[00:00:12]
>> IT IS 10:05AM AND WE CALL THIS ORDER.
ONE OF DEBBIE'S HAS BEEN SHOT. THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED ANY MAP HE'S DOING BETTER. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR A SUSPECT.
I DID GO OVER FF AND MET WITH FAMILY LAST NIGHT THEY ARE A RE A WONDERFUL FAMILY. WE WILL KEEP THEM IN OUR PRAYERS. A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE FAMILY. LY.
THANK YOU. >> IF I COULD JUST SAY.
HE DOES HAVE A BROTHER R ALSO SERVING.
WE WANT TO KEEP HIM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
THIS YOUNG MAN IS ONLY BEEN SERVING, FOR JUST OVER A YEAR WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. REMINDING FOLKS, WHAT A DIFFICULT JOB OUR MEN AND WOMEN ON THE STREETS HAVE.
NORMALLY OUR FIRST RESPONDERS GET SENT TO, WHEN THEY ARE IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES, WE HAVE TO VISIT IN THE CIRCUMSTANCES SO WE WANT TO REMEMBER OUR HEALTH SYSTEM AND ALL THE WORK THAT
THEY DO OUT THERE. >> I KNOW ALL OF OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH THE DEPUTY AND HIS FAMILY AND ALL OF OUR OFFICERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THEIR LINE EVERY DAY, THANK YOU.
JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED. WE WILL SEE TO IT.
WILL WE CONTINUE TO BUILD A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN BE SAFE. EVERYBODY.
SO, THANK YOU FOR THE MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> IS A SOBERING MOMENT AS WE REMEMBER HOW IMPORTANT IT IS, WHAT OUR OFFICERS DO AND OBVIOUSLY, OUR PRAYERS REALLY, IT SHOULD RENEW OUR COMMITMENT TO TAKE CARE OF THEM FIRST AND FOREMOST.
>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. I WAS GOING TO GO OVER AND MEET THE FAMILY. I DID MEET HIS BROTHER RIGHT AWAY AND HE SAID HE WASN'T SURE WHICH ONE -- BUT HE COULD SEE, HIS OTHER BROTHER AT LEAST UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT GIVING SOME ADVICE. TO MAKE IT OFFICIAL IT IS 10:08AM, I LIKE TO CALL THE AUGUST 17, 2023 COURT TO ORDER PETE WILL STAND TO THE PLEDGE. THE US AND TEXAS FLAG.
>> I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD INDIVISIBLE WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
UNDER THE TEXAS FLAG I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE
[Appearances before court]
STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.WE WILL TAKE UP ALL SPEAKERS TO ALLOW THEM TO ADDRESS THE COURT AT THIS TIME, TIFFANY, WOULD YOU PLEASE BEGIN CALLING UP THE SPEAKERS?> YES SIR. FIRST IS JACLYN HALEY SPEAKING
IN ITEM 2. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MAY I PLEASE HAVE TWO
MINUTES? >> UNDER OUR RULES, BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP.
IF IT IS SOMETHING YOU WANT TO ADD, YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT IT TO US IN WRITING. THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> THANK YOU. MINIMUS MINISTER JACLYN HALEY MEMBER OF NEW HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH AND ALSO TML.
AND SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE BOND ISSUE.
IN 2018, MY 90-YEAR-OLD MOTHER, HAVING ALZHEIMER'S, HAD A HARD FALL, HIT HER HEAD AND WAS TAKEN TO THE ER.
IT WAS COMPLETELY OVERWHELMED WITH PEOPLE TRYING TO GET HELP FOR EMERGENCY AS WELL AS NONEMERGENCY CONDITIONS.MO
[00:05:06]
MYSELF SUPPORT THE BOND ISSUE BECAUSE IT WILL CREATE A LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER IN THE NORTH PART COUNTY.OUTSIDE THE MEDICAL CENTER. IT WOULD CONVERT THE EXISTING FACILITY INTO AN OUTPATIENT FACILITY AND KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM. LASTLY, IT WOULD BUILD THREE NEW SERVICE CLINICS IN EAST, SOUTHWEST AND NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO
SPEAK. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
>> NEXT IS GARNET COLEMAN, SPEAKING IN ITEM NUMBER TWO.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> TO THE COMMISSIONERS, IT IS A PLEASURE AND AN HONOR TO BE HERE AGAIN THIS WEEK, ON SOMETHING THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THAT IS HARRIS HEALTH AND FORMALLY KNOWN AS HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, THE SERVICE AND CARE PROVIDES TO PEOPLE WHO ARE UNINSURED. I THINK IT'S BEEN SAID, I DON'T REPEAT ALL THAT BUT A THIRD LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER IN THIS AREA IS IMPORTANT AND CLINICS ARE IMPORTANT.
BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN GET CARE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL. THE EXPANSION OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE THROUGH THE CLINICS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN OUR COMMUNITY.
AT LEAST NOT ENOUGH FOR WHAT THE NEED IS.
I'M VERY PROUD TO BE HERE TODAY.
AS A FORMER MEMBER AND RIDER A LOT OF HEALTHCARE, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE AND CLEARLY HOPE YOU PUT IT ALL ON THE BALLOT. THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING. I AM AFFILIATED WITH TMO BUT I COME TO YOU THIS MORNING WITH PERSPECTIVE OF HAVING SPENT OVER 30 YEARS WORKING ON ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE ISSUES IN HARRIS COUNTY. WORKING, I'VE WORKED FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND INDEPENDENT ORGANIZATION. I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION, HARRIS HEALTH IS THE BACKBONE OF OUR MEDICAL SYSTEM.
IT DOES NOT MATTER IF YOU'RE GETTING CARE ONE OF THE OTHER HOSPITALS, WITHOUT HARRIS HEALTH, WITHOUT THE RESOURCES, AND WITHOUT THE OPERATION FULLY AND FUNCTIONALLY, WE ARE ALL IN TROUBLE. THIS BOND ISSUE IS NEEDED TO KEEP US ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF MEDICINE.
>> NEXT, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS IN ITEM NUMBER TWO.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.
CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, ORGANIZATIONS FEED YOUR HOOD.
IT IS SUSTAINABILITY, ENVIRONMENTALLY.
I'VE BEEN A MEMBER SINCE 98. A RESIDENT OF THE NORTH SIDE OF MY ENTIRE LIFE. I THINK THE BOND ISSUE IS A GREAT ISSUE BUT MY CONCERNS ARE THE URGENT NEED FOR HEALTH ASSISTANCE RIGHT NOW. AND LACK OF CONTRACT AND SMALL BUSINESS MINORITY CONTRACTS. I WANT TO KNOW IF WE CAN GET URGENCY ON THE NEEDS THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED NOW.
AND THEN GIVE THE PEOPLE MORE HOPE ON VOTING ON THE BOND BECAUSE THE CITY AND COUNTY BONDS, VOTERS DO NOT GET WHAT THEY WANT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>
I'M THE PRESENT CEO AND EXECUTIVE DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. BAYLOR WAS HARRIS HEALTH FIRST ACADEMIC PARTNER. WE PRIDE PHYSICIANS -- IS FACILITY WITH COMMUNITY CLINICS.
OUR RELATIONSHIP DATES BACK TO 1965 WITH VERY FORMATION OF THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM. OUR ABILITY TO CARE FOR PATIENTS IS UNDER A LOT OF PRESSURE.
WE NEED THIS URGENTLY, THE FACILITIES ARE IN AND ADEQUATE TALKING ABOUT BED NUMBERS, SPACE, LEVEL I TRAUMA, CAPACITY, WE ARE BEHIND.E NEED SOMETHING FOR THE FUTURE.
THIS IS THE INVESTMENT IN FUTURE OF THE COUNTY AND HOUSTON. WE ARE LOOKING TO HAVE DOCTOR -- HE'S GOT DOING A LOT OF PROBLEMS, PANDEMIC, WERE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEM BUT WE NEED MORE.
WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO PASS THIS BOND AND I ASK YOU TO SUPPORT THIS. IT IS CRITICAL FOR THE FUTURE OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND THE WORKFORCE.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
[00:10:04]
>> I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE. >> PREVENTATIVE CARE, OBVIOUSLY KNOW IT HELPS. ENTERS THE FASHIONABLE SHOES AS WELL. [INAUDIBLE]
SO AM I, THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS DOCTOR GIUSEPPE -- SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER TWO. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS GIUSEPPE -- PRESIDENT OF UT HEALTH. I'M HERE TO OFFER THE STRONGEST SUPPORT FOR THIS BOND INITIATIVE.
WE HAVE ABOUT 700 FACULTY AND RESIDENTS AT LBJ.
WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF THE FACILITY AND WHAT WE DO FOR THE COMMUNITY.S YOU KNOW, ONE OF THE KEY MISSIONS FOR ALL OF US, IS TO PROVIDE TEACHING AND EDUCATION FOR OUR WORKFORCE.
CLEARLY, I HOPE YOU KNOW HOW SPECIAL HARRIS HEALTH IS, HOW SPECIAL IS LBJ. AND AS THE DR. JUST MENTIONED, THAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY, TO OFFER TRAINING AND SERVICE TO THIS COMMUNITY. STRONGEST SUPPORT ON BEHALF OF THE 20,000 PEOPLE AT UT HEALTH. WE HERE TO SHOW THE OFFERING FOR HEALTHCARE IN THE COMMUNITY.
>> NEXT IS WILLIAM -- ITEM NUMBER TWO, YOU HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER.
IT IS HARD TO ENCAPSULATE, HOW DO YOU TALK ABOUT HARRIS HEALTH? IS THE CORNERSTONE OF WHAT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER IS. WE ARE ALSO PART OF THE LARGEST MEDICAL CITY IN THE WORLD. WHAT'S REALLY AT THE NERVE CENTER OF THIS GREAT COUNTY, IS HARRIS HEALTH AND WE SAW THIS IN COVID, WAS SORT OVERWHELMED FACILITIES LEAKING AND FALLING APART AT A TIME WHEN PEOPLE NEEDED US TO FOCUS ON CARE.
THIS BOND REFERENDUM IS SO IMPORTANT TO US.
I THINK IT WILL SET THE TONE FOR OUR HEALTHCARE SYSTEM FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> NEXT IS BETH ROBERTSON, ITEM NUMBER TWO.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK TO YOU. I AM HERE AS A CITIZEN OF HARRIS COUNTY. HAVING SERVED 35 YEARS FOCUSING ON COMMUNITY HEALTH. I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE WILL BE VOTING ON.
REALLY, THE CARE THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN UP TO DATE HAS BEEN WONDERFUL. BUT THEY NEED TO DO MORE CARE AND THEY NEED TO DO IT, THE FACILITIES THAT THEY ARE IN RIGHT NOW, REALLY ARE IN DESPERATE NEED OF UPGRADE.
