Aug 29, 2023 Commissioners Court

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>> GOOD MORNING, IT IS 10:02 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE AUGUST 29, 2023 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BRIEF COMMENT, GIVE AN UPDATE ON JUDGE HIDALGO.

SHE HAD AN OPEN LINE OF COMMUNICATION WITH HER TEAM AND IS LOOKING FORWARD TO GET BACK TO WORK ONCE HER TREATMENT IS COMPLETE. SHE APPRECIATES THE OVERWHELMING NUMBER OF WELL WISHERS AND REBHANS GRATEFUL FOR THE POSITIVE EXAMPLE THAT -- SHE REMAINS GRATEFUL FOR THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT FROM THE MANY WELL-WISHERS SHE HAS HEARD FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF HER STAFF ONLY REACHED OUT ONE TIME HAND THIS IS WITH A NICE VOICE MESSAGE I GOT FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES ASKING WHAT SHE COULD TO DO BE HELPFUL. BUT THE JUDGE REMAINS GRATEFUL FOR ANYONE WHO HAS REACHED OUT TO HER AND WE REMAIN GRATEFUL FOR THING TO I HAVE IT EXAMPLE THAT SHE HAS SET FOR DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES. ALL OF US CAN RELATE TO MEMBERS OF OUR FAMILY, LOVED ONES AND NEIGHBOR.

[Pastor Samuel J. Gilbert II of Mount Sinai Baptist Church in Houston.]

WITH THAT, I WANT TO INTRODUCE OUR GUEST PASTOR OF THE DAY.

HE IS MY GUEST TODAY. PASTOR SAMUEL GILLBERT II OF THE MOUNT SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH IN HOUSTON.

DR. GILBERT IS A PROUD PASTOR OF MOUNT SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH FICTION NATALIE CALLED THE MOUNTAIN CHURCH.

HE LABELED HAD HIS JOURNEY FOR OVER 21 YEARS.

A LITTLE NOISE BACK THERE. PLEASE.

OKAY, JUST -- IF YOU WOULD, JUST -- WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO REMOVE YOU, SO PLEASE BE QUIET. JUST HOLD YOUR PEACE AND WE WILL LET YOU STAY HERE. HE HAS LABORED IN HIS JOURNEY OF 23 YEARS UNDER HIS LOIPT THE CHURCH A PILLAR IN THE HOUSTON HEIGHTS COMMUNITY HAS TRANSITIONED INTO A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH WITH A CONTEMPORARY FLARE.

TRADITIONAL BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH THAT MANY OF US VISIT ON A REGULAR BASIS. 25 YEARS IN THE ANYONE TREE.

A VIBRANT STAFF OF COMMITTED LEADERS.

DR. GILBERT'S MINISTRY IS TOUCHING THE LIVES AND CHANGING THE HEARTS OF ONE MANY AT A TIME.

A GRADUATE OF BISHOP COLLEGE, OF VIRGINIA UNION UNIVERSITY AND HOWARD UNIVERSITY. DR. GILBERT IS A DILIGENT STUDENT OF THE WORD. A SON OF DR. SAMUEL J. GILBERT SR., PASTOR EMERITUS OF MOUNT SINAI BAPTIST CHURCH.

A LEADER AND PILLAR IN THE COMMUNITY.

SAMUEL GILLBERT III, GRADUATE OF KENTUCKY.

GOOD TO SEE. >> YOU AMEN.

AMEN. GOOD TO SEE YOU.

APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY PRESENCE HERE TODAY. LET US PRAY.

OUR FATHER, GOD WE HAVE COME BEFORE YOU TODAY AS OUR UTTER HELPLESSLESSNESS TO MOVE, TO LIVE, AND EXIST WITHOUT YOU.

WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOMENT IN TIME AS HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PREPARES TO ENGAGE ITS JUDICIAL RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN AND OPERATE OUR COMMUNITY'S PARKS, THE CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE OF OUR ROADS AND BRIDGES, COMMUNITY CENTERS, TRAFFIC SIGNAGE, OVERALL ADMINISTRATION.

