Aug 02, 2022 Commissioners Court

[Deacon Ted Heap of St. Edith Stein Catholic Church in Katy.]

[00:00:02]

ALL RIGHT. IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE ON THE LINE? I AM, COMMISSIONER.

HOW ARE YOU FEELING? I'M FEELING ACTUALLY QUITE WELL.

THANK YOU. I'M GLAD TO HEAR IT.

SO. WELL, COMMISSIONER GARCIA GETS HERE.

LET'S GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED.

IT'S 1012.

AND THIS AUGUST 2ND, 2022, MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS NOW IN SESSION.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

TODAY OUR.

INVOKER IS BEING PRESENTED BY PRECINCT THREE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WELCOMING CONSTABLE TED HEATH TO OFFER OUR OPENING PRAYER TODAY.

HE HAS LED IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT'S WHAT MOST OF US KNOW HIM AS.

BUT EQUALLY, HE'S A LEADER IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH AS A PART OF THE PERMANENT DIACONATE THERE SINCE 2003. HE SERVED THE PEOPLE OF THE OF SAINT ANNE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

AND TOM BAUGH IS CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO SAINT E, THE STEIN CATHOLIC CHURCH IN KATY, TEXAS.

SO WILL HE GET A STARTED, RIGHT? JUDGE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PRAY WITH YOU THIS MORNING.

SO LET US BEGIN, AS WE SHOULD ALWAYS BEGIN IN PRAYER.

HEAVENLY FATHER, WE PRAISE YOU, AND WE THANK YOU FOR THE INFINITE GOOD GOODNESS FROM WHICH ALL GOOD THINGS COME.

AND IT IS FROM THAT GOODNESS THAT WE RECEIVE YOUR GIFTS IN ORDER THAT WE MAY SERVE AS THE HANDS AND FEET OF YOUR SON.

JESUS CHRIST. SO TODAY WE ASK YOU TO SEND YOUR SPIRIT DOWN UPON THOSE WHO SIT ON THIS COURT, FOR YOU HAVE ENTRUSTED THEM WITH GREAT RESPONSIBILITY, A RESPONSIBILITY OF SETTING POLICY WHICH AFFECTS THE LIVES OF MILLIONS WITHIN THIS COUNTY.

MAY ALL WHO ARE ELECTED, APPOINTED OR CALLED TO SERVE THE HOLY PEOPLE OF GOD DO SO ALWAYS WITH A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT SERVICE TRULY MEANS.

IF YOUR WORD SAYS IN SCRIPTURE, THERE IS NO AUTHORITY EXCEPT FROM YOU.

IN ALL MANKIND HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED BY YOU.

GIVEN THEM SUCH AUTHORITY BY YOU.

WE PRAY TODAY THAT THOSE WHO SIT ON THIS COURT BY WHAT THEY SAY AND WHAT THEY DO WILL ADMINISTER SUCH AUTHORITY UNCORRUPTED BY PERSONAL DESIRES OR AGENDAS, BUT INSTEAD IN KINDLED BY YOUR SPIRIT, WHERE THEY GOVERN WITH THE SAME COMPASSION AND MERCY AND LOVE THAT YOUR SON HAS DEMONSTRATED FOR ALL OF US.

FATHER, WE PRAY ALSO FOR THE POOR, THE SICK, THE SUFFERING AND ALL WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTIES IN THEIR LIVES.

THAT THEY MAY BE TOUCHED BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST, WHICH IS FOUND WITHIN THE HEARTS OF SO MANY OF OUR CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY.

AND WE PRAY FOR OURSELVES ALSO MAY OUR OWN DESIRES, OUR OWN AGENDAS, NOT BLIND US FROM SEEING THE GOODNESS IN ALL WHO ARE CALLED TO SERVE.

BUT WE OFFER UP THEIR FAULTS ALONG WITH OUR OWN, TO THE CROSS OF CHRIST, KEEPING ALWAYS OUR EYES FIXED ON YOU AND REMAINING CONFIDENT AND HOPEFUL IN THE FULFILLMENT OF YOUR GOOD WORK.

AND FINALLY, WE THANK YOU, FATHER, FOR THE GIFT OF ALL LIFE THE CHILDREN, THE AGED, THE DISABLED AND THE UNBORN THAT WE MAY SEE THE FACE OF GOD AND ALL THAT YOU HAVE CREATED.

MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS AND TO WATCH OVER THIS GREAT COUNTRY, THE STATE OF TEXAS, OUR COUNTY, AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS COURT, WHERE IT IS TOGETHER THAT WE STRIVE TO GO FORWARD IN YOUR NAME.

WE PRAY ALL OF THIS IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.

AMEN. AMEN.

THANK YOU, DAVID. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER.

LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE.

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

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXANS.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD.

ONE AND UNDER THIS.

OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND GET STARTED WITH THE RESOLUTIONS.

[Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

TO CELEBRATE AND THINK.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ROYAL AND HIS RETIREMENT AND I SUSPECT CHIEF ROYAL IS HERE JOINING US.

[00:05:04]

I SEE. CHIEF ROYAL.

CHIEF ROYAL SERVED AS THE DEPUTY INCIDENT COMMANDER AT NRG FOR THE KATRINA MEGA SHELTER OPERATION, WHICH INSURED MORE THAN 26,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE IMPACTED IN LOUISIANA, WERE GIVEN SHELTER AND ASSISTANCE.

HE OVERSAW THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, COORDINATED ISF TEN OIL AND BOTH RESPONSE DURING HURRICANE IKE.

WE ALL REMEMBER THAT HE WAS GIVEN THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD MERITORIOUS SERVICE AWARD FOR THAT EFFORT.

HE MANAGED ALL HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE OPERATIONS DURING THE ITC CHEMICAL FIRE.

AND I COULD TELL YOU GUYS, WE WERE LUCKY TO HAVE CHIEF ROYAL THERE WITH HIS EXPERIENCE.

CHIEF ROYAL IS.

SO WELL RESPECTED, SO KNOWLEDGEABLE, SO CALM IN THE FACE OF PRESSURE AND A WONDERFUL LEADER.

AND HARRIS COUNTY WILL MISS THAT SERVICE CHIEF.

AND I'VE BEEN HONORED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU.

CHIEF ROYAL HELPED ESTABLISH THE STATEWIDE HAZMAT TEAM RESPONSE THROUGH THE TEXAS INTERSTATE BUYER MUTUAL AID SYSTEM.

THAT IS NOW THE STANDARD IN TEXAS.

HE WAS INTEGRAL IN THE OFFENSIVE PLAN THAT AVERTED DISASTER DURING THE CHEMICAL PLANT FIRE.

APRIL 2019, JUST AFTER ITC.

AND HE HAS LED THE CHARGE, AS WE'VE IDENTIFIED, STAFFED AND EQUIPPED UNDER CHIEF CHRISTENSEN'S LEADERSHIP, OUR FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE AND OUR HAZMAT RESPONSE ABILITIES, WHICH WE IDENTIFIED AFTER THE ITC FIRE.

SO LET ME JUST READ THIS VERY, VERY BRIEFLY, WHEREAS ROBERT BOB ROYAL, JUNIOR ASSISTANT CHIEF OF EMERGENCY OPERATIONS, WILL RETIRE FROM HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE ON JULY 31, 2022, AFTER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND 49 YEARS OF PUBLIC SAFETY EXPERIENCE.

HE BEGAN HIS CAREER WITH THE HOUSTON FIRE DEPARTMENT IN NOVEMBER 1973.

SERVED IN VARIOUS ROLES AS CAPTAIN WITH THE HOUSTON HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE TEAM IN MAY OF 2004.

HE JOINED HARRIS COUNTY IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, AND HE ENDED HIS CAREER WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE LEADING THE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS DIVISION.

HIS CAREER HAS COVERED MANY ASPECTS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE FIRE SERVICE AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

BUT HIS CONTRIBUTIONS IN THE FIELD OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS RESPONSE WILL BE HIS LASTING LEGACY.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ROLES. MOST VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS HERE COME FROM THE STRONG RELATIONSHIPS HE'S BUILT WITH PARTNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS AT ALL LEVELS.

ASSISTANT CHIEF ROYAL HAS EARNED A REPUTATION FOR LEADERSHIP, PATIENCE, DEPENDABILITY AND COMPETENCE WITH TIRELESS ATTENTION TO SERVICE.

AFTER DEVOTING A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF HIS LIFE AND ENERGY TO HARRIS COUNTY, ASSISTANT CHIEF EARLE IS NOW LOOKING FORWARD TO NEW ADVENTURES, TRAVELING AND SPENDING EVEN MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, PARTICULARLY HIS WIFE OF 50 YEARS, CHERYL ROYAL.

HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TEAM AND MANY EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE COUNTY AND COUNTRY WILL MISS HIM BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IN HIS RETIREMENT. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY CONGRATULATE AND COMMEND ASSISTANT CHIEF ROBERT BOB ROYAL JR MOTION.

THANK YOU, SIR. CHIEF ROYAL.

THANK YOU, JUDGE.

YEAH, WELL, JUDGE HIDALGO AND HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS.

WELL, THOSE ARE NICE WORDS.

I THINK MY MOM MAY HAVE WRITTEN THAT, BUT I'VE BEEN RICHLY BLESSED IN THIS CAREER.

SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE IN THE BACK.

I LIKE TO RECOGNIZE THEM.

I'D ALSO LIKE TO RECOGNIZE MY WIFE, SHERYL, AND MY SON JUSTIN.

SO THAT BE A.

BUT YOU KNOW, WANT I STARTED OUT AS A FIREFIGHTER.

MANY YEARS AGO, I ACTUALLY COMMISSIONER AND I WORKED THE STREETS TOGETHER WHEN HE WAS WITH HPD.

I NEVER DREAMED I'D BE IN A POSITION LIKE THIS.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT, YOU KNOW, THE GOOD LORD DIRECTS YOU IN CERTAIN WAYS.

AND AND I SAID, I'VE BEEN VERY LUCKY.

I'VE BEEN VERY BLESSED TO BE HERE.

AND I WILL SAY THANKS FOR EVERYTHING.

THANKS FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS GANG.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF.

THE BIG.

BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF, MAN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

[00:10:01]

YOU DEDICATE YOURSELF.

YOU'VE GIVEN OF YOURSELF, MAYBE, SURELY SACRIFICED A LITTLE BIT.

AND WE THANK YOU AND AND YOUR SON FOR ALLOWING YOU TO TO BREAK AWAY AND CONTEND TO STRANGERS AND PEOPLE YOU NEVER MET.

BUT TO DO IT WITH THE DEDICATION AND THE PASSION THAT I HAVE SEEN IN YOU FROM DAY ONE.

YOU KNOW, NORMALLY IN THIS KIND OF BUSINESS, YOU'RE SUPPOSED TO GET A LITTLE WORN OUT.

A LITTLE. A LITTLE CYNICAL.

BUT BUT, BOB, YOU HAVE YOUR SPIRIT.

YOUR SPIRIT IS INCOMPARABLE.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS AN HONOR TO CHEW ON SOME OF THE SAME DIRT AND HONORED TO KNOW YOU.

AND IT'S JUST BEEN AN INCREDIBLE PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO HAVE YOU SERVE IN THIS GREAT COUNTY AND JUST WISH YOU ALL THE BEST AND THAT YOU KNOW THAT YOU'VE GOT A HOME HERE.

CHERYL, IF YOU IF YOU IF WE START TO GET THEM THAT LIST OF DO'S, WE'RE GOING TO KEEP HIS RETIREMENT OPEN HERE BECAUSE HE MAY REALIZE IT'S SAFER HERE THAN IT IS AT.

OH, TRUE.

BUT LISTEN, CONGRATULATIONS AND GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHIEF.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

I'M JUST PROUD TO BE THE HOME OF YOU ALL IN YOUR RETIREMENT.

SO LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU IN PRECINCT THREE.

I KNOW YOU MADE A LOT TO THE CROSBY COMMUNITY.

I MEAN, A LOT TO HARRIS COUNTY IN GENERAL.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

AND THEN, COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO GET READY TO UPGRADE HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOU AND REITERATE HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE YOUR FAMILY.

BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, ALTHOUGH YOU GET THE RESOLUTION SPECIAL LINE IN THERE FOR THEM AS WELL AND FOR SURE, BEST WISHES WITH YOUR RETIREMENT AND DON'T LET THEM GET TIRED OF YOU NOW, OKAY? ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR EVERYTHING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. CHIEF CHRISTIANSON, DID YOU HAVE A FEW WORDS TO ADD? SO I DO WANT EVERYBODY TO KNOW THAT CHIEF ROYAL HAS OFFICIALLY RETIRED.

BUT AS YOU CAN SEE, WE'VE ENSURED THAT HE REMAINS IN UNIFORM.

I CALLED HIM THIS MORNING AND I SAID, SIR, YOU'RE BACK HOME WITH US.

SO HE'S STILL ANSWERING HIS PHONE.

AND WE HAVE TALKED TO MAMA ROYAL AND I HAVE ASKED THAT SHE HAVE HIS NAME CHANGED TO BOB HARRIS COUNTY ROYAL.

SO MAYBE WE CAN MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING CHIEF ROYAL AND HIS AMAZING STAFF.

AND I TELL YOU WHAT, THE SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE HAZMAT TEAM, I KNOW THIS IS A CHIEF ROYAL AND I'M BLESSED BECAUSE HE DECIDED TO STAY ON AFTER THE ITC THING.

HE HAD BEEN TALKING ABOUT RETIREMENT AND IT'S BECAUSE OF THE SUPPORT OF COURT GETTING THE STATION OVER IN THE WEST SIDE OPENED AND NOW WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE EQUALITY THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND CHIEF ROLES.

HE'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE. HE'S COMING BACK.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, CHIEF.

CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONERS TAKEN BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ALL IN FAVOR? I OPPOSE THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THE SECOND ITEM OUT OF ORDER IS ITEM 123 ON PAGE 16.

AND THIS IS THE HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

AND YOU ALL SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE RESOLUTION.

AND THIS IS ABOUT BRITTNEY GRINER.

IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP BRITTNEY GRINER.

AND WHAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS ADVOCATE.

SHE IS A HOMETOWN HERO.

SHE IS A NIMITZ HIGH SCHOOL AND ALDINE ISD GRADUATE WHO WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST DECORATED WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE WORLD.

SHE REPRESENTS WHAT'S BEST IN OUR COUNTY, AND IF ANYONE HAS THE DUTY TO SPEAK UP FOR HER RELIEF, IT IS US.

SO THE WHITE HOUSE AND STATE DEPARTMENT HAVE DETERMINED THAT SHE'S BEEN WRONGFULLY DETAINED AS A COUNTY.

I PROPOSE THAT WE CALL ON THE WHITE HOUSE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT ITEM 123 COMMISSIONER CABLE 123.

WE CALL ON THE WHITE HOUSE, THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SECURE HER IMMEDIATE AND SAFE, SAFE RETURN.

SO THE THE RESOLUTION IS AS FOLLOWS.

WHEREAS WOMEN, WOMEN'S, NATIONAL BASEBALL EXCUSE ME, WOMEN'S NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL PLAYER BRITTNEY GRINER WAS BORN ON OCTOBER 18TH, 1990, IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND STARTED HER BASKETBALL CAREER AT NIMITZ HIGH SCHOOL AND ALDINE ISD AFTER RECORDING RECORD BREAKING BASKETBALL COLLEGIATE CAREER AT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY.

SHE WAS SELECTED AS THE FIRST OVERALL PICK BY THE PHENIX MERCURY IN 2013.

[00:15:06]

BRITTNEY GRINER REPRESENT THE UNITED STATES ON THE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM TWICE AND EARNED TWO OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALS IN 2016, 20 2020.

SHE'S CONSIDERED ONE OF THE BEST AND MOST DECORATED WOMEN'S BASKETBALL PLAYERS IN THE WORLD, AS EXEMPLIFIED BY HER FOUNDING OF BGU'S HEART AND SOUL SHOE DRIVE IN 2016.

SHE IS CONSISTENTLY GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH CHARITY AND BY PROVIDING SHOES FOR LOCALS IN NEED.

HER EFFORTS INSPIRED SIMILAR CHARITY EFFORTS IN HER HONOR THAT WILL TAKE PLACE IN ALL 12 WNBA MARKETS WITH COMMITMENTS FROM EVERY TEAM IN THE LEAGUE.

SHE WAS DETAINED BY RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES AT THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT IN RUSSIA ON FEBRUARY 17, 2022.

THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE HAS DETERMINED SHE IS WRONGFULLY DETAINED.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AS PART OF THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA, THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTS THE INTER-GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION, THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO PRESS FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF BRITTNEY GRINER AND PROVIDE SUPPORT FROM HARRIS COUNTY FOR EFFORTS TO SECURE HER RELEASE.

WE HAVE FURTHER RESOLVED THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT EXPRESSES UNWAVERING SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY OF BRITTNEY GRINER, INCLUDING HER WIFE, CHERYL GRINER, PARENTS SANDRA AND RAYMOND GRINER AND SIBLINGS, AND CALLS ON THE UNITED STATES TO SECURE, PROMPT AND SAFE RETURN FOR OUR HOMETOWN HERO.

THAT'S THE MOTION MOVE.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YOU GUYS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR.

ALL RIGHT, ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU ALL. AND I THINK NOW IS THE TIME TO ADVOCATE WHEN THERE'S A TENSION AND YOU GET THAT OVER THE EDGE AND GET HOME.

YEAH, VERY GOOD.

SO I HOPE EVERYONE WILL JOIN ME IN THE ADVOCACY ONLINE, WHEREVER YOU CAN.

LET'S LET'S SPEAK UP.

LET'S SPEAK OUT FOR BRITTNEY GRINER AND GET HER HOME.

THE NEXT ITEM.

AGENDA ITEM OUT OF ORDER IS.

WELL, I HAVE I HAVE A THIRD ONE, THE FINAL ONE, WHICH WILL TAKE UP AT 3:00 PM.

THAT'S THE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING AUGUST 4TH AS COAST GUARD DAY.

BUT THE REPRESENTATIVE, CAPTAIN SMITH, HE'S NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 3 P.M..

SO JUST JUST A HEADS UP.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION AS WELL.

YEAH, I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS AND I HAVE THE.

IF WE CAN'T ELECT TO DO THE ELECTIONS UPDATE BECAUSE I THINK THAT THE INTERIM DIRECTOR HAS TO LEAVE.

I JUST THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE DO IT AS WELL.

I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE ONE YOU'RE DOING, BY THE WAY.

I NOTICED, BY THE WAY, ONLINE THAT THERE'S A MURAL FOR BRITTNEY GRINER THAT WENT UP IN D.C.

AND WE HAVE REACHED OUT FROM MY OFFICE TO HER SCHOOL DISTRICT THAT THE HIGH SCHOOL HAPPENS TO BE MY PRECINCT.

SO IF WE WORK IT OUT, WE DIDN'T PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.

BUT IF THEY AGREE, WE WANT TO PUT ONE OUT THERE.

AND IF NOT, I MIGHT SUGGEST MY NAME SUGGESTS WE PAY FOR INSTEAD OF ME PAYING FOR IT, THAT WE PUT ONE ON A COUNTY BUILDING.

BECAUSE I DO THINK YOU'RE RIGHT THAT ADVOCACY IS SO IMPORTANT AND WE'LL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO GET.

I THINK NOW'S THE TIME TO GET PRESS ATTENTION.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF THE WHITE HOUSE, THE PRESIDENT IN PARTICULAR, AND SECRETARY OF STATE AND FORMER GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON, BECAUSE HE TOOK A TRIP OVER.

SO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT ON THE AGENDA.

I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE IS TO HONOR A YOUNG ACTIVIST.

I'M PLEASED TO HONOR A LOCAL 19 YEAR OLD ACTIVIST, OLIVIA JULIANA.

I GOT THAT RIGHT. THERE IS A STORY ON THAT HONOR.

I'LL GET THAT RIGHT A LITTLE EARLY.

I WAS TELLING HER MY ADVOCACY FOR ACCESS TO ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE.

OLIVIA TURNED DISPARAGING, HATEFUL, BODY SHAMING COMMENTS MADE BY A SITTING MEMBER OF CONGRESS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND OVER $2 MILLION IN SUPPORT OF SAFE AND LEGAL ACCESS TO ABORTION ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

DESPITE FACING SCORES OF HATEFUL EMAILS AND PERSONAL ATTACKS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AFTER AN ANTI-ABORTION CONGRESSMAN TARGETED HER ON TWITTER, OLIVIA WENT HIGH.

BUT WHEN OTHERS WENT LOW, OLIVIA FOCUSED ON RAISING AWARENESS AND FUNDS FOR REPRODUCTIVE FREEDOM AND CHAMPIONING BODY POSITIVITY.

SHE EXEMPLIFIES THE POWER AND POTENTIAL OF GEN Z TO MAKE LASTING, MEANINGFUL CHANGE.

AND WE NEED TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO SUPPORT MORE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE HER WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

I'LL JUST READ TO LAST.

[00:20:01]

THE GROUNDSWELL OF NATIONWIDE SUPPORT FOR OLIVIA JULIANA'S ADVOCACY IS A TESTAMENT TO THE IMPORTANCE OF PROTECTING BODILY AUTONOMY, REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS AND ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE.

EVERY PERSON SHOULD BE ABLE TO DECIDE THEIR FUTURE, CONTROL THEIR BODY, AND ACCESS REPRODUCTIVE CARE, INCLUDING ABORTION AND CONTRACEPTION, FREE FROM VARIOUS PUNISHMENT, HUMILIATION OR HARM.

AND I KNOW SHE'S HERE, BUT I'D LIKE TO SAY.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RCA.

ALL IN FAVOR. AND YOU OPPOSE? NO, AND I'M.

I'M IN FAVOR. I LOVE HOW SHE TURNED THOSE THOSE ATTACKS AND HATE INTO ACTIVISM AND FUND RAISING, AND SHE JUST STOOD STRONGER.

I'M VERY PROUD.

AND I THINK SHE'S HERE.

YES, SHE IS. SHE'S COMING.

OH, HERE SHE IS. COME OVER HERE.

COMMISSIONER, I THOUGHT WHEN YOU WHEN YOU SAID SHE'S HERE, I THOUGHT IT WAS A SLIP BECAUSE I THOUGHT SHE'S A CELEBRITY.

I JUST KNOW SO MANY PEOPLE, OLIVIA, YOU KNOW, SAYING, WOW, SHE'S FROM HARRIS COUNTY.

ISN'T THAT YOUR COUNTY? AND AND I PUT ON TWITTER FOR YOU, AND I FEEL THIS WAS A STRONG WOMAN.

WHEN THEY PUSH BACK, YOU PUSH BACK HARDER.

AND I LOVE THAT. THAT'S WHAT YOU DID.

AND I HOPE YOU CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

THANK YOU. I THINK THIS IS A TESTAMENT THAT NOT ONLY SHOULD PEOPLE HAVE THE FREEDOM TO MAKE CHOICES ABOUT THEIR OWN BODIES, BUT REGARDLESS OF YOUR OPINION ON WHETHER OR NOT ABORTION IS ETHICAL OR NOT, NO ONE SHOULD TOLERATE THE FACT THAT A SITTING MEMBER OF CONGRESS DECIDED TO TARGET A TEENAGER ON SOCIAL MEDIA.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE, AND I'M HAPPY THAT I WAS ABLE TO TURN THIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING POSITIVE FOR NOT JUST OUR COUNTRY, BUT OUR STATE.

SO THANK YOU. YES.

I JUST WANT TO ADD, HE JULIANI.

HE PICKED THE WRONG TEENAGER.

YOU GO. HE SURE DID.

HE HAS BEEN TRAVELING THE COUNTRY.

AND I ASSUME AT SOME POINT YOU TRAVELED THE GLOBE.

I MET HER FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS MORNING AND SHE'S THINKING IN TERMS OF COLLEGE, EVEN IF SHE'LL MAKE A SWITCH.

AND IT'S JUST BEEN A PLEASURE TO GET TO KNOW HER.

AND SHE'S JOINED BY SOMEONE WHO IS SLIGHTLY OLDER TO YOU HERE, ONE OF THE SOON TO BE JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

YES. THANK YOU FOR COMING AS WELL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. JUDGE OLIVIA, I GOT THREE WORDS FOR YOU.

YOU GO, GIRL.

GESTURE. THE SECOND RESOLUTION THAT I HAVE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION THAT HOPEFULLY WILL MOVE THROUGH THE UNITED STATES SENATE. IT IS THERE.

THIS IS RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.

IT DECLARES THAT MARRIAGES PERFORMED IN ONE STATE MUST BE RECOGNIZED IN ALL STATES WITHOUT RESPECT TO RACE, SEX, ETHNICITY OR NATIONAL ORIGIN.

THE ACT WOULD REPEAL THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT, WHICH DEFINED MARRIAGE AS A LEGAL UNION BETWEEN A MAN AND A WOMAN, GUARANTEE RECOGNITION OF SAME SEX MARRIAGES AND INTERRACIAL MARRIAGES UNDER FEDERAL LAW, CODIFYING THE FEDERAL PROTECTIONS CONFERRED IN THE LOVING DECISION, THE WINDSOR DECISION AND THE OBAMA UNVEIL THE RULING.

JUSTICE CLARENCE THOMAS STATED IN HIS CONCURRING OPINION IN DOBBS THAT OVERFLOW WAS AMONG THE DECISIONS HE WAS INTERESTED IN RECONSIDERING THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT PASSED IN THE HOUSE BY US HOUSE BY 267 TO 157.

THAT VOTE WAS IN JULY OF 2022.

VERY RECENTLY, 47 REPUBLICANS VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

MORE THAN 170 BUSINESSES WITH EMPLOYEES IN ALL 50 STATES HAVE DECLARED SUPPORT FOR THE BILL.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER HAS SAID HE WILL PUT THE BILL ON THE FLOOR ONCE IT HAS TEN REPUBLICAN VOTES.

AS OF JULY 27, FOUR REPUBLICANS HAVE STATED PUBLICLY THAT THEY WILL SUPPORT THE BILL, ACCORDING TO A JUNE REPORT FROM GALLUP, 71% OF AMERICANS BELIEVE SAME SEX MARRIAGES SHOULD BE RECOGNIZED BY LAW.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THIS LEGISLATION ALSO APPLIES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE MARRIED OF DIFFERENT RACES, WHICH WAS THE CASE FOR MY FATHER IN

[00:25:10]

AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THAT THIS LEGISLATION PASSES AND WANT TO DO EVERYTHING THAT I CAN TO TRY AND HELP IT PASS.

YOU KNOW, OUR COUNT IS LARGER THAN 25, 26 STATES.

SO WHAT WE DO DOES MATTER.

SO I HOPE THAT OUR GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS WILL DO AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO HELP TRY AND GET IT PASSED.

AND I WOULD MOVE ADOPTION CIRCUIT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OPPOSE? NO, NO.

I SUPPORT A COMMISSIONER.

I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION.

AND I APPRECIATE YOU FOR BRINGING IT.

SO MANY, SO MANY FOLKS ARE CONCERNED LIVING IN FEAR THAT MARRIAGES WILL NOT BE RECOGNIZED.

THANK YOU. SO, COMMISSIONER, I KNOW WE HAVE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTED TO TALK ALSO TO THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS ANOTHER RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER.

SO I PROPOSE WE TAKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTION PICTURES AND THEN WE'LL DO THE ELECTIONS.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU, JUDGE.

AND IT IS MY HONOR TO CONTINUE IN THE SPIRIT THAT WE'VE DONE TODAY IN RECOGNIZING SOME INCREDIBLE FOLKS HERE TODAY.

THIS RESOLUTION IS FOR RAFAEL PALAFOX.

AND RAFAEL IS JUST ONE OF THOSE QUIET LEADERS WHO HAS JUST DONE AN INCREDIBLE SERVICE AND WORK OVER OUR YEARS.

AND AND HE, TOO, IS GOING TO JOIN BOB, I THINK, ON WITH A FISHING POLE SOMEWHERE.

BUT I ALSO IF I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR SO MANY YEARS AND AND WANTED, IT'S AN HONOR TO PRESENT THIS PROCLAMATION.

AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU, YOU'VE GOT A BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG, BIG FAN AND A GUY NAMED HECTOR DE LEON, BECAUSE HE LET ME KNOW OF YOUR PLANS.

AND THIS IS HOW THIS RESOLUTION CAME TO BE.

AND SO, RAFAEL, THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS RAFAEL PALAFOX HAS HELD VARIOUS POSITIONS WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF LATINO ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS EDUCATION FUND SINCE JOINING FEBRUARY THE SECOND, 1995.

WHEREAS, THROUGH HIS MOST RECENT ROLE AS A TEXAS SENIOR COORDINATOR, RAFAEL WORKED DILIGENTLY AND AND CONTINUE TO EXPAND AL'S VERY VOTER CAMPAIGN IN TEXAS THROUGH VOTER REGISTRATION ACTIVITIES, PHONE BANKS, HOTLINE, PROMOTIONS, NATURALIZATION OATH CEREMONIES, AND OTHER VOTER ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY.

AND. WHEREAS, RAFAEL'S UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND SERVICE TO NATIONAL EDUCATION FUNDS MISSION WAS INSPIRED BY HIS FAMILY'S IMMIGRATION STORY.

RAFAEL WITNESSED FIRSTHAND HOW CHALLENGING THAT CAN BECOME.

IT CAN BE TO BECOME A NATURALIZED CITIZEN.

HE FOUND IT REWARDING TO HELP APPLICANTS 101 AND WAS ESPECIALLY GRATIFIED WHEN APPLICANTS REFERRED TO FRIENDS AND FAMILIES TO AN EDUCATION FUND FOR ASSISTANCE.

AND. WHEREAS, THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP, THE NILO EDUCATION FUND, ORGANIZED CITIZENSHIP FORUMS AND IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT TEXAS, PROVIDING FREE ASSISTANCE WITH THE NATURALIZATION APPLICATION PROCESS TO THOUSANDS OF LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENTS.

WHEREAS RAFAEL BECAME KNOWN AS MR. NELLO BY HIS COLLEAGUES, ILLUSTRATING HIS FUNDAMENTAL SERVICE TO NILO EDUCATION FUND.

AND. WHEREAS, RAFAEL WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.

HIS COMMITMENT AND WILLINGNESS TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE WILL REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM, ALONG WITH THE FONDNESS AND RESPECT HIS PEERS AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS HOLD IN HIS REGARD.

WHEREAS, AFTER 27 YEARS OF SERVICE, RAFAEL BEGINS A WELL-EARNED RETIREMENT WITH HIS WIFE OF 42 YEARS, ETHEL.

HIS TWO DAUGHTERS.

HIS FOUR GRANDCHILDREN.

RAFAEL IS EXCITED TO SPEND TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AND TACKLE SOME OUTSTANDING HOME PROJECTS IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.

SO BE IT RESOLVED.

RAFAEL, THAT WE THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF SO MANY.

LIKE MY PARENTS, WHEN THEY CAME TO THIS COUNTRY, THEY PARTICIPATED IN THOSE CITIZENSHIP CLASSES.

I WAS ONE OF MY FONDEST MEMORIES FOR ME, WAS TEACHING SOME OF THOSE CLASSES YEARS BACK.

AND I STILL RUN ACROSS SOME OF MY MY STUDENTS WHO HAVE SINCE BEEN NATURALIZED.

BUT. RAFAEL, THIS IS WORK.

BUT THE WORK.

CAN JUST BE THAT AND NOT MAKE AS DEEP AND AN IMPACT ON SOMEONE.

[00:30:01]

SO, RAFAEL, WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE.

MR. DALIL, CONGRATULATIONS.

MY NAME IS RAFAEL PALAFOX, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO WORK WITH THIS NATIONAL ORGANIZATION.

AND THE ONE THING THAT I DO REMEMBER A LOT IS THAT, YOU KNOW, I WAS CROSSING THE BORDER ONE TIME AND I WAS COMING FROM VACATION AND I HAD TO STOP TO GET SOME OIL FOR MY CAR.

AND SOMEBODY ACROSS THE PARKING LOT SCREAMS. MR. NADAL. MR. NADAL.

I SAID, DO YOU REMEMBER ME? I SAID, WELL, YOU KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE THAT I HELP? I DON'T REMEMBER. BUT IT'S A NICE FEELING TO HEAR THAT PEOPLE CALL YOU.

I GUESS HE DIDN'T REMEMBER MY NAME, BUT THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH AND TAKE US GOOD.

PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'D LIKE TO SECOND IT AND I'M STARTING A TREND HERE.

YOU'RE GOING TO BE RETIRING IN THE PRECINCT THREE AND THAT'S WE'RE GOING TO WELCOME YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED LEADERSHIP IN THE PRECINCT, IN THE COUNTY AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

MR.. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAPHAEL, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AS WELL.

AND IT'S INTERESTING YOU'D BE HERE TODAY.

YOU'RE RETIRING, BUT YOU'RE NOT FINISHED YET.

SO SHE HAD TO MEET JULIANA AND THAT NEXT GENERATION TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN LEADING INTO THIS ELECTION.

YOU KNOW, AFTER WE TAKE THE PICTURES, WE'RE GOING TO DISCUSS WHAT WE CAN DO, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE THOSE WHO WANT FEWER PEOPLE TO GO AND VOTE.

AND I'M HOPING THAT WE HAVE A SUPPORT HERE TO SPEND AS MUCH OF YOUR MONEY, OUR MONEY AS WE CAN DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO MAKE THAT A PLEASURABLE AND A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE.

FIRST OF ALL, TO GET ON THE REGISTER TO VOTE AND GET MORE OF THEM TO VOTE, WHETHER THEY VOTE FOR OR AGAINST US.

BUT I HOPE YOU GET TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH THAT NEXT GENERATION, BY THE WAY, SO YOU CAN FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN GET OUT THERE AND GET YOU A NEW TWITTER ACCOUNT.

YOU KNOW, YOU CERTAINLY GET SOME ATTACKS ALONG THE WAY.

BUT BUT THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.

I WILL KEEP YOU RIGHT IN THE FILE.

REAL QUICKLY, IS YOUR ANY OF YOUR FAMILY HERE? NO. THEY'RE ON VACATION.

AND WHO WHO HAS YOUR SUCCESSOR BEEN DETERMINED RIGHT NOW IS ADRIAN.

THINK THEY CAN PRONOUNCE HIS LAST NAME, BUT IT'S A LONG LENGTH.

WONDERFUL. WELL, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS.

PLEASE STICK AROUND. AND, HECTOR, WOULD YOU LIKE TO COME DOWN AND SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS? WE HAVE THIS GENTLEMAN. YOU YOU WORK VERY, VERY CLOSELY WITH HIM.

OH, THANK YOU FOR THIS IS GOING TO BE SHORT.

OBVIOUSLY, ONE OF THE REASONS THAT I COMMUNICATED WITH YOU IS BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW.

BUT I LEFT THE EDUCATIONAL FUND FOR OVER A DECADE.

I ESTABLISHED IT HERE IN HOUSTON.

AND GUESS WHO WAS RIGHT BESIDE ME WHEN I WAS TRYING TO HELP THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE BECOME CITIZENS? THIS GUY, THIS MAN RIGHT HERE AND THIS MAN IS THE REASON I CONTACTED HIM IS BECAUSE HE'S LIKE EVERYBODY THAT SITS BEHIND THE SCENES, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE ALL THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DO A LOT OF WORK AND THEY REALLY GO ON NOTICE ALL THEIR LIVES, BUT THEY COMMIT TO AND MANY PEOPLE THAT KNOW ME HAVE HEARD ME SAY THIS 1000 TIMES, THE GREATEST THING WE CAN DO IN OUR LIFETIME IS CONTRIBUTE TO THE BUILDING OF A GOOD CITY.

AND ALL THESE FOLKS BEHIND YOU ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THAT END.

THAT'S RIGHT. YOU GUYS GET THE CREDIT, YOU'RE IN THE LIMELIGHT, BUT EVERYBODY BEHIND YOU MAKES YOU YOUR SUCCESS POSSIBLE.

AND THIS PERSON MADE MY SUCCESS POSSIBLE, AND THAT'S WHY I KNOW IT.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

ALL RIGHT, LET'S TAKE SOME PICTURES AND THEN WE'LL RETURN TO DISCUSS THE TOPIC OR THE LUXURY ITEM OR YOU'RE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS.

YOU ARE GOING TO VOTE ON THIS.

WELL, WE'LL VOTE WHEN WE RETURN IT.

THANK YOU. I'M SORRY.

OH. IT'S 1054.

WE'RE GOING TO TAKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ITEM 307 AND THAT'S AN UPDATE BY THAT.

STEPHENS. NOW IT'S RELATED TO ITEM TWO 292, BUT ITEM 292 IS AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.

THAT'S THE ITEM ABOUT THE AUDIT.

SO WE'LL TAKE TO 92 LATER.

[00:35:02]

AND ITEM 292.

HEY, JUDGE, THIS IS CHRISTIAN ON.

WE ACTUALLY DON'T NEED TO TAKE 292 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE CAN TAKE IT AT OPEN COURT.

OKAY. OKAY. SO THEN WE WILL TAKE ITEMS 307 AND 292 TOGETHER BECAUSE E.A.

STEVENS HAS A COMMITMENT, A CONFERENCE, A STATE CONFERENCE.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. SO THANK YOU.

STEVENS AND I WANT YOU TO GIVE US JUST A GENERAL UPDATE AND MAYBE IN THE PROCESS, TALK A LITTLE ABOUT A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHAT THIS AUDIT ENTAILS.

HERE'S WHAT I'M WONDERING.

I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF I'LL GIVE YOU A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I MAY THINK OF AS WE GO, OBVIOUSLY.

LOOK, I WANT TO THANK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, BETH, FOR GATHERING THE TEAM IN PREPARATION FOR CLIFFORD.

TATUM WILL BE COMING ON BOARD WHO WAS THE LONE FINALIST.

WE ALL KNOW HOW HARD YOU HAVE WORKED IN.

THERE'S STILL A LOT TO DO.

I KNOW THE DEADLINE IS COMING UP FOR ENDING VOTER REGISTRATION.

I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT PREPARATIONS ARE GOING IN PLACE, TRAINING FOR OUR ELECTION WORKERS, SOME SENSE OF THIS AUDIT.

I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW, BY THE WAY, YOU KNOW, YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE RANDOMNESS OF IT.

YOU ARE A COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

AND I'D LIKE TO ALSO ASK THAT YOU ALL DO ANYTHING YOU CAN TO MAKE SURE YOU ASK OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS TO COME AND WATCH WHAT THE STATE IS DOING, JUST AS THEY SAY THEY'RE TRYING TO WATCH WHAT WE DOING.

I HAVE A LOT MORE FAITH IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROTECTING PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO VOTE THAN I DO THE STATE GOVERNMENT.

OFTENTIMES, IT LOOKS LIKE WHAT THE STATE IS IS DOING IS TRYING TO HAVE A CHILLING IMPACT WITH THESE ARTISTS THAT ARE COMING ALONG.

BUT I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF ARE YOU ANTICIPATING AN INCREASE IN MAIL BALLOT QUESTIONS AND ISSUES DUE TO THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN TURNOUT AND HOW YOU ARE PREPARING TO ADDRESS MAIL BALLOT ISSUES? AND I'LL REPEAT THEM AGAIN, BUT I'LL JUST GIVE YOU A COUPLE AND YOU MAY WORK IN YOUR PRESENTATION.

ARE YOU FACING ANY ISSUES CONFIRMING POLLING CENTER LOCATIONS? ARE THERE ANY BUDGET NEEDS THAT YOU CONSIDER ESSENTIAL FOR A SAFE AND SECURE ELECTION THAT HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED YET FOR THE NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION? HOW WILL LOCATING CENTRAL COUNTY AT NRG STREAMLINE ELECTION NIGHT OPERATIONS? AND GET SOME SENSE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE RESPONSE TO THIS AUDIT INTERFERE WITH YOUR PREPARATION FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 GENERAL ELECTION.

AND IF SO, DO WE NEED TO ALLOCATE MONEY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THAT? AND I WANT TO GET SOME UPDATE ON ONE ITEM WILL BE COMING FORWARD FROM YOU OR MAYBE THE COUNTY MANAGER OR WHOEVER.

I KNOW I PUT IN A REQUEST SOME TIME BACK TO MAKE SURE THAT WE BRING SOMEBODY IN TO COME UP WITH THE BEST IDEAS FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY ON WHAT WE CAN DO TO INCREASE REGISTRATION.

AND TO MAKE VOTING AS EASY AS POSSIBLE UNDER THE CONSTRAINTS THAT THE STATE HAS PUT ON US.

BUT JUST IN GENERAL TERMS, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WE'RE READY.

I MEAN, DESPITE THE EFFORTS THAT OUR STATE PARTNERS HAVE PUT IN PLACE HURDLES TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE. WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE LAW.

WHAT WE CAN DO TO MAKE IT EASIER TO REGISTER THEM, TO GET THEM TO VOTE.

AND IF WE CAN'T GO IN LINE AND GIVE PEOPLE WATER AND THINGS LIKE THAT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE THINKING ABOUT CAN WE DO ANYTHING TO ENCOURAGE FOOD TRUCKS? ARE SOME SOME VEHICLE NEARBY WITH WATER SO PEOPLE CAN WALK OVER AND GET IT AND GET BACK? I WANT TO TAKE THE STATE'S MANDATE TO MAKE IT HARDER TO VOTE.

TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO STILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO AND PARTICIPATE IN A PROCESS.

BUT THOSE ARE JUST THE GENERAL PARAMETERS.

I MAY THINK OF SOMETHING ELSE AS YOU.

IF YOU PRESENT. AND YOU MUTED THE STUDENTS.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES.

OKAY. WELL, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU ALL FOR HAVING ME THIS MORNING AND APPRECIATE YOU TAKING ME OUT OF ORDER.

AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR PUTTING THIS AGENDA ITEM ON.

SO I'M GOING TO BRIEFLY GO OVER THROUGH THIS PRESENTATION TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE NOVEMBER PREPARATIONS.

I'LL TOUCH ON THE AUDIT, THE RANDOMIZED AUDIT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK, AND THEN MAKE SURE THAT ANYTHING THAT I HAVEN'T ADDRESSED ON YOUR QUESTIONS COMMISSIONER LIST THAT WE

[00:40:08]

WANT TO TOUCH FIRST ON VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS.

WE HAVE BEEN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY REGISTERING FOLKS TO VOTE OVER THE COURSE OF JULY.

WE CAN SEE THERE THE EVENTS THAT WE HAD IN JULY, OVER 100.

WE HAVE BEEN PRESENT AT NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES, COLLECTED A NUMBER OF FORMS THERE.

AND THEN OUR HAVE OVER 100 EVENTS SCHEDULED BETWEEN NOW AND NOVEMBER EXCUSE ME, AUGUST 20TH AND ARE CONTINUING TO SCHEDULE THOSE EVENTS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO VOTER REGISTRATION IN THE LEAD UP TO THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE, WHICH IS IN OCTOBER.

AND WE'RE WORKING WITH ACTUALLY SOME OF YOUR STAFF MEMBERS ON SCHEDULING THOSE EVENTS AS WELL AS WE CAN.

GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. ALL RIGHT.

AND TURNING OUR ATTENTION TO COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AGAIN OUT IN THE COMMUNITY, ENGAGING WITH DIFFERENT COMMUNITY GROUPS, WITH FOLKS FROM COMMISSIONERS OFFICES.

IN JUNE AND JULY, WE HAD COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON MEETING THE MACHINES.

WE ALL KNOW WE HAVE NEW ELECTION EQUIPMENT THAT SOME FOLKS WILL BE ENCOUNTERING FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NOVEMBER.

AND SO WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS HAVE ACCESS TO BE ABLE TO HAND ON TOUCH.

STEPHENS IF I MIGHT, I JUST GOT A NOTE THAT REPRESENTATIVE JEAN WOO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE BOND ISSUE.

AND I WANT TO, IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST HOLD IT, JUDGE, IF WE MIGHT.

I MEAN, I KNOW HOW MUCH WE RELY ON OUR PARTNERS, JUST AS A COURTESY TO A FELLOW ELECTED OFFICIAL.

ONE THAT I NORMALLY DON'T GET WHEN I GO BACK TO WHERE I WORKED FOR 27 YEARS.

BUT HE DOESN'T CONTROL THAT.

BUT I'D LIKE TO IF I CAN.

IF YOU CAN IF WE CAN JUST LET HIM SPEAK.

THAT SHOULD BE. ITEM 20, WHICH IS THE BALLOT ITEM, IF I'VE GOT THAT RIGHT.

TIFFANY. CORRECT.

YES, MA'AM. THAT'S CORRECT.

CAN YOU PLEASE PUT HIM ON? I BELIEVE HE'S THERE IN PERSON, JUDGE.

USING THE HOLD.

I NEED TO WALK OUT THINKING.

HE'S MAKING HIS WAY.

REPRESENTATIVE. I WAS SAYING, I KNOW IT WOULD BE YOUR FAULT, BUT, YOU KNOW, I USED TO BE SOMEBODY IN THE CAPITOL FOR 27 YEARS.

AND BUT I WANT TO EXTEND THIS COURTESY TO YOU, BECAUSE I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO.

THANK YOU. AND WE KNOW YOU HAVE TO LEAVE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I ACTUALLY HAVE TO I NEED TO GET BACK TO COURT IN 10 MINUTES, SO I APPRECIATE IT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WAS NOT PLANNING TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT I WAS VERY CONCERNED IN RELATION TO THE BOND PACKAGE THAT'S COMING UP. AND I THINK YOU GUYS ARE DISCUSSING IT TODAY.

THIS IS A, I THINK, $1.2 BILLION BOND PACKAGE.

I THINK IN TERMS OF MY REPRESENTATION IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON, THIS IS ESPECIALLY CONCERNING BECAUSE MY COMMUNITY IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON IS A COMMUNITY THAT HAS, LET'S JUST SAY NICELY, HAS BEEN OVERLOOKED FREQUENTLY WHEN IT COMES TO INFRASTRUCTURE, WHEN IT COMES TO IMPROVEMENT, WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC SAFETY. IT IS SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS TREMENDOUSLY CONCERNED ABOUT.

THE BULK OF THIS BOND PACKAGE IS ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL, DRAINAGE ROADWAY AND TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE.

SOUTHWEST HOUSTON IS GROWING AT A TREMENDOUS RATE, AND ANYBODY WHO KNOWS HOUSTON RECOGNIZES THAT EVEN WHEN TIMES ARE BAD, SOUTHWEST HOUSTON WAS GROWING AND GROWING AT A RECORD PACE, ESPECIALLY THE ASIA TOWN AREA IS JUST WE DID REDID THE ROADWAYS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO AND ALREADY AT CAPACITY RIGHT DURING.

DURING HAVI WHILE WE DID NOT HAVE SITTING WATER THAT MUCH IN OUR AREA, ALL THE FLOOD WATERS FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE CITY CAME THROUGH OUR SECTION OF TOWN AND, YOU KNOW, AND DID A LOT OF DAMAGE.

WE LOST A LOT OF VEHICLES.

SOME HOUSES GOT DAMAGED.

WHILE OUR TOTAL FLOOD HEIGHT DIDN'T GO THAT MUCH.

[00:45:02]

I KNOW I ALMOST LOST MY CAR SEVERAL TIMES ON CHIMNEY ROCK ALONE BECAUSE THAT CHIMNEY ROCK ALWAYS FLOODS EVERY SINGLE TIME, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS, BECAUSE IT'S ONE OF THE PATHWAYS FOR THE WATER.

AND WE WOULD LIKE FOR SOME OF THAT TO BE ADDRESSED SO THAT THERE'S NOT SO MUCH SITTING WATER FOR THAT LONG IN THAT AREA IN TERMS OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE, IN TERMS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, ESPECIALLY IN THIS IN THIS BOND PACKAGE, SOUTHWEST HOUSTON HAS BECOME THE NEW HOME OF A VERY LARGE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY.

SOME OF IT IS ASIAN, SOME OF HIS NON-ASIAN.

BUT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING WHO ARE STARTING TO LIVE IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON, WHO DO NOT HAVE THEIR OWN VEHICLES, WHO CANNOT DRIVE, WHO DO NOT WANT TO DRIVE.

HAVING ADEQUATE TRANSPORTATION KEEPS THEM ALIVE BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRAVEL, TO GO BUY GROCERIES, TO SEE THEIR FRIENDS, TO GO SEE A DOCTOR, THEIR LIFESPANS DRAMATICALLY DECREASE.

AND THIS IS A THIS IS A STUDIED FACT THAT WHENEVER YOU CUT ELDERLY MEMBERS OF SOCIETY OFF AND DON'T GIVE THEM ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION, THEIR LIFESPANS DRAMATICALLY DECREASE.

AND THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

IN TERMS OF THERE'S I KNOW THERE'S A SUBSTANTIAL PACKAGE IN HERE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT INFRASTRUCTURE.

THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THE ASIAN COMMUNITY, BECAUSE DURING THE LAST TWO YEARS, WE HAVE SEEN A DRAMATIC RISE IN ANTI-ASIAN HATE DURING THE BEGINNING OF IT IN 2020.

I KNOW SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND THEN CHIEF ACEVEDO ALL PUT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES INTO OUR COMMUNITY TO DEAL WITH THE VANDALISM, TO DEAL WITH THE INCIDENTS, TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE COMING OVER AND JUST CAUSING PROBLEMS. I KNOW THEY TOOK GREAT SACRIFICES TO DO THAT, AND I KNOW THEY COULD NOT SUSTAIN THAT.

WE KNEW THAT THEY COULD NOT SUSTAIN THAT, AND THEY TOLD US SO IF WE HAVE ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, IF WE HAVE THE FUNDS FOR ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE, WE COULD PUT MORE STATIONS OUT THERE, WE COULD PUT MORE PATROLS OUT THERE.

THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO RELIEVE THE ANXIETY THAT OUR COMMUNITY HAS.

THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE. AND I DON'T THE FOLKS I THINK FORGOT TO KEEP TIME.

SO PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLISON, I WANT TO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COMING IN TO THE EFFORTS YOU PUT INTO TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE GET OUR EQUITABLE RECOVERY MONEY FROM THE FEDS THAT THE STATE CONTROLS.

ABSOLUTELY. ONE OF THE LOUDER VOICES ON THAT, AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.

I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT WHEN WE GET TO THIS ITEM, YOU KNOW, I AM GOING TO BE AN ADVOCATE FOR US MAKING SURE THAT WE GO TO THE AREAS THAT ARE WORSE FIRST.

THANK YOU. IT'LL BE INTERESTING.

