Sep 27, 2022 Commissioners Court

[Father Michael Saah-Buckman of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Houston.]

[00:00:09]

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING. IT'S 10:10 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2022 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT TO ORDER.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> REVEREND MICHAEL SAAH-BUCKMAN DID HIS SEMINARY TRAINING AND JOINED THE FATHERS AND BROTHERS OF THE U.S. AND STUDIED IN NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA.

ALSO THE SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AND THE CONSORTIUM IN WASHINGTON, D.C. IN SEPTEMBER OF 2012 HE WAS ASSIGNED TO HOUSTON AND IN OCTOBER OF 2022 WAS SELECTED IN THE LEADERSHIP COUNCIL AS A COUNSELOR GENERAL.

HE IS TRYING TO GET HERE, BUT THE LORD HAS MADE A WAY AND I

DIALED HIS CELL PHONE. >> DEAR LORD, WE THANK YOU FORGIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY AND BLESSING US WITH YOUR GIFTS.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY. WE THANK YOU FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE WORK. WE THANK YOU FOR THE MINISTRY AND EVERYBODY WHO WORKS WITH YOU AND HOW YOU BEGIN THIS SESSION AND GRACE US WITH YOUR PRESENCE. AT THE END OF THE DAY YOU BLESS OUR CITY IN YOUR NAME WE PRAY THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, AMEN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, FATHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, VERY MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE, BEFORE WE GO TO THE PLEDGE, I WOULD ASK FOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE THAT THIS MORNING SANDEEP DAHLLY -- DALLIWALL'S COMMEMORATION ON HIS LIFE. I WOULD LIKE A MOMENT OF

SILENCE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A VERY IMPORTANT ITEM TODAY THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO ADOPT THE APPROPRIATE BUDGET TO FULLY FUND OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND SO MANY OTHER PARTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. IF WE DON'T ADOPT THIS ITEM AND NOT ABLE TO ADOPT IT, IF ONE OF THE TWO CHAIRS HERE ARE NOT FILLED, THEN OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM WILL OPERATE AT A $45 MILLION DEFICIT. IF WE DON'T ADOPT IT, AN ENTIRE CADET CLASS WILL BE AT-RISK AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

IT IS ABOUT 60 POLICE OFFICERS. IT IS THE EQUIVALENT OF 175 FRONT LINE POLICE OFFICERS IN CUTS AND THE EQUIVALENT OF 40 PROSECUTORS IN CUTS AND SAME FOR THE CONSTABLES.

WE WOULD HAVE ABOUT $150 MILLION IN GRANTS THAT WOULD BE AT-RISK FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FUNDING THAT THEY USE TO INSPECT THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC POOLS, THE QUALITY OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS, THE SAFETY OF FOOD ESTABLISHMENTS AND THE -- AND THEIR ABILITY TO RESPOND TO ISSUES LIKE THE PANDEMIC AND OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES. THIS DOESN'T HAVE TO HAPPEN.

IT IS ONLY HAPPENING BECAUSE TWO COLLEAGUES ARE MISSING THIS MORNING, AND I HOPE IN THE COURSE OF THE DAY THEY WILL JOIN US. THEY JUST HAVE TO BE PRESENT.

THEY CAN MAKE THEIR COMMENTS AND THEY CAN VOTE NO, BUT THEY JUST HAVE TO BE PRESENT SO THAT WE CAN FUND THE GOVERNMENT TO PROVIDE BASIC SERVICES TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

[00:05:01]

THE TAX AND BUDGET-RELATED ITEMS ARE VARIOUS.

THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 305, REQUEST BY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING.

I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE 2022 TAX RATES FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTYLO FOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT,BA D HARRIS HEALTHND A PORT AUTHORITY ASTE POSD ON THE SEPTEMBER 27TH, 2022 COURT MEETING. AND THIS IS ATA 1% X CUT.

ITTI CONNUES A TREND OF US CUTTING THE TAX RATEEU KPWAO -- BY THE HIGHEST RATESRA IN SEVEL YEARS. W ITOULD BE THE ONLY U WAY FORS TO FUND THESE BASIC SERVICESUD INCLINGUR TO MAKE SE THAT WET DON'HAVE A $45 MILLION DEFICITTH FOR ETY HARRIS COUN HOSPITAL. SYSTEM THERE ARE SOME MYTHS I WOULD LIKE TO DISPEL AND ARE IMPORTANO THAT WE ULD LIKE TO UNCOVER. I ONE MYTHS FOLKS ALLEGING THAT WE ARETI MERELY EXAGGERANGAL WHN WE TK ABOUT THE NEEDS H FOR HARRISEALTH AND OUR PUBLIC HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

FOR THAT REASON I WANT TO W RECE HEREHAT THE CEO'S OF OUR HOSPITALS SAID. I AM NOT MAKING THESE CLAIMS MYSELF. THESE ARE CLAIMS FROM THE RESPECTED PRESIDENTS AND CEO'S OF THE HOSPITALS THATRE PROVIDE HEALTHCA FOR PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY.

CEO BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, DR. CLOTMAN.

HEALTHCARE IN THE COMMUNITY IS A ZERO SUM GAME.

WHEN ONE CLOSES,N. OTHERS ARE OR RU THESE ARE HIS WORDSWH TWO WEEKS AGO TODAY EN HE SPOKE TO C THIS COMMISSIONERS'OURT. FROM -- FOR MY COLLEAGUES WHOT SAY WHAT I SAY IS NO TRUE, YOU ARE CALLING DR. CLOTTMAN'S WORDD FALSE. THAT SHOUL OFFEND ANYONE WHO GETS THEIR HEALTHCARE AT BAYLOR. HERE ARE THE WORDS OF THE CEO OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, HARRIS HEALTH PLAYS A CENTRAL ROLE FOR ALL OF THE TEXAS HEALTH CENTER. THIS WOULD BE A, QUOTE,OF DEVASTATING AND EVERY ONE US WILL FEEL THIS.

THAT'S THE CEO OF THE MEDICAL CENTER THAT INCLUDES METHODIST, SAINT LUKE'S UT HEALTH, BAYLOR AND MORE.

WE'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF THE CEO'S TOGETHER MEMORIAL HERMAN, METHODIST, SAINT LUKE'S, UT HEALTH BAYLOR.

THEY WROTE A LETTER JOINTLY AND I QUOTE, AND THESE ARE THEIR WORDS AND NOT MINE. BEFORE I TALK ABOUT ANYONE EXAGGERATING, THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS.

THEY SAY AND I QUOTE, THIS WILL HAPPEN DOWNSTREAM EFFECTS FOR EVERY HOSPITAL AND EVERY PATIENT AND EVERY EMPLOYER EVERY RESIDENT -- AND EVERY RESIDENT IN THE COUNTY.

THAT'S THE FIRST POINT I WANT TO MAKE WHEN WE MAKE THESE COMMENTS ABOUT THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM, WE SPEAK FROM THE WORDS OF THE PEOPLE WHO ARE LEADING THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

THERE IS ANOTHER MATTER I WANT TO TOUCH ON AND IT IS THIS POINT THAT SOME FOLKS ARE MAKING ABOUT THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM BEING ABLE TO OPERATE ON RESERVES. I WOULD ASK MR. BARRY AND MR. RAMOS TO ADD ANY COMMENTS HERE.

LET ME TAKE A STAB AT IT. IF THIS BUDGET DOESN'T PASSES AND MY COLLEAGUES DON'T SHOW UP, HARRIS HEALTH WOULD RUN AT AN SEPARATING -- AT AN OPERATING DEFICIT.

NOW, PEOPLE KEEP SAVINGS, A RAINY DAY SAVINGS.

IN GOVERNMENT THERE ARE RESERVES RESERVES ARE NECESSARY.

SOMETIMES YOU MAY BE FACING A HURRICANE, A HURRICANE HARVEY PERHAPS, MAY BE FACING SOMETHING UNPRECEDENTED, A PANDEMIC, FOR EXAMPLE, THAT REQUIRES YOU TO DIP INTO YOUR RESERVES.

IT IS FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE TO BUDGET YOUR DAY-TO-DAY EXPENSES OUT OF YOUR RESERVES. ANYONE WHO MANAGES ANY SORT OF BUDGET KNOWS THAT. FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO PROPOSE AND TO SUGGEST THAT THESE CEO'S AND I ARE EXAGGERATING AND SAY THAT THEY COULD RUN THE BUDGET BASED ON THEIR RESERVES IS COMPLETELY FALSE. IT IS SIMPLY NOT A SOUND BUDGETING PRACTICE. MOREOVER WE NEED TO BORROW MONEY AS A HOSPITAL SIS SPEPL TO BUILD NEW -- HOSPITAL SYSTEM TO BUILD NEW HOSPITALS. WE HEARD ABOUT THE DISREPAIR IN OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS SEWAGE POURING INTO SOME OF THE ROOMS IN THE LBJ HOSPITAL AND WHERE THERE IS PRESSURE THAT HAS EXPLODED CERTAIN PIPES AND HURT PATIENTS AND WORKERS. WE NEED TO REPLACE THE HOSPITALS. WHEN THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM GOES TO

[00:10:03]

A HIGH SCHOOLER COULD TELL YOU THAT.

LET'S NOT GET DIS -- GET DISTRACTED HERE.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO HAD THAT THEY HAVE A BILLION DOLLARS THAT

THEY COULD USE FOR BUDGETING? >> NO, JUDGE.

I THINK YOU COVERED IT ALL. >> I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

ANOTHER MYTH THAT THERE IS $100 MILLION THAT HAVE BEEN FOUND SOMEWHERE. THIS REMINDS US OF THE ARGUMENT MADE A YEAR AGO WHERE SOMEBODY SAID, HERE I FOUND THESE FUNDS.

THEY FOUND THEM AND IT WAS LET'S CUT THE LIBRARIES AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THAT WAY WE CAN FUND MORE LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ARE SQUEEZING EVERY DOLLAR TO TRY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN. PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WHAT DAVE BERRY COMMITTED TO AND SAID HE WAS ABLE TO PULL WAS TO FIND AN ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION TO GIVE ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING. WE DISCUSSED THAT ABOUT PROBABLY MORE THAN TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THEY WEREN'T HERE TWO WEEKS AGO.

I WOULD SAY, COLLEAGUES, THIS WAS SOME FOUR OR FIVE WEEKS AGO THAT MR. BERRY TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE WAS $20 MILLION IN THIS BUDGET THAT WE COULD PUT TOWARD LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEN TALKED ABOUT HOW TO USE THE DOLLARS.

I HEARD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTION SEVERAL TIMES TO THE PRESS THAT HE IS WILLING TO WORK OUT A DEAL ON THE BUDGET IF WE COMMIT AN ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND SO I WANT TO SAY TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE HAVE ALREADY SAID THAT WE ARE WILLING TO DO THAT.

THAT HAS BEEN FOUND AND I IN -- INVITE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO TELL US WHERE THE $20 MILLION IS GOING TO GO.

WE HAD 400 BOOTS THAT WERE MISSING THEIR FEET.

WE HAVE NOT RECRUITED OFFICERS FOR THOSE FULLY FUNDED POSITIONS BECAUSE OUR SALARIES ARE NOT COMPETITIVE ENOUGH.

FRANKLY, I AM WILLING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID I WANT THAT $20 MILLION TO ONLY GO TO THE POLICE OFFICERS IN MY PRECINCT WHICH IS A NONSTARTER.

CRIME IS UP EVERYWHERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND NOT JUST A QUARTER OF THE COUNTY. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE EVERYWHERE IS SAFE AND WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY.

NOW I HAVE SEEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKE STATEMENTS SOLELY 20 MILLION WITHOUT SAYING IT HAS TO BE ONLY IN HIS PRECINCT.

AND SO I INVITE HIM TO JOIN US. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU CAN JOIN US AND YOUR SEAT IS THERE AND I INVITE YOU TO JOIN US AND HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT HOW WE WILL INVEST THE $20 MILLION IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND LET'S GET IT DONE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE BE HAVE THESE INVESTMENTS.

IF YOU DON'T COME NOT ONLY WILL WE NOT HAVE THE EXTRA $20 MILLION, WE WILL ALSO NOT BE ABLE TO FULFILL THE PROMISED RAISES FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WE WILL HAVE TO CUT A CADET CLASS THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO START, AND WE WON'T BE ABLE TO HIRE ADDITIONAL PROSECUTORS AND ADDITIONAL FRONT LINE OFFICERS. I INVITE HIM TO JOIN US.

IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO COME HERE IN PUBLIC TODAY, I SAID BEFORE AND I'LL SAY AGAIN, I'M HAPPY TO STAY OUT OF THE CONVERSATION.

I RECOMMEND COMMISSIONER, GARCIA, YOU VISIT WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. AND IF YOU CAN COME TO A RESOLUTION THAT IS REASONABLE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ENTERTAIN IT AT A FUTURE MEETING, AND WE CAN MOVE PAST THIS AND MOVE PAST THIS POLITICAL STUNT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE FUND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND WE FUND OUR HOSPITALS, ET CETERA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS OUT AND IN FRONT. A COUPLE OF POINTS.

I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT AS YOU TOUCHED ON -- BECAUSE I HEARD COMMISSIONER CAGLE SPEAK TO THIS AS A TAX INCREASE.

FALSE. THIS IS A TAX DECREASE.

SECONDLY, AT THE BEGINNING, AT THE VERY BEGINNING OF THE TAX RATE HEARINGS, I DID APPROACH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

[00:15:01]

I WANT A HUNDRED DEPUTY TKARBZ DASH I WANT -- I WANT A HUNDRED DEPUTIES -- 200 DEPUTIES. WHERE DOES IT ALL STOP? THE BUDGET WE PROPOSED IS THOUGHTFUL AND LAID OUT.

IT DOES NOT HAVE EVERYTHING WE ARE -- ANY ONE OF US IS HOPING FOR. BUT IT IS WITHIN THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AND IT IS A TAX DECREASE.

I APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING THAT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF YOU ARE LISTENING, MY PHONE IS ON.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DID ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR AN OPINION ON THIS ISSUE.

MY CONCERN HERE AND MY COMMITMENT IS TOEN -- TO ENCOURAGE AND HAVE MY COLLEAGUES PARTICIPATE.

I AM DOING EVERYTHING TO ENCOURAGE THAT DEBATE.

I INVITE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER -- IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO PARTICIPATE PUBLICLY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS AN OPEN INVITATION THAT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR OVER A MONTH.

HE STATED IT PUBLICLY AT THE TABLE OVER A MONTH AGO.

AND SO THERE SHOULD BE NO EXCUSE.

IF THE ONLY THING I CAN DO IS COMPEL THEM TO ATTEND, I AM WILLING TO DO THAT IF I CAN DO IT.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GET AN UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT I CAN -- OR THIS COURT CAN COMPEL ONE OR BOTH OF THE COLLEAGUES TO JOIN US SO THAT THEY CAN VOTE ON FUNDING BASIC SERVICES LIKE COLON NOSE ASK YOU PEAS -- COLONOSCOPIES FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO KNOW IF THEY HAVE CANCERS AND I ASK THEM TO MEET WITH THOSE WAITING FOR COLONOSCOPIES AND TELL THEM WERR CANCER SCREENING. THERE IS NO REASON NOT TO SHOW UP AND JOIN US OR AT LEAST TAKE AN OVERTURE TO NEGOTIATE, IF NEEDED IN PUBLIC, BUT IN PRIVATE AND THE OPER STANDS.

YES? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SUGGEST WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. I GUESS IF WE CAN DO THAT, THE SOONER THE BETTER TO AT LEAST LOOK AT WHAT OPTIONS THERE ARE.

THE RULES ARE SUCH THAT WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO CROSS THE LINE AND ANYTHING LOOK LIKE A ROLLING QUORUM.

IT DOES KEEP ANYONE ELSE FROM TALKING TO THEM AND OBVIOUSLY THEY HAVE TO RESTRICT WHAT THEY SAY TO ONE ANOTHER AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE JUST HAVE TO GAUGE IT.

I MEAN, NOTHING IS EVER PERFECT. YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY BECAUSE THERE IS A STATE LAW THAT SAYS WHATEVER YOU PUT IN A CERTAIN CATEGORY CAN NEVER COME OUT WHICH CREATES MORE OF A HINDRANCE THAN IT DOES REALLY A PATHWAY TO HAVE MEANING -- MEANINGFUL DISCUSSIONS. I KNOW WE ARE IN A POLITICALLY-CHARGED ATMOSPHERE, AND I GUESS MOST OF US CAN BE A LITTLE GUILTY OF LISTING OUR OWN TALKING POINTS.

SO THEY PROBABLY UH -- ASSUME IT IS GOING WELL FOR THEIR BASE.

WE MAY ASSUME CERTAIN PARTS OF OUR BASE.

WHO KNOWS? I THINK AS MUCH AS WE CAN DO TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE AND HOPEFULLY GET BACK TO THE TABLE.

AND WE HAVE TO DO IT HERE. IT HAS TO BE DONE HERE.

THAT'S EXACTLY WHY I REACHED OUT TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY EARLY ON.

I WANTED TO AVOID ALL OF THIS. THERE IS NO REASON FOR FOLKS NOT TO SHOW UP TO DO THEIR JOB, THE JOB THAT THEY WERE ELECTED TO DO. YOU HAVE ALWAYS ELUDED TO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, HOW YOU WERE ON THE LOSING END BEFORE WE ARRIVED TO COURT ON MANY THINGS, BUT YOU SHOWED UP FOR WORK.

WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, NEVER GOT THE BUDGETS I REQUESTED.

BUT I GOT THE JOB DONE AND I LOWERED THE OVERALL PRIME RATE

[00:20:03]

I SHOWED UP FOR WORK. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE SHOW UP FOR WORK AND DO THEIR JOB. AND WITH THAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET MY TERMS CORRECT, JUDGE.

THIS IS A TAX RATE DECREASE. IT IS SOMETHING THAT THE LAST TIME WE WORKED THROUGH THIS WE WORKED THROUGH THE SAME SCENARIO. IT WAS UNFORTUNATELY AT THE COST OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, AND NOW WITH DR. PORSA AND WHAT HIS TEAM ARE FACING IN LIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, IN LIGHT OF THE FACT THAT I HAVE THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE, WE CANNOT CUT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE AND ONE THING I SAW IN THE PAPER, WHY WOULD WE NEED TO GIVE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT ANY MONEY IF THEY HAVE A BILLION DOLLAR RESERVE? DR. PORSA, IF YOU ARE AVAILABLE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON THAT BILLION-DOLLAR RESERVE.

>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WAS GROWING TO SPEAK ON THIS AND THE JUDGE SPOKE ON THE RAINY DAY FUND.

I TRULY WISH THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM WAS IN THAT POSITION.

I WISH I HAD SOMETHING SET ASIDE FOR THE RAINY FUND.

WE ARE NOT IN A POSITION. WE DO NOT HAVE A RESERVE FUND OR A SLUSH FUND OR A RAINY DAY FUND.

IF WE DID, THE $45 MILLION SHORT FALL THAT EVERYBODY IS AWARE OF AND RATHERN THABEING FORCED TO ELIMINATE SOME OF THE THINGS WE WEREN'TNN PLAING ON DOING AND ADDRESSING SOMEOU OF R OVERCROWEDED EMERGENCY ROOMS ANH E LONG WAIT F LISTSOR OUR SPECIALTYCE SERVISS AND AYOUHE ARD THE BUDGETCO COLONOSPY.

IT M SADDENSE THATPU WE ARE T IO A SITION THAT OUR BRANDKI SPANNG NEW FACILITY WILL HAVE TO REMAIN CLOSEDE BECAUSE WDO NOT HAVE FUNDS TO OPERATE IT.RE SO THE IS NO SLUSH FUND ANDOF BECAUSE THE ADDITIONALTH FUNDING AT WE RECEIVED THROUGH THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, IT IS TRUE THAT THETH LAST TWO YEARS T HARRIS HEAH SYSTEM ENJOYED A POSITIVE MARGIN.TH LIKE ANY OER SYSTEM IN THE COUNTRY, WE PUT OUR POSITIVEK MAR -- MARGIN BAC AND THAT'S. WHAT WE HAVE DONE AT THE END OF THIS MONTH H HA*E- HARRISEALTH WILL POST A $400 MILLION LOSS, NOT GAIN. WE ARE STARTING ALREADY IN A DEEP HOLE. THERE IS NO NET REVENUE AND IT WILL CREATE A HOLE TO GET LARGER.

YOU ARE LOOKING AT A $175 MILLIONL OPERATIONAL FINANCIA HOLD. I AM AT A LOSS UNDER WHICH CIRCUMSTANCE AND UNDER WHICH APPROVAL RATE YOU IS THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT EVER GOING TO FILL THAT HOLE THE FOLLOWING YEAR. THIS YEAR, IT IS WHAT IT IS AND WE ARE GOING TO CUT COSTS IN TERMS OF REDUCING OUR COST OF LABOR AND USING LESS CONTRACT LABOR.

WE ARE GOING TO DEFER OUR STRATEGIC PLANNING AND WE ARE GOING TO NOT OPEN UP A SUITE THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A LARGE OPERATIONAL COST. THOSE ARE ALL OF THE THINGS THAT

[00:25:05]

ARE WE GOING TO BE ABLE TO GET THROUGH THE FOLLOWING YEAR? $175 MILLION OPERATIONAL HOLE THAT WE ARE FACING WITHOUT CUTTING SERVICES? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

AND THAT IS REALLY WHAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT FOR THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT THIS MORNING.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, SAYING WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE TEMPERATURE.

I AM JUST ASKING FOR COOLER HEADS TO PREVAIL AND FOR FOLKS TO COME TOGETHER AND HAVE A CONVERSATION AND OPT TO DO THE RIGHT THING WHICH IS THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND THIS IS A CONVERSATION I HAD WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I CONSIDER COMMISSIONER RAMSEY A FRIEND AND MENTOR.

ONE OF THE THINGS HE TOLD ME, THAT I AM NOT GOING TO FORGET, THE COUNTY -- THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS OBLIGATED TO SUPPORT ESSENTIAL SERVICES. THE TOP OF THAT LIST TO ME IS THE WELL BEING AND THE HEALTH OF THIS COMMUNITY.

TO SUPPORT THE ESSENTIAL SERVICES OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, I IMPLORE THE COMMISSIONERS TO COME TOGETHER AND TO FIND A WAY TO SUPPORT OUR SYSTEM TO THE LEVEL THAT IS NEEDED AND OUR PEOPLE DESERVE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. PORSA. AND LET'S TALK ABOUT WHEN ALL OF THIS TAKES EFFECT. WE HAD TO ADOPT THE LESSER BUDGET AT THE LAST MEETING SO THE DEPARTMENTS COULD BEGIN PLANNING. AND THAT IS BECAUSE THE FISCAL YEAR AND ALL OF THE MATERIALS HAVE TO BE PUT IN BY OCTOBER 1ST. MR. BERRY, WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT HAPPENS ON OCTOBER 1ST IF THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS -- FEEL FREE TO DEFER TO MR. RAMOS AS MUCH AS NEEDED, AND GIVEN THAT THE DEADLINE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET WAS BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST, AND THAT'S WHAT WE DID LAST TIME.

YOU CAN PLUG IT INTO A SYSTEM AND NOT INTERRUPT PAYROLL, FOR EXAMPLE. BUT THE DEADLINE FOR THE TAX RATE TO BE ADOPTED IS NOT UNTIL OCTOBER 28TH.

>> SURE. I WILL START AND LET MR. RAMOS FILL IN IF THERE IS A PATH FORWARD.

COURT #-D TO -- COURT HAD TO, BY LAW, ADOPT A BUDGET.

IT WAS NOT ONE WE WANTED, BUT IT WAS A MATTER OF MEANS.

WE WILL SEE THESE CUTS TO SERVICES AND WE WILL SEE HIRING FREEZES IN MANY DEPARTMENTS AND WE WILL SEE THE LOSS OF THE NEW INVESTMENTS IN THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

THE DYE IS CAST FOR OCTOBER. THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO RESTORE THOSE INVESTMENTS IN THE FUTURE THERE IS A LIST OF TRANSFERS BEING THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

WE SENT OUT THE APPROPRIATION LEVELS TO THE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY ARE WORKING WITH THEIR STAFFS ON IDENTIFYING WHERE THE CUTS ARE COMING FROM. MOST DEPARTMENTS -- I WOULD SAY HALF OF THE DEPARTMENTS WERE ABLE TO ABSORB THEIR CUT WITH VACANT POSITIONS. WHILE THAT DOESN'T SOUND AS DIRE AS SOME OF THE OTHER CUTS IT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT.

SOME OF THE INFORMATIONS -- SOME OF THE POSITIONS ARE USED TO FUND MERIT INCREASES OR SALARY STUDIES BE IMPLEMENTED.