AS A COMMUNITY PERSON, I'M GOING TO HELPING THEM RAISE MONIES AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FOR YOU GUYS TO REALLY HELP VOTE FOR THIS, SO THAT WE CAN GET THIS STARTED.
THIS IS SO IMPORTANT FOR OUR COMMUNITY.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> NEXT IS MARY COOK, ITEM NUMBER TWO, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARY COOK, MIKE FAITH COMMUNITIES FIRST UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST A MEMBER OF TML. ONE THING TO SAY THIS MORNING, THAT IS, WE NEED TO PROTECT, SUPPORT AND INVEST IN HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. IT IS A JEWEL FOR OUR COMMUNITY. THE DRAMATICALLY INJURED HEALTHCARE STUDENTS, THE UNDERINSURED, THE UNINSURED, THE UNDOCUMENTED CITIZENS AND NONCITIZENS IN A WAR, ALL OF US. FOR 10 YEARS, A LONG TIME AGO, THAT I WAS TO GO TO YOUR LIFE -- ACUTE LONG-TERM HOSPITAL WITHIN THE MED CENTER. I SAW FIRSTHAND, THE MIRACLES THAT -- PROVIDED. MY LAST POSITION WAS WITH HGAC WORKING WITH NURSES AND HOSPITALS INCREASING THE NUMBER OF NURSES IN THE REGION. WE CAN'T UNDERESTIMATE BECAUSE
>> NOT LIKELY TO HAPPEN ANYTIME SOON.
WE APPLAUD THIS BOND ELECTION. THIS BOND ALLOWS HARRIS COUNTY TO TAKE CHARGE OF THE HEALTHCARE NEEDS OF ITS
[00:15:03]
RESIDENTS. THIS IS AN INVESTMENT.NOT A BURDEN. HARRIS HEALTH IS OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE. WITH SO MANY UNINSURED RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, THIS PLACES A TREMENDOUS BURDEN ON HARRIS. TOO MANY PEOPLE SEEK ER CARE.
BECAUSE THEY LACK OTHER OPTIONS.
BUT ALL OF US BENEFIT, INSURED AND UNINSURED PERSONS.
WHEN HARRIS HELD THE STRONG AND EXPANDED TO TRULY BE OUR COMMUNITY HEALTHCARE NEEDS. WE CAN NO LONGER WAIT FOR TEXAS TO CATCH UP. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS PATRICIA CABRERA.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS PATRICIA CABRERA, I'M SPEAKING THIS MORNING IN BEHALF OF TMO IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED BOND.
WORKED MANY YEARS IN THE EAST AND IN WESTSIDE LATINO COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIAR WITH THE FAMILIES.
AS A RESIDENT OF SPRING BRANCH RAY 10 SAINT ROSE CATHOLIC CHURCH AND AM ON THE BOARD OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER, I'M ESPECIALLY CONCERNED OF THE TOPIC.
I MORE WORKING LATINO FAMILIES OFTEN DO NOT RECEIVE HEALTHCARE BENEFITS THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYERS AND MANY FAMILIES WITH GENTRIFICATION OF BEING DISPLACED AWAY FROM COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY CAN EASILY ACCESS ALL TYPES OF RESOURCES.
WE KNOW THE CENTER OF THE CITY IS FURTHER AND FURTHER UP THE NORTHWEST CORRIDOR. AS ASK YOU PRIORITIZE THE CLINICS AND CONSIDER COLLABORATIONS AS OF EXISTING INSTITUTIONS ALONG WITH THE COUNTY GOALS OF ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF DESERVING WORKING FAMILIES.
MANY OF WHOM ARE LATINO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> IT IS SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> THANKS. >> NEXT IS CYNTHIA COLE, YOU
HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
CYNTHIA COLE, 5050 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR A DIFFERENT SPIN ON EVERYTHING YOU'VE HEARD.'M NOT TRYING TO DEFEND WHETHER OR NOT HARRIS COUNTY HOW STRICT APOLOGY OR THE HEALTH SYSTEM IS NOT A GOOD THING. WHAT I AM ASKING IF THE BOND IS GET PUT ON THE BALLOT, HE STOPPED SOME TEETH IN HIS COMMITMENT TO INDIVIDUALS. THE NEED TO BE ABLE TO KNOW THAT THEY WILL HAVE JOBS AND CAREERS.
IT IS ONE THING TO GO AHEAD AND PUT 2.5 BILLION MONTHLY ON SOMEBODY'S BACK. THE PEOPLE GO TO PAY FOR IT NEED TO BE PEOPLE EMPLOYED. THEY NEED TO BE THE PEOPLE WITH CAREERS PEER REVIEW VOTE FOR SHOULD HAVE SOME TEETH AS A COMMITMENT TO THIS COMMUNITY. AND THE INDIVIDUALS THAT
DESERVE TO HAVE JOBS. >> THANK YOU.
I SAW THAT YOU WERE RUSHING APPEAR.OU BETTER SLOW IT
[Departments]
DOWN. SHE'S RUNNING UP THERE! NEXT, PLEASE.> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.>> OKAY. HERE'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST. WE HAVE SEVEN ITEMS. I ASSUME DOCTOR -- MAY WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ON HIS ITEM, IS THAT RIGHT?ERE'S MY SUGGESTION.
I WANT TO VOTE ON OTHER ITEMS PRESENTED MULTIPLE ANYTHING ELSE OTHER THAN I'M ASSUMING ITEM NUMBER TWO.
ONE ITEM FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I NEED TO TALK ON ITEM 1.
>> OKAY. WE WILL PULL ONE AND TWO.
FOR DISCUSSION. >> WANT TO CONFIRM WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE THAT ITEM NUMBER FIVE THAT WE WORKED OUT THE SCHEDULE, TERM OF OFFICE, SHOULD BE ABLE TO BEGIN
IMMEDIATELY. >> YES COMMISSIONER.
>> I DON'T WANT TO PULL IT. I WILL JUST MAKE A COMMENT ON -- DO I HAVE SOMETHING ON THE ITEM? ON THE ELECTION CENTERS, I THINK, I WANT TO LET THEM GO FORWARD ANOTHER WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE FEASIBILITY OF ADDING AN EARLY VOTING LOCATION.
AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND I BELIEVE THAT IT IS THE ONLY ONE OF THE MAJOR INSTITUTIONS THAT WERE ISSUED HAD TO BE WORKED ON TERMS OF ACCESS PREDILECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR, I HOPE YOU HEAR ME.
I'M HOPING THAT CAN BE WORKED OUT.
WE'LL HAVE TO DISCUSS IT NOW. I KNOW MY STAFF HAS CALLED, I JUST WANT TO STRESS I WOULD EXPECT THAT TO BE WORKED OUT.
WE DON'T HAVE A VOTING CENTER AT THE ONE HBCU IN HOUSTON AND THE SAME IF IT WAS DOWNTOWN WE APPROVE ITEMS FOUR, FIVE, SIX
>> CLERK? >> ITEM 5 IS APPROVED AS
MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY BRIONES.
[00:20:02]
ITEM PASSES 4-0. ITEM NUMBER ONE.>> IT WAS REALLY SOMEWHAT YOU JUST REFERRED TO COMMISSIONER RELATED TO POLLING LOCATIONS. WE REQUESTED A COUPLE.
I AM ASSUMING AND I HAVE NOT HEARD BACK.
THEY ARE LOOKING AT IT. MAINLY IN THE HOFFMAN AREA.
I AM ASSUMING THAT WE WILL GET THAT WORKED OUT.
THERE IS AN ASSUMPTION THERE THAT WILL BE WORKING THROUGH.
THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD, WAS THE APPOINTMENT OF TATUM AS THE CENTRAL COUNTY STATION MANAGER. IT WOULD SEEM, WE WANT TO IDENTIFY PARTICULARLY IN LIGHT OF ALL THE CONVERSATION AROUND WHETHER THE ADMINISTRATOR OR THE TAX ASSESSOR, CLERK, THAT WE WOULD ASSIGN SOMEONE ELSE TO THAT.
AT THIS POINT.> I SUGGEST, WHAT TO ASK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. IS IT SOMETHING WE WILL DISCUSS, BECAUSE IT IS LITIGATION, SHOULD WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? SECONDLY, IS THIS ITEM BROAD
ENOUGH TO DISCUSS AT ALL? >> YES.
I MEAN NO, THE ITEM IS SPECIFIC TO THIS, NOT SPECIFIC TO THE BROADER ISSUES THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS TALKING ABOUT. IF YOU WANT TO DO THIS WE WOULD HAVE TO PUT AN ITEM RELATED TO IT.
>> THAT'S FINE JUST A QUESTION. THIS IS AN ACTION ITEM ON THE LIST.> HE IS THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR SO HIS NAME IS ON
THE PRAYER. >> BRUCE RAUNER TO HAVE A BROAD DISCUSSION OF NOT TRYING TO HOLD YOU BUT --
>> A CENTRAL COUNTING STATION MANAGER.
>> I THINK WE ARE RESTRAINED BY OR AT LEAST I AM.
YOU CAN PUT ON THE AGENDA. GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR NEXT WEEK. THERE IS TIME, GET IT DONE FOR NEXT WEEK. PROBABLY GET IT DONE.
>> I WOULD DELAY THIS UNTIL NEXT WEEK.
>> IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES TO DELAY IT.
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. PLEASE TELL ME IF THIS IS WITHIN THE SCOPE. MY QUESTION, WITH REGARD TO THE ADA COMPLIANCE ASSESSMENT. JUST LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PLAN TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THOSE ARE COMPLETE WELL IN ADVANCE OF THE ELECTION CYCLE. I LOVE TO HEAR MORE INFORMATION
ABOUT THE ADA COMPLIANCE. >> IT IS WITHIN SCOPE.
>> IT IS?> YES. >> MR. TATUM, ARE YOU THERE?
>> YES SIR, I AM HERE. >> COULD YOU HAVE A QUESTION
FROM COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THERE WAS A ADA QUESTION.
I WAS ACTUALLY MESSAGING ABOUT THE DELAY.
FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SPEAK TO THAT.
COMMISSIONER BROWN IS THE ADA STATUS, AS WE REVIEWED IN REVIEWING EARLY VOTING CENTER AND ELECTION DAY VOTING CENTERS. WE ARE GOING THROUGH THE ADA PROCESS. AS YOU KNOW, THE STATE LEGISLATOR PACKED AN ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS THAT ALLOW, THAT REQUIRES A SET UP ADDITIONAL ADA SORT OF ACCESS POINTS SO WE ARE WORKING ON THAT TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAGE TO ALLOW VOTERS TO BE MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
ADA VOTERS TO BE MOVED TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE.
YES, WE ARE INCORPORATING THOSE STATE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES AS WELL AS MEETING OUR STANDARD ADA COMPLIANCE PROCESS.
