOLICS EXPERIENCED RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION WHEN PRO-ABORTION ACTIVISTS DISRUPTED OUR MASSES.

TWO CHURCHES HERE IN HOUSTON WERE ATTACKED AND VANDALIZED.

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE.

I URGE YOU INSTEAD OF PASSING A RESOLUTION TO INCREASE THE SLAUGHTER OF AMERICA'S NEXT GENERATION AND INSTEAD OF PASSING RESOLUTIONS THAT PROMOTE THE MURDER OF UNBORN CHILDREN, WHY NOT PASS A RESOLUTION TO PROTECT CATHOLIC CHURCHES IN HOUSTON? WHY NOT PASS RESOLUTION THAT'S WILL DO SOME GOOD LIKE KEEPING OUR CHURCHES SAFE.

THANK YOU. TRADITION FAMILY AND PROPERTY STUDENT ACTION.

THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS VERNA PAZAN SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING.

I AM BRUNO AND I AM A PROUD CATHOLIC.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE VANDALISM ON THE CATHOLIC CHURCH THAT'S TOOK PLACE THIS WEEKEND IN HOUSTON AND ELSEWHERE IN THE NATION.

AND IT HAS SADDEN SADDENED OUR COMMUNITY.

I CONDEMN THE MOVEMENT TO INTIMIDATE THOSE WHO CHERISH.

I OPPOSE THE RESOLUTION IN FAVOR OF ABORTION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT IS ADRIAN SPEAKING IN PERSON.

[00:55:07]

MINUTE. >> SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF.

ROE V. WADE IS BAD LAW AND EVEN HONEST, LEFTIST LAW SCHOLARS WILL ADMIT TO THIS INCLUDING THE NOTORIOUS RGB.

WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS BE SELF-EVIDENT THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL, ENDOWED BY THEIR CREATOR AND AMONG THEM LIFE, LIBERTY AND THE PURSUIT TO HAPPINESS.

THE INFANT IN THE WOMAN -- WOMB HAS A RIGHT TO LIFE FROM GOD ABOVE.

AND OVER 60,000,000 DEATHS OF OUR SONS AND DAUGHTERS IS AN OUTRAGE THAT CRIES TO GOD FOR VENGEANCE.

ABORTION IS THE UNHOLY SACRAMENT OF THE LEFT WHICH AS CLEAR AS THE RISE OF ANTI-CATHOLIC ATTACKS ARE ON THE RISE ACROSS AMERICA AND HERE IN OUR HOME STATE OF HOUSTON, TEXAS. IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE MOTHER'S DAY ATTACKS THAT THESE PEOPLE HATE GOD.

I WILL LEAVE YOU WITH THIS AND THE FACT THAT I LEARNED MY VALUES FROM MY MOTHER AND GRANDMOTHER.

SANTA MARIA DE LA LUZ PRAY FOR US.

>> NEXT IS TRACY SHANNON SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS A SHAMEFUL RESOLUTION.

AS A WOMAN, YOU DO NOT SPEAK FOR ME.

WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT WE WOULD MAKE IT TO 2022 AND PRACTICING DISCRIMINATION AGAINST THE VOICELESS, THE WEAKEST, THE POOREST OF ALL, THE UNBORN.

THEY HAVE NO VOICE AND NO BARGAINING CHIP.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE THROWN AWAY BECAUSE THEY ARE INFIRMED, INCONVENIENT OR BORN WITH ECONOMIC DISADVANTAGES.

81% OF WOMEN BELOW THE POVERTY LINE DIDN'T WANT AN ABORTION, BUT SAID ECONOMIC PRESSURE WAS THE DECISION.

RATHER THAN THROW AWAY BABIES, WE SHOULD BE SUPPORTING FAMILIES.

REJECTING THE MOVEMENT THAT DISCOURAGES MARRIAGE AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITIES.

WOMEN WHO HAVE ABORTIONS SEPARATE FROM THEIR PARTNER 75% OF THE TIME.

SUPPORT MARRIAGE AND FAMILY.

DO NOT THROW AWAY CHILDREN.

I AM TRACY SHANNON AND I AM AFFILIATED WITH THE URBAN CONSERVATIVES OF AMERICA.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DOROTHY HABLINSKI.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS MOST SACRED OF SUBJECTS AND THAT IS LIFE.

I STAND BEFORE YOU IN THE DEFENSE OF MILLIONS OF BABIES WHO HAVE DIED SINCE 1973, SINCE ROE VS.

WADE WAS PASSED AND ALL THOSE WHO WILL DIE IF WE DON'T TAKE A STAND FOR LIFE.

THE FOUNDER OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD SAID THE MOST MEANINGFUL THING THEY CAN DO IS KILL INFANTS TPAPBTS.

THIS MANTRA IS FUNDED BY THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS.

DON'T FOOL YOURSELF.

YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

WE ARE NOT GONNA TAKE IT.

IF YOU HAVE NEVER HEARD OF EUGENICS, LOOK IT UP.

IT DECIDES WHO LIVES AND WHO DIES.

ADOLF HITLER AND HIS CREW WAS INVOLVED.

EUGENICS IS HAPPENING IN THIS NATION.

THE POWERS THAT BE HAVE BEEN SET UP TO DESTROY FAMILY VALUES AND TRADITIONAL VALUES SAYING WE MUST MOVE TO A NEW WORLD ORDER AND A MOVEMENT WHERE THE STATE BRAIN WASHES --

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

IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME.

>> DOROTHY ABLISKY.

AND THERE IS 13% OF BLACK PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY? HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? BECAUSE [INAUDIBLE] KILL THEIR BABIES.

>> JUDGE, THAT'S IT FOR THE SPEAKERS.

IS YOUR MICO?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I SEE YOU DON'T HAVE THE -- ANY RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER.

[Departments (Part 4 of 10)]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I'M HONORED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I AM ALWAYS GRATEFUL FOR SOMEONE WHO STEPS INTO A CAREER AND THE GOOD LORD HAS SEEN THEM WELL ENOUGH TO HAVE HIM WALK OUT OF A

[01:00:05]

AND I WAS ALWAYS PROUD TO RUN INTO HIM AND SEE HIS GOOD WORK.

I JUST WANT TO THANK HIS WIFE FOR MAKING ME AWARE THAT SHE WAS -- THAT HE WAS HANGING UP THE SPURS, AS THEY SAY. WELL, THIS IS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF JOHN G SHANNON.

LET ME READ IT.

HE HAS WORKED AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HE HAS SPENT OVER 34 YEARS DILIGENTLY SERVING THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND IT IS TO THE HIGHEST OF CAPTAIN.

JOHN G SHANNON WORKED IN DETENTIONS AS A DETENTION OFFICER DEPUTY, SERGEANT, LIEUTENANT AND CAPTAIN AND EVERY JAIL OPERATED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS.

THEY ARE IN CONTROL OF 9,000 PRISONERS.

AND WHEREAS LIEUTENANT SHANNON LEFT THE COMMUNICATION DIVISION OF THE MOBILE COMMAND UNIT DURING THE RESPONSE FOR HURRICANE IKE, DEPLOYED 71 DAYS DURING AND AFTER THE STORM.

THEY PROVIDED EMERGENCY 9-1-1 SERVICE FROM MULTIPLE AGENCIES THAT LOST SERVICE DUE TO THE STORM.

THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THIS MISSION WERE RECOGNIZED NATIONALLY BY THE E 9-1-1 INSTITUTE THAT NAMED THE SHERIFF SHERIFF'S OFFICE MOBILE COMMAND UNIT AND -- THE 9-1-1 CALL CENTER OF THE YEAR.

THEY GAINED NATIONAL ACCLAIM WHEN IT WAS EVALUATED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION OF CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE AND THEN THEY SELECTED AS A PROGRAM OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS JOHN HOLDS A BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE SCIENCE AND ATTENDING THE FBI NATIONAL ACADEMY IN HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENTS HE EARNED THE STATE'S HIGHEST LICENSE -- LICENSURE THE AWARD FOR AGO TKEPL -- FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AND THREE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE AND THE SHAVE DRIVING AWARD AND THAT WAS ALWAYS A GOOD ONE TO GIVE OUT, JUDGE.

YOU KNOW THOSE PATROL CARS -- I WAS GLAD THEY WERE ABLE TO KEEP THE UNITS SAFE. A SAFE DRIVING AWARD.

THE PERFECT ATTENDANCE AWARD.

AMEN. AND THE LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE AWARD.

JOHN LET ME JUST SAY THAT I AM SO PROUD OF YOU.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND MAKE SURE YOU GIVE MY STAFF YOUR CONTACT NUMBER.

AND THANK YOUR BEAUTIFUL BRIDE FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE AWARE OF THIS.

AND YOU AND YOUR CAREER AND YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND YOUR SUCCESS AND YOUR DEDICATION ARE IMMENSELY DESERVING OF THIS OCCASION.

I REGRET I CAN'T BE THERE WITH YOU IN PERSON, BUT IT WAS GREAT SEEING YOU AT THE MEMORIAL.

I DIDN'T RECOGNIZE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE IN RETIREMENT MODE.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE RETIREMENT.

IF IT GETS TOO DANGEROUS AT HOME, WE'LL HAVE A SPOT WAITING FOR YOU, MAN.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY RECOGNIZES CAPTAIN JOHN G SHANDON FOR HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT CAREER DEDICATED TO SERVE AND PROTECT THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

CONGRATULATIONS, BROTHER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS CAPTAIN SHANNON HERE? I THINK HE DESERVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[01:05:01]

>> IT HAS BEEN A LONG RIDE.

WHEN I CAME TO WORK FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WE WERE USING CARBON PAPER ON THE REPORTS AND NOW WE HAVE CARBON FIBER IN OUR DRONES.

I DID MY TIME AND NOW IT IS TIME TO GO.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES.

I WAS PROUD TO WORK AS A MENTAL HEALTH UNIT COMMANDER.

THE JAIL IS THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTION IN THE STATE WITH MORE BEDS DEDICATED TO THE MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE THAN ANY MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL IN THE STATE.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME AND THANK Y'ALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A FEW WORDS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD AND WELL DONE.

IT IS VERY ENCOURAGING TO FINISH A CAREER LIKE YOU HAVE.

YOU HAVE A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO AND LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU DOWN THE ROAD.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING IT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF ENERGY LEFT.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN.

SO PROUD OF YOU.

71 DAYS DURING HURRICANE IKE, MAN.

THAT IS COMMENDED.

BECAUSE OF YOUR WORK I WAS GETTING CALLS ABOUT DEPLOYING THE MOBILE COMMAND UNIT IN SOUTH TEXAS.

AND I BELIEVE WE ENDED UP ACKNOWLEDGING THE REQUEST, BUT IT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO PUT THEIR NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE AND MADE US LOOK GOOD.

NO DOUBT SAVED LIVES.

WHAT'S IN STORE? WHAT'S THE FIRST ORDER OF BUSINESS BESIDES VACUUMING AND SWEEPING AND --

>> I AM HOPING TO SPEND MORE TIME ON MY HARLEY.

I WENT TO KEY WEST OVER SPRING BREAK.

WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO VISIT THE COUNTY COURTHOUSES IN TEXAS.

>> DON'T DO IT ON THE MOTORCYCLE.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THIS IS JUST AS EXCITING.

I WILL TELL YOU THAT PRECINCT 2 HAS IMMENSE TALENT LIVING WITHIN IT.

I AM SO PROUD TO RECOGNIZE THIS YOUNG MAN WHO UNBE KNOWNST TO ME MADE US LOOK GOOD WHEN HE WAS ONE OF THE SELECTED TO PERFORM IN "AMERICA'S GOD TALENT" COMPETITION.

THIS YOUNG MAN A TALENTED SINGER AND A STUDENT LEADER, YOUTH MENTOR. DOUGLAS HAS -- DOUGLAS IS ABSOLUTELY A GREAT EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEY WORKED TOGETHER FOR 22 YEARS.

EACH YEAR THEY WORKED WITH THE YOUTH AGES 7 THROUGH 17 FROM ALL LOCATIONS UP TO 9 DIFFERENT SITES.

DURING THE SEVEN-WEEK SUM OF CAMP SESSION CREATED A PROGRAM FOR YOUTH TO PERFORM AT THE MUSIC FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS.

DOUGLAS LEARNED FROM HIS MOTHER AS SHE TAUGHT TO CREATE COSTUMES AND STAGE PROPS.

THE YOUTH PERFORMED MUSICALS INCLUDING "WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE"," LION KING", "TOTALLY TEXAS" AND A RE-ENACTMENT OF MICHAEL JACKSON'S" THRILLER." WE ARE FORTUNATE TO SEE DOUGLAS LEARN AND GROW FROM ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES AND THAT'S WHY I'M EXCITED TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION.

[01:10:02]

AND THE 28TH OF THIS YEAR.

AND THE PROGRAM IN THE CROSBY, TEXAS AREA AND HIS MOTHER WORKED AS THE MUSIC DIRECTOR FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT PROGRAM FOR 22 YEARS DOUGLAS IN TOW. HE GREW UP ATTENDING COUNTLESS CLASSES AND REVERSALS AND LEARNING AND PERFORMING IN THE MUSICAL SHOWS.

HE ALSO DEVELOPED THE SKILLS TO HELP THE YOUNGER STUDENTS IN THE PROGRAM.

AND DOUGLAS HAS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS AND HONORS INCLUDING KINDER AND HSPVA'S AND ENCORE OF 50SOLOISTS AND A SPECIAL SOLOIST FOR HISD AND POLICE INDUCTION CEREMONY, BOTH IN APRIL OF THIS YEAR. HE WAS ONE OF THE LEAD ACTORS IN "RUN AWAY BLUES"," HAVI CENTER" IN 2019 AND THE CO-LEAD ACTOR IN "MY FEELINGS" EXCUSE ME.

WHEREAS IN HIS FREE TIME DOUGLAS SERVED AS THE LEADER FOR THE CONGREGATION WORSHIP SERVICE AND HIS FAMILY'S CHURCH AND AS AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR THE YOUTH CHOIR LEADING YOUTH AGES 5 THROUGH 17. HE IS A MENTOR AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANT IN THE MUSIC DOING GOOD IN SCHOOL PROGRAM.

WHEREAS DOUGLAS IS SET TO GRADUATE IN MAY OF 2020 FROM THE HSDVA WHERE HE SERVED AS THE VOCAL COUNCIL OFFICER FROM 2022 PRESENT.

DOUGLAS WILL ATTEND SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY IN HUNTSVILLE, TEXAS THIS FALL.

BE IT RESERVED -- BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS DOUGLAS MILLS FOR HIS DEDICATION, PERSEVERANCE AND VOLUNTEER SERVICE TO THE STUDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND LET ME SAY THANK YOU TO HIS WONDERFUL MOM WHO BROUGHT HIM IN TOW.

THERE MAY HAVE BEEN DAYS YOU WOULD HAVE RATHER STAYED HOME AND PLAYED A VIDEO GAME, BUT LOOK WHERE IT GOT YOU.

WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND IT IS AN HONOR AND PLEASURE TO RECOGNIZE YOU TODAY THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION.

CONGRATULATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS DOUGLAS HERE? COME ON UP. OUR STAR SINGER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND TO PRESSURE, BUT CAN YOU GIVE US A LITTLE ACAPELLA ON SOMETHING?

>> LET ME SEE, LET ME SEE.

I CAN SING MY ADDITION -- AUDITION SONG WE DID FOR "AMERICAN IDOL."

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

¶ SOUTHERN STREETS ¶ ¶ BARREN FRUIT ¶ ¶ BLOOD ON THE STREETS ¶ ¶ BLOOD ON THE ROOTS ¶ ¶ BLACK BODY SWINGING IN THE SUMMER BREEZE ¶ ¶ STRANGE FRUITS ¶ ¶ STRANGE FRUITS HANGING FROM THE TREES ¶ ¶ THEN THE BULGING EYES AND THE TWISTED MOUTH ¶ ¶ SCENT OF MAGNOLIA ¶ ¶ CLEAN AND FRESH ¶ ¶ AND THEN THE SUDDEN SMELL ¶ ¶ OF BURNING FLESH ¶

[01:15:04]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIONS, MAN.

PROUD OF YOU.

MOM, WILL YOU STAND UP? ALL RIGHT.

CONGRATULATIONS.

A BEAUTIFUL FRUIT FROM THAT TREE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR BEAUTIFUL VOICE WITH US.

HARRIS COUNTY IS SO PROUD OF YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRATULATIONS AND MAKE SURE GARCIA IS NOT BACK UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WELL DONE.

WE IN PRECINCT 3 ARE PROUD OF YOU.

I WAS IN CROSBY LAST NIGHT AND THE WHOLE COMMUNITY LIKES TO SEE OUR YOUTH GO FORWARD AND DO WELL, AND YOU WILL DO REAL WELL AT SAM HOUSTON. I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT FRIENDS THAT WENT THERE.

THANK YOU AND COME TO PRECINCT 3 WHEN YOU CAN AGAIN.

>> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS A RESOLUTION WHERE WE ARE HONORING AARON VANEGAS, DEPUTY AARON VENEGAS AND THIS IS A GREAT STORY OF WHAT HE IS DOING AND WHAT HE HAS DONE.

I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I THINK IT SPEAKS -- IT SPEAKS FOR ITSELF.

THINK OF A HOLISTIC APPROACH OF BRINGING THE SKILL SET TO THE JOB EVERY DAY.

AARON VENEGAS, A 13-YEAR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT DEPUTY AND FIELD TRAINING OFFICER WITH CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1, DEDICATED FATHER OF TWO CHILDREN, AVERY AND ESTON WHO VOLUNTEERS AT THEIR SCHOOL AND COACHES BASEBALL IN HIS SPARE TIME.

WHEREAS DEPUTY VENEGAS HAS PROUDLY SERVED AS PEACE OFFICER FOR 15 YEARS AND TRAINS THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HIS STYLE OF POLICING IS TO USE THE SAME LEVEL OF CARE NO MATTER THE LEVEL OF CRIME.

ALWAYS TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND EXPECT A POSITIVE INTERACTION.

WHEREAS MARCH 6TH, 2022 DEPUTY VENEGAS WAS DIS -- DISPATCHED TO A SCENE SOMEONE CALLED WORRIED ABOUT A FRIEND SLEEPING IN THE STREET AND MAY BE A DANGER TO HIMSELF.

DEPUTY VENEGAS AND HPD ARRIVED QUICKLY.

VENEGAS LISTENED TO THE STORY AND TOOK THE TIME TO CALL THE PERSON IN NEED AND WAS ABLE TO GET TO THEM.

ONCE THEY MET IN PERSON VENEGAS ASSURED THE PERSON THEY WERE NOT IN TROUBLE, DE ESCALATED THE SITUATION, OFFERED DETAILS ABOUT HIS OWN PERSONAL STRUGGLES AND THEN PROCEEDED TO OFFER HIM MULTIPLE RESOURCES FOR HELP AND SUPPORT.

VENEGAS ENDED UP MAKING SEVERAL PHONE CALLS ON BEHALF OF THE INDIVIDUAL AND SRAEPBT -- EVENTUALLY GOT IN CONTACT WITH THE INDIVIDUAL'S MOTHER WHO WELCOMED HER SON HOME IN COLORADO.

VENEGAS PERSONALLY DROVE THE INDIVIDUAL TO THE BUS STOP, PRINTED A COPY OF HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE AND TICKET AND MADE SURE HE MADE IT ON THE BUS AND EVEN CALLED HIM THE NEXT DAY TO BE SURE HE GOT THERE.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES THE PROFESSIONALISM AND THE KINDNESS OF DEPUTY AARON VENEGAS.

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 8)]

I BELIEVE HE IS HERE. >> HAD YOU, COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WANT TO START BY TELLING Y'ALL THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AND PRESENTING ME WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

[01:20:06]

KEEPING IT SHORT AND SWEET, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK Y'ALL TO CONSTABLE ROSEN AND MY PATROL CHIEF AND MY NIGHT SHIFT LIEUTENANT AND SERGEANT WAYNE SHULTZ AND FORMER SERGEANT FOR LIBERTY PD FRANK LONGORIA IS HERE.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DEPUTY.

APPRECIATE YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DEPUTY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. GOOD TO SEE YOU GUYS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIONS, MAN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IS THAT LIEUTENANT BOYCE AS WELL?

>> WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER FOR THIS ITEM.

>> WASN'T REALLY PREPARED, BUT AARON IS A VERY SPECIAL OFFICER.

A LOT OF THINGS WERE IN THE PROCLAMATION THAT RINGS TRUE.

HIS COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND HIS CARING AND HIS -- AND IT IS UNMATCHED.

YOU CAN ALWAYS DEPEND ON AARON THAT THE SCENE WILL BE HANDLED WITH THE UTMOST CARE AND PROFESSIONAL I'M -- PROFESSIONALISM AND REPRESENTING LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE WAY IT SHOULD BE REPRESENTED.

HE IS A CARING INDIVIDUAL AND YOU CAN SEE IT HOW HE HANDLES HIS FAMILY AND THE TIME HE SPENDS WITH HIS KIDS AND HIS APPROACH TO LIFE IN GENERAL.

PROUD TO HAVE HIM WORK FOR ME AND LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT RELATIONSHIP.

>> THANK YOU, LIEUTENANT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> I'M SORRY.

WAYNE SCULTZ ALSO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> IT IS WAYNE SHULTZ.

I WANTED TO SAY THAT AARON -- I'M OUT OF CONSTABLE ALAN ROSEN'S OFFICE IF YOU CAN'T TELL BY THE UNIFORM.

I MET AARON ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO, AND I JUST KNEW HE WAS ONE OF THOSE GUYS.

HE WAS WITH LIBERTY AT THE TIME.

WHEN WE GOT THE CHANCE TO RECRUIT HIM I GOT WITH THE CHIEF AND I SAID WE NEED THIS GUY.

LET'S GET HIM OVER HERE. IT IS PROOF THAT IT IS A GREAT TIME TO HAVE AARON OVER WITH US.

I GOT THE PRIVILEGE TO TRAIN HIM.

HE IS AS GOOD AS HE IS BECAUSE I TRAINED HIM IN PRECINCT 1.

I WANT TO TAKE SOME KUDOS FOR THAT.

JUST LIKE THE LIEUTENANT JUST SAID, HE IS ONE OF THOSE GUYS THAT REALLY STANDS OUT AND GETS OUT THERE AND CAN WORK THESE SCENES.

HE GETS SOME OF THE BAD GUYS TO CONFESS THE STUFF THEY DID TWO YEARS AGO WE ARE NOT INVESTIGATING BECAUSE OF HIS DEMEANOR.

HE IS THAT GUY. I WAS ON THAT NIGHT, AND HE CALLED ME SEVERAL TIMES TO KEEP ME UPDATED ON IT AND I'M LIKE, GREAT.

GREAT. GOOD STUFF.

I'M GLAD HE WAS ABLE TO DO THAT AND GET THAT KID BACK HOME.

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

YOU HAVE SOME GREAT FOLKS.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE ONE MORE REGULARS -- RESOLUTION.

[Departments (Part 5 of 10)]

>> TOM RAMSEY: IN THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY THERE ARE A FEW PEOPLE I WILL REFER TO AS A JOHN WAYNE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND WE ARE ABOUT TO RECOGNIZE ONE OF THEM.

AND I WILL TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

I PRACTICED AS AN ENGINEER IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR OVER 40 YEARS.

BOB BOSWORTH HAS A LONGER TENURE THAN I DO.

HE IS SUCH A WELL-RESPECTED PERSON FOR HIS CON CITY -- CONSISTENCY AND KNOWLEDGE OF BEING AN ENGINEER.

HE DOESN'T PLAY POLITICS.

HE GETS TO THE TRUTH OF IT ALL.

LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION ON ROBERT "BOB" PW-S O -- BOSWORTH.

BOB BOSWORTH WILL RETIRE ON MAY 20TH, 2022 AFTER SERVING, GET THIS, EIGHT COUNTY ENGINEERS, EVEN MORE IMPRESSIVE, FOUR PRECINCT 3 COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THAT'S HARD, FOR A TOTAL OF 48 YEARS OF SERVICE.

MR. BOSWORTH STARTED WORKING FORKS HCED IN DECEMBER OF 1973 AS THE FIRST EVER CITY PLANNER ACTING AS A LIAISON FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION AND HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

HE HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE PRECINCT POSITION AND SERVED THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY THROUGHOUT THAT PERIOD.

AND WHEREAS BOB'S FIRST PROJECT WAS WORKING ON THE 1973 BOND PROJECT.

THE 1975 BOND PROGRAM AND THE 1973 BOND ELECTION.

WHICH UNTIL THIS DAY HE STILL HAS THE NOTES TAKEN DURING THE PROJECT MEETINGS.

NOW THAT'S A TRUE ENGINEER RIGHT THERE.

MR. BOSWORTH WORKED DILIGENTLY IN SEVERAL COMMITTEES INCLUDING THE HOUSTON DAHL -- GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL AND WHERE ONE OF HIS PROJECTS IS THE 1976 FLOOD ANALYSIS AND WHEREAS MR. BOSWORTH SPENT THE MAJORITY OF HIS TENURE WORKING CLOSELY WITH PRECINCT 3.

[01:25:04]

MR. BOSWORTH'S SERVICE EXEMPLIFY WHAT'S IT MEANS TO BE A TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT DEDICATED, DEPENDABLE AND DILIGENT.

HIS VITAL ROLE IN THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATION OF HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING PROVIDED THE CREATIVE PROBLEM SOLVING AND FINDING THE BEST ENGINEERING SOLUTION FOR THE PUBLIC SHALL NEVER BE DIMINISHED.

MR. BOSWORTH, LOOKING FORWARD TO BEING UNDER NEW MANAGEMENT AND ENJOY SPENDING MORE TIME WITH THE FAMILY.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CONGRATULATES AND COMMANDS ROPBT -- ROBERT BOSWORTH AND I THINK HE IS HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE HE.

CONGRATULATIONSES AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SERVICE.

>>

[Appearances before court (Part 5 of 8)]

I APPRECIATED AND RESPECTED THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AS THE COMMISSIONING OF THE ENGINEERS AND THAT'S HOW THE PROGRAM IS WORKED.

I DO WANT TO KEEP THIS VERY SHORT.

I BELIEVE WE ARE WORKING ALTOGETHER AND THAT'S THE PROGRAM THAT OUGHT TO BE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, BOB.

>> I WANT TO MENTION THAT MY WIFE HAS BEEN MY PARTNER AND HAS BEEN WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT FOR A LONGTIME.

>> TOM RAMSEY: PLEASE STAND UP.

LET'S RECOGNIZE HER AS WELL.

>> AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, BOB.

BE SURE AND LEAVE YOUR CELL PHONE NUMBER.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR SO MANY DECADES OF WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATIONS.

ALL THE BEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE'S ONE MORE PRECINCT 4 RESOLUTION.

[Departments (Part 6 of 10)]

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'VE GOT IT.

THANK YOU. THIS IS A RESOLUTION FOR PRECINCT 4 AND I WILL READ THIS FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I WILL SIMPLY GET TO THE RESOLUTION, WHEREAS TODAY'S ZOOS PLAY A MULTI-FUNCTIONAL ROLE IN OUR SOCIETY NOT ONLY IN ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATIONS, BUT RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS AND SPECIES REHABILITATION PROGRAMS AND CIVIC MOTIVATORS EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND WHEREAS THE U.S.

GOVERNMENT DONATED A BISON NAMED EARL TO LIVE IN A TWO-ACRE PLOT IN THE 1920S IN THE -- AND THE CITY SUBSEQUENTLY PROCLAIMED THE DESIGNATION TO BUILD A HOUSTON ZOO AND WHEREAS THE HOUSTON ZOO TODAY COVERS 55-ACRES AND CARES FOR ROUGHLY 6,000 ANIMALS WITH MORE THAN TWO MILLION ANNUAL VISITORS EXPERIENCING ONE OF AMERICA'S BEST ZOOS.

AND WHEREAS THE HOUSTON ZOO IN TRUE HOUSTON FASHION CONSISTENTLY REACHES TO GAIN GREATER ABILITY IN THEIR CARE AND THEIR MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY EDUCATION PROGRAMS THAT ARE IMPACTFUL GLOBAL CONSERVATION PARTNERSHIPS AND WHEREAS THE YEAR 2022 MARKS A CENTURY OF GROWTH, DEDICATION AND PERSISTENCE BY ALL OF THOSE ASSOCIATED WITH THE HOUSTON ZOO TO PROVIDE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE WORLD THIS COMPELLING WORK AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT JOINS IN CELEBRATION THE CENTENNIAL OF THE HOUSTON ZOO.

>> DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM?

[Appearances before court (Part 6 of 8)]

WELCOME. >> JACK -- JACKIE WALLACE SPEAKING IN PERSON.

>> I AM JACKIE WALLACE, THE SENIOR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS FOR THE HOUSTON ZOO.

WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

WHAT STARTED WITH A BISON NAMED EARL IN THE MIDDLE OF HERMAN PARK IS NOW A GLOBAL CONSERVATION ORGANIZATION HELPING TO SAVE ANIMALS ALL OVER THE WORLD AND RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS.

AND ALSO MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ARE PART OF HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY AND A PART OF ALL OF OUR LIVES AND THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JACKIE.

[01:30:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONS AND YOU ARE A PART OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT SHOULD BE ALL THE RESOLUTIONS.

WE WILL TAKE PICTURES AND THEN WE WILL COME RIGHT BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

COMMISSIONER MEMBERS, JUST REAL QUICK, WE ARE GOING TO ANNOUNCE A BREAK, BUT I WANTED TO COVER OUR RUN OF SHOW FOR TODAY SO TO SPEAK.

WE WILL TAKE A BREAK.

AND THEN WHEN WE RETURN WE ARE GOING TO GO OVER ITEM 263.

THAT IS THE TRANSMITS -- TRANSMITTAL REGARDING THE J WEBB OUTAGE.

WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS AND DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM.

SO WE WILL START WITH THAT ONE.

AND THEN WE WILL TAKE THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL VOTE AND THAT'S WHEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL JOIN US AND WE WILL GO ON FOR THE ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ITEMS. ONE THING IS THERE IS A VIRTUAL PRESS CONFERENCE COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS ORGANIZED AT 1:00 TO ACCOMMODATE HIS CONDITION AND WE WILL HAVE TO BREAK AT 12:45 EITHER WAY IN ORDER TO MAKE THAT PRESS CONFERENCE.

I WILL KEEP TABS, BUT I WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DO HAVE A SPEAKER FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO TALK ABOUT THE DISPARITY STUDY AND I THINK SHE HAS TO DO IT BEFORE 2.

I WOULD LIKE FOR HER TO MAKE HER PRESENTATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL COME BACK AND TAKE THE DISPARITY STUDY BRIEFLY AND THEN MOVE TO J WEBB.

IT IS 11:44 AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 11:55.

A 10-MINUTE BREAK. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A QUORUM IS THREE PEOPLE.

BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT MEANS I AM REALLY NEEDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS ALWAYS.

IT IS 11:57 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE ARE GOING TO START, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH THE DISPARITY STUDY.

[Departments (Part 7 of 10)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ITEM 273.

I THINK, JUDGE, PEOPLE FROM HARRIS HEALTH -- IT IS A TRANSMITTAL, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO WALK US THROUGH IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS MS. HOLT ON THE LINE?

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME, YES?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

YOU ARE SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF AUTHORITY.

I I JUST DIDN'T KNOW IF SOMEONE ELSE FROM HARRIS HEALTH WANTED TO MAKE AN OPENING COMMENT OR NOT, JUDGE.

IF NOT, YOUR -- YOU'RE THE EXPERT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AS ALWAYS.

AND I UH -- I APPRECIATE YOUR INDULGENCE SPEAKING AT A CON -- CONFERENCE AND THAT'S WHY I AM ON VIDEO AND THANK YOU FOR MOVING ME UP ON THE AGENDA.

WE HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION AND I AM HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS AT THE END.

IF THERE IS ANYONE FROM HARRIS HEALTH THAT WANTS TO SPEAK, THAT WOULD BE MOST WELCOME.

FIRST SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS WOULD BE FAMILIAR I THINK TO THE COURT.

THESE ARE THE SAME DIS-- DISPARITY OBJECTIVES WE HAD FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY STUDY THAT ARE TO PROVIDE A LEGAL DEFENSE TO HARRIS HEALTH IF ANY NEW PROGRAM IS RACE AND GENDER CONSCIOUS WERE TO BE LEGALLY CHALLENGED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PROGRAM MEETS ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS OF STRICT CONSTITUTIONAL SCRUTINY.

