Jul 19, 2022 Commissioners Court

[00:00:05]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 10:08 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER.

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

THIS MORNING OUR INVOCATION IS BROUGHT TO US BY PRECINCT 1.

COMMISSIONER? >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU.

WELCOME BACK. YOU MAY BE THE LEAST AT-RISK OF GETTING IT, BUT I WILL PUT MINE ON.

IF YOU HAVE MADE IT ALL THIS TIME, I DON'T WANT IT NOW.

THE NUMBERS ARE GOING UP. I AM PROUD TO PRESENT DR. TIMOTHY SLOAN OF THE LUKE CHURCH WHICH I AM PROUD TO REPRESENT, BUT BARELY. IT IS ON THE BORDER.

HE REPRESENTS ALL OF US. DR. SLOAN IS THE SENIOR PASTOR IN HUCK -- HUMBLE, TEXAS. SINCE KPW-PLING DASH -- BECOMING SENIOR PASTOR IN 2002 HE HAS GROWN THE MEMBERSHIP FROM 300 TO OVER 5,000. HE IS AN AUTHOR OF A BOOK "STAND, LEARNING TO LEAD THROUGH CONFLICT THAT TELL -- CONFLICT" THAT TELLS THE STORY OF HOW THE LUKE CHURCH GOT TO WHERE IT IS NOW. HE WAS ON THE MARTIN LUTHER KING BOARD OF TEACHERS AT MOOREHEAD COLLEGE.

HE IS MARRIED TO SONYA M SLOAN, AN MD AS WELL.

THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN AND I AM SO GLAD HE DECIDED TO SHOW UP IN PERSON TO BE WITH US. PLEASE JOIN, PASTOR.

>> JUDGE HIDALGO, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS INVITATION AND TO EACH OF THOSE WHO SHARE TODAY IN THIS GATHERING. THANK YOU FOR THIS PRIVILEGE.

LET'S PRAY. GOD, WE ARE SO INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL FOR THIS NEW DAY AND FOR THE PRIVILEGE YOU GIVE US TO SHARE TOGETHER IN THESE CONVERSATIONS.

WE PRAY TODAY THAT YOU WOULD GRANT US WISDOM, AND THAT, GOD, YOU WOULD FLOOD OUR HEARTS WITH HOPE AND EXPECTATION AND THAT YOU WOULD SPEAK TO US AND SPEAK THROUGH US.

WE PRAY FOR OUR LEADERS. WE PRAY FOR DIRECTION IN EVERY CONVERSATION, GOD, WE ENTER INTO TODAY.

WE PRAY YOU CONTINUE TO DISPENSE JUSTICE AND THAT MERCY FOLLOWS EVERYTHING THAT WE GO -- WE DO. WE PRAY FOR OUR CITY, FOR OUR STATE, OUR COUNTY AND OUR NATION HELP US ALL CONTINUE TO REPRESENT WHAT IT MEANS TO WALK TOGETHER IN UNISON WITH ONE ANOTHER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR AMAZING LOVE.

THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. LET EVERY VOICE BE HEARD AND AMPLIFY, GOD, THE NEEDS OF OTHERS.

WE GIVE YOU THANKS BECAUSE YOUR PRESENCE IS WITH US.

I'M GRATEFUL, GOD, TO PRAY THIS PRAYER BECAUSE OF YOUR LOVE THROUGH CHRIST JESUS, BUT ALL OF US PRAY TOGETHER BECAUSE YOU ARE A GOD WHO DISPENSES LOVE AND JUSTICE TO ALL OF US.

IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR NAME WE PRAY.

AMEN. >> THANK YOU, PASTOR.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: PASTOR, SO NICE TO SEE YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

WE HILLARY -- WE WILL RECITE THE PLEDGE.

>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDERGOD INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE.

TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDERGOD, ONE AN INDIVISIBLE.

[Emergency/Supplemental COVID-19 items]

I DON'T HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE UP 315 AND 196 RELATED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM.

I SEE THE REPRESENTATIVE IS HERE.

WELCOME. LET ME TAKE BOTH OF THESE ITEMS TOGETHER. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS FOR

THESE ITEMS, TIFFANY? >> NO, MA'AM.

JUST THE REPRESENTATIVE. >> THANK YOU.

THIS IS AN EXCITING PROGRAM AND A CRUCIAL ONE.

WE WERE JUST GOING OVER THE STATISTICS THIS MORNING.

AROUND THE WORLD THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IS AROUND FIVE DEATHS PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN DEVELOPED COUNTRIES.

IN THE UNITED STATES, THE NUMBER IS HIGHER -- MUCH HIGHER THAN IN OTHER COUNTRIES. IN TEXAS, THAT MATERNAL

[00:05:07]

55 MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES FOR 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS.

WELCOME COMMISSIONER GARCIA. FOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN, THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IS 106.1.

THAT MEANS AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE 10 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE THAN WOMEN OVERALL IN OTHER INDUSTRIALIZED COUNTRIES. THIS IS A HOME VISITATION PROGRAM AND EVIDENCE-BASED THAT WILL SEEK TO CHANGE THAT.

I WANT TO GIVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AN OPPORTUNITY -- HE HAS LEAD THIS PROGRAM AND THE REPRESENTATIVE HAS DONE SO MUCH WORK TO REPRESENT THIS AT THE STATE LEVEL AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THANK YOU FOR COMING.

I WANT TO LAY IT OUT. IF DR. BROWN IS AROUND AND SHE WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING, I WILL LET HER DO IT SO WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT LATER TODAY. I AM PROUD TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. ALL HARRIS COUNTY MOTHERS AND INPANTS -- INFANTS DESERVE TO BE HEALTHY.

THE U.S. IS THE ONLY DEVELOPED NATION TO HAVE AN INCREASE IN MATERNAL MORTALITY IN RECENT DECADES.

SEVERAL HUNDRED WOMEN DIE EACH YEAR IN THIS COUNTRY FROM PREGNANCY OF BIRTH COMPLICATIONS.

60% OF THE DEATHS ARE PREVENTIBLE.

THE STATISTICS ARE STAGGERING IN TEXAS AND WORSE IN HARRIS COUNTY. HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST RATES OF MATERNAL MORBID TEE AMONG METROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. BETWEEN 2008 AND 2015 THE INCIDENTS OF MATERNAL MORBID TEE INCREASED 53% COMPARED TO A 15% INCREASE FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS OVERALL.

THE RATES ARE THE HIGHEST, AS SHE STATED, AMONG BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS. IN 2020, TEXAS MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE WAS 81.47 PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE BLACK MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE WOOS 1 -- WAS 106 PER 100,000 LIVE BIRTHS.

WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE DEDICATED ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS LIKE MARCH OF DIMES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CENTER FOR MATERNAL HEALTH AND EQUITY AND RESEARCH CENTER WHO ARE WORKING WITH US TO ADDRESS THIS CRISIS.

WE ARE RESPONDING TO REAL NEEDS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FROM EXPERTS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND THE EPISCOPAL FOUNDATION AND COVENANT TRUST FOUNDED A TWO-YEAR INITIATIVE THAT INCLUDED MORE THAN 100 AREA MEDICAL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS COMMITTED TO INCREASING THE MATERNAL SURVIVAL AND IMPROVING WOMEN'S PRE AND POST-PAR TUNNEL WELLNESS. I WAS ASKED TO SIT ON THAT COMMITTEE REPRESENTING US, AND I WENT TO AS MANY MEETINGS AS I COULD. IF I COULDN'T GO, I HAD A STAFF MEMBER GO. THIS PROGRAM IS A PILOT PROGRAM.

WE HAVE THE BENEFIT OF LEARNING FROM BEST PRACTICES IN THE COUNTRY. WE ARE PROBABLY THE LAST AMONG THE URBAN AREAS TO DO A PILOT PROGRAM OF THIS NATURE.

THAT'S BOTH GOOD AND BAD. BAD IT TOOK SO LONG, BUT GOOD THAT WE BENEFIT FROM THE MISTAKES AND BENEFIT FROM THE DATA THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAME UP WITH.

THIS PROGRAM WILL SERVE 300 HOUSEHOLDS OVER FIVE YEARS IN AN EXPANDED MATERNAL HEALTH, PROGRAM-FOCUSED HOME VISIT BY THE TRAINED COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS THAT WILL HELP THE FAMILIES TO ACHIEVE GOALS AND NAVIGATE THE REFERRAL PROCESSES IN PRENATAL CARE. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS BEING POISED TO LEAD THIS EFFORT BECAUSE THEY WORK -- DASH THEY WERE THE FIRST ONES TO STEP UP TO THE COMMITTEE TO SAY WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING. THEY ALREADY WORK WITH 40,000 MOTHERS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. CHILDREN PER MONTH THROUGH THE WIC CLINICS AND DEMAND INCREASED IN THE PANDEMIC.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE WORK THEY PUT INTO THIS.

I HOPE IF THIS PILOT GOES WELL, THE METRICS WILL MAKE THE CASE FOR US TO LOOK FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING FROM FEDERAL PARTNERS AND HOPEFULLY STATE PARTNERS. IF WE EVER DID MEDICAID EXPANSION THAT WOULD BE A SOURCE OF REVENUE.

THIS WILL BE FUNDED THANKS TO THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION AND THANKS TO US IF IT PASSES FOCUSING ON EQUITY ON HOW WE SPEND THIS ONCE IN A LIFETIME INFUSION OF MONEY COMING TO US BECAUSE OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS. THANK YOU AND TO YOUR STAFF THAT

[00:10:02]

I WON'T CALL OUT THE NAMES, BUT I APPRECIATE THE FOLKS ON MY STAFF. I MENTIONED THAT AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE AND HOPE IT DOESN'T GET ME IN TROUBLE, BUT SOME 33 YEARS AGO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHEN LELAND'S FLIGHT WAS MISSING, AS THE FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF WE TALKED ABOUT WAITING 30 DAYS AND THEN I POP UP AND MENTION THAT ALLISON WAS EXPECTING WHICH THE PRESS DIDN'T KNOW.

SHE WAS DEVASTATED AND IT WAS PROBABLY A GOOD IDEA, BUT WHY DIDN'T YOU FOLLOW THE SCRIPT? HEAD BACK TO CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS INSTEAD OF STAYING THERE ACTING LIKE I AM CHIEF OF STAFF. CORETTA SCOTT KING CALLED ME.

I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SHE CALLED ME MORE THAN ONCE IN MY LIFE, BUT YOU DON'T REMEMBER THOSE CALLS.

SHE WANTED LELAND TO ACCEPT A KING UH -- AWARD IN ATLANTA.

IT WAS ON A SUNDAY NIGHT BEFORE DR. KING'S ACTUAL BIRTHDAY WHICH IS THE 15TH OR 19TH, I CAN'T REMEMBER.

ALLISON TURNED IT DOWN AND MS. KING CALLED ME AND I GOT HER TO GO, AND SHE WENT. I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT CALL AT 3 A.M. OR SO IN THE MORNING SAYING SOMETHING IS GOING ON.

WE RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL. THE ONLY HOSPITAL I THOUGHT ABOUT WAS GRADY. I DIDN'T THINK OF WHATEVER CHILDRENS THERE IS OR THE EMORY UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL.

I SAID TAKE US TO GRADY. THEY DIDN'T EVEN HAVE PHONES IN THE ROOM. I'M IN THERE TRYING TO EXPLAIN DO YOU HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE? I SAID THIS IS THE WIDOW OF -- THEY SAID WHO? DO YOU WATCH CNN? DO YOU REMEMBER THAT? THE DOCTOR, THE HEAD SURGEON OF PEDIATRICS TOLD ME LATER IF I HAD PICKED ANY HOSPITAL IN ATLANTA OTHER THAN THERE, IF I HAD NOT TAKEN HER TO GRADY, SHE WOULD HAVE PASSED AND THOSE TWINS.

SO IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE, AND I HOPE IT WILL HAVE A UNANIMOUS VOTE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I APPLAUD OUR PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS AND REPRESENTATIVE AS WELL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AT THE STATE LEVEL.

THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT COME OUR WAY THAT -- RATHER, I SHOULDN'T SAY COME OUR WAY. THEY ARE THERE, BUT THEY HAVEN'T GOT THE RIGHT ATTENTION. IT GOES TO PUT AN ACCENT MARK ON THE FACT THAT THERE IS AFFORDABLE CARE MONEY THAT COULD BE -- THAT COULD HAVE GONE A LONG WAY TO IMPACTING THESE DOLLARS, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PROPERLY USED.

I APPLAUD YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS

$7.7 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR ROBINSON WHO TOOK TIME TO WALK ME THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND HOW IT WORKS YESTERDAY.

IN ESSENCE WE ARE WORKING TO TRY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE HEALTHIER MOMS AND HEALTHIER BABIES IN AN AREA TO WHERE WE HAVE NOT HAD HEALTHY MOMS AND HEALTHY BABIES. ANOTHER CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT ALTHOUGH WE HAVE THE FOCUS ON THOSE WITH THE GREATEST NEED, WE WILL NOT TURN ANY MOM AWAY IN THIS PROGRAM.

SO IF ARE YOU A MOM THAT IS IN NEED AND YOU ARE IN THE REGION OR IN THE AREA AND YOU HAVE ACCESS, WE ARE NOT GOING TO TURN AWAY MOMS WHO ARE IN NEED. THE FOCUS WILL BE IN THE AREA WHERE THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST NEED BECAUSE OF THE MORTALITY RATE AND THAT ALL MAKES SENSE. IN A RARE DISPLAY OF BIPARTISAN SHIP, I WILL SECOND THE MOTION ON THIS ONE IN TERMS OF TRYING TO FIND A WAY OF UTILIZING THESE ARPA FUNDS, THESE FEDERAL DOLLARS TO ASSIST FAMILIES, HEALTHY MOMS AND HEALTHY BABIES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY IN. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR FOCUSING ON LIFE. THIS IS A GOOD INITIATIVE, GREAT INITIATIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN DO TO TARGET AREAS OF NEED.

THIS HITS IT RIGHT SQUARE. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT OUT THERE AND I WILL BE SUPPORTING IT AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT DR. BROWN HAD SOMETHING SHE WANTED TO ADD, SHE CAN, AND IF NOT WE CAN GO TO SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DR. BROWN, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE THINKS I DID AN OKAY JOB.

>> LINA HIDALGO: TIFFANY, IF YOU GET DR. BROWN, LET US KNOW.

REPRESENTATIVE, DO YOU WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS?

[00:15:03]

RECOGNITION. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

IT IS CERTAINLY MY PLEASURE AND MY PRIVILEGE TO SPEAK TO YOU ON THIS MORNING ON THIS VERY, VERY CRITICAL ISSUE.

YOU ALL HAVE LAID IT OUT QUITE WELL.

I WOULD JUST LIKE TO PUT SOME THINGS IN CONTEXT FOR THOSE LISTENING WHO MAY NOT BE AS FAM -- FAMILIAR WITH THIS ISSUE.

THE CDC DEFINE ASTHMA TER NATIONAL MORTALITY -- DEFINES MATERNAL MORTALITY AS A DEATH WITHIN ONE YEAR OF PREGNANCY'S END. THE CAUSES CAN BE RELATED COMPLICATION, A CHAIN OF EVENTS HAVING TO DO WITH HEMORRHAGE, AN AGGRAVATION OF AN UNRELATED MEDICAL CONDITION, A MYRIAD OF ISSUES. AS YOU HEARD THIS MORNING, FAR TOO MANY MOTHERS DIE FROM PREGNANCY-RELATED DEATHS UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER DELIVERY. SOMETHING INTERESTING, THEURBT -- 31% OF THE DEATHS HAPPENED AFTER THE BIRTH.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU. ANOTHER THIRD DURING THE FOLLOWING WEEK OF PREGNANCY AND A FULL THIRD OF THE DEATHS OCCURRED UP TO ONE YEAR AFTER MOMS GIVE BIRTH.

THE HARRIS COUNTY STEERING COMMITTEE THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS REFERENCED EXAMINED HOSPITAL DISCHARGE DATA FROM 2008 TO 2015. IT WAS TO DETERMINE THE TRENDS OF MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBIDITY WHICH IS DISEASE FROM PREGNANCY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. UNFORTUNATELY THE NEWS IS NOT GOOD. HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT ONLY HIGHER THAN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE RATES ARE SEVERELY INCREASING, OUR MORTALITY RATE INCREASED BY 53%.

I WILL SUBMIT TO YOU AS WE ARE HOME TO THE WORLD-RENOWNED MEDICAL CENTER THAT THAT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

I AM HAPPY TO HEAR THAT WE ARE IMPLEMENTING PROGRAMS TO PREVENT THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH YOU AT THE STATE LEVEL THAT THIS IS A BIPARTISAN ISSUE.

WE HAVE WRAPPED OUR ARMS TOGETHER AND STOOD TOGETHER.

I ALWAYS SAY, SIMILAR TO A STORY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SHARED, I UNFORTUNATELY ALMOST LOST MY LIFE IN CHILDBIRTH, BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD I AM STANDING HERE. I RECEIVED WHAT WAS CALLED -- I WAS HEALTHY, GREAT INSURANCE. I RECEIVED WHAT WAS CALLED A HIGH BLOCK EP -- P -- EPIDURAL WHICH WAS AN ACCIDENT AND PUT IN TOO HIGH. INSTEAD OF PARALYZING ME FROM THE WAIST DOWN FOR THE C SECTION, THE MEDICINE WENT TO MY HEART AND WAS PARALYZING MY HEART.

I WAS MINUTES FROM DEATH. I GUESS IN FIGHT OR FLIGHT, I YELLED PLEASE PUT ME UNDER. I KNEW THE PAIN WAS SO SEVERE I COULDN'T TAKE IT MUCH LONGER. ALL I COULD THINK OF IS IF I COULD PLEASE FAINT MAYBE I WILL SURVIVE.

BY THE WAY, I AM INCAPABLE OF FAINTING AND I COULDN'T DO IT THEN AND CAN'T DO IT NOW. THEY LISTENED TO ME AND THEY DID IT. COME TO FIND OUT THAT IS THE ONLY TREATMENT FOR THAT CONDITION.

FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, I DON'T KNOW WHAT MADE ME YELL THAT OUT.

THE ANESTHESIOLOGIST CAME BACK IN AND SAID THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. I SHARE THAT BECAUSE I SURVIVED THAT INCIDENT, BUT WE HAVE HEARD NOW OF NUMEROUS MOTHERS WHO DID NOT, AND ACROSS THE BOARD, COMMISSIONER, IT IS MOTHERS WHO HAVE HIGH EDUCATION, NO EDUCATION.

IT CROSSES SOCIOECONOMIC BOUNDARIES.

HOWEVER, WE HAVE SEEN THE GREATEST I'M PABLGT OF THIS ON BLACK WOMEN -- IMPACT OF THIS ON BLACK WOMEN WHO ARE THREE TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DIE NATIONALLY AND THE JUDGE SHARED THIS EARLIER 10 TIMES MORE LOCALLY. AND THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ALWAYS INCOME. THERE ARE SOME DISPARITIES THERE. I AM VERY PLEASED TO SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM. WHAT I WOULD URGE YOU ALL TO DO IN THE PROGRAM IS TO ALLOW IT TO CONTINUE POSTPARTUM, LET THESE HOME VISITS CONTINUE. AS WE HAVE SEEN, A THIRD OF THE MOVER TALL TEES ARE HAPPENING AFTER THE -- THIRD OF THE MORTALITIES ARE HAPPENING AFTER THE MOMS GIVE BIRTH.

WE DON'T WANT TO IGNORE THAT FACT.

I WILL CONCLUDE BY SAYING IT IS MY BELIEF THAT NO WOMAN WHO CHOOSES TO GIVE BIRTH SHOULD DO SO IN EXCHANGE FOR HER OWN, WHO CHOOSES TO GIVE LIFE SHOULD DO SO IN EXCHANGE FOR HER OWN.

I THANK YOU. I'M HERE FOR QUESTIONS.

[00:20:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SIGNING UP TO TALK ABOUT IT, AND I KNOW YOU HAVE LEAD THE FIGHT ON THIS ISSUE WITH SO MANY OTHERS IN AUSTIN. YOU KNOW, MY OLD FINANCE CHAIR, I CAN'T GET AWAY FROM IT AND I KEEP UP WITH WHAT IS GOING ON.

I TELL STPHAR -- SENATOR MILES I STAY OUT OF YOUR BUSINESS.

BUT I KNOW THE COMP -- COMPTROLLER ANNOUNCED FOR 2023 THE BUDGET WRITERS WILL HAVE $40 BILLION IN SURPLUS FUNDS.

SO THERE IS 26.95 BILLION IN A DISCRETIONARY GENERAL REVENUE FUNDS AND 26 BILLION FOR THE ECONOMIC STABLIZATION FUND, THE OLD RAINY DAY FUND WHEN I WAS THERE.

IT WILL TAKE A TWO-THIRDS SUPER MAJORITY TO TAP INTO THAT.

BUT THAT GROWING SURPLUS IS LARGELY DUE TO BOOMING SALES TAX REVENUE. AND OF WHICH WE CAN BARELY LIVE ON. SIDE STORY, YOU ALL -- THANK YOU, BUT YOUR COLLEAGUES PUT RESTRICTIONS -- BUT YOU COLLEAGUES PUT RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT WE CAN DO.

WE HAVE IDEAS, BUT IT WON'T DRAW ON THE MEDICAID MONEY.

TAXES ON NATURAL GAS PRODUCTION, 184% INCREASE, OIL PRODUCTION, 80%, HOTEL OCCUPANCY, 43% INCREASE, AND I KNOW THE GOVERNOR HAS STATED THIS WEEK THAT TEXANS SHOULD EXPECT A LARGE TAX CUT. GOVERNOR PATRICK HAS LAID OUT A HOST OF DETAILED PRIORITIES, $4 BILLION FOR PROPERTY TAX RELIEF IN 2023 AND PERMIT INCREASE IN PROPERTY TAX HOMESTEAD OF 60,000 AND INCREASED TO 100,000 IN THE FUTURE, SUSPEND GAS TAX AND CONTINUE TO PAY TEACHER RAISES AND MAINTAINING EDUCATION FUNDING WHICH AS YOU KNOW THE STATE PUT CAPS ON WHAT THEY COULD DO AND THEN REDUCED WHAT THEY GAVE. IN TERPBLS -- IN TERMS OF THE NET NUMBER IT IS LOWER. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO BACK TO BE AT VOCAL AS YOU CAN. I WILL FROM THE SIDE HRAOEUPBTS.

THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY. THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY.

ONLY HERE BECAUSE OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THE $7.7 MILLION.

WE WILL FACE SERIOUS FISCAL ISSUES IF THE STATE DREW DOWN OUR MONEY, THAT MEDICAID EXPANSION MONEY WOULD HELP, BUT WE WILL FACE SOME VERY DIRE FISCAL REALITIES DOWN THE ROAD.

NOT AS BAD AS THE CITY, BUT JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING.

I KNOW EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET RE-ELECTED AND THAT'S THE NICE THING. YOU BEEN IN IT AS LONG AS I HAVE, YOU FIND OUT IT DOESN'T MATTER THAT MUCH IF YOU DON'T HAVE HONORABLE IN FRONT OF YOUR NAME.

JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT SINCE I STILL KEEP UP WITH THAT.

>> APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER, THAT IMPORTANT DATA AND PUTTING IT IN A GREATER CONTEXT FOR US.

I WILL SAY FROM THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES PERSPECTIVE, THE SPEAKER HAS COME OUT AND COME FORTH AND SAID THE HOUSE WILL PRIORITIZE MATERNAL CARE THIS SESSION, AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH MY COLLEAGUES ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE, AS I ALWAYS HAVE SINCE 2017, AND LEADING THE CHARGE ON THIS ISSUE. I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT IT SEEMS TO NOW ONCE AGAIN BE A PRIORITY OF THE HOUSE.

I CAN ONLY SPEAK FOR THE CHAMBER THAT I PRESIDE IN AND I WORK IN AND IT IS MY HOPE AND PRAYER THAT WE WILL NOT TAKE OUR EYES OFF THE PRIZE AND AS THE COMMISSIONERS STATED HEALTHY MOMS EQUAL HEALTHY BABIES. I WILL COME BACK BEFORE YOU AS WELL AND I WANT TO TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM FOR DOULAS WHICH ARE THE WOMEN, THE CARE PROVIDERS THAT HELP MOTHERS WHILE PREGNANT.

WE ARE LOOKING AT PROVIDING MEDICARE COVERAGE ON A STATE LEVEL. IT RECEIVED BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

IN THE STATE HOUSE. >> IT TAKES MONEY TO DO IT.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CHAIR OF APPROPRIATIONS AND I HAD SUCCESS. SUPPORT CAME OUT OF THE HOUSE AGAIN AND GOT IT ON THE CALENDAR AND YOU KNOW HOW THAT WORKS AND I HAVE A HEAD START THIS TIME. PLEASE STAY ENGAGED.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU. REALLY I CAME TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE AND I AM SO EXCITED TO SEE THAT EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE SUPPORTING THIS PILOT PROGRAM. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT SAVING MOMS

AND BABIES' LIVES. >> LINA HIDALGO: REPRESENTATIVE, THE PROGRAM IS TWO YEARS FOR A MOTHER, SO IT WILL SERVE MOTHERS

[00:25:05]

IT WILL HELP WITH THE TYPE OF GUIDANCE THAT DOCTORS WOULD PROVIDE, BUT NOT THE ONLY THING, LIKE NUTRITION, THE BEST WAY TO TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR BABIES, INCLUDING TRANSPORTATION TO THE DOCTOR'S APPOINTMENT.

AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, IT IS NOT NEW.

IT HAS WORKED IN MANY, MANY JURISDICTIONS IN THE PAST.

BUT IT IS VERY MUCH EVIDENCE-BASED AND AS YOU POINTED OUT, THE EVIDENCE SUGGESTS THAT THE CARE SHOULD CONTINUE AFTERBIRTH AND SO THAT IS WHY THIS ALSO INCLUDES THE

POST NATAL CARE. >> THAT IS WONDERFUL TO HEAR, JUDGE HIDALGO. I SUPPORT IT AT EVERY LEVEL OF THE STATE. MY DISTRICT, HOUSE DISTRICT 146, HAS SOME OF THE HIGHEST RATES OF MATERNAL MORTALITY IN THE COUNTRY. AGAIN, BESIDES BEING A STONE'S THROW AWAY FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER.

I AM HOPING THIS PROGRAM WILL MAKE SOME SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR HEALTH CARE OUTCOME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

I WANT TO THANK THE THE EPISCOPAL HEALTH FOUNDATION WHICH IS ONE OF THE GRANTS WE ARE ACCEPTING WHICH WILL IMPLEMENT THIS PROGRAM SPECIFICALLY.

AND I MENTIONED, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, PUBLIC HEALTH AND DR. BROWN WHO HAVE WORKED ON THIS.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS? >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS, TIFFANY? >> NOT ANY ON DECK, BUT WE HAVE DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND DR. BROWN ON THE LINE NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR AND DOCTOR BROWN, WOULD YOU ADD A

FEW WORDS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK YOU ARE

MUTED, DIRECTOR ROBINSON. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY ATTORNEY, BARBIE ROBINSON WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

I WOULD JUST ADD THAT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT GIVEN THE HIGH RATE OF INFANT AND MATERNAL MORTALITY FOR BLACK MOMS AND BABIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE MOMENT FOR US TO MAKE INVESTMENTS TO IMPROVE THE OUTCOMES FOR A POPULATION THAT HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN UNDER SERVED IN TERMS OF THE OUTCOME FOR MATERNAL HEALTH. WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE COURT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND UP THE PROGRAM AND WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY THAT ARE WORKING IN THE SAME SPACE, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO COMING BACK AND PROVIDING A REPORT ON THE OUTCOMES WE CAN ACHIEVE THROUGH THIS PILOT.

DR. BROWN, I WILL SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD.

>> NOTHING AT ISSUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DR. ROBINSON?

JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU PUT INTO THIS. I THINK I AM GETTING AN ECHO ON YOU, BARBIE. THE JUDGE DID MAKE REFERENCE TO THE EPISCOPAL FOUNDATION. I DID SEND MY TALKING POINTS TO ELAINA MARKS. I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO TAKE YOUR SEAT AT THE FIRST BOARD MEETING.

MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW-UP WITH HER.

I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT BECAUSE SHE WAS THE ONE THAT ASKED ME TO SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE WHEN THEY PUT THE FUNDING UP FOR THE TWO-YEAR STUDY.

FOLLOW-UP WITH HER AND I THINK YOU WILL FIND THAT THERE MAY BE MORE FUNDING TO HELP. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. BROWN, DID

YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

THANK YOU. AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THIS MORNING, THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE NATIONALLY. UNFORTUNATELY HARRIS COUNTY HOLDS THE TITLE OF HAVING SOME OF THE WORST OUTCOMES WHEN IT COMES TO BLACK MOMS AND BABIES. SO AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LAUNCH THIS PROGRAM AND AGAIN LOOK FORWARD TO IMPROVING THE OUTCOMES FOR THE COMMUNITY.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THOUGHT I SECONDED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED -- WE CAN DO THAT? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. NO COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE WILL DO SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE, COMMISSIONER, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

[00:30:02]

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

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> AND JUDGE, THAT'S FOR 315 AND

196? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

ONE IS THE APPROVAL OF THE 7.7 MILLION AND THAT'S 315 AND 1 TPHAOEUBGZ -- 196 IS ACCEPTING $243,000 FROM THE EPISCOPAL

HEALTH FOUNDATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

WE WILL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DON'T SEE ANY ITEMS OUT

OF ORDER ON YOUR AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

WE HAVE A VERY ESTEEMED INDIVIDUAL WITH US TODAY WHO HAS DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK. GREG, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU TO COME UP, PLEASE. GREG COMPEAN HAS ONE OF THE TOUGHEST JOBS ON THIS PLANET. AND THAT IS THAT HE RUNS A FUNERAL HOME. REGARDLESS OF THE OCCASION, GREG HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR CHILDREN AND HE HAS DONE IT SO QUIETLY.

HE HAS DONE IT WITHOUT EVEN BEING ASKED.

HE JUST DOES IT. MOST RECENTLY HE HAS YET AGAIN STEPPED UP TO HELP FAMILIES THAT ARE STRUGGLING IN THEIR MOST TOUGHEST HOUR. SO GREG HAS RECEIVED MANY AWARDS, AND I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT GREG WAS ALSO THE PERSON WHO REACHED OUT TO ME EARLY IN THE PANDEMIC BECAUSE HE IS THE CHAIR OF THE STATE -- WHAT IS THE CORRECT TITLE?

>> TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICE COMMISSION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICE COMMISSION.

AND WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW FAST AND QUIETLY THE PANDEMIC ARRIVED IN TEXAS. HE WAS SEEING REFRIGERATOR TRUCKS BEING DEPLOYED IN SOUTH TEXAS.

HE REACHED OUT THEN AND THEN WE ENGAGED HIM WHEN WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR OLDER LOVED ONES THAT WERE LIVING IN SENIOR CARE FACILITIES AND HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, HOW TO TAKE CARE OF THEM AND REACH OUT TO THEM.

HE HELPED TO LEAD THE TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US. SO GREG HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AND IT IS A CONGRESSIONAL RECOGNITION FOR HEROIC EFFORTS IN THE AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE IKE.

HE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED AS BUSINESSMAN OF THE YEAR IN 2009.

HE RECEIVED A PROCLAMATION BY MAYOR BILL WHITE FOR HIS DAY, GREG COMPEAN DAY, AND HE RECEIVED THE HISPANIC EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER OF HOUSTON ALLY KWREPBGS -- HOUSTON ALLIANCE PORT REGION AND THE HISPANIC EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER.

THIS RESOLUTION, GREG, REALLY SPEAKS TO YOUR HEART.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR FAMILIES, ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR CHILDREN, ALWAYS BEING THERE FOR THOSE WHO DIDN'T KNOW HOW THEY WERE GOING TO BURY AND GIVE THEIR LOVED ONE PROPER RESPECT. THIS RESOLUTION READS GREG COMPEAN IS A LICENSED FUNERAL DIRECTOR AND EMBALMER IN THE STATE OF TEXAS SINCE 1987 AND OWNER OF COMPEAN FUNERAL HOME IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. WHEREAS HE IS DEDICATED TO SERVING HIS COMMUNITY, PROVIDING QUALITY SERVICES TO EVERYONE, AND THROUGH HIS DILIGENCE EARNED AN APPOINTMENT TO THE TEXAS FUNERAL SERVICES COMMISSION IN 2015 FOLLOWED BY BEING A CHAIRMAN IN AUGUST OF 2018. WHEREAS IN 2003 DECIDED TO HELP WHEN 19 MIGRANTS DIED IN A SMUGGLING CASE IN VICTORIA, BY PROVIDING FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS AND ENSURING THE VICTIMS' BODIES WERE RETURNED TO THEIR FAMILIES AND HE IS NOW READY TO DO IT AGAIN. WHEREAS INSPIRED BY THE SACRIFICES OF HIS GRANDPARENTS MADE WHEN EMMIGRATING TO THE

[00:35:04]

SADLY THIS CASE IS NOW THE DEADLIEST HUMAN SMUGGLING INCIDENT IN U.S. HISTORY, AND THE FAMILIES -- THE VICTIMS' FAMILIES AND FRIENDS DE SKOEUF -- DESERVE COMPASSION, CONDOLENCES AND A COMMITMENT TO PREVENTING TRAGEDIES LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE. COMPEAN SHOWS CHARACTER AND HELPS THE LIVES OF THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS EVENT.

COMPEAN ENSURES THE VICTIMS' ARE PREPARED AND TRANSPORTED BACK TO THEIR COUNTRY ACCORDING TO TEXAS LAWS BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD BE HANDLED WITH THE DIGNITY AND RESPECT THEY DESERVE.

WHEREAS ALWAYS A GOOD STEWARD, GREGORY SUPPORTS EDUCATION, CHURCH ACTIVITIES, LAW ENFORCEMENT, VETERANS, SENIOR CITIZENS AND VARIOUS CHARITABLE AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IT IS THE LOVE AND PASSION FOR HIS INDUSTRY THAT DRIVES HIM TO DEVOTE HIS EFFORTS TO SERVE AS A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL.

BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS GREGORY COMPEAN FOR AGAIN SERVING COMMUNITIES AND GRIEVING FAMILIES IN NEED WITH DIGNITY AND COMPASSION.

GREG, I HAVE SIGN -- SEEN MY SHARE OF TRAGEDY.

YOU SEE IT EVERY DAY. YOU ARE HELPING FAMILIES FIND SOME COMFORT IN THOSE TOUGHEST MOMENTS AND YOU DO IT EVERY DAY.

YOU HEAR OF THINGS HAPPENING AWAY FROM THIS COMMUNITY, BUT YOU PICK UP THE PHONE AND MAKE THINGS HAPPEN FOR FAMILIES THAT UNDOUBTEDLY ARE JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THE NEXT MINUTE MUCH LESS THE NEXT DAY. HAVE YOU DONE THIS -- AND THIS IS JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS SHERIFF WE TALKED ABOUT THE UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN THAT WERE COMING TO SOUTH TEXAS. YOU WERE SO DISTRAUGHT OVER THE FACT HOW MANY BABY COFFINS YOU WERE HAVING TO PRY -- PREPARE.

THIS RESOLUTION DOESN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TOUCH THE MAGNITUDE OF THINGS YOU HAVE QUIETLY DONE. YOU HAVEN'T CALLED CHILD 13 OR 2 OR 11 OR FOX TO SAY, LOOK, LOOK WHAT I'M DOING.

YOU HAVE JUST DONE IT. AND SO FOR THAT YOU DESERVE A GREAT DEAL OF GRATITUDE FOR ALL OF THE FAMILIES FOR WHO YOU HELPED AND FOR WHO CONTINUES TO LOOK TO YOU FOR ONGOING COUNSELING I'M SURE. THEY LOOK TO YOU FOR A LOT OF ANSWERS. YOUR WORK HAS NOT GONE UNNOTICED AND I WANTED TO SPEAK TO WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

FOR THOSE 53 PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE ANY FAMILY HERE, ONLY SHIRTS ON THEIR BACKS, THAT'S THE RICHEST AND YET YOU PUT OUT A GREAT DEAL OF MONEY FOR SOMEBODY YOU HAVE NEVER MET BEFORE, BUT YOU DID IT OUT OF COMPASSION.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. PROUD TO SECOND IT.

WE ARE ALL PROUD OF YOU AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO COME DOWN HERE. ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: COMPEAN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN EAST TEXAS AND I WORKED AT A FUNERAL HOME MOST OF THE TIME I WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. WHAT THE FUNERAL HOME DID IN THAT AREA FOR PEOPLE QUIETLY, AS YOU HAVE DONE HERE, ONE EVENT THEY LOOKED FORWARD TO THAT HE SPONSORED AND HE MADE HAPPEN WAS A CARNIVAL FOR PREACHER'S KIDS FOR A COUNTY IN EAST TEXAS AND NOT FOR ANYBODY RECOGNIZING OR ANYTHING ELSE.

PROBLEM BLUE KNEW THEY DIDN'T GET -- PROBABLY KNEW THEY DIDN'T GET OUT AS MUCH AS OTHER FOLKS. YOU REMIND ME OF A PERSON I KNEW 40 PLUS YEARS AGO. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JESUS TOLD A STORY IN THE BIBLE ABOUT A FELLA THAT WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO HELP SOMEONE ELSE AND THAT WAS THE GOOD SAMARITAN.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE IS YOU HAVE PROVEN THAT HERE IN OUR

[00:40:01]

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, MR. COMPEAN.

IT IS WONDERFUL TO HEAR ALL OF THIS AND WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU WITH US. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW

WORDS? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE SAID. THE FUNERAL PROFESSION IS A TOUGH PROFESSION. IT REALLY IS.

IT IS AN HONORABLE PROFESSION. I SERVED IN IT FOR THE PAST 40 YEARS AND PROUD THAT I CHOSE THAT PATH.

I AM PROUD TO SAY I HAVE A SON AND A DAUGHTER WHO HAVE JOINED ME SIDE BY SIDE AT THE FUNERAL HOME.

THAT MAKES ME PROUD. AS COMMISSIONER SAID I WAS APPOINTED BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT TO SERVE AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE TEXAS FUNERAL COMMISSION WHICH IS LICENSING AND REGULATORY ARM OF THE FUNERAL INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

YOU WOULD BE SURPRISED HOW MANY POLITICIANS HAVE WORKED AT A FUNERAL HOME. I HEARD THAT STORY NUMEROUS.

ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY RAN AMBULANCES, WHAT HAVE YOU.

YOU'RE IN THE PEOPLE BUSINESS AND THERE IS A LOT OF NEED IN THE INDUSTRY. DURING THE PANDEMIC WE HANDED OUT PHAFPBG -- MASKS WHEN THE MASK DEAL FIRST STARTED.

WE HANDED OUT PHAFPBG -- MASKS AND SENIOR CITIZENS WERE ASKING

US FOR FOOD. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> WE HANDED OUT ABOUT $50,000 WORTH OF GROCERIES. EVERY YEAR WE DO A TURKEY DRIVE AND THEN UNDER WRITE OURSELVES HERE AT THE FUNERAL HOME.

I JUST HOPE MY CHILDREN WILL CARRY ON THIS LEGACY.

THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

CONGRATULATIONS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I'M PLEASED TO REC COG -- RECOGNIZE SOMEONE WHO DID A GREAT THING, ALMOST GOES UNNOTICED.

YOU DON'T SEE THESE KINDS OF THINGS THAT HAPPEN.

I WILL JUST GET INTO THE RESOLUTION.

RECOGNIZE THE DEDICATION OF DETECTIVE CLEAR OWE THOMAS AND TKPEL LOW OFFICERS OF THE TOM BALL POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR THE RESCUE OF SEVEN PEOPLE WHO ARE NOW BACK IN THE COMFORT AND THE SAFETY OF THEIR HOME AFTER BEING ABDUCTED ON JUNE 24TH, 2022.

WHEREAS THIS OCCURRED IN SEVERAL VEHICLES PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY OF THE RESIDENTS OF THE TOM BALL BOARDING HOUSE THAT DAY AND LIED ABOUT THEIR IDENTITY AND MISREPRESENTED THEMSELVES AS STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCY OFFICIALS AND FALSELY GAVE INFORMATION ABOUT A GAS LEAK AS A REASON TO RELOCATE AND TRANSPORT THE SEVEN RESIDENTS TO ANOTHER HOUSE.

AS THE VICTIMS ARRIVED, THE ABDUCTORS TOOK AWAY THEIR PHONES TO PREVENT THEM FROM CONTACTING ANYONE.

WHEREAS DETECTIVE CLEO THOMAS WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED AND RESPONDED TO THE CALL ALONG WITH SERGEANT CHRIS BURNS AND SERGEANT DAVID SMITH AND DETECTIVE WHITE.

DETECTIVE CLEO THOMAS WAS ADVISED THAT SOME OF THE SUSPECTS IN THE KIDNAPPING CASE WERE DETAINED BY PATROLS.

HE CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS AND IT LEAD OFFICERS TO A HOUSE IN DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS WHERE THE RESIDENTS WERE BEING HELD.

