[00:00:01]
FOLKS, WE ARE JUST WAITING ON THE COMMISSIONER WHO IS INTRODUCING THE PRAYER. HE WILL BE HERE IN
A MINUTE. >> LET ME LOOK, JUDGE. I DO NOT RECALL.
[Bishop James Dixon II of The Community of Faith Church in Houston.]
APRIL 4, 2023 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS TO ORDER.>> WE NEED TO HAVE BISHOP JAMES DIXON FOR THE PRAYER THIS MORNING. OF COURSE HE HAS HIS PHD IN THEOLOGY AND CHAIR OF OUR SPORTS ENTITY.
MANY OF US AND ALL OF US IN FACT SAW HIM LAST NIGHT. I KNOW THAT HE LEFT EARLY BECAUSE HE IS IN ROUTE TO AUSTIN.
HE IS A CIVIL RIGHTS CRUSADER AND GIVES ME SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE.
BISHOP, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE PRAYER TODAY
. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
GOOD MORNING TO EACH OF YOU AND TO YOU, JUDGE. WE HONOR EACH OF YOU IN YOUR RESPECTIVE POSITIONS AND ROLES.
I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TO PRAY ON THIS SIGNIFICANT DAY AS WE REFLECT ON THE LIFE AND LEGACY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
THAT WAS ASSASSINATED APRIL 4, 1968.
WE ARE REFLECTIVE ON HIS CONTRIBUTIONS .
THE VALUE THAT CONTINUE TO INFORM OUR SERVICE EVEN TODAY.
WITH THAT IN MIND, WE WOULD MAKE READY TO PRAY.
I ENCOURAGE EACH OF YOU THAT ARE STAYING IN GOOD TROUBLE , IN THE WORDS OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN LEWIS.
IN ORDER OF DR. KING, WE WILL LEARN TOGETHER AS BROTHERS AND SISTERS OR PERISH TOGETHER AS FOOLS AND I PRAY WE DO THE NOBLE ONE.
OUR GOD, WE THANK YOU THAT WE ARE PRIVILEGED ENOUGH TO HAVE THIS DAY.
WE THANK YOU THAT YOU BLESSED US TO HAVE ALERTNESS, AWARENESS AND TO BE PRESENT TO PARTICIPATE, TO DO OUR PART TO BRING YOUR WILL TO PASS ON THIS EARTH .
LORD, WE ALL REPRESENT YOU IN THE VARIOUS POSITIONS THAT WE HOLD.
THANK YOU FOR THE GIFT, THE SKILLS, INTELLECT AND TALENT YOU HAVE IN DOUBT AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR OUR JUDGE AND EVERY COMMISSIONER. FOR ALL OF THE WORK IN PARIS COUNTING IN EVERY DEPARTMENT, WE PRAY TODAY YOU BLESS OUR CITY, BLESS OUR COUNTY, BLESS OUR FAITH AND BLESS OUR NATION.
WE HAVE SUFFERING PEOPLE WHO ARE HOMELESS.
BUT GOD WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE IN POVERTY GET WE HAVE PEOPLE WITH MUCH BUT THEY STILL NEED A LOT. WE PRAY FOR EVERY ASPECT OF OUR COUNTY TO BE BLESSED BY THE LEADERSHIP OF THIS TEAM, AND BY THIS COURT. WE THANK YOU FOR THE SUCCESSES WE HAVE HAD IN THE PAST.
TOGETHER, WORKING TOGETHER DOING YOUR WILL WE CAN LET OUR LIGHT SHINE AND GLORIFY OUR FATHER IN HAVE BEEN. LEE'S BEST US PLEASE BLESS US AND THANK YOU FOR THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
THANK YOU FOR THAT SERVICE. THE MODELS, VALUES PREACHED AND PRACTICED OF NONVIOLENCE, CIVIL DISCOURSE.
HELP US TO LIFT THE DEMOCRACY WITH THE EXCHANGE OF IDEALS AND VALUES, AND NOT HATE BUT TO LOVE. UNDERSTAND THE POWER OF COLLECTIVE POTENCY.
WE THANK YOU TO COMMEMORATE, GIVE LIFE AND MAYBE LIVE TOGETHER IN THE NAME OF OUR LORD, IN THE NAME OF CHRIST WE
PRAY. AMEN. >> THANK YOU, BISHOP.
I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR WORK. I SAW THE PICTURES OF YOU AND REVEREND BILL AUSTIN, JESSE JACKSON.
OF COURSE THE TWO ARE ELDERS IN WHEELCHAIRS AND IT WAS A SPECIAL PRIVILEGE. I HATE THAT I COULD NOT BE WITH YOU. IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE ASKED YOU TO GIVE THIS PRAYER TODAY BECAUSE 65 YEARS AGO TODAY DR. KING WAS ASSASSINATED.
JUDGE, I HAVE SEVERAL RESOLUTIONS AND ONE IS INCOME RIVER OF. --OF THE FAIR HOUSING ACT .
I WENT TO THE APARTMENT THAT MARTIN KING MOVED INTO IN CHICAGO. I WAS THERE FOR POLITICAL REASONS AND OTHER REASONS.
TO THINK THAT HE WOULD MOVE INTO THAT NOT PUBLIC HOUSING BUT I THINK THE RENT WAS UNDER $100 A MONTH . THAT WAS TO PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THE NEED FOR AFFORDABLE AND FAIR ACCESS TO HOUSING.
I KNOW YOU'RE IN OFTEN DOING CIVIL RIGHTS WORK, AND I KNOW IT'S TOUGH PARTICULARLY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT BUT WE APPRECIATE YOU.
WE HOPE WE ALL TAKE LESSONS FROM DR.
[00:05:04]
MARTIN LUTHER KING AND FROM YOUR LIFE LESSONS.>> IF YOU COULD INCREASE THOSE PRAYERS FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS
. >> I WILL DOUBLE DOWN ON THOSE PRAYERS.
. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU ,
RECITE THE PLEDGE. >> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.
>>> UNDER THE TEXAS FLAG I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE , UNDER GOD, ONE
AND INDIVISIBLE. >>> YOU WILL HAVE TO FORGIVE ME ON THESE PRAYER INTRODUCTIONS.
I GET IT BACKWARD ALL OF THE TIME.
WE WILL THINK ABOUT WHERE THE CHAIN OF COMMUNICATION GETS BROKEN
ON THAT ONE. >>> LET'S MOVE ON TO
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
THE RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE 10 RESOLUTIONS THAT ARE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER. I THOUGHT WE HAD A LIMIT ON THE OUT OF ORDERRESOLUTIONS. >> JUDGE, I CHECKED THE RESOLUTIONS AND WE DO NOT IS OBVIOUSLY THE COURT CAN MAKE THAT RESOLUTION.
>> WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO DO ONE A TO GO FORWARD
YOU HAVE TWO, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> I HAVE TWO AND WOULD LIKE TO KEEP MY
TWO. >> ALL , THREE OR FOUR, IT LOOKS LIKE YOU HAVE FOUR, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF FOLKS THAT NEED TO GET OUT OF HERE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
I KNOW THE RESOLUTION ON FORMER COUNCILMEMBER ADA EDWARDS AND RESOLUTION ON HARRIS COUNTY PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY. THEY HAVE REQUESTED WE DO THE RESOLUTION AND TAKE THE PICTURE FIRST.
WE WILL NOT CUT BACK ON THE NUMBER OF OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS.
>> I WOULD JUST DO TWO THEN AND INSTEAD OF FOUR, AND THAT WILL BE THE CHILD ABUSE ONE. THE ELDERS I WILL LEAVE WITH CONSENT
. >> OKAY. I WILL LEAVE WITH TWO.
LET'S TRY TO SEE IF WE CAN GET THROUGH THESE IN 10 MINUTES, OKAY FOLKS, AND IF WE CANNOT WE WILL JUST OFTEN GET THE PICTURE IN 10 OR 15. LET ME START ON THIS RESOLUTION ON ERROR OF AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY --ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS HERE FOR THIS.
>> YOUR HONOR , COUNTY JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, GOOD MORNING. I AM A RESIDENT OF THE ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH COMMITTEE CENTER IN HOUSTON I AM PLEASED AND HONORED TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE TRUSTEES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CENTER AS WELL AS THE THOUSANDS OF ARAB-AMERICANS THAT CALL HARRIS COUNTY HOME.
WE GRACE LEE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS OF EVERYONE THAT HAS HONORED US BY MAKING THIS RESOLUTION POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA. AS WE CELEBRATE OUR ARAB-AMERICAN HERITAGE IN THE MONTH OF APRIL WE PROUDLY REMEMBER THOSE OTHERS, ARAB-AMERICANS IN PARTICULAR WHOSE ACHIEVEMENTS HAVE IMPACTED THOUSANDS OF LIVES IN OUR COMMUNITY.
THE LATE DANNY ] FOUNDER OF ST.
JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HEART --THE LATE DANNY THOMAS, FOUNDER OF ST.
JUDE'S CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND THE RENOWNED HEART SURGEON.
AS ARAB-AMERICANS LIVING IN HARRIS COUNTY WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE A MEMBER.
>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU ALL.
>> THANK YOU. >> SIR, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO WRAP UP, ANY FURTHER COMMENTS TO FINISH
>> THANK YOU FOR JOINING US THIS MORNING.
WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM .
>> OKAY. I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION AND WE CAN PULL THEM UP.
>> DURING THE MONTH OF APRIL WE CELEBRATE ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH TO PAY TRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITY RICH HERITAGE.
FOR OVER A CENTURY ARAB-AMERICANS HAVE MADE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO EVERY ASPECT OF ARAB-AMERICAN SOCIETY AND JOIN ALL AMERICANS IN THE DESIRE TO SEE A PEACEFUL
[00:10:02]
AND DIVERSE SOCIETY WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL IS TREATED EQUALLY AND FEEL SAFE IN THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO HELP BUILD A BETTER NATION.SIX 1997 THE ARAB AND AMERICAN CULTURAL AND COMMUNITY CENTER INSTRUMENTAL IN PROMOTING CULTURAL AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN ARAB-AMERICANS AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
ARAB-AMERICANS FOUNDATION LAUNCH THE MONTH INITIATIVE WHICH IS GROWN TO A NETWORK OF OVER 250 VOLUNTEERS IN 26 STATES.
THE RESOLVE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIGNATES APRIL 2023 AS ARAB-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH IN
SPEAKER TIFFANY. >> JACOB CLEMENTE'S SPEAKING ON ITEM FOUR. YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES.
IT IS ONE OF THE HOLIEST MONTHS OF THE ARAB MONTH . I WANTED TO CORRECT IN SAYING THAT THERE IS NO PICTURE OF A WHITE PERSON, MINORITIES OF BLACKS AND HISPANICS AND ALL ORIENTAL PEOPLE. NOW I HAVE A CARD TO GIVE TO YOU ALL TO LOOK AT , AND THIS IS A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD THAT WAS SIGNED BY ME LAST NIGHT AT THE NCAA FINAL FOUR GAME.
PLEASE PASS IT AROUND FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TO AND IT BACK. THE SHERIFF FOUND IT FOR ME AND THIS IS A GET OUT OF JAIL FREE CARD.
BUT ANYWAY HE SAYS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.
WAS ASSASSINATED AND IT WAS 55 YEARS AGO, APRIL 4, 1968.
WHY DO I REMEMBER THIS? IN LESS THAN 10 DAYS I WILL TURN 55.
MAGAZINE NEWSLETTER NO PICTURES OF PEOPLE IN WHEELCHAIRS OR TRANSGENDER PEOPLE, OR WHITE PEOPLE. IT COULD HAVE BEEN IMPROVED.
. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JACOB.
YOU. >>> THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS RECOGNIZING PEACE OFFICER -- PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY.
WHEREAS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DATE WILL BE OBSERVED IN HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS WEDNESDAY, MAY 3RD, AS PART OF POLICE WEEK TO HONOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS THAT HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES OR BECOME DISABLED IN THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR DUTY.
WHEREAS IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ALL CITIZENS UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEMS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THAT MEMBERS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RECOGNIZED THEIR DUTY TO SAFEGUARD PEOPLE. EVERY DAY PEACE OFFICERS SERVE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY, BUT THEMSELVES IN HARMS WAY AND RECOGNIZE WITH THEIR SERVICE COMES RISK AND SACRIFICE.
TO ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE PRESIDENT AND CONGRESS THE UNITED STATES AS WELL AS THE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATURE OF TEXAS HAVE DESIGNATED A DAY IN MAY AS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DAY AND THE WEEK IN WHICH IT OCCURS AS POLICE WEEK. NOW BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HIGHLY DESIGNATE WEDNESDAY, MAY 3RD, 2023 AS HARRIS COUNTY PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL DATE AND MAY 15, 2023 IS NATIONAL POLICE WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS. WE APPRECIATE AND ARE GRATEFUL TO ALL DEDICATED POLICE OFFICERS THAT PROTECT AND SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE SEVERAL FOLKS ON DUTY RIGHT NOW WHICH IS WHY WE NEED TO GET THE PICTURE TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN RETURN TO WORK.
FOR ALL OF YOU AND YOUR COLLEAGUES, AND YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE. PLEASE PASS ON OUR GRATITUDE TO YOUR FAMILY.
YOU. >> WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER HERE AS WELL .
[00:15:02]
YES, WELCOME. >> ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, JUDGING COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND CONTINUED SUPPORT. THE RESOLUTION WAS EXACTLY JUST THAT.
JUST A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THE MEMORIAL GARDEN. THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOUNDATION AND SHARING WITH SHERIFF GARCIA TO PROPERLY HONOR THE FALLEN OFFICERS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
WE AGREE TO FULLY FUND, DESIGN AND BUILD A MEMORIAL IN HONOR OF ALL HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES THAT HAVE MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE OF LIFE WHILE IN THE LINE OF DUTY. THE LONG-AWAITED VISION OF A PUBLIC MEMORIAL VENUE WAS REALIZED MAY 10, 2017 WHEN THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOUNDATION FORMALLY DEDICATED THE COMPLETED MEMORIAL GARDEN IN TRIBUTE OF ALL OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY FALLEN POLICE OFFICERS SO THAT THE LIES ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN. I AM HERE WITH THE REST OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HONOR GUARD.
>>> AND WE DO THE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING THE LEGACY OF THE FORMER COUNCILMEMBER AND TAKE THE PICTURES TO LET THESE GENTLEMEN LEAVE AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK FOR THE REST
OF THE RESOLUTIONS. >> JUDGE, I WON'T READ IT ALL BUT MOST OF THIS NEW ADA FAIRLY WELL, GREAT FAMILY MEMBER AND COUNCILMEMBER AND BELOVED GRANDMOTHER, HUMANITARIAN, ACTIVIST, PUBLIC SERVANT AND A CHERISHED PILLAR OF A IMMUNITY THAT CHANGED HOUSTON FOR THE BETTER. WE CONSIDER OUR OWN ELLA BAKER A PEERLESS COMMUNITY ORGANIZER AND LED THE ANTI-APARTHEID MOVEMENT AND USED IN IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE PEOPLE IN SOUTH AFRICA AND A WORKAROUND JUSTICE THAT FELL VICTIM TO POLICE BRUTALITY.
THEY WERE AHEAD OF THEIR TIME IN TERMS OF LEVEL OF ACTIVISM.
AS A COUNCILMEMBER WORKING TO ADVANCE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND REVITALIZE UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS AND RE-CREASED --INCREASED ACCESS FOR THOSE WITH AIDS AND LIVING WITH HIV , AIDS AND SO MUCH MORE.
IT WAS A GREAT LIFE DIFFICULT OR MOST PEOPLE TO GO FROM ACTIVISM AND THEN BE ACTIVE IN PUBLIC OFFICE AND BE GOOD AT IT.
SHE WAS THAT VERY MUCH INDEED A MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
SHE WILL ALWAYS BE REMEMBERED AND CHERISHED IN WITH THE WORK WITH THE SHAPING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTER IN PARTICULAR.
I TAKE TIME TO HONOR HER AND HER SON, TODD, IS HERE.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE THAT COME UP AND SAY A FEW WORDS WE WOULD BE HONORED.
WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS.
YOU CAN TAKE MORE THAN A MINUTE
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO. >> I DON'T NEED THAT MUCH TIME BUT THANK YOU.
I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU JUDGE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS.
THANK YOU TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR RECEIVING MY MOTHER.
SHE MOVED HERE IN 1979 FROM SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA.
SHE WAS LOOKING FOR A PLACE TO LIVE AND SERVE.
AS A RESULT OF THAT YOU RECEIVED HER AND ALLOWED HER TO DO THAT, WORKING WITH ME GIVE YOU AND PROBABLY MANY OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE. AS I STAND HERE TODAY AND I LOOK AROUND, AND I LOOK AT THE BEAUTIFUL DIVERSITY, MEN AND WOMEN, AFRICAN-AMERICAN, HISPANIC, ASIAN , GAY AND STRAIGHT.
I REMIND US WE HAVE MORE IN COMMON THAN DIFFERENCES.
AS YOU STONING IN'S AND AMERICANS I KNOW WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE CLINICAL DIFFERENCES.
THAT IS GOOD BECAUSE THAT MAKES AMERICA GREAT BUT I HEARKEN YOU AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO REMEMBER THAT WE HAVE MORE THINGS IN COMMON THAT WE HAVE DIFFERENCES AND I ALWAYS THINK THAT WHEN YOU HAVE SET 10 MEN IN FRONT OF YOU AND ASKED THEM WHAT IS IMPORTANT FOR THEM, THEY WILL SAY THEY WILL WANT TO HAVE CLEAN NEIGHBORHOODS, SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS AND GOOD EDUCATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW WHETHER BUSINESS OR IN THE CLINICAL ENDEAVORS, BUSINESS ENDEAVORS BECAUSE WE ALL WANT THESE THINGS. WE WILL HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES BUT I ENCOURAGE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO WORK DILIGENTLY TO REMEMBER THINGS THAT WE HAVE IN COMMON AND ALLOW THAT TO BIND US TO MAKE TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES A BETTER PLACE.
THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOU. >>
THANK YOU. >> TODD , THANK YOU.
>> TODD, I WANT TO OFFER A FEW WORDS AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I DID SEVER YOUR MOM ON THE COUNCIL.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE WORDS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SPOKE, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT , DON'T EVEN TOUCH WHO YOUR MOTHER WAS. I WOULD JUST TELL YOU THAT SHE HAD A VOICE AND SHE SPOKE ON
[00:20:02]
MANY ISSUES. IF YOU HAVE LOOKED AROUND THE POLITICAL ARENA , THERE ARE MANY OF US THAT HAVE DONE THE SAME THING.NO ONE HAS SPOKEN WITH THE HEART THAT YOUR MOTHER SPOKE WITH.
THERE IS SO MUCH THE ON THOSE ISSUES THAT SHE WOULD SPEAK ON.
THERE WAS SO MUCH DEEP THAT SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING OUT AND MAKE IT REAL FOR ALL OF US I REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME SHE STARTED TO SPEAK ON APARTHEID AT COUNSEL , WE DID NOT UNDERSTAND IT.
I SAT DOWN WITH HER AND SPOKE WITH HER AND SHE STARTED TO EDUCATE ME ON WHY THIS WAS IMPORTANT.
I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT WITH ALL DUE RESPECT AND WITH ALL OF THE ACTIVISTS OR ANY ONE OF US THAT THINK WE OR SOMETHING, YOUR MAMA WAS SOMETHING SPECIAL.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.
>> TODD, I TOLD YOU WHEN WE CHATTED AFTER SHE PASSED, MY BEST MEMORY OF HER WAS THAT SHE WAS IN FAILING HEALTH . WE NEEDED SOMEONE FROM CITY COUNCIL TO JOIN THE DELEGATION TO TRY TO GO GET THAT LUCY EXHIBIT TO COME HERE.
SHE REALLY SHOULD NOT GO AND HER DOCTOR TOLD HER IT WAS NOT WISE.
SHE DECIDED SHE WANTED TO GO UP THERE WHERE THEY HAVE THOSE STONE TORCHES WERE YOU HAD TO CLIMB IN WITH NO ELEVATOR TO GET INTO THERE. THE COUNCILMEMBER WAS BARELY ABLE TO WALK . SHE DID IT.
IT WAS SUCH A MOVING EXPERIENCE.
SHE HAS SUCH A TREMENDOUS IMPACT.
OF COURSE AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HER WORK ON APARTHEID LONG BEFORE SHE WAS ON THE COUNCIL OBVIOUSLY PLAYING A KEY ROLE TO GET THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON TO BE THE FIRST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY IN THE SOUTH TO THE BEST FROM COMPANIES HAVING ASSETS WHO DID BUSINESS IN SOUTH AFRICA. SHE WAS VERY MUCH AHEAD OF HER TIME.
BUT ON ANY ISSUE SHE WOULD GET OUT THERE , INCLUDING HELPING MANY OF HER FRIENDS THAT ENDED UP INVOLVED IN THE NO JUSTICE SYSTEM .
AHEAD OF HER TIME, LONG BEFORE SHE WAS IN POLITICS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. I FELT PROUD OF TALK WITH HER BACK WHEN I STARTED IN 2017.
I WAS NERVOUS ABOUT CALLING HER.
IT WAS SO WONDERFUL TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INTERACT WITH HER EVEN IF NOT AS MUCH AS MY COLLEAGUES.
ANYWAY, GIVE A GREAT MOTHER AND WE ARE SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS
. >> THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> WE WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES WITH SOME OF THE DEPUTIES AND THEN COME BACK WITH THE REST OF THE RESOLUTIONS.
[00:28:47]
OKAY , COMMISSIONER ELLIS.>> THIS IS ONE THAT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
APRIL IS NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH, A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS AND PROVIDE RESOURCES TO ENSURE OUR COMMITTEES ARE SAFE. WHEREAS CHILDREN THRIVE IN SAFE , STABLE NURTURING FAMILIES MAKING IT NECESSARY TO BUILD STRONG PREVENTION SYSTEMS AS PART OF A ROBUST FAMILY WELL-BEING SYSTEM.
THIS MONTH IS DEDICATED TO RECOGNIZE THE CRITICAL WORK DONE ACROSS TEXAS TO MEET THE FAMILY'S UPSTREAM BEFORE THE CRISIS OCCURS TO OFFER THEM SUCCESSFUL LIFELINES AND MITIGATE THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.
WHEREAS STRONG COMMUNITY SUPPORT IS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE EACH AND EVERY CHILD IN HARRIS COUNTY IS ABLE TO BE SAFE, HAVE THEIR NEEDS MET . WHEREAS COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS FOCUSING ON PREVENTION ARE ESSENTIAL TO REDUCING SEXUAL ASSAULT, CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY, KRISTEN MENEFEE, CHILDREN'S COMMUNITY CENTER, THE PROTECTIVE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, RESOURCES AND CHILDREN, AND THEIR A RARE IN THIS
[00:30:01]
OF CHILD ABUSE --AWARENESS OF CHILD ABUSE.HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES THE MONTH OF APRIL, 2023 AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I THINK WE MAY HAVE A COUPLE OF VERY ABLE SPEAKERS ON THE SUBJECT THAT ARE JOINING US.
I AM TIFFANY REEDY ON HERE OF KRISTEN MENEFEE AND GRATEFUL THAT MY BOSS, J, LET ME COME TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY.
I'M GRATEFUL TO OUR PARTNERS HERE TODAY, CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER REPRESENTED BY JEFF ALEXANDER IN THE CORNER.
I'M SORRY, NOT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER BUT HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS. BEHIND ME IS KAREN KINARD HERE ON BEHALF OF THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER AND ON BEHALF OF THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES, WE HAVE TWO PROGRAM ADMINISTRATORS IN THE BACK. WE COULD NOT DO THIS WORK WITHOUT THEM.
IN MY ROLE AS MANAGING COUNCIL OF THE 80 PEOPLE THAT DO THIS WORK IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WE NECESSARILY NEED ALL OF THESE FOLKS TO MAKE SURE THE KIDS ARE PROTECTED.
WE REPRESENT THE CHILD ABUSE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMITTED TO PROTECTING EVERY SINGLE CHILD THAT LIVES IN THIS COUNTY FROM ABUSE OR NEGLECT.
IS IT OKAY TO KEEP GOING? OKAY. IN THE LAST YEAR MY TEAM OF OVER 80 PEOPLE HAVE MANAGED OVER 2300 ONGOING CASES, HANDLED OVER 7000 HEARINGS. EVERY CHILD DESERVES TO GROW UP IN A LOVING, SAFE AND CARING ENVIRONMENT.
THIS MONTH WITH COME TOGETHER TO RECOMMIT TO THE GOAL.
INTERVENTION IS NECESSARY BUT PREVENTION IS ALSO NECESSARY.
THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK IS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES BEFORE THE CRISIS OCCURS.
THE GROUP OF PEOPLE THAT WORKED HERE TODAY WORK TIRELESSLY TO DO THAT. THERE ARE FOUR VERY IMPORTANT PEOPLE ON MY TEAM, AMY STRICKLAND, DEPUTY DIVISION DIRECTOR.
FRANCINE GARRETT IS DIVISION DIRECTOR OVER THE LAWYERS.
KATRINA MAJORS MANAGES PARALEGALS AND SUPPORT STAFF.
FRAN BROCK AND THE BACK IS THE DEPUTY MANAGER OF KATRINA . IT TAKES A LOT OF US TO GET THE WORK DONE AND I APPRECIATE THEM VERY MUCH. WE KNOW THAT CHILDREN THRIVE IN SAFE AND STABLE, NURTURING FAMILIES WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMUNITIES.
OUR TEAM WORKS TOWARD THE GOAL OF KEEPING THE FAMILY TOGETHER.
THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES RESULTED LAST YEAR AND FAMILY REUNIFICATION OR PLACING THE CHILD WITH A RELATIVE. NOT ONLY THE PEOPLE STANDING UP. TODAY CAN DO THEIR PART TO KEEP OUR KIDS SAFE BUT SOMETHING AT EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT, COMMUNITY, ORGANIZATIONS AND INDIVIDUALS IN THE COMMUNITY SHOULD BE DOING AND ADVOCATING FOR DAILY.
TOGETHER WE CAN CREATE A BETTER HARRIS COUNTY FOR KIDS AND THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO THE GO NOT ONLY IN APRIL OR TODAY, BUT EVERY DAY AND IN EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR. THANK YOU.
I AM MEDICATIONS MANAGER FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS.
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THAT COULD NOT BE HERE THIS MORNING. I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING VERY DEAR TO HIS ART AND HE WOULD HAVE WANTED TO BE HERE.
I THINK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THEIR ONGOING SUPPORT AND ALSO TO ALLOW US TO COME HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH AND TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE ROLE THAT EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY PLACE IN PROTECTING CHILDREN AND PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE. OUR THEME THIS YEAR, ALL HANDS ON DECK.
TODAY WE ARE HERE TO SPREAD THE WORD THAT WE NEED ALL HANDS ON DECK TO PREVENT, PROTECT AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.
FIRST RESPONDERS CANNOT DO IT ALONE. HARRIS COUNTY IS FOR WE HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT CHILD ABUSE IS AVAILABLE . THIS MONTH AND ALL YEAR LONG WE ASK EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY TO COME TOGETHER , PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU AND GIVE JOEL MY REGARDS.
>> HELLO . I'M KAREN KINARD, DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER. I STAND HERE ON BEHALF OF OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JERRY MCCRACKEN, UNABLE TO BE YOUR.
THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH WITH THIS RESOLUTION.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER AND HARD WORK OUR STAFF DOES.
IT'S AN HONOR TO STAND HERE WITH OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERS, HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN'S FAMILIES, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY AND PROTECTIVE SERVICES. AS EXECUTIVE
[00:35:02]
DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER I HOLD PREVENTION NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART . WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME BEING REACTIVE WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD ABUSE.CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION ALLOWS US TO BE PROACTIVE AND IDENTIFY, RAISE AWARENESS AND PREVENT CHILD ABUSE.
LAST YEAR IN 2022 THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER PROVIDED TRAINING TO OVER 36,000 PEOPLE.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU FOR PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE IN HARRIS
IT'S HARD WORK AND IMPORTANT, AND IT'S ABOUT SPREADING THE WORD IN MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS, ALL OF US IN THE COMMUNITY WEEK, KEEP AN EYE OUT AND TALK WITH THE CHILDREN IN OUR LIVES. THANK YOU.
WILL WORK TO CONTINUE SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US HAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
JUDGE. >> MY FIRST RESOLUTION IS FOR -- MORE FOR SPECIAL LADY BUT FOR AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS ALSO SPECIAL TO ME. I WANT TO BEGIN BY RECOGNIZING THIS INCREDIBLE INSTITUTION IN HOUSTON COMMUNITY . THAT BEING THE CAMARA DE EMPRESARIOS LATINOS DE HOUSTON, CELH .
GONZALES IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE ORGANIZATION AND WILL BE RECEIVING THIS RESOLUTION.
LET ME JUST SAY THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT DO A WHOLE LOT OF JUSTICE FOR THE HISTORY.
THEY ARE CELEBRATING 30 YEARS AND WERE NOT SAY CAMARA, THAT IS THE TRANSLATION IN SPANISH FOR CHAMBER.
THIS PARTICULAR CHAMBER CELEBRATING 30 YEARS. I REMEMBERED THAT FIRST DAYS OF ITS CREATION AND COMING TO LIFE. THERE WAS MANY CHALLENGES HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY . LATINO BUSINESSES SPECIFICALLY ARE BEING TARGETED.
A LOT MORE OF THE OTHERS WERE IN CITY HALL POUNDING THE PAVEMENT AND YELLING AT THE MAYOR AND ALL OF US.
THAT WAS ONLY THE TIP OF THE ICEBERG.
AS YOU LOOK AROUND THAT HOUSTON LANDSCAPE, YOU WILL BE AMAZED TO SEE SO MANY CAMARA SUCCESS STORIES.
IT IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE SPIRIT THAT IMMIGRANTS BRING TO THIS COUNTRY . THEY JUST WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE, WORK HARD AND PLAY BY THE RULES BUT ALSO TO SUCCEED.
SO TO THAT END, I JUST PROUD OF CAMARA DE EMPRESARIOS LATINOS DE HOUSTON, CELH , BUT THE LEADERSHIP IN ENJOYS TODAY AND IN TODAY'S HISTORY IS PHENOMENAL.
DO NOT TELL THE OTHER PRESIDENTS THAT YOU ARE MY FAVORITE. BUT ONLY TO SAY THAT YOU HAVE TAKEN THE CAMARA TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL . I'M SO PROUD OF YOU .
I'M PROUD TO HAVE A PARTNERSHIP WITH YOU IN THE PRECINCT.
LOOKING AT WAYS TO GREAT MORE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES , FINDING A WAY OR WAYS TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO SEEK OUT EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE COUNTY, FACILITATING ALL OF THOSE THINGS.
ALL OF THAT TO SAY THAT THIS RESOLUTION READS THAT IN 1993 AFTER SUFFERING A WAVE OF ROBBERIES AT THEIR HOMES AND BUSINESSES, HISPANIC THIS IS OWNERS CAME TOGETHER AND FOUNDED THE CAMARA DE EMPRESARIOS LATINOS DE HOUSTON, CELH , TO SUPPORT RECOVERY AND GROWTH OF BUSINESSES, ESTABLISHED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN RESPONSE TO THE THEFT OF LOSSES TO THOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, MR. RAFFAELLA TAKE A, THE FOUNDER OF THE MEET MARKETS CONSULTED WITH THE JUDGE AND THE JUDGE ADVISED HIM TO UNIFY THE MERCHANTS, FILE COMPLAINTS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND CREATED A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.
HE WAS A TRUSTED ADVISOR FOR THE ORGANIZATION FOR MANY YEARS. THE ORIGINAL FOUNDERS INCLUDED INAUDIBLE ]
[00:40:04]
] SO PEOPLE CAN APPRECIATE THIS, THOSE NAMES ARE ASSOCIATED EARLIER THE JEWELRY STORE, MEAT MARKETS, THE LAW FIRM, LATINO AMERICA SOUNDS AND THE OVER 125 MEMBERS AND BUSINESSES.THE ORGANIZATION CHANGES NAME IN 2002 TO CAMARA DE EMPRESARIOS LATINOS DE HOUSTON, CELH. THE INITIAL GOES FOR UNITY AND PROTECTION OF HISPANIC BUSINESS OWNERS AND FAMILIES.
LATER GOES WERE ADDED TO PROVIDE HISPANIC ENTREPRENEURS WITH EDUCATION FOR BUSINESS FORMATION AND OPERATION.
MEMBERS OF THE CAMARA INCLUDED BUSINESSMEN AND BUSINESSWOMEN OF LATINO LED AMERICAN ORIGIN REPRESENTING BUSINESSES AND PERSONAL INSURANCE, COMMUNICATIONS, CONTRACTORS, COMPUTER LANGUAGE COMPANIES, FINANCIAL ADVISORY, GAS COMPANIES, GROCERY STORES, MARKETING AND ADVERTISING, RESTAURANTS, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL DISTRIBUTORS. TODAY THE FORMAT PILLARS OF THE ORGANIZATION SERVING FOUR AND 50 MEMBER COMPANIES ARE EDUCATION, INFORMATION, SUPPORT, AND INAUDIBLE ].
WITH THAT, CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL OF THE MEMBERS, TO THE BEAUTIFUL RICH HISTORY OF THE CAMARA.
YOU , AS WELL, CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YOU HAVE SOMETHING MORE TO SAY AND THANK YOU?
>> AND THE DAY 30 YEARS AGO, FIVE HISPANIC BUSINESSES STARTED THIS CHAMBER. WE DON'T CALL IT CHAMBER.
WE CALL IT CAMARA. IT STARTED BECAUSE OF SECURITY AND BECAUSE OF PROTECTION OF THE HISPANIC BUSINESS.
TODAY WE HAVE 4 TO 50 HISPANIC BUSINESSES.
WE SERVE THE BUSINESS AND NOT JUST THE OWNER.
THE FORMAT PILLARS BESIDES SECURITY AND PROTECTION ARE EDUCATION AND INFORMATION, SUPPORT AND CONNECTIONS. WE ARE NOT ONLY HERE IN THE UNITED STATES BUT WE ALSO EXTENDED ALL BILATERAL TO SOUTH AMERICAN AND CENTRAL AMERICA TO BRING THOSE TRADEMARKS SO THAT WE CAN DO BILATERAL CONNECTIONS.
I STARTED THIS POSITION FOR SIX MONTHS AND TODAY IS 10 YEARS.
SO EVIDENTLY I FOUND THE PASSION IN HELPING THE HISPANIC BUSINESS . TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS, ANYTIME YOU NEED US, WE ARE HERE.
>>> COMMISSIONER, YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION?
>> YES. I THIS ONE THAT IS SPECIAL IN SO MANY WAYS.
I WILL JUST BEGIN THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THE BIRTHDAY.
I KNOW THIS MAY SOUND CORNY BUT WHEN I WAS A KID I REMEMBER SEEING THE COMMERCIAL OF A NATIVE AMERICAN CANOEING DOWN THE STREAM .
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU WOULD SEE THAT TEAR COMING DOWN HIS EYE BECAUSE THE STREAM TURN FROM PRISTINE TO CONTAMINATED AND POLLUTED, AND LITTERED .
IT WAS JUST SERVING AS A REMINDER FOR ME AS A KID THAT WE COULD DO BETTER.
WE NEED TO RESPECT THE EARTH BECAUSE IT GIVES US SO MUCH AND WE NEED TO LEAVE IT IN BETTER SHAPE THAN HOW WE ARRIVED HERE, SO THAT GENERATIONS TO COME WILL ALWAYS HAVE A WONDERFUL PLACE TO CALL HOME.
TO THAT END , I DO WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT WHAT --WHEN I CAME INTO THIS ROOM I WENT TO ATTEND MY FIRST NATIONAL CONFERENCE AND SAW HOW ILL LAKE COUNTY IN PARTICULAR WAS DOING --ILL LAKE COUNTY IN PARTICULAR WAS DOING WITH SOLAR ENERGY SO WAS ADAMANT THAT WE COULD DO THIS IN HARRIS COUNTY SO I GOT PUT ON THE PUBLIC POWER POLE AND AS WE STARTED TO PROCEED WITH OUR FIRST 10 OR 15 YEAR CONTRACT PROCUREMENT FOR ENERGY I ASKED TWO QUESTIONS.
I SAID HOW DO WE DO BUSINESS WITH ENERGY BUSINESSES AND THE LEADER OF THE GROUP SAID WE DON'T DO THAT. DIDN'T THE SECOND QUESTION I ASKED WAS OKAY THEN I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE PUT CLEAN ENERGY AS PART OF OUR SPECKS IN OUR
[00:45:01]
PROCUREMENT PROCESS. WE DON'T DO THAT EITHER.I QUICKLY REALIZED THAT THE PUBLIC POWER POLE WAS NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THIS PUBLIC. SO THE LONG CHAIN OF EVENTS HAS LED US TO THIS PLACE WHERE WE HAVE JUST BEEN RECOGNIZED WITH THE SILVER AWARD FOR OUR SO SMART .
THIS DESIGNATION GIVES HARRIS COUNTY OR RECOGNIZES HARRIS COUNTY FOR TAKING BOLD STEPS TO ENCOURAGE SOLAR ENERGY GROWTH, REMOVE OBSTACLES TO SOLAR DEVELOPMENT, FOR COMPANIES LOOKING TO EXPAND. THE SO SMART SILVER DESIGNATION IS A SINGLE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS OPEN FOR CLEAN ENERGY BUSINESS.
BUT I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT FIRST THANK OUR SUSTAINABILITY DIRECTOR, LISA LYNN , FOR HER WORK AND THE MANY COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT WE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED WITH.
I WANT TO THANK THIS YOUNG LADY HERE, KRISTIN LEIGH , WHO IS A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2 AND A RESIDENT OF THE CITY OF LAPORTE.
AN IMMENSE ADVOCATE AND CHAMPION FOR ALL THINGS GOOD ABOUT ENERGY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, AND SO YOU ARE MY MODERN-DAY COMMERCIAL THAT I SAW AS A KID .
YOU INSPIRE ME . I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO. THE PASSION THAT YOU DO IT WITH.
BUT THIS IS JUST A REMINDER THAT WE TAKE THE EARTH FOR GRANTED .
WE DO SO MUCH TO HURT IT WITHOUT GIVING THOUGHT TO THE THINGS THAT WE COULD DO TO PRESERVE IT.
SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT FOR ALL THAT THINK ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT, WHO RESPECT EARTH DAY , I'M EXCITED THAT WE JUST RECENTLY PLANTED 500 TREES IN THE CLEAR LAKE AREA.
WE WILL DO ANOTHER THOUSAND VERY SOON. I TOLD OUR VOLUNTEERS OUT THERE, IF YOU HAVE YOU DO THIS, I WILL TELL YOU TO DO THE SAME.
WHEN YOU PLANT A TREE, IT IS A TRUE LIVING LEGACY.
THAT TREAT WILL PROVIDE AND COULD LEAVE FOR OVER 500 YEARS. GIVE IT A NAME . MIKE TREE HAS BEEN NAMED ADRIAN JR..
BUT ALSO , I HOPE THAT WE DO BETTER MOVING FORWARD TO TAKE CARE OF OUR INCREDIBLE EARTH , AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO DO THE SAME, AND ENCOURAGE A COLLECTIVE THOUGHT PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT WE AS A WHOLE SOCIETY, BUSINESS , INDUSTRY , GOVERNMENT , AND THE PEOPLE , MOVED TO A BETTER PLACE SO THAT WE CAN HAVE A HEALTHIER AND MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. SO THIS RESOLUTION IS EARTH DAY IS CELEBRATED ANNUALLY BY OR RATHER ON APRIL 22ND, AND A TIME TO REFLECT ON OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT AND PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES.
FIRST ALERT DATE IS DEBORAH GIST --ESTABLISHED IN 1970 BUT GAYLORD NELSON TO INSPIRE ACTION TO PROTECT OUR PLANET. HARRIS COUNTY RECOGNIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROMOTING ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP AND TAKING ACTION TO PROTECT OUR NATURAL RESOURCES.
HARRIS COUNTY TAKING AFFIRMATIVE STEPS TO AFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE FOR OUR ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING THROUGH THE ADOPTION OF A CLEAN ENERGY STRATEGY, CLEAN ACTION PLAN FOR INTERNAL OPERATIONS.
MOST RECENTLY BY EARNING THE SO SMART SILVER DESIGNATION FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, FOR OUR EFFORTS TO MAKE RENEWABLE ENERGY MORE AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERYONE. EARTH DAY PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS, ORGANIZATIONS AND GOVERNMENTS TO COME TOGETHER AND COMMIT TO MAKING POSITIVE CHANGES FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
HARRIS COUNTY ENCOURAGES ITS RESIDENTS TO CELEBRATE EARTH DAY BY PARTICIPATING IN LOCAL EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES THAT PROMOTE SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES SUCH AS RECYCLING, COMPOSTING, CARPOOLING, AND REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION.
KRISTEN, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
>> THANK YOU . >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE ATTENTION.
I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT I REMEMBER AS A SOPHOMORE AT TEXAS
[00:50:01]
A&M IN 1972 THAT WE WERE EVALUATING THE CONDITION OF THE WATER .I REMEMBER THAT SAME COMMERCIAL WITH THE NATIVE AMERICAN THAT IS SO COMPELLING . AS WE WENT TO THE HOUSTON SHIP TOWN AND IT WAS THE TURNING BASE AND WE SAMPLED THE WATER . IT WAS ESSENTIALLY THE SAFETY PROTOCOL BEFORE WE SAMPLED THAT DAY, WAS DO NOT LIGHT A CIGARETTE WITHIN 100 YARDS. THEY WERE AFRAID OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.
IT WAS EVALUATED AND IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A DEAD BODY OF WATER. TODAY YOU GO BACK TO THE TURNING BASIN AT 6:10 AND WE HAVE IS THAT IS DRIVING.
I WOULD SAY THAT AT FIRST YOU HAVE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AND THEN YOU ADDRESS IT SO THERE IS SO MUCH BEING DONE. THE OTHER THING I WAS IS WHAT YOU MENTIONED RELATED TO THE TREES. THE COMMITMENT THAT THIS COURT THAT ALL OF US HAVE TO THE PARKS AND DOING THINGS WITHIN OUR PARKS.
I DID A SIMILAR AGREEMENT AND I THINK EACH ONE OF US HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH TREES OF HOUSTON.
THEY WILL GIVE YOU ALL OF THE TREES THEY WANT. IT'S A MATTER OF YOUR APPETITE. IT IS ENCOURAGING THAT WE PAUSE AND THINK, AND THAT WE MAKE THESE KINDS OF THINGS HAPPEN.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT EXPECT THANK YOU AND YOU'RE WELCOME. YOUR SECONDED.
BACK THANK YOU. >> CHAIR RAMSEY
. >> I WILL FOLLOW-UP ON WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTED OUT IN TERMS OF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE MONTH.
THANK YOU, KAREN, FROM THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTER.
I WANT TO SPEND JUST A MINUTE TO HIGHLIGHT WHAT THAT IS.
THERE'S NO GREATER CALLING IN HARRIS COUNTY THEN WHAT HAPPENS AT THE CHILD ASSESSMENT CENTER EVERY DAY. THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIPS THAT YOU HAVE OUT THERE.
WHAT YOU DO FOR THE LOST OUT THERE IN THIS VANCE COUNTY MATTERS MUCH.
THANK YOU AGAIN. THE RESOLUTION READS WHEREAS THIS OBSERVATION OF NATIONAL CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH WE ARE REMINDED OF THE HORRORS THAT MANY OF OUR CHILDREN FACE EACH DAY , AND THE IMPORTANT ROLES OF CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER TAKES IN HEALING THEM.
WHEREAS THE CAC SERVES ON THE FRONT LINES IN TREATING YOUNG SURVIVORS AND HELPING THEM TO GAIN THEIR LIFE BACK ESTABLISHED IN 1991, THE CAC IS THE LARGEST CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER AND THE NATION. THE CAC PROVIDE SERVICES TO CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18 WHO ARE ALLEGED VICTIMS OF CHILD, SEXUAL ABUSE, SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SEVERE AND PHYSICAL ABUSE.
WITNESSES TO VIOLENT CRIMES . WHEREAS THE LAST YEAR THE CAC TREATED 3000 -- 3665 YOUNG VICTIMS FROM AGES YOUNGER THAN ONE YEAR OLD TO 18 . THEY ALSO REVIEWED MORE THAN 10,704 CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE.
HELD OVER 3500 FORENSIC INTERVIEWS, PROVIDING OVER 10,500 MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES.
WHEREAS THROUGHOUT THE MONTH THE CAC IS HOSTING WORKSHOPS, EDUCATING MORE PEOPLE ON HOW TO IDENTIFY AND REPORT CHILD ABUSE, SEXUAL ABUSE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND OTHER MOUNT TREATMENT --MALTREATMENT OF CHILDREN.
THEY ARE INCREASING AWARENESS ON HOW CHILDREN ARE BEING LURED ON THE INTERNET INTO UNSAFE PLACES.
WHEREAS CHILDREN AND CHILD ABUSE IS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY THAT AFFECTS FUTURE GENERATIONS, WE AS ELECTED OFFICIALS, PUBLIC SERVANTS, FAMILIES, NEIGHBORS AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS MUST ALL BE ADVOCATES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND SEND THIS CLEAR MESSAGE TO THE PERPETRATORS THAT SUCH ACTS WILL RESULT IN SEVERE PUNISHMENT , OUR LEGAL SYSTEM ALLOWS.
THE AIRPORT MAY BE RESOLVED IN THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RESONATED AS AND THANK THE CHILDREN ASSESSMENT CENTER FOR YOUR WORK.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE ] TO JOIN ME HERE.
APRIL IS ALSO DIVERSITY MONTH.
IN THIS MONTH OF APRIL AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WE RECOGNIZE AND HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND TODAY WILL RECOGNIZE WOORI JUNTOS AS THE LEADING ORGANIZATION IN PUBLIC SERVICE , ADVANCING EQUITY , OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESSIBILITY FOR ALL PEOPLE. PLEASE, EVERYONE IS INVITED TO COME UP. WHEREAS, WOORI JUNTOS, MEANING IN KOREAN AND SPANISH,
[00:55:02]
THAT WE RISE TOGETHER.WE RISE TOGETHER AND AMEN TO THAT. REFLECTS THE LOCATION OF THE ORGANIZATION IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 THAT HAS BEEN SO HEAVILY INFLUENCED BY THE COMMUNITIES AND THE ROUTING OF OUR WORK COMING TOGETHER IN SOLIDARITY, IN INCLUSION AND WITH COLLABORATION ALWAYS. WHEREAS WOORI JUNTOS CONTINUOUSLY MEETS THE BERRIES AND VERY COMPLEX NEEDS OF THE ASIAN, AND HISPANIC IMMUNITY MEMBERS, BY PROVIDING CULTURALLY COMPETENT , IN LANGUAGE SOCIAL SERVICES TO ALL.
WHEREAS WOORI JUNTOS COMMITMENT TO EMPOWERING AND PROMOTING FULL PARTICIPATION OF ASIANS, IMMIGRANTS AND ALL TEXANS WITHIN THE JUSTICE MOVEMENT IS EVIDENT IN THEIR WORK TO MOVE DIRECTLY IMPACTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO BECOME ADVOCATES AND ORGANIZERS THROUGH EDUCATIONAL COMMUNITY, CONVERSATIONS AND ADVOCACY TRAINING.
WOORI JUNTOS CHAMPIONS CHANGE IN THE AREAS OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS, HEALTH EQUITY, PUBLIC SAFETY, ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, EDUCATIONAL JUSTICE, AND THE LABOR RIGHTS FOR ALL THE LEADERSHIP AND GUIDANCE OF THEIR IMPACTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RESPECTFULLY HONORS WOORI JUNTOS FOR THEIR WORK TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS THROUGH THEIR DEEP , DEEP COMMITMENT TO SOLIDARITY, INCLUSION, COLLABORATION AND EQUITY FOR ALL. IS ORDERED THIS RESOLUTION BE INCLUDED IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THIS DAY, APRIL 4, 2023.
IT'S SO TRUE, WOORI JUNTOS, THAT TOGETHER WE ALL RISE TOGETHER, SO THINK GASH THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK --THANK YOU FOR
YOUR WORK. >>> HELLO . I AM . I WANT TO THANK THE HISPANIC COURT AND ESPECIALLY LESLEY BRIONES INAUDIBLE ] AND MYSELF THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND HERE TODAY. MANY OF US CAME HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME. I AM HONORED AND ABLE TO COME SO QUICKLY AND RECEIVED THE COMMISSION FROM HARRIS COUNTY.
WE HAVE MANY LOW INCOME RESIDENTS UNABLE TO NAVIGATE THE VERY PROGRAM THAT WAS CREATED TO ASSIST THEM , MOTIVATING US TO PUT ALL OF OUR TIME AND SWEAT INTO THIS ONE AND ALL OF MY BACK AND ASIANS HAVE A LANGUAGE ACCESS TO HELP THEM WITH SOCIAL SERVICES AND TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED IN THE POLITICAL SYSTEM THAT IMPACTS OUR LIVES.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, EVERYONE HERE, FOR ORGANIZING, THE HARD WORK AND THE WORK THAT WOORI JUNTOS BUT IN.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK MY FELLOW MEMBERS AND MOSTLY IMPORTANTLY, OUR COMMITTEE MEMBERS WHO HAVE SHOWN SO MUCH SUPPORT AND LOVE TO WOORI JUNTOS AND OUR CAUSE . MOVING FORWARD IT WILL BE OUR HONOR TO CONTINUE OUR WORK AT EDUCATING FOR ALL PEOPLE, AND TO WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A BETTER PLACE FOR ALL . THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>>> HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AROUND WOORI JUNTOS ?
>> TWO YEARS. >> MY GOSH, CONGRATULATIONS.
AS YOU SAID, WE DESIGNED THESE PROGRAMS BUT HOW WE MAKE SURE THEY REACHED THE COMMUNITY AND IT'S IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ORGANIZATION CHIPS --ORGANIZATIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE COMMUNITY SO THANK YOU AS A FELLOW IMMIGRANT.
>> I BEEN ABLE TO PICK UP A LITTLE BIT OF CHINESE, VIETNAMESE AND A LITTLE BIT OF ARABIC. I ALWAYS TRY TO PICK UP ON THE LANGUAGES THAT I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGED IN. SO AT THE RISK OF CREATING AN INTERNATIONAL EVENT LET ME SAY
[01:00:04]
LET'S TAKE PICTURES. [SILENCE]
[01:12:18]
A REMINDER WE WILL BE SIGNING THE RESOLUTION[01:12:20]
OF THE DAIS AND I GUESS YOU WILL SEE THE DAIS AFTERWARD BECAUSE THE COUNTY CLERK HAS TO SIGN THEM. LET'S GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN WE WILL DO THE SPEAKERS.LET ME MAKE THE MINOR CHANGES.
ITEM 154 ON PAGE 17, NO ACTION IS NEEDED, THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE AGENDA ITEM.
ITEM 165 THERE IS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE C -- TO CBBG NET FUNDS.
ITEM 240 ON PAGE 30, SIDEWALKS, THE DEPARTMENT REQUEST NO ACTIONS.
ITEM 247 ON PAGE 30, THE DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION.
ITEM 357 ON PAGE 42, WATER STORM IMPROVEMENTS, THE DEPARTMENT REQUEST ELECTION.
ITEM 372 ON PAGE 44, NO ACTION.
THAT IS EMPLOYEE TRAINING WORKSHOP. ITEM 373 THE DEPARTMENT REQUEST NO ACTION ON THIS CONFERENCE.
ITEM 377 ON PAGE 44, THERE NEEDS TO BE UPDATE TO THE ITEM LANGUAGE SO THAT THE TERM CHARTER IS REMOVED AND REPLACED WITH CREATION DOCUMENTS.
SO THE ITEM READS REQUEST BY PRECINCT NUMBER ONE FOR THE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE APPROVAL HOST DEPARTMENT MEETINGS.
ITEM 381 ON PAGE 44, NO ACTION ON THIS AGREEMENT. THOSE ARE THE CORRECTIONS.
>>> JUDGE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU COPIES, ITEM 2239-185, 228 , AND 235 TO THE DISCUSSION LIST.
>> LET ME TAKE THESE. THOSE ARE JUST THE CORRECTIONS.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU SAID 32
[01:15:01]
>> OKAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MID 40S AND 146 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA .
>> LET ME GO THROUGH EACH OF THESE DISCUSSION ITEMS AND WE WILL SEE.
IF EVERYONE IS OKAY TO MOVING THEM TO THE CONSENT AGENDA, ITEM 341, FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT APPOINTMENT. OKAY.
WHAT ABOUT 342, ANOTHER APPOINTMENT . I WILL PUT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA, 343, REAPPOINTMENT . I WILL PUT THAT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
344. REAPPOINTMENT WILL BE PUT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.
346 ON APPOINTMENT . PUT IT ON CONSENT AGENDA.
NEED TO GO BACK . >> NO NEED TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
COLLEAGUES, DO YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 348?
>> WE WILL KEEP IT ON CONSENT.
>> NO. >> REAPPOINTMENT AND NO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> NO NEED UNLESS THERE IS ANY QUESTIONS.
I'M SORRY. I'M WRONG ABOUT THAT AND WE NEED TO GO BACK ON 362.
>> 362 GOES BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> THE REGULAR AGENDA FOR VERIFICATION, 341, 342 DASH GO BACK THROUGH IT.
REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 14, PRECINCTS 2 AND 3 FLAGGED THE ITEM AND DO YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS IT, THE INCENTIVE PROGRAM?
THAT ITEM. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR .
ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES 4-1.
>> ITEM 18, AFFORDABLE HOUSING FUNDS.
OKAY. >> ITEM 20, PRECINCT 2 FLAGGED IT.
ITEM 33 PRECINCT 3 AND 4 FLAGGED THIS ITEM WITH THE LIAISON AND DO WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS IT?
>> OKAY. 34, METAL TRANSFER, WE WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS.
PUBLIC SAFETY BOND WE WILL HAVE TO DISCUSS, ITEM 35, WHICH WILL GO WITH ITEM 143.
>> YES. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SO THAT IS PRODUCTIVITY -- PROTIVITI HR REVIEW THAT WE WILL PUT IN THE DISCUSSION AGENDA. 40.
PRECINCT 1 AND 3 FLAGGED THAT ITEM. INTERIM DEPARTMENT HEAD PAY.
>> OKAY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 4-1 ON ITEM 40. ITEM 41.
>> YOU CAN MOVE THAT TO CONSENT.
>> OKAY , WE WILL MOVE ITEM 41 TO CONSENT.
ITEM 143 . THAT HAS BEEN FLAGGED BY VARIOUS AND NEEDS TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER WITH ITEM 35, AND BOTH ARE ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY BOND.
146, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THIS ONE.
DO YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS IT?
[01:20:03]
146 .GO AHEAD AND MOVE THAT OVER TO CONSENT.
>> OKAY. WILL MOVE 146 TO CONSENT. 165 WE NEED TO DISCUSS.
168, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS THAT WHEN STILL, THE BAYTOWN SIDEWALK ?
>> YES . >> 177 AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ONE AND YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS 177?
>> YES. >> OKAY. 185 ABOUT MICRO GRANT FUNDING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FLAGGED THAT ONE AND WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS IT. 213 , GRANTS . I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT ONE. 228 . 228 .
>> OKAY . 228 IS DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS.
>> 240 , DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION. 239 --EXCUSE ME, 293, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THAT WAS ABOUT TAX EXEMPTIONS.
YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE? >> YES
. >> 296, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT?
>> YES >> 297 WE NEED TO DISCUSS WITH 383 ON THE ROAD AND PARK FUNDS.
>> THE THREE MONTH ACTION PLAN .
>> MOTION BACK COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR AND ANY OPPOSED? ALL IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1 ON 367.
377, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY BOTH WANT TO DISCUSS.
. >> OKAY. THREE AND 78, DO WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS? YES, OKAY.
>> WE WILL PUT THAT BACK ON CONSENT.
WE NEED A MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> WE WILL KEEP IT ON DISCUSSION FOR NOW. 382, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> YES. >> 383 GOES ALONG WITH 297, AND BOTH ARE ABOUT THE ROAD AND PARK BOND. PUBLIC HEARINGS, I SEE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA. AM I MISSING ANYTHING?
>> NO, YOU CAN JUST CLARIFY JUDGE.
BUT GO AHEAD. >> ALL EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS THAT WERE MOVED TO CONSENT, I WANT TO VERIFY THEY WILL BE PURSUIT
AS PRESENTED ? >> CORRECT THAT THEY WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED IN THEIR APPOINTMENTS EXPECTS JUDGE, LET ME ADD 374.
. >> OKAY, 374, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND DO I HAVE A
SECOND? >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND ALL IN FAVOR .
>> IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES 4-1.
[01:25:01]
HAS PASSED.OKAY. LET ME SEE ABOUT -- OKAY.
ALL RIGHT. LET ME GO THROUGH THE REST OF THE AGENDA .
>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. REAL QUICK, ITEM 348, DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION.
THAT IS UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION AS
>> DANIEL, I BELIEVE I SENT THAT TO YOU, THE
MOTION ON 348. >> MOTION TO AUTHORIZE I'M SORRY.
MOTION TO AUTHORIZE THE OCE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH NEGOTIATION TO POSSIBLY ACQUIRE FACILITIES INCLUDING THE PROPERTY GARAGE WITHIN
COMMISSIONER GARCIA . >> MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
DID YOU GET THE MOTION? >> YES, JUDGE IT.
>> PERFECT. WE HAVE EXECUTIVE ITEM 347 , EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 362, DISCUSSION ITEMS 14, 18, 20, 22, 33, 34, 35, 39, 143, ONE AND 65,
168 >> I'M SORRY, JUDGE, CAN YOU SLOW DOWN A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE WE ARE WRITING EVERYTHING.
IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 385 WITH EXCEPTIONS ON ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND ITEMS JUST LISTED QUESTION MARK ALL IN FAVOR AND ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THAT IS BUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> LET'S GO TO THE SPEAKERS NOW.
>> JUDGE, I CAN READ THE MOTION FOR 378 IF YOU WANT
ME TO CALL. >> OKAY. WHEN YOU GET THERE THE MOTION FOR 378 EXPECT I MOVED TO DIRECT HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP A PROPOSAL TO SUBMIT TO THE APPROPRIATE FOR FOCUS AREA TEAM TO ADDRESS STANDARDIZATION OF EMPLOYEE POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND COMPENSATION. HR R.E.M.
SHOULD ALSO DEVELOP A PLAN WITH MILESTONES TO ANALYZE AND IDENTIFY ANY PAY DISPARITIES BASED ON RACE, ETHNICITY AND GENDER. TO REMEDY ANY DISPARITIES FOUND AND RETURNED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO PRESENT THE PLAN BY JUNE 27, 2023 , AND WE WORK WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT
>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND ALL IN FAVOR ? ANY OPPOSED ? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
WE MOVE THAT BACK TO CONSENT OR WEALTH, IT WAS PASSED.
OKAY. WE WILL START HERE HEARING FROM
[Appearances before court]
THE SPEAKERS. FIRST IS SPEAKER 7 SPEAKER VALDIS SPEAKING ON COMMUNITY SERVICES.MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONERS. I AM STEPHANIE VALDES, WATER JUSTICE ORGANIZER WITH THE COALITION HAVE A GUIDING FOR
[01:30:02]
HERE TODAY TO URGE COMMISSIONERS TO PRIORITIZE EQUITY AND 100 --$750 MILLION THROUGH THE PROGRAM IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.IS CRUCIAL TO ENSURE FUNDS ARE USED FOR THE INTENDED PURPOSE AND WHERE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES ARE LEFT BEHIND. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO ADJUST AND ADDRESS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS AND PRIORITIZING EQUITY AND INVESTING IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY INAUDIBLE ] FOR GENERATION TO COME.
WE EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR THE COUNTY IN FAVOR RESOLUTION TO END AND AIM TO REMOVE BARRIERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
ULTIMATELY FOR A CLEANER AND MORE HEALTHY COMMUNITY
SUSTAINABLE -- >> MA'AM, YOUR TIME IS UP .
>> NEXT IS THE SPEAKER TIM BENJAMIN BROADWAY SPEAKING ON ITEM LINE 65.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> YES, HELLO AND THANK YOU TO HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TODAY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON FLOOD MITIGATION .
WE WERE SUPPOSED TO GET 70% OF THAT TO LOW INCOME HOUSING .
WE HAVE A LOT OF PROJECTS THAT ARE NEEDING TO BE DONE THROUGHOUT THE NORTHEAST.
MAINLY WE HAVE A LOT OF AN HOUR --FUNDING THAT IS ABOUT TO COME DOWN TO THE COURT.
WOULD BE GLAD TO SEE THEM REVIEW SOME OF THE THINGS THAT YOU WILL BE HAVING TO DO STRUCTURE ON.
THAT IS WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE, THAT WE GET OUR 70%, AND THAT WE WOULD SEE THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT YOU ARE PROPOSING FOR THE NEXT MONEY COMING DOWN.
>>> NEXT IS DORIS BROWN SPEAKING ON ITEM 165.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I'M DORIS BROWN, COFOUNDER OF THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.
I'M HERE THIS MORNING TO ASKED THE COURT TO REPAIR THE PROVIDENCES FOR ALAN GREEN TO MITIGATE FLOOD IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON AND NOTE THE MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES.
WERE WELL AWARE OF THE FEDERAL INFRASTRUCTURE AND IRA MONEY COMING DOWN THE PIPELINE AND WE ARE STANDING IN SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY GETTING MONEY.
>> NEXT IS JULIA ORDUNA OF TEXAS HOUSING SPEAKING ON 165 IN YOUR ONE MINUTE.
>> REGIONAL DIRECTOR AND I WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE THE POINTS I MADE AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT. RUNNING AND DISTRIBUTION SHOULD TAKE SBI INTO CONSIDERATION 100% OF THE FUNDS TO GO TO THE COMMUNITIES TO CORRECT THE HISTORICAL INJUSTICE TO EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION AND PROJECT --COMMENT ON ITEM 166.
PINNACLE APARTMENTS RECEIVED TAX CREDITS AND REVIEW OF 1.8 STARS.
IF YOU DECIDE TO FUND THESE DEVELOPERS I EXPECT YOU TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROVIDING DIGNIFIED HOUSING WHICH HAS BEEN LACKING.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 14, WENDELL WILSON, SPEAKING ON ITEM 248 UNDER PURCHASING.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING . MY NAME IS WENDELL WILSON. PRESIDENT OF WILSON AWARDED THE HARRIS COUNTY CONTRACT TOO-0047, FOR THE CONSTRUCT OF SIDEWALKS, TRAILS AND OTHER ITEMS RELATED WITH VARIOUS LOCATIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2 IN APRIL 2022.
THAT IS A ONE YOUR CONTACT WITH THE OPTION TO EXTEND ADDITIONAL YEARS.
AS A RESULT MY COMPANY APPEAR TO EXECUTE THE CONTRACT TO PROVIDE BONDING, INCREASE STAFFING AND OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO CONTACT THE COUNTY PURCHASING AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PURCHASES ABOUT WHEN THE PROJECT WOULD BE ISSUED UNDER THE CONTRACT.
BUT THESE ATTEMPTS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE SHOWN A LACK OF THE MEDICATION AND TRANSPARENCY FROM THESE DEPARTMENTS.
IT WAS ONLY WHEN I CONTACTED THE
[01:35:02]
DEEOO OF THIS THAT I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO SPEAKYOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.
I BELIEVE I HAVE A COUPLE OF MEMBERS ON MY TEAM THAT ARE HERE SO THEY CAN FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. THANK YOU.
>>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 16, MYRA ] SPEAKING ON ITEM 293 UNDER PRECINCT 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
I MYRA FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY REDEVELOPMENT COMMISSION.
WE ARE COMMONS OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS FOCUSED IN THE FIFTH WARD OF THE NORTHEAST THAT PROVIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING, CULTURAL ARTS AND EMPOWERMENT FOR SOME RESIDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY.
I'M HERE TO SAY THAT WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 293.
WE PAY TAXES ON ALL OF OUR REAL STATE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY EXEMPTIONS. ALTHOUGH WE ARE CHARGED WITH PROVIDING A SOCIAL SERVICE WHICH IS HOUSING, TO MAKE SURE THAT RESIDENTS HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE, WE DO NOT HAVE ANY OF THE BENEFITS OF TAX EXEMPTION. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT THE REAL STATE THAT PROVIDES AFFORDABLE HOUSING RECEIVE EXEMPTION AND CONSIDERATION AS OUTLINED IN ITEM 293.
>>> NEXT IS PAUL CHARLES PICKING ON ITEM 293 AS
>> MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, I AM PAUL CHARLES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF NEIGHBORHOOD RECOVERY IMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION IN HOUSTON WE TOO ARE COPIES OF COMMUNITY REVITALIZATION ORGANIZATION PROVIDING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
WHAT I WENT AND TOOK A LOOK AT THREE -- AT MORE THAN TRINA PROPERTIES, WHAT I FOUND WAS ON ONE PROPERTY THE TAX INCREASE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS WAS 300%.
>> WHAT I FOUND ON ANOTHER PROPERTY OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS, 57%. WHAT I FOUND ON ANOTHER PROPERTY OVER THE SAME TIME PERIOD IS 60%.
EACH TIME AN INCREASE HAPPENS TO OUR PROPERTIES, THAT MEANS WE HAVE TO SOMEHOW FIND A WAY TO PAY FOR IT . WE CANNOT REALLY PASS THAT ON TO THE PEOPLE WE SERVE BECAUSE THEY ARE LOW INCOME AND THEY CANNOT AFFORD IT. SO IT BECAME TIME TO PROVIDE THEM WITH THE OPPORTUNITY --
>> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE COUPLE OF REMARKS DASHES BACK TO IMPROVE THEIR LOT WITH THE RESIDENT SERVICES OR THROUGH EDUCATION AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. WE CANNOT DO THAT.
EVERY TIME OUR PROPERTY UNIT GOES UP MORE THAN $100, WE CANNOT PASS $100 PER YEAR ON THESE RESIDENTS SO I SUPPORT 293.
>> THANK YOU. WE MISSED A SPEAKER, MARY
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I MARY LAWLER, CEO OF AVENUE, A LOCAL NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT DEVELOPS AND OPERATES AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING.
I AM HERE ALSO TO TESTIFY IN FAVOR OF ITEM 293. RATES HAVE INCREASED DRAMATICALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY IN RECENT YEARS PUTTING A HUGE STRAIN ON WORKING FAMILIES AND POSES A RISK TO OUR LOCAL ECONOMY IF ESSENTIAL WORKERS SIMPLY CANNOT FIND AFFORDABLE PLACES TO LIVE.
RECENTLY HARRIS COUNTY HAS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TAX EXEMPTION TO A VERY LIMITED UNIVERSE OF NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, THAT ARE PROVIDING DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
IN RECENT YEARS INCREASES IN OUR OPERATING COSTS AND ESPECIALLY PROPERTY INSURANCE, WHICH FOR AVENUE DOUBLED JUST THIS MONTH . THAT IS PUT A HUGE STRAIN ON OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE HOUSING AND AS PAUL CHARLES SAID, TO PROVIDE ASSOCIATED SERVICES THAT REALLY ASSIST OUR RESIDENTS.
WE REALLY URGE YOU TO SUPPORT ITEM
-- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> MARY, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. WE APPRECIATE IT.
LET ME JUST SAY TO THOSE OF YOU HERE ON BEHALF OF 293, THANK YOU ALL.
MARY, I THANK YOU IN PARTICULAR FOR VISITING WITH ME AND MAKE YOU -- HELPING US UNDERSTAND WHERE IN THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT.
WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF THE HOUSING CRISIS AND IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING STRATEGIC AND CREATIVE TO PROTECT IT, WE WILL LOSE IT.
[01:40:01]
QUITE FRANKLY THAT WILL PUT PEOPLE OUT ON THE STREETS. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LONG, LONG WORK OVER THE YEARS . IT IS BEEN AN HONOR TO HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH YOU SINCE MY DAYS ON THE CITY COUNCIL.THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THAT PASSION ALIVE OR SOMETHING THAT HELPS SO MANY FAMILIES MOVE UP THE FOOD CHAIN.
WE APPRECIATE IT. >>> NEXT IS BARBARA DENSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 297 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
I WAS BORN WITH BLACK HAIR AND BLACK EYES.
BEFORE I KNEW ABOUT SKIN CANCER I COULD 10 WITH THE BEST OF THEM.
MEYERS A LITTLE BIT GRAY NOW BUT THE POINT IS, AM I PART BLACK, IN MY HISPANIC, AND MY ITALIAN OR AM I GREAT ? WHY SHOULD HOW I CHOOSE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION, AND IS A CHOICE THAT PEOPLE MAKE ALL THE DAY, ALL THE TIME.
WHY SHOULD MY ANSWER DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THE ROADS AND PARKS NEAR MY HOME GET IMPROVED OR GET BUILT? WHEN THE VOTERS VOTED ON THE PROPOSITION TO APPROVE THIS BOND MONEY NOWHERE ON THE BALLOT DID HE SAY ANYTHING ABOUT MAKING THE SKIN COLOR OF RESIDENTS A DECIDING ISSUE GET THAT IS WHAT PART OF THE CDC SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX RECOMMENDS.
ALSO SINCE HOUSTON IS NOW ALMOST HALF HISPANIC, AND ONLY ABOUT ONE OUT OF FIVE OF US ARE EITHER WHITE OR CAUCASIAN, OR WHATEVER, I DON'T KNOW WHY THERE IS STILL CONSIDERING TO BE A MINORITY.
>> THANK YOU. >>> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 13, ANGELA JACKSON, SPEAKING ON ITEM 298 INSTEAD OF ITEM 238.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.
I'VE BEEN VOLUNTEERING IN HARRIS COUNTY PETS SINCE NOVEMBER 2016.
WHEN I FIRST CAME TO THE SHELTER I STARTED VOLUNTEERING AT THE DOG AMBASSADOR MOVING QUICKLY ONTO ADOPTION COUNSELOR , MY TRUE PASSION.
I CONTINUE THE ROW BUT TRANSITIONING INTO DOING VIDEO FOR MANY NETWORKS WITH MANY PAGES.
I'M WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR THE DOGS, TO BE THEIR VOICE AND HELP WITH THE LOCAL DOCTORS.
I'VE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES OR RESTRICTIONS PLACED ON ME UNTIL RECENTLY.
I WAS ABLE TO FULFILL THE DOGS AND NEED MEDICALLY WITH THE PUPPIES IN DATE HELP THIS NETWORK OF ANIMALS AT THE SHELTERS.
LOOK AT THE SOCIAL MEDIA. IN THE LAST COUPLE OF MONTHS UNDER THE NEW LEADERSHIP NETWORKERS PREVENT FROM GETTING VIDEOS OF MOST OF THE ANIMALS IN NEED AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TIME NECESSARY INFORMATION TO GET THESE ANIMALS PLACED.
IT IS US VERSUS THEM AND IT SHOULD BE ONE TEAM, ONE GOAL, TO SAVE THE ANIMALS. LESS TRANSPARENCY UNDER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CREATING A LACK OF COMMUNITY, RESCUE AND VOLUNTEER SUPPORT.
THIS IS MY THE SHELTER NEEDS TO BE A STANDALONE
>> NEXT A SPEAKER 19, REBECCA BRIDGES, SPEAKING ON ITEM 298.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I'M REBECCA BRIDGES, SIX YOUR VOLUNTEER AT HARRIS COUNTY PETS. I SUPPORT THE CHANGE THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY OPERATION REVIEW PERFORMED BY THE COUNTY BACK IN 2020. SEPARATING FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT WOULD BENEFIT THE SHELTER THROUGH INCREASED VISIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO THE PUBLIC. A STANDALONE SHELTER WOULD ALSO HIGHLIGHT THE NEED FOR CARBONATE AND QUALIFIED DIRECTOR OF THE SHELTER BECAUSE FOR OVER A YEAR AND A HALF WE'VE HAD DIRECTORS WITH NO ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERIENCE.
THE SHELTER LIVE RELEASE NUMBERS LOOK GREAT FROM THE OUTSIDE AND YOU WOULD THINK THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE.
BUT BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WORK TO SAVE ANIMALS IS DONE BY VOLUNTEERS , NETWORKERS AND RESCUES.
DESPITE THAT THE CULTURE AT THE SHELTER IS FULL OF ANIMOSITY AND DISTRUST.
EMPLOYEES HAVE EVEN BEEN TOLD THAT TO GIVE INFORMATION TO NETWORKER WOULD RESULT IN NEAR TERMINATION.
WE WANT TO SHOW THE DEVICE TRANSPARENCY, COLLABORATION AND COMMUNICATION DASHES
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> NEXT IS ALEX SPEAKING ON ITEM 298.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HARRIS COUNTY PETS AS NEEDED TO BE A STANDALONE SHELTER FOR A LONG TIME COMING. IT WAS EVEN DISCUSSED AS MY WORK THERE AS LEAD VETERINARIAN IN 2016.
[01:45:03]
LOOKING AT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT MISSION AND VALUES, NOTHING ABOUT ANIMAL NETWORK. TODAY THE SHELTER SEEMS TO BE AT HIS WORST MOSTLY FOR THE ANIMALS IN THEIR CARE. THE LACK OF ENRICHMENT IS EVIDENT.PRACTICALLY EVERY ANIMAL THAT GETS INTO THE SHELTER LEAVES IN A WORSE CONDITION THAN ARRIVE.
DEATH IN KENNELS, NOT RECEIVING APPROPRIATE MEDICATIONS AND DIAGNOSTICS AND EUTHANIZE WITHOUT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE.
UNDER THE TEXAS PENAL CODE MOST OF THESE CASES FALL UNDER ANIMAL CRUELTY.
THE ANIMALS SHOULD NOT BE DOING BETTER ON THE STREETS OF HOUSTON THAN IN THE CARE OF HOUSTON AND THE MULTIMILLION DOLLAR FACILITY BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE TAXPAYERS. THIS IS THE 21ST CENTURY AND THE GOLD STANDARD WE SEE ACROSS THE NATION IS FOR MUNICIPALITIES LIKE THE SHELTER TO RUN PICK SHELTER OPERATIONS RUN BY 501(C)(3).
THIS FIRST STEP TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS DASHES
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM THERESA TOWNS RESCUE AND PULLING DOGS OUT OF HARRIS COUNTY FOR OVER TWO YEARS.
I CONTAINED WITHIN THE LAST EIGHT MONTHS UNDER CURRENT MANAGEMENT THE CONDITIONS THAT THE DOGS COME OUT OF OUR HORRENDOUS.
WE HAVE SEEN COMING IN AND WEIGHING 30% LESS AFTER WE FINALLY GET THEM TO COME OUT. THE SHELTER IS REFUSING TO WORK WITH US. THEY ACTUALLY RETALIATED AGAINST US ONLY FORCE THEM TO DO SOMETHING TO JUST TRY TO SAVE THE DOGS.
LATELY THEY HAVE INSTITUTED A TWICE A WEEK -- 15 DOGS PER DAY ON EUTHANIZING . THEY GIVE US APSLEY NO TIME TO WORK WITH THEM TO TRY TO GET THE DOGS OUT.
I BELIEVE THERE WORKING AGAINST US RATHER THAN WORKING WITH US. I THINK IT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
I DON'T BELIEVE THEY'RE IN THIS FOR THE SAFETY OR WELFARE OF THE DOGS.
I THINK THEY'RE JUST TRYING TO KILL THEM. THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS KIM TESKE SPEAKING ON ITEM 298.
>> HELLO. THE TREATMENT OF ANIMALS AT HARRIS COUNTY PETS IS HORRIBLE.
MANY ARE MALNOURISHED AND WHILE OTHERS ARE LANGUISHING IN THE KENNELS IN PAIN FROM INJURIES NOT RECEIVING PROPER MEDICAL ATTENTION.
IT IS TAKING MANY DAYS FOR THEM TO BE SEEN BY VETERINARIAN.
I IMPLORE YOU TO TAKE A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THIS AND STOP THE CRUELTY.
ALSO DOCTORAL ACROSS THE -- DR. LACROSSA, SENT TO ALL PRECINCT POINT OF CONTACT INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSIT CITY PET PROJECT IN MISSOURI.
THAT IS THE POSTER CHILD FOR THE PROS OF MOVING SHELTER MANAGEMENT TO --FROM THE PUBLIC'S SHELTER --SECTOR TO A REPUTABLE 501(C)(3).
I SINCERELY HOPE THAT YOU CONSIDER THIS AS A VIABLE OPTION FOR THE LOVE
OF THE ANIMALS . >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME
IS UP. >> NOEL DELGADO SPEAKING ON ITEM 298. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
I AM NOEL DELGADO , EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOUSTON PETS ALIVE AND WE ARE 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT RESCUE.
WE SAVE ABOUT 3000 ANIMALS A YEAR.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK TODAY ON BEHALF OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND THE THOUSANDS OF VOLUNTEERS, POLLSTERS , THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH US.
WE ARE VERY SUPPORTIVE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND EVERYTHING THAT ANYONE IS DOING TO BETTER THE LIVES OF ANIMALS.
I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ANIMALS.
WE CANNOT SAY FOR CERTAIN WHAT WE THINK IS THE RIGHT DECISION BUT WE DO BELIEVE IN SHELTER LEADERSHIP AND WE BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE CAPABLE OF MAKING THE DECISIONS FOR THESE ANIMALS AND WITH THAT WE ALSO SUPPORT THE MAKING OF HARRIS COUNTY PETS A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT OPERATE INDEPENDENT FROM HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
[01:50:02]
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM DANA ANIMAL SOCIETY HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PETS TO BE REMOVED FROM UNDER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND TO BE AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY SERVICES AND WE BELIEVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY PETS INDEPENDENT WILL GIVE SHELTER LEADERSHIP MORE AUTONOMY AND FASTER OPERATIONAL PASS TO COMMUNITY NEEDS SO THEY CAN ADOPT TO THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS.
WITH HARRIS COUNTY PETS CURRENTLY SITTING UNDER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT THERE ARE MANY CHALLENGES AND LEVELS OF APPROVAL FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS FROM REGULATORY PARTIES WITHOUT ANIMAL WELFARE BACKGROUND WHICH WE FEEL IS CRUCIAL TO HAVE THAT SPECIALIZED KNOWLEDGE AND SKILL SET.
THE CURRENT REPORTING SYSTEM DOES NOT ALLOW FOR DECISIONS BE MADE IN CRITICAL AND TIMELY, LIFESAVING SITUATIONS.
TO MEET THE GROWING AND CHANGING NEEDS OF THE COUNTING AND COMMUNITY, HARRIS COUNTY PETS NEEDS A STRONGER DIRECTOR WITH INDUSTRY-LEADING ANIMAL WELFARE EXPERIENCE.
THE COMBINATION OF HAVING A STRONG DIRECTOR WITH THAT BACKGROUND AND BEING INDEPENDENT ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY WOULD MAKE --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 9 CYNTHIA HUDSON THAT WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 298.
I'M HERE MAINLY TO SUPPORT ALEX PLAN TO REMOVE HARRIS COUNTY PETS FROM UNDER THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT BECAUSE RIGHT NOW IT IS RUN ANY EFFECTIVELY AND NEEDS TO BE A STANDALONE FACILITY AND NOT THE BOTTOM OF THE PRIORITIES OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I'M REQUESTING THIS BECAUSE I GOT FED UP WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND WALKED OUT AFTER BECAUSE THEY DO NOT TEACH PEOPLE SIMPLE DOG BODY LANGUAGE. I KNOW THAT IS ANIMAL CONTROL AND THAT IS MY HAPPY PLACE.
>>> NEXT IS TAKING THE SPEAKER NUMBER 25, BEVERLY ROBERTS, SPEAKING ON ITEM 382 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I'M BEVERLY ROBERTS AND I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE REPUBLICAN VOTERS WHO ARE ACTUALLY A MINORITY GROUP AND THIS HEAT MAP SHOWS A CLEAR VOTER SUPPRESSION OF OUR PRECINCT DURING THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.
IT ALSO GOES BACK FOR SEVERAL YEARS, SHOWING HOW THE BALLOTS WERE NOT PROVIDED.
WE WERE NOT PROVIDED WITH BALLOT PAPER.
SOME OF US HAD TO TURN AWAY VOTERS. THIS IS CLEAR VOTER SUPPRESSION OF A MINORITY COMMUNITY, OF WHICH I AM ONE .
I'M ALSO HAVE SYRIAN SO I MAY BE A MINORITY-MINORITY.
I HOPE THAT HARRIS COUNTY WILL LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING DONE IN OUR ELECTIONS AND CLEAN IT UP, AND STOP VOTER SUPPRESSION.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS ALEXI SWIRSKY SPEAKING ON ITEM 382.
>> VOTERS COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATORS BOTCH ELECTION AFTER ELECTION IN 2022 AND THAT CONFIDENCE WAS SHAKEN.
IN ORDER OF CONFERENCE A REVIEW OF HARRIS COUNTY NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION, NEEDS BE PUT ON THE AGENDA FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS HEARING BE HELD TOMORROW. THERE ARE MULTIPLE PROBLEMS IN THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTION AND SOME SERIOUSLY COMPROMISING THE ADEQUACY OF THE VOTE CAUSING MASSIVE DESTRUCTION THAT THE ELECTION RESULTS WERE ACCURATE. THIS IS THE SECOND HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS THE ADMINISTRATOR SCREWED UP THE ELECTION.
IF THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WAS TO CONTINUE TO OUR OUR ELECTIONS RUN BY ELECTION ADMINISTRATION INSTEAD OF ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO RUN THE ELECTIONS, IT WOULD BEHOOVE THEM TO HAVE A THOROUGH REVIEW OF THE NOVEMBER 2022 ELECTIONS IN ORDER TO FIND A FIX THE PROBLEMS, AND THEREFORE PROVE THEY WERE HONEST ELECTION.
THE VOTERS SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRUST THE ELECTIONS ARE COMPETENTLY RUN WITHOUT ELECTION IRREGULARITIES.
WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO TRUST THE ELECTIONS COMMISSIONER COURT AND THE ADMISSION THERE'S --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK NOW. WE HAVE ABOUT A DOZEN SPEAKERS AND IDEALLY TO FINISH THE SPEAKERS AND TAKE THE LUNCH BREAK EARLY.
>> EARLY LUNCH BREAK. >> OKAY.
WE WILL SPANISH --WE WILL FINISH WITH SPEAKERS AND TAKE AN EARLY LUNCH BREAK.
>> NEXT THE AUTONOMY GARCIA PRATT SPEAKING ITEM 385.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE >> GOOD MORNING.
[01:55:04]
I'M TIMELY --TOMMY GARCIA PRESENTLY RUN THE URBAN FARM HOUSTON THAT IS IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA PRECINCT.WERE HERE TO SAY THANK YOU AND WE ARE SO PRIEST OF OF THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO WHAT WE DO. WE SAY SPECIAL THANKS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IS BEEN FOUR YEARS SINCE WE WERE HERE FOR THE FIRST TIME AND WAITING FOR THE CHANCE TO COME BACK TO SAY THANK YOU. WE ARE SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I SAY THANK YOU TO THE JUDGE AND THE REST OF THE COURT FOR SUPPORTING OPPORTUNITIES LIKE THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCE INITIATIVE AND REDUCING FOOD INSECURITY AT. THIS SORT OF FUNDING IS ESSENTIAL FOR ORGANIZATIONS LIKE US ON THE GROUND DOING THE WORK IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE FOOD SECURITY AND HEALTH EQUITY OPPORTUNITIES.
SO THANK YOU ALL. >> TOMMY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
YOUR LITERALLY IN THE GROUND AND IN THE DIRT. LISTEN, I CANNOT PRAISE YOUR FAMILY ENOUGH FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO HELP OUR COMMUNITIES GET HEALTHIER BY HAVING ACCESS TO HEALTHY PRODUCE.
SO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO AND GOD BE WITH YOU, KEEP IT UP, AND WE NEED MORE OF IT.
>> WE ARE GLAD YOU'RE OUT AND COME OUT
TO VISIT . >> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.
>>> NEXT IS TIFFANY BALI SPEAKING ON ITEM 385.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I AM TIFFANY COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMUNITY FOR , THE URBAN FARM THAT TOMMY WAS SPEAKING ABOUT. WE ARE THE NONPROFIT IN THE SECOND WARD.
I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THE AGREEMENT REGARDING THE FUNDING TO BE PROVIDED TO OUR FARM.
WE SERVE THE UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY WITH MUCH FOOD INSECURITY.
I KNOW THESE FUNDS WILL GO A LONG WAY FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HELP LIFT OUR COMMUNITY AND TO HELP THEM BE STRONGER AND HEALTHIER. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE THERE FOR. AS A COMMUNITY OUTREACH PERSON FOR THE FARM I IN THEIR ON THE GROUND DELIVERING PRODUCE TO THE FOLKS EVERY OTHER WEEK. I CAN SEE THAT CHANGE.
I KNOW THE MONEY IS GOING TO GREAT EVEN MORE HEALTHY GREAT CHANGE FOR THEM.
THANK YOU ALL. ESPECIALLY TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BELIEVING IN US AND FOR SUPPORTING US THROUGH ALL
OF THIS. >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. WE APPRECIATE IT
. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK
YOU. >>> THIS IS SPEAKER 1, ROD RAINY.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO.
I AM THE ROD RAINY, RECENTLY TERMINATED EMPLOYEE FROM HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION.
I'M COMING HERE TODAY TO DISCUSS PROBLEMS AT HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE UNDER ADMINISTRATION LEVEL. AND UNDER THE MANAGEMENT LEVEL. WHILE EMPLOYED THERE I WAS PUT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS PROVEN I HAD NO BUSINESS PUT UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR.
WHILE I WAS THERE AND WHILE UNDER INVESTIGATION I WAS RECEIVING HARASSMENT BY NOT JUST STAFF , MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION, BUT WHEN I TRY TO PUT IN THE GRIEVANCE ON THE ISSUE, I WAS ACTUALLY JUST TERMINATED.
I DID NOT GET A CORRECT RESPONSE TIME TO EVEN PUT IN A GRIEVANCE. I JUST WANT TO BRING TO LIGHT WHAT IS GOING ON WHILE WE ARE TRYING TO SERVE THE YOUTH OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT IS BEEN FORGOTTEN ABOUT.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.
WE WILL FOLLOW-UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 2 CHRISTOPHER JENKINS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
>> YES, AND I'M CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.
THE ORGANIZATION IS , ECONOMICALLY AND ENVIRONMENTALLY.
BY THE END OF THE DAY WE HAVE PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUES. I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUNG AND SOMEONE CAME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY THESE ARE IMMIGRATION ISSUES AND THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH RESOURCES.
WE ARE IN HOUSTON AND WE TAKE CARE PEOPLE BUT AT THE SAME TIME WHERE I'M AT MY NEIGHBOR CANNOT CALL TO GET HELP BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FROM HERE. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT IS FROM --PROMISING DIFFERENT THINGS BUT NOT COMING THROUGH. IT SHOULD BE LIKE A LIBRARY CARD. I WORK WITH ARE ALL IN THE COMMUNITIES HEARING PEOPLE'S COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW THEY DON'T FEEL WELCOME.
IT'S LIKE BRING SOMEBODY TO YOUR HOUSE AND YOU DON'T GIVE THEM WATER GIVE THEM NOTHING TO EAT. YOU DON'T PRAY FOR THEM OR GIVE THEM A HUG. THIS TYPE OF CITY AND COUNTY WE WILL BE KNOWN FOR IF WE DON'T ENGAGE IN OUTREACH TO HELP PEOPLE OUT AND TREAT THEM LIKE
OUR NEIGHBORS. >> SIR, YOUR TIME IS
UP. >> YES, THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A GREAT DAY
[02:00:02]
SPEAKER 3, JARED GERRARD BRAZIL , SPEAKING IN PERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.>> GOOD AFTERNOON. IT IS POLITICAL POPULARITY AND MEDIA FAME NOT THE ATTENTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATE OR COMMUNICATING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, BUT THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND WRIST HIM OF MY NATURAL GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT TO UNDERSTAND ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND PARTICIPATING LIFE-CHANGING AFFAIRS, OVERCOMING FEARS OF PUBLIC APPEARANCES AND MANIFESTING THE POTENTIALS OF MY INFLUENTIAL LEADERSHIP IN EDUCATIONAL INTELLIGENCE, EXERCISING THE AUTHORITY OF MY HUMAN POWERS AND LOYAL RIGHTS.
THAT'S ALL I GOT. >> THANK YOU.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI , I'M MIKE BURKE WITH WISER SECURITY.
WEISER HAS BEEN DEALING SECURITY FOR THE COUNTY FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.
ON THE MOST RECENT BE ED WE WERE $700,000 LOWER THAN THE ONE IT WAS AWARDED TO.
THE REASON THEY DID NOT AWARD IT TO US IS THAT WE DID NOT INCLUDE MWBE AT 17% BECAUSE IT REQUIRES --AND WE HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING PAID.
AT THE TIME WE WERE DOING THE BID WE WERE ACTUALLY ELECTING MONEY FROM 2021 SO IT WAS TWO YEARS OLD. SO WE DON'T FEEL IT'S FAIR FOR US TO HAVE TO POST A BOND FOR PAYMENT WHEN WE ARE NOT GETTING PAID OURSELVES. SO THANK YOU.
>>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 6, SHARON ]. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING --AFTERNOON. I AM SHARON I AM HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT . I'M PRESENT TODAY TO BRING AWARENESS TO THE INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF MENTAL ANGUISH THAT MIGHT 80-YEAR-OLD MOTHER AND I ENDURED AS WE WERE TRYING TO GET SERVICES THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY HOME REPAIR PROGRAM.
WE HAVE NUMEROUS HEALTH AND SAFETY ISSUES , AND IT IS DUE TO A MISLABELED BREAKER BOX THAT WAS PUT IN BY HARRIS COUNTY. TODAY , COMMISSIONERS, I STAND TO SUMMON YOUR HELP AND YOUR PLEA FOR RESOLUTION OF THIS ONGOING PROBLEM.
CHRISTINA LOPEZ DID ASSIST A CONSTITUENT OF MR. RODNEY ELLIS BUT SINCE ADRIAN HOLLOWAY HAS RESIGNED WE HAVE NOT REACHED A RESOLUTION.
>> THANK YOU. >> WE WILL HAVE SOMEBODY
FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. >>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 7, KANSAS SMITH. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE -- CANDACE SMITH . YOU
HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CANDACE SMITH SPEAK ON RACISM WITH THE HOA.
I'M SPEAKING ON REGARD TO THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION THAT HAS A BOARD MEMBER ON THE HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION THAT MADE A SEXUAL PASS AT MY HUSBAND. IN REGARD WHEN SHE FOUND OUT HE WAS MARRIED TO AN AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN THINGS GOT OUT OF HAND.
SHE WENT TO THE LADY THAT IS JENNIFER NORTON, THE PERSON OVER THE BOARD, EXPLAINING THINGS TO HER.
SHE HAD THE POLICE OFFICERS AT MY HOME IN FRONT OF MY CHILDREN WHICH WAS VERY EMBARRASSING AND DEGRADING.
THE THING OF IT IS THAT AFTER THAT THEY BEEN HARASSING US. WE HAVE BEEN WITH OUR HOA FEES ON TIMES AND IT WAS $1200 THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THEY'VE COME UP WITH A $5000 FEE FOR ONE YEAR.
WE WENT TO JENNIFER NORTON ASKING HER TO PLEASE EXPLAIN THE BREAKDOWN TO ME. WHEN I GOT IN THERE TO MY DAUGHTER SHE WAS ROLLING HER EYES AND DRAWING HER BREATH LIKE SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH ME. SHE WAS SAYING I REALLY CANNOT EXPLAIN EVERYTHING TO YOU OR THIS OR
THAT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
TO FOLLOW-UP WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 8, KAREN SMITH.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD EVENING.
IT IS KAREN SMITH, BY THE WAY.
I'M COMING HERE TO SEEK RESOLUTION BECAUSE I WORK AT THE HOSPITAL FOR 20 YEARS AND IN 1993 MY MOTHER PASSED AWAY FROM AIDS AND I WANTED TO GET HOUSTON SUPPORT THOSE WITH TEENAGERS
[02:05:01]
AND YOUTH , AND WHATEVER.I'VE JUST DEDICATED MY WHOLE LIFE LOOKING OUT FOR THE PEOPLE IN HOSPITAL, HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THAT IS WHAT I'M SEEKING.
THAT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED,
>>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 10, JESUS 40S.
SWORE IS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM JESUS SWARTZ AND REPRESENT HOA AS DIRECTOR.
RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT COURSE WIDENING PROJECT BE RESCINDED BASED ON INSUFFICIENT MITIGATION AND THE DESTRUCTIVE AND DISRUPTIVE NATURE OF THE PROJECT.
WE BELIEVE THAT A LESS DISRUPTIVE BUT EQUALLY EFFECTIVE FLOOD CONTROL SOLUTION CAN BE FOUND.
IS INSUFFICIENT MITIGATION AT THE MODEL SHOWS TWO AND 74 HOMES OUT OF 530 STILL AT RISK.
IS DISRUPTED DUE TO POOR NEW CONSTRUCTION DAYS WHICH WERE NOT COMMUNICATED UNTIL RECENTLY.
KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE FROM THE DISTRICT SAY THE DISTRICT IS UNDERSTATING THE EXPLORATION GRANT ATTENTION IMPACT.
PUBLIC INAUDIBLE HORSEMAN AND IN 2018 EXPLANATION GREEN WITH ONLY FEDERAL DENTAL PLAN VOLUME.
HOW MUCH WAS USED IN THE CALCULATION MODEL ? WE WERE TOLD WIDENING WOULD BE KIT THAT HOWEVER NOW AT 37 FEET.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION OF THIS REQUEST. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. YOU'RE IN TOUCH WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT,
>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE WILL TAKE AN EARLY LUNCH BREAK.
IT IS 12:15 AND WILL BE BACK AT 1:15.
>> JUDGE, I THINK WERE POSTED WITH THE BREAK NORMALLY BETWEEN 1:00 AND 2:00 SO WE HAVE TO BREAK UNTIL 2:00.
>> DO YOU GUYS WANT TO BREAK -- WE HAVE TO BREAK?
>> THE COURT CANNOT BE IN SESSION BETWEEN 1:00 AND 2:00.
THAT'S THE ONLY TIMEOUT. >> WE WILL TAKE A SHORT A BREAK. LET'S TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK AND WE WILL GOING TO 1:00. WE WILL BE BACK AT 1:25.
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
CST. ] >>> THE JUDGE, WE ARE SO EFFICIENT THESE DAYS.
MAYBE I SHOULD NOT POST AUTOMATICALLY FOR 1:00.
YOU ARE RIGHT THAT WE HAVE IT GOING HERE. >> THE FIRST ITEM UP FOR DISCUSSION IS ITEM 14, PRECINCTS 2 AND 3 LIKE THE ITEMS I PROPOSE WE START DISCUSSING IT LOOKS BACK JUDGE, CAN YOU SEE THE TIME?
>> IT IS 12:31 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. THIS IS THE RETENTIVE PROGRAM WE DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COURT.
DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? MOTION
FROM MY COLLEAGUES? >> NO QUESTIONS, JUDGE.
I JUST WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF, NUMBER ONE, FOR PROPOSING THE IDEA OF THIS. AS I MENTIONED TO ANOTHER DEPARTMENT, THAT SOMETIMES THERE ARE OPERATIONS DIFFICULT TO WORK IN. YOU NEED TO DO WHAT YOU CAN TO INCENTIVIZE IT TO THE BEST THAT YOU CAN. BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE NEVER LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THE RETENTION OPERATIONS TODAY ARE VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE ONES I INHERITED.
ALTHOUGH I HAD OVERCROWDING CHALLENGES, A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATION WERE LOW AND MEDIUM RISK OFFENDERS. TODAY THE ACTUAL OPERATION IS ALMOST ENTIRELY HIGH RISK , HIGH THREAT INDIVIDUALS.
SO I CAN UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE SOMEONE COMING IN AND HAVING THE GREATEST CULTURE SHOCK THAT ONE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE WITH THAT ENVIRONMENT.
SO I THINK THIS INCENTIVE PROGRAM WILL HELP THE SHERIFF RECRUIT AND RETAIN . THE LONGER HE IS ABLE TO RETAIN, THE GREATER THE CHANCES THAT THE EMPLOYEE WILL STAY.
ALSO JUST TO ADD THAT HE IS FURTHERING ALONG THE IDEA OF A FULLY --OF A FULL CHAIN OF COMMAND OF THE RETENTION OFFICERS. HER NAME ESCAPES ME RIGHT NOW BUT SHE WAS ONE OF MY FIRST SERGEANTS PROMOTED IN THE DETENTION OFFICER RANKS FROM DEO --DO TO DETENTION SERGEANT AND NOW THE MAJOR OF THOSE OPERATIONS AND WITH THAT CHAIN OF COMMAND, WITH THAT OPPORTUNITY TO ASCEND UP THE RANKS IT ALSO INCENTIVIZES THE STAFF TO STAY.
[02:10:03]
THEY HAVE GOT TO SEE A CAREER PATH.IF THEY ARE GOOD AT IT , THEY WANT TO BE THERE, AND THEY ALSO SEE OPPORTUNITY OF BEING ABLE TO GROW WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION.
WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE CHALLENGE OF DETENTION OFFICERS WANTING TO MOVE ON INTO DIFFERENT CAPACITY, BEING THAT OF DEPUTIES.
BUT I THINK THAT WORKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE OR BUDGET DIRECTOR , BEING ABLE TO SMOOTH OUT THE KINKS IN THE PROCESS.
I HOPE THAT CONTINUES ALONG BUT I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED IN CREATING THIS PROGRAM, AND I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF FOR PROPOSING IT.
AS I RECENTLY HEARD, I THINK HPD IS NOW OFFERING $10,000.
IT IS A TIGHT MARKET OUT THERE, BUT I THINK THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY TO HELP WITH THOSE OPERATIONS.
RELATED TO -- I'M ASSUMING THIS IS ONE PART OF A BIGGER PLAN IN TERMS OF RETENTION. IT'S NOT JUST ONE ELEMENT OF IT. THERE IS MORE TO IT IN TERMS OF RETENTION.
I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS RISK ACTIONS -- DISCUSSIONS AND REFERENCING THE CAREER PATH . RETENTION IS IN THE DOLLARS.
BUT IS THIS PART OF A BIGGER PLAN QUESTION MARK
>> ONE PART IS THE CAREER PATH.
WE ARE CONSTANTLY REVIEWING , HOPING TO CHANGE THE COMPENSATION SCALE OVERALL TO MATCH WHEN FOLKS ARE LEAVING US.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY COMPETITIVE. THAT IS WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS. WERE ALSO LOOKING AT THE ENVIRONMENT, IF THERE WAYS WE CAN IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT, THE SCHEDULE , ET CETERA, EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE WE ARE RETAINING.
SO ONE PERSON NOT SHOWING UP TO WORK EVERY YEAR WILL COST US $90,000 IN OVERTIME. IT'S NOT THAT MANY SHIFTS WE HAVE TO GET COVERED FOR THERE TO BE A RETURN ON OUR INVESTMENT.
>> CORRECT. >> I'M ASSUMING WE HAVE A PLAN FOR WHEN THE MONEY RUNS OUT?
THIS IS A BRIDGE TO MOVE THE PAY SCALES .
>> OF COURSE, I WANT TO BE SURE WE GET YOU ON RECORD AND WHAT IS PROPOSED IS LEGAL.
BRIONES. >> THANK YOU JUDGE, SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND CHEAPLY FOR BRINGING THIS TO THE COURTS ATTENTION AND WE ARE PROUD TO INVEST 5.7 MILLION IN TO SEEING THE FULL PLAN, ESPECIALLY AS WE COME CLOSER TO BUDGET SEASON.
HOW WE PLAN ON KEEPING OUR TALENT IN FILLING ALL OF THE VACANCIES.
I KNOW WE DISCUSSED LAST TIME THAT 67% OF RESIGNATION OF DETENTION OFFICERS OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST TWO YEARS.
I ASKED FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP TRACKING THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN SEE THE IMPACT OF OUR INVESTMENTS, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY AGAIN, IN THE TOTALITY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE BUDGET.
THANK YOU, CHEAPLY, SHERIFF GONZALEZ, AND
>> MOTION BIKE COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ALLISON MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. MOVING ON TO ITEM 18, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND RAMSEY BOTH FLAGGED THIS WENT ON AFFORDABLE
HOUSING ITEM. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT RECENTLY THE TENDER STUDY WROTE ABOUT THE RECENT CONSENSUS REPORT HIGHLIGHTING GROWTH HAPPENING IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN 2022 HARRIS COUNTY ADDED THE SECOND-MOST TOTAL RESIDENTS OF ANY COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES, GROWING BY OVER 45,000.
MARICOPA COUNTY AND ARIZONA HAVE THE LARGEST POPULATION WITH THE NET GAIN LAST YEAR ADDING 56,831 MORE RESIDENTS FOR ONLY ONE YEAR.
THAT REPORT NOTES WE HAVE NOT SEEN THAT LEVEL GROWTH.
MORE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO MOVE TO HARRIS COUNTY AT THE DEMAND FOR HOUSING IN GENERALLY INCREASES THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE SUPPLY AVAILABLE, PARTICULARLY SUPPLIES AFFORDABLE TO OUR WORKING CLASS AND LOWER TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES, LOOKING TO BUY A HOME. WITH THAT SAID I'M GLAD TO FINALLY SEE THIS ITEM COME TO COURT WHICH WILL PROVIDE CSD WITH FUNDING TO ACQUIRE THE FIRST BATCH OF SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES, SINGLE-FAMILY WHICH IS ALWAYS THE PRODUCT OF INTEREST
[02:15:01]
THAT IS IN NEIGHBORS AND INDIVIDUALS, WANT TO SEE. THIS WILL ALSO BE ADDED TO OUR HARRIS COUNTY LAND TRUST FOR LONG-TERM AFFORDABILITY.AS A COMMISSIONER OF THE PRECINCT WITH THE LOWEST RATE OF HOMEOWNERSHIP , I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING AS MANY OF THESE HOMES AS POSSIBLE OFFERED TO QUALIFIED FUTURE PRECINCT HOMEOWNERS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO SEE FIRSTHAND ALL OF THE HARD WORK THAT MY STAFF IS BEEN DOING TO MAKE SURE THE PRECINCT IS THE BEST PLACE TO WORK, PLAY AND TO LIVE.
I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY TEAM. WHEN I STARTED IN 2019 WE LISTED SEVERAL AREAS THAT WE WANTED TO GO WORK IMPACT.
THE MEDIUM INCOME AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, PUBLIC SAFETY, THE ENVIRONMENT , HEALTH . WE BEEN ABLE TO HIT THOSE TARGETS FAIRLY WELL AND I'M PROUD OF OUR PROGRESS. BUT THE ONE AREA THAT HAS BEEN ELUSIVE FOR A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT IN PARTICULARLY BECAUSE I THINK THERE WAS --I WON'T GO THERE BUT I WILL JUST SAY THAT A LOT OF DIFFERENT REASONS . BUT I AM GLAD TO SEE SOME MOVEMENT ON THIS.
I JUST WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO THE CITY THAT I WILL TRACK THIS VERY CLOSELY.
BECAUSE THE PROGRESS OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING COMING FROM CSD HAS BEEN VERY LACKING.
THAT IS WHY I ASKED THE DIRECTOR TO PROVIDE US WITH A NEW WE CAN ENSURE CSD BECOMES AS HIGH-PERFORMING AS OTHER PARTS OF OUR GOVERNMENT. BUT NONETHELESS I'M EXCITED TO SEE THIS HAPPENING.
I THINK THIS WILL BE SOME GOOD , PROPER MONEY WELL SPENT. I WILL BE MOVING ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.
>> I WILL BE HAPPY TO SECOND THAT, COMMISSIONER. I TOO THINK THAT SINGLE-FAMILY IS THE MISSED OPPORTUNITY IN THE COUNTY. THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM.
ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO HELP TO ACCELERATE THAT IS GREAT.
BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR AND FOR THE RECORD, ANYTHING THAT IS MULTI HOUSING WILL COME BACK TO COURT. THIS IS FOR SINGLE-FAMILY, IS THAT CORRECT, DIRECTOR?
>> I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS ITEM AS WELL.
I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT AS IMPORTANT AS SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING IS, WE HAVE LIMITED RESOURCES THAT WE CAN PROVIDE WITH THAT.
SO THANKS FOR THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION THAT HAS 100 HOMES WITH ALMOST --SPENT ABOUT $20 MILLION TO REACH THAT ACQUISITION.
THAT WILL BE $615,000 TOWARD STAFFING, $3 MILLION FOR THE VENDOR. IT'S A CHALLENGE TO FIND THE HOUSE IS OBVIOUSLY AND ABOUT $15 MILLION OF THAT REMAINING BUDGET THAT WILL GO TO HOUSES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU'RE RIGHT TO POINT OUT THE GENDER STUDY IS A TREMENDOUS PROBLEM.
I MENTIONED IT EARLIER, 85 YEARS AFTER THE DEATH OF KING, FAIR HOUSING PASS AND YOU SAY IT IS FAIR HOUSING MONTH. I'M GLAD THE COUNTY WILL INVEST $200 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS TO INCREASE THE SUPPLY OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THAT IS MULTIFAMILY HOUSING THAT WILL HAVE TO BE PART OF THAT. THAT IS JUST THE HARSH REALITY OF IT.
IN ADDITION TO BRING BACK TO COURT I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO UNDERSTAND WE STOPPED THAT OLD COUNTY TRADITION AROUND HERE WHERE EACH COMMISSIONER AND THEIR FIEFDOM --THEY WOULD NOT TAKE MULTIFAMILY IN CERTAIN AREAS AND WE KNOW WHICH PRECINCT THEY ALL ENDED UP IN.
WE ARE HAPPY TO TAKE THEM IN RECENT NUMBER ONE BECAUSE WE THINK THAT HOUSING OUGHT TO BE CONSIDERED A RIGHT AND NOT JUST A PRIVILEGE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR.
THINK FOR THE GREAT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. BUT OBVIOUSLY WITHIN THOSE GOALS AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WE COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD, BUT WE SHOULD NOT JUST RELEGATE PEOPLE IN ASSERT NEIGHBORHOOD. IF WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT, BY THE WAY, WE SHOULD GO AND FIGURE OUT HOW YOU REWARD NEIGHBORHOODS WHICH IS LIMITED AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR SINGLE-FAMILY HOUSING.
THERE ARE HOST OF ITEMS WE WILL DO TODAY INCLUDING WITH DEALING WITH THE ISSUE OF DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAXES. THERE ARE MANY REASONS WHY PEOPLE END UP LOSING THEIR HOMES. I DO HOPE THE COURT WILL MOVE FORWARD ON THOSE ITEMS .
THAT WILL COME UP LATER IN DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THANK YOU AND I'M PROUD TO THIRD IT SINCE IT HAS FIRST AND SECOND. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT $50 MILLION IS 100 HOMES, AND THAT
[02:20:01]
IS A AND HELP THE PUT A DENT IN IT BUT THAT IS A SMALLDENT. >> YES. >> WE HAVE MOTION BIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED. I'M FAVOR OF AND MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THE WORDS OF MY COLLEAGUES, IT'S A BIG DEAL, NOT ENOUGH BUT IT IS PROGRESS.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO WORKED ON THIS.
>> YES. JUST IF WE CAN GET DR.
SANCHEZ OR REPRESENTATIVE . WE HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS FOR HIM.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS JULIE PRINE , CHIEF OF STAFF FOR THE INSTITUTE.
MY QUESTION IS. FIRST I SUPPORT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF CONVERTING THAT FROM OVERTIME TO CONTRACTORS. I AM CURIOUS AND THE OTHER DAY AT A MEETING IT WAS SAID WITH THE BACKLOG IN TERMS OF EVIDENCE, CHANGE FROM SPAWNING FROM A DIGITAL BACKLOG WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO EVIDENCE BEING STUCK IN SOME PROCESSES WE RESOLVED .
MOST OF THAT WITH NEW TECHNOLOGY , RECORDED, NEW TECHNOLOGY THAT THE STAFF, SHERIFF AND POLICE CHIEF HAVE ASSIGNED.
BUT NOW THAT THE BACKLOG SEEMS TO BE IN THE AREA OF FOR OUR SIDE OF THE WORLD, THAT PATHOLOGY AND OTHER AREAS ARE NOW -- ARE NOW CREATING --OR THERE IS A BACKLOG IN THESE AREAS. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT AND HOW MUCH OF THIS IS GOING TO POTENTIAL BACKLOG
ON OUR CRIME LAB SITE WE DON'T HAVE A BACKLOG . SO AS FAR AS THE EVIDENCE COMING IN FOR FIREARMS OR DRUGS, TOXICOLOGY, DNA, WE HAVE NO BACKLOG AND WE ARE MEETING ALL OF OUR METRICS AS FAR AS GETTING THINGS TURNED AROUND.
ON THE PATHOLOGY SIDE WE DO HAVE A BACKLOG . WE ARE BEHIND AND THAT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE LOST IN THE LAST YEAR ALMOST HALF OF OUR PATHOLOGISTS .
SO HAVING THE SAME AMOUNT OF CASELOAD WITH HALF OF THE STAFF WE HAVE TRIED TO TO PULL IN SOME CONTRACTORS TO HELP THEM MEET THE NEED . SO WE ARE STILL PERFORMING AUTOPSIES WITHIN 24 TO 48 HOURS AFTER THEY ARRIVED.
SO THE ACTUAL AUTOPSY PIECE WE ARE STILL MAINTAINING.
IT IS FINDING TIME FOR OUR PATHOLOGISTS TO COME BACK, REVIEW ALL OF THE INFORMATION AND COMPLETE THEIR REPORTS IN A TIMELY MANNER. SO WE ARE BEHIND IN THE AUTOPSY REPORTS.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT IF WE ARE CONTACTED BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR A DEFENSE ATTORNEY, OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ABOUT A CASE THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON US, IT MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE SO WE CAN GET THAT DONE IN TIME FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FOR COURT. BUT RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHY WE NEED TO MOVE SOME OF THIS MONEY, IS TO TRY TO GET MORE CONTRACTORS IN SO THAT WE CAN GIVE OUR STAFF PATHOLOGISTS MORE TIME SO THAT THEY CAN FINISH
THAT IS IMPRESSIVE. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.
DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS ITEM --DO YOU HAVE THE CONTRACTORS THAT YOU THINK THIS WILL HELP PAY FOR ? ARE THEY AVAILABLE?
WE CURRENTLY HAVE FUNDING COVERING FIVE CONTRACTORS.
WE WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE OR TWO MORE IN THE COMING MONTHS. WE CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT THIS INFLUX OF MONEY MOVING FROM OVERTIME INTO THE CONTRACTORS.
>> YOU WILL STILL PROCEED FILLING THOSE POSITIONS OR DO YOU SEE THIS AS A
LONG-TERM PRACTICE? >> YES, SIR. WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS.
WHERE IN THE SAME VOW AS MANY OTHER MEDICAL EXAMINERS OFFICES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF POSITIONS AND NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TO HEAL THEM ALL.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRESENTATION.
[02:25:01]
PRINE , AND THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU ALL SPENT WITH MY TEAM. ONE FOLLOW-UP QUESTION, COULD YOU GIVE US A BIT MORE DETAIL ON THE BACKLOG ON THE MEDICAL EXAMINER SIDE IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME A BACKLOG AT THIS POINT IN TIME? TWO, CAN YOU TALK IS THERE ADDITIONAL ACTIONS BEING TAKEN CURRENTLY TO FILL THE STAFFING NEEDSSO FOR THE BACKLOG CURRENTLY WE HAVE 679 CASES NOT SIGNED . ABOUT HALF OF THOSE ARE FROM 2022.
THOSE OF THE OUR MOST COMPLICATED CASES WHERE A LOT OF EXTRA WORK HAS TO GO INTO MAKING DETERMINATIONS.
THAT IS HOW FAR BEHIND WE ARE. AS FAR AS ACTIONS WE ARE TAKING, WE, AS MANY OF YOU ALREADY KNOW, WE HAVE A CT SCANNER THAT THE RFP SHOULD BE COMING TO COURT EITHER IN THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT OR THE FOLLOWING ONE FOR YOUR APPROVAL.
WE WILL IMPLEMENT THAT CT WHICH WILL HELP US TO EXPEDITE CERTAIN EXAMS TO EXPEDITE THE REPORTS. WE HOPE THAT WILL CERTAINLY HELP US TO GET SOME OF THE REPORT WRITING DONE IN A FASTER WAY.
AS FAR AS FILLING THE VACANCIES, WE ARE POSTING THOSE EVERYWHERE WE CAN THINK OF. WE HAVE MEDICAL STUDENTS AND RESIDENTS COMING IN REPEATEDLY.
WE HAVE THAT THROUGHOUT THE YEAR. WERE HOPING THAT MANY OF THEM WILL VISIT OUR INSTITUTE AND FIGURE OUT THAT THIS IS WHAT THEY WANT TO BE DOING AND SO WE CAN PULL THEM BACK IN AS A FELLOW AND HIRE THEM AFTER THE FACT.
THE OTHER THING WE ARE DOING IS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT MORE PEOPLE BUT HONESTLY WE ARE NOT AS COMPETITIVE AS FAR AS THE SALARY IS CONCERNED WHEN YOU ADD ON TOP OF IT THE AMOUNT OF CASELOAD.
SO THE CONTRACTORS THAT WE HAVE, A LOT OF THEM ARE FORMER PATHOLOGISTS THAT WORKED HERE BUT REALIZED THAT IF THEY WENT OUT ON THEIR OWN AS A CONTRACTOR, THAT THEY COULD MAKE A LOT MORE MONEY AND NOT HAVE THE CASELOAD THAT MANY OF OUR STAFF ARE DEALING WITH. SO WE ALSO HAVE RAIN INTO
ISSUES THAT >> I WOULD NOT SAY THAT TOO LOUD.
>> WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH IMMIGRATION , WHERE A LOT OF THE PEOPLE THAT WE HAVE SPOKEN TO ABOUT COMING HERE WILL REQUIRE SOME IMMIGRATION ASSISTANCE TO GET THEM SO THAT THEY QUALIFY FOR A POSITION. SO WE ARE TRYING TO HIT IT ON ALL FRONTS.
WE WILL DO ANYTHING WE CAN TO FILL OUR POSITIONS. WERE STEADILY WORKING
TOWARD THAT. >> MISS PRINE , THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, CANDOR AND TRANSPARENCY.
YOU CAN SEE MR. MAC -- MR. AIRE, BUT IT APPEARS THERE FOCUSED ON HELPING ON THE IMMIGRATION FRONT.
AS WE WORK TOWARD OUR BUDGET PROCESS IN DETERMINING WHAT WE NEED TO BE COMPETITIVE SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE BACKLOGS IN THE FUTURE AND CAN RETAIN AND RECRUIT THE TALENT, PLEASE BE VERY VOCAL IN LETTING US KNOW WHAT YOU AND YOUR AGENCY, DR.
SANCHEZ AND TEAM NEEDS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. WE APPRECIATE YOUR
SUPPORT. >> KEEP UP THE GOOD SUPPORT.
ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
NECK THIS OTTOMAN -- ITEM 22 WITH
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES, JUDGE, THANK YOU.
THIS IS A MOVEMENT FOR THE PROCURED TO PAY .
MY QUESTION IS THAT THIS IS --RATHER, WE ARE TRYING TO FURTHER ALONG OUR PROCURE TO PAY INITIATIVE.
IN THE FIRST WORK STRAINED WE FOUND THAT HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY OWNS THE PEOPLESOFT VENDOR PORTAL BUT IT WAS NOT FULLY IMPLEMENTED, IF AT ALL. SO JUST A QUESTION IN TERMS OF WHY WE ARE NOT GOING TO PEOPLESOFT , TO THE PEOPLESOFT PORTAL VENDOR. WE ALREADY OWN IT SO WHY ARE WE NOT USING IT ? BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS TO SEE THIS PARTICULAR ITEM GO FORWARD IT WOULD TAKE --THIS ITEM WOULD TAKE PROBABLY ABOUT A YEAR TO
[02:30:01]
POST, GET THE BIDS, SELECT , ABOUT SIX MONTHS.AND THEN THE IMPLEMENTATION OF IT, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, WILL PROBABLY BE ANOTHER SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR. SO ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE THE BEST , WHY CAN WE NOT TURN ON THE PEOPLESOFT VENDOR PORTAL NOW?
>> I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION AND I THINK THAT MS. MARTIN IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER AND IF NOT I CAN DO
MY BEST. >> IS THE RELEVANT PERSON ON THE LINE? WHY DON'T YOU START, MR.
BERRY . >> COMMISSIONERS THIS IS REPORT I GOT BACK FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE, THAT THEY FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT AND THIS COMMITTEE INCLUDES THE AUDITOR, COUNTING ATTORNEY, HR, PURCHASING AND THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT USED CHARTERED -- THAT YOU CHARTERED AND SET UP.
THEY WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY GOT THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE STUMP RIGHT AND THAT WOULD TAKE WHATEVER SYSTEM WE CHOOSE, AND TAKE A LOT OF WORK WITH ALL OF THE USER DEPARTMENTS.
THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT USERS AND ALSO TALKING TO VENDORS.
ONCE THEY HAVE THOSE REQUIREMENTS, THEN DETERMINE IS PEOPLESOFT THE RIGHT SOLUTION WHICH OBVIOUSLY WOULD BE BETTER BECAUSE WE HAVE IT AND IT SAVES TIME. OR IS IT SOMETHING THAT IT IS TRYING TO PUT A SQUARE PEG IN A ROUND HOLE. AS YOU KNOW THERE'S ALSO QUESTIONS OVER HOW LONG PEOPLESOFT WOULD BE WITH US THAT WAS THE BASIS, ANOTHER ONE, WITH HER RECOMMENDATION.
I GOT FROM THE TEAM NOT TO TAKE IT OFF THE LIST BUT GET REQUIREMENTS FIRST FOR THAT DETERMINATION IS MADE.
US TO GET THERE? >> I WILL NEED --WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THE SYSTEM COULD BE LIVE NEXT YEAR , BUT IN TERMS OF DETAIL TIME FRAME, WE NEED TO TRACK DOWN MR.
MARTIN. >> LEAH IS ON THE LINE NOW.
>> THAT AFTERNOON, THIS IS LEAH BARTON WITH THE ADMINISTRATION AND WHERE TARGETING NEXT YEAR EARLY FOR LAUNCH OF THE VENDOR PORTAL AND FOCUSING ON REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENTATION IN THE NEXT COUPLE MONTHS AND SHIFT INTO SELECTION OF SOFTWARE AND IMPLEMENTATION PARTNERS, ASSOCIATE CONTRACTING AND DO THE ACTUAL DEVELOPMENT AND THEN DO THE TESTING AND ROLLING IMPLEMENT.
IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO GET THIS RIGHT WITH THE RIGHT REQUIREMENTS, RIGHT SOFTWARE, RIGHT TESTING AND RIGHT CHANGE OF MANAGEMENT BOTH WITH VENDORS AND
INTERNAL STAFF . >> SO PEOPLESOFT IS ALMOST AT THE END OF LIFE. I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT FIVE YEARS OR THEREABOUTS, 5 TO SEVEN YEARS I THINK FOR THE END OF LIFE OF PEOPLESOFT.
WE WILL SPEND BY NOW POTENTIALLY $1.1 MILLION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
IS THAT ALSO WHATEVER SOFTWARE WE THINK WE WILL BE USING ?
>> NO. REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENTATION IS ONE OF FOUR PROJECTS WITHIN THIS ITEM. SO IT IS A COUPLE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS FOR THE REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENTATION AND RP SUPPORT AND REALLY MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE EVERYTHING IN PLACE FOR THAT DEPLOYMENT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL.
>> I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT SPENDING MONEY ON THIS WHY WE HAVE SOMETHING WE ALREADY OWN AND SPENT MONEY ON AND JUST USING AND WE VERY SOON WILL START THE PROCESS OF REPLACING POTENTIALLY PEOPLESOFT ARE NOT .
BUT I REALLY JUST WANT TO BE CAREFUL BEFORE I CAN SUPPORT THIS ITEM , THAT THERE IS A STRONGER --I WON'T -- IS THERE ANY CONCERN WITH PURCHASING THE SOFTWARE AND THEN IT'S MIGRATION TO ANOTHER PLATFORM LIKE PEOPLESOFT ? DO WE FORESEE ANY CHALLENGES ON HAVING TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO PATCH WHATEVER THIS VENDOR WOULD BE WITH ANOTHER PLATFORM ? HAS THAT BEEN
THOUGHT THROUGH ? >> THIS ITEM DOES NOT INCLUDE COMMITMENT TO A SOFTWARE PLATFORM OR THAT ASSOCIATED DEVELOPMENT EXPENSE.
THIS IS REALLY TO FIGURE OUT THE RIGHT REQUIREMENTS AND TO GO THROUGH THAT PROCESS OF SELECTING THE RIGHT TECHNOLOGY.
I JUST ASSUME THAT YOU ALL ARE LOOKING AT ALL THINGS , AND I WAS STILL WANT TO KNOW WHY WE CANNOT IMPLEMENT THE VENDOR PORTAL NOW. HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE?
[02:35:03]
I WILL SUPPORT THIS ITEM BUT HOW DIFFICULT WILL IT BE TO END --IMPLEMENT THE VENDOR PORTAL NOW?>> THAT IS ONE QUESTION WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.
MY UNDERSTANDING FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS THAT THEY BELIEVE THE TIMELINE WOULD BE SIMILAR WHETHER WE USE THAT PEOPLESOFT MODULE OVER ANOTHER PLATFORM BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME OF THESE SAME STEPS, REQUIREMENTS.
I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD WORK .
WE OWN IT AND WE PAID FOR IT, WE ARE NOT USING IT. I THINK THAT IS FIDUCIARY FAILURE ON SOMEBODY'S PART EXPECT COMMISSIONER, IF I MIGHT OFFER, IF THE TEAM DOES COME BACK WITH A DIFFERENT PURCHASE, I THINK IT MIGHT BE APPROPRIATE TO INCLUDE IN THE REQUEST THE COURT, SORT OF EXPLAINING WHY PEOPLESOFT DID NOT WORK . WITHOUT HELP GETTING IT INTO THE FUTURE CONCERNS BEFORE WE BUY SOMETHING ELSE.
LEAH, WOULD THAT BE DOABLE? >> YES, FOR SURE AND IF WE DON'T USE IT WE SHOULD TURN IT OFF.
>> SO CONTINGENT IN PROVING WHY THE PORTAL CANNOT BE UP
QUESTION MARK >> THE SCOPE OF WORK DOES NOT COMMIT US TO A CERTAIN SOFTWARE SOLUTION.
>> THE COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
ARE YOU ON THE LINE? HOW ARE YOU? I WAS ASKING OVER THE COURT COMPONENTS GOING INTO THIS RFP, CORRECT? AND A COUPLE OF THEM ARE SOFTWARE AND THE CATEGORY MANAGEMENT PROCESS AND LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT.
THE BIG ISSUE THAT WE HAVE IS THE VENDOR PORTAL WHICH HAS COME UP, IN TERMS OF IT BEING MORE EFFICIENT. WHERE DOES THAT VENDOR PORTAL SIT WITHIN THESE PRIORITIES? THAT'S ONE OF THE TWO SOFTWARE PROJECTS.
AND THEN THE BEST APPROACH TO THE ACTUAL TOOL, WHETHER PEOPLESOFT OR GOING OUT FOR BID FOR ANOTHER SOLUTION.
>> WE HAVE A VENDOR PORTAL NOW AND WE HAVE THE BONFIRE PLATFORM VENDORS USE TO RESPOND TO RFPS AND THIS WOULD BE TO HELP THEM ENGAGE WITH US BEYOND THE RFP PROCESS TO SUBMIT INVOICES AND REVIEW HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT ON THE RPOS AND OTHER FUNCTIONALITY THEY DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO
[02:40:04]
WILL HAVE THE VENDOR PORTAL RECOMMENDATION AND WHEN IT WOULD BE BUILT?>> WE ESTIMATE ABOUT 10 WEEKS TO GO THROUGH THAT REQUIREMENT PROCESS AND UNDERSTAND WHAT INTERFACES WOULD BE REQUIRED AND THE FUNCTIONALITY OF THE USE CASES TO UNDERSTAND AND THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BRING THAT RECOMMENDATION ON THE OVERALL APPROACH, BACK TO YOU,
AT THAT POINT, WE CAN DECIDE IF IT'S TOO TO SLOW OR HOPEFULLY, THIS COMPANY CAN GET IT DONE IN A WAY THAT IS WELL DONE.
THE COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN BRINGING THIS ON FOR A LONG TIME.
>> THE NEXT QUESTION TO THAT, IF YOU COME IN JUNE, WHEN DO WE FORESEE XYZ . WHEN DO WE REALLY SEE THIS? FOR THAT PORTAL, WE EXPECT A LAUNCH IN Q1 OF 2024.
WE NEED TO GO THROUGH, POTENTIALLY TO RFP. AND THE ROLLOUT , THAT WOULD PUT US INTO
THERE'S OTHER PROCESSES GOING ON TO HELP IMPROVE OUR AP PROCESSES SO PEOPLE WILL SEE OTHER BENEFITS.
FOR THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, IT MAY TAKE SOME TIME TO IMPLEMENT.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN, LEAH.
MY UNDERSTANDING -- DID WE AT THE LAST BOARD OR THE ONE PRIOR --DIDN'T WE APPROVE SEVERAL FIRMS ?
>> WE RENEWED THE VENDOR POOL AND THIS VENDOR WAS PROCURED THROUGH THAT
VENDOR POOL. >> AND NOW WE WILL DO ANOTHER MILLION DOLLARS ON TOP OF THAT PARTICULAR ENGAGEMENT?
>> I BELIEVE THAT $10 MILLION WAS THE MAXIMUM ESTABLISHED FOR ANY GIVEN YEAR OF CONTRACTING AND THAT BUDGET WAS SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATED AND WE ARE DRAWING FROM RELEVANT BUDGETS ALONG THE WAY. BECAUSE THAT VENDOR POOL RESET WITH THE RENEWAL IN MARCH, THAT $10 MILLION WILL RESTART AND WE WOULDN'T HIT THAT CEILING, YET.
RAMOS. >> IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET OR IN TERMS OF THE
>> WHY ARE WE DOING A MILLION DOLLARS NOW?
>> THE $10 MILLION IS FOR ALL OF THOSE.
>> THERE IS MONEY. WHY WILL WE SEPARATE
THE ENGAGEMENT? >> WE HAVE TO ACTUALLY ISSUE THE P.O.
FOR THAT SPECIFIC VENDOR, FOR THAT SCOPE OF WORK. IT WOULD BE GO FROM $10 MILLION AVAILABLE TO $9 MILLION.
I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE WAS A FIRM THAT WAS A BIGGER SHOP? WHY DON'T WE LOOK AT THAT?
>> THEY DIDN'T CHOOSE TO RESPOND TO THIS PARTICULAR RFP.
>> ALL RIGHT. I MEAN --WHY THE VENDOR PORTAL FOR PEOPLESOFT -- IT CANNOT BE ACTIVATED NOW?
>> IF WE WERE TO ACTIVATE IT, WE WOULD NEED TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE WANTED IT TO WORK. EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE IT WITHIN OUR PEOPLESOFT LICENSE, WE WOULD STILL NEED TO CONFIGURE IT.
A SIMPLE QUESTION MIGHT BE IF A VENDOR SUBMITS AN INVOICE, WHAT FIELDS DO WE WANT THEM TO SUBMIT AND HOW DO WE WANT THAT TO GET ROUTED? WE HAVEN'T DONE THAT WORK TO DEFINE THOSE REQUIREMENTS.
THAT'S WHAT THE FIRST 10 WEEKS IS ABOUT, TO DEFINE THOSE REQUIREMENTS AND HOW WE WANTED TO WORK AND CAN PEOPLESOFT WORK THAT WAY?
[02:45:01]
IS THAT A GREAT CHOICE OR DO WE WANT TO LOOK FOR FUNCTIONALITY ? WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THOSE REQUIREMENTS FIRST.>> I BETTER STOP ASKING QUESTIONS.
MY SUPPORT FOR THIS IS DIMINISHING DRAMATICALLY.
>> COMMISSIONER, I'M THINKING THAT WE ARE GOING AROUND AND AROUND.
IT WAS NEEDED? >> LAST YEAR WE DID THE ANALYSIS FOR IMPROVEMENT OPPORTUNITIES AND OUT OF THAT, THREE SHORT-TERM RECOMMENDATIONS , SOME OF WHICH HAVE BEEN DELIVERED AND SOME OF WHICH ARE UNDERWAY. ONE I'M PROUD OF IS THE NUMBER OF INVOICES THAT ARE AGED MORE THAN 30 DAYS IN THAT DEPARTMENT REVIEW STAGE, DOWN BY 80%.
FROM 2200 INVOICES AT THE PEAK IN JANUARY TO 423 AT THE END OF MARCH.
WE ARE WORKING THOSE TACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE SAME TIME.
WE ALSO SAID WE HAVE STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS AND WE CAME TO YOU IN JANUARY TO SAY, HEY, WE WANT TO WORK ON THE STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS AND YOU SAID, YEP, GO FOR IT.
THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS NOW THE OUTCOME OF THAT.
THIS IS HOW WE WILL IMPLEMENT THOSE FOUR STRATEGIC RECOMMENDATIONS.
THE NEXT STEP IS TO DEFINE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE TWO IDEA PROJECTS AND THESE PEOPLE COMPONENTS.
>> IT'S WONDERFUL THAT WE HAVE PEOPLESOFT CAPABILITIES.
THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS IN THAT FIRST ANALYSIS. FUNCTIONALITY, COULD CHOOSE TO TURN IT ON BUT WE NEED TO DO THE WORK TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WANT THAT AP PROCESS TO WORK AND WHAT
PEOPLESOFT CAN DO. >> IT WOULD BE VERY SIMPLE. THAT'S WHERE THE POS ARE HOUSED AND OUR BUDGET EXPENSES ARE HOUSED. IT COULD SIMPLIFY THE INTERFACES SIGNIFICANTLY.
>> SOUNDS OKAY TO ME BUT I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT , AND I'VE ASKED YOU, IF YOU HAVEN'T TOLD
ME -- >> THE SOCCER PIECE IN THE TRAINING PEOPLE PEACE, HOW CONFIDENT ARE WE FOR THIS NEXT YEAR, AT THE END OF THE DAY -- WE TAKE LONGER THAN WE SHOULD TO PAY VENDORS AND DEVELOP THE BOTTOM LINE.
IF WE ARE SOLVING FOR THOSE , MISSION EFFECTIVE, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DRIVING BACK TO THE MISSION.
I UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS. HOW CONFIDENT ARE WE THAT WE HAVE THE KEY STAKEHOLDERS.
AND IN TERMS OF OUTCOMES, TO BE INVESTED.
>> WE ARE ALREADY MOVING THE NEEDLE THROUGH THESE TACTICAL INITIATIVES.
ANOTHER ONE WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IS REDUCING THE NUMBER OF CHECKS THAT WE CUT AND THE DISTRICT COURTS ARE WORKING WITH ATTORNEYS AND SOME ARE GIVING MORE THAN 300 CHECKS EVERY MONTH. A LARGE NUMBER OF TACTICAL INITIATIVES ARE UNDERWAY AND THEY WILL DELIVER VALUE.
AND THE TECHNOLOGY ITEMS ARE THE MOST CRITICAL. WE DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR TO SAY THINGS ARE BETTER. THEY ARE ALREADY GETTING BETTER.
>> WHO IS OWNING THE ANALYSIS TO TRACK THE IMPROVED
OUTCOME? >> WE HAVE ESTABLISHED A STUDENT COMMITTEE AND THE LAST REPORT COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKE TO PROCURE THE PERMANENT BODY CONTINUING TO MEET. THE PURCHASING AND THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND OMB.
AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE AP METRICS AND THEY HAVE BEEN BRINGING THOSE TO OUR STUDENT COMMITTEE ON A MONTHLY BASIS AND WE SHARED IT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH PURCHASING WORKING ON TESTING THEIR OWN DASHBOARDS.
THEY WILL BE IN THE NEXT QUARTERLY REPORT THAT WE BRING TO YOU IN CONTINUING TO BRING THAT, AS WELL. WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM AND WE WILL HAVE, SIMILARLY, CROSS FUNCTIONAL WORKING GROUPS ATTACHED TO EACH OF THESE FOUR PROJECTS.
>> LAST QUESTION, ARE WE LOOKING AT NATIONAL
[02:50:01]
BEST PRACTICES IN OUR MEETING?>> YES. BRIAN SPECTOR ON MY TEAM AND WHITE AND THEY'VE BEEN CALLING PURCHASING DIRECTORS AND OTHERS.
THAT IS ONE OF THE ELEMENTS WE HOPE WITH GREAT EXAMPLES AS THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THIS COMPETITIVE PROCESS WHERE THEY'VE DONE SIMILAR WORK AT UNIVERSITIES OR OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
>> THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME.
KNOW, IT'S BEEN 10 MINUTES. >> IS THERE A MOTION ? A MOTION OR BY COMMISSIONERS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> VERY QUICKLY, THANK YOU FOR GOING THROUGH THIS.
I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT -- DID WE GET ANY TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM
PEOPLESOFT? >> I BELIEVE SO BUT THAT WOULD BE A
QUESTION -- >> WE HAVE A CAPABILITY WITHIN PEOPLESOFT . DO WE ALWAYS START THEIR FIRST WITH TECHNICAL SUPPORT, THE PEOPLESOFT ? TO ADDRESS A PARTICULAR NEED THAT WE WOULD HAVE? IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE DOING ALMOST A THIRD PARTY ANALYSIS OF THE PROBLEM AND IT'S A REAL PROBLEM.
THE PEOPLESOFT FOR A REASON AND IT WOULD SEEM LIKE IF WE GOT TECHNICAL SUPPORT FROM THE PEOPLESOFT EXPERTS EXPERTS, YOU KNOW, THIS COULD SOLVE THE PROBLEM AND THIS IS HOW HOME.
I DON'T KNOW THAT I WOULD SAY THAT, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE WORTH ASKING.
>> THAT WILL BE PART OF THIS PROCESS.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE DEVELOPING IS THOSE USE CASES THAT WE WANT DIFFERENT VENDORS TO WALK US THROUGH.
WE WOULD SAY, THIS IS WHAT WE WANT SOMEONE TO DO AND SUBMIT THE INVOICE ONLINE AND LOOK UP THE P.O.
AND GO THROUGH VARIOUS PROCESSES AND THEN WE WOULD ASK DIFFERENT VENDORS.
>> THE CHIEF DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PEOPLESOFT AND ALL THE REST OF THEM IS WE ALREADY HAVE PEOPLESOFT.
>> THE POINT IS, COMMISSIONER, IF I UNDERSTAND THIS CORRECTLY -- THERE IS MORE TO IT THAN JUST THE VENDOR PORTAL. YOU GUYS ARE DOING THE OVERALL ASSESSMENT OF APPROVING THE AND NATIONS FOR THIS VENDOR AND THAT'S WHAT THIS COMPANY IS GOING TO DO.
AS FAR AS THE VENDOR PORTAL PART OF IT, IT MAY BE IMPROVED VIA PEOPLESOFT AND THEN IMPROVED , BUT EVEN PEOPLESOFT, YOU CAN'T JUST TURN IT ON BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO PROGRAM IT AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT PROGRAMMED.
IS THAT AN ACCURATE SUMMARY FOR ANYONE
LISTENING? >> UNDERSTANDING HOW WE WANT OUR PROCESSES TO RUN AND NOT HAVE IT DICTATED BY A PARTICULAR SOFTWARE AND HOW IT'S BUILT. 10 WEEKS IS NOT A LONG TIME IN WHICH TO DO BOTH AND TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNCTIONALITY WE WANT AND TO TAKE THAT LOOK OF PEOPLESOFT TO SEE IF IT CAN DELIVER. WE NEED TO DO BOTH IN PARALLEL, WHETHER ONE PRECEDES THE OTHER OR NOT. WE CAN ABSOLUTELY REACH OUT TO ASK FOR THEIR HELP IN ENGAGING PEOPLESOFT. THEY'VE BEEN IN OUR COMMITTEES AS WELL.
>> HAVE YOU EVEN WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS TO SEE HOW THEY PROCESS INVOICES?
>> YES. >> WHICH HAVE YOU TALKED TO?
>> THE PROCESSES WERE DOCUMENTED IN DETAIL DURING THE FIRST ANALYSIS.
WE WORKED WITH ALL PRECINCTS AND THE JUDGES OFFICE AND THE DEO NCSD, ENGINEERING , AND FOR SOME REALLY GREAT PROCESSES ELSEWHERE, THOSE WERE THE PRIMARY ONES WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WITH A GOOD MIX OF LARGE AND SMALL DEPARTMENTS AND AS WELL WITH MORE COMPLEX INVOICES LIKE ENGINEERING AND THE DEO PROCESS.
>> OUT OF CURIOSITY, WHAT MAKES PRODUCTIVITY BETTER THAN THE ERNST & YOUNG
? >> THE FIRST RESPONSE, THEY RESPONDED TO THE RFP. WE DID HAVE A NUMBER OF RESPONSES WE EVALUATED AND FELT CONFIDENT IN THE APPROACH , AND AS WELL, THEIR PRICING.
THEY'VE SCORED WELL ON BOTH MEASURES.
>> I WOULD JUST MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE FIRMS ARE BEING NOTIFIED AND MAKE SURE YOU CHECK THAT BECAUSE THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME QUESTION MARK
ON IT. >> WE WERE SURPRISED AT THE RELATIVELY SMALL NUMBER OF RESPONSES.
WE GOT FOUR RESPONSES AND WE HAVE PREPARED THIS
SECTION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[02:55:07]
IS THERE MOTION ON THIS ITEM? A SECOND? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4-0.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MS. BARTON. ITEM 33, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND RAMSEY FLAGGED IT?
>> JUST AS A PROCESS QUESTION, AS WE BRING THESE ITEMS UP, SHOULD WE BE MAKING A MOTION GOING INTO DISCUSSION?
>> YES. NORMALLY UNDER OUR RULES, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE DISCUSSION, IF SOMEONE IS MOVING FOR A MOTION ON SOMETHING, THERE NEEDS TO BE A SECOND AND THERE WOULD BE DISCUSSION.
THEN DISCUSSION? >> CORRECT. >> JUST WANTED TO --
>> WITH REGARD TO ITEM 33, THANK YOU FOR THAT GUIDANCE AND I MAKE A MOTION TO CREATE A PHILANTHROPY THE IS IN POSITION EFFECTIVE APRIL 22 .
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> GOOD JOB. >> ON ITEM 34, LIKE, IF THERE IS A PRESENTATION , MAYBE I NEED TO MAKE THEM.
WE ARE GETTING TO THIS METRO TRANSFER AND THERE IS A LOT OF DIFFERENT --
>> THE WAY IT WOULD BE, IT WOULD BE A MOTION AND A SECOND AND YOU WOULD ASK FOR DISCUSSION BEFORE TAKING A FORMAL VOTE.
WHEN THE ITEM COMES UP TO MAKE THE MOTION, SOMEONE WOULD MAKE A SECOND AND THEN YOU WOULD HAVE DISCUSSION ON IT.
IF THERE WAS A PRESENTATION ON ANYTHING.
>> AND MOTION TO DISCUSS ITEM 34?
>> JUST A MOTION, JUST TO MOVE ON THE ITEM, 34.
THAT'S THE THING. THERE IS VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR POSSIBLE ACTION. WHAT THE POSSIBLE OPTIONS ARE.
WE COULD ARBITRARILY PICK ONE?
>> I JUST WANT TO PICK A MOTION TO HAVE A DISCUSSION.
>> IT'S PRIOR TO WHEN SOMEONE IS MAKING A MOTION ON AN ITEM. IF SOMEBODY IS MAKING A MOTION, HE WOULD HAVE A SECOND AND THEN DISCUSSION ON THAT MOTION.
IF SOMEONE HAS A PRESENTATION, WE WOULD DO IT THAT WAY. THAT COULD HAPPEN.
MAKING THE PRESENTATION? >> WHEN THE DEPARTMENT IS MAKING THE PRESENTATION.
IF SOMEONE IS PUTTING A MOTION OR AN ITEM TO VOTE ON --THAT'S DIFFERENT.
>> YEAH. YOU CAN DO THAT PIT YOU CAN DIRECT THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR FOR DISCUSSION.
>> ONCE THERE IS A DISCUSSION.
>> CUSTOMARILY ON ROSENBERG'S RULES ON AN ITEM, IT WOULD BE A MOTION MADE ON THE ITEM AND THEN A DISCUSSION.
THERE IS AN ITEM LIKE THIS, THE PREVIOUS ITEM, A VERY SIMPLE ITEM AND WE ALREADY VOTED ON IT LAST TIME AND THIS WAS A FOLLOW-ON TO THE VOTE LAST TIME. WE KNOW WHAT THE PHILANTHROPY LIAISON IS AND THE MOTION TO APPROVE, IT'S EASY TO SAY YEA OR NAY. THIS IS POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE METRO TRANSFER, A COMPLICATED ISSUE WITH EASY WAYS TO SPLIT THE METRO FUNDS UNLESS THE DISCUSSION WE NEED TO HAVE RIGHT NOW. IF WE JUST PICK WHICHEVER DIVISION, CAN I SAY --LET'S MAKE A MOTION TO DISCUSS?
>> JUDGE, THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.
YOU WOULD SAY, IS A A MOTION TO DISCUSS THE ITEM AND
HAPPILY A SECOND? >> A MOTION TO DISCUSS THE ITEM.
>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR, AYE?
>> I BELIEVE FOR A DISCUSSION ITEM, JUDGE, YOU CAN SIMPLY STATE THE ITEM TITLE AND EXPLAIN, THIS
IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. >> I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT AND THAT WE WE SKIP THAT MOTION STEP AND THAT'S HOW WE'VE BEEN DOING THAT.
THE SAME THING. IS CLEARLY A MULTIFACETED ITEM AND
[03:00:01]
NOT SIMPLE TO JUST PICK A MOTION. CAN WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT IT? WE VOTED ON HAVING A DISCUSSION.>> JUDGE, JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE REASON WE ARE IN THIS SITUATION, LARGELY, IS WE HAVE A TENDENCY TO HAVE ITEMS THAT ARE BOTH DISCUSSION AND ACTION.
WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO HAVE THIS POSSIBLE ACTION BUT WE'VE HAD A MUCH LOOSER SYSTEM.
GOING FORWARD, WE PROBABLY WANT TO TIGHTEN THAT UP. THE SYSTEM IS FINE NOW AND THE WAY YOU OUTLINE IS FINE.
>> IT'S THE NATURE OF OPEN MEETINGS.
THIS IS COMPLICATED AND WE WILL WORK IT OUT.
I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN TIGHTEN UP AN ITEM AS COMPLICATED AS THIS ONE OR THE OTHERS THAT ARE FORMULA ITEMS ON
THE AGENDA TODAY. >> THE PREFERENCE WOULD ALWAYS BE ON THE ITEM OR DISCUSSION ONLY TO LAY IT OUT AS DISCUSSION ONLY AND THEN BREAK IT DOWN IN PARTICULAR ACTION ITEMS THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MAKE.
I UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT. BACK I THINK WE OPTED TO ADOPT THE RULES, AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T TAKE ROSENBERG'S RULES.
OBVIOUSLY, I MIGHT SECOND SOMEBODY'S MOTION AND DECIDE ONCE IT'S LAID OUT, THAT I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY SECOND.
I SUGGEST YOU COME UP WITH THE WAY WE DO IT SO WE CAN HAVE THE
DISCUSSION. >> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
>> SOME OF THESE ITEMS I'M HEARING, I WANT TO BE NICE AND I SECOND THE MOTION TO HAVE A DISCUSSION. YOU WILL GET TO TALKING ABOUT IT AND I MAY HAVE TO COME BACK AND SAY, SORRY, I NEED TO WITHDRAW MY SECOND. THERE IS A WAY TO FIGURE THAT OUT, I ASSUME. IT'S MORE CHALLENGING TO DO
ROBERT'S RULES. >> MY TEAM WILL CIRCULATE THIS VERSION BUT IT WILL MAKE IT REALLY CLEAR.
>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY. MR. BARRY?
MR. ROSE? >> AND THE RCA, THERE ARE FIVE OPTIONS WITH EQUAL DISTRIBUTION, SBI AND THE METRO SERVICE AREA.
IN REVIEWING IT, THERE ARE SOME DIFFERENCES, DEPENDING BY PRECINCT IN WHICH OF THE FIVE OPTIONS.
THIS IS NOT VERY MUCH MONEY. IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT WHEN YOU HAVE THE FORMULA TO GET TOO FAR AWAY FROM THAT 25% SPLIT.
ALSO, A REMINDER TO FOLKS WITH CLARIFICATION FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. THIS FUNDING IS INTENDED TO REIMBURSE THE COUNTY FOR THE WEAR AND TEAR OF METRO ACTIVITY ON OUR PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE.
RAMSEY? >> I WOULD DISAGREE WITH THAT , HAVING BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE METRO FUND FOR DECADES, IT'S INTERESTING TO SAY AND I WOULD TELL YOU THAT IN MANY CASES, THIS IS A REIMBURSEMENT OF MONIES PAID IN.
AT THIS POINT IN THE PROCESS, WHAT WE DO KNOW IS METRO HAS PAID .
THEY'VE SENT A CHECK TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON.
THEY'VE SENT A CHECK TO EVERY ENTITY THAT PAID INTO METRO. IT INCLUDES HUMBLE, KATY AND ALL THOSE.
SHORELAND AND PEARLAND AND MOST OF THE EAST SIDE.
THERE IS NO CHECK TO GO THERE.
AS I UNDERSTAND, THE ONE ENTITY THAT HADN'T GOTTEN A CHECK IS HARRIS COUNTY.
WHERE DID THE MONEY COME FROM JUST FROM THAT POINT? AGAIN, I'M NOT MAKING A CASE FOR EITHER A OR 6, YOU COULD PROBABLY QUOTE 12 AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN YOU PICKED THESE SIX.
THE MAJORITY OF THE MONEY THAT IS BEING REIMBURSED TO THE COUNTY COMES FROM THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT SERVICE AREA IS GENERALLY TO THE WEST OF 69 TO INCLUDE MOST OF PRECINCT 3 AND MOST OF THE LARGEST AREAS IN PRECINCT 4.
THE DOLLARS COMING OUT OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY IS WHAT IS BEING REIMBURSED NOW.
WE MAKE THE DECISION ON HOW TO SPLIT AND HISTORICALLY, IT'S BEEN SPLIT 25-25-25-25.
[03:05:01]
>> I'M PRETTY SURE WE HAVE RECEIVED THE CHECK FROM METRO.
>> OKAY. MY POINT IS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT TO DO WITH IT.
I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM. THAT'S PART OF IT.
THERE ALWAYS IS THE DIRECTION AND AS I'VE WORKED WITH THE 14 CITIES OUT OF THE 33 CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE MEMBERS OF METRO AND PAY INTO IT, THE VILLAGES AND HUMBLE -- HUMBLE PROBABLY PAYS MORE MONEY INTO METRO THAN ANY OTHER ENTITY IN HARRIS COUNTY PER CAPITA. THEY PROBABLY GET LESS SERVICE PER CAPITA THAN ANY OTHER ENTITY.
THEY'VE GOT ESSENTIALLY HALF OF THEIR PENNY BACK IN THE USE IT ON ROADS. THE DIRECTION, I'VE ALWAYS BEEN TOLD -- IN MANY MEETINGS WITH METRO -- YOU MUST SPEND IT ON TRANSPORTATION RELATED ACTIVITIES TO MAKE THE ROADWAYS BETTER FOR THE TRAVELING PUBLIC.
IT'S NOT LIKE HUMBLE HAS AN EXTENSIVE TRANSIT SERVICE . SO, THAT'S A BIT OF THE CONVERSATION AROUND THE SOURCE.
WE WILL LOOK AT THE DIFFERENT OPTIONS AND IF YOU BREAK IT DOWN WITH THE SERVICE AREA AND BREAK IT DOWN IN TERMS OF THE METRO SERVICE AREA, YOU BREAK IT DOWN ACCORDING TO THE DIFFERENT PRECINCTS ACCORDING TO WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
THE SIMPLEST, IT DOES GET COMPLICATED. THE REASON I THINK WE'VE GONE INTO 25%, ONE-QUARTER EACH, IS THAT IT ALLOWS EACH PRECINCT TO ADDRESS SIGNIFICANT MOBILITY ISSUES WITHIN THEIR PRECINCT THAT MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH METRO. BUT, IT IS A WAY THAT THOSE FUNDS CAN BE USED. THAT'S A BIT OF A BACKGROUND AND I WILL HAVE MORE TO SAY WHEN WE START MAKING MOTIONS.
>> I KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE METRO AREAS IN COMMISSIONER TRAN06 'S PRECINCT -- SO, THANK YOU FOR THE OPTIONS THAT WERE PROPOSED. WE RAN THE NUMBERS IN MULTIPLE WAYS BASED ON SERVICE AREA AND POPULATION AND METRO SERVICE AREA, ET CETERA.
ULTIMATELY, THERE'S VERY LITTLE SHIFT IN THE AMOUNT OF MONEY, DEPENDING ON WHAT COMPLEX FORMULA YOU PAY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY HELPFUL EXERCISE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO A DEEPER DRIVE WITH THE RUNWAY FOR NEXT YEAR'S DECISION.
I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE INVESTIGATING.
FOR THIS YEAR, THIS ALLOCATION, IF IT'S THE APPROPRIATE TIME, IF IN ONE, JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO ALLOCATE FISCAL YEAR 23 METRO TRANSFER WOULD BE EQUALLY DIVIDED BETWEEN THE PRECINCTS.
>> SECOND. >> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS
>> THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 35, THE PUBLIC SAFETY ONE.
THAT'S ANOTHER DISCUSSION ITEM AND LET'S START WITH A DISCUSSION PRESENTATION.
>> I BELIEVE THIS WOULD BE TAKEN WITH 143.
>> I BELIEVE THE COUNTY AND THE SHERIFF HAVE A
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO.
THIS IS THE COMMISSIONER WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WE ARE TAKING THE TIME TO LOOK AT THIS.
HISTORICALLY,THE WEATHER EVENTS LIKE HURRICANE HARVEY DELIVERED THE UNDERSTANDING AND NEED FOR INCREASED EQUIPMENT AND TRAINING FOR FIRST RESPONDERS. CAN YOU GO BACK ONE SLIDE, PLEASE? THAT'S FINE.
WITH THE GOALS OF SERVICE OVER THE LAST EIGHT YEARS, WE'VE SEEN HIGH RESPONSE RATE FOR HIGH WATER RESCUES. IT DOESN'T TAKE A HURRICANE OR TROPICAL STORM TO REDUCE THE ENVIRONMENT.
A LARGE AMOUNT OF THESE CALLS ARE COVERED BY THE
[03:10:02]
RESPONSE OF OUR DISTRICTS WITH EQUIPMENT. AS A RESPONSE TO THE VEHICLES , THIS IS WITH A HIGHER PERCENTAGE OF CALLS THAT WE'VE SEEN OVER THE LAST SIX OR SEVEN YEARS.MOST RECENTLY, THE RAIN EVENTS FROM 2023 PRODUCED THE SAME ENVIRONMENT AND IT WAS SUCCESSFUL WITH PROGRAM PERSONNEL.
WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO DELIVER A MULTIPURPOSE FACILITY THAT WOULD SUPPORT TRAINING OF SEVERAL SPECIALIZED UNITS AND ADDITIONALLY, WE ANTICIPATE THAT DUE TO THE ABILITY TO TRAIN ALL YEAR WITH THIS FACILITY, WE WOULD SEE A RETURN OF OUR INVESTMENT IN FIVE YEARS AND WOULD HAVE TRAINING FOR 1600 RESPONDERS IN THE INTERIM BASIS.
NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WITH 125 LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY, WITH THE PAST EVENTS BEING SUCCESSFUL WITHOUT PARTNERSHIPS WITH FIRE RESCUE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WORKING TOGETHER AND DUE TO THE CAPACITY OF THE TRAINING OF PROVIDERS AND THE LOCATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, WE ARE CHALLENGED TO SEND RESPONDERS OUT OF THE COUNTY FOR DAYS AT A TIME TO RECEIVE SPECIALIZED TRAINING.
WITH THIS FACILITY, WE WILL REDUCE TRAVEL TIME WITH THE HEIGHTENED UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CALLS FOR HIGH WATER RESCUES COMING IN. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.
THESE ARE IMAGES OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE GOING TO A FACILITY WE CURRENTLY USE IN GEORGETOWN, THE INDOOR TRAINING FACILITY THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO BRING INTO HARRIS COUNTY.
WITH THIS TRAINING, WE ARE ALLOWED OR ABLE TO PRODUCE DAYTIME OR NIGHTTIME TRAINING AT ANY TIME OF DAY. THE LIGHTING AND THE SIMULATION OF THE AUTOMOBILE, WE CAN REPRODUCE A SCENE FOR OUR RESPONDERS AT ALL TIMES OF THE DAY THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE YEAR. I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS AND I CAN TURN THIS OVER TO JEREMY ROCHA .
>> NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. GOOD AFTERNOON.
MY NAME IS JEREMY ROCHA, THE DIRECTOR OF THE CAPITAL PROJECTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING. THE PROPOSED UNDERWATER TRAINING FACILITY WOULD BE ON THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WATER RESCUE CAMPUS, ROUGHLY LOCATED AT THE CORNER OF TC JESTER AND HUE ROAD.
AFTER THIS STUDY, THE BUILDING WAS CITED ON THE EAST SIDE OF CAMPUS AND IT WAS ABLE TO SUPPORT AND 9500 SQUARE-FOOT FACILITY, 7200 SQUARE FEET FOR THE TRAINING AREA , TO ACCOMMODATE 12-18 PEOPLE AND 2500 SQUARE FEET FOR SUPPORT INCLUDING CLASSROOMS AND EQUIPMENT REQUIRED TO CREATE THE SWIFT WATER ENVIRONMENT . THE SWIFT WATER TRAINING FACILITY WILL BE THE SECOND TYPE OF FACILITY IN THE NATION AND BASED ON OUR FEASIBILITY, THE ESTIMATED FEASIBILITY STUDY, IT WOULD BE A 36 MONTH PROJECT SCHEDULE TO INCLUDE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION . PART OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY WAS TO LOOK AT THE WORK ORDER OF MAGNITUDE FOR COST AND THAT CAME IN AT ABOUT $7 MILLION, THE ESTIMATED PROJECT COST. THAT'S THE INFORMATION I HAVE REGARDING THE PROJECT . ANY QUESTIONS?
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> I KNOW YOU ALL TOLD ME YESTERDAY BUT I FORGOT, WHERE IS THE OTHER COMPARABLE FACILITY IN THE COUNTRY?
>> OKAY. IF IT'S APPROPRIATE, I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE 143 AT THIS TIME.
I THINK IT'S THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO START DESIGNING CONSTRUCTION.
JUST MOVE IT. I DON'T THINK I NEED TO SAY MOTION.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALICE BUT THE ONLY QUESTION I HAVE, I KNOW WHAT WE PRESENTED TO THE VOTERS, WE SAID THERE IS VARIOUS OPTIONS FOR THESE FUNDS . THE TRAINING FACILITY AND THE ADDITIONAL COURTROOMS AND IMPROVED TECHNOLOGY AND DATA SYSTEMS FOR COURT MANAGEMENT AND CRIME PREVENTION AND BACKUP GENERATORS AND IMPROVEMENTS FOR COUNTY FACILITIES.
ADDITIONAL INPUT CAN WE FIND THE PROJECT LIST BUT MY CONCERN IS COMMITTING THESE FUNDS BEFORE THE COUNTY HAS HAD A CHANCE TO DO SOME SORT OF WORKSHOP WITH THE RELEVANT PUBLIC SAFETY ORGANIZATIONS, TO MAKE SURE WE CAN AFFORD ALL OF IT.
THAT WOULD BE MY ONLY CONCERN AND THIS SEEMS WORTHWHILE , SOMETHING EVALUATED, CERTAINLY.
BUT, AN IMPORTANT PROJECT AND I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH OF A CHUNK OF THE OVERALL FUNDING IT TAKES AND
[03:15:02]
THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THE DIRECTOR OR ADMINISTRATOR, AFTER YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO HAVE SOME CONVERSATIONS IF WE CAN FUND THIS AND AFFORD TO FUND THE OTHER THINGS WE'VE PROMISED OR DIDN'T.>> SO, THE PUBLIC SAFETY VALVE IS DIFFERENT.
THE ROAD BONDS AND PARK BONDS ARE THE ONLY FUNDING SOURCES FOR THESE PROJECTS .
FLOOD IS PROBABLY THE ONE THAT HAS FINITE RESOURCES FOR UNLIMITED AMOUNT OF NEED. ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY ONE, WE HAVE, IN THE PAST, FUNDED WITH EXEMPTIONS, IN SOME CASES.
WE'VE BEEN RECEIVING PROJECTS FROM THE PUBLIC SAFETY DEPARTMENT AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT THROUGH OUR CIP, ANNUALLY.
WE HAVE A GOOD CACHE OF PROJECTS .
IN REGARDS TO THOSE WORKSHOPS, WE ARE WORKING ON GETTING THEM SCHEDULED AND WE HOPE TO HAVE THEM DONE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK FROM OUR JUSTICE AND SAFETY PARTNERS BY THE MAY WORK.
WITH THIS PROJECT IN PARTICULAR, THIS WAS ONE THAT WAS NOT EXPLICITLY LISTED IN THE PROJECTS.
IT'S ONE WE WILL DISCUSS AT THIS DAIS.
IT'S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS AND NOT SURE IF IT'S A PRIORITY OF THE SHERIFF IN THIS PROJECT, IN PARTICULAR, A VERY LONG LEAD IN TIME. THE CUSTOMIZATION NEEDED FOR THAT PARTICULAR FACILITY COULD STRETCH YEARS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE --SELFISHLY, AS THE BUDGET DRAWS NEAR, THE FASTER WE GET THAT FACILITY, THE FASTER WE STOP PAYING TO SEND OUR FOLKS ALL
OVER THE COUNTRY. >> YOU RECOMMEND WE DO THIS EVEN THOUGH WE HAVEN'T HAD THE WORKSHOP?
>> WE'VE GOT ABOUT 100 MEN AND WE THINK THIS WILL BE LESS THAN 10% OF THAT TOTAL?
>> PLUS, THIS STEP WE ARE TAKING TODAY IS TO INITIATE DESIGN AND THAT GIVES US A BETTER IDEA AND COMES BACK $30 MILLION, WE WILL TAKE ANOTHER LOOK BUT WE DON'T KNOW ANYTHING UNTIL THEY COME BACK .
>> THAT'S CORRECT. THERE ARE ARE OTHER PROJECTS WITH THE PARTNERS AND WE ARE WORKING TO GET THAT DUE DILIGENCE TO PRESENT THOSE
OPTIONS TO YOU. >> ONE OTHER THING TO ADD TO THE LIST, IS WHEN WE HAVE THAT BRAINSTORMING SESSION ON THINGS WE CAN DO, IT'S THE NEW PROPERTY ROOM AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS AFFECT A LOT OF DIFFERENT AGENCIES OUT THERE BUT I THINK THERE IS A SENSE OF URGENCY TO MOVE FORWARD NOW. I AGREE .
BRIONES? >> I DO SUPPORT THIS AND I THINK IT WILL SAVE LIVES AND IN THE LONG RUN, SAVE MONEY AND HOPEFULLY, WE CAN TRAIN PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY, AS WELL.
I'M EXCITED AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL STICK CLOSE TO THE $700 MILLION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FINAL NUMBER. THAT BEING SAID, AND I'M SURE IT'S COMING IN THE NEXT PRESENTATION, CAN YOU DRILL DOWN TO THESE WORKSHOPS TO MAKE SURE IT IS FAIR, OPEN AND INCLUSIVE OF ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND DIVISIONS, SO WE GET THE BEST IDEAS AND REALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE SO WE USE THE REST OF THE MONEY IS IMPACTFUL HE IS POSSIBLE?
>> ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE IT'S THE RIGHT RESOURCE FOR THE RIGHT PROJECTS.
ONE THING WE ARE WORKING ON WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, IS TO REALLY TIGHTEN IT AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE REALLY TIGHT ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THERE'S FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES, THERE ARE PLACES WHERE WE ARE USING THIS $100 MILLION FOR WHAT IS ELIGIBLE AND IMPACTFUL AND USING OTHER RESOURCES FOR THINGS THAT MAY NOT MEET THAT QUALIFICATION.
ELLIS? >> MR. RAMOS, IS THAT A FAIR GUESS WE WILL HAVE MORE REQUESTS THAN WE HAVE MONEY?
WE COULD SPEND IT , ALL $100 MILLION ON JUST OUR PATROL DISTRICTS ACROSS THE VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENTS.
>> OBVIOUSLY, THE SIZE OF THIS PACKAGE, THIS $100 MILLION IS BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT THE VOTERS HAD
AN APPETITE FOR? >> I DIDN'T GET A LOOK BUT I REMIND PEOPLE THAT YOU DO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS STUFF.
WE HAD A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ITEM 143, THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF THE TRAINING FACILITY PROJECT.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
>> JUDGE, FOR THE RECORD, IT'S
[03:20:03]
BACK LET'S MOVE BACK TO ITEM 35.ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL DETAILS YOU HAVE ON THESE WORKSHOPS ?
DO I NEED A MOTION? >> WE DON'T NEED A MOTION.
IF THERE IS ONE , WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND COUNTY ENGINEER, TAKING SEAN TO IDENTIFY PROJECTS AND PRESENT
THEM . >> TO BE CLEAR, WILL YOU PRESENT THE ENTIRE LIST OF REQUESTS FROM THE WORKSHOPS? OR, IS IT GOING TO HAVE PROTESTATION RECOMMENDATIONS AND IN TERMS OF NEED? HOW WILL IT COME TO THE COURT?
>> WE WILL PULL ALL THE SUSTAINED PROJECTS THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED, TO DATE, FROM THESE DEPARTMENTS AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH THEM TO SEE IF THEY HAVE PROJECTS FOR THE DUE DILIGENCE TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON THEM IN THE IMPLEMENTATION NEEDS AND THAT WE WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE ON HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO RECEIVE INFORMATION.
I CAN PUT SOME TIME AND EFFORT AND WORK WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO PRIORITIZE AND THIS IS THE RIGHT FUNDING SOURCE FOR
THE PROJECTS. >> I UNDERSTAND THE MONEY COMING BACK FOR THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN ASKED FOR BUT PLEASE MAKE IT AS OPEN AND POSSIBLE SO ALL DEPARTMENT SHARE THEIR IDEAS?
>> I WILL WHEN WE FINALIZE WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL AND WE WILL FINALIZE THE MEETING INVITE SO FOLKS DON'T COMMENT WITH PROJECTS WE KNOW
OUR COMMUNITY ELIGIBLE. >> IT'S APRIL 4TH TODAY. IS THAT ENOUGH TIME?
>> I WILL HAVE AN UPDATE AND IF I NEED TO ASK FOR MORE TIME, I WILL.
>> TO ENVISION SIMILAR TO THE BUDGET PROCESS SO EVERYBODY REQUESTED TO MAKE SURE WE REQUESTED? WE RECOMMEND IT ADDS UP TO WHATEVER IT IS, $100 MILLION OR $90 MILLION OR WHATEVER.
>> THAT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL. THANK YOU.
>> NO ACTION NEEDED ON THAT ONE. ON ITEM 39, I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAY HAVE FLAGGED THIS ONE.
WE'VE WE'VE AWARDED THIS TO THE HRS -- THE CONTRACT, 25% AND WE ARE NOW PUTTING THEM DOWN THROUGH THIS CONTRACT.
I DON'T KNOW THEM BUT I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE A SMALL FIRM. DO THEY HAVE THE
CAPACITY? >> I PREFER SHANE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> THEY WILL ACTUALLY BE SUPPORTING THEM ON DOCUMENTING THE CURRENT HR BUSINESS PROCESS WITH THE DATA AND ANALYTIC REWARD AS REQUIRED.
THOSE WERE TWO SPECIFIC THINGS SUPPORTING PRODUCTIVITY WITH.
>> I'M CURIOUS WHETHER THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY. AND INTERESTING --WE HAD A CONVERSATION ON PRODUCTIVITY ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM AND I'D LIKE TO SEE HOW MUCH WE ARE USING PRODUCTIVITY.
IT SEEMS TO BE COMING UP A LOT OVER THE OTHER FOLKS WE'VE APPROVED AND JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY ELSE IS GETTING A
FAIR CHANCE. >> WE HAVE A POLL ON ALL THE PROJECTS FROM THE VENDOR POOL. THE BIGGEST WAS TPM G AWARDED THE STAFFING STUDY
FOR THE SHERIFF. >> I LIKE TO SEE THAT.
>> ALONG THOSE LINES, I WOULD LIKE TO LIST OTHERS THAT HAVE SUBMITTED WITH THAT.
>> UNDERSTOOD. I CAN WORK WITH DUANE ON THAT.
YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
LET'S MOVE ON TO 165, THE FRAMEWORK AND THIS IS ANOTHER DISCUSSION ITEM ITEM.
WITH THIS BE DIRECTOR PETERS IN WITH THE PRESENTATION? CSD? GO AHEAD.
THIS ITEM IS ACTUALLY PART OF WHAT WE BROUGHT UP TO COMMISSIONER COURT LAST TIME.
[03:25:03]
IT IS SPECIFICALLY AROUND DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF FUNDS THAT WE WANT TO ALLOCATE TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT VERSUS THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS . AND, THE PRECINCT PROJECTS.WE HAD OUTLINED THE RECOMMENDATION OF $502.5 MILLION FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, $100 MILLION FOR THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS , WHICH WOULD BE WORKED WITH OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THE CONSULTING COMPANY WOULD GRADE OR SCORE PROJECTS, BASED ON THE FRAMEWORK THAT WE HAD AGREED UPON AT THE LAST COURT. AND, THE LAST POOL BEING $50 MILLION FOR THE PRECINCT PROJECTS. WE ARE ASKING FOR THE COURT'S DISCUSSION AND AGREEMENT ABOUT HOW MUCH SHOULD GO TO EACH OF THESE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE AND THANK YOU, ALSO, TO YOU FOR ALL YOUR HELP, AND AS WELL, OUR NEW GLO COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM FOR WORKING WITH HARRIS COUNTY . I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS WITH OUR COLLEAGUES MAKING IT INTO TWO BUCKETS.
ONE PUCKETT WOULD BE THE $502.5 MILLION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD PROJECTS AND THE OTHER WOULD BE $150 MILLION FOR PRECINCT AND PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS THAT EACH PRECINCT WOULD ORDER BACK IN COLLABORATION WITH CSD AND ENGINEERING.
THAT $150 MILLION WOULD BE DIVIDED EQUALLY BY FOUR, $37.5 MILLION FOR EACH PRECINCT.
WE ALL KNOW THAT TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WE ABSOLUTELY MUST SPEND 50% OF THIS MONEY BY JUNE 2025 AND THE VERY STRINGENT FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS. I KNOW WE NEED TO MOVE ON THIS AND SHOW HARRIS COUNTY IS POISED FOR PROJECTS AND IS HAVING THE INTENDED IMPACT OF THESE FUNDS.
ULTIMATELY, IT WOULD BE THE FLOOD CONTROL $502.5 MILLION, A COMBINED $150 MILLION FOR PRECINCT-LED PROJECTS THAT COULD BE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS AND WE WOULD USE THE FRAMEWORK PASSED TO THE LAST CHORD. THEN, THE $97.5 MILLION IN ADMINISTRATIVE FEES, THE MAX OF WHAT IS REQUIRED.
I HAVE MUCH MORE DETAIL, AND TERMS OF THE TIMELINE WE'VE BEEN WORK SHOPPING WITH CSD AND ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL BUT ULTIMATELY, HAVING THAT 150 LED BY THE PRIEST SINKS, I BELIEVE, THAT WILL HELP US TO BE ABLE TO BE FAIR, FLEXIBLE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT WAITING AROUND FOR PARTNERS.
WE CAN ENGAGE PARTNERS BUT ULTIMATELY, IT'S THE PREDECEASING PRECINCT.
>> COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
THAT WE WOULD ADD TO YOUR MOTION, THAT ALL PROPOSED PRECINCT PROJECTS BE SUBMITTED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN JUNE 14.
THAT WAY, IF THERE'S ANY CHALLENGES FOR THE PROJECTS, THERE IS TIME TO MAKE DECISIONS.
>> I COULDN'T AGREE MORE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA BUT WE NEED TIME TO PIVOT TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS.
I WANT TO ASK THE DEPARTMENT -- I CHATTED ABOUT IT EARLIER -- WE STILL HAVE THE 70% , WHICH IS ASPIRATIONAL AS A GOAL.
>> AGREED. >> IT'S NOT A FIRM NUMBER, IT'S AN OPERATIONAL AND IF WE CAN'T HIT IT, WE WON'T.
IT'S ASPIRATIONAL AND WE DO HAVE A TIMELINE TO GET THESE IN SO YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH IT AND THAT GIVES THE DEPARTMENTS ENOUGH TIME , IF THE PRECINCTS CAN NOT COME UP WITH THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS IN THE POT THAT WORKS. YOU ALL STILL HAVE TIME TO MAKE SURE , IN NO WAY, DID WE PUT OUR DEADLINES IN JEOPARDY.
PETERSON, AS WELL, I CHATTED WITH YOU BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS COMFORTABLE. DR.
>> IF YOU ALL FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT, I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM
WITH THAT. >> DOCTOR, DO YOU HAVE THE MOTION THAT
[03:30:03]
MY TEAM CIRCULATED>> OKAY. I COULD MAKE SURE WE COULD HAVE THE ASPIRATIONAL 70%.
STAFF AND THE FOLKS THAT WILL BE DECIDING THIS LIST OF PROJECTS NEED TO ALSO BE AWARE THAT 47% OF THE MONEY CAN BE USED ON URGENT NEEDS WITHIN
THE PRECINCT. >> TRANSITIONING
] >> >> BUT OBVIOUSLY, YOU'VE GOT TO ACCOMPLISH SOMETHING IN A CERTAIN TIMEFRAME.
I THINK MY POINT IS I CAN RATE CRITERIA, I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT PROJECTS MIGHT END UP BEING WHERE, AND IF WE END UP COMING BACK WITH A LIST OF CONTRACTS AND THERE IS A VERY FEW AND THREE AND VERY FEW ARE MOVING FORWARD, I THINK WE'VE GOT A PROBLEM.
WE HAVE THE ASPIRATIONAL GOAL OF 70 BUT THAT IS WHY THAT 47% IS IN THEIR, TO PROVIDE US, THIS IS DONE BY THE GL L.
PETERSON FLEXIBILITY AS THEY GO THROUGH THE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE, YEAH, THERE ARE LEGITIMATE, NEEDED, NECESSARY, URGENT PROJECTS BEING DONE IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS.
I DO KNOW IF WE SEND UP A BUNCH OF PROJECTS TO THE GL OH IN AUSTIN AND THERE IS VERY LITTLE BEING DONE IN URGENT NEED AREAS, I THINK I KNOW WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IF I UNDERSTAND YOUR MOTION RATE, AND ASPIRATIONAL GOAL MEANING WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET THERE BUT IT IS NOT THE GOAL? SO, IF YOU CAN GET TO 70, GREAT, BUT IF THAT 70 ISN'T THERE, YOU ARE ALLOWING SOME FLEXIBILITY FOR THE PRECINCT TO WORK WITH THE ENGINEER, WITH CSD, TO DEFINE THOSE PROJECTS, WHETHER THAT'S AT 45, 47 OR 50 OR 55.
>> WE NEED A MOTION TO SEND THIS DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER? ANY OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> I DON'T WANT TO REHASH WHAT WE DID BUT IT IS NOT A TRAN02 GOAL, THAT 50%.
THAT IS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT'S GOAL.
YOU HAVE TO DO IT. BUT, YOU KNOW, WE DO WANT ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS AND YOU AND I IN PARTICULAR DID NOT TAKE THE POSITION WHEN WE WERE SPENDING MONEY UNDER THE PREVIOUS, IN CERTAIN PRECINCTS BUT ALL THE TIME FLOODED. WE BOUGHT INTO THE ARGUMENT, WHICH WAS GIVEN TO US ABIDE THE EXPERTS.
WHEN THE TRAN02 MONEY COMES, IN PARTICULAR, WE DIDN'T ARGUE ABOUT IT, WE ACCEPTED IT.
I THINK IT WAS SAID IN GOOD FAITH.
BUT WE COULD HAVE TAKEN POSITION THEN WHEN WE WENT THROUGH THE PROJECTS, SPENDING MONEY ON THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE ONE AND TWO OR WE DIDN'T DO THAT, SO I AM JUST SAYING, IT IS ASPIRATIONAL, BUT WE ALL OUGHT TO BE SENSITIVE TO DECISIONS MADE AT THE SAME TABLE BY THE GOVERNING BOARD OF THIS BODY AND ANTICIPATION OF THIS MONEY COMING FROM THE STATE THAT DID
[03:35:10]
NOT COME. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, BUT WE CAN'T JUST ACT AS SO THIS BODY DID NOT MAKEDECISIONS. >> I WOULD NEVER SUGGEST THAT, BUT I DO THINK STAFF NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND MAY HAVE FLEXIBILITY. AND WE SHOULD DO THAT, IT IS NOT, WE SHOULD NOT BE TELLING PEOPLE, WELL, WE CAN'T DO IT IN YOUR PRECINCT BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO MAKE THE 80%, IF WE CAN, BECAUSE THAT IS MORE IMPORTANT.
I DON'T KNOW, BUT, IF 70 IS GOOD, 80 IS BETTER.
PROJECTS. >> I THINK THEY GET IT.
I THINK THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE, I'M JUST STRESSING AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, SINCERELY, THIS BODY MADE DECISIONS BECAUSE WE WERE TOLD CERTAIN BUCKET OF MONEY WOULD GO INTO, PARTICULARLY ONE AND TWO AND THEY FLED ALL THE TIME.
WE SAT HERE AND TOOK IT AS GOSPEL AND IT DIDN'T WORK OUT.
WHEN YOU AND OTHERS EXPRESSED OUTRAGE WHEN WE DIDN'T GET ANY MONEY.
I DON'T WANT US TO COME BACK AND IN A RUSH WITH A SHOVEL READY AND THEY ARE NOT SHOVEL READY BECAUSE WE SET BACK BELIEVING OUR STAFF TO SET IT IN GOOD FAITH.
>> WE ARE ALL COMMITTED TO BEING FLEXIBLE AND PROGRESSIVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MEETING ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND DOING IT IN A WAY THAT SHOWS THE TRAN02 WE ARE POISED FOR SUCCESS AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROJECTS.
CONSTANCE, WHEN YOU ARE ANALYZING THE PROJECTS IN THESE POCKETS, KEEP THAT IN MIND.
I DO THINK ALSO COMBINING THE OTHER PARTNERSHIPS, THE 150 WILL HELP TO ACHIEVE THE 25% SO WE HAVE ADDITIONAL FAIRNESS BUILT IN.
I ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AS WELL IN REGARDS TO THE DEADLINE.
DID I NEED TO READ IT IN FULL? YES, I NEED IT FOR THE RECORD.
>> FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? THANK YOU. JUDGE, YOU REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR PARTNERS DO NOT SEE THIS COMBINATION TO ENSURE THAT THE NUMBER ONE GOAL IS DID NOT SEND ANYBODY BACK, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE OUR PARTNERS KNOW, OUR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM IS ALIVE AND WELL, WE ARE JUST APPROACHING IT A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY THAN WE PREVIOUSLY HAD.
WE DID IT AS A STAND ASIDE, BUT I WANT OUR PARTNERS TO KNOW, WE ARE ALL OVER COMBINING THIS PACKET IS STILL THE PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM THERE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE RECEIVE THOSE APPLICATIONS.
>> AWESOME. COMMISSIONER, IS YOUR MICROPHONE ON?
>> I KNOW, I ASKED THE MOTION BE READ, SO, CAN YOU DO IT? I WILL READ IT.
FOR THE PARTNERSHIP POINT, ABSOLUTELY.
WE STAND COMMITTED AND WANT TO BE FAIR TO ALL OF OUR PARTNERS.
THAT WILL JUST ASSURE WE ARE ABLE TO MEET THE AGGRESSIVE TIMELINES WE HAVE TO COMPLY BY.
MOTION, I AM MAKE A MOTION TO MERGE THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS AND THE OTHER FLOOD MITIGATION FUNDS INTO ONE ALLOCATION TERMED PRECINCT LED PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIP FUNDS SO THE NEW ALLOCATION IS 502.5 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD BOND PROJECTS, 97.5 MILLION FOR ADMINISTRATION AND 150 MILLION FOR THE NEW PRECINCT LED PROJECTS AND PARTNERSHIP FUNDS.
THE PRECINCT LED OWNERSHIP FUNDS WILL BE SPLIT EVENLY BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS.
>> I WILL LET YOU FINISH AND THEN I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.
>> TELL ME WHERE I SHOULD SHARE THE AMENDMENT.
[03:40:04]
THIS PRECINCTS AND LED PARTNERSHIP FUND, THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT WILL PROVIDE A MONTHLY REPORT ON ALL PROJECTS WITHIN THESE FUNDS.NO PARTNERS INVOLVED IN A PRECINCT PROJECT, THE PRECINCT WILL FOLLOW GENERAL LAND OFFICE RULES AND THE METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION ROLES TO PRIORITIZE PROJECTS. FOR PROJECTS INVOLVING PARTNERS, PRECINCTS WILL FOLLOW THE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK PREVIOUSLY VOTED ON MARCH 14TH, 2023. THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IN COORDINATION WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IMPLEMENTING THE CENTRALIZED CALL FOR PROJECTS ON THE PROJECTS WILL BE SHARED WITH PRECINCT STAFF.
PRECINCTS WILL THEN CREATE AN INITIAL LIST AND A BACKUP PROJECT LIST AND WILL SUBMIT TO THE ENGINEERING REVIEW BOARD BY JULY 14TH, 2023. THESE PROJECTS COULD INCLUDE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS, SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECTS, OTHER PRECINCT DRAINAGE PROJECTS, ROADWAYS WITH SIGNIFICANT DRAINAGE AND OR FIRST RESPONDER IMPROVEMENTS THAT ARE ADVANCED AND DESIGNED RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT CAN BE COMPLETED BY THE DEADLINES.
MOTION TO MAKE THAT ANY PRECINCT LED PROJECT THAT DOES NOT HIT IT INDICATORS AND DOES NOT CURE THIS PROBLEM DURING THE PROBATION PERIOD SET BY THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT TEAM CAN BE PAUSED BY THE PROJECT MANAGERS PRECINCT.
>> MY AMENDMENT WOULD TO MOVE THAT ALL PROPOSED PRECINCT PROJECTS BE SUBMITTED TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT NO LATER THAN JUNE 14TH.
>> CHANGING IT TO JULY? SORRY, I SAID JULY, MY BAD.
>> I SAID JULY, SO YOU ARE SAYING JUNE.
>> WILL I HAVE THAT IN TERMS OF THE END?
>> I WILL BE SPEAKING ON ANOTHER AGENDA ITEM RELATED TO HOW THE PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK WAS VOTED ON MARCH 14TH.
BUT THAT WILL BE A SEPARATE ITEM.
WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER CONVERSATION ON THAT, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION HERE.
LET'S GO WITH THIS AND WE WILL HAVE FULL CONVERSATION ON THE.
>> SO JUST BACKING UP, THERE WERE SEVERAL DECISIONS WE NEEDED TO MAKE AFTER THE LAST COURT WE APPROVED SOME CRITERIA FOR PARTNERSHIP FUNDING.
BUT WE STILL NEEDED TO FIGURE OUT THE ALLOCATION FOR OTHER COUNTY PROJECTS, SO IT'S BASICALLY GOING TO FOLLOW THE SAME CRITERIA WE APPROVED LAST TIME?
>> EXACTLY. >> OKAY, WE ALSO NEEDED TO DETERMINE THE ALLOCATION FOR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS OR DID WE DO THAT ALREADY? WE JUST ABOUT.
>> 100 AND WE ARE COMBINING THE PRECINCT 50 WITH THE 100.
>> OKAY. AND THEN, THERE IS THE SELECTION CRITERIA FOR PROJECTS, WHICH WE ALREADY DID.
SO WITH THIS DIRECTOR, THERE ARE ANY DECISIONS AFTER THIS THAT YOU STILL NEED ESTIMATE?
NOW, THAT IS AT. >> THIS GIVES ENOUGH CLARITY.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU MADE A POINT ABOUT A 47%, IS THAT STILL INCLUDED?
>> I'M GOING TO OFFER AN AMENDMENT AFTER THIS ONE.
>> IF YOU ARE GOING TO MENTION SPECIFICALLY THE 70 IS ASPIRATIONAL, MY MOTION -- >> I WAS GOING TO DO THIS ONE AFTER HER.
>> YOU ARE NOT GOING TO ADD THIS TO THAT MOTION?
I DON'T KNOW IF I NEED TO PICK >> NOW, I THINK -- >> WE HAVE THE MOTION COMMISSIONER BRIONES MADE AND HIM AT THE SECOND? COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> MY FRIENDLY IS IN THAT? THAT'S JUST BRIONES AND GARCIA.
[03:45:02]
WE HAVE NOT INCLUDED ALICE OR RAMSEY YET? I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN FOR THIS ONE, YEAH.GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. 40, YEAH, GO AHEAD.
I'M GOING TO READ THE MOTION TO YOU.
WE USE THE WORD ASPIRATIONAL AND I HAVE WORKED WITH DEPARTMENTS ON THIS, I CONSTRUCT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO FORMALIZE A FINAL LIST OF PROJECTS WITHIN A 2018 ON PACKAGE FOR APPROVAL BEFORE SUBMISSION TO THE TRAN02 FOR TRAN03 AND CD BR AWARD BY JUNE 2023.
THE LIST MAY BE REFINED PRIOR TO SUBMITTING APPLICATIONS AND SHOULD EXCEED OUR DOCUMENTED LMI TARGET WITH AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL OF 70% OF ALL PROJECT FUNDS IN AREAS.
THE PROJECT LIST SHOULD NOTE IF CRITERIA AND IDENTIFY RECAP.
DID YOU GET THAT? SO, THAT IS MY MOTION.
>> IS THERE A SECOND ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS MOTION, GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR?
TRAN04. >> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THE MOTION I WOULD MAKE IS TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY TO DIRECT HER TO USE 47% OF THE 2017 CDBG FOR EARNING NEEDS THAT WILL ALLOW A MORE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION BY THE FUNDS.
AND I WILL CHANGE THAT FROM -- FOR MORE EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS.
>> SINCE I DID PUT IN ASPIRATIONAL, I WANT YOU TO ADD
ASPIRATIONAL. >> TO PROVIDE FLEXIBILITY TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT DIRECT TO USE AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL OF 47% OF THE 2017 TRAN03 FOR URGENT NEEDS.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHAT THE DEPARTMENT, I KNOW WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I WANT TO KNOW IF THIS GIVES YOU ALL ANY PROBLEMS.
&%C1 >> ANY PROBLEMS? GIVE ME A LITTLE HEADSHAKE AND ARE YOU OKAY, DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS? DO YOU HAVE ANY?
>> COMMISSIONER, THE MOTION IS A LITTLE CONFLICT THING BECAUSE IN YOUR MOTION, THE ASPIRATION ESTIMATE 70% IN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S, THE ASPIRATION IS TO HAVE 47% OF THE MONEY NON-LMI.
SO, IT IS A LITTLE CONFLICTING.
URGENT NEEDS, YOU CAN USE IT ON URGENT NEEDS.
>> HOW CAN WE HAVE A ENOUGH THE SAME TIME, HAVE THE CRITERIA THAT --
WHICH AGREEMENT? >> WITH TRAN02? I'M JUST INFORMING WHAT'S IN THERE.
>> ALLOWS FOR -- >> THE MOD ALLOWS FOR THAT, SO THE ONLY MESSAGE AND REALLY, THE MESSAGE TODAY, COMMISSIONER, I DON'T KNOW IF THE STAFF WALKING OUT OF THERE THINKING THE ONLY NUMBER THAT MATTERS IS 7%, FORGET ABOUT THE 47.
[03:50:07]
YOU GOT ME? OBVIOUSLY, IF WE GET TO THE POINT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A NEW TRAN02 NOW BUT I CAN NO LONGER ACT AS THOUGH WHAT WE DO AT THIS TABLE NOW IS NOT IMPACTED WHAT WAS DONE AT THIS TABLE BEFORE.AT LEAST FOR ME, GRANTED, AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL WE CAN DO -- >> YOU ARE SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO STAFF WHAT THEY ARE TO DO.
>> JUST BEING HONEST, WHEN I PUT THE 70% AND AS ASPIRATIONAL, BUT IT WAS A COMPROMISE.
IF IN SOME WAY, TRYING TO PICK OUT, WELL, WHAT DO THEY DO? I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS REALLY NECESSARY, AND PUTTING THE ASPIRATION BUT I DON'T WANT TO, WE CAN'T ASPIRE ON EVERYTHING. WHAT DO THEY DO? AT LEAST, FOR ME, IF YOU HAVE YOUR THREE VOTES.
>> WELL, JUST TO BE REAL CLEAR, MY CONCERN IS WHEN STAFF LEAVES HERE, THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY TRYING TO -- >> WHEN YOU GOT BOTH OF THEM?
>> I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH STAFF, I REALLY DIDN'T THINK THE 47% WOULD BE A LEGITIMATE OPTION FOR THEM TO CONSIDER.
THEY WERE NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT IT, SO WE AT LEAST NEED TO SAY, YEAH, THAT IS AN OPTION FOR YOU TO CONSIDER, AND EVEN IF YOU DO 70%, THAT STILL LEAVES 30% THAT COULD BE DONE IN THE URGENT CATEGORY.
DISCUSSED. >> I HAVE ONE IDEA TO RECONCILE, BOTH OF THESE GUIDING LIGHTS BECAUSE BOTH CAN BE TRUE.
ONE IS UP TO 47, SO IT'S AN ASPIRATIONAL GOAL OF TRAN05, 70% IN THE ASPIRATIONAL ORIGINATORS UP TO 47%.
FOR ME, BOTH OF THESE ARE IMPORTANT.
THERE IS LESS ROOM FOR AN URGENT NEED BUDGET THAT NIGHT ELIMINATE THRESHOLDS.
IT CAN BE A MIX AND THIS 47% AS DIRECTED AT THE FLOOD CONTROL, THAT IS OVER THE 502.5 BUCKET.
>> I THINK THEY HAVE DONE SO MUCH AMAZING, WELL, WHEN YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH, CRIME RELATED, MENTAL HEALTH RELATED, THIS IS A COUNTYWIDE PROGRAM.
OBVIOUSLY, RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE FINEST IN THE COUNTRY, SO ANYTHING WE CAN DO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO SUPPORT THIS IN THE COMING MONTHS IS GREAT.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> TRAN04. >> ANY OPPOSED? CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. PROFESSOR GARCIA, I THINK YOU FLAGGED THIS ONE.
>> I WANT TO THINK FOR THE WORK TO BUILD GOODWILL OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.
THERE WAS A SEPARATE PROGRAM TO THIS YEARS AGO, WHERE IT WAS I THINK THE GOOD DRIVER PROGRAM WHERE WE WOULD PULL PEOPLE OVER FOR DRIVING WELL.
THAT WE DID NOT HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF BELLS AND WHISTLES TO IT.
THERE WERE MIXED RESULTS ON THAT ONE.
IT IS CALLED THE LIGHTS ON PROGRAM AND THE SHERIFF IS ACCEPTING 25,000 TO BE DIVIDED IN THIS PROGRAM. THIS IS A SIMILAR POINT WHERE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES MIGHT PULL SOMEONE OVER BECAUSE THEY
[03:55:10]
HAVE A BURNED-OUT TAIL LIGHT AND AS A RESULT OF A, NOT GET A TICKET BUT A VOUCHER TO GET IT FIXED. IT'S NOT A $25,000 VOUCHER.BUT THEY WILL COME UP ON HOW TO DIVIDE THAT UP., THIS IS A GREAT, GOODWILL FOR THE TRAN01 SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN GENERAL.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ITEM 213. THE BACKUP SAYS THIS WILL BE USED TO PURCHASE BLOCKS TO BE USED IN CASES OF POTENTIAL CIVIL UNREST WHICH CAN BE LED BY LAWFUL PROCESS.
WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR WAYS TO DE-ESCALATE THE CIVIL UNREST AND I CONSIDER MYSELF A PRETTY GOOD SHOT, BUT I THINK IN LIGHT OF THE RECENT SHOOTING AND EVERYTHING GOING ON, IT SEEMS A LITTLE DISTASTEFUL TO ACCEPT THIS FROM THE NRA BUT THAT IS JUST ME.
I'M NOT GOING TO DIE ON THE CELL.
>> HAVE WE TAKEN THESE GRANTS IN THE PAST? DID WE NOT? I BELIEVE SO, BUT I CAN GET THE RECORD.
>> MOTION BY ELLIS, SECONDED BY BROWN US.
ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT, MOTION CARRIES IN THE ANIME SLEEP.
THINK YOU. 228? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK THIS ONE IS YOURS.
>> IT IS. AND I WILL TAKE IT WITH 235 AS WELL.
THIS IS A SUBSTANTIVE VISION DRAINAGE PROGRAM BEING LED BY MY ENGINEERS AS WELL AS DR.
AND THE DRAINAGE IS BEING CONSTRUCTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM TO CONVEY STORM WATER FROM NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE COUNTY DRAINAGE CHANNELS AND BY USE.
THESE WILL IMPROVE AND REDUCE, IMPROVE DRAINAGE AND REDUCE THE FLOODING ISSUES ON OUR STREETS, NEIGHBORHOODS AND IN OUR COMMUNITIES.
THE PROJECTS ARE EXAMPLES OF A REVIVED TO THRIVE TO MAKE STRATEGIC AND SMART INVESTMENTS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES WITHOUT ADDING TO GENTRIFICATION.
IT IS ALONG THE BAYOU EAST AND WEST ARE BOTH BEING AWARDED FOR CONSTRUCTION FOR A COMBINED CONSTRUCTION COSTS VALUE ESTIMATED AT 23.9 MILLION.
[04:00:03]
CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON JUNE OF THIS YEAR, BOTH OF THEM DO WHICH IS FAST ENOUGH TO GET AHEAD OF THE UPCOMING HURRICANE SEASON.I WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE HE HOPE TO CONSTRUCT A LOT OF THESE CONCEPTS FOR ME WHEN HE WAS WITH MY OFFICE BUT I WANT TO THANK MY CHIEF ENGINEER AND HIS ENTIRE GROUP FOR HIS WORK ON THIS.
THEY KNOW I'M ALWAYS DRIVING TO GET THESE PROJECTS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO UNDERSTAND HOW ALL THE COMPONENTS OF REVIVED TO THRIVE FIT TOGETHER.
SO ON 228 AND 235 IS PRESENTED.
>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRANDIS, ALL IN FAVOR?
TRAN04. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
GARCIA, THAT ONE IS ALSO YOURS.
>> I WANT TO THANK THE FOLKS WHO CAME UP AND SPOKE EARLIER TODAY.
THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR ME SINCE MY DAYS ON COUNSEL.
AND WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR WAYS TO CREATE AFFORDABLE HOUSING BUT TO TEACH AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MARY LAWLER, THIS MORNING, CAME TO MY OFFICE AND TALKED ABOUT, MARY LAWLER IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NOMINAL, PHENOMENAL AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNER IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, I WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH HER WHILE I WAS THERE.
SHE CAME TO ME AND SAID THERE IS A STATUTE ON THE BOOKS THAT WOULD ALLOW TO FREEZE THE PROPERTY VALUES ON THOSE PROPERTIES, SO EFFECTIVELY MAINTAINING THE AFFORDABILITY OF THOSE PARTICULAR UNITS.
I HAD MY STAFF DO THE RESEARCH THAT DO NOT THINK FOR TRAN01 THAT THIS IS ANY SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL IMPACT.
ESPECIALLY TO MAINTAIN AFFORDABLE HOUSING AFFORDABLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
IT WILL ALSO ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY, THEY CHALLENGE THEM TO DO THEIR PART.
GO TO H ISD TO CHALLENGE THEM TO DO THEIR PART AND ALL OF THE OTHER RESPECTIVE ENTITIES ON DEMONSTRATING THEIR COMMITMENT FOR MAINTAINING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
AND SO, THIS IS, AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE NUMBER OF FOLKS WHO ARE MOVING TO HARRIS COUNTY, ACCORDING TO THE
[04:05:01]
HARRIS COUNTY MY HOME IS HERE, HOUSING REPORT, MORE THAN 300,000 HOUSEHOLDS IN TRAN01 ARE PAYING MORE THAN THEY CAN AFFORD FOR RENTAL HOMES AND APARTMENTS.THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS PICK AS THE SAYING GOES, NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTION.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF INTERVENTION, LOOKING AT RESOURCE AVAILABLE, THIS IS LEVERAGING SECTION 11 OF THE TEXAS PROPERTY CODE TO EMPOWER NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, SUCH AS CDC, COMMUNITY CONCERNS, AND OTHERS TO CONTINUE TO PRESERVE RENTAL HOUSING THAT IS AFFORDABLE IN THE FACE OF INFLATION THAT INCREASES COSTS OF LIVING THROUGHOUT OUR REGION.
THIS ITEM IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICES OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, TESTS ARE COLLECTOR, COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO PREPARE A COUNTYWIDE POLICY CONSISTENT WITH A BALANCED BUDGET.
IT IS ALSO TO REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS TOWARDS ADOPTING CERTAIN TAX EXEMPTIONS FOR QUALIFIED ENTITIES TO CONSTRUCT AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IN HARRIS COUNTY.
SO, I'M VERY EXCITED BECAUSE AS WE HAVE BEEN STRUGGLING TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND MY PRECINCT IN PARTICULAR, WE TALKED ABOUT THIS EARLIER, THE MULTIFAMILY UNITS, SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENCE CAN'T GET HERE FAST ENOUGH, SO THIS IS SIMPLY A PROCESS TO CREATE THE POLICIES SO WE CAN ANTICIPATE THE BUDGETARY IMPACTS TO OUR BUDGETS BY DOING THIS IMPORTANT DEED.
BUT IT'S ALSO TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS AND THAT IS TO WORK AGAINST INFLATION AND INCREASING PROPERTY EVALUATIONS BY LEVERAGING THIS AVAILABLE STATUTE.
SO, MY MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO LEAD THE CONVERSATIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TESTS ASSESSOR AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO PREPARE A COUNTYWIDE POLICY CONSISTENT WITH A BALANCED BUDGET AND NOT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER RECOMMENDATIONS TOWARDS ADOPTING CERTAIN TAX EXEMPTIONS TO CONSTRUCT
[04:10:09]
AND PRESERVE AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOUSING IN TRAN01.>> THIS WILL COME BACK TO COURT?
>> THE POLICY WILL COME BACK AND WE CAN VET THE COMPANY.
>> MOTIONED BY GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR?
TRAN04. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
RACING FOR THE FISCAL IMPACT AND WHETHER WE WILL BE ABLE TO AFFORD WHATEVER YOU RECOMMEND.
>> WE BETTER BE ABLE TO AFFORD IT.
296, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? THIS ITEM, AND I THINK I DISTRIBUTED BACKGROUND ON THIS.
THIS WILL GET DOWN TO WAGE, BUT WE PASS ALL THESE MOTIONS AND THEN THERE ARE RESULTS OF THESE.
I DISTRIBUTED INFORMATION TO THIS.
I HAVE A SIMPLE MOTION, I THINK, AT THE END OF IT, BUT TO 21, THERE IS ITEM 37 AND WE WORKED TO ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS ONE, TWO AND FOUR.
THESE WERE TABLES PRESENTED A THE FOLLOWING.
PROJECTS OF ITEM 37, HANDING ADDITIONAL PARTICIPATION FOR PRECINCT FUNDING TO ALLOCATE THE MOBILITY TRANSFER PROPOSED BY RECOMMENDATION FOUR OF ITEM 37 TO THE PRECINCT, ACCORDING TO THE 2022 PARKS THE BOND.
THE MOTIONS THAT WERE CIRCULATED BY MR. BRIONES WERE ALTERED.
THEM ORIGINAL MOTIONS READ ADOPT RECOMMENDATIONS OF ONE, TWO AND FOUR PROJECTS ON TABLE 3 OF ITEM 37, PARTICIPATION OF FUNDING. WHAT I THOUGHT WAS, EXCEPT FOR CYPRUS CREEK ESTATES, DOULA LANE, AND 500 TO ALLOCATE ADDITIONAL TRANSPORT PROPOSED BY RECOMMENDATION FOUR OF ITEM 37 TWO PRECINCTS ACCORDING TO PERCENTAGES USED IN THE 2022 RODIN PARKS MODEL.
I WILL COME BACK TO THAT IN THE NEXT ITEM THAT WE WILL TALK ABOUT BUT THE RESULTS OF THAT MOTION, AND I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE DO THINGS HERE AND WE DON'T REALLY KNOW THE IMPACTS UNTIL WE RUN THE NUMBERS, BUT TABLE 1 HAD 13 PROJECTS PLACED ON HOLD.
THAT IS 49,430,010 OF THOSE PROJECTS, 10 WERE IN PRECINCTS WHERE TABLE 3 HAD 23 PROJECTS PLACED ON THE SAVING, 237 MILLION IN 13 OF THOSE 23 WERE IN PRECINCT 3, TOTAL SAVINGS, 282.
THIS IS ALL FUTURE SURPLUS DISTRIBUTIONS WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO THE 2022 BOND
[04:15:03]
ALLOCATION THAT WOULD PROVIDE PRECINCTS 53.64 $138 MILLION NEED.AT THIS POINT, I KNOW YOU'RE ALL CONFUSED, THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
WHAT IS THE RESULT OF WHAT WE VOTED ON? WE PUT ON HOLD THE PROJECTS I REFERENCED AND THAT MEANS THAT THE SAVINGS THAT ENDED UP BEING BY PRECINCT WAS 41 MILLION IN PRECINCT 1.
77 MILLION IN PRECINCT 2, HUNDRED AND 38 MILLION IN PRECINCT 3 AND 25 IN PRECINCT 4.
REALLOCATED SAVINGS THAT WOULD BE DISTRIBUTED TO PRECINCTS, PRECINCT 1, 77 MILLION WOULD NOW GET THAT.
53 IN PRECINCT 3 AND 68, THAT IMPACT.
WENT ALL THE DUST CLEARS, 35 MILLION GOES TO ONE.
$85 MILLION IS REMOVED FROM PRECINCTS THREE AND DISTRIBUTED AMONG THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS.
SO, I AM JUST ASKING, NOW THAT WE HAVE THE NUMBERS IN, THAT WE LOOK AT THIS, AND THAT IS WHAT IS DRIVING THIS NEXT PROPOSED MOTION, I PROPOSE THAT THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TABLE 1 AND TABLE 3 OF ITEM 37 ON 221 23 BE MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE REMOVAL OF THE FOLLOWING PROJECTS ON THE TABLES, THEY NEED FULLY FUNDED AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED. THOSE ARE HARDSTONE IN FAIRLY WEST, DALE WOODS, CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES, K 500, TIMBERLAKE STRAITS, DOODLE LANE, COBY ROAD AND RELATED AND WHERE THE MISSTATES.
THAT WOULD HELP MITIGATE THAT BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THOSE EIGHT PROJECTS WOULD BE TAKEN OFF OF HOLD. THEY ARE PUT ON HOLD NOW.
IT MEANS NOBODY WORKS ON THEM, NOBODY DOES ANYTHING, ALL PARTNERSHIP CONVERSATIONS CEASE AND THEY STOP AND I'M SAYING, THOSE, I DIDN'T LIST ALL THE PROJECTS. THERE WAS A LOT MORE THAN THE EIGHT BUT THESE EIGHT WHAT ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO BE WORKED ON IF THEY GET FUNDED, IF THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY COMING IN.
IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO FULLY FUND THEM, THAT IS UNDERSTOOD.
BUT THESE SHOULD CONTINUE, BECAUSE RIGHT NOW THESE PROJECTS ARE ON HOLD AND NOT BEING WORKED ON AND I'M ASKING THAT WE PUT THESE BACK, TAKE THEM OUT OF BEING ON HOLD, PUT THEM BACK IN PLAY TO BE CONSIDERED FOR FUTURE FUNDING.
>> MOTION? YES. >> I PROPOSE THAT THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED TABLE 1 AND TABLE 3 OF ITEM 37 ON 221 23 PORT BE MODIFIED TO REFLECT THE REMOVAL MOVE THOSE TABLES AND THEY BE FULLY FUNDED AS ORIGINALLY PLANNED.
TABLE 1, REMOVE HARDSTONE IN WEST.
TABLE 3, REMOVE DOW DALE WOODS AND CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES.
[04:20:08]
MOTION ONE WAY OR ANOTHER? IT IS 3:49.THAT IS THE ONE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD FLAGGED.
>> JUDGE, JUST A REMINDER, THERE IS A MOTION ON THE FLOOR.
>> OKAY, DOES THAT MEAN WE HAVE TO WAIT? WE CAN GET BACK UP WHEN HE RETURNS, I WANT ALL THE MEMBERS TO BE ABLE TO VOTE. HE'S WALKING AND NOW.
DISREGARD. LET'S GO BACK SORRY ABOUT THAT, LET'S GO BACK TO 296.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS BEGINNING TO MAKE HIS MOTION.
>> DID YOU SAY THE MOTION? SO, YOU CAN SEE THE NUMBERS AND PROJECTS THAT WE PUT ON HOLD AND THREE AND UNDERSTAND THAT AND TO SOME DEGREE, WE HAVE MET AND DISCUSSED WITH COUNTY ENGINEER BUT I DO THINK THESE SIX PROJECTS THAT I HAVE, SEVEN, I'M SORRY, SEVEN PROJECTS I HAVE LISTED, I WOULD LIKE THEM TO PUT THEM BACK IN THE QUEUE ANYWAY, THEY CAN BE WORKED ON.
AS WE LOOK AT OUR FUNDS COMING IN, NOT ONLY FROM HECTOR, FROM OTHER SOURCES, COULD BE PARTNERSHIPS, FUNDING, SOME OF THESE OTHERS, HAVING PROJECTS QUEUED UP WOULD BE A GOOD THING, SO THAT IS MY MOTION.
>> IS THERE A SECOND? MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND.
ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM?
>> I REGRET, I THINK THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
AND I THINK THE POINT WAS, WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW THESE PROJECTS IN THE FUTURE COULD BE FUNDED, AND IF IT'S BEING FUNDED OUT OF ADDITIONAL MONIES, AND YOU ARE USE BOND FUND FORMULA, WHICH IS 19%, AND YOU PRETTY MUCH GUARANTEE YOUR PROJECTS ARE NOT GOING TO BE DONE.
>> COMMISSIONER FOR, FOR MY PART, I KNOW OMB IS RETURNING WITH A SENSE OF SURPLUS FROM THE REVENUE AND IF ADDITIONAL FUNDING IS BEING MADE AVAILABLE, THE IDEA OF FUNDING SOME OF THESE PROJECTS, RIGHT NOW, IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME IF WE HAVE ANY MONEY, THEY CAUSED THE PROJECTS BECAUSE WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH FUNDING FOR OTHER PROJECTS.
>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS, BECAUSE OF THE FORMULAE BEING USED, THESE PROJECTS WOULD NEVER BE FUNDED. THE PERCENTAGES JUST WON'T ALLOW IT.
>> WHY NOT? OKAY, BECAUSE AGAIN, THE NET AND STACKED WAS $84 MILLION. SO, IF WE GOT $100 MILLION DISTRIBUTED IN SURPLUS MONEY, COMING FROM HECTOR AND IT WAS DISTRIBUTED FROM THE FORMULA, THAT WOULD BE SOME NUMBER LESS THEN 19 AND 19 MILLION, YOU COULD DO ONE PROJECT, BUT YOU'RE NOT GOING TO DO THOSE.
I'M JUST CALLING ATTENTION TO IT.
AND THE COUNTY ENGINEER DID NOT PROVIDE THE DATA BEFOREHAND AND IT WAS DISAPPOINTING.
I'M STILL ASKING FOR DATA I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AND WILL CONTINUE TO PUSH FOR THAT.
>> WILL YOU TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT THE COMMISSIONER WAS SAYING? I GUESS THIS IS DIRECT TO ARMAND'S SHOP, BUT FIGURING OUT IF INDEED IT WOULD BE COMPLETELY
[04:25:10]
IMPOSSIBLE FOR HIS PRECINCT TO EVER RECEIVE SOME OF THE SURPLUS TRAN20 REVENUE?>> JUST FOR THE RECORD, THERE WAS DISCUSSION.
THIS WAS AN ITEM WE TALKED ABOUT AT LIKE 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON AND WE PUT IT OFF TO VOTE UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY WHEN WE ORIGINALLY TALKED ABOUT IT. THERE WERE THREE PROJECTS THAT WERE GOING TO BE EXCEPTIONS AND THAT WAS CYPRESS CREEK ESTATES, DO LOVE LANE AND K 500 BUT WHEN THE MOTION GOT FINALIZED, IT DID NOT INCLUDE THESE.
THE COUNTY ENGINEER DID NOT FIND ANY RECORD OF IT, AND SO, THEY WERE PUT ON AT LEAST, I THINK WE OUGHT TO PUT THOSE THREE BACK WHERE WE HAD SOME CONCURRENCE THAT THEY MAKE SENSE.
JUST THOSE THREE. >> WE CAN MOVE ON, THAT'S FINE,
THAT'S CLEAR. >> I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM DIRECTOR ARMANDO, THIS IS NOT DONE RIGHT, DIRECTOR?
>> BASED ON THE MOTION THAT HAS BEEN PASSED, I HAVE DISCUSSED WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HIS SUGGESTION IS THIS IS NOT INCLUDED AS PART OF THE LAST MOTION, SO THEREFORE, IT IS UP TO THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION.
>> WHAT IS UP TO THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION?
>> MY QUESTION IS, YOU GUYS ARE STILL RETURNING AT A FUTURE DATE WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON TRANSFERS FOR SUBDIVISION PROJECTS.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS SAYING THERE'S NO WAY HIS PRECINCT WOULD RECEIVE IN A.
THE BALANCE IS NEGATIVE ACCORDING TO HIS MOUTH, SO I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND IF THAT IS THE CASE.
SO, WHEN YOU COME BACK, CAN YOU BRING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION? WHAT AM I MISSING? THERE IS A BASELINE AMOUNT OF TRANSFERS THAT GET TRANSFERRED TO THE PRECINCT OUT OF TRAN20 SURPLUS. ACTUALLY, YOU HAVE ALREADY APPROVED, THE 730 DAYS OF CASH ON HAND, ALONG WITH THE METHODOLOGY TO CALCULATE IT. NOW THAT WE HAVE THAT IN HAND, WE CAN PROJECT OUT HOW MUCH SURPLUS ABOVE THE REGULARLY SCHEDULED TRANSFERS WE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE OF IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS.
>> YOU WILL COME BACK AND LET US KNOW HOW THE MATH TURNS OUT? THAT IS CORRECT.
AND THEN WE CAN CAN RECONSIDER THOSE PROJECTS? THE IDEA IS WE WOULD TRANSFER THEM TO THE PRECINCTS AND THE PRECINCTS CAN USE THEM FOR WHATEVER IS ELIGIBLE.
>> HOW DOES THAT SQUARE WITH THE PRESENTATION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE? THE MOTION THAT PASSED WAS USING THE SVI FORMULA TO DISTRIBUTE THAT ADDITIONAL TRANSFER, SO, BECAUSE, SVI IS DISPROPORTIONATELY INCREASING ONE AND TWO, THE ALLOCATIONS WOULD BE HIGHER FOR THE TRAN20 SURPLUS ABOVE THE BASELINE TRANSFERS.
>> YOU ARE TALKING THE MOTION THIS QUARTER, HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE MOTION A COUPLE OF QUARTERS AGO.
>> IF WE ARE USING SVI TO DISTRIBUTE IT, WHICH IS WHAT THE COURT VOTED ON? VOTED ON A PREVIOUS COURT, WHENEVER THIS CAME, I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE IT CAME.
>> WE WILL COME BACK WITH THE SCHEDULE FOR THE BASELINE TRANSFERS WE DO TO THE COMMISSIONERS, TO THE COUNTY ENGINEER, TO SOME OTHER ENTITIES, AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION ON ADDITIONAL TRANSFERS ABOVE THAT.
>> THERE ARE MORE PROJECTS THAT CUT THEM THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL TRAN20 SURPLUSES.
>> RA, WE WILL CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION WHEN THAT COMES BACK.
ITEM 297, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
[04:30:06]
>> I WILL NOT GO INTO DETAIL ABOUT DISTRIBUTING, I HAVE DISTRIBUTED DETAILS TO THE COURT, WE REALLY TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST MEETING AND THE SIMPLE REQUEST THAT I HAVE IS TO LOOK AT THAT DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS BECAUSE THAT BOND FUND DISTRIBUTION FORMULA IS NOW BEING USED IN MANY DIFFERENT WAYS AND CASES.
IT'S NOT JUST USE THE SAME FORMULA WE FORMALLY DID AT THE BOND FUND.
IN THE BOND FUND, USED THE FORMULA OF 75% OF THE SVI.
THOSE ZIP CODES WITH 75% SVI, THAT WOULD BE THE CRITERIA.
AND WE CAME UP WITH POPULATION AND THAT WAS 1.6 MILLION IN THE COUNTY THAT MET THE .75 OR GREATER. SO, PRECINCT 1 WAS 502.
PRECINCT 3 WAS 87 AND PRECINCT 4, 370.
THERE ARE MANY CASES WHERE PEOPLE REFERENCE THE .5 OR GREATER.
WHAT THAT DOES IS ALLOW YOU TO FOCUS ON POTENTIALLY SERVING THOSE ZIP CODES WITH .5 OR GREATER, WHICH WOULD INCLUDE ANOTHER MILLION PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY AND IT'S A PRETTY EVEN SPLIT BETWEEN PRECINCTS 266 AND PRECINCT 1.
263, 229 AND PRECINCT 3 AND 277 AND PRECINCT 4.
WHAT I'M ASKING IS, IF WE WOULD SIMPLY USE THE .5 RATHER THAN A .75, THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO FOCUS ON SERVING ANOTHER MILLION SVI FOLKS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
RATHER THAN MAKE IT THE .75, MAKE AT THE .5, AND I THINK THE NUMBERS THEN, AS I HAVE GIVEN YOU, THAT WOULD INCREASE, I THINK, PRECINCT 3, JUST SO YOU WILL KNOW.
THAT WILL INCREASE PRECINCT 3 UP TO 22%.
IT WOULD INCREASE PRECINCT FOUR.
SO, I'M ASKING THAT THE COURT CONSIDER RATHER THAN THE .75, USE THE .5 IN FUTURE ALLOCATIONS AS WELL. THAT WAY WE COVER THE WHOLE 2.3 MILLION PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT LIVE IN .5 OR GREATER SVI NEIGHBORHOODS.
THE MOTION THAT I PUT FORTH, I AM MAKE A MOTION THAT THE PREVIOUSLY APPROVED ALLOCATION OF THE BONDS BE MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THE POPULATION AND SOCIAL WILL ORDINARILY INDEX, WHICH ACCOUNTS FOR A VULNERABLE POPULATION OF 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I ALSO MAKE THE MOTION THAT THE MINIMUM OF 25% OF THE 2022 RODIN PARK BONDS BE SPENT IN AREAS WITH IN SVI OF .5 OR GREATER AND EACH PRECINCT IS OBLIGATED TO SPEND A PERCENTAGE OF THEIR BOND ALLOCATION EQUIVALENT TO THEIR SVI PERCENTAGE.
THAT WAY, THEY KNOW THEY WILL BE GETTING MORE MONEY AND YOU WILL SPEND IT IN SVI NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH I THINK IS A POSITIVE CHANGE AND THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION.
>> EXCUSE ME, THERE IS A MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND? NOW SUNKEN? OKAY.
>> WELL, THEN THAT IS 1 MILLION PEOPLE IN TRAN01 AND SVI NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WON'T GET SERVED.
IF I COULD TAKE, JUDGE, ITEM 383?
>> THIS WAS UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED BY ALL THE COURT NUMBERS MID-JANUARY AS WELL.
>> I'M BRINGING IT BACK FOR VOTE.
>> I VOTED FOR IT, I CAN BRING IT BACK.
>> THIS IS NOT A MOTION TO RECONSIDER, THIS IS SOMETHING ENTIRELY NEW.
I THINK I SENT AN EMAIL OUT TO CONRAD ON THIS QUESTION.
[04:35:02]
THIS WOULD BE A NEW ITEM.HE WOULD NEED A MOTION AND YOU WOULD NEED A SECOND.
>> THE MEDIUM SVI IS .58, SO .5 WOULD INCLUDE PEOPLE WHO HAVE LESS SOCIAL VULNERABILITY THAN THE MEDIAN COUNTY RESIDENT, WHICH WOULD NOT TARGET THE BOND FUNDS, WHICH ARE THE ONES WHO ARE TARGETING FOR THESE FOLKS SINCE WE ARE TRYING TO GET THE FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THE FOLKS.
WE ARE NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO MEET ALL THE NEED AND WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE IT GENERALLY FAIR BUT I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.
>> ITEM. A THREE FOR THE RECONSIDERATION OF PROCEDURES AND PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA ADOPTED TO ALLOCATE 2022, SO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, THAT WOULD NOT FALL IN THE CATEGORY? NO, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION FOR, IT WOULD REQUIRE A SECOND AND THE COURT WOULD DECIDE, IF IT PASSES, THE COURT WOULD DECIDE THEY COULD OPEN IT AND THEN YOU CAN OPEN THAT BACKUP, OTHERWISE YOU CAN'T.
>> THE MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF A SECOND, COMMISSIONER.
THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 298, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> THINK WE HEARD MUCH INFORMATION TODAY THAT WE SHOULD AT LEAST LOOK INTO.
SEPARATING VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH INTO ANOTHER APARTMENT AND I MIGHT GO INTO THE REASONS I THINK THIS WILL ALLOW THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO FOCUS ON THOSE PRIORITIES WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
IT WOULD ALLOW THE NEW DEPARTMENT OF VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH TO BE A STANDALONE AND CAN FOCUS ON CLEAR OUTCOMES OF THE CUSTOMERS AND THE ANIMALS.
I THINK WE HEARD A LOT OF ENTITIES OUT THERE ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING.
SO, MY MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET IN HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO CREATE A PLAN FOR THE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH TO BE A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT ON CLEAR OUTCOMES FOR CUSTOMERS AND OUTCOMES IN 60 DAYS IS MY MOTION.
>> IF I FOLLOWED YOUR MOTION CORRECTLY, AND ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BUDGET, A PLAN FOR VETERINARY TO BE A STANDALONE?
>> DIDN'T WE HAVE A DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS HEAR FROM THE DIRECT? CAN WE HEAR FROM THE DIRECTOR AS PART OF THE DISCUSSION?
>> GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR ROBINSON.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.
>> SORRY, I WILL TURN UP THE VOLUME.
CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? THAT IS BETTER.
>> OKAY, BYBEE ROBINSON, DIRECT OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
I WANTED TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK ON THE RECOMMENDATION TO MAKE BPH A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT, I WANT TO SAY AT THE OUTSET, THAT IS A POLICY DECISION OF YOUR CURRENT TO MAKE.
I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO UNDERSTAND THE BASELINE OF SOME OF THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES WE WERE ADDRESSING FROM UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR TO ABUSE TO THEFT, TO LOW STAFF MORALE, WE HAVE WHEN WORKING HARD, MYSELF AND DIRECTOR DR.
MAX TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO OUR OPERATIONS AND WHETHER IT BECAME A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT, THESE TYPES OF INTERVENTIONS AND STRATEGIES ARE NECESSARY FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT SERVICES.
[04:40:02]
I WILL SAY IN DECEMBER, WE HAD AN OVERPOPULATION OF ANIMALS AND WE WORK TO IMPLEMENT POLICIES AND STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THAT.FROM IMPLEMENTING OUR LOOT EUTHANASIA POLICIES, TO BETTER COMMUNICATION WITH THEIR RESCUE GROUPS AND TRANSPORTS, WE HAVE DONE PHENOMENAL WORK. OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE.
WELL WE HAVE A PERMANENT DIRECTOR, WE HAVE MADE MARKET IMPROVEMENTS IN OPERATIONS, FROM MOVING FROM CASHLESS STRUCTURES TO DETERMINE CONTROLS, ET CETERA.
AM PROUD OF THE WORK OUR TEAM HAS DONE.
I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE WORK OF VOLUNTEERS.
WE CANNOT DO THIS WITHOUT A STRONG VOLUNTEER CADRE.
THE WORK WE HAVE DONE IN TERMS OF STREAMLINING OPERATIONS HAS MITIGATED RISK AND LIABILITY, NOT JUST FOR THE DEPARTMENT BUT FOR THE COUNTY. FOR VOLUNTEER FUNCTIONS AND ACTIVITIES, WITH THINGS THAT PUT THE COUNTY AT RISK ACCESSING SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION, YOU KNOW, PUTS THE COUNTY AT RISK.
I'M REALLY PROUD OF ALL THE WORK WE HAVE DONE.
GOVERNMENT CAN ALWAYS WORK ON BETTER COMMUNICATION, WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WE ESTABLISHED REGULAR MEETINGS.
WORKING WITH OUR COUNTERPARTS, OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE IS HIGHER THAN SOME OF OUR LOCAL PARTNERS IN OUR REGION AND QUITE FRANKLY, I'M REALLY IMPRESSED WITH THE WORK WE ARE DOING, GIVEN THE FACT THAT OVERPOPULATION IS THE ISSUE IN SHELTERS.
WE LOOKED AT BEST PRACTICES FOR ANIMAL MANAGEMENT AND WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THOSE STRATEGIES, SO QUITE FRANKLY, I THINK THE FRUIT YOU ARE SEEING FROM OUR LIVE RELEASE RATE TO POLICIES AND PROCEDURES REALLY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES AND THERE ARE ALWAYS DETRACTORS FOR THOSE WHO ARE HAPPY WITH THE CHANGES IN POLICY SHIFTS.
WE ARE STILL MORE THAN WILLING TO COMMUNICATE AND PARTNER WITH THEM, BUT WE BELIEVE THE DIRECTION WE ARE HEADED AND IS OF GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECT ROBINSON.
WHAT ARE THE THREE TOP CONCERNS YOU SEE AND HOW DO YOU RECONCILE THE PROGRESS WITH ALL OF THE CONCERNS WE HEARD TODAY AND I BELIEVE ALL OF OUR OFFICES ARE RECEIVING WITH REGARD TO ALLEGED ABUSE AND CARE, ET CETERA.
>> WE PROVIDED INFORMATION TO THE MEDIA, TO YOUR OFFICES AS WELL, THAT ACTUALLY CONTRADICT A LOT OF THE INFORMATION OR STATEMENTS THAT WERE MADE TODAY.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE PUT INTO PLACE WAS TO MAKE CHANGES IN THE NUTRITION AND DIETARY FUNCTIONS WITHIN THE SHELTER, SO THAT DOGS ACTUALLY ARE NOT STARVING OR HAVING GASTROINTESTINAL ISSUES.
WE HAVE MADE A LOT OF EFFORTS TO IMPROVE.
AS I SAID CHAIRED THE DATA, WE CONTINUE TO'S SHARE THE DATA REGARDING THE LIVE RELEASE RATE.
SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THE CHANGES WE MADE OUR FOLKS WHO ARE NOT HAPPY WITH SOME OF THE WORK WE HAVE DONE TO IMPROVE GOVERNMENT AND STRUCTURE, WHICH IS SO NECESSARY, WHETHER IT FITS IN OUR DEPARTMENT, WHAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR SETS IS A PRIVATE ENTITY IN THE COMMUNITY.
AGAIN, WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO SHARE THAT INFORMATION.
SOMETIMES, THE SQUEAKY WHEEL IS WHAT GETS THE OIL.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH ANY INDIVIDUAL.
I'M A LEADER WHO IS ACCOUNTABLE TO OUTCOMES AND ACCOUNTABLE TO FEEDBACK AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE DATA TO SUPPORT THAT OUR OPERATIONS ARE CONTRARY TO THE PICTURE THAT WAS PAINTED TODAY IN COURT.
>> WHY WOULD IT BE BARRIERS TO FINDING A PERMANENT DIRECT HER?
>> WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING FOR A DIRECTOR.
WE HAVE LAUNCHED NATIONAL SEARCHES.
MY TEAM RIGHT NOW IS MEETING WITH HRM TO LOOK AT OTHER OPTIONS.
COMMISSION ON GARCIA PROVIDED A RECOMMENDATION WE ARE CHECKING INTO WITH COUNTY HR TO CHECK THE VISIBILITY AND LEGALITY OF THAT RECOMMENDATION, BUT JUST LIKE OTHER PLACES IN THE COUNTRY, THIS IS A DIFFICULT POSITION TO FILL.
[04:45:03]
THE CURRENT PERSON ON AND AN AIRMAN BASIS DOES NOT WANT THE JOB EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE CAPACITY AND CORE COMPETENCIES OF LEADERSHIP TO DO IT.THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR DID NOT WANT THIS JOB AND WHEN WE HAVE THESE DISCUSSIONS, IT HAS A CHILLING EFFECTS FOR FOLKS TO WANT TO COME FORWARD AND DO THE WORK IN THE SETTING, GIVEN THE CHALLENGES.
WHEN YOU COUPLE THAT WITH THE GREAT RESIGNATION, JUST LIKE THE PRIVATE SECTOR, WE ARE CHALLENGED WITH FINDING FOLKS WHO WANT TO COME INTO GOVERNMENT SPACES, NOT JUST THIS POSITION BUT OTHERS AS WELL.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE THE BUSHES, PROACTIVELY APPROACHING FOLKS TO ALREADY HAVE JOBS IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO COME AND PICK AT THE CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT OVERALL.
>> WHAT DO YOU SEE OF THE PROS AND CONS OF KEEPING THE VETERINARY WORK WITHIN PUBLIC HEALTH? WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS? I LED THIS WORK FOR SEVEN YEARS, SOME OF THESE CHALLENGES ARE GERMANE TO THIS KIND OF OPERATION AND THE POSITIVES I SEE IN TERMS OF CONTINUING THIS COLLABORATION IS THE ECONOMIES OF SCALES AND EFFICIENCIES YOU GET WITH INTERNAL DEPARTMENT SUPPORT FOR BPH AS WELL AS UTILIZING ACROSS ALL OF THE DEPARTMENT, WHETHER IT'S HR OR COMPLIANCE, ET CETERA.
SECOND, THERE IS A STRONG NEXUS BETWEEN ANIMAL CONTROL AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY.
WHETHER IT'S VECTORBORNE ILLNESSES OR DISEASES WITH AN ANIMALS WE ARE ABLE TO EXPLORE AND ADDRESS FROM A COMMUNITY PERSPECTIVE TO AND GIVE FOCUS AND BRING EQUITABLE STATUS TO ANIMAL CONTROL AND SUPPORT.
WE DON'T OPERATE IN A NO KILL SHELTER.
WE ARE ORDERED BY COURT ORDER SOMETIMES TO PUT DOWN AN ANIMAL BUT WE DO EVERYTHING WITHIN OUR POWER TO GET ANIMALS INTO A LOVING HOME. SOME OF THE CHALLENGES OR BARRIERS TO THIS WORK ARE BARRIERS TO COMPENSATION.
WHEN I CAME ON BOARD, FOLKS WHO WORK IN OUR SHELTER WERE EARNING ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU COULD EARN AT H-E-B, YOU KNOW, STOCKING SHELVES. WE ARE WORKING REALLY HARD.
WE HAVE INCREASED THE PAY BUT WE COULD ALSO UTILIZE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT AND INCREASING PAY FOR STAFF WHO ARE WORKING IN ONE OF THE MOST CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENTS. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED SOME ANALOGIES FOR FOLKS WHO ARE WORKING IN THE JAIL, IT IS A CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT WE CAN TRY AND INCREASE PAY AND APPROVE EFFICIENCIES.
IT PAVES THE CULTURE AND ENVIRONMENT WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON NOW.
>> GRANDLY AND THEN GARCIA? I DID WANT TO SAY THAT, I THINK IT WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL COST TO SET UP A STANDALONE OPERATION AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE MORE THAN A NORMAL SHARE OF FISCAL CHALLENGES, SO THAT IS A FACTOR AND EVEN IF WE DID SET UP, A LOT OF THESE PROBLEMS WILL STILL BE THERE. I WANT TO COMMEND DR.
MAX BECAUSE I KNOW HE IS GOTTEN A LOT OF CRITICISM AND THREATS AND OTHER THINGS BUT I APPRECIATE HIM STAYING THERE AND THE TEAM DOING THE WORK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, A LOT OF PROBLEMS. I THINK YOU HAVE DONE AN ADMIRABLE JOB OF TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.
I THINK WE SHOULD PUT MORE RESOURCES.
WE HAVE TO HAVE MY RESOURCES TO PUT IN THERE AND LOOK FOR A PERMANENT DIRECTOR AHEAD OF IT, WE WILL PROBABLY PAY MORE THAN ANYONE BECAUSE SO MANY PROBLEMS THERE AND SO MUCH TENSION OVER TIME.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> THROUGH THE YEARS, I HAVEN'T QUOTED ON ANYTHING BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT PFM I THINK ACKNOWLEDGED WAS SEPARATE BEST PRACTICES WOULD BE SEPARATING OUT THIS INTO A SEPARATE ENTITY.
I DON'T THINK THERE'S ANOTHER ONE IN TEXAS, ANYWAY, THAT HAS THIS AS PART OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
[04:50:04]
I THINK THERE IS MERIT TO IT, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HEARD THE LAST PEOPLE'S INPUT AND CERTAINLY THAT, THE SAME BLOCK THEY HAD, THEY ACHIEVED MANY GOOD THINGS DURING THAT PERIOD.ALL THE FOLKS OUT THERE THAT VOLUNTEER AND SPEND TIME TRYING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS PARTICULARLY RELATED TO ANIMALS, THOSE HAVE BEEN IMPACTED, WE BETTER PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HEAR
AGAIN. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? THANK YOU, JUDGE.
>> IS IT ACCURATE? I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN I LAST MET.
>> WHERE DO YOU THINK WE ARE AT IN TERMS OF RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> THEY HAVE A LOT OF RECOMMENDATIONS, SO, I MEAN? I WOULD SAY ONLY A FRACTION.
>> YOU CAN ONLY MAKE SO MANY CHANGES AT ONCE, YOU CAN
HAVE DISORGANIZATION. >> I WOULD LIKE THE REPORT ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION AND UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE ANY FISCAL IMPACTS, FUNCTIONING AND WHAT THAT MEANS FOR THE DEPARTMENT.
JUST ASKED MY DEPARTMENT TO CHECK CITY OF HOUSTON.
ALTHOUGH, THEY ARE NOT AT THE BAR, THE BUREAU OF REGULATION.
>> MOTION TO EXPAND THE DISCUSSION? GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER, ALL IN FAVOR?
>> SO, I WOULD LIKE TO, AND THE INDEPENDENT HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THEIR RECOMMENDATION IS.
IN THE MEANTIME, WE WILL DIRECT YOU TO LEAD THE SEARCH TO FIND A NEW DIRECTOR.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS LEAVING THAT SEARCH, SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT MORE RESOURCES OR SUPPORT YOU COULD BRING TO THE BUT I WILL DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO LEAD THAT SEARCH.
DO YOU DO THAT? WE ARE NOT DEEPLY INVOLVED.
REGULARLY. >> I WOULD DIRECT THE LEAD THAT SEARCH.
THIS IS AN URGENT MATTER, WE DON'T HAVE LEADERSHIP THERE, THE LONGER THE MORALE DETERIORATES AND THE LONGER WE HAVE CITIZENS WHO DON'T BELIEVE WE HAVE ANY COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE.
THE SECOND THING IS, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION IF IT'S GERMANE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S IS MAKING A MOTION, I AM MAKING I'M NOT SURE IF I CAN SUPPORT IT WITHOUT HEARING THE PFM REPORT JUST YET, BUT I WOULD MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO DIRECT THE BUDGET DIRECTOR TO COME UP WITH A COMPENSATION STUDY AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL SIMILAR TO THE STAFF.
WE JUST APPROVED TODAY A 500 INCREMENT PAYMENT EVERY SIX MONTHS FOR NEW STAFF.
[04:55:06]
I WOULD ASK YOU TO DEVELOP WHAT THAT PLAN LOOKS LIKE USING OUR MONEY.>> IT WILL BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION HERE.
>> A LITTLE BIT, FIRST OF ALL, SOME OF THE SPEAKERS ARE SPEAKING OF A 5013 SEE BUT A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT WOULD NOT BE A 5013C.
IF YOU ARE EXPLORING, I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR TO THE FOLKS ADVOCATING.
OF COURSE, I'M A PET OWNER, I HAVE A PET FROM OUR TRAN01 PETS AND SHE IS VERY SWEET, SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, OF COURSE, THAT ALL OF THE PETS IN TRAN01 PETS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF IN THE BEST WAY POSSIBLE BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE TWO THINGS.
MAX AND HIS TEAM ARE OPERATING UNDER EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES THAT WE RECOGNIZE NATIONWIDE, ANIMAL SHELTERS ARE STRUGGLING WITH UNPRECEDENTED ANIMALS, ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE PANDEMIC.
ALSO, OUR DEPARTMENTS, SEVERAL OF THEM ARE BEING TARGETED SUBJECTED TO COMMUNITY VITRIOL, TO SOCIAL MEDIA ATTACKS, TO THREATS, FOR JUST TRYING TO DO THEIR JOBS AND THEY ARE DOING JOBS THAT ARE HARD AND THEY ARE DOING JOBS BECAUSE THEY CARE ABOUT THESE ANIMALS.
IT THEY ARE NOT DOING THESE JOBS BECAUSE IT MAKES THEM RICH.
I'M NOT GOING TO MENTION IT AT THIS TABLE, BUT IF YOU DIG A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHO WAS MAKING THOSE REPORTS, YOU WILL FIND IT IS NOT JUST ANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS COMING HERE TO SPEAK.
SO, IT IS GOOD TO TRY TO SOLVE CHALLENGES WE SEE IF THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE TO LEND A HAND TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ANIMAL SHELTER FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN CARRYING LESS ON THEIR BACK, THAT IS A GOOD OPPORTUNITY. I APPRECIATE THE POINTS THAT DIRECTOR ROBINSON HAS MADE ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS, THE ISSUES WITH STAFFING TURNOVER.
THESE FOLKS DID NOT EVEN RECEIVE A COLA BECAUSE WE DID NOT APPROVE A PROPER BUDGET.
I THINK IT'S A GREAT IDEA WHAT YOU ARE PROPOSING.
I WOULD SAY NOT ONLY THAT, BIG LOOK INTO THE COMPENSATION PACKAGES AS WELL.
YOU KNOW, BUT WHAT ELSE CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT THEM AND IF IT WOULD SUSTAIN THEM TO MAKE THIS A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT, WOULD WORK WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND THE ANIMAL SHELTER STAFF COLLABORATIVELY.
>> YES, FELLOW ANIMAL LOVER, I AM WITH YOU.
BUT I WOULD PROVE THIS IS AN URGENT SITUATION.
90 TO 120 DAYS? MAYBE CHECK IN IN 60 AND IMPLEMENT WITHIN 120 SOME OF THE KEY ITEMS BECAUSE IF THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE POISED FOR SUCCESS, IT MAY BE A BEST PRACTICE TO SPIN IT OUT AS AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY WITHIN THE COUNTY, MAYBE THAT IS SOMETHING WE DO FIRST.
ULTIMATELY, DOES NOT AMELIORATE THE ISSUES, THE LACK OF LEADERSHIP COMPENSATION OFF MARKET AND ORIGINAL ITEMS WITH THE CARE OF THE ANIMALS. WE NEED TO HAVE A SENSE OF URGENCY AND PUT BACK THE CLOCK TICKING VERY LOUDLY BE CARED.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> IF I COULD ADD, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.
[05:00:07]
I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE WHO LOVE ANIMALS COME HERE TODAY GAVE AN INDICATION THERE ARE SOME THINGS WE NEED TO NOW. SO, AS A PART OF YOUR MOTION, IF WE CAN SET UP PUBLIC MEETINGS TO HEAR FROM PUBLIC, THOSE NONPROFITS WHO ARE VOLUNTEERING AND SPENDING TIME IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, AND GET THEIR FEEDBACK.>> YOU HARASS THEM ON SOCIAL MEDIA, IF YOU WANT TO HOLD THE TOWN HALL, I DON'T WANT TO MICROMANAGE.
>> I DID NOT ASK THEM TO DO THAT.
I WILL HAVE SOME PUBLIC NEEDS IN MY PRECINCT AND IF NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO DO IT.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> I WILL OFFER THIS PERSPECTIVE, I DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE ON COUNSEL, GIVING FOLKS, IF I WOULD HOLD A TOWN HALL MEETING, I WOULD NOT EXPECT TO DO IT ALONE, I WOULD DO IT IN CONJUNCTION WITH HIM. BUT I THINK IT IS HEALTHY, IT IS TRANSPARENT, IT IS TOUGH BUT I THINK THAT IS THE JOB WE ALL SIGNED UP FOR BUT I WILL HAVE EMPLOYEES BACKS, I WILL NOT LET ANYBODY GET HARASSED OR INSULTED OR DISRESPECT. IF I DO THE WHOLE ONE, I DON'T THINK WE OUGHT TO TAKE IT AS A MATTER
OF GOVERNANCE. >> PEOPLE CAN DO THAT SEPARATELY.
TALK IF SHE HAS THE BANDWIDTH.
AND PUT THEM WITH THINGS, ALL STAFF.
>> MAY BE SOME KEY LEADERSHIP STAFF, I THINK THAT IS
REASONABLE. >> WE HAVE SET UP QUARTERLY MEETINGS WITH STAKEHOLDERS, WE INVITED YOUR STAFF TO ATTEND THOSE MEETINGS AS WELL, SO WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO HAVING THE COMMUNICATION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE, COMMUNICATION IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT, TRANSPARENCY IS ALWAYS IMPORTANT.
EVEN WITH OPERATING THOSE KINDS OF MECHANISMS, THERE IS STILL UNDERLYING ISSUES, WE ARE NOT OPPOSED TO HAVING THOSE MEETINGS, IT IS AN ADDITIONAL STAFF THAT IS WORKING IN A VERY CHALLENGING ENVIRONMENT, LEADERSHIP BEING THERE 12, 16 HOURS A DAY, MANAGING THOSE OPERATIONS.
IF I COULD MAKE A RECOMMENDATION, WE HAVE THOSE MEETINGS IN CONCERT WITH YOU ALL FROM PRECINCT TO PRECINCT, THAT WOULD GIVE EFFICIENCY IN TERMS OF HOW WE ARE DOING THOSE MEETINGS WITHOUT OVERBURDENING THE STAFF WHO ALREADY HAVE A VERY CHALLENGING JOB AND WORKING TREMENDOUS HOURS ALREADY.
>>, HELP THEM GET STAFF TO DO COMMUNITY OUTREACH?
>> THE MOTION I HAVE IS TO DIRECT THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL EMPLOYEES.
>> AND TO LEAD THE SEARCH FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY PETS DIRECTOR. THAT EXISTING COMMUNITY MEETINGS HOSTED BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THIS TOPIC TAKE PLACE ACROSS ALL THE, THAT ALREADY PLANNED MEETINGS THAT TAKE PLACE ACROSS THE PRECINCTS ALONGSIDE MEMBERS.
AND THAT OCA REPORT BACK ON PFM'S RECOMMENDATION.
I WOULD SAY, AFTER COLLABORATION WITH THE DEPARTMENT.
[05:05:11]
TO HARASS THIS DEPARTMENT ON VARIOUS COUNTS.>> I WOULD HAVE THEM COME SPEAK TO US ON THE RECOMMENDATION.
>> WE CAN LOOK AT THE HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> WE HAVE A PRESENTATION OF THE NEXT COURT.
AND THE OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS, YOU TELL US HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO LEAD THE SEARCH ON AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OCA.
>> MAYBE UPDATE THAT IN 60 DAYS FOR AN UPDATE, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE YOU TO LEAD THE SEARCH.
>> WE WILL SEE WHAT WE NEED TO GET ROLLING.
REASONABLE. >> BE AT THE NEXT COURT.
OCA DID COME UP WITH A SEARCH PLAN WITHIN 30 DAYS AND BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP A COMPENSATION PACKAGE AND PRESENT IT WITHIN 60 DAYS.
>> I THINK IT SHOULD WORK TO TALK ABOUT HOW THE RECOMMENDATION COULD BE IMPLEMENTED RATHER THAN HAVING THEM PRESENT HERE, AND THEY ARE MAKING ADMINISTRATION AT THE TABLE WITHOUT PFM AND OCA IN PUBLIC HEALTH BEING ABLE TO PROCESS, FROM TWO OR THREE YEARS AGO TRANSLATE INTO WHAT WE CAN DO HERE.
>> THEN TAKE ACTION, I'VE NEVER HAD A PRESENTATION ON THIS, SO, I THINK IT IS OKAY TO MAKE THE PRESENTATION, IT WILL GIVE US THOUGHT TO WHAT THE NEXT STEPS MAY BE.
THAT ALREADY PLANNED COMMUNITY MEETINGS POSTED BY HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TAKE PLACE ACROSS PRECINCTS. THEY PRESENT ON THEIR RELEVANT RECOMMENDATION ON THEIR NEXT COURT, OCA, AFTER THAT, REPORT BACK ON PFM ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DIRECTOR AND INCORPORATING PFM'S INPUT.
>> I AM JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW, HOW MUCH WILL YOU ANTICIPATE YOU HAVE OVER BUDGETED ALREADY?
>> WE REMAIN ABOUT 15% OVER BUDGET, SO WE WILL HAVE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE COMMITTEE OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS ON POTENTIAL RELOCATION.
>> HELP ME AGAIN, WHAT IS THAT?
>> WITH THE DETENTION OFFICERS TODAY, IT'S ABOUT $100 MILLION OVER.
>> OKAY, ON PFM, I JUST MAKE A REQUEST, NO TIMELINE ON IT, BUT WHY WOULD LOOKING AT THAT ITEM WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF MONTHS, SO THEY CAN PRESENT US ON THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE RECOMMENDED.
JUST GETTING A GOOD REFRESHER COURSE BUT I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE EVENING.
HOW MANY HAVE WE SPENT MONEY ON? ON THE COMMITTEE PROCESS? NONE THAT I AM AWARE OF.
>> I JUST WANT TO GO THROUGH OUR PROCESS AS WELL.
>> THAT IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN AFFORD IT.
[05:10:03]
BY THE TOPIC ACROSS PRECINCTS, THE NEXT COURT AND OCA AFTER THAT REPORT BACK ON THEIR RECOMMENDATION AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DIRECTOR AND INCORPORATING INPUT.DIRECTOR ROBINSON, DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS?
>> YOU SOUND KIND OF FAR AWAY, COME AGAIN?
>> A POINT OF CLARIFICATION WITH THE SEARCH TO THE DIRECTOR, I THINK JUST IN TERMS OF GIVING DIRECTION TO MY OFFICER REGARDING THAT PROCESS IS THE RECOMMENDATION THAT A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BARRY IS SELECTING THAT PERSON IN ADDITION TO FACILITATING THE SEARCH.
I JUST NEED TO GIVE DIRECTION TO MY STAFF IN TERMS OF THE WORK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.
>> MY VISION AS THEY HAVE THE OCA LEAD THE SEARCH.
I DON'T HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW THE LEADER SHOULD DESELECT DID.
SOLELY THAT TO A SIMPLE SELECTION COMMITTEE OF SOME SORT.
>> LEAD THE SEARCH IN COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
ULTIMATELY, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IT IS YOUR DEPARTMENT.
I DON'T SEE ANOTHER DIRECTOR THEY ARE SEEING SOME MICROMANAGING HOW THEY HAVE THEIR EMPLOYEES.
>> IF THEY WANT TO MAKE IT AN INDEPENDENT ENTITY, THAT WILL BE SEPARATE, AS LONG AS IT NOT DEPARTMENT.
>> I VIEW THIS REQUEST FOR THE POSITION AND THAT FOR NOW, AND THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE AND REPORTS TO DIRECTOR ROBINSON, IT WOULD NEED TO BE SOMEONE SHE IS CONFIDENT CAN DO THE JOB.
THAT IS THE WAY I WOULD INTERPRET IT.
FOR OCA TO COME UP WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN INCENTIVE PROGRAM WITHIN 60 DAYS FOR THE ANIMAL CONTROL EMPLOYEES, IN COLLABORATION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON MAKING THE FINAL SELECTION.
IS THAT COOL? ARIK, DOES THAT WORK DIRECTOR ROBINSON? IS THERE A MOTION? THE ALREADY PLANNED COMMUNITY MEETINGS HOSTED BY HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH ON THIS TAKE ACROSS PRECINCTS, THAT PCM PRESENT ON THE RELEVANT RECOMMENDATION OF THE X CORPS AND OCA REPORT BACK AFTER SPEAKING TO THE DIRECTOR OR RECORDING PFM'S INPUT.
IS THERE MOTION? >> YOU'VE GOT YOURS, RIGHT?
>> GARCIA, BREANNA SPECK ALL IN FAVOR?
TRAN04. >> AND HE OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
319, DIRECTOR KOSTIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE.
>> YES. YOU HAVE A PRESENTATION ON YOUR 90 DAY REVIEW PLAN?
>> YES, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY.
A MORE COMPLETE, FULLER PRODUCT REPORT IS THE BACKUP WITH RCA BUT I WANTED TO HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS TODAY, SO THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE.
TIFFANY, CAN YOU GET TO THE NEXT SLIDE? SIGNIFICANT, EXTRAORDINARY GROWTH HAS HAPPENED WITH CSD SENSE HURRICANE HARVEY DOLLARS WERE INVESTED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
EXPERIENCING SIGNIFICANT GROWING PAINS.
ON PAGE 3, SLIDE THREE, YOU WILL SEE IN THE TOP RIGHT CORNER, THOSE FIGURES ARE WHAT HIDE REPORTS THAT WE HAVE ACCESSIBLE TO US.
SO, IN 2017, WE HAD ALMOST 77 MILLION BUT IN 2018, JUST ONE YEAR LATER THAT BELONG TO $1 BILLION.
[05:15:05]
WE CREATED MANY PROGRAMS INCLUDING SOME WHERE FIRST TIME, THE BUYOUT PROGRAM IN THE NATION AND WE ARE STILL WORKING THROUGH THAT BUT THERE IS NO.NUMBER FOUR, SHOWS THE MAIN CATEGORIES IN WHICH I WAS LOOKING AT THE TEAM OVER THE FIRST 90 DAYS, THE STRUCTURE AND CULTURE, THE PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY ARE MOSTLY AROUND DISASTER RECOVERY OUR COMMUNITY.
AND AS WE ARE LOOKING AT OPERATIONS, WHAT MAKES SENSE, WHERE WE MAKING THE GREATEST IMPACTS AND WHERE CAN WE IMPROVE? SLIDE FIVE, WE START WITH THE PEOPLE.
IF THERE'S ONE WORD WE CAN DESCRIBE HOW WE'VE BEEN OPERATING, I WOULD SAY IT REACTIONARY.
WITH GROWTH AND ADDING NEW DIVISIONS AND ACTIVITIES, THE ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE OF OUR NORMAL TYPE OF WORK THAT REALLY CREATED A LOT OF STRAIN AND STRESS.
OUR LAST SEVEN YEARS, WE HAVE HAD FIVE DIFFERENT DIRECTORS.
WITH THAT, COMES CHANGES AND MODIFICATIONS AS EACH DIRECTOR BRINGS HIS OR HER OWN WAY OF MANAGING.
THEY HAVE HAD TO CHANGE CONSTANTLY.
INFORMATION FLOWS RESTRICTIVE, THEY WERE SILENT AND OVERLAPPED AND INEFFICIENCIES OF ROSE AND OF COURSE, WITH THE HIGH DEMANDS, WE HAVE PERFORMANCE AND MORALE CHALLENGES.
THE WAYS OUR DEPARTMENT HAVE MEASURED SUCCESS HAVE ALSO OPERATED VERY INDEPENDENTLY.
THEM STRUGGLED WITH GATHERING INFORMATION CLEARLY AT THE SPEED IN WHICH THINGS NEEDED TO MOVE.
DECISIONS AND CLARITY ABOUT LINEMEN AND DIRECTION HAVE NOT BEEN CLEAR.
SO, SOME OF THAT HAS HAMPERED OUR ABILITY TO MOVE QUICKLY AND ON THE NATURE OF OUR WORK, OVERSEEING GRANT COMPLAINTS, HUD COMPLIANCE, AND IS NOW WORKING WITH DEVELOPERS AND MOVING ON THE HOUSING INDUSTRY, SO HOW DO WE WORK WITH OUR NEW STAKEHOLDERS DO IT IN TANDEM VERSUS IN CONFLICT? LEADING INTO SEVENTH, ABOUT OUR STAKEHOLDERS.
OUR COMMUNICATION WITH THEM HAVE BEEN RESTRICTIVE AND REACTIONARY, SO OUR THIRD PARTIES, BENEFICIARIES HAVE BEEN FRUSTRATED AS THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND FULLY THE COUNTY PROCESSES, THE HUD OBLIGATIONS, AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN THINK AS MUCH AS WE NEED TO BE.
MOSTLY, OUR COMPANY CAR INDIVIDUAL HOMEOWNERS.
THEY ARE THE MOST VULNERABLE AND CHALLENGED IN THE WAYS WE HAVE BEEN OPERATING. SLIDE EIGHT.
AS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH THESE TACTICS, WE HAVE BEEN ASKING OURSELVES, WHAT SHOULD WE DO, WHAT SHOULD WE NOT DO? HOW DO WE NOT PREPARE FOR MAKING THIS SMOOTHER AND MORE EFFECTIVE? IN THE NEXT 90 DAYS, WE CAN ACTUALLY JUMP ON THE 10TH.
THESE ARE THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON AND WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON OVER THE NEXT 90 DAYS.
RESETTING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE.
SO, IN THE REPORT AND IN THE SLIDE THERE, YOU WILL SEE ONE OF THE OBJECT OF MY FIRST 90 DAYS WAS TO IMPROVE THE LINE OF COMMUNICATION.
>> WHO IS IN CHARGE OF THE SLIDES?
ACTUALLY, SORRY, I'M KIND OF JUMPING A LITTLE BIT.
RESETTING THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE IS ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE HAVE PUT IN PLACE.
[05:20:06]
CLEARLY, UNDERSTANDING WHO THESE STAKEHOLDERS OR THE RESPONSIBLE PARTIES ARE AND HOW DO WE MOVE TOWARDS THE FINISH LINE? WE KNOW AND A YEAR AND A HALF, WE HAVE A VERY HARD FINISH LINE WITH THE DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDING AND ACTIVITIES.SO, RAMPING UP CAPACITY, WHERE WE ARE CLOSING DOWN PROGRAMS, WE WANT TO DO THAT SUCCESSFULLY, SO SOME OF OUR TEAM MEMBERS HAVE SHIFTED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN WITHIN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS.
HIRING A NEW MANAGER FOR OUR NEW CONSTRUCTION.
THAT PROJECT HAD NOT REALLY GOTTEN LAUNCHED.
SO, IN JANUARY WAS WHEN WE PUT SOMEONE IN PLACE AND THAT IS IN MOTION RIGHT NOW.
EEO IS A BIG PARTNER AND WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW AND TRYING TO IMPROVE OUR PROCESS WITH MULTIFAMILY HOUSING AND WITH OUR PROJECT. SLIDE NUMBER 11 SHOWS YOU THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AS IT WAS WHEN I STEPPED IN IN JANUARY.
SO, WE HAD FIVE CHIEFS, AND THE ACTIVITIES THEY HAD WERE ALWAYS DISTINCT AND VARIED BUT YET, EACH OF THOSE DIVISION HEADS DID NOT HAVE THE ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS QUICKLY ON THEIR OWN.
SLIDE 12 WILL SHOW YOU, I'VE FLATTENED IT OUT.
THEY HAVE THREE DIFFERENT TEAMS WORKING WITH DIFFERENT PARTS OF SINGLE-FAMILY.
WE PUT IT TOGETHER IN OTHER AREAS, WE HAVE DONE THE SAME.
THIS IS NOT PERMANENT, WE WANT TO BE NIMBLE, WE WANT TO CLARIFY AND KEEP TRACK OF OUR PROGRESS, BUT RIGHT NOW, IT IS BRINGING THE ATTENTION ALTOGETHER AND ENCOURAGING THEM TO ELEVATE CHALLENGES. SLIDE 13.
SO, ON THE PROGRAMS, FOCUSING ON DATA, DATA, DATA.
SO WE CAN HAVE CLEAR PROBLEM-SOLVING AND ACTION PLAN CAPABILITY.
DOING IT IN A TIMELY MANNER, CONTRIBUTING TO A MORE CONSISTENT TOOL, AND AGAIN, EACH OF US, WHETHER IT'S COMMISSIONERS OR ME OR OCA, OTHER TEAM MEMBERS CAN BE LOOKING AT THESE DATA POINTS QUICKLY AND EASILY.
CLARIFYING COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS, NOT OVERWORKING OUR RISK AVERSE NEST, BEING GOOD STEWARDS AND FIDUCIARY AGENTS BY MOVING QUICKLY.
JUST LAST WEEK, WE MET WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, ALL THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT HEADS, SO WE CAN ALL BE PREPARED TO MOVE AT THE PACE WE NEED TO.
SO THERE IS A LOT OF ACTIVITY THAT IS GOING TO BE HAPPENING.
STAKEHOLDERS, FOSTERING OPENING COMMUNICATION.
BECAUSE ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM MEMBERS, WITH THE GEO LOW, WITH PARTNERS IN DELIVERING THE PRODUCT, THE HOUSING PRODUCTS, THE SERVICES, AS WELL, OF COURSE, WORKING WITH OUR RESIDENTS.
WE ARE STAYING IN TUNE AND WORKING TO BUILD AND FIND THE RIGHT PARTNERS TO HELP US HOLD OUR HANDS.
THIS IS THE WORK THAT IS GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE DONE AS WE LAYER ON THE BIG LIST WE NEED TO TAKE PLACE OVER THE NEXT YEAR AND A HALF.
STRATEGY, IT IS ASKING ABOUT OURSELVES.
OUR TEAM ALREADY STARTED THESE QUESTIONS AND WE WILL BE DIGGING INTO IT IN THE BEGINNING OF MAY, EXACTLY WHERE SHOULD WE GO, WHAT SHOULD WE BE DOING, WHAT SHOULD WE STOP DOING, HOW DO WE PREPARE OURSELVES FOR THE FUTURE AND DISASTERS IN HOUSING DEVELOPMENT.
[05:25:06]
WE CAN GO AHEAD AND SKIP TO SLIDE 17.THESE ARE THE FIVE KEY PRINCIPLES FOR US TO STAY ON TARGET AS WE MOVE FORWARD TO BUILD A BETTER FUNCTIONING MOVING AND EFFECTIVE CSD.
IT IS ABOUT MEASURING PROGRESS, INFORMATION AND PROCESS FLOW ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS.
IMPROVING CUSTOMER SERVICE AND BEING GOOD STEWARDS OF THE RESOURCES AND STEWARDS OF OUR PEOPLE ALIGNING WITH YOU AND ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY AND VISION AND STRATEGIES, SO WE CAN SUPPORT IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY AND ENSURING OUR TEAM, OUR CULTURE IS A HIGH FUNCTIONING ONE.
INSTEAD OF THE CHALLENGED ONE WE HAVE, STILL, THAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH.
SO, THOSE ARE THE MAIN ASPECTS.
I HAVE ALSO IN THE APPENDIX THERE, SOME INFORMATION ABOUT THE BUYOUTS. WE HAD QUITE A FEW PEOPLE TRYING TO EXPRESS THEIR CONCERNS.
WE ARE WORKING ACTIVELY TO HELP THEM BE HEARD TO UNDERSTAND BETTER THE COMPLEXITIES WE HAVE AVAILABLE THE HANDS AND EYES, TO SUPPORT THEM INDIVIDUALLY.
THEY KNOW YOU AND YOUR OFFICE PEOPLE IN ELEVATED POSITIONS ARE INVOLVED IN SUPPORTING THEM AND FINALLY, IT'S THE FINANCIAL DIFFERENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T QUALIFY FOR THE DISASTER RECOVERY FUNDS. THE PROPOSAL FOR YOU TO CONSIDER SOMETHING WE CAN
REVISIT. >> THAT CONCLUDES YOUR PRESENTATION. THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THIS AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK INTO THE DEVELOPMENT AND ULTIMATELY EXECUTED.
ONE THING I DO SEE AS MISSING AND IT IS TO REVISIT, I AM SURE YOUR DEPARTMENT HAS A VISION, MISSION STATEMENT, BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE A REVISIT OF IT.
AND ALL THAT IS IN YOUR PRESENTATION HAS GREAT PIECES TO IT BUT I THINK WHAT GIVES GREAT CLARITY TO YOUR TEAM IN THE DIRECTION THAT WE NEED TO MOVE IN.
BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR QUICK WORK ON THIS AND WE SHOULD'VE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO, BUT I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU JUMPING ON AS FAST AS YOU HAVE.
THUS FAR, INTO YOUR WORK, IS THERE ANYTHING THIS BODY CAN HELP YOU TO FURTHER THAT ALONG? &%C1
>>> I WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
IN THE SHAPING OF THE DEPARTMENT, WE WILL BE EVOLVING . I TOLD MY TEAM THAT .
I AM SURE THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL NEEDS OR DIFFERENT TYPES OF RULES.
THAT MAY BE WILL BE SOMETHING I WOULD COME BACK TO YOU FOR.
IT IS AN EXTRAORDINARY SITUATION FOR INSTANCE WITH THE BUYOUT PROGRAM. WE MAY NEED YOUR SUPPORT AS
WELL. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.
I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW HOW THINGS ARE GOING WITH THE HOUSING AUTHORITY. YOU ARE PUTTING A LOT OF MONEY OVER THERE AS WELL AND WE HAVE DEADLINES TO MEET.
THAT HAS GONE UP CONSIDERABLY WITH THE INFLUX OF MONEY.
[05:30:05]
IS GOING.WE HAVE BECOME ALIGNED IN PROJECTS AND MOVEMENT.
WE ARE EXPECTING TO CLOSE OUT THREE OF THE SIX PROJECTS SOON.
WE ARE WORKING ACTIVELY ON OVERCOMING SOME OF THE COMPLIANCE CHALLENGES.
COMPLIANCE IS AN ITEM THAT THE TEAM IS STAYING ON TOP OF.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE ARE HERE TO HELP.
THE WAY I SEE IT, YOUR TEAM IS FUNDAMENTALLY CRITICAL.
IT IS A VAST AMOUNT OF FUNDING FROM FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT.
WE RECOGNIZE HOW STRINGENT AND AGGRESSIVE IT IS AND HOW IT IS CONSTANTLY EVOLVING AND THE NEED TO PIVOT. IT IS IN TERMS OF MISSION AND VISION IF THE COURT COULD PROVIDE ADDITIONAL HELP WITH RESOURCES, PLEASE, ESPECIALLY GIVEN HOW AGGRESSIVE THE TIMELINES ARE , WE ARE HERE AS A PARTNER. PLEASE KEEP THIS CONVERSATION GOING . WE VERY MUCH APPRECIATE
THE WORK. >> YOUR DEPTH OF STUDY IS GREAT . THE BREATH OF STUDY IS GREAT.
I WILL GIVE YOU THAT GENERAL POSITIVE FEEDBACK. THANK YOU FOR HOW YOU INTERACT WITH OUR FOLKS. WE ARE HONESTLY NOT USED TO THAT. THAT IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED.
A COUPLE OF COMMENTS AND I THINK THREE OF US IN A ROW MENTIONED DEADLINES AND TIMELINES. THE PROBABLY OUT OF BE SOME ELEMENT SCHEDULE SOME ELEMENT DEADLINES. SOME ELEMENT IN THEIR THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS WE ARE OPERATING UNDER A TIMELINE.
SOMETHING RELATED TO THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AS EVERYONE ON THE TEAM RESPONDS AND YOU HAVE THE WORD EXECUTE WITH SPEED.
BY THE TIME YOU GET IT IS URGENT . THAT IS NOT YOUR FAULT, YOU JUST INHERIT THINGS WITH A TIMELINE .
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE THUS FAR.
>> I WON'T REPEAT WHAT THEY SAID BUT I WILL ASK IF YOU CAN TELL ME WHEN YOU CAN BRING A MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS ON THE BUYOUT PROGRAM.
IT IS A GOOD HIGH-LEVEL OVERVIEW. THE TEAM IS PLEASED WITH THE PROGRESS YOU ARE MAKING.
IT HAS BEEN GOING ON LONG SINCE YOU TOOK THE REINS. FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF AFFECTED COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IT IS MUCH TOO LATE.
I WANT TO SEE THAT TROUBLESHOOTING DETAIL QUITE SOON. WHEN YOU THINK WE CAN HAVE A MORE THOROUGH UPDATE?
>> I HOPE TO HAVE A MORE CLEAR UNDERSTANDING TOWARD THE END OF THE MONTH AS WE LOOK TO UNDERSTAND HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED AND WOULD BENEFIT FROM SAFE VERSUS NOT. I WOULD SAY IN
ABOUT 30 DAYS. >> LET'S SAY THE COURT IN MAY AND THEN AT THAT POINT, I SEE DATES LIKE YOU ARE PROVIDING ADDITIONAL FUNDING. WE NEED TO MAKE THEM WHOLE.
THAT JUST MEANS THAT WE HAVE TO CHART AS WELL AS CAN POSSIBLY BE DONE. I WOULD ASK THAT YOU COME BACK.
>> SOMETHING JUST OCCURRED TO ME, IF YOU COULD IN DISASTER RECOVERY SCOPE OF THIS , PLEASE GIVE THOUGHT TO THOSE AREAS OF THE APPLICATION AND QUALIFICATION ARE THINGS LIKE PROOF FOR SUBMISSION OF INCOME TAX RETURNS.
THIS IS SOME OF THE BUREAUCRACY THAT IS REQUIRED BY HUD , WHENEVER FAMILIES ARE APPLYING
[05:35:03]
FOR DISASTER RECOVERY.UNDERSTANDING THE REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS THAT PEOPLE GO THROUGH , SOMETIMES THEY DON'T KNOW . THEY LOSE THE RECEIPTS.
UNDERSTANDING THOSE THINGS AND HAVING A STRATEGY.
I REMEMBER EARLY ON WHEN I WAS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE WERE NOT FURTHER ALONG ON HAVING APPLICATIONS READY .
THE ONE THING I HEARD WAS PEOPLE HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE APPLICATIONS.
THEY HAVEN'T GIVEN I THINK IT WAS TAX RETURNS WERE PROOF OF INCOME OR WHATEVER IT WAS.
WE SIT BACK WAITING FOR IN MANY CASES, FAMILIES THAT DON'T KNOW WHERE TO START THE PROCESS.
THEY ARE TRAUMATIZED AND LOST THEIR HOME. THEY ARE STRUGGLING.
PLEASE GIVE THOSE ISSUES SOME ATTENTION TO STRATEGIES THAT CAN ALLOW US TO HELP THEM THROUGH IT VERSUS TELLING THEM WE HAVEN'T DONE ANYTHING BECAUSE WE ARE WAITING ON YOU.
FOR FAMILIES THAT HAVE GONE THROUGH A HURRICANE OR OTHER DISASTER, IN MANY CASES THAT IS A HEAVY LIFT.
JUST GIVE THOUGHT TO THOSE DETAILS THAT DELAY IN SLOW DOWN APPLICATIONS AND AS A RESULT
THE RECOVERY. >> I DEFINITELY WELL.
I WILL LOOK INTO IT AND TALK TO MY TEAM ABOUT IT.
[Emergency/Supplemental items]
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY LIKE THIS ONE. IT IS THE COUNTY GOAL AREACOMMITTEES. >> PUT IT ON THE AGENDA.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME OR AT LEAST ASK QUESTIONS.
THE MOTION WOULD BE , I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FOR THE CREATION OF THE AREA COMMITTEES AND LAUNCH THE DEPARTMENT PROGRESS MEETINGS. THEN WE TRIED TO ADDRESS STAFF LEVEL CONCERNS THAT CAME UP .
THERE WAS ONE ON HOW FREQUENTLY THEY SHOULD MEET. THEY OUGHT TO FIGURE THAT OUT HOW TO MICROMANAGE FOR THEM.
IF THEY DECIDE TO MEET QUARTERLY OR WANT TO MEET TWICE PER YEAR, THAT IS FINE.
>> MY CONCERN WOULD BE THE SCOPE OF WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOLKS TO DO. IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING THAT WE CREATED THE MITT ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE TO DO.
WE ARE NOW PARTICIPATING WITH SIGNIFICANT STAFF INVOLVEMENT TO DO THE JOB OF THE ADMINISTRATOR. UNDER THE OLD SYSTEM, WE HAD DEPARTMENTS THAT REPORTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND WE INTERACTED PRETTY FREELY WITH THOSE DEPARTMENTS, IN TERMS OF GETTING INFORMATION. I THINK THIS IS IN FACT DEFINES MY --. USING WORDS LIKE WE HAVE 26 PRIORITIES AND HAVING RUN A BUSINESS FOR 45 YEARS, IF YOU HAVE 26 PRIORITIES, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY PRIORITIES.
WHEN WE ARE COMMUNICATING WITH DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE THE 26 PRIORITIES AND VAGUE GOALS AND WE ARE GOING TO MEET WITH YOU AND HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE, IT CREATES CONFUSION.
I AM CONCERNED , FROM A PRECINCT STANDPOINT. I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE AMOUNT OF TIME MY PEOPLE WILL HAVE TO SPEND , INVOLVED WITH MEETINGS THAT I THOUGHT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS SUPPOSED TO BE DEALING WITH. I HAVE VERY CLEAR CONCERNS FOR
GOOD REASON. >> WAS HE ASKING ME? SINCE I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, I
DON'T KNOW. >> I WAS COMMENTING ON WHY I
[05:40:03]
WOULD PROBABLY NOT SUPPORT IT.>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DITTO TO YOUR REMARKS.
I'M ONLY SECONDING THIS ITEM BECAUSE OF THE CONVERSATION I HAD WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, MY CHIEF OF STAFF, AND EARFUL ON THIS. THIS IS EXACTLY WHY WE CREATED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS --I HAD FORGOTTEN THAT WE PASSED THESE 26 GOALS.
ON SEPTEMBER 15, COMMISSIONERS COURT ADOPTED THE HARRIS COUNTY VISION GOAL AND ASSOCIATED GOAL STATEMENTS.
AS A FIRST STEP IN CLARIFYING PRIORITIES A LYMAN COUNTY EFFORT FOR COMMON GOALS AND SETTING THE STAGE FOR FUTURE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT.
I DO NOT LIKE THAT WE ARE GOING TO PUT DEPARTMENT RECORDS THROUGH MORE MEETINGS.
I DO NOT LIKE THAT THE REPORTS THAT DIRECTORS ARE REQUIRED TO GENERATE THAT THIS BODY HAS NOT SEEN. I DO NOT LIKE THAT WE HAVE ISSUES PERCOLATING TO THIS BODY LIKE WE HAVE WITH ANIMAL CONTROL. THEN WITHOUT THOSE COMING FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS ROLE.
THERE IS A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT I DO NOT LIKE.
I WAS INCLINED TO VOTE AGAINST THIS UNTIL I SPOKE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES. I'M GOING TO GIVE THIS PROCESS SOME OPPORTUNITY AND HAVE A HIGH DEGREE OF EXPECTATION.
I WANT TO SEE THIS GOVERNMENT BE PERFORMANCE DRIVEN , ACTION ORIENTED, AND PROVIDE LEADERSHIP THAT BRINGS THE DIRECTORS TOGETHER AND UNIFIES EVERYONE IN A DIRECTION AND UNDERSTAND WHAT THE GOALS ARE .
WE TRY TO BE , I THINK WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR, IN TERMS OF OUR VISION AND DIRECTION AS THE COURT.
WE HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ON SETTING VALUES FOR THE COURT.
IT IS VERY APPARENT THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH THIS. VERSUS TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THAT, I WILL SUBMIT MY STAFF TO ROLLING SLEEVES UP AND BRING DEPARTMENTS TOGETHER AND WORKING TO SUPPORT THEM AND HELP THEM GET THE RESOURCES AND DIRECTION.
I DO NOT WANT THEM TO BE OVERBURDENED. MY AMENDMENT WILL BE THAT UNDER STRUCTURE B, NOT MORE VERSUS AT LEAST QUARTERLY BUT NOT MORE THAN QUARTERLY MEETINGS SO THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING MORE MEETINGS ON TOP OF MEETINGS.
I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE ALREADY MEETINGS WITH THE DIRECTOR.
NOT SUBJECTING THEM TO MORE MEETINGS. ANYTHING TO NOT SO MUCH UNDERSTAND BECAUSE I'M ON THE PHONE WITH THEM , BUT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ROLE OF THE ADMINISTRATOR AND WHAT IS NOT FUNCTIONING. I WOULD ASK YOU TO SUPPORT IT FROM THE PERSPECTIVE THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING
[05:45:05]
THAT I'M ANXIOUS TO DO.I THINK IT IS CRITICAL FOR US.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I AM SORRY , BEEN ELLIS.
>> I ENTHUSIASTICALLY SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S MOTION.
WE ARE ALL ACCOUNTABLE TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.
WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE AS TO WHAT WE ARE DOING AND INFRASTRUCTURE , PUBLIC HEALTH AND FLOOD MITIGATION. ID THE RESPECT THE THREE MONTHS THAT I HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MR. BARRY AND THE TEAM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, ALL TEAMS NEED TO BE ABREAST OF THESE KEY AREAS OF FOCUS.
IT SEEMS THAT SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE HELD TO ACCOUNT AT DIFFERENT LEVELS.
ALSO WE KEEP THROWING MORE AT DEPARTMENTS. WE DON'T SEE THE TOTALITY.
WE NEED CLARITY ON WHAT ARE THE KEY GOALS AND WHAT ARE THE KEY PRIORITIES. LET'S DO A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS IF WE ARE GOING TO ADD A NEW PRIORITY. HOW ARE REMEASURING.
I HEAR WE ASKED FOR THIS TWO YEARS AGO NOTHING HAPPENED, FOR SOMEONE THAT LOVES TO LEAD AND MANAGE, THAT IS NOT OKAY.
I WANT PEOPLE TO RAISE THE FLAG AND SAY THIS IS BROKEN.
IN ORDER FOR US TO POISED DEPARTMENTS WERE SUCCESS, WE NEED INSIGHT AND I PREFER DIRECT INSIGHT. I AM WITH YOU IN TERMS OF I DO NOT WANT TO CREATE ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN FOR THE TEAMS. I KNOW HOW HARD THEY WORK AND HOW UNDER RESOURCED THEY ARE.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE DEPARTMENTS ALREADY GIVE QUARTERLY UPDATE. IT WOULD BE OUR TEAM SITTING IN ON SOMETHING THAT IS HAPPENING AND CREATING GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR ALL OF US.
AT THE END OF THE DAY PEOPLE NEED TO HOLD US ACCOUNTABLE.
IT IS HARD TO DRIVE THAT SOME OF THE OUTCOMES. WE ARE CONSTANTLY REPRIORITIZING.
I THINK IT WOULD HELP CREATE CLARITY AND ALIGNMENT ON WHAT THE KEY PRIORITIES ARE AND WHAT THE KEY OUTCOMES ARE.
>> ASIDE FROM SECONDING THE MOTION , I WOULD DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATOR THE REPORTS THAT YOU REQUIRE FROM THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS THAT HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO YOU IN THE PAST YEAR. IN YOUR CORRECTIVE ACTIONS OR ACTIONS TAKEN
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN ELLIS .
>> AS WE MOVE TO PERFORMANCE BASED BUDGETING , WHAT IS THE PERFORMANCE WE EXPECT.
IT WILL CREATE ALIGNMENT THAT WILL HELP US BETTER DELIVER.
ELLIS. >> A COUPLE OF REACTIONS.
I HOPE WE WILL AGREE TO TRY IT OUT. WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE, MY COLLEAGUES WOULD TELL ME , THIS IS A SHADOW GOVERNMENT.
THEY WOULD TELL ME , YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND. IT IS NOT LIKE THE LEGISLATURE.
AND STILL OPERATING LIKE A LEGISLATURE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH.
OBVIOUSLY STARTED ON THE EAST COAST.
THEY ARE AN EXTENSION OF THE STATE. THEY ARE COUNTY LEGISLATORS.
HE RETIRED . I TOLD HIM I WAS PUTTING TOGETHER POLICY STAND.
HE SAID WHY DO YOU NEED POLICY STAFF? I SAID I'M NOT JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET A ROAD FROM HERE TO THERE, I WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT PEOPLE ON THE ROAD TO A BETTER FUTURE.
COUNTY GOVERNMENTS DO NOT MEET THAT OFTEN. IT IS A LONG DAY.
IN LOS ANGELES, I DON'T WANT IT.
I WOULD ALWAYS TALK ABOUT THE BIANNUAL SESSION. UNTIL THEY STARTED HAVING
[05:50:06]
SPECIAL SESSIONS. ALL OF US HAVE POLICY DEPARTMENTS NOW. THIS COUNTY AGREED TO HAVE ACCOUNTING MANAGER. NOW SOMEBODY WAS ACTING AS A COUNTY MANAGER BUT WOULD NOT ADMIT IT.THEY WERE FAR FROM SHADOW GOVERNMENT. SOMEBODY KNEW WHAT WAS GOING ON.
THIS IS COMING FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE.
THE FACT THAT WE HAVE GOALS AND PRIORITIES, I HAVE 2021 AND YOU HAD 2020. WHEN WE VOTED, I MEANT IT.
I AM FINDING A LOT OF THINGS I DO, I FORGET. UNLIKE THE WAY IT WORKED IN THE LEGISLATURE, THE GROUPS COME UP AND GRAB EVERYTHING YOU SAY AND THERE WOULD BE MORE PRESTON IT WOULD COME BACK AND BITE YOU.
LIKE A RECOMMENDATION FROM PFM.
HOW ABOUT ALL OF THOSE OTHERS? ONE OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS WAS THAT WE HAVE A COUNTY MANAGER SYSTEM. ONE WAS TO SAVE MONEY.
WHAT PROMPTED ME TO PUT THIS BACK ON THE AGENDA WAS WHEN WE WERE HAVING THE DISCUSSION , LAST TIME .
HERE WE ARE, APPROACHING A DEADLINE FROM -- THE DEPARTMENTS WERE OPERATING AND TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO.
THEY WERE DOING THE BEST THEY COULD.
SPRING IT ON US ON WEDNESDAY OR THURSDAY AND PEOPLE ARE SCRAMBLING. SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT REALLY DO IMPORTANT WORK. I DON'T THINK TO CALL THEM AND SAY, WHAT DO YOU DO WHEN SOMETHING IS IN THE PRESS OR SOMEONE CALLS ? IT IS JUST TOO BIG TO DO IT.
WE ALL WANT LIFE THE AUNT JUST WHAT WE DO IS COUNTY LEGISLATORS HERE.
THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO HAVE STAFF TO HELP US.
I WAS TOLD THAT MOST DEPARTMENTS THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD IDEA SO THEY DON'T PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA AND WE ARE UPSET BECAUSE MAYBE THEY SAID SOMETHING TO US OR SOMEBODY ON THE TEAM.
MAYBE THEY THOUGHT IT TRANSLATED BUT IT DIDN'T.
ANYBODY THAN PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA.
I DON'T WANT TO MICROMANAGE WHAT YOU CONSIDER. IF THE STAFF DOESN'T WANT TO GO THEN DON'T GO.
THEY WERE MAKING POLICY ON A DE FACTO BASIS.
>> TAKING YOUR POINT. I AM HAPPY TO MAKE THE SECOND
IF YOU NEED ONE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I AM SUPPORTING THIS BECAUSE I SOMETIMES FEEL THE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE HAS BECOME -- I WANT MORE TRANSPARENCY TO THE PROCESS.
TO THE POINT, IT WILL ALLOW ME TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING FROM THE DIRECTORS ADVISOR.
WHAT THEY ARE STRUGGLING WITH AND WHAT THEY NEED AND HOW MUCH
MORE. >> YOU HAD AN ADDITIONAL POINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> BASED ON YOUR DESCRIPTION , I WILL SUPPORT IT.
ALSO BECAUSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS CONVINCED ME THAT WE ARE MAKING
I DON'T WANT POLICY BEING MADE OUTSIDE. THERE MIGHT BE REASONS FOR US TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT .
[05:55:03]
FOR THOSE REASONS, I WILL BE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING HOW WE CAN MAKE THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR , EVEN THOUGH CLEARLY I HAVE NOT SUPPORTED.HOW WE CAN MAKE THAT AT LEAST BARE MINIMUM THAT ANY POLICY GOING FORWARD IS FROM THIS ROOM.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I'M ASKING FOR NO MORE THAN
QUARTERLY. >> THE WAY I LAID IT OUT, THEY WERE MAJORITY VOTE.
IF THEY DECIDE THEY WANT TO MEET BIANNUALLY , THERE COULD BE
SOME CRISIS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE
SCHEDULE. >> YOU WANT TO SEE IT? LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. >> IT WASN'T FRIENDLY ENOUGH.
382. >> JUST AS QUICKLY, GLAD TO HEAR ON THE ELECTIONS.
IT IS OBVIOUS ELECTIONS ARE COMING UP IN MAY. ALL OF US OR AT LEAST A LOT OF FOLKS ARE VERY INVOLVED IN THE ELECTIONS. THERE IS GREAT ENTHUSIASM OUT THERE IN TERMS OF SMALL CITIES AND SCHOOL BOARDS AND A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING ELECTIONS. I WOULD HOPE AT THIS MEETING TOMORROW, AND I THINK WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF YOUR AGENDA AND OBVIOUSLY THIS GROUP CANNOT COMPEL THE SEPARATE BODY TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE AS YOU MEET, PLEASE DIG INTO THE ISSUES WE HAD WITH THE LAST ELECTION IN A NONPARTISAN AND CANDID MANNER.
WHAT WE DO WANT IS WHEN THE ELECTIONS OCCUR, IN MAY, THEN THEY I WILL NOT USE THE WORD FLAWLESS, THEY DO NOT EXPERIENCE OBVIOUS PROBLEMS WE HAVE HAD IN PREVIOUS LOCATIONS, WHETHER IT IS PAPER BALLOT OR SUPPLY OR POLLING LOCATIONS CLOSED OR COMMUNICATIONS GOING ON.
HOPEFULLY YOU WILL GET A GOOD REPORT TOMORROW IN TERMS OF INCH ASSURANCES THAT WHAT WE HAVE COMING UP IN MAY, WE ARE READY TO RUN ELECTIONS AND GET
RESULTS. >> THE AGENDA IS PUBLIC AND IT WAS PUBLISHED ON FRIDAY.
YES WE WILL HAVE THE MEETING TOMORROW.
WE WILL BE MEETING RIGHT HERE. >> WE HAVE NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. WE HAVE A COUPLE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. LET ME GO BACK AND READ THEM. DID WE VOTE ON THE NON-
DISCUSSION ITEMS? >> YOU DID VOTE.
THAT. >> EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS,
[Executive Session]
ITEM 347 IN ITEM 362.WE WILL GO BACK TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEYS. IT IS 5:48 AND WE ARE BREAKING
TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >>
] >> AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE WILL TAKE THE TWO ITEMS IN ORDER. FIRST, ITEM 347 AND WE NEED A MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO TERMINATE THE COUNTIES CONTRACT IN A TIMELINE CONSISTENT WITH HAVING NO PENALTIES DUE TO A THIRD- PARTY LAW FIRM UNDER THE TAX CODE FOR ACCOUNTS DELINQUENT ON THEIR 2020 TO TAXES AND TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT TO ACHIEVE THE ORDERLY TRANSFER OF OPERATIONS OF DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTIONS TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ALSO THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COLLECTOR COME BACK IN THREE WEEKS WITH PROPOSED REGULATIONS TO REMOVE BARRIERS TO PROPERTY OWNERS MAKING TIMELY PAYMENT.
[06:00:01]
ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.WE NEED A MOTION TO ADOPT THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BASED ON THE COMPTROLLER'S DETERMINATION THAT THE COUNTY DEFUNDED AND APPLYING --TO THE BUDGET.
THAT THE COUNTY NONSUIT ITS LAWSUIT AGAINST THE COMPTROLLER AND THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECOND --THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THAT IS IT FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THE COMMISSION IS NOW ADJOURNED.
>>
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.