WE ALSO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS AND SOME ADVICE ABOUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE TRY TO USE IT, AGAIN, AS A TOOL TO EDUCATE EVERYONE ABOUT WHAT THE LEGAL STANDARDS ARE AND WHAT THE DATA COLLECTION METHOD -- METHODOLOGY AND OUR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE IS A SUMMARY OF WHAT WE FOUND.

YOU HAVE THE REPORT WHICH HAS AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY AS WELL AS THE REST OF THE BODY OF THE REPORT TO PERUSE AT YOUR LEISURE.

WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS AMPLE ANECDOTAL OR QUALITATIVE AND STATISTICAL EVIDENCE THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE CONCLUSION THAT HARRIS HEALTH HAS A CONSTITUTIONALLY ADEQUATE BAY SIS TO UH -- BAY SIS TO ADOPT A NEW RACE AND GENDER CONSCIOUS PROGRAM.

WE FOUND THERE WERE LARGE INSIGNIFICANT DISPARITIES BETWEEN THE AVAILABILITY OF WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS AND THEIR UTILIZATION BY HARRIS HEALTH AS PRIME AND SUBCONTRACTORS.

WE ALSO TOOK A LOOK AT THE HARRIS COUNTY STUDY AT THE WIDER ECONOMY WHERE THESE PROGRAMS ARE RARE AS A CHECK ON WHAT WOULD

[01:35:03]

FINALLY WE TALKED TO MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS IN THE OVERALL HOUSTON AREA MARKETPLACE AND IN THE HEALTHCARE SPACE AND IN DOING BASE WITH HARRIS HEALTH, AND THEY TOLD US THAT THEY CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE BIAS PERCEPTIONS ABOUT THEIR COMPETENCY AND THAT THEY ARE OFTEN SUBJECT TO STEREOTYPING AND HAVE ACCESSED INFORMATION AND DID NOT ENJOY EQUAL ACCESS TO CREDIT AND CONTRACTS.

HERE IS THE STUDY DATA AND METHODS.

YOU CAN SEE THE QUAN TAU DAY -- QUANTITATIVE OR STATISTICAL SOURCES WE USED.

IT IS THE SAME TYPE OF DATA WE USED ON THE STUDY.

AND WE OF COURSE HAD EQUAL FACIAL TIFF DATA INCLUDING -- QUALITATIVE DATA INCLUDING INTERVIEWS AND WE TALKED TO THE STAFF AND WE DID ALSO INCLUDE INFORMATION FROM OTHER TEXAS DISPARITY STUDIES THAT IS DIRECTLY RELEVANT FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE ARE THE ELEMENTS.

IT SHOULD LOOK FAMILIAR TO THE COURT.

WE HAVE A LEGAL CHAPTER AND WE HAVE A CONTRACT DATA CHAPTER AND THEN WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE ECONOMY-WIDE EVIDENCE AND SOMETIMES CALLED PRIVATE SECTOR.

OUR ANECDOTAL DATA AND OUR RECOMMENDATIONS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. HERE IS WHAT WE FOUND IN TERMS OF HARRIS HEALTH'S UTILIZATION.

WE LOOKED AT THE CONTRACTS GREATER THAN $50,000 AND THEN AWARD 50,000 AND OVER.

AND YOU CAN SEE THE FINAL CONTRACT DATE ON FILE.

WE HAD 98 PRIME CONTRACTS AND 256 ASSOCIATED SUB CONTRACTS.

WE LOOKED AT WHERE THE SUBCONTRACTORS WERE LOCATED AND 96% OF THE DOLLARS THAT WERE SPENT IN TEXAS WERE SPENT IN HARRIS FORT BEND, GAL REUS STOPB AND MONTGOMERY -- GALVESTON AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

THAT'S THE GEOGRAPHIC MARKET WE USED FOR THE STUDY.

TURNING TO THE PRODUCT MARKET OR THE INDUSTRY MARKET WE FOUND 71 NORTH AMERICAN INDUSTRY CODES AND WE USED -- NAICS CODES AND WE USED THOSE FOR THE DATA FILE.

WHAT DID WE FIND WAS THE UTILIZATION? MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS GOT A LITTLE UNDER 8% IN TOTAL.

THE DOLLARS SPENT WITH PRIME CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS BY HARRIS HEALTH.

YOU CAN SEE THERE THE BREAKOUT AMONG THE VARIOUS GROUPS.

SO TURNING NOW TO WHO IS AVAILABLE.

REMEMBER OUR DISPARITY ANALYSIS IS GOING TO COMPARE THE UTILIZATION OF MWBE'S TO THEIR AVAILABILITY AND THERE ARE LOTS OF CHARTS ABOUT THAT IN THE STUDY, BUT THIS IS THE SUMMARY OF THE WEIGHTED AVAILABILITY THAT REFLECTS THE SPENDING PATTERNS FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

SOME WOULD DIFFER FROM THE COUNTY BECAUSE THEY ARE A HEALTHCARE INSTITUTION.

YOU CAN SEE THERE THE OVERALL AVAILABILITY THAT WE FOUND WAS ABOUT 19.5%.

YOU CAN SEE IT BROKEN OUT THERE AMONG THE VARIOUS GROUPS.

NEXT SLIDES, PLEASE. WE NEXT CALCULATED THE DISPARITY RATIOS AND THAT'S HOW TIGHT IS THE FIT BETWEEN WHO WAS UTILIZED BY AN AGENCY AND WHO WAS AVAILABLE TO DO WORK FOR THAT ENTITY.

AND YOU CAN SEE THERE THE DISPARITY RATIOS THAT WE FOUND.

OVERALL FOR MINORITIES AND WOMEN WE FOUND A DISPARITY RATIO OF A LITTLE OVER 40% AND THAT IS BOTH SUBSTANTIVELY SIGNIFICANT WHICH MEANS IT IS 80% OR LOWER AND THAT'S A THRESHOLD THE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE GIVEN US AS A MARKER OF THE POTENTIAL OPERATION OF DISCRIMINATION IN THE MARKET, AND THAT ONE WAS ALSO STAU T*EUS -- STAU T*EUS -- STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT.

YOU CAN SEE IT BROKEN OUT FOR EACH RACIAL GROUP AND WOMEN AND NON-MWBE'S.

>> KWHR IS AFTER -- WHY IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN ZERO?

>> WELL BECAUSE THERE WAS -- THE RATIO WOULD BE ZERO BECAUSE THEY GOT NO DOLLARS.

>> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT, BUT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DRAWING ATTENTION TO THAT.

IS THAT 6% OF QUALIFIED CONTRACTORS IT LOOKS LIKE?

>> NO.

[01:40:03]

BLACKS HAD A ZERO RATIO BECAUSE BLACK FIRMS GOT NO DOLLARS.

HISPANICS WERE UTILIZED IN ABOUT HALF OF THEIR AVAILABILITY.

THAT'S A COLLOQUIAL WAY OF LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS.

WHITE WOMEN WERE ACTUALLY AT PARITY.

THEY WERE UTILIZED AT JUST SLIGHTLY OVER THEIR ACTUAL AVAILABILITY.

AND THEN YOU CAN SEE OVERALL THAT NON-MWBE'S WERE UTILIZED AT PROBGSZ -- AT APPROXIMATELY 25% GREATER USE THAN THEIR ACTUAL AVAILABILITY IN THE MARKET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT I MEAN IS IT IS NOT THAT THERE ARE NO QUALIFIED AFRICAN-AMERICAN-OWNED FIRMS.

>> WELL, THAT'S CORRECT.

WHOEVER IS DOING THE SLIDES, CAN YOU GO BACK A SLIDE? I THINK WE CAN SHOW YOU WHAT THE AVAILABILITY IS.

THERE YOU GO. WE FOUND THAT BLACK FIRMS TO BE AVAILABLE AT ABOUT 6.8 -- LET'S ROUND UP CALLING IT 7% IN THE MARKETPLACE. BUT THEY GO -- GOT NO DOLLARS AND YOU GET A ZERO DISPARITY RATIO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS OBVIOUSLY IS SPECIALIZED WORK.

SO AS AN EXAMPLE, THE NUMBER FOR HISPANICS, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, UNDER THE COUNTY'S DISPARITY STUDY IN TERMS OF THE CAPACITY TO DO THE WORK IS DIFFERENT.

SO ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERS AND BUILDING.

IF I'M CORRECT, MS. HOLT, I KNOW YOU DO THESE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I THINK YOU DID COOK COUNTY OR WHATEVER THE HOSPITAL IS.

>> COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITALS SYSTEMS.

>> YEAH. AND DALLAS COUNTY, WHATEVER IT IS CALLED IN DALLAS.

I'M JUST CURIOUS IN TERMS OF OUR NUMBERS, ARE THESE NUMBERS COMPARABLE TO WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN OTHER PLACES, WORSE, BETTER, ABOUT THE SAME?

>> WELL, IN TERMS OF THE AVAILABILITY, IT'S ABOUT WHAT YOU SEE MOST PLACES.

NOW, WE ARE JUST FINISHING UP OUR SECOND DISPARITY STUDY FOR COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

THE OTHER ONE IS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS OLD.

A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT TO EXTRAPOLATE FROM THAT.

WE FOUND AVAILABILITY ABOUT IN THIS RANGE THE LAST TIME FOR COOK COUNTY.

I HONESTLY DON'T REMEMBER ABOUT PARKLAND HOSPITAL, THAT'S DALLAS.

I DON'T HAVE A RECOLLECTION THAT IT WAS SUPER LOW.

I THINK THE DIFFERENCE WITH COOK COUNTY IN PARTICULAR IS THAT COOK COUNTY HAS HAD A PROGRAM FOR MWBE'S AT LEAST 25 YEARS.

I THINK IT IS LONGER. THE COUNTY'S OVERALL PROGRAM IS OLDER THAN THAT.

SO IT IS HARD TO COMPARE AN AGENCY LIKE HARRIS HEALTH THAT HAS NOT HAD A PROGRAM AT ALL TO AN AGENCY THAT HAS BEEN RUNNING A SUCCESSFUL, AGGRESSIVE PROGRAM FOR DECADES. IN THAT SENSE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, OF COURSE COOK COUNTY'S UTILIZATION IS MUCH HIGHER, BUT THAT IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE A PROGRAM. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WHY WE RECOMMEND THAT HARRIS HEALTH ADOPT A PROGRAM.

THE DISPARITY RATIOS ARE LOW AND WELL WITHIN WHAT THE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE ACCEPTED IN TERMS OF ESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM.

WE THINK THAT HARRIS HEALTH COULD UTILIZE WOMEN AND MINORITY-OWNED FIRMS MORE THAN THEY HAVE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE CLOSER TO HOME IS DALLAS COUNTY? I THINK I GOT IT FROM YOUR OFFICE BY THE WAY, SO DALLAS COUNTY'S NUMBERS WERE ABOUT COMPARABLE TO THEIR CAPACITY. SO THE MWBE NUMBERS WERE VERY COMPARABLE.

I DID CALL DR. PORSA AND WHEN THE LAST STUDY WAS DONE -- THE LAST ONE WAS FIVE, SIX, SEVEN YEARS AGO AND THEY HAD DONE A MASSIVE CAPITAL PROGRAM.

DR. P-RPBGS OR -- DR.

PORSA DID MAKE A COMMENT TO ME AND HE WAS THERE AT THAT TIME.

OBVIOUSLY WHEN THERE IS A CAPITAL PROGRAM, IT WAS EASIER FOR THEM TO GET TO THAT NUMBER, BUT THAT WAS SOME TIME AGO.

THE NUMBERS WERE ABOUT COMPARABLE TO THE AVAILABILITY OF CAPACITY OF MWBE'S IN HARRIS COUNTY.

HAVE YOU EVER SEEN ZERO BY AFRICAN-AMERICANS?

>> WELL, NO.

I NEVER HAVE.

ACTUALLY I MADE MY DATA TEAM GO BACK AND GO THROUGH THE FILE BY HAND TO MAKE SURE WE HADN'T MADE KEY STROKE ERRORS.

[01:45:04]

I THINK AGAIN THE THING TO RECOGNIZE ABOUT PARKLAND HOSPITAL IS WHILE THEY HAVEN'T HAD THE SAME TYPE LEVEL COMMITMENT THAT COOK COUNTY HAS HAD, BUT THEY DID HAVE A PROGRAM.

THEY WEREN'T OPERATING A FULLY RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL MARKET.

WHAT I THINK YOU TAKE FROM THIS IS THAT GOALS WORK.

IF AN AGENCY IS INTENTIONAL AND TRANSPARENT AND CONDUCTS THE OUT REACH AND TRIES TO UNBUNDLE THE CONTRACTS AND DOES ALL THE THINGS WE KNOW WILL WORK INCLUDING SETTING GOALS THAT ARE FLEXIBLE AND NARROWLY TAILORED ON THEIR CONTRACTS THAT YOU CAN REALLY MAKE PROGRESS.

THAT'S CERTAINLY MY HOPE FOR HARRIS HEALTH AS WE GO FORWARD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL LET YOU FINISH.

HAVE I SOME QUESTIONS. I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WANT TO BE RECOGNIZED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MS. HOLT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR BEING A CONTINUED AND STAUNCH ADVOCATE FOR ENSURING -- THIS IS HISTORICAL.

I JUST WANT TO REPEAT THAT WHEN THE JUDGE AND I STARTED HERE, WERE YOU ALREADY LEADING THE DISCUSSION DURING HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY FLOOD BOND PACKAGE.

THE ONLY REAL PLAYERS IN TOWN IN TERMS OF AN MWBE PROGRAM WAS THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

TXDOT HAS THE HUB PROGRAM AND METRO WAS DOING THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, BUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON WAS THE ONLY MWBE IN TOWN, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN.

NOW THERE IS HARRIS COUNTY AND PORT OF HOUSTON AND SOON THERE WILL BE THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

I'M REALLY JUST WANTING TO COMMEND YOU FOR OPENING THIS UP AND THEN WITH THE DISPARITY FUND, HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE NO MORE SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT WILL NOT BE WITHOUT A DISPARITY STUDY AND IT WILL LEAD TO A FULL-PLEDGED -- FULL-FLEDGED PROGRAM.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, I KNOW WE AS A COUNTY ARE DOING A 30%, FOR THE MOST PART, GOAL SETTING, AND I APPLAUD THE 20% THIS STUDY IS FINDING.

MS. HOLT, WHY CAN'T WE CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO BE CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD AND ENCOURAGE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO CONSIDER A 30%.

I KNOW IT HAS TO WORK WITH YOUR DATA, BUT IT IS A GOAL.

ANY CHALLENGE THERE?

>> THERE IS A CHALLENGE THERE.

THE COURTS INS*EUTS -- INSIST THAT AGENCIES NARROWLY PUT THEIR DATA TO WHICH THEY APPLY.

TO THE EXTENT AN AGENCY ADOPTS A GOAL THAT REALLY ISN'T GROUNDED IN THEIR OWN DATA, I DO THINK YOU HAVE SOME CONCERNS WITH THAT.

I THINK THE OTHER THING IS SETTING REALISTIC GOALS ALLOWS FOR YOU TO MAKE PROGRESS THAT YOU CAN MEASURE THAT YOU KNOW IS REAL AND THAT DOESN'T INVITE FRAUDS AND FRONTS AND PASS THROUGHS TO TRY TO MEET A GOAL THAT IS NOT REALLY APPROPRIATE.

OUR ADVICE TO AGENCIES IS GROUND YOURSELF IN YOUR OWN DATA BOTH IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO DEFEND YOUR PROGRAM, BUT ALSO TO HAVE YOUR PROGRAM REFLECT THE REALITIES.

SO TO GO FROM NUMBERS THIS LOW TO 30% STRIKES ME AS MAYBE NOT HELPFUL AND TO THE STAFF BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT IS REALISTIC IN THE MARKETPLACE.

IT IS TOUGH ENOUGH TO GET A NEW PROGRAM GOING.

HARRIS HEALTH I KNOW IS COMMITTED TO DOING IT AND DR.

PORSA HAS BEEN CLEAR WITH ME.

THEY CAN ADOPT A 30% GOAL I SUPPOSE IF THEY WANTED TO.

IT IS NOT GROUND IN THEIR OWN DATA AND I WOULDN'T ADVISE THEM TO DO IT.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO THANK YOU BY THE WAY.

I CAN'T REMEMBER IF THE VOTE WAS THREE TO FIVE TO SET UP THE DISPARITY FUND, BUT THE DISTRICTS FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES IN HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT A ZERO AND COLLECTED THAT.

NONE OF THEM HAVE DONE A DISPARITY STUDY AND HISD HAD A PROGRAM ADOPTED WITH GOALS, BUT YOU

[01:50:05]

I WAS USING WHAT LEVERAGE I HAD.

I THOUGHT I HAD THE ABILITY TO MESS UP THE BOND ISSUE.

IT IS THE EQUITY AND GUIDELINES AND THE DISPARITY STUDY I HAD TO PAY FOR AND THE NUMBERS HAVE BEEN HARRIS COUNTY NUMBERS AND THAT NUMBER POPS UP TO ME AND .5% FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS. IT IS NOT ONE AND NOT 5-POINT -- IT IS 0.5.

FOR THE PORT AUTHORITY IT WAS .3.

METRO WAS HIGHER.

METRO GOT SUED.

IT WAS A CONSENT DECREE THEY WERE OPERATING UNDER WHICH IS WHY THEY ENDED THEIR PROGRAM THAT WENT BACK TO ALLEN KEEPER, IF YOU CAN REMEMBER THAT NAME.

WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND THE SUPREME COURT IS LOOKING FOR A CASE. THE FOLKS WHO TOOK IT TO COURT OR AS I POINTED OUT, THE PLUMBING FIXTURES IN RICHMOND AND THEY ARE LOOKING FOR A CASE.

THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT.

THAT'S WHY THESE STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT.

THE GOVERNOR CALLED ME AND SAID DO I REALLY THINK IT TOOK A MILLION DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT MINORITIES AND WOMEN ARE NOT GETTING THEIR FAIR SHARE.

NO, MA'AM, I DON'T THINK IT TAKES A MILLION DOLLARS.

I ALWAYS POINT OUT TO FOLKS IT IS A GOAL.

IF YOU SET IT HIGHER, THERE ARE FOLKS RUSHING TO GET INTO FEDERAL COURT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, MS. HOLT. DO YOU HAVE A PIECE OF THE PRESENTATION LEFT?

>> OH YEAH. JUST A COUPLE MORE.

I PROMISE NOT TO HOLD YOU TOO LONG HERE.

WE DID INCLUDE AN ECONOMY-WIDE ANALYSIS WHEN WE LOOK ELD AT CENSUS -- WHEN WE LOOKED AT CENSUS DATA SOURCES AND SCHOLARLY LITERATURE REPORTS AND BARRIER ACCESS TO CREDIT AND BOTH FINANCIAL CREDIT AND AOUPL CAPITAL.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. >> AND NOW OUR ANECDOTAL FINDINGS BY THE WORK FROM THE OTHER TEXAS DISPARITY STUDIES WE INTERVIEWED INDIVIDUALS WHO TRIED TO DO WORK FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

IT IS PRETTY SPECIALIZED.

THIS IS A GOOD GROUP BECAUSE THEY ARE IN THE HEALTHCARE FIELD.

SAD TO SAY THAT THEY REPORTED AS WITH OTHER TYPES OF INDUSTRIES THAT THEY -- THAT THERE ARE NEGATIVE BIASES AND PREJUDICES AND STEREOTYPES AND THEIR CAPABILITIES ARE QUESTIONED.

THEY NOTED IN PARTICULAR THAT IT IS DIFFICULT TO GET INFORMATION ABOUT SOLICITATIONS.

THEY ASKED FOR MORE OUT REACH AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION ESPECIALLY TO DECISION MAKERS WITHIN HARRIS HEALTH.

AND THEY WANTED MORE FOLLOW THROUGH ON WHATEVER DIVERSITY COMMITMENTS WERE MADE.

IN THE WRITE UP WE INCLUDE THE ANECDOTAL TEXAS STUDIES.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WHAT DO WE RECOMMEND BASED ON THE FINDINGS? AS WE DID FOR THE COUNTY WE BROKE THEM INTO TWO DIFFERENT TYPES.

THE FIRST ARE RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL MEASURES.

WE ARE URGING THEM TO IMPLEMENT AN ELECTRONIC DATA COLLECTION SYSTEM.

IT IS TO CREATE A SENIOR LEADERSHIP POSITION TO OVER -- OVERSEE BUSINESS DIVERSITY TO INCREASE THE ACCESS TO INFORMATION FOR SMALL FIRMS AND TO CONSIDER PARTNERING WITH OTHER ENTITIES AND AGENCIES IN THE HOUSTON AREA

[01:55:09]

I AM A BIG PROPONENT OF ONE-STOP SHOPPING FOR THESE SMALL MWBE'S.

THESE PEOPLE ARE BUSY AND OFTEN DOING EVERYTHING IN THEIR FIRMS AND THEY DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO FROM PROVIDER TO PROVIDER TO PROVIDER.

RATHER THAN HARRIS HEALTH EMBARKING ON THEIR OWN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS WE SUGGEST THEY PARTNER WITH EXISTING SUCCESSFUL PROVIDERS.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. BASED ON THE DISPARITY STUDY FINDINGS, WE BELIEVE HARRIS HEALTH HAS AN AMPLE EVIDENTIARY RACE AND GENDER CONSCIOUS PROGRAM.

WE SUGGEST, TO GO BACK TO KPHEUGT -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, TO SET THE OVERALL ANNUAL GOAL AND THE HIGHLY-DETAILED DATA WHICH WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE TO THE AGENCY IN A FORMAT THEY CAN DOWNLOAD AND CAN ACTUALLY USE TO SET THEIR CONTRACT SPECIFIC GOALS TO NOT DO CERTIFICATION ITSELF, BUT TO ACCEPT CERTIFICATIONS FROM AGENCIES THAT HAVE NARROWLY TAILORED PROGRAMS AND WILL -- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND MAKING SURE THE FIRM HAS SOME TYPE OF PRESENCE AND TO IMPLEMENT RIGOROUS COMPLIANCE AND MONITORING PROCEDURES AND POLICIES TO ENSURE THAT YOU RUN A PROGRAM WITH INTEGRITY AND IT CAN BE SUCCESSFUL.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> I THINK THAT'S MY LAST SLIDE AND IF NOT, THAT WOULD MAKE IT MY LAST SLIDE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE GREAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YOU SAID YOU INTERVIEWED 11 INDIVIDUALS.

DID THESE FOLKS RECENTLY TRY TO DO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT?

>> I THINK CONDITION THE -- I THINK WITHIN THE LAST FEW YEARS.

WE ARE TELLING TALES FROM 20 YEARS AGO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I GUESS MY POINT IS IF I WAS DR.

PORSA AND I SAW SUCH CONDEMNING TESTIMONY, I WOULD WANT TO GET SOMETHING CHANGED PRETTY QUICK.

I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE WHAT DR.

PORSA'S RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTS OF THE 11 FOLKS WHO CLEARLY ARE HAVING A PROBLEM JUST NAVIGATING THE DIFFICULT GAUNTLET THAT APPARENTLY THE DISTRICT HAS.

I WOULD THINK THERE ARE THINGS -- THERE'S THE STUDY AND THEN THERE'S THE PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF WHAT'S COMING OUT OF THE STUDY.

I WOULD HOPE THAT DR. PORSA WOULD TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF I MAY.

JUDGE, IS IT OKAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: DR.

PORSA, GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU SAID IT BETTER THAN I.

YES. THE WHOLE PURPOSE OF THE STUDY WAS AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS PUT IT.

TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

IN ORDER FOR US TO GET TO WHERE WE WANT TO BE, WE NEED TO KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

THAT WAS THE FIRST STEP.

I WANT TO TELL YOU, COMMISSIONERS, THAT -- WHAT I TOLD THE BOARD.

I AM NOT ONLY COMMITTED TO THIS, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS CAUSE.

YES, I AM BOTHERED BY THE FINDINGS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I PLEDGE TO MY BOARD AND I AM PLEDGING HERE TO THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE TAKING STEPS TO REMEDY THIS STARTING WITH CREATING THE POLICY THAT IS GOING TO BE THE POLICY WE WILL IMPLEMENT AND THAT POLICY WILL BE IN FRONT OF THE BOARD FOR APPROVAL NEXT MONTH IN JUNE.

SOON AFTER THAT WE WILL ON BOARD THE LEADERSHIP WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND INTERNATIONALLY WITH OUR CONTRACTING AND PURCHASING TO ENSURE WE ARE TAKING THE RIGHT STEPS INCLUDING MAKING IT EASIER FOR FOLKS TO ENGAGE WITH US.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DR.

PORSA. I KNOW YOU HAVE HAD GOOD EXPERIENCES, BUT TO QUOTE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE DON'T WANT THIS THING TO BE A QUOTA. WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN SOMEONE WANTS TO DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO RUN THROUGH 50 DIFFERENT COMPLICATED STEPS WITH A PRE-CONCEIVED IDEA WHO THEY WILL HIRE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR IMPLEMENTATION OF BEYOND JUST THIS STUDY AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE WANT TO DO WORK WITH THE DISTRICT AND WE MUST AFFORD THEM EVERY OPPORTUNITY.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. PORSA, THANK YOU.

[02:00:03]

I THINK IT WAS A UNANIMOUS VOTE TO DO THE STUDY, RIGHT? OBVIOUSLY I I WAS DISAPPOINTED WITH THE NUMBERS, BUT I ASSUMED THE NUMBERS WERE PRETTY BAD.

IN AN EARLIER LIFE, YOU WEREN'T THERE, BUT I WAS TRYING TO DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY WHEN I COULD AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

I DID DO SOME WORK WITH THE COUNTY AND MY PREDECESSOR SAID IF I WOULD BE QUIET ON OTHER ISSUES, I CAN PROBABLY GET A LITTLE MORE. THAT'S JUST NOT MY NATURE, AS YOU ALL KNOW FROM SERVING WITH ME.

I HEARD A QUOTE REVEREND JESSE JACKSON USED AT A DINNER TO -- FOR JACKIE ROBINSON.

WE NEVER KNEW HOW GOOD BASEBALL COULD BE UNTIL EVERYBODY COULD PLAY.

INSTEAD OF FOCUSING ON THE PAST, I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE.

WHEN THE NUMBERS COME OUT, THEY COME OUT OVER HERE IN THE COUNTY, THERE ARE SOME WHO WOULD QUESTION THE NUMBERS, AND WE PUT A PROGRAM IF PLACE -- A PROGRAM IN PLACE.

THE PORT AUTHORITY UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP THEY DID THAT STUDY.

AND THOSE NUMBERS ARE WORSE THAN OURS.

OURS WERE PRETTY BAD AT THE COUNTY.

AND METRO, THE NUMBERS WERE BETTER, BUT ROOM FOR CONSIDERABLE IMPROVEMENT THERE.

I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES HERE WILL HELP THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

THERE IS A REASON PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO DO THE STUDY.

NOT ONLY DO THEY NOT KNOW THE DATA, THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

THE REASON THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW IS GENERALLY BECAUSE IT'S BAD.

I APPRECIATE YOUR BOARD.

I THINK YOU WILL DO THE RIGHT THING.

I THINK IT WILL INCREASE THE CAPACITY IN ALL OF THESE CATEGORIES AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO US WITH THE DEMOGRAPHICS OF THE COUNTY BEING WHAT THEY ARE, IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO ATTRACT PEOPLE AND MORE AND MORE PEOPLE ARE GOING INTO BUSINESS NOW.

IN PART BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE ROLL OF THE DICE.

I'M LOOKING FORWARD AND NOT BACKYARD -- AND NOT BACKWARDS.

WE WILL MONITOR IT. I DIDN'T WANT US TO TAKE THIS TRANSMITTAL.

I WANTED US TO STOP. THIS IS AS IMPORTANT AS THE IMPORTANT RESOLUTIONS WE DID TODAY OR ANYTHING ELSE WE ARE GONNA DO.

SO ONCE A YEAR I WILL ASK FOR A UPDATE AND I DON'T WANT IT JUST TRANSMITTED, BUT A PUBLIC DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU, DR. PORSA. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR.

PORSA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I THINK IT WILL AND WE WILL HAVE BETTER COMPETITION AND BETTER RESULTS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE -- YES, MA'AM?

>> I'M SORRY. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM.

[Appearances before court (Part 7 of 8)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> THE FIRST IS SONNY MESSIAH GILES.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, THERE IS AN ECHO ON THE LINE.

IF BY ANY CHANCE YOU HAVE A PHONE AND A COMPUTER LISTENING TO THE RECORD OF YOU, JUST HANG ONE OF THEM UP.

>> OKAY. I'M ONLY ON MY PHONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP HER OFFLINE AS WE LISTEN TO THE OTHER SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU MS.

GILES. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CLAUDE CUMMINGS OF CWA6 VICE PRESIDENT.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON TO ALL OF YOU.

SORRY I COULD NOT BE THERE IN PERSON.

I AM CLAUDE CUMMINGS AND I AM THE DISTRICT 6 VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA AND THE FIRST VICE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON BRANCH OF THE NAACP.

RECENTLY I WAS ELECTED TO THE NATIONAL BOARD OF THE NAACP.

I HAVE SERVED ON THE FRONT LINES FOR YEARS FIGHTING FOR EQUAL RIGHTS AND FAIR TREATMENT OF THOSE TYPICALLY LEFT OUT OF OPPORTUNITIES BECAUSE OF THEIR RACE OR GENDER.

I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE DISPARITY CLOSE TEE BASS -- CLOSELY BECAUSE IT IS IMPAIR TEE TO ENSURE MINORITY, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES AND ENTERPRISES THEIR ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.

WHEN I SAW SAW HARRIS COUNTY GAVE .5% TO BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS I THOUGHT IT COULDN'T TKPWE WORSE.

TO SEE ZERO CONTRACTS TO BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS IS DOWNRIGHT SHAMEFUL.

I APPLAUD HARRIS HEALTH TO TAKE THE STEPS TO MITIGATE THESE DISPARITIES WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO.

[02:05:06]

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN FINISH.

>> I ENCOURAGE THIS COURT TO SUPPORT HARRIS HEALTH IN THE NEXT STEPS OF THE NWBE -- MWBE PROGRAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE, WE ARE STILL TRYING TO HELP MS. SONNY GET HER AUDIO FIXED.

WE'LL LET YOU KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

LET'S START THE DISCUSSION ON JWEB.

[Departments (Part 8 of 10)]

>> TOM RAMSEY: CAN WE TAKE 265 WITH THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 263 AND 265 ARE TOGETHER.

AND WE WILL START WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND MR. BERRY IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH FOR EVERYBODY'S BENEFIT.

WE DISCUSSED THIS AT LENGTH PREVIOUSLY AND WE NEED AN ESTIMATION FROM YOU ALL AS TO WHAPTD -- WHAT HAPPENED.

THE GOAL IN THE FUTURE IS TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND IN THE ODD CHANCE IT DOES BECAUSE SYSTEMS FAIL SOMETIMES THAT WE HAVE A PLAN B AND WE HAVE A MITIGATION PLAN.

WHAT I AM HOPING YOU WILL DO IS CLEARLY EXPLAIN WHAT TOOK PLACE AND THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED AND HOW WE ARE GOING TO ADDRESS WHAT HAPPENED AND ANY CONTINGENCIES OR REDUNDANCIES YOU ARE BUILDING AND HOW YOU HAVE BEEN ENGAGING WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS, SOME OF WHOM I BELIEVE ARE HERE TODAY AND ARE GOING TO SPEAK.

GO AHEAD, SINDU OR MR.

NORIEGA. >> THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

ON APRIL 5TH THE COURT ASKED OUR TASK, UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND STAKEHOLDERS, FOR THREE ITEMS. AS YOU JUST MENTIONED, JUDGE, ONE WAS TO REPORT BACK IN 30 DAYS RASHED -- REGARDING THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS OF WHAT OCCURRED IN MARCH, THE JWEB OUTAGE.

THE SECOND PROPOSED NEXT STEPS WERE CONTINGENCY PLANS INCLUDING THE USE OF A PAPER SYSTEM AND A NOTIFICATION SYSTEM AND THE REVERSAL SCHEDULES. POTENTIAL UPGRADES TO JWEB AND A CONSULTATION WITH STAKEHOLDERS.

OUR CIO WILL SHARE OUR FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

BEFORE SHE DOES, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR INCREDIBLE TEAM OF EMPLOYEES AND STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE WORKED THROUGH IT OVER THE PAST SIX WEEKS ON THE FRONT END.

THE FIRST 11 DAYS WE WERE WORKING 24-HOUR SHIFTS WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY MAINTAINING OPERATIONS.

