[00:00:29]
>> WE HOPE EVERYTHING IS GOING WELL FOR HER.
I WANT TO CONGRATULATE AND WELCOME THE NEWEST MEMBER TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
LET US HOPE THIS STARTS SOMETHING.
EVERY TIME YOU SPEAK WE WILL DO A STANDING OVATION.
>> THE FORMER JUDGE IN ME IS LIKE, PLEASE BE SEATED.
TRULY, THANK YOU. I AM SO GRATEFUL AND THRILLED TO BE HERE. I AM THANKFUL TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY -- FOR GIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE. I DEEPLY, DEEPLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY AND LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ALL AND WORKING WITH ALL. THAT IS A PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO ME. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER CAGLE WHO WAS MY COMMISSIONER FOR MANY YEARS AND FOR HIS DECADES OF SERVICE AND HIS GRACIOUSNESS THROUGHOUT THE TRANSITION. THAT'S WHAT IT IS ABOUT.
IT IS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WE SERVE AND SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, JUDGE HIDALGO. I WISH HER AND HER FAMILY THE BEST. FAMILY IS EVERYTHING AND I SEND YOU MY REGARDS FROM AFAR, JUDGE UH -- JUDGE HIDALGO.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER RODNEY GARCIA AND -- RODNEY ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND TOM RAMSEY AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SERVING FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE PRE -- PRECINCT 4 TEAM.
WE HAVE MANY WHO WERE SERVING THE COUNTY FOR YEARS AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY CHIEF OF STAFF. IF YOU CAN PLEASE STAND.
OUR CHIEF OF POLICY AND INNOVATION AS WELL.
EVERYONE WHO IS HERE TODAY IN PERSON AND ALL WHO ARE WATCHING, IT IS THIS LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT THAT ENERGIZES ME ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS, THE CONCERNED CITIZENS WHO ARE HERE.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER TO UNITING AND TO CONTINUING TO TKRAO*EUF -- TO DRIVE HARRIS COUNTY FORWARD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A MODEL OF GOOD GOVERNANCE -- GOOD GOVERNMENT AND MAKING SURE WE CONTINUE TO MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE MAKING HARRIS COUNTY A MODEL FOR TEXAS, THE UNITED STATES AND THE WORLD.
SO WITH THAT I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL AND HONORED AND LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING TO WORK AND DOING THE PEOPLE'S WORK.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF I MIGHT. WELCOME, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
I WANT TO SEND BEST WISHES AND REGARDS TO JUDGE HIDALGO'S FAMILY. IT IS EXCITING TO SEE YOU AT THE TABLE. IT IS SORT OF IRONIC THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD BEEN A JUDGE PRIOR AND SO HAVE YOU SO WE ARE NOT GOING TO MISS A BEAT HERE, BUT WE WILL TAKE IT UP A NOTCH. I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND THANK, AGAIN, I AM NOT SPAOT -- SPOTTING YOUR OTHER HALF, BUT IS
YOUR FAMILY HERE? >> THEY'RE NOT HERE TODAY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I TELL YOU WHAT, YOUR DAUGHTERS SHOULD BE
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I KNOW YOU HAVE A PROUD HUSBAND.
WE CONGRATULATE THE ENTIRE BRIONES FAMILY BECAUSE IT WAS A FAMILY EFFORT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES IT
CERTAINLY WAS. >> I WILL PUBLICLY STATE THAT IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU IN THE TRANSITION.
I ECHO YOUR COMMENTS IN TERMS OF SERVING OUR CONSTITUENTS.
OUR COMMON OBJECTIVES WITHIN PRECINCT 3 AND PRECINCT 4, THOSE REMAIN THE SAME AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU GOING
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> JUDGE, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WHEN JUDGE HIDALGO CALLED ME SAID MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS EVERYTHING SHE NEEDS.
I KNOW SHE SENDS HER REGARDS AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU. >> I CALLED YOU THE OTHER DAY TO SEE IF YOU WANTED TO DO THE PLEDGE TODAY.
[00:05:01]
THEY ARE BACK IN SCHOOL AFTER A TOUGH CAMPAIGN.WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU. WE WILL DO EVERYTHING HERE TO PLEASE THE COURT AS ARE YOU STILL A JUDGE.
>> MY GIRLS REALLY WANTED TO BE HERE, BUT THE FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER IN ME SAID YOU CAN'T BE OUT.
YOU ARE GOING TO SCHOOL. THANK YOU FOR THINKING OF THEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: BEFORE WE GO TO TKPHEUGS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU ARE WONDERING WHO THE PERSON IS TO MY LEFT, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE I WAS COMFORTABLE AND I SAID I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GABBY ON YOUR STAFF SIT BY ME TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING IS GOING OKAY. I WON'T KEEP YOU ALL DAY.
SHE ALSO HANDLES CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES FOR THE JUDGE.
[Imam Shaykh Kamal Elmekki of Clear Lake Islamic Center in Houston.]
I WANT TO KEEP YOU HERE AND LET MY COLLEAGUES KNOW WHY YOU ARE HERE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. I WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME THE IMAM SHAYKH KAMAL ELMEKKI WITH THE CLEAR LAKE ISLAMIC CENTER.
IMAM KAMAL ELMEKKI IS ONE OF THREE AT THE CLEAR LAKE ISLAMIC CENTER. HE IS AN INSTRUCTOR AND IT IS MOSTLY KNOWN FOR HIS DAWAL WORKSHOP.
IT EXPLAINS THE TEACHING OF ISLAM TO BRING CULTURAL AWARENESS TO MUSLIMS AND THE PUBLIC.
IT STARTED LOCALLY AND EXPANDED INTERNATIONALLY AND IT WAS DEVELOPED AFTER 9/11. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU FOR THAT. IT IS -- HE TALKS ABOUT HOW TO GET A SHAHADAH IN 10 MINUTES AND HE HAS A BS DEGREE IN COMMUNICATIONS AND A CONCENTRATION ON MEDIA PRODUCTION. IMAM, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MERCIFUL, THE COMPASSIONATE, THE GOD OF ABRAHAM, THE GOD OF MOSES , THE GOD OF MUHAMMAD. THE ONE WHO KNOWS WHAT WE CONCEAL AND WHAT WE REVEAL. THE ONE WHO KNOWS ALL, WHAT LEAVES ME FALL AND WHAT THE ANIMALS FEEL.
THE ONE WHO SENDS RAIN AND VEGETATION GROWS AND THROUGH OUR TRUST IN HIM WE FIND REPOSE. TO YOU OH GOD BELONGS ALL SOVEREIGNTY AND PRAISE. YOU ARE CAPABLE OF ALL THAT IS GOOD. WE ASK YOU FOR THE GOOD OF THIS DAY, ITS TRY YUM -- TRIUMPH AND VICTORIES, ITS LIGHT AND BLESSING AND GUIDANCE. WE SEEK YOUR PROTECTION TPWR THE MISTAKES COMMITTED. PURIFY US OF OUR ERRORS.
WE ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR FAVORS UPON US AND UPON
THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOU.
LOOKING FORWARD TO VISITING THE CENTER AGAIN.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
AND NOW LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS AND U.S. FLAG. THE U.S. FLAG FIRST.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION, UNDERGOD, INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND
JUSTICE FOR ALL. >> HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE. TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE
AN INDIVISIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE HAVE A
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS TO BRING UP OUT OF ORDER.FIRST IS YOUR, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN I HAVE TWO.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. WE ARE JOINED --
>> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE THAT I KNOW THAT [INAUDIBLE].
I'M SORRY. THIS RESOLUTION IS ONE THAT WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE. IT IS A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE WALK30 FITNESS CAMPAIGN. THERE YOU GO.
MS. JACOB S-TZ EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR FIT HOUSTON.
[00:10:06]
SHE IS JOINED BY TWO OTHER FIT HOUSTON VOLUNTEERS.AND THAT IS MS. CARRIE SPRUNG, VP OF COMMUNICATIONS AND EDUCATION WITH THE TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE AND THE EXECUTIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. AND THEN WE HAVE THE FOUNDER OF THE CHAMPION'S CLUB AND THE BOARD MEMBER OF FIT HOUSTON.
THIS RESOLUTION READS THAT WHEREAS ON JANUARY 2022, LEADERS GATHERED TO LOOK AT HEALTH AND EQUITY SOLUTIONS AS THE HOUSTON 2036 TASK FORCE. THEY PITCH THEIR VISION FOR HOUSTON AS A MODEL OF EQUITY BY THE YEAR OF 20 THRE 6 AND -- 2036 AND TEAM FIT HOUSTON EMERGED FROM THE PROCESS.
THEY COULD IMPROVE DAILY LIFE FOR HUE STOEPBLG -- FOR HOUSTONIANS TO STAEUF OFF THINGS LIKE DIABETES, HYPERTENSION AND CANCER AND IMPROVE MEN -- MENTAL WELL-BEING FOR RESIDENTS OF ALL AGES AND ALL COMMUNITIES. THE ANSWER THEY REACHED IS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY THAT IS FREE AND AVAILABLE IN EVERY COMMUNITY AND DONE THROUGH A POSITIVE WELLNESS MOVEMENT.
WHEREAS FIT HOUSTON, INK INK, A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION PROMOTES FREE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACROSS THE COMMUNITIES.
THEY FIND THE DAILY MOVEMENT IS A PERFECT INGREDIENT FOR GOOD HEALTH AND IDENTIFY THAT SOME NEIGHBORHOODS DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO GYMS OR WELLNESS PROGRAMS. THE ORGANIZATION IS WORKING TOWARD PLACE-BASED INVESTMENT AND CULTURAL EMPATHY FOR A HEALTHIER HOUSTON IN 2036. WHEREAS WORKING WITH CLINICS AND SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND HELP COMMUNITIES ACHIEVE VIBRANT HELP AND UNDERSTANDING SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH SUCH AS A LACK OF TRANSPORTATION AND THEY SUPPORT RESIDENTS TO BE ACTIVE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE AND SAFE.
SO I WILL JUST SAY, MS. JACOBS, NUMBER ONE, THANK YOU AND YOUR BOARD MEMBERS FOR ALL OF THEIR WORK AND LEADERSHIP, BUT AS A COMMISSIONER WHO HAPPENS TO REPRESENT AN AREA THAT HAS AMONGST THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF HEALTH DISPARITIES, YOUR WORK IS APPRECIATED BY ME AND BY MY STAFF.
I WELCOME ALL YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE IT SIMPLE.
YOU DON'T NEED A GYM AND ALL OF THE APPARATUS, BUT SOMETHING AS SIMPLE AS WALKING CAN BRING SO MUCH IMPROVEMENT TO ONE'S HEALTH. MS. JACOBS, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS?
>> YES. WE ARE JUST SO HONORED TO BE HERE AND A HUGE THANKS TO ALL OF YOU.
WE ARE ALL ABOUT FREE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ACROSS HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR FREE OUTDOOR GYMS THAT WILL BE HEALTH HUBS. A GYM CALLED FIT LOT AND WE ARE WORKING ON A HEALTH CAMPAIGN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS HEART INSTITUTE. # WALK 30, EVERYBODY PLEASE WALK WITH US. WE ARE TAKING CEO PLEDGES RIGHT NOW. THE MAYOR MADE HIS PLEDGE AND WOULD LOVE TO SEE YOU OUT THERE AND WALKING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COUNT ME IN. THANK YOU.
AND ALSO I WANT TO FIRST INVITE YOU TO COME OVER TO JAMES DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK. COME AND VISIT.
WE HAVE WORKED TO MESS -- TO MAKE A GREAT DEAL OF HEALTH AND PHYSICAL DEVICES AVAILABLE SO I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT. DO YOU WANT TO RECOGNIZE YOUR
BOARD MEMBERS? >> WE HAVE CARRIE SPRUNG AND ELVIN WHO IS THE CHAMPION OF THE CLUB.
THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE TODAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> MS. JACOBS, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS. JUST KNOW THERE ARE 69 PARKS IN PRECINCT 3. CONSIDER THEM YOUR PARKS.
10 COMMUNITY CENTERS, CONSIDER THEM YOUR COMMUNITY CENTERS.
THAT'S A PRETTY GOOD RESOURCE, I THINK, AS YOU GROW THE PROGRAM BECAUSE I THINK WE HAVE THESE KINDS OF FACILITIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND MAKING THESE THINGS AVAILABLE TO YOU.
>> LIKEWISE AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING TO IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH IN OUR COMMUNITY.
[00:15:03]
>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MS. JACOBS, WHAT IS THE CHALLENGE THAT THE MAYOR AND COUNCIL PEOPLE HAVE
I SHOULD SAY 30 MINUTES OF WALKING DAILY.
I HAVE HAD PEOPLE ASK ME IF IT WAS 30 MILES AND I WILL SAY NO.
THIS IS A VISUAL NUDGE TO REMIND US TO GET UP OFF OF THE ZOOM AND OUR DESKS. I KNOW I ZOOM ED A LOT YESTERDAY. WE HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND
IT IS BEAUTIFUL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A MEASURING FACTOR OR IS IT HONOR SYSTEM? I HAVE THIS WATCH BECAUSE COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD ONE, BUT I ADMIT I DON'T KNOW QUITE KNOW HOW TO WORK IT.
>> WE ENGAGED WITH AN APP COMPANY CALLED MOVE SPRING.
IF YOU VISIT FIT HOUSTON.ORG YOU WILL HAVE THE INSTRUCTIONS TO DOWNLOAD. IT IS FREE AND IT WILL SYNC WITH YOUR WATCH. IF YOU DON'T HAVE A WATCH AND DON'T HAVE ACCESS WE ARE WORKING WITH COMMUNITY PARTNERS SUCH AS
BAKER RIP PLEA AND THE YMCA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS PUBLIC? DO YOU KNOW WHERE I AM WALK STPH-G.
>> DO WE KNOW WHAT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE I AM
WALKING? >> I MIGHT BE ABLE TO FIND YOU
IF I TRY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL COMMIT
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL CHALLENGE MY COLLEAGUES.
IF I CAN'T GET ALL 30 IN ONE DAY CAN I MAKE UP THE 30 THE SECOND
COMMISSIONER. >> I HAVE RIDDEN BIKES WITH YOU AND I CAN'T KEEP UP SO I WILL WORK ON THAT MYSELF.
IF YOU WILL WALK 30 I WILL TRY TO KEEP UP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I BIKED WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ONE TIME.
>> WE USED THE E BIKE AND DID 2. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM COMMITTING
AND I WILL TAKE THE PLEDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY.
>> WE HAVE THREE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THE
JUDGE IS A RUNNER. >> AND NO MORE USE OF THE ELEVATORS. THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE STAIRS.
>> OKAY. THAT'S IN THE RESOLUTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS IMPORTANT FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS.
I CAN REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL SOMEBODY RATED US THE FATTEST CITY, HOUSTON, THEY RATED US THE FATTEST CITY.
I WENT SO THE LIQUID STUFF ONE TIME AND I REMEMBER A PICTURE I WAS OPENING UP MY COAT ON CITY HALL AND I GAINED IT BACK AND THEN TOOK FEN-FEN BEFORE I KNEW IT WAS DANGEROUS.
THEN I ASKED ABOUT THE SIDE EFFECTS AND LOST THE HAIR AND LOST SLEEP AND A BAD AT -- ATTITUDE.
I KNOW THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE THEY USED TO SAY FROM THE HEART ASSOCIATION IS OBESITY. IT LEADS TO STROKES.
>> STRUD -- STRUGGLING WITH CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE ACROSS THE COUNTY ACCORDING TO HEALTH DATA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT AND I KNOW THE RULE IS 80/20. 80% -- NO, 20% WOULD BE WALKING AND 80% IS WHAT WE EAT. IT IS THE DIET.
I STRUGGLE WITH OBESITY ALL MY LIFE.
I MIGHT ADD I THINK I GAINED 9 POUNDS IN THE HOLIDAYS AND I
AM TRYING TO GET THEM BACK DOWN. >> THE CODE IS FIT HOUSTON.
IF YOU DOWNLOAD THE APP IT IS FREE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. YOU HAVE FOUR OR MAYBE FIVE TAKERS HERE. SOMEBODY WILL HELP ME DOWNLOAD IT. I DON'T WANT YOU TO NECESSARILY
KNOW WHERE I AM WALKING. >> DO WE GET EXTRA CREDIT IF WE
EXTRA STEPS. IT IS A GREAT WAY TO START YOUR DAY. IT WILL RESET AND MAKE YOU FEEL
BETTER. >> I USED TO BE A FITNESS INSTRUCTOR AND TAUGHT SPINNING AND WAS A PERSONAL TRAINER IN UNDER GRAD IN LAW SCHOOL, BUT I HAD THREE KNEE SURGERY.
I QUASI COMMIT UNTIL THE PAIN IS A LOT, BUT I NEED TO WORK BACK INTO IT. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
>> WE'LL TAKE THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T THINK WE DO.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE'LL TAKE PICTURES IN A SECOND. I I HAVE ITEM NUMBER 2 WHICH IS A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JANUARL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY. I WOERPBT -- I WON'T READ IT ALL, BUT MATERNAL MORTALITY RATES IN THE U.S. ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN DEVELOPED WORLD AND INCREASINGLY AND RAPIDLY THE MATERNAL MORTALITY AND MORBID -- MORBID TEE REVIEW COMMITTEE FOUND AN INCREASE IN COMPLICATIONS BETWEEN WOMEN -- BETWEEN 2018 AND 2020 INCREASING FROM 58.2 CASES TO 72.7 CASES OUT OF EVERY 10,000 BIRTHS. WE CAN STOP THESE DEATHS.
THE CDC SHOWED A REPORT SHOWING FOUR AND FIVE PREGNANCY DEATHS
[00:20:06]
FROM 2017 TO 2019 WERE PREVENTABLE AND THE RACIAL DISPARITY. BLACK WOMEN DIED AT A RATE OF 2.3 TIMES HIGHER THAN WHITE WOMEN IN TEXAS.THE DISPARITIES ARE EVEN HIGHER WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY.
THREE COUNTIES ALONE ACCOUNT FOR 9% OF ALL OF THE NATION'S BLACK INFANT MORTALITY RATES. THOSE ARE WAYNE COUNTY, MICHIGAN , COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS, CHICAGO AND DETROIT AND OUR OWN HARRIS COUNTY. WE CAN'T AND WON'T STAND BY WATCHING THESE PERSISTENT DISPARITIES AND GROWING INEQUAL TEE -- INEQUAL TEES. IN 2022 THIS COURT VOTED TO GIVE 7.7 MILLION OF FEDERAL ARPA DOLLARS FOR MA TER -- MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM TO HELP FAMILIES.
EVEN IF WE GET THE BLACK INFANT MORTALITY RATE DOWN WE DON'T WANT TO CREATE OTHER DISPARITIES.
THE NUMBERS ARE JUST SO ALARMING FOR BLACK WOMEN.
I THINK THAT'S WHY THIS COURT DECIDED TO DO SOMETHING.
THE PROGRAM WILL ADDRESS SIGNIFICANT HEALTH INEQUAL TEES IN MATERNAL AND HEALTH OUTCOMES, ESPECIALLY FOR BLACK MOTHERS AND INFANTS. THAT'S WHY I'M PROUD TO PUT THIS UP. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENT, DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND HER TEAM AND MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION AND IN PARTICULAR CONGRESSWOMAN LIZZIE FLETCHER WHO ENSURED THAT OUR COUNTY'S BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH PROGRAM AND ACCESS HARRIS WILL RECEIVE A COMBINED $2.4 MILLION IN FED HRAL -- FEDERAL FUNDS.
HARRIS HEALTH AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON HEALTHY START PROGRAM. IT IS ALL OF OUR LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION AT THE STATE LEVEL FOR PUTTING A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS ISSUE AND THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL AND HEALTHCARE EXPERTS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE RESIDENTS.
I THINK I MIGHT HAVE A SPEAKER. I'M NOT SURE IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM. BARBIE, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE THERE OR ANYBODY ELSE SIGNED UP. IF NOT I WILL GO TO -- YES, SIR?
>> I MOVE ADOPTION OF IT NOW. NO SPEAKERS, RIGHT?
>> THREE I'S AND 1 -- THREE I'S AND 1 NO AND IT PASSES.
THE NEXT IS HONORING ANNA CORREA WHO DECIDED SHE IS READY TO MAKE A MOVE. YOU DON'T GET TO SPEAK JUST YET.
MY STAFF PUT A LOT OF TIME INTO WRITING THIS.
I AM GOING TO READ IT. IT SAYS JUST SOME OF THE WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY'S -- HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT RECOGNIZES DR. ANNA CORREA TO HER FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY IN THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND SAFETY.
SHE WAS BORN IN MEXICO AND EPL GRATED TO THE UNITED STATES WHEN SHE WAS 10 YEARS OLD. SHE EARNED A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND A MASTER'S IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND A DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS IN PUBLIC -- IN POLICY AND PLANNING AND EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION FOCUSING HER DISSERTATION ON THE PIPELINE.
DR. CORREA HAS SERVED AS POLICY DIRECTOR FOR THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS AND WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COALITION AS SHE LAUNCHED THE TEXAS SMART ON CRIME COALITION BEFORE JOINING HARRIS COUNTY IN 2018.
DR. CORREA BEGAN HER CAREER IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE OFFICE OF PRECINCT 1 IN 2018, LEADING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND POLICY TEAMS. DR. CORREA WORKED TO INTEGRATE A SENSE OF EQUITY AND JUSTICE AND REDUCE RACIAL AND ETHNIC DISPARITIES WITH AN EYE TOWARD BEST PRACTICES AND AUTHENTIC COMMUNITY INPUT AND DESIGN FROM THOSE MOST IMPACTED BY PAST AND FUTURE POLICIES. WHEREAS DR. CORREA ACCOMPLISHED A GREAT DEAL AT THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND SAFETY.
HER WORK INCLUDED PARTNERING WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH FOR VIOLENCE PREVENTION CONFERENCE AND HOLISTIC APPROACH TO PUBLIC SAFETY BY COORDINATING AND ORGANIZING THE LOCAL AND NATIONAL PRESENTERS AND PROFESSIONALS AND PRACTITIONERS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WITH PUBLIC POLICY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, ACADEMIA, SOCIAL JUSTICE TO FOCUS ON THE NEED FOR CHANGE FROM PUNISHMENT TO MORE SOLUTIONS THAT HELP COMMUNITIES.
[00:25:04]
DR. CORREA PARTNERED WITH HARRIS COUNTY SKWRAOUF -- JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH AND MANAGE A YOUTH JUSTICE REINVESTMENT FUND. THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN TEXAS WHICH IS COMMUNITY-LEAD AND A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR FUND FOR THE YOUTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. DR. CORREA FOSTERED A COACH OF KINDNESS, RESPECT, EMPATHY, LOVE, POSITIVITY AND THE OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND SAFETY ALL BUILDING A TEAM WHO GENUINELY DREAM AND PRACTICE MAKING OUR REGION A BETTER PLACE FOR EVERYONE. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT THANKS HER FOR HER DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVICE IN HARRIS COUNTY.WE THANK HER AND WE WISH HER THE BEST IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF HER LIFE. WE ARE JUST SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. YOU HAVE THE FLOOR.
>> THIS IS WHY I DIDN'T WEAR MASCARA BECAUSE I KNEW WHEN I STEPPED IN FRONT OF YOU -- THANK YOU FOR THE HONOR YOU BESTOWED ON ME AND THE HONOR YOU HAVE GIVEN ME TO SERVE YOU.
I AM THRILLED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
I BELIEVE IN THE PEOPLE WHO WORK FOR YOU.
IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE GETTING TO KNOW EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOUR STAFF. IT HAS BEEN A PLEASURE BEING SUPPORTED BY PEOPLE -- THERE ARE HIDDEN JEWELS IN THE COUNTY.
THEY TAUGHT ME AND SUPPORTED ME AND ALL OF YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE.
THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE A LONGTIME AND WHO HAVE ASSISTED
CONTINUE. >> THEY ARE WONDERFUL PUBLIC SERVANTS AND I COULDN'T ASK FOR A BETTER BOSS.
I AM SO GRATEFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AND CONTINUE TO WORK FOR WHAT IS RIGHT AS A TEAM. THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE COUNTING ON YOU TO WORK FOR A BETTER VISION AND A BETTER COMMUNITY AND TO CONTINUE THIS LEGACY.
HARRIS COUNTY IS AN INCREDIBLE PLACE TO BE, THE CULTURE, THE COMMUNITY, AND SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING BACK FROM THE INCREDIBLE WORK -- THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR DEPARTMENTS AND THE TEAM WILL CREATE.
I AM HONORED AND GRATEFUL AND I LOVE YOU AND I AM ONLY A PHONE CALL AWAY. YOU ARE NOT GETTING RID OF ME
THAT EASILY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DR. CORREA, YOU ARE NOT DONE YET. FIRST, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR THAT VERY BEAUTIFUL AND APPROPRIATE RESOLUTION.
DR. CORREA, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK OVER THE YEARS. YOU AND I MET WHEN I WAS SHERIFF. AND I REMEMBER MANY OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, YOU ACTUALLY HELPED TO MOVE ME ON POLICY ISSUES THAT I INITIALLY DID NOT AGREE WITH.
YOU WERE TENACIOUS, YET YOU ALWAYS DID IT WITH THAT SMILE.
YOU ALWAYS CREATED PROGRESS NO MATTER WHAT.
I WILL NOT BE SHY TO SAY I HATE TO SEE YOU LEAVE, AND I WANT TO UNDERSTAND -- I WOULD LIKE TO DEBRIEF WITH YOU AND MR. TURNER TO UNDERSTAND THE WORK THAT IS YET TO BE DONE SO I CAN MAKE SURE YOUR LEGACY CONTINUES AS WELL.
ALSO I WANT TO JUST SAY THAT -- I REMEMBER THAT PART OF THE MOVEMENT THAT I MET MS. CORREA THROUGH WAS THE FACT THAT WE WERE -- YOU WERE WITH PROJECT INNOCENCE AND WE WERE RECOGNIZING AN INORDINATE NUMBED PEOPLE JUST TOOK IT AS, WELL, MISTAKES HAPPEN. AND THEN WE FOUND ANOTHER CASE AND THEN YET ANOTHER CASE. THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES WE BEGAN TO RECOGNIZE BEING THE DEATH PENALTY CAPITAL OF THE
[00:30:11]
NATION I GUESS TO SOME SOMETHING TO BE PROUD OF, BUT YOU HAVE TO BE PERFECT IN THAT REGARD AND YOU ARE ONE OF THE EARLY PIONEERS THAT WAS SOUNDING THE ALARM THAT WE WEREN'T PERFECT.THERE WAS INNOCENT PEOPLE THAT THROUGH MISTAKES OR RESILIENTNESS OR JUST DOWNRIGHT MALL FEE SENSE WERE IN THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES. AND THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT YOU SHOULD BE PROUD THAT THROUGH YOUR COLLECTIVE WORK YOU HAVE HELPED TO SAVE MANY LIVES THAT WERE INJUSTLY INCARCERATED AND ON DEATH ROW. IF ANYBODY WANTS TO UNDERSTAND THAT, GET ON DEATH ROW AND HAVE AN ENTIRE SYSTEM NOT LISTEN.
YOU HAVE ADVOCATES THAT WERE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR WORK IN PROJECT INNOCENCE AS WELL.
THE OTHER SIDE OF IT TOO WAS, LOOK, I CAME TO THIS COUNTY AS SHERIFF, AS THE FIRST HISPANIC SHERIFF.
THERE THERE WAS A WHOLE LOT OF MENTORS TO LOOK AROUND AND FIND.
AT THAT TIME COMMISSIONER SYLVIA GARCIA WAS STILL HERE, BUT INSIDE THE BUREAUCRACY, WE NEED TO ENSURE REPRESENTATIVE -- REPRESENTATION AND CAPACITY AND COMPETENCY.
I AM ALSO DISAPPOINTED FOR THAT REASON YOU ARE LEAVING.
WE NEED TO SHOW YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING FOR A PLACE IN OUR GOVERNMENT AND IN THE POLICY DEVELOP -- DEVELOPMENT THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE THEM THAT ARE DOING IT AND MAKING IT LOOK EASY. AND SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. I HATE TO SEE YOU GO, BUT, YOU KNOW, -- YOU KNOW -- THERE IS -- I GOT MY -- I AM NOT SURE WHICH PHONE THIS IS, BUT I GOT IT. THANK YOU CONGRATULATIONS.
>> DR. CORREA, I AM SAD THAT MY FIRST MEETING IS YOUR LAST AND I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST. I KNOW WE HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR OVER A DECADE AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY AND YOU ARE A CHAMPION OF JUSTICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CONTINUED POSITIVE IMPACT.
THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TIFFANY, DO WE
HAVE ANY SPEAKERS? >> YES, SIR.
FIRST IS AMANDA MARZULO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS GOING TO CALL YOU DOCTOR. DIRECTOR PERRY.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS' COURT.
I AM HERE TO SUPPORT DR. CORREA AND THANK HER FOR HER YEARS OF SERVICE. SHE WAS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH AND THE GUIDANCE HAS HELPED ME TRANSITION TO COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
SHE WILL DEFINITELY BE MISSED. I JUST THINK SHE POURED HER HEART AND HER SOUL AND HER PASSION INTO THIS POSITION AS SHE HAD. I WISH WE HAD MORE PEOPLE LIKE HER THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU, DR. CORREA, FOR YOUR
SERVICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TELL EVERYBODY
WHO YOU ARE. >> PERRY TURNER, DEPUTY COUNTY
ADMINISTRATOR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I HAVE TO MAKE SURE I SAY, DR. CORREA, I APOLOGIZE, I HOPE YOUR MAMA IS WATCHING. SHE SHOULD BE VERY PROUD.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AMANDA MARZULO AND THE NEW INTERIM DIRECTOR OF OFFICE OF JUSTICE AND SAFETY.
ANNA, I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IT WONDERFULLY, YOUR DEPARTURE DOES LEAVE A VOID. I HAVE NEVER MET A MORE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANT AND NOT JUST TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, BUT TO THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I'M VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU
[00:35:02]
THESE FEW SHORT MONTHS. OVER THE YEARS BEFORE THAT AT THE TEXAS CAPITAL WHEN YOU WERE AT THE TEXAS CRIMINAL JUSTICE COALITION, YOU'VE BEEN A MODEL FRIEND AND COLLEAGUE AND I KNOW I SPEAK FOR EVERYONE AT OJS WHO HASN'T GOTTEN UP TO SPEAK, BUT THEY FEEL THIS JUST AS MUCH AS I DO THAT YOU WILL BE MISSED.WE WILL BE TAKING YOU UP ON YOUR OFFER TO HAVE PHONE CALLS AND TO STAY IN TOUCH BECAUSE I WILL BE BUGGING YOU QUITE A BIT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? I WANT TO SAVE MY COMMENTS UNTIL LAST. ANY OTHERS, TIFFANY?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANNA, I HAD TO ASK BRANDON WHO CAME FIRST, YOU OR HIM. HE TOLD ME YOU WERE THERE FIRST.
SO FROM THE MOMENT I GUESS I GOT SERIOUS ABOUT INSTEAD OF TRYING TO PUTTING IN BILLS AND TRYING TO PASS CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS AS A STATE LEGISLATOR, YOU WERE THERE.
ALWAYS WITH A SMILE AND PATIENCE AND EVEN WHEN I WAS A BIT FEISTY AND WOULD GO OFF ON SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES.
BRANDON, YOUR JOB WAS TO CLEAN IT UP AFTER I LOST IT.
RARELY IN PUBLIC, BUT IN PRIVATE I WOULD TELL PEOPLE WHAT I REALLY THOUGHT. I WOULD HAVE YOU CLEAN IT UP.
YOU DID A GREAT JOB. SOMEHOW YOU FOUND A WAY TO BUILD A BRIDGE. YOU MORE THAN ME.
YOU TELL ME WHICH ONES OUGHT TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH.
WHICH ONES NOT TO WASTE MY TIME WITH TO HELP MAKE THOSE BILLS I HAD A HAND IN AND BE BIPARTISAN. THANK YOU FOR THAT.
I WANT TO STRESS THAT YOU LEFT AUSTIN I THINK IN SOMEWAYS BECAUSE YOU WERE JUST -- I THINK YOU WILL GET BURNED OUT ON IT.
IT WAS GETTING MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT AFTER GREAT SUCCESSES.
WE PASSED THE DNA TESTING STATUTE, AND WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN 10 OR 13 -- SOME STATES HAD ONE AND WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SECOND.
I THOUGHT MASSACHUSETTS OR SOME LITTLE OLD STATE -- WE PUT IN A STATUTE AND WE ARE THE FIRST ONE TO DO IT.
YOU ARE PART OF ALL OF THOSE AND THEN DECIDED TO GO NATIONAL AND GIVE MONEY TO THE GROUPS LIKE THE ONE YOU FOUNDED.
I WANT TO STRESS THAT FOR YOU AND YOUR MOM IN PARTICULAR WHEN I GUESS BRANDON WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE AND CALLED TO ASK YOU TO APPLY FOR A POSITION IN MY OFFICE, I THINK YOU WERE LIVING OUTSIDE BALTIMORE, IN THE MARYLAND AREA.
YOU SAID WHAT ABOUT ME? YOU HAD TO MAKE THAT TRANSITION FROM ADVOCACY TO BEING ON THE INSIDE.
WHICH WAS NOT THAT EASY FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE TO DO.
YOU DID IT. AND YOU AND YOUR MOM HAD TO FACE YOUR OWN TRAGEDY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SPACE WITH SOMEONE BEING KILLED WHO WAS VERY CLOSE TO YOU.
UNLIKE MANY, YOU DECIDED NOT TO TAKE THE TRAGEDY AND LET IT MAKE YOU BITTER, BUT IT MADE YOU BETTER.
PROUD OF YOU. NOW, JUST TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HAVE ANY TROUBLE, SHOULD WE DO A VOTE AND MAKE A MOTION AND VOTE FOR THESE, YOURS AND MINE AND GET THOSE NUMBERS RIGHT SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE ANY HEADACHES THERE FROM PATRICK.
THAT IS ITEMS NUMBER 2, 3 AND 331?
>> WE ALREADY VOTED ON 2. >> 3 AND 31.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MAKE THE MOTION.
>> I MOVE -- I MOVE 3 AND 31. >> ALL IN FAVOR.
>> I. >> ANY OPPOSED? WE WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES AND YOU WILL BE FIRST SINCE YOU KNOW I WILL CRY WHEN WE TAKE OUR PICTURE TOGETHER.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT -- >> COMMISSIONER, TO BE CLEAR
THAT WAS FOR ITEMS 3 AND 331? >> 3 AND 331, CORRECT.
WHEN WE TAKE PHOTOS, I THINK YOU TOLD ME I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT TO TAKE THE PHOTOS AND WE ARE GOING TO RECESS TO TAKE THE PHOTOS. I WILL ASK MY COLLEAGUES, IF YOU WOULD, LOOK AT THE CONSENT AGENDA.
IF THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, SO WHEN WE COME
[00:40:03]
BACK WE WILL GO THROUGH IT BRIEFLY AND WE WILL VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA IF THAT IS OKAY WITH YOU ALL AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. IF YOU WILL JUST LOOK AT IT AND MAKE A DECISION THEN AND VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.IT IS NOW 10:57 AND COMMISSION ERB -- COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS RECESSING. IT IS TO TAKE PHOTOS.
WE WILL RECONVENE AT -- GIVE YOU TIME TO LOOK AT IT, 30 MINUTES? WE WILL LOOK AT AND RECONVENE AT 11:30.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS 11:30 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS RETURNED FROM RECESS. WE ARE BACK IN SESSION.
I WANT TO GO THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS AND THEN MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS LOOKED AT THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WE WILL MAKE A FEW MINOR CHANGES TO IT. MAYBE IF A COMMISSIONER HAS SOME ITEM THEY WANT TO VOTE NO ON THEY CAN LET US KNOW.
MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY, WE WILL VOTE ON THAT AS WELL.
THE FOLLOWING NEED MINOR CHANGES DUE TO ERRORS OR NO ACTION.
THE CORRECTED ITEMS READS AS FOLLOWS, PAGE 18, ITEM 27, REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR APPROVAL TO TPHOPL -- NOMINATE GARY VINSAMIK, PES AN ALTERNATIVE TO TINA PETERSON FOR REGION 6. SAN JACINTO REGIONAL FLOOD PLANNING GROUP. PAGE 39, ITEM 308, REQUEST BY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR APPROVAL TO ACCEPT FROM THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD GRANT FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 1 MILLION 364,846. WITH A LOCAL CASH MATCH OF 12 MILLION 283,623. IT IS FOR THE LAUDER STONE WATER DETENTION BASIN. P-500-06-00-EOO6.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER CORRECTIONS? IF NOT WE WILL MAKE NOTE OF
THOSE CORRECTIONS. >> YES, SIR.
I WANT TO VERIFY ON 308 THE DOLLAR AMOUNT WAS CHANGED TO.
>> 1 MILLION -- 364846? >> YES, SIR.
>> AND LOCAL MATCH 12 MILLION. >> YES, SIR.
>> THAT'S ALL OF THE CORRECTIONS I HAD.
>> COLLEAGUES, WE WENT THROUGH -- YOU HAD A LIST OF THE CONCEPT ITEMS -- THE CONSENT ITEMS. THE ITEMS I WILL RUN THROUGH THOSE.
WE HAVE THE LIST. IS THAT RIGHT, COLLEAGUES? THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION.
ITEM 10, ITEM 26, SOMEONE ADDED 28 AND 35, 133, 140, 145 WAS TAKEN OFF OF ITEMS TO DISCUSS AND IT IS BACK ON CONSENT.
GOT THAT? 145 IS BACK ON CONSENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 152 HAS BEEN FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION. 154.
DO YOU WANT TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? WE WILL MAKE NOTE OF THAT. 170 HAS BEEN FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION. SOMEONE ADDED 187 FOR DISCUSSION
>> I JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> OKAY LET'S JUST VOTE ON THAT.
DO YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT IT IS? >> TOM RAMSEY: WE WILL NEED TO
MAKE TWO MOTIONS I THINK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH IS THAT?
>> TOM RAMSEY: 187. LET ME -- I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.
IT IS OBVIOUS WHAT THE SECOND. THE MOTION TO APPROVE ALL DISPERSE PHEPBTS EXCEPT FOR THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP OF 1 MILLION 493, 045.96. SO COMMISSIONER --
>> SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS MAKING A SUBSTITUTE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS UNANIMOUS AND IT PASSES 4-0.
AND NOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD LIKE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL OF THE AUDITED CLAIM FOR THE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP.
IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND IT.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL OPPOSED?
[00:45:02]
>> NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 3-1 AND IT IS APPROVED. THE NEXT ITEM IS FOR VOTE ONLY I'M TOLD. IT IS FOR 201 AND LET'S SEE WHAT THAT IS. MEMBERS, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR RENEWAL OPTION WITH DIMA CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT OF TEXAS HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAM SERVICES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ADOPTION? >> SO MOVED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVED IT FOR ADOPTION.
IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND.
>> I. >> THREE I'S AND ONE NO.
THE NEXT ITEM FLAGGED FOR DISCUSSION IS 207.
217. YES, SIR? AND 217. I AM JUST REITERATING.
225 IS FOR DISCUSSION. 250, 294, 314, 315 AND 316, 322, 329 AND 333. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ITEMS THAT MEMBERS CAN THINK OF THAT ARE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA YOU WOULD LIKE TO PULL OFF? YES, SIR?
>> TOM RAMSEY: IS 225, IS THAT ONE PULLED?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. IT IS.
AND I CAN RUN BACK THROUGH IT AGAIN IF YOU WANT.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I GOT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, ARE YOU MAKING SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THOSE WE WANT TO PULL?
>> 314? >> RODNEY ELLIS: 314 IS PULLED.
ALSO 329 AND 333. OKAY, MEMBERS.
YOU SAW THE CONCEPT AGENDA AND JAMES ARE YOU CLEAR?
>> YES, SIR. DID YOU WANT TO GO OVER TO SEE WHAT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS COULD BE ON CONSENT?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: 154 AND THE OTHER EXECUTIVE ITEM SESSIONS ARE 127, DO WE NEED TO GO BACK ON THAT? DO YOU WANT TO LOOK AT THAT? 127? 302 AND 303 AND 304 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS.
>> ONLY IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 302, 303 AND
304. >> IS ITEM 302 GOING TO BE
APPROVED AS PRESENTED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: EVERYBODY IS OKAY?
SO THE MOTION WILL BE TO APPROV? >> I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
ITEM 132 IS THE LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AND AGENDA.
IS THAT GOING TO BE NO ACTION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA? DOES IT GO INTO SESSION TODAY? JUST ONE REQUEST, MAY GOD BE WITH US AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR.
ANYTHING ELSE, MEMBERS? SO THE MOTION WILL BE -- GO
>> RODNEY ELLIS: NO ACTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HAVE I A QUESTION ON 132. HAVE WE ADOPTED THE PLATFORM?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: NO, WE HAVE NOT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHO -- WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS THAT?
>> I BELIEVE INTER GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS HAS SHARED WITH COURT STAFF AND I WILL CHECK THE DATE THAT IS COMING FOR APPROVAL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS KIND OF LATE.
>> I'M SORRY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS KIND OF LATE. IT IS KIND OF LATE.
>> I WILL GET WITH THEM SHORTLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MEAN, THAT'S ON YOU. IT IS KIND OF LATE.
[00:50:05]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WE MEET THE NEXT GO AROUND SO YOU ALL WORKUP WHAT YOU CAN IN THE INTERIM.
THE OLD RULE USED TO BE BEFORE I GOT HERE, SOMETHING WAS ONLY -- WELL, LET'S VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA AND WE'LL ADD 132 AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT. IS THAT OKAY?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: PULL 132.
MEMBERS, YOU HAVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THE MOTION WILL BE TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.
THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS ON THOSE ITEMS. SHOULD I MAKE IT A SEPARATE MOTION FOR THESE ITEMS? AND IT IS TO APPROVE THOSE ITEMS THAT WERE LISTED AS A POSSIBILITY FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.
THEY WILL ALL GO BACK ON THE AGENDA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S 127, 302, 303, 304, 305 AND 306.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION.
>> SECOND. >> CAN I CLARIFY THAT? ALL OF THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 335 EXCEPT THE DISCUSSION ITEMS OR ANYTHING WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY VOTED ON?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. THAT IS THE MOTION.
SINCE YOU SAID THAT I KNOW YOU GOT IT.
DO YOU NEED ME TO SAY IT. >> I GOT IT.
>> SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION IS MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE I. >> I.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THAT WAS GOOD. IN TERMS OF DISCUSSION ITEMS WE WILL WAIT -- THE ONLY ONE IS THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
SO WE MAY DO THAT ONE BEFORE WE GO TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WAS GOING TO SAY THE OLD RULE WAS SOMETHING WAS ONLY IN THE COUNTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA IF EVERYBODY AGREED. AND THEN FOR WHATEVER REASON I GOT HERE AND I DISAGREED. THEY CHANGED THE POLICY WHICH FORCED A VOTE ON EVERY ITEM THAT'S IN THE AGENDA.
WHICH IS SOMEWHAT UNWIELDILY BECAUSE I GUESS TO KNOW WHAT WE ALL AGREE ON, WE WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO MEET OR YOU NEED SOME BROAD PRINCIPALS. ALTHOUGH THE OTHER WAY IT WORKED WAS NOT THE BEST AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW HOW THE CITY DOES IT, BUT WITH THAT SAID, THEY DO GO IN TODAY.
I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THERE.
I THINK WHAT THEY DO FOR THE SENATORS ON THE MONDAY NIGHT BEFORE IS A NICE THING TO WALK AROUND AND ASK THEM TO BE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. I COULDN'T GET THERE AND GET BACK TO BE THERE FOR TODAY. WE CAN FIND AS MANY ISSUES WHERE WE AGREE IN A BIPARTISAN WAY. AT THE PORT AUTHORITY YESTERDAY IF WE HAVE TO GO TO OUR VOTERS AND ASK FOR THAT LARGE OF A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE, NOT ONLY WILL IT HAVE DIFFICULTY PASSING, IT WILL MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR US TO DO INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS THAT
WILL GROW. >> AND COMMISSIONERS, SINCE THEY HAVE AN ABUNDANCE OF FUNDS SITTING THERE, I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PLACE TO CONSIDER IT AND OF COURSE HARRIS COUNTY FROM THE FLOOR AND FROM THE LEVY, I HAVE NOT EVEN HEARD THAT BROUGHT UP. PROBABLY TWO OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THINGS YOU CAN DO IN THE STATE WOULD BE HERE IN
HARRIS COUNTY. >> I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER PERSON TO RAISE THAT ISSUE THAN YOU.
AND IT WAS NOT PLANNED. >> WE ARE WORKING ON IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD. >> CAN WE GET CONFIRMATION BY NEXT COURT WE CAN HAVE A FULL BRIEF ON 132 SO THAT WE CAN DISCUSS AND VOTE WITHOUT FURTHER DELAY?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU CHECKING TO SEE?
I JUST CHECKED AND THE AGENDA WAS IN FACT READY TO BE CONSIDERED AS A DRAFT, BUT WE GOT REQUESTS FROM A COUPLE OF COURT OFFICES TO KEEP WORKING ON IT AND ABSOLUTELY WE WILL BE
BACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY, OUT OF 33 BILLION? >> YEAH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAY.
I MENTIONED IT TO THE CHAIR -- WE PUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO REPRESENT US ON THAT BOARD AND I KNOW THE MWBE ISSUE IN TERMS OF FULL DISCLOSURE. I TALKED TO TWO CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS. I WILL PUT AS MUCH PRESSURE AS I CAN FROM THE FEDERAL MATCH. THE STATE DOES HAVE A PROGRAM.
YOU ARE THE ONLY PERSON ON THAT BOARD AND IT WAS INTERESTING.
I NOTICED WHEN I LOOKED AT THE BOARD MANY ARE FORMER OR CURRENT ELECTED OFFICIALS. IT WILL BE A BIG PROBLEM TO PUT
[00:55:01]
MONEY IN. >> TYPICALLY WERE THE -- TYPICALLY WITH THE RECENT SUCCESS, IT WAS ENCOURAGING TO
SAY THE LEAST. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE ARE LAID BACK. I WOULD SAY OUR STRATEGY IS ONE WHEREAS A FORMER FINANCE CHAIR, BY THE WAY, SOMETIMES THE LEAST SAID THE BETTER. BUT YOU SHOULD WORK THAT FROM YOUR SIDE OF THE HOUSE. WE WILL WORK IT FROM OUR SIDE.
[Appearances before court]
WE CAN VOTE ON THAT AGENDA AND WE ARE GOING TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS.WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS ASK MR. AYER TO WALK US THROUGH THE DECORUM RULES TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE UNDERSTOOD.
I DO WANT TO STRESS THAT IF ANYONE IS VIOLATING THE RULES OF DECORUM, A MEMBER OF THIS COURT MAY ASK THE BAILIFF TO ESCORT THAT PERSON OUT OF THE COURTROOM AND I WOULD BE THE FIRST PERSON
TO MAKE THAT REQUEST. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
THESE RULES ARE ACTUALLY POSTED IN OUR NOTICE AND WHEN SPEAKERS SIGN UP, BUT ANY PERSON IN ATTENDANCE TO ANY OF THE MEETINGS SHALL ALWAYS CONDUCT THEMSELVES WITH PROPER RESPECT AND DECORUM IN ADDRESSING THE COURT AND PARTICIPATING IN ANY PUBLIC DISCUSSION BEFORE THE COURT.
THE ONLY PEOPLE AUTHORIZED TO SPEAK IN THE AUDIENCE IS WHEN YOU ARE IN FRONT OF THE ELECTRIA PUBLIC SPEAKER.
WE ASK MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO REFRAIN FROM COMMENTS WHILE SITTING. WE WANT TO PRESERVE EVERYONE'S OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE COURT, BUT WE WANT IT TO BE DONE IN AN ORDERLY FASHION. THAT BEING SAID, ANY PROFANE, INSULTING, ANY THREATENING LANGUAGE, RACIAL, ETHNIC, AGENDL NOT BE TOLERATED. ALL MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC SHALL CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN AN ORDERLY FASHION.
AS YOU MENTIONED, THE CHAIR CAN INSTRUCT THE BAILIFF TO REMOVE THAT PERSON OR A MEMBER OF THE COURT CAN DO THE SAME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. TIFFANY, WE'RE READY.
>> YES, SIR. FIRST IS SPEAKER 2, STEPHANIE VALDEZ, SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 10 OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER LESLEY. WE ARE HAPPY TO HAVE YOU HERE.
I AM FROM PRECINCT 2. WE ARE A COALITION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF AGENDA 230225.
HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO 4.68 MILLION PEOPLE AND A POPULATION THAT KEEPS GROWING. UNFORTUNATELY STUDIES SHOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE BIGGEST CARBON FOOTPRINT IN OUR COUNTRY.
IT IS EVIDENT THAT WE ARE LIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF A CLIMATE CRISIS AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR OUR COUNTY. IT IS VERY INSPIRING TO SEE OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS TAKE ACTION TO REDUCE ITS OWN EMISSIONS BY 40% AND TRY TO PREVENT THE WORST OUTCOME WITH CLIMATE DISORDER.
IT WILL AFFECT ALL OF US IN THIS COURTROOM.
AS SOMEONE WOULD SUFFERS FROM ASTHMA AND LIVES NEAR EXXON, I WAS HAPPY TO SEE THE ELABORATE AND AMAZING PLAN THAT HAS BEEN LAID OUT. IT IS VERY ANIMATED AND WILL BE
VERY EFFECTIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
IF SOMEONE HAS ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, YOU CAN SUBMIT THEM
>> RODNEY ELLIS: TIFFANY? >> NUMBER 3, ANDY ESCOBAR SPEAKING ON ITEM 10 IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU. AGAIN, MY NAME IS ANDY ESCOBAR AND I AM HERE WITH SEER. I CURRENTLY RESIDE IN PRECINCT 1, BUT MY FAMILY LIVES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3. GROWING UP IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN CONFUSING FOR MY FAMILY.
MY PARENTS MOVED TO THE HOUSTON AREA FROM THE RIO GRANDE VALLEY TO START OUR FAMILY AND WE LIVE ON THE JONES ROAD SUPER FUND SITE. BOTH MY PARENTS ARE WORKING CLASS AND DISABLED. THEY BOTH SURVIVED CANCER AND MY GREAT-AUNT GOING THROUGH CHEMOTHERAPY FOR BREAST CANCER.
WE KNOW WE CAN'T DRINK THE WATER IN OUR HOME UNTIL FILTERED AND BOTTLED WATER IS A NORMN IN OUR HOME.
DESPITE OUR HOME BEING TOXIC I AM GRATEFUL TO SAY NONE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS HAVE HARMED OUR HOME FROM PUBLIC STORM ALLISON TO THE HURRICANES. WE HAVE BEEN OKAY.
I AM ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT THE FIRST GOAL IS TO CUT THIS BY OFFSETTING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 4, MAXINE GOMEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 10. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM MAXINE GOMEZ AND I AM HERE
[01:00:04]
LOOKING AT A NON-PROFIT. I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE THE COUNTY ON THIS PUSH FOR A CLEAN FUTURE.WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY IN THEIR EFFORTS TO REDUCE THE EMISSIONS AND PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH Y'ALL IN PHASE 2 OF THE PLAN. THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS TONY SANFORD. HE IS SPEAKING ON ITEM 316.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I'M TONY SAMPER, PRESIDENT OF ACTIVE FACILITY MAINTENANCE.
I AM HERE TO THANK COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR IMPLEMENTING THE MWBE PROGRAM AND ESPECIALLY TO COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND TO COMMISSIONERS GARCIA FOR APPOINTING SUCH QUALIFIED AND COMPASSIONATE INDIVIDUALS TO LEAVE THE MWBE PROGRAM SUCH AS JOCK THOMAS AND MS. DIANA RODRIGUEZ.
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF THE LEADERSHIP AS WELL AS THE MBE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS.
IT IS THE HOUSTON, TEXAS CHAPTER.
WE SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY FUNDING 2023 MWBE PROGRAM ITEM 316 AND OPTION 2B AND RESPECTFULLY ASK HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO PLEASE CONSIDER FUNDING THIS MWBE PROGRAM BECAUSE OF THE
IMMENSE IMPACT IT WILL HAVE. >> THANK YOU, SIR.
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN TO
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 5, JEREMY HENDRICKS SPEAKING IN PERSON ON ITEM 322. HAVE YOU ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 322 AND I AM JEREMY HENDRICKS ALSO WITH BUILD HOUSTON BETTER, A COALITION OF LABOR AND ALLIES WHO WERE WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONGTIME.
WE DEFINITELY APPRECIATE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR HELPING MOVE THIS ISSUE FORWARD AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR HEARING IT TODAY. WHAT YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER IS TEXAS IS THE MOST DANGEROUS STATE FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.
MORE PEOPLE DIE ON-THE-JOB AND MORE PEOPLE ARE INJURED ON THE JOB AND IT IS UP TO HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE A DENT IN THAT HORRIBLE NUMBER. WE SHOULD NOT BE LEADING THE WAY IN THAT -- IN THE DEATHS OF WORKERS.
IT IS EASY TO OBTAIN AND PROOF TO REDUCE INJURY STKP-Z DEATHS.
-- AND DEATHS. WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WORKERS GET HOME TO THEIR FAMILIES.
THEY ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH WORKER MISS CLASSIFICATION AND NOT GETTING PAYCHECKS. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY GET HOME SAFELY. THAT'S JOB ONE.
WE NEED TO PASS THIS AND DEFINITELY APPRECIATE YOU ALL
FOR HEARING THIS. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 7, LINDA MORALES SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 322. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING AND GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU.
I AM WITH THE TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION.
DITTO TO WHAT MY BROTHER JEREMY HENDRICKS SAID.
A FRIEND OF MINE TEXTED ME AND HAD NO IDEA I WAS ON THIS CALL WAITING TO SPEAK ON CONTRACTOR SAFETY ITEM 322.
IT READS WORKER ACROSS THE STREET CUTTING CONCRETE, BANDANNA FOR A MASK AND NO SAFETY GLASSES.
SUCH A SHAME. APPRECIATE YOUR POSITIVE VOTE ON CONTRACTOR SAFETY POLICY, ITEM 322.
THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONERS, I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ON AND HAS TO GO AND WAS HOPING TO TAKE THIS DISCUSSION ITEM 322 NOW IF POSSIBLE SINCE HE WON'T BE ABLE TO THE REST OF THE DAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE WAIT UNTIL HE HEARS FROM THE REST OF
THE SPEAKERS. >> IF WE DO THAT HE WON'T BE
ABLE TO MAKE THE DISCUSSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOW MANY MORE
SPEAKERS DO WE HAVE? >> 20 SOMETHING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN LET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SPEAK.
WE DON'T HAVE TO ADOPT THE ITEM. BUT LET HIM SPEAK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO STRESS WE DO IT QUICKLY OR FOLKS MAY CALL THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I WILL EXERCISE THE COURTESY.
GO AHEAD, SIR. WE WILL PAUSE THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS RIGHT NOW AND GO TO ITEM 322.
>> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. WE ARE INCREDIBLY EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE FOLKS IN LABOR WHO WERE ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR SOME TIME AND WE WERE PARTNERS AND WE COLLABORATED IN
[01:05:04]
THIS. IT ALL ORIGINATED AND WAS SUPPORTED BY EVERYBODY. I THINK IT WAS UNANIMOUS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND MAYBE LOOK FOR WORKPLACE SAFETY.THE POLICY WE LANDED ON IS THE RESULT OF THAT WORK AND COLLABORATION WITH LABOR AND OUR COUNTY BUSINESS PARTNERS.
WE WENT TO GREAT LENGTHS TO ENSURE THAT AS WE WERE PUTTING THIS TOGETHER THAT IT WASN'T GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT WAS FLY BY NIGHT AND WE WORKED WITH THE.
>>> -- WITH THE MINORITY CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION AND WE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEAD.
SO WE ARE VERY PROUD OF WHERE THIS IS AND THE SHORT OF THE POLICY IS THAT IT REQUIRES OSHA TRAINING FOR CERTAIN EMPLOYEES AND MANAGERS WITHIN ORGANIZATIONS ON CERTAIN PROJECTS AND THERE ARE OTHER RULES IN THE POLICY THAT TEMPORARILY PROHIBITS THE CERTAIN CONTRACTORS FROM BIDDING ON PROJECTS WITH THE COUNTY. WE TRIED TO APPROACH THIS AND BE AS THOUGHTFUL AS POSSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THAT ONE WE ARE PROTECTING WORKER SAFETY, BUT THE REQUIREMENTS ARE NOT SO ONEROUS THAT IT RESULTS IN SUBSTANTIAL REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF BIDDERS. I KNOW THAT THE CONTRACT ORGANIZATIONS ARE IMPORTANT TO THAT DISCUSSION.
SO WE'RE SUPER EXCITED ABOUT THE POLICY AND WHERE IT IS NOW.
WE UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS STEP ONE.
STEP TWO IS GOING TO BE THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE.
THAT IS GOING TO ENTAIL THE CONTINUED CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND THE CONTRACT ORGANIZATION.
THERE IS A MAJOR ORGANIZATION TO TALK ABOUT THE WAYS THAT WE CAN HELP THEM THROUGH THE PROCESS AND THE COUNTY IMPLEMENTED TRAINING FOR OSHA AND IT IS SOMETHING WE ARE CONSIDERING AND WE WELCOME ALL FEEDBACK TO ENSURE THAT THIS IS A POLICY THAT ABOVE ALL PROTECTS WORKERS AND IT IS GOING TO BE CONTINUING TO THE FUTURE AND WE TOOK IT BY THE HORNS AND WORKING AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND IT IS VERY GRATEFUL FOR HIS WORK AND WE HOPE THAT YOU ALL SUPPORT THE POLICY AND I'M SURE YOU WILL AS MANY OF YOU WERE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN CRAFTING IT. THANK YOU.
>> ANY QUESTIONS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY?
>> MR. MENEFEE, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR OFFICE FOR WORKING ON THIS ITEM AND JUST KEEPING THE NOSE TO THE GRIND STONE.
WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO FINALLY MOVE ON IT. I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE WORK TO IMPLEMENT THIS, AND LET ME JUST TELL YOU, JEREMY AND OTHERS IN LABOR THAT IT IS SO PROFOUND TO SEE THE EMPTY WORK BOOTS WHEN YOU DO THE WORKERS MEMORIAL EVENT.
IT IS PROFOUND TO SEE THE WORK BOOTS EMPTY AND THEY ARE REPRESENTING WORKERS FROM THE CONSTRUCTION SITES WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES. I REMEMBER AS A YOUNG POLICEMAN HAVING TO BE AT A SCENE WHERE PEOPLE WERE PUT INTO CONCRETE MIXING BAGS TO CHIP AWAY AT DRIED CONCRETE WITH NO -- YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY THE REASON I WAS CALLED WAS BECAUSE THOSE BLADES DID SOME DAMAGE ON THAT PERSON. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN VERY, VERY IMPRESSED UPON ME BY HOW -- IT IS A TOUGH JOB AND WE RESPECT OUR WORKERS WHO ARE WILLING TO WORK AT THE CONSTRUCTION SITES, BUT THERE HAS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGMENT BY US WHO SET THE RULES AND REGULATIONS. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING PRUDENT BY MAKING SURE AND I WOULD HOPE THAT -- I ASSUME THAT IT WOULD BE -- MR. RAMIREZ SAID WE WILL BE TRACKING THIS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET FEEDBACK FROM SMALL BUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR WHO MIGHT STRUGGLE WITH THE OSHA IMPLEMENTATIONS TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO ENSURE THE EFFECTIVENESS AND TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT INADVERTENTLY CAUSING PROBLEMS WITH THOSE SMALL
[01:10:05]
BUSINESSES. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND ENSURING THAT THIS ROLLS OUT.I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO THOSE SMALL BUSINESSES WE COUNT ON AS WELL. I AM VERY EXCITED AND MR. MENEFEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS AND EVERYONE IN YOUR OFFICE THAT WORKED ON IT.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. I MADE DIRECT OBSERVATIONS AND WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ON MANY CONSTRUCTION SITES AND THE STORIES I COULD SIT HERE AND TELL YOU ABOUT, THE PROBLEMS WE HAVE ON THE CONSTRUCTION SITE FROM.
I SAW THEM LOWER A GENTLEMAN IN THE SHAFT UNPROTECTED TO GET HIS HAT THAT HE DROPPED IN JUST TO THE POINT TO TELL YOU THAT THE LEVEL OF INTEREST ENGINEERS HAVE IN THIS.
I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE JOB SUPERINTENDENT AND SAID I'M SHUTTING THE JOB DOWN. I AM THE ENGINEER FOR THE SITE AND I AM GOING TO REPORT YOU TO THE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO BE REPORTED AND THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED.
UNTIL WE DO MORE THAN HAVE A PIECE OF PAPER AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE PEOPLE ON SITE HELPING OUR CONSTRUCTION FOLKS DO THIS.
I THINK WE ARE GOING TO H NOTAVE AS MUCHWE AS WOULD LIKE.TH E OTHER POINTME, MR. NEFEE, THAT I WOULD MAKE IS IT WOULD SEEM TO ME THAT THIS WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATELY DONE THROUGH ENGINEERINAND NOT DEEO.K I WOULD THIN THAT IF YOU ARE GONNA DO CONSTRUCTION JOB SITE SAFETY YOU NEED TO H INVOLVE PEOPLE WHOAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR AT LEAST AS LONG AS THEY ARE CONTRACTORS OR ENGINEERS. I THINK WE SHOULD PUT THIS UNDER OUR ENGINEERING GROUP TO BE MANAGED AND MONITORED AND TO BE SURE IT IS ROBUST AND I THINK ENGINEERS HAVE A WAY OF LISTENING TO THE CONSTRUCTION LEADERS.
THEY HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING AND THEY HAVE A WAY TO GET THINGS DONE. MY THOUGHT ON THIS IS NOT HAVE DEO DO IT, NOT THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THEM, BUT IT WOULD SEEM MORE APPROPRIATE TO HAVE THAT UNDER ENGINEERING IF THAT MAKES SENSE. DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENT ON THAT,
MR. MENEFEE. >> FIRST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK, COMMISSIONER, AND SAME FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE DON'T HAVE ANY STRONG FEELINGS ON THAT. WE KIND OF DEFER TO THE BODY -- YOU KNOW, THE WILL OF THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT ON THAT.
WE WERE BEING THOUGHTFUL IN OUR APPROACH AND KIND OF APPROACHED THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT OFFICES TO GET THAT FEEDBACK AND TO SEE WHERE IT MAKES SENSE TO HOUSE IT.
I KNOW THAT DEO IS IN PRINCIPAL SUPPOSED TO BE DOING KIND OF AFTER CONTRACTING AND ENSURING WE HAVE ENFORCEMENT AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT'S HOW WE GOT THE IDEA TO PLACE IT IN THERE. WE WHOLLY DETER -- DEFER TO COMMISSIONERS' COURT FOR THAT ONE.
I DON'T THINK IT WOULD BE A PROBLEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DEO TO COME ON THE LINE.
WHEN YOUR TEAM PUTS THIS TOGETHER I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW, IN OTHER PLACES THAT HAVE DONE IT, WHERE HAVE THEY PLACED IT? I DO KNOW THE ISSUE CAME UP ON MWBE AS AN EXAMPLE. THERE WERE THOSE WHO WANTED MWBE ISSUE TO BE IN EACH DEPARTMENT. THE CONCERN WAS WHEN I GOT THERE EVERYBODY SAID THE MWBE NUMBERS AT THE COUNTY WERE BETTER THAN THEY WERE AT THE CITY. PEOPLE SAID IT HERE IN PUBLIC AND THAT WAS NOT THE CASE. I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO KNOW WHETHER YOU KNOW, MR. MENEFEE, OR MR. SARKIN, IN OTHER PLACES I KNOW YOU LOOKED AT MODELS AROUND THE COUNTRY, BUT NOT AROUND THE STATE TO SEE WHERE IS IT PLACED. I WANT TO KNOW AND PUTTING SOME
THOUGHT INTO IT. >> I THINK WE CAN GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM MEMBERS OF COURT AND THEN RUN IT DOWN.
TWO THINGS I WANT TO POINT OUT. ONE, UNDER THE POLICY, DEPENDING ON WHERE THE PROJECT IS, THAT DEPARTMENT HEAD IS GOING TO BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE IMPLEMENTATION PHASE.
WE HAVE DEO THERE AS A RESOURCE FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS AS
[01:15:03]
WELL. THEY ARE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN IMPLEMENTATION AS WELL. IT IS OWNED BY THE DEPARTMENT.THAT'S .1. POINT2, I'M SURE YOU COULD SEE SOME SMILE ON FOLKS. THAT'S PARTLY BECAUSE IT IS TURNING A NEW FRONTIER AND 4* -- AND DEPARTMENT HEADS EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE THAT WORKS AND IT NEEDS TO BE MORE SAFE AND THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT HAS A ROLE TO PLAY IN THAT PROCESS.
WE SEE POLICIES ABOUT THE STATE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE SURE WE GOT IT RIGHT.
THIS COULD BECOME THE EXAMPLE FOR OTHER JURISDICTIONS ACROSS THE STATE. IN THE CITY OF AUSTIN, FOR EXAMPLE, AND IN TRAVIS COUNTY THEY HAVE SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW, WE CAME UP EMPTY IN A LOT OF THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
>> SO HERE IS WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST.
YOU PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THIS.
THIS ITEM GOES BACK TO AUGUST THIS7TH19 OF 20 AND SO POLICY TAKES INTOWO ACCOUNT TEMF THS AND THAT WAA RECOMMENDATION FOR PURCHASING AGENT AND COUNTY ENGINEER A AND COUNTYTTORNEY TO ESTABLISH CONTRACT TO THE SAFETY RECORD AND FOR ALLJE CONSTRUCTION PROCTS AND AN.
POLICY RECOMMENDATIO APPROVAL FOR COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO ESTABLISH POLICIES THAT WILL REQUIRE ALL SELF-CONTRACTORS TO PROVIDE OSHA TRAINING FOR ALL WORKERS FOR SUPERVISORS WORKING ON CDBG OR EN AND FUNDED PROJECTS.
IT DID PASS UNANIMOUSLY. IT WAS STUCK IN LEGAL.
YOUR PREDECESSOR'S POSITION WAS THAT WE COULD NOT LEGALLY DO IT I KNOW YOU ALL PULLED TOGETHER ALL OF THE FOLKS.
WE WILL ADOPT IT AND THEN FIGURE OUT WHERE TO PUT IT.
WHAT I FOUND FROM MY YEARS AS A POLICY MAKER IS THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I DID IF I HAD THE CHANCE TO DO THEM OVER AGAIN.
WHEN YOU DO THEM YOU BETTER PUT A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO IT BEFORE YOU DO IT BECAUSE IF YOU COME BACK, SOMETIMES IT TAKES FOREVER TO UNDO IT. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WOULDN'T WANT TO DECIDE IT IN A VACUUM.
>> A SUGGESTION, WHEN WE DISCUSS IT THIS AFTERNOON I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM DR. RAMEN AND DEO TO HEAR THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON HOW THIS POLICY FITS WITHIN THEIR WORK.
I THINK THAT THERE IS A PROPOSED SOLUTION THAT WE CAN AGREE ON, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON THE WORK ABILITY.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I THINK THAT IS AN EXCELLENT IDEA.
I PROPOSE THE -- I THINK IT MAKES SENSE.
FUNCTIONALLY, OPERATIONALLY, ORGANIZATIONALLY, I THINK IT MAKES SENSE. WE HAVE A COUNTY ENGINEER THAT SHARES THE VALUES OF THIS COURT AND HE RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS POLICY. BUT ALSO FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT HAVING -- WHEN I WAS THE CHAIR OF THE CITY IN THE COMMITTEE, IT WAS SEN -- CENTRALIZED.
AND SO THE ORGANIZATIONS BACK THEN RESISTED INCLUSION OF THE THEN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION OFFICE AND THEIR WORK.
BUT THAT IS WHEN TONY HENSHAW, I WAS ABLE TO GET MAYOR WHITE TO SUPPORT THE IMPLEMENTATION OF BOTH THE PUBLIC WORKS IN THE MWDE OFFICE AND AVIATION. IT WAS TRANSFORMATIVE BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF PIERRE GOODWILL.
>> GOODWILL PIERRE. >> AND TONY HENSHAW.
WHEN LEADERSHIP IS IN LINE WITH THE POLICY AND THE POLICY MAKERS, IT MAKES A GREAT DEAL OF SENSE AND THEY ARE CLOSER TO THE GROUND. THEN ENGINEERING OFFICE HAS INSPECTORS. IT MAKES SENSE AND I WOULD BE
SUPPORTIVE OF THE IDEA. >> I AM ONLY SUGGESTING THAT AT LEAST FROM MY EXPERIENCE WE DO IT AT THE TABLE AND SOMETIMES WITHOUT AT LEAST KNOWING THE PROS AND CONS IT IS HARD TO
[01:20:04]
CHANGE IT. THE CITY'S PROGRAM ON MWBE GOES BACK 1984 AND IT WAS LEE ELLIOTT BROWN.AND AS AN EXAMPLE, THE NUMBERS BY THE WAY MUST BE ALMOST THREE TIMES WHAT THEY ARE. WE WILL KNOW INRU FEBARY BECAUSE WE WILL PUTHI SOMETNG ON THE AGENDA ANDN GET AUPDATE FROMER EVYBODY. THAT WOULD BEND THE GRAMOTHERTHF
EM ALL. >>R IF WE HEA FROM DOCTOR --
>>D YEAH. ANJUST MAKE SUREGG I AM SUESTING THAT BEFORE WE DOAT IT, SEE WH THEY HAVE TO SAY AS OPPOSED TO JUST ADOPTING IT.FF WHAT IS THE DIERENCE IF IT IS TWO WEEKS LATE. WE WILL ADOPT THE RE-- THE REFORMS. ONE CONCERN ABOUT DEEO IS WE PUT A LOT OF RESPONSIBILITY IN THE OFFICE, BUT WE HAVE NOT PUT THE RESOURCES OVER THERE. WE WILL HEAR THAT DISCUSSION.
>> I WILL BE CURIOUS BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS OUR OFFICE IS
BIGGER THAN METRO'S. >> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? I WANTED TO SEE IF WE HAD SOME OTHER COUNTY ATTORNEY.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES DO YOU HAVE ANY?
>> I DON'T HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY MENEFEE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
>> AND MR. MENEFEE, FOR YOUR TEAM, WHEN WE GET TO IT, NEIL SARKIN AND JAY AYER, I'M SURE THEY WILL BE PREPARED.
KEEP SMILING UP THERE IN AUSTIN AND SOME PLACES ARE BETTER TO SAY YOU ARE FROM ANOTHER COUNTY THAN HARRIS COUNTY.
>> I AM READING FROM THE NOTES NEIL WROTE FOR ME ANYWAYS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM DID A GREAT JOB.
I ADD MY KUDOS TO WHAT YOU DID. AND FOR PULLING IT OUT OF FILE 13 AND REALLY PUTTING A LOT OF TIME INTO IT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT CHANGE ONCE YOU DO IT, JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT.
EVEN AN ENGINEER, MAKE SURE WHAT YOU ASK FOR BECAUSE YOU MAY GET IT. I WILL ASK ON A REGULAR BASIS WHAT IS HAPPENING. WE'LL PILL THIS ITEM -- WE'LL PULL THIS ITEM DOWN AND GO BACK TO THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.
THANK YOU, MR. MENEFEE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHERE WERE WE? >> SPEAKER NUMBER 8, JACOB CLEMENTAGE SPEAKING ON 333. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
>> YOU HEARD UNITED WE STAND AND DIVIDED WE FALL, WELL I COME UP WITH TOGETHER WE STAND AND TALKING NEGATIVELY ABOUT EACH OTHER AND NOT AGREEING ON POLICY WE FALL.
COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY IS A1 ON THE SPOT ABOUT THERE NEEDING TO BE -- YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE FIASCO.
NOT FEE -- NOT FIASCO, BUT THE ELECTION FIASCO.
IT IS NOT JUST GETTING WORKERS -- I WANT US TO SAY WELCOME TO [INAUDIBLE] WELCOME TO THE TEXAS BALL.
I HOPE YOU HAVE A GOOD TIME AND A LOT OF SPECTATORS IN FACT, 110% [INAUDIBLE] AGREE WE HAD A GOOD TIME.
IT IS VERY INFLUENTIAL FOR ME AND INSPIRATIONAL FOR ME SO LISTEN TO HER. I HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT.
WELL, AT ANY RATE, WHAT I WANT TO SAY ABOUT THIS, WHEN I WORKED AT THE ASTROS SEASON AND THIS WAS MY FIRST SEASON, AND SO I DID A GOOD JOB. AND YOU, COMMISSIONER BE I DON'T KNOWNESS -- COMMISSIONER BRIONES I WILL HAVE TO GIVE YOU SOMETHING SPECIAL TO WELCOME YOU TO THE BOARD.
ACTUALLY I VOTED FOR JACK CAGLE, BUT OH WELL.
AT ANY RATE, COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, I ASKED IF HE ENJOYEDHE T
SPLASH BACK G IAVE HIM. >> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 10, MARISSA HANSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 333. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> MY NAMEON IS MARISSA HANS.EV ALL RIGHTS, EN THE MOST BASIC IF THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS UNDERMINE.
[01:25:04]
9,307 MOREED BALLOTS THAN REGISTER BALLOTS.SEVERAL WERE NOT CHECKED FOR SIGNATURE VERIFICATION.
THERE'S BEEN OVER 7,000 AFFIDAVITS SIGNED AND HANDED OVER TO THE STATE AG OF THE MALL FEE SENSE THAT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 8TH. IT'S -- THERE'S TWO LAWSUITS THAT ARE FILED AND I HOPE WE WISH THAT YOU JOIN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SUPPORTING THE THE ELECTION AUDIT BECAUSE THE RIGHT TO VOTE IS, YOU KNOW, OUR CIVIC DUTY AND I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU GUYS DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR THE CONSTITUENTS BECAUSE IT WASN'T JUST THE REPUBLICAN VOTE THAT WAS SUPPRESSED.
IT WAS THE DEMOCRAT VOTE AS WELL.
PEOPLE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS OUR TAXES AND OUR SAFETY AND OUR
YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS ALEXI SWASRSKI SPEAKING ON 333.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A MUCH MORE COMPREHENSIVE REPORT ON THE NOVEMBER 22 ELECTION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAN WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED BY HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATION CLIFFORD TATUM. MR. TATUM STATED THE NOVEMBER 2S A SUCCESS WHICH MAKES ME QUESTION WHAT HE MEANS BY SUCCESS. IF HE MEANS THE COUNTY IS BACKED BY THE DEMOCRATS AND THEY WON I CAN UNDERSTAND THE MEANING OF SUCCESS. IF HE MEANS THE ELECTION WAS FAIR AND HONESTLY RUN, THEN NO IT WAS NOT A SUCCESS.
THE REPORT READS LIKE AN EFFORT TO PROVIDE COVERAGE FOR A CHAMMY ELECTION AND A REPORT COVERING THE BARRIERS OF THE PAST ELECTION OF VOTER OPPRESSION EVEN BLAMING THE ASTROS AND ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR LONG HO* RIA -- LONGORIA.
IT IS OBVIOUS THAT DEMOCRAT COUNTY JUDGE AND DEMOCRAT COMMISSIONERS THINK HIRING LACKIES TO HIRE FOR THE
FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> NEXT IS KATHERINE TULLEY SPEAK SPEAKING ON 333.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS KATHERINE TULLEY AND I AM A HARRIS COUNTY VOTER. I AM DISCUSSING AND ENCOURAGING THAT ASSESSMENT FROM MR. TATUM. ON DECEMBER 30TH, THE TEXAS TRIP -- TRIBUNE SAID TWO MONTHS AFTER ELECTION DAY HARRIS COUNTY DOES NOT KNOW IF POLLING SITE PROBLEMS KEPT PEOPLE FROM VOTING. WE KNOW THERE WERE PAPER SHORTAGES FOR BALLOTS AND DOORS WERE NOT UN-- UNLOCKED AND MACHINES DOWN. I WATCHED AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN SITTING IN HER CAR AND CRYING AND PLEADING TO HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE SAW OF PEOPLE DISENFRANCHISED NEAR BAKER RIPLEY.
THIS COUNTY CLERK OFFICE, THIS COMMISSIONERS' COURT HAS CHANGED FROM WHERE WE HAD ELECTION OFFICIALS WHO WERE RESPONSIBLE TO VOTERS TO SOMEONE WHO IS RESPONSIBLE TO NO ONE.
AND THAT WAS A TERRIBLE CHANGE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
AS A VOTER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE VOTING ON ELECTION DAY.
I WOULD LIKE TO SAY VOTING WITH AN ID.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE PEOPLE DRIVING THEIR NEIGHBORS TO VOTE AND ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO VOTE ALL ON ONE DAY.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> NEXT WE MOVE TO NONAGENDA SPEAKERS.
FIRST IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER PHYLLIS MOSS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES. MY NAME IS FILL -- PHYLLIS MOSS AND I AM SPEAKING ON THE PROPOSED BIKE LANES.
THE BIKE LANES SHOULD BE RELOCATED TO A STREET THAT WILL ACCESS THE METRORAIL. YOU CAN ALSO ACCESS TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.
THE BIKE LANES WILL ONLY INCREASE THE CURRENT ISSUES OF PARKING AND TRAFFIC AND SPEEDING.
THE MONEY SPENT ON THIS PROJECT IS TAXPAYER MONEY.
IT DOES PRESIDENT BELONG TO HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE PLEASED THAT THE TAXPAYER MONEY IS BEING USED TO -- [INAUDIBLE].
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE LOST HER.
WE WILL TRY HER BACK A LITTLE LATER.
>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 3.
CHERYL GRAVES SPEAKING IN PERSON.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I APOLOGIZE. MY NAME IS CHERYL AND I AM A 64-YEAR-OLD DISABLED TAX-PAYING CITIZEN THAT HAS RESIDED AT 11122 MESA DRIVE FOR 29 AND A HALF YEARS.
I AM SEEKING A RESOLUTION FOR THE DUST, NOISE AND TRAFFIC ON
[01:30:06]
MESA DRIVE. I HAVE SEVERAL ILLNESSES AND THE LATEST I OBJECT -- I OBJECT SERVED WAS I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT LBJ ON NOVEMBER 7TH BECAUSE MY NOSE BLED FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS, FRIDAY THROUGH MONDAY.THAT SATURDAY IT BLED THREE DAY. I WENT TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND I WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A NOSE BLEED DISORDER CAUSED BY --
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
BUT NO I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY ON MY STAFF VISIT WITH YOU.
THEY WILL COME AND GRAB YOU FROM THE AUDIENCE.
>> THANK YOU. PHYLLIS MOSS IS BACK ON THE LINE. WE WILL LET HER FINISH HER COMMENTS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES, MA'AM. THE BICYCLE LANE SHOULD BE RELOCATED AND TWO AND THREE PROVIDE DIRECT ACCESS TO THE METRORAIL. THUS TO ALLOW AN ACCESS AND UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. THE BIKE LANES WILL ONLY INCREASE THE CURRENT ISSUE OF PARKING, TRAFFIC AND SPEEDING.
PILGRIM'S BAPTIST CHURCH WAS NOT AWARE AND NEITHER WAS THE CIVIC ASSOCIATIONS. NONE OF THE ASSOCIATIONS WERE ADVISED AND THE CURRENT DRAINAGE PROJECT IS NEEDED AND IT LOOKS BEAUTIFUL. THE DRAINAGE PROJECT SHOULD NOT BE TIED TO THE BICYCLE LANES. THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT ENTITIES. THE MONEY SPENT IS TAXPAYERS MONEY AND WE APPRECIATE THE REVIEW OF THE PHROES -- PROCESS AND CONSIDER MOVING THE BICYCLE LANE TO ANOTHER STREET TO THE
METRO LANE [INAUDIBLE]. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME
IS UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,
>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 7, MARIBELA SALAZAR IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> ALL GLORY TO MY GOD, JESUS CHRIST.
I WOULD LUKE TO -- LIKE TO HAVE A SYSTEM [INAUDIBLE] SREBGTED FOR THE VIOLATION OF CIVIL RIGHTS OF MY HOUSEHOLD AND ME.
WHEN HAS GOVERNMENT CORRUPTION NOT EXISTED? AS LONG AS GOVERNMENT IS RUN BY HUMANS BECAUSE GOVERNMENT WITHOUT GOD IS CORRUPT. THEY ARE THERE TO HELP FIGHT AGAINST THE CORRUPTION THAT IS. I ADDRESS THOSE TO WHOM THIS PERTAINS FOR ULTERIOR MOTIVES ET CETERA AND FOCUS ON THE LAW WHICH ESTABLISHED ON THE OUTCOME DESIRE KHED IS JUSTICE FOR ALL.
THE LAW FOUNDED ON WHAT IS RIGHT IS RACE, COLOR, NATIONAL ORIGIN AND POLITICAL AFFILIATION AND CAN PRODUCE THE ONLY OUTCOME THAT WAS ESTABLISHED FOR WHICH I REPEAT IS JUSTICE FOR ALL.
ALSO, RACISM I WOULDIK LE TO PUT ON THE RECORDIT, CANE COMFROM ANY RACE.IT IS NOT JUSTHI THE WTE MAN THAT CAN BEAN RESIST D WE TO LOOK INTOR. EACH OTHE CAN YOU PUT IT ON THE RECORD, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER WHO IS SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.
FOR 71 YEARS I HAVE LIVED LESS THAN 100 YARDS FROM TSU.
IT IMPROVES OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND CLAIMS OF IMPROVED SAFETY AND EQUITY AND ACCESS DO NOT HOLDUP. REDUCING THE LANES BY 50% CREATES DANGER AND NOT SAFETY. SACRIFICING MORE HOMES AND BUSINESSES TO ACCOMMODATE IS NOT EQUITY AND EX-- EXCLUDING THE NEIGHBORHOOD THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS DENIES ACCESS.
USING TAX DOLLARS TO PAVE OUR STREETS AND TO PREVENT FLOODING IS WHAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. THAT WAS NOT AN ACT OF CHARITY.
IF CONSTITUENTS REALLY MATTER AND ARE VALUED THIS PROJECT WILL BE REVISED TO FOCUS ON RESIDENTS AND OUR NEEDS AND WILL BE BASED ON INCLUSION AND INTEGRITY. PROJECT PARTNERS TSU AND BIKE HOUSTON SHOULD SHARE IN THE COST OF THIS PROJECT.
AND I WOULD LIKE AT THIS TIME TO THANK -- TAKE A MOMENT OF PRIVILEGE TO THANK BRANDON DUDLEY.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER --
[01:35:02]
[INAUDIBLE]. >> IS THAT A CITY OF HOUSTON?
>> NO THAT IS PRECINCT 1 PROJECT AND CITY OF HOUSTON AS WELL.
IT IS A COMBINED PROJECT. I THINK I GET THE RECORD ON SPENDING THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF COUNTY MONEY IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, OF TAXPAYERS MONEY OF COURSE.
>> ALL RIGHT -- >> IS THAT IT?
>> NO, SIR, WE HAVE ONE MORE. MAYA SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
MY NAME IS MAYA FORD AND I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT ONE. I HAVE FOUR COURT POINTS REGARDING THE TSU FOR FAITH 2. THE FIRST IS THAT I WANT TO COMMEND RESIDENTS FOREGOING FROE LANES IN MY YARD, NOT HERE TO WHAT IS THE QUALITY AND LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY.
THE SECOND IS, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY IDENTIFY IF WE VALUE THE VOICE THAT IS ONLY LOOKING FOR THEIR OWN INTERESTS IN THIS MOMENT. EQUITY, CONNECTION AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND FEASIBILITY FOR OTHER OPTIONS IS WHAT THE FUTURE OF THIRD WARD AND NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THIRD WARD NEED AND OUR ELDERS WHO CONTINUE TO PROMOTE THE ONE OPTION IS A WAY TO GO ABOUT DOING THIS. AND SO WE REALLY WANT TO EDIT THAT AND MAKE SURE WE GET VOICES FROM MORE PERSONS THAT LOOK LIKE A CERTAIN TYPE OF DEMOGRAPHIC WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY.
AND THE THIRD IS THAT WE MUST HAVE A CLEAN FUTURE AND BUILD INTPRAU -- INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THAT.
>> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. ANY OTHERS?
>> THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY.
MEMBERS, WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE? GO TO THE AGENDA OR YOU WANT LUNCH? IT IS UP TO YOU AND TO YOUR STAFF.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS OKAY.
I'M FLEXIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M ALL RIGHT.
BUT I WOULD SAY FOR OUR STAFF -- STAFF, WHAT DO YOU WANT? DO YOU WANT 30 MINUTES OR AN HOUR?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LET'S DO 30 MINUTES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT ALL RIGHT, STAFF? WE TALKED ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT. YOU HAVE TO WALK 30 MINUTES.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S RIGHT. HAVE I TO WALK 30 MINUTES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS NOW -- IT IS NOW 12:27.
COMMISSIONERS'OU CRT WILL RECESS AND RECONVENE AT. 1 P.M THANK YOU. RO*D HRO*D IT IS NOW 1 --
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS 1:13 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT IS NOW BACK
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
IN SESSION. MEMBERS, WE WILL START WITH ITEM 10. THE FIRST ITEM FOR DISCUSSION IS ITEM 10. THIS IS AN ITEM THAT I FLAGGED.I WANT TO ASK THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE TO GIVE US A PRESENTATION
ON IT IF SHE'S PREPARED. >> YES.
CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES.
WE CAN'T SEE YOU YET, BUT -- THERE YOU ARE.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LISA LYNN AND I AM WITH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR LETTING ME PRESENT TO YOU TODAY ON SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS OF OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, ESPECIALLY AS TODAY
IS ACTUALLY MY ONE-YEAR WORK >> RODNEY ELLIS: CONGRATULATIONS
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP OF COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND THE COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT THAT'S WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER THIS CLIMATE ACTION PLAN IN A QUICK MANNER.
AGAIN, THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR THE CONTINUOUS FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE SLIDE PRESENTATION IS UP YET, BUT -- NEXT SLIDE.
THIS BEING THE COUNTY'S FIRST CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, WE WANTED TO BE CLEAR IN THE OBJECTIVE THAT'S WE WANTED TO ACHIEVE IN THIS PLAN. YOU CAN SEE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE SLIDE THERE ARE FOUR AREAS WHERE IT CAL -- FALLS.
NOT AOPL -- ONLY REDUCE EMISSIONS, BUT LOWERING OUR OPERATING EXPENSES AND GOING AFTER THE CLEAN ENERGY FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES WHERE APPLICABLE AND HAVE OPERATIONAL RESILIENCE IN RUNNING THE COUNTY. AS WE DO THIS, WE ENVISION THIS BEING DONE IN A DISTRIBUTIVE MANNER WHERE THE DEPARTMENTS AND THE PRECINCTS COLLECTIVELY ENGAGE IN THIS WORK.
NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS THE FIRST OPERATIONAL YEAR OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND WE HAVE -- ACTUALLY WE HAVE SOME CATCHING UP TO DO WITH SOME OF OUR PEER CITIES AND COUNTIES. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR YEARS AND DECADES. BUT BECAUSE OF THIS KIND OF KIND OF CATCHING UP KIND OF A STANCE WE HAVE BEEN IN, WE WERE ABLE TO LOOK AT A ROBUST BODY OF WORK THAT EXISTS IN THIS SPACE.
[01:40:01]
WE WILL USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN THE BEST PRACTICES AND LOOKING AT HOW WE CAN LEAP FROG IN BEING A LEADER IN THIS SPACE. WE HAVE INTEREST -- INTERVIEWED OTHER DIRECTORS AND CITIES AND COUNTIES, BUT WE LOOKED AT SOME NON-LOCAL GOVERNMENT PLANS LIKE THE U.S. ARMY'S CLIMATE STRATEGY. THIS DEPICTS SOME OF THE EXAMPLES AND CLIMATE ACTION PLANS WE LOOKED AT.AS WE DID THIS, WE DID THE COUNTY'S FIRST GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS LAST SUMMER THAT HELPED SHAPE THE FOCUS AREAS OF THE PLAN. NEXT SLIDE? SO IN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER, LAST YEAR WE BROUGHT ON THE RESEARCH CENTER AND CONSULTANT FOR THE INTERNAL PLANNING STRATEGY.
WE INVITED THE COURT OFFICES AND THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SERIES OF WORKSHOPS THAT WE HELD.
WE HAD GREAT PARTICIPATION AND THROUGH THOSE DISCUSSIONS WE REVIEWED A VARIETY OF STRATEGY LANGUAGE AND LOOKING AT EXISTING INITIATIVES THAT THE COUNTY HAS UNDERTAKEN AND REALLY FORMULATED, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NEXT SLIDE THESE GOALS AND 2030 TARGETS. THANK YOU.
AND SO WE HAVE SIX GOALS AND 10 TARGETS AND EIGHT STRATEGIES.
THERE ARE 32 ACTIONS THAT WERE CO-CREATED ACROSS THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION. WHAT WE REALLY WANT TO STRESS IS IT HAS GIVEN US THE ABILITY TO HAVE THIS PATHWAY AND ALLOWS THE ABILITY TO RECALIBRATE AND BE FLEXIBLE AS WE MOVE TOWARD THE 2030 GOALS WE HAVE SET. AS FUNDING CHANGES OR TECHNOLOGY CHANGES WE WANT TO BE FLEXIBLE IN MOVING THIS FORWARD.
ON THE NEXT SLIDE WE COVER SOME OF THE COST IMPLEMENTATIONS WHICH WE RECEIVED SOME OF THE GREAT QUESTIONS FROM YOUR OFFICE AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT AND WE DID MAKE SOME CHANGES TO THE FINAL PLAN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE IDEAS OF WHAT DOES THIS PLAN COST? AND WE WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO OVERSPEND AS WE IMPLEMENT THESE ACTIONS AND WE BELIEVE THAT BY DOING THIS WE CREATE VALUE FOR THE COUNTY.
SO A LOT OF THESE ACTIONS ACTUALLY ARE CATEGORIZED AS LOW-COST ACTIONS OR A REDIRECTION OF THE EXISTING FUNDING. FOR THE REMAINING ONES THAT REQUIRE A NEW INVESTMENT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE ARE POSITIVE INVESTMENT RETURNS WE ARE LOOKING AT.
MOVING FORWARD WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THE NEXT TWO YEARS AND HOW MUCH THE NEAR-TERM IS IMPLEMENTING AND CREATING AN IMPLEMENTATION TO KNOW THAT NOT ONLY WILL PROVIDE AN IDEA OF THE POTENTIAL COSTS, BUT THE OTHER BENEFITS OF THE ACTION.
ARE THERE WAYS TO HELP US ACHIEVE SUPPLIER DIVERSITY GOALS AND AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND COST SAVINGS AND COMMUNITY BENEFITS SUCH AS UH OPPORTUNITIES THAT ARE STKAOEUFRPBED -- THAT ARE DESIGNED ALONG THESE ACTIONS. THE NEXT SLIDE TALKS ABOUT THE IDEA OF THE COORDINATING COUNCIL.
AS WE MENTIONED WE WANT TO ENVISION SHARING THIS IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT ACROSS THE COUNTY ORGANIZATION.
AND SO THAT REALLY HELPS INSTITUTIONAL LIES SUSTAINABILITY SO THE WORKING GROUP WILL BE MADE UP OF COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES AND PRECINCT REPRESENTATIVES.
THIS WILL HELP EXPEDITIOUSLY IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN FOR THE COUNTY. NEXT SLIDE.
THIS IS TO HIGHLIGHT THE TIMELINE OF PROGRESS AND WHAT WE ACTUALLY PERCEIVE IN TERMS OF 2023 AND WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN TESTIMONIES -- IN TERMS OF THE IMPLEMENTATION EFFORT.
AS YOU CAN SEE ON THE BOTTOM AS WE IMPLEMENTED THE INTERNAL EFFORT WE WORKED ON THE EXTERNAL CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN.
THE LAST SLIDE OF THE PRESENTATION BASICALLY TALKS ABOUT PHASE 2. PHASE 1 WAS AN INTERNAL EFFORT AND PHASE 2 IS THE CLIMATE JUSTICE PLANNING EFFORT THAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE COMMUNITY. WE DID REFP -- WE DID RECEIVE A MINI GRANT IN OCTOBER. THIS ALLOWED US TO PARTNER WITH THE COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION AND THE PLACE-BASED FUNDER.
WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON PRE-PLANNING WORK THAT WILL HELP US DEFINE AND PROCESS AND AND ORGANIZE AND FRAME WHAT THE CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN FOR THE COUNTY, WHAT IT MIGHT LOOK LIKE.
AND SO THIS INITIAL FUNDING HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE TWO FACILITATORS WHO ARE EXPERIENCED IN THIS ARENA AND HELP US HOST SOME INITIAL MEETINGS IN PRECINCTS 1 AND 2 AND THEY HAVE THE HIGHEST AMOUNT OF DISADVANTAGED ACCORDING TO THE CDC WE WILL BE WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOUR STAFF TO IDENTIFY THE APPROPRIATE ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY AND TO ENGAGE MORE BROAD --
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BROADLY ACROSS THE PRECINCTS WE HAVE FUNDING FROM THE HERSHEY FOUNDATION, BUT APPLYING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO REACH MORE RESIDENTS FOR THIS INITIATIVE. AND WITH THAT I AM HAPPY TOANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.
CONGRATULATIONS. NUMBER ONE, ON YOUR ANNIVERSARY.
NUMBER TWO, FOR THIS PLAN, IT IS A GREAT WAY TO START A NEW YEAR AND I'M PROUD OF THE EFFORTS TOY MORE EFFICIENT AND SUSTAINABLE FOR TODAY AND PARTICULARLY FOR THE FUTURE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, KRISTEN LEE AND FRANCIS KNEW -- NUGENT FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK ON THIS.
AS I OFTEN REMIND FOLKS IT STARTED IN PART WITH THE COUNTY'S ROLE WITH THE PUBLIC POWER POOL AND HOW THAT JUST WASN'T JUST A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT LEAD US THROUGH A LOT OF THINGS AND WE HAVE ADVANCED SEVERAL OTHER INITIATIVE THAT'S ARE IN ALIGNMENT AND PROVIDE FOR FUTURE ACTIONS TO REDUCE OUR IMPACT ON THE CLIMATE AND THIS IS EXCITING. I'M GLAD TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR FOCUS ON PHASE 2 ALREADY. I'M LOOKING TO WORK WITH YOU AND MOVE THAT FORWARD. THAT ONE WILL HAVE IN FOCUS ON BASELINE COMMUNITIES WHICH I HAVE A BIG NUMBER OF.
BUT THIS PLAN DOES SET SOME AMBITIOUS, ALBEIT, FLEXIBLE GOALS. WE NEED TO SHOOT FOR THEM OTHERWISE WE WON'T MOVE. WITHOUT A DOUBT THIS IS POSITIONING HARRIS COUNTY AS A LEADER IN THIS REGARD.
I AMY, VER VERY EXCITED PWHR -- ABOUT THPROGRESS BEING MADE.NT AS WE GO IO PHASE 2 I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO PUT A MARKER DOWN ON THE RESOURCESTH NECESSARY FOR E IMPLEMENTATIONDA OF THE RECOMMENTIONS. YOU LAID OUT HERE SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GONNA EMPOWER THES RESPECTIE DEPARTMENT. I THINK ENGINEERING IN PARTICULAR WITH THEO RESOURCES THEY WILL NEED TMAKE SURE TO IMPLEMENT THOSE TECHNOLOGIES AND THAT CAPACITY TO GIVE THIS PLAN ALL THE RESOURCES -- OR ALL OF THE CAPACITY TO HAVE THE IMPACT THAT IT CAN HAVE. AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND VERY PROUD OF YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: MS. LYNN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK HERE.
I THINK MAYBE THERE IS A LOT MORE INTRODUCTORY WE COULD DO OE CHANGE. AS I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN THIS SCIENCE FOR 45 YEARS. IN FACT, MY DEGREE IS IN ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING. WHEN I REFER TO THESE ISSUES I CALL IT CLIMATE UNDERSTANDING. IT IS IMPORTANT WE UNDERSTAND THE CLIMATE WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO AS FAR AS I HAVE LIVED IN HARRIS COUNTY. A QUICK STORY, 1972, YOU GO TO PASADENA IN 1972, AND IF YOU SAW HOW FOGGY IT WAS THIS MORNING, THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD INDICATION OF WHAT IT WAS IN PASADENA, EXCEPT IT WASN'T FOG. IT WAS THINGS THAT WOULD MAKE YOUR EYES WATER. I REMEMBER HOW IT WAS IN PASADENA AND THE EASTSIDE AND A LOT OF THE COMMUNITIES BACK IN 1972. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD JUST SAY WELL, WE ARE STARTING FROM SQUARE ONE.
NO. THAT WAS IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE.
I REMEMBER SAMPLING THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL IN 1972 AND IT WAS A DEAD BODY OF WATER. TODAY IT IS TEAMING WITH FISH AND IT IS REVISED. WHAT IS MY POINT? MY POINT IS THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PEOPLE DEALING WITH CLIMATE UNDERSTANDING FOR THE LAST 50 YEARS, SO I'M GOING TO USE ANEN INSKWR NEARING -- AN ENGINEERING TERM IS WHAT WE ARE DOING IS MORE THAT CAN BE DONE. ONE OF THE REASONS IT IS BETTER TODAY THAN IT WAS IN 1972 IS PARTNERING WITH INDUSTRY.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE LARGE SUMS OF MONEY.
THERE IS NO OTHER INDUSTRY ON PLANET EARTH THAT HAS MORE
[01:50:02]
DOLLARS TO INVEST IN REAL SOLUTIONS ALONG THE SHIP CHANNEL THAN THOSE INDUSTRIES ALONE. THEY ARE THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD. WHEN I LOOK AT THE PLAN I THINK IT DOES A PRETTY GOOD JOB AT DEFINING OBJECTIVES, ALTHOUGH THEY ARE A BIT SQUISHY. I DON'T THINK IT INDICATES ANY COST TO DEFINE TIMELINES ASSOCIATED WITH THE OBJECTIVES.THERE IS MORE DATA AND I THINK YOU LOOKED AT IT, MS. LYNN.
I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A COST TO TRANSITION.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALWAYS DEFINE THAT COST.
I ASSUME WE'LL FIGURE OUT THAT WHEN WE GET THERE.
I THINK WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT THAT ON THE FRONT END.
WE DON'T KNOW REALLY HOW DOES IT IMPACT FLEET OPERATION MAINTENANCE AND CAN THE SAME TYPE OF WORK BE COMPLETED BY FLEET OPERATIONS AND OFF SITE VENDORS.
WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF USING ELECTRONIC VEHICLES DURING THE WEATHER EVENTS? WE HAD SIGNIFICANT WEATHER EVENTS IN THE AREA. WHAT IS THE IMPACT? JUST TO HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING SO THAT WHEN WE DO IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL PLAN WE PRETTY MUCH ANTICIPATE THE THINGS THAT CAN HAPPEN. I WOULD BE INTERESTED TO LOOK AT THAT PLAN TO SEEHY W IT WASN'T ADOPTED.
AND THEREFORE THE NEWLY ELECTED AND NEWLY CREATIVE INITIATIVES WAS A LOT OF REFERENCES FROM ENERGY AND INFORMATION FROM 2020 AND 2021. WE KNOW THOSE WERE COVID YEARS.
AND SO AS THE BUILDING DROPPED AND OTHER THINGS WERE OPERATING.
THAT WAS HUGE. THAT'S SOME SPECIFICS I THINK WE NEED TO DO BETTER. THE REPORT INDICATES 67% OF THE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FROM HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT CAME FROM THE FACILITIES. I'M CURIOUS WHAT PERCENTAGE HAPPENED FROM JAILS, HOSPITALS, NRG PARK VERSUS HARRIS COUNTY.
THERE ARE SPECIFICS IN TERMS OF THE DATA, 67%, COMING FROM COUNTY FACILITIES. WHERE ARE THOSE? WHERE CAN WE GET THE MOST BANG FOR OUR INVESTMENT DOLLAR? IF WE ARE GOING TO SPEND DOLLARS ON CLIMATE INITIATIVES, CLIMATE UNDERSTANDING INITIATIVES, THEN I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE ALT -- AT LEAST PAY ATTENTION TO THOSE.
THERE WERE REDUCTION MEASURES AND THEY WILL PAY FOR THEMSELVES AND THAT'S WHAT THE REPORT SAYS. WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO INVEST IN A FEDERAL PROGRAM AND SET IT UP.
AND THEN WHEN THE FEDERAL MONEY GOES AWAY WE WILL HAVE TO BE LEFT TO OPERATE IT. I THINK IT IS ANTICIPATING THE THINGS THAT TRULY WILL PAY FOR THEMSELVES.
I THINK AFTER THE MOST RECENT ISSUES RECEIVING, WE HAD GONE THROUGH THAT WITH THE GLO AND OTHER THINGS IN TERMS OF THE MONEY. I THINK THE OBJECTIVE IS, WE NEED TO BE SURE WE GET THE MOST BANG FOR OUR BUCK WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM. AND NOT JUST HAVE A PLAN THAT LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER AND SITS UP ON THE SHELF AND IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO IMPLEMENT. I HAVE WAY MORE QUESTIONS ON THE PLAN THAN I DO ANSWERS. I THINK WE NEED TO GET THOSE BEFORE WE ADOPT A PLAN. WE NEED TO GET MORE DETAIL BEFORE WE ADOPT A PLAN EVEN THOUGH WE DO NEED TO HAVE A PLAN ON HOW WE SPEND OUR RESOURCES. IT IS MAINLY BECAUSE THERE ARE
MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: MISS LYNN, HAPPY ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY.
WE HAVE RESOURCE CONSTRAINTS AND THAT BEING SAID PRECINCT 4 LOOKS FORWARD TO LEANING IN AND I AM VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND HIS TEAM D.
I COULD NOT AGREE MORE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
I WANT TO WORK CLOSELY WITH INDUSTRIES.
SO WE WOULD LIKE TO LEAN IN AND I WOULD LOVE TO DRILL DOWN AND OUR CHIEF OF POLICY AND INNOVATION, -RG THIS IS -- AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT AND WE WOULD LIKE TO DRILL IN AND SEE HOW WE COULD WORK ON THIS PURPOSEFULLY.
I HAVE THREE LITTLE GIRLS AND SO I OWE IT TO THEM AND ONE DAY MY
[01:55:04]
FUTURE GRANDCHILDREN. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIPAND AGAIN HAPPY ANNIVERSARY. >> THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MISS LYNN, I THINK WE REPUBLICAN -- WE WILL
BE THE SECOND COUNTY IN TEXAS. >> I DID HEAR THROUGH THE GREATVINE THAT DALLAS COUNTY WAS WORKING ON ONE.
I DID SPEAK WITH CONSULTANTS. THIS WOULD BE THE SECOND ONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE AREHE T LARGEST AND MOST AMBIGUOUS POLLUTERS IN THE COUNTRY.EY AND TH TEND TO BEUN IN COMMITIES OF COLOR. I AM PROUD THE OFFICE WASKN CREATED. I OW THE FOLKS ON MY STAFF, WE PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA. WE WERE ALL IN AGENDA.
AND WE WILL GIVE YOU THE RESOURCES THAT YOU NEED.
HOW BIG IS YOUR STAFF? >> IT IS JUST ME FOR NOW, BUT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF HIRING AN ENERGY MANAGER.
>> YOU HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB. WE MAY BE THE SECOND OR THIRD IF DALLAS HAS DONE IT. A COUNTY IN TEXAS WILL HAVE A PLAN. AND THERE IS JUST A LIMITED AMOUNT OF IMPACT THAT WE CAN HAVE IN AN IMPACT.
WE TALKED IN THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO USE YOUR EXPERTISE AND THE EXPERTISE AROUND THE TABLE.
I KNOW THEY HAVE GOOD FOLKS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I KNOW MY TEAM AS WELL. SO WE CAN USE YOUR VOICE IN AUSTIN AS WELL BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WILL COME DOWN THE PIPELINE IN AUSTIN THAT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT MAYBE ON EVEN OUR ABILITY EVEN AFTER WE ADOPT THIS PLAN AND GOING BEYOND THAT ON THINGS WE CAN IMPACT OTHER THAN JUST WHAT WE DO WITH COUNTY FACILITIES. I THINK PEOPLE DO LOOK TO US.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE IN THE BUDGET OFFICE AND I WILL THINK ABOUT WHAT WE WILL DO IN TERMS OF RESOURCES.
EVEN IF IT IS IN THE SHORT-TERM. I WOULD ASSUME SOME OF THE ARPA MONEY COULD BE USED AND KNOWING WHEN IT IS GONE TO PICK IT UP.
IF IT IS MUCH HOTTER OR COLDER IN THE WINTER WE WILL HAVE OTHER ISSUES. IT IS CLIMATE CHANGE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH. I HATE TO EVEN MENTION IT, BUT THE BOARD FOUND OUT, EARTHQUAKES.
I KNOW, MR. MANAGER, THE FOLKS REPORT TO YOU, BUT WHEN I CALL THEM ON MY STAFF, YOU REPORT TO ME.
WHEN WE CREATED THE BUDGET OFFICE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T JUST GET MY INFORMATION FROM THE COUNTY MANAGER.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR WHEN I CALL AND THAT'S WHY I AM PUTTING MY NAME ON THE BALLOT. YOU CAN BE BASHFUL IN PUBLIC, BUT NOT WHEN ANY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE CALLS.
I WANT US TO BE AGGRESSIVE ABOUT THIS.
I WANT TO HAVE -- I WANT TO HAVE HARRIS COUNTY AT THE TABLE EVEN IF IT IS IN THE AUDIENCE HAVING SOMETHING TO SAY WITH THE NEXT INTERNATIONAL CLIMATE SUMMIT COMING UP.
I KNOW SOME OF US WOULD HAVE GONE EXCEPT FOR THE FACT IT WAS ELECTION TIME. AND THEY NORMALLY DO NOT SEND THE DELEGATION. THE CITIES DO.
WE ARE PUSHING TO GET THAT CHANGE.
WE HOPE COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU WILL GIVE YOUR NAME.
IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ADOPTION OF HARRIS COUNTY ACTION PLAN FOR INTER DEPARTMENTAL REDUCTION STRATEGIES?
>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.
>> IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND PROBABLY SECONDED.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE I. >> I.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THOSE WHO ARE
>> THREE I'S AND ONE NAY THE MOTION PASSES.
THE NEXT ITEM I HAVE IS 26.IT IS 26 AT THIS TIME.
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AND THIS IS ANFO APPROVAL RDM AMENENTS FOR HARRIS COUNTYPERSONNEL POLICIES PROCEDURES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: FIRST I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS --
>> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS AND TOWARDE THE CONVERSATN WE WERHAVING WITH GUESTS DURING OUR BREAK IS THAT OUR TEAM IN PRECINCT 2 AND I KNOW IN ALL OF OUR OFFICES WE LOOK TO THEM AS FAMILY. THIS PARTICULAR POLICY IS SO CRITICAL. WHEN WE THINK YOU WORK FOR A PLACE LIKE HARRIS COUNTY AND YOU HAVE INSURANCE AND YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE RESOURCES. THE REALITY OF IT IS WHEN YOU HAVE A SERIOUS ILLNESS, YOU CANNOT HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES.
SO THIS PARTICULAR POLICY CAME TO -- OR THE NEED FOR IT CAME TO LIGHT WHEN I RECOGNIZED THAT SEVERAL OF MY PRECINCT 2 FAMILY HAD EXHAUSTED THEIR PAID BENEFITS AND EXHAUSTED THEIR MFLA AND WAS LEAVING THEM WITH FEW OPTIONS.
ONE OF THEM WAS THAT IN SPITE OF THEIR HEALTH CONDITIONS THEY WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO WORK. OR GO TO A COBRA WHICH IS VERY COSTLY. OR THEY WOULD BE TERMINATED.
NONE OF THOSE WERE ACCEPTABLE FOR ME.
THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR COLLEAGUES TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN COLLEAGUES. THE SPECIFIC ITEM WILL ALLOW EMPLOYEES WHO DIDN'T RECEIVE A NOTICE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM TO STILL BE TAKEN CARE OF BY US.
THEY WILL HAVE THE OPTION TO USE 160 HOURS IF THEY DIDN'T GET THE CHANCE TO SEE THE URGENCY TO ENROLL IN THE PROGRAM BEFORE.
THAT TOO I APPRECIATE BECAUSE SEVERAL OF MY TEAM MEMBERS HAVE SAID I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT. I DIDN'T SEE THE VALUE IN IT THEN. BUT I DO REMEMBERING COG TPHAOEUZ IT -- BUT I DO REMEMBERING COG TPHAOEUZ IT -- CECOGNIZE IT AS -- RECOGNIZE IT TODAY.
I SEE THEM BEING HERE WHEN WE NEED IT THE MOST.
THE SICK LEAVE POOL HAS 52,000 DONATED HOURS WITH ABOUT 648 EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE USED PAID PARENTAL LEAVE IN 2022 FOR A TOTAL OF 24,738 DAYS. SO I AM EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM. AGAIN I WOULD LIKE TO THANK PURNELL DAVIS AND MY HR DIRECTOR WHO HAS JUST BEEN PHENOMENAL ON SO MANY FRONTS. HE HELPS TO RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES AND HE HELPS WITH THE PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVES.
HE ALSO HELPS TO TAKE CARE OF OUR PRECINCT 2 FAMILIES.
THANK YOU, PURR -- PURNELL FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP AND I AM HAPPY TO MOVE ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. I WOULD APPRECIATE SECONDING THIS, COMMISSIONER. I THINK IT TOO IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO FOR OUR FAMILIES AND THOSE FOLKS THAT REALLY CONTRIBUTE THEIR LIFE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A GREAT COUNTY.
I AM GONNA ASK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO BE SURE THAT WE PROPERLY BUDGET FOR THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTED.
I'M ASSUMING THAT WHEN SOMEONE CALLS YOU AND SAYS MY KEY PERSON WILL BE OUT FOR THREE MONTHS. IT COULD BEAR PENTAL LEAVE OR SICKVE LEA OR WHATEVER, AND THEY NEED AGE BUDT INCREASE THAT YOU ARE -- THIS IS A GOOD POLICY. WEE KNOW WHEN YOU TAKPEOPLE OUT OF A PARTICULAR CRITICAL JOB, ALL JOBS ARE CRITICAL, BUT SOME JOBS ARE MOREE. DIFFICULT TO REPLAC IT COULD BE A DEPUTY PATROLLING A NEIGHBORHOOD.
THEY SAID I NEED TO INCREASE MY BUDGET.
>> I FIGURE WE HAVE A BALLPARK. >> TOM RAMSEY: I THINK WE NEED
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TO KNOW THAT. I WILL SECOND THIS AND TO DO THINGS AND NOT KNOW WHAT IT COSTS IS BORDER LINE IRRESPONSIBLE. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SECOND THIS WITH AN UNDERRING THAT WE WILL GET A CLEAR -- AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL GET A CLEAR -- WE ARE GOING TO TRACK THE COSTS.IT COULD BE A PRECINCT. IT COULD BE A DEPARTMENT AND THEY CALL AND SAY I HAVE THREE PEOPLE OUT ON PARENTAL ISSUES FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS AND I'M GONNA NEED A BUDGET INCREASED TO DEAL WITH THAT. Y'ALL ARE GONNA FIGURE OUT HOW
TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES TO HAVE THE ITEM BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL THOSE OPPOSED VOTE NO.
THE NEXT ITEM IS 28. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU PULLED
THAT ONE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
AS WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FIT HOUSTON CHALLENGE, PRETTY SOON WE WILL HAVE A 40-MILE LOOP TO TAKE ON THAT CHALLENGE.
I'M EXCITED TO START THE DESIGN ON THE FAIRMONT PARKWAY TRAIL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. IT IS A PART OF A 40-MILE TRAIL VISION IN THE BAY AREA. THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR A GREAT WALKING AND BIKING EXPERIENCE.
INCLUDING AN EXTENSION TO THE TRAIL TO SOUTHERN BEACH AND OPPOSING GAPS AND MAKING IT SAFER AND ADA COMPLIANCE.
AND THAT'S FOR NEIGHBORING COMMUNITIES.
AND THIS PROJECT AND IT IS FOR A BETTER TRAIL.
ALTHOUGH WE ARE STILL A LITTLE WAYS AWAY FROM A COMPLETED LOOP, WE ARE STILL -- THIS ITEM WILL HELP BRING THAT LOOP TO A 70% COMPLETION AFTER CONSTRUCTION IS FINISHED.
I'M EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS. I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS
PRESENTED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES THAT ITEM 28 BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IF THAT'S ALL RIGHT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE I'S HAVE IT AND IT IS APPROVED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ITEM 35.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. BACK TO THE PREVIOUS, REVIVE TO THRIVE AND IT IS NOT ALLOWING GENTRIFICATION TO BE THE SOLE CONTRIBUTOR TOMP IROVEMENTS. I AMED EXCIT TO START THEOJ PRECTS. AND AS I WASWH MENTIONING TO -- O WAS IT? WHO WAS IT WE WERE JUST TALKING TO? I DIDN'T REALIZE UNTIL I TKPWROT INTO THIS -- UNTIL I GOT INTO THIS PARTICULAR ROLE THAT SCHOOL DISTRICTS HAVE TO PROVIDE SCHOOL BUSES WHEN THERE IS A LACK OF SIDEWALKS CONNECTING THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.
THIS IS WHY THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS MUST HAVE SCHOOL BUSES.
SO PROVIDING THESE SIDEWALKS WILL HELP US CONNECT THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.
I'LL TELL YOU WHAT IS SPECIAL WHEN YOUR SUPER INTIN DENTS -- SUPERINTENDENTS GET EXCITED. DR. MOORE IS THE SUPERINTENDENT OF GALENA PARK SCHOOL DISTRICT. HE SAYS ON BEHALF OF GALENA PARK ISD AND THE COMMUNITIES THAT MAKE UP THE DISTRICT, PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR THE SIDEWALK PROJECTS BEING UNDERTAKEN BY HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2.
[02:10:01]
THE SAFETY OF OUR CHILDREN IS PARA-- PARAMOUNT TO THE DISTRICT AND THE SAFE MOBILITY IS GREATLY ENHANCED BY IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS THESE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU AND EFFORTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE ISSUES FOR OUR EASTSIDE COMMUNITIES.AGAIN. I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED AND COUNTING THE MILES OF SIDEWALKS THAT WE ARE HAVING.
IT IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF THREE AND A HALF MILES -- JUST OVER THREE AND A HALF MILES OF SIDEWALKS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE -- I GOT THAT WRONG. IT IS JUST UNDER 4 MILLION WE ARE INVESTING INTO THE SIDEWALKS.
LET'S SEE THE DISTANCE. >> SO VERY EXCITED AND MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED AND THANK YOU TO MY TEAM.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES FOR APPROVAL OF ITEM 35 AND COMMISSIONER SECONDS. ALL IN FAVOR SAY I.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL THOSE NOT IN FAVOR. IT PASSES.
ITEM -- DIRECTOR, LET'S BRING YOU ON THE LINE, RAMIREZ, TO WALK US THROUGH THE ISSUES PRESENTED IN 133, 315 AND 316.
IS THAT FAIR? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THESE ITEMS TOGETHER. I WOULD LIKE TO DO A QUICK TABLE SETTING BEFORE WE LAUNCH INTO A DISCUSSION.
SO THE DECEMBER 13TH COMMISSIONERS' COURT MEETING THE COURT HAD A BROAD-RANGING DISCUSSION ABOUT THE CURRENT YEAR FUNDING FOR THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION AGREEMENTS THAT ARE AUTHORIZED AT YOUR GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 381. AND THE USE OF COUNTY FUNDING WAS BETTER SPENT ON THE EDO AGREEMENT OR THE DEEO.
DEO WAS ASKED TO BRING BACK ITEMS TO HELP FURTHER THE DISCUSSION AND OBTAIN ACTION AND DIRECTION FROM COURT.
ITEM 133 IS A DISCUSSION OF SOME OF THE OPTIONS FROM THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR FUNDING OF SOME, ALL OR NONE OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS WITH WHOM THE COUNTY HAD AGREEMENTS FOR THE SHORT FISCAL YEAR 22. ITEM 316 IS A DISCUSSION OF THE FUTURE OF THE PROGRAM FOR FY2024.
I'M ASKING FOR DIRECTION ON WHETHER TO END THE PROGRAM, CONTINUE IT AS IS WITH MINOR UPDATES OR REVISE THE PROGRAM AND OPEN IT UP TO OTHER ORGANIZATIONS TO COMPETE FOR THE FUNDING. ITEM 315 IS A DISCUSSION OF THE CREATION OF DEO AND THE STATUS OF THE DEPARTMENT'S BUDGET AND WORKLOAD WITH OPTIONS FOR FUNDING THAT SETS US UP FOR SUCCESS AT DIFFERENT LEVELS. DEO WILL RELY ON MR. RAMOS TO INFORM THE COURT WHETHER THERE IS ANY FUNDING AVAILABILITY, WHETHER IT IS ONGOING AND ONE-TIME FUNDING AND BUDGET DISCUSSIONS WITH COURT. DO WE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS SO FAR?
>> IF I MIGHT, ON THE 381 AGREEMENTS, FIRST OF ALL, WHEN I GOT HERE THERE WERE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THERE WERE GETTING THE VOTE OF THE FUNDING. I ASKED HOW CAN OTHERS BE INCLUDED? THAT MEANS THE BAY AREA PARTNERSHIP HAS BEEN GETTING FUNDING FOR 25 YEARS.
BAY TOWN WEST CHAMBERS ARE 25 YEARS AND LONE STAR COLLEGE IS 24. THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR 15 YEARS AND THEN WHEN I RAISED THE ISSUE THEY DECIDED TO INCLUDE THE HISPANIC -- THE HOUSTON HISPANIC CHAPTER.
THEY WERE IN FOR FIVE YEARS. EMANCIPATION ECONOMIC COUNCIL FOR FIVE YEARS. THE COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR TWO YEARS. HOUSTON MINORITY SUPPLY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL FOR TWO YEARS, HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE FOR TWO YEARS AND LISK FOR TWO YEARS.
FOUR OF THOSE ARE COUNTY WIDE. THE OTHER ONE, ECONOMIC IMPACT WAS IN PRECINCT 1 AND FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY.
[02:15:02]
ALL OF THOSE WERE FAIRLY SMALL. THE COUNTY DIDN'T REALLY -- THE COLLEAGUES HAVE SOME CRITERIA ON HOW THEY WERE DOING IT.AND IT IS NOT TO SAY THAT ANY OF THESE ORGANIZATIONS WEREN'T DOING A GOOD JOB, BUT IT WAS JUST THERE WITH NO REAL METRICS.
WHEN I WAS PUSHING TO CREATE DEANNA RAMIREZ'S DEPARTMENT IT WAS BECAUSE I WANTED US TO HAVE A PLACE TO HAVE OUR MWBE PROGRAM IF ONE CAME ABOUT AND THEN WE HIRED A FIRM THAT CONSTRUCTED IT IN ALL FIVE OFFICES AT THE TIME. WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS ON WHAT TO PUT IN YOUR OFFICE. THIS WAS BEFORE YOU CAME IN, BY THE WAY, MS. RAMIREZ. EVERYBODY HAD INPUT ON WHAT WOULD GO INTO THAT OFFICE. WE REALLY AT SOME POINT OUGHT TO COME UP WITH A CRITERIA ON HOW WE DO THIS.
I SUGGESTED WHEN IT CAME UP BEFORE SO NOBODY IS AT A DISADVANTAGE SO IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE JUST A POLITICAL FREE FOR ALL, YOU JUST HAVE TO DO IT AND COME UP AND DIVIDE IT BETWEEN THE FIVE PRECINCTS AND NOT GOING TO THE PRECINCTS, BUT GIVING THE JUDGE -- I WOULD PICK SOMETHING IN EACH OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS.
IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT AND MORE THAN ANYTHING REGARDLESS OF HOW WE DO IT, THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME CRITERIA.
I'M SENSITIVE TO THE GROUPS WHO WERE GETTING THE PHROEUPB AND -- GETTING THE MONEY AND WANTING TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE UP FOR A HOLE IN THEIR BUDGET. IT WOULD BE A HOLE THEY HAD FOR SOME 25 YEARS. BUT I DO THINK HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYBODY AT THIS TABLE, IT WAS KIND OF THE POLITICS THAT SORT OF DROVE IT. EVEN BEFORE COMMISSIONER GAR SEE WRAU -- SYLVIA GARCIA WAS HERE, IF I AM GETTING THAT RIGHT.
I THINK IT WAS SOMETHING, MR. RAMOS,OM CING OUT OF THE THE ORHE TGE BUDTS OFFER -- BUDGET OFFICE, BY THE WAY.
WHEN IT CAME UP AND I WAS RAISING CANE ABOUT IT SIXAN YEAS AGO D THEN THEY FINALLY DID ADD, ONE YEAR LATER, THE.
HISPANIC CHAMBER SOME OF THAT WAS A POLITICAL CONCESSION. I EVEN THOUGHT IF THERE WAS SOMEWAY TO GIVE PEOPLE NOTICE, IF THEY HAD TO GO THROUGH SOME METRICS AND USE THE ARPA MONEY, THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS TO GET IT. THERE IS SOME ELEMENT OF
COMPETITION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER, I HAVE THE BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP HERE AND THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE HOUSTON PORT REGION AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM PUTTING KPI ON THIS. I THINK IN FACT THERE IS ALREADY SOME KPI'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE PROVEN TO HIT THE KPI'S.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM MAKING SURE THERE IS A CRITERIA FOR THEM TO WORK AT. SOME OF THE OTHER GROUPS WERE SUPPORTED AND YOU MAY HAVE SEEN SOME THINGS ON HOW THEY WERE DONE. THE REALITY IS WHEN THESE ORGANIZATIONS IN PARTICULAR ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE REGION'S ECONOMIC DEVELOP MEANT SUCCESS AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THEY ARE WORKING TO BRING THEY HAVE A FOCUS ON THE SPACE PORT AND HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT EXPANDING THE CAPACITY, THAT'S GONNA DO NOTHING BUT CREATE MORE JOBS IN OUR REGION AND BRING MORE TALENTED WORKFORCES -- A MORE TALENTED WORKFORCE TO OUR REGION AS WELL. AND SO HOW THE OTHERS HAVE BEEN DOING, I DON'T KNOW. I THINK FOR 25 YEARS IF THEY HAD NOT PROVEN THEIR CAPACITY AND THEIR SUCCESS I THINK IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT CONVERSATION. THEY ABSOLUTELY HAVE SHOWN TO BE AT THE TABLE AND BE TRANSPARENT WITH THEIR WORK AND SHOW CONNECTIVITY TO ENHANCEMENTS. I WOULD BE IN FAVOR.
I KNOW THAT MS. RAMIREZ YOU HAVE GIVEN US THREE OPTIONS.
OPTION B, SCENARIO 1 IS THE ONE I SUPPORT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT DOES THAT ONE DO?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OPTION B, SCENARIO 1 SHOWS FUNDING AT 595,125 AS WELL AS A 10% REDUCTION BASED ON EACH
[02:20:03]
ORGANIZATION'S PREVIOUSLY APPROVED FY21 BUDGET.>> IS THAT THE ONE THAT WOULD GIVE THE LION'S SHARE TO THOSE?
>> YEP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY EVERYBODY HAS A VIEW POINT ON IT.
AS AN EXAMPLE OF BEING DOWNTOWN, THE ENERGY IS ANOTHER ONE.
IF WE ARE GONNA DO IT, THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME EQUITY IN HOW WE DO IT. WHAT'S YOUR THOUGHT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DON'T REMEMBER WHO PUT YOUR HAND UP FIRST.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD ASK WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON HOW EQUITY WOULD LOOK IN THIS. IS IT LOOKING AT THE SUB CONTRACT OR LOOKING AT ECONOMIC EQUITY ISSUES?
>> I WOULD SAY A COMBINATION OF BOTH AND THE REASON WE LUMPED THEM ALTOGETHER IS I KNOW WE HAVE NOT ADEQUATELY FUNDED THE DEPARTMENT. THIS COMES ABOUT 800 -- IHI TNK ITS I,0 79300 DOLLARS.RT PA OFEN THE CHALLGE IS ON SOME OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKINGTI THESE ENTIES TO DO WE CHARGED THE DEPARTMENT WITH DOING. MAYBE WE SHOULD TURN THAT QUESTION TO DEANNA INSTEAD OF ME TRYING TO ANSWER IT.
DEANNA, WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF HOW TO ANSWER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S QUESTION? WHAT WOULD IT BE?
>> THE QUESTION ABOUT THE EQUITY AND HOW TO ENSURE EQUITY?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. >> THIS HAS BEEN A TOUGH PROCESS FOR ME IN PARTICULAR. AS YOU KNOW IN ALL THE WORK WE DO AND THE MWBE PROGRAM, CONTRACTOR COMPLIANCE, RELATIONSHIPS ARE CENTRAL AND ARE KEY.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE HELD ON TO THE GOOD RELATIONSHIPS WE HAVE WITH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION.
SOME HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR 25 YEARS, WITH WHAT -- WITH THE COUNTY IN GENERAL. I WANTED TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE CAN KEEP FOLKS GOING THIS FISCAL YEAR FOR A LITTLE BIT, AND THEN GIVE THEM ENOUGH TIME TO ADJUST TO A NEW PROGRAM THAT IS MUCH MORE FOCUSED ON THE COUNTY'S PRIORITY WHERE THE MWBE PROGRAMS, THE SMALL BUSINESS AND ASSISTANCE DEVELOPMENT AND DISADVANTAGE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT IS ONE OF OUR PRIORITIES. THE COURT APPROVED AND IT IS PUBLISHED IN THE BUDGET EVERY YEAR.
THAT'S WHY WE PUT THE THREE ITEMS TOGETHER.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE, ONE, THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FURTHERING ECONOMIC EQUITY WHICH IS THE MAIN PRIORITY IN DEEO.
AND WE FURTHER THE COURT'S PRIORITY OUTCOMES AND THAT WE HAVE -- WE HAVE THE FUNDING AVAILABLE AND THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO ACTUALLY GET THE JOB DONE AND MEET YOUR EXPECTATIONS. FOR US, HAVING SOME FUNDING GO TO THESE ORGANIZATIONS MAKES SENSE FOR NOW, FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR WITH THE UNDERSTANDING IT IS ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR AND THEN NEXT YEAR WEE -- WE CAN GET DIRECTION FROM YOU ALL ON A POLICY OF REVISING THE PROGRAM SO IT IS MUCH MORE FOCUSED AND THAT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION IS OPTION 2B IN ITEM 316 AND THAT WOULD HELP US GET THERE FOR NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND WORK WITH ALL OF OUR PARTNERS WHETHER THEY ARE CURRENT PARTNERS OR THE OTHER PARTNERS THAT WE ARE NOT FUNDING
RIGHT NOW. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I COULD. MISS RAMIREZ, THANK YOU FOR YOUR THOUGHTS. I THINK TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' QUESTION OF HOW THIS HAS BEEN DONE OVER THE YEARS IS THAT -- AND WHAT YOUR ROLE IN THE COUNTY IS TODAY IS THAT YOU PRETTY WELL HAVE DEFINED -- OR WE HAVE DEFINED THAT THE COUNTY DID NOT TAKE AN ACTIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ROLE.
IT LET OTHERS DO IT. AND NOW THERE IS DEEO.
BUT INSTEAD OF HIRING STAFF AND THEN TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT
[02:25:07]
THE VISION AND THE FOCUS OF THAT IS, THIS GROUP OF FOLK, I KNOW THE HOUSTON URBAN LEAGUE IS A GOOD ONE.I WOULD ENCOURAGE US TO CONSIDER AN ADVISORY -- AN ECONOMIC DEVELOP -- DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY SO IT WOULD ALLOW THE ORGANIZATIONS TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK HOWEVER FUNDED.
THAT WILL ALLOW US TOEL HP ENSURE THAT THEUR WORK -- O VISION IS ALIVE.E WE HAVDONEIL CAPACITY BUDINGER WITH OTH ORGANIZATIONS.SE I DON'T E THAT THIS AS A BREAK FROM SOME OF OUR PAST INITIATIVES,NG BUT I WOULD STROLY ENCOURAGE AND BE SUPPORTIVE OFEN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMT ADVISORY VERSUS THE COUNTY.
THE GOVERNMENT IS NEVER GOOD AT THIS.
SO SO I ENCOURAGE THAT -- SO I ENCOURAGE THAT INSTEAD OF WHO WINS AND LOSES ON THIS, IT IS BRINGING THEM CLOSER IN AND WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE SO WE KNOW THAT THERE IS TRUE
ALIGNMENT WITH THE WORK. >> IF I MIGHT JUST ADD ONE POINT AND THEN I WILL GO TO YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THE AREA WHERE THIS COUNTY HAS BEEN THE WEAKEST IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HAS BEEN MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES. AND THAT'S WHY YOU AND I AND JUDGE HIDALGO TO A GREAT EXTENT ADVOCATED FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO STRESS -- I'M GONNA MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT MAY BE A WIN-WIN. THAT WAS A LONELY ROAD IS -- ROAD AND I DIDN'T SEE MANY OF THE ORGANIZATION THAT'S WERE ON HERE NOW BECAUSE IT WAS TOUGH TO COME IN AND SAY IT.
PARTICULARLY WHEN THE LEADERSHIP HERE WAS SAYING THAT THE NUMBERS HERE ARE BETTER THAN THEY ARE AT THE CITY.
AND SOME OF THESE VERY ENTITIES, WHAT I CALL -- WITHOUT CALLING OUT NAMES, IN THEIR OWN BACKYARD.
SHOULD BE RAISING THE ISSUE OF SHOULD WE HAVE MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES WHICH IS WHY I THOUGHT TO PUT ON YOU THE GULF COAST DISTRICT. YOU MAY REMEMBER.
IT WAS TO RAISE THOSE ISSUES EVEN IF YOU END UP HAVING TO DO IT BY YOURSELF. I WANT TO SUGGEST THAT KNOWING THAT WE HAVE FUNDING ISSUES CREATED BY US AND LIKED BY THIS BOARD WHICH IS WHY THIS OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN -- AND NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE WANT OTHER PEOPLE TO TAKE IT ON, NOBODY DID IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY UNTIL THERE WAS A WINDOW AND THE POLITICAL PRESSURE AND THE LUCK OF THE LEADERSHIP CHANGING.
WE COULD BRING THE ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT.
ALTHOUGH THE ARPA MONEY IS FUNDED, I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE I COME BACK AND PUT SOMETHING ON THE COURT IN TWO WEEKS. I WANT THAT OFFICE FUNDED.
MWBE -- WHAT IS THE WEAKEST AREA IN YOUR SHOP, MS. RAMIREZ?
>> IT IS THE MWBE PROGRAM. WE HAVE EIGHT DOING THAT WORK.
WE HAVE TWO VACANCIES BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO HIRE FOLKS EVEN AFTER WE MAKE OFFERS BECAUSE OUR PAY ISN'T HIGH
ENOUGH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS HARD TO DO. THAT WINDOW COULD CLOSE IF THE OTHER SIDE GETS ITS WAY AT THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT.
THEN WE WILL TRY TO DO WHAT CALIFORNIA DOES.
THEY STILL DO IT, BUT THEY HAVE TO -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEIR NUMBERS ARE BETTER THAN OURS, BUT THAT NEEDS TO BE FUNDED.
WE WAITED LONG ENOUGH. YOU REMEMBER THE NUMBERS.
.5, .3. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WAS ZERO ON THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SIDE. HISPANIC MUST BE -- NUMBERS WERE NOT MUCH BETTER. THEY WERE AWFUL AS WELL.
I WANT TO STRESS SINCE I KNOW YOU WANT TO KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY, EVERYBODY WANTS TO KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY.
BUT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE IT TAKES SOMEBODY WILLING TO THROW SOME HOT BUTTONS. YOU DO IT ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WHETHER IT IS THEM BEING FUNDED BY ARPA MONEY OR THEM BEING FUNDED BY ARPA MONEY. EACH ONE OF US COULD COME AND PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA. IT IS TOUGH TO VOTE AGAINST.
I WILL WALK INER HE AND SAY THE HISPANIC CHAMBER AND THEAN URB LEAGUEHE AND T HOUSTON MINORITYU PPLY AND THE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL, IT IS TOUGH ON EVERY THEM.
A LOT OF N THEM HAVEOTHING TO DO WITH THIS TABLE AND WERE LEFT
[02:30:01]
OUTE. FOR A LONGTIM T THAT OUGHTO CHANGE AT SOME POINT. THAT'S MY THOUGHT.JUST LETTING YOU KNOW THE DIRECTION I AM HEADING.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> I DO SUPPORT KPHA COMMISSIONERON GAR -- WHAT COMMISSIER GARCIA SAID.
IN NO WAY SHOULD WE DO 316. WE DO NOT NEED TO BE SETTING UP A PROGRAM TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE GRANTS AND THAT KIND OF THING. WE DON'T NEED THE BUREAUCRACY.
THAT IS NOT ANYTHING WE NEED TO BE A PART OF.
WHAT I WILL SAY ABOUT THE ORGANIZATIONS AND IT IS INTERESTING WHEN YOU SAY, GOSH, LOOK AT THIS.
THEY ARE ALL IN PRECINCT 2. NO.
I CONSIDER THE ECONOMIC ALLIANCE FOR THE HOUSTON PORT REGION SEES 3 AS MUCH AS IT DOES 2. I KNOW THAT BECAUSE I SPEND A LOT OF TIME MEETING WITH THOSE PEOPLE.
IT IS A REGIONAL DEAL. THE FACT IS THERE IS A LOT OF THESE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GROUPS THAT ARE HR-LG THE SHIP -- THAT ARE ALONG THE SHIP CHANNEL.
WE GOT A NICE BRIEFING ON THAT THIS WEEK IN TERMS OF HOW IMPORTANT THE JOBS AND THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THE SHIP CHANNEL IS. YOU PROBABLY COULD GIVE ME A LESSON OR TWO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND IF WE ARE PARTNERED UP WITH THEM, AND IF WE ARE PROVIDING SUPPORT OF THE ACTIVITY WE CAN INFLUENCE WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY DO IT.
WE WALK IN AND WE SAY WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO GIVE A LITTLE MORE PRIORITY TO THIS ISSUE OR THAT.
IF WE CUT IT OFF AND BRING IT IN HOUSE WE WILL NOT HAVE ANY IMPACT ON ANYBODY. I WOULD RATHER SUPPORT THEM.
I WOULD RATHER GIVE THEM GOOD DIRECTION AND ADVICE ON WHAT THEY CAN MODIFY. I WOULD RATHER DO THAT.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE TOP FIVE I WILL INCLUDE THE HOUSTON CHAMBER. THOSE 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, THOSE TOP 6 ARE APPLYING FOR WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND ONLY ONE OF THOSE, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, IS IN PRECINCT 3.
EVEN PRECINCT 3 AFFECTS A LOT OF THE DIFFERENT GROUPS OUT THERE.
I WOULD SUPPORT WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IN TERMS OF SCENARIO. I DO NOT SUPPORT 316, AND WE CERTAINLY NEED TO BE CAREFUL WHAT WE GET INTO.
WE TPWHAOED -- WE NEED TO EFFECT CHANGE, BUT WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO MAKE CHANGE IN THIS COUNTY. I WOULD WORKING THROUGH THESE CHAMBERS, MAYBE WE HADN'T BEEN SPECIFIC ENOUGH OR CLEAR ENOUGH WORKING IN THE PAST. WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT NOW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONLY BECAUSE YOU DIRECTED A POINT TO ME I WILL STRESS THAT THE NUMBERS AT THE PORT FOR MINORITY AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES WERE DISMAL.
THEY DIDN'T EVEN COLLECT THE DATA AND HAD THE TECHNOLOGY TO GO AND DO IT. THERE IS A REASON WHY THE ISSUE WAS NEVER RACED -- RAISED. WE CREATED, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I, COLLECTED FUNDS TO DO THE DISPARITY STUDY.
LONE STAR IS THE ONLY ONE OF FIVE COLLEGES TO AGREE.
ONLY FOUR OR FIVE -- I FORGOT. HOW MANY SCHOOL DISTRICTS AGREED
OUT OF CLOSE TO 30? >> I THINK WE ARE DOWN TO FOUR.
>> SO I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT IT IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF -- THESE ISSUES ARE TOUGH, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHICH IS WHY I THINK MY COLLEAGUES HERE PREVIOUSLY WOULD SAY THE NUMBERS AT THE COUNTY WERE BETTER AND THEY KNEW THEY DIDN'T COLLECT THEM. TO GET THERE TAKES EFFORT.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE A FOCUS, A LASER FOCUS, ON THE ISSUES A DIVERSE ASHI TS COUNTY. COMMISSIONER BREE YAWNNESS? C
OMMISSIONER? BRIONES >> THANK YOUNG FOR BEI HERE AND THANK YOUNG FOR LEADI THERT DEPAMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO LEARN MORE ON THE 31ST WHEN MR. RAMOSHE PRESENTS T UPDATES ON ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
MYI UNDERSTANDING, AND KNOW I'M THE NEW ONE HERE, IS THAT YOUR BUDGET WAS CUT OVER A MILLION DOLLARS.
THESEIM AGREEMENTS ARE APPROXATELY $800,000.
THE AGREEMENTS EXPIRED SEPTEMBER OF THIS THA*S YEAR -- OF THIS PAST YEAR, 2 HAVE 22. I MEAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY WE WILL HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES BECAUSE OF THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE BUDGET. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING AS A COUNTY AND WITH OUR PARTNERS NEEDS TO BE OUTCOME SPACED. I COME FROM A -- I SPENT EIGHT YEARS IN PHILANTHROPY WHERE THE GRANTS WE GAVE WERE ALL OUTCOME
[02:35:05]
PERFORMANCE-BASED GRANTS. I SEE THIS LIST AND I KNOW THERE ARE A LOT OF SLEPT COMMUNITY PARTNERS -- EXCELLENT COMMUNITY PARTNERS ON THIS LIST AND MAYBE THEY ARE ON A GO FORWARD BASIS.THAT BEING SAID, AS A MACRO POINT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR OFFICE IS POISED FOR SUCCESS.
I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE WITH YOUR TEAM AND THE PRECINCT 4 TEAM SO IN PREPARATION FOR MR. RAMOS' PRESENTATION I CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AND I WANT TO TALK TO MY CONSTITUENTS ON THIS LIST DIRECTLY FROM THIS STANDPOINT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR IS FOR THE HIGHEST AND THE BEST USE.
AND JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN ON THE TRAIN FOR YEARS AND PRESUMABLY THE SUSTAINABILITY PIECE IS THERE AND I WOULD LIKE TO PUNT FOR A FEW MORE WEEKS UNTIL WE GET THE FULL PICTURE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST IS ALL THREE ITEMS COME COME BACK YOU IN A COUPLE WEEKS AND IF WE ARE AT A STAND STILL WE GAUGE IT WHETHER IT IS TWO WEEKS OR TWO WEEKS AFTER THAT.
AND I JUST THREW OUT AS A SUGGESTION.
I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET TO FIVE.
ALTHOUGH I STATED ON A REGULAR BASIS, IF WE TRY TO GET TO 5 ALL THE TIME, A LOT OF TIMES WE DO NOTHING.
ONE OPTION IS FIGURING OUT HOW WE ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE DEPARTMENT WHICH ARE LASER FOCUSED.
I THINK WE ARE AT LEAST -- AT LEAST ALL FIVE OF US SAY WE ARE COMMITTED ON DIVERSITY AND EQUITY AND INCLUSION.
YOU KNOW, EQUITY IS JUST A SIX-LETTER WORD.
YOU GOT ME? >> I JUST WOULD -- TO ME, THE WAY I SEE LIFE IS EVERYTHING IS AN OPPORTUNITY COST, RIGHT? USING THIS MONEY FOR THESE ORGANIZATIONS VERSUS OTHER ORGANIZATIONS VERSUS INVESTING THEM IN -- AND I AM NOT SAYING TAKING ALL OF THE WORK IN HOUSE. I BELIEVE DEEPLY IN LEVERAGING PARTNERSHIPS. BUT WHAT AND THE OPPORTUNITY COST SO WE CAN CONTINUE THIS DISCUSSION, BUT I WOULD LOVE TO TAKE A DEEPER DIVE IN WHAT THE TRADEOFF IS SO WE CAN MAKE OUR
DOLLAR STRETCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT I SUPPORT A LOOK AT THIS A LITTLE LATER, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T CONVOLUTE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND DEO.
I THINK DEO NEEDS TO BE -- [INAUDIBLE].
WE NEED TO KEEP THAT SEPARATE. THE OFFICE ALREADY4 HAS 4 FTE'SN AS I MTIONED EARLIER, THE METRO COUNTERPART HASO 9.
I WANT T DO A DEEPER DIVEDE AS WELL TO UNRSTAND HOW THE OFFICE FUNCTIONS AND THE ROLES AND THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND THE CHALLENGES AS TO WHY WE STILL HAVE -- WE HAVE VACANCIES.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO DO A DEEPER DIVE INTO THE ORGANIZATION ITSELF. BUT I DO SUPPORT LOOKING AT THIS ISSUE AND OUR PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS SEPARATELY.
I SUPPORT A GRANT PROCESS. I SUPPORT MAKING SURE KPI'S ARE INCLUDED BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE.
BUT WHILE WE FIGURE THOSE THINGS OUT, I DO WANT TO GO AHEAD AND MAKE A MOTION, COMMISSIONER. MY MOTION WOULD BE TO FUND THE BAY AREA ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP AND THE HOUSTON PORT REGION OUT OF PRECINCT 2 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND MOVE THAT PRECINCT 2 BE REIMBURSED BY FISCAL YEAR 2023 GENERAL FUND SURPLUS AT THE END OF FISCAL YEAR ASSUMING WE COME UP WITH A POLICY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION.
IN THE PAST HAVE WE HAD A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR?
>> HISTORICALLY, BUT ALSO KEEP IN MIND THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE FALL INTO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE IN THE LAST FOURRC
YEARS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GAIA, IF I MIGHT MAKE A DISCUSSION.
[02:40:05]
OBVIOUSLY IF YOU WANT TO SPEND SOME OF YOUR FUNDS, I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AND HOPE YOU WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF HOW I WANT TO SPEND FUNDS -- THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS THAT I AM ENTRUSTED WITH. THAT'S NOT ALWAYS THE CASE WHEN IT COMES TO MY PRECINCT. IN FULL DISCLOSURE IF YOU SAY YOU GET REIMBURSED AND IT WOULD PUT ME IN A POSITION WHERE I COULD PUT ITEMS IN MY PRECINCT. WHAT I ASK YOU TO DO IS YOU MAKE THE DECISION ON IT AND YOU SPEND WHATEVER YOU WANT TO SPEND.THE SURPLUS PART SO I DON'T END UP MAKING THE SAME MOTION AND WE END UP ALL COMPETING -- AND I MAY GO TO THE DEPARTMENT AND SAY WHICH ONES DO I WANT TO PUT IN? DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? I GET IT BECAUSE SOME OF THESE FOLKS YOU KNOW AND THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOU. THEY ARE REACHING OUT TO ME.
THEY ARE SAYING WHERE IS OUR OTHER HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
IF YOU ARE DECIDING WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO, I WOULD HAVE TO DO IT. I WELL KOPBLG -- COME BACK IN
TWO WEEKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO SAY IF WE COME UP WITH A GRAND -- GRANT PROCESS THAT IS THE BEST WAY AND IT MAY CHANGE DRAMATICALLY.
>> THE ONLY THING I WANT TO BE CAREFUL WITH ON THE GRANT PROCESS IS WE DON'T SPEND $800,000 INTERNATIONALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WILL SPINED $800,000 EXTERNALLY.
BE CAREFUL WE DON'T CREATE SUCH A BUREAUCRACY THAT WE CAN'T GET ANYTHING DONE. THE OTHER THING I WANT TO DO IS SPLIT THOSE TWO WITH YOU IF THAT'S FINE.
>> I WOULD LOVE THAT. >> THEY IMPACT MY PRECINCT AND MAYBE NOT DIRECTLY, BUT PRETTY DIRECTLY.
>> WHAT WERE THE AMOUNTS AGAIN? >> THEY ARE SPLITTING IT INAL HF
>>HE T AMOUNTSN ISCENARIO 1, THEL FULUN AMOT AND THERE $375 FOR AN ECONOMICNC ALLIAEHO USTON PORT REGION T FOR AOTAL OF 215,025UN AND MY DERSTANDING ITTHATHE UNDER T MOTION THAT WOULD BE SPLIT BETWEENTS PRECINC 1 --TS PRECINC 2 AND 3.O
>> DYOU WANT T TO DIVIDEHATNT AMOU?
>> DIVIDE EASILY.O >> SJUST FORTI CLARIFICAON,MO SO
A TION TO ALLOCATE 131,252.OD >> RNEY ELLIS: 252?
>>Y. 250, I'M SORRVI TWO EXTRA THEM DOLLARS.O IT WAS TTHE BAY AREAEC HOUSTON
ONOMIC PARTNERSHIP. >> YEAH.N THE HOUSTOECONOMICP. PARTNERSHIT' AND THEN IS 84,375OM TO THE ECONIC C ALLIANCE?
>>ORRECT.GA >> ADRIAN RCIA: AND TOEV BE DIVIDED ENLY BETWEEND PRECINCTS 3 AN2.
>> AND I WOULD LIKE TO PAY ALL OF LONE STAR AND THAT IS 93,000
>> TOM RAMSEY: THAT'S MINE. >> OKAY.
CAN YOU -- IF YOU WILL -- W >> TOM RAMSEY:E WILL MAKE THAT>> SEPARATE. IF YOU CAN SEND ME THAT. I
>> RODNEY ELLIS:N THE FIRST MOTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES THAT 131, 250, AND 84 AND 275 BE SPLIT BETWEEN THE TWO
ORGANIZATIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOT BE SPLIT.
BUT ONE AMOUNT GOES TO ONE ORGANIZATION AND O THE OTHER GOS TO THETHER ORGANIZATION. BUT THE TOTAL AMOUNT BE SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN PRECINCTS 2 AND 3.
>> THEY WILL EMAIL IT. >> AND YOU'RE SAFE WITH THAT.
>> JAMES IS WORKING ON YOU. >> AND THIS IS FOR ITEM 133.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I.ED >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL OPPOS? I AM AN I. THE I'S HAVE IT.
[02:45:03]
AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO ALLOCATE 93,750 TO LONE STAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE. AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS.>> I. >> I'M FOR IT AND IT PASSES.
I'M ASKING THE DEPARTMENT TO COME BACK AND IT MAY BE THE WAY
YOU ARE GIVING THEIR MONEY BACK. >> FOR CONTEXT FOR THE VIEWERS, ON THE 31ST, MY OFFICE -- WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING -- RIGHT NOW MY OFFICE IS WORKING ON PROJECTIONS FOR THE SPENDING AND THE REVENUE FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 23 AND WE WILL HAVE AN ITEM ON THE 31ST TO MAKE A PUBLIC PRESENTATION ABOUT IT.
AT THAT TIME WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION ACTION ITEM AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL WANT TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATIONS.
AND WE SHOULD REACH OUT THAT LAST WEEK OF JANUARY TO YOUR STAFF TO GIVE ALL OF YOU INDIVIDUAL --
>> HANDLE THE WHOLE BUDGET CONCERNS.
>> YEAH. SO WE WILL HAVE AN ITEM ON IN
ORDER TO MAKE THAT DECISION. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THIS MOTION. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT A DEEO PROCESS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COURT AND PRESENT A REVISED POLICY AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING.
IS THAT SUFFICIENT? DO YOU NEED MORE TIME?
>> WE WOULD NEED MORE TIME. I NEED TO TALK TO THE ATTORNEY'S
OFFICE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW HOW
MUCH TIME YOU WOULD NEED? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 90 DAYS?
>> 90 DAYS IS IDEAL, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL MOVE ON
THE ITEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA DIRECTS DEO FOR A NEW AGREEMENT PROCESS IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COURT AND REVISED POLICY AND MEETING IN 90 DAYS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
I WAS PULLING YOUR WORDS OUT AS BEST I COULD TO HELP ME OVER HERE. DO YOU GOT THE MOTION?
>> YES, SIR. AND THAT IS ALSO FOR 133?
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL OPPOSED.
IT PASSES. THE NEXT ITEM IS --
>> BEFORE YOU MOVE ON, 315 IS NO ACTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO ACTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO ACTION.
>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, MISS
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ITEM 4, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> ITEM 140. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ITEM 140.
>> TOM RAMSEY: A QUICK QUESTION. I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, BUT MY QUESTION IS THERE WAS AN AUDIT OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH COMPLETED ON 9/13/22 AND IT SHOWED THAT THE VPH WAS NOT RECEIVING MONEY THAT HAD TK-PB DONATED TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER.
THE FUNDS WERE NOT PROPERLY AUTHORIZED BY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE RESULTING DONATIONS GOING INTO THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL LOCATION -- GENERAL DONATION FUND AND NOT GOING TO THE ANIMAL SHELTER. SO THIS IS CLEARLY DONATIONS MEANT TO GO TO A SPECIFIC PLACE. I NEED TO KNOW THAT IT IS GOING TO GO TO THAT PLACE. IT DIDN'T HAPPEN THOUGH.
>> WE WILL CONFIRM ONCE IT HAS BEEN EXKITED -- BEEN EXECUTED.
>> THE MOTION HAS BEEN PROVED AND SECOND.
>> ALL OPPOSED SAY NO. I VOTE I AND IT PASSES.
DO YOU NEED THE NUMBER OR RAILROAD OKAY -- OR ARE YOU
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE JUDGE TALKED TO ME IN THE MORNING AND I KNOW SHE IS WATCHING AND WANTS US TO GET OUT OF HERE.
THE NEXT IS 152. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU PULLED
THAT ONE. T >> TOM RAMSEY: I CAN'T THINK OF A BETTER WAYO SUPPORT THE CHILDREN IN THIS COUNTY THAN THROUGH THE CHILDREN ASSESSMENT CENTER.
IT WILL PROVIDE CLIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES SERVICES FREE OF CHARGE AND SOME OF THOSE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN TKEFR HAVES STATED -- DEVASTATED BY THE IMPACTS OF WHAT HAVE HAPPENED.
IT INCLUDES FAMILY ADVOCACY AND THERAPEUTIC SUPPORT.
I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BETTER FUNCTIONING GROUP IN THE COUNTY THAN THAT PARTICULAR ONE. IT IS DESIGNED TO HEAL THE CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES IN A TIMELY MANNER.
I WANTED TO MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE DO THIS AND IF WE COULD DO
MORE, WE SHOULD. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES
[02:50:03]
APPROVAL OF ITEM 152. >> SECOND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR VOTE I.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL OPPOSED VOTE NO. THE I'S HAVE IT AND IT PASSES.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU PULLED ITEM 154 AND YOU WANT THAT TO GO
TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.
154. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU PULLED ITEM 170. THIS IS THE DISCUSSION ON THE JUDICIAL SALARY INCREASES. IT IS 170.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES. AND I FIRST WANTED TO INVITE MRE UP AND BRIEF US ON THE REQUIREMENTS AND THE AMOUNTS AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM MR. RAMOS AND WE WILL INVITE YOU TO TALK ABOUT THE BUDGETARY PIECE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.
ED WELLS AND I AM THE COURT MANAGER FOR THE COUNTY COURTS AND OFFICE OF COURT MANAGEMENT. THIS ITEM PROVIDES APPROVAL FOR A SALARY INCREASE TO THE COUNTY COURTS OF LAW JUDGES.
HISTORICALLY HARRIS COUNTY HAS ALWAYS PAID -- OR KEPT SALARIES FOR THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES EQUAL TO DISTRICT COURT JUDGES OR HIGHER AT TIMES WHEN THE INCREASE IS PROVIDED.
THE STATE AUTHORIZED A NEW SALARY STRUCTURE FOR DISTRICT COURT JUDGES BASED ON YEARS OF SERVICE AND RECOGNIZED FOR AN INCREASE. DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE RECEIVING THAT I BELIEVE JANUAR. THIS ITEM PROVIDES THAT FOR THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES AT THE SAME TIME.
I AM HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.
>> MR. RAMOS, DO YOU HAVE ANY? >> JUST TO SUMMARIZE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL CLEAR, ARE YOU SAYING THIS
IS STATUTE EARLY TO REQUIRED? >> I DON'T WANT TO GO THAT FAR BECAUSE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BETWEEN STATUTE STATUTES -- STATUTES, BUT THAT'S BEEN THE CASE THAT THE COUNTY COURTS HAVE BEEN PAID AT A MINIMUM THE SAME AS THE DISTRICT COURT AND RAISES HAVE TAKEN PLACE DEPENDING ON DISTRICT
COURT JUDGES. >> IS IT FAIR TO SAY STATUTE EARLY TO -- STATITORILY PERMITTED?
>> YES. HRESZ LESS I MAY HAVE --
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I MAY HAVE ONE OTHER QUICK QUESTION.
MR. RAMOS, WOULD YOU TALK US THROUGH THE BUDGETARY IMPACT?
>> IT IS ROUGHLY 85,000. THE COUNTY COURTS ARE NOT ASKING FOR A SUPPLEMENTAL BUDGET SO MY OFFICE HAS NO ISSUES WITH MOVING
FORWARD. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AS PART
OF THE BUDGET? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: MR. WEL LS, I KNOW WE WILL HAVE AN ONGOING STRONG PARTNERSHIP.
I REMEMBER YOU FROM MY LAST CHAPTER OF THE COUNTY AND WE VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR SEPARATE AND EQUAL GOVERNMENTAL BRANCH PARTNER AND IMPROVE TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVE EFFICIENCIES AT THE COURT OVERALL.
AND SO WE VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER.
I KNOW WE WILL HAVE AN ONGOING DIALOGUE, BUT ARE THERE UPDATES
AT THIS POINT IN TIME? >> AS FAR AS AN UPDATE, THE COUNTY COURTS HAVE DONE WELL WITH REGARD TO THE BACKLOG.
EVERYONE HAS HEARD A THOUSAND TIMES THE IMPACT OF HARVEY AND THE PANDEMIC AND WHAT IT DID TO COURT OPERATIONS THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS HAVE AVERAGED 100% AND THE LAST FULL MONTH WAS 137% AND THE COUNTY CIVIL COURTS ENJOYED 100% CLEARANCE PLUS.
AND I THINK PEOPLE STAYING FOCUSED ON THE TASK AT HAND.
AS I MENTIONED TO SOME OF YOU IN THE PAST, THERE ARE NO DOUBT TIMES WHERE WE NEED RESOURCES FOR COURTS.
LOOKING AT THAT PICTURE WE WANT TO BE A PARTNER IN THOSE CONVERSATIONS. JUSTICE IS JUST THAT AND IT IS FOR EVERYONE. AND SO THE COURTS HAVE A BIG RESPONSIBILITY IN PROVIDING THAT AS THE THIRD BRANCH.
>> I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
IT IS A NEW CAPACITY AND I KNOW ALL OF US WANT TO HEAR HOW WE CAN BE BETTER. THANK YOU.
DOES ANYONE HAVE QUESTIONS BEFORE I MAKE THE MOTION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: NO. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: A
MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 170. >> SECOND.
>> AS PRESENT STPHED -- AS PRESENTED?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS PRESENTED, COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, ATTORNEY?
>> AS PRESENTED I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS AS PRESENTED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR VOTE I.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL THOSE WHO ARE OPPOSED VOTE NO. THE I'S HAVE IT AND THE ITEM
[02:55:03]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE VOTED ON 201.
207, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 207?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: PAGE 27. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH.
I JUST WANT TO THANK FOLKS FOR THEIR WORK ON IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES AND TO A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
, BUT WITH THIS PROGRAM I AM EXCITED.
THIS IS THE IMMIGRATION LAW PROGRAM AND COMPROMISES THE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES FUND. BUT IT IS SPECIFICALLY FOCUSED ON PROVIDING LEGAL REPRESENTATION FOR WOMEN, CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WHO HAVE SURVIVED CRIME.
THEY HAVE PROVIDED LIL -- LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES ASSISTANCE TO NEARLY 350 INDIVIDUAL CASES AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS SINCE JANUARY OF LAST YEAR. THE REASON THAT THIS IS EXCITED FOR ME IS BECAUSE THE CERTIFICATION LETTER, IF YOU RECALL WE PASSED A MODEL FOR ALL OF THE HARRIS COUNTY AGENCIES TO FOLLOW BECAUSE DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS HAD DIFFERENT POLICIES AND WAYS OF DOING IT. WE HAD TO WORK ON HPD TO CHANGE THEIR POLICY WHERE THEY REFER TO STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS AND THIS IS THE VISA THAT IS FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME.
AND YOU MAY HAVE BEEN SEXUALLY ASSAULTED, BUT IF YOU DIDN'T APPLY WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE EVENT, THEN THEY WILL DENY YOU A CERTIFICATION LETTER. THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM AND IT HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE IN HELPING THE VICTIMS OF CRIME GETTING THEIR CERTIFICATION LETTERS. BUT THE CASES ARE COMPLICATED AND THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES THAT GO INTO IT.
OUT OF THE 350 CASES THEY WORKED AND THIS NUMBER MAY NOT JUMP OUT AT US, BUT THEY SHOULD. OUT OF THE CASES THAT WERE WORKED, 350, IT LOOKS LIKE APPROXIMATELY 77 WOULD BE A SPECIFIC ASYLUM CASE WHICH IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT.
BUT JUST THE SAME I WANT TO THANK THOSE ORGANIZATIONS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK ON THIS AND THE PEOPLE WHO PREY ON THESE FOLKS ARE HORRIBLE. THEY ARE ANIMALS AND I THINK IT IS INCOME PWEBT ON US -- INCUMBENT ON US TO MAKE SURE WE ARE APPROACHING IT CAREFULLY AND LEVERAGING THE RESOURCES THAT THIS COUNTRY HAS AVAILABLE AND THAT IS WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT. AND SO I AM VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS CONTINUING AND THE IMPACT IT IS HAVING SO I WILL MOVE ON
THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? I. ALL OPPOSED? THE I'S HAVE IT AND THE ITEM HAS PASSED.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH.
THIS IS AN INITIATIVE TO DO A RENEWAL OPTION WITH HART AND IT IS AN ELECTION EQUIPMENT AND SOFTWARE SYSTEM.
IT IS FOR -- IT HAS TAKEN A 4-YEAR TO AN 11-YEAR WHICH MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. TECHNOLOGY CHANGES RAPIDLY OVER TIME. I CAN'T IMAGINE WHY WE WOULD WANT TO GO INTO AN 11-YEAR AGREEMENTN OTHEOF STWARE PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF THE QUESTIONS THAT WE HAVEE WED LAT TO E THELECTIONS. IT MAY BE THATS THIISN'T WHAT
[03:00:04]
WE NEED. I AM PERFECTLY FINE WITHNG STAYI WITH THE FOUR.I DON'T SEE NO NEED TO GO TO THE 11.I WOULDNO VOTE ON THISPARTICULAR OPTION.>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A MOTION TO 2 APPROVE17 AS PRESENTED?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. R >>ODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER
BRIONES? C >>OMMISSIONER BRIONES: I JUST HAVE A QUESTIOE N. THRENEWAL OPTION 4 FROM 1 OF TO 1 OF 11 BASED ON WHAT YOU SAID IS FOUR YEARS TO 11 YEARS?
ISNT THERE DIFFERE INFORMATION? >> WE CAN ANSWER THAT QUESTION
FOR YOU IF YOU WOULD LIKEOM. >> CMISSIONER BRIONES: PLEASE.
>> THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WAS FOR A 11-YEAR RENEWAL OPTION.
WEE DIDN'T GUARANTEIT EACHWE YEAR, BUT HAVE AN ORIGINAL AWARD TWO YEARS AGO IN 2020.T WE AWARDET THE CONTRACT WITHT NEW EQUIPMEN FOR ONE YEAR ANDO OPTIONS UP T11 YEARS FOR MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT.E LAST YEAR TH RENEWALEN WAS INADVERTTLY LISTED AS 1 OF 4 INSTEAD OF 1 O OF 11.
WE ARENLY FIXING THE TYPO FROM LAST YEAR'S RENEWAL AND IT DOES NOT REQUIRE WE STAY FOR 11G YES OR ANYTHINOF THAT NATURE.
ITRE IS IN THE ORIGINAL AGEMENT THAT WAS BOUGHT THERE EQUIPMENT. WE A JUST CORRECTING THE ERROR YOUR CAN KEEP THE CONTRACT ONO CANCEL.
IT IS T A REQUIREMENT. THIS IS FOR CLARIFICATION.NE
>> COMMISSIONER BRIOS: I CAN SEE YOU SHAKING YOUR HEAD.
IS THAT AGREED THAT THAT IS CORRECT?
BASICALLY FIXING THE TYPO.SS >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMIIONER GARCIA MAKES A MOTION AND I SECOND IT.
ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE I. >> IHO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL TSE WHO ARE AGAINST VOTE NO.
NO. H >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE I'SAVE IT. NEXT IS 225 IN PRECINCT 3.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT'S ONE YOU HELD.
CHILDHOOD PROGRAM AND IMPACT FUND.
I'M SURE THIS IS A -- IT COULD HAVE SOME BENEFIT IN TERMS OF A PILOT PROGRAM. I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN AN INITIATION THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND. BUT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT WE, RATHER THAN SPENDING $10 MILLION OF ARPA MONEY HERE ON A PILOT PROGRAM, I WOULD RATHER SEE IT GO TO THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER WHERE THE NEEDS ARE MORE THAN THE FUNDS AND I CAN'T IMAGINE MORE OF AN IMPACT TO CHILDREN
THAN THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE A SECOND? IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE
ITEM AS PRESENTED? >> SO MOVED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONERT. GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND I SECOND I ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE I.
>> I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THOSE OPPOSED
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DO WANT TO ASK WHOEVER -- I THINK SARA MICKELSON IS RUNNING THE PROGRAM, I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH THEM AND WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE RESOURCES ARE AFFECTED IN PRECINCT 2.
>> AND I WOULD LIKE SOME FOR PRECINCT 4 AS WELL.
>> PRECINCT 3 WOULD LIKE IT AS WELL.
WE ARE LOOKING FORTED TO MEETING YOU SEPARATELY, OF COURSE.
>> IT PASSED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT PASSED.
THE NEXT I PULLED AND PUT ON THE AGENDA AND I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU PULLED IT AS WELL.
IN THE INTEREST OF BREVITY, DR. PETERSON, WHY DON'T WE HAVE YOU WALK THROUGH IT IF YOU ARE THERE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW IT IS A TRANSPARENCY MEASURE, BUT I HAVE SAID ENOUGH SO WILL LET YOU
PRESENT IT. >> THIS WAS PUT TOGETHER AND I KNOW IT WAS A REQUEST YOU MADE IN MOVE -- IN NOVEMBER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO APPLY THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK TO THE NEW FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROJECT THAT'S ARE FOCUSED ON FLOOD RISK REDUCTION. WHAT THIS ITEM IS DOING IS ENABLING THE COMMISSIONERS' COURT AND OUR COMMUNITY TO HAVE CLEAR AND CONSISTENT AND EQUITABLE BASIS FOR UNDERSTANDING AND COMPARING THE PROJECTS THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL
[03:05:03]
DISTRICT IS TAKING. THE PROPOSAL IS TO UTILIZE THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK SCORES AND INCLUDE THOSE WHEN WE ARE INITIATING THE NEW FLOOD RISK PROJECTS.THEY DECIDED THE DEVELOPMENT AND PROVIDED INPUT ON THIS PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND SO THEY WILL IMPROVE THE SCORES AND IT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN ANY FLOOD RISK REDUCTION PROJECT THAT IS BROUGHT BACK TO COURT OR INITIATION.
YOU KNOW, THIS REALLY REPRESENTS A CONTINUATION OF THE WORST FIRST PROCESS THAT WAS FIRST STARTED WITH THIS FRAMEWORK AND A CLEAR BASIS TO COMPARE PROJECTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WANT TO KNOW HOW IT SCORED.
ANY QUESTIONS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> TOM RAMSEY: YEAH. THE CRITERIA AND THE FRAMEWORK ARE NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING. THE PROBLEM IS IT DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN THE TYPES OF STRUCTURES AND THUS A MOBILE HOME COUNTS AS MUCH AS A HOSPITAL OR COLLEGE.
IT GIVES NO WAY TO PROTECTING THE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SUCH AS BRIDGES, HOSPITALS, GROCERY STORES AND WASTE WATER TREATMENT PLANTS. IT EMITS DAMAGE FROM CONSIDERATION. I DON'T THINK THAT'S A GOOD THING. IT. ELIMINATES THE CONSIDERATION OF PARTNERSHIP FUNDING I THINK WE ALL AGREE THAT PARTNERSHIP IS A GOOD THING AND ELIMINATES ANY CONVERSATION WITH PARTNERSHIP FUNDING. IT GIVES 20% WEIGHT TO VULNERABILITY. THUS THE LOW INCOME HOME WITH ONE INCH OF WATER FLOODING COUNTS AS MUCH AS A CONDO COMPLEX SWEPT AWAY BY A 22-FOOT DEEP WATER.
THERE IS NO WAY PEOPLE KNOW WHO LIVES IN APARTMENT BUILDINGS AND HOMES. THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTS BENEFITED WILL ALWAYS BE A GUESS.
IF -- TONED MINDS FLOODING AS OPPOSED TO CORRECTING IT AFTER PEOPLE ARE DAMAGED. IT IS A VERY IMPORTANT ASPECT TO PRECINCTS 4 AND 3 AND IT IS ALWAYS A PREVENTIVE THING.
THOSE ARE DOLLARS, I THINK, THAT YOU GET A LOT OF BANG FROM.
IF YOU CAN PREVENT FLOODING. I THINK IT FORCES FLOOD CONTROL TO JUDGE PROJECTS BEFORE THE DISTRICT AS ENGINEERING AND COSTS ARE IN HAND AND HAVING DONE A FEW PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING REPORTS, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE COSTS ARE GOING INTO A PRONG -- PROJECT. IF YOU'RE FINE WITH THAT IN TERMS OF GIVING IT SOME KIND OF A GRADE GOING INTO IT AND RECOGNIZING YOU WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT WHEN YOU GET THROUGH WITH YOUR AM SIS. ANALYSIS.
I THINK WE CAN DO BETTER AND I WOULD HOPE THAT WE CAN SIT DOWN AND TRY TO GET A BETTER SENSE OA PROJECT OR IDENTIFY A PROJECT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?
>> WE CAN ALL ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THIS TOOL IS CREATED FOR A SPECIFIC PURPOSE, RIGHT? IT WAS ORIGINALLY CREATED TO HELP PRIORITIZE FUNDING FROM THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST.
THIS IS THE FIRST STEP IN CREATING A TOOL THAT WILL HELP REALLY IMPLEMENT THE WORST FIRST PRIORITIES OF THE COURT.
CERTAINLY THERE IS OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT.
AS WE GO THROUGH A PROJECT LIFE CYCLE, WE LEARN MORE AND MORE.
AND WE RECENTLY INITIATED A STANDARDIZE -- STANDARDIZED BENEFIT PROCESS THAT WILL PROVIDE THE TYPE OF INFORMATION WE NEED ONCE WE GET TO THE END OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY AND WE CAN REFINE THESE SCORES AS WE GO.
AND THE OTHER THING IS, WHILE I SAY THIS TOOL ISN'T PERFECT, IT REALLY IS AN IMPORTANT FIRST STEP AND, YOU KNOW, THERE IS NO
[03:10:02]
REASON WE CANNOT CONTINUE TO WORK TO REFINE THIS TOOL.WE ARE LOOKING TOWARD A FLOOD RESILIENCE PLAN.
I EXPECT THAT EFFORT WILL PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION ON WHAT GETS PRIORITIZED BY THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT.
WHAT WE HAVE TODAY IS A STARTING POINT AND IT IS A TOOL.
WE RECOGNIZE THAT THESE NUMBERS ARE ESTIMATES BECAUSE WE ARE WORKING WITH DATA THAT IS SOMETIMES MORE GENERAL AND AS WE MOVE THROUGH OUR PROCESS WE GAIN MORE AND MORE CLARITY.
AND SO WE CAN UPDATE THOSE NUMBERS, BUT I DO THINK THAT THIS FRAMEWORK PROVIDES A BASIS FOR COMPARISON AND THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL INTENT AND WE CAN UTILIZE WHAT WE HAVE AND CONTINUE TO LOOK FORWARD FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO REFINE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: A UM COULD OF QUESTIONS, BUT DID YOU HAVE ANY?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. THANK YOU, DR. PETERSON.
IN APPLYING THE FRAMEWORK, HAVE YOU LOOKED AT THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY IMPLICATIONS OF EITHER TAKING IT LONGER TO DO A PROJECT OR IT INADVERTENTLY ENDS UP COSTING MORE TO DO A PARTICULAR PROJECT. IS THERE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS FRAMEWORK -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE AREN'T WAITING LONGER THAN NECESSARY TO GET A PROJECT.
AND THEN NUMBER TWO IN THIS MARKET, ARE WE SUBJECT TO PAYING MORE AS A RESULT FOR A PROJECT THAN WE OTHERWISE WOULD BE?
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.
THE FRAMEWORK ITSELF SHOULD NOT CONTRIBUTE ANY ADDITIONAL COSTS, RIGHT? IT IS JUST EVALUATING THE PROJECT AS IT CURRENTLY IS. WHAT WOULD REQUIRE ADDITIONAL COSTS AND RESOURCES AND TAKE ADDITIONAL TIME IS IF WE WENT BACK AND RELOOKED AT ALL OF THE SCORES AND RESET THEM BASED ON -- YOU KNOW, WE DON'T GO BACK AND UPDATE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
WE WOULD BE IN A CONTINUAL LOOP WITH 180 PROJECTS MOVING THROUGH MULTIPLE STAGES PER YEAR. IT WOULD BE IN A CONSTANT STATE OF UPDATING. SO CERTAINLY LOOKING FORWARD WE CAN USE THE STANDARDIZED BENEFITS PROCESS ONCE IT IS IN PLACE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO UPDATES.
I WOULD CAUTION ABOUT TRYING TO GO BACKWARDS AT THIS TIME.
JUST GIVEN LIMITED RESOURCES IT WOULD BE CHALLENGING TO DO THAT.
>> I AM NOT AN ADVOCATE FOR THAT , BUT JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE GOING FORWARD THAT WE ARE NOT -- OUR PROJECTS ARE NOT
COSTING MORE AND TAKING LONGER. >> BASED ON WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA ASKED AND WHAT YOU SAID AS A STARTING POINT, HOW OFTEN DO YOU SEE UPDATING IT BASED ON THE LEARNINGS AS WE APPLY THE SCORING SYSTEM, IS MY FIRST QUESTION.
THEN I HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHER QUICK ONES.
>> SURE. WE ARE NOT PROPOSING A CHANGE.
WHAT I WOULD LIKE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AND EXPLORE FOR RETAOEUPB -- FOR REFINEMENTS AS PART OF THE RESILIENCY EFFORTS. LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS WE HAVE ON THE LIST RIGHT NOW, THE PRIMARY USE IS ONE POIGNANT COMPARISON AND LOOKING AT WHAT PROJECTS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR FLOOD
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: DR. PET ERSON, THE EXISTING CONDITION, 20% PIECE OF THE FRAMEWORK, DOES THAT INCLUDE THE SEVERITY OF
FLOODING? >> THAT PIECE OF THE FRAMEWORK IS FOCUSED ON THE CAPACITY OF THE CHANNEL WHERE THE PROJECT IS BEING CONDUCTED. THE SEVERITY IS FOCUSED ON THE NUMBER OF STRUCTURES OR PEOPLE IMPACTED.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THAT WOULD FALL UNDER THE PROJECT
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: AND WHAT ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING AND THE ABILITY TO LEVERAGE OTHER DOLLARS? WHERE IS THAT FACTORED IN IF AT ALL?
>> IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS FRAMEWORK.
THE REASON IT WAS EXCLUDED IS THIS FRAMEWORK -- THE INITIAL PURPOSE WAS TO BE USED FOR THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST.
[03:15:02]
THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST IS INTENDED TO BE A BACKSTOP FOR PROJECT THAT'S DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO PARTNERSHIP FUNDING AND SO WE KNOW THESE PROJECTS COULD BE ELIGIBLE, BUT THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO GAIN PARTNERSHIP FUNDING.THERE ARE OTHER REASONS, BUT THAT'S ONE OF THE TOP ONES.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I BELIEVE I'M CLEAR ON THE ANSWER, BUT JUST TO RECONFIRM, THIS IS A POINT OF TRANSPARENCY, BUT THERE WILL BE CORE TILES, BUT IT WILL NOT BE A THRESHOLD UP OR DOWN.
IT IS JUST A DATA POINT USED WITH CONSIDERATION, CORRECT?
>> WITH REGARD TO NEW FLOOD RISK REDUCTION PROJECTS, THIS FRAMEWORK -- THE INFORMATION WILL BE PROVIDED TO COURT AND THAT INFORMATION WILL ALLOW EVERYONE TO UNDERSTAND AND HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROJECTS.
IN TERMS OF APPLICABILITY TO THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST, I WANT TO BE CLAIRE THAT THIS FRAMEWORK DOES DETERMINE -- TO BE CLEAR THERE IS ACCESS TO THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TRUST.
IT SERVES TWO PURPOSES AT THIS POINT.
>> CURRENTLY IN THE TRUST WE HAVE HOW MUCH FUNDING?
>> I WILL HAVE TO GET YOU THE NUMBER.
I CAN TELL YOU THE INITIAL NUMBER WAS 834 MILLION.
THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS HADWO T REQUESTSO TTHELO FOD RESILIENCE TRUSTO TDATE. AND THERE IS SOMEIT ADDIONAL
FUNDING AVAILABLE IN THEST TRU >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK
YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST AE COUPL AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK DO.U IFHINKUL IT WOD BE HELPFUL YOULI HAVE A ST OF THES PROJECT WE HAVEOU FUNDED T OF OUR5 THATLION-DOLLAR PROJECT DID NOT FALLS UNDER THIEW FRAMORK SO WE KNOW.
AVE COUPLE HA COMED. TO MY MINMB I REMEERCE RAISING CONRNS OFJA ONE ADCENT TOR COMMISSIONE'S RAMSEY PRECINCT IN ANOTHER
COUNTYOU. >> I WLD HAVE TO LOOK
SPECIFICALLY.Y >> RODNEELLIS: IT THROUGH HARVEY. IT WAS A PROJECT COMMISSIONERND RAMSEY DID A I THINK THE CORE OFE ENGINEERS MAY HAV, PAID FOR THATBUT IT WOULD BET GOOD TO LOOK ATHE ENTIRE LIST.
>> AND I THINK THERE MAY BE COMPELLINGPR REASONS TO DO A OJECT YOU CAN GIVE IT A NUMBER.
I LIKE THE TERM PRESIDENT OBAMA HADIF, SHOW WE'RE READY.
YOU HAVE A SHOWAR WE'RE READY PROJECT E YOU GOING TO SIT THERE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH RIGHT OF WAY OR SOME DESIG? OR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUE IT HAS A HIGHER SCORE SO YOU WILL DO SOME GOOD IMMEDIATELY. THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME
DISCERNMENTN.. >> AND IT ALWAYS HAS BEE WE AT LEAST NEED TO KNOW. I KNOW ALL OF US ARE GIVING LIP SERVICE AND THAT'S WHY A COUPLE OF PROJECTS GAVE LIP SERVICE.
WE HELD BACK ON THOSE WHILE WE WERE CHASING FEDERAL MONEY THAT NEVER CAME. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE COURT HAVE THE COURT DISTRICT APPLY THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION TO ALL FLOOD CONTROL AND MITT TAU TKPWAEUGS PROJECTS FUNDED FOR ADDED CAPACITY TO RESIDENTS AND CASES WHERE IF THE APPLICATION DOES NOT CONFLICT WITH THEAS [INAUDIBLE]
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PRESENTED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: AS PRESENTED.
I MOVE AS PRESENTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.
>> NO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THREE I'S AND
[03:20:01]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION PASSES. >> AS PRESENTED?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS PRESENTED. THE NEXT IS 294, COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 251.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO THANK MY STAFF WHO HELPED AND WE WANT TO LET HER KNOW THAT WE ARE PRAYING FOR HER AND HER FAMILY WHO LOST HER MOTHER-IN-LAW. THEIR WORK IS TO BE APPRECIATED AND RESPECTED. DISAGREEMENT IS WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES IT WILL -- THIS AGREEMENT IS WITH CATHOLIC CHARITIES IT WILL GIVE ACCESS TO HEALTH SMART POD FISH TIFF.
SMART POD INITIATIVE. THERE IS A PART OR THE JAMES DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK AND NORTHEAST SMART POD AND WE ARE ADDING A CLINICIAN TO SERVE SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN THANKS TO THE GENEROSITY OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES.
IT IS CENTRAL FOR US TO PROVIDE TREATMENT FOR CHILDREN AND THEIR PARENTS BECAUSE WE ARE AMID A NEW CRISIS AMONG THE YOUTH STRUGGLING WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH.
IT IS WORSENED BY THE PANDEMIC AND SOCIAL MEDIA.
CHILDREN ARE REPORTING AN INCREASE IN ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION. THEY WILL OFFER IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL SESSIONS FOR FAMILIES WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND USING COGNITIVE BEHAVIORAL THERAPY AND PLAY THERAPY.
ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OR ON A SLIDING SCALE.
AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO THANK CATHOLIC CHARITIES FOR THEIR WORK AND FOR RESPONDING TO THIS NEED AND PROVIDING A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SPECIALIST TO OUR ACCESS TO HEALTH SMART POD IN PRECINCT 2. I AM PROUD OF THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. WE HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND THE CHALLENGES THAT SO MANY ARE FACING WITH THAT, CHILDREN IN PARTICULAR. I AM GLAD TO BUILD THAT CAPACITY. WE WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THEIR ONGOING WORK. I MOVE ON THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.
>> AND I THINK WE VOTED ON IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH IT WAS
VOTED ON? >> THANK YOU FOR THE COMMENTS.
YOU HAVE 294. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: 294, YES.
OH ON 294 I AM ALSO EXCITED -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU WILL REMEMBER I GOT HERE AND I STARTED TALKING IMMEDIATELY AND TURNED OUT I THOUGHT IT WAS IN MY PRECINCT.
ACTUALLY I STARTED WORKING ON IT AND REALIZED IT WAS PRECINCT 1.
I WORKED WITH YOU ON IT AND REDISTRICTING HAPPENED.
AND NOW THEY ARE IN PRECINCT 2. >> CAN I GET THE MONEY BACK?
PWHRET -- LET ME JUST SAY I AM EXCITED BECAUSE THERE ARE TWO ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS AND I HAVE HUMONGOUS DITCHES THAT PEOPLE -- YEAH. THEY HAVE TO NAVIGATE AND THEN YOU CAN SEE ON THE EPL BANK MEANT OF MANY OF THESE DITCHES, GOAT PATHS THAT CHILDREN HAVE HAD TO NAVIGATE.
BUT THIS PARTICULAR AREA IS ON OUR -- IT IS ON THE -- WHAT'S THE TERM, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? AND THERE HAS BEEN SEVERAL FATALITY CRASHES THERE INVOLVING CHILDREN, INVOLVING BICYCLISTS AND INVOLVING PEDESTRIANS. AND SO I AM JUST VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS ITEM. THIS IS THE BEGINNING OF THE PROJECT. THIS PROJECT WILL INCLUDE A FOUR-LANE BOULEVARD SECTION WITH EIGHT-FEET SIDEWALKS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE STREET AND TRAFFIC SIGNALS AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS. IT HAS BEEN REQUESTED FOR A LONG, LONGTIME. AND AS MENTIONED IDENTIFIED AS A
[03:25:05]
HIGH PRIORITY. AND THEN TO ADD TO IT THERE IS AN INCREDIBLE FAMILY BUSINESS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF IT.IF YOU SAW MY COMMERCIALS DURING THE CAMPAIGN, THE AUTO SHOP THAT I REFERENCED, WE ACTUALLY FILMED IT RIGHT O*F -- RIGHT OFF THE GULF. YOU WILL FIND HIM AND BEN REYES OFTEN. HIS FAMILY'S CLINIC IS RIGHT OFF THE BANK. AND SO I AM EXCITED TO MOVE THIS FORWARD AND JUST BE PREPARED THAT I MAY TRY TO FIGURE OUT AND SEE HOW WE CAN RENAME IT DR. MAYOR BOULEVARD.
ANYWAYS, I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AND I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERS FOR
THEIR RESPECTIVE -- >> IT IS A TRANSMITTAL SO WE
WILL ACCEPT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THE NEXT ONE IS 314 AND THIS IS ONE THAT I PULLED. CAN YOU JUST BRIEFLY WALK US THROUGH -- I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, AND YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT SAFER FOR FOLKS BECAUSE WE WON'T BE TAKING CASH, BUT I DID WANT TO ASK IF DID DOESN'T HAVE TOO MUCH OF A DETRIMENTAL IMPACT , IS THERE ANYWAY WE CAN COME BACK TO REDUCE THE TOLLS AT LEAST A MODEST AMOUNT IF YOU ARE THERE, THERE TREVINO? SEE, I BET HE DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD GET TO THIS THIS QUICK.
316. 322, 322 -- LET'S DO THAT ONE THEN. THIS IS OUR WORKER PROTECTION
POLICY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THOUGHT WE
DID THIS ONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE DIDN'T VOTE ON IT. UNTIL YOU GET MR. TREVINO WE WILL DO THIS ONE. DO YOU WANT TO DO IT?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YEAH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WERE
LISTENING TO THE DISCUSSION? >> I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE CONFUSION AND SO I WILL CLEAR THAT UP.
I AM WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
THE OWNERSHIP, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, IS BUILT ON THE POLICIES AND THE WAY WE STRUCTURED IT, AGAIN, WE HAD DISCUSSIONS WITH THE INTEREST GROUPS AND THE CONTRACTOR AND FOLKS WHO ARE HERE AS WELL AS THE DEPARTMENT SKPWH -- AND THE WAY WE DECIDED TO DO T BEFORE THE AWARD, THE ADMINISTRATION OF PURCHASING THIS -- WHICH IS THE POLICY AND THE CERTIFICATION AND THAT'S HOW IT IS ON THE COUNTY. AFTER THE CONTRACT IS AWARDED IT WILL BE JOINTLY ADMINISTERED BY THE DEO AND THE DEPARTMENT WHOSE CONTRACT IT IS. IT MIGHT BE AN ENGINEERING CONTRACT. THEY HAVE DEO IN THE MIDDLE OF THINGS TO HAVE A VIEW TO STANDARDIZE IT ACROSS THOSE GROUPS. THEY WILL NEED THE HELP OF ENGINEERING. KPHEUGTSER RAMSEY -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU SAID THE EXPERTISE AND THE MAN POWER AND THE FOLKS OUT THERE. THE COMPLAINTS ARE COMING TO DEO SO IT MADE SENSE TO HAVE THEM INVOLVED.
THE ONLY THING I WILL ADD IS WE DID STRUCTURE AS A COMPLAINT SYSTEM SO THERE WILL BE COMPLAINTS COMING IN AND A CERTIFICATION SYSTEM. WE ARE RELYING ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY TO -- WE HOPE THEY ARE OUR PARTNERS AND THEY DON'T LIE
TO US IN THE CERTIFICATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF AFTER THIS GETS GOING, THERE IS A NEED ON TO MAKE A CHANGE -- THE NEED TO MAKE A CHANGE WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE.
>> THEY WILL CREATE RULES AND REGULATIONS AS NEEDED TO ALLOW
FOR ORDERLY ADMINISTRATION. >> AND IT GIVES YOU ALL A CHANCE TO LOOK AT PLACES OUTSIDE TEXAS. ONLY ONE IS IN THE STATE.
YOU CAN LOOK AROUND JUST TO MAKE SURE WE BENEFIT FROM WHATEVER MISTAKES OTHERS HAVE HAD AND SEE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR US.
>> ONE THING I WILL ADD IS WE IMPLEMENTED A STAGGERED TIMELINE TO ROLL THE POLICY OUT. THAT'S AN IMPORTANT PIECE OF IT.
IT IS SOMETHING WE HEARD THAT WAS IMPORTANT AND WE LISTENED.
WE'LL BE GETTING FEEDBACK OVER MONTHS AND YEARS.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND FOR BRINGING IT FORWARD. I'M GLAD TO HEAR YOUR CLAY -- YOUR CLARIFICATION. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER THERE IS TOO MUCH CENTRALIZATION THEN WE WILL HAVE ANOTHER PROBLEM DOWN THE LINE. I AM GLAD TO HEAR THE RESPECTED
[03:30:04]
DEPARTMENTS WILL BE INVOLVED SO WE CAN HAVE A SMOOTHER IMPLEMENTATION. THIS IS THE LESSON LEARNED THAT I WILL HAVE FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON.AND I AM GLAD THAT IS PART OF THE CLARIFICATION.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> BACK THERE WITH THE HOUSTON CONTRACT ASSOCIATION AND JEFF NIELSEN WITH ABC.
>> DO Y'ALL WANT TO COME UP? >> Y'ALL HAVE SAT THERE THE WHOLE DAY AND YOU SHOULD GET CONTINUING EDUCATION.
OR MAYBE NOT. MY ONLY COMMENT, THANK YOU FOR THE CLARIFICATION. BASIC INFRASTRUCTURE TO MANAGE CONTRACTORS AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING OR NOT DOING IS ALREADY WITHIN ENGINEERING. CERTAINLY DEO CAN GATHER MUCH INFORMATION FROM WHAT IS ALREADY EXISTING THERE.
THEY SHOULD COMPLEMENT WHETHER IT IS FLOOD CONTROL OR PWHR IT IS -- OR WHETHER IT IS THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE OR WHICH EVER ENTITY IS MEASURING IT.
BUT USE AS MUCH OF THE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE THAT ARE ALREADY ENGAGING WITH CONTRACTORS.
I THINK THE CONTRACTOR ASSOCIATION CONTINUES TO WORK WITH THEM TO BE SURE THAT WHAT WE ARE DOING IS MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON THE JOB SITE WHICH IS SUBJECTIVE IN ANY CASE.
>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF.
THEY PUT A LOT OF WORK INTO THIS AND THANK YOU TO LEGAL.
IT WAS LOST TO LEGAL FOR A LONGTIME WHEN MY FOLKS PRESENTED IT. AND WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO ADOPT AS PRESENTED?
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WOULD, BUT FIRST I WANTED TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THANK YOU TO OUR CONTRACTING COMMUNITY FOR ALL OF THE ONGOING INPUT.
WE WOULD LOVE THE ONGOING FEEDBACK TO TO SEE HOW COMMISSIONERS' COURT, IF WE CAN BE HELPFUL IN WHATEVER WE NEED TO MAKE IT AS WORKABLE AS POSSIBLE.
AND THIS IS VERY MUCH PRO-WORKER AND PRO-BUSINESS AND WE WILL HAVE HIGHER PRODUCTIVITY AND HIGHER QUALITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I AM THRILLED TO BE AT THE TABLE AND THRILLED TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE PASSAGE OF ITEM 322 AS
ORIGINALLY PRESENTED. >> AND I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS, NEIL -- I MEAN, JEFF AND KASEY. APOLOGIES.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INPUT. I THINK WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY IN THIS COMMUNITY OF FINDING WAYS TO HAVE BUSINESS AND POLICY COME TOGETHER. THE CHANGE IS NOT ALWAYS ENTIRELY WELCOME. IT CHANGES PROCESSES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I APPRECIATE THE WORK AND THE COLLABORATION YOU PROVIDED. I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KEEP US POSTED ON GOOD INTENTIONS, BUT MAYBE IMPROVEMENTS ON IMPLEMENTATION. IF YOU WILL KEEP US POSTED.
AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, IF YOU CAN HELP US BE SURE TO PAY ATTENTION TO SMALL BUSINESSES. I KNOW THERE IS A BIT OF A KNACK IF YOU WILL FOR WHERE IT STARTS TO BE IMPLEMENTED.
IF YOU CAN KEEP US POSTED, IF THERE ARE UNINTENDED -- [INAUDIBLE]. MAKING SURE IT IS DOING WHAT WE WANT IT TO DO AND THAT'S TO SAVE LIVES.
THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE. IHI TNK EVERYBODYIL WL APPRECIATEHA TTOD NOBY WANTS TO GETLI TO TIGATION.
NOBODY WANTSLO TO OK AT A FAMILY MEMBER T ANDELL THEMT THATHEIR LOVED I ONESN'T COMING HOME WORKINGPA AT A RTICULAR SITE.NO ONE WANTSVE TO HAK A WOR SITEOP ST BECAUSEES OF ISSU ANDAL CHLENGES THERE.TH I INK THIS WOULDR HELP OU ECONOMYAR MOVE FORWD INFE AN EFCTIVE WAY ANDVE HELP THE LIS
OF THOSE WE HAVE ENTRUSTED.OM >> CMISSIONER BRIONES: IF I TO ALLENDON AN INVITATI THOSE WATCHING, ES SPECIAL --LY PARTNERSOUR LABOR WHO WEOR WORKED WITH FKE YEARS.
EP THE FEEDBACKWE COMING. WANT IT TO BE AS MEANINGFUL IN TERMS OF PROTECTING THE QUALITY OFTHE INFRASTRUCTURE. PLEASE.
IT IS AN A OPEN INVITATIONNDY I KNOW MAN
[03:35:01]
THANK YOU FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP AND YOURCO LEADERSHIP.MMISSIONER RAMSEYY ? >> RODNEELLIS: I THINK BECAUSE YOU WERE ALL ABLE TO BUY IN FROM LABOR ANDUR WELLNESS INDUSTRY OL FRIENDS WILL HPR OR ENCOURAGE OU STATE DEPARTMENT NOT TO THISPT WHAT WE DO IN SPACE.
REASON WHY I THINK THERE HAS BEEN A RELUCTANCE ON THE PART OF MANY LOCAL ENTITIES IN TEXAS TO DOPO SOMETHING.
IT IS IMRTANT THAT IT WORKS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T HURT OUR SMALLSS MINORITY-OWNED BUSINEES, BUTN WE DON'T WANT TO BE I A POSITION WHERE WE ARE USING THEM AS AN EXCUSE BECAUSE A LOT OF TIMESAB PEOPLE WEREN'T WORRIED OUT THEM PREVIOUSLY, AND THEN USE THEM AS A SHIELD TO NOTAN DO THINGS.
IT IS IMPORTT. A MOTION HAS BEEN MADEND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES A SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: OPPOSEDOTE NO.
I AM FOR AND IT PASSES ADOPTION. THE NEXT ITEM IS 329.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> TOM RAMSEY: [INAUDIBLE].
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS YOUR MIC ON? >> TOM RAMSEY: THANK YOU.
WE HAVE ALSO ADDED A TALENT ACQUISITION DEVELOPMENT PERSON UNDER THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WE HAVE A CHIEF TALENT OFFICER AND WE HAVE SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE PURSUING THAT.
AND THIS WOULD BE IN ADDITION TO THAT.
I QUESTION THE NEED FOR THAT WHEN WE REALLY JUST STOOD UP A GROUP WITHIN OUR COUNTY TO BE ON THIS ISSUE AND I WOULDN'T -- I AM NOT GONNA SUPPORT THE MOTION AS AS I THINK WE HAVE STOOD UP A PRETTY ROBUST GROUP TO DO THIS VERY THING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM MY STANDPOINT, MOST PEOPLE I TALK TO, IT'S A REAL PROBLEM, PARTICULARLY AFTER THE PANDEMIC, TO GET FOLKS TO COME IN. AND IN THIS ENVIRONMENT IN GOVERNMENT IN PARTICULAR, SO I'M SUPPORTIVE OF IT.
MR. BARRY, MR. RAMOS, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE COMMENTS?
>> THIS IS AN OPTION FOR DEPARTMENTS FOR ELECTED OFFICES, FOR OTHERS TO USE. IT DOESN'T COMMIT THEM TO ANYTHING. THERE IS NO INCREMENTAL BUDGET.
IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE EXISTING BUDGET.
THE COUNTY HAS ADDED MORE RESOURCES THERE, BUT IT IS STILL A SMALL NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOR A COUNTY LIST.
I THINK IT IS 17,000 EMPLOYEES. >> YES, COMMISSIONER.
THESE SHOULD BE USED FOR HARD TO FILL POSITIONS.
KIND OF LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS INDICATING.
AND WE DO TRY TO RECRUIT INTERNATIONALLY AND THE DEPARTMENT HAD ADDITIONAL RESOURCES.
WE CAN TAP INTO ONE OF THESE CONTRACTS TO HELP US WITH THE
SEARCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WENT TO WASHINGTON FOR THE INAUGURAL -- THE CONGRESSIONAL INAUGURAL ACTIVITIES WHICH I DIDN'T GET TO SEE BECAUSE IT WAS STILL GOING ON WHEN I LEFT. ELECTION WORKERS IN PARTICULAR, A LOT OF PEOPLE I RAN INTO AT RECEPTIONS AND EVENTS WAS SAYINS WHO WERE THERE IT IS A PROBLEM GETTING ELECTION OFFICES IN PARTICULAR. AND THAT IS ALL-AROUND THE COUNTRY. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED? I MOVE WE UH -- WE APPROVE AS PRESENTED. ALL THERE WAS A VOTER TURNED AWAY FOR NOT ENOUGH BALLOT PAPER.
[03:40:05]
ANOTHER PRESIDING JUDGE FELT LIKE I WAS A DISENFRANCHISED VOTER WHO WAS FRUSTRATED AND UPSET.THERE WAS PROBLEMS IN THE ISSUES AND WHAT HAPPENED IN THAT ELECTION. I THINK THE REPORT -- AN OBVIOUS THING, THE REPORT SHOULD BE ABLE TO ADDRESS ISSUES.
I THINK THE REPORT TENDED TO STATE THE OBVIOUS.
SOME POLLS WERE OPEN LATE AND SOME EVEN LATER.
THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR HAS YET TO I THINK GO THROUGH THAT AND ANSWER THE QUESTION HOW MANY VOTERS WERE TOLD TO GO TO OTHER LOCATIONS? THEY DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION OF HOW MANY AND THAT INCLUDES PRODUCING A MORE DETAILED REPORT THAT COULD DISPEL LINGERING DOUBTS.
IT IS ABOUT PROVIDING THE INFORMATION OUT THERE.
AND CERTAINLY THERE PROBABLY WOULD BE MORE PEOPLE NOT GOING TO COURT IF WE ARE MORE FORTH COMING WITH OUR DATA.
SO I AM AGAIN ASKING -- I KNOW THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATOR TATUM IS NOT IN. I DON'T THINK THAT'S TODAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS AT A FUNERAL.
IT IS IN ATLANTA. THE FUNERAL IS GOING ON NOW.
>> TOM RAMSEY: I DO THINK THERE IS A NEED FOR A MORE ROBUST REPORT THAT DOES ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I WANT TO THANK MR. TATUM FOR HIS WORK. HE HAS LITERALLY HIT THE GROUND RUNNING. AND WE APPRECIATE WHAT HE HAS DONE. I KNOW HE HAS BEEN GIVEN A LOT OF PRESSURE TO REPORT SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES AND THE ISSUES IN THE ELECTION. HE PROVIDED THIS REPORT.
BUT CLEARLY ON PAGE 1 -- ON PAGE 1 HE SPEAKS THAT HE DOES NEED MORE TIME TO GET FULL INPUT -- INPUT IN ENGAGE -- ENGAGEMENT OF STAKEHOLDER INTEREST TO PROVIDE US A THOROUGH REPORT.
MR. TATUM I KNOW YOU WERE PRESSURED IN GIVING A QUICK REPORT, WHICH YOU DID, BUT YOU WERE CLEAR IN YOU CAN'T GIVE A THOROUGH REPORT QUICKLY. I THANK YOU FOR AT LEAST GIVING US THE REPORT AND ACKNOWLEDGING THAT IT DOES TAKE MORE TIME TO COME UP WITH A THOROUGH REPORT. AND THEN ALSO ON THE ISSUE OF PAPER, ON PAGE 21 THE JUDGES GIVE CONFLICTING REPORTS ABOUT WHETHER PAPER NUMBER 1 WAS ACTUALLY NEEDED.
NUMBER 2, WHETHER THEY RECEIVED ADDITIONAL PAPER OR NOT.
NUMBER 3, WHETHER IF ANY VOTERS WERE ACTUALLY TURNED AWAY.
IN SPITE OF THIS BEING A QUICK REPORT, YOU WERE IN PART, THOROUGH AND PRECISE IN SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT WERE IDENTIFIED.
I KNOW THAT GIVEN THE PROPER TIME TO COME UP WITH A THOROUGH REPORT, THAT YOU WILL GIVE US THE ANSWERS AND WE WILL BE FORTHCOMING ON THE ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE.
AGAIN I WANT TO THANK THE ELECTIONS OFFICE.
THEY HEARD THE WANT OF THE REPORT AND WITH THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS YOU ARE NOT GOING TO COME UP WITH A THOROUGH AND COMPLETE REPORT OVERNIGHT AND YOU WERE VERY TRANSPARENT AND CLEAR THAT YOU NEED MORE TIME FOR A COMPLETE REPORT.
[03:45:04]
WE WILL GIVE YOU MORE TIME TO COME UP WITH A COMPLETE REPORT SO QUESTIONS CAN BE ANSWERED. I KNOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF LITIGATIONS SO WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THAT.ALL THAT BEING SAID, IN YOUR REPORT WE DO ACCURATELY AND PRECISELY 23 AND 24. THE ACCOUNT AND THE RECONCILIATION FORM, THEY SPEAK ABOUT HOW ORPHANED BALLOTS AREN'T ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE STATE RECONCILIATION REPORT.
SOME OF THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AREN'T EVEN WITHIN OUR REALM TO ADDRESS. MR. TATUM, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
I HOPE THAT WE WILL ALLOW YOU THE SPACE TO WORK AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES AND THEN BRING US A COMPLETE AND THOROUGH REPORT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES:
BLE]. >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU.
FIRST, I BASICALLY SAID MY CONDOLENCES MR. TATUM IS AT A FUNERAL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN IS FEASIBLE TO GET MUCH MORE DETAILED INFORMATION BECAUSE WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM AND THEN MORE IMPORTANTLY FIGURE OUT SOLUTIONS WITH THE MAY ELECTION COMING AND THEN NOVEMBER. I WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO BE BEST IN CLASS AND WE NEED TO REALLY MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS.
IT DID SEEM FROM THIS INITIAL REPORT THAT THERE IS A NEED FOR A REALTIME COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE ELECTION CENTER AND THE ELECTIONS OFFICE. SO WORKING ON THE REALTIME SYNCING OF WHAT IS BEING DONE TO ADDRESS THOSE TECHNOLOGY NEEDS.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE TIMETABLE WILL BE AND WHAT THE COSTS WILL BE. AND SO WE NEED TO JUST BE WORKING AS AGGRESSIVELY AND AS PURPOSEFULLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE SOLUTIONS WE KNOW WE NEED AND THEN CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THAT. AND THEN WHAT IS -- WHAT COMES NEXT. I WOULD LIKE TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE TIMETABLE KNOWING THAT WE HAVE MAY AND NOVEMBER
COMING UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I KNOW MR. TATUM WILL PROBABLY LOOK AT THE VIDEO LATER AND I AGREE THAT HE DID HAVE A TOUGH JOB AND HE JUST GOT HERE AND THERE IS LITIGATION INVOLVED.
NOTHING COMPARES TO HARRIS COUNTY IN TERMS OF SIZE.
WE DO A GEO GRAPHIC SIZE OF 1778 SQUARE MILES AND OVER 2.5 MILLION REGISTERED VOTERS SPREAD ACROSS THE COUNTY.
WE ARE THE LONGEST BALLOT IN THE COUNTY -- IN THE -- COUNTRY.
OUR BALLOT IS TWICE AS LONG AS L.A. COUNTY.
I KNOW YOU WERE BORN OR AT LEAST GREW UP THERE.
WHICH HAS THE NEXT LONGEST BALLOT WITH 40 CONTESTED RACES.
IT IS A LOT. WE DID GO FROM BEING THE ENVY OF THE NATION WHERE THIS COURT PUT UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES INTO RUNNING ELECTIONS. IN FACT, WE WERE SO GOOD AT IT, IT PROMPTED THE STATE TO MAKE IT MORE DIFFICULT TO VOTE THAN EVER IN THE HISTORY OF THE STATE. AND TO ADD MORE CHALLENGES FOR PEOPLE BEING ABLE TO REGISTER TO VOTE.
SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, MR. BERRY, WHEN WE HAVE THAT DISCUSSION, WE ARE GIVEN -- WE ARE GIVING THE OFFICE THE RESOURCES THEY THINK THEY NEED SO THAT IF AT SOME POINT A DECISION IS PLAYED -- IS MADE ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE UP TO THE TASK, THEY HAD THE RESOURCES THAT THEY THINK THEY NEED. COMING TO US AND MAKING SURE WE WILL CUT IT, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR.
AND NOT ONLY RUNNING ELECTIONS, BUT ONE OF THE MORE RESTRICTIVE VOTER REGISTRATION PROCESSES IN THE COUNTRY.
GEORGIA RANKS THE MOST RESTRICTIVE -- OR THE MOST RESTRICTIVE. WE DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE AS SOON AS THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. WHATEVER THE LAUPER MITTS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WERE HERE.
I CAN'T I CAN'T REMEMBER IF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS HERE WHEN WE CREATED THE OFFICE OF ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR.
PART OF THE CONCERN I HAD, AT LEAST, WITH THE PERSON WE APPOINTED ON THE INTERIM BASIS WHEN IT OPENED UP IS THEY WOULD
[03:50:01]
GO AS FAR AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD SAY THEY COULD GO.THE COUNTY WOULD DEFEND THEM AND ENCOURAGE THEM AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. ONE WAY TO SOLVE A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS IF IT WAS EASIER FOR PEOPLE TOO DMAIL IN BALLOTS.
YOU WOULDN'T HAVE HADS AMANY PEOPLEHO SWING UP TOO GAND VOTE IF THEYOU CLD DO THAT. WITH THAT SAID, S I'MUREWI HE LL WATCH THE TAPE AND WHEN HE CAN TALK,WI KNONG THERE ARE LITIGATION ISSUES OUT THERE AS WELL WE WILL HEARHI FROM M ABOUH ATEVER HE CAN TALK W ABOUTITH THOSE ITEMS PENDING.IF THERE IS NO MORESS DISCUION ON THIS T ITEM,HERE IS NO ACTION ON THISOM ITEM, CMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT IS 3:27 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL NOW PROCEEDO TO GO TVE EXECUTI
YOU STILL HAVE 314 AND YOU WANTED TO GO BACK. R
>>ODNEY ELLIS: ACTUALLY, COMMISSIONER>> -- ADRIAN GARCIA: ACTUALLY COMMISSIONER WE HAVEEV
MR. TRINO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ITEM WAS
THAT?IA >> ADRN GARCIA: 314.NE
>> RODY ELLIS: MR. TREVINO, ARE YOU>> READY? MY APOLOGIES FOR THEL TECHNICAISSUESOD.
>> RNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT YOU ANOTHER TWOYBE WAIT WEEKS.T I KNOW WHAYOU ARE TRYING TOU DO AND YOCAN COMMENT ON ITD BRIEFLY ANWE CAN SEEWE HOW QUICK
CAN GET OUT OF HERE. >> I'LL BE BRIEF.EL
>> RODNEY LIS: I RAISEDD THE ISSUE AN COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD THE SAME ISSUE.WE COULD YOU LOR THE TOLLS?T CAN YOU MAKE IA BIT EASIER ONWH PEOPLE.
O HAS THE MOST TOLL ROADS? IS ITR COMMISSIONER GARCIA O ME?
>> PRECINCT 1 HAS THE MOST TOLL ROAD MILES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: BUT NOT BY MUCH. I
HOW MUCH? >>T IS A PRETTY GOOD AMOUNT PRECINCT 1 ANDEN PRECINCT 2 AND TH 3 AND 4.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANYTHING YOUE WANT TO SAY ABOUT THE ITEMS? YOU CALLED M AND BRIEFED ME. OR I CALLED YOU ON IT.
>> IT WAS MORE HOUSEKEEPING. THE POLICY HADN'T BEEN UPDATED SINCE 2007. WE ARE UPDATING THE POLICY TO CURRENT PRACTICES AND WE ARE IN THE FUTURE OF NOT COLLECTING CASH ON THE TOLL ROAD. THE PREVIOUS POLICY, THE BASIS OF ALL OTHER TOLL WORK RATES WAS THE CASH ON THE ROADWAY.
SINCE THAT IS LO -- SINCE THAT IS NO LONGER AN OPTION, THE POLICY CHANGE WAS ADMINISTRATIVE WHAT WAS BEFORE THE COURT TODAY WAS A FLAT NO CHANGE TO ANY OF THE TOLERATES AT ALL.
SO I DO HEAR FROM YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO FIND WAYS TO LOWER THE POLL -- THE TOLL.
I WILL DO THAT. WE CAN LOOK AT THAT AND WHAT IMPACT IT MAY BE. WE WILL CIRCLE BACK TO SEE WHAT THAT LOOKS LIKE.
IS NO OBJECTION. I ASSUME THERE >> IN THIS MARKET I WOULD THINK IT WOULD BE -- I THINK WE CAN SEND A MESSAGE ACROSS THE STATE AND IF NOT THE COUNTRY. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THAT AS WELL.
>> AND I AM GLAD TO SAY THAT IT IS NOT BECAUSE I'M TRYING TO PANDER POLITICALLY. I ASSUME THAT IT WILL GO TO YOUR ALL PRECINCTS. YOU HAVE TO HEAD OUT TO YOUR PRECINCTS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I CAN SEE
YOU. >> MR. TREVINO, A QUICK COMMENT.
I WILL FOLLOW-UP ON SOMETHING COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE, A POINT HE MADE. GOSH, IT HAS BEEN SEVERAL MONTHS AGO. THE AMOUNT OF REVENUE WE LOSE ON THE TOLL ROADS BECAUSE OF PAPER PLATES, AND WE DIDN'T SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THAT, BUT IT IS A BIG NUMBER.
>> IT IS HUGE. >> AND I KNOW THERE IS INCREASED FOCUS. I KNOW I PUT IN CAMERAS AND YOU PUT IN CAMERAS. AND AS YOU LOOK AT THAT, ONE DOESN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE OTHER.
LOWERING THE TOLLS MAY BE ONE THING, BUT GETTING PEOPLE THE TOLL THAT ARE NOT PAYING THE TOLL IS A WHOLE OTHER BIG -- AT LEAST HAVE THAT ON THE RADAR SCREEN.
>> YES, SIR. WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO COMBAT THE PAPER PLATE ISSUE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND LOOK, HAVEN'T BEEN A BIG FAN OF THE STATE, BUT THEY HAVE ADDRESSED PAPER PLATES TO A CERTAIN EXTENT. SO IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE IN THE FRAUDULENT PAPER PLATES OR IF THERE IS ANY CHANGE IN THE WAY IT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY
[03:55:05]
ADMINISTERED. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT ASWE HAVE A PRETTY GOOD IDEA WHAT THE TOLLS ARE STATEWIDE.
>> YES, SIR. >> TOM RAMSEY: AND AT LEAST IT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR US TO KNOW HOW WE RANK.
ARE WE ON THE HIGH END? ARE WE IN THE MIDDLE? IT IS NOT WHAT THEY DO IN TRAVIS COUNTY.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW WHAT THOSE RATES ARE VERSUS OUR
RATES. >> I WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO BE THE BEST. WE WILL GET YOU THAT COMPARISON AND COMPLIMENTS TO COURT FOR NOT RAISING THE TOLL.
WE HAVE NOT RAISED THE TOLLS SINCE 2015.
AS WE KNOW THE COST OF GOODS AND THE INFLATION HAS INCREASED, BUT WE HAVE NOT RAISED TOLLS. IF WE CAN FIND A WAY TO FURTHER REDUCE TOLLS IT WOULD BE A GREAT THING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ANY OTHER TKPHEPBTS --RE COMMENTS?
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I AM INTESTED TO SEE HOW WE COULD PRODUCE THE TOLLS. THANK YOU.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED A MOTION ON THAT TO APPROVE AS IS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ONCE WE ADOPT THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS IT.
ANY OPPOSED? THE ITEM IS ADOPTED.
[Executive Session]
IT IS NOW 3:33 AND COMMISSIONERS' COURT WILL NOW PROCEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM WHICH IS IT, 3:.IT IS 3:45 AND THE COURT HASUT RETURNED FROM EXECIVE SESSION.
WE HAVE ONE ITEM LEFT. IT IS -- I DON'T HAVE A NOTE OF
THEGA NUMBER. >> ADRIAN RCIA: 154.54
>> RODNEY ELLIS: 1, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FOR THELE RECORD, JUST TO BE CAR THIS IS ITEM THAT WAS HELD AT THE LAST COURT.
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THIS IS INCREMENTALHE PART-TIME POSITION RATR THAN A SWAP OF A SWORN DEPUTY POSITION FOR ONE AND A HALF ADDITIONAL CIVILIANIA POSITIONS.
>> ADRN GARCIA: I TAKE YOUR WORD FOR. IT AND MOVE ON THE
ITEMM >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE ITEHAS BEEN MOVED AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR VOTE I.
>> ITE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE IM PASSES. IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS? IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN? IT IS --
>> LET'S JUST -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS 3:40 SECONDS AND IS THERE -- 3:46 AND IS THERE A MOTION TO ADJOURN?
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.