>> AND ON THE ISSUE OF POLLING PLACE AT TSU, YOU ALL ARE WORKING THROUGH THAT, I UNDERSTAND THERE WERE SOME ADA
AS WE IDENTIFIED THE PROPOSED LOCATIONS, WE ASK YOU TO VOTE ON THOSE WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS SOMETHING IF A FACILITY PRESENTS ITSELF IS NOT BEING AVAILABLE, WE WOULD FIND SOMETHING WITHIN THE APPROXIMATE PROXIMITY AND THEN WE WOULD BRING IT BACK TO YOU FOR APPROVAL.
[00:28:17]
CHANGE IS ALL RIGHT WITH YOU? >> YES SIR.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, -- >> ONE QUICK QUESTION.
WILL WE BE ABLE TO ADD VOTING LOCATIONS AFTER TODAY?
>> I THINK SO. I WAS ASSUMING --
>> CAN YOU PLEASE ANSWER? SORRY.
>> LET ME TALK -- >> YOU TALKED JUST BEFORE VOTE ON IT. MR. TATUM, DO YOU HAVE A GUESS?
>> WE'VE INCREASED IT FROM THE PREVIOUS, AS WE DID NOVEMBER 22. YOU WILL APPROVE THE ORDER OF ELECTION, THEN WE ADDED ADDITIONAL.
>> MR. COUNTY ATTORNEY, I MAY FORGET SOME THINGS.
BUT I DO REMEMBER THEM BEING ADDED BEFORE PIT OUT OF THE LEGISLATOR STOPPED THAT. OLD MEMORY IS KICKING IN!
>> GOOD TO KNOW. QUESTIONABLY THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS OFFICE NOW HAS THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE.
>> YES I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND WE
SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT AGAIN. >> THANK YOU.
>> SOMETIMES THE MEMORY FOR THOSE OF US --
>> I MAY REMEMBER THE WRONG WAY BUT I REMEMBER.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THIS PASSES, 4-0. FOR 26 YEARS WE WERE OPPOSED, IT'S OVER. GOING TO SLOW IT DOWN.
>> YES? >> DO YOU WANT TO APPROVE THE
ITEM AS AMENDED? >> AS AMENDED.
[00:30:03]
DID YOU GET THE LANGUAGE? >> YES SIR.
>> I THINK BISHOP DIXON SHOWED UP AS WE GO TO ITEM, HOSPITAL DISTRICT ITEM NUMBER TWO. ARE YOU HERE, BISHOP DIXON?
>> BEFORE THAT DO WE WANT A SEPARATE MOTION OR THAT INCLUDE
IN THE PREVIOUS MOTION? >> PUT IT ALL TOGETHER.
>> I'M SORRY, WE REPEAT THAT? >> ALL IN ONE MOTION.
>> IS AMENDED TO ADD AND/OR COUNTY CLERK.
>> YOUR MEMBER FROM YOUR EARLIER JOB, -- BISHOP DIXON, THANK YOU. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, SIR.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN OF THE COURT. GOOD TO SEE YOU, ALL OF US TO HEAR. JAMES DIXON OF THE HOUSTON NAACP. GLAD TO BE HERE ALWAYS.
I DON'T WHO PRAYED THE PRAYER THIS MORNING, WHO PRAYED THE
WE ALL DID IT. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SOMEONE PRAYED. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY COALITION OF LEADERS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY, TO TALK WITH THOSE BRIEF ABOUT THE HOSPITAL PROPOSAL FOR THE NEW BOND THAT'S BEEN DISCUSSED AND CONSIDERED BY THE COURT.
AS WE KNOW, UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES AROUND HARRIS COUNTY, ARE IN DESPERATE NEED FOR IMPROVED HEALTHCARE OPTIONS AND EXPANDED HEALTHCARE OPTIONS.
I DON'T HAVE TO GIVE YOU THE DATA.
WE UNDERSTAND THE MORTALITY RATE IS HIGH IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES.[INAUDIBLE] THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ALSO UNDERSTAND PARTICULARLY IN THE NORTHEAST QUADRANT, EAST SIDE OF HOUSTON. PEOPLE DIE EARLIER IN THE SECTION OF TOWN, MAINLY DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND HEALTH DISPARITIES. I DO NOT WANT TO LIST THE CHRONIC ISSUES TODAY. WE WILL APPLAUD HARRIS HEALTH AND ITS VISION FOR REBUILDING A NEW LBJ AND EXPANDING AND INCREASING HOSPITAL BEDS AND EXPANDING SERVICES.
WE WORKED WITH THE TEAM AND WANT TO CONTINUE DOING THAT.
WE ARE HERE TODAY TO SAY WE HAVE A ROBUST COALITION THAT IS BLACK AND BROWN AND OTHERS WORKING WITH US.
WE SUPPORT THE ISSUE BEING ADDED TO THE BALLOT.
BUT WE ALSO ARE CONSERVATIVE ENOUGH TO SAY THAT WE ARE WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS A POWERFUL COMMUNITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH AND THE COALITION ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY. TO MAKE SURE ALL THE SERVICES NECESSARY CARE PROVIDED. TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROCESS FROM START TO FINISH AND ONGOING.
THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A TREMENDOUS BOOM AND UPLIFT FOR THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY. FROM THE EAST SIDE, THE NORTH SIDE, ALL AROUND TO GREENS POINT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY INTEREST REALLY ARE LOOKED OUT FOR. ALSO MY CONCERN IS.
WE WORK WITH HERSELF TO COMPLETE THAT KIND OF AGREEMENT. AND WE GET THE AGREEMENT, THEY WILL GET OUR SUPPORT. WE DON'T WANT TO BE A GANGSTER.
WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT IT IS FOR THE COMMUNITY AT THE SAME
TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.
YOU ARE ASKING ABOUT THE PRAYER, YOU HAPPEN TO BE MY SPIRITUAL ADVISOR.
SOMEONE TOLD HIM I GOT A C IN THEOLOGY.
THAT'S WHEN I WAS AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY.
I WAS THE ONLY BAPTIST IN THE STUDY GROUP THAT CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY. THE LORD MADE A WAY FOR ME TO LEARN THE ERROR OF MY WAYS. BISHOP, I WENT TO THE COMMUNITY MEETING AND MADE THE COMMENT TO THE LAST TIME, $2.5 BILLION WAS ON THE BALLOT. SOME VERY GOOD THINGS CAME FOR HARRIS COUNTY. AT THE TIME, I WAS A LONELY VOICE, YOU ARE ONE OF THE FEW HELPING ME.
THE COUNTY DID A DISPARITY STUDY AS A RESULT OF THAT AND IT WAS JUST SO DIFFICULT TO GET THERE.
IT TRIGGERED THE PORT AUTHORITY, METRO -- I THOUGHT WAS INCLUDED BUT NOT. A LOT HAS COME OUT OF THAT.
ALSO, THE EQUITY WAS INCLUDED. AND I HAD TO MAKE -- A NEW $2.5 BILLION FLOODING WAS IMPORTANT. I DON'T KNOW IF IT WOULD'VE BEEN SUCCESSFUL SO I WANT TO ENCOURAGE HARRIS HEALTH TO WORK WITH YOU. I TRUST THEM THAT THEY WILL OPERATE IN GOOD FAITH AND I LEARNED ONE LINE -- I WANT IT
[00:35:09]
IN WRITING. >> I'M GETTING MIXED UP.
BUT I THINK YOU ABSOLUTELY ALL RIGHT.
IT IS IMPORTANT. I MENTIONED FOR THE NEVER TO BE ZERO. I MET WITH THE PRESIDENT YESTERDAY. AFTER THIS COURT APPROVED SPENDING $27 MILLION ON CITY STREETS, AND TSU ARE THE BRIGHT IDEA TO DO A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT.
AND THEY SAID IT WAS A CONSIDERATION.
AS FOR CONSIDERATION IS, I'LL PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO STOP IT. AND I THINK IT WILL PASS.
WE WORKED IT OUT. THEY MAY BE AT ANOTHER 50,000 FOR SCULPTURE. ACCOUNT THAT SOME OF THEM TOOK DIFFERENT EXAM FROM THE ONE I TOOK.
BUT I THINK ABSOLUTELY ON POINT.
I WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT THE COMMITMENT AND HOPE THAT WE WILL STAND SIDE-BY-SIDE. INDIGENT INCLUDING NOT-FOR-PROFIT. AND WE'LL SAVE THAT DISCUSSION
FOR ANOTHER DAY. >> I WANT TO ADD, THE JUSTICE COALITION GROUP, WE HAVE THE PLEASURE OF RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS, AS WELL THAT PART OF THIS COALITION, THE URBAN LEAGUE COMBINATION OF ISLAM, THIS IS A BROAD COALITION OF BLACK AND BROWN LEADERS.
THEY ARE SAYING, THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY.
I THINK WE CAN COLLECT A LOT OF HEALTHCARE, ONE OF OUR ISSUES IS TO HAVE A CENTER FOR LIMITED HEALTHCARE DISPARITIES.
AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO STOP TALKING ABOUT WHAT THE DISPARITIES ARE AND FIGURE OUT HOW OVER TIME TO ELIMINATE THOSE DISPARITIES. AND WE TALK ABOUT DISPARITIES EVERY MEETING. THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE WORK TO ELIMINATE DISPARITIES? IT SHOULD NOT BE THE SAME FIVE YEARS FROM NOW. WITH THE OPPORTUNITY FOR HARRIS HEALTH TO CREATE A NEW LBJ OPERATIONS.
>> GOOD LUCK. WHAT A WAY TO GO TOO LONG.
WE'VE HEARD FROM SOME POWERFUL AND PERSUASIVE SPEAKERS.
>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> ADAM WILL BE ITEM NUMBER TWO.
YOU CAN DO THE PRESENTATION NOW.
>> COMMISSIONS, WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO SAY ANYTHING?
>> DON'T GO SENT IN AND IS BEIN PULLED, IGNORE THE FIRST PAGE.
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT, THERE'S NOTHING REPRESENTATION THAT IS NEW. IT IS THE SAME INFORMATION I PROVIDED TO THE COURT IN EARLY JUNE.JUNE 6. THIS WAS APPROVED AND ALSO BY THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
AT HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AS I MENTIONED, I BROUGHT IT TO THIS IN JUNE. AND I'VE BEEN WRITING ABOUT ACTUALLY SETTINGS, VERY BRIEFLY, 1.5 PROPOSAL FOR THE NOVEMBER BALLOT MEANT TO SUPPORT OUR FACILITIES PLAN BASED ON OUR CURRENT STRATEGIC PLAN THAT GOES FROM 2021 TO 2025. YOU'VE HEARD ALREADY FROM SEVERAL SPEAKERS. ON BEHALF OF URGENT ISSUES WE HAVE, OUR HOSPITALS ARE SEVERELY UNDER CAPACITY.
WE HAVE HOSPITALS THAT ARE FAILING, OR FAILING INFRASTRUCTURE AND HAVE A COALITION RAPIDLY -- CURRENT FACILITIES WERE TOO SMALL PROBABLY DAY ONE AND AT THAT TIME IT WAS HALF OF WHAT IT IS TODAY.
IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, $2.5 BILLION, IS 1.6 BILLION FOR THE HOSPITAL AND THE LBJ CAMPUS.
A MILLION FOR REFURBISHING THE EXISTING HOSPITAL SO IT CAN PROVIDE SOME SERVICES INCLUDING INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT.
SERVICES, $400 MILLION FOR REFURBISHING AND ADDING CAPACITY. HALF $1 BILLION INVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY CLINICS. ALSO EXPANDING CAPABILITY AND CAPACITY OF EXISTING CLINICS. IN THE NEXT LIBRARY DO THIS
[00:40:04]
ALTOGETHER IT'S ACTUALLY 2.5 IS THE CAPACITY OF THE OTHER 400 MILLION IS MEANT TO HAVE INITIAL COST SAVINGS.OUR SYSTEM IS ALSO SET ASIDE MILLION DOLLARS MEANT TO ALSO GO TOWARDS SOME OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS, INCLUDING SILVER CLINICS THAT ARE FALLING APART.
WHEREFORE CLINICS OVER 50 YEARS OLD.
WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. WHAT IS THE OPERATIONAL COST OF DOING ALL OF THIS? THIS IS A 12 YEAR PLAN AT THE END OF 12 YEARS, BRAND-NEW LBJ, BRAND-NEW HOSPITAL ON LBJ CAMPUS THAT HOPEFULLY WILL PROVIDE ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF TRAUMA ONE SERVICES. IT IS ANTICIPATED TO BE ANOTHER 330 MILLION DOLLARS. THEN MORE FOR THE ADDITIONAL CLINICS TO INCREASE CAPACITY AND OPERATIONS.
-- WHAT IS IMPACT? IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.
THAT SERVICES, TAX WOULD IMPACT HIS TWO CENTS.
FOR AN AVERAGE HOMEOWNER IN HARRIS COUNTY, HOME VALUE OF $300,000 -- UNDER MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONS, THE ANTICIPATED IMPACT IS IMMATERIAL. THE REASON IS BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO EXPAND WITH CONTINUED GROWTH OF HARRIS COUNTY IN TERMS OF POPULATION, OWNERSHIP AND APPRAISAL VALUE.
IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, THE ASSUMPTIONS THAT WE HAVE -- THIS IS COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY, OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS, THE AVERAGE ANNUAL INCREASE HOME APPRAISED VALUE -- IF WE CONSIDER IT VERY CONSERVATIVE ESTIMATE, 4.7 AN INCREASE VALUES OVER THE NEXT 10 YEARS, ASSUMING NO OTHER CATASTROPHES FOR THE GO PANDEMICS AND OTHER ISSUES, AS FAR AS IMPACT AND TAX RATE AND CAPACITY. COMMISSIONERS, THAT IS WHAT I PREPARED TO PRESENT. LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE
QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TEAM AND BOARD FOR ALL THE WORDS YOU PROVIDE EVERY DAY ALL DAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND HELPING GET READY FOR PRESENT DAY AND FUTURE, IT IS CRITICAL AND I PERSONALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM DEVOTED TO ANSWERING MY TEAM AND I QUESTIONS.
THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO MAIN QUESTIONS.
NUMBER ONE, COULD YOU WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU WOULD PRIORITIZE THE DIFFERENT PIECES OF THIS BOND FOR THE CARE CENTERS. AND NUMBER TWO SOME OF THE FEEDBACK WE'VE HEARD, COULD YOU TELL ME ABOUT THE PLAN TO IMPLEMENT A WAGE, FAIRNESS, APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS, ALL OF THE RIGHTS THAT ANOTHER BOARD IS COMMITTED TO BUT I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE LEVEL OF COMMITMENT IS AND WHAT THE PLAN
IS TO IMPLEMENT. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, I'LL TRY TO REMEMBER THOSE QUESTIONS.
>> THE TIMELINE AND THE ACCESSIBILITY.
>> YES MA'AM. REALLY IMPORTANT.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS BOND PROPOSAL, IT APPEARS AS IF THIS IS A LINEAR PLAN LIKE OVER THE NEXT 12 YEARS WILL BUILD LBJ HOSPITAL, THEN MOVED TO REFURBISHING THE EXISTING HOSPITAL, THEN -- THAT IS SIMPLY NOT TRUE.
THE WAY IT IS PRESENTED, IT MAKES IT SEEM LIKE THAT BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT, IS TRULY LBJ HOSPITAL PLAN IS ALREADY FLAWED. THE REASON IS A COUPLE YEARS AGO, LBJ HOSPITAL IS FACING SOME SERIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE FAILURES THAT WE ACTUALLY CONSIDER CLOSING DOWN THE HOSPITAL. AT THAT POINT, MY BOARD INSTRUCTED ME TO START PLANNING THE LBJ REPLACEMENT.
KNOWING AT SOME POINT WE WOULD COME TO THIS DAY.
THE DESIGN PLAN FOR THE HOSPITAL IS ALMOST COMPLETE.
EVERYTHING GOES WELL, WE GET THE APPROVAL FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE BOND GOES TO THE BALLOT ON NOVEMBER 7 AND APPROVED BY RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY.
WE ARE PREPARED TO BREAK GROUND ON THE NEW LBJ HOSPITAL, APRIL OR MAY OF NEXT YEAR. PROBABLY TWO YEARS AFTER THAT, WE WILL PROBABLY, OUR PLAN IS TO BREAK GROUND ON AT LEAST THE FIRST OF THE NEW CLINICS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
[00:45:03]
BY 2025, LATE 2025, EARLY 2026, WILL START BREAKING GROUND ON THE NEW CLINICS, AT LEAST ONE OF THEM.REFURBISHING OF THE HOSPITAL WILL BE SOMETIME DURING THOSE YEARS. REMEMBER, THIS IS A 12 YEAR PLAN. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOUR QUESTION. LBJ HOSPITAL WILL BE FIRST.
AND IF EVERYTHING GOES WELL, WE'LL COME BACK TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN EARLY 2024.
TO ASK FOR THE FIRST PART OF THE MONEY TO BE WITHDRAWN FOR PURPOSE OF CREATING A NEW HOSPITAL ON THE LBJ CAMPUS.
AS FAR AS OTHER THINGS YOU'VE HEARD, I THINK A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO DEREK COMBS, DIRECTING OUR PROGRAM PRESENTED OR TRIED TO I THINK HE WAS RUNNING LATE SO I THINK HIS PRESENTATION WAS ACCEPTED. OVER THE VERY SHORT PERIOD OUR PROGRAM WAS APPROVED BY BOARD OF TRUSTEES IN OCTOBER OF LAST YEAR. IN LESS THAN A YEAR OUR MWPE IS GONE FROM, I'M GOING TO JUST COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS MENTIONED THIS. OUR DISPARITY STUDY, ZERO PERCENT INVOLVEMENT FROM AFRICAN-AMERICAN CONTRACTORS.
FOR THE PERIOD OF THE DISPARITY STUDY.
WE ARE REALLY UP TO 7.2 PERCENT.
ALL IN ALL, THAT IS NOT OUR GOAL ALL IN ALL DURING THE STUDY, WERE SHOWN THERE'S ONLY 7.9 PERCENT PARTICIPATION OF THESE PROGRAMS. WHILE THERE WAS AT LEAST A 19 PERCENT OPPORTUNITY FOR HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM TO HAVE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF THE MWPE PARTICIPANTS.
WE SET A GOAL OF 20 PERCENT, WE ARE READY AT 17.1 PERCENT WHICH I'M VERY PROUD OF. WHAT I REMEMBER FROM THAT VERY BRIEF PRESENTATION WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS THINKING SEVERAL TIMES WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY AND SAY, ALL OR APPRECIATE THE KIND WORDS FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANT TO THANK MR. HOLMES AND ALL THE LEADERSHIP AT THE HEALTH SYSTEM WHO HAVE MADE THIS A PRIORITY. WE ARE COMMITTED TO THIS.
YOU ALSO ASKED THE QUESTION ABOUT --
>> WAGE STANDARDS AND PROTECTIONS.
>> YES, THANK YOU. THERE WERE THREE THINGS WE WERE ASKED TO CREATE A POLICY AROUND.
YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT. THERE IS A SAFETY TRAINING BY OSHA, THE MINIMUM WAGE OF $15 AN HOUR WHICH HARRIS HEALTH SAID THEY BEEN DOING THAT SINCE 2019.
THAT IS ALREADY TAKEN CARE OF AND THE 10 PERCENT APPRENTICESHIP THAT POLICY HAS BEEN CREATED IS GOING TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES THAT WE FORMED TODAY.
FOR DISCUSSION AND IT WILL GO BACK TO THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES SYSTEM AT THE END OF SEPTEMBER FOR APPROVAL IN ACTION.
I HAVE THE BOND PROPOSAL. WE ARE COMMITTED THAT WE WERE TO CREATED A POLICY AROUND FOR THE POLICY IS ON ITS WAY TO
BOARD OF TRUSTEES. >> CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO ME.
>> I WANT BECAUSE FRONT AND CENTER PLEASE.>> THANK YOU.
THE LEFTMOST YEAR, COMMISSIONER ELLIS TALKED ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE MWPE PROGRAM PROTESTED THE SAME THING, THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME. THIS IS A PRIORITY FOR ME AS WELL AND APPRECIATE YOU SAYING THAT I'M COMMITTED TO THIS AND I HAVE EVERY INTENTION OF COMING BACK TO THIS BODY IN THE FUTURE AND GLOAT ABOUT THIS SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS.
FIRST, LET ME JUST SAY AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR AMTE DO ON A DAILY BASIS FOR SO MANY.
WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT THIS, IN SPITE OF ALL THE RESPECTIVE CROSSWORDS THAT ARE PART OFRS THIS CONVEATION.
BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE WOULDN'T BE HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT A WHOLE LOT OF THIS, HAD WE REALLY BEEN COMMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT DECADES AGO. YOU KNOW I'VE GOT FAMILY THAT WORKS FOR YOU AT LBJ. I HAVE HEARD AND SEEN FIRSTHAND, WORKING CONDITIONS THAT YOUR STAFF HAS AT LBJ IN PARTICULAR. AND THE CONDITIONS OF YOUR PATIENTS THAT THEY HAVE TO BE SUBJECTED TO.
TOTALLY TOTALLY IRRESPONSIBLE OF THE COUNTY.
THAT IS HOME TO THE MEDICAL CENTER.
[00:50:01]
TO ALLOW OUR KEY HEALTHCARE INPARTNER TO BE IN A SITUATION THAT YOU'RE CURRENTLY . THIS BOND IS CRITICAL.I'M FULLY COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT IT PASSES.
IN THAT REGARD, ONE QUESTION THAT I POSED A WHILE BACK, THE PARTICIPATION OF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM ON THE HARRIS COUNTY ENERGY PROCUREMENT STRATEGY.
>> ALL RIGHT, OKAY. WANTED TO DOUBLE CHECK.
>> I DON'T WANT YOU TO LEAVE THE ROOM AND -- WE ARE NOT CURRENTLY BUT AS SOON AS WE FINISH THE CURRENT OBLIGATION
TO THE PROVIDER. >> THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I WAS HOPING TO HEAR. GOOD DEAL.
TO THAT END, LET ME ASK YOU, THE LBJ, IS GETTING A LOT OF ATTENTION. ARE THERE ANY CONCERNS RELATED TO THE FLOODING, POSSIBILITIES THERE, THE ACCESS TO THE PROPOSED SIDE, ARE ALL THOSE THINGS BEING DEALT WITH, AND ARE WE GOING TO BUILD SOMETHING JUST TO SEE IT GO UNDERWATER?
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION. ACTUALLY, I'M KIND ALONG THE LINES OF QUESTIONS ASKED ME ABOUT GOING BACK TO THE QUESTION ABOUT PRIORITY. ONE OF THE REASONS WHY LBJ IS BEING PRIORITIZED IS BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU JUST DESCRIBED.
EVERY MORNING WHEN I LISTEN TO THE HUDDLES AND I HEAR THAT YOU KNOW, 50 PEOPLE ARE WAITING THE EMERGENCY ROOMS, THEY BEEN ADMITTED TO THE HOSPITAL BUT CANNOT GET OUT OF THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE THERE'S NO ROOM IN THE HOSPITAL.
THERE ARE NO HOSPITAL BEDS AVAILABLE.
OR PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITAL BEDS ARE IN THE HALLWAYS IN THE HOSPITAL. THAT IS ON THE REASONS WHY OJ HOSPITALS EING PRIORITIZED. WE HAVE TO JUST DISAPPEAR TO YOUR R QUESTION ABOUT LOCATION OF THAT REPLACEMENT HOSPITAL ON THE CAMPUS, THE FUTURE HOSPITAL ON LBJ CAMPUS, I JUST HAD THIS CONVERSATION RECENTLY, IT WILL BE HIGHER THAN THE EXISTING HOSPITAL. THE EXISTING LBJ HOSPITAL HAS NEVER EVER FLOODED. DESPITE EVERYTHING ELSE THAT'S HAPPENED IN THE CITY AND HARRIS COUNTY.
IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, DURING LESS SEVERE STORM, AND HARRIS COUNTY, THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER GOT FLOODED.
A LOT OF HOSPITALS GOT FLOODED. YOU ASKED ME, DO I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING AND MITIGATING ANY FLOODING RELATED TO SITUATIONS, ABSOLUTELY! THE FUTURE HOSPITAL WILL BE HIGHER, THREE FEET AT LEAST HIGHER THAN THE CURRENT HOSPITAL AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE CREATING RETENTION PONDS UNDERNEATH THE HOSPITAL TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE FLOODING ISSUES.
AND I'VE BEEN DRIVING ON THE HO SPITAL IS ANOTHER IORETENTN POND CREATED AT THE CORNER OUTSIDE OF THE OTHER SIDE OF .THE HOSPITAL NOT TO LLMENTION THE BIIONS OF MITIGATION FLOODING ENTHIS PLAN IMPLEMTED ACROSS THE DOHARRIS COUNTY. I T FEEL COMFORTABLE THAA WI FUTURE HOSPITAL LL BE IN GOOD TE SHAPE?
TWO POINT THAT WAS MADE IN RELATION TO OUR LABOR RELATIONS, ARE YOU APPROACHING JUST THE ASPECT OF MEETING WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF LABOR AND CYNTHIA AND MIHER TEAM, AND OTHERS. HOW IS THAT CONG ALONG?
>> SURE, SPECIFICALLY YOU ASKED ABOUT -- WE CURRENTLY HAVE A MONTHLY MEETING. WITH THOSE IN CHARGE OF HR.
AS FAR AS THE OTHER COALITIONS, I THINK YOU ARE AWARE THAT I'VE STARTED HAVING TOWNHOME MEANS EVERY PRECINCT.
WE'VE ALREADY DONE ONE IN YOURS.
THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ONE COMING UP IN SEPTEMBER.
HOPEFULLY SOON, WILL HAVE THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS PRECINCTS.
YSELF, MY STAFF, WE BEEN MEETING VERY ACTIVELY WITH THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITIES.E'VE HAD SEVERAL MEETINGS OF DIFFERENT FACILITIES INCLUDING BISHOP -- WAS VERY GENEROUSLY OFFERED HIS CHURCH, COMMUNITY FAITH FOR TO MEETING SO FAR THAT WE'VE HAD, INCLUDING ONE THAT WE SPOKE OF.
THOSE CONVERSATIONS ARE NOT MEANT ON SOMETHING I'VE PROMISED PREVIOUSLY BUT DO THAT NOW IN OPEN COURT THESE ARE NOT MEANT TO BE ONE AND DONE ONCE WE GET PAST THE BOND ELECTION
[00:55:04]
NOVEMBER 7. THIS IS REALLY MEANT TO ESTABLISH A NEW BASELINE OF HOW THE SYSTEM WAS TO ENGAGE WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. AND I AM FULLY COGNIZANT AND AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS VERY STRONG FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY. AND FOR US, TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN ACHIEVING OUR MISSION WHICH IS SERVING THE MEMBERS OF THIS COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO BE ENGAGED WITH OUR FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY. I HOPE THAT ANSWERS YOURQUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE THAT.
PLEASE EXPLAIN THE TAX IMPLICATIONS OF THE BOND TO THE
HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS. >> SURE, THERE WILL BE TWO COMPONENTS. WE WORK COLLABORATIVELY AND CLOSELY WITH HARRIS HEALTH ON DEVELOPING IT.THE ROUGH COST IS WHAT YOU'LL SEE ON THE BALLOT LANGUAGE IS $25, IT IS ASSESSABLE. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE IT WILL BE FUNCTIONALLY LESS THAN THAT BECAUSE OF THE HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION, WERE NOT ABLE TO COUNT TOWARDS BEER FOR THE AVERAGE HOUSEHOLD AND HARRIS COUNTY, 300,000, I BELIEVE THE NUMBER WILL BE LESS THAN SIX DOLLARS PER MONTH.
THE LIFETIME OF THE BOND USING A 30 YEAR BOND A SUMMARY LITTLE BIT SHORT OF $3000 PER HOUSEHOLD.
THERE'S ALSO EDITIONS, A TWO CENT OPERATING COST.
I'VE SAID THIS BEFORE IN COURT. AS THE TWO SONS MORE THAN WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT NOT DONE ANYTHING.
IT IS NOT NECESSARY TO SENSE MORE BECAUSE OF THE APPRAISAL
GROWTH HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> AND WITH THE, I'M NOT SURE IF YOU GOT THE OPPORTUNITY. BUT HAVE YOU HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO EVALUATE THE MAINTENANCE COST GOING IN TO RESTRICTIVE FACILITIES? MY SUSPICION IS, YOU PROBABLY ALREADY BUILD IT IN THE HOSPITAL JUST CATCHING UP RIGHT
NOW. >> OF SOMETHING WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER ON. I BELIEVE UPWARDS OF 20 MILLION, ALMOST 10 PERCENT OF THE BUDGET ON CAPITAL PRELIMINARILY TAKEN ON DEBT PRIOR TO THE VERY CLEAN BALANCE SHEET. WE BELIEVE THE SAVINGS THAT THE DR. RECOGNIZES OR IS COUNTING ON, WE BELIEVE ERIS VY ACHIEVABLE BECAUSE WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH PATCHING THE SYSTEMS WITHIN THE HOSPITAL AS OPPOSED ACTUALLY INVESTING IN CI NEW FALITIES. AND WE ARE RUNNING INTO THE SAME ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY Y WHERE WE ARE VERAGGRESSIVE AND TRYING TO EITHER ACQUIRE NEW FACILITIES OR BUILD NEW ONES BECAUSE WE KNOW ABOUT THE MONEY AFTER THAT.
>> LASTLY, ASSUMING THE BOND PASSES, AS WE ARE PROPOSING, ANY CONCERNS TO OUR CREDIT RATING?
>> ARE SEPARATE ENTITIES ALL GET RATED SEPARATELY.
THERE IS NO OVERLAP. FLOOD CONTROL HAS ITS OWN CREDIT RATING, THE GENERAL FUND.
>> PART OF THE REASON IS CAPPED AT 2.5 THINK BEST IN CLASS AND WOULD BE A LOT BIGGER THAN THAT.
2.5 IS WHAT FITS UNDER THE AGENCY METHODOLOGY WHERE WE'D BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE RATIOS OF CASH TO DEBT, ALL THE THINGS
LASTLY, COMMISSIONER, TH-- DOCTOR, THANK YOU AGAIN.
YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING THE WEEK BEFORE THE PANDEMIC WAS DECLARED. I'M GLAD YOU'RE HAVING A CHANCE
TO COME UP FOR A LITTLE AIR. >> THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY, SUPPORT OF HER FAMILY TO YOU FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK YOU ARE DOING. AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE BISHOP, YOUR WORK WITH THE COALITION, JOINING OTHERS, I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.
TPATRICIA, WE DO NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REACH OUTO LATINO COMMUNITY. IT IS THE LARGEST PATIENT DEMOGRAPHIC IN THE HOSPITAL SYSTEM.
AND JUST REFLECTING ON YOU KNOW, MY EXPERIENCES WITH THE SYSTEM AS A KID, MY EXPERIENCES OF SEEING MY BROTHER HAVING HIS LIFE SAVED THERE WHEN HIS APPENDIX RUPTURED AND HE WAS MISDIAGNOSED BY OUR DOCTOR. ALL OF THOSE REASONS AND MORE, AND BECAUSE AS I CONTINUE TO SAY, HARRIS COUNTY HAS THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE BY 20 YEARS.
OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTY. I AM ON THIS BOND TO HELP MAKE
[01:00:02]
SURE THAT MORTALITY RATE. >> THAT IS OUR GOAL, THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE WILL TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS WE NEED.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> DOCTOR, GOOD TO SEE YOU AGAIN. WE'VE HAD MANY GREAT VISITS.
>> YES SIR, WE HAVE. >> OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. I'LL START WITH MY BROTHER AS HE PRACTICES INTERNAL MEDICINE, NOT TOO FAR FROM HERE IN EAST TEXAS. I THINK HE COULD TURN HIS ENTIRE PRAYER IS INDIGENT CARE. AND I SAY THAT WITH SOME DEGREE OF UNDERSTANDING. HE DID HIS RESIDENCY IN JOHN PETER SMITH IN FORT WORTH. WE'VE HAD MANY 40, 50 YEARS OF DISCUSSIONS ON WHAT -- MORE PROBABLY THE HEALTHCARE WAS DESCRIBED AS THE BACKBONE OF OUR HEALTHCARE AND THE COUNTY.
AND I WOULD CLEARLY AGREE WITH THAT.
I AGREE WITH BISHOP DIXON BACK THERE MY FRIEND OF MANY YEARS.
AND AS IS NO SAYS THIS MORNING, THERE MANY QUESTIONS.
AS WE GET INTO THE HARD PART. HARD PART NOW IS BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY.
AND GIVE IT SOME LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE DOING. SO WHEN WE START WITH THE CLINICS, AND IS TYPICALLY WHERE I'M GOING TO START MY QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD INTO THE CLINICS FIRST. I KNOW THAT LBJ IS IMPORTANT AND IT NEEDS TO BE AND MAYBE IT'S THE OKINDF FREUDIAN SLIP TO ISSAY TH IS NDA LBJ BO ELECTION BECAUSE TO SOME EXTENT IT IS. $2 BILLION SPENT ON THEIR WE NEED THE MATHIRD LEVEL I TRAU IN JUTHE COUNTY BUT IS ST AS IMPORTANT THAT WE HAVE THE E' CLINICS.
AND SHS AN ENGINEERING TERM THAT LOOKS A LITTLE SQUISHY ON THE FUNDING OF THOSE CLINICS. BECAUSE WE HAVE $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE. $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE IN A 2.9 BILLION DOLLAR -- WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL BUT SOMETIMES HOPE DOESN'T GET THINGS BUILT. WHAT I NEED TO UNDERSTAND GOING FORWARD, AND CONTINUE TO ASK QUESTIONS.
PARTICULARLY AS WE GO THROUGH THIS, I CONSIDER TODAY AN OPPORTUNITY TO GIVE THE VOTERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO WEIGH IN.
THUS FROM LOOKING AT. BUT WE NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE MORE SPECIFICS. LIKE MAYBE TWO YEARS, WILL OPEN UP, MAYBE D ONE CLINIC. YOU KNOW, I LIKE MORE SPECIFICS ANI THINK THE MORE SPECIFIC WE CAN BE WITH OUR COMMUNITY, AND A BUDGET DISCUSSION OUT IN -- THIS PAST WEEK WHILE THE HUNDRED 40 PEOPLE THERE. PEOPLE TURNED OUT FOR A BUDGET DISCUSSION WILL HAVE A EQUALLY HEALTHY DISCUSSION ON THIS BOND ISSUE BECAUSE I THINK PEOPLE WANT TO KNOW S.
ARE YOU IN ANY WAY CONCERNED ABOUT RAISING $2.9 BILLION TO COMPLISH EVERYTHING DEFINED ED IN THIS.
ARE YOU CONCERNED ABOUT THAT? >> MOST CONCERNED, COMMISSIONER.LET'S JUST MAKE SURE, NO YOU SAID IS $2.5 BILLION BOND. AND MONEY THROUGH PHILANTHROPY AND COST SAVINGS WHICH I'M GLAD WAS INDICATED TO YOU.
WE FEEL VERY CONFIDENT ABOUT BEING ABLE TO DO THAT.
I SAY THAT, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT WE DON'T KNOW.
I HAVE NO DOUBT IF WE HAVE ANOTHER PANDEMIC ON OUR HANDS.
NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING UNUSUAL TO ANSWER QUESTIONS, I'M EXTREMELY CONFIDENT WILL BE ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH EVERYTHING
THAT I'VE OUTLINED. >> CAN DO EVERYTHING A LBJ, I THINK ROUGHLY, 2 BILLION, 1.6 BILLION, 400 MILLION FOR THE CLINIC RENOVATION. ARE YOU CONCERNED AT ALL, WITH BEING ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH ALL OF THAT?
>> NO I'M NOT.> IN TERMS OF WHAT NUMBERS YOU'VE BEEN GIVEN, INFLATION, BLOOD GET THINGS DONE, STARTED CONSTRUCTION NEXT APRIL, I HEARD THAT, FINISH CONSTRUCTION WHEN?
[01:05:01]
THAT'S GOOD. WE'VE GOT NUMBERS AND DATES.WE SHOULD NUMBERS AND DATES ON THE CLINICS.
>> WE WILL. YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS
CONVERSATION. >> WHEN YOU THINK WE WILL KNOW
WHAT CLINICS? >> MAYBE AFTER NOVEMBER AND
DECEMBER. >> SAYS AFTER THE VOTE.
>> IT WOULD BE WELL SHALL THINKING ON MY PART, TRYING TO SAME GOING TO COMMIT MYSELF TO SOMETHING THAT I DON'T HAVE FUNDING TO DO. LIKE I SAID, A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO, MY BOARD ASKED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A LBJ REPLACEMENT PLAN. I DO NOT HAVE THE PERMISSION FOR MY BOARD TO PLAN OUT ANY CLINICS NOT HAVING THE FUNDING
FOR IT. >> THERE IS THREE CLINICS
PLAYING. >> ONE PRECINCT 3, ONE OF PEACE
AND FOUR AND ONE PRECINCT 2. >> I DID DO A LITTLE RESEARCH ON THE FLOODING. AND THE GOOD NEWS IS, HUNTING IMPROVEMENTS ARE ABOUT COMPLETE.
THAT WILL HAVE A SIGNIFICANT POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LBJ SITE. I'M SITTING HERE CELEBRATING THAT THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT, 1998, STARTED WORK ON ADDRESSING FLOODING AND -- BECAUSE OF THE EFFORT OF THOSE FOLKS, DECADES AGO, WE'VE GOT A SAFE SPACE TO BUILD LBJ ON.
I LOVEIT WHEN WE LOOK MORE THAN FIVE DAYS DOWN THE ROAD, WE ARE LOOKING 50 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD TO GET THINGS DONE.
THERE IS YOUR FLOODING OUTLINE. >> THANK YOU, THAT'S POSITIVE.
>> LEVEL I TRAUMA. I'VE HEARD MANY OF MY PHYSICIAN FRIENDS REFERRED LEVEL I TRAUMA IS NOT A BUILDING IS THE
PHYSICIANS IN THE BUILDING. >> AND THE NURSES.
>> YOU ARE NOT CONCERNED WITH RECRUITING AND STAFFING OF THE
LEVEL I TRAUMA AT LBJ? >> LET ME LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE DOCTOR. I WANT TO LOOK AT HIM AND I SAID THAT. I DO NOT HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT STAFFING AND LEVEL I TRAUMA CENTER ON THE LBJ CAMPUS
IN 2028 WE OPEN THE DOORS. >> WILL IN ANY WAY IMPACT THE
ABILITY TO MAINTAIN LEVEL I? >> IT WOULD HELP.
WHAT IT DOES, IT PREVENTS IT FROM EVER HAVING TO GO INTO VERSION BUT THAT'S WHAT KILLS PROGRAMS. IT WOULD ACTUALLY BE VERY HELPFUL.
NOW GOING TO LOOK AT DOCTOR KLUGMAN, HE SAYS YES.
THERE YOU GO.> A GOOD THUMBS-UP.
>> $500 MILLION PER YEAR IS WHAT IT TAKES TO OPERATE A
>> GIVE OR TAKE. >> GIVE OR TAKE.
REMEMBER WE ARE NOT STARTING FROM GROUND ZERO BECAUSE WE
CURRENTLY HAVE A LBJ HOSPITAL. >> MAYBE AT 330 MORE?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> THE CURRENT PORTION OF WHAT HARRIS COUNTY CONTRIBUTES TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, IS
>> ROUGHLY WHAT 870 MILLION. THAT IS SIGNIFICANT WAY, A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN YOUR BASE OPERATING.
AGAIN, DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TAKE THAT ON?
>> I DO. AN ACIDIC CONFIDENCE BECAUSE I HAVE THE CONFIDENCE OF MR. RAMOS.
OTHERWISE I WOULD NOT BE AS CONFIDENT.
>> JUST INTERJECT YOUR PART OF THE ANALYSIS, WE ASK, WHAT OF THE ADDITIONAL OPERATING COSTS THAT WE BUILT IN? THERE ROUGHLY 2 SETS OF ADDITIONAL DEBT.
AGAIN, NOT NECESSARY TO MOST CERTS PEOPLE ARE PAYING TODAY.
ALSO, WE BUILT AN EQUIVALENT OF TWO CENTS WORTH OF OPERATING COST TO STAFF THE ADDITIONAL PAIR THAT IS BUILT INTO OUR MODEL. WE DESCRIBE THE $3000 OVER THE LIFE OF THE BOND, IT INCLUDES A TWO SENSE OF -- TWO SEPARATE
OPERATING COST TO FUND LBJ. >> BETWEEN THE TAXES AND TAX WRITE, AND AGAIN, MOST MY CONVERSATION ON TRANSPARENCY.
BECAUSE WE CAN SAY THE TAX RATES GOING DOWN.
LET'S BE HONEST AND CLEAR, YOU'LL BE PAYING MORE TAXES.
THE TAX REVENUE PEOPLE ARE PAYING, AND GIVE NUMBER ABOUT
>> IT IS AN INCREASE IN TAX REVIEW.
>> ABSOLUTELY. NO QUESTION ABOUT IT.
YOU HAVE TO BE INCREASED TAX REVENUE.
>> AS WE GO INTO PUBLIC MEETINGS AND SAY YELLOW WORRIED, YOU KNOW, WE WILL HAVE INCREASED HOMEBUILDING, HARRIS COUNTY IS GROWING. AND SO, IT WILL COMPLETELY
[01:10:03]
OFFSET ANY -- IT DOES COME WITH INDIVIDUALS ARE GOING TO PAY MORE IN TAXES. THINGS FIND TO SAY THAT.THEY JUST WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THAT IS.WE GO FORWARD AND TRY TO ANSWER SOQUME ESTIONS THAT SOME GOOD FOLKS HAVE ON THE BOND, IT WILL BE VERY CLEAR WHAT IT IS AND
WHAT IT ISN'T. >> ABSOLUTELY LET ME USE AN EXAMPLE TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR. COI'VE SAID IN THIS URT AND OUTSIDE OF THIS COURT, OUR TAX RATE ATTODAY, IS BASICALLY WH IT WAS 25 YEARS AGO. IT IS WHAT IT IS.
DOESN'T MEAN WE HAVE THE SAME TAX REVENUE? OF COURSE NOT.WE'VE INCREASED OPERATIONAL COST ALMOST 80 PERCENT OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT THERE BOTH TRUE. TAX RATE JUST BECAUSE IT DOES NOT CHANGE OR GO DOWN DOES NOT EQUATE TO NOT INCREASING TAX REVENUES. WE DO NEED AND WE DO WANT INCREASED TAX REVENUE BUT TO A SPECIFIC QUESTION ABOUT THE TAX
RATE, THOSE ANSWERS ARE TRUE. >> RECOGNIZING HOW IMPORTANT -- IS THE COMMUNITY, THE 400 MILLION CURRENTLY TARGETED FOR THAT, WHEN CAN WE EXPECT THAT TO BEGIN?