IT HAS BEEN A CHALLENGE.

I FREQUENTLY TELL OUR DIRECTORS THAT WE WORK IN WHAT IS CALLED A VUCA ENVIRONMENT, VOLUME TUL, UNCERTAIN, COMPLEX AND AMBIGUOUS.

THAT'S WHAT THEY TEACH YOU. AND THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES AND GROWING UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS A KEY COMPONENT TO EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY.

WITHOUT CONNECTIVE AND COMMUNICATION, THE COUNTY CAN BE NEGATIVELY IMPACTED AS WE EXPERIENCED.

A KEY VARIABLE MOVING FORWARD, A FORCE MULL PLY YES, SIR IS OUR KHRAB BRA -- FORCE MULTIPLY -- MULTIPLIER AND IT WAS MET WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND VENDORS AND LEAD BY DIRECTOR PERRY TURNER.

MOVING FORWARD I WANT TO SAY THAT OUR PUBLIC SERVANTS AT WORK FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES WERE COMMITTED TO THIS WORK TO MAKE THE COUNTY AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES BETTER. I WILL TURN IT OVER NOW.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

I AM THE CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

I WAS TASKED TO BRING THIS DOCUMENT, A ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS FOR THE EVENT THAT HAPPENED ON MARCH 24TH.

BEFORE WE GET STARTED WITH THE PRESENTATION, I WOULD LIKE TO STATE A FEW THINGS LIKE THIS UNFORTUNATE EVENT HAPPENED ON MY DAY FOUR AFTER JOINING THE COMPANY.

IT GAVE ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT THE EVENT COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND HAVING A BROADER PERSPECTIVE IN TERMS OF HOW DO WE RECTIFY AND MOVE FORWARD WITH THE STABLIZATION OF THE ENVIRONMENT.

IT GAVE ME AN EXTAU TKAOEUTED LEARNING -- EXPEDITED OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN ABOUT THE KEY COMPETENCE OF THE ENVIRONMENT FROM JWEB

[02:10:03]

BEFORE WE GET STARTED I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT I HAVE MANAGED SIMILAR SITUATIONS IN OTHER ENVIRONMENTS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS AND ABLE TO STABILIZE THE APPLICATION IN QUESTION WITH THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GET STARTED WITH THE PRESENTATION.

THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS -- THIS IS -- MOST OF THE SLIDES THAT YOU WOULD SEE IN THE FIVE-SLIDE SLIDE DECK I WILL BE PRESENTING IS EXTREMELY BUSY BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT WE TRIED TO CONSOLIDATE INTO THESE SLIDES.

THE KEY TAKE AWAY FROM THIS SLIDE IS THERE WAS A SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO THE PROLONG ETD -- PROLONGED OUTAGE WE HAD.

IT STARTED WITH MAINTENANCE OF OUR NETWORK SWITCH.

NETWORK SWITCH IS A HIGH SPEED DEVICE THAT ROUTES THE TRAFFIC FROM ONE SYSTEM TO ANOTHER.

THERE WAS A PLANNED MAINTENANCE OF THAT SWITCH ENVIRONMENT.

THIS PLANNED MAINTENANCE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO INCREASE THE BAND WIDTH OF AREA FOCUSES.

OUR SERVICES NEED THE BAND WIDTH.

THIS IS A REGULAR MAINTENANCE ACTIVITY.

IT BROUGHT DOWN OUR DATA CENTER AND THE APPLICATIONS THAT RESIDE -- MULTIPLE APPLICATION THAT'S RESIDE IN THE DATA CENTER.

OUR TEAM, UNIVERSAL SERVICES INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM WAS ABLE TO BRING UP THE SWITCH AND THE APPLICATION.

MOST OF THE APPLICATION IN THAT 45-MINUTE PERIOD.

FOLLOWING THAT THERE WAS THE JWEB -- CERTAIN COMPONENTS OF JWEB CAME UP AND CERTAIN COMPONENTS DID NOT COME UP AS EXPECTED. WHAT CAME UP WAS A SERVER THAT HO*ES OUR -- HOSTS OUR APPLICATION AND OUR DATABASE.

WHAT DID NOT COME UP IS THE SEARCHERS TALKING TO EACH OTHER.

THAT IS THE OUTAGE WAS THE SECOND LEVEL OF FAILURE.

WITHIN 10 HOURS WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THE DATABASE AND THE SERVER CLUSTER IN THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENT.

THIS IS THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES ENVIRONMENT AND IT LEAD TO THE THIRD LEVEL OF DASH -- LEAD MAY NOT BE THE RIGHT WORD.

IT MADE US ADDRESS THE THIRD LEVEL OF FAILURE.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT DISTRIBUTED ARCHITECTURE, YOU HAVE A CENTRALIZED DATABASE THAT TALKS TO THE DEPARTMENT MENTAL DATABASES THAT REPLICATION FAILED.

WHICH TOOK US THE LONGEST TIME TO RECOVER.

AT THE END OF THAT REPLICATION, THE SYSTEMS WERE UP.

WE NEEDED TO DO PERFORMANCE TUNING.

WE COMPLETED THOSE ACTIVITIES.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH AN OVER VIEW OF THE SEQUENCE OF EVENTS THAT LEAD TO THE PROLONGED OUTAGE.

GOING TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BECAUSE I SUSPECT YOU ARE GOING TO COME BACK TO THIS WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT HOW YOU GUYS ARE ADDRESSING THIS, THE THREE LEVELS, THE FIRST IS JUST THE SWITCH WHICH WAS GOING THROUGH A ROUTINE UPDATE AND THAT FAILED.

AND THEN THE SECOND LEVEL, THE SEQUEL -- THE SQL CLUSTER, CAN YOU CLARIFY WHAT THAT DOES?

>> THE SQL CLUSTER -- SO APPLICATIONS SUCH AS JWEB ARE DESIGNED TO BE 24/7 AND THE RESOURCES THAT RELY ON THAT PARTICULAR APPLICATION IS VERY LARGE. FOR SUCH APPLICATIONS WE BUILD A HIGH AVAILABILITY ENVIRONMENT WHERE THERE ARE MULTIPLE SERVERS THAT HOST THE DETAILS.

AND THESE SERVERS ARE CONSTANTLY SYNCING WITH EACH OTHER SO IT CAN BE TRANSFERRED ACROSS AND IT STAYS -- YOU KNOW, THERE IS A HIGH AVAILABILITY OF DATA THROUGH

THE CLUSTER. >> SO THE SERVERS CONTAIN THE DATA AND THEY ARE COMMUNICATING WITH EACH OTHER, BUT THEY WENT DOWN.

AND THEN THE THIRD LEVEL FAILURE IS THE DATA REPLICATION WHICH IS THE INFORMATION BETWEEN THOSE SERVERS AND THE DEPARTMENTS, CORRECT?

[02:15:04]

>> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS SLIDE IS AN EXTREMELY BUSY SLIDE.

THERE ARE FEW KEY TAKE AWAYS FROM THE SLIDE.

WHEN WE GET BACK INTO THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS AND BUILDING UP THE SERVERS AS IN OUR STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS THERE WERE MIDOF IT -- MID-TERM GOALS AND ALSO LONG-TERM.

THIS SLIDE BASICALLY TALKS THROUGH EACH OF THESE EVENTS AND WHAT IS PLANNED IN ORDER TO REMEDIATE IT AND WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN THOSE REMEDIATION STEPS. LIKE FOR EXAMPLE, NETWORK OUTAGE, WE HAVE SWITCHES WHICH ARE GAUGED AND THE TYPICAL GAUGE WHICH IS SEVEN TO EIGHT YEARS DEPENDING ON THE MODEL OF THE SWITCH.

WE HAVE A CIP PROJECT THAT IS UNDERWAY TO REPLACE THIS END OF LIFE CYCLE.

AND WE ARE ALSO BRINGING IN AN ARCHITECT TO PROVIDE US WITH SOME REMEDIATION AND CORRECTIONS OF ARCHITECTURE. AND WE ALSO HAVE CREATED A LIBRARY OF THE DATA REPLICATION SCRIPT THAT HELPS PROVIDE THE DATA TO THE DATABASE.

THEY CREATED A DATABASE AND WE DON'T HAVE TO GO BACK AND RECREATE THEM.

THE RECOVERY TIME IS SHORTENED AS A RESULT.

THAT IS PRETTY MUCH WHAT HAS BEEN COMPLETED.

WHAT IS PLANNED IS EXPEDITING OUR CAPITAL PROJECT.

IT IS ENHANCING CAPABILITIES AND MAKING THE LONG-TERM CONNECTIONS THE VENDOR IS RECOMMENDING IN TERMS OF ARCHITECTURE AND IMPROVING OUR SYSTEM SO WE WOULD LEARN ABOUT RESOURCE CONSTRAINT.

WHEN I SAY RESOURCE I MEAN THE SYSTEM RESOURCES, THE STORAGE ET CETERA AND WE GET CLOSE TO REACHING OUT.

SO THOSE KIND OF NOTIFICATIONS AND ALSO IF THERE IS A SILVER ISSUE WE RECEIVE ALERTS.

THAT WILL BE DONE IN THE NEXT SIX MONTHS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT EXACTLY IS THE SWITCH AND THE TIMELINE FOR UPDATING THE AGED SWITCH IS 12 MONTHS, WILL YOU COVER WHAT SORT OF BACK UP THERE IS IN CASE THE AGING SWITCH FAILS AGAIN?

>> SO SWITCH IS -- TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WHAT IS A SWITCH, A SWITCH IS A DEVICE THAT HOUSES THE COMPUTERS TALK TO EACH OTHER. AND SWITCHES ARE GENERALLY IN OUR DATA CENTER.

THE CAPITAL PROJECT THAT REPLAYS THE SWITCH ARE HARD TO BUILD IN SUCH A MANNER THAT THERE IS -- AGAIN, I AM GOING TECHNICAL HERE AND IF I NEED TO STEP BACK AND EXPLAIN IN BUSINESS TERMS, PLEASE DO LET ME KNOW.

WE WANT TO DESIGN A FAIL OVER IN OUR NETWORK SO THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN.

AND WE ARE ABLE TO REPLACE THE SWITCHES SAFELY.

>> IS THAT WHAT WILL TAKE 12 MONTHS AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO IN THE MEANTIME?

>> WE ALSO HAVE AN OFF SITE LOCATION WHERE WE STORE OUR DATA AND APPLICATIONS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL EFFORTS IN PROGRESS TO BUILD AN ARCHITECTURE.

I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER ALL OF YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THERE IS AN ARCHITECTURE REVIEW THAT IS PLANNED TO BE CONDUCTED IN THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS.

IT WOULD GIVE ANSWERS TO A LOT OF THOSE QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AS FAR AS THE SQL CLUSTER SIX MONTHS, THE SERVERS ARE STRONGER NOW, BUT WHEN YOU SAY FIRM UP RECOVERY POINT OBJECTIVES, WHAT IS THAT -- HOW WOULD THAT PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN? I GUESS IF RESOURCES WERE ALREADY ADDED TO THE SERVERS, WOULDN'T THAT MAKE THEM RESILIENT?

>> THEY WOULD BE RESILIENT, BUT WE ALSO WANT TO DOCUMENT WHAT IS -- RECOVERY POINT OBJECTIVE HELPS US DEFINE THE DR CAPABILITIES.

AT ONE POINT THERE WERE QUESTIONS THAT WERE RAISED AS TO WHAT POINT DO WE ENABLE OUR CAPABILITIES.

AT WHAT POINT DO WE WANT TO RECOVER THE DATA TO.

THOSE QUESTIONS HAVE TO BE ANSWERED TO PROVIDE A STRONG DR ENVIRONMENT.

SO THE FUTURE PLANS FOR THAT IS TO FIRM UP THOSE TIMELINES.

[02:20:02]

WE JUST HAVE TO WORK WITH THEM TO OBTAIN IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON THE REPLICATION OUTAGE WE HAD A CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW IT WASN'T QUITE FEASIBLE TO DO IT MANUALLY.

ARE YOU SAYING HERE NOW IT IS POSITION -- IT IS POSSIBLE TO DO THAT? IT IS NOT CLEAR TO ME, A LIBRARY OF DATA RESOURCE CODE, WOULD WHAT THAT HAVE MEANT IF THIS HAD HAPPENED NOW THAT THIS LIBRARY HAS BEEN CREATED? WOULD THINGS HAVE COME BACK UP FASTER OR ARE WE AT THAT POINT?

IS THERE A BACK UP? >> SO WE HAVE -- YES.

THIS LIBRARY, THE THINGS WILL COME UP FASTER.

LET ME POINT OUT WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE APRIL -- WITH THE APPLICATION.

THE REASON IT TOOK US SO LONG, THERE WERE SEVERAL REASONS.

ONE OF THEM IS THE LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE DATA THAT THE DEPARTMENTS NEED IN ORDER FOR US TO PROVIDE THEM THROUGH SCRIPTS.

THE SCRIPT THAT WE COULD NOT RECOVER THE SCRIPT FROM OUR BACK UP SO HAD TO RECREATE IT TO THE DEPARTMENTS.

THROUGH CREATING THE SOURCE CODE LIBRARY WE HAVE CREATED A FASTER WAY TO RECOVER THOSE SCRIPTS AND PROVIDE THE DATA TO THE

DEPARTMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: BASICALLY YOU HAD TO PROVIDE A WHOLE NEW PROGRAM AND NOW YOU HAVE THE CODE FOR THE NEW PROGRAM SHOULD YOU CONTINUE HAVE TO WRITE IT FROM SCRATCH.

YOU WOULD JUST PULL IT FROM THE LIBRARY AND THEN GET THINGS TO WORK AGAIN.

>> THAT IS EXACTLY IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN TOMORROW, WHERE WOULD-BE THE BOTTLENECK, OR ARE WE OKAY IN TERMS OF THE SAME SITUATION TAKING PLACE AGAIN? AND OF COURSE THERE IS A LOT MORE TO IMPROVE ON.

I APPRECIATE YOUR LONG-TERM REMEDIATION STEPS.

BUT AS FAR AS WHAT HAPPENED.

>> THE DOWNTIME CAN BE REDUCED AS FAR AS THE REMEDIATION STEPS THAT HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

WE CAN COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH OUR PARTNER DEPARTMENTS AND WE WOULD BE ABLE TO RECOVER BETTER THE TIMELINE WHICH TOOK US 11 DAYS AND IT WOULD BE SHORTENED SIGNIFICANTLY AS FAR AS THE STEPS WE HAVE COMPLETED SO FAR.

>> ARE YOU TALKING DAYS OR -- I GUESS MAYBE I WILL LET YOU CONTINUE, BUT IF WE DON'T KNOW HOW LONG -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE IN YOUR PRESENTATION THE BACK UP PLAN OF, OWE -- OKAY, YOU CAN'T PREDICT WHAT WOULD HAPPEN, WOULD THEY GO DAYS AGAIN, HOURS WITHOUT A SYSTEM FULLY WORKING, AND WHAT WOULD THEY DO TO KEEP THE WHEELS TURNING EVEN IF NOT IN THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY.

>> I HAVE A FEW MORE SLIDES AND I CAN ADDRESS THAT QUESTION.

IF IT DOESN'T GET ADDRESSED ON THE SLIDE, THEN I CAN ADDRESS IT IN A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.

SO MOVING TO THE NEXT SLIDE I THINK THIS SLIDE BASICALLY TALKS THE QUESTIONS THAT YOU ARE ASKING.

THE FOUR POINTS I MAKE OUT HERE ARE SOMETHING WHICH IS RELATED TO THE BUSINESS CONTINUING.

WE HAVE FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND I.T.

DEPARTMENT WE HAVE A CERTAIN ROLE THAT WE PLAY AND THEN THERE ARE CERTAIN OTHER MODELS.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES, WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPLEMENTING THE PROCESSES TO PROACTIVELY MANAGE THE STABILITY THAT GOES BACK TO MID-TERM GOALS AND IT WOULD GIVE US ALERTS AND EMAILS, ET CETERA THAT WOULD LET US KNOW THAT THERE IS A SITUATION THAT NEEDS ATTENTION.

THAT'S FROM A PEOPLE -- THAT'S FROM A PER SPEC TIFF.

IT IS -RB -- PERSPECTIVE.

IT IS A JOINT EFFORT THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICE THAT'S WOULD HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO SUM UP THE BACK UP PLAN IN CASE THE SYSTEMS ARE NOT RELIABLE.

WE HAD A GOOD COLLABORATION WHEN THE SYSTEM WENT DOWN, BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE A REGULAR CADENCE.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES WE FOLLOW AN INDUSTRY STANDARD IN OUR PRACTICE THAT DEFINES CERTAIN PROCESSES SUCH AS CHANGE MANAGEMENT. FOR ANY CHANGES THAT ARE MANAGED BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES WE HAVE A CHANGE MANAGEMENT MEETING AND

[02:25:08]

WE WILL EXPAND IT TO ANYONE WHO PARTICIPATE IN THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> WE ARE ALSO CONDUCTING A REVIEW AND INTERNAL REVIEWS HAVE STARTED.

WE WILL TAKE IT TO THE STAKEHOLDERS MEETING SO THERE IS A COLLABORATION AND UNDERSTANDING AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT EXISTS ON BOTH SIDES.

OUR REPLICATION CODE IS NOW STORED IN THE LIBRARY.

WE WOULD THEN CREATE OTHER AGENCIES -- OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO STORE IT.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES TOOL CAN BE USED FOR THAT.

WE ARE MAKING ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING INTER FALLLY AS -- INTERNATIONALLY THAT ALLOWS FOR THE BUSINESS.

THEY ARE ADDRESSING THE QUESTION YOU ASKED, JUDGE.

I WILL LET YOU FINISH AND I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE QUESTIONS.

I HAVE A QUESTION ON THAT POINT, BUT I WILL LET YOU FINISH.

>> SURE. THE LAST SLIDE IS KEY TAKE AWAYS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED IN JWEB ARCHITECTURE IN ORDER TO STABILIZE AND PROVIDED AS A LANDSCAPE.

WE WILL CONTINUE THAT EFFORT UNTIL WE HAVE REACHED THE STABILIZED GOALS.

WE HAVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND WILL ADDRESS THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

UH -- ACROSS COLLABORATION WE WILL IMPROVE IT ON OUR END AS WELL AS THE STAKEHOLDER AS WELL.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY CROSS-DEPARTMENT PLANNING SHOULD BE PRIORITIZED.

WITH THAT I AM OPEN FOR QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAVE LISTENED TO, AGAIN, ONE OF THE MOST GENERIC PRESENTATIONS I CAN IMAGINE.

AND I SAY THAT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS ROOT CAUSES.

I DIDN'T HEAR ROOT CAUSES.

I HEAR GENERIC WORDS LIKE FORCE DRIVERS AND COLLABORATION AND SERVERS NOT TALKING, BUT FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND LISTENING AND TALKING TO THE STAKEHOLDERS WHICH I THINK THAT SHOULD BE JOB ONE, THAT SHOULD BE PRY YOUR ONE, TALKING TO THE STAKEHOLDERS, I THINK THEY WOULD TELL YOU A DIFFERENT ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS.

I THINK THEY MIGHT SAY THAT THE DECISION TO MAINTAIN THAT PARTICULAR PIECE OF EQUIPMENT ON THAT DAY WAS A VERY BAD DECISION.

IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN DONE ON THAT DAY.

WE WEREN'T READY. WE SHOULD HAVE ANTICIPATED A LOT OF WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DAY.

THE SECOND THING I THINK THEY WOULD TELL YOU IS THE POOR COMMUNICATION THAT WENT ON DURING THE WHOLE EP SEED -- THE WHOP -- THE WHOLE EPISODE, POOR COMMUNICATION.

WE USE WORDS LIKE COLLABORATION AND TALKING AND WHATEVER, BUT WHEN ARE IN A CRISIS, THERE NEEDS TO BE COMMUNICATIONS.

I THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAR FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS.

I HOPE WE ARE ABLE TO HEAR FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS SOON.

I THINK THEY ALL HAVE A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE ON MAYBE ROOT CAUSES.

I THINK THERE IS A OTHER ELEMENT TO THIS THAT WAS NOT MENTIONED.

I THINK THERE IS A LOSS OF INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

I HAVE IDENTIFIED MORE THAN 20 PEOPLE THAT LEFT JWEB.

I HEARD FROM MORE THAN ONE STAKEHOLDER THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, WE HAD A PRETTY GOOD SYSTEM GOING AT ONE TIME.

WE WERE COMMUNICATING.

WE KNEW. I AM NOT SAYING THAT THE PEOPLE THAT ARE THERE NOW ARE NECESSARILY -- THEY SHOULDN'T BE THERE.

I'M JUST SAYING WHEN YOU LOSE THAT MANY PEOPLE, THAT IS A SIGNIFICANT ELEMENT TO THE ROOT CAUSE PROBLEM.

AND THERE IS A CONSTANT REFERENCE TO, WELL, THE PROBLEM IS INFRASTRUCTURE.

[02:30:02]

WE HAVE BAD EQUIPMENT.

NOT ALL THIS EQUIPMENT IS OLD.

SOME OF IT IS JUST A FEW YEARS, MAYBE 2019.

I DON'T THINK THIS, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IS A FAIR ANALYSIS OF ROOT CAUSES BECAUSE IT DOES NOT SPEAK TO MANY OF THE STAKEHOLDER ISSUES WE ARE ABOUT TO HEAR AND GO INTO.

THAT WOULD BE MY FEEDBACK ON, AGAIN, ANOTHER -- I'M SORRY TO SAY THIS, BUT I'M TOO MUCH AN ENGINEER.

I WAS TOLD MANY YEARS AGO DON'T EVER BRING BUSY SLIDES.

THERE IS NOTHING MORE OFFENSIVE TO ME THAN TO BRING SLIDES THAT I CAN'T READ.

YOU ARE TRYING TO COMMUNICATION, SEND ME A LETTER.

WHEN YOU ARE MAKING A PRESENTATION, PUT A FEW BULLET POINTS AND MAKE IT CLEAR.

I'M NOT PLEASED WITH THIS ANALYSIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

MS. MINON, THANK YOU AND GENERAL NORIEGA.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.

I COMMEND THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- LOOK, THE FAILURE OF JWEB THAT HAPPENED WAS NOT THE FIRST TIME. IT HAPPENED DURING MY ADMINISTRATION, AND IT WAS NEVER -- BACK THEN IT WAS WORSE BECAUSE THIS UPGRADE WAS ATTEMPTED IN THE EVENING HOURS OR THE LATE HOURS. BACK THEN IT WAS DONE DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.

AND SO MUCH MORE RIDICULOUS BACK THEN.

THE PRESENTATION YOU HAVE MADE PROVIDES US WITH A GOOD PERSPECTIVE AS TO THE CHALLENGES, BUT ONE OF THE THINGS -- THE SWITCH IS THE MAJOR CULPRIT IN THIS SITUATION.

THAT'S FROM WHAT I GATHERED FROM YOUR PRESENTATION.

AND THAT SWITCH -- HOW NEW OR HOW OLD IS THAT SWITCH?

>> IT IS 30 YEARS.

THEIR YEARS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 13 OKAY I HEARD 14.

IT IS NEWER, 13 YEARS.

IS THAT A ONE-TIME PURCHASE? IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU ONLY BUY ONCE AND NEVER UPDATE AGAIN?

>> THE SWITCH NEEDS TO BE UPGRADED EVERY SEVEN TO EIGHT YEARS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WE ARE AT LEAST SIX YEARS BEHIND SCHEDULE ON IT. THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A FAILURE ON THE PAST LEADERSHIP THAT WAS THERE BEFORE GENERAL NORIEGA AND YOURSELF.

THE INCOMPETENCE OF THEN IS HARD TO CATCH UP WITH TODAY ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE A CODE LIBRARY. LET ME JUST SAY THAT I WAS ALMOST VICTIM TO THE FAILURE OF A CODE LIBRARY WHEN I WAS SHERIFF.

SO MANY DIFFERENT CODES ARE WRITTEN AND THAT CODE STAYS IN BETWEEN THE YEARS OF DIFFERENT EMPLOYEES AND INDIVIDUALS AND IF YOU DON'T HAVE FULL CONTROL OF THE CODE, SOMEONE CAN LEAVE AND THAT IS A DIFFERENT FORM OF RANSOMWARE.

IS THAT ABOUT ACCURATE?

>> YES, SIR.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO I APPLAUD YOU.

THIS IS NOT THE WAY WE WANT TO COME TO THESE FINDINGS, BUT I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND, GENERAL, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE GOOD SOLDIER THAT YOU ARE AND FOR TAKING THE FIRE THAT YOU'VE TAKEN, BUT RECOGNIZING THAT IN A DAY IF YOU ARE NOT SUPPLIED WITH THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY, IF YOU'RE NOT -- IF FOLKS ARE HIDING OR NOT DISCLOSING WHERE SOME OF THE VULNERABILITIES ARE, I THINK WE HAVE SEEN THAT IN A LOT OF PLACES,ING I -- DASH PLACES, I -- YOU KNOW, THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED

[02:35:08]

NOW THAT IT DID HAPPEN, I'M KPWHRAD -- GLAD YOU ARE TAKING OWNERSHIP OF IT AND WORKING TO ADDRESS IT.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THIS COURT ARE GOING TO BE TO UPDATE THE SWITCH, NUMBER ONE, AND ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL BE NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS A MORE CON -- CONTEMPORARY SYSTEM INCLUDING THE WAY JWEB IS GOVERNED.

I WILL BE WAITING TO HEAR THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. MINON, AM I PRONOUNCING IT CORRECTLY?

>> YES, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I LOOKED AT IT A COUPLE YEARS -- A COUPLE DAYS AGO, BUT CAN YOU GIVE US A SENSE OF YOUR BACKGROUND? MY STAFF WAS GIVING ME SOMETHING CALLED LINKEDIN, BUT I DON'T GO THERE.

>> I HAVE ABOUT 22 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE TECHNOLOGY FIELD.

OUT OF THOSE 15 YEARS HAS BEEN IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR.

I LEFT SEVERAL SIZED BOTH LARGE AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN UNITED ARAB OF EMIRATES AND I WORKED FOR THE CENTRAL BANK THERE AND FOLLOWED BY IN CANADA FOR THE GOVERNMENT OF ONTARIO.

I WAS THE ENTERPRISE ARC -- ARCHITECT OF THE MINUTE TREE OF -- MINISTRY OF FINANCE AND THEN MINISTRY OF JUSTICE.

AND THEN I MOVED TO DALLAS AND THE CHIEF TECHNOLOGY OFFICER FOR THE DALLAS WATER AUTHORITY AND HOUSTON AS THE DIRECTOR OF ENTERPRISE ERP SYSTEMS APPLICATIONS.

I TO BE -- I TOOK THE POSITION OF CIO WHERE I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR CENTRALIZED DICE KNOWING -- DIAGNOSING AND THEN TO BRAWLEY AND THEN HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ARE YOUR ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS? ARE YOU AN AGGIE?

>> I AM NOT AN AGGIE.

I COMPLETED MY MS IN COMPUTER SCIENCE AND COMPLETED MY MBA FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT DALLAS AND ALSO TAKEN SEVERAL CERTIFICATIONS.

SOME OF THOSE HAVE EXPIRED AS I HAVE NOT -- LIKE A PMP.

I HAVE A PMP AND FOUNDATION CERTIFIED.

I COMPLETED MY CGCIO PROGRAM AND I HAVE BEEN TRAINED AT LIBERTY UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN WITH THE CIO PROGRAM. SORRY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOW WE UNDERSTAND WHY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND YOU.

IT IS A HIGHER LEVEL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A DIFFERENT LEVEL I AM A POLITICAL SCIENTIST.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AT LEAST IT IS AN ENGINEER LISTENING TO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW YOU HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE THREE MINUTES AGO.

LET'S TAKE THIS BACK UP IN AN HOUR.

MS. MINON -- >> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE GOING TO DISMISS NOW? WE HAVE PEOPLE WAITING OUT HERE, JUDGE.

YOU CAN HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE ANYTIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED THREE OF US HERE?

I'M GOING TO DISMISS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS TRANSMITTALS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL CALL IT A PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

I HAVE TO STEP OUT OF HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NUMBER ONE, I MENTIONED THIS SINCE THE MORNING AND I CHECKED WITH THEM BACK AND FORTH WHETHER IT CAN BE MOVED AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN HERE COMMUNICATING.

I DO WANT TO SAY, MS. MINON, YOU ADDRESSED THE TWO ISSUES AND I AM EAGER TO HEAR FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS, BUT FIRST THE ISSUE OF COMMUNICATION AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU WERE VERY CLEAR IN YOUR PRESENTATION AS TO THE COMMUNICATION GOALS.

ONE OF THE NOTES HERE FOR NEXT STEPS IS IMPROVEMENTS TO CROSS DEPARTMENT COMMUNICATION AND COLLABORATION SEEMS PRETTY CLEARLY ADDRESSED, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AS STAKEHOLDERS.

I APPRECIATE YOU ARE ADDRESSING IT.

AND THEN I DID SEE A NOTE IN YOUR PRESENTATION ABOUT ATTRITION.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING THAT SLIDE VERY CLEARLY.

I DON'T SEE THAT YOU HAVE BRUSHED OVER THAT.

IT IS QUITE THE OPPOSITE.

IT MAKES UP AN ENTIRE SLIDE.

I WILL BE EAGER TO DISCUSS THAT BASED ON THE FACTS AND WHAT IS ON THE PIECE OF PAPER.

WE ALL CAN SEE THE SAME PRESENTATION.

COUNTY ATTORNEY, DO WE NEED -- CAN SOME FOLKS STAY OR DO WE NEED THE THREE PEOPLE IN PERSON?

>> FOR PURPOSES OF TAKING A TRANSMITTAL, THE MEETING CAN CONTINUE WITHOUT -- NO ACTION CAN BE TAKEN AND THE TRANSMITTAL --

[02:40:06]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE HAVE FOLKS RIGHT NOW WAITING SINCE 1 AS WELL.

AS LONG AS THERE IS NOT A VOTE.

I ASK WE BREAK UNTIL 2:00 AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM PEOPLE AND PEOPLE HAVE A CHANCE TO TAKE A LUNCH.

IF NOT, IF YOU WANT TO HEAR IT -- [INAUDIBLE] COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I FOR ONE WOULD LIKE TO HEAR LEAN --

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE COULD HAVE TAKEN THIS FIRST AND DISPARITY SECOND.

WE ARE LOOKING AT A ROOM FULL OF PEOPLE THAT WE COULD HAVE TAKEN AN HOUR AGO, BUT WE CHOSE NOT TO.

THAT IS CLEARLY RUDE. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT IS APPROPRIATE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE SEW POE -- SO POLITE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WE ARE BREAKING FOR AN HOUR.

THANK YOU FOR TEACHING US ABOUT POLITENESS, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:03 AND COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE HAD AN IMPORTANT CRIME ANNOUNCEMENT -- ANTI-CRIME ANNOUNCEMENT WE NEEDED TO MAKE ABOUT WARRANTS AND I COMMITTED TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE WOULD BREAK AT 1.

THERE IS ANOTHER INTERRUPTION WE WILL HAVE AND IT IS AT -- EXCUSE ME 2:45.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE NEEDS US TO TAKE ALL OF THE VOTES AT 2:45.

WE ARE ACCOMMODATING A LOT OF COMPETING PRIORITIES HERE TODAY, AND IT IS NOBODY'S INTENTION TO BE DISRESPECTFUL.

ARE THERE ANYMORE QUESTIONS BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE STAKEHOLDERS? I'M SURE MORE WILL COME UP AS OUR LEADERS COME AND SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVES.

LET'S TAKE THE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY, IF YOU DON'T MIND.

[Appearances before court (Part 8 of 8)]

>>> FIRST IS KIM OG SPEAKING IN PERSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO.

REAL QUICK, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SPEAKERS COME UP IN THE ORDER IN WHICH DEPARTMENTS HAD IMPACTS IN THE OUTAGE.

AND WE WILL START WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND SPEAKING FOR THE SHERIFF TODAY IS MARK ANTIL WHO IS THE I.T. DIRECTOR FOR THE SHERIFF.

>> I AM THE DIRECTOR OF I.T.

FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND I DID WANT TO SPEAK TO THE IMPACTS OF WHAT HAPPENED, ESPECIALLY TO THE NETWORK OUTAGE THAT OCCURRED AT ABOUT 7:30 ON THE THURSDAY NIGHT.

OUGHT NETWORK TRAFFIC STOPPED WHEN THE CORE WENT DOWN.