AND THE DILIGENT WATCH OVER THE PHYSICAL AND FIDUCIARY CONCERNS PERTAINING THERE ON TO. DEAR LORD, WE PRAY FOR SUCCESSFUL NEGOTIATIONS TODAY. AND WE CONFESS THAT NOTHING CAN CAN BE DONE WITHOUT YOU. IT IS OUR PRAYER, DEAR, LORD, THAT YOU WILL GUARD AND GUIDE ALL OF THEIR DELIBERATIONS TODAY, GOVERN THEIR EVERY DECISION AND GRANT TO THESE MEN AND WOMEN YOUR GRACE AND FAVOR IN CLEAR AND UNMISTAKABLE WAYS.

MAKE YOUR PRESENCE AND POWER KNOWN AMONG THEM AND TO ALL OF US AS WE DO WHAT IS BEST FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND DEAR GOD, YOU BE THE SUPREME JUDGE AND MODERATOR OF WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO

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AND MAY YOUR GREAT POWER OVER IN THIS PLACE, IN THIS SPACE SUCH THAT EVERY PARTICIPANT, BOTH COMMISSIONERS AND THOSE FROM WITHIN THE COMMUNITY WILL EXERCISE PRUDENCE, DISPLAY LOVE, EXTEND MERCY, AND GIVE GRACE. GOD, WHEN THE SESSION HAS ENDED, WE ASK THAT YOU IT DIRECT OUR FAITH AND OUR BEHAVIOR AS WE LIVE ON PURPOSE IN HOUSTON TO BE LIGHT FOR A DARK WORLD.

ULTIMATELY, WE WANT OUR CITY AND HARRIS COUNTY TO BECOME A CONSTANT PLACE OF YOUR HOLY ABODE.

WE PRAY FOR PEACE FOR OUR JUDGE. WE PRAY FOR PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING. WE ASK FOR YOUR PRESENCE IN OTHER LIFE RIGHT NOW. WE DARE NOT END THIS PRAYER, LORD, WITHOUT ASKING FOR YOUR PROTECTIONS AND SAFETIES FOR THOSE IN THE LINE OF HURRICANE IDALIA.

AND DEAR LORD, WE PRAY FOR COMFORT.

WE PRAY FOR STRENGTH. FOR THOSE AFFECTED IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA BY THE HATE OF RACISM BUT LORD BY YOUR GRACE, WE STILL BELIEVE ON THE 60TH ANNIVERSARY OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.'S MARCH THAT WE SHALL OVERCOME.

AND WE OFFER THIS PRAYER IN THE NAME OF CHRIST, JESUS THE

CHRIST, AMEN. >> AMEN.

>> THANK YOU, DR. GILBERT. A VERY POWERFUL PRAYER.

>> DR. GILBERT, GOOD TO SEE YOU. AND GIVE YOUR POP THE CONTINUED PRAYER AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT IT IS ALWAYS INCREDIBLE TO GO BY AND VISIT THE CHURCH. AND JUST TO HEAR HIS THOUGHTS AND SEE THE OTHER PASTORS COME TOGETHER.

AND I JUST REMEMBERED THAT -- I REMEMBER ONE OF THE FIRST TIMES I STEPPED IN THERE, AND IT WASN'T DURING A CAMPAIGN.

I JUST HAPPENED TO NEED SOME PRAYER THAT DAY.

AND I KNEW YOU WERE MEETING AND SLIDE UP IN THERE.

YOUR DAD COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY I WAS THERE.

I SAID, I JUST NEED SOMETHING -- WHAT DAYS DO Y'ALL MEET, MONDAYS

OR TUESDAYS. >> EVERY MONDAY.

>> EVERY MONDAY, YEAH. I SAID -- I DIDN'T GET ANYTHING THIS WEEKEND. I NEED SOMETHING TODAY.

BUT, LISTEN, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND YOUR FATHER, WHO WAS SUCH AN IMMENSE PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND ALWAYS ENJOYED TAKING HIS CALLS AND WORKING WITH HIM.

SO THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING IN -- IN THAT LEGACY.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER.

HE WAS EARLY. HE BEAT ME HERE.

I WAS EMBARRASSED. I WALKED IN AND HE WAS STANDING THERE TRYING TO GET IN THE CONFERENCE ROOM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. LET'S STAND AND DO THE U.S.

PLEDGE AND THEN THE TEXAS PLEDGE.