>> ALL COME BACK TO THIS COURT IN DECEMBER AND I HAVE AN
ANSWER FOR YOU. >> YOUR SAYING THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT FORD, THEY HAVEN'T MADE THE DECISION YET?
>> THE DECISION HAS NOT BEEN MAYBE HAVEN'T STARTED PLANNING FOR IT. AT ONE POINT LET ME SAY THIS AGAIN, JUST TO BE COMPLETELY TRANSPARENT.
THE HOSPITAL HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE. WE NEED TO BE COGNIZANT OF THAT
AS WELL. >> A 400 MILLION YOU GOT PLANNED HERE IS TO BUY SOME TIME?
>> CORRECT AND THAT'S ALWAYS BEEN IN THE CONVERSATION.
WE TRIED TO BUY A DECADE OF LIFE.> BASED ON EMERGENCY DISCARD LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS, I WOULD THINK THERE IS A 9-1-1 NEED TO MERELY GETTING THERE OPERATING ROOMS, OTHER THINGS THAT YOU DESCRIBE IN GREAT DETAIL.
SO WE WILL KNOW MORE AGAIN IN DECEMBER?
>> YES SIR. >> IT WILL BE HELPFUL FOR THE BOARD TO GIVE THE POINT OF CLARITY BEFORE THE VOTE.
>> NO, FOR THE SAME REASON. AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO COUNT MY
CHICKENS BEFORE IT GOES. >> BEFORE THEY HATCH.
>> BEFORE THEY HATCH, THANK YOU! COMMISSIONER, ALL OF THIS IS INTERTWINED.
IS OUR NEED $2.5 BILLION? IT IS NOT.
BUT I HAVE STANDING OF YOUR ASKING FOR $5 BILLION, I WOULD.
I WOULD ASK FOR $6 BILLION BECAUSE HONESTLY, TRULY, WE NEED MORE THAN $2.5 BILLION TO DO EVERYTHING THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM KNOWS THAT WE HAVE TO ACCOMPLISH.
$2.5 BILLION IS OUR BORROWING CAPACITY.
WITH THAT IN MIND, THIS IS THE BEST FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE HEALTHCARE CONSCIENCE BEING SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THIS COMMUNITY, THAT WE HAVE COME UP WITH.
>> I JUST WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN WE ARE OUT THERE COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC, AND THEY ASK US ABOUT IT, I DON'T THINK WE CAN SAY, NOT SURE WILL HAVE ENOUGH MONEY
WHICH IS LOWER WAGES SAID. >> I KNOW WHAT I SAID.
>> 6 BILLION, MERELY A 400 MILLION IDENTIFIED A TARGETED
>> WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHEN IT WILL START.
>> ACTUAL CONSTRUCTION, NO WE DON'T.
>> A READER KNOW WHERE THE PHONE MILLION, 400 MILLION WILL BE FOR THE CLINICS?> 500 MILLION.
>> 500 MILLION. >> ANOTHER TWO YEARS INTO THE CONSTRUCTION OF LBJ HOSPITAL, WE WILL BREAK GROUND OF THE FIRST CLINIC. PLEASE DON'T ASK ME WHAT CLINIC THAT IS GOING TO BE BECAUSE I'M NOT READY TO ANSWER THAT
QUESTION. >> YOU DID SAY GO FIND SOME
PLACE, FOR A -- >> I TOLD YOU, NOVEMBER 8, YOU AND I WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THIS.
>> SOME OF THE HEALTHCARE PEOPLE IN THAT AREA HAVE ENGAGED IN -- IT'S L ALT ABOU ARTRANSPENCY.
I THINK BISHOP DIXON SAID HE SAID IN , THE LETTERWE GOT A LOT OF FOLKS COUNTING ON THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TO DO WHAT THEY SAID THEY WILL DO. AND THE WORDS THAT WE USE IN COMMUNICATING WITH POTHE PUBLIC TO SUPRT THE BOND ISSUE, IS IMPORTANT. AND SO, I WANT TO BE SURE THAT
[01:15:01]
WE ARE USING THOSE WORDS, IT IS SOMETHING TWO YEARS FROM NOW, WE CAN COME BACK AND SAY IT WON'T BE LIKE THE BOND ISSUE WE HAD LAST YEAR. RAY WAS VERY CLEAR WE ARE GOING TO HUNDRED AND 20 MILLION, IT WAS SAID TO HUNDRED 20 MILLION FOR PRECINCT, THEN WE COME BACK THIS YEAR AND THAT NUMBERS CHANGED. I WOULD HOPE THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT WHEN WE SAY SOMETHING, WHEN WE PROVIDE CLARITY AND AGAIN, I WOULD CAN MAKE IT BACK PLTO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT BOAR AT LEAST I SEE A COUE OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT GOT A LOT MORE QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED. AND IT WILL BE GREAT, THE MORE COMMISSION WE HAVE THE MORE DETAIL WE HAVE, I THINK THE BETTER WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC.>> ABSOLUTELY. COMMISSIONER --
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR TOLERANCE. HEARING OUR QUESTIONS.
>> I APPRECIATE YOUR INTEREST. AND YOU KNOW, VERY POINTED AND VERY GOOD QUESTIONS. LET ME JUST SAY THIS WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE CLINICS AND THE HOSPITALS.
YOU KNOW THAT PLANS ARE PARTY TO YOU THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID. IT JUST REMINDED ME AND ASSURE THIS. SO THAT WHEN I WAS BEING INTERVIEWED FOR THIS ROLE, MY LAST INTERVIEW, WITH THE ENTIRE BOARD OF THE SYSTEM, ONE THING REMEMBER SAYING IN THAT MEETING WAS THAT IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR A HOSPITAL CENTRIC CEO, I AM NOT THAT GUY. IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE WHO IS COMMITTED TO POPULATION HEALTH, AND PRINCIPLES, TAKING CARE OF THE COMMUNITY, IMPROVING HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY SO THAT WE HAVE TO RELY LESS AND LESS ON HOSPITALS, I'M YOUR GUY. AND APPARENTLY, THEY LIKE THE ANSWER. THAT'S WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
>> TO YOUR COMMENT? >> YES, THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> I'M SHARING YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKING SURE BEING AS TRANSPARENT AND WITH THE PUBLIC, AND ON THAT POINT, ANOTHER SO MUCH INFORMATION YOU SHARED WITH THE COURT. IN TERMS OF FACT AND CLARITY ON THE NEED. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR MORE, ESPECIALLY SAY WE ARE CONVENED IN ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE WATCHING. THE NEED IS URGENT AND EVER-GROWING. WHAT ARE THE FACTS THAT COMPEL, WE MUST DO THIS INVESTMENT? AN EQUALLY ELIMINATING I FOUND WAS WHEN YOU, I'M ALWAYS ASKING FOR COMPARISON POINTS.
COMPARING TO THEIR IN DALLAS AND OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS, WHERE HARRIS COUNTY STANDS. EVERY DAY SOME OF THE SOME OTHER INFORMANT PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, I'M SO PROUD WE LIVE IN THE PLACE WITH THE LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER IN THE WORLD AND THE FACT WE CAN LIVE IN THE PLACE WITH THE BEST AND LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER, AND HAVE DELTAS AND LIFE EXPECTANCIES OF 20 YEARS, DEPENDING ON YOUR ZIP CODE AND WE HAVE THE HIGHEST MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IN THE NATION WHILE WE LIVE IN THIS WORLD CLASS MEDICAL CENTER, BOTH THINGS SHOULD NOT BE TRUE.
AND THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT WE ALL KNOW IT IS IMPORTANT BUT NOT SUFFICIENT. AND IT WILL NOT GET US THE FULL WAY THERE. MY QUESTION IS, PLEASE MAKE SURE WITH THE PUBLIC AND TODAY, TO BE EXTRA CLEAR ON WHY THIS IS CRITICAL, AND WHY IT'S CRITICAL NOW.
AND HOW HARRIS COUNTY FAIRS WITH THE COUNTIES NEIGHBORING.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION BECAUSE THAT IS SOMETHING I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT. AS FAR AS THE NEED, I'VE MENTIONED HERE, AGAIN, 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF EMERGENCY ROOM CAPACITY IS TAKEN UP BY PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST WAITING EMERGENCY ROOM TO FIND A HOSPITAL BED.
THE IAUTOMACALLY CREATES ENTIRE OPERATION INEFFICIENT.
THIS IS WHEN YOU GET PEOPLE WAITING EMERGENCY ROOM, AND PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT 24 HOURS WAITING EMERGENCY ROOM.
WHICH HAPPENS UNFORTUNATE. IS IT AVERAGE? NO, IT'S MUCH BETTER THAN THAT BUT WHEN YOU GET BACKLOGGED, UNFORTUNATELY, THINGS LIKE THATO HAPPEN.
HAVING PPLE ITIN THE HALLS OF THE HOSPAL IN BEDS, THAT SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. IN THIS DAY AND AGE, IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, HOME TO THE LARGEST CONGLOMERATION OF HOSPITALS AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS. THE FACT THAT HARRIS HEALTH, NOT ONLY NOT FAIR TO OUR NFPATIENTS AND COMMUNITIES, IT' REALLY UAIR TO OUR EMPLOYEES. TO HAVE THOSE SERVICES IN THOSE CONDITIONS. YOU KNOW, YOU ASK ABOUT HOW WE COMPARE TO OUR NEIGHBORS AND YOU KNOW, I ALWAYS THINK TWICE BEFORE SAYING THIS BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO COME ACROSS AS ME KNOCKING DOWN THE OTHER HOSPITAL SYSTEM BECAUSI'M NOT. BUT SINCE YOU ASKED, MENTIONED EARLIER TODAY OUR TAX RATE TODAY IS WHAT IT WAS ALMOST 25
[01:20:04]
YEARS AGO. AGAIN, COMMISSIONER, DISNEY WE ARE GETTING THE SAME REVENUE WE ARE GETTING MUCH MORE TAX REVENUE. HOWEVER, WHEN YOU LOOK AT BEXAR, DALLAS AND OTHERS THEY ALSO HAVE POPULATION GROWTH AND INCREASE IN VALUE. D A MATTER OF FACT, A FEW MONTH AGO, DALLAS WAS NAMEAS THE LARGEST, FASTEST GROWING METROPOLITAN AREA IN THE COUNTRY.NOT JUST TEXAS. THEY HAD THE SAME POPULATION BOOM THEY'VE HAD THE SAME INCREASE IN APPRAISAL VALUE THEY'VE HAD IN HOMEOWNERSHIP, THEIR TAX RATE HAS GONE UP BY 12 PERCENT. SAN ANTONIO, THE SAME THING.
BOOM AND POPULATION GROWTH, BOOM IN HOMEOWNERSHIP AND VALUE.HEIR TAX RATE HAS GONE UP 17 PERCENT.
I HAVE TO USE THE MONEY. DALLAS BUILT A 900 PRIVATE ROOM HOSPITAL WHICH IS TODAY, PROBABLY THE BEST HOSPITAL IN THE COUNTRY AS FAR AS INFRASTRUCTURE.
900 PRIVATE ROOMS. THEY BUILT TWO SPECIALTY CLINICS. AN ADMINISTRATIVE BUILDING, A COUPLE OF PARKING GARAGES, THEY PUT THE MONEY TO USE BECAUSE THAT IS THE BOTTOM LINE OF THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.
EVERY DOLLAR OF THE BOTTOM LINE GOES INTO PROVIDING ADDITIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE SERVICES.SAN ANTONIO, THEY BUILT A BRAND-NEW HOSPITAL. NEXT MONTH THERE ACTUALLY OPENING THE BRAND-NEW WOMEN AND CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL.
THEY ALSO BOUGHT LAND ALL AROUND SAN ANTONIO.
I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I SPEAK TO THE CEOS. WE ARE AT THE BOTTOM, WE BEEN AT THE BOTTOM THE FACT THAT OVER DECADES, OUR SYSTEM HAS BEEN AN AFTERTHOUGHT. PEOPLE HAVE ASKED ME, WHY IT'S BEEN THE CASE AND I DON'T KNOW. IT DOESN'T MATTER.
WE ARE WHERE WE ARE TODAY. THAT'S WHY I STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY, ASKING FOR THIS BOND PROPOSAL TO HIM ON THE BALLOT.
BECAUSE THE NEED IS CLEAR, THE NEED IS URGENT.
YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW A LOT OF THINGS ABOUT THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF THIS OR THAT.
BUT I DO KNOW THAT IF THE BOND PROPOSAL DOES NOT GET ON THE BALLOT AND IF IT DOES NOT PASS, TERRIBLE THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN. OUR INFRASTRUCTURE WILL FAIL.
AND PEOPLE WILL SUFFER. WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TODAY TO PREVENT THAT FROM HAPPENING. AND I HOPE COMMISSIONERS AGREE WITH ME AND THIS PROPOSAL WILL BE PLACED ON THE BALLOT.
AND THE GOOD PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, CITY OF HOUSTON WILL
SUPPORT IT. >> CALL EXHIBIT REAL PATIENT BUT HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS AS DODOCTOR, YOU A GOOD JOB.
>> THANK YOU.S,> OR DISTRES WHEN ANY OF US ASK QUESTIONS T WHENHE BOARD DOES, THE WAY THE BUSINESS WORKS, EVEN WITH ALL OF VETHE EQUITY IN THE SEN YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE, WHEN THE STUDIES COME BACK, PEOPLE TALK TO ME LIKE I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOU KNOW, THE ACT LIKE I'VE ALWAYS BEEN HERE. YOU KNOW, THEY TALK TO ME LIKE I'VE BEEN HERE 37 YEARS. SO IT GOES WITH THE TURF.
PLEASE DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL. I I WAS COURTING RONALD REAGAN EARLIER WILL QUOTE LBJ NOW. WHAT THE HELL IS POWER FOR IF YOU DON'T USE IT? BUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, YOU ARE TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR DECADES OF NEGLECT.
AND LET ME POINT OUT TO MY FRIENDS HERE FROM THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT AND THE COMMUNITIES AS WELL, MY GUESS IS, OUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM THE PRIVATE AND PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY HAS MATCHED THAT OF OUR NEIGHBORS IN DALLAS AS AN EXAMPLE. IS THAT IF YOUR COMMENT?
>> IT IS. >> BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE.
AND YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO STRESS EQUITY TO MOST PEOPLE IS REALLY JUST A SIX LETTER WORD. THAT'S IT.OWARD OUT LIKE YOU'RE DRINKING COFFEE. WHEN THESE OPPORTUNITIES COME, AS A LEADER FROM A MINORITY COMMUNITY, HAVE TO RAISE THE ISSUES. I ALSO WANT TO SAY IN A BROADER CONTEXT, OF WHAT WE DO, WE CAN JUST FOCUS ON YOUR PIECE OF THE PIE. YOUR SLIDES TALKED ABOUT AN ASSUMPTION AS I RECALL IT, SOME THINGS I FORGET, SOME I
[01:25:06]
REMEMBER. BUT ONE WOULD ASSUME THERE WILL BE NO MAJOR CATASTROPHE.THOSE BEFORE RECORD NUMBER 100 DEGREE DAYS. I THINK IT WAS REFERENCE TO ASSUMING THERE WOULD BE NO MAJOR EVENT.BUT IF THERE IS ONE, WE DON'T KNOW.
YOU HAD A GREAT COMMENT, YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU DON'T KNOW.
MR. RAMOS, YOU CAN JUMP IN ON THIS.
HAVE WE LOOKED AT, I WANT TO BE TRANSPARENT.
BECAUSE I AM SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE THE HEAT.
I DON'T GET ONE OF THE SEATS. I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM, I GET THAT. WE MAKE IT UP FOR DECADES OF NEGLECT. THAT'S WHAT WE DO NOW.
BOTH FROM THIS TABLE AND FROM PEOPLE IN POSITIONS OF POWER NOT AT THIS TABLE. YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT AS WE LOOK AT OUR TAX RATE AND WITH THE STATE DOES TO US MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR US TO PAY. BOND IS JUST A CREDIT CARD.
I HATE IT. THEY USED TO CALL WHAT I DID MY FORMER LIFE, A MERCHANT OF DEBT.
YOU ACT LIKE A BOND IS FREE. AMERICAN EXPRESS, MASTERCARD, YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, IS JUST A CREDIT CARD.
YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT WE DO IN TERMS OF THE JAIL? WHETHER WE KEEP PATCHING UP OR BUILD A NEW ONE.
DID YOU TAKE INTO ACCOUNT WHAT WE WILL DO AT NRG? IF NOT WE HAVE NO WORLD CUP. AS A CONTEXT OF HOW YOU PAY IS THE MASTER, I AM THE MASTER OF THAT.
DO YOU TAKE THOSE INTO ACCOUNT WHEN YOU COME UP WITH THESE REDUCTIONS? BECAUSE WE DIDN'T TAKE ANYTHING TO ATTEND WITH THE JAIL BUT WE DID TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THE ALL THE OTHER BONDS ARE PASSED. WE WERE CONSERVATIVE IN OUR ESTIMATES. WE ASSUME 4.7 GROWTH, WHERE WE HAD DOUBLE DIGITS THE LAST TWO YEARS I'VE BEEN HERE WITH, IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT IS SLOWING DOWN.
WE ALSO ASSUME NO GROWTH AFTER 10 YEARS.
WHICH WE KNOW IS UNLIKELY. >> THAT WILL BE CONSERVATIVE.
>> I WOULD JUST FLAG IN TERMS OF BEING CONSERVATIVE ON THE FINANCIAL FRONT. NOBODY IN HARRIS COUNTY IS REALLY BEING TAXED AT PROPERTY WOULD AYSELL FOR TOD.
AND THE REASON FOR THAT IS THE E APPRAISAL OMESTEAD CAN ONLY GO UP 10 PERCENT. EVEN IF, YOU TAKE USE OF CONSISTENTLY LOWER SALES FOR US TO EVER FEEL YTHE EFFECTS.
>>OU KNOW I GET IT. REI'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SU MYH COLLEAGUES UNDERSTAND E POINT.
YOU PAY FO R WHAT YOU GET. CRACKSCORRECT.
>> AND THAT IS IMPORTANT. -- ALSO IMPACTED.
BECAUSE HIS COUNTY HAS CHANGED FEDERAL MONEY THAT HAS COST BENEFIT RATIO FOR YEARS, THAT'S PARTIALLY WHY MOST NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE THOSE LBJ AND OTHERS COME FROM, YOU HAVE FLOODING. IF YOU WANT TO FIGURE OUT, YOU BETTER GO PUT THEM RIGHT NEXT TO RIVER OAKS.
BECAUSE COST-BENEFIT RATIO MEANS THAT THE ONE BY YOU IS WHERE YOU HAVE THE MOST WONDERFUL HOMES.
BUT I WANT TO RAISE THAT. AND WITH THAT I'LL TAKE A MOTION.> THANK YOU. AND I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THOUGHT. THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IS NEVER BEEN AN AFTERTHOUGHT. IT'S BEEN A VERY STRATEGIC THOUGHT. WE HAVE NOT WE, BUT THIS TABLE, IN YEARS PER HIS CUT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAX RATE SO
WE CAN BALANCE THE OTHERS. >> IT IS CONSIDERED FUNGIBLE.
>> DISPENSABLE, BETTER YET. I AM PROUD TO MAKE THE MOTION
ON ITEM 2 AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND PETER CHRIS MAYBE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK I WAS SUPPOSED TO TAKE A MOTION.
APPROVAL FOR BOND FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
ITEM NUMBER TWO, APPROVAL FOR ARTICLE BOND ELECTION OF HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 4-0, ITEM PASSES AS PRESENTED.
IT IS TIME FOR US, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A
MOTION THAT WE ADJOURN. >> THANK YOU.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND EVERYONE HERE, THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO JOIN US AT THIS IMPORTANT MEETING.
I DO WANT TO PROPOSE THAT WE CLOSE TODAY'S MEETING, THE PUBLIC MEETING IN HONOR OF THE DEPUTY THAT HAS BEEN SHOT.
I WANT TO THANK THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE ATTENDING TO HIM. I UNDERSTAND HE IS COME OUT OF
[01:30:03]
SURGERY, HE IS STILL IN CRITICAL CONDITION BUT STABLE.AND RECOVERING. WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL THAT HE WILL BE ABLE TO RECOVER AND CONTINUE TO PURSUE HIS DREAM OF BEING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER.
I HAVE FOUND OUT HE ALSO HAS A BROTHER IN THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT. THE FAMILY IS VERY TIGHT, HE WAS A LATERAL TRANSFER FROM BERKSHIRE POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND AGAIN, HE'S BEEN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE JUST OVER ONE YEAR ABOUT ONE YEAR AND THREE MONTHS AND THIS IS A REMINDER THAT FOR THOSE THAT WE SEND OUT UNDER THE MOST DANGEROUS CIRCUMSTANCES, THE INDIVIDUAL THAT WE BELIEVE MAY BE RESPONSIBLE, WAS -- AND THERE WAS ALREADY A PURSUIT OF HIM. AND SO, IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IT'S COME TO THIS POINT BUT WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THOSE THAT ARE BRAVE, AND TO ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE KEEP THEM IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS.
TODAY'S MEETING HAS BEEN AN HONOR AND BECAUSE IT IN HONOR
THE AUGUST 17, 2023 SPECIAL MEETING OF HARRIS COUNTY COMM
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.