THIS IMMEDIATELY AFFECTED US AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLES.

THEY ALL HAD TO GO TO PAPER.

WE LOST THE COMPUTER-AIDED DISPATCH SYSTEMS -- SYSTEM.

ANY CALL THAT'S CAME IN WERE HANDWRITTEN AND RADIOS WERE USED TO TALK TO PATROL OFFICERS.

AND THEN THEY HAD TO WRITE IT DOWN AND DO WHAT THEY NEEDED TO DO.

THAT LASTED ABOUT 40 HOURS.

WE GET ABOUT 200 CALLS AN HOUR.

THERE IS A LOT OF DATA WE HAD TO PUT BACK IN.

AND ON THE MOBILE DATA TERMINALS, THE LAPTOPS IN THE VEHICLES, BECAUSE THERE IS NO NETWORK, WE CAN'T RUN A DRIVER'S LICENSE.

WE CAN'T RUN TC/IC OR CRIMINAL HISTORY.

I'M SORRY.

SORRY. WE COULDN'T RUN ANY OF THOSE.

IF WE HAD A DEPUTY ENCOUNTER, WE DIDN'T KNOW WHO WE WERE TALKING TO.

WE ARE KIND OF FLYING BLIND AT THAT POINT.

I THINK THAT IS AN OFFICER SAFETY ISSUE.

ALL INTAKES AT JPC WERE PAUSED.

AND I MEAN STOPPED.

IT WASN'T UNTIL OMS CAME BACK WHEN WE COULD ACTUALLY HAVE QUOTES, BUT WE COULDN'T CHARGE THEM BECAUSE THE DA INTAKE WAS DOWN.

IT WAS DOWN UNTIL ABOUT SATURDAY NIGHT UNTIL ABOUT 11:30.

WE HAD APPROXIMATELY 300 PRISONERS THAT WERE ON HOLD DURING THIS TIME IN OUR HOLDING AREA AND THAT WAS CAPACITY.

UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE REQUIRED TO RELEASE 102 PRISONERS BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MAKE THEIR PROBABLE CAUSE HEARING IN TIME.

THERE IS THAT. THEY HAD A SIG KARBT -- SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON OFFICER SAFETY.

[02:45:07]

TO PREPARE FOR FUTURE SIMILAR EVENT THE JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE MOVED TO RECONVENE THE DISASTER RECOVERY WORKING GROUP AND THE AIM OF THE DR WORKING GROUP IS TO FOCUS THE EFFORT TO WORK WITH ALL JUSTICE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO SHORE UP REDUNDANCIES ANDEN SHOWER OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY -- AND ENSURE OPERATIONAL CONTINUITY AS IT RELATES TO JUSTICE TECHNOLOGIES.

WE HOPE THIS HAS A REGULAR AND FREE EXCHANGE OF INFORMATION BETWEEN ALL PARTIES SO THAT THIS TYPE OF OUTAGE CAN BE AVOIDED OR MITIGATED IN THE FUTURE.

AND ULTIMATELY, FINALLY, WE ASK THE COURT REESTABLISH WHAT WAS ONCE CALLED THE JEMS TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGIC FOR JWEB AND THE BROADER INTEGRATED JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> IN YOUR MEMORY, HOW MANY TIMES HAVE WE RELEASED 300 FOLKS IN A SITUATION LIKE THIS?

>> WELL, THIS TIME WE RELEASED 102.

WE HELD 300 FOR NEAR CAPACITY.

>> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.

NEVER. >> THIS IS THE FIRST TIME EVER?

>> IN MY MEMORY, YES, SIR.

>> AND THE OTHER THING WHEN YOU END THE PROCESS HOW IS COMMUNICATION BETWEEN UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND YOUR FOLKS DURING THE PROCESS?

>> VERY DELAYED AND SPORADIC.

I AM TRYING TO BE ACCOMMODATING AND NICE.

IF WE MADE A CALL AND INITIATED CONTACT, THEY ANSWERED THE PHONE, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE DO A LOT.

>> HOW DOES THAT COMPARE TO WHAT YOU TYPICALLY EXPERIENCE PREVIOUSLY?

>> SIMILAR.

I AM TRYING TO BE DIPLOMATIC HERE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO KNOW.

THANK YOU.

>> SURE. ANYONE ELSE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS GOOD TO KIND OF GO THROUGH AGAIN WHAT HAPPENED SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT IF THINGS -- IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN, HOW WOULD 9-1-1 CALLS HAPPEN AND HOW COULD THE COMMUNICATION APPROVE -- IMPROVE? THEY SHOULDN'T WAIT FOR YOU TO CALL THEM.

>> WE REACHED OUT AT 7:30 ON THURSDAY NIGHT TO LET THEM KNOW THAT THE NETWORK WAS DOWN.

I WANTED TO ASK OUR NEXT SPEAKER TO COME UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.

I AM KIM OG, COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

AT 7:14 ON MARCH 24TH, 2022 THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE PUBLIC SAFETY NET OF HARRIS COUNTY CAME TO A GRINDING HALT.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES WAS UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE OF JWEB UNTIL THEY RECEIVED MULTIPLE CALLS, SOME FROM THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND SOME FROM OUR INTAKE DIVISION.

OUR INTAKE DIVISION IS AN EMERGENCY ROOM ANALOGY.

IT RUNS 365 DAYS A YEAR.

IT RUNS 24/7.

WHEN THE POLICE WORK, WE WORK.

THAT'S ALL THE TIME.

WHEN OUR COMMUNICATIONS FAILED BECAUSE OF JWEB'S FAILURE, ALL DOWNSTREAM USERS, THOSE OF US WHO OPERATE THIS CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WERE UNABLE TO SHARE ANY DATA INTER DEPARTMENT MENTALLY -- INTERDEPARTMENTALLY.

THE D.A.'S OFFICE WAS FLYING BLIND AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE WAS FLYING BLIND AND THE COURT WAS FLYING BLIND.

WHEN WE CAN'T SEE WHO WE'RE DEALING WITH OR WHAT WE'RE DEALING WITH, IT PRESENTS A THREAT TO LAWEN -- TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND EVERYONE INVOLVED.

THE CONSEQUENCES WERE WIDESPREAD AND IMMEDIATE.

THE FAILURE FOR US IMMEDIATELY STOPPED THE INTAKE OF CRIMINAL CASES.

WE EXPERIENCE ABOUT 250 TO 300 CASES WE FILE EVERY DAY.

OF COURSE WE HEAR ABOUT MANY MORE THAT ARE REJECTED.

WE INTAKE 250 TO 300 CASES A DAY, SO THE STOPPAGE WAS SUDDEN AND IT MEANS THE BUILD UP AS THE SYSTEM FAILED WAB RAPID.

THE INABILITY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT TO FILE CASES WITH US CAUSED HUNDREDS OF CRIMINAL SUSPECTS TO BE DETAINED IN VIOLATION OF O'DONNELL ALTHOUGH WE SOUGHT AND OBTAINED FROM THE MAGISTRATES ONE EXTENSION ORDER ALLOWING THE ACCUSED DEFENDANTS TO WAIT ANOTHER 24

[02:50:08]

IN THE MEANTIME WHAT HAPPENED WAS JPC FILLED UP, AND THAT IS THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER.

THE INTAKE OF THE BODIES.

WE INTAKE THE CASES.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WAS DEALING WITH AN OVERCAPACITY OR AT CAPACITY NUMBER OF PRISONERS.

AS THEY WAITED, THE NEXT REQUEST FOR AN EXTENSION WAS DENIED.

ULTIMATELY THE MAGISTRATE ORDERED THE RELEASE OF 102 INDIVIDUALS WITHOUT CHARGES BEING FILED BECAUSE WE COULDN'T TALK TO ONE ANOTHER.

WE COULDN'T SEE WHAT THE POLICE WERE TRYING TO CHARGE THEM WITH.

IT ADDITIONALLY RESULTED, YOU'RE LIGHT -- YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER, IT RESULTED IN ANOTHER 200 DEFENDANTS SUBSEQUENT TO THE SAME MAGISTRATE'S ORDER TO BE RELEASED WITH $10,000 OR ZERO PERSONAL BONDS REGARDLESS OF WHAT OFFENSE THEY WERE CHARGED WITH, WHETHER IT WAS MURDER OR DWI.

THERE WERE NOT -- THERE WERE ANOTHER 200 RELEASED ON BOND.

IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF THE GAME IN POKER WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT CARD YOU'RE HOLDING AND WHAT THE OTHER GUY CAN SEE.

THOSE DEFENDANTS KNEW WHAT THEY WERE CHARGED WITH.

SOME GOT FAR LOWER BONDS THAN THEY SHOULD HAVE AND SOME GOT WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE ORDINARILY GOTTEN.

WE'LL NOT KNOW. THE DANGER PRESENTED TO THE PUBLIC BY THE MASS RELEASES ARE NOT QUANTIFIABLE.

LUCKILY NONE OF THE KNOWN OFFENDERS THAT WERE RELEASED GOT OUT AND KPHAOEUT -- AND COMMITTED MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES THAT WEEKEND.

I CAN'T SPEAK FOR THE TIME SINCE THEN HAD -- HAD THE OUTAGE PERSISTED AND THE ORDER INDISCRIMINATELY GRABBING ZERO DOLLAR PERSONAL BONDS TO THE REST OF THE DEFENDANTS IF IT HAD FULL EFFECT WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED ON THE STREETS OF HOUSTON PUTTING THEM ON HARM'S WAY.

THE PEOPLE IN THE JPC WERE MORE DANGEROUS AND OUR OFFICE STARTED TELLING OFFICERS FOR NON-VIOLENT CRIMINALS THEY WERE ARRESTING TO GO AHEAD AND RELEASE THEM AND COME BACK AND WRITE A 2B OR NO ARREST WARRANT.

THIS MEANS THAT OFFICERS WHO ARRESTED A DEFENDANT FOR ANY CRIME MUST NOW COME BACK TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND WITH US FILE ADDITIONAL CHARGES SUFFICIENT FOR AN ARREST WARRANT EVEN THOUGH THE CRIME WOULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED AT THE TIME IN THEIR PRESENCE.

THIS CREATES MORE WORK FOR THEM AND IT CREATES A GREAT DEAL MORE WORK FOR US AND FOR THE JUDGES WHO REVIEW THE WARRANTS, ET CETERA.

THE DANGER TO THE PUBLIC IS SPECIFIC TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT IT IS FOR ANY POTENTIAL VICTIM OF THESE CRIMINAL THAT'S WERE CAPTURED ON EITHER FRIDAY, SATURDAY OR EARLY SUNDAY AND RELEASED BECAUSE THE JPC WAS OVERCAPACITY.

OVER CAPACITY AND IT WAS FULL OF VIOLENT OFFENDERS WHO WERE TO BE CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES.

THE RISK IN TRYING TO RECAPTURE THESE INDIVIDUALS IS IN-- INHERENT THAT A WANTED INDIVIDUAL IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SOMEBODY WHO IS -- SOMETIMES WHO IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN SOMEBODY ARRESTED AT THE SCENE.

IT PRESENTS A LOT OF RISK FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WE SAW OFFICER JEFFREYS FROM HPD MURDERED BY A WANTED FUGITIVE AND OTHER OFFICERS SHOT BY WANTED FUGITIVES.

IT IS A REAL THREAT AND IT IS A DIRECT RESULT OF THE JWEB FAILURE.

THE IMMEDIATE FINANCIAL IMPACT ON THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WAS TO CHALLENGE OUR BUDGET IMMEDIATELY AND THAT'S BECAUSE, OF COURSE, WE ARE AT -- WE ARE LIMITED EACH MONTH IN WHAT WE CAN GET.

THE OVER TIME WE HAVE PAID OUT AND THE OVER TIME WE EXPECT TO PAY OUT IS $41,920 IN TOTAL. AND I DON'T EXPECT THAT WE WILL HAVE THAT ABSENT A DISPURSE MEANT THROUGH THE OFFICE OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT.

EVEN AS THIS REPORT WAS FILED AND BEING FINALIZED, JWEB'S DATA REPLICATOR AGAIN SUFFERED AN OUTAGE THAT STRETCHED FROM 3:37 A.M.

TO 7:40. THE WRO*RS -- THE WORST HAS ALREADY REOCCURRED.

IT WAS THE D.A.'S OFFICE OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR BOTH WHO NOTIFIED UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

[02:55:01]

THE STAKEHOLDER AGENCIES INCLUDING US RELY ON JWEB.

MY COLLEAGUES FROM THE COURTS AND FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, FROM THE CLERK'S OFFICE, WE CANNOT CONTINUE WITH OUR RESPECTIVE MISSIONS DEALING WITH TECHNOLOGICAL CRISIS THAT REOCCUR.

WE DON'T HAVE THE BAND WIDTH AND WE DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER THE SYSTEM THAT IN FACT WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

WE CAN'T BE RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS NOT ACCOUNTABLE FOR.

IT IS FOR THAT REASON THAT WE RECOGNIZE HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES AS A NETWORK AND SYSTEM PROVIDER WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, HOWEVER, IS UNIQUE AND IT IS COMPRISED OF MANY INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS SUCH AS MYSELF AND THE DISTRICT CLERK AND THE SHERIFF AND THE JUDGES OF THE COURTS ALL WHO HAVE NOT JUST INDIVIDUAL AUTHORITY, BUT RESPONSIBILITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE INFORMATION THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES CONTROLS.

AND IT IS FOR THIS REASON THE INTEGRITY, THE STRATEGIC DIRECTION AND THE GOVERNANCE OF THE JWEB SYSTEM ARE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO THE SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

AND THAT'S WHY JWEB GOVERNANCE NEEDS TO RETURN TO JUSTICE SYSTEM EXPERTS AND THOSE OF US WHO OPERATE THE SYSTEM AND THOSE OF US WHO ARE LAWFULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DATA THAT IS INTEGRAL TO THAT SYSTEM, AND WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT THE PLAN B THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT, IT CAN'T BE VIABLE.

I WANT TO OFFER COMMISSIONER GARCIA THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVISIT HIS COMMENT ABOUT JWEB GOING DOWN WHILE HE WAS THE SHERIFF.

JWEB DIDN'T EXIST WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THE SHERIFF.

THAT WAS THE OLD SYSTEM.

THE TIMELINE REGARDING THE SWITCH AND THIS ROOT CAUSE, THE TIMELINE TELLS THE STORY.

WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A CHRONOLOGY IN OUR REPORT WHICH IS INCLUDED IN THE STAKEHOLDERS COMPREHENSIVE REPORT.

THE TIMELINE EVEN SHOWN BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES SHOW THE SWITCH WAS DOWN A LIMITED PERIOD OF TIME.

IT WAS THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, THE LACK OF DATA THAT WAS REALLY STORED IN A LIBRARY OR RECOVERED FROM THE DEPARTING EMPLOYEES THAT WAS MISSING. THAT'S WHAT RESULTED IN THE 11-DAY WAIT.

IT IS INCUMBENT UPON THIS GOVERNING BODY TO PROVIDE US THE MEANS BY WHICH TO DO OUR JOBS.

WITHOUT CONTROL OF THE JWEB SYSTEM WE ARE FINDING IT EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT TO DO.

THIS NOTION WE CAN GO BACK TO PAPER WON'T WORK, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS LIKE GOING BACK TO CHISELS AND STONE TABLET.

WE ARE A PAPERLESS SYSTEM.

WE ARE A PAPERLESS WORLD AT THIS POINT, AND TO GO BACK AND DO PAPER WE COULD NEVER PROCESS THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WE CURRENTLY SEE, 250 TO 300 CASES A DAY IF WE HAD TO RETURN TO PAPER.

IF OUR ABILITY -- IN OUR ABILITY TO DO OUR JOB, JEWB -- JWEB BE RETURNED APPROPRIATELY TO THE STAKEHOLDERS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR COMING AND APOLOGIZE FOR THE DELAY.

WOULD THE DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE IN THE CALLS WITH MICROSOFT?

>> YES. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU ALL PARTICIPATED IN THE MEETINGS ?

>> YES. OUR I.T.

PROFESSIONALS WHO I WOULD LIKE TO THANK.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HIS ENTIRE TEAM AND THEY WERE ON THE CALL WITH MICROSOFT.

I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN THE ZOOM CALLS, BUT IN BEING A LIAISON TO MAJOR GENERAL NORIEGA TO LET HIM KNOW ABOUT THE RELEASE OF THE PRISONERS.

I WAS INVOLVED THAT WEEKEND, BUT THEY REALLY WERE INVOLVED ALMOST THE ENTIRE TIME, IF NOT THE ENTIRE TIME THAT MICROSOFT WAS ON THE LINE.

I UNDERSTAND IT WAS MULTIPLE DAYS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DO YOU AGREE THERE WAS INSTITUTIONAL LOSS OF SIGNIFICANT KNOWLEDGE THAT CONTRIBUTED TO THE PROBLEMS YOU EXPERIENCED?

>> SURE. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING THEME.

I JUST WANT TO BE SURE WHEN WE GO THROUGH OUR ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS THAT THE LOSS OF THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE ON THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES SIDE DID CONTRIBUTE SIGNIFICANT HRAE TO THE PROBLEMS -- SIGNIFICANT HRAE TO THE PROBLEMS YOU EXPERIENCED.

>> THE PEOPLE YOU BROUGHT ON AND THE MAJOR GENERAL BROUGHT ON, NICE PEOPLE, QUALIFIED PEOPLE, THEY JUST DON'T KNOW OUR SYSTEM AND IT IS UNIQUE.

THOSE OF US WHO ARE THE RESPONSIBLE STAKEHOLDERS UNDER THE LAW KNOW THE SYSTEM BECAUSE WE ARE OF THE SYSTEM.

[03:00:07]

WE KNOW THE SYSTEM INSIDE AND OUT BECAUSE WE HELPED CRAFT THAT SYSTEM THROUGHOUT OUR CAREERS.

AND THAT'S REALLY THE DIFFERENCE.

IT IS NOT THAT THEY'RE NOT QUALIFIED, NOT NICE, KIND PEOPLE.

IT'S THAT THEY SIMPLY DON'T HAVE THE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

I HOPE WITH THIS LIBRARY THERE IS SOME IMPROVEMENT.

I THINK THE FAILURE IS SO DANGEROUS THAT YOU YOU CAN'T HAVE IT HAPPEN AGAIN AND CONTINUE TO HOPE FOR THE BEST.

WE HAVE OFFERED AND PROPOSED A SOLUTION THAT DOES NOT LAY BLAME.

INSTEAD IT OFFERS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU TO GIVE THE POWER ALONG WITH THE FUNDING, COMMISSIONERS TO THE STAKEHOLDERS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE OPERATION OF THE SYSTEM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MADAM D.A., THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT.

YOU'RE CORRECT. JWEB WASN'T THERE, BUT JWEB IS LARGELY IF NOT ENTIRELY ROOTED IN JIMS AND THERE IN LIES A GREAT DEAL OF THE PROBLEM.

THANK YOU. >> VERY WELL.

THANK YOU ALL. I THINK OUR DISTRICT CLERK IS NEXT.

NEXT IS MARILYN BURGESS, DISTRICT CLERK.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND AND THERE IS SOMETHING I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND FROM THE D.A.'S PRESENTATION IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, I'M VERY CLEAR WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I THINK I UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED IN YOUR OPERATION, BUT I'M EAGER TO HEAR IT.

MADAM D.A., YOUR OPERATION, YOU ARE SAYING THAT THE -- WHAT EXACTLY WAS THE ISSUE WITH THE INTAKE? IF YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY IT?

>> PLEASE REPEAT YOUR QUESTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT STOPPED THE INTAKE OF CRIMINAL CASES.

THOSE ARE THE SAME 300 FOLKS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WAS REFERRING TO, OR ARE WE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS?

>> WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAD TO RELEASE -- TO RELEASE 102 OUT RIGHT NOT KNOWING WHO THEY WERE CHARGED WITH.

THEY HAD TO RELEASE A SUBSEQUENT 200 UNDER THE SAME ORDER AND BY THE SAME MAGISTRATE WITH A BLANKET $10,000 PR BOND KWARD LESS OF WHAT THEY WERE CHARGED WITH AND THOSE ARE VIOLENT OFFENDERS.

IT WOULD BE THE ONES WE ASK THE POLICE NOT TO RELEASE AND NOT TO COME BACK AND GET A WARRANT FOR.

THAT WOULD BE DWI, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ASSAULT, AGGRAVATED EVERYTHING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE INDIVIDUALS WERE CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANORS AND I AM WONDERING IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME PEOPLE.

AS MS. MINAH GOES OVER AND --

>> THE NEWSPAPER WAS INCORRECT.

THERE WAS A MIXTURE MISDEMEANOR AND FELONY OFFENDERS IN THE FIRST HUNDRED.

PERHAPS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT CAN SPEAK TO IT.

I THINK THE NEWS OR MEDIA WAS PRELIMINARILY TOLD IT WAS PRE DOMINANTLY MISDEMEANOR AND IF THEY WERE THEY WERE THE MOST DANGEROUS MISDEMEANORS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND DWI.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN 250 A DAY, THAT FORMS THE 300 AND

102. >> IT IS 200 PLUS 102 AND THAT MAKES THE 300.

THOSE ARE INDIVIDUALS THAT WERE ARRESTED AND THE CHARGES WERE ACCEPTED BY PHONE. THE POLICE BOUGHT THE BODIES TO THE JPC.

IT WOULD REALLY HELP FOR YOU TO COME AND WITNESS THE SYSTEM.

AND ONCE THEY ARE AT THE JPC AND THEN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE CLERK AND THE 1517 HEARING MAGISTRATES.

THAT COULDN'T HAPPEN BECAUSE DATA HALTED THE INFORMATION THE POLICE TYPE IN WHEN THEY TYPE IN THE JPC AND IT NEVER REACHED US.

AND THEREFORE NO CHARGES COULD BE PREPARED TO SEND BACK TO THE STAKEHOLDERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MY QUESTION IS IF THIS WAS DOWN FOR MULTIPLE DAYS, RIGHT, AND IF YOU DO 250, 300 INTAKES A DAY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT 300 A DAY, DID

[03:05:06]

>> WE CAUGHT UP.

SUNDAY MORNING THERE WERE STILL OFFENDERS WHO WERE ARRESTED THE PREVIOUS 48 HOURS WHO WERE NOT AUTOMATICALLY RELEASED BECAUSE THEY HAD EXCEEDED THE TIME PERIOD.

WE WERE CLOSE AND MORE WOULD HAVE BEEN RELEASED HAD IT NOT BEEN BACK UP.

>> THERE ARE OTHER PORTION THAT'S SHOULD HAVE COME BACK, BUT THAT PORTION CAME

BACK. >> ALL OF THE OFFENDERS RELEASED, THE POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO COME BACK TO INTAKE AND WE HAVE TO DO THE WORK.

IT IS ADDITIONAL WORK BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IN CUSTODY.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE DANGER TO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS IN OUR MARSHAL SERVICE AND OUR FUGITIVE SQUADS IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSTABLE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WHO HAVE TO EXECUTE THESE WARRANTS.

THAT'S WHERE THE REAL DANGER IS.

>> WHAT ABOUT THE STAKEHOLDERS HAVING CONTROL THE JWEB SYSTEM.

YOU SAID GO BACK TO HOW IT WAS UNDER JIM.

SO IS THAT -- I HEARD YOU SAY JIMS.

>> JIMS -- >> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN BY HAVING THE STAKEHOLDERS CONTROL THE SYSTEM.

OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE NOT THE TECH PEOPLE EITHER SO YOU WOULD NEED TO PUT A TECH PERSON TO MANAGE THIS.

WHAT IS THE SORT OF --

>> THAT'S KIND OF RIGHT.

WE CONSIDER OURSELVES TECH PEOPLE.

AM I ON? WE ARE SYSTEM EXPERTS AND PROCESS EXPERTS.

WE UNDERSTAND HOW THAT PIECE OF PAPER FLOWS THROUGH JIMS.

>> THEY WERE THE STAKEHOLDERS.

THE MESSAGE WAS THE STAKEHOLDERS WANT TO CONTROL THE JWEB SYSTEM.

YOU DIDN'T SAY THE I.T.

FOLKS. COME ON NOW.

WE ARE TRYING TO --

>> NO, THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE UNDER HENNED -- THE UNDERHANDED COMMENTS AND GIGGLES, I CONSIDER MYSELF PRETTY SMART.

>> WHEN WE SAY GO BACK TO THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE FOR JIMSS,.

>> WHEN JI IN, S WAS CREATED -- JIMS WAS CREATED IT WAS CREATED BY THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT BY THE BLESSING OF THIS BODY.

JIMS WAS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT FROM WHAT WAS THEN CENTRALIZED I.T.

FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT INCLUDED THE PERSONNEL THAT DEVELOPED AND MAINTAINED EVERYTHING ABOUT JIMS FELL INTO THAT GROUP.

IT WAS A SEPARATE DEPARTMENT WITH A SEPARATE BUDGET.

AND THAT BUDGET SUBMISSION WAS MADE FROM A DIRECTOR THAT WAS APPOINTED BY THE JUSTICE EXECUTIVE BOARD.

TODAY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MINI SYSTEMS AND NOT JUST JWEB TO THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALL OF THE OPERATIONS THAT IT SUPPORTS.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR ACTION TODAY, OBVIOUSLY.

THIS IS THE START OF A CONVERSATION.

IT IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK AT.

>> THERE WAS A DISTINCTION MADE BETWEEN JIMS S AND JWEB IF THEY ARE SO DIFFERENT WHY WOULD IT WORK FOR JWEB AND WHY WAS IT CHANGED AND WHEN?

>> I CAN'T COMMENT ON THE CHANGE OF THE GOVERNMENT BECAUSE IT HAPPENED LONG BEFORE I GOT HERE.

>> SO THE OVERSIGHT GOVERNENCE WAS IN THE 70S.

>> CORRECT.

BUT IT REMAINED IN THE MODEL FOR 20 YEARS BEFORE IT TRANSITIONED TO JIMS BEING A DEPARTMENT THAT WAS UNDERNEATH ITS, I BELIEVE.

BUT THEY STILL GAVE DIRECTION.

WHEN THE BUDGET SHIFTED TO A CENTRALIZED I.T.

AND WHEN THE PERSONNEL SHIFTED FROM A STAND ALONE DEPARTMENT, IT ERODED.

>> WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN AND WHY?

>> I BELIEVE IT WAS IN THE EARLY 90S.

THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN FIGURE OUT CERTAINLY.

>> SKW THERE IS A COMMITTEE AND WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT THE COMMITTEE DOES NOW AND WHAT THE COMMITTEE DID IN THE 90S.

>> IT IS THE JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE CREATED BY THE BODY.

WE HAVE NO BUDGET AND WE HAVE NO PERSONNEL OTHER THAN WHAT IS FOUND IN OUR DEPARTMENT.

[03:10:07]

WE ASSIST ONE ANOTHER AND PLANNING FOR NEW SYSTEMS AND NEW FUNCTIONALITY.

WE DON'T HAVE DIRECT INPUT OR CONTROL AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT HAPPENS WITH JWEB.

90% OF WHAT WE USE EXISTS IN JWEB.

AND SO THAT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO WAS ON THE JUSTICE TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE?

>> WHO IS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OR WHO WAS?

WHO IS? >> TODAY IT IS MYSELF AS COURT MANAGERS REPRESENTING THE COUNTY COURTS AND THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND THE DISTRICT CLERK AND THE SHERIFF.

WE MAKE UP THE CO-CHAIRS OF THE GROUP.

OTHER MEMBERS ARE THE DIRECTORS OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES AND THE DIRECTOR OF SERVICES.

Y'ALL HELP ME OUT.

JUVENILE PROBATION, UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND THE MACK AND JAD. IT IS ALL OF THE JUSTICE RELATED --

>> IS THAT THE COMMITTEE? THERE WAS SOME COMMITTEE THAT I PUT IN A REQUEST FOR DATA.

>> IT WAS THE DATA GOVERN -- GOVERNANCE WORKING GROUP.

>> WHO IS ON THAT?

>> REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN'T REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT THERE WAS A DATA I WAS TRAYING TO COLLECT.

IS THAT THE GROUP THAT WOULDN'T GIVE IT UP?

>> I WASN'T PART OF THE DETAILED DISCUSSIONS ON THAT.

BUT IF THE -- EVERY DATA REQUEST THAT IS HAS COME THROUGH HAS FALLEN ON THIS DATA WE HAVE FIRST AND THE PUBLIC DATA IS CONFIDENTIAL DATA AND MOSTLY CRIMINAL JUSTICE DATA.

AND THERE ARE LAWS THAT CAN LOOK AT THOSE LAWS.

AND SO WE STICK TO THOSE LAWS VERY CLOSELY TO PROTECT OUR ACCESS TO CRIMINAL JUSTICE.

>> SO YOU WANT THIS COMMITTEE, WHATEVER IT IS -- I'LL FIND OUT.

I WILL HAVE TO ASK MY STAFF ABOUT THAT DATA.

>> I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE REQUESTING, BUT IS IT DATA THAT EXISTS? YOU TALK ABOUT DISPARITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO AS AN ASK YOU WANT THIS COMMITTEE TO CONTROL THIS PROCESS?

>> IS THAT WHAT THEY ARE ASKING?

>> IT IS.

AND THEY WILL BRING THE ITEM BACK TO HELP CREATE THAT.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND JUST GENERALLY SPEAKING, I THINK THERE IS STILL A LITTLE CLARITY FOR US TO FIND IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE BEFORE.

AND IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WAS UNDER JIMS. WOULD IT STILL APPLY? I MEAN, WHAT EXACTLY -- WHAT IF ANYTHING CAN WE TAKE FROM THAT? I DON'T DOUBT THERE WILL BE A MODEL AND THE LESSONS FROM WHAT IT WAS DONE.

I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THAT.

>> AND WE HAVE DOCUMENTATION OF WHAT THAT ORGANIZATION LOOKED LIKE.

WE CAN BRING THAT TOGETHER WHEN WE ARE BRINGING IT BACK TO THE COURT, STPES PHYSICALLY -- SPECIFICALLY ON THAT.

WHEN JEMS WAS CREATED, IT WAS CREATED AT THE REQUEST OF THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY.

AND SO THEY CREATED IT AND THAT DEPARTMENT WAS KRAE -- CREATED BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT, THE FUNDING FOR THAT DEPARTMENT AND THAT DEPARTMENT FELL UNDER THE JIMS EXECUTIVE BOARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WANT THE MOST EFFICIENT COMMUNICATION AND SECURE AND TRANSPARENT TO THE BALANCE OF THAT.

IT MAY NOT BE WHAT WE DID IN THE 90S OR THE 70S.

>> TECHNOLOGY IS DIFFERENT TODAY.

SO A WORKING OUT OF WHERE THE DIVIDING LINE IS BETWEEN UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE SUPPORT THEY PROVIDE AND WHAT RESPONSIBILITIES AND AUTHORITY THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY HAS IS THE WORK TO BE DONE.

SOMEWHERE IN THERE, THERE IS A BETTER MODEL MOVING FORWARD.

>> SO THE WAY THEY WANT TOEUPL PROVE THE COMMUNICATION IS TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE CLEAR CONVERSATIONS

[03:15:08]

HAVING BETTER TECHNOLOGY AND INFRASTRUCTURE IS BETTER FOR EVERYONE.

AND SO I GUESS WHAT IS LEFT IS WHAT INPUT DO YOU FEEL YOU WOULD BE GIVING UNDER WHAT SHE IS PROPOSING.

I AM NOT CLEAR ON THAT SKWAEU ONE --

>> ONE OF THE THINGS IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS A BROAD PER VIEW.

THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY'S I.T.

IS ONE PIECE OF THEIR I.T.

RESPONSIBILITY. THEY DON'T KNOW THE LEGAL RESPONSIBILITY THAT'S WE ALL KNOW FROM OUR BUSINESS OPERATION STANDPOINT.

IT IS A PRIORITY FOR US.

THE OTHER PIECE IS PRIORITIZATION.

THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE.

WHEN WE PUT IN A HELP ORDER, IT CAN TAKE WEEKS TO GET A RESPONSE TO IT.

IF WE CONTROL IT, IT IS A TOP PRIORITY AND WE GET ON IT IMMEDIATELY.

AND RECENTLY WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED A DIFFICULTY WITH OUR CIVIL CASE COUNTER WHICH IS HOW CASES ARE ASSIGNED TO JUDGES.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL NOT LET US LOOK AT THE SOURCE CODE.

IT WILL NOT ALLOW US TO LOOK AT THE CONTROLS THAT CONTROLS OUR OPERATIONS.