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

AND TO HE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG. WE PLEDGE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE, UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVI

[Departments ( Part 1 of 3 )]

INDIVISIBLE. >> WE HAVE SEVEN RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING. I HAVE ONE FOR JUDGE HIDALGO THAT I WILL PRESENT. AND IT IS HONORING ONE OF OUR OWN, IMELDA DIAZ. SAYS WHEREAS AFTER 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WILL RETIRE AUGUST 21, 2023. THROUGHOUT HER CAREER, SHE HAS BEEN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE FLOOD CONTROL FAMILY IN HER JOURNEY WITH THE ORGANIZATION HAS BEEN NOTHING SHORT OF INSPIRING. HER CONTRIBUTIONS HAVE LEFT AN

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DURING HER TIME WITH THE DISTRICT, IMELDA WENT BACK TO SCHOOL TO EARN HER ENGINEERING DEGREE TO CLIMB THE RANKS TO BE THE ENGINEERING DIVISION DIRECTOR.

HER DEMONSTRATION OF WORK ETHIC AND PASSION FOR ENGINEERING.

IMELDA'S JOURNEY TO BE A DIVISION DIRECTOR WAS AN INSPIRATION TO HER MANY FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES.

OVERCAME CHALLENGES AND SHATTERED GLASS CEILING AS AN ENGINEER. HER ASSENT TO THIS ROLE STANDS AS A TESTAMENT TO HER PERSEVERANCE, AND UNIQUE VALUE TO THE DISTRICT. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT EXTENDS APPRECIATION TO IMELDA DIAZ FOR 25 YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. [CHEERING] DON'T BE BASHFUL. WE WANT YOU TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> WHILE MISS DIAZ IS MAKING HER WAY UP, WANT TO ECHO THAT SENTIMENT. 25 YEARS.

AS A WOMAN, AS A LATINA, I AM PARTICULARLY INSPIRED BY YOUR STORY. AN AMERICAN DREAM STORY FROM AN ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING AND THE CONTRIBUTIONS WE HAVE MADE AND SINCE DAY ONE ARRIVED IN JANUARY. YOU AND DR. PETERSON AND YOUR TEAM, I HAVE SEEN YOUR EXCELLENCE AND YOUR INTEGRITY AND COMMITMENT TO SERVICE. YOU WILL BE DEARLY MISSED.

THANK YOU, MISS DIAZ. >> I KNOW THE FIRST FEMALE IN YOUR POSITION. BROKE THE GLASS CEILING FOR YOU.

DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? >> YEAH.

>> WE WILL HEAR FROM YOU DR. PETERSON AND THEN COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> I JUST WANTED TO ECHO THE WORDS AND RESOLUTION AND JUST BE HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE IMELDA.

I AM SO VERY THANKFUL WE HAD HER CONTRIBUTIONS OVER THE PAST 25 YEARS IN THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

AS SHE PREPARES TO RETIRE, WE THINK BACK OF ALL OF THE STEPS IT TOOK HER TO GET TO WHERE SHE IS AT.

SHE LEFT A MARK ON THE ORGANIZATION, AND WE ARE VERY APPRECIATIVE. AND WE WILL VERY MUCH MISS

YOU, IMELDA. >>.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: DR. PETERSON, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. IMELDA, I EXPECT TELL YOU HOW PROUD I AM OF YOU AND GRATEFUL TO YOU.

AND TELL FOLKS IF YOU JUST DIDN'T KNOW IMELD AA.

AMEL DA WAS ONE OF THE QUIET LEADERS IN THE ORGANIZATION.

IMELDA DOMINATED THE ORGANIZATION.

I AM PROUD WHERE YOUR TRAJECTORY IS TAKING YOU NOW AND EXCITING TO HEAR THAT YOUR DAUGHTERS ARE FOLLOWING IN YOUR FOOTSTEPS AND I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT NEW LEGACY YOUR FAMILY WILL CREATE.

SO PROUD OF YOU. AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. YOU JUST HAVE BEEN AN IMMENSE VALUE TO MY OFFICE AND TO MY TEAM.

AND OBVIOUSLY TO THE ORGANIZATION AS A WHOLE.

BUT WE ARE PROUD OF YOU. AND THIS -- THIS ALMOST BRINGS A TEAR TO MY EYE, PAUSE TO HAVE SOMEONE LIKE YOU SUCCEED, YOU KNOW, IT IS UNFORTUNATE IT TOOK 25 YEARS.