WHEREAS, IT IS BECAUSE OF THE BRAVERY AND INVESTIGATIVE WORK OF DETECTIVES LIKE DETECTIVE CLEO THOMAS THAT THE RESIDENTS WERE FOUND QUICKLY AND THE ABDUCTORS ARE BEING BROUGHT TO JUSTICE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HERE BY EXTENDS APPRECIATION AND CONGRATULATIONS TO DETECTIVE CLEO THOMAS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)]

YOURSELF. >> R. JACK CAGLE: Y'ALL STAND

UP. >> I TRIED TO GET THEM TO COME UP. SO WE AS A POLICE DEPARTMENT WANTO TSAY THANK YOU. WE DON'T DO IT FORHE T RECOGNITION, ANDF OCOURSE WE DON'T DO IT FOR THE MONEY.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANKOU Y, DETECTIVE. THANK YOU TO THENT EIRE DEPARTMENT FOR YOUROR WK EVERY DAY, BUTAR PTICULARLY FOR THIS.

THANKOU Y ALL SOUC MH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANKOU Y ALL.

>> THANKOU Y. >> WE HAVE ONEOR ME SPEAKER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOHE AAD. >> RICKY DORYPE SAKING IN PERSON OF THEOM T BALLOL PICE DEPARTMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NOW YOU HE AVTO SAY SOMETHING.

[00:45:09]

>>ST FIR OF ALL,GE JUD AND COMMISSIONERS,NK THA Y'ALL FOR ALLOWING US TOHE BE RE AND THANK YOU FORCH REAING OUT AND RECOGNIZING O THEUTSTANDING WORK OF D OURETECTIVES.

THIS WAS A UNIQUE CASE IT A WAS CASET THAVICTIMIZED SOME PEOPLEIN LIVG IN ATE STA HOMET THA N DIDOT REALLY KNOW OR UNDERSTAND RIGHT FROM. WRONG THE WORK THATDI THEY D SPANNEDTW OS. DAY THEYKE WORD UNTIL ABOUT 3:00 FIRST MORNINGIC AND PKED IT UPTH E NEXT DAY ANDHE FINISD UPAB OUT 4 P.M.EV THAT ENING AND HAD RECOVEREDEV ALL SEN PEOPLEAN D FILED CHARGES ON THREE PEOPLE INVOLVED.

AND ITIL IS STL AN ONGOINGIN VESTIGATION TO SEE WHERE THIS LEADS USEA AND RLLY HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BYIS TH GROUP. FOR T WANT TOHANK Y'ALL

RECOGNIZING OURY AGENC-- >> THANK YOU,UR SIR, YO TIME IS

UP. T >>HANK YOU VERY MUCH.>>

LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.S, YE COMMISSIONER.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: KEVIN, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU GUYS F AND GALOR YOURK WO OUT THEREJU, AND I ST TO TAKE A POINTON OF PERSAL PRIVILEGE T AND SAYHAT I STILL THINK OFAW CHIEF HK,NT ASSISTA MANAGER HAWKWA AND THAT S A GREATIO INTRODUCTN I HAD WHEN IE BECA SHERIFF.

HEAD AND I HF A LOT O DISCUSSIONS.

HE ALMOST GOT MEOS TO BUY THE GYRO COPTERS.

THANK YOU FORG CONTINUININ HIS SERVICENG AND HOLDI THEGR

INTEITY OF THE BADGE. >> S THANK YOUO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.E SO WTI HAVE A MOON.EC

>> SOND. L >>INA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BYIS COMMSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDEDOM BY CMISSIONER

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.IN

>> LA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTIONNI CARRIES UNAMOUSLY.

THANKIN YOU ALL AGA SO MUCH.T I DON'SEE ANY O -- ANYTHINGUT OFMM ORDER BY COISSIONER CAGLE. WE HAVEIN ONE MORE THG TOOU TAKE

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

11 A.MHE IS ONE OF T ONLY TIMES HE IS>> HERE.

IF WE CANAV TAKE 313 WE HE A LOT OF A SPEAKERS HEREND IT T

INVOLVESHE SHERIFF AS>> WELL. WILL TAKELGO: WE THAT AND THANK YOU.WO THAT ONERING WHAT WAS.HE IS THE SRIFF ON THEFF LINE, TIANY? DOES HAVEA'AM, BUHE REPRESENTATIVES ON THE LINE.A

>> LINHIDALGO: WHY DON'T -- I I WONDERF WETH SHOULD START ENWE WITH -- LL, BUT WILL BE A LOT OF SPEAKERS.AR LET'S STT WITH DAVESU BERRY'S MMARY OF THIS AND THEN WHEN THEET SHERIFF CAN G W ON. THATAS THE REASON TO PUT IT NOW SO HE COULD GET IT ON.F TIFFANY, IYOU WOULD REACH OUT AND CONFIRMT WHETHER OR NOHEG S GOINTO JOIN US.

>> WHAT IS THAT?HI >> LINA DALGO: THAT NUMBER IS 306 ON PAGE 35. WE ALL KNOWGA THIS IS A STOP P MEASURE THAT WE NEED TOVI HELP ALLEATETH THE IMPACTS OF EOG CASE BACKL.E THE CHALLENGI HAVEAT WITH THIS, THIS POINT WE PUT IN TENS O OF MILLIONSF DOLLARSTH TO TACKLE E CASE BACKLOG. OUR ONLYSS CONTROL OF THIS IUE ISWE THE PURSE. HAVE PUT IN ENORMOUSON AMOUNTS OF MEYTO AND I WOULD LIKE HEAR FROM YOU.

I T KNOW IT IS IN THEENS I OF MILLIONSF NOTMI HUNDREDS OF LLIONS. THREE YEARS INVESTING IN THIS, WHY AREVI WE STILL HANG TO SHIP PEOPLE OUTUN OF HARRIS COTY?ST THAT'S WHAT I RUGGLE WITHF AND I WONDER I THIS NEEDS TO BEAY APPROVED TOD.

YES. >> TO START WITH THE BASICS OFS THE PROPOSAL I THAT MY TEAM TOGETHER WITH DANIEL'S TEAMOS, DIRECTOR RAM' TEAM, HAS BEENHE WORKING WITH T SHERIFF'SLO OFFICE TO DEVEPDR OPTIONS AND ADESS WHAT IS AN URGENTIS OVERCROWDING AT THE HARRISAS COUNTY JAIL.

JUDGE, THIS IS NOTFF SOMETHING THE SHERI HAS MUCH CONTROL OVER AND NORLE DO , THE PEOPMM WHO WORK FOR COISSIONERS' COURT. IT IS CLOSELY RELATED, AS YOUE

[00:50:01]

BUT PERSONALLY I THINK WE NEEDFO TO REDOUBLE OUR EFRTS HERE.

AND I HAVE MADE IT CLEAR TO EVERYONE I IS AN OPENNESS TO FUND MORE PROGRAMS HERE.SS THERE IS AN OPENNE TO DO MORE AND IT IS URGENT.

THE CRIMINALNG JUSTICE COORDINATI COUNCIL HAS SET UP J SUBCOMMITTEES ON THEAIL POPULATION AND DELAYED THE CRIMINAL CASE BACKLOG. THE HOPE IS THEY CAN COME UP WITH A NEW ROUND OF RECOMMENDATIONS TO BRING TO THE CJCC ON AUGUST 17TH AND MOVE THOSE FORWARD.

WHILE WE HAVE BEEN TRENDINGT SLIGHTLY IN THE RIGHDIRECTION, WE U ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT KEEPINGPI WITH THE JAIL POPULAON.

I DON'T WANT TOS' STEAL DIRECTOR RAMO -- NONE OF US WANT TO SEND INMATE OUT OF TOWN, ARE BUT SPENDING TENSS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLAR A YEAR IS NOT FINANCIALLYE SUSTAINABLE.

AND WHILWE CAN WEATHER IT FOR THIS YEAR AND USE ARPA FUNDS AND WE CAN'T BE IN THE SAMERS SPOT O OR THREE YEALY FROM NOW.

I AM CERTAIN READY TO DOUR EVERYTHING I CAN ON YO BEHALF

TO MAKE SURE WE ARE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU, K -- JUDGE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BERRY. LET ME JUST SAY WHEN I CAME IN AS SHERIFF, WE HAD ALREADY SPEN. THERE WAS NO PANDEMIC IN 2009.

WE JUST HAD AHI DIFFERENT APPROH ON TNGS.

WE HAD WASTED CLOSE TO $60 MILLION ON OUTSOURCING TO THE STATE OF LOUISIANA. THERE WAS NO BACKLOG -- WELL, NOT TO THE EXTENT WE HAD TODAY, BUT THERE WAS NO BACKLOG ATHY TT TIME. THAT'S W I PUT THE POINT THAT IT WAS REALLY WASTED MONEY. THERE WAS NO THOUGHT AS TO HOW TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM. AND WE DO HAVE THE POWER OF THE PURSE, BUT WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT THE SHERIFF IS THE RECEPRICAL FROM BRADY TO FAITH TOWN, PASADENA, HOUSTON, WEBSTEF ALL OF THOSE SOULS THAT COME HIS WAY.

HE IS NOT LIKE THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND HE HAS TO ACCEPT THEM AND SO I CREATED A DASHBOARD AND IT IS HOW FAST THEY ARE MOVING THEIR DOCKETS AND THEY ARE STILD AT THE DASHBOARD THERE ARE STILL SIX COURTS THAT ARE UNDER PERFORMING.

AND IF WE ARE USING THE POWER OF THE PURSE I DON'T WANT TO PUNISH THEM FOR THE DISCRETION THEY HAVE FOR THE BODIES.

AND THIS IS NOT WHAT WE WANT TO BE DOING WITHOUT A DOUBT AND THE BODIES ARE MOVING THROUGH THE SYSTEM AND IT IS NOT ON THE

SHELF. >> I WANT TO FOCUS ON NOT -- I WANT TO FOCUS ON RESOLVING IT AND I GUESS KEEP THE PRESSURE ON THE COURTS AND KEEP THE PRESSURE ON TDCJ PICKING UP THEIR FOLKS AND GETTING THEM OUT AND IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE THE ONLY ONES

[00:55:12]

THE COURTS DON'T SEEM TO. SO CONTINUE TO PUSH THOSE THINGS WE CAN PUSH. TO ALLEVIATE IT.

>> WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.

>> MAY I JUST OFFER ONE COMMENT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> THERE ARE PARTNERS WHO TAKE THIS URGENTLY AND ARE MOVING IT FORWARD. NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SAME LEVEL OF URGENCY. I WANT TO GIVE CREDIT THAT THERE ARE JUDGES IN COURTS WHO ARE LEADERS AND MOVING CASES.

>> WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COURTS THAT ARE MOVING THINGS THROUGH AND THOSE THAT ARE NOT.

GIVE ME THE TOP PERFORMER AND THE LOW PERFORMER.

>> GIVE ME ONE SECOND. >> YOU MADE A POINT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND WITH FORMER SENATOR ELLIS HERE, WHAT IS OUR POWER OF THE PURSE FOR NOT TAKING THEIR CLIENTS?

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK, HOW MANY OF THEIRS DO WE HAVE NOW?

>> DO YOU HAVE THAT NUMBER? >> THE LAST MEMBER I SAW WAS A

LITTLE OVER 300. >> IT IS MUCH BIGGER.

>> THE WHOLE THING WAS WE HAD THE TC TEXAS INMATES AND THE CASES WERE TRIED AND THEY WERE JUST SITTING THERE.

IT WAS COSTING US $75 A DAY IN OUR JAIL AND LOUISIANA WAS $39.

>> THAT WAS PART OF THE PROBLEM. WE HAD 12,000 PEOPLE IN TOTAL

CUSTODY. >> IT IS A MUCH BIGGER NUMBER.

>> I KNOW WE WILL GET AN ANSWER, BUT I DON'T THINK THERE IS THAT MUCH POWER. WHEN YOU WERE SHERIFF AND WHEN YOU WANTED TO CALL UP I WOULD RAISE CANE ABOUT IT.

AND EVEN FROM THAT VANTAGE POINT.

>> JUDGE? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> I WANTED TO WALK THROUGH IN 2020 THE POPULATION WAS 8100 AND WE HIRED JMI AND THEY CAME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US. MOST OF WHICH -- MANY OF WHICH HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWED AND THESE WERE THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO REDUCE THE JAIL POPULATION. I JUST WANTED TO RUN THROUGH THEM. IT LOOKS LIKE 2, 4, 6, ONE WAS DISMISSED TO DISMISS ALL NONVIOLENT FELONY CASES WITH THE EXCEPTION -- WITH EXCEPTIONS OF BLACK DWI'S.

THESE WERE ALL NONVIOLENT FELONY CASES AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THAT. DIRECT CRIMINAL RESOURCES TO ADJUDICATING THE BACKLOG OF VIOLENT CASES AND NEWER CASES.

IT IS TO A GROUP OF JUDGES, IE, AND SEND THEM TO THE REMAINING FELONY JUDGES AND PROCESS THEM UNDER THE WRITTEN CASE GUIDELINES THAT INCLUDE SCHEDULING ORDERS AND TIME STANDARDS, IE, NEW CASE LOAD TRACK AND CONTINUE TO EXPAND FOR PEOPLE TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR POLICE OR PROSECUTOR DIVERSION.

THE LAST ONE WAS WORK TO ADD NEW JUDGESHIPS AND PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC OFFENDERS BECAUSE YOU CAN'T JUST DO ONE SIDE.

YOU HAVE -- ONE THING THAT HELPS THEM IS HAVING A DECENT LAWYER, ET CETERA, BASED ON RESULTS OF A QUANTITATIVE WORKLOAD ASSESSMENT. MAYBE YOU CAN COMMENT ON IT, AND THIS IS FROM JUNE OF 2020 AND I KNOW WE DON'T CONTROL IT, BUT IT IS GOOD TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON IT.

EITHER WE HAVE A GRANT OR WE PAID JMI AND THEY CAME UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS IN 2020. CAN YOU RESPOND NOW?

[01:00:05]

>> MIGHT NEED TO LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE LIST.

I WOULD SAY IN LISTENING TO YOU, SOME OF THOSE, BUT CERTAINLY NOT

ALL OF THEM. >> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO GO SYSTEMATICALLY THROUGH ALL OF THIS.

FRANKLY I'M PUZZLED, DAVE. YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU HAVE CONVEYED THAT THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO THIS.

THERE HAS BEEN A COMMITMENT TO THIS.

THE COMMISSIONER JUST MENTIONED 2020.

WE WERE -- I THINK WERE YOU THERE BY THEN? MAYBE NOT THEN, COMMISSIONER RAD DUCK.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DON'T WANT TO PUT WORDS IN YOUR MOUTH, BUT I NEVER HEARD YOU NOT HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS AND SAME WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE. NONE OF US HAVE EXPRESSED RESERVATION. TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, I THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT THE SHERIFF SIMPLY HAS TO HOUSE THESE FOLKS AND WE HAVE BEEN READY WHENEVER THE SHERIFF AND BUDGET AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAVE A LINE ON A REQUEST FOR THE JAIL AND WE HAVE GRANTED IT UNANIMOUSLY.

AND SO THIS IS NOT AN ISSUE WHERE WE ARE DEBATING WHETHER WE NEED TO ADDRESS THIS AND IT HAS TO BE CLEAR.

IF THERE IS 27 MILLION, 25 MILLION FOR LUBBOCK.

WE CAN'T JUST BLINDLY CONTINUE TO APPROVE THIS WHICH IS A FINANCIAL PROBLEM AND IT IS KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD ON A SYSTEM PROBLEM. IF YOU SAY THIS IS WHAT YOU AT COMMISSIONERS' COURT SHOULD BE DOING, FINE.

WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS. WE CERTAINLY HAVE NOT BEEN THE BARRIER TO THAT. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BOTTLENECK IS. IF THERE AND A PARTICULAR PLACE TO INVEST DOLLARS, WE DON'T KNOE IT GOES.

NONE OF US DECIDE THAT. >> FUNDAMENTALLY I WOULD SAY THIS IS CASES MOVING THROUGH THE JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT PARTS OF THAT.

ARE TRIALS RESET? WHAT IS THE EFFICIENCY OF A COURTROOM? ARE WE ADDING COURT CAPACITY? I THINK THIS COURT IS STANDING READY TO DO MORE.

WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO IS HAVE PROPOSALS OF THE BACKING OF THE PEOPLE INVOLVED. I COULD BRING UH LIST OF IDEAS TO ADDRESS THIS. IF IT DOESN'T HAVE A WILLINGNESS FROM THE COURT AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND OTHER PLAYERS TO IMPLEMENT IT. WE ARE JUST TALKING.

WE WOULD BE HAPPY AND MAYBE WE COULD DO IT TO HAVE A DEEPER DIVE ON THE DATA AND WHAT IS IT TELLING US? WE WILL HAVE IT IN THE WEEKLY BACKLOG TO TRANSMIT.

BUT I WOULD SAY THERE ARE -- TO TRY TO GIVE YOU A DIRECT ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION, JUDGE, IT IS BEING BEHIND AND PROCESSING CASES. IT IS NOT MOVING THEM AS QUICKLY AS WE HOPED AND A NUMBER OF FACTOR THAT'S SIT BEHIND THAT.

NONE OF WHICH IN MY VIEW IS DUE TO A LACK OF FUNDING FROM THIS

COMMISSIONERS' COURT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT ADD TO THAT, ONLY BECAUSE WE HAVE FEDERAL MONEY WE WILL HAVE THIS 27.5 MILLION, AND WE ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH OUR BUDGET CYCLE. EVERYBODY WILL WALK IN WITH THEIR WISH LISTS. AT LEAST WE HAVE ALIGNED WHEN WE SET THE RATE AND WHEN WE MAKE THAT DECISION.

SO IT WOULD BE IN LIVING COLOR WHERE THEY CAN SEE IT.

THE COMMISSIONER OF ON JAIL STANDARDS IS LOOKING AT US.

WE HAVE A RECORD HEAT WAVE GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

WE COULD END UP WITH LIABILITY ON THE OTHER SIDE AND IN THIS COUNTRY YOU STILL HAVE RIGHTS. I THINK I SAW THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR THE INDIVIDUALS IN THE JAILS IS 192 DAYS WHICH IS WELL ABOVE THE STATE AVERAGE OF 60 TO 70 DAYS.

[01:05:12]

THERE IS ANOTHER CYCLE OF EVERYBODY COMING IN ON THE FLOOR SHELF AND HOW THEY WILL NEED MORE MONEY AND WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION THEN, BUT THE JUDGMENT DAY IS COMING.

THE NUMBERS WENT UP. >> YEAH, A LOT OF THEM.

IMAGINE WE WERE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION NOW AND PEOPLE WERE COMING IN HERE SAYING FUND THIS, FUND THAT.

AND ALL WE CAN DO IS COORDINATE. WE WILL LAY IT OUT THERE.

WE COME IN WITH THESE OLD RECOMMENDATIONS AND WITHOUT A GRANT WE WILL PAY FOR IT AT JMI. WAS IT A GRANT? IT WAS A GRANT. YOU CAN HIRE SOMEBODY WITH UNCOMFORTABLE TRUTHS. I AM HOPING DIRECTOR PERRY CAN PLAY A ROLE IN THAT. IN THE END THE INDEPENDENTLY- ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR THE MOST PART, WE CAN TRY TO USE THE PURSE STRINGS TO OFFER INCENTIVES TO HELP WITH THE BACKLOG. WHEN A CASE IS COMING UP THEY ARE WITHDRAWN AND YOU HAVE TO MAKES A -- YOU HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGMENT CALL SO WE CAN FOCUS ON THE VIOLENT CASES.

PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE JUST -- YOU FOCUS ON THE LITTLE STUFF SO YOU CAN'T GET TO THE ONES THAT REALLY MATTER, FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH. EVEN MY STAFF WILL SAY WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN THE CJCC. I LIKE TO TALK ABOUT HERE A LITTLE BIT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

WHEN WE HAVE TO DOLL OUT MONEY, IT IS MONEY WE DON'T HAVE AND IT IS A REAL CHALLENGE. AND IT WILL BE LOCAL MONEY.

THEY ASKED WHERE DIFFERENT COURTS STAND AND I DON'T HAVE TODAY'S NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME, BUT I HAVE ONE THAT'S ARE ABOUT A MONTH OLD. THE DIFFERENCE IN THE JAIL POPULATION FROM THE COURT WITH THE HIGHEST TO THE LOWEST IS TRIPLE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO THAT. CLEARLY DIFFERENT COURTS ARE CONTRIBUTING DIFFERENT AMOUNTS TO THIS.

IT IS PUSHING $40 MILLION NOW BETWEEN THE TWO FACILITIES THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS PAYING OUT.

AND TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT IS COMING OUT OF OTHER THINGS WE CAN DO WHETHER IT IS PUBLIC HEALTH OR ADDITIONAL PATROL OFFICERS.

IT IS MONEY THAT COULD BE SPENT ON SOMETHING ELSE THAT IS NO

LONGER AVAILABLE. >> IS THE SHERIFF HERE SOME.

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)]

>> NO, MA'AM. >> FIRST IS MO CORTEZ SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY. I AM MO CORTEZ.

I AM AN INTER SEX AND TRANS MAN HERE IN TEXAS.

I WANT TO ASK YOU TO VOTE NO ON ITEM 306.

I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, BUT THESE PEOPLE NEED CARE.

I PROBABLY SOUND LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, BUT THE TRAUMA OF FAMILY SEPARATION, IT LASTS A LIFETIME. MY FATHER WAS INCARCERATED AND NEVER WANTED TO SEE ME. IT IS EIGHT HOURS AWAY.

POST, TEXAS IS EIGHT HOURS AWAY. IT PUTS AN UNDO STRESS ON PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH FINANCES AND EVERY OTHER THING.

WE JAIL THESE PEOPLE AND I AM ASKING YOU FOR CARE AND NOT CAGES. I WANT TO SAY THIS WAS GARCIA,

[01:10:01]

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

UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DIANA WILLIAMS.

HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM DIANA WILLIAMS AND I AM WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON 106. I OPPOSE THE AGREEMENT THAT WOULD ALLOW OUR LOVED ONES TO BE CAGED IN A FACILITY IN POST, TEXAS. I WAS HERE IN JANUARY TO SPEAK AGAINST THE LA SALLE TRANSFERS. THE TRAU POSED JAIL -- THE PROPOSED JAIL IS 500 MILES AWAY. CONSIDER WHAT IT MEANS TO WASTE THE DAY AND HE IS NOW -- HE HAS TO TELL HIS KIDS THAT HE MAY BE GETTING TRANSFERRED. IT IS BEING DONE IN THE COUNTY SO THAT TRANSFERS DON'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

AS A STAKEHOLDER AND I THINK COMMUNITY MEMBERS DESERVE A SPOT AT THE TABLE. TO BE WHERE THE BRAINSTORMING IS BEING DONE AND THE DECISIONS ARE BEING MADE ABOUT THE CURRENT

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

IS UP. >> PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE PROBLEM

PASS SOLUTIONS. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS MAKAYLA RODRIGUEZ OF GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP SPEAKING SREURB ACTUALLY -- VIRTUALLY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING. I WANTED TO -- I AM WITH GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE.

I AM IN OPPOSITION OF THE PROPOSAL.

AS WAS MENTIONED BY THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT SO MUCH HAS BEEN SPENT ON OUT SOURCING AND WE SHOULD BE WORKING ON WAYS TO DECARCERATE. IT SHOULD BE MORE EMPHASIS ON THAT. 80% OF THE POPULATION ARE IN PRE-TRIAL AND NOT CONVICTED. 80% OF THE PEOPLE HAVE DISPLACED THE MENTAL HEALTH INDICATORS. WE SHOULD REDUCE INSTEAD OF DOING IT TO LOCK MORE PEOPLE UP. THEY ARE NOT EFFECTIVE WAYS TO REDUCE CRIME. WHAT HAPPENED WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND JOBS WITH LIVABLE WAGES --

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

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM. THE SHERIFF IS EXPERIENCING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY SO WE ARE STILL WAITING FOR HIM TO GET

CONNECTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

I AM GOING TO GIVE HIM A CALL AND THAT WAY I CAN JUST MOVE HIM

IN VIVA PHONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE TAKE A

10-MINUTE BREAK? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: A QUICK POINT TOO. FOR ALL OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK IN OPPOSITION TO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, I WOULD ASK YOU TO VISIT WITH THREE ENTITIES, THE JUDGE IN WHOSE COURT YOUR LOVED ONE'S CASE MAY BE ASSIGNED TO, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

THOSE ARE THE THREE ENTITIES THAT CAN DECIDE A GREAT DEAL OF WHETHER OR NOT YOUR LOVED ONE HAS TO BE SUBJECTED TO A POTENTIAL TRANSFER. THE SECOND THING IS, TRUST ME, WE WOULD RATHER SPEND THAT MONEY HERE ON ROADS AND MORE HEALTH INITIATIVES AND OTHER MORE PRODUCTIVE THINGS THAN SENDING FOLKS TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THE ALTERNATIVE IS TO RECREATE A JAIL I INHAIR -- I INHERITED AND THAT IS WHERE PEOPLE WERE SLEEPING ON FLOORS AND STEPPING OVER EACH OTHER AND RESTROOM SYSTEM THAT'S WERE OVER -- OVERWHELMED.

AND SO IT IS INHUMANE TO A FAMILY THAT THEY HAVE TO TRAVEL SO FAR OR NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO VISIT WITH LOVED ONES.

BUT HAVING AN OVERCROWDED JAIL IS IMMENSELY INHUMANE.

[01:15:02]

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? THANK YOU FORAYING THAT. I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE ADVOCACY GROUPS AND I KNOW WHAT THEIR ROLE S GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP AND OTHERS. I HOPE MY STAFF IS MEETING WITH YOU AND I WOULD BE HAPPY TO HOP ON A VIRTUAL MEETING AS WELL AND I GO BACK TO THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND THEY SHOULD WORK THOSE FACTORS.

I WILL PUSH THEM TO MAKE A CASE AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING WITH THIS ARPA MONEY FOR THE PD'S OFFICE AND ALL OF THEM ARE NOT GUILTY. YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE EXPANSION IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM AND IT IS STKAOEUFPB -- AND IT IS DESIGNED TO FIGURE IT OUT. I HOPE THE ADVOCACY GROUPS CAN ADVOCATE. THEY DON'T HAVE A PUBLIC SESSION THERE IS NO PUBLIC SESSION WHEN YOU GO TO THE DA'S OFFICE OR YOU GO TO THE VARIOUS COURTS OR TO THE PD'S OFFICE.

IT IS JUST EASIER TO COME HERE. WE GET IT AND I GUESS THAT'S WHY WE GET THE -- I JUST THINK OUR HANDS ARE TIED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS ASKED FOR A BREAK SO LET'S TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 11:40. IT IS

>> LINA HIDALGO: HRURT -- ALL RIGHT.

IT IS 11:40 FINE AND COMMISSIONER'S -- IT IS 11:49 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE SHERIFF GONZALEZ ON THE LINE.

>> YES, JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WANTED TO GIVE YOU AN OPPORTUNITY AND WE UNDERSTAND YOU ARE A STEWARD OF THE JAIL AND YOU DON'T DECIDE WHO ENDS UP THERE.

IT SEEMED INAPPROPRIATE TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION WITHOUT ON YOU -- WITHOUT YOU. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD,

SHERIFF? >> YES, JUDGE.

GOOD MORNING TO YOU AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

TO US, THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IT IS A POLICY DECISION.

I USED IT VERY, VERY SPARINGLY AND ALMOST WHEN I FELT -- WE JUST HAD TO OTHER OPTIONS AND THAT WAS NEAR THE -- I THINK IT HAS ONLY BEEN LIKE ONCE BEFORE AND NOW THIS TIME AS WELL.

OUR DILEMMA CONTINUES TO BE THAT WE ARE AT FULL CAPACITY.

JUST TODAY WE ARE AT 9,688. WE ARE AT 99.8% CAPACITY.

AND THAT DOESN'T GIVE US A LOT OF LEEWAY AND IT IS TAXING ON OUR STAFF. THEY ARE BURNED OUT.

THEY ARE MANAGING AND OVERSEEING A VERY COMPLEX JAIL WITH VERY -- WITH MAXIMUM SECURITY DEFENDANTS THAT ARE IN THERE.

AS YOU KNOW AND THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF THIS COURT WE WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE AND ARE OUT -- UTILIZING BEDS IN LOUISIANA.

YEARS PAST THERE USED TO BE MORE CAPACITY AROUND THE STATE, BUT NOW DUE TO THE COMMITMENTS I'M TOLD TO THE STATE AND OTHER OPERATIONS THAT THE GOVERNOR HAS, A LOT OF THAT BED CAPACITY IS GONE. RECENTLY WE WERE ABLE TO FIND ONE IN POST, TEXAS THAT IS AT LEAST IN TEXAS.

IT IS NOT VERY CLOSE, BUT THAT'S THE ONLY ONE THAT WE WOULD POTENTIALLY -- THAT WOULD POTENTIALLY BE ABLE TO ACCOMMODATE US. AND THEY ARE BEING AFFORDED SEVERAL LARGE SEVERAL -- SEVERAL LARGE SHERIFF'S OFFICES WITH THE COURTS SLOWING DOWN AND NOT GOING AS FAST AS IT SHOULD.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS NOT A JAIL ISSUE PER SAY.

IT IS A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ISSUE.

WE LOOK AT THE METRIC OF OUR JAIL BEING FULL AND IT REALLY IS A SYMPTOM OF BROADER ISSUES THAT ARE STILL BEING WORKED ON ON THE BROADER CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND DEALING WITH THE BACKLOGS AS YOU HAVE EXPLAINED. THANKS TO THE EFFORTS OF YOU AND OF THIS COURT INVESTING IN THE BACKLOGS WE ARE STARTING TO SEE

[01:20:11]

THAT PROVIDES ME A GLIMMER OF HOPE AND THAT IS PROBABLY DUE TO THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES COMING ONLINE.

IT IS AROUND THAT TIME, THEM SEEING ADDITIONAL CASES AND GETTING THINGS MOVING. SO THAT POST RELEASE NUMBER IS ONE I LOOK AT. THE OTHER ONE IS THAT THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY IS UNDER 200 DAYS ON AVERAGE.

THAT'S STILL TOO HIGH AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS.

THE AVERAGE IS AROUND 60-DAYS. IN OUR COUNTY JAIL, THE PEOPLE MEANT TO STAY THERE ARE ON A SHORT-TERM BASIS OR STAYING MORE THAN 200 DAYS OR LIKE I REFERENCED, BELOW 200.

THAT TELLS ME THAT MINIMALLY, BUT IT IS MOVING THE DIAL A LITTLE BIT IN TERMS OF CASES BEING RESOLVED.

BACK TO THE POST RELEASE NUMBER IT REFERENCES CASES MOVING THROUGH THE COURTS. COURTS ARE DISPOSED.

THEY ARE COMPLETING THEIR TIME SERVED IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND THINGS LIKE THAT. THE FACT THAT THAT NUMBER IS GOING UP HELPS ME -- OR IT IS INDICATIVE THAT WE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NONETHELESS, WE STILL SEE OTHER METRICS THAT HR CONCERNING. THAT ARE CONCERNING.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET OUT OF THIS ANY TIME SOON.

I AM CONCERNED THAT THE COURTS TEND TO SLOW DOWN TREMENDOUSLY JUST FOR VACATIONS AND OTHER THINGS THROUGHOUT NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, HISTORICALLY. SO WE ARE JUST NOT GOING TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN.

IT IS NOT LIKE BOOKING NUMBERS ARE OFF THE CHARTS AND THAT'S CAUSING THE POPULATION ISSUE. IT IS A SHORTAGE OF THE WHOLE COURT SYSTEM. THE REASON WE HAVE TO MOVE ON THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER IS WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST DEAL VIA THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THERE IS OTHER PEOPLE THAT NEED THE SPACE.

NO OTHER FACILITY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS POINT CAN ACCOMMODATE THE TYPE OF NUMBERS THAT WE NEED.

THIS IS ALSO A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

WE ARE CONCERNED THAT WE ARE SEEING A COVID UP TICK AGAIN.

THE MORE WE CAN ALLEVIATE THE LOCAL POPULATION, THE SAFER IT IS FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THE DEFENDANTS AND FOR OUR WORKFORCE AS WELL. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ARE ALSO WORKING PROACTIVELY TO UTILIZE LITTLE BAKER TO GIVE US ADDITIONAL RELIEF. WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE WHOLE TEAM AND THE ENGINEERING OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO GIVE US RELIEF.

I THINK COMBINED WE CAN GET THE COURTS MOVING AND THEN MAYBE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WE CAN CURTAIL THIS AND THEN GET BACK TO A SENSE OF NORMALCY. AND WE REALLY HAVE TO TRY EVERYTHING ON THE TABLE. FOR EXAMPLE, IN THE ORLEANS PARISH WHICH IS THE COUNTY SYSTEM, IF YOU WILL, AROUND NEW ORLEANS, THEY BOOK ANYWHERE BETWEEN 50 AND 75 INDIVIDUALS PER DAY. WE AVERAGE ABOUT 300.

YET, IN THAT JURISDICTION, POST KATRINA, THEY OPEN ON THE WEEKENDS AND ALSO NIGHTS. WE DON'T HAVE THAT BENEFIT.

WHEN THINGS LOW -- WHEN THINGS SLOW DOWN BECAUSE OF VACATIONS AND HOLIDAYS, OUR POPULATION CONTINUES TO BALLOON OUT OF CONTROL. AGAIN, WE DO HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY AND WE HOPE YOU CAN GIVE STRONG CONSIDERATION TO THOSE THAT MAY BE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE ARE OUTSOURCING.

WE UNDERSTAND. WE DON'T WANT TO OUTSOURCE.

WE WANT TO LIMIT THIS AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

BUT WE ARE NOT THE SOURCE OF IT. WE DON'T CONTROL WHO COMES INTO THE SYSTEM. WE JUST MANAGE THE FACILITY AND THE OPERATIONS. I WILL PAUSE THERE AND SEE IF

THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHERIFF, HERE IS MY CONCERN. YOU WERE ON EARLIER AND I KNOW YOU ARE JUST THE LANDLORD. I RAN THROUGH THE RECOMMENDATION FROM THAT JUNE 2020JMI REPORT WHEN THE POPULATION WAS AT 8100 AND YOU ARE A LITTLE OVER 9900 NOW, IS THAT RIGHT?

>> CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WE WERE AT 8100JMI RECOMMENDED DISMISS ALL NON--VIOLENT FELONY CASES OLDER THAN 9 MONTHS WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS LIKE DWI.

I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT SAID NON-VIOLENT CASES OLDER THAN 9 MONTHS WITH THE EXCEPTIONS OF DWI'S, DIRECT CRIMINAL RESOURCES AS YOU INDICATED ARE VIOLENT CASES IN YOUR CASES, MOVE ALL VIOLENT CASES TO A GROUP OF JUDGES WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR GUIDING THEM TOWARD DISPOSITIONS.

SEND ALL NEW FELONY CASE FILINGS TO THE REMAINING FELONY JUDGES

[01:25:01]

SPECIFICALLY A NEW CASE LOAD TRACK.

CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE OFFENSES FOR WHICH PEOPLE WOULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR EITHER POLICE OR PROSECUTING DIVERSION.

OVER TIME ADD NEW PROSECUTORS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS, ET CETERA.

WE HAVE ADDED PROSECUTORS AND WE HAVE ADDED JUDGESHIPS.

BASED ON THE QUAN DAY TIFF -- QUAN DAY -- QUANTITATIVE WORKLOAD. IF WE SPEND THIS $26 MILLION IT IS FEDERAL MONEY. WILL THAT TAKE PRESSURE OFF THE OTHER INDEPENDENT ACTORS IN THE PROCESS THAT YOU KNOW WE CONTROL MAYBE IT IS NOT TIME TO TAKE A VACATION.

AS YOU EL KWEBTLY -- ELOQUENTLY STATED IN NEW ORLEANS AFTER KATRINA THEY STARTED THE WEEKEND COURTS, AND I THINK THEY ARE

STILL DOING IT. >> THEY DO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS OVER THERE.

WHEN I HEARD YOU SAY A SECOND AGO YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR, WELL THIS 26 MILLION TURNED INTO -- THIS 26 MILLION IS FOR WHAT PERIOD OF TIME?

>> I'M NOT SURE OF THE LENGTH OF TIME.

>> IT IS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR 23, SO THROUGH SEPTEMBER OF NEXT

YEAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEPTEMBER OF NEXT YEAR? I JUST WONDER, YOU KNOW, WOULD IT MAKE SENSE TO TRY TO CONVENE -- EVEN IF WE HAD TO DO IT IN AN EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CJCC.

I KNOW WE HAVE A BREAK BEFORE WE MEET.

I HEARD YOU SAY YOU ARE WORRIED ABOUT LOSING THE BEDS.

I AM TRYING TO WEIGH EVERYTHING. ALL OF US ARE INDEPENDENT PLAYERS IN THE PROCESS. WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, MR. BERRY, WITH BRIGHT IDEAS ON HOW THEY NEED MORE MONEY ON EVERYTHING IN THE COURTROOM TO ALL OF THE VARIOUS OFFICES. IT WON'T SHOW UP WHEN IT IS TIME TO DECIDE THE TAX RATE THOUGH. IT WILL BE AN EMPTY HOUSE THEN.

YOU GOT ME? AND THEN WE WILL HAVE EVEN AMONG US, WE WILL HAVE EVERYBODY SAY, WE WILL JUST GO AND SHUTDOWN THE LIBRARY AND SHUTDOWN EVERYTHING ELSE AND GIVE EVERYBODY EVERYTHING THEY WANT. HOW DO WE AT SOME POINT HAVE A SERIOUS DISCUSSION -- YOU KNOW, I READ THROUGH THE JMI DEAL.

AND THERE MAY BE OTHERS. HOW WILL WE GET THEM -- MAYBE EVEN BRING MR. TURNER ON. HOW DO WE GET TO THAT POINT WHERE WE JUST GIVE OUR -- GIVE OUT $26 MILLION IN FEDERAL MONEY WHICH WILL CREATE A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES.

I WOULD LIKE SOME COMMITMENT FROM MY INDEPENDENT PARTNERS IN THIS PROCESS. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU, SHERIFF. WHEN CAN SOME OF THESE THINGS BE DONE? PEOPLE THINK THEY ARE HEADING TO HEB WHEN WE GO TO THE BUDGET PROCESS.

EVERYBODY WALKS IN AND RUNS DOWN THE SHOPPING AISLE.

THAT'S MY CONCERN. >> COMMISSIONER, THE ONLY THING I WOULD ADD IS ALL OF THOSE ARE REASONABLE THINGS FOR US TO LOOK AT AND LOOK AT THE JMI REPORT AND THE OTHER THINGS.

BUT EVEN ON TOP OF THAT I JUST DON'T THINK THAT THOSE WOULD HAPPEN OVERNIGHT. TO GET JMI TO ADVOCATE FOR CREATING A MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WE HAVE ADVOCATED FOR MORE DOCKETS ON EVENINGS OR WEEKENDS. AND FOR WHATEVER REASON IT HASN'T GOTTEN A LOT OF TRACTION. AS YOU KNOW, I THINK YOU WERE IN THE MEETING WHERE THIS WAS DISCUSSED INXE ECUTIVE SESSION.

>>AS W IT TWO WEEKS AGO? >> I THINK IT WAS A LITTLE NGER, BUT W IASTR SESSING THE URGENCY ON THIS.

IUS JT DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN REALISTICALLYEE KP DELAYING, BEING THATHE TRE ARE NOT AOT L OF OTHERPT OIONS THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE USHO SULD WE STILL NEED THE SPACE.

ANDE WARE TACKLING THE ISSUES, BUT WE HAVEN'T GOT THERE FOR VARIETY OFSO REANS. WE ARE DEALING WITH EVIDENCE BACKLOGSN EVETHOUGH TO YOUR POINT IT HASPE HELD OUT TREMENDOUSLY. WE M AREAKING GREATID STRES IN THAT. ANDIN AGA, IOP AM TIMISTIC THAT THE POSTAL TRI NUMBER HAS STARTEDRI TO SE UP.