IF WE HAD THAT ACCESS WE COULD SHR SOLVED THE PROBLEM WEEKS AGO.

IT IS A PRIORITIZATION AND IT IS THE KNOWLEDGE BASE OF WHO UNDERSTANDS THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS AND THE LEGAL LIABILITIES.

THAT WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF WE WERE THE ONES MOVING AND SETTING THE PRIORITIES AND CONTROL THE WAY THINGS ARE HANDLED.

AND MOST WENT AWAY WITH THE JIMS CONVERSION.

WHEN JIMS WENT TO J W-RBG EB -- JWEB WE LOST A LOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WAS THAT?

>> 2018 OR 2019.

PRIOR TO THAT THERE THERE WAS A MUCH MORE INTERACTIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AT THAT TIME THOUGH, THIS WAS BACK WHEN THE COMMITTEE OVER SAW THE TECHNOLOGY IN ITS ENTIRETY. THERE IS SOMETHING THERE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT EXACTLY WAS LOST.

>> WHAT HAPPENED WAS EACH ONE OF THE STAKEHOLDER AGENCIES WERE ASKED TO GIVE UP SOME OF THEIR I.T.

PERSONNEL TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES WHICH WAS AT THAT TIME CTS TO HELP THEM WRITE THE JWEB PROGRAM.

AND SO WE HAD PEOPLE WHO WERE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN JWEB.

THEY WERE GONE AND THEY WERE NO LONGER THERE AND THERE IS NO ONE WHO UNDERSTANDS THE GUYS -- THE BUSINESS OPERATIONS WE DO AS STAKEHOLDERS.

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR YOU TO SIT DOWN AND UNDERSTAND A RESOLUTION TO THIS.

MY GUT TELLS ME IT IS UNLIKELY THAT WE WANT TO GO BACK TO THE 90S OR THE 70S, BUT IF IT IS ABOUT GOING BACK TO SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED IN THE MODERN ERA THAT SEEMED TO WORK FOR THESE FOLKS, WHAT MIDDLE GROUND CAN BE FOUND THERE AND I TKOFPBT KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING YOU NEED ME TO FACILITATE FOR BECAUSE I DO THINK THAT PART OF IT IS HAVING THE TECHNOLOGY AND HAVING THE CONTINGENCIES.

PART OF IT IS IF THE STAKEHOLDERS FEEL THEY ARE NOT GETTING RESPONSES QUICKLY ENOUGH, WHAT IS THE EXPECTATION? IS THERE A TURN AROUND TIME YOU CAN GIVE THEM? HOW CAN WE CHANGE THAT? WHY DID THEY FEEL BACK IN 2019 THEY WERE A PRIORITY AND NOW THEY ARE NOT.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE ON THE WORK REQUESTS?

>> I.T.

SERVICES FOLLOWS IN OUR DEPARTMENT FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN THE LAST 20 DAYS IT FOLLOWS ITIL WHICH IS CUSTOMER FRIENDLY AND THEY ARE INTERACTING WITH OUR CUSTOMERS AND MEETING THE EXPECTATION AND THERE HAVE BEEN ATTEMPTS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE STAFF AND GO OVER THE ISSUE THAT WAS BROUGHT UP.

THIS IS ALL TO SAY THAT WE'LL COME BACK AND GIVE YOU A RESPONSE ON THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE AND IT WILL LOOK AT HOW WE MANAGE OUR WORKLOAD.

[03:20:02]

>> AS AN EXAMPLE, THE CIVIL CASE SOURCE CODE WE WERE NOT ALLOWED TO SEE UNLESS WE ARE SIDE BY SIDE IN THEIR OFFICE HAS TAKEN TWO MONTHS AND IT IS STILL NOT RESOLVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU WILL LOOK AT THAT SOURCE CODE ISSUE, BUT CERTAINLY IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE AIR ON THE SIDE AND FIND A SOLUTION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ARE WE GOING TO STOP TO VOTE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO STOP AT 2:45.

>> TOM RAMSEY: HE CAN WAIT UNTIL 3:15.

I JUST HEARD FROM HIM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. WILL YOU FINISH?

>> I HAVEN'T GIVEN MY REMARKS.

I WAS JUST WAITING FOR YOUR QUESTION.

I AM HERE TO REPORT HOW THE JWEB OUTAGE IMPACTED THOSE WE SERVE.

DURING THE OUTAGE WE HAD MEMBERS OF OUR I.T.

TEAM ON THAT CALL WITH MICROSOFT NON-STOP OVER THREE DAYS FOR A TOTAL OF 138 HOURS.

OVER THE SUBSEQUENT TWO WEEKS THEY DEVOTED MOST OF THEIR TIME TO THE RESTORATION EFFORTS THAT TOOK THEM AWAY FROM THEIR NORMAL DUTIES.

THE JWEB OUTAGE HAD A PROFOUND AFFECT ON OUR WORK WITH THE CRIMINAL COURTS.

AND IT IMPACTED THE OPERATIONS OF BOTH OF OUR 24/7 OPERATIONS, CRIMINAL INTAKE AND PROBABLE CAUSE COURT.

AS A RESULT THE OFFENDERS COULD NOT BE PLACED ON THE DOCKET IN A TIMELY MANNER AS REQUIRED BY STATUTE.

THE OUTAGE HAD A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON NUMEROUS ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONS SUCH AS E WARRANTS AND E DELIVERY AND E CHARGE AND TEMPORARY PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS AND THE AVAILABILITY OF DATA ON THE PUBLIC WEBSITE.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE SCOPE OF THE OUTAGE WASN'T LIMITED TO CRIMINAL CASES.

IT ALSO AFFECTED CIVIL CASES OVER THE TWO-WEEK PERIOD.

DUE TO THE INABILITY TO RETRIEVE DATA CIVIL ATTORNEYS ENROLLED AND RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS FROM OUR OFFICE WERE NOT GETTING UPDATES ON DOCKET SETTINGS AND NOTIFICATION ON SIGNED ORDERS OR ISSUANCE OF CITATIONS.

IN CONCLUSION, DOING THE -- DOING THINGS THE WAY WE HAVE BEEN DOING THEM THE LAST THREE YEARS ISN'T WORKING FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE SYSTEM.

TO MAKE JUSTICE OPERATIONS A HIGH PRIORITY THAT THEY MUST BE, WE THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE ASKING YOU TO HAND OVER JWEB GOVERNANCE CONTROL TO THE EXPERTS THAT ARE STATUTE EARLY TO RESPONSIBLE FOR THEM AND LEGALLY ACCOUNTABLE IF DATA IS MISUSED.

WE HAVE THE UNIQUE KNOWLEDGE, INSIGHT AND EXPERIENCE IN OUR RESPECTIVE OPERATIONS AND IN THE OPERATIONS OF THE COUNTY'S JUSTICE SYSTEM AS A WHOLE.

WE RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU ESTABLISH AND FUND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM POLICY BOARD COMPOSED OF THE ELECTED JUSTICE OFFICIALS AND THE HEADS OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS DIRECTLY INVOLVED WITH OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU HAVE -- OKAY.

>> I AM NOT LAUGHING AT YOU.

I AM LAUGHING WITH YOU.

THAT'S THE COMMITTEE THAT DIDN'T GIVE ME WHAT I WANTED.

WE UNDERSTAND THIS GOVERNING BOARD HAS NEED OF INFORMATION AND NEED TO ANALYZE INFORMATION.

WE REALLY UNDERSTAND THAT AND WE APPRECIATE IT.

I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA COULD FURTHER EXPAND ON WHAT I AM ABOUT TO SAY, BUT THE INFORMATION IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IS HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL.

AND ANYTHING THAT WILL IDENTIFY AN UH FINISHED -- AN OFFENDER AND WILL EXPOSE ANY OF US WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MAINTAINING THIS CRIMINAL DATA, IF WE ALLOW THAT TO BE EXPOSED EVEN TO GIVE TO YOU, THE GOVERNING BODY, BUT NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT WE RISK LOSING ACCESS TO FBI AND DPS CRIMINAL INFORMATION.

THAT'S THE RED MEAT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT TELLS US WHO WE ARE DEALING WITH.

AND WHAT THEIR CRIMINAL HISTORY IS AND WHO THEY ARE, MANY THINGS.

AND THOSE FACTS ARE NOT REVIEWABLE BY STATUTE.

WE DIDN'T WRITE THE LAWS THE LEGISLATURE WROTE THE LAWS.

IT IS NOT THAT THE COMMITTEE CHOSE NOT TO GIVE YOU WHAT YOU WANTED.

THAT'S NOT IT. THE COMMITTEE PROTECTED -- BECAUSE THE COMMITTEE IS THE STAKEHOLDERS WHO ARE BY LAW RE -- RESPONSIBLE, THE COMMITTEE PROBABLY DECLINED WHATEVER THE REQUEST WAS BECAUSE IT WAS UNLAWFUL.

IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT IS AT STAKE.

THERE IS INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY THIS BOARD WANTS ACCESS TO AND I THINK WE BELIEVE THAT AT LEAST THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE INFORMATION IS NOT REVIEWABLE BY LAW.

[03:25:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTEMPT TO ANSWER MY QUESTION.

LET ME SAY THAT AT LEAST IT RELATES I WILL HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

ONE WILL BE WHO ELSE HAS A STRUCTURE LIKE THIS AMONG OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE? WHERE DID IT COME FROM? AND AS A POINT OF REFERENCE, ANY DATA I ASK FOR OR MY STAFF ASK FOR, USUALLY IT IS BECAUSE SOMEONE IN ANOTHER COUNTY GOT THE DATA AND SUGGESTED WE ASK FOR IT.

THANK YOU.

THE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND PROPOSING IS THE MODEL FOR GOVERNMENT SO THE INTEGRATED JUSTICE SYSTEM.

OTHER COUNTIES HAVE SIMILAR MODELS AND DIFFERENT MODELS I KNOW MARE RAW -- MARICOPA HAS A SIMILAR MODEL AND COOK COUNTY DOES.

LARGE JURISDICTIONS LIKE THIS WHERE WE ARE HAVING TO WORK TOGETHER ESPECIALLY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SIDE OF THINGS, IT IS INTEGRATED AND WE ALL HAVE DEPENDENCIES AND WE ALL HAVE TO SHARE DATA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN IT COMES IN WE WILL ASK THE COUNTIES.

WE WILL CROSS THE BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THAT'S THE REALITY.

THIS MODEL GREW OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND IT WAS THE GOLD STANDARD FOR THE COUNTRY.

WE WERE THE FIRST COUNTY -- IT PREDATES ME.

WE WERE THE FIRST COUNTY IN THE NATION TO HAVE TRULY INTEGRATED JUSTICE BETWEEN CASE I'M PHRAU -- IMPLEMENTATION AND WE ADDED OTHER PIECES --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST KNOW WHEN I GOT HERE EVERYTHING THAT CAME UP, WE WERE THE MODEL FOR THE NATION.

IT SEEMS LIKE ON A REGULAR BASIS I HEAR THAT.

WE WERE THE MODEL FOR THE NATION.

>> IT IS NOT PERFECT.

WE DO A LOT BETTER JOB THAN PEOPLE GIVE CREDIT FOR.

IF I CAN CONTINUE MY REMARKS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> I THINK EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THE IMPACTS FROM MY JUDGES.

THE BIGGEST IMPACTS WERE OBVIOUSLY THE 24-7 PROBABLE CAUSE AND MUCH LIKE THE D.A.

AND SHERIFF'S OPERATION.

IT IS GOING 24/7 AND THEY WORK THROUGH STORMS AND FLOODS AND ALL OF IT.

OUR COURTS WERE IMPACTED.

BY DOCKET INFORMATION NOT ALWAYS BEING COMPLETE OR ACCURATE.

WE HAD DETAINED DEFENDANTS WHO DIDN'T MAKE IT TO COURT FOR SEVERAL DAYS BECAUSE THE REPORTING FROM JWEB WAS NOT ACCURATE FOR PHUPLT PELL DAYS -- FOR MULTIPLE DAYS.

THE DR WORKING GROUP ARE REALLY WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THE REDUNDANCY THAT ALL OF US KNOW WE NEED MOVING FORWARD. THAT WILL OBVIOUSLY BE A PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

IT HAS TO BE. BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE NEED -- IF WE HAVE THESE SIGNIFICANT DEPENDENCIES, THEN WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN FOR HOW DO WE GET PAST THIS WHEN SOMETHING HAPPENS.

WE NEED PLANS IN BETWEEN THE NORMAL OPERATIONS AND GOING TO PAPER.

PAPER IS GOING TO BRING THE SYSTEM TO A HALT ALMOST AS MUCH AS AN OUTAGE.

THE OTHER THING, WE ARE WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND WE HAD MORE MEETINGS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS THAN IN SOME TIME, BUT IT MEANS IMPROVING EVEN FURTHER.

OUR DEPARTMENT IS ON THE CALL AND IT IS TRUE THAT THE DATA REPS WERE ON THE CALL IN THE OUTAGE.

MICROSOFT PROVIDED THE ROOT ANALYSIS.

OUR EXPERTISE MEMBERS WERE NEVER CONSULTED.

AS SEVERAL PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT WE DO HAVE SPECIFIC INFORMATION THAT IS CRITICAL TO MAINTAINING, PROTECTING AND GROWING THESE SYSTEMS. WE HAVE TO BE AT THE TABLE FOR THESE KINDS OF THINGS.

HOPEFULLY MOVING FORWARD WE WILL DO THAT.

WE MADE A REQUEST SPECIFICALLY TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH MICROSOFT AND GO THROUGH THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS SO WE CAN PROVIDE OUR INPUT AND SEE IF IT CHANGES THEIR PERSPECTIVE.

[03:30:02]

>> SO YOU ALL ARE DOING THAT, AS HELPFUL AS IT IS TO COME HERE, IF YOU MADE A REQUEST TO VISIT -- --

>> WE MADE A REQUEST THROUGH COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO DO THAT.

>> AT HRA*ES MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE SITUATION IS FOR THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS THERE IS CYBER SECURITY SENSITIVITIES.

WE WANT TO DISTRIBUTE IT AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE, BUT THERE IS AN INVITATION FOR THE RIGHT FOLKS TO COME IN AND READ THE REPORT AND REVIEW IT AND WRITE ANY COMMENTS.

>> I THINK THAT'S CORRECT.

WE DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THE REPORT.

ALTHOUGH WHAT WAS PRESENTED TODAY IS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT WE HAVE SEEN A COUPLE OF TIMES.

THERE WILL BE AMPLE OPPORTUNITY AT FUTURE MEETINGS.

>> AND I HOPE THOSE MEETINGS -- I MEAN OBVIOUSLY IT IS IMPORTANT TO COME HERE AND TALK TO ALL OF US.

SOMETIMES THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF THEATER AND POLITICS THAT HAPPENS.

THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE BUSINESS.

>> IT IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO ENCOURAGE YOU EVEN IF YOU HAVE ONE OR TWO OF US AND NEVER GETTING TO THREE OBVIOUSLY, BUT MAKE SURE YOU ARE DOING THAT.

>> AND IF I MIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, MR. TURNER FROM MY OFFICE HAS BEEN FACILITATING AND I THINK THESE MEETINGS ARE HAPPENING.

I HOPE EVERYONE WOULD SAY THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION ARE IMPROVING.

WE MAY HAVE SOME DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT I THINK WHILE THERE MAY BE MORE TO GO FOLKS HAVE BEEN COMING TOGETHER AND TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

>> AND WITH RECORD TO THE MEMBERS OF THE BODY, I DID REACH OUT TO MOST OF THE STAFF -- THE STAFF OF MOST OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

WHEN WE PLACED THIS ITEM ON HERE I KNEW PEOPLE WOULD HAVE QUESTIONS AND I WANTED TO ANSWER AS MANY AS WE COULD AHEAD OF TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S WHY I HAD SUCH A HARSH RE -- HARSH REVIEW.

I APOLOGIZE TO THE GENERAL AND THE STAFF, BUT HAVING READ MANY TECHNICAL REPORTS AS A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FOR 40 YEARS, I COULD SEE CLEARLY THAT THE COMMENTS OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE REPORT I.

I HEARD INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

WE NEED TO ADDRESS THAT. THAT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A FACT THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THE ISSUE ABOUT GOVERNANCE, THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

THAT WAS NOT ADDRESSED IN THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN FROM COMMUNICATION TO OBVIOUSLY INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED TO LOOK AT. THERE IS THE PRIORITIES THAT WAS MENTIONED IN TERMS OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

I WON'T EVEN BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND THE PRIORITIES THAT EACH ONE OF THESE AGENCIES HAVE.

FORTUNATELY OR UNFORTUNATELY WE WILL HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT.

OBVIOUSLY THIS MAY BE OUR FIRST SHOT AT TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ROOT CAUSE.

THIS DOES NOT DEFINE THE ROOT CAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENED THERE.

I THINK THE STAKEHOLDERS CAME HERE TO PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION AND I APPRECIATE THEM DOING THAT.

>> ARE WE MISSING ANY STAKEHOLDERS?

>> I THINK THE ONLY STAKEHOLDERS IS RICHARD WOODS, THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR IS OUT OF THE OFFICE.

BUT HE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS AND MANY OF THE IMPACTS WERE FOR MULTIPLE DAYS AND STRETCHED OUT SOME OF THE DATES IN THE ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD YOU ADDRESS THE ATTRITION QUESTION? AT ONE POINT, IT STUCK OUT THAT NOBODY HAD THE CODE, THE LIBRARY SO TO SPEAK.

PRESUMABLY THAT WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AND NOT WITH A PERSON.

IT SEEMS TO ME BAD PRACTICE TO RELY ON A PERSON.

BUT AGAIN -- I DO HEAR, COULD THERE HAVE BEEN ISSUES BECAUSE OF PEOPLE LEAVING AND WHAT WOULD THOSE HAVE BEEN AND HOW ARE YOU ADDRESSING

THEM. >> THE ATTRITION ASPECT OF THE QUESTION, GENERAL NORIEGA COULD SPEAK OF IT IN DETAIL.

WE HAVE GONE THROUGH A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS AROUND IT WE HAVE DISCUSSED -- WHEN I SAY EVALUATED I WANT TO BE CAREFUL WHEN I USE THE WORD.

[03:35:02]

THEY HAVE BEEN HERE FOR EIGHT YEARS OR MORE ON AVERAGE AND THEY WERE A PART OF THE TEAM THAT DID THE CONVERSION FROM JIMS TO JWEB.

I DON'T HAVE ALL OF THE DETAILS OF THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED PRIOR TO ME COMING HERE.

I CAN'T SPEAK MUCH ABOUT IT.

IN THE LAST TWO YEARS GENERAL NORIEGA HAS LOOKED AT WHAT KIND OF ATTRITION HAS HAPPENED SINCE HE TOOK OFFICE.

I THINK THERE IS A SLIDE IN OUR ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS THIS TALKS ABOUT ATTRITION.

>> WELL, WHAT WE ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE BASIC QUESTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS BROUGHT UP A FEW TIMES.

HE HAD A LIST AND 8 SHARED IT WITH HIM, WHAT OCCURRED WITH THOSE PERSONS SINCE 2016 AND FURTHER.

LET ME JUST MENTION THIS, THE 23 PERSONS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION, A THIRD OF THEM WERE CONTRACTORS.

A THIRD OF THEM MOVED ON TO NEW CAREERS AND THE OTHER PORTION, I THINK THERE WERE TWO TERMINATIONS AND THREE RETIREMENTS.

THAT MAKES UP THE 23 PERSONS THAT WERE BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION.

IN OUR TENURE WE HAVE HAD SEVEN PERSONS LEAVE THE JWEB SPACE.

ONE WAS A MANAGER AND THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS REPLACED.

WE HAD TWO RETIREMENTS AND THEN I THINK WHAT THE SLIDE WILL SHOW IS THREE PEOPLE LEFT FOR CAREER CHANGES.

THAT'S NOT UNCOMMON IN THIS PARTICULAR SPACE.

WHAT WAS MENTIONED WAS WE STILL COUNT 42 PERSONS AND ALL ARE STILL DEDICATED TO JWEB.

IT REPRESENTS THE BETTER PORTION AND OUR I.T.

EFFORTS FOR THE COUNTY.

WE REALIZE THE CRITICAL NATURE AND THE PRIORITY OF WORK OF THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR PARTICULAR REQUEST.

IT IS CLASSIFIED AS A LIFE-DEATH-TYPE COMMUNITY.

I DO WANT TO SHARE THE DATA AND WE RECEIVED THE OPINION OF G -- GARDNER AND OTHERS AND IT IS NOT BEST PRACTICE IN THIS INSTANCE AND THE SHARING DATA WITH THE ELECTED OFFICIALS. AND IT IS INTENDED FOR JAD AND OTHER FOLKS AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COMMUNITY.

IF THE CODE IS CHANGED IN ANY KIND OF WAY IT COULD IMPACT THE ENTIRE TOWN AND 32 DATABASES.

FOR THE PURPOSE OF SECURITY IS THE OTHER REASON WHY YOU NEVER RELINQUISH THE SOURCE CODE.

SEUB SKWEPBTLY -- SUBSEQUENTLY MR. PERRY TURNER FACILITATED A MEETING PRIOR TO THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION WHERE WE RESOLVED THE ISSUE WITH THE STAFF COMING TO OUR OFFICE SITTING SHOULDER TO SHOULDER SO WE COULD FIND OUT THE NEED AND WE HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

I HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGED UP UNTIL YESTERDAY OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY EDITED THE DOCUMENT WE SUBMITTED AND WE HAVE HAD TWO SEPARATE MEETINGS FOR THE PURPOSE OF ALLOWING OUR COLLEAGUES AND THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY TO COME AND SIT AND READ AS WE DID YESTERDAY THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS THAT THEY ALSO CONTRIBUTED.

WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THAT AND THAT PARTICULAR COLLABORATIVE WORK AND WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

OUR DEPARTMENTS ARE COMMITTED TO THE WAY AHEAD AND HOW WE CAN MAKE IT BETTER FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THANK YOU, GENERAL, FOR MEETING WITH ME.

WHETHER IT IS A CONTRACT EMPLOYEE OR A CONTRACT PERSON OR A ACTUAL EMPLOYEE OF THE COUNTY, THAT'S INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE

[03:40:02]

SO I WILL STAND BY MY 22 THAT WALK OUT THE DOOR.

SEVEN OF WHICH WERE EMPLOYEES AND THE REST WERE OBVIOUSLY CONTRACT FOLKS WITH INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

I DO THINK INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE WAS A BIG PART OF OUR PROBLEM.

>> I SHARE WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER AND THE REPLICATION PHASE OF RECOVERY, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SOME FOLKS WITHIN THE 23 MAY HAVE KNOWN MORE QUICKLY WHERE TO GO FOR THE DATA FOR A SPECIFIC CUSTOMER. WE ARE ABSOLUTELY DEPENDENT ON OUR COLLEAGUES TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT SPECIFIC DATA SETS THEY NEEDED FOR THEIR WORK AND BUSINESS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THE EXCHANGE HERE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IF WE HAD SEVEN EMPLOYEES AND IF THE NUMBERS ARE RIGHT AND 22 HAVE LEFT JWEB AND YOUR POINT THAT THE OTHERS WERE CONTRACTORS AND I THINK OVER THE -- SOME OF THE HISTORY OF JWEB YOU HAVE GONE THROUGH 25 CONTRACTORS THERE ABOUT WOULD IT BE FAIR TO SAY WE NEVER DEVELOPED INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE TO PROVIDE THE EXPERTISE?

>> ORGANIZATIONALLY -- IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THE AVERAGE OF 25 CONTRACTORS FROM 2016 TO 2020 -- IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT PRE-DATES MS. MINON AND MYSELF AND THEN THEY WERE GONE.

AND SO, YES, THAT COULD HAVE -- THERE COULD HAVE BEEN INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE THERE.

AND WE DEFINITELY RECOGNIZE THAT THE PRACTITIONERS ON THE JUSTICE COMMUNITY HAVE INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE BASED ON THEIR BUSINESS PROCESSES AND WORKFLOWS WITHOUT QUESTION.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE REQUESTING THAT MOVING FORWARD.

THERE IS CONSIDERATION FOR THE CENTRALIZATION SO THAT IN THE EVENT THERE IS A SIMILAR EVENT TOMORROW, THOSE WOULD BE READILY AVAILABLE TO BE ABLE TO REPLICATE THE DATA MORE QUICKLY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD?

>> IN RESPONSE TO THE GENERAL'S COMMENTS I WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR THE CONVERSATIONS, BUT I WANT TO CLARIFY ONE THING.

THE DOCUMENT WITH EDITS SUGGESTED, THERE WERE THINGS IN THERE WE WOULD NOT AGREE WITH OR MISCHARACTERIZE THE NATURE OF THE OUTAGE.

AND SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE PARTICULAR ITEMS.

>> SOME OF THE TIMELINES WE HAD AGREED TO INSTEAD OF THE 8TH THERE WAS THE 11TH.

THERE WERE COMMENTS IN THE ORIGINAL DOCUMENT THAT WE SAW WITH REGARD TO MINOR ISSUES THAT IMPACTED THINGS.

THOSE WEREN'T IN THERE AT ALL, BUT THEY FELT STRONGLY ABOUT THEM IN THE CONVERSATION.

AND FRANKLY THE DOCUMENT ITSELF, THERE IS LANGUAGE IN IT, BUT THE DOCUMENT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT.

>> THE DOCUMENT THAT IS THE SUBJECT TODAY IS THE SAME DOCUMENT PRESENTED AT THE FORUM.

WE HAVE INCORPORATED SOME OF THE -- THE COMMENTS WE RECEIVED FROM THE STAKEHOLDER WE INCORPORATED IT.

IF THERE ARE GAPS WE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW.

WE MADE SURE THE FEEDBACK WAS INCORPORATED AND IT WAS PRESENTED AT THE STAKEHOLDER MEETING.

>> NOBODY IS UNDER ANY IMPRESSION THAT THIS WASN'T A BIG PROBLEM.

I DO THINK IS THERE PARTICULAR FACT THAT'S HAVEN'T COME THROUGH, PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT THOSE ARE.

BUT I THINK IT SEEMS LIKE THE STAKEHOLDERS ARE HEADED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND IT WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR US TO COMPLETELY ADDRESS THIS.

IT IS GOING TO BE EASIER TO THE EXTENT YOU ARE ABLE TO COME TO SOME SORT OF RESOLUTION.

[03:45:01]

AND PERHAPS THE REQUEST WAS SENT TO THE WRONG PERSON OR PERHAPS THERE TRULY IS A NEED TO PRIORITIZE YOUR NEED BETTER.

>> WE ARE NOT GETTING THE RESOLUTION.

LEANING LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED.

>> IT IS NOT ALLOWING US TO LOOK AT THE SOURCE.

>> I WANT TO CLOSE OUT FOR EVERYBODY.

I KNOW YOU HEARD ALL ABOUT THIS.

THIS IS WHAT I WANT TO LEAVE THE GOVERNING BOARD WITH.

WITH YOU, COUNTY JUDGE.

THIS IS PLAYING WITH FIRE.

TO TRY TO LEAVE THE MOST PART AND WE CAN'T BE IN CONTROL, BUT UNIVERSAL SERVICES CAN BE.

WE HAD SEVERAL OUTAGES AND IT HAPPENED DURING SEVERAL ADMINISTRATIONS.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THIS TEAM DID IS WE HAVE BEEN REALLY FORTUNATE THAT NONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN RELEASED AS A RESULT OF THIS ORIE-ARRESTED AS -- OR REARRESTED AS A RESULT OF THIS HAD KILLED ANYONE OR HARMED ANYONE THAT WE KNOW OF.

OUR LUCK CANNOT HOLD FOREVER.

SEVEN OUTAGES IS A GOOD RUN.

IT IS TIME TO RETURN THE GOVERNANCE TO THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SYSTEM.

THANK YOU ALL. THAT'S MY CLOSE.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE TWO MORE SPEAKERS FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE FOR THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY?

>> THERE ARE TWO MORE SPEAKERS FROM THE D.A.'S OFFICE WHO SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM GARY ZALLER AND RYAN KENT.

>> WE'RE GOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING FROM THE 90S IF NOT 70S.

SO LET'S FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SOLUTION IS HERE AND HOPEFULLY WORK ON IT TOGETHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SO YOU ARE GOING TO ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, FOR BOTH ITEMS. SHOULD WE CALL COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR TAKE A BREAK?

>> JUDGE, AS A REMINDER, WE CANNOT -- I AM NOT SURE WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTED TO VOTE ON, IF IT IS THE RESOLUTION OR ALL OF THE AGENDA ITEMS. WE STILL HAVE SOME -- WE STILL HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS, I THINK, BUT THERE ARE 18 SEPARATE AGENDA ITEMS AND WE WOULD NEED TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS PRIOR TO VOTING FOR ANY ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WILL YOU LET COMMISSIONER CAGLE KNOW AND ANYTIME HE CAN MAKE IT, I TOLD HIM TO REACH ME AS WELL.

JAY, IF THERE ANYTHING ELSE OR IF YOU THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO LET ME KNOW.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE ONLY VOTING ON THINGS WE DISCUSSED AND THE RESOLUTIONS.

>> IF YOU WANT TO JUST VOTE ON RESOLUTIONS AND TRANSMITTALS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL -- I THINK THERE ARE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE HIMSELF HAS A COUPLE OF ITEMS ON THERE HE WANTED TO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE WANTS TO VOTE ON THE ITEMS HE FLAGGED AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVEN'T DISCUSSED THEM.

>> THE EASIEST COURSE OF ACTION IS JUST HAVE THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE ANYWAY TO CALL UP THE SPEAKERS FOR THE ITEMS HE FLAGGED FIRST? LET'S STARTED -- START WITH THE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY.

>> SAMUEL MARANOV SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 10 UNDER COVID-19.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS SAM MARINOV AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3 AND I AM SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM 10. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CONTINUING RENTAL SYSTEM S WHO HAVE ON HARRIS COUNTY.

DATA FROM THE RENTAL PLATFORM REVEALS THAT THE REPRESENT IN -- THAT THE RENT IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA JUMPED FROM FEBRUARY 2021 TO FEBRUARY OF 2022.

THE WREN STALL ASSISTANCE -- THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DECREASES THE NUMBER OF RENTAL PROPERTIES GIVEN ON THE MARKET.

GIVEN HOW MANY ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH THE RISING FOOD AND FUEL AND RENT COSTS, HOW WILL HARRIS COUNTY ENSURE THAT IT WILL NOT INCREASE THE COST OF LIVING.

AND THERE WAS A HISTORY OF COVID RELIEF FUNDS BEING MISUSED AND RESULTING IN WASTEFUL SPENDING.

THE PPP PROGRAM PASSED BY CONGRESS --

>> THANK YOU, SIR YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

WHAT ITEM WAS THAT STP.

>> NUMBER 10. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[03:50:03]

>> NEXT IS MARIA HERNANDEZ SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 94 UNDER KOUPB -- COUNTY ENGINEER.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

LEANING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SHE IS MAKING HER WAY.

>> KPWAFRPB. GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS MARIA HERNANDEZ.

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF A COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK FOR YOU TODAY ABOUT THE MASTER PLAN.

IN 2016 I SAT IN THE PARK WITH A GROUP OF MOMS WHO WERE DISPLAYED BY THE LARGE AMOUNT OF TRASH AND CRIME THAT PREVENTS US FROM EXERCISING AND GETTING TOGETHER OR JUST WALKING AND ENJOYING THE PARK.

SO WE DECIDED TO TAKE ACTION AND CAME TOGETHER TO DO CLEAN UPS AND RECYCLING.

OVER THE YEARS WE WERE ABLE TO CONNECT WITH THE DIVERSE COMMUNITY WE HAD IN THE AREA.

IN TURN WE HAVE DIFFERENT CONCERNS AND ASPIRATIONS OF REGULAR VISITORS.

I AM HERE TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR THE PLAN.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU MAY REMEMBER ME FROM THE MARCH OF CRIME WHERE I RAISED THE COMMUNITY FOR A MASTER

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

-- COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CARMEN YVONNE WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT SPEAKING ON ITEMS 9 UNDER COVID-19 AND 197 UNDER PURCHASING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

LIKE THEY SAY I AM HERE WITH THE TEXAS PROJECT AND I START TO MAKE [INAUDIBLE] WE DON'T HAVE SOLUTIONS THE ISSUE IS SENDING PEOPLE TO ANOTHER JAIL OUT OF STATE AND WASTING MONEY WHEN YOU CAN DO THAT HERE IN THE COUNTY AND KEEP THE PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY.