BUT WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU ARE HERE.

WE ARE GRATEFUL TO THE SERVICE YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

BUT I KNOW THAT THE GOOD LORD HAS GOT A LOT OF GREAT THINGS IN STORE FOR YOU. SO CONGRATULATIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER RACHL SEE. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK YOU, IMELDA FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

I KNOW PEOPLE DON'T REALIZE BECAUSE IT IS HERE THE AUTO HOME, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IS PROBABLY THE PREMIERE FLOOD CONTROL AGENCIES IN THE U.S. AND YOU HAVE CONTRIBUTED GREATLY TO THAT I KNOW OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT CONTRIBUTION. >> THANK YOU.

DR. PETERSON AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR KIND AND VERY HUMBLING WORDS. I AM -- I HAVE BEEN SO HONORED HONESTLY TO WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND TO WORK WITH THE -- WITH MY FLOOD CONTROL FAMILY FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WE HAVE LITERALLY SPENT THOUSANDS -- HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DAUGHTERS PLANNING, DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROJECTS WITH MY TEAM.

IT REALLY NEVER GETS COLD. LIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT ENGINEERING. I AM FORTUNATE ENOUGH TO BE ONE

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PART OF ALL THE PROJECTS WE HAVE COMPLETED OVER THE LAST 25 YEARS BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT THEY WORK. AND WE KNOW THAT THEY ARE ALREADY HELPING THOUSANDS OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS.

BUT FIRST AND PRIMARILY -- >> CONTINUE.

>> I WANT TO THANK EVERY SINGLE PERSON AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THEIR SUPPORT, THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, FOR WORKING ALONGSIDE ME THE LAST 25 YEARS TO DELIVER THIS PROJECT. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF I COULD DO A QUICK POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE WHILE PASTOR GILBERT IS HERE AND BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU TOUCHED ON, THE TRAGEDY IN JACKSONVILLE.

AND WE HAVE -- WE HAVE HAD COUPLE MORE SINCE, ALTHOUGH NOT AS HORRIBLE AS THAT. THEY ARE ALL HORRIBLE, BUT WHEN ONE IS BASED ON RACE, THOSE MASS SHOOTINGS JUST REMIND US THAT THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE AND LEADERSHIP TO BE INVOKED.

AND SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK THAT WE RECOGNIZE A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF ALL THE VICTIMS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU HAVE ITEM NUMBER 3 THE SUSAN ROB .

>> WE ARE JOINED BY THE DAUGHTER OF SUSIE ALISON AND AN INCREDIBLE RESOLUTION FOR ME BECAUSE IT JUST REMINDS US JUST LIKE WE ARE HEARING FROM IMELDA, INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO HAS DONE SO MUCH TO ADVOCATE FOR DIFFERENT ISSUES. AND ON THIS ONE, WE ARE GOING TO REMEMBER AND RECOGNIZE THAT SUSIE WAS A LIFETIME ACTIVE MEMBER OF THE BAY AREA AREA COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERING TIME AND EFFORTS TO MANY CIVIC PROJECTS AND CAUSES OVER THE PAST 40-PLUS YEARS. WE APPRECIATE ALL SHE DID.

AND BEFORE I ASK ANNN TO COME TO THE PODIUM, I WANT TO REAL THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I AM JUST T THE PODIUM, I WANT TO REAL THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE I AM JUST LIKE, WOW.

WHAT -- WHAT A POWERHOUSE. AND SO -- AND THEN I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE ALL THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE WHO WERE TOUCHED BY SUSIE AND ARE HERE TO SHARE THEIR OWN THOUGHTS AND WO WORDS.

BUT SUSAN ROBERTS ALISON WAS BORN IN FRANKFURT, KENTUCKY IN 1940. SUSIE PASSED REGRETFULLY JUNE 5 OF THIS YEAR. JOINING UP IN FRANKFURT THE STATE CAPITOL, SHE MET MANY POLITICAL FIGURES.

REGISTERED TO VOTE AT AGE 18 AND GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY WITH A DEGREE IN ENGLISH.