YOU'LL BE IN COURT OR SOMEWHERE, BUT IF YOU FINISH WHEN WE GET TO IT, YOU OUGHT TO COME AND LISTEN BECAUSE I'M GOING TO ASK FOR A DISCUSSION ON HOW THE MONEY'S BEEN DIVIDED IN THE PAST. ABSOLUTELY.

IT'S INTERESTING HOW FOLKS WILL COME NOW AND SAY THEY WANT TO JUST DIVIDE IT FOUR WAYS EVENLY.

BUT I'M JUST GOING I'M NOT GOING TO DO IT.

I KNOW, BUT I'M GOING TO HAVE TO WALK THROUGH.

HOW WAS IT DIVIDED IN THE PAST? BUT REGARDLESS OF HOW WE DO IT, I'M GOING TO MAKE THE CASE THAT WE OUGHT TO BE EQUITABLE, RIGHT? AT LEAST GIVEN WHERE THE GROWTH IS.

AT LEAST WE'LL PUT IT HERE AND PUT IT WHAT THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED, THE PEOPLE, THE AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN WORSE.

RIGHT. THAT HAVE THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS, INCLUDING MINE.

RIGHT. AS OPPOSED TO WHAT HAS HAPPENED HISTORICALLY AROUND HERE AND HAS BEEN SOME FRIEND OF A COMMISSIONERS.

RIGHT. SOME WIELDED MADE THE MOST NOISE.

EXACTLY. BY AND LARGE.

BUT I JUST WANT TO STATE THEN.

THANK YOU. I WOULD COME BACK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT, JUDGE.

YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, REPRESENTATIVE WILL, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

AND AS IT'S BEEN SAID, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO, ALWAYS DO AND DONE AND DOING AND WILL DO.

SO LET ME JUST QUITE DIRECTLY ASK YOU.

SO IS THIS BOND PACKAGE IMPORTANT TO PASS? ABSOLUTELY. IT IS TREMENDOUSLY IMPORTANT TO MY COMMUNITY.

AND I KNOW THERE'S EVEN STUFF IN THERE THAT'S KIND OF SMALL.

LIKE THERE'S LIKE $100 MILLION JUST FOR PARKS.

I'M TELLING YOU, THAT IS IMPORTANT TO MY COMMUNITY BECAUSE OUR PARKS HAVE BEEN SO LONG OVERLOOKED.

IT IS A SERIOUS QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES.

IT MEANS IF YOU HAVE BETTER PARKS FOR MY AREA, IT MEANS PEOPLE'S HOME VALUES GO UP.

IT MEANS PEOPLE ARE MORE ABLE TO TO SELL THEIR HOMES AND RECOVER THEIR.

THERE WERE INVESTMENTS AND ALL THIS OTHER THINGS, JUST LIKE NOBODY WANTS TO MOVE INTO AN AREA IF THEY HAVE KIDS, IF THERE'S NO PARKS OR THE PARKS ARE ALL RUN DOWN AND TORN UP AND WE ARE APART IN OUR AREA HAS BEEN SO LONG OVERLOOKED.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THIS GOOD DEAL.

AND IN RICHMOND, REPRESENTATIVE WELL, IN TERMS OF THE ENGAGEMENT, SOME HAVE SAID THAT WE HAVEN'T ENGAGED

[00:50:04]

THIS ITEM IS BEING DISCUSSED, POTENTIALLY VOTED ON AND PLACED ON THE NOVEMBER BALLOT WITH MORE TIME THAN IT WAS DONE FOR THE FLOOD BOND PROGRAM.

SO YOUR THOUGHTS ON WHETHER THIS HAS GOTTEN ENOUGH AIRTIME? SO, I MEAN, THE WAY I LOOK AT IT, THIS BOND PACKAGE, 95% OF THIS BOND PACKAGE IS FLOOD CONTROL, ROADS AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M NOT SURE WHO YOU'RE TALKING TO, BUT EVERYBODY IN MY COMMUNITY, YOU MENTIONED THOSE THREE THINGS.

PEOPLE ARE DOWN. THEY DON'T NEED TO BE SOLD ON FLOOD CONTROL, ROADWAYS AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

THEY DON'T NEED TO BE SOLD.

THEY JUST NEED TO KNOW THAT THEY'RE GOING TO VOTE YES.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

ALL THE BEST TO YOU. APPRECIATE YOUR REPRESENTATIVE.

I APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN.

THANKS SO MUCH. THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE CONTINUE WITH THIS.

THANK YOU. SORRY FOR THE INTERRUPTION, BUT IT WAS IMPORTANT.

NOT A PROBLEM AT ALL. I AGREE.

ALL RIGHT. BACK TO OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH MEET THE MACHINES.

AGAIN, WE HAD SEVERAL EVENTS OVER THE COURSE OF JUNE AND JULY TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE PUBLIC, TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR IN-PERSON INTERACTION WITH THE MACHINES SO THAT THEY CAN PREPARE FOR NOVEMBER.

WE HAVE LISTED SOME OF THE UPCOMING EVENTS TO GO OVER MEET THE MACHINES, BUT WE HAVE MORE THAN WE'RE ADDING WEEKLY.

TIFFANY NEXT WEEK.

WE'RE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE WE HAVE A LAUNCH OF HAIR SNOPES.COM.

THIS IS A NEW WEBSITE THAT WE ARE PREPARING TO LAUNCH ON AUGUST 6TH.

WE HAVE HAD INTERNAL TESTING AND PREVIEWS WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, WITH STAFF MEMBERS FROM YOUR OFFICES TO LOOK AT THE SITE IN ADVANCE.

AND WE ARE PREPARED TO GO LIVE ON AUGUST 6TH.

THAT WILL INCLUDE A PRESS RELEASE, AN EMAIL BLAST AND A SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. TURNING YOUR ATTENTION TO BOTH CENTER LOCATIONS.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, THIS IS TAKES A LOT OF WORK AND FEEDBACK FROM MANY STAKEHOLDERS AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING TO GET A GOOD DRAFT LIST PREPARED AND SENT TO YOUR STAFF MEMBERS.

WE HAVE MEETINGS SCHEDULED FOR THE END OF THIS WEEK WITH YOUR STAFF MEMBERS TO REVIEW BOTH A TENTATIVE EARLY VOTING LOCATION LIST, AS WELL AS THE TENTATIVE ELECTION DAY LOCATION LIST. AND THEN WE HAVE SOME MORE STAKEHOLDER MEETINGS EARLY NEXT WEEK, IDEALLY WITH THE POLITICAL PARTIES.

WE'RE WORKING ON THE DATE ON THAT.

THAT IS ALL TO CULMINATE IN THE INITIAL DRAFT WITH TO YOU ALL TO PRESENT A COURT ON NEXT COURT DATE THAT WILL SEEK APPROVAL OF THAT INITIAL LIST AND THEN WILL OF COURSE, SUPPLEMENT WITH ANY THAT NEED TO CHANGE FROM THERE.

NEXT SLIDE. THAT BRINGS US TO ELECTION NIGHT OPERATIONS AND ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AS WELL AS BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO SECURE WHOLE RD AT NRG.

THAT IS WHERE WE WERE FOR THE MAY 24TH PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION ON ELECTION NIGHT.

WE ARE WORKING TO SECURE THAT SPACE IN ADVANCE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME OF THE OPERATIONS AT NRG IN ADVANCE OF EARLY VOTING, DURING EARLY VOTING, AND THEN FINALIZING WITH ELECTION NIGHT AT NRG.

THE DROP OFF SITUATION, AS WE TEND TO HAVE IT PLANNED, WOULD ENTAIL A DRIVE THROUGH DROPOFF AS WE HAD IT FOR MAY 24TH, BUT EXTENDING OUT TO MORE DRIVE THRU LANES AND MORE TENTS BECAUSE OF COURSE THE NOVEMBER ELECTION WILL HAVE MORE POLLING LOCATIONS WITH EQUIPMENT RETURNING TO NRG AND THEN INSIDE OF HALL RD, WE WILL HAVE A SIMILAR LAYOUT TO OR WE TENTATIVELY PLAN TO HAVE A SIMILAR LAYOUT TO THE MAY 24TH LAYOUT FOR PROCESSING THAT EQUIPMENT AS IT COMES THROUGH TO GET IT TO THE CENTRAL COUNT BOARDS THAT IS THERE ON SITE TO PROCESS THE VOTES.

WE THIS IS TENTATIVE, BUT WE CURRENTLY PLAN TO WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THEN BUDGET SEEK APPROVAL OF OF THAT FINAL DRAFT PLAN AT THE NEXT COURT DATE.

NEXT ITEM. AND THEN FINALLY ON NOVEMBER, BEFORE I MOVE ON TO THE AUDIT, I WANTED TO TOUCH BASE ON RECRUITMENT AND TRAINING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE POLITICAL PARTIES ON RECRUITING THEIR NOMINATION LIST FOR THE ELECTION DAY JUDGES.

AND THEN OUR OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR VETTING THAT LIST, INCLUDING MAKING SURE THAT THE FOLKS LISTED ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE, FOR EXAMPLE.

AND THEN WE PROVIDE THAT VETTED LIST TO YOU ALL SO THAT EACH COMMISSIONER CAN PUT THEIR RESPECTIVE LIST ON COURT FOR FINAL APPOINTMENT OF THE

[00:55:07]

AND THEN FINALLY, TRAINING.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS TO REDESIGN THE TRAINING PROGRAM, AS WELL AS THE TRAINING MANUAL.

AND THAT THE PROGRAM ITSELF INCLUDES 3 HOURS OF HANDS ON TRAINING WITH THE ELECTION WORKERS.

AND AS THE SITE SAYS, THAT'S MORE THAN DOUBLE THE THE HANDS ON PORTION OF THE TRAINING THAT WE'VE HAD IN THE PAST.

AND TO FINALIZE THERE, WE DO PLAN TO BEGIN TRAINING AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER AND HAVE A TENTATIVE SCHEDULE OUT TO YOUR STAFF MEMBERS IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. AND TIFFANY LAST NIGHT, PLEASE.

ADDRESSING THE AUDIT THAT WAS ANNOUNCED LAST WEEK.

SO JUST TO BE VERY CLEAR, THIS IS TWO SETS OF AUDITS THAT ARE THAT WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT.

ONE IS WE'VE BEEN GOING THROUGH AN AUDIT WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AUDIT DIVISION RELATED TO THE NOVEMBER, NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION.

SO THAT'S ONE AUDIT LAST WEEK WAS ANNOUNCED, A THE RANDOMIZED AUDIT THAT WAS ADDED TO THE BY THE LEGISLATURE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

IT CITED THE CODE HERE, BUT THIS IS THE FIRST ROUND OF RANDOMIZED AUDITS THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN TEXAS.

WE WERE, AS YOU ALL KNOW, SELECTED AS ONE OF THE TWO COUNTIES THAT HAVE OVER 300,000 POPULATION.

AND THIS WILL START THAT AUDIT WON'T START UNTIL AFTER THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION OCCURS.

AND IT WILL LOOK BACK TO AUDIT EVERY ELECTION FROM NOVEMBER 22, ALL THE WAY BACK TO NOVEMBER 20.

AND AND WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY OUTLINE OF HOW THAT PROCESS WILL GO.

IT IS OUR UNDERSTANDING THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WILL PROVIDE SOME OF THAT THAT GUIDANCE ABOUT HOW HOW IT WILL PROCEED IN THE LEAD UP TO THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION. AND, TIFFANY, IF YOU TAKE THE SLIDE DECK DOWN.

JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I ANSWER SOME OF YOUR QUESTIONS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WORKING SPECIFICALLY FROM THE AUDIT PERSPECTIVE.

AGAIN, WE DO NOT YET HAVE SORT OF THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURE OF HOW THAT WILL GO, BUT LOOK FORWARD TO RECEIVING THAT FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE, HOPEFULLY SOON.

WE WOULD ABSOLUTELY BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATING OR, YOU KNOW, PROVIDING A ANALYSIS OF HOW THESE AUDITS ARE GOING AND MAKING SURE THAT THE AUDITS ARE ABIDING BY NATIONAL STANDARDS OF HOW THESE SORTS OF AUDITS TAKE PLACE.

DO WE ANTICIPATE THAT AUDIT BEING INTERFERING WITH THE NOVEMBER 22 ELECTION? THIS SPECIFIC AUDIT THAT WAS JUST ANNOUNCED, IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THE PREPARATION WOULD NOT OCCUR TILL AFTER THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

AS I SAY, THOUGH, WE ARE STILL UNDERGOING THE INITIAL NOVEMBER 2020 AUDIT AND WE ARE IN WEEKLY COMMUNICATION WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S AUDIT AUDIT DIVISION ABOUT THAT.

AND SO AS WE GET CLOSER TO NOVEMBER, THERE MAY BE A TIME THAT COMES WHERE WE HAVE TO SORT OF PUT THAT ON PAUSE SO THAT WE CAN FULLY FOCUS BACK ON PREPARING FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION.

WHO PAYS FOR THE AUDIT? DO THEY PAY FOR THE STAFF TIME IT TAKES TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION THEY WANT, OR DO WE HAVE TO PAY FOR IT? I BELIEVE THE WELL FOR THE NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION AUDIT THAT WE'RE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH.

WE'RE PAYING FOR OUR STAFF TIME.

THEY'RE PAYING FOR THEIR STAFF TIME FOR THE NOVEMBER.

THIS NEW AUDIT, I BELIEVE THE ELECTION CODE SAYS THAT THE COUNTY CANNOT PAY FOR THE AUDIT, BUT THAT DOESN'T YET.

THERE'S NO RULES THAT SPEAK TO WHETHER THAT COVERS STAFF TIME, WHETHER THAT MONEY IS COMING FROM THE STATE OR COMING OUT OF OUR BUDGET.

WELL, I GUESS, YEAH, UNLESS THE STAFF VOLUNTEERED, SO I DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY.

YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT IT'S COSTING US ON THE CURRENT? IT'S ON STAFF TIME.

I DO NOT HAVE THAT.

BUT WE CAN ABSOLUTELY PULL PULL THAT INFORMATION FOR YOU.

IS IT EASY? I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT MORE WORK.

IS IT EASY TO PULL IT? YOU DON'T HAVE TO HAVE IT NOW.

BUT I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT WHAT DOES IT COST? BUT IT SHOULD BE FAIRLY EASY TO PULL.

I CAN. I CAN GATHER THAT FOR YOU.

I THINK IT'D BE ABLE. AND THEN I'M WONDERING, MAYBE YOU DON'T KNOW.

SOMEBODY ELSE MIGHT KNOW HOW MANY COUNTIES? OVER 300,000 IN TEXAS.

THAT'S AN INTERESTING, RANDOM ODDITY TO PULL THEM OUT OF A HAT TO DO IT.

ANYBODY SEE WHAT ALL WENT IN THE HAT? I CAN JUMP IN HERE, COMMISSIONER.

I BELIEVE THERE ARE 17, AND ANYBODY HERE CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG.

I BELIEVE THAT THERE ARE 17 COUNTIES THAT HAVE A POPULATION OF 300,000 OR MORE.

AND I CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT THAT WE'VE SEEN WITH THE INITIAL SELECTION PROCESS, WHICH WILL ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THEY PULLED IT OUT OF A HAT. THE ANSWER IS IT WAS A BUCKET.

[01:00:02]

THEY MADE YOU THE TEXAS RAIN.

THEY MADE SURE I DIDN'T PUT THE NAMES IN THE HAT.

THAT DIDN'T COUNT THE VOTES.

I'M JUST I MEAN, LOOK, IT WAS AS TRANSPARENT AS YOU COULD BE.

YOU KNOW, THEY SAID I COULD GO IN THE ROOM AND I SAID, NO, I WON'T EVEN GO IN THE ROOM.

AND WE JUST TOOK MY 31 PEOPLE IN THE SENATE PICKING THE PRESIDING OFFICER.

SO TELL ME ABOUT THIS BUCKET.

YEAH, SURE.

SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, THE BEST WAY TO KIND OF PROVIDE CONTEXT FOR ALL OF THIS IS, YOU KNOW, AS AS OUR INTERIM ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR MENTIONED, WE'RE CURRENTLY IN THE MIDDLE OF AN AUDIT FOR THE 2020 ELECTION.

RIGHT. THAT BEGAN IN 2021 AND HAS NOT STOPPED.

AND THAT ELECTION NIGHT, IT WAS ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE JUST HOURS AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP WROTE A PUBLIC LETTER CALLING ON GOVERNOR GREG ABBOTT TO AUDIT WHAT HE CALLED THE 2020 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION SCAM.

RIGHT. SO WE'RE CURRENTLY GOING THROUGH THIS RIGHT NOW AND WE WERE TARGETED BY THE STATE IN THAT INSTANCE.

AND OF COURSE, THE 2020 ELECTION WAS NOT RUN BY THE ELECTION'S ADMINISTRATOR.

RIGHT. THAT'S AN ELECTION THAT WAS RUN BY A COUNTY CLERK.

AND SO THAT THAT AUDIT, THE ENTIRE PREMISE OF IT WAS CALLING INTO QUESTION THE ELECTION THAT WAS RUN BY OUR COUNTY CLERK TEAM AT THE TIME, WHICH I THINK DID A FANTASTIC JOB.

SO THE NEW AUDIT LAWS SAY THAT THE SELECTION OF THE COUNTIES HAVE TO BE RANDOM AND THE SECRETARY OF STATE IS SUPPOSED TO ADOPT RULES TO EFFECTUATE THE PROCESS.

AND OF COURSE, THE PURPOSE OF ALL OF THIS IS TO PUT ALL OF THESE COUNTIES ON NOTICE, RIGHT? TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS FOR WHATEVER COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO SPEND HIS TIME AND ITS RESOURCES DEALING WITH THIS AUDIT.

WE'RE NOT AWARE OF ANY RULES BEING MADE PUBLIC.

WE HAVE SCOURED THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S WEBSITE THERE, SOCIAL MEDIA.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING ABOUT ANY RULES AS TO THE SELECTION PROCESS FOR THE AUDIT.

AND WE HAVE, IN FACT, REACHED OUT TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE TO GET MORE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT RULES WERE IN PLACE AT THE TIME THAT THEY DID THIS RANDOMIZED PROCESS. BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, THERE WAS NO NOTICE GIVEN AT ALL OF THIS ELECTION PROCESS.

RIGHT. THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY WRITTEN NOTICE.

OUR OFFICE DIDN'T RECEIVE ANY WRITTEN NOTICE.

AND WHAT'S INTERESTING HERE, MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS WE'RE IN ROUTINE CONVERSATION WITH FOLKS IN THE ELECTIONS DEPARTMENT.

RIGHT. BECAUSE THERE'S A CURRENT AUDIT GOING ON AND OUR FOLKS HAVE SPOKEN WITH THEM AS RECENT AS TWO WEEKS AGO, AND THEY MADE NO MENTION OF THIS ELECTION PROCESS.

AND OF COURSE, HAD WE KNOWN THAT THIS WAS GOING ON, WE WOULD HAVE ENSURED THAT SOMEBODY WAS THERE TO, AS YOU JUST PUT IT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ENSURE THAT THERE WAS TRANSPARENCY IN THE PROCESS. AND, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A DEPARTMENT THAT PUTS OUT A NUMBER OF PRESS RELEASES ON HIGHLY POLITICIZED TOPICS, RIGHT? WHEN THEY BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS ISSUES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS SECRETARIES, THE SECRETARY OF STATE PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE WHEN THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THEIR 2020 AUDIT.

THEY PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE WHEN THEY WERE RESPONDING TO FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S CALL FOR AN AUDIT.

THEY PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE, BUT WE HAVE NOT YET SEEN ANY PRESS RELEASE ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS NOW GETTING KIND OF BOILING IT ALL DOWN.

ALL OF THAT MAKES IT SUSPICIOUS.

BUT THE THING THAT REALLY TIPS IT OVER THE EDGE IS THE VIDEO, WHICH REALLY LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A SKETCH COMEDY SHOW.

YOU HAVE, YOU KNOW, A SET OF SECRETARY OF STATE OFFICE EMPLOYEES WHO ARE SURROUNDING A TABLE THAT HAS A BUNCH OF SLIPS OF PAPER ON IT.

AND SUPPOSEDLY THE PROCESS GOES IS YOU HAVE 17 SHEETS OF PAPER FOR ALL THE COUNTIES THAT ARE AT A POPULATION OF 300,000 OR ABOVE.

AND THEN THOSE SLIPS GO INTO A BUCKET AND THEN AN EMPLOYEE PULLS THEM OUT OF THE BUCKET AND HANDS THE TWO SLIPS TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO WAS ANNOUNCING IT, AND HE STATES THE NAMES OF THE COUNTIES THAT WENT INTO THE BUCKET.

WELL, THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAMERA DOESN'T AT ALL SHOW THE SLIPS GOING INTO THE BUCKET, DOESN'T SHOW WHAT WAS IN THE BUCKET PRIOR TO THE SLIPS GOING THERE.

IT DOESN'T ACTUALLY SHOW THAT THE PAPER THAT WAS PULLED FROM THE BUCKET, IN FACT, SAID HARRIS COUNTY AND SAID IT'S JUST HANDED TO THE GENTLEMAN WHO ANNOUNCED IT AND THEY DON'T EVEN SHOW THE SLIP TO THE CAMERA.

ALL OF THESE THINGS TAKEN TOGETHER MAKE THIS HIGHLY SUSPICIOUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE LAW REQUIRES THAT THE PROCESS BE RANDOM AND ALSO REQUIRES THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE CREATE RULES TO EFFECTUATE THE PROCESS.

AND SO THAT'S WHY WE'RE ASKING FOR AUTHORITY NOW TO CONSIDER ANY TYPE OF LEGAL AVENUES ON THIS, BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS GOING TO TARGET BUT TARGET US, AS THEY DID IN 2021 AFTER TRUMP CALLED FOR AN AUDIT OUT HERE, WE WANT TO BE PREPARED TO TACKLE IT IN COURT IF THAT'S NECESSARY.

SO, JUDGE. MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY MENEFEE IF YOU HAVE SUGGESTED LANGUAGE, I'D BE HONORED TO MAKE THAT MOTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

I DON'T HAVE MY STAFF HAS GOT IT YET, BUT I'LL CERTAINLY MAKE THAT MOTION SOMETIME TODAY IF YOU'LL STAY.

AND THEN I WANT TO ASK WHAT ROLE, IF ANY, COULD THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE PLAY? HOW WOULD I PHRASE THIS? I'D LIKE TO MAKE SOME MAKE SURE IF THERE'S SOME WAY SOMEBODY CAN AUDIT THE AUDITORS.

YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, SINCE EVERYBODY WANTS EVERYTHING TO BE FAIR, I'D LIKE TO UNDER THIS NEW STATE LAW, EVERY TIME THEY GET READY TO AUDIT SOMEBODY, I HOPE THERE'S SOME MECHANISM WHETHER THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IN PARTICULAR, CAN COME IN AND LOOK AT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING THE LOOKING.

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE OR JUST THINK ABOUT IT?

[01:05:02]

I MEAN, I KNOW THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT HAS BEEN GUTTED, BUT WE DO STILL HAVE A DEPARTMENT OF OF OF JUSTICE, AT LEAST UNDER THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I'D FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING THAT IF YOU WOULD THINK ABOUT IT.

YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'D BE HONORED TO THE SECOND THAT MOTION AS WELL.

BUT I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU IN TERMS OF OF HOLDING THE REINS.

AND AND I KNOW THAT YOU'RE BUSY LOOKING TOWARDS THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

WHAT DOES THIS BODY NEED TO BE THINKING OR TAKING INTO ACCOUNT? ARE THERE ANY ITEMS THAT YOU WOULD BE RECOMMENDING TO THE TO THE INCOMING ADMINISTRATOR TO IMMEDIATELY PROPOSE TO THIS BODY FOR FUNDING OR FOR SOME OTHER FORM OF SUPPORT? ANYTHING THAT THAT WE NEED TO BE THINKING ABOUT IN ADVANCE OF THAT OFFICIAL TRANSITION AND WHAT ITEMS YOU MIGHT BE ENCOURAGING HIM TO PUT ON THE ON THE AGENDA.

YES. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO WE ARE PREPARING FOR OUR NEW E.R., MR. TATUM, TO COME INTO OFFICE MID-AUGUST.

AND SO I ANTICIPATE HE WOULD BE THE ONE PRESENTING TO YOU ALL ON THE NEXT COURT DATE.

AND SO IN MAKING THAT PREPARATION AND GETTING READY FOR THE AUGUST 23RD COURT.

THE THINGS TO HIGHLIGHT ARE, ONE, WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE ON PRESENTING TO YOU ALL A BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 23 THAT INCLUDES A ROBUST NOVEMBER ELECTION, THAT INCLUDES MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE FUNDING FOR POLLING LOCATIONS, FUNDING FOR STAFFING OF THOSE POLLING LOCATIONS, FUNDING FOR NRG.

I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT ON THE COURT TO CONSIDER AND SUPPORT US MOVING TO IN OUR G FOR THE OPERATIONS OF THE ELECTION, INCLUDING ELECTION NIGHT.

BUT IN THE LEAD UP TO THAT SO THAT WE HAVE SUFFICIENT SPACE TO PROCESS MAIL BALLOTS TO RECEIVE THE INCOMING EARLY VOTING EQUIPMENT ON THE LAST NIGHT OF EARLY VOTING.

AND THEN, OF COURSE, TO PROCESS BOTH SUPPLIES, HAND OUT TO THE JUDGES AS WELL AS ELECTION NIGHT DROP OFF.

THE OTHER THING TO PUT ON YOUR RADAR IS WORKING ON A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS TO TO GIVE PROPOSALS RELATED TO ADVERTISING AND CANVASING.

AND THIS WOULD ADDRESS.

COMMISSIONER, ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE COMMUNICATING RELATED TO VOTER REGISTRATION, VOTE BY MAIL EDUCATION AS WELL AS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON MEET THE MACHINES AND ON THE VOTE BY MAIL.

SPECIFICALLY, THE QUESTION WAS POSED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ABOUT DO WE ANTICIPATE AN INCREASE OF MAIL BALLOTS? AND THE ANSWER THERE IS WHOLEHEARTEDLY, YES, WE DO ANTICIPATE AN INCREASE IN MAIL BALLOTS.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING THE APPLICATIONS PICK UP.

AND SO PREPARING TO HAVE THE SPACE TO BE ABLE TO BOTH ENTER THOSE APPLICATIONS, COMMUNICATE WITH THOSE WHO PROVIDE APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STRICT REQUIREMENTS OF SB ONE, MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE THE SPACE TO PROCESS THOSE MAIL BALLOTS AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY GET OUT TO THE VOTERS AND THEN PROCESS THEM WHEN THEY RETURN.

AND SO THAT'S WHAT I WOULD PUT ON YOUR RADAR TO PREPARE FOR MR. TATUM PRESENTS TO YOU ALL.

VERY GOOD. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THERE WAS STEVENS. THANK YOU FOR A BIT OF AN UPDATE.

CLEARLY, WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS IN OUR ELECTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

ARE YOU VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE LIST OF PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD, SUCH AS POLLING LOCATIONS NOT OPEN ON TIME, LACK OF TRAINING, NOT RECEIVING THE CORRECT BALLOT.

10,000 BALLOTS WERE DISCOVERED NOT BY US, BUT BY A THIRD PARTY.

REALLY DELAYS.

AND WHEN WE GET RESULTS, NOTHING IS MORE DISCONCERTING TO THE VOTERS OUT THERE THAN THE DELAYS THAT WOULD TAKE TO COUNT THE VOTES. PEOPLE BECOME VERY SUSPICIOUS WHEN IT TAKES SEVERAL DAYS WHEN IT SHOULD TAKE SEVERAL HOURS.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE COST AND THE COST AND THE COST AND I HEAR WHEN PEOPLE START USING WORDS LIKE ROBUST, I'M I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING A REQUEST FOR MORE MONEY.

AND WE'VE DONE NOTHING BUT SPEND MORE MONEY SINCE WE'VE GONE TO THIS NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR SYSTEM.

SO I WOULD SIMPLY MAKE THE CASE, I THINK, TO COUNTY ATTORNEY METAPHASE POINT IN TERMS OF POTENTIAL LAWSUIT,

[01:10:04]

AND I HOPE THAT WE WILL GET TO THE POINT THAT WE CAN RUN A RELIABLE, STABLE, PREDICTABLE ELECTION.

BUT TODAY WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

SO THE NEW ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR COMING IN IS GOING TO INHERIT ALL OF THOSE PROBLEMS, WHICH I'VE NOT HEARD A SOLUTION YET ON WHAT THERE WOULD BE. SO MY SIMPLE STATEMENT THERE, IF THERE'S ANY COUNTY IN THE STATE THAT NEEDED AUDITING, IT'S HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER TO DRAW YOUR NAME OUT OF A HAT OR NOT.

WE OUGHT TO GET AUDITED SIMPLY BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WE'VE HAD IN THE COUNTY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ECHO THAT IN A DIFFERENT SENSE.

IF THERE'S ANY STATE IN AMERICA THAT OUGHT TO BE AUDITED, IT OUGHT TO BE THE STATE OF TEXAS AUDITED BECAUSE OF THE.

VOTER SUPPRESSION LAW THAT PASSED THAT HAS A RACIAL ELEMENT TO IT.

OBVIOUSLY, IT HAS A PARTIZAN ELEMENT TO IT.

I MEAN, THIS PLACE IS GOING BACK TO THE BAD OLD DAYS.

IT'S LIKE I'M EMBARRASSED TO TELL PEOPLE WHEN I'M IN A NATIONAL CONFERENCE, TEXAS, I'M JUST, LIKE I SAID, SOMEBODY FROM MISSISSIPPI.

AND I'D SAY, BLESS YOU, MY MY FRIEND.

NOW I FEEL THAT WAY WHEN IT'S TEXAS, BUT THEN HOW ARE WE DOING ON REGISTRATION? NOW COMPARED TO THE PAST, LIKE HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE? OF THOSE THAT ARE ELIGIBLE IN TEXAS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE.

THE FIRST STEP OUGHT TO BE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

I TRY OUT OF MY OFFICE.

I'VE TRIED IT IN EVERY OFFICE I'VE BEEN IN.

YOU KNOW, I WRITE ALL OF THE THE KIDS COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

I SEND THEM A VOTER REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE.

I MIGHT ADD. A GOOD NUMBER OF THEM ARE GOING TO VOTE AGAINST ME.

SOME OF THEM WHO GOT MY CERTIFICATES OVER THE YEARS HAVE RUN AGAINST ME.

BUT I DO IT AND EVERYBODY DOESN'T FEEL THAT WAY.

MIGHT I ADD THAT MAYBE THAT'S THE BENEFIT OF HAVING BEEN HERE 38 YEARS? IT WON'T BE THE END OF THE WORLD IF I DON'T HAVE HONORABLE IN FRONT OF MY NAME.

BUT WHAT OUR NUMBERS NOW COMPARE TO.

THE PAST. I'M PULLING THE EXACT NUMBER RIGHT NOW, BUT WE ARE OVER 2.5 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS AND WE'RE ABOUT 4.8 MILLION.

HOW MANY ELIGIBLE? 2.5 MILLION REGISTERED.

OUT OF HOW MANY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE? JUST IF YOU KNOW. WELL, I THINK WE'RE 4.5 POPULATION WISE, BUT I DON'T HAVE OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD THAT THE ESTIMATED ELIGIBLE OF THAT.

YEAH. YEAH.

SO YOU MIGHT EVEN TELL OUR NEW AEA WHEN THEY COME IN.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THAT OUT SO WE KNOW THERE ARE A MILLION PEOPLE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE WOULD NOT REGISTER TO VOTE.

I JUST BEEN CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW MANY HAVE BEEN PURGED WITH THE STATE'S EFFORT.

MAKE SURE HE IS LOOKING AT, YOU KNOW, THE CONTROVERSY TO PRESS CONTROVERSY OVER TO DOOR TO DOOR SCAMMERS WHO OUT IN MY OLD NEIGHBORHOOD, I WANT TO MAKE SURE FIRST STEP IS WE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO PUSH BACK WHAT WHAT OUR FUND'S OWN EFFORTS TO STATE HAS PUT IN PLACE TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE AND THEN GET TO THE OTHER PART.

I GUESS WE'LL STILL HAVE THE LONGEST BALLOT IN THE STATE, IF NOT THE COUNTRY.

IS THAT FAIR COMMENT? SO THAT'S TOTALLY HOW MANY IN THE COUNTRY THAT RIGHT.

BECAUSE IT IS.

YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT. IT IS ONE OF ONE, IF NOT THE LONGEST IN THE COUNTRY.

AND NOVEMBER WILL WILL HAVE THAT SAME LEVEL, SAME, SAME, IF NOT MORE CONTEST THAN WE HAD IN THE MARCH PRIMARY.

AND WE'LL PROBABLY BE BACK TO THE TWO SHEETS, IS THAT CORRECT? THAT'S RIGHT. WHAT WE'RE ANTICIPATING RIGHT NOW IS AND THIS WE WILL KNOW VERY SOON, BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET CONTRACTS WITH THE LOCAL ENTITIES THAT WILL JOIN US FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT.

BUT AS SOON AS WE ESTABLISH HOW MANY CONTEST THAT IS, WE ARE LOOKING AT EITHER TWO OF THE LONGER SHEETS OF PAPER OR THREE OF THE SHORTER SHEETS OF PAPER THAT WE ARE.

ABSOLUTELY, YEAH.

POTENTIALLY, THERE'S IT.

WE BASICALLY HAVE TO SEE HOW MANY CONTESTS THAT WE HAVE THAT WE WON'T KNOW THAT FOR A FEW WEEKS.

OKAY. OKAY. AND OBVIOUSLY, IF THERE'S A POSSIBILITY, WE GO TO THREE SHORTER ONES INSTEAD OF TWO LONGER ONES.

YOU ALL ARE GOING TO SORT IT THROUGH, WHICH COULD CREATE THE MOST CARTRIDGE OR WAS IT THE TERM PRINTER PROBLEM? I KNOW I HAD THAT ISSUE.

AND THEN WE USE STATE LAW WHERE YOU CAN'T DRIVE THROUGH.

I DID DRIVE THROUGH AND I HAD THE THE ISSUE.

WE CAN'T DO THAT. AND AM I RIGHT? WE CAN'T GIVE THEM WATER ANYMORE.

RIGHT. I THINK ANYTHING OF VALUE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OKAY. SO I WOULD DEFER TO YOU WHEN YOU ALL WHEN THIS NEW PERSON COMES IN, WHATEVER WE CAN DO, ASSUMING IF THERE ARE LINES. I DON'T KNOW.

[01:15:01]

BUT I'M CERTAINLY GOING TO ADVOCATE.

WE SPEND SOME OF OUR MONEY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN WITHIN.

MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE LIMITS OF THE LAW.

IF WE CAN'T GIVE THEM ANYTHING OF VALUE, LIKE SIMPLY GIVING SOMEBODY WATER, I THINK THAT'S A VALUE WHEN YOU NEED IT IS A VALUE, ADDED KIRSCH. YEAH.

ON CHAIRS.

WHAT CAN WE DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE VENDORS NEARBY SO THAT THEY CAN DO IT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT AS I HEARD A PODCAST THE OTHER DAY, PEOPLE OUT AT DISNEYLAND, THEY FIGURE OUT WHAT THEY CAN DO TO MAKE WAITING, YOU KNOW, A PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE.

AND I HEARD SANJAY GUPTA ON THIS PODCAST SAY, YOU KNOW, YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING RIGHT WHEN PEOPLE ARE SAYING, CAN I TAKE A LITTLE LONGER BEFORE WE GET MY TICKET TO GET ON A RIDE? BUT WE NEED TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN.

AND THIS IS REGARDLESS OF WHO SOMEBODY IS VOTING FOR.

I'M GOING TO ADVOCATE THAT WE SPEND OUR MONEY.

I'M GOING TO TREAT THIS JUST LIKE IF I IF I'VE BEEN A COUNTY COMMISSIONER WITH THE ABILITY TO DO IT IN YAZOO, MISSISSIPPI, IN THE SIXTIES OR FORTIES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE SPEND THE MONEY TO GO AND DO THAT REGARDLESS HOW PEOPLE WANT TO VOTE.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

YOU DIDN'T PULL THAT NUMBER. I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE.

WE'RE NOT REGISTERED.

I WILL ACTUALLY WORK WITH MR. TATUM ON PROVIDING THAT TO YOU.

YES, SIR. THANK YOU.

AND I'M TRYING TO GET IT OUT BECAUSE I THINK THAT HELPS WITH THE PR EFFORT.

AND PEOPLE KNOW, I MEAN, IT SOUNDS GREAT WHEN YOU GOT 2.5 MILLION PEOPLE WHO ARE REGISTERED TO VOTE, BUT WHEN YOU GET 4.8, 4.9 MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY, SOME OF THEM ARE UNDER 18, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT SO HOW MANY COULD ELIGIBLE BUT ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE TO ME BEFORE OCTOBER 11TH? THANK YOU. MR..

MR.. TURNER, YOU CAN WORK UP THAT MOTION.

YOU TELL ME LATER AND I'LL DO IT NOW OR LATER WHENEVER I HAVE A NOTE ALREADY.

I DON'T, YOU KNOW, YOU'LL TELL ME IF THIS IS RIGHT.

BUT WHAT I HAVE IS A MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION REGARDING REGARDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SELECTION OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR RANDOMIZED AUDIT OF ITS ELECTIONS PURSUANT TO SECTION ONE 27.3 51A OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE.

I'LL MOVE IT. SO THAT WORKS, JUDGE.

DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? EITHER ITEM 292 OR 307.

NO. I HAD A COUPLE HERE.

I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN JUST DO IT AS A REQUEST.

BUT SHOULD I DO IT AS A MOTION.

ONE WAS MOVED TO SUPPORT THE LEASE OF NRG ARENA FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION OPERATIONS AND DIRECT RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT THE LOGISTICS REQUIRED TO USE NRG, THE NEED THAT IS A MOTION CIRCUIT.

TO MAKE THIS MOTION, I MOVED TO SUPPORT THE LEASE OF NRG ARENA FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION OPERATIONS AND DIRECT RELEVANT ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT THE LOGISTICS REQUIRED TO USE NRG.

OKAY. SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THAT ONE BY COMMISSIONER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MOTIONS.

NO, WE'RE VOTING ON THIS ONE RIGHT NOW.

I WOULD I WOULD REQUEST IF I CAN PLEASE REPEAT FOR CLARIFICATION FOR EACH ONE.

SUPPORT THE LEASE OF NRG ARENA.

FOR THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION OPERATIONS AND DIRECT RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO SUPPORT THE LOGISTICS REQUIRED TO USE NRG ARENA.

AND THIS IS JUST A MOTION SEPARATE FROM.

YEAH. SO THE ONLY MOTION ON THE TABLE RIGHT NOW IS THE ONE COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST READ AND THAT'S UNDER ITEM 307.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS CORRECT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. HI.

HI. COMMISSIONER HAHN I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY EVERYONE'S JUST TO REQUEST THAT THE ELECTIONS OFFICE IDENTIFY A COST TO THE 22 2020 ELECTION AUDIT AND THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE 2022 ELECTION AUDIT FOR TRANSPARENCY PURPOSES WITH THE TAXPAYERS.

THAT'S JUST A REQUEST.

DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT? NO. OKAY.

AND THEN LET'S GO BACK TO THE ITEM COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD SENT US.

SO I ASK ABOUT THE LAWSUIT.

YES, SIR. THAT'S THE MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION REGARDING THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S SELECTION OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR RANDOMIZED AUDIT OF ITS

[01:20:01]

I MOVE IT SLOW MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF I CAN MAKE SURE I SEE YOU ALL IN FAVOR.

ALL RIGHT. KLINE.

ANY OPPOSE? NO.

IS THIS ALSO FOR 307 OR FOR 292? THAT'S FOR 292 THROUGH 92.

92 UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY.

I'M IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

I DO THINK IT'S WORTH CALLING, CALLING OUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTION AUDIT THAT WAS REQUESTED RIGHT AFTER FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP REQUESTED IT, THAT THERE WAS SOME DELAYS ON THE ELECTION REPORTING, OBVIOUSLY.

BUT THIS WAS ALSO AFTER LEGISLATION THAT MADE IT SO MUCH HARDER FOR US TO RUN THE ELECTION.

AND WE HAVE GONE FORWARD WITH CHANGING THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

BUT. THE JANUARY SIX HEARINGS CONTINUE TO SHOW HOW DANGEROUS IT IS AND WHAT A FALSE STATEMENT IT IS THAT BY CREATING MORE AND MORE DOUBT IN THE ELECTION, YOU ARE SOMEHOW CREATING MORE FAITH IN THE ELECTION.

YEAH, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, I'VE WATCHED SOME OF THE HEARINGS AND THE THE THREATS AGAINST PEOPLE WHO ELECTION WORKERS.

I MEAN, DOES MEAN THAT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY MORE MONEY, WHETHER WE GET FEDERAL.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN USE FEDERAL MONEY TO DO IT OR NOT, BUT TO GET FOLKS TO GO AND DO THIS AND THE YOU KNOW, THE CONSTANT HURDLES THAT ARE COMING UP THAT EVEN ONE PARTY PUTS IN THE WAY TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT.

I MEAN, WE'VE HISTORICALLY HAD CHALLENGES DIDN'T JUST START, BY THE WAY, BUT HISTORICALLY WE'VE HAD ISSUES HERE.

AND MOST OF THE PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN BECAUSE OF THAT AWFUL LEGISLATION THAT THEY PASSED.

AND I JUST YOU KNOW, I DON'T DANCE AROUND IT.

EVERYBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

PEOPLE THEY WANT TO STAY IN POWER BY MAKING IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE.

I SEE YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I JUST I DO WANT TO POINT OUT ONE THING THAT I FOUND PARTICULARLY ALARMING ABOUT THIS LAW THAT THE AUDIT IS CONDUCTED UNDER.

IT SAYS THAT THE THE COUNTY COULD BE AUDITED FOR THE PREVIOUS TWO YEARS.

SO THIS IS EVEN RELITIGATING POTENTIALLY THE 2020 ELECTION RESULTS THAT PEOPLE STORMED OUR NATION'S CAPITAL AND KILLED OTHERS OVER THAT WE ARE THAT WE ARE RIGHT NOW WATCHING IN REAL TIME BE REPLAYED.

AND WE ARE SEEING WHITE HOUSE LEADERS ADMIT THAT THEY KNOW THAT THE ELECTION WAS NOT STOLEN, JUST AS THE FOLKS THAT PASSED THIS LEGISLATION PASSED IT IN THE NAME OF A SO CALLED STOLEN ELECTION THAT THEY ALSO KNEW HAD NOT BEEN STOLEN.

SO THE IDEA OF AUDITS, IF IT WASN'T TAINTED BY JANUARY SIX, IT SURE WAS TAINTED BY THE 2021 DECISION OF THE STATE TO ISSUE AN AUDIT TO HARRIS COUNTY AS SOON AS PRESIDENT TRUMP ASKED FOR THERE TO BE ONE.

AND IT SURE SHOULD BE TAINTED BY THE HORRENDOUS TRUTHS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF THESE JANUARY SIX HEARINGS BY REPUBLICAN LEADERS AND SENIOR STAFF MIGHT ADD.

AND SO IT IS OUR DUTY IN HARRIS COUNTY TO REMEMBER AND REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF WIDESPREAD VOTER FRAUD, NOT IN THE 2020 ELECTION, NOT IN THE 2021 ELECTION, NOT IN ANY 2022 ELECTION.

NOBODY LIKES DELAYED RESULTS.

THERE HAVE BEEN DELAYS OVER TIME AND THIS COUNTY IS IN OTHER COUNTIES.

WE'RE DEALING WITH IT.

LEGISLATION IS PARTLY THE CAUSE OF IT, BUT THERE IS NO REASON FOR FOR A POLITICIZED AND POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ELECTION AUDIT, ESPECIALLY AFTER DEMOCRACY NEARLY CRUMBLED OVER THIS PANDERING.

AND I'LL LEAVE IT AT THAT.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A QUESTION.

I THOUGHT WE JUST VOTED ON FINDING OUT WHAT THE COST WAS OF THE AUDIT.

WAS WAS THAT WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON? IT WAS JUST A REQUEST JUST TO FIND OUT WHAT THE COST WAS THE LAST.

SO THE VOTE THAT WE JUST TOOK WAS ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ACTION AGAINST THE AUDIT.

THE VOTE WE JUST TOOK US TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO TAKE LEGAL ACTION.

I'M SO SORRY. I MISUNDERSTOOD WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON.

I THOUGHT WE WERE VOTING ON.

DO YOU WANT TO SWITCH YOUR VOTE? YES, I DO. OKAY.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

DO WE HAVE TO VOTE AGAIN? WE LEARNED ABOUT THE GANG JUDGE.

WE JUST NEED TO JUST RECOGNIZE COMMISSIONER KAGAN'S VOTE AS A NO, IT ISN'T.

DID YOU WANT TO VOTE NO ON SUPPORTING THE LEASE OF NRG ARENA? I THINK YOU WANT TO VOTE NO ON THAT ONE, TOO.

NO, I SUPPORT THE ARENA AND I SUPPORT FINDING OUT WHAT THE COST IS OF THE AUDIT.

I DO NOT SUPPORT THE LAWSUIT.

OKAY. WE'LL GOT YOU.

AND I'M SORRY, WITH THE VIRTUAL THING HERE, I GOT LOST ON WHAT WE WERE VOTING ON.

MY. MY APOLOGIES.

THEY TELL ME THAT COVID CREATES A FOG, BUT SOMEBODY VOTES AROUND HERE WELL BEFORE.

[01:25:05]

I'M THE ONLY ONE WITHOUT THE FOG.

YEAH. OKAY.

SO YOU KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW.

RIGHT? SO THAT'S 292 AND 307.

WE'RE DONE WITH THOSE TWO.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I HAVE A NOTE HERE THAT YOU WERE POSSIBLY GOING TO BRING SOME STUDENTS.

IS THAT STILL. YEAH, THEY THEY I DON'T THINK THEY'RE STILL JUDGE.

JUST JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, J OR CHRISTIAN, EITHER ONE POINT OF ORDER, JUDGE, YOU GAVE ME THE FLOOR.

SO THE SECOND COMMISSIONER CAGLE LET ME ON THE LAST AGENDA ITEM, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A CLARIFICATION THAT MY VOTE IS REGISTERED FOR FINDING OUT WHAT THE COST IS FOR ENERGY AGAINST THE LAWSUIT.

SO, JUDGE. YES, THAT'S CORRECT.

COMMISSIONER, GO AHEAD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I THINK THEY HAVE THEY'VE GONE BACK TO WORK.

BUT I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS A VERY, VERY PROUD MOMENT FOR ME BECAUSE I CONTINUE TO LOOK TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S WORK IN THE LEGISLATURE WITH HIM.

WELL, WE HAVE THE PRECINCT TWO STUDENT TO GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, AND THIS IS A PROGRAM INTENDED TO TEACH TEENS LEADERSHIP SKILLS SERVICE, LEARNING PROJECTS, COMMUNITY SERVICE AND VOLUNTEERING.

AND WITH THE HELP OF COMMUNITY LEADERS, THE ACADEMY CREATES A SAFE PLACE FOR TEENS TO DIRECT THEIR ENERGY AND PASSION FOR SERVICE AND ACHIEVE POSITIVE OUTCOMES.

IN ADDITION TO ATTENDING COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WERE HERE, HERE, HERE THEY COME, THE STUDENTS GOT TO VISIT THE UNIVERSITY OF ST THOMAS, THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, AND THIS IS THE FIRST CLASS OF THE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY CURRENTLY ATTENDING THE ROSE M AVALOS P-TECH SCHOOL OUT OF ALDINE ISD.

AND I WANT TO THANK IN PARTICULAR MR. JOE FUENTES. HE'S HE'S A TEAM MEMBER AND AN INTERIM AND INTERIM PRECINCT TWO EDUCATION SERVICE MANAGER WHO BROUGHT THE STUDENTS HERE THIS MORNING. AND SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE EACH ONE, BEGINNING WITH AN IF YOU'LL JUST KIND OF WAVE, LET US KNOW WHICH ONE YOU ARE.

IS ESMERALDA CHEN ALL RIGHT? 17. SHE'S A SENIOR.

COSI ABBY.

COSI IS ALSO 17 AND A SENIOR AARON.

AARON IS 16 AND HE'S A JUNIOR.

BUT GET THIS, THIS GUY ALREADY IS TALKING GOING TO MIT.

THAT IS PRETTY COOL.

MONSERRAT FLORES, ONCE READ, IS 16 AND A JUNIOR, ELIANA LUNA.

ELIANA IS 16 AND A JUNIOR AND JOSE CUEVAS.

JOSE IS ALSO 16 AND AND A JUNIOR.

AND I'M JUST EXCITED THEY'RE HERE WATCHING COMMISSIONERS COURT, BUT THEY'LL BE DOING SOME OTHER THINGS.

AND WE JUST HAD A REAL GOOD DISCUSSION EARLIER THIS MORNING.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK THE FIRST CLASS OF THE STUDENT TO GOVERNMENT LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS.

OKAY. ROSE AVALOS, TAKE SCHOOL OUT ALL DAY.

YEAH. CHURCH.

I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND THE COMMISSIONER FOR STARTING THE PROGRAM AND ALSO TELL YOU ALL YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICT AGREED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE DISPARITY FUND.

NOW I'M WAITING, SAID BRITTANY ORANGE.

I'M WAITING TO SEE IF THEY'RE GOING TO AGREE TO LET THE COUNTY DO THAT MURAL OVER THERE.

AND I WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY THE OTHER DAY ABOUT THE ROLE YOUNG PEOPLE PLAY, SO YOU OUGHT TO GO BACK AND ASK, GO TO YOUR SCHOOL BOARD AND TELL THEM YOU WANT A BRITTNEY GRINER MURAL UP AT ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS.

I THINK SHE WENT TO ALDINE.

I BUT THANK YOU.

CONGRATULATIONS. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR INTEREST IN GOVERNMENT.

THANK YOU, GUYS. RIGHT.

OKAY. SO BEFORE WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS, I WANT TO LIST SEVERAL ITEMS THAT ARE NO ACTION.

8687 129.

130. 223.

291 AND 293.

SEEMS WE HAVE MORE THAN USUAL.

JUST A NOTE ALSO.

SO THE PLAN OF THREE IS WE'LL HAVE CAPTAIN SMITH AND SOMETIME BETWEEN TWO AND FOUR IS WHEN AIR AND OKAY ARE AVAILABLE TO DISCUSS THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

SO I'LL MAKE A NOTE TO DISCUSS THAT THEN.

AND THAT'LL BE ITEMS 26, 308 AND 256.

SO WITH THAT SAID, LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE ANY REMAINING SPEAKERS.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)]

[01:30:05]

BEING LIKE THE TWO GUYS IN THERE.

AND THEN I DOESN'T.

AND THEN WHEN MY LAST NIGHT THERE WITH THEM TO LOOK AT BUT I'M GOING TO GET BACK.

I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THE COMPANY FOR HONORING THE COAST GUARD BECAUSE HEY, THEY'RE THEIR MANO SEMPER PARTNERS OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

AND I DON'T SPEAK LATIN.

AND THEN WHEN I WENT TO BEGIN WITH NUMBER THREE OR TO THE REQUEST BY ONE PERSON TO GET A RESOLUTION FOR THIS OLIVIA BECAUSE OF THE STUPID THING SHE'S DONE FOR SUPPOSEDLY HEALTH CARE SERVICES, HOW WAS ABORTION A HEALTH CARE? BECAUSE WHEN YOU HAVE TWO LIVES, THE MOTHER AND THE CHILD IN THE WOMB AND YOU GET RID OF THE LIFE OF THE MOTHER THAT IS IN HEALTH CARE.

AND HE'S LIKE, LET YOUR KIESSLING GO MORE TOWARDS YOU.

ABOUT TWO OR THREE MORE WANTING THE PASSAGE AS THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT.

AND THAT IS A GOOD ACT TO PASS.

BUT THE BEST THING THAT IS DONE IS THE THREE OR FOUR WHERE HE WANTS TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH MORE THAN EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL REGARDING THE PLANNING OF GUN VIOLENCE.

ME AT THE SCHOOL, THAT'S SOMETHING CONSTRUCTIVE.

AND I WANT TO ALSO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BECAUSE HE'S GETTING THE DUFF CROSBY SIGNS.

HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS CRITICIZE BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR THAT, THEY'RE QUAKERS.

WELL, I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT I AM BECAUSE I'M VERY AMUSING TODAY.

I'M GOING TO GET BACK SURGERY.

I'M BACK SURGERY.

CORTISONE SHOT IN MY BACK BECAUSE I GOT HIT BY A CAR ON JUNE 21ST.

BY. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER SIX, PRISCILLA MORRIS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 12 UNDER COVID 19.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

I'M SORRY. I'M SERIOUS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

ON THE MOUTH OF THE PUPPET THAT I CHOSE, RIGHT? YES, MA'AM. YOU'RE SPEAKING ON ITEM 12 UNDER COVID 19 POLICY? YES, MA'AM. YOU CAN BEGIN SPEAKING.

LISTEN, I THINK I'VE MADE A BIG IMPACT ON EVERYONE.

THE FACT THAT THIS REPORT IS GOING OUT ON A VOLUNTARY SOURCE, KNOWING WHEN MY SON WAS SUPPOSED TO THIS THING, I KNOW THAT WOULD BE KIND OF REALLY DANGEROUS.

THE FACE OF THIS VIRUS SPREADING AROUND EVERYWHERE.

BUT YOU SAY THEN I THINK ANYONE I THINK WE HAVE TO GO NO FURTHER DISCUSSIONS.

OKAY. LIKE ME, LIKE AROUND ONE OF THE 22.

I HAVEN'T I HAVEN'T REALLY QUIT.

AND THE REASON IS THAT I LITERALLY HAVE TO WEAR MY HEAD ALL THE TIME, ESPECIALLY WHEN LIFE CHANGES WITH YOUR TRANSITION.

SO ONE DAY MY FATHER WOULD WANT IT ALL ON MY SIDE, BUT WE COULDN'T BECAUSE WE HAD A PERSON OVER AS FAR AS I SAW THEM AS SOON AS THEY DID. EVEN THOUGH, LIKE THEY SAY TIME IS ACTUALLY A THING, WE'LL MAKE SURE SOMEONE FOLLOWS UP WITH YOU TO SEE IF THEY CAN HELP HER. NEXT TO THE SPEAKER, NUMBER SEVEN, STATE REPRESENTATIVE JOHN ROSENTHAL SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, COURT COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY.

I WANT TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE PROPOSED BOND.

[01:35:04]

I CONSIDER THIS A CORE TO YOUR FUNCTION AS OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND MY DISTRICT HOUSE DISTRICT ONE, I-35 IS ALL UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY, SO WE RELY VERY HEAVILY AND VERY GRATEFUL FOR SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE COUNTY.

SO I JUST WANT TO LEND MY VOICE IN A POSITIVE WAY TOWARDS THIS BOND.

I KIND OF WISH IT WAS A HIGHER DOLLAR AMOUNT, BUT DEFINITELY SOMETHING BETTER THAN NOTHING.

AND I FULLY SUPPORT I HOPE YOU ALL WILL VOTE FOR IT.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO TALK.

AND THAT'S MY MINUTE.

JUDGE. YES, ROSENTHAL, THIS IS RODNEY.

HEY, THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

AND WHILE WE HAVE YOU, I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, I GUESS, FROM THE PRESS ACCOUNTS.

AND I KNOW BECAUSE THE STATE GETS SALES TAX, THEY'RE LOOKING AT WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO DO WITH IT IN TERMS OF BOND ISSUES.

I KNOW WHEN THAT DIKE COMES UP, THE WAY IT'S STRUCTURED NOW, HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS WOULD PICK UP THE BULK OF THE TAB IF THEY APPROVE IT.

I DON'T THINK THEY'LL APPROVE, WOULD BE HONEST WITH YOU.

BUT I HOPE BEFORE ALL OF THAT MONEY GOES OUT, SOMEBODY WILL MAKE A CASE.

YOU'D BE A PERFECT ONE TO SAY THE STATE OUGHT TO PUT SOME OF THAT MONEY, MONEY THEY NEVER ANTICIPATED HAVING INTO PAYING FOR IKE DIKE.

OR WE WILL LOSE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET FEDERAL MONEY, BUT WE'LL SEE WHEN IT COMES.

BUT I THINK IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY.

THE VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE GOING TO PICK UP.

HOW MUCH IS IT, MR. BARRY? 20 THE GOLF WELL, THE LOCAL MATCH WOULD BE ON THE ORDER OF 10 BILLION FOR CAPITAL PLUS OPERATING.

AND IF THE GULF COAST PROTECTION DISTRICT USES ITS TAXING AUTHORITY, OVER 80% WOULD BE IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE MOST OF THE PEOPLE AND MOST OF THE PROPERTIES ONLY BECAUSE YOU TALK ABOUT A BOND ISSUE, REPRESENTATIVE AND I AND I APPRECIATE THAT I'VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT AND YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO STOP MAKING THAT NOISE BEFORE ALL OF THAT MONEY GOES OUT, BECAUSE ACTUALLY, THANKS SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

AND IT'S REALLY TIMELY SINCE THIS HAS JUST MOVED THROUGH THE CONGRESS RIGHT NOW.

RIGHT. AND THE THE STATE LEGISLATION TO PLANT THE SEED MONEY TO BRING DOWN THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS WAS JOINT AUTHORED BY MYSELF AND DENNIS PAUL, WHO'S A CONSERVATIVE, BUT MY FELLOW ENGINEER IN THE TEXAS HOUSE.

AND WE BOTH CONSIDER, YOU KNOW, HAVING A COASTAL BARRIER THAT I DIKE WOULD BE A DRAMATIC BENEFIT FOR OUR AREA ESPECIALLY BUT TEXAS AS A WHOLE IT'S GOING TO HAVE A GREAT ECONOMIC IMPACT.

YOU BRING A GOOD POINT.

WE'RE WALKING INTO IT. I'M PRETTY GOOD ON THE NUMBERS.

AND NO, I KNOW ONE COMMISSIONER CAHILL'S CONCERNS WAS WHAT'LL HAPPEN WHEN WE GET TO DIKE.

DIKE? WELL, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I THINK WHEN YOU PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT, YOU CAN WRAP IT UP ALL YOU WANT.

I DON'T THINK YOU GET $10 BILLION ON PROPERTY TAXES IN PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I DO I DO NOT THINK IT WILL PASS.

AND SO BEFORE WE GET TO THAT POINT AND ACT AS THOUGH THAT WITH NO OPTIONS, I'VE FORGOTTEN THE NUMBERS.

I'VE LOOKED AT THEM. I WAS TALKING TO SOMEBODY THE OTHER NIGHT IN AUSTIN THAT'S QUITE A BIT OF MONEY FROM SALES TAX, AND I'M SEEING THAT FROM THE GUY.

YOU GO BACK AND CHECK. I THINK I MIGHT BE IN THE TOP THREE TAX CUTTERS IN THE HISTORY OF TEXAS WITH THE BILL I PASSED IN 99.

SO DON'T GIVE IT ALL AWAY.

YOU'RE RIGHT. THIS IS A GOOD TIME TO BE PUTTING IN WORDS ON THE BUDGET.

I'M SURE THAT THEY ARE TAKING INPUT FROM ALL KINDS OF DIRECTIONS RIGHT NOW.

MAKE SOME GOOD NOISE ON IT BEFORE THE ELECTION.

THANK YOU. I WILL, SIR.

I WILL. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE.

AND LET'S TAKE, I PROMISE, THE BREAK EVERY 2 HOURS.

SO LET'S JUST TAKE A QUICK TEN MINUTE BREAK.

WE'LL BREAK UNTIL 1210 AND WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKER'S.

OKAY. WE HAVE A QUORUM NOW.

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)]

WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS.

NEXT, THE SPEAKER NUMBER 20, SD TRUSTEE KENDALL BAKER, SPEAKING ON ITEM 20 UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

GOOD MORNING. TO JUDGE, TO COMMISSIONERS, I COME TO YOU AS A LIFETIME RESIDENT, A PASTOR, PRECINCT CHAIR.

TO DO THAT AS AN OFFICIAL, JUST AS I AM TRUSTEES OF A.

PEOPLE THAT AS A BENEFICIARY AS A CONSTITUENT OF HARRIS COUNTY I BY NOVEMBER 23 FOR THE TIMES, YOU MUST FIRST ESTABLISH AND YOU MUST FIRST ESTABLISH TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY TO THE BENEFICIARY OF THE COUNTY TO BE WORTHY OF WINNING SUCH UPON THE ELECTION.

NUMBER TWO AFTER TWO CONSECUTIVE CORE GDP GROWTH RESULTING IN OUR COUNTY'S RECESSION, NET ONLY IS NOT THE TIME TO CONSIDER

[01:40:06]

AND THEN THREE AND FINALLY IN A HIGHLY CONTESTED ELECTION YEAR TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD NOT CONSIDER POLICIES THAT WILL HAVE A LONG. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

PASTOR, THANK YOU. WE'RE GOING TO KEEP PRAYING FOR YOU.

IS RODNEY ELLIS ALL RIGHT? HEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THANK YOU, PASTOR. THANK YOU, TRUSTEE.

NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT, MELVIN SPINKS SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

AFTERNOON. TWO DAYS AGO.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MELVIN SPINKS.

I'D LIKE TO SPEAK ABOUT MY SUPPORT FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY BOND BALLOT INITIATIVE.

I'M THE PRESIDENT OF CIVIL TECH OF WAR COMPANY, A CONSULTING ENGINEERING FIRM THAT I FOUNDED 25 YEARS AGO.

I'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON NUMEROUS TRANSPORTATION AND FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND MANY OTHER CITIES AS WELL.

MY SUPPORT OF THE $1.2 BILLION HARRIS COUNTY BOND PROGRAM IS BASED ON THREE FACTORS.

FIRST, POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY IN TEXAS IS INCREASING AND WILL CONTINUE.

INFRASTRUCTURE DEMANDS FOR IMPROVED ROADS AND BETTER DRAINAGE.

ALSO, INCREASE BOND FUNDING IS A PRIORITY.

PRIORITY FOR THESE FUTURE NEEDS TO THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

BOND INVESTMENTS NEED TO BENEFIT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, BOTH EQUITABLY AND FISCALLY.

AND THIRD, NOW, IT'S CRITICAL WE PLAN FOR THOSE NEW INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS IN ROADS, BRIDGES, DRAINAGE AND PARKS FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS.

THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

I APPRECIATE THE TIME, JUDGE MELVIN, I JUST WANT TO JUST COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE BOND. MELVIN, WITH YOU, YOU JUST WERE CHAIRING AC DC.

AND I WANT TO ASK YOU A COUPLE OF THINGS.

ONE IS THAT.

IS IT IS IT CRITICAL THAT A BOND PACKAGE BE PUT ON THIS ON THIS CYCLE? COMMISSIONER. YOU KNOW, AS WE LOOK AT THESE FROM 7 TO 8 YEARS APART, IT IS THAT TIME THAT WE HAVE A BOND PROGRAM.

THE LAST BOND PACKAGE PASSED IN 2015 WITH I THINK THE PRETENSE WE WOULD HAVE THOSE FUNDS ENDED, INVESTMENTS MADE WITHIN 5 TO 7 YEARS.

AND SO, YES, IT'S THAT TIME PERIOD.

GOOD DEAL. AND AND IN TERMS OF THE THE THE CATEGORIES ASSOCIATED WITH THIS BOND PACKAGE, ROADS, DRAINAGE PARKS, PUBLIC SAFETY, VISION ZERO, ARE THOSE APPROPRIATE CATEGORIES TO INCLUDE IN THIS PACKAGE AND NOT TO FAIL TO MENTION WHAT I'M TRYING TO ADD TO IT.

AND THAT IS THE THE PARTNERSHIP PORTION FOR OUR ENTITIES, WHETHER THEY'RE SCHOOL DISTRICTS, BUDS OR CITIES.

YOU KNOW, ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN WE TALK ABOUT INFRASTRUCTURE, WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ROADS, BRIDGES, PARKS, THINGS THAT ARE VITAL TO OUR RESIDENTS, OUR COMMUNITY.

THAT'S HOW WE ECONOMICALLY PROSPER AS A COMMUNITY.

SO THOSE ARE THE BASIC, FUNDAMENTAL THINGS.

WE AS A GOVERNMENT CAN INVEST IN BETTER ROADS, BETTER DRAINAGE, MORE FLOOD CONTROL PARKS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.

AND CLEARLY IN LINE WITH THE INVESTMENT, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS SAFETY AND AREA AREA.

SO YES, AND AND IN MY LAST QUESTION, BECAUSE I'M LOOKING AT A AT A REPORT HERE TITLED INFLATION INDICATORS TO MONITOR IN A VOLATILE ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT, WITH THE PREDICTION THAT INFLATION IS GOING TO GET WORSE IN NEXT YEAR IN THE FUTURE, IS IT BETTER TO WAIT OR TO PUT A PACKAGE UP NOW? WELL, AS WE ALL KNOW.

I MEAN, TIME IS MONEY.

INFLATION CONTINUES AT A PACE.

WE BUY LESS.

AND SO WE WANT TO PUT THOSE PROJECTS INTO THE INTO THE PLANNING STAGE.

THESE ARE PROGRAMS THAT LAST 5 TO 7 YEARS.

SO AS SOON AS WE COULD START THESE INVESTMENTS, AS THE COURT HAS DONE SO WELL IN THE PAST, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE THE BUYING POWER TO THESE PROJECTS.

GOOD DEAL, MELVIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN TODAY.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

YES, JUST A FEW MINUTES.

THIS IS ROD NELSON AND THANK YOU FOR CALLING.

AND SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A COUPLE OF POINTS.

YOU BOTH DID THE TIMING, ITS TIME IT MATCHES WITH THE TIME IT IMPACTS.

[01:45:06]

LET ME GIVE YOU A COUPLE MORE.

I HOPE THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION PASSES THAT SENATOR MANCHIN HAS PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN.

THERE'LL BE OPPORTUNITIES TO MATCH.

IS IT FAIR THAT IF WE HAVE CAPITAL FUNDING, THAT PUTS US IN A BETTER POSITION TO DRAW DOWN MORE FEDERAL MONEY THAT WE HOPE IS COMING? WELL, ABSOLUTELY.

WE CERTAINLY WANT TO BARGAIN AS MUCH OF OUR LOCAL DOLLARS WITH FEDERAL DOLLARS WHEN THEY'RE AVAILABLE.

CERTAINLY THOSE COMES WITH SOME STRINGS, AS YOU WELL KNOW, ATTACHED TO IT.

SO WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT WE ASK FOR FROM THE FEDS.

BUT VERY IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT MONEY AVAILABLE FLOW IN THOSE PARTNERSHIPS DO HAPPEN.

AND MELBOURNE. YOU'VE WATCHED THIS OVER THE YEARS AND I KNOW YOU ALL NORMALLY GET ACTIVE.

I SHOULD POINT OUT IT WASN'T OUR TRADITIONAL BOND PACKAGE LIKE THIS ONE.

OF COURSE WE HAD ONE OTHER ONE THAT WAS HARVEY THAT CAME ALONG.

AND ARE YOU AWARE THAT WE'RE PUTTING MORE TIME INTO THIS ONE THAN WE HAD FOR HARVEY? SO IN TERMS OF OUTREACH, THERE'S MORE TIME.

WE'RE AHEAD OF THE SCHEDULE THAT WE HAD WHEN WE PUT THE HARVEY PACKAGE UP.

JUST. WERE YOU AWARE OF THAT? WELL, COMMISSIONER, I KNOW ON THESE TYPES OF PRIORITIES, PRIORITIES, THE TIME IS ALWAYS OF THE SENSE TO GET OUT THERE AND COMMUNICATE WELL TO THE PUBLIC WHAT THESE PROJECTS ARE.

SO CERTAINLY THAT'S UP TO THE COURT AND YOUR DEPARTMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS.

YEAH. LAST POINT IS, I HOPE YOU ALL ARE GOING TO BE ACTIVE IN GETTING THE WORD OUT TO FOLKS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF IT IF IF IT PASSES.

I HOPE YOU ALL OUT THERE AS WELL.

AND LOOK, FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE WATCHING THE COURT OVER THE YEARS, I WOULD WATCH IT FROM A DISTANCE.

YOU KNOW, I MENTIONED THAT I WAS CLOSE TO VOTING ONE AND ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ASKED ME TO CHANGE MY VOTE, AND I DID.

BUT CAN YOU REMEMBER A TIME WHEN A COMMISSIONERS WERE OPPOSED TO AN INFRASTRUCTURE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE? IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, COMMISSIONER, I.

YOU KNOW, CLEARLY WE WANT A UNIFIED COURT ON THIS.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK WE'VE STIPULATED FROM OUR INDUSTRY THAT IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE A UNIFIED COURT WHEN WE GO AFTER BOND PROGRAMS. HEY, THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU BEING SO PATIENT.

ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER NINE, REBECCA CORNELL SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE A MINUTE? GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

YES. MY NAME IS REBECCA CORNELY.

I APPRECIATE YOUR LETTING ME JOIN IN THIS MEETING TODAY.

I'M A CONSTITUENT.

I LIVE IN PRECINCT THREE.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 20.

I THINK IT SHOULD BE DISCUSSED.

OUR COMMISSIONER, SO FAR IN THE PAST HAS ALWAYS, YOU KNOW, HAD OUR BEST INTERESTS IN MIND.

SO I'M VERY MUCH IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 20 AND I HOPE THAT IT PASSES.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF GROWTH.

WE DO NEED MORE ROAD REPAIRS, MORE BRIDGEWORK, MORE DRAINAGE.

WE DO HAVE A FLOODING PROBLEM STILL.

AND SO I HOPE THAT THIS PASSES AND ANYONE LISTENING, I HOPE THAT THEY REALLY GET THIS PASSED THROUGH AND THAT WE CAN GET SOME MORE WORK GOING.

THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU TO MR. COMMISSIONER AND MRS. BALGO AND ALL THE COURTS THERE FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU ARE TRYING TO GET PAST.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MA'AM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 11, JULIO DEL CARPIO SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

AH YES. MY NAME IS JULIA, DOCUDRAMA DEVELOPER OF OLD TOWN HARRISBURG.

THIS IS A UNIQUE TOURIST TOURIST DEVELOPMENT IN HOUSTON, EASTERN.

WE ARE PLANNING TO DO A REPLICA OF THE FIRST CAPITAL OF TEXAS THAT DISAPPEARED IN 1836.

FROM HERE, THE INDEPENDENCE OF TEXAS WAS DIRECTED.

CERTAINLY, IT'S MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE ALAMO.

WHEN THE FIRST CAPITAL IS COMPLETED, WE CAN BRING MILLIONS OF TOURISTS TO OUR SITE AND GENERATE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS FOR THE EAST IN THE SAME WAY THAT THE ALAMO DOES.

I WILL ENCOURAGE FOR THIS BOND TO BE PASSED BECAUSE WE NEED TO IMPROVE THE ROADS.

WE NEED TO IMPROVE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL BENEFIT, YOU KNOW, OUR COMMUNITY AS WELL.

THAT COULD DO WONDERS FOR THE TOURIST INDUSTRY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER 13 WALTER STINSON OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

[01:50:03]

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

GOOD TO BE HERE.

I'M IN AGREEMENT WITH EVERYTHING THAT ALL THE OTHER PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT ARE TALKING ABOUT ON NUMBER 20.

ITEM NUMBER 20.

ONE THING I WANT TO ITERATE IN THIS IS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

A LOT OF OUR FACILITIES ARE ABOUT FIVE DECADES OLD AND WE WOULD REALLY LIKE FOR THIS BOND TO BE PASSED SO WE COULD DO SOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

WITH THAT, I THINK OUR OUR CITIZENS WOULD HAVE A BETTER USER EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY HAD TO GO TO THE COURTHOUSE TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS.

WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING.

WE NEED AREAS IN TIME OF EMERGENCY SITUATIONS WHEN WE HAVE TO WORK OVER ON THESE EMERGENCY SCHEDULES FOR FOR DEPUTIES TO TAKE SHOWERS.

WE NEED LOCKER ROOMS. WE NEED A PLACE FOR THEM TO TAKE A BREAK AND RECOVER AND THEN GO BACK OUT ON THE STREETS BECAUSE THEY ARE ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL.

SO BASICALLY, OUR BILL IS IS WE'VE OUTGROWN WHERE WE AT.

WE DO HAVE PARTNERSHIPS IN OUR COMMUNITIES WITH SOME OF OUR CONTRACT PARTNERS AND MY DISTRICT.

YOUR TIME IS UP. DEPUTY GORDON.

GORDON, CONTINUE. WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S, WE HAVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH SOME OF OUR MUD DISTRICTS OUT THERE THAT ACTUALLY SPEND THEIR FUNDS TO GIVE US SOME OFFICE SPACE OUT IN THE DISTRICTS.

WITHOUT THAT, WE WOULDN'T HAVE ADEQUATE ROOM FOR SOME OF OUR INVESTIGATORS.

WE HAVE VIOLENT CRIMES INVESTIGATORS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INVESTIGATORS THAT ARE ASSIGNED ALL OUR DISTRICTS AND THEY UTILIZE THOSE OFFICE SPACES IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO BE CLOSE TO THE DISTRICTS AND BE OUT THERE WITH THE CRIMES HAPPEN.

SO IF WE COULD GET THIS PASSED, BUILD A BIGGER FACILITY AND MODEL SOME OF THE FACILITIES THAT HPD HAVE, YOU KNOW, IT'S BETTER FOR OUR COMMANDERS TO BE ABLE TO COMMAND THOSE DISTRICTS AND HAVE ALL THE RESOURCES IN ONE PLACE SO THEY CAN REACH OUT AND SAY, HEY, WE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS GOING ON.

THIS IS WHAT I NEED OUR VIOLENT CRIMES INVESTIGATORS TO WORK ON INSTEAD OF HAVING TO YOU KNOW, IT BASICALLY IT'S A SUPERVISOR'S NIGHTMARE WHEN IT COMES TO HAVING ALL YOUR PEOPLE SPREAD OUT AROUND THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE ADEQUATE SPACE TO PUT THEM ALL TOGETHER.

AND I KNOW I'VE TALKED A LOT, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE NEED.

WE NEED GENERATORS FOR OUR FACILITIES.

WHEN THE LIGHTS GO OUT, WE'RE IN THE DARK.

AND AS YOU KNOW, DURING HARVEY CYPRESS WOOD AND CLAY ROAD AND WAYNESVILLE, WE ALL FLOODED.

I KNOW THE COUNTY INVESTED MONEY TO REBUILD THOSE FACILITIES FOR US, BUT IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME.

IT'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN.

WE NEED TO RAISE THOSE ELEVATIONS.

AND IF WE COULD LOOK AT SOME CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND HAVE, YOU KNOW, BETTER PARKING, MORE SECURE FACILITIES, KNOW OUR JAILS, OUTLYING JAILS DON'T HAVE ALL OF THEM, DON'T HAVE SALLY PORTS.

WE DON'T HAVE FENCED IN AREAS FOR OUR CARS.

I CAN TELL YOU AT ONE OF OUR LOCATIONS, WE'VE HAD A CADILLAC CONVERTER STOLEN OFF ONE OF OUR COUNTY CARS BECAUSE WE HAD NO WAY TO SECURE IT.

SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR AS FAR AS CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS FOR SOME OF OUR OUTLYING FACILITIES.

AND LET ME ASK YOU THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WOULD YOU, SIR, DO YOU THINK YOU ARE AN ANOMALY IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THAT THE FACILITIES NEED TO BE UPGRADED? DO YOU THINK YOU'RE BY YOURSELF OR DO YOU THINK THERE'S A FEW MORE DEPUTIES STANDING WITH YOU? I THINK I THINK THERE'S A LOT MORE DEPTH THAT EXTENDED WITH ME, SIR.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE HARRIS COUNTY GROWN.

YOU KNOW, WE'RE THE FOURTH LARGEST CITY IN THE COUNTRY COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY.

WE JUST NEED TO PUT A LITTLE MORE MONEY BACK IN OUR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.

AND AND LIKE I SAID, IT'S ALSO ABOUT THE ABOUT THE CITIZEN.

THEY GET A BETTER EXPERIENCE WHEN THEY HAVE TO GO DOWN TO THE COURTHOUSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ADEQUATE PARKING.

THERE'S ROOM TO MOVE AROUND IN THERE.

THERE'S PLACES FOR THEM TO SIT WHILE THEY'RE WAITING FOR THEM TO BE CALLED UP TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR COUNTY BUSINESS.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE CAN WE CAN IMPROVE ON.

AND I THINK THAT LOOKING AT THIS, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY, INFLATION IS INFLATION.

WE'RE ALL GOING TO HAVE TO PAY TAXES.

I THINK I LOOKED AT SOMETHING WHERE IT SAID IT WOULD COST THE, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY $32 A YEAR OR WHATEVER.

I'M WILLING TO PAY THAT BECAUSE I THINK IT'S NEEDED.

I'M NOT ONE TO WASTE MONEY, BUT BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK THAT WE CAN ALL BENEFIT FROM.

AND WE WE'VE NEGLECTED THAT.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE OUTGROWN OUR 50 YEAR OLD SUBSTATIONS.

WE HAVE GROWN THEM. YOU SURE HAVE, MAN.

I'VE JUST BEEN.

I'VE JUST BEEN PROUD OF WHAT I'VE JUST BEEN PROUD OF WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE CONTINUED TO DO IN SPITE OF THE CONDITIONS THAT YOU'VE GOT.

[01:55:02]

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN. AND THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OUT THERE DOING A TOUGH JOB AS IT IS AND WORKING IN TOUGH CONDITIONS. I'M HOPING THAT WE'LL GET THIS PASSED AND THAT IT WILL ALLOW US TO START THE PROCESS, TO BEGIN TO TO UPGRADE THOSE VERY, VERY ANTIQUATED FACILITIES.

IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, SOME OF THE PLACES THAT YOU'RE WORKING IN WERE BUILT IN THE LATE SIXTIES AND NOT EARLY SEVENTIES, AND THAT HAS BEEN THAT, AND THAT MIGHT BE GENEROUS.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

PLEASE CONVEY TO YOUR YOUR COLLEAGUES THAT WE'RE PUSHING FOR THIS AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

AND IT WAS A PLEASURE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 14, NICHOLAS KOSTER, ALSO OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

AFTERNOON. I'M JUST GOING TO FOLLOW UP ON WHAT STING'S MOM HAD MENTIONED.

AGAIN, A LOT OF THE SHERIFFS, ALL OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTIES ARE IN FAVOR OF THIS BOND GETTING PASSED SO WE CAN UPGRADE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

I'M GOING TO TOUCH ON THE ITEMS. A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT STENZEL MENTIONED COMPARING TO HPD, NOT ONLY HPD, BUT ALL OF A MAJORITY OF THE SURROUNDING LOCAL AGENCIES.

BUILDINGS COMPARED TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ALTHOUGH ALSO THE NEWEST BUILDING WAS BUILT IN 1979.

THAT WAS DISTRICT FIVE SUBSTATION.

WHEN YOU COMPARE IT TO ALL THE OTHER SUBSTATIONS, THEY ALL HAVE A COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM.

SO THE COMMUNITY CAN COME TO THE STATION, ENGAGE WITH THE OFFICERS AND THE DEPUTIES, RATHER THAN HAVE TO GO FIND A FACILITY THAT CAN ACCOMMODATE THAT.

WE HAVE DESIGNATED ROLL CALL ROOMS RIGHT NOW.

WE USE ONE ROOM FOR MULTIPLE USES AND INTERRUPTS THE OTHER OFFICERS WORKING IN THAT ROOM.

THEY HAVE OFFICER DORM ROOMS, THEY HAVE LAUNDRY ROOMS AND EVEN THE NATURAL DISASTERS.

THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME, OFFICERS GOING TO DO THEIR LAUNDRY? GO. GO AHEAD. YOU GOT ANOTHER MINUTE TO WRAP UP, MAN.

THANK YOU. YES, SIR.

SO AGAIN, OFFICER, DORM ROOMS, LAUNDRY ROOMS. IN TIME OF NATURAL DISASTERS, THE OFFICERS WHO ARE WORKING THE LONG HOURS THEY HAVE, THEY CAN WASH THEIR CLOTHES, THEY CAN GET REST AT THE STATIONS ON THEIR OFF HOURS.

THEY WALK THE ROOM, SHOWERS, FULL KITCHENS, ALL THINGS THAT WE NEED NOT ONLY DURING THE DAILY DUTIES, BUT IN THOSE NATURAL DISASTERS TIMES.

SO I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY NEED THE BOND TO UTILIZE THESE FUNDS TO HELP.

SO BRING THOSE STATIONS UP TO THE STANDARDS THEY NEED TO BE A GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. NEXT, THE SPEAKER NUMBER 15, JOHN NANY OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

MY NAME IS JOHN NANNI. I'VE BEEN A CAPTAIN WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE NOW FOR 31 AND A HALF YEARS.

I'M CURRENTLY ASSIGNED TO THE DISTRICT ONE STATION, WHICH IS OUT IN CYPRESS WOOD, AND WE'RE ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING AREAS IN THE COUNTY.

I'VE WORKED AT EVERY STATION IN THE COUNTY AND ALL OF THEM ARE PRETTY MUCH INADEQUATE TO AS THE OTHER DEPUTIES AND THE SERGEANT WAS SAYING IN REGARDS TO KEEPING UP WITH THE PERSONNEL THAT WE'VE THAT WE'VE GAINED AND SERVING THE COMMUNITIES AS IT GROWS SO QUICKLY.

THEY'RE NOT. THEY'RE NOT SUFFICIENT TO FOR PARKING.

THERE'S NO STAFF RESTROOMS. THERE'S NO LOCKER ROOMS. THERE'S NO MEETING ROOMS. A LOT OF TIMES WHEN WHENEVER WE WANT TO HAVE A MEETING, WE'RE FORCED TO ACTUALLY REACH OUT TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS, FIRE DEPARTMENTS, COMMUNITY LOCATIONS, CHURCHES, RESTAURANTS THAT HAVE MEETING ROOMS. AND AND WE TRY TO HAVE MEETINGS THERE.

IT'S I MEAN, IT DOES HAVE A GOOD POINT TO FOR COMMUNITY RELATIONSHIPS.

CAPTAIN GORDON, CONTINUE YOUR REMARKS.

YEAH. I'M ALMOST WRAPPING UP HERE.

SO, YOU KNOW, WE DO WE DO HAVE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SOME OF THE LOCATIONS, AND WE DO HAVE GOOD PARTNERSHIPS, BUT WE DEFINITELY NEED TO GET UPDATED TO WHERE WE CAN ACTUALLY BE INDEPENDENT AND AND HAVE WHAT WE NEED TO TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY.

CAPTAIN, THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CALLING IN.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF YOUR TROOPS.

AND AND YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT.

I MEAN, WHEN I WAS WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU, I WAS HAPPY TO HOLD THOSE THOSE COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

IT WAS JUST A SHAME THAT WE'D HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, GO ASK FOR A NEIGHBOR TO LEND US THE SPACE THAT SHOULD BE AVAILABLE TO US SO

[02:00:03]

BUT YOU CAN'T DO IT IF IF YOU'RE NOT INVITING PEOPLE OVER TO YOUR HOUSE.

AND SO AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE CALLERS BEFORE YOU SPOKE ABOUT.

THE WORKING CONDITIONS THAT THAT THE TROOPS ARE HAVING TO BE SUBJECTED TO.

DO YOU AGREE WITH THAT OR DO YOU THINK THAT WAS JUST A DEPUTY TRYING TO TO MAKE HAY FOR HIS HIS OR HIS OWN WORKING STATION? DO YOU THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THE TROOPS TO HAVE A GOOD WORKING SPACE AND ENVIRONMENT? OH, YES, SIR. ABSOLUTELY.

A MATTER OF FACT, I THINK THE LEVEL OF ATTRITION THAT WE SEE NOWADAYS IS A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH SOME OF THESE YOUNGER FOLKS THAT ARE HIRING ON AND THEY'RE NOT REALLY SEEING THE SUPPORT. I THINK THAT THAT THEY EXPECT AND I THINK HAVING NEW STATIONS IS JUST A START TO ACTUALLY SHOW THEM THAT WE ARE APPRECIATED AND THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND AND THAT THERE'S THERE'S THERE'S A LOT OF ROOM TO GROW HERE.

GOOD DEAL, MAN. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CAPTAIN.

AND PLEASE CONVEY OUR APPRECIATION TO YOUR MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE OUT THERE DOING A TOUGH JOB AS IT IS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, SIR. NEXT TO SPEAKER 17, MIKE LEE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

AND JUDGE HIDALGO, THIS IS MIKE LEE.

I'M THE CHIEF OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST HAD ABOUT THREE OR FOUR OF OUR EMPLOYEES SPEAK UP.

BUT I CAN TELL YOU, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, EVERY DEPUTY OVER HERE WOULD SAY THE SAME THING.

OUR FACILITIES ARE 6 TO 7 DECADES OLD AND THEY'RE INADEQUATE.

AND SO WE ARE DEFINITELY IN FAVOR OF THIS BOND PACKAGE, ESPECIALLY FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY SECTION OF THE BOND PACKAGE.

AND, YOU KNOW, HAVING SPENT 27 YEARS AT HPD AND SEEING WHAT THE CITY AND THE INVESTMENT THEY MADE OVER THE YEARS AND THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, IT MEANS A LOT TO TO THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER JUST ASKED CAPTAIN DANNY ABOUT WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO THE DEPUTIES? YOU KNOW, IT'S I KNOW WE ALL THE TIME HERE.

YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT PAY IS.

PAY IS IMPORTANT. AND I KNOW THAT'S SOMETHING YOU'RE TAKING A LOOK AT, BUT IT'S MORE THAN PAY.

YOU KNOW, IT'S WORKING CONDITIONS.

IT'S IT'S SHOWING THAT WE HAVE THAT WE TAKE PRIDE IN THE FACILITIES, THAT WE'RE SHOWING OUR SUPPORT FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT BY HAVING A NICE FACILITY TO WORK IN. AND IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, RECRUITING AND RETENTION AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, AS YOU ALL KNOW, NATIONWIDE IS A STRUGGLE.

AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE AREAS THAT WE CAN REALLY MAKE PROGRESS.

THANK YOU. HEY, CHIEF, REAL QUICKLY, BEFORE YOU GET OFF, LET ME LET ME ASK YOU, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN AND AND THANK YOU FOR REITERATING THE POINTS THAT CAPTAIN MADE AND SOME OF YOUR OTHER EMPLOYEES THERE.

BUT LET ME LET ME ASK A DIFFERENT QUESTION, BECAUSE THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M HOPING TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS BOND WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY PIECE THAT'S IN IT.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, I LED THE CHARGE TO CREATE A HPD'S REAL TIME CRIME CENTER.

DO YOU THINK AN INVESTMENT OF THAT NATURE WOULD BE IMPORTANT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO ALSO DEVELOP? I DO.

THERE'S ACTUALLY THE REAL TIME CRIME CENTER WAS A GREAT IDEA AND IT WAS A GREAT FACILITY.

THERE'S THAT I MEAN, THERE'S THERE'S SO MANY THINGS THAT IT'S HARD TO PIN DOWN.

IT'S LIKE, I KNOW ONE OF THE THINGS WE REALLY NEED OVER HERE, YOU KNOW, OUR DEPUTIES ARE INVOLVED IN OVER 400 PURSUITS A YEAR.

THAT IS I'M NOT SAYING THAT'S A GOOD THING.

IT'S JUST IT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT'S POLICE WORK. THIS DEPARTMENT, WE'RE THE FIRST WE'RE THE LARGEST POLICE OR SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN TEXAS, THE THIRD LARGEST IN AMERICA.

WE DON'T EVEN HAVE A DRIVING FACILITY TO TRAIN MY DEPUTIES SO THEY CAN IMPROVE THEIR.

WE AVERAGED TEN WRECKS A WEEK.

OUR DEPUTIES DO DRIVE FOR A LIVING.

AND SOMETIMES, LIKE I SAID, IT'S IN PURSUITS WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS.

SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THEM ON THE TRACK TRAINING ON A REGULAR BASIS.

YOU KNOW, OUR OUR CITY BRETHREN BUILT THEIR OFFICERS A DRIVING FACILITY OVER FIVE DECADES AGO.

WE DON'T HAVE A DRIVING FACILITY TO THIS DAY FOR OUR DEPUTIES.

WE DON'T. YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, LIKE WE SAW IN YOU VALLEY, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE TO TRAIN AND TRAIN AND TRAIN FOR THESE ACTIVE SHOOTER EVENTS.

WE DON'T HAVE AN ACTIVE SHOOTER FACILITY FOR OUR DEPUTIES TO TRAIN IN.

WE HAVE TO GO AROUND AND ASK, YOU KNOW, THE COMMUNITY.

DO YOU HAVE A FACILITY TO GO? AND IT IS NOT EASY TO DO BECAUSE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR TO THEIR FACILITY.

YOU KNOW, WE DON'T YOU KNOW, HPD HAS BUILT A MULTI MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FACILITY FOR THEIR OFFICERS TO TRAIN IN FOR ACTIVE SHOOTER.

[02:05:06]

AND WE ALL SAW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS AT THE UVALDE INCIDENT, HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO TRAIN ON A REGULAR BASIS.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FACILITY TO ALLOW A DEPARTMENT THIS SIZE TO TRAIN LIKE THAT BECAUSE THAT'S DAILY TRAINING.

YOU KNOW, WE'VE ASKED FOR A SWIFTWATER TRAINING FACILITY, WHICH WE KNOW THAT THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN AMERICA IN NATURAL DISASTERS IS THROUGH FLOODING.

AND TEXAS LEADS ALL THE STATES AND HARRIS COUNTY LEADS THE STATE AND THE NATION IN DROWNING DEATHS.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES IN MY 32 YEAR CAREER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON POLICE AND AS A DEPUTY OVER HERE, HOW MANY TIMES I'VE BEEN ON BOATS OR UP TO MY NECK IN SWIFT WATER? WE HAVE WE HAVE TO TRAIN OUR DEPUTIES HOW TO HOW TO RESCUE PEOPLE.

AND THAT AND SO WE'VE ASKED FOR A SWIFTWATER TRAINING FACILITY AND FUSION CENTER OR REAL TIME CRIME CENTER.

YES. A DEPARTMENT THAT SIZE.

IT'S JUST IT'S JUST UNFATHOMABLE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THOSE TYPE OF RESOURCES AND WE KNOW THOSE TYPES.

THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED WITH THIS BOND.

NOW, THE SELFISH SIDE OF ME, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A LITTLE BIT BIGGER SLICE OF THE PIE GOING TO PUBLIC SAFETY.

BUT I MEAN, WHAT WE SEE SO FAR, I MEAN, WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT IT BECAUSE WE THINK THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY AND IT'S NOT CASTING FAULT OUT THERE ON ANYONE. IT'S JUST THAT WE KNOW THAT THE INVESTMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE, THE APPROPRIATE INVESTMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SIDE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN DECADES.

AND I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND FOR US TO BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC AND WITH THESE SUBSTATIONS TO BE ABLE TO MOVE.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE REALLY PRIDED OURSELVES IN MOVING THIS DEPARTMENT TO A, YOU KNOW, COMMUNITY BASED DEPARTMENT OF BEING VERY TRANSPARENT AND TO BE ABLE TO BUILD SUBSTATIONS THAT ARE MORE COMMUNITY BASED, THAT ARE WELCOMING TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THAT THAT INCORPORATE COMMUNITY ROOMS THAT WE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC TO ALLOW THEM TO COME IN AND USE THOSE FACILITIES AND TO BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUR OFFICERS AND OUR DEPUTIES IS CRITICAL.

AND I CAN TELL YOU, WE DO NOT HAVE THAT CAPABILITY AT THIS POINT.

CHIEF, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

YOU SAID IT ALL.

YOU REMINDED ME THAT I WAS ASKING THE BUDGET OFFICE FOR A DRIVING COURSE FOR OUR DEPUTIES BECAUSE WE WERE HAVING TO BORROW SPACE AT NRG TO DO THAT TRAINING OUT THERE IN THAT PARKING LOT.

AND SO IT'S IT'S IT'S TIME.

IT'S TIME. SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I APPRECIATE YOU SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THANK YOU, CHIEF. YOU.

NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 18, DANNY WILLIAMS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, EVERYONE.

VERY QUICKLY, I WANT TO RE-EMPHASIZE SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN SPOKEN BY EVERYONE ABOUT THE SUBSTATIONS.

THEY ARE ANTIQUATED. YES, THEY ARE OUTDATED.

BUT ONE THING CHIEF LEIF SPOKE IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PART OF IT.

THESE SUBSTATIONS SHOULD BE FREESTANDING IN THE COMMUNITIES THAT WE'RE TRULY SERVING AND THEY SHOULD BE WELCOMING TO THE COMMUNITY.

THAT SHOULD BE AN AREA OF A COMMON PLACE.

I KNOW AT ONE TIME THEY WERE SPEAKING OF A BUILDING, A COMMUNITY CENTER IN BEAR STATION AND PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

HALF THAT COULD HAVE BEEN THE SUBSTATION THAT WILL BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND SERVING THE COMMUNITY.

SO THEY FEEL LIKE THEY ARE PART OF SOMETHING, TRULY UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS AND BE ABLE TO ENFORCE WHAT LAW ENFORCEMENT REALLY IS TO BE GIVEN MORE THAN PEOPLE THINK WE ARE GIVEN TO MAKE IT MORE CONDUCIVE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE DEALING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT DOING WITH THIS COMMUNITY.

BUT AGAIN, YOU HAVE THE STATIONS ARE VERY ANTIQUATED.

YES, IT'S REALLY NEEDED.

AND WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT WITH THIS BOND AS WELL.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. GREAT.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT. SPEAKER 19 ALEXI SWIRSKY SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

YES, I OBJECT TO SCHEDULING A BOND ELECTION FOR NOVEMBER 2023.

THE COUNTY NEEDS TO ESTABLISH TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY TO BE WORTHY OF WINNING A BOND ELECTION.

THE FOLLOWING HARRIS COUNTY ENTERPRISES HAVE NOT MET THAT CRITERIA.

THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS ELECTION VIOLATIONS, ELECTION LAW VIOLATIONS IN RECENT ELECTIONS, INCLUDING UNTIL COURT.

NOT COUNTING 10,000 VOTES IN THE MOST RECENT PRIMARY.

TWO JUDGE HIDALGO'S AIDES ARE UNDER INDICTMENT IN RELATION TO AWARDING A COVID CONTRACT TO ELEVATE STRATEGIES WHO IS NOT THE LOWEST BIDDER NOR THE MOST QUALIFIED APPLICANT. A TONE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO A COMPANY IN CALIFORNIA.

AGAIN, NOT THE LOW BIDDER.

LOCAL AUTO COMPANIES ARE GOING OUT OF BUSINESS DUE TO NEVER GETTING CALLED FOR TOWS, EVEN THOUGH THE CALLS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE RANDOMLY GENERATED.

HOW MANY OTHER CONTRACTS HAVE GONE TO FIRMS WHICH WERE NOT THE LOW BIDDER AND WHY?

[02:10:04]

WHY? WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO HIDE? BRITISH ELECTION? NO. THE PUBLIC DOESN'T TRUST HARRIS COUNTY TO GIVE THEM REAL MONEY.

BOND MONEY HONESTLY WORK TO ESTABLISH TRUST AND TRANSPARENCY BEFORE SCHEDULING A BOND ELECTION.

WE NEED DETAILS OF HOW THE MONEY WILL BE SPENT AND THE MONEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOCATED BETWEEN PRECINCTS BASED ON WHETHER THAT PRECINCTS COMMISSIONER VOTED FOR THE BOND OR AGAINST IT. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. NEXT TO SPEAKER 21, SAEED HAQ, SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. THIS IS AD HOC.

I'M WITH INFOTECH ENGINEERS AND INNOVATORS IN HARRIS COUNTY, VERY SMALL BUSINESS.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO THEM.

I SUPPORT THIS BOND BALLOT INITIATIVES WE HAVE SEEN LIKE AN UNPRECEDENTED GROWTH IN OUR REGION.

HARRIS COUNTY AND OTHER AGENCIES THERE HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD TO IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE.

I BELIEVE WE NEED MORE INVESTMENT.

ONE OF MY OTHER CONCERN IS LIKE THERE IS A HIGH PROBABILITY THAT RECESSION IS IN HORIZON.

ANY RECESSION HAS ADVERSE IMPACT TO THE JOB MARKET.

I BELIEVE LIKE HAVING THIS BOND WILL CREATE JOBS AND MANY LOCAL COMPANIES CAN THRIVE DURING THAT TIME WORKING ON THESE POTENTIAL BOND PROJECTS.

SO IN THE LONG RUN, IT WILL BE A WIN WIN FOR EVERYONE IN OUR REGION.

I'M JUST HOPING THAT THERE WILL BE SIGNIFICANT SMALL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION GOALS ON THESE POTENTIAL BOND FUNDED PROJECTS.

ONE LAST POINT.

OUR REGION WILL HOST 2026 WORLD CUP SOCCER.

HAVING IMPROVED INFRASTRUCTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR REGION WILL SEND A POSITIVE MESSAGE TO OTHER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

AND LET ME JUST QUICKLY ASK YOU.

I KNOW THAT YOU ARE ONE OF THE FIRMS IN TOWN, BUT THE REALITY OF IT IS, ARE ARE WE DOING ENOUGH? HAVE WE CAUGHT UP WITH ALL OF THE REPAIRS AND DRAINAGE MAINTENANCE? HAVE WE INSTITUTED ENOUGH VISION ZERO TO KEEP OUR ROADWAYS SAFE IN HARRIS COUNTY? FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, ARE WE THERE? WE ARE ALMOST THERE, BUT HONESTLY SPEAKING, NOT 100% THERE, I BELIEVE.

LIKE THERE ARE LOT TO DO STILL FOR FOR THE REGION, FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT, THE SPEAKER NUMBER TEN, BETH WHITE OF THE HOUSTON PARKS BOARD, SPEAKING ON ITEM 20.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS BETH, VICE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HOUSTON PARKS BOARD.

OUR MISSION IS TO CREATE, IMPROVE, PROTECT AND ADVOCATE FOR PARKS FOR EVERYONE.

TODAY, I AM HERE TO REITERATE OUR APPRECIATION FOR THE INCLUSION OF PARKS AND TRAILS AND YOUR CONSIDERATION OF A BOND MEASURE.

AS YOU ALL KNOW, PARKS ARE A PIECE OF CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT'S NEEDED FOR A STRONGER, SAFER, MORE RESILIENT HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ALSO OFFER, AGAIN, OUR COMMITMENT TO EXPLORE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY TOWARD A MARQUEE PARK PROJECT THAT WOULD HAVE A TRANSFORMATIVE IMPACT ACROSS ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.

WE BELIEVE THAT THE MODEL OF BIO GREENWAYS, WHICH IS A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP, COULD BE THE BASIS OF SUCH A PARTNERSHIP.

AND WE STAND READY TO SUPPORT YOUR EFFORTS IN THIS REGARD.

AND WE WANT TO ALSO OFFER OUR SUPPORT FOR ANY OF THE VOTER EDUCATION OUTREACH EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE PARKS INITIATIVE.

WITH THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

LET ME JUST ASK YOU, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE HAVE A COUPLE OF AT LEAST A COUPLE OF PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS THAT WOULD BE IN HARM'S WAY IF THIS BOND PACKAGE WERE NOT TO PASS.

BUT LET ME ASK YOU, IF YOU THAT IF THEY WERE NOT TO IF THEY WERE TO STOP AND WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO IT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THIS BOND.

DO YOU THINK THAT THESE PARTICULAR PROJECTS.

WOULD IT BE JUST SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE NO BIG DEAL? AND THE TWO PROJECTS I'M SPEAKING OF IS ONE THAT'S IN PRECINCT TWO.

IT IS THE JESUIT CREEK BRIDGE.

IF THAT WERE NOT TO HAPPEN.

IS THAT A PROBLEM OR NOT? WELL, I THINK THE PARK BONDS WOULD BE CRITICAL IN ORDER FOR THOSE PROJECTS TO MOVE FORWARD.

IT WOULD TAKE MANY YEARS OF PASSING FUNDING TOGETHER TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE PROJECTS THAT WE'VE LAID OUT AND ARE BEYOND THE BIOS PLAN AND IN RECOGNITION OF

[02:15:08]

GOOD. AND NOW LET ME ASK YOU ABOUT.

GREG STREET BRIDGE.

THAT'S NOT IN PRECINCT TWO.

THAT'S IN PRECINCT THREE.

IS THAT IS THAT PROJECT IMPORTANT OR NOT? I THINK THAT'S ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF AN IMPORTANT PROJECT IN WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO SEE WHERE THAT LANDS WITHIN THEIR OWN PARK IMPROVEMENT PLANS.

SO I THINK THAT THERE ARE SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES OUT THERE TO PROVIDE CRITICAL LINKS, TO CONNECT SYSTEMS, TO CONNECT THE BIO GREENWAYS, OR TO CONNECT OTHER GREENWAYS AND BICYCLE CORRIDORS THROUGHOUT THE REGION.

THANK YOU. AND LASTLY, LET ME AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION WITH THE CAMPUS TOURIST TRAIL AND PLAZA.

AND AND OBVIOUSLY, YOU KNOW, ONE IS THAT I'VE INCLUDED A $200 MILLION COMPONENT FOR PARTNERSHIPS.

AND OBVIOUSLY THAT COULD VERY WELL BE FOR US TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU TO CONTINUE WHAT YOU'RE DOING, LIKE WITH THE BUFFALO BUFFALO BAYOU GREENWAYS PROJECT AND AND ALL THAT AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S STILL IN FRONT OF US.

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU.

BUT IT WILL BE HARDER TO WORK WITH YOU, BETH, IF THIS IF THIS BOND DOESN'T PASS.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY HERE.

GOOD TO HEAR FROM YOU.

APPRECIATE THE MANY, MANY, MANY CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD.

OF COURSE, WE GOT 68 PARKS AND WE'VE GOT A LOT OF FOLKS WANT TO STEP UP, PARTNER WITH YOU.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION AS WE TRY TO MAKE BETTER PARKS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU.

RODNEY ELLIS I JUST WANT TO WALK BACK THROUGH THE NUMBERS AGAIN.

WHEN YOU WERE HERE BEFORE BY YOU GREENAWAY'S REMIND US AGAIN.

SOMETIMES I ROUND THE NUMBERS OFF.

I DO ENJOY A BREAK AND I KNOW SOMETIMES I KICK THE NUMBER UP AND I SAY THAT PRETTY CHEAP.

ONE GAVE YOU 10 MILLION.

I THINK WE GAVE YOU 8 MILLION.

BUT IT'S MORE THAN YOU GET ANYWHERE ELSE THAT THE COUNTY OTHER THAN THAT LAND THAT WE CANNOT USE, OTHER THAN WHEN IT'S FLOODING, WE USE IT TO GET THE WATER OUT OF HERE.

BUT REMIND US AGAIN WHAT BUY YOU GREENWAYS WAS AND WHY THE MONEY CAME FROM.

SO BIO GREENWAYS IS A 220 PLUS MILLION DOLLAR INVESTMENT TO CREATE CONTINUOUS LINEAR PARKS AND TRAILS ON NINE OF OUR MAJOR BAYOUS. THERE WAS A $100 MILLION BOND THAT WAS PASSED IN 2012 BY CITY OF HOUSTON VOTERS BY OVER 64% OF THE VOTE.

THAT WAS MATCHED BY OUR COMMITMENT TO PUT TOGETHER FUNDING.

WE HAD ORIGINALLY COMMITTED TO 120.

WE HAVE RAISED OVER 128, NEARLY 130.

AND THANKS TO THE SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY, AS YOU SAID, NOT ONLY FOR PROVIDING THE LAND, WE ADDED OVER 800 ACRES TO THE SYSTEM AS WELL. PRECINCT ONE GAVE US A VERY GENEROUS GIFT OF $7 MILLION TO HELP US ON THREE OF THE DIFFERENT BIO PROJECTS.

WORKING IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRISON.

FLOOD CONTROL AND PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR ALSO HELPED US OUT ON OUR BRAYS BY TICKS SEGMENT, WHICH IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

WE HAVE OVER 130 MILES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, AND WHEN WE'RE FINISHED UP VERY SHORTLY, WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 164 MILES.

BUT IT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST SINGLE BIGGEST DOWN PAYMENT ON PARK EQUITY THROUGHOUT HOUSTON.

AND WE'D LOVE TO SEE THAT VISION CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY.

SO I'D LIKE TO RUN BACK THROUGH IT AGAIN.

NINE BY. ALL OF THEM RUN IN THE SAME DIRECTION.

THEY HIT TOWARDS THE GULF OF MEXICO.

THEY RUN THROUGH EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD, EVERY DEMOGRAPHIC YOU CAN THINK OF.

THE CITY PUT UP A BOND PACKAGE, THE $100 MILLION YOU ALL COMMIT TO COME UP WITH 120.

THE COUNTY DONATED THE LAND, WHICH WE DON'T USE.

I'M JUST SAYING I'M JUST POINTING IT OUT.

WHEN I SAW WHAT YOU PASSED OUT TO THE OFFICERS WHEN THIS CAME UP BEFORE, I JUST.

[02:20:05]

IT LOOKED TO ME LIKE MOST OF THE PROJECTS WERE IN PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR.

I WAS JUST LOOKING AT IT ON A FLIGHT, I MUST ADMIT.

AND I THINK I CALLED YOU AND SAID, I'M SURE GLAD I WAS SPEAKING UP, BUT MOST OF THEM WERE IN THREE AND FOUR, WHICH IS FAIR BECAUSE ONE AND TWO MORE TO SIT ON THEM.

BUT IS THAT FAIR COMMENT? MOST OF THE THE LACK OF CONNECTIVITY WOULD BE UNINCORPORATED OUTSIDE THE CITY, HOUSTON, SHALL I SAY.

WELL, MOST OF THEM ARE THREE AND FOUR.

WHAT WE LAID OUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE THOUGHT WERE REALLY VIABLE OPTIONS.

THEY WERE BROKEN OUT BY PRECINCTS.

AND THERE ARE THERE IS MORE MILEAGE IN THREE AND FOUR THAN IN ONE AND TWO.

YOU'RE CORRECT. AND WHAT IS IT, RON? IS IT YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO PURSUE TO SEE WHAT WOULD BE PRIORITIES FOR EACH OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS? WE WANTED TO LAY OUT SOMETHING THAT SHOWED CONNECTIVITY TO KEEP BUILDING ON THE SYSTEM.

YEAH. AND WHAT IS IT? BECAUSE YOU ALL DO REAL TRAILS THAT WILL LAST AT LEAST FROM MY LIFETIME.

IT'S ABOUT $1,000,000 A MILE.

IS THAT A ROUGH FIGURE? IT IS. THAT IS A ROUGH ESTIMATE, WHICH INCLUDES ALSO NECESSARY LAND ACQUISITION.

BUT IT'S A TEN FOOT WIDE CONCRETE TRAIL.

WE FOUND THAT THAT IS THE THAT IS THE BEST WAY TO BUILD TRAILS, TO HOLD UP IN A FLOOD WAY.

AND I KNOW THAT IN WORKING WITH EACH OF THE FOUR COMMISSIONERS, THERE ARE PLACES WHERE OTHER OTHER PAVING MATERIALS MIGHT BE PREFERRED.

BUT THAT IS OUR PREFERRED METHOD.

AND BETH, I ALSO SAW SOMETHING IN THERE ABOUT CONNECTIVITY, SINCE ALL OF THESE TRAILS GO TO THE GULF OF MEXICO.

YOU KNOW, SOME PEOPLE WILL WALK AND RUN AND BIKING OR THAT SKATE BOARD, WHATEVER THAT SCOOTER THEY WANT TO THEY WANT TO CONNECT.

THEY WANT TO GO FROM BRES TO GREENS TO HALLS TO BUFFALO, TO SIMS TO TO MCGREGOR.

SO SOME OF THE MONEY LOOKED LIKE YOU HAD CONNECTIVITY IN THERE ALONG CITY OR COUNTY WITH SOME OTHER CITY STREETS.

IS THAT CORRECT? WE DID OFFER UP, IN ADDITION TO AN EXPANDED BIO GREENWAYS FRAMEWORK, A SYSTEM WE LIKE TO CALL REGIONAL CONNECTORS.

SOME OF THOSE WOULD BE WITHIN UTILITY EASEMENT CORRIDORS.

FOR INSTANCE, THE CENTERPOINT TRAILS THAT WE'RE WORKING ON ALONG SPRING BRANCH AND ALSO ALONG SHARP'S TOWN THAT ARE UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW.

WE TRY TO FIND PROTECTED CORRIDORS.

THAT'S OUR PREFERENCE. BUT WHEN WE NEED TO MAKE A CONNECTION ON THE STREETS, WE DO WORK HAND IN HAND WITH MUNICIPALITIES, SERVICES, MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS WHEN WE HAVE TO INCLUDE A PROTECTED BIKE LANE IN ORDER TO MAKE THE CONNECTION.

BUT YOU'RE RIGHT, AS FAR AS HOW YOU LOOK AT THE BIOS RUNNING LARGELY EAST AND WEST, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME NORTH-SOUTH CONNECTIONS SO THAT PEOPLE CAN GO FROM BIO TO BIO.

YEAH, BUT WHAT IS WORTH IT? PRECINCT ONE. IN ADDITION TO THE 7 MILLION WE GAVE YOU, WE'VE ALREADY CONNECTED BRAYS AND BUFFALO ALONG AUSTIN STREET.

IF WE WORK IT OUT WITH THE CITY, WE'RE PUTTING UP THE FUNDING TO GO DOWN.

MARTIN LUTHER KING TO CONNECT BRAYS AND.

SAM'S AS ANOTHER ON THE WEST SIDE WHERE WE TRY TO CONNECT GRAY'S AND SAM'S.

BUT IT WOULD HELP IF WE DO THIS.

MY POINT IS, IT WOULD BE FUNDING TO CONNECT SOME OF THESE BAYOUS IN IN OUR LIFETIME.

I THINK THE POTENTIAL IS THERE.

CERTAINLY THE EXPERTISE IS THERE.

WE'VE CREATED A TYPOLOGY, IF YOU WILL, FOR BIO GREENWAYS.

AND WE THINK IT'S IT'S IT'S AN APPROACH THAT WORKS.

IT'S A MULTI-USE BENEFIT OF USING OUR BIO GREEN BAYOUS, WHICH OBVIOUSLY ARE NATURAL DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND USED FOR FLOOD MITIGATION.

BUT WE THINK THE MORE THAT WE WORK IN THESE RIPARIAN CORRIDORS, THAT ALSO BECOMES A GREAT LAND CONSERVATION STRATEGY, WHICH HELPS WITH FLOOD MITIGATION AND OUR BEYOND THE BIOS PLAN.

WE ALSO POINT OUT FLOOD MITIGATION AS ONE OF THE KEY OPPORTUNITIES FOR FUTURE PARK CREATIONS, AND THE COUNTY HAS DONE REALLY AMAZING WORK IN THIS REGARD WITH OUR STORY PARK WITH KEITH.

KEITH WEISS PART OF THE WORK WE'RE DOING IN PARTNERSHIPS AT INWOOD WITH THE WORK GOING ON AT WILLOW WATERHOLE, THERE'S JUST SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A SYSTEM THAT IS RESILIENT AND WILL MAKE HARRIS COUNTY STRONGER AND MORE RESILIENT.

[02:25:07]

I REMEMBER GOING IN WITH SOME OF THE ADVOCATES TO MEET WITH MAYOR PARKER, AND THE CONCERN WAS TO BUY YOU GREENWAYS WOULD BE A DRAG ON THE BOND PACKAGE.

AND IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT AT 64%, THIS ITEM PASSED BY A LARGER MARGIN THAN ANY OF THOSE ITEMS. AM I CORRECT? AM MY. NOTICE.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT.

GO AHEAD. WELL, PARTICULARLY ALL OF THIS IS A DIVIDED VOTE.

I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE VOTE WAS AT CITY HALL.

WHEN MAYOR PARKER PUT IT ON THAT.

BUT IT WAS CERTAINLY VISIONARY ON HER PART.

TO TAKE THE CHANCE ON $100 MILLION.

MUCH AS I APPRECIATE THE COUNTY DONATING THE LAND, I WAS NOT WITH THE CITY OR THE COUNTY.

IT WAS LAND THAT THE COUNTY DOES NOT USE.

AND HEY, WHO MOWS THAT GRASS, BY THE WAY, AND KEEPS UP THOSE TRAILS? YOU ALL DO IT OR WE DO IT ON THAT COUNTY LAND AS THE AGREEMENT.

PART OF THE AGREEMENT THAT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS THAT WE ARE ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR CONSERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF THE ENTIRE BIO GREENWAY SYSTEM. THAT WAS PART OF THE PROJECT MANAGER ROLE THAT WE NEGOTIATED WITH THE CITY.

SO DOES THAT MEAN THE CITY IS PAYING TO MAINTAIN THAT SOMEHOW THEY GET YOU THE MONEY ON COUNTY LAND? THEY MAINTAINING THE IT'S NOT US PAYING FOR IT.

YOU ALL ARE MOWING THE GRASS.

I REMEMBER CALLING YOU ONE OUT, KEEGAN'S OR WHEREVER I WAS, AND THAT WAS A COUNTY BOARD.

IT WAS A CITY ISSUE.

AND YOU WENT OUT AND MOWED THAT GRASS.

ONCE I GOT ONCE I MOVED TO THE COUNTY.

YOU REMEMBER THAT I CALLED YOU.

IT'S PRETTY EMBARRASSING FOR YOU.

YEAH. OKAY.

THANK YOU. IT A WE HAD AN OPERATING AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO SERVE AS THE PROJECT MANAGER.

YEAH. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT WAS AN EQUITY ISSUE.

I WAS GOING OUT KEEGAN'S AND WE'D HAVE BIG RAIN AND IT WAS OVERGROWN AND IT WAS PRETTY BAD AND THE CITY WAS NOT GOING TO DO IT.

SO YOU ALL CAME UP TO MONEY AND I THINK YOU OUT THAT MORNING.

I MAY HAVE CALLED YOU ON A FRIDAY AND THEY WALKED THAT MOWING ON SATURDAY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND THEN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

IT ACTUALLY COMMERCIAL.

JUDGE, I JUST REMEMBERED SOMETHING.

YOU KNOW, WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, I HELPED TO BRING TO LIFE THE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK THAT A GROUP OF HISPANIC VIETNAM WAR VETERANS HAD ADVOCATED FOR.

AND MY MY PREDECESSOR ON COUNCIL WAS ABLE TO GET THE LAND OVER OFF OF HARDY AND TIDWELL.

AND THEN I WORKED TO GET IT JUMPSTARTED.

AND I REMEMBER GOING TO BOB PERRY AND BOB PERRY GAVE ME WAS ABOUT 150,000 TO DO THE FIRST MURAL OR NOT MURAL, MOSAIC MURAL.

AND SO FAST FORWARD, I HAPPENED TO BE RIDING THROUGH IT AND THOUGHT I'D STOP BY AND NOT A WHOLE LOT HAD BEEN DONE TO THE PARK SINCE I LEFT COUNCIL.

AND SO IT JUST REMINDS ME HOW FAR THIS BOND CAN GO TO GIVING OUR VETERANS A RESPECTFUL PLACE THAT THEY CAN.

YOU KNOW, THEY VETERANS ADVOCATED FOR THIS.

IT WASN'T LIKE WE SAID, HEY, LET'S TAKE OUR VETERANS AND HERE'S A PIECE OF LAND.

THEY FOUGHT FOR THIS LAND.

THEY THEY ADVOCATED FOR IT.

I'VE GOT A PAIR OF BRONZE BOOTS THAT BELONGED TO RICHARD PETTIS, WHO WAS THE THE LEAD ADVOCATE OF THAT PARK.

AND SO JUST IT JUST REMINDS ME THAT IN YOUR CONVERSATION WITH BETH THAT THERE'S A WHOLE LOT THAT THIS PARK CAN DO AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE THAT IT CAN BRING TO SO MANY PEOPLE WHO DESERVE THAT KIND OF MEMORIAL AND RESPECT.

IT REALLY IS EXCITING.

YOU KNOW, DURING THIS PANDEMIC, THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO DO.

SO I'VE EXPLORED A LOT OF TRAILS OUT OF MY PRECINCT, BY THE WAY.

NOT TELLING THEM WHO I WAS IN SOME NEIGHBORHOODS, BY THE WAY.

BUT IT'S INTERESTING WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE ON THESE TRAILS WHO ARE NOT ON BIKES LIKE THE ONES WE ARE.

YEAH, YOU GOT ME. YEAH.

AND WHO DON'T HAVE A CAR WITH NO HELMET? YEAH, I MEAN, THEY GOT EMPTY BIKES, RIGHT? BUT IT REALLY IS EXCITING TO SEE ABOUT THAT.

YOUR NOSTRILS. THANK YOU, MS. WHITE. THANK YOU.

JUDGE. THE INTERPRETER IS HAVING SOME TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

SO WHILE WE WAIT TO GET HER BACK, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE THE SPEAKERS WHO DON'T NEED AN INTERPRETER.

[02:30:02]

AND THIS ONE AS THE SPEAKERS COME UP.

I KNOW WE HAD A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS ITEM AT THE LAST COURT AND WE AND YOU GUYS HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP BEFORE.

AND SO I WANT I WANT TO JUST MAKE CLEAR, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PRECINCT, BUT I ALSO REPRESENT EVERYONE.

AND LOOK, THE BUYOUTS ARE NECESSARY FOR A REGION THAT IS AS FLOOD VULNERABLE AS OURS IS.

IT'S PART OF THE PLAN AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT THE COUNTY NEEDS TO LEARN TO DO SUCCESSFULLY AND DO WELL.

AND THERE'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE CHALLENGES.

I MEAN, IT'S INHERENT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE CHALLENGES WITH BUYOUTS, BUT IT NEEDS TO BE DONE WELL.

THIS ITEM, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CC'D, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IT'S AN ADMINISTRATIVE CORRECTION, SOMETHING LIKE A TYPO FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS ALREADY APPROVED.

SO IF WE VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM, IT ALREADY HAPPENED, WHATEVER IT IS.

THAT SAID.

AND SO FOR THAT REASON, I'M FINE LETTING IT MOVE FORWARD TODAY.

THAT SAID, I CANNOT CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS BUYOUT PROJECT UNLESS AND UNTIL I AND THIS IS FOR ME PERSONALLY, I SEE DRASTIC IMPROVEMENTS AND FUNDAMENTAL CHANGES IN THE WAY THIS PROGRAM IS BEING RUN AND IN THE WAY THESE CONSTITUENTS ARE BEING ENGAGED.

THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I'VE BEEN HEARING THIS FOR A WHILE, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS BEING I WAS TOLD BY THE DEPARTMENT THAT IT WAS BEING WORK DONE.

AND WHAT I HEAR NOW MANY MONTHS LATER IS THE EXACT PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME OR WORSE.

AND SO I WOULD LIKE FOR MR. BERRY, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING YOU PERSONALLY NEED TO DIG INTO.

I THINK CLEARLY DIRECTOR HOLLOWAY IS NOT IS NOT ADDRESSING IT.

AND YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT PERSONALLY WHAT IS GOING ON HERE.

AND, YOU KNOW, AT THE END, NOT EVERYONE'S GOING TO BE HAPPY.

OKAY? ANY PROGRAM WE DO, EVEN WHEN WE'RE GIVING GIVING THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND THE SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE, IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE EVERYBODY HAPPY.

BUT THERE ARE VERY CLEAR PROBLEMS GOING ON HERE AND THEY'VE BEEN GOING ON FOR TOO LONG.

SO I JUST WANT TO I JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

YES. AND THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR THAT, BECAUSE I'VE BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT FOUR YEARS.

I'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE BUYOUT PROGRAM.

AND AND I'VE BEEN.

FOCUSED ON WITH ALL THE ALL OF THE BOND MONEY THAT WE HAVE SPENT, HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE AREAS THAT REQUIRE THE BUYOUT AND WHY THE COUNTY DID NOT THINK ABOUT ELEVATION MONEY.

I'VE BEEN DIGGING INTO THAT AND SPOKE TO DIRECTOR DR.

PETERSON ABOUT THAT.

ALL THAT TO SAY IS THAT WE WE.

THE LEADERSHIP THAT WE COUNT ON SOMETIMES TO HELP US THINK THROUGH THIS AND STRATEGIZE THROUGH THESE ISSUES.

LIKE IF I'M NOT IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, I THINK I HEARD AT THE MEETING THAT I ATTENDED THAT MOST OF THE HOMES THAT FLOODED AND FLOODING IS FLOODING NO MATTER HOW LITTLE OR HOW MUCH.

BUT ON AVERAGE, THE HOMES ARE FLOODED.

FLOODED, I THINK LIKE AN AVERAGE OF INCHES TO MAYBE A FOOT.

NOBODY FLOODED OR THREE FEET OR FOUR FEET OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE.

I WAS TOLD BY THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THAT ELLENDALE IS SEVEN FEET INTO THE FLOOD FLOODWAY.

AND SO SO THE FACT THAT WE COULD HAVE DONE SOME ELEVATION WAS A POTENTIAL IT'S NOT THE RECOMMENDED THING TO DO, BUT IT SURE IS BEING DONE IN MARLIN.

AS AN EXAMPLE. AND SO.

BUT THE LEADERSHIP AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ISN'T WHAT IT IS TODAY.

SO WE'RE TRYING TO THINK THROUGH HOW WE HOW WE RESOLVE THAT.

BUT BUT YOU'RE YOU'RE RIGHT, JUDGE THAT.

TO ME, SERVICES, I THINK COULD DO A BETTER JOB.

AND AT AT THIS I HAD TO RECONVENE THE MEETING AT AT THE HARDI CENTER SO THAT WE COULD CASE MANAGE SOME OF THESE ISSUES.

AND I THINK A LOT OF THOSE ISSUES, A LOT OF THOSE CLIENTS WERE WERE DEALT WITH AND RESOLVED.

BUT FOR THIS TO HAVE FOR THE PROBLEMS I HEARD WHEN I ATTENDED THE MEETING TO BE TWO YEARS IN THE MAKING, THAT'S

[02:35:02]

AND FOR THE TYPE OF ISSUES THAT I HEARD AT THE MEETING, THAT'S THAT'S UNCALLED FOR.

AND SO I ABSOLUTELY THINK WE CAN DO BETTER.

I THINK CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN BENEFIT FROM IN A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS AND PARTICULARLY COMMUNITY SERVICES, BUT. TRUE AND CONSISTENCY IS TANTAMOUNT TO CONFIDENCE ON THE COMMUNITY'S PART.

AND SO, SO, SO NUMBER ONE, I'M READY TO HEAR HEAR YOU AGAIN.

BUT JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF WORK AND RESEARCH BEING DONE TO UNDERSTAND WHY THE MARLIN AREA GOT ELEVATION AND WE DIDN'T. AND THERE'S AN APPLICATION PROCESS THAT HAS TO GO THROUGH IT.

THERE'S AN INVESTMENT THAT THE COUNTY COULD HAVE MADE BUT DIDN'T.

SO SO I REGRET THAT YOU GUYS ARE HERE, BUT ALSO TO THIS TO THIS BOND ELECTION, THE INVESTMENT THAT THE HOLDING AREA COULD HAVE GOTTEN FOR DECADES BEFORE ANY ANY OF US GOT HERE JUST DIDN'T HAPPEN, PRIMARILY BECAUSE YOUR HOMES AREN'T AS VALUABLE AS THEY ARE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY.

THAT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT IT'S THAT THAT'S THE PRINCIPAL WAY THAT PROJECTS WERE DECIDED.

AND AS A RESULT, YOU KEPT BEING PUT IN HARM'S WAY WHEN MORE STORMS CAME.

AND SO AS WE AS YOU HEAR US TALK ABOUT EQUITY, THIS IS WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO STRIVE FOR, THAT YOUR COMMUNITY SHOULD GET THE SAME TYPE OF INVESTMENT AND CONSIDERATION AND PRIORITY THAT OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY GET.

BECAUSE YOUR HOME IS YOUR HOME, IT'S YOUR CASTLE.

I'M NOT GOING TO JUDGE WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

IT'S YOUR HOME. IT'S WHAT YOU CALL HOMES WHERE YOU RAISE YOUR FAMILIES.

SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR YOUR YOUR SUPPORT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND I'M WELL AWARE THAT YOU REPRESENT THIS AREA.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I REPRESENTED IT SHORTLY BEFORE YOU DID.

I HAD THAT MEETING ONE DAY.

I THOUGHT I STILL REPRESENTED YOUR STAFF AND JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT.

I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT WHEN YOU COMPARE THIS AREA TO MY LAND, YOU COMPARE THE COUNTY TO THE CITY.

IN PART, THE CITY IS WILLING TO PAY FOR IT.

YOU HAVE MORE PEOPLE IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY THAN YOU HAVE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

GET THAT BUDGET. BUT IT WAS BIGGER THAN I WAS.

I WAS TALKING TO A COMMISSIONER FROM MIAMI-DADE THIS MORNING.

I KNOW THE FIGURE MUST BE WRONG.

MR. RAMOS, I HOPE YOU WOULD CHECK WITH A COMMISSIONER OVER THERE.

WE WILL LISTEN IN DENVER TOBIN TO THE MWB ISSUE.

THE BUDGET WAS $10 BILLION.

I SAID, ARE YOU JOKING? YOU MUST THINK YOU'RE IN LA COUNTY.

YOU KNOW, YOU HAD MIAMI-DADE, 3 MILLION PEOPLE, I THINK, IN THAT COUNTY.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE WERE NO EQUITY GUIDELINES IN THE PAST IN ANY OF THESE BOND ISSUES.

AND EVEN WITH THE LANGUAGE I PUT THERE, IT WAS JUST A BROAD TERM, NOT DEFINED.

AND THEN YOU HAD PEOPLE WHO CAME CAME TO THE TABLE AFTER LEADERSHIP CHANGE IT, EQUITY MEANT TO THEM DIVIDING IN FOUR WAYS.

THAT MEANT PEOPLE ALREADY HAD A 50 YARD ADVANTAGE, ONE TO GO DIVIDED EQUALLY SO THEY COULD KEEP IT.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I LAY THAT OUT LEAVING THIS DISCUSSION JUST COMING UP LATER.

BUT LOOK, I'M ONE WHO'S WILLING TO PAY TO MAKE THE CHANGES, NOT JUST FOR THIS NAME, BUT ANY OTHERS OR WHATEVER WE DO FOR WARMING.

I DO FOLLOW THEM BECAUSE YOU GOT OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS, BY THE WAY, YOU KNOW, WHEN DECISION WAS MADE, WHO WERE BOUGHT OUT, AND WE GOT TO BUT NOW THAT WE HAVE THE FLOODING MONEY, THAT WILL BE OTHER BUYOUTS THAT WE HAVE TO DO.

AND WE WANT TO CHANGE THE RULES.

I'M FOR IT. BUT I'M ONE WHO BELIEVES EQUITY IS MORE JUST A SIX LETTER WORD.

YOU GOT TO PAY FOR IT.

YOU GOT ME, AND I'LL CERTAINLY DO THAT.

THANK YOU. WHEN I TIP OUT, I'M NOT BEING RUDE.

I NEED TO DO AN INTERVIEW, BUT I'LL COME RIGHT BACK.

IT'S GOOD TO SAY YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

YES, THANK YOU. HI, THIS IS I AM RAPPING AND I AM COMING IN BEHALF OF THE HARRIS BUYOUT PROGRAM.

AND BASICALLY, YOU YOU SAID EVERYTHING I WAS COMING IN TO SAY.

I MEAN, IT'S BEEN MISHANDLED VERY BADLY.

AND I ALSO. YOU SAID THE CUSTOMER SERVICE.

YES, I AGREE COMPLETELY BECAUSE THESE PEOPLE, THEY'RE FORGETTING THAT THEY'RE COMING TO DO A JOB, WHICH IS TO REHOME US AS A THE RIGHT THING.

AND THEY'RE ACTING AS IF WE ARE ASKING THEM FOR A FAVOR.

[02:40:01]

THEY HAVE LIKE ZERO EMPATHY SHOW NO COMPASSION TOWARDS PEOPLE.

THEY DON'T EVEN TAKE THE MINUTE TO LISTEN TO US OR OUR NEEDS.

AND THAT IS MY PROBLEM.

SOME OF US HAVE JUST GONE OUR WAY, TRY TO GET RID OF IT BECAUSE IT WAS CAUSING TOO MUCH STRESS.

I KNOW PEOPLE THAT JUST WENT THEIR WAY AND TRY TO LOOK FOR A PLACE OUT THERE, OTHER PEOPLE STILL STRUGGLING AND THEN OTHERS WANT TO SPEAK UP BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR.

BECAUSE THAT'S. THEY'RE HOME, THEY'RE GETTING RID OF EVERYTHING THAT IT'S THEIRS AND THE WORST.

AND WHAT MAKES IT WORSE IS THAT THESE PEOPLE WERE TRAINED TO REMEMBER YOUR TIME AT HOME AND TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE HUMAN.

BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE'RE BEING TREATED AS OF LESS AS IF WE'RE LIKE TRYING TO MUNCH ON SOMETHING THAT WE DIDN'T ASK THEM TO COME.

AND IT'S I FEEL DISRESPECTED.

IT'S IT'S THE WAY THEY THEY COME ABOUT THE SITUATION.

AND HONESTLY, EVERYBODY'S TIRED AND WE FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BECAUSE THEY WERE PUT THERE TO DO A JOB THAT THEY'RE NOT DOING.

AND IT'S NOT OUR FAULT.

AND I KNOW IT'S NOT YOUR FAULT, BUT I WANT SOMEBODY TO GO AND LET THESE PEOPLE KNOW, HEY, THIS IS THE JOB THAT YOU WERE SET TO DO.

AND I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IF SOMEBODY IS ALLOWING THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES IN ORDER FOR THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM HAVE THIS RUDE BEHAVIOR IS BECAUSE SOMEBODY ABOVE THEM IS ALLOWING IT.

AND THAT IS MY PROBLEM.

THAT'S WHY WE ARE SEEKING OTHERS TO HELP US AND FIND OUT WHAT'S THE ISSUE.

THANK YOU. YEAH, NO. AND I THINK THE TAKEAWAY IS WE CAN'T JUST TAKE THE WORD OF THE DEPARTMENT FOR IT THAT, YES, WE'RE VISITING WITH THEM.

IT'S ALL GOOD IF SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO GO TAKE A LOOK, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME THIS HAS BEEN BROUGHT UP.

THANK YOU. THAT'S THE ONLY REASON WE KEEP COMING.

WE JUST WANT SOMEBODY ELSE TO TAKE A LITTLE STEP IN, YOU KNOW? OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. LISTENING.

YOU'RE WELCOME. THANK YOU.

BYE. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, PERLA GARCIA WITH TOP SPEAKING ON ITEM 140 AND SHE WILL BE USING AN INTERPRETER.

INTERPRETER YOU'RE UNMUTED.

INTERPRETER. CAN YOU HEAR ME? YES, I CAN HEAR YOU.

THIS IS STEPHANIE. I'M INTERPRETING.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. MINUTES, DNA, THOSE MINUTOS, POR FAVOR, AS I WOULD SAY, THE SPANISH INTERPRETER IS.

WHEN I STARTED THIS COMMISSION AND THE OTHER WOMEN WERE PART OF OUR MASS IN PROGRAM ABOUT THE STUDIES THAT ROLANDO SAID.

WE HAD AN IDEA.

AND GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.

I'D LIKE TO MAKE A REQUEST BECAUSE OF THE BECAUSE OF PEOPLE BEING EVICTED.

THERE'S A LOT OF INSECURITY IN THE HOUSING AND OUR HOUSING.

IT STUDIES ON THE PROCESS OF MENTAL STRESS.

BUT OUR INTERNAL INSECURITY THAT WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PROCESS FOR ALMOST TWO YEARS TO HAVE TO FACE THIS INSECURITY NOW.

I ASK ALESSANDRA WHY IT IS DONE IN LONDON IS THE LAST PERSON.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ROBBED OF EVERYTHING.

EVEN THE FEW PEOPLE THAT ARE STILL HERE.

REMAINING. WHEN I SEE THE GAME, I KNOW EVERYONE'S TRYING TO PAY ME.

YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING IN THIS MARKET.

I KNOW AMERICANS TRYING TO PAY ME YELLOW SPAM AND ME THAT.

I CALLED 911 AT 8:30 P.M.

AND NOBODY RESPONDED.

NO POLICE OFFICERS CAME WHEN I CALLED THE NON-EMERGENCY LINE AT 9 P.M..

THEY DIDN'T COME UNTIL MIDNIGHT.

PEOPLE ARE BEING ROBBED.

CAT A.K.A. TANTO TEMPO PARA RESOLVER LOS CASOS DE ESTA SOLO.

THE AREA IS BY ITSELF AND WE DON'T WANT THEM TO TAKE AS LONG TO RESPOND.

THE COMMUNICATION.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND FOR YOUR COMMUNICATION.

GREG CHRISTY, SUZANNE CAVAZOS, NAOMI JOY MARTINEZ, YOUR REPRESENTANTES FOR YOUR ECONOMIC VECINOS.

I WANT TO THANK CHRISTIE, SUSAN, GEORGE CAVAZOS, KNOW ME AND OTHER MEMBERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT IN REACHING OUT TO TENANTS.

NECESITAMOS TODOS LOS CASOS BETTER TRAVEL, BUT A LA CASA POR LA. WE NEED WE NEED SUPPORT.

AND WITHOUT THESE CASES TO BE WAITING FOR HOUSING BECAUSE I HAD TO RESUBMIT PAPERWORK.

YEAH. WHAT I SAW IN COURT IS THE PROCESS, AND I'M WAITING IN THE COURT TO PROCESS MORE PAPERWORK.

[02:45:01]

THE SHOW IS THE S.O.S.

IN MOTION TRATADOS DE LA SALLE PIRATES.

TOO MUCH ATTENTION AS TO SECTOR, BUT IT'S DONE WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN THE SAME THEATERS.

AND IT'S WORRISOME.

AND I'M GOING TO SPEAK TO OFFICIALS HERE SO WE PAY MORE ATTENTION TO YOUR SECTOR.

DEBI MAZAR DISCUSSING THIS IDEA THAT PROBLEMS CANNOT BE DONE FOR OTRAS PERSONAS IS SUFFICIENT ATTENTION, AND THAT'S A PROBLEM FOR THE REST OF THAT CON GRAVEST CONSEQUENCES.

BUT THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS IN THE AREA THAT WEREN'T THERE BEFORE AND THEY HAVEN'T BEEN PAID ATTENTION TO.

AND I THINK NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO IT CAN CAUSE GRAVE, GRAVE CONSEQUENCES.

THANK YOU. YES.

YES. NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 24, GUADALUPE MARTINEZ OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT, SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM USING AN INTERPRETER.

YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES, BUT THOSE MINUTES BY NECESSITY.

INTERPRETER. SEE, WHEN I.

WHEN I STARTED THIS UNIVERSITY, THEY SAW POLIO POUR OBTENIR OUT OF THIN AIR.

IT'LL TAKE SENOR SERGIO BARRIGA.

I GOOD EVENING.

I NEED SUPPORT TO GET THE CHECK THAT THEY GAVE TO SIT HERE.

BARRIGA FOR ME IS SO LOW.

THE NUMBERS. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR MY LAND BECAUSE IT WAS JUST A LOAN.

MY NAME IS ON ON THE TITLE.

BUT THEY DON'T. THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE ME WHEN THEY SAID IT WAS MY LAND.

A DURING THE INTERVIEW CONTACT ABOGADOS DE LA LISTA RECURSOS DISPONIBLES.

PER THE LAWYERS ON THE LIST OF RESOURCES THAT YOU ALL GAVE ME SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME.

I MEAN, THIS IS WAY YOU SAY IT, BUT CAN YOU GIVE ME YOUR LOS POWERS? AND YOU KNOW.

IT'S I NEED TO GET THAT CHECKED BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR THAT AS I WAS PAYING FOR MY LAND.

IN SENORA OF THE WAS BENEFICIOS OR KIKYO IN THE COURT COULD BE MORE OR LESS THE LAS PERSONAS ATTENTION. THE MAN HAS RECEIVED THE BENEFITS.

I TOLD THE COURT THAT IT WAS MY LAND AND THE PEOPLE LEFT AND I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING.

NONETHELESS, MANY HERE ARE YOUNG PEOPLE FROM KENYA, BUT THEY DON'T KNOW. I THEY ASKED ME IF I HAD LEGAL PAPERS SAYING THAT I WAS THE OWNER.

I TOLD THEM I HAD A LOT OF PAPERS AND EVEN THEN THEY DIDN'T PAY ANY ATTENTION TO ME.

BE DOING THE ECONOMY, GOING THROUGH THE APPRENTICE PEOPLE.

THEY MUST MEET THE CONTESTANT THAT.

I'VE ATTEMPTED TO COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER LAWYERS.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY CAN'T HELP ME OR THEY DON'T RESPOND.

IT'S NICE.

YES. PLEASE SEE MY CORDOVA AND BURKE COMMENTS.

THIS THIS A PERSONA.

THINK IN NOVEMBER THEY'LL KNOW BETTER.

SO I WAS THERE AT LAGUARDIA.

LOOK AT THAT.

IS THAT NORMALLY THE WINDOW BELOW? YOU KNOW, HE HAS A CAR FOR REQUISITOS.

JOEL, AS YOUR SPOUSE STARTS TODO CUANDO SAVE ME ANY PROGRAM BECAUSE YOU OWN YOUR OWN DOCUMENT.

YO, YO, EMILIO.

YOU KNOW WHAT? I KNOW? HE LET ME GO AHEAD.

INTERPRETER IF YOU COULD PLEASE TRANSLATE WHAT'S BEEN SAID.

THANK YOU. SEE IF I REMEMBER.

WELL, WE HAD A MEETING ABOUT THIS, AND YOU SAID IT WAS YOU.

[02:50:01]

THE LAND IS NOT UNDER YOUR NAME.

YEAH, IT'S UNDER MY SISTER.

MY BROTHER IN LAW'S NAME.

BECAUSE AT THE TIME, I COULDN'T HAVE IT UNDER MY NAME BECAUSE IT WAS TOO MUCH PAPERWORK.

THEY WERE ASKING FOR TOO MANY PREREQUISITES.

AND BUT I HAVE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS SHOWING THAT I PAID THE BILLS, THAT I PAID THE TAXES.

AND WHEN I ASKED FOR THIS PERSON TO SIGN THE DOCUMENT, THEY THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO DO IT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

SEE, THIS IS THE CONTENT OF WHERE I GO.

WHAT IS APPROPRIATE? I DON'T THINK THAT YOU MEAN THOSE.

I KNOW YOU'RE THERE.

SITTING THERE? YEAH.

YOU START TO THINK, WELL, MAYBE I DON'T.

I MEAN, THEY ARE THE SAME THING.

TEXAS IS NOT GOING TO LET TEXAS GET DUMPED ON ME, BUT I CAN'T BE IN DENIAL.

GO AHEAD, INTERPRETER. THEY TOLD ME THAT.

WHO PAID FOR THE PROPERTY? I OWE THREE $31,250.

THAT'S HOW MUCH I PAID FOR THE PROPERTY.

I STILL OWED $8,950.

AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO PAY TEXAS STUFF.

THE THE AMOUNT REMAINING.

NOW TEXAS STUFF IS REACHING OUT TO ME AND ASKING ME TO PAY THE BILLS, TO PAY THE 8800 $950.

AND I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY THAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO ALREADY BE PAID.

THANK YOU. HAS THE MONEY GOT YOU.

AND MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY, I KNOW THAT AT THE LAST MEETING WHEN THESE FOLKS SPOKE LIVE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE ASKED YOUR OFFICE TO VISIT WITH THEM. BUT YOU'RE NOT.

ALLOWED TO REPRESENT HER CASE, RIGHT? I GUESS. I GUESS YOUR OFFICE WAS THE ONE THAT MADE THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE OF THE MAYBE THE LEGAL FOUNDATION OR THE RECOMMENDATION FOR THOSE ATTORNEY, THOSE LEGAL SERVICES.

IS THAT IS THAT ABOUT AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO WITH THIS? AND OUR GALLO DEL CONDADO WINE CELLAR WILL SELL YOUR BODY A VISITOR LOVE INCINERATORS CANNOT ST AND THEN THE ANC CANNOT REPRESENT THAT.

WHAT I SAID IS I SAID AND WON'T VIDEO LEGAL OR.

IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THE LINE.

JAY LENO.

OKAY. BUT ONCE I GOT OUT OF THE STORE, HE SAID I WAS IN COMMUNICATION.

OKAY. OKAY. WE'RE GOING TO GET A RESPONSE ABOUT THIS AND WE'LL BE IN TOUCH.

FRANCIS. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 26, MAXIMO DIAZ OF TOP SPEAKING ON ITEM 140.

ALSO USING AN INTERPRETER, YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES BEST THAT ORLANDO MAXIMO IS IN QUARANTINE AND THEN NECESSARY TO INTERPRET THE MINUTES.

I MEAN NUMBER IS MAXIMUM.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS THE PART OF THE PROGRAM THE.

I'M MAXIMILLIAN DIAZ.

I'M PART OF THE THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE PROGRAM FOR RELOCATION.

THERE'S GREAT LESSONS FOR POLIO, BUT PERSEVERANCE.

THEY PROMOTE THEIR OWN.

THE PROGRAM.

OKAY. NO, NO.

THEN LOOK.

LOOK, THE.

AND THEY LOVE THE BALLAD DE LA LA COUPE DE LA LA PROPIEDAD.

AND NOT TRUE. OVER.

NO, LOOK, THE GRAND.

AND I'M ASKING FOR SUPPORT TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE DIGNIFIED TREATMENT FOR THEM TO GIVE US A PRICE OF THE PROPERTY OF WHAT IT'S WORTH AND NOT AND NOT WHAT THEY WANT. NOT PREMATURE ON THE NOSE WHEN THE MATERIAL DANCES.

[02:55:01]

OUR PROPOSAL KNOWS MADISON.

THE CALENDAR ON THE RAINBOW.

MY. WE WERE PROMISED HOUSE FOR HOUSE.

AND NOW THAT WE'RE IN THE PROCESS, THEY'RE TELLING US THEY WANT ME TO MOVE MY TRAILER.

AND THEY'RE OFFERING US A LOT.

THEY'RE OFFERING US LAND.

I MEAN. NO, NO, THAT'S CRIMINAL.

BUT THERE IS THE MOTOR.

PARASTATALS LIKE THE THE NOT NEVER COMATOSE BENEFICIARIES MUST PROVIDE THEIR.

I'M ASKING FOR YOU ALL TO NOT DISCRIMINATE AGAINST US BECAUSE OF OUR LEGAL STATUS, BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE US THE SUPPORT THAT YOU AGREED TO.

IT WAS MUTUAL, BUT I HAD NO IDEA.

THANK YOU FOR ASKING. YES, YES.

YES, YES. THAT'S ALL DODGE.

YES. I APOLOGIZE.

I COULD I COULDN'T HEAR THAT QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I APOLOGIZE FOR THAT IF YOU WANT TO.

IF HE WANTS TO ASK ME THAT, I'M HAPPY TO.

JOHN J.

AT THE LAST MEETING, I APOLOGIZE.

THE LADY THAT SPOKE JUST RIGHT BEFORE THIS GENTLEMAN AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.

THEY CAME AND SPOKE.

SHE MADE HER CONCERN ABOUT NOT BEING PAID FOR HER PROPERTY, THAT THE CHECK WENT TO SOMEONE ELSE.

I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE ASKED YOUR OFFICE TO TAKE A LOOK INTO THIS, BUT THAT'S AS FAR AS YOU CAN GO.

THAT'S THE ONLY AUTHORITY THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS.

YOU CAN'T REPRESENT HER, CAN REPRESENT HER CLAIM YOU MADE.

Y'ALL GAVE. I'M ASSUMING SOMEONE IN YOUR OFFICE GAVE HER THE LIST OF.

YES. RESOURCES TO BE ABLE TO CALL THAT.

THAT WAS MY THAT WAS MY QUESTION.

YEAH, THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.

WE CAN'T REPRESENT HER ON A PRIVATE BASIS, BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS WE CAN CERTAINLY HELP, HELP, ASSIST.

GENERALLY, WE HAVE A SORT OF, GENERALLY SPEAKING, AN OMBUDSMAN ACTIVITY THAT WE DO FOR RESIDENTS AND FOLKS WHO HAVE ISSUES AND QUESTIONS, BUT WE CAN'T REPRESENT THEM IN ANY OFFICIAL CAPACITY.

BUT WE'RE HAPPY TO PROVIDE INFORMATION AND OBVIOUSLY WE'LL WORK WITH WITH CC'D ON ON ANY ANY WAYS TO TRY TO HELP RESOLVE SITUATIONS LIKE THAT.

GOOD DEAL. GOOD. THANK YOU.

SURE. AND NOW ULTIMATE PERSONAL CARE LAW IN ITS CAPITAL.

ULTIMATE REUNION.

COMMISSIONER, HE IS SO SORRY I CANNOT RECEIVE YOU THE SUPER ELIGIBLE PERSON AS MOST PREGNANT.

SO THERE IS A REQUIREMENT IS THAT THERE IS NO PLAN C, IS THAT NO MORE REPRESENTATIVE CAPACITY.

BUT THE ALSO SEE THAT YOU ARE BELOW THEM OR REPRESENT THEM ALSO, NOT LEAST THAT THE RECURSOS CUANDO CUANDO SE CONTACTO.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 27 ZOILA MORALES SPEAKING ON ITEM 140 VIRTUALLY.

ALSO USING THE INTERPRETER.

YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

AND MY JOB IS TO INTERPRET THOSE PHOTOS.

SEE, WHEN I STARTED NOTICING THE MORALITY COMING IN AT PROYECTO, THEY'RE REALLY PURSUING A OUT TO ASSIST RECIPE ON CADA THE KIDS ARE ENTERING TO PERSONALIZE YOUR ALCOHOL.

SENORA DONA LEMON POR CORREO ELECTRONICO TRATANDO THEY ARE PUTTING SOME OF THEIR MEAL IN LIMA.

ANY KIND OF WAY OF MAKING IT, WE INTERPRET IT WELL.

I MEAN, ZOILA MORALES I'M ALSO PART OF THE RELOCATION PROGRAM.

I RECEIVED A LETTER SAYING THAT I HAD 90 DAYS TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY.

I SPOKE TO DONALD AND SENT HIM A LETTER THROUGH EMAIL TRYING TO NEGOTIATE.

THEY'RE OFFERING ME ONLY $20,000 FOR MY PROPERTY.

[03:00:02]

I RECEIVED A 90 DAY EVICTION NOTICE AND I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WITH THAT AMOUNT.

I NEED HELP TO MOVE MY TRAILER.

I DON'T QUALIFY FOR A HOUSE AND I HAVEN'T GOTTEN A RESPONSE.

AND IN 90 DAYS, THAT'S THAT'S NOT ENOUGH TIME.

I HAVEN'T SIGNED ANYTHING TO NEGOTIATE WITH THEM.

I HAVEN'T AGREED TO ANYTHING.

THEY CAN'T.

THEY CAN JUST TAKE ME OUT.

TO SEE AND TO SEE THE SOLUTION.

BUT IT ALSO GOES TO THOSE POOR GENERALS WHO DON'T KNOW WHEN THEIR PARENTS ARE GOING TO BE AMBUSHED BY AL PROYECTO.

I NEED A SOLUTION TO CONTINUE NEGOTIATING BECAUSE IT'S NOT FAIR.

I CAN'T LEAVE MY PROPERTY WITH THAT AMOUNT AND I DON'T REALLY WANT TO SELL, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO FIND A SOLUTION WHERE IT SUITS THE PROJECT AND ALSO ME.

LOOK AT THEM. LOOK AT ME.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY FOR NOW.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 28, NORMA ESCALANTE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON THE SAME ITEM.

YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES.

SHE'LL BE USING THE INTERPRETER AS WELL.

AND THAT'S, AGAIN, THE PERSONA THAT IS NORMAL, SCANDALOUS.

YOU KNOW, THOSE PHOTOS CAN BE BANNED OUTSIDE THEN.

BUT THEN WHEN I STARTED THIS ME NOBODY NORMAL IT'S TURKEY SO NOBODY LESS FOR OUR SOFTWARE FOR THIS THE MARZO TO ELLA COURT IT'S TO THE AGUADO AND BENJAMIN THAT WE FILM DOCUMENTOS GET THE FILM.

SAY YES TO RITA.

NOT ONLY THOUGH.

DO YOU SEE MY BEING IN POWER FOR ME? POR LA CASA. WHEN? HI. MY NAME IS NORMA ESCAMILLA.

I NEED HELP TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE BECAUSE SINCE MARCH, WHEN I FOUGHT WITH THE COMMISSIONERS VIRTUALLY, I SIGNED DOCUMENTS.

AND UP UNTIL THIS POINT, I HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY PAYMENT FOR MY HOME.

I READ THAT NOSOTROS PERSONNEL YOUR MI FAMILIA, YOUR MOST APPROPRIATE PARA SOMOS MM THE LAMENT.

DID YOU NOTICE THE CONSTANT CONTROL OF GASTOS EVEN WHEN THOSE WHO STILL ACCESS THE REST OF THE PROGRAM.

MY FAMILY AND I PERSONALLY, WE FOUND A NEW PROPERTY, BUT IT'S RIGHT AT OUR LIMIT FINANCIALLY AND IT'S TAKING A LOT FOR US TO TRY TO GET AHEAD WITH ALL THESE EXPENSES. AND IT'S NOT FAIR FOR FOR US TO HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAM.

THEN YOU ARE IN FOR JUST ME SO MUCH AS WELL.

JUST CANCEL YOUR COURT BILL OR THROW IN THE AND SEE WHICH ONE TO RETURN.

I WANT TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP ME, BECAUSE I'VE GONE TO TOO MANY APPOINTMENTS, SIGNING DOCUMENTS, AND THEY JUST TOLD ME 2 TO 3 WEEKS, 2 TO 3 WEEKS.

[03:05:06]

NOTHING'S HAPPENED.

SO. SO I CAN.

AT LEAST I CAN CHECK IN SACRAMENTO.

YEAH, IT'S ALMOST UNLIMITED.

YEAH, THAT'S TRUE.

BUT I WOULD SCAR DOWN THERE.

YEAH. THE PROBLEM.

SO THE PROBLEM FOR YOU IS NOT THE AMOUNT, IT'S THAT YOU HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE CHECK, CORRECT? I HAVEN'T RECEIVED THE CHECK.

AND WE'RE AT OUR LIMITS, YOU KNOW, OF TRYING TO FIND HOUSING AND OF COVERING THESE EXPENSES.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

OKAY, SIR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT IS SPEAKER 29 SYLVIA OLIVER SPEAKING ON THE SAME ITEM, VIRTUALLY USING THE INTERPRETER.

YOU HAVE 2 MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

IT'S SYLVIA OLIVER, BIMBO.

INTERPRETER 18 MINUTOS.

OLIVER MINISTER IN BURMA.

THE QUESTION IS TO THE END, OKAY, FOR YOU THEN FOR HIM AND YOUR PERSONAL TENGO MACHADO SUPPORTERS.

I JUST HACIENDO AND JOAN MIRO TO COME IN A MORE RAPIDO ME EASY ON THAT BECAUSE THEY ALL CAME OVER SOME PERSONAL HE SAID THOUGH I DO NOT PARROT HE LOOK YOU'RE UNDER NO NOISE LOOK YOU TANGO LOOK AT YOUR THINGS LOOK SEE LOOK NO TENEMOS BECAUSE INNOCENT ANIMALS.

AND MY NAME IS SYLVIA LIVES AND I'M ALSO PART OF THE RELOCATION PROGRAM.

I'M ASKING FOR HELP BECAUSE PERSONALLY THERE'S A LOT OF MOVEMENT HAPPENING AND IT'S IT'S NOT MOVING VERY QUICKLY OR THE PROPERTY ISN'T PAYING WHAT IT SHOULD BE.

AND WHAT I HAVE TO PAY IS, IS NOT WHAT I'M GOING TO BE RECEIVING.

SO WE NEED WE NEED HELP.

INSTEAD OF FAMILIES, IT STANDS FOR FREE AND REPENTANT MACHISMO.

SO HE HAS A EUROPE FOR THE RAINBOW, AND HE CAN UNDERSTAND THAT NOT ONLY OUR FAMILY IS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF A SUDDEN RELOCATION, THE CHANGE IN SCHOOL, THE LAND WE NEED, THE SPACE AND IT'S NOT HAPPENING AS QUICKLY AS WE NEED IT TO.

RESPUESTA DEL TERRENO DE LA GRANDE CINEMAS, THOUGH WE NEED A RESPONSE.

WE WANT THE SAME SIZE FOR WHAT WE'RE SELLING, AND THAT'S NOT WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

THEY'RE NOT OFFERING US THE SAME OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN OFFERED.

AND LOOK AT NOSOTROS TENEMOS MERCADO DIFERENTE DE LA STAMPA DANDO COMO AS TEMPORADA COMO EL MERCADO. WHEN THE REPETITIVE SUPPORT, FOR INSTANCE, BEGAN OR LOST LOST AN INVALUABLE IN EL MERCADO PESO AS THE MARCELLO ALTO THEY WERE PAYING BASED ON THEIR VALUATION, NOT ON THE MARKET RATE.

SO IT'S NOT IT'S NOT WORKING BECAUSE THE MARKET PRICES RIGHT NOW ARE TOO HIGH.

THEY'RE NOT AS POOR AS SAN ANTONIO YO LA TENGO AND 70/% I THINK ALMOST ANDANDO IS FOLLOWING CONTRA ON THE MAINLAND IS IS PRICE ABOUT 300,000 AND I'M GETTING 65,000.

IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT TANGO IN A SCHEME SIMILAR TO WHAT I HAVE

[03:10:02]

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

THANK YOU. YES.

OKAY. THAT WAS THE LAST SPEAKER REQUESTING AN INTERPRETER.

SO AN INTERPRETER. I WILL MUTE YOUR LINE NOW.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

INTERPRETER. ALL RIGHT.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 30 DAY.

MS.. GONZALES OF TOP SPEAKING ON ITEM 140.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

THANK YOU. I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE.

I KNOW THAT YOU MENTIONED ABOUT THE PROJECT.

YOU MENTIONED ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE EXACTLY RIGHT.

WHAT I'VE SEEN IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN ORGANIZING IN THIS COMMUNITY, IT'S THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION, A LOT OF CONFUSION BECAUSE A LOT OF STAFF HAVE LEFT THE PROJECT AND COMES NEW CASEWORKERS THAT ARE GIVING PEOPLE THE WRONG INFORMATION.

THOSE PROMISES ARE NOT COMING THROUGH.

I HAVE SEEN AND FELT THE STRESS AND THE ANXIETY OF THESE FAMILIES OVER NOT GETTING WHAT THEY WERE PROMISED.

AND I AM HERE TO ASK YOU TO PLEASE TAKE THIS AS SERIOUSLY AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE YOU SEE THEM HERE TODAY, THEY'RE KIND OF NERVOUS ABOUT SPEAKING UP.

BUT I AM HERE ALSO TO SUPPORT THEM AND SPEAK FOR THEM BECAUSE THEY ARE TO THE POINT WHERE THEY JUST WANT TO TAKE WHATEVER MONEY THEY'RE OFFERING AND JUST LEAVE.

AND THIS IS CAUSING A LOT OF THEM TO GO IN DEPTH TO PUT MONEY THEY DON'T HAVE TO SCRATCH FROM ZERO AGAIN TO BUILD A NEW HOME.

THEY'RE NOT ONLY LEAVING VALUE BEHIND, BUT THEY'RE LIVING A WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE.

AND. NEXT, THE SPEAKER 31 JAMAL KEN WASHINGTON SPEAKING ON ITEM 161 UNDER GRANT.

SO YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, AS CAN WASHINGTON FROM WATERS THERE ALONG WEST LAKE HOUSTON.

I'VE BEEN ABLE TO SPEAK PREVIOUSLY.

FORGIVE ME. I'M OFF OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

I WANT TO SPEAK ABOUT THE MONEY.

THE CDBG FUNDS THAT ARE TO BE APPROVED FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAVE SOME CONCERN.

I BELIEVE THE MONEY IS ROUGHLY $800,000 THAT THEY'RE ASKING FOR TO BE APPROVED BY THE COMMISSIONERS.

MY CONCERN COMES IN IS THAT THERE'S ALREADY BEEN MONEY THAT IS POSSIBLY COULD BE USED FROM THE PURCHASE OF LAND FROM UNREALIZED ON THAT 90 ACRE TRACT LAND I'VE SPOKEN ABOUT BEFORE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY, WHICH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION WAS AT OUT AND SPOKE TO BEFORE ABOUT.

BUT IF THOSE FUNDS, THOSE HARVEY FUNDS, ARE BEING ALLOCATED TO DEVELOPMENT OF HOUSING AND AND RESTRUCTURING THERE IN THE COUNTY.

THERE'S FUNDING AVAILABLE.

SO MY CONCERN IS THAT WHAT'S HAPPENED WITH THE MONEY PREVIOUSLY THAT THEY RECEIVED? IS THERE ANY OVERSIGHT AND IS THERE AN AUDIT NEEDED TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHERE THOSE MONIES ARE BEING SPENT AND HOW THEY'RE BEING SPENT IN THE COUNTY THAT'S ALREADY BEEN ALLOCATED? BUT CAN YOU CONTINUE YOUR REMARKS? YES, SIR. SO, YOU KNOW, I SPOKE WITH SOME OF OTHER RESIDENTS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WHO WE'VE CONTINUED TO WATCH HOW THESE HARVEY FUNDS ARE BEING SPENT, HOW THEY'RE BEEN ALLOCATED AND BROKEN DOWN BETWEEN DIFFERENT PROJECTS.

AND CONSIDERING THAT THEY ARE ALSO BEING USED IN REGARDS TO DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS LIKE THE LAKE VIEW AT LAKE HOUSTON PROJECT, WHEN IT MAKES SENSE TO SELL THAT PROPERTY THAT UNWISELY IS NOT MADE JUST ONE, NOT TWO, NOT THREE, BUT FOUR OFFERS.

AND I THINK BETWEEN 8 TO 12 MILLION, DON'T QUOTE ME ON THAT.

THAT COULD DEFINITELY BE RECEIVED BY THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND USE TO OTHER HOUSING PROJECTS IN DEVELOPMENT AROUND THE COUNTY.

SO WE'RE SEEING A WATCH THIS AND I JUST THINK THAT POSSIBLY AT THIS TIME THAT SHOULDN'T BE APPROVED WHILE WE CONTINUE TO RESEARCH AND LOOK AT HOW PREVIOUS MONIES HAS BEEN ALLOCATED. THANK YOU, KAREN.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

JUST A QUICK, QUICK QUESTION.

HAS THE OUTREACH BEEN FROM COMMUNITY SERVICES ON THE PROJECTS YOU'RE REFERRING TO? I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.

ACTUALLY. THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH THEM WAS AT THE MEETING WE HAD ATTACHED TO SEE THE HIGH SCHOOL A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO.

I KNOW THAT THE RESIDENTS, I'VE SPOKEN TO THEM AS THEY CONTINUE TO EMAIL AND TEXT ME, THEY CONTINUE TO REACH OUT TO THEM TO KEEP AN UPDATE ON WHAT'S GOING ON AND WHAT'S GOING ON. WHAT FUNDS? I'VE NOT HEARD BACK FROM THEM.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S A COUPLE OTHER RESIDENTS WHO CAME UP WITH ME TODAY THAT ARE TRYING TO SPEAK TO THE COMMISSIONERS, AND THEY'RE ALSO REACHING OUT NOT ONLY TO HOUSE AUTHORITY, BUT THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SIR.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

YES, SIR. JUDGE, THIS IS DR.

HOLLOWAY. I WAS WONDERING IF I CAN MAKE SOME REMARKS.

YES, GO AHEAD, DR. HOLLYWOOD.

THANK YOU. I'LL JUST START WITH THE BUYOUT PROGRAM.

AND FIRST, I WANT TO JUST ACKNOWLEDGE HOW CHALLENGING THIS PROGRAM IS, NOT ONLY FROM AN ADMINISTRATION PERSPECTIVE, BUT FROM A PARTICIPANT'S PERSPECTIVE AND UNDERSTANDING THAT WHAT WE ARE ASKING RESIDENTS TO DO IS A HARD, HARD REALITY FOR THEM TO BASICALLY MOVE FROM SOMETHING THAT'S BEEN COMFORTABLE TO

[03:15:04]

AND THAT REQUIRES THE BUILDING OF NEW RELATIONSHIPS AND SOCIAL NETWORKS AND CONTACTS.

AND THAT TAKES SOME TIME.

AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THIS FROM THAT LENS AS WELL.

BUT THERE ISN'T A ROAD MAP OR PRECEDENTS FOR THIS.

WE'RE ACTUALLY TWO PROGRAMS ARE OPERATING BUYOUT IN THIS FASHION IN THE COUNTRY AT THIS TIME.

SO WE WE ARE DEVELOPING THIS PROGRAM AS NEW NEW BOOK, NEW TO THIS PROCESS.

BUT THERE IS SOME IMPROVEMENTS THAT WE'VE MADE WHEN I CAME IN, AND THAT WAS MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE TRYING TO GET THE WORD OUT IN MANY, MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND IN IN AN ACCESSIBLE FASHION AS WELL.

SO DOCUMENTS THAT ARE PRODUCED OR PRODUCED BOTH IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH, WE DEVELOPED AN ADVISORY BOARD OF WHICH MEMBERS THAT SPOKE ON COURT ARE ACTUALLY PART OF THAT. AND THE INTEREST THERE WAS TO GET FIRSTHAND WHAT PEOPLE WERE HEARING FROM THEIR TRUSTED NEIGHBORS TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE INCORPORATING THAT, INCORPORATING THAT INTO OUR OUTREACH.

SO WE CANVASED THE NEIGHBORHOODS.

WE WE'VE ACTUALLY THIS YEAR ALONE FOR SIX MONTHS, WE DID 15 DIFFERENT OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS, BOTH CANVASING NEWSLETTERS, IN-PERSON EVENTS SIMILAR TO THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD SPOKEN ABOUT IN HARVEY AT HARDY STREET PARTY CENTER, WHERE WE'RE BRINGING RESIDENTS INTO THE SAME SPACE AS ELIGIBILITY SPECIALIST AND BULLY CASE, MANAGING THEIR EFFORTS.

AND THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH PUBLIC HEALTH, WE WERE ACTUALLY UTILIZING THEIR MOBILE UNIT AND BRINGING STAFF DIRECTLY INTO THE COMMUNITY SO THAT THEY CAN MEET WITH RESIDENTS.

THAT CAUSES LESS INCONVENIENCE FOR THEM.

BUT IT IS A TOUGH PROGRAM AND IT'S VERY MUCH INDIVIDUALIZED.

I THINK WHAT YOU'VE ALSO HAVE HAD THE PREVIOUS HEARING IS THAT EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT AND WE HAVE TO LOOK AT EACH CASE FROM THAT UNIQUE LENS.

AND THIS PROGRAM IN AND OF ITSELF BRINGS IN DIFFERENT REGULATIONS THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BE CONSIDERATE OF IN OUR OTHER PROGRAMS, LARGELY URA AND THE BUYOUT PIECES.

IT'S COMPLEX AND WHAT I WOULD SHARE IS NOT EVERYONE'S SITUATION IS THE SAME AND OFTENTIMES WHAT ONE PERSON MAY RECEIVE MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM ANOTHER. IT COULD BE THE AMOUNT THAT'S OFFERED FOR THEIR HOME, BUT THEIR RELOCATION IS DESIGNED TO GET THEM INTO A COMPARABLE HOME SO THEIR APPRAISED VALUE FOR THEIR HOME MIGHT BE 60,000.

IF IT COST 245,000 TO GET THEM INTO A HOME, THEN WE COME IN WITH A GRANT TO PROVIDE THAT BALANCE.

BUT THAT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT FROM ONE PERSON TO A NEXT.

SO WE WILL BE WE'RE COMMITTED TO CONTINUING TO PROVIDE THE CLARITY AND WORKING WITH TOP SO THAT WE HAVE MORE INFORMATION THAT'S BEING SHARED BY TRUSTED STAKEHOLDERS TO THE RESIDENTS AS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

AND IT IS A PROCESS.

SO DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY'RE AT IN THE PROCESS, IF THEY'RE MOVING TOWARDS RELOCATION, THEY'RE THEN LOOKING TO FIND THAT HOME.

WE'RE CONNECTING THEM TO REALTORS.

IF FOR ONE REASON OR ANOTHER ENTERING INTO EMINENT DOMAIN, THEN WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE COURT PROCESS TO COMPLETE.

AND THAT DOES ADD SOME TIME.

BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT INFORMATION CONTINUOUSLY IS SHARED WITH RESIDENTS AS THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS AND TRYING TO MAKE IT AS DIGESTIBLE AND UNDERSTANDABLE AS POSSIBLE, CONSIDERING HOW COMPLEX AND DIFFICULT THIS PROCESS IS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT WITH YOU.

WE ALSO ARE WANTING TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING TO THE STAFF ON THE PROGRAM ITSELF TO MAKE SURE THAT ANY PERSONS WHO ARE INTERFACING WITH CLIENTS THAT ARE CALLING YOUR OFFICES ARE A BIT MORE FAMILIAR WITH HOW THIS PROGRAM IS RUNNING.

SO WE'RE GOING TO SHARE AN EMAIL WITH THAT INFORMATION ON AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN HAVE SOME PARTICIPATION ON THAT AND WE'LL RECORD IT SO THAT OTHERS CAN PARTICIPATE AS WELL. AND THEN, OF COURSE, WE'LL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH ADDITIONAL DATA TO.

AND IF I CAN SPEAK TO THAT TO THE LAST.

REMARKS AS WELL REGARDING THE LAKE HOUSTON PROJECT.

IT IS A HOUSING AUTHORITY PROJECT.

WE HAVE EXPRESSED TO THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT DUE TO TIMING OF THE PROJECT AND NOT NECESSARILY RECEIVING THE GO AHEAD BETWEEN THE HOUSING AUTHORITY AND STAKEHOLDERS THAT THE DRT FUNDS CANNOT BE INVESTED IN LAKE HOUSTON.

WE HAD TO MAKE SURE WE COMMUNICATED THAT TO THE GLO SO THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE CHANGE IN OUR INVESTMENT DECISION AND RECEIVED THE PERMISSION FROM THEM TO MOVE FORWARD AND BEING VESSELS AND SINGLE FAMILY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED THAT THE HOUSING AUTHORITY IS AWARE OF THAT.

SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO PURSUE THE LAKE HOUSTON PROJECT WITH D.R.

FUNDS OR ANY COMMUNITY SERVICE OR HARRIS COUNTY FUNDS OUTSIDE OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY.

IT IS THE HOUSING AUTHORITY, PROPERTY AND PROJECT.

[03:20:02]

BUT THERE AREN'T GOING TO BE ANY CDBG FUNDS INVESTED IN LAKE HOUSTON FOR THE LAKE HOUSTON PROJECT.

SO I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE SOME CLARITY THERE, BUT WE HAD TO GET THROUGH THE GLO PROCESS FIRST.

THANK YOU, DIRECTOR HOLLOWAY, FOR THE UPDATE.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 32, REGINA DEWEY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY NWC, NUMBER 36, SPEAKING ON ITEM TWO 2600 PURCHASING.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS REGINA DUNCAN, ACTUALLY IN THE GENERAL MANAGER FOR HARRIS COUNTY, WC 36.

WE SERVICE THE RELIEF AREA AND THIS IS ADDRESSING COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA.

I WAS JUST ASKING FOR RELIEF TO HAVE THE COMPLETION OF THE STREET REPAIRS AND WE'VE BEEN KIND OF STUCK IN THE MIDDLE.

WE'VE HAD UNRESOLVED STREETS THAT NEED TO BE REPAIRED FOR MANY YEARS NOW, AND IT SEEMS LIKE OUR AREA JUST KEEPS GETTING OVERLOOKED.

AND THIS WOULD HELP THE RELIEF COMMUNITY AS FUNDING COULD BE ALLOCATED.

THANK YOU. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN.

AND WE ARE ABSOLUTELY COMMITTED TO TAKING CARE OF CLOVERLEAF.

WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PROJECTS ALREADY UNDERWAY THERE, BUT YOUR COMMENTS REALLY SPEAK TO THE VALUE OF THE BOND PROGRAM.

AND IF YOU WILL HELP ME MAKE SURE THAT THAT BOND IS SUCCESSFUL, IT WILL HELP ME PROVIDE GREATER SERVICE TO THE CLOVERLEAF COMMUNITY.

BUT WE'VE GOT A LOT OF WE'VE GOT A LOT OF PROJECTS THERE.

FLOOD CONTROL IS DOING A LOT OF WORK IN THE AREA, BUT WE WANT TO DO MORE AND LOOKING FORWARD TO ENSURE YOU GUYS AREN'T AREN'T LEFT OUT ANY LONGER. THANK YOU.

AND WE ARE ALWAYS HERE AS A RESOURCE TO HELP SEND OUT COMMUNICATIONS, WHATEVER WAY WE CAN TO THE RELIEF RESIDENTS, TO HELP EDUCATE THEM ON WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO GET THOSE FUNDING PASSED FOR THEM.

YOU GOT IT. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOU CALLING IN.

THANK YOU. TAKE CARE.

BYE BYE. NEXT, THE SPEAKER NUMBER 33, AUSTIN RUIZ OF THE HOUSTON LGBTQ+ POLITICAL CAUCUS, SPEAKING ON ITEM 245 UNDER COUNTY JUDGE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THERE.

MY NAME IS AUSTIN REID. I'M A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON LGBTQ POLITICAL CAUCUS AND A LIFELONG HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT.

I'M SPEAKING HERE BECAUSE OF THE CONCERN THAT MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS HAVE AROUND THE MONKEYPOX VACCINE GUIDELINES.

WE SENT A LETTER TO ALL OF YOUR STAFF ON FRIDAY OUTLINING THE INADEQUACIES IN THE CURRENT GUIDELINES.

THEY EXCLUDE MANY AT RISK INDIVIDUALS.

ANECDOTALLY, I'VE HEARD FROM MANY PEOPLE, SPECIFICALLY THOSE LIVING WITH HIV, BUT THEY'RE UNABLE TO GET APPOINTMENTS BOTH FROM THE CITY AND THE COUNTY.

AND FURTHER, THERE'S NO MENTION OF THIS SPECIFICALLY AFFECTING MOSTLY MEN, WOMEN, POPULATIONS AND ANY MESSAGING FROM EITHER THE COUNTY OR FROM THE CITY.

AND SO I'M REALLY BESEECHING YOU ALL TO IMPROVE THE GUIDELINES, TO MAKE SURE AT RISK INDIVIDUALS ARE ABLE TO GET THOSE VACCINES.

AND REALLY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS OUTBREAK ACCURATELY IN TERMS OF ITS EFFECTS ON THE MEN THAT HAVE SEX WITH MEN POPULATION IN THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE CALL.

AND WE'LL TOUCH ON THIS LATER.

WE HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE ABOUT THIS TODAY AND IT'S REALLY ABOUT THE URGENCY FOR MORE VACCINES RIGHT NOW.

WE HAVE ENOUGH VACCINES LEFT FOR ABOUT 250 PEOPLE, AND THERE ARE ABOUT 30,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE LIVING WITH HIV IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND OBVIOUSLY, THE MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN POPULATION MUCH LARGER THAN THAT.

SO THE CONCERN WE HAVE IS, OF COURSE, WE KNOW THAT IDEALLY IN ORDER TO TO CHART A DIFFERENT PATH WITH THIS THAN WE DID WITH, SAY, COVID, WE HAVE TO BE PROACTIVE AND WE HAVE TO VACCINATE MUCH LARGER POPULATIONS THAN THOSE THAT ARE NARROWLY DEFINED AS ELIGIBLE RIGHT NOW. BUT IT DOESN'T DO US ANY GOOD TO SCHEDULE THESE FOLKS FOR APPOINTMENTS AND NOT HAVE VACCINES TO GIVE THEM.

SO WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO RIGHT NOW IS GET MORE VACCINES TO OUR AREA.

17,000 HAVE BEEN ALLOCATED IN EACH, EACH VERSUS TWO VACCINES.

SO THAT REALLY ONLY GIVES US HALF OF THAT.

BUT THOSE HAVEN'T EVEN ARRIVED.

AND SO AS SOON AS WE GET THE SHIPMENT WILL THE PLAN IS TO BROADEN THE CRITERIA MORE AND THEN IF WE ARE ABLE TO GET OUR HANDS ON MORE VACCINE.

ABSOLUTELY. I ABSOLUTELY HEAR IT.

AND THAT'S THAT'S THE THE BALANCE THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS HAVING TO STRIKE.

BUT WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A BIT OF A DISCUSSION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM LATER AND JUST KNOW WE ALL HEAR THAT CONCERN.

AND THAT'S WHY I'M SO AGGRESSIVE AND LEANING FORWARD ON THE NEED FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO SEND US MORE VACCINES.

[03:25:06]

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. SHE? GOOD AFTERNOON. MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU HERE.

MY NAME IS NEIL RATCLIFFE.

I'M AN ATTORNEY REPRESENTING THE NHP FOUNDATION, WHICH HAS THE ITEM 288 ON THE AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS ASKED ME TO COME AND ADDRESS SOME QUESTIONS THAT HE HAS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF HE WILL LIKE TO DO THAT WHEN WE REACH THAT ITEM OR IF YOU WANT ME TO ADDRESS THOSE THINGS NOW.

I CAN SAY JUST VERY GENERALLY, I'VE WORKED WITH MY CLIENT AND HP.

THEY ARE A NONPROFIT WITH A 32 YEAR HISTORY OF PROVIDING GOOD, QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

AND THEY'RE WORKING TO PROVIDE A PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY THAT WILL HELP 149 CHRONICALLY HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS HAVE QUALITY HOUSING, AND WE'RE WORKING TO DO ALL WE CAN TO PULL THAT TOGETHER.

MR.. I'M TEMPTED TO SAY LET'S LET'S WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO RETURN.

SURE. ELLIS I'M SORRY.

I HEARD YOU MOVE OVER THERE AND LET'S MOVE FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO RETURN.

AND THEN WHEN WE TAKE UP THE ITEM.

OH, HERE'S COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL RIGHT. OKAY, PERFECT.

SO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS THE SPEAKER FOR ITEM 288, AND IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. IT'S GOOD TO BE HERE.

SURE. I JUST COMMENTED BRIEFLY ON THE FACT THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO MOVING FORWARD ON 3300 CAROLINE AND HELPING 149 CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PEOPLE BE IN A MUCH BETTER SITUATION THAN THEY'RE IN TODAY, CERTAINLY.

YOU ASKED ME TO COME DOWN, SO I'M HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THANK YOU, NEAL. IT'S A IT'S A GOOD PROJECT.

AND, DR.

HOLLOWAY, ARE YOU THERE? DR. HOLLOWAY. SO WE CAN BRING THEM UP NOW.

CAN YOU JUST WALK US BACK THROUGH WHAT THE PROJECT DOES? DR. HOLLOWAY, I THINK IT'S ABOUT 100 CHRONICALLY HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO'LL BE PLACED THERE UNDER 49 MINUTES, SAY PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROJECT, AND IT'S PARTNERSHIP WITH NATIONAL NHP AND NHP AND MAGNIFICENT.

IT'S PART OF OUR CDBG, OUR INVESTMENT IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING RENTAL.

SO IT'S ONE OF THE LAST PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE ON BOARD TO BREAK GROUND.

THE BALANCE OF THEM ARE ACTUALLY IN CONSTRUCTION, AND THIS WOULD REALLY BRING SOME VERY NEEDED HOUSING UNITS TO THE POPULATION THAT WE'VE BEEN TRYING TO SERVE THROUGH THE SUPPORT OF HOUSING THROUGH OUR CHIP 1.0 AND CHIP 2.0 INITIATIVES.

THIS BRINGS THOSE HOUSING UNITS INTO THE GROUND TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

THIS PARTNER, WE'VE ACTUALLY ARE WORKING WITH THEM IN MONTHS AS WELL, AGAIN, TO SUPPORT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE UNSHELTERED POPULATION OR THE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.

AND WHAT ARE THE NUMBERS? 9 MILLION WE'RE PUTTING IN TO CITIES.

PUTTING IN HOW MUCH? 5 MILLION.

I THINK WE PUT IT 909 I'M SORRY.

AND THE CITY IS PUTTING IN 1515 I'M THINKING ABOUT TEN OR 15 MILLION.

YEAH. I THINK IT'S 18 MILLION CITIES PUTTING IN.

AND I, I CALLED YOU AND ASKED YOU TO HOLD IT BECAUSE I SAW A PRESS ACCOUNT WHERE NHP WAS ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN CLEMMY MANOR, THE CLEMMY MANOR PROJECT.

AND YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO HOLD IT.

AND YOU ALL HAVE WORKED UP SOME TENANT.

AGREEMENTS JUST KIND OF ROUGHLY WALK US THROUGH WHAT'S IN THEM.

SURE. THE REASON WE WERE BRINGING THIS TO COURT AND THEN HELD THE ITEM WAS WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING WITH ALL OUR OTHER AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS IS JUST INCREASING COST OF CONSTRUCTION.

SO WE WERE REQUESTING TO ADD ADDITIONAL FUNDS TO THE BUDGET.

SO THAT'S WHY THERE ARE TWO COMPONENTS TO THE ACTION BEING PRESENTED TO TODAY.

ONE IS TO REQUEST THE INCREASE IN THE BUDGET TO ADDRESS THOSE COST INCREASES BECAUSE OF SUPPLY AND HUMAN RESOURCES CONSTRAINTS.

AND THE OTHER WAS A REQUEST THAT YOU MADE, COMMISSIONER, TO INCLUDE TENANT PROTECTIONS IN OUR AGREEMENT TO ENSURE THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE AN EXPERIENCE SIMILAR TO THE RESIDENTS OF CLEMMIE MANOR, MOST RECENTLY IN THE HOUSING THAT IS OWNED BY NHP.

SO WE IDENTIFIED SEVERAL DIFFERENT MEASURES THAT WE WANTED TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LEASE ADDENDUM AND IN OUR GRANT AGREEMENT WITH OR IN OUR AGREEMENT WITH NHP

[03:30:01]

THERE IS EVICTION PROTECTIONS, THERE'S REPAIR AND NOTIFICATION.

THERE'S ABOUT SIX OTHERS.

AND WHEN WE PRESENTED THE LIST, QUITE FRANKLY, TO NHP THERE, THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED BY THE THINGS THAT WE ADDED.

AND I THINK THAT'S BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN DOING THIS WORK ACROSS THE NATION FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

MANY OF THE ELEMENTS THAT WE'VE ASKED TO BE INCLUDED IN OURS ACTUALLY EXIST IN OTHER AGREEMENTS THAT THEY HAVE WITH OTHER PARTNERS.

SO THE LIST OF TENANT AGREEMENTS THAT WE'VE PLAYED WITH, A LITTLE MASSAGING OF THAT INCLUDES OUR EVEN OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE REVIEW OF PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE OR AT LEAST A VOTE IN THEIR PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANIES THAT WOULD BE HIRED.

SO IT INCREASES INSPECTIONS OF THE UNIT AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE OTHER INVESTORS TO ENSURE THAT OUR HOUSING QUALITY STANDARDS INSPECTIONS IS OCCURRING AT A DIFFERENT TIME AS A LOAN CAP, HOUSING TAX CREDIT INSPECTIONS, AND AT A DIFFERENT TIME AS THE HOUSING AUTHORITIES, SECTION EIGHT OR VOUCHER INSPECTIONS, SO THAT WE HAVE MORE EYES ON THE PROPERTY AND WERE VERY AMENABLE TO THE CHANGES THAT WE'VE MADE.

I ALSO WOULD UNDERSCORE THAT WHAT WE PRESENTED AS TENANT PROTECTIONS ARE NOT UNTETHERED GROUNDS IN TEXAS EITHER.

SO THE ONES THAT WE'VE INCLUDED HAVE ARE ACTUALLY IN EFFECT IN EITHER EITHER AND AUSTIN, TRAVIS COUNTY OR SAN ANTONIO.

SO WE USE THOSE AS MODELS TO PRESENT OUR TENANT PROTECTIONS IN THIS AGREEMENT.

OKAY. LOOK, I'M JUST GOING TO RUN THROUGH QUICK CATEGORIES.

SO YOU HAD SIX, ABOUT 20 ITEMS. SO ON THE TENANT SCREENING UNIT, PROPERTY INSPECTIONS, REPAIRS AND TIMELINES, EVICTIONS, TERMINATIONS OF LEASE AND RELOCATION PROTECTIONS AGAINST RETALIATION TENANTS, ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RIGHT TO ORGANIZE.

THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY CSG WILL BE PART OF THE REVIEW TEAM THAT IS TASKED WITH SELECTING THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT COMPANY FOR THIS PROJECT.

AND THE SIXTH AREA WAS LEGAL.

PROCEEDINGS ONLY SHOULD NOT REQUIRE TENANT TO WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN A CLASS ACTION OR COLLECTIVE ACTION RELATED TO ANY AND ALL PROVISIONS OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, DR.

HOLLOWAY AND NHP AND OF COURSE, MY STAFF WHO HAD BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR SOME TIME, THIS WILL ONLY APPLY TO THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.

BUT YOU'RE LOOKING AT THIS AND HOPEFULLY SOME OTHERS.

I KNOW WE LOOKED AROUND TEXAS, BUT I DO KNOW THAT NATIONALLY NEW YORK, LA COUNTY AND PHILADELPHIA MIGHT HAVE EVEN STRONGER PROTECTIONS.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO AS FAR AS THE LAW WILL ALLOW.

I APPRECIATE NHP, YOU KNOW, WHEN EVEN AS RECENTLY AS AN HOUR AGO WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THE LINE, BECAUSE SEPARATE AND APART FROM THIS PROJECT, WHICH I'M VERY MUCH SUPPORTIVE OF, IT WAS ANOTHER PROJECT MANOR WHERE THERE HAVE BEEN SOME PROBLEMS AND I HAVE BEEN THIS IS HOW I REALLY LOST MY HAIR.

I'VE BEEN PULLING MY HAIR OUT, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADD LANGUAGE ALONG THESE LINES THAT'S RELEVANT TO THE PROTECTIONS THAT ARE RELEVANT TO THE CLIMATE AGREEMENT, WHICH IS WHICH THE COUNTY PUT NO MONEY IN.

IT WAS SOME TIME AGO AND I WAS EXPLAINING TO MY BRILLIANT STAFF, THEY DO SUCH A GOOD JOB BECAUSE THEY I KNOW I'VE DRIVEN THEM CRAZY THAT THE ONLY REASON I WAS HOLDING THIS ONE UP WAS BECAUSE OF CLEMMIE MANOR, BECAUSE I HAPPENED TO SEE THE ARTICLE IN THE PAPER AND I SAW NHP VIDEO AND IT JUST STUCK IN MY HEAD BECAUSE I'VE LOOKED AT THE AGENDA AND I SAW NHP WAS PART OF THIS ONE.

AND THE AGREEMENT WE'VE COME TO, I THINK, IS YOU ALL WILL AGREE IF YOU CALLED YOUR CEO.

WE DID. YOU ALL WOULD DO.

SEPARATE TMU MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING SO THAT I WON'T TRY TO ADD IT TO THIS FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD BLOW THIS UP BECAUSE YOU HAVE OTHER PARTNERS.

BUT THE REASON I WAS HOLDING IT UP, EVEN IF YOU'RE A GOOD COMPANY, YOU HAD A PROBLEM WITH CLEMMIE MANOR.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF I'M DEAD OUT OF OFFICE, WE'RE GONE.

YOU'RE GONE, THAT THESE ISSUES DON'T COME UP AGAIN.

AND THERE ARE OTHERS.

SO I JUST WANT YOU TO WALK THROUGH BECAUSE I MADE THE COMMENT TO SOME OF THE TENANTS THAT I WANTED MORE TO TRUST ME.

SURE. AND YOU ALL WROTE A GREAT LETTER, WHICH I WON'T READ INTO THE RECORD, BUT YOU WROTE A GREAT COMPANY THAT YOU PROBABLY WROTE IT AND THEY SIGNED IT SAYING YOU WOULD AGREE TO ALL OF THESE THINGS TO GET ME TO BACK OFF.

BUT I WAS STILL EARLY THIS MORNING.

GOOD FEELING LIKE YOU.

WE WERE HAVING PRAYER EARLY THIS MORNING.

YOU'RE QUITE EARLY TO WALK ME OFF THIS CLIFF.

SO LET'S EXPLAIN. WHY IS IT I CAN'T ADD IT TO THIS AGREEMENT?

[03:35:03]

AND AND I FELT A LITTLE BIT, AS YOU AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IN TALKING WITH YOU AND TALKING WITH HP, LIKE I'M DEALING WITH TWO PARTIES WHO WERE JUST IN VIOLENT AGREEMENT THAT THEY WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

RIGHT. SO AS RESPECTING THE TECHNICAL ASPECT OF BEING ABLE TO SAY ADD TENANT PROTECTION LANGUAGE ON THE COLUMBIA MANOR PROJECT INTO 3300 CAROLINE HP THE WAY THAT TAX CREDIT DEVELOPMENTS WORK, THEY HAVE A COMPLEX OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE.

ONE, EVERY PROPERTY NEEDS TO BE OWNED BY A SINGLE ASSET ENTITY THAT WILL TYPICALLY BE A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

AND SO NHP CAN I IS THE GENERAL PARTNER OF A LIMITED PARTNERSHIP.

THERE'S A TAX CREDIT EQUITY INVESTOR THAT COMES IN AS A LIMITED PARTNER THAT PUTS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS INTO THE PROJECT.

THERE IS A PRIVATE LENDER THAT HAS LOAN AGREEMENTS AND PROMISSORY NOTES AND DEEDS OF TRUST INVOLVED.

THERE'S THE CITY THERE ARE THERE A COMPLEX INTERLINKING OF PARTIES THAT FORM THAT PARTNERSHIP.

SO NGCP CANNOT UNILATERALLY IMPOSE ON ALL OF THOSE PARTNERS AND A PROJECT THAT CLOSED IN 2014.

A CHANGE, RIGHT.

SO SO AND YOU ALSO IT'S IT'S CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE INVESTORS AND THE LENDERS ON THESE PROJECTS THAT EACH OF THOSE PROJECTS BE ISOLATED SO THAT IF THERE'S A FINANCIAL PROBLEM WITH ONE PROJECT, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT IT DOESN'T LEAK INTO OR CAUSE A CASCADING FAILURE OR PROBLEM WITH A WHOLE PORTFOLIO OF PROPERTIES.

SO, SO EACH OF THESE PROPERTIES HAS TO BE SELF CONTAINED LEGALLY.

AND, AND THAT'S THAT'S THE WAY THE STRUCTURE WORKS.

AND HP DOESN'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO CHANGE THAT IF THEY WANTED TO.

BUT WHAT THEY HAVE DONE HERE AT YOUR URGING AND THEY'VE BEEN VERY HAPPY TO DO IT, THEY'VE ALREADY OFFERED TO VOLUNTARILY TO IMPLEMENT THE SAME CHANGES AT COLUMBIA THAT ARE BEING IMPLEMENTED IN 3300.

CAROLINE THEY PUT THAT IN WRITING AND THEY ARE HAPPY TO DO, IN MY VIEW, TO DO WHATEVER THEY CAN DO TO GIVE YOU AS MUCH COMFORT AS POSSIBLE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO THE RIGHT THING.

NOW, MAY I ADD ONE OTHER THING? THE REASON I GOT TO KNOW NHP, I USED TO BE THE HOUSING DIRECTOR FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND BACK IN 2014, WHEN THIS PROJECT WAS DONE, WE WERE LOOKING AT WAYS TO HELP THE FIFTH WARD AND CLEMMIE MANOR WITH THE EPICENTER OF CRIME AND BLIGHT IN THE FIFTH WARD AND NHP STEPPED UP TO THE TABLE AND PUT MONEY DOWN AND RENOVATED THE PROPERTY AND ACTUALLY DID INITIATED A DRAMATIC TURNAROUND IN TERMS OF DRAMATICALLY REDUCING CRIME AND IMPROVING THE LIVES OF THE FAMILIES THERE.

AND I THINK I'VE TOLD YOU THIS BEFORE, TOO.

I DIDN'T JUST TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT.

I TALKED TO MOTHERS OF CHILDREN ON THAT PROPERTY BEFORE THAT DEAL WAS CONSUMMATED AT CITY COUNCIL, AND I SAID, WHAT IS IT LIKE? AND THEY SAID, WE'RE AFRAID TO LET OUR CHILDREN GO OUT AND PLAY BECAUSE THE CRIME IS SO BAD.

A FEW MONTHS AFTER THEY TOOK OVER THE PROPERTY AND THEY INITIATED THESE VERY SWEEPING CHANGES, I WENT BACK TO THE SAME MOTHERS AND SAID, HOW IS IT NOW? AND THEY SAID, IT'S NIGHT AND DAY.

SO THEY DID REALLY GOOD WORK.

THEY HAD DID HAVE SOME CHALLENGES RECENTLY.

THEY'VE TERMINATED THE MANAGEMENT COMPANY THAT THEY HAD AND THEY'RE MOVING FORWARD.

SO. SO NOW. A COUPLE OF POINTS IS I FELT YOU.

IN NO WAY AM I CRITICAL OF NHP.

RIGHT NOW? YES.

BUT LET'S JUST BE REAL.

IF THIS ISSUE HADN'T GOTTEN IN THE PRESS, WE WOULDN'T BE WHERE WE ARE.

AND IF I COULD SLEEP AT NIGHT LIKE NORMAL PEOPLE INSTEAD OF WAKE UP, TURN ON THE PHONE AND SEE YOUR ARTICLE ON MY PHONE AND SAW THE NHP AND THEN REMEMBERED DR.

HOLLOWAY HAD TALKED TO ME ABOUT CAROLINE.

LOSS IN HP.

STUCK IN MY HEAD. WE WOULDN'T BE HERE.

I KNOW YOU'RE YOUR CLIENT, AND YOUR COMPANY IS A NOT FOR PROFIT.

I GET THAT. I ALSO KNOW SOME OF THE WEALTHIEST PEOPLE IN THE COUNTRY.

IN THE LOW INCOME HOUSE IN BUSINESS.

I'D SAY THAT ABOUT YOUR COMPANY, BUT THIS HAPPENS TO BE A GREAT COMPANY.

[03:40:03]

BUT THEY PAY YOUR SALARY.

THEY PAY AND YOURS.

SO IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME FOR SOMEBODY TO SAY, WE'RE GIVING YOU.

$9 MILLION.

$10 MILLION. $10 MILLION FOR THIS EXTRA PROJECT TO JUST HELP THE POOR PEOPLE.

YOU GOT IT. I'M THE ONE THAT FIGHTS AT THIS TABLE, SO ALL OF THEM DON'T GO IN ONE PRECINCT.

BUT I NEVER TURN IT OUT.

YOU KNOW, BUT THE REASON WE'RE HERE, JUDGE, IS I WAS TELLING HIM.

YOU WENT TO THE KENNEDY SCHOOL? I WENT TO THE LBJ SCHOOL.

HERE'S WHAT I LEARNED.

WHEN YOU HAVE POWER, YOU USE IT.

SO WHEN I HAD THE ABILITY TO HOLD UP THIS 9 MILLION AND MAYBE KILL IT.

EVEN IF IT WOULD HURT SOME OF THESE 140 949 PEOPLE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS.

THERE ARE MAYBE 300 UNITS.

384 WITH THREE.

JUST RUSH.

NOPE. NOT RIGHT NOW. I GOT YOU. I'M HELPING YOU.

TRUST ME, THOUGH, WITH 300 PEOPLE.

FOR WHAT? THREE PEOPLE PER UNIT.

YOU GOT ME? YES.

THE CITY SHOULD HAVE HAD.

SOME OF THIS STUFF IN THERE WHEN THEY AWARDED THAT MONEY AND THE COUNTY SHOULD HAVE HAD IT.

DOCTOR, HOW LONG BEFORE YOU CAME? AND WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON IT NOW GOING FORWARD.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE IT IN JUDGE.

I ALSO HOPE IN THIS BOND PACKAGE, IN SOMEWHERE, WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING FOR THESE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO TAKE PEOPLE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY HOMELESS AND PEOPLE WHO COULD BECOME HOMELESS, AS OPPOSED TO SOME AREAS THAT GET INTO THE NIMBY ROUTINE AND FIGHT EVERYTHING BUT HAVE THEIR HANDS OUT TO GRAB THE FLOODING DOLLARS, GRAB THE DOLLARS FOR CRIME AND EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S NOT EQUITABLE. AND I WANT TO USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THAT.

BUT, HEY, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL WORKING WITH US, AND IT'S GOOD WORK.

I THINK THEY'RE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU.

I DIDN'T KNOW THE COMPANY FROM ADAM.

JUST BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT THEM, I WOULDN'T KNOW NHP FROM BP.

YOU HAVE ME, BUT YOU REPRESENT THEM.

SO I'M A VOTE FOR IT.

BUT I'M HOPING AND THERE ARE OTHER PROJECTS OUT THERE THAT HAVE PROBLEMS TO NOW GET IT.

WE DEAL WITH A POPULATION THAT HAS A HOST OF ISSUES, SOME OF IT GOVERNMENT CREATED.

MIGHT I ADD.

I AGREE. YOU GOT ME.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. HEY, ALL GOOD TO SEE YOU.

GOOD TO SEE YOU, SIR. NOT SURE IF YOU'RE THE ONE TO ANSWER THIS OR NOT, BUT I'LL CHANGE THE TONE HERE A BIT.

SURE. THERE'S $1,282,132 SET ASIDE FOR SIDE IMPROVEMENTS.

WHAT IS THAT FOR? THAT'S KIND OF IMPRESSIVE IN TERMS OF GOING TO DO SOMETHING ON THE SIDE TO MAKE THINGS BETTER.

THIS WELL.

SO WE'RE NOT BLENDING ON 33.

CAROLINE THAT'S A NEW CONSTRUCTION, RIGHT? SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SPECIFIC SITE IMPROVEMENTS ARE, BUT ROGER MAY, IF HE MAY, I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT WAS BEING DONE FOR THAT. I THINK THAT'S PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE'RE PUTTING INTO THE PROJECT BECAUSE THERE'S A TOTAL OF I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER OFFHAND WITH LIKE 14 MILLION CONSTRUCTION WILL BE DONE AND IT'S A NEW PROJECT, 149 UNITS THAT WE PUT IN THAT AREA.

AND THE SITE IMPROVEMENT IS JUST THE I THINK IT'S THE DEMOING OF THE HOUSE THAT'S THERE AND IMPROVING THE THE SEWER, WATER LINES, PHONE LINES, ETC..

THANK YOU, HEARTS FOUNDATION, ETC..

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. YOU'RE WELCOME.

SO. WE DO.

WE SHOULD WAIT FOR GARCIA.

SO WE'RE ON TIME FOR A QUICK BREAK.

SO LET'S SEE. JUST A REALLY QUICK ONE.

WE'LL FINISH THE SPEAKERS, DO THE CONCERT, THEN WE'LL TAKE LUNCH.

LET'S WE CAN NOT ON THIS, BUT THERE'S STILL ABOUT 20 SPEAKERS LEFT.

AND I KNOW FOLKS NEED A BREAK NOW.

THANK YOU. SO LET'S BREAK UNTIL 230.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

DO WE NEED TO CALL ANOTHER SPEAKER? TIFFANY. OKAY.

NEXT WOULD BE SPEAKER NUMBER 37.

TOM ZAKES SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 307 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

IT'S A TRANSFER TO YOU.

YES. IF YOU.

GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M TOM DAVIS.

I'VE BEEN A REPUBLICAN PRECINCT CHAIR LONGER THAN ANY OF YOU HAVE BEEN ON COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I'VE BEEN A DELEGATE TO EVERY STATE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION IN THE LAST 25 YEARS.

I'VE BEEN PRESIDENT OF THE DOWNTOWN HOUSTON PACHYDERM CLUB FOR LONGER THAN ANYBODY ELSE IN ITS 25 YEAR EXISTENCE.

BUT ON ELECTION DAY, I HANG OUT MY REPUBLICAN HAT AND AROUND THE ELECTION IN A NONPARTISAN MANNER.

[03:45:04]

I INSIST THAT THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR ME DO THE SAME THING.

I FIRST WORKED AS AN ELECTION WORK IN 1988 WHEN ANITA, RHODA, HEBER WAS THE COUNTY CLERK.

I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT THE JOB SHE DID WAS CONSIDERED THE GOLD STANDARD IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I ALSO VOLUNTEERED THAT YEAR IN SECRETARY OF STATE JACK RYAN'S OFFICE TO BE AN ELECTION INSPECTOR, DROVE TO EAST TEXAS AND LOOKED AT THINGS IN SHELBY COUNTY.

I'VE ALSO WORKED POLL WATCHER IN MULTIPLE ELECTIONS.

THERE'S A SIMPLE BOTTOM LINE ABOUT AUDITS.

THE ONLY PEOPLE WHO HAVE A REASON TO FEAR THEM, OR THE PEOPLE WHO ARE CHEATING OR STEALING FOR THE REST OF US IS SIMPLY NECESSARY.

THANK YOU, SIR. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I APPRECIATE YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 38, BARBARA DICKSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 308 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM.

SO YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

SHE COULD SEE ME.

I HAVE BLACK EYES.

I HAVE BLACK HAIR.

WELL, NOW, IT'S PRETTY GRAY.

BUT AM I PART BLACK? AM I A HISPANIC, GREEK, ITALIAN, MIDDLE EASTERN? I'VE BEEN TOLD I LOOK ALL OF THE ABOVE.

HOW DOES IT MAKE SENSE THAT MY ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION DETERMINES HOW MUCH MONEY I'M PAID? THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE IN HOUSTON THAT ARE LIKE ME IN THAT REGARD.

I HAVE A FRIEND WITH KIDS THAT SAID TO HER MOM, I HATE WHEN THEY ASK THAT I'M NOT ANY ONE THING.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

WHY DO WE EVEN ASK IT ANYMORE? LET'S MAKE HARRIS COUNTY THE FIRST PLACE IN THE COUNTRY THAT STOPS ASKING THE QUESTION.

IT'S RACIST TO PAY PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR ETHNICITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT IS NON AGENDA RELATED SPEAKER NUMBER ONE, ROBERT HORTON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

YES, I AM VERY KEEN.

I'M WORTH OVER $74 TRILLION.

THEY'RE ALL BEEN ON ME MONEY FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AND ALL THE AGENDA I'M TALKING ABOUT IS MONEY TO CALL ON THEM.

BOOMS AND STUFF LIKE THAT GOT OLD ME MONEY AND Y'ALL HAVE NOT SET A WAY TO PAY ME.

AND I HAVE A SAY SO.

AND I VIOLATED MY HUMAN RIGHTS AND I HAVE STOPPED CERTAIN THINGS FOR YOU ALL TO DO.

AND Y'ALL NEED TO COME TO ME THE CORRECT WAY.

I'M LOOKING FOR ABOUT A COUPLE OF COOL $200,000.

AND SOME SOME SOME CLOSE TO ME COME TO ME AND I'M OVER.

HARDEN AND THOMPSON, YOUR FIRMS, THESE LAW FIRMS ARE ALL LAW FIRMS PLAYING GAMES WITH ME. WELL, I HAPPEN TO BE THE JUDGE AND I HAPPENED TO BE THE PRESIDENT OF OVER THE ALL PRESIDENTS OF OUR GLOBAL PRESIDENTS.

THE UNITED STATES PRESIDENTS.

THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU.

AND WHO WAS THE SPEAKER? I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY STATE THEIR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

IT WAS SPEAKER NUMBER ONE UNDER KNOWN AGENDA.

ROBERT HORTON.

GOOD. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE ON AGENDA.

DARLENE KING, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

TOO HEAVY TO DIE TO NOW HIM GIVING ALL PRAISE AND HONOR.

I LOVE MY FAMILY MORE THAN ANYTHING.

PUBLIC'S INTERESTS IN THE INTEREST OF THE PUBLIC.

I AM ASKING FOR JUSTICE.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER SIX ON AGENDA, TRAVIS SMITH. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. HI, THIS IS TRAVIS SMITH.

I'M CALLING ON JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONERS OF THIS COURT TO DECLARE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY IN RESPONSE TO THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNING ROE V WADE AND STRIPPING AWAY THE RIGHT TO A SAFE, LEGAL ABORTION FOR MILLIONS OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

IT IS VITAL THAT YOU WORK TO ENSURE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY HAVE ACCESS TO ABORTION.

FAILURE TO DO SO WILL NOT PREVENT ABORTIONS AND WILL ONLY MAKE THEM MORE DANGEROUS AND MORE EXPENSIVE AND ILLEGAL.

BY DECLARING A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY, THIS COURT CAN ACCESS FUNDS THAT CAN BE USED TO ENSURE ACCESS TO ABORTION BY PROVIDING TRANSPORTATION FOR PATIENTS TO ABORTION PROVIDERS AND OTHER STATES, EDUCATING RESIDENTS ABOUT THEIR RIGHTS REGARDING ABORTION AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE AND MORE.

DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND WHAT IS BEST FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND DECLARE A PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY NOW.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

[03:50:02]

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. HELLO.

I'M MICHAEL FROM JERSEY VILLAGE.

AND WE WE HEARD.

WELL, I JUST WANNA SAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSAY'S BEEN VERY NICE TO US AND SPOKEN WITH US ABOUT THE TUNNELS SITUATION.

JERSEY VILLAGE. IT'S IN PHASE TWO, THE ZEO THREE OR IO THREE, WHATEVER IT IS, THE BOND OR THE TUNNELS PROJECT.

AND IT'S THE BIU PROJECT.

E 100 00005 WAS GOING ALONG AND EVERYTHING IN PROCEEDING, AND THEN THEY DISAPPEARED.

AND ON 682 22, THE FLOOD DISTRICT GAVE AN UPDATE THAT THE CONTRACTOR HAD LEFT.

OR WE RELEASED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE PROJECT.

I DON'T KNOW. I HEARD MAYBE THEY WENT BANKRUPT.

I DON'T KNOW. I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE COUNTY'S FAULT.

IT'S NOT ANYTHING ANYBODY DID, ANY OF YOU ALL.

BUT WE'RE CONCERNED BECAUSE WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT AND THE TUNNEL SYSTEM DOESN'T HAVE JERSEY VILLAGE ON THE PROJECTED ROUTE.

BUT SO WE'RE WE'RE CONCERNED BECAUSE NOW THE PROJECT HAS SLOWED DOWN.

YEAH. I'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ON THAT PROJECT.

I'M INTERESTED TO.

YES, SIR. YES. LET ME CHECK IN TO THAT PARTICULAR ONE THAT WAS AT THE POINT HERE, THE WHITE OAK PROJECT BEING THE TRADITIONAL, NOT THE TUNNEL, THE WIDENING. YES, YES.

LET ME HAVE THAT AND I'LL FOLLOW BACK THAT WAY.

YES, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR COMING IN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS NOT AGENDA. SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT, GLADYS HOUSE EL, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. OUR PIECE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THE GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATIONS IN HERITAGE STREET SOUTH ARE REQUESTING YOU MEET THEM LATER THIS MONTH IN FREEDMAN'S TOWN AND DISCUSS URGENT CONCERNS AND CORRECTIVE ACTION FROM YOUR CHIEF OF STAFF DOWN TO PATRICK GRANT.

THE LACK OF RESPONSIVENESS HAS BEEN INAPPROPRIATE.

I RECEIVED THE FIRST CALL IN TWO MONTHS FROM MR. GRANT YESTERDAY AFTER HE REALIZED I WAS ON THE SPEAKER'S LIST TODAY.

HIS DEFENSE WAS HE HAD ANOTHER COVID ATTACK AND THAT HE ALSO TOOK VACATION.

PREVIOUS CHALLENGES PASSED AROUND AMONG YOUR STAFF, BUT NO TANGIBLE PROGRESSIVE RESULTS.

WE AWAIT YOUR READING, YOUR MEETING LATER THIS MONTH AND FREEDMAN'S TOWN, BECAUSE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WE JUST WANT TO SEE SOME SOME ACTION UNDER YOUR ADMINISTRATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NEXT IS NOT AGENDA. SPEAKER NUMBER NINE, ARTHUR SMITH SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. IF I WANT TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT IN A IN $1,000,000 LAWSUIT THAT MY WIFE AND I WERE THE PLAINTIFFS IN, JUDGE LATASHA LEWIS PAYNE RECEIVED $1,000 FROM ATTORNEY BENJAMIN BEING HALL.

AND, YOU KNOW, RIGHT BEFORE OUR CASE WAS DUE TO GO TO TRIAL, YOU KNOW, IT JUST LOOKS VERY SUSPICIOUS AND IT'S VERY UNETHICAL FOR A JUDGE TO RECEIVE MONEY FROM THE DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY.

NOW, WE HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY AT 10 A.M.

IN FRONT OF THE CIVIL COURT.

AND WE ASKING THAT THIS JUDGE BE INVESTIGATED BECAUSE THIS IS VERY UNETHICAL AND IT'S VERY UNACCEPTABLE FOR HER TO RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FROM THE DEFENDANT'S ATTORNEY.

WHILE THE CASE HAS BEEN SITTING IN HER COURTROOM SINCE MAY 31ST, 2019, AND WE FEEL THAT I PERSONALLY FEEL THAT SHE SHOULD BE DISBARRED.

SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS NOT AGENDA.

SPEAKER NUMBER TEN, KOFI EL BEY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE SPEAKING IN PERSON.

HELLO. I WAS REQUESTING A THOROUGH INVESTIGATION DONE ON ALL.

JUDGE LATASHA LUIS PAYNE IN REFERENCE TO WHAT MY HUSBAND JUST SPOKE ABOUT BEING HOW CONTRIBUTED $1,000 TO HER WHILE THE CASE WAS ACTIVE IN HER COURT. AND THAT'S JUST ALL, YOU KNOW, JUDICIAL MISCONDUCT BEING BIASED OR UNETHICAL.

YOU KNOW, AND MY HUSBAND GOT TASED IN REFERENCE, YOU KNOW, BY THIS CHURCH CAREER CHURCH AT LAMAR PATTERSON SECURITY BY BEHIND THEM BLOCKING OUR VOTE AND LIB.

WOW. THE MIRROR THAT PROMOTES VOTING AND GETTING REGISTERED TO VOTE.

SO HE GOT TASED FOR NOTHING ON CITY SIDEWALK.

[03:55:04]

I WAS STANDING THERE. I VIDEOED IT.

IT WAS ALL OVER THE NEWS.

THEY REALLY RAN A STORY ON IT.

SO BEN HALL IS NOW TRYING TO CLAIM THAT HE OWNS THE PROPERTY THAT MY HUSBAND AND I ARE OWNED ILLEGALLY.

AND HE PAID THAT JUDGE FOR WHAT? HE PAID THE JUDGE FOR COURT PAPERS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAK.

THIS IS AN AGENDA, SO WE CAN'T COMMENT ON IT, BUT THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS CAN CIRCLE BACK.

THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. MARISSA HANSEN SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE WOMEN IN IT.

HI. MY NAME IS MARISSA HANSON.

I'M SPEAKING ON THE BEHALF OF INAPPROPRIATE CAMPAIGN DONATIONS.

JUDGE HIDALGO, HAVE YOU HEARD OF THE LAW FIRM SUSMAN GODFREY? YOU ACCEPTED OVER SIX FIGURES OF CAMPAIGN DONATIONS FROM SUSMAN GODFREY, WHO IS REPRESENTING LIVE NATION AND THE ASTROWORLD FEST LAWSUIT. AND WITHIN THAT THREE WEEK PERIOD THAT YOU GOT DONATIONS FROM OUT-OF-STATE DONORS, YOU CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION INTO ASTROWORLD BEST.

WERE YOU STEERING AN INVESTIGATION OVER A LITTLE CHILD THAT WAS TRAMPLED TO DEATH? REMEMBER, EZRA. IT SEEMS LEGAL, DOESN'T IT? SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE STARING AN INVESTIGATION.

IT'S A BIG DEAL, JUDGE.

IT'S OVER $100,000 THAT YOU ACCEPTED FROM THIS LAW FIRM.

IN A THREE WEEK PERIOD.

IT'S BAD.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS ON AGENDA.

SPEAKER NUMBER 14, MELINDA MORRIS SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M MELINDA MORRIS AND I'M A RESIDENT OF HOUSTON.

I'M HERE AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN.

THE OPTION OF ADDING $1,000,000,000 BOND ISSUE TO THE BALLOT.

THIS IS NOT THE APPROPRIATE TIME FOR THAT.

WE'RE DEALING WITH HUGE INFLATION ISSUES, PROPERTY TAX ISSUES, RISING GAS ISSUES.

THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT NOW IS TALKING ABOUT INCREASING INCOME TAX.

AND THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED IN HARRIS COUNTY IS ANOTHER BOND ISSUE AND HIGHER TAXES IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I DO RECOMMEND THAT I FEEL LIKE A FORENSIC AUDIT NEEDS TO BE DONE ON THE MONEYS THAT HAVE BEEN SPENT BY THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR 2021 AND UP TO 2022. LOOKING FOR WASTEFUL SPENDING AND FRAUDULENT SPENDING.

YOU KNOW, THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY NEED TO BE ASSURED THAT THEIR TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING SPENT APPROPRIATELY.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. NEXT IS NOT ON AGENDA.

SPEAKER 15 I READ DENVER OF MEDICARE FOR ALL ABOUT US.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

I'M THANK YOU FOR HEARING THAT ONCE MORE.

THIS IS ABOUT HAVING COMMISSIONERS, COURTS ADOPT THE RESOLUTION, NOT SPENDING ANY MONEY OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT, JUST ADOPTING A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ENACTING MEDICARE FOR ALL, SINGLE PAYER UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, WHICH WOULD BE OF TREMENDOUS BENEFIT TO HARRIS COUNTY, ACCORDING TO, EXCUSE ME, THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE, RIGHT INTO HARRIS COUNTY.

IT WOULD ENHANCE OUR COUNTY'S ECONOMY BY OVER $9 BILLION A YEAR.

I HOPE THAT THAT WOULD GET YOUR ATTENTION.

AND THANK YOU FOR FOR HEARING ME OUT.

AND LET'S GET THAT RESOLUTION PASSED.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THANK YOU. JUDGE.

THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS WE WERE ABLE TO REACH.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I WANTED TO GO OVER THE DISCUSSION ITEMS, BUT WE'RE MISSING COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO, JUDGE, YOU WANT TO GO OVER THE CORRECTION? YEAH, I'LL DO THE THE CORRECTIONS AND THE NO ACTION, AND THEN WE'LL DO THE RESOLUTION FOR THE COAST GUARD, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE A BREAK.

I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE A CAKE, SO IT'S GOOD TIMING.

IT'S IT'S THEIR BIRTHDAY.

SO SO LET'S SEE.

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

AND THEN NO ACTION.

SO ITEMS 86, 87.

I THINK I MENTIONED EARLIER, NO ACTION.

129 NO ACTION.

130 NO ACTION.

[04:00:03]

238 ADDITIONAL FUNDING.

WE NEED TO REDUCE THE AMOUNT FROM 19 MILLION TO 4.5 MILLION.

SO IT SHOULD READ. REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO A SOLE SOURCE EXEMPTION AGREEMENT WITH ELECTRONIC TRANSACTION CONSULTANTS LLC IN THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF 4,500,000, ETC..

291. NO ACTION.

293. NO ACTION.

AND THAT'S IT. IT LOOKS LIKE IT WAS JUST A NO ACTION AND NO CORRECTIONS.

WE DO HAVE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS LISTED.

I'M LOATH TO GO OVER THOSE WITHOUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO LET'S GO OVER THE COAST GUARD ITEM.

AND THAT IS ITEM FOUR ON PAGE TWO UNDER RESOLUTIONS IS TIFFANY.

DO WE HAVE I KNOW WE WERE WAITING FOR CAPTAIN SMITH.

IS HE IS HE AVAILABLE NOW OR.

NO, MA'AM, HE'S NOT AVAILABLE YET.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

HAVE YOU BEEN THROUGH YOUR.

FOR WHOM? SO THEY'RE CHECKING WHETHER HE'S AVAILABLE AFTER WE TAKE A LUNCH BREAK BECAUSE HE MAY BE AVAILABLE NOW. YEAH.

SEE IF WE CAN GET COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THAT'D BE GREAT, TOO. SO LET ME CHECK AND SEE IF THERE'S ANY DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT THE MEMBERS WHO ARE PRESENT FLAGGED. SO MAYBE WE CAN BEGIN THE DISCUSSION ON SOME OF THEM.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ON HIS WAY.

OKAY. SO LET'S START GOING DOWN THE LIST OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 244.

THAT'S PURCHASING.

SO. YEAH.

ITEM 280.

COME, SUGAR. WE JUST BEGAN GOING DOWN THE ITEMS TO 44 FOUR.

EXECUTIVE SESSION. EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEM 280. THAT'S AN APPOINTMENT.

OKAY. ITEM 281 EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ANOTHER APPOINTMENT.

THE REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING COMMITTEE.

THOSE ARE GOING TO BE A MOTION FOR THOSE FOR TO 18 TO 81 MOTION FOR TO 88.

WHEN TO 80 AND TO 81.

YES. YEAH, I DO. THAT IS SIMPLY TO APPOINT TO APPOINT THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

YES, SIR. SO YOU ARE GOING TO APPROVE IT? YES. PRESENTED AS PRESENTED.

SO WE'RE MOVING TO 80 AND TO 81 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA TO 82.

EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM IS ALSO AN APPOINTMENT, THE SAME TO THE REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

TO ALSO FILM CONSENT AGENDA TO 83.

THREE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM ON 283 KINGSLAND PARK.

LAND ACQUISITION THAT SEEMS LIKE.

OKAY. 291 AND 290.

THREE. WE ALREADY FLOWED FOR NO ACTION TO 92.

WE ALREADY. WE DON'T HAVE TO GO.

OKAY, SO. SO NOW HE HAS A MOTION.

WE ALREADY DID THAT MOTION.

OKAY. WAS I FELT HE WAS WORKING UP SOMETHING.

THAT WAS THE ONE WITH COMMISSIONERS WHO VOTED FOR IT.

YEAH. TWO, THREE.

309. THAT'S ON UNION PACIFIC.

DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 309? NO, ACTUALLY, LET ME TELL YOU, THAT'S ONE WAY I HAVE A MOTION ON IT.

OKAY. WELL, ACTUALLY, THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.

I WANT TO READ YOUR.

YES, I WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN INCLUDE.

POLITICAL ACTION, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CURRENT CHALLENGE OF UNION PACIFIC'S PROPOSED CLEANUP PLAN.

COM.AU THE.

IT'S I'M NOT SURE HOW TO EXACTLY PHRASE IT, BUT THE STOPPING OF THE RAIL CARS, COMMISSIONER.

[04:05:05]

IF YOU WANT TO, JUST ASK HIM.

YEAH, I'LL LEAVE IT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA THEN.

OKAY, GREAT. SO WE'VE GOT 244 AND IN 309 FOR DISCUSSION UNDER THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA.

THE REGULAR AGENDA? YEAH. I'M SORRY, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY.

309 DOES NOT NEED TO BE AN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THAT'S AN OPEN COURT TIME.

GOT IT. ITEM.

WELL, NEITHER DOES THE OTHER ONE.

RIGHT. I'M JUST GOING OVER WHAT'S ON THE AGENDA, JAY.

BUT YOU GUYS WILL TELL US BECAUSE PARTS OF IT, I UNDERSTAND, DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YES. YES. POTENTIALLY GOING TO LET US KNOW ABOUT THAT.

OKAY. ITEM SIX IS THE TWO FOLKS TO DISCUSS ITEM SIX, THREE AND FOUR FLAGGED.

ITEM SIX. YES, JUST ABOUT.

SO MOVE THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ITEM SIX.

THAT'S AN ANALYSIS OF THE GULF COAST CHILDCARE SUBSIDY PROGRAM.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR. ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU OPPOSED. NO, THIS IS PFM AND THE ANSWER IS NO.

I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.

ITEM 19 I'VE GOT EXCUSE ME, 18.

I HAVE A VERY BRIEF UPDATE ON COVERED ITEM 20.

WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS THAT THE POTENTIAL BOND.

ITEM 26 IS AN AIR ERM ITEM.

I KNOW THEY NEED US TO DISCUSS IT ALONG WITH THEIR OTHER COMPENSATION STUDY ITEMS. ITEM 103, PRECINCT ONE FLAGGED.

ITEM 103.

LONG, LONG RANGE PLANNING.

IT'S AN AGREEMENT WITH BURNS AND MCDONNELL ENGINEERING COMPANY.

WELL, I'M NOT SURE WHY.

OKAY, SO WE'LL LEAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION.

125. COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAGGED ITEM 125 INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE PORT OF HOUSTON.

LET'S LEAVE IT THERE FOR NOW.

WE MAY TAKE IT OFF LATER.

OKAY. WE ALREADY HAVE 129 AS NO ACTION.

ONE 130.

NO ACTION AS WELL. 130.

LET ME SEE.

I. YEAH. I HAVE A LIST OF THE NEW ACTIONS ALREADY ALREADY LISTED.

130. I'M ONLY READING THE ONES THAT HAD BEEN FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION.

OKAY. 140.

WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.

SO 140 GOES ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

192 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED.

192 TO 24 COMMISSIONER CAHILL FLAGGED.

224 ON.

A PERFORMANCE REVIEW OF THE JAIL.

WE NEED TO DISCUSS A REVIEW.

A REVIEW OF JAIL OPERATIONS.

EXCUSE ME. ITEM.

241. LET HOLT COMMISSIONER CAGLE FLAG THAT ONE.

IT'S A DISPARITY STUDY.

I'LL MOVE IT SECOND.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. AND YOU OPPOSE? NO, NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.

ITEM 242 COMMISSIONERS CAGLE AND RAMSEY FLAGGED.

ITEM 242 IS RELATED TO THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE MOVE IN SAGA MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR I AND YOUR FOES.

NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

242 CARRIES THREE, TWO, TWO.

ITEM 244 WE ALREADY HAVE THE POSSIBLE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.

IT'S ALSO ON THE REGULAR AGENDA WHICH I NEED THE VOTE 244 TO MOVE.

SECOND, I THINK WE'VE ALREADY DEBATED THIS WHERE MY POSITION IS, I THINK IT SHOULD BE DONE BY OUR OUR COUNCILS OR SHERIFF.

WE JUST NEED A VOTE. SO MOVE.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER US, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR I STRONGLY OPPOSE.

NO, NO. I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2 ON ITEM 244.

NEXT. IS ITEM 248.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED ITEM 248 IT'S THE TOWING SERVICE OF 264.

ALSO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON ATTRITION.

YES, 270.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT'S A TRANSMITTAL OF THE 2022 CERTIFIED ESTIMATE.

ESTIMATE OF TAXABLE VALUE.

[04:10:01]

WE DO BUDGET DIRECTOR RAMOS HAS REQUESTED THAT WE DO DISCUSS THAT.

HE'S GOT A PRESENTATION FOR US RELATED TO THE TAX RATES.

SO I'LL LEAVE THAT ON TO 88 COMMISSIONER LIST.

WE JUST HAD THE DISCUSSION PUT IT ON THE CONSENT OC 308 IS FOR DISCUSSION ALONG THE OTHER COMPENSATION STUDY ITEMS 310 COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND CAHILL.

THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT OF 2022.

WE'LL LEAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION.

YEAH. THREE.

WANT YOU TO VOTE. YOU WANT TO VOTE? NO. YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IT? DID YOU WANT TO? THE QUESTION IS, WHAT'S THE POSSIBLE ACTION THAT WE SUPPORTED WITH OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IN SUPPORT OF IT? LET'S JUST VOTE. OKAY, I'LL MOVE IT.

COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU MIND READING THE MOTION FOR THE RECORD THAT CAN ONLY GO ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION? MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? DID YOU GET THE ITEM MYSELF? ITEM 310 310 THAT THE COUNTY GO ON RECORD IN SUPPORT OF THAT FEDERAL LEGISLATION MOTION AND SUPPORT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND? SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR AND YOU OPPOSE? NO, NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

ITEM 310 CARRIES 3 TO 2.

I KNOW. 312.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THE SPECIAL COUNSEL ACTION ON MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.

BRIEFLY, ITEM 313.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DOSSENA LABORATORY TESTING.

YES AND 314 COMMISSIONER CAHILL.

THIS IS CONSULTING SERVICES.

WITH THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

WE JUST NEED A VOTE.

I THINK WE'VE GOT ENOUGH CONSULTING SERVICES FOR A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. HI.

AND YOU POSE. NO, NO.

I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.

SO HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS I HAVE.

EXECUTIVE SESSION I HAVE.

ITEM 309, WHICH CAN ALSO BE DISCUSSED IN OPEN COURT.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM STARTING WITH ITEM FOUR, BECAUSE THAT'S THE RESOLUTION WE'RE ABOUT TO DISCUSS FOR THE COAST GUARD.

SO IT'S ITEM 418 2026 103 125 192 248 264 TWO 7284 280 53083 12 313.

DID I MISS ANYTHING? COLLEAGUES. THERE ARE 2 TO 24 WE MAY NEED TO DISCUSS.

WE'RE STILL CHECKING ON THAT.

OKAY. 220.

IN 283.

224 AND 283.

REALLY GREAT. OKAY.

LET ME BRING I'M BRINGING BACK TO 24.

NO. 24.

33. 283 DEALS WITH THE LAND TRUST.

I'M IN FAVOR OF THE PROJECT, BUT NOT IT BEING DONE IN A LAND TRUST FORMAT.

COMMISSIONER. SO LET ME LET ME READ THE LIST AGAIN.

WE HAVE ITEMS. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 309 AND REGULAR REGULAR COURT ITEMS FOR 18 2026 103 125 192 224.

248 TO 60 4 TO 72 83 TO 80 4 TO 85.

3083 12.

313. JUDGE, ARE YOU COVERING THE 245? THAT'S THE MONKEYPOX.

YOU'RE COVERING THAT UNDER ANOTHER.

I DON'T KNOW. THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LISTED.

THANK YOU. THAT'S WE DEFINITELY NEED TO DISCUSS THAT.

LOOK, WE'RE ADDING TO 45, WHICH IS THE MONKEYPOX ITEM.

ANYTHING ELSE THAT I MISSED? NO. ALL RIGHT. NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA.

[04:15:03]

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS, SOME ONE THROUGH 314, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON, AND ANY DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR, I SUPPOSE.

I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO LET'S START WITH THE COAST GUARD AND THEN.

SO. SO WE'LL DO THAT THEN.

I HEAR THE HR CONSULTANT THAT'S PRESENTING THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

THEY HAVE A HARD STOP AT 4 P.M.

AND SO AFTER WE DO THE COAST GUARD, WE COULD BRIEFLY CHAT WITH THIS GENTLEMAN BEFORE TAKING A LATE LUNCH BREAK.

IF THAT WORKS, THE WORST OF IT.

ALL RIGHT. SO FOR A POSITIVE ITEM, WE'RE CELEBRATING THE COAST GUARD'S BIRTHDAY.

AND WE HAVE SOME SOME WONDERFUL GUESTS HERE.

SO LET ME JUST READ THIS RESOLUTION.

I THINK I SAW CAPTAIN SMITH MAKE HIS WAY.

WELCOME. IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE YOU.

ALL RIGHT. HERE'S THE THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS SINCE AUGUST 4TH, 1790, THE UNITED STATES COAST GUARD HAS SAFEGUARDED THE AMERICAN PEOPLE AND PROMOTED NATIONAL SECURITY, BORDER SECURITY AND ECONOMIC PROSPERITY IN A COMPLEX AND EVOLVING MARITIME ENVIRONMENT.

THE COAST GUARD IS THE PRINCIPAL FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR MARITIME SAFETY, SECURITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP IN US PORTS AND INLAND WATERWAYS ALONG MORE THAN 95,000 MILES OF U.S.

COASTLINE. THE COAST GUARD SECTOR HOUSTON.

GALVESTON SUPPORTS A WIDE RANGE OF COAST GUARD OPERATIONS, INCLUDING MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, AIDS TO NAVIGATION PORTS, WATERWAYS, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SEARCH AND RESCUE IN AN AREA THAT ENCOMPASSES FIVE OF THE 20TH BUSIEST PORTS TO INCLUDE THE PORTS OF HOUSTON, BEAUMONT, LAKE CHARLES, TEXAS CITY, PORT ARTHUR, FREEPORT AND GALVESTON, AS WELL AS 247 MILES OF GULF INTRACOASTAL WATERWAYS, COLLECTIVELY ACCOUNTING FOR 25% OF THE TOTAL US TONNAGE BY SHIPS AND CONTRIBUTING OVER $1,000,000,000,000 TO THE NATION'S ECONOMY.

IN THE PAST YEAR, THE SECTOR CONDUCTED OVER 4700 REGULATORY INSPECTIONS, PROTECTED $12 MILLION IN PROPERTY.

CAPTAIN JASON SMITH ASSUMED THE DUTIES OF COMMANDER COAST GUARD SECTOR HOUSTON, GALVESTON ON JUNE 12, 2020.

A SECTOR COMMANDER, CAPTAIN SMITH SERVES AS THE CAPTAIN OF THE PORT.

OFFICER IN CHARGE OF MARINE INSPECTION.

FEDERAL MARITIME SECURITY COORDINATOR AND FEDERAL ON SCENE COORDINATOR AND COORDINATES.

MARITIME SAFETY AND SECURITY.

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION.

SEARCH AND RESCUE. WATERWAYS MANAGEMENT AND CONTINGENCY PLANNING OPERATIONS.

WHEREAS AUGUST 4TH IS CELEBRATED NATIONALLY AS COAST GUARD DAY TO HONOR THE ESTABLISHMENT ON THAT DAY IN 1790 OF THE REVENUE CUTTER SERVICE FOREBEAR OF TODAY'S COAST GUARD BY THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT, WHICH AUTHORIZED THE BUILDING OF A FLEET OF TEN CUTTERS WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE ENFORCEMENT OF THE FIRST TARIFF LAWS ENACTED BY CONGRESS UNDER THE CONSTITUTION NOW THEREFORE BE A RESULT, THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PROCLAIMED SATURDAY, AUGUST 4TH, AS COAST GUARD DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND I WANT TO JUST SAY OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COAST GUARD IS CRITICAL FOR THE CONTINUED SUCCESS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WE WERE JUST VISITING WITH CHIEF ROYAL TODAY, WHO WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN THE RESPONSE TO ITS FIRE.

SO AS THE COAST GUARD, SO MANY OTHER ISSUES, YOU GUYS ARE THERE AND AND YOU'RE SUCH AN IMPORTANT PART OF MAKING SURE THAT THAT WE CONTINUE TO BE SUCH A GREAT PORT AND SUCH A GREAT ECONOMIC ENGINE AND A SAFE ONE.

SO IT'S NOT AN EASY TASK.

I APPLAUD CAPTAIN SMITH AND HIS COLLEAGUES.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

AND AND TO HONOR YOUR SERVICE AND TO HONOR OUR COAST GUARD.

WE'RE SO VERY PROUD TO CELEBRATE THIS BIRTHDAY.

YES, COMMISSIONER. JUDGE, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD.

AND AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO TO TO PROTECT OUR WATERWAYS.

AND I'LL JUST SAY THAT I WAS RECENTLY IN THE WHITE HOUSE AND GOT TO MEET WITH A COLLEAGUE OF YOURS, DEVIN BRENNAN, AND HE REPRESENTS YOU WELL.

BUT ANOTHER GUY WHO REPRESENTS YOU WELL IS THE PRIEST AT MY CHURCH.

FATHER TOM WAS WAS A GUARDIAN AT ONE POINT.

AND SO WE'RE YOU KNOW, HE KEEPS US STRAIGHT IN CHURCH.

YOU KNOW, HE KNOWS HOW TO RUN MASS.

BUT LISTEN, WE'RE JUST SO PROUD OF YOU AND GRATEFUL FOR ALL YOU DO.

I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH YOU WHEN WE WERE STANDING UP THE PORT SECURITY DISTRICT AND AND THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT WE HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS.

[04:20:07]

THERE'S SOME OPERATIONS WE WOULD DO CONCURRENTLY.

AND SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE ALL YOU REPRESENT.

AND AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS.

I MEAN, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT AN URBAN AREA, BUT SOMETIMES YOU GUYS HAVE TO FLY OUT TO THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AND JUMP OUT AND BE WILLING TO JUMP OUT.

AND SO WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOU.

SO GOD BLESS YOU.

COMMISSIONER ELLISON AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I JUST WANTED TO ADD MY THANK YOU WELL, SO APPRECIATIVE FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND I TRY TO GET IN THE WHITE HOUSE, BUT THEY LEFT ME OUT.

I JUST GOT BACK IN THE COUNTRY.

THEY SAID, YOU CAN'T BE AROUND THE VICE PRESIDENT.

BUT I HEARD COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SINGING YOUR PRAISES.

BUT THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO, COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS.

WITHOUT Y'ALL, OUR PORT WOULD NOT FUNCTION AS WELL AS IT DOES.

WITHOUT Y'ALL, WE COULDN'T DO THE THINGS WE DO AT INSTITUTIONS LIKE TEXAS A&M DOWN THERE ON THE COAST.

Y'ALL ARE JUST AN INVALUABLE PARTNER TO EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS ALONG THOSE ALONG OUR COAST AND PARTICULARLY OUR PORT.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS, CAPTAIN SMITH? JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO AMEND WHAT WAS SAID BY THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAHILL.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)]

I WANTED TO BRING SOME OF MY MY COLLEAGUES, THE WOMEN AND MEN OF THE COAST GUARD.

EACH OF THEM IN A DIFFERENT UNIFORM, REPRESENTING THE MANY MISSIONS THAT WE SERVE.

YES. 232 YEARS AGO, THE COAST GUARD WAS FORMED.

AND SINCE THAT TIME, THE COAST GUARD HAS CHANGED, CHANGED ALL FOR THE BETTER.

WE'VE TAKEN ON MANY MISSIONS THROUGHOUT THAT TIME AND EVEN CHANGED OUR NAME TO COAST GUARD THROUGHOUT THAT TIME AS WELL.

BUT PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IS WE RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIPS.

AND THERE'S NO QUESTION AT ALL THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF OUR STRONGEST PARTNERS AT OUR COMMAND CENTER.

WE HAVE OUR HARRIS COUNTY MAG EMBEDDED RIGHT NEXT TO OUR COAST GUARD WOMEN AND MEN THAT SERVE IN OUR COMMAND CENTER AND ON THE WATER ALL THE TIME.

WE HAVE HARRIS COUNTY.

SO DEFINITELY COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO.

ALL THOSE STATISTICS YOU MENTIONED ARE NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY.

SO DEFINITELY APPRECIATE, JUDGE, YOUR PERSONAL INVOLVEMENT WITH THE COAST GUARD RIGHT FROM THE START DURING THE FIRES YOU MENTIONED THROUGHOUT EVERY HURRICANE SEASON IN ANY INCIDENT THAT HAPPENS ON THE WATER.

SO APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND ALLOWING US TO WORK WITH YOUR TEAMS TO HAVE TO KEEP OUR PORT SAFE, SECURE AND CLEAN.

SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US THAT ARE HERE TODAY AND EVEN THOSE THAT ARE NOT OVER 1700 THAT SERVE IN THIS AREA, WE WANT TO PRESENT YOU WITH A BALL CAP AND MAKE YOU AN HONORARY COAST GUARD MEMBER.

ALL RIGHT. SHE'S DONE A TRIATHLON SO SHE CAN SWIM, TOO.

OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

AND WE'LL TAKE SOME PICTURES.

I HEAR THERE'S A SHEET CAKE TO CELEBRATE 232 YEARS.

SO THERE HAS TO BE A CAKE.

AND WE'LL GET A PICTURE WITH YOU ALL IN A MOMENT.

NOW. ANY ANY CHALLENGE COINS? JUST. JUST ASKING.

SO TELL ME.

THERE'S A TERM CONSULTANT.

DO YOU GUYS KNOW WHAT THE DEAL IS? THEY CAN SPEAK TO A CERTAIN PORTION OF THE ITEM DIVA.

WHO CAN WHO CAN EXPLAIN THIS? THAT'S CORRECT. SO THEY HAVE A THEY HAVE A BRIEF PRESENTATION PREPARED ON THEIR STUDY, WHICH I THINK WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE LEAD IN TO THE DISCUSSION ON POSITIONS AND POTENTIALLY ANALYSIS AS WELL.

YES. OKAY.

THE PRESENTATION, I DON'T THINK SHOULD TAKE MORE THAN 10 MINUTES.

OKAY. SO WE'LL TAKE THE PICTURE, DO THE PRESENTATION, THEN GO GO FOR A BREAK AND HAVE THE CAKE.

THANK YOU. FOLKS.

SO LET'S JUST CONTINUE VERY BRIEFLY WITH WITH THE HR PRESENTATION BEFORE THEY HAVE TO LEAVE.

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

YEAH. JUST FOR, LIKE, PERPETUITY.

WHICH IS THE DAY, JUDGE.

OKAY, JUDGE, ARE YOU GOING TO VOTE ON ITEM? I'M SORRY. ON ITEM FOUR AT THE END.

I'M SORRY. ARE YOU GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR NUMBER FOUR AT THE END? YES, WHEN HE RETURNS.

OKAY. SO WE CAN TAKE THE AIR PRESENTATION BECAUSE THESE FOLKS ARE ABOUT TO LEAVE.

SO. 50, 63.

OH EIGHT. YEAH. OKAY.

SO DAVE, IS THIS YOU OR SHANE THAT CAN TIE US UP HERE?

[04:25:01]

YEAH. JUDGE, WE PERFORMED A OR HAD A CONSULTANT PERFORM A COMPENSATION STUDY.

SO HE'S GOING TO GIVE LET HIM HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE A HIGH LEVEL PRESENTATION ON THE STUDY.

SO. I WOULD TYPICALLY PULL UP THE PRESENTATION.

AND JOE REISS IS FROM CBS CONSULTING.

SHE'D REMIND US WHICH ITEM THIS IS, NUMBER 2 TO 3.

OKAY. AND IS IT 308 AS WELL? YES, SIR. THAT'S YOUR ITEM, COMMISSIONER.

AND IT'S RELATED TO THIS STUDY.

YOU GET THAT? ALL RIGHT.

YES. ALL RIGHT. SO WE'RE AN ITEM TO 56.

AND WHAT? LISTENING TO A PRESENTATION ABOUT THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

GO AHEAD. CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME OKAY? YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.

CAN YOU PLEASE ADVANCE TO THE NEXT SLIDE? SO QUICKLY.

HELLO, I'M JOE RICE WITH CBS COMPENSATION CONSULTING.

SO I'M HERE TO GIVE YOU A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE COMPENSATION PROJECT THAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY ON FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS.

SO OVERALL, I JUST WANT TO START WITH THE PROJECT GOALS THAT WERE THE KEY DRIVERS BEHIND THE PROJECT.

SO PART OF THAT WAS JUST ASSESSING MARKET COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION AND I'LL TALK MORE ABOUT THAT PROCESS.

AND THEN QUICKLY JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IT DID EXCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT WHICH WAS EVALUATED SEPARATELY FROM OUR WORK.

SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECT GOALS WERE TO MAKE SURE YOU START DOWN THE PATH TO MORE EQUITABLE PAY AND THEN MODERNIZE THE APPROACH OVERALL TO THE COMPENSATION.

THE EXCITEMENT. SO WITH THAT, I'LL BRIEFLY DESCRIBE SOME OF THE KEY PROJECT STEPS.

IF YOU CAN ADVANCE, PLEASE.

SO ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT WE DO IS WE APPROACH A PROJECT LIKE THIS IS WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND THE WORK THAT'S BEING PERFORMED.

SO WE DO THAT BY FIRST REVIEWING THE CURRENT JOB DOCUMENTATION.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND WE'RE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THINGS LIKE WHAT ARE THE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS FOR JOBS, WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES SO THAT WE'RE USING THAT CONTENT AND NOT JUST JOB TITLE FOR PURPOSES OF MATCHING TO THE MARKET? NEXT SLIDE. AS WE START THE PROCESS, WE ALSO NEED TO CONSIDER HOW YOU WANT TO COMPETE IN THE MARKET, AND THERE'S VARIOUS APPROACHES THAT YOU CAN TAKE.

SO BASED ON OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY, WE HEARD THAT YOU WANT TO BE COMPETITIVE WITH YOUR LEVEL OF PAY, WHICH IS BROADLY AN APPROACH KNOWN AS MATCHING THE MARKET.

SO THAT'S PAYING IN THE MIDDLE OF ALL LABOR MARKETS THAT HAVE SIMILAR POSITIONS.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE WANT TO ALIGN YOUR COMPENSATION STRUCTURE SO THAT PAY GRADES ARE COMPETITIVE AT THE MARKET, 50TH PERCENTILE.

SO THAT POINT WHERE HALF PAY MORE, HALF PAY LESS.

THAT IS THE APPROACH THAT THE MAJORITY OF ORGANIZATIONS TAKE WHEN BUILDING THEIR COMPENSATION STRUCTURE.

I WON'T GET INTO SOME OF THE OTHER METHODS, BUT THERE ARE ORGANIZATIONS THAT MIGHT CHOOSE TO LEAD THE MARKET BY SETTING THEIR PAY HIGHER THROUGH THAT MARKET RANGE OF PAY FOR VARIOUS REASONS, OR INTENTIONALLY SETTING THAT LOWER FOR VARIOUS REASONS AS WELL.

NEXT SLIDE. OUR NEXT STEP THEN IS TO EVALUATE MARKET DATA.

SO ONCE WE HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE JOBS, WE WANT TO LOOK AT PUBLISHED SURVEY DATA AS PART OF THE SCOPE OF WORK THAT CAN BE PURCHASED SURVEY DATA THROUGH PAY FACTORS OR PAY SCALE. THERE ARE TWO COMPETITORS THAT MERGE DURING THE PROJECT, BUT THEY HAVE MARKET DATA AND WITHIN THEIR TOOL, PART OF WHAT WE'RE DOING IS IS HELPING TO IMPLEMENT THAT FOR THE COUNTY.

SO WE'RE DOING BENCHMARKING WITHIN THE SYSTEM.

WITHIN THAT WE CAN SET SPECIFIC LABOR MARKET PARAMETERS.

SO THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT WE TYPICALLY LOOK AT ARE INDUSTRY, GEOGRAPHY AND SIZE.

AND SO FROM A GEOGRAPHIC STANDPOINT, WE SET THE MARKET TO HOUSTON.

THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S ONLY REPRESENTATIVE OF DATA IN HOUSTON, BUT IT CAN BE ADJUSTED FOR OTHER COMPETITORS RELATIVE TO TO MATCH THE HOUSTON COST OF LABOR.

WE ALSO WANTED TO LOOK BROADLY FROM AN INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVE AT PUBLIC SECTOR, AND THEN WE WANTED TO LOOK AT LARGER EMPLOYERS.

SO THAT'S BASED ON YOUR EMPLOYEE HEADCOUNT OF 17,000.

FROM THAT, WE CAN ESTABLISH A COMPETITIVE RANGE.

SO THOSE WERE THE PARAMETERS THAT WERE SET UP WITHIN PAY FACTORS.

AND THEN BASED ON THAT, AS WE BENCHMARKED OR MATCHED JOBS TO THE SURVEY DATA, WE CAPTURED BASE SALARY MARKET PERCENTILES.

SO IN OUR ANALYSIS, WE DOCUMENTED PAYE AT THE 25TH, 50TH AND 75TH PERCENTILE, WHICH IS THE COMPETITIVE MIDDLE HALF OF THE MARKET.

AND AGAIN, WE'RE USING THAT MARKET 50TH THEN TO BUILD THE PAY STRUCTURE.

NEXT SLIDE. SO I HAVE A CHART HERE THAT OUTLINES KIND OF BROADLY WHAT WE SAW AS A TREND WITH COMPENSATION.

SO LET ME SET UP THIS CHART A LITTLE BIT.

WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO DO HERE IS COMPARE YOUR EMPLOYEE PAY TO THE MARKET BASED ON A COMPARISON AT THE 50TH PERCENTILE.

[04:30:05]

AND IF YOU PICK ONE OF THOSE GREEN DOTS, THAT REPRESENTS ONE JOB.

AND SO IF YOU PICK A DOT AND YOU DRAW A LINE DOWN, THAT'S WHAT WE DOCUMENT AS THE MARKET.

50TH PERCENTILE PAY.

DRAW A LINE TO THE LEFT.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE'LL SHOW AS THE AVERAGE INTERNAL COMPENSATION.

SO FOR SOME OF THESE JOBS, IT'S A MULTI INCUMBENT POSITION.

SO THAT DOT REPRESENTS THE AVERAGE SALARY DATA FOR ALL JOB HOLDERS.

WE CAN THEN ADD THAT GREEN DOTTED TREND LINE JUST TO SHOW HOW WELL CHANGES IN THE MARKET TRANSLATE TO CHANGES IN PAY INTERNALLY.

AND THEN THE GOLD DATA AND TREND LINE REPRESENTS THE MARKET DATA WHICH WE PLOT AGAINST ITSELF.

SO IT ESTABLISHES A NICE BENCHMARK FOR COMPARISON.

SO BROADLY, WHAT YOU SEE IS THAT THERE ARE SOME DOTS ABOVE THAT LINE AND BELOW THAT LINE.

IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD TO SEE.

THERE IS A MATTER OF SCALE THOUGH, WHERE SOME OF THOSE ARE SIGNIFICANTLY BELOW THE MARKET LINE OR ABOVE THE MARKET LINE.

SO WE HAD SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND SOME OF THAT.

BUT AS A BROAD VIEW, THAT'S THE OVERALL COMPARISON OF HOW CURRENT PAY COMPARES TO THE MARKET.

MY SON. SO WE THEN TURNED OUR ATTENTION TO APPROPRIATE SALARY STRUCTURES.

SO YOUR SALARY STRUCTURE IS GOING TO SERVE A FEW PURPOSES.

SO FIRST OF ALL, IT'S GOING TO HELP BALANCE ALL OF THE MARKET DATA THAT'S OUT THERE, RIGHT? IT'S GOING TO SIMPLIFY COMPENSATION ADMINISTRATION, BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO ALLOW YOU THE FLEXIBILITY TO LOOK AT MARKET DATA AND THEN BALANCE THAT WITH INTERNAL EQUITY.

RIGHT. SO WHERE THE MARKET DATA MIGHT VARY ON FROM HOW THE COUNTY VIEWS COMPARABLE JOBS, YOU CAN OVERRIDE THAT THROUGH THE COMPENSATION STRUCTURE WITH ADJUSTMENTS.

BROADLY, WE WANT RANGE MINIMUMS TO REPRESENT ATTRACTIVE ENTRY LEVEL PAY.

SO WHEN YOU HAVE A JOB CANDIDATE THAT JUST MEETS THOSE MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS, WE WANT THE RANGE MINIMUM TO BE ATTRACTIVE TO SOMEONE WITH THAT PROFILE.

THE MIDPOINT THEN APPROXIMATES THAT MARKET BENCHMARK, WHICH HERE IS THE MARKET 50TH PERCENTILE.

SO WE WANT THAT TO APPROXIMATE THE POINT WHERE HALF PAY MORE, HALF PAY LESS, AND THEN WE ALSO CREATE A RANGE MAXIMUM TO CREATE TOP UP PAY.

BY CREATING THAT TOP UP PAY, IT'S GOING TO ENCOURAGE EMPLOYERS AS THEY APPROACH THE RANGE MAXIMUM TO SEEK NEW JOBS, NEW RESPONSIBILITIES DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS TO GROW THROUGH DIFFERENT POSITIONS AS COMPARED TO UNLIMITED COMPENSATION UPSIDE IN THEIR CURRENT ROLE.

NEXT LINE. WE ALSO EVALUATED BENEFITS AND THEN MORE BROADLY, TOTAL COMPENSATION.

SO OUR APPROACH IS WHAT WE CALL AN ENHANCED FRINGE FORMULA WHERE WE CAN LOOK AT FIXED COST ELEMENTS LIKE MEDICAL AND MEDICAL RELATED AS AN AVERAGE COST PER EMPLOYEE, AND THEN LOOK AT VARIABLE COST ELEMENTS.

SO IF WE'RE LOOKING AT THE RETIREMENT CONTRIBUTIONS, WE'RE PUTTING A VALUE TO A DAY NOT WORKED.

THOSE ARE BENEFITS THAT ARE DIRECTLY TIED TO EMPLOYEE SALARIES.

SO WE LOOK AT THOSE AS A PERCENTAGE OF PAY.

SO WHAT WE'RE ABLE TO DO IS LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS COMPARED TO ADD IT TO YOUR INTERNAL DATA AND THEN ASSESS THOSE SAME NUMBERS TO THE MARKET.

AND SO WE CAN COMPARE BENEFITS.

AND THEN WITH THAT TOTAL COMPENSATION, THIS CAN HELP ANSWER THE BROAD NARRATIVE OF WHERE YOU MIGHT BE STRONG OR WEAK WITH THESE RELATIVE TOTAL REWARDS COMPONENTS.

NEXT SLIDE. SO WE HAVE A CHART JUST HIGHLIGHTING THAT OVERALL TREND THAT WE SAW THAT FROM A BASE PAY STANDPOINT, ON AVERAGE, PAY WAS A LITTLE MORE THAN 4% BELOW MARKET.

TOTAL CASH COMPENSATION IS THAT GREEN BAR.

SO WITH THAT, WE'RE GOING TO INCLUDE ANY SHORT TERM VARIABLE PAY THAT WE SEE IN THE MARKET.

SO THAT'S GOING TO BE ANY BONUSES OR INCENTIVES THAT WOULD BE PAID WITHIN A YEAR.

SO YOU STILL SEE THAT THERE'S SOME IMPACT FROM THOSE AS YOU THINK ABOUT PROFESSIONAL AND MANAGERIAL JOBS AND ACCOUNTING AND I.T.

AND H.R. THOSE MIGHT HAVE SOME INCENTIVE COMPENSATION IN THE BROADER LABOR MARKET.

AS WE EVALUATE BENEFITS, WE DO SHOW THAT THE BENEFITS PACKAGE DOES HELP.

IT IS ABOVE MARKET BY ABOUT 10%, BUT IT'S A SMALLER PIECE OF THE TOTAL COMPENSATION PIE.

RIGHT. SO THE QUESTION IS, WHEN YOU PUT THAT ALL TOGETHER, WHERE DO YOU NET OUT? AND SO OVERALL, IT'S VERY CLOSE TO COMPETITIVE, YOU KNOW, ABOUT A PERCENT BELOW MARKET WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THAT FULL PICTURE.

NOW, OUR GOAL, THOUGH, IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE BASE SALARY DATA GETS COMPETITIVE.

RIGHT. SO WE'D LIKE TO SEE THAT BASE NUMBER MEET MARKET EXPECTATIONS.

YOUR BENEFITS THEN ARE GOING TO BE ONE OF THOSE ITEMS THAT CAN HELP YOU STAND OUT AS AN EMPLOYER, HOPEFULLY WITH GETTING THE BASE PAY COMPETITIVE.

NEXT SLIDE. SO WITH THAT, I'LL COVER SOME FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

[04:35:04]

SO IN SOME CASES, THERE'S MULTIPLE SALARY STRUCTURES.

THERE'S NOT REALLY ANY DESIGN CHARACTERISTICS BETWEEN THOSE THAT VARY BASED ON THE GROUP THAT THEY SERVE.

SO TYPICALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THINGS LIKE THAT, WE'RE LOOKING AT HOW WIDE A PAY RANGE MIGHT BE AND WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS LIKE HOW MUCH ONE MIDPOINT OF A PAY GRADE INCREASES OVER THE PREVIOUS.

SO THERE ARE SOME STRUCTURES THAT ARE DESIGNED SIMILARLY THAT YOU CAN CONSOLIDATE THEM AS WELL AS JUST REALLY HONING IN ON SOME OF THOSE THINGS LIKE RANGE SPREADS.

THE CURRENT JOB DOCUMENTATION DOES MAKE RELIABLE MARKET BENCHMARKING DIFFICULT.

AND SO THAT'S A PRODUCT THAT OVER TIME, WITH SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION CHANGING AND HOW JOBS ARE CLASSIFIED IN THE CURRENT SYSTEM, THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER CONNECTION BETWEEN THE JOB DOCUMENTATION AND ROLES.

AND SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE'LL SEE A LITTLE BIT LATER IN SOMETHING THE COUNTY HAS ALREADY STARTED WORKING ON.

IN BROAD TRENDS, WE DO SEE THAT BASE PAY IS GENERALLY BELOW MARKET LEVELS.

SO WE SAW THAT A LITTLE BIT EARLIER IN THE CHART.

THERE ARE SOME CASES WHERE EMPLOYEES ARE PAID ABOVE WHAT WE'RE RECOMMENDING AS OUR PROPOSED PAY RANGES.

BUT BUT MORE OFTEN THAN NOT, PAY IS GENERALLY BELOW MARKET LEVELS.

THE BENEFITS ARE GENERALLY ABOVE MARKET LEVELS.

SO THOSE DO HELP AND THEN PAY.

AS YOU LOOK AT A SPECIFIC JOB, YOU CAN SEE THAT PAY CAN VARY PRETTY WIDELY ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF THAT ON THE NEXT SLIDE.

SO ON THIS CHART IT'S ANOTHER BUSY CHART.

I'LL TAKE A MOMENT TO SET IT UP, BUT WE'RE TAKING WORK TO.

IT'S JUST A SAMPLE POSITION.

SO IT IS A JOB THAT EXISTS IN MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

AND SO WHAT WE'VE LINED UP HERE ALONG THE VERTICAL AXIS, WE'RE LOOKING AT SERVICE YEARS.

SO THIS IS TOTAL TENURE AND THEN WE'RE PLOTTING THAT WITH ANNUALIZED PAY.

SO THE GOLD BOXES HERE REPRESENT OUR PROPOSED PAY RANGE.

THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX IS THE RANGE MINIMUM.

THE GRAY LINE THROUGH THE CENTER IS THE MIDPOINT, THE TOP IS THE RANGE MAXIMUM.

AND SO WE'RE PLOTTING EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION BASED ON TENURE.

AND SO YOU CAN SEE THERE IS A BROAD CORRELATION THAT PAY TENDS TO MOVE UP AS YOU MOVE FROM LOW LEVELS OF SERVICE TO HIGH LEVELS OF SERVICE.

BUT THERE IS A LOT OF VARIABILITY.

SO WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYERS THAT ARE BELOW OUR PROPOSED RANGE MINIMUM, MANY EMPLOYEES ABOVE OUR RANGE MAXIMUM, BUT NOT THE CORRELATION IN PAY YOU WOULD EXPECT TO SEE BASED ON SOMETHING LIKE TIME AND JOB.

THIS IS ALSO A JOB THAT EXISTS IN THE SERIES, RIGHT? SO AS A CLERK, TOO, YOU MIGHT INFER THAT THERE IS A CLERK, ONE AS WELL.

THERE'S ALSO A CLERK THREE.

SO THIS IS A JOB THAT EXISTS IN A HIERARCHY WHERE THERE'S OPPORTUNITY FOR ADVANCEMENT.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE SPREAD OF CURRENT INCUMBENT PAY, WHICH CAN VARY QUITE, QUITE A BIT FROM BELOW 30,000 TO NEARLY 55,000, THAT'S A BIG VARIABILITY IN PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT EXISTS IN A HIERARCHY LIKE THAT.

YOU WOULD EXPECT THOSE RANGES TO BE A LITTLE TIGHTER.

INSIDE. SO SOME OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE MOVING FORWARD WOULD BE CONTINUE BENCHMARKING WITHIN PAY FACTORS.

SO WE LOOKED AT A SEGMENT OF THE JOBS WE DID NOT LOOK AT ALL.

SO THAT BENCHMARKING NEEDS TO CONTINUE.

WE RECOMMEND IMPLEMENTING THOSE MARKET BASED PAY STRUCTURES.

SO THAT'S REALLY LOOKING AT THE ALIGNMENT OF THE MARKET DATA COMPARED TO THE PROPOSED PAY RANGE USING THAT MARKET BASED FIRST APPROACH, BUT THEN MAKING ADJUSTMENTS WHERE NEEDED FOR INTERNAL EQUITY.

GOING FORWARD, THEN INCREASE PAY FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE BELOW THOSE PROPOSED RANGE MINIMUMS. WE THINK THOSE ARE EMPLOYEES THAT YOU'RE AT RISK OF LOSING DUE TO PAY, BUT ALSO FREEZE PAY FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE ABOVE THEIR RANGE MAXIMUM.

OVER TIME, WE EXPECT THE STRUCTURE TO INCREASE THAT.

IN THE FUTURE, THE EMPLOYEE MIGHT BE ELIGIBLE FOR ANOTHER INCREASE AT SOME POINT.

SO THIS IS A BIG RECOMMENDATION.

BUT CONSIDER A JOB ARCHITECTURE PROCESS TO INTRODUCE STANDARDS AROUND THE TYPE AND LEVEL OF WORK PERFORMED.

SO THAT'S MORE OF A TOP DOWN.

JUDGE, MAY I INTERJECT WITH A QUICK QUESTION? YES, GO AHEAD. COMMISSIONER CABLE, YOU JUST TOUCHED THE POINT THAT HAS SOME CONCERN IN IN OUR LOOKING AT THIS.

WHEN YOU SAY FREEZE AND WE'LL USE THE EXAMPLE OF THE CLERK TO POSITION WHAT YOU'RE ENCOURAGING US TO DO IS TO IF SOMEONE, INSTEAD OF INCREASING THEIR PAY ABOVE CLERK TO, WE TURN THEM INTO A CLERK ONE OR THREE, WHATEVER THE NEXT STEP UP IN THE SYSTEM WOULD BE.

[04:40:02]

RIGHT. OR THE FEDS THAT HAVE THEIR G ONE THROUGH WHATEVER THEIR HIGHER NUMBER 23 IS THAT WE CLOSER DEFINE OURSELF WITH THOSE RANGES AND THAT WE MOVE OUR EMPLOYEES FROM AG7 TO AG8 WHEN IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO GET THAT INCREMENTAL INCREASE. WE'RE NOT ADVOCATING THAT WE FREEZE THE EMPLOYEE'S PAY, BUT THAT WE CREATE MORE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MORE RANKINGS.

IF I'M UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, IT COULD BE ONE OR THE OTHER.

SO IN SOME CASES WE MIGHT WE MIGHT REALLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU FREEZE PAY.

AND SO IF YOU HAVE AN EMPLOYEE IN A CLERK, TOO, WHO HAS NOT DEVELOPED TO RE MEET TO MEET THOSE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR A CLERK.

THREE WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND THAT YOU JUST ADVANCE AN EMPLOYEE BECAUSE OF TIME IN THE JOB, RIGHT? WE WOULD HOPE THAT THERE'S SOME UNDERLYING JOB CHARACTERISTICS THAT THEY WOULD NEED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE THAT.

AND SO I DO THINK THAT THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, IS THAT SOME OF THOSE CLERK CHOOSE AT THIS POINT THEY JUST NEED TO BE.

CLERK THREE RIGHT.

SO I THINK A LOT OF THOSE COULD BE CLEANED UP.

BUT IN SOME CASES, IF THAT CLERK TOO IS NOT READY TO MOVE INTO A CLERK THREE, THEN WE WOULD RECOMMEND THAT THEY BE WHAT WE CALL RED CIRCLE, RIGHT? SO THEY WOULD BE THEY WOULD NOT RECEIVE A SALARY INCREASE UNTIL THAT POINT WHERE THE RANGE MIGHT CATCH UP IN THE FUTURE AND THEY COULD BE ELIGIBLE FOR AN INCREASE.

DOES THAT HELP CLARIFY? YES. SORT OF.

SORT OF. YEAH.

SO I SO IF I MIGHT JUST WANT YOU ON THAT PAGE, ON THE CLERK POSITION, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE ARE MASSIVE DISPARITIES IN PAY FOR PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCE IN THE SAME POSITION. CORRECT.

SO ONE OF THERE IS NOT THE LEVEL OF DETAIL WE WOULD LIKE ON THAT.

SO IT WOULD BE GREAT IF WE HAD TIME AND JOB, RIGHT? SO WE DON'T KNOW.

ALL WE KNOW IS IS IS TOTAL TEN YEAR, RIGHT.

SO WE ARE BRINGING FORWARD POTENTIALLY OTHER EXPERIENCE WITHIN THE COUNTY INTO THAT.

BUT BY AND LARGE, I THINK IT'S STILL ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PROBLEM.

SO BUT BUT AND IT WOULD INDICATE THAT THERE ARE SOME DISPARITIES.

MAYBE NOT AS STRONG, THOUGH, AS WE MIGHT THINK BASED ON THE DATA WE HAVE.

IS IT NORMAL TO SEE THAT KIND OF INEQUITY IN PAY IN OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES? IT'S SOMEWHAT RARE TO SEE THAT LEVEL OF DISPARITY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU JUST HAD CLARK RIGHT.

AND IT COULD INCLUDE ANYONE FROM ZERO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TO 20 YEARS IN THE JOB, YOU'D EXPECT MORE VARIABILITY.

BUT WITH THE CLARK ONE, TWO, CLARK THREE, YOU WOULD EXPECT THAT COMPENSATION WOULD BE MORE TIGHTLY BOUND.

SO, I MEAN, I KNOW WE'RE ON OUR TIME SCHEDULE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY I PERSONALLY THINK PAY EQUITY IS IS IMPORTANT.

AND BECAUSE LABOR IS OUR LARGEST COUNTY EXPENSE, ANYTHING THAT WE CAN DO TO BE STRATEGIC AND COMPETITIVE AND EQUITABLE, I THINK IS WORTH INVESTING IN.

BUT I'LL LET YOU FINISH YOUR PRESENTATION.

YEAH, I THINK THE POINT OF THE JOB ARCHITECTURE IS CAN HELP A LOT TO THOSE ENDS.

RIGHT. SO I MENTIONED CURRENTLY.

JOB DOCUMENTATION HAS GOTTEN AWAY FROM SYSTEM TITLES.

AND SO I THINK THIS JOB ARCHITECTURE PROCESS, WHICH WOULD BE MORE INTERNAL EQUITY FOCUSED TO SAY THERE'S CERTAIN TYPES OF WORK, RIGHT? SO MANAGERIAL VERSUS PROFESSIONAL OR BUSINESS SUPPORT AS A BROAD CATEGORY AND THEN WITHIN THAT TO DEFINE SOME SPECIFIC JOB LEVELS.

SO AS AN ENTRY LEVEL PROFESSIONAL VERSUS INTERMEDIATE OR SENIOR, WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE REQUIRED MINIMUMS? WHAT HOW DO YOU SCOPE OUT THE JOB BASED ON FACTORS LIKE THE ROLE SPAN OF CONTROL AUTHORITY TO ACT, DIFFERENT FACTORS LIKE THAT TO CREATE SOME STANDARDS, WHICH I THINK THEN YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS TO PLACE EMPLOYEES IN THAT JOB ARCHITECTURE.

BUT THAT WOULD CERTAINLY PROVIDE MUCH MORE ROBUST CERTAINTY AROUND HOW JOBS ARE SIMILAR THAN EXIST TODAY.

SO. WAS THERE A QUESTION? YEAH, A QUICK QUESTION.

SO YOU'RE TRYING TO STANDARDIZE POSITIONS IN 30 PLUS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUNTY.

SO, YOU KNOW, A CLERK, ONE IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT MIGHT DO A LOT DIFFERENT JOB, MUCH DIFFERENT THAN A CLERK, ONE AND A HALF PARTNER.

I MEAN, THE REQUIREMENTS OF THESE JOBS ARE NOT AS SIMPLE AS YOU MAY OUTLINE.

SO WHEN YOU DO A GRAPH LIKE YOU DID ON THE CLERKS, THAT MAKES NO, I'VE DONE SOME MATH TO MY DAY AND IT MAKES NO SENSE.

[04:45:04]

THAT'S ONE THING.

THIS IS WHAT A PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER PAYS WHEN HE'S MANAGING.

HE'S A PROJECT MANAGER.

THE VARIATION IS SIGNIFICANT.

WE'VE GOT 17,000 OF PROBABLY THE MOST DIVERSE DISCIPLINES YOU COULD FIND ANYWHERE.

SO I'M CLEARLY NOT UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO HERE.

SO IT COULD BE THE OUTCOME FROM A PROCESS LIKE THAT, THAT THERE COULD BE ADDITIONAL JOB TITLES THAN EXIST TODAY.

SO IT IS NOT AN EXPECTATION THROUGH THIS JOB ARCHITECTURE PROCESS THAT THE INDIVIDUAL BULLETS OF WHAT A JOB IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WOULD ALIGN ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS.

THERE'S STILL VARIABILITY THAT YOU CAN BUILD IN FOR THAT, BUT IF IN ONE.

SO IF YOU THINK ABOUT A POSITION AS A CLERK, THAT'S TYPICALLY A BUSINESS SUPPORT CLERICAL TYPE POSITION, THAT IF IN ONE DEPARTMENT THE REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS OR ZERO YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AND ANOTHER IT'S TEN, BUT THEY SHARE THE SAME JOB TITLE AND PAY RANGE.

THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT WE'RE TRYING TO ALIGN.

RIGHT. SO THERE MIGHT BE A BETTER PLACE FOR SOME OF THOSE JOBS THAT MIGHT NOT MAYBE THEY SHOULDN'T BE CALLED A CLERK TO THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED THROUGH THAT PROCESS.

JUST A COUPLE OF QUICK POINTS.

I DON'T WANT YOU HERE, BUT I WANT TO DO OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PAY SCALE? I'M SORRY, WHAT WAS THE QUESTION? DO OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PAY SCALE? YEAH. I MEAN, YOU HAVE A COMPREHENSIVE PAY SCALE NOW.

SO SO THEY EXIST. THEY EXIST IN MOST ORGANIZATIONS.

IT'S JUST A MATTER OF HOW FREQUENTLY THEY'RE REVIEWED AND JOBS ARE COMPARED TO MARKET THAT DISTINGUISHES THEM.

HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU HAVE? I KNOW WE WERE ABOUT 10 TO 13.

I THINK THIS MAY BE THE LAST SLIDE.

YEAH. YEAH.

SO A COUPLE OTHER THINGS REAL QUICK IS WE WILL RECOMMEND THAT YOU BUDGET FOR MARKET COMPETITIVE PAY INCREASES AND ADJUST YOUR STRUCTURES ANNUALLY.

WE'LL PROVIDE AN ANNUAL LETTER WITH RECOMMENDATION FOR BOTH OF THOSE BASED ON SURVEY DATA AND WHAT WE SEE AS TRENDS TO HELP WITH THAT PROCESS.

SO YEAH.

SO THAT WAS THAT WAS ALL.

I HAD SOME MORE TIME IF THERE ARE OTHER QUESTIONS.

SO EITHER FOR YOU OR FOR THE COUNTY MANAGER OF THE BUDGET OFFICE.

I REMEMBER YOUR FIRST SLIDE REALLY STRUCK ME.

YOU SAID STRUCTURES CAN BE SIMPLIFIED AND IMPROVED.

CURRENT DOCUMENTATION MAKES RELIABLE, BENCHMARK AND DIFFICULT BASE PAY GENERALLY BELOW MARKET BENEFITS IN THIS COUNTY, GENERALLY ABOVE MARKET PAY CAN VARY SIGNIFICANTLY FOR SIMILAR JOBS.

SO WHAT I WANT TO ASK YOU TO YOU ARE COUNTY MANAGER.

WHAT WOULD YOU NEED TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS IN THIS STUDY? YOU TAKE THAT ONE? GO FOR IT. YEAH.

SO. SO. THERE.

THIS PROCESS STARTED BY LOOKING AT A SEGMENT OF THE WORKFORCE.

AND SO I THINK MORE WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE TO EVALUATE OTHER JOBS AND THEN.

THERE IS A PROCESS THAT HAS STARTED TO START TO CLEAN UP SOME OF THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND JOB DOCUMENTATION.

I THINK THERE'S SOME STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP BUILD UP THE TEAM INFRASTRUCTURE TO TACKLE THAT WORK.

SO I THINK SOME OF THE ACTIONS HAVE BEEN PUT IN MOTION TO BETTER DEFINE WHAT JOBS DO TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE DOING THAT ACCURATE ASSESSMENT FROM FROM THERE.

I'LL HAVE TO HAND IT OVER TO OTHERS TO FINISH.

I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER, THERE IS A PEOPLE ISSUE.

IT'S NOT A HUGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT WE HAVEN'T HAD PEOPLE AT THE COUNTY WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS TO REALLY MAINTAIN AND UPDATE THE SALARY STRUCTURE AND THE COMMISSIONERS. RAMSEY POINT YOU DON'T WANT TO HAVE.

YOU WANT TO HAVE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF GRANULARITY, RIGHT? BECAUSE SOMEONE ANSWERING THE PHONE AND SCHEDULING MEETINGS MAY BE THE SAME JOB ACROSS DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, BUT SOMEONE PROCESSING, YOU KNOW, HEALTH CARE PAPERWORK MAY BE DIFFERENT FROM SOMEONE PROCESSING A DIFFERENT KIND OF PAPERWORK.

AND THEN FINALLY, I JUST SAY IT'S THE BUY IN FROM THE POLICYMAKING BODY THAT WE SHOULD, I THINK, HAVE A SIMPLER, MORE CONSISTENT PAY STRUCTURE.

THIS IS SOMETHING YOU ALL SAID EVERY YEAR WHEN YOU CHRISTMAS COURT SETS EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY APPROVED THE BUDGET.

AND IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION I KNOW SHANE AND CHIQUITA AND I'M READY TO GO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

SO HOW MANY PEOPLE WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'D NEED? HOW MANY POSITIONS TO 3 TO 100.

WHAT? FIVE, NINE? SIX. WELL, WE'RE STARTING WITH NINE.

SO I'M 26.

HAS HAS THE BEGINNING IT'S BOTH FOLKS TO BEGIN TO BEGIN THIS WORK AS WELL AS DEDICATED RECRUITING RECRUITERS FOR SPECIFIC POSITIONS.

[04:50:04]

IT'S A WORK IN PROCESS, OBVIOUSLY.

I JUST SENT AROUND A MOTION.

I'LL READ IT IN CASE SOMEBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT.

WE'LL JUST WAIT AND SEE IF I HAVE A VOTE TONIGHT, BUT I JUST SENT IT AROUND TRULY TWO PARTS AND I'LL READ IT.

I MOVED TO DIRECT THE HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO PREPARE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO ONE MORE STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTIONS TO A SIMPLER, FAIRER PAY STRUCTURE.

THREE A ROAD MAP FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF PROVIDING SUFFICIENT TIME TO DEPARTMENTS FOR FLEXIBILITY FOR HIGH PERFORMERS AND EMPLOYEES WITH EXTRA DUTIES.

AND THIS COULD BE PART OF A SEPARATE ONE.

I MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE PROPOSE BUDGET GOING FORWARD, ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS PAY DISPARITIES.

AND IF YOU ALL IF IT GIVES YOU HEARTBURN, I'LL JUST WAIT AND SEE IF I HAVE THE VOTES WHEN ALL OF US HERE.

CAN I CAN I ASK A QUESTION, A QUESTION OF THE MR. RICE AND MR. KURZWEIL? YOU KNOW, THE ANALYSIS BRINGS UP SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE WERE KIND OF THEORETICALLY AWARE OF, AND IT'S THAT THE BENEFITS ARE SORT OF ABOVE AVERAGE, WHEREAS THE ACTUAL COMPENSATION IS BELOW AVERAGE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW TO RECRUIT, GIVEN THAT FACT? AND YOU KNOW, LIKE, I GUESS, WHAT'S THE BEST PRACTICES FOR HOW TO MANAGE THAT? THAT'S ONE. THE SECOND QUESTION IS, YOU KNOW, YES, WE ARE AIMING FOR THE THE KIND OF AVERAGE OF THESE POSITIONS IN IN THE IN THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT SECTOR.

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE AREAS WHERE WE DO COMPETE WITH THE PRIVATE SECTOR? WE'VE TALKED ABOUT REALLY TALENTED ENGINEERS OR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.

WE'RE TRYING TO PUT THE FORENSIC SCIENCES OR THAT KIND OF THING.

IS THERE LIKE A SEPARATE CATEGORY FOR THAT? YEAH. SO SO ON THE FIRST THING, HOW TO RECRUIT.

THINGS YOU MIGHT CURRENTLY HAVE TOTAL REWARD STATEMENTS THAT GO OUT TO EMPLOYEES THAT EXPLAIN NOT JUST THE COMPENSATION THEY RECEIVE, BUT THE VALUE OF THE BENEFITS PACKAGE.

SO TRANSLATING THAT MESSAGE ALSO TO JOB CANDIDATES CAN BE REALLY IMPACTFUL, RIGHT? SO TO BRING THAT SAME TYPE OF MENTALITY.

BUT WHEN YOU'RE COMMUNICATING WITH CANDIDATES TO CLEARLY LAY OUT IN A JOB OFFER THOSE BENEFIT ITEMS. SO TRADITIONALLY YOU MIGHT GIVE A LETTER THAT OUTLINES THE BASE RATE OF PAY AND THEN YOU MIGHT PROVIDE THEM A BENEFITS PACKET, BUT YOU CAN INCORPORATE SOME OF THAT SAME TOTAL REWARDS MENTALITY INTO YOUR JOB OFFERS.

SO THAT WOULD BE A BEST PRACTICE TO HIGHLIGHT.

SO THE OTHER CONCEPT THAT YOU TALKED ABOUT IS YOU REALLY DO NEED TO DIFFERENTIATE YOUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY BASED ON JOB FUNCTION.

SO THAT'S THAT'S SOMETHING THAT, THAT YOU CAN DO, THAT YOU CAN, AS YOU DO THE MARKET COMPARISONS WITHIN CERTAIN JOBS FOR CERTAIN JOB FAMILIES TO BE MORE OPEN WITH THAT COMPARISON.

BUT I WOULD AT LEAST START WITH MAKING SURE THAT PAY IS COMPETITIVE WITH THE PUBLIC SECTOR BEFORE YOU TAKE ANY ADDITIONAL STEPS BEYOND THAT.

AND JUDGE. WE ARE WORKING ON A TOTAL REWARD STATEMENT IN PEOPLESOFT WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AS PART OF AN HR SUITE IMPLEMENTATION.

SO WE PLAN TO GET THERE.

HMM. OKAY, THAT MAKES SENSE.

I MEAN, I THINK OBVIOUSLY THE PRESENTATION IS A SUMMARY.

IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IN THE WEEDS OF ALL OF THIS, BUT IT DOES SEEM, AT LEAST FROM WHAT WE'VE SEEN COME TO US, LACK OF CONSISTENCY WHEN IT COMES TO TO CERTAIN SALARIES.

AND THEN IN PARTICULAR, THE ISSUE OF COMPETITIVENESS.

WE ONLY HEAR ABOUT ONES THAT ARE NOT COMPETITIVE ENOUGH.

SO I KNOW SOME WERE MORE COMPETITIVE.

SOME WERE LESS COMPETITIVE, BUT BALANCING ALL OF THAT OUT WOULD BE GOOD AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A QUICK EFFORT.

SO I APPRECIATE THE ANALYSIS.

THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR.

MR.. HE HAD TO LEAVE IN ABOUT 5 MINUTES.

BEFORE I SENT MY MOTION AROUND OUR THEATERS.

ALL WHICH YOU. WE HAVE THE MOTION TABLE.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE IT, MARICELA? YES, I DID RECEIVE THE EMAIL.

LOOK, I WANT TO SAY IT'S A WORK IN PROGRESS.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT VALID CONCERNS CAN BE RAISED, BUT ANYTHING WOULD BE BETTER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW, BECAUSE WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS NOTHING.

WE NEVER LOOKED AT IT.

SO I THINK IT'S AN ATTEMPT AND WE'LL SEE WHAT YOU COME BACK WITH.

[04:55:02]

I THINK THE STUDY WAS WELL INTENDED, BUT I HAVEN'T SEEN THE STUDY THAT HADN'T BEEN APPROVED.

I MEAN, I SEE A POWERPOINT AND I REALLY DON'T LIKE POWERPOINTS, BUT THAT'S A PERSONAL THING.

AND AND WHEN I LOOK AT THIS AND THE MOTION SAYS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A PLAN IS GOING TO BE MORE STANDARDIZED DESCRIPTION, SIMPLER THERAPY, ROADMAP TO IMPLEMENTATION AND FLEXIBILITY FOR HIGH PERFORMERS.

AND WE'RE GOING TO MOVE TO THE AND DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO INCLUDE THE PROPOSED BUDGET GOING FORWARD, ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS THE PAY DISPARITIES ON A STUDY WE'VE NOT EVEN READ.

I ALMOST HAVE.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN DO ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.

THERE OUGHT TO BE SOMETHING MORE, I'LL SAY IT INTRODUCTORY.

YOU KNOW, THERE MIGHT BE A FIRST STEP.

THIS IN THE FIRST STEP.

THIS IS LIKE THE FIFTH STEP.

BUT I'LL BE GLAD TO GET WITH YOU.

YOU START, YOU GET A CHANCE TO RAISE THOSE CONCERNS.

BUT SO I MADE A MOTION AS THE SECOND COMMISSIONER REAL QUICK, IS THERE GOING TO BE TWO SEPARATE MOTIONS OR IS THIS STILL CONSIDERED IN ONE? PUT IN ONE. JUST MAKE IT ONE VOTE.

SO INSTEAD OF. I JUST SAY AN.

TAKE OUT THE AMMO TOO AND DIRECT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO INCLUDE AND PROPOSED BUDGET TO TO INCLUDE A PROPOSED BUDGET GOING FORWARD TO ADEQUATELY ADDRESS RESOURCES.

EXPERIENCE. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IF, IF MR. KURZWEIL CAN UPDATE US I MEAN, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS IS NOT IT'S NOT SIMPLE PROCESS, YOU KNOW, AND AS I SAID, WE DON'T WE HAVEN'T ADDED UP THE THE THE DIFFERENTIALS IN WHETHER WE HAVE, YOU KNOW, THE LONGEVITY OF THE EMPLOYEE.

RIGHT. THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS JUST GOING TO HAVE TO DIG INTO.

SO I GET THAT THEY NEED TO WORK ON IT A BIT MORE BEFORE THEY COME BACK WITH EXACTLY HOW THIS TRANSLATES INTO THE IMPLEMENTATION.

SO, MR. CARROLL, PERHAPS YOU CAN YOU CAN UPDATE US WHAT'S WHAT'S A REASONABLE PERIOD AT WHICH YOU COULD COME BACK MAYBE THREE OR FOUR MONTHS OR SOMETHING. YEAH, I THINK SO.

OR IT CAN EVEN BE PIECEMEAL AS LONG AS WE'RE COMING THROUGH WITH RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT TO RAMSEY'S POINT, WE HAVE A LOT OF DETAIL OF THE STUDY AND ALL THE POSITIONS AND WHICH ONES THEY BENCHMARK, WHICH ONES THEY SLOTTED.

AND THIS WAS JUST A KIND OF A SUMMARY OF THAT.

BUT CERTAINLY CAN THREE OR FOUR MONTHS, WE CAN DEFINITELY COME BACK WITH AT LEAST TELL YOU WHERE WE ARE WITH IT OR MAYBE HAVE SOME RECOMMENDATIONS.

YOU KNOW, I MEAN, I THINK OBVIOUSLY ANY WHOLESALE CHANGE WILL HAVE TO COME THROUGH COURT.

AND THE IDEA IS SIMPLY TO BEGIN MOVING TOWARD A MORE STANDARDIZED PROCESS FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE OF THESE EXPERTS.

AND WHEN THE MOTION SAYS, I MOVE TO DIRECT HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO PREPARE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COMES BACK TO US.

THEY DON'T JUST GET TO GO DO IT.

UM, SO, SO GIVEN THAT, YEAH, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH YOU GUYS CONTINUING TO WORK ON THIS AND THEN WE'LL REVIEW WHATEVER YOU GUYS COME UP WITH AND SEE IF IT'S REASONABLE.

YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

JUDGE. I HAD THE SAME CONCERN THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS WITH REGARD TO THE FIRST PARAGRAPH, THE SECOND PARAGRAPH.

AND I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST WANTED TO INCLUDE THEM TOGETHER, BUT I THINK THAT IT COULD BE MADE TO WHERE WE DIRECT THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL PAY DISPARITIES AND INCLUDE AND PROPOSED BUDGET GOING FORWARD ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO PAY THE DISCOVERED DISPARITIES.

AND I COULD SUPPORT THAT SECOND MOTION IF WE HAD THE CATEGORY YOU WANT TO VOTE ON SEPARATE.

I'D RATHER BE VOTED SEPARATELY AND I WOULD LIKE TO INCLUDE THAT THE OMB INVESTIGATES POTENTIAL PAY DISPARITIES BEFORE MAKING A RECOMMENDATION.

OKAY, LET ME READ THE MOTION.

SO THE MOTION WOULD BE THIS IS THIS WILL BE THE MOTION.

I MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO INVESTIGATE POTENTIAL PAY DISPARITIES AND INCLUDE IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET GOING FORWARD ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO ADDRESS ANY IDENTIFIED PAY DISPARITIES.

WOULD YOU MAKE THAT MOTION? COMMISSIONER CAHILL I WOULD, AND THAT'S WHY THE SECOND ONE, RIGHT? THAT'S FOR THE SECOND. I'LL SECOND.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL THE SEPARATELY JUDGE.

YES, LET'S VOTE ON THAT ONE RIGHT NOW.

SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR I AND YOU BOTH I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AND THIS IS FOR THE MOTION YOU JUST READ.

YEAH THIS IS ON ITEM 308 FOR THE MOTION.

YOU JUST FINISHED READING AT THE MOMENT.

YES, FOR THE MOTION I JUST READ NOW WE'RE GOING TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION.

[05:00:01]

WOULD YOU LIKE TO READ MOTION? WHAT YOU HAVE IS I MOVED TO DIRECT HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO PREPARE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT TO PREPARE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMPENSATION STUDY.

THIS PLAN SHOULD INCLUDE, BUT NOT BE LIMITED TO ONE MORE STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTIONS TO A SIMPLER, FAIRER PAY STRUCTURE. THREE A ROADMAP FOR IMPLEMENTATION PROVIDING SUFFICIENT TIME TO DEPARTMENTS FOR FLEXIBILITY FOR HIGH PERFORMERS AND EMPLOYERS WITH EXTRA DUTIES.

I MAKE THAT MOTION AND THE NOT THE LAST SENTENCE? NO. IS THERE A DATE ON THAT PLAN? NO. SO WHEN THEY'LL, THEY'LL BRIEF US, THEY'LL COME BACK WHEN THEY THINK, YEAH I MEAN I WOULD JUST ANY PROPOSALS SHOULD COME BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR IT'LL COME BACK.

SO THAT'S WHY IT DID SAY I'VE MOVED DIRECT TO PREPARE A PLAN TO IMPLEMENT.

THAT WAS THE SECOND PART OF THIS CONFUSED ME BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE TRYING TO DO THIS AT LEAST FOR THIS BUDGET YEAR, BUT WE'RE NOT TRYING TO DO THIS FOR THIS BUDGET.

THAT WAS HIS THAT WAS A SEPARATE WEBSITE.

YEAH. BUT JUST TO CLARIFY AND DIRECTOR ALMOST CAN CHIME IN, I THINK WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING INCLUDING SOME AMOUNT IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET FOR IDENTIFIED DISPARITIES, BUT I THINK THE FULL IMPLEMENTATION OF A NEW SALARY STRUCTURE WOULD WOULD TAKE LONGER THAN THAT AND THE PLAN WOULD COME BACK TO COURT FOR OUR REVIEW.

IF THERE'S A NEW JOB ARCHITECTURE, YES, COURT WOULD HAVE TO APPROVE IT.

WELL, YOU ARE RIGHT. THE WOMAN AT THAT SENTENCE.

OH, IS THAT UNDERSTANDING.

THAT'S WHAT COMES BACK. IT'S YOU WANT TO ADD IT OR AND THAT WOULD COME BACK TO COURT.

OKAY, I'LL ANSWER THIS MOTION.

THIS PLAN WILL COME BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

YOU WERE SECOND. NOW, SECOND IS SO NICE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ALL IN FAVOR I AND YOU OPPOSE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I WAS I I'M AN AYE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY ON THAT LATTER MOTION.

NOW WE ALSO DO HAVE TO VOTE ON ITEM 26.

THAT'S THE PROPOSAL OF NINE POSITIONS.

AND THANK YOU, MR. RICE. THAT'S A PROPOSAL OF NINE REQUESTS FOR NINE POSITIONS FOR H.R.

IN ORDER TO BEGIN ALL OF THIS WORK.

I'LL MOVE IT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. I OPPOSE.

NO, I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTIONS.

WAY, WAY. YEAH.

26? YES, 26.

THOSE ARE THE EXTRA POSITIONS.

YES. SO THEY WERE GOING TO WORK ON.

WELL, DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IT IS AGAIN? WAIT ONE MOMENT, PLEASE.

YEAH. SHE HAS NINE POSITIONS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES.

YEAH. I'M IN FAVOR OF THAT.

OKAY. SO MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

I WILL ADD THE. I WILL ADD THE COMMENT.

I'D RATHER PAY OUR HR DEPARTMENT THAN PAY OUTSIDE CONSULTANTS.

THANK YOU. OKAY.

AND THEN THE LAST ONE WAS ITEM 256, WHICH IS A TRANSMITTAL OF THE PRESENTATION THAT MR. RICE JUST SHARED WITH US.

SO. UM, I DON'T KNOW IF THE COAST GUARD FOLKS ARE STILL THERE, BUT I PROPOSE WE GO CHECK AND WE COULD TAKE 30 MINUTES FOR A LATE LUNCH OR SOMETHING.

YEAH, I KNOW NEITHER TIME BECAUSE THAT FOG IS COMING BACK.

I MEAN, TAKE A BREAK.

GET OUT OF HERE. THAT FOG IS COMING BACK FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE OVER THE AGE OF 55.

AT 4:00 IS WHEN WYATT'S CAFETERIA, PICCADILLY CAFETERIA AND LUBY'S HAS THE SENIOR DINNER SPECIAL.

THOSE OF US STILL ALIVE TAKE A NAP AND THEN COME BACK IN A BETTER MOOD.

IT'S A 40 MINUTES.

WE'LL KICK QUARTER TILL FIVE.

OKAY, WELL, IT'S 404.

WE'RE BREAKING TILL QUARTER TILL FIVE.

YOU WAKE ME UP. OKAY.

OKAY. WE'RE BACK FROM DINNER, NUMBER ONE.

[Emergency/Supplemental COVID-19 items]

WE DISCUSSED.

ITEM FOUR.

AND SO NOW WE'RE MOVING TO ITEM 18.

WHICH IS THE BRIEF COVID UPDATE.

AND. WERE YOU GOING TO BE MAKING A MOTION NOW, JUDGE? NO. WAIT FOR THE COAST GUARD.

YEAH. NO, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING IT BACK WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS IS PRESENT.

OKAY. SO IN A MEETING ON THE COVID, WE'RE STILL WE'RE STILL IN YELLOW HOSPITAL USAGE AND NEW CASES HAVE BOTH PLATEAUED.

SO LAST TIME WE SPOKE, THE WASTEWATER LEVELS WERE GROWING WITH NO SIGN OF STOPPING.

[05:05:03]

WHAT IT WAS WHEN THE MEASUREMENTS STARTED TO BE TAKEN FROM 927% AT THE LAST COURT, WE SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE HOSPITAL USAGE DECREASING SOON SINCE THAT FOLLOWS THE CASE LEVELS.

SO THAT'S GOOD NEWS.

OBVIOUSLY, THE GOVERNOR EXTENDED HIS DISASTER DECLARATION.

I THINK THE CENSUS, WE JUST HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE WHAT WHAT HAPPENS WITH OTHER VARIANTS, WHAT HAPPENS AS TIME GOES BY.

BUT FOR NOW, IT SEEMS THAT THIS WAVE WAS ABLE TO SPARE OUR HOSPITALS AND JUST CREATE INCONVENIENCES FOR PEOPLE AND WHICH IS WHICH IS WHERE WE WANT TO BE. SO, YOU KNOW, SCHOOL STARTS REALLY SOON.

WE REALLY WANT TO ENCOURAGE PARENTS TO GET THEIR KIDS VACCINATED.

AND I KNOW THAT THE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS WORKING TO FINALIZE AND DISTRIBUTE NEW BOOSTER SHOTS THAT ARE GOING TO TARGET THE OMICRON STRAINS AND THE LATEST BY SUB VARIANTS. SO THAT'S WHAT I HAVE.

DIRECTOR ROBINSON SHOULD ALSO BE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.

THEN WE DON'T HAVE ANY MOTIONS TODAY FOR REQUESTS.

SO NO ACTION.

NO ONE, UNLESS MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY MOTIONS.

OKAY. SO THAT'S ITEM 18.

THERE WILL BE NO NO ACTION ON ITEM 18.

NEXT, THIS ITEM 20, THAT'S THE ONE ON THE BOND INITIATIVES.

I IMAGINE COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO BE PRESENT FOR THAT ONE, SO WE'LL SKIP IT FOR NOW.

ITEM 26, WE ALREADY DISCUSSED THAT WAS THE COMPENSATION STUDY ITEM.

ITEM ONE OF THREE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAD FLAGGED ITEM 103.

YEAH. I WANT TO HAVE.

WHAT WAS. AND ONE INTERVIEW I WANT YOU TO HEAR A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTROL TO WALK US THROUGH THAT ITEM.

IF DR. PETERSON'S AVAILABLE.

HE'S YOU. DR.

PEARSON, YOU SEEM TO BE ON MUTE.

LET ME TRY THIS AGAIN.

WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

GREAT. GREAT.

WELL, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS TINA PETERSON, AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO WALK YOU THROUGH THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER ALICE.

IN SHORT, THIS IS AN ITEM TO PROVIDE AN COMPREHENSIVE AND STANDARDIZED APPROACH TO THE COST ESTIMATING PROCEDURES OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

AND REALLY WHAT IS DRIVING THIS IS THE FACT, AS YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE HAVE SOME MARKET VOLATILITY AND UNCERTAINTY THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH.

AND SO THIS EFFORT IS IS AN ATTEMPT TO GET SOME CLARITY ABOUT OUR PROCEDURES, PUT IN A STANDARDIZED PROCESS THAT WILL BE COMPREHENSIVE IN NATURE.

TAKE US FROM PLANNING PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION ALL THE WAY THROUGH TO THE TRANSFER INTO OUR MAINTENANCE PROGRAM.

AND WE ALSO WANT TO GET SOME GUIDANCE ON HOW TO HANDLE THIS UNCERTAINTY THAT WE KNOW IS COMING IN TERMS OF VOLATILITY.

OKAY, DOCTOR, I'M ON.

I'M OKAY WITH IT. WE NEED A MOTION ON.

SALUTE. SECOND ITEM 103 MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER IS ALL IN FAVOR.

ALL RIGHT. I SUPPOSE I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION.

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, DR.

PETERSON. THANK YOU, DOCTOR.

I'M GLAD YOU DID THAT. 25% GOLD ON IT.

I WAS VERY IMPRESSED WITH THAT, MWB.

THANK YOU. ITEM 125.

COMMISSIONER CAHILL FLAGGED THAT ITEM.

I HAVE FINALLY BEEN ABLE TO GET A HOLD OF FOLKS OVER AT THE PORT AND THEY DON'T HAVE AN OBJECTION ON IT.

SO WE CAN MOVE SOME FURTHER MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. I OPPOSE.

THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 192.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ITEM.

YOU KNOW, THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF A DISCUSSION WE HAD IN THE RENEWAL OPTION.

WHICH CENTENNIAL OFFENDER? THAT'S THAT MONITORING SYSTEM WE PUT ON FOLKS THAT ARE ON PROBATION.

AND I THINK THE QUESTIONS THAT CAME UP BEFORE IS, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE MONITORING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT WITH THESE MONITORS ON WE'RE RENEWING A CONTRACT SO WE CAN HAVE THE MONITORING ANKLE BRACELETS.

[05:10:06]

I KNOW WE DISCUSSED IT AT LENGTH BEFORE WAS PULLED AND WAS BROUGHT BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IF I IF I MAY, THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP ON THIS.

I THINK THIS MICHAELIDES WILL TELL US THAT.

THERE IS STILL A PLACE, A BETTER PLACE THAT WE NEED TO GET TO BECAUSE WE HAVE TOO MANY OF THESE MONITORS OUT FOR PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT LIKELY THE BEST CANDIDATES FOR IT.

AND SO WE STILL NEED TO SHE'S WORKED TO PROVIDE SOME EDUCATION OUT TO THE JUDGES, WHICH I HOPE THAT THEY WILL RESPECT.

BUT WHERE WE DO NEED MONITORING AND MORE PEOPLE IS ON THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HIGH RISK FACTORS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THAT BRACELET.

AND SO THIS IS THIS IS STILL AN AREA THAT NEEDS A LOT OF ATTENTION.

AND I THINK WE NEED TO WE'RE STILL WORKING.

WE'RE GETTING TO A BETTER PLACE.

THE NUMBER OF BRACELETS HAS REDUCED MONITORS.

BUT BUT IT'S A GOOD CATCH ON YOUR PART.

WELL, I THINK THAT'S A THAT'S A GOOD FIRST PLACE TO START.

IF WE COULD JUST MONITOR THE HIGHEST RISK.

SO THAT WOULD BE SOME DISCERNMENT, JUDGMENT IN TERMS OF WHO WE DO MONITOR RATHER THAN TREATING EVERYBODY THE SAME.

YEP. YEP. I MAKE A MOTION WE.

SECONDLY, THE OC COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS THE MOTION.

SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. ALL RIGHT, THEN.

YOU OPPOSE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ITEM 224.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

YES. THIS IS ANOTHER OUT-OF-TOWN CONSULTANT THAT WE'RE HIRING.

WE'VE WE'VE GOT CHIEF HERR KLOTZ, WHO IS THE EXPERT IN THIS REGION.

I THINK THAT WE'VE GOT OUR OWN EXPERTISE AND HOUSE.

I DON'T THINK THAT WE NEED TO BE HIRING ANOTHER OUT-OF-TOWN CONSULTANT.

AND SO WITHOUT MUCH FURTHER ADO ON THIS, I'M I'M JUST THIS IS A SMALL FIRM THAT'S OUT THERE.

WE HAD IN OUR RESEARCH, THERE SEEM TO BE SOME ISSUES AND SOME OTHER LOCATIONS.

AND I JUST WOULD LIKE FOR US TO VOTE ON IT.

AND I'M GOING TO VOTE NO. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THAT'S ITEM 224.

ALL IN FAVOR. HI.

AND YOU OPPOSE? NO, I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION.

CARRIES 4 TO 1.

ITEM 245 IS THE MONKEYPOX DISCUSSION.

AND LET ME JUST SAY VERY BRIEFLY AND I'LL HAND IT OVER TO BARBIE.

AS YOU GUYS HEARD THE THE SPEAKER EARLIER TODAY SAYING, YOU KNOW, WHY CAN'T WE PUT THE HIV POSITIVE COMMUNITY ON THE ON THE ON THE CRITERIA, ETC.? YOU KNOW, I'M TRYING AND I'D APPRECIATE SUPPORT FROM EVERYONE TO ADVOCATE FOR MORE VACCINES.

THAT'S REALLY WHERE THINGS ARE.

I KNOW PUBLIC HEALTH HAS A PROPOSAL TO PRESENT ON HOW TO DISTRIBUTE THESE VACCINES, AND THEY SEEM TO BE BUILDING EVERYTHING VERY WELL.

CERTAINLY THE CASES ARE GROWING EXTREMELY FAST IN OTHER LOCATIONS PRETTY FAST, AND OURS HAS BEEN ABOUT 300%, 600% INCREASE IN THE PAST THREE WEEKS, 120% INCREASE IN THE PAST WEEK.

BUT REALLY, IT'S IT'S ABOUT THE VACCINES RIGHT NOW.

SO THAT'LL BE MY MY ONLY COMMENT.

DIRECTOR ROBERTSON.

GOOD EVENING, JUDGE.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, COUNTY JUDGE BARBIE ROBINSON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND I'M JOINED TODAY BY DR.

ERIC BROWN, OUR LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AND DIRECTOR OF OUR DIVISION OF COMMUNITY HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

JENNIFER KIGER, OUR DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF COVID RESPONSE, AS WELL AS OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR OF OUR DIVISION OF EPIDEMIOLOGY, SURVEILLANCE AND EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES, AS WELL AS ALLISON REESE, OUR ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR OF OUR COVID DIVISION.

TODAY, WE WANTED TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO YOUR COURT ON THE STATUS OF MONKEYPOX IN OUR COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND THE EFFORTS THAT ARE UNDERWAY TO ADDRESS AND MITIGATE MONKEYPOX, AS WELL AS TO REQUEST RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR ONGOING EFFORTS AS WE BELIEVE WE WILL BE RESPONDING TO MONKEYPOX FOR SOME TIME.

AND TODAY, CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE? SO JUST IN TERMS OF AN OVERVIEW OF MONKEYPOX, HISTORICALLY, IT'S PRIMARILY OCCURRED IN AFRICA, OFTEN IN PROXIMITY TO TROPICAL RAINFOREST.

[05:15:09]

AND SINCE MAY 2022, MORE THAN 16,500 PEOPLE WORLDWIDE HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED INFECTED IN NEARLY 80 COUNTRIES.

ON JULY 23RD, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION DECLARED THE MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK A GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY.

AND THE MONKEYPOX VIRUS SPREADS MOSTLY THROUGH EXTENDED DIRECT CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WHO HAS MONKEYPOX.

HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, IN COORDINATION WITH THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO IMPLICATE IMPLEMENT OUR MITIGATION OPERATIONS TO ADDRESS THIS NEW PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT.

AND ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP TEAM HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, I JUST WANT TO COMMEND ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT PUBLIC HEALTH STAFF HAS DONE TO STAND UP YET A NEW OPERATIONS TO RESPOND TO A NEW EMERGING THREAT TO OUR COMMUNITIES, ALONG WITH OUR CONTINUING COVID EFFORT AND OUR OTHER ESSENTIAL WORK DUTIES TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DR.

ERICA BROWN, WHO'S GOING TO PROVIDE A CLINICAL OVERVIEW.

GOOD AFTERNOON, DR.

ERIC BROWN. LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY.

SOME OF THIS. THE SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX.

NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

SORRY. SO THE SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX START WITH A PRODROMAL, WHICH SOME PEOPLE MAY MISS, BUT THE SYMPTOMS CAN BE FEVER, HEADACHE, MUSCLE ACHES, SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES, CHILLS, RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS, THINGS THAT ARE VERY SIMILAR TO COLD OR FLU LIKE SYMPTOMS. THIS PROGRAM TYPICALLY LASTS ANYWHERE BETWEEN 7 TO 14 DAYS.

AND AGAIN, SOME PEOPLE CAN MISS THE PRODROMAL AND AND NOT NOTICE THAT THEY HAVE MONKEYPOX UNTIL THEY SEE THE CHARACTERISTIC RASH, WHICH CAN PRESENT ALONG A CONTINUUM OF MANY DIFFERENT THINGS. IT CAN BE PUSTULES LOOKING LIKE PIMPLES, IT CAN BE VESICLES LOOKING LIKE BLISTERS, AND IT CAN BE CRUSTED OR SCABBED OVER LESIONS AS WELL. THE MODE OF TRANSMISSION IS DIRECT CONTACT WITH INFECTIOUS RASH SCABS OR BODY FLUIDS.

RESPIRATORY SECRETIONS CAN TRANSMIT MONKEYPOX WITH PROLONGED FACE TO FACE CONTACT OR DURING INTIMATE PHYSICAL CONTACT, PROLONGED KISSING, CUDDLING OR SEX. IT CAN ALSO BE TRANSMITTED THROUGH TOUCHING FABRICS OR OBJECTS THAT WERE USED BY A PERSON WITH MONKEYPOX THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DISINFECTED.

IT IS NOT EASILY TRANSMITTED ON SURFACES.

THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME SECRETIONS LEFT BEHIND ON THE SURFACE.

SO I DO WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT THAT AS LONG AS THERE'S BEEN DISINFECTION, IT IS NOT EASILY TRANSMITTED ONTO SURFACES.

ANOTHER THING TO NOTICE THAT PREGNANT WOMEN AND BREASTFEEDING WOMEN CAN TRANSMIT THE VIRUS THROUGH THE FETUS TO THE PLACENTA.

CURRENTLY TREATMENT IS AN ANTIVIRAL WHICH WHICH ASSIST WITH THE SEVERITY OF ILLNESS.

BUT JUST LIKE MANY VIRUSES, IT DOES NOT CURE THE ILLNESS.

THE TREATMENT IS CALLED TT POX AND AGAIN IS AN ANTIVIRAL.

TWO PILLS USED TO TREAT ADULTS AND THERE IS SIMILAR TREATMENT AS LOWER DOSE FOR CHILDREN.

PREVENTION IS VACCINATION FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN EXPOSED OR WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK OF BEING EXPOSED.

THE VACCINE THAT WE ARE USING IS CALLED GENIUS.

IT IS ONLY RECOMMENDED FOR THOSE WHO ARE 18 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, AND IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED FOR ANYONE WHO IS INFECTED WITH MONKEYPOX CURRENTLY OR HAS BEEN INFECTED IN THE PAST.

AND WITH THAT, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO JENNIFER KIGER.

GOOD AFTERNOON. SO I WANT TO GIVE YOU A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE CURRENT SITUATION OF MONKEYPOX IN COMPARISON TO SOME OTHER CITIES IN THE UNITED STATES THAT HAVE HIGHER RATES OF MONKEYPOX.

AND THE RATE IS REALLY THE NUMBER OF CASES OVER THEIR POPULATION.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE CHART IN FRONT OF YOU, SAN FRANCISCO, WHILE THEY HAVE LESS CASES THAN NEW YORK, THEY HAVE A SMALLER POPULATION.

SO THEIR CASE RATE IS HIGHER AND THE HIGHEST THAT WE HAVE IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND IN COMPARISON TO NEW YORK CITY AND SAN FRANCISCO, THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY ARE DO HAVE A LESS HAVE LESS CASES AND A LOWER RATE OF MONKEYPOX CURRENTLY. NEXT SLIDE.

SO WE WANTED TO GO OVER OUR HIGH LEVEL STRATEGY, WHICH INCLUDES OUTREACH AND EDUCATION TESTING, CASE INVESTIGATION AND CONTACT TRACING AND VACCINATIONS.

NEXT SLIDE. OUR OUTREACH AND EDUCATION GROUP HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS BEEN VERY BUSY CONDUCTING TOWNHALLS WITH HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS AND HIGH RISK COMMUNITIES SUCH AS THE LGTBQ COMMUNITIES.

WE ARE DOING THOSE WEEKLY ON THURSDAYS AND FRIDAYS.

[05:20:01]

WE ALSO HAVE THE HOTLINE FOR MONKEYPOX, AND IT HAS BEEN VERY BUSY HAVING OVER 4000 CALLS THE LAST TWO WEEKS.

AND WE HAVE THAT HOTLINE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC PROVIDERS AND PATIENTS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

ADDITIONALLY, OUR OUTREACH WORKERS HAVE BEEN GOING TO EVENTS IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH WE'VE HAD OVER 38 IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE JULY 12.

NEXT SLIDE. AS FAR AS TESTING PATIENTS CAN GET TESTED BY THEIR PROVIDERS DUE TO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A LAB CAPACITY HERE IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM COVID 19 PROVIDERS, CAN COLLECT THE SPECIMENS FROM THEIR PATIENTS AND THEN USE THEIR COMMERCIAL LABS TO PROVIDE THE SAMPLE TO GET RUN THROUGH THE TEST.

USUALLY THE TURNAROUND TIME IS ANYWHERE BETWEEN ONE BUSINESS DAY TO 3 TO 5 BUSINESS DAYS, DEPENDING ON WHEN THE LAB RECEIVES A SPECIMEN.

ADDITIONALLY, US, ALONG WITH HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, IS PROVIDING GUIDANCE TO THE PROVIDERS SO THAT THEY KNOW HOW TO CORRECTLY CONDUCT THE SPECIMEN COLLECTION AND THEY KNOW WHO TO PROVIDE THAT SPECIMEN TO TO GET THAT LAB SAMPLE RUN.

OUR HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT PARTNERS HAVE THE LABORATORY RESPONSE NETWORK, AND THEY ALSO HAVE LIMITED ABILITY TO RUN TEST, ESPECIALLY FROM OUR EPIDEMIOLOGY GROUPS FOR THOSE EXPOSED. WE WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT THE LOCAL LABS RIGHT NOW THAT CAN PROVIDE THE TESTING IS LABCORP OR QUEST AND THEN THE HOUSTON LAB.

NEXT SLIDE.

AS FAR AS CASE INVESTIGATIONS AND CONTACT TRACING ARE, CASE INVESTIGATORS ARE BUSY INVESTIGATING ALL CASES EITHER THAT WE DETERMINE THROUGH PROVIDERS OR THROUGH OUR LAB RESULTS THAT WE GET FROM THE STATE.

THOSE ARE SPECIFICALLY DONE FOR THE CASES THAT HAVE THE CASES OF MONKEYPOX.

IN ADDITION, WE PERFORM CONTACT TRACING FOR THOSE CASES SO THAT WE CAN DETERMINE IF THEY MEET THE ELIGIBILITY TO GET VACCINATED AND HOPEFULLY PREVENT GETTING INFECTED WITH MONKEYPOX.

WE ALSO MONITOR THE THOSE CLOSE CONTACTS FOR SYMPTOM DEVELOPMENTS IN CASE THEY DO TURN INTO A CASE.

AND WE SHARE DATA WITH HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO THAT WE CAN HAVE OPERATIONAL DECISION MAKING AND HAVE A WIDER VIEW OF WHAT MONKEYPOX LOOKS LIKE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

NEXT SLIDE.

AS FAR AS VACCINES, WE HAVE WORKED WITH HOUSTON TO DETERMINE AN ELIGIBILITY BASED ON RISK AND REALLY, REALLY DEPENDENT ON THE AMOUNT OF VACCINE WE HAVE IN STOCK.

WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH PROVIDERS AND PARTNERS TO PROVIDE VACCINE FOR THOSE PATIENTS.

SO IF A PATIENT IN A PROVIDER CLINIC HAS THE MET THE CRITERIA, WE DO GIVE THEM VACCINE TO PROVIDE TO THAT PATIENT AT THAT CLINIC.

WE ALSO ARE PROVIDING DISTRIBUTION TO SOME HIGH RISK CLINICS SUCH AS HARRIS HEALTH, TO PROVIDE TO THEIR ELIGIBLE PATIENTS.

WE HAVE RECEIVED, IN COMBINATION WITH HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT, 5324 DOSES OF VACCINE AS OF 722, AND WE EXPECT AN ADDITIONAL 6740 EITHER TODAY OR TOMORROW IS THE LATEST THAT WE'VE HEARD.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT WE KEEP GETTING DIFFERENT DATES ON WHEN THIS WILL ARRIVE.

AS OF YESTERDAY, WE WERE TOLD IT WOULD BE EARLY NEXT WEEK, BUT TODAY WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT WE MIGHT GET THAT TOMORROW.

WE ARE SPLITTING THAT 7030 WITH HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

SO THE ALLOCATION THAT COMES OUR WAY IS A SPLIT.

SO WE'RE WORKING WITH WE'VE WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH YOU ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND OUR COUNTY JUDGE, AND WE'RE VERY GRACIOUS FOR THE EFFORTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE TO ASK FOR MORE VACCINE. NEXT SLIDE.

AS FAR AS VACCINE ELIGIBILITY.

I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO DR.

BROWN. THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

SO ON YOUR SCREEN, YOU SEE TWO GROUPS.

GROUP A AND GROUP B, AGAIN, THESE GROUPS WERE DETERMINED TO BE TO IDENTIFY THOSE WHO ARE HIGH RISK, HIGHEST RISK FOR INFECTION GIVEN THE LIMITED SUPPLY OF VACCINE THAT WE HAVE.

SO GROUP A IS PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN CONFIRMED WITH HIGH OR INTERMEDIATE RISK CONTACT WITH SOMEONE WITH KNOWN MONKEYPOX INFECTION, AND THEN THOSE WHO HAVE ATTENDED AN EVENT OR A VENUE WHERE THERE WAS HIGH RISK OF EXPOSURE TO SOMEONE WITH CONFIRMED MONKEYPOX.

RUBY IS PART OF OUR CONTACT TRACING AGAIN, WHERE WE'VE IDENTIFIED SOMEONE WITH KNOWN MONKEYPOX AND DONE A SURVEY OF THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO.

GROUP B IS THOSE WHO'VE ATTENDED OR WORKED AT A COMMERCIAL SEX VENUE OR OTHER VENUES WHERE THEY HAD ANONYMOUS SEX OR SEX WITH MULTIPLE PARTNERS WITHIN THE PAST 21 DAYS. JUST TO CLARIFY, 21 DAYS IS THE TYPICAL LENGTH OF TIME FOR A MONKEYPOX INFECTION.

THAT'S WHY THERE ARE 21 DAYS WAS CHOSEN IN THIS GROUP ALSO THOSE WHO WERE DIAGNOSED WITH GONORRHEA OR EARLY SYPHILIS WITHIN THE PAST THREE MONTHS,

[05:25:02]

THESE ARE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT HAVE HIV BUT POTENTIALLY ENGAGE IN HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR.

AND SO THEY TAKE PREP SO THAT THEY IF THEY ARE EXPOSED TO HIV, HOPEFULLY THEY WILL NOT CONTRACT THE VIRUS.

ALSO, HIGH RISK CONGREGATE SETTINGS IS PART OF GROUP B, AND WITH THAT, I'LL TURN IT BACK OVER TO JENNIFER FOR STEPS TO GETTING THE VACCINE.

AND IF I PLEASE.

SO HOW DOES A RESIDENT WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY GET VACCINATED? THE EASIEST WAY FOR THEM TO GET VACCINATED IS TO CALL OUR HOT CENTER OR OUR HOTLINE OR THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S HOTLINE, AND THEN WE WILL DETERMINE THEIR VACCINE ELIGIBILITY AND THEN GET THEM SCHEDULED TO BE VACCINATED IN ONE OF OUR CLINICS.

ADDITIONALLY, THEY CAN GO TO THEIR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER AND WE CAN WORK WITH THEM THAT WAY.

THE PATIENT IS THEN SCHEDULED AND THEN WE AT THE TIME OF THEM RECEIVING THEIR FIRST DOSE, WE GO AHEAD AND SCHEDULE THEIR SECOND DOSE, WHICH IS FOUR WEEKS OR 28 DAYS, ROUGHLY AFTER THAT FIRST DOSE.

THE NEXT SLIDE.

SO THE CURRENT SITUATION, THESE ARE NUMBERS AS OF YESTERDAY.

SO THE NUMBERS HAVE INCREASED, BUT WE HAD A TOTAL OF 125 CASES, 108 OF THOSE BEING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND 17 IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT'S ALL THE CITIES OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON, INCLUDING THE UNINCORPORATED AREA.

WE HAD VACCINATED 145 PATIENTS AT THE END OF YESTERDAY, AND WE HAD 384 VACCINE APPOINTMENTS SCHEDULED THROUGH THE FIFTH.

SINCE THEN, THE TEAM HAS ACTUALLY HAD A LOT MORE PEOPLE SCHEDULED FOR VACCINATIONS, AND WE HAVE OVER 530 SCHEDULED FOR A VACCINE UNTIL THE END OF SATURDAY. RIGHT NOW OR AT THE END OF YESTERDAY, WE HAD 175 REMAINING DOSES.

AND THOSE DOSES ARE IS A TWO COURSE REGIMEN.

SO WE DO SET ASIDE THE SECOND DOSE TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE THAT AVAILABILITY AT THAT FOUR WEEK PERIOD.

AS OF SINCE JULY 20TH, WE'VE HAD OVER 4200 HOTLINE CALLS.

NEXT SLIDE.

SO GOING INTO OUR VACCINE STRATEGY, IF AND WHEN WE RECEIVE MORE VACCINE AND WE'RE ABLE TO KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET VACCINE AT MORE OF A STEADY STATE, WE DO HAVE PLANS TO OPEN ELIGIBILITY TO MORE INDIVIDUALS AND MORE POPULATIONS THAT ARE VULNERABLE TO MONKEYPOX.

WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH PRECINCT COMMISSIONERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HOLD VACCINATION SITES IN THOSE HIGH RISK AREAS.

WE ARE ABLE TO DO MOBILE VACCINATION UNITS LIKE WE DO FOR NORMAL VACCINES, AND WE DID IN COVID 19.

WE WOULD ALSO CONTINUE DISTRIBUTING VACCINES TO OUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, ESPECIALLY THOSE THAT PROVIDE SERVICE AND HEALTH CARE TO THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS.

AND THEN IF NEEDED, WE'RE ALSO ABLE TO DO MASS VACCINATION CLINICS.

AND ON THE RIGHT, WE HAVE POTENTIAL EXPANDED ELIGIBILITY.

SO WE WOULD ALSO INCLUDE, AS WE HAVE MORE VACCINE, HIV PATIENTS, THOSE THAT SELF REPORT MULTIPLE OR ANONYMOUS SEX PARTNERS IN THE LAST 14 DAYS, HEALTH CARE WORKERS WHO ARE AT A HIGH RISK OF EXPOSURE AS A PREVENTION.

SO RIGHT NOW, IF HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE EXPOSED, THEY ALREADY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE VACCINE.

BUT AS A PREVENTION, WE COULD ADD THEM TO THE ELIGIBILITY LIST, THOSE THAT ARE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED AND AS WELL, THE LGBTQ+ POPULATION.

NEXT SLIDE. SO WITH THAT, WE IN ADDITION TO PROVIDING THAT UPDATE, WE ALSO ARE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES TO SUPPORT OUR ONGOING RESPONSE.

AND THE REQUEST IS FOR APPROXIMATELY $1.7 MILLION FOR THREE MONTH PERIOD OF OPERATIONS.

IT WILL ALLOW US.

AS YOU CAN SEE FROM THIS SLIDE, THE LABOR COST IS AROUND 1.1 MILLION WITH AROUND ALMOST CLOSE TO 600,000 IN SUPPLIES AND SERVICES.

AND IT WILL ALLOW US TO EXPAND OUR MONKEYPOX OPERATIONS, TO ADD ADDITIONAL STAFF FOR OUR HOTLINE, STAFF FOR VACCINATIONS, EPIDEMIOLOGY STAFF WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DOING THAT, CONTACT TRACING AND OTHER SURVEILLANCE ACTIVITIES, SUPPORT STAFF AND AGAIN, SUPPLIES AND SERVICES, PPE, FIELD EQUIPMENT AND I.T., ETC..

THE ADDITION OF THE ABOVE STAFF WILL ALLOW US TO SCALE UP OUR OPERATIONS TO A CAPACITY OF ABOUT 1600 VACCINES PER WEEK, AND WE ARE JUDICIOUS IN OUR EFFORTS AND MONITORING THE NEED.

WE WOULDN'T SCALE ALL OF THAT UP ALL AT ONCE.

IT'S ALLOWING US TO BE STRATEGIC AND THOUGHTFUL IN WHAT WE MAY NEED GOING FORWARD.

SO WITH THAT, I WILL CONCLUDE OUR PRESENTATION AND WE ARE ALL HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLISON AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA JUDGE THE APPROPRIATE TIME. I'D LIKE THE MOTION TO MAKE A MOTION.

DO YOU KNOW DIRECTOR ROBINSON OR DIRECTOR, CAN YOU IF YOU'RE IN THE SAME ROOM, CAN YOU MAKE SURE ONE OF THE COMPUTERS IS MUTED?

[05:30:01]

YOU MUTE IT. CAN YOU? CAN YOU. ARE YOU ABLE TO TRACK BY PRECINCT? YES. YES.

SO RIGHT NOW, THE AMOUNT OF CASES THAT WE HAVE IS HARD FOR US TO REALLY GIVE YOU A LOT OF DETAIL OF THE CASES.

BUT WE DO HAVE THE MAJORITY OF CASES INSIDE THE CITY OF HOUSTON, COMMISSIONER.

AND SO THAT WOULD MEAN THAT MAJORITY OF THEM ARE IN YOUR PRECINCT.

RIGHT. AND HOW WILL WE COMPARE TO I KNOW I'VE CHATTED WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON ABOUT THIS, BUT I KNOW WHEN I THINK NEW YORK AND SAN FRANCISCO NOW THEY HAVE DECLARED IT A EMERGENCY.

WHEN I TALKED TO YOU LAST.

IT WAS YESTERDAY, A DAY BEFORE.

OVER THE WEEKEND. DEREK ROBINSON, SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK.

WHAT HAVE THEY DONE? AND A WIN IN LINE WITH WHATEVER THEY'RE DOING.

OUR NUMBERS ARE NOT QUITE WHERE THEY ARE, BUT JUST GIVE US SOME REACTION.

YOU WERE GOING TO CHECK WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES.

YES. SO SAN FRANCISCO, I'VE SPOKEN WITH MY COLLEAGUES IN SAN FRANCISCO AND HAVE YET TO HAVE COMMUNICATION WITH MY COUNTERPARTS AND IN THE COOK COUNTY AREA OF CHICAGO.

WE HAVE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MEETINGS, BUT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THEY'VE BEEN BUSY.

SAN FRANCISCO INFORMED ME THAT THEY DECLARED AN EMERGENCY FOR THREE PRIMARY FACTORS.

ONE WAS TO ALLOW FOR THEM TO STAND UP THEIR OPERATIONS QUICKLY.

UNDER AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION, THEY'RE ABLE TO UTILIZE PROCUREMENT RULES, FOR EXAMPLE, TO STAND UP CLINICS AND GET CONTRACTS IN PLACE IN ORDER TO RESPOND, AS WELL AS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE URGENCY OF THIS ISSUE WITHIN THE SAN FRANCISCO AREA, GIVEN THE LARGE LGBTQA+ POPULATION, AS WELL AS TO SHED LIGHT ON THE LACK OF A FORMAL, STRONG FEDERAL STRATEGY AT THIS JUNCTURE.

AND SO THOSE WERE THE PRIMARY REASONS WHY THEY IMPLEMENTED A A EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

AND AGAIN, AS WE MENTIONED, THEIR PER POPULATION RATES ARE HIGHER THAN THAN OURS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND IN ADDITION TO RAISING THE AWARENESS OF SOUNDING THE ALARM WHEN IT'S DECLARED A PUBLIC EMERGENCY, WHAT DOES THAT TRIGGER AND AND WHAT DOES NOT DECLARED ONE DO, PARTICULARLY AS IT RELATES TO FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENTS? SO AS IT RELATES TO FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT, WHAT I'VE BEEN INFORMED IS THAT THEY ARE UTILIZING THEIR OWN DOLLARS BECAUSE THERE HASN'T BEEN A STATE DECLARATION WHICH WOULD ALLOW THEM TO DRAW DOWN STATE DOLLARS OR A FEDERAL DECLARATION WHICH WOULD ALLOW FOR FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT.

HOWEVER, THEY'RE UTILIZING THEIR OWN GENERAL FUND RESOURCES TO LEAD THEIR OPERATIONS AND RESPONSE.

SO WE DON'T MEET AGAIN FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

FOR YOU DIRECT ROBINSON OR THE JUDGE CAN THE JUDGE DO IT UNILATERALLY OR IS THERE SOMETHING WE OUGHT TO DO? WELL, IF THERE WAS A NEED TO DECLARE IT A PUBLIC EMERGENCY, HOW WOULD THAT WORK? SO NORMALLY, COMMISSIONER, IT'S IT IS A DECLARATION THAT I SIGNED AND IT'S IT EXISTS FOR A WEEK.

WITHIN A WEEK, I MUST STATUTORILY COME BEFORE THE COURT AND DISCUSS WITH YOU ALL WHETHER WHETHER YOU GUYS GRANT THE CONTINUATION OF THAT EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

AND IT IS A CONVERSATION WE'RE HAVING.

OBVIOUSLY, WE'VE HAD IT WITH MARK SLOAN AS WELL.

RIGHT NOW.

IT'S IT'S HARD TO TELL, RIGHT? YOU DON'T WANT TO YOU DON'T WANT TO PANIC PEOPLE.

BUT AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS SOMETHING THAT IS GROWING AND THAT WE NEED TO TAKE SERIOUSLY.

SO MY ASSESSMENT HAS BEEN LET'S REALLY PUT THE PRESSURE ON THE VACCINES.

LET'S SEE IF IF THAT IF THOSE SUPPLIES CATCH UP, IF WE BEGIN REALLY RECEIVING I MEAN, THEY THEY TOLD US ON THURSDAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO RECEIVE THE SEVEN 17,000 VACCINES.

IT'S ALREADY YOU KNOW, IT'S ALREADY BEEN ALMOST A WEEK.

AND WE STILL DON'T KNOW EXACTLY WHEN THEY'RE GOING TO ARRIVE.

SO START THERE.

I KEEP WATCHING.

AND THEN IF IF IT COMES TO THE SITUATION WHERE WE NEED TO MOVE FASTER AND ESPECIALLY THAT SIGNAL, RIGHT.

OF TELLING PEOPLE, HEY, THIS IS SERIOUS, THEN OBVIOUSLY I'LL GIVE YOU GUYS A CALL, BUT I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING WHETHER THAT WOULD HAPPEN BETWEEN TODAY AND THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.

I JUST DON'T KNOW. THREE WEEK BREAK IS A THREE WEEK BREAK, BUT AS OF RIGHT NOW, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH WHERE WE ARE AND WITH AND WITH ALL OF US UNITING TO SAY, HEY, WE UNDERSTAND SAN FRANCISCO MAY HAVE MORE PER CAPITA CASES, BUT IF WE DON'T GET THE VACCINES NOW, ALL YOU'RE DOING IS PUTTING US ON THE SAME TRAIN TO GET TO WHERE THEY ARE.

[05:35:02]

AND THE WAY WE DO THAT IS BY VACCINATING THE AT RISK POPULATION WHO WANTS TO BE VACCINATED.

THEY WANT THEY WANT TO RECEIVE THE VACCINE.

WE JUST DON'T HAVE IT. AND I KNOW YOU AND THE MAYOR ARE IN CLOSE CONTACT.

SO IS HE COMFORTABLE AS WELL OR IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE? YOU COULD ALWAYS CALL US BACK.

BUT SO YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE YOU DON'T NEED ANYMORE? I WOULD I WOULD ADVOCATE FOR SUPPORT FOR THIS THIS FUNDING THAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS REQUESTING SO THEY CAN BEGIN WORKING ON THIS RAMP UP.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE THE VACCINATION CAPACITY RAMP UP IS CONTINGENT ON THIS FUNDING AS WELL AS THEIR CONTACT TRACING WORK.

AND SO I THINK THAT IF THEY RECEIVE THEIR THIS SUPPORT, THEY CAN BEGIN BUILDING WHAT I'VE TOLD THEM AND CONVEYED ALSO TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS OUR BOTTLENECK, IS NOT OPERATIONAL.

OUR BOTTLENECK IS ONE OF VACCINE SUPPLY.

AND SO I'M PREOCCUPIED WITH MAKING SURE THAT THAT THAT REMAINS THE CASE, THAT THEY'RE DOING ENOUGH OUTREACH AND INFORMING PROVIDERS.

AND I'M CONFIDENT THAT THAT IS THAT THAT IS WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS DOING AND THAT THAT THEY'RE DOING IT WELL.

I WILL CHECK AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, AND TALK TO MR. SLOAN THE TIME BEFORE COURT ADJOURNS TO SEE IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE.

BUT I THINK FOR NOW, LET'S ADVOCATE FOR VACCINES.

LET'S SUPPORT THEIR REQUEST FOR FOR OPERATIONAL FUNDING.

AND THEN AND THEN IF IT COMES TO PASS, THAT WE NEED TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION.

I WILL ABSOLUTELY GIVE YOU GUYS A HEADS UP, BUT LET'S HOPE WE DON'T GET THERE.

WELL, I JUST MOST OF THEM ARE NOT IN MY PRECINCT, AND I'VE REPRESENTED MANY OF THOSE AREAS FOR A VERY LONG TIME AT VARIOUS LEVELS.

SO MY STAFF I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH MY TEAM, BUT WE DO HAVE STRONG TIES IN THROUGHOUT THE AREAS THAT I'VE REPRESENTED FOR THREE DECADES. SO PROBABLY TAM, I'LL MAKE A MOTION.

SO JUDGE DEREK ROBINSON, THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.

I MADE IT CLEAR YESTERDAY THAT I THINK WE'RE BEING SHORT SIGHTED.

AND THAT WE'RE NOT IN LINE WITH NEW YORK, WHERE NEW YORK HAS BEEN MUCH MORE LIBERAL WITH THEIR AVAILABLE VACCINES AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION PROCESS. I AM ADVOCATING THAT WE DON'T HOLD A SECOND VACCINE JUST BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE THIRD ONE.

I THINK THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET THE VACCINES.

THE ADVOCACY.

I JUST WORRY THAT WE'RE GOING TO PUT PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY.

WE'RE GOING TO. NOT MAKE THE PROCESS.

WE'RE WE'RE REVISITING THE EARLY STAGES OF COVID 19, AND WE SHOULD BE LEARNING FROM THOSE MISTAKES.

SO I JUST WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR.

I'LL SUPPORT THIS MOTION IN SPITE OF BUT I JUST DON'T THINK WE'RE BEING AS AGGRESSIVE AS WE SHOULD BE AND AS WE CAN BE GIVEN THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE.

I THINK WE PUT OURSELVES IN A STRONGER POSITION OF GETTING VACCINES INTO OUR AREA BY SAYING WE'RE OUT.

WITH THAT THAT WE'RE HOLDING ON TO THE SECOND ONE JUST FOR THE TIME, THE TIMELINE, THE 30 DAYS OF AFTER GETTING THE FIRST ONE.

I THINK WE SHOULD USE THEM.

GET THEM OUT THE DOOR.

LET PEOPLE KNOW THAT WE'RE CONCERNED AND WE'RE GETTING THEM IN IN THEIR ARMS AND AND JUST BEING AS AGGRESSIVE WITH IT AS POSSIBLE.

TO ME, IT JUST JUST LIKE A JUDGE.

TO ME, IT JUST SEEMS THAT WE'RE REVISITING THE SAME DAMN MISTAKES WE MADE EARLY IN COVID 19.

AND I JUST WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR THAT I THINK WE CAN BE MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE WITH WHAT WE GOT AND GO OUT TO THE HHS AND ADVOCATE FOR MORE.

BUT WE NEED TO GET THOSE VACCINES OUT.

AND COMMISSIONER, MAYBE WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS BECAUSE FRANKLY, THAT'S MY PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.

BUT, YOU KNOW, THEY'VE MADE A STRONG CASE, AND I THINK IT IS A DISCUSSION WORTH HAVING AT THE TABLE.

AND I WANTED TO BRING IT UP HERE.

THERE'S NO RIGHT ANSWER.

BUT MY INSTINCT IS WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER.

AND THEN THAT'S THAT'S THE MOTION I WOULD MAKE.

SO IF I'M COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE HAVE GRAPPLED WITH THIS VERY ISSUE AND CONCUR.

RIGHT. IT'S ONE KNOW.

IT'S THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE SAME COIN.

PART OF WHAT WE WERE TRYING TO MITIGATE AGAINST IS HAVING A SITUATION WHERE A SHIPMENT CAME IN AND FROM THAT SHIPMENT IT WOULD JUST BE SECOND DOSES FOR PEOPLE AND THE INABILITY TO VACCINATE FOLKS.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO BE TEMPERED, GIVEN THE FACT THAT WE DON'T HAVE ABUNDANT SUPPLY AND WE CAN SEE, YOU KNOW, LOOSENING THAT UP AS AS MORE VACCINE BECOMES READILY

[05:40:09]

AND WHEN, YOU KNOW, WE WE HAVE A FINITE NUMBER OF VACCINES THAT WE'RE WE'RE ANTICIPATING GETTING IT IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE YOU 1,000,007.

TODAY. AND YOU CAN RAMP START RAMPING UP TODAY.

IF YOU IF YOU WERE TO GIVE OUT ALL THOSE VACCINES TODAY, THEN IN THEORY, YOU'D HAVE 27 DAYS TO GET THAT SECOND VACCINE IN PEOPLE'S ARMS. IF I'M GOING TO IF I'M GOING TO RAMP YOU UP, I WANT YOU TO BE READY FOR DAY 27.

I DON'T WANT US STANDING UP A PROCESS ON DAY 27 SO THAT PEOPLE SO THEY WERE SCRAMBLING AT THE LAST MINUTE.

THIS I REALLY THINK THAT WE'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THE MISTAKES MADE EARLY IN COVID 19.

AND I'M ADVOCATING FOR AGGRESSIVENESS ON YOUR DEPARTMENT'S PART SO THAT WE DO NOT HAVE PEOPLE WAITING WHILE WE HAVE VACCINES. THAT'S THAT'S MY FRUSTRATION WHILE WE HAVE VACCINES.

AND WE CAN COLLECTIVELY USE OUR VOICE TO GO OUT AND GET THE SUPPLIES THAT WE NEED.

I'VE BEEN TOLD, AND I THINK I'VE HEARD FROM YOU, THAT THE SUPPLY IS GOING TO THE VACCINES ARE GOING TO BE COMING OUR WAY.

YOU TOLD ME YESTERDAY THAT THERE'S ONLY ONE PLACE IN DENMARK CURRENTLY PRODUCING THE VACCINE.

I ASSUME THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS WATCHING THIS.

THE NATIONAL NEWS THIS MORNING SHOWED ONLY TWO STATES THAT HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY POSITIVE MONKEYPOX INFECTIONS. SO THIS IS NOW IN 48 STATES AND THE ADMINISTRATION IS PAY ATTENTION TO IT, THE RAMPING UP.

SO I DON'T HAVE THE SAME CONCERN THAT I HAD EARLY IN IN THE COVID EXPERIENCE.

AND SO I'M JUST SAYING THAT IF WE'RE HOLDING ON TO VACCINES, I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE THING TO DO THIS TIME AROUND.

AND COMMISSIONER, JUST ON THAT POINT, I MEAN, THE THING THAT I ALSO DON'T WANT TO MISLEAD ANYBODY IS EVEN IF YOU AND I WANT TO HAVE THIS QUESTION OF WHAT DO WE DO WITH THE SECOND DOSES? WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HUNDREDS, RIGHT? WE'RE NOT TALKING THOUSANDS RIGHT NOW.

SO IT'S NOT LIKE I AGREE WITH YOU THAT MY INSTINCT IS TO USE THEM BECAUSE EVERY PERSON THAT GETS VACCINATED IS ANOTHER PERSON THAT DOESN'T HAVE ALL THOSE THAT DOESN'T GET MONKEYPOX, THAT DOESN'T GET OTHER FOLKS MONKEYPOX.

BUT WE'RE STILL WHAT WE HAVE ON HAND IS STILL VERY SMALL NUMBERS AND WHAT'S COMING, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SHIPMENT OF 17,000 COMING FOR THE FOR THAT IS HALF OF THAT RATE OF PEOPLE IS GOING TO NEED TO COURSES OR EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE FULL 17,000 THERE'S 30,000 PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY LIVING WITH HIV.

THAT'S NOT EVEN GOING TO THE POPULATION OF MEN WHO HAVE SEX WITH MEN.

THAT'S NOT EVEN GOING TO THE POPULATION THAT'S ON PREP.

THAT'S NOT EVEN ON THE POPULATION.

THE OTHER POPULATIONS THAT ARE AT RISK, HIGH RISK BEHAVIOR.

SO THE GONORRHEA RECENTLY DIAGNOSED.

SO YOU KNOW.

WE NEED TO DO THE MOST THAT WE CAN WITH WHAT WE HAVE.

THE DIFFERENCE FROM COVID IS WE DO HAVE TESTING NOW.

THE BEGINNING OF OF COVID, WE DIDN'T HAVE TESTING.

THE TURNAROUND WAS LIKE A WEEK.

NOW THE TURNAROUND IS A FEW DAYS.

THE VACCINE EXISTS.

THEY ARE THEY ARE RAMPING UP, THEY'RE VACCINATING, THEY'RE DOING THE TOWN HALLS, ETC..

SO SO I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER, I SUPPORT I SUPPORT THAT POINT AND PENDING THE DISCUSSION WITH THEM.

BUT I WOULD BE LOATH TO SAY THAT THE DEPARTMENT I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THE DEPARTMENT DID DURING COVID.

AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE THEY ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY'RE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN SHORT OF GETTING MORE VACCINES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

SO IF I MAY JUDGE JUST TWO OTHER POINTS I WANTED TO MAKE.

THE CDC IS ADAMANT AND DOES NOT RECOMMEND GIVING AWAY THAT SECOND DOSE.

AND PART OF THE CHALLENGE IS IF WE USE, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED, WE HAVE A LIMITED SUPPLY, RIGHT? 1500. BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, IS IT 1500 TO 1500? AND IF WE GIVE ALL OF THOSE OUT, IF AN INTERVENING FACTOR, RIGHT, SOMEONE COMES IN THAT IS NOW VERY HIGH RISK.

WE'VE GIVEN OUT ALL OF THAT, ALL OF THE DOSES BEFORE WE'VE HAD A CHANCE TO, YOU KNOW, MEET THE NEEDS OF INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE HIGH RISK THAT MAY POP UP IN THE PROCESS OF WAITING FOR NEW VACCINE.

YEAH, BUT DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THERE IS GOING TO BE THOSE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO COME IN WHEN WE DON'T HAVE A SUPPLY.

[05:45:03]

AND PEOPLE WILL BE CALLING US.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE CALLING YOU AFTER YOU GO THROUGH THE AVAILABLE DOSES THAT YOU'RE HOLDING ON TO.

AND BY WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IS THAT WE'RE STILL GOING TO BE TURNING PEOPLE AWAY WHILE WE STILL ARE HOLDING ON TO VACCINES.

AND SO I JUST THINK THAT THE MORE THAT WE CAN VACCINATE, EVEN WITH ONE DOSE.

IT HELPS US PREVENT FURTHER, FASTER SPREAD.

I WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY.

AS I SAID, WE'VE BEEN WE'VE BEEN GRAPPLING WITH THIS VERY ISSUE.

YOU MAKE A VERY VALID POINT, AND WE'RE MORE THAN WILLING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH YOU ALL TO GRAPPLE THROUGH IT AS A MATTER OF POLICY.

YOU ALL ARE THE POLICYMAKING BODY, AND WE ADMINISTER YOUR POLICY.

AND SO WE'RE OPEN TO HAVING THAT ONGOING DISCUSSION AND DIRECTION FROM YOU ALL.

COMMISSIONER ELLISON THEN. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WELL, I WOULD SUGGEST AT LEAST.

ME TOO. IF WE WERE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION, IF I WAS GOING TO VOTE ON A POLICY MATTER.

COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WOULD ASK WOULD BE, FIRST OF ALL, WHAT DOES THE CDC SAY? NOT THAT THAT'S THE GOSPEL, BUT I'D ASK AND THEN I WOULD ASK WHAT OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING, BECAUSE SOMETIMES A JURISDICTION MAY NOT FOLLOW THE CDC RECOMMENDATIONS.

BUT I WANT SOMETHING TO GAUGE.

I JUST WOULDN'T WANT. NEW YORK IS NOT.

YEAH. SO IS THAT IS THAT TRUE? IS NEW YORK NOT FOLLOWING THE CDC RECOMMENDATION ON ARE WE FOLLOWING IT FIRST DIRECTOR.

IF YOU GIVE IT. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT CHICAGO, SAN FRANCISCO AND NEW YORK ARE DOING THE FIRST DOSE.

THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY ARE FOLLOWING THOSE GUIDELINES, THAT THEY ARE HOLDING BACK A PORTION FOR THE SECOND VACCINATION.

SO NOT THAT IT WOULD BE.

OH, SORRY. MY APOLOGIES.

THEY'RE GIVING IT AWAY. THEY'RE ALL GIVING.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. WHAT'S THE DISTINCTION ON THEM VERSUS US? IF THEY HAVE MORE OF THE AT RISK POPULATION.

WELL, THEN YOU SEE THE CHART COMMISSIONER OF THE PER CAPITA.

BUT THE SENSE IS WE'RE GETTING THERE ANYWAY.

I DON'T I DON'T WANT TO MINCE WORDS WITH PER CAPITA.

I MEAN, WE HAVE A HIGH RISK POPULATION AND WE HAVE DOSES.

AND SO, AGAIN, I THINK THAT WE ARE THE ALL THE OTHER BIG JURISDICTIONS ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT I'M ADVOCATING.

AND SO TO ME, IT'S JUST PAINFUL TO TO THINK THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO GIVE OUT THE AVAILABLE DOSES THAT WE HAVE. JUST BECAUSE WE'RE WE WANT TO WAIT TILL WE GET ANOTHER BATCH IN.

AND SO IF ONE VACCINE.

IN AN ARB TODAY.

IT HELPS TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD.

WHY WOULD WE NOT GIVE OUT EVERY AVAILABLE VACCINE? SO I THINK IT WOULD BE A LITTLE DIFFERENT IF IF WE SAID WE'VE GIVEN OUT 1,001ST DOSES AND WE DON'T KNOW WHO OR IF WE'RE GOING TO GET ANOTHER SHIPMENT, BUT WE'VE ALREADY BEEN ASSURED A 17,000 VACCINE SHIP.

THE OTHER THING TO JUDGE IS THAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON, I WAS SPEAKING TO YOU ON THE PHONE WHILE I WAS AT NACO ON JULY THE 22ND.

ON JULY 22ND, WE HAD THREE CASES, RIGHT? HOUSTON HAD 18.

NOW WE'RE AT HOW MANY CASES AS OF TODAY? HOW MANY? WE HAVE 125 IN HARRIS COUNTY, INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

SO DON'T TELL ME THERE'S NOT A SPREAD.

SO THIS THING IS MOVING RAPIDLY.

AND WE HAVE VACCINES AVAILABLE.

AND SO FROM JULY 22ND, WITH THREE KNOWN CASES TO TODAY, 125 MORE THAN THAT, THOSE MORE THAN MORE THAN 91.

YOU'RE ONLY 125.

SO. THIS THING IS MOVING QUICKLY AND WE HAVE TO MOVE.

FASTER THAN IT.

YES, COMMISSIONER. OKAY.

WE'VE GOT A LIMITED SUPPLY.

WHAT'S OUR PROCESS AND HOW DO WE SELECT WHO TO GIVE THE VACCINE TO? NOW. FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

YOU'RE DRAWING A NAME OUT OF THAT, BUT HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHO GETS IT TODAY? BECAUSE WE HAVE LIMITED NUMBER OF VACCINES.

[05:50:05]

IT'S ON A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS FOR THOSE WHO MEET THE CRITERIA THAT WE OUTLINED IN THE PRESENTATION.

BUT I'M CURIOUS SO NARROW THAT IT HASN'T BECOME A MAD RUSH OF PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S WHY REALLY WE JUST NEED A WHOLE LOT MORE VACCINES.

I MEAN, IF YOU RECALL WITH COVID, I WAS VERY PROUD OF OUR SYSTEM BECAUSE IT WAS A RANDOMIZED SYSTEM ALL VIA PHONE.

IF YOU'RE AT RISK, YOU HAVE HIGHER YOU GET MORE ENTRIES INTO A RANDOMIZED SYSTEM.

WE HAVE SUCH SMALL NUMBER OF VACCINES THAT IT'S JUST NOT LOGICAL TO MAKE A POOL AND THEN DRAW OUT OF IT.

BUT BUT ANYWAY, WHAT DID WE DO TO LOBBY TO GET MORE AND QUICKER? IS IT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? IS IT? YEAH.

SO? SO BEFORE I FORGET, YOU JUST REMIND ME OF SOMETHING.

JUDGE. WE CREATED A VERY STRANGE PROCESS TO GET TO GIVE OUT THE COVID VACCINE.

NOW WE HAVE.

A GREAT SUPPLY OF VACCINES FOR COVID BECAUSE THOSE WHO WE THOUGHT WERE GOING TO RUN FOR IT DIDN'T SHOW UP.

HAVEN'T SHOWN UP.

REFUSE TO SHOW UP.

I DON'T THINK IT'S GOING TO BE THE SAME THING WITH MONKEYPOX, BUT.

WHY HOLD ON TO AVAILABLE VACCINES IF THIS THING IS MOVING AS QUICKLY AS IT IS? SO COULD WE SAY DR.

BROWN AND DIRECTOR ROBINSON? I MEAN, I THINK IF WE WERE SITTING HERE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT ANOTHER SHIPMENT WERE COMING, THEN OKAY.

BUT CAN WE SAY FOR THIS CASE TO MAKE A MOTION, TO GIVE THE TO GIVE THE ONE THE SECOND DOSE AWAY? ONLY BECAUSE IN THIS SPECIFIC INSTANCE, OKAY, NOT SETTING A POLICY FOR YOU GUYS FOR THE LENGTH OF MONKEYPOX, BUT SITTING HERE TODAY, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THERE'S A 17,000 VACCINE, 2000 FOR US, OR 3,001ST SHIPMENT THAT IS COMING.

SO WE KNOW THAT WE'RE GOING TO GET ENOUGH VACCINES FOR FOR THE SECOND DOSES AND THEN SOME WE CAN MAKE THAT MOTION.

AND THEN I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A THE MOTION TO SUPPORT YOUR GUYS'S FUNDING REQUEST.

AND I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A DISCUSSION AND MAYBE THINK THIS WAY AS A CONCESSION.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT HOW TO GET THESE MORE DOSES.

I WOULD IN ADDITION TO THOSE MOTIONS, SOMEBODY WILL GET A COPY.

I WOULD SUGGEST IF WE GOT A THREE WEEK BREAK, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY'S GOING TO BE IN WASHINGTON NEXT WEEK ON THE MANCHIN BILL.

MAYBE MARRIAGE EQUALITY.

I MEAN, NOW'S THE TIME TO RECORD ROBINSON FOR SAN FRANCISCO, NEW YORK, COOK COUNTY.

THERE'LL BE A LOT OF.

LOOK, I EVEN KNOW ONE ONE PERSON IN CONGRESS HAD TAKEN CARE HEALTH ISSUES, HADN'T BEEN UP TO VOTE IN A WHILE, AND THEY ALL PLANNED ON GOING BACK BECAUSE THERE'LL BE SOME CLOSE VOTES NEXT WEEK.

THERE'LL BE A LOT OF ACTIVITY GOING ON.

I DON'T KNOW ABOUT LATER THIS WEEK, BUT NEXT WEEK IT'S GOING TO BE PRETTY BUSY.

SO I'D SUGGEST THAT YOU JUST OVER IN THE WHITE HOUSE, I CAN GET IN, YOU KNOW, THE TIME.

SO I AGAIN, MY MY POSITION IS WE NEED TO MAKE USE OF WHAT WE HAVE CURRENTLY AVAILABLE.

I HAVE GREATER CONFIDENCE IN THIS ADMINISTRATION THAN PREVIOUSLY THAT THE DOSES THAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS PAID ATTENTION TO GETTING THESE DOSES PRODUCED, GET THEM TO OUT OUT TO THE JURISDICTIONS WITH THE GREATEST NUMBER OF OF AT RISK POPULATION. AND I AND I, AGAIN, I JUST IN GOOD CONSCIENCE CAN NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE'RE HOLDING ON TO A SECOND VACCINE WHEN WE CAN PUT THAT IN ARMS. I'M ASSUMING. DIRECTOR ROBINSON, YOU COULD REVERSE THAT POLICY IF YOU HAD A CLEARER SENSE THAT THOSE OTHER VACCINES ARE GOING TO GET IT QUICKER.

THAT'S YOUR RELUCTANCE? YEAH, I AS I SAID, WE'VE GRAPPLED WITH THIS.

AND PART OF TODAY'S DISCUSSION, WE BELIEVE, IS A POLICY CALL RELATIVE TO WE'VE GIVEN OUR EXPERT OPINIONS.

AND THIS IS ONE WHERE IT'S YOU KNOW, WE COULD WE COULD GO EITHER WAY.

WE SEE COMPELLING ARGUMENTS FOR BOTH SIDES.

I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN WE COULD GIVE OUT THAT SECOND DOSE AND AND TAP INTO THE UPCOMING SUPPLY WHEN IT BECOMES AVAILABLE.

SO COULD THE MOTION BE SOMETHING LIKE THAT? OVER THE NEXT WEEK, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRIBUTE THE DOSES CURRENTLY EARMARKED A SECOND DOSE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE CURRENT SHIPMENT OF MONKEYPOX VACCINE.

YES, SORRY.

[05:55:02]

COMMISSIONER, WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION? I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION SECOND.

I HAVE A CLARIFICATION.

OH, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

I THINK THAT WE ARE WERE POSSIBLY HEARING TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

ONE THING THAT I HEAR IS THAT WE'VE GOT A CURRENT SUPPLY ON HAND.

AND THAT WE HAVE A SUPPLY THAT'S COMING THAT SHOULD BE HERE IN A MATTER OF WEEKS.

AND SO THE FIRST DISCUSSION IS, SINCE WE HAVE A SUPPLY THAT'S COMING THAT WE ARE AWARE OF, THEN WE COULD GO AHEAD AND RELEASE ALL THAT WE HAVE BECAUSE WE HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN IN PLACE.

THAT'S THE FIRST QUESTION THAT I HAVE IS, IF THAT'S CORRECT, THEN THAT'S FINE.

THEN THE NEXT QUESTION IS, IS WITH WHAT WE GET OUT OF WHAT'S COMING IN AFTER IT BECOMES THE SECOND DOSE FOR EVERYTHING THAT WE RELEASE NOW, HOW MUCH WILL WE HAVE LEFT OVER AND HOW MUCH OF THAT FOR FIRST DOSES SHOULD WE HOLD? SO WE'RE GOING TO THAT'S TO TWO DIFFERENT QUESTIONS.

QUESTIONS. YOU KNOW, THE FIRST QUESTION IS WE'LL HAVE ENOUGH.

IF WE RELEASE EVERYTHING NOW TO BE COVERED BY WHAT WE KNOW IS COMING, THEN HOW MUCH THAT WE HAVE LEFT OVER AS THE SECOND DOSES, DO WE HOLD ANY OF THAT BACK FOR A SECOND DOSE BECAUSE WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT'S COMING AFTER THAT? AT THIS POINT. WE KNOW THERE ARE THREE WAVES OF DOSES, BUT WE DON'T KNOW THE TIMING OF THOSE OF OF WHEN THEY WILL ARRIVE.

SO BECAUSE WE ONLY KNOW THREE, RIGHT.

WE'D HAVE TO PREDICT OR GET OUR CRYSTAL BALL OUT AND SAY, WHAT DO WE ANTICIPATE THE FOURTH DOSE TO BE? BECAUSE AT SOME POINT, RIGHT, IF WE KNOW CONCRETELY THERE'S ONLY THREE DOSES, WE'D HAVE TO TRY TO PLAN FOR SECOND DOSES FOR GROUPS OF PEOPLE THAT RECEIVED VACCINES.

AND THEY'RE COMING UP ON THEIR FOUR WEEK PERIOD, THEIR MONTH PERIOD TO GET THEIR SECOND DOSE.

SO AT SOME POINT, BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW THE SUPPLIES AND CONSISTENT AND IT'S NOT CERTAIN HOW MUCH WE WILL GET AT SOME POINT, WE MAY HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MONITOR AND MANAGE THE DOSES AND HOLD SOME BACK FROM FIRST FROM FIRST DOSES IN ORDER TO GIVE PEOPLE THEIR SECOND DOSE.

BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M HEARING.

WHAT I'M HEARING IS, IS THAT THE SECOND ROUND OR THE SECOND SUPPLY WOULD ADEQUATELY COVER ALL OF THE DOSES WE CURRENTLY HAVE. SO IF WE PUT ALL OF THE CURRENT DOSES IN ARMS. YEAH, NO. IS THE SECOND SUPPLY THAT'S GOING TO COME IN IN TIME, THAT COULD COVER THE SECOND DOSE WHEN IT COMES.

IS THAT CORRECT. CORRECT.

OKAY. SO TO THAT EXTENT, THEN, I THINK I AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SAYING.

THERE'S NO NEED TO HOLD BACK OUT OF DOSE ONE BECAUSE WE HAVE A SUPPLY CHAIN IN PLACE FOR DOSE TWO.

THEN THE QUESTION BECOMES, THOUGH, OUT OF WHAT IS LEFT OVER OF SUPPLY, TO HOW MANY DO WE HAVE ON HAND NOW? HOW MANY DO WE CURRENTLY HAVE? 1500. AND WE'LL HAVE ABOUT 500 LEFT AT THE END OF THE WEEK.

AT THE END OF THE SESSION, AT THE END OF THE SECOND, THERE'LL BE 1500.

THAT WE CAN PUT AN ARMS NOW AND THEN.

HOW MANY WILL BE COMING ON WAVE TO.

HOW MANY? JUST 2000.

2000. SO THERE'LL BE 500 LEFT OVER.

SO THE QUESTION THEN IS OF THAT 500, DO WE ISSUE 250 OR DO WE ISSUE 500 ON ROUND TWO? BRAEDEN I THINK WHAT I'M SAYING IS LET'S LET THEM FIGURE THAT OUT, BECAUSE THEY MIGHT KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE FALLING SHIPMENT, BUT SO THAT'S WHY I'M LIKE, THAT'S WHY THE MOTION IS ABOUT THIS SHIPMENT AND THIS ROUND OF SECOND DOSES BECAUSE, I MEAN, ULTIMATELY, THEY'RE THEY'RE THEY'RE IN THE ON THE FRONT LINES.

SO WHAT I'M HEARING IS THAT WE'RE COVERED FROM WAVE TWO.

WE'RE NOW DEBATING 2 TO 3.

AND BECAUSE AT ANY TIME I NOTICE COULD BE PRESENTED AND WITHIN THREE DAYS WE COULD COME IN.

IF THERE'S AN ISSUE, THEN I THINK THAT I SUPPORT GOING AHEAD AND PUTTING EVERYTHING WE GOT CURRENTLY IN THE ARMS BECAUSE WE KNOW WAVE TWO SHOULD BE HERE IN TIME TO COVER THE SECOND DOSE. FAIR.

NOW MY ACCURATE OR INACCURATE? DR. BROWN IS NODDING HER HEAD.

YES. AND THAT DOESN'T VIOLATE EITHER CDC OR ANYBODY ELSE.

WE'VE GOT A SUPPLY CHAIN IN PLACE.

WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT IT, ACTUALLY.

COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER KEHOE, IT DOES VIOLATE CDC, WHO'S GIVEN THE GUIDANCE THAT WE SHOULD ONLY BE ISSUING ONE DOSAGE.

OTHERS ARE RIGHT. AS WE'VE MENTIONED, OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE WORKING TO TRY TO STAY AHEAD OF IT OR MITIGATED BY GIVING OUT ALL THE DOSES THEY HAVE AS FIRST DOSES.

BUT THE CDC GUY I WANT TO BE CLEAR, THE CDC GUIDANCE IS TO HOLD BACK THAT SECOND DOSE.

[06:00:04]

OR WE WILL HAVE MADE A YOU KNOW, LIKE THEY SAID, YOU COULD GO EITHER WAY.

BUT WE ARE MAKING A POLICY CHANGE, WHICH IS COUNTER TO WHAT THEY SUGGEST AND WHAT THE CDC SUGGESTS.

I CAN GO WITH THE WAY. I HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.

YOU KNOW, IT'S ALMOST ABOUT TO SAY, WHY DON'T WE CALL A FEW OF THESE JURISDICTIONS, TALK TO MY COLLEAGUES AND DECIDE THREE DAYS.

BUT IF THE SENTIMENT IS TO DO IT, GO AHEAD AND DO IT WELL.

BUT I, FOR ONE, WOULD MAKE SURE THAT WE TRY TO GET TO WASHINGTON, DO WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE SURE, THOUGH I CAN'T STRESS ENOUGH, EVEN THIS ADDITIONAL 15, THIS ADDITIONAL 500, BASICALLY ALL WE'RE RELEASING IS ABOUT 500 MORE VACCINES.

YEAH, SUCH A TINY NUMBER.

IT'S SO TINY. I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CAN EVEN EXPAND TO HIV POSITIVE WITH 500 MORE BECAUSE LIKE WE SAID, THERE'S 30,000.

SO THEY'RE JUST GOING TO TRY TO GO A LITTLE BIT A LITTLE BIT MORE WITH THE FOLKS THAT THEY'VE ALREADY IDENTIFIED.

SO IT'S IT'S REALLY I MEAN, I DON'T WANT ANYONE TO THINK THAT ALL OF A SUDDEN WE CAN OPEN THE FLOODGATES FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED.

NO. SO.

SO, ANYWAY, I'M MAKING A MOTION.

SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A SECOND.

JUDGE, CAN YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE MOTION FOR CLARITY? OVER THE NEXT WEEK, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DISTRIBUTE THE DOSES CURRENTLY EARMARKED A SECOND DOSE IN ANTICIPATION OF THE ARRIVAL OF THE CURRENT SHIPMENT OF MONKEYPOX VACCINE.

AND SO MUCH AMERICAN.

MR. GARCIA SECOND BECOMES JEALOUS.

ALL IN FAVOR. AND YOU OPPOSE.

IT WAS AN I I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO IDENTIFY A FUNDING SOURCE FOR THE LABOR AND SUPPLIES NEEDED TO CONTINUE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES TO COMBAT THE SPREAD OF THE MONKEYPOX FIRES, INCLUDING THE ADMINISTRATION OF VACCINES, AND TO BRING BACK FOR APPROVAL AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING AN ALLOCATION OF APPROXIMATELY $1.74 MILLION.

SO ONE SECOND, BUT I GOT A QUESTION.

IS ARPA ELIGIBLE FOR THIS? WE DON'T BELIEVE SO.

AND IF IF THERE IS A FEDERAL EMERGENCY DECLARED, WOULD BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED.

DEPENDING ON THE RULES. BUT YES, BUT THAT'S WHAT WE'RE GOING TO BE HOPING THAT WAY AS WELL.

BUT IT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK ONCE WE DETERMINE WHAT THE FUNDING SOURCE IS.

AND IS THAT IS THAT APPROPRIATE? DIRECTOR ROBINSON, CAN YOU GUYS WAIT THREE WEEKS TO GET THAT 1.7 MILLION? NO. WE CAN WAIT THREE WEEKS.

YOU SURE? I DON'T WANT TO WAIT AND RAMP UP.

JUST JUDGE, JUST TO BE CLEAR.

THERE'S NO WAY WE CAN. YOU CAN APPROPRIATE 1.7 MILLION TODAY.

IT HAS TO WAIT. SO WE HAVE TO DO IT IN THE NEXT BIT.

TO BE CLEAR, WE'RE WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ON ISSUING THE POLLS, GETTING FOLKS ON BOARD IN.

WE MAY NEED TO COME BACK FOR A TRANSFER, BUT THEY HAVE EXISTING APPROPRIATIONS SURPLUS THAT THEY CAN USE TO EXECUTE THE POS AND AN ON BOARD STAFF AND THEN YOU BASICALLY REIMBURSE THEM FOR WHAT THEY USE.

IF WE IF WE NEED TO COME BACK AND DO A TRANSFER BECAUSE BECAUSE WE'D BE SPENDING MONEY EARMARKED FOR SEPTEMBER SALARIES, WE WILL DO SO.

YEAH. SO JUST TO BE VERY CLEAR, I MEAN, I THINK THE POSITION IS WE'RE EXPECTING YOU GUYS GET OUT THE DOOR AND BEGIN AND BEGIN RAMPING UP FOR ALL OF THE THE PROJECTS, THE PROPOSALS YOU SUBMITTED.

I SEE JENNIFER KIGER NODDING.