THEY WERE DESIGNED TO UPGRADE POSITIONS TO SOMETHING THAT IS MORE APPROPRIATE FOR THE OPERATION.

SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE STARTING -- THEY ARE GOING TO START ON OCTOBER FIRST OVER BUDGET OR AT BUDGET PER THE COUNTY'S POLICY.

THEIR PAYROLL IS $99 MILLION. THEIR APPROPRIATION IS $99 MILLION. THERE WON'T BE FLEXIBILITY IN THEIR BUDGET TO DO ANYTHING LIKE INCREASES.

I KNOW SOME HAVE RESCINDED THE OFFERS BECAUSE THE POSITION THEY WERE PLANNING TO FILL IS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE ASKED US AND WE HAVE ASKED THE DIRECTOR FOR GUIDANCE ON THINGS LIKE LAYOFFS AND FURLOUGHS BECAUSE SOME DEPARTMENTS WANT TO EXPLORE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED ARE LOOKING TO EXPLORE THE OPTION TO GIVE THEMSELVES MORE FLEXIBILITY

TO FUND THEIR PRIORITY HAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU TRYING TO DO THINGS THAT GIVES THEM THE OPTION TO ADOPT A RATE WHERE THEY COULD COME IN AND WE COULD UNDO A SIMILAR HARM THAT WOULD

[00:30:04]

BE PUT IN PLACE? >> IF THE TAX RATE IS ON THE AGENDA, THE PLAN IS TO HAVE THE TRANSFER LIST TO RESTORE THE

FUNDING ON THE AGENDA. >> ASSUMING WE DON'T ADOPT IT, DOES THAT MEAN THE CUTS WILL BE DEEPER ONCE WE KNOW THEY WILL

NOT BE FOR THEM. >> THERE IS A TRANSFER TO THE JAIL AND SO 20 MILLION FOR THE JAIL OPERATIONS AND 3.6 MILLION FROM -- TO THE CONTRACT WITH HARRIS HEALTH TO PROVIDE JAIL MEDICAL SERVICES. THAT ESSENTIALLY LICK HUA -- LIQUIDATES ALL OF THE BUDGET-RELATED WILLINGS -- BUDGET-RELATED -- IN ORDER TO FUND ONE DEPARTMENT YOU WILL

HAVE TO CUT ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. >> SO ESSENTIALLY WE ARE DELAYING SOME OF THE PAIN AND WE ARE TRYING TO GIVE OUR COLLEAGUES THE OPTION OF COMING BACK AND WEE CAN FIND A PATH

FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER TO BOIL IT DOWN, STARTING OCTOBER 1ST, THE PAIN WILL WORSEN IF THERE IS NO RESOLUTION ON THE TAX RATES BY OCTOBER 20TH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE KAU -- THE CADET CLASS WILL NOT GET STARTED AND THAT WILL BE FELT ON THE GROUND.

THE CADET CLASS WILL NOT BE TRAINED UNLESS THESE FOLKS SHOW UP. AND SPECIFICALLY, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DR. PORSA, IS HAVING TO HANG BACK AND THEY WERE TO PROVIDE COLONOSCOPIES TO THESE PATIENTS AND A PWRA*PBG -- BRAND SPANKING NEW FACILITY WILL NOT OPEN ITS DOORS BECAUSE THE BUDGET DOES PRESIDENT PASS -- DOESN'T PASS.

FLOOD CONTROL, I WAS TALKING TO MR. BERRY AND THEY MAY HAVE TO PUT THINGS ON OLD. ON HOLD.

THEY ARE NOT SURE IF THE FUNDING IS THERE.

WE WILL FEEL THOSE IMPACTS. INTERNATIONALLY WE WILL HAVE THE HIRING FREEZES AND THERE ARE DEPARTMENTS.

I KNOW I HEARD FROM A RANGE OF DEPARTMENTS THAT THEY WERE ON THE CUSP OF BEING ABLE TO HIRE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY NEEDED AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO HIRE THOSE NEEDED EMPLOYEES TO RESCIND OFFERS THAT THEY OFFERED.

THEY WERE GOING TO START IN OCTOBER AND NOW THEY ARE NOT STARTING BECAUSE IT IS UNCLEAR IF WE WILL HAVE THE FUNDINGS.

AND THE BUDGET MEETING FOR THOSE TOOK PLACE AT THE LAST MEETING.

AND THERE ARE CANCELING OFFER LETTERS AND PURCHASE ORDERS.

ALREADY I KNOW THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE INQUIRED ABOUT THE FURLOUGHS AND ABOUT LAYOFFS AND IT IS CLEAR THAT THE DEPARTMENTS KNOW THIS GETS A CHANCE IT IS ADDRESSED BEFORE OCTOBER 28TH. AND THEY CAN TRY TO STRETCH OUT THEIR FUNDING AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE AND TRY TO DELAY IN-- INSTEAD OF CANCELING AND THINGS CAN'T TAKE PLACE LIKE ADDITIONAL PWOTS -- BOOTS ON THE GROUND. IT IS LIKE THE ADDITIONAL HIRINGS. I THINK THAT'S THE REASON AND I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WILL BE FEWER POLICE ON THE STREETS BECAUSE THESE FOLKS ARE NOT IN THEIR SEATS TODAY, AND TO THE EXTENT THEY FILL THEIR SEATS BETWEEN NOW AND OCTOBER 28TH, WE WILL BE ABLE TO BRING THOSE FOLKS BACK.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> AND I JUST WANT TO -- AMONG THE MANY THINGS THAT BRING VALUE TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY, ONE OF THEM IS A LONG SOUGHT AFTER AND A LONG-DESERVED DOUBLE-DIGIT PAY RAISE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THIS FOR ME HAS BEEN A PASSION AND HAS BEEN A COMMITMENT. AND I'M GLAD WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO SEE THAT AS A REALITY. I WILL SAY THIS, JUDGE.

I WANT TO SAY THIS. NOT ONLY WILL AN ACADEMY CLASS BE CANCELED WHICH AFFECTS THE OPERATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN

[00:35:07]

WE WILL LOSE DEPUTIES IN THAT DIRECTION AND IN THAT MANNER.

I'M NOT SURE WHAT THE ATTRITION RATE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS TODAY. IN MY DAY WE WERE AVERAGING SOMETHING LIKE 10 TO 20 DEPUTIES A MONTH, AND THEN I AM NOT SURE IF WE KNOW WHAT THE ATTRITION RATE IS.

>> IT IS COMPARABLE. AT THIS POINT I THINK WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT IT IS GOOD TO HAVE A FULL ROOM AGAIN AND GOOD TO MAKE FOLKS MAKE THE DECISION IF THEY WANT TO WEAR THEIR MASK OR NOT. THAT'S TO THE CREDIT OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND A CREDIT OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

THAT WE CAN BE AT THIS POINT. DURING THE MOST DEADLIEST TIMES OF OUR RECENT HISTORY, THE PANDEMIC I WAS TAKING SO MANY CALLS FROM FOLKS WHOSE LOVED ONES WERE BEGGING I CALL DR. PORSA TO ALLOW THEM TO COME AND VISIT A LOVED ONE WHO WAS IN ICU. COULDN'T DO IT.

JUST COULDN'T DO IT. MADE NO PROMISES.

TOLD THEM WHAT THE REASON WAS. THE REASON WAS BY VISITING YOUR LOVED ONE IT COULD COST YOU YOUR LIFE AND BY VISITING YOUR LOVED ONE, YOU COULD COST YOUR LOVED ONE'S LIFE.

THOSE WERE DEADLY TIMES, JUDGE. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT SHOWED UP FOR WORK EVERY DAY.

IN THE DEADLIEST OF TIMES. HERE WE ARE IN A MORE RELAXED SITUATION AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL SHOW UP FOR WORK TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO TOOK CARE OF US AND SO MANY WHEN WE NEEDED THEM THE MOST. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CURIOUS TO KNOW WHAT IMPACT THIS HAS AT HOME TO THE MORALE. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ARE THE DROP DEAD TARGETS OF WHAT SOMETHING CANNOT BE REVERSED.

OBVIOUSLY POTENTIAL CADETS CANNOT DILLY-DALLY AROUND AND WAITING. WHAT ARE THE IRREVERSIBLE THINGS THAT WILL COME BACK WHEN WE CAN MAKE A DECISION WHEN THE

DECISION IS MADE FOR US? >> I MET UP WITH A DOZEN DEPARTMENT HEADS OVER THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THIS DISCUSSION. THIS EVIDENCE IS SHARED BY DR. PORSA AND SHARED BY A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES.

IT IS A CLEAR MESSAGE. SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS, THIS REALLY WASN'T A TERM FOR THEM WHERE THEY WERE GETTING -- WHERE THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THE CLS PROCESS.

THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO PICK UP SOME MOMENTUM AND DIG INTO THE BACKLOG OF SERVICES AND A COMBINATION OF HARVEY AND COVID AND THAT'S ALL GONE. AS WE DISCUSSED AT THIS COURT BEFORE, A HUGEAY P INEQUITY. IT IS NOT JUSTET BWEEN US AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS, BUTVE EN WITHT IACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS AND THERE IS THE COMMITMENTM FRO THIS COURT TO HELPRE ADDSS IT.

THEREE WERMEANINGFULTA QUOS APPLIED TOWARDNF LAW EORCEMENTSA L --IE SALARS. WHAT EVERYONE- AND -WHATEV ERYONE IS FEELING IS AOF LACK INVESTMENT ON THEF HEELS OTHEEA CRTION OF THE BACKLOGS BECAUSE OF COVID. A

>>ND IUS MIGHT JT ADD,MM COISSIONER ELLIS, TO YOUR

[00:40:01]

THEM.S: >> RODNEY ELLI MR. BARRY, WE HAVE TO OPERATE WITH WHAT IS IN FRONT OF US.

WE HAVE A LOT OF THIS DRIVEN TO ITON LEADING UP TO AN ELECTI.

AND IT IS IRREVERSIBLE REGARDLESS OF HOW IT TURNS OUT.

I AM TRYING TO DO MY PART AND CAN I SUGGEST, JUDGE, WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND SEE WHAT OTHER OPTIONS WE HAVE?

>> WE RECOMMEND TAKING THE SPEAKERS FIRST AND THEN GO TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION.LL >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WI TAKE

THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEMER THE. >> THE FIRST SPEAK IS SPEAKER

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)]

YOU ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI, MY NAME ISST AUDREY AND I AM A NEUROLOGI IN HOUSTON.

DURING MY TRAINING I WORKED IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, LBJ.

THESE HOSPITAL [INAUDIBLE] UNDER SERVED IN THE MARGINALIZED MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY. THE HARRIS HEALTH HOSPITALS ARE ALREADY FUNCTIONING ON A SHOE -- SHOE STRING BUDGET AND N EVERYBY KNOWS THAT. WE AREOT SPENDING LAVISHLY ON ARTWORK. EVERY PENNY GOES TOWARD PATIENT CARE. IT WILL ONLY HURT PATIENTS.

THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US CAN BE ANY OF US.

I HAD PATIENTS IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM WHO WERE THERE BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR MEDICAL INSURANCE AFTER LOSING A JOB.

ANY ONE OF US OR OUR FAMILY MEMBERS MAY NEED CARE.

THERE IS CARE FROM THE MOST UNDER SERVED HURTS ALL OF US.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT, SPEAKER NUMBER 19 SPEAKING ON ITEM 305.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI.

THIS IS -- THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SHARE MY EXPERIENCE.

I AM A PRIMARY CARE PHYSICIAN THAT TAKES CARE OF PATIENTS WITH MENTAL ILLNESS WITHOUT HEALTH INSURANCE.

I HAVE A PATIENT WITH UNCONTROLLED DIABETES WHO WERE HOSPITALIZED THREE TIMES AND I NEED TIME TO FIGURE OUT WHY AND HELP FROM A CLINICAL PHARMACIST AND DIETICIAN AND A PHARMACY AND SYRINGES AND CONTAINERS, THESE HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE PREVENTABLE. EVERY TIME THEY END UP IN THE HOSPITAL IT IMPACTS ALL OF US. WE NEED TO INVEST IN THE SAFETY NET SYSTEM TO TAKE CARE OF THE MOST VULNERABLE PEOPLE.

HARRIS HEALTH LOSES TENS OF MILLIONS A YEAR AND THEY WILL DO THAT IF THEY DO NOT GET THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET.

PLEASE CONSIDER THIS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS PEEK -- SPEAKER NUMBER 20, NICOLE MA. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO. GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS NICOLE MA. I AM HERE TODAY SPEAKING AGAINST ITEM NUMBER 305 AND TESTIFYING AGAINST THE CURRENT ALLOCATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET WHERE THERE IS LITTLE EMPHASIS ON ADDRESSING THE ROOTS OF OUR PROBLEMS. I NEED YOU TO UNDERSTAND ME WHEN I SAY THOSE MARGINALIZED AND IN THE FACE OF INJUSTICE WILL CONTINUE TO BE MARGINALIZED IN THE FACE OF JUSTICE. HARRIS COUNTY RANKS SECOND IN THE COUNTRY FOR THE NUMBER OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS FACING DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS. TODAY I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF ASIAN IMMIGRANTS CRIMINALIZED FOR WANTING TO SEEK A BETTER LIFE AND LACK ENGLISH AND BASIC RESOURCING. WE ARE MAKING YOUR COMMUNITIES LIABLE TO EXPLOITS. IT BEGAN LONG BEFORE CRIME.

TODAY THE VULNERABLE ARE BEING PUNISHED AND EXPLOITED BEFORE

[00:45:01]

BACKBONE OF OUR SAFETY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

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

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 21, STEPHANIE VALDEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 305.

YOU SKR -- YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS STEPHANIE VALDEZ. I AM PART OF PRECINCT 2.

HEY, COMMISSIONER ADRIAN. I AM THE COMMUNITY DIRECTOR FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE SOLUTIONS AND I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS BUDGET AND REVENUE RATE PROCESS BECAUSE IT HAS NOT BEEN ACCESSIBLE OR INCLUSIVE AT ALL. I HAVE EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN INTERPRETING FROM MEDICAL TO HOME LAND SECURITY AND WORKING WITH THE D.A. I CANNOT EXPRESS HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR OUR LEADERS TO MAKE IT A PRIORITY THAT THERE IS MULTI-LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY. THESE DECISIONS WILL MAINLY AFFECT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND WE ARE OFTEN LEFT OUT OF THE CONVERSATIONS. ARE YOU ELECTED LEADERS WITH A DUTY TO SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY AND NOT ONLY ENGLISH SPEAKERS.

GROWN MEN CAN THROW FITS AND CHOOSE NOT TO SHOW UP AND THE DECISION AFFECTS THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

HOUSTON DOESN'T NEED MORE POLICING.

HOUSTON NEEDS BETTER HEALTHCARE AND BETTER REPRESENTATION AND LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 22, SAVA BLANDING SPEAKING ON 305. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI. MY NAME IS SAVA BLANDING AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. I GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, GCSW. I HAVE SEEN WORKING IN THE PARTIAL HOSPITALIZATION SYSTEM AND THROUGH MY FRIENDS AND PEERS WORKING AT CHILDRENS ASSESSMENT CENTER AND THE HARRIS CENTER, BOTH THE BENEFIT OF FUNDING AND THE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF UNDER FUNDING MENTAL HEALTHCARE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

UNDER FUNDING HARRIS HEALTH PUT HAIR LIS COUNTY RESIDENTS IN DANGER. COMMISSIONERS' COURT SHOULD NOT COMPROMISE THREE AND FOUR FOR ADDITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR EXCHANGE OF A REVENUE VOTE.

THERE ARE IMPLICATIONS TO PRIORITIZING FILLING BOOTS AND EXTRA FUNDS FOR HEALTH AND MENTAL HEALTH.

MY HUSBAND AND I WERE IN COMMUNITY WITH A WOMAN WHO CALLED THE -- CALLED FOR HELP BECAUSE HER SON WAS HAVING A MEDICAL HEALTH CRISIS. AND INSTEAD OF HAVING A LICENSED HEALTHCARE -- MENTAL HEALTHCARE PRACTITIONER, AN OFFICER ARRIVED AND SHOT HIM IN HER FACE. LIKE IN FRONT OF HER.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 23, CYNTHIA COLE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 305.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

CYNTHIA COLE WITH THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES IN THE HOUSE, COMMUNITY IN THE HOUSE.

STAND UP -- STAND UP AND STAND UP AND STAND UP.

WE SHOWED UP. IT IS NOT EVEN OUR JOB.

SOME OF US TOOK OFF OF WORK. HOW DARE YOU THOSE THAT DON'T SHOW UP FEEL LIKE IT'S OKAY TO MAKE A DECISION THAT IS GOING TO IMPACT EVERY SINGLE INDIVIDUAL IN THIS ROOM WHETHER YOU WEAR A RED TIE OR A BLUE TIE HAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. YOU CANNOT USE INDIVIDUALS AS A COMPROMISE TO GO AHEAD AND SATISFY YOUR EGO.

PLEASE, IF YOU'RE LISTENING, SHOW UP.

IF YOU ARE IN A COMMUNITY, DON'T EAT IT AND DRINK THE KOOL-AID.

IT IS EASY. NO MONEY, NO BUDGET, NO SERVICES , NO JOBS. PERIOD.

AND THERE WILL BE PEOPLE WHO WILL SUFFER, INNOCENT, AND GUESS WHAT. WHEN COVID WAS GOING ON, THE VIRUS DIDN'T SAY, WAIT A MINUTE. LET ME STOP AT THE RED.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 25, KATIE SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 305. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST REMINDING FOLKS THAT WE ARE IN A COURTROOM SO PLEASE KEEP THE NOISE TO A MINIMUM.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS KATIE AND I LIVE ON THE NEAR NORTH SIDE. I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. I AM ASKING YOU, ES -- ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS A CONSTITUENT OF PRECINCT 2

[00:50:03]

I APPRECIATE THE SERVICES THE COUNTY PROVIDES.

I USE THE LIBRARY PROGRAMS, BUT MY PARTNER IS DOING HIS MEDICAL RESIDENCY AT LBJ AND TOLD ME ABOUT THE HIGH QUALITY OF MEDICAL SERVICES PROVIDED IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

WE WERE DEVASTATED TO HEAR DR. PORSA'S PLAN STPHAEUGS OF THEY -- EXPLANATION OF THE PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS.

NO NEW REVENUE WILL HURT PUBLIC HEALTH PUTTING HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS IN DANGER. I UNDERSTAND THAT PEOPLE WANT TO FEEL SAFE, BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE CALLING LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE I WORRY THEM COMING INTO MY NEIGHBORHOOD WILL LEAD TO HARASSMENT, AND BRUTALITY AND UNNECESSARY ARRESTS OF MY NEIGHBORS. I FEEL SAFER LIVING IN A COMMUNITY WHERE PEOPLE HAVE ACCESS TO THE SERVICES THEY NEED TO PREVENT CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 26, MIA WILLIAMS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE SOLUTIONS SPEAKING ON ITEM 305.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MIA WILLIAMS AND I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL JUSTICE SOLUTIONS. NOT ONLY -- AND I AM A RESIDENT OF COMMISSIONER KAY -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S DISTRICT.

JUST AS HE IS NOT HERE TODAY, IS HOW I SEE HIM IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. FOR SOMEONE THAT REPRESENTS MY INTEREST, HE HAS YET TO TALK TO ME.

IF HE WOULD TALK TO ME, HE WOULD KNOW I AM A 15-YEAR BREAST CANCER SURVIVOR. ONCE I LOST MY JOB FROM THE STATE OF TEXAS BECAUSE WE HAD A CENTER.

IT WAS CALLED THE CENTER FOR THE ELIMINATION OF DISPROPORTION TPHALT AND DISPARITIES. TEXAS IS THE ONLY STATE WITHOUT AN OFFICE OF MINORITY HEALTH. I BET Y'ALL DIDN'T KNOW THAT BECAUSE THEY DON'T PUT THAT OUT THERE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I'M CALLING YOU TO THE CARPET.

AS A RES PENT OF YOUR -- RESIDENT OF YOUR AND CONSTITUENT OF YOUR COMMUNITY, I ASK YOU TO FUND HARRIS HEALTH.

NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF MY BREAST CANCER, BUT BECAUSE MY HUSBAND, A VETERAN, WHO SUFFERED FROM PTSD --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> COULD NOT CALL LAW ENFORCEMENT. I TOLD HIM IF I CALLED LAW ENFORCEMENT HE WOULD DIE. MY HUSBAND CAME HOME WITH A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. I TOOK THE TRAINING I LEARNED WITH MENTAL HEALTH FIRST-AID TO HELP MY HUSBAND.

WHEN I CALLED THE VETERAN'S HOSPITAL, THE DOCTOR TOLD ME TO CALL THE POLICE. I SAID, MA'AM, I CAN'T CALL THE POLICE. I AM MARRIED TO A BLACK MAN.

IF I CALL HIM AND HE IS IN THE MIDST OF AN EPISODE, THEY WILL KILL HIM. AND HE PASSED AWAY FROM HIS MENTAL ILLNESS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF YOU WANT TO TALK, I'M HERE. CALL ME.

I PAY TAXES TO FUND YOUR SALARY AND I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WHO GOES TO WORK AND DOESN'T DO THEIR JOB AND STILL GETS PAID.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 27, NATALIA M ORANA.

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT AND IT IS NOT INCLUSIVE TO ANYONE WHO DOES NOT SPEAK ENGLISH.

WHILE I SPEAK FLUENT ENGLISH MY FIRST LANGUAGE IS SPANISH AND MY PARENTS SPEAK SPANISH AND ARE NOT GIVEN A CHANCE TO BE PART OF THE PROCESS. IT IS FULL OF PEOPLE WHO TAKE TIME OUT OF THEIR DAY AND I ASK THAT YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION

AND MAKE IT MORE PROSPEROUS. >> WE HEARD TWO OF THE COMMENTS AND IT IS IMPORTANT AND WE CAN IMPROVE.

I KNOW WE WILL PUT SOME TRANSLATIONS OUT AND WE ARE CERTAINLY MAKING IT -- TRANSLATING AS MANY AS WE CAN AND IT IS A WORK IN PRAGUE STKPWRES -- PROGRESS.

I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 28, DIANA ALOZANDO.

>> I AM SPEAKING TODAY BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY TAX DOLLARS ARE SPENT AS EFFICIENTLY AS POSSIBLE.

THAT MEANS NOT INCREASING THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET WHEN THERE IS PROVISIONS THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FILL.

AND IT IS DISEASE AND INFECTIONS THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY.

[00:55:04]

AND THEY ARE INVADED WITH PEOPLE WHO DON'T SPEAK ENGLISH.

IT IS OUR TAX MONEY AND OUR BUDGET AND WE DESERVE A SAY.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS THE TEXAS JAIL PROJECT SPEAKING ON ITEM 305. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.

I UNDERSTAND THE CHOICES IN FRONT OF US ARE LIMITED TODAY, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW IMPORTANT POINTS ON COMMUNITY SAFETY AND THE BUDGETS WILL CREATE A COUNTY WHERE EVERYONE LIVES AND THRIVES. IT IS NOT LOST ON ME AND IT IS HALF THE AMOUNT THIS COURT WOULD HAVE INCREASED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDER THE PROPOSED BUDGET.

IT IS NOT LOST ON ME THAT HARRIS HEALTH HAS WORKED WITH TOO LITTLE FOR TOO LONG WHILE THEY HAVE DRAINED OUR COFFERS.

THE DEEP AND CRUEL IRONY IS NOT LOST ON ME AND THEY WILL ICE -- THEY WILL USE ARPA DOLLARS TO PROP UP OPERATIONS AT HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. IT ACCELERATED THE PANDEMIC IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WAS NAMED A GLOBAL SUPER SPREADER SITE.

THE SAME JAIL THAT TOOK 20 LIVES THIS YEAR AND CURRENTLY NONCOMPLIANT BECAUSE THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND THIS COURT ROMAN TAU SIZES WAS KEEPING PEOPLE BEHINDAR BSOU Y --AR BS.

THEAM SE JAIL -- >> THANKOU Y, MA'AM

YOUR TIMEUP IS . >> THANK YOU.

>> MAY CALD TOD -- MICHAEL TODDP EAKINGEM ON IT 305.

>>NY CAN ABODYME HEAR ? >>N WE CAHEAR YOU.

>> MY NAME IS MICHAEL TOLTZ. I JUST WANTED TO LETDE YOU PONR SOMETHINGIN FOR A MUTE. Y IFOU CAN IMAGINE TWO DIFFERENT SCENARIOS.AR SCENIO A A PERSON BEING EFFECTIVE FROM. YOUR HOME THEY DON'T HAVETO ANYWHERE GO.

THEDON'T HAVE ANY RESOURCESP TO HELTHEM.IO SCENAR B, POLICE AREED NOT FUND WELL SO WE CANNOT FUNDR RIOT GEAAND BONUSES. WHO IS MORE LIKELY TO COMMIT A CRIME? DO YOU THINKG SOMEBODY GETTIN HOME IS MORETHEIR LIKELY TO COMMIT A CRIME OR SOMEBODY LOOKING OUTNO THE WINDW TRI SEEING POLICE IN OT S GEAR ON THETREETS. IT IS SIMPLE WHERE WE NEEDNE TO PUT OUR MOY AND IT ISHO EASY TO KNOW W DOESN'T NEED THE MONEY.

ITRW IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FOARD.. HAVE A GREAT DAY

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> NEXT ISKI MAXIMO CORTEZ SPEANG ON ITEM 305. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM MAXIMO CORTEZ. FUND THE COMMUNITY AND NOT POLICING. MO JUSTICE, MO PEACE, MO JUSTICE, MO PEACE. THEY TOOK AWAY MY FATHER WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. THE LAST TIME I SAW HIM WAS AT HIS FUNERAL. THE STATE OF TEXAS TOOK AWAY MYF FATHER. THE STATE TEXAS IS STILL TAKING AWAY OUR FATHERS. FROM LOUISIANA TO THE LONG TEXAS BORDER THAT THEY SAY BLACK AND BROWN DON'T STAY AROUND.

BLACK AND BROWN, YOU WILL COMPLY.

ALWAYS HYPER VIGILANT. THEY CROSS BORDERS ACROSS ATTENTION. WE NEED BLESSINGS AND NOT BATONS. THESE ARE THE BEGINNING STAGES.

THE OLD WORLD HAS FADED AWAY AND THE NEW WORLD IS ON THE HORIZON.

WE CAN CONTINUE THE TRADITION OF OLD OR WE CAN ADAPT AND PREPARE THE NEXT GENERATION. WE ARE APPROVED AND OUR TIME WILL COME. PLEASE FUND COMMUNITY AND NOT

POLICING. >> THANK YOU.

>> JUST A REMINDER THAT WE GENERALLY DON'T ALLOW CLAPPING

AND HOLLERING. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 305. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> JUDGE, I WAS GOING TO SAY I KNOW WE ARE -- I KNOW BE HEARD

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

WOULD IT BE APPROPRIATE TO HEAR OR DO A COUPLE OF THE RESOLUTIONS? I THINK WE STILL HAVE SOME OF THE FOLKS HERE AND I KNOW WE WILL DELIBERATE FOR A BIT IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> YOU SHOULD JUST CLOSE THE HEARING FIRST AND THEN GO TO RESOLUTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.

I WILLED -- I WILL HOLD MY RESOLUTIONS UNTIL AFTER.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE BE FINISH THIS CONVERSATION BEFORE FOLKS

[01:00:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST GONNA PASS MINE.

I DON'T HAVE TO SPEAK ON MINE. I DON'T HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE HERE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET

IT TO YOU, JUDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ONLY HAVE ONE -- WELL, IS PATRICK STILL HERE? YEAH. PATRICK IS HERE AND I'M NOT SUR? I HAVE TWO FOLKS HERE THAT I WOULD JUST LIKE TO BE MINDFUL OF

THEIR TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CAN DO YOURS. I WILL HOLD MINE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET ME RECOGNIZE -- TIM, IF YOU CAN JOIN US AT THE PODIUM, THIS IS TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER RECIPIENT OF THE HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH RECOGNITION AND THIS IS SPEAKING TO THE INCREDIBLE WORK OF A -- OF A YOUNG MAN WHO IS -- WHOSE NAME IS ARMAND YRAMATEGUI. ARMAND WAS BORN AND RAISED IN HOUSTON AND HIS PARENTS WERE FROM SPAIN WHICH IS ALSO WHERE MY FAMILY IS FROM. AND HE IS OF MEXICAN DECENT.

HIS PARENTS WERE ENCOURAGED TO READ AND COMPLETE THE UNIVERSITIES. ARMAND RECEIVED AN ELECTRICAL ENGINEER DEGREE AT THE RICE UNIVERSITY.

THE REASON FOR THIS RESOLUTION, COLLEAGUES, IS BECAUSE ARMAND DEDICATED SO MUCH PERSONAL TIME AND ENERGY AND EFFORT INTO WHAT WE KNOW AS AR ARMAND BAYOU. HE ADVOCATED FOR OPEN SPACE IN URBAN AREAS AND HE WAS SCHEDULED TO SPEAK THE DAY AFTER HIS MURDER FOR ESTABLISHING A COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT TO PURSUE THIS MISSION. HE VISITED THE MIDDLE BAYOU AND A TRIBUTARY OF CLEAR LAKE ONLY A FEW TIMES.

BUT HE WAS INSPIRED THAT A COALITION COULD RAISE 6.5 MILLION TO PURCHASE THE FIRST 1900-ACRES OF THE BAYOU FOUNDING CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY, THE CITY OF PASADENA, THE ARMAND BAYOU FUND AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT. IN 1970 THE CITY OF PASADENA RENAMED THE MIDDLE BAYOU IN HIS HONOR.

HE SERVES AS THE OWNER AND *EUFPT

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO TAKE A SHOT AT EMBARRASSING YOU, PATRICK. I WANT TO READ THE RESOLUTION IN ITS ENTIRETY. WHEREAS OCTOBER 10TH MARKS THE 30TH ANNIVERSARY SINCE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAYS BY THE WORLD FEDERATION OF MENTAL HEALTH.

THE SELECTED THEME IS TO MAKE MENTAL HEALTH AND WELL-BEING FOR ALL A GLOBAL PRIORITY. WHEREAS WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAYS CELEBRATES THE COMMUNITY BY HELPING PEOPLE FEEL HOPEFUL AND EMPOWERING THEM TO ACT AND CREATE LASTING CHANGE.

YOU ARE DOING THAT. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY DOING THAT.

THE PURPOSE OF THE DAY IS TO PROMOTE AMONG ALL PEOPLE AND NATIONS THE HIGHEST POSSIBLE LEVEL OF MENTAL HEALTH IN ITS BROADEST, BIOLOGICAL, MEDICAL EDUCATION AND SOCIAL ASPECTS.

WHEREAS WE ARE WITNESSING AN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASE IN THE

[01:05:04]

WHEREAS IN RESPONSE TO THE CURRENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS, THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT INVESTED OVER $14 MILLION TO PROVIDE COUNSELING SERVICES FOR THE YOUTH AND THE FAMILIES AND TREATMENT FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND TO GROW OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH WORKFORCE. AND WE NEED TO DO MORE.

WHEREAS BY PARTNERING WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WALK HOUSTON, WE CAN JOIN WITH LEADERS TO RAISE AWARENESS AND REDUCE THE STIGMA OF TALKING ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND MENTAL ILLNESS.

THEREFORE COMMISSIONER'S COURT DE CLAY -- DECLARES MONDAY OCTOBER 10TH AT WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY.

PATRICK, THANK YOU FOR THE HEART YOU'VE GOT AND THANK YOU FOR THE PASSION YOU WAKE UP WITH EVERY DAY.

>> THANK YOU. AND THE COURT, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. I DO WANT TO SAY WHAT I WAS GOING TO SAY IS GOING TO BE CHANGED BECAUSE OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN HEARING WITH THE BUDGET. THERE IS SUCH AN INCREASE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY GULF COAST AREA FOR THIS, I FIND IT IRONIC THAT THEY WOULD HOLD BACK -- THERE IS NO YOU A BACKLOG OF PEOPLE NEEDING PROFESSIONAL SERVICES. THE CENTER WHERE I GO HAS 150 BAG LOG OF PEOPLE -- BACKLOG OF PEOPLE WHO CAN'T GET IN.

WE MUST ADDRESS IT AND WE MUST TALK ABOUT IT POSITIVELY.

THA*SZ -- THAT'S WHY STARTING NEXT YEAR THEY WILL DO A WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY EVENT AND THE CREATIVE SIDE OF MY MENTAL ILLNESS. AND I HOPE YOU WILL PARTICIPATE

WITH US AND I THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

PATRICK. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO BEFORE WE HEAD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION I WANT TO POINT OUT SOME NOTES I HAVE HERE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAYING THAT HE -- THERE IS AN ARTICLE FROM FOX26 THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY OFFERS TO ATTEND THE VOTE FOR A $20 MILLION COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. A REMIND -- REMINDER THAT IT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE FOR OVER A MONTH AT THIS POINT.

FOLKS CAN LOOK BACK AT THE CONVERSATION FROM A COUPLE OF COURTS AGO, BUT THAT'S BEEN ON THE TABLE.

HE SAID I ASKED TO SET ASIDE $20 MILLION FOR MORE PATROL OFFICERS. HE SAID THIS TO "THE TEXAN" AND THE ABILITY TO FILL THE BOOTS DEPENDS ON THE BUDGET TO BE PASSED. WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS IF WE CAN COMPEL THEM.

WE HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING -- HE ASKED FOR $20 MILLION AND IT IS A REASONABLE DISCUSSION SO LONG AS IT IS NOT ONLY FOR HIS PRECINCT. WE OFFERED A DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC. WE OFFERED A DISCUSSION IN PRIVATE. THERE HAVE BEEN ARGUMENTS THAT THE POINTS WE MAKE ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH ARE EXAGGERATED.

THEY ARE NOT. YOU HEAR FROM THE WORDS OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT CEOS AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT PRESIDENT HERE AND THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER CEO.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE VERY CLEAR THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT EVERY OPTION. STARTING ON OCTOBER 1ST IF YOU ARE ONE OF THE PEOPLE THAT DOESN'T SEE THE SERVICES YOU EXPECT WHETHER IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHETHER IT IS HOSPITALS, CALL YOUR COMMISSIONER.

THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL CADET CLASS THAT WON'T BE ON THE STREETS. THERE IS THE EQUIVALENT OF $175 OFFICERS THAT WON'T BE ON THE STREETS.

THERE IS A $45 MILLION DEFICIT AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT WILL FORCE PATIENTS TO YOUR HOSPITAL IF YOU GO TO A PRIVATE HOSPITAL.

SO THAT BEGINS ON OCTOBER 1ST IF THEY DON'T COME AND JOIN US IMMEDIATELY. SO LET'S -- WE'LL HEAD TO

[Executive Session]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OPEN AND CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING ON 305.

DO WE NEED TO DO THE SAME ON 306?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, BUT I THINK WE WILL -- WE CAN COME BACK -- DO IT WHEN WE COME BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YES? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PATRICK LEFT.

OKAY. [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 11:20 AND WE ARE BREAKING TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>>> IT IS 12:03 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ON THAT POINT I KNOW BRIEFLY WE

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

I WANT TO TAKE A SERIES OF VERY IMPORTANT ITEMS, 362, 144, 146

[01:10:10]

TO CLOSE OUT THE VISIT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE ASKED ABOUT OUR AUTHORITY TO COME FELL -- TO COMPEL ATTENDANCE. WE HAVE HAD SOME INITIAL DISCUSSIONS AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS ADDITIONAL RESEARCH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS DOING. IT IS MY HOPE THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WILL VISIT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AS I SAID, A MONTHAL AND A HALF AGO, WE ALL DISCUSSED THE ADDITIONVE $20 MILLION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SEEN RECORD OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAYING THAT ALIS WHAT HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE D THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SO LIKE TO SEE. I MADE THAT CLEAR SEVERAL WEEKS AGO, AND THAT CONTINUES TO BE MY POSITION SO THAT WE CAN REACH AN AGREEMENT AND MOVE FORWARD AND FUND OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

WE CAN FUND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND ADD ADDITIONAL OFFICERS YOU CANS ET CETERA -- OFFICERS, ET CETERA AND PROSECUTORS AND MAKE SURE THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS CONTINUE -- DON'T CONTINUE TO GET STALLED. THE SOONER THESE FOLKS CAN COME TO THE TABLE, THE BETTER FOR THE COMMUNITY.

IN THE MEANTIME, GIVE THEM A CALL IF YOU SEE REDUCED SERVICES. AND THE FLOOD CONTROL AND THE POLICING AND THE HOSPITAL SERVICES AND OUR FACILITY WILL NOT BE OPENING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL COLONOSCOPIES.

THERE ARE THREE ITEMS TRANSFORMATIVE.

THESE ARE THE BIGGEST ITEMS OF THE PARK SYSTEM IN MANY, MANY YEARS. AND THEY ARE OWED TO RICH AND NANCY KINDER. JUST SO INCREDIBLY PROUD.

LET ME PASS IT ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF YOU HAVE COMMENTS.

AND THEN WE WILL CONTINUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO SAY TO MY KNOWLEDGE AND I HEARD EITHER MR. KINDER OR MS. KIPPEDDER SAY -- MR. KINDER OR MS. KINDER SAY IT, IT IS THE FIRST INVESTMENT ON THE COUNTY SIDE AND SO THAT IS IMPORTANT AND IT IS SIGNIFICANT. IT IS A MAJOR ONE IT WAS A GREAT SORRY MOWN. TO HAVE APP WITH THE BUFFALO BAYOU ASSOCIATION. ADRIAN I REMEMBER WHEN THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT IT AND I HAD NO IDEA IT WOULD TURN INTO WHAT IT WOULD TURN INTO. SO IT IS A GREAT WAY.

I AM JUST GLAD WE CONNECTED WITH THEM.

IT IS THE BRIDGES WE WILL DO. I AM EXCITED, BUT IT IS FORMER ROYALTY AND WE APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I DIDN'T CALL YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IT WAS SCARY.

WE HAVE DONE IT MANY TIMES. THOSE WERE BOOTLEG TRAILS THEY WERE PUTTING IN ON TEAM -- ON PEOPLE'S LAND.

PEOPLE WILL RIDE THEM AND IT WILL BE AN AMAZING ASSET FOR OUR REGION AND THEY WERE GIVING SO MUCH OF THEIR FORTUNE FOR OTHER PEOPLE. AND I KNOW THEIR FOCUS HAS BEEN ON STUFF OUTSIDE AND THAT'S WHY THEY DECIDED TO DO THE EASTSIDE OF THE BAYOU. AND ON A LOT OF OTHER BAYOUS THEY BOUGHT SOME LAND, BUT IT IS GOOD THEY ARE LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T SAY, I PASSED BY RICE STARTING MY 12-MILE RIDE AND I THOUGHT ABOUT THE KINDER INSTITUTE AND THE ISSUES THEY PUT OUT AND ISSUES WE DON'T ALWAYS LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT THEY FORCE US TO GO BEYOND OUR TIME IN OFFICE AND LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE. THEY REALLY HAVE DONE SO MUCH.

WE SINCERELY APPRECIATE AND WE GLAD YOU DECIDED TO MAKE THIS INVESTMENT WITH THE COUNTY. AND IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.

>> AND I WANT TO OFFER A COUPLE OF WORDS AS WELL.

[01:15:03]

MS. KINDER, TO YOU AND TO YOUR HUSBAND, THANK YOU.

THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE INVESTMENT.

YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CREATING AN INCREDIBLE LEGACY.

THE FACT THAT YOU ARE DOING IT IN AREAS THAT HAVE BEEN OVER LOOKED MAKES IT AMONG THE MOST SPECIAL THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND AGAIN TO THANK ANNE AND THE PARTNERSHIP BOARD FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO THINK ABOUT HOW TO RESPECT THAT HORRIBLE POINT IN OUR CITY'S HISTORY. THE TRAIL YOU ARE PROVIDING WILL ALLOW FOLKS TO GET TO EXPERIENCE ANOTHER SIDE OF TOWN THAT THEY MAY NOT HAVE OTHERWISE VISITED OR HAD THE INTEREST IN EXPERIENCING. YOU'RE DOING IT.

YOU'RE BRINGING US TOGETHER. WE NEED YOUR HELP AT THIS TABLE TO BRING US TOGETHER. I WILL ALSO SAY THIS, THAT ON THAT TRAIL I AM EXCITED FOR IT. TOO BAD MIKE IS NOT HERE.

I REALLY DO APPRECIATE HOW HE HAS LENT HIS EXPERTISE AT GIVING US A REASON WHY WE CAN'T SAY NO. THE ENGINEERING HAS BEEN DONE IN ADVANCE. I KNOW WE WERE ON THE TRAILS AND MY WIFE AND I WERE DOING A PRETTY GOOD CLIP.

I WAS YELLED AT FOR NOT WARNING HER IN ADVANCE.

I I CAN TELL HER, CHANGE IS COMING.

IT WILL BE EXCITING. LET ME JUST SAY THAT ON A BROADER POINT OF THE LEGACY OF YOUR FAMILY, YOUR INSTITUTE AND THE STUDIES YOU HAVE DONE, WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES.

YOUR INSTITUTE HAS GIVEN US A FRAMEWORK TO VALIDATE, TO SEE IF IT IS ACCURATE AND, YEAH, YOU'RE REALLY HELPING US GET OUT OF OUR COMFORT ZONES AND BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE MAKE THIS PLACE THE GREATEST ON THE PLANET AND NEVER GOT TO MEET JESSE JONES AND NEVER GOT TO MEET GEORGE BROWN *RBG -- GEORGE BROWN, BUT I GOT

A CHANCE TO MEET THE KINDERS. >> IT IS MUCH BIGGER THAN THE TRAILS. I HAVE BEEN TO THE WHARF.

IF YOU WANT TO WALK THROUGH IT, IT IS A BIG DEAL FOR PEOPLE.

IT IS GOING TO BE MUCH BIGGER THAN JUST THE TRAILS.

IT WILL TOTALLY RE-IMAGINE THE EASTSIDE OF THE BAYOU.

I AM NOT SURE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK.

>> IT WOULD BE GREAT TO HEAR A FEW WORDS.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL

RIGHT. >> WE CAME TO THANK EVERYONE AND I WAFRPT -- I WANT TO SAY I AM ANNE OLSON AND BUFFALO BAYOU PARTNERSHIP. IT WAS THREE YEARS AGO THAT JUDGE HIDALGO JOINED US IN A DE KREUT -- DECREPID WAREHOUSE AND IT WAS A PLAN AND WE HAD A VISION AND WE HAD NO MONEY.

TODAY WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AND WE WERE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THAT WITH OVER $200 MILLION.

THE TOTAL IS A $310 MILLION PROJECT.

AND ALL OF THE FUNDS ARE GOING FOR PARKS, TRAILS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS TO UNDER-SERVED NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE FIFTH WARD AND EAST END.

SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE].

>> I HAVE KNOWN BOTH OF YOU FOR SO LONG.

IT REALLY -- IT'S REALLY EMOTIONAL.

WHEN I HAVE WORKED WITH PEOPLE FOR SO LONG, I MET COMMISSIONER

[01:20:02]

I ALSO WANTED TO SAY HOW MUCH WE REALLY APPRECIATE JESSE DICKERMAN. I WANT HIM TO COME TO WORK FOR ME. HE IS REALLY GREAT.

>> ADDITIONAL THANKS TO RANDY AND THE LEGAL TEAM.

THEY WERE ALSO REALLY GREAT TO WORK WITH.

WE JUST CAME FROM A MEETING AT THE CITY COUNCIL AND ANDY EAGAN WAS SAYING HOW GREAT THE WORKING RELATIONSHIP WAS WITH THE COUNTY. AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU AS WE IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.

I WILL ALSO GO ON A BIKE RIDE. WE WERE ABLE TO BRING THIS

VISION TO LIFE. >> AND LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND OF UH -- A ROUND OF APPLAUSE. IT IS A TRANS FOR MA -- A TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT. IT IS IMPORTANT AT MAKING AND TRANSFORMING THAT VISION INTO ACTION AND INTO REALITY.

WHAT A GREATXA EMPLE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>UD JGE, IF I COULD ADD ONE MORE PIECE OF THE EQUATION, IF IT WERE JUSTY EASFORAM A FILY LIKE THE KINDERSSA TO Y HERE ISA CHECK ANDHI SAY TSAT IS WH WE NEED DONE AND THEN YOU CAN SAY IT IS EASY. WHEN YOU NEED LEGAL BEAGLES' HAVE IT ISOD ALWAYS GO TO THOSE WHO TELL YOU HOW TO DO IT AND NOT WHAT YOU CAN'T DO.T PRESENCOMPANY NOT I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HISN TEAM, JONATHO AND JAY.T WE WOULDN' HAVE GOTTEN THROUGH

ITEA IF THIS WAS NOT RLITY. >> I WANT TO MAKE A POINT AND

REFERENCE RANDY KEY -- KEENAN. >> Y'ALL HEARD HIM.

>> HE IS IN THE HOSPITAL. IT IS A LABOR OF LOVE AND A

>> T IT WASN'T THE AGREEMENTHAT PUT HIM IN THE HOSPITAL, I HOPE.

>> IT WAS NOT. >> DID YOU WAFPBT TO -- DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING? IT IS $100 MILLION COMINGIL FROM THE KINDER FAMY. A ANYTHING YOU WANT TODD?

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU. THE FOUNDATION IS LOOKING FOR TRANS FOR MA TIFF PROJECTS THAT CAN ENRICH THE LIVES OF FOLKS IN THE COUNTY AND THE CITY. WE ARE LOOKING FOR ORGANIZATIONS THAT IT CAN IMPLEMENT THOSE VISIONS AND THOSE IDEAS.

AND CLEARLY THE BUFFALO BIO HAS PROVEN ITSELF.

AND AS MENTIONED, JESSE AND DAVID AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THIS IS OUR FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO GETTING THIS PROJECT DONE.

>> IF THERE IS ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY, WE ARE ALL

EARS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHOULD WE TAKE

PICTURES? >> HERE IS THE ITEMS.

IT IS ITEM 3 -- >> ANYBODY ELSE?

>> ITEM 362, 144, 146 AND 237. TIFFANY ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS

ON THOSE ITEMS? >> NO, MA'AM, THAT WAS IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ALL THOSE FOUR ITEMS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND THE MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

GOT IT? LET'S TAKE SOME PICTURES.

[01:27:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: TO THE TAX HEARING, SO WE CLOSED THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 305. ON ITEM 306 --

>> JUDGE, FOR ITEM 305 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS A DISCUSSION HEARING AND IT HAD NO ACTION.

FOR ITEM 306, THIS IS FOR DISCUSSION AND APPROVAL.

DO WE NEED TO STILL -- THERE ARE SPEAKERS ON STHRAOE 0 -- 306.

YES. NEXT IS A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 306. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FY2023 BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DBA, HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

IS THERE ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THIS -- FOR OR AGAINST

THIS ITEM. >> THE FIRST IS STEPHANIE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU SPEAK BEFORE? I CAN'T REMEMBER IF FOLKS CAN SIGN UP FOR MULTIPLE ITEMS, COUNTY ATTORNEY? FOR PUBLIC HEARINGS THEY CAN. THIS IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE IT IS

A PUBLIC HEARING. >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS STEPHANIE AND I AM HERE TO OPPOSE THE DEFUNDING OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. MY MOTHER SUFFERS FROM AORTIC STENOSIS. I AM FROM LAREDO WHICH IS A DOWN SOUTH BORDER TOWN. WHEN MY MOTHER WAS FIRST DIAGNOSED SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO GET A TREATED -- IT TREATED OR PROPERLY DIAGNOSED. AS WE MOVED TO HOUSTON MY MOM'S CONDITION GOT WORSE AND SHE NEEDED HEART SURGERY.

SHE WAS FIRST ADMITTED AT MEMORIAL HERMAN AND LATER DISCHARGED DUE TO NOT HAVING HEALTH INSURANCE WHILE STILL HAVING SEVERE SYMPTOMS. WE FELT HELPLESS UNTIL WE FOUND OUT ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND SHE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE GOLD CARD PROGRAM AND IT MAKES A WORLD'S DIFFERENCE.

HARRIS HEALTH SAVED MY FAMILY. HARRIS HEALTH SERVES THE MOST SRUL -- VULNERABLE CITIZENS IN HOUSTON AND IT WILL IMPROVE SAFETY. I URGE OUR LEADERS TO FIGHT FOR OUR HEALTHCARE. THANK YOU FOR OUR TIME.

>> NEXT IS CYNTHIA COLE SPEAKING ON ITEM 306.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> KPWAFRPB.

GOOD AFTERNOON. CYNTHIA COLE.

WE ARE SPEAKING FOR THE EMPLOYEES WORKING FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I WANT TO SAY WE REPRESENT

[01:30:01]

DURING THE COVID TIME FRAME, THEY WERE THE HEROS.

DURING THE TIME FRAME AFTERWARDS FOR ANY EMERGENCY, THEY ARE THE HEROS. WHEN YOU DECIDE THAT YOU CANNOT GIVE THE MONEY TO THE HEROS RIGHT NOW, THEY ARE ALREADY WORKING 14 AND 16 HOURS. WE NEED EVERYBODY TO BE REALISTIC. THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEMS, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE THE REAL HEROS, AND THEY TAKE CARE OF THIS COMMUNITY AND THEY CARE ABOUT THIS COMMUNITY. THEY ARE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY. I STRONGLY, STRONGLY ENCOURAGE.

SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO HUG THE PORCUPINE.

PLEASE DO THAT AND GET ALONG AND GET THIS BUDGET TOGETHER.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NATALIA MORENO.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM NATALIA MORENO. I AM HERE TO OPPOSE THE DEFUNDING OF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

THEY ARE UNDER FUNDED AS IS. THEY ARE $45 MILLION SHORT.

THAT'S 10,000 PATIENTS CUT FROM SERVICES.

10,000 OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

IMAGINE THOSE PEOPLE ARE YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS AND FRIENDS.

ALTHOUGH IT SHOULD CONCERN YOU NO MATTER WHO IT IS PEOPLE DON'T CARE UNLESS IT PERSONALLY AFFECTS THEM.

WHILE THAT BEING SAID, WHILE IT NAY NOT BE IN THE REALM OF SOME PEOPLE'S REALITY TO DEPEND ON PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES IT IS FOR MANY HOUSTONIANS. MOST DON'T WANT TO DENY FUNDING TO HARRIS HEALTH. OUR LEADERS ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE. THEY DOUBLED DOWN ON THIS MESSAGE BY CONTINUING TO GIVE MORE MONEY TO POLICE AND PRISONS. THE MESSAGE IS THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY. IT IS EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTING TO HEAR LEADERS PUT THE SAME PEOPLE WHO ELECTED THEM ON THE BACK BURNER TO PUT POOR, BROWN AND COMMUNITIES ON THE BACK BURNER.

THAT'S NOT A HOUSTON I AM PROUD TO BE FROM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING MORE?

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 31, CHRISTOPHER RIVERA FROM THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT SPEAKING ON 306.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

I AM CHRISTOPHER RIVERA. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1.

I AM GOING TO TRY TO DO A ROUNDABOUT PRESENTATION.

I WILL TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND THE REVENUE PROCESS.

WE NEED TO BE MORE ACCESSIBLE AND WE NEED A DIVERSE COMMUNITY.

A LOT OF THE PUBLICATIONS ARE NOT BI-LINGUAL.

IT DISENFRANCHISES THE COMMUNITIES BY FOCUSING ON THE HEALTH SYSTEM. IF WE UNDER FUND HARRIS HEALTH'S COSTS, IT WILL COST US IN THE LONG RUN.

IT SAVES LIVES AND MONEY AND IF WE FOCUS ON THESE PROGRAMS IT BENEFITS THE COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF PUNISHING THEM AND PROVIDING MONEY TO POLICE. VOTE NO ON AGENDA 383.

WE DON'T NEED MONEY FROM ARPA GOING TO THE SHERIFF.

IT SHOULD GO TO THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.

IT SHOULD BE A RELIEF TO THE SYSTEM THAT NEEDS THEM AND NOT THE SHERIFF AND WE SHOULD PROMOTE AGENDA 382 THAT GIVES $4 MILLION TO EVICTION DEFENSE. THESE PROGRAMS HELP KEEP HARRIS

COUNTY SAFE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 32, MELISSA MARTINEZ SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 306. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, MY NAME IS MELISSA MARTINEZ. I AM AN EDUCATOR AND RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT HERE FOR ALL MY LIFE. I ATTENDED LIBRARY READINGS AS A CHILD AND IT SHAPED MY UP BRINGING.

IT HAS MADE ME FEEL SAFE. AS MANY DEPARTMENTS ARE BEING UNDER FUNDED IN THE BUDGET FISCAL YEAR 23, TOWARD MORE POLICING OF PUNISHMENT TOWARD OUR COMMUNITIES.

THIS BUDGET REVENUE RATE HAS NOT BEEN -- [INAUDIBLE] TO THE PUBLIC. [INAUDIBLE] ABOUT THE PROPOSED BUDGET. WE ARE UNDER FUNDING PUBLIC HEALTH TO PUT THEM IN DANGER. THEY SHOULD NOT COMPROMISE.

I WANT TO AFFIRM TO REJECT THE PROPOSED USE OF OUR ARPA DOLLARS THAT WERE USED DURING THE PANDEMIC FOR US.

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

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE

SPEAKERS FOR 306. >> LINA HIDALGO: SINCE THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND THERE IS NO

ACTION ON THIS ITEM. >> NO.

[01:35:02]

WE NEED TO VOTE FOR THIS OPTION. >> IT IS THE BUDGET PORTION,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OF FY2023 BUDGET FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

GOT IT. THIS IS APPROVING THE BUDGET FOT ITEMS AT THE LAST COURT. AND THIS IS FOR THE HARRIS --

>> CORRECT. THIS IS FOR HARRIS HEALTH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THERE MORE SPEAKERS ON 306?

>> THERE ARE NO MORE SPEAKERS [INAUDIBLE]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND IT CARRIES

3-0. >> THAT'S AS PRESENTED?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS AS PRESENTED.

IT LOCKS IN A $45 MILLION DEFICIT FOR HARRIS HEALTH BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PRESENT AND THAT MEANS THE FACILITY WILL NOT PERFORM COLONOSCOPIES. THESE ARE NOT MY WORDS.

THESE ARE THEIR WORDS. THEY ARE SAYING CLEARLY THAT WE WOULD SEE EVERYBODY ELSE IMPACTED.

THEIR WORDS, HEALTHCARE IN THE COMMUNITY IS A ZERO SUM GAME.

WHEN ONE CLOSES OTHERS BECOME OVER RUN.

WE WILL BEGIN HAVING TO TO SEE THOSE CUTS IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM UNTIL THEY COME BY AND THEY HAVE UNTIL OCTOBER 28TH TO NOT MAKE THIS PERMANENT. THAT WAS ITEM 306.

307, THAT IS THE TAX RATE ITEM. IT IS NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM, CORRECT? FOLKS?

>> YES. CORRECT LOAN --

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION ON 307.

NEXT IS ITEM 353 AND THIS IS -- >> JUDGE, WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER

FOR THE TAX RATES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> IT IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA OF TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT. HE IS SPEAKING A 307, 382 AND

383. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE SPOKE EARLIER HE IS SAYING. SO HE IS GOOD TO GO.

>> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. RIVERA. SO MOVING ON TO ITEM 353 IS A DISCUSSION ITEM ABOUT WHETHER TO HOLD ANOTHER TAX RATE HEARING.

I WOULD REQUEST THAT WE DO HOLD ANOTHER HEARING ON OCTOBER 11TH, WHICH IS THE NEXT MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT. IT IS MY HOPE BETWEEN NOW AND THEN COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND GARCIA CAN VISIT -- RAMSEY AND GARCIA CAN VISIT BASED ON THE FACT THAT I HAVE SEEN THESE PUBLIC STATEMENTS BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THAT HE IS LOOKING FOR A $20 MILLION COMMITMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

QUOTE. I ASKED FOR $20 MILLION FOR MORE PATROL OFFICERS. THAT IS FROM "THE TEXAN." I AGREED. I SAID SO FIVE WEEKS AGO AND I INVITE HIM TO COME TO THE TABLE SO THAT WE CAN GET THIS DONE AND NOT DEFUND OUR POLICE OR HOSPITAL SYSTEM OR FLOOD CONTROL FOR THAT MATTER. DO YOU NEED ADDITIONAL GUIDANCE,

MR. BARRY OR FONBAUN ON 353? >> NO.

TO CLARIFY WE WILL PROVIDE THE NOTICE AND SET UP A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE SAME SET OF PROPOSED RATES FOR OCTOBER

11TH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

THERE IS ITEM 366. >> QUICKLY, JUDGE, THE RATES DID CHANGE BASED OFF THE CERTIFIED ROLE.

IF WE CAN AMEND YOUR STATEMENT TO MOVE TO POST AND DO A PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE RATES AS PROPOSED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS NOT AN ACTION ATTACHED TO THIS ITEM, BUT YOU WILL POST IT WITH THE EQUIVALENT RATES.

IT IS FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THERE WILL BE SLIGHT EDITS BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING FROM AN ESTIMATE.

THERE IS NOTHING SUBSTANTIVE CHANGING.

>> SO 353 IS NO ACTION? >> NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 366 IS A TRANSMITTAL OF THE CERTIFIED APPRAISAL ROLE. THAT IS LEADING TO A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ESTIMATE. WE ARE ACCEPTING THE TRANSMITTAL 367 IS ALSO A TRANSMITTAL. 383 AND 384 ARE A SUGGESTION TO USE ARPAOL DLARS TO COVER THE FUNDING.

AND JUST AEM RINDER THAT THIS IS ANOTHER UNREALISTIC PROPOSAL.

IT IS LIKESK AING DR.OR PSA TO TAKE FROMES RERVESND A COVER LONG-TIME COSTS. IT ISUD BGETING 101.

THESERP AAOL DLARS ARE ECSPIFICALLY NOT FOR LABOROS CTS THAT WOULDXI EST IN PERSONEW P TEE --ER PPITUITY.

THIS PROPOSALS IUNREALISTIC ON ITS FACE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA T ANDHEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

MR. RAMOS, IFWE WE RE TOE TAK ARPA DOLLARSPL TO UG THE

[01:40:10]

>>NT ONE POI OFCA CLARIFITION, ALL OF THE ARPA H MONEYAS BEENMM

COITTED. AND SO WE WOULD BE - LOOKING->> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU WOULD HAVE TO CUTTH ONE OF E OTHER AREAS.

>> YES.T CUPLANNED PROGRAMMING WHETHER THATIC IS PUBL SAFETY AND THE COURT A BACKLOGND PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTIONSTH AND ANYING ELSEA CRTED.AT WH I WANT TO SAY IS WE CAN USEE- ONTIME MONEY.

MY IT WILL BE OVER OBJECTION, ANDD IT WOULBE USIN- ONTIME MONEY AND WE CREATE AL STRUCTURADEFICITWE AD AREG COMMITTINOURSELVESSE BAD ON WHAT OURE TAX BASCOULD

AFFORD.HI >> TS IS THE POINT I AM TRYING FOLKS TO TO HELP UNDERSTAND THIS,CR IF WE DO EATU A STCTURAL DEFICIT, THE CORRECTION?

>>CT THE CORREION ISNT SIGNIFICA TAXAN INCREASE D C THERE AREASE STUDIESRN IN SAN BEARDINOTY COUN, THE CITY OF DETROITIT WHERE HAPPENSD QUICKSLY ANN YOU CASHORT YOUR LONG-TERMIT

LIABILIES. >> I IS THERE ANMPACT TO THEAT BOND RING OR THE CREDIT RATING?

>> IN MY EYES,NE THEY HAVE O OF THE MOST ENVIABLE THROUGHC. THE PANDEMICA LARGE SH REVERSE AND CASHD RESERVES ANAL A STRONG REM ESTATEARKET.

BECAUSE OF THEND REVENUE CAP A BECAUSE WE HAVE MINUTE MULL - SPENDING- BECAUSE WE HAVESP MINIMUM ENDING O -- THE DAYSF HARRISNG COUNTY DROPPI HUNDREDSN OF MILLIS OF DOLLARSSA INTO A VINGS D ACCOUNT, THEYON'T EXISTSE ANYMORE BECAU OF THET LAWS THAHAVE BEENAR PASSED OUND US. I SO THERESHA NO ARGUMENT TT THIS A WOULD LEAD TOEA TAX

INCRSE? >> IF WE AREE USING ONE-TIM T SOURCES,HE BILL COMESD DUE. ANYOUCU ARE GOING TO T O YOU WILL WHETHER INCREASETO THE TAX BILL SUSTAIN IT, THE BILLEV COMES DUE ENTUALLY.

IT ISAR THE SAME AS HRIS HEALTH, VERY SONG FINANCIALON ORGANIZATIS. WE CANUS SUSTAIN IT BECAE WEOM STARTED FR A. STRONG POSITION THAT GOES AWAY.

THERR STRUCTURE WE CUENTLY HAVEN FROM SPENDG MINIMUMS AND REVENUEDU CAPS, IT COMES E AND WE ARE KICKING THE CANAD DOWN TE RO.NO SAN BERNARDI COMESTH TO MIND OFF E TOP OF MY HEAD WHERERU MAJOR RESTCTURING WASCA NEEDED TO

TCH UP. >> SO,U, JUDGE -- THANK YO MR. RAMOS. I WOULD BE FOR THIS ITEM, BUT I WOULD ASKHI COMMISSIONER -- TS CAME FROME, COMMISSIONER CAGL

CORRECT? >> I WOULD BE FOR THISMM ITEM, T COISSIONERR CAGLE, I KNOW YOU STAFFLD IS HERE AND I WOUR -- N ORDER FOME ANDO ASK MY COLLEAGUES T SUPPORT IT, I WOULD NEED YOU TOIS RE-WRE TH ITEM BASICALLY TO SAY PRECINCT 4 PROPOSES. A TAX INCREASETH AND THEN WITH EUA EXISTING LANGGE.AG COMMISSIONER CLE, THANK YOU WOULD JUSTT REWRITE THIS AND PU IT BACK ON THE AGENDA, BUTIT IT MUST BE WRTEN INTO ORDER FOR IT HAVE MY SUPPORT AND TAX WITH MR. RAMOS TO FIND OUT WHAT THE TAX INCREASE NUMBER WOULD BE.

AND THEN I WOULDON BE HAPPY TO MOTI ON IT OR SECOND IT.MM

[01:45:02]

THANK YOU. >> IF I MAY OFFER ONE MORE

COMMENT. >> USING ONE-TIME MONEY TO FUNDS OPERATING EXPENS PUTS US IN A HOLE AND WITH A REVENUE CAP WE HAVE NO WAY TO SHOVELT. OURSELVS OUT OF I

>> IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE M RECOMMEND.

WEAY NOT BE ABLE TO PASS. THAT TAX INCREASE

>> I WAS ABOUT TO SAY, CITIZENS NORMALLY DON'T SUPPORT A REFERENDUM ON A TAX INCREASE. WHY I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR TO THE CITIZEN THAT'S IF WE WERE TO PROPOSE THIS -- AND I'M REALLYIS SURPRISED THAT COMMSIONER CAGLE BEING -- I THOUGHT HE WAS A, FISCAL CONSERVATIVETHAT HE WOULD PROPOSE THIS ITEM THAT ACTUALLYE CAUSES A TAX INCREAS.

AGAIN, BECAUSE IT GOES TO PUBLIC SAFETY, IT WOULD HAVE MY SUPPORT. BUT IT MUST BE WRITTEN THAT PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE HAS A TAXIS INCREASE TO SUSTAIN TH ITEM. THAT'S HOW IT WOULD WORK.

>> SO WHAT I HEAR YOU SAYING IS THAT THIS IS --DO WHAT HE IS TRYING TO HERE IS HE IS TRYING TO REPLACE ANTH ONGOING EXPENDITURE WI ONE-TIME MONEY. YOU THINK IT IS SHORT SIDED?

>> THAT WOULD NOTCE BE OUR FINANCIAL ADVI.

>> AND HAVE WE DONE THAT TO DATE WITH THIS ARPA MONEY?

>> WEEL HAVE NOT. >> RODNEY LIS: AND I AGREE WITH YOU. DO WE KNOW, BYAT THE WAY, IS IT CLEAR TH IF WE PUT THIS ONE-TIME MONEY IN BECAUSE THE STATE PASSED A LAW WHICH HAS BEEN UNTESTED --

>> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD PREFER TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVEDD SESSION IF YOU WANT TO ARESSLI IT.

>> RODNEY ELS: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE WE HAVE A COUPLE OF

SPEAKERS. >> ONE COMMENT,NE THE COUNTY HAS NEVER DO THIS SUBSTANTIALLY USING ONE-TIME MONEY TO FUND OPERATING EXPENSES AND THAT'S WHY WEAN HAVE THE STRONG POSITI.

D THAT'S WHY WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND STARTING IT.

>> AND IF I CAN PILE ON HERE, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE MOBILITY FUND TRANSFER, WE WILL GET A LITTLE MORE INTO IT, BUT I THINK WE HAVE A LOT MORE FLEXIBILITY, BUT GIVEN THE FACT THIS IS AN EVERY YEAR DISCUSSION AND AN EVERY YEAR OPTION, IT MAKES IT POSSIBLE TO DO THINGS AND DO A STRATEGIC PLANNING NOT USING ONE-TIMEIS DOLLARS. THAT'S BEEN THE SUE THAT I HAVE BEEN GRAPPLING WITH. TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA DARK -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FROM THE FOLKS THAT RATE US, WE HAVE THE FUNDAMENTALS.

WE HAVE THE BASE AND THE HISTORY OFMI PAYING ABOVE AND BEYOND THE NIMUM PAYMENTS. WE ARE LACKING THE PREDICT BUILT OF THE RATE. TIFFANY, YOU SAID WE HAVE

SPEAKERS FOR THESE ITEMS? >> FOR ITEM 383, STEPHANIE VALDEZ, SPEAKING IN PERSON AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I DON'T SEE HER. >> I DON'T SEE HER HERE.

SHE SPOKE EARLIER AND I SUSPECT SHE IS DONE.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 38, BRANDON MACK FROM BLACK LIVESNE MATTER HOUSTON. HAVE YOU O MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I AM BRANDON MACK AND I AM THE LEAD ORGANIZER WITH BLACK LIVES MATTER HOUSTON.

I AM IN SPEAKING IN OPPOSITION TO AGENDA ITEM 383.

I AM AGAINST THE CREATION OF A NEW CADET CORP THAT WILL ONLY FURTHER TEACH THE DISCRIMINATORY CULTURE TO NEW CADETS.

IF THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT TRULY BELIEVES THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER THEY SHOULD USE THOSE FUNDS TO PROVIDE MORE RESOURCES TO THE HEALTH SYSTEM, HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND EVICTIONES DEFENSE LEGAL SERVICES. THE SERVICES WILL DO MORE TO SUPPORT AND PROTECT BLACK LIVES THAN ADDING MORE COPS WHO WILL MORE THAN LIKELY HARASS, DISRESPECT AND END BLACK LIVES.

THE RESEARCH SHOWS HELTD -- HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE CONNECTED AND WE NEED MORE HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS AND SERVICES THAN POLICE AND TACTICS THAT FURTHER PERPETUATE THE ANTI-BLACKNESS IN THE CULTURE AND IS ENGRAINED IN THE POLICE CULTURE.

[01:50:03]

HEALTH -- -- >> THANK YOU, SIR.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THEHA

SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: TNK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS. THE NEED FOR THESE ITEMS IS SELF-INFLICTED. THEY JUST SHOW UP, THEN WE CAN FUND THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROPERLY.

OF COURSE, EVEN -- YOU KNOW, THIS IS A BANDAID.

THEN IT WON'T WORK. IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEMS 383 OR 384? THE ITEMS DIE FOR LACK OF A MOTION. NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. THAT SHOULD CONCLUDE ALL OF THE ITEMS RELATED TO THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE. IF MY COLLEAGUES DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, THEN I WILL MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS.

>> IF WE CAN TAKE ITEM 25, THE BUDGET TRANSFER LIST.

>> YES. I SEEM TO HAVE MISSED THAT.

>> ITEM 25 IS THE BUDGET TRANSFER LIST.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD ON THAT, MR. RAMOS?

>> IF YOU COULD, NO ACTION ON ITEM 78 THROUGH 151.

THESE ARE ALL RELATED TO THE RESTORATION OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 PROPOSED BUDGET. THE REST WILL BE PASSED AS IS.

>> WHAT WE ARE DOING IS ADOPTING A REDUCED BUDGET AND FAILING TO GRANT CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS FUNDING THAT THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED HAD THE COLLEAGUES BEEN PRESENT.

AND SO WE ARE -- WE ARE CUTTING BACK ON DOZENS OF ITEMS HERE.

THERE ARE 70 OR 80 LINE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA THAT WILL NOT BE FUNDED BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT PRESENT AND THAT GETS TO A RANGE OF SERVICES IMPACTED BY THEIR FAILURE TO APPEAR INCLUDING FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND HOSPITAL SYSTEM VISITS AND THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE INSPECTIONS OF RESTAURANTS AND MORE.

>> I WOULD CLARIFY, YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY ADOPTING A NEW BUDGET BECAUSE THAT HAS A SPECIFIC MEANING.

>> WE ARE ADJUSTING THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION ON 25? >> 25 AS MENTIONED --

>> 25 WITH -- I'M SORRY. >> SO THE MOTION -- LET'S TAKE IT ONE AT A TIME. WE CAN TAKE THE MOTION ON 25 AND THEN I CAN LIST WHAT THE NO ACTION IS.

HOW ABOUT THAT? IS THERE A MOTION ON 25?

>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS AND -- >> AND I THINK -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. WE COULD DO 78 TO 151 AND THEN DO THE BALANCE OF THE TRANSFERS. DO YOU AGREE THAT'S THE WAY TO

DO THIS? >> IT IS FINE EITHER WAY.

I THINK THE WAY THE JUDGE IS DOING IT IS FINING -- IS FINE.

YOU ARE AMENDING THE ITEM THAT'S ARE NO ACTION.

CORRECT? >> YES.

SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

AND NOW REQUESTING NO ACTION ONLINES 78 TO 151 OF THE BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS TRANSFER LIST AND NO ACTION ON LINES 152, 159 --

>> JUDGE IT IS JUST 78 THROUGH 151.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. NO ACTION ON 78 THROUGH 151 OF THE BUDGET PROS OPERATIONS TRANSFER LIST.

DID YOU GET THAT OR DO YOU NEED ME TO REPEAT?

>> GOT IT JUDGE. NO ACTION ON LINES 78-151.

ITEM 25 PASSED, ELLIS, GARCIA, 3-0.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD, JAY? >> THAT'S.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE ON THE BUDGET OR THE TAX RATE?

>> NO,WI JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

SO WE LL MOVE ON THEN TO THE RESOLUTIONS.

I HAVE UNDER RESOLUTIONS CELEBRATING A RETIREMENT 32 YEARS OF SERVICE. AND THIS IS HONORING DENNIS POTTS ON THE OCCASION OF HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE OFFICE OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES. I THINK HE IS CALLING IN.

DENNIS POTTS IS DEPUTY DIRECTOR AND WILL RETIRE ON SEPTEMBER 30TH. IT IS AFTER 32 YEARS WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND 41 YEARS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE FIELD.

HIS CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT BEGAN IN LOUISIANA IN 1981 AND HE TRANSITIONED TO DO COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS WORK WITH THE LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND CORRECTIONS AND THE TEXAS BOARD OF PARDONS AND PAROLES BEFORE JOINING HARRIS COUNTY PRE-TRIAL. SERVED AS A RESEARCH ASSISTANT IN THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COURT MANAGE MEANT FROM 1998 TO 1999 AND THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF PRE-TRIAL SERVICES FROM MAY -- MARCH OF 1999 UNTIL RETIREMENT AND INTERIM UNTIL 2015 AND JULY OF 2015 AND SEPTEMBER OF 20 SUN 6.

DURING -- 2016. HE HAD ACADEMIC PUBLICATION

[01:55:03]

IS MR. POTTS ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CONGRATULATIONS ES ON YOUR RETIREMENT, MR. POTTS , FROM THE COUNTY AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATION S, DENNIS.

A PLEASURE WORKING WITH YOU ALL THESE YEARS.

>> YOU TOO, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU TOO,.

>> IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING RUN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE ANY OTHER COMMENTS?

>> NOT REALLY. I MEAN, IT HAS BEEN AN INTERESTING RUN. IT HAS BEEN INTERESTING TO WATCH HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE THESE LAST 32 YEARS.

AND I'M -- YOU KNOW, I WISH WE WEREN'T AT THIS POINT, BUT WE ARE. I WISH EVERYONE WELL.

>> THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. POTTS.

LET'S GIVE HIM A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: 32 YEARS OF SERVICE. AND NOW A RESOLUTION TO DEDICATE SEPTEMBER OF 2022 AS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SPEAK ERB ON THAT ONE -- SPEAK OTHER THAT ONE TOO. 20,000 WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH OVARIAN CANCER. IT IS USUALLY DISCOVERED IN THE ADVANCED STAGES. DURING OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, WE HONOR THOSE STRUGGLING WITH THE DISEASE.

IT RECOMMITS TO ENDING OVARIAN CANCER AND ALL CANCER.

IN 2012 THEY LAUNCHED A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT TO REDUCE DEATH AND TRANSFORM CANCER CARE SIGNIFICANTLY.

ONE OF THE PRIMARY RESEARCH AREAS IS OVARIAN CANCER.

IN 2016, THEN VICE PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN REIGNITED THE INITIATIVE NATIONALLY. IT CUTS THE CANCER DEATH RATE IN HALF OVER THE NEXT 25 YEARS AS A GOAL.

CANCER HAS DECREASED AS SURVIVAL RATES HAVE INCREASED.

NO STANDARDIZED SCREENING TESTS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE OUTCOMES. THEY ARE WORKING TO CHANGE THAT.

A BIO MARKER BEING STUDIED AS WELL AS OTHER NEW BIO MARKERS ARE BEING EVALUATED AS A SCREENING TEST.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIGNATES SEPTEMBER AS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH AND ENCOURAGES ALL WOMEN TO BE AWARE OF THE SYMPTOMS. AND I BELIEVE DR. SOLOMON IS AVAILABLE TO SPEAK.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS IS PAM SOLOMON. I HAVE WORKED HERE FOR ALMOST 20 YEARS TAKING CARE OF WOMEN WITH OVARIAN CANCER.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR OFFERING UP THIS RESOLUTION AND DESIGNATING THIS MONTH OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

THE RISK OF OVARIAN CANCER IN THE GENERAL POPULATION IS LOW, BUT IT CAN BE A DEVASTATING DISEASE.

I THINK AWARENESS IS HALF OF THE BATTLE.

I ENCOURAGE ALL WOMEN TO BE ADVOCATES FOR THEMSELVES.

SO IF THEY HAVE SYMPTOMS LIKE BLOATING, ABDOMINAL PAIN AND THEY PERSIST, FLEECE BE SURE TO SEE -- PLEASE BE SURE TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR. IF THEY SAY IT IS NOTHING, THEN IT PERSISTS, THEN GO BACK BECAUSE THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

WOMEN IS ABOUT 2 TO 3% IN THEIR LIFETIME.

THERE ARE WOMEN WHO ARE AT HIGHER RISK.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> THERE IS A FAMILY HISTORY OF BREAST CANCER OR OWE -- OVARIAN CANCER, MAKE SURE YOUR DOCTOR IS AWARE OF THAT. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY

AND FOR THIS RESOLUTION. >> THANK YOU, DR. SOLOMON.

IT IS TOUGH WORK AND IT REQUIRES PER SIS ASSISTANCE IN THE FACT THAT YOU WERE DOING IT FOR SO LONG AND YOU ARE COMMITTED TO IT

[02:00:01]

ON A PERSONAL NOTE I BELIEVE YOU ARE TREATING ONE OF MY STAFF MEMBERS AND VERY PROUD THAT YOU ARE HER DOCTOR.

>> ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ITEM 3 IS -- WE WILL TAKE AT 2 P.M. WHEN CHAIRMAN FREEMAN IS AVAILABLE.

AND THEN NUMBER 4, DEDICATING OCTOBER AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH. LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION BEFORE WE MOVE TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES ITS VITAL ROLE IN IDENTIFYING AND PROTECTING AND RESPONDING TO CYBER THREATS THAT MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON INDIVIDUAL AND COLLECTIVE SECURITY AND PRIVACY.

CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SEBG -- SECTORS ARE RELIANT ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES, AND ENERGY AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION AND UTILITIES AND HEALTHCARE. MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF CYBERSPACE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY IN WHICH EACH OF US HAS A CRITICAL ROLE TO PLAY. AWARENESS OF COMMUNITY -- COMPUTER ESSENTIALS WILL RAISE AWARENESS.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND CONGRESS AND HOMELAND SECURITY AND OTHER ENTITIES DECLARED OCTOBER A CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND ALL CITIZENS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THEIR SITES. IT IS TO LEARN ABOUT CYBER SECURITY AND PUT THE KNOWLEDGE INTO PRACTICE.

BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY DEDICATES OCTOBER OF 2022 AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND URGES ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS TO JOIN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY, HARRIS COUNTY AND MANY OTHER LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT AGENCIES OF -- AND BUSINESSES PARTICIPATING IN THE VITAL ENDEAVOR. WE ENCOURAGE ALL RESIDENTS, COMPANIES AND INSTITUTIONS TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF CYBER SECURITY AND OBSERVE THIS MONTH THROUGH EVENTS, TRAINING AND EDUCATION TO FURTHER OUR COUNTRY'S NATIONAL SECURITY AND RESILIENCE. IS MAJOR GENERAL NORIEGA ON THE

LINE? >> JUDGE, HE IS ON THE LINE.

I THINK HE IS TRYING TO COME UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

WE WILL HOLD FOR HIM TO COME ON. IN THE MEANTIME, COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN GET THROUGH HIS TWO RESOLUTIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST TWO QUICK ONES.

ONE IS TO PAY HONOR TO ARCHBISHOP FIORENZA.

HE ANSWERED THE CALL FROM DR. KING ON THE MARCH IN SELMA TO END SEGREGATION. AND HE AND HIS FRIENDS DID WORK ON SO MANY ISSUES TO SEEK JUSTICE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THEY WERE INSTRUMENTAL IN CREATING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND OBVIOUSLY I SAW AN OP-ED OVER THE WEEKEND WHERE THEY TOOK A STRONG POSITION IN SUPPORT OF MISDEMEANOR BAIL RE-- BAIL REFORM. I KNOW THE SERVICES ARE CELEBRATING WITH A TOWERING FIGURE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS DELIVERED TO HIS FAMILY.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. YOU BEAT ME TO IT.

IT SPEAKS VOLUMES TO HIS LIFE AND I I WILL TELL YOU THE THREE WISE MEN AND THE THREE WISE GUYS ARE ASSUMING THEIR PLACE IN A -- IN AN EVER-LIVING, EVERLASTING PLACE WHERE I HOPE THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE FOR NEVER A MORE UNCOMFORT -- UNCOMFORTABLE MOMENT AND HE REALLY NUDGED MY THINKING BECAUSE THIS WAS ALL PRIOR TO US HEARING ABOUT THE INNOCENCE PROJECT.

AND IT IS ABOUT HEARING ABOUT HOW MANY PEOPLE ON DEATH ROW HAD BEEN WRONGLY CONVICTED. WE'RE HAVING LUNCH.

[02:05:03]

HE SAT BACK AND HE SAID I'M GONNA PRAY FOR YOU.

AND HE STARTED TO GO ON ABOUT HOW TERRIBLE THE DEATH PENALTY IS. I SAID, BISHOP, YOU KNOW, ASSUMING THE COURTS FOUND A PERSON GUILTY -- AND YOU KNOW, BACK THEN WE DIDN'T SEE THE AVALANCHE OF THE WORK OF THE INNOCENCE PROJECT SO I WAFPBT -- SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY GOT THE DEATH PENALTY AND WERE WRONGLY CONVICTED. I COULDN'T TAKE A BITE OF MY FOOD BECAUSE OF THE DISCUSSION, BUT I DID LEAVE A CHANGED PERSON IN MY THINKING. I FEEL LIKE NOW THE DNA AND THE SCIENCE IS MUCH BETTER THAN IT HAS EVER BEEN BEFORE.

WE STILL HAVE HUMANS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PROCESS AND SO THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THINGS TO GO WRONG, BUT HE DID CHANGE ME, BUT I BELIEVE THE DECISION SHOULD NEVER BE IN THE COURTS.

IT SHOULD BE LEFT TO THE SURVIVING FAMILIES AND THE VICTIMS FOR THEM TO DECIDE. I WILL TELL YOU THAT IT IS LIKE BEING IN CONFESSION OUT IN PUBLIC.

I WOULD JUST SAY THE ARCH BISHOP FOR THAT MOMENT AND FOR SO MANY OTHERS I'M JUST -- I'M REALLY, REALLY JUST GRATEFUL TO HAVE KNOWN HIM AND FOR THE WORK THAT HE CONTINUED TO DO BEYOND THE

PULPIT BOTH HIM AND RABBI. >> COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, HIS SERVICES START TONIGHT AND OF COURSE TOMORROW AND THE NEXT DAY. YOU KNOW, I WORKED WITH HIM ON A LOT OF CASES AND HE AND HIS TWO FRIENDS WILL GET INVOLVED.

USUALLY ON SHORT NOTICE, BUT AFTER HARVEY, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH GETTING HOMES REPAIRED.

THEY WERE AT A MEETING AT THE MARRIOTT AND I WAS WAITING FOR HIM TO SHOW UP. I DIDN'T KNOW WHICH ONE WOULD DO THE PRAYER. HE WAS DRIVING HIMSELF.

SOMEBODY PICKED UP REVEREND LAWSON.

THE ARCHBISHOP WAS DRIVING HIMSELF.

HE WAS JUST DRIVING AROUND AND LOOKING FOR IT.

HE GOT THERE WHEN IT WAS OVER, BUT I'M TOLD UP UNTIL THE VERY END HE WAS VERY CONSCIOUS AND WHAT AN AMAZING HUMAN BEING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND FOR HIS THINKING AND ESPECIALLY WITH HIS UP -- UNBRINGING IN THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, HE WAS A TRUE

CONTEMPORARY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HEARD HE PASSED, I CALLED BISHOP DIXON AND WENT AND REMINISCED.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NICE. NICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE WILL BE MISSED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE NEXT IS FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S DAY.

THIS IS THE LAST COURT WE WILL HAVE, I KNOW WHEN THE DAY COMES UP WE WILL POST SOMETHING. YOU TALK ABOUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH, BUT I WANTED TO PASS IT IN THEIR

HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

I CAN SEE MAJOR GENERAL IS HERE WITH HIS TEAM.

GO AHEAD. THAT IS BRIEFLY FOR ITEM 4.

MY RESOLUTION IS TO DESIGNATE OCTOBER 2022 AS CYBER SECURITY

AWARENESS MONTH. >> THANK YOU, COURT AND COURT MEMBERS. I AM IN A POSITION TO PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR BISHOP, AND I WANT TO THANK THE COURT.

THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME -- TWO YEARS AGO YOU CALLED ME IMMEDIATELY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT.

AND THE ONE THING YOU INSTRUCTED ME TO DO WAS TO BE SURE THAT WE HAD A KEEN SENSE OF CYBER SECURITY AS WE APPROACHED THE

[02:10:02]

IT IS A 24/7 OPERATION BY YOUR CYBER TEAM AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES. I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT WE HAVE WORKED EXTREMELY HARD, OUR TEAM HAS, AND WE ARE REPELLING A LOT OF ATTEMPTS TO INFRINGE ON THE COUNTY OPERATIONS.

I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE OUR CIO WHO WILL INTRODUCE THE DIRECTOR OF CYBER. YOU ALL KNOW SINDUH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A PLEASURE TO SEE YOU IN PERSON.

>> IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE.A >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT'S A

PLEASURE. >> TNK YOU.

I APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY. AND AS GENERAL ELUDED, CYBER SECURITY IS ONE OF THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES FOR I.T.

IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE A COURT THAT KEEPS IT AS A HIGH PRY -- PRIORITY. MANY DON'T HAVE SUPPORT AND SPONSORSHIP IN ADDRESSING THE PRIVATE SECURITY RISKS, BUT I AM HONORED TO SHOW WHERE CYBER SECURITY IS ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES. FOR THIS MONTH WE HAVE SEVERAL ACTIVITIES PLANNED FROM THE COMMUNITY EDUCATION ALL THE WAY TO CHECKING OUR INTERNAL HEALTH. SO WE ARE STAYING IN SYNC WE

WILL AUTHORIZE THE GUIDELINES. >> THANK YOU.

>> IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS AND THE EMPLOYEES OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND CYBER SECURITY PLAYS A ROLE IN KEEPING THE COUNTY SECURE. ESPECIALLY DURING PSYCHER SECURITY AWARENESS -- DURING CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND HELPING THEM TO GIVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW CYBER SECURITY -- HOW ATTACKS CAN BE AFFORDED AND HOW TO IDENTIFY AND HOW TO PROTECT US. PEOPLE ARE USUALLY THE FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE IN KEEPING THE COUNTY SECURE.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> PLEASURE.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU

HAVE ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS? >> YES.

I HAVE ONE MORE AND I WAS HOPING THIS YOUNG MAN WAS GOING TO JOIN

US, BUT HE WAS UNABLE -- >> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC PLEASE.

>> I WAS HOPING TO DO THIS ONE IN PERSON WITH HIM, BUT HE COULD NOT MAKE IT, BUT THERE IS A YOUNG MAN WHO IS REALLY LIGHTENED UP AND LIFTING UP HOUSTON/HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES IF NOT THE WORLD.

AN INCREDIBLE INDIVIDUAL. HE IS A GULF WAR REFUGEE FROM KUWAIT WHO SETTLED IN S.W.A.T. THEY ARE AT THE ASTRODOME AND HE HAD SUCCESS AS A COMEDIAN. MANY HAVE SEEN HIS SHOW.

IT IS CURRENTLY ON NETFLIX AND TITLED "MO." AND HE IS REALLY -- HE HAS DONE INCREDIBLY WELL AND HIS HUMOR IS REALLY EMBRACING AND WELCOMING AND INCLUSIVE.

BUT BECAUSE OF HIS SUCCESS AND ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL REASONS I WANT TO DO THIS RESOLUTION IS BECAUSE WE JUST CELEBRATED HUMANITARIAN MONTH AND WE WANTED TO DO THE RESOLUTION AND TRYING TO WORK OUT SCHEDULES, SO WE MISSED IT.

BUT THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA.

HE EPL PWRAEUTED AS A REFUGEE OF THE GULF WAR.

HE ATTENDED PINEY POINT ELEMENTARY AND IN 2009 BECAME A UNITED STATES CITIZEN. AND THEN AT THE AGE OF 10 HE

[02:15:03]

A FEW YEARS LATER HE ENTERED THE FUNNIEST PERSON'S -- HE ENTERED THE COMEDY SHOWCASE WHERE THE OWNER TOOK MUHAMMAD UNDER HIS WING AND MENTORED HIM AND HE WAS THE ONLY ARAB-AMERICAN REFUGEE TO PERFORM FOR THE UNITED STATES AND THE COALITION TROOPS OVERSEAS. HE PERFORMED WORLDWIDE FROM HOUSTON TO LAS VEGAS TO LAS VEGAS AND LONG DONE -- LONDON AND SAID -- SYDNEY, GERMANY, JAPAN, BAHARAIN AND JORDAN AND SWEDEN AND HE APPEARED IN TELEVISION FILM AND MEDIA OUTLETS INCLUDING THE "NEW YORK TIMES" AND ROLLING STONES AND THE GUARDIAN, NPR, BBCCNN, CBS, HULU AND NETFLIX.

HE STARS IN A NETFLIX SHOW BASED LOOSELY IN TEXAS.

AS A PALESTINIAN REFUGEE IT WAS RELEASED IN AUGUST OF THIS YEAR AND IT IS PROUDLY AS HE FOLLOWS AN UNDOCUMENTED AND IT IS IN PURSUIT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM INCLUDING THE STRUGGLES TO HAVE QUALITY HEALTHCARE AND PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT AND REALITY OF SO MANY PEOPLE LIVE IN A DAY TO DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.

MISSOURI HAM IMMEDIATE HOSTED A CHARITY SHOPPING SPREE AND THIS IS WHAT GOT MY HEART. THERE WAS A TWO-ALARM FIRE THAT BURNED DOWN MANY OF THE HOMES. HOMO HAM IMMEDIATE WANTED TO GIVE BACK TO THE 19 HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES WHO LOST EVERYTHING BY HELPING THEM PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW START.

YOU ARE NOT HERE, BUT YOUR SPIRIT IS HERE.

I THINK AT A LATER TIME HE CAN JOIN US.

ALL THAT TO SAY IS THAT THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES MUHAMMAD MUSTAFA FOR HIS VOLUNTEER WORK IN HELPING RESIDENTS AND FAMILIES AND THIS COMEDY IS TO BE APPRECIATED AND MAYBE WE SHOULD HELP HIM DO A COMEDY SKIT AND WORK THROUGH TOUGH ISSUES.

MUHAMMAD, YOU MAY HAVE ANOTHER NETFLIX SHOW IN THE MAKING.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MUHAMMAD. >>> SO I SUGGEST WE TAKE A LUNCH BREAK AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK AND VOTE ON THE AGENDA AND GET

MOVING ON THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. >> JUDGE, DID YOU WANT TO HEAR

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)]

THE REMAINING SPEAKERS? >> I THOUGHT WE GOT DONE WITH THEM. HOW MANY DO WE HAVE LEFT?

>> LET'S GO AHEAD AND HEAR THE SPEAKERS THEN.

>> FIRST IS SPEAKER 11, TAMMY RODRIGUEZ, SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 55 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.

MY NAME IS TAMMY RODRIGUEZ. I AM AN ACTIVIST IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. I LIVE IN SWAT.

I WANTED TO BRING UP ITEM NUMBER 55 IN THE 13TH -- ITEM 54 WHICH ACTUALLY HAD THE ENGINEERS DOING THE MASTER PLAN FOR THE BURNETT BAILEY PARK. IT WAS PUT ON HOLD.

I'M NOT HERE TO JUDGE OR ANYTHING, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP. OUR COMMUNITY DOES NOT WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP IN THE POLITICAL RING OF EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO GET ANYBODY TO COME AND DO SOMETHING IN 30 YEARS.

I WANT TO SHOW YOU JUST OFF THE TOP.

IF YOU CAN SEE WHAT IS IN ORANGE, THESE ARE ALL APARTMENTS. NO AMENITIES.

THAT IS THE ONLY GREEN SPACE THAT WE ARE ASKING TO GET HELP ON, COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS AGREED.

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: TAMMY, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. THESE ITEMS ARE HELD BECAUSE --

[02:20:06]

THERE ARE STILL QUESTION THAT'S WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO X ON THIS.

A LOT OF ITEMS DON'T MAKE IT TO THE AGENDA BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT YET READY OR RIGHT. AND EVEN WHEN THEY DO I HAVE

HELD SOME ITEMS BACK. >> WHY WOULD YOU DO THISWOMAN --

DO THIS ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE DON'T KNOW

IF IT IS READY OR NOT. >> THIS IS JUST FOR THE

ENGINEER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM JUST GIVING UH PERSPECTIVE. IF YOUR COMMISSIONER -- IF YOU CAN HELP US GET YOUR COMMISSIONER TO WORK, IT WOULD

HELP US TO MOVE THESE AGENDAS. >> SO HIM NOT BEING HERE, THE WHOLE THING WILL SUFFER FROM AN AREA THAT YOU CAME FROM WHEN YOU

WORKED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEP.

>> SO IF HE IS HERE -- I KNOW, BUT -- LET ME GET THIS RIGHT.

IF THEY ARE HERE, THEN Y'ALL CAN SAY YES TO THE BUDGET AND THEN I

GET THIS STARTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> IN 30 YEARS THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THE COUNTY AND THE CITY HAS

EVER WORKED TOGETHER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I LOVE IT.

>> YOU CAME FROM THERE. YOU KNOW WHAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD

IS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW IT

WELL. >> IT IS NOT FAIR TO THE COMMUNITY FOR THEM TO BE DENIED THAT SPACE BECAUSE OF A POLITICAL BACK AND FORTH. I AM NOT HERE ABOUT THE BUDGET.

I AM HERE FOR THE COMMUNITY. THESE RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE

GREEN SPACE OR A PLACE TO PLAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW IT

WELL. >> I AM NOT HERE FOR THE BULL.

I AM NOT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOR --

>> YOU WORK THAT AREA AND YOU KNOW THAT AREA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU HELP US --

>> WE HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HELP US GET

YOUR PERSON HERE. >> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

Y'ALL NEED TO WORK IT OUT. WE CANNOT BE THE VICTIMS OF WHAT

Y'ALL ARE DOING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PUT A CALL

INTO HIM. >> I TALKED TO HIM.

HE HAS PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND SANDRA RODRIGUEZ AND MARIA HERNANDEZ CAME OVER HERE AND Y'ALL SAID OKAY.

SHE IS WITH Y'ALL. YOU KNOW HER.

YOU ALSO KNOW ME. I'M PASSIONATE.

IT IS ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. IT IS NOT ABOUT THE POLITICAL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I LOVE IT. YOUR GUY NEEDS TO BE HERE TO

VOTE ON IT. >> YOU PASSED THREE PAGES WORTH OF ITEMS WHILE HE WAS NOT HERE. THIS WAS ONE OF THE ONES -- NO.

WHEN I GO THERE -- LOOK AT THE ONES YOU DID PASS.

YOU DO HAVE IN COMMON SOME OF THESE ENGINEERS.

THESE WERE APPROVED ENGINEERS THAT Y'ALL ALREADY USE.

Y'ALL ALREADY USE. THEY ARE COMPLEMENTARY -- COMPLIMENTARY TO YOU, IF YOU CAN READ BETWEEN THE LINES.

IF THEY ARE ALREADY AN APPROVED VENDOR, THEN WHY CAN'T YOU TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT AND LET THEM PRESENT IT TO YOU.

THE COMMUNITY AND THEIR INPUT, LET THAT BE MY RESPONSIBILITY TO

GET HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HELP HIM GET

HERE. >> JUST LETTING EVERYBODY KNOW.

YOU ARE HOLDING THE ACTUAL TRANSITION OF BARELY BEGINNING A PROJECT AT THE PARK WE HAVE NEVER GOTTEN AND EVEN FROM THE COMMISSIONER BEFORE, NEVER GOT FROM THE COMMISSIONER BEFORE AND NOW THAT WE ARE GETTING IT BECAUSE OF YOUR POLITICAL BACK AND FORTH AND BECAUSE IF THEY ARE SITTING HERE Y'ALL CAN VOTE BECAUSE Y'ALL WILL BE HERE TO OVER RUN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF HE SHOWS UP.

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 15, ELIZABETH ROSSI, SPEAKING ON 206 UNDER JUSTICE AND SAFETY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. HI, MY NAME IS ELIZABETH ROSSI AND AN ATTORNEY WITH CIVIL RIGHTS CORP.

WE HAVE FILED LAW SUITS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AND DALLAS COUNTY.

THE FIRST LAWSUIT WE FILED WAS IN MAY OF 2016.

60 YEARS AFTER THAT, IT IS EASY TO FORGET WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE AT THAT TIME. WHEN WE SUED ABOUT 44% OF PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANORS COULD NOT AFFORD A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS. 84% OF PEOPLE NEVER POSTED BONDS AND 49% OF PEOPLE WHO MANAGED TO GET OUT.

IN CONTRAST, THOSE STUCK IN JAIL WERE 13% AND 32% OF PEOPLE HAD THEIR CASES DISMISSED. FEW CAN FORGET THE IMAGE OF THOSE WHO COULDN'T AFFORD A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS BEGGING FOR RELEASE. FAST-FORWARD TO LAST MONTH AND

PEOPLE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 33, DOROTHY HABLISKY UNDER IS UP -- UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU.

AGAIN, I STATE I AM ALWAYS IN FEAR OF SPEAKING IN THIS PLACE

[02:25:07]

ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I ASK IS WHY DO YOU TALK SO MUCH AND NOT ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO TALK? WE ARE TIRED OF IT.

WE COME AND WAIT ALL DAY LONG TO HAVE OUR VOICES HEARD.

THE THREE OF YOU, ALL YOU DO IS SIT THERE AND RAMBLE AND LOOK AT YOUR PHONES AND CARRY ON. YOU DON'T REALLY CARE ABOUT THE PUBLIC. YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT HISPANICS OR POLICE OR BLACKS OR WHITES. YOU PUT US AGAINST EACH OTHER AND WE ARE SICK OF IT AND THE WHOLE SITUATION WHERE THE BUREAUCRACY IN THE CITY ARE STEALING MONEY AND THE GOVERNMENT BURE ROCK -- BUREAUCRACIES, THE HOSPITALS, THEY ARE STEALING MONEY. COVID WAS A DISASTER.

WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO IS PUT FEAR MONGERING IN THE PEOPLE.

YOU FEAR MONGER AND LIE ABOUT CAGLE AND RAMSEY AND YOU DON'T PUT THE TRUTH OUT. IT IS PROPAGANDA.

I WILL TELL YOU, AS LONG AS I HAVE BREATH IN MY, I WILL DO EVERYTHING TO EXPOSE THE TRUTH. GOD BLESS THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON.

WAKE UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 35, JORDAN EVERETT SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 382 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL COVID-19 ITEMS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM JORDAN EVERETT AND A SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER AT THE CIVIC AND PUBLIC POLICY IMPROVEMENT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK OF THE FEW OF THE BENEFITS OF RIGHT TO COUNCIL FOR TENETS -- TENANTS FACING EVICTION THAT HAVE PROOF TO BE EFFECTIVE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.

15 CITIES AND THREE STATES HAVE ESTABLISHED RIGHT TO COUNCIL FOR TENANTS. WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH HOUSING ADVOCATES IN MANY JURISDICTIONS TO LEARN FROM THEM. 84% OF NEW YORK CITY TENANTS REMAIN IN THEIR HOMES AFTER RIGHT TO COUNCIL IS PASSED.

93% OF CLEVELAND TENANTS AVOIDED AN EVICTION ON THEIR RECORD.

WHEN AN EVICTION OCCURS EVERYTHING IS AT STAKE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL OR A FAMILY. AND WITH THEM COMES INCREASED GOVERNMENT SPENDING. ESTABLISHING EVICTION RIGHTS OF COUNCIL WILL SAVE THE COUNTY MONEY BY REDUCING STRAIN ON PUBLIC SERVICES INCLUDING HOMELESS SHELTER COSTS, UNSHELTERED HOMELESSNESS COSTS AND PUBLIC SPENDING ON FOSTER CARE TO NAME A FEW EXAMPLES. FUNDING RIGHT TO COUNCIL CAN

REDUCE THE LONG-LASTING COSTS -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT ITEM AND I THINK IT WILL PASS.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 36, JULIA ORDUNA ON TEXAS HOUSERS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I AM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR WITH TEXAS HOUSERS.

I OBJECT SERVED EVICTION HEARINGS SINCE THE BEGINNING OF THE PANDEMIC. HONESTLY WHEN YOU GET TO THE TRIPLE DIGITS THE SHOCK VALUE WEARS OFF, BUT WITNESSING THE INJUSTICE DOES NOT. FOUR MILLION IS NOT ENOUGH TO COVER ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY, NOT EVEN FOR A YEAR.

IT IS THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG AND A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, BUT IT LEAVES MANY TENANTS WITHOUT ACCESS TO ANY TYPE OF BALANCE TO THIS JUSTICE. IT IS ACCESSING TO JUSTICE AND WE URGE YOU TO CONTINUE ADDING TO THE FUNDING IN THE NEXT YEAR.

I HAVE WITNESSED THE POWER AND BALANCE LEGAL REPRESENTATIVES MAKE FOR TENANTS. I I HAVE SEEN LAWYERS MAKE SENSE OF WHAT THEY COULD NOT IN LEGAL JAR DONE.

THEY SAID AN ELDERLY LADY WAS BEING FORCED OUT OF HER HOME AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN FILED IN PROBATE COURTS.

THE PRESENCE OF A LAWYER HELPED NEGOTIATE A LONGER MOVEOUT FOR A

RESIDENT. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS UP. >> WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING CARE OF ALL OF OUR TENANTS AND CONSTITUENTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS JAY MALONE SPEAKING ON 382.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS JAY MALONE.

I AM SPEAKING FOR THE TEXAS GULF COAST LABOR CONFEDERATION AND SPEAKING ON 382. IN THE LAST TWO YEARS, UNION MEMBERS HAVE KNOCKED OVER 40,000 DOORS TO GET OUT THE WORD ABOUT LEGAL AID AND MENTAL ASSISTANCE AND HOSTED MASS APPLICATION OFFENSE IN COLLABORATION OF THE OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE. WE THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THAT.

SO MANY WAYS THINGS ARE WORSE THAN THEY STARTED.

OUR COURTS ARE FACTORS IN THE UP BRINGING.

WE ARE THANKFUL THE COUNTY IS PLANNING TO APPROVE AN HISTORIC $4 MILLION H LEGAL AID. IN LIGHT OF THE PWRUPBLG -- BUDGET CRISIS, ALLOCATE FUNDS TO ESTABLISH AN EVICTION RATE IN THE COURTS. WE ESTIMATE EVERY DOLLAR WILL RESULT IN $10 IN SAVINGS FOR THE COUNTY AND IT IS CRITICAL TO

KEEP FAMILIES -- >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER

[02:30:02]

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> I AM THE DIRECTOR ASSIGNED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY LUMEN ACCOUNT.

I WOULD LIKE TO OFFER SERVICE ON THE SENSITIVE INFORMATION OF HOMELAND SECURITY. WE REALIZE THAT ENHANCED SECURITY CAN AUGMENT THIS BY -- PROTECT THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE COUNTY. I AM ASKING FOR PERMISSION TO REACH OUT TO TO THE VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS ON HOW IT MAY BE A BENEFIT. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER TWO.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I AM GWEN TKAU LYNN JONES -- GWENDALYN JONES. IT IS IN PRECINCT 1 AREA.

WHAT I COME TO YOU TODAY TO DISCUSS WITH YOU IS HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS NOT RESPONDED TO MS OF JULY 28TH.

THEY HAVE BEENY SRAEU -- THEY HAVE BEENY SRAEU.

IN THAT MEETING THEY STATED HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AS WELL AS THEIR SUPERVISOR THAT THEY HILLARY SPOPD TO THE QUESTIONS OF THOSE MEETINGS. WILL RESPOND TO THOSE QUESTIONS. THEY HAVE NOT CONTACTED US AT ALL. THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE WATER CHANNEL THAT IS LOCATED BEHIND OUR HOMES.

THAT IS THE WATER CHANNEL WHERE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD HAS HAD

THEIR FEE STRIPPED BACK. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

SINCE YOU ARE HERE, I WILL TRY TO GET SOMEONE TO VISIT WITH YOU

TODAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER, TED W*RBG RWE -- TED WEISGOLD.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY TPHREUPL -- MY NAME IS TED WEISGOLD AND I AM AN AUTHOR OF ROBERTS RULES FOR KIDS AND BIG KIDS A GUIDE TO TEACHING CHILDREN OF ALL AGES THE BASICS OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE.

11 MONTHS AGO THE UNIVERSITY OF COLLEGE EDUCATION HOSTED A PANEL THAT INCLUDED THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS AND THAT PANEL WAS ADDRESSING DISRUPTING THE SCHOOL TO PRISON PIPELINE.

WHEN I HEARD THAT THEME I SAID I KNOW THE ANSWER AND IT INVOLVES ROBERT'S RULES OF ORDER. I WROTE AN ESSAY THAT IS IN MY BOOK AND I WANT TO GIVE IT TO YOU.

I WANT TO MEET WITH YOU AND SEE HOW WE CAN GET SOME TRACTION WITH THE SCHOOL SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADVANCE THIS IDEA.

AND I GOT SOME SERIOUS INTEREST FROM ABOUT 70 PEOPLE AND I HAD WRITTEN ELMER BAILEY WHO IS THE FORMER HEAD OF CHILD PROBATION.

>> SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND HE IS EXCITED ABOUT THIS IDEA AS WELL. BUT I REALLY WANT TO MEET WITH THE THREE OF YOU AND YOUR TWO COLLEAGUES WHO ARE ABSENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL FOLLOW-UP.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU CAN HAPPENED THE MATERIALS

TO HIM SO WE CAN GET THEM. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS EURISA FORBES. I AM PART OF PRECINCT 1.

THEY HAD SEVERE CORROSION THROUGH YEARS AND ON JULY 28TH HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL SAID THE BRIDGE WOULD BE DEMOLISHED. NOW MONTHS LATER HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL SAYS THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS NOT ALLOWING ACCESS. WHEN ASKED WHO TOLD THEM THAT, THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY NAMES IN DETAIL.

[02:35:04]

THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS.

I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY CALL YOU. IN -- SOME OF YOUR NEIGHBORS

WOULD BE HERE. >> MR. ELLIS, THERE IS NO ACTION. WE NEED HELP.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> I WILL TRY TO GET THE HEAD OF FLOOD CONTROL TO TALK TO YOU. AT LEAST I WILL GET YOU AN ANSWER WHETHER IT IS THE CITY OR THE COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 9, TPAU TPAULY -- FELICIA FROM WHITE OAK TERRACE.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> ALONG THE [INAUDIBLE] DITCH, THERE ARE SEVERAL AREAS WHERE THE EROSION IS CREATED BY THE DEEP GULLIES ALONG THE BANKS. THEY ARE EXTENDING TO THE RESIDENTS' PROPERTY, IA MY PROPERTY.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SAYS THE -- SAYS IT ADDRESSES IT ALL THE TIME. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T GET TO THE CHANNELS BECAUSE THEY DON'T OWN THEM.

THEY HAVE THE DIRT AND IT FALLS INTO THE GULLIES AND IT DEPOSITS INTO THE CHANNELS AND IT CAUSES FLOODING AND EROSIONS IN THE BACK. THEY DO NOT ADDRESS THAT.

MR. ELLIS, I TALKED TO HIM ALL THE TIME WHEN HE COMES OUT AND NOTHING IS HAPPENING. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR OVER FOUR YEARS. I REALLY DO WANT SOMEBODY TO ADJUST IT AND I DO TRUST THAT YOU WILL ADDRESS IT, BUT I

REALLY DO NEED IT TAKEN CARE OF. >> ONE THING IS FOR SURE, AT LEAST I WILL GET YOU AN ANSWER ON WHO IS RESPONSIBLE.

TO BE HONEST, I JUST DON'T KNOW. WE'LL FIND OUT.

THANK YOU. >> AND SO NOW HE MAY BE TIED UP TODAY, BUT YOU WILL GET A MEETING.

>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 10, ALEXI SWARSKI.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> AS A RESIDENT OF PRE -- PRECINCT 3 AND FORMER RES SENT OF FREE -- PRECINCT 4, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HARRIS HEALTH ARE NOT BEING DEFUNDED BECAUSE OF THEIR ABSENCE. THOSE ARE LIES.

WHEN SOMEONE TELLS YOU WHO THEY R BELIEVE THEM.

A FEW COMMISSIONERS' COURT HEARING I SAT HERE AND HEARD ELLIS AND GARCIA SAY WHEN SOMEBODY SHOWS UP AT AN EMERGENCY ROOM THE HOSPITAL HAS TO TREAT THEM, STRONGLY IMPLYING IT WASN'T IMPORTANT TO FUND THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS EVEN SAID MEDICAL WORKERS TAKE NOTE THAT REQUIRES HAVE TO TREAT EVERYONE. IT IS OKAY IF HARRIS HEALTH CAN'T TREAT THEM. THEY CAN GO TO THE ER OR PRIVATE HOSPITAL. I WAS UH TKPWA*S FOR THE TREATMENT OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AT LEAST $11 MILLION WAS SPENT ON A 10 HOSPITAL FOR COVID PATIENT AND NOT ONE PATIENT WAS ADMITTED.

WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY. I DON'T BUY THE CONCERN THAT HARRIS HEALTH SERVICES HAS TO BE CUT IF THE REVENUE THESE COMMISSIONERS WANT IS NOT ADOPTED.

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

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I AM A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY WHO HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY TO CLEAN AND MAINTAIN THE CITY OF DALLAS STORM DRAIN FLOWS. AND IT WAS PER EMPLOYEE MAINTENANCE MANAGER AND IT WAS HIGHLIGHTED IN YELLOW.

THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY.

IT IS THE YOU ARE RESPONSIBILITY OF -- IT IS YOU ARE RESPONSIBILITY FOR NOT MAINTAINING THE GUARD PAN DITCH.

WHO IS IRRESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IS IS THE COURT BECAUSE THEY REPORT

[02:40:04]

COMING UP IN NOVEMBER. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> VOTE NO FOR THE BOND ISSUE.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEW MEXICO IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER. U.S. HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI.

THANK YOU. YES.

DONNA WILLIAMS AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE YORK DALE COMMUNITY.

THE PROPERTY MAP IS DISPLAYED BY THE FLOOD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE DURING THE VIRTUAL MEETING ON JULY 28TH WITH THE YORK DALE COMMUNITY. IT IS AREAS OWNED BY THE FLOOD DISTRICT AND IT IS NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE -- THEIR LACK OF WILLINGNESS TO RECTIFY AN ISSUE THAT CAN ONLY BE RESOLVED BY THEM. THIS IS BASED ON OUR EXAMINATION TO THE FLOOD DISTRICT. GIVES THEM ACCESS TO THE WATER CHANNEL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 14 FOR MEDICARE FOR ALL. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANK YOU.

ASKING COMMISSIONERS AGAIN TO PLEASE TAKE ACTION SIMPLY ADOPTING A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF CONGRESS ENACTING MEDICARE FOR ALL UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE FOR ALL HARRIS -- ALL OF AMERICA AND ALL PEOPLE LIVING IN THE U.S. THAT *R -- IN THE U.S., BUT ALL PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS BOOM FOR ALL OF US, ESPECIALLY BUSINESS OWNERS.

I KNOW A NUMBER OF BUSINESS OWNERS WHO CON NOT AFFORD HEALTHCARE FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND THOSE EMPLOYEES HAVE TO DO WITHOUT. THERE IS NO NEED FOR THAT SITUATION. EVERY HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE CAN AND SHOULD HAVE MEDICAL COVERAGE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE ON THE SHOULDERS OF BUSINESS OWNERS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ARE THERE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, TIFFANY?

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. AND THERE IS -- WE WERE WAITING FOR 2:00 FOR MR. FREEMAN AND HIS TEAM.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO TAKE THEM WHEN WE ARE BACK.

I KNOW THEY WERE TRYING TO CONNECT THEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WERE THEY SCHEDULED? IF YOU WANT TO TAKE THEM -- IF WE TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK AT

2 -- WERE THEY SCHEDULED? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS

AFTER 2. >> I JUST RECEIVED WORD THAT -- I JUST RECEIVED WORD THEY HAVE ARRIVED.

>> WE ARE MISSING -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY ARE COMING HERE? WE CAN COME BACK IN. I WANT TO TAKE A BREAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A BREAK UNTIL -- I'M SORRY? LET'S TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 2:00. IT IS 1:36 AND WE ARE

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 2:16 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK

[Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

THIS IS A LEVITY BREAK FOR OUR COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND IT IS A CELEBRATION OF THE 25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON PORT AUTHORITY. WE ARE EXCITED TO CELEBRATE 25 YEARS. AND WE HAVE KENNY FREEMAN HERE AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, JANICE BURKE AND WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE YOU HERE. IT IS THE UTMOST ACHIEVEMENT IN MY MIND IS THE WORLD CUP. AND NOW YOU ARE SETTING THE BAR REALLY HIGH. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU BEST THAT ONE. IF ANYONE CAN DO IT, IT IS YOU GUYS. I AM SO PROUD AND THE COMMUNITY IS THRILLED AND IT IS A BIG DEAL AND THAT'S ALL YOU GUYS.

I HOPE YOU ARE AS PROUD OF YOURSELVES AS I AM OF YOU AND WE ALL ARE OF YOU, AND WE APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU GUYS DO AND WE APPRECIATE THE CUPCAKES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. JANICE, YOU SHOULD HAVE TOLD ME YOU WERE BRINGING CUPCAKES OR I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN EATING THIS BANANA PUDDING. AND I WANT TO SET A PROJECT OUT FRONT. THAT IS TO SEE MORE SEEMLESSNESS

[02:45:11]

THEIR FACILITY AND POST OUR EVENTS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A DISCUSSION AT SOME POINT ABOUT HAVING RYAN AND THE BISHOP SIT AND HAVE THAT DISCUSSION.

AND THAT'S GOING FORWARD I TOO AM A BILLING -- I TOO AM A BIG FAN OF THE WORLD CUP. I DID SECURITY FOR THE GOLD CUP AT THE -- AT NRG. AND THAT WAS IN 2003, I BELIEVE -- OR TOO. AND IT WAS THE U.S./MEXICO EXHIBITION GAME. I WAS SO WORRIED THAT THE NRG STADIUM WAS GOING TO COLLAPSE BECAUSE OF THE ENERGY THAT WAS IN THERE. I WAS TALKING TO -- I BELIEVE IT WAS JAIME. NO.

I WAS TALKING TO OLIVER LUCK. OLIVER AND I LEANED OVER BECAUSE THERE WAS A DEBATE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT HOUSTON COULD SUPPORT SOCCER. I THINK THAT DEBATE IS OVER.

HE SAID, YEAH. YOU'RE RIGHT.

I SAID, OLIVER, I'M GOING TO TAKE THIS GOLD TROPHY AND I'M GONNA RUN THE HELL OUT OF HERE. I THINK THIS PLACE IS GONNA FALL. LISTEN, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT JOURNEY THUS FAR. AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE LOOKED AT FOR YEARS. THANK YOU ALL.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> THANK YOU.

I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK OF THE ENTIRE BOARD AND KENNY FREEMAN HAS DONE A REMARKABLE JOB. I SAW JOE OUT IN THE HALL HALL AND JANICE BURKE IS DOING A GREAT JOB.

SHE HAD TO TAKE THE MASK OFF BUT THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

I KNOW WHEN THE SUPER BOWL WAS HERE IT WAS ABOUT THE TIME I CAME ON CHICKS -- CAME ON COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

I THINK THE COUNTY LOST $100,000.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE LEARN FROM WHAT THIS BOARD HAS DONE.

WE SHOULD NOT HAVE SPENT MONEY AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND YOUR TEAM ALONG WITH THE BISHOP AND THE FOLKS OUT THERE.

WE WILL HOST ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES -- IN PRECINCT ONE, I MIGHT ADD. IT OUGHT TO GENERATE SOME REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY AS OPPOSED TO COSTING US.

I KNOW THERE ARE ISSUES IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE WE MAINTAIN A WORLD CLASS FACILITY. DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES, I KNOW I WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO MAKE A CASE THAT THE TAXPAYERS OUGHT TO PICK THAT UP. THIS IS A REAL OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN MAKING THAT CASE NOW. I AM JUST GLAD WE COULD TAKE TIME TO HONOR THEM TODAY, AND I'M GLAD ALL OF THEM ARE THERE.

I SAW LAURA BACK THERE AS WELL. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? THAT WAY THE FOLKS ON THE ZOOM

CAN HEAR YOU AS WELL. >> THANK YOU.

WE ARE THRILLED AT OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, JANICE AND I ARE ALREADY HAVING REGULAR MEETINGS WITH BRIAN WALSH. WE ARE WORKING HARD AND MAKING SURE WE COORDINATE BETTER. AND TO YOUR POINT THERE IS NO REASON WHY HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD LOSE MONEY ON ANY EVENT HOSTED AT NRG STADIUM AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH, IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY HAS HOSTED MORE MAJOR SPORTING EVENTS IN THE

[02:50:01]

YOU INTRODUCED OUR OTHER COMMISSIONERS -- OUR BOARD MEMBERS WHO WERE STANDING BEHIND ME WITH JANICE.

THEY DO A FABULOUS JOB. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH PUTTING TERRIFIC PEOPLE ON THE SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD.

>> THAT WILL KEEP US FROM TALKING.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE ACCOMPLISHED WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED.

SHE IS THE TOP OF THE HEAP AND THE COMMUNITY.

NOT JUST THIS COMMUNITY, BUT BRINGING SPORTING EVENTS TO TOWN. WE HAVE CREATED A LOT OF ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO DO THAT.

>> GOOD DEAL. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU. ARE YOU GOING TO CHAMPION ANY SPORTING EVENT? MAYBE BICYCLING?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: INSIDE JOKE ON THAT ONE, JUDGE.

I WILL TELL ABOUT YOU IT LATER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL.

LET'S GIVE THESE FOLKS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANYTHING YOU ALL KWAPBT TO -- YOU ALL WANT TO

SAY? >> LET'S TAKE A PICTURE THEN.

>> JUDGE, JACOB CLEMENTAGE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM AS

WELL. >> OKAY.

WE WILL TAKE IT AFTER WE TAKE THE PICTURE.

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. MR. CLEMENTAGE WAS GOING TO

SPEAK ON THIS SO GO AHEAD. >> YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.

>> HI. WE ALL KNOW THAT I HAVE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DISABILITIES. OH, HEY, ONE DAY.

[INAUDIBLE]. THIS MANAGER NAMED KASEY.

NRG STADIUM SAY I AM A GOOD WORKER.

I AM AN AFFECTIONATE AND HARD WORKER.

[02:55:09]

BYE NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SUGGEST A 10-MINUTE BREAK TO DO THAT ITEM.

BUT AS MUCH AS I WOULD LIKE TO STAY --

>> I WILL TAKE OFF FOR 30 MINUTES AND EAT.

>> IT IS 2:28 AND WE WILL BE BACK AT 3:00 TO B

[Departments (Part 5 of 5)]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERS' COURT ISACK IN SESSION.

ITEM 6, COMMISSIONER GARCIA REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM.

CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG. ITEM 18, REPLACE "UNIVERSAL SERVICES" WITH" ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR." WE TALKED ABOUT HOW UNDER ITEM 25 THERE IS NO ACTION ONLINE 78 THROUGH 151. THERE AND -- THERE IS A CORRECTION. REPLACE PRECINCT 2 WITH PRECINCTS 2 AND 3. THIS IS BECAUSE THE PROJECT CROSSES THE PRECINCT BOUNDARY. ITEM 64 ON PAGE 9 REPLACE PRECINCT 4 WITH PRECINCT 3. ITEM 69 REPLACE PRECINCT 4 WITH PRECINCT 2. EYE SEPL -- ITEM 75, REPLACE PRECINCT 1 WITH PRECINCT 3. ITEM 95, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION ON THE SIDEWALK CONSTRUCTION.

ITEM 166, NO ACTION ON THE LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM.

ITEM 280, DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.

ITEM 349, MANAGE ASSIGN COUNCIL BOARD APPOINTMENTS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA REQUESTS NO ACTION AND IT BE CONSIDERED ON THE OCTOBER 11TH COURT. ITEM 371, THAT WAS MY ITEM AND I

WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NO ACTION. >> WHAT WAS THAT, JUDGE?

>> 371 ON PARTICIPATION ON COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONERS' COURT. SO THOSE ARE THE ITEMS FLAGGED FOR NO ACTION. DID I MISS ANYTHING, CORRECTIONS OR NO ACTION? HERE ARE THE ITEM HAD FOR -- ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION. EXECUTIVE SESSION, DOES ANYONE NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 346? FRED HAMILTON TO THE HGAC AIR QUALITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE? 347, REAPPOINTING DR. GEORGE SANTOS TO THE HARRIS CENTER. 348, SENA GARRISON AND LAUREN -- SPORTS AUTHORITY. 349 WE SAID WE WOULD DO NO ACTION. 350, BRENDA BRADLEY SMITH.

>> NO. >> FRANCIS CASTANEDA.

>> 352, DR. TINA PETERSON FOR THE SAN SAN SAN JACINTO -- SAN LAW SIN TOE. -- SAN JACINTO.

>> AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: AND 353 WE DISCUSSED. 364, DO YOU NEED US TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 364, COUNTY ATTORNEY?

>> NO, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT MEANS THAT WE DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS ANY OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. AND THOSE WILL ALL GO ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. THE DISCUSSION LIST IS QUITE LONG. ITEM 10, COMMISSIONER CAGLE

[03:00:01]

24 WAS -- WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS. THESE ARE FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU STILL NEED TO -- STOP ME IF IT DOESN'T APPLY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS FLAGGING ITEM 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 54, 56, 57, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 74, 75, 78, 82, 83, 84, 94, 95. 95 IS NO ACTION.

DEPARTMENT REQUESTED NO ACTION ON ITEM 95.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALSO FLAGGED ITEM 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 11 SECONDS, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 141, 147, 168. COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU FLAGGED

ITEM 191. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 201 WAS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I WILL PUT IT BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA.

>> WHAT WAS THE LAST ONE? >> LINA HIDALGO: 201.

>> BEFORE THAT ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: 191.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 191 IS FOR DISCUSSION.

206, DO WE NEED TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON 206?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME SEE WHAT THAT IS.

PAUL HEATON -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL KEEP THAT FOR DISCUSSION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED 210. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD FLAGGED 211 SO I'LL PUT IT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED 238, 247, 250, 253.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS FLAGGED 281. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON 291.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED 295, 329, 330, 332, 345.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED 356 SO I WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED 362.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED 368 SO I'M PUTTING IT BACK ON THE

CONCEPT AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 362, WE DIDN'T VOTE ON THAT? I THOUGHT WE DID THAT EARLIER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WE HAVEN'T VOTED ON 362.

368 IS GOING BACK ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

369 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE AND THEY ARE GOING BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

381 WAS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND GOING BACK ON CONSENT AGENDA. PUBLIC HEARINGS HAVE BEEN DONE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT TO REPEAT THEM AGAIN OR ARE YOU ALL RIGHT? I WILL MOVE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND REPEATING TO MAKE SURE I GOT IT

DOWN. >> LINA HIDALGO: HERE WE GO.

HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. 14, 24, 28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 54, 56, 57, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 74, 75, 78, 82, 83, 84, 94, 99 THROUGH TKA*RB TKA*R

R HR -- >> WELL, JUDGE, 101 WASN'T ON

THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: 101 WASN'T ON

[03:05:02]

THERE? >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 122, 123, 124, 125, 414 -- 141, 168, 210, 238, 247, 250, 253, 281, 295, 329, 330, 332, 345, 362.

ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS FOR WHICH CLARIFIED ACTION IS NEEDED?

>> YES, MA'AM. ITEM 167.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 167 IS SIMPLY A DISCUSSION ITEM.

SO THAT IS NO ACTION. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> NO, MA'AM, THAT'S IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT BEING THE CASE IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS WITH EXCEPTION THE ITEMS VOTED ON AND THOSE ITEMS JUST LISTED MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS AND IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0. SO WE WILL TAKE IT FROM THE TOP.

THE FIRST ITEM IS 14 WHICH IS A BRIEF UPDATE ON THE PANDEMIC.

WE DID HAVE AN UPDATE LAST WEEK FOR THE UPDATED THREAT SYSTEM.

WE MOVED TO THE COMMUNITY SYSTEM.

TKPWRAOERPB -- GREEN, YELLOW AND ORANGE.

IT FOCUSES ON THE CASE COUNT. THE CURRENT COMMUNITY LEVEL IS YELLOW. IT ALLOWS FOLKS TO REALLY MAKE A DECISION WHETHER THEY ARE WILLING TO EXPOSE THEMSELVES WHEN THERE IS MORE COMMUNITY SPREAD WHEN WE KNOW THE PAST COUPLE TIMES AN INCREASE IN CASES HAS NOT BEEN KAU MENS RATE SCALE AND THE RATIO WE WERE ENCOUNTERING EARLIER.

WE HOPE IT REMAINS THAT WAY. IT DEPENDS ON OUR WILLINGNESS TO CONTINUE UP-TO-DATE WITH THE VACCINES AND THE UPDATED BOOSTER IS AVAILABLE. THAT WOULD PROTECT US AGAINST THE ORIGINAL STRAIN, BUT THE NEWER BA4 AND BA5 OMICRON STRAINS. I HOPE EVERYBODY GETS THEIR BOOSTER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I HAD OURS A WEEK AGO. I HAD SOME SIDE EFFECTS WITH THE PREVIOUS VACCINE, A LITTLE BIT OF CHILLS.

THIS TIME I DIDN'T FEEL ANYTHING.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE TO GET THE FLU SHOT.

THEY DIDN'T GET -- THEY DIDN'T HAVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S MY ITEM AND I DON'T HAVE ACTION REQUESTED. NEXT IS ITEM 24.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, YOU KNOW, IN PRECINCT 2 AND IN PORTIONS OF -- WELL, IN PRECINCT 2 WE HAVE THE HIGHEST AREA OF NOT BEING IN THE METRO SERVICE AREA.

AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY I HAD TO OF COURSE -- I HAD TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CREATE SOME INFRASTRUCTURE, IF YOU WILL, MOBILITY INFRASTRUCTURE. WE WERE THE HIGHEST AMONG THE VEHICLES BEING REPORTED FLOODED. PRECINCT 2 HAS HISTORICALLY BEEN ON THE -- HAS LARGELY BEEN DISINVESTED AND HAS PROVIDED VERY LITTLE TO THE UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES IN THE PRECINCT.

THE INEQUITY IN FUNDING FOR BOTH METRO AND HCTRA ARE WELL DOCUMENTED. PRIOR TO 2019, PRECINCT 2 ONLY RECEIVED 15% OF THE METRO ALLOCATION AND HCTRA MOBILITY FUNDS HAS BEEN AS LOW AS 21%. I WANT TO SEE AN ANALYSIS DONE TO DETERMINE THE HISTORICAL DISINVESTMENT IN PRECINCT 2 AND A PATH TO HELP BALANCE IT OUT GOING FORWARD.

I THINK THAT AMONGST THE MATRIX THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT SHOULD INCLUDE SVI, DEATHS AND SERIOUS INJURY DATA AND THE LENGTH AND CONDITION OF THE ROADS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON SINCE I HAVE MORE OF IT IN MY PRECINCT THAN BEFORE AND POTENTIALLY THE SURROUNDING CITIES THAT WERE AROUND THE

[03:10:03]

>> CAN WE TAKE A MOTION UNDER THIS ITEM?

I CAN SEE A DISCUSSION -- >> IT'S A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION

AND NOT ACTION. >> AND A DISCUSSION ON -- SO, LET ME JUST ASK AND DIRECT OMB TO WORK WITH ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS TO COME UP WITH A BETTER FORMULA.

>> NO MOTION, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

>> PART OF THE REASON TO HAVE THIS ON THE AGENDA WAS TO BRING SOME TRANSPARENCY. THE MOBILITY FUNDS WAS DIVIDED BY FOUR AND IT WAS 41 MILLION PER PRECINCT.

THAT WAS PART OF THE BUDGET THAT THIS BODY ADOPTED AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS' COURT. WHAT I WANTED TO -- IT WAS UNALLOCATED AND ONE OPTION WOULD BE TO USE IT TO PAY DOWN DEBT AS IT BODY HAS BEEN IN PRIOR BUDGET YEARS.

OUR RECOMMENDATION IF WE HAD A QUORUM ON THE TAX RATE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO INCREASE THE TRANSFER TO PRECINCTS TO 13 MILLION EACH. I DON'T THINK WE ARE IN A POSITION TO DO THAT IF THERE IS NO QUORUM ON THE TAXES.

OUR RECOMMENDATION WOULD BE TO HOLD ON TO THIS MONEY AND THEN IN ADVANCE OF NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET TO DO A PAYMENT TOWARD THE DEBT SERVICE TO GET THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION RATE BACK ON

TRACK. >> THAT MAKES SENSE BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SET A RATE AND SEE IF WE HAVE A SURPLUS.

I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT COMING UP WITH SOME FORMULA SOME TIME BACK THAT TOOK INTO ACCOUNT SVI AND A HOST OF FACTORS. I HAD A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE CASE BECAUSE I THINK PRECINCT 1 WAS GETTING THE LEAST AMOUNT.

WHEN THE COUNTY DID SPEND MONEY IN OTHER CITIES IT DIDN'T SPEND IT IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND IT MOVED DOWN A LITTLE LOWER AND WHEN YOU JOINED THE COURT, THE COMPROMISE IS WE MAKE IT 25 FOUR WAYS BECAUSE WE KAOPBTD FIGURE OUT WHAT INEQUITABLE FORM WAS. AND I AM SEN -- SENSITIVE TAKING INTO ACCOUNT SVI AS WELL AS USERS AND THERE IS A WAY TO FORCE SOME ACTION ON VISION ZERO.

INITIALLY WHEN THE MONEY WAS DISTRICTED -- DISTRIBUTED IT WAS A FOUR-WAY STOP. AND THEN THERE WAS A FORMULA THAT WAS COOKED UP AND SOMETIMES PEOPLE SAY ROAD MODELS.

YOU GOT ME? THAT WAS A FICTION OF IMAGINATION BECAUSE YOU DECIDE TO GO AND PUT MORE ROADS ON YOUR LOG AND THEN YOU GO DO IT WITH ALL OF THE MONEY PRECINCT ONE HAS PUT ON THE BIKE LANES AND CITY STREETS AS AN EXAMPLE WE WILL USE AS MONEY. I DIDN'T HAVE TO REPAIR THE ROADS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN YOU ALL COME UP WITH THE FORMULA YOU LOOK AT HISTORICALLY WHAT WE HAVE DONE. JOHN BLUNT TOLD ME -- JOHN BLOUNT SAID IT WAS DIVIDED FOUR WAYS AND HOWEVER IT WAS DIVIDED UP, PRECINCT ONE GOT SOME OTHER THINGS AND PRECINCT TWO GOT OTHER THINGS. NONE OF THAT WAS IN WRITING I'M SURE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT WAS DONE HISTORICALLY. AND HOWEVER WE SPLIT IT WE SHOULD TAKE INTO ACCOUNT SOME EQUITY INDEX.

EVEN IF IT IS 25/25. IF IT IS 25 EVENLY, WE OUGHT TO NOT JUST MAKE THIS DECISION ON A BASIS OF A COMMISSIONER JUST DECIDING THEY WILL DO A ROAD FOR SOMEBODY THEY KNOW.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR THAT. THAT'S WHY I LAID OUT THIS -- THESE DATA SETS THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT BECAUSE THEY LOOK AT YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND THOSE IN MY AREA ARE AFFECTED BY SVI, NUMBER ONE, DEATH AND SERIOUS INJURY AND THE LENGTH AND CONDITION OF THE ROADS. MR. RAMOS, CLARIFY WHAT YOU JUST

[03:15:03]

>> SO IT IS NOT LESS. THERE IS A BASELINE APPROPRIATION THAT IS ALLOCATED TO PRECINCTS OF 25%, 2 PAOEUF%, 2 -- 25% BASE -- BASIS. IT COULD HAVE BEEN USED TO FUND NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE. WITH NO QUORUM ON THE TAX RATE, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE A WAIT AND SEE.

IT IS DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR IN TERMS OF IF WE USE -- IF WE PAY DOWN DEBT AND YOU GO TO NO NEW REVENUE, THEN WE GET DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR ON THE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION SIDE.

>> I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR THAT THE PRECINCT WAS UNDER FUNDED SINCE 2019. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GET EVERYTHING I WANTED FOR THE PRECINCT, BUT WE HAVE MOVED IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR THAT WE HAVE THE WORST ROAD CONDITIONS IDENTIFIED BY COUNTY -- EVERYBODY ELSE JUMPED ON IT AND IT SAYS ROAD CONDITIONS ARE THE WRO*RS -- ARE THE WORST IN PRECINCT 2.

I WANT TO BE CAREFUL THAT SVI, WE LOOKED AT THIS SERIOUS INJURY CRASH DATA AND WE LOOKED AT THIS SO THAT WE DON'T STAY ON THE

SAME TRACK AS WE WERE ON. >> WE WILL COORDINATE AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. THIS FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, AND IF WE WERE TO GET A QUORUM ON THE TAX RATE WE WOULD MAKE THAT

TO INCREASE THE APPROPRIATION. >> IN TOTAL PER-PRECINCT.

>> THIS WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL 13 OR SOMETHING.

>> CORRECT. WE HAVE SOME LATITUDE WHEN A TAX

RATE IS SET. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS MENTIONING EARLIER. IT IS A WHOLE ECOSYSTEM OF REVENUE STREAMS AND EXPENSES. AND IF WE HAD MORE PREDICT BUILT, IT WOULD BE MORE TO MAKE THESE INVESTMENTS ON A ONE-TIME BASIS OR A RE-KURING BASIS. RE-KURING BASIS.

>> SO NO ACTION ON THIS. >> AND YOU MADE YOUR REQUEST?

>> YES. THANK YOU.

SO NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, NUMBER

28. >> ON 28, THESE ARE -- I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO ADOPT A NO ACTION LIST.

SO 28 AND ALL OF THE OTHERS THAT I HAVE IDENTIFIED I WILL MOVE

FOR NO ACTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK YOU HAVE TO MOVE BECAUSE IF THERE IS NO MOTION -- I WILL NOT BE SECONDING OR MAKING A PHOEBGS NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD REALLY RATHER THEY MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE THESE FOLKS ARE MY CONSTITUENTS TOO.

I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THESE ITEMS NOT MOVING.

I KNOW THE COLLEAGUES HAVE NOT SHOWN A COURTESY OR PROFESSIONAL RESPECT OR RESPECT FOR THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES, BUT I FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CONSTITUENTS THAT ARE NOT GETTING THESE SERVICES. WHICH ITEMS WOULD THOSE BE,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE LIST YOU

WENT THROUGH, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I MOVE 28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 54, 56, 57, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 74, 75, 78, 82, 83, 84, 94, 99, 100,

[03:20:10]

3, 4, 147, 168. >> IS THAT ALL?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 210, 238, 250, 253.

295, 330, 332. 345.

I WOULD MOVE TO MOVE THOSE ITEMS FORWARD.

THEY NEED TO COME. IF THEY DON'T COME, STARTING OCTOBER 1ST, THE DELAY IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE DELAY IN HEALTHCARE, THESE 13 MILLION THE CONSTITUENTS AREN'T GETTING FOR ROADS, THAT'S HAPPENING BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT SITTING HERE.

I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD NOT MOVE THESE ITEMS FOR MY CONSTITUENTS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, ADD 95 TO WHAT LIST YOU WENT THROUGH. YOU MISSED THAT ONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE DEPARTMENT ASKED NO ACTION ON 95 SO THAT'S WHY IT WAS TAKEN OUT. I'M SORRY?

>> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: I DIDN'T READ IT BECAUSE IT IS NO ACTION. THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO

ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 210 IS ONLY

FOR ITEM NUMBER 55 UNDER 210. >> LINA HIDALGO: 210.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 210 IS ONLY FOR ITEM 55.

IT IS UNDER TRAVEL AND TRAINING. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THAT'S THE ONE YOU ARE TRYING TO HOLD?

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES?

>> YES, BUT I AM CONFUSED. I DON'T HAVE THE ITEMS YOU MENTIONED SO WE HAVE TO GO OVER THEM A LITTLE SLOWER, PLEASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO THE ITEMS ARE AS FOLLOWS.

28, 30, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 43, 44, 46, AND LET ME KNOW IF YOU NEED ME TO SLOW DOWN. 47, 48, 49, 50, 54, 56, 57, 59,.

>> SLOW DOWN A BIT. 57?

>> 57, 59, 64, 65, 66, 67, 72, 74, 75, 78.

82, 83, 84, 94, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 120, 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 141, 147, 168, 210.

ONLY ROW NUMBER 55. 238, 247, 250, 253, SWO -- 295, FLEA -- 329, 330, 332, 345. THAT'S IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND 295 AGAIN IS FOR DISCUSSION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 295? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR

DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS IS NOT

A NO ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU GET THAT, JAMES.

>> YES. WE ARE TAKING 295 OUT OF THE

[03:25:01]

LIST YOU JUST MENTIONED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE MOTION

WAS? >> LINA HIDALGO: I MOVE ALL THOSE ITEMS. WE CAN DISCUSS ANYTHING.

WE CAN GO BACK AND DISCUSS IT, BUT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE HOLDING THESE ITEMS BACK, JUST AS I SPEAK UP FOR YOUR GUYS' PRECINCTS I NEED TO SPEAK OUT FOR THEIR PRECINCTS BECAUSE I REPRESENT THE COUNTY. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE

ENGAGING IN THIS WITH THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I RESPECTFULLY, JUDGE, APPRECIATE YOUR POSITION, BUT AS A COMPROMISE, I WILL OFFER IF THEY DECIDE TO COME BACK TO SPECIAL SESSION I WILL VOTE ON THEM. BUT I AM NOT IN A POSITION TO SECOND THEM. IF THERE IS A SECOND I AM NOT GOING TO VOTE FOR IT. I'M HERE.

THERE ARE OTHER PLACES I PREFER TO BE, BUT I RESPECT YOUR POSITION. I WOULD HRAO*EUPBG -- I WOULD LIKE TO THINK I REPRESENT THEM AS WELL, BUT MY COLLEAGUES OUGHT TO COME BACK AND THAT'S MY POSITION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE ITEMS FAIL TO PASS FOR LACK OF A SECOND. WE WILL KOFPT WITH THE -- WE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE DISCUSSION.

THOSE ARE ALL NO ACTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I WOULD

LIKE TO GO TO 206. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ONE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: 206 WHICH IS ON MISDEMEANOR DALE -- BAIL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY LET'S START THERE.

IS MR. HEATON AVAILABLE? >> HE IS STKWRUPBLG.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. WELCOME.

GO AHEAD. >> YES.

I WAS JUST GOING TO TAKE MAYBE THREE MINUTES AND TALK ABOUT THIS RESEARCH THAT WE HAVE DONE WITH SOME OF THE INFO WE TOOK.

HOPEFULLY YOU CAN SEE THE SCREEN.

THIS IS LOOKING AT THE EFFECTS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORM. IT HAS BEEN AN IMPORTANT TOPIC OF DEBATE AND IN PARTICULAR WHAT WE TRIED TO STUDY IS WHAT THE IMPACTS OF EXPANDING PRE-TRIAL RELEASE FOR PEOPLE CHARGED WITH MISDEMEANORS WERE ON AND THEIR FUTURE CONTACT WITH THE SYSTEM.

SO TO DO THAT WE WORKED WITH OJS WHICH DID A LOT OF WORK THAT COMBINED DATA FROM A NUMBER OF AGENCIES AND POLICE AND SHERIFF AND PRE-TRIAL SERVICES COURTS. WE BUILT A DATA SET THAT COVERED 500,000 CRIMINAL LOCATION -- CRIMINAL CASES FROM 2015 TO THE PRESENT. IT IS SOMETHING OF THE BEST DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE FOR ANSWERING THIS QUESTION.

I AM GOING TO SHOW YOU SOME RAW DATA AND SOME OF THE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT BAIL REFORM I THINK PEOPLE ARE NOT ALWAYS SO TRANSPARENT ABOUT THEIR DATA METHODS AND WE TRY TO BE TRANSPARENT WITH THIS REPORT. ON THIS CHART WHAT I AM SHOWING YOU IS THE FRACTION OF PEOPLE WHO ARE RELEASED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF BEING BOOKED. THE GOAL IS PEOPLE CHARGED WITH THE MISDEMEANOR AND THE BLUE LINE IS A COMPARISON GROUP OF PEOPLE CHARGED WITH COMPARATIVELY MINOR FELONIES.

SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAPPENED THAT INITIATED THE REFORM WAS OF COURSE THE FEDERAL INJUNCTION IN THE O'DONNELL CASE. AND SO WE CAN SEE BACK IN JUNE OF 2017 THERE IS AN ABRUPT INCREASE WHERE ALL OF A SUDDEN PEOPLE WE WOULD HAVE DETAINED DUE TO AN INABILITY TO PAY SMALL AMOUNTS OF CASH BAIL ARE RELEASED.

AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF ADDITIONAL PEOPLE RELEASED.

ONE PROBLEM WITH DETAINING PEOPLE ON THESE LOW-LEVEL CASES IS IT CAN CREATE INCENTIVES FOR THEM TO PLEAD GUILTY TO CRIMES THEY MAY NOT THINK THEY COMMITTED.

AND IT HAS SHOWN IT AFFECTS THE CONVICTION RATES.

[03:30:01]

WE CAN LOOK AT THE RAW DATA AND IF WE THINK THERE IS A BIG IMPACT, WE ARE RELEASING MORE PEOPLE AND WHAT IF WE LOOK AND THEY SAY COUNT HOW MANY CASES THEY GET IN THE NEXT THREE YEARS AND IS THERE EVIDENCE THAT CRIME IS GOING UP? THE ANSWER IN THE DATA SEEMS TO BE, NO, WE REALLY DON'T SEE EVIDENCE OF ANY SORT OF TREND. SO THAT IS KIND OF, YOU KNOW, I WON'T GO INTO ALL OF THE DETAILS AND STATISTICS.

LET ME JUST TALK ABOUT A FEW OF THE KEY FINDINGS FOR YOU.

I THINK ULTIMATELY, YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GOOD NEWS FOR THE COUNTY. THE FIRST THING THAT WE DEMONSTRATE AFTER THIS EXHAUSTIVE ANALYSIS OF TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CASES IS WE SHOW THE MISDEMEANOR PRE-TRIAL PRODUCED MORE LENIENT OUTCOMES. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF DISCUSSION ABOUT BUDGETS AND ARE WE SPENDING TOO MUCH MONEY.

WE WILL REDUCE THE FISCAL COST OF THE SYSTEM AND OF COURSE THE HUMAN COST. GUILTY PLEAS FELL ABOUT 15%.

AND WE SHOW THE BENEFITS WERE SHARED ACROSS A BROAD RANGE OF THE DIFFERENT SUBGROUPS OF DEFENDANTS.

IF YOU RELEASE PEOPLE PRE-TRIAL, THEN ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SHOW UP FOR COURT AND THEY ARE GOING TO AVOID ACCOUNTABILITY. THERE IS SOME DIFFERENT DATA POINTS. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE A SENSIBLE ONE. TO ME, ARE WE ABLE TO RESOLVE THE CASE, RIGHT, IF WE CAN NEVER ENTER A JUDGMENT IN A CASE AND IF WE CAN'T ADJUDICATE IT, THEN IT MAY BE A CONCERN.

IF ULTIMATELY WE ARE ABLE TO, YOU KNOW, DETERMINE GUILT OR INNOCENCE AND DISMISS THE CASE, WHATEVER, THEN IT SEEMS LIKE THE PERSON HASN'T ESCAPED JUSTICE. WHAT WE CAN SEE IS PRIOR TO THE REFORM 99% RESOLVE. IF -- IT DOES GO DOWN A LITTLE BIT DOWN TO 98.3. OVERALL WHAT WE SEE IS WE DON'T SEE EVIDENCE THAT SUGGESTS THERE IS A HIGH FAILURE RATE.

THE BEST SUGGESTION IS THE PEOPLE RELEASED WE ULTIMATELY CAN'T RESOLVE THE CASE. IT IS ON PAR WITH PRETTY WELL-FUNCTIONING PRE-TRIAL SYSTEMS. SO THE OTHER BIG CONCERN THAT PEOPLE RAISE IS, WELL, HEY, IF YOU RELEASE PEOPLE, THEN, THAT'S GOING TO LEAD TO MORE CRIME.

WE DON'T SEE EVIDENCE OF THAT. THERE IS NO CHANGE IN CRIME.

IF YOU LOOK FURTHER OUT, THREE YEARS, WE ACTUALLY SEE, YOU KNOW, STATISTICALLY SIGNIFICANT ABOUT 6% DROP IN THE LIKELIHOOD OF ADDITIONAL CASES. FOR FELONY CASES IT IS A 9% DECREASE. AND SO THIS IDEA THAT THE MISDEMEANOR BAIL REFORMS LEAD TO A SPIKE IN CRIME IS NOT SUPPORTED BY THE DATA. SO I THINK THAT'S ALL I WILL SAY OTHER THAN THE FULL STUDY IS AVAILABLE AT THIS LINK.

IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO TAKE THOSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS RODNEY ELLIS, DR. HE -- DR. HEATON.

I WON -- I WONDER IF THERE ARE COMPARABLE ANALYSIS.

HAVE YOU LOOKED AT ANY OTHER COUNTY, ANYTHING COMPARABLE TO A

MISDEMEANOR? >> ONE OF THE REASONS WE WANTED TO STUDY HARRIS COUNTY IS THERE HAS BEEN A BUNCH OF WORK WE PUBLISHED THAT WAS CITED IN THE O'DONNELL CASE.

IT SUGGESTS MISDEMEANOR DETENTION CAN AFFECT CONVICTION RATES, ET CETERA. I THINK THIS REFORM IS ONE OF THE PROMINENT ONES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE SAID, ALL RIGHT, LET'S ENACT A POLICY CHANGE. AND OF COURSE, NOW WE ACTUALLY HAVE ENOUGH DATA THAT WE CAN MAKE A PRETTY LONG LOOK BACK PERIOD AND FOLLOW PEOPLE THREE, FOUR, FIVE YEARS LATER.

AND SO IT GIVES US I THINK A PARTICULARLY STRONG OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND IMPACTS ON PUBLIC SAFETY.

I AM HOPING ONE OF THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS WORK IS IT

[03:35:04]

I DON'T THINK THERE HAS BEEN A COMPARABLE RESEARCH IN MANY

OTHER PLACES, YET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AFTER THE LAWSUIT, COOK COUNTY DID INSTITUTE SOME REFORMS. YOU KNOW, IF ANYBODY IS LOOKING AT THE DATA LIKE THIS?

>> YEAH. THERE ARE.

NEW YORK HAS DONE SOME AND NEW JERSEY IMPLEMENTED SOME REFORMS AND THERE HAVE BEEN SOME EFFORTS TO TRY AND MEASURE THE IMPACTS OF SOME OF THOSE OTHER REFORMS. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ARE PEOPLE CHANGING? IT IS THE THINGS PA -- IT IS THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE DOING CAN BE DIFFERENT.

I DO THINK IT PROVIDES SOME OF THE BEST EVIDENCE THAT WE HAVE SO FAR AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE TRY TO DO OF OPERATING OUT THE REFORM, YOU KNOW, HURRICANES AND OTHER CHANGES.

WHAT WE ARE DOING IS REPRESENTING THE EFFECTS OF THE POLICIES NOT OTHER STUFF. IT IS A WAY TO DISENTANGLE AND OTHER THINGS ARE NOT SO EASY. I WOULD SAY THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE BEGUN TO STUDY IT AND THERE IS PROMISING EVIDENCE. YOU MADE REFERENCE TO COMPARATIVELY MINOR FELONIES. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

NON-VIOLENT, STATE FELONIES? >> YES.

THAT IS KIND OF OUR BASELINE, BUT IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE PAPER, WE ACTUALLY DO A BUNCH OF DIFFERENT COMPARISONS.

IT IS TO TEST AND MAKE SURE OUR CONCLUSIONS ARE ROBUST.

IF YOU COMPARE TO ALL FELONIES AND THE CATEGORY OF FELONIES THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST RELEASE RATES.

WE DO AN ANALYSIS WHERE WE DON'T EVEN LOOK AT FELONIES AT ALL.

WE JUST COMPARE DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF MISDEMEANORS THAT ARE MORE OR LESS AFFECTED FROM THE RESULTS.

WHAT I JUST SHOWED YOU WERE STATE JAIL FELONIES.

THE BASIC CONCLUSIONS I DESCRIBED THOUGH, HOLDUP WITH A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF MAKING THESE COMPARISONS

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT WILL HAVE ANOTHER IMPACT ON OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THANK YOU.

>> THANKS. THIS WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE WITHOUT OJS AND WITHOUT THE COMMISSIONERS MAKING SOME OF THE

DATA AVAILABLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. HEATON, THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

MY QUESTION IS ON AVERAGE, WHAT IS THE POPULATION REDUCTION TO

THE COUNTY JAIL. >> IT IS TRICKY TO CALCULATE.

YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT NOT JUST THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, BUT HOW MUCH SPINED -- HOW MUCH TIME YOU SPEND IN CUSTODY.

SINCE THESE REFORMS HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TENS OF THOUSANDS OF FEWER PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD TO SPEND -- FOR MISDEMEANORS IT IS SHORT AND SOME PEOPLE ARE HELD PRE-TRIAL FOR SUBSTANTIAL NUMBERS OF DAYS. I THINK THERE ARE BENEFITS IN REDUCING THE JAIL POPULATIONS. I DON'T HAVE LIKE ONE SPECIFIC NUMBER TO TELL YOU. PART OF IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE DIFFERENT NUMBERS OF DAYS, ET CETERA. IT IS WORTH KEEPING IN MIND THAT PRIOR TO THESE REFORMS, YOU KNOW, THE COUNTY WAS DETAINING ON THE ORDER OF, YOU KNOW, 35 ,000 OR SO PEOPLE, AND THESE WERE PEOPLE UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM HAD THEY BEEN ABLE TO PRODUCE

500 TO 5,000 -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I REMEMBER THOSE DAYS. I WAS A SHERIFF IN THOSE DAYS.

[03:40:04]

AND WITH SOME FOLKS EXPRESSING CONCERN FOR THE SHERIFF HAVING TO LOOK FOR OUT SOURCING OPPORTUNITIES, IT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO KNOW HOW MUCH PRESSURE THESE REFORMS HAVE TAKEN OFF THE POPULATION NUMBER. IT COULD HAVE TRIGGERED OUT SOURCING SOONER AND OF MORE PEOPLE IF NOT FOR THESE REFORMS. THAT WOULD BENE O. AND THEN SECONDLY, I WANTED TO GO OVER N AUMBEROU Y'VE GOT HERE.

AND TO MAKEUR SE I GOT IT CORRECT.

THERE IS 6 A% REDUCTION INEW N CRIMINALAS CES BY THOSEEL REASED OVER- -IS THISRO PJECTED OVER THE NEXTHR TEE YEARS?

>> SO, IT ISCT AUALLY NOT PROJECTED.

WHAT WEO DIS WE DO A COMPARISON.

AGAIN, RIGHT AT P THEOINT OF THAT INJUNCTIONHA WE VE A BIG INCREASE INEL REASEES RAT. WE AREPA COMRING THE POPULATIONS OF PEOPLEED BAS ON THE TIMING OF THEES CAS.

WE, SAYALL RIGHT, FOR THE PEOPLE WHO SHOWED UPRT SHOLY AFTER THEUN INJCTION AND WHO THEREFOREE WEROS EXPED TOHE HIGR RELEASE RATES, HOW MANY MORE CASESWE DO SEE IN THE FUTURE FOR THOSE FOLKS? INS THICASE WHAT WE SEE AND ONCE WE ADJUST P FOROPULATION AND SOME OTHEROF KIND TA IMPORNT FACTORSMI THAT GHTT AFFEC WHETHERNE SOMEO GETS AN ADDITIONALE, CAS WE CAN SEE THERE ISNI A SIGFICANT 6%RE DUCTION.AN D I SHOULD MENTION THAT THIS ISST CONSIENT WITH SOME OF THE PREVIOUSRC RESEAHWE THAT PUBLISHED FORS HARRICOUNTYWH ICH FOUND THATRI PRE-TALDE TENTION F AGAINOR MISDEMEANORCA SES, ITD TURNEOUT THAT THE EVIDENCEST SUGGES IT MAY HAVE BEENNO CRIMIGENIC.

IFXP YOU EAND RELEASEUL, YOU COD PH M LEST --ODESTLY REDUCE CRIMET' AND THAS WHAT WE SEEHE RE.

I SHOULDON MENTI THAT THISRT PAICULARDE RESULT PENDING ONE THCOMPARISON GROUPSO AND IN MESE CAS IT IS NOTIC STATISTALLY SIGNIFICANT O, AND INTHER IT IS.

THISPR IS OUR EFERREDE. ESTIMATH I OULDNO SAY IN CASE IS EVER ANYE EVIDENCER THAT THE ISI ANNCREASE IN CRIMEI.

HE THINK T STRONGESTID EVENCE -- THE WEIGHT OF THEID EVENCE IS OVER THE. LONG-TERM IF I ANYTHING,TRI REDUCES CME.'S

THAT 6%. T >>HANK YOU FOR THAT.

I WOULDOU ASK FOR Y TO VISIT T WITHHE SHERIFF TO SEE TWOUL OF YOU WOD AGREE TO STUDY THE IMPACTTI OF POPULAON.

THAT'S IMPORTANT K FOR US TONOWU IT CLD HAVE COSTND US MORE ALR WE AEADY HADAN TO SPEND DI INORNATE AMOUNT OF MONEYDE TO AL WITHLA THIS POPUTIONSU PRESRE.

BUT THAT COST COULD HAVE COME A SOONERND IT COULDE INVOLVE MOR PEOPLE.HI SO I TNK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR UST TO KNOW THA AND OFEN THOSE CHALLGES IN CONTEXT.'

>> THAS A HOPEFUL SUGGESTION. THAT'S SOMETHING WE CAN-U FOLLOWP I ON. ON COSTVE ESTIMATES SAVINGS.S THIS ICOMINGST FROM THE MO RECENT REPORTNI FROM THE MOTOR. SO AIC SIMILAR TOP WITH SIMILAR WORK.NK WE THI THEY MAKE SENSE.E MOVINGRF IS A COST O SOMEONE THROUGHS MULTIPLE PART OF THE1 SYSTEM WAS $3MILLION OF SAVINGS.UB

PRETTY SSTANTIAL. >> JUST BRIEFLY, THIS ISAI ELLIS AGN. WHAT WAS THE NUMBER PEOPLE H BE -- WE WEREOLDINGLD N AN O MISDEMEANOR SYSTEM? DID YOU STUDY ANDR PREVIO THIS ISOU LOOKING AT, Y I KNOW - IF REMEMBER THE YEARS RIGHT A WE LOOKEDT 2008 THROUGH 2014. IT LOOKS35 LIKE THERE WAS ,000EA

PEOPLE A YR.Y >> RODNEELLIS: FOROD WHAT

PERI? >> PER YEARNE.

>> RODY ELLIS: I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WE --BE WHERE WE WOULD IF NOTOR DOING MISDEMEANOU BAIL. IT WLD BE OFF THE CHAIN.

[03:45:05]

>>PE AND SO WHAT HAPNED WITH. TE 35,000

>>EC THAT'S THE PROJTION FOR NOW?EL

>> RODNEY LIS: THAT'S WHAT IT WAS.

>> YOU KNOW, TO BE THERES ARE OTHER THINGTHATAP HE BEEN HPENING TO CHANGETE PRE-TRIAL DENTION RATES.

IT IS T NOTABLE THAT WITHHEND INJUNCTION A THEN RULE 9, WE DO SEEP THIS DISCREET JUM AND AN SUBSTANTIAL CREASE IN PRE-TRIAL RELEASE RATES.LA IF YOU CALCUTE THATRI OVER THE

PEOD, ITF IS A LARGE NUMBER O>> PEOPLE.

IT IS VERYFO INTERESTING I APPRECIATE THAT YOU ARE PRESENTING THE STATISTICALLYSU PRESENTABLE RELTS.WE NO RESULTS SHOD AN INCREASE IN CRIMELY WHETHER STATISTICAL N SIGNIFICANT OROT.

DID I HEAR THAT A CORRECTLY? >>ND THEY ARE PRECISE ENOUGH YOU CAN REJECT EVEN SMALLRI INCREASES IN CME.LG

>> LINA HIDAO: THAT'S VERYD INTERESTING ANVERY HELPFUL.

THANK YOU, DR. HEATON, FORST OURING US UNDERAND SYSTEM. IT IS IMPORTANT AND VERYY THOROUGH AND VERHELPFULR INFORMATION FOUS.

THANKY YOU. >> RODNEELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> THANKA YOU. PLEASURE TO SHARE

MORE ABOUT THE RESEARCH.IA >> ADRIAN GARC: GOODHI DEAL.

>> LINA DALGO: THANK YOU T TO YOU AND YOUREAM.

>> SO NOA ACTION? >> LINHIDALGO: NO ACTION, A

JAMES. >>DRIAN GARCIA: IF IT COULD, I DO WAN TO BRING UP ITEM 168.ME THAT ONE GOT BY .

AND ON THIS ONE, THIS ISEL -- >> RODNEY LIS: WHAT IS THAT

ONE?IA >> ADRIAN GARC: IT IS 1 SECONDS 8 AND LEN STANDS FOR LA. ENFORCEMENT NETWOR I WANT TO APPLIED --WO TO APPLAD THEIR RK ON THIST. PARTICULAR PROJECN IT HELPS TRACK DOWE AND IDENTIY THOSWHO MAY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SERIES -- SERIOUS AND VIOLENT CRIMES. IN THE OLDTO DAYS YOU WOULD HAVE GO THROUGH ABOUT 10 K DIFFERENT PLACES ANDNOW HOW TO LOG INTORE POTENTIALLY 10 DIFFENT SITES AND DATA POINTS TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND THEN PULL OUT ANU CHEAP TABLET WITH A MBER TWO PENCIL AND PENCIL IT ALTOGETHER. THIS IS MAKING IT A ONE-STOP SHOP FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT HAS PROVEN TO BE AN INCREDIBLE SUCCESS. THE EXCITEMENT OVER THIS IS THAT THIS IS NOW BEING LEVERAGED BY A PARTNER.

I THINK WE HAVE THE GENERAL ON THE LINE.

GENERAL, ARE YOU'M THERE? >> YES, SIR, I HERE.

YES, SIR.ND >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOERFUL.

WALK US THROUGH A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT LENS, AND I BELIEVE THAT WE HAVET MORE THAN 80 DIFFEREN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES NOW PARTICIPATING ON LENS.

AND IF YOU COULD HELP TO PROVIDE FOLKS WITH SOME IDEA OF THE SUCCESS STORIESIN LENS HAS BEEN ABLE TO BRG THE COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR BETTER PUBLIC SAFETY.

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. I HAVE GREG, OUR DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC SAFETY ON THE LINE FOR ANY TECHNICALCU INFORMATION.

THIS PARTILAR PLATFORM HAS BEEN THERE FOR A FEW YEARS.

IT IS TO SCALE BECAUSE WE HAVE PARTNERS IN THE CITY OF BAY TOWN AND OTHER THAT'S HAVE SHOWN -- GO AFTER DIFFERENT FOLKS AND DIFFERENT MUNICIPALITIES AND DIFFERENT JURISDICTIONS. IT IS A PLATFORM THAT WAS DEVELOPED BY UNIVERSAL SERVICES. IT HAS BEEN PILOTED AND IT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL WITH THE SHERIFF AND ALL OF THE CONSTABLES VIEW IT NOW. IT GIVES US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SCALE AND WE HAVE HAD SUCCESS WITH ARRESTS AND INCIDENTSOR IN OTHER PLACES AND LAW ENFCEMENT IS VERY EXCITED ABOUT THE SCALING OF THIS TOOL TO GO AFTER THE DANGEROUS FOLKS AND THE FOLKS ON BAIL REFORM AND SO FORTH.

I WILL STOP THERE. GREG, IF YOU WANTED TO ADD

[03:50:02]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I AM THE PUBLIC SAFETY OPERATIONS. I THINK ONE OF THE KEY TAKE AWAYS OF LENS AND THE EXPANSION IS THAT AS WE GATHER MORE PARTNERS THE SYSTEM BECOMES EVEN BETTER BECAUSE WE CAN NOW SHARE THE DATA OF EACH OTHER'S AGENCIES IN A VERY SAFE AND YET EFFECTIVE WAY. AND AS WE PULL MORE INFORMATION IN, THE SYSTEM ONLY GETS BETTER. WE HAVE HAD -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE HAD SOME REASONABLY GOOD SUCCESS STORIES.

THE COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS DONE A ROBBERY WHERE THEY HAVE ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO USE THE INFORMATION.

WE HAD THE REALTIME CRIME CENTER AND TRAFFIC STOPS.

MY FAVORITE STORY IS WHERE THE LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY GROUP WAS DOING A DEMONSTRATION TO PUBLIC SAFETY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE AND ABOUT HALFWAY THROUGH THE DEMO, ONE OF THE OFFICERS SAID, CAN I STEP OUT? I THINK THIS IS ACTIONABLE DATA. THE USERS HAVE REALLY APPRECIATED HAVING ACCESS TO THIS INFORMATION.

THIS PARTICULAR EXPANSION WILL ALLOW US TO PUT IT ON BETTER HARDWARE TO GROW THE SYSTEM AND TO BUILD A FOOTPRINT SO THAT WE CAN EXPAND TO THE OTHER AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY.

>> AND TO YOUR SPECIFIC QUESTION, THERE WAS AN INCIDENT ON A CATALYTIC CONVERTER [INAUDIBLE] AFFILIATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE SHARED DATA PLATFORM WITH JUST MINOR PIECES OF EVIDENCE AND SOME OF THE AI CAPABILITIES WITHIN THE APPLICATION WILL ALLOW US TO POPULATION -- TO POPULATE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO FIND FOLKS REALTIME ON THE FIELD.

>> THE EXAMPLE I HAVE IS A FELONY VIOLENT SUSPECT THROUGH THE USE OF LENS AND THE STORAGE OR THE -- OR BUSTING THE STORAGE BUILDING AND A SET OF BURGLARIES THROUGH THE USE OF LENS.

THE LINKING OF A SUSPECT FROM A TRAFFIC STOP IN HARRIS COUNTY TO BURGLARIES IN THE ADJACENT AREAS.

AND THEN THERE IS -- I MEAN, THAT'S JUST THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG. AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU.

WE NEED ALL OF THE 21ST CENTURY TOOLS TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. THESE ARE FORCE MULTIPLY YES, SIRS -- MULTIPLIERS TO WORK AS HARD AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST.

AND HOW ABOUT HPD, ARE THEY IN THE NETWORK?

>> I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN IN DISCUSSIONS WITH THEM AND I KNOW THIS WAS A VISION TO HAVE TO SHARE INFORMATION AND WE BELIEVE ONCE WE HAVE THE CAPACITY BILLED OUT AND SO FORTH, BUT WE'LL KEEP

OUR FINGERS CROSSED. >> THAT'S A VERY NICE WAY TO SAY IT. WE'LL ENCOURAGE THE CHIEF TO TAKE A STRONGER LOOK. THIS IS GOOD STUFF.

IT REALLY IS. AGAIN, THANK YOU, GREG.

THANK YOU, GENERAL. YOU ARE WORKING WITH MAJOR DIAZ

ON THIS? >> YES.

THE SHERIFF HAS A GREAT TEAM OVER THERE.

THANK YOU FOR ENHANCING THEIR CAPABILITIES WITH THIS KIND OF THINKING. GOOD JOB.

>> WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. IS THERE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? IT IS A MOTION FOR 168 AND

[03:55:02]

MOTION CARRIES 3-0. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE NEXT ONE IS YOURS. THAT'S ITEM 191 ON PAGE 23.

IT IS ABOUT ADDING A DEPARTMENT SALARY STRUCTURE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO HOLD THAT ONE.

I'M CONCERNED AND I WANT TO GET MORE INFORMATION FROM THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ABOUT WHY THERE IS A DISCREPANCY BETWEEN THE TRAINING CURRICULUM FOR CADETS.

THE CONSTABLE CADETS RECEIVE 720 TIKO TRAINING HOURS, FOUR MONTHS. THAT'S THE STATE MINIMUM AND THE SHERIFF CADET CLASS RECEIVED 1,200TIKO TRAINING HOURS AND THAT'S SEVEN MONTHS. I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT'S THE DISTINCTION. I KNOW THE CADETS GO THROUGH A POLICE ACADEMY. I THINK THAT TAKES UP THE -- IT TAKES UP ABOUT FOUR MONTHS OF THAT.

I JUST WANT TO HOLD IT AND LET IT COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS.

NO ACTION. >> NO ACTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION ON ITEM 191.

MOVING ON TO ITEM 281. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS YOURS AS WELL. 281 AND PAGE 36 AND THAT'S ON

DELINQUENT TAXES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME KIND OF A TIMETABLE FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I BELIEVE IT WAS A 5-0 VOTE TO BRING THAT IN HOUSE, AND I WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT THE TIMETABLE WILL BE LIKE. SO SEVERAL QUESTIONS.

WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE PREDATORY FEES AND IT INVOLVES THE COUNTY IN THIS DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION EFFORT.

WHEN WILL THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BE ABLE TO PROVIDE A PLAN TO MOVE THE COLLECTION IN HOUSE. HOW DID THE HCTRA TOLL ROADS IMPROVE WHEN THEY STARTED COLLECTING THE DELINQUENT FEES? ARE THERE ANY NEXT STEPS THAT THE COURT SHOULD TAKE TO END THIS PREDATORY PROCESS SOON? AND DOES OMB HAVE CONCERNS THAT THE TRANSITION WILL AFFECT THE TAX COLLECTION RATE?

I KNOW THAT'S A LOAD. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, IF I CAN ASK TWO QUICK THINGS. THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, AND I KNOW TKAOEUT -- DWIGHT IS ON, BUT IT IS RELATED TO I BELIEVE A 2018RF P THAT WAS PUT OUT ON BRINGING LEGAL SERVICES IN HOUSE. I'M SORRY, NOT IN HOUSE, BUT -- WELL, THIS IS FOCUSED ON THE QUESTION OF TRYING TO CLOSE THAT OUT THEY ARE IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

THE ITEM IS NOT BROAD ENOUGH THE WAY IT IS POSTED.

HAPPY TO RESPOND TO IT. I'M SURE THE COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR WOULD AS WELL. >> HOW LONG DO YOU THINK IT WOULD TAKE? NOT JUST PUT SOMETHING ON THE

NEXT COURT TO DO IT? >> WE ARE GETTING AN UPDATE IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. IF YOU NEED TO TALK ABOUT IT AT COURT YOU CAN. DOES THAT WORK?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM 281 AS PRESENTED?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I GUESS WE MAY GET TO HOLD IT AND DISCUSS IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I MIGHT WANT IT A LITTLE BROADER WHEN IT COMES BACK IF THERE IS A MOTION.

>> I WOULD SAY -- WELL, I WOULD SAY THIS, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK REMOVING THIS RFP DOES NOT GET IN THE WAY OF THE PLAN YOU JUST DISCUSSED. OBVIOUSLY IT IS YOUR CHOICE TO HOLD IT, BUT I DON'T SEE THERE IS ANY CONFLICT THERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THE DOWNSIDE OF DELAYING IT TWO WEEKS? DOES IT IMPEDE THE PROCESS?

>> THERE IS NO DOWNSIDE. WE WERE TRYING TO CLOSE THE LOOP. THIS IS AN OVER SIGHT ON OUR OFFICE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HOLD IT, WE

CAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DO THIS,

YOU WOULD BE REJECTING THEM? >> THIS IS THE REJECTION FROM THE ONES WE BID OUT FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO REPLACE THEM BACK IN THE DAY WHEN THEY WERE DOING THE SAME

[04:00:01]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT DOESN'T SLOW IT DOWN OR CLEAR IT UP?

>> NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON 281. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

AND WE MOVE TO 291 AND THAT IS THE MONKEYPOX UPDATE.

IT IS GOOD NEWS HERE. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, BIG THANK YOU. THEY ADMINISTERED 5,000 VACCINES AND THE CASES CONTINUE TO COME DOWN.

THEY CAME DOWN AND THEN REACHED A PLATEAU.

SO FAR THERE ARE 821 CASES AND I HAVE RUN INTO FOLKS WHO ARE EXCITED AND GRATEFUL. JUST A REMINDER YOU CAN GET THEIR VACCINES AT READY HARRIS.ORG.

WE ARE TAKING WALK INS. SO YOU CAN CALL OR GO ON LINING -- GO ONLINE AND SHOW UP. WE WILL KEEP THINGS POSTED AND

WE CAN PROVIDE THE SECOND SHOT. >> THEY ARE COMPARABLE IN THE NUMBER OF CASES. AS FAR AS THE VACCINE DISTRIBUTION, I SUSPECT, BUT I'M NOT SURE.

WE CAN GET PUBLIC HEALTH ON THE LINE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE HAVE IT ONLINE AT READY HARRIS.ORG.

NOT REQUESTING ACTION ON 291. 295, KPHEUPGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU WANTED TO DISCUSS 295.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

BACK IN 2019 WE WORKED OUT A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITH MAYOR TURNER AND COUNCILMEMBER CISNEROS TO MANAGE AND OPERATE VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK, AND I WAS ABLE TO BRING IT BECAUSE OF THE COMMITMENT I GAVE THE 230U7BDER -- THE FOUNDER.

YOU WILL SEE SOME BRONZE COMBAT BOOTS.

THOSE ARE THE BOOTS THAT RICHARD WORE IN COMBAT.

THIS IS THE FALLEN WARRIOR MONEY AOUMENT THAT WILL WILL BE -- MONUMENT. IT WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO THE WARRIORS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES SERVING IN VIETNAM.

AND IT BEGAN THEIR ENTRY INTO THE SURROUNDING COUNTIES.

I WANT TO THANK THE ONES WHOE -- WHO HAVE CREATED THE MONUMENT AND THE VETERANS ASSOCIATION. THE PROJECT WILL INCLUDE AND IT IS WHAT IS BEING COVERED BY THOSE I MENTIONED IS, NUMBER ONE, THE LABOR INVOLVED. 692 SQUARE FEET OF PAEUFRS AND -- PAVERS AND TWO BENCHES. THE OVERALL WEIGHT IS APPROXIMATELY 87,560 POUNDS, AND THE PROJECTED COST IS SAID TO BE OVER HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. INSTALLATION WILL START NEXT MONTH AND BE COMPLETED NEXT YEAR.

I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IT. RICHARD, I KNOW YOU ARE LOOKING DOWN ON US, BUDDY, BUT I MADE A COMMITMENT TO YOU, MY FRIEND, AND WE ARE KEEPING THE PROMISE. GOD BLESS ALL OF OUR VIETNAM

VETERANS. >> MOTIONED AND SECONDED ON 295.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED 1234* I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 3-0. 362 AND THAT IS THE BUFFALO

BAYOU PARTNERSHIP. >> I HAVE THAT BEING VOTED ON.

[04:05:05]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE DID VOTE ON IT?

>> GREAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO 362 IS PASSED. GOOD NEWS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T SEE ANY OTHERS?

AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> ITEM 210.

EARLIER YOUR MOTION WAS TO APPROVE ITEM 210 JUST LINE 55.

I KNOW THAT FAILED. SO THE REST OF ITEM 210 IS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS THE OTHER WAY AROUND.

IT WAS TO APPROVE EVERYTHING BUT ITEM 55.

>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION ON IT? >> YEAH.

>> 210. >> OTHER THAN -- EXCEPT NUMBER

55 OF 210. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-0.

55 DIED FOR THE LACK OF A SECOND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT SHOULD BE

IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, SHOULD I SUGGEST WE STOP FOR LUNCH, I THOUGHT YOU WERE ALL IN A BETTER

MOOD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:22 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED IN MEMORY OF DEPP DE

DALLIWAHL. >> WHAT WAS THAT, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I SAID IN MEMORY OF DE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.