MOVED TO THE CLEAR LAKE AREA IN 1969 JUST BEFORE THE MOON LANDING. HER HUSBAND WORKED AS A PHYSICIST AND SUSIE SERVED AS A PROGRAMMING AT THE NATIONAL AEROSPACE INSTITUTE. AND PASSIONATE WITH THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT AND CONTINUING INTO LOCAL POLITICS, SHE WAS A LONG-TIME LEADER FOR VETTING CANDIDATES FOR LOCAL OFFICE.

I REMEMBER THAT. PARTICIPATING IN ENDORSEMENTS AND ORGANIZING VOTER REGISTRATION DRIVES.

SHE MADE MANY LIFELONG FRIENDS THROUGH POLITICAL ACTIVITIES.

IN THE '70S, SUSIE HELPED TO INITIATE CLEAR LAKE CITY OF ONE VOTE TO TWO-THIRDS MAJORITY REQUIRED.

SHE UNDERSTOOD THAT AFTER ANNEXATION, THE CLEAR LAKE CITY WATER AUTHORITY WAS THE ONLY ENTITY TO PROTECT THE COMMUNITY AND ACTIVELY SUPPORTED THE DIRECTORS WHO SHARED THEIR CONCERN FOR THE AREA. LEADING SUCCESSFUL NONIMPORTANT CAMPAIGNS. IN 2005 WHEN THE CLEAR LAKE GOLF COURSE CLOSED THREATENING NEW COMMERCIAL AND HIGH DENSITY DEVELOPMENT, SUSIE LED A COMMUNITY EFFORT TO PROTECT THE 200-ACRE AREA CREATING EXPIRATION GREEN.

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SO, ANN, WILL YOU COME UP AND TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR MO MOM.

>> THANK YOU SO AS MUCH FOR RECOGNIZING MY MOTHER TODAY.

SHE WAS AS YOU MENTIONEDED A LIFE-LONG ACTIVIST.

SHE FOUND HER MEANING AND HER PURPOSE IN LIFE THROUGH HER POLITICAL CAUSES AND SHE WAS PASSIONATE.

A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH ON THE POLITICAL SCENE.

I THINK SHE WOULD HAVE SEEN THIS AS A LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD.

I REALLY DO. SHE WERE HERE SHE WOULD BE MOVED. DEEPLY TOUCHED TO SEE THE COMMUNITY AND HER FRIENDS STANDING BY HER TODAY.

SO WITHOUT MAKING A BIG PRODUCTION, I WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS MY HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO YOU AND HER FRIENDS FOR RECOGNIZING HER LIFETIME SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> GOD BLESS YOU.

>> I THINK WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON THE RESOLUTION.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DO WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON THE

RESOLUTION? >> COME ON UP, GUYS.

>> TIFFANY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU HAVE

ONE TO DIAL IN AS WELL. >> FIRST IS MUHAMMED NAZRULA.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL LET YOU SPEAK FIRST.

GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS JOHN HAIR.

I LIVE BETWEEN ELLINGTON FIELD AND JOHNSON SPACE CENTER AT NASA. I STRONGLY SUPPORT THIS RESOLUTION. SUSIE WAS A KIND AND GENTLE PERSON. SHE WAS A MINUTE FOR FOR PEOPLE WHO SAW THE PUBLIC OFFICE AND TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE.

AND SHE IS INDEED VERY MUCH MISSED.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JOHN.

MUHAMMED? GOOD TO SEE YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: JUST SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> HONORABLE COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS MUH MUHAMMED NAZRULAH. I AM A LONG-TIME RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR HONORING MY DEAR FRIEND, SUSIE, WITH THIS WONDERFUL RESOLUTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I HAVE KNOWN SUSIE FOR MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

WHEN I FIRST MOVED HERE FROM CALIFORNIA, THINGS WERE A LITTLE DIFFERENT COMPARED TO WHERE I CAME FROM AND SUSIE GUIDED ME IN GETTING REGISTERED TO VOTE. SHE ENCOURAGED ME TO BECOME A VOLUNTEER DEPUTY REGISTRAR. AND THEN SHE KIND OF COAXED ME INTO -- OR CHALLENGED ME INTO BECOMING -- OR DOING PHONE BANKING AND BLOCK WALKING, OKAY. SHE DID SUCH A WONDERFUL JOB, THAT I ACTUALLY ENJOYED BLOCK WALKING AND PHONE BANKING.

[LAUGHTER] AND --

>> THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> A WONDERFUL STRONG LEADER AND AN ACTIVIST IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND HER LOSS IS A MAJOR LOSS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE ALL MISS HER. AND ONCE AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR RECOGNIZING HER AND HONORING HER WITH THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU, MUHAMMED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DO WE

HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER? >>CLERK: DOUG PETERSON.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. GREAT TO BE HERE TODAY FOR SUCH A GREAT RESOLUTION. MUHAMMED GAVE A QUICK IDEA HOW IT WORKED, BUT I WOULD SAY IN MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE, IN 1993, I WAS A NASA EMPLOYEE HATCHED. AND I WAS THEN UNHATCHED AND I COULD GO TO POLITICAL MEETINGS. THE VERY FIRST ONE I WENT TO WAS FOR A BANJO-PLAYING STATE REP CANDIDATE AT SUSIE'S HOUSE.

THAT IS WHERE MY LIFE CHANGED, AND DID AMAZING THINGS OVER THE -- OVER THE DECADES THAT WENT BY.

AND SUSIE WAS ALWAYS A MAJOR PART OF THAT.

I WANTED TO DESCRIBE A PERFECT EXAMPLE WAS ONE YEAR, SOMEBODY MENTIONED EXPLORATION GREEN A PREPROGRAM INITIATIVE, KEEP GREEN SPACES GREEN. THIS WAS A TOTAL GRASS-ROOTS EFFORT AND A LOT OF WORK BEING DONE AND I WAS OFF DOING

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I SAID, WELL, I SAID TO MYSELF, I WILL SIT ON MY HANDS.

I WILL GO TO THIS MEETING AND SIT ON MY HANDS.

I GOT THERE AND PRETTY QUICKLY WE MOVED THROUGH THE MEETING AND THEY WERE ON TO -- WELL, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE SOME COMMITTEES AFTERWARDS. SO I THOUGHT.

OKAY, I WILL GO TO THE COMMITTEE.

I WENT TO THE COMMITTEE AND WE TALKED.

ONLY LIKE FOUR OF US AND PRETTY SOON, SUSIE CAME UP AND SAID WE NEED A CHAIRMAN FOR THIS COMMITTEE.

I SAID, SUSIE, YOU KNOW -- I AM MAXED OUT.

SAID NO, NO, YOU CAN DO IT. IN FACT YOU MUST DO IT.

SO I DID. AND I ENDED UP SPENDING THE NEXT TEN YEARS ON EXPLORATION GREEN. DID ALL KIND OF AMAZING THINGS.

I WILL CLOSE HERE QUICKLY. AND I DO WANT TO SAY -- PULL IN THINGS PEOPLE SAID ABOUT SUSIE DESCRIBING HER BRIEFLY.

AND THEY CALLED HER A TRUE WARRIOR WOMAN.

THEY CALLED HER A CHIEF TROUBLE MAKER.

A MAKER OF GOOD TROUBLE. THE TOUGHEST, MOST TENACIOUS PERSON I EVER KNOWN. VOTER REGISTRAR EXTRAORDINAIRE.

TRUTH TELLER. SUSIE WAS AMAZING.

AND I WILL CLOSE WITH ONE THING, I ACTUALLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH BILLY CARR BEFORE SHE PASSED.

AND SUSIE WAS OUR BILLIE CARR FOR BAY AREA HOUSTON.

>> AMEN. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> ELLIE PATTERSON.

>> HI. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO SUSIE'S EXTREME IMPRINT ON THOSE OF US WHO GOT INVOLVED IN POLITICS OVER RECENT YEARS. SHE WAS EXTREMELY GENEROUS OF HER NAME, HER KNOWLEDGE, AND SEARCHING THOSE OF US WHO WERE NEW TO POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT. HAD HOW TO DO THINGS AND HOW TO DO THEM EFFECTIVELY. SHE EXPLAINED TO POLITICAL NEWBIES HOW GOVERNMENT WORKED AND THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE.

AND A RESOURCE KNEW THE ANSWERS AND NEW THE PEOPLE THAT DID THAT DIDN'T KNOW THEM. GENTLY AND POINTED US TO ACTIVISM ALWAYS POINTING OUT THE NEXT STEP EVEN WHEN WE THOUGHT WE HAD DONE EVERYTHING THAT WAS REQUIRED FOR US.