PUTTING MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL AND STOP TAKING PEOPLE FROM THEIR HOUSES FOR MISDEMEANORS AND STAY OUT OF TROUBLE.

MY WORK IS TO INVEST HERE IN HOUSTON [INAUDIBLE].

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT AND -- NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 11 SPEAKING ON COVID-19.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS DEANNA AND WOULD LIKE FOR TO YOU VOTE NO ON NUMBER 9.

WE ARE RECOVERING FROM THE PANDEMIC AND IT WILL MAKE IT WORSE.

JAILS AND PRISONS ARE ONE OF THE WRO*RS HOTSPOTS FOR -- WORST HOTSPOTS FOR COVID DEATH.

WE WANT TO PUT MORE PEOPLE IN THEM AND THAT WILL NOT HELP THE RECOVERY EFFORT.

DESPITE THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUDGET LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES NOT PREVENT CRIME.

IT RESPONDS AFTER THE FACT.

AND STUDIES SHOW INVESTMENT IN POLICING AND INCARCERATION DOES NOT LEAD TO LIVE CRIME.

AND THEIR JOB IS TO EXECUTE WARRANTS.

WHY ARE THEY GETTING EXTRA FUNDS FOR SOMETHING THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

IS 60% OF THE BUDGET NOT ENOUGH? I WANT YOU TO INVEST ARPA FUNDS IN THINGS THAT HELP REDUCE CRIME LIKE HELP WITH EDUCATION AND SO VOTE NO ON NUMBER 9 PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 30, SONNY JOWLES SPEAKING ON 273 UNDER TRANSMITTALS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, I'M AFRAID WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

CAN YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO YOUR MIC?

>> I'M ON A CELL PHONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS VERY -- WE CAN'T REALLY MAKE OUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

PERHAPS YOU CAN TRY CALLING AGAIN AND TIFFANY WILL HELP YOU BETTER CONNECT BECAUSE I YOU ARE SPEAKING, BUT I CAN'T -- WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, AND I WANT TO MAKE

[03:55:07]

>> IS THIS ANY BETTER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, MA'AM.

IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO MAKE OUT WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

>> NO PROBLEM.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL TRY TO KEEP WORKING WITH HER, JUDGE.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 14, SANDRA RODRIGUEZ OF THE GULFTON SUPER NEIGHBORHOODS UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SANDRA RODRIGUEZ AND PRESIDENT OF THE GULTON SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL.

I LIVED IN GULFTON FOR ALMOST 40 YEARS.

I AM HERE BECAUSE I WANT TO SHARE MY APPRECIATION FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR HIS COMMITMENT TO SUPPORT A PARK MASTER PLAN.

THIS IS THE ONLY PARK IN THE GULF -- GULTON NEIGHBORHOOD AND GONE IGNORED FOR MANY YEARS.

REIMAGINING THE PARK IS KEY.

IT LACKS CANOPIES THROUGHOUT CAUSING IT TO BE THE HOTTEST IN THE CITY FOR A STUDY BY THE HOUSTON HARRIS ACTION TEAM. THIS HAS AN IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY'S HEALTH AND HAS FINANCIAL IMPACT.

THIS HAS MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY INPUT WHICH IS WHY WE ASKED THE TASK FORCE THAT IS CREATED TO INCLUDE ALL STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS PROCESS.

WE ASK WE HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATION AS WE EPL -- EMBARK IN THIS JOURNEY.

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

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 20, MARY SHEA SPEAKING ON ITEM 169 UNDER ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> ISABEL LONGORIA MUST BE IMMEDIATELY REMOVED AS AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

FIRST I WANT TO INTRODUCE MYSELF.

I AM MARY SHEA FORMERLY OF PRECINCT 4, BUT A SUPPRESSED VOTER IN PRECINCT 1.

I WILL HAVE NO VOTE FOR SIX YEARS THANKS TO THE OUTRAGEOUS MAP PASSED BY THIS COURT AND THEIR MOTUS OPERANDI, THE 3-2 VOTE.

AND NOW ON TOP OF THE SUPPRESSION OF THE CONSERVATIVE VOTE, THIS 3-2 COURT INSTALLED AN ELECTIONS BUREAUCRAT NOT ACCOUNTABLE TO THE VOTERS.

LONGORIA PUBLICLY AND EMBARRASSINGLY TRIPPED AND STUMBLED HER WAY THROUGH THE RECENT ELECTIONS.

IN WHAT SANE UNIVERSE SHOULD SHE BE ALLOWED TO BOTCH ANOTHER ELECTION? ELECTIONS OVERSIGHT PHA*US -- MUST BE RETURNED TO THE COUNTY CLERK.

THIS SHOULD BE AN EASY 5-0 VOTE.

IN HARRIS COUNTY SINCE 2017.

NOT ONLY DOES EVERY VOTE SUCH AS MINE NOT COUNT, BUT APPARENTLY --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> NOT EVEN EVERY ELECTION COUNTS.

>> THE 3-2 --

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> HAS DESTROYED VOTER CONFIDENCE.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 16, ANNE MARIE FRASIER SPEAKING ON ITEM 137 UNDER IGA.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS DON FRASIER.

AND I -- [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M NOT SURE -- IS THE SPEAKER -- SIR, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU VERY WELL.

TIFFANY, CAN YOU COORDINATE WITH HIM?

>> OKAY, JUDGE.

WE'LL HAVE TO CALL HIM BACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 21, BOB CHOTE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 169 UNDER ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> CHOTE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS BOB CHOTE.

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE MAY 7TH ELECTION THERE ARE EMAILS GOING OUT RECRUITING JUDGES TO SERVICE 400 LOCATIONS WHERE A YEAR AGO WE HAD A THOUSAND VOTER LOCATIONS. WHY ARE WE RECRUITING JUDGES? BECAUSE THEY ALL RUN OUT THE DOOR.

[04:00:01]

11% IN FOUR HOURS.

6:00 A.M., 13 LOCATIONS WERE STILL OUT.

WE LEARNED ON FRIDAY THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS WHO IS THE DIRECTOR OF LOGISTICS DURING THE PRIMARY CLUSTER CIRCUS IS NOW THE DIRECTOR OF TRAINING.

WE ARE REARRANGING DECK CHAIRS ON THE TITANIC.

I MEAN, CAN WE NOT SEE THIS? AS THE PRIOR SPEAKER SAID THE PEOPLE WORKING THESE ELECTIONS --

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IS A DISSERVICE TO THIS COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANKS, BOB.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, KIM MOORE SPEAKING ON ITEM 169 UNDER ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I REMIND FOLKS TO PLEASE -- WE WILL HEAR THE SPEAKER AND HOLD THE REACTIONS.

WE ARE IN A COURTROOM.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. IS THIS AN ONLINE SPEAKER OR IN-PERSON ONE?

>> HE SHOULD BE IN PERSON.

IT IS KENMORE.

KEN MOORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: KEN

MOORE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM KEN MOORE.

BY NO REASONABLE METRIC CAN YOU SAY WHAT YOU HAVE NOW IS BETTER THAN WHAT YOU HAD BEFORE.

ELECTION WISE. THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR HAS PROVEN HERSELF INADEQUATE TO THE TASK SHE WAS CHARGED WITH.

MUCH OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BE REBUILT FROM THE BOTTOM UP.

IF YOUR ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR LEAVES JULY 1ST AS PLANNED, THE NEXT PERSON WILL HAVE LESS THAN FOUR MONTHS TO ASSEMBLE A TEAM FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS AND THAT IS NOT A LOT OF TIME.

I AM ASKING YOU TO PLACE YOUR -- REPLACE YOUR EA AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND DO NOT WAIT UNTIL JULY.

YOUR REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE AS MUCH TIME AS POSSIBLE TO REBUILD AN ORGANIZATION AND A STAFF TO TAKE CARE OF THE NOVEMBER ELECTIONS AND TO DO IT RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, KYAH DOCTOR UGGIN -- KYAH DUGGINS.

>> HI. EVERYONE DESERVES A FAIR TRIAL AND A SAFE COMMUNITY TO LIVE IN REGARDLESS OF THEIR INCOME LEVEL OR BACKGROUNDS.

UNFORTUNATELY TOO MANY PRESUMPTIVELY INNOCENT PEOPLE ARE IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD A MONEY BAIL.

THIS CAUSES DETAINEES TO LOSE THEIR JOBS AND HOUSING AND BE SEPARATED FROM THEIR FAMILIES.

IT AS YOU -- IT CAUSES JAIL TO BE CROWDED WITH INNOCENT POOR PEOPLE.

THE ANSWER IS NOT TO DE TABLE -- DESTABILIZE THE COMMUNITY BY MOVING PEOPLE AWAY FROM THEIR JOBS, HOMES AND FAMILIES.

HARRIS COUNTY SPENT $11,000,000 TO MOVE 500 PRESUMPTIVELY INNOCENT PEOPLE FARTHER AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND IT HAS BEEN AN UNMITIGATED DISASTER.

PARENTS CANNOT REACH THEIR CHILDREN AND LAWYERS CANNOT REACH THEIR CLIENTS AND ONE INNOCENT PERSON HAS DIED. IMAGINE IF WE TOOK THE 11,000,000 DOLLARS AND INSTEAD OF SPENDING --

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

>> THANK YOU.

YOU CAN CONTRIBUTE THIS TO A HOLISTIC VISION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 49, MICHELLE PONCEY SPEAKING ON 296 UNDER ACCEPT PHRAU MENTAL ITEMS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.

I AM MICHELLE POUNCEY AND A RESIDENT OF LAKESHORE COMMUNITY WHERE HCHA WOULD LIKE TO BUILD ON THE 90-ACRES OF LAND A LOW INCOME AND MIXED INCOME HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.

THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT WANT THIS AT ALL.

THEY HAVE A HOTEL AND A PEER WITH A RESTAURANT ON IT AND IT IS ON LAKE HOUSTON.

THERE IS TOO MUCH TRAFFIC IN THE AREA.

WE ARE ENCOURAGING THE HCHA AND HCHA IN PRECINCT 3.

WE AS RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGING THEM TO SELL THE PROPERTY.

WE NEED SCHOOLS IN THIS AREA.

CURRENTLY IN THIS AREA ALL THE SCHOOLS ARE OVER POPULATED.

IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA WHERE THEY WANT TO BUILD THE 90-ACRES --

[04:05:04]

>> PLEASE CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> WHERE THEY WANT TO BUILD THIS 90-ACRES OF LAND WILL BRING IN MORE CHILDREN INTO THE AREA AND MORE UNWANTED TRAFFIC.

IT IS A FULLY-EQUIPPED THEATER ON THE LAKE.

IT WILL DISRUPT THE PEACE OF THE HOMEOWNERS WHO LIVE THERE WHICH IS ANOTHER REASON WE DON'T WANT IT THERE.

ALL OF THE SCHOOLS ARE OVER POPULATED AND THEY HAVE TRAILERS AT EVERY SCHOOL.

CURRENTLY THERE ARE TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS THAT OUR CHILDREN ALONG THIS STRETCH OF LAND WILL HAVE TO PASS TWO MIDDLE SCHOOLS TO GET TO A THIRD SCHOOL THAT IS GETTING READY TO OPEN AND THAT IS ALREADY OVER POPULATED.

THE DAY THEY OPEN THEY WILL HAVE TO DROP TRAILERS TO ACCOMMODATE THE CHILDREN IN THE AREA.

SO BUILDING ON THIS 90-ACRES OF LAND FOR LOW INCOME AND LOW HOUSING WILL BRING AN INFLUX OF CHILDREN.

THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY ALREADY BUILT OTHER LOW INCOME PROJECTS IN THE AREA.

THIS AREA SURROUNDED BY 900 PLUS MIXED HOUSING IS NOT PROEP -- APPROPRIATE.

IT WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED AND HOW THEY HAVE IT SET UP ON THE PLAN, IF YOU DON'T MIND, SIR -- SORRY. THE REASON WHY LAKESHORE WILL BE DIRECTLY IMPACTED IS ON THESE SINGLE FAMILY HOMES THEY WILL SHARE A FENCE WITH THE PROPERTIES THAT VALUE AT $500,000 ALL THE WAY UP TO A RECENTLY SOLD HOME OF $1.2 MILLION.

BY THIS HAPPENING ACCORDING TO THE REAL ESTATE AND THE EVALUATIONS OF THE HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE THERE, THEY HAD THEIR HOME REVALUED TO FIND OUT HOW THIS PROJECT WOULD IMPACT THEM.

IT WOULD IMPACT THEM 15 TO 20%.

THEY WOULD LOSE THE VALUE IN THEIR HOMES.

AGAIN, THESE ARE HOMES SHARING A FENCE WITH $1.2 MILLION HOMES.

THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR OUR AREA.

I HOPE COMMISSIONER ELLIS TAKES THIS SERIOUSLY.

ON ANOTHER NOTE WE ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS ALSO HAS TO DO WITH WATERMAN AND STEEL WHICH IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' WIFE.

DOES SHE HAVE HER HANDS IN THE POCKETS AS WELL? THE LITIGATION, THAT WAS A DEBACLE.

THERE WAS ALSO ANOTHER PROJECT THAT MS. LINDA HIDALGO, AND MAYOR TURNER, THAT FELL THROUGH.

THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR OUR AREA AND WE DO NOT WANT IT.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS STILL A PART OF THIS COURT.

IF HIS WIFE IS FUNNELING MONEY AND SOMEHOW FUNNELING MONEY TO EACH OTHER.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT AS A RESIDENT AND AS A CITIZEN.

ALL OF THIS CORRUPTNESS AND ALL OF THIS MONEY LAUNDERING AND THIS FILTERING NEEDS TO STOP.

AGAIN, ARE IN THE MEANTIME, THIS 90 ACRES OF LAND, WE NEED YOU TO REALLY BACK US UP ON THIS, THE MAYOR PRO-TEM, THEY ALL SUPPORT US BECAUSE THEY UNDERSTOOD AND THEY CAME OUT AND THEY LOOKED AT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE AREA.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT.

THERE IS ANOTHER CONFUSION ON TOP OF THAT.

I CAN KEEP GOING, BUT I'M NOT.

THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE THAT THEY ARE USING FARMING FUNDS TO BUILD THIS PROJECT.

THEY ARE SPOEUSED -- SUPPOSED TO REHABILITATE THE HOMES RUINED BY HARVEY.

CHANNEL 13 JUST RAN A STORY ON THE THIRD WARD.

IT IS A HISTORICALLY BLACK NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY WANT TO STAY IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD.

BUT THEY ARE TAKING IT TO AN AREA THAT DOESN'T NEED IT AND DOESN'T WANT IT.

THEY CAN TAKE THE MONEY AND PUT IT THERE.

BUILD THEM THE HOUSING THERE.

IT WAS JUST ON CHANNEL 13.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND I AM NOT GONNA TAKE UP MORE OF YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO GET IT OFF MY CHEST.

IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG ROAD SINCE OCTOBER OF 2021 WHEN HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY NOTIFIED US THEY WERE GOING TO DO THIS.

>> NEXT IS CAROL PRINCE SPEAKING UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

>> I AM A HOMEOWNER OF LAKE LAKESHORE.

[04:10:05]

IT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY.

IT WOULD ADD MORE CHILDREN TO AN ALREADY OVERCROWEDED SCHOOL DISTRICT.

IT WOULD INCREASE TRAFFIC AND WE ALREADY HAVE SO MUCH CONGESTION.

THERE IS CRIME GOING UP AND PROPERTY VALUE CONCERNS AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS.

WE HAVE THE AMERICAN BALD EAGLE IN THIS AREA.

ANOTHER IDEA WOULD BE TO PURCHASE LAND.

THEY MADE TWO OFFERS, BUT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY HAS NOT ACCEPTED EITHER OF THOSE.

I ASK YOU DO THE BEST THING TO STOP THIS PROJECT FROM MOVING FORWARD.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 50, GENERAL WASHINGTON SPEAKING ON 296 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> 50,000 TO 60,000 RESIDENTS, BLACK, HISPANIC AND SINGLE MOMS. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE LAKE HOUSTON BEING BUILT.

THAT STATED, NOVEMBER 22ND OF LAST YEAR, MARCH 23RD, WE HAD A MEETING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY EXPRESSING OUR CONCERNS IN REGARDS TO THIS PROPERTY BEING BUILT.

SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE THAT CONCERNED ME WAS THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE BUILDING.

PEOPLE FROM DEPRIVED COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO LIVE ON THE LAKE THAT YOU PAID A HALF MILLION DOLLARS FOR.

THEY DESERVE THE SAME NEIGHBORHOOD YOU LIVE IN.

WE WORKED HARD TO PURCHASE OUR HOMES OUT THERE AND SEND OUR KIDS TO SCHOOL OUT THERE AND WE HAVE AS MUCH VOICE AS EVERYBODY ELSE.

WE ARE NOT SAYING THE PEOPLE IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH WARD --

>> THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> PLEASE FINISH.

>> THERE IS A BETTER WAY TO ADDRESS THEIR CONCERNS.

I TOOK THE TIME OFF TO GO TO THE THIRD WARD, FIFTH WARD WHERE I GO TO CHURCH AND HAVE BEEN FOR THE LAST 48 YEARS TO SEE THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS DURING DISREPAIR.

I ASKED THE SAME QUESTIONS EVERYONE ELSE IS ASKING.

HOW COME THE FEDERAL DOLLARS YOU ARE USING OUT IN THE WOODLANDS, HOW COME THEY ARE NOT USING THEM TO REBUILD THE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT'S NEED THE SUPPORT IN THIRD WARD AND FIFTH WARD AND FOURTH WARD.

WHY ARE YOU SELLING THEIR PROPERTY OR PURCHASING THEIR PROPERTY AT VALUE, $100 AT VALUE AND THEN $150,000 AND TURNING AROUND AND REBUILDING THEM AT 4,000 OR 3,000 SQUARE FEET AND SELLING FOR HALF A MILLION DOLLARS TO PEOPLE NOT FROM TEXAS.

WE SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE RESOURCES, THEY ACTUALLY NEED THE COMMUNITY SERVICES, THE CLINICS, THE HOSPITALS, THE STORES THAT SAW IMPORTANT -- THAT SUPPORT THE SAME FUNDING.

THE BIGGEST NEED WE HAVE OUT THERE ARE SCHOOLS AS SOON AS A SCHOOL IS BUILT OUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, IT IS ALREADY OVER CAPACITY. MEANING AN ADDITIONAL SIX TO SEVEN CLASSROOMS BUILT ON THE SCHOOL GROUNDS THE DAY IT OPENS.

I'M A POLICE OFFICER AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS JOB 20 YEARS.

I KNOW AS SOON AS YOU BUILD SOME OF THOSE LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES, THERE IS NO CRIME IN THE COMMUNITIES.

THERE ARE CRIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I SIT THERE AND WORK THOSE CASES WHEN THE PEOPLE HAVE HAD ASSAULTS.

IT IS NOT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVE THERE.

THEY ARE BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF BY THE PEOPLE WHO ARE VISITING AND HAVE NO RIGHT TO BE OVER THERE.

AND WE ARE SEEING A CRIME INCREASE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

WE HAVE SEEN SEAVER -- WE HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE.

WHO WILL PAY FOR THE ROADS OUT THERE THAT NEED TO BE BUILT TO BRING IN MASS TRANSIT.

WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR MASS TRANSIT.

WE REUL HAVE TO PAY FOR THAT.

WE DON'T WANT IT.

THERE IS A RESOURCE FOR WATER TO SUPPLY THE AREA.

SOME AREN'T EVEN AWARE THEY WILL HAVE TO PLAY INTO THIS FACTOR AND SUPPLY WATER RESOURCES AND ADD A POPULATION THAT CAN'T BE TAXED.

HUGE CONCERN FOR THE RESIDENTS OUT THERE.

AS YOU CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE PROCESS, CONSIDER ALL OF THE ISSUES YOU ARE BRINGING TO US THAT WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR WHEN THE FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE PEOPLE YOU NEED TO MOVE OUT THERE

[04:15:07]

THEY ARE BEGGING FOR HELP.

I GREW UP IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WENT TO CHURCH IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.

IF I WENT THERE I AM ASKING FOR THAT HELP.

ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS TO SELL THE PROPERTY TO ISD SO THEY CAN BUILD SCHOOLS AND RESOURCES WE NEED FOR OUR KIDS TO GO TO SCHOOL.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 51, AMANDA SELENAS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT THE VIEW AT LAKE HOUSTON.

MY NAME IS AMANDA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF LAKESHORE ON ELM SHORE DRIVE ALONG THE LAKE.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS DIRECTLY NORTH OF THE PROPOSED LOW TO MIXED INCOME MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITY.

HUMBLE ISD IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AND IT WOULD FURTHER EXIS AS OPERATE OUR CROWDED SCHOOLS.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT OUR COMMUNITY JUST PASSED A BOND REFERENDUM THIS PAST SATURDAY.

A DEMOGRAPHIC STUDY AND FUTURE ENROLLMENTS WHICH ARE ALREADY EXPLODING IN NUMBERS ALONG WESTLAKE HOUSTON AND DO NOT EVEN FACTOR IN THE LOW INCOME COMMUNITY.

I KNOW FIRSTHAND THEY ARE WORKING WITH MULTIPLE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS AND LIKE THE VIEW ON LAKE HOUSTON WILL PRODUCE MORE THAN DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF STUDENTS INTO OUR SCHOOLS COMPARED TO THE SUBDIVISIONS.

>> ¶ YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> >> AND THEY ALREADY HAVE AND ALREADY PLANNED FOR OUR DISTRICT GROWTH.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> NEXT WE ARE GOING BACK TO SUNNY MESSIAH GILES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH SPEAKER NUMBER TIFFANY?

>> NUMBER 30.

>> WE WILL TRY THIS AGAIN.

THANK YOU TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND FOR CONDUCTING THE DISPARITY STUDY WITH PORT OF HOUSTON AND THE LATEST STUDY OF HARRIS HEALTH WITH ZERO CONTRACTS TO BLACK CONTRACTORS.

THESE STUDIES MAKE ME RECALL A WROPL I RECALL -- WOMAN I RECALL [INAUDIBLE] SHE ONCE SAID THE WAY TO RIGHT A WRONG IS TO TURN THE LIGHT OF TRUTH UPON IT.

TODAY I AM WORKING AGAINST THE SEGREGATION OF BLACK BUSINESSES AND BROWN BUSINESSES AND PEOPLE OF COLOR.

IF YOU CAN'T MEASURE IT.

YOU CAN'T CHANGE IT.

THESE DISPARITY STUDIES HAVE UNCOVERED THE LIVES OF THOSE CLAIMING INCLUSIVENESS AND FRANKLY THE NUMBERS DO NOT LIE.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS IT MAKES SENSE POLITICALLY, ECONOMICALLY AND MORALLY TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THE CONTRACT PROCESS.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN FINISH.

>> I PRAY THAT GOD WILL HELP YOU ALL ENFORCE AND MAKE CHANGE FOR THE BETTERMENT OF OUR COMMUNITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

THANK YOU. THE THIRD TIME WAS A CHARM AND WE COULD HEAR AND I APPRECIATE THE COVERAGE IN YOUR NEWSPAPER ON THE ISSUE AND WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TEAM UP WITH OTHER PEOPLE IN THE PRESS FOR THE COMMUNITY PRESS AND MAIN LINE PRESS.

I AM HOPING OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES WILL ALSO BE AS INCLUSIVE.

EVEN IF IT IS 38 YEARS LATE, WE DID IT.

>> I APPRECIATE THE COURT BEING BOLD ENOUGH TO SEEK THE TRUTH.

I WANT YOU TO -- I APPLAUD YOU FOR TAKING THE STEPS.

>> THANK YOU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: TOM RAMSEY, GOOD TO HEAR YOUR VOICE.

APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO.

>> APPRECIATE YOU, DARLING.

KEEP THE FAITH AND KEEP ON WORKING TOWARDY QUALITY AND EBG HUA -- TOWARD EQUALITY AND EQUITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKER ROBERT HORTON SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: NOT HERE, TIFFANY.

>> SORRY ABOUT THAT. NEXT IS KAREN HOLMES.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

[04:20:02]

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

KAREN HOLMES IN REGARDS TO THE TERRORIST ATTACK IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.

I REACHED OUT TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, MAYOR TURNER AND I CALLED THE WHITE HOUSE AND I I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

THAT'S WHAT I AM DOING NOW.

I HAVE NOT GOTTEN A CALL FROM ANYONE.

LAST TIME I SPOKE YOU SAID YOU FEEL MY PAIN, BUT ARE YOU NOT EVEN TRYING TO REACH OUT AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON.

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING MADE UP.

HELLO? >> RODNEY ELLIS: RE-- WE ARE LISTENING.

YOU HAVE A FEW SECONDS LEFT.

TELL US YOUR ISSUE. >> MY ISSUE IS I AM A VICTIM OF A TERRORIST ATTACK.

I HAVE WITNESSES AND I AM A REGISTERED VOTER.

I HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

YOU CAN EVEN RIDE IN FIFTH WARD, YOU CAN RIDE IN ACRES HOLMES AND TALK ABOUT IT AND ASK PEOPLE ABOUT THIS TERRORIST ATTACK AND WHAT IS GOING ON. HAVE Y'ALL HEARD ABOUT THIS YOUNG LADY THEY ARE TRYING TO KILL AND THEY ARE PAYING TO KILL HER.

I NEED TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE.

I HAVE A LOT OF INFORMATION.

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

>> OKAY. WHAT IS GONNA BE DONE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CALL YOU.

MAKE SURE YOU ANSWER. >> I WOULD LOVE THAT.

I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO CALL ME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LAW ENFORCEMENT IS AWARE OF ALL OF THIS.

IT IS ALL IN THE RECORDS.

IT IS NOT A SECRET.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR SPEAKING IN PERSON AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM DR.

JUSTINA. I AM A CONSTRUCTIVE EYE SURGEON PRACTICING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND LIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY.

TODAY I WANT TO TALK ABOUT FRAUD ABUSE AND WHAT IS THE WASTE? THE WASTE IS A COLLABORATION BETWEEN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COURTS. I CAN SEE THE HELP GIVEN TO THE CRIMINALS, BUT FOR US WE HAVE SAFETY ISSUES WHERE WE FEEL THREATENED AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW THE POLICE -- NOT POLICE, BUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I REALLY NEED TO --

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

>> YOU CAN'T HEAR WHAT WHAT I WANT TO TELL YOU.

MY LIFE IS THREATENED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MAKE SURE SOMEONE VISITS WITH YOU.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER SIX SIN THAT YOU KWRAOE SEGAL SPEAKING IN -- CYNTHIA SEGAL SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CINDY SEGAL AND THE CHAIRMAN OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK OF THE MAY 7TH ELECTION AND HOW THE CONTINUED PROBLEMS WITHIN THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE CONTINUE THROUGH MAY 7TH AND WILL HAPPEN AGAIN ON MAY 24TH AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IN NOVEMBER.

WE HAVE SCHEDULING PROBLEMS WITH PEOPLE BEING CONTACTED AND TOLD THERE IS TO BE A JUDGE AND THEY ARE NEVER CALLED.

WE HAD EQUIPMENT ISSUES IF EQUIPMENT WASN'T MAINTAINED IT WAS NOT TRACKED.

ISABEL CONTINUES TO FIRE PEOPLE WITH INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE.

YOU WORK FOR THE COUNTY FOR A LONGTIME AND PEOPLE RECEIVE THE WRONG BALLOTS WHEN THEY GO TO VOTE.

MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE ARE VIOLATIONS IN THE ELECTION CODE BECAUSE INSTEAD OF THE JUDGES RETURNING THE EQUIPMENT AND THE BALLOTS THE ISABEL SENT OFF DEPUTIZED PEOPLE TO PICK UP THE EQUIPMENT AND THE BALLOTS.

AND MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE WAS A DELAY IN HOW THE VOTE -- THANK YOU, HOW THE VOTE WAS COUNTED.

IT TOOK 15 HOURS TO COUNT LESS THAN 119,000 VOTES.

I RUN THE NUMBERS AND IF WE HAVE THE SAME NUMBER THAT WE HAD IN 2018, 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE AND COUNT AT THE SAME RATE, WE WILL IN FACT TAKE 6.4 DAYS, THAT'S 24 HOURS A DAY TO COUNT THE VOTES THIS NOVEMBER.

[04:25:02]

YOU SELECTED AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR AND TOOK IT OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE COUNTY CLERK.

I AM ASKING YOU RESPECTFULLY, PLEASE PUT IT BACK INTO THE HANDS OF THE COUNTY CLERK WHO HAS THE EXPERIENCE TO RUN AN ELECTION.

MORE IMPORTANTLY REPORTS BACK TO THE VOTERS.

THANK YOU ALL. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER ROBERT SCOTT.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> MY NAME IS ROBERT SCOTT AND I AM A TAXPAYER AND RESIDENT IN PRECINCT 4 HARRIS COUNTY.

I WANT TO ADDRESS THE LAST TWO VOTES HELD IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PROBLEMS THERE IN.

ISABEL LONGORIA NEEDS TO BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE IMMEDIATELY.

I WANT TO REMIND THE COMMISSIONERS OF THE PRIMARY ELECTION PROBLEMS. SHE ISSUED INCORRECT BALLOTS FOR THE FEDERAL AND STATE OFFICIALS.

SHE PROVIDED BALLOTS ON THE WRONG SIZE PAPER AND CAUSING 15 TO 20 BEING EMITTED.

SHE FAILED TO COMPLETE THE COUNTING OF THE BALLOTS AS REQUIRED.

SHE FAILED TO HAVE THE NUMBER OF REQUIRED VOTING MACHINES.

SHE EITHER REMOVED THE CAMERAS RECORDING THE VOTES -- RECORDING THE VOTE COUNTING IN VIOLATION OF TEXAS LAW AND THEY SWITCHED CHANNELS TO ANOTHER CHANNEL WITHOUT NOTIFYING ANYONE.

>> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I DON'T THINK I WAS SPEAKING FOR A MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 16, EMERY FRASIER SPEAKING ON ITEM 137 UNDER IGA.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. FELLOW TEXANS AND AMERICANS, I MOVED HERE FROM OREGON TO TEXAS FOR MY FREEDOM AND THE HOME WAS FULL OF MOLD. I DID RESEARCH, AND [INAUDIBLE].

I HAVE FOUND THAT THE COUNTY HAS CREATED NO LAW TO HELP THE RESIDENTS WHEN IT COMES TO HOMES [INAUDIBLE] AND I AM LOOKING FOR ANYONE WHO IS INTERESTED IN HELPING NOT ONLY THE COUNTY, BUT THE STATE AND THE WHOLE COUNTRY TAKE ON THIS MOLD ISSUE.

A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE SICK, BUT THEY ARE BEING POISONED.

AND PEOPLE HAVE NO RECOURSE.

I AM HENRY JOHN FRASIER AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP EMAIL ME AT HENERYFRAZIER.

JUDGE, IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE YOU WANT TO HELP, BUT IF YOU DO COME OVER.

IF YOU DON'T, YOU WILL BE OUT SOON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

HAVE YOU HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: HE SAID [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL TEXT HIM.

THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE -- WE HAVE TO GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA AND HE WANTS TO VOTE ON CERTAIN ONES.

SO HE SAYS COME BACK AT 4 AND HE WILL BE ON THE WEBEX AND IN THE MEANTIME BE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THE VOTE.

IT IS 3:50 AND WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 4.

THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> HELLO? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST SEE A BLANK SCREEN.

I DON'T SEE ANYTHING ELSE. CAN YOU SEE ME? >> YES, SIR.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING, MS. TIFFANY? >> I'M DOING WELL.

THANK YOU. >> IT IS 4:00 AND WE ARE JUST GETTING TO THE VOTING STAGE?

>> YES, SIR. >> Y'ALL HAVE HAD A BUSY DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HI, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

WE ARE JUST WAITING ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THEY SHOULD BE BACK ANY MINUTE. >> R.

JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. AND DOES EVERYTHING LOOK ALL RIGHT ON THE WEBEX?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. LOUD AND CLEAR OF.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: EXCELLENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WITH A GOOD IMAGE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M HERE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4 AOPLT 05 AND -- 4:05 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

HERE IS THE ATTEMPT. THE PROPOSAL IS TO GO DOWN THE -- AND DETERMINE WHICH ONES ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS FOR ANY OF US AS WE NORMALLY DO AND THEN WE WILL VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THAT SHOULD BE BRIEF. WE WON'T DISCUSS ANYTHING SO KPHEUGT -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE CAN GO BACK.

[04:30:06]

AND THEN GO BACK AND HAVE A FULL DISCUSSION ON EVERYTHING ELSE.

[Departments (Part 9 of 10)]

ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT SOUNDS EFFICIENT.

>> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT TO DO THE CORRECTIONS ?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, I HAVE THAT FIRST.

THANK YOU. SO THE FIRST -- ACTUALLY ITEM ZERO IS A CORRECTION.

ITEM 6, THE AGENDA CAPTION SHOULD READ, REQUEST BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 4 FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION OF ASIAN-AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH. ITEM 59, THE MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT POND EXPANSION PROJECT THEY REQUEST NO ACTION.

ITEM 133 ON PAGE 15, GIS DATABASE.

THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

ITEM 137, BROAD LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

ITEM 178 ON PAGE 22, DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE TRAVEL REQUEST, AND SHE REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ROW 42 UNDER ITEM 178 WHICH IS ON PAGE 22.

ITEM 220, PURCHASE OF 16 BUSES REQUEST NO ACTION.

ITEM 302 ON PAGE 35, THE WORD SHOULD BE -- IT SHOULD NOT BE CORRECT IT SHOULD BE INCREASE.

CHANGE THE WORD CORRECT TO THE WORD INCREASE.

ANY OTHER CORRECTIONS?

>> NO, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IN TERMS OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS, EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 276 TO APPOINT SUSAN ARMSTRONG TO THE COUNTY OF HISTORICAL COMMISSION.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL PUT THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

277, COMPENSATION OF DEPARTMENT HEADS.

OCA AND HR.

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM.

ITEM 278, THE APPOINTMENT OF ERWIN BURDEN AND MARCUS VAZQUEZ SAN JACINTO FLOOD PLAINING.

WE WILL PUT THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> ON THAT WHAT IS THE MOTION?

>> THE MOTION IS TO APPOINT THE TWO GENTLEMEN TO THE SAN JACINTO REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING COMMITTEE.

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

AND THEN ITEM -- NOW, WE ARE DETERMINING THE REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS AND WHICH ARE UP FOR DISCUSSION.

DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 8? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD FLAGGED IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST A BRIEF DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT ITEM 9, VIPER?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LIKEWISE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 10, THAT'S AN APPLICATION TO THE TREASURY FOR ADDITIONAL EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE DOLLARS.

MR. BERRY WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM.

I HAVE A NOTE HERE, TO UPDATE ON SOMETHING.

ITEM 12. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 12 REMAINS FOR DISCUSSION.

ITEM 13.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 14, BROAD COVID ITEM WE WILL DISCUSS.

ITEM 15, ELECTRIC VEHICLES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: BRIEF DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 21, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE, TRANSFERS FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I HAVE A MOTION THAT I THINK WENT AROUND THAT I AM A YES ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE ITEM RELATING TO THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND SO THAT -- I DON'T NEED DISCUSSION.

I JUST NEED TO VOTE -- I WILL MAKE A MOTION ON THE -- ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT FOR THE EA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE ON EVERYTHING EXCEPT THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE ITEM RELATING TO THE EA OFFICE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

I AM IN FAVOR. ITEM 25, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, MA'AM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 28, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LIKEWISE.

[04:35:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: 45?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM TRYING TO GET TO MY -- YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 136, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THE ONES WE HAVE ALREADY COVERED YOU DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON ANY OF THOSE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE WILL BE SOME WE HAVE TO VOTE ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GO BACK TO THE TOP BECAUSE I THINK --

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THERE ARE SOME WE NEED TO JUST VOTE ON.

IT IS 136 AND THERE ARE OTHERS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. I JUST NEED TO VOTE ON 136.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION WATERS 3-2.

ITEM 147, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOLD ON A SECOND.

YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: 158, COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 168, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

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

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY -- >> R.

JACK CAGLE: A BRIEF COMMENT AND THIS IS WITH REGARD TO VOTING LOCATIONS.

I AM VOTING YES AS TO THOSE VOTING LOCATIONS IN PRECINCT 4.

WE VETTED THOSE.

I'M READY TO VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE VOTING LOCATIONS IN PRECINCT 4?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME.

A MOTION AS TO --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL, YOU CAN JUST PUT IT UP FOR A REGULAR VOTE.

MOTION FOR THE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION FOR THE ITEM.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GAR KWRAOE -- GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED.

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

169 COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

>> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND AND I WILL HAVE A QUESTION PERHAPS ON THAT ONE LATER, BUT I AM OKAY TAKING THE VOTE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER CAGLE CAN VOTE.

THERE IS IS A MOTION BY KPHEUGT -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 184.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 189 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR, ITEM 189?

ANY OPPOSE STPHED. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 195, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST NEED TO HAVE A QUICK DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 202, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTIONED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY EL HREUGS -- ELLIS AND SECOND EDGAR SEE YAW.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 233, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

>> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED.

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

VIOLENCE REDUCTION PILOT PROGRAM.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 239, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 241.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON 239 SINCE THAT IS RELATING TO THE LIBRARY COULD I JUST GO UH -- GO AHEAD AND SECOND THAT AND WE VOTE ON IT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN MAKE HIS SPEECH.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> I. I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

I'M IN FAVOR AND IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

WE WILL STILL DISCUSS IT.

241.

>> JUST NEED TO DISCUSS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 252.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME ASK A QUESTION ON 249.

[04:40:02]

>> WHICH ONE? >> 241 ON THE VETERINARY SERVICES.

I'M A YES VOTE ON THAT.

I KNOW YOU HAVE COMMENTS YOU MAY NEED TO MAKE, BUT CAN WE -- I DON'T WANT TO OVERSTEP THE JUDGE AND THE ORDER, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO LOG A YES VOTE ON THAT ONE, ON THE DEBT SERVICES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, JUST ASKING LEGAL, IN A LEGISLATURE YOU CAN MAKE A SPHOEGS -- MAKE A MOTION THAT HE VOTES YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THE DISCUSSION ON THIS ONE, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT IS FINE.

I MAY TO THE BE THERE FOR THE DISCUSSION, BUT, ALL RIGHT.

NEXT ONE, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS -- I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN GET SOME ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN THE MEANTIME.

>> TOM RAMSEY: 241 IS THAT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT? THAT IS JUST REQUESTING THE COUNTY AUDITOR TO DO AN AUDIT OF THE FINANCES.

ANY OF US CAN ASK ANYBODY TO DO THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.

DID YOU PUT IT ON? >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO JUST DO IT AND WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.

>> IT DOESN'T NEED A VOTE.

THE AUDITOR WILL GLADLY DO AN AUDIT AT THE REQUEST OF ANY COMMISSIONER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S MY POINT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WE DON'T NEED TO TAKE A VOTE AND I WILL STILL FLAG IT FOR DISCUSSION UNLESS I CAN GET SOME INFORMATION.

I WASN'T ENTIRELY CLEAR AS TO THE DETAILS.

SO NO NEED TO VOTE ON THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS ASKING THE AUDITOR FOR AN AUDIT AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS DID AT THE LAST MEETING ON A DIFFERENT ISSUE.

>> JUDGE, DO YOU WANT ME TO RECORD IT AS NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET THE RECORD REFLECT I AM FOR OTHER COMMISSIONERS WHO WANT TO AUDIT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GETTING IN LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 252, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A TRANSMITTAL ANYWAY.

266, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 279, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

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

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO.

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

281. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. YAK --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS FOR THE STYE -- STIPEND?

>> WHAT IS THE MOTION STP.

>> TO ESTABLISH A STIPEND POLICY FOR THE ESSENTIAL BOARD P -- BOARD WORKERS.

>> SO MOVED.

>> MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 291.

>> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR OF THE MEDICAL TRANSPORTATION PROGRAM.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

292. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: RELATED TO THE PREVIOUS ITEM.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 294, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL HAVE A DISCUSSION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: 2 TPHAEUPB 3?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 294 AND 2 -- 294 AND 296.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T HAVE 293 FLAGGED.

SHOULD I? >> R.

JACK CAGLE: YES.

THAT'S THE RESOLUTION ON THE ROE V.

WADE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 293?

>> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I MAKE A VERY BRIEF COMMENT, EXTREMELY BRIEF? MY MOTHER WHO WAS BORN IN 1937, 84 YEARS OF AGE TODAY HAS HAD HER TRIPLE BYPASS SURGERY ON HER HEART AND IT HAS GONE VERY WELL.

SHE HAS COME OUT OF IT ABLE TO HOLD HER HAND.

[04:45:03]

WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HAVE PRAYERS.

SHE ACTUALLY INDICATED SHE WANTED ME TO COME TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO VOTE AGAINST THIS RESOLUTION.

AND SO IN HONOR OF MY 84-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WHO WANTED ME TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK HER VOICE ON THIS ISSUE I AM GOING TO VOTE NO ON THIS

RESOLUTION. >> I MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, WE ALL HOPE YOUR MOTHER DOES WELL.

>> SHE IS A TOUGH LADY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS A RUN ON SENTENCE.

TELL HER IT WAS A RUN ON SENTENCE AND WE WOULDN'T EXPECT THAT FROM YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT. SHE'S DOING GREAT.

SHE'S TOUGH. I'M SO PROUD OF HER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

THAT WAS ON 293.

294, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE WILL HAVE A LONG DISCUSSION ON THAT.

I DIDN'T HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS TODAY.

THIS IS THE SECOND ITEM I HAVE HELD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 296, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HOLD THAT FOR A LONG DISCUSSION TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 297.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 299 AND THAT WAS ON THE METAL RECYCLING REGULATIONS.

299 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 3 KWR-R -- 301.

>> NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED. >> WE NEED TO VOTE AND I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT MY COLLEAGUES OUGHTED TO -- OUGHT TO LOOK AT THE WEBSITE.

WE SENT IT TO JUDGE WHITE AND THERE IS A QUESTION ON THIS FACILITY ABOUT MAYBE NOT EVEN HAVING TESTING AND I AM READY TO VOTE.

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> JUDGE, SINCE DWIGHT IS ON THE CALL, CAN WE HAVE HIM RESPOND TO COMMISSIONER

CAGLE'S CONCERNS? >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS PLANNING ON HAVING THAT.

GO AHEAD, DWIGHT.

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK A QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.

I AM NOT TOO SURE. I HAVEN'T SEEN A WEBSITE THAT YOU ARE SPEAKING OF YET.

CAN YOU ELABORATE, PLEASE?

>> THIS IS THE ONE AND I THOUGHT MY STAFF TOWARD -- FORWARDED IT TO YOU WHERE THEY TOOK THE SCREENSHOT OF THE WEBSITE THAT SAID THIS TESTING WAS GOING TO BE SHUTTING DOWN -- HERE.

I HAVE IT. THAT SAYS EFFECTIVE JULY 1ST, 2021 THE LABS ARE CLOSED DUE TO A DECLINE IN NATIONAL TESTING PLAN.

THEY RELIED ON SERVICES FOR THE FAST FEW MONTHS AND WE WISH YOU HEALTH.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD VOTE FOR AN ENTITY THAT IS SHUTTING DOWN.

>> COMMISSIONER I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

WE ARE PUTTING THEM IN PLACE FOR AN AS NEEDED BASIS UNTIL WE GET THE NEW RFP COMPLETED. I HAVE TO DEFER TO PUBLIC HEALTH SHUTTING DOWN.

I HAVEN'T HEARD THAT.

I AM NOT AWARE OF IT.

I WANT THE COURT TO KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON A NEW RFP.

WE HAVE A CONTRACT IN PLACE WITH NOVA THAT IS DOING TESTING FOR US.

THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES SO WE ARE TRYING TO PUT A STOP GAP IN PLACE.

I WILL DEFER TO MS. ROBINSON IF SHE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT.

>> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY, JUDGE, THEY OPENED THEIR OWN SITE AS WELL.

AND WE BELIEVE IT IS RELATED TO THE CLOSING OF SOME OF THEIR OWN SITES, BUT WE STILL NEED THEM AND THEY HAVE BEEN A GREAT PROVIDER OF TESTING SERVICES AND THEIR TURN AROUND TIME IS TREMENDOUS WHEN WE HAD CHALLENGES WITH THE OTHER VENDORS SO HELPFUL WITH THE OMICRON SURGE AND WE ARE PUTTING IT IN PLACE IN THE UNDER SERVED AREAS AND FOR ANY POTENTIAL SURGE WE MAY HAVE.

>> SO YOU HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM RECENTLY?

>> YES.

>> THEY ARE NOT CLOSED?

>> THEY ARE NOT CLOSING OUR SITES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

I WANT TO ASK THE QUESTION, I KNOW -- WELL, IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THEM, WHO WOULD WE HAVE? I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE DEALING WITH IT RIGHT NOW AND YOU CAN APPRECIATE IT MORE THAN MANY, BUT WHO WOULD WE HAVE IF WE DIDN'T LEAVE THEM IN

PLACE? >> WE HAVE ONE CURRENT VENDOR AND FOR FEAR OF COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ADD ADMONISHING ANY COMMENTS THAT COULD

[04:50:04]

THEY HAVE BEEN CHEAPER THAN THE -- YOU KNOW, THAN THE OTHER VENDOR WE HAVE.

AND SO WE WANT SOME CONTINUITY IN OUR OPERATIONS BY MAINTAINING SERVICES WITH THEM.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DWIGHT, DO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS OR DO YOU WANT TO HOLD IT TO THE END OF THE AGENDA OR ANOTHER COURT?

>> I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE UNLESS THE COURT MEMBERS DO, JUDGE.

WE RECENTLY HAD THEM IN CONTRACT AND THE REASON WE ARE DOING THIS FOR THE SHORT FIRM IS THE OLD CONTRACT EXPIRED IN DECEMBER.

I COULDN'T EXTEND THE CONTRACT.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A STOP GAP BECAUSE THE NEW RFP WILL COVER ALL SERVICES OVER THE NEXT THREE MONTHS AND WE SHOULD HAVE SOMETHING IN PLACE.

>> IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WHAT ARE THE CAN SELL BRACING -- CANCELLATION TERMS?

>> TKHRAO*E MONTHS.

-- THREE MONTHS.

>> AND DO WE PAY A MONTHLY FEE?

>> IT IS BASED ON THE TEST RESULTS.

>> WE CAN ONLY PAY FOR WHAT WE USE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I FIGURED.

>> IS THERE A MOTION ON -- THERE WAS ALREADY A MOTION.

>> WE VOTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK WE FINISHED.

I WAS CAREFUL TO WANT TO GET DWIGHT'S INPUT AS WELL.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

SO COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE DON'T HAVE ANY PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.

LET ME GO BACK THROUGH THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE ARE A COUPLE ITEMS WE MISSED.

12 AND 13 WE NEED TO VOTE ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME GO FROM THE TOP.

STOP ME IF WE NEED TO VOTE ON ANY OF THESE OR IF I MISSED ANYTHING.

277.

ITEM 8. 9, 10, 12 WE NEED TO VOTE ON.

IS THERE A MOTION ON 12?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANYTHINGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 12?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. SO MOVED.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2 FOR ITEM 12.

13. >> NUMBER 12 WAS GARCIA/ELLIS, 3-

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 13.

14. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON 13?

>> YES. >> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS THE INFECTIOUS DISEASE CONTROL GRANT.

MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

ITEM 14 IS THERE A MOTION?

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I NOTICED THAT THE PECK ROAD TAX OFFICE AND I THINK THERE MAY BE CASES IN OTHERS, IT IS GETTING HOT.

I NOTICE PEOPLE ARE WAITING OUTSIDE BECAUSE OF SOME RESTRICTIONS INSIDE THE BUILDING AND I THINK WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE HAVING HEATSTROKES IN THE PARKING LOT BECAUSE WE WON'T LET THEM IN AN AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING.

I WOULD MAKE A MOTION RELATED TO THAT THAT WE BE SURE WE DO A GOOD REVIEW OF OUR COUNTY BUILDINGS IN THE HOT SUMMER AND WE ARE NOT MAKING PEOPLE WAIT OUTSIDE WHETHER IT IS COVID RESTRICTIONS OR ANY OTHER REASON.

THERE SHOULDN'T BE, BUT I OBJECT SERVED THAT IN ONE LOCATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT SOMETHING FOR MR. BERRY OR DIRECTOR ROBINSON TO TAKE ON? DIRECTOR, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THIS MAY BE ABOUT IF IT IS COVID-RELATED OR IS IT SOMETHING -- DO YOU NEED TO DIG INTO IT?

>> WE NEED SOME TIME, JUDGE, TO DIG INTO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN MAKE A MOTION OR DIRECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND TO THE EXTENT IT IS NOT A COVID ISSUE WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IF I COULD JUST ASK, DIRECTOR TO LOOK AT OUR BUILDING RESTRICTIONS.

WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE OUTSIDE IN THE HOT WEATHER WHEN WE HAVE SPACE WITHIN AN AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING COME IN.

[04:55:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WOULD JUST SUGGEST MAYBE OFFLINE THAT YOU LET US KNOW WHAT BUILDING OR BUILDINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO KNOW ARE IN PRECINCT 3, BUT I HOPE YOU KNOW THERE IS NO OTHER PRECINCTS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE COULD GET UP AND GO TO WORK.

I DON'T KNOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THESE ARE COOLING CENTERS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S WHAT THEY COULD BE.

THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THE TAX OFFICES, THEY SHOULD BE COOLING CENTERS.

WE SHOULDN'T BE TELLING PEOPLE TO WAIT OUTSIDE IN THE PARKING LOT IS MY POINT TO NO REASON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SOUNDS LIKE THE DIRECTOR HAS IT.

DO WE NEED A MOTION? ARE YOU GOOD, DIRECTOR ROBINSON TO TAKE THIS ON?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

SO NO ACTION ON ITEM 14.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THEY ARE NOT OUR BUILDINGS, YOU DON'T WANT THEM RUNNING AROUND THE BUILDINGS.

WE CAN CALL OFFLINE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT COULD BE THE COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO GET UNDER THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THERE IS A COVID REASON FOR THIS.

IF IT IS NOT, THEN IT MIGHT BE A QUESTION FOR MR.

BERRY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF SHE IS RUNNING AROUND -- PEOPLE RUNNING AROUND.

>> I WILL ASK THE HEAD OF FACILITIES TO LOOK INTO IT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S GOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MY THOUGHT IS SHE WILL ASK HER TEAM -- NOT THAT SHE IS RUNNING AROUND BUILDINGS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SAW AN ELDERLY MAN AND A MOM WITH THREE CHILDREN STANDING IN THE HOT PARKING LOT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS THE TAX BUILDING?

>> TOM RAMSEY: RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 15, DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON 15? 2, 28 -- 25, 28, 45, 147 YOU CANS -- 169 WE VOTED ON.

184, 195.

WE VOTED ON 239.

WE VOTED ON 241.

252, 266, 294, 296, 297, 299. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THOSE ARE THE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION.

>> AND JUDGE, DID YOU FLAG 277 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

I DO -- I DID.

THAT'S ON THE COMPENSATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IF YOU'RE GOOD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE WILL BEGIN OUR DISCUSSION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE REST IS CONSENT? I MAKE A MOTION ON CONSENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 302 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED.

THE MOTION WAS BY RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER GARCIA I LOG YOU AS AN I.

I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SINCE 277 IS GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WE ARE TART -- STARTING WITH ITEM 8.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE WE DO THAT CAN WE TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BEFORE YOU TAKE A FIVE-MINUTE BREAK I WANT TO THANK YOU FORAGE SISTERING MY -- FOR REGISTERING MY VOTE.

WITH YOUR LEAVE I WILL GO BACK TO HOLDING MY MAMA'S HAND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WISH HER THE BEST, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE A QUICK 5-MINUTE BREAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:43 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE'LL TAKE ITEM 8 -- OKAY GREAT.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M SORRY? >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 8 ON PAGE 2.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EMPLOYED -- EMPLOY 2 EMPOWER.

I AM HAPPY TO SEE THIS ITEM COME TO COURT AND I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU ALL AND MY COLLEAGUES AND YOU JUDGE, HAVE MADE IT POSSIBLE.

IT WORKED INCREDIBLY WELL AND I WAS TELLING SOMEONE WHEN THEY ASKED ME ABOUT IT IS IT WAS SOMETHING THAT I DID A PROOF OF CONCEPT WHEN I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.

I CALLED IT DISTRICT H CARES.

THAT STANDS FOR COMMUNITY ALLIANCE FOR RESPONSIBILITY EMPOWERMENT AND SAFETY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU WILL APPRECIATE THIS.

[05:00:01]

YOU ARE MAKING IT SOUND LIKE MY COUNCIL DISTRICT DOESN'T CARE.

I'M LIKE, HEY, WELL, IF YOU DIDN'T DO IT.

BETWEEN JUNE OF 2021 TO FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR THE PROGRAM SERVED A TOTAL OF 67 PARTICIPANTS OF WHICH 29 RECEIVED AN ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY.

30 WERE ASSESSED FOR HOUSING AND 13 WERE HOUSED.

34 RECEIVED SOBER COACHING AND PEER SUPPORT.

MY OFFICE LAUNCHED THE EMPLOYED TO EMPOWER TO HAVE JOB TRAINING AND ACCESS TO RESOURCES AND 12 UNHOUSED INDIVIDUALS.

THEY WORK THREE DAYS ON THE FIELD DOING THINGS LIKE POWER WASHING AND PRECINCT 2 AND COMMUNITY CENTERS AND CLEANING UP GRAFFITI.

ON THE FOURTH DAY THE WORK CREWS RECEIVED RESOURCES SUCH AS HOUSING SERVICES, WORKFORCE TRAINING AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT COACHING.

THE PROGRAM JUST WORKS.

IT IS FASCINATING AND A LOT OF FOLKS ARE TAKING NOTICE.

LAST FRIDAY MY OFFICE AND I RECEIVED THE FANTASTIC NEWS THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS RECOGNIZED AS A NACO ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

LAST WEDNESDAY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE UNITED STATES INTER AGENCY COUNCIL ON HOMELESSNESS WHO COORDINATES THE U.S. RESPONSE TO HOMELESSNESS BETWEEN 20 AGENCIES CAME HERE TO HARRIS COUNTY TO GET A FIRSTHAND VISIT OF THIS INCREDIBLE PROGRAM. HE WAS SO IMPRESSED HE EXPRESSED INTEREST IN POTENTIALLY REPLICATING THIS MODEL ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

A LOT OF WORK HAS GONE INTO THE PROGRAM AND THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE AS WE EMPOWER COUNTY-WIDE.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT TO ALLOW THIS PROGRAM TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY AND TO ONCE AGAIN IMPROVE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND TO HAVE RECENTLY APPROVED IT GOING KOUPB -- COUNTY WIDE.

WE ARE HAPPY TO LOOK INTO YOUR TEAMS TO GET THIS PROGRAM OFF THE GROUND IN YOUR RESPECTIVE PRECINCT.

AND THEN TO THANK MY TEAM.

MERCEDES SANCHEZ WAS AT THE TIP OF THE SPHERE AND CONTINUOUSLY GETTING MY QUESTION ABOUT HOW ARE WE DOING IT AND WHAT ARE WE DOING AND HOW MUCH HAVE WE DONE. I WANT TO THANK CAREER RECOVERY BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN SEEING THIS PROGRAM WORK.

THEY ARE SHOWING A COLLABORATION BETWEEN THEM AND THEIR COUNTY.

AND THEN WITH THE RECENT ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HCTRA, THIS IS EPBG VISIONING -- THIS IS ENVISIONING SOME OF THE CLIENTS WHO PRETEND TO BE THERE. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND NOBODY EVER CALLS OUR OFFICE ABOUT BEING A HOMELESS PERSON OUTSIDE THEIR HOUSE OR UNDER A BRIDGE OR AT A STREET CORNER OR IN FRONT OF THEIR DOORSTEP AT THEIR BUSINESS.

NOBODY CALLS US TO TELL US THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

BUT THEY ARE GOD'S CREATURES LIKE WE ALL ARE.

AND THEY DON'T DESERVE A COUNTY JAIL, FOR THE MOST PART, FOR THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES.

THAT'S TOO COSTLY AND IT IS NOT THE RIGHT APPROACH.

HOW SOMEONE ENDS UP IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES YOU IS AN EVER ELUSIVE QUESTION.

IN THE MEANTIME, WE OUGHT TO FIGURE OUT CREATIVE APPROACHES TO BETTER ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.

AND I THINK WE ARE REAL CLOSE.

WITH ALL THAT WE COLLECTIVELY HAVE DONE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WITH ALL THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH CHIP AND ALL WE HAVE DOING WITH EMPLOY 2 EMPOWER, WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND THAT'S WHY HARRIS COUNTY IS LEADING THE NATION BY SEEING A 20% REDUCTION IN HOMELESSNESS.

I'M JUST PROUD OF THIS ITEM AND MY TEAM WHO HAS BEEN SEEING THIS THROUGH.

[05:05:05]

MY TEAM IS AVAILABLE TO HELP ANY OF YOU WHO ARE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING IN YOUR RESPECTED AREAS.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL TOO CALL OUT CAREER AND RECOVERY RESOURCES.

THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR DECADES, FINDING PEOPLE WITH BARRIERS AND TRYING TO GET THEM EMPLOYED.

IT IS GREAT TO SEE THE COUNTY PARTNERING WITH A WONDERFUL NONPROFIT LIKE CAREER AND RECOVERY.

THIS IS AN INDICATION OF WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO WHEN WE PARTNER WITH NONPROFITS.

I AM PLEASED TO SECOND THIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, CONGRATULATIONSES AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOUR TEAM.

LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IT IS A VERY EXCITING PROGRAM.

IS THERE A MOTION?

>> ON MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

ITEM 9, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I THINK ON ITEM 9 JUST AGAIN THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN THAT VERY EXCITING PRESS CONFERENCE.

THIS IS YET ANOTHER INVESTMENT IN LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I'M PROUD THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS WORKED WITH THE CONSTABLES TO GET PERSPECTIVE AND INPUT ON THIS.

THIS WILL GIVE US A VERY LASER-FOCUSED ATTENTION ON VIOLENT OFFENDERS WHO HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANT OUT ON THEM. WE HEARD THE POINTS FROM THE SHERIFF ABOUT HOW MUCH OF A CHALLENGE THIS IS.

IN SPITE OF HAVING A FEDERAL TASK FORCE LIKE THE US MARSHALS, GULF COAST VIOLENT OFFENDERS AND THE FUGITIVE TASK FORCE, WE NEED A CONSISTENT, LOCAL FOCUS IN THIS TASK FORCE IN COORDINATION WITH THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF AND NOT SUPERVISION IN COORDINATION WITH THE CONSTABLES TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROACTIVELY GOING OUT FOR THOSE VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE AN ACTIVE WARRANT OUT IN THEIR RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS.

THAT'S WHY WE MAKE SURE TO ENGAGE ALL OF THEM SO EACH PRECINCT CAN HAVE SOME FOCUS, BUT ACTING AS A TEAM AS THE US MARSHALS TASK FORCE DOES.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND IT IS VERY COST EFFECTIVE.

IT HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE BY PRECINCT 6.

YOU BACK THEN THEY HAD TO DO IT WITH RESERVES.

THEY DIDN'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT ON IT, EITHER FROM COMMISSIONERS' COURT OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE I THINK.

I'M GLAD THAT THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO GO AFTER THOSE INDIVIDUAL THAT'S HAVE ALREADY SHOWN A PROPENSITY TO COMMIT VIOLENCE AND MAKING SURE WE PUT THE HANDCUFFS ON AND GET THEM TO THE JAIL HOUSE WHERE THEY NEED TO BE SO BOTH THEY AND THE VICTIMS CAN HAVE THEIR DAY IN COURT.

I AM VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS STP -- AND ALL THE OTHER RESPECTIVE INDIVIDUALS.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICK QUESTION, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

SO THIS WILL BE TO COVER OVERTIME?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS FULL TIME PEOPLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THESE ARE -- WE ARE TRANSFERRING.

CON -- CONSTABLE TREVINO IS GETTING A CAPTAIN AND LIEUTENANT AND TWO SERGEANTS AND DEPUTIES SO THEY WILL BE FULL TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE IS TAKING OVER THE COORDINATION OF THE CONSTABLE SIDE OF THE COORDINATION.

>> THEY WILL BE THE CAPTAIN, LIEUTENANT AND TWO SERGEANTS WILL BE OUT FRONT LINE ON WARRANTS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL LEAVE THE DETAILS BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN AWHILE SINCE I HAVE DONE THIS, BUT I ASKED FOR THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLE TO COORDINATE THE IMPLEMENTATION

[05:10:01]

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS NOT JUST OVERTIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS FULL TIME.

>> TOM RAMSEY: OBVIOUSLY IF THERE IS OVERTIME FOR SUPERVISORS, THAT'S A WHOLE OTHER DEAL.

THAT'S A DETAIL. ARE YOU MONITORING THIS, MR. BERRY, IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET?

>> YES. IT HAS GONE THROUGH THE ARPA AND TKPWUPBLG -- BUDGETARY VIEW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I AM LOOKING AT MY NOTES AND IT WILL CREATE 21 NEW OFFICER POSITIONS AND 11 IN CONSTABLE OFFICERS AND 10 IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

LOOK, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, 703 WARRANTS FOR MURDER AND 4,883 FOR AGGREGATED -- AGGRAVATED OFFENSES.

IT IS A BIG INVESTMENT.

YOU AND THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES AND THE JUDGES OFFICE DID A LOT OF WORK.

I WANTED TO MAKE REFERENCE TO SOME OF THE OTHER MAJOR INVESTMENTS WE ARE DOING TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY SAFER.

5,000,000 FOR HEALTH, COMMUNITY RESPONDERS COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS IS A PART OF THE COMMUNITY-BASED SAFETY PROGRAM IN OUR AREA.

50,000,000 FOR ONE-TIME INVESTMENTS TO ADDRESS BLITE IN THE HIGH-COMMUNITIES.

IT IS ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE CRIME.

14,000,000 FOR COURT BACKLOG THROUGH THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM.

2.6 MILLION FOR THE SHERIFF AND HARRIS COUNTY SAFE INITIATIVE TO DEPLOY OFFICERS TO THE AREAS WHERE THEY ARE MOST NEEDED FOR VIOLENT CRIME.

THREE MILLION FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE OVER TIME VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION INITIATIVE.

WE ARE DOING QUITE A BIT.

AT THE SAME TIME, WE ALSO INVESTED SO WE CAN RETAIN PAY RAISES TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND ALL CONSTABLE OFFICES FOR AT LEAST FIVE YEARS IN A ROW.

THANK YOU.

ARE YOU GONNA MOVE IT. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

ITEM 10. MR. BERRY, YOU WANTED TO GIVE US AN UPDATE.

>> JUST VERY BRIEFLY.

I WANTED TO GIVE RECOGNITION FOR COUNTY'S RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WE NOW WITH OUR PARTNERS OF THE CITY DISPENSED $280,000,000 IN AID.

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THIS PROGRAM HAS LEAD TO $16.5 MILLION TO BE ALLOCATED TO HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT WAS MONEY THAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS WEREN'T ABLE TO GET OUT AND NOW WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR ANOTHER 16,000,000.

THAT'S THANKS TO JENNA GONZALEZ AND LEE BARTON AND OUR PARTNERS AT THE CITY AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

THEIR EXECUTION IS LITERALLY BRINGING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HELP PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY THAT THEY HAVE DONE A VERY GOOD JOB DESPITE CRITICISM ALONG THE WAY.

I MEAN, WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE THEM.

WE HAVE REC COG TPHEUZ -- WE HAVE RECOGNITION.

THERE ARE PEOPLE LOOKING AT THE WAY WE USE EQUITY PRINCIPALS ON HOW WE DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

DO WE NEED A MOTION ON IT? >> WE DO TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATION.

>> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO RECEIVE THE $16,000,000.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

I AM ALSO VERY GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROGRAM.

THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH MONEY FOR THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS OF THIS.

IT IS GREAT AND I APPRECIATE THE EMPHASIS ON TENNANTS AND PLAN LORDS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AGAIN AND OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO VOTED FOR IT.

I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO DIDN'T VOTE FOR IT, BUT SHOW UP FOR THE PRESS CONFERENCES ANYWAY.

IT IS A BIG DEAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE OUGHT TO DO A RESOLUTION FOR THAT.

SEPARATE FOR THE ONES WHO VOTED NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 15, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: A QUICK QUESTION.

WE HAVE A PILOT PROGRAM WITH 19 VEHICLES.

[05:15:07]

I GET THAT PART.

I AM JUST CURIOUS WHY WE CHOSE 19.

