Nov 29, 2022 Commissioners Court

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>>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT IS 10:14 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MEETING OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

I AM WEARING A MASK BECAUSE I HAVE A COLD.

THEY TESTED FLU. THEY TESTED COVID AND EVERYTHING CAME BACK NEGATIVE, BUT I HAVE THESE COUGHING FITS.

ANYWAY, THAT'S WHY I AM WEARING A MASK.

AND I GOT A COLD BECAUSE I DID AN IRONMAN.

>> THAT WAS WORTH GETTING A COLD FOR.

>> IT IS NICE TO SEE EVERYONE AGAIN.

LET'S BEGIN WITH -- I WANT TO BEGIN -- BEFORE OUR PRAYER AND BEFORE THE PLEDGE WITH A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE VICTIMS OF CLUB Q AND SO MUCH OF THE DIFFICULTY THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HAS TO FACE AROUND THE WORLD TRULY AND IT IS NOT LOST ON ME AS I FOLLOW THE WORLD CUP THAT AT THE SAME TIME THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE SCARED TO GO TO QATAR BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IN SO MANY COUNTRIES AND SO MANY COMMUNITIES AND EVEN IN OUR COUNTRY WHERE THERE IS A POINT OF VIOLENCE. I WANT TO MAKE A VERY CLEAR STATEMENT THAT AS A HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE I STAND WITH OUR LGBT COMMUNITY AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT OF RESPECT FOR THE VICTIMS AND EVERYBODY WHO HAS TO STRUGGLE TO BE WHO THEY ARE. LET'S TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE. THANK YOU.

[Rev. Delwin Benton of Lyons Unity Missionary Baptist Church in Houston.]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR INVOCATION IS BEING BROUGHT BY PRECINCT 1.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THE PRAYER TODAY WILL BE GIVEN BY REVEREND DELWIN BENTON.

HE IS WITH THE LYONS UNITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

HE IS A VANGUARD GRADUATE AND HOLDS A BACHELORS IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION IN MANAGEMENT DEGREE FROM TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. HE RECEIVED HIS LICENSE TO PREACH IN TPHAOUPB 9 AND/OR DANEED -- IN 99 AND ORDAINED IN 2006. HE BECAME PART OF THE LYON UNITY MISSIONARY CHURCH. HE GREW THE CONGREGATION AND HELPED IT THROUGH THE RECOVERY AFTER HARVEY.

AFTER 12 YEARS HE RETURNED TO THE HISTORIC LYONS UNITY MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN APRIL OF 2022.

HE IS A PROUD HUSBAND OF MS. RASHARIA JOCELYN GARRETT BENTON AND THEY HAVE A SON AND A DAUGHTER.

I AM SO GLAD HE WAS WILLING TO JOIN US TODAY.

PASTOR, WOULD YOU PLEASE JOIN US.

>> THANK YOU. SO WE PRAY.

LORD GOD ALL MIGHTY, WE THANK YOU BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN OUR DWELLING PLACE THROUGHOUT ALL GENERATIONS, BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BROUGHT FORTH, BEFORE THE WORLD WAS FORMED FROM EVERLASTING TO OUR EVERLASTING YOU HAVE BEEN OUR GOD.

WE THANK YOU FOR THESE YOUR SERVANTS, FOR OUR COUNTY JUDGE AND OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY STAFF AT LARGE, WE GIVE YOU THANKS FOR THEIR SELF-LESS SERVICE AND WE THANK YOU BECAUSE HAVE YOU GIVEN US YOUR GRACE.

WE COME TODAY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND ASK YOU FOR WISDOM TO SUPPORT US AS WE BEGIN THIS MEETING.

HELP US TOEN -- TO ENGAGE IN MEANINGFUL DISCUSSION AND HELP US TO LEND WILLING EARS AND ALLOW US TO GROW CLOSER AS A COMMUNITY TO BE EVER MINDFUL OF YOU IN THIS SPACE.

FILL US WITH YOUR GRACE, OH GOD. HELP US TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTY AND OF HUMANITY.

OH LORD, CONTINUE TO REMIND US TODAY THAT ALL THAT WE DO TODAY SO TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR WILL AND TO PURSUE YOUR TRUTH.

IT IS IN THE BLESSED NAME OF JESUS CHRIST THAT WE PRAY AND ASK IT ALL, AND EVERYONE SAID AMEN.

>> AMEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR

JOINING US. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, PASTOR. WAOELT -- WE'LL RECITE THE

PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDER GOD, IN -- INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

>> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE.

TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AN INDIVISIBLE.

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>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE VICTIMS OF THE RECENT SHOOTING. I ALSO WOULD ASK THAT WE COMMEMORATE DEPUTY BALSAL ALASAD IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO UNEXPECTEDLY PASSED ON THE 27TH OF THIS MONTH.

HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DEPUTIES I HAD THE HONOR OF PINNING HIS BADGE ON. HE WAS HIRED IN AUGUST OF 2019.

HE WAS UH -- ASSIGNED TO PATROL DISTRICT 3.

IT WAS SINCE FEBRUARY 13TH OF 2021.

HE WAS ASSIGNED TO PATROL OUR PARKS IN PRECINCTS 1 AND 2 AND OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH THE FAMILY OF DEPUTY ALASAD. IF WE CAN HAVE A MOMENT OF

SILENCE IN HIS HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. OUR LOVE AND THOUGHTS GO TO HIS

FAMILY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S GET STARTED HERE WITH THE AGENDA,

[Departments]

THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS UNDER MY AGENDA.

IT IS CONGRATULATING DEMETRA A DAVIS FOR 32 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND I BELIEVE MS. DAVIS IS HERE.

WHEREAS DEMETRAA DAVIS WILL RETIRE ON NOVEMBER 11TH, 2022 AFTER 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE WITH HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES. MS. DAVIS JOINED HARRIS COUNTY ON NOVEMBER 10TH, 1990 AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE AID WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY WHICH LATER BECAME KNOWN AS HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY AND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY AND NOW THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

MS. DAVIS TRANSITIONED WITHIN VARIOUS ROLES THROUGHOUT HER TENURE INCLUDING ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT AND PROJECT ASSISTANT AND PROJECT MONITOR. MS. DAVIS' EXPERIENCE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL GENUINELY BE MISSED BY HER FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT COMMANDS AND CONGRATULATES DEMETRA DAVIS FOR 32 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND BEST WISHES AND SUCCESS IN HER FUTURE ENDEAVORS. IS MS. DAVIS HERE WITH US THIS MORNING? ANYONE TO SPEAK ON HER BEHALF?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CONGRATULATION S.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO THE NEXT RESOLUTION.

IT IS FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1ST AS WORLD ARC IDS DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THERE ARE 30,000 PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY LIVING IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HIV AND AIDS SO IT IS IMPORTANT TO RAISE AWARENESS. THE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA 30,000 RESIDENTS ARE LIVING WITH HIV AND OVER 6,000 ADDITIONAL RESIDENTS ARE ESTIMATED TO BE UNAWARE OF THEIR POSITIVE HIV STATUS. WHEREAS IN 2020 OVER 1300 NEW CASES OF HIV WERE DIAGNOSED AMONG LOCAL LEADERS -- EXCUSE ME, LOCAL RESIDENTS, ACCOUNTING FOR ALMOST ONE-THIRD OF ALL NEW DIAGNOSIS OF HIV STATEWIDE. STIGMA DISCRIMINATION, DISPARITY AND OTHER CHALLENGES PREVENT MANY PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV FROM OBTAINING HIV MEDICAL CARE AND TREATMENT.

WHEREAS THE THOMAS STREET HEALTH CENTER, THE FIRST FACILITY IN THE U.S. WILL MOVE ITS LOCATION IN 2023 AND RECOMMIT TO FULLY PROVIDING PATIENTS LIVING WITH HIV AIDS, THE LATEST TREATMENT AND HIGHEST QUALITY CARE. HARRIS HEALTH SERVES A QUARTER OF THOSE DIAGNOSED WITH HIV AIDS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE MESSAGE IS TO SUPPORT THE MILLIONS GLOBALLY AND THE THOUSANDS LOCALLY WHO LIVE WITH HIV AND TO ENCOURAGE CONTINUED PROGRESS IN BREAKING DOWN THE BARRIERS THAT KEEP PEOPLE FROM ACCESSING LIFE-EXTENDING HIV MEDICAL CARE.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT DESIGNATES, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 1ST, 2022 AS WORLD AIDS DAY AND ASKS PEOPLE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES AND OTHERS AND ENCOURAGE THOSE LIVING WITH HIV TO ACCESS LIFE-EXTENDING MEDICAL CARE. JOINING US TODAY ARE THOSE

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DO WE HAVE THEM ON THE LINE? THEY ARE HERE.

LET'S GIVE THESE FOLKS A ROUND OF APPLAUSE FOR THE INCREDIBLE

WORK THEY DO. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU [INAUDIBLE] RYAN WHITE PLANNING COUNCIL WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT SINCE 1990 FOR OUR EFFORTS AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK JUDGE LINA HIDALGO FOR WORKING WITH THE PLANNING COUNCIL AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE IN THE AREA [INAUDIBLE] FOR MEDICATION AND LIFE-SUSTAINING ABILITIES. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HONORING DECEMBER 1ST WITH THE RESOLUTION AND RECOGNIZE THE MILLIONS GLOBALLY AND THE THOUSANDS LOCALLY WITH HIV. WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO, BUT TOGETHER WE HAVE COME TOGETHER SINCE THE 90S [INAUDIBLE] EPIDEMIC AGAINST HIV. THANK YOU.

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

I WILL PASS IT ON TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR HIS RESOLUTIONS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU DON'T

HAVE ANY OUT OF ORDER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE LAST AGENDA ITEM, 1990 IS HOW LONG WE WERE SUPPORTING THE RYAN WHITE AND I HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED SINCE 2011 TO BE SUPPORTING THE WORK HELPING THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING HIV.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU JUDGE.

ON THIS PARTICULAR RESOLUTION WE, LIKE RYAN WHITE, THERE ARE MANY INSTITUTION THAT'S MAKE OUR COMMUNITY WORK.

THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND PARTICULARLY THE HOUSTON CHAPTER.

TODAY WE HAVE JOINED BY DR. ANNIE JOHNSON BENNIFIELD WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL CHAPTER AND FOR OVER 20 YEARS THE HOUSTON CHAPTER HAS WORKED FOR A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LOCAL COURT JUDGES OF THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS.

THE COURTS HAVE INCLUDED THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES FOR MANY YEARS.

AT 12 TO 16 CEREMONIES PER YEAR WITH WITH ANYWHERE WHERE FROM 2 TO 2600 -- 2,000 RATHER, NOT JUST 2.

IT IS 2,000 TO 2600 INDIVIDUALS FROM UP TO 125 COUNTRIES RECEIVING THEIR CITIZENSHIP, VOLUNTEERS FROM THE LEAGUE PROVIDE NON-PARTISANNF IORMATION AND AN OPPORTUNITYO T PARTICIPATE IN THEEM DOCRATIC PROCESS.

AS GUESTS OF THEOU CRT, THE LEAGUE LOOKS FORWARD TO THEEX NT CEREMONY THATIL WL FOLLOW IN DECEMBER OFHI TS YEAR.

SO THE RESOLUTIONEA RDSHA TT THE LEAGUE OFOM WENOT VERS OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERSF OHOUSTON WERE BOTHST EABLISHED IN92 10. THE YEAR THE 19THME ANDMENT THE CONSTITUTION OFHE T UNITED STATESAV GE WOMEN THE RIGHTO T VOTE. WHEREASHE T LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF HOUSTON IS N AONPROFIT 501C3RI CHATABLEST TRUIC DEDATED TO SERVING H THEOUSTON COMMUNITY BY OFFERING VOTERUT O REACH INITIATIVES AND TRUSTED IMPARTIALOR INFMATIONUT ABO ELECTIONS ANDOR MAJLI PUBC POLICYUE ISSS.

WHEREAS THE HOUSTONPT CHAER HAS VOLUNTEERIS REGTERS ON HANDT A EACH --SU AT CH CEREMONIES FOR 20 YEARS ANDOW ALLS NEW CITIZENS TO REGISTER TO VOTELO FOLWING NATURALIZATION CEREMONIESA IN SIMPLE AND EASY MANNER.WH EREAS THEG VOTINADVOCACY GROUP WASTO ABLE E RESUMIN -PERSONIS REGTRATION IN JUNE OF 2022 AFTEROV THE CID-19PA NDEMIC.SU SPENDEDRS IN-PEONNA TURALIZATION IN FEBRUARY 2020.IN TH 2022 EY EXPECT TOTE REGISR 9,000 NEWS VOTERATNA TURALIZATIONON CEREMIESRE PRESENTING 125- KEU - COUNTRIES WHICHE IS ONOF THEMO ST EFFECTIVE WAYS TOEW ADD N AMERICANEN CITIZSE TO TH VOTER ROLES.ER WHEAS AS AND UNBIASE ONANIZATION THAT WORKS ISSUES THATR MATTEY DEEPLTO ITB MEERS AND THE PUBLIC,LU THEEERS STRIVE TO SUPPORT DESIRE AND THE RIGHT AND THE KNOWLEDGE AND THENC CONFIDEE FOR ALL TO PARTICIPATE IN THE THEEC ELTORAL PROCESS.D

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THIS RESOLUTION. L >>INA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT SURE IFON DR. JOHNS IS HERE. L

>>INA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONEREY RAMS. T

>>OM RAMSEY: LET ME SECOND THAT.IS COMMSIONER, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THISTH ON.

WOULDT TRULY WHAI CONSIDER AN BIPARTISAGROUP.

THEYT DO A GREAJOB,IC PARTULARLYN' SINCE WE DOT HAVE WORKINGREGISTRAR THROUGH THATFF ELECTED OICIAL.FA THE CTGU WE HAVE LEAE OF WOMEN O VOTERSUT THERE REGISTERING VOTERS. E I EVERERY EVENT PARTICIPATED WITH I THEM IN, ITS THE BY SARTIS UPON -- IT PA THE BIRTISANIS GROUP IN THAN AREA D I SECOND YOUR MOTION.

>> ANNIEIS BENNIFIELD ON THE LINE.DR

>> AIAN GARCIA: WELCOME, ANNIE.

>> THANKAS YOU. F PRESIDENT OTHE LEAGUE OF WOMENEA VOTERS, THE LGUERS OF VOTEOT -- OF WOMEN VERSRE IS HONOD TO BE RECOGNIZED BYMM THE COISSIONERS' COURT FORAG THE LEUE'SLY WORK ESPECIAL IN TERMS OF REGISTERINGTU NEWLY NARALIZED CITIZENS IN THEOU HARRIS CNTY AREA FOR 20 YEARS.

OVERF THAT COURSE OTIME I'MRE AT LEASTISTERED SEVERALAN HUNDRED THOUSD OF THOSE PEOPLE, NEWLY SWORN IN.

CITIZENS THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS, LITA ME REITETE, IS A ORGANIZATION I WHOSE MISSIONSWEO EMPORWE VOTERS. S EMPOWER VOTERTHROUGHRE THE VOTER GISTRATION PROCESS ANDAT VOTER EDUCION THROUGH THEID VOTER'S GUE ANDCO THROUGH NVERSATIONS WITH THEES CANDIDAT FORUM ANDVI SEUF -- CIC. EDUCATION FORUM AND WETE ADVOCATE FOR VORS' RIGHTS ANDTH JUSTICE.

EY WORK TO ENSURE HAVETO AN OPPORTUNITY E PARTICIPATIN THEPR POLITICAL OCESS.

IT IS T IRRESPECTIVE OFHEIR ZIP CODE.Y A DEMOCRACALLOWS FOR EVERY CITIZEN'SRD VOICE TO BE HEA THROUGH THE BALLOT BOX.OT THAT'S WHY VER REGISTRATION ISEP THE FIRST ST TOGA ACTIVELY ENGE IN A NEWAG CITIZEN.

AIN, THANKS SO MUCH FOR THEOF RECOGNITION THEME LEAGUE OF WON VOTERS' WORK INCO THE HARRIS UNTY COMMUNITY.

THANKS' YOU, COMMISSIONER COURT. WEE GREATLY APPRECIATIA IT.

>> ADRN GARCIA: THANKIA YOU. APPRECTE ALL YOUR WORK AND

THANK YOUIP FOR YOUR LEADERSH.DA >> LINA HILGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.LU I SEE A RESOTION UNDER COMMISSIONERAL RAMSEY'S UH GENER STKAU.

AGENDA. >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU, JUDGE IT'S A PLEASURTO RECOGNIZEFF THE D.A.'S OICE THIS MORNING AND THE D.A. IN PARTICULAROR AND THE GOOD WK THEYYS DO.

IT IS ALWA GOOD TO PAUSE ANDVE REMEMBER WE HA SOME GOODG PRACTICES GOINON HERENT IN HARRIS COUY.AT WHEN YOU LOOK THEIO TEXAS COUNTIES, THEY LOOK ACROSS THETI VAST 254 COUNES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THEY SEE SOME GOODON THINGS GOING .

THAT'S SOMETHING TO BE WORTHY OF PAUSING AND RECOGNIZING.

AND JUST AS A PERSONALAV NOTE, WHEN YOU HE A LEADER LIKE D.A. OGG MAKE A DIFFERENCE, WEHA SO APPRECIATE WT YOU DO DAY IN AND DAY OUT, D.A.LU HERE IS THE RESOTION.S WHEREAS THE TEXACO ASSOCIATION F UNTIES HAS RECOGNIZED HARRISAT COUNTY DISTRICT TORNEY KIM OGG WITH A 2022 COUNTY BESTFO PRACTICES AWARD R HER OFFICES MENTAL HEALTH, JAIL DIVERSION PROGRAM AND WHERE UNDER OGG'SRR LEADERSHIP, THE HAIS COUNTY DISTRICT TURN AE'SEY -- DISTRICT ATTORN'S CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD, THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE HOUSTON POLICESI DEPARTMENT, COMMISONERS' COURTDE AND OTHER STAKEHOLRS OPENED THE JUDGE M EMMETT MENTALCE HEALTH DIVERSION NTER.

THE DIVERSION PROGRAM STEERS INDIVIDUALS WITHWH MENTAL ILLNESSES O ARE SUSPECTED OF LOW-LEVEL NON-VIOLENTEN SERVICES FOR TREATMT THEY NEEDEM RATHER THAN BOOK TH IN JAIL AND FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES. EVERY DOLLAR SPENT ON DIVERSION WE SAFE $5.54 ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE CAUSES.

THE PROGRAMAN HAS LEAD TO MORE TH 6,000 DIVERSIONS SINCE IT BEGAN HELPING TO EASE CROWDING IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND ALLOWING LAW ENFORCEMENT TORI FOCUS ON THE MORE SEOUS CRIMES. ANDTS WHEREAS THROUGH THE EFFOR OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, MORE PEOPLE WHO NEED

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BE IT RESOLVEDON HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIER'S KOEURT CONGRATULATES ANDY COMMANDS HARRIS COUNT'S KIM OGG ON RECEIVINGOF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATIN S COUNTY'S 2022 BEST PRACTICE AWARD. WELL DONE.

>> I CANT SEE WE HAVE THE CHIEF OU THERE AS WELL AND QUITE A CONTINGENT. WOULD ANYBODY CARE TO SPEAK?CO

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I SEND THE MOTION.

>> I AM ONE OF THE FOUR COUNTY RELATIONS OFFICERS FOR THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES. COMMISSIONERUR RAMSEY, THANK YOU AND YO OFFICE FOR HELPING US GUIDE THE PROCESS OF GETTING TO PRESENT THIS WELL-DESERVED AWARL TODAY.

ARE YOU EXACY RIGHT. I VISITED O TWO WEEKS AGO WITH MOSTF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS IN HARRIS COUNTY GOING OFFICE TO OFFICE AND THERE ARE A LOT OF BEST PRACTICES GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING MORE NOMINATIONS IN TWO YEARS WHEN WE HAVE THE NEXT ROUND OF AWARDS.

TODAY AS YOU MENTIONED, WE ARE HERE TO HONOR THE D.A. AND HER STAFF AND CHAIR -- SHAREHOLDER THAT'S HAVE RECEIVED THIS AWARD.

AS YOU MENTIONED, ONE OF THE THINGS WE LOOK FOR IS IDENTIFYING A COMMON PROGRAM -- COMMON PROBLEM.

IT IS NOT JUST A TEXAS PROBLEM, IT IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM.

IT INVOLVES A SCALABLE PROJECT AND IT INVOLVES STAKEHOLDER BUY IN. AND SO THIS IS THE BEST EXAMPLE -- ACTUALLY I UNDERSTAND THE D.A.'S OFFICE HAS BEGUN SHARING THIS WITH OTHER COUNTIES.

WE MAY PUT THEM ON A ROAD TOUR GOING AROUND AND SHARING THEED Y THEY GOT THIS ACCOMPLISH. AT THIS TIME I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS PRESENTATION TO MS. OG AND TO THE SHERIFF.

>> JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO DO THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE IN A MINUTE.

LET'S HEAR THER REMARKS. I DIDN'T WANT TO WEA MY MASK AND MY GLASSES BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE YOU OVER THERE.

I CAN SEE WE HAVE THE GREAT GROUP JOINING US.

WELCOME. WELCOME CHIEF.

IT IS NICE TO SEE ALL OF YOU. GO AHEAD, MADAM D.A.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO JOIN THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES IN PROMOTING A GREAT PROGRAM.

IT SERVES EVERYBODY'S COMMON INTEREST.

THERE ARE PLACES OF BUSINESS AND PLACES OF BUSINESS NEED A RESPITE FROM OFTEN MENTALLY ILL AND SOMETIMES HOMELESS OFFENDERS. WE USED TO HAVE A JAIL THAT WAS FULL OF SUCH OFFENDERS. THEY WOULD WAIT MONTHS FOR TREATMENT AND RESOLUTION OF THEIR CASES.

AND SO WHEN WE CAME TOGETHER IN 2018 WE HAD THE FORTUNE -- THE GREAT FORTUNE IN HARRIS COUNTY -- PLEASE JOIN ME, WAYNE -- OF HAVING THE BEST MENTAL HEALTH SPECIALISTS AND I THINK EXPERTS IN THE COUNTRY LEAD OUR MENTAL HEALTHY ASSOCIAH AUTHORIT NOW CALLED THE HARRIS CENTER.

AND IT WAS REALLY ALL HIS PLANNING THAT SHOWED US THE PATH HOW WE COULD SAFELY ASK LAW ENFORCEMENT TO DIVERT PEOPLE FROM THE SCENE OF AN ARREST TO AMEN TOOL -- TO A MENTAL HEALTH RESPITE CENTER. THE COMMISSION -- THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT HELP HAD FUND IT WITH MONEY THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE AND SOME OF OUR LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES.

AND THROUGH WAYNE'S PLANNING AND THROUGH THE COOPERATION -- PLEASE COME UP, CHIEF, AND MIKE WILL YOU PLEASE COME UP.

THROUGH THE COOPERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO ANSWERING TO THE PUBLIC AND CALLS ON INDIVIDUALS WHO MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE DANGEROUS ON THE PREMISES AND OUT IN THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE TO SEE HOW TO SERVE THE PUBLIC.

MIKE IS HERE FOR ED GONZALEZ. FOOD -- TODAY HE HAS SPEAR HEADED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR SOME TIME NOW.

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WE ARE 800 SOULS ON BOARD. AND THOSE 800 PEOPLE ARE CHARGED WITH FINDING THE APPROPRIATE OUTCOME OR TRYING TO ACHIEVE THE APPROPRIATE OUTCOME IN OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR EVERYBODY.

THE MENTALLY ILL POSE A SPECIFIC CHALLENGE TO EVERY CITY IN AMERICA. I JUST WANT TO THANK DENISE ONKIN, MICHELLE ONKIN FOR LEADING THE TEAM OF LAWYERS THAT HELPED LEAD THE TEAM. I WANT TO THANK THE TEAM AND THANK ALL OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE ROOM WHO ALONG WITH OUR MENTAL HEALTH AUTHORITY PROVIDERS MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

WE ARE THE GO BETWEEN. WE ARE THE GLUE.

WE ARE THE ONES WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF USING OUR DISCRETION TO DETERMINE WHAT IS BEST FOR AN OFFENDER.

AND IN THESE CASES WE HAVE SEEN NO PUBLIC SAFETY IMPACT THAT'S NEGATIVE. WE HAVE SEEN ALL FISCAL I THINK BENEFIT TO THE COUNTY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY WE ARE TREATING THE MENTALLY ILL WITH RESPECT AND WITH DIGNITY INSTEAD OF HOUSING THEM FOR MONTHS AT A TIME WHERE THEY DON'T GET BETTER AND THEY COME BACK TO THE JAIL OVER AND OVER.

SO I'M VERY PROUD OF OUR PROGRAM PARTNERS, AND I JUST IN PARTING WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR HIS SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY AND WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ALL APPRECIATE YOU AND THAT YOU WILL BE MISSED.

THANK YOU ALL.O >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYONE ELSE

WOULD LIKE TMAKE REMARKS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DO WANT TO -- CHIEF, GIVE ME A SECOND.

I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MADAM D.A. OG FOR YOUR WORK AND WE APPRECIATE YOU. I ALWAYS KNOW THAT IT IS THE FOLKS IN THE BUREAUCRACY THAT MAKE IT HAPPEN YOU HAVE A LOT OF ADA'S THAT ARE NOT BEING MENTIONED BY NAME AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING NIGHTS AND WORKING HOLIDAYS AND WHO WORK THROUGH THANKSGIVING AND WE THANK THEM. AND TO ALL OF THE DEPUTY THAT'S BUY INTO THE PROCESS. THE CHIEFS UNDERSTAND WHAT THAT MEANS. IT TAKES A LOT TO LAYOUT WHAT THE BLUEPRINT OF THE PROCESS CAN ACCOMPLISH.

BUT YOU HAVE TO BE WILLING TO HAVE A DEPUTY OUT ON THE FRONT LINE AND DECIDE, OKAY, MAN, THIS IS BETWEEN ME AND LUNCH AND WHAT GETS ME TO LUNCH FASTER? IT IS THAT COMPASSIONATE WAY THAT WE HAVE GLUED TO OVER THE YEARS THAT MAKES ME SO PROUD TO BE A PART OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND TO SEE ALL OF THE PROGRESS HAPPENING. CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE.

WE APPRECIATE ALL THE GOOD WORK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

JUST A SECOND TO SAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, OUR D.A.

AND TO THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE RIGHT.

THE MOST IMPORTANT THING I WANT TO DO IS SAY THANKS TO THIS ENTIRE TEAM, THE OFFICERS, THE SHERIFFS AND THE D.A.S AND THE PEOPLE THAT DO THE WORK THAT MAKE OUR COUNTY LOOK GOOD.

WE DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS IN THIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT THAT.

I AM GRATEFUL AND PROUD TO BE HERE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, GO AHEAD. THIS IS ONE OF --

>> THIS IS ONE OF THOSE PROGRAMS WHERE THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS THE MOST COST EFFECTIVE FOR THE PUBLIC.

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WHEN WE TRY TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT THING TO DO WE FIGURE OUT THE COST SAVINGS THAT AFTERWARDS.

AND ALTHOUGH WE TOUT THE COST SAVINGS BECAUSE WE ARE GUARDIANS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS, THE THING THAT IS BEST ABOUT THIS IS THE DECISION WAS MADE AND THE BEST THING FOR THOSE WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL AND THOSE WHO ARE IN THE COMMUNITY WITH OEUR MENTALLY -- OUR MENTALLY ILL IS NOT HOUSE THEM IN PRISONS.

WE NEED TO GET THEM HELP AND THE RIGHT THING TO DO IS TO TREAT OUR MENTALLY ILL. I USED TO WORK WITH THE PROBATE DOCTOR OVER THERE AND I KNOW WHEN FOLKS AREN'T IN THE RIGHT MIND, SOMETIMES THE THING THAT IS THE MOST DANGEROUS TO DO FOR THEM IS PUT THOSE NOT ABLE TO TAKE INSTRUCTIONS AND GIVE THEM THE HELP AND THE MEDS THEY NEED TO BE LEVELED OUT AGAIN.

THANK YOU, FOR NOT SAVING US MONEY, ALTHOUGH I DO APPRECIATE THAT. THANK YOU FOR SPEARHEADING AND BEING PART OF A TEAM AND THANK YOU HGAC FOR RECOGNIZING THESE BEST PRACTICES AND DOING THE RIGHT THING AND THE FRINGE

BENEFIT OF COSTING LESS TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: CHIEF, DID YOU HAVE COMMENTS? OH WAYNE.

GO AHEAD. >> JUST THAT IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO BE ABLE TO DO THIS WORK FOR THE BETTER PART OF 20 YEARS.

I AM 33 YEARS SO FAR WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

IT IS SUCH IMPORTANT WORK FOR SO MANY REASONS.

IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND IT COULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THESE FOLKS AND A LOT OF FOLKS THAT YOU TKOFPT -- THAT YOU DON'T SEE HERE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS AS A BEST PRACTICE. WE ARE VERY PROUD OF THIS PROGRAM. AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS FOR US IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO IDENTIFY THE VIOLENT OFFENDERS PREYING ON THE PUBLIC, IT IS EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO SCREEN AND IDENTIFY FOLKS THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND COMMITTING LOW-LEVEL OFFENSES AND GETTING THEM TO THE RIGHT DOOR. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CHIEF, WHILE YOU ARE THERE, ONE OF THOSE FOLKS -- AND I'M ACTUALLY SURPRISED HE IS NOT HERE.

I DON'T THINK I SEE HIM, BUT IT IS MY CLASSMATE, FRANK WEB.

FRANK WEBB. FRANK WAS ALMOST A FORCE OF NATURE AT HPD TO MOVE THIS THINKING FORWARD.

YOU AND HIM PAIRED UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME, CHIEF.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. ALTHOUGH HE IS RETIRED I THINK THE SHERIFF GOT HIM INVOLVED. THAT'S ONE NAME I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE TO ACKNOWLEDGE. FRANK, I KNOW YOU'RE LISTENING

AND WE THANK YOU, BROTHER. >> I WILL BE BRIEF.

I AM WAYNE YOUNG. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM. IT IS ALREADY BEING REPLICATED.

THEY OPENED A DIVERSION CENTER IN DALLAS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND TARRANT COUNTY OPENED ONE. I GOT A CALL FROM THEM WHEN SOMEBODY SHOWED UP AT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING SAYING THEY LIKED THE DIVERSION CENTER IN TARRANT COUNTY, BUT THEY LIKE THE ONE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE IRONIC THING IS THEY SPENT DAYS HERE STUDYING WHAT WE DID.

WE HAVE INCLUDED DIVERSION ACTIVITIES AND I AM CERTAIN THAT THERE ARE MENTAL HEALTH LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY THAT WOULD LOVE TO DO A PROGRAM LIKE THIS AND WHAT I HAVE THE GOOD FORTUNE OF IS BEING IN THE PRESS -- PRESENCE OF PARTNERS AND LEADERS AND PROVIDE THE OPPORTUNITY AND TAKE A CHANCE TO DO A PROGRAM LIKE THIS. I AM EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THAT. TO THIS POINT THE SUCCESS IS ALL ON THOSE PEOPLE WHO DO THIS EVERY DAY AND MAN THE FRONT LINES AND MAKING IT HAPPEN AND BEING WILLING TO TAKE THOSE CHANCES AND THINK A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.

I EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WAYNE, REAL QUICKLY, I DIDN'T REALIZE IT WAS AN EUFPBT -- AN INTERNATIONAL PROGRAM.

YOU MENTIONED THE FOREIGN COUNTRY, DALLAS.

>> AND NOW IT IS REALLY EXPANDED.

ATLANTA IS IN THE PROCESS OF SETTING ONE UP AND NEW YORK HAS

SET ONE UP. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND YOU CAN

TELL THEM I SAID THAT. >> THANK YOU.

[00:35:02]

>> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MORE RESOLUTION.

WELL, EVERYONE IS STANDING ALREADY.

AND LET'S JUST GIVE THESE GUYS ANOTHER ROUND OF APPLAUSE.

[00:41:51]

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO HAVE ONE MORE RESOLUTION.

AND JUST ON THIS NOTE WAYNE MAY HAVE STEPPED OUT AT THIS POINT, BUT I I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THE WORK CONTINUES.

IT IS A CONVERSATION WE HAD WITH WAYNE AND A LOT OF THE LEADERS HERE THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES IS MUCH MORE THAN WE HAVE DONE. WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS MORE THAN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, BUT WE STRIVE FOR MORE.

I HOPE WE CAN FOCUS ON THAT AND I SAID SO PUBLICLY BEFORE AND I AM PROUD WE PUT IN THE WORK THAT WE DID.

WE DO HAVE ONE RESOLUTION AND I FAILED TO BRING IT UP UNDER MY AGENDA. IT GOES BACK TO THE MOMENT OF VIOLENCE WE HAD AT THE TOP. I KNOW, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WANTED TO MAKE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ABOUT THIS AS WELL.

THIS IS BACK TO THE ISSUE OF PROTECTING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES INCLUDING THE LGBF COMMUNITY.

LGBT COMMUNITY. IN HARRIS COUNTY WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING. WE PASS NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND ADDED GENDER AND SEXUAL IDENTIFICATION AS PROTECTED CLASSES. YOU MAY THINK IT IS JUST TALK, BUT YOU SHOULD HEAR FROM THE FOLKS THAT HAVE COME UP TO ME OVER THE YEARS TO SAY THAT IT MAKES SUCH A DIFFERENCE THAT THIS IS NOW SPELLED OUT IN THE HANDBOOK.

WE HAVE ENSURED THE LGBT COMMUNITIES ARE PRIORITIZED AS VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES IN THE VARIOUS KINDS OF CHALLENGES THAT WE FOUND WHERE THEY ARE HARD TO REACH, AND WHERE THEY MIGHT FEEL INTIMIDATED TO COME FORWARD. AND WE STOOD UP AGAINST THE CONSTANT STREAM OF ATTACKS AND IN PARTICULAR ON TRANS PEOPLE.

NOW, WE SAW WHAT HAPPENED RECENTLY WITH THE WUR TALE -- CURTAILING OF RIGHTS. AND THE RIGHT TO SAME-SEX MARRIAGE WILL BE OVERTURNED IN OUR COUNTRY.

YOU WA*UPB -- ONE WAY TO SUPPORT THE LGBT COMMUNITY IS TO CODIFY THAT RIGHT IN LAW, THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT AND ENSURE THAT LGBT COUPLES DON'T NEED TO LIVE IN FEAR OF THEIR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO MARRY BEING OVERTURNED. THAT'S WHY I WORKED WITH THE IGA DEPARTMENT TO PREPARE A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATION. MY COLLEAGUES SHOULD HAVE RECEIVED IT. MY TEAM TOLD ME A COUPLE DAYS AGO. I AM HAPPY TO SEND IT BACK AROUND. THE RES LYINGS READS AS FOLLOWS -FPBLT -- AS FOLLOWS: IT WOULD ENSHRINE SAME-SEX MARRIAGES BY REFEELING -- REPEALING THE DEFENSE OF MARRIAGE ACT WHICH BARRED THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM RECOGNIZING SAME-SEX MARRIAGE UNTIL THE U.S. SUPREME COURT RULED THAT LAW UNCONSTITUTIONAL IN 2013. AFTER PASSING THE UNITED STATES SENATE IN 2022 WITH A 62-37 VOTE AND IN A DISPLAY OF BIPARTISAN

[00:45:03]

HARRIS COUNTY HAS LONG SUPPORTED THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO PROTECT AND DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF THE RESIDENTS AND THREATENED THE WELCOMING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT AND INTERFERE WITH HIGH-QUALITY MEDICAL CARE OR UNDERMINE THE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY.

HARRIS COUNTY DENOUNCES VIOLENCE AGAINST THE LGBTQ KPHAOUPBTD AND HONORS THE -- COMMUNITY AND HONORS LIVES LOST WHEN A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE AT AN LGBTQ NIGHTCLUB.

IT INCLUDES DANIEL, RAYMOND, ASHLEY.

AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED AS PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY AGENDA WE DIRECT THE INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND THE WHITE HOUSE TO PRESS FOR THE IMMEDIATE PASSAGE OF THE RESPECT FOR MARRIAGE ACT IN THE 117TH CONGRESS AND SUPPORT THE RIGHTS OF THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS UNWAIVERING SUPPORT FOR LGBTQ INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND OPPOSES ALL ACTION THAT'S NEGATIVELY IMPACT THEIR WELL BEING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVE ALL THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ANY COMMENTS? YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS ACTUALLY PUT IN THE COURT BOX YESTERDAY. I DIDN'T GET IT UNTIL A FEW MINUTES AGO. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SEPARATE RESOLUTION THAT IS A COUSIN OF THIS WHICH WOULD BE THE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5TH PARAGRAPH WHERE IT SAYS HARRIS COUNTY DENOUNCES VIOLENCE AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND HONORS THE LIVES THAT WERE LOST WHEN A GUNMAN OPENED FIRE AS A SEPARATE RESOLUTION THAT ALL FIVE OF US COULD JOIN IN ON THAT

RESOLUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE GO ON THE RECORD IN SUPPORT OF THE LEGISLATION.

I KNOW THERE WAS A VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION PREVIOUSLY WHEN IT CAME UP. WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS WE PASS THIS BECAUSE WE WANT TO MAKE THAT STATEMENT AND MAKE SURE IT GETS OVER TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE VOTING ON IT IN WASHINGTON AND YOU COULD DO YOURS AS A SEPARATE ITEM AS WELL.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S WHAT I'M ASKING THAT BECAUSE WE JUST GOT IT THAT WE MAKE A SECOND RESOLUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND IT IS AS PRESENTED.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

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

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I NOW MAKE A MOTION THAT WE ADOPT A RESOLUTION THAT SAYS WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY DENOUNCES -- THAT HARRIS COUNTY -- TAKE OUT THE WHEREAS.

HARRIS COUNTY DENOUNCES VIOLENCE AGAINST THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY.

D.A. IS MISSING AND THE PLUS IS MISSING AND HONORS THE FIVE LIVES LOST AND DOZENS INJURED IN COLORADO SPRINGS WHEN A SHOOTER OPENED FIRE AT A NIGHTCLUB IN COLORADO SPRINGS ON NOVEMBER TPHAOEUPBG TEENTH, 202 -- NOVEMBER 19TH, 2022.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND THAT WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE DO ADD THE LGBTQ PLUS INTO THE RESOLUTION.

>> ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA.

JAMES, ARE YOU CLEAR? >> YES.

IS THIS FOR ITEM 93? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

UNDER THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. >> AND THE AMENDMENT THAT YOU

MADE FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION ON THE TABLE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR

AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE IF I COULD, I ASKED CHIEF FENOR IF HE COULD GIVE AS YOU FEW MORE MINUTES OF HIS PRECIOUS TIME. I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ITEM 12 OUT

OF ORDER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF WE

[00:50:02]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK BECAUSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS I HAVE THE TAPE MEASURE AND HE WANTS TO MEASURE THE CURTAINS IN MY OFFICE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE THE PAINT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HE HAS SENORITY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM GOING TO MEASURE HIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL TAKE 12 AND THEN IDENTIFY THE CONCEPT AGENDA. WHAT TIME DO YOU HAVE TO LEAVE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT OF HERE BY 1 AND I CAN TELL THIS IS A RIVETTING DISCUSSION YOU MAY NOT GET OUT

OF HERE UNTIL 3. >> LET'S LOOK AT THIS ITEM AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS NEXT. ITEM 12, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I WANT TO FIRST THANK MR. TURNER AND AS THE CO-CHAIR TO THE SPECIAL EVENTS TASK FORCE AND MAYOR TURNER FOR HIS LEADERSHIP, BUT IN PARTICULAR CHIEF FENOR AND CHIEF PENA AND SUSAN, CHRISTIAN AND ALL OF THE OTHERS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE PROCESS. THIS IS A GREAT STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. LOOKING FORWARD WE ARE LETTING THE AUTHORITIES DO THEIR WORK ON UNDERSTANDING THE TRAGEDY ITSELF AND TO LOOK FORWARD. WE HAVE THE WORLD CUP COMING.

WE HAVE -- MAYBE WE WILL HAVE SOME MORE.

I BELIEVE THIS EVENT WILL HELP US RESOLVE AREAS.

IT IS NOT THAT ANYTHING IS NECESSARILY MISSING, BUT YOU CAN ALWAYS DEFINE THE ROLES. THAT'S WHAT A LOT OF THE WORK THEY CONCLUDED WITH. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT THE END OF THE WORK. THE TASK FORCE WILL CONTINUE TO LEARN FROM THE PROCESS THAT HAS BEEN MADE.

AND CHIEF AS I MENTIONED TO YOU AT YESTERDAY'S PRESS CONFERENCE, I WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE A TABLETOP WITH THE EYE TIM -- WITH THE ITEMS DEFINED TO TEST THE PROCESSES TO ENSURE THAT IT HAS BROUGHT IT TO THE TABLE. MAYOR TURNER AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL WILL BE DECIDING ON AN ORDINANCE THAT WILL COMPLEMENT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. AND SO, AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR THEIR WORK. AND ALTHOUGH SOME MAY NOT SEE THE ITEMS WITH A WHOLE HROET OF -- WITH A WHOLE LOT OF POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE, IF YOU WILL, HAVING MANAGED A FEW ITEMS MYSELF, I KNOW THE VALUE OF THESE ITEMS. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT BRINGING AGENCIES TOGETHER, CREATING A PROCESS FOR COMMUNE SKAEUGS -- COMMUNICATION AND CREATING AN INWARD-LOOKING CALENDAR SO PLANNING CAN BE A PROCESS. IN PARTICULAR I WANT TO THANK UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR THEIR WORK IN HELPING TO RESOLVE THE I.T. ISSUES. CHIEF, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE YOU TO THE PODIUM IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE ANY REMARKS ON WHAT WE ARE SIGNING ON TODAY AND TOMORROW'S DECISIONS.

>> REALLY QUICKLY, THE INNER LOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY OF HOUSTON AND NRG, IT DEFINES THE ROLES OF RESPONSIBILITY AND COMMUNICATION AND IT MAKES US A BETTER COUNTY TO DEAL WITH WHAT IS COMING UP ON -- COMING UP.

I WILL ASK FOR MORE SUPPORT AND IT WILL MAKE US BETTER.

IT IS THE THING OF MOVING FORWARD AND IT IS A GREAT START.

WE LOOKED AT BEST PRACTICES FROM AROUND THE NATION.

AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT THING. >> GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU, CHIEF. I MOVE ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I APPRECIATE THAT WE HAVE A GOOD PLAN.

[00:55:02]

YOU PUT THE DETAILS OUT THERE AND PROVIDE CLARITY THAT IS AN IMPORTANT THING. WHAT MAKES REALLY GOOD PLANS GREAT IS FOLKS LIKE YOU. THEY CAN IMPLEMENT AND EXECUTE.

AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE GOING FORWARD IN WHAT WE DO. AND JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION, THE PERMIT IS STILL ISSUED BY THE CITY, RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA I THINK I HIT -- I THINK YOU HIT IT ON THE HEAD. IT IS A BEGINNING AND NOT AN END. IT IS A WORK IN PROGRESS.

OBVIOUSLY MOST OF THE MAJOR EVENTS -- I THINK PROBABLY IN PRECINCT 1, BUT IN MOST PARTS. NRG EVEN THOUGH IT IS DOWNTOWN.

THE EYES OF THE WORLD ARE OBVIOUSLY OUT THERE.

IN ADDITION TO THE BEST PRACTICES HERE, THE BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD. MY KIDS GO TO THE CONCERTS AND THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED AND THERE WILL BE CHANGES ALONG THE WAY. THERE WILL BE THOSE WITH OTHER SUGGESTIONS AND I KNOW YOU HAVE A WILLINGNESS TO TAKE THOSE INTO ACCOUNT. SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES FAN -- UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, CHIEF.

LET'S GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA BRIEFLY.

FIRST WE WILL GO OVER ITEMS THAT HAVE MINOR CHANGES.

ITEM 51, AGREEMENT FOR ENGINEERING SERVICES, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 89 HAS A CORRECTION.

REMOVE 2022 SO IT READS THE PURCHASING KAORD -- CARD FOR THINGS LIKE FOOD AND BEVERAGES AND SUPPLIES NOT TO EXCEED A THOUSAND DOLLARS BY 2023. ITEM 100 ON PAGE 14, FOR HOME VISITATION, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION AT THIS TIME.

ITEM 126, THERE IS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4.

IT IS NUMBER 126 ON PAGE 18 AND IT SHOULD READ REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER TO SUBMIT APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS. IT IS IN THE AMOUNT OF 8 MILLION 625,000 WITH 2,000,875 THOUSAND FROM HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 FOR THE SHERWOOD OAKS GRANT. ITEM 163 ON PAGE 22 CHANGE PRECINCT 2 TO PRECINCT 3. IT IS BARRETT STATION SUBDIVISION FOR PRECINCT 3. ITEM 180 ON PAGE 24.

REMOVE ANY ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF 239040.

SO IT SHOULD SAY REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN AMENDMENT TO AN EXCEPTION AGREEMENT FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR THE EXTENDED PERIOD DECEMBER 1 OF 2022 AND FEBRUARY 8 OF 2023. ITEM 222 ON PAGE 29, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION. AM I MISSING ANYTHING, JAMES?

>> NO, MA'AM. >> THESE ARE THE POTENTIAL ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS -- ITEM 180 ON PAGE 24, DOES ANYONE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON

THAT ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 208. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ITEM 180?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 180, PAGE 4. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE JUST NEED TO VOTE ON THAT. NO NEED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

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

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

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ITEM 208.

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 208 ON PAGE 27?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. >> IS THAT GOING TO BE APPROVED

AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: APPROVED AS PRESENTED SO CAROL PARROT FOR HARRIS HEALTH BOARD OF TRUSTEES.

EYE TEFPL -- ITEM 215 ON PAGE 28 , SPECIAL COUNCIL MATTER.

[01:00:06]

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. >> WE DON'T NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNLESS ANYONE HAS QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IS THAT JOHN ON THE LINE?

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

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

SO LEAVE THAT ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA.

CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM FOUR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED A DISCUSSION ON ITEM 4 WHICH IS HGAC'S CHILD SUBSIDY

ENROLLMENT PROCESS. >> TOM RAMSEY: HAVE I MY QUESTION ANSWERED. I DON'T NEED IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 5, COMMISSIONER GARCIA REQUESTED DISCUSSION ON NUISANCE ABATEMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 11 IS THE COVID ITEM. I HAVE A VERY BRIEF UPDATE.

ITEM 15, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 93 WE ALREADY PASSED THE RESOLUTION -- TWO RESOLUTIONS UNDER ITEM 93. DOES ANYONE ELSE HAVE ANYTHING TO DISCUSS ON ITEM 93? IT IS THE IGA LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM. ITEM 211 COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE BOTH FLAGGED THIS ITEM FOR AN INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT

WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 228, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS A

GENERAL ELECTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA.

THAT SHOULD BE IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND I ALSO WANT TO LOOK AT 223 FOR DISCUSSION. AGAIN, I SUPPORT 223, BUT I HAD

SOME QUESTIONS ON IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS IS TO SPONSOR MEALS AT NRG. LET ME JUST MARK THIS FOR DISCUSSION. SO HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS ITEM 5, 11, 15, 211, 223 AND 228.

AM I MISSING ANYTHING? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ONLY SIX ITEMS. SEEMS LIKE YOU SHOULD BE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT? JAMES, DO YOU HAVE CLARIFICATIOR

CLARIFICATION ON THESE ITEMS? >> NO, MA'AM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THE CONCEPT AGENDA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS VOTED ON AND THE DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LIST STPHED MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED 1234* I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. GIVEN THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TO LEAVE SOON, I WOULD ASK THAT WE GO OVER THESE DISCUSSION ITEMS WITH HASTE AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO THE SPEAKERS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE GO TO 223 IN CASE THERE ARE QUESTIONS

AND I HAVE TO LEAVE? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S START WITH ITEM 223. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I DO SECOND THAT MOTION.

SO IF YOU MAKE THE MOTION, I'M SECONDING THAT.

MY QUESTION IS THAT PARTICULAR ONE, I GUESS MAYBE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IF WE CAN TAKE DOLLARS FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO HAVE THESE TYPES OF MEALS, I KNOW THAT WE HAVE TOLD ON A SIMILAR SITUATION IN BARRETT STATION, I WANTED TO DO A PROGRAM WHERE WE WOULD HAVE MEALS RELATED TO SOME CONGREGATES THERE IN SUPPORT OF THAT.

I WAS TOLD WE CAN'T DO THAT. GUY -- I GUESS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, ITEM 223 NOW GIVES US THE ABILITY TO DO THIS NOT ONLY IN PRECINCT 1, BUT PRECINCT 3, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM MY STANDPOINT, PRECINCT 1 HAS DONE

IT FOR PROBABLY 30 YEARS. >> TOM RAMSEY: BUT I GO BACK TO

WHAT I WAS TOLD -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT IS. BUT THIS IS SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER, WE STARTED 30 YEARS AGO AND WE STOPPED BEFORE

THE PANDEMIC. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK IT IS GREAT, BUT I WAS TOLD YOU CAN'T DO THIS.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHO DID YOU TALK TO IN MY OFFICE?

>> TOM RAMSEY: I HAD SOMEONE FROM MY STAFF TALK TO -- I'LL

GET YOU THAT, MR. MENEFEE. >> I'LL CALL YOU AFTER THIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL WELCOME THEM, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR PART OF THE BILL TOMB TOM THIS --

>> TOM RAMSEY: THIS IS ALL GOOD. I SECOND ETD -- SECONDED THE MOTION. I THINK IT IS GREAT AND LOOK

FORWARD TO IT IN PRECINCT 3. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> JUDGE, THIS IS JAY. I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE SPEAKER ON THIS. SO BEFORE WE VOTE IF WE CAN HEAR

FROM THE SPEAKER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 223? I DIDN'T SEE IT. I MISSED IT.

THE. >> YES, SIR.

I SAW IT. I THINK IT IS LISTED ON THERE.

TIFFANY MAYBE WILL CONFIRM. >> YES, JUDGE.

[01:05:03]

YOU GET SIX MINUTES. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

OKAY. I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS CHOSEN THE RIGHT DATE TO DO THIS.

>> SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS JACOB CLEMENTAGE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS CHOSEN THE RIGHT DAY TO HONOR WHICH IS DECEMBER 7TH. NOT MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE IF THIS GENERATION KNOW WHAT IS ABOUT DECEMBER 7TH.

IT IS A DATE THAT WILL LIVE IN INFAMY.

AT ANY RATE, YOU DID A GREAT JOB, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, A VERY GOOD JOB. I AM PROUD OF YOU.

I WANTED TO SAY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE ELECTION. IT DOESN'T TAKE AN ID TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS THAT WAS A JOKE. ABOUT THE MENTAL HEALTH, I WAS PUT IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND I WAS EXPOSED TO THE PROGRAM. I AM, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, A GRADUATE OF THAT PROGRAM. SO I KNOW ABOUT IT.

WITH THEIR HELP I GET MY MEDICATION.

ONE MIGHT ASK -- [INAUDIBLE] I AM AT THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT.

[INAUDIBLE] THERE WAS A BLACK MAN THAT SAID -- TOLD THE COMMISSIONERS THAT WE NEED MORE MONEY.

I AM TELLING YOU THE [INAUDIBLE] SAID WE NEED MORE MONEY.

AND IT GOES TO NRG STADIUM AND RIGHT NOW I AM AT NRG STADIUM.

AND THE OTHER THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT I AM DOING MY JOB AND I HELD THE DOOR OPEN. WELCOME TO GAME DAY.

WHO WOULDN'T LIKE THAT BECAUSE WE CAN SAY THAT.

YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO SAY THAT. [INAUDIBLE] I AM GOING TO GIVE DR. LAURA [INAUDIBLE] SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

HAVE HER AUTOGRAPH IT AND I'M GONNA GIVE IT TO MY BOSSES AT AIR MARK. I'M GONNA HAVE HER SAY TO THE PEOPLE HOW ARE THE WORKERS AT AIR MARK.

THAT'S WHAT I'M GOING TO SAY. WHAT ELSE CAN I SAY? I WILL MISS YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

YOU HAVE -- ARE YOU A SWELL MAN. ECONOMICS, AM I RIGHT? OKAY. ECONOMICS.

[INAUDIBLE] OR JOHN LOCKE. ALL RIGHT.

OR YOU CAN CALL ME [INAUDIBLE]. ALL RIGHT.

WELL. YEAH.

ADRIAN GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA, I RESPECT YOU A LOT. YOU ARE ONE OF A POLICE CHIEF AND YOU WERE A SHERIFF LIKE GONZALEZ AND YOU WERE A CITY

[01:10:05]

I USED TO GO TO [INAUDIBLE] MEETING AND YOU WERE THERE.

YOU WERE PRETTY GOOD DANCING. OKAY.

49 SECONDS. >> DID YOU SAY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA WAS A GOOD DANCER? >> YEAH.

STAND UP AND SHOW THEM YOUR MOVES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE WILL DO THAT ON A BREAK.

>> OKAY. YOU ARE GOOD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. YOU KNOW WHY? YOU HAVE NO HAIR. WHAT ELSE IS THERE?

>> REMEMBER, LOOK AT MY CAP. CHAMPIONS.

LOOK AT MY ARMS. THESE ARE THE COLORS OF THE WRIST BANDS. WE HAVE YELLOW AND ORANGE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JACOB.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO WE WERE ON ITEM 223.

THERE WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. AND NOW LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 5, THE NUISANCE ABATEMENT ITEM. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. FIRST I WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK BY EVERYONE INVOLVED FOR MOVING THIS -- MOVING ON THESE PARTICULAR NUISANCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE LIST ON THIS PARTICULAR SLATE IS 16.

8 ARE IN PRECINCT 2, UNFORTUNATELY.

THANKS TO THIS ITEM, FORTUNATELY IT WILL BRING RESOLVE TO NEIGHBORS IN THE COMMUNITY TO LIVE WITH THESE PARTICULAR ISSUES FOR SO LONG. I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT I WILL BE BRINGING AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

NOT SURE IF IT WILL BE READY BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, BUT I WILL BRING AN ITEM FORWARD. WE DO NEED TO REFINE THIS PARTICULAR PROCESS. RIGHT NOW IT CURRENTLY LIVES IN MULTIPLE PLACES. AND SO I'M HAVING STAFF WORK ON IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A NEED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL STAFF OR WHETHER WE CAN WORK WITH THOSE THAT ARE ALREADY TOUCHING THE PROCESS. THE FACT THAT THIS LIST WAS 2,000 LONG AND IF NOT FOR ARPA WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ATTACK THIS. IT SPEAKS TO HOW OUT OF SIGHT AND OUT OF MIND IT HAS BEEN FOR SO MANY YEARS.

I AM EXCITED WE HR -- WE ARE ATTACKING THIS, BUT TO ENSURE THAT WE DON'T ALLOW THIS TO GROW INTO ANOTHER BACKLOG PROCESS OR ISSUE. I WILL BE BRINGING AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA. I AM GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO IS WORKING ON THIS AND I MOVE ON THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I SUGGEST THAT WE WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO RETURN BEFORE WE TAKE THE VOTE. LET'S BEGIN DISCUSSION ON THE NEXT ITEM. THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 11.

IT IS THE BRIEF COVID ITEM. ON THAT ONE WE HAVE CONTINUED GOOD NEWS. NO MOTIONS.

THE HOSPITALS ARE RELATIVELY STABLE AND WE ARE STILL IN GREEN. COMMUNITY TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BE LOW. THE RECOMMENDATION IS CONSISTENT WITH WHAT IT HAS BEEN OVER THE PAST MONTH OR 2 WHICH IS FOR FOLKS TO TAKE THE UPDATED BOOSTER WHICH RIGHT NOW IS PROVIDING A LOT OF PROTECTION AGAINST THE LATEST VARIANTS.

IT IS VERY GOOD NEWS, CONTINUED GOOD NEWS ALL-AROUND WHEN IT COMES TO COVID. FLU AND RSV IS CIRCULATING IN TEUBGZ -- IN TEXAS. WE KNOW FOLKS FACING THOSE ISSUES. IT GOES TO VACCINES AND PRECAUTIONS AND EVERYTHING WE LEARNED DURING COVID.

THANKFULLY I DON'T HAVE CONCERNING UPDATES TO ADD ON

THIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A NICE GOODBYE PRESENT OR CHRISTMAS PRESENT WOULD BE THAT WE WOULDN'T NEED THE EMERGENCY STATUS ANYMORE. IF YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS' COURT I WOULD

APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING AT THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION, JAMES.

ITEM 15, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AID 8 THANK YOU JUDGE.

. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I TOOK INTEREST WHEN MR. RAMOS

[01:15:03]

MR. RAMOS? >> SURE.

THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK FORWARD. I KNOW IT SEEMS FAR AWAY, BUT IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT, THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

WE RECEIVE ABOUT 80% OF THE GENERAL FUNDS REVENUE AND 100% OF THE FLOOD CONTROL REVENUE FROM PROPERTY TAXES.

WE GET 80% OF THAT IN THE NEXT -- FIRST THREE MONTHS.

EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A DELAY IT WAS ABOUT 30 MILLION BEHIND ON COLLECTIONS THAN WE WERE AT THIS POINT LAST YEAR.

I ALSO WANT TO FLAG THAT THE COUNTY -- I SAID THIS VARIOUS TIMES, BUT THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE CAN SEE STRUGGLES.

FLOOD CONTROL IS ONE OF THEM. WE AS A GENERAL FUND HAVE LOANED THE FLOOD CONTROL $59 MILLION AT THIS POINT AS THEY WAIT FOR REVENUE TO COME IN AND PART OF THAT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE REVENUE TO MEET THEIR COSTS. WHILE THEY ARE NOT UNDERWATER, THERE IS A REAL CHALLENGE FROM A LIQUIDITY STANDPOINT.

ON THE GENERAL FUND WE ARE TAKING MONEY THAT WE WOULD OTHERWISE BE INVESTING FROM SOME OF THE OTHER SOURCES TO MEET PAR CASH TO COME IN. AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS WE DID GET FEEDBACK.

THERE ARE LOTS OF CATEGORIES AND I CAN SHARE HOW THEY ARE RATED BY THE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES. WE SCORED HIGHLY ON GOVERNANCE.

WE HAVE STRONG FISCAL CONTROL AND WE SCORE VERY HIGHLY ON OUR FUNDAMENTALS. WE DID NOT GET DOWN GRADED.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. THE CREDIT RATING AGENCIES HAVE REAFFIRMED ALL OF OUR CURRENT STATUSES.

TRIPLE-A FOR THE GENERAL FUND AND DOUBLE-A FOR THE TOLL ROAD, ET CETERA. WE HAVE GOTTEN FEEDBACK THAT THERE ARE CONCERNS. WE HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS A LOT AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE NOW HAVING TO ANSWER OUR CREDIT ORS -- CREDITORS AS THEY JUDGE OUR CREDIT.

IT IS JUST BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS.

JUST WANT TO PUT THAT OUT FOR EVERYBODY FAR IN ADVANCE OF THE NEXT PROCESS. WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE SCHEDULE AND PRESENTING SOMETHING TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT LIKELY IN THE NEW YEAR ABOUT THE DIFFERENT DATES AND

MILESTONES. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

ONE OF THE GUYS I GREW UP IN THIS BUSINESS WITH WAS MAYOR BILL WHITE. I REFER TO HIM AS CHEAP, BUT CHEAP IN THE RIGHT WAY. HE WATCHED THE -- HE WATCHED THE COFFERS VERY, VERY DILIGENTLY. HIS PERSPECTIVE WAS ALWAYS SPEND WISELY, BUT SAVE AS WELL AS POSSIBLE AND DEMONSTRATE TO OUR CREDITORS THE -- THAT WE ARE TAKING OUR RESPONSIBILITY SERIOUSLY. MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD JUST NEWS MAKE CREDIT ORS -- CREDITORS HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOU ABOUT THE INNER WORKINGS *6 -- OF OUR FINANCES AND BUDGETING PROCESS? WHY WOULD JUST AN ARTICLE IN THE

PAPER -- >> IT IS TWO FOLD.

ONE IS THAT THE CREDITORS AND THE BANKERS, EVERYBODY WANTS STABILITY. THEY WANT THERE TO BE A PREDICTABLE PROCESS. THEY WANT THERE TO BE, YOU KNOW, A TANG ONLY -- TANGIBLE TIMELINE WE ADHERE TO.

THEY SEE THINGS LIKE THIS AND THEY -- YOU KNOW, THEY LOOK AT CONGRESS AND THEY LOOK AT OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND THEY WORRY WE MAY GO THREE YEARS AS A POSSIBILITY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THEY HAVE NOTED IS OUR TAX RATE IS STARTING TO FALL WELL BELOW THE REST OF THE REGIONS AND OTHER BIG URBAN COUNTIES. AND SO THEY ARE WORRIED AND THEY HAVE TOLD US THAT WE ARE GONNA LOSE COMPETITIVENESS BECAUSE WE HAVE THE REVENUE CAPS. LIKE I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT IS NOT JUST WE LOSE MONEY TODAY. WE ARE LOSING MONEY IN PERSON FEW TEE -- PERPITUITY UNLESS WE GO FOR AN ELECTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOW DOES STABILITY -- WHAT ARE THEY USING

[01:20:01]

FOCUS? >> THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN AFFORD OUR BILLS. THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE

IN A TAX RATE -- >> WHAT DO THEY SEE AS BEING

DESTABILIZED, I GUESS? >> WE ACTUALLY DID NOT PASS A TAX RATE. WE DEFAULTED TO A TAX RATE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO IT WAS THE WHOLE NEWS ABOUT THE NNR AND THE WALK OF THE VOTE THAT HAS NOW RISEN TO THE LEVEL OF THE CREDIT AGENCIES AND TAKES HAVING A DISCUSSION?

>> THERE IS NO ADVERSE IMPACT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THEY HAVE PUT ON OUR RADAR. I CAN TELL YOU THAT MY STAFF, WE ARE DOING -- THEY ARE ACTUALLY PRICING A SALE TODAY.

WE RECEIVED SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 10 TIMES AS MANY QUESTIONS AS WE NORMALLY DO AROUND OUR BUDGET.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN THAT REGARD, IS THERE -- LOOK, WE ARE IN A REGION. WE ARE PART OF THE HOUSTON COUNCIL WHY -- OR RATHER, HARRIS COUNTY HAS ALWAYS BEEN -- I MEAN WE HAVE BEEN FIGHTING FOR EQUAL REPRESENTATION ON THE BOARD OF HGAK, BUT NOW WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE FISCAL LEADER, I GUESS, AS A WAY TO DESCRIBE IT IN THE REGION BECAUSE OUR TAX RATE IS NOW NOT COMPARABLE WITH THE REST OF THE REGION.

IS THAT ACCURATE? >> I WOULDN'T PHRASE IT THAT WAY. I WOULD SAY THAT -- AGAIN, WE ARE A VERY WEALTHY JURISDICTION. WE ARE NOT FACING THE -- LIKE SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, DETROIT, SOME OF THE OTHER FOLKS THAT YOU CAN HEAR HORROR STORIES FOR. I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I'M SAYING. WHAT THEY HAVE SAID TO US IS THAT IF OUR RATE CONTINUES TO GO DOWN, WE ARE LIKELY NOT -- WE ARE GONNA BUILD OURSELVES A HOLE.

AND THERE WILL BE AN -- THERE WOULD BE AT THAT POINT -- THEY WOULD HAVE TO -- THEY WOULD BE REVIEWING US.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS IT FROM A BUSINESS INDUSTRY STANDPOINT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE -- WE CAN BE POTENTIALLY LOOKING DIFFERENTLY THAN DALLAS AS AN EXAMPLE OR TRAVIS? IS THERE A CONCERN FOR OUR COMPARABILITY WITH OTHER URBAN

COUNTIES IN TEXAS? >> I THINK IF WE WERE TO GO DOWN A ROAD WHERE WE WERE AT NNR FOR THREE OR FOUR YEARS OR MULTIPLE YEARS IN A ROW, THEY WOULD HAVE THAT CONCERN.

AGAIN, I'M NOT RINGING THE ALARMS AT THIS POINT, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED TO US THAT WE NEED TO

BE CONSCIOUS OF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND WHERE WE'RE AT, DOES IT -- LET'S JUST SAY WE ARE GOING THROUGH THIS AGAIN. LET'S JUST SAY THE ELECTIONS DIDN'T TURN OUT THE WAY IT TURNED OUT.

AND WE STILL HAVE A 3-2 COURT. AND WE WOULD LIKELY FACE ANOTHER DEBATE OVER THE TAX RATE THAT MAY LEAD US TO AN ADDITIONAL NNR YEAR, BUDGET YEAR. DOES THAT CHALLENGE OUR COMPETITIVENESS WITH OTHER COUNTIES?

>> IF WE WERE TO GO DOWN THAT ROAD AND DOING SERVICES AND IT IS IN THE OPERATION RATE, BUT MY HOPE IS THAT WE DON'T FOLLOW THAT PATH AND WE -- TWO WEEKS AGO.

>> IS THERE A CURRENT RISK FOR US TO COMPARE WITH?

>> NONE WHATSOEVER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST A COUPLE.

ARE YOU TALKING TO ONE OR THE BIG THREE?

>> WE REACHED OUT TO ALL OF THEM >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU REACHED TO

THEM OR THEY REACHED TO YOU? >> WE HAVE INCREASES TO THE CT LINE AND THE BONDS PASS. WE ARE ACTUALLY PRICING A DEAL TODAY FOR THE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION FOR THE HOTEL TAX AND THE REFURBISH MEANT AND IT IS ALL THE DEBT WE ISSUED.

[01:25:10]

TODAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS OUR

RATING NOW? >> A TRIPLE-A.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN A REGION COMPARED TO.

>> THERE IS NOT A BETTER RATING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN THE COUNTY?

>> THERE ARE OTHER COUNTY THAT'S HAVE TRIPLE-A.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY URBAN COUNTY WOULD HAVE THAT?

>> I DON'T HAVE THAT ON THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I CAN PROVIDE

THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE BEEN IN THE BUSINESS FOR AWHILE AND I KNOW IN THE OLD DAYS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DO THAT NOW, BUT THEY USED TO GO UP THROUGH THEIR LITTLE PITCH AND TRY TO WORK THE POLICIES.

>> WE PUT THE BEST FOOD FORWARD. WE HAVE TO GO TO THEM OR THEY COME TO US. OUR FUND -- FUNDAMENTALS ARE SO STRONG, GROWING ECONOMY AND NEW CONSTRUCTION AND DIVERSIFIED WORKFORCE. WE TRY TO TELL THAT STORY EVERY TIME, BUT THERE ARE SOME -- AGAIN, I HAVE SAID THIS, BUT THERE ARE STARTING TO BE SOME LIGHTS IN FISCAL HEALTH THAT WE

WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS OVER TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SOMEBODY CALLED ME AFTER THE ELECTION AND TOLD ME THE HISTORY OF THE TEXAS STATUTE. IT USED TO REQUIRE ALL FIVE.

IT WAS IN DALLAS COUNTY. I THINK IT WAS ROY ORE WHO WAS A CONSERVATIVE D AND IN HIS OFFICE AND WOULDN'T COME DOWN.

THAT'S WHEN THEY WOULDN'T CHANGE THE LAW.

ECCLES WAS A STATE REP AND THEY CHANGED THE LAW OVER DALLAS COUNTY TO MOVE IT FROM THE FIVE THAT HAD TO BE.

HE PROBABLY DID THAT IN THE 80S.

HE WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE THEN? I DON'T THINK ECCLES GOT THERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: HE WOULD HAVE BEEN SO YOUNG.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY CHANGED IT FROM FIVE TO FOUR? I THINK ORE DID IT. ECCLES CARRIED THE BILL.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN LATER WHEN HE DID THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER, I MIGHT ADD ONE BRIEF POINT.

A MITIGATING DISCUSSION WITH THE RATING AGENCIES IS THAT THIS COURT HAS CUT SPENDING. THEY HAVE CUT IT AT MR. RAMOS' ADVICE. THAT OBVIOUSLY MAKES MANY PEOPLE'S JOBS MORE DIFFICULT. MINE IS ONE OF THEM.

BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN DIPPING INTO FUND BALANCE AND NOT DIPPING INTO ARPA FUNDS IN A MAJOR WAY.

THAT WOULD EASE THE PAIN, BUT I THINK IT WOULD DRAMATICALLY INCREASE OUR LIKELIHOOD OF A DOWN GRADE IN ADDITIONAL ISSUES

WITH THE RATING AGENCY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY I WAS IN THE BUSINESS, BUT WHY IT MATTERS.

OBVIOUSLY IT MAKES IT EASIER WHEN WE HAVE TO BORROW MONEY.

WALK THROUGH WHY DOES IT MATTER? >> THE PRICE THAT WE PAY HAS RISK. HAVING A TRIPLE-A RATING IN THE GENERAL FUND AND HAVING A HIGH RATING ACROSS ALL OF OUR FUNDS MEANS WE ARE VERY LOW RISK AND THAT MEANS FOLKS WILL LOAN US

MONEY AT LOWER RATES. >> SO WHILE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LIKE SO WE SIGN FOR OUR LOVED ONES -- OUR CHILDREN'S CARS BECAUSE WE MAY HAVE A BETTER CREDIT RATING AS OPPOSED TO THEM DOING IT WHERE THEY HAVE A PRETTY LOW CREDIT SCORE. SIM POLICE -- SIMPLISTICALLY, THAT'S WHY. OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> TOM RAMSEY: MR. RAMOS, WHEN THEY ISSUED THESE QUESTIONS RELATED TO OUR CREDIT WORTHINESS, I'M SURE YOU KNOW THERE WERE RECORD APPRAISAL INCREASES?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> TOM RAMSEY: OKAY.

THERE ARE SOME OTHER FACTORS AND THAT'S A GOOD THING.

PROPERTY VALUES ARE INCREASING. >> WE TRY TO LEAD WITH THE

FUNDAMENTALS. >> TOM RAMSEY: YOU CAN'T TALK ABOUT A DECREASE IN TAX RATE WITHOUT AN INCREASE IN APPRAISAL VALUES AT THE SAME TIME. THOSZ ARE TOGETHER -- THOSE ARE

TOGETHER. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. RAMOS, THE FIRST PART OF YOUR PRESENTATION WENT -- YOU WENT OVER IT QUITE QUICKLY.

CAN YOU JUST GO BACK AND EXPLAIN THE PIECE ABOUT THE DELAYED ROLLOUT OF TAX BILLS? YOU ZOOMED PAST IT.

[01:30:01]

WE LOANED THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT 59 MILLION WHICH THEY WILL HAVE TO PAY BACK OVER THE COURSE OF NEXT YEAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WHY ARE WE 30 MILLION BEHIND WHERE WE WERE

LAST YEAR? >> IT'S HARD TO PARSE OUT EXACTLY, BUT PART OF IT IS WE SENT BILLS OUT LATER AND PART IS WE ARE NOT SURE IF PEOPLE'S BEHAVIOR HAS CHANGED AND MORE PEOPLE ARE PLANNING TO APPEAL OR MORE FOLKS HAVE SIGNED UP FOR PAYMENT PLANS. IT WILL REQUIRE MORE ANALYSIS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM READING BETWEEN THE LINES.

FOR ME IT IS IMPORTANT TO ERR ON THE SIDE OF TRANSPARENCY AND BE MORE CLEAR. WE SENT OUT BILLS LATER BECAUSE OF THE DELAYED TAX RATE ADOPTION?

CAN YOU JUST -- >> YES.

SO WE HAD TO CERTIFY OUR RATES BEFORE WE CAN SEND TAX BILLS.

SO NEXT YEAR MY HOPE IS WE CAN WRAP THIS UP IN SEPTEMBER, WRAP UP THE BUDGET AND THE TAX RATE DISCUSSION IN SEPTEMBER TO WE ARE PREPARED TO SEND OUT THE BILLS AS ALL OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR SENT THE

BILLS OUT FOR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S THE STABILITY ISSUE THEY ARE LOOKING AT.

>> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD ASK, MR. RAMOS, BECAUSE YOU ARE SPEAKING TO US, BUT ALSO TO THE PUBLIC. SO JUST IN THE FUTURE, START FROM THE BEGINNING AND WALK IT THROUGH BECAUSE WE'RE HAVING TO

MAKE THOSE CONNECTIONS. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE DON'T WANT TO MAKE ASSUMPTIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I HEAR IS BECAUSE WE WERE NEGOTIATING THE TAX RATE -- OR UNABLE TO SET A TAX RATE THE BILLS WENT OUT LATER THAN THEY WOULD NORMALLY HAVE GONE OUT AND YOU DON'T KNOW IF PEOPLE ARE SLOWER PAYING BECAUSE THEY GOT THE BILL LATER OR WHAT. A LOGICAL ASSUMPTION WOULD BE THAT THEY GOT THE BILL LATER BECAUSE WE HAD TO SET THE RATE LATER SO YOU GET THE MONEY LATER.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> TOM RAMSEY: THE CONTRIBUTING

FACTOR -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: OR WE GET THE

MONEY LATER. >> TOM RAMSEY: A CONTRIBUTING FACTOR WOULD BE WE GOT THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT.

THEY WOULD PROVIDE THOSE MUCH EARLIER THAN THEY DID.

MY EXPERIENCE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY OF TEXAS IS MOST ADOPT A RATE BEFORE OCTOBER 1. THAT'S PRETTY NORMAL PRACTICE.

BECAUSE WE DIDN'T GET THE CERTIFIED VALUES AND UNTIL LATE,

THAT PUSHED THAT. >> I DON'T NECESSARILY AGREE BECAUSE WE USED CERTIFIED ESTIMATES THAT CAME ON

JULY 25TH. >> TOM RAMSEY: MOST COUNTIES

ADOPTED BEFORE OCTOBER 1ST. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOST COUNTIES ADOPT BEFORE US TOO, RIGHT?

>> I THINK WE WERE THE LAST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO JUST -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, NOT TO ARGUE YOUR POINT, BUT WE WERE GOING THROUGH EVERYTHING WE WERE GOING THROUGH AND NOT POINTING FINGERS, BUT THAT TOOK TIME. IF WE HAD KNOWN WE WOULD END UP WHERE WE STARTED, WE WOULD HAVE JUST SENT THE BILLS OUT EARLY.

>> I THINK THAT'S A FAIR ASSESSMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO PUT THE PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS OF THIS, THE FACT THAT WE ARE HAVING TO BORROW THESE 30 MILLION -- WHERE

ARE WE BORROWING IT FROM? >> WE TOOK 50 MILLION OUT OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE FUND AND MOBILITY FUNDS.

AGAIN, THESE ARE ALL JUST CASH TRANSACTIONS.

WE ARE NOT OPERATING AT A DEFICIT.

NONE OF OUR FUNDS ARE OPERATING AT A DEFICIT, BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CASH LIQUIDITY TO PAY OUR BILLS, WE ARE NOT HAVING TO SELL OFF INVESTMENTS WHICH AT THIS POINT WOULD BE A LOSS FOR US. WE DID HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, BORROW CASH. WE LOANED CASH AND IT IS TO LOAN MONEY TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

THEY JUST DON'T HAVE THE CASH ON HAND.

>> AND IS THAT ALSO PART OF THE STABILITY ISSUE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I'M GETTING AT.

IS THERE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT TO HAVING TO DO THAT?

>> NOT YET. BUT I AM PUTTING IT ON EVERYBODY'S RADAR THAT IF WE CONTINUE TO DO THIS, WE WILL CONTINUE TO FACE THESE CASH SHORE -- CASH SHORTAGES AND WE

WON'T BE ABLE TO MAKE IT UP. >> SO THERE IS A POINT WHEN YOU

CAN'T DO THAT ANYMORE? >> YES.

[01:35:02]

>> THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. SO NO ACTION ON ITEM 15.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WHEN YOU WERE AWAY WE DISCUSSED ITEM 5.

DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS OR CAN WE TAKE A VOTE?

>> I MOVE IT. >> I MOVED IT.

>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ITEM 5.

NUISANCE ABATEMENT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> ANY OPPOSE STPHED MOTION

[Emergency/Supplemental items]

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO 211, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND CAGLE FLAGGED THIS ITEM.

AND THAT IS THE INTER LOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF

HOUSTON. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK WE TALKED

ABOUT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT THEN.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> TOM RAMSEY: WHICH ONE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: 211 ON PAGE 28. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT PAGE

27? >> 28.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DON'T THINK

THAT'S IT. >> OH YEAH.

IT IS 2:11. MY QUESTION THERE IS THE -- I KNOW THERE WAS A CONCERN EXPRESSED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THE -- ON HOW THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID THE PROCESS AND THERE WERE MEETINGS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS A PRECINCT 3 PROJECT WILL BE TAKEN OFF THE LIST AND A PRECINCT 2 PROJECT WILL BE ADDED.

THAT'S THE NET RESULT. SO IT WAS A PROJECT NEAR HUFFMAN, IRONICALLY. AND IT WAS A $1 MILLION AND IT WAS LINEAR FEET OF IMPROVEMENTS. THAT'S COMPARED TO THE PRE -- PRECINCT 2 PROJECT 2.54 MILLION00 LINEAR FEET AND FEWER PEOPLE. MY QUESTION IS, THIS WAS REVISITED, THEN I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD DO WORST FIRST WHICH IS THE MOST NUMBER OF PEOPLE IMPACTED AND THE HUFFMAN AREA IS ONE CONSIDERED. I KNOW A LOT OF THE PRECINCT 2 PROJECT IS ROAD IMPROVEMENTS. IT IS GOING TO BE MORE COSTLY AND I GET THAT IT IS IN AN URBAN SETTING.

I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH.

WE LEFT IT UP TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IT IS THEIR PROGRAM AND THEY IDENTIFIED A PRETTY GOOD PROJECT AND AT THIS POINT BECAUSE IT IS IN PRECINCT 3, I ASSUME, YOU ARE NOT IN PRECINCT 2, IT WAS TAKEN OFF THE LIST. AND I JUST NEED TO EXPRESS A CONCERN THAT THERE ARE NOW RESIDENTS IN PRECINCT 3 THAT WON'T BE SERVED AND THE PLAN WAS TO SERVE THEM, JUDGE.

AND AS YOU LOOK AT THIS FROM A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE, THERE WERE MORE PEOPLE THAT WOULD HAVE BENEFITED FROM THE 6800 LINEAR FEET PROJECT THAT WAS TO BE DONE AS COMPARED TO ONE IN PRECINCT 2. THAT'S MY CONCERN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I HOPE THAT WITH ALL OF THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS WE ARE GOING TO DO GOING FORWARD, THAT WE APPLY OUR EQUITY FRAMEWORK, WHETHER IT RELATES TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, SOCIAL VULNERABILITY FACTORS, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S LEFT.

AS THE PERSON WHO BROUGHT THAT UP WHEN THE HARVEY PACKAGE CAME UP, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE DONE IT WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS IN THE PAST. WE SHOULD APPLY IT TO ALL OF THEM. I DON'T WANT TO BE LABOR THE POINT. I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PAST, BUT GOING FORWARD WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SENSITIVE.

I DO KNOW THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS SIGNED OFF ON IT.

I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY ADOPTED EQUITY GUIDELINES THE WAY WE DID. IT IS A GOOD -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIRS ARE. I'M GLAD WE DID.

IT FORCES A DISCUSSION ON THE ISSUE.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MIGHT, ONE IS THAT I WOULD HAVE

[01:40:06]

MOVING FORWARD I HOPE THAT WE WILL DO A BETTER JOB AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OF INFORMING THE CITY OF HOUSTON, DON'T BRING US AN ITEM -- DON'T BRING US THESE RECOMMENDATIONS UNLESS YOU HAVE VETTED THEM THROUGH OUR EQUITY PROCESS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND OF COURSE KWR-PLT THE ONE TRYING -- I AM THE ONE TRYING TO GET A FLIGHT, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE LABOR THE POINT, BUT NOT JUST THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR WHEREVER IT IS GOING FORWARD. I AM NOT TRYING TO UNDO --

>> TOM RAMSEY: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE EQUITY PROGRAM, IF IT IS PRECINCT 3 WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT AND IF IT IS PRECINCT 2 WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HIT THOSE AREA THAT'S HAVE BEEN UNDER SERVED IN YOUR PRECINCT AS MUCH AS THE

ONESS IN MY PRECINCT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I DIDN'T VISIT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I DID NOT ENGAGE AND I STAYED OUT OF IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ON PURPOSE.

THEY CAME UP WITH IT LODGER -- ORIGINALLY AND I DIDN'T ENGAGE ORIGINALLY. THEY CAME UP WITH THE PROJECTS AND IDENTIFIED THE PROJECT. WHEN THEY REVISITED, THEY PULLED ONE OUT OF 3 AND PUT ONE IN 2. I'M JUST GONNA SIT HERE AND SAY, THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER PROCESS.

I AGREE WITH YOU. THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER PROCESS GOING FORWARD. I HOPE THIS IS NOT A GLIMPSE OF WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS IN TERMS OF IF IT IS IN PRECINCT 3, THAT

WILL BE THE LAST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND YOU ADVOCATE THAT FOR ALL GOING FORWARD, WHETHER IT IS 1, 2,

THROUGH -- 1, 2, 3 OR 4. >> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW WHAT YOU WOULD BE SAYING. IF THEY CANCELED A PROJECT LIKE THEY DID HERE IN PRECINCT 1 TO DO ONE IN PRECINCT 2.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S A GOOD POINT AND HOW WELL YOU KNOW.

I WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE TODAY, BUT I CAN GO BACK AND NAME A

COUPLE OF PROJECTS. >> TOM RAMSEY: I TRIED TO KEEP -- I DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT. THIS WAS ONE DEAL, IT HAD TO DO WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE HEAD OF THE PARTNERSHIP.

AND THERE WAS A MEETING WITH CASTELLO AND A DECISION MADE.

THE RESULT WAS DO ONE IN PRECINCT 2 AND DON'T DO ONE IN

PRECINCT 3. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS DIRECTOR

PETERSON ON THE LINE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FIRST OF ALL,

I DID NOT -- >> TOM RAMSEY: I KNOW YOU

DIDN'T. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DID NOT GO

THAT DIRECTION. >> TOM RAMSEY: I UNDERSTAND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIRECTOR PETERSON, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? IS SOMEONE FROM FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HERE?

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THIS IS TINA PETERSON, EXECUTIVE

DIRECTOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHAT -- YOU KNOW, THERE'S DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE FLOOD BOND, RIGHT? ONE PIECE OF THAT, OR THE -- ONE PIECE IS THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS. I KNOW THOSE HAVE OPERATED IN THEIR OWN BUCKET SOMEHOW. CAN YOU JUST REMIND US WHERE WE ARE AT WITH THAT? I AM PUZZLED.

I SEE SOME SVI NUMBERS. WE HAVE A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK THAT IS A WORST FIRST FRAMEWORK.

IT INCLUDES OTHER METRICS. IS THAT PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK NOT APPLIED TO PARTNERSHIP PROGRAMS? WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE AND I FRANKLY DON'T REMEMBER HOW IT WORKS. BUT WHAT IS THE -- WHAT IS THE PAIR -- THE PARADIGM THERE WHEN IT COMES TO PARTNERSHIPS AND HOW DID WENT -- HOW DID WE END UP IN THE SITUATION WHERE THEY PICKED THE PROJECT AND WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PUT THEM THROUGH THE FRAMEWORK. IS THAT HOW IT WORKS IN OTHER

CITIES? >> JUDGE, THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM HISTORICALLY HAS OPERATED AS A PROCESS WHERE A PARTNER BRINGS A PROJECT TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THAT PROJECT IS CONSIDERED AND TYPICALLY THE PRIORITY IS IS THERE A PARTNER AND IS THERE A PROJECT? IF SO MOVE FORWARD. HISTORICALLY THAT'S HOW THE PROJECTS HAVE BEEN DONE INCLUDING THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S EFFORTS. THESE PROJECTS, WE DID LOOK AT THEM RECENTLY IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTOOD WHERE THEY STOOD WITH REGARD TO SOCIAL VULNERABILITY.

THAT'S IN TERMS OF THE OVERALL PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE CALCULUS.

HOWEVER, I'M HEARING FROM THE COURT THAT LOOKING AT THAT TYPE OF A FRAMEWORK GOING FORWARD WOULD BE BENEFICIAL AND MAKE SENSE. WE DO HAVE SEVERAL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT THAT'S ARE STILL IN DEVELOPMENT AND WE CAN WORK WITH THOSE FOLKS TO DEVELOP THE INFORMATION TO PULL THAT

[01:45:02]

TOGETHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO DIG IN A LITTLE MORE AND COLLEAGUES I REMEMBER A CON SRER -- CONVERSATION ON PRIORITIZATION PROJECTS.

WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT BEING CONSISTENT.

AND MY FEELING IS WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

WHY DID YOU PICK SVI OUT OF THERE AS OPPOSED TO THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE ARE IMPLEMENTING ACROSS THE BOARD.

AND HOW DO YOU CHOOSE BETWEEN ONE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT OR ANOTHER? IS IT THAT THERE AREN'T MANY JURISDICTION THAT'S CAN PARTICIPATE AND IT IS WHOEVER CAN DO IT AND THEN THE LATTER? WITHIN THOSE THAT CAN DO IT IT IS WORST FIRST AS OPPOSED TO WHATEVER.

>> WHAT I WOULD SAY IS SVI -- THE ONLY REASON SVI HAS ENTERED THE CONVERSATION IS SO WE HAD A MECHANISM TO UNDERSTAND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: BUT IT IS OUR FUNDS, RIGHT?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THESE JURISDICTIONS SHOULD BE ABLE TO ABIDE BY THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE

HAVE WORKED ON. >> ABSOLUTELY, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE LOGIC THERE? WHY HAVEN'T YOU APPLIED THE FRAMEWORK.

>> TO THESE PROJECTS? THIS LIST OF PROJECTS STARTED DEVELOPMENT PROBABLY A YEAR, YEAR AND A HALF AGO.

AND SO THE CITY IS WORKING TO DEVELOP THEIR LIST.

AND I WOULD SAY -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE IS A FAIRLY RIGOROUS PROCESS ON THEIR OWN TO DEVELOP THE LISTS -- THAT LIST OF PROJECTS. THEY KNOW THEIR SYSTEM AND THESE ARE CITY PROJECTS AND NOT FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS.

THEY BROUGHT THIS LIST TO THE TABLE.

I'M HEARING A SIGNIFICANT INTEREST FROM THE COURT TO BEGIN USING OUR PRIORITIZATION FRAME -- FRAMEWORK FOR ALL OF OUR PROJECTS. WE HAVE NO ISSUES AND WE CAN ABSOLUTELY DO THAT AND IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING.

WE CAN'T USE THE FRAMEWORK AND HAVE THE SAME NUMBER OF PROJECTS IN THE PRECINCTS. THIS FINALIST HAS SIX PROJECTS IN PRECINCT ONE AND FOUR IN PRECINCT TWO AND 6 PROPBLG -- PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3 AND EIGHT IN PRECINCT 4.

WE ARE LOOKING AT QUALITY AS IT COMES ACROSS THE PRECINCT.

YOU COULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THERE.

, BUT FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, YOU KNOW, WE ALL KNOW WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR FLOOD CONTROL. WE EXPRESSED THIS AT THE TABLE SEVERAL TIMES. SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE MANY WORTHY PROJECTS THAT THE CITY COULD DO THAT WE CAN'T AFFORD TO DO. I WANT TO MAKE SURE AS ARE YOU WORKING ON PARTNERSHIP PROJECT THAT'S YOU ARE PUTTING YOUR INPUT IN THERE TOO. SO THE CITY KNOWS WHAT THEY NEED, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT CHANNELS AND BAYOUS NEED TO CONNECT TO WHICH DRAINAGE SYSTEMS AND WE HAVE A PRIORITIZATION TPWRAEUPL -- FRAMEWORK. I STRUGGLE WITH THE APPROACH OF THIS IS WHAT I GOT FROM THE CITY AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS GIVEN AND HERE YOU GO. I THINK PART OF YOUR ROLE IS TO SAY, LOOK, THERE ARE SO MANY WORTHY PROJECTS.

WE PICKED THESE FROM WITHIN THE CRITERIA AND THAT'S IT.

OR WE WERE ABLE TO IDENTIFY FROM THE MANY THESE FEW THAT ARE PARTICULARLY WORTHY, BUT JUST FOR YOU TO HAVE A CLEAR REASONING BEHIND WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING TO US OTHER THAN, WELL, THIS IS WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ME.

>> JUDGE, THAT MAKES PERFECT SENSE AND CERTAINLY GOING FORWARD WE CAN CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW A LOT OF THIS PRECEDED DR. PETERSON.

I'M NOT SURE HOW MUCH IS LEFT OF PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS I DO REMEMBER WHEN THE DISCUSSION CAME UP I CAN THINK OF ANOTHER PROJECT IN ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTY AND I RELENTED.

I FIGURE I WOULD LET IT GO. I WAS LEERY, BUT THE AREA THAT'S HAVE THE LEAST WON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE PARTNERSHIP DEAL.

IT IS INTERESTING WHEN THIS CAME UP THAT IT WAS ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHERE AT LEAST THERE IS A BIT MORE POLITICAL APPETITE FOR IT IN TERMS OF TRANSPARENCY, I THINK YOU HAVE TO KNOW, AND I DON'T THINK WE WERE TOLD WHEN IT CAME UP.

[01:50:07]

WHERE IT WENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I COULD QUICKLY, IF WE'RE GONNA PAY FOR THIS, AND THIS IS WHAT I TOLD MR. CASTELLO IS THAT WE OUGHT TO JUST GIVE US THE LIST AND WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR IT.

GIVE US THE LIST AND WE'LL PUT IT THROUGH OUR PROCESS AND MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. IF THEY ARE GONNA BRING PROJECT THAT'S DON'T MEET EQUITY OR SVI OR WORST FIRST OR WHATEVER THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK IS, WE SHOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO WAG

THAT TAIL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND DON'T JUST

PUT IT ON THE CITY OF HOUSTON. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AGREE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE DIDN'T PUT IT ON THE OTHERS.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT, IF ANY? >> COMMISSIONER, THERE WAS A TOTAL OF I BELIEVE 175 MILLION SET ASIDE FOR PARTNERSHIPS AND THE ZO2 FUNDING. AND WE HAVE ROUGHLY 30 MILLION LEFT IN TOTAL. THOSE ARE AGREEMENTS IN THE

PROCESS OF BEING NEGOTIATED. >> HOW DIFFICULT WOULD IT BE TO GO BACK AND LET THEM KNOW WE WANTED IT TO GO THROUGH THE EQUITY PRIORITIZATION COMPARED TO THE 110 THAT HAS GONE OUT.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT.

I MAKE TWO COMMENTS. ONE IS EACH OF THESE PROJECTS ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES. SOME OF THE PROJECTS ARE MORE CERTAIN AND SOME ARE CONCEPTUALS.

BEING ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE NUMBER OF STRUCTURES AND THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE BENEFITED, FOR EXAMPLE WE'LL HAVE TO DO OUR WORK THERE. AND THE OTHER THING IS THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK SCORES, THEY ARE ON A CONTINUUM.

IT IS AS MUCH AS COMING UP WITH A SCORE AS LOOKING AT HOW IT COMPARES WITH OTHER PROJECTS. AND SO THAT IS GOING TO BE AN IMPORTANT ELEMENT OF THE CONVERSATION.

AND WE HAVE PRIORITIZATION SCORES FOR ALL OF THE PROJECTS THAT ARE STILL NEEDING PA*EUP FUNDING AND SO THAT MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO A COMPARISON BETWEEN THOSE PROJECTS AND

THESE. >> THANK YOU.

AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MAY, THERE IS ANOTHER BIG PARTNERSHIP FUNDING OPPORTUNITY WITH RESPECT TO THE BOND PACKAGE THAT THE VOTERS DID APPROVE. WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT IT.

DR. RAMEN AND DIRECTOR RAMOS AND DR. PETERSON AS WELL, WE WILL BRING TO YOU SOME THOUGHTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT HOW TO

CONVEY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE FRONT

END. >> ON THE FRONT END AND WE ARE BRICKING -- IF WE ARE BRINGING MONEY TO THE TABLE IT NEEDS TO

BE HALF IF NOT ALL ON OUR TERM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FINAL GLAD TO -- I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT. THE PROJECT APPLICATION THAT I USE HAS A LOT OF THAT ON THE FRONT END.

THAT'S THE GUIDELINE THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW IN ORDER TO GET MY FUNDING. SO I'M GLAD TO HEAR THAT THAT'S BEING APPLIED TO THE BOND PROGRAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE KNOW, DRY SELECTED THE PROJECT IN PRECINCT

2 AND SELECTED IT IN PRECINCT 3? >> THEY HAD -- OVERALL THE CITY HAD A PROCESS WHERE THEY LOOKED AT -- THEY HAD A LONG LIST OF PROJECTS THAT THEY HAVE ON THEIR LIST FOR THEIR -- WITH THEIR SWAP PROGRAM. I KNOW THEY LOOKED FOR A PROJECT WITHIN PRECINCT 2 AND PROPOSED THAT TO THE PRECINCT STAFF.

AND THEN THEY IDENTIFIED ONE THAT WOULD BE SUITABLE TO REMOVE OFF THE LIST. THEY CAME BACK WITH THE LIST AND

[01:55:08]

AND CERTAINLY GOING FORWARD, JUDGE, WE CAN ABSOLUTELY INCORPORATE MORE OF THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK

SCORING. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NOT IDEAL AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE PHRASING.

I THINK PART OF WHAT -- WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF SOMETHING THAT IS MESSY AND WE DID THAT BY CREATING A FRAMEWORK. IT EXISTS AND IT IS AS GOOD AS IT CAN BE. SO I THINK THE MESSAGE TO BE CLEAR IS LET'S FOLLOW OUR PROCEDURES.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW FOLKS ARE SELECTING WHEN TO FOLLOW THEM AND WHEN NOT TO. I DON'T KNOW, DOCTOR.

IT SEEMS AT THIS POINT IT MAKES NO SENSE TO GO BACK ON THIS CITY ISSUE. IF WE ARE LOOKING ACROSS THE PRECINCTS, I UNDERSTAND WHY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID HE HAD THREE PROJECTS AND THE OTHERS HAD THREE, SIX AND EIGHT.

OR SIX, SEVEN AND EIGHT. NOW WE ARE AT SIX AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS 4 AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS SIX AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS EIGHT. SO I FIGURE YOU CAN KIND OF ROUGHLY SPEAKING WHOA -- WE MAY AS WELL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS ONE. DR. PETERSON, IT IS CLEAR FROM THE COURT AND I AM GLAD TO HEAR FROM ADMINISTRATOR BERRY.

LET'S BE CONSISTENT WITH THE FRAMEWORKS WE IDENTIFY.

THE FRAMEWORK IS STRONG AND WE SHOULDN'T BE MAKING EXCEPTIONS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DON'T THINK WE NEED A MOTION, BUT JUST SO IT IS CLEAR, THE REQUEST IS THAT THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WE APPLIED TO ALL PROJECTS INCLUDING PARTNERSHIPS

MOVING FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF YOU

WANT TO MAKE THAT MOTION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: LEGAL, CAN I MAKE THAT AS A MOTION? IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH, LEGAL?

MR. AYER? >> COMMISSIONER, NO.

THIS REALLY JUST -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL PUT IT

ON THE NEXT AGENDA. >> SURE.

PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. THIS REALLY ONLY APPLIES TO THIS

SPECIFIC PROJECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

BUT ANYWAY, -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WORKUP LEGAL EASE. I DIDN'T SPEND TIME IN LAW SCHOOL. I WAS AROUND THE CAPITAL.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. WE'LL TAKE CARE OF THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 211.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

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

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

>> THAT'S AS PRESENTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT.

ITEM 228, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS ON

ITEM 228 AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST SO I KNOW, IS THERE ANYTHING YOU NEED MY VOTE ON? EVERYBODY IS HAPPY? I CAN TIP OUT OF HERE AT 1.

HOW MANY OTHER ITEMS ARE LEFT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AT 1 I HAVE TO LEAVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A

>> IT IS 12:27 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON 228, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION

ON THE GENERAL ELECTION? >> TOM RAMSEY: , YES, JUDGE.

JUST A BIT OF AN UPDATE. I KNOW THAT MR. TATUM IS LOOKING AT THE ELECTION IN GENERAL. OBVIOUSLY THERE WERE A LOT OF QUESTIONS RELATED TO THAT. IS MR. TATUM ON THE LINE? THANK YOU FOR COMING. WERE MILITARY BALLOTS COUNTED?

>> YES, SIR. MILITARY BALLOTS WERE COUNTED.

>> TOM RAMSEY: HOW MANY? >> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT WE CERTAINLY HAVE A REPORT ON THAT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: JUST IN GENERAL WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAD IN HARRIS COUNTY AND COMPARE IT TO BEXAR AND TEAR RAPT -- TARRANT AND DALLAS, WHY DIDN'T THEY HAVE THE PROBLEMS WE

DID. >> JUST REMINDING THE COURT THERE WAS PENDING LITIGATION BROUGHT BY THE HARRIS CON TEE REPUBLICAN PARTY SO TO THE EXTENT WE DISCUSS THE MECHANICS OF THE ELECTION THAT ARE MOSTLY ALL SUBJECT TO LAWSUIT WE WILL HAVE TO DO SO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> TOM RAMSEY: SO AT THIS POINT WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT?

>> WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO

TALK ABOUT IT. >> TOM RAMSEY: I GUESS I CAN TALK TO MR. TATUM AND GET AN UPDATE?

>> YES. >> TOM RAMSEY: NOTHING PUBLICLY?

>> WE WOULD RECOMMEND NOT DISCUSSING IT PUBLICLY WHILE

LITIGATION IS PENDING. >> TOM RAMSEY: I WOULD THINK JUST LIKE WE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT OUR CREDIT RATING AMONG

[02:00:03]

FIND A RESOLUTION THE BETTER. >> AGREED, SIR.

AND JUST TO GIVE YOU A QUICK UPDATE, WE ARE IN THE FINAL STEPS OF FINALIZING THE PARTIAL MANUAL COUNT.

AND WHEN WE COMPLETE THAT WE WILL BE IN FULL EARNEST IN ELECTION ASSESSMENT TO PROVIDE A REPORT TO THE COURT AND THE ELECTION COMMISSION. TO THE EXTENT YOU HAVE ASKED THE QUESTION AND WITH THE GUIDANCE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, EVERY JURY DICTION HAS ISSUES. THE QUESTION BECOMES THE MAGNIFICATION OF THE ISSUES. I DON'T HAVE A COMPARISON OF COUNTY TO COUNTY ACTIVITIES, BUT FROM THE THINGS I HAVE HEARD

THERE ARE SIMILAR ISSUES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MR. TATUM FOR CONTINUING THE EVALUATION.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO IMPROVE AS MUCH AS ONE CAN.

IT IS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE RUNNING THE ELECTIONS.

THERE ARE INEVITABLY GOING TO BE ISSUES, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T TRY TO IMPROVE. GRATEFUL WE ARE GIVING MR. TATUM THE SPACE TO IDENTIFY WHAT IMPROVEMENTS CAN BE MADE AND NOT HAVING DISCUSSIONS BASED ON CONSPIRACY THEORIES.

IT IS ULT -- ULTIMATELY ROOTED IN DENIALISM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO ANY QUESTION IS A DENIALISM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES AND IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT WE BE CAUTIOUS NOT TO CONTINUE MALIGNING THE ELECTION WORKERS WHO ARE HAVING A HARD TIME RECRUITING AND HAVING A HARD ENOUGH TIME DOING THEIR JOB AND IT CONTINUES TO BE MY POSITION THAT THERE MAY BE CHALLENGES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED, BUT CERTAINLY NO KIND OF SYSTEMIC CONSPIRACY AS SOME WOULD LIKE TO SEE. THEY KIND OF ACCUSATIONS AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND PASSIONATE STOKING OF FEARS ARE EMPTY WORDS UNTIL THEY LEAD TO THE KIND OF ACTIONS THAT WE SEE NATIONALLY HAVE BEEN TAKEN AGAINST ELECTION WORKERS AND LEADERS. MR. TATUM, I COMMEND YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS AND YOUR TEAM AS WELL AND COMMEND THEM FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS WORKS AND I AM AS EAGER AS ANYONE TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL LEARN FROM YOUR EVALUATIONS ADDED TO THE ASSESSMENTS THAT YOU ALREADY DEVELOPED BEFORE THE ELECTION WHERE YOU CLEARLY PRESENTED TO THE ELECTION COMMISSION AND SAID, LOOK, THESE ARE THE THINGS I CAN FIX BEFORE THE ELECTION AND THESE ARE THE THINGS I CAN'T BECAUSE I JUST CAME IN.

YOU CAN'T OVERHAUL SOMETHING OVERNIGHT, BUT I KNOW IT IS A THANKLESS JOB. I COMMITTED THAT ON MY WATCH WE WILL NOT HAVE THESE KINDS OF CRIMINALIZATION ATTACK OF ELECTION WORKERS WITHOUT BASIS AND FACT.

INSTEAD, WE ARE FOCUSED ON WHERE THE FACTS LEAD US.

UNTIL THEN FOCUSING ON I'M -- IMPROVING OUR SYSTEM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: DON'T MISUNDERSTAND MY QUESTION.

THEY ARE AN EYES CLEAR QUESTION RELATED TO PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH OUR ELECTIONS.

THE BELIEVE DENIAL GOING ON HERE IS YOU DENYING THERE IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE RESOLVED. MR. TATUM HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DOING THAT. I WOULD SIMPLY LIKE A TRANSPARENT UPDATE ON WHAT WE ARE DOING.

A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE SIMILAR QUESTIONS AND THEY NEED

ANSWERS TO. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND FOLKS CAN PLAY BACK THE TAPE WHERE I EXPLAINED OBVIOUSLY THERE ARE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED THAT'S KIND OF A THE SKY IS BLUE. BUT SOME ARE HAPPY TO SAY IT IS RED. IT IS ON TAPE WHAT I SAID.

IT WOULD BE FUNNY, BUT IT IS DANGEROUS, COMMISSIONER, TO MISSTATE THINGS AND GET PEOPLE RILED UP ON MISSTATEMENTS.

I WON'T EVEN REPEAT THE STATEMENT I MADE LAST TIME ABOUT THE ISSUES NEEDING TO BE ADDRESSED.

IT IS ON TAPE. IT HAPPENED.

THE SKY IS BLUE. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, LET ME ADD TO THAT.

1, MR. TATUM, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

YOU CAME IN AND DIDN'T HAVE THE TIME TO ASSEMBLE YOUR RIGHT HAND FOLKS, IF YOU WILL AND SO I UH -- I APPLAUD YOU FOR

[02:05:01]

I APPLAUD YOU. AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WILL JUST SAY THAT THIS IS I THINK THE SECOND OR THIRD TIME THAT YOU HAVE PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA I THINK TO THE POINT OF GETTING TO YOUR INTERESTS WHICH IS A SHARED INTEREST.

YOU KNOW, I HAD FOLKS THAT WERE FRUSTRATED, ELECTION JUDGES AND CONSTITUENTS ALIKE AND I HAVE NO IDEA IF THEY VOTED FOR ME OR NOT. I HAVE SHARED INTERESTS IN SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE.

I WOULD SIMPLY JUST SAY INSTEAD OF PUTTING THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA EVERY COURT MEETING, LET'S ALLOW MR. TATUM THE SPACE TO DRILL DOWN INTO THOSE ISSUES. IF YOU WANT TO MEET WITH HIM INDIVIDUALLY AS I HAVE THAT IS ONE THING.

WE NEED TO GIVE HIM THE SPACE TO DO HIS WORK AND THEN BRING A REPORT BACK WHEN HE HAS COMPILED ENOUGH INFORMATION AND OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE LEGAL MATTERS TO CONTEND WITH AS WELL.

ONCE WE GET -- ONCE WE LET THE -- ONCE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE, I THINK WE CAN GET TO A BETTER PLACE COLLECTIVELY. AND SO I WOULD JUST ASK FOR CONSIDERATION ON THAT MATTER. ON THE LAST POINT, JUDGE, AS WE APPLAUD MR. TATUM AND HIS STAFF, I WOULD LIKE TO APPLAUD MY STAFF. IT IS THIS LADY RIGHT HERE.

SHE IS MY ELECTION POINT PERSON AND SHE WAS TRACKING ALL OF THE ACTIVITY AND I WANT TO THANK HER AND APPRECIATE HER FOR WHAT SHE HAS DONE. SHE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS AND SHE WANTS TO ASSURE THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALL OF THE ACCESS.

SHE WATCHES ALL THE I'S AND T'S GET DOTTED AND CROSSED.

TO ENSURE THAT FOLKS GET WHAT THEY NEED AND WE ARE COMMUNICATING AND I WANT TO THANK HER.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU DO AND TO TAKE A PAGE OUT OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S BOOK I WANT TO PRAISE MY STAFF, INCLUDING THE ONE BEHIND ME THAT DID THE WORK WITH MY POLICY TEAM THAT WILL CREATE THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.

MR. TATUM, I AM STILL CONVINCED THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THE FUNCTION WAS DIVIDED BETWEEN TWO COUNTY OFFICES.

I HOPE TO RUN OVER TO GEORGIA BECAUSE THEY DID A LOT OF THE THINGS THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE DID.

THEY WENT FROM A PERSON RUNNING ELECTIONS, PHAOEUPT I -- MIGHT I ADD, THAT WE APPOINTED. EVEN IF IT WASN'T AN OLD SYSTEM, WE MADE THAT APPOINTMENT. WE PUT TREMENDOUS RESOURCES IN.

IT WAS SO SRAOEPB -- ENVIOUS THEY DECIDED TO GO BACK AND CHANGE THE LAW TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO DO MAIL IN BALLOTS. AND I AM JUST SO PLEASED FROM TALKING TO THE FOLKS IN GEORGIA TO SEE PEOPLE HAVING TO COUNT THE JELLY BEANS IN A JAR AND SHOWING UP IN RECORD NUMBER.

THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THE ELECTION WOULD TURN OUT.

I WAS INSPIRED TO MAKE MY OWN DONATION WHICH IS RARE IF THAT RACE. WHEN WE GO THROUGH THE ANALYSIS, WE SHOULD CALL BALLS AND STRIKES.

THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE WAS DOING WHAT THEY COULD TO MAKE IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE. THEY ONLY WANT CERTAIN PEOPLE TO VOTE. AS LONG AS I HAVE THE ABILITY, I WANT PEOPLE TO FIND IT EASY TO VOTE WHETHER THEY WANT TO VOTE

[02:10:02]

YOU OBVIOUSLY HAD NO IDEA. I TOLD YOU WHEN YOU CAME IN THERE WOULD BE A HOUR -- HORNET'S NEST.

AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL GET THIS RIGHT SO THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR MARCHING ON, MR. TATUM. THEY THROW ALL OF IT AND THERE IS STILL ROOM FOR A 15-HOUR RACE.

I KNOW YOU ARE STRONG LIKE THAT, MR. TATUM.

>> TOM RAMSEY: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT IT SO THE AGENDA. IF WE WANT TO MAKE A STANDING AGENDA ITEM ON COVID, I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD HAVE A STANDING AGENDA ITEM ON ELECTIONS.

IT IS THAT IMPORTANT THAT WE GET IT RIGHT.

IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING TRANSPARENT THAT WE WANT TO BRING TO COURT AND WE HAVE A CONVERSATION WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT WE CAN AND CAN'T DO. I THINK THERE IS AN ISSUE OF TRANSPARENCY THAT SPEAKS TO THAT THAT WE WANT TO BE MORE

TRANSPARENT GOING FORWARD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SINCE YOU BROUGHT UP MY NAME, I AGREE. IT IS IMPORTANT.

BUT WE DO HAVE LEGAL CHALLENGES RELATED.

I JUST WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THAT AND ALLOW MR. TATUM TO GET HIS FOOTING. THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING.

AND BECAUSE THERE IS SO MUCH -- THERE'S SO MUCH COMMUNITY TENSION OVER THIS MATTER, I THINK YOU CAN BE A LEADER BY HELPING TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE.

THAT'S ALL I'M ASKING FOR. AND IF YOU ALLOW MR. TATUM TO BRING A REPORT AND IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE RESULT, I WOULD PROBABLY SUPPORT YOU UNTIL WE GET IT RIGHT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THAT REPORT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I BRING UP THE STANDING COVID ITEM FOR THE BENEFIT OF MY COLLEAGUES. I AM HAPPY TO BRING IT AS NEEDED, KOLL -- COLLEAGUES. I ASSUMED IF IF I DIDN'T PUT IT YOU WOULD PUT YOUR OWN AND THAT'S THE RON -- THE REASON I BRING IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU KNOW, I THINK THE QUESTION IS WHY NOT STOP BRINGING THE STANDING COVID ITEM? ON THE ELECTION, I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU'RE RIGHT, WE NEED TO GIVE MR. TATUM THE SPACE, BUT I AM NOT SHY TO SAY THE SAME CONSPIRACY THEORISTS ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT PEDALED CONSPIRACY ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION AND LEAD PEOPLE TO STORM THE CAPITOL AND BUILD GALLOWS FOR THE VICE PRESIDENT AND TRY TO HURT THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE. SO ELECTION WORKERS AND NOT JUST THEM, BUT SO MUCH THAT CAME OUT AT THE JANUARY 6TH HEARING ARE UNDER REAL THREAT. THEIR LIVES HAVE BEEN HURT AND IF IT WERE AN HONEST EVALUATION WE HAVE AN ELECTION BOARD FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE MEET BEFORE AND AFTER EACH ELECTION. AND WE HAVE SERIOUS PEOPLE, MR. TATUM IS VERY EXPERIENCED AS WELL AND HE WILL BRING A REPORT.

IT IS VERY EVIDENT THAT THIS DESIRE TO CONTINUE DISCUSSING ELECTIONS IS SIMPLY TO CONTINUE PAN TKORING TO THESE -- PANDERING TO THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES.

I'M AFRAID THE LAST ELECTION SHOWED IT IS NOT EVEN ELECTORALLY BENEFICIAL. YOU CAN KEEP TRYING THAT, BUT FOR MY PART, I AM NOT GOING TO ENTERTAIN EMPTY CONVERSATIONS SIMPLY FOR THE SAKE OF PAN TKORING -- PANDERING THAT HAVE SHOWN TO BE HURTFUL WHEN THERE ARE REAL ISSUES FOR US TO WORK ON LIKE THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND LIKE THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE AND LIKE THE BACKLOG AND LIKE THE JAIL.

THERE ARE SO MANY ISSUES WE NEED TO GRAPPLE WITH THAT TRULY

[02:15:01]

THERE IS NO EVIDENCE AS TO THESE CHARGES OF SYSTEMIC MANIPULATION OF ELECTIONS AND TO KEEP BRINGING IT UP IS SIMPLY A DESIRE TO KEEP AIRING THOSE FALSEHOODS THAT CAUSED ENOUGH HARM. I FOR ONE WILL LOOK AT THE REAL

ISSUES FACING THE COMMUNITY. >> TOM RAMSEY: JUDGE, YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE BRINGING UP CONSPIRACY.

I AM NOT. I AM LOOKING FOR A SIMPLE OVERVIEW FOR THE MANY PROBLEMS IN THE ELECTION THAT'S EVERYBODY

CAN AGREE WE HAD PROBLEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE ALREADY SAID HE IS WORKING ON IT. HE CAN'T WORK ON IT OVER NIGHT.

>> TOM RAMSEY: HE NEEDS TO. HE REALLY DOES NEED TO WORK ON

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. SO THERE IS NO ACTION ON THIS

ITEM. >> THERE IS A COUPLE SPEAKERS

FOR THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY. GO AHEAD.

>> FIRST IS BARBARA DENTON SPEAKING IN PERSON.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. >> PWRAR -- BARBARA DENTON.

I WAS AN ELECTION WORKER ON NOVEMBER 8TH.

I LIVE IN A PREDOMINANTLY REPUBLICAN PRE -- PRECINCT.

WE WERE ASSIGNED TWO LOCATIONS. THE LOCATIONS WE WERE GIVEN, IT WAS TWO YOU WOULD THINK THEY SPREAD THEM OUT SO PEOPLE CAN VOTE. THEY PUT THEM DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET FROM EACH OTHER SHARING PARKING AND TRAFFIC.

OUR PRECINCT CHAIR COMPLAINED ABOUT IT AND COULDN'T GET THEM TO CHANGE. IT THAT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT HAPPENED. AND THEN ON NOVEMBER 7TH WE OPENED UP OUR EQUIPMENT AND I WILL START -- WE STARTED CONNECTING EVERYTHING AND A KAEUPBL THAT WAS CLEARLY -- A CABLE THAT WAS CLEARLY MARKED "BROKEN CABLE.

DOESN'T WORK." WHY WOULD THEY SEND THIS ONE? IT WAS CLEARLY MARKED. WE THOUGHT SOMEBODY WAS STUPID AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT THEY WERE DOING AND NOT PAYING ATTENTION OR WHATEVER. WE STARTED THE POLLS OR WHATEVER ON TUESDAY. SOMEBODY CAME MID-MORNING TO COME AND TAKE CARE OF OUR -- BECAUSE WE WERE DOWN ONE MACHINE. THEY DIDN'T BRING A CABLE.

THEY JUST CAME AND SAID OH YEAH IT IS NOT GOING TO WORK.

YOU DON'T HAVE A TABLE. A CABLE.

WE SAID THAT'S WHAT WE TOLD YOU YESTERDAY.

WHY DIDN'T YOU BRING ONE? WE HAD LONG LINES THE ENTIRE TIME. PEOPLE WERE LEAVING.

EVERYBODY DIDN'T STAY. WE SAW IT HAPPENING THAT PEOPLE GAVE UP AND LEFT. SO WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO THE END WE WEREN'T ONE OF THOSE THAT RAN OUT OF PAPER, BUT WE WERE CLOSE.

I WONDER WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD WE ACTUALLY -- HAD ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE HAD ACTUALLY BEEN ABLE TO PUT THEIR VOTES IN.

I'M AN ELECTION WORKER. THIS IS JUST WHAT I SAW AND IT IS ONE DATA POINT AND ONE STORY. I WANTED YOU ALL TO HEAR IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

APPRECIATE YOU SHARING THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU GOING

TO BETTER -- BERATE HER, JUDGE. >> NEXT IS MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING IN PERSON. HAVE YOU THREE MINUTES.

>> MY NAME IS MARISSA LATELLE AND THE HEAD OF CCDF RESEARCH.

I JUST WANT TO GO OVER SOME THINGS THAT WE'VE FOUND SO FAR.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DON'T YOU -- ISN'T SAMUEL MATTHEWS IN YOUR PRECINCT? IT IS PRECINCT 4 FOR SAMUEL MATTHEWS, RIGHT? WE FOUND OVER -- WE FOUND OVER 6058 VOTES THAT WERE FRAUDULENT. FIRST CONGRESSIONAL CHURCH, 6,373 AND ON TOP OF THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IS IT ONLY VOTER SUPPRESSION WHEN THE REPUBLICANS WIN? IT WASN'T JUST REPUBLICAN STRONGHOLDS YOU GUYS SUPPRESSED.

IT WAS ALSO HISTORICALLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN, BLACK PRECINCT THAT'S WERE ALSO SUPPRESSED. I WOULD BE VERY INTERESTED TO SEE ONCE WE GET THE STATISTICS OF HOW MANY PEOPLE'S VOTES WERE SUPPRESSED. THERE IS A SUPREME COURT HEARING COMING UP SOON. IF IF I WERE TO STEEL ANY -- AN ELECTION IT WOULD BE SO INCONSPICUOUS NOBODY WOULD NOTICE. I WOULD SET UP 800 LOCATIONS FOR BLATANT MALL FEE SENSE. I WOULD SUPPRESS THE VOTE IN MY COMPETITION STRONGHOLD POLLING LOCATIONS.

I WOULD MAKE SURE POLLING LOCATIONS DID NOT OPEN WHEN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. I WOULD NOT DELIVER PAPER BALLOTS TO MULTIPLE POLLING LOCATIONS.

I WOULD MAKE SURE TO SUPPRESS THE VOTE IN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS I

[02:20:01]

I WOULD USE BAKER RIPLEY OR A LOCATION JUST LIKE THAT TO DO SO. THESE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS I WOULD USE VOTER REGISTRATIONS COLLECTED BIPARTISAN POLITICAL GROUPS THAT I HEAVILY FUND TO JAM THROUGH VOTES.

I WOULD GATHER THE DATA OF WHO DID NOT VOTE IN THE ELECTION AND USE THE DATA TO JAM THROUGH VOTES FOR MYSELF.

I WOULD GET A COUNTY ATTORNEY TO LIE IN COURT ABOUT ALL POLLING LOCATIONS HAVING PAPER BALLOTS BECAUSE THESE SPECIFIC LOCATIONS NEEDED TO STAY OPEN. I WOULD USE SPECIAL TECHNOLOGY TO SHUTDOWN OR JAM VOTING MACHINES THROUGH CONTROLLERS.

IT'S REALLY INTERESTING THE PATTERNS THAT I FOUND IN MARICOPA AND CLARK COUNTY AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.

THEY ARE ACTUALLY NOT CERTIFYING THE PENNSYLVANIA AND LAVERNE COUNTY FROM THE FINDINGS THAT WE'VE HAD.

I WOULD MAKE SURE IPODS WERE NOT CHARGED AND THE PAPER BALLOTS WERE MADE BY FRIENDLY COMPANIES LIKE RUN BACK AND USE DIFFERENT BALLOTS FOR THE SCANNERS. I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT THE

ELECTION WORKERS -- >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I WILL BE REALLY INTERESTED TO FIND OUT HOW --

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

>> HOW FOLKS OVERSEAS IN THE MILITARY VOTED WHEN THEY START

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

IS UP. >> WE KNOW YOU THREW OUT --

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

ANY ACTION ON ITEM 228? SO NO ACTION ON 228 JAMES.

THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. WE DO HAVE ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS, CORRECT, TIFFANY?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR THE COVID ITEM, WOULD YOU PREFER I BRING IT AS NEEDED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS YOUR CHOICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL CONTINUE -- WITH THE SPEAKERS.

>> IF I MAY, JUDGE? I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YOU ARE RIGHT.

THE CERTIFIED ROLL CAME TWO WEEKS LATE OTHER ITEM 15 AND IT DID HAVE AN IMPACT. THE BILLS DID GO OUT LATER, BUT THEY DID GO WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME FRAME AT NO FAULT AT ALL TO THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR.

THEY DID AS THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A CONFLUENCE OF FACTORS,

MR. RAMOS. >> CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION.

[Appearances before court]

SPEAKERS, TIFFANY. >> FIRST IS SPEAKER NUMBER 2, GLAD -- GLADYS SPEAKING ON ITEM 7.

YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. PEACE TO EVERYBODY.

I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, COMMISSIONERS.

IN FEBRUARY OF 2011, HARRIS COUNTY CHILD PROTECTIVE COLLABORATIVE HAD A MEETING AND FOUND NUMEROUS DEFECTS LISTED FOR THE PARENT/CHILD JUDICIAL SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THEY HAD TO BE COLLECTED THAT IS EXTREMELY BROKEN.

AND DESPITE SECTION 263.401 OF THE FAMILY CODE, NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. IT IS NOT ANY IMPROVEMENTS ALTHOUGH THE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN AND FAMILY WERE MADE TO FORM A COUNCIL AND A SUBCOMMITTEE AND IT IS TO HOLD A CHILD WELFARE TO ALLOW THE GATHERING OF IDEAS AND THE INFORMATION REGARDING IMPROVEMENTS OF THE CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM. FOG -- NOTHING HAS HAPPENED.

THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS A SYSTEM THAT REALLY IS EFFECTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO THIS -- TO DISADVANTAGED YOUTH.

COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE A COMMUNITY THAT MUST BE A PRIORITY OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IT IS NOT.

IT APPEARS ALL OTHER PEOPLE OF SEXUAL PREFERENCES AND WAFR, THEY TAKE PRY -- WHATEVER, THEY TAKE PRIORITY.

WE CONTINUE AWAITING A MEETING YOU OFFERED US MONTHS AGO SO WE CAN DISCUSS THE REAL ISSUES GOING ON.

I KNOW YOU LISTED MOMENTS AGO ABOUT THE REAL ISSUES.

[02:25:03]

OUR CHILDREN CONTINUE TO BE LOST IN THE SYSTEM.

WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT ARE NONUH GENERAL -- NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS WHO GET ONE MINUTE.

GO UH H*ED -- GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES.

I'M HERE. SORRY.

YES, ACTUALLY I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT THE THING SHE WAS JUST TALKING ABOUT. ACCORDING TO THE FAMILY CODE I HAVE GONE TO MEETING SETTINGS AND HEARINGS AND TRIED TO TURN IN DOCUMENTS AND EVERYTHING. MY FAMILY WAS DENIED ACCESS TO MY CHILDREN. I WAS ALSO.

EVERYTHING I HAVE I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN IN AS PROVE -- PROOF OR EVIDENCE. WHEN I DID IT WAS IGNORED.

I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH INTERNAL AFFAIRS.

I HAVEN'T RECEIVED COMMUNICATION OR DOCUMENTATION OF ANYTHING BEING DONE AND TO THIS POINT IT HAS BEEN SIX MONTHS AND MY CHILDREN HAVE NOT BEEN PLACED WITH THEIR FAMILY OR BACK -- WITH A FAMILY OR BACK HOME AND BY FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS THEY NEED TO BE RETURNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING HOW -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, ONE MOMENT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU HAD A QUESTION.

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

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER THREE RACHEL MADDING SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD.

>> YES. I AM CALLING TO TRY TO GET THE SPRING CREEK PARK CHANGED TO NICOLE PARK.

IN REMEMBRANCE OF THE LITTLE FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL THAT WAS MURDERED BY HER MOTHER BACK IN OCTOBER.

I AND MANY MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS AND CLOSE PEOPLE WHO KNOW HER FEEL IT WOULD BE A GOOD REMEMBRANCE OF HER SINGS IT WAS THE LAST PLACE THE LITTLE GIRL WAS HAPPY AND SMILING.

AND IT WAS BEFORE HER MOTHER TOOK HER LIFE.

SHE WENT TO THE PARK MANY TIMES AND WITH MANY OF THE MEMBERS OF HER FAMILY. HER MOTHER APPARENTLY WAS NOT AEUBLG TO HAVE -- NOT ABLE TO HAVE ABSCESS --

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

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

>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER 4, ANNIE PERSON BOND.

SPEAKING IN PERSON AND YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> AM I SUPPOSED TO SAY SOMETHING?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> I AM ANNIE PEARL MOSLEY SIMMONS BOND.

I LIVE AT 270 NORTH CAROLINA, AND FOR 40 YEARS MY DEAD HUSBAND LIVED IN THERE FOR EIGHT YEARS. HE'S BEEN DEAD FOR SIX YEARS.

I GOT THE EXEMPTION THROUGH LEGAL AID AND I HAD AN ATTORNEY.

THEY WROTE ME A LETTER AND SAID, WERE YOU THE EXEMPTER? AS LONG AS YOU LIVE IN A HOUSE. AND NOW SOMEBODY SENDS ME -- SOMEBODY WROTE ME AND SAID I OWE $7,000 AND I DON'T CARE IF THEY SEE NOTHING LIKE THAT, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND WITH ALL OF THESE POLICE OFFICERS, BILLIONS OF POLICE OFFICERS AND THEY TRY TO CROOK SOMEBODY. I DON'T GET IT.

I DON'T GET IT ON YOU -- HOW THEY STEAL AND LIES.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU.

WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FIND YOU, MA'AM.

>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, TIFFANY.

ANYTHING ELSE? THANK YOU.

[02:30:06]

THIS MAY BE OUR FASTEST MEETING. IT IS 12:59

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.