SEVERAL OF US CALLED HER OUR DEMOCRATIC SPIRIT ANIMAL OF THE POLITICAL QUAGMIRE AND IMPACT ON THE STATE IS UNFORGETTABLE,

LARGE AND WE MISS HER. >> THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: SANDRA ANDERSON. >> HI, I AM SANDY OR CANDY.

I HAVE BEEN WITH YOU BEFORE 15 YEARS AGO AND JUMPING UP AND DOWN OF THE VULNERABILITY OF OUR ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES.

THANKS TO SUSIE, WE FIXED THAT. BECAUSE IT TOOK ME I TALKED TO EVERYBODY. I WENT TO WASHINGTON.

I WENT TO THE STATE CAPITOL. I WORKED WITH THE OPERATING SYSTEMS FOR NASA. AND I KNEW WHAT COULD BE DONE WITH COMPUTERS. IF I COULD DO IT.

SOMEONE ELSE COULD DO IT. SHE KNEW EXACTLY WHO TO GET ME TO TALK TO AND SET UP THE PEOPLE WHO HAD THE POLITICAL INFLUENCE AT THE COUNTY LEVEL THAT WE NOW HAVE VOTING REASONS WITH PAPER TRAILS. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND YOU

GUYS TO HAVE THAT HAPPEN TO YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

WE WILL DO PICTURES LATER. IF YOU CAN HANG AROUND, PLEASE

DO SO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YES. AND THIS RESOLUTION.

I WANT TO FIRST RECOGNIZE WE ARE JOINED BY AMANDA JONES, DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

AND JENNIFER BATTLE, VICE PRESIDENT OF ACCESS AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT BOTH WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD. I JUST WANT TO SAY, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR GIVING US AN UPDATE ON THE JUDGE'S CONDITION.

THIS IS JUST SO IMPORTANT OVERALL ON MENTAL HEALTH TO LET

[00:30:03]

I AM GRATEFUL THAT WE NOW HAVE THE NATION SUICIDE PREVENTION LINE. THE 9-8-8 NUMBER.

THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS THAT IS ABSOLUTELY PREVENT FUMBLE WE ALL DO OUR PART.

AND RECOGNIZING THAT WE STILL HAVE SO MUCH TO DO AND ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GET THE HELP THIS THEY NEED AND CAN HELP THEM.

8 % OF ALL DEATHS IN THE U.S. ARE FROM MEN AND WOMEN AGES 45-54. ACCORDING THE SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION.

IN TEXAS, A PERSON DIES BY SUICIDE APPROXIMATELY EVERY TWO HOURS VETERANS IN TEXAS HAVE TWO TIMES DEATH RATE IN SUICIDE THAN OVERALL TEXAS RATE. SUICIDE WAS THE 11TH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN HARRIS COUNTY IN 20 20.

I WON'T READ THE REST OF THIS RESOLUTION AND ASK MISS JONES AND MISS BATTLE TO COME FORWARD AND SHARE SOME THOUGHTS.

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND FEEL VERY PROUD OF WAYNE YOUNG AND THE HARRIS CENTER AND EVERYTHING IN THIS STATE THAT SAVES LIVES AND THEY ARE NOT ALONE AND THEY ARE WITH US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. AMA

AMANDA. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

MY NAME IS JEN OFFICER BATTLE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY OF MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD, INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECT CAL DISABILITIES.

WE ARE THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH CARE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS WHICH MEANS ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE UNITED STATES. AND SUICIDE PREVENTION AND WORK IS SO CRITICAL, IT KNOWS NO POLITICAL BOUNDARIES.

KNOWS NO ECONOMIC BOUNDARIES. WE SERVE EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT NEED THAT SUPPORT AND ASSISTANCE.

WE HAVE SOME THINGS FOR YOU TODAY.

IF IT IS OKAY -- I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS OKAY TO APPROACH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL PASS THEM OUT, THANK YOU.

>> THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF THE MATERIALS THAT OUR SUICIDE PREVENTION OFFICES, HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY COMMUNITY OFFICE PROVIDE IN THE COMMUNITY EVERY DAY THROUGH OUR WONDERFUL PARTNERSHIPS WITH OUR COMMISSIONERS' OFFICES AND THE COMMUNITY CENTERS. WE WANTED YOU TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE MATERIALS THAT ARE SHARED WITH THE COMMUNITY.