THAT'S TREMENDOUS. IT IS NOT WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

THAT IS ALE REFCTION THAT THINGS AREGH SLITLY MOVING, N BUTOT MOVING FASTUG ENOH. INO AM T OPTIMISTIC THAT ANYTHING WE WOULD DO OVERNIGHT AND ANYSO TIME ON WOULD HELPEX

[01:30:01]

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ART BALING HIGH CRIMES IN THE COMMUNITY.WE HAVE TOAC STAY TIVE IN THATGA RERD. THAT'SAR WHY WE ETO TRYING SEE WHAT ARET THE BES G OPTIONSOING FORWARD? W WEOULDTH RATHER IS MONEY BEVE INSTED.T BUIF IT IS NOTGE REALLY TTING TRACTION, R THEN WEEALLY DON'T

HAVEE, A CHOIC INIO MY OPINN.>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA ANDMM THEN COISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.IF SHERF, THANK YOU O FOR BEINGN THE CALL, Y AND THANKOU FOR YOUR WORK.MA I DE THE STATEMENT EARLIER THAT H FOLKS AREERE IMPLORINGAS COMPSION TO JUST NOT SENDLE PEOP TO OTHERS. FACILITIENT I MEIONED THATN THE OPTIOFORSE BE TOING THEM WOULD CREATEAN A UNSAFE DAN INHUMANE L UNHETHY BY MAKING ITOW OVERCRDED. W AND ITOULDND COME DOWN AYO FAIL U FOR THE VARIOUS- STANDARDS -OL FOR VIATIONS OF VARIOUS STANDARDS.WE IF WE RE TO TRY TO KEEP THE CAPACITYE THAT YOU ARTRYINGTS O OUOURCE, IFKE WE WERE TO EP THATR HERE IN YOUS FACILITY, I THAT ANAT ACCURATE STEMENT I MADE TO? THESE FOLKS

>> YES. IT IS. VERY ACCURATEDR

>> AIAN GARCIA: AND YOU AREEY THE PURVOR OF THE SOULS YOU HAVE IN YOUR CUSTODY. N THE LASTUMBERS I HAVE SEEN IS THE THIRD OF THE POPULATION IS GENERATED BY THE HARRISEN COUNTY TITIESTM IN YOUR DEPARENT INAR PARTICUL.T YOU CAN'TELL HPD OR TOMAS BALL OR PADENA TO NOT SEND YOU ANYEL FELONS TOON HAD -- DIRECTION.

IS THAT ACCURATE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER.N

>> ADRIAGARCIA: AND THEN LASTLY THE CHURN OF YOUR JAIL, IST IT ACCURATE THA-- I SUGGESTED T THEY VISIT WITHHEHO JUDGE IN WSEED COURT THEIR LOV ONES MAY BE ASSIGNED TO AND THEI ASSISTANT STRICT ATTORNEY WHOSE CASEIN THEY MAY BE HANDLG AND THEIR LOVED ONE'S CASE ANDEF THE PUBLIC DENDER WHO MAY BE REPRESENTING THEM. DO THEY HAVE THE GREATESTEC ABILITY TO DIDE HOWE LONG SOMEONSTAYS IN OURTH CUSTODY FOR

E MOST PART? >> YES,K SIR.

I THIN THAT'S ACCURATE. I THINK THIS IS A CRIMINAL

JUSTICE ISSUE [INAUDIBLE]RC >> ADRIAN GAIA: YOUR AUDIO

IS -- >> TO TRY TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?RC

>> ADRIAN GAIA: YES. THAT'S A LOT BETTER.

ONE QUESTION, IS THERE A BOTTLENECK, A PRINCIPALDE BOTTLENECK OUTSI OF WHAT IS MENTIONED THAT I T CONTRIBUTING TOHE CHALLENGES THAT YOU'VE GOT?

>> I THINK THOSE ARE THE PRIMAR ONES.

A LOOF PEOPLE ARE LOOKING ATNK THOSE, BUT I THI THOSE ARE THE

PRIMARYIO ONES. >> COMMISSNER RAMSEY?

>> ECHOING WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SAYING, SHERIFF,ND GOD TO SEE YOU A APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT.

JUST TO ECHO THIS CLEARLY, WEA DON'T REALLY HAVE CHOICE IN TERMS OF THIS. IF WE WANT SAFE CONDITIONS AND

[01:35:08]

WE LOOK AT THIS AS SIMPLY WE HAD NO CHOICE AND WE WOULDOL APPRECIATE OTHER FKS TREATING THIS AS URGENTLY AS WE DO.

WE HAVE NO OTHER CHOICE, IS THAT CLEAR STP.

>> THAT IS CLEAR. I WOULDN'T BE RECOMMENDING THISW IF I DIDN'T THINK ITAS THE MOST VIABLE.

AND WE WANT TO NEGOTIATE THE BEST PRICE POINT ASGO WELL.

WE WANT TO BE ODY. STEWARDS OF THE MONE WE DO HOPE BY ALLEVIATINGWE SOME OF THE PRESSURE CAN REDUCE SOME OF THE OVERTIME COSTS. NOT SO MUCHS, FOCUSING ON THE DOLLAR BUT BEING ABLE TO HAVE A REGULAR WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT IS NOT SO TAXING ON THEM AND REDUCING SOME OF THE ASSAULTS IA

OUR CONFINE. >> TNKSS YOU, SHERIFF.

>> COMMIIONER CAGLE ANDIS THEN COMMISSIONER ELL.

>> ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES IN THE JAIL AND THE EXCESSIVE ARE YOU NEEDING AN ADDITIONAL 300 DEPUTIES TOHE TAKE THE

PRESSURE OFF T OVERTIME? >> WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO KEEP UP WITH ATTRITION. THE CHALLENGES ENVIRONMENT THAT IT ISTH -- I WILL ALSO SAY THAT IS IS NOT JUST OUR SYSTEM.

IT IS NATIONALLY IN THE PRISON SYSTEM THAT RETENTION IS AN UNDER APPRECIATED JOB. WE ARE STILL IN HIRING MODE.

WE ARELE STILL TRYING TO BRING PEOP IN THE DOOR AND WERE ARE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DICTION. I THINK WHENNE COMMISSIONER ELLS MENTIOD THE JAIL POPULATION WAS 8,000 SOMETHING BACK THEN IT IS 9600 NOW. IT HAS GONE ON MONTH OVER MONTH, THE JAIL POPULATION HAS GONE UP SINCE JULY.

THE RELEASES HAVE BARELY KEPT PACE WITH WHAT THEY TYPICALLY DO. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO HIRE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WONDER IF MRU ALL PUT SOME NUMBERS -- OR MAYBE OTHERS, ON WHAT THE SIX THINGS JAY AND I RECOMMENDED.

HAS ANYBODY RUN THE NUMBERS ON WHAT THEY DO? THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND SINCE 2020.

THE NUMBER THE SHERIFF AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT WAS 8100 WHEN THEY DID THAT AND THE SHERIFF IS AT 9900 NOW.

THAT WAS JUNE OF 2020 AND TPHO*U HERE -- AND NOW HERE WE ARE JULY

OF 2022. >> WE CAN CROSS THOSE OUT WITH

THE UPDATEDOU NUMBERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WLD LIKE TO SEE THAT BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS TODAY.

>> I AM NOT SURE IT IS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE TO GET THOSE TODAY,

BUT I WILL DO WHAT WE CAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MAYBE -- I JUST FEELS LIKE IT GOES TO THE CJCC WHEN IT IS CONVENIENT, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE DIRECTOR PERRY COME ON AND ARE THERE OTHERS? I'M JUST SAYING, I GET IT AND WE ARE ALL IN A BIND, BUT I LIKE THAT HEB ANALOGY.

AND WHEN IT IS TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, THEY GET AMNESIA. BUT FOR THIS MONEY WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING THIS DISCUSSION. IF WE HAD TO COME UP WITH $26 MILLION ON OUR OWN IT WOULD BE A HELL OF A DILEMMA.

I DON'T KNOW HOW WE PUT PRESSURE ON TO GET THESE OTHER THINGS DONE, AND MAYBE THERE ARE THINGS OTHER THAN THIS.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY THAT 17% OF OUR DEFENDANTS ARE BEING HELD WITH A BOND OF $10,000 OR LESS. 17% WHICH IS 1,270 DEFENDANTS IN TOTAL. NOW, I DON'T KNOW THE NATURE OF ALL OF THOSE CASES AND THE SEVERITY OR ANYTHING, BUT THE

[01:40:01]

I DON'T KNOW IF WE COULD DO A SPECIAL DOCKET FOR THAT.

AGAIN IF WE COULD ASSIGN OR HIRE ANOTHER.

WE END UP HAVING TO FIND POPULATIONS HERE BECAUSE THE ENTIRE SYSTEM IS STUCK. YOU LOOK AT IT EVERY DAY.

YOU HAVE A PROFILE ON WHO IS IN THERE.

IT IS EASY TO JUST. YOU ARE LOOKING AT THERAPIES OF THE PIE AND I DON'T KNOW HOW -- IT IS A HECK OF A DILEMMA, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW WE GET THEM TO MOVE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL I COULD DO WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN IS BEAT ON THAT COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS AND THEN THREATEN TO COME DOWN HERE AND DO AN INSPECTION MYSELF.

DO YOU REMEMBER THAT? THEN THEY SAY DON'T FOOL AROUND WITH GARCIA. YOU ARE GONNA GET SHOT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF YOU CAN JUST GIVE ME ONE MORE QUICK MINUTE AS WE TRANSITION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WILL APPRECIATE THIS. EVEN IF WE WEREN'T IN SUCH A BIND, BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF LEEWAY ALLOWS US TO BE ABLE TO GO AND DO SOME ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THINGS BREAK.

WITH IT BEING FULL SOME OF THAT -- SOME OF THOSE THINGS CONTINUE TO FALL BEHIND AND DETERIORATE.

IT WOULD BE A GOOD PRACTICE EVEN THOUGH NOT IDEAL TO JUST GIVE US THE ABILITY TO GO IN THERE AND REFRESH AND REPAINT AND GET READY. SO WHEN THOSE JAILS NEED TO BE USED AGAIN THEY COULD BE UTILIZED AND THEY ARE UP TO

STANDARD. C >> LINA HIDALGO: SHERIFF, THAT'S VERYLEAR THAT YOU CAN DO THAT AND THAT ULTIMATELY THERE IS A RATIO THAT NEEDS TO BE MAINTAINED AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT HERE. WHAT I STRUGGLE WITH AND WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ARTICULATED, WE GIVE THE MONEY AND ASK FOR A COMMITMENT TO BRINGING DOWN THE POPULATION.

THE POPULATION DOESN'T COME DOWN.

WE GIVE MORE MONEY. WE ASK FOR A COMMITMENT TO BRING DOWN THE POPULATION. THE POPULATION DOESN'T COME DOWN. AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO DO THINGS DIFFERENTLY. I DON'T THINK WE ARE ENTIRELY STUCK. HERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT COULD HAPPEN. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND MR. PERRY TURNER, WE HAD A SPAN OF A YEAR OR TWO WHERE WE SAID -- WE INVESTED 10 MILLION HERE AND RAISED THE SALARY OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND CREATED THE TREE KWRAPBLG -- TRIAGE PROJECT AND WE SAID THE PFM NEEDS TO DEAL WITH ATTRITION AND WE GAVE MONEY TO THE JUDGES AND GAVE MONEY TO TECHNOLOGY AND GAVE MONEY TO THE JAIL. LET'S SEE WHAT THAT WILL DO AND HOW WE GET FROM THIS INVESTMENT TO SUCCESS.

THAT LINE IS STILL NOT DRAWN. WE ARE JUST SORT OF PUTTING IN THE MONEY AND NOT SEEING NECESSARILY THE RESULTS AND HAVING TO COMMIT MORE. IN MY MIND, YEAH, ANYTHING THAT THE STAKEHOLDERS DO IS NOT GOING TO TACKLE THIS OVERNIGHT, BUT WE AT LEAST NEED THE COMMITMENT TO TACKLE IT.

NOT JUST WISH FOR THE POPULATION TO BE REASONABLE, BUT A PATH FORWARD THAT RESULTS IN SUCCESS. I USED TO CHAIR THE CJCC.

THIS WAS BACK BEFORE COVID. BACK THEN, SHERIFF, YOU WERE PLEADING, PRETTY PLEASE, WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS.

OKAY. IT IS THREE YEARS LATER.

THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING. HOW CAN WE IDENTIFY AND ARE FOLKS GOING TO COMMIT TO THIS AND THAT? WE HIRED OUTSIDE EXPERTS TO IDENTIFY WHAT MORE MONEY WE NEED TO DO. WE ARE TRYING TO BE OBJECTIVE ABOUT IT. IT IS EASY TO USE THE RHETORIC, OH YOU ARE DEFUNDING. WE HAVE DONE NOTHING BUT FUND.

BUT WE HAVE FOLLOWED WHAT THESE OUTSIDE EXPERTS HAVE BEEN TELLING US TO DO. I MEAN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND I DON'T KNOW IF THIS KA BE PUT TOGETHER -- THIS COULD BE PUT TOGETHER TODAY OR WHAT. MR. PERRY OR ANYBODY ELSE, WHERE

[01:45:03]

WE CAN HAVE COMMITMENTS AND WE CAN HAVE FUNDING.

TO ME IT JUST FEELS LIKE WE ARE STUCK IN THIS LOOP WHERE IT IS A FINANCIALLY PROBLEMATIC SITUATION AND I DON'T SEE A PATH TO SUCCESS BECAUSE I DON'T SEE WHO IS DOING -- I DON'T SEE EVERYBODY ELSE DOING THERAPIES. THEIR PIECE.

MAYBE THEY ARE AND I DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT AND IF WE WAIT TWO MORE MONTHS WE WILL GET THERE. FOR MY PART, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SEE A MORE NUANCED I GUESS PLAN SO TO SPEAK THAT CONNECTS THE DOTS BETWEEN WHERE WE ARE AND THE RESULTS.

IN THE PAST WE SAID OUR HANDS ARE TIED.

THIS IS THE THIRD OR FOURTH TIME.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I DON'T DISAGREE WITH ANYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT WE HAVE FUNDED IN TWO PARTICULAR PLACES. WE FUNDED IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WE FUNDED IN THE JAIL.

THE JAIL IS THE -- WELL, IT MAY NOT BE ENTIRELY ACCURATE, BUT IT IS WITHIN THE CONFINES OF PENAL CODE AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCEDURE, THE JAIL THOUGH IS THE ONE THAT HAS SOMEONE THAT WILL COME IN AND INSPECT AND DETERMINE FAILURE OR NOT OF THE TWO ENTITIES FUNDED. THEY WILL COME IN AND INSPECT THE JAIL AND DEEM IT A FAILURE. IF IT IS DEEMED A FAILURE.

WE WILL PING THIS MONEY ANYWAY. WE WANT TO USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE, BUT THE PLACE NOT TO USE IT BECAUSE HE -- IF WE ARE PULLING MONEY, LET'S STOP USING THE MONEY.

THEY WILL INSPECT THE JAIL AND THEY WILL DEEM IT PROPERLY AND WE WILL BE IN THIS SITUATION REGARDLESS.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> HERE IS A SUGGESTION.

AND HE HAS DONE A GOOD JOB OVER IT.

HE HAS BEEN VERY FORTHRIGHT AND CANDID IN POINTING OUT INADD -- INADEQUACIES POLITELY ON THE PART OF OTHER ACTORS IN THE PROCESS. WE RAISED IT OUTSIDE GROUPS HAVE COME IN AND WE WILL COME IN. I FEEL THE PRESSURE, SHERIFF BRUCE -- BECAUSE YOU ARE WORE READ ABOUT THE OTHER FOLKS ARE

COMING IN. >> I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT

COUNTY NOW. >> THAT'S WHERE THE FACILITY IS LOCATED. AND THEY ARE DEALING WITH ONE BIG ENTITY AND THERE ARE 10 OTHER LITTLE BITTY ONES.

IT MAY NOT BE THERE LONG-TERM. WHAT DAMAGE WOULD IT CAUSE IF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, MR. PERRY, WHOEVER, YOU TRIED TO PULL THESE OTHER ACTORS IN A ROOM AND I KNOW I AM GOING ON

[01:50:12]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO. WE HAD PEOPLE TRYING TO DO WEEKEND COURT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT MADE SENSE OR NOT. EVERYTHING HAS TO BE BY CONSENSUS FROM THE D.A.'S SIDE, IT HAS GENERALLY BEEN GIVE ME MORE MONEY FOR WHAT I WANT TO DO.

I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW YOU USE THE PURSE STRING OTHER THAN SOMEBODY THINKS YOU ARE GONNA PULL SOME MONEY WHICH WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO. I DON'T KNOW THAT THESE JMI, THESE SIX RECOMMENDATIONS, I DON'T KNOW IF IT MAKES SENSE OR NOT. IT IS SOMETHING.

THERE MAY BE SOME OTHERS. WE JUST KEEP GIVEN -- GIVING.

ENJOYED THE LAST MEETING VIRTUALLY.

YOU CAN GO AS LONG AS YOU WANT GOING VIRTUAL.

BUT THAT'S MY SUGGESTION. I DON'T WANT YOU TO LOSE THE BEDS IF IT IS A PROBLEM. I GET IT.

>> I REMEMBER. >> I DO THINK THE NEW ASSOCIATE JUDGES, THAT THEY ARE STARTING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE.

LIKE I SAID, THE POST TRIAL NUMBER HAS GONE UP SIGNIFICANTLY IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS. THAT'S A GOOD SIGN AND I THINK THAT'S A REFLECTION THAT CASES ARE STARTING TO MOVE THROUGH THE DOCKET. I DON'T WANT TO SAY THAT ALL IS GRIM. IF I FELT THAT THERE PROBABLY WAS NO END IN SIGHT, I WOULD TELL YOU.

I'M AULGS A -- I'M ALWAYS A GLASS HALF FULL-TYPE PERSON.

IT IS STILL GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT MOMENTUM GOING. IF IT WAS FASTER AND WE KWAO -- WE COULD DO IT TONIGHT WE WOULD SAY, YEAH, RELIEF IS COMING A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW. BUT IT IS NOT FAST ENOUGH.

I KNOW THAT THINGS TEND TO SLOW DOWN IN THE COURTS IN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER, YOU KNOW, DELAYING EVEN FURTHER EFFICIENCIES IN CASE MOVEMENT. AND IT CAN BE EVEN THE BEST OF INTENTIONS THAT HILLARY SOLVE THIS IN THE SHORT -- THAT WILL RESOLVE THIS IN THE SHORT-TERM. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE OTHERS HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS.

WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOLUTIONS AND WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE.

AND EVERYBODY IS WILLING -- OR THEY SAY THE RIGHT THINGS, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY IT DOESN'T COME EITHER FROM PREVIOUS JAD LEADERSHIP. ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS WORKING TOGETHER, I JUST -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE CAN BEING -- CAN BE DONE TO GET FULL TRACTION ON THIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EACH PERSON IS INDEPENDENT.

SOMETHING IS WRONG WHEN THE AVERAGE STAY IS 192 DAYS AND THE STATE AVERAGE IS 60 TO 70. NOBODY WAS IMPACTED BY HARVEY QUITE LIKE WE WERE, BUT YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS IN JEFFERSON COUNTY AND OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY HAD PROBLEMS AS WELL.

I'M SAYING I KNOW IT WOULDN'T SOLVE IT OVERNIGHT, BUT REGARDLESS OF WHO IS THE HEAD OF THE CJCC, EACH ONE ARE INDEPENDENT. YOU GOT ME?

>> CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AT SOME POINT HOW DO WE GET A COMMITMENT -- I KNOW HOW IT LOOKS IN AUSTIN.

YOU GOT ME? SOMEBODY LOSE THEIR MONEY AND THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE. I AM SUGGESTING THERE IS A WAY OUT OF IT. I AM NOT STUCK ON THESE SIX.

THERE MAY BE OTHERS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME COMMITMENT -- AND I'M EVEN WILLING TO SAY, LOOK, I'M THE LAST ONE THAT WANTS ANOTHER MEETING.

Y'ALL ARE STPHAEUS -- NICE FOLKS, BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE WITH YOU MORE THAN I HAVE TO, AND HOPE IT IS JUST THAT ONE ITEM AND DO IT NEXT WEEK. I'M TRYING TO GIVE, MR. BERRY, YOU AND MR. PERRY SOME IMPETUS TO FIGURE OUT -- I DON'T KNOW, WHAT ELSE DO YOU HAVE OTHER THAN PURSE STRINGS?

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MIGHT? JUST TO THROW OUT ANOTHER OPTION, IT IS A CASE THAT THE BACKLOG INITIATIVES ARE FUNDED THROUGH ARPA FUNDING AND THEY ARE COMING UP WITH NEW BUDGET REQUESTS. IT IS YOUR PREROGATIVE TO HOLD THE JAIL FUNDING. YOU CAN ALSO SAY THIS APPROPRIATION ENDS ON THIS DATE. TO GET IT AGAIN EVERYONE NEEDS TO COME BACK AND EXPLAIN WHAT THEY HAVE DONE WITH THE FUNDS AND ALSO -- I MEAN, GENERATING A LIST OF POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS,

[01:55:04]

I CAN RATTLE OFF FIVE OR SIX MORE.

IF IT IS A POLICY RECOMMENDATION, IT DOESN'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT WOULD BE A FAIR ASK TO GO THROUGH AND SAY WE ARE WILLING TO DO THIS.

WE ARE NOT WILLING TO DO THIS. WE ARE NOT TO DO THAT.

THAT WOULD TIE FUNDING TO THE OFFICIALS.

>> MAYBE YOU WORK THAT OUT BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT WEEK.

WE CAN MEET AND YOU CAN IDENTIFY WHAT PIECES -- EACH SET OF STAKEHOLDERS NEEDS TO DO WHAT THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE GIVEN THEM. AND THEN IF THERE IS MORE FUNDING WE NEED TO PUT ON THERE, BRING IT BACK.

THERE MAY BE MORE WE CAN DO. AS I SAID EARLIER, NONE OF US HAVE BEEN SHY ABOUT WHEN YOU SAE HAVE NEVER VOTED IT DOWN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SHERIFF, THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU.

I KNOW YOU ARE STREAMING AND IT MAY BE FROZEN, BUT THIS CAME UP AND IT IS SO BIG, I WOULD GO BACK AND USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRING ON MONEY WE GIVE IT.

I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, ONLY BECAUSE THIS ONE IS SO BIG.

HE HAS THE BIGGEST -- HE IS THE LANDLORD.

HE IS JUST SITTING THERE AS THE HOUSEKEEPER WHEN FOLKS COME IN.

HOW ELSE DO WE DO THIS? I KNOW WE ARE IN THE POLITICAL SEASON AS WELL. IT IS NOT EASY TO DO IT.

I KNOW AT LEAST FROM THE DISCUSSIONS I HAVE HAD WITH YOU ALL, THE SEASON IS COMING AND UNLIKE THE STATE, WE DON'T GET SALES TAX. WE DON'T GET ALL THE MONEY.

THEY ARE THROWING KNIVES THIS WAY.

THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT A BACKLOG, THEN SEND SOME MONEY DOWN HERE. GIVE THEM A GAS TAX TO GO AND DO IT. I'M NOT TRYING TO GET ANOTHER MEETING AND NOR DO I WANT YOU TO LOSE THESE, SHERIFF.

IT IS ONLY BECAUSE YOURS ARE HERE.

AND I WOULD SAY I PAY THIS AND MORE.

I GET IT. FROM HAVING BEEN ON THE OTHER SIDE AND MESSING WITH -- WITH YOU BEING THE LANDLORD, BYON THE WAY. HOW ELSE TO DO IT IS MY

SUGGESTIGR. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AEEEE WITH YOU. IF WE NEED TO HAVE A MEETING NEXT WO K, THEN HAVE A MEETING NEXT WEEK.

I AM TRYING TUNDERSTAND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO KNOW NEXT WEEK THAT WE DON'T KNOW NOW. WE HAVE SOME SERIOUS AND I WILL EVEN USE THE WORD UNCOOPERATION GOING ON WITH OUR PARTNERS.

WE -- THE SHERIFF AND WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE PRESSURE POINT.

THE PRESSURE POINT IS THAT WE HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN THE JAIL. THAT'S OUR PRESSURE POINT.

I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHERE THEIR PRESSURE POINT IS.

THEY DON'T HAVE A PRESSURE POINT.

WHEN I LOOK AT THE CLEARANCE RATES IN THESE COURTS AND I'M SAYING, WELL, OKAY, IT MAY BENIGN 8 AND -- NAY BE 98 AND 1 AND 85 AND 96 IN ANOTHER. WE CAN TALK ABOUT CLEARANCE RATE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHO NEEDS TO DO BETTER AND WHEN AND WE CAN EVEN GIVE THEM A PRECURSOR. WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT YOUR BUDGET BASED ON THE CLEARANCE RATE.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT WE ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH.

WE HAVE BEEN DOWN THIS ROAD MANY TIMES IN TERMS OF WHO ARE THE PLAYERS AND WHO ARE THEY DOING? IS IT COMING OUT OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE? IS IT COMING OUT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE? IT IS A COMBINATION OF ALL OF THEM. I WOULD THINK WE WOULD GET ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND I THINK ALL OF US USE OUR BULLET PULPIT AND WE USE OUR ABILITY TO CLEAR CASES AND GET PEOPLE PROPERLY PROCESSED. I AM NOT SURE THAT WHAT WE WILL HEAR IN A WEEK IS MORE THAN WHAT WE HEARD BEFORE UNLESS THERE IS A HOOK, UNLESS THERE IS A CLEAR HOOK TIED TO IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MAY. I THINK THAT'S THE PRESSURE POINT. YOU USE THE FINANCE TERMS. LET'S CALL IT P AND F. IT IS THE PRESS AND THE FUNDING.

THE BULLET PULPIT HASN'T DONE MUCH.

WE STARTED A NUMBER OF DASHBOARDS AND THAT'S GOOD.

IT HAS BEEN A GOOD THING. SOMETIMES WHEN WE HAVE SO MANY, DOES ANYBODY GO -- YOU KNOW, DO THEY GO AND LOOK AT THEM? YOU GOT ME? IT WAS THERE ANYWAY.

IF THE PRESS IS FOCUSED ON THEM AND IT IS US WHO ARE FUNDING.

I DON'T WANT YOU TO LOSE YOUR OPPORTUNITY HERE, SHERIFF, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MEET NEXT WEEK. I HOPE NOBODY PUTS ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA, BUT IF WE CAME BACK HERE, I WOULD LIKE TO NOT JUST GIVE A -- I AM SUPPOSED TO GIVE A SPEECH AND GET AN AWARD

[02:00:05]

THAT'S ALL I I SEE. YOU GOT ME AND IT IS FROM MR. BERRY'S SHOCK. YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN -- YOU NOTICE HOW THEY TALK TO THE GENTLE WOMAN OR GENTLEMAN AND THERE ARE SHARP KNIVES WITH THE NUMBERS THERE, YOU GOT ME? YOU LAY IT OUT.

THAT'S WHY I SKWAS -- I WAS IN FAVOR OF HAVING AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT. WE WANT TO BE NICE.

YOU GOT ME? EVERYBODY IS ELECTED AND HONORABLE. GIVE US THE COLD, HARD DATA IF WE DECIDE. YOU PUT THIS MONEY IN AND ANTICIPATION IS YOU WILL GET THIS.

IF YOU DON'T GET IT YOU CAN TAKE IT BACK.

THAT'S ALL YOU HAVE. HOW MUCH FUNDING YOU GET AND HOW MANY STUDENTS CAME OUT OF COLLEGE.

THAT'S WHY PEOPLE ARE COMING UP WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU GET BASED ON DAILY ATTENDANCE. YOU CAN'T CONTROL HOW MANY GOT THE FLU. THEY PUT IN INCENTIVES AND SO IN AUSTIN THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPACT STUFF WITH OVER A THOUSAND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AS AN EXAMPLE AND ALL OF THOSE YOU HAVE THES.

ALL OF THOSE UNIVERSITIES. ALL WE HAVE IS THE POWER OF THE

PERSON AND WE ARE NOT USING IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHERIFF, ONE MOMENT. I KNOW MR. RAMOS HAS BEEN

WANTING TO GET A WORD IN. >> I AM THE LAST PERSON WHO WILL BE SPENDING THIS MONEY. IT IS IN THE WAY OF THE RISK OF US BEING FORCED TO DO SOMETHING BY THE STATE REGULATORY BOARD AND VERSUS US GOING OUT. WE ARE FACING A STEEP RAMP UP TO BE ABLE TO GET THE FOLKS OVER THERE AND FOR US TO BE SAFELY UNDER THE STAFFING RATIOS REQUIRED BY THE STATE.

EVERY DAY WE ARE DELAYING THE MOVEMENT OF THE CONTRACT IS MORE RISK. I AM NOT SAYING IT IS A WEEK OR TWO WEEKS OR THREE WEEKS. THE POTENTIAL IS THERE AND THEY

ARE OPERATING ON A THIN EDGE. >> I THINK YOU SHOULD HAVE COME TO THE MEETING WITH THAT STUFF. WHAT COLLEAGUES ARE SAYING IS WHAT WE SAID BEFORE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, WE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING.

WE BUILD THE DASHBOARD. WE LOOK AT THE STAKEHOLDERS AND WE TALK. THEN WE PUT IN 25 MILLION, 26 MILLION ON TOP OF THIS. SO YOU HAVE TO HELP US -- WE CAN'T JUST BE OUR HANDS HR -- OUR HANDS ARE TIED.

GIVE US $26 MILLION. YES, HE NEEDS IT.

THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE WILL ACTUALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE ON THIS ISSUE. WE ARE NOT SAYING DON'T VOTE ON IT. WE ARE SAYING MAYBE WE CAN HAVE A MEETING ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY. IS THAT POSSIBLE? LOOK, I KNOW WE ARE TAKING A BIT OF TIME, BUT THAT IS THE REASON FOR THE MEETING. I APPRECIATE THE BRAINSTORM.

I AM JUST SAYING HELP US LAND AT A PLACE WHERE WE CAN GIVE OURSELVES A CHANCE TO GRAB THIS -- REALLY GRAB THIS BY THE HORNS A LITTLE BIT TO THE EXTENT WE CAN.

WE ARE VERY LIMITED, BUT MAXIMIZE THE TOOLS WE DO HAVE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I SUGGEST THIS WITH MY BRAINSTORMING? THE SHERIFF OR MR. RAMOS OUGHT TO FIND OUT HOW TIGHT OF A FUSE THIS IS ON IF YOU DON'T ALREADY KNOW.

WE DO THE REST OF THE AGENDA AND COME BACK.

ASK MR. PERRY TURNER TO COME OVER HERE.

I MAY HAVE A DISCUSSION ON ALTERNATIVE FUNDING WITH ARPA MONEY. LIKE TAKE SOME BACK WE PUT SOMEWHERE ELSE. IF THERE ARE NOT METRICS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO THAT NOW SO NEXT TIME THERE IS AN ACT LIKE THIS, YOU HAVE TO DO PART AND PARCEL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOST OF THE OTHER STUFF WE DID WAS THANKS TO THE BIDEN MONEY THAT'S WHERE IT CAME FROM, BIDEN HARRIS.

I COULDN'T GET IN THE MEETING LAST WEEK.

[02:05:02]

THANK YOU. AND THEN FIGURE OUT LATER TODAY -- DO THE REST OF THE AGENDA AND THEN COME BACK.

IF WE HAVE THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRINGS -- WE WILL CHECK ON THE TIMING OF THE CONTRACT AND WE WILL ALSO THINK -- YOU KNOW, WHAT I HEAR YOU ASKING US IS HOW DO WE USE THE POWER OF THE PURSE ON A PROBLEM THAT KEEPS COMING UP AGAIN.

WE CAN PROVIDE YOU SOME RECOMMENDATIONS ON THAT AS WELL

BY THE END OF THE DAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WHILE WE DO THE REST OF THE AGENDA, JUDGE, IF YOU FIND OUT, YOU AND THE SHERIFF, YOU TALK TO HIM AND WACO OR WHOEVER WILL COME IN IS -- AND GET IT TOMORROW, YOU ASK.

WE WILL FIGURE OUT HOW WE WON'T HAVE TO USE THE FACILITY FOR THE

NEXT FIVE YEARS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

WE'LL COME BACK TO THIS ITEM. THANK YOU, SHERIFF AND EVERYONE

[Emergency/Supplemental items]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHICH ITEM? >> TOM RAMSEY: 313.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THAT ITEM.

TIFFANY, LET'S START WITH THE SPEAKERS.

>> FIRST IS -- >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, SHERIFF.

>> SORRY, JUDGE. I AM STILL ON THE LINE.

I DIDN'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD QUESTIONS FOR ME ON THIS. I THOUGHT HE DID.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SHERIFF, THANK YOU.

I DID HEAR FROM YOUR OFFICE. I KNOW THAT THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM. SOMETIMES YOU DO A PILOT PROGRAM

TO SEE WHAT YOU CAN FIND OUT. >> YES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DO HAVE SOME QUESTION RAOEZ LATED TO IT, AND BETWEEN YOU AND DWIGHT IN TERMS OF THE SELECTION AND THE FOLKS DOING THIS, SO IT WAS -- WAS THIS A OPEN PROCESS IN TERMS OF ANYBODY CAN SUBMIT ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM?

>> YES, SIR. DWIGHT WOULD HAVE MORE DETAILS ON THAT. I WAS NOT PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE PROCUREMENT. IT WAS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING ALL OF THE RULES WERE FOLLOWED, BUT THE PURCHASING AGENT WOULD HAVE THOSE SPECIFIC DETAILS.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS A FULL BID THAT WENT OUT. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE

TECHNOLOGY ITEM? >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S CORRECT.

>> YES. THAT WAS A FORMAL BID SUBMITTED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AGAIN, I HAVE GOTTEN CALLS IN TERMS OF THE IMPACT TO SOME OF OUR LOCAL COMPANIES.

I BELIEVE MANY OF THEM ARE HERE IN TERMS OF SEEING IT ON THE AGENDA. DOES THE NEW APPROACH, THE PILOT, DOES IT COST A CONSUMER MORE MONEY THAN WHAT WE DID BEFORE? IN OTHER WORDS, AM I PAYING MORE FOR A TOLL NOW THAN I DID BEFORE?

>> YOU ARE PAYING AN ADDITIONAL FEE, BUT WE ARE ALSO RETURNING MORE VALUE THAN WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE BEFORE TO THE CUSTOMER.

THE MAIN THING IS TO PROVIDE SAFETY.

WE HAD A COUPLE OF TRAGIC FATAL CRASHES WHERE SPEEDING TO THE SCENE POSSIBLY WAS A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR ON THE PART OF A RECORD DRIVER AND THIS GOES BACK TO 2020, I BELIEVE.

THERE IS A PRACTICE TO RUSHING TO THE SCENE.

IT ELIMINATES THAT AND IT PROVIDES THE PLATFORM WHERE THE CUSTOMER CAN MORE EASILY AND QUICKLY LOCATE THEIR OWN VEHICLE AND IT ALLOW IS US TO SEE WHAT IS BEING CHARGED SO THEY ARE NOT BEING TAKEN ADVANTAGE OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

THIS HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY UTILIZED IN JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE COUNTRY INCLUDING HERE IN TEXAS.

WE UNDERSTAND AND WE ARE LISTENING TO CONCERNS TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE ROLLOUT IS DONE BETTER AND ADDRESSING ANY QUESTIONS THAT MAY COME UP.

WRAOE KNOW SOME MAY NOT LIKE CHANGE, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO MOVE IN A MORE MODERN WAY OF MANAGING INCIDENT MANAGEMENT WHEN IT COMES TO THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS WE JUST NEED MORE TIME TO SEE. THAT'S WHY WE DID IT IN THE LOWEST VOLUME DISTRICT WHICH IS OUT IN DISTRICT 3 BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF TOES OUT THERE.

WILL THIS BE FEASIBLE AND OUR ASSESSMENTS AREN'T WHAT THEY NEED TO BE OR THIS IS NOT WORKING, AND WE CAN RETHINK.

IT IT IS EARLY ON IN THE ROLLOUT.

OUR CHIEF HAS DONE A LOT OF GOOD WORK TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.

THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE FEEL CAN ADD VALUE.

I THINK IT IS LIKE $20, $ 22, BUT IT SUPPORTS DISPATCH

[02:10:04]

I THINK WE SENT SOMETHING TO EACH OF YOUR OFFICES OUT LYING WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE OF THE PROGRAM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DWIGHT, IS THIS THE LOWEST BID ON THE CONTRACT?

>> IT WAS NOT THE LOWEST SPECIFIC PRICE.

IT WAS THE LOWEST BEST BID MEAN THR-G WERE MORE OPTIONS -- THERE WERE MORE OPTIONS THEY PROVIDED THAN THE OTHER SOFTWARE SYSTEM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: OBVIOUSLY I HAVE HEARD FROM SOME FOLKS AND BEEN DIRECTLY INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS UP UP TO THIS POINT OTHER THAN WATCHING TOW TRUCKS OPERATE OVER THE YEARS AND I CONSIDER THESE FOLKS FIRST RESPONDER IS -- RESPONDERS, IF YOU WILL.

I CONSIDER MANY TIMES THEM GETTING TO AN ACCIDENT AND IMPROVING THE SAFETY AT A PARTICULAR LOCATION.

THERE ARE PROS AND CONS TO T SHERIFF AND I KNOW YOU CAN LOOK AT IT ON ONE HAND THAT IT IS WELL INTENDED.

I AM NOT SAYING IT IS NOT WELL INTENDED IN TERMS OF IT -- IS THERE A BETTER WAY TO DO IT, BUT BEFORE WE THROW EVERYTHING OUT WE PROBABLY SHOULD CAREFULLY UNDERSTAND THE TOTAL IMPACTS.

I'M GONNA BE QUIET AND HEAR FROM OUR FOLKS HERE THAT PROBABLY HAVE A MUCH BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT'S GOING ON THAN I DO.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHERIFF, PERHAPS THERE IS SOMEONE YOU CAN LEAN ON THE LINE IF YOU HAVE TO HOP OFF IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS AFTER THE SPEAKERS.

>> YES, JUDGE. WE HAVE SEVERAL TEAM MEMBERS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DO SEE THEM AS PARTNERS AND I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN APPRECIATIVE OF THEM.

IT IS A PILOT PROGRAM AND IT HAS NOT BEEN ROLLED OUT COUNTY WIDE.

WE WOULD LIKE A LITTLE PATIENCE AS WE WORK THROUGH KINKS THAT WE THAOED TO WORK THROUGH. THAT WE NEED TO.

WE HOPE THERE IS A CONSTRUCTIVE PROCESS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS BEEN HELPFUL IN TRYING TO LIST THEM AND SEEING WHAT HE CAN DO TO IMPROVE THIS, BUT WE NEED A LITTLE PATIENCE AND A GRACE PERIOD AS WE WORK OUT SOME OF THE TECHNICAL AND LOGICAL CHALLENGES.

ANY ROLLOUT OF THIS MAGNITUDE, TECHNOLOGY WILL HAVE A FEW GLITCHES AND WE ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH THAT.

IN THE END T-TS ABOUT KEEPING THE CONSUMER SAFE AND WE HAVE A FAIR PROCESS THAT THEY KNOW WHERE THEY ARE GETTING BILLED AND THERE IS NO FRAUD OR BEING SENT SOMEWHERE THEY DIDN'T WANT THEIR CAR BEING TAKEN TO. WE ARE TRYING TO INSTILL FAIRNESS INTO THE PROCESS AS WELL.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU, SHERIFF.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING YOUR APPROACH ON SMART INITIATIVES TO HELP EVERYBODY INVOLVED. IT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE WHEN YOU CHANGE THE PROCESS FROM WHAT IT WAS.

TO THAT END YOU DID MENTION THIS IS A PILOT PROGRAM, CORRECT?

>> YES. >> AND THEN SECONDLY, HAS YOUR TEAM AFFORDED A CENTRAL POINT OF CONTACT FOR THE INDUSTRY TO BE ABLE TO MEET WITH AND PROVIDE INPUT AND FEEDBACK.

IF YOU HAVE IT, IF THERE IS SOMEONE ON THE CALL YOU CANDIES SIG -- DESIGNATE SO IF THEY HAVE REQUESTED -- IF THEY HAVE IDEAS ON HOW TO IMPROVE IT. THEY ARE EMAILING MY OFFICE AND I'M NOT ABOUT TO DABBLE IN YOUR BACKYARD.

I REMEMBER WHEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID WE NEED TO ENLIST LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SUPPORT THEIR IDEAS AND PURSUIT FOR WHAT IS TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC. I WOULD ASK IF THERE IS SOMEONE ON YOUR TEAM THAT CAN BE DESIGNATED THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE TO GIVER -- TO GIVE THEM THEIR CONTACT INFORMATION AND IF THERE ARE ANY ISSUES GOING FORWARD, AT LEAST THEY KNOW WHO TO REACH OUT TO WHO WILL HAVE THE GREATEST ABILITY TO IMPACT THE PROCESS.

>> COMMISSIONER, I THINK EARLY ON IN THE EARLY PHASES, IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE MAKING OF HOW WE COULD DO BETTER.

OUR OUT REACH WASN'T WHAT IT NEEDED TO BE.

WE HEARD CONCERNS FROM THE ADVOCACY GROUPS AND OTHERS.

WE DID STEP UP AND I MET WITH A REPRESENTATIVE AND A COUPLE OF KEY STAKEHOLDERS. WE SAT DOWN AND TALKED AND LISTENED AND WE AGREED TO COME BACK IN A MORE COLLABORATIVE WAY TO LISTEN TO THE BROADER CONCERNS OF THE INDUSTRY.

[02:15:04]

THE POINT OF CONTACT FOR US ARE CAPTAIN MCCONNELL AND MAJOR ROZZO. WE WANT TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY.

IF IT IS NOT CONDUCIVE TO THE AREA OR EFFECTIVE, WE ARE WILLING TO LOOK INTO THAT IF THE EVIDENCE BEAR ITSELF OUT.

IF IF IT IS SIMPLY PEOPLE DON'T WANT CHANGE AND THEY DON'T WANT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT USED TO -- USED TO IT, IT MAY NOT BE AS IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS. WE ARE TRYING TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC FROM GETTING TO A POINT WHERE DRIVERS ARE NOT RACING TO THE SCENE AND TRYING TO BE ONE OF THE THREE.

WE HAVE SEEN TRAGIC SITUATIONS. I HAVE BEEN OUT THERE ON THE SCENE MYSELF. THE ONE I REFERENCED WAS A DOUBLE FATALITY AND WE CAN DO BETTER THAN THAT.

AND WE NEED TIME TO WORK THROUGH THAT AND THOSE ARE THE TWO POINTS OF CONTACT. I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK AM MACA.

IT IS PEOPLE JUST DOING THEIR JOB.

LOWER THE RHETORIC AND THE TONE AND LET'S WORK THROUGH THIS.

WE CAN AGREE TO DISAGREE AND ULTIMATELY IT IS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. NOT ME AND NOT FOR OUR PROVISION, BUT WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE AND HOW CAN WE

DELIVER BETTER SERVICE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT GOING ON AND YOUR PEOPLE WILL BE HERE AND WE WILL GET TO THE ITEM LATER.

I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT. I AM WONDERING, DID YOU ALL LOOK AT ANY OTHER MODELS? WERE THERE ANY BEST PRACTICES OR ANY OTHER COUNTY IN TEXAS OR AROUND THE COUNTRY WHEN YOU ALL CAME UP WITH THIS, WHICH IS A PILOT?

>> YES. AGAIN, IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL YEARS IN THE WORKS. OUR TEAM DID VISIT A COUPLE OF JURISDICTIONS. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE WHICH ONE.

THEY DID LOOK AT THEM. THEY TALKED TO SEVERAL AGENCIES AND THEY DID DO THEIR DUE DILIGENCE.

IT IS BEING USED IN JURISDICTIONS ALL OVER.

IF ULTIMATELY IT IS THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY FOR OUR AREA, THAT'S POSSIBLY AND WE ARE TRYING TO BRING A BETTER SYSTEM THAN THE ANTIQUATED SYSTEM WE WERE OPERATING TOO LONG AND IT MAY

NOT BE SAFE FOR EVERYONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST QUICK QUESTION. I KNOW IT IS A PILOT.

DO YOU HAVE A ROUGH IDEA HOW MUCH THE SPACE IT WOULD TAKE UP AND HOW MUCH OF THE CASES THAT HAVE FALLEN.

>> WE ARE IN ONE OF OUR PATROL DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW.

WE ARE IN A SMALL AREA OF UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY

RIGHT NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ONE MORE THING, JUDGE, IF I MIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHERIFF, I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL AND WE IMPLEMENTED STAY CLEAR.

TOUGH TIME BACK THEN TOO. WE DID GET TO A BETTER PLACE WITH SAFE CLEAR. IT IS NICE TO SEE THE PROCESS OF THE TOW TRUCKS AND THE AMBULANCES STAGED MORE STRATEGICALLY TO KEEP EVERYBODY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.

IT IS IN DOUBLE-DIGITS. THEY WILL HELP TO FACILITATE THE PROCESS COUNTY WIDE. I DIDN'T SEE THE FULL ROLLOUT OF THAT, BUT NOW THAT YOU ARE THE MANAGEMENT AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS

COUNTY PROPER? >> I CAUGHT PART OF THAT, COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY. WE DO HAVE THE TOW AND GO PROCESS NOW AS WELL TO TRY TO GET THE CITY OFF THE ROADWAY MUCH QUICKER TO REDUCE THE SECONDARY CRASHES.

OTHER THINGS AS WELL. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH OTHER

[02:20:03]

WE ARE TRYING TO HAVE OTHER WAYS OF MANAGING THESE SITUATIONS.

IN THIS ROLLOUT I WANT TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN METHODICAL IN TRYING TO DO IT. WE STARTED WITH THE PRIVATE PROPERTY TOES BEFORE WE -- PRIVATE PROPERTY TOWS.

WE HAVE BEEN STAGING THIS AS WE GO AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE TRAINING PEOPLE. THERE MAY STILL BE THE NEED FOR MORE TRAINING. I THINK WE HAVE BEEN VERY STRATEGIC IN HOW WE ROLLED IT OUT.

ULTIMATELY LONG-TERM WHAT THE FINAL PIECES WILL BE, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AT RIGHT NOW AND WE ASK FOR TIME TO WORK THROUGH

THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S TAKE THE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY.

THANK YOU. >> MARK DEMSON FROM ON SITE TOWING SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR TIME.

I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE NEW IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM.

IF YOU TAKE BAD POLICY WITH TECHNOLOGY IT STILL EQUALS BAD.

THE DIRECT CHASING, PER SAY, RUNNING TO SCENES HAS NOT BEEN ELIMINATED. ACTUALLY IT HAS BEEN INCREASED NOW. TRUCKS ARE ABLE TO MOVE FURTHER DISTANCES AND AT GREATER SPEEDS AND CONGREGATE IN GREATER AMOUNTS ON AN ACCIDENT SCENE NOW WHICH IS DOING THE EXACT OPPOSITE OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM WAS SUPPOSED TO DO.

COMMUNITY -- PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE AND CLOSE BEHIND IS COST. WE ARE ENHANCING THE PUBLIC DANGER ELEMENT, BUT WE ARE IMPOSING A FEE FOR DOING THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE IS MAKING HIS WAY.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I HAD SOMETHING I WAS GOING TO SAY, BUT I WENT OFF A FEW BULLET POINTS THAT WAS MENTIONED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HE HAD A HELPING HAND IN THE SAFE CLEAR SET UP AND IT HAS PREVENTED SECOND ACCIDENTS FROM OCCURRING. HOWEVER, WITH THE NEW PROGRAM THERE IS NO STAGING FROM US. THERE IS NOTHING TO PREVENT THESE ACCIDENT ACCIDENTS NOW AND UNLESS THERE IS A MAJOR ACCIDENT THERE IS NO ONE TO PROTECT THESE CIVILIANS WHO ARE SITTING ON THE FREEWAY SUCH AS 225 AND THE EAST FREEWAY THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN AFFECTED AND THIS PROGRAM WILL CAUSE MORE AND MORE ACCIDENTS.

ANOTHER THING THAT WAS MENTIONED WITH THIS PROGRAM IS THAT THEY WANTED THE CONSUMERS TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE PAYING FOR.

THIS EXTRA FEE WAS CONSIDERED A GOVERNMENT FEED.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO STOP YOU AT TIME.

IF FOLKS WILL REMEMBER TO MENTION THEIR NAME AND

AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. >> THANK YOU.

>> DAVID GARCIA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS DAVID GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME BE HERE AND FOR HEARING US OUT. TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.

PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER ONE. AT THE RATE WE ARE GOING THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY THERE TO BLOCK THEM FROM BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. ONCE THEY ARE THERE.

SECONDARY ACCIDENTS DO OCCUR AND THEY ARE OCCURRING.

NO ONE IS THERE TO BLOCK THEM AND YOU ARE NOT STOPPING THE CHASE. THEY ARE SPEEDING TO GET THERE.

YOU WILL NOT STOP THAT UNLESS YOU COMPLETELY AND ADAMANTLY GO BLACK ON THE RADIO WHERE THEY CAN'T HEAR IT.

THAT'S A FEE Y'ALL AREN'T GONNA PAY FOR AND CAN'T PAY FOR.

THEY SAID SO. THE THREE-WRECKER RULE WORKS.

IT PROVIDES SAFE STAOE FOR THE SIT -- SAFETY FOR THE CITIZENS

OF HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> MAY I HAVE ADDITIONAL TIME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, WE NEED TO KEEP ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT TIME. WE HAVE A LOT OF SPEAKERS.

THANK YOU. >> RICARDO CABELLA.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> WHY PAY WHEN WE ARE ALREADY THERE. WHY PAY THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO AUTO RETURN WHEN THEY HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING FOR US OR THE OFFICERS. INSTEAD GIVE THAT MONEY FOR THE ONES THAT HAVE DONE EVERYTHING. IT IS THE OFFICERS, BETTER

[02:25:02]

AUTO RETURN HAS A BAD REP ON THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU.

THE THREE RECORD RULE WAS PORK -- WAS WORKING FINE AND WHY DID IT CHANGE? AND NOW YOU HAVE ALL ON SCENE.

WE ALL RUSH TO THE SCENE TO GET PENNIES, BUT WE WILL GET SUSPENDED IF WE STOP TO HELP THE PEOPLE THAT ARE -- THAT THEIR LIVES ARE IN DANGER IN AN ACCIDENT.

WHY? IT IS TOO FAR FOR US TO SEE WHO IS IN DANGER. IF AN OFFICER GETS INTO A FIGHT, HE KNEW HE HAD A BACK UP, AND NOW HE DOESN'T.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONLY THE FOLKS WHO ARE AT THE MIC SHOULD BE

SPEAKING. >> I NEVER CHARGE TO CHANGE A TIRE. I NEVER CHARGE A PERSON TO TAKE

A CARE OFF THE FREEWAY. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> AND NOW IT IS 173. THROUGH AUTO REPAIR.

>> JUSTIN HERNANDEZ. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HOW ARE YOU DOING? I AM TRISTAN HERNANDEZ.

SINCE THIS STARTED, EVERYTHING HAS BEEN OUT OF WHACK.

OFFICERS ARE ABLE TO CALL US TOW TRUCK DRIVERS ON THE RADIO FOR A FRIENDLY WRECKER WITH A LOCKED OUT KIT.

A CHILD LOCKED IN A VEHICLE, THEY ARE ABLE TO CALL US.

AND NOW THEY HAVE TO SIT THERE AND WAIT FOR US TO GET THERE FROM AN APP THEY WERE WAITING WHEN THEY CALL ON THE RADIOS AND WE ARE RIGHT THERE MAYBE A MINUTE, 30 SECONDS OUT AND WE CAN GET THERE BEFORE THE AMBULANCE OR THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVEN GETS THE CALL TO HELP A CITIZEN OR ABLE TO HURRY UP AND GET THERE TO SEE IF SOMEBODY IS HURT OR BLEEDING OR SOMETHING BEFORE THE AMBULANCE OR THE OFFICERS CAN EVEN GET THERE.

WE CAN CALL THEM AND SAY THEY NEED AN AMBULANCE.

THEY NEED HELP. SINCE AUTO RETURN COMES, WE DON'T HAVE THAT OPTION NO MORE. WE CAN'T DO THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO STOP IT FROM COMING TO OTHER DISTRICTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DO YOU NOT HAVE THAT OPTION?

>> BECAUSE IN THAT OPTION -- IN THE NEW SYSTEM, THE AUTO RETURN, WE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE ON THE SCENE ANYMORE.

WE HAVE TO BE AWAY. WITH THE SYSTEM WE HAVE NOW, WE ARE ABLE TO SEE IF SOMEONE NEEDS HELP OR BLOCK SO THEY WON'T GET HIT AGAIN. WE ARE TRYING TO KEEP THE SYSTEM THE SAME AND GET THE AUTO RETURN OFF.

WE ARE NOT EVEN PAYING THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE TO PAY THEM OFF EVERY SINGLE CAR WE TOW NOW.

WE DON'T EVEN DO THAT NOW. NOW WE HAVE TO PAY THEM EVERY SINGLE CAR WE TOW AND SEND THE MONEY TO CALIFORNIA.

IT IS NOT EVEN TO YOU GUYS. THANK YOU.

>> RALPH FROM DIXIE TOWING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

HAVE I BEEN IN THIS BUSINESS FOR 35 YEARS.

I NEVER HAD TO WAIT FOR A PING ON MY PHONE TO TELL ME TO DO MY JOB. I USE MY RADIOS.

AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA REITERATED ABOUT SAFE CLEAR WHEN HE WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, I WAS IN THOSE MEETINGS AS WELL.

YES, WE DO RUSH TO SCENES, BUT WE ARE RUSHING TO HELP THE CITIZEN. IF WE ARE NOT THERE TO HELP THE CITIZEN, THEN THE LINE OF DEFENSE IS BROKEN.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRE AND EMS, THEY MOSTLY DEPEND ON US TO MAKE THAT WALL AND CREATE THE WALL FOR THEM TO DO THEIR JOB AND TO HELP THE PERSON WHO IS INJURED OR TRAPPED IN THEIR CAR.

LET THE OFFICER DO THEIR INVESTIGATION.

NOW WITH THIS PROGRAM WE ARE COMPLETELY CUT OUT.

200 YARDS FROM A SCENE VERSUS 100 FEET FROM A SCENE IS WAY TOO MUCH. THANK YOU.

>> DAVID GRATUSKY. >> DAVID GRATUSKY.

MY MAIN ISSUE IS SAFETY. ANY TIME ANYTHING HAPPENS, THE OFFICERS DISPATCHED ARE THE LAST ON THE SCENE.

WRECKERS ARE THERE TO BLOCK. WE CAN MOVE A VEHICLE SO THAT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAN ASSIST A PERSON TRAPPED IN THE VEHICLE.

WE CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE. SOMEBODY IS BROKE DOWN AND THEY HAVE NO MONEY, THERE IS NO NEGOTIATION.

THEIR CAR IS GOING TO THE STORAGE LOT AND THEY WILL LOSE THEIR CAR. WE LOSE OUR POWER.

NO NEGOTIATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.

I AM FARAH ELIAN AND A WRECKER DRIVER IN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY. MY ISSUE WITH THE AUTO RETURN IS WE HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WORKS IN THE CITY.

LIKE THE SHERIFF MENTIONS -- MENTIONED WITH TOW AND GO.

WHY ARE WE NOT FOLLOWING THE THINGS OF A PROGRAM THAT WORKS? WHY NOT FOLLOW THOSE STEPS AND RUN IT THE SAME WAY? WHY ARE WE GIVING OUR MONEY AND THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY HAVING TO PAY FOR MONEY TO GO TO CALIFORNIA, TO THIS COMPANY?

[02:30:04]

IT CAN GO TO A BETTER PROGRAM. THAT'S MY ISSUE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> I'M SORRY.

THAT'S JUST MY TWO CENTS ON IT. WE HAVE PROGRAM THAT WORKS IN THE CITY. WHY IS IT THAT THE COUNTY HAS TO STEER OFF AND PAY -- HAVE THE CITIZENS PAY FOR SOMETHING THEY

DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN THE

SPEAKERS ARE DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> JOSEPH JOHNSON, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HONORABLE JUDGE I AM JOSEPH JOHNSON WITH GATEWAY AND AUTO TOEING. IT IS A BAD SITUATION.

CHANGE IS A GOOD THING WHEN IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GOOD FOR THE PEOPLE AND US. WE HAVE DONE THE SAME THING FOR SO LONG AND IT WORKS. THE THREE-TRUCK RULE WORKS SO GOOD THAT -- IT JUST WORKED. WE KNEW IT WORKED.

I BELIEVE THE CITY OF HOUSTON TRIED TO DO AUTO RETURN AND THEY TURNED IT DOWN AND GOT AWAY FROM IT.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> AMANDA TILLIE, YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM AMANDA SANTILLI. MY MOTHER IS BRENDA GARCIA.

SHE IS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK TODAY. SHE IS A LATIA SMALL BUSINESS TOW TRUCK OWNER FOR HER COMPANY. HER BUSINESS IS ALREADY AFTER TWO MONTHS HAVING DIFFICULTY PAYING FOR HER $1 MILLION INSURANCE POLICY SHE IS REQUIRED TO HAVE.

AND THIS IS AS A RESULT OF THE AUTO RETURN USAGE WHICH THE SHERIFF HAS TOLD US IS NOT VETTED OUT WELL.

ALL THE TIME THAT HE IS ASKING FOR FOR YOU TO CONTINUE TO USE, A PROGRAM THAT WASN'T VETTED IS COSTING THE LIVELIHOOD OF ALL OF THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR CHILDREN.

I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE YOU AS THE PUBLICLY ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO SEEK WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST SUCH AS LOCAL BUSINESSES SUCH AS MY MOTHER'S AND ALL OF THESE OTHERS AND WHAT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE LOCAL CITIZEN THAT'S THEY HAVE IMMEDIATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

LET'S HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU

HAVE ONE MORE POINT? >> NO, SIR.

>> WILL YOU MAKE THAT LAST POINT?

>> YES, SIR. >> I AM DAVID GARCIA AGAIN WITH DAYTIME WRECKER SERVICE. THE MAIN -- THE LAST POINT I WANTED TO MAKE IS, YES, WE UNDERSTAND IT IS A PILOT PROGRAM HOW LONG DOES A PILOT PROGRAM NEED TO LAST? THERE ARE COMPANIES GOING UNDER. THERE ARE A FEW COMPANIES THAT HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A SINGLE PING OUT OF THIS AUTO RETURN SYSTEM. WHEN I MEAN A SINGLE PING I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT TOWED A SINGLE CAR SINCE THIS WHOLE PILOT PROGRAM STARTED JUN.

UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR BUSINESS -- IT IS OUR BUSINESS TO TOW CARS.

IF WE DON'T TOW CARS WE DON'T MAKE MONEY.

HOW DO YOU GO FROM TOWING 10 TO 15 CARS WEEKLY, YOU KNOW, AS A BLUE COLLAR WORKER TO TOWING ZERO CARS? HOW DO WE FEED OUR FAMILY IF THIS IS OUR JOB? THIS PILOT PROGRAM THAT THEY -- WELL, WE HAVE TO HAVE AN APP ON OUR PERSONAL PHONE THAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO PING.

LIKE I WAS STATING A SECOND AGO, THEY DIDN'T STOP -- THEY DIDN'T PREVENT WRECKER DRIVERS FROM CHASING DOWN AN ACCIDENT SCENE AND THEY WILL GET THERE AND THERE WERE THREE WRECKERS ON THE SCENE. IT DIDN'T CAUSE CHAOS OR CONFUSION. IT ELIMINATED A LOT OF THE HAZARD. IT WAS WORKING JUST FINE.

SINCE AUTO RETURN STARTED, THERE ARE MULTIPLE VIDEOS THAT WERE UP LOADED. WE HAVE HAD MULTIPLE NEWS CREWS GO OUT AND TAKE VIDEOS OF -- IN OUR DISTRICT, DISTRICT THREE, WITH ALL OF THE CHAOS AND THE CONFUSION.

WHEN I SAY THAT, I MEAN 10, 15 TRUCKS ON THE SCENE.

THEY TALKED ABOUT SO MUCH CHAOS AND CONFUSION AND THE TOW TRUCKS

[02:35:04]

WE HAD PROVIDED SAFETY FOR ALL OF THE CITIZENS AND THEY BROKE OUT AND JUST WERE DRIVING ON THE RIM.

NOW THEY IMPLEMENTED THIS AUTO RETURN AND YOU HAVE A BUNCH MORE WRECKERS WHICH IS UNFAIR. I MEAN, NOW, AT LEAST WHEN THE THREE-WRECKER RULE YOU HAD 33.3 CHANCE OF MAKING A LIVING.

NOW YOU HAVE A HUNDRED WRECKERS OR 20 WRECKERS OR WHOEVER SHOWS UP AND YOU -- YOUR CHANCES WENT DOWN.

THEY SAY IT'S AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM AND THEY WILL PICK A WRECKER RANDOMLY. IT IS NOT RANDOM.

Y'ALL CAN LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. PULL THEM UP.

THEY BROUGHT THE NUMBERS TO THE FIRST MEETING, BUT THEY WOULDN'T BRING THEM TO THE SECOND OR THIRD OR FOURTH WHETHER THIS -- FOURTH WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IN MY AREA WHERE I WORK WHICH IS 3B AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE ALL FAMILIAR WITH THAT, BUT THAT IS EAST HARRIS COUNTY ON THE OTHER SIDE OF SAN JACINTO RIVER WHICH IS HIGHLANDS, CROSBY, BAYTON, ALL THEM AREAS.

THERE ARE VERY SMALL COMPANIES OUT THERE.

WELL, BIG COMPANIES, BUT JUST A FEW OF US.

WE HAVE BAY AREA THAT NONE OF THEIR COMPANY DRIVERS OR OWNERS HAVE RECEIVED A SINGLE PING FROM THIS AUTO REACH.

THE FIRST WEEK IT STARTED EVERY CAR, EVERY -- FOR WHATEVER REASON IT WAS WE STARTED TO WRITE IT ALL DOWN.

THERE WAS ONE COMPANY AND ONE COMPANY ONLY GETTING EVERY PING OUT THERE. HOW IS THAT FAIR TO THEES RT OF US? ITS INOT.

IT IS PUTTINGS UUNDER THE TABLE.

I MEAN, JUST LIKE I TOLDAP CTAIN MCCONNELL, NO MATTEROW H THIS PROGRAM GOES,VE ERY ONE OF THEM SITTING BACK GET A CHECKNY AWAY, NOAT MTER WHAT. HOW LONG WILL THISIL POT PROGRAM LAST? ATHE T END OF THE DAYT IAFFECTS US,HE T CITIZENS. IT ISOT N JUST THE TOWING -PS. K WE AREHE T CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

WE HAVE THES MASVOTE OF EVERYTHING.

WE ARE THE PEOPLE. IF YOU PUT YOURSELFOU IF R SHOED SAID, K YOUNOW WHAT? WE ARE G NOTOING TO PAY YOUN WHE YOU DO A PILOT PROGRAM. YOUL WILWASTE YOUR TIME AND FUEL EVERY DAYT , BUYOU DON'T GETAY A PCHECK AT THE O ENDF THE WEEKW , HOWOULD YOUS GUYFEEL? THE FIRST WEEK THIS PROGRAM STARTEDAS I W -- INT SPE OUT OF MY POCKETR OVE$800N I FUEL GOINGER TO EVY SCENE.NO T TO GET A PINGIS ON TH, PHONE BUT I STILL GOT TO F PAYOR THIS ,HONEPE TO HOFULLY GET A PING BUT IF IT AM NOMAKING ANY MONE HOW CAN I PAY FOR -- HAVE MY PHONE SERVICEAU WHEN TO RETURN DOESN'T PAY FOR MY PHONE

BILL. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA Q HAS AUESTION FOR YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DAVID?

>> YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.MY POINT IS NOT DIRECTLY TO YOUOT HER THAN TOIR SAY FST OF ALL, I HAVE A LOTSP OF REECT FOR YOU GUYSWH.

LAWOU TALK ABOUT HAVING ENFORCEMENT'S BACK, I H WOULDAVB PRABLY KILLEDY SOMEBODIF NOT FOR A D WRECKERRIVER.

IOT GOT A L OF RESPECT FORAL Y'L.

AND W FOR THEORK YOU A DO, YOUR OUTHERE ON THE FREEWAYS AND I CHECKED MY FAIRF SHARE OFLAT TIRES ON THE. FREEWAY BEFORE WE HAD BUDDY, BUMPERSI DID MY BEST TO GETOF PEOPLE F THE ROAD. I GET YOUI .

UNDERSTAND IT BETTER MOST.

OR THERE IS --R FOR BETTE ANSE THERE IS ALWAYS EVOLUTION TO THINGS.I ALL WOULD ASK ISFF THE SHERI WAS VERYNT TRANSPARE GOT ATS THIS TO UAND IT VOTE.OUS NOBODY HERE THOUGHT TWICE ABOUT ITT BECAUSE ICAME FROMSH OUR ERIFF W.

HEAS VERYNT TRANSPARE ABOUT THE ADDITIONALT COSTS THAIN WAS VOLVED IN IT.DY NOBO HERE, RAMSEY, CAGLE, THEE, JUDGIS EL -- ELL NOR I RAISED CONCERN ABOUT IT.A IT IS CT PILOT PROJEUN AND I DERSTAND THESU REAL PRESRE YOUUN ARE DER.D I WOUL JUST ASKTH TO VISIT WI

[02:40:02]

WE WENT THROUGH UH -- A LOTST OF ADJUMENTS ON SAFE CLEAROF BECAUSE TO US LISTENING THE INDUSTRY.RE THERE WE IMPROVEMENTSME THAT CA OUTIT OF SYSTEM, QUE FRANKLY. ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT CAME UP, WOULDN'TGIVE IT A -- I GIVE IT AT SECOND THOUGHIS SOME OF THEKS BACKGROUND CHEC. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ISAN LISTENING D I KNOW THEY WILL GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK.

THEREAN IS NOTHING WE C DOOD ON THIS TAY.

I ASK YOU TO WORK WITH HIM.LI HIS TEAM IS STENING AND I B THINK IT HASEEN MADERE VERY APPANT THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVEHT AND HE BROUG US THE SYSTEM ANDD WHAT IT WOULWE ENTAIL.

NO REASON TO QUESTION.D NOBODY RAISE ANY ISSUES. IT WAS A 5-0 VOTE.RE EVERYBODY HE VOTED AND WE LISTENED TO THE SHERIFF.

I KNOWE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICTO IS LISTENING YOU GUYS.

HE IS VERY EASY TOI WORK WITH. ASK YOU ALL TORK CONTINUE TO WO WITH HIM AND GIVE HIM THE AND THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN.RN ONE, AUTO RETUS CAN GO AWAY ANDIN GO BACK TO THE ORIGAL PROCESS., THE SECOND ONE IF THAT DOESN'TIN HAPPEN -- LISTENG TO WHAT THE SHERIFF SAID, THERE AREHA STILL CONCERNS TT HIT HIS DESK AS T A RESULT OF SOMEOW COMPANIES.

I AM NOT SAYING ALL, BUT SOME. IT TAKES A REVIEW TO HURT EVERYBODY'SMI REPUTATION. ASSUNG THAT AUTO RETURNY DOES NOT GO AWA, WHAT IS IT? F I WOULD JUST ASKOR Y'ALLTI TO BRING CONSTRUCVETR CRITICISM, CONSUCTIVE IDEAS TO WHATIN THE SHERIFF IS TRYG TO ACCOMPLISH RECOGNIZING IF NOTWA FOR COMPLAINTS HE S GETTING FROMWO THE COMMUNITY, HE ULD NOT HAVE MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION.WA WEATHER -- WHEN I S IN HIS SEAT, I WAS GETTING THEM TOO.T I WAS EXCITED ABOUCE THE SHERIFF'S OFFIDE BECOMING THE INCINT MANAGER FOR THE COUNTY.

IT WOULD ALLOW US TO HAVE A MORE, YOU KNOW, UNIVERSAL PROCESS. THERE IS NO VOTE WE CAN TAKE, BUT THE SHERIFF IS LISTENING AN. THE TEAM IS LISTENIN I KNOW THAT THEY ARE TAKING WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE SAIDYO SERIOUSLY O

THANK U. >> I WILL SAY THAT AGAIN, THANK Y'ALL FOR HAVING US HERE. WHEN THE SHERIFF BROUGHT THIS TO YOU GUYS, NONE OF US WERE INVOLVED INIA THAT.

>> ADRIAN GARC: WE GET THATOU NOW.

>> HOW CAN Y PUBLICIZE WITHOUT THE INDUSTRY'S KNOWLEDGE OR FEEDBACK ONE SOMETHING? GIVE M A SECOND. LET ME SPEAK AND THEN --IS

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT COMMISSIONERK RAMSEY'S TIME TO SPEAANDME YOU WERE GIVEN MORE TI THAN ALLOTTED.

WE ARE TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER. >> WE ARE ALL FALLING ON DEAFDA

EARS. >> LINA HILGO: WE HAVE THERE FLOOR RIGHT NOW AND WE A WORKING COLLABORATIVELY AND A IT IS RESPECT. WERE IN A COURTROOM RIGHT NOW.

>> IIN UNDERSTAND THAT. >> LA HIDALGO: YOU CANNOT INTERRUPT ME. OKAY? LET ME FINISH. COMMISSIONERET RAMSEY, DID YOU

HAVE SOMHING TO SAY?Y, >> TOM RAMSEY: ACTUALL I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU WERE ABOUT TO SAY SOMETHING.LA

>> LINA HIDALGO: A COLBORATIVE PROCESS REQUIRES FOR LET PEOPLE

[02:45:02]

I MAY BE A YOUNG WOMAN, BUT YOU RESPECT ME.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS THE FLOOR RIGHT NOW.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.EN AND THE PEOPLE IN THE AUDICE, WE ARE HERE TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE, OKAY? WE ARE WORKING TO SOLVE THIS ISSUE TOGETHER AND THAT MEANS WHOEVER HAS THE FLOOR SPEAKS AND THOSE ARE THE RULES OF THISIN COURTROOM AND THIS PROCEEDG. WE ARE WORKING TO TACKLE THIS ISSUE FOR THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO TACKLE IT WITH PEOPLE JEERING AND HOLLERING AND BEING DIS-- DISRESPECTFUL TO EACH OTHER. IT IS NOTIN APPROPRIATE.

AND I DON'T THK THAT IS THE KIND OF BEHAVIORE WE WOULD SEE F SOMEBODY ELS WAS IN THIS CHAIR. SO WATCH FOR THE RESPECT IN THIS PROCEEDING. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE THE

FLOOR.O >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT T THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM.

WE DO, A LOT OF TIMES, TRY A PILOT PROJECT AND SEE IF THEY WORK. IF THEY DON'T, WE TRY TO TWEAK THEM AND MAKE THEM BETTER IF THEY ARE NOT WORKING.

THE QUESTION ASKED IS HOW LONG IS THIS PILOT PROJECT GOING TO DO? WE NEED TO DO ADDITIONAL WORK AND THE AGENDA ITEM IS POSTED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WHO IS THE COMMISSIONER THAT SERVES A LOT OF THE AREA THAT'S BEEN IMPACTED BY THIS PROGRAM. THEREFORE I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR HIM TO BRING THIS MOTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL BE DONE TODAY OR NOT.

HE MAY HAVE PROPOSALS FOR US TO LOOK AT.

I DO LIKE WORKING WITH MY SHERIFFS.

I LIKE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE THE SHERIFF'SS' -- SHERIFFS' BACK. THOSE THAT MAKE SURE THE TREES ARE DOWN-AND-OUT OF THE WAY AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS ON THEIR WAY AND YOU DO THAT WORK AS WELL.

I THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE REMAINDER OF MY COMMENTS I WILL DEFER TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SINCE THIS IS HIS MOTION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: QUICKLY, WE CERTAINLY DID LISTEN TO THE SHERIFF IN TERMS OF HE HAD AN IDEA AND PUT IT ON THE TABLE AND BROUGHT IT HERE. IY HONESTLY DIDN'T KNOW UNTIL TODA THAT THIS WAS NOT THE LOW BIDDER.

YOU FIND OUT WHEN YOU HAVE MORE DISCUSSIONS ON IT.

I ALSO SAY I DON'T THINK IT WAS THE SHERIFF'S ATTEMPT TO CAUSE SMALL BUSINESSES TO GO OUT OF BUSINESS.

THAT DISTURBS ME GREATLY. IT CAUSES ME TO WANT TO SAY TIMEOUT UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT. I AM GOING TO MAKE THEY MOTION THAT THE SHERIFF LOOK QUICKL, OR HIS STAFF, LOOK QUICKLY INTO THE MANY ISSUES. NOT THIS MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO.

THIS MANY PEOPLE SHOW UP BECAUSE THERE IS A PROBLEM.

THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF A PILOT PROGRAM.

YOU ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING SO WE CAN SAY HOW IT WORKS.

I'M NOT WILLING TO HAVE PEOPLE GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND WE JUST CONTINUE WITH A PILOT PROGRAM THAT MAYBE THERE IS SOME ASPECTS OF IT THAT NEED TO BE TWEAKED UNTIL WE CAN GET A BETTER HANDLE ON IT. MY MOTION WOULD SIMPLY BE TO ASK THE SHERIFF TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE PROGRAM AND DO WHAT WE CAN DO TO MITIGATE. THE TOP CONCERN I HAVE IS THAT PEOPLE ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS.

THAT PART OF IT WE NEED TO LOOK INTO QUICKLY.EN

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE REPRESTATIVES FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HERE. IF YOU WILL INTRODUCE YOURSELF.

I AM NOT CLEAR WHO ALL IS THERE. I AM WONDERING TO WHAT EXTENT IT IS POSSIBLE TO -- I MEAN, THE CONCERNS THAT ARE RAISED MUST BE

EXPLORED.ON >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND IS THE

MOTI NECESSARY? >> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO WHAT EXTENT CAN YOU GUYS MITIGATE THE CHALLENGES THAT MIGHT EXIST WHILE YOU WORK WITH THESE FOLKS TO DETERMINE A COLLABORATIVE PATH FORWARD. IT MAY BE THAT NOBODY IS 100% HAPPY. THERE IS A NEGOTIATION AND YOU LAND SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. THAT'S FOR THE SHERIFF AND THE STAKEHOLDERS TO DECIDE AND AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED.

TO WHAT EXTENT CAN YOU RAPID RESPONSE THE MOST URGENT CONCERNS THEY RAISED, CERTAIN FOLKS SEEMINGLY NOT GETTING THE

TOWS THEY NORMALLY DO. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I HAVE CAPTAIN MCCONNELL WHO OVERSEES THE PROGRAM.

[02:50:04]

RIGHT NOW IT IS AT 200 YARDS. THAT'S THE MINIMUM DISTANCE REREQUIRE THE TRUCKS TO BE. WE CAN BRING THAT TO 100 FEET LIKE IT WAS FOR THE THREE WRECKER RULES.

THAT'S ONE OF THE IMMEDIATE THINGS WE CAN TAKE CARE OF RIGHT NOW. EVERYTHING ELSE WE WILL KEEP ON WORKING WITH THE VENDORS AND SEE WHAT WE CAN TWEAK TO MAKE BETTER. WE ARE TALKING -- WE HAVE HAD TWO MEETINGS WITH A NEW REPRESENTATIVE ALONG WITH TWO WRECKER KW-P -- COMPANY OWNERS AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM TO TRY TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO TWEAK THIS PROGRAM TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THEM. WE DO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUES.

WE LIKE THE WORK THE WRECKERS DO.

THEY ARE THERE FOR US. WE'RE NOT TRYING TO HURT THEIR BUSINESS. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THINGS BETTER FOR THE CITIZENS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. MAJOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WEIGHING IN AND FOR THE FOLKS BEING IN THE ROOM.

MAJOR, IS A MOTION NECESSARY? YOU ARE ALREADY THINKING THROUGH WHAT ACTIONS YOU CAN TAKE. I KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE ACTIVELY LISTENING AND I'M NOT SURE -- WELL, THE SHERIFF MENTIONED THE ROLLOUT WASN'T WHAT IT NEEDED TO BE AND THAT WAS VERY BIG OF HIM TO ADMIT TO THAT.

CAN WE HAVE SOME ASSURANCE THAT YOU WILL VISIT WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND SEE WHAT OTHER POSSIBLE ADJUSTMENTS CAN BE MADE? AND THEN IF YOU CAN GIVE US A TIME CERTAIN OF WHEN YOUR PILOT WILL CONCLUDE TO SEE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF AUTO RETURN?

>> COMMISSIONER, WE WILL -- WE WILL FOLLOW WHATEVER THE COURT RECOMMENDS. HOWEVER, OUR BOSS HAS PREVIOUSLY SAID HE WANTS TO GIVE THE PILOT PROGRAM SOME TIME, AND WE ARE REPORTING BACK TO HIM WHAT WE DO FIND.

HE HAS ASSURED US THAT ONCE HE RECEIVES THIS INFORMATION FROM US, WE WILL MAKE THE DECISIONS ON WHAT TO DO WITH THE PROGRAM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. AND THE ADJUSTMENTS OF THE CHANGE TO THE HUNDRED-FOOT RULE, THAT'S SOMETHING YOU CAN DO

IMMEDIATELY? >> YES, SIR.

THE AUTO RETURN REP IS HERE IN THE ROOM.

ALL THEY HAVE TO DO -- I AM NOT SURE HOW QUICK IT CAN BE DONE, BUT THEY SAID -- YEAH. IT IS A CONFIGURATION CHANGE IS WHAT THEY ARE TELLING ME. THEY CAN DO THAT TONIGHT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT DETERMINES WHO GETS THE PING? PLEASE APPROACH THE MICROPHONE OTHERWISE YOU WON'T BE ON THE LIVE STREAM.

>> THE -- MARK DENSON WITH ON SITE TOWING.

THE HUNDRED FOOT RULE IS THE DISTANCE THE TOW TRUCKS WOULD REMAIN FROM THE ACTUAL INCIDENT SITE OPPOSED TO THE 200 YARDS.

I HAVE BEEN FORTUNATE TO BE IN THESE MEETINGS WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. I CAN TELL YOU THERE HAS BEEN

OPEN EARS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD.

I'M GLAD SOMEBODY IS LISTENING. >> THERE HAS BEEN GOOD, BUT

THERE IS STILL A LOT TO WORK ON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD.

CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THEM. >> DEFINITELY.

AND THAT IS ONE THING I CAN -- I'M HOPING THAT WE GET OUT OF THIS. IT IS THE OPPORTUNITY WE NEVER HAD WAS A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO ENFORCE THIS AND TO HELP THIS BE A BETTER PROGRAM. MOST OF US DON'T KNOW IF IT IS GOOD OR BAD. RIGHT NOW WE ARE SUFFERING.

THAT'S THE SCARY PART OF IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOT YOU.

I AM ONE THAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE ANY SMALL BUSINESS GO OUT OF BUSINESS. I ABSOLUTELY GET IT.

I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU COULD WORK WITH THIS GENTLEMAN AND A FEW OTHERS TO GET A GOOD BREADTH OF ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE. I AM HOPING THAT YOUR REPORT WILL BE ABLE TO TELL US WHAT WAS BEFORE AUTO RETURN AND WHAT WAS

[02:55:07]

DISCUSSED. >> CAN I ELABORATE ON THE PING? IT IS AN AUDIBLE NOTIFICATION TO A DRIVER THAT HE HAS BEEN AWARDED THE JOB. YOU HAVE A CONGREGATION OF TOW TRUCKS ON A LOCATION AND ONE IS BEING AWARDED THE JOB POSSIBLY.

IN ALL OTHER RETURNS TOW TRUCKS ARE NOT ON A PROGRAM.

THEY ARE ALL DISPATCHED. WHAT WE ARE DOING IS TAKING A TRUCK -- WE ARE TAKING MANY TRUCKS AND PUTTING THEM ON A LOCATION AND USING TECHNOLOGY AFTER THE FACT.

IT IS AN ELECTRONIC COIN. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF THE PROGRAM DIDN'T CHANGE OTHER THAN WE ARE PAYING $27 FOR AN ELECTRIC LOTTERY SYSTEM NOW. THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT IS HAPPENING. THE TOW TRUCKS ARE STILL THERE IN MASS. THE APP DIDN'T SLOW THEM DOWN.

IT IS NOT GOING TO DETER THEM. WE ARE GETTING AN ALERT AND HAVING TO READ. WHERE ARE WE GOING? IT IS CREATING OTHER SAFETY THREATS.

YOU ARE LISTEN TOKING THIS AND -- YOU ARE LISTENING TO THIS AND THE FOLKS FROM AUTO RETURN, WE ARE AULGS -- WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO GET A BETTER PLACE. MAJOR, YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN GOOD TO ENGAGE FOLKS AND HEAR THEIR THOUGHTS AND CONCERNS AND MAKE SOMETHING BETTER OUT OF THE CIRCUMSTANCE.

I ASK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT WE HAVE TO LISTEN TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LET THEM DO WHAT THEY DO.

I DON'T THINK A MOTION IS ENTIRELY NECESSARY WHEN WE ARE HEARING THAT THERE IS A WILLINGNESS TO COME TO THE TABLE AND BRING PEOPLE TO THE TABLE. IT AND I AM WILLING TO PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT MEETING TO SEE WHAT HAS BEEN

MADE. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WAS LISTENING TO LAWEN -- LAW ENFORCEMENT. THERE IS THE SHERIFF LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THEM TOO. THANK YOU FOR SHARING WHAT YOU DID TODAY. I THINK CERTAINLY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS GOTTEN GREAT FEEDBACK.

THAT'S WHAT YOU DESIRE IN A GOOD PROGRAM.

I AM WILLING TO PUT A MOTION TO DELAY 30 DAYS UNTIL THEY -- THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WRITE DOWN WHAT THEY SAID.

AND IN 30 DAYS WE CAN EXPECT A REPORT BACK FOR THE CONCERNS

SPOKEN HERE TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO RETURN TO VOTE ON THE MOTION. ONE THING TO FLUSH OUT.

ONE IS THE IMMEDIATE CONCERNS AND THE OTHER IS THE LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU SAY PUT A PAUSE ON THE PROGRAM FOR 30 DAYS UNTIL BOTH POINTS ARE

ADDRESSED? >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS GOING TO SAY WHY NOT THE NEXT COURT? WE HAVE A COURT IN TWO WEEKS AND THEN WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER ONE FOR THREE WEEKS.

I WAS GOING TO PROPOSE IS COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS AND THEN AT THAT POINT AND IT GIVES TWO WEEKS FOR THE LONG-TERM SOLUTION. BUT TODAY, THESE GUYS ARE HERE.

THOSE FOLKS ARE PHYSICALLY -- I'M GUESSING Y'ALL ARE IN TOWN.

MAYBE Y'ALL CAN MEET AND ADDRESS SOME -- LIKE YOU SAID, YOU ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE SYSTEM TONIGHT.

THAT'S A START. IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE, THE MORE URGENT STUFF THAT YOU CAN ADDRESS NOW, AND THEN IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS YOU CAN MEET AND PUT THE ITEM ON COURT.

WE WILL TAKE ACTION TO THE EXTENT YOU REACH AN AGREEMENT.

WE ARE NOT AS DEEP IN IT AS THE SHERIFF AND THE STAKEHOLDERS.

AND WE COMMITTED TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND NOW WE ARE ALL

HERE. >> AND SINCE THE FOLKS ARE IN TOWN, I ASSUME THAT YOU ARE NOT FROM THE HOUSTON AREA, RIGHT?

[03:00:01]

>> KREBG -- CORRECT. >> I'LL BUY LUNCH.

AND COME UP WITH A HANDFUL OF YOU TO SIT IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM BACK HERE AND HAVE A MEETING AND START TO HAVE IMMEDIATE DIALOGUE. IF YOU ARE WILLING, I AM WILLING TO SPONSOR YOU A GOOD LUNCH AND START TO WORK THROUGH SOME OF THE DETAILS. RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE SOME THINGS LIKE MODIFICATION TO THE HUNDRED FOOT RULE THAT CAN IMMEDIATELY HAPPEN. IF THERE ARE OTHER THINGS THAT COME UP, SO BE IT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN'T START THAT FACE-TO-FACE DISCUSSION TODAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN WE TAKE OUR LUNCH BREAK, PERHAPS WE CAN LET THEM USE THE COURTROOM SINCE THERE ARE SO MANY OF THEM.

ARE THE FOLKS ABLE TO GET OVER TO THIS FACILITY? ARE YOU CLOSE? IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE IN TOWN.

I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE IN A FAR AWAY STATION OR IN THE

BUILDING. >> WE ARE ABOUT 20 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN. ONLY ONE OF THE REPRESENTATIVES

CAN MAKE THE MEETING. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF WE HAD SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF AND ONE OF THOSE REPRESENTATIVES AND WE HAVE A COURTROOM FULL OF FOLKS THAT HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL IDEAS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND TELL ME HOW MANY STOMACHS LOAN -- LEAN AND WE WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA.

THAT WILL BE IN TWO WEEKS. WE WILL DISCUSS IN COURT IN TWO WEEKS AND BY THEN HOPEFULLY YOU CAN REACH A LONG-TERM AGREEMENT.

TODAY HOPEFULLY YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THE MORE IMMEDIATE THINGS.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. LET'S MOVE ON BECAUSE WE DO NEED

TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK SOON. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION RIGHT NOW.

GO AHEAD. >> I AM BURT WITHERS.

WHAT WERE THE CONCERNS THAT BROUGHT UP AUTO RETURN IN THE FIRST PLACE THAT WE COULD ADDRESS?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE SHERIFF GOT INPUT -- I USED TO GET THE INPUT. WE TOUCHED ON SOME OF THOSE TODAY AND THAT WAS THE DIFFICULTY IN TOWED VEHICLES BEING LOCATED. THAT WAS ONE.

CITIZENS CALL AND COMPLAIN ABOUT TRUCKS RUSHING TO SCENES.

THAT WAS THE OTHER. I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT ELSE HAS COME UP. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS

FROM TODAY. >> FROM MY UNDERSTANDING THERE WERE A COUPLE OF OTHER AGENCY THAT'S WERE WILLING TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE THAT WERE MUCH CHEAPER THAN AUTO RETURN.

ONE IN FACT SAYING THEY WOULD DO IT FOR A DOLLAR, AND MANY OF US USE TOW BOATS. SHOW OF HANDS HOW MANY USE TOW BOOKS? ALL OF THAT MOTION -- INFORMATION IS ONLINE. IT IS VERY ACCESSIBLE AND THEY WOULDN'T CHARGE THE COUNTY ANYTHING TO USE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS GOOD FEEDBACK.

WE WILL SEE WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THIS IS THE KIND OF THING YOU NEED TO WORK OUT OVER THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. AND THEN TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE ENGAGEMENT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SPOKE. >> ONE MORE THING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, WE NEED TO MOVE ON AT THIS POINT.

THE CONVERSATION IS -- ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THE DISCUSSION. SO WE -- WE HAVE TWO OPTIONS HERE, FOLKS. ONE OPTION IS TO HEAR THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS AND THEN TAKE A LUNCH BREAK.

THE OTHER IS TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK NOW AND THEN HEAR THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. LUNCH BREAK NOW?

>> HOW MANY? >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW MANY

SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE LEFT? >> THERE IS QUITE A FEW.

>> WE DO HAVE AN INTERPRETER FOR SOME OF THE SPEAKERS SO IF WE CAN TRY TO DO SOME OF THE SPEAKER THAT'S WOULD BE GREAT.

I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO 42 MINUTES OF SPEAKERS AND WE ALREADY TOOK A GOOD CHUNK OF THOSE.

>> WE TOOK A LOT OF THOSE AND MY UNDERSTANDING FROM LUCI IDA IS WE HAVE -- LUCINDA. SO IF WE COULD AT LEAST KNOCK

THE INTERPRETERS OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN WE CAN GET A GOOD COUNT. MAYBE WE HAVE ANOTHER 30 OR 40 MINUTES. AND THEN IT WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET FROM DOWNTOWN TO MEET WITH THESE FOLKS.

LET'S HAVE THE INTERPRETER ONES FOR NOW.

AND THEN -- TIFFANY, CAN YOU CALL UP THE SPEAKERS WHO NEED AN

INTERPRETER? >> YES, MA'AM.

FIRST IS PERLA GARCIA SPEAKING IN PERSON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHICH NUMBER? >> SHE IS NUMBER 7.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: LUCINDA, WOULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

[03:05:03]

>> JUDGE, DID YOU NEED SOMETHING?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NOW HAVE TWO MEMBERS IN THE COURTROOM.

>> YOU BEAT ME TO IT. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO RECESS SHORTLY. OR JUST FOR A MOMENT, I GUESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, LET'S SEE IF THEY ARE GOING TO COME BACK AND IF NOT WE WILL HAVE TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK.

WE NEED THREE MEMBERS PRESENT. I'M SORRY.

MAYBE WE JUST TAKE THE LUNCH BREAK NOW, COMMISSIONER.

WE ARE GOING TO -- YOU CAN'T STAY? OKAY. THAT IS SOMETHING TO VISIT WITH THE INTERPRETER. I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT SYSTEM

WORKS. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH YEAH? OKAY.

LET'S JUST WAIT. >> JUDGE, WE CAN TAKE NONAGENDA SPEAKERS WITHOUT A QUORUM IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HELP FACILITATE IT. WE JUST CAN'T TAKE ANYONE WITH AN AGENDA ITEM, ANYONE SPEAKING ON AN AGENDA ITEM WITHOUT A

QUORUM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE NONAGENDA SPEAKERS TO CALL UP, TIFFANY? I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER THAT HE IS MAKING HIS WAY BACK.

SO INTERPRETERS YOU WILL BE ABLE TO SPEAK SOON.

HERE IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE'LL START WITH THE -- SORRY, TIFFANY. WE WILL START WITH THE FOLKS THAT NEED INTERPRETERS. GO AHEAD.

>> FIRST IS AGENDA-RELATED SPEAKER NUMBER 5, LIDIA GARCIA.

INTERPRETER, I AM UNMUTING YOU NOW.

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YEAH, I'M HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE ARE TWO INTERPRETERS HERE IN PERSON, TIFFANY.

IS THERE ANOTHER INTERPRETER ON THE PHONE?

>> YES. WE HAVE ONE VIRTUAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS THE INTERPRETER THAT IS MATCHED TO

THIS SPEAKER? >> YES, MA'AM.

INTERPRETER? >> YES?

>> WE ARE GOING WITH SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE, LIDIA GARCIA SPEAKING ON ITEM 77 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER.

YOU ALL HAVE TWO MINUTES. >>

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. WHAT DOES THE CITY WANT TO LISTEN OF ME? THIS IS LID KWRAE GARCIA -- THIS

IS LIDIA GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I COULD REAL QUICK -- I INVITED LIDIA TO CALL IN TODAY BECAUSE ITEM 77 -- ACTUALLY ITEM 77 THROUGH 81 AND 91 ARE ALL REVIVE TO THRIVE INITIATIVES.

THESE ARE REVITALIZING NEIGHBORHOODS WITHOUT LETTING GENTRIFICATION DRIVE THE CHANGE. MS. GARCIA WAS ONE OF THOSE CONSTITUENTS WHO HAS BEEN VERY INVOLVED AND VERY ENGAGED.

SHE HAD BEEN ASKING FOR SIDEWALKS IN THE WOOD FOREST AREA FOR 12 YEARS PRIOR TO MY ADMINISTRATION.

WE HAD DONE COMMUNITY PLANNING IN THE AREA AND AS A RESULT OF THE INPUT WE GOT ON THE COMMUNITY PLANNING, THE SIDEWALKS HAVE COME DOWN THE WAY.

GUESS WHAT SHE WAS ASKING FOR, JUDGE.

SHE WAS ASKING FOR SIDEWALKS, NOT SIDEWALKS JUST BECAUSE, BUT SIDEWALKS THAT WOULD CONNECT NEIGHBORHOOD CHILDREN TO THEIR AREA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. SO I GOT TO SEE HER AT ONE OF MY PUBLIC SAFETY MEETINGS, AND SHE WALKED UP TO ME AND SAID, THANK

[03:10:06]

>> FOR A MINUTE SO THE INTERPRETER CAN STEP IN.

GO AHEAD. >> AND MY CHILDREN AND MY GRANDCHILDREN HAVE ALREADY STEPPED ON THE GRASS.

>> BUT NOW I DON'T CARE BECAUSE -- I AM HAPPY BECAUSE I SEE MUCH HAPPY [INAUDIBLE] AND TURNING ON AND THE ONLY -- I DON'T KNOW THE NAME. A LOT OF PEOPLE WALK RIGHT NOW.

I AM STILL HAPPY FOR MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND FOR MY COMMUNITY AND FOR THE PEOPLE. I AM HAPPY AND OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAPPY. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU UNDERSTAND

ME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE UNDERSTAND YOU VERY WELL, MS. GARCIA. AND FOR THE RECORD, WE ARE NOT RELATED, AT HRA*ES I DON'T THINK WE -- AT LEAST I DON'T THINK WE ARE. THANK YOU, MS. GARCIA, FOR ADVOCATING FOR CHILDREN ALL THESE YEARS.

AND WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL. I AM GLAD THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO AT LEAST SEE THESE SIDEWALKS IN YOUR LIFETIME.

AND THAT'S WHAT REVIVE TO THRIVE IS ALL ABOUT, JUDGE.

IT IS BRINGING BASIC FUNDAMENTAL INVESTMENTS INTO THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR THEM FOR YEARS AND DECADES, BUT HAD NOT YET AND I'M GLAD WE ARE PARTICIPATING -- WE ARE ENGAGED TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS HAPPEN.

MS. GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

PEOPLE MAKE IT REAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GRACIAS.

>> WHEN I CAN I DO, TO YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

WE ARE ALWAYS VOTING FOR HIM AND IT MAKES THE PEOPLE IN THE

COMMUNITY HAPPY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

GRACIAS. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER NEEDING AN INTERPRETER IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 7, PERLA GARCIA.

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. >>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

MY NAME IS PERLA GARCIA. I AM HERE BECAUSE I NEED YOUR HELP. WE ARE HAVING TOO MANY PROBLEMS TRYING TO FIND A PROPERTY DUE TO THE LOW OFFER AND DUE TO THE RELOCATION OFFERED BY HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT ENOUGH TO BUY ONE.

[03:15:13]

>> AND MY BUSINESS TOGETHER. I CAN'T GET RID OF MY BUSINESS BECAUSE WE DEPEND ON IT ECONOMICALLY.

WE HAVE PAID FOR TAXES, LICENSES AND EVERYTHING THE STATE HAS REQUIRED. IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS NEEDED

IN MY AREA. >>

>> IT IS NOT FAIR THAT I AM NOT HELPED TO SEARCH FOR A PROPERTY WHICH IS SIMILAR TO THE ONE WE HAVE.

AT THE PROPERTIES WE ARE LOOKING AT THEY GO FROM HALF A MILLION TO 1 MILLION. IT IS NOT ENOUGH WITH WHAT WE

ARE BEING OFFERED. >> I ASK FOR YOUR HELP TO FIND A PROPERTY THAT FITS OUR NEEDS. I CAN'T JUST THROW AWAY TO THE TRASH OR BUSINESS. I CAN'T JUST THROW AWAY THE EFFORT OF MY HUSBAND ALL THESE YEARS.

>> FROM MY BUSINESS. WE ARE SCARED.

I DON'T HAVE THE CONFIDENCE TO DO THAT.

WE WERE VICTIMS OF A ROBBERY. I DO ASK OF YOUR HELP AND OF YOUR COMPREHENSION IN THIS CASE. IN THIS CASE, NOT ALL CASES ARE THE SAME AND I DO ASK FOR SUPPORT TO RESOLVE MY SITUATION.

>> HAS BEEN PROMISED WITH THE BUYOUT PROGRAM.

IT WAS PROMISED AND WE WEREN'T GOING TO BE LEFT IN DEBT AND I AM FORCED TO TAKE OUT A LOAN OF $100,000 WHEN I DON'T HAVE ANY

DEBT RIGHT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WHICH NUMBER WAS THIS -- WHICH SPEAKER WAS THIS, TIFFANY?

>> SHE IS NUMBER 7, NONAGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THE CLOCK DINGED, BUT I WANTED TO ASK --

>> SPEAKING SPANISH

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: TRANSLATOR? >> ABOUT MY CASE, YES, I AM ASKING FOR HELP WITH MY CASE IT IS CAUSING A LOT OF STRESS AND

[03:20:13]

>> ADD, THE PROPERTY HAS BEEN ALSO TAKEN OVER AS A VACANT LOT.

IT IS NOT A VACANT LOT. IT IS USED 24 HOURS A DAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IT IS A NON-AGENDA ITEM.

CAN YOU COVER WHAT COMMISSIONER SAID AND -- WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE SPANISH IS TRANSLATED.

>> YES, ABSOLUTELY. I WAS TRYING TO CHIME IN.

>> FROM PERLA, BECAUSE THIS -- PERLA, BECAUSE THIS IS A NONAGENDA ITEM, WE CAN'T SPEAK TO IT, BUT I WILL SPEAK TO THE JUDGE AND BRING HER UP-TO-DATE ON THE THINGS WE WERE DISCUSSING. AND COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THERE WAS NOBODY FROM PRECINCT 2 AND WE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE FROM THE PRECINCT TO THE EVENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO, JUDGE, PERLA AND THE OTHERS ARE FROM THEAL -- FROM THE ALDIN AREA AND THEY WERE PART OF THE BUYOUT FROM PRECINCT 1. THEY ARE FRUSTRATED AND CONCERNED THAT THE BUYOUT PROCESS, SOME OF THEM WERE IN THE BUYOUT PROCESS FOR TWO YEARS THEY WERE GETTING DIFFERENT INFORMATION. I ATTENDED A TOWN HALL MEETING AND DR. HOLLOWAY WAS THERE AND DR. PETERSON WAS THERE.

IT WAS USED FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES AND THERE IS NO FIXED STRUCTURE ON IT. I WORKED WITH THIS AT AN OFFICE OR FACILITY AND THEY CAN TRY TO WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES AND PROVIDING THE RESOLUTION. BECAUSE THIS IS A NONAGENDA I WILL PUT ANOTHER ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND WE CAN SEE WHERE WE ARE WITH THE PROCESS. IT IS CONCERNING TO WHERE FOLKS ARE AT AND THAT BRINGS ME TO ANOTHER POINT.

PART OF THE AGENDA I AM REQUESTING IS THAT MARLON IS -- MARLIN FLOODS, BUT MARLIN GOT ELEVATION MONEY.

THE CITY TOOK SOME ACTION AND THEY GOT MONEY TO MATCH THE FEDERAL DOLLARS. AREAS LIKE ALDIN DIDN'T GET THAT

[03:25:11]

THE ISSUE THEY ARE LAYING OUT IS THAT THEY ARE BEING BOUGHT OUT AT ALDIN MARKET VALUES WHICH IS NOT VERY GOOD.

IT DOESN'T COMPARE TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD WHICH IS ONLY JUST A COUPLE MILES AWAY. WHAT THEY ARE GETTING FOR THEIR ALDING HOME DOESN'T EVEN ALLOW THEM TO STAY IN ALDING.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MAJOR CONCERNS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REMEDIES ARE, BUT I HAVE COMMITTED TO

TRYING TO FIND SOME ANSWERS. >> HOW CAN YOU BE HELPING PEOPLE OUT IF THERE IS NO AFFORDABLE HOUSE.

>> UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, JUST SO WE DON'T GET OFF TRACK, IT DOES MAKE THE CASE ON THE COST BENEFIT RATIO BEING A PROBLEM AND TRYING TO GET SOME MORE MONEY FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSE -- HOUSING. I HAVE IT IN MY OFFICE.

I REPRESENTED HIM. >> SO I CAUGHT ON NOW TO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE NOT -- WE REALLY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO EVEN TALK ABOUT IT. IT IS NOT EVEN THAT WE CAN'T ACTION, BUT WE CAN'T DISCUSS THIS RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN ONLY HEAR FROM YOU. WE WILL PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION.

I HOPE DR. HOLLOWAY WILL FIGURE THIS OUT.

WE HAVE TO BE REALISTIC ABOUT THIS.

ANYWAY, GRACIAS. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS WITH INTERPRETERS?

>> YES, MA'AM. NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8, SILVIA OLIVA FROM TOPS. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> MY NAME IS SILVIA OLIVA AND I AM FROM PRECINCT 2.

I AM HERE TO ASK FOR HELP. I AM HERE TO ASK FOR HELP BECAUSE -- BECAUSE YOU ARE DRIVING US OUT.

WE ARE NOT -- WE ARE NOT ASKING TO LEAVE.

THE PROPERTY THAT I AM LOOKING AT, THE PROPERTY I AM LOOKING AT, IT IS A PROPERTY FOR WHICH I AM GETTING $65,000.

WITH THAT I CAN'T FIND A PROPERTY SIMILAR TO THE ONE I HAVE. I NEED A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY ON A CORNER WITH A SIMILAR DIMENSION.

I CAN'T GET THAT FOR ANYTHING LESS THAN $300,000.

>> ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. I HAVE TACKYCARDIA.

WE HAVE A LOT OF STRESS. WHAT WE HAVE IS CERTAINLY -- IS PERSONAL WORK. I DON'T SEE ANYBODY BEING -- TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAYING, OKAY, YES, THIS IS -- WE

ARE GONNA HELP YOU. >>

>> IT WAS THE $65,000 THAT YOU COULD PROMISE ME A PLACE WHICH

[03:30:04]

LIKE WHAT WE HAVE. >>

>> I AM NOT LEAVING. YOU ARE DRIVING ME OUT.

I NEED THE PIECE AND THE TRANQUILITY TO LIVE.

WE DON'T HAVE TRANQUILITY ANYMORE.

>> MACHINERY AND YOU HAVE IT AS IF IT WAS VACANT AS IF THERE WAS

NOTHING ON IT ANYMORE. >>

>> IT IS COMMERCIAL AND I ASK YOU LISTEN TO US AND YOU LISTEN TO THE WHOLE NEIGHBORHOOD. THERE ARE MANY PROBLEMS AND MANY

WAYS OF WORKING WITH THEM. >>

>> I THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON AND I HOPE I DON'T END UP SICK AND I DON'T END UP GOING TO A PLACE FAR AWAY WHERE WE

DON'T HAVE A VOICE OR A VOTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SPANISH]. WE MENTIONED THAT WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT WE WILL WORK TOWARD A RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS REQUIRING AN INTERPRETER?

>> YES, MA'AM. WE HAVE ONE MORE.

NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 10, GUADELOUPE MARTINEZ.

YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES. >>

>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS GUADELOUPE MARTINEZ.

I AM A RESIDENT AT PRECINCT 2. I COME HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP BECAUSE I LIVE IN THE AREA AND I HAVE A PROPERTY WHICH IS MINE.

IT WENT TO COURT AND I SAID -- I SAID THAT THE PROPERTY WAS MINE, BUT NOW THE PROPERTY IS BEING PAID OFF TO OTHER PEOPLE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL RECOVER

MY MONEY. >>

>> LAST WEEK I HAD TO GO INTO THE HOSPITAL BECAUSE I HAD A PRE-HEART ATTACK. THIS IS COSTING ME SO MUCH STRESS. IT IS NOT FAIR.

I KEPT ON TELLING YOU THAT THE PROPERTY WAS MINE, THAT THE PROPERTY WASN'T -- IT DIDN'T BELONG TO THE PERSON WAS BEING PAID THE MONEY. I TPOUPBGD OUT THE -- I FOUND OUT THE MONEY WAS PAID TO ANOTHER PERSON AND I DON'T KNOW

WHAT TO DO. >>

[03:35:22]

>> AND I NEED HELP BECAUSE I HAVE SMALL CHILDREN AND I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS PROCESS FOR TWO YEARS NOW, AND I ALREADY SPOKE TO THE PERSON WHO RECEIVED THE FINAL SETTLING ON THE PROPERTY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO.

I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. >>

>> AND THE DAY THAT THE PROPERTY WAS BEING SEEN IN COURT, AND WE WERE THERE UNDER OATH TO TELL THE TRUTH AND TO ONLY TELL THE TRUTH. THERE I TOLD THEM I WAS THE OWNER AND IT WAS MY PROPERTY. NOW I FOUND OUT IT WAS ALREADY

PAID TO THE OTHER PERSON. >>

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND I ALSO HAVE A PAPER WHICH THE SON OF THAT PERSON SENT ME, AND THE INFORMATION THEY DON'T WANT ME TO HAVE HAS BEEN ERASED WITH A WHITEOUT CORRECTER.

IT IT HAS HER -- IT HAS HER ADDRESS AND THEY CHANGED THE

COURT DATES AND EVERYTHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JAY, ARE YOU

ON THE LINE? >> I AM, SIR.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS QUESTION IS A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER ONES IN THIS AREA. THERE IS THIS ASPECT OF THE LEGAL QUESTIONS AND THE TITLE. WOULD YOU HAVE SOMEONE FROM YOUR REAL ESTATE DIVISION, PREFERABLY SOMEBODY BILINGUAL VISIT WITH

THIS SPEAKER? >> SURE.

WE CAN GET SOMEONE TO HELP ON IT.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> SURE.

>>

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AND JUST SO JAY KNOWS WHO TO CONTACT, THAT

WAS SPEAKER NUMBER 10. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW MANY DO WE

HAVE LEFT? >> WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 25

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO 30 MINUTES

OF SPEAKERS OR LUNCH? >> I FEEL VERY DISCRIMINATED.

THERE ARE TWO OF US, NUMBER 11 AND YOU BROUGHT UP NONAGENDA PEOPLE FOR INTERPRETERS AND YOU BROUGHT UP PEOPLE WHO WERE 300, 333, 77, BUT WE WERE NUMBER 11. I FEEL VERY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST. PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT EVEN ON THE

AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HEAR YOU AND WE CAN ONLY -- WE CAN ONLY -- WE CAN ONLY CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA IF WE HAVE A QUORUM. SO I WILL SIT HERE, BUT YOU SAW A MINUTE AGO FOLKS WALKED OUT. LEGALLY WE CAN'T CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA. MA'AM, LET ME FINISH.

WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA -- WE CAN'T CONTINUE IF WE DON'T HAVE A QUORUM. NORMALLY WE GO THROUGH THE SPEAKERS AND THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE TIME SENSITIVE.

WE HAD TO TAKE THOSE OUT OF ORDER.

RIGHT NOW IF COLLEAGUES WILL SIT FOR 30 MORE MINUTES WE WILL TAKE IF FROM THE TOP. SO LET'S START, TIFFANY WITH THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. THANK YOU FOR WAITING.

>> FIRST IS CRYSTAL MUHAMMAD UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> ONE MINUTE.

[03:40:04]

THE REASON WHY YOU HAVE JAILS OVERCROWDED IS PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY BAIL. IT IS BASIC.

IT IS BASIC MATH. PEOPLE CAN'T AFFORD TO PAY BAIL.

UNLESS IT WAS A NO BOND OR IMMIGRATION HOLD, THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE, WE WOULD BE OUT OF JAIL IF THEY CAN PAY BAIL.

YOU HAVE A BLACK BAIL BOND AGENCY, AGAIN, DISCRIMINATION IN HARRIS COUNTY, WHO WAS CRIMINALIZED BECAUSE HE WAS MAKING PAYMENT PLANS FOR PEOPLE ACCUSED.

I BELIEVE THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT -- I DON'T KNOW IF Y'ALL DID IT ON PURPOSE, BUT I BELIEVE A VIOLATION OF THE 8TH AMENDMENT CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS HAS BEEN INVOKED BY HAVING UNFAIR BAIL STANDARDS. IT IS CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT. NOBODY SHOULD SIT IN JAIL FOR

THAT LONG. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> WITH 100,000 PEOPLE.

THAT'S A TRILLION DOLLARS. WE DID THE MATH.

THIS IS THE -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WE NEED TO DO THE BUDGET.

SOMETHING IS WRONG HERE. AND YOU ARE SENDING PEOPLE OFF? IT IS CONVICT LEASING. IT GOES BACK TO SLAVERY AND THE 13TH AMENDMENT. YOU NEED TO TAKE THE RACIST OFF THAT STAGE. THE COMMISSIONER RIGHT HERE.

THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE AND NOT THE MONEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WHICH AGENDA --

>> 11. WE WANTED IT TO BE ON THE AGENDA TO HAVE ANOTHER HEARING TO READDRESS THE BAIL ISSUE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE GOT YOU. THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS PATRICIA WILLIAMS SPEAKING ON ITEM 11 UNDER COUNTY

ADMINISTRATION. >> HELLO.

I AM PATRICIA WILLIAMS AND I AM BACKING UP WHAT SISTER CRYSTAL SAYS. WE ARE HERE HERE TO ADDRESS BARRY FORM POLICIES AS IT RELATES TO PAYMENT PLANS.

I BELIEVE THE POLICY NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

I WORK FOR THE PEOPLE. I AM FOR THE PEOPLE AND IN MY OPINION ELECTED BY THE PEOPLE. I DON'T REALLY THINK THE COMMUNITY FULLY UNDERSTANDS HOW THIS POLICY IMPACTS THEM AS A WHOLE BECAUSE REALLY IT WAS SNUCK IN.

NONE OF US KNEW WE NO LONGER COULD HAVE PAYMENT PLANS FOR BAIL BONDS. AND THE OVERCROWDING SITUATION, DON'T YOU THINK IF SOME OF THESE PEOPLE CAN HAVE PAYMENT PLANS TO GET OUT OF JAIL, THEN MAYBE THAT WILL TAKE A LITTLE PRESSURE OFF THE HARRIS COUNTY JAILS? I BELIEVE THESE ARE RACIST POLICIES PUT IN PLACE TO FURTHER OPPRESS THE BLACK COMMUNITY.

WE ARE SITTING IN JAIL AND UNABLE TO MAKE BOND.

IT FORCES THOSE WHO TAKE PLEAS LIKE PROBATION.

PROBATION -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

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

>> WHY DO WE HAVE ONE MINUTE AND THEY GOT TWO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, EVERYBODY GOT ONE MINUTE.

THE FOLKS WITH THE INTERPRETER GETS TWO MINUTES BECAUSE THE INTERPRETER TAKES UP HALF THE TIME.

SO THE INTERPRETER HAS THE TIME AND THEY WOULD ONLY GET 30

SECONDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS? >> ALEXI SWARSKY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> ALEXI SWARSKY.

I SPEAK FOR MYSELF. I AM AGAINST THE BOND ELECTION PROPOSAL. BOND IS ANOTHER WORD FOR TAX.

TAXES IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE ALREADY TOO HIGH.

REVENUE HAS INCREASED 7% IN THE LAST FISCAL YEAR.

THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT SPENDS MONEY ON TONS OF THINGS THAT ARE NOT IN THE PER VIEW OF THE COUNTY.

WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THE ROADS AND THE POLICE PROTECTION THAT HAS BEEN CUT AND NOT THESE OTHER THINGS.

I OBJECT TO A PROPOSAL THAT WOULD SPEND COUNTY TAXES ON PROVIDING ABORTIONS TO WOMEN. THAT IS MURDER.

THOMAS JEFFERSON, ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF OUR GREAT NATION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA SAID, QUOTE, TO COMPEL A MAN TO SUBSIDIZE WITH HIS TAXES THE PROP PULL TKPWAEUGS OF -- [INAUDIBLE] IF WHICH HE DISBELIEVES IS TYRANICAL.

I AM AGAINST RAISING TAXES FOR A BOND INCREASE.

I AM AGAINST USING THE MONEY TO FUND ABORTIONS.

MOTHER THERESA, HEAD, QUOTE, I FEEL THE GREATEST DESTROYER OF

PEACE TODAY IS ABORTION. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER THREE, JASON GAHN SPEAKING UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> JASON GAHN AND I AM SPEAKING FOR MYSELF. I WOULD LIKE -- LIKE THE SPEAKERS BEFORE ME I BELIEVE BOND IS A FUNNY WORD FOR TAX.

WE ARE OVERTAXED AND PAYING THE MOTHER OF ALL TAXES RIGHT NOW IF THE FORM OF INFLATION. I HAVE SAT HERE FOR THIS ENTIRE DAY LISTENING TO YOU GUYS CONFESS ABOUT THE THOUGHTLESS

[03:45:05]

SMALL BUSINESSES HAVE BEEN OBLITERATED BY YOUR COVID POLICIES. IT IS TIME FOR THIS TO STOP.

QUIT PEEING ON OUR HEAD AND HAVE US BELIEVE IT IS RAINING OUTSIDE. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >>EX NT IS SPEAKER, 4MARISSA HANSONPE SAKING ONTE IM 13 UNDER COUNTYDM AINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI,Y MNAME ISAR MISSAAN HSON AND F IOUNDHA TT THE COUNTY HAS AWARDED THEM OVEREV SERAL CONTRACTS.

ONEOR F 17.4 MILLIONND ANO ATHER FOR 477,000.

THISON CSULTING GROUP ISAK MING $375 AN HOUR.

ANOTHER5 $27AN HOURND A I BELIEVEHA TT C THEOUNTY IS BETTER OFFIN ASKG THEKE WORRS WHAT THET BESCT PRAICE IS.

I SEERE A PFF CLI TEE -- PROCLIVITYH WITHELPING OUT WITH ELECTIONS. WE KNOW HOW OURCT ELEIONS ARE HELD. I SUGGEST YOU THINKE MORAR CLELY ABOUT HOW THE MONEYIN IS BEG SPENT ON THESEDE OUTSI CONSULTANTS.AN D S MAYBETART WORKING --

LOOKING AT YOURYE EMPLOES. >> THANK YOU,, MA'AMYOUR TIME

IS >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.>> IS NEXT WILLYSP RIOS EAKINGON 205 UNDERS. GRANT YOU HAVE ONEE. MINUT

GO, AHEADE. PLEAS >>HO HEY, W ARE YOU DOING, JUDGE ANDSS COMMIIONERS. GOOD AFTERNOON.I D WANTETO GIVE MY INPUT WHATMI IS CONG OUR WAY. A WERE HEREOM TO WELCE IT ANDY ANHELP WE CAN GET ANYWHERE, ANYTI DIRECON WE WILL TAKESP IT, EECIALLYNG INVOLVIDE SIWALKS, BIKE A TRAILS,NYTHING FOR. SENIORS ITE AM EXCID YOU THOUGHT USTH AND ANYINGME THAT COS DOWN THPIPELINE W WE WILLORK PRETTY MUCH THAT.AN

THK YOU GUYS.>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAYOR PRO TEMOS RI, THANK C YOU FORALLING IN.IS TH IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? I JUST WANTYO TO THANK U CITY OFST SOUTH HOUON AS WELLTH AND ERE IS C A LIVABLEENTERY STUDDONE AND I AMHA EXCITED TT IT WILL ALLOWLY US TO APPAN A GRTEI THAT IS BNG RECEIVED.IT AND IS A $25,000 MATCH.

BUT IT WILL HELP US DO ANGE ENGAMENT.ER PROJECTIS A RECOMMENDATION THAT CAN FOSTER THE MULTI-MODAL CONNECTIVITYDE D UNRSTAND WHAT OPPORTUNITY THERE'S ARE FOR A MIX OF LAND USES ANDF DIVERSITY OHOUSING HELP US MUCH MORE IWILL UNDERSTAND THEES OPPORTUNITI FOR THE RESIDENTSAI AND THE RETL ANA RESTAUNTS AND SCHOOLSWI AND IT LL HELP US MAKE THE CITYLK MORE WAABLE.IA I APPRECTE YOURD LEADERSHIP AN THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.CI I WAS EXTED TO GET THIS THING ON THE AGENDA AND THAT'SNT WHY I WAED TOSP HEAR YOUR PERECTIVE AS WELL.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YES,AN SIR.

THK ALL OF Y'ALL.VE EVENING.A GOOD IS ALWAYSDALGO: IT GOOD TO HEAROR FROM YOU, MAY PRO TEM.U THANK YOFOR

>> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU, JUDGE. A

EVENING.E GOOD >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU TOO.IS

>> NEXT 7 SPEAKER NUMBER JACOB CLEMENTAGE SPEAKING ON ON

THEEM SUPPLEMENTAL IT. YOU HAVE TWO>> MINUTES.

CLEMENTAGE. WHAT I WANT TO TALKVI ABOUT IS OLENCE PREVENTION. G THAT WAS AOOD THING Y'ALLG ARE TALKINABOUT.IS RODNEY ELL CAME UP WITH THAT.NE RIGHT, RODY?ER , DIDN'T YOULLIS COME UP WITH VIOLENCE PREVENTION? WE NEED CITIZENSUN OF HARRIS COTY TO TALK ABOUT? AT ANYWAY, A BLACK PASTOR -- [INAUDIBLE] VIOLENCEIT PREVENTI.

[03:50:03]

AND AT NRG STADIUM I CAME FROM WORK AND IT TOOK TWO DAYS AND SO I'M GONNA GO TO IT AND PUT [INAUDIBLE] I COME UP WITH.

OKAY? AT ANY RATE, [INAUDIBLE] ANOTHER HISPANIC GIRLSE [INAUDIBLE] DERVE TO BE HONORED BYNT THE HARRIS COUY COMMISSIONERS' THEY HAVE DONE A LOT TO KEEP PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO JAIL AND THAT INCLUDES ME.

I AM SAYING WE SHOULD HONOR THEM AND GO ASTROS.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN'T YOU TELL?O:

>> LINA HIDALG THANK YOU. >>R NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBES 12, LINDA MORALE SPEAKING ON ITEM 309 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL O ITEMS.

HAVE YOUNE MINUTE. GO>> AHEAD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. LINDA T MORALES, PRESIDENT OFHE LABOR COUNCIL FOR LATIN AMERICAE ADVANCEMENT.

ARE WITH THE LABOR ACTIVISTS HERECT TO SPEAK ON THE SUBJE MATTER OF QUALITY STANDARDS. AS I THINK OF THEFI APARTMENTS N THE FTH WARD MY HEART SINKS. NO ONE DESERVES TO LIVERE IN CONDITIONS WHE SEWAGE BUBBLES UP THROUGH THE PIPES AND DEALING WITH RODENTS AND RATS AND BUGS. PLEASE CONTINUE THE INVESTMENT FOR SAFE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH PROTECTION PROTD CAL -- PROTOCOLS ANAG AGAINST RETALIATION AINST TENANTS SO THEY AREK TREATED FAIRLY. THAN

THANK YOU COUNTYEL JUDGE. >> RODNEY LIS: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBERAK 13, RAYMOND NUNN SPEING ON ITEM 309 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GOES AHEAD, PLEASE. >> Y.

[INAUDIBLE] I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS S --

>> LINA HIDALGO:IR,E WE ARE HAVING A LITTL TROUBLE HEARINGHI YOU. ARE YOU CATCNG IT?

ARE YOU CATCHING IT?ME >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SA.AR

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE E GOING TO WORK WITH YOU ONEN THE CONNECTIN

AND TH TRY AGAIN.Y >> RODNEY ELLIS: THEWILL CALL

YOUO: BACK. >> LINA HIDALG WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY. >> OKAY.

WE WILL TRY HIM AGAIN LATER. NEXT IS ROGER PINELLIS SPEAKING ON ITEM 309. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> YES. MY NAME IS ROGER CANELES AND I WORK WITH A NATIONAL NONPROFIT AND PROVIDE 1400 UNITSAT THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STES. WE MANAGE -- EXCUSE ME.

WE OWN THIS PROJECT. WE AGREE THERE WERE, ISSUES WITH THE PROPERTY BUT WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES.

MATTER OF FACT, ON JULY 11TH, WE REALIZED THAT THERE WAS SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THAT AND WE ASKED OUR MANAGEMENTGH COMPANY TO LEAVE AD BROUT IN A NEW ONE.

WE FELT THOSE ISSUES WERE THAT SEVERE.

WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE THESE PROBLEMS GO AWAY.

WE ARE MEETING WITH RESIDENTS. WE HAVE A RESIDENT MEETING THIS LAST WEDNESDAY. OVER 51 RESIDENTS SHOWED UP.

AND WE ARES VERY HAPPY WITH THE CHANGE WE MADE SOMA FAR.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO KE THOSE CHANGES TO MAKE THIS A BETTER PROPERTY. THIS IS NOT WHAT NHP DOES.

NHP PROVIDES GOOD, AFFORDABLEWE HOUSING.

THAT'S WHAT DO. THAT'S WHY I CAME TO WORK FOR THIS COMPANY, AND I REALLY ENJOY WORKING FOR A NONPROFIT.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLISOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK Y FOR COMING.

I HEARD GREAT THINGS ABOUT YOUR COMPANY.

THANK YOU FOR STEPPING UP. I ASKED THE DEPARTMENT TO PULL THE ITEM. COMING UP, YOU ALL GET SOME FUNDING AND I THINK A CEO OR SOMEBODY IS COMING IN NEXT WEEK AND WE CAN WORK IT OUT. WHAT I AM GOING TO PROPOSE IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT COME UP WITH SOME ENFORCEABLE GUIDELINES.

MY STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT AND THEY WANT TO ACCELERATE IT.

60% OF THE SUBSIDIZED HOUSING GOES INTO PRECINCT 1.

MOST OF THE GREAT WORK WE HAVE DONE IN THE AREA OF HELPING THE

[03:55:06]

THEY HAVE COME UP WITH VARIOUS REASONS.

WRAOE STOPPED THAT OLD THING -- WE STOPPED THAT OLD THING.

THEY FOUND WAYS THROUGH SLEEZY LAWS THAT IT IS EASY TO BLOCKHOUSING. I KNOW WE NEED AFFORDABLE B HOUSING. I HOPE YOU ALL CANE SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE. MY STAFF HASRU RECOMMENDATIONS.

I DON'T WANT TO N OFF AFFORD ALONG HOUSING.

I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE WHAT WE WILL PROPOSE TO THE OTHER CITIES AND COUNTIES AND SEE IF THEY CAN DO IT AS WELL.

I WILL PUSH US TO GO AS FAR AS WE CAN DO AND KNOWING YOUR COMPANY IS FOR PROFIT, RIGHT STP.

>> NO. WE ARE NONPROFIT.

>> SOME ARE FOR PROFIT AND SOME ARE NOT FOR PROFIT, BUT YOU STILL MAKE A GOOD PROFIT. YOU ARE NOT -- ARE YOU LIKE NOT FOR PROFIT HOSPITALS, YOU GOT ME? SOMETIMES THEY ARE NOT FOR PROFIT AND SOMETIMES THEY ARE FOR PROFIT. I HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL AT THE

CITY. >> I WILL SAY THAT WE ARE A NONPROFIT. I USED TO WORK FOR FOR PROFITS.

I WORK FOR A NONPROFIT BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN THEIR MISSION.

NONPROFITS -- YOU MAY SAY THEY MAKE MORE MONEY, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THAT WORKING FOR BOTH. I CAN SEE THE INTEREST AND THEIR MISSION OF GOING OUT AND PROVIDING THE HOUSING.

NOW, CAN WE MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY? ABSOLUTELY NOT. DO WE MAKE MISTAKES? ABSOLUTELY. THINGS HAPPEN AND IT IS JUST LIKE A PERSON WITH A CAR. CAR BREAKS DOWN --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU KNOW THE OWNER IS HERE BECAUSE IT IS A LONG DAY. IT SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BUBBLE UP WHERE PUBLIC OFFICIALS HAVE LITTLE POWER OVER IT BECAUSE IT

IS YOUR COMPANY'S PROPERTY. >> I AGREE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: Y'ALL GOT A GOOD GRANT A FEW YEARS AGO.

>> YES, WE DID. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> WE ARE GONNA TRY NUMBER 13, RAYMOND NUNN ONE MORE TIME SPEAKING ON ITEM 309.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

>> YES. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE. THIS IS MR. RAYMOND NUNN AND I AM A FORMER EMPLOYER AT WHAT WAS KNOWN AS COACH STREET APARTMENTS. I AM ALSO SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF KENDRA LUNDREN AND THE APARTMENT COMPLEX THAT IS IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. BESIDES THE RATS AND THE TERMITES AND THE FLEAS, I MEAN THE SEWERS BACK UP AND THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, THE PLUMBING, JUST EVERYTHING.

I WAS TERMINATED THIS PAST JUNE BECAUSE I WAS SPEAKING FOR THE RESIDENTS FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AT THAT COMPLEX.

IT IS NOT GOOD AT ALL. THE THE COMPANY THAT'S RUNNING, THE UMBRELLA COMPANY, LIN MANAGEMENT LI, WHOEVER IT IS, THEY NEED NEW OVERSIGHT OR SOMEBODY TO COME IN.

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

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE, YOU ARE MA -- IRMA PINEDA. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI. I AM IRMA PINEDA FROM PRECINCT 2 AND ON THE BUYOUT PROGRAM. I JUST WANTED TO SEE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE -- LIKE I WANT SOMEBODY TO TELL ME, HEY, THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING WHAT THEY ARE SAYING.

WHO CAN I CALL TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE DOING WHAT THEY SAY? WE WERE PROMISED ALL OF THESE THINGS WHEN WE MOVED OUT, AND NOW WE ARE BEING GIVEN THE MINIMUM HELP AND THE PAPERWORK THEY ARE GIVEN US IS NOT EVEN MATCHING WHAT THEY ARE TELLING US. I WAS TOLD THAT I COULD ONLY GEY GOING TO GET 5,000 AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE MY LEASE READY FOR THEM TO EVEN GIVE ME THIS CHECK WHICH I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I -- IF SOMEBODY DOES A LEASE THEY WANT THEIR MONEY RIGHT THERE. I CAN'T WAIT A WEEK OR TWO FOR THEM TO PRINT IT OUT. THIS IS WHAT I WAS TOLD FROM MY SPECIALIST, BUT ON THE LETTER I HAD TO LITERALLY BEG FOR IT WAS

[04:00:04]

A $10,000 BALANCE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> IT IS NOT MATCHING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP.

>> I WANT SOMEBODY I CAN CALL AND SHOW THEM THIS AND SAY CAN WE MAKE THESE PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY ARE SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO DO BY THE PAPERWORK AND NOT BY WHAT THEY WANT? I FEEL LIKE THEY ARE DOING WITH US WHATEVER THEY WANT.

IT IS HOW THEY FEEL ABOUT IT. WE DIDN'T ASK TO BE MOVED OUT.

WE DIDN'T EVEN WANT THEM TO COME IN AT FIRST FOR THIS.

AT THIS POINT I AM BEING TREATED FOR DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY BECAUSE I COULD NO LONGER GO ON. I AM JUST SICK OF IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

TRUST ME, I HEARD THE ANXIETY AND THE FRUSTRATION THAT NIGHT AT THE CHURCH. IT'S WHY I WAS HOPING THE MEETING AT THE HARDY CENTER WOULD PROVIDE A BETTER RESOLUTION, BUT IT IS THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

DR. HOLLOWAY IS THE PERSON IN CHARGE.

DR. HOLLOWAY, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO ASK FOR A PHONE NUMBER FOLKS CAN CALL.E

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. BERRY IS GIVING UH PHON NUMBER.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS.

WE ARE GOING TO KEEP WORKING. THANK YOU.

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 9.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI.

I AM A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

I KNOW I HAVE A MINUTE SO I WILL BE CONCISE.

I HAVE BEEN ORGANIZING THE COMMUNITY OF VOLUNTEERS FOR THREE MONTHS AND EASY HAVE SEEN THE CHALLENGES AND THE FRUSTRATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE AREA.

MANY OF THEM ARE EVEN THINKING OF COMMITTING SUICIDE.

I URGE YOU TO PLEASE TAKE ACTION IN THIS MATTER.

I KNOW YOU PROMISED TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, BUT IT IS NECESSARY THAT SOMEBODY SUPERVISES WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE AREA.

I HAVE BEEN A PART OF THE MEETINGS AND I HAVE BEEN PART OF THE EVENTS AND PEOPLE ARE TIRED OF HAVING MEETING AFTER MEETING BECAUSE THEY ONLY CREATE MORE CONFUSION.

THEY ARE BEING FORCED OUT OF HOMES THAT THEY HAVE BUILT FROM GROUND ZERO. IT IS NOT FAIR THEY ARE GETTING A LITTLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND PLACED IN HOMES THAT ARE NOT LIVABLE. I URGE YOU TO TAKE ACTION ON THIS MATTER. PEOPLE NEED AND DESERVE TO LIVE A DIGNIFIED LIFE. IF YOU ARE FORCING PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOMES IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A GOOD PLACE TO STAY AND LIVE WITH THEIR FAMILIES.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11, RICHARD WELCH.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> PROPERTY VALUES IN THE PAST 18 MONTHS HAVE BALLOONED HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

IT IS UP 30% SO FAR IN 2021 AND 2022.

THE MORTGAGE RATES THAT PEOPLE ARE PAYING, IT IS COSTING THEM SOMEWHERE AROUND $22 A YEAR AND COUPLE THAT WITH INFLATION AND IT IS JUMPING IT UP TO $3500 A YEAR.

I WANT TO KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT IS HARRIS COUNTY DOING TO MANAGE THIS TO A LEVEL. AS FAR AS I CAN SEE IS IT DOES GIVE HARRIS COUNTY. I BELIEVE IT WAS $113 MILLION SURPLUS AND I HEAR YOU TELL THE SHERIFF YOU HAVE NO MONEY TO GET

-- >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 12, BRIAN HARRISON. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.OF

>> MY NAME IS BRIAN HARRISON AND I AM A MEMBER AD SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE. THE REVERSAL OF ROE V. WE AND THE ELIMINATION OF ABORTION RIGHTS IN TEXAS IS A FIVE-ALARM POLITICAL CRISIS. HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON NEED TO BE A SANCTUARY CITY FOR ABORTION RIGHTS.

WE NEED TO DE CRIMINALIZE ABORTION.

LEADERS LIKE YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT NO POLICE RESOURCES GO INTO INVESTIGATING ABORTION CASES.

YOU ALSO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT NOT A SINGLE PERSON IS PROSECUTED FOR ABORTION, AND YOU SHOULD SUSPEND FUNDING TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE IF THEY REFUSE TO PROTECT ABORTION RIGHTS.

MOST IMPORTANTLY, YOU NEED TO TAKE ACTION NOW TO ENSURE THAT ABORTION CARE IS AVAILABLE TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.

THIS COUNTY MUST MAKE ABORTION MEDICATION FREE BY TAXING THE RICH AND MAKING THE MEDICATION AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM. AND YOU SHOULD DO THIS NO MATTER

[04:05:02]

DEMOCRATS, STAND UP TO THESE RIGHT WING BULLIES THAT WANT TO CONTROL WOMEN AND PREGNANT PEOPLE'S BODIES.

MAKE HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY A SAO*PBG -- SANCTUARY CITY FOR

ABORTION. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 13.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANKS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTH HOUSTON ASSOCIATION.

TODAY I AM JUST ASKING FOR COURT SUPPORT OF THE NORTH HOUSTON HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. COMMUTERS THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR ARE A KEY PART OF THE OVERALL REGION'S ECONOMY.

WE CANNOT IGNORE THE FACT THAT THE STRENGTH OF THE ENTIRE COUNTY'S ECONOMY HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES ALIKE. ECONOMIC REPORTS SHOW ECONOMIC GROWTH IN THE REGION IS NORTH AND NORTHWEST.

WE NEED SOLUTION THAT'S WILL ALLOW FOLKS TO LIVE IN THESE AREAS AND WORK IN OTHERS. CHOOSING TO IGNORE THE COMMUTERS WHO DON'T HAVE THE OPTION OF MASS TRANSPORTATION CAN LEAD TO A CRISIS IN THE CORE OF OUR CITY.

OF COURSE THERE IS THE ISSUE OF SAFETY.

I-45 IS THE DEADLIEST ROAD IN AMERICA AND IT IS THE PRIMARY EVACUATION ROUTE FOR OUR REGION. WE NEED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY ISSUES WHILE WE HAVE THE AVAILABLE FUNDING. WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE FUNDING FOR A PROJECT AS CRITICAL AS THIS.

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

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

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER 14. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I AM IRA DENVER. FIRST I WANT TO THANKNG COMMISSIONER'S COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR ADOPTI THE RESOLUTION AFFIRMING THAT ABORTION IS ESSENTIAL TO HEALTHCARE AND HUMAN RIGHTS WITHIN THE PRINCIPALS OF FREEDOM AND EQUALITY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DOING THAT. I ALSO BELIEVE YOU ADOPTED LEGISLATION CALLING ON LEGISLATION TOUR TO HOLD A SPECIAL SESSION ON GUN VIOLENCE. I AM ASKING YOU ALSO TO ADOPT A RESOLUTION SKH -- WHICH YOU HAVE ON YOUR DESK IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESS ENACTING UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE.

TOO MANY HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE UN -- UNINSURED, SICKENING AND DYING BECAUSE ACTION IS NOT BEING TAKEN.

YOU CAN HELP. LET CONGRESS KNOW IT IS NOT OKAY. IT IS TIME TO ADOPT UNIVERSAL

HEALTHCARE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER ANDREA JACKSON SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.

I AM ANDREA AND I AM A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN.

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR HELP TO PROTECT HOUSTONIANS AND MAKE THE CITY A SANCTUARY FOR ABORTION RIGHTS.

WE REQUIRE SAFE AND EASY ACCESS TO ABORTION, FREE FROM PROSECUTION, AND WE NEED LEADERS LIKE EACH OF YOU TO REALIZE AND ACHIEVE THIS URGENT COMMON GOAL. I URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE SIMILAR TESTIMONY YOU HAVE THAERD -- HEARD AND WILL CONTINUE TO HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY WHEN YOU MAKE DECISIONS ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMUNITY MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER CRIPE AARONSMAN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GREETINGS.

I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE.

I AM ASKING THIS COMMISSION DEMAND D.A. KIM OG TO REFUSE TO PROSECUTE ANY ABORTION CASES AND FURTHER IN ORDER TO ENFORCE THIS DEMAND THAT THE COMMISSION TAKE AWAY FUNDING TO THE D.A. OFFICE IF OG DEFIES THIS COMMISSION AND THIS DEMAND BY PROSECUTING AN ABORTION CASE. LAWS ARE ONLY AS GOOD AS THE ENFORCEMENT OF THEM. THIS COMMISSION HAS PROVEN THAT WHEN THEY DE CRIMINALIZE CANNABIS IN THE COUNTY.

THE PROSECUTION OF PREGNANT PEOPLE IS IMMORAL AND A VIOLATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS ACCORDING TO THE U.N.

THE D.A. HAS ANNOUNCED HE HILLARY FUSE TO PROSECUTE ANY ABORTION CASES. HE IS PROTECTING THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS OF THE PEOPLE OF TRAVIS COUNTY.

I AM ASKING THIS, ARE YOU WILLING TO TAKE A STAND AND DO THE WORK TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY?

THANK YOULG. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDAO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

[04:10:05]

I SHOULD ALSO BE AT WORK RIGHT NOW, BUT INSTEAD I AM HERE PLEADING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT I ELECTED TO TRY TO PROTECT HUMAN RIGHTS. WE NEED AND DESERVE MORE THAN JUST KIM OG'S STATEMENT THAT SHE WILL TAKE THE MATTERS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS, OR JUDGE HIDALGO THAT YOU WILL FIGHT FOR US ALL.

AS OF NOW, THESE STATEMENTS FEEL BASELESS.

JUDGE UH -- JUDGE HIDALGO, THEY NEED YOU TO MAKE THE MEDICATION THROUGH -- FREE AND AVAILABLE THROUGH HEALTH SYSTEMS REGARDLESS OF WHAT GOVERNOR ABBOTT OR TEXAS LAW SAYS.

WE ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO DE CRIMINALIZE ABORTION AND REFUSE TO FUND -- TO REFUND AND MAKE IT ACCESS -- ACCESSIBLE.

WE CAN'T COUNT ON THE GOVERNMENT FOR OUR PROTECTION, SO FRANKLY THESE STEPS SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN -- THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR

TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER JAY DUGIN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN REGARDS TO HARRIS COUNTY'S UNIQUE POSITION IN THE FIGHT FOR ABORTION RIGHTS AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH.

YOUR COLLEAGUE KIM OG SAYS SHE WILL CONSIDER IT ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. WHAT THIS SAYS TO ME IS WE WILL LET THE CLEARLY OVERBURDENED COTTER SYSTEM TO TAKE APART AND DISSECT PEOPLE TO DETERMINE WHO IS WORTHY AND WHO IS NOT WORTHY OF ABORTION OR PRISON TIME. I AM ASKING -- LET'S SEE.

I AM ASKING THIS COMMITTEE TO DEMAND THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO NOT PERSECUTE ANY ABORTION CRIMES -- ANY ABORTION CHARGES AND DO WITHDRAW FUNDING IF THEY DEFY THE RULES.

CASE BY CASE BASIS IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROSECUTE ANY ABORTION-RELATED OFFENSES.

WHEN OUR LIVES ARE PUT UNDER A MICROSCOPE, WHAT MAKES SOMEBODY WORTHY. THANK YOU.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SPOKE.

WE WILL TAKE A LUNCH BREAK NOW. IT IS 2:45 AND WE WILL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL -- MAY AS WELL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 4:00.

WE WILL TAKE AN

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

IT IS 4:SPWR-R -- 4:07 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IF

SESSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANTED TO QUICKLY THANK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALONG WITH SOME OF THE TOW TRUCK OPERATORS WHO WERE HERE.

THEY HAD LUNCH IN MY OFFICE AND THEY WORKED OUT -- THEY WORKED THROUGH SOME ISSUES, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AGREEING TO WORK WITH THEM. THEY ARE GOING TO FINE-TUNE THESE THINGS. THEY WILL LET US KNOW, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHETHER TWO WEEKS WILL BE GOOD OR MAYBE HE MIGHT NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME, BUT HIM JUST TELLING ME THAT HE WASN'T -- HE DIDN'T WANT TO BRING IT IN TWO WEEKS.

HE WANTS TO GET IT RIGHT. I WANT TO THANK THESE FOLKS FOR SITTING THROUGH THAT. NO ONE WAS HURT DURING THE DISCUSSIONS. THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR KEEPING AN OPEN MIND AND WORKING CONSTRUCTIVELY THROUGH THE DISCUSSIONS.

THE FOLKS WITH THE THE COMPANY WERE THERE AND SHERIFF GONZALEZ.

AFTER THEY HAD DISCUSSIONS I PUT IN A CALL TO HIM AND SAID I THINK WE HAVE IDENTIFIED SOME ISSUES TO WORK THROUGH.

WOULD YOU AGREE TO GIVE THE OPERATION TIME TO GET PLUSH -- FLUSHED OUT? HE SAID, YES, I DON'T WANT TO RUSH IT BACK IN TWO WEEKS, BUT IF WE CAN GET THROUGH IT IN TWO WEEKS, GREAT. IF NOT I MAY WANT TWO TO FOUR WEEKS. HE WILL KEEP US POSTED.

I'M GLAD THEY WORKED THROUGH IT AND I THINK THEY ARE MOVING IN

THE RIGHT DIRECTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S GOOD.

I WANT TO BE SURE -- WHEN I HEAR THINGS LIKE WHEN PEOPLE ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS IT GETS MY ATTENTION PRETTY QUICK.

HAVING RUN A SMALL BUSINESS I KNOW HOW VOLATILE IT CAN BE.

PLEASE KEEP MY OFFICE IN THE LOOP ON IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU ALL. APPRECIATE YOU ALL.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH, YOU ALL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAD A

BARBECUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD CHOICE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE WILL GET STARTED WITH THE CORRECTIONS. LET ME JUST TAKE A QUICK LOOK.

ITEM 135 IS THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE ITEM.

NO ACTION NEEDS TO BE TAKEN ON THAT ITEM.

[04:15:03]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE BEEN ITEM, JUDGE, IN MY SECTION 255.

I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 255, NO ACTION. ANYTHING ELSE THAT WE HAVE ANY CORRECTIONS FOR? OKAY.

IN THAT CASE LET ME GO OVER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. FIRST IS 132. DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 132 NOMINATING TINA PETERSON AS AN ALTERNATE?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ABOUT 186? IT IS AN AGREEMENT WITH LAW FIRMS AND ASSISTANCE WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING AND I'M PHRAU TPHEPB STATION -- AND IMPLEMENTATION. 296 THE APPOINTMENT ALEXANDER TO

HGAC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, JUDGE.

I AM GRATEFUL FOR HIM AND HIS WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE TO GIVE THE COUNTY HIS TIME. PROUD TO HAVE HIM INVOLVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WONDERFUL. WE DO NEED TO GO ON ITEM 297.

THAT'S A DISCUSSION OF CYBER SECURITY.

ITEM THROUGH 04. ITEM 304 DO WE NEED TO GO ON THIS ITEM FOR SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES.

>> UNLESS ANYONE IN THE COURT WANTS TO TALK ABOUT T THERE IS

NO NEED. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE ARE THE ITEM THAT'S WERE FLAGGED AND LET ME KNOW IF WE NEED TO DISCUSS THEM. ITEM 5, VARIOUS NUISANCE ABATEMENT. ITEM 6, FUNDING FOR BEHAVIORAL

HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 10, A COVID UPDATE, I HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE. ITEM 11, THE BUSINESS COURTS.

ITEM 12. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BOND AUTHORITY. ITEM 13?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 77, PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 77, NO, JUDGE. THAT WAS MS. GARCIA THAT SPOKE ON IT. THESE ARE JUST REVIVE TO THRIVE INITIATIVES AND I AM JUST EXCITED ON THEM AND WILL BE

MOVING ON ALL THESE ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH THAT'S THE ONE SHE JOINED -- ALL RIGHT. THAT INCLUDES 79 AS WELL,

COMMISSIONER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 79 THROUGH --

77 THROUGH 81 ALONG WITH 91. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

136, WE SAID NO ACTION. 141, AND I HAVE A MEMO FOR THE DETENTION CENTER AND POND PROJECT.

YOU FLAGGED THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 150, AIR

MONITORING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 155 IS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF BAY

TOWN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 181, RECLASSIFYING A -- THIS IS

ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

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

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> NO.

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

THAT WAS 181. 189, OUT OF TEXAS TRAVEL AND TRAINING REQUEST, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST HAVE QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 205 AND THAT IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HGAC FUNDS

FOR LIVABLE CENTERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, MA'AM.

THAT IS THE ONE THAT MAYOR PRO T-BGS E -- TEM CALLED IN ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. WE WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. 206 IS COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND

RAMSEY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: 206 I THINK I CIRCULATED A MOTION AND I MOVE ON ALL ITEMS EXCEPT THOSE

RELATED TO PFM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON 206 AND SECOND BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

[04:20:01]

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIES 3-2. 216.

THAT IS THE RENEWAL OPTION WITH TOWING.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU FLAGGED THIS ITEM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM ASSUMING THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH

OUGHT TEE -- WITH AUTO RETURN? >> NO.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAD TO ASK. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT HAS NOTHING -- OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

WE WILL TAKE THAT BACK TO CONSENT AGENDA.

234, GIVE CART SERVICES FOR ITEMS IN PRECINCT 1.

COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE FLAGGED THIS ITEM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS THE BUY BACK -- THE GUN BUY BACK?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THE ITEM.

THIS IS FUNDING FROM PRECINCT 1. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, IF WE

CHANGE THE RULES -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN'T VOTE

FOR THAT SO I WILL ABSTAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T MIND.

IF SOMETHING COMES UP I HAVE BROUGHT -- THREE PEOPLE

[INAUDIBLE] BUT I MOVE IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> ABSTAINED. >> ABSTAINED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION CARRIES 3-0? ALL RIGHT. THAT WAS ON 234.

THAT IS 234. NOW 248, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 248 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: TEXAS

ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOL BOARDS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 250, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE.

THIS IS A. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THE

ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU MOVE ON

248? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES -- NO.

250. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA MAKES A MOTION ON 250. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN I GET SOME DISCUSSION ON 250?

I JUST WANT SOME CLARIFICATION? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL DISCUSS 250. THEN WE WILL LOOK AT 252, AN UPDATE ON MONKEYPOX, AND WE WILL DISCUSS THAT.

268, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECT?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: 270, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS?

>> TOM RAMSEY: BRIEFLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: 303, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT IS LEGAL ACTION AND

LITIGATION EXPENSES. >> TOM RAMSEY: THERE IS ONE ITEM. I THINK -- IS THAT THE ONE YOU

DISTRIBUTED A MOTION ON? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T KNOW IF WE DISTRIBUTED T BUT WE CONTACTED THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS.

THERE IS ONE ITEM THAT DEALS WITH THE LAWSUIT AND THE GOVERNOR AND I AM -- I WILL MOVE ON ALL ITEMS ON LAWSUIT EXCEPT

THE GOVERNOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: PASSES

UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2. THAT WAS 303.

ON ITEM 306, WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

I KNOW FOLKS ARE STILL WORKING ON IT.

309, I KNOW WE NEED TO DISCUSS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. I DESCRIBED IT EARLIER.

I JUST HAVE A MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: 312, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I IMAGINE WE NEED TO DISCUSS.

313 IS THE TOW TRUCKS AND WE ADDRESSED 313.

THAT IS NO ACTION. 314, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE HART PROGRAM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST NEED TO TALK >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. 297, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 141, 150, 155, 189, 248, 250, 252, 268, 270, 306, 309, 312 AND 314.

NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA.

DO WE NEED ANY FURTHER CLARIFICATION OR ITEMS THAT I

MISSED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS LOOKING FOR ONE AND I COULDN'T FIND IT. IT WAS THE ITEM ON -- FROM THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

IT WAS ACCEPTED IN THEIR REPORT AND I WILL HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS ON THAT. BEFORE WE VOTE.

EVEN IF WE VOTE I WILL COME BACK AND ASK A QUESTION.

WE CAN VOTE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WAS IT A

TRANSMITTAL? >> 305.

[04:25:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, 305. IT IS JUST A TRANSMITTAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOR PROJECT UPDATES.

I WILL PUT 305 BACK LET ME JUST GO BACK OVER IT COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 297, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13, 141, 150, 155, 189, 248, 250, 252, 268, 270, 305, 306, 309, 312, 314.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 315 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LIST STPHED MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

WE WILL START WITH ITEM 5 -FRBGS TKAUR -- WE WILL START WITH ITEM 5 GIVEN 297 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED ITEM NUMBER 5.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. ON ITEM 5, I AM JUST EXCITED THAT YOUR EFFORTS ON CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN AND THE ATTENTION TO NEIGHBORHOOD NUISANCES ARE COMING TOGETHER. I AM EXCITED BECAUSE MORE THAN ANYTHING, UH BOONE -- ABANDON AND NEGLECT OF PROPERTIES ARE THE STRONGEST BREEDING GROUND FOR CRIME.

IT DOES SPEAK TO THE SENSE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT HAS A DIRECT CONTRIBUTION TO THE MATURATION OF PUBLIC SAFETY.

EXCITED TO SEE THIS MOVING FORWARD.

I WANT TO THANK THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THEIR WORK AND I WANT TO THANK DEB TEE -- DEPUTY BERRY FOR WHO IS ON MY TEAM FOR HIS WORK. WHETHER IT IS TEARING DOWN THESE BUILDINGS OR PICKING UP ABANDONED -- OR DROPPING TRASH OFF THERE, ANY ONE OF THESE THINGS WILL JUST CONTRIBUTE TO A GREATER QUALITY OF LIFE. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS A STRONG PLAY. I MOVE ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND EVERYONE WHO WORKED ON THIS. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IS THERE A SECOND FOR ITEM NUMBER 5? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. EYE -- ITEM 6, COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS SOME ARPA POSITIONS AND I KNOW THEY ARE GRANT FUNDED.

WE ARE TRACKING THOSE GRANT-FUNDED POSITIONS AND WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT. THE POSITION IS TWO PROJECT COORDINATORS AND TWO PROJECT MANAGERS.

IT IS IN THAT CATEGORY. BE SURE AS WE EXPAND OUR FOOTPRINT IN TERMS OF POSITION AND WE ARE GETTING TO THE POINT WE ARE TRYING TO RAMP BACK DOWN AT SOME POINT, I KNOW THAT IS ARPA-FUNDED POSITIONS, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THAT PARTICULAR ADDITION SO I WILL BE VOTING AGAINST IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL MOVE IT, AND I DO NOTE THAT THEY ARE FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND NUTRITION PROGRAMS. WE WILL TRY TO FOCUS ON BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WHENEVER WE CAN AND NUTRITION WHENEVER WE CAN AND WE WILL CROSS THE BRIDGE

WHEN THE MONEY IS GONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

AND JUDGE, BEFORE WE TAKE A VOTE ON THIS I WANT TO ASK MR. BERRY OR MR. RAMOS A QUESTION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK YOU ARE CONCERTED BECAUSE OF THE USE OF ARPA DOLLARS, IS THAT

PRIMARILY IT? >> TOM RAMSEY: PARTLY, YEAH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ALSO HAVE STAFF AUGMENTATION ON CONTRACT THAT ARE FINITE RESOURCES AS WELL.

I FOE -- I KNOW IF IT IS FINITE DOLLARS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE

[04:30:05]

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT ACROSS THE BOARD. SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANKS. AND I WOULDN'T MIND -- I MEAN, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR MR. BERRY'S OR MR. RAMOS' EXPLANATION ON THIS. I SUSPECT IT HAS A DISCREET END.

WE KNOW THAT THIS IS A DEPARTMENT THAT WE -- THAT REPORTS TO US. IF IT ENDS, IT ENDS.

THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SHUFFLE MONEY AROUND TO KEEP POSITIONS THAT DID NOT -- THAT WERE NOT APPROVED BY COURT.

I HAVE THE SAME QUESTION AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME THAT WE BE CONSISTENT IN THIS PARAMETER.

SO WHAT IT DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS? >> IT IS NOT DIFFERENT IN RELATIONSHIP TO THIS IS HOW WE TREAT GRANTS IN THE BUDGET.

WE LOOK AT THE AVAILABLE BALANCE VERSUS THE RESOURCES WE RECEIVED. ALSO WHAT IS NEW IS THE CRIME LEVEL SERVICE FORECAST AND ONE OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASK THE DEPARTMENTS IS DO YOU HAVE GRANTS THAT ARE ENDING? THAT IS SOMETHING WE WILL FLUSH OUT AND BE PREPARED TO SHARE WITH THIS COURT ON WHETHER YOU CHOOSE TO CONTINUE TO FUND IT OR

NOT. >> THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT

IS A GRANT? >> YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD BE LIKE I GUESS --

>> CDBG OR ANY OF THE OTHER FEDERAL GRANTS, THERE IS A DISCREET END DATE TO THE GRANT AT THAT TIME.

ARPA WILL BE WITH MOST DEPARTMENTS WHERE WE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THERE ISN'T A LAW WHERE IT SAYS IT HAS TO BE

FOR THE GRID. >> WE ARE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO

CONTINUE THE FUNDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT IT WAS LIKE WHAT WE DO WITH THE D.A.'S OFFICE OR WITH THE PILOT PROGRAM THAT WE VOTED ON EARLIER.

>> I MOVE ON IT. >> SECOND.

>> IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

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

ITEM 10. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE CASES ARE VERY, VERY, VERY HIGH. I MYSELF AS YOU KNOW HAD COVID A FEW WEEKS AGO. IT KNOCKED ME DOWN FOR AWHILE, AND FORTUNATELY I AM MUCH BETTER.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, WE ARE OVER A HUNDRED CASES PER 100,000 BECAUSE THAT IS THE RECORDED NUMBER.

IF WE LOOK AT THE WASTE WATER THAT ACCOUNTS FOR THE FACT THAT PEOPLE ARE TESTING AT HOME, IT IS THE HIGHEST IT HAS EVER BEEN.

BASICALLY WHAT THE WASTE WATER MEASURES IS IT COMPARES EACH POINT IN TIME TO JULY 6TH, 2020.

THAT'S WHEN THE BASELINE LEVELS WERE TAKEN.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE AT 927% VIRAL LOAD.

THAT MEANS THE VIRAL LOAD IN THE WASTE WATER IS 9.27 TIMES HIGHER THAN IT WAS BACK IN JULY OF 2020.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHART, IT IS MUCH HIGHER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN. THAT'S WHY I AM WEARING A MASK TODAY. I AM NOT TRYING TO CATCH IT AGAIN. I AM VACCINATED AND BOOSTED, BUT I WAS NOT FEARING GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THAT BENEFIT, BUT THEY HAVE HAD THE VACCINE AND HAD THE BOOSTER AND IT KEEPS THEM OUT OF THE HOSPITAL.

THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS. THE HOSPITAL USAGE STILL HAS BEEN DECOUPLED FROM THE CASES. WHAT HAS US LITTLE -- WHAT HAS US A LITTLE CONCERNED IS THE HOSPITAL IS TRENDING UPWARDS.

THAT IS A BIT CONCERNING. I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM. WE ARE MONITORING IT CLOSELY.

THEY SAY THE HOSPITALS ARE DOING ALL RIGHT, BUT THEY ASK US TO MAKE SURE WE DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO KEEP THEM FROM BEING OVERWHELMED. WE ALL HOPE THAT WHAT WE HAVE SEEN OVER THE COURSE OF THE CURRENT SURGE WILL HOLD AND THAT IS CASES SKY ROCKET, PEOPLE GET SICK AND THEY ARE OUT FOR A BIT, BUT IT IS NOT A THREAT TO THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM BECAUSE OF THE VACCINATIONS, ET CETERA. WE DON'T KNOW.

AND WE ARE SEEING VARIANTS THAT ARE LANDING PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL. WE WILL STAY UP-TO-DATE ON THE VACCINES AND BOOSTERS. I FOR ONE WILL BEWARING -- AS I TAKE IT OFF FOR PICTURES, BUT I AM TRYING WHEN THERE IS A CROWD TO WEAR THE MASK. TREATMENTS ARE NOW AVAILABLE AT

[04:35:04]

ANYTHING? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU'RE MUTED.

>> NO, MA'AM. YOU DIDN'T.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I DON'T HAVE ACTION FOR THIS ITEM. THAT WAS ALL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO *P -- JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE TO DIRECT IT BACK.

YOU HAVE TO MUTE IT DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE YOU GO.

JUDGE, FIRST OF ALL, GLAD YOU ARE DOING BETTER.

I WAS MAKING AN ARGUMENT THAT ANIMAL PROTEIN MAY BE HELPFUL.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I GOT MY SECOND BOOSTER, GOT IT OVER THE WEEKEND. IT DID PUT ME DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT I'M GLAD I GOT IT. I JUST WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT PRECINCT 2, JAMES DRIVER AND EAST HARRIS COUNTY CENTER HAVE VACCINES AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS AND WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO PLEASE COME AND GET IT. I ALSO WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO TO THE CENTER TO GET IT.

I WENT TO CVS AND GOT MINE FOR FREE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO LOOK TO YOUR NEAREST PROVIDER TO GET YOUR VACCINE AND IF YOUR CHILD IS ELIGIBLE, PLEASE CONSIDER GETTING THEM VACCINATED.

WE DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WHAT GOT US HERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

WE HOPE FOLKS WILL TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE.

I WAS WAITING ON THE NEW VACCINE TO COME OUT, BUT I WAS ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEW VARIANT COMING OUT SO I WENT AND GOT IT THIS WEEKEND. I WANT FOLKS TO TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND I TOO WILL BE PHO*R DILIGENT ABOUT -- MORE DILIGENT ABOUT WEARING MY MASK AGAIN, JUDGE.

YOU ARE MAKING A GOOD EXAMPLE IN THAT REGARD.

I WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND GET YOUR VACCINES IF YOU HAVE NOT YET GOTTEN THEM. IF YOU ARE READY FOR YOUR SECOND BOOSTER, CINDY, OR ANYBODY ELSE, GET IT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO

KEEP MOVING FORWARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THERE IS AN OMICRON-SPECIFIC VACCINE COMING OUT IN THE FALL THAT WOULD BE

GREAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I'M GLAD YOU ARE DOING BETTER. ALTHOUGH I WAS -- I WAS TRYING TO RUSH THESE FELLOWS ALONG. YOU ARE STRUGGLING AT THAT LAST MEETING. WHEN YOU GOT OFF, I GOT IN A REAL TALK TIFF MOOD. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'M GLAD YOU GOT THAT OTHER ONE. I WENT TO A CVS AND WALKED IN AND WALKED -- I KEPT WALKING. I TOOK A FLIGHT ON FRIDAY TO DALLAS, AND I KEPT A MASK ON. MAYBE ONE PERSON ON THE PLANE HAD IT ON. I TOOK THE BUS TO AUSTIN ON SATURDAY. AND I TOOK IT BACK TO HOUSTON.

I TOOK IT OFF MORE THAN I SHOULD, BUT EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE COUGHING I PUT IT ON REAL QUICK. YOU HAVE TO GET IT NOW SINCE YOU JUST -- I GUESS THERE ARE ONLY TWO OF US, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVEN'T HAD IT, RIGHT? COVID?

>> I'M PRETTY SURE I HAVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AT LEAST YOU HAVE SHOWN NO SYMPTOMS. I DON'T WANT TO GET IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON THAT ONE, JAMES.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ROBINSON. ITEM 11.

MR. BERRY, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE BUSINESS COURT?

>> SURE. WE HAD SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA TALKED A COUPLE COURTS AGO ABOUT HAVING A BUSINESS COURT. THE REASON IS TO PAY VENDORS FASTER. WE DECIDED AS A START WE WOULD HAVE A BUSINESS COURT MEETING WHEN THERE ISN'T A REGULAR MEETING FOR THREE WEEKS. IT WOULD BE NEVER MORE THAN TWO WEEKS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR TO GET PAYMENTS APPROVED.

WE RECOMMENDED THE ONLY ITEMS THAT CAN GO ON ARE AUDITED CLAIMS. THIS IS NOT AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO

[04:40:03]

ANYBODY WOULD NEED A RIGHT TO PULL AN ITEM.

IF IT NEEDED DISCUSSION IT COULD HAPPEN AT THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING. THIS IS JUST TO PASS ALONG OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AND ASK FOR APPROVAL AND THEN WE CAN GET TO WORK SCHEDULING THE MEETINGS. IT MAY BE DURING THE HOLIDAYS SO WE'LL BE AS FLEXIBLE AS WE CAN. AND WE ONLY NEED THREE MEMBERS.

I THINK IT IS FAIR IF ONLY THREE PEOPLE SHOW UP TO VOTE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR MOVING SO QUICKLY ON THIS.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT IT. I WILL GET THE SCHEDULE ON MY CALENDAR SINCE I PUSHED FOR THIS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM HERE FOR AS MANY OF THEM IF NOT ALL OF THEM. I THINK THIS IS A GOOD DAY FOR ALL OF OUR VENDORS. ESPECIALLY FOR THE SMALLER VENDORS, THE FASTER WE PAY PEOPLE, THE FASTER EVERYBODY GETS PAID. THANK YOU TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM

FOR THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I SAW THE DATE BECAUSE I MENTIONED WHATEVER DATE FOR THIS FIRST ONE. ISN'T IT IN A COUPLE WEEKS? I MENTIONED I'M GLAD THIS WAS YOU -- HAVE YOU TO BE HERE, BUT WE CAN DO IT AT 8:00 IN THE MORNING, OR WE CAN DO IT IN THE AFTERNOON, KIND OF LATE. I HAVE SOMETHING THAT I -- A COUPLE THINGS I COULDN'T GET OUT OF IT IS -- IT IS IN A COUPLE WEEKS? THERE IS A THREE-WEEK BREAK COMING UP. IT MUST BE --

>> WE HAVE A TWO-WEEK BREAK COMING UP.

COURT IS AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS. AND THEN --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THE DATE?

>> WE ARE SHOOTING FOR AUGUST 11TH, BUT WE WILL

CONFIRM THE TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST LAYING IT OUT. I ASK FOR 8:00 IN THE MORNING.

I KNOW SOME OF THE COLLEAGUES DON'T LIKE TO GET UP THAT EARLY.

I SUGGEST 8 IN THE MORNING OR LATE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SOME COLLEAGUES WILL BE HERE EARLY AS LONG AS SOME COLLEAGUES DON'T PUT MORE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST WANT EVERYBODY'S PROMISE.

I REMEMBER COMMISSIONER ELLIS PROMISED ME SOMETHING.

I'M GOOD WITH THE ADDED MEETING AS LONG AS WE PROMISE TO LEAVE IT SACRED AND WE DON'T ADD ANYTHING ELSE INTO IT.

I'M GOOD WITH THE 8:00 MEETING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THE WAY IT WORKS WHOEVER REQUESTS TO BE VIRTUAL FIRST, THE THE FIRST TWO ARE THE ONES. I SENT MY REQUEST IN.

EITHER DO IT EARL OR I -- EITHER DO IT EARLY OR I WILL WATCH YOU.

>> IF YOU WANT TO JOIN YOU CAN. IF WE ONLY HAVE THREE PEOPLE IN THE ROOM, I DON'T THINK WE NEED THE TWO OTHER PEOPLE VIRTUAL.

MY VISION IS IT CAN LAST FIVE MINUTES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE OCCASION THAT MY COLLEAGUES WILL SOMETIMES CHIDE ME OVER, I HAVE A PERFECT ATTENDANCE IN MY 11 YEARS OF SERVICE.

IF I'M NOT HERE FOR ONE OF THOSE BUSINESS MEETINGS, DOES THAT

AFFECT MY ATTENDANCE RECORD? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE YOU YOUR THREE RIGHT -- YOU HAVE YOUR

THREE RIGHT THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: VERY MUCH SO.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE TO ADOPT A NEW ATTENDANCE SCHEDULE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WILL HAVE TO BE HERE EITHER VIRTUALLY OR LIVE

>> LINA HIDALGO: ON THAT POINT, AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, NEITHER -- NONE OF THESE THREE DAYS WORK FOR ME.

I THINK AHEAD OF THE CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR, WE SHOULD FIGURE OUT EVERYBODY'S AVAILABILITY AND I SAY THIS -- I'M SURE FOLKS HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE ON OTHER BOARDS AND WE HAVE THIS WITH THE JUVENILE BOARD. WHAT WORKS WELL THERE IS PEOPLE CONFIRM AND THE STAFF CONFIRMS. IF ARE YOU GOING TO BE THERE, YOU ARE GOING TO BE THERE. THESE DATES WERE JUST SELECTED WITHOUT CHECKING OUR SCHEDULES WHICH IS FINE.

WE ARE JUST GONNA HAVE TO FIGURE OUT --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A SECOND ASPECT, PARDON ME, BUT THAT WE COME BACK IN 90 DAYS TO REVIEW IT AND SEE IF IT IS WORKING AS OPPOSED TO JUST

KEEPING IT GOING INDEFINITELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I FOR ONE DON'T MIND, JUDGE, IF YOU WANT TO BE HERE. PICK A DATE THAT WORKS IN THAT WINDOW. IF THERE IS ANOTHER DAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD WANT TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE INPUT ON THE DATES WHEN WE LOOK AT THE CALENDAR FOR NEXT YEAR, BUT FOR THESE, I DON'T WANT TO BREAK IT.

I KNOW YOU ALREADY PICKED IT AND I DON'T WANT TO MAKE A FUSS ABOUT IT. JUST CHECK AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO HAVE THE QUORUM BECAUSE IT IS -- IT JUST SO HAPPENS.

>> JUDGE. I THINK IT WAS ENVISIONED THAT ITEMS WILL NOT BE UNANIMOUS THEY WOULD AUTOMATICALLY DEFAULT TO

[04:45:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE QUORUM.

THAT'S WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF SOMEBODY WANTS -- I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL WHERE PEOPLE WAS LIKE THE TAG RULE.

THEY JUST WON'T SHOW UP TO KEEP STUFF FROM BEING VOTED ON.

HOW DO YOU WORK ON THAT? I WOULDN'T DO THAT, BUT HAVE I

SEEN PEOPLE DO IT. >> WE WOULD PROVIDE -- I MEAN, THERE IS A LIST OF AUDITED PAYMENTS AND THE SAME WAY THAT WE NOW -- A COURT MEMBER CAN PULL AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION OR PULL A PAYMENT AND SAY I WANT TO DISCUSS IT AND VOTE ON IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY CAN ALWAYS POP IN SREURB ACTUALLY -- VIRTUALLY. I KNOW PEOPLE WHO NEVER SHOW UP.

WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL THEY DID THE TAG RULE.

SOMEBODY SAID THEY WANTED TO BE THERE AND PUT THEIR TAG ON IT

AND THEN DON'T SHOW UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: TO THAT EXTENT, IF YOU WILL ASSIST US, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I, YOU KNOW WE WILL NOT VOTE FOR PFM, SO DON'T PUT THAT ON THE BUSINESS MEETING, AND THEREFORE WE WON'T HAVE AN ISSUE.

IT WILL ALL BEACON SENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THEY WILL PROBABLY HAVE A NO VOTE ON STUFF IN MY DISTRICT.

IF THEY HAVE ONE, DON'T PUT THAT ON.

ABSTAIN. JUST SAYING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WELL, WE CAN DO A -- SO THE MOTION WOULD BE TO WORK WITH COMMISSIONERS' COURT OFFICES TO SCHEDULE BUSINESS COURT MEETINGS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR AND THEN YOU GUYS -- AND WE COULD ADD TO REVIEW THE SCHEDULE FOR -- TO REVIEW THE SCHEDULE FOR -- TO REVIEW THE SYSTEM IN THREE MONTHS, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> I SUGGEST SIX. WE ARE ONLY GOING TO HAVE ONE

BUSINESS COURT MEETING. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

REVIEW THE SYSTEM IN SIX MONTHS. AND Y'ALL JUST LET US KNOW IF WE NEED TO REWORK THE CALENDAR OR IF YOU ARE OKAY TO PROCEED WITH THESE DATES. I'M FINE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

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

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> CAN YOU REPEAT THE MOTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THE MOTION WAS TO WORK WITH COMMISSIONERS' COURT OFFICES TO SCHEDULE BUSINESS COURT MEETINGS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE CALENDAR YEAR 2022 AND REVIEW

THE SYSTEM IN SIX MONTHS. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS 11. LET'S KEEP GOING.

ITEM 12. WE CAN TAKE ITEM 12 ALONG WITH ITEM 312. BOTH ARE RELATED TO THE BOND.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START?

I KNOW YOU HAD COMMENTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAD A PRESENTATION OR A POWER POINT, IF YOU WILL. I WILL SPEAK TO THAT AFTER.

>> THANK YOU. AND A LOT OF THIS IS MATERIAL WE PRESENTED BEFORE. I WILL GO THROUGH IT PRETTY QUICKLY. IF YOU CAN TURN TO THE NEXT PAGE, PLEASE. HERE IS WHAT IS NEW FROM THE LAST VERSION WE BROUGHT TO COURT.

WE BROUGHT IT A FEW TIMES TO HAVE THE PERFECT DISCUSSION OF SOMETHING OF THIS SIZE. WE ADDED TK-GS 200 -- $200 MILLION FOR PARTNER FUNDS. THAT COULD BE SMALL CITIES.

IT COULD BE UTILITY DISTRICTS. WE ADDED FINANCIAL SENSITIVITIES FOR 1.1 AND 1.2 BILLION. THANK YOU TO DR. ROMANO AND HIS TEAM. THEY TOOK THE LEAD ON DEVELOPING AN INITIAL COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN THAT IS IN THE BACK OF THIS DOCUMENT. IT WOULD LEAD US TO DO AT A MINIMUM THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WE DID FOR THE 2018 FLOOD BONDS AND THEIR OPPORTUNITY TO GO BEYOND IT.

THOUGH IT IS A RELATIVELY TIGHT TIME FRAME, WE HAVE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE WITH THE PUBLIC THERE.

IF YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT PAGE AND SKIP TWO PAGES.

[04:50:05]

WHETHER IT IS THIS YEAR OR DEFER TO A FUTURE YEAR.

HERE ARE FACTORS TO CONSIDER. FIRST, THIS IS A CORE PART OF COUNTY SERVICES. THIS SOMETHING THE COUNTY HAS TO DO PERIODICALLY IN ORDER TO DO WHAT IT DOES.

IN ESSENCE IT IS TPH*T -- IT IS NOT OPTIONAL TO PROVIDE ROAD AND PARK SERVICES TO MILLIONS OF PEOPLE.

WE WILL SEE SOME PROJECT DELAYS IF THE ELECTION IS POSTPONED SUBSTANTIALLY. ON PARKS BONDS, THE COURT KNOWS THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY FULLY ALLOCATED AND MOSTLY SPENT DOWN.

ROAD BONDS ARE BEING SPENT DOWN. WE ARE ON A LARGE STREET DRAINAGE FOR $600 MILLION. ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES FOREGOING SOONER -- FOR GOING SOONER IS RATHER THAN DIALING IT BACK DOWN AND RAMP UP AGAIN. CAN YOU GO BACK A PAGE? THANK YOU. WE'LL SEE VOTER TURNOUT WILL BE HIGHER IN 2022 VERSUS 2023. THE COUNTY WILL SEE THREE TIMES AS MANY VOTERS IN NOVEMBER OF 2022.

WE ARE IN A SPOT WHILE WE CAN'T IDENTIFY EVERY PROJECT BEING USED WITH THE BOND PROCEEDS, AND THAT'S NOT THE COUNTY'S PRACTICE WE HAVE SOME CLEAR PROGRAMS THAT WOULD TELL PEOPLE WHAT IT WOULD BE USED FOR. IT IS STREET DRAINAGE AND VISION ZERO SAFETY PROJECTS. THERE CAN BE SOME TRANSPARENCY TO THE PUBLIC ABOUT HOW THEY WILL BE BETTER OFF AND HOW THE MONEY WILL BE BETTER SPENT. OUR RECOMMENDATION CONTINUES TO BE NOT TO GO FOR MORE FLOOD FUNDING AT THIS TIME.

THERE IS A NEED AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, BUT ABOUT 74% OF THE 2018 BOND AUTHORITY REMAINS AVAILABLE AND MY RECOMMENDATION TO YOU IS LET'S COMPLETE MORE OF THAT BEFORE WE GO BACK OUT TO THE VOTERS. I WILL REALLY JUST HIT TWO MORE PAGES. ONE IS PAGE FIVE AND COMMISSIONER RAM -- RAMOS CAN TALK MORE ABOUT.

YOU CAN SEE THE IMPACT IS BETWEEN 27 AND $32 BASED ON WHAT THE RANGES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE.

OUR OVERALL TAX RATE WILL DECLINE.

WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL. WE ARE PAYING OFF DEBT.

WE ARE SEEING THE STATE REVENUE CAP FORCE US TO CUT TAXES.

THIS MEANS THEY WON'T DECLINE AS QUICKLY AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST YEARS BECAUSE WE ARE REINVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE.

HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, BUT IF WE CAN GO TO SLIDE 6.

$100 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SEUF -- SAFETY AND TECHNOLOGY.

SOME IS FLEXIBLE AND SOME HAVE SPECIFIC PROGRAMS AND THEN $200 MILLION FOR PARKS AND TRAILS.

SO WHAT WE NEED AT THIS POINT IS WHETHER THE COURT WANTS TO SEE MODIFICATION. IF WE DO WE NEED A MEETING BETWEEN AUGUST 12TH AND 22ND TO SET UP THE ELECTION AND WE NEED TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN WE HAVE DESIGNED.

THE DECISION WESTBOUND AT THIS MEETING, BUT NO LATER THAN EARLY AUGUST. WE NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS GOING TO COME TOGETHER OR NOT, THE STAFF.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. MR. BERRY AND MR. RAMOS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. SO IT IS CLEAR THAT THE TAX RATE IS NOT IMPACTED BY THIS, CORRECT?

>> OVER THE LIFE OF THE BOND BECAUSE THE ACCESSIBLE BASE IS GOING UP OR HAS GONE UP BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING OFF SIGNIFICANT

[04:55:05]

TAXES MAY INCREASE BECAUSE ASSESSMENTS ARE GOING UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BY WHO? >> HGAT SETS THE ASSESSMENTS.

BECAUSE OF THE ACCESSIBLE BASE IS GOING UP AND WE ARE PAYING OFF DEBT, THE RATE WILL CONTINUE TO GO DOWN WITH OR WITHOUT THE

BOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THE PEOPLE'S APPRAISEAL TENDS TO GET ATTENTION WHEN FOLKS ARE LOOKING AT THEIR TAX BILL.

THAT IS NOT SET BY THIS BODY. IT CARRIES THE HARRIS COUNTY NAME, BUT IT IS THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ALMOST PREDICTABLE 10% EVERY YEAR REGARDLESS OF IMPROVEMENTS TO WHAT THE PROPERTIES ARE NOT.

I WANT TO REMIND PEOPLE, IF YOU HAVE PROBLEMS WITH YOUR ASSESSMENT, FILE YOUR PRO -- PROTEST WITH THE HEIRESS COUNTY ASSESSMENT DISTRICT. IF WE DO PUT THIS ITEM ON THE BALLOT AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE STUDY DONE ON THIS, THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WANTED TO GET CLEAR IS THAT IT WOULD NOT RAISE

THE TAX. >> CORRECT, OVER THE LIFE OF TH-

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OVER THE LIFE OF THE BODY.

THANK YOU. >> [INAUDIBLE].

>> YES, SIR? >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: PUT THAT SLIDE BACK ON THE SCREEN THAT SHOWS THE TAX RATES, IF YOU CAN STILL DO IT THERE.

>> SLIDE FIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SLIDE FIVE.

I JUST WANTED TO -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THAT POINT, I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE CONFUSED. YOU SAY IT WOULD NOT GO OVER -- UP OVER THE LIFE OF IT. MOST OF THEM WILL LOOK AT IT AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST LIKE THE HARVEY BOND PACKAGE AND THEY WILL SAY IS THAT $14 PER YEAR FOR $500 MILLION? $22 PER YEAR OR FOR 800 MILLION AND $18 FOR 27 AND $30 FOR 1.1.

$32 FOR 1.2. THAT'S HOW THEY WILL LOOK AT IT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AND I WANT TO STRESS THAT EVERY OTHER SIX YEARS WHEN THE COUNTY HAS DONE A BOND PACKAGE AND WHEN HARVEY CAME UP. I WANT TO STRESS THAT.

WE HAVE ONE COURT AND I AM COMFORTABLE WITH THE BUCKETS AS I LAID OUT. I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO BE A UNANIMOUS VOTE, BUT I CAN'T CONTROL THAT.

I CAN ONLY CON -- CONTROL ONE VOTE.

I WONDER IF WE CAN BY FOR INDICATE IT.

I WONDER IF WE CAN BIFORCATE IT.

I ALSO KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THE ECONOMY AND THERE MAY NOT BE A BUILD BACK BETTER ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL, BUT THIS WILL BE A BUILD BACK BETTER. I KNOW IT WILL LEAD TO JOBS.

I KNOW IT WILL HELP OUR ECONOMY. I GET THAT PART.

I KNOW WE SHOULD DO THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

IF MEMBERS NEED MORE TIME TO DECIDE -- IF THEY ARE AGAINST IT, AT LEAST THEY KNOW WHAT THE HELL I AM SAYING.

IT IS PRETTY DARN CLEAR. I WANT TO GIVE SOME LATITUDE STP MEMBERS ARE -- IF MEMBERS ARE DECIDING THEY ARE FOR IT.

I I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH WHATEVER IS IN PLACE.

IF THERE IS 800 MILLION. IS THAT A PROBLEM?

[05:00:10]

AM I MAKING SENSE? I AM SAYING I HOPE THERE IS

SUPPORT TO DO SOMETHING. >> WE HAVE TO PAY IT BACK.

THE COST IS $31. WE WILL TALK ABOUT WHAT IS RELATING TO THE RATE. WHAT HAPPENS IS OUR TAX RATE, OUR ACCESSIBLE BASE DIVIDED BY HOW MUCH DEBT SERVICE WE OWE.

BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING OFF DEBT SERVICE AND BECAUSE THE AMOUNT IS BIGGER FOR THE VALUE OF THE PROPERTIES AND THE PEOPLE ARE PAYING LESS IN FOUR YEARS THAN THEY ARE PAYING TODAY.

THE COST OF THIS BORROWING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU SAYING TO MOVE FORWARD AND WE DON'T VOTE TODAY?

HRO*D -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO, IF WE DON'T DECIDE THE SIZE OF IT, I WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT CONTRACT. I WANT TO VOTE ON THAT TODAY.

>> I WOULD ONLY CAUTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME SENSE -- I WILL VOTE FOR THIS. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON THIS TODAY. IF THERE IS NO SUPPORT FOR IT, I WOULD HATE TO MOVE ON THE ENGAGEMENT IF WE ARE ENGAGING

FOR NOTHING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE THIS WILL WORK. I AM FOR DOING IT TODAY.

YOU AND I HAVE BEEN VERY HOPE AND STRAIGHT FORWARD ON THAT.

AND IF THEY ARE CLOSE TO DECIDING, JUST SAY IT.

IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO BE FOR SOMETHING, IF IT IS 500, 800,

1.1 MILLION, 2 BILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY? >> TOM RAMSEY: I PUT THE AGENDA ITEM ON THERE CALLED BOND BASICS I HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THEM.

HERE IS MY RECOMMENDATION. IF I WAS DOING THIS FOR ANY OF THE 50 CITIES AND THE 20 COUNTIES I HAVE DONE WORK FOR AND ONE IS EARNED. I WOULD NEVER DREAM OF A BOND ISSUE UNLESS YOU HAVE EURPBED -- UNLESS YOU HAVE EARNED THE TRUST THE THING THAT HAS HAPPENED THE LAST COUPLE THREE YEARS, THE REDISTRICTING. YOU MAY NOT WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT, BUT WE HAVE IT. THE SECOND IS TRANSPARENCY.

YOU TALK ABOUT THE BOND ITEMS AND YOU TELL THE FOLKS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY WHEN WE TELL THE FOLKS WHAT WE WERE DOING. THERE IS A TERM CALLED REBUILD HOUSTON. I KNOW I WAS INVOLVED WITH THAT AND THERE ARE GENERIC CATEGORIES AND I DON'T THINK THE INITIATIVE FOR THE CITY HAS BEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH THE MONEY WE ARE VOTING ON.

AND EVEN THOUGH THE GENERAL CATEGORY THAT'S MR. BERRY AND HIS TEAM HAVE LINED OUT, IT IS CLEAR IN TERMS OF THE CATEGORIES, BUT I THINK PEOPLE LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING MORE SPECIFIC. THE LAST T IS TIMING.

IN MY LITTLE WORLD OF SPRING VALLEY WHEN I WAS MAYOR, I BECAME MAYOR IN 2012. THEY SAID, RAMSEY, THERE IS ONE THING YOU DON'T WANT TO DO IS A BOND ISSUE.

THEY SAID DON'T DO A BOND ISSUE. I SAID, WELL, I WOULDN'T DO ONE TOMORROW. TWO YEARS AFTER I WAS MAYOR WE

[05:05:04]

THERE ARE ROAD PROJECTS IN THE PRECINCT AND I KNOW WHAT THEY ARE. I HAVEN'T HAD ONE CONVERSATION WITH A GROUP SAYING WELL, IF YOUR PRIORITIES ARE THIS IN THE PARTICULAR AREAS, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK? THERE IS A GIVE AND TAKE. WE CAN SIT HERE IN THE VACUUM AND SAY THIS IS WHAT WE THINK WE OUGHT TO DO.

I AM PERFECTLY PREPARED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT A BOND ISSUE IN 2023, BUT NOT 2022, MY GLORY.

2022 IS THREE MONTHS. WE EARLY VOTE THREE MONTHS FROM TODAY ALMOST. I DON'T THINK IT IS ENOUGH TIME.

YOU CAN SAY THERE IS ENOUGH TIME.

I THINK FROM THE POWER POINT THERE, THERE IS CONVERSATION THAT WE NEED TO DO THESE ABOUT EVERY SIX TO EIGHT YEARS.

2023 WOULD BE ABOUT EIGHT YEARS AND WE WOULD BE IN THAT WINDOW OF TIME THAT WE COULD CONSIDER. I WON'T BE SUPPORTING IT.

I WILL BE REAL CLEAR. I WILL HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN 2023, BUT FROM MY INFORMATION -- BUT FROM MY POSITION, I HAVE SAID THAT FROM WHEN THIS FIRST CAME UP TO NOW.

THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS IN TERMS OF HOLDING A BOND ISSUE IN 2022.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

JUST EARLIER ITEM 77 THROUGH 81 AND 91 ARE PROJECT THAT'S WILL COME TO A HALT IF NOT FOR THIS BOND.

THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE HUNGRY FOR INVESTMENTS AND THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING FOR YEARS. MS. GARCIA WAS ASKING FOR SIDEWALKS FOR 12 YEARS. VISION ZERO IS IN HERE.

LOCAL DRAINAGE IS IN HERE. IT IS ALL OF THE FRONT LINE DEFENSES TO PREVENT FLOODING. THEY HAVE HAD ZERO STRUCTURES REPORT I HAD -- REPORTED FLOODED.

WE TOOK 400,000 LINEAR FEET OF MAINTENANCE AND I CONVERTED IT TO A MILLION AND TWO A YEAR AND WE HAVE HAD A MILLION A YEAR SINCE 2020 AND HAD ZERO REPORTED STRUCTURES FLOODED IN THAT TIME FRAME. I WANT TO DO MORE.

I AM ASTONISHED THAT IT WOULD BE MORE COSTLY TO DO AN ELECTION.

WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK THE GOVERNOR TO HOLD AN ELECTION.

AND THEN THERE A MUNICIPAL ELECTION NEXT YEAR.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THE TRUST IN PRECINCT 2 IS HIGH BECAUSE WE ARE PUTTING OUR MONEY TO WORK.

WE HAVE EXHAUSTED MOST OF OUR BONDS BECAUSE WE PUT IT TO WORK.

IT IS NOT MY MONEY. IT IS THE PEOPLE'S MONEY.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY YOU ARE SITTING ON, BUT I AM PUTTING MY MONEY TO WORK BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WANTS TO TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS IN THEIR PARKS AND DRAINAGE AND IN THEIR ROADS.

WE PUT IT TO WORK. I AM READY TO MOVE ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SOME BIPARTISAN SUPPORT.

IF THIS PASSES, AND IT WILL PASS.

IT IS GONNA MOVE LITERALLY WERE THE -- LIT WRALLY WITH THE SAME -- WITH THOUGHT WITH MORE TIME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MORE TIME. PHO*PB --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOOK, I AM ON THE LINE WITH THE BOND ELECTION.

PUT THE BOND ELECTION ON THE SAME BALLOT.

THAT WAS THE ONE THING I WAS FRUSTRATED WITH WITH HURRICANE

[05:10:01]

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT THE WAY IT IS DONE AND KEEP OUR COMMUNITY MOVING FORWARD. I WANT TO MOVE ON THIS AND, YOU KNOW, I WILL THE ACAC HAS MADE IT CLEAR AND THEY WANT TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD. THEY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS TO KEEP OUR ECONOMY MOVING. THEY KNOW THE THINGS THEY ARE HEARING ABOUT SEEING MORE DRAINAGE WORK AND NOT LESS.

THERE ARE MORE SIDEWALKS -- AND IT COMES WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMPONENT. I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE WOULD BE A VOTE AGAINST PUBLIC SAFETY. I'M DISTRAUGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU GUYS WALK THROUGH WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DO IT NOW? FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PROJECTS AS WELL AS THE

FINANCIAL LANDSCAPE. >> I THINK ONE IS PROJECT DELAYS. DIFFERENT PRECINCTS ARE IN DIFFERENT PLACES. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAYS THINGS WOULD BE DELAYED AND THAT WOULD BE TRUE ELSEWHERE.

I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO DO THE STREET DRAINAGE INVESTMENTS THAT WE ARE DOING AS PART OF THE FLOOD BOND.

THEY WILL BE COMPLETED AND I WOULD LOVE TO TELL MILTON, YOU KNOW WHAT? KEEP THE TEAM ON FULL THROTTLE.

A HIGHER ELECTION WOULD HAVE ADVANTAGES AND THIS NOVEMBER WOULD BE HIGHER. WHY DON'T YOU WALK THROUGH THE

BOND ISSUES. >> AND ARE THERE FUNDS WE CAN

LEVERAGE? >> THERE ARE FEDERAL FUNDS IF THERE WERE TO BE A BUILD BACK BETTER YOU.

THERE IS NOT ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE REMAINING ALLOCATION FROM THE PRIOR BOND.

WE JUST DID A BOND ISSUANCE WHERE THE INTEREST RATE WAS 2.03% AND 2.06% AND 2.57%. EVEN IN AN INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT AND EVEN AS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS RAISING RATES, WE ARE BORROWING LESS THAN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TODAY. FRANKLY IT IS GETTING BETTER.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO ANY BETTER UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGES.

IT WILL BE GOING TO THE MARKET IN NOT THAT.

I WANT TO HAMMER HOME THAT THERE IS NOT ANOTHER SOURCE WITHOUT CANNIBAL LIESING THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN AN ISSUE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT DO YOU MEAN? THERE IS SOME ROAD ALLOCATION AND THAT IS THE ONLY THING MOVING FORWARD ASIDE FROM PUBLIC SAFETY WHERE WE HAVE AN

EXCEPTION FOR NONVOTE OF DEBT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY.

>> WE DON'T HAVE ANOTHER FUNDING SOURCE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS OUTSIDE OF THE REMAINING WE HAVE IN 2015.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT MEANS THE PROJECT WEULZ STOP OR --

PROJECTS WILL STOP OR -- >> OR BE DELAYED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: STOP OR NOT HAPPEN.

>> TOM RAMSEY: HOW MUCH MONEY DO WE GET FROM THE TOLL ROAD EACH

YEAR? >> ABOUT 40 MILLION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: 40 MILLION PER PRECINCT?

>> YES. WHICH IS ALMOST ALL SPENT

ANNUALLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE IS

[05:15:02]

>> CORRECT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND A SIMILAR

AMOUNT TO PRECINCT 3. >> CORRECT.

THE THING THAT WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF IS THE WORST THING YOU CAN DO IS HAVE A BOND ELECTION. AND THEN YOU ARE BEHIND THE 8 BALL. YOU HAVE TO WIN BACK THE TRUST OF THE ELECTORAT. I AM SAYING IN MY MIND, WE HAVE HAD GENERIC BOND ISSUES BEFORE AND I DON'T LIKE GENERIC BOND ISSUES. THAT'S JUST MY ISSUE.

I DO THINK WE DON'T WANT TO RUN THE BOND ISSUE AND HAVE IT FAIL.

I AM NOT DOING IT ON A POLITICAL CALCULUS, BUT IT IS BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE DOING THESE KIND OF THINGS AND WE NEED MORE TIME TO COMMUNICATE WHAT PROJECTS WE ARE GOING TO DO AND WHAT SPECIFIC THINGS THEY CAN EXPECT. IT WAS 1.2 BILLION AND WHAT IS THE ALOE SKAEUGS -- WHAT IS THE ALLOCATION?

>> WHAT IS THE SPECIFIC DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 2022 AND 2023? TO ME THERE ARE SPECIFICS.

I AM CURIOUS WHAT MORE SPECIFICI HAVE IN FRONT OF ME IS 100 MILLION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND FACILITY AND SAFETY AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS. FOR EXAMPLE, THE RESILIENCE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM LIKE SWIFT WATER TRAINING IN COURTROOMS AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SYSTEMS FOR COURT MANAGEMENT, ADDITIONAL SAFETY-RELATED BUILDINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED FOR MORE STAFFING, ET CETERA, GENERAL ROAD BONDS TO IMPROVE THE CONDITION.

600 MILES ARE IN FAIR CONDITION AND 18% ARE IN FAILED TO FAIR CONDITION. DRAINAGE PROJECTS WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS THAT ARE WAITING FOR DRAINAGE PARTNERSHIP.

50,000 STRUCTURES OUTSIDE THE HUNDRED-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN.

184 MILES AND MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION.

61% OF THE COUNTY ROADS LACK SIDEWALKS.

I CANNING SEE VISION Z -- I CAN SEE VISION ZERO AND EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THAT MEANS. I CAN SEE THIS IN THE PARKS.

I CAN SEE THE SPECIFICITY AND I GET THAT IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THERE WILL BE A FURTHER NARROWING -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GET TO THE SPECIFIC ROAD.

WE LEARNED THE HARD WAY WITH THE FLOOD BOND.

SOMETIMES THINGS SHIFT AND WE NEVER GET TO THE SPECIFICS.

MY PRIMARY CONCERN IS MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS MORE VISIONARY PLANNING. I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO THINK THIS WILL ACHIEVE VISION ZERO ENTIRELY OR THE PARK RARE KWROE THAT -- PARK RATIO THAT IS IDEAL OR IT WILL GIVE US SIDEWALKS TO EVERY ROAD. I DO THINK WE SHOULD ASPIRE TO THAT. I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE PUTTING INTO CONTEXT WHAT THIS WOULD DO COMPARED TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE PROMOTE THIS WE ARE CLEAR THAT THIS IS OUR ABILITY TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES AND TO NOT LET OUR ROADS DETER YES, SIR -- DETERIORATE BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT CAN HAPPEN.

I AM NOT GETTING THAT. YOU -- I WANT TO ASK YOU IN TERMS OF THE CONDITIONS, ET CETERA, WHAT IS THE BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR.

I NEED YOU TO MAKE THE BEST CASE.

I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM.

>> $300 MILLION OF GENERAL ROAD BONDS AND IT IS GETTING INTO THE DETAILS. EVERY COMMUNITY WANTS TO KNOW

[05:20:05]

YES. WE WILL KNOW AND LOOK AT WHAT PROJECTS WE WILL DO WHETHER IT IS BRIDGE OR ROAD AND DRAINAGE.

I BELIEVE YOU WILL PARTNER WITH TOM BALL.

HE WILL PARTNER AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO? I DON'T LIKE TO WRITE CHECKS I I CAN'T CASH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT SPECIFICITY WOULD YOU NEED BETWEEN NOW AND THE VOTING. I WENT TO A FLOOD BOND MEETING AND THERE WERE MAPS AND PEOPLE WERE GIVING THEIR INPUT AS TO WHAT THEY WANTED. IT WAS SOON BEFORE THE VOTE.

THAT'S MY EXPERIENCE. >> THEY BROUGHT 230 PROJECTS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE AS FAR AS SPECIFICITY AND WHAT WAS DONE BACK THEN AND WHAT IS GOING TO

BE ACHIEVABLE THIS YEAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO SAY NONE OF THE PROJECTS ARE IN THE LOS ANGELES WEDGE OF THE BALANCE -- IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE BALLOT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: NOT THE BALLOT, BUT THE PUBLIC MEETINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS THE SAME LEVEL -- NOT ONLY SHOULD WE LOOK AT HARVEY, HATE TO ADMIT I WAS AROUND THAT LONG, BUT IN 01 THE COUNTY DID 60 MILLION FOR PARKS AND 40 TO 75 MILLION FOR ROADS. NONE OF THAT WAS LAID OUT 95 MILLION FOR ROADS AND 95 MILLION FOR PARKS.

109 MILLION FOR ROADS. THERE WAS A FORENSIC LAB AND IT

WAS 180 MILLION. >> THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO WITH THE ASTRODOME.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS IN THERE.

IT FAILED AND THEY DID IT ANYWAY.

70 MILLION IN 07 FOR A FAMILY LAW CENTER AND IN 2015 THERE WAS 60 MILLION FOR PARKS AND 700 MILLION FOR ROADS AND 64 MILLION FOR FLOOD CONTROL. THE ONLY THING SPECIFIC WAS AN ANIMAL SHELTER FOR $24 MILLION. THIS IS NO DIFFERENT.

THIS IS MORE SPECIFICITY THAN THE COUNTY HAS HAD IN THE PAST.

I WILL I WILL BE PREPARED -- I WILL BE PREPARED TO VOTE TODAY.

IF IT WILL LEAD TO A BIPARTISAN SUPPORT, BUT LOOK, IF IT FAILS, IT'S ALL RIGHT. I BELIEVE IN IT.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS YEAR AND NEXT YEAR IS FEWER PEOPLE WILL VOTE. SO WHAT? EVEN IF I WAS ON THE BALLOT, I AM NOT BEARED IF IT FAILS.

THE PEOPLE GET TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I AM NOT EMBARRASSED.

I WANT US TO BE REAL SMART IN TERMS OF WHEN WE DO THESE THINGS. IF WE ARE SMART AND WE DO IT IN 2023 AND IT PASSES 80% AND THE COMMUNITY SAYS GOOD JOB AS OPPOSED TO A BOND ISSUE THAT FAILS IN 2022 YOU CAN SAY NO BIG DEAL. IT WAS GREAT FOR THE ELECTION AND GOOD FOR VOTER TURNOUT. THAT'S FINE.

WE WILL DO IT DOWN THE ROAD. I WANT TO SEE -- I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN WE HAVE IT IT PASSES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I GET THAT ANSWER FROM YOU GUYS? WHAT LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY IS ADEQUATE, AND WHAT LEVEL SPECIFICITY ARE YOU GUYS ABLE TO ACHIEVE? THAT'S QUESTION NUMBER ONE. THERE WERE SPECIFIC.

>> THE TOPIC OF THE LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY, IN MY VIEW THERE IS NO ONE BEST PRACTICE. THE DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS DO IT DIFFERENT WAYS. THERE IS A WAY TO IS -- TO HAVE A CENTRALIZED TIP. IF -- WE ARE 4.8 MILLION AND WE

[05:25:04]

WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHETHER THAT IS 10% OF THE MONEY OR 50% OF THE MONEY. I THINK THAT STRIKES THE RIGHT BALANCE IN TERMS OF THINGS EVOLVING DOWN THE ROAD.

FEEDBACK I HAVE HEARD FROM THE FLOOD BOND MEETINGS IS WE FELT LIKE THE COUNTY SHOWED UP AND THEY HAD EVERYTHING.

THERE IS A BALANCE THERE. I THINK HAVING PROGRAMS WITH SOME -- YOU KNOW, SOME PORTION OF THE FUNDS ALLOCATED IS A GOOD

PLACE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN YOUR MIND WHAT WOULD A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETING LOOK LIKE FOR THIS? WE WOULD PRESENT THE BASICS OF A BOND AND WHAT IT MEANS AND PRESENT THE PROGRAMS AND PROVIDE EXAMPLES OF THE PROGRAMS. HAVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE COUNTY WHETHER THE PRECINCT OR ENGINEERING AND THEY CAN TALK AND GET INPUT ON HOW IT IS USED. IT COULD BE AS SPECIFIC AS PRECINCT X, AND I WON'T PUT A NUMBER ON IT, HAVE A PLAN TO BUILD THESE SIDEWALKS. IT COULD BE AT A HIGHER LEVEL.

WHAT IMPACTS YOUR DAILY LIFE. WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU SAFER.

IT WOULD BE WHERE ONE EXISTS AND ONE THAT IS GENERAL.

THIS IS MORE ABOUT THE THE BIG PICTURE AND THERE IS ANOTHER ROUND WHEN IT COMES TO THE SPECIFIC PROJECTS.

HOW WILL IT IMPACT INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE'S LIVES.

OFTEN THAT IS MORE EFFECTIVE WHEN YOU HAVE ONE PROJECT AND YOU HAVE SOMETHING VERY, VERY SPECIFIC FOR PEOPLE TO LOOK AT.

IF YOU ARE THROWING PROJECTS AT PEOPLE, YOU ARE GETTING INFORMATION OVERLOAD AS YOU GET INPUT.

THESE TOPICS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THESE TOPICS, IT IS NOT EXTRA. THIS IS BASIC NEEDS THAT IS GOING TO MOVE THE NEEDLE AND PREVENT US FROM CRUMBLING IN CERTAIN AREAS. IT WON'T GET US TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE. WHICH THINGS DO YOU THINK NEED TO BE PRIORITIZED OVER OTHERS? WE HAVE A HUNDRED NEEDS AND WE HAVE 20 IN FUNDING, WHATEVER. TO ME THIS IS AN IDEATION AND WE HAVE FUNDING TO COMPLETELY OVERHAUL EVERYTHING BECAUSE SIMPLY SPEAKING OF THE EXTENT OF THE NEEDS COMPARED TO THE EXTENT OF THE BOND. I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING.

COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU HAVE A QUESTION AND I WANT TO HEAR THE QUESTION OF THE YEAR. DO YOU MIND IF WE GO BACK TO

THAT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I I JUST WANT TO MAKE POINT THAT WE HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY PLANNING.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE SHORT-TERM, THE MID-TERM AND LONG-TERM PROJECTS. I WANT TO REITERATE TODAY WE VALIDATE THAT CITIZENS HAVE PROVIDED INPUT AND THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR MONEY TO WORK. SO THE PR*US IN PRECINCT TWO IS THERE. I JUST WANT TO ASK IF THERE IS A SHORT MEMORY OR IF THINGS CHANGE.

I AM LOOKING AT AN ART -- AN ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN AUGUST OF 2014 AND IT READS MEMBERS OF SPRING VALLEY VILLAGE CITY -- CITY COUNCIL UNANIMOUSLY APPROVE ON AUGUST 12TH, CALLING FOR A 13.5 MILLION-DOLLAR BOND ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 4TH.

[05:30:06]

>> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK NOVEMBER OF 2023 WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO TALK ABOUT. YOU SEE, WHEN I BECAME MAYOR, AND I TOLD YOU THAT BEFORE, I WAS MAYOR IN 2012 I SAID IN TWO YEARS WE WILL HAVE A BOND ELECTION.

EVEN THOUGH I I WAS -- EVEN THOUGH I WAS TOLD, DON'T HAVE A BOND ELECTION. I TOOK TWO YEARS AND SPENT A LOT

OF TIME TALKING TO MANY PEOPLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU

CONTRADICTED YOURSELF. >> TOM RAMSEY: I NEVER SAID MAY.

IT IS BETTER IN NOVEMBER NOVEMBER OF 2023.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU SAID MAY. YOU DIDN'T SAY MAY OF 2016.

MAY. MAY IS A BETTER TIME -- NOVEMBER IS A BETTER TIME TO DO IT THAN MAY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: AND IT PASSED 80% >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN NOVEMBER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, MORE PEOPLE WILL PROBABLY SHOW UP TO VOTE IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS ONE REASON FOR DOING IT.

I HOPE THERE ARE OTHER -- >> IT IS AVOIDING DELAYS IN THE PROJECTS AND HAVING MATCH AVAILABLE AS THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

THE LOWER INTEREST RATE WE CAN GET AND MOMENTUM IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING ON DRAINAGE. THOSE WOULD BE MY POINTS ON WHY IT IS A COURT DECISION, BUT WHY THIS YEAR HAS ADVANTAGES.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DID YOU CONSIDER INFLATION? WE ARE IN THE WORST ECONOMIC PLACE IN A GENERATION.

IS IT GONNA GET WORSE OR BETTER? >> THAT ONE I CAN'T PRETEND TO

KNOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I MENTION ONE MORE? NEXT YEAR YOU WILL HAVE HARRIS HEALTH. WE ARE GOING TO FALL OFF THE CLIFF IF SOMETHING DOESN'T HAPPEN NOW.

YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE THE LARGEST SCHOOL DISTRICT.

YOU WILL PROBABLY HAVE WHATEVER THE CITY OF HOUSTON DECIDES TO DO. AND WHOEVER IS ON THE BALLOT, YOU WILL HAVE THOSE ISSUES. IT WON'T BE THIS MAYOR.

HE WILL BE MAYBE PROMOTING IT. OTHER FOLKS RUNNING MAY BE RUNNING FOR COVER. THOSE ARE THE REASONS FOR MY JUDGMENT. I GO BACK ON HOW YOU GO OUT AND YOU MAKE A CASE. ONE REASON WHY THE PARKS IN PRECINCT 2 ARE IN SUCH BAD SHAPE, THOSE PRECINCTS DIDN'T GET AS MUCH OUT OF THE TOLL ROAD MONEY AND OTHER PRECINCTS CAN DO THEIR TRAILS WITH THAT MONEY. THEY CAN TAKE THE MONEY AND PAY FOR THE ROAD CREWS. IF YOU DIDN'T GET IT, PRECINCT 1 GOT THE LEAST. THAT'S A PROBLEM.

I CAN'T GO OUT ON THE COUNTY'S DIME AND SAY VOTE FOR ORGANS -- OR AGAINST IT. THIS IS THE MONEY WE HAVE FOR PARKS AND WE SHOULD FIGURE OUT HOW WE USE THESE BAYOUS.

THOSE ARE LINEAR PARKS. THEN YOU NEED MORE CONNECTED GREEN SPACE. I AM DOING IT WITH THE MONEY I HAVE. HOW YOU CONNECT GREENS AND HALLS AND IT IS A TRAIL NETWORK. HOW DO YOU HAVE MORE INCLUSIVE PARKS, EQUITABLE ACCESS TO GREEN SPACE, THE NOTION OF FLOODABLE PARKS. IT COULD BE QUITE INTERESTING.

I WILL SAY DO YOU HAVE IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN DO THAT? I WAS TOLD BY THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT -- YOU WERE HERE, BUT YOU WERE WORKING FOR A DIFFERENT ADMINISTRATION.

WHEN I WATTS TRYING TO GET SPECIFICITY, BEING AN EX-CITY COUNCILMEMBER, OH NO. YOU CAN'T BE THAT SPECIFIC ON GREENS AND HALLS. IF YOU PLUG IN 200 MILLION AND

[05:35:02]

>> THAT'S RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. TO THE JUDGE'S POINT ON SPECIFICITY I WANT TO CLARIFY WHAT WAS SAID.

THE POSITION HAS BEEN THAT YOU WANT BROAD PARAMETERS.

YOU WILL SEE THIS IN SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES WILL DELINEATE WHAT THE PROJECTS ARE.

WE WILL REBUILD BUILD THIS HIGH SCHOOL OR MIDDLE SCHOOL.

THE COUNTY IS WORKS THE OPPOSITE WAY.

IF WE GET TOO SPECIFIC WE ARE COMMITTING DOLLARS FOR A PROJECT THAT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY WHEN THE TIME COMES.

IT ALLOWS THE COUNTY TO BE MORE NIMBLE.

ONE OF THE ISSUES IN FLOOD CONTROL IS THEY TRY TO BE TOO SPECIFIC AND THAT CAUSES PROBLEMS. THAT CAUSED AN INEQUITY AND A DISTRIBUTION OF PROJECT.

THE BEST PRACTICE RECOMMENDATION HAS ALWAYS BEEN LARGE TRONCHES FOR APPROVAL. THE COMMUNITY PRESENT -- PRESENTATIONS THAT ARE MADE, YOU WOULD DELINEATE, THESE ARE THE PROJECTS WE ARE INTERESTED IN DOING.

YOU CAN LIST THEM OUT. YOU CAN SAY IF WE HAVE RESOURCES, BUT THEY ARE NOT VOTING ON A SPECIFIC PROJECT.

AND THIS BODY WOULD CREATE A LIST OF WHAT IT WOULD BE.

THAT WOULD BE AFTER THE BOND ELECTION AND YOU WOULD GIVE YOURSELF THE AUTHORITY TO DO IT. YOU WANT TO GIVE YOURSELF FLEXIBILITY, BUT LET THE PUBLIC KNOW WHAT YOU ARE WORKING ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S IMPORTANT.

I WONDERED IF THEY WERE TREATING OLD RODNEY WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP, BUT THERE IS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY.

ON THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE, I HOPE TO GO OUT AND SAY I THINK WE OUGHT TO SUPPORT MULTI-MODE TRANSIT.

WE SHOULD HAVE ACCESS TO SIDEWALKS AND WHAT ARE YOUR IDEAS? TRAFFIC SAFETY.

SUPPORT VISION ZERO AS MORE AN A RESOLUTION.

MOST FOLKS ARE PUTTING IN THEIR NEWSLETTERS, BUT NOT A DIME WENT INTO IT AND THEN WE SAY THAT WAS VISION ZERO.

HOW DOWRY DEUCE VEHICULAR AND PEDESTRIAN FATALITIES? NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE, WHAT CAN YOU DO TEP THE -- TO HELP FLOOD STPH-G DO YOU START WITH THE COMPLETE SUBDIVISION DRAIN PROJECTS AND START WITH THE BOND ISSUE AND OTHER PROJECT THAT'S REDUCE FLOODING ON ROADS. FUNDS IMPROVE ROAD CONDITIONS.

ONE THING I I DID GET THE COURT TO AGREE TO IS A DISPARITY STUDY. THE OTHER ONE IS EQUITY GUIDELINES. WHAT IT MEANS I DON'T KNOW.

I DON'T WANT THE MONEY CHASING A DEVELOPER AND SOMEBODY NEW.

CONCERNED ABOUT -- I AM CONCERNED ABOUT ALL OF THOSE WHO WERE CUTOFF INCLUDING THOSE IN MY PRECINCT.

WHAT WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING SINCE 60% IS IN PRECINCT 1 AND WHAT CAN WE DO WITH OUR RESOURCES TO INCENTIVIZE INCREASED DEVELOPMENT.

IF THE NEIGHBORHOOD TOOK IT HOW CAN WE MAKE THE QUALITY LIFE BETTER SO PEOPLE ARE NOT ALWAYS LOOKING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING? HOW CAN WE DO THAT? PRIORITIZATION PROJECTS.

PROJECTS PRIORITIZED SHOULD BE BASED ON NEED.

WHO HAS BEEN NEGLECTED THE MOST? THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS I AM GOING TO DO. WHAT I WON'T DO IS GO OUT THERE AND PUT IT ON THE BALLOT AND THEN IT FAILED LIKE IT DID WITH THE ASTRODOME. THE ONLY REASON I VOTED FOR IT WAS IT WAS IN MY PRECINCT. I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED AGAINST YOU BOYS WANTING TO SPEND $120 MILLION IN MY PRECINCT.

I COULD HAVE FIGURED SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR IT TO GO.

I SAW THE STUFF PARKS BY YOU PEOPLE DROPPED OFF.

I SAW SOMETHING ON THE LUNCH BREAK IN MY OFFICE.

AND THEY ARE YOU CAN TAG ABOUT THE BOARD HAS NOT VOTED ON IT, BUT A MATCH. THE CITY DID A VISIONARY PROJECT THAT WE ALL BENEFITED FROM, BUT WE GAVE UPLAND THAT WAS USE TO US. THE CITY PUT UP $100 MILLION AND

[05:40:06]

I AM EXCITED ABOUT THEM COMING UP WITH THE NUMBER.

IT WAS SOME MATCH IN THE PAPERWORK THEY MAY GIVE.

I AM PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION AND A SECOND MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF WE PASS THIS NOW IT WILL BE DOING GOOD TO GET AS FAR AHEAD OF THE INFLATION CONCERNS AS POSSIBLE.

JUST LIKE YOU DO WHEN YOU PASSED YOURS.

IT SAYS OUR RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THERE IS AN INFLATION RATE OF 10% A YEAR IN HOUSTON. CONSTRUCTION COSTS WILL INCREASE BY 10% PER YEAR. RAMSEY SAID, QUOTE, THE SALE OF BONDS IS A HEDGE AGAINST INFLATION.

IT IS THE MOST CONSERVATIVE THING WE CAN DO.

TO MAKE THESE IMPROVEMENTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND I THINK NOVEMBER OF 2023 IS A GREAT TIME TO HAVE A BOND ELECTION.

WE JUST DISAGREE ON WHICH NOVEMBER.

>> I WANT TO GIVE A CHANCE TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

AND THEN I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE ON.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BARRING THE SKILLS OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA THINKING HE CAN PERSUADE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THINKING HE CAN CHANGE THEIR MINDS KPWAOEU BE RATING THEM, I HAVE FIVE POINTS. POINT NUMBER ONE, IS THIS THE TIME TO TAX THE PUBLIC? IS THIS THE TIME THAT WE CAN SAY IT IS NOT A TAX AND WE ARE BATH RIG IT -- YOU SWITCH OUT YOUR CREDIT CARDS FROM ONE TO ANOTHER? THE GENERAL PUBLIC IS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE APPRAISAL ISSUES AND WHAT THEIR TAX BILL WILL BE COMING OUT OF HARVEY AND COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC AND GOING INTO INFLATION.

QUESTION ONE. IS THIS THE TIME TO ADD A TAX TO THE PUBLIC? QUESTION NUMBER TWO, THE SPECIFICITY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS TALKED ABOUT WANTING TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY PRECINCT WILL BE MONITORED AND WILL BE INVOLVED IN WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE OTHER PRECINCT.

>> WE DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL HAVE AN ALLOCATION OR NOT.

YOU WILL ASK HER TO PUT OUT A TAX.

SHE WON'T KNOW IF HER PRECINCT WILL GET STWO 5%, BUT SINCE PRECINCT THREE HAS 43% OF THE UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY OR WHETHER THERE HR-RB AN ACCOMMODATION AND THERE IS NO SERVICES BY ANY CITY, HOW WILL SHE BE TREATED? OR WILL IT BE DONE THROUGH THE EQUITABLE VIEW OF THE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1. AND THAT PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, ARE WE GOING TO LET THE PUBLIC KNOW IN ADVANCE OR WUL WE CHANGE THE PRIORITIZATION AFTER WE VOTE ON IT.

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO? WHAT IS THE SPECIFICITY AND WHAT IS THE ALLOCATION GOING TO BE? I DON'T KNOW IF I AM VOTING ON A 25% PRECINCT 4 OR WHETHER I AM VOTING ON 10% TO PRECINCT 4.

IT IS PRETTY HIGH. >> WOULD YOU SUPPORT IT IF THERE

WAS AN EVEN SPLIT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME FINISH THE OTHER THREE POINTS OF THE FIVE.

NUMBER THREE, WHY ARE WE GOING TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE EDUCATION ON THIS THING WHEN WE DID 23 WATER SHED MEETINGS AND 23 WATER SHED MEETINGS. AND WE WENT TO PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. WHY ARE WE GOING TO SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS TO DO THE BIGGER FLOOD BOND? I THINK THAT'S AN IMPORTANT QUESTION.

NUMBER FOUR, THERE IS 60 MILLION ON THE LINE OF CREDIT THAT

[05:45:05]

WE JUST GOT TO WITNESS THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD AND THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT COULD SAFL -- YOU CAN'T -- YOU COULD SOLVE. YOU COULD SOLVE THE RUNOFF ISSUE IF WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE CORE OF ENGINEERS.

>> IT WOULD TAKE 20 YEARS TO BUILD.

AND THERE IS THE -- YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE RUDE SOMETIMES. I DIDN'T INTERRUPT YOU AT ALL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST CAN'T STAND THE HYPOCRISY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN SPEAK ALL DAY LONG OF THE COMMENTS THAT YOU MAKE, SIR. I WILL REFRAIN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DON'T NEED TO BE SHOOTING OUR BULLETS WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A NEED OTHER THAN A POLITICAL NEED. THOSE ARE MY FIVE CONCERNS AND I AM LISTENING. I THINK THERE IS A DESIRE AND AN APPETITE TO DO SOMETHING ON OUR PARKS.

ALL OF OUR PARKS FUNDS HAVE BEEN SPENT IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS EXCEPT PRECINCT ONE. I THINK THAT IF WE FOCUSED ON WHAT THE CURRENT NEED IS AND WHERE IT IS, I THINK MAYBE WE COULD HAVE SOME THINGS TO DO. I THINK THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT MOBILITY NEEDS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY NEEDS SOME LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY IN TERMS OF THE ALLOCATIONS AND THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND WHERE THE FUNDS ARE GOING TO BE SPENT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AS FOLKS GO TO VOTE, THEY HAVE A REASONABLE EXPECTATION FOR WHAT THEY ARE VOTING FOR.

THOSE ARE MY TPO*EUF POINTS AND -- FIVE POINTS AND THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR -- I THINK IT IS A VALUE -- VALID POINT OF ALLOCATION.

I HAVE LONG BEEN A FAN OF THE EVEN SPLIT UNTIL AND UNLESS WE CAN FIND SOME SORT OF SYSTEMATIC WAY TO ASSIGN VALUES TO EVERYTHING WHERE HE HAS MORE MILES AND EVERYONE HAS A REASON.

IT IS PORBTS TO DETERMINE THE -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO DETERMINE THE PRIORITIZATION AND MY VOTE IS FOR THE EVEN SPLIT AND WE SHOULD BE CLEAR ABOUT THAT. SUDDENLY WE HAVE A SOLUTION TO A MORE GRANN AOU LA -- GRANULAR SPLIT.

WE CAN HAVE THE DISCUSSION. I THINK WE SHOULD DISCUSS -- THE PRIORITIZATION HAPPENED AND IT WAS A BUCKET OF PROJECTS AND THE DETERMINATION IS WE ARE GOING TO DO WORST FIRST.

I WOULD NOT BE OPPOSED TO FLUSHING SOME OF THAT.

THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IF YOU HAVE A VENDOR AND A DESIGN OR IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOU WILL FIGURE OUT, I DON'T KNOW.

TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU GUYS KNOW WE CAN DISCUSS IT.

I AGREE YOU CAN KICK IT OFF. I I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND YOUR FOURTH POINT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED FUNDS.

[05:50:06]

>> TO BE CLEAR, WE DON'T START PAYING DEBT WHEN THE VOTE HAPPENS. WE DON'T START THE DEBT UNTIL WE SPEND THE MONEY. SO THERE IS --

>> WE COULD SPEND THE 60 MILLION >> I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION -- I BELIEVE I HAVE HAD THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOUR

TEAM. >> SO WHATEVER GOES TO THE PRECINCT -- I GOT TWO. ON THE ONE HAND WE SAY WE HAVE UNMET NEEDS. ON THE OTHER HAND, WE HAVE FUNDING. WHICH IS IT?

>> THE ALLOCATIONS HAVE CHANGED OVER TIME, BUT THE PRECINCTS HAVE GOTTEN SPECIFIC ALLOCATIONS.

THERE ARE 60 MILLION MORE EARMARKS FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S PRECINCT THAT HAS NOT BEEN BUDGETED TO HIS PRECINCT.

THERE IS NO REASON TO CREATE A DEBT FACILITY UNTIL WE ARE READY TO SPEND THE MONEY. WHEN HE IS READY TO PROCEED WITH PROJECTS THAT MONEY IS AVAILABLE.

>> THAT'S BEEN OUR WHOLE CONVERSATION.

>> SO THAT IS TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND YOU WILL SORT THAT

OUT. >> ON THAT POINT WAS THAT SPLIT EVENLY? DID PRECINCT ONE GET A FOURTH OF

THE MONEY? >> ORIGINALLY NO, BUT IT WAS

SPLIT -- >> MOST OF THE MONEY WAS GONE.

>> JUST DON'T LAY IT OUT BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EQUITY.

I'M SERIOUS. UNTIL THE FOLKS WERE HERE, PRECINCT ONE WAS -- YOU GOT ME? AND PEOPLE ARE USING THAT MONEY

TO DO ALL KINDS OF THINGS. >> JUST TO TRY TO REDISTRICT -- REDIRECT YOUR QUESTION. WE TALK ABOUT PROJECT DELAYS.

THE DELAYS EXPERIENCED BY A PRECINCT WOULD RELATE TO HOW MUCH OF THEIR ROAD BOND ALLOCATION IS NOT YET SPENT OR INCOME BETTERED. OVERALL IT IS READY TO START IF THERE IS FUNDING THAT WE WON'T HAVE UNLESS WE GO TO THE BOND.

THERE ARE ROADS THAT ARE UNDER MAINTAINED AND PARKS READY TO BE BUILT AND PARKS TO BE MAINTAINED AND PUBLIC FACILITIES NEEDED TO BE BUILT AND SIDEWALKS UNLESS WE DO THIS.

I DON'T SHARE THAT, COMMISSIONER.

THE TUNNELS ARE IMPORTANT AND I AM CURIOUS TO FIND THE TUNNEL PROPOSAL, BUT THAT'S NOT GONNA GET US THOSE SIDEWALKS.

I MEAN, WE NEED THE SIDEWALKS AND WE NEED THE PARKS.

>> TO GET BACK TO ONE OF THE ORIGINAL POINTS, THIS IS NOT A TRANSFORMATIONAL BOND. THIS IS A MEAT AND POTATOES BOND. WITH THE 1.2 BILLION WE WE COULDN'T SOLVE FOR ALL OF THE SIDEWALKS IN THE COUNTY.

THIS IS AN INCREMENTAL STAT THE NEED IS SO FAR SURPASSING WHAT

WE ARE ABLE TO TAX OUR WAY TOO. >> SO THAT LAST POINT THAT WE NEED -- THE REAL NEED IS THERE. I THINK I AM CONCERNED THAT NEXT YEAR'S CLIMATE AND THE TIMING WOULD BE WORSE THAN THIS YEAR.

AT THAT POINT WE REALLY, REALLY NEED TO WORK ON THESE ROADS.

I DON'T SEE THIS AS A POLITICALLY ADVANTAGEOUS VOTE.

THAT'S NOT HOW I MAKE MY DECISIONS ANYWAY.

I DON'T THINK -- IF IT WAS BEING OBJECTIVE, I DON'T THINK IT IS BECAUSE IT CAN BE FRAMED IN THE WAY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT IT.

I THINK TRULY THERE IS A NEED FOR THESE PARKS AND ROADS AND SIDEWALKS AND PUBLIC SAFETY FACILITIES AND I DON'T SEE IT WORKING OUT NEXT YEAR. BY THEN IT SEEMS TOO LATE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.

WHAT I PROPOSE IS THAT YOU GUYS HONE IN ON THE ALLOCATION AND THE PRIORITIZATION AND THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

MAYBE IT CAN DETERMINE -- BEGIN WORKING ON WHAT WE WOULD PRESENT THE COMMUNITY AND I -- AND YOU CAN PUT THE VERSION OF THAT TOGETHER AND WORK WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SEE TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT, IT MAY BE A SMALLER NUMBER.

IT MAY BE A CERTAIN LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY.

I WILL GIVE YOU SOME OF MY FEEDBACK TOO.

[05:55:03]

IF WE NEED TO VOTE TODAY, WE CAN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAME IN PREPARED TO SEE IF FOLKS WILL SHOW THEIR HAND. I AM NOT HUNG UP WHETHER IT IS TODAY OR NEXT WEEK. ON THE ISSUE OF THE SPENDING.

ON THE LAST GO AROUND EVERYBODY KNEW THERE WOULD BE A LOW TURN OUT. AFTER HARVEY, GOING OUT DOING AN ENGAGEMENT. IT WAS FIVE, SIX YEARS AGO IN THE MIDDLE OF SUMMER AFTER A FLOOD, BUT IT COSTS A BIT MORE TO DO IT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE AND THE DEPARTMENT SAYS IT AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY BETWEEN CITY HALL AND HERE OR A SCHOOL BOND ISSUE AND HERE AND YOU DIDN'T RESPOND.

LOOK, I MAY BE IN THE MINORITY BY MYSELF ON THIS WHICH YOU ARE STILL IN THE MINORITY. EVEN IF IT IS A FOUR-WAY SPLIT I FEEL STRONGLY AND WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT THERE ARE EQUITY STANDARDS. I KNOW HOW THIS WORKS IN THE PAST. EACH PERSON'S FIEFDOM IS THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE THE MOST NOISE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE MOST AT NEED. THAT'S MY IMPRESSION.

I THINK YOU WILL REALIZE THAT PRECINCT ONE IS NORMALLY THE ONE THAT VOTED TO PASS A LOT OF THE BOND ISSUES IN THE PAST AROUND HERE. YOU CAN COME TO ME TO MAKE SURE I WASN'T GOING TO MESS UP THE JAIL.

I UH -- I ASSUMED THE ASTRODOME WOULD PASS.

THEY PUT THAT MONEY ON BOTH SIDES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT LOST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO IT PASSED

AND THE ASTRODOME FAILED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

IT PASSED ON THE CITY. IT DIDN'T PASS ON THE COUNTY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T KNOW THAT.

YOU NEVER KNEW IT BECAUSE IT FUNDED BOTH.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE PEOPLE GET IT NOW.

THIS PLACE WAS UNDISCOVERED. EVERYBODY SHOWS UP ASKING FOR EVERYTHING -PLTD. I DO ONE SIDEWALK AND THEY THINK I AM IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THE SIDEWALKS.

I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE GOING UP THE STREET AS THEY DO HERE. EVERYBODY THINKS THIS IS HEB.

IF YOU WANT ANOTHER WEEK TO DO IT, JUDGE, I WILL SAY THIS THIS YOUR PREDECESSOR -- TWO OTHER POINTS.

YOUR PREDECESSOR TO KEEP THIS VOTE FROM BEING IN NOVEMBER SAID THAT HE THOUGHT IT WOULD HURT HIM -- I THINK THE VOTES -- I KNOW IT IS HARD FOR YOU TO BELIEVE THAT, BUT I WAS ASKED BY ONE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO LAY BACK.

DON'T YOU SAY IT. HE THOUGHT THAT AND PEOPLE DECIDE IT IS THEIR CALL. I HOPE I AM NOT CROSSING THE

LINE ON ANY OF THE PROTOCOL. >> THAT IS ON THE BOARD OF

[06:00:01]

I OFTEN TIMES -- I DON'T WANT TO ANGER YOU NOW.

>> IT IS 10 BILLION WITH A COMMITMENT TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE WOULD SPREAD IT OUT OVER 10 YEARS OF H -- YEARS.

I THOUGHT, I SHOULD MAKE THE MOTION.

I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, I SHOULD HAVE MADE THE MOTION FOR THE 2.5. AS YOU WALL THIS PACKAGE, HARVEY WENT FROM 2.5 -- WHEN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD COME AND TALK TO ME AND THROW NUMBERS OUT, THEN IT GOT DOWN TO A BILLION.

I DECIDED I WILL DO MY BEST. I KNOW WHO VOTES ON THEM AND I THINK THE OTHER FOLKS WHO VOTED AND I KNEW YOU WOULDN'T GET THE GREENS. I FEEL STRONGLY, AND JUDGE, IT IS YOUR CALL WHETHER IT IS TODAY OR TWO WEEKS.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I HOPE YOU HAVE GIVEN YOURSELF WIGGLE ROOM.

I DON'T KNOW. I HEARD THE FIVE POINTS, BUT IT DIDN'T -- YOU GO ME? GIVE ME A SHAKESPEAR QUOTE.

THOU ART NEVER SAY WHAT ONE'S GONNA DO OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

GIVE ME SOMETHING, SHAKESPEAR QUOTE.

IF IT BRINGS YOU AROUND, BIPARTISAN SUPPORT WOULD HELP.

AT THE END OF THE DAY MY GUT IS I THINK THE PEOPLE LOOK BEYOND THE DIFFERENCES WE MAY HAVE. I THINK THERE IS A HUNG HUNGER OUT THERE FOR IT. I DISAGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I THINK PEOPLE WHO HAVE NORMALLY VOTED FOR THESE BOND PACKAGES IN THE PAST AND GOTTEN THE LEASE, I BELIEVE THERE IS A BELIEF AMONG THOSE PEOPLE THAT THERE WILL BE MORE FAIRNESS THAN THERE HAS BEEN IN THE PAST.

LOOK, I WILL BE PREPARED WHETHER IT IS THIS WEEK OR TWO WEEKS TO

VOTE ON SOMETHING. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE I WOULDS WE HAVE ALL MADE ON PUBLICKEN -- ON PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. TODAY, I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY MOVEMENT. TOM SAID I AM VOTING NO ON THIS.

NEXT NOVEMBER IS A BETTER TIME. JACK, YOU LAID OUT YOUR FIVE

POINTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS OPEN TO DISCUSSION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] SHE WOULD BE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT -- I TOOK AWAY FROM YOUR WORDS THAT YOU WANT TO WORK THROUGH THESE FIVE POINTS.

IS THAT RIGHT OR NOT? I I DON'T WANT TO WASTE EVERYBODY'S TIME. WE CAN ALSO WAIT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD SAY TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WOULD

SUPPORT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T LIKE A FOUR-WAY SPLIT.

I DON'T. BUT THIS IS IMPORTANT.

I AM READY TO MAKE A MOTION TODAY UNLESS YOU CAN GIVE THIS BODY SOME UH -- SOME ASSURANCE THAT WE WILL MOVE FORWARD IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER. AT LEAST 4-1. IF THERE IS -- IF THERE IS NOTHING YOU CAN SAY AND I WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOU TO HELP. I KNOW THE JUDGES -- BUT JUST LIKE WE WORKED THROUGH ON THE TAX RATE WHICH IS NOW WE ARE SAYING IS A BAD DECISION. I ASKED YOU BOTH HOW CAN WE WORK THROUGH THIS? YOU BOTH LAID OUT SOME COMMENTS AT THE TABLE AND WE WERE ABLE TO TRAOEUBG -- TO STRIKE THAT IN A UNITED WAY. IF THERE IS THAT SAME TYPE OF WILLINGNESS, THEN I WILL NOT MAKE A MOTION TODAY.

IF THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE SAID TO GIVE HOME -- HOPE THAT THERE IS A REAL COMMITMENT TO MOVE ON THIS IN NOVEMBER, THEN I THINK OUR VALUED PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT IS BEING CHIPPED AWAY THE MORE WE WAIT WHAT -- WITH THE REALITY THIS WE WILL BE

[06:05:04]

RIGHT GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND BEFORE YOU ANSWER, YOU LEVERAGED GOOD. I WOULD BE AGAINST A FOUR-WAY SPLIT, BUT I WOULDN'T HAVE THE VOTES.

THE REASON IS IF WE GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE NUMBERS IN EACH OF THE BOND ISSUES ON ROADS, YOU CAN GO BACK AND CHECK.

SEE WHERE THE VOTES ARE COMING FROM.

PRECINCT ONE WAS GETTING THE LEASE.

NOT ONLY FROM TOLL ROAD, BUT THE BOND ISSUES AND VOTED FOR EVERY ONE. CACTUS, ONE TIME YOU TOLD ME, WELL, YOUR DISTRICT HAS A DISPROPORTIONATE BENEFIT FROM HARRIS HEALTH, REMEMBER THAT, AND THE JAIL.

I SAID WE DON'T WANT THAT. WE WANT SOME -- THESE PEOPLE WANT ROAD MONEY. WE WROTE NOT LIKE TO BENEFIT SO MUCH FROM THOSE. IT WAS AN INTERESTING PHASOLOGY.

I WANT TO GO BACK AND MAKE UP FOR SOME OF THE EQUITY OVER 25 AND 30 YEARS. I HEARD THE JUDGE SAY AT FIRST, NOW I WILL SAY EVEN IF THERE IS A FOUR-WAY SPLIT THEY ARE NOT QUITE THE OLDEST. MAYBE SIX MONTHS FROM BEING THE OLDEST ONE. I COULD FALL OVER DEAD NEXT WEEK AND IT WOULD BE SOONER THAN ONE WOULD IMAGINE.

WHATEVER IS HERE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DON'T MAKE AS MUCH

NOISE. >> WHERE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGE MEANT IS WE CAN ALL AGREE. CAN YOU BEGIN MOVING -- YOU HAVE IT -- CAN YOU PUT TOGETHER A PROPOSAL? WHERE ARE YOU AT WITH THAT AND WHAT CAN YOU BEGIN IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. LET'S GIVE A CHANCE FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO DISCUSS AND SEE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM GOING TO BE RET TAU -- RETISENT TO LEAVE MY COLLEAGUE IN THE DUST, BUT I WILL ASK FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS TO MULL IT AROUND, BUT I MAKE NO PROMISES.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE -- WHEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS YEAH I WILL GIVE YOU 25%, CAGLE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU WHERE TO SPEND IT IN YOUR PRECINCT, THAT DOESN'T SOUND ATTRACTIVE.

KPHEUGTS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULDN'T LIKE WE WILL GIVE YOU 25%, BUT YOU HAVE TO SPEND IT IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS.

>> IF THEY ARE UNDER SERVED I WOULD AGREE.

>> WHO IS DECIDING THAT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE. AT THE END OF THE DAY I HAVE TO CONVINCE OR PUT IT UP FOR MS. SW ARTZKY VOTES ON.

SHE CAN DECIDE WHETHER TO VOTE FOR IT OR NOT.

WE CAN LET THE VOTERS LINE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE SHOULD VOTE ON IT NEXT TIME. THAT'S WHO -- THAT'S WHAT I

PREFER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT T-

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHEN CAN YOU -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN YOU SAY BIFORCATE, DOES IT MEAN WE WILL VOTE INDEPENDENTLY AS THIS BODY ON WHETHER WE ARE VOTING FOR THE PARK BOND OR THE ROAD BOND OR FOR THE OTHER BONDS? IS THAT WHAT YOU MEAN?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO START THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IF WE VOTE ON IT IN TWO WEEKS IT IS ANOTHER TWO WEEKS BEFORE THEY AWARD THE COB -- THE CONTRACT.

>> WE BELIEVE WE HAVE FIRMS ON CONTACT.

MALL -- MELVIN IS WORKING WITH DWIGHT.

WE CAN LOOK AT THE SCOPE OF WORK.

WE DID MEETINGS WITH FOUR OF THE FIVE OFFICES.

>> IF YOU DON'T GET A VOTE ON THAT TODAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: LET US KNOW WHICH FIRMS YOU ARE TALKING

ABOUT BECAUSE THAT IS IMPORTANT. >> CERTAINLY.

THE REALITY IS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING. WHOEVER DID THE HARVEY RE-- RECOVERY, I DON'T THINK THEY PUT THE NUMBER ON THERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK IT WAS DONE INTERNAL.

>> JUDGE, I WANT TO JUST CLARIFY TO THE QUESTION THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, AS A PRACTICE -- PRACTICAL MATTER THE BONDS THEMSELVES WOULD BE VOTED ON AS THREE SEPARATE MEASURES ONE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY AND ONE FOR PARKS ON THE BALLOT.

THERE IS A STRUR -- STRUCK -- STRUCTURAL DIVIDE.

IF THEY ARE MOVING FORWARD WITH CALLING THE ELECTION, IT WOULD

[06:10:01]

BE VOTING ON THREE SEPARATE -- >> SO YOU CAN VOTE FOR ONE AND

ANOTHER. >> THEY ALL HAVE THE QUESTION OF THE SPLIT. THE ONE THING -- COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT NEEDS TO START. YOU COULD LAY IT ALL OUT WHICH WOULD HELP. I FRANKLY WOULD WANT TO KNOW WITH MORE SPECIFICITY -- I WANT TO KNOW MORE SPECIFICITY.

IN TWO WEEKS WE CAN AGREE ON A SPLIT AND I THINK IT SHOULD BE PRESENTED AND GO FROM THERE. I CAN GET MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE CAN GET HIS QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S CANDOR.

I DO BELIEVE THERE ARE OPEN QUESTIONS.

THE ONLY CONCERN WITH DELAYING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. WHY DON'T WE BEGIN MOVING THAT?

>> I GET THAT. MY ONLY FRUSTRATION IS -- WELL, I THINK THERE ARE VOTES TO PASS AND A BOND PACKAGE.

I JUST WANT IT TO BE REFLECTIVE OF WHO IS REACHING INTO THE POT TO SPEND IT. AND I WILL JUST SAY THIS.

IF THERE IS A 3-2 VOTE IN TWO WEEKS, IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A

25% SPLIT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I TELL YOU, THE OLD SCHOOL I TRY TO GET AWAY FROM IT.

WHAT THEY USED TO TELL ME IN AUSTIN, IF I WAS NOT FOR IT,

DON'T SHOW UP WITH MY INPUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUT I HAVE NEVER BEEN OKAY WITH NOT A 25% SPLIT.

I AM ALWAYS ADVOCATING FOR A 25% SPLIT OR A SYSTEM.

I MEAN, I FOR ONE AM NOT VOTING FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN A 25% SPLIT. I'M NOT.

THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN MY POINT. I CAN'T DETERMINE BETWEEN --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS AN INTERESTING PROPOSITION.

SO YOU FELLAS SAY YOU WILL VOTE ON A 3-2 FOR A BOND FOR ALL OF THE FUNDS TO BE SP*EUPBG IN PRECINCTS 1 AND 2, BUT NOT 3 AND 4? VERY INTERESTING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. BUT DON'T GET ME CURIOUS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, YOU MAY NOT KNOW IT, BUT THE NEW PRECINCT YOU HAVE, I THINK WITH SOME EQUITY LANGUAGE WITH A FOUR-WAY SPLIT YOU WILL BE SURPRISED HOW MANY FOLKS ARE NEGLECTED AND MAY HAVE A DIFFERENT ATTITUDE FROM WHAT YOU

HAVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S PIN IT DOWN. WHAT DOES -- LET THEM GET THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ROLLING AND THEN WE CAN TAKE A VOTE NEXT

WEEK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH OF THAT -- WAS IT ALL DONE IN HOUSE ON HARVEY? I THOUGHT IT WAS -- I THOUGHT THAT WAS AFFIRMED.

SOMEBODY ORGANIZED THAT. I THOUGHT SOMEONE CAME TO SEE ME TO GET WHO -- YOM -- COME TO THINK ABOUT IT IT SEEMED LIKE IT WAS SOMEBODY WHO HAD RUN FOR OFFICE, RUN FOR COUNCIL.

I CAN'T REMEMBER A NAME. I CAN SEE A FACE, BUT CAN'T THINK OF A NAME. THE QUESTION IS THERE A PROBLEM WITH STARTING -- I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TWO MORE WEEKS -- TWO WEEKS OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE. YOU CAN'T GET WHETHER YOU ARE FOR IT, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GATHER INPUT.

CAN WE DO THAT AND AUTHORIZE TO GET THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GOING? AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE SPENT THAT MUCH IF IN TWO WEEKS WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING.

YOU CAN COUNT VOTES AT THE TABLE.

I THINK I HEAR THE JUDGE SAY SHE IS GOING TO BE FOR SOMETHING AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL BE FOR SOMETHING.

I THINK I AM HEARING HIM SAY HE HOPES HE DOESN'T LEAVE HIS SEAT MATE OUT IN THE COLD. SO MAYBE HE WILL TALK TO HIM.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I'M HEARING. I TRY TO READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHO ARE WE TALKING ABOUT DOING THIS ENGAGEMENT? WHO ARE THE PEOPLE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY WOULD DECIDE.

WHO ARE THE FIRMS YOU HAVE? >> THERE IS A LIST.

I THINK WE SHARED WITH YOUR OFFICES AND IF NOT WE WILL.

IF WE CAN SPEND STAFF TIME TO DO THE PLANNING AND START WORKING ON LOGISTICS WE COULD WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR THE AUTHORIZATION, THE

[06:15:02]

BUT WE DO NEED TO START MOVING FORWARD ALONG THE LINES OF THE PLAN WE HAVE SENT AROUND TO FOLKS.

IF IT IS A SOFT LAUNCH WITH THE ABILITY TO PULL BACK, WE DO THAT

OFTEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU SAYING YOU WOULD BE BETTER OFF IF THERE WAS A VOTE ON TPHEG -- ON ANYTHING TODAY? JUST ASKING.

>> IF THERE WAS A MOTION IT WOULD BE TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OUTLINED IN THE PRESENTATION AND WE CAN START WORKING ON IT. WE ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND A

MILLION DOLLARS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DO THAT, THAT GIVES US THE LATITUDE TO ROLL ON THE SPECIFICS OF THIS PACKAGE. I SECOND THAT MOTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT.

I THINK THAT'S WHAT I HEARD YOU SAY.

CAN YOU SAY IT AGAIN? >> AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COUNTY STAFF TO BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN OUTLINED IN THE PROPOSAL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND. DID YOU HEAR THAT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN WE

WILL -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOK, I DON'T WANT TO GET IN YOUR BUSINESS, BUT --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO TAKE A 10-MINUTE BREAK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S YOUR BUSINESS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. THAT CARRIES 3-2.

AND THEN -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: FOR CLARIFICATION NOT TO VOTE FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNTIL WE

HAVE AN IDEA OF THE BOND PLAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM JUST TRYING TO MEET US IN THE MIDDLE, MAN.

IT IS 6:11 -- >> JUDGE, BEFORE -- THAT WAS FOR

ITEM 12, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS FOR ITEM 12. THE OTHER HAD NO ACTION.

ITEM 312 HAD NO ACTION. IT IS 6:20 -- WE STILL HAVE THE

AGENDA TO GET THROUGH. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THAT IS THAT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS TO STEP OUT IN A SEC IN ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

I THOUGHT WE COULD DISCUSS THE REST OF THE ITEMS AND VOTE WHEN HE RETURNS. THE NEXT IS ITEM 13.

COMMISSIONER, YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THIS ONE I JUST WANT TO THANK THE BUDGET OFFICE AND MR. BERRY AND YOUR TEAM -- SORRY.

IT IS 6:29 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SHAUR THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED THE OPERATIONAL BOTTLENECK THAT ARE CONTINUING WITH THE PAYMENTS AND WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

IS IT THE COUNTY AUDITOR? IS IT YOUR OFFICE? IS IT UNIVERSAL SERVICES? AND ONCE WE DETERMINE WHO WILL BE THE ACCOUNTABLE AND RESPONSIBLE PART FOR IMPLEMENTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WE GOING TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY AUDITOR OR ALL OF THE PLAYERS INVOLVE -- INVOLVED CHANGE THEIR PROCESSES TO MAKE SURE IT IS STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES? WE KNOW PEOPLE SOFT NEEDS A DESIGN IMPROVEMENT. ARE WE COMMITTED AND WHO WILL BE SET UP TO PAY THE VENDORS? IT COULD BE LONGER BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE SOFT DESIGN FLAWS. AND THEN TO THE COUNTY AUDITOR, ARE YOU COMMITTED TO IMPROVING YOUR INVOICE PAYMENT REVIEW PROCESS? THEY START AND END IN YOUR OFFICE. WHY SEND THEM OUT FOR REVIEW AND APPROVAL AND THEN REJECT THEM AFTER IT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY

THE DEPARTMENT. >> THANK YOU.

[06:20:04]

AS WE GET SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS BACK WHICH WILL TAKE A FEW MONTHS, I WOULD FIRST LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING IT BACK TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND SHARING THEM, BUT WHO IS ASSIGNED WITH IMPLEMENTING THEM IT WILL DEPEND ON THE RECOMMEND DECISION. AS YOU GO THROUGH THEM SOME ARE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED AND SOME ARE INDEPENDENTLY APPOINTED.

MY SENSES WERE WORKING AS A TEAM ON THIS.

WE WOULD WANT ONE OR MORE NAMES WHERE IT FALLS.

I HAVE NO PLAN TO HAVE A STUDY THAT SITS ON A SHELF.

I HAVE A NUMBER OF THOSE IN MY OFFICE.

WE WANT TO IMPROVE THE METRICS. ON PEOPLE SOFT, YOU MAY HAVE AN UPGRADE IN MIND, BUT WE ARE LOOKING AT ARE THERE CHANGES TO THE WORKFLOW AND IT CAN TIGHTEN THE WORK -- WORK FRAME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR PEOPLE SOFT, IT MAY BE THE WRONG TERM TO USE, BUT DEFINITELY THERE IS SOME DEPARTMENTAL DAY.

I THINK THAT'S MORE OF AN ISSUE. THERE MAY BE SOME SLIGHT CONFIGURATION THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN, BUT IT IS MORE OF A RESPONSIBILITY THAT NEEDS TO BE ASSIGNED.

FOR THE COUNTY AUDITOR'S OFFICE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER.

I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS STUDY IS SOMETHING THAT I WISH COULD HAVE HAPPENED AWHILE BACK. IT IS SO TPRAGMENTED -- FRAGMENTED. WHEN YOU LOOK AT PROCURE TIFF PAY YOU HAVE OBVIOUSLY A BIG ENDOWMENT BY THE PURCHASING AGENT WITH ISSUING THE PURCHASE ORDER.

WE HAVE AN INVOLVEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THEY SAID, YES, I DID RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES. AND THEN YOU HAVE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WHO IS AN IMPROVER AND YOU HAVE COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

AND YOU HAVE THE COUNTY AUDITOR INVOLVED AS YOU LAID OUT WITH RECEIVING THE INVOICES AND PUTTING THEM INTO THE SYSTEM FOR APPROVAL. IT IS COMPLICATED.

WITH PEOPLE SOFT, THERE ARE TWO PROGRAMS THAT ARE KEY TO PAYING INVOICES. ONE IS A PROGRAM THAT WAS DEVELOPED IN HOUSE BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND WE REFER TO THAT AS THE AIR PROGRAM. THAT IS WRITTEN IN A LANGUAGE CALLED OPEN TEXT. AND THEN WE HAVE THE PEOPLE SOFT PROGRAM FOR CREATING THE PAYMENT VOUCHER.

ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT ELEMENTS HAVE TO WORK IN A COORDINATED WAY. AND AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE CURRENTLY ARE WORKING ON A PROJECT TO ENHANCE THIS PROGRAM. WE THINK THAT WILL HELP THE DEPARTMENTS WITH THAT PART OF THE WORK.

YOU MENTIONED WHY WOULD THE AUDITOR SEND SOMETHING BACK? THE AUDITOR WANTS TO GET THE INVOICES PAID AS SOON AS WE CAN DO IT LEGALLY. SOME OF THE REASONS YOU WOULD SEND AN ENVOY -- AN INVOICE BACK AND NOT APPROVE IT AND GET IT ON THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT OFTEN INVOLVES NOT ENOUGH MONEY ON A

[06:25:03]

I THINK THERE WILL BE RECOMMENDATIONS AEUFPL -- AIMED AT THE PROCESS AND I WELCOME THOSE.

THERE ARE RECOMMENDATIONS AIMED AT UPGRADING SOFTWARE AND MAYBE EVEN PEOPLE SOFT AND I WELCOME THOSE.

I WANT TO WORK -- LIKE DAVE SAID, I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE TEAM AND I WANT TO WORK FOR PAYING VENDORS MORE PROMPTLY.

IF THERE IS ANYTHING I CAN DO TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN I AM COMMITTED TO DO IT. WHETHER IT IS IN MY OFFICE OR

WORKING WITH OTHERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

MIKE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT.

THAT'S WHAT I'M -- ABOVE EVERYTHING ELSE, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR THAT YOU WILL BE A WILLING AND ACTIVE AND SUPPORTIVE STARTS PANT IN -- AND SUPPORTIVE PARTICIPANT.

THIS IS BIG FOR THE COMMUNITY AS A WHOLE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I MOVE ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER CAGLE? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR THIS AND THE BUSINESS COURT INITIATIVE AND IMPROVEMENT OF

PAYMENTS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM GOING TO VOTE NO AT THIS TIME. I THINK THIS MAY BE A GOOD THING TO DO LATER ON, BUT I THINK WE NEED OUR OWN TEAMS WORKING ON IT INSPED OF HALF A -- INSTEAD OF SPENDING A HALF MILLION DOLLARS.

I APPRECIATE THE DIRECTION IT IS GOING IN.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS A NO. I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 149, 150, 155, AND THAT WAS ALL PRECINCT 2 ITEMS. 189, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THAT IS A TRAVELING AND TRAINING QUESTION YOU HAD.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT WAS A QUESTION AND IT LOOKED UNUSUAL TO BE GOING TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL, GUADELAJARA, FOR I GUESS A CONFERENCE. I QUESTIONED THE NEED FOR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE SOMEBODY FROM THE LIBRARY TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, OR CAN YOU TRY TO REACH THEM, TIFFANY?

WE CAN COME BACK. >> I CAN ANSWER.

IT IS ACTUALLY AN INTERNATIONAL BOOK FAIR.

IT IS FOR SPANISH LANGUAGE BOOKS.

THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION HAS A NUMBER OF SCHOLARSHIPS AND THEY ARE LARGELY SPONSORING A VISIT OF DR. MEDICAL TON'S -- DR. MELTON'S TEAM ALONG WITH OTHERS.

I THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE FOR THEM TO SOURCE THEIR SPANISH

LANGUAGE COLLECTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].

ARE YOU OKAY WITH IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD RATHER HOLD ON THE VOTES UNTIL COMMISSIONER GETS BACK.

HE MAY WANT TO LOG HIS VOTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].

>> I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE TO TRACK DOWN DR. MELTON TO KNOW THAT. RODRIGUEZ

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT ONE.

ITEM 248 -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE TICKETS MAY

GO UP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THE PRICE IS $372, THERE IS A LOT OF SPONSORSHIP THAT IS COMING IN THERE. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE 372 IS FOR. THAT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT THAT IS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 248 IS ALSO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S.

ITEM 250, COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY BOTH WANTED TO

DISCUSS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE A QUESTION FOR DAVE. AS YOU KNOW DAVE AND JAY, I HAVE MADE IT A STANDARD PROTOCOL FOR ACTIVITY THAT'S WE ARE PAYING FOR WHETHER WE HAD AN ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR OR NOT TO MAKE THE ELECTIONS ACTUALLY HAPPEN. I HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THOSE

[06:30:02]

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS AFFECTING THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE OR IS THIS SOFTWARE CLOUD SERVICE SOMETHING WHETHER WE HAD AN EA OR NOT?

>> I BELIEVE IT IS THE LATTER. I BELIEVE -- I DON'T KNOW IF BETH STEVENS IS ON THE LINE. I THINK SHE CAN SPEAK TO IT.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE WEB SERVICE IS RELATED TO THE ACTUAL E BOOK THAT COMMUNICATES. SO REGARDLESS IF WE HAVE ANY OR NOT, THIS IS SOFTWARE THAT IS NEEDED IN ORDER TO CONDUCT.

>> I AM HAPPY TO CALL HER NOW. >> IT IS PIVOTAL.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: MS. STEVENS IS THE INTERIM AND YOU SHOULD BE ABLE TO TALK TO HER FOR THIS KIND OF THING. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THE MONKEYPOX. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAD

QUESTIONS ABOUT ITEM 270. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES, JUST HIGHLIGHT THAT WE ARE MOVING TOWARD MAAPNEXT AND PROBABLY NOT A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING THIS COURT RIGHT NOW.

IT IS HUGE IN ALL COMMUNITIES. I BRING IT UP IN EVERY PLACE I SPEAK AND TALK. WHEN THEY ADOPT THOSE NEW FLOOD PLAINS, THAT'S GOING TO HAVE A COST IMPACT ON EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD. I'VE SAID IT AND I WILL OBVIOUSLY -- THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL SO IT IS NOT A VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO 270 IS A TRANSMITTAL AND THAT

IS A NO ACTION. >> WE WILL ACCEPT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE WILL ACCEPT ITEM 270.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I BELIEVE YOU WANTED TO FLAG 305.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A TRANSMITTAL, RIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL LET IT GO.

I GOT MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED. >> LINA HIDALGO: 305 IS -- WE ARE ACCEPTING THE TRANSMITTAL. 306 FROM WHAT I HEAR FOLKS NEED A LITTLE MORE TIME SO WE WILL SAVE THAT UNTIL THE VERY, VERY END. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, 309.