>> COMMISSIONER, THAT WAS BASED ON THE NUMBERS THE DEPARTMENTS WHO ARE PARTICIPATING IN THIS PILOT, THEY SELECTED THOSE -- THAT GROUPING.

PETRA DECIDED TO GO WITH 10 VEHICLES AND ENGINEERING WENT WITH 9.

>> SO IT WASN'T PART OF A CONSULTANT RECOMMENDATION.

IT JUST HAPPENED TO BE WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS CHOSE?

>> CORRECT.

>> AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THESE WERE THE VEHICLES THAT RANKED NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST IN TERMS OF COST EFFECTIVENESS.

BUT THEN WE CONSULTED WITH THE DEPARTMENTS ON WHAT THEY COULD ACCEPT.

>> CORRECT. FOR THE FORD F150'S.

>> THESE ARE FORD F150'S?

>> LIGHTNINGS AND THEN THERE IS ALSO THE MUSTANG MACH EASE THEY REQUESTED AND THEN THE FORD E TRANSIT CARGO VANS THAT ENGINEERING REQUESTED.

>> AS PART OF THE PILOT TEST COULD YOU BE SURE THAT WE GET A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF EMERGENCY RESPONSE OF THESE VEHICLES AND OBVIOUSLY WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE STATIONS AND WHERE WE GET THEM CHARGES -- CHARGED? TO GIVE A GOOD, CLEAR PICTURE OF HOW THESE CAN BE AFFECTED, I THINK AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WE NEED TO

TEST. >> AGREED.

THEY WILL BE USING TWO TO THREE OF THE TRUCKS FOR ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE CALLS.

AND THEN OTHERS WILL BE USED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT VEHICLES.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THAT'S AN IMPRESSIVE VEHICLE YOU HAVE THERE.

>> IF WE SHIFT 1070 VEHICLES TO LIGHTWEIGHT DUTY VEHICLES WE CAN GENERATE 11.8 MILLION IN SAVINGS AND THAT'S GOOD FOR THE PLANET AND THAT'S GOOD FOR PEOPLE AND IT IS ALSO GOOD FOR THE BOTTOM LINE.

IT IS THE TOP FOR EMISSIONS.

THANK YOU AND MAKE IT WORK AND EXPAND IT QUICK.

>> WILL DO.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT'S EXCITING.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 15?

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

I AM IN FAVOR. ITEM 25, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> GIVE ME ONE SECOND, JUDGE.

AND THEY SET IT UP FOR PRECINCT 2 AND THEY ARE MAKING THE INVESTMENTS THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF THE EXISTING RESIDENCE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE FOR DECADES.

THESE INVESTMENTS ARE NOT COMING BECAUSE OF GENTRIFICATION.

THEY ARE COMING BECAUSE WE DID A COMMUNITY PLAN AND WE GOT INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WE GOT OUR PRIORITIES SET THROUGH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. AND IT IS A VERY, VERY MUCH NEEDED HALF MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT TOWARD TRAFFIC IMPROVEMENTS. THE PROJECT WILL BE PROVIDING A A REALIGNMENT FOR THE SIDEWALKS AND APPROACHES AND TRAFFIC SIGNAL AND DRAINAGE.

THE SIDEWALK WILL BE APPROXIMATELY A THIRD OF A MILE, EIGHT FEET WIDE

[05:20:02]

AND WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE IT FINISHED -- HAVE THE DESIGN STUDY FINISHED BY OCTOBER AND THEN WE CAN START CONSTRUCTION IN JANUARY AND HOPEFULLY IF THEY HAVEN'T FINISHED BY SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR.

THE PROPOSED SIDEWALKS WILL CONNECT THE EXISTING SIDEWALKS ALONG VICTOR STREET TO PROUDLY PARK.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I WAS LOOKING AT THIS DESIGN AND I WAS TELLING MY FOLKS, OH MAN.

I DON'T WANT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYING WE COULD HAVE PUT A HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL DOWN.

SO WE ARE WORKING ON THE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.

THIS IS A FIRST STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE INVESTMENT WE CONTINUE TO MAKE VIA REVIVE TO THRIVE. THANK YOU, JUDGE AND I MOVE ON THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND AND THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA AND SECOND BY EL -- ELLIS.

THIS IS ITEM 25.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

I AM IN FAVOR. ITEM 28, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AGAIN REVIVE TO THRIVE IS STRIKING AGAIN.

THIS IS ALMOST A $400,000 INVESTMENT FOR A HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL LOW CASES -- LOCATED IN PASADENA.

IT IS TO GIVE SAFE ACCESS TO THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.

THE TRAIL IS GOING TO BE A HALF MILE LONG.

THERE ARE 10-FOOT WIDE SIDEWALKS AND IT WILL INCLUDE TWO PEDESTRIAN BRIDGES, EACH SIX FEET WIDE AND 125 FEET IN LENGTH AND A MODULAR BRIDGE DESIGN AND FLOOD CONTROL GUIDE -- GUIDELINES.

WE ANTICIPATE THE DESIGN STARTING THIS MONTH AND WE ANTICIPATE FINISHING THE DESIGN BY OCTOBER OF THIS YEAR AND THEN STARTING CONSTRUCTION IN JANUARY OF NEXT YEAR.

THE CONSTRUCTION COSTS OVERALL WILL BE A MILLION AND A HALF SO ALMOST A $2,000,000 INVESTMENT THAT WE ARE MAKING IN THIS AREA.

VERY EXCITED. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS ONE IS A HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL IN YOUR HONOR, MAN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LOVE IT.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, I CAN'T WAIT.

NOW TO RIDE WE HAVE TO GO EARLY IN THE MORNING OR ABOUT 6:30.

I LIKE TO GO OUT THERE -- SOMETIMES I LIKE LOOKING AT THEM BEFORE THEY END.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS A LOT OF BIKE RIDING IN PASADENA -- BIKE RIDING BAPTISTS IN PASADENA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAY NEED SOME PROTECTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF YOU WOULD REAL QUICK AS A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, WE LOST A MUSICAL LEGEND AND I SHOULD HAVE MENTIONED IT EARLIER THIS MORNING.

MICKEY GILLEY, THE ICON OF GILLY'S.

AND IT IS SOMEONE WHO -- WHOSE HONKY TO*PBG -- HONKY TONK GOT THE ATTENTION OF HOLLYWOOD AND JOHN TRAVOLTA AND THEY FILMED "URBAN COWBOY." MICKEY, IF YOU WERE RIDING A BIKE AND NOT A MECHANICAL BULL, YOU WOULD APPRECIATE THIS HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.

LISTEN, JUST WANT TO SEND A SHOUTOUT TO THE LATE MICKEY GILLY AND THANK HIM FOR HELPING TO BRING LIGHT ON PASADENA, TEXAS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW IT IS JERMAINE BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT BIKE TRAILS, BUT YOU PUT THAT RESOLUTION UP AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SECOND IT.

I WENT OUT THERE WITH MICKEY LEYLAND AND MICKEY GILLY WAS THERE AND CHARLIE WILSON.

CHARLIE WILSON STOOD OUT MORE THAN LEYLAND AND I DID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 28?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

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

ALL IN FAVOR? >> >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 45.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANT TO TELL YOU THAT YOUR APPRECIATION FOR MURALS AND ART, I REALLY DO LOVE ALL YOU HAVE DONE IN

[05:25:09]

THIS PARTICULAR INVESTMENT IN PROPBLG -- PROJECT IS WHAT WE REFER TO AS COMMUNITY MONUMENTS.

THIS IS JUST TO GIVE NEIGHBORHOODS A RESPECTFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT SO THAT ANYONE WHO IS NOT FAMILIAR WILL KNOW WHAT AREA THEY ARE ABOUT TO RIDE INTO.

THEY WILL FOCUS ON NORTH SHORE SINCE THEY ARE NEIGHBORS TO EACH OTHER.

IT WILL HELP SHOW THE COMMUNITY SOME COMMUNITY PRIDE AND WE HAVE COME UP WITH SOME DRAWINGS THAT THE ARCHITECT HAS PUT TOGETHER.

I SUGGESTED THAT THERE ARE OTHER HISTORICAL DETAILS THAT CAN BE INCORPORATED INTO THE COMMUNITY MONEY AOUMENTS THAT WE OUGHT -- MONUMENTS THAT WE OUGHT TO DO SO.

IF THERE IS SOME OF SOME HISTORIC SIGNIFICANCE, IT SHOULD BE PUT IN SO IT DOES NOT JUST ACKNOWLEDGE THE COMMUNITY NAME, BUT MORE DETAILS.

IT IS NOT WHERE THE MURALS ARE AT, BUT IT IS OUR FIRST SHOT.

JUST WANT TO TELL THAT YOU YOUR WORK DOES HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON ME.

WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN ENHANCE THE COMMUNITY PRIDE THROUGH COMMUNITY MONUMENTS.

I MOVE ON THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND AND I WOULDN'T DO -- I WON'T DO A ME TOO, BUT I WILL LOOK AT IT.

SOMETIMES FOR A SMALL INVESTMENT WE CAN DO THINGS.

THE CITY CERTAINLY DOES THAT EVEN WITH THOSE TELEPHONE BOXES.

I'M GONNA INVITE YOU TO A BIG EVENT WHERE A CONSTITUENT DONATED A MURAL AND THE COUNTY WILL PAY FOR THE PLACEMENT, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT.

MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THE ONE OF THE NEW SUPREME COURT JUSTICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 45?

>> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES 4-0.

ITEM 147, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 17, AIR MONITORING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM PLEASED TO SEE WE ARE GROWING OUR COMMUNITY AIR MONITORING PROGRAM OTHERWISE KNOWN AS KEMP ESPECIALLY IN LA PORTE.

THIS PROGRESS IS ASTOUNDING AND ESPECIALLY, JUDGE, HOW YOU MASTERFULLY WERE ABLE TO BRING WHATEVER AIR MONITORS WE HAD AVAILABLE TO US AND PUT THEM IN ONE SIDE, AND WE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM THAT, BUT YOUR INSPIRATION TO ME HAS BEEN FINDING MORE STRATEGIC WAYS TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE MORE AIR MONITORS IN THAT IS -- IN THOSE AREAS THAT ARE IN THE SHADOWS, IF YOU WILL OF THE COVERAGE OF AIR MONITORS.

WE GOT SO MUCH FEED PWA FROM L -- FEEDBACK FROM LA PORTE. POLLUTION CONTROL HAS BEEN AN IMMENSE PARTNER AND I WANT TO THANK AND APPRECIATE DR. BABBIN. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT SHE HAS PLANS TO ADD SIX NEW SITES IN THE BAYPORT AREA AND THEY ARE WORKING ON AGREEMENTS. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE AND THE BAYOU PARK AREA WAS APPROVED BY THIS COURT IN 2020.

THIS IS AN AMENDMENT TO ADD TWO MORE TO THE CITY PARKS.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL.

LA PORT COULDN'T HAVE A BETTER DAUGHTER THAN THAT OF KRISTEN LEE.

SHE HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL AND VERY COMMITTED AND SO PROUD OF HER WORK.

[05:30:04]

SHE DOES IT KINDLY AND IF YOU WANT TO BRING IN MORE HARMFUL EMOTIONS -- HARMFUL EMISSIONS AND IF YOU DO ANYTHING TO HURT THE AIR, WATER OR LAND, SHE WILL ROLL HER SLEEVES UP.

SHE WILL GET TO WORK ON YOUR HEAD.

I WANT TO THANK KRISTEN FOR HER PHENOMENAL WORK.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 147 AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER EL LITS.

ALL -- ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

ITEM 169 AND I GOT MY QUESTION ANSWERED AND WE VOTED ON IT.

184, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON 184, JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. MELTON FOR HIS WORK AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM AND WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION WITH PROJECT GRAD.

AS YOU RECALL I PUT A MILLION DOLLARS IN -- OF MY BUDGET INTO THIS PROGRAM TO KEEP IT ALIVE.

THIS PROGRAM HAS PROVIDED SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THEIR HEART'S DESIRE TO PURSUE HIGHER EDUCATION AND IT IS AVAILABLE FOR ADULTS.

THE REALITY IS PROJECT GRAD IS THE NATION'S LARGEST COLLEGE READINESS PROGRAM IN LOW INCOME AREAS.

BY PARTNERING WITH THE LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS, PROJECT GRAD HAS HELPED TO DEVELOP A POSITIVE LEARNING CULTURE FOR STUDENTS FROM PRE-K THROUGH THE 12TH GRADE. WE CAN INVEST IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THIS PROGRAM HAS STARTED IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HAS EXPANDED ACROSS THE COUNTRY DUE TO THE SUCCESS AND ENSURING QUALITY EDUCATION THAT RESULTS FROM DISADVANTAGED BACKGROUNDS. IF EDUCATION IS A PASSPORT TO THE FUTURE, THEN PROJECT GRAD IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO STANDS UP THE PASSPORTS OF KIDS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THIS IS A WORTH WHILE PROGRAM BECAUSE PROJECT DIS BRAD -- PROJECT GRAD UNDERSTANDS CONNECTING KIDS WITH PROGRAMS AND MAKING SURE NEEDS ARE MET INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR PARTNERING WITH US.

THEY HAVE BEEN TENACIOUS BY ENSURING WE BRING IT TO WHERE WE NEED TO BRING IT TO.

IT IS IN PRECINCT 2 RIGHT NOW, BUT HOPEFULLY WITH THIS GRANT, THE ENTIRE COUNTY CAN BENEFIT FROM IT.

DR. MELTON, WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR PURSUING THE GRANT ON THIS. SO I MOVE ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

ITEM 195, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE ARE TO THAT -- I GUESS WE DO THIS ON AN ANNUAL BASIS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE 15% PENALTY AND COLLECTION OF TAXES IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE IT IMPACTS THE PEOPLE WHO CAN LEAST AFFORD IT.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WORKING ON A SOLUTION.

AND WE ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION.

I KNOW TALKING WITH MR. BERRY WE ARE WORKING ON A SOLUTION.

BUT HERE WE GO AGAIN. WE WILL VOTE AND THAT IS A PENALTY.

I DON'T THINK THE PENALTY IS FAIR IN TERMS OF WHO IT I'M PAPLT -- IMPACTS, THE PEOPLE WHO CAN LEAST UH -- AFFORD.

IT AS IT RELATES TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT IT BECAUSE I WANT TO BE SURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THIS ON RADAR TO FIX.

[05:35:01]

WE ARE WORKING ON IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE A DAY THAT IS CERTAIN.

RIGHT NOW I CAN'T GET A DATE CERTAIN, BUT I WILL POSE IT.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR PULLING THAT ITEM.

I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT IT AS WELL.

I RAISED THE ISSUE FROM THE MOMENT I GOT HERE ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

THAT'S WHY IT WENT DOWN FROM 20% IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT, WENT DOWN FROM 20% TO 15% AND I WAS TRYING TO GET IT DOWN TO 10 THEN.

AND I ADVOCATED THAT WE BRING IT IN HOUSE.

I WANT TO GET AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE ARE BECAUSE IF WE HAD TO -- LET'S GET AN UPDATE OF WHERE WE ARE, MR. BERRY, OR THE LEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> I CAN START HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND BY THE WAY, I FORGET THE NUMBERS.

HELP ME WITH THE MATH.

IS IT ABOUT 45% IF YOU ARE ONE YEAR LATE? IS IT 45 OR 50%?

>> GOING DOWN TO 15% I THINK 45 PARTS.

>> USED TO BE WITH THE OTHER FIVE IT WAS 50%.

IF YOU OWE A THOUSAND DOLLARS A YEAR LATER YOU SLAP ON ANOTHER $500 AND OBVIOUSLY YOU NEVER GET OUT OUT OF IT.

WE WILL HAVE AN UNPRECEDENTED NUMBER.

I DO HAVE MY NOTES HERE THAT THE DELINQUENT ACCOUNT FROM THE LAST GO ROUND WAS/, 50 -- -- IT WAS 50, 50 -- LET'S SEE.

19,000 AND PRECINCT 214,000 AND PRECINCT 3, 18,000.

THIS MAY HAVE BEEN AN OLD LINE.

THE NUMBER MAY GO UP A BIT.

>> COMMISSIONERS' COURT PROVIDED THE DIRECTION TO MYSELF AND OTHERS INVOLVED TO GO AND LOOK AT AN RFP FOR THE TAX SOFTWARE.

THE REASON THAT IS IMPORTANT IS RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A SINGLE CONTRACT THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE A COUPLE DECADES WHILE THEY PROVIDE TAX SOFTWARE AND TAX COLLECTION SERVICE THROUGH THE COLLECTION.

CERTAINLY LINEBARGER CAN PARTICIPATE, BUT THE PLAN WAS TO PROCURE A SOFTWARE THAT WOULD ENABLE US TO ISSUE A SEPARATE RFP OR DO WHATEVER PROCESS THE COURT DEEMS IS APPROPRIATE.

TO DO THAT IN COLLECTIONS.

THAT WOULD BE A MULTI-YEAR TRANSITION IF WE SWITCHED.

THE RFP IS OUT AND I AM NOT ON THE COMMITTEE.

I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE RESPONSES AND WE HAVE MADE GOOD PROGRESS THERE.

THE PLAN WOULD BE TO GET THAT IN PLACE AND NEXT YEAR, BUT PRIOR TO THE TIME OF SETTING THE PENALTIES WE COULD HAVE AN RFP THAT WOULD AT LEAST PROVIDE YOU OPTIONS ON HOW YOU WANT TO PERFORM AND PAY FOR THE TAX COLLECTIONS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WHAT IS THE DATES? YOU TOLD ME NEXT YEAR AND NEXT YEAR IS NOT A DATE.

>> IT IS HARD TO COMMIT TO A DATE WITH A COMPLICATED PURCHASING GOING ON THAT I AM NOT ON THE COMMITTEE.

JAY, I DON'T KNOW, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON A POTENTIAL SCHEDULE HERE?

>> NO.

I THINK THERE ARE TWO MOVING PIECES HERE.

NUMBER ONE THE RFQ FOR -- RAILROAD -- OR THE RFP.

OUR OFFICE IS NOT INVOLVED.

THERE IS A CONTRACT WE HAVE WITH LINEBARGER THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SAYS EMBEDS THE SOFTWARE PIECE AND THE COLLECTION PIECE.

IF YOU DECOUPLE IT, YOU CAN THEN HAVE A MORE -- IT PRESENTS GREATER OPTIONS FOR THE COUNTY IN TERMS OF MOVING

[05:40:04]

WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM THAT EXPIRES IN JUNE.

OUR PLAN GOING FORWARD IS THAT THE WILL OF THE COURT WAS TO GO ON A MONTH TO MONTH BASIS SO THAT WE COULD MOVE QUICKLY IF YOU WANTED TO MOVE IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION OR PRESENT OPTIONS.

THE TAX PENALTY PORTION WAS ASSESSED NEXT YEAR.

MY HOPE IS IF THE RFP -- IF THERE IS A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION THAT COMES IN PLAY, THEN BE COULD -- THEN WE COULD COME BACK AND LOOK AT THE DIRECTION THEY WANT US TO TAKE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THIS ITEM HAVE TO BE VOTED ON TODAY?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT EXACTLY IS TODAY'S ITEM.

>> IF ELIZABETH DAWSON IS ON THE LINE I WILL LET HER ANSWER THAT.

SHE KNOWS THE SPECIFICS ON THIS.

ELIZABETH, ARE YOU THERE? >> LINA HIDALGO: ELIZABETH, YOUR SOUND IS NOT COMING THROUGH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU'RE MUTED.

LEANING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IF SOMEONE HAS A PHONE NUMBER, I CAN CALL HER.

THE SCREEN IS NOT REFLECTING SHE IS ON MUTE.

I SUSPECT IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE MIC.

WE WILL CALL YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHILE WE ARE WAITING I WANT TO MENTION THE PEOPLE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

PRECINCT 1, 60% OF THE HOUSES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE PROPERTIES VALUED $150,000 OR LESS.

79% -- 80% OF THEM IF PRECINCT 2, 14,000 HOUSES ARE BELOW $150K.

40% IN PRECINCT 3 AND 55% IN PRECINCT 4.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE MS.

DAWES ON THE LINE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION IS WHAT IS THE ITEM TODAY ON THE AGENDA AND WHAT HAPPENS IF WE DON'T VOTE FOR IT

TODAY? >> THE AGENDA ITEM IS THE ANNUAL 3307 ATTORNEYS FEES BY TAX CODE AND IT HAS TO BE ADOPTED FOR THE TAX ASSESSOR TO MAIL OUT BILLS AT THE END OF MAY BECAUSE THEY NEED TO PAY THE TAXES IN FULL BEFORE THE JULY 1 TURNOVER. WRAOE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE COURT -- SO WE WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE COURT UH APPROVE -- TO APPROVE.

IT -- TO APPROVE IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA?

>> THE TAX OFFICE PUTS IT ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE GIVEN OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION TO ASSESS THE FEES ON JULY 1.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NORMALLY DO IT THIS WAKE?

>> USUALLY IT IS THE LAST WEEK IN APRIL AND FIRST WEEK IN MAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO HOLD THIS ITEM.

YOU SAID BE -- WE CAN DO IT IN TWO WEEKS INSTEAD OF TODAY?

>> I WOULD VOTE AGAINST IT TODAY WHICH MEANS -- IF THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE FOR IT, IT WILL FAIL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE NO ACTION TODAY, ABOUT I HAVE QUESTIONS.

WE WILL DIG IN BETWEEN THIS COURT AND THE NEXT COURT.

THANK YOU, MS. DAWES.

>> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON 195.

239. WE VOTED, BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU WANTED TO COMMENT ON THAT ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH IS THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE SATELLITE LIBRARY BRANCHES IN PRECINCT 2 COMMUNITY CENTERS.

239. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT AS WELL AND WANT TO THANK DR.

MELTON FOR HIS COLLABORATION.

THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH SATELLITE AND LIBRARY BRANCHES IN PRECINCT 2 COMMUNITY CENTERS DON'T KNOW WHETHER IT WAS DONE IN OTHER PRECINCTS.

I WAS TOLD THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT WAS DONE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

JUST VERY EXCITED.

[05:45:01]

I AM EXCITED TO SEE IT HAPPENING IN PRECINCT 2 AND I MOVE ON THE ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP.

IF HE IS LISTENING, HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB WITH THE CHROME BOOKS, AND PRECINCT 1 WILL BE CALLING OVER.

I WAS WITH BISHOP DIXON AND THE -- AND WITH THE BOARD'S GREAT-GRAND SONG -- GREAT-GRANDSON.

MR. MELTON, PICK OUT WHICH ONE YOU WANT.

I WILL OPEN IT UP AND YOU CAN PICK ONE.

SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> YOU VOTE OWED THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JAMES.

WE VOTED. WE ALSO VOTE OWED 241.

WE ENDED UP NOT HAVING A VOTE AND REQUESTED AN AUDIT.

MY QUESTION SIMPLY IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE -- I DON'T KNOW IF DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS ON THAT ANY OF US CAN LOOK INTO ON THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE BEEN RAISING PUBLIC AWARENESS AND WILL CONTINUE WORKING ON IT.

YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: CONCERNS I HAVE AND THE REASON FOR THE AUDIT IS WE ARE AT A PRETTY GOOD PLACE AND I THINK DR.

WHITE IS DUE FOR THE 98% RELEASE RATE.

WE ARE AT A POINT AND WE HAD TO WORK REAL HARD TO GET TO THIS POINT.

WE DON'T WANT TO UNDER FUND THESE SERVICES.

WE WOULD HAVE A SECOND GROUP IN TERMS OF AN ANIMAL CONTROL DEPARTMENT TO ALLOW FOCUS ON SOME OF THE PRIORITIES. WHETHER IT IS STAFFING LEVELS OR EQUIPMENT FUNDING WE DEPEND ON NONPROFITS.

YOU MIGHT EVEN SAY WE HAVE AN OVER RELIANCE ON THAT.

THE CURRENT BUDGET IS 6,000 A YEAR.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO FOE KWUS -- I DO THINK WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THIS AND GIVE PRIORITY TO ANIMAL CONTROL.

>> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I DON'T -- I WANT TO ADD TO THAT WHEN I TALKED TO YOU THE OTHER DAY, IN THE PANDEMIC WE HAD A RECORD NUMBER OF ADOPTIONS AND IN PART BECAUSE PEOPLE FELT ISOLATED AND SO ANY THOUGHTS YOU WANT TO SHARE? ONE IMPACT OF THE PANDEMIC, PEOPLE ARE NOT AS ADAPTED TO ADOPT SOME OF THESE.

>> WE HAVE ENJOYED -- TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT WE ENJOYED A HIGH LIVE RELEASE RATE AT 98%.

THE FACTORS CONTRIBUTING, DARE I SAY IT IS AN UNOFFICIAL RATE.

WE HAD THE PANDEMIC WHERE THE ADOPTIONS WERE HIGHER AND THE SURRENDERING OF PETS WERE LOWER.

WE MOVED TO A LARGER FACILITY THAT ALLOWED MORE CAPACITY IN OUR OPERATIONS.

WERE RESPECT TO THE NEED VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH WAS IN NEED OF RESOURCES AND WHETHER IT STAYS PART OF PUBLIC HEALTH OR IS ITS OWN AGENCY.

IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING WE HAVE INCREASED COSTS BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE THAT WE GATHER FROM HAVING HR OR I -- OR I.T.

SUPPORT. WE WOULD HAVE TO FUND THAT SEPARATELY.

NOW THAT FOLKS ARE NOT ADOPTING AS MUCH AND WE ARE SEEING INCREASES IN SURRENDERING AND THE PRE-PANDEMIC RATES OF -- OR WE MAY SEE PRE-PANDEMIC RATES FOR THE LIVE RELEASE DATES.

[05:50:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE TALK ABOUT MAKING SURE THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE THEIR BASELINE NEEDS AND WE ARE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT INFLATIONARY FACTORS AND WE MET WITH MANY OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AS WELL AS ALL OF THE COUNTY FISCAL OFFICERS LAST WEEK TO KICK OFF THE EXERCISE.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE BASELINE LEADS ARE BEING MET AND THEY ARE IDENTIFIED AND WE WILL PRESENT THE INFORMATION AT THE END OF JUNE TO THIS BODY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU ALL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN THE MEANTIME WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP IS BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ADOPTION.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, BECAUSE WE WERE OUT THERE WITH A COUPLE OF THOSE FURRY GUYS.

AND IF WE WANT THE HIGH RELEASE LATE, WE NEED OUR NEIGHBORS TO CONSIDER ADOPTING. WHEN I WENT TO VISIT, I KID YOU NOT.

I ALMOST LEFT THAT PLACE WITH HIM.

I REALLY DID.

I GOT A FURRY ONE ALREADY HERE, BUT THE WAY DALTON WAS BEHAVING AND IN COMPARISON TO THIS GUY BEHAVES, I WOULD TRADE HIM IN A HEARTBEAT.

BUT I WOULDN'T HELP THE SITUATION SO I WOULD HAVE TO ADD HIM TO THE FAMILY WHICH WOULD MEAN I WOULD SLEEP OUTSIDE.

WE JUST HAVE TO ENCOURAGE MORE -- WE ARE TRUSTED IN OUR RESPECTIVE PRECINCTS AND WE OUGHT TO BE ADVOCATES AND PARTNERS WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I WANT TO THANK YOUR TEAM, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, FOR WHAT THEY DO.

EVEN IF THEY ARE FROM NEW ORLEANS, WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR GOOD WORK.

LET'S BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ADOPTION AND MAYBE WE CAN NEIGHBOR OUR WAY OUT OF THE SITUATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

WE'LL KEEP WORKING ON THIS.

ITEM 252.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. THIS IS ONE -- I THINK THIS IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF A DEPARTMENT DOING A REALLY GOOD JOB.

I TALKED TO MR. BERRY AND DANIEL THIS WEEK IN TERMS OF HIGHLIGHTING WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN TERMS OF TRYING TO RECRUIT.

I THINK THEY ARE MAKING THE MOST OUT OF THE MONEY THEY HAVE AND MAY EVEN ELIMINATE POSITIONS SO WE CAN BE MORE COMPETITIVE.

THAT IS REALLY GOOD.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST -- AND THIS IS WHERE I AM FOLLOWING UP ON WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS TALKED ABOUT.

THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST OFFICE TO STUDY THE ATTRITION AND RETENTION RATES FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES SINCE 2017.

THAT'S SOMETHING I WANT TO THE -- WANT TO ASK THE ANALYST OFFICE IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO DOING IN FORENSIC SCIENCES IN TERMS OF RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION.

IT IS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT IT IS IN EACH DEPARTMENT.

WHAT THOSE RATES ARE, I THINK THE ANALYST'S OFFICE IS CHOMPING AT THE BIT TO JUMP INTO THAT.

I JUST WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT AS PART OF THE DEPARTMENT DOING SOMETHING GOOD.

MAYBE OUR DEPARTMENTS CAN LEARN WHAT IS GOING ON WITH FORENSIC SCIENCES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WILL ASK IT OF ALL DEPARTMENTS?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SUGGEST, LET ME KNOW, WHAT WOULD BE A GOOD TIME FRAME, 2015 TO 2000? I WOULD THINK IT IS EASY TO PULL.

JUST ASK. >> WE CAN ASK HER.

>> DON'T KNOW THE TIMETABLE.

WHICH IS WHY WHEN I ASKED FOR THE ONE I WENT BACK -- CRIMESTOPPERS, I THINK 10 YEARS, 20 YEARS, I CAN'T REMEMBER. YOU CAN MEASURE APPLES TO APPLES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A TRANSMITTAL AND MERELY ACCEPTING A TRANSMITTAL AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU ARE IN CONTACT

WITH -- >> AND I ALSO WANT -- I WANT TO THANK DR.

[05:55:03]

THE ACTION THAT WE DID, WE HAD A CLEARING EFFICIENCY AND YOU NEED IFS AND IT IS MANY DEPARTMENTS WHERE WE HAVE LOTS OF FUNDED VACANCIES AND RELATIVELY UNCOMPETITIVE SALARIES AND CERTAIN CLASSIFICATIONS.

WE WORK TOGETHER TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE FUNDED VACANCIES IN ORDER TO FUND THE HIGHER SALARIES AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE DOCTORS THAT HE IS HIRING AND THE MEDICAL EXAMINER'S OFFICE.

IT IS A GREAT COLLABORATION AND THIS IS SOMETHING I AM WILLING TO DO WITH EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY TO DO THAT STRATEGIC REVIEW OF THEIR BUDGET.

I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF GROWING PAINS WITH THE DEPARTMENTS MOVING TOWARD THE POSITION-BASED BUDGETING, BUT THIS COLLABORATION AND THIS WORK IS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE'RE

THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IT IS NOT EASY WORK AND IT IS NOT AN EASY CHALLENGE.

IT IS IMPORTANT PROGRESS, MR. RAMOS, AND OF COURSE TO DR.

SANCHEZ, THANK YOU.

I HOPE OTHER DEPARTMENTS WILL TAKE YOU UP ON THAT.

SOUNDS LIKE IT WILL BE MORE AND MORE POSSIBLE THE MORE WE ADJUST TO THE NEW SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ITEM 266, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE PROMPT PAYMENT ACT POLICY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE WHO DID SOME WORK ON THIS.

IT IS NOTEWORTHY THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DASHBOARD HAS REDUCED PAYMENTS BY MORE THAN 80% DUE ENDING IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. IT IS JUST INTERESTING THAT WITH, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH THIS LAW THAT WAS PASSED, NUMBER ONE, WE HAVE BEEN NONCOMPLY KWREPT WITH IT -- NON-COMPLIANT WITH IT. WITH ALL OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WITH MY COLLABORATION IN SUPPORT OF MWBE'S FOR EXAMPLE AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE ARE THOSE SUB CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES, WITHOUT PAYING THE PRIMES, THE SUBS DON'T GET ANYTHING.

AND THIS WILL TAKE A SIGNIFICANT EFFORT AND THERE WOULD NEED TO BE TECHNOLOGY THAT WOULD HAVE TO BE RECONFIGURED AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO HANDLE THE MASSIVE OVERHAUL THAT IS NEEDED AS I AM TOLD.

TRAINING WOULD HAVE TO BE PROVIDED TO DEPARTMENTS AND IT WILL CREATE MORE AS THE MANAGEMENT OF THE SREPB FOR -- VENDORS AND THEIR VOICES WILL LIE IN EACH DEPARTMENT.

THE GENERAL FUND WOULD HAVE TO BE USED TO ABSORB ALLOWABLE INTEREST RATES AND CHARGE AS FEDERAL AND STATE GRANTS AS OTHER EXTERNALLY FUNDED SOURCES AND OTHER EXTERNALLY FUNDED SOURCES.