[Pastor Willie Davis of The Palm Church in Houston]
[00:00:04]
I ONLY USED IT BECAUSE COMMISSIONER RADDACK DIDN'T LIKE.
>> PRECINCT 3 IS PRESENTING OUR INVOCATION THIS MORNING.
>> IT IS A GREAT PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE MY FRIEND.
IN SOMEWAYS I CALL HIM MY PASTOR , WILLIE DAVIS.
YOUNG KNOW THAT? >> DON'T TELL DR.
YOUNG. I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE THINGS THAT WILLIE HAS DONE FOR THE KINGDOM ARE BEYOND OUR TIME TO DEAL WITH TODAY. HE HAS DONE MANY GREAT THINGS.
HE AND I HAVE HAD MANY GREAT KINGDOM CONVERSATIONS IN TERMS OF DOING THINGS THAT MATTER.
HE SERVED THREE YEARS IN THE U.S.
ARMY SPECIAL FORCES, GREEN BERET.
A GRADUATE OF SAM HOUSTON, TEXAS SOUTHERN.
HE GOT HIS DEGREE IN THEOLOGY SO HIS BACKGROUND IS GREAT.
HIS PASTORING FROM HOUSTON TO CHICAGO, SO HE HAD SOME WONDERFUL EXPERIENCES OUT IN THE KINGDOM.
AND WITHOUT SAYING ANYMORE, PASTOR DAVIS, PLEASE OPEN US UP.
>> TO THE JUDGE AND THE COURT AND ALL GATHERED, LET'S PRAY.
ETERNAL GOD OUR FATHER WE THANK YOU FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY OF LIFE.
WE ARE GRACIOUSLY THANKFUL FOR THE FACT THAT WE WOKE UP TODAY SINGLE IN OUR RIGHT MINDS.
WE PRAY FOR STRENGTH, GUIDANCE AND GRACE TOWARD THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
DEAR GOD, WE ARE ALL GRATEFUL FOR THE LEADERS AND THEIR LEADERSHIP, BUT WE INVOKE, LORD, YOUR INTEGRITY AND HONESTY TO ALL OF US WE ARE IN THE RIGHT MIND WHEN WE ARE MAKING DECISION THAT'S ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CITIZENRY OF THIS COUNTY.
OH GOD, WE PRAY YOU BLESS ALL OF US GATHERED IN THIS ROOM, KEEP US SAFE AND PROTECT IT.
AND LORD LET US CONDUCT THE BUSINESS AND THE WISDOM IN JUDGMENT AND FAIRNESS AND INTEGRITY AND HONESTY TOWARD THE INTEGRITY. WE PRAY FOR THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT THAT THEY WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND THE RIGHT WAY AND FOR THE RIGHT REASONS.
AND SO GOD WE ASK OF YOUR BLESSINGS AND STRENGTHEN EACH AND EVERY ONE AND LET US ALL BE REMINDED THAT WE ARE NOT JUST CITIZENS OF HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY, BUT WE ARE CITIZENS OF A GREAT NATION FOR THOSE WHO SERVED WE DID IT WITH COMMITMENT TO GIVE OTHERS THE RIGHT TO DO WHAT THEY DO AND WE LAY DOWN OUR LIVES AND WE INVOKE THE HOLY SPIRIT IN THIS PLACE AND EVEN THOSE WHO ARE NOT BELIEVERS AND EVEN THOSE WHO HAVE OBJECTIONS TO THE SPIRITUALITY OF OUR EXISTENCE, WE PRAY FOR THEM ALSO AND LET IT BE AND WE ASK THESE BLESSINGS IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST WE PRAY.
>> I JUST HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GREAT PASTOR.
I KNEW HIM -- WILLIE, I WAS GOING TO SAY I KNEW YOU BEFORE WERE YOU IN YOUR RIGHT MIND.
AND I'M JUST SO GLAD YOU HELPED ME GET IN MY RIGHT MIND.
>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> THAT'S THE GOOD PART.
I MAY CALL YOU ABOUT A COUPLE OF THESE FELLOWS.
>> THANK YOU. WE'LL RECITE THE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDERGOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDERGOD, ONE AN UNTKAU VISIBLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL GET STARTED WITH THE RESOLUTIONS AND WE HAVE 10 ITEMS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING.
[Departments (Part 1 of 7)]
[00:05:05]
-- I DON'T THINK I HAVE RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER.COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAVE YOUR RESOLUTION ON GUN VIOLENCE AND SCHOOL SAFETY SO I PROPOSE WE TAKE THAT ONE ALONGSIDE MY ITEM 236, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ITEM 313, I BELIEVE.
JUST THIS MORNING THREE KIDS SHOT IN SOUTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY.
THIS WEEKEND A YOUNG MAN SHOT WHILE HE SLEPT.
OF COURSE THAT COMES AFTER THE TRAGEDY IN UVALDE, BUFFALO AND SO MANY OTHERS WE HEARD ABOUT.
SO I AM PROUD TO CONTINUE THE WORK, ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE ISSUE OF GUN SAFETY. I'M PROUD OF THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEEN MADE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL.
IT IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TO BREAK THE GRIDLOCK.
THE PROPOSALS THEMSELVES ARE NOT GOING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM, BUT THEY ARE A STEP, AND THE STATE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A BIG STEP CALLING A LEGISLATIVE SESSION AT LEAST TO DISCUSS THE GUN SAFETY POLICIES THAT SO MANY TEXANS -- THE MAJORITY OF TEXANS AND THE MAJORITY OF AMERICANS BY FAR SUPPORT.
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR STARTING THE DISCUSSION ON THIS.
I PUT OUT A TWEET THANKING SENATOR CORNYN FOR HIS LEADERSHIP, SENATOR MURPHY FOR HIS WORK AS WELL AND WORKING TO CRAFT SOMETHING BIPARTISAN TO HELP MOVE US ALONG.
I KNEW THAT IT WAS NOT GOING TO BE EVERYTHING WE HOPED FOR.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THIS KIND OF A MOVEMENT IN A FEW DECADES.
SO I ACCEPT WHATEVER MOVEMENT WE CAN CREATE ON THIS AND DEMONSTRATE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT THEY ARE NOT DEAF TO WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND THE IMPACT THAT THE -- THE ACCESSIBILITY TO FIREARMS IS HAVING ON OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES AND THE AUTOMATIC RIFLES. I ALWAYS GO BACK TO MY CAREER WHERE IF YOU TOOK A TWO-SHOT DARRINGER OFF SOMEBODY YOU THOUGHT YOU GOT AL CAPONE.
I REMEMBER TAKING AL REVOLVERS AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT BRAND IS AROUND ANYMORE.
THAT'S NOT WHAT THESE GUYS ARE UP AGAINST TODAY.
THEY ARE UP AGAINST IF NOT THE SAME CALIBER, A HIGHER CALIBER OF WEAPONRY, THE HIGH-CAPACITY MAGAZINES ARE FEARFUL TO BE UP AGAINST.
I REMEMBER BEING ON A DRUG CASE IN TAMPA, FLORIDA WHERE I GOT BORED RIDING AROUND IN THE EVENINGS. AND THIS WAS AT THE HEIGHT OF THE JAMAICAN AND COLUMBIAN DRUG WAR.
THEY WERE GOING OUT WHERE THE MACHINE GUN WAS REPORTED.
I REMEMBER HOW THE DEPUTIES WORKED TO RESPOND TO THAT.
DID I HEAR MACHINE GUNFIRE? HE WAS LIKE, YEAH.
IN HOUSTON, WE DON'T. SO DROP ME OFF.
MACHINE GUN FIRE IS A REGULAR OCCURRING EVENT.
AND WHAT IS INTERESTING IS IT USED TO BE SYNONYMOUS WITH GANG VIOLENCE. IT USED TO BE SYNONYMOUS WITH DRUG VIOLENCE.
AS WE SAW IN UVALDE, LONE ACTORS ARE A PART OF THE EQUATION THAT
[00:10:03]
I'M GLAD THAT MENTAL HEALTH IS BEING DISCUSSED.MAYBE IT HELPS TAKE US OUT OF THE LAST PLACE ON PER CAPITA SPENDING.
IF BLAME WANTS TO BE PUT ON MENTAL HEALTHCARE, THEN FUND IT.
JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR STARTING THE CONVERSATION AND COINCIDENTALLY, I HAPPEN TO BE WITH FOLKS THAT HAD STRONG TIES TO UVALDE AND SOME OF THE LEADERSHIP IN UVALDE BECAUSE OF THE PAIN THAT IS STILL EVER ALIVE NO MATTER WHERE.
MY WIFE IS TALKING ABOUT IT AND SHE WAS REACHING FOR HER TISSUES FAIRLY QUICKLY.
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION, AND AGAIN I'M PROUD OF SENATOR CORNYN AND MURPHY FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN HELPING US AT LEAST TAKE SOME STEPS FORWARD.
>> GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW I JUST WENT TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH YOU AND I MENTIONED HOW PROUD I AM OF SENATOR CORNYN AND SENATOR MURPHY AS WELL.
I ALWAYS FELT IN POLITICS IT IS IMPORTANT TO ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND THEN TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.
DURING MY TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE I ALWAYS HAD THE FEAR THAT MY INTEREST IN TRYING TO COMPROMISE WOULD EAT ME TO THE LOWEST COMMON DENOMINATOR AT THE RISK OF A SOUND BYTE AND DOING NOTHING.
I DON'T THINK SENATOR CORNYN DID THAT YET.
IN THE GRAND SCHEME OF THINGS IT IS THE BARE MINIMUM. ONE REASON IT IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE STATES LIKE THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR HAVE GONE SO FAR IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.
ALL OF THE DATA IS THERE AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS THAT LEAD TO CRIME AND TO VIOLENCE.
IT IS AMAZING HOW WE HAVE GOTTEN SO FEARFUL OF THE NRA, ONE LOBBY GROUP.
PEOPLE ARE AFRAID TO TALK ABOUT THE ONE SENSIBLE THING THAT WE KNOW DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.
I MEAN, TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU TELL YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND YOUR FRIENDS -- EVEN IF YOU OWN A BIKE SOMEBODY IS IN YOUR LANE AND YOU SAY, I'M SORRY I AM IN YOUR LANE.
IF YOU BLOW YOUR HORN GO TOOT, TOOT AND THAT SAYS SORRY.
AND THIS HIDING BEHIND THE SECOND AMENDMENTS -- THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS RIDICULOUS.
DOES THAT MEAN YOU HAVE A RIGHT FOR BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS OR HOW ABOUT AN ATOMIC WEAPON? HOW CAN ANYBODY THINK THE FOUNDING FATHERS INTENDED FOR ANYBODY TO HAVE ANY ARMS THAT THEY WANTED? SENATOR CORNYN'S BILL AS I ANALYZED IT, IT WAS THE BEST HE COULD GET.
A LOT OF BILLS I PASSED HE HAD TO DEFEND AND MAYBE EVEN SOME HE DIDN'T AGREE WITH.
WE WERE IN DC AND WE GOT TO CHAT IN THE BACK ROOM A LITTLE BIT.
WE WORKED CLOSELY ON A LOT OF ISSUES.
IT IS A FEDERAL ISSUE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE.
THE ISSUE BEGS FOR FEDERAL LEGISLATION.
[00:15:02]
WE HAD AN ASSAULT BAN FOR A DECADE OR SO.I DON'T THINK IT PASSED IN THE CLINTON ADMINISTRATION.
AND THEN IT LASTED FOR PART OF THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION.
I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG. THERE ARE SEVERAL WHEREASES IN THIS RESOLUTION.
EVEN IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH SOME OF THE ITEMS THAT I CALL FOR IN TERMS OF THE SPECIFIC LEGISLATIVE ISSUES, IF YOU ARE AGAINST UNIVERSAL BACK GROUND CHECKS AND IMPLEMENTING RED FLAG LAWS AND REQUIRING A COOLING OFF PERIOD FOR GUN PURCHASES OR REGULATING CIVILIAN OWNERSHIP OF HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES, YOU CAN STILL BE FOR A SPECIAL SESSION.
I'M JUST SO SICK OF PEOPLE OFFERING THEIR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
I SAID AT THE STATUE UNVEIL THAT THEY SHOULD STOP AND PRAY FOR THEMSELVES AND PRAY FOR BEING FOR GIVEN FOR HAVING THE POWER AND NOT DOING A DAMN THING ABOUT IT.
MY READ OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT TELLS ME MARTIN LUTHER KING'S INFLUENCE, DESPITE THE PRESS COVERAGE, HIS STATURE HAD GONE DOWN I'M MEASURE -- IMMEASURABLY AND HE COULD NO LONGER MOBILIZE THE CONSCIENCE OF AMERICANS, EVEN AFRICAN-AMERICANS, TO SHOW UP AND FIGHT FOR BASIC CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS THAT EVERYBODY KNEW WERE -- WITH THE CONSTITUTION. IT HAD BEEN THERE FOREVER.
A COUPLE OF ADVISERS WANTED HIM TO TURN TO CHILDREN AND PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY.
HE THOUGHT IT WAS CRAZY AND TO READ SOME OF THE WRITINGS EVENTUALLY HE WAS PERSUADED BECAUSE HE WAS SO DESPERATE THAT HE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO TURN TO CHILDREN. EVEN PRESIDING OVER A FEW.
AS PHOD -- MODEST AS IT IS IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A SPECIAL SESSION THIS SUMMER.
IT IS A $600 A MONTH AND TK-GS -- AND $72 A YEAR JOB THAT MET MORE DAYS THAN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS BECAUSE GOVERNOR WOULD CALL SPECIAL SESSION.
GOVERNOR BUSH RARELY CALLED THEM.
GOVERNOR PERRY CALLED PLENTY OF THEM.
THE GOVERNOR HAS HAD SPECIAL SESSIONS TO RESTRICT THE RIGHT TO VOTE.
AND THIS RESOLUTION IS SIX POINTS AND SEVEN WHEREAS' AND I HOPE IT WILL HAVE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO AGREE WITH EVERY WORD IN IT.
THE FIRST SIX WHEREAS' ARE FACTS.
IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT FACTS, JUST VOTE FOR IT AND SAY I DIDN'T LIKE THE FACTS.
SHOULD HAVE PICKED OTHERS. IF YOU ARE NOT FOR THE ONE THAT CALLS FOR SPECIFIC ACTIONS, I DON'T SAY WHAT IT IS, BUT I HOPE THAT WE ON THIS BODY WOULD DO SOMETHING.
WE TOOK THE LANGUAGE FROM BEXAR COUNTY TO A GREAT EXTENT THE THINGS THE MAYOR PUT IN.
A LOT MORE OF THEM I PUT IN AND I DIDN'T LIST -- I DIDN'T ASK FOR THE CALL.
SOME I CAN THINK OF THAT PASSED MAYBE ONE CHAMBER, BUT IT IS REASONABLE.
I RESPECTFULLY ASK ALL OF US, HEY, IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS AS LONG AS I HAVE, I MAKE THE COMMENT THAT SOMEBODY IS ANGRY WHO GAVE ME A CHECK WHILE I GIVE THE CHECK BACK.
I SEPTEMBER ONE BACK -- I SENT ONE BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
YOU KNOW WHAT I FOUND OUT? THEY SAID HE IS CRAZY.
IT IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD.
OR IF SOMEBODY IS DEFEATED BECAUSE YOU TAKE ON THE POWERFUL LOBBYISTS, SO WHAT.
MY NAME HAS BEEN ON THE BALLOT 38 YEARS, AND IF I LOSE, SO WHAT.
I HOPE YOU CALL ME AS FEISTY AND WITTY IN DEFEAT AS I HAVE BEEN IN VICTORY.
I HOPE I HAVE THE COURAGE TO SAY MY OPPONENT, I DON'T LIKE YOU,
[00:20:01]
I I WANT YOU TO BE AS SUCCESSFUL AS I TRY TO BE.YOU MIGHT BE A BETTER PERSON SOY ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES AND BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>>> I DISAGREE WITH THE PREMISE OF THIS BEING A FEDERAL SOLUTION.
I LIKE EACH STATE BEING A PART OF THEIR OWN EXAMPLES AND EACH STATE MAKING THEIR OWN RULES.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS SOMETHING ALL OF US COULD SUPPORT.
SINCE WE ARE GOING TO CITE THE FEDERAL MODEL I WOULD LIKE TO READ A STATEMENT BY KEVIN BRADY BECAUSE I THINK IT SUMS UP HOW I FEEL ABOUT THIS MATTER. AND HE SAYS "TO ADDRESS GUN VIOLENCE IS NOT SIMPLY ENOUGH TO, QUOTE, DO SOMETHING," END QUOTE.
WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING THAT WORKS.
MAYBE THE DEADLIEST CITIES IN AMERICA ARE IN MODEL GUN CONTROL STATES WHOSE LAWS NEITHER PREVENT MASS SHOOTINGS NOR STOP VIOLENT CRIME IN MAJOR CITIES. AS A CONGRESS AND AS A SOCIETY WE MUST ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF THIS VIOLENCE WHILE KEEPING GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE CRIMINALS AND MENTALLY UNSTABLE. WE NEED TO STOP DENYING THAT TOO MANY OF THESE SHOOTERS HAVE BROKEN FAMILIES, BROKEN LIVES AND ARE ANGRY AND HATEFUL.
WE NEED TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING BEFORE THE VIOLENCE OCCURS.
THIS WON'T BE EASY. UNFORTUNATELY, THIS RUSHED POLITICALLY-MOTIVATED BILL IN THE HOUSE RECYCLES THE FAILED GUN CONTROL LAWS THAT HAVEN'T WORKED IN THE PAST AND WON'T WORK IN THE FUTURE.
I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST THE RESOLUTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: I SPENT TIME LAST WEEK WITH THE COLLINS FAMILY.
THE STORY THERE IS A GRANDFATHER WHO GOES FISHING WITH HIS FOUR GRANDSONS, WAS BRUTALLY MURDERED BY WHAT I CALL EVIL, EVIL LET LOOSE BY BAD POLICIES.
WE NEED TO DEAL WITH A LOT OF THINGS IN TEXAS.
THAT'S ONE OF THEM. A LITTLE GIRL LAST NIGHT SHOT IN HER HOUSE.
THIS PARTICULAR CASE WAS SOMEONE OUT ON LOW BOND.
SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ISSUES, WE CAN -- WE HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR TWO YEARS ON THE CRIME EPIDEMIC IN THIS COUNTY, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD A CALL FOR SPECIAL SESSION TO DEAL WITH THE CRIME EPIDEMIC.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE BORDER AND THE MILLIONS THAT ARE COMING INTO THIS COUNTRY, HAVEN'T HEARD ANYBODY CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION RELATED TO THAT.
THE 170 PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN KILLED BY PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN OUT ON BOND IN THIS COUNTY BY EVIL.
YOU CAN SAY BY GUN AND I WILL SAY BY EVIL.
I WILL SIT HERE AND SIMPLY SAY THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS WE NEED TO BE HAVING A SPECIAL SESSION ON.
I WILL BE VOTING NO ON THE RESOLUTION AND PRAYING, AND YES I DO PRAY, WITH AN EXPECTATION THAT EVIL WILL BE OVERCOME AND THAT WE HAVE THE GOOD SENSE TO RIDE THE LEADERSHIP TOWARD THAT END.
IF WE MAKE A MOTION THAT SIMPLY SAYS -- AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THIS, THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CALLS UPON THE TEXAS GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS COMMON SENSE GUN LAWS THAT WOULD PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE AND NEEDLESS LOSS OF LIFE IN THE LONE STAR STATE.
THAT'S IT. CALL A SPECIAL SESSION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I LIKE THAT AND I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON THAT AND THEN MAKE MY MOTION.
IT. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
IF YOU WANT TO CALL ANOTHER SPECIAL SESSION ON SOMETHING ELSE.
AS I RECALL, COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- IS IT ONLY ONE ITEM PER --
[00:25:05]
>> NO. WHEN THE GOVERNOR CALLS A SPECIAL SESSION THEY CAN ADD ANYTHING TO THE CALL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MENTAL HEALTH AND WHATEVER IT IS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. AND HE DOESN'T HAVE TO DO IT IN ADVANCE.
THAT'S PURELY WITHIN THE PREROGATIVE OF THE GOVERN -- OF THE GOVERNOR.
I AM PROUD TO MAKE THAT MOTION.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> WHAT ITEM IS THIS IN
REFERENCE TO? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE IS MAKING IT AS AN ADDENDUM TO MY MOTION? DOES THAT WORK? SHOULD WE DO IT AS A SEPARATE ONE? WE CAN DO IT AS A SEPARATE RESOLUTION.
AND THEN I WILL GO BACK TO THE ONE YOU HAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE MIGHT AS WELL INCLUDE THE -- ALL OF THE WHEREAS'.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO COVER THEM, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THE PUBLIC?
>> SO IT WILL BE A NEW RESOLUTION WITH BOTH?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL BE A SEPARATE ONE FROM ELLIS AND THEN I WILL DO THIS OTHER ONE SINCE I MADE THE MOTION, WHETHER IT IS HIDALGO OR GARCIA OR ELLIS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE POINT.
AND AS AN ADDENDUM TO IT, JUDGE, MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR THAT THE GOVERNOR CAN ADD MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE OF ANY OF THE ITEMS HE WANTS TO THE SPECIAL SESSION.
I KNOW THE CONSTITUTION PROVIDES THAT ANYWAY.
BUT IN ADDITION TO WHAT THE JUDGE SAID I WILL ADD OR ANY OTHER ITEM THE GOVERNOR DEEMS
APPROPRIATE. >> THAT'S AN ADDENDUM TO YOUR
MOTION AND NOT THE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: TO THE LANGUAGE THE JUDGE JUST SAID.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND REPEATING IT FOR CLARIFICATION FOR THE RECORD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE KEEPS BETTER NOTES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT CALLS UPON THE TEXAS GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION OF THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS COMMON SENSE GUN LAW THAT'S WOULD PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE AND THE NEEDLESS LOSS OF LIFE IN THE LONESTAR STATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND INCLUDE ANY OTHER ISSUES THE GOVERNOR DEEMS APPROPRIATE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SHOULD WE VOTE ON THAT AGAIN THEN?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE WE VOTED? DO WE NEED TO VOTE AGAIN, JAY?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE HAVS CHALLENGING TO SEE SOMETHING SO EVIDENT AND FOCUS ON EVERYTHING BUT THE GUNS.
HECK, THEY FAILED TO ACT ON THE BOND ISSUE AND FAILED TO ELIMINATE BAIL.
THAT'S WHY THE BAIL BONDS MEN GIVE DISCOUNTED BAIL WHICH WE WORKED ON.
AND THAT'S WHY THE GANGS PITCH IN FOR THE BOND.
IT THEY COULD HAVE WORKED ON MENTAL HEALTH.
IT IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM AND THEY DIDN'T TACKLE IT.
WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING TO KEEP IT FROM BEING SO.
AND THAT WOULD HAVE COME WITH ITS OWN MENTAL HEALTH MONEY.
IT IS PLAIN FOR ALL TO SEE AND I KPHEPD SENATOR CORNYN -- I COMMEND SENATOR CORNYN AND EVERYBODY CAN SEE WHO IS PRETENDING NOT TO SEE WHAT THE TRUE ISSUE IS AND I FIND IT IMPRESSIVE THAT YOU CAN KEEP A STRAIGHT FACE IN THAT BEHAVIOR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD BE QUICK ON THE ISSUE IS WANT TO MAKE A POINT, THAT I WANT TO BE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND I THINK I HAVE BEEN MOST OF THE TIME, BUT YOUR POINT THAT SOME PEOPLE ARE AFRAID OF THE ISSUE.
THE COOK COUNTY JAIL, I HAVEN'T CHECKED, BUT IT IS STILL THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY IN CHICAGO, BUT IT WAS JUST -- THE PRESIDENT OVER THERE WHO PIONEERED USING THE MEDICAID EXPANSION MONEY CAN GET COVERAGE AND DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR IT IN COOK COUNTY. MEDICAID INCLUDES THAT.
IF I CAN AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, AND I DOUBT MY COLLEAGUES WILL HAVE A CHANGE OF HEART, BUT MY STAFF TALKED TO SOME OF THE ADVOCACY GROUPS AND WORKED WITH SOME OF THE PARENTS OF THE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND WE WERE TRYING TO LEAVE THIS AS BROAD AS WE COULD.
I THINK IT PASSED IN BEXAR COUNTY OR MAYBE IT IS GONNA PASS. I THINK NELSON WILL CALL FOR.
[00:30:01]
IT MAYBE THEY ARE DOING IT TODAY AS WELL.I SPENT 26 YEARS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I DID SPELL OUT SOME OF THOSE ITEMS. I DIDN'T LIST THEM ALL, BUT I WILL MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS'
[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 4)]
MOTION? >> YES, MA'AM, WE HAVE A SPEAKER AND WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 236 AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MAY BE ON MUTE, TIFFANY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S ITEM ONE.
LET ME JUST CHECK. IT SEEMS THAT -- WAS MARGA MATTHEWS SPEAKING? LET'S RAOET -- READ THE MOTION AND THEN TAKE UP MS.
MATTHEWS. >> I WILL JUST MOVE ADOPTION.
[INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE ONLY SPEAKER I SEE, TIFFANY, IF THERE
ARE ANY OTHERS. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> OKAY, YES, WE HAVE FOR ITEM 1 MARGA MATTHEWS SPEAKING IN PERSON.
>> CAN YOU CLARIFY SOMETHING FOR ME? I SIGNED UP FOR THREE THINGS AND I WANTED TO SPEAK REALLY QUICK ON ALL THREE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, BUT YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE?
>> BUT THE CLOCK IS ALREADY GOING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.
I REQUESTED A SPECIAL SESSION ON GUN VIOLENCE.
I REQUEST ALL SCHOOLS HAVE AN ARMED POLICE OFFICER TO PROTECT THE CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND INCREASED AWARENESS AND WARNING SIGNS [INAUDIBLE] TO ANYONE.
HAVE THEM TAKE A MENTAL EVALUATION AND DON'T ASSUME THEY ARE OKAY AND RELEASE THEM QUIT -- THEM.
IT IS THE CRIMINAL HOLDING THE GUN.
THE LAST TIME I HEARD, WE UP ON CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY.
ON RESOLUTION 3, I AM AGAINST HONORING THE LGBTQ AND JUST WANT TO SAY GOD DOES NOT MAKE MISTAKES AND FOR THIS TO BE ON THE AGENDA IS A PUSH FOR ADRIAN GARCIA IN PRECINCT 2 TO GET VOTES FROM THE LG -- LGBTQ.
I DO NOT WANT SEXUAL PER -- PERVERSION TO BE PUSHED ON CHILDREN OR ANYONE.
THOSE WHO PLANTED SUCH THINGS ARE DESERVING OF GOD'S WRATH.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> JUST REMEMBER [INAUDIBLE] GOD WILL HAVE HIS WRATH.
IT IS A COURTROOM -- >> JUDGE, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU ALL ON THE WEBEX AND THE LIVE STREAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE MAY NEED TO TAKE A BREAK? CAN YOU HEAR US, TIFFANY?
Y'ALL ARE SAYING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].
TIFFANY, CAN YOU HEAR MY VOICE?
>> YOU ARE COMING THROUGH BETTER NOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST LET US KNOW IF WE CUT OUT AGAIN.
THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A FEW SPEAKERS FOR 236.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO TAKE
THEM NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVEN'T GOT TO THAT ONE YET.
PRESENT THE ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE DID NOT ASK ANY SPEAKERS TO COME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
[Departments (Part 3 of 7)]
ITEM 236, AND SO WE WILL TAKE 236 AND THEN 313 AS WELL ON THIS TOPIC.THIS ITEM, WE ARE ALREADY -- WE ALREADY KNOW THE DATA AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND IN HARRIS COUNTY.
GUN VIOLENCE PARTICULARLY AMONG YOUTH IS A LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH.
WE HAVE DONE WORK ON THIS TOPIC.
WE HAVE THE GUN VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM AND WE HAVE THE YOUTH VIOLENCE REINVESTMENT FUND THAT HELPS WORK WITH KIDS BEFORE THEY GET INTO TROUBLE TO YOUR POINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BEFORE THEY END UP INVOLVED IN THOSE KINDS OF BEHAVIORS AND WE WORKED ON SPEEDING UP THE REPORTING THROUGH THE DISTRICT CLERK SYSTEM.
CLERK BURGESS HAS BEEN KEY TO WHAT WE WANT TO DO IS DIRECT THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO HELP US FIGURE OUT IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN BE DOING.
[00:35:08]
OUR LAWS -- OUR HANDS ARE TIED ON THE PURCHASE, SALE OR STORAGE OF GUNS AND PERHAPS THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WE CAN DO ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT WE'VE DONE EVEN MORE TARGETED INITIATIVES AND THERE IS DATA YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT.THAT'S THE SPIRIT BEHIND THIS MOTION.
THE MOTION WOULD BE TO DIRECT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT AND ANY OTHER GOVERNMENT ORIE SEARCHEN -- OR RESEARCH ENTITIES TO DRAFT A REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON THE FREQUENCY, LOCATION AND CAUSES OF YOUTH GUN VIOLENCE FROM 2015 TO THE PRESENT AS WELL AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED POLICY SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT YOUTH GUN VIOLENCE AND DEATHS OF CHILDREN DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE FUTURE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND, JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD.
MY STAFF DIDN'T TELL ME THE SOURCE, BUT I SAW WHERE THEY DO THE CHECK ON DATA AND I THINK IT WAS ON SHUBER AND I BET MY STAFF DIDN'T GIVE IT A SOURCE, BUT I BET IT IS CORRECT.
OUR COUNTRY HAS BEEN AT WAR IN THE PAST TWO DECADES.
YET, IN THIS TIME WE HAVE LOST MORE CHILDREN TO GUN VIOLENCE THAN ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY PERSONNEL AND ON DUTY LAW ENFORCEMENT COMBINED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE PRESIDENT SAID IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS PARTICULARLY A PROBLEM IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY WHERE GUN VIOLENCE IS THE HRAOETDING -- LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH THAN ANY OTHER COMBINED.
I AM PROUD TO SECOND IT AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT
FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: SO YOU CAN DIRECT THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO DO JUST ANYTHING.
IS -- DOES THIS REQUIRE A MOTION? DOES THIS REQUIRE TO BE VOTED ON?
>> TECHNICALLY IT CANNOT. >> SO WE ARE JUST VOTING BECAUSE WE WANT TO AND DON'T HAVE TO.
>> THE JUDGE CAN DIRECT THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO DO ANYTHING SHE WOULD LIKE INFORMATION ON,
RIGHT? >> I THINK THAT IS CORRECT.
WELL, I I WILL LET THE JUDGE ON THE FACT WHY YOU WANT TO BRING
>> TOM RAMSEY: TRANSMITTALS AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE I SEEN NUMEROUS REQUESTS MAYBE FROM YOU IF NOT YOUR PREDECESSOR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: Y'ALL LOOK ALIKE.
I AM BEING RHETORICAL THERE, BUT THERE WERE A NUMBER OF TIMES WHERE THERE WERE REQUESTS OF THE ANALYST'S OFFICE THAT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH A LOT OF THE RESOLUTIONS YOU BRING UP, I SEND THEM OUT FROM MY OFFICE.
I LIKE HAVING Y'ALL'S NAME ON IT, BUT JUST TO SAVE TIME, I SET THEM OUT FOR ME.
THEY LOOK PRETTIER TOO BY THE WAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU KNOW, I HAVE SEEN HAD -- SEEN THE REQUEST FROM THE ANALYST'S OFFICE COME THROUGH BEFORE AND I KNOW SHE LIKES EVERYONE TO BE AWARE ANYWAY.
MS. SHORT CAN STEP IN IF I AM MISSTATING THE POLICY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS SHE WILL NOT PURSUE AN ANALYSIS WITHOUT ALL OF THE MEMBERS BEING AWARE OR ON BOARD OR ANYWAY THERE IS A DEMOCRATIC BACKGROUND TO THE WAY HER OFFICE FUNCTIONS SO THAT IT IS NOT JUST EACH OF US ASKING HER TO WORK WITHOUT THE OTHER FOUR'S ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS A GOOD PRACTICE BECAUSE I HOPE NONE OF US HAVE ABUSED IT.
IF ALL OF US ASK FOR 50 THINGS WE CAN RESEARCH AT SOME POINT AND WE WOULD FIND A WAY TO DECIDE.
>> AND LOOK, JUDGE, I THINK -- I KNOW I REQUESTED MOTION THAT'S WERE NOT ENTIRELY NECESSARY.
IT WORKS TO SET THE VOICE OF THIS BODY ON DEFINING PARTICULAR
[00:40:07]
IF YOU MOTION AND SECOND I WILL VOTE FOR IT.IT IS SO SHE KNOWS WHERE TO PUT THAT IN HER PRIORITY LIST.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS, TIFFANY.
[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 4)]
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS ABOUT OF
MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS SAMMY BAG.
IT SAYS PLEASE STATE FIRST AND LAST NAME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T DO THIS EVERY TIME, SO EVERYBODY BE AWARE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION COUNTS TOWARD THE TIME AND YOU HAVE A MINUTE AND WE HAVE DONE IT TWICE, BUT WE CAN'T RESTART THE CLOCK WITH EVERY SPEAKER OR WE WILL BE HERE
ALL DAY. >> I AM SAMMY BAG AND I AM THE CO-AUTHOR OF THE HOUSTON POLICY PLAN AS WELL AS A MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATION BLANCH FOR MARGINAL LIVES HUE -- HOUSTON.
I AM JOINED BY KENDAL AND JESSICA AS WELL.
IT ALTHOUGH HARRIS COUNTY HAS ESTABLISHED THE GUN INTERRUPTION PROGRAM THERE ARE MEASURES TO BE TAKEN TO ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES AND ACCESS TO GUNS IN HOUSTON. BY ESTABLISHING A GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE AS WELL AS YOUTH COUNCIL, THERE IS POTENTIAL TO DECREASE ISSUE THAT'S NOT ONLY ADDRESSES THE ROOT CAUSE OF GUN VIOLENCE, BUT SAVES LIVES BEFORE THEY ARE LOST IN TRAGEDY.
ON BEHALF OF THE YOUNG VICTIMS TO GUN VIOLENCE, I ASK WE
IMPLEMENT THE POLICY -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
UP. >> TO ENSURE THE FUTURE OF MY
GENERATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO
MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU DID A GOOD
JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.
IF YOU WILL STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
>> MY NAME IS JESSICA LAY AND I AM FROM THE LEGISLATION TEAM OF MARCH FOR OUR LIVES, HOUSTON.
I WAS SITTING IN MY ALGEBRA CLASS AND A VOICE ON THE SPEAKER APPEARED.
ATTENTION, WE ARE UNDEROC LK DOWN.
MY TEACHER TELLSTO US GO TO A CORNER AND STAYT.
SILEN SHE SHUTSHE OFF T LIGHTS IN THE ROOMER AND COVS UPDO THE WINW.
SHE WALKSCK THE -- LOS THE CLASSROOM DOOR.MO FOR A MENTIN WE ALL SIT SILENCE.
AI STUDENT GOES THINKT THERE MIGHBE A T SHOOTER.
POSSIBLY LAST TIME I LOVE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM YOUR TIME UP.
>> I ASK IT IS IMPLEMENTED IN OUR CITY.
>> HI, MY NAME IS KENDAL COPPER AND WITH MARCH FOR HOUSTON.
WE APPRECIATE THE GUN VIOLENCE REPORT, BUT WE WANT YOUTH TO HAVE MORE OF A VOICE.
AS THE MAYOR OF 2019 COMMISSIONED WE THINK IMPLEMENTING MORE OF AN ACTION-BASED COMMUNITY SOLUTION TO GUN VIOLENCE BY HAVING AN OFFICIAL TASK FORCE AND YOUTH COUNCIL WILL REALLY HELP TO ENGAGE COMMUNITIES AND DIALOGUE REGARDING GUN VIOLENCE.
MOREOVER, THIS WILL FOCUS ON YOUTH VIE -- VIOLENCE AND DEVELOPING SOLUTIONS TO REALLY INFORM STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS ABOUT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION AND HEARING WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT SOME OF THE RECENT VIOLENCE THAT HAS HAPPENED.
>> GOOD JOB. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.
AND I THINK IT IS A GOOD POINT THAT THEY RAISE.
[Departments (Part 4 of 7)]
I ALWAYS ASSUME THE ANALYST'S OFFICE IS CONSULTING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AS SHE DEVELOPS POLICIES, BUT I WOULD ASK -- IS MS.SHORT ON THE LINE? >> I AM, JUDGE.
>> TELL ME IF IT WORKS TO YOU.
[00:45:08]
YOU. THE ORGANIZING YOU DID AFTER THE SHOOTING IN FLORIDA, PARKLAND, AND THEN TO BE BACK AGAIN, IT WOULD BE VERY EASY FOR PEOPLE TO FEEL JADED, TO FEEL APATHETIC AND FEEL DEMORALIZED, BUT IF SOMEONE CAN PROVIDE THAT ENERGY IT IS OUR YOUTH.WE ARE SO VERY PROUD AND WE NEED YOU TO CONTINUE WITH THE ADVOCACY.
I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS RIGHT.
THE REASON LEGISLATORS WHO WERE SCARED OF THE NRA AND SCARED OF TALKING ABOUT AN ISSUE THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS IS OBVIOUS HAVE ENACTED IS BECAUSE OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE, BECAUSE OF YOU.
I URGE YOU TO EP COULD THIS UP -- I URGE YOU TO KEEP THIS UP AND KNOW THAT OUR HANDS ARE TIED HERE.
IF THEY WEREN'T, WE WOULD DO SO MUCH MORE.
WE ARE EAGER TO HEAR WHAT MORE YOU THINK WE CAN DO THAT WE ARE NOT ALREADY DOING.
DIRECTOR SHORT I WOULD SAY CONSULT WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS AND IT INCLUDES THE YOUNG ACTIVISTS AND CONSIDER YOUTH VIOLENCE AND GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE.
WE WANT SOMETHING THAT ACTUALLY BRINGS BACK RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> I WANT TO COMMEND THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE AND EVEN THE SPEAKER AGAINST MY ITEM, YOU CAN ALWAYS SUBMIT YOUR STATEMENT AND ON MY PART MY STAFF WILL POST IT AS WELL.
IF I AGREE WITH IT. I WON'T AGREE WITH ANYTHING I DISAGREE WITH PROBABLY.
YOU DID A GREAT JOB IN ORGANIZING AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP IT UP.
YOU KNOW SOCIAL MEDIA AND THOSE THINGS MUCH BETTER THAN WE DO.
IT IS ALL ABOUT GETTING SOME ATTENTION.
THAT'S WHAT IS MOVING THE NEEDLE ON THIS.
KEEP PUSHING ITOU YRE A -- KEEP PUSHING IT.
T I WANTEDO CLOSE AND SEEOT IF THE HER S POLITICIANS WHOTICK TO IT.
IS IT -- IT WAS BYHA 96 DEGREESI D TO GET TO THE OTHER TWO STOPS.OU YOU CAN SUBMIT YRSL STATEMENT.
YOU ARE DOING THIS BECAUSE YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME GOOD NOISE AT JOHN LEWIS USED TD SAY.
I WANT TO KPHE YOU FOR IT. COMMEND YOU FOR IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD HAVE IT READ THIS WAY, DIRECTOR SHORT.
TO DIRECT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANALYST OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE GOVERNMENTAL RESEARCH ENTITIES AS APPROPRIATE TO DRAFT A REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON THE FREQUENCY, LOCATION AND CAUSES OF YOUTH GUN VIOLENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY FROM 2015 TO THE PRESENT AS WELL AS THE MOST EFFECTIVE EVIDENCE-BASED SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESS AND PREVENT YOUTH GUN VIOLENCE AND DEATH OF CHILDREN DUE TO GUN VIOLENCE IF HARRIS COUNTY.
TO CONSULT WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS AND CONSIDER THE CREATION OF A YOUTH COUNCIL OR GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE.
THAT'S A FINE CHANGE AND WE CAN WORK WITH THAT.
>> JUDGE, IF I COULD JUST CLARIFY ONE QUICK POINT.
A LOT OF OUR WORK IS DEADLINE DRIVEN.
EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT'S ARE YOU WORKING ON, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> WE DON'T DO PROPRIETARY WORK.
WE DISTRIBUTE TO ALL OFFICES WHEN COMPLETE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR OFFICE?
>> RIGHT. SO WE HAVE FIVE ANALYTICAL POSITIONS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS MAKING A POINT EARLIER THAT OBVIOUSLY AT SOME POINT IF EVERYBODY IS MAKING REQUESTS, I AM OLD ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT IF SOMEBODY HAD INTERNED IN A CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE YOU COULD REQUEST THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.
I NEVER DID IT, BUT WHEN I WAS A CHIEF OF STAFF TO A MEMBER IT STOPPED US FROM THE PEOPLE CREATIVE ENOUGH TO WRITE THE OFFICE AND KNOW WE ARE DOING THE PAPER FOR THEM.
I HAVE A LARGER POLICY TEAM THAT YOU HAVE.
[00:50:04]
WHEN THEY STOLE YOU FROM MY POLICY TEAM, WE HAD TO GET MORE PEOPLE TO DO THAT WORK.THANK YOU. >> ARE YOU OKAY WITH THE CHANGES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, TO
MAKE THE MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- YES?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: SINCE WE ARE THROWING IN STAKEHOLDERS THERE ARE VERY, VERY DIFFERENT VIEWS AS WE LOOK AT THIS AS TO WHAT ARE THE ROOT CAUSES AND THE PROBLEMS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S SPEAK OF HRAOEFL AND THE ISSUE IS IT THE HANDS OR THE GUNS THAT IS THE CYCLE OF THE REPEAT OFFENDERS.
SINCE IT IS GOING TO THE ANALYST'S OFFICE TO LOOK AT, IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND AS A STAKEHOLDER TALKING TO SYDNEY SEAGAL WHO IS THE CHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, I DON'T MIND THIS BEING ANALYZED, JUST CATCH ALL OF THE VOICES IN THE PROCESS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT OKAY, DIRECTOR SHORT?
>> IF THAT IS WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RESEARCH REQUEST WE ARE HAPPY TO DO IT.
CAST A WIDE NET WITH STAKEHOLDERS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CALL THE NRA AS WELL.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THAT IS A REALLY GOODME COMNT, COMMISSIONER..
GOODRT, INO THINK ATHER BANK OF Y INFORMATIONOU CAN CONTACT IS.
CRIMESTOPPERS IF YOU CAN INCLUDE THEM,VE THEY HA A LOT OF DATA ON VIOLENCE ANDTH CAUSES AND OTHER INGS.UR ADD THAT TO YO LIST OF DATA
COLLECTION.CH >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ILDREN AT RISK IS ANOTHER GOOD ONE.
P >> LINA HIDALGO: ANDREMIERE CRIME-FIGHTING ORGANIZATION MOMS DEMAND.E
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I LIKE TH MOTION, BUT WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THIS.
PARTICULARLY THE YOUNG PEOPLE HOW TO GET THE TERM PAPERS WRITTEN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANYWAY, YOU WILL CAST A WIDE NET.
THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> FOR CLARIFICATION, IT IS APPROVED WITH THE ADDED CONSULT WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND CONSIDER THE YOUTH COUNCIL OR GUN VIOLENCE TASK FORCE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. AND WE ALL ADDED STAKEHOLDERS -- >> BUT --
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT IN THE MOTION, BUT SHE WROTE IT DOWN.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAD 313
RELATED TO THE ISSUE. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES, THANK YOU.
AS A MATTER OF INFORMATION, IN AUGUST SCHOOL STARTS.
THE SECOND WEEK IN AUGUST SCHOOL STARTS.
THE AGENDA ITEM HERE IS TO SET UP A HARRIS COUNTY SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION.
THE DIFFERENCE I THINK IN THIS COMMISSION IS THAT IT IS BEING SET UP TO LISTEN TO THE YOUTH.
IT IS BEING SET UP TO LISTEN TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
SOMETIMES WE HAVE PRE CON -- PRECONCEIVED IDEAS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WHEN WE HAVEN'T LISTENED TO THE PEOPLE THAT ARE MOST INVOLVED WITH THE ISSUE. BY LISTENING TO WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THE EXPERTS AND SPENDING TIME WITH THESE EXPERTS IN THE SCHOOLS BECAUSE I KNOW IN MY PRECINCT THERE ARE 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
14 OF THEM ARE IN MY PRECINCT.
I KNOW I AM OUT THERE TRYING TO LISTEN AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE GET THEM RIGHT.
WHETHER WE OPEN THE -- WHEN WE OPEN THE SCHOOLS THE SECOND WEEK IN AUGUST, IT IS NOT LIKE, COMMISSIONER, WHEN WE WERE IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AND THERE IS A DRILL AND EVERYBODY SAID WE'RE HAVING A DRILL AND IT HAD TO DO WITH AN ATOMIC BOMB.
GET UNDER YOUR DESK AND COVER YOUR HEAD.
I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THAT PART OF IT AS BEING A DRILL.
THE KEY PART OF THIS COMMISSION ISN'T THE COMMISSION BEING SET UP TO DIRECT.
IN TERMS OF GETTING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IN TERMS OF GETTING LEADERSHIP WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS INVOLVED IN THE COMMISSION, I KNOW PRECINCT 3 CONSTABLE EAGLETON, HE HAS 60
[00:55:09]
THE COUNTY IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN IT.THERE ARE FOUR MORE SESSIONS PLANNED.
THE SCHOOLS ARE EACH ONE ADDRESSING IT.
WHAT WE NEED TO DO, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO AS THE COUNTY TO DEAL WITH IT? SIMPLY TO PUTN IA CATEGORYF O ACTUALLY DOINGET SOMHING IN TERMS OFOU A CNTY AND IN TERMSOF SPECIFICALLYIN ENGAGG WHATSO REURCESND WE HAVE AUR ENCOAGING THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN TERMS OF PARTNERINGEM WITH TH, IGR KNOW I HAD THE EATY OPPORTUNIT TO SPEND TIME WITH UCTHE HARRIS COUNTY EDATION DEPARTMENT.
THEY HAVE A PERSON THERE NAMED JULIE ANDREWS.
SO SHE WOULD BE A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THIS COMMISSION.
MY MOTION IS PRETTY SIMPLE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE WILL DO.
AND I SILL SIMPLY STATE THAT AND WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
THE HARRIS COUNTY SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION -- AND I EVEN HAD MRD VERSION OF THE MOTION.
I MOVE FOR APPROVAL TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS TO IMMEDIATELY, IMMEDIATELY BEING TODAY, ESTABLISH A HARRIS COUNTY SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION UNDER THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA.
WE TASK WITH COMPILING RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN SUPPORT ALL 25 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS SAFETY STRATEGIES IN TIME FOR THE 2023 SCHOOL YEAR AND FUTURE SCHOOL YEARS AS NEEDED.
EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT MUST FORWARD A NOMINEE BY JUNE 17TH, 2022.
THE COMMISSION SHALL DIRECTLY COORDINATE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE AND HARRIS COUNTY WILL COLLABORATE THE -- CLAP PWRAEUT WITH THE -- COLLABORATE WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND WORK WITH JULIA ANDREW WHROZ -- WHO IS THE RESOURCE THERE.
NOMINEES WILL MEET WITH JULIE ANDREWS NO LATER THAN JULY 25TH.
THAT JULY 25TH IS NOT SOON ENOUGH.
PERSONALLY I WILL BE MEETING NEXT WEEK.
I WOULD CHANGE THAT TO MORE ACCURATELY CLOSER TO JUNE 25TH THAN
>> THAT'S MY MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE? THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONSTABLES.
SO I'M GRATEFUL FOR THEM ALONG WITH A NUMBER OF OUR OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES.
I NOTE THAT YOU ARE PULLING UP MINUTES AND WE FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF NONPROFIT ENTITIES WHO ARE ALSO ASSOCIATED WITH SCHOOLS AND WITH CHILDREN AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT TO ADD PRIVATE SCHOOLS INTO THIS
CONTEXT. >> TOM RAMSEY: GOOD CATCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO SUPPORT ALL 25 INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS
AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU AND I WILL VOTE FOR IT.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS OR EVEN A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
[01:00:02]
I THINK JAYE MADA CALLUT IN, B .HAVEN'T >> RODNEY ELLIS: HERE IS AES SUGGTION.
WE ALL KNOW THAT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING T AND WE WANTO BE MEANINGFUL.
I SUGGEST WELO TAKE A LITTLE NGER AND GO TO THE NEXTHR COURT AND JUST TOWOF OUT NAMES BECAUSE THE DEADLINE. I KNOW WE CAN SEE IF ANY OF THE CITIES ARE DOING SOMETHING ALONG THESE LINES.
I USUALLY LIKE LOOKING AT WHATEVER BEST PRACTICES MEANS AND KNOWING THAT WITH THE LIMITED RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE CAN COMBINE RESOURCES AND MAYBE EVEN WITH THE PRIVATE SCHOOL.
I THINK BACK AND I GUESS I WAS PRETTY YOUNG, BUT MAYBE IT WOULD BE GOOD IF SOMEBODY TALKED TO US SOME OF US ARE CLAUSTROPHOBIC.
I ENJOYED IT BECAUSE YOU GET A LITTLE BREAK.
I CAN TAKE A LITTLE SNACK WHILE THEY ARE UNDER THERE.
IT WOULD BE IMPORTANT TO GET THE STUDENT'S PERSPECTIVE.
CHECKING WITH THE CITY, BAY TOWN OR PASADENA.
MAYBE YOUR STAFF -- MAYBE SOMEBODY LOOKED TO SEE IF IN BUFFALO OR COLUMBINE, YOU GOT ME? MAYBE THEY CAN HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO SEE SOMEBODY THAT DIDN'T DO MUCH THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM, OR IF SOMEBODY DID SOMETHING THAT WE MIGHT WANT TO CUT AND PASTE AND THAT MAY TAKE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
JUST A SUGGESTION, BUT I'M VOTING FOR IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOR THINKING THROUGH THIS.
ALBEIT YOUR INFORMATION CAME VERY SLOW, SO I WAS NOT SURE WHAT YOU WERE PROPOSING, IT LOOKS PRETTY BASIC, BUT I ASK YOU TO GIVE THIS SOME THOUGHT.
NUMBER ONE IS THERE'S A LOT BEING DONE AS A RESULT OF UVALDE.
A LOT BEING DONE AND BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
YOU MENTIONED THE ACTIVE SHOOTER TRAINING, BUT THE IDEA OF INCLUDING THE PRIVATE SCHOOLS IS PROBABLY THE GOLDEN NUGGET HERE.
THEY DON'T HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.
SO INSTEAD OF GETTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CAPACITY AND HAVE THE SUPPORT, I WOULD PROBABLY ASK YOU TO ENCOURAGE THIS BE DIRECTED MORE TO THE PRIVATE SCHOOL COMMUNITIES BECAUSE THEY ARE LARGELY OUTSIDE THE TYPICAL SPACE OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
THEIR FUNDING IS MUCH MORE LIMITED.
AND THEY DON'T HAVE IN MANY CASES THEIR OWN POLICE DEPARTMENTS.
SO THAT IS WHERE I THINK THERE IS GREAT OPPORTUNITY.
MY CONCERN WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT'S DO HAVE THE CAPACITY IS THEY ARE BUSY RIGHT NOW.
TO ASK THEM TO STOP AND COME TO A MEETING FOR WHERE WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT IS THE REAL OPPORTUNITY TO FUND, WE CAN'T SPEND COUNTY DOLLARS ON SCHOOL DISTRICTS, AND THEN TO RY ARE DOING MAY NOTE B CONSTRUCTIVE FOR THEM.
WITH THETE PRIVA SCHOOLS THERE ISTO ROOM BE HELPFUL.
I WOULD JUST THROW THAT OUT THERE>>. TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU,SI COMMISONER.
THAT'S A GOOD COMMENT.E THE PRIVATEEDS OF SCHOOLS WILL PROBABLY BE A PRIORITY.
I DON'T -- THINKING IN TERMS OF A LIMITED NUMBER OF PEOPLE, WE START WITH JULIE WHO MEETS WITH TALKS TO PEOPLE.
[01:05:03]
I WILL BRING INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUT IF WE DO -- IF WE ARE ABLE TO DEFINE BEST PRACTICES THIS PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND OTHERS BECAUSE SOME OF THESE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE SMALLER THAN OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS.SOME HAVE THEIR OWN PD AND SOME DON'T.
SOME USE CONSTABLES AND SOME USE OTHERS.
JUST BEING ABLE TO GET A BANK OF GOOD IDEAS THAT THE SKAOLT -- THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS CAN TAP INTO WHEN THE BELL RINGS IN THE SECOND WEEK OF AUGUST IS THE
OBJECTIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ONE QUESTION RELATED TO THIS.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MADE ME THINK OF RESOURCES FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE.
MR. BERRY, HOW MUCH HAVE WE RE -- HAVE WE REDUCED SINCE JUDGE HIDALGO HAS BEEN HERE?
>> I WILL NEED TO FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU ON THAT ONE.
IT IS HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN THE REDUCED TAX RATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT IN TERMS OF RESOURCES AS TRAGIC AS THIS IS, PEOPLE HAVE TO FACIAL FOR THEM.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WAS WITH CHIEF LEE AT A TOWN HALL MEETING AND OF COURSE WE ARE GOING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT THE FEDS ARE LOOKING AT AND WHAT HAPPENED AT UVALDE -- YOU NATURALLY SAY UVALDE.
BUT WHAT HAPPENED AND THE OFFICERS IN THE ROOM NEXT DOOR THAT WERE TEXAS RANGERS IN THE SCHOOL.
WHEN YOU WALK IN THAT ROOM, MOST LIKELY -- UNLESS YOU HAVE A SHIELD AND IT WORKS, YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ME, AND YOU MANAGE TO STAY BEHIND IT, YOU KNOW REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY LIVES YOU SAVE THAT IS PRETTY MUCH A DEATH SENTENCE WHEN SOMEBODY HAS AN AUTOMATIC WEAPON. THIS WHOLE DISCUSSION IS GOOD, BUT FOR UVALDE MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, IF SOMEBODY DIDN'T HAVE A SEMIAUTOMATIC WEAPON, THAT'S THE REAL ISSUE.
I'M FINE WITH THIS, BUT -- YOU GOT ME? I HOPE THE GROUP RECOMMENDS THAT.
WHOEVER I PUT ON THERE WILL SPEAK UP.
I JUST HOPE I CAN FIND AN 18-YEAR-OLD TO DO IT AS FEISTY
AS I WAS AT 18. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE NEED TO INCLUDE THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: HERE IS WHAT I AM HEARING ON CHANGES.
MOTION TO APPROVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- LET ME KNOW IF THIS IS ACCURATE.
PHOEGTS TO APPROVE DASH DARR MOTION TO APPROVE THE DIRECT BOARD OF COMMISSIONS TO WORK
WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S -- >> INCLUDE THEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: TO ESTABLISH A SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION UNDER THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA.
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF FIVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS WHO WILL BE TASKED WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW COMMISSIONERS' COURT CAN SUPPORT ALL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRIVATE SCHOOLS, SAFETY, STRATEGIES IN TIME FOR THE 2022-2023L SCHOOYEAR AND EACH SCHOOLNE YEAR EDED.CH EA COURTWI MEMBER LL APPOINT ONE MEMBER.EM EACH MBER OF THE COURTE MUST -- ARYOUON SAYING COMMISSIER YOU WOULDSH LIKE THE FIRE MARALEA TO HAVE A ST ON THE COMMISSION OR FOR HER TO BE ONEES OF OUR
APPOINTE? I >> TOM RAMSEY: SHES LIKE A RESOURCE.
LIKEME THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTNT OF EDUCATION.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT WOULD BE UP TO TOM.
EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT MUST FORWARD BY -- YOU SAID JUNE 27TH, BUT THEN SAID YOU WANTED TO MEET WITH JULIE ANDREWS ON THE 25TH SO WE NEED THE NOMINEES BEFORE JUNE 25TH. SO JUNE 25TH IS A SATURDAY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: WHEN IS THE NEXT
COURT MEETING? >> TUESDAY SO SHOULD BE THE
[01:10:04]
AGENDA ITEMS IN ON THE 25TH.THE FRIDAY. >> 24TH IS THE FRIDAY AND --
>> LINA HIDALGO: EACH MEMBER OF COURT MUST NOMINATE BY JUNE 24TH, 2022.
THE KPWHEUGS SHALL DIRECTLY -- THE COMMISSION SHALL DIRECTLY COORDINATE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WORKING WITH THE HCEB CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS INITIATIVE, HCCSC WILL COLLABORATE WITH DISTRICTS AND WILL WORK WITH JULIE ANDREW TO AID TPAOEU PRIORITIES.
NOMINEES WILL MEET WITH ANDREWS NO LATER THAN JUNE 25TH?
>> THAT WILL BE AFTER -- PUT JULY 1ST.
>> NO LATER THAN JULY 1ST, 2022.
HSCC SHOULD BE ESTABLISHED NO LATER THAN THE NEXT MEETING OF
THE COURT. >> AND JUDGE IF I COULD JUST SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME SENSE OF URGENCY ON THIS LIKE MY SENIOR CARE FACILITY TASK FORCE, I GAVE IT A DATE CERTAIN TO WORK AND COMPLETE THEIR WORK SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER BOARD OUT THERE GOING ON IN PERSON FEW TEE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK COMPLETE WORK BY AUGUST 1ST AND THAT GIVES IT TWO WEEKS BEFORE SCHOOL
STARTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WANT TO ADD A COUPLE OF THINGS.
WE WILL WORK WITH YOU GUYS ON FIGURING THAT OUT.
AND I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT THIS IN MY MIND IS BELT AND SUSPENDERS.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I LEARNED THAT FROM YOU.
IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS AN ASK, BUT NOT SUFFICIENT BY ANY MEANS.
WE HAVE VARIOUS EXAMPLES OF THIS ATTEMPT AT THIS KIND OF WORK IN THE PAST, HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, FOR EXAMPLE HAS A CENTER FOR SAFE SCHOOLS ALREADY THAT INCREASES SAFETY AND SECURITY STRATEGIES. MARCH 2020 GOVERNOR ABBOTT HAD A SCHOOL SAFETY AND VICTIM RESEARCHY SURVEWE WEREN'T ABLE TO FINDC PUBLI, RESULTSBUT IT WAS SENT00 TO 500,0 500,000 EDUCATORS AND IT WAS AN THE SANTAN FOLLOWING FE SCHOOL SHOOTING.
SO THIS HAS BEEN ATTEMPTED AT THE STATE LEVELS BEFORE.
THE TEXALEGISLATURE CREATED THE SAFETY CENTER THAT DISSEMINATED SAFETY AND SECURITY INFORMATION FOR K-12 SCHOOLS AND JUNIOR COLLEGES.
THE GOVERNOR TASKED WITH CONVENING A SPECIAL COMMITTEE ON SCHOOL SAFETY.
UVALDE DOUBLED THE SECURITY BUDGET AND ADOPTED AN ARRAY OF MEASURES OF THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAMS AT EACH SCHOOL AND SOCIAL MEDIA SOFTWARE AND REQUIRE TEACHER LOCK CLASSROOM DOORS.
ONE STUDY BY TEXAS APPLE SEED WHICH IS A WELL-KNOWN EDUCATION FOUND SOME DISTRICTS HAVE MORE POLICE OFFICERS THAN SCHOOL COUNSELORS.
IF IT IS ARMING EACH SCHOOL OR PERHAPS EACH CLASSROOM EVEN THOUGH THERE MAY NOT BE FUNDING FOR IT, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE SITUATION.
MORE THAN TRIPLE THE RATE AND IT IS NOT LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD WHERE THEY HAVE A RATE OF 3.0 THAT THEY HAVE ARMED SCHOOLS.
WE ARE NOT 46% OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION.
I VOTE FOR THIS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T HURT, BUT IT COULD HURT IN THE SENSE THAT IT DISTRACTS FROM THE ISSUE AT HAND.
AND MAKE NO MISTAKE THAT THE ISSUE HERE IS GUNS AND THE LACK
[01:15:03]
IF THIS WERE THE ISSUE WE WOULD HAVE ALREADY SOLVED THE PROBLEM.I'LL VOTE FOR IT ANYWAY BECAUSE AS I SAID, IT CAN'T HURT AND I AM EAGER TO HAVE THE KIDS AT THE
AS I WOULD SAY, I WOULD LIKE TO ASSOCIATE MY SUPPORT WITH THE COMMENTS OF THE GENTLE WOMAN OF THE CHAIR. HERE IS ANOTHER ONE AND I WAS TRYING TO LOOK UP THE AMOUNTS.
NOW THE GOVERNOR WANTS TO GO PUT MONEY INTO MENTAL HEALTH BEFORE SCHOOLS GO INTO SESSION.
IF WE DRONE DOWN THE MEDICAID EXPANSION 12 YEARS AGO I THINK IT WAS NOW, OVER A DECADE AGO AND THAT INCLUDED MENTAL HEALTH COVERAGE, BUT IT GOES IN THE CATEGORY OF I WON'T VOTE FOR IT AND IF THAT HELPS, GOOD.
IT IS GOOD THAT IT HAS A DEADLINE.
BUT ON ONE HAND WE CAN'T COME IN AND DECIDE THAT WE ARE GONNA CUE COUNTY DID OVER THE PREVIOUS YEARS BEFORE YOU THREE GOT HERE AND CUT WHATEVER IT IS OUT.
AND IT WILL SAY WE WILL PUT MORS THAT THEY WILL FUND OFFICERS IN SCHOOLS. YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY.
YOU CAN SAY, WE WILL ELIMINATE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND LIBRARIES AND EVERYTHING ELSE.
REPEATED? >> YES, JUDGE, PLEASE.
>> OKAY. SO HERE IS WHAT I HAVE.
THE COMMISSION SHALL CONSIST OF FIVE SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTS TASKED WITH COMPELLING RECOMMENDATIONSHO ON W COMMISSIONERS' COURTUP CAN SPORT ALL FIVEDE INDEPENNT SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PRIVATE SCHOOL SAFETYS STRATEGIEFOR THEAN 2022 D 2023ND SCHOOL YEAR AAR EACH YE AS NEEDED.
EACH COURT MEMBER WILLN MOTORCYCLE AAPPOINTMENT AND S WILL INCLUDECHOOL LEADERS AND OTHER COMMUNITY LEADERS N EACH COURT MUSTOMINATE BY JUNE 24TH, 2022. MUST COORDINATE ARE HAIR -- HARRISAN COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT D CENTER FOR SAFE AND SCHOOLS INITIATIVE. IT WILL COLLABORATE WITH ALL COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND HSSC WILL WORK WITH JULIE ANDREWS TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES.
NOMINEES WILL MEET NO LATER THAN JULY 1ST 2022.
IS THERE A MOTION? >> MAKE A MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THOSE ARE ALL OF THE ITEMS RELATED TO THE SHOOTING.
WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE RESOLUTIONS.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION -- OH, THIS IS 313.
OKAY. AND WE DON'T HAVE A RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER YOUR RESOLUTION?
THANK YOU, JUDGE. MY FIRST RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE A PHENOMENAL PUBLIC SERVE VENT -- PUBLIC SERVANT. IT IS SOMEONE WHO HAS MADE HIS CAT A PART OF OUR FAMILY AND THAT WOULD BE NONE OTHER THAN SCOTT LEMOND.
AND SO WE ARE VERY -- I'M EXCITED TO HAVE YOU DOWN AT -- DOWN IN BAY T*P TOWN.
I KNEW HIM IN MY PREVIOUS LIFE AS A SHERIFF AND I ALWAYS APPRECIATED THE DISCUSSIONS BACK THEN AND HE HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL INDIVIDUAL TO WORK
[01:20:02]
HE REPRESENTED THE COUNTY EXTREMELY WELL PROFESSIONALLY AND CONTINUES TO DO SO UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.HE WILL BE GOING ON TO BE THE CITY ATTORNEY.
IT IS UP OF THE CITY OF BAY TOWN.
IT STARTS WITH, WHEREAS SCOTT A LEMOND HAS BEEN A LICENSED -- I AM GLAD ABOUT THAT.
I WOULD HATE TO THINK WE ARE TAKING LEGAL ADVICE AND YOU WERE NOT LICENSED.
A LICENSED TEXAS ATTORNEY SINCE 1994.
AND HAS REPRESENTED GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, OFFICIALS AND CORPORATIONS FOR NEARLY 30 YEARS.
SERVING THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT THROUGH VARIOUS ROLES INCLUDING REPRESENTING THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY, THE SHERIFFIV CIL SERVICE COMMISSIONND A MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT ANDRE WHEAN OF21 UNDER THERS LEADEHIP HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEYAN CHRISTE MENEE SCOTT A LEMOND WAS SPECIAL ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY WITH DUTIES RANGING FROM MANAGING THE GENERAL T COUNCIL DIVISIONOTO SERVING AS THE ATRNEY FOR THE OFFICE OFND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR A WHEREAS DURING HIS TENURE ATY' THE HARRS COUNTY ATTORNES OFFICE SCOTT LEMOND WAS A VOLUNTEER MEDIATOR WITH THE DISPUTE RESOLUTION SEN -- CENTER IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IS A VOLUNTEER FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE. AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY COMMANDS -- COMMENDS SCOTT A SP*PBS LEMOND.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE A IS FOR, HOPEFULLY ADRIAN, FOR HIS COUNSEL AND LEADERSHIP TO HARRIS COUNTY.
>> JUDGE, IF I MAY, I JUST WANT TO COME AND SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO SCOTT WHO IS FANTASTIC.
AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR CARRYING THE MOTION.
HE IS NOT JUST A FANTASTIC LAWYER, BUT A FANTASTIC PERSON.
HE HAS TIES TO BAY TOWN AND I WONDER WHAT THEY R-FPLT I SAY THIS IS A FANTASTIC JOB AND WHAT LEAD TO YOU SEEK IT OUT? HE SAID IT IS A 15-MINUTE COMMUTE TO MY HOUSE.
WE ARE SAD TO SEE HIM GO AND IT IS GOING TO BE HARD TO REPLACE HIM, BUT I KNOW BAY TOWN IS IN GOOD HANDS AND WE WILL WORK OUT A RATE WE CAN CHARGE HIM IF HE CALLS AND ASKS FOR ADVICE ON HIS WORK.
NOW TURNING IT OVER TO SCOTT SO HE CAN SAY A FEW WORDS.
WE ARE HAPPY TO SEE HIM MOVE ON TO BIGGER AND BETTER THINGS.
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE RESOLUTION.
I AM HONORED AND HUMBLED TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WILL TAKE THE LESSONS I HAVE LEARNED HERE WORKING WITH EACH ONE OF YOU TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF BAY TOWN.
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU.
THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS.
MY GRAND -- GRANDMOTHER, MY MAMA WAS THE LUNCH LADY AT BAY TOWN.
SHE THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO COMMUTE FROM BARRETT STATION OUT TO STERLING SO THAT HER KIDS COULD GET A BETTER EDUCATION, AND FOR THOSE OF YOU LIKE ME WHO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF GRAY HAIR, YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THE 1972 STERLING HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
[01:25:02]
MY UNCLE MARTIN QUARTERBACKED THAT TEAM.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY WHAT
IS THE A? >> IT IS ADRIAN NOW.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THE RESOLUTION.
>> TOM RAMSEY: LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, MR. LEMOND NOW THAT YOU ARE PART OF PRECINCT 3 AS WELL.
THAT'S ON THE ROAD TO BARRETT, RIGHT?
>> TOM RAMSEY: WE HAD A LOT OF FUN TALKING.
I DID NOT KNOW THAT STATE CHAMPIONSHIP, OR PLAYING IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP.
FOOTBALL. >>OU I WLD LOVE TO.CA BOTH WAITIT TO WORK WH OF YOUR OFFICES AND COUNTY AS A WHOLE.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK, TRULY.
COMMISSIONERAN ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WTED TO THANK YOU AS WELL.
I HAVE KNOWN YOUR FAMILY FOR A VERY LONGTIME, AND OBVIOUSLY THE CONNECTION TO BAY TOWN IS THERE ARE MANY LEMONDS COMING OUT OF LOUISIANA, BUT WHAT A GREAT, RICH FAMILY HISTORY.
AND I KNOW THEY ENCOURAGED YOU AND A GOOD NUMBER OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS TO WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
I WANT TO SAY WE WILL MISS YOU AS YOU HAVE WORKED WITH ME OVER THE YEARS.
I AM PRONE TO GET INTO OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.
YOU GOT THAT HUMIDORE OVER THERE.
IS THAT YOU OR RAMSEY? TRYING TO DO SOMETHING OUT THERE TO HONOR HENRY DOYLE.
I CERTAINLY DO. >> KENNEDY LBJ CHANGED IT.
I THINK IT WAS YOUR UNCLE'S TOKEN STORY.
THE FIRST STUDENT IS THE WHAT IS NOW TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS?
HE WAS UNAVAILABLE WHEN WE TRIED
TO REACH HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.
DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION, COMMISSIONER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ACTUALLY HAVE TWO MORE BECAUSE OF THE SPECIAL OCCASION.
LET ME JUST SAY I AM ALSO PROUD TO ONCE AGAIN BRING THE PRIDE RESOLUTION TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT FOR OVER 50 YEARS THE LESBIAN, GAY, TRANS SEXUAL, QUEER COMMUNITY RECOGNIZES THE SO MANY LIVES THAT FOUGHT FOR ACCEPTANCE AND EQUAL TREATMENT AND DIGNITY AND RESPECT IN ALL ASPECTS OF DAILY LIFE, WORK, EDUCATION, HEALTH AND FAMILY AND JUNE 28TH, 1969, POLICE RAIDED THE STONEWALL INN, A GAY CLUB IN GREENWICH VILLAGE IN NEW YORK CITY AND PRIDE MONTH FOLLOWED THAT LEAD TO THE GAY RIGHTS MOVEMENT FOR EQUALITY.
A YEAR LATER THE FIRST PRIDE PARADE WAS HELD BEGINNING IN 1970.
PRIDE MONTH WAS OBSERVED IN THE UNITED STATES IN TRIBUTE TO THOSE INDIVIDUALS INVOLVED IN THE RAID.
WHEREAS TODAY, THE STREUG TKPWEL FOR EQUALITY AND RESPECT -- THE STRUGGLE FOR EQUALITY AND RESPECT FOR THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY CONTINUES AND BATTLING THE ATTACKS ON LGBTQ PLUS EDUCATORS AND TRANSGENDER CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS AND WHEREAS AS POSITIVE EXAMPLES THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER COMMUNITY IN BUSINESS, EDUCATION, CIVIL SERVICE AS PARENTS, LEADERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS IN THE FIELDS OF MEDICINE, SCIENCES,S ART ANDRE
[01:30:01]
ANDOC WHEREAS LAL ORGANIZATIONSO DRIVES ENOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO THE LGBTQ PLUS AND ALLIEDNI BUSINESS COMMUTY THE CHAMBERMI FOCUSES ON ECONOC INCLUSION LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGEUG, CONNECT AND LEARN THROH EVENTS AND PROGRAMS AND WHEREAS THROUGH EVENTS SUCH AS PRIDE IN BUSINESS, THE CHAMBER RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE LGBTQ PLUS AND ALLIED BUSINESSES IN THE KPWR -- GREATER HOUSTON ECONOMY, IT UNDERSCORES HOW THE LGBTQ PLUS AND ALLIED BUSINESSES PARTNERS WORK WITH THE BROADER BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO REALIZE A BETTER HOUSTON.CONTRIBUTIONS MADE BY CLAIM -- CHAMBER MEMBERS AND CORPORATE PARTNERS AND KEY STAKEHOLDERS BUILD A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT PROCLAIMS JUNE 20, 2022 AS LGBTQ PRIDE MONTH AND CELEBRATES THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LGBTQ PLUS RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
TAMMY, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERET AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNY.
ARE YOU THE CO-FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT -- CURRENT PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. LET ME JUST SAY I PROBABLY NEED TO RENEW MY MEMBERSHIP BECAUSE IN MY CONSULTING DAYS I WAS PROUD TO BECOME ONE -- I THINK I WAS ONE OF THE FOUNDING MEMBERS.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO AGO -- TO ACCEPT THIS
YOU BEAT ME TO IT EVERY YEAR, BUT I KNOW YOUR PASSION FOR THIS ISSUE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW ON MARCH 22ND, I ASKED THE DEEO DEPARTMENT TO LOOK INTO CERTIFICATION FOR LGBT-OWNED BUSINESSES AND I THINK SOMETHING IS COMING BACK SOON.
I'M GOING TO BE ON VACATION SO I WON'T BE AT THE PRIDE PARADE THIS YEAR, BIT I HAVE BEEN MOST YEARS.
WE WILL HAVE A SPECIAL BUS OUT THERE AND I THINK MY STAFF WILL BE THERE AND MAYBE COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL BE THERE.
WE'LL DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS LEGALLY DEFENSIBLE AND I THINK YOU WOULD BE PROUD.
I THANK YOU AND I AM HONORED TO SECOND THE MOTION.
WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT IT IS AN HONOR TO RECEIVE THE RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH.
WE HAVE GROWN EVERY YEAR SINCE WE STARTED.
I OFTEN JOKE AND YOU ALL KNOW IT SO WELL, SINCE WE LAUNCHED THE CHAMBERS HAVE BEEN THROUGH TWO 500-YEAR FLOODS AND STORM YURI AND THE PANDEMIC AND THERE WAS A CITY-WIDE LOSS OF WATER ON OUR CELEBRATION.
IF WE CAN SURVIVE THESE FIRST 6 YEARS WE HAVE THE NEXT SIX AND BEYOND.
AND THAT IS WHAT PRIDE MONTH IS ABOUT.
ANYTHING>> MORE? THAT'SIS WHAT TODAY ABOUT.
WE A WORKING TO RAISE THE VISIBILITY OF THE LGBTQ PLUS BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND OUR WORK MATTERS BECAUSE THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY NOT ONLY NEEDS A VOICE, BUT BUSINESS OWNERS WHO STARTED BECAUSE OF MARGINALIZATION ANDSE DISCRIMINATION.
WE HAVE EN LGBTQ PLUS BUSINESS OWNERS WHO HAVE COME OUT IN THE PAST SIX YEARS, BUT YET THERE ARE MANY MOTHER WHO RAW FRAYED OF LOSING CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS AND ARE AFRAID TO COME OUT.
[01:35:02]
WE ARE AT THE INTERSECTION OF BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY AND THIS GIVES US A WHOLE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE WHOLE OF THE COMMUNITY.THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND HAPPY PRIDE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY
IT IS JUST A REALLY -- PRIDE IS THE BEST WAY -- PRIDE IN EVERYTHING YOU REPRESENT AND SO MANY LEADERS. DIVERSITY AND EMBRACE OF IDEAS AND EMBRACE OF THE WONDERFUL COMMUNITY WE HAVE WHICH INCLUDES OUR LGBT COMMUNITY.
I AM SO HONORED, AND SO VERY HONORED TO VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION AND BE PART OF THE PRIDE PARADE AND ALWAYS STANDING BESIDE YOU GUYS VERY,
VERY PROUDLY. >> WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER FOR
[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 4)]
THIS ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY.
>> DOROTHY HABLINSKY SPEAKING IN IN PERSON AND YOU HAVE ONE
THE REAL ISSUE HERE HAS TO DO WITH A COUNTRY THAT HAS LOST ITS WAY.
WE NO LONGER HAVE RULES AND WE NO LONGER HAVE LAWS.
WE NO LONGER HAVE THE 10 COMMANDMENTS.
OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT BEING TAUGHT RIGHT FROM WRONG.
THEY ARE BEING TAUGHT IN SCHOOLS TERRIBLE THINGS.
AND IT IS TIME THAT WE REALIZE THAT IT IS A COUNTRY AND A CITY THAT -- THEY HAVE LOST THE HEART AND WE ARE WORSHIPING THINGS THAT ARE OUTRAGEOUSLY WRONG.
THEY HAD RIFLES IN THEIR CARS BECAUSE AFTER THAT THEY WOULD GO AND SHOOT SQUIRRELS.
>> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE TIME WHEN MANY OTHERS ARE NOT ALLOWED TO.
WHY? AFTER SCHOOL THEY GO SHOOT SQUIRRELS.
YOU KNOW WHY THERE WAS NO CRIME GOING ON AND NO SCHOOL SHOOTINGS? BECAUSE THERE WAS THE 10 COMMANDMENTS AND DECENCY AND RULES.
OUR TEACHERS TAUGHT DISCIPLINE.
OUR COUNTRY HAS LOST ITS WAY IN EVERY DIRECTION AND UNTIL WE FACE THE REALITY THIS IS THE TIME WE NEED TO PULL TOGETHER AND FACE WHAT IS GOING WRONG IN THIS NATION.
IT IS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE TEACHING
OUR CHILDREN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
[Departments (Part 5 of 7)]
LET ME JUST SAY THAT AS FAR AS I CAN REMEMBER, THE 10 COMMANDMENTS HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONGTIME, EVEN DURING THE TIME OF LYNCHING.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANYWAYS, MY NEXT RESOLUTION -- OH WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ON TIFFANY, CAN YOU NOT HEAR HIM?
YEAH? OKAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WASN'T SPEAKING INTO THEIC MROPHONE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK YOU MADE A GREAT POINT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO WE HAVE A MOTIONMO.
I VEM. ON THIS ITENE >> RODY ELLIS: I SECOND.HI
>> LINA DALGO: MOTIONEDSI BY AND SECONDEDRCIA BYS.
COMMISSIONER ELLI ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I.LG >> LINA HIDAO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> I AM -- >> NOO:. >> LINA HIDALG I AM IN FAVOR PROUDLY.
THE MOTION CARRIES FOR ITEM 3, 3-2.
>> ADRIAN GARC: THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THIS FINAL RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE IS REALLY SORT OF IN A SIMILAR SPIRIT TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF MANY.
IT IS TO RECOGNIZE THE TALENT AND THE CAPACITY AND THE POTENTIAL THAT EXISTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
IN FACT, THERE IS AN ITEM ON OUR AGENDA THAT IS SUPPORTIVE OF SOMEONE IN THIS COMMUNITY.
AND WHEN I WAS THE SHERIFF I HIRED ONE OF THE FIRST TO PROVIDE CONSULTING AND ADVICE TO MY OFFICE ON RELATED ISSUES.
THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION SPEAKS TO THOSE MEMBERS OF THE DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS, DACA, RECIPIENTS. WHEREAS DEFERRED ACTION CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS WAS CREATED IN JUNE 15TH, 2012 BY PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA PROVIDING STABILITY AND THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THOUSANDS OF DREAMERS
[01:40:09]
AND DACA HAS ENABLED ROUGHLY 832,882 ELIGIBLE YOUNG ADULTS TO WORK LAWFULLY AND ATTEND SCHOOLS AND INVEST IN THEMSELVES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES WITHOUT THE CONSTANT THREAT OF DEPORTATION OFTEN TO A COUNTRY THEY HAVE NEVER KNOWN.AND FOR THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY DACA RECIPIENTS HAVE LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES ON AN AVERAGE OF MORE THAN TWO DECADES DURING WHICH MANY HAVE STARTED FAMILIES AND STKPWROEPB IN THEIR CAREERS AND SERVED AS ESSENTIAL WORKERS AND FOUGHT RELENTLESSLY.
WHEREAS THE DACA PROGRAM IS REQUIRING AN URGENT AND PERMANENT SOLUTION AS THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN UNDER ATTACK FOR YEARS, MOST RECENTLY THE DECISION BY THE U.S.
DISTRICT COURT FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS HELD THAT THE DACA POLICY IS ILLEGAL.
ON JULY 16TH, 2021 WHICH HAS MADE IT INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN DACA RENEWALS, EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION AND NEW APPLICATIONS. THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION CONTINUES TO FIGHT FOR THE SECURITY OF THE DACA PROGRAM THROUGH THE COURT OF APPEALS IN RESPONSE TO THESE ATTACKS AND AS IT IS LIKELY TO RETURN TO THE SUPREME COURT AND WHEREAS DACA RECIPIENTS DO NOT DESERVE TO LIVE FROM COURT CASE TO COURT CASE IN THE ONLY HOME THEY HAVE EVER KNOWN IN FEAR OF WHETHER THEIR LEGAL STATUS MAY CHANGE DEPENDING ON CHANGING POLITICAL CLIMATES.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THE COURT SUPPORTS AND CELEBRATES THE POSITIVE IMPACT THAT DACA MAKES IN THE LIVES OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF YOUNG IMMIGRANTS AND CALLS UPON THE TEXAS FEDERAL DELEGATION TO FOCUS THEIR EFFORTS ON IDENTIFYING AND SECURING PERMANENT SOLUTIONS FOR DACA RECIPIENTS WHO MADE SUBSTANTIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO THEIR COMMUNITY.
JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK CEASAR ESPINOZA FOR BEING HERES I-- FOREI BNG HERE.
HE COULDE HAVBEEN IN WASHINGTON,.
AS HFI SUPPORTS AND GHTS FOR SO MANYIT IN THE COMMUNY THAT ARE UNDER THE UMBRELLA OF DACA.
THEY HAD BEEN VOCAL IN THEIR PURSUIT FOR RIGHTS AND DIGNITY OF ALLLY IMMIGRANTS, BUT PARTICULAR THOSE UNDER THE DACA PROGRAM.
THERE ARE SO MANY THAT HAVE FOUGHT ALONGSIDE YOU.
I SEE YOU AS A YOUNG GUY AND YOU ARE STILL A YOUNG GUY COMPARED TO ME, BUT I HAVE SEEN YOU GROW IN YOUR PATH AND YOUR CAPACITY AND JUST PROUD OF THE VOICE YOU CONTINUE TO GIVE SO MANY IN OUR COMMUNITY I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE YOU ACCEPT
THIS RESOLUTION, CEASAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I'M NORMALLY RET -- RETICENT TO GET INVOLVED IN FEDERAL MATTERS IN COURT.
I QUOTED KEVIN BRADY EARLIER AND I WILL QUOTE HIM AGAIN.
THE KIDS ARE HERE GETTING OLDER AND HERE THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET LEGAL STATUS, ONE WHERE THEY CAN EARN IT OR SCHOOL OR MILITARY SERVICE. I AM A BIG FAN OF LEGAL IMMIGRATION.
I THINK AS CONGRESSMAN BRADY AND OTHERS ARE WORKING ON THE BOARD, THEN I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE RESOLUTION TO THE EXTENT THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A WAY WHERE WE CAN HAVE LEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE DACA PROGRAM PATHWAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
WE CAN MEET WITH MR. BRADY AND WE WOULD LOVE TO DO SO AND TO FIGURE OUT COMMON SENSE SOLUTIONS.
THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
ON JUNE 15, 2012 THE LIVES OF ME
[01:45:08]
WE WOKE UP TO THE NEWS OF, A, SOMETHING IS COMING AND SOMETHING POSITIVE WILL HAPPEN FOR US AND OUR FAMILIES.AND HERE WE ARE 10 YEARS LATER STILL FIGHTING TO KEEP THIS THING AND TRYING TO ESTABLISH COMMUNICATION FOR COMMON SENSE SOLUTION TO FIX SO MANY IMMIGRANT LIVES.
OFTEN TIMES PEOPLE ARE ASHAMED TO USE THE WORD IMMIGRANT.
THE WORD IMMIGRANT IS A BEAUTIFUL WORD AND A SIMPLE WORD
WHICH IS A PERSON WHO -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.
>> HE GOES ON AND MOVES TO A DIFFERENT COUNTRY PERMANENTLY.
REMEMBER THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THIS COUNTRY, THEY DID EXACTLY THAT.
A PERSON WHO GOES TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND LIVES THERE PERMANENTLY.
WE, IN ESSENCE, AND IN FACT, ARE A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS FOR IMMIGRANTS AND BY IMMIGRANTS TO CONTINUE TO CONTINUE ON TO MAKE THIS AMERICAN DREAM A REALITY.
I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY TEAM THAT IS HERE AND IF THEY CAN STAND UP.
THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
I WILL JUST NAME A COUPLE OF NAMES.
WENDY IS A TEACHER. SHANNON IS A NURSE.
AN LONZO GUILLEN WAS A DACA RECIPIENT WHO DIED AFTER HARVEY RESCUING HIS NEIGHBORS AND DIED AS A DACA RECIPIENT. WHETHER IT IS HARVEY OR THE WINTER FREEZE ORID COV, IMMIGRANTSNU CONTIE TO BE HERE.
WE CONTINUE TO BE ESSENTIALRE BEFO, DURING AND AFTERND THE PAEMIC ANDT WE HOPE THA WE T CAN CONTINUEO BE HERE AND LOVE THIS COUNTRYCO AS MUCH AS THE UNTRY HAS LOVED US.
AND THE NAYSAYERS WHETHER IT IS ON THIS ISSUE OR ANY OTHER ISSUE I ASK -- I JUST ASK ONE QUESTION, WHEN YOU TKPWHRO TO -- WHEN YOU GO TO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE ARE YOU DYEING FROM COVID OR CALL THE PARAMEDICS BECAUSE YOUR FRIEND ADD SEIZURE -- THIS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENED TWO WEEKS AGO.
I WAS AT A RESTAURANT AND A FRIEND HAD A SEIZURE.
THEY CAME AND SAID CEASAR, WHAT ARE YOU DOING? HE WAS A DACA RECIPIENT AND NOW A PARAMEDIC WITH THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT.
WHEN YOU DRIVE ON THE ROAD AND EAT YOUR VEGGIES AND WHEN YOU EAT YOUR TACOS AND HAMBURGERS OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE, MORE THAN LIKELY IT IS TOUCHED BY THE HAND OF AN IMMIGRANT. THE QUESTION IS ARE YOU GOING TO ASK THEM FOR THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS BEFORE THEY SAVE YOUR LIVES? I DON'T THINK SO.
DACA RECIPIENTS AND IMMIGRANTS ARE HERE TO SERVE.
WE WILL GET MORE DACA RECIPIENTS OUT THERE AND THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO.
I WOULD LOVE TO TALK TO MR. BRADY AND HEAR STORIES.
I AM IN PRECINCT 3 AND 4 AND MY FAMILY LIVES IN PRECINCT THROUGH AND OUR OFFICE IS IN PRECINCT 4.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEW OR SOLD -- NEW OR OLD?
>> IN -- NEW. WE ARE STILL THERE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CEASAR, THE HOMES WE LIVE IN ARE BUILT BY
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND YOUR COUNTY JUDGE IS AN IMMIGRANT.
>> AND OUR COUNTY JUDGE IS AN IMMIGRANT.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
IMMIGRANTS ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IN SO MANY WAYS ARE ABUSED AND DISRESPECTED AND IT IS DIFFICULT TO TEACH OUR CHILDREN THE TRUE HISTORY OF TEXAS.
OBVIOUSLY A LOT OF THAT WAS DIRECTED AT WHAT MY ANCESTORS WENT THROUGH.
IF YOU WERE DRAGGED OVER YOU WOULDN'T BE CALLED AN IMMIGRANT, BUT OBVIOUSLY DACA KIDS HAVE BUILT SO MUCH IN THIS ECONOMY.
I'M GLAD THAT TEXAS WAS THE FIRST STATE WHO INCLUDED THEM IN OUR STATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM.
[01:50:11]
01 IS DONE AND LEAVE IT ALONE.I HOPE THERE ARE SILL RECIPIENTS AND IT IS IMPORTANT.
REGARDLESS OF WHERE YOUR OFFICE IS NOW, MY DISTRICT CHAINED -- CHANGED A LITTLE BIT.
MY COMMITMENT REMAINS THE SAME.
I AM AS COMMITTED TO THE ISSUES WITH THE NEW BOUNDARIES AS I WAS WITH THE OLD ONES.
I INVITED HIM TO THE BIKE RIDE.
>> 32. AND I ONLY FELL DOWN ONCE.
YOU WORKED YOUR WAY UP TO THAT.
>> I HAPPENED TO BE BUSY THIS WEEKEND.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE SPEAKER- -
>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED?>> MOTION CARRIESMO UNANIUSLY.AM I IN FAVOR.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING T.
>>HANKAR YOU, CEAS. >>R COMMISSIONERAMSEY, DO YOUNE HAVE O MORE RESOLUTION.
DO YOUAT WANT TO TAKE TH O ONE T OFRDER?
>> SURE. S >> TOM RAMSEY:EEMS LIKE WE ARE IN BAY TOWN IN TERMSI OF HONORG FOLKS AND AM PLEASED TO HONOR MR.AL CHRISTOPHER ALLEN MACDOND.
I I WILL -- I WILLT READ THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I PERFECTLY DESCRIBES MR. MACDONALD. WHEREAS MR. CHRISTOPHER ALLEN MACDONALD WAS BORN IN 1972 AND ORIGINALLY FROM LAUREL, MISSISSIPPI.
THAT'S WHERE DR. ED YOUNG WAS BORN.
THEY MOVED THEIR FAMILY TO TEXAS IN THE 70S ALONG WITH OTHER MEMBERS SEEKING BETTER OPPORTUNITIES.
WHEREAS CHRIS ENJOYED A LONG AND SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, HE STARTED WORK WORKING DISPATCH FOR HPD IN THE EARLY 90S AND ATTENDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY.
ON GRADUATION HE WAS HIRED BY BAY TOWN PD.
AS LIEUTENANT HE OVER SAW THE BUDGET AFTER RETIREMENT AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE.
HE WAS A FUN-LOVING GUY AND ENJOYED HIS TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY.
HIS HOBBIES WERE CARS AND POLITICS.
HE LOVED HIS MOTORCYCLES AND OTHER UNIQUE VEHICLES.
HE COULD ALWAYS BE WORKING ON A PROJECT TO UPGRADE HIS SHOW CARS.
HE WAS SERVING ON THE BOARD OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY OF TEXAS AND VOLUNTEERING FOR CANDIDATES AND WHEREAS CHRISTOPHER IS SURVIVED BY HIS WIFE, DAWN AND SON LUKE AND DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW CHELSA AND TRISTAN AND TKRAPBD DAUGHTER, ROWAN AND PARENTS CHERYL AND CHARLES AND LINDA AND RILEY AND NUMEROUS NIECES, NEPHEWS AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND MOURNFUL COMMUNITY.
>> DAWN MACDONALD FOR SENATE DISTRICT 6 AND DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE DENNIS PAUL.
HIS DEDICATION, PASSION AND WORK IN PUBLIC SERVICE AND SAFETY FOR HE CERTAINLY COMMITTED ALL OF HIS LIFE TO THAT AND WE CERTAINLY DO APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TODAY FOR THIS.
THANK YOU. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, DAWN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
>> GOD BLESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE WAS TOO YOUNG.
I'M SO, SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, COMMISSIONER?
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THERE IS ONE VIRTUAL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, IS THERE ANYONE ELSE ON THE LINE?
>> WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW IF THEY HOP ON LATER.
IS THERE A MOTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
[01:55:03]
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR THE RESOLUTIONS.
I KNOW WE HAVE TWO ITEM THAT'S WE HAVE TO TAKE AT 2:00, HISPANIC CULTURAL COMMISSION AND AT 3:00 IT IS A REPORT BY THE PORT OF HOUSTON AND RICK CAMPO. FOR NOW TAKE THE PICTURES AND THERE -- THERE ISNO ATHER RESOLUTION? SORRY?
WE WILL TAKEIC THE PTURES -->> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT TIME DOES METRO COME UP? I SAWE, HIM BACK THERDN BUT I DI'T KNOW IF THEY THOUGHT O THEY WEREN EARLIER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ITEM IS THAT?LI
[02:08:01]
PICTURES AND TEUR A BREAK AND THEN FIGE[02:34:56]
THIS IS THE SPEAKERS SO I THINK WE SHOULD START.[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 4)]
[02:34:59]
IT IS 12:44 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.[02:35:04]
TIFFANY, IF YOU WILL PLEASE CALL[02:35:05]
UP THE SPEAKERS. >> YES, MA'AM.
[02:35:08]
FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBER 5, MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEMS 10, 314 AND 15 THROUGH 20.[02:35:16]
[02:35:27]
CRIMINAL WHO KILLED HER WAS OUT ON FIVE FELONY BONDS, BUT I ASSUME THE BOND REFORM IS NOT TO BLAME FOR HER DEATH.SO AFTER TODAY BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP IS OVERSEEING $12 MILLION IN THE COUNTY.
THIS TIME WITH UPDATED CONTRACT BOSTON KWAN -- CONSULTING GROUP IS CHARGING ABOUT 223,000 A WEEK FOR THEIR SERVICES AND AN HOURLY RATE IS $537.
DOES THAT SEEM LIKE AN ACCEPTABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR OUR ARPA FUNDS AND COVID PROJECTS.
SEVERAL MONTHS AGO YOU REFUSED TO FUND OUR POLICE DEPARTMENT --
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM YOUR TIME IS UP.
YOU HAVE NO ISSUE AWARDING A CONSULTING GROUP $5.9 MILLION.
THE WEEKLY RATE OF THIS GROUP CAN COST THE COUNTY OVER 223,000, BUT I CALLED BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY CAN'T ANSWER WHAT SERVICES THEY HAVE GIVEN TO THE COUNTY.
IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A MASSIVE WASTE OF MONEY.
I HAVE TRACKED ALL OF THE MONEY THAT BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP HAS GOTTEN THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTRY.
11.7 MILLION DOLLARS FROM TOM WOLF FOR VACCINE OUT REACH AND 1.85 MILLION FROM GINA RAMANDO FOR VACCINE OUT REACH.
THERE IS NO YIELD TO WHAT THEY HAVE DONE.
IT IS JUST A BLACK HOLE OF MONEY.
JUDGE HIDALGO, I AM SPEAKING WITH YOU.
>> WELL, I ASKED YOU A QUESTION? CAN YOU ANSWER IT? DO YOU THINK BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP OF STK-S -- $233,000 IS AN EFFECTIVE WAY OF USING THE COUNTY'S MONEY.
THE SAFETY OF OUR CONSTITUENTS SHOULD BE THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
A LITTLE GIRL GOT MURDERED BECAUSE OF THE BAIL REFORM POLICY.
,> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER HOWAR LONG E YOU HAVING HER SPEAK FOR?
>> JUDGE, THIS IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.
I HAVE BEEN STAYING IN AN APARTMENT UNIT UNDER THE CARE AND THEY TOOK ME TO COURT AND THERE IS NO EXECUTIVE ORDER UNDER THE SUPREME COURT.
SINCE THEN I WAS RETALIATED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HASN'T GOT A CALL BACK.
WE HAVE THE CONSTABLES MAKE A VIDEO AND IT STATES CLEARLY THAT HE WAS NOT SUPPOSED TO ORDER A POSSESSION, BUT THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOME.
NOBODY WANTS TO POINT A FINGER AT THE BAIL BOND COMPANY --
>> SO I HAVE A QUESTION -- WHY
TKAU -- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WHICH NUMBER SPEAKER WAS THIS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, SIR.
[02:40:01]
SPEAKER FROM PRECINCT 4, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. THIS IS BETH WHITE FROM HOUSTON PARK.
IT IS PART OF YOUR CONSIDERATION TO ISSUE BONDS.
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARKS CAN'T BE OVERSTATED FROM MY PERSPECTIVE AND I KNOW HAVING WORKED WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THAT THE COUNTY EMBRACES THE POWER TO BE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND CREATES JOBS AND MAKES OUR CITIES MORE RESILIENT AND INCREASES CITY ENGAGEMENT AND IMPROVING -- AND IMPROVES PUBLIC HEALTH.
THEY ARE TOOLS WHERE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY CAN ACHIEVE THEIR EQUITY GOAL.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, MA'AM, DID YOU HAVE A QUICK CLOSING COMMENT? THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS? DID YOU HAVE A QUICK CLOSING?
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
AGAIN, I JUST WANTED TO SAY TO OUR SUPPORT AND WILLINGNESS TO HELP AS YOU CONSIDER INVESTMENTS IN PARKS AND TRAILS, AND PARTICULARLY IN COMBINATION OF FLOOD MITIGATION AS THE CITY HAS BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AND ALL OF THE WORK TO HELP PEOPLE LIVE WITH WATER AND USE MULTI-PURPOSE INFRASTRUCTURE.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR HAVING THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION TODAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO JUST THANK YOU, BETH.
I'M REAL PROUD OF WHAT THE CITY DID.
WELL, IT IS COUNTY LAND, BUT IT WAS TREMENDOUS LEADERSHIP ON THE PART OF THE CITY.
I THINK BAYOU GREEN WAYS WAS $100 MILLION THAT THE CITY PUT UPN IA BONDKA PACGE.
AND THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND THE KINDERS WERE AT.
BIG PART OF IE WHAT WERTHE NUMBERS AGAIN ONGR THE BAYOU EEN WAYS?
>> 100 MILLION INUS THE CITY OF HOTON BOND PASSED IN 2012 BY 60% OF THE VOTERSAM AND 128 MILLION IN A CPAIGN TO MATCH THAT INCLUDING GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE COUNTY FROM PRECINCT 1, ARE 3 AND 4 AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IT HAD A HUGE IMPACT AS THE SINGLE DOWN PAYMENT ON THE CITY'S HISTORY.
THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTED THE OTHER 120.
THE CITY PUT IN ANOTHER 7 MILLION TO CLOSE THE GAP AND THEN YOU GOT SOME FROM THE REST OF US.
THE POINT IS, IT IS COUNTY LAND WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN WASTE LAND.
THIS IDEA OF TURNING IT INTO A LINEAR PARK SPACE HAS BEEN AROUND FOR A LONGTIME.
MAYBE EVEN BEFORE I WENT INTO YOU WERE DOING THINGS ALONG THE BAYOUS AND THE UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
I KNOW IT WAS UNDER DENISE PARKER'S DEAL AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DID.
THEY WERE BRINGING YOU IN, BUT YOU HAD ONE OF THE YOUNGER BUSHES, I THINK NEIL BUSH'S SON, PEARCE BUSH AND A SLIGHTLY OVER KWRA*EUT -- OVERWEIGHT STATE SENATOR.
I HOPE WHATEVER WE DO, YOU CAN PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS IT AND ASKING FOLKS TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING AND THAT WILL BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
MY ATTITUDE IS REGARDLESS OF WHERE WE END UP I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT.
[02:45:06]
THAT WAS TRUE LEADERSHIP AND Y'ALL STEPPED UP AND YOU KEPT IT GOING.EVEN IF I HAVEN'T BEEN AS SUCCESSFUL ON MY PROJECTS, THEY REALLY STEPPED UP IN A BIG WAY.
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO
DIAL IN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WE JUST KIND OF CASH DASH WELL, WE HIT -- WELL WE HIT THE GROUND BREAKING ANDS IT IS CALLED SEGMENT 26 AND WE WERE SO HAPPY TO HAVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO JOIN US TO CELEBRATE ONE OF THE LONGEST STRETCHES AND WE WILL BE ADDING ANOTHER SEVEN MILES.
THERE ARE A HUNDRED REASONS FOR NOT DOING BIO GREEN WAYS.
BUT EVERYONE WORKED TOGETHER TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
AND IF WE HAD TO BUY ALL OF THE LAND THAT IS BEING INCORPORATED NOW FOR RECREATION AS WELL AS THE FLOOD MITIGATION, WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO HAVE BUY $2 BILLION WORTH OF PROPERTY.
BOTH ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS.
JUST WANTED TO SHOW OUR SUPPORT AND THANKS.
COMMISSIONER? >> TOM RAMSEY: BETH, TOM RAMSEYE RE.
THANK YOUAL FOR CLING IN.GR A EAT ADVANTAGE OFON THE HOUST PARKS BOARD IS YOU.E YOU ARAER REAL HARD PSON TO SAY NO TO.RE WE NEED MO LEADERS OUT THERE THAT ARE HARD TO SAY NO TO.
THANK YOU. T >> LINA HIDALGO:HANK YOU,
BETH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 9, JACOB CLEMENTAGE SPEAKING ON 181, 250 AND 275.
MINUTES. >> I'M JACOB CLEMENT AGE [INAUDIBLE] HARRIS COUNTY CHAIR.
[INAUDIBLE] THEY DON'T NEED TO BE SET BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN IN THAT PLACE BEFORE AND SO WE DON'T NEED TO BE BABY SAT BY DEPUTIES OR THE SERGEANTS.
IN FACT, THEY SHOULD BE OUT THERE IN THE CITY AND IN THE COUNTY FIGHTING CRIME.
NATALIE IS A GOOD CHOICE FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY IED. I HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM AND, WELL, SINCE MY HEAD INJURY HAPPENED WHEN I WAS 14 IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I WAS REGULATED BACK TO FRACTIONS.
I HAD TO LEARN TO DO MATHEMATICS AGAIN.
AND ENGLISH OEU -- I WAS HELD BACK A YEAR BECAUSE OF BAD GRADES.
THE THING IS -- THE BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY -- [INAUDIBLE] IS GOOD BECAUSE YOU ARE SHOWING [INADDABLE] THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY -- WELL, NOT THAT, AND I FORGET AND WE NEED MONEY FOR THE PARKS.
AND I NEED MORE MONEY FOR THE PARKS AND FOR THE COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 15ALEX I SWARSKY SPEAKING ON 287 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS ALEXI SWARSKI.
[02:50:01]
I HAVE CONCERNS AND ASK A VOTE ON THE DEVELOPMENT BE POSTPONED UNTIL THE COMMUNITY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE FULLY INFORMED.THERE IS NO DEVELOPMENT OF AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND IT IS TWO BLOCKS FROM THE SITE OF THE PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND NOT MANY PEOPLE HAVE NOTICED THAT.
WHO MIGHT LIVE IN THE COMPLEX -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> NEXT, SPEAKING ON ITEM 287.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOODOR MNING.
I AM GENE LATCHAW. AND I REPRESENT THE OWNER AND DEVELOPMENT OFCR WILLOW EEK MANOR.
WEGN HAVE A SI UP PROPERTY AND I HAVE A CARD AND AM HAPPYNY TO ANSWER A QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
I DID HAVE SOME COMMUNICATION WITH SOME OTHER NEIGHBOR S WHO CALLED ON MY SIGN -- NEIGHBORSMY WHO CALLED ON SIGNHB AND HELD A NEIGORHOOD MEETING, BUT UNFORTUNATELY NOT REALLYED ATTENDED AND REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES.
SUPPORT FROM SOME OF THE OTHER LANDOWNERS AROUND TOO.
I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTIONS NOW OR WHENEVER IT IS YOUR PLEASURE.
>> GLASS DIS-- GLADYS HA -- HOWFELD CALLING ABOUT 3619.
AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT INVESTIGATION OF THE TAX ASSESSMENT OFFICE AND THIS IS AN ENTIRE YEAR WHEN I PRESENTED THE CONCERNS TO PRECINCT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE AND NO *R -- NO TANGIBLE PROGRESSIVE RESULTS.
HE KEPT GETTING CONFUSED BY WHAT THE TAX ASSESSMENT COLLECTOR'S OFFICE WAS TELLING HIM AND TO THIS DAY I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING THAT WAS SHARED TO HIM AND I CAN'T EVEN BILL BECAUSE I AM NOT PAY ONE CENT ON MY 2021 PROPERTY TAXES.
TAX ASSESSOR -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MA'AM.
WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY REACH OUT FROM MY OFFICE.
>> NEXT IS KAREN HOLMES SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES. THIS IS KAREN HOLMES REGARDING HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, MS. HOLMES, WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET A COMMUNICATION FROM SOMEONE.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FOUR, ROBERT HOUR --
I WAS JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT WHEN Y'ALL ARE GONNA START PAYING -- [INAUDIBLE] I KNOW THE TEXAS RANGERS HAVE BEEN DOWN THERE AND HAVEN'T GOT IN TOUCH WITH ME YET. I'M WONDERING WHAT IS GOING ON BECAUSE THE LAST ADMINISTRATION AND THE STUFF GOING ON IN THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL RIGHT NOW.
I SHOULD BE THE WEALTHIEST PERSON IN THE WORLD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, SIR.
>> HELLO? >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 6, RAY NAVARRA.
>> SOMEBODY ON THE PHONE TOLD ME I HAD THREE MINUTES, BUT THAT'S FINE.
TRYING TO SUM IT UP AND MAKE IT QUICK BECAUSE I HAVE A MINUTE.
THERE WAS A SITUATION ON MAY 30TH WHERE MY WIFE RAN TO HER BROTHER AND NEIGHBORS.
[02:55:05]
I DON'T WANT TO SAY TOO MUCH BECAUSE IT IS A POSSIBLE PENDING SITUATION.ME AND MY WIFE WERE NOT CHARGED.
THE PRECINCT CAME TO HANDLE THE SITUATION UNPROPERLY AND UNJUSTLY.
THEY TOOK MY PHONE AWAY ANDDE TAINED ME FOUR TIMES AND UP LETTING ME GO.
THEAT REPORT TH I GOT ANDTE REQUESD WASF.
COMPLETELY OF THE PERSONTH THAT STARTED E EVEN ON THESN'T REPORT.PO THE WHOLE RERT IS WRONG.AI THEY BASICALLY SD LIKE YOU SAID, TIT-FOR-TAT.
SINCE I AM NOT BEINGMA CHARGED THEY SAID THE N WAS IN ICU.
I WASED DEFENDING MY FAMILY, SUPPOSLY IS WHAT HE SAID.
THEY ARE NOT GOING TO CHARGE THE GUYS -- THE FIVE GUYS THAT PULLED GUNS ON ME AND MY FAMILY.
>> THEY PULLED WEAPONS ON OUR FAMILY AND NOTHING WAS DONE.
THEY SAID SINCE THEY DIDN'T CHARGE ME THEY ARE NOT GOING TO THEM.
>> I HAD SOMETHING DONE AND SOMEBODY TOLD ME I HAD THREE
MINUTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A CERTAIN NUMBER OF SPEAKERS AND IT GOES TO ONE MINUTE.
WE WILL REACH OUT TO MY OFFICE.
I MEAN, THE COPS DROPPED THE BALL AND MY FAMILY WAS ALMOST MURDERED AND NOBODY IS DOING NOTHING.
>> NEXT IS -- WE WILL JUMP BACK TO AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKERS AND ONE JUST ARRIVED.
SPEAKER 8, APRIL AGUIRRE IS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 153 UNDER SHERIFF.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO, EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME FIRST AND FOREMOST.
THIS IS HOW WE START TO VOICE OUR OPPOSITION.
FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT ALTHOUGH YOUR INTENTIONS ARE NOBLE WITH FUNDS GOING TO CHILD CARE AND WE ONLY HAVE 7 MILLION GOING TO KIM OGG. WE ARE ONE OF THE FAMILIES IN LINE FOR THE 35,000 CASE BACKLOG WAITING FOR THE MURDER OF MY NIECE FACE TRIAL.
AND ON MONDAY THERE WAS A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD BOY SHOT AND THEN A 9-YEAR-OLD GIRL.
WE USED TO HAVE A SAFE SOCIETY AND THAT'S NOT THE CASE ANYMORE.
THEY TOLD US IT COULD TAKE UP TO
FOUR YEARS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME
IS ON. >> CONTINUE. >> THEY TOLD US IT COULD TAKE FOUR YEARS FOR THE TRIAL.
I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE VERY NOBLE.
THEY ARE. RIGHT NOW WE CANNOT HAVE LAVISH SPENDING.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $50 MILLION ON BIKE TRAILS WHEN WE NEED MORE OFFICERS.
I DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
I DIDN'T USED TO KNOW WHAT YOU PEOPLE DO ON THIS BOARD UNTIL I LOOKED IT UP FOR MYSELF.
I HAD A PACKET FOR EACH ONE OF YOU.
IF THIS MANY KIDS WERE DYING DURING COVID WE SHUTDOWN SCHOOLS AND MATCHING -- MASKED PEOPLE.
WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO TO HELP WITH THE CURRENT CRISIS.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ANYMORE OR WHO TO SPEAK TO.
IT HAS ONLY BEEN A FEW MONTHS SINCE SHE WAS DILLED AND SINCE I UNDERSTAND GUN LAWS WILL HELP, BUT THAT IS JUST A START.
WHAT CAN WE DO HERE AS FAR AS US AS HARRIS COUNTY.
WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE OUR SOCIETY SAFER.
THE MAN THAT EXECUTED THE LITTLE GIRL WAS OUT ON FIVE FELONY BONDS.
FIVE FELONY BONDS! LOOK IT UP. IT JUST CAME OUT AN HOUR AGO.
THIS IS UNAGO -- UNACCEPTABLE.
UNACCEPTABLE. I URGE YOU TO USE YOUR POSITION AND MAKE OUR COUNTY SAFE EVERY.
I DON'T HAVE A VENDETTA AGAINST ANYBODY.
I WANT EVERYBODY TO WORK TOGETHER SO THAT OUR WHOLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM CAN WORK AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE FROM THE BAIL BOND AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND OUR POLICE OFFICERS,VE ERYBODY.
PLEASE WORK TOGETHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> ITS INOT GOOD ENOUGH, LINA.
50 MILLIONO TE BIKTRAILS AND WHEN YOU ONLY GIVEIL 7 MLION TO KIM OGG, Y PUTOUR DIFFERENCESAS IDE.
[03:00:01]
I URGE YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANKO YOU S MUCH FOR COMING.I
WILL REMIND - FOLKS->> HAVE I-- YOUR IYO HAVE URCK
PAETS.>> LINA HIDALGO: I REMIND FOLKS ABOUT THENG HOLLERI IN THE COURTROOM.
BUT THANK YOU.HE >> T DEMOCRATS WANTUD
[INAIBLE]. L >>INA HIDALGO: THAT SPEAKER,
TIFFANY -- >> NEXT ISPE NONAGENDA SAKER S NUMBEREVENRT SPEAKING VIUALLY.
>>ON I'M SORRY I D'T HAVE THE ADDRESS IN FRONT OF ME AND SO IT IST OUT IN NORTHWESUN HARRIS COTY.GL GOING -- GOOE THAT.
IT IS NOT BY INAT A LIST OF THINGS TH HAVE PRESERVE IN THELL TITLE.
YOU WI SEE A POST SAYING THAT SOMEONE CLOSE TO MESA WAS SEXUAY ASULTED BETWEEN 8:27 AND 8:37 AT PICC -- IT SAYS THIS PERSON WAS ATTACKED FROM BEHIND.
THEY ARE NORMAL -- THERE AREEO NORMALLY QUITE A FEW PPLE USING IT.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MY TIME IS UP?
>> I DIDN'T EVEN CAME TO SAY WHAT I SAY -- I DIDN'T SEEN -- MAY I HAVE 30 SECONDS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM -FRPBGS -- MA'AM, THANK YOU.
>> IT IS NONAGENDAS. >> TOM RAMSEY: LISA, THI IS TOMN RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER OF PRECCT 3.
THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.N WE ARE AWARE OF THE SITUATIO.
WE WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO YOU ON THE PHONE.
WE LOOK FORWARD TO VISITING WITH
YOU SOON. >> LET ME SAY ONE THING.
WHAT I WAS TOLD WHEN THINGS SWITCHED FROM PRECINCT 4 TO PRECINCT 3, WHY ARE THERE NO STAFF THERE ANYMORE? THERE USED TO BE TWO PEOPLE AS I UNDERSTAND ON STAFF ON THE PROPERTY ALL THE TIME.
I WOULD SEE THEM IN THE GOLF CART RUNNING AROUND AND I COULD ALMOST ALWAYS SEE SOMEONE THERE.
SOMEONE WOULD OCCASIONALLY COME IN TO CLEAN THE Y RESTROOM.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I WILL CALLOU TO DISCUSS.
I WILT CALL YOU BY -- I WILL CALL YOU BY PHONE.
>> IT IS A GREAT PARK THAT IS HEAVILY USED.
IT JUST NEEDS TO BE ADEQUATELY STAFFED AND REASON -- REASONABLY
SAFE. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8, DIANA WILLIAMS OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM DIANA WILLIAMS AND WITH THE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION GREAT ROOTS LEADERSHIP.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY WAS AWARE THAT THEY WILL HOST THE EVENT ON TUESDAY AUGUST 2ND.
THE EVENT IS SPONSORED NATIONALLY BY THE ELLA BAKER CENTER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS.
ELLA BAKER WAS A BEHIND THE SCENES ORGANIZER AND CIVIL RIGHTS AND HUMAN RIGHTS ACTIVIST AND A CO-FOUNDER OF THE SCLE THAT WAS HEADED BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING.
IT BEGAN IN 2013 AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE MORE POLICE CENTRIC NATIONAL NIGHT OUT THAT HIGHLIGHTS THE PARTNERSHIP AS A PATHED WAY TO -- AS A PATHWAY TO COMMUNITY SAFETY.
THE CONVERSATIONS WERE INVOLVED BUT SAFE -- SAFETY IS MORE THAN THAT.
IT IS HAVING HEALTHY FOOD AND HEALTHCARE AND HOUSING AND EDUCATION.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING IN.
>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
PW*F -- BEFORE WE CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA I KNOW METRO HAS BEEN WAITING.
[Departments (Part 6 of 7)]
ARE THE REPRESENTATIVES HERE?>> LINA HIDALGO: THE REPRESENTATIVE.
WELCOME. ECONOMICSER EL -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW THIS IS AN ITEM CLOSE TO YOUR HEART.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA POSTED THIS ONE ITEM.
GO AHEAD CHAIR. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM THE CHAIR OF THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY OF HARRIS COUNTY.
I AM GOING TO BE JOINED BY OUR VICE CHAIR JIM ROBINSON AND BOARD MEMBER CHRIS HOLLINS.
[03:05:09]
MR. ROBINSON IS UNDER THE WEATHER AND MR. HOLLINS IS ON TIME.I AM JOINED BY OUR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL AND DEPUTY CHIEF PROCUREMENT HOSPITAL AND JOSE PAULITO.
THE SMALL METRO PROGRAM HAS BEEN IN EXISTENCE SINCE 2005.
IT IS RECOGNIZED AS A TRAIL -- TRAILBLAZER WITH THE HIGHEST PARTICIPATION GOAL OF 35%.
IT IS TO BE NOTED THAT THE 35% IS NOT UNIFORM ACROSS CONTRACTS.
IF A RESPONDER OR A BIDDER DOES NOT MEET THE GOAL SPECIFIED FOR THE CONTRACT, THAT RESPONSE IS CONSIDERED NONRESPONSIVE AND REJECTED. IF THEY COMMIT TO A PERCENTAGE HIGHER THAN THE GOAL SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT WE HOLD THEM TO THE LIFE OF THE CONTRACT.
WE ARE INCREASING PARTICIPATION TO THE BIGGEST EXTENT POSSIBLE.
THE SMALLEST DIRECTLY -- DIRECTORY, 95% OF THE BUSINESS FIRMS ARE MINORITY CERTIFIED FIRMS OR DBE CERTIFIED FIRMS. WE HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS CERTIFICATION PROGRAM AND WE ACCEPT THE CERTIFICATION THAT HAS THE SIZE THRESHOLD OF THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM. ON OUR FEDERALLY FUNDED PROJECTS WE HAVE A GOAL AND WE NEED THAT THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE A SIGNIFICANT SUBSET OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE DBE CERTIFIED FIRMS AS WELL.
METRO HAS BEEN ONE OF THE EARLY ADOPTERS OF THE B TO G AND IT HAS BEEN IN EFFECT SINCE 2008.
ALL CONTRACTS ARE SMALL BUSINESS GOALS AND ALL CONTRACTS AWARDED TO A SMALL BUSINESS EVEN IF THE CONTRACT DID NOT HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS GOAL AND ALL FEDERALLY-FUNDED PROJECTS ARE TRACKED AND HAVE BEEN TRACKED ON B TO G WHICH MEANS WE HAVE GOOD DATA OVER THE LAST 14, 15 YEARS.
THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM IS PRETTY GOOD.
BACK IN 2019 WE AWARDED A DISPARITY STUDY CONTRACT TO MASON TILLMAN ASSOCIATES.
WE GOT THE RESULTS OF THE DISPARITY STUDY IN MAY OF 2021.
THAT DISPARITY STUDY DID LOOK AT CONTRACTORS AND -- PRIME CONTRACTORS AND SUBCONTRACTORS.
IT BROKE THEM UP TO MULTIPLE SIZES, BUT HAD AN UPPER THRESHOLD.
THE UPPER THRESHOLD WAS -- IF I CAN GET MY NUMBERS RIGHT, 3.53 MILLION FOR CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS AND 1.6 MILLION FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS AND 670,000 FOR GOODS.
WE ALSO AS AN AGENCY HAVE POSTED WHAT I CONSIDERED OUTLIARS.
THEY ARE HIGHER THAN THE THRESHOLD.
THE ANALYSIS HAS BEEN POSTED ON OUR WEBSITE AND WE HAVE GOOD NEWS ON THAT AS WELL.
YOU 35% ON CONSTRUCTION SERVICES AND 28% PARTICIPATION ON PROFESSIONAL SERVICES AND 14% ON GOODS.
WHY ARE WE PLEASED TO REPORT THAT WE DO NOT HAVE A DISPARITY ACROSS THE BOARD? THAT IS OFTEN THE CASE FOR ENTITIES THAT UNDERTAKE THE DISPARITY STUDIES.
AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES RESPECTIVELY.
THE UTILIZATION IS 13.8 TO 13.9%.
CLEARLY THERE IS ROOM TO IMPROVE.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON NOW.
WHAT WE HAVE TO CRAFT IS A CAREFULLY CRAFTED AND NARROWLY TAILORED PROGRAM THAT WILL WITHSTAND SCRUTINY AND BE CLEAR AND MOST IMPORTANTLY SOMETHING THAT IS ENFORCEABLE.
WHAT WE WANT IS A PROGRAM THAT WILL WORK AND MOVE THE NEEDLE.
WE GOT THE RESULTS IN MAY OF 2021.
[03:10:03]
KAREN HUDSON AND HER TEAM ARE EXTENDING OUT REACH PROGRAMS TO PARTICULARLY THE GROUPS WHERE WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE DISPARITY TO SEE HOW BEST WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO BRIDGE THE GAP.WE ARE LOOKING AT A DISABILITY ENTERPRISE PROGRAM AND VETERAN-OWNED BUSINESS PROGRAM.
SO QUICK NUMBERS BEFORE I OPEN UP FOR QUESTIONS.
IN 2021 OUT OF THE $671 MILLION IN CONTRACTS THAT METRO AWARDED, CONTRACTS WORKS $511 MILLION HAD GOALS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. WE ARE LOOKING TO SEE HOW WE CAN INSTITUTE THE LARGER CONTRACTS THAT WAS TYPICALLY NOT THE CASE.
EVEN IF THE PERCENTAGE PARTICIPATION GOAL IS SMALLER BECAUSE A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF A LARGE AMOUNT IS STILL MORE DOLLARS SPENT WITH SMALL BUSINESSES THAN A LARGE PERCENTAGE ON A SMALL CONTRACT.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? WE ARE LOOKING TO SEE IF WE CAN INSTITUTE GOALS WITHOUT DIESEL PURCHASES.
YES, SMALL BUSINESSES DO NOT OWN REFINERIES.
SMALL BUSINESSES DO OWN TRUCKING SERVICES TO DELIVER.
THEY HAVE DONE THAT ON THE METRO LIFT PROCUREMENT.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT COMMITMENTS TO THESE GOALS ON THE CONTRACTS SINCE 2018, IT WAS AT 40% AND 20257%.
IN 2021 IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE 50% RANGE.
THE REASON IT IS NOT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE NOW INSTITUTED GOALS ON THE LARGE CONTRACTS.
UP TO $387 MILLION FOR THE NEW BUS OPERATING FACILITY.
THE NUMBER OF DOLLARS, THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WERE SPENT WITH THE SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE LAST FEW YEARS, WE TRIPLED OUR AWARD SPENT ON SMALL BUSINESSES TO HAVE 130 MILLION ANNUALLY.
LARGE CONTRACTS HAVE A TKPWOELT INCLUDED -- HAVE A GOAL INCLUDED IN THAT.
FROM 2018 TO 2021 CON TPRABGT DOLLARS -- CONTRACT DOLLARS ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN BUSINESSES WENT UP TO 12 MILLION AND NOW 70 MILLION, 7-0, IN 2021.
IMITATION IS THE BEST FORM OF FLATTERY.
ACROSS THE REGION MANY ENTITIES HAVE SAW DON'TED -- HAVE ADOPTED MANY PARTS OF THE PROGRAM AND HOW WE SET UP THE PROGRAM AND ADMINISTER IT AND HAVE OUT REACH AND HOW WE ENFORCE GOALS ON VARIOUS PROJECTS AND MOST IMPORTANTLY HOW WE TRACK IT TO GET BETTER.
THE DISPARITY STUDY HAS RECOGNIZED THE UNIQUE NATURE OF THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM AND HOW SUCCESSFUL IT HAS BEEN, BUT WE KNOW THERE IS ROOM TO IMPROVE AS WE EMBARK ON DELIVERING METRO NEXT, IT IS IMPORTANT WE FOCUS ON THIS.
I WANT TO SHOUTOUT TO THE SMALL BUSINESS TEAM LEAD BY KAREN HUDSON.
WE UNDERSTAND THERE IS A DEMAND ON INTPRAU -- INFRASTRUCTURE THE PARKS AND RECREATION WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU.
I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR PUSHING US ON THE DISPARITY STUDY AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH OF YOU NOT JUST TO ADDRESS THE DISPARITY STUDY, BUT TO SEE HOW WE KWAN DELIVER -- HOW WE CAN WITH THAT I AM OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO
ANSWER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU TO YOU AND TO YOUR TEAM.
I AM VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU ARE DOING.
IN MY MOTION OF PASSION ALONG THE WAY, IF BEFORE YOU WERE CHAIR I CAME ACROSS HEAVY HANDED, IT IS BECAUSE I KNOW AS YOU KNOW THIS HAS NOT BEEN AN EASY JOURNEY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS YOU POINT OUT, IT IS A SIX-LETTER WORD.
BUT MOST PEOPLE ARE NOT FOR IT.
I THINK THE PROGRAM IN METRO GOES BACK -- I THINK IT GOES BACK TO WHEN ALLEN KIEFER WAS THERE AND IT GOES BACK TO WHEN THE DECISION CAME DOWN AND SHIRLEY
[03:15:08]
WAS VERY AGGRESSIVE AND ONE OF YOUR PREDECESSORS MADE SURE IT WAS SUED. BY A LOT OF PEOPLE THERE WAS OVERREACTION AND IT WAS A DIFFICULT TIME. I APPRECIATE THE WHOLE TEAM OVER THERE BECAUSE THE SETTLEMENT THAT EXPIRED A LONGTIME AGO IS SOMETIMES WHAT IS CALLED>> THE PORT PAID FOR IT AND NEVER TURNED IT ON.
SOMETIMES WHEN I WOULD ASK THE QUESTION WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS? I RAISE THE AGENDA FOR EVERYBODY.
I APPRECIATED YOUR CANDOR FOREGOING TO THE COURT.
GETTING THE C IN STATISTICS IN GRAD SCHOOL IS HOW TO PAY ATTENTION TO THE NUMBERS.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD THAT AT THE END.
I GOT IT NOW. PEOPLE WILL SAY FOR THE PIE OR THE AREA THAT LOOKS GOOD, AND NOT GO AND LOOK AT THEVE ORALL PIE.
I ASKOR F THE SIMPLEUM NBER, WHAT DOOU YPE SND? I DIDN'TSK AT WHADID YOUND SPE IN CERTAINEG CATORIES -- NOT YOU, BUT WHATSK I A ANYIT ENTY IS ASK A SIMPLEST QUEION.US UALLY I AM ONEHA IF I VE TO FIGHT TO GETNS THE AWER BECAUSE SOMEBODYRS ANSWE OTHER THAN WHAT I WANT T, THENHIS CREATES A LACK OFPA TRUST, RANOIA KNOWING YOU HAVERO COME ACSS THE DECISION AND SO HAVE I.AD I REMA THURGOOD RSHAL'SEN DISSTHO AND YOU SULD READ IT AS WELL.
T I WANTEDO BE A RAPPER.RE IF YOU A'T BLACK YOU DON GET THE CONTRACT.
IFOU YOU ARE ASIAN Y DON'T GET THE A.F WITH ALL OTHESE PROGRAMS BEING CREATED, I KNOW THAT SOME PEOPLE WILL BITEY OFF MORE THAN THECAI CHEW.
H HAVE BEEN THERE WITMY BUSINESS.
THANKOK GOD I DIDN'T GET CHED TO DEATH 4*OF AND -- AND PUT OUT BUSINESS.
I ENCOURAGE THE MWBE'S TO MERGE AND INCREASE CAPACITYME AS WE IN TRYING TO BRIDGE THE DIVIDE.
IT IS GOOD THAT YOU ARET LOOKIG AT ALL WHAYOU CAN SPEND.E WE SHOULD HAVE DONGO THAT A LONGTIME A.
THAT'S THE ONE CHANGE IN THE PROGRAM.
WHEN THEY SAY WE DON'T COUNT THOSE.
I ASK DO THEY DO IT IN DETROIT? THEY DO IT IN ATLANTA? THEY DO IT IN NEW YORK? HOW ABOUT MIAMI? THE WAY THATE WORKS, I DON'T CAE WHER THEY FROM.
IF THEY THINK IT ISL AN OPPORTUNITY THEY WILMOVE HERE.
I COULDN'T DO BUSINESS WITH THE STATE FOR 26 YEARS.
PARTICULARLY WITH SO MANY BUSINESSES GOING UNDER.SI PARTICULARLY THE SMALL BUNESSES.
IT WAS A WAY FOR PEOPLE -- AND IN THE OTHER FRIENDLY PARTY, OPPOSITE OF MY PARTY TO TRY TO CUT INTO FOLKS THAT GO ON MY SIDE AND THEY TAKE THE ON -- THE ENTREPRENEURIAL CLASS.
I HOPE YOU ARE SHARING BEST PRACTICES.
YOU ARE IMPROVING ON WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
WE OUGHT TO NOT ALL TRY AND REINVENT THE WHEEL.
[03:20:03]
CASE AND IT COMES OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND MOST OF US RELY ON THE CERTIFICATION.I DON'T GET HUNG UP ON FRONTS SO MUCH BECAUSE THAT WOMAN, SOUTH ASIAN, HISPANIC OR BLACK THAT SOMEBODY SENDS UP AS A FRONT, THEY ARE ON IT.
THEY CAN TALK BACK IF THEY HAVE CONTROL.
IT IS IMPORTANT AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
I HOPE ONCE A YEAR I WILL ASK YOU ALL TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS.
I GET THAT. I KNOW I DID AGENTS PUSHING -- I KNOW I DID A LITTLE PUSHING AND PULLING.
WERE YOU ON THE BOARD WHEN I HAD JESSE JACKSON COME IN HERE? IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND I APPRECIATE THIS ON OUR SIDE.
EVEN IF IT WAS KICKING AND SCREAMING TO GET THERE.
I THINK BY DOING THAT IT LEAD TO METRO AND HARRIS HEALTH AND THE CENTER WILL -- THEY DON'T SPEND THE KIND OF MONEY THAT WE SPEND.
I HOPE WE ARE SUCCESSFUL AND WE ALL WORK TO GET OUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES.
THERE IS NO REASON WHY THE LARGEST BLACK BUSINESSES IN THE COUNTRY TEND TO BE ATLANTA, CHICAGO AND NEW YORK BECAUSE IT IS NEW YORK AND LARGEST HISPANIC BUSINESSES ARE L.A., MIAMI AND NEW YORK BECAUSE IT IS NEW YORK.
HERE, AND THIS IS THE FRONT TO
MAKE MONEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR COMING.
I WILL START YOU FOR THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR THE MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN OUT THERE MAKING GOOD THINGS HAPPEN. I LIKE YOUR STORY IN TERMS OF YOU ARE A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE PROGRAM, RIGHT? I MEAN, WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TEAM UP ON MANY PROJECTS.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT MWBE PROGRAMS I SAY CALL MY FRIEND SANJAY.
HE WROTE THE BOOK ON IT. I HOPE YOUR FAMILY IS WELL.
I WON'T BE GOING THERE. >> IT IS TOO HOT.
I WILL SAY I APPRECIATE THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY.
AND IT TAKES FOLKS LIKE YOU OUT THERE MAKING A DIFFERENCE.
WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM AND BRING UP METRICS SUCH AS CAPACITY.
IT MAKES A BIG STATEMENT THERE.
THE ONE QUESTION IS I CONSIDER IT LOCAL IN THE REGION AND WE WERE ABLE TO SATISFY THE GOALS, BUT IT TOOK A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT FROM OTHER AREAS OF THE U.S. TO GET THERE.
LOCALLY -- -- >> I WOULD BE WILLING TO BET MOST OF IT IS LOCALLY.
I KNOW 95% OF THE SMALL BUSINESS FIRMS ARE MINORITY BUSINESSES OR WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES.
>> ABOUT 75% OF OUR BUSINESSES COME FROM THE 13 SURROUNDING
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING.
I WANT TO TOUCH ON SOMETHING THAT YOU MENTIONED.
FIRST, YOU MENTIONED AFRICAN-AMERICAN ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ANGLO FEMALES.
I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE WITH THE HISPANIC
THE REASON I HIGHLIGHTED THOSE TWO IS BECAUSE THE DISPARITY STUDY IDENTIFIED THAT IN TERMS OF AVAILABILITY OF UTILIZATION -- EXCUSE ME, THE AVAILABILITY OF OUTIZATION THER.
WITH HISPANICS AND THE ASIAN-AMERICANS THE UTILIZATION WAS ON PAR.
>> IT MAY NOT BE ON THIS HANDOUT, BUT WE CAN GET THE
[03:25:01]
SPECIFIC DETAILS TO YOU.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ARE THESE NUMBERS BASED ON SOLELY YOUR SUB CON TRACKING -- SUB CONTRACTING
OPPORTUNITIES? >> THIS WAS DURING THE PERIOD OF 2013 TO 2018.
THE STUDY LOOKED AT TWO SETS OF NUMBERS.
ONE OF PHRAOEUPL CONTRACTOR -- ONE OF PRIME CONTRACTORS ONLY AND ONE THAT EXCLUDED THE THRESHOLDS THAT I MENTIONED, BUT IT LOOKED AT PRIME AND SUBCONTRACTORS FOR THE ENTIRETY OF ALL CONTRACTS THIS METRO LETS
TOM, WHO IS IS YOUR PREDECESSOR DURING BILL WHITE'S ADMINISTRATION? I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER HIS
NAME. >> FRANK WILSON AND PRIOR TO
THAT SHIRLEY -- >> I AM GLAD HE IS NOT HERE ANYMORE.
WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL I COULDN'T GET HIM TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX AND IF NOT FOR MY PER SPEUS TENSE -- PERSISTENCE OR OVER IN ENGINEERING, THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE LINE.
HE MENTIONED SOMETHING YOU TOUCHED ON.
MINORITY BUSINESSES DON'T BUILD THE TRAINS.
THERE WASN'T A LOT THAT MINORITY FIRMS COULD DO.
MINORITY COMPANIES DO SELL FUEL AND HAVE TRUCKS AND THEY DO SERVE FOOD.
THEY SELL SAFETY EQUIPMENT AND WE HAVE ENGINEERING CAPACITY.
WE WERE ABLE TO CRAFT AN INCREDIBLE TEAM WITH RICK AND THE OTHERS.
THERE WERE ULTIMATELY THOSE WHO BUILT THE LINE.
I WANTED TO JUST URGE THAT THINKING THAT THERE ARE WAYS TOO GET TO NEW THRESHOLDS.
AND 75% OF YOUR BUSINESS IS IN THE REGION AND THERE IS DISPARITY THERE.
THE PRIME IS THE NEXT FRONTIER OF WHERE WE ARE GETTING TO.
>> AND WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT AS WELL.
AMONG THE CRIME THE DISPARITY IS THE SAME IN THE TWO GROUPS.
THAT'S IN THOSE TWO GROUPS AS WELL.
WE NEED TO BE SURE THE OPPORTUNITY IS AVAILABLE TO EVERYBODY ACROSS THE REGION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU BROUGHT THE POINT THAT IT IS IMPORTANT.
I WAS IN INVESTMENT BANKING ALTHOUGH I COULDN'T DO BUSINESS HERE BECAUSE I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL.
I WAS SENSITIVE TO OTHER MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED FIRMS BECAUSE EVEN IF I WAS THE ONLY ONE HERE, ONE HISPANIC IN SAN ANTONIO, ROBERT RODRIGUEZ, AND APEX.
[INAUDIBLE] AND SO WE ENCOURAGED OTHER PEOPLE TO COME IN AND THEY WOULD SET UP AN OFFICE HERE.
AN ANALOGY I WOULD USE IS GOLDMAN SACHS GOT TO BE GOLDMAN SACHS.
IT WASN'T BECAUSE THEY WERE IN NEW YORK.
THEY WERE AROUND THE COUNTRY. I DON'T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE LOCAL STUFF.
SOMETIMES LOCAL STUFF IS THE WAY TO KEEP US OUT.
AFTER THEY GOT SO LARGE THEY WERE DOING STUFF EVERYWHERE.
AND I DON'T GET HUNG UP ON GRADUATION.
I THOUGHT TO GET MORE SECURITY AND STHAOE WAS MY COMPETITOR.
I GUESS BEFORE THE DOT-COM STUFF, I TOOK HER IN TO SEE THE MAYOR.
SHE WOULD COMPETE WITH ME SOMEWHERE ELSE.
USED TO BE IF YOU WERE BLACK, GET BACK.
IF YOU WERE BROWN, DON'T COME AROUND.
SOUTH ASIAN, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING.
[03:30:02]
THAT WAS THE ISSUE BECAUSE YOU CAN LOOK IF THERE ARE MWBE'S DO IT IN COOK IN CHICAGO OR IN NEW YORK. IF THEY CAME HERE TO DO THE STUFF THAT FRANK WILSON WAS SAYING WE DIDN'T HAVE PEOPLE TO DO T THE QUESTION FOR ME IS, OKAY, IS THERE ANYBODY ANYWHERE ELSE? THEY HAVE TO COME AND OPEN AN OFFICE.IF THEY DON'T TREAT THEM RIGHT, THE LOCAL ONE WILL HAVE THE CONTRACT.
IT IS THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T PULL UP THE LADDER.
>> AND ON THAT POINT I WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT GRADUATION.
THE CHALLENGE I HAD WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL WAS THAT THOSE WHO WERE PARTICIPATING IN THE PROGRAM AND PARTS -- HAD BEEN PARTICIPATING FOR A LONGTIME.
IT CHOKED OFF THE OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHERS TO COME IN SO I WANT TO BE -- STRATEGIC ABOUT THAT.
I KNOW THE LARGEST BLACK BUSINESS IN THE WORLD WAS A GRADUATE KID AND HE WENT ON.
MANY WHEN THEY GRADUATE, THEY GO OUT OF BUSINESS.
THAT'S WHY I PUSHED WHEN OUR PROGRAM CAME UP NOT TO DO IT WITH THE CITY.
THE CITY'S PROGRAM DOES KEEP -- IN MY JUDGMENT, THEY ARE LOOKING AT CHANGING IT AND I WAS THERE AND THROWING THE BOMBS AND I DIDN'T READ THE FINE PRINT WHEN WE DID IT.
IF YOU GET TO BE THE PRIME YOU HAVE TO BE AS WELL.
I MAY BE DEAD, BUT I WANT A FEMALE BIG ENGINEERING FIRM.
YOU WANT TO BRING IN OTHERS, BUT THE CAPACITY -- AND I KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE THE CHAIRPERSON OR THE PRESIDENT AND THE CEO, BUT THAT SOMETIMES RELEGATES THEM TO ALWAYS BEING VERY SMALL FIRMS. IT IS WORTH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT.
MOST OF THEM WANT TO DO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE IF I MAY ONE LAST ITEM.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY.
>> ITEM 238 IS CONSIDERED A NO
ACTION ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
YES. WE HAVE SOMEONE ELSE HERE FOR A PRESENTATION THAT IS EARLY.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS ARRIVED?
GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS BONITA AND I AM THE CURRENT CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HISPANIC CULTURAL COMMISSION.
I PUT TOGETHER S AUMMARY OF OUR ACTIVITIES TO DATE.
ITAS H BEEN ONE YEAR SINCEHI TS COMMISSION VOTED FORS THI HISTORICALPA HISNIC COMMISSION.
I DID AMA SUMRY OF THE ACTIVITIESHA WE VE BEEN ACCOMPLISHING ANDAR THEY E SETTING THE O BASISF THE DE COMMISSIONWE.
HAVE ANNG UNDERSTANDI OF THEIR ROLES AND GOALS ANDSU MAKG RE WE ARE NOTOV OVER -- ERLAPPING IN EFFORTS, BUTTI CONTRIBUNG TO HIGHLIGHTLT MORE CUURAL EVENTS INUN HARRIS COTY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW YOU ARE GETTING YOUR SEA
[03:35:02]
LEGS, BUT IF YOU ARE SHARING DISCUSSIONS OF THE FUTURE OF WHAT THE L COMMISSION MAYOOK LIKE, WHAT DO YOU THINK ARE THET LOW-HANGIG FRUI OPPORTUNITIESON FOR THE COMMISSI O TO FOCUSON. >>NE OF THE THINGS WE T DISCOVERED IS THATHETO HARRIS COUNTY HISRICALAR COMMISSION, THERE E CLOSE TO 200 SITE THAT'S HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED HISTORICAL SITES, BUT VERY FEW, LESS THAN 2% ARE HISPANIC.
I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF THAT.R WE ARE WORKING WITH DIFFENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PEOPLE AND WE ARE BRINGS -- BRINGING MORE PEOPLE SO THEY CAN SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE.
WE DO NOT WANT TO -- THAT'S ONE OF THE MAIN CONCERNS OF WHAT THEY DO AND WHAT THEY DO WELL AND WHERE WE CAN SUPPORT THEM IS PART OF THE EFFORT.
AND WE ARE PROMOTING MORE CULTURAL EVENTS AND CIVIC EVENTS THAT RELATE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHY THE WEB PAGE IS SOMETHING WE ARE REALLY LOOKING INTO TO TRY TO KEEP THAT INFORMATION UP-TO-DATE ANYTHING THAT HAS TO DO WITH CULTURE FROM MUSIC TO FESTIVALS THERE WILL BE A GREAT OFFER UP THAT WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING.
LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.EY >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMS IN.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, BENITO FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING HERE AND THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY.
I HAVE SEEN YOU WALKING AROUND WHERE EVERYBODY IS ESSENTIALLY THROWING FOOD AT EACH OTHER.
IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG BEFORE BENITO HAS THEM ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.
SO MANY THINGS THAT ARE BEING DONE ARE DIVISIVE.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, BENITO.
ARE YOU LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE IF SOMEBODY IS CUTTING EDGE OR DOING SOME STUFF? FOR EXAMPLE, I TOOK A CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP LAST YEAR WITH MY SON MONTGOMERY, AS AN EXAMPLE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A LOCAL MARKER OR A STATE MARKER, BUT IT IS MORE COLORFUL THAN OURS.
IF IT WAS BLUE OR GOLD IT STOOD OUT MORE AND WE STOPPED A BIT.
I KNOW SOUTH AFRICA, THE SON OF THE LIBERATION LEADER OVER THERE, THEY DO THESE STATUTES OUT THAT WERE BATTLES.
I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY GET THE FUNDING FROM.
I DID A BIKE RIDE THIS WEEKEND ALONG -- IN YOUR PRECINCT PRIMARILY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND IT WILL BE MORE OF A -- I FORGOT THE PHRASE.
WE STOPPED BY A LITTLE BLACK SETTLEMENT AND THEN A COWBOY MUSEUM WAS ONE SITE.
THEY MOVED THE PLACES AND THERE WERE 50 OF US RIDING AND ONLY 20 MADE IT TO THE END, 15.
BUT THESE LITTLE TOWNS WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW THEY CAN GET THEIR MONEY FOR THE TRAIL.
[03:40:11]
TELL THE REAL STORY.I APPRECIATE THE MURAL YOU ARE GOING TO PUT UP AT TOURIST SQUARE.
EVERYTHING IS MODEL FOR THE NATION.
I'M THINKING EVERYWHERE I GO PEOPLE SAID THE MODEL OF THE NATION.
IS ANYBODY TALKING? JUST LOOK AROUND. I WANT TO HELP IN ANYWAY I CAN.
>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO
MUCH. >> ONE LAST COMMENT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AND I REALLY NEED TO MAKE THIS COMMENT BECAUSE THIS COMMISSION COULD NOT RUN THROUGH AND REALLY HAVE STARTED WITHOUT THE HELP WITH CARAMEL LAW VANS VANS FROM PRECINCT -- CARMELLA SR-PBZ -- VALENZUELA.
SHE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS HELP AND I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER.
POSSIBLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IN THE 6 CYCLE -- IN THE NEXT CYCLE WE CAN CREATE THEM AND WE CARE ABOUT THE ISSUES WHETHER IT IS THE WOMEN'S ONE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN ONE, HISPANIC ONE, IT ALMOST BECOMES LIKE THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ON A RESOLUTION.
IF YOU DON'T FIND SOMEWHERE IT IS A WASTE OF MONEY.
>> WE WILL GO OVER THE CORRECTIONS AND THEN WE WILL GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA.
ITEM 123 OF THE 4* -- OF THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE ITEM, NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.
ITEM 213, AN AGREEMENT WITH FREEZE AND NICHOLS, FLOOD CONTROL REQUESTED NO ACTION.
THAT'S THE AGREEMENT WITH THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR STATE COURTS.
REMOVE THE TERM "OF THE COUNTY COURTS" AND REPLACE WITH AND AN ASSESS MEANT OF WORKLOAD FOR THE DISTRICT COUNTY AND PROBATE COURTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
IT SHOULD READ REQUEST OF APPROVAL OF A PERSONAL SERVICES EXEMPTION FROM THE COMPETITIVE BID REQUIREMENTS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE WITH THE STATE COURTS IN THE AMOUNT OF $399,533.
CASE FLOW MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND AN ASSESSMENT OF WORKLOAD FOR THE DISTRICT COUNTY AND PRO COURTS OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR THE PERIOD OF JUNE 14, 2022 THROUGH JULY 13 OF 2023.
SPECIALIZED TECHNICAL AND UNIQUE IN NATURE.
274, REMOVE THE TERM TWO-YEAR AND CORRECT THE DATE TO SAY DECEMBER 31ST, 2022.
SO IT SHOULD BE REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OF THE APPROVAL OF LAKEYA WILSON TO THE SECURITY DISTRICT BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31ST, 2022.
DID I MISS ANYTHING? SO LET'S GO THROUGH THE CONCEPT AND WHAT WILL GO ON THE CONSENT
AGENDA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE WAS ONE
ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: THOSE ARE
CORRECTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
271, NEEDS TO SAY IN PLACE OF CHANNEL VIEW AREA, FLOW RELIEF
>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT? CLOVERLEAF INSTEAD OF CHANNEL LEAVE.
THE CONSENT AGENDA WE WILL START WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION.
DOES ANYONE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT APPOINTMENT?
274? >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 275 THE APPOINTMENT OF NATALIE HERTADO TO THE HARRIS CENTER.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MARISSA BRIGGS TO THE HARRIS COMMISSION.
[03:45:02]
IMPLEMENTATION ON TEARS MATTER.>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS ITEM 278.
>> DO YOU HAVE A QUESTION ON 278?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS 278 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
279 I KNOW WE NEED TO DISCUSS WHICH OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SUGGESTIONS WILL BE APPOINTED TO THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION. CORRECT? WE HAVE MORE RECOMMENDATIONS THAN THERE ARE SLOTS.
SO WE WILL DISCUSSION -- DISCUSS 279 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ITEM 280 IS TWO APPOINTMENTS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
I DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: 295, EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE COMPENSATION OF THE COURT MANAGER.
WE DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM, 295.
>> WHICH? >> LINA HIDALGO: 295 ON PAGE 35.
SO WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ITEM AS WELL.
HERE ARE ITEMS FLAGGED ON THE REGULAR AGENDA.
>> REPEAT ONE MORE TIME THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL GIVE YOU A FULL LIST.
ITEM 4, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE WANT TO DISCUSS A FLEX FUND.
>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 10.
THIS IS OUR EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 11, THAT'S THE BROAD COVID ITEM.
DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? I WILL PROVIDE A BRIEF UPDATE.
ITEM 13, CHANGE THE NAME OF JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT AND THE TRANSFER OF TWO POSITIONS.
DO COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY STILL NEED TO DISCUSS
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSE -- OPPOSED.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND IT PASSES 3-2.
GARCIA AND RAMSEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE TAX EBG -- EXSWREPL -- EXEMPTION.
23, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS THE VOLUNTARY PAYROLL DEDUCTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS
I HAVE A CONCERN ABOUT THE PAYROLL DEDUCTION PROCESS AND WHERE THAT CAN GO AND ALTHOUGH I'M SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT ANY COMMISSIONER WANTS TO DO IN THEIR OWN PRECINCT WITH THEIR OWN BUDGET, THE PRECEDENT OF THAT IS ONE THAT I FIND CONCERNING AND MAYBE ONE OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO IS OUR OFFICE CAN DISCUSS IT IF YOU WANT AND THERE PLAY BE A WAY OF MAKING IT WORK WHERE IT DOESN'T HAVE A PRECEDENT EFFECT OR WE CAN JUST
VOTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST VOTE.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS THIS INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH CHANNEL VIEW?
>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW ABOUT 129, AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY?
>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 145 FOR AN MOU BETWEEN THE SHERIFF -- CONSULT PRECINCT 2 AND HARRIS COUNTY MULTI AGENCY WARRANTS TASK FORCE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: 153? WRAOE NEED TO DISCUSS -- WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE COUNTY JAIL OPERATIONS.
I THINK EVERYONE FLAGGED THIS ONE.
ITEM 160 WE NEED TO DISCUSS THE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO RULES AND PROCEDURES.
164, RECLASSIFY THREE POSITIONS FOR APPROVED SALARY STRUCTURE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NEED A VOTE?
[03:50:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
STPHED. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL DISCUSS 181.
183? IT IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HELD THAT BECAUSE WE HAD NOT YET HEARD IF THERE IS ANYTHING FROM PFM, AND NOW WE HEARD AND SO IT CAN GO BACK ON CONSENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL PUT ITEM 183 BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
#*RTE IM - 2- >> LINA HIDALGO: I --TE IM 213.
THAT'S FLOOD CONTROLEQ RUESTED NOIO ACTN.
COMMISSIONERCI GARA FLAGGED THAT AS WELL, BUTFL WE AGGED IT FOR NO ACTION.
ANME AGREENT WITH ALL PAID INK.
>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST HAD SOME QUESTIONS.
,> LINA HIDALGO: 220 COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
YED .N221 >> LINA HIDALGO: AND 221.IS COMMSIONERU GARCIA YO FLAGGED 222.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.IN >> LA HIDALGO: COME PRABGT --T CAMPACTRACK -- OKAY.
226 WE VOTED ON.SN THAT DOE'T NEED TO BE LISTED.
237,EL COMMISSIONER LIS, IYO THE UPDATEO WANT FROMIN THE JUSTICE ADMISTRATION ITEM 238 WDISCUSSED.
271,IA COMMISSIONER GARC, TRANSMITTAL.
A S PROJECT ON BETTERTREETS TO NEIGHBORHOODS COMMUNITY A PROGR.
>> LINA HIDAO: JUST THE CORRECTION.
SOT WITH THE CORRECTION I WILL GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.
281 THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET ASKED WE PULL IT FOR A DISCUSSION FOR COST SAVINGS AND SAVING BONDS.
WILL KEEP IT FOR A BRIEF DISCUSSION.
286 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE INAUGURALNF VIOLENCE PREVENTION
COERENCE. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 287 COMMISSIONER CAGLE?IS
>> R. JACK CAGLE: TH IS THE ITEM THAT MS. ALEXI SWARSKY SPOKE ON EARLIER AND I JUST NEED TO VOTE.
I CAN DO I NOW OR LATER. WE CAN JUST WAIT AND GET TO IT
LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL KEEP 287 ON THE LIST.
289, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THIS THREE DEPUTIES AND SIX CIVILIAN SCREENERS FOR
>> LINA HIDALGO: 301, COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY.
BOSTON GROUP?CO >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS O'NNELL CONSENT DECREE.
>> JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> SO MOVED.
>>VO SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.
ITEM 303, COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- OR COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED
IT. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE ON IT.
TWO PARTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT AND 302.
304 I PULL DOWN AND 303 ON MOVE
JACK CAGLE: 303 I WILL JOIN AND SECOND YOU IF YOU EXCLUDE THE WORD "ART".
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT THAT.
"ART". >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOVES IT AS PRESENTED AND SECOND BY GARCIA.
>> NO. NO MORE ART FROM PRECINCT 1.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 303 HAS BEEN VOTED ON.
310, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND YOU WANTED AN UPDATE ON MOVING TO THE CJC.
[03:55:07]
311, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON PRISONER TRANSFER PROCEDURES.312, RECOGNIZING PROPERTIED TAX -- PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE.
CONSULTING GROUP. >> NEED TO VOTE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THAT WAS ITEM 314 AND IT PASSES 3-2.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
LET ME READ THE ITEMS FROM THE BEGINNING.
REGULAR AGENDA WE HAVE ITEMS 4, 10, 11, 12, 14 WHICH WE MAY AS WELL TAKE WITH THE RESOLUTION ON
THE TAX WEEK, 23 -- >> 23 WAS VOTED ON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: 23 WAS VOTED ON.
THIS SOUNDS FAMILIAR. REGULAR AGENDA 4, 10, 11, 12, 14 , 38 -BGSZ -- 46, 66, 129, 145 , 153, 160, 181, 215, 220, 221 -- 215.
>> I THOUGHT 213 WAS NO ACTION.
215, 220, 221, 222, 237, 281, 286, 287, 289, 305, 310, 311 AND 312.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, I DO HAVE A MINOR --
>> YOUR MICROPHONE. AIDE AIDE OH.
I HAVE A MINOR CORRECTION ON ITEM 23 WHICH WE VOTED ON.
THE CORRECTION IS -- IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO ESTABLISH AN EMPLOYEE VOLUNTARY PAYROLL DEDUCTION OF THE PRECINCT TOGETHER, ,INC.
AN ,INC IT HAS AND/OR FOR THE PRECINCT TOGETHER/PRECINCT 2 EMPLOY CRISIS FUND.
>> AND CLARIFICATION IS 304 NO ACTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WAS THE FUND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
THE ADDITION WOULD READ AFTER PRECINCT TOGETHER INC.
AND/OR FOR THE PRECINCT TOGETHER/ PRECINCT 2 EMPLOYEE CRISIS FUND.
>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT ONE AGAIN THEN, JAY?
>> YES. LET'S VOTE ON IT AGAIN.
IT IS SUB STAN SHALTLY CHANGED -- IT IS SUBSTANTIALLY CHANGED.
I THINK AS AMENDED IS THE EASIEST TO DO.
IF YOU CAN READ IT WITH THE NEW LANGUAGE AND WE CAN TAKE THE VOTE IDAHO --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: REQUEST APPROVAL TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTARY PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR A PRECINCT TOGETHER INC, AND/OR THE PRECINCT TOGETHER,/PRECINCT 2 EMPLOYEE CRISIS FOUND -- FUND SUBSEQUENT TO APPROVAL BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WANT TO SECOND IT --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WANT TO SECOND IT.
>> YEAH. OUR OFFICE WORKED OTD -- WORKED ON THE DOCUMENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO IT, BUT I WILL BRING IT BACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT STILL.
COMMISSIONER, -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS A SECOND.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND ON 303 IF I MIGHT, I WANT -- I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ALL DID ON IT.
IT IS HISTORIC TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY WILL DO A PROGRAM FOR ART AS STATE LAW PERMITS.
[04:00:10]
THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON HAS BEEN DOING IT FOR 40 YEARS.YOU DID A LOT OF WORK AND I APPRECIATE IT.
FOR THE RECORD I WANT TO MAKE SURE LEGAL HAS SIGNED OFF ON IT.
>> GOOD JOB. HE WAS PRETTY HAPPY BECAUSE HE THOUGHT IT WAS FALLING APART.
>> COUNTY ENGINEER JUST REMINDED ME THAT 251 IS A PUBLIC HEARING AND WE NEED TO HOLD OFF ON THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A NOTE NO PUBLIC HEARING SO LET ME MAKE SURE -- I PUT THAT BACK.
AND I WILL ASK MY STAFF TO PUT THAT BACK ON THE AGENDA AT THE END, PLEASE.
WE WILL COVER THAT AS A PUBLIC
HEARING. >> FOR ITEM 241, I KNOW IT IS JUST REQUESTING FOR A PRESENTATION, IS THAT CONSIDERED
A NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME CHECK WHICH ONE THAT IS.
THAT IS THE PORT HOUSTON PRESENTATION ON THE BILLION DOLLAR SHIPMENT CHANNEL.
AND SO WE WILL PROBABLY TAKE A BREAK.
IT WILL BE TWO HOURS AT 2:40 SO WE WILL TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AND THEN HEAR FROM MR. CAMPBELL. LET'S START TO GO DOWN THE DISCUSSION ITEM.
WE WILL LEAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION UNTIL THE END AS PER USUAL.
STARTING WITH ITEM 4 THERE WERE QUESTIONS ON THE FLEX FUND.
DO YOU HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS? SHOULD THEY JUST PRESENT ON IT?
>> WE ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THE CONSENT OR WAIT?
WE CAN. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 3 THROUGH 314 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND THO*S LISTED? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU. WE WILL GO TO ITEM 4.
>> TOM RAMSEY: MY QUESTIONS WERE WHY DO WE NEED SPECIFICALLY THIS FUND SET UP? IT APPEARS TO BE THE JUSTIFICATION AND THE BACK UP WOULD HELP US AS WE NAVIGATE THROUGH FEDERAL REVIEWS, BUT I FOUND FEDERAL REVIEWS EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT CHARGING FEDERAL REVIEW EASY DON'T WANT TO SHORT CIRCUIT ANYTHING. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE NEED FOR THIS FUND IS RIGHT NOW AND HOW MANY DOLLARS ARE GOING
INTO THE FUND. >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.
THIS FUND IS CREATED BY MOVING AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN EXPENDITURES FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO THE GRANT ACCOUNT OF ARPA. WE ASKED AND IT IS ACCEPTABLE USE OF ARPA FUNDS.
IT IS UP TO 30 MILLION AS NEEDED AND IT BE CAN BE PUT TO WORK.
THIS IS A MATTER OF USING THE RIGHT MONEY FOR THE RIGHT PROGRAMS AND THE RIGHT PROJECTS.
SO IN SHORT THIS HAS BEEN VETTED PRETTY THOROUGHLY AND IT ALLOWS US TO MOVE FASTER ON THINGS IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE FAST ON.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE TIME AND WORK YOU PUT IN ON THIS AND LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY ELSE AND I AM HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION.
>> I DO WANT TO MAKE A FOLLOW-UP COMMENT.
[04:05:01]
SORRY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU CAN MAKE THE FOLLOW-UP COMMENT, BUT AS MY TEAM WAS REVIEWING THIS THEIR COMMENT WAS DIFFERENT THAN WHAT YOU SAID, MR. BERRY. WE ARE MOVING THE FUNDS OVER BECAUSE IT IS AN IFFY FUND IN A WAY WHERE WHAT IS THE BACK UP IF WE DON'T GET THE ARPA OR THE RETURN ON THESE FUNDS AND SO TO A CERTAIN EXTENT IT IS MOVING MONEY AROUND AND WHAT IF WE DON'T GET THE EXPEPPED TOUR?
>> WE HAVEN'T DETERMINED WHICH ONES THEY ARE.
THESE ARE TPUPBGDZ THAT WE KNOW HE WILL BE ABLE TO.
WE KNOW WE ARE SPENDING MORE -- WE ARE CURRENTLY SPENDING GENERAL DOLLAR FUNDS ON ARPA ITEMS. MAJOR JURISDICTIONS ARE BEING AS TRANSPARENT AND SINKING THE MONEY INTO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND PUBLIC HEALTH EXPENSES AND DOING REVENUE REPLACEMENT IN ORDER TO HAVE THE GENERAL FUNDS THEY SPEND AND NOT TRACKING AS WE ARE DOING.
THIS IS 100% VETTED AND WE WILL NOT HAVE ISSUES RELATED TO IT.
GENERAL FUND? >> WE ARE TRANSFERRING $30 MILLION IN EXPENSES.
>> IT WOULD BE 30 MILLION IN THE GENERAL FUND.
WE ARE SEGMENTING THE SEPARATE
FUND. >> SO YOU ARE APPROPRIATING THE
IT IS LEANING TOWARD ZERO AND WE ARE JOURNAL ENTERING EXPENSES INTO ARPA AND THERE BY CREATING A
GENERAL FUND. >> ARPA IS NOT SPENT BY ITSELF.
>> THERE IS AN OPERATIONAL COMMITMENT THAT ARPA NEEDS TO FUNCTION TO UTILIZE IT.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ARE YOU CREATING A BUDGET LINE ITEM SO WE CAN ALL SEE WHAT WAS ACTUALLY SPENT ON THE UTILIZATION OF ARPA AND IMPLEMENTATION AND THE PROCESSING AND THE BUDGETING AND THE ACCOUNTING FOR ARPA.
>> FOR THIS PARTICULAR ACTION IT IS MOVING CURRENT GENERAL FUND EXPENSES TO THE ARPA FUND, TO
JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.
I WILL RELY ON MY RECOMMENDATION ON THIS ONE.
THEIR CONCERNS WERE THE MOVEMENT OF THE FUNDING.
>> I AM GOING TO MAKE AOT MION.
>>OT MIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BYCI GARA.
THATIT IS EM FOUR, F THELEX BUNKED.
ALLFA IN VOR? >> I. >> ANYOS OPPED?
>> NO. >> IIN AM FAVOR I AND APPRECIATE THE TRANSPARENCY ONIT .
MOTION CARRIES 3-2.AN DOS NOW I LTE.
MY PLAC I H HEAR WEAVEPO MR. CAM ON THE EARLYND EVERYBODY IS
TODAY. >> A CAN WE DO THREE-MINUTE
BREAK? >> IAY WANT TO P ATTENTION TO
YOU. >> IT IS 2:18 B AND WE WILLE BACKUT IN HEARING FROM MR. CAMPO AND THEN WHEN THE OTHER FOLKS GET HERE.
IT IS 2:30 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
FOLKS, WE ARE GETTING STARTED. IS THAT MR.
CAMPO ON THE LINE? >> I AM ON WEBEX.
GO AHEAD. >> I WILL BE MORE BRIEF THAN NORMAL BECAUSE IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE HUNGRY.
THERE IS A MAP I SUBMITTED OF THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL AND I CAN SHARE MY SCREEN AS WELL.
>> CAN YOU PUT IT UP, MR. CHAIRMAN?
YOU ALL THE KNOW WHERE THE SHIP CHANNEL IS.
>> MR. CAMPO, SHOULD YOU BE ABLE TO SHARE YOUR SCREEN NOW.
[04:10:03]
DOES THAT WORK?>> I CAN SEE SOME GREAT ART BEHIND YOU.
LET ME SEE. SHARE AND THEN I WILL PUT THIS GUY UP.
>> IT IS THE DREDGING SCHEDULE.
WE HAVE IT. YOU CAN SEE MY GREAT ART.
LET ME JUST START OUT AND TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE PORT.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE CONFUSED THAT PORT HOUSTON AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON.
PORT HOUSTON IS A SIMPLE ENTITY.
WE OWN AND OPERATE THE PUBLIC WORKS AND TERMINALS ALONG THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL.
THAT'S EIGHT AND THERE ARE 200.
WE ARE A SMALL PART OF THE PORT ITSELF.
WE PARTNER WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS AND THE COAST GUARD FOR OPENING AND CLOSING THAT GOES ON LIKE THAT.
THE PORT DOESN'T RUN THE CHANNEL.
IT IS RUN BY THE FEDERAL CHANNEL.
A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS AND PORT HOUSTON IS THE BIGGEST CONTAINER PORT IN THE GULF.
WE ARE RANKED NUMBER ONE IN TONAGE IN THE U.S.
IT IS THE BUSIEST WATERWAY IN THE NATION.
IF YOU TAKE L.A., LONG BEACH AND NEW YORK HARBORS COMBINED WE HAVE MORE TRANSITS IN OUR CHANNEL COMPLEX THAN ANY OTHER PORT.
WE ARE HOME TO THE LARGEST PETRO CHEMICAL COMPLEX.
AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE PORT IT IS A MAJOR ECONOMIC GENERATOR.
IT ENCOUNTERED A BILLION DOLLARS THAT SUPPORTS 3.2 MILLION JOBS NATIONALLY AND IT IS ABOUT 350 MILLION IN TEXAS AND ABOUT 1.35 MILLION JOBS IN TEXAS.
WE ARE 20% OF THE TEXAS JDP GOES THROUGH THE PORT.
YOU CAN SEE I AM WEARING A PORT SHIRT.
TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT THIS IS REALLY ABOUT JOBS.
WHAT OUR JOB IS AT THE PORT IS TO CREATE JOBS FOR THE REGION AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE 75% OF THE JOBS ARE JOBS -- [INADDABLE] THEY PROVIDE FORIS DADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.
TOIV GE YOU A SENSEF OWHAT IS GOING ON RIGHTOW N, THERE IS A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SUPPLY CHAINND A ALL THAT. IN 2021 WE 3 HIT.5 MILLION CONTAINERS THAT CAME THROUGH THE PORT R ANDOUGHLY A 15%AS INCREE OVER 2020.IN C 2022,ONTAINER BUSINESS WASUP 15% AND IT IS JUST -- I'MRR SOY.
20% T THROUGHHE END OF TOTALAS CARGO W UP 24% THROUGH THE END OF MAY.
LIKE MOST WENG ARE DEALI WITH SUPPLY CHAINNS DISRUPTIO AND DEMAND OF GOODS AND WE ARE SEEINGER THE CONTAINS SIT ON THE PORT LONGER, BUT WEFI ARE DENITELY MOVING MORE THROUGHEM THE SYST AND DOING EVERYTHINGO WE CAN THI SPEED THOSE TNGS UP.
WRAOE -- WE ARE MAKING MAJOR INVESTMENTS O INTO THE PORTN THE LANDUS SIDE.
WE JT GOT THE ARRIVAL OF THE THREE T ADDITIONAL SHIPO SHORE CRANES IN BAYPORT.T OUR LARGES CRANES EVER ARE 28 SHIP TO SHORES AND 116LL CRANESS WE.
WE EXPANDED OUR GATES TO DOUBLE THE CAPACITY.
ADDED A SATURDAY TIME TO MOVE MOREH PRODUCTS THROUGTHE CHANNEL.
WE AREOF INVESTING $1.6 BILLION PORT CAPITAL BETWEEN -- INS THE NEXT FIVE YEAR AND THAT INVOLVES EXPANDING YARDS AND THG DEEPENING AND WIDENI.
OF THE SHIP CHANNEL THE DEEPENING AND WIDENING OF THE SHIP CHANNEL IS A MAJOR PROJECT THAT STARTED IN 2014 -- ACTUALLY IT STARTED IN 2010BO WH PEOPLE TALKING AUTDE IT, AND WE ARE NOW UNR CONSTRUCTION.
AND EFFICIENCY IN THE CHANNE ON JUNE 1ST WE CELEBRATED THE DREDGING KICKOFF AND WE APPRECIATE LINA
[04:15:06]
HIDALGO ATTENDING.WE WELCOMED THE DREDGE CAROLINA WHICH IS A HYDRAULIC DREDGE AND THERE IS A REDUCTION TECHNOLOGY THAT REDUCES EMISSIONS AND RESULTS IN A 60% CLEANER THAN 2-1 CATEGORY DREDGE AND 38% CASH DASH A TIER3 DREDGE.
FROM THE -- JUST FROM THE CONTRACT FROM THE FIRST SEGMENT WE ARE SPEAKING ABOUT OUR SMALL BUSINESS AND MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES. IN THE FIRST SEGMENT WE GOT A $600 MILLION CONTRACT THROUGH THE MINORITY GROUP.
THE PROJECT JUST RECEIVED A MAJOR BOOST FROM THE U.S.
IN JANUARY WE WERE AWARDED $142 MILLION FOR THE PROJECT.
WHAT THIS DOES IS IT FUNDS ALL THE WAY THROUGH SECTION THREE WHICH IS THE BARBER'S CUT.
WHAT IS IMPORTANT ABOUT THIS IS FROM 1A THROUGH THREE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE CHANNEL.
THE SECOND PART IS THROUGH THE PORT COMMISSION MEETING.
AND WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GO THROUGH 2025.
AND IN A NORMAL SITUATION IT WOULD TAKE TO 2032 AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY WE ARE FUNDING THE PROJECT WE CAN GO FASTER AND IT IS 820 MILLION IN FUNDING.
WE HAVE 168 MILLION OF FEDERAL FUNDS AND THE REST IS BEING FUNDED BY THE PORT AND PROJECT THREE IS MORE FEDERALLY FUNDED.
TO GIVE UH QUICK DISCUSSION OF HOW WE FUNDED IT PORT HOUSTON HAS 41 MILLION OF REVENUE BONDS, AND THOSE ARE BASICALLY -- THOSE ARE TOTALLY RELATED TO THE PORTS BY THE CONTAINER BUSINESS.
NO PUBLIC SUBSIDEE RUNNING AND WE ARE USING THE INTERNATIONALLY GENERATED CASH TO FUND OUR PORTION OF THE PROJECT AND THE LAND SIDE IMPROVEMENTS THAT I MENTIONED, THE 1.6 BILLION.
THERE ARE NO PLANS TO ISSUE ANY GEO BONDS AT THIS TIME.
AND IT IS THROUGH CASH FLOW GENERATED TO THE PORT.
IT IS A GREAT TEST MEANT TO THE HISTORY OF THE PORT THAT WAS FUNDED WITH GEO BONDS AND NOW WE HAVE ENOUGH CASH FLOW THAT IS BEING GENERATED BY THE OPERATIONS AND BY THE INVESTMENTS AND MADE BY COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE TAXPAYERS OF HARRIS COUNTY THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE PAYING OFF AND WE NO LONGER HAVE TO USE TAXPAYER FUNDS TO FUND THESE PROJECTS.
TO HIT A COUPLE OF HIGH POINTS, SUSTAINABILITY, WE JUST ANNOUNCED OUR GOAL FOR -- TO BE CARBON KNEW TROLL BY 2020 AND WE ARE IMPLEMENTING PLANS TO GET THERE.
WE JUST HAD OUR FIRST ZERO EMISSION DRAINAGE TRUCK.
IT PICKED UP A CONTAINER FROM BAYPORT AND DELIVERED IT AS A TEST AND IT WENT VERY WELL.
WE HAVE 72 ON GOING PROPBLG KWREBGTS -- THAT ARE GOING ON.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL PARTNERS ON THOSE AREAS.
THE OVERALL PORT HAS REDUCED THE CARBON FOOTPRINT BY 21% AND WE ALL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO ON THIS, BUT WE ARE ON THE WAY TO THESE. A HIGH POINT ON BUSINESS EQUITY, SINCE 2020, WE ARE MORE THAN 670 MILLION TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE LAUNCHED OUR MWBE PROGRAM IN JULY OF 2021 AND WE HAVE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE ENROLLED IN THAT.
670 ARE MWBE'S AND 373 ARE WBE'S SO WE HAVE COMBINED A TOTAL FIRM 73% OF THEM ARE MWBE'S FROM JULY THROUGH MARCH WHEN WE STARTED THE PROGRAM.
AND WE HAVE ISSUED 23.8 MILLION IN FORMAL AWARDS TO THESE FOLKS.
[04:20:06]
AND GOING TO MINORITY FIRMS. IN DECEMBER WE GRADUATED THE FIRST GROUP OF 28SMWE AND AND WE HAVE 300 OTHER BUSINESSES THAT WERE INVOLVED IF THAT AS WELL.AND WE IMPLEMENTED THE DEI PROGRAM.
I KNOW YOU ARE HUNGRY SO HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS THEY ARE IN A REALLY GOOD SPOT BECAUSE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO GIVE YOU MORE INFORMATION OR HELP YOU IN ANYWAY, JUST LET US KNOW.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU.
MR. CHAIR, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AT THE PORT.
PROUD OF YOUR WORK AND PROUD OF THE COMMISSION AND ALL IT IS DOING TO ENSURE THE PORT REMAKES RELEVANT IN THIS EVER-CHANGING ECONOMY AND GLOBAL LANDSCAPE.
AND OBVIOUSLY DEEPENING AND WIDENING THE PORT IS CRITICAL TO THE LON -- TO THE LONG-TERM SUCCESS.
TO THAT END A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.
NUMBER ONE WHICH IS THE THOUGHTS ON WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE TUNNEL THAT IS UNDER THE PORT.
WILL IT POSE CHALLENGES TO THE DEEPENING AND THE WIDENING OF THE PORT? AND SECONDLY WE WILL HAVE MORE VESSELS TO DISPERSE THROUGHOUT OUR RETAIL COMMUNITY AND FACILITATING THE LOCAL, STATE AND NATIONAL ECONOMY.
THE CHALLENGES OF INFRASTRUCTURE AROUND THE PORT, I HAVE BEEN ASKING MR. TREVINO AND NOW OUR NEW ENGINEERING DIRECTOR TO VISIT WITH THE PORT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE THANKING DOWN THE LINE.
ONE THING I WOULD HATE TO SEE IS THE MEGA VESSELS ARRIVE AND BE STUCK.
BECAUSE OUR TRUCKS CAN'T GET IN FAST ENOUGH AND THEY CAN'T GET OUT FAST ENOUGH.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKES -- I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE I AM WORKING WITH YOU AS PROGRESSIVE AS WE NEED TO BE TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AROUND THE PORT AND HOW TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS NOW.
WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THE SAFE BELT WAY BRIDGE, BUT MAYBE WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT THE NEXT BRIDGE.
MAYBE IT SHOULD BE A DEDICATED FREIGHT BRIDGE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING AS FORWARD THINKING IN RELATION TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND WHAT THE PORT OUGHT TO LOOK LIKE IN 30 YEARS FROM TODAY.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PUTTING THAT IN THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND AND HAVING THE DISCUSSIONS NOW.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. FIRST ON THE TUNNEL, WE HAVE HAD PROJECT 11 AND IT DOESN'T HAVE AN IMPACT AT ALL.
WE HAD TO MOVE A LOT OF OTHER PIPELINES AND THAT'S PART OF THE PROCESS.
WRAOE DID ALL OF THE ENGINEERING AND WE KNOW -- WE DID ALL OF THE ENGINEERING AND WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE ON THAT PERSPECTIVE. OBVIOUSLY ONE OF THE BOTTLENECK THAT'S WE HAVE IS WHEN WE GET SHIPS IN AND UNLOAD, WHERE DO THE PRODUCTS GO? HOW DO THEY GET THERE? THE POINT IS WELL TAKEN.
WE HAVE A 20/40 PLAN FOR THE PORT AND THAT INCLUDES A MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION ISSUE.
AS PART OF THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL WE PARTNERED WITH A
[04:25:01]
NUMBER OF OTHER PORTS IN OUR REGION AND WE PUT FORTH A MEGA GRANT REQUEST THAT INCLUDES A -- IT INCLUDES SOME TWRAPBS -- TRANSPORTATION ISSUES INCLUDING FREIGHT.THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS WHERE THE KEY IS MOVING IT AND MAYBE HAVING THE CON -- CONCEPT BEING AN INLAND PORT WHERE YOU CAN MOVE CONTAINERS AND PRODUCTS THROUGH A SHUTTLE THAT DOESN'T INVOLVE TRUCKS AND THEN YOU GET IT TO A MORE UNCONGESTED LOCATION SO IT CAN BE DISTRIBUTED FROM THAT.
>> GOOD DEAL. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. I LIKE YOUR ENERGY.
I LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU CAN DO SOMETHING IN EIGHT YEARS WHAT MIGHT HAVE TAKEN 16 YEARS.
ALONG THOSE SAME LINES AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE GET A LOT MORE FREIGHT COMING THROUGH AND IT IS IN PARTNERSHIPS AND I HAVE SEEN STUDIES FOR THE LAST 40 YEARS AT LEAST ON HOW WE GET FREIGHT IN AND FREIGHT OUT.
UNFORTUNATELY FOLKS DRAG THEIR FEET.
YOU DON'T NEED TO SAY THAT. I CAN.
PROBABLY OUR MOST IMPORTANT PARTNER IN THIS WOULD BE TEXDOT.
DO YOU BELIEVE TEXDOT HAS A GOOD, ROBUST PLAN TO SUPPORT THE PORT IN GETTING FREIGHT PROPERLY DISTRIBUTED AS BEST WE CAN KNOWING THAT OBVIOUSLY FREIGHT SOLUTIONS ARE MUCH MORE DIFFICULT THAN EXISTING ROADWAY SOLUTIONS?
>> I THINK WE DO HAVE A GOOD REGIONAL PLAN, ABSOLUTELY.
TEXDOT IS PART OF THE PLAN AND THEY DO A GOOD JOB WITH THE GALVESTON GROUP.
YOU KNOW, THAT -- WE ARE LOOKING AT LONG-TERM PLANS.
SOME OF THE PROPOSALS LIKE THE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PLAN WHICH IS VERY CONTROVERSIAL HELPS IMPROVE TRANSIT SOME, BUT ULTIMATELY THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS MONEY.
HOW DO WE FUND A FREIGHT SHUTTLE AND HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THE ROADS ARE MAINTAINED AND PUT IN THE RIGHT POSITIONS? I THINK THEY ARE DOING A REASONABLY GOOD JOB.
WE NEED TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX.
WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT INLAND PORTS.
WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO MOVE THINGS WITHOUT BEING ON THE ROAD.
THE FREIGHT SHUTTLE I MENTIONED IS A VERY INNOVATIVE PROJECT THAT BASICALLY TAKES -- THINK ABOUT LIKE A TRAIN SYSTEM THAT TAKES THE CONTAINERS AND PUTS THEM ON A SEPARATE TRACK THAT GOES SOMEWHERE.
THE OTHER THING THAT WOO BE HELPFUL IN THIS AREA IS RAIL.
99% OF OUR CONSUMER PRODUCTS GO OUT ON TRUCK.
RAIL HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WHERE WE THINK LONGER AND HARDER ON HOW WE USE INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORK WITH THE RAIL COMPANIES TO GET THAT DONE.
TO DALLAS THAN HOUSTON TO DALLAS.
WE HAVE BEEN GETTING MORE ASIAN BUSINESS IN HOUSTON AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET MORE ASIAN BUSINESS IN HOUSTON WHICH WILL FORCE PEOPLE'S HANDS TO TRY TO USE THE RAIL MORE EFFECTIVELY.
I THINK TEXDOT IS DOING A GOOD JOB AND OUR REGIONAL PLANNERS ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.
THAT'S LIKE SAYING WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN A GOOD JOB.
WE NEED A LOT MORE CAPACITY TO ENHANCE THE ABILITY TO MOVE
THINGS THROUGH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR JOINING US AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE.
I MENTIONED THIS THE DAY THE WORK STARTED AND IT WAS A VERY JOYOUS EVENT WITH GOOD REASON.
THAT'S BEEN DUE TOOU YR LEADERSHIP AND WE ARE SORO PUD OF IT.
[04:30:05]
SO TO BE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTIONPO IS IMRTANT.AND TOAI MAINTN THETI COMPETIVE EDGE, THES POINTOF PRIDE THAT YOUED MENTION AS FAR AS THESI BUESTY WATERWAAND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT AND THE JOBS AND SO MUCH MORE.
I WANTD TO COMMENYOU TO THERO ENVINMENTAL IMPACT.
YOU KNOW, ONE THING THAT THE CHAIRMANVE DIDN'T COR, BUT THEYI EXPLNED IT TO ME THAT DAY IS THEY COULDN'TA HAVE FOUND R CLEANEDREDGE.S THAT ITHE CLEANEST ONEBL AVAILAE.
AND IF THEY HAD A CLEANER ONELD THEY WOU HAVE GOTTEN THATPP ONE.
I OW THAT THE WORK YOU GUYS DO IS IMPORTANT IN TERMS OFR LEADG OUCOMMITMENT TONM THE ENVIROENT AND TAKING THAT SERIOUS LIE.
POSSIBLE.S:S SOON AS >> RODNEY ELLI I WASOT LOOKING FOR MY NE CARD.
I SNOW YOU -- I KNOW YOU SENT ML A PICTURE AND I AMOOKING FOR.
IT YOU HAVE AN AN INCREDIBLE LEADER.
I REMEMB THE DISPARITY STUDY WAS ONE OF THOSE I WROTE ON THE NOTE CARD.
COMMISSIONER. >> SEND THAT TO ME AGAIN.
I WAS LOOKING FOR THAT. >> I WILL.
>> WHAT DID THE FIRST ONE SAY?
DO YOU REMEMBER? >> I THINK THE FIRST ONE WAS NOTICE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SOMETHING LIKE DON'T GO CRAZY?
>> OH THAT WAS THE FOURTH ONE, DON'T GO CRAZY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE DONE EVERYTHING WE OPENED YOU WOULD DO.
YOU HAVE GONE ABOVE ANYBODY'S EXPECTATIONS IT WILL GO DOWN IN THE HISTORY OF THE REGION.
IN MY JUDGMENT, RIGHT UP THERE WITH JESSE JONES IS BIG STUFF.
AND IT IS A BIG JOB. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. AND WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM AND THE COMMISSIONERS I WORK WITH, THEY WORK VERY HARD AND IT IS NOT JUST ME, BUT THE TEAM FOR SURE.
>> THANK YOU AND TO YOUR TEAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ON THAT POINT, THE PLAN WAS TO TAKE LUNCH RIGHT AFTER THIS.
SHOULD WE TAKE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE DO A QUICK ONE? I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP GOING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MEET IN THE MIDDLE.
THANK YOU. >>> IT IS 3:42 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN
[Departments (Part 7 of 7)]
>> YEAH. LET THE RECORD REFLECT I WAS HERE ON TIME.
SEVERAL OF US WERE. I WAS DEFINITELY HERE FOR
ONCE. >> WE JUST RESTARTED, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
WE ARE GOING TO ITEM 10 AND ITEM
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ITEM - SEN- 10 IS THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROPOSAL.AS WE KNOW EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS HAVE THE HIGHEST RETURN ANNY TYPE OF PROGRAM WE'VE ALSO LEARNED THAT HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES AREY SEVERELY LACKING SUPPORT WHEN IT COMES TO EARLY CHILDHOOD.
ABOUT 105,000 HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN AGES 0 TO 3 WORKING PARENTS LIVE IN A QUALITY CHILDCARE DESERT IN WHICH THERE ARE FEW OR NO AFFORDABLE OPTIONS FOR QUALITY CHILDCARE IN THEIR AREA. WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON VARIOUS PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT CHILDREN AND TO SUPPORT YOUTH.
[04:35:04]
BUT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE STEP IT USES ARPA DOLLARS TO CREATE THE 1,000 SLOTS AND THAT ISSE A 10% INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF HIGH QUALITY CHILDCARE SLOTS.IT'LL OPEN AROUND A THOUSAND SLOTS OVER THREE YEARS FOR CHILDREN 0 TO 3 AND THE SPECIFIC ITEM ALLOWS FOR THAT TO GO FORWARD AND IT ALLOWS THE RFP FOR TWO ENTITIES AND OCA AND PURCHASING COUNTY ATTORNEY, YOU HAVE TO CORRECT ME IF I GET ANY OF THIS WRONG.
BUT BASICALLY ITS TWO RFP'S. ONE IS FOR THE ENTITY THAT WOUD GO AND IDENTIFY WHICH CHILD CARE CENTER WOULD GET FUNDING AND THE OTHER WOULD FIND THE FAMILIES AND HELP CONNECT THE FAMILIES WITH THE CHILD CARE SLOTS.
HARD ON THIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.ED >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM EXCITED AND I AM HONORED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM AND SIMPLY TO SAY THAT THIS WILL CREATE SO MANY LIFE-CHANGING -- POSITIVE LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SO MANY BABIES IN OUR COUNTY.
I AM HOPEFUL THAT PRECINCT 2 CHILDCARE FACILITIES ARE CONSIDERING THIS.
I WILL BE OUT THERE TALKING ABOUT THIS AND ENCOURAGING SO MANY.
WE HAVE SO MANY CHILD CARE DESERTS IN THE PRECINCT.
I AM VERY PROUD OF THE LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
YES, THEY FOCUSED ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
WE HAVE DONE AND YOU HAVE DONE SO MUCH IN THE SHORT-TIME IN THIS COUNTY.
THE DATA, IF YOU JUST FOLLOW ALL OF THE SCIENCE AND RESPECTIVE OF WHAT YEAR YOU LOOK AT THE RESEARCH, THE REASEARCH IS CONSISTENT.
YOU GET BABIES QUALITY CHILD CARE, QUALITY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND THEY BECOME PHENOMENAL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY BECOME CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS , POSITIVE CONTRIBUTING MEMBERS TO SOCIETY.
THEY DO NOT COME IN CONTACT WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
THEY DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN COMMUNITY VIOLENCE.
THEY GO ON TO HAVE COLLEGIATE CAREERS.
THEY GO ON TO BE HIGH-PERFORMING MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.
AND I WILL TELL YOU AS I HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE GRAD CAFE AND PROJECT GRAD, THE REASON I FOUGHT FOR THOSE WAS BECAUSE I WAS A YOUNG POLICEMAN, I JUST STARTED MY POLICE CAREER AND I WAS STANDING ON DR.
KLEINBURG'S ENVISIONING HOUSTON SESSION AND HE HAD ALREADY PREDICTED THAT IF WE DO NOT INVEST -- HE DIDN'T SAY IF SCHOOL DISTRICTS.
HE SIMPLY SAID IF WE DO NOT INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THAT THE PICTURE WOULD WOULD BE BLEAK FOR HOUSTON AND THE TALENT WOULD HAVE TO BE IMPORTED AND THOSE TWO POINTS DID NOT SIT WELL WITH ME.
IT MOTIVATED ME AND MAYBE I WASN'T THE BEST PERSON TO DO IT, BUT I BECAME AN AFTER SCHOOL TUTOR AT MY MIDDLE SCHOOL AND MY OLD HIGH SCHOOL. AND THEN IT WAS JIM KELSO WHO WAS PRESIDENT OF TENTICAL AT THE TIME AND HE LOOKED AT THE DATA OF MY HIGH SCHOOL. THE HIGH SCHOOL WAS JEFF DAVIS AT THE TIME.
JEFF DAVIS HAD ABOUT A 2500 FRESHMAN CLASS.
THE SENIOR CLASS WAS GRADUATING ABOUT 100 OR LESS.
[04:40:01]
HE BEGAN THE TENTICAL PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AND PEOPLE LIKE MY NEPHEWS PARTICIPATED IN IT AND IF NOT FOR THAT, THERE IS PROBABLY LITTLE DOUBT THAT THEY WOULD HAVE DONE WELL BECAUSE OF THEIR PARENTS, BUT IF NOT FOR THAT THEY PROBABLY WOULD NOT BE IN THE ROLES THEY ARE AT TODAY.THIS IS WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS ITEM, JUDGE.
I AM EXCITED AND PROUD AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AS WELL.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I TOO AM PROUD TO SUPPORT IT.
I WAS A LATCHKEY KID AT A TIME WHEN A LOT OF KIDS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD DIDN'T MAKE IT.
YOU CAN PROBABLY TELL, THEY DIDN'T SAY IT WAS MISCHIEVOUS, BUT MY DAD WAS AN ORDERLY.
SOMETIMES THEY SAY A NURSE'S AID, BUT HE WAS AN ORDERLY.
OUR HEALTHCARE WAS, SINCE WE DIDN'T HAVE INSURANCE, YOU CAN SEE A DOCTOR ON THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT AND GIVE HIM THE BOOTLEG HEALTH INSURANCE. I I REMEMBER THEY PUT ME ON RITALIN AND INSTEAD OF IT SLOWING ME DOWN IT WOULD SPEED ME UP.
THEY WOULD SAY MAYBE THEY NEED TO PUT HIM IN A CERTAIN CLASS AND SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH HYMN.
I -- WRONG WITH HIM. I WAS LUCKY.
IT IS A FIRST STEP IN TRYING TO HELP PEOPLE HAVE A BETTER LIFE.
I KNOW AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL THE CCDBG IS THE BIGGEST FEDERAL FUNDING SOURCE FOR CHILD CARE AND ON THE STATE LEVEL WE DO VERY LITTLE AND THERE IS A TREMENDOUS NEED OUT THERE AND FOR PEOPLE SERIOUS ENOUGH TO FIGHT CRIME FOR NEIGHBORHOODS OTHER THAN THEIR NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY SUBSIDIZE A LOT OF PROGRAMS ON THE NEXT YOU WERE AGAINST AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IT IS CONCENTRATED IN A DIFFERENT AREA.
IT WON'T ALWAYS BE LUCK BECAUSE SOMEONE SLIPPED THROUGH CRACKS AND DIDN'T GET THE DAYCARE.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE ARE 25 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THERE IS A HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION.
WE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE A JAIL OVERPOPULATED AND EXPORTING PEOPLE TO LOUISIANA.
WE HAVE ISSUES WITH REGARD TO OUR CONSTABLES AND OUR SHERIFFS WHO WE, ARE AS A BODY, ON A 3-2 VOTE, DENIED 82% OF THEIR REQUESTED FUNDING TO FIGHT A CRIME PANDEMIC.
THE PRESS CONFERENCES AND THE OTHER THINGS WE MENTIONED UP TO $48 MILLION WILL GO TO THE EARLY I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUES THAT BECAUSE WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CRIMEDEMIC WE ARE IN WE TAKE IT UP TO $48 MILLION AND CONSIDER PUTTING IT IN THE CURRENT CRISIS OF PROTECTING OUR CITIZENS AS THEY EXIST TODAY.
I THINK THIS IS, A, A PROGRAM THAT WE ARE STEPPING INTO SOMEONE ELSE'S JOB TO DO.
AND B, IF WE HAVE THESE KINDS OF FUNDS, WE SHOULD INVEST IN THEM WHERE OUR CURRENT CRISIS SITS.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND QUICKLY, JUDGE, I WANT TO TAKE EXCEPTION, WE DIDN'T DENY.
WE BUDGETED. WE BUDGED REQUEST -- WE BUDGEDDED WITH RESOURCES WE HAD AVAILABLE.
WE BUDGETED WITH WHAT WAS AVAILABLE.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I CONSIDER THIS AND THE PRIORITIES AND I CAN TALK ABOUT GROWING UP IN A SMALL
[04:45:02]
TOWN WITH FEW RESOURCES AND I DIDN'T KNOW ANY RICH PEOPLE.I REMEMBER THE ROLE OF COMMUNITY ENTITIES.
THEY COULD BE CHURCHES AND THEY COULD BE OTHER KINDS OF FOLKS THAT REALLY YOU GRASP THESE KINDS OF ISSUES BY THE HORNS AND DEALT WITH IT. I WOULD THINK THERE IS PROBABLY A LOT OF OTHER ENTITY THAT'S WOULD DO A MUCH BETTER JOB WITH THIS THAN WE WOULD.
NEED TO DO BOTH. >> I'M GLAD YOU SAID THAT.
IT IS ABSOLUTELY TRUE THAT WE HAVE HISTORICALLY PUT MORE MONEY IN PRISONS.
WE HAVE PLANNED OUR PRISON SPACE WITH A VIRTUE OF THIRD GRADE READING LEVEL.
MOST OF THE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE PLANNED TO HAVE A SPACE IN THE FACILITIES LOOK LIKE RODNEY AND I.
THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN BY MISTAKE.
AS A CAVEAT AND BECAUSE WE RECOGNIZE THE ANNIVERSARY OF DACA, I ASK THAT IN THE PROCESS OF THIS WE HAVE CULTURALLY COMPETENT APPROACHES AND MY OLDER BROTHERS AND SISTERS WOULD REMIND ME THAT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SPEAK ENGLISH WHEN THEY STARTED HERE, THAT MANY PEOPLE WERE PUT IN -- NOT DETENTION, BUT LOWER GRADE CLASSES OR IN SPECIAL EDUCATION.
>> YES. >> I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THINK THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION AND CONGRESS VOTED TO GET THIS FUNDING.
I HOPE PEOPLE SUPPORT THE PROGRAM AND THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION FOR SENDING
IT HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO GIVE THE ADMINISTRATION A BIG THANK YOU AND THE PURCHASING AGENT WILL BE ADMINISTERING THIS AND I'M SURE THEY HEARD COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S NOTE -- OR DWIGHT LET US KNOW AS FAR AS BEING
CULTURALLY COMPETENT. >> MOVE ON THE ITEM.
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> NO. >> I AM IN FAVOR AND I JUST THINK OF THIS 1,000 SLOTS AND ALL OF THE LITTLE BOYS AND TKPWEURLGS -- GIRLS WHO WILL WILL BESET UP FOR A BETTER LIFE BECAUSE OF THIS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THE NEXT ITEM -- THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 11 ON COVID.
WE HAVE ONE INDICATOR THAT IS AT RED AND THAT IS CASES.
HOSPITAL USAGE IS ACTUALLY AT GREEN.
AND SO THIS IS LOOKING VERY, VERY PROMISING.
AND WE ARE WAITING TO SEE AT WHAT POINT WE ARE OFFICIALLY IN AN ANDEMIC.
IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE HEADED IN THAT DIRECTION AND WE WILL STAY
WATCHFUL. >> CLARIFICATION, WE ARE STILL
IN YELLOW? >> WE ARE STILL IN YELLOW BECAUSE THE CASES ARE STILL IN RED AND THE OTHER TWO ARE IN ORANGE, BUT THE HOSPITAL USAGE HAS GONE BACK TO GREEN.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN RELATION TO THE HOSPITAL, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF DR.
[04:50:09]
POUR -- DR. PORSA IS AVAILABLE IF THE FUTURE LOOKS BETTER, I WANT TO -- AS A FUTURE LOOKS BETTER I WANT TO HAVE A QUICK DISCUSSION ON MONKEYPOX.OBVIOUSLY IT IS CATCHING EVERYBODY'S ATTENTION.
THE PICTURES OF IT, YOU KNOW, CAN BRING CONCERN TO FOLKS.
IN MY DISCUSSIONS REQUEST -- IN MY DISCUSSIONS WITH DR.
PORSA, HE HAS A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.
AT SOME POINT WE WILL GET SOME POSITIVE CASE AND I WANT TO JUST TALK ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THAT CIRCUMSTANCE IS COMPARATIVE TO COVID-19 OR NOT.
>> CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS UNDER
THIS ITEM, JAY? >> DO YOU MEAN TO DISCUSS
MONKEYPOX? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
>> IEA MN, WE AREIM LITED TO COVID.
>> LINA HIDALGO: [INAUDIBLE] THEY WERE WATCHINGHE AND TRE WAS A CONVERSATION WITHSL MARK OAN.
JUST KNOW THAT PEOPLE AREWA TCHING AND I THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANTSS DISCUION, COMMISSIONER.
>>RR IT OCCUED TO ME A THAT WERE CURRENTLY TWONT YEARS IO COVID-19 WORLD.AV WE HE VACCINES H.
WEAVE VACCINE EXPERIENCE AND WETE HAVE, QUO,MA UNQUOTE, SKING EXPERIENCE.AV WE HE ALL OF THESE EXPERIENCES AND THERE IS HARD DATA INT SUPPOROF A LOT OF THINGS. MUCH THERICS ARE PTTY SAME.
I WOULDRI THINK THE METCS AREAT DIFFERENT THIS POINTUL AND WE WODN'T BESA LOOKING AT THE ME U METRICS WESED 10 YEARS AGO. AND THOSE METRICS WERE PUT IN PLACE WITHOUT KNOWING A WHOLE LOT.T WE KNOW A LONOW ANDVE FOR US TO MO TOWARDWE NOVEMBER AND SAY ARE GOING FROM ORANGE TO RED, I THINKHE WE SHOULD LOOK AT T METRICSE AND FOLLOW THE SCIENCAT AND FOLLOW THE DA. OF DATA OUT THERE
THAT WE MIGHT PAY ATTENTION TO.C >> LINA HIDALGO:OMMISSIONER, WE HAVE UPDATED THE THREAT LEVEE FRAMEWORK SEVERAL TIS BASED ON THE DISCUSSION AND SO FAR IT DOESN'T HAVE US AT RED AND DOESN'T HAVE US AT ORANGE.
IT HAS US AT CAUTIOUSLY OPTIMISTIC.
ITEM 12, DISCUSSION ON BALLOT INITIATIVES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.U,
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YO JUDGE.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS AND I WANTED TO THANK MR. BERRY'S OFFICE FORGETTING IT ON THE AGENDA.
I MADE A MOTION AND I DON'T REMEMBER HOW FAR BACK, BUT IT WAS TO START THE PLANNING PROCESS ON WHETHER WE COULD SEEK AND IF IT WOULD BE VISIBLE TO SEEK ANOTHER YOU BOND AND HOW WOULD WE 3406 -- MOVE FORWARD.
MY CONSTITUENTS ARE NEEDING IMPROVEMENTS AND WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF ROAD BOND MONEY.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY FOCUSED.
I JUST WANT TO ASK MR. BERRY OR MR. RAMOS, WHERE ARE WE ON ANOTHER BOND ELECTION? I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PROJECTION FOR DEBT SERVICE WILL BE.
WHAT WILL WE BE PAYING FOR IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND WHAT THE TAX RATE WOULD BE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN THE DEBT SERVICE FOR WHATEVER THE BOND MAY BE, AND THEB -- AND
[04:55:09]
THEN RECOGNIZE THAT OUR COUNTY IS GROWING.AS WE HAVE BEEN HEARING, THE PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS.
THE HARVEY BOND WAS PUT ON AN AUGUST BALLOT.
WHY NOT PUT IT NEXT TO THE NAME OF THE PEOPLE SUPPORTING IT? IS THAT BY DESIGN? CAN WE PUT IT ON A -- IF WE'RE IN TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT, CAN WE DO THAT? IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH THAT AND WHAT THE IMPACTS TO OUR PORTFOLIO -- THE FINANCIAL
AND I WILL START WITH THE TIMING AND SOME OF THE POTENTIAL AREAS OF INVESTMENTS WE HAVE OUTLINED AND I WILL LET DIRECTOR RAMOS WALK THROUGH THE BOND CAPACITY THAT YOU MIGHT HAVE.
THERE ARE NUMEROUS THINGS AND IT CAN'T JUST ISSUE WITHOUT APPROVAL.
IF COURT WANTED TO MAXIMIZE TURNOUT THAT WOULD BE THE ELECTION TO HAVE IT.
THE STATUTE OUTS ARE SPECIFIC ABOUT WHEN THE COURT WOULD NEED TO ADOPT AN ORDER TO DO THAT.
THERE IS A NARROW WINDOW BETWEEN AUGUST 10TH AND THE 22ND WHICH IS TO UH -- TO ADOPT THE ORDER.
THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM ONLY.
WE DO NEED TO GET MOVING IF THIS IS SOMETHING COURT WANTS TO PURSUE.
I THINK WE HAVE SOME OF THE INITIAL BUILDING BLOCKS SHOULD COURT WANT TO PUT A PACKAGE HERE.
WE DON'T NEED EVERY PROJECT SPELLED OUT.
WE OUTLINED FOUR POTENTIAL CATEGORIES THAT WE WILL GO THROUGH BRIEFLY.
WE ARE MAKING LARGE CAPITAL INVESTMENTS THAT IN MANY CASES DON'T HAVE TO BE VOTED.
WE ARE GETTING THE FLEET ON CIV AND RENOVATIONS TO THE JAIL.
I WAS SPEAKING WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ ABOUT THIS AND COULD WE BUILD A SWIFT BOAT TRAINING FACILITY TO ENHANCE THE PREPAREDNESS? I THINK WE ARE ALL INTERESTED IF MORE JUDICIAL FACILITIES.
WE ALL LEARNED A LESSON AFTER HARVEY.
THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS THAT WITH EXTRA CAPACITY WE COULD BUILD ON.
THERE HAS BEEN AN UP TICK IN CAPITAL AND WE ALSO HAVE A PROGRAM SCHEDULED FOR 2023 AND 2024.
SO CAPACITY TO BUILD ON THAT AND KEEP IT MOVING.
IT WOULD BE PROEP PREP TO -- IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO SEEK THIS YEAR OR THE FOLLOWING YEAR.
AND I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH THE COUNTY'S VISION ZERO PROGRAM AND WE ARE AT THE TOP FOR FATALITIES.
EVEN IF WE LEVERAGE IT TO $5 BILLION WITH TWO AND A HALF BILLION OF OTHER PEOPLE'S MONEY IT IS A FRACTION OF WHAT WE NEED. 75% OF THE AUTHORITY WE HAVE HAS NOT BEEN INCOME BETTERED OR SPENT.
WHAT THIS COURT WILL HAVE TO WEIGH IS WHAT IS THE RIGHT TIMING? DO WE WANT TO GET THE BOND PRODUCTS DONE? YOU CAN BRIEFLY HEAR FROM DIRECTOR RAMOS ON THE FINANCIAL QUESTIONS AND THEN WE WOULD LIKE
[05:00:03]
SOME GUIDANCE. >> AND WHAT WOULD BE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE BOND LEVEL PURSUIT.
I KNOW MY OFFICE DIDN'T GIVE THAT NUMBER SO YOUR THOUGHTS
ON THAT. >> IN TERMS OF CAPACITY AND IMPACT ON THE CREDIT, IT WAS BLESSED TO HAVE ONE OF THE BEST FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND ONE OF THE HIGHEST CREDIT RATING THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
IT IS NOT JUST IN THE COUNTY, BUT IN THE REGION AND STRONG ASSETS.
WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE COULD GO TO MARKET AND IF YOU SAW THE DIFFERENT REVENUE SOURCE, BUT OUR FOLKS WERE ABLE TO SAVE $41 MILLION.
WE HAVE EXPERIENCED UNDERWRITERS THAT ARE ABLE TO GIVE US THE BEST DEAL POSSIBLE.
WE HAVE SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY PAYING DOWN.
WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICES START TO SPEND THAT DOWN RAPIDLY.
WE ARE GOING TO MARKET FOR ABOUT $190 MILLION AND THAT INCLUDES A SUBDIVISION BECAUSE WE HAVE SEEN THE BILLS PICK UP AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY AHEAD.
I DO WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE DEBT MODEL.
WE ARE SEEING OUR DEBT PAYMENT GOING DOWN.
WITH THE TAX RATE YOU ARE SEEING THE DEBT TAX RATE CONTINUE TO BE AN OVER ALL SMALL TAX RATE.
WE ARE PROJECTED TO SPEND $80 MILLION IN DEBT SERVICE.
WHEN WE GET TO 2025, IT GOES DOWN TO $66 MILLION.
BY 2029 IT IS DOWN TO 32 MILLION.
WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO KEEP IT BUDGET NEUTRAL WHILE CONTINUING TO INVEST.
I DO WANT TO FLAG THAT THE COUNTY'S CREDIT RATING IS AN ASSET.
AND WHILE WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO BORROW CHEAPLY THAT WE SHOULD IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR RESIDENTS.
>> IN TERMS OF THE PROJECTS -- THE POTENTIAL SCOPE OF PROJECTS WOULD YOU HAVE AN INFLATION DAHL KHRAEUTER -- AN INFLATION CALCULATOR TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T SAY ONE THING TODAY AND THEN SAY, OOPS, WE DIDN'T CALCULATE FOR INFLATION AND WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE POTENTIALLY SOME PROJECTS OFF THE TABLE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. AND THERE ARE MANY GREAT THINGS ABOUT THE 2018 FLOOD BOND.
ONE LESSON I TOOK AWAY IS PROVIDING MORE FOR PROJECT COSTS IF COSTS GO DOWN YOU CAN DELIVER
AND THEN IF COSTS GO UP -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> GOING THROUGH THE NUMBERS AND HAVING HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH THE COUNTIES AND BEING ASKED TO BE THE PERSON WHO YOU NEED TO INFORM WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
YOU REALLY DO NEED IN A TWRAPBS -- IN A TRANSPARENT WAY THAT YOU HIT ALL OF THE RIGHT POINTS.
EACH PRECINCT HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK AND NEEDS.
I KNOW MY PRECINCT HAS 250 MILLION.
SO I AM SITTING HERE KNOWING WE HAVE TO GET THINGS DONE AND I UNFORTUNATELY KNOW WHAT IT TAKES TO PROPERLY COMMUNICATE ON WHAT THAT WILL BE.
WE WANT A UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ON THIS BODY AS COMMUNICATED AND ILLUSTRATED WITH THE
[05:05:04]
2018 BOND.AND SO WHEN YOU TELL ME FOR A TPH-F -- FOR A NOVEMBER ELECTION WE NEED TO CALL THE ELECTION IN AUGUST, I AM LOOKING AT MY WATCH AND SAYING, IF WE ARE GOING TO DO SOMETHING IN NOVEMBER, THEN WE WILL HAVE TO -- WE ARE GONNA HAVE TO GET BUSY IN THE NEXT MONTH.
I DON'T THINK THAT IS REALISTIC TO DO A BOND ISSUE IN 2022.
IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE HAD THIS CONVERSATION A YEAR AGO.
AND YOU HAVE A FEW MONTHS TO COMMUNICATE TO THE FOLKS AND SET UP THE GOOD DIALOGUE OUT THERE.
WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHEN YOU MIGHT DO IT, WE NEED A BOND ISSUE.
THE SOONER WE CAN DO IT, THE BETTER.
THE SOONER WE CAN DO THIS KIND OF THING BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IS 2023 AT THE EARLIEST.
>> I WOULD SAY IF THE ELECTION WERE IN AUGUST I WOULD AGREE.
I THINK IT IS POSSIBLE TO SET THE PARAMETERS AND THE DOLLAR AMOUNTS AND THE PROGRAMS AND DO FURTHER WORK ON SPECIFIC PROJECTS WITH A LOT OF COMMUNITY OUT REACH. I THINK THAT IS A GOOD AMOUNT OF TIME TO DO THAT WORK.
WE WILL TAKE THE GUIDANCE ON THIS.
WE DID OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WE KNOW WHAT OUR NEEDS ARE AND SO IF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING TO GO AND HAVE THE PRONG SKWREBGTS DEFINED -- PROJECTS DEFINED.
HOW DO WE SEE THIS BOND ELECTION WITH THE IDEA OF PROTECTING THE
TAXPAYER. >> I WOULD ASK MR. BERRY TO HELP ME OUT HERE IF I GET IT WRONG.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS AT THE VOTER APPROVED RATE, THE DEBT SERVICE IS BUILT INTO THE TAX RATE.
AND SO THAT WOULD REQUIRE US AND I WILL HAVE MORE INFORMATION IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ON THE PHYSICIAN WALL OUTLOOK FOR FISCAL YEAR3, 2 BUT I WOULDAV HE CONCERNS AT THEO NNEWEV RENUE RATE.
ONE AT AON BILLI DOLLARS, WHAT
?OULDME THAT AN TO THE AVERAGE >>RA THE AVEGEE TAX RATWOULD GO
WHAT ISF THE PRICE OTHE AVERAGE C HOME IN THEOUNTY? OF ME.
PER YEAR. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON THEE COURT THERWAS A BOND ISSUE AND THIS IS H MORE TIME THAN WEAD FOR THAT ONE.E SINCE THERE ARA FEW LEFT,Y I FELT STRONGLTHATTO THE BEST TIME GO AND ASK PEOPLE TO VOTEMB AND THE LARGEST NUEROW OF PEOPLE WOULD SH UP.
MY ASSUMPTION WAS BASED ON THE FOLKS WHO WOULD VOTE ON A BOND ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I DIDN'T REPRESENT IT, BUT I DID CHECK THEWA NUMBERS.
[05:10:06]
A LOT OF THAT S BASEDHO ON MY EXPERIENCE FROM SCOL BOND ISSUES AND IT WAS IN THE CITY THERE ARE A NUMBER OF REASONS WHY THAT I WON'T ANALYZE.IT HAS BEEN OUTSIDE THE REGION AROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY.
SO THE HISTORY HERE WAS 2001 FOR A REGULAR COUNTY BOND ISSUE AND 2007 TO 2015.
I WOULD INDICATE THAT THIS IS ABOUT THE TIME.
MY GUESS IS THIS IS PROBABLY MORE TIME -- THEY PROBABLY DIDN'T DISCUSS IT IN PUBLIC THIS EARLY.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE THESE BOND ISSUES ON A UNIFORM ELECTION DAY OR YOU HAVE AN ISSUE.
HARVEY 2018 WE PAID A MILLION DOLLARS AND GOT PERMISSION TO HAVE THE ELECTION IN OFFICE.
MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME, CACTUS.
I CANNOT REMEMBER, BUT JULY IS IN MY MIND, BUT I THINK IT WAS JUNE.
IT WAS A HOLIDAY, JUNETEENTH OR FOURTH OF JULY.
THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCUSSION AND THERE WERE SIDEBAR CONVERSATIONS.
SOMEBODY GOT IT AS HIGH AS A BILLION DOLLARS.
I ASSUMED THAT THE JUDGE'S OFFICE AT THE TIME WAS POLAND.
MY SENSE WAS IT WAS 2.5 BILLION.
IT MUST HAVE SCARED SOMEBODY AND IT WENT DOWN TWO BILLION.
THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED MY EBG -- EQUITY ARGUMENT.
MY POINT IS IT WAS MORE TIME THAN HARVEY. I THINK, I AM NOT SURE, BUT IT IS MORE TIME YOU COULD ASK YOUR PREDECESSOR.
I THINK THERE IS MORE NOTICE THAN THEY HAD TO PAY US.
SOMEBODY WAS TALKING ABOUT 10 BILLION AND LOOKING BACK I SHOULD HAVE MADE THE MOTION.
DESPITE MY REPUTATION I DIDN'T WANT TO BE UGLY.
A MILLION DOLLARS, GET PERMISSION FROM THE GOVERNOR.
MY GUESS IS WE NEVER GET PERMISSION AND THEN THERE ARE THOSE THAT CRITICIZE SPENDING A MILLION DOLLARS.
I THINK WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF IN NOVEMBER.
THAT'S FROM THE ONE CONVERSATION I WAS INCLINED TO VOTE NO.
YOUR PREDECESSOR ASKED ME IN A RARE MOMENT OF NICE -- MICETIES AND THAT'S WHAT HE STARTED -- NICETIES.
HE ASKED ME AT THIS TABLE TO SWITCH MY VOTE.
HE ASKED ME TO SWITCH MY VOTE.
YOU KNOW, I KIND OF THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND THOUGHT WHAT WAS MY VOTE? I SWITCHED MY VOTE AT THE TABLE AND VOTED YES.
FOR THIS TO HAPPEN WOULD NEED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.
PARTICULARLY A REGULAR ELECTION DAY.
IN ADDITION PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES THIS IS ON ACCOUNT TO THE MARGINS AND TRANSPORTATION AND IT IS MORE THAN A RESOLUTION WHICH IS WHAT IT IS IN MOST PLACES.
IT IS A RESOLUTION. WE HAVE TO HAVE MONEY TO DO IT.
PARKS, CONNECTIVITY, IT IS ALL IMPORTANT.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I AM GLAD THAT YOU BROUGHT IT UP.
I AM NOT GOING TO LEAVE YOU OUT THERE BY YOURSELF.
YOU KNOW PEOPLE IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR A LONGTIME.
[05:15:06]
I WOULD LIKE TO GO BIG.YOU AND I ARE THE SENIOR ONES IN TERMS OF AGE.
I DON'T WANT TO KEEP KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.
I THINK AFFORDABLE HOUSING IS AN ISSUE.
IT IS COMPLICATED BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME TOOLS -- SOME HOOPS.
IT IS GROWING AND BURSTING AT THE SEEMS. I DON'T THINK THE GOOD LORD INTENDED TO HAVE FIVE MILLION PEOPLE SITTING HERE THIS CLOSE TO SEA LEVEL, BUT WE'RE HERE, BUT WE ARE SPREAD OUT.
EVEN OVER RICE PATTIES AND OVER MARSH LAND.
HOW THAT IS DONE, I DON'T KNOW.
THE COURT AGREED TO TWO THINGS.
AND THEY AGREED TO EQUITY GUIDELINES WHATEVER THAT MEANT.
I DID IT NOT TO TRY TO DEFINE IT AND THEN MESSED IT UP.
I KNOW IT IS TIME BASED ON 2001, 2007 AND 2015.
THIS IS ABOUT THAT TIME AND IT MEANS IF THERE ARE THREE OR FIVE VOTES OR FOUR HOPEFULLY AND SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE BALLOT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IT IS, MY SESSION IS TO ASK THEM TO FLUSH SOMETHING OUT THAT GETS US A COUPLE MEETINGS.
IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH TO DO AN EXTRA MEETING OR TWO TO FLUSH IT OUT.
WE HAVE NOT RAISED FLOOD CONTROL 'S BUDGET BY A DIME, I DON'T THINK.
IF NOT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I APPLAUD YOU FORGETTING OUT THERE.
I WILL GET OUT THERE WITH YOU.
IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT, THAT'S OKAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THE EXAMPLE OF HARVEY, IT IS PRETTY UNIQUE.
I WAS IN THE COMMUNITY AT THE TIME.
I THOUGHT YOU WERE BRILLIANT, MAYBE YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT.
BUT CALLING FOR IT ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF HARVEY, WAS BRILLIANT.
THEY RALLIED AROUND A WE HAVE GOT TO DO SOMETHING.
ALL I'M SAYING IS THIS IS TOO I KNOW WHAT TO DO. I ALSO DON'T WANT TO GET A NO ANSWER.
I DON'T WANT TO DO A BOND ISSUE.
YOU DO A BOND ISSUE AND YOU WAIT A COUPLE YEARS.
IF WE GET IT WRONG AND WE DON'T COMMUNICATE WELL WITH THE FOLKS AND IT GOES DOWN, THAT'S A SACRIFICE OF AN OPPORTUNITY WHERE IF WE HAD TAKEN A BIT MORE TIME AND IDENTIFIED THE PROJECTS THAT CAN RALLY A COMMUNITY AND WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN HAVING THE CONVERSATION A YEAR AGO.
>> IT WAS THE LARGEST TAX INCREASE DECIDED ON BY THE SMALLEST
[05:20:07]
PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE IN THE HISTORY OF VOTING FOR BOND ISSUES BECAUSE IT WAS THE SAME ELECTION.WE AN -- WE CAN SAY THERE WAS WIDESPREAD SUPPORT.
WHEN I CAN MOTIVATE MY CROWD, YOU WOULD THINK I HAVE INFLUENCE AND THEY NORMALLY VOTE FOR IT, AND THE PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE SOMEWHAT SUPPORTIVE MIGHT DEAL WITH CLIMATE CHANGE.
I PUBLICLY SAID I READ THAT ONE WRONG.
WHAT TURNED THE TIDE IS THE JUDGE AT THE TIME SAID I THINK THE VOTES ARE GOING TO DO IT IN NOVEMBER.
HE SAID I HAVE TO CAMPAIGN ON THIS INSTEAD OF MY ELECTION.
THAT TURNED THE TIDE. THE TURN WHO TOLD ME I WILL MAKE A MOTION AND I KNOW HOW HARD IT IS.
PUT IT TO THE SIDE AND SAID I CAN'T DO THAT.
HE SAID THIS GIVES ME THE IMPRESSION THIS GOES DOWN PRAB -- [INAUDIBLE] AND THE SECOND PART I CAN'T BE AS EL TPEPT AS THE PREDECESSOR.
KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY BEFORE YOU DECIDE.
I GOT OUT THERE AND CAME BACK. IT WILL NEVER BE EASY. THE THIRD POINT IS IF WE KEEP GOING THE WAY WE ARE GOING, WHO KNOWS? AND CURRENTLY WORKING ON THE TECHNICAL ISSUE REGARDING THE RECORDING
AND TRANSCRIPT.] YO >> DO U WANT TO TAKE BRA --AK TAKE A BRE?
>> YES, SOSA AOUPB -- UNIVERLAN SERVICES C GET >> WE WILL TAKE A
>>> IT IS 4:56 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
[05:25:07]
IT BACK UP? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS IS REFLECTED ON THE RECORD.ONE IS WHAT IS THE CAPACITY RIGHT NOW FOR THE BOND, AND I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE DEALING WITH, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT IT MAY BE LESS THAN NORMAL BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMIC SITUATION, BUT AT THE END, ARE I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AS FAR AS CAPACITY.
IN MY MIND WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE FLOOD BOND IS LET'S PICK SOME PROJECTS AND IT MOVES THE NEEDLE, BUT IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE FLOODING PROBLEM.
IF WE WANT TO REDUCE TRAFFIC THIS WILL BE PART ONE OF FIVE OR WHATEVER IT IS.
IF THE GOAL IS TO ADDRESS DRAINAGE, WHAT IS THE NEED? I JUST DON'T WANT TO HAVE A BOND ON SOMETHING AND PERHAPS THE PUBLIC THINKS IT WILL SOLVE THE ISSUE. WHETHER IT IS HOUSING OR THE TRANSIT OR FLOODING AND DRAINAGE , OUR JUSTICE COMPLEX, PART OF THE REASON THEY KEEP COMING BACK IS, YES, -- I THINKA LACK OF PLANNING AND VISION AND I DON'T WANT TO FALL INTO THE SAME CYCLE THAT WOULD BE MY CONSIDERATION ON THIS.
THAT WAS NOW COMING INTO THIS ROLE AND SEEING THE WAY THE FLOOD BOND WAS SET UP, I WAS COMPLAINING THAT IN PRECINCT 2, WE ARE SAVING RICE PAT -- RICE PATTIES AND NOT HOMES.
$150 MILLION CAN GO TOWARD TAKING MORE PEOPLE OUT OF THE FLOOD WAY, BUT IT IS NOT.
I THINK A VISION IS NECESSARY.
I WOULD BE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF USING.
I HAVE PROJECT THAT'S ARE STOPPING AND DEPENDING ON BONDS.
I HAVE PROJECT THAT'S ARE NOW SLOWING DOWN BECAUSE LOWER CAPACITY BONDS AND SO IN ORDER TO KEEP WORK MOVING AND PROGRESS MOVING I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT WE NEED TO PUT A BOND ELECTION OUT.
MAKE THE DECISION AND UNDERSTAND OUR FINANCES AND UNDERSTAND OUR CAPACITY AND DEFINE THE AMOUNT.
WE NEED TO USE THIS TIME GOING FORWARD TO WORK WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND WITH THE OTHERS TO CRAFT THE BROADER VISION SO
[05:30:01]
WE ARE CONNECTING THE ADOPTS.THERE IS A CONCERN THAT THERE IS SUCH LEVERAGE USED TO BRING THE DISCUSSIONS TO SIMMS AND HALLS AND WE ARE STILL SHORT THERE AND THAT THE GLO HAS BEEN A GOOD PARTNER AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN.
AND SO I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO CRAFT THAT VISION AND STRATEGY AND WE STILL HAVE TO WORK -- AT LEAST I WILL SAY ON BEHALF OF MY PRECINCT AND MY CONSTITUENTS IT IS NEEDED AND IT IS NECESSARY AND I AM WILLING TO PUT A BALLOT NEXT TO MY NAME.
>> I DON'T WANT TO SKIP AHEAD SO COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU CAN
SAY IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: PROBABLY 75% OF THE HISTORY OF THE HURRICANE BOND I AGREE WITH, WITH WHAT YOU SAID, RODNEY. 100% OF THIS COMMENT THAT IT IS TIME TO KEEP MY POWDER DRY, I AGREE WITH.
THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
CACTUS, MAYBE YOU CAN HELP ME REMEMBER THERE WERE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WOULD COST TO SOLVE THE FLOODING PROBLEM.
DO YOU REMEMBER THOSE? IT WAS MORE THAN THE 10 BILLION THAT WAS TOSSED AROUND.
>> 35. >> 35 BILLION? JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY THAT TO MAKE A POINT.
IF WE SOLVE IT WE WILL BE BETTER OFF.
THEY HAVE ALL KINDS OF THINGS.
THEY EVEN HAVE A DEAL IF YOU WANT MUSIC, YOU CAN HOOKUP WITH SPOTIFY AND THERE IS ALL KINDS OF STUFF. IS THIS FROM THE TAX POLICY I USED TO KNOW THIS WHEN I WAS IN STATE GOVERNMENT.
TOTAL U.S. TAX REVENUE EQUALS GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT WELL BELOW THE 30% WEIGHTED AVERAGE FOR THE OTHER OCE.
IT EQUALS 20% OF THE GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT.
FRANCE, BELGIUM, AUSTRIA, NORWAY, LEX -- LEX EPLBURG.
HERE IS A LIST WHO TAX MORE THAN US.
THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS IN MY CAREER, 38 YEARS OF BEING IN POLITICS I HAVE NEVER SEEN US VOTE FOR A TAX INCREASE AND A BOND ISSUE THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND WE HAVE NEVER GIVEN FALSE HOPE AND WHETHER IT WAS AN INTERN WITH GOVERNOR CLEMENTS OR WHEN ANNE RICHARDS DID A BIG JAIL ISSUE, AND A LOT OF IT WENT INTO REHAB TO TREAT PEOPLE IN THE JAILS OR THE DRUG ACCEPTANCE ABUSE.
SOMETIMES ALL OF US HEAR WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR INSTEAD OF WHAT WAS SAID.
I AM TALKING ABOUT THE PUBLIC AND INCLUDING US.
I DON'T THINK THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WILL TAX US FOR 35 MILLION -- 35? 35 BILLION.
MY 18-YEAR-OLD COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT.
BUT PEOPLE IN LEADERSHIP DID IT.
[05:35:07]
WHAT WE DO IN GOVERNMENT TO MAKE PEOPLE'S LIVES BETTER IS GENERALLY INCREMENTAL. ASK FOR WHAT YOU WANT AND TAKE WHAT YOU CAN GET.THAT'S BEEN MY MANTRA THROUGHOUT MY CAREER.
I DON'T EVER REMEMBERING ASKING FOR ANYTHING, BUT I DON'T THINK THAT THE PEOPLE WE HR -- THAT WE ARE ELECTED TO REPRESENT, I JUST DON'T THINK THEY WOULD DO IT. I JUST HOPE WE DON'T PASS THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING AND THEN JUST DECIDE BECAUSE WE CAN'T DO IT ALL OR BECAUSE IT MAY IMPACT US POLITICALLY WE ARE GONNA TRY.
I TOOK THE LEADERSHIP AND IT IS NOT NEARLY AS AGGRESSIVE AS THE DISTRICT Y'ALL GAVE PRECINCT 1, OR THE DISTRICT I LEFT IT WITH.
YOU GOT ME? I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT IT BEHIND THE EIGHT BALL, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE BUDGET PEOPLE TO PROCEED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS.
THEY CAN ASK US TO KEEP OUR POWDER DRY.
I AM WILLING TO GO OUT AND TRY TO CREATE SOME AWARENESS OF THE NEED AND I KNOW THIS BOND BUSINESS.
I KNOW THAT. I MAKE A PRETTY GOOD LIVING.
THE COUNTY HISTORICALLY SAID SREUR -- VIRTUALLY NOTHING.
WHAT WE DID WAS NO WAY COMPARED TO WHAT THE CITY DOES.
MAYBE 89 I GOT THE FOOT IN THERE.
$20 MILLION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE CITY TAKES ITS MONEY AND WE I THINK I TOOK 20 MILLION.
WE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, BUT THEY PUT IN THE 20 MILLION.
THE MAYOR TOOK THE POSITION WHERE SHE WANTED TO FUND ONE WHICH WAS DRAINAGE STREETS ROADS, BRIDGES, PARKS, LIBRARIES AND THAT WAS PROPOSITION 1.
AND THEN BECAUSE I WAS PUTTING PRESSURE ON IT, I WAS NO LONGER ON COUNCIL, BUT I TEED IT UP.
PROPOSITION 2 WAS AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
SHE SAID, HEY, I WILL PUT YOU -- ALL OF YOU GONE AND YOU TALKED ABOUT THIS AND I WILLO D 20 MILLION. SHEAI SD YOU CAN'T COMBINE THE TWOAU BECSE IT IS NOT JERMAINE -- ITNO IS TMA GERINE.
I TOLD THEIL COUNCMAN,U IF YO CAN SAY THATRA A LIBRY AND JAIL ARE GERMAINT , I DON'KNOW WHYU YOCAN DO THE AND IT PASSED.
ANDTO THEN THE ATRNEY GENERAL, T DEMOCR, IN -- INVALUED TKAEULTEDA THE -- INVALITEDE.
TE ISSUD SOMETHING WAS CALLED LOG ROLLING AND IT WASHE NOT JUST T HOUSE W MONEY.
E COUNTY WAS STILLL DOO -- STILDOING ITS BOND ISSUES AND THEY WERE NEVERI CHALLENGED.
BET IF YOU GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT 2005 OR THE OTHER YEARS, 215,R 2000, 2001, WHATEVETHEYEY WERE DOING, TH WERE NOT DIVIDING THEM.
THEE CITY WOULD GO IN THER AND
PUT A LIBRARY -- >> 15 WAS DIVIDED.
>> 7 I'M ASSUMING WAS NOT AND 1.
[05:40:02]
THEY WOULD PUT IT INME DETAIL AD SOMETIS IN THE STREETS.I WAS TOLD IF YOU PUT MONEY IN FOR THE BAYOU AND IT COMES IN FOR 250 -- I DIDN'T THINKOW THAT MADE SENSE BECAUSE H WOULD THE CITY FIGURE IT OUT? THAT'S WHAT WAS SAID.
THEY WERE AT THIS SEPARATE MEETINGS.
IT IS A CHANCE TO TRY AND DO SOMETHING.
$27 A YEAR FOR THE AVERAGE HOMEOWNER.
CABBING -- CACTUS, YOU WERE HERE.
IF YOU ROUND OFF THE NUMBERS IF WE WENT TO 10 BILLION IT WAS $27 A YEAR FOR 2.5 AND MULTIPLY THAT BY THREE AND TO GET UP TO THE 10 BILLION --
>> YOU GOT ME? I GAUGED THE NUMBER TKAUB -- MAYBE I WENT BACK TO WHAT THEY WERE THINKING.
WHATEVER THE POLLING INDICATED AND CACTUS YOU WERE HERE.
I DON'T WANT TO DIVULGE ANY CONFIDENCES, BUT WE GOT TO THE 2.5 BILLION.
MAYBE IT WASN'T $27 PER HOUSEHOLD.
IT WAS IN THE PAPER, WHATEVER IT CAME TO.
I WOULD JUST SAY TO ALL OF US, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.
I JUST WANT TO ASK THEM, DO WE
NEED A MOTION? >> IT IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS NOT AN ACTION ITEM?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS CLEAR WHERE FOLKS ARE COMING
NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DON'T VOTE ON IT.
I CAN REQUEST IT, BUT NOT VOTE
ON IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I AM GLAD WE ARE HAVING OUR FIRST CONVERSATION.
I TALKED WITH MR. BERRY AND HE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND THAT'S
LET'S HAVE THE CONVERSATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT?
SO FORGIVE ME IF IT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU HAVE OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, BUT AS FAR AS THE FUNDS RUNNING OUT, DID YOU BECOME AWARE OF THAT LAST YEAR, AND HOW DO WE KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER PARK OR MONEY RUNNING OUT? IS IT AN EFFICIENCY MATTER?
AS I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT CREATING DEFICIENCIES IN THE PROCESS.
DR. RAHMAN [INAUDIBLE] AND WE WERE ABLE TO CUE UP WORK AT A FASTER RATE AND AS A RESULT WE WOPBTD DO OUR MONEY [INAUDIBLE] THAN BEFORE.
SKPWH -- AND SO NOT -- IT WAS JUST SIMPLY NOT -- [INAUDIBLE] THE COMMUNITY WANTS IMPROVEMENTS ON THEIR PARKS AND SO WE HAD TO WORK AND RECOGNIZING THE FACT THAT THE PARK BONDS AND THE LOW BONDS HAVE HISTORICALLY BEEN A MATTER OF TIMING FOR THE COUNTY.
THEY DID THEM ON A REGULAR BASIS.
THE ISSUE OF FLOOD BONDS IS ONE I AGREE WAS A LACK OF VISION ON.
IT WAS A POLITICAL RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HARVEY.
I THINK YOUR POINT OF BEING STRATEGIC AND THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT ONE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING ON THAT.
THE OTHER SIDE TOO IS THAT I DIDN'T BY MISTAKE LOOK AT ROAD CONDITIONS PER PRECINCT.
I CAN DRIVE YOU AND BLINDFOLD YOU AND YOU WOULD KNOW YOU ARE IN PRECINCT 2.
>> IT HAS BEEN DONE. >> I STKARTED IT -- I STARTED IT AND EVERYBODY PIGGYBACKED ON IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.
[05:45:03]
TO YOUR POINT, FIRST MEETING.ONE WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS, OKAY, WE KNOW THAT THE ROADS ARE LACKING.
WE KNOW THERE ARE PARTS THAT NEED TO BE BUILT.
EVERY PARK WE BUILD WILL BE GOOD AND EVERY ROAD WILL BE GOOD.
HOW ARE WE MOVING TOWARD THE ULTIMATE VISION.
THAT'S MY ASK FOR YOU, MR. BERRY , FROM MY STANDPOINT -- TO THE EXTENT YOU CANADA FINE IT THEY ARE COMPLICATED ISSUES AND WHERE DOES THIS GET?
>> WHEN -- WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR IS DOABLE.
WE WERE WITHIN 10% OF HAVING ALL OF OUR ROADS UP TO SPEED.
DID WE GET THAT ALL THE WAY OVERNIGHT? NO. DECADES OF WE ARE GONNA MAINTAIN THE ROADS.
AND NOW WE ARE GOING INTO NEW AREAS AND EVALUATING THE ROADS AND TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT.
I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA OF THE PRECINCT AND WHAT THE NEEDS ARE.
THE 350 MILLION THAT WE KNOW IS OUT THERE IN OUR PRECINCT, THAT'S NOT A GUESS.
I GUESS WHEN YOU GO FROM 9 30 YEARS AGO, 9 PARKS TO 63 PARKS, I THINK THE PRECINCTS HAVE GOOD DATA AND BACKED UP DATA IN TERMS OF SPECIFIC NEEDS THAT ARE OUT THERE.
WITH MY EXPERIENCE ON THE FRONT EDGE OF TRYING TO DO THE TIMING RIGHT IT SEEMS LIKE WE WILL BE PUSHED ON TIME, BUT MR. BERRY CAN COME BACK WITH THE TIMING AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN HAVE THE CONVERSATION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IF YOU WOULD WHEN YOU COME BACK, SEND IT TO US IN ADVANCE.
THE RECORDS OUGHT TO SHOW HOW EARLY SOMETHING CAME ON THE AGENDA AND WHAT THEY DID.
DON'T KILL YOURSELF LOOKING AT IT, BUT I HOPE IT IS TKEUPBLG TIESED TO SEE -- DIGITIZED TO SEE HOW IT COMPARES TO 2001 AND WE PAID A FIRM TO SEE WHAT THE PRICE TAG WAS.
EVEN WITHOUT REDISTRICTING, MY PARKS ARE PRETTY OLD PARKS.
WHEN I WENT TO SOME OF YOURS I WAS WONDERING WHAT WAS GOING ON.
TRUST FOR PUBLIC LANDS ON $700,000.
WE ASKED IF ANYBODY WANTED TO PARTICIPATE AND THEY LOOKED AT ALL OF THEM AND YOU CAN GO ON THIS MAP AND SEE UNDER MY OLD PRECINCT HOW FAR EVERYBODY WAS FROM GREEN SPACE, ANY CITY, ANY COUNTY.
SOMETIMES I WONDER IF I SHOULD HAVE DONE IT.
THEY DID THIS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THEY WANT A COMMUNITY SIGN AT EVERY PARK.
SOMETIMES I WOULD SAY, WELL, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IT.
CAN I RAISE YOUR TAXES? OH NO. DO SOMEBODY ELSE'S.
IF WE DON'T WANT TO DO IT, I'LL TAKE THE HEAT.
IT IS NEVER FUN AND WE ARE NEVER GONNA SOLVE IT.
BUT EVEN IF WE COME BACK AFTER THE ELECTION, IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR SOMEBODY THEN.
WE'LL SEE. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU KEEP MAKING IT A POLITICAL CALCULUS, COMMISSIONER.
IT MAY BE SO. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO THINK THAT SOMEONE IS SERVING -- AND WHETHER IT IS ECONOMICAL AND WHETHER IT IS THIS YEAR OR NEXT YEAR FIGURE OUT WHAT THAT IS.
MR. BERRY WILL COME BACK AND WE WILL DO OUR CALCULUS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU GOT ANY GUIDANCE?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ONE THING I WANTED TO ADD TO THE CALCULUS IS WE ARE GLANCED ON PUBLIC SAFETY.
WE ARE STILL NOT IN A PLACE THAT REFLECT HAD US BEING THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE
[05:50:03]
STATE OF TEXAS. WITH ALL OF THE THINGS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND I WAS JUST LISTENING TO A DISCUSSION ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WHETHER THAT WAS TRULY CAUSED BY THE PANDEMIC OR THE PANDEMIC MADE IT MORE EVIDENT.THE QUESTION OF HOW WE USE OUR DATA AND HOW WE SHARE OUR DATA AND HOW WE WORK REQUEST -- HOW WE WORK WITH THE 80 SOMETHING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE SWIFT WATER BOAT OPERATION IS AN IMPORTANT ONE.
WE CAN COUNT ON FLOODING AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS A PARTICULAR VISION ON THIS AND I WANT TO SUPPORT THAT.
I KNOW HE IS ONE FOR SMART POLICING AND DATA DRIVEN AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE INCORPORATE THAT TYPE OF THINKING AND THAT VISION INTO THIS DISCUSSION.
SO WE'LL LOOK OUT FOR AN UPDATE FROM YOU GUYS.
>> IF IT IS OKAY WITH COURT, I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THIS MOVING SO WE CAN BRING SOMETHING BACK IN TWO WEEKS AND IT CAN EVOLVE OVER TIME IF THERE IS INTEREST. IT WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED WAY IN ADVANCE, SO IF IT IS OKAY, GETTING SOMETHING ON AND PRESENTING WHAT WE HAVE AND IF KIDS NEED MORE TIME TO DIGEST,
THEY CAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WHAT IS THE DEADLINE AGAIN?
>> TO ADOPT AN ORDER, IT IS AUGUST 10 THROUGH 22ND.
I WILL SAY THE LIST OF PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS OFTEN EVOLVES AFTER THAT WITH THE FLOOD BOND IT DID AFTER THE FLOOD BOND WAS ENACTED. MORE DETAILS ON HOW IT CAN BE SPENT FOR THE ELECTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL MOVE ON -- THAT IS NO ACTION.
WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 14 AND THAT IS TO INCREASE THE TAX CONSUMPTION.
THE -- THE VALOREM TAX EXEMPTION.
TO APPLAUD MR. RAMOS FOR QUICKLY SEEING WHAT INFLATION IS DOING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY AND PROACTIVELY PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA TO PROVIDE MUCH-NEEDED TAX RELIEF IN THE FORM OF A HOMESTEAD EXEP.
I WAS JUST SHARING WITH A FRIEND ABOUT THE BOND ELECTION.
AND GOVERNOR BETTENCOURT WAS ABLE TO GET THIS ON THE STATEWIDE BALLOT.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US IN LIGHT OF INFLATION AND FIXED INCOMES AND THOSE THINGS, I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS ON OUR AGENDA.
AS FAR AS I UNDERSTAND THERE IS NO NET IMPACT.
IF WE WERE TO ADOPT THIS TO 4% ON ALL OTHER PROPERTIES TO REMAIN REVENUE NEUTRAL IS THE IDEA.
>> CORRECT. >> AND MR. RAMOS WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON INCREASING THIS SENIOR DISABLED HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION ABOVE THE 250,000?
>> TO TELL YOU A LITTLE OF THE CONTEXT, IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE KEEPING UP WHAT GROWS. IT REFLECTS WHAT OUR AVERAGE PRICE IS.
WE ARE IN A POSITION TO PASS THIS OR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO HAVE THEIR BOARD APPROVE IT WHERE IT IS NOT AN OPEN -- IT IS NOT A SECRET CONVERSATION WITH THE TAX RATE.
WITH THE UNCERTAINTY THE REALITY OF THE TAX REVENUE CAPS I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.
[05:55:06]
THIS SOMETHING THAT IS TOP OF MIND FOR ME AND VERY OFF SEASON IT IS SOMETHING I WANT TO HAVE A LOT MORE EYES ON.THE CITY OF BALTIMORE, WE DID A HUGE ANALYSIS LOOKING AT ALL OF OUR INCENTIVES AND MAKING SURE THEY WERE EFFECTIVE AND PRICED IN THE APPROPRIATE PLACE TO KEEP HOMEOWNERS IN THEIR HOMES.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU MR. RAMOS. YOUID D A REGIONAL LOOK AT WHAT OTHER FOLKSER WE DOING.
WE WERE BY FARDI LEANG THEK PAC ON THAT.
>> WE HAVE THE GENEROUS NOT ONLY IN S THETATEUB OF TEGZ -- IN THT ATE OF TEXASOS AND MT JURISDICTIONSVE ARE OR 65 AND TOP ARED, DISABLE BUT THE ISND FORT BE AND TRAVIS AND THEN WE ARE OVER 300,000.
T GOODRAMSEY: THAT'S A POINT, PARTICULARLY WITH INFLATION DOINGWI WHAT IT IS TH NOT.
YOU.ANK >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.SI COMMISONER RAMSEY, HAVE YOU ANAT ITEM RELED, ITEM 312 ON PAGE
37 AND IGH THOUGHT WE MIT TAKENG THAT ALO WITH THIS>> ONE.
TOM RAMSEY: THE ONLY COMMENT THERE, JUDGE, IS TOAT REINFORCE WH WEEN TALKED ABOUT AT LGTH ABOUT PREVIOUSLY.CE OUR TAX OFFI DOES EVERYTHING THEY CAN T TO COMMUNICATE WITHHE FOLKS THAT ARE ALMOST TKAU LINK WENT. WHEN -- DELINQUENT.
WHEN THEY GO INTO THE DELINQUENT CATEGORY, IT GIVES THEM A SHOUTOUT.
I TRY TO COMMUNICATE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
IT IS AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT ONCE YOU DON'T DO IT BY JULY 1ST, YOU ARE DOWN IN A BAD PENALTY SITUATION.
SO BEING SURE OUR TAX OFFICE ANN MR. BERRY, IF YOU WOUL'T MIND CHECKING WITH THEM TO E MAKE SUE THEY ARE DOINGVERYTHING THEY
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M CURIOUS, DO WE DO ROBOCALLS? JUST ASKING AND IF WE CAN PAY FOR THAT.
SOMETIMES YOU KEEP GETTING NOTICES AND YOU ALREADY KNOW YOU ARE LATE.
I KNOW THE ISSUE CAME UP WITH THE PRIVATE FIRM.
PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE -- >> TOM RAMSEY: JUST A MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE NEED A MOTION --
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME MAKE A MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY ON 14.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THEN ON 312, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- >> JUDGE, I'M SORRY.
AND GREAT WORK ON THE TAX EXEMPTION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WILL BE BRIEF ON THIS. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH CHANNEL VIEW ISD.
I WANT TO FIRST WELCOME THE -- WELL HE IS NOT A TOTALLY NEW SUPERINTENDENT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO -- CONTINUE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH CHANNEL VIEW AND CHANNEL VIEW ISD IN PARTICULAR AND TO CONTINUE TO APPLAUD THE SPARK PARK OPERATION AND OFFICE FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK.
YOU CAN TELL WHEN YOU ARE COMING ACROSS A SPARK PARK BECAUSE OF ON YOU HUE TPHAOEBG THE DESIGNS -- HOW HUE -- UNIQUE THE DESIGNS ARE.
THIS IS GOING INTO HAMLIN ELEMENTARY AND IT HAS HARVEY BROWN ELEMENTARY.
[06:00:01]
THIS WILL BE A TOTAL OF $25,000 THAT WE WILL BE PUTTING INTO THE PARTS AND EXCITED FOR IT.>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
MOTION ON ITEM 38 BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS NOT HERE.
LET'S GO OVER THE NEXT ITEM AND THEN WE WILL -- YOU FLAGGED 46 AS WELL.
>> YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A QUESTION AND I NEED TO ASK OF DAVE -- DAVID.
WAS IT THE PIED PIPER OF HAMBLIN? THAT STRIKES ME DIFFERENT THAT YOU WOULD NAME AN ELEMENTARY
SCHOOL AFTER THAT. >> I APPRECIATE THE ESTEEM YOU HOLD MY LITERACY, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE GOOGLE, LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS OVER THERE.
HE WAS EXTOLLING THE VIRTUE OF GOOGLE.
WHERE WAS THE PIED PIPER FROM?
I THOUGHT IT WAS HAMBLIN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU CAN GOOGLE.
ITEM FURTHER 6 AND 66 -- ITEM 46 AND 66, THE DISCUSSION THAT WE JUST HAD I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE HARTWICK SAN TERRY -- SANITARY SEWER EXTENSION.
IT WILL BRING BENEFITS LIKE A NEW PUBLIC SANITARY LINE THAT WILL BE INSTALLED ALONG HARTWICK ROAD.
APPROXIMATELY 250 FEET -- 250 LINEAR FEET OF SAN TERRY LINES -- SANITARY LINES AND IT WILL HELP 21 SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTS AND ADDRESS IN PART THE ABANDONMENT OF THEIR ACCEPT PARTICULAR -- SEPTIC LINES AND GET THEM INTO SOMETHING HEALTHIER.
EXCITED ABOUT THESE PROJECTS AND 66 ALSO INCLUDES THE IMPROVEMENT OF MOBILITY IN THE LA -- IN THE LA PORT AREA.
MAYOR RIGBY HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON THIS AND THERE IS A LOT OF FEEDBACK SAYING THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE OUT THERE.
THIS LOOKED AT THE IMPROVED IMPROVEMENTS. THIS STRETCH IS A KEY LINK TO OUR TRAIL NETWORK.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AT SOME POINT WE WILL BE ABLE TO WRITE ON AND EVENTUALLY CONNECT OUR PARK IN PASADENA TO THE PARK IN THE BAY AREA AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMMUNITIES ALONG THE WAY.
THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL WRAP UP -- RATHER, IT WILL BEGIN IN JULY OF THIS YEAR AND IT WILL HAVE A FOUR AND A HALF MILE IMPROVEMENT.
IT JUST GOES A LITTLE TO WHY I AM REALLY FOCUSED ON THIS BOND ELECTION.
IT WILL BRING ENHANCEMENTS TO THE AREA.
I MOVE ON THESE TWO ITEMS, 46 AND 66 AND 38.
>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO SECOND ESPECIALLY 66.
THEY HAVE BEEN DOING THAT PROJECT AND IT WAS A PRIVILEGE TO PRESENT THE COUNTY RESOLUTION IN HONOR WHEN SHE WAS THE ENGINEER OF THE YEAR. I WILL -- SHE IS AWESOME.
I PROUDLY SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO 38, 46 AND
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. AS WE ARE FOCUSED ON DOING ALL WE CAN TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF OUR AIR, WATER AND LAND AGAIN, DR.
YOU AND YOUR TEAM AT POLLUTION CONTROL ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB.
[06:05:02]
THIS IS PART OF A LARGER PROJECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IT IS FOR VOC MONITORING DUE TO THE DETECTION OF COMPOUNDS INCLUDING STYRENE AND THE PROXIMITY SURROUNDING BAYPORT.THEY WILL ADD SIX NEW SITES TO THE BAYPORT AREA.
AND IN RECENT REPORTS WE APPROVED LA PORT AND POLLUTION CONTROL IS WORKING ON AN AGREEMENT THAT WILL BE COMING TO COURT REALLY SOON.
WITH THE PASSAGE WE WILL ENTER INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH THE COASTAL WATER AUTHORITY LOCATED IN PASADENA TO PLACE ANOTHER MONITOR ON THEIR BAYPORT PUMP STATION, AND THE DATA LIKE ALL OTHERS WILL BE AVAILABLE PUBLICLY FOR CITIZENS IN THE AREA TO REVIEW.
JUST I WANT TO ALWAYS UH -- APPLAUD THE GOOD WORK OF DR.
THIS IS BUILDING ON THE WORK YOU STARTED WITH THE EXPLOSION OF ITC AND IT JUST REALLY SHOWS OUR CITIZEN THAT'S WE HAVEN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THEM AS IT RELATES TO THE CONCERNS OF THE AIR QUALITY IN OUR AREA.
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER CAR SEE -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS AN UPDATE ON THE EFFORT GOING FOR THE VIOLENT INDIVIDUALS. HAVING WARRANTS OUT ON THEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
I THINK I SAW MAJOR COLEMAN EARLIER AND THE CONSTABLES OF PRECINCTS 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 AND 8 FOR THEIR COLLABORATION IN THE CREATION OF THE VIPER TASK FORCE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR THIS TASK FORCE AND INDICATING POSITIVE RESULTS WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES WORKING TOGETHER. I WANT TO APPLAUD FOR THOSE LEADERS FOR STEPPING FORWARD. THIS IS GOING TO BE TOUGH WORK.
IT IS NOT JUST HAVING A WANTER IN YOUR -- HAVING A WARRANT IN YOUR HAND.
YOU HAVE TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND DO SOME INVESTIGATION.
YOU ARE GOING AFTER BAD PEOPLE.
I ALWAYS KEEP ALL OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, BUT I WILL KEEP THESE IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE THEY ARE TRULY GOING TO BE RUNNING INTO THE FIRE AS IT RELATES TO THESE DANGEROUS PEOPLE.
AGAIN, I WANT TO APPLAUD THEM AND THIS IS AN EXCITING UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE.
I'M NOT SURE IF MAJOR COLEMAN WANTS TO ADD ANYTHING TO THE UPDATE.
SKWROER COLEMAN? MAJOR COLEMAN?
HE IS THERE. >> HE IS TRYING TO TALK.
>> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, BUDDY. ARE YOU MUTED?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK HE IS MUTED.
I MIGHT HAVE A QUESTION. MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: TWO THUMBS UP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHO ARE THE CONSTABLES THAT ARE NOT INCLUDED ARE THEY COMING ON BOARD?
IS THERE A REASON? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FROM WHAT I I UNDERSTAND PRECINCT 1 WANTED TO MODIFY THE MOU THAT WAS FINE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, AND MAYBE THE REASON THEY HAVEN'T PARTICIPATED AND PRECINCT 7 DID NOT EXPRESS INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING.
MAJOR COLEMAN, IS THAT AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT.
IF YOU CAN GIVE US A TWO THUMBS UP AGAIN.
[06:10:04]
1 AND 7. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WE CAN HEAR YOU THE NEXT GO AROUND AND IT IS ALL RIGHT FOR TODAY, MAJOR, BUT WHY ARE THEY OUT? ONE OF THEM IS MINE AND I WILL CALL AND WHO IS THE OTHER?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST LIKE TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON.
IT FEELS LIKE AN IMPORTANT THING.
I MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.
ITEM 153 AND IT IS THE SHERIFF AND TRADITIONAL FUNDING ON THE JAIL.
AND PERHAPS WE CAN GET AN UPDATE, MR. BERRY ON THE SITUATION.
RAMOS TALK. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M.
-- I'M SORRY, I WILL GET USED TO THIS.
>> I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND THE CHIEF FOR THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.
WHILE WE ARE SPENDING MORE MONEY WHICH IS NOT SOMETHING EVERY BUDGET DIRECTOR IS EXCITED ABOUT , BUT IT HAS LEAD TO THE VERY TRANSPARENT AND KHRAB BRA -- COLLABORATIVE STAFFING MODEL FOR OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO EMULATE.
THE SHERIFF IS SPENDING 5.5 MILLION OVER WHAT WAS HISTORICALLY BUDGEDDED.
BUDGETED. WHEN WE HAVE A JAIL AT THE POPULATION IT IS AT, WE ARE SPENDING MONEY.
THERE IS THE MINIMUM RATIO FOR STAFFING AND WE HAVE SEEN COVID IMPACT THE STAFF AND IT DRIVES OUR COSTS UP. WE LOOKED AT ALL OF THE POSTS AND THE UNITS IN THE JAIL TO IDENTIFY WE -- WE WERE USING MORE AS OPPOSED TO FULL TIME FTE'S.
OUR RECOMMENDATION IS A HUNDRED NEW DETENTION OFFICERS.
BECAUSE OF THE TRANSITION IT WILL COST US MORE AND WHAT THAT OVER TIME IS, IT WILL BRING FOLKS TO THE TRAINING.
AND WE ALSO THOUGHT IT WAS PROCESS AND MAYBE THEY WERE TRANSFERRED FROM ENGINEERING OVER TO THE SHERIFF.
FOR EASE WE DECIDED TO CLEAR IT
UP HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD.
I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, MR. RAMOS. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU SHARED YOUR BACKGROUND WITH THE BALTIMORE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND I WAS EXCITED THAT YOU HAD SOME UNDERSTANDINGBO AUT A FAST-MOVING ORGANIZATION.
I WAS EXCITED THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME SINRO KPB TPHEUS TEE -- NCSYHRONISITY. EVEN WHEN YOURE A IN IT ITS IAN ORGANIZATION THAT MOVESRO AUND ON YOU.
I WANT TO THANKOU Y AND THE SHERIFF FORIT STING DOWN AND WORKING THROUGH THIS.
THE COLLABORATION T IHINK IS AN EXAMPLEND A A MODEL I HOPE OTHERS WILL FOLLOW.
THISUN IS PLANNED AND ITS IAN EMERGENCY AND ITOE DS HAVE SERIOUSLI IMPCATIONS WITH THE STATE IF THERE ISAD NO HERENCE TO CERTAINND STAARDS, AND AS IE HAV SAID REPEATEDLY, THE H GELAS GONE FROM AGE LARLYIM MINUM OR MEDIUMUR SECITY TOIG A HH SECURITYIL FACITY AND WE NEVERWA NT TO SEE THEDY TRAGEAT OF WHHA PPENED PREVIOUSLY.
AND IPE AM HOFUL THIS DISCUSSION AND THIS AGREEMENTT THAHAS BEEA DE SPEAKS TO THE SAFETY SECURITY OF OUR O STAFFVER THERE.I AM EXCITED T ABOUTHE COLLABORATION BETWEEN YOUR OFFICE AND THEFF SHERI'S OFFICE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THIT EM. >> R.
JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY FROMHE THE SRIFF'S OFFICEE? ONLINLL HEO.WH
O DO WE GOT? >> THIS IS MIKE LADUM.
[06:15:03]
I AM THE DIRECTOR OF A FINANCET THE'S SHERIFF OFFICE.>> R.
A INND AROUND THE BUDGET HEARINGS T EARLIERHIS YEAR THEER SHIFF'SMA OFFICE DEST A REQUE THEN DETENTI POSITIONS IN JAIL AND SOME W OF THATAS THE OUTOF GROWTH PROBLEMS. WHAT N WAS THEUMBERCE OF OFFIRS THEY REQUESTED AT THAT TIME?
B >> IELIEVEON, COMMISSIER, WED ASKEFOR.
ABOUT 300 W THATAS BACKBE AT THE GINNING OF THE BUDGET CYCLE.
1 THIS00 WE ARER ASKING FONOW ANDLY REALLY ON ONE PIECE OF T THATOTAL.OW I KN MR. H RAMOS ANDIS STAFF ARE WORKING ON CONSULTANTS TOFI DO A STAFNGY STUDOF THE JAIL.
CEWE HOPE ON THE STUDY IS DONEIL IT WL VERIFY WHAT WE BELIEVE IS THE RIGHTET NUMBER OF DENTIOR OFFICEED STAFF WE NE..
>> RJACK CAGLE: I AMOR SUPPTIVE OFG US GETTINTO WHERE T THE SHERIFFHINKS WETO ND BE.
NEEDHE TO FOLLOW T OF OUR LEADERSHIP.
>> THEREON WERE ADDITIAL POSITIONS BUDGETED FOR AT THE SO IT IS 120O IN ADDITION TWHAN WAS GRTED INPS THE BUDGET YCH
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,U THANK YOFORRO WALKING US THUGH THIS.
I KNOW WE DON'T LIKE TO DODJ BUDGET AUSTMENTS,CI BUT THE RCUMSTANCES ARE DRIVING THISS .
IT GETTO BE A ROUTINE THING ANDCA HOPEFULLY WE N GET AN HANDLE OIT SO WHEN WEH ESTABLISTHE BUDGET WE CAN DO THE BUDGET.LL THE 7.3 MIION DO YOUE EXPECT THOFFICE TO BE INCREASEDLL BY
7.3 MIION?S >> THERE IWI A PORTION THAT LL HAVE TO BE BUILTYE INTO NEXT AR'S BUDGET R.
B THAT WOULDE BAKED INTO THE LAW
ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. >> YES, SIR.DA
>> LINA HILGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?EL
>> RODNEY LIS: WHEREY IS THIS MONECOMING?
FROM BY THE WAY >>E I DID WANT TO MAKONE COMMENTE AND I AM NOT QUITCO SUE WHERE MMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS D HEADING, BUTETENTION OFFICER POSITIONS ARE SPECIFICALLY EXEMPTEDBL FROM THE STATE PUIC LAW ENFORCEMENT.S I THINK IT IBECAUSE THEY DO GO UP AND DOWN AND IT T HAS TO DO WITHHE POLICIES FROM NEXT YEAR MY STAFF IS WORKING ON THE S.QUARTERLY PROJECTION I KNOW OUR REVENUE BASED ONTI PRELIMINARY ESMATES ARE HIGHER.
WE WILLIN BE PRESENTING THAT THE NEXT FEW COURTS.
I WILL SCHEDULE BRIEFINGS FORL YOU.
>> I KNOW THERE ARE 9900AI PEOPE IN THE JL AND IT G IS CONTINUING TOO UP EVEN WITH 551 WE HAVE BEEN OUT SOURCEDTH AND PEOPLE SY EY ARE DANGEROUS NOWAT AND OBVIOUSLY WH WE CAN DO ANDD IT IS PREDICATEON WHAT WE HAVE.
WE CAN POINT OUT WHAT EVERYBODY WANTS.
WHEN WE MAKE A DECISION ON WHERE TO SET OUR TAX RATE AND IT IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.
IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IT, WE WILL MAKE THE
ISHATIS CORRECT? >> THAT CORRECT.
HAS SOMETHING BEEN DONE ON THAT ALREADY?
>> WE ARE STILL WORKING ON THAT AND WE WANT TO COME BACK WITH A CAP END SERIES.
[06:20:01]
I WILL DEFERFI TO THE SHERIFF'S OFCE IF THEYHE WANT TO COMMENT ON WRE WE ARE.>> DO YOU HAVE AN UPDATE ON THAT? I DON'T KNOW IF HEOU IS ON THER.
>> I WLD HAVE TO DEFER TO CHIEF HERCLOTZ ON THAT.
DISCUSSIONHAVE GONE. >> CAN YOU REPEAT THE QUESTION? AS FAR AS ADVANCEMENT WHAT IS YOUR QUESTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I H REMEMBER TT EVERYONEAD BROUGHT UP ONE OF THE ISSUES WITH RETENTIONO BEING THAT THERE HAS T BE RETENTION. WE SUPPORT THAT.
SO HAVE YOU BEEN ABLE TO PULL THAT TOGETHER OR WHAT IS THE LATEST?
WHAT DO YOU ALL NEED? >> YES, MA'AM.
WE HAVE SOME PROMOTIONS COMING UP IN JULY WITH THE LARGE GROUP SET TO THE DETENTION -- THE DETENTION OFFICERS SET TO SERGEANT AND THE GAP IS THE DETENTION CAPTAIN T POSITION.
WE ARE WORKINGO CLOSE THE GAP.
TO MY RANK FOR DETENTION OFFICER>> WHICH IT SHOULD BE.
I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS, JUDGE.
I STARTEDAM PART OF THE PROCESS AND I VERY EXCITED ABOUT THETI DISCUSSION OF THE COORDINAON AND I THINK THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GETTING TO, JUDGE.
-- AS >> THERE MAY BE LESS MOVEMENT BECAUSE YOU ARE GIVING OUR STAFF A TRUE CAREER PATH THAT HAS NOT PW-FRPB -- THAT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN THERE AND I AM HOPEFUL IT WILL CREATE A LONGER TENURE SO -- SO A STRONGER EXPERIENCE CAN EMERGE IN THE ORGANIZATION THAT WILLNS FURTHER STABILIZE TE OPERATIO THERE.
I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU, CHIEF, FOR YOUR WORK AND ASK YOU TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE SO THAT YOU CAN LOOK AT THE STRONG PLANNING AND THE STRONG COORDINATION IS SOMETHING I WAS SPEAKING TO MR. BERRY ABOUT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET
THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, BUT I DIDN'T FINISH MINE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS THE ADVANCEMENT PIECE.
THERE WAS ANHER PIECE ON THE ACTUAL NUMBER OF OFFICERS.
I COULD HAVE SWORN THERE WAS A THIRD PIECE.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT THE CAMERAS.
>> IT MAY HAVE BEEN THE COMBINATION OF THE NUMBER OF REPEATING CLASSES AND THE HOURLY SCHEDULE.
DOES THAT RING A BELL? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT WAS THE NUMBER OF CLASSES.
>> I THINK THERE WAS MOVEMENT THERE.
>> WE CURRENTLY HAVE A CLASS EVERY TWO WEEKS.
WE ARE AVERAGING ABOUT 15 TO 20 PER CLASS.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRYING TO ON BOARD MORE PEACE OFFICERS AS WELL TO HELP ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE.
WE ARE MOVING FOLKS AROUND TO HELP FILL THE BPOC CLASS AND WE ARE TRYING TO ON BOARD AT A HIGHER CLIP THAN WHAT WE HAVE BEEN.
I ALSO WANTED TO MENTION THAT MYSELF AND MAJOR WYNN FLEW OUT AND THEY HAVE AN ARMED DETENTION OFFICER PROGRAM.
WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THAT AT THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AS WELL.
WE ARE NOT IN THE FULL THROWS.
WE HAVE ABOUT 62 TO 65 CERTIFIED, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GROW THAT PROGRAM AS WELL TO ALLOW SOME OF THE PEACE OFFICERS TO MOVE OUT TO PATROL IN THE -- AND THE OTHER AREAS WHERE IT IS NEEDED.
[06:25:02]
IF WE KEEP ON BOARDING THOSE DETENTION OFFICERS IT WILL ALLOW US TO BACKFLOW SOME OF THE PEACE OFFICERS THAT ARE IN JAIL AND MOVE THEM OUT TO PATROLS WHERE THEY WILL BE NEEDED.>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE BOTTLENECK RIGHT NOW? DID YOU HAVE ONE ON THE LASS -- ON THE CLASSES, OR THEY ARE PIECES AND THEY ARE MOVING AND IT IS JUST A MATTER OF
TIME? >> WE WERE DOWN TO 49 VACANCIES AND IT MAY SEEM LIKE A LOT, BUT I WAS AT A CONFERENCE IN SAN MARCOS AND I WAS HIT WITH JAILS WITH 350 EMPLOYEES AND NOW THEY ARE DOWN TO 100.
>> THEY ARE LOW ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU COMPARE TO OTHER
DEPARTMENTS. >> RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE PEACE OFFICERS ON AND I KNOW THEY ARE NEEDED.
THE CLASSES CONTINUING TO COME AND WE HAVE THEM EVERY TWO WEEKS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO GET THE SIZES UP AND IF WE DO WE COULD CUT INTO THAT A LITTLE MORE.
WE HAVE THE STATE-MANDATED RATIOS AND WE HAVE TO MEET THE RATIOS.
IF WE DON'T, WE WILL HAVE A STAVE IN THE BUSINESS AND THAT'S NOT GOOD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LAST QUESTION IS THE CAMERAS ISSUE.
I REMEMBER ONE OF THE TRAGIC DEATHS SAID WE NEED MORE CAMERAS.
HAS THAT BEEN DONE. >> THAT PROCESS IS ONGOING.
WE ARE SAY ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS THROUGH AT 701.
U.S. SERVICES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF GET -- OF GETTING THOSE AND INSTALLING THOSE.
WHEN WE GET TO THE BIGGEST PART WE WILL MOVE TO 1200.
THEIR SYSTEM IS A LITTLE BETTER THAN WHERE THEY WERE.
701 IS WHERE WE CONCENTRATED OUR
EFFORTS. >> IT IS A CHALLENGE AND IT IS NOT OKAY.
I KNOW WE ARE TACKLING THIS FROM EVERY POSSIBLE ANGLE.
LET UTS -- LET US KNOW IF THERE ARE IN I SNAGS.
AND WHAT EMERGED IS THEY ARE ONE IN THE SAME PROBLEM.
WE ARE NOW SPENDING TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG.
>> WE NEED TO FIND OUT WHERE THE BOTTLENECKS ARE.
I KNOW WE HAVE A MEETING PENDING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND MRE OF OPEN MEETINGS CHALLENGES, BUT CERTAINLY -- IT IS NOT AS BAD AS WHEN IT WAS PLAYING THE ASTROS GAME.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> WILL YOU PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE NEXT COURT FOR US TO HAVE AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF THE LAWSUIT FROM THE UNION?
THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS 153.
IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> THERE IS A DIRECT COST TO BEING VACANCIES IN THE JAIL.
WE SAID IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE IF WE ARE NOT DEDICATING EQUIPMENT RESOURCES FOR THE JAIL.
THEY WERE SHARING RESOURCES WITH THE DEPUTY REKWRAOUT MEANT.
IT IS A DIFFERENT PROBLEM WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE.
SO MAKING SURE THERE ARE RESOURCES FOR THE SHERIFF -- FOR THE SHERIFF TO FULL THE POSITION.
[06:30:07]
THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE CONVERSATION AND NOT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION.>> I THINK THAT IS WORTH UNDERSTANDING.
FUNDING POSITIONS THAT ARE NOT FILLED AND MR. -- CAPTAIN -- CHIEF HERCLOTZ POINT AND THEY WERE BROUGHT DOWN TO 48.
I KNOW THAT'S A GOOD NUMBER FOR Y'ALL, BUT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE YOU PERCENTAGE-WISE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND LET ME JUST REMIND US THAT, JUDGE, WHEN I CAME IN AS A SHERIFF, I INHERITED IN THE JAIL HUNDREDS OF VACANCIES THAT WE WERE FUNDING THROUGH OVERTIME.
IT IS VERY COST EFFECTIVE AND IT IS IN PART -- AND LOOK, AT THAT TIME I HAD NO ADVOCATES ON THE COURT. I JUST HAD TO WORK WITH WHAT WE KNEW TO BE THE STANDARD JAIL OPERATIONS, BUT RECOGNIZING WE HAD TO BUILD MORE.
AND EVEN WHEN PR -- PRIA CAME UP TO SPEED, EVEN WHEN THAT CAME INTO LAW I HAD TO CULTIVATE THE RESOURCES INTERNATIONALLY.
WHAT MR. RAMOS IS DESCRIBING IS THAT THERE IS TRUE SYNYHRONICITY AND POSSIBLY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME THAT IS A MEANINGFUL CHANGE.
I APPLAUD THE DISCUSSIONS AND THE WORK BEING DONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CURIOUS, DID YOU EVER GET AN INCREASE?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T THINK
SO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS SIX
YEARS. >> AND THE COUNTY IS ALWAYS ADOPTING -- WELL, THEY HAD MORE REVENUE.
>> IT DIDN'T GO TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
>> I KNOW I WILL FORGET SOMEBODY, BUT I WANT TO ECHO YOUR SENTIMENTS.
THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND MR. BERRY'S TEAM HAS BEEN EXCELLENT TO WORK WITH AND VERY UNDERSTANDING AND PATIENT AND I WANT TO THANK THEM TOO.O:
>> LINA HIDALG THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT PASSES TPHAPBLG MUSSILY.
UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 160, OUR FAVORITE TOPIC.
THIS IS BEFORE AN ITEM KOPLT BACK WITH POSSIBLE ACTION -- AN ITEM COMES BACK WITH POSSIBLE ACTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE I A COUPLE OF COMMENTS.
OBJECT YESESLY WE -- OBVIOUSLY WE WILL VOTE WHEN IT COMES BACK.
I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO RESTRICT THE TESTIMONY TO PEOPLE WHO SHOW UP LIKE ON ADVANTAGE AND A LOT -- KIND OF CHANGED MY POSITION, BUT A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WANT TO COME MAY NOT HAVE ACCESS TO CHILD CARE OR TRANSPORTATION TO GET HERE.
I DO THINK WE OUGHT TO BE SENSITIVE TO OUR OUT OF TOWN ELECTED OFFICIALS IF A MEMBER OF CONGRESS OR A STATE LEGISLATOR COMES FORWARD OR A MAYOR OR GUEST AND WE CAN CHANGE THE RULES, BUT I THINK FOR OUR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS HERE, THEY CAN GET TO US.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME IN AND DO IT HERE.
I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF US PICKING A TIME TO DO THE RESOLUTIONS.
THE -- IT WOULD BE LATER IN THE DAY IS MY SUGGESTION.
[06:35:01]
IT WOULD BE GOOD IF WE AGREE IF BE ARE GOING FROM 10 UNTIL A LATE HOUR OF THE EVENING, PROBABLY AGREE WHEN WE HAVE LUNCH AND SO WE CAN KNOW WE CANMAKE PHONE CALLS AND IT MAY HELP >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THAT
ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WON'T ALWAYS BE OFF MY DYE TKWRET -- DIET.
I DON'T KNOW HOW I FEEL ABOUT RESTRICTING RESOLUTIONS.
LET US KNOW WHO HAS PUT IN THE MOST.
IT WOULD BE GOOD TO THINK OVER AS WE MAKE OUR DECISIONS.
IF SOMETHING COMES BACK AND I SAY THAT I WOULD BE FOR IT.
IF WE SLOW DOWN PROCESSING PAYMENTS, WHATEVER IT IS, I WILL BE FOR HAVING THE MEETING TO DO THAT.
I WILL BE FOR IT TO THE EXTENT EVEN IF I HAVE TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO DO IT.
I DON'T WANT THAT ON MY CONSCIENCE AS WE OPEN THE DOORS AND TRY TO HAVE MORE EQUITY AND SOMEBODY GOES BELLY UP BECAUSE OF OUR PROCESS. I THINK IT IS DURING THAT LONG BREAK, WHATEVER IT IS AND I WOULD BE SENSITIVE FOR ANY OF US TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW CAN BE CAN BE -- HOW SOMEBODY CAN BE VIRTUAL.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WE SHOULD ALL BE MINDFUL OF LETTING SOMEBODY WHO IS IMPORTANT TO US OR FEELS LIKE THEY OUGHT TO BE IMPORTANT HAVE EXTRA TIME.
I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU SORT THROUGH IT.
YOU GOT ME? WE CAN FIGURE OUT THEY CAN SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY.
SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW LIKE THE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE EARLIER.
OBVIOUSLY THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEY
WHEN MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE HERE IN PERSON, THEY ARE HERE ALL DAY IN PERSON.
IT IS COMFORTABLE AND RELATIVELY EASY TO APPEAR VIRTUALLY WHICH WE ALL AGREE IS A NET POSITIVE.
THE THOUGHT PROCESS WAS IT WAS PROCESS FROM THE AGENDA STAFF AND HOW THAT CAME ABOUT.
THAT WAS THE RATIONAL BEHIND IT.
IT IS WHATEVER THE COURT FEELS
MAKES MORE SENSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE WE REQUIRED BY LAW TO MEET AT 10 OR IS THAT OUR DECISION?
>> THAT'S YOUR DECISION. MY SENSE WAS GENERALLY -- GENERALLY THE 10:00 TIME WAS A DESIRABLE TIME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MADE IT IN AUSTIN BECAUSE I ALWAYS TAKE A NAP WHEN I KNOW I GET A LITTLE AGITATED. AS I GET OLDER I GET AGITATED A LITTLE MORE IF YOU HAVEN'T
NOTICED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MAYBE.
BE CAREFUL. IF WE PUT A TV WHERE PEOPLE CAN HEAR IT, THAT MIGHT HELP IF IT IS NOT DISRUPTIVE.
IT IS GOOD THAT WITH THE TV BACK HERE AND SOMETIMES I WILL -- THERE ARE ONLY FIVE OF US, I WILL LISTEN MOST OF THE TIME AND IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT IN THE HALL -- I KNOW WHEN WE MOVED DOWNSTAIRS -- TRAVIS COUNTY IS AN EXAM WHERE -- EXAMPLE WHERE PEOPLE CAN WATCH FROM OUT THERE.
I GET IT ON PRIORITIZING PEOPLE IN THE ROOM.
BUT THIS IS WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE AS A CHANGE IN THE RULES.
[06:40:08]
BEFORE YOU GUYS CAME WAS THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE BUDGET OFFICE TO EXPENDITURES THAT ARE UNDER A CERTAIN LEVEL TO GO AHEAD AND HAVE OUR PRE-APPROVAL SUBJECT TO THEM COMING BACK AND BEING REVIEWED BY US.IF WE MAKE THAT LIMIT TO ONE WHERE IF IT IS A SMALL BUSINESS, $100,000 IS NOT A BIG DEAL TO A BIG COMPANY, BUT IT IS A HUGE DEAL TO A SMALL COMPANY. WHATEVER THAT NUMBER IS THE MAJORITY OF US ARE COMFORTABLE WITH, WE COULD AUTHORIZE THE BUDGET OFFICE TO VET, REVIEW THOSE INVOICES AND HAVE THE PRE APPROVAL CAPACITY AND THEY SUBMIT TO US AFTERWARDS, THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: KPHEUGTS -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF I COULD PIGGYBACK, I THINK IT IS MORE COMPLICATED THAN JUST THAT BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. AND WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT PAYING SMALL BUSINESSES.
MY RECOMMENDATION IS THAT WE DO STRUCTURE A BUSINESS COURT MEETING THAT IS LIMITED TO THE APPROVAL OF VENDOR INVOICES AS PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR.
INVOICE THAT'S REQUIRE ANY DISCUSSION WILL BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA ON THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
I WOULD RATHER DEFER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO STRUCTURE THAT BUSINESS COURT MEETING SO IT CAN ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE ARE BOTH COMMUNICATING.
THAT'S ONE OF MY RECOMMENDATIONS THE OTHER ITEM I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IS THAT IF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE COULD COORDINATE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WOULD BE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT I GUESS SINCE YOU ARE WRITING THE RULES
TO COORDINATE THAT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL BRING THE NEW SET.
WE DID THAT WITH THE ELECTIONS
COMMISSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS PARTICULAR ITEM THAT WE COORDINATE BUDGET REQUESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS THAT MUST COME THROUGH THE BUDGET OFFICE BEFORE BEING PLACED ON THE UH -- AGENDA SO THE OFFICE HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VET, REVIEW AND POTENTIALLY UH PROFESSOR OR -- APPROVE OR NOT OR DECIDE IF IT IS PUT ON THE AGENDA AT ALL.
>> TOM RAMSEY: AND A COMMENT ON THE BUSINESSES HAVING BEEN ONE OF THOSE DIS-- THE BUSINESSES DEPENDING ON THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO MEET AND IMPROVE INVOICES I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. PWR-F -- BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING HOW MANY BUSINESS MEETINGS, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, DO WE THINK WE WOULD NEED TO FILL THE GAP? IT CAN'T BE THAT WE MEET THREE TIMES EVERY MONTH.
THERE WOULD BE THOSE GAPS THAT WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO APPROVE INVOICES.
>> I THINK IT IS FOUR OR FIVE.
WE HAVE 21 OR 22 COURTS A YEAR AND IF WE MET EVERY 2 WEEKS IT IS 26.
THAT GETS US TO EVERY TWO WEEKS AND WE WOULD NEVER GO MORE THAN
-- >> AND YOU ARE SAYING WE HAVE A PROBLEM NOW WITH PROCESSING INVOICES?
>> WE PAY PEOPLE LATE WHEN THERE ARE THREE WEEKS THAT PASS AND WE
DON'T GET APPROVAL. >> SO WHEN WE HAVE A THREE-WEEK BREAK WHICH IS FOUR TO FIVE TIMES A YEAR.
>> CAN I FOLLOW-UP ON THAT ONE? SO WE'RE SAYING IF WE DO THIS AND WE HAVE THE BUSINESS MEETING THEN I KNOW WE HAVE ALL BEEN VERY JUDICIOUS OF TRYING NOT TO HAVE TOO MANY THREE-WEEK GAPS, BUT WE COULD HAVE MORE THREE-WEEK GAPS IF WE HAVE THE BUSINESS MEETING THAT COMES IN.
WE WOULDN'T BE QUITE SO SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT?
>> JUST PUTTING THAT OUT THERE.
>> CAN I JUST SAY FOR THE RECORD THAT I DON'T KNOW WHOSE IDEA THAT WAS, BUT I'M STARTING TO LIKE IT.
>> SO US ADDRESSING THE BUSINESS PART OF THE AGENDA, THOSE DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT
[06:45:03]
MANY TIMES WERE 6:00 AT NIGHT AND DOING IT AT 11:00.OF COURSE WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS FIRST AND WE HAVE TO DO THAT IS FIRST.
WHETHER IT SAVES ANY TIME OR NOT WE'LL SEE.
AND THEN ONE MINOR THING, IF WE CAN SIGN RESOLUTIONS ON THE SAME DAY WE PASS THEM WHILE WE ARE ALL HERE, I THINK IT MAY SAVE PEOPLE A LOT OF TIME TRACKING US DOWN.
I THINK Y'ALL USED TO DO THAT.
>> WE DIDN'T QUITE HAVE AS MANY.
IF I MIGHT? I SAY IF IT SLOWS US DOWN -- I AM AN ADVOCATE OF STARTING AN HOUR EARLY.
WE DON'T ALL HAVE TO BE HERE HERE TO HEAR THE PUBLIC TESTIMONY.
WHEN WE GET TO LATE IN THE DAY AND MAKING ON DECISIONS ON BIG ISSUES, IT MAY BE THE MOST PRODUCTIVE WAY TO DO IT. I DON'T WANT TO MEET ANYMORE THAN WHAT WE HAVE TO MEET, BUT COMPARED TO EVERY OTHER JOB MEETING EVERY TWO WEEKS, I AM NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THAT, BUT IF WE ARE HERE AT MIDNIGHT, 10:00 AT NIGHT, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE, I JUST TELL YOU IF I AM IN A BAD MOOD.
MYSELF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT -- WHEN WILL THE NEW SCHEDULE OF COURT COME
OUT? >> FOR THE SUB -- SUBSEQUENT
YEAR? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR 23.
>> I THINK IT IS LATE IN THE YEAR.
>> YEAH, THIS LAST YEAR I THINK IT WAS NOVEMBER.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU MAY WANT TO TAKE A SHOT AT DRAFTING SOME EARLIER BASED ON THIS BUSINESS COURT DISCUSSION AND THAT WAY WE CAN MAKE SURE TO LOOK AT IT EARLY ON AND IT IS NOT FINAL UNTIL IT IS PRESENTED IN NOVEMBER, I GUESS, BUT IT WILL BE GOOD TO LOOK AT IT UNDERSTAND IT.
>> LUCINDA SAID WE DID IT IN SEPTEMBER.
THAT'S WHEN IT COMES OUT. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND ONE OTHER
POINT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY, AND TO MY OTHER POINT ABOUT COORDINATING THE BUDGET ISSUES THROUGH THE BUDGET OFFICE, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO INCLUDE SOME DISCUSSION WITH THE COMMISSIONERS IF WE WANT TO PUT SOMETHING ON THERE LATER.
>> ON THE AGENDA RELATED TO THE BUDGET.
>> TOM RAMSEY: AND AS I UNDERSTAND EVEN A BUSINESS MEETING TWO MEMBERS CAN BE VIRTUAL?
IT IS ESSENTIALLY NO DIFFERENT THAN ANY OTHER CASH DASH
>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE HAS TO BE A ROTATION BECAUSE I WILL BE HERE EVERY TIME.
>> AND I KNOW THERE ARE NOT ALWAYS FIVE MEMBERS AT THESE COURTS.
IF SOMETHING IS CONTROVERSIAL IT WOULD BE PULLED AND DISCUSSED ANYWAY.
>> WHAT DID YOU PUT IF -- IN THERE AS TAKING THE PICTURES IF WE DO THAT LATER OR ONLY -- YOU FOUR CAN BE IN FOR THE PICTURES AND I HAVE A POP UP YOU CAN PUT IN OF ME.
>> PERHAPS WE SIGN -- THERE IS A LOT OF GOOD IDEAS HERE.
THE SIGNING OF THE RESOLUTIONS,E END OF THE JUVENILE BOARD, THAT WORKS.
WE CAN GET THE CALENDAR AND FOR THE BUSINESS COURT WE DON'T NEED THE DISCUSSION.
THE OTHER PROBLEM IS WE DON'T WANT TO NOT HAVE A QUORUM.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED BEFORE IS I THOUGHT YOU WERE COMING AND YOU
THOUGHT I WAS COMING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T SEE THE BUSINESS COURT BEING LIKE OUR REGULAR COURT MEETINGS WHERE WE KNOW WE NEED TO BE HERE.
I THINK THE IDEA OF COORDINATING AND HAVING THE KOUPB TAOEP -- COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYING WHO IS PLANNING ON ATTENDING OR WE NEED ONE MORE TO ATTEND BEFORE WE CANCEL THAT MEETING.
>> AND WE WOULD NEED THAT FIGURED OUT BEFORE THE THREE WEEKS OTHERWISE THAT WOULD BE A
[06:50:05]
I THINK WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROCESS.PROCEDURALLY HER OFFICE WOULD BE ONE TO COORDINATE THE PROCESS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL ALWAYS BE HERE.
I THINK I HAVE BEEN ON THE COURT FIVE -- SIX YEARS AND I HAVE NOT MISSED A MEETING YET.
I CAN'T REMEMBER IF I MET VIRTUAL.
AND THE WAY IT WORKS NOW, THE VIRTUAL STUFF, I THINK PEOPLE -- LET FOLKS KNOW.
IF I HAVE DONE IT I LET PEOPLE KNOW.
IF SOMEBODY SAID THEY ARE GOING TO BE VIRTUAL, I KNEW YOU ONLY
NEED THREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A GREAT DISCUSSION AND WE WILL CONTINUE ON.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS A NO ACTION AND THIS WAS A DISCUSSION ITEM.
AND NEXT IS 161, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THIS ONE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ONE
IS IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: 181, PAGE 21.
I AM KWERPBED WHY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS MAKING THE MOVE.
I WANT TO ASK MR. RAMOS HOW MUCH OF THE R AND R MONEY WE HAVE LEFT AND WHETHER WE CAN USE THAT TO BUILD A CONTRACT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND
THE HARRIS CENTER. >> I BELIEVE IT WAS THREE COURTS AGO THIS COURT LIQUIDATED THE R AND R.
CAN WE USE ARPA MONEY TO DO THIS? I HATE TO LEAVE THE HARRIS CENTER WITHOUT SECURITY.
>> I DON'T THINK THERE ARE GAPS IN SECURITY, BUT I WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU ON ARPA ELIGIBILITY.
>> IF I UNDERSTAND THIS ITEM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS PULLING
THEIR RESOURCES, AREN'T THEY? >> I AM READING MY NOTES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU WANT TO LET US KNOW AT THE END OF COURT?
>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN COME 215, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY, I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE PEOPLE HAVING TO SECURE BONDS AND GOING TO DARK AREAS LATE AT NIGHT AND I DON'T THINK THAT IS A GOOD SECURITY THING AND TO GIVE THEM A SAFER AND MORE SECURE WAY TO GET THEIR BONDS MAKES ALL THE SENSE. I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT'S WHAT THIS IS.
IT IS HELPING THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO SECURE A BOND.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE HERE IN PERSON.
IS THAT CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? MY NOTES HERE COMMISSIONER SAID IT WOULD ALLOW PEOPLE TO PAY AN ONLINE -- TO PAY ONLINE TO REDUCE TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION AT THE JAIL.
>> AND I THINK IT MAKES SECURITY >> I MAKE A PHOEBGS -- MOTION TO
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE HARRIS CENTER HAD APPROVED THE CHANGE.
IF WE WANT TO PULL THE ITEM I CAN CHECK ON THE ARPA ELIGIBILITY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD REQUEST NO ACTION ON IT THEN.
>> WE CAN FOLLOW-UP WITH THE ARPA ELIGIBILITY.
MY UNDERSTANDING WAS IT WAS MOVED BY BOTH PARTIES.
>> I AM JUST CONCERNED BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS.
AS I READ I AM LESS CONCERNED.
>> IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH DELAYING IT?
>> THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH DELAYING IT.
>> THERE IS A NOTIFICATION THAT IT IS HAPPENING.
[06:55:03]
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE VOTED ON 215.
>> ON 220, 221 AND 222 I JUST WANT TO UH-HUH PHRAUD MY -- I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD MY TEAM, MY PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT AND ROAD AND BRIDGE TEAM.
THEY ARE PHENOMENAL, PHENOMENAL HARD BLANK, BLANK, BLANK WORKING PEOPLE.
I AM HAPPY FOR THEM AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK.
WHEN YOU GO OUT AND YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE PARTS AND THE PROJECTS, I MEAN, I GET SO MANY EMAILS AND MESSAGES FROM THE PUBLIC WHEN THEY RECOGNIZE THE CHANGE OR THE IMPACT OF THEIR WORK IN A PARTICULAR AREA.
ALL THAT TO SAY THAT THIS IS THEIR WORK BEFORE THEY HAD GOOD EQUIPMENT.
I REMEMBER THAT IN 2019 WE DID AN ASSESSMENT OF THEIR VEHICLES AND THEY HAD TRUCKS WITH HOLES IN THEM TO THE ROAD UNDERNEATH.
WE WORKED TO IMPROVE THE EQUIPMENT.
AND THESE ITEMS ARE JUST SIMPLY MORE IN THE SAME VEIN.
WE ARE BUYING TRUCKS THAT BLOW THE BEGUNKING -- THE GUK AND THE MUD OUT -- THE GUNK AND THE TRUCKS.
WE HAVE TRACK LOADERS FOR THEIR OTHER AREAS OF WORK.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PURCHASE OF THE ITEMS AND MY EMPLOYEES DON'T COMPLAIN AND IF WE HAVE ASSESSED THE EQUIPMENT WE WOULD NOT HAVE REALIZED WHAT KIND OF MAGIC AND SCOTCH TAPE AND THEY WERE HAPPY TO DO THE WORK.
AND THEY ARE DOING MORE IMPRESSIVE WORK.
PROPS TO THE PRECINCT 2 PUBLIC WORKS TEAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 220, 221, AND 222, MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
DID YOU CATCH THAT? >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THERE WILL BE A PRESENTATION ON THIS ITEM.
THE PARK AND YOUR STAFF WAS THERE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
HIS DEATH IS A GLARING AND TRAGIC EXAMPLE OF THE LONG ROAD TO MAKE OUR CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM PROTECT SAFETY AND INJUSTICE FOR EVERYBODY AND THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE.
EVEN IN 2021 THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE U.S.
SHOT AND KILLED MORE PEOPLE AND TWO YEARS AGO THEY ADVANCED THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE AWARENESS IN OUR SYSTEM AND WE TASKED THE AWARENESS PROJECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM NOW AND WHERE WE ARE NOW AND WHAT WORK WE NEED TO DO TO IMPROVE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY.
THEY POOHED DOWN A PRESENT -- THEY PASSED DOWN THE PRESENTATION TO US.
>> GOOD EVENING. PROBLEM -- [INAUDIBLE].
THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.
ALL OF THE INFORMATION THAT I WILL BE PRESENTING TO YOU IS INFORMATION THAT IS NOT NEW IT IS SOMETHING AT YOUR STAFF HAS RECEIVED AND I WILL DO WHAT I CAN TO MAKE THIS AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS I CAN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR, HAVE YOU SENT THIS PRESENTATION TO
OUR STAFF? >> WE ACTUALLY SENT A MEMO OUTLINING THIS CONTENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL LOOK AT
THE MEMO. >> WE SENT IT ON FRIDAY.
[07:00:01]
MY GLASSES ARE STILL IN THE MAIL SO I CAN'T SEE THE PRESENTATION, BUT I WILL LOOK AT THE MEMO.>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHY I GO OLD SCHOOL WITH THE PAPER.
>> AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ARTICULATED THEY PROVIDE A WIDE RANGE OF TOPIC AREAS COVERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND WAYS TO ADDRESS POVERTY AND HOMELESSNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE AND THE CRIMINALIZATION OF POVERTY AND THE VIABILITY OF THE TOWN'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND WAYS THE TOWN CAN ENHANCE LAW ENFORCEMENT PRACTICES AND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE INDIGENT DEFENSE AND ADDRESS THE PROCESS OF DISPARITY.
THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE PROUD OF.
I WILL BEGIN WITH THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BUDGETING PROCESS THAT WAS GIVEN TO US BY THE COUNTY JUDGE.
OUT OF THIS PARTICULAR SCOPE OF WORK, A FIRST OF A KIND ADJUSTMENT REINVESTMENT FUND.
AND I WANT TO SHOUTOUT TO THE BUDGIE MANAGEMENT -- THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT SO THEY CAN PROVIDE THEIR FEEDBACK AND INPUT AND A PRODUCT OF THAT CAN BE SEEN ON THE WEBSITE AND IEN -- I ENCOURAGE YOU ALL TO SEE THAT.
ANOTHER ITEM YOU PROVIDED US WAS THE VIABILITY OF LOOKING AT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO PROVIDE A FIRST RESPONDER STUDY THAT A REPORT WAS COMPLETED WITH THE COURT ANALYST OFFICE AND WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE PROGRAM BEGAN OPERATING IN MARCH OF 2020.
WE ARE GOOD TO GO ON THAT ONE.
NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. THE PREVENTION REPORT WAS COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED ON AUGUST OF 2021 AND IT HELPS THE PREVENTION SERVICES WITHIN THE COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY PREVENTION PROGRAM WAS APPROVED COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND PEER SUPPORT AND THE HOSPITAL PREVENTION PROGRAM AND THEY HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED AFTER A VIOLENCE PROGRAM.
THEY WILL HIRE OUT REACH SUPERVISORS ON SUNNY SIDE AND THEY HIRED SEVERAL OUT REACH SPECIALISTS AND WE ARE ON POINT ON THAT ONE AND WE PROVIDED A PRESENTATION TO DISCUSS THE FINDING -- TO DISCUSS OUR PROGRESS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
AND HE GAVE US A REPORT TO LOOK AT WHAT IT WOULD TAKE FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE TO INCREASE CAPACITY BY 50% OF INDIGENT DEFENSE CASES.
WE PUBLISHED A REPORT AND THE REPORT OUTLINED NOT JUST THE WAY OF BEEFING UP THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, BUT THE COUNCIL TO BE FULLY OPERATIONAL.
THERE ARE QUITE A FEW DASHBOARDS AND GUIDES AND A REPRESENTATION IN 2018 IS 24%.
MISDEMEANORS IT IS 18% AND FELONY IT IS 15% FROM 5.76.
WHAT PERCENTAGE OF CASES DOES THE PD OFFICE -- I THINK WHEN I MAKE THAT MOTION, THE GOAL WAS
[07:05:04]
TO GET IT TO 50%, PERIOD.>> THE GOAL IS TO GET IT TO 50%, COMMISSIONER.
MR. BONNET IS NOT HERE TO ANSWER SPECIFIC QUESTIONS, BUT IF IF I CAN FINISH THIS PRESENT -- PRESENTATION I CAN PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OTHER INFORMATION.
YOU GAVE US A STUDY ON NON-PUNITIVE INITTER -- INTERVENTION ALTERNATIVE.
THE DATA GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE APPROVED THE DATA USE AGREEMENT YESTERDAY AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT AND ALL OF THE RELEVANT PARTIES WILL FIND THE AGREEMENT AND THEN WE WILL PROCEED WITH SHARING THE DATA ELEMENT.
>> IS THAT THE ONE I SENT A LETTER ASKING FOR IN 2018?
THANK YOU. >> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
>> YOU ALSO GAVE US A STUDY ON FEES THAT ARE ON ITS WAY.
THE VENDOR IS LOOKING AT THE SCOPE OF WORK AND WE WILL BE -- AS SOON AS WE HAVE ALL OF THAT WE WILL GIVE UH TIMELINE TO BE COMPLETED. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
COMMISSIONER, THIS IS PART OF THE QUESTION YOU ASKED US.
THERE IS A REPORT TO LOOK AT THE ROOT CAUSES OF RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES TO THE EXSENT THAT -- EXTENT THE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES EXIST, THE CAUSES AND THE EVIDENCE-BASED RECOMMENDATIONS TO REMEDY THOSE PARTICULAR DISPARITIES.
WE SUBMITTED A REQUEST TO THE COMMITTEE AND THEY ARE HOPING TO RECEIVE IT.
THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE NOT IN PUBLIC VIEW THAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO MORE ADDITIONAL WORK TO GET FROM EITHER THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE OR OTHER AGENCIES.
>> I WANT TO REQUEST THAT YOUR OFFICE JUST PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA EVERY COURT UNTIL WE GET IT.
WHEN I CAN GET A VERSION OF IT, AS I MENTIONED TO YOU AT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATING COUNCIL WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE, AND THE CONSTABLE WAS HERE AND I'LL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND I WILL FIGURE OUT -- I KNOW THE PRESS IS HERE AND MAYBE THEY WILL DO THE OPEN RECORDS REQUEST.
THAT'S TAKING TOO LONG. IT WAS SINCE 2018.
IF YOU WOULD POST THAT EVERY COURT SO WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT ITEM.
>> YES. COMMISSIONER -- YES, COMMISSIONER. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA REGARDING RACIAL PROFILING DATA.
OUT OF THAT PARTICULAR EFFORT WE WERE ABLE TO DEVELOP A FIRST OF A KIND DASHBOARD THAT LOOKS AT RACIAL PROFILING DATA AND NOT JUST -- BASICALLY DATA THAT IS SUBMITTED TO THE TEXAS LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMISSION AND ALL OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN 254 COUNTIES.
IT IS SELF-REPORTED. YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE ON U.
WE ARE ASKING ALL AGENCIES FOLLOW THIS.
ONE IS AN EXAMPLE BY CONSTABLE JERRY GARCIA'S WEBSITE.
HE HAS HIS OWN LINE COMPLAINT FORM AND ANOTHER ONE IS THE SHERIFF'S BUSINESS.
HE HAS A CARD AND YOU CAN SEE IT ON PAGE 6 OF THE REPORT THAT HIS DEPUTIES PROVIDE.
[07:10:04]
THAT WAS SOMETHING HE WAS DOING PRIOR TO THE REPORT AND IT ALLOWS INDIVIDUALS TO KNOW HOW TO REACH OUT TO THE DEPARTMENT AND THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD EXAMPLE WE THOUGHT WOULD BE WORTHY OF UP LIFTING.NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE WILL HAVE A PUBLIC SITE ON THE USE OF FORCE DATA.
AND NOW THIS IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE IN PROGRESS.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THE SENDING AND THE POSSIBLE TRACING.
THEY SUBMITTED TO THE CONSTABLES THE MOU IN MAY OF 2021.
IT HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED BY THE PARTIES AND HAS NOT BEEN SIGNED BY THE CONSTABLES.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY HAVE A LOT ON THEIR PLATE.
AND SO WE WANTED TO GET INFORMATION BASED ON SPECIFIC BASIS.
RIGHT NOW WE WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET INFORMATION ON HOW-LEVEL AGGREGATE MONTHLY DATA SO WE CAN START DEALING WITH THE PUBLIC-FACING DASHBOARD. THAT'S PHASE 1.
PHASE 2 WILL GIVE IT CHARACTERISTICS AND PHASE 3 WHERE IT IS LEGALLY AND TO HAVE THE BODY CAM FOOTAGE.
THEY DID HAVE A VERY GOOD MEETING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA SO WE CAN GET MORE MOVEMENT ON THIS THING. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
WE ALSO HAD THE INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT REPORT.
THAT REPORT IS FINAL -- FINALIZED -- WELL, IT IS CLOSE TO BEING FINALIZED.
WE PROVIDED QUESTIONS AND THE CONSULTANTS FOLLOWED UP AND THE INSPECTOR GENERAL AND WE ARE THANKFUL TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR ANSWERING OUR QUESTIONS, BUT WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED RESPONSES FROM THE OTHER CONSTABLES.
WE PLAN TO SUBMIT THE REPORT AND FOR A CIVILIAN INDEPENDENT OVERSIGHT BOARD IN HARRIS COUNTY.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE ALSO HAVE A MODEL USE OF FORCE POLICY TRAINING.
WE REVIEWED THE JURISDICTIONS AND THE USE OF FORCE POLICIES AND WE ARE DEVELOPING A TOOL KIT TO MAKE IT EASY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO UTILIZE OUR RECOMMENDED POLICY.
THEY ARE POLICIES THEY CAN DOWNLOAD AND REVIEW.
ALL WE CAN DO IS PROVIDE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON THE PRACTICES AND OBVIOUSLY LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN CHOOSE TO IMPLEMENT OR NOT IMPLEMENT AND THAT'S SORT OF WHERE WE ARE ON THAT PARTICULAR FRONT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BEFORE YOU MOVE ON, ON THE USE OF FORCE POLICY DO YOU HAVE A RECORD OF WHO HAS ADOPTED IT?
>> THE LAST TIME I KNOW THE CONSTABLES WERE GETTING TOGETHER TO HAVE A UNIFIED USE OF FORCE. THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT WAS GOOD ENOUGH TO SHARE WHAT THEY WERE USING.
WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO IS LAUNCH THIS TOOL KIT TO MAKE IT EASY FOR CONVERSATIONS SO WE CAN DELINEATE THE LOGIC BEHIND OUR
[07:15:11]
RECOMMENDATIONS. I DO NOT HAVE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THE ANSWER IS NO.
THIS IS A LABOR OF LOVE AND GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO -- COMMISSIONER YOU HAD A QUESTION REGARDING WHERE THE PDO IS REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REPORT AND PR BONNET IS NOT -- MR. BONNET IS NOT HERE, BUT WHAT I CAN TELL YOU IS THAT -- A COUPLE OF THINGS WILL BE NECESSARY FOR A FULL 50% IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PDA.
AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE RE-- RESOURCES IT WILL TAKE RESOURCES TO HAVE A ROBUST PUBLIC DEFENSE AND SALARIES AND NONPERSONAL COSTS. THIS COURT WILL HAVE TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.
THE NUMBERS I SHARED WITH YOU, THE 15% REPRESENTATION FOR THE FELONY APPOINTMENT AND FOR MISSED APPOINTMENTS, THEY ARE LOWER THAN THE CASE CAPACITY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT MOVING FORWARD AT NORMAL SPEED.
THEY HAVE MANDATORY CASE MAXIMUMS AND FELONIES, THEY CAN'T GO ABOVE 150 AND MUST REFUSE NEW CASES IF THE LIMITS ARE EXCEEDED. ACCORDING TO MR. BONNIN IT WOULD GO SMOOTHER AS TRIALS INCREASE AND SO HE IS HOPING ABSENT OF ANOTHER PANDEMIC SHUTDOWN WHICH WE SEE THAT THINGS ARE GOING WELL ON THAT FRONT THAT THE PDO SHOULD BE AT 20%.
THE PDO IS ADDING LAWYERS WITH ARPA FUNDS AND THAT ADDITIONAL LAWYERS SHOULD ENSURE IT IS 20%.
I WISH I COULD CHANNEL ALEX AND THAT IS BASICALLY THE INFORMATION HE RELAYED.
I'M SURE IF YOU HAVE FOLLOW-UP PWAOEUFBG -- BASICALLY IT WILL TAKE DIFFERENT -- ADDITIONAL MONEY.
THIS ITEM WAS FOR DISCUSSION ONLY SO I WON'T MAKE A MOTION.
BUT I WILL MAKE A REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COME BACK TO US WITH A PLAN I GUESS IT TKR-RBGS CORREIA AND MR. PERRY WORKING ON -- I HAVE A TOUR OF ITEMS HERE ON WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS AND HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT THEM. FOUR OF US WENT TO -- IT WAS A SPECIAL TIME IN OUR COUNTRY AND AT LEAST THE ONES I PUT ON THE AGENDA AND WAS THE CASE FOR ALL OF THOSE WHO PUT IT ON THE -- THE AGENDA, THEY WERE HEART FELT AND SERIOUS AND DAY TAU- DATA-DRIVEN REPORT.
JUST AS I HAVE SUPPORTED USING IT FROM MY FEDERAL PARTNERS AND I WOULD KNOW THAT THIS IS THE SHORT-TERM I HAVE MADE AN EXCEPTION.
INDIGENT DEFENSE AS AN EXAMPLE.
WE RAISED SALARIES IN CERTAIN OFFICES AND YOU NEED BALANCE ON BOTH SIDES OR SOMEBODY IS NOT GOING TO TAKE A PLEA IF THEY DON'T HAVE CONFIDENCE IF THE JUDGE JUST APPOINTED SOMEBODY.
I WANT YOU TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN.
[07:20:08]
RACIAL DISPARITY DATA.IF THEY WERE GIVING REPORTS -- AND I CAN LOOK AT THEM WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE.
I THINK MY STAFF IS PULLING THEM, BUT CAN'T GET THEM NOW.
IF SOMETHING IS LEGALLY PROTECTED, I GET THAT.
GOING OFF TO A DATA COMMITTEE, THERE IS NO LEGISLATIVE AUTHORITY TO HOLD THAT.
ON THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THERE IS A LOT OF PRODDING AND THE MONEY WE CAN GO AFTER WE CAN GO AFTER AND I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO COME BACK.
DO YOU THINK 30 DAYS IS SUFFICIENT? I WANT TO DO IT BEFORE WE DECIDE HOW TO SPEND ALL OF THE ARPA MONEY AND I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WENT TO THE FUNERAL AND WASN'T SERIOUS ABOUT WHAT WE ARE PUTTING ON HERE.
I AM PREPARED TO MAKE THE CASE.
>> IF WE NEED TWO MORE WEEKS WE
IT IS A GOOD START, BUT I REMEMBER HAVING A CONVERSATION WHERE YOU WALK BACK FROM THE UNIVERSE OF MENTAL HEALTH CALLS AND THERE ARE ENORMOUS GAPS.
AS YOU EVALUATE THE NEXT STEPY -- STEP ON THE ALTERNATIVE RESPONSE, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SOMETHING FROM MR. PERRY TURNER TO OWN ORAR BBIEOB RINSON OR WHOM, BUTOW H -- WHAT ARE THE GAPS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH RESPONSE SIDE AND HOW AREE W GOING TO MEET THEMND A THE CITIES AREOI DNG SOMEND A HARRIS CENTER IS DOINGOM SETHING AND HART ISOI DNG SOME.
THAT LEAVES ANNO ERMOUS, ENORMOUSNI UVERSE OF PEOPLE WHOSEEE NDSRE A NOT BEINGET M.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERES I TREMENDOUSRO PGRESS ON SOME OF THEM,ND A I DON'T MEAN TO SAY I AM DISAPPOINTEDPL COMETELY BECAUSE THEREPR IS OGRESS ON A LOTTH OF OSE ITEMS WE LAID, OUT BUT THERE ISTI SLL ROOM ON SOME.
THEIG INDENT DEFENSEPS JUM IN MY MIND
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER, DO YOU THINK WE W HILLAVE A GOOD SENSEPR OF IORITIES? I MEAN, I READ THE 12.
>>MI COMSSIONER, THESO REAN IT SHOWSIS 12 BECAUSE ONE OF THE ITEMS HAD AON SECDARY MOTION.
IT WAS ON THEIA RACL PROFILING REPORT ANDN THECOMMISSIONER GARCIA HADER ANOTH AMENDMENTTH AT WAS ON THELI PROFINGAN ALYSIS. THERE WAS TWO F ITEMSOR ONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS JUST MAKING A I POINT HAVEST EXHAUED.
THINK THERE U IS ANNDERSTANDINGF PRIORITIESIS AT TH POINT?
IT I IS LATEN THE DAY AND I KNOW WE WANT TO O GET OUTF HERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FORTH E PROGRESS.
>> JOHNRO IS ON FM THE COUNTYTO ATRNEY'S OFFICE.
ANHINKED HE NEED TO ADDRESS ISSUE THAT WAS U BROUGHTP.
IT IS R 153 ANDELATED TO THE JAIL AND THAT PROGRAM.
>>NE COMMISSIOR CAGLE,UN MY DERSTANDING IS YOU ASKEDAN FOR
I >> AM JUST A PROVIDING FACTUALTE UPDAU.
YO A ASKED FORN UPDATE ON THEUI LAWST BROUGHT BYIE THE DEPUTS.
THAT LAWSUIT WAS DISMISSED BY AGO.
COURT A CPLE MONTHS AND WE UNDERSTANDBE THEY MAY TRYING I TO REFILET, BUT STAGE WEEE HAVEN'T SN ANYLA COMPINT YET.
>>TH WAS THAT ERT STATE COU? >> ITL IS FEDERACOURT.HO >> WDG IS THE JUE?
>> THANK YOUDA FOR THAT UPTE.IN >> LA HIDALGO: TWRO 37 -- 237PL IS SIMY AN UPDATEN SO NO ACTIO IS NEEDNE OWED THAT O.
281, MR. RAMOS, YOU WANTED TO COVER TOLLE ROAD REVENU.
S >> ANDO LAST WEEK WE WENT TO MARKET TO REFUND OF OF HCTRA FUNDS.UD I AM PRO TO SAY WE GOT 2.9 ALLAN IN RATE DRD THAT IS
[07:25:03]
UNHEA OFST AND A TEST MEANT TO THE RENGTH OF THE COUNTY AND THEST HCTRA SYEM ANDY A GREAT JOB B ALLPAPART -- RTNERS.NE >> RODY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED O A MOTIONN THIS? OH JUST A TRANSMITTALA .
>> LINHIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONSY >> RODNEELLIS: GOOD NEWS.HI
>> LINA DALGO: SO THATSM IS A TRANITTAL.
THAT IS ON PAGE 34.AM >> TOM RSEY: SOER THIS CONFENCE WILL BE HERE ONH AUGUST 30T AND 31ST.
AND IS O THAT REGIONALLYR IS IT JUST IN THIS AREA ALL OVER?G FROM ALL OVER THE
U.S.?DA >> LINA HILGO: ISBI DIRECTOR RONSON ON THE LINE?
>> GOODOO AFTERNOON -- OR GD EVENING, JUDGE.F THIS IS CHIEOF STAFF TO DIRECTORIS ROBINSON.
TH IS OPEN TO ANYONE AVAILABLE WE WILLN HAVE 300 IN-PERSOD ATTENDEES AN A VIRTUAL OPTION T AND WE CAN GETHOSE NUMBERS TO YOU AND IT IS OPEN NATIONALLY AND IT IS TO PROMOTE THE METHODN OF COMMUNICATISVE AND PLAN TO ADRTISE THROUGHME MEDIA, SOCIAL
DIA AND -- >> I AND IT IS GOING TO BES ACE TWO-DAY CONFEREN?
>> LINA HIDAO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.O: >> LINA HIDALG ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
IT IS PAS UNANIMOUSLY.TH >> DID YOU MAKE EL REQUEST THAT ALOF OUR OFFICES ARET INFORMED SO THAWE CAN -- [INAUDIBLE] I DO MAKE THE REQUEST THATIT YOU COORDINATE WH OUR OFFICES OF ALL OF THE BOARD MEMBERS SO WE CAN PARTICIPATE.
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE WOULD LOVEHI THAT.
>> LINA DALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, 287 ON PAGE 34.
I THINK IT WAS SOMEONE ELSE WHO HAD ANE QUESTION.
>> RODY ELLIS: IS HE GOING TO MOVE IT?
NOW. >> TOM RAMSEY: I HAVEN GOTTEN I HAD IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYSN GOTTEN INFORMATION O.
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IN FACT, THEY MET LAST NIGHT AND THEY HAVE CONCERNS WITH THE PROJECT AND HAVE RECEIVED INPUT FROM ONE OF THE STATE REPS AND THEY HAD FEEDBACK FROMAR CONSTITUENTS IN THE EA AND THEY HAVE CONCERNS AND THIN -- AND THENTH SOME RECOGNIZE THAT ERE IS A BAR ACROSS THE STREET FROM WHERE THIS WOULD BE BUILT.
THERE AREAT CONCERNS RELATED TO TH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A TIMETABLE ON THIS?EP DOES SOMEBODY FROM A DARTMENT KNOW THE STABILITY? I KNOW AFFORDABLEBL HOUSING IS SUCH A PROEM HERE AND I AM GLAD WE HAVE STOPPED A POLICY WHERE EACH COMMISSIONER WILL DECIDE AOUPB -- N UNILATERALLY WHETHER OROT THE PROJECTS CAN GO IN THE AREA WHICH IS WHY MOST ARE IN PRECINCT 1 AND 2 PROBABLY.
ANY DEADLINE ON THIS? DOES THIS JEOPARDIZE THE ABILITY DOESN'TE HOUSING IF IT PASS TODAY?
>> THIS IS A 4%, SO THERE ISN'T AN APPLICATIONF DEADLINE.
I DON'T KNOW ITHEHE DEVELOPER IS STILL IN TE COURTROOM.
SHE WAS THEREARLIERAM FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TE.
NOT SO MUCH AN APPLICATION DEADLINE.
I THINK THAT MIGHT BE HERNK APPROACHING.
THIS IS A 4% TAX CARD APPLICATION AND -- TAX CREDIT APPLICATION AND NOT 9%.
[07:30:03]
I WILL SAY WITH RESPECT TO THE DEADLINE WE ARE UNDER CONTRACT TO PURCHASE THIS PROPERTY.THIS IS THE FIRST OF SEVERAL APPROVALS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH INCLUDING WITH THE CITYTH OF HOUSTON AND THEN ALL F E PRACTICAL DEVELOPMENT APPROVALS WITH THE COUNTY FOR PERMITTING AND EVERYTHING AND.
PLATTING AND EVERYTHING ELSE THIS IS STEP ONE.
I AM BASICALLY NOT GOING TO DO THOSE OTHER STEPS UNTIL I GET PAST STEP ONE.
I WILL ALSO -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CLEAR ABOUTKI WHICH DEVELOPMENT WE ARE TALNG ABOUT.
THERE WAS A PROPOSAL THAT WAS A COUPLE BLOCKS AWAY WHICH I THINK MS. LEXY -- I FORGET -- SWARSKY, THANK YOU.
I KNOW IT DID HAVE OPPOSITION.
I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH NORTHWEST BUSINESS AND PUT NOTES IN MAILBOXES AND CONTACT WITH ALL OF THE NEIGHBORING PROPERTIES INCLUDING THE BAR OWNER WHO SOLD THE PROPERTY.
IT HAS A RECENT NEW OWNER WHO I HAVE ALSO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH.
THERE COULD HAVE BEEN CONFUSION OVER WHICH PROJECT IT WAS AND HOPEFULLY IT CAN CLEAR ALL OF THAT UP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR IT.
THERE IS NOT A CONCENTRATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THE AREA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I AM NEVER GOING TO OBJECT TO ONE IN MY PRECINCT.
I HOPE PEOPLE DON'T TAKE IT IS WRONG WAY WHEN I SAY I DON'T BELIEVE THEY SHOULD ALL BEACON SEN TRAITED IN -- BE CONCENTRATED IN A CERTAIN AREA, BUT I I DO BELIEVE IT IS WRONG TO DO THAT.
I KNOW I NEVER HAD TO LIVE IN ASSISTED HOUSING, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DID.
I FOUGHT FOR THE OTHER PROJECT AS WELL.
IS THAT WHAT SHE IS MAKING REFERENCE TO, DR.
>> I BELIEVE THAT WAS THE LAST PROJECT.
I THINK THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROJECT.
YOU GOT ME? AND I NO MR. BERRY I -- AND I KNOW MR. BERRY I BROUGHT IT UP AND I HOPE YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT A PLAN AT LEAST IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO DO EPL -- EMBRACE THE HOUSING.
WE DO MORE TO HELP THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE THE COUNTY HISTORICALLY HAS NEGLECTED THEM.
I KNOW IF WE DON'T APPROVE IT IT RUNS THE RISK OF GOING SOMEWHERE ELSE.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING HERE IS NOT CONTROVERSIAL, BY THE WAY.
DO YOU WANT TO WALK QUICKLY BETWEEN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 4% AND 9%.
>> THE 9% IS MORE COMPETITIVE.
NO OBJECTION ALLOCATES POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED TO THE APPLICATION FEATURES AND THEN DETERMINED BY THE TEXAS HOUSING OF COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AND THE SCORING CRITERIA.
NOT RECEIVING A RESOLUTION CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PROJECT ACTUALLY BEING AWARDED IN THE 9% AND 4%, THAT IS NOT REALLY THE CASE.
BUT RECEIVING SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY AND THE LOCATION TO WHICH THE DEVELOPMENT IS GOING TO BE CITED PROVIDES A NICE WELL-ROUNDED APPLICATION TO BEEC
>> SOND.Y. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR COMING B I JUST GOT THIS LETTER LAST NIGHT.
AND I DO NEED TIME TO LOOK INTO
IT. >> YES, SIR.. >> TOM RAMSEY: I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND
[07:35:01]
JACK CAGLE: MY OBJECTIONS TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED DUE TO MS. SWARSKY CHANGING HER POSITION.
T >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER DO YOU WANTO WAIT UNTIL THE END
OF THE DAY? >> TOM RAMSEY: NO.
I NEED TIME TO MEET WITH THE FOLKS WHO HAVE AN ISSUE SO IT IS NOT GOING TO BE TODAY.
I HOPE AFTER YOU MEET WITH THEM
YOU CAN BE SUPPORTIVE. >> TOM RAMSEY: CERTAINLY THAT'S MY INTENT.
THAT'S NOT WHY I AM DOING THAT.
I JUST GOT THE LETTER LAST NIGHT.DA
MOTION ON THIS ITEM? >> MOTION OF.
>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER LEGAL -- ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL FOR? >> I.
>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES 3-2.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I UNDERSTAND IT CAME UP BECAUSE THERE ARE PROBLEMS AT THIS BUILDING.
AND THEY HAD SOME SECURITY ISSUES WHICH IS CONCERNING BECAUSE WHAT WAS THE SECURITY LEVEL PRIOR TO THESE ISSUES THAT SORT OF PROMPTED THE NEED FOR SECURITY MIDSTREAM? DO WE HAVE PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?
>> IF MR. TURNER IS AVAILABLE I WILL LET HIM ADDRESS THAT BECAUSE HE IS CLOSEST TO IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THIS IT -- IT IS OUR BUILDING, BUT IS IT RUN BY US? WE ARE JUST MAINTAINING THE BUILDING, BUT OUR:00 PAPBTSZ ARE STATE PRIMARILY AND IS THAT WHERE THE PROBLEMS CAME FROM?
>> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND JUDGE HIDALGO.
I WILL ASK TRACY TO ALSO CHIME IN.
THIS IS THE HARRIS COUNTY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS FACILITY.
IT HOUSES OTHER STATE ENTITIES AS WELL.
THEY HAD A RASH OR UP TICK IN CRIMINAL ACTIVITY WHETHER IT WAS ASSAULTS AND BURGLARIES AND TO SOME OF THE SCREENERS AND NARCOTICS VIOLATIONS.
THEY RECEIVED SEVERAL ITEMS OF CONTRABAND TO INCLUDE WEAPONS AND KNIVES, ET CETERA.
SO WE ARE CONCERNED THE CURRENT LEVEL OF SECURITY IS NOT SUFFICIENT SO WE WOULD LIKE TO IDENTIFY A LONG-TERM SOLUTION WHERE EVERYBODY CAN SUPPORT THAT
SECURITY SOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, MR. I DIDN'T SEE THE -- I DON'T HAVE THE BACK UP IN FRONT OF ME, BUT MY QUESTION IS, IS THE SHORT-TERM ASPECT BUILT INTO THIS ITEM? IS THAT JUST SOMETHING THAT IS
PART OF YOUR DISCUSSIONS? >> YEAH.
SO THE SHORT-TERM SOLUTION IS GOING TO PROVIDE SECURITY UNTIL THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR.
MAY'S SHOP, CORRECT? SHE HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN COOPERATIVE, AT LEAST WITH ME, SO I AM RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM.
I WAMT TO MAKE SURE -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVEN THIS CAREFUL REVIEW BECAUSE WE NEED TO BUILD SOME SECURITY BECAUSE I AM NOT SURE IF THERE WAS ANY THERE PRIOR TO OR WHY THIS WASN'T A PART OF HER BUDGET.
I AM CONCERNED, BUT IF YOU HAVE IT IN YOUR HANDS I WILL TRUST IF
[07:40:02]
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THANK YOU MR. TURNER. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 305, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND RAMSEY.
[Emergency/Supplemental items]
PAGE 37. THIS IS ON MWBE AND FEDERALPROCUREMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].
>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST MAKING SURE I UNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOLKS TO DO.
THIS WASN'T CLEAR TO ME WHAT WE ARE -- WHAT OUR NEXT STEPS ARE.
MAYBE YOU CAN -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: FIRST IF I MIGHT, MR. BERRY, WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH OR SOMEBODY ON YOUR TEAM.
I WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT I WANTED YOU TO GO ON THERE.
I HAVE SEEN THE PRESS ACCOUNTS ABOUT 30 MILLION -- 30 MILLION?
>> 30 BILLION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 30 BILLION AND I ASKED IS IT A TOTAL OF 30 OR IS IT 30 PLUS THE LOCAL MATCH? IF YOU WOULD WALK US THROUGH THAT AND THEN I WILL TALK ABOUT THE MWBE ISSUE.
>> SURE. AND THERE IS ON GOING MAINTENANCE COSTS.
I WILL TRY TO BOIL IT DOWN AT A HIGH LEVEL.
IN CONNECTION WITH THE 30% LOCAL MATCH REQUIREMENT AND THERE ARE VARIOUS WAYS TO GET THAT DONE.
NOW IT IS THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT.
IT HAS TAXING AUTHORITY UP TO 5 CENTS FOR 1$00 OF THE ASSESSED VALUE.
-- $100 OF THE ASSESSED VALUE.
IT IS TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE HOSPITAL, FLOOD AND COUNTY.
IF YOU LOOK AT -- IF PROTECTION DISTRICT PROVIDED THE FULL MATCH IT WOULD COST ABOUT DOUBLE WHAT THE CAP IS ON THE RIGHT.
WE HOPE OUR STATE PARTNERS AND THE INDUSTRY PARTNERS CAN CARRY PART OF THE FREIGHT BECAUSE IT IS A VERY, VERY EXPENSE TIFF PROJECT AND THE DISTRICT HAS SAID THEY ARE NOT LOOKING TO A TAX, BUT I HAVEN'T HEARD WHERE THE MONEY IS COMING FROM.
ANY TAX HAS TO BE ADOPTED BY THE VOTES WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF COUNTY, BUT 87% OF THE TAX BASE IS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
AS WELL AS THE MAJORITY OF THE THAT HAS TO GO BEFORE THEY ARE
PART OF THE MATCH. >> AND GIVE US A SENSE OF THE NUMBERS.
I DO KNOW -- I'M PRETTY SURE THE WAY THE LAW WAS PASSED IN AUSTIN THE GOVERNOR CONTROLS THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS AS I UNDERSTAND IT, CONTROLS THE BOARD. WE HAVE ONE PERSON ON THE BOARD AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU HAVE RAISED THE ISSUE ABOUT MWBE.
WE HAD A MEETING AND SHE USED TO WORK WITH SENATOR TAEULG -- SENATOR TAYLOR.
IF IT GOES TO THE VOTERS HERE AND THEIR $30 BILLION PROJECT, I WOULD PROPOSE IT AND I WOULD GIVE IT A REAL PROBLEM.
I KNOW THE STATE HAS DONE IT, IT IS FAIR TO SAY, BUT I AM WORKING WITH OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS.
THE MOTION WOULD HELP IF IT SUPPORTED THE GROUP.
AND I THINK I WILL MAKE SOME HEADWAY.
THE FEDERAL WATER BILL IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THE $30 BILLION PROJECT. IT HAS A REPORTING REQUIREMENT IN IT.
I AM TOLD BY OUR LEGAL COUNCIL IS THAT THE CHALLENGE AFTER THE CASE THERE IS NO NATIONAL DISPARITY STUDY SO THEY CAN'T JUST SLAP A NUMBER ON OR GOAL THAT WOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT RACE AND GENDER BECAUSE THE FEDERAL DISPARITY STUDY WOULD COST SO MUCH MONEY.
I AM ENCOURAGING THEM TO TRY TO PUT IN SOME INCLUSIVE LAPPING WEDGE SO IT IS -- INCLUSIVE LANGUAGE.
[07:45:03]
HARRIS COUNTY TOOK THE POSITION THAT WE COULD NOT HAVE A GOAL ON FEDERAL MONEY.RIGHT DOWN THE STREET THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID HAVE A GOAL ON FEDERAL MONEY.
I DON'T KNOW. IT IS INTERESTING THAT DOWN THE STREET WE WERE DOING IT, BUT WE WEREN'T.
WE DO THAT NOW. SO MY MOTION IS GOING TO BE, AND I CENTERED IT -- I SENT IT AROUND IS TO UPDATE THE AGENDA TO INCLUDE AND TO DIRECT INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS TO ADVOCATE LANGUAGE THAT ALLOWS FOR THE USE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS EPT -- ENTERPRISES INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE BY THE WATER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES ACT.
>> SECOND. >> AND OTHER POSSIBLE LANGUAGE AND MAYBE I WILL DO IT THIS WAY, THE WATER DEVELOPMENT ACT -- THE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT ACT SO INCLUDE IN SPENDING PROVISION A REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST 10% OF THE DOLLARS AWARDED TO PRIME AND SUBCONTRACTORS BE SPENT WITH VENDORS FROM THE FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS OR SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED ENTERPRISE PROGRAMS AND THE DATA COLLECTED TO MEET THE REPORTED REQUIREMENTS SHOULD ALIGN WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE ADARAN VERSUS PENA COURT CASE.
I WILL MAKE IT IN ONE MOTION AND PASS IT AROUND.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T CROSS LEGAL HURDLES.
IT HELPS IF WE GO ON RECORD BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE I AM TRYING TO KILL SOMETHING BECAUSE IT IS NOT INCLUDED.
I THINK SOME OF THEIR PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE WATER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES ACT WILL AGREE WITH ME. WE BROUGHT IT TO THEIR ATTENTION AND IT IS A MERE REPORTING REQUIREMENT THAT DOESN'T DO MUCH.
THAT'S THE MOTION AND I WILL SEND IT AROUND.
RAMSEY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION.
STATE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: STATE AND FEDERAL.
Y -- I WILL INCLUDE ALL OF THIS.
WHICH TARGET YOU ARE TARGETING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING TO GET IT IN THE WATER BILL.
>> TOM RAMSEY: IT IS INTERESTING WE GET A DATE FROM THE PORT AND ALL THEY ARE DOING I WOULD BE SHOCKED IF THERE IS NO FEDERAL MONEY INVOLVED IN ALL THAT WORK BEING DONE IN THE WIDENING OF THE PORT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU TALKING AN MWBE ISSUE?DI
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY D A DISPARITY STUDY.
I DIDN'T ASK BEFORE THEY DID ONE
>> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE SCOPE OF -- AND THAT'S A PRETTY BIG SCOPE, 50 SOMETHING MILES AS OPPOSED TO I GUESS THIS ONE WOULD GO FROM PORT AR ARTHUR TO
GALVESTON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL SAY THIS , VISIT WITH COAL LET -- COLETTE HOPE.
YOU CAN'T JUST PLUG IN SOME NUMBERS.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW GREAT DB CONTRACTS THAT DO GREAT WORK ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.
THEY ARE DOING WORK IN OTHER STATES BECAUSE THEY ARE A DBE AND I AM WONDERING -- I WILL USE THE WORD SET ASIDE, BUT THEY HAVE A GOAL AND THEY HAVE SOME KIND OF A GOAL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE LAPPING WEDGE DOES -- LANGUAGE DOES THROW YOU OFF.
IT STARTS OFF AS MWBE AND THEN IT WARBGS SB -- AND THEN SBE AND THEN DBE.
THEY DO HISTORICALLY UNDER UTILIZED.
AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU DON'T GO AND SEE WHAT IS GOING OUT WITH RACE AND GENDER -- YOU KNOW WHERE I AM GETTING? $11 BILLION -- IS MY MATH RIGHT? 11 BILLION IS THE LOCAL MATCH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT 11 BILLION ABOVE THE 30 BILLION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT IS 19 BILLION FROM THE FEDS AND 11 BILLION FROM HERE.
[07:50:05]
AND I AM JUST TRYING TO GET AHEAD OF IT BECAUSE IT IS GOING TO BE A HARD -- IF THE STATE IS NOT PUTTING UP THE BULK OF THE MONEY, YOU THINK WE ARE GETTING HEARTBURN ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE HERE? YOU GO IN THERE AND TRY TO GET8 BILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, YOUR OFFICE IS SENDING IT AROUND?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. IT IS COMING AROUND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL COME BACK AND VOTE WHEN EVERYBODY HAS IT.
ITEM 310, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK MR. BERRY PROBABLY HAS A QUICK UPDATE.
UP ON THE OFFER AND SPENT A DAY AT THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND WHAT A JOURNEY.
YOU START OUT ON A BUS SOUTH OF TOWN AND TAKE A 15-MINUTE RIDE TO THE COURT AND THESE YOUNG D.A.
I SAID HOW MANY CASES DO YOU HAVE TODAY? SHE SAID RIGHT ABOUT 100.
SO SHE HAD TO BE PREPARED FOR 100.
THE FIFTH FLOOR AND 6TH FLOOR OF THE BUILDING NEED TO BE COMPLETE.
TELL ME A DATE. DON'T TELL ME WE'RE WORKING ON IT.
DON'T TELL ME IT IS GOING TO BE SOME TIME.
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW A DATE WHEN THE D.A.
CAN MOVE ON THE 6TH FLOOR AND WHEN THE D.A.
CAN MOVE ON THE FIFTH FLOOR. THAT'S MY ASK.
>> AND I WILL GIVE A SHORT ANSWER AND DR.
RHAMEN IS AVAILABLE TO FILL IN THE DETAILS.
ON THE 6TH FLOOR THAT IS 95% AVAILABLE NOW.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THEY CAN MOVE THERE TOMORROW IS WHAT YOU ARE
SAYING? >> THERE ARE A COUPLE OF LOGISTICAL MOVES.
THE FIRST IS FOR ALL -- FOR AUGUST OF 2022.
THERE IS SOME ABILITY TO MOVE I-
>> TOM RAMSEY: ON THE 6TH FLOOR?
THE FIFTH FLOOR IS PRE-TRIAL SERVICES.
AND IT IS GOING TO BE IN 2023 AND AS MUCH AS WE WOULD LIKE TO GIVE AN ABSOLUTE DROP DEAD DATE WE ARE IN A RANGE THAT WE DON'T FULLY CONTROL.
I FEEL LIKE YOU CAN WALK THROUGH WHAT THE FACTORS ARE AND HOW WE CAN ACCELERATE IT.
WE WANT PEOPLE AS LITTLE TIME ON BUSES AS POSSIBLE AND MORE TIME
MOVING CASES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M GONNA VOTE FOR THE ITEM.
I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION BY THE WAY, BUT I DO KNOW THE D.A.'S OFFICE TRIAGED PROJECT 43% OF THE CASES, I THINK IT SAYS HERE OF THOSE CASES 27,720 WERE MISDEMEANORS AND 40,247 ARE FELONIES WHO WERE DISPOSED OF.
THE DATA I LOOKED AT DOES NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL IMPACT ON THE BACKLOG.
WE ARE DISCUSSING -- IT IS ITEM 310 WHICH IS ABOUT MOVING BACK TO THE FIFTH FLOOR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL VOTE FOR IT, BUT WE WILL GET TO IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO ON 310, DR.
RAMONE, DO YOU HAVE A RESPONSE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S QUESTION?
>> MEMBERS OF THE COURT ON FIFTH FLOOR, THE I CANNER AOU WE HAVE -- THE ISSUE WE HAVE IS A SWITCH GEAR.
SO THE SCHEDULE OF A NORMAL BACKLOG IS ABOUT 50 WEEKS.
THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR THIS PARTICULAR SWITCH GEAR.
WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT THAT OUR CONTRACTOR WHO IS EXPLORING HOW WE CAN SEE IF WE CAN DO AN ACCELERATED ORDER, BUT THAT WILL COST IN THE RANGE OF $160,000 AND THEY PROMISED TO GET BACK TO US IN A WEEK OR TWO.
IF WE CAN DO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BUILDING IT WILL BE COMPLETED IN THE SECOND QUARTER
[07:55:01]
OF 2023. >> THANK YOU, DOCTOR.
THERE'S REASONS WHY THE -- I THINK THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN LOCATED AND RELOCATED IT IS THE FIFTH FLOOR, 12TH FLOOR, MAYBE YOU AND I JUST NEED TO GET IN THE ROOM AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.
IF NOTHING ELSE, WE CAN CLEAR UP SOME OF THE OPTIONS THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE WITHIN THAT BUILDING.
VISIT. >> I WILL REACH OUT TO YOUR
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE STAFF, DR.
>> 90% OF THE SPACE IS AVAILABLE TODAY.
SO AUGUST 2022 IS JUAN -- IS 100% OF THE SPACE IS AVAILABLE TO MOVE IN?
>> HOW MANY FOLKS ARE LEFT OUT OF THE BUILDING BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING AT FIFTH FLOOR TOO.
WHEN YOU ARE DONE WITH THE 6TH FLOOR IN AUGUST WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THE STAFF MOVES BACK TO THE CJC.
>> I WOULD HAVE TO GET BACK TO YOU.
I DON'T HAVE THAT NUMBER AT THIS TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN THE FIFTH FLOOR, THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS IS MOVING SOMEWHERE ELSE SO PRE-TRIAL WILL MOVE THERE AND WHEN PRE-TRIAL MOVES AND THEN FOLKS CAN GO BACK TO CJC AND IT IS A SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUE?
RELOCATION. >> TOM RAMSEY: THOSE ARE OPTIONS
RAHMEN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSE ON THIS, BUT IS THERE EITHER IN YOUR SHOP OR IN MR. BERRY'S IS THERE SOMEONE CHARGED WITH HELPING TO THINK THROUGH THE TRANSITION OF HELPING THE D.A.'S OFFICE PRIORITIZE WHAT ASPECT OF OPERATION CAN MOVE BACK INTO THE OFFICE VERSUS WAITING UNTIL 100% OF ALL SPACE IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE DECISIONS? IS THERE SOMEONE IN EITHER ONE OF YOUR OPERATIONS THAT IS HELPING TO THINK THROUGH THOSE DETAILS? WE CAN WORK WITH THEM TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AND IF THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO MOVE AT THIS TIME
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS SIMPLY A DISCUSSION ITEM.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
311 -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE IS THE PD OFFICE GOING TO GO? IS IT IN A DIFFERENT BUILDING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION. IT IS JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM.
>> TOM RAMSEY: THERE MAY NOT BE ANY QUICK UPDATE ON OUR PRISONER TRANSFER PROCEDURES, BUT HAVING SPENT TIME LAST WEEK WITH THE COLLINS FAMILY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT THAT FAMILY WENT THROUGH WITH THE PRISONER TRANSFER FROM TDCJ THAT WE DON'T MIRROR THAT HERE. I AT LEAST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PRISONER TRANSFER POLICIES ARE AND WHAT THE PROCEDURES ARE AND NOT LOOKING FOR THAT TO BE DONE TODAY, BUT I WOULD LIKE AT LEAST AT THE NEXT MEETING TO HAVE A CLEAR REPORT ON WHAT THAT IS, AND AT LEAST SOME LEVEL OF ASSURANCE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE ISSUES TDCJ DID.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT FOR MR-
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHOULD WE ISSUE A RESOLUTION OR A LETTER
TO THE GOVERNOR? >> TOM RAMSEY: ABSOLUTELY.
THE STATE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND
YOUR MOTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DO INVOLVE THE STATE, TDCJ, BUT MAKE SURE OUR HOUSE IS IN ORDER IN TERMS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
I WOULD WRITE THAT LETTER MYSELF.
[08:00:01]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS FOR IT.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I BELIEVE WE ALL RECEIVED YOUR MOTION ON 305.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND SO JUST TO COVER THE MOTION, MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING IT READS, MOVE TO HAVE THE HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA TO INCLUDE PROPOSAL THAT'S ALLOW FOR THE USE OF MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESS ENTERPRISES AND FEDERAL PROCUREMENT INCLUDING INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BY THE WATER DEVELOPMENT RESOURCES ACT.
[INADDABLE] SHOULD INCLUDE IN ITS FUNDING PROVISION A REQUIREMENT THAT AT LEAST 10% OF THE DOLLARS AWARDED TO PRIME AND SUB SUB CON -- CONTRACTORS BE SPENT WITH THE VENDORS FROM THE FEDERAL SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS ARE SOCIALLY DISADVANTAGED DB PROGRAM.
THE DATA SHOULD ALIGN WITH THE STANDARDS OF THE ADARAN VERSUS PENA COURT CASE.
MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THAT WAS 305.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
DISCUSSION ITEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 163, WE VOTED ON IT AND CAN WE BRING IT BACK UP? I HAVE A REQUEST.
I VOTED FOR IT AND I WAS SAYING I WOULD LIKE FOR THE OFFICE OF KOUPB TOE ADMINISTRATION AND THD OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGE -- MANAGEMENT FIND OUT WHAT REPORTING THEY HAVE RECEIVED AND LET US KNOW ON THE TRIAGE PROJECT AND THEIR FINDINGS.
>> IS THAT A MOTION OR -- >> YOU WANT THAT AT A FUTURE
MEETING? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE ARE THE ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
278, AND IT IS A CONTRACT, TWRO 79 -- 279, A PERSONNEL MATTER, 295 A PERSONNEL MATTER AND 307 A PERSONNEL MATTER.
IT IS 7:31 AND WE ARE GOING -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE]
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.
THAT'S THE AGREEMENT WITH ABHR FOR STRATEGIC DIRECTION, PLANNING AND IMPLEMENTATION.
WE HAVE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FAN -- FAN PLUS -- UNANIMOUSLY.
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN.
WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 251.
I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF A STREET IS THERE ANYONE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM? SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS OR DISCUSSION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKES THE MOTION.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR OF APPROVING THE STREET NAME CHANGE IN PRECINCT
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
[Executive Session]
>> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.
IT IS 7:33 AND WE WILL MEET IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN ABOUT FIVE MINUTES, TWO MINUTES.
>> 9.27 ALLEN COHEN TO AT LARGE SEAT 6 PAUL GILL PERO T-- PAULIL GMER AND SONYA LOPEZ TOT ALARGE SEAT 8 FOR AWO T-YEAR TERM ENDING JUNE 15TH, 2024 T ANDAMMY WALLACEAT TO AR LGE SEAT 9 FOR A THREE-YEAR TERMIN ENDGE JUN14, 23O T 25. IS THEREOT A MION?
>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?
>>AD I H THE OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THEUM RESES WITHY, VER VERY SHORTIC NOTE.
WE THOUGHTWE WE RE GOING TOE HAV MORE TIME ON IT.
[08:05:08]
PARTICIPATE IN THEPR OCESS I WILLO SAY TSO I AM ANO.F A ALLOUR >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY?>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND THEN MOTIOCARRIES 4-1.NE
XT IS ITEM 295.NO ACTIONAT ON TH ITEM.>>
YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANDLY FINAL ITEMCO 307, MMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T HAVE MY AGENDA.
ISON'TE KNOW THDATE THAT IT EFFECTIVE, BUTNG I'M GOI TO NOMINATE BARBARA ROBINSON, THEAL HETHR DIRECTOTOHE BEGIN T TERMHE AFTER T DATE THAT THATAI ELNA MARKSGN IS RESIING.
M IFY STAFF ISNG LISTENI, I DON'T KNOW THE DATE.DO I N'T KNOW IF I P HAVE TOUT THE DATEE.
>>YO NO. UPON MAKEIV IT EFFECTE
>> UPONKS MS. MAR' RESIGNATION.
>> BTHE WAY,RK ELAINA MASDO HAS JOB.GREAT I KNOW SHETO IS GOING BE STEPPING H DOWN FROMER CURRENTTI POSION AS HEAD OF THE FOUNDATION H WHERE SHEAS JOB.TAN IS A -- FTASTIC SHE DID TELL MEST SHE WILL ILL BE ACTIVENG AND HELPI RAISEWO WITH THE RK TO MONEY FROM THEOP PHILANTHRIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR ANDTE TO APPRECIA THE WORKHA AND I WILL VE AN ITEM ONOO THE COURT TLL, BUT I WI PUB BAR --ARBARA
>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET TH?
MOTION >> YES.IN >> LA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?
LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED?N I AM IFAVORCA AND MOTION RRIESOU UNANIMSLYUL AND CONGRATATIONS TOS.
>> NO, MA'AM.A >> LINHIDALGO: FROM TIFFANY ORTT
COUNTY AORNEY'S OFFICE?US >> I'M JT CONFIRMING ONE THE LEGISLATIVE VOTED ONIN.M
LISTED ITLGO: WE UNDER NO>> ACTION.
>> >> RNEY ELLIS: DID WE VOTE?HI >> LINA DALGO: IT WAS ITS OWN
>> THANK YOU.A >> LINHIDALGO: WELL, THANK YOU ALL.
IT IS 8:03 AND COMMISSIONERS' ADJT IS NOW
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.