WE REALLY APPRECIATE 1998 WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH ALL OF YOUR STAFF AND OFFICES TO GET THE WORD OUT.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANKS

FOR COMING. >> HE IS ON THE LIST.

>> HEY, JACK, COME ON UP. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, HOW ARE YOU. MY NAME IS REVEREND DR. JACK HENDERSON. AND I WANT TO TALK A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SUICIDE AND WHAT THE HARRIS CENTER MEANT TO ME.

I HAVE BUY POLAR DEPRESSION. SOMETHING I HAD ALL MY LIFE.

AND THAT COMES WITH PSYCHOTIC FEATURES WHICH MEANS I HAVE FREQUENT SUICIDAL THOUGHTS. ON JUNE 30 OF THIS YEAR, I WAS AT THE END OF MY ROPE. BY FELT LIKE THE ONLY WAY OUT WAS TO KILL MYSELF. I MADE THAT DECISION.

BUT AS I WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE MY DESK, I HAPPENED TO SEE MY BIBLE. AND THIS LITTLE ORANGE BOOKMARK.

AND SO I PULLED IT OUT, AND I TURNED IT, AND IT DAME TO THE 27TH PSALM. AND IT SAYS THE LORD IS THE LIGHT OF MY LIFE. MY SALVATION.

OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU CAN

CONTINUE. >> MAY I SPEAK MORE?

>> YES, PLEASE. >> I READ THAT AND I SAID, THIS IS NOT MY TIME. SO I CALLED THE NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE. THEY AFFILIATED ME WITH THE HARRIS CENTER. AND I HAD SOMEONE AT MY HOUSE

WITHIN AN HOUR. >> AMEN.

>> I AM SUPPOSED TO BE HERE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

>> SUICIDE IS THE BLACK HOLE OF MENTAL HEALTH.

IT HAPPENS SO OFTEN, BUT YET SO MUCH IS NOT UNDERSTOOD ABOUT IT.

AND IT NEEDS TO BE UNDERSTOOD, BECAUSE SCIENTIFIC STUDIES HAVE PROVEN THAT AT LEAST ONCE IN EVERYBODY'S LIFE, WE THINK OF

[00:35:04]

AND WE GET TIRED AND THINGS CAN OVERWHELM US.

THAT IS WHAT IT ALMOST DID TO ME.

WITH THE HELP OF THE HARRIS CENTER, WHICH I HOPE YOU WILL

CONTINUE TO FUND AND SUPPORT -- >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> I HAD GREAT PEOPLE LIKE MY PSYCHIATRIST DR. DEA DEANNA VILLAREAL. THE.

THE INTERN THAT CAME TO MY HOME. AND OTHERS THAT DROVE ME AND TOOK ME AND HELPED ME THROUGH THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME IN MY LIFE. I HAVE BEEN ON NEW MEDICATION.

I DON'T HAVE SUICIDAL THOUGHTS ANYMORE.

>> BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL. >> I WANT TO LIVE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM, EVERYONE WHO IS HEARING MY VOICE CAN SAY TO THEMSELVES, LIFE IS WORTH LIVING DESPITE ALL THE COMPLICATIONS AND THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.

THERE IS ALWAYS AN ANSWER. >> THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS A

QUESTION. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU ARE WITH US. WE ARE SO HAPPY YOU ARE WITH US.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY AND COURAGE AND BRAVERY AND YOUR COMMITMENT TO HELP OTHERS. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. THIS IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT WE TALK ABOUT THIS SUBJECT. IT NEEDS TO BE TALKED ABOUT MORE. AS YOU KNOW I USED TO BE A PUBLIC SCHOOLTEACHER. AND IT PAINS ME TO KNOW THAT KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 10 AND 34, SUICIDE IS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH. SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR OUR YOUTH. THIS IS PREVENTABLE.

WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING THE EDGE EDUCATION OUT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THAT.

AND JUST ALL YOU HAVE US IF OUR NEIGHBORS, COLLEAGUES, FRIENDS AND FAMILY, BEING THAT SOURCE OF SUPPORT AND LOVE.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

>> IF I MAY ADD, I AM ALSO A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL COUNSELOR.

SO IF IT CAN HAPPEN TO ME WITH WHAT I KNOW, IT CAN HAPPEN TO

ANