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* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.

[00:00:07]

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING, FOLKS.

IT IS 10:12 AND THIS MAY 24TH, 2022 OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING.

IN HONOR OF THE NUMBER OF THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON THAT ARE CONNECTING US TO OUR JEWISH COMMUNITIES, BROTHERS AND SISTERS, FATHERS, MOTHERS, CHILDREN, AUNTS AND UNCLES, WE HAVE TODAY RABBI LAZAROFF FROM CHABAD OF SK*P -- OF UP -- UPTOWN. OUT REACH HAS BECOME HIS PASSION AND IT LEAD TO HIM EARNING A MASTER'S DEGREES IN RELIGIOUS STUDIES. HE IS MARRIED AND THEY HAVE SIX CHILDREN. WHERE IS SHE? I SAW HER STANDING THERE. THERE SHE IS.

SHE IS NOT ONE OF THE CHILDREN. SHE IS THE MOTHER OF THE CHILDREN. RABBI SERVES AT ONE OF CHABAD'S 12 HOUSTON BRANCHES. THEY HAVE BEEN OUR PARTNERS DURING OUR TIMES OF DISASTERS AND OTHER THINGS AS WELL AND THE CHABAD OF UPTOWN AND PROFESSIONALS GROUPS AND MOTHERS GROUPS AND I LOVE THE TAG LINE THAT WAS PROVIDED.

AT CHABAD IT IS THE HOME FOR EVERY KIND OF A JEW.

[Rabbi Chaim Lazaroff from Chabad of Uptown in Houston.]

LEAVE THE LABELS AT THE DOOR. WOULD YOU PLEASE START US WITH

OUR INVOCATION FOR THIS MONTH. >> SOVEREIGN OF THE WORLD, LOOK FAVORABLY ON OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS WITH SUCH DEDICATED AND THERE IS A NORMAL PURSUIT OF JUSTICE EQUALITY.

THEY RECEIVE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS THAT WOULD SERVE AS THE THE BAY SIS -- AS THE BAY SIS AND A MORAL ANCHOR.

LET'S COUNT THE DAYS WITH GREAT EXCITE -- EXCITEMENT AND FIND YOURSELF WORTHY OF RECEIVING SUCH SPECIAL INSTRUCTION.

IT IS KNOWN AS THE HOLIDAY OF PASSOVER AND COUNT 49 DAYS AND THE COMMEMORATION OF SAW -- OF SINAI AND THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.

TODAY WE COUNTED 38 DAYS. THE IDEA OF THE COUNTDOWN IS TO EXPRESS HOW EVERY DAY MUST COUNT.

EVERY DAY, EVERY HOUR AND EVERY MINUTE TO THINK WELL ABOUT ANOTHER PERSON. SHARE A GOOD WORD AND ESPECIALLY TO DO ANOTHER ACT OF KINDNESS. AS THE ADAGE GOES, I MUST STRIVE THAT TODAY MUST BE FARBER THAN YESTERDAY AND -- FAR BETTER THAN YESTERDAY AND TOMORROW SHOULD LOOK BETTER THAN TODAY.

PLEASE GOD, GIVE STRENGTH TO OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE COGNIZANT AND TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ELEVATE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR EVERYONE IN OUR REGION AND TO BE AN INSPIRATION TO US ALL TO MAKE OUR DAYS COUNT.

THAT WE TRULY CARE FOR OUR PEERS AND SOCIETY AND ENVIRONMENT AND WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE A WORLD A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL.

MAY WE SERVE AS A BEACON OF LIGHT AND STRENGTH AND MORAL COURAGE FOR AN ERA OF GLOBAL PEACE AND TRANQUILITY.

LET US SAY AMEN. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, RABBI. >> THANK YOU, RABBI.

>> AND RABBI, YOU WERE ACTUALLY PRESENTING THIS OPENING PRAYER TODAY BECAUSE OF A CONNECTION WITH A RECOGNITION.

>> MY PARENTS IN 1972 CAME DOWN IN A GREEN STATION WAGON TO OPEN UP THE CHABAB IN TEXAS AND NOW THERE ARE BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND ACROSS TEXAS AND SERVICING THE 150,000 JEWS WHO LIVE IN TEXAS WITH JEWISH OUT REACH EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SERVICES, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ONLY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY. THIS WEEK MARKS 50 YEARS SINCE

[00:05:02]

THEY CAME TO TEXAS WITH A VISION.

I AM THE SEVENTH OF 11 CHILDREN, BORN AND RAISED RIGHT HERE IN TEXAS. MY FAVORITE RESPONSE WHEN I WAS ASKED WHY I CAME FROM NEW YORK AND MY RESPONSE IS WHEN DID YOU MOVE HERE? I WAS BORN HERE AND RAISED HERE.

I WAS MARRIED TO MY WIFE AND WE MOVED BACK AND NOW WE OPERATE ONE OF THE 30CHABADS AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT TO MY PARENTS. WE WILL HAVE A MEETING THIS SUNDAY AND MONDAY OVER MEMORIAL DAY WITH ALL OF THE FAMILIES OF TEXAS TO COMMEMORATE THIS SPECIAL YEAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR INVITING US.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. WE HILLARY -- WE WILL RECITE THE PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDERGOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDERGOD, ONE AN INDIVISIBLE. LET'S GET STARTED WITH SOME

[Departments (Part 1 of 7)]

RESOLUTIONS. FIRST IT IS CONGRATULATING ALIS MAX ON HER RETIREMENT. ALISA MAX HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE LEADER WITH THE KOUPB TEEN ENGINEER -- WITH THE KOUPB TEEN ENGINEER'S OFFICE. WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE. I BELIEVE SHE IS HERE TODAY.

I DON'T HAVE MY GLASSES. ALISA MAX WILLET RIRE FROMHE T HARRISOU CNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ON MAY1S 3T, 2022 AFTER5 22.RS YEA OFIC DEDATED SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY.

MS. MAX BEGAN WORKING FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY C FLOODONTROL DISTRICT IN JULY99 OF 19 TRANSFERRED TOAR THE HRIS COUNTN GINEERING DEPARTMENT IN JUNEOF 2005.

SHE HASLL FAITHFUY SERVED THE RESIDENTSIS OF HARR COUNTYRO THUGHOUT THE PERIOD.. MSMAX BROKE A GLASS CEILING FOR WOMEN WHEN SHETE WAS PROMODS TO AISTANT COUNTY ENGINEER.

SHE HAS BEEN AN OUTSPOKENCA ADVOTE THROUGHOUTR HER CAREE FORR THE MENTOSHIP, RECRUITMENT AND PROMOTION OF THE BEST ANDUA MOST QLIFIEDAM CANDIDATES ONG THE DIVERSE POPULATION COUNTY.X S MS. MAWORKED TIRELESSLY IN FOLLOWING ROLES HURRICANE IKE,VE HURRICANE HARY, THE 2016 TAX DAY FLOOD TO SUPPORTD FROM FLOOD ANWIND D DAMAGES SUSTAINEFROM THOSE EVENTS.RK MS. MAX WOED DILIGENTLY WITH THE LEGISLATIVE AND T THE LEGISLATUREOLY SUCCESSFUL CHANGE TWOOR STATE MEANT OF THETTER COMMUNITY.

MS. MAX HAS PROVIDED LEADERSHIP AND FLOODNG RESILIENCY PLANNIY MOST RECENTLAS A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THEVE TEXAS WATER DELOPMENT BOARD SAN JACINTO REGIONAL GROUP REPRESENTINGAN HARRIS COUNTY D 10 I OTHER COUNTIESN THE REGION.

IT EXEMPLIFIES WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A PUBLIC SERVANT.N HER VITAL ROLE I THEIO DAY-TO-DY OPERATNS OF THE HARRISG COUNTY ENGINEERINNE DEPARTMENT SHALL VER BE DIMINISHED.

HER FRIENDS SHALLWO WORK HER AND HER RK ETHIC.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THIS COURT CONGRATULATES AND COMMANDS THE PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FOR SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND OFFERS BEST WISHES FOR AN ENJOYABLE RETIREMENT.

THANK YOU TO ALISA MAX. IS SHE HERE? WE WILL GIVE. HER A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

IS SHE ON THE LINE, TIFFANY? >> NO, MA'AM.

SHE'S NOT.ET >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL G THIS TO HER ANDIC WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR HER SERVE.

THE NEXT IS A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE MONTH OF JUNE AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEREAS OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS CONTRIBUTE TO THE WELL BEING OF THE CITY BY WORKING, CAREGIVING, VOLUNTEERING AND ACTIVELY PRESERVING CUSTOMS, RITUALS AND TRADITIONS.

AS WE BUILD -- AS WE AGE WE BUILD MOMENTUM AND WISDOM THAT CAN BE SHARED WITH A RICHER COMMUNITY.

ABUSIVE OLDER ADULTS IS AFFECTING PEOPLE ACROSS TEXAS.

[00:10:05]

ABUSE UH TECH -- AFFECTED 218,000 OLDER ADULTS AND INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES IN TEXAS IN 2021.

ABUSE AGAINST OLDER PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IS UNDER REPORTED BECAUSE OF EMBARRASSMENT AND FEAR.

IT COMES AT ALL LEVELS AND ALL CULTURAL AND ETHNIC BACKGROUNDS AND ALL COMMUNITIES. ELDER ABUSE IS EVERYONE'S BUSINESS. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO STRENGTHEN OUR EFFORTS TO PREVENT, REPORT AND ADDRESS ELDER ABUSE.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DECLARES THE MONTH OF JUNE 2022 AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND ENCOURAGES ALL RESIDENTS TO WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT OF OLDER UH -- ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

>> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU ON OUR BEHALF.

I AM ONE OF THE PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS WHO IS PROUD OF THE WORK WE DO HERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND OUR COLLABORATION WITH THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 5)]

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM BARBARA LOPEZ AND MANAGE THE SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

WE ARE HONORED TODAY TO RECEIVE THIS PROCLAMATION DECLARING JUNE AS ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH. WE COLLABORATE WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES ALONGSIDE WITH OTHER ENTITIES IN OUR COMMUNITY TO FIGHT ELDER ABUSE AND ADDRESS THE COMPLEX NEEDS OF OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE DISCOVERED THROUGH THESE COLLABORATIONS AND THE MULTIDISCIPLINARY TEAM APPROACH WE CAN SERVE OUR OLDER VICTIMS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE WORK YOU DO.

IT IS A BIG ISSUE. IT IS SO UNFORTUNATE AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE PROUD TO TACKLE AND EAGER TO HEAR WHAT OTHER IDEAS YOU GUYS HAVE. WE APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR PUTTING THIS ON.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO PAUSE AND TAKE A MINUTE AND RECOGNIZE THE VALUE OF OUR SENIORS IN THE COMMUNITY.

JOB 12:12 REMINDS US WISDOM IS WITH THE AGED AND UNDERSTANDING THE LENGTH OF DAYS. AT A TIME WE DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE OR RESPECT OR LISTEN, WE COULD GAIN MUCH.

I THINK THERE IS GREAT VALUE IN WHAT SOME OF OUR SENIORS HAVE TO CONTRIBUTE. I KNOW THE TIME I SPEND -- I TEACH TWO SENIOR CLASSES TWICE A WEEK, AND I LEARN A LOT MORE IN THOSE CLASSES BECAUSE I LISTEN. THEY HAVE A LOT TO SHARE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU, TIFFANY. >> THE FIRST ONE IS JACOB CLEMENTAGE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND 286 UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. >> CONGRATULATIONS, COURT.

Y'ALL ARE DOING A SWELL JOB BECAUSE BACK IN MAY YOU HONORED THE MENTAL HEALTH PEOPLE. THIS MONTH Y'ALL ARE HONORING -- WELL, Y'ALL ARE RECOGNIZING OUR ELDERS NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF.

[INAUDIBLE] CHARLES RUSSO AND HIS WIFE.

WEDNESDAY WE GO [INAUDIBLE] AND NOW [INAUDIBLE] AND IT IS PRETTY GOOD HE BE INVOLVED IN THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY DOWN AT NRG STADIUM. HE SEEMS TO BE FROM WHAT I'VE READ A VERY GOOD MAN. AND NOW I AM GOING TO READ A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE AIR MARK. AND THEN WE HAVE CHRISTINA, A BOSS OF MINE AT AIR MARK WHO HIRED ME AND A BOSS OF MINE AT MINUTE MAID PARK. SHE IS CINDY.

BOTH OF THEM HEARD ABOUT MY AUTOMOBILE PEDESTRIAN ACCIDENT AND EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR ME. THAT IS GOOD BECAUSE WITH THEM, WELL, I GET ALONG REAL WELL WITH AIR MARK.

MS. DIXON WILL HELP AIR MARK ALSO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS EUNICE ADEJO SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON THIS ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU

[00:15:02]

FOR RECOGNIZING WORLD ELDER ABUSE MONTH.

WE JUST HOPE THAT THIS RESOLUTION WILL BRING MORE AWARENESS TO OUR REGION'S ELDERS AND THOSE WITH MENTAL DISABILITIES IN THE REGION. WE HOPE THIS HELPS START THE CONVERSATION ABOUT BEING AWARE OF WHAT'S AROUND US.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THAT'S ALL FOR THIS ITEM,

[Departments (Part 2 of 7)]

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY. THE NEXT ITEM, WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE GUN VIOLENCE EPIDEMIC AND HAVING A SERIOUS DISCUSSION IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ELSEWHERE ABOUT WHAT IS LEADING TO THE CRIME WAVE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CRIME WAVE AND TO TACKLE IT.

AND OF COURSE WE ARE TACKLING IT WITH EVERYTHING WE'VE GOT, BUT IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE ROLE THAT GUNS PLAY IN THIS CRIME WAVE, ESPECIALLY IN LIGHT OF RECENT DATA WE RECEIVED FROM THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENTISTS. I AM APPRECIATIVE.

I KNOW THAT LEADERS OF THE ANTI-CRIME ORGANIZATIONS JOINED US THIS MORNING AT A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR YOUR WORK AND ADVOCACY.

I AM PROUD TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS JUNE IS KNOWN AS NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS AND REFLECT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF GUN VIOLENCE, EDUCATION AND PREVENTION. IN THE UNITED STATES ON AVERAGE AT LEAST ONE CHILD IS SHOT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY.

WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL, GUN HOMICIDES INCREASED BY NEARLY 35%.

THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN MORE THAN 25 YEARS IN 2020.

THE LATEST YEAR FOR WHICH DATA HAS BEEN ANALYZED.

EXPERTS EXPECT DATA TO SHOW FURTHER INCREASES.

A 2022 STUDY OF RESEARCHERS FROM JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY FOUND, QUOTE, THE ESTIMATED AVERAGE RATE OF SHOOTINGS INCREASED 12.9 % IN THE 10 U.S. STATES BETWEEN 2014 AND 2020 ON CIVILIANS CARRYING CONCEALED FIREARMS IN PUBLIC, END QUOTE.

WHERE THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR PASSED HB1927 WHICH ALLOWS TEXANS TO CARRY HANDGUNS WITHOUT A LICENSE OR TRAINING.

DESPITE OPPOSITION FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE UNIONS.

WHEREAS IN TEXAS THE RATE OF GUN SUICIDE INCREASED 18% AND GUN HOMICIDE INCREASED 90% FROM 2011 TO 2020.

COMPARED TO A 12% INCREASE AND 70% INCREASE NATIONWIDE RESPECTIVELY. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY IS RANKED IN THE TOP 20 FOR THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF GUN-RELATED DEATHS IN THE COUNTRY. WHEREAS SURVIVORS, COMMUNITIES, SUPPLIERS AND TAXPAYERS PAY THE EMOTIONAL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIOLENCE. AMERICAN TAXPAYERS PAY A DAILY AVERAGE OF 34.8 MILLION DOLLARS FOR MEDICAL CARE, FIRST RESPONDERS, AMBULANCES, POLICE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE SERVICES RELATED TO GUN VIOLENCE. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS ALLOCATED MORE FUNDING FOR JUSTICE UNSAFE TEE IN THE BUDGET THAN ANY OTHER POINT IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TALK ABOUT HIGH RATES OF VIOLENT CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY OR ACROSS AMERICA WITHOUT TALKING ABOUT THE ROLE GUNS PLAY IN THIS VIOLENCE. WHEREAS GUN VIOLENCE IS A THREAT NOT JUST TO PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT TO PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS AND WE ARE INVESTING A RECORD AMOUNT OF PROGRAMS UTILIZING A PUBLIC HEALTH APPROACH TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A SAFER AND HEALTHIER PLACE. WHEREAS THE EIGHTH NATIONAL GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS DAY WILL FALL ON JUNE 3RD THIS YEAR AND WILL KICK OFF ON ORANGE WEEKEND ON JUNE 4TH AND 5TH THAT WILL FEATURE IN PERSON AND VIRTUAL PROGRAMS TO DEMAND CHANGE. IN THE MONTH OF JUNE HARRIS COUNTY ASKS THE COMMUNITY TO STAND WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS CALLING TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT COMMON SENSE GUN SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION INITIATIVES NECESSARY TO REDUCE THE BLOODSHED ON OUR STREETS.

BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES JUNE 2022 AS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

AND LET ME JUST READ THIS DATA WE RECEIVED FROM THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES. THERE IS NOT JUST A RISE IN HOMICIDES. THERE HAS BEEN A RISE IN THE PERCENTAGE OF INCREASE AND THE PERCENTAGE OF HOMICIDES CAUSED BY GUNS. THE PERCENTAGE OF HOMICIDES IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN INCREASING SINCE 2018.

IN 2018 GUNSHOT WOUNDS CAUSED 26% OF HOMICIDES IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN 2 SWR-RB -- 2021 IT WAS 84%.

THE NUMBER OF HOMICIDES IN HARRIS COUNTY INVOLVE -- INVOLVING GUNS IS 87% AND 55% OF GUN HOMICIDE VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE AFRICAN-AMERICAN. I AM PROUD TO PRESENT THE

[00:20:03]

RESOLUTION AND GRATEFUL TO FOLKS WHO ARE HERE.

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 5)]

ANY SPEAKERS, TIFFANY? >> YES, MA'AM.

FIRST IS LUPE WASHINGTON OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM LUPE WASHINGTON.

WE JUST STAND HERE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION, AND WE ARE VERY HONORED TO BE DOING SOME OF THE WORK IN THE ACTUAL COMMUNITIES TO HELP REDUCE THE NUMBER OF GUN VIOLENCE INCIDENTS THAT WE HAVE AND ALSO MORE IMPORTANTLY CONNECT RESIDENTS WITH THE NEEDED SERVICES FROM A PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE.

WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF CRIME.

I STAND HERE HONORED TO BE IN THIS POSITION AND THANK YOU ALL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE YOU WALK AWAY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND ON SO MUCH. I WANTED THE COURT TO RECOGNIZE THAT SHE HELPS WITH SO MANY THINGS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT VIOLENCE DISRUPTION AND LUPE HAS BEEN DOING WORK FOR SO LONG AND HAS A SISTER THAT ISN'T TOO BAD

HERSELF. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

YOU NEVER REALLY STOP. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS APRIL AGUIRRE SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM AND ITEMS 5 AND 6 UNDER RESOLUTIONS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. APRIL AGUIRRE?

>> HELLO. YES, I'M HERE.

>> YOU CAN ADDRESS THE COURT. >> THANK YOU.

>> I AM SEEING ALL OF THESE RESOLUTIONS AND 7 A.M. ON MONDAY MAY 16TH, 172 PEOPLE WERE MURDERED.

I WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND THAT RESTRICTIVE GUN LAWS SEEMS LIKE A REALLY GOOD IDEA AND I WISH IT WOULD WORK.

WE HAVE TO LOOK TO OUR NEIGHBOR IN MEXICO WHO HAS EXTREMELY RESTRICT -- RESTRICTIVE LAWS ON GUN OWNERSHIP.

THERE IS ONE GUN STORE IN THE WHOLE COUNTRY AND THAT COUNTRY IS OVER RUN BY GUN VIOLENCE. I WANT TO KNOW HOW COME EVERYONE CONSTABLE AND SHERIFF AND D.A. HAS SHOWN UP REQUESTING MORE FUNDS IF WE HAVE GIVEN THEM 1.4 BILLION, IT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH. IT IS NOT ENOUGH AND WE HAVE TO DO MORE FOR THEM. LENA, I KNOW YOU HAVE YOUR PRIVATE SECURITY, BUT WE ARE NOT AWARDED THAT.

WE NEED MORE PROTECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY HERE AND OUR PUBLIC NEEDS MORE HELP. IT IS JUST NOT ENOUGH WHAT WE HAVE IN PLACE. EVERYBODY HAS TO HAVE THE OPEN DIALOGUE TO SEE WHAT IT IS WE CAN DO.

AS MUCH AS I WISH EVERY GUN WAS OFF THE STREETS, IT IS JUST NOT

LIKELY THAT WILL EVER HAPPEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS ALICIA NUZZY SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON THIS ITEM. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, GOOD MORNING.

I AM ALICIA NUZZY AND WORK FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COUNCIL. WE ARE A LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO CLOSE GAPS IN SYSTEMS AND EFFECTIVELY PROVIDE SUPPORT AND SYSTEMS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO -- OF THOSE WHO HARM.

I AM WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS WHO WORKS TO PREVENT VIOLENCE IN THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING JUNE AS GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. SADLY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A DEVASTATING EP -- EPIDEMIC IN THE COMMUNITY.

OUR INTIMATE PARTNER CONTINUES TO CLIMB WITH FATAL ANDEA NR FATALSS AAULTSEU RPT -- RIPPING APARTUR O FAMILIES.

GUN VIOLENCES IRISING IN THESE TYPES OFIC HOMIDE.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCEID INCENTS INVOLVING FIREARMS 1 ARE2 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO RESULTDE IN ATH THAN OTHERPO WEANS.

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

AOEPBLG -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR CALLG IN AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> S NEXT ISPEAKEREI NUMBER GHT FROMMA MOMS DEND ACTION SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOUE HAVE ONMINUTE. L

>>INA HIDALGO: SHE IS MAKING HER WAY, TIFFANY.TE

>> STAND YOUR NAME A AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

KEMP ANDE IS CALADREAN I AM WITH MOMS DEMANDBU ACTION, T I AM ALSO A MOTHER OF GEORGENI MURDEREDR THAT WAS

[00:25:04]

IN 2013.AY AND SO TOD IS A BEAUTIFUL DAY.TH I CAN SAY ATE EVERY TIME I SECE GUN VIOLEN ON THEGE NEWS IT TRIGRS ME, BUTGE IT ALSO TRIGRS ME TO GET UP AND P GET BACK ANDUT THIS REDD SHIRT ON ANFIGHT D AGAIN FOR ANOTHERAYUN FOR OUR COMMITY. HAVING US HERE TODAY. I AM A SURVIVOR FELLOW WITH EVERY TOWN SURVIVOR NETWORK, AND I ALSO VOLUNTEER AS THE TEXAS STATE LEAGUE FOR CITY GUN VIOLENCE.

TODAY HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS'NE COURT DECLARED JUN WEAR ORANGE NATIONAL GU VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.VE THIS MONTH IS A MOMENT THAT IS DEDICATED TO HONORING THE LIVESE OF PEOPLE IN THE UNID STATES AFFECTED BY GUN VIOLENCE AND O ELEVATING THE VOICESF THOSE DEMANDING TO END THIS PUBLIC CRISIS. WEAR ORANGE ORIGINATED IN JUNE

-- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONTINUE,OU

PLEASE. >> THANK Y.

PENDLETON LOST HER LIFE AND SHE WAS IN PRESIDENT OBAMA'S INAUGURATION PARADE. I DO KNOW HER MOM.

TODAY -- IT HAS BEEN A LONG DREAM FOR PHOD -- FOR MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES.

BUT TO BE RECOGNIZED AND LOOK AT EVERYTHING GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY AND TO KNOW THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE.

I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. AS I SPEAK AND STAND HERE TODAY THERE ARE BODIES IN THE MORGUE. THEY ARE PICKING UP BODIES OFF THE STREET, BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING.

TODAY IS THE DAY TO START THAT RECOGNITION.

IN HONOR OF WEAR ORANGE I REMEMBER WHEN WE HAD THE LIGHTS TURNED ORANGE IN THE CITY. THAT WAS EMOTIONAL FOR ME.

IT WAS A DAY OF RECOGNITION. TO HAVE THIS FORMAL RECOGNITION FOR THE MONTH AND THE AWARENESS FOR THE COMMUNITY IS PHENOMENAL.

WE AS PARENTS, WE DON'T HAVE TO STAND AT THE CEMETERIES.

WE GOT UP AND WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

BECAUSE OF MY SON, HIS FOUNDATION, NO WEAPON, ONE LIFE EPL POU -- EMPOWERMENT FOUNDATION WE DECIDED TO PUT TOGETHER ON SATURDAY JUNE 4TH A WEAR ORANGE EVENT TO HELP FAMILIES IMPACTED BY GUN VIOLENCE WITH HORSES.

WE KNOW THE HORSES WILL GIVE US UNCONDITIONAL LOVE AND WILL HELP US WORK THROUGH OUR TRAUMA AND OUR GRIEF.

AS WELL I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT JUNE 5TH AS SUNDAY WEAR ORANGE FOR CHURCHES, OUR FAITH. WHEN THESE BODIES ARE BEING STROLLED IN FRONT OF THE ALTAR AND THE FAMILIES ARE SITTING THERE WAITING, THE FAITH COMMUNITY, THEY ARE STRUGGLING AS WELL, BUT I WANTED THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO STEP UP AND JUST TO HAVE AN AWARENESS AND BRING ABOUT WEAR ORANGE SUNDAY WHERE YOU CAN TAKE THE RECOGNITION AND RECOGNIZE THOSE FAMILIES THAT ARE SUFFERING IN YOUR CHURCHES. TO SAY WE SEE YOU, BUT WE RECOGNIZE WE HAVE ISSUES AND NOW LET'S TACKLE THEM.

I INVITE FAITH LEADERS TO TAKE THREE TO FIVE MINUTES OUT OF YOUR SUNDAY SERVICE AND INCORPORATE THE WEAR ORANGE, RECOGNIZE THOSE FAMILY MEMBERS IN YOUR CHURCH SUFFERING AND INVITE THEM TO WEAR ORANGE. LET THEM BRING THE PICTURES OF THEIR LOVED ONE SO THEY NO LONGER HAVE TO SUFFER IN SILENCE. I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN THANK YOU FOR MOMS DEMAND ACTION AND MY SON GEORGE KEMP, JUNIOR THAT WAS A TEXAS BOY, A COWBOY, THAT HAD HIS HORSES HE CALLED HIS CHILDREN. JUST TO KNOW THAT 9 YEARS AGO I MADE THAT DECISION TO WALK AWAY FROM MY SON'S GRAVE AND FIGHT EVERY DAY TO END GUN VIOLENCE. THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION AND NOT JUST FOR MYSELF, BUT FOR THE FAMILIES SUFFERING IN THE COMMUNITY AND FOR THOSE VOLUNTEERS THAT STAY ON THE FRONT LINE WITH ME AND FOR THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT DO EVERYTHING THAT YOU CAN TO PUT THE BUDGET IN PLACE TO HELP US.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED DEDICATION TO BRINGING GREATER AWARENESS, UNDERSTANDING AND COMMON SENSE TO THINGS HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY. I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ALONE AND NOT FORGOTTEN.

WE APPRECIATE YOU. LOVE YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERK ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO THANYOU TOO.

YOU ARE SO IMPORTANT AND YOU CAN TURN YOUR PAIN INTO SOMETHING POSITIVE. MOMS AGAINST GUN VIOLENCE WANTS

[00:30:03]

TO DEMAND ACTION DO A GOOD JOB. YOU DO IT IN A -- DO YOU IT IN AUSTIN. DON'T GIVE UP.

OUR HANDS ARE TIED WITH WHAT WE CAN DO BECAUSE OF WHAT HAPPENS IN AUSTIN. IN ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION, THERE ARE THOSE OF US HERE WHO RESOLVE TO DO SOMETHING AS WELL AND THAT VIOLENCE INTERRUPT PROGRAM IS PART OF.

IT WE ARE GOING TO DO AN AGGRESSIVE GUN BUY BACK PROGRAM WITH THE CITY AND THE SHERIFF AND POLICE CHIEF AND ALL OF US COMMITTED TO IT. YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A LOT OF PROCUREMENT HOOPS BEFORE YOU CAN USE PUBLIC DOLLARS TO GET THOSE DANGEROUS WEAPONS OUT OF PEOPLE'S HANDS, BUT YOU ALL WILL PLAY A ROLE IN THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BUYING THE STUFF WE WANT TO GET OUR HANDS ON AND IT IS NOT JUST THE STUFF PEOPLE WANT TO GET RID OF SO THEY CAN GET SOMETHING ELSE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND I DO IT ALL THE TIME TO NOT BE TEMPTED AS MOST PEOPLE ARE AND DON'T JUST ASK FOR YOUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND ASK FOR THEM IN NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE YOU MAY NOT HAVE THAT MANY SUPPORTERS, BUT YOU HAVE TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT GUNS.

WE ARE CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF GEORGE FLOYD DEATH TOMORROW. HE WAS KIND OF ON HIS OWN IN THE VIOLENCE INTEREST RUPGS -- INTERRUPTION PROGRAM BECAUSE THERE WAS NO GOVERNMENT FUNDING. IT TAKES PEOPLE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND NOT JUST PEOPLE WHO HAVE A PROFILE TO PENETRATE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT'S WHY IN THE WEST, IN AMERICA, WE INVEST MORE MONEY THAN ANYBODY ON THE PLANET.

IF THAT'S ALL IT TOOK, AS YOU KNOW BY NOW, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. YOU HAVE TO DO THAT AND MORE, AND WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.

MOST OF US WILL TALK. THAT'S AN EASY THING TO DO.

MOST OF US WON'T WALK. THANK YOU.

WE FEEL YOUR PAIN. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR STRENGTH AND

THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS

FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GAY -- KPHEUGTSER -- COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> IN LIGHT OF THE COMMENT ABOUT WILLING TO HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE FOR US TO PERHAPS PASS TWO RESOLUTIONS TODAY, ONE BEING THE ONE THAT IS WRITTEN AND HAS A NUMBER OF THINGS IN THIS SEASON.

AND PERHAPS A SECOND ONE WE PASS THAT WE CAN HAVE UNINIMITY WITH THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE FIRST WHEREAS AND THE LAST TWO WHEREAS'. WE RECOGNIZE THE AWARENESS DAY AND THE WEAR ORANGE AND THE RESOLUTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HERE IS MY SUGGESTION.

IT IS NOT MY RESOLUTION, BUT MAYBE THE JUDGE.

SHE MAY HAVE A WHEREAS TO PULL OUT AND I WANT TO VOTE ON MINE AND IF I DON'T HAVE THE VOTES YOU CAN PUT YOURS UP DAY -- TODAY OR ANOTHER DAY. SOMEBODY THAT HAS BEEN IN THE RESOLUTION BUSINESS FOR 38 YEARS I JUST TOOK MINE UP ANOTHER DAY.

I DIDN'T PUT MY TIE ON TODAY AND I HAVE MY COMFORTABLE SHOES AND WE CAN BE HERE ALL NIGHT. JUST BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE OF SIX YEARS OF DOING RESOLUTIONS AT THE CITY, 26 YEARS IN AUSTIN AND FIVE YEARS HERE I JUST VOTE ON THE ONE THAT IS HERE AND THEN COME BACK WITH ONE. YOU HAVE THE WHOLE MONTH.

JUST A SUGGESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: VIOLENCE CREATES VICTIMS AND THIS COURT HAS HAD MANY DISCUSSIONS ON THAT AND IT IS SAD INDEED TO LISTEN TO THE STORIES OF THE VICTIMS. I WILL BE OPPOSING THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I THINK IT IS HIPOCRITICAL. I THINK IT IS A DISTRACTION FROM THIS COURT'S LACK OF COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS CRIME AND ASSOCIATED VICTIMS. I THINK THE SHAMEFUL PERSECUTION OF CRIMESTOPPERS IS BUT ONE EXAMPLE AND ONLY FUNDING 18% OF WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ASKED FOR IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE.

[00:35:02]

I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THE RESOLUTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. I WILL PUT A RESOLUTION ON SAYING HOW PROUD I AM OF THE FIRST AMENDMENT AND I RESPECT EVERYBODY'S RIGHT TO SAY WHAT THEY WANT TO SAY.

I DO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL OF THE SENTENCES ARE CITED ON HERE. THEY COME FROM RESPECTED ORGANIZATIONS, JOHNS HOPKINS, THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE CAPITAL, TEXAS DOTGOV, TEXAS TRIBUNE, KXAN, BACKGROUND CHECKS.ORG, "WASHINGTON POST." EVERYTHING IS VERY FACT BASED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHEN I READ THE RESOLUTION THIS MORNING BEFORE THE PRESS CONFERENCE, I I WAS LIKE, OH WOW.

THIS IS GOING TO BE A 5-0 RESOLUTION.

IT IS UNFORTUNATE IT IS NOT, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS WELL WRITTEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND I WAS CAREFUL TO PUT SIMPLY FACTS AND THE FACT IS GUN HOMICIDES HAVE INCREASED BY 35% AND AT LEAST ONE CHILD IS SHOT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY IN THIS COUNTRY. THAT'S NOT THE CASE IN ANY OTHER DEVELOPED COUNTRY. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> I VOTE WITH MS. AGUIRRE. NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

THANK YOU FOR THE ADVOCATES. WE ALL STAND FOR COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS AND WE WILL KEEP FIGHTING ALONGSIDE YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS ITEM THREE UNDER

[Departments (Part 3 of 7)]

RESOLUTIONS. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 5.

I REMEMBERING COG -- I REMEMBERING COG -- RECOGNIZE WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOLUTIONS. IT IS PET PREPARED -- PREPAREDNESS MONTH. AND THERE IS A HUGE NEED FOR ADOPTIONS AND FOSTERING OF OUR PETS.

SO A REMINDER TO OUR COMMUNITY ABOUT THAT.

WHEREAS JUNE IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS PET PREPAREDNESS MONTH ENSURING FAMILY PLANS ARE SECURED AND INCLUDES FAMILY PETS. PETS ARE OFTEN SEEN AS FAMILY MEMBERS AND SERVE AS IMPORTANT COMPANIONS DURING DAILY LIFE, TIMES OF STRESS AND RESEARCH SHOWS THE BOND BETWEEN ANIMALS AND HUMANS IS GOOD FOR HUMAN HEALTH.

PETS CAN BECOME LOST IN EMERGENCIES AND THOSE WITH IDENTIFICATION ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE REUNITED WITH THEIR OWNER.

IN NATURAL DISASTERS LIKE HURRICANE KATRINA 88,000 PETS WERE SEPARATED FROM THEIR OWNERS.

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, IF YOU HAVE TO EVACUATE YOUR HOME, A PRE-MADE EMERGENCY KIT FOR PETS FILLED WITH A FEW DAYS OF FOOD AND WATER AND COPIES OF VETERINARY KITS AND POOP BAGS AND LITTER AND COLLARS AND A LIST OF PET-FRIENDLY HOTELS, DISHES AND A FEW OF THEIR FAVORITE TOYS CAN BE VITAL.

HARRIS COUNTY PETS IS COMMITTED TO PRESERVING THE HUMAN-ANIMAL BOND AND WILL PROVIDE EDUCATION RESOURCES FOR PET OWNERS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PET PREPAREDNESS MONTH.

PETS WILL PROMOTE AWARENESS THROUGH DISCOUNTED PET REGISTRATION AND MICROCHIPPING IN THE MONTH OF JUNE.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED COMMISSIONERS' COURT DECLARES JUNE OF 2022 AS PET PREPAREDNESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE I WILL MOVE ON YOUR ITEM IN HONOR OF AMIGO. AMIGO IS MY LITTLE BLACK TERRIER. I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE -- SOME OF THE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND FOR PREPAREDNESS THAT THERE IS A PET FOR EVERY FAMILY.

I WANT TO APPLAUD THEM FOR THEIR WORK.

WHEN I WOOS -- WHEN I WAS THERE I ALMOST BROUGHT HOME ANOTHER ADDITION TO THE FAMILY, BUT I KNOW WHO WOULD BE SLEEPING OUTSIDE IF I DID. AND THEY CAN ADVOCATE FOR A COMPASSIONATE WAY TO DEAL WITH STRAYS IN OUR COMMUNITIES.

[00:40:08]

WE WANT TO SPREAD THE WORD AND WE NEED THESE BABIES AND KITTIES AND DOGS ALIKE TO BE ADOPTED. I HAVE CHICA THE CAT WHO TELLS AMIGO WHO RUNS THE HOUSE. IT WILL BRING A LOT OF JOY.

PLEASE ENCOURAGE -- I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT WITH OUR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO SEE HOW YOU CAN MAKE A HOME FOR A FURRY LOVED ONE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN RAMSEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM PROUD TO SECOND THE MOTION FOR YOUR RESOLUTION. I WOULD SUGGEST A FEW CHANGES, BUT I WON'T. IT IS A WELL-KNOWN FACT THAT I HAVE A PLETHORA OF DOGS. ANY PEOPLE WHO THINK I AM JUST TALKING WHEN I TALK ABOUT BEING THE SON OF A YARD MAN, I REALLY AM. HE WOULD MAKE ME GO INTO THE BACKYARD BECAUSE THE FOLKS HE WOULD WORK FOR WOULD SAY THAT DOG WON'T BITE. TELL THAT BOY TO GO INTO THE BACKYARD. AND I WOULD SAY THE DOGS DIDN'T BITE THEM. THEY WANTEDHE TIR MEAT WELL DONE. WHEN S IHOWED UP THEYER WE READY TO EAT. ION W'T ADD AN ADDITION.

MY KIDS WERE F NOTORTUNATE ENOUGH TO A GET DOG.

MOTHER-IN-LAW MOVED IN AND SHE HAD A POODLE I AND WAS SCARED OF IT. NOW MYTE DAUGHR HAS A GREAT DANF YOU ARE FORTUNATEH ENOUGTO GET MYEA NEW YR'S CARD ON MY PATH W TO LOSEEIGHT, I THINK THISGH DOG WEIS W HALF OFHAT I DO MY NEW YEAR'S CARD I PUT HERE THERAND MYMO DAUGHTER VED BACKAS TO WHINGTON, D.C.T AND I JUS MISS THATCH DOG SO MU. I DIDN'TEP AGREE TO KE IT, BUT FOR I THAT REASON AM PROUDCO TO SEND THIS MOTION.

IT IS IMPORTANT. T DURINGHIS PANDEMIC, I DON'T A KNOW HOW LOT OF PEOPLENT WITH MEAL A HEALTH ISSUESND EVENO THOSE WHEM DON'T HAVE TH COULD HAVEUT MADE IT WITHO THEIR PET.O

THANK YOU R BRINGING>> IT FORTH. COMMISSIONER>> RAMSEY.

TOM RAMSEY: IT IS GOODAU THAT WE PSE ANDTH TAKE A LOOK AT ISRT IMPORTANT PA OF OUR COUNTY. I KNOW WHEN I ASKEDWE LAST MEETG AUDIT VETERINARY SERVICEMA ITSELF WAS TO KE SURE WEES HAVE ENOUGH ROURCES THERE. I KNOW WE ARE OVERWHELMED AT OUR FACILITIES. SO GOING FORWARD IEN THINK IT HS BE SAID BEFORE RESOLUTIONS THAT CHEAT, BUT IT IS HARD TO MONEY TO FUND IT. THERE IS SOME FUNDING WE NEED THAT WE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO DO.ES

>> LINA HIDALGO: Y, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YESTERDAY MY MOTHER WAS EXCITED BECAUSE A THY SAID IT WOULD BE MATTER OF A WEEK OR TWO SHE WOULDME BE ABLEO COME BACK HO OF ONE OF THE THINGS SHE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO WASPP RECONNECTING WITH THE PUIES. OUR BUG -- OUR PUPPIES ARE BUGS, TY, HONEY. MY DAUGHTER DROPS OFF HERS, BUT THE LITTLE ONES ARE 45 POUNDS AND THE BIG ONES ARE 95'S.

MAMA IS READY TO BE BACK WITH THE LITTLE PUPPIES.

IN HONOR OF BUGS, TY, POPPY AND HONEY AS SHE DROPS IN AND OUT AND MY DAUGHTER IN HER BUSY LIFE FINDS THAT THERE IS FREE PUPPY DAYCARE AT THE HOUSEHOLD, I WILL BE JOINING IN THES MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IA MOTION.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 5)]

>> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER FOR THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

GO AHEAD. >> SCOTT JENSON SPEAKING IN PERSON. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AN ADDITIONAL VISITOR OVER HERE.

WELCOME YOU GUYS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THOUGHT THE FOUR-FOOTED FURRY ONE WOULD BE THE SPEAKER.

>> WE WANTED TO BRING THE GREAT DANE, BUT SHE WOULDN'T FIT IN

THE CAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: I LEFT MY GLASSES AT THE AIRPORT AND NOT TO BE RETURNED, SO FOR AWHILE I CAN'T SEE ANYBODY. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

>> JUST THE STAFF AT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR RECOGNIZING THIS CRUCIAL PIECE OF THE FAIRNESS PLAN. WORKING WITH OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS TO DEVELOP A PREPAREDNESS PLAN THAT WOULD HAVE A COORDINATED RESPONSE THAT WE CAN PUT INTO ACTION SHOULD ANY HURRICANES OR TROPICAL SYSTEMS IMPACT THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA THIS SEASON OR ANY OTHER SEASON.

WE WANT TO STRESS WHILE YOU ARE ASSEMBLING YOUR OWN PLAN, GET

[00:45:04]

THE ITEMS THE JUDGE LISTED AND SEVERAL OTHERS AS WELL SO YOU CAN HAVE THE STUFF YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE OF YOUR ANIMAL DURING AN EMERGENCY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU NEED TO EVACUATE.

AND SECONDLY, IF YOUR PET IS NOT MICROCHIPPED OR LICENSED, WE URGE EVERYONE TO DO THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ALL PET OWNERS IN HARRIS COUNTY CAN HAVE THEIR ANIMALS MICROCHIPPED AT THE PET CLINIC FROM 8 TO 5 MONDAY THROUGH

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

UP. T >> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEEP GOING,

JASON. >>HANK YOU, SIR.

IF YOUR PET IS MICROCHIPPED, WE ASK YOU ALWAYS MAINTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY KEEPS ACCURATE INFORMATION. WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR PARTNERS AND HELP US PREPARE FOR EMERGENCIES.

THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE TEXAS DIVISION OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF STATE HEALTH SERVICES AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SERVICES AND HPD AND THE COUNTY CONSTABLES AND BARK AND TEXAS A&M AND OUR NONPROFIT PARTNERS, THE HOUSTON HUMANE SOCIETY.

AND I WOULD BE A WASTE OF TIME IF I DIDN'T SAY WE NEED FOLKS TO COME DOWN AND ADOPT AND FOSTER SOME ANIMALS.

CERTAINLY COME DOWN AND SEE WHAT WE HAVE.

I'M HAPPY TO SAY THAT WE ARE STILL CONTINUING OUR HIGHLIGHT AND RUNNING 97 TO 98% RELEASE RATE.

IT IS MORE DIFFICULT THE MORE ANIMALS WE HAVE, ARE BUT WE ARE WORKING DAY AND NIGHT TO KEEP THE NUMBER UP.

THIS IS JACK, OUR FRIEND HERE. HE IS NOT QUITE OLD ENOUGH FOR

ADOPTION, BUT IT IS COMING SOON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHO DAT CAT?

>> HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS SAINTS FAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JACK WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION AND THERE

ARE OTHER ADORABLE FURRY FRIENDS >> THERE ARE MANY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED THE COMMUNITY TO ADOPT AND IF NOT ADOPT, YOU CAN FOSTER OR DONATE. WE NEED EVERYBODY TO STEP UP.

WE ARE SEEING AN ENORMOUS BURDEN OF PETS WITHOUT A HOME.

JACK PUTS ON A GOOD SHOWING ON BEHALF OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY PETS GROUP. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF JACK MAKES IT OUT OF HERE WITHOUT SOMEBODY CLAIMING JACK.

SKPHEUGS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR RESOLUTION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK ALL OF US WERE TOUCHED BY THE TRAGIC KILLING IN BUFFALO, NEW YORK. THIS RESOLUTION TIES IN WITH YOUR GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH SO I WON'T GO THROUGH ALL OF IT. I WILL POINT OUT THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS ARE CLASSIFYING THE INCIDENT AS A RACIALLY-MOTIVATED HATE CRIME AND AN ACT OF TERRORISM.

THIS GUNMAN IS ACCUSED OF PURCHASING A RIFLE IN 2022, MONTHS FOLLOWING A THREAT AGAINST HIS HIGH SCHOOL THAT LEAD THE NEW YORK POLICE STATE TO ORDER A PSYCHIATRIC EVALUATION. OUR NATION FOR FAR TOO LONG ESPECIALLY IN RECENT YEARS HAD TO BEAR WITNESS TO THESE KINDS OF ATTACKS TO NO JUSTICE. THERE WAS THE 2015 MURDER OF WORSHIPERS AT THE HISTORIC EMANUEL MOTHER EMANUEL CHURCH AND THE TREE OF LIGHT CONGREGATIONAL SYNAGOGUE IN PITTSBURGH AND THE 2019 WALMART TARGETING BLACK RESIDENTS IN EL PASO AND A 2021 SHOOTING IN ATLANTA, GEORGIA AT A SPA TARGETING ASIAN-AMERICANS AND MANY MORE.

I DID MAKE REFERENCE TO AN IMPORTANT LINE I THINK IS IMPORTANT IN THIS RESOLUTION. I TALKED TO THE STAFF OF THE COUNTY CHAIR. IT IS A YOUNG AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN WHO WAS A COUNTY -- THEY CALL THEM COUNTY LEGISLATORS WHEN I ROLLED THROUGH AND WAS DROPPING MY DAUGHTER OFF IN SYRACUSE, I SPENT A COUPLE DAYS IN BUFFALO.

A VERY INTERESTING CITY. I HAD NEVER BEEN TO IT.

BASKIN IS NOW A CHAIR, BUT HER STAFF TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT IF WE WERE GOING TO DO A RESOLUTION TO INCLUDE THAT SECTION THAT POINTS OUT THAT USING RHETORIC TO SCORE POLITICAL POINTS AND BOOST RATING ARE BECAUSE SOMEBODY TRULY BELIEVES IN HATEFUL RHETORIC DOESN'T MATTER.

EVERY CONSCIENCE SHOULD CONDEMN THE SPREAD OF IDEOLOGIES AND

[00:50:03]

ESPECIALLY UH SPOUSED BY -- ESPOUSED BY HATE.

PEOPLE DO TEND TO EMULATE PEOPLE THEY SEE ON TELEVISION OR PEOPLE THEY SEE IN POSITIONS OF POWER AND THAT'S WHY I PUT IT THERE.

IT CLAIMS TOO MANY LIVES AND SCARS SURVIVORS.

IN THIS COMMUNITY WE HAVE SEEN FAR TOO MUCH OF IT.

I THINK WE HAVE PROBABLY ALL READ THE RESOLUTION AND I MOVE

ADOPTION OF IT. >> ARE THERE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY?

>> YES, MA'AM. TP*EURBS -- FIRST IS MARK TUBIN SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI. GOOD MORNING.

I AM MARK TOBIN, THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE SOUTHWEST REGIONAL DIRECTOR. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR PUTTING FORWARD THIS RESOLUTION AND YOUR STAFF FOR ALL THEIR WORK. OF THE 443 PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED BY EXTREMISTS IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, 75% WERE KILLED BY RIGHT WING EXTREMISM. THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE COMMITTED THE WORST OF THESE CRIMES IN BUFFALO, IN PITTSBURGH,ING IN CHARLESTON -- IN PITTSBURGH, IN CHARLESTON, THEY ARE NOT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DIRECTLY ASSOCIATED WITH A LOT OF THESE EXTREMIST GROUPS. TYPICALLY THEY ARE LONE WOLFS WHO ARE INFLUENCED BY THE EXTREMIST GROUPS AND INFLUENCED BY THE MEDIA AND AS YOU ELUDED TO, BY OUR PUBLIC AND ELECTED OFFICIALS. IT IS IMPORTANT THIS RESOLUTION RECEIVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. WE ARE TO SEND A MESSAGE IF WE

ARE TO REDUCE THIS ENVIRONMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> IF WE ARE TO REDUCE THIS ENVIRONMENT WHERE HATE PRO LIVE RATES -- PROLIFERATES. WE SEE RIGHT WING UH -- AGENDAS IN IN TEXAS EVERY SINGLE WEEKEND OF THIS YEAR.

WE ARE GOING TO SET ALL KINDS OF RECORDS FOR WHITE SUPREMACIST PROPAGANDA AND SAN TIE SEPL -- AND ANTI-SEMITISM SURPASSING LAST YEAR'S RECORDS. PEOPLE MUST HEAR FROM ALL OF OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS. IT SHOULD NOT BE A PARTISAN ISSUE THAT WE HAVE TO REDUCE HATE IN OUR SOCIETY AND WE HAVE TO TAKE ACTION IN ORDER TO SEND THAT MESSAGE.

SOMEBODY MENTIONED THE TIP OF THE SPEAR EARLIER.

ELECTED OFFICIALS, ALL FIVE OF YOU, ARE THE TIP OF THE SPEAR IN REDUCING HATE IN OUR SOCIETY. AND I URGE FULL SUPPORT FOR THIS

RESOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THE OTHER APPLICANTS THAT WILL SPEAK AND I WILL SAY THAT IN ADVANCE. SOME ARE SIGNED UP.

SOME ON YOUR RESOLUTION AND MINE PARTICULARLY THE JEWISH COMMUNITY, WHEN I WENT TO THE LEGISLATURE IN 1990, UNLIKE WHEN I THOUGHT I HAD A CAMPAIGN AND I WAS ON A POST, BUT I QUICKLY PUT TOGETHER ONE AND ONE OF THE FIRST BILLS I PUT IN WAS THE TEXAS HATE CRIME STATUTE. IT TOOK A DECADE TO PASS IT.

THERE HAD BEEN A NUMBER OF SWASTIKA PAINTINGS ON SYNAGOGUES IN HOUSTON, AND THE BILL PROBABLY -- I THOUGHT IT WOULDS PASS MUCH SOONER -- IT WOULD PASS MUCH SOONER, BUT I PUT THAT BILL IN BECAUSE LEADERS FROM THE JEWISH COMMUNITY ASKED ME TO DO IT. IT ENDED UP BE A HOT BUTTON BECAUSE I INCLUDED SEXUAL ORIENTATION.

IT WAS A HIGHLY-PUBLICIZED HATE CRIME, SKIN HEADS DOING SOMETHING ON WESTHEIMER THAT WERE CRUISING AND BEAT THIS KID WITH A TWO BY FOUR AND HE DIED. IT WAS THE SEXUAL ORIENTATION PART THAT WAS THE HOLD BACK. I WOULD NEVER TAKE IT OUT.

WHEN THE BILL FINALLY PASSED 10 YEARS LATER, 91 GOT THE BILL IN, MY MOST MEMORABLE MOMENT IN THE LEGISLATURE WAS A VERY CONSERVATIVE, WELL-RESPECTED REPUBLICAN MEMBER OF SENATE WHO HAD PAR KIN SONS AND IN HIS FINAL PHASE OF IT JUST HAPPENS TO ALSO BE BY COINCIDENCE HIS SON HAD DIED OF HIV, AND IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF LIFESTYLE. HE WAS AN INTRAVENOUS INJECTION THAT HE ENDED UP DYING OF HIV. HE WAS A SWING VOTE.

[00:55:01]

IT WAS A RATHER TRAUMATIC CHANGE IN HIS POSITION BECAUSE HE HAD TO WALK FROM HIS SEAT ON THE SENATE FLOOR OVER TO MINE.

I AM EXPLAINING THE BILL AGAIN AND EXPECTING IT TO GO DOWN IN DEFEAT IN WHICH CASE I WAS GOING TO WHIP IT UP AND PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SESSION. HE TOOK THAT LONG WALK ALL THE WAY AROUND THE CHAMBER. I WAS TOO BUSY GIVING MY SPEECH AND I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HE WAS DOING.

I THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE A BREAK.

HE CAME OVER AND SAID I WILL VOTE FOR IT AND I THOUGHT IT WAS REMARKABLE FOR US, 31 MEMBERS WHO DISAGREED ON A LOT, AGREED ON ENOUGH TO GET SOME THINGS PASSED.

THAT IS SENATOR HAYWOOD AND THAT HE WOULD DECIDE TO DO THAT PUBLIC DISPLAY OF HIS SUPPORT AND IT BROUGHT OTHER FOLKS ALONG. THANK YOU.

>> AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORT ON THE HATE CRIMES BILL.

IT HAS BEEN ENORMOUSLY IMPORTANT TO FIGHTING HATE IN THIS STATE.

IT TAKES BRAVERY TO STAND AGAINST EXTREMISM.

I I HAVE FULL FAITH OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS UNDERSTAND JUST HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR EVERYONE TO TAKE A STAND.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THE MASSACRE IN BUFFALO IS NOTHING SHORT OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM. I AM EAGER AS WELL FOR THOSE LAWS TO PASS. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO ADVOCATE. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 12, AMY TOURNEY SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, IN THE PAST A GUN RIGHT ORGANIZATION TESTIFIED OPPOSITE TO A COLLEAGUE AND MINE IN COMMISSIONER'S SUPPORT SUPPORTING A RESOLUTION AFTER THE EL PASO SHOOTING.

IF I COULD BE THERE TODAY I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT COPIES OF AN ANTI-SEMITIC FLIER THEY GAVE IN OREGON WORKING TO PASS GUN SAFETY LEGISLATION. SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE THAT FLIER.

I MADE AN ATTEMPT TO GET IT TO Y'ALL THIS MORNING.

I PREPARED FOR THREE SO I WILL TAKE THE HIGHLIGHTS FOR ONE MINUTE. ON THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THIS BILL, IN SEPTEMBER OF 2019 FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE ITS INCEPTION THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY NAMED WHITE SUPREMACISTS EXTREME PHEUFPL ONT POTENT FORCES DRIVING DOMESTIC TERRORISM IN THE UNITED STATES. TWO MONTHS LATER FBI DIRECTOR CHRISTOPHER REY TESTIFIED THAT DOMESTIC TERRORISM WAS --

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONTINUE, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THEY ARE TESTIFYING BEFORE THE HOMELAND SECURITY AND GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS THAT IT POSED A PER SIS EXTENT THREAT -- PERSISTENT THREAT AND THE INVESTIGATION INTO DOMESTIC AND RACIALLY MOTIVATED EXTREME PHEUFPL ATTACKS- -EXTREMISM ATTACKS TO AOP T-LEVELRI PORITY.

IN 2020 THE DOMESTIC ACTSE PASD THE HOUSE ON AE VOT FROM OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROMH BOT SIDES OF THELE AIS.TH EY HAVE BOTH WRITTENI. G AM GOINE TO CLOSWITH A QUOTE FROM MARTIN LUTHER KING, JUNIOR AS HED ACCEPTE THE NOBEL PRIZE FOR PEACEWA BEFORE I S EVEN. BORN IF Y'ALL COULD SEE ME, MY HAIRS IS AWHITE AS MY SKIN.CE I ACPTTO THIS AWARD DAYAN WITH ABIDINGER FAITH IN AMICA A AND ANUDACIOUSNK FAITH IN MAIND. I REFUSEPA TO ACCEPT DESIRFI AS THE NAL RESPONSE TO THE AMBIGUITY THAT IS HISTORY. T I REFUSEO ACCEPT THE IDEA THAT THE BUSINESS OF MAN'S PRESENTES NATURE MAK ITCA MORALLY INPABLE OF REACHING OUTER FOR THE ETNAL [INAUDIBLE]NT THAT CONFROS HIM.

I REFUSE TO ACCEPT MAN IS IN TH RIVER OF LIFAND UNABLE TO INFLUENCES THE UNFOLDING EVENTHI THAT SURROUND M.

AND IT IS NOT RACISM OF WAR AND THE DAYBREAK OF PEACE ANDNE BROTHERHOOD CAN VER BECOME REALITY.

THAT WAS SAID 58 YEARS AGO. I URGE YOU TO USE YOUR BUSINESS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE BY SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NICOLE.

[01:00:09]

HAVE YOU ONEO MINUTE. >> THANK YOU SMUCH FOR THIS IMPORTANT RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THE STATEWIDE GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ORGANIZATION. AND I ALSO CO-LEAD THE INVEST WITH COMMUNITY JUSTICE ACTION FUND FOR THOSE COMMUNITIES IMPACTED. TODAY WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE BUFFALO VICTIMS AND THE 10 WHO WERE KILLED AND THREE INJURED AND I ALSO WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO MY FRIEND AND HER MOVING WORDS. THE WEEKEND AT BUFFALO WAS -- THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY DEADLY INCIDENT AND IT IS INCLUDING HATE CRIMES AT AN ASIAN-RUN SALON IN DALLAS, TEXAS.

THIS IS NO EXCEPTION AND CERTAINLY NOT TO THE EVERYDAY GUN VIOLENCE AND COMMUNITIES OF COLOR --

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

>> YES. AND WE ARE --

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 14.

TANYA DUE -- DUBOIS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AT COURT.

[INAUDIBLE] IN A COMMUNITY. [INAUDIBLE] I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL THIS MORNING FOR THIS RESOLUTION FOR RECOGNIZING THE MASSACRE AND THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THIS EVENT CAN BE PREVENTED FROM HAPPENING AGAIN.

THIS EVENT IS SOMETHING WE NEVER WANT TO HAVE TO RELIVE.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THOSE ARE THE AVAILABLE

SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY, I WILL BE VOTING NO.

I WILL CHOOSE TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS AND JUST LIKE I TRY TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THIS IS PRETTY MUCH A SHAMEFUL POLITICAL RESOLUTION.

I WOULD RATHER TAKE THE TIME TO REMEMBER THE VICTIMS RATHER THAN SCORE POLITICAL POINTS. IT IS VERY SAD AND I WILL BE

VOTING NO. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TWO THINGS, FIRST OF ALL THE RESOLUTION HAS A LOT OF LANGUAGE THAT WAS SPEAKING IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

WE ALSO AMENDED IN THIS RESOLUTION A NUMBER OF OTHER TRAGEDIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN OUR NATION, THE FEW HUA KNEES -- THE TAIWANESE CHURCH AND THE WATCH PARTY AND THE WISCONSIN EVENT AND THE ATLANTA EVENT, SUPERMARKET AND SCHOOL SHOOTING.

I HAVE A PROPOSED AMENDMENT. I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT AOUPB RERS -- UNIVERSALLY REJECT THE KILLING SPREE AND WILLING IN 2022.

WE GRIEVE WITH THE FAMILY AND FRIENDS WHO ARE RECOVERING.

>> I SECOND THAT. >> I I WILL MAKE A SUBSTITUTE TO A SUBSTITUTE THAT IT BE ADDED TO MY RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THIS PARAGRAPH BE ADDED TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS PARAGRAPH IS ADDED TO THE END OF THE RESOLUTION.

YOU GOT THAT, JAMES? WE HAVE A MOTION TO -- JAY, DO WE STILL VOTE ON THE STAND ALONE MOTION?

>> IT IS ESSENTIALLY BEING PRESENTED AS A SECOND RESOLUTION

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S VOTE AS AMENDED FIRST -- AS A SECOND

[01:05:05]

RESOLUTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU ARE VOTING TO ADD THIS TO THE RESOLUTION I WOULD BE IN FAVOR

TO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS IN FAVOR OF ADDING THIS PARAGRAPH TO THE OTHER RESOLUTION.

IT IS A 4-1 VOTE TO ADD THIS PARAGRAPH TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' RESOLUTION. LET'S VOTE ON IT AS AMENDED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK JAY SUGGESTS WE VOTE ON THE STAND ALONE AND I REQUEST WE VOTE ON MINE AS A STAND ALONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ROBERTS RULE OF ORDER WHICH WE HAVE ADOPTED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PASSED A RESOLUTION WITH THE AMENDMENT. DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT? AND THEN WE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK THE ORDER MATTERS, COMMISSIONER SO LET'S VOTE ON IT AS AMENDED AND THEN VOTE ON COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> I THINK THAT WOULD BE EASIEST

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS AMENDED ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2. IS THERE A MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S RESOLUTION STAND ALONE?

>> I SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS AND FOR CALLING IT OUT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

[Departments (Part 4 of 7)]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I WOULD LIKE TO BRING FORTH A RESOLUTION THAT SPEAKS TO -- YOU KNOW, WE OFTEN RECOGNIZE OUR MILITARY VETERANS.

WE RECOGNIZE PARTICULAR THINGS THAT HAPPENED IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY. I DON'T RECALL THAT WE HAVE EVER PUT FORWARD A RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN VETERANS DAY.

THIS RESOLUTION WAS ESTABLISHED TO COMMEMORATE THE ARMED SERVICES INTEGRATION ACT SIGNED INTO LAW ON JUNE 12TH, 1948 BY PRESIDENT HARRIET TRUMAN. IT IS ALLOWING WOMEN TO SERVE AS REGULAR MEMBERS OF THE U.S. ARMED FORCES AND AS IN THE TEXAS 85TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION HOUTS -- HOUSE BILL 2698 AND SENATE BILL 805 WERE SIGNED INTO LAW DESIGNATING JUNE 12TH EACH YEAR AS WOMEN VETERANS DAY TO HONOR WOMEN VETERANS THROUGHOUT THE STATE. WHEREAS WOMEN HAVE FORMALLY BEEN A PART OF THE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE ARMY NURSE CORP -- EXCUSE ME -- IN 1901 AND HAVE INFORMALLY SERVED SINCE THE INCEPTION OF THE UNITED STATES MILITARY. WHEREAS OVER THREE MILLION WOMEN HAVE SERVED THE UNITED STATES HONORABLY WITH VALOR AS PERMANENT MEMBERS OF THE ARMY, NAVY, MARINE CORP AND AIR FORCE AND NOW SPACE FORCE SERVING AS NURSES AND PHYSICIANS AND PHYSICAL THERAPISTS AND AIR TRAFFIC CONTROLLERS AND INTELLIGENCE AND COMMUNICATION SPECIALISTS AND LOGISTIC TECHNICIANS AND COMBAT PILOTS, SERVICE WARFARE SAILORS, ARTILERISTS, ENGINEERS, MILITARY POLICE, INTELLIGENCE AND CIVIL AFFAIRS SPECIALISTS. MOST RECENTLY AN ALL COMBAT ROLE. WHEREAS SINCE 2020 WOMEN ACCOUNT TO 20% OF ARMED FORCES PERSONNEL.

25% OF PERSONNEL IN THE NATIONAL GUARD AND THE RESERVES AND ABOUT 10% OF THE TOTAL VETERAN POPULATION.

THERE ARE MORE WOMEN VETERANS THAN ANY OTHER STATE WITH MORE THAN ABOUT 170,000. WOMEN SERVICE MEMBERS WERE CRITICAL TO THE OWE -- TO THE COVID-19 RELIEF.

WHEREAS THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY ARE PROUD OF AND APPRECIATE THE SERVICE OF ALL WOMEN VETERANS WHO HAVE DEMONSTRATED GREAT SKILL, SACK SKRAU TPAOEUS -- SACRIFICE AND THE COMMITMENT TO WHICH THE UNITED STATES WAS FOUNDED AND WHICH THE UNITED STATES CONTINUES TO UPHOLD.

AND LET ME -- I THINK WE HAVE MAGGIE PETERSON WHO IS OF

[01:10:07]

OPERATION CAMP SHIELD. SHE IS THE FOUNDER OF THIS ORGANIZATION WHO HELPS WOMEN VETERANS AND THEIR STRUGGLE TO RECOVER FROM THE INVISIBLE WOUNDS.

MAGGIE IS AN AIR FORCE STAFF SERGEANT.

HER GRANDFATHERS, FATHER AND BROTHER HAVE ALL SERVED IN THE U.S. ARMED FORCES THROUGH HER OWN PERSONAL ATTORNEY AND PRO*S TRAUMATIC GROWTH AND HAS BEEN A FOCUS OF MAGGIE'S LIFE POST MILITARY. MAGGIE IS ALSO ONE OF THE FOUR VETERAN ENTREPRENEUR BUSINESS CONSULTANTS FOR THE TEXAS VETERAN COMMISSION AND WHERE SHE PROVIDES TRAINING, EDUCATION, RESOURCE CONNECTIONS TO HELP VETERANS IN GROWING AND LAUNCHING THEIR BUSINESS. ASIDE FROM MAGGIE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SEVERAL OTHER SPEAKERS. ASHARA AND CASSIE AND SELENA WILL PROVIDE REMARKS. IS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CONTINUE TO DO TO SERVE YOUR FELLOW VETERANS. WE ARE JUST EXCITED TO HONOR YOU

TODAY. >> THANK YOU.

AS STATED I AM MAGGIE PETERSON AND A U.S. VETERAN.

I SERVED BACK IN THE AIR FORCE FROM 1994 TO 2004.

I HAVE FIVE COMBAT DEPLOYMENTS IN THAT TIME.

I AM REALLY THANKFUL THAT TEXAS WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STATES TO RECOGNIZE WOMEN VETERANS DAY. NOT EVERY STATE RECOGNIZES IT.

WE HAVE THE HIGHEST POPULATION OF WOMEN VETERANS IN THE NATION IN TEXAS AND IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM PROUD THAT AFTER MY SERVICE TO THE MILITARY I GOT OUT AND FOUNDED CAMP SHIELD.

WE HAVE ACTUALLY THE ONLY WOMEN VETERAN ORGANIZATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT SERVES THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS.

THERE IS ONE OTHER WOMEN VETERAN ORGANIZATION, GRACE AFTER FIRE, HERE IN HOUSTON THAT SERVES THE AREA, BUT NOT THE WHOLE STATE.

BEING IN THE MILITARY SERVICE IS MILITARY BEFORE SELF AND THAT'S WHO WE ARE AND I AM HAPPY TO SERVE WOMEN VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES, AND ALL VETERANS IN HOUSTON AND THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS AND NATIONWIDE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING WOMEN VETERANS AND FOR THIS RESOLUTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS OUR HONOR.

I INVITE YOU -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO MEET

CASSIE. >> I KNOW CASSIE VERY WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: A LOT OF FOLKS DO AND WE ARE PROUD OF HER WORK.

AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO INVITE YOUR COLLEAGUES AND CLIENTS TO COME AND VISIT OPERATION YOUNG BIRD TRAILS.

THAT WAS PUT TOGETHER BY RAOU PWAU -- RI -- RUBICON TEAM MEMBERS AND WE ARE PROUD TO HAVES THOSE TRAILS IN PRECINCT

2. >> ABSOLUTELY.

I KNOW ERIC THAT FOUNDED OPERATION YELLOW BIRD, AND I HAVE RIDDEN ON THE TRAILS BEFORE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD. >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND YOU DO SO MUCH GREAT WORK FOR ALL OF OUR VETERANS AND WE

REALLY APPRECIATE THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

JUST YOU BEING HERE TODAY IS AN INSPIRATION TO A LOT OF FOLKS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I KNOW THAT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE PEOPLE WITH YOUR BACKGROUND.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE GONNA

DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL PROUDLY SECOND THE MOTION AND I WILL BE VOTING IN FAVOR OF IT IN HONOR OF ANOTHER AIR FORCE VET, TINA

RIBBET. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. AND JUDGE, I THINK WE HAVE GRACE IS IT FIRE? FIRE.

>> TRACA BASS WILL SPEAK FOR GRACE FIRE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. THE OTHER FOLKS I MENTIONED ARE IN PRECINCT 2 EMPLOYEES THAT WE ARE PLOWED -- WE ARE PROUD OF.

SHE IS AN OPERATOR AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND CASSIE GIBSON IS AN OUTDOOR SPECIAL EVENTS COORDINATOR AT PRECINCT 2.

[01:15:06]

SALINA IS A PHENOMENAL LIAISON AND BURNS IS A RADIO PROGRAMMER AND TECHNOLOGY SPECIALIST AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

HEATHER -- HEATHER AND IF I CHOPPED IT UP A IPOLOGIZE.

I.T.RO PCUREMENTNA ALYSTN I UNIVERSALER SVICES.

JOCELYNIL WLIAMS, AN I.T. TRAINING SPECIALIST PROFESSIONALVI SERCES,LY ANATICS AND STRATEGY.

THAT'S OVER ATVE UNIRSAL SERVICES.WE TH HAVE E MAJOR GENERAL LEADING THE ORGANIZATION ANDGO ODAN VETERSNG WORKI WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

THEK B YOU FOREING HERE AND FLOOR IS YOURS. G

>>OOD MORNING. MY NAME ISAS TRACA BS. H GRACEE ON BEHALF OF AFTER FIRE.

I AM THE NEW OUT REACHNA COORDITOR AND IHA PREVIOUSLY D SERVICES THROUGH GRACE AFTER FIRE AND NOWTH I WORK FOR EM.DE WE PROVIOM SERVICES TO WEN VETERANS AND PROVIDE THEM PEER TO PEERMM GROUPS AND COUNITY T SERVICESHROUGH COMBINED ARMS. AND WE ALSOAT PROVIDE A RETRE AND WEEV PROVIDE SOCIAL ENTS SO THEYH CAN NETWORK WITOTHER FEMALER VETERANS.

OUSERVICES ARE ANY BRANCH AND ERA AND ANY DISCHARGE STATUS. HAVE AN TPH-PL CAP. INCOME CAP.

NO MATTER WHAT MONEY THEYVI MAK, WE CAN PRODE THEM WEREL -- WITH

FINANCIA SERVICES.IA >> ADRIAN GARC: APPRECIATE ALL

THE WORK YOULG DO. >> LINA HIDAO: THANK YOU.

SO I MOVE ON THE MOTION.: >> R. JACK CAGLESECOND. M

>> LINA HIDALGO:OTIONED BY COMMISSIONERBY GARCIA AND SECOND CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I A. >> LINA HIDALGO:NY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE AND ALL YOU REPRESENT. COMMISSIONER GAR SEE --ER GARCI,

HAVE YOU ANOTHN RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAGARCIA: I DO.

WE ARE JOINED BY MR. DARRELL MORRISON WHO IS RECEIVING THE RESOLUTION. HE IS A FORMER PASADENA CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND HE IS THE CURRENT TREASURER FOR PRECINCT TOGETHER. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE A LEGEND IN OUR COMMUNITY, SOMEONE WHO HELPED TO PUT THE CITY OF PASADENAUL AND HARRIS COUNTY IN PARTICAR ON THE MAP.

THIS LEGEND IS THE LEGEND COUNTRY MUSIC STAR MICKEY GILLEY WHO PASSED AWAY UNFORTUNATELY AT THE RIPE AGE OF 86 IN BRANSON, MISSOURI. WHEREAS BORN ON MARCH 9TH, 1936 IN NATCHES, MISSISSIPPI HE WAS RAISED IN LOUISIANA.

WHAT LATER BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS HIS PASADENA NIGHTCLUB VENUE GILLEY'S WAS REPORTED TO BE THE WORLD'S LARGEST HONK -- HONKY TO*PBG WITH A CAPACITY OF 6,000 AND A RODEO ARENA AND A MECHANICAL BULL.

I THINK DARRELL YOU ROAD THAT A FEW TIMES, RIGHT?

>> DIDN'T STAY ON TOO LONG. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT WAS FOR ALL TO RIDE. WHEREAS AN AWARD-WINNING COUNTRY MUSIC SINGER/SONGWRITER GILLEY CHARTED NUMEROUS NUMBER ONE AND TOP 10 COUNTRY SONGS THROUGHOUT HIT -- HIS CAREER.

A COUSIN OF JERRY HREB LEWIS -- JERRY LEE LEWIS HE SHARED THE MUSICAL TALENT AND THE POPULARITY OF HIS NIGHTCLUB AND MECHANICAL BULL LEAD TO THE ROLE IN THE POPULAR 1980 BOX OFFICE HIT "URBAN COWBOY" IN WHICH JOHN TRAVOLTA INTRODUCED COUNTRY AND WESTERN CULTURE TO THE REST OF AMERICA AS AN OIL WORKER.

HE BLOWS OFF STEAM RIDING A MECHANICAL BULL AT GILLEY'S CLUB. GILLEY IS REMEMBERED BY FANS AROUND THE WORLD, HE FAMOUSLY WORE A COWBOY HAT WITH A FEATHER BAND, SPARKLING RINGS AND PENDANTS AND OFTEN IN THE SHAPE OF HIS INITIALS. DID BOB PHILIP AND SOME OF THE OILERS TAKE AFTER MICKEY ON THAT? I REMEMBER DAN AND EVEN EARL WORE SIMILAR HATS.

>> YES. >> IS THAT TRUE? WHEREAS "URBAN COWBOY" LAUNCHED INTO THE STRATOSPHERE GILLEY TOLD" ROLLING STONE" -- RATHER "URBAN COWBOY" LAUNCHED ME INTO

[01:20:01]

THE STRATOSPHERE HE TOLD" ROLLING STONE" IN 2015 AND GOING ON TO RECOUNT HOW THE MOVIE AND TRAVOLTA EUG -- IGNITED NOT ONLY HIS CAREER, BUT WESTERN FASHION. I WAS IN AN ELEVATOR IN NASHVILLE ONE DAY IN THE 80S AND THERE WAS A GUY ON THERE WHO SAID I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOR WESTERN WEAR.

I SAID, YOU NEED TO THANK JOHN TRAVOLTA.

HE IS THE ONE WHO BROUGHT IT IN -- BROUGHT IT FRONT AND CENTER. EVERY NIGHT WHEN I GO TO BED I THANK JOHN TRAVOLTA FOR KEEPING MY CAREER ALIVE.

WHEREAS, JEFF WAGNER, MAYOR OF PASADENA, TEXAS SAYS PASADENA HAS LOST A TRUE LEGEND. MICKEY GILLEY PASSED AWAY SURROUNDED BY LOVED ONES. IT WAS MY GREAT HONOR TO KNOW THIS MAN MOST OF MY LIFE. MICKEY WAS A TRUE MUSICAL TALENT WHO CHARTED 42 SINGLES IN THE TOP 40 COUNTRY CHARTS OVER A SPAN OF TWO DECADES. HIS TALENT AND LARGE -- AND LARGER THAN LIFE PERSONALITY IGNITED A NEW INTEREST IN COUNTRY MUSIC AS HE INTRODUCED THE WORLD TO PASADENA THROUGH HIS DANCE HALL AND "URBAN COWBOY." AND -- IN 1980. AND WE WERE SO HONORED TO HAVE MICKEY PERFORM AT OUR STATE OF THE CITY IN FEBRUARY OF 2020.

OUR PRAYERS FOR COMFORT AND PEACE ARE WITH MICKEY'S FAMILY AND HIS LOVED ONES AND HIS FANS. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY HONORS THE LIFE OF MICKEY GILLEY. DARRELL, DO YOU WANT TO COME --

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSION -- SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WANT TO SECOND THIS IN HAHN -- HONOR OF MY COUSIN, GEORGE JONES, WHO WAS A FRIEND OF MICKEY'S.

I AM NOT SURE WHO DARRELL IS RELATED TO.

WAS IS JIMMY SWAGGER? >> MAYBE JIMMY SOMEWHERE ALONG

THE LINE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COURT. MY NAME IS DARRELL MORRISON AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU AND THIS COURT RECOGNIZING MICKEY GILLEY. MY WIFE AND I WERE BORN AND RAISED IN PASADENA AND RAISED OUR THREE CHILDREN THERE.

PART OF OUR PASADENA HISTORY INCLUDES MICKEY GILLEY.

YOU TOUCHED ON MICKEY'S CAREER AND HIS EARLY CAREER HE HAD SEVEN NUMBER ONE HITS AND THEN THE "URBAN COWBOY" MOVIE CAME OUT AND IT DID SO WELL FOR HIM THAT HE WENT ON OVERALL OF 17 NUMBER ONE HITS HE ENDED UP WITH.

HE IS THE ONLY PERSON THROUGH PASADENA THAT I KNOW THAT HAS A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME.

THERE ARE ALL KIND OF MICKEY GILLEY STORES AND IT GOES FROM JOHNNY LEE AND THE GILLEY'S CLUB ITSELF AND THESE STORIES STAY WITH YOU. I WENT TO A AND M A YEAR AFTER THE MOVIE CAME OUT. MY NICKNAME INSTANTLY BECAME GILLEY WHEN MY DORM BUDDIES FOUND OUT I LIVED IN PASADENA.

NOW WHENEVER THE NAME MICKEY GILLEY IS MENTIONED IN PASADENA, NOTHING BUT GREAT MEMORIES COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS COURT, WE THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING MICKEY GILLEY.N

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND MAYBE THE SECOND PERSO TO HAVE A STAR ON THE HOLLYWOOD WALK OF FAME MAY BE A COUNCILMEMBER BY THE NAME OF DARRELL MORRISON OR -- AND/OR HERNALDO IBARRA.

THANK YOU FOR ACCEPTING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY.

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

I THINK THOSE ARE YOUR RESOLUTIONS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: MOVING RIGHT ALONG QUICKLY I WILL GET INTO THE RESOLUTION. IT IS NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK WE JUST FINISHED UP. WHEREAS PUBLIC WORKS SERVICES PROVIDES -- PROVIDED IN OUR COMMUNITY AN INTEGRAL PART OF OUR CITIZENS EVERYDAY LIVES THE SUPPORT OF AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IS VITAL TO THE EFFECTIVE OPERATION OF PUBLIC WORKS SYSTEMS AND PROGRAMS INCLUDING STREETS, HIGHWAYS, FLOOD CONTROL, CLEAN WATER, PARKS, TRAILS AND WHEREAS THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND COMFORT OF THIS COMMUNITY GREATLY DEPENDS ON THESE FACILITIES AND SERVICES THAT TOTAL SEVERAL BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF INVESTMENTS. AND THE QUALITY AND THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE FACILITIES AS WELL AS PLANNING AND DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION IS DEPENDING ON THE SKILLS OF THE PUBLIC WORKS EMPLOYEES AND WHEREAS THE SUPPORT OF THE QUALIFIED AND DEDICATED PERSONNEL STAFF PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENTS, HCTRA IS MATERIALLY INFLUENCED BY PEOPLE'S ATTITUDE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK THEY PERFORM.

[01:25:03]

AND NOW THEREFORE IT RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT CELEBRATES NATIONAL PUBLIC WORKS WEEK, MAY 15TH THROUGH THE 21ST. I KNOW THAT ANYTIME WE ARE OUT THERE SPEAKING WITH THE PUBLIC AND DOING THE ONE ON ONE, THE REAL HEROS ARE THE PEOPLE CLEANING OUT DITCHES AND CLEANING UP PARKS AND DOING THE BASICS OF WHAT THE COUNTY DOES.

WE APPRECIATE IT. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE BEAT YOU TO THE PUNCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TO CONTINUE WITH THE THEME OF THE RABBI WHO BEGAN OUR INVOCATION TODAY, THIS IS JEWISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. I PROPOSE THE RESOLUTION TO WHEREAS EACH YEAR OUR NATION DEBATES THE MONTH OF MAY TO HIGHLIGHT THE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS OF OUR SOCIETY TO AMERICANS OF JEWISH DECENT AND WHERE IT BEGAN IN 2006 UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH WITH UNANIMOUS CONSENT OF CONGRESS AND THE NATION CELEBRATED 350 YEARS OF JEWISH HISTORY IF AMERICA AND WHEREAS OUR NATION WAS FOUNDED ON THE PURSUIT OF RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND PERSECUTION OF FAITH THIS IS THE STORY OF THE PILGRIMS AT PLYMOUTH ROCK AND THE FIRST JEWISH REFUGEES ARRIVING IN DUTCH COLONIAL NEW YORK IN 1654.

HARRIS COUNTY IS PROUD TO HAVE A STRONG, VIE -- VIBRANT JEWISH COMMUNITY BACK TO THE CIVIL WAR AND THE FIRST ORGANIZED COMMUNITY IN 1854 AND IT CONTINUES TO SERVE TODAY AS THE OLDEST IN TEXAS. WHEREAS OUR COUNTRY HELPED IN THEIR REFUGE FROM NAZIS AND MAY WE TODAY AND FOREVER BE AN ALLY AND DEFENDER AGAINST THE HATE OF THE JEWISH PEOPLE.

THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT RECOGNIZES MAY 2022 AS JEWISH

HERITAGE MONTH. >> TOM RAMSEY: SECOND.

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 5)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY -- OH, THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 19, JONATHON SIDLER SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

JONATHON SIDLER HERE. I AM PRIVILEGED TO SERVE AS RABBI OF JEWISH COMMUNITY NORTH, THE MOST RECENT ADDITION TO PRECINCT 3, OR I BELIEVE WE HAVE BEEN TRADED FOR A DRAFT CHOICE TO BE NAMED LATER. I AM HONORED TO BE WITH YOU TODAY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR CONSIDERING THIS RESOLUTION. IT IS INDEED WITH GREAT PRIDE WE CELEBRATE OUR HERITAGE UNIVERSALLY AND LOCALLY HERE IN TEXAS AND HARRIS COUNTY. AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE CONSIDERATION AND IT IS DEFINITELY NICE TO SEE THE JEWISH COMMUNITY MENTIONED FOR SOMETHING POSITIVE IN THE NEWS.

THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU,

RABBI. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, RABBI.

THIS IS TOM RAMSEY. I APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN AND IT WILL BE A VERY HIGH DRAFT CHOICE INDEED.

>> I HOPE SO. >> SHALOM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, RABBI, FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND FOR

YOUR WORK. >> IT IS MY PLEASURE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY NEXT

[Departments (Part 5 of 7)]

RESOLUTION IS IN HONOR OF THE JEWISH HERALD-VOICE.

IS THAT VICKY BACK THERE? COME ON DOWN.

IF I TOLD THE STORY OF MR. SAMUELS WE WOULD BE HERE FOR A LONGTIME. MY FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH HIM WAS BACK IN 1995. I THINK HE WOULD ROLL OVER IN HIS GRAVE AND GRAB ME IF I DID NOT CONTINUE TO DO MY ADVERTISEMENTS FOR THE HIGH-HOLY DAYS AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER EVENTS MR. SAMUEL SEN MADE SURE THAT I DID AND PARTICIPATED IN IN ALL OF THE YEARS. THIS IS HIS DAUGHTER THIS REPRESENTS THE VOICE TODAY. I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO RECEIVE IT.

WHEREAS THE JEWISH HERALD-VOICE NEWSPAPER IS AN INDISPENSABLE RESOURCE TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY AND KEEPS A DILIGENT WATCH TO REPORT ON THE EVENTS AND THE LIVES OF THE READERS.

WHEREAS WHAT BEGAN IN 1908 AS THE JEWISH -- THE TEXAS JEWISH HERALD, THE JEWISH HERALD-VOICE IS ONE OF THE MOST REGARDED NEWSPAPERS AND THROUGH THESE MANY YEARS THE NEWSPAPER MAINTAINED THE HIGH JOURNALISTIC STANDARDS WHILE ADAPTING ITS PROCESSES TO REACH A MODERN AUDIENCE BECAUSE OF THE

[01:30:02]

COMMUNITY AND FOCUS AND LEADERSHIP OF THE SAMUELS FAMILY THAT TOOK OVER THE PAPER IN THE 1970S.

WHEREAS THE JEWISH COMMUNITY HAS FACED MANY DARK AND THREATENING DAYS IN THE PAST AND CONTINUING THROUGH TODAY WHICH MAKES THE NEED FOR THE JEWISH HERALD-VOICE ALL THE MORE VITAL.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER ES -- COMMISSIONERS' COURT HONORS THE SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE JEWISH HERALD VOICE.

VICKY, STATE YOUR NAME AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE TO

RECEIVE THIS. >> MY NAME IS VICKY SAMUELS LEVY. I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE JEWISH HERALD-VOICE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT. IT IS AN HONOR FOR ME TO BE HERE TODAY REPRESENTING MY PARENTS, GENE SAMUELS WHO IS 98 AND STILL COMES INTO THE OFFICE ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK AND MY DAD, BLESSED MEMORY JOE SAMUELS. PEOPLE IN THIS COURTROOM WAS SPECIAL TO HIM. HE WAS ALWAYS INTERESTED IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE STAFF AT THE JEWISH HERALD VOICE, ALL OF US DO OUR WORK WITH A LABOR OF LOVE BECAUSE WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO IF YOU ARE A NEWSPAPER? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THIS IS QUITE AN HONOR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND THE RECIPE WE STILL USE IS ONE THAT WE GOT FROM K-T -- FROM THE VOICE.

IT IS CRUMPLED AND FADED, BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.

>> MY PLEASURE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> I HAVE PLEASANT MEMORIES AS WELL INCLUDING TRAVELING WITH YOUR DAD ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> HOW NICE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO AND

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US. >> THANK YOU.

>> TAKE CARE. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS AND SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE PICTURES.

[01:41:34]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE LUNCH BREAK EARLY?

[01:41:36]

WE DO HAVE THE SPEAKERS. WE DO HAVE THE SPEAKERS.

WE WILL DO -- WE WILL DO A 10-MINUTE BREAK AND COME BACK WITH SPEAKERS AND THEN TAKE A LUNCH BREAK LATER.

WE WILL TAKE A BREAK

[Appearances before court (Part 5 of 5)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION NOW AT 12:14. WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON THE AGENDA. SPEAKER NUMBER ONE TORY TAVOMINA UNDER COVID-19. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> VICTIM -- DOMESTIC VICTIM SPECIALIST. WE HAVE A HANDOUT, BUT I WILL CONTINUE. TEXAS HOUSES HAS 400 EVICTION HEARINGS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN THE LAST 18 MONTHS.

WE HAVE SEEN THEM WORK EFFECTIVELY FOR MANY TENANTS AND STRONGLY SUPPORT ITEMS 11 AND 12.

I WANT TO NOTE THAT FOR THE ERA PROGRAM TO WORK AS INTENDED WE NEED OUR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE TO FOLLOW THE MANDATORY ABATEMENT PROCEDURE SET BY THE SUPREME COURT OF TEXAS.

JP'S MUSTY -- MUST ABATE ANY HEARING WHEN THEY APPLY FOR THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE. THE MOST IMPORTANT ACTION TO REDUCE EVICTIONS IS TO HAVE THE RATE AT 50% --

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

>> WOULD YOU REPEAT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING COMMISSIONERS'

COURT CAN DO. >> WE CAN INVITE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE TOGETHER AND THAT IS THE EMERGENCY ORDER 50.

>> GOT. IT THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT SPEAKER FOR TEXAS COMMUNITY SERVICES.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MAY -- MY NAME IS CORY PHILIPS. JUNE 11TH WILL MARK WORKING WITH VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT.

THEY DOCUMENT THE LIVES OF THOSE LOST IN INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE. 2020, THE LATEST REPORT THAT THEY PUT OUT SHOW THE GREATEST NUMBER OF FATALITIES IN THE HISTORY OF THE PUBLICATION HAPPEN IN 2020 UNFORTUNATELY WITH HARRIS COUNTY MAKING UP 16% OF THE FATALITIES.

[01:45:02]

THEY HAVE RESTORE -- RESTORE TIFF SERVICES AND FUNDING THEY SO DESPERATELY DESERVE. I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE COURT OBVIOUSLY REVIEWING OUR PROPOSAL AND WE ARE VERY VERY

APPRECIATIVE. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS BARBARA HERDON. SHE SIGNED UP TO BE NONAGENDA, BUT CHANGED TO 246. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON: MY NAME IS BARBARA HERDON AND WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.

MY HOME HAS BEEN FLOODED TWICE, TROPICAL STORM ALLISON AND HURRICANE HARVEY. BECAUSE OF CLIMATE CHANGE, IN ALL PROBABILITY WE WILL BE FLOODED AGAIN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE NORTHEAST HOUSTON NEIGHBORHOODS LIVING IN FLOODED HOMES WITH MOLD AND INTERIOR DAMAGES AND CRITTERS. MOST HAVE POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JOY -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22 IS DORIS BROWN UNDER COMMISSION OF PRECINCT 1. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD. >> YES, MA'AM, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> HELLO? >> YES, MA'AM.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> MS. BROWN, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

GO AHEAD. >> OKAY.

MY NAME IS TKOR ADVICE BROWN AND I AM -- DORIS BROWN.

I HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY HARVEY AND I HAVE COME TO SPEAK TODAY BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT ON THIS -- FOR THE DISCRIMINATION TITLE AND WE ARE WITH YOU AND WE WOULD LIKEOR F YOU TOEL HP US WITH HUD.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT AND WE SUPPORT -- WELL REAY APPLAUD WHAT A YOURE DOING TODAY. THEY HAVEEL UPHD THIS 6 TITLE DISCRIMINATION AND THEY ONLY HAVE TWO MORE DAYS.

THANK YOU FORSU YOUR PPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.>> NEXT IS SPEAKER23 NUMBER ,LI JUAWI ORDUNA TH TEXAS HOUSERS SPEAKING IN PERSON 2 ON ITEM46. YOHAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM WRITTENRDUNA AND HE A STATEMENT TO PRESENT AND ASK FOE A COUP EXTRA MINUTES TO READE MY ENTIRSTATEMENT IF THAT. IS OKAYIA

>> ADRN GARCIA: CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU.

MY ORGANIZATION TEXASTO HOUSERS GETHER WITH NORTHEASTCO ACTION LLECTIVE HAD RIGHTSE COMPLAINT ON THRA TEXAS GENEL LAND OFFICE ONE YEAR AGO OVERIN THE STATE'S ADMISTRATION OF FEDERAL CDBG MITIGATIONHU FUNDS.

DCO INVESTIGATED OUR MPLAINT AND IN MARCH THEY ISSUED A LETTER OF FINDINGS STAYING THE JLO VIOLATED TITLE 6 OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 AND SECTION 109 OF THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1974 BYT DISCRIMINATING AGAINS A AFRICAN-AMERICANND HISPANIC TEXANS IN AWARDINGE THEIR FUNDS.

TH GLO HAS FILEDTO THEIR OBJECTION HUD'S FINDINGK AND AS OF LAST WEE HUD SUSTAINED THE FINDING OFD DISCRIMINATION ANDIRECTED THE GLO TOIO REMEDY THE SITUATN.

I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS TODAY SINCE THIS IS AN ON GOING LEGAL MATTER AND BY THE ADVICE OF OUR LEGAL COUNCIL THIS IS WHAT I CAME TO ASSESS. I WILL BEBA MORE THAN HELP TO GT CK WITH YOU IN A WRITTEN RESPONSE WITH ANYVE QUESTIONS TT YOU HA FOR US. I AM LOOKING AT HUD AND THE GLO AND THE URGENCY OF RESOLVING THIS MATTER.

IT IS CRITICAL THE REMAINING FUNDS BE PROMPTLY BE MADE AVAILABLE BY THE GLO TO REMEDYS THE DISCRIMINATION THAT HA ALREADY OCCURRED. 2, AS HARRIS COUNTY CONSIDERS HOW TO USE THE CDGB FUNDS ALLOCATE THEM EXCLUSIVELY TOWARD FLOOD PREVENTION INFRASTRUCTURE THAT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THE FLOODING IN LOW AND MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS.

THREE, ADDRESS HARRIS COUNTY'S RACIALLY DISCRIMINATORY EFFECT OF RECENTER ALLOCATION -- IN RECENT ALLOCATIONS OF BONDS.

AND FOUR, WE PARTICULARLY ASK YOU PAY ATTENTION TO THE MAINTENANCE OF DUTIES UNDER CDBG REGULATIONS TO MAKE SURE THEY WILL SUPPLEMENT THE FUNDS. PLEASE KNOW THAT TEXAS HOUSERS AND NAP ARE WORKING HARD TO SECURE FAIR AND EQUITABLE FUNDS

[01:50:05]

OF CDGB MONEY FOR HARRIS COUNTY IN CORPUS CHRISTI.

WE HOPE THIS TRAGIC SITUATION WHERE THE ACTIONS OF A STATE AGENCY DISCRIMINATING AGAINST THEIR CITIZENS IS A LEARNING EXPERIENCE FOR ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO TAKE SPECIAL CARE IN ENSURING PUBLIC FUNDS AND BED TO GIVE ANYONE REGARDLESS OF RACE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TIME TO TESTIMONY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: QUESTION. I WANT TO THANK YOU FIRST FOR WHAT YOU ALL DID. THIS HAD A TREMENDOUS IMPACT AND YOU ARE ALL SO MODEST. I HAD MY FOLKS CALL AND SAY WHILE WE ARE DOING ALL THESE RESOLUTIONS YOU ALL RESOLVE TO NOT JUST TAKE THE RESOLUTION, BUT TO DO SOMETHING.

IT IS NOT JUST GETTING THE WORK DONE.

IS THIS THE FIRST TIME TO YOUR KNOWLEDGE AROUND THE COUNTRY

WHERE HUD IS TAKING SUCH ACTION? >> YES.

IT HAS BEEN A LONGTIME. I BELIEVE THAT THIS MAY BE THE SECOND CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLAINT THAT WAS UPHELD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT RESULTED IN A SIMILAR ACTION? DO YOU KNOW WHERE THAT WAS? I WAS SENDING IT AROUND THE COUNTRY AND LETTING FOLKS KNOW. YOU ALL DID A GOOD JOB, BUT WE HAVE A SENSITIVE ADMINISTRATION. THAT HAD NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. BUT THANKS FOR WHAT YOU DO.

WE ARE REACHING OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF GOING WITH THE JUDGE TO MEET WITH THE SECRETARY OF HUD TWICE IF NOT MISTAKEN.

AND EVEN WHEN THEY HAVEN'T SAID MUCH WE WILL MAKE A CASE.

FOLKS WORKING WITH YOU, I KNOW IT IS AN EFFORT, BUT IT IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE. IT IS GOOD YOU ARE NOT JUST LOOKING OUT FOR US, BUT YOU ARE COMMITTED TO THE ISSUES AND NOT JUST CERTAIN COUNTIES OR ZIP CODES.

SO ARE WE. AT LEAST I AM.

WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THOSE PEOPLE IN JEFFERSON COUNTY IS -- AND I THINK THEY HAVE MORE WATER THAN WE DID.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR STAYING DILIGENT ON THIS MATTER AND THEY GET TO DO WHAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DONE AND THEIR FORMULA DISCRIMINATES AND THEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO FIGHT EACH OTHER. YOUR WORK WILL HELP US TRY TO MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THAT TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY GETS THE RESOURCES THAT EVEN AS MUCH AS IT IS DIFFICULT TO SAY, EVEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION EXPECTED US TO RECEIVE.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.

AND OUR DOORS ARE ALWAYS OPEN. Y'ALL CAN HAVE MY NUMBER.

I'M SURE THE RECORD HAS IT. PLEASE, WE ARE HAPPY TO WORK WITH Y'ALL AND HEAR WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO AND HOW WE CAN

COLLABORATE ON THIS. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 24, CAROLYN RIVERA OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER LEGAL US AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM CAROLYN RIBERO WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE. WE ARE HERE TO ASK EACH OF YOU TO FREE THE MITIGATION FUND AND DEMAND IT BE UTILIZED TO HELP POOR LMI PEOPLE. WE KNOW YOU ARE AWARE THAT MANY IN THE POOR COMMUNITY FLED DURING HARVEY AS A RESULT OF LACK OF REPAIRS FOR OUR DRAINAGE AND INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS CRUMBLING MOST OF WHICH IS DUE TO SEVERE STORMS. WE ARE DROWNING IN TOXIC WATER. WE NEED YOUR PROTECTION AND ACTION AND HELP AS WE HELP OURSELVES.

THANK YOU AND -- THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR TAKING A STAND FOR

WHAT IS RIGHT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

[01:55:04]

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 25, BENJAMIN BROADWAY SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. I AM WITH THE NAC AND I AM CALLING ON THE GLO ISSUE. PLEASE, I STRONGLY URGE IF Y'ALL CAN SPEAK TO HUD AND FREE THE HARVEY MITIGATION FUNDS AND HELP THE COMMUNITY. WE HISTORICALLY NEED IT.

WE CAN'T JUST STOP WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW.

WE NEED TO GET THE FUNDS FOR HOUSTON AND ALL OF THE AREA THAT'S DIDN'T GET HELP. THAT'S ALL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NUMBER 26, AMIL KAP POOR SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

>> JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I AM A MEMBER OF THE NORTHEAST ACTIVE COLLECTIVE. I STRONGLY URGE THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE TO REALLY DO EVERYTHING AND PUT A LOT IN THEIR POWER TO FREEZE THE MITIGATION FUND THAT THE G LOW-INCOMER O IS TRYING TO SPEND IN THE BACKDOOR.

IF WE FAIL IN THIS FIGHT -- ONE YEAR AGO WE HAD COME TO THE COURT AND THE COURT TOLD US TO GO TO THE STATE.

THE GOVERNMENT UPHELD THE TITLE 6.

WE WANT TO SUPPORT YOU IN DOING A PART IN THIS FIGHT AS WELL.

AND IF WE LOSE THIS FIGHT THERE WILL BE THE SAME COMMUNITY FROM POOR -- SUFFERING FROM POOR INFRASTRUCTURE.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER ASHLEY CRUISE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS ASHLEY CRUISE AND I AM WITH PLANNED PARENTHOOD TEXAS VOTE. THE OPINION MAKES IT CLEAR THAT OUR DEEPEST FEARS ARE COMING TRUE AND MOST ARE FORCED TO CARRY A PREGNANCY. THEY HAVE BEEN SHOCKED FOR MONTHS. WHEN THEY COME FOR THE APPOINTMENT IT IS A SECOND CHANCE TO GET THE CARE THEY NEED IN THE ENTIRE STATE. IT IS FELT BY A BLACK INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH LOW INCOME AND RURAL AREAS.

THEY HAVE LONG FACED BARRIERS AND SYSTEMIC BARRIERS AND DISCRIMINATION. IT IS DOING -- IT IS GOING TO BECOME FINAL AND IT COULD COME TO 26 STATES INCLUDING 13 STATES WITH TRIGGER LAWS THAT IMMEDIATELY GO INTO EFFECT.

ABORTION WOULD BECOME A FIRST DEGREE FELONY PUNISHABLE BY --

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11, MARCIO SANCHEZ OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZATION PROJECT SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT, TIFFANY. IT IS SANCHEZ.

MARCIO SANCHEZ. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE SEVERAL IN-PERSON SPEAKERS HERE, TIFFANY.

I WILL LET YOU KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I KNOW THERE ARE SEVERAL FOLKS WHO NEED A SPEPB TPHEURB INTERPRET -- SPANISH INTERPRETER. DO WE HAVE ONE ON THE LINE?

>> YES. >> I AM MARCIO SANCHEZ.

THE REASON I AM HERE IS TO SPEAK OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE BEING TAKEN OVER BY MANDATORY BUYOUT OVER IN WHAT THEY CALL GOLDEN GARDENS. ACCORD -- ACCORDING TO THE MEETING YOU HAD IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A GREEN -- WHAT DO THEY

[02:00:04]

CALL IT? >> GREEN BELT?

>> YES. WHY IS IT THAT WE WERE TARGETED FOR THAT AND NOT THE LOCATION EAST OF THE ROAD TRACKS AND THAT AREA BEING CONVERTED INTO WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO CONVERT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THAT WOULD ELIMINATE THE DISPURSE MEANT OF THE FAMILIES IN OUR AREA.

SECOND WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG FOR THE ACQUISITION.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> FOR THEM TO GET EVERYTHING TO THE MEMBERS. MY MOTHER-IN-LAW WAS TOLD THAT SHE HAD RECEIVED THE OFFER WHICH IN FACT SHE HAD NOT.

THERE IS A LOT OF THOSE KIND OF PROBLEMS. IT IS FALSE, YOU KNOW, STATEMENTS THAT ARE BEING SENT OUT TO THE MEMBERS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

SO IT HAS BECOME A PROBLEMATIC THING SO THAT -- WE CAN'T DO ANYTHING, AND I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANYTHING YET.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. >> WE WILL HEAR FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENTS AND SEE WHAT OPTIONS ARE AVAILABLE AND WHY YOU ARE HAVING SOME OF THE PROBLEMS YOU ARE HAVING.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER JOHNNY STAY -- JOHNNY TAYLOR SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> STKPWAFRPB, -- GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM HERE FOR THREE REASONS.

FIRST I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFECTIVE LEADERSHIP AND POSITIVE CHANGES THAT YOU ARE BRINGING TO HARRIS COUNTY. I ALSO WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THE DISPARITY STUDY WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE ROOT FOR POSITIVE CHANGE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE FEEDBACK ON THE PROPOSAL THAT WAS SUBMITTED IN THE FIRST QUARTER AS IT RELATES TO GETTING HARRIS COUNTY TO BE A CO-OP FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AS WELL AS BROADBAND GENERATION. AND WE CAN BRING WHAT WE NEED FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND CARBON KNEW TROLL SOLUTION TO HARRIS COUNTY.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME FEEDBACK IF POSSIBLE.

>> WE'LL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

AS COMMISSIONERS WE DON'T GET DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THAT.

WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CYNTHIA COAL --

CYNTHIA COLE SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. >> HELLO.

CYNTHIA COLE AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT.

ONE I WOULD ASK THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR TIME TO ENCOURAGE THOSE BOARD MEMBERS FOR THE HAIR RIGS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT THAT THEY LOOK CLOSELY ON THE IMPACT OF THE RETIREMENT. WE ARE ASKING FOR A WAGE DISPARITY BECAUSE WE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE TOP HEAVY COMPARED TO FRONT LINE AND A COMMUNITY TASK FORCE TO WORK ON WHAT WOULD BE THE NEXT STEP IN REGARDS TO THE DEMOLISHING OF HOLLY HALL AND WHAT COULD BE BUILT ON THAT PROPERTY.

>> WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU,S. M COLE.

>>HA TT WOULD BE FINE, COMMISSIONERLL EIS.

WE KNOW THATOU Y HAVE BEEN AWARE OF THEOL DEMISHING OF THAT.

THANK, YOUMI COMSSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA FOR H ALLAVE YOU DONE REGARDS TO PEOPLEIN REACHG OUT TO YOU.

>> THANKMA YOU, 'AM, YOUR TIMEIS UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK MS. COLE FOROU ALL Y DOHE FOR T

EMPLOYEES. >>E YOU'RWELCOME.AN THK YOU, JUDGE. YOU ALL HAVE A GOODON AFTERNO. N

>>EXTGE IS NONANDA SPEAKEREA SPKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.LL >> A RIGHT.

FLOOD HERE AGAIBECAUSE OF CONTROL.

Y'ALL HAVE NOTIN FIXED ANYTHG. YOUROL FLOOD CONTR CAN'T DO

[02:05:06]

ANYTHING ABOUT WHAT HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERSDY DO.

NOBO CANBO DO ANYTHING AUT WHATD TXBOT DOES ANTHAT'SRE WHY WE A FLOODING.ER THE ENGINES IN THE CITY AND W THE COUNTYITH FLOOD CONTROLLO ARE RIDICUUS.

TEXDOT I HAD TO DO A STUDY AND THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHINGI ABOUT ITO SENT IT TO HIM ANDRN I MADE A WAING TO HIM AND HE LEFTMO THE STATE TWO NTHS LATER.NG THINGS ARE BEI DONE WRONG. EVEN FLOOD CONTROL SAYS HARRIS COUNTY BUILT THAT, AND WET. JUST MAINTAIN IRI WHAT? IT BNGS WATER NOW THROUGH OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. YOU PUT IT IN WITH PUMPS AND IT IS A COW FIELD. Y'ALL NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO

WHAT WHAT YOUR FLOOD CONTROL PEOPLE ARE DOING SKPWH -->> AND ENGINEERS. THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME ISUR UP. THANK YOU MA'AM YO TIME IS UPHA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TNK YOU, MA'AM.

KNOW WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK ON THE FLOOD ISSUES.

>> I WAS HERE IN 19 AND I WAS HERE BEFORELG THAT TOO.

>> LINA HIDAO: THANK YOU. >> YOUFO JUST BROUGHT MORE MONEY R THE CORE -- YOU TOOK WATER W --

>> RODNEY ELLIS:E WILL HAVE SOMEBODY REACH OUT TO YOU.

>> AND THE COURT ALREADY HAS THEIR FINGERS IN THE DAM.

YOU ALREADY DESTROYED THEM. WHEN THE EXPLOSION HAPPENED ON CLAY ROAD IN 2018 AND IT RAINED. DO YOU KNOW THEY HAD TO RELEASE WATER FROM THE LESS SROEUR. RES ROEUR.

ARE YOU AWARE OF THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S YOUR TIME. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER, JONAH KIM WASHINGTON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, BOARD.

I CAME OUT AND SPOKE TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

AFTER THE LAST MEETING I RECEIVED A NUMBER OF TEXTS AND EMAILS AFTER WE SPOKE ON THE TOPIC ON INCONSISTENCIES.

OUR LAST MEETING THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING COMMISSION TALKED ABOUT MEETING WITH THE COMMUNITY AND HEARING AND LISTENING WHAT WE ARE DOING. WE HAVE NOT HEARD THAT.

IT IS US TRYING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

AND THERE IS A PROPOSAL ON THE BOARD TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY AND IT IS THE THIRD TIME THEY HAVE PUT ONE UP THAT IS IGNORED OR NOT BEING FOLLOWED UP ON. ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE MADE CHANGES TO THE CURRENT PROPOSAL TO REMOVE THE AMPHITHEATER AND HOTEL AND THE ATTIC REBUILD, OTHER RESOURCE THAT'S -- RESOURCES THAT NEED TO BE ADOPTED HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED.

I MET WITH RESIDENTS FROM THE THIRD AND FOURTH AND FIFTH WARD THEY ARE WONDERING WHY IT IS OUT OF LAKE HOUSTON.

IT SEEMS LIKE NOBODY IS MEETING WITH THEM.

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

>> WHEN I MET THE RESIDENTS THEY WANTED ME TO MENTION THAT ALTHOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE AND I FOLLOW-UP WITH THEM ESPECIALLY IN THE FIFTH WARD WHERE I GO TO CHURCH IN REGARDS TO THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND THOSE RESIDENTS BEING MOVED OUT. SO THE RESOURCES WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ON LIKE HOUSTON AND THE 9 NEIGHBORHOODS REPRESENTING 40,000, 50,000 RESIDENTS ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED AS WELL AS THOSE THAT NEED THE HELP AND SUPPORT.

AS YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD, LISTEN TO THE RESIDENTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AGENDA FIGHT IN REGARDS TO THE LACK OF RESOURCES BEING PROVIDED IN THE THIRD AND FOURTH AND FIFTH WARD AND THE RESIDENTS ON LAKE HOUSTON, THE 40,000, 50,000 THAT SAY WE DON'T LIKE -- WE DON'T WANT IT TO BE BUILT OUT THERE.

IT IS CURRENTLY OVER POPULATED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY HAS A COMMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: WASHINGTON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVOLVEMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT WE LISTEN TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE LIVING OUT THERE. WE WILL BE FOLLOWING BACK UP WITH YOU ON THE DETAILS, SOME OF THE DETAILS AS WE FIND THEM OUT.

OBVIOUSLY THIS IS MOVING ALONG AND WE NEED TO KEEP YOU POSTED ON WHAT IS AND WHAT IS NOT ABOUT TO HAPPEN.

WE WILL KEEP YOU POSTED AND APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE ON THE

LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE AS WELL. >> CORRECT.

WE ARE KEEPING AN EYE ON THAT. THAT'S ONE OF OUR BIG CONCERNS THAT HAS NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED CONSIDERING THE LACK OF THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE LAW ENFORCEMENT SERVICES.

AND THAT'S WITH THE PROJECT BEING BUILT LIKE THIS, THAT'S SOME OF THE RESOURCES I WAS ELUDING TO EARLIER.

I APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT SPEAKER IS NOT ON THE LIST.

SHE SIGNED UPRIGHT BEFORE THE MEETING BEGAN.

NONAGENDA SPEAKER ANNA RIVERA SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.

BEFORE I BEGIN, MS. HIDALGO, I WANT TO SAY HELLO AND I WANT TO SAY A LOT OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS ADMIRE YOU A LOT BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT OUR HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

I AM REALLY LIKE VERY I'M -- IMPRESSED TO BE IN FRONT OF YOU.

[02:10:02]

SORRY. THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE TALKING. I AM REPRESENTING 12 COMMUNITIES IN THE WESTLAKE HOUSTON IN REGARDS TO THE MIXED INCOME HOUSING PROJECT. OUR PETITION AS A RESIDENT IS FOR THE HUE -- HOUSTON AUTHORITY TO RELOCATE TO A MORE APPROPRIATE AND LESS CONGESTED LOCATION AND WE SUPPORT THE HUMBOLDT ISD. WE HAVE A COMMUNITY FACEBOOK PAGE. AND WE SO FAR HAVE LIKE 2,000 MEMBERS IN THAT COMMUNITY WEB PAGE AND WE ARE ALL CONCERNED ABOUT THE OVERCAPACITY OF THE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE OVERCROWDED. AND WE NEVER NOTICED TWO OF THE

SCHOOLS -- >> THANK YOU.

>> SHOULD I CONTINUE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> TWO OF THE SCHOOLS LIKE THREE MINUTES AWAY FROM THIS PROJECT, THEY ARE ALREADY USING THE POP UP TENTS BECAUSE THEY ARE FULL OF STUDENTS ALREADY. THIS PROJECT WILL HURT OUR HOME VALUES. LIKE A LOT OF US THIS HAS BEEN OUR DREAM HOME AND WE SAVED A LOT TO LIVE HERE AND WE ARE CONCERNED BY THE HOME VALUE VALUE OF THIS PROJECT.

THE RESIDENTS IN THE COMMUNITY WON'T PAY ANY TAXES WHICH HE MENTIONED, MR. WASHINGTON AND THEN WHOA HAVE TO TAKE -- AND THEN WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF A LOT OF THESE THINGS AND THERE IS NO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND SOURCES OF EMPLOYMENT ARE NOT WITHIN WALKING DISTANCES. THERE ARE NOT A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR PEOPLE TO WORK. WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE INCREASED TRAFFIC WHICH IS A NIGHTMARE.

WE REALLY ASK YOU TO PLEASE CONSIDER MOVING THIS PROJECT TO ANOTHER LOCATION INSTEAD OF THE INTENDED LOCATION.

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

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE OTHER FOLKS HERE THAT DIDN'T SPEAK? OWE COULD I THANK YOU SO MUCH -- OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

SO WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE RESOLUTIONS.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

[Departments (Part 6 of 7)]

WE WILL GO OVER ITEMS THAT NEED MINOR CHANGES.

ITEM 10, RESOLUTION FOR 4% HOUSING TAX CREDIT AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECT. CSD REQUESTS NO ACTION.

ITEM 18, RENAMING JAD, THE DEPARTMENT ASKS FOR NO ACTION.

ITEM 88, WE NEED TO ADD FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AFTER HARRIS COUNTY. ITEM 95, WE NEED TO ADD FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AFTER HARRIS COUNTY.

ITEM 103, DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

105 ON PAGE 12, IT SHOULD SAY PRECINCT 2 INSTEAD OF PRECINCT 1. ITEM 130 -- I DON'T THINK IT HAS BEEN PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, BUT I WILL CHECK.

ITEMS 155, 156, 157 AND 158 ARE RELATED TO AN EMINENT DOUGH TPHAEUPB LAWSUIT FOR -- DOMAIN LAWSUIT FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WITH PAYMENT OF $1.29 MILLION AND TOTALS 24.79-ACRES FOR THE SHIELD, STORM WATER IN PRECINCT 4,

PREVIOUSLY PRECINCT 3. >> SORRY, JUDGE.

WHAT WAS THE LAST ONE, 155 THROUGH --

>> >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS JUST TOLD TO MENTION WHAT THAT IS. I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE ANY

EDITS TO THE MOTION, JAMES. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID PULL 130. YES.

OH, THE LEGISLATE -- LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS ONE? HERE ARE THE VARIOUS ITEMS. HERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS 285? THE APPOINTMENT OF SHIRLEY TO THE COMMUNITY FOR RESILIENCE

TASK FORCE? >> NO.

>> 286, THE APPOINTMENT OF JAMES DIXON.

>> NO. >> 287 PRECINCT 4 --

>> NOPE. 288 DARRELL HAHN AND ERWIN BURDEN FOR THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.

289, THE APPOINTMENT OF KAMESHA. HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.

[02:15:02]

290? SEEMS LIKE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WANTS TO DISCUSS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSE -- HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT ON GLO AND HUD.

I DO THINK I KNOW DAVE HAD TO STEP OUT UNTIL 1.

I WILL FLAG 290 FOR DISCUSSION. I KNOW THERE IS A --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN SOME OF THAT BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> YES. IT HAS BEEN STYLED AS EXECUTIVE SESSION. 246 YOUR MATTER AND 290 WOULD BE

TAKEN TOGETHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: 290 WE WILL TAKE WITH 246 BECAUSE -- SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT THE LITIGATION.

THAT IS 290. LET'S SEE.

THE NEXT ONE WOULD BE 292. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON APPOINTMENTS TO THE ESSENTIAL WORKER'S BOARD?

311,? >> NOBODY.

NOPE. >> SO THE ONLY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM I HAVE FOR DISCUSSION RIGHT NOW IS 290.

ALL RIGHT. HERE ARE THE REGULAR -- AND 290 WOULD GO ALONG WITH 246. BOTH ARE ON CDBG AND GLO.

HERE ARE THE OTHER ITEMS POSSIBLY FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 14?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

HOW ABOUT ITEM 16, LEAD ABATEMENT? 17 AND THAT IS PANDEMIC RELATED BACKLOG RELIEF GRANT PROGRAM.

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 27,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> THAT'S JUST A CLARIFICATION.

I HAVE TALKED WITH MR. BERRY WHO SAID WE ARE NOT CREATING A NEW DEPARTMENT. THIS IS AN ACCOUNTING CODE MATTER AND JUST THE THUMBS UP FROM THE LEARNED PEOPLE AT THE TABLE OVER THERE THAT THIS IS NOT AN ACTUAL NEW DEPARTMENT.

THIS IS AN ACCOUNTING THING. WITH THAT THUMBS UP, YES? THUMBS UP? I DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS AND IT

CAN GO BACK ON CONSENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS ITEM 27 AND WE ARE PUTTING IT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ITEM 120, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THIS ITEM? IT IS ON DISTRICT NUMBER 50.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 126, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AGREEMENT WITH ASAKURA ROBINSON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 130 COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU SAID YOU NEED TO DISCUSS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 134, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THIS IS OPIOID REDUCTION -- OVERDOSE

REDUCTION EFFORTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT 137, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AIR

MONITORING EQUIPMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 140, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 141,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

YES. LOAN LEAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: VARIOUS GRANTS. 152, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU

NEED TO DISCUSS THIS ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 160, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, A REVIEW WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 198, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES FOR

DEBRIS REMOVAL AND OPERATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SO, JUDGE. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET TO BE MY AGE, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER

WHAT IT IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL PULL IT.

213, COMMISSIONERS -- >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 215? >> LINA HIDALGO: 213.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2 ON ITEM 213.

ITEM 246, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND RAMSEY.

WE HAVE DISCUSSED THAT ONE AND WE WILL DISCUSS IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO START WITH AND THAT IS CDGB FUNDING.

247, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA, THE DISPARITY STUDY FUND

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 260, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CRIMINAL JUSTICE BACKLOG WE SHOULD

DISCUSS THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 261, PROGRESS ON ARPA LOCAL RECOVERY FUND

[02:20:07]

ADMINISTRATION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 265? 265, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROGRAMS. 267, TRANSMITTAL OF AN UPDATE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 293.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: 293 MOTIONED BY

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

294, AN UPDATE ON THE MWBE PROGRAM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: 299.

>> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S ON ELECTIONS. WE WILL DISCUSS THAT ONE.

AND THEN 301, CATALYTIC CONVERTERS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 302, VARIOUS

EXPENSES RELATED TO THE COURTS? >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO -- SO WEIL WL DISCUSS 302.

304? >>. YES

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS THE OZONE NATIONALMB AIR AIENT .UALITYAR STANDDS 305, THELE TAX COLCTIONSTH.

ATON GOES ALG WITH 312. >> YES. L

>>INA HIDALGO: 315, MORECI EFFIENT COMMISSIONERS' COURT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL ONE.S THAT

>> TOM RAMSEY: I FIGURED YOU WOULDNE LIKE THAT O.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 316EC THE ELTION WORKER PROGRAMWE, ASSUME AREAT DISCUSSING TH ONE AND 317, READINESS FOR HURRICANE

SEASONOM. >> T RAMSEY: YESIN.

>> LA HIDALGO: SO HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE.

ALL RIGHT.N EXECUTIVE SESSIO ITEM 290.

THAT WILL GO WITH 246. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS 14, 16, 17, 120, 126, 130, 134, 137, 140, 141, 152, 160, 198, 246, 247, 260, 261, 265, 267, 294, 299, 301, 302, 304, 305, 312, 315,

316 AND 317.I >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THINK MY STAFF IS TELLING ME I NEED TO HOLD 304, 305 AND 306?

>>

WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: TAKE THEM

ALONGSIDE 130?AH >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND 130, YE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE BOTH ARE FLAGGED ALREADY AND I WILL MARK TO TAKE THEM ALONG WITH ITEM 130 WHICH IS THE LEGISLATIVE ITEM.

TAKE THEM WITH 130 AND NOT AT 1:30?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. WITH 130.

GREAT. LET'S -- THOSE ARE THE ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION. THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA. DOES JAMES NEED ADDITIONAL

CLARIFICATION? >> YES, MA'AM.

WHAT IS THE MOTION FOR ITEM 245? IS IT AS PRESENTED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SHOULD BE AS PRESENTED, JAMES.

AND THEN -- OKAY. ANYTHING ELSE, JAMES?

LET'S GO BACK TO -- >> IS THAT CORRECT, JAY OR MR. BERRY, 245 OR DID I NEED -- MR. BERRY IS ON THE LINE.

[02:25:08]

MR. BERRY, IF YOU ARE AROUND? MR. BERRY OR JESSE.

>> MR. BERRY I KNOW HE HAS A COMMITMENT UNTIL 1:00.

>> COMMISSIONER, I THINK ALL YOU REALLY NEED TO DO IS SAY YOU MOVED THAT -- YOU MOVED -- TO DEVELOP RECOMMENDATIONS AND GUIDELINES. THE MOTION -- THE SPECIFIC MOTION WOULD BE MOVED, ET CETERA.

>> SO MOVED. >> IT IS AS PRESENTED.

TAKE OUT THE WORD POSSIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU ARE ALL SO GOOD. HOW COULD I QUESTION YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS A THERE A MOTION FOR THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 317 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS VOTE OWED AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR SO IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

I KNOW SOME FOLKS MISSED THE SPEAKING TIME.

I WILL HAVE MY STAFF MEET WITH YOU GUYS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SET THE PRECEDENT THAT FOLKS CAN SPEAK OUTSIDE OF SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAD -- I HAVE SOME UNHEALTHY FOOD IN MY OFFICE AND YOU CAN COME DOWN WHILE I EAT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TO MY TEAM AS WELL.

>>

YOU DOWN THERE IN A SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

SO LET'S GET STARTED WITH THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. ALL RIGHT. I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER?

>> WHEN IS LUNCH? >> LINA HIDALGO: IN AN HOUR?

RO*D I HAVE UNHEALTHY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE

UNHEALTHY FOOD IN MY OFFICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU WANT THE LUNCH NOW? IT IS 1:00 AND WE'LL BREAK UNTIL 2

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 2:07 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WILL START WITH ITEM 14.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A QUICK -- IT IS NOT REALLY A COVID ITEM, BUT THIS IS THE ONLY PLACE I CAN ASK THIS QUESTION. THERE APPEARS TO BE AN EXTENSION OF JULY 21ST, 2022 AND NOT SURE WHAT THE POINT IS.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH HERE AND WHY IS THE EXTENSION AND MY QUESTION IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT IMPACTING COUNTY BUILDINGS AND I HAVE SEEN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

HOPEFULLY WE ARE FULLY OPENED AND THOSE ARE REALLY THE TWO QUESTIONS. I SEE OUR DIRECTOR ON THE LINE

THERE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS EXTENSION IS TO ALLOW US TO KEEP STAFF THAT HAD BEEN SUPPORTING OUR COVID RESPONSE. THE CDC'S FOUNDATION PROVIDED APPROXIMATELY 23 STAFF. PRIMARILY THE STAFF FOCUSED ON HELPING US WITH DATA ANALYSIS AND CASE INVESTIGATION.

AND SO IT IS JUST GOING TO ALLOW US TO EXTEND THE TIME FRAME WE HAVE THE INDIVIDUALS HELPING AND SUPPORTING OUR EFFORTS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND IT WILL GO THROUGH JULY 31ST, 2022?

>> YES. IT WAS SLATED TO END IN MAY, AND GOING TO JULY. IT IS GIVING AS YOU TWO-MONTH

EXTENSION. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND WE HAVE

CLEARED THE DATES? >> FOR THIS TIME PERIOD THEY HAVE BEEN SUPPORTING OUR DATA ANALYSIS FOR COVID AS WELL AS CASE INVESTIGATION AND FOR EXAMPLE, NURSING FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS, ET CETERA AS WE CONTINUE TO BATTLE COVID.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DR. ROBINSON, WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF THE

FUNDING? >> IT IS THROUGH CDC FUNDING.

THEY COME AND THE STAFF SUPPORTS US IN THE COUNTY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS NO MONIES COMING OUT OF OUR FUNDS?

[02:30:04]

>> NO, SIR. THESE ARE GRANT FUNDED POSITIONS THROUGH THE FOUNDATION. SO THE FOUNDATION PAYS FOR THE STAFF AND THEY WORK FOR US IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS IS A PRACTICE THAT THE FOUNDATION HAS DONE AROUND THE COUNTRY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JULY 31ST, 2022, ARE YOU ANTICIPATING COMING BACK IN JULY AND ASKING FOR ANOTHER?

>> WE DON'T ANTICIPATE THAT AT THIS TIME.

IT'S ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THE STAFF FOR TWO MONTHS.

IT IS WHAT WE NEGOTIATED WITH THE CDC FOUNDATION.

IN THE EVENT THAT THE STAFF -- THE FUNDING FROM THE CDC FOUNDATION ENDS IN JULY, WE DO HAVE SOME GRANT FUNDS THAT WOULD ABSORB SOME OF THESE FOLKS, AND SOME OF THESE FOLKS WE HAVE TO

ABSORB WITH OUR EXISTING STAFF. >> TOM RAMSEY: I GUESS THE SECOND PART OF THE QUESTION, DIRECTOR, ARE ALL OF THE BUILDINGS OPEN, THE COUNTY FACILITIES?

>> I THINK THAT'S A BROADER QUESTION RELATIVE TO FACILITIES MANAGEMENT, BUT OUR CURRENT THREAT LEVEL IS YELLOW AND SO OUR BUILDINGS ARE OPEN, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THAT THREAT LEVEL. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY BUILDINGS

THAT ARE CLOSED AT THIS TIME. >> TOM RAMSEY: WELL, JUST -- BUT LIMITED ACCESS I GUESS WOULD BE -- WHAT GENERATED THE QUESTION IS I NOTICED PEOPLE STANDING IN THE PARKING LOT ON A HOT DAY. THEY WERE TRYING TO MAINTAIN A CERTAIN NUMBER OF PEOPLE INSIDE THE BUILDING.

I FELT LIKE IT WAS A LOT BETTER TO PUT PEOPLE IN AN AIR CONDITIONED BUILDING. THE THREAT ASSOCIATED WITH PEOPLE PASSING OUT IN THE PARKING LOT AS OPPOSED TO WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF WE HAVE MORE THAN 75%.

THAT WAS. >>> QUESTION, BUT THAT DOESN'T COME UNDER YOUR DEPARTMENT. IT IS UNDER WHO?

>> I WOULD DEFER TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I PRESUME IT IS THE ENTITY OVER THE FACILITY IN TERMS OF THE CONDITIONS AND HOW THEY ARE MAINTAINING THEIR OPERATIONS TO ALLOW FOR THEIR PUBLIC-FACING OPERATIONS TO BE EFFECTIVE

ANDY -- AND EFFICIENT. >> COMMISSIONER, I RECOMMEND DIRECTING THAT TO DR. RAMEN IF HE IS AVAILABLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> YES. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER, THERE ARE RESTRICTIONS THAT THE BUILDING CANNOT BE OPEN. THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS -- SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE ANNEXES WE HAVE HAD INFORMATION THAT THEY ARE LETTING PEOPLE IN THE PARKING -- PARKING LOT AND WHATNOT, BUT WE ARE SLOWLY RECOMMENDING PEOPLE ALLOWED IN

THE BUILDING. >> IF I MAY ADD, OUR CURRENT OCCUPANCY IS AT 75%. I DON'T KNOW ANECDOTALLY IF SOME FOLKS HAVE CHOSEN -- I DO KNOW SOME FOLKS, RIGHT, MAY CHOOSE TO BE OUT AND NOT INSIDE OF THE BUILDING BECAUSE OF COVID, BUT I CAN'T SPEAK TO DEFINITIVELY THAT UH -- OCCURS IN ONE PARTICULAR

BUILDING IN THE COUNTY. >> TOM RAMSEY: IT APPEARS TO BE A BIT ARBITRARY AND WE WILL HAVE TO APPROACH IT ON A CASE BY CASE

BASIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE AT 75% AND THE BUILDING IS AT 78%, I ASSUME 3% ARE, IF WE ADD 75% AND ANOTHER 25% WANT TO GET IN, OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE TO WAIT TO GET IN. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BECAUSE IF

THERE ARE 100% IN THERE -- >> I AM AS CONCERNED ABOUT GOING INTO A BUILDING LIKE THAT AS I AM ABOUT PEOPLE PASSING OUT IN

THE PARKING LOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS A VALID CONCERN. FOR RODNEY, I WOULD RATHER PASS OUT IN THE HEAT THAN DIE FROM COVID.

IF IT IS 75% AND A BUILDING I HAVE INFLUENCE OVER, WHEN IT GETS TO 75% I WOULD SAY WOULD YOU WAIT? WE CAN TURN THE CAR ON AND LOOK FOR AN ALTERNATIVE, BUTFI --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I SAW PEOPLE IN THE TAX OFCE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS IT OVER 75- >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE TOLD. I SAW A MOM WITH A BABY IN THE BUGGY IN A PARKING LOT AND IT WAS 100 DEGREES.

THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU THINK IT WAS ALREADY AT 75%? I AM JUST TRYING TO ESTABLISH --

>> TOM RAMSEY: DON'T KNOW THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT IS LESS THAN 75% IT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: PRETTY ARBITRARY IN ANY CASE.

EVERYBODY SHOULD EXERCISE THE SERMON ON THOSE ISSUES.

I KNOW WHAT WE WILL CONSIDER OUR FACILITIES PLACES THAT PEOPLE CAN GO IN THE SUMMER AND COOL OFF.

THEY DIDN'T. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU HEAR OF IT, YOU KNOW, I GUESS YOU ARE AWARE OF IT, YOU KNOW, WE

[02:35:02]

DISCUSSED IT LAST COURT TOO, IT SOUNDS LIKE DR. RAHMAN AND DR. ROBINSON THAT YOU HAVE NOT NECESSARILY HEARD OF THIS.

DR. RAHMAN, YOU HAVE BEEN CLEARED OF FOLKS -- I THINK IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU WILL KEEP AN EYE OUT?

>> YES, JUDGE. WE HAVE BEEN CLEARED AND WE SENT AN EMAIL TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO PLEASE BE MINDFUL OF THE HEAT OUTSIDE AND ALLOW TIME FOR PEOPLE TO REST IF IT GOES TOO HIGH. IT WAS THAT NO BUILDING SHOULD

BE CLOSED. >> AND JUST TO ADD WE HAVE PROVIDED SOME REVIEWS TO THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND THE OPERATIONS IN THEIR BUILDING SO THEY CAN OPEN AND OPERATE SAFELY. WE HAVE DONE THAT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS WHERE THE REQUEST HAS BEEN MADE.

>> THAT'S ALL I HAVE, JUDGE. >> AM I ALLOWED TO ASK A QUESTION, JAY, WHEN WE ARE ANTICIPATING GOING TO GREEN? UNDER THIS QUESTION AND THIS DISCUSSION OR IS THIS AN

INAPPROPRIATE QUESTION? >> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THIS ITEM IS TECHNICALLY NOT THAT BROAD.

UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T THINK WE CAN UNDER THIS QUESTION.

LET ME LOOK THROUGH THE AGENDA AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING

ELSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW,

JAY.E >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD REQUEST WE CONTINU TO HAVE AT LEAST A GENERAL COVID DISCUSSION

ITEM ON THE AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL SEE IF WE CAN FIND AN ITEM TO UPDATE YOU GUYS.

OKAY. THAT WAS ITEM 14.

PHOEGSZED -- MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>>SL I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUY. ITEM 16 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

LEAD ABATEMENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY UNDER THIS ONE, WE ARE CREATING A GRANT-FUNDED POSITION AND IT IS A PROGRAM COORDINATOR. IT IS BEING FUNDED AS I UNDERSTAND IT THROUGH GRANT FUNDS.

THIS IS A TEMPORARY POSITION SINCE IT IS GRANT FUNDS?

>> YES, SIR. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ALL -- BASED ON PREVIOUS DISCUSSIONS REGARDING ARPA FUNDING THAT GIVEN THE -- GIVEN THAT IT IS TIME LIMITED, THAT THEY WOULD BE TIME LIMITED. THIS IS NOT ADDITIONAL ARPA FUNDING. IT IS REALLOCATING THE FUNDING WE WERE STKPWRAPBTED -- THAT WE WERE GRANTED TO MAKE OUR LEAD PROGRAM MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE ADMINISTRATION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON ITEM 16.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> JUDGE, ITEM 13 IS BROAD ENOUGH TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE BROUGHT ABOUT SINCE IT DEALS WITH COVID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 13 IS ON THE RESPONSE AND RECOVERY FOR COVID. I DO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE NUMBERS. BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS A CASE INCREASE WHICH FOLKS GENERALLY RECOGNIZE HAS TO BE -- IT HAS TO BE SOMETHING OF AN UNDER COUNT BECAUSE OF AT HOME TESTS AND WRAOE ARE -- AND WE ARE SEEING A PLATEAU -- A CONTINUAL PLATEAU IN THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION.

THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS RIGHT NOW. WE CONTINUE TO DO BETTER THAN OTHER JURISDICTIONS IN TERMS OF WHAT OUR ROPT POPULATION IS.

SO RIGHT NOW WE'RE NOT NECESSARILY BORROWING THE HOSPITAL EYE -- BARRING THE HOSPITALIZATION NUMBERS CHANGING WE ARE NOT ON TRACK TO GO TO ORANGE AND BARRING THE CASE NUMBERS CHANGING, WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY ON TRACK TO GO TO GREEN, BUT WE NEED TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS AS FAR AS CONTINUING TO INCREASE AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH THE HOSPITALIZATIONS. I WILL MAKE THE POINT THAT KIDS 5 TO 11 ARE NOW ELIGIBLE FOR THE PFIZER BOOSTER.

SO JUST ENCOURAGING PARENTS TO TALK TO THEIR PEDIATRICIAN ABOUT THAT TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. DID I MISS ANYTHING, DIRECTOR

ROBINSON? >> THAT IS IT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO MUCH OF A PLATEAU THAT WE CAN'T MAKE A PROJECTION ONE DIRECTION OR

ANOTHER RIGHT NOW. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS GOOD TO

[02:40:05]

SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA LOOKING FIT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JAY. WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 17.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: A QUICK QUESTION THERE. LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A GRANT FOR $571,500. JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS OF WHAT WE ARE PAYING IN SALARIES, THAT WILL COVER THREE POSITIONS FOR ONE YEAR. I GUESS MY QUESTION HERE IS I DON'T KNOW TOO MANY FOLKS THAT WOULD TAKE A POSITION, A TEMPORARY POSITION FOR A YEAR. I WOULD THINK THAT WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO HIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND THE CONDITIONS OF HIRING SOMEONE FOR A YEAR UNDER THOSE TERMS.

>> ALEX BUNYEN, CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THE ARPA MONEY IS TWO-YEAR GRANTS.

I HAVE TALKED TO THEM AND THEY WILL RE-UP IT.

>> SO 571 TWO YEARS RAUPB -- TWO YEARS RUN STPH-G.

>> BOTH YEARS IT WILL BE THAT AMOUNT.

I AM REQUESTING IT WILL BE GRANTED.

THE COMMISSION MEETS NEXT THURSDAY AND THAT'S WHEN THE GRANTS WILL BE DECIDED. I EXPECT THEM TO APPROVE THAT AND THEY WILL REUP IT. I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH GRANT AND IF IT IS CONSTANTLY FUNDED BY THE GOVERNOR LIKE THOSE ARE, THEY JUST REUP IT. I DON'T EXPECT THERE WILL BE A

PROBLEM NEXT YEAR. >> WHEN YOU ARE RECRUITING SOMEONE FOR THIS POSITION, YOU ARE TELLING THEM I'M PRETTY SURE WE WILL GET THE MONEY AND SO YOUR POSITION IS SAFE TO COME TO

WORK HERE? >> YEAH.

I DON'T ASK FOR A LOT OF THE ARPA SO WHEN THE COUNTY ASKS TO GET ARPA MONEY FOR SIX LAWYERS AND AN INVESTIGATOR, I WAS VERY CAREFUL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO ASK FOR ANYTHING THAT I'M NOT GONNA WANT TO COME BACK LATER AND SAY MAKE THEM PERMANENT OR WE HAD ATTRITION AND DON'T NEED THEM ANYMORE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SO PLAN B IS IF WE DON'T GET THE GRANT

[INAUDIBLE]. >> WELL NOT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUDGET YEAR, BUT I WOULD LIKE THREE MORE POSITIONS, SURE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR OR PUBLIC DEFENDER.

WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE CASES DOES YOUR OFFICE HANDLE?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY 20%. A LOT OF PEOPLE FOCUS ON THE FELONY COURTS. OVERALL IT IS 20%.

IS IT FAIR TO SAY WHEN PEOPLE ARE REPRESENTED BY YOUR OFFICE IN MOST CASES THE DATA SHOWS THEY GET BETTER REPRESENTATION? ONE WAS THREE YEARS AFTER WE STARTED AND ONE WAS 10 YEARS AFTER WE STARTED AND BOTH GOT BETTER RESULTS FOR CLIENTS.

>> AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE COMMITMENT WE MADE IN THIS CHAMBER AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE COMMITMENT WE MADE?

>> THE DISCUSSION WAS TO GO TO 50% OF ALL CASES.

>> I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU -- CONGRATULATE YOU FOR APPLYING FOR THE MONEY AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO APPLY FOR ANY FUNDING THAT COMES UP. IN MY OPINION -- YOU ARE WELCOME TO SAY WHETHER YOU AGREE OR NOT. CLEARING THE BACKLOG DOES NOT JUST MEAN GETTING CHARGES FILED AGAINST MORE PEOPLE.

IT MEANS IF YOU BELIEVE IN DEMOCRACY, YOU CAN BELIEVE IN A ROBUST PROSECUTION AND A ROBUST DEFENSE.

AND THAT'S WHY THIS OFFICE IS IMPORTANT.

THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT -- THIS COUNTY WAS THE LAST URBAN COUNTY IN AMERICA AT THE TIME WITHOUT A PUBLIC DEFENSE OFFICE.

IS IT WAS THE DEATH PENALTY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD.

I KNOW FROM MY WORK AS CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE ANDERSON PROJECT FOR 14 YEARS OVERWHELMINGLY BY ANY STANDARD, A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WERE WRONGFULLY CONVICTED WERE COMING OUT OF TEXAS. IT IS IMPORTANT YOU GO AFTER IT AND WE SHOULD TRY TO MEET THAT GOAL.

IF WE DIDN'T VOTE ON T I'M PRETTY SURE I HAD A RESOLUTION

[02:45:02]

AS THE RESOLUTIONS COME AND GO THAT WE PUT THIS OFFICE AT 50%.

AND IS IT FAIR TO SAY IF YOUR OFFICE REPRESENTS SOMEBODY, SOMETIMES YOU TELL THEM THIS IS THE BEST SHOT YOU HAVE.

TAKE THE PLEA OR IF YOU DON'T THINK IT IS THE BEST SHOT YOU TELL THEM THAT. IF YOUR OFFICE SAYS TAKE THIS AND WE HAVE TO TAKE IT, THEN SOMEWAY THE JUDGE PICKED TO REPRESENT THEM PROBABLY DIDN'T GET MONEY FOR THE INVESTIGATOR.

>> A ROUNDABOUT WAY OF AGREEING WITH YOU IS WHAT THE STUDY SHOWS IS WE SPEND MORE TIME WITH OUR CLIENTS AND THEY HAVE MORE TRUST IN US. AND SO WHEN WE MAKE A SUGGESTION ABOUT WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEIR CASE, THEY ARE MORE LIKELY TO AGREE WITH US AND DO THE RIGHT THING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. NO MORE QUESTIONS, JUDGE THEN I

WOULD MAKE A MOTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO APPROVE ITEM 17 AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THANK YOU, PUBLIC DEFENDER.

ITEM 120 COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AIDE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 120 I THINK I GOT MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED AT

THIS POINT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS A THAT A MOTION? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 126, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

JUDGE, ON THIS ONE -- >> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ON THIS ONE I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE REACH OUT -- WELL COORDINATE WITH DIRECTOR TREVINO AT HCTRA TO REACH OUT TO METRO AND LOOK AT THE POSSIBILITY OF CONSOLIDATING THE OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE HOV LANES UNDER HCTRA AND I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME OPPORTUNITY THERE AND I BRIEFLY SPOKE WITH MR. TREVIO ON THIS.

HE SAID THERE IS A LOT OF -- THERE IS A LOT TO GAIN FOR THE COUNTY, BUT IN PARTICULAR FOR ISSUES LIKE WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I RAISED ABOUT STRATEGIC USE OF THE BY PLANES.

I WAS DRIVING AROUND THE PRECINCT THIS WEEKEND AND IT IS AGGRAVATING TO SEE THE HOV LANES CLOSED WHILE THE REST OF THE FREEWAYS ARE CONGESTED. IF YOU COULD, MR. AYER,?

>> WE WILL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS PRESENTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 126.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 130 AND THAT ONE WILL GO ALONG WITH 304 AND 305. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE.

WE'LL WAIT. 312 AND 305? WE'LL SAVE IT FOR LATER. 134, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ON THIS -- THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN TERMS OF OPIOID. WE HAVE A NATIONAL EPIDEMIC GOING ON. A REAL SIMPLE QUESTION.

DO WE THINK WE ARE SPENDING ENOUGH EFFORTS DEALING WITH THE OPIOID ISSUE? THIS IS AN INDICATOR OF SOME DOLLARS AT UT HEALTH, UT HEALTH SCIENCES IS GOING TO HELP IN TERMS OF EVALUATING. OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DO WE THINK WE ARE SPENDING ENOUGH EFFORT IN TERMS OF ADDRESSING

THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

I THINK WE COULD ALWAYS MAKE MORE INVESTMENTS.

I BELIEVE OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ARE UNDER FUNDED GIVEN THE PREVALENCE IN OUR COUNTY AND PART OF WHAT WE ARE ASSESSING HERE WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF UT HEALTH IS THE CURRENT LAY OF THE LAND.

[02:50:04]

WE DID A LEADING CAUSES OF DEATH REPORT AND WE KNOW THAT DRUG USE ACCIDENTAL DEATH THAT WOULD INCLUDE DUG OVERDOSES INCLUDED IN THE CATEGORY THERE IS A NEED IN OUR COUNTY FOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. I INVITE OUR DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS CENTER TO ALSO WEIGH IN ON THAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DIRECTOR, THANK YOU.

IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW -- THERE HAS TO BE SOME DOLLARS OUT THERE, FEDERAL DOLLARS, WITH OUR BORDER ISSUES NOW AND THE DRUGS FLOWING FREELY, THAT'S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.

ANYTHING WE CAN DO HERE FROM A PREVENTATIVE STANDPOINT TO JUST TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE TREMENDOUS NEED, THAT SHOULD RECEIVE A HIGH PRIORITY THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE.

COVID WAS SOMETHING WE FOCUSED ON AND GOT THE RESOURCES TARGETED. THIS WOULD BE IN THE SAME

CATEGORY OF FOCUS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. DIRECTOR, THAT'S SUCH A GOOD QUESTION. I'M GONNA PIGGYBACK ON IT.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER AREAS WHERE WE NEED MORE FUNDING THAT COME

UNDER YOUR RESPONSIBILITY? >> YES, SIR.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ONE OF MY OBSERVATION COMING TO THE DEPARTMENT IS THE LACK OF RESOURCES AND INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND MATERNAL AND CHILD ADD LESS TENT HEALTH -- ADOLESCENT HEALTH PROGRAMMING.

THERE ARE MANY NEEDS AND MANY ON THE CONTINUUM OF PREVENTION AS IT RELATES TO CHRONIC DISEASE, HIV, INTERVENTION AND AIDS

SERVICES TO NAME A FEW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR, JUDGE, WE HAVE STATE OF MOBILITY, STATE OF THE PORT, STATE OF THE CITY, STATE OF THE COUNTY.

MAYBE YOU AND THE ALLIED ENTITIES IS SEUFP -- SUCH AN OVER -- AN OVERWHELMING PROBLEM, HAVE A STATE OF THE HEALTH -- AND IF NOBODY PUTS IT ON MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO IT.

OFTENTIMES WE GLOSS OVER AND THINK ABOUT $120 BILLION, FOR EXAMPLE, I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH YOU PUT ATTENTION ON IS IT IT COMES WITH MORE MONEY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A GREAT POINT. MOST OF THE COVID EFFORT, TO MY KNOWLEDGE,ING CAME FROM THE -- KNOWLEDGE, CAME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. CAN YOU THINK OF THE MONEY -- ROUGH IDEA, AS WE WOULD SPEND OUT OF AS WE SAY OUR MONEY LOCALLY ON COVID? 99.9%, IS THAT FEDERAL MONEY?

>> WE UTILIZED OUR PIC FUNDING IN HOPES OF FEMA REIMBURSEMENT.

I CAN SEE MR. RAMOS IS ON THE LINE KEEPING TRACK OF OUR DOLLARS AND NUMBERS I DON'T KNOW IF DIRECTOR RAMOS HAS AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THE QUESTION. TO MY KNOWLEDGE WE SPENT VERY, VERY LITTLE OF GENERAL FUND RESOURCE THAT'S WE DO NOT EXPECT TO GET FEMA REIMBURSEMENT. AS A REMINDER WE HAVE THE COVID R AND R FUND WHERE WE HAD ADDITIONAL FUNDING THAT WE SEPARATED AND THAT COLLAPSED BACK TO THE PIC TO RESTORE THE CASH BALANCE IN THERE. IN SUMMARY, ALMOST NO MONEY WAS SPENT OUT OF THE GENERAL FUND THAT WE DO NOT EXPECT TO EITHER BE REIMBURSED FOR OR HAD A FEDERAL SOURCE TO TRANSFER THE

COST TO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WON'T BE LABOR THE POINT, BUT I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN YOU ALL DOING A COME TKAORB -- COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF THE GENERAL REVENUE ON HEALTHCARE ISSUES COMPARED TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS KNOWING OUR SIDE IT IS THE PREVENTATIVE SIDE.

HARRIS HEALTH DOES THE TREATMENT SIDE.

I JUST -- I WON'T BE LABOR IT, BUT SEND SOMETHING TO US BECAUSE IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO KNOW THAT PARTICULARLY WHEN WE MAKE IT A BUDGET DECISION. PUT A RESOLUTION OUT THANKING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS -- WELL, WE'LL DO THE RESOLUTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: I'LL MAKE A

MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION ON 134 BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

[02:55:02]

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 137, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ARMAND BAYOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I ALWAYS HAVE TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY WHEN IT PRESENTS ITSELF TO APPLAUD POLLUTION CONTROL IN PARTICULAR AND OUR EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE MONITORING OF OUR AIR QUALITY IN GENERAL.

THIS IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT AND IT IS A MOBILE MONITORING SURVEY THAT LOOKS AT DETECTIONS OF COMPOUNDS OF BENADINE, AND STYRINE AND THE PROXIMITY OF THE COMMUNITY SURROUNDING THE BAY TORT. POLLUTION CONTROL PLANS TO ADD SIX NEW SITES IN THE BAYPORT AREA INCLUDING THIS ONE.

THERE IS WORKING AGREEMENTS WITH SAN JACINTO COLLEGE AND THE COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY. TPH-PL PLEASED TO -- I AM PLEASED TO TO SEE ANOTHER INVESTMENT AND I WANT TO THANK DR. BABIN AND HER TEAM FOR CONTINUING TO DEVELOP THE CAMP.

AND THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS AT ARMAND BAYOU AND HIS INCREDIBLE TEAM. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR UNWAIVERING COMMITMENT TO PRESERVING ONE OF THE LARGEST WILDERNESS PRESERVES IN THE UNITED STATES.

HELPING US BETTER UNDERSTAND THE QUALITY BY ALLOWING THE MONITOR IS ONE MORE WAY FOR THE RESIDENTS TO UNDERSTAND THE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS JUST A THANK YOU TO DR.

BAR BOUGHT AND HER TEAM -- DR. BABBOTT FOR HER TEAM AND THE CONTINUED WORK AND LOOKING FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO EXPAND THE AIR MONITORING PROGRAM AND EXCITED THAT ARMAND BAYOU IS A PARTNER IN A LOT OF WAYS AND WANTED TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE MEASURING OUR AIR QUALITY IN SOME OF THE MOST DELICATE PLACES AND ARMAND K*PS BAYOU IS ONE OF THOSE. I MOVE.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY ON ITEM 137. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK ON AIR MONITORING AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION. ITEM 140, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY IF DR. HOLLOWAY IS ON THE LINE, ONE OF THE RECIPIENTS OF THE BLOCK GRANT AGREEMENTS IS TLC HEALTH AND WELL TPHEGS. -- WELLNESS.

WHO ARE THEY AND HOW LONG HAVE WE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM?

>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU. THIS IS ACTUALLY A NEW ORGANIZATION. IT IS A NEW ORGANIZATION WITH US. THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR CONTRACTING WITH THEM. PART OF THE OUT REACH AND RECRUITMENT FOR NEW AGENCIES ONE OF THE THINGS WE REQUIRE OF NEW AGENCIES IS RECEIVE MANDATORY TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PRIOR TO THE APPLICATION PROCESS BEING COMPLETED SO THEY KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IT IS WE WILL BE REQUIRING OF THEM AS A CDBG TITLE

RECIPIENT. >> TOM RAMSEY: OKAY.

GO AHEAD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DR. HOLLOWAY, I HAD A DISCUSSION WITH RABBI LAZEROFF THIS MORNING AND ONE OF THE TRADITIONS, MEALS ON WHEELS, AND WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO RESOLVE IT WITH THE INCLUSION HERE OF -- I AM LOOKING FOR IT NOW, BUT THE -- I AM LOOKING FOR THE ORGANIZATION THAT DOES THE -- FROM THE JEWISH COMMUNITY.

HE MENTIONED THAT MANY TIMES THE FOOD RELIEF PROGRAMS DO NOT HAVE KOSHER MEALS. A NUMBER OF OUR COMMUNITY CAN'T EAT NONKOSHER. IT IS SOMETHING YOU MAY WANT TO LOOK INTO WITH REGARD TO OUR CONTRACTS IN THE FUTURE IS MAYBE COMMUNICATING WITH THE RABBI OR SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS AND THERE MAY ALSO BE GROUPS THAT MUST EAT KAU -- KALAL.

[03:00:08]

IF THERE ARE CERTAIN DIETARY RESTRICTIONS AND WE ARE PROVIDING THESE TYPES OF SERVICES ESPECIALLY IN DISASTER RELIEF COMPONENTS THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THE DIETARY REQUIREMENTS OF SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY. I JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE FOR YOU TO TAKE A PEEK AT THAT. AS YOU MOVE FORWARD AND AS WE COME INTO THE HURRICANE SEASON AND WHERE WE MAY HAVE SOME HURRICANE RELIEF-RELATED FOOD CONTRACTS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE ENTERING INTO IN ADVANCE THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE COVERED. I AM ACTUALLY THINKING 142 AND NOT THE ITEM WE WERE LOOKING AT, BUT ANYWAY TO SHORT CIRCUIT THAT DISCUSSION WHERE WE ARE HAVING OUR FOOD RELIEF PROGRAMMING, PLEASE TAKE A PEEK AT THOSE TWO COMMUNITIES THAT WE MAKE SURE WE HAVE CONTRACTS IN PLACE SO THAT WHEN WE SERVICE THEM WE ARE NOT

LEAVING ANYBODY BEHIND. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT REMARK. DEFINITELY WE WILL BE LOOKING INTO FINDING WAYS TO ADDRESS DIETARY RESTRICTIONS IN THE COMMUNITIES WE ARE ABLE TO SERVE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 140.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY GARCIA ON 140.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FAN PHUZLY -- UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 141, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

ACTUALLY ON THIS ONE, I AM JUST EXCITED AND WANT TO TALK TO -- TO THANK DR. HOL LAY HUA. DR. HOLLOWAY.

JUST APPRECIATE THEY WERE ABLE TO WORK ON THIS ITEM.

I MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSION DARK -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

ALL IN FAVOR OF ITEM 141? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 152, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THAT ITEM, ALL OF US HAVE SIMILAR ARRANGEMENTS IN OUR PRECINCTS, BUT I WANT LEGAL TO COMMENT ON ANY CONCERNS WITH TRANSFERRING MONEY AND BEING A BASELINE BUDGET ON SENATE BILL 23. WE TALK ABOUT ADDING SOME LANGUAGE OR IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE NEED TO PUT ON THE RECORD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T LIMIT A COMMISSIONER OR THE COUNTY'S ABILITY NOT TO CONTINUE FUNDING THESE ITEMS. AT SOME POINT COMMISSIONER CAGLE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT THE FUNDING

IN AGAIN. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I CAN ANSWER THAT. WE LOOKED AT THE QUESTION AND WE ARE DOING ANALYSIS ON THE ISSUE. THE AGREEMENT THAT IS UNDER CONSIDERATION BY THE COURT TODAY, IT WOULDN'T POSE ANY PROBLEMS, BUT WE WILL GET THE REQUEST TO ADD SOME LANGUAGE TO TIGHTEN THAT UP. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW. AND THE WAY THE LAW WORKS, IF THERE WAS AN ISSUE THAT ENDED UP IN DISPUTE IT WOULD NOT BE NECESSARILY AN OFFICE FULL OF LAWYERS THAT WOULD MAKE THE DECISION. I ASSUME MY OLD FRIEND OR HIS STAFF WOULD HAVE TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

IS THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S RIGHT.

COME -- COMPLAINTS ARE FILED WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> WHO CAN FILE THEM? >> ANYONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST THINK IN A R-RB TO -- RUSH TO PASS THE BILL IT CAN HAVE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE.

FOR ANY ONE OF US IT COULD BE A PROBLEM.

CAN YOU ADD SOME LANGUAGE IN ALL OUR AGREEMENTS?

>> WE WILL NEED TO LOOK AT WHAT KIND OF LANGUAGE WE WOULD ADD AND IF IT WOULD PROVIDE AN AIRTIGHT BACK UP, BUT WE WILL LOOK INTO THAT WHEN WE COME BACK TO THE COURT WITH PROPOSED

LANGUAGE. >> ANY OTHER LANGUAGE YOU WANT US TO PUT ON THE RECORD THAT WILL HELP?

[03:05:06]

>> IF YOU MAKE THE REQUEST TO OUR OFFICE TO LOOK INTO THAT WE WILL COME BACK WITH PROPOSED LANGUAGE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SUBJECT TO LANGUAGE CLARIFYING WE ARE FINE

WITH GOING FORWARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A MOTION? MOTIONED BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

152. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> WHAT WAS THAT LAST PART TO ADD ON TO IT?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE GOING TO ADD LANGUAGE TO THE STANDARD MOU THAT SAYS THIS IS NOT TO HAVE THIS AGREEMENT BE SUBJECT

TO SB23. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S NOT PART

OF THE MOTION, RIGHT? >> IS IT PART OF THE MOTION?

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. >> IT IS AS PRESENTED THEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS AS PRESENTED.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, HE SAYS THAT IS NOT PART OF THE MOTION, RIGHT? I DON'T KNOW. YOU TELL ME.

FAIR POINT. 160.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY

AND UHD. >> ON THAT PARTICULAR ITEM I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR HIS WORK WITH UH DOWNTOWN.

THIS PROGRAM IS PRETTY INTERESTING AND I DIDN'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT IT UNTIL I SAW YOUR ITEM.

I HAVE BEEN ON DASHBOARDS FOR TRACKING THE EFFECTIVENESS OF OUR COURTS, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO ENSURE THAT THESE PEOPLE HAVE AN INTEREST ON SEEING THE COURTS WORK WELL AND MAYBE THEY CAN GIVE US A FIRSTHAND PERSPECTIVE AND PROVIDE A REPORT TO MY OFFICE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW MANY CASES ARE BEING HEARD IN THE COURTS AND HOW LONG THE COURTS ARE OPERATING AND HOW MANY DISMISSALS OR THINGS OF THAT NATURE. IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE THEM AS OBSERVERS PROVIDE PERSPECTIVE ON THOSE OPERATIONAL AND EFFICIENCY

THINGS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I AM ACTUALLY GOING TO MEET WITH ADMINISTRATOR BERRY ABOUT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS. YOU'RE RIGHT.

THE PFM REPORT RECOMMENDS WE DO THIS.

IT IS DONE IN MOST MAJOR JURISDICTIONS.

RIGHT NOW WE WILL HAVE STUDENTS DO PRESENTATIONS AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT MAYBE SOME BETTER WAYS OF CAPTURING DATA AND THAT WAY WE CAN GET YOU THOSE KIND OF REPORTS.

>> GOOD. THANK YOU.

I MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DID I HEAR A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THAT'S ON ITEM 160.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN'T VOTE AGAINST SOMETHING CALLED SERIES ENVIRONMENTAL.

>> I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS 160,

COMMISSIONER? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY.

I AM LOOKING AT THE NEXT ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. COMMISSIONER TKPWAU -- GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE WE GO ON, I DID WANT TO GO BACK TO

141. >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR THE RECORD, I WANT TO SAY IT IS THAT CHAIR THAT IS INFLUENCING ME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I CAN SEE THE SALVATION ARMY IS THE RECIPIENT OF SOME OF THESE FUNDS AND OBVIOUSLY SALVATION ARMY DOES SOME INCREDIBLE WORK, BUT THEY HAVE NOT ALWAYS BEEN GOOD NEIGHBORS.

WE HAVE SEEN FINALLY SOME DEGREE OF CLOSURE TO THE MURDER OF FLOREZ. UNFORTUNATELY THE PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT MURDER WAS A CLIENT OF THE NEAR NORTH SIDE SALVATION ARMY. I HAVE MET WITH THE CEO AND THE MAJOR OF THE SALVATION ARMY AND HEARING GREAT THINGS.

I COMMUNICATED THAT BACK TO SOME OF THE NEIGHBORS IN THE NORTH SIDE. AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO RETURN TO THE TOP -- TO THE TYPE OF OPERATIONAL -- OPERATION CENTER THAT WAS -- THERE WAS SLEEP QUARTERS AVAILABLE FOR CLIENTS

[03:10:04]

THERE. IT WILL BE SOME DEGREE OF CASE MANAGEMENT BEING DONE THERE. MY BEST MAN IN MY WEDDING HAS BEEN A LONG-TIME RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER REACHED OUT AND SAW THE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THE SUCCESSFUL PROSECUTION OF FLOREZ HE SAID WE ARE DOING THESE GOOD THINGS.

AND HE SAID THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID WHEN THEY FIRST OPENED.

HE SAID THEY ARE LYING. THAT'S WHEN THEY SAID.

I WANT TO GIVE THEM THE BENEFIT OF THE DOUBT AND IS IT POSSIBLE TO BUILD INTO THESE TYPES OF AGREEMENTS SOME TYPE OF -- IF THEY ARE AGREEING TO DO -- THEY WANT TO WORK WITH MY OFFICE TO PROVIDE SECURITY MEASURE THERE'S WHICH I AM OPEN TO DOING AND WE ARE PROVIDING THEM RESOURCES AND IS SPECIFIC TO THE NEAR NORTH SIDE FACILITY AND THEY NOT RETURN IT TO THE TYPE OF OPERATION. CAN IT BE BUILD INTO THE MOU TO GETTING THESE FUNDS? WONDERFUL.

I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU BEFORE THIS IS EXECUTED.

DO WE NEED TO HOLD THIS ITEM? >> ON THIS EXISTING ITEM ITSELF? IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE HELD THE ITEM.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NO ACTION THEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT A PROBLEM IF WE HOLD IT FOR TWO

WEEKS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. HOLLOWAY, IS THERE IS -- IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH THIS?

>> NO. WE CAN HOLD IT FOR TWO WEEKS.

IT IS A PROGRAM WE ARE FUNDING FOR THEM AND IT IS FOR CRISIS CHILD CARE FOR HOMELESS FAMILIES AT THAT RESIDENCE.

SO WE CAN HOLD IT FOR TWO WEEKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ALREADY VOTED ON THAT, BUT SCRATCH THAT, JAMES. WE ARE GOING TO PASS THIS ITEM EXCEPT FOR A CLAUSE NUMBER SIX ON THE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A MOTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS PHAEUGS THE -- MAKES THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES THE SEND.

SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED.

>> ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE NOT

OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> SO NUMBER 6 IS A NO ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A LOT OF STRESS ON THIS FACILITY. IHA TNK MY COLLEAGUES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. RAHMAN, ARE YOU THERE? I WANT TOPH KEPD -- COMMEND YOU FOR HAVING THEOR FEIG SHT TO SUGGEST THEWB ME COMPONENT TO THE UHER GENAL -- TO A THEGENDA.

IW KNOTHEY ARE MAKINGOM SE DATES ON IT AND IAL TKED TO DWIGHT. SOMETIMES THEY DON'TW KNOTHE MWBET PAR THEY ARENG GOITW TO EAK THAT A LITTLE, BITBUT IT IS GOOD TO LET US KNOW.

AND ON THIS ONE, THISA IS RENEWAL.

I AM TOLD THEYMA NORLLY DO PUT INS, SUB I BUTT WOULDN'T SHOW THAT NOW WEW KNOWE WILL LOOK AT YOUR PREVIOUS RECORDRM IN TES OF WHAT YOUDO HAVE NERM IN TES OF THESE ISSUES IN THE PAST.I JUST WANT --XP YOU ELAINED TO MY STAFF.I DE REMIND THEM THAT YOU TOLD

THEM I ABOUTT YESTERDAY. >> YEAH.

[03:15:01]

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YES. I WILL BENG WORKI WITHT DWIGHAN D THE PURCHASINGE. OFFICTH IS IS THE RENEWAL SO WE WILL BE WORKING ONSI ADVERTING THEW .ERFP THIS IS THE LAST. RENEWAL MAYBENT IN A MOH OR TWO GET ITME IN A TILY MANNER.D ANIN PART OF THE NEW RFP REVIEW, WE WILLT SEE WHA WE CAN HAVE IN TERMS OF PERFORMANCE OFGH MWBE OUT SWRAEUGS.

TI UTILIZAON. POP S THINK IAW YOUR FACE UP.EN WHEVERUR YOU FIGE OUT HOW IT IS PLACED IN THE FUTURE, IT WASEF AWARDED BORE WE HAD MWBE POLICYOU SOMEHOW Y LET US KNOW ASO OPPOSED TI BEING -- A UH -I AM ASSUMING IF THEREA IS SPACE WHERE MINORITY AND WOMENIT AND WOULD BE INOF THE AREA DEBRIS CLEAN UP.

>> THE PRIMARYES VENDOR SERIER, THEGE ARE A LAR NUMBER THATE ARE SBANDME MINORITY WONLL AS WE ANDT WE WILL MEE WHATEVER GOAL WE THINK ITND SHOULD BE A WE'LLHE WORK WITH T DEO PARTICULARAN ONES. DY SO HOPEFULLTO BEFR QUITE ANK I CANM PROVIDE THETO YOURAN STAFF D THE TEAM.

MOVINGWI FORWARD WE LL INCLUDE GOALS ON ALL OFTS THESE CONTRAC.

WE AREK TRYING TO WORTHROUGH THE LIST.

I KNOW F WE TOLD YOU AEW TIMESAR TO MOVEE TRYING AROUND ANDNE SEE WHICH OS WEW CN RENE.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

UNDER THE OLD PROCEDURES WE DIDN'T HAVE AEY GOAL.

THEL WILL ALWAYS TL US WHATE THEY LIKTO DO.HA WHEN WE VEE A GOAL THEN WHAVE SOMETHINGNS MEASURED AGAIT IT.T IT IS NOJUST THROWINGG SOMETHINON A PIECE OF PAPER.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE ISTY THE CAPACI.SS AND I STREED TO YOUIS EARLIER TH IS NOT. A QUOTA PROGRAM I TELL THE MWBE'S ITBE IS NOT CAUSE YOU ARE BLACK, BROWN,UT OR WHATEVERASIAN YOU GET A CONTRACT.OU IT MEANS Y WON'T BECE DENIED CASE IN THEAS THE

PAST. >> YES, R SIR.

>>ODNEY ELLIS: THANK L YOU. >>INA HIDALGO: THANK A YOU.

>>DRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THANK YOU DR. RAHMEN.HI

>> LINA DALGO: MOTION FOR 198 ALL IN I FAVOR?

>>.HI >> LINA DALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. GONNA TAKE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ALONGSIDE ITEM 290.

I WILL SAVE THAT FOR THE END.CU 246.

EXSE ME. 247.S COMMISSIONERELLIS AND RAMSEY, THEUN DISPARITY STUDY FD.SE

>> TOM RAMY: JUST NEED TO VOTEEL >> RODNEY LIS: JUDGE --GA

>> ADRIAN RCIA: SO MOVED.LI >> RODNEY ELS: I JUST WANT TO BASICALLY PUT MY, MAKER DOWN. G COMMISSIONERARCIA, YOU AND I PUT 1 HAD YOU,000 -- YOU AND IAC PUT $100,000 EH.

I THINK IT MAY BE 3-2. IT DID PASST AND WE HAVE BEEN O.

I HAVE BEEN TWICETT AND SO YOU BEER GO NEXT TIME.

>> I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THEM. SOME OF THE FOLKARENO SAYING THEY CANT AFFORD ONE. THE PRICE OF A STUDYAT HAS BEEN INFLED FROM TIME TO TIME. I AM ASKING THROUGH THE ARPA PROCESS AND NOT AREO -- THERE AE TW LONE STAR AND THEEN HOUSTON INDEPENDT SCHOOL DISTRICT HAVE AGREED TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY.

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD.

I CAN'T TO REMOVE ANY BARRIERS. IT TIES TO THE OTHER ITEM.

SO FAR WE HAVE NOT BYPASSED THE ARPA PROCESS AND I AM NOT GOING TO TRY TO DO IT THIS GO AROUND. WHEN SHE GETS TO THE MWBA, MAYBE SHE CAN DO IT NOW. WHERE ARE WE IN THE ARPA PROCESS

[03:20:04]

ON THIS FUNDING. THE OTHER DAY I MADE THETH COMMT AND I DON'T WANT TO GO OUT AND RAISE EXPECTATIONS IF WE DON'T

HAVE THE MONEY. >> I GUESS I AM PULLING THE 294

-- WHAT IS THE NEXT ONE? A >> LINA HIDALGO: 236ND THEN 247 -- 294 --S YEAH, SO WE CAN DISCUS 246 -- WE ARE ON 247.

WE CAN DISCUSS 247 AND 294 THERE TOPIC.

>> MBE IE WILL LET THEM GIVE TH UP --O UPDATE.

I DON'T WANT TTRY TO BYPASS THE PROS -- PROCESS, BUT I WANT TO HAVE SOMELL DISCUSSION AND HOPEFUY IT WILL BE FAN -- UNANIMOUS. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS PUSHING FOR THE COUNTY'SIS DISPARITY STY AND COMMSIONER RAMSEY, YOUR PREDECESSOR MADE THE COMMENT. HE CALLED IT THEND DISPUT STUDY.

HE WAS WOU UP. IF MY PRESENTED SETTER WANTED ONE HE WOULD PUT THE -- IF MY PREDECESSOR WANTED ONE HE WOULD PUT IT UP. IF YOU WANT A DISPUT STUDY YOU MAKE THE MOTION ANDEN I'LL SECOD IT.

TH I TURN TO YOUR PREDECESSOR AND I WAS HOPING YOU BOYS WOULD COME IN AND HELP OUT. I KNEW THE ITEM WAS NOT BROAD ENOUGH. WHEN COMMISSIONER RAD DUCK -- WHEN COMMISSIONER RADDICK SAID THAT ANDBU PRECINCT ONE PAID FOR IT, T EVERYBODY WAS FOR IT THEN.

IT WAS AN UNANIMOUS VOTE TO DO THE DISPARITY STUDY.

AND THEN WE FOUND OUT WE HAD A DISPARITY AND THE TICKETS ABOUT HOW THE COUNTY'S NUMBERS WERE BETTER THAN THE CITY'S NUMBERS AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A BIG BUYER ROCK RAW SEE --

BUREAUCRACY, IT ALL WENT AWAYIL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU STL OWE

ME $95. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL GIVE IT TO YOU IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS. NO, I WON'T DO THAT.

I'LL TAKE YOU TO LUNCH AT A DISTANCE.

HEALTHY FOOD IF YOU VOTE FOR THIS.

I AM HOPING THERE WILL BE SUPPORT.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL TAKE $2 MILLION.

THIS REALLY IS A MOMENT FOR US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC, I READ MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR AND WOMEN STARTING BUSINESSES THAN EVER BEFORE.

I SPOKE TO THE GROUP THIS MORNING AND I POINT OUT TO FOLKS, READ THE PRESS CLIPS. THEY ALL SHOW UP THINKING THEY GET A CONTRACT. WE HAVE NO CONTRACTS JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE BLACK OR BROWN OR FEMALE.

YOU HAVE TO EARN IT. BUT WE HAVEN'T LEVELED THE PLAY.

JUST LIKE THE ONE YOU PUT FORWARD, BUT I DON'T WANT ANYBODY TO SAY THEY WOULD NOT COLLECT THE DATA AND DO A STUDY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.

IF THEY DON'T DO IT, I WANT TO BE CLEAR.

THEY DON'T WANT TO DO IT. I HAVE MY SUSPICIONS ON WHY THEY DON'T WANT TO COLLECT THE DATA, BUT I HOPE I'M WRONG.

I ALWAYS STRESS I AM NOT INTERESTED IN STUDIES.

THEY ARE NOT JUST RESOLUTIONS. THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT REQUIRES IT IF YOU WANT TO TAILOR IT CORRECTLY.

EVERYTHING I HAVE SEEN INDICATES YOU HAVE TO FOCUS ON THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS TARGETED AT REMOVING INSTITUTIONAL BARRIERS THAT HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE FOR

HUNDREDS OF YEARS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AM ASSUMING -- I DON'T KNOW IF JAY OR DAVE CAN SPEAK TO T BUT I'M ASSUMING THIS WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR ARPA, IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, OUR STUDY COST IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 750ISH? 650? AND WHAT I TOLD FOLKS IS THAT -- TOLD FOLKS IS THAT WE ARE OBVIOUSLY THE LARGEST ENTITY IN THIS COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE THE COUNTY.

I I DON'T SUSPECT IT WOULD BE AS EXPENSIVE FOR THEIR ORGANIZATION I SUPPORT YOUR ITEM AND SECOND IT, BUT I WOULD ALSO ASK FOR US

[03:25:09]

TO CONSIDER AN APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL FUND.

FOR THE SEASON -- FOR THE REASON THAT YOU -- THAT YOUR VISITS TO THE SCHOOL BOARD, THIS IS GETTING A LOT OF INTEREST.

I WOULD, NUMBER ONE, CONSIDER DOING AN OPEN FORUM AND DISCUSSING HOW THE PROCESS WILL WORK.

MAYBE WE CAN GET MS. HOPE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON A GROUP DISPARITY STUDY. I WOULD SECOND THIS ITEM, BUT I WOULD ALSO I GUESS PUT A MARKER USING YOUR WORDS THAT WE CONSIDER SOME GENERAL FUND DOLLARS BECAUSE THESE -- THIS STUDY WOULD HAVE TO BE RENEWED. AND IF WE DO GET THE KIND OF INTEREST THAT I BELIEVE IS THERE , BUT PROVIDES THE TWO MILLION UP FRONT TO SHOW THAT WE ARE SEAR -- TO SAY GO THROUGH THE ARPA PROCESS IF WE CAN GET THE TWO MILLION OUT OF ARPA AND IF NOT IT WILL BE SOME OTHER FUNDS.

THE REASON I PAID 650 WAS RESPECTFULLY I WAS HOLDING A PRETTY SERIOUS THREAT OF CAMPAIGNING AGAINST THAT BOND ISSUE AND I WANTED THE BOND ISSUE.

I COULD NOT NEGOTIATE -- WE PIGGYBACKED OFF THE CITY'S STUDY. WHEN I PUT IT IN THE BUDGET IN 91, MAYBE I SHOULDN'T HAVE SAID -- I SAID A MILLION AND IT IS AMAZING -- SO IF IT IS NOT NECESSARY, GO THROUGH THE WHATEVER PROCUREMENT AND NEGOTIATE IT AND IT IS A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE, BUT TAKE THE OTHER MONEY AND PUT IT IN SOME OTHER PROGRAM. WITH THAT WE ARE NOT BYPASSING AN ARPA PROCESS. I AM BEING RESPECTFUL OF THE PROCESS WE PUT IN PLACE THAT A COUPLE OF US HAVE TRIED TO GO AROUND AND WE ALWAYS SEND IT THROUGH.

I THINK IT IS COMING OUT I HOPE IN TWO WEEKS.

I DON'T THINK IT BYPASSES IT IF WE SAY COMPLETE YOUR ARPA PROCESS IF THAT QUALIFIES. IF IT DOESN'T COME THROUGH THE PROCESS, WHAT OTHER SOURCE DO YOU RECOMMEND?

>> IF YOU ARE GUIDING -- GIVING THE GUIDANCE [INAUDIBLE]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: HAVING PARTICIPATED IN A MWBE PROGRAM FOR A FEW DECADES AND SEEING IT ON THE WORKING END, I WOULD WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO ESTABLISH THE BEST PROGRAM THERE IS.

AND YOU CAN, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, PRIME THE PUMP.

AND WE CAN ESTABLISH A ROBUST THIS IS HOW YOU DO.

IT I STILL DON'T LIKE GOING TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO CERTIFY MWBE FIRMS. IT TAKES SEVERAL WEEKS TO BE CERTIFIED AND SOMEBODY WALKS IN AND THEY HAVE TO WAIT.

I DON'T LIKE TO BE BEHOLDEN TO THE CITY.

IF WE CAN HAVE THE PROGRAM HERE IN TERMS OF CERTIFICATION AND RUN THE PROGRAM, FRANKLY I THINK WE AND THE COUNTY CAN DO A BETTER JOB OF MANAGING AN MWBE PROGRAM THAN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. WE ARE PIGGY -- PIGGYBACKING ON THEM AND TEXDOT. IF WE WANT SOMETHING STANDARD, WE SHOULD LEAD AND SET A STANDARD.

[03:30:01]

FUNDING OTHER PEOPLE TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY DOES EXPAND INTENT. I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUR HOUSE IN ORDER DOING A BETTER JOB AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE DEPENDING ON TEXDOT TO SOME DEGREE AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO SOME DEGREE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE YOUR SENTIMENT.

THE REALITY IS -- NOT SAYING IT APPLIES TO YOU, BUT IT IS A SPECIAL MOMENT. I WOULDN'T BE SURPRISED IF THE WRONG SET OF FACTS GET TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT THAT WOULD FURTHER RESTRICT WHAT YOU CAN DO IN THIS SPICE -- IN THIS SPACE. I DON'T LIKE LEGAL OPINIONS.

THESE STUDIES ARE IMPORTANT BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T WANT THE PROGRAM AND FINANCE THEIR LITIGATION ARE TAKING IT OUT BECAUSE OF TOILET FIXTURES. THE LOCAL CONTRACT DID NOT HAVE THE RESOURCES. THEY HAD NATIONAL FUNDING.

YOU CAN READ THURGOOD MARSHAL'S DISSENT.

IT LEAVES OUT OF THE ISSUES. IT IS A SPECIAL MOMENT FOR -- IN PART BECAUSE IT HAD FEDERAL MONEY.

I THINK THE ARPA MONEY CAN BE USED.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS THAT PARTICIPATE OR COMMUNITY COLLEGES WOULD HAVE TO AGREE UNDER THE LANGUAGE WE WILL SUBMIT TO THEM. WE DON'T JUST STUDY TO MAKE A CASE FOR IT. SOME MAY HAVE GREAT NUMBERS AND MAY NOT BE ABLE JUSTIFY A RACE AND GENDER PROGRAM.

MY GUESS IS MOST DO NOT. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO THANK THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR STARTING THE PROGRAM IN 1984, THE COUNTY DID. PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET CERTIFIED. THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE MAKING MONEY AND WANT TO KEEP MAKING MONEY.

IF IT MEANS THEY HAVE TO PUT THEIR WIFE OR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WORKER, HISPANIC WORKER, SOUTH ASIAN WORKER, THERE ARE TIMES PEOPLE RAISE THE ISSUE AND I SAY I'M NOT WORRIED ABOUT THAT.

I'M SO GLAD SHE CAN DIVORCE HIM AND TAKE THE MONEY.

HE MIGHT FIND OUT HE LOST HIS SHARES.

I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL WE GET OURS PERFECT.

WE ARE 38 YEARS LATE. 38 YEARS LATE AT THE COUNTY.

I WANT TO HEAR FROM HER AND I WILL MAKE -- I AM BRINGING UP THE MOTION. Y'ALL FIGURE IT OUT AND TRY TO MOVE FORWARD. MS. RAMIREZ.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. AND I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF FIRST TALKING ABOUT THE DISPARITY STUDY FUND AND THEN ONCE WE GET THAT SETTLED WE WILL GO INTO THE MWBE PROGRAM UPDATE.

THE DISPARITY STUDY FUND HAS GONE THROUGH THE FOCUS TEAM PROCESS UNDER ARPA AND GOT THE VOTES TO PROCEED AT THAT LEVEL.

THE NEXT IS WE GO TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND WE ARE SCHEDULED TO GO TO THE STEERING COMMITTEE ON JUNE 15TH.

THE JUNE 1ST TIMELINE WAS A LITTLE TOO SHORT GIVEN THE HOLIDAY WEEK AND TO GET THE DOCUMENTATION PREPARED FOR THEM.

WE WILL GO THERE ON JUNE 15TH TO GET THEIR VOTE ON THE PROJECT AND TWO OTHER SMALL BUSINESS PROJECTS AND THEN WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO COURT FOR THE BUDGETING IF YOU VOTE NOT TO VOTE ON THIS TODAY. IF YOU DECIDE TO VOTE ON THIS TODAY, THAT WILL HELP US WITH THE DECISION MAKING AS WE MOVE FORWARD. THE TIMELINE IS THAT YESTERDAY I SENT OUT AN EMAIL INVITATION TO OUR COLLEAGUES AT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES THAT ARE INVITED TO APPLY FOR THIS FUNDING AND WE ARE ASKING THEY JOIN US ON MAY 31ST FROM 10 UNTIL NOON. THE MEETING WILL LOOK AT THE OVERVIEW OF DISPARITY STUDIES AND ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND SELECTION CRY TEAR -- CRITERIA AND USE OF FUNDS AND THEIR COMMITMENTS, IF THEY TAKE THE FUNDS, FUND SOURCE AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

WE WILL BE ASKING FOR A LETTER OF INTEREST SO WE UNDERSTAND THE WORLD WE ARE LOOKING AT WHICH AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS ARE

[03:35:01]

INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THE PROGRAM AND THE LETTER OF INTENT WILL BE STKAOU TO US ON -- DUE TO US ON JUNE 30TH.

AND FROM THERE WE WILL HAVE AN INVITATION ONLY APPLICATION IN

THE FALL OF THIS YEAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, HARKENING BACK TO MY LEGISLATIVE DAYS.

I MOVE THAT THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT GO ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF ALLOCATING $2 MILLION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY FUND CONTINGENT UPON APPROVAL ON THE ARPA REVIEW PROCESS.

SECOND PART OF THE AMENDMENT. IF IT IS NOT APPROVED BYWAY OF THE ARPA PROCESS, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S GOES ON THE RECORD IN SUPPORT OF $2 MILLION FROM OTHER COUNTY FUNDS TO FUND A DISPARITY STUDY FUND UP TO $2 MILLION.

MY REASON -- IF YOU WANT YOU CAN WRITE IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I JUMP -- MAY I JUMP IN? I AM FINE WITH APPROVING IT COMING OUT OF ARPA.

CAN YOU JUST PUT THE PERIOD THERE AND THEN WE COME BACK IF

IT IS NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE REASON --

AND I THINK IT WILL -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS WHERE

YOU COULD GET FIVE VOTES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING NOT TO VIOLATE THE ARPA PROCESS. HERE IS MY POINT.

THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, IF THEY COMMIT TO DO IT, IT WILL TAKE TWO YEARS TO DO THE STUDY. THEY WILL HAVE TO HIRE, IN ALL

FAIRNESS, TURN ON -- >> B2G NOW.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: TO COLLECT -- WHATEVER THEY ARE.

THEY HAVE TO SPEND SOME MONEY AND HAVE SOMEBODY TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T GET SUED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T THINK THEY HAVE $200,000 AND $100,000 FROM TWO AND $100,000

FROM ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AS I LISTEN TO YOU, TO THE EXENT -- EXTENT YOU WANT TO MAKE ARPA DOLLARS AVAILABLE TO US AVAILABLE TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS, I'M GOOD

WITH THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TAKE

THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE SECOND PART, ARE YOU WANTING TO ADD OUR GENERAL FUND DOLLARS AND I AM

NOT IN FAVOR OF THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME READ THIS MOTION AND SEE IF IT MAKES SENSE.

MOTION THAT THE COURT GO ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF ALLOCATING $2 MILLION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY FUND CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL BY THE ARPA REVIEW PROCESS.

IF IT IS NOT APPROVED BYWAY OF THE ARPA PROCESS, REQUESTS THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PRESENT AN OPTION FOR UP TO $2 MILLION FOR COUNTY FUNDS FROM THE DISPARITY FUND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL DROP THE SECOND PART.

I'LL TAKE THE FIRST PART. IT DOESN'T COME OUT OF ARPA PROCESS. I'LL HAVE SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA IN TWO WEEKS. SEE, I CAN WORK WITH PEOPLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DID IT HURT YOU?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT MAKES SENSE THAT THE DIRECTOR SAID IT HAS BEEN OUT OF STEERING COMMITTEE AND WE AGREE IF IT IS NOT APPROVED COMMISSIONER ELLIS WILL WRORBG IN A DIFFERENT -- WILL WORK WELL IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

TRY IT AGAIN. I MOVE THIS COURT GO ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF ALLOCATING $2 MILLION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY FUND CONTINGENT ON APPROVAL BY THE ARPA PROCESS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AND

THAT WILL GO UNDER ITEM 247. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I COULD JUST AS A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I AM GETTING A NEWS ALERT AND IT IS REGRETFULLY IRONIC THAT WE WOULD HAVE A RESOLUTION ON GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS EARLIER TODAY, BUT NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE IN UVALDE, TEXAS THERE WAS AN ACTIVE SHOOTER AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WHERE 14 PEOPLE THUS FAR HAVE BEEN INJURED. TWO CHILDREN HAVE BEEN KILLED.

MORE OF THOSE INJURED ARE NOT EXPECTED TO SURVIVE.

[03:40:14]

IT'S SAD THAT GUN VIOLENCE WOULD FIND ANY PLACE TO HAPPEN, BUT WHETHER IT IS A PLACE OF WORSHIP OR WHETHER IT BE AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL OR AMONG THE WORST PLACES TO SEE SUCH TRAGEDY HAPPEN.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE ON BEHALF OF

THOSE VICTIMS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHERE DID THIS

OCCUR? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: UVALDE, TEXAS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S WHERE CACTUS JACK GARDENER RETIRED TO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. OUR HEARTS ARE WITH THESE FOLKS.

IT IS SUCH A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY AND IT HAPPENS MUCH TOO OFTEN.

TWO DEAD AND MANY CHILDREN INJURED IN TEXAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SHOOTING IS THE HEADLINE -PL I WILL READING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WAS GOING TO -- JUDGE YOU HAD YOUR GUN VIOLENCE RESOLUTION, SO I THINK IT IS BROAD ENOUGH, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR AN ARPA UPDATE TO DO A GUN BUY BACK PROGRAM. IS THAT OUT OF YOUR OFFICE,

BERRY? >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> IS YOUR MIC ON? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE WAS ASKING WAS YOUR MIC ON. MAYBE IF THEY JUST FIND OUT LATER TODAY BEFORE WE LEAVE IF IT IS BROAD ENOUGH.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO KNOW. THE MAYOR ASKED ME ABOUT IT AND I THINK THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT EVEN IF WE COME UP WITH ER MONEY, EVEN IF IT IS OUT OF MY PRECINCT, WE CAN DO IT BEFORE KIDS GO BACK TO SCHOOL. LOOK, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU ALL FOR VOTING FOR THIS. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.

I TALKED TO SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH LORD. IT IS 14 DECEASED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SHOW BIPARTISAN SUPPORT OF THIS ITEM BECAUSE SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE ONE WOULD NOT HAVE THOUGHT THIS ISSUE WOULD EVEN COME ON THE RADAR, IT HAS. NOT IN MY PRECINCT.

AND ONE QUESTION THAT CAME UP WAS WHERE WERE YOU ALL? IT IS IMPORTANT ON THIS ISSUE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS AND I HOPE YOU CAN -- I TOLD SOME OF THEM, YOU ARE CONSIDERING IT. USUALLY THE LEVERAGE IS WHEN THE

BOND ISSUE IS COMING UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE SEEN

YOU ON THE MEDICINE MAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU PROBABLY FELT MY FOOTPRINTS. ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY,

MS. RAMIREZ? >> NOT ON THIS ITEM.

IF YOU WANTED TO GO AHEAD AND JUMP TO THE UPDATE, WE DO HAVE A SHORTEN-MINUTE PRESENTATION WITH A SLIDE DECK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT OKAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU.

I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME THIS AFTERNOON.

WE WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 10 MINUTES TO UPDATE YOU ON THE MINORITY AND WOMAN-OWNED WOMEN ENTERPRISE PROGRAM.

NEXT SLIDE. FIRST I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE IN THE CONTEXT WHICH COMMISSIONERS' COURT APPROVED THE MWBE PROGRAM. WHEN THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY STUDY WAS PRESENTED IN JUNE 2020, THE "NEW YORK TIMES" HAD A STORY WITH A HEADLINE THAT READ "CORONAVIRUS IS HITTING BLACK BUSINESS OWNERS HARDEST." MCKENZIE PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE THAT STATED "THE COVID-19 CRISIS WILL DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT MINORITY-OWNED SMALL BUSINESS HAD." NEXT SLIDE. THE HARRIS COUNTY DISPARITY STUDY IDENTIFIED RACIAL, ETHNIC AND GENDER DISPARITIES IN THE CONTRACTING PROCESS. FOR EXAMPLE, WHILE BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR MARKET THAT CAN DO THE WORK THAT HARRIS COUNTY CONTRACTS FOR COMPRISED AN 8.4% SHARE OF ALL AVAILABLE

[03:45:02]

CONTRACTORS, THEY WERE RECEIVING ONE HALF OF ONE PERCENT OF THE CONTRACT DOLLARS. NEXT SLIDE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: MS. RAMIREZ, YOU SENT THIS TO THE OFTSS

ALREADY? >> YES, MA'AM.

IT WAS SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. THANK YOU.

I JUST CAN'T SEE THAT FAR. THANK YOU.

>> YES, OF COURSE. THIS IS WHY THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT VOTED TO ESTABLISH THE MWBE PROGRAM.

THEY HAVE A LARGE OR SUBSTANTIALLY SIGNIFICANT DISPARITY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM IS TO ESTABLISH A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID FOR ALL BUSINESSES WHO WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH HARRIS COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE.

THE REST OF THE PRESENTATION WILL FOCUS ON THE WORK WE HAVE DONE SINCE JANUARY OF 2022 AND NEXT STEPS.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE MR. JACK THOMAS WHO IS DEEO'S DIRECTOR OF INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENTS.

JACK STARTED ON MARCH 28TH AND COMES TO HARRIS COUNTY WITH 30 PLUS YEARS OF EXPERIENCE BUILDING AND MANAGING MWBE PROGRAMS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ACROSS THE SOUTH AND MIDWEST.

JACK WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE REST OF THE PRESENTATION AND THEN I WILL CLOSE IT OUT AT THE END.

JACK? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, I AM JACK THOMAS, THE DIRECTOR OF INCLUSIVE PROCUREMENTS. AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THE TIMELINE IN JANUARY WE BEGAN TRAINING AND PROVIDING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AS WELL AS MWBE'S AND CRIME CONTRACTORS AND INDUSTRY STAKEHOLDERS.

IN FEBRUARY WE TOOK OVER THE CONTRACT GOAL SETTINGS FROM THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. UP UNTIL THAT TIME PURCHASING WAS SETTING THE CONTRACT GOALS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE UNION DEPARTMENTS. IN MARCH I WAS BROUGHT ON BOARD AND IN APRIL WE BEGAN DAY TAU INTEGRATION FROM -- WE BEGAN DATA INTEGRATION. SKIP ONE.

>> THE EDUCATION AND TRAINING TOPICS, WE TALK ABOUT CERTIFICATION AND DIFFERENT CONTRACT TYPES AND GOLD SETTING -- GOAL SETTING AND GOOD FAITH EFFORTS AND RECONSIDERATION PROCESS KPHERB -- COMMERCIAL USEFUL FUNCTIONS. IT IS WITH THE PRECINCTS AND THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND THE CONTRACTOR GROUPS THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER. WE ARE GOING TO DO MORE OF THAT.

WE MET WITH THE HOUSTON CONTRACTOR'S ASSOCIATION LAST WEEK AND THEY HAVE ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL TRAINING PARTICULARLY -RBD A GOOD FAITH -- PARTICULARLY AROUND GOOD FAITH EFFORTS AND HOW TO COUNT AROUND MWBE AND FUNCTIONAL REVIEWS.

THEY WANT TO KNOW WHAT WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR WHEN WE MONITOR THE PROJECT SITES. NEXT SLIDE.

WE HAVE THE PEER REVIEW AND COMPLIANCE IS WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD. THIS IS THE ESSENCE OF OUR PROGRAM. WE HAVE BEEN SETTING GOALS OF $50,000 OR MORE. WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO THAT, BUT WE ARE GOING TO EXPAND OUR CONVERSATION WITH THE USER DEPARTMENTS AROUND THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE WE FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT, WHAT THE DESCRIPTIONS ARE AND WHAT TYPES OF EQUIPMENT ARE NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE WORK AS WELL AS WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS AROUND THE CONTRACT SPECIFICATIONS. ALL OF THESE THINGS FACTOR INTO THE GOAL-SETTING PROCESS AND IT IS AN AREA WE CAN IMPROVE.

WE CAN INVEST ALT MORE TIME ON -- A LITTLE MORE TIME ON THE FRONT END AND UNFAVORABLE REVIEWS IN TERMS OF FOLKS NOT READING THE GOALS. IT HELPS KEEP OUR GOALS REASONABLE. ALSO IN A FEW MONTHS WHEN WE

[03:50:04]

COMPLETE THE CONTRACTING CYCLE WE WILL HAVE A BASIS OF INFORMATION WHERE IF WE GO TO THE GOAL-SETTING PROCESS WE CAN LOOK AND SEE DID WE ATTAIN THE GOAL OR IF NOT FOR SIMILAR WORK WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND WE CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS UP OR DOWN WHATEVER IS WARRANTED THROUGH THE PROCESS WE HAVE MET ARE THE KOUPB 10 ENGINEERING APARTMENT AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE REVIEW OF THE UTILIZATION PLANT IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE WE ARE SEEING SOME KHRAOL -- CHALLENGES.

THE MWBE YOU ADOPTED REQUIRES YOU TO TAKE AN EVALUATION OF THE BIDDER'S EFFORTS TO MEET THE GOAL AND/OR MAKE GOOD FAITH EFFORTS. WE ARE SPENDING TIME THERE AND WE GET A LITTLE OF THE EXPECTATIONS AND ARE SLOWING THE PROJECT DOWN AND THAT'S NOT REALLY OUR INTENTION.

OUR INTENTION IS TO DO A THOROUGH JOB.

AND IT DOES TAKE TIME. IT TAKES TIME TO DO THAT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING IN THIS REGARD IS WE ARE EXPANDING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN OUR SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN THE GOOD FAITH REVIEW AND WE ARE DOING INTENSIVE TRAINING AROUND THAT AND BEGINNING NEXT WEEK AND WE HOPE TO HAVE AN EFFICIENT PROCESS AS WE COME THROUGH THAT. SOME OF THE INDUSTRY SOURCES WERE CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE SCHEMES SHOWING UP ON THE UTILIZATION PLANS. WE WANT TO DO WHAT WE CAN TO MITIGATE AGAINST THAT. IT IS NOT FAIR.

IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE COUNTY. IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE MWBE'S AND IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE CONTRACTORS WHO REALLY WANT TO PLAY BY THE RULES. THEY MAY NOT AGREE WITH THE PROGRAM AND THE OBJECTIVES, BUT AS LONG AS WE ARE TREATING EVERYONE FAIRLY AND EVALUATING FAIRLY, MANY OF THEM WILL GIVE US WHAT IT IS WE ARE EXPECTING. WE ARE LOOKING TO DO SOME IMPROVEMENTS THERE. THE RECONSIDERATION OF THE APPEALS PROCESS WHEN THE BIDDER DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD FAITH EFFORT THEY CAN APPEAL THE DECISION TO MS. RAMIREZ BECAUSE SHE IS NOT INVOLVED IN THE DAY-TO-DAY DECISION MAKING.

THE POLICY GIVES US TIME FRAMES IN WHICH CERTAIN THINGS HAVE TO HAPPEN. AND HAVING GONE THROUGH THIS A COUPLE TIMES WE HAVE INKED OUT A REVIEW PROCESS INTERNATIONALLY AND WHERE THE PAPER FLOWS AND WHERE THE VARIOUS HANDOFFS ARE AND THE AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY. WE THINK THAT PROCESS WILL MOVE SMOOTHLY MOVING FORWARD. WE HOPE WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE IT MUCH. AND THEN WE -- POST-AWARD SKPE CAN -- AND WE CAN DISCUSS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE AWARDS ARE AWARDED. AND LETTING THEM KNOW WE NEED COPIES OF THEIR CONTRACTS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE MWBE'S ARE AWARE OF THE PAYMENT PROCESSES FROM THE COUNTY AS WELL AS WITH THE GENERAL CONTRACTOR.

IT IS THE EXPECTATION OF PAYMENT.

AND WE ARE OUR B2G SYSTEM THAT IS ENTERED AND ONCE PAYMENTS ARE MADE TO THE PRIME CONTRACTOR AND THE SUBCONTRACTOR IS ABLE TO GO IN AND INDICATE WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE BEEN PAID.

[03:55:02]

THEN WE WILL DETERMINE OUR COURSE OF ACTION.

WE HAVE CONTRACTORS THAT ARE BEHIND THEIR GOAL.

NEXT SLIDE. THE SEMI-ANNUAL REPORT WE WILL DO THAT ON JUNE 28TH. DERRICK HOLMES IS WORKING ON THAT REPORT AS WE SPEAK. WE HAVE MORE DATA ENTRY THAT IS REQUIRED AROUND OUR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT.

THEY ARE NOT BEING ENTERED INTO PEOPLE SOFT.

WE HAVE SOME ISSUES WHERE WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE DATA INTO OUR B2G SYSTEMS. I THINK DIANA IS TAKING IT FROM

HERE. >> THANK YOU, JACK.

THE DASHBOARD WILL BE AVAILABLE AT THE SAME TIME AS THE UTILIZATION REPORT IN LATE JUNE. THE DASHBOARD WILL INCLUDE THE SAME INFORMATION WE HAD IN THE LAST UTILIZATION REPORT FROM DECEMBER AND THAT WILL HAPPEN IN THIS UTILIZATION REPORT.

WE WON'T HAVE FULL PAYMENT ON THE DASHBOARD OR UTILIZATION REPORT BECAUSE OF THE SHORT COMINGS OF THE PEOPLE SOFTWARE.

SOME OF THE CONTRACTS FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AREN'T ENTERED INTO PEOPLE SOFT AND PAYMENTS ARE PO'S, BUT THEY ARE NOT BEING LINKED TO A CONTRACT NUMBER.

IT IS A LOT OF DETAIL AND REVIEW.

IT IS A LOT OF WORK FOR EVERYBODY.

WE ARE WORKING ON THAT AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO IMPROVE THAT AND HOW TO GET THE AUTOMATIONS ADDED INTO THE SYSTEM. CONTINUING PROCESS IMPROVEMENT.

WE HAVE INTERNAL STANDARD OPERATION PROCEDURES.

THE HANDOFFS WERE SHAKY AND WE WANT TO HAVE THAT CLEARLY STATED IN WRITING AND ESTABLISH CLEAR TURN AROUND DEADLINES AND CONTRACT DEPARTMENTS AND PURCHASING SO EVERYBODY WILL KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING. THOSE ARE THE INDUSTRY CODES WE USE THAT HELP US ESTABLISH THE GOALS FOR THE USE OF MWBE'S AND WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK. JACK IS DOING A LOT OF WORK GETTING TOGETHER A CHEAT SHEET FOR PEOPLE TO USE BECAUSE FOLKS ARE NOT USED TO OR HAVE THE EXPERTISE IN IDENTIFYING THE PARTICULAR INDUSTRY CODES BECAUSE IT GETS VERY GRANULAR.

NEXT SLIDE. LIVE AND ON DEMAND TRAINING.

WE HAVE A NEW TRAINING ROOM NOW THAT WE HAVE MOVED TO THE ADD STWRAEUT TIFF OFFICE BUILDINGS -- ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE BUILDINGS. WE CAN DO TRAINING IN OUR OWN OFFICES AND WE WANT ON DEMAND TRAINING.

WE ARE LOOKING AT AN RFP FOR VIDEO TRAINING SO WE CAN HAVE EASY TO DIGEST VIDEO TRAINING. WHEN THEY NEED A REFRESHER THEY DON'T HAVE TO SET UP FOR A MEETING OR A TRAINING IN A MONTH. IT WILL INCLUDE LIVE ACTOR ANIMATION AND WE WILL WANT TO HAVE THEM IN SPECIFIC ISSUE AREAS. IT IS A 2-MINUTE VIDEO AND A 5-MINUTE VIDEO ON HOW GOALS ARE SET.

THAT'S SOMETHING IN THE WORKS THAT WE ARE PREPARING.

THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION AND THE LIAISON OFFICER WILL TRANSFER OVER FROM CSD AND ONE OF THE TRAUPB -- TRAININGS THAT JACK'S TEAM IS UNDERGOING IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS IS OSHA TRAINING.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR STAFF HAS THE TRAINING THEY NEED TO SET FOOT ON A CONSTRUCTION SITE. AND THEN WE HAVE NEW PROGRAM ELEMENTS THAT WE ARE SCOPING OUT TO BUILD UP THE MWBE CAPACITY --

[04:00:03]

MWDBE. AND IF SO IF WE HAVE ONE PERSON LEAVE THE OFFICE IT DOESN'T CREATE A GAP IN SERVICE FOR ANY CLIENT DEPARTMENTS AND THEN WE ARE DEVELOPING OTHER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OR LOOKING AT THEM AND THERE ARE A LOT OF REALLY GOOD PROGRAMS THE IDEA IS WE DON'T HAVE TO RECREATE THE WHEEL. WE JUST NEED TO IDENTIFY IT AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN CONTRACT WITH THEM AND THEY CAN PROVIDE IT ON BEHALF OF OUR PROGRAM. JACK, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WANT

TO ADD ON THAT LAST PART? >> LINA HIDALGO: JUST TO KNOW IT HAS NOW GONE 20 MINUTES SO IF YOU WANTED TO WRAP IT UP SOON.

>> YES, MA'AM. NEXT SLIDE.

AND THIS IS WHERE WE ARE ADMINISTRATIVELY AND WE HAVE SIX POSITIONS FILLED AND WE HAVE TWO MORE COMING IN THE 2023 DRAFT BUDGET. AND I BELIEVE THAT'S IT.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A QUICK QUESTION.

IT IS MY ASSUMPTION YOUR GOALS APPLIED TO PROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS THE VAST MAJORITY ARE DECIDED BY MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT. AND THIS ITEM IS NOT BROAD ENOUGH. I WOULD LIKE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA. THE GOAL -- THE CONTRACT THAT'S COME OUT OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON

THE 8 BALL. >> WE HAVE SPW-PB WORKING WITH THE PRECINCT OFFICES AND HAVING LOTS OF MEETINGS WITH STAFF AND WE ARE WORKING ON GOALS FOR EVERY CONTRACT THAT COMES OUT OF THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY. WE ARE LOOKING AT THE STAFF AND

PRECINCT OFFICES AS OF NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU ALL HEAR THAT? I WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU IN AN AWKWARD POSITION.

I DON'T MIND BEING IN ONE. >> NOTED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL SHOW THAT WHEN THE UH TESTIMONY COMEH

GENERAL STKAU? >> YES, SIR.

WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM FOR THE LAST, I DON'T KNOW, SIX WEEKS OR SO. DERRICK HOLMES HAS BEEN MEETING WITH EVERY PRECINCT OFFICE AND TALKING WITH THEIR STAFF AND WORKING THROUGH THE DETAILS OF HOW WE WILL DO THIS AND WE HAVE BEEN REVIEWING THE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: DIRECTOR RAMIREZ, I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU CONSIDER SELF-REPORTING. SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE DOING A LOT OF WORK IN TERMS OF MONITORING. I HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A LOT OF DIFFERENT CONTRACTING SITUATIONS WHERE I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR MONITORING MY OWN SELF. IF IF IT IS A MATTER OF -- IF IT IS A MATTER OF COPYING YOU ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AND DEALING WITH THE CONTRACT I DO, THAT'S NO PROBLEM FOR THE PEOPLE THERE -- THAT DO WORK WITH THE COUNTY. RATHER THAN EVERYBODY RUNNING AROUND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO IS DOING WHAT ON WHAT HAVE THEM SELF-REPORT. THAT'S ALSO AN ACCOUNT -- AN ACCOUNTABILITY METHOD THAT I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL GOING FORWARD. JUST A RECOMMENDATION IN TERMS OF I DON'T THINK YOU GET PUSH BACK FOR PEOPLE WHO DO WORK FOR

THE COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS ITEM 294.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR FOR THAT REPORT RO*D RO* ONE MORE.

RODRIGUEZ ONE MORE. DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE THAT

YOU ARE NOT GET STPH-G. >> THE TWO FTE'S IN THE DRAFT, THE FY23 BUDGET, IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF WE COULD GET THEM HIRED THIS SUMMER SO THAT WE CAN GET THEM HIRED AND TRAINED TO GET STARTED BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF CONTRACTS COMING OUR WAY AND THEN WORK THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS A PROBLEM.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WOULD BE 294 AND THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL. WE PASSED THE MOTION ON THE

[04:05:03]

RELATED ITEM AND WE ARE DISCUSSED 294.

LET ME GO BACK UP TO 260. AN UPDATE ON THE INITIATIVES TO

REDUCE THE BACKLOG. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE AN UPDATE UNDER FIVE MINUTES.

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> DAVE, CAN YOU TURN YOUR MIC

ON? >> IT IS SWITCHED ON.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> FOR THE THE FIRST TIME --

>> DAVE, WE CAN BARELY HEAR YOU ON THE WEB-X AND ON THE LIVE

STREAM. >> IS THAT BETTER?

>> YES. >> GREAT.

THE GOOD NEWS TO REPORT IS THAT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN REALLY TWO YEARS WE ARE SEEING A MATERIAL DECREASE IN THE COURT BACKLOG, ABOUT 10% IN THE COUNTY COURTS FOR MISDEMEANORS AND 5% FOR FELONY. THAT'S VERY GOOD NEWS.

IT IS ALSO HUMBLING THAT WE HAVE SO FAR TO GO, BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYBODY CONTRIBUTING TO THAT.

WE HAVE SEEN A CONTINUAL UPWARD TREND IN THE JAIL POPULATION.

THIS IS WITH TPAEUF00 INMATES -- 500 INMATES OUT SOURCED TO LOUISIANA. THERE IS A TEAM LOOKING AT ANY AND ALL SOLUTIONS TO RELIEVING THE JAIL POPULATION.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT LITTLE BAKER FOR LOWER RISK.

THE WORK THEY CAN DO TO PRIORITIZE SO IF INNOCENT ACQUITTED OR GUILTY CAN START SENTENCES IN THE STATE PRISON.

NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. YOU CAN HE HERE SINCE WE HAVE MOVED BACK DOWNTOWN FOR JURY OPERATIONS AND COURT ACTIVITY HAS INCREASED, JURY UTILIZATION RATE HAS GONE UP.

THEY WERE OVER 80% IN THE MONTH OF APRIL.

WE ALSO BROKE OUT HERE TO THE DISTRICT COURTS, THE NUMBER OF CASES CLEARED BY EACH COURT AND EACH JUDGE.

THERE ARE EIGHT COURTS THAT CLEARED 2800 CASES.

JUSTICE IS DONE, BUT APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF THOSE WHO ARE PUTTING IN THE EXTRA TIME. YOU HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS FOR THE COUNTY COURTS. FIVE COURTS CLEARED 3500 CASES.

I WON'T GO OVER THE INDIVIDUAL PAGES, BUT THERE ARE A COUPLE OF SUCCESS STORIES IN HERE. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS BEEN ADDING TEMPS TO WEAR BODY CAMERA FOOTAGE.

WE RECOGNIZE THAT IS A FAIRLY SIGNIFICANT IMPEDIMENT IN GETTING CASES TO TRIAL. THE D.A. HAS BEEN WORKING WITH LAWEN -- LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SYNC UP AND SPEED UP THE REVIEW PROCESS. IT IS ADDING MORE COURT CAPS -- COURT CAPACITY AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT OTHER INVESTMENTS THEY WOULD LIKE TO MAKE. IT MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN KEEPING THE WHEELS TURNING. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FIVE MINUTES OR LESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

WELL, THERE WERE OTHER SLIDES, NO?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD JOB ON THE TIME -- TIMELINESS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I NOTED ON THE CLEARANCE RATE IS YOU WERE GIVING A BEST CASE SCENARIO OF 120% CLEARANCE RATE.

I THINK WE WOULD LIKE BETTER THAN 120%.

THAT IS JUST 20% IMPROVEMENT. ALL OF US WOULD LIKE IT BUMPED -P MORE THAN 120. IT WOULD STILL GET 24 MONTHS AND WHAT I WOULD LIKE -- YOU DON'T NEED TO DO THIS TO EVERYBODY, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT IF WE BUMP THIS UP TO 150%

CLEARANCE? >> WE WILL ADD THAT, AND THIS LAST ONE ON THE PRESENTATION UNDERLINES HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR THE COURT SYSTEM TO BACKLOG CASES.

TO MAKE A DENT NOT ONLY DO WE NEED TO CLEAR CASES, BUT MOVE THOSE THAT ARE THE OLDEST. THAT ALSO HELPS A -- HELPS WITH

THE JAIL POPULATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY,

[04:10:03]

THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND WE ARE IN -- WE ARE NOT IN THAT MUCH OF A HURRY. WE TALK ALL DAY ABOUT RESOLUTIONS. WE WILL TALK ABOUT EFFICIENCY.

>> THE NUMBER IS 30 MILLION AND I WILL PULL THE PRE SIS -- THE

PRE SIS NUMBER. >> HOW MANY POSITIONS HAVE WE

MADE WITH ARPA FUNDS? >> I HAVE TO GET THAT, BUT IT IS DOZENS OF POSITIONS, THE LARGEST WHICH ARE PROSECUTORS TO STAFF

THE COURTS. >> AND HOW MANY OF THOSE HAVE BEEN FILLED? IN --

>> IN TOTAL 70 OPEN POSITIONS TO BE HIRED FOR.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE DO GET THOSE FOLKS HIRED SO THE COURTS AND ASSOCIATE JUDGES CAN BE FULLY STAFFED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU GIVE US A BREAK DOWN OF THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE AGENCIES HAVE REMAINING VACANCIES?

>> I WILL TRY TO GET THAT BY THE END OF THE DAY, IF NOT SHORTLY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: ARE THOSE POSITIONS FUNDED?

>> THE 70 POSITIONS ? BASED ON ACTION THE COURT TOOK, THEY ARE ALL ELIGIBLE FOR HIRE. IF THEY WERE TO BE FILLED ALL THE TIME THERE WOULD BE A SMALL BUDGET ADJUSTMENTNESS -- NECESSARY. IF WE GET TO THAT POINT, WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT. WE WANT THE D.A. TO HIRE TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS TO KEEP THE COURTS MOVING.

>> THE MONEY IS THERE. IT IS ARPA MONEY.

IF WE DON'T SPEND IT IT WILL BE FILLED.

>> THERE IS NOTHING HOLDING BACK FILLING THE POSITIONS.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SPEED UP THE PROCESS IN THE D.A.'S OFFICE OR ANY -- ANYWHERE ELSE?

>> YOU ALWAYS LOOK AT PAY TO MAKE SURE IT IS ATTRACTIVE.

THIS COURT HAS MADE SOME CHANGES AND WE HAVE MADE SOME CHANGES TO SUPPORT THAT. I KNOW THEY ARE LOOKING AT TRAINING AND OTHER THINGS TO APPROVE ATTRACTING PEOPLE.

>> I WANT TO SUGGEST TWO THINGS, ONE BECAUSE IF IT IS ARPA MONEY IF WE DON'T USE IT WE'LL LOSE IT.

I WANT YOU TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON HOW WE HAVE SOME BALANCE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DO AT THE PD'S OFFICE.

YOU HAVE TO DO BOTH. YOU HAVE TO DO BOTH.

WE HAVE NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE USED ARPA MONEY.

>> THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT. WE WILL ADD MORE RESOURCES.

>> AND IN PARTICULAR WE ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND THE MONEY.

I HOPE IT IS SPENT, BUT IF NOT WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO PLUG IT IN. AND IT IS EMBARRASSING IF SOME

OF THE MONEY HAS TO GO BACK. >> AND IF YOU DON'T MIND ME ADDING ONE MORE COMMENT AND I SPOKE TO JUDGE HIDALGO ABOUT IT, BUT THE COURT APPROVED THE CASE LOAD STUDY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

AND THAT'S SOMETHING THE COURTS ARE INVOLVED IN.

AND THOSE SHOULD BE GOOD RESULTS NOT ONLY FOR THE BACKLOG, BUT THE CAPACITY WE NEED IN THE LONG RUN.

THERE HAS BEEN DISCUSSION ON THAT AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HAVE DATA-DRIVEN CONCLUSIONS ON WHAT WE NEED ACROSS THE SYSTEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> IF I CAN ADD SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE ARE MAKING SURE WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE ARPA DOLLARS AND THERE WILL BE A TRANSMITTAL OF SOME KIND IN THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS ABOUT POTENTIAL ACTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE HAVE THREE YEARS FOR THE MONEY AS OPPOSED

TO TWO? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

THIS COURT APPROVED A THIRD YEAR OF ARPA FUNDING THAT WOULD CARRY

US THROUGH FISCAL 23. >> [INAUDIBLE] -- TALKING ABOUT THE DEADLINE TO EXTEND THE ARPA FUNDS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GIVE ME BOTH? >> THOSE CONTRACTS WERE EXTENDED TO THREE YEARS IN THE HOPES TO -- I UNDERSTAND THE STANDARD LENGTH OF CONTRACT TO ENCOURAGE FILLING THOSE, QUOTE, TEMPORARY

[04:15:04]

POSITIONS AND ARPA FUNDS HAVE TO BE SPENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAD TWO MORE SLIDES.

IS TPHR* -- IS THERE ANYTHING TO ADD THERE?

MAYBE A QUICK OVERVIEW? >> SURE.

OF THOSE SIX POSITIONS THAT WENT TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, THEY HAVE ALL BEEN FILLED. IN TERMS OF THE PROGRESS, THIS IS A REPORT ON THE TREE -- TRIAGE PROGRAM THAT IS DISMISSING CASES BEFORE THEY HAVE TO GO TO TRIAL THERE BY FREEING UP RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE MOST SERIOUS CASES.

AND A REPORT ON EVIDENCE PROCESSING CATEGORY BY CATEGORY.

AND THAT OBVIOUSLY IS SOMETHING THAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES AND ADDITIONAL TECHNOLOGY HAS HELPED WITH.

I DON'T HAVE THE DATA ON THIS, BUT THE EVIDENCE BEING PROCESSED AND SHARED WITH DEFENSE ATTORNEYS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO KEEP THE TRIAL ON SCHEDULE AND KEEP THE COURTS MOVING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. THE APPROACH TO THE AUTOMATED CAMERA DOWNLOADING IS THAT THE PROCESS COVERS 1700 DASH CAM AND BODY CAM UNITS BEGINNING MAY 31ST.

THE PROCESS IS SLATED TO TAKE EIGHT TO 12 WEEKS TO BE COMPLETED. THERE IS A BAND FOR MISDEMEANOR FELONY CASES WITH THE PEAK BEING JANUARY OF THIS YEAR WITH NEARLY 25,000 CASES IN BACKLOG FOR MISDEMEANOR AND ABOUT 20,000 FOR FELONY CASES. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THIS, WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THOSE VARIOUS COMPONENTS THAT WE HAVE FUNDED ARE GIVEN A RENEWED LOOK AT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE STAYING ON TRACK AND THEY ARE MOVING ALONG AND IF THERE ARE ANY PROBLEMS, PLEASE LET US KNOW.

>> CERTAINLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

AND A REGRETFUL UPDATE. 14 ARE CONFIRMED DEAD.

I BELIEVE IT WAS STUDENTS WITH ONE TEACHER ALSO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. BERRY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE REFERENCE TO DISCOVERY FOR DEFENSE ATTORNEYS. CAN ARPA MONEY BE USED FOR THAT?

>> IF WE ARE USING ARPA MONEY TO SPEED UP PROCESSING, AND ONE IS PROCESSING THE EVIDENCE MEANING TKPWRET -- GETTING THE RELEVANT FOOTAGE AND GETTING IT REVIEWED. WE ARE USING AR PJ A FUNDS.

ARPA FUNDS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WE COULDN'T USE THE ARPA FUNDS. IF THERE ARE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. I'LL ASK AROUND.

>> I WOULD BE CURIOUS, MAYBE ASL US, WHAT WOULD THEY DO IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS? I HAVE AUTHORED THE DISCOVERY STATUTE. IT IS THE STRONGEST IN THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE THE WEAKEST STANDARDS IN THE COUNTRY. NEW YORK HAS A STRONGER STATUTE RIGHT NOW. SOMETIMES PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT IT, BUT I REMEMBER WHAT IT IS LIKE IN THE OLD DAYS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> JUDGE, I KNOW WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON THIS, 299 AND 316 ON THE AGENDA NEED TO BE TAKEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND -- A LITIGATION ISSUE POPPED UP RELATED TO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MOMENT. SO 299 IS A CONTRACT WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATION AND SMG.

I WILL ADD THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> YOU CAN PAIR THAT WITH 316. AND WHEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WE

[04:20:05]

KILL DISCUSS HOW THEY ARE RELATED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH OTHER ONE DID YOU SAY?

>> 316, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: PERFECT.

GOT IT. LET'S KEEP GOING IN ORDER HERE.

AND CAN WE STILL GO IN ORDER OR IS THERE A TIME SENSITIVITY TO

THIS? >> I'LL LET -- JOHN IS THIS TIME SENSITIVE AND DO WE NEED TO TALK RIGHT NOW?

>> IT IS NOT. JUST FOR THE COURT'S CLARIFICATION, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY FILED A LAWSUIT A COUPLE HOURS AGO RELATED TO THE COUNTY EMPLOYEE WORKER PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO TAKE IT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION IN CASE LITIGATION ISSUES ARISE, BUT THERE IS NO URGENCY TO DISCUSS THOSE

MATTERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE. I HAVE MARKED IT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE DISCUSSED 260 AND IT IS SIMPLY A TRANSMITTAL. WE ARE MOVING ON TO 261.

THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL ON THE A RARBGS -- ARPA FUNDS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED IT. I SUSPECT MR. BERRY HAS AN

UPDATE. >> TOM RAMSEY: DAVID, QUICKLY ON 261. SO MANY POSITIONS ARE FUNDED THROUGH ARPA. I SKAO THIS NEARLY -- I ASK THIS NEARLY EVERY COURT. YOU HAVE A SENSE OF GRANTING WHAT IS -- YOU HAVE A SENSE OF GRANTING WHAT IS ARPA FUNDED.

SO WE DON'T SIT HERE PAYING DOLLARS FOR POSITIONS WE DON'T

NEED. >> WE HAVE TAKEN CARE THAT THE COUNTY ISN'T OBLIGATION -- OBLIGATED TO HAVE ANY PROGRAMS AFTER ARPA FUNDS. YOU MAY WANT TO CONTINUE THEM WITH UNDERUN FDING CHOICES, BUT THAT'S YOUR CHOICE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'SLL A I HAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE. SO THATS ISIMPLY ARA TNSMITTAL.

265. COMMISSIONERAM RSEY, THAT IS

SUBDIVISIONRA DINAGE PROJECT. >> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLYIF, THE DIRECTORS ION THE LINE -- OH IT ISR. D RAHMEN.

DUE HAVE - A- DO YOUAV HE A METRIC SHOWING WHAT HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THEOD FLO PLAIN WITH THESE PROJECTS?

>>MI COMSSIONER, WE'T DON HAVE A METRA TEUBG -- METRIC OFOW H MANY WILLRE BE MOVED FROM THE FLOODIN PLA FOR TWOSO REANS.

ONE, COMMISSIONER, WE ARENG GOI TO HAVE A MAP W ANDHATHA WE VE DONE,MI COMSSIONER, IS WE HAVE MAPPED L THEIMITED BAS ON RAINFALL INTENSITY AND O BASEDN THAT THERE IS 4,348TE STATUS WILL BEIN REDUCG THE PLANNING FROM THISCT PRODU.

>> TOM RAMSEY: WHAT WAS THATNU MBER?

>>. 4,348 >> TOM RAMSEY: VERY- GOD - VERY GOOD.I LIKE A GUY WITH AR. NUMBE

THAT'S NOT ANGE AVERA. THAT IS A. 4,348>>

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ARE YOU GOOD TO MOVECO O MMISSIONER RAMSEY? SOS THAT WAITEM 261.E THNEXT IS2 ITEM -- EXCUSE THAT. WAS 265XT NE IS ITEM 267. I ITS AN UPDATE ON THE BOND PROGRAM.U

YOALSO FLAGGED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.>> TOM RAMSEY: DOCTOR, MY QUESTION HERE ISY HOW MANOF THESES PROJECTE THAT ARRR CUENTLY -- I KNOWTE WE STARD AND ALL W OF THEMERE IN8 THE 201 BOND AND ARE INL SOME LEVEDE OF SIGN OR COMPLETIONHO. W MANYWO PROJECTS ULD YOU CALLY

READWITHIN SIX MONTHS TO BID? >>G IN KEEPINALL OF THEEC PROJTSRW MOVING FOARD, AS YOUIO MENTN NONE D HAVE BEENELAYEDI AND WOULD HAVE TOTO GET BACK YOU ONC A SPECIFINUMBER OFEC PROJTS THAT ARE OUTWA AND ITING AND READY TO BIT INXT THE NE B SIX MONTHS,UT SHOULD I BEO ABLE TGET THAT FOR YOU.

>>'S I KNOW THAT AN ARBITRARYON QUESTI, BUT MAYBE ITME IS A TRIC YOU WOULD DEFINEYB AND MAEE WITHIN THREMONTHS OFG, BIDDIN BUT WHATEVERSE MAKES NSE TOGH Y'ALL WE OUTFI TO MEANS.ATY SHOVEL READ LOT OFA TERM THAT A PEOPLE THROW AROUND S. THEYAY WHAT ISY? SHOVEL READVE WE HA NOTE ACQUIRED TH PROPERTY.

[04:25:04]

DEFINE WHAT SHOVEL READY Y MEANS INOUR MIND.

AND O TWO, HOW MANYF THE W PROJECTSOULD BEDE IN THAT

FINITION?IN >> CERTALY.

WE CANRM GET THAT INFOATION AND A FUTUREWITH YOU AT

COURTOM. >> T RAMSEY: THANK>> YOU.

LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR.

THAT WAS ITEM 267. ITSS IS A TRANS MITR TALL -- ANSMITTAL.IL EXECUTIVEDISCUSS IN SESSION. ITEM 301, COMMISSIONER GARCIAE.

WE HAV AN UPDATECA ON THE TALYTICUE CONVERTER ISS.N

>> ADRIAGARCIA: YES.WA COMBAT THETO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS, THE BIGGEST ISSUE LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS HAD O IS PROVING THATNE WASO ACTUALLY SLEN.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS INCLUDED SPEAKING TOC THE -- CATALYTI CONVERTERS. I CAN'TOW BREATHE RIGHT N.TO AND IT IS ENSURE THAT ALL HARRIS COUNTY IS COVERED.TT THE COUNTY AORNEY HAS ADDED INTO HARRISS COUNTY REGULATIONA PROVISION THAT WILL MAKEUL IT UNLAWF TO POSSESSION --A TO POSSESS USED CATALYTICAT CONVERTER TH WAS CUTIG FROM THE ORINAL VEHICLE. THEAN ONLY WAY ANYONE C HAVE AC CUT CATALYTI CONVERTER, THEY CAN PROVE THAT THEY GOT IT THROUGH LEGAL MEANS. IT WILL RESULT INAR A CRIMINAL CHGE. THIS UPDATE SHOWS RESILIENCE AGAINST THE SHEFT OF THESE --EF AGAINST THE THT OF THESE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THET LAW ENFORCEMEN AGENCIES REVEALED THAT THIEVES GET AWAY WITH IT. 90 TO 99% OF THE CATALYTICT CONVERTER THEF CASES. FROMR JANUARY OF LAST YEATO MAY OF THIS YEAR 4543TE CATALYTIC INCIDENTS WERE REPORTED AND ONLY 56E. ARRESTS WERE MADAR THAT'S A 1.2 CLEANCE RATE. I'M EXCITED TO BEON ABLE TO REPT THIS UPDATE, BUT I WOULDQU ALSO LIKE TO REEST TO TOD APPROVE -- WOULTHAT BE IN YOUR SHOP ORF' THROUGH THE SHERIFS OFFICE.

>> WE CAN WORK WITH THEM. SO IN ADDITION TO -- INRE ADDITN TO THE PVIOUSEN PROVISIONS IS TO SURE THAT THERE IS AN UPDATE OF THIS IN THE RECYCLING. THAT'S WHERE THEY MAKE THE CASH FLOW.S DO YOU NEED THAT A A MOTION? VERY GOOD. THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME.SI >> THANK YOU, COMMISONER.

THAT'S FANTASTIC. >> JUDGE, IF YOU WOULDWE LIKE, I HAVE THE ANSR TO Q COMMISSIONER ELLIS'UESTION L.

ME SHAKEIDALGO:ET SURE.

DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS? IT IS APPROVALE TO THE UPDATES F TH METAL RECYCLING A REGULATIONS IS THERE MOTION? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONERY GARCIA AND SECONDED B COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. O >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FAN PLUSLY. -- MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> ABOUT 200 POSITIONS IN ALL CREATED THROUGH ARPA.

AND NOT ALL OF THIS FUNDING IS OFFICIALLY APPROVED.

AND IF WE REQUIRE THESE BACKLOGS IT WOULDIN BE 60 MILLION OF FUNDG. I KNOW IFTO THERE ARE GOOD PLANS PUT MORE, AT LEAST IBE BELIEVE THE COURT WOULD OPEN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 302, COMMISSIONER T RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY:HIS IS SIMPLY -- I PASSED AROUND A MOTION AND IT IS TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS LISTED IN HERE EXCEPT THE 25,000 FOR

SB1 ELECTION LAWSUIT.T >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUSN. WANTED TO ASK A QUESTIO THE ONE BEING PULLED OUT, ARE WE REQUIRED -- I THINK THE COUNTYR ATTORNEY IS ON THE LINE FO

THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

THIS IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION

[04:30:03]

ADMINISTRATOR AND SEVERALHE ADMINISTRATORS INVOLVING T SB1 LAW PASSED IN THE LEGISLATION. LAWSUITS LIKE THIS ARE FILED AGAINST THECA ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR BEUSE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL ARGUED THAT IT IS NOT THE STATE THAT MUST BE SUED, BUT IT IS THE COUNTIES. THIS IS THE WAY WE WOULD HAVE TO REPRESENT THE SAME WAY IF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS SUED LAWSUIT THE COUNTY CAN GET IN TROUBLE ANDAL THERE CAN BE SANCTIONS AND L TYPES OF OTHERLI ISSUES.

>> RODNEY ELS: I WOULD HATE FOR YOU TO GET IN TROUBLE.

I WANT YOU TO SPEND TIME WITH THAT NEWBORN AT YOUR HOUSE.

>> YEAH. I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT TO HAPPEN TOO. TO BE CLEAR, THIS IS NOT A LAWSUIT WE FILED. THE EA IS AN INDEPENDENT AND THE OFFICE PROVIDES FOR US -- WE CAN HIRE AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM, BUT IT WILL BE WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN $25,000.

>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS THE RESIGNED EA WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS IS NOT A GENERICEC CONVERSATION.

THIS IS SPIFIC. I TPHAEUD -- I MADE THE MOTION AND I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SECOND.

>> THE LAWSUIT IS NOT AGAINST ISABEL LONG TKPWOR RAW.

IT ISRA AGAINST THE ELECTION ADMINISTTOR IN HER CAPACITY.

IF IT WAS TOM JOHNSON IN THE POSITION THE LAWSUIT WOULD STILL

BE AGAINST THAT PERSON.R? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONE

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAKE SURE THAT IT IS CLEAR THAT WE ARE GOING TO PAY -- WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR THAT PICK -- FOR THAT PARTICULAR LAWSUIT OR I WON'T VOTE FOR THE OTHERS.

I MAY MAKE A SUBSTITUTE THAT IF WE UH PRO*F -- APPROVE THE ONE SECTION THEY ARE PULLING OUT AND VOTE ON THAT.

IF IT DOESN'T PASS I FOR ONE WILL NOT VOTE FOR ANOTHER ONE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN IT OCCURS WE VOTE ON IT AND THEN YOU

MOVE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW THAT IF I MAKE A SUBSTITUTA SUBSTITUTE WE VOTE ON THE ITEM FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE PART RELATED TO THE ELECTION

ADMINISTRATORD OFFICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONEBY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?

>> NAY. >> NAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS OTHER THAN THE SB1

LAWSUIT? >> MAKE A MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT WAS 302.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE NEGATIVITY GETS IN

THE AIR LEAST YOU MIGHT FORGET. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MOVE TO 304. COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY

BOTH FLAGGED THE ITEM.JU >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DGE. FOR ME, THIS IS A FACT THAT WE HAVE FALLEN SHORT OF OUR STANDARDS IN THE HEALTH OF THE BROADER COMMUNITY. TCQ HAS NOT DONE MUCH ABOUT IT.

THEY KICKED THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD SAYING THEY NEED MORE TIME.

WE CAN BE IN COMPLIANCE, BUT IT ISN'T HAPPENING.

WE NEED THE EPA TO STEP IN AND REQUIRE STATES TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO DO A LOT MORE TO CUT OZONE POLLUTION.

QUITE FRANKLY WE AS COMMISSIONERS CAN BUILD BEAUTIFUL PARKS FOR OUR COMMUNITIES.

BUT IF WE DON'T TACKLE THIS GROUND-LEVEL OZONE POLLUTION TOGETHER WE CAN'T ENJOY IT. THIS YEAR THE AMERICAN LUNG SOCIATION GIVE -- GAVE US AN F SAYING IF YOU LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE AIR YOU BREATHE MAY PUT YOUR HEALTH AT RISK.

IT IS WORTH NOTING THE EPA'S PROPOSED SUGGESTION IS THAT RESIDENTS LIVING NEAR THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL ALREADY BEAR A DISPROPORTIONATE BURDEN OF POLLUTION IN OUR AREA.

I'M GLAD THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS TAKING THIS ON AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE TO SUPPORT -- TO MOVE THIS ITEM. T

>> TOM RAMSEY: MY ONLY QUESTION ISHERE IS NO BACK UP WITH IT.

I WOULD LIKE TO IS -- LIKE TO HAVE A LITTLE INFORMATION BEFORE VOTING ON IT. I DIDN'T HAVE BACK UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS THE BACK UP.

>> TOM RAMSEY: NO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT THE

COMMENTS? >> TOM RAMSEY: ALL I HAVE IS

WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT WAS READ

TO US, ARE THOSE THE COMMENTS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.IT

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO YOU WANT TO SUBM WHAT YOU JUST READ.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SUBMIT THE ITEM AS PROPOSED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE ITEM PROPOSED SAYS THAT IT IS FIVE

[04:35:02]

COMMENTS. WE WERE NOT PROVIDED COMMENTS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DON'T HAVE ANY BACK UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SUBMIT MY REMARKS AS COMMENTS.

>> I CAN ADDRESS THIS. WE HAD VERY QUICK TURN AROUND.

THE COMMENTS ARE BEING DRAFTED CURRENTLY.

WE DID NOT HAVE TIME TO SUBMIT THEM WITH THE BACK UP.

WE ARE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOUR OFFICES, BUT WE NEEDED TO TAKE ACTION AND I AM TRYING TO GET THE EXACT DATE FOR THE COMMENT DEADLINE, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION BEFORE THE MEETING TO SUBMIT ON TIME SO WE HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO PULL THE COMMENTS TOGETHER BEFORE THE MEETING. IT WILL BE CONSISTENT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID AND THE COUNTY RELATED TO THE OZONE

STANDARD REGULATIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA READ WILL BE THE SUM AND SUBSTANCE OF THE COMMENTS THEN I AM IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.

WITHOUT SEEING THE COMMENTS IT IS HARD FOR ME TO VOTE FOR SOMETHING. CAN WE JUST MAKE HIS

DISSERTATION OUR COMMENTS? >> OUR OFFICE IS HAPPY TO INCLUDE THOSE, BUT TO BE EFFECTIVE WE WOULD NEED TO ADDRESS THEM IN GREATER DETAIL, AND UNFORTUNATELY WE DID NOT HAVE THE TIME TO DO THAT BEFORE THE MEETING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK IN A SECOND SO CAN WE VOTE ON THIS AND YOU CAN DRAFT SOME ADDITIONAL COMMENTS

AND THEN WE CAN VOTE -- >> TOM RAMSEY: THE DEAL IS WE ARE ABOUT TO WRITE A LETTER AND WE WOULD LIKE TO APPROVE IT.

I'M SUPPORTIVE OF AIR QUALITY. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IT FOR 40 PLUS YEARS. BUT TO APPROVE SOMETHING WITHOUT SEEING IT, I GUESS WE WILL HOPE ON IT TO COME BUT HOW DO YOU VOTE ON SOMETHING WITHOUT IT WRITTEN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. LET'S VOTE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BACK TO MY POINT, I WILL SUPPORT WHAT WAS JUST READ WHAT IS WHAT MY COLLEAGUE READ INTO THE RECORD

OF. >> THAT'S NOT HOW THESE COMMENTS WORK, COMMISSIONER. THEY ARE VERY DETAILED DOCUMENT THAT'S GET DEEP INTO THE SCIENCE OF IT.

IT IS NOT A 3 CENTS MOTION MADE AT A TABLE.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE COMMENTS, WE ARE HAPPY TO BRING THEM TO YOU AND HAVE A CONVERSATION TO YOU ABOUT IT.

IF YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE VOTING ON IT, YOU CAN VOTE

AGAINST IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS IT SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE APPROVED TODAY, COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE CAN HOLD IT UNTIL THE END, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO READ IT. OH THEY DON'T HAVE IT READY.

IT IS NOT READY? >> THEY ARE JUST DUE BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING. THAT'S THE ISSUE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THERE A DRAFT?

>> NO. THERE IS NO DRAFT.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE WHAT WE CAN DO IS PULL TOGETHER SOME HIGH-LEVEL BULLET POINTS TO LET YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT IS IN THERE AND CONFER BACK ON THIS ITEM LATER IN THE MEETING AND I CAN HAVE

SOMEBODY FROM MY OFFICE DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I I HAVE -- HAVE I ONLY BEEN HERE FIVE YEARS.

THERE WERE OTHER INSTANCES WHERE I HAVE VOTED FOR SOMETHING AND WE HAD A GENERAL SENSE OF WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO.

I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON IT, IF YOU MIGHT.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE LANGUAGE YOU CAN PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA AFTER THEY SEND IT IN. YOU CAN BE FOR IT ORGANS T BUT AT SOME -- OR AGAINST T BUT AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO GET DOWN THE ROAD. YOU WILL OWE ME A SECOND TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL VOTE ON IT TODAY.

I WILL CALL IT BACK UP AT THE END IN CASE YOU ARE OKAY WITH THE HIGH-LEVEL TOPICS. LET'S TAKE A BREAK AT -- TAKE A BREAK. IT IS 4:18 AND THEN

>> TOO MANY TIMES. >> SORRY TO HEAR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:35. COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE ARE HOLDING 304 TO VOTE ON AT THE END. WE ARE MOVING ON TO 305.

THAT ONE GOES ALONG WITH 312. BOTH ARE ON THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTIONS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS THE ITEM THAT CAME UP LAST WEEK AND COMMISSIONER -- I'M LOOKING FOR MY LANGUAGE.

[04:40:01]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID THAT HE WOULD NOT VOTE -- I AM LOOKING FOR MY MOTION. IT IS PROBABLY HERE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID HE WOULD NOT VOTE -- THERE IT IS.

HE WOULD NOT VOTE FOR AN ITEM THAT HAD THE 15% IN IT.

FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT I DO WANT TO ASK IS THIS AN EXISTING CONTRACT AND CAN WE CHANGE IT? I KNOW THAT -- WHEN THE ISSUE CAME UP BEFORE, I PLAY A ROLE IN RAISING CONCERNS AND IT WENT FROM 20% TO 15% ADDED ON TO THE FEES THAT ARE ALREADY ADDED THAT WOULD GIVE US AN ACCURATE -- AN AGGREGATE PENALTY OF ABOUT 43% AFTER ONE YEAR COMPARED TO FEDERAL PENALTIES.

CAN WE GET THIS BACK DOWN TO -- CAN WE GET IT TO ZERO OR 10% AND 12% OR 14? YOU ARE ON THE SCREEN.

>> IT IS ME. >> I APOLOGIZE.

>> I JUST SAW YOU ON THE SCREEN. THIS IS ENTIRELY ABOUT THE IMPOSITION OF THE TAX THAT WAS ALREADY -- THE 3307 AMOUNT THAT IS ALLOWED THAT WE CONTRACTED. THE 15% AMOUNT.

IT IS SEPARATE AND APART FROM THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE THIRD PARTY LAW FIRM. THIS IS AN ANNUAL LIESED RATE SET THAT WE HAVE TO DO. AND ACTUALLY IT IS A TAX OFFICE ITEM. IT IS NOT OUR OFFICE'S ITEM.

THAT IS WHAT THAT IS. WE HAVE TO DO IT.

I KNOW YOU HAD THIS QUESTION RELATED TO THE CONTRACT ITSELF.

THE CONTRACT EXPIRES IN THE CURRENT FORM IN JUNE AND GOES MONTH TO MONTH FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR AND THAT -- SO THAT IS A PROCESS AS IT EXISTS NOW, BUT 305 ITSELF IS JUST THOSE -- IT ALLOWS THE IMPOSITION OF THE PENALTIES WE AGREED TO IN

CONTRACT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THIS QUITE A BIT AND I BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE OF TRYING TO MAKE A CHANGE. I HOPE I SENT IT AROUND.

I WANT TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICES TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR A TKAU LINK WENT -- DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION OFFICE THAT ELIMINATES THE TAX COLLECTION PENALTY TO TAXPAYERS UNDER CHAPTER 33 OF THE TAX CODE.

THIS PROCESS SHOULD BE PRESENTED FOR REVIEW TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE COUNTY WITHIN 365 DAYS. WE TALKED ABOUT IT, BUT IT HADN'T QUITE MOVED. I WANT TO PUT A DEADLINE ON IT.

I WILL READ IT AGAIN. THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S'S OFFICES TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR A DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION PROCESS THAT ELIMINATES CHARGING AND ADDITIONAL DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION PENALTY TO TAXPAYERS UNDER CHAPTER 33 FOR THE TAX CODE.

THIS PROCESS SHOULD BE PRESENTED FOR REVIEW TO BE IMPLEMENTED IN THE COUNTY WITHIN 365 DAYS. AND THAT WAS FOR ITEM 312?

>> THAT IS 312. >> I HAD MY TEAM PULL THE VARIOUS MOTIONS OVER THE YEARS. IT SEEMS LIKE WE GO ROUND AND ROUND AND ROUND ON THIS ONE. FOR EXAMPLE, WE HAD ALREADY SAID IN -- IN MAY OF 2020 -- SO TWO YEARS AGO REQUESTED -- REQUESTED A RECOMMENDATION FOR THE OPTIONS FOR COLLECTING PROPERTY TAXES IN HOUSE. IN MARCH OF 2021 WE SAID FOR FOLKS TO PREPARE AN RFP FOR THE ACT SOFTWARE.

IN JULY OF 2021 WHETHER ARPA FUNDS CAN BE USED TO PURCHASE A

[04:45:07]

COMPUTER SYSTEM. HOW DOES THIS DOVE TAIL --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT PUTS A TIMETABLE ON IT WITHIN ONE YEAR, CAPUT, DONE. WHETHER YOU CAN USE A ARPA MONEY OR GENERAL REVENUE OR WHATEVER. JUST GET IT DONE WITHIN 365 DAYS, JUDGE. MY INTENT IS IT WOULD BE OVER.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JAY, I WANT TO TAKE WITHIN THIS MOTION THAT WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS PROPOSED IS CONSISTENT AND LEG -- LEGAL WITH WHAT THE STATE REQUIRES. IF WE HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE DON'T CHARGE THE 15% AND -- IT IS CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW.

>> IT IS. THE PENALTIES ARE EXCLUSIVE TO THIRD PARTY COLLECTORS. THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND THE COUNTIES DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT.

ANYTHING THAT IS BROUGHT IN HOUSE WOULD BE ABLE TO COLLECT IT IN THE WAY A THIRD PARTY DOES.

>> I WILL DO THIS SEPARATE. >> IS THAT WHAT YOU WANT TO DO?

>> AND HOW DOES -- WHAT IS THE UPDATE ON THE SOFTWARE QUESTION AND HOW DOES IT -- WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THIS TIMELINE.

WHAT ARE WE DOING MAY OF -- MAY OF NEXT YEAR.

>> I AM NOT INVOLVED IN THE RFP, BUT THERE IS AN RFP OUT FOR TAX SOFTWARE. IT COULD BE A DIFFERENT SYSTEM.

THAT'S MY REVIEW OF THE STATUS. I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS.

WHAT THAT WOULD DO -- IF WE ARE ABLE TO CONTRACT SEPARATELY FOR THE SOFTWARE AND BASED ON THIS MOTION OR OTHERWISE, PRESENT MORE OPTIONS TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT NEXT YEAR.

IT COULD BE BROUGHT IN HOUSE, BUT WHEN IT HAS BEEN BUNDLED IT IS CHALLENGING TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE THE SOFTWARE

IS INTEGRAL TO THE TAX LAWS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> QUICK QUESTION AGAIN, JAY.

WE HAVE A POLICY THAT ANY HOME UNDER 150,000 WILL NOT BE

FORECLOSED ON? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

WE DO. >> TPR-PB IN-- AN IN--

[INAUDIBLE]. >> IF SOMEONE FROM THE TAX OFFICE IS ON THEY COULD BETTER -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT AN INTERNAL POLICY. RIGHT, ELIZABETH?

>> NO, SIR. THAT IS ACTUALLY IN THE CONTRACT WITH WEINBARGER. THEY SET THAT POLICY IN THE

CONTRACT. >> TOM RAMSEY: IS THAT CONSISTENT WITH STATE LAW THAT SAYS WE HAVE TO TREAT ALL TAXPAYERS THE SAME? IS THERE A CONFLICT?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I RECEIVED THIS QUESTION YESTERDAY AND I UNDERSTAND IT CAME FROM YOUR OFFICE.

WE ARE CURRENTLY REVIEWING THAT TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE NO COMPLIANCE ISSUES. WE WILL PROVIDE THE COURT WITH AN UPDATE AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> MR. BERRY, I I GUESS COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE VOTED ALREADY ON THE IDEA OF A PLAN, BUT THIS GIVES IT MORE DEFINITION, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS IF THE PLAN IS NOT TO HAVE IT ENTIRELY IN HOUSE.

FOR THE REASON THAT WE GO OUT TO AN OUTSIDE VENDOR AND WE ARE RIGHT BACK AT LINEBARGER2.0. SOMEBODY WE ARE PAYING A FEE TO AND THEY WILL MAKE THEIR MONEY SOME OTHER KIND OF WAY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL CHANGE THE MOTION.

[04:50:01]

THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN SO SENSITIVE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WOULD HAVE A SECOND.

I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO BRING IT IN HOUSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ANALYST OFFICE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR DEVELOPING A PLAN WITH DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTIONS TO BE BROUGHT IN HOUSE AND ELIMINATE CHARGING AN ADDITIONAL DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION PENALTY TO TAXPAYERS UNDER CHAPTER 33 OF THE TAX CODE AND THIS SHOULD BE PRESENTED FOR REVIEW WITHIN 3 SECONDS 5

DAYS -- 365 DAYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN MAKE IT SIMPLER. I DON'T THINK THE LAW LETS US

CHARGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT.

IT IS A PRIVATE FIRM. SO TO BE PRESENTED WITHIN 365

DAYS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WOULD JUST ASK YOU INCLUDE THE DEPARTMENT'S UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SHOULD SAY UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN ANY OTHER RELEVANT -- AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE TAX OFFICE WOULD SURELY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH IT. MOTION TO DIRECT THE ANALYST OFFICE UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND ANY RELEVANT OFFICES FOR A PLAN FOR DELINQUENT TAX OFFICES TO PRESENT TO COURT WITHIN 365 DAYS AND I WILL ADD IT TO MY LIST OF MOTIONS FROM THE PAST THREE YEARS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON ITEM 130 I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR --

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MAKE SURE WE HAVE DONE THESE.

312, THAT WAS THE ITEM UNDER WHICH WE MADE THE MOTION AND WHAT ABOUT 305? THAT IS THE TAX OFFICE'S ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS NOT NECESSARY.

IT IS OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WILL NEED TO BE PASSED AS PRESENTED. IS THERE A MOTION ON 305?

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS SECONDED BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT IS 305 AND 312.

WHICH ITEM WERE YOU REFERRING TO?

>> SORRY TO INTERRUPT. APPROVED AS PRESENTED MINUS THE

WORD POSSIBLE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

APPROVED AS PRESENTED MINUS THE WORD POSSIBLE FOR ITEM 305.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO 130, JUDGE, IS THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.

TO MAKE IT JERMAINE -- GERMAINE, YOU CAN SAY IT IS PART OF 305 OR THE OTHER -- IF WE HAVE TO AND TRUST ME FOR A MOMENT AND LIS TONE WHERE I AM HEADED. I THINK THE MOST EFFICIENT WAY FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO BRING THIS TAX COLLECTION IN HOUSE AND GET THAT LENDING PENALTY OFF OF PEOPLE AND ABOVE THE PENALTY THAT WE ALREADY CHARGED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THE COUNTY DOES CHARGE AND I WANT TO REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, 20%. IF YOU DON'T PAY ON JANUARY 15TH 20% AND IT IS 1% A MONTH COMPOUNDED.

I AM NOT SURE THE FACTORS AND THEN YOU ADD THIS ON AND IT USED TO GET TO 50 AND NOW IT IS 45. IS THAT PRETTY MUCH RIGHT? IS THAT KIND OF. WE COLLECT TAXES FOR THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND MOST OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.

WHO ELSE? >> BOARD OF EDUCATION.

>> WHEN WE BRING IT IN HOUSE THERE WILL BE COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THEY COULD DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO KEEP THEIRS NOT IN HOUSE. THEY CAN HAVE IT OUT OF HOUSE INSTEAD OF IN HOUSE. I THINK TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR THEM TO AGREE TO BRING THIS IN HOUSE IS IF WE ASK THE STATE, YOU HAVE PRETTY GOOD ALLIES AND THE LAW USED TO BE THAT IF YOU CONTRACTED WITH THE OUTSIDE LAW FIRM IT WAS UP TO 15%.

THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY AND THE PRIVATE FIRM COULD SPLIT THE MONEY. NOBODY HAS EVER DONE IT UNTIL 1980 TPOEUR. AND THEN THE -- 1984 AND THEN THE FOLKS WILL MAKE A LIVING OFF OF IT AND THE PRIVATE FIRMS WOULDN'T CHANGE THE LAW. YOU COULDN'T SPLIT IT.

YOU CAN ONLY COLLECT THE ADDITIONAL MONEY FROM PEOPLE WHO

[04:55:01]

DON'T PAY THEIR TAXES IF YOU HAVE AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM.

AND THAT'S WHAT CREATED THE COTTAGE INDUSTRY.

IN FACT, THE LAW EVEN TO LET YOU DO IT WITH THE OUTSIDE LAW FIRM IS THE SLEEZIEST BIT OF PORK BARREL LEGISLATION I HAVE SEEN AND I HAVE SEEN A LOT. I WANT TO ASK THE LEGISLATURE, DOING INTERIM HEARINGS NOW AND THEY HAD THEIR FIRST HEARING ON THIS BILL WHICH CAME OUT THIS FIRST SESSION.

THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD A HEARING ON IT THE SENATOR OUT OF BEXAR COUNTY, SAN ANTONIO, PUT THE BILL IN.

I THINK IT HELPS IF WE DO THIS FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND OTHER ENTITIES. I WANT US TO APPLY THE SAME DELINQUENT TAX MAY ADD. I PREFER ELECTED 15% AND CABINET 10. I PREFER TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND THEN LET THEM DECIDE. WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THIS WILL COST TO BRING IT BACK IN HOUSE. I HOPE THIS COMPUTER SYSTEM DOES NOT COST $20 MILLION. IF IT DOES, I WILL MAKE THE CASE TO TAKE AR -- ARPA MONEY FOR. IT WHICH IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO IT NOW WHILE THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND OUR FRIENDS IN COMING HAVE PROVIDED THE FUNDING.

AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO GET OFF OF THIS BECAUSE IT IS ABUSIVE. IF THEY WON'T DO IT, WE CAN DO IT. I WILL ALWAYS SAY DO IT I DON'T CARE WHAT IT COSTS. PRIOR TO 1984, THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY DID. FROM 84 UNTIL NOW, 38 YEARS LATER IT WILL COST SOME MONEY TO RAMP THIS UP AND I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT. AT LEAST I WON'T PRESSURE OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND I WANT THEM TO HAVE THE OPTION AROUND THE STATE. MOST FOLKS ARE NOT FOCUSED ON THIS ISSUE AND WE KNOW WHY. I WANT TO MOVE TO STRUCK INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS, PLEASE CHANGE THAT NAME BY THE WAY, TO ADD TO THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE AGENDA A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE TAX CODE TO ALLOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITIES TO APPLY THE SAME DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION FEE -- WE JUST CALL IT FEES. PRIVATE VENDORS MAY ADD TO THE DELINQUENT TAX BILLS FOR THE CURRENT LAW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU READ THAT ONE MORE TIME. I THINK I LIKED THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOVE TO INSTRUCT GLOBAL AFFAIRS A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE TAX CODE CHAPTER 33 TO ALLOW GOVERNMENT AGENCY TO APPLY THE SAME TAX COLLECTION FEES THAT THE PRIVATE VENDORS MAY ADD TO DELINQUENT TAX BILLS PER CURRENT LAW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSE

STPHED -- OPPOSED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: REAL QUICK, DANIEL OR MR. BERRY, I AM ASSUMING THERE WILL BE A REVENUE TRACKING IF TAKING IT IN HOUSE ADVERSELY AFFECTS THE COUNTY OPERATIONS. ONE OF THE THINS I HAVE HEARD IS THERE IS NOT MUCH OF A PENALTY AND PEOPLE WON'T BE INCLINED TO PAY THEIR TAXES. JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TRACKING IT SO THAT WE MIGHT END UP HAVING TO CONSOLIDATE THE GOVERNMENT QUICKLY OR LAYOFF PEOPLE.

>> WILL DO. AND WE CAN'T WAIVE ALL OF THE

PENALTIES. >> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. WHEN I WAS PROBIN KPW*, IT IS -- WHEN I WAS PROBING, IT WAS 2%. WE COLLECT 98% THE NUMBER WE ARE TALKING ABOUT IS 2%. THAT'S ONE POINT.

WE ALREADY HAVE THIS POLICY THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS

[05:00:04]

LOOKING INTO ON THE 150. THE 150 AGREEING NOT TO FORE CLOSE, BUT THAT COVERS IN SOME PRECINCTS 80% OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE DELINQUENT. WE DON'T HAVE MUCH FLEXIBILITY AND I'M FOR FOCUSING ON THOSE PEOPLE THAT CHRONICALLY, CHRONICALLY DON'T PAY THEIR TAXES AND THEIR -- AND THEY ARE ABUSING THE SYSTEM. IT IS NOT THE GRANDMOTHER OUT THERE THAT DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT SHE WAS DOING AND SHE NOW OWES 40%. THIS WOULD GIVE US MORE

FLEXIBILITY IN DEALING WITH IT. >> JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, THE PAYMENT MODEL TO BE HONEST WITH YOU INCENTIVIZES THE KHREUBGTER -- THE COLLECTOR. IF YOU WEREN'T LATE THE PRIVATE VENDOR WOULDN'T MAKE ANY MONEY. WE GET OUR PENALTY JANUARY 15TH. THE BUSINESS PHOD STKEL UNDER LR THAT LAW, WHOEVER IS COLLECTING IT, DON'T BUG YOU, DON'T HUG UP A ROBO CALL SAYING HEY BEFORE YOU GO AND DO YOUR CHRISTMAS SHOPPING, JUST KNOW -- ASK MY CHILDREN.

I GIVE ADVICE FOR CHRISTMAS. GOT AWAY WITH IT.

I -- THAT'S WHAT I GIVE YOU. LIKE THAT HOUSE? HOW ABOUT THAT ROOM? LAY THE TAX BILL OUT.

FOR WHAT IT WAS WORTH IT WAS COMMISSIONER RADACK.

WHEN THE CONTRACT WAS RENEWED HE MADE THE MOTION TO TAKE THE TOLL ROAD IN HOUSE AND IT CAME IN THE HOUSE UNANIMOUSLY.

THE ONLY REASON I TKPWROT -- I GOT IT IS WHEN YOU LOSE THE STATE OFFICIAL PLATES. SENATOR MILES IS HAVING A GOOD TIME. JUST ROLLING ON BY.

I WAS PAYING. WHEN I GOT THE PENALTY I I WAS PRETTY -- WHEN I GOT THE PENALTY I WAS PRETTY HOT.

SENATOR MILES, YOU SHOULD GET ON THAT TOLL.

WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON THE MOTION. >> TO BE CLEAR IT WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND IT WAS 5-0 UNANIMOUS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND YOU GOT THE PAPER.

WELL I'M SO GLAD WE ARE MOVING ON THIS AND IT IS A DIFFICULT ISSUE, BUT IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ONE.

NEXT IS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE WE GO FORWARD, I WANTED TO GO BACK TO YOUR PREVIOUS ITEM AND THAT BEING YOUR RESOLUTION ITEM NUMBER 3.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR US TO REVISIT IT BASED ON THE TRAGEDY OF UVALDE AND ASK TWO OF OUR COLLEAGUES WHO VOTED NO.

I WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT THE ITEM AND PUT IT BACK ON THE TABLE AND HOPEFULLY GET A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON GUN VIOLENCE

PREVENTION MONTH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE WAS A BUNCH OF STUFF THAT WAS ADDED TO THAT.

IF YOU GIVE US A MINUTE IN THE NEXT BREAK TO LOOK AT THAT, MAYBE WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE -- I FLOATED OUT MAYBE WE TAKE THE MIDDLE STUFF OUT AND MAYBE KIND OF LIKE WHAT WE DID WITH THE OTHER RESOLUTION WHERE WE ADD THAT ONE AND ANOTHER ONE THAT TAKES OUT THE MIDDLE STUFF.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS THE JUDGE'S RESOLUTION.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK YOU DIRECT YOUR INTEREST TO HER.

BUT I WOULD JUST SAY THE RESOLUTION AS I READ IT IS PRETTY VANILLA. IN CONTRAST TO OTHER RESOLUTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN PASSED. I AM SIMPLY ASKING THIS IN RESPECT AND HONOR OF THE 15 VICTIMS. 14 OF THEM ARE CHILDREN. ONE OF THEM IS AN ADULT.

THE LANGUAGE IN THE RESOLUTION OBVIOUSLY CAN'T BE SO TERRIBLE TO KEEP YOU FROM RECOGNIZING 15 DEAD PEOPLE THAT WERE KILLED BY A FIREARM. I WILL LEAVE THE AMENDMENT TO THE JUDGE, BUT THAT IS MY COMMENT TO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN REVISIT AFTER THE BREAK.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SO WE WERE ON 299, BUT WE NEED

[05:05:06]

TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WITH 316 ALONG WITH THE -- GIVEN THE LITIGATION. THE NEXT IS 304 AND THAT ITEM IS ABOUT THE NATIONAL AIR AMBIENT -- QUALITY STANDARDS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARE WE WAITING ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE?

>> A FEW MINUTES AGO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU STILL

LOOKING AT IT? >> I SENT YOU A SUMMARY OF WHAT THE COMMENTS WILL LOOK LIKE. THE ISSUE AND THE REASON THEY ARE NOT READY IS BECAUSE OF THE THREE-WEEK BREAK IN COMMISSIONERS' COURT. WE NORMALLY HAVE MORE TIME CLOSER TO THE DATE TO GIVE YOU THE BACK UP.

BECAUSE OF THE BREAK AND THE COMMENTS BEING 213'S WHICH IS BEFORE THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING WE CAN'T PROVIDE A DRAFT AT THIS TIME. WHAT I CIRCULATED ARE THE HIGH-LEVEL POINTS THAT WE ARE EMPHASIZING IN THE COMMENTS.

>> TWO THINGS IF I MAY. COMMISSIONER AND -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I HAD A CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THIS.

I DON'T WANT TO HAMPER YOU. WE HAVE DONE THESE THREE YEARS BACK, FOUR YEARS BACK TO WHERE WE VOTED ON THEM SUBJECT TO THE APPROVAL OF EACH COURT MEMBER THAT MY NAME IS GOING ON IT I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT. IT AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS REMINDED ME OF THAT SOMETHING ALONG THOSE LINES.

TO THAT EXTEND -- TO THAT EXTENT YOU WANT TO MOVE -- AND THANK YOU FORGETTING ME THIS HIGH-LEVEL THING HERE, BUT I HAVE NOT IN THE LAST THREE YEARS SIGNED OFF ON ANYTHING I CAN'T READ AND KNOW OF. IT MAY BE EASIER TO HAVE THE 3-2 VOTE TO GIVE YOU THE BLANK CHECK AND LET YOU WRITE WHAT YOU WANT

AND MOVE ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE APPROVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MOVING FORWARD AND IF THE OTHER ONE OR TWO COMMISSIONERS APPROVE OF THE LANGUAGE BEFORE IT GOES OUT ASK THEIR NAMES BE ADDED AND

IF NOT IT GOES 3-2. >> JUST TO CLARIFY TYPICALLY WE PUT THESE OUT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY AND NOT ON FIVE COMMISSIONERS. SO IT WOULDN'T CHANGE ANYTHING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT COULD ADD UNANIMOUSLY OR SOMETHING.

>> THAT'S FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT CAN ONLY HELP I WOULD HANDLING -- I COULD IMAGINE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE ALL GETTING ALONG.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS A MOTION AS PRESENTED FOR ITEM 304. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2 FOR ITEM 304.

ITEM 315, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AN INEFFICIENT COMMISSIONERS' COURT -- AN EFFICIENT COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

>> WE ALMOST GOT TO IT BY 5. FIVE -- A FEW QUICK SHOTS -- THOUGHTS ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THE EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS, BUT I THINK TRANSPARENCY OF COURT.

WE HAVE AVERAGED SINCE I GOT ON COURT 9-HOUR MEETINGS.

AVERAGE ENDING TIME IS ROUGHLY 7:00.

I WOULD SAY THE FIRST THING TO CONSIDER IS ALLOWING SPEAKERS TO SPEAK FIRST. IN OTHER WORDS, WE BRING THE SPEAKERS IN. NO RESOLUTIONS.

JUST HAVE THE SPEAKERS SPEAK THE 20 COUNTIES AND THE 50 CITIES I WORK ETD -- I WORKED FOR THIS IS PRETTY TYPICAL OF WHAT THEY DO IN TERMS OF HAVING PUBLIC COMMENT FIRST.

THE SECOND PART OF THAT IS LET THE PUBLIC COMMENT WITHOUT US COMMENTING. THAT IS A BIT OF A DISCIPLINED APPROACH, BUT WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR COMING AND WE APPRECIATE IT, BUT THE PERSON RUNNING IT, THE JUDGE CAN WELCOME THEM AND THERE MAY BE AN OCCASION THAT YOU ASK SOMEBODY TO CONTINUE A THOUGHT OR TWO, BUT TAKING THE SPEAKERS FIRST WOULD BE I THINK ONE WAY. I THINK THE SECOND THING THAT WE WOULD CONSIDER IS, THE SECOND THING WOULD BE ITEM THAT'S WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON. SO WE HAVE DISCUSSION ITEMS THE

[05:10:03]

SECOND THING WE DO. THAT WOULD PUSH UP FRONT OF THE MEETING ALL OF THE, I THINK, THE THINGS WE ARE GONNA VOTE UP OR VOTE DOWN AND THAT WOULD BE AS CLOSE TO AN OPEN A PROCESS AS WE COULD POSSIBLY GET TO. SO MANY TIMES AND I THINK EVERYBODY ON THE COURT HERE HAS BEMOANED THE FACT THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AN IMPORTANT ITEM AT 7:00 AT NIGHT AND NOBODY IS LOOKING. IT JUST DOESN'T FEEL RIGHT.

THAT'S MY SECOND COMMENT. THAT'S ONE AND THAT'S TWO.

I MENTIONED THAT NO COMMENTS BY COURT MEMBERS DURING SPEAKERS.

THAT'S NOT ANYTHING -- THAT'S NOT MEANT TO BE RESTRICTIVE.

I THINK A LOT OF TIMES PEOPLE WANT TO GET INTO A CONVERSATION, BUT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE AGENDA ITEMS FOR.

IT IS A BIT OF A DISCIPLINE. WE HAVE AGENDA ITEM THAT'S ARE 30*SED. THE -- POSTED.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU TALK ABOUT AND YOU TALK ABOUT THINGS ON THE AGENDA.

THE FOURTH THING WOULD BE NO PLANNED INTERRUPTIONS OR PRESS CONFERENCES IN THE COURT MEETINGS.

I AM NOT GONNA PLAN TO HAVE A RECEPTION IN MY OFFICE DURING A COURT MEETING. THIS IS COURT DAY AND WE ARE ALL PRETTY CAREFUL ON WHAT WE PLAN AND WHAT WE DON'T.

AND THEN THE FINAL THING, ONE RESOLUTION PER COURT MEMBER PER MEETING. THE REASON I WOULD SAY THAT, THAT'S GOING TO RAISE THE VALUE OF THE RESOLUTION.

WHAT ONE RESOLUTION DO I WANT TO PUT OUT THERE I THINK WILL MAKE IT MORE OF A PRIORITY. I KNOW WE LIKE THOSE AND WE TALK ABOUT RESOLUTIONS, BUT BY DOING ONE PER COURT MEMBER AND I STARTED TODAY. THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS I HAD ONE TODAY. I KNOW I HAVE HAD MORE THAN THAT, BUT ONE OF THE REASONS I HAD ONE, AND IF WE DO THAT TOWARD THE END OF THE MEETING WOULD BE AN OPTION.

GRANTED, WE MAY NOT GET ALL OF THE PICTURE OPS THAT WE WOULD NORMALLY LIKE, BUT THOSE ARE FIVE THOUGHTS.

WE CAN CONSIDER IT OR THINK ABOUT IT.

I KNOW, JUDGE, YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE MEETING IN TERMS OF HOW WE DO WHAT WE DO, BUT THAT'S A SENSE OF I THINK I GOT THROUGH AND IT WASN'T IN A POWER POINT PRESENTATION.

BUT IT IS FIVE POINTS OF WHAT WE MIGHT DO TO SAVE A LITTLE TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR PLACING THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA, TOM. IT IS NOT A CALL FOR ACTION.

IT WAS JUST A DISCUSSION. I WOULD HAVE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO BE IN FOR IDEAS BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO STEP ON TOES. AROUND HERE BY THE WAY IS ABOUT THREE TO MAKE IT WORK. I THINK I GAVE YOU THIS BEFORE, BUT I WANT TO REMIND YOU THE HISTORY OF THESE MEETINGS AROUND HERE. IN THE OLD DAYS, THE CITY COUNCIL, THERE WERE FIVE PEOPLE LIKE THERE ARE FIVE HERE.

THEY WOULD MEET ON TUESDAY OVER LUNCH AND DISCUSS THE IMPORTANT ISSUES OF THE DAY. THE PRESS WOULD CALL IT SOMETHING ELSE. ON WEDNESDAY THEY WOULD GO IN AND RATIFY IT. I'M JUST GUESSING TRADITION PROBABLY WOULD HAVE WORKED THAT WAY ON BOTH SIDES.

I DON'T KNOW. I WAS NOT HERE.

I KNOW IT FROM THE CITY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT COUNCIL WES MORE -- MORELAND. THEY TURNED THE TUESDAY NO -- INTO A HALF DAY AFFAIR AND THE WEDNESDAY MEETING WAS INTO AN ALL-DAY AFFAIR. IT IS A COMMON GAME THAT EVERYBODY PLAYS. IF IT IS YOUR ITEM, YOU PACK YOUR OWN AND BEAT YOUR COLLEAGUES DOWN A LITTLE BIT.

PEOPLE HAVE DONE IT FOREVER, PRESENT COMPANY INCLUDED.

ALL FIVE OF US. I HAVE MADE IT 38 YEARS AND THEY HAVEN'T RUN ME OFF YET. I DON'T THINK I EVER WON AN ELECTION BECAUSE I HAD A PICTURE WITH PEOPLE.

IN FACT, I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW THE PICTURES WE TAKE, IT IS SO CHEAP THEY DON'T EVEN EMAIL THEM THE PHOTOS.

YOU GOT ME? I SUGGEST WE CONSIDER -- I AM UP, BUT I AM NOT OUT. WE OUGHT TO MEET AT 9 AND IF THE RULES PERMIT THEY COME IN HERE -- THEY HAVE A NONCONSENT OR SOME KIND OF A DEAL IN AUSTIN.

THEY WOULD HAVE EVERYBODY- - THEY HAVE EVERYBODY UPND A BUS

[05:15:03]

THEM UPND A THEYOU WLD ALL GET A RESOLUTION AND THEY ARE IN THE CAPITOLAN, DHE TY HAVE A NICE LITTLE TIME.

AND MOST OF US IN THE OFFICE IS WATCHING THEMAV HE A GOODIM TE.

IF ITAS WR. M SOUTH TEXAS ORS. K OUT.

I SUGGESTDO WE THETO PHOS EARLIER.

WHOEVER CANOM CE, THEY CAN COME. I WILL ALWAYSE. COM OR YOU CAN HAVEOP A P UP OF ME. IT WORKS JUST ASL. WEL AND THEN -- IF S YOUTART A BIT EARLIER, THE IDEA OF DOING ALL OFHE SPEAKERS FIRSTTH, I INK WHAT W YOUILL FINDTH IS ERE ARE THOSET THAWOULD PACK THEM. ROO IF NOT C US,ONSTITUENTS T ANDHEY CAN KEEP YOU HEREF HAL D THEAY OR INTO THE NIGHT.

THEY ARECO JUST MING UP TOEA SPK.

I WENT TO HCCLK TO TA ABOUT THIS DISPARITY A STUDYND THEY EVEN .HOWEDID A VEO THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT GREAT THEYND ARE A WATCHING VIDEO.

I THINK THEYBE KNEW CAUSE ILI NED UP 13 PEOPLE TO GO OVERRULE THERE AND THEYD WANTE TO WEAR ME DOWN.I DIDN'T.AN D EACHN PERSOHAD THEIR THREE MINUTES ANDTR NO EXA TIME.NO BODY ASKED THEMIN ANYTHG, YOUGO T ME? THAT WAS IT.DO I N'T KNOW HOWE LONG TH MEETINGD, LASTE BUT I THINK SHOULD LOOK ATMI JUST CONG IN AR HO EARLIERIF.

BY THEY WAY THECOME BACK AND TELL USY THE ONLWAYNO YOU CANT SLOW DOWN THESE VENDORS PAYMENT IS IF I WE MEETN ADDITIONALME TI. I WILL PUT THAT ONND THE AGEA.

BEMUCH AS I DON'T WANT TO WITH YOU ALL ANYMORE I SMALL'T DELAY THESE PARTICULARLYY MINORITAND WOMENE OWD MOM AND POPE BECAUSE W ONLY WANT TOE MEET TWICA MONTHO YOU T ME? IFOI AT SOME PNTE Y'ALL COMBACK AND TELL MEOR THAT, I F ONE, NOT ONLY DO IN BELIEVE ITHAT, BUT I WILL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

IFBA YOU COME CK AND TELL ME THEREER IS NO OTH WAY WE THESE FOLKS THEIR MONEY I WILL SAY WE NEEDND TO COME A MEET ANDVE TRY TO HA ITCT RESTRIED TO DOING THAT, BUT I WON'TF BE A PART ODELAYING FOLKSIR GETTING THE MONEYE BECAUSI DON'T WANT TO BE WITH YOU P WONDERFULEOPLE MORETW THAN

ICE A MONTH.OM >> T RAMSEY: I KNOW THEREBE HAVE ENOU COMMENTS ABT HOW LONGET OUR MEINGS ARE.

IT IS NOT JUST HOW LONGET THE MEINGS IS. T IT HASO DOAR WITH TRANSPENCY.ER CONSIDY THAT THE KEITEMSTE WE VO ONS SHOULD BE ACLOSE UPE TO TH C FRONT AS WEAN.

IIS THINK THAT A LOTTR MORE ANSPARENT.OD

>> RNEY ELLIS: BUT THIRD THAT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT TO ME ISTIN ADDION TO SHOWING EMPATHY ANDIN BEING OFFICERS ALL THESE YEA, I GET I THAT. ITS IMPORTANTE TO SHOW PEOPL.

YOU CARE THE BEST WAY TO SHOW HAVE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION. WHENMM I MAKE THE COENTSL ABOUT ALOF THESE RESOLUTIONSBE, I HAVE EN AT THIS LONG ENOUGH TO SENSE THAT PEOPLE TICKED OFF AND THEYDE MAKE A CISIONAN BASED ON THE GER OF THE MOMENT.TH AND THAT OER COME OUT AND SAY BACKD UP OR STANUP.? YOU GOT ME I HAVE SEEN IT IN THEE. LEGISLATUR A LOT OF P BAD THINGS HAVEASSEDT AT 2:00 INHE MORNING.

BY THEUE WAY, WITH ALL DHE RESPECT, WN I GOT HERE, IHE I WAS TOLD T THEY EVER HAD WAS 40 MINUTES.

AND THEN IHE GET HERE AND -- T NORM W WAS -- HOW LONGAS IT WHEO I GOT HERE, MMISSIONER? WE ARE INRE AND OUT OF HERE PTTY QUICK. THEY SAY THEY AREEV DRAGGING ON ERY ISSUE FOR AN HOUR.E I DIDN'T MAKMY LIVING INI TEXAS. MADE ITY. AROUND THE COUNTRUT THIS IS PEANS COMPAREDVE TO WHAT I HAS' SEEN COMMISSIONER COURT DO IN SOME LITTLE TOWNS O IN CALIFORNIAR MICHIGAN OR PENNSYLVANIA, YOU GOT ME?LY THEY START EAR IN THE MORNING

AND THEY GOT. ON UNTIL THE NIGH: >> TOM RAMSE JUSTD THOUGHT I

WOULSHARE.LG >> LINA HIDAO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE?AG >> R. JACK CLE: I LIKE MOST OF THE SUGGESTIONSG . I LIKE VOTINON THE CONTESTEDBE

[05:20:02]

ISSUES AT THE GINNING OF THE DAY.

I WOULD DO A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT APPROACH THAN MY TWO COLLEAGUES WITH REGARD TOAN THE RESOLUTIONS D THAT IS -- SINCE WE AREER CONSISTENTLY AFT THE LUNCH HOUR ANYWAY ANYBODYLU THAT DOESA RESOTION WE ARE DOING THOSE AT 1:00 AND THAT WAY YOU CANDY BRIG IN EVERYBO AND THEY CAN GATHER UP THEIRST FOLKS.

WE JUST ART THE RESOLUTIONS AT 1:00.RN WE HAVE HAD A MOING TO WHERE WE HAVE DONE OURUS DEBATE AND DISCSION AND MAYBE WE ARE STARTING AT 9:00 WITH PUBLICD COMMENT. ANAY SOMETHING ELSE THAT M HELP IT MOVE WRONG, BUT IF YOU ALLOW THOSE UP IN PERSON TO GO FIRST AND THEN THOSEY APPEARING VIRTUALLTO GOAT AFTER THAT AND SOME POINT WE NEED TOAR HAVE EVERYBODY STTON APPEARING IN PERS AND IF IT MEANS ENOUGHWN FOR YOU TO COME DO HERE AND TALK, THAT MEANS HAVEIN YOU SOMETHING MEANGFUL TO SAY.E IF WE WILL KEEP TH VIRTUAL COMPONENT,TH THEN THOSE THAT BOER TOFI COME DOWN HERE GO

RST. O >> RODNEY ELLIS:N THAT POINT, I GO BACK AND FORTH IN MY MIND ON IT.

ASRE MUCH AS I HATE BEING HE, I DO WONDER IF WE ADVANTAGE THOSE -- THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE ABILITY GET -- THEY HAVE A CAR ORK THEY GET OFF OF WORO AND THEY ARE ABLE T COME, SO I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT.

I AM ONE WHO IF IT HURTS THEIR I FEELINGS I CAN WATCHT FROMMA PIE OFFICE. I DE IT 26 YEARS AND SOMETIMES GO -- I DON'T WANT TO NOT BE ALERT WEATHER -- WHEN WE ARE GETTING OUT TO MAKING AHE DECISION.

THE OTRYO RODNEY WILL COME OUT. U GOT ME? I KNOW WHEN I NEED MY REST. THAT FELLA IS MEAN.

IF HE DOESN'T GET HIS REST HEE GOES OFF.

I WROT LEAVE THE ROOM AND GOH TO MY OFFICE AND WATCK. IT ON TV AD COME BACRE AS I THINK ABOUT IT MO AND MORE, I AMTH SENSITIVE TO PEOPL. E GROUP THAT WAS OUT HERE, I FORGET, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I DON'T REPRESENT THEM.

I SAW ALL OF THOSE FOLKS COME HERE AND IE ASSUMED THEY WERE N THBUS. I AM GLAD THEY DID.

EVERYBODY CAN'T DO THAT. IT IS ALE SACRIFICE FOR SOME PEOP TO COME DOWN TO. IT IS NOT THE EASIEST PLACE TO PARK. IT IS EASIER AT CITY HALL.SS

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMIIONERGH GARCIA, DO YOU HAVE THOUTS ON

WHAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED?. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOOK WE TEND TO BE WILD STALIONS AROUND HERE BY TRYING TO PUT FRAMEWORKS IN PLACE AND THEN WE DON'T FOLLOW IT.

WE JUST DON'T. I AM NOT ABOUT TO BE DISINGENUOUS AND CLAIM BYAC PUTTING THESE THINGS IN PLE THAT THINGS WILL CHANGE. I HAVE THINGS TO SAY AND I I HAVE PEOPLEO TO REPRESENT AND FIGHTS TFIGHT.

I FEEL PASSION NOT ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

I FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT THOSE THINGS.

IF LOOK AT THE RECOMMENDATIONS, SO BE IT. I JUST THINK THAT WE ARE DOING GOOD BY ALMOST BEING AT THE END OF BUSINESS TODAY AT THIS HOUR.

AND WE SHOULD JUST ALL MAKE AN INDIVIDUAL COMMITMENT TO TRY TO HELP EACH OTHER GET TO THIS POINT.

THERE ARE GOING TO BE DAYS WE WILL BE HERE UNTIL 1:00 IN THE MORNING. I DON'T WANT TO CLAIM WE ARE NOT. THERE ARE JUST THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN OR BUSINESS THAT WILL NEED TO HAPPEN THAT WILL NECESSITATE A LONG DAY. I THINK -- I AMWE PROUD OF THE DISCIPLINE THAT HAVE WORKED TO ACHIEVE AND WE JUST SHOULD

CONTINUE TO STRIVE FOR IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL -- YOU KNOW, I WILL TAKE THESE BACK AND MAYBE. WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE WILL BRING SOMETHING IN THE LONG COUPLE TWO OR THREE COURTS TO SEE IF -- WHAT FOLKS LIKE OR DON'T LIKE. I THINK YOU MAKE A VALID POINT, COMMISSIONER. WE DECIDED TO SET A LIMIT ON SPEAKERS, BUT WE PRETTY MUCH EXTEND THE SPEAKERS WHENEVER THEY GO OVER, AT LEAST HALF THE TIME.

SO THEN WE END UP WITH THE SAME ERB AOU.

SOME -- WITH THEN. SAME ISSUE AD SOME GO ON AND O WE WILL SAY ONE RESOLUTION, BUT THEN --N.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THINGS HAPPE >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THEY ARE ALL GOOD POINTS. WHAT I HAVE IS ALIGNING THE SPEAKERS BEFORE RESOLUTIONS AND LETTING THE PUBLIC COMMENT GO ON

[05:25:01]

WITHOUT US ENGAGING IN A DISCUSSION.

NO PLANNED INTERRUPTED PRESS CONFERENCES.

I FEEL THAT DOESN'T TEND TO HAPPEN.

THE PRESIDENT AND THE FIRST LADY CAME ONCE AND THE COMMISSIONER HAD COVID THE OTHER TIME, BUT THAT'S NOT GENERALLY WHAT WE DO.

ONE RESOLUTION PER COURT MEMBER AND STARTING THE MEETING EARLIER THE BUSINESS COURT I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON TO MAKE IT REALLY JUST A BUSINESS COURT AND HAVING A SET TIME FOR RESOLUTIONS SAY O SHOW UP IN PERSON TO GO FIRST AND ONLY ALLOWING IN-PERSON PARTICIPATION AND TRYING OUR BEST WITH AN INDIVIDUAL

COMMITMENT TO GET TO EFFICIENCYC >> TOM RAMSEY: DURING THE DIUSSION I WAS UP FRONT AND THAT FORCES TRANSPARENCY.

IT FORCES US TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS A -- ON THE ITEMS WE WILL VOTE UP FRONT. I MEAN, THE REST OF THEM ARE -- MAYBE YOU CAN HELP, BUT VOTING THOSE -- HAVING THOSE ITEMS WE WILL DISCUSS AND VOTE, WE ARE DOING IT NOW AND IS IT BETTER TO DO IT AT 11:00 THAN 5:00? I THINK YOU CAN MAKE AN ARGUMENT

IT WOULD BE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

WELL, IT IS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MENTION 9 A.M. OR A SPECIFIC TIME FOR RESOLUTIONS. YOU COULD JUST DECIDE WE WILL --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT GENERICALLY START

AT 9 INSTEAD OF 10? >> LINA HIDALGO: I HEARD FROM STAFF THAT 10:00 IS IMPORTANT TO THEM BECAUSE WE DON'T REALLY GET

HERE AT 9. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE TO COME IN HERE, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS USED TO COME IN HERE.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THE OTHER THING, IF WE ARE TALKING THE DISCUSSION ITEMS AND THOSE THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON, THAT IMPACTS A LOT OF STAFF. THEY ARE SITTING HERE WAITING FOR US TO GET TO THAT ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THOSE THINGS UP FRONT, THAT IMPACTS THE STAFF WHETHER

IT IS 10:00 OR 9:00. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO ADD, I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION TO BRING OUR DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ELECTED OFFICIALS ON FIRST AND THERE IS A TENDENCY TO ABUSE THAT.

WE SEE THEM EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE, BUT IT IS A LOT EASIER WITH A WHOLE OPERATION TO COME OVER HERE AND MAKE THEIR POINT.

I HAVE SEEN TIMES WE HAVE HAD ELECTED OFFICIALS COME IN HERE AND THERE IS A WHOLE ROOM OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WAITING AND TURN THIS INTO A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THEY CAN DO THAT ON THEIR OWN TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE RIGHT. THEY ARE PRESS CONFERENCES IN THE MIDDLE OF COURT MEETINGS. NOTED.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SEE IF ANYTHING COMES OF IT AND SEE IF WE WILL ABIDE BY IT.

THE BULK OF THE TIME IT IS US TALKING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BUT THAT'S WHY I CAME HER THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I WANT TO GET FROM A LOT OF FOLK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE FIVE OR THE THREE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY, I'M SORRY, BUT THAT'S WHY IT IS DESIGNED. UNLESS YOU ALL GET ME A PROXY -- IF YOU COME HERE AND SAY IT RIGHT NOW I WILL WORK FOR.

ITER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU

COMMISSION RAMSEY. >> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ONE POINT ON THIS. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION AROUND THE LENGTH OF THE MEETINGS.

I WILL SAY THAT SINCE THE LAST ROUND OF CHANGES THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE RULES, THE MEETINGS ACTUALLY HAVE BEEN CONSIDERABLY SHORTER. I THINK THE COURT SHOULD TAKE NOTICE OF THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB WITH THOSE CONSTRAINTS. WE START AT TEEN AND ROUTINELY DONE BY 7. WE TAKE BREAKS AND PICTURES AND BREAKS FOR LUNCH AND WE STILL MANAGE TO GET OUT AT A REASONABLE TIME. I DIDN'T WANT ANYONE TO BE LEFT WITH THE IMPRESSION THAT WE ARE HERE AT MIDNIGHT BECAUSE WE ARE NOT ANYMORE. THAT HAS BEEN CHANGED.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THE LAST ROUND OF CHANGES MOVED US FROM THE

MIDNIGHT HOUR TO DINNER TIME. >> RIGHT TO 7.

WE ARE CONSISTENTLY -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JAY GETTING US FROM THE MIDNIGHT BUFFET TO AT LEAST THE DINNER BELL.

>> I TAKE NO CREDIT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE WOULD LOVE TO MAYBE KIND OF PUSH IT UP A LITTLE EARLIER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS FOCUSED ON --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NOTHING GOOD HAPPENS AFTER MIDNIGHT.

GOOD POINT. >> SO NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON THIS, JAMES.

ITEM -- THAT IS 315. >> I WANT TO PASS A RESOLUTION.

[05:30:09]

>> LINA HIDALGO: 316 WE ARE DISCUSSING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

317, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY, I THINK WE ARE HEADED TO HURRICANE SEASON.

I THINK WITH THE EMERGENCY RESPONSE STAFF I FEEL GOOD.

I JUST WANTED MR. BERRY AND HIS FOLKS TO BE ABLE TO SAY WE HAVE GOT MONEY IN THE PIC. TYPICALLY ON A STORM WE ARE NORTH OF 100 MILLION. MR. RAMOS, WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, BUT I THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING, HOW MUCH IS IN THE PIC RIGHT NOW IF A HURRICANE HIT NEXT WEEK?

>> AS OF THE NEXT COURT ON JUNE 10TH THERE WILL BE

$135 MILLION IN THE PIC. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND HURRICANE IKE

COST HOW MUCH? >> IT HAS BEEN DIFFICULT BECAUSE IT IS IN THE OLD ACCOUNTING SYSTEM, BUT OUR BEST ESTIMATES ARE SOMEWHERE IN THE ESTIMATE OF 140 MILLION.

AND I WANT TO NOTE WHEN WE SET UP THE FUNDS SPECIFIC TO ENSURE THAT WE WOULD NEVER HAVE TO CONSIDER MONEY WHEN RESPONDING TO EMERGENCIES, BUT THE COUNTY HAS OTHER CASH AND LIQUID ASSETS THAT WE CAN DRAW UPON. THE 135 IS DEDICATED AND THAT'S WHERE WE TAP IN THE STATE OF EMERGENCIES.

IF WE HAVE ANOTHER HURRICANE AND WE WERE SHORT IN THE PIC WE WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND OTHER CASH RESOURCES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S THE POINT. WE HAVE FUNDS, BUT IT IS NOT THREE TIMES OR FOUR TIMES WHAT WE WOULD NEED.

IT IS RIGHT THE NUMBER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A COUPLE OF COURTS BACK WE HAD A NUMBER OF CATEGORIES THAT WERE LOADED TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A LARGER NUMBER IN PIC PROPER WE HAD 4 MILLION. IS THIS 135 THE BUNDLE OF THOSE

THINGS? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND HOW MUCH PIC PROPER DO WE HAVE?

>> SO THE -- I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION.

WHEN WE DID -- ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE BEGINNING BALANCE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: NO. TWO WEEKS AGO WHEN WE HAD THIS MEETING -- THERE WAS THE PIC PROPER FUND AND THEN THERE WAS THE RESILIENCY FUND THAT WERE ADDED TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH A COMPOSITE OF A LARGER NUMBER. WHAT I'M ASKING IS AT THAT TIME PIC PROPER WAS 4 MILLION. MY QUESTION IS HOW MUCH IS THE

PUBLIC CONTINGENCY PROPER TODAY? >> I THINK JUST TO BE CLEAR THIS COURT TOOK ACTION IN ORDER TO LIQUIDATE THOSE OTHER FUNDS IN ORDER TO CREATE THE PIC PROPER THAT WE HAVE TODAY WHICH WILL BE

AT 135 MILLION AS NEXT COURT. >> WHEN -- AND WHERE DID THE

OTHER 131 MILLION COME FROM? >> 75 MILLION WAS A CONTRIBUTION THAT THIS COURT AUTHORIZED. THE BALANCE OF WHICH WAS THE LIQUIDATION OF THE HARVEY FUND AND THE COVID R AND R FUND.O:

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALG THANK YOU.

OF COURSE THERE IS ARTICLES WRITTEN ABOUT IT BEING A MONSTER HURRICANE SEASON. ANY ONE HURRICANE COULD BE DEVASTATING. WE ARE ALWAYS PREPARING AS THOUGH IT WAS A MONSTER HURRICANE SEASON.

I KNOW EVERYBODY IS WORKING VERY HARD AND WE ARE WORKING HARD TO SPREAD THE WORD IN THE COMMUNITY PREPAREDNESS AND HAVING A PLAN AND MAKING A KIT AND STAYING IN TUNE TO THE TUESDAY -- TO THE NEWS. WE HAVE THE PET PREPAREDNESS SO WE NEED EVERYBODY'S HELP SPREADING THE WORD ON THAT.

NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE IS WHAT WE HAVE LEFT. WE NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 290 -- IT IS 290 AND 246 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THAT'S GLO, CDGB. 293 AND 316 ABOUT THE ELECTION WORKER PROGRAM. ITEM 130 AND IGA, ARE WE DONE WITH THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS? WE GOT OUR MOTION, CORRECT, UNANIMOUSLY? WE ARE DONE WITH THAT ONE.

[05:35:07]

AND THEN THE ONLY OTHER ONE IS THE RESOLUTION ON GUN SAFETY.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE RESOLUTION. I HAVE READ IT OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD TAKE OUT. I REALLY WORKED HARD TO MAKE IT

A FACTUAL RESOLUTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME RIGHT NOW, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN DISCUSS IT WHEN WE COME BACK FROM

[Executive Session ]

EXECUTIVE SESSION. IT IS 5:31.

WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEMS 290, 246, 316 AND 299 TO DISCUSS ON GOING LITIGATION WITH OUR ATTORNEYS.

[Departments (Part 7 of 7)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 6:14 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE HAVE FOUR ITEMS. ITEM 290 WAS SIMPLY AN UPDATE ON NEGOTIATIONS WITH HUD AND GLO AND NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. ITEM 246 WAS A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON CBDG MIT AND NO ACTION ON 246.

ITEM 299 WAS AN AWARD -- IT WAS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND SMG FOR SPACE AT NRG FOR THE RUNOFF ELECTION.

MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

ITEM 299 CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 316 WAS HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE ELECTION PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL POINTS OF DISCUSSION?

>> TOM RAMSEY: WE TALKED ABOUT IT AND I HAVE NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. NO ACTION ON ITEM 316.

AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WANTED TO VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION? ITEM -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DID YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO OFFER ANY AMENDMENTS?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE'LL STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: STICK WITH THE ORIGINAL VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION.

ANY ELSE, JAMES? TIFFANY? COUNTY ATTORNEY? COUNTY ADD STRAEULTER?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

IT IS 6:16 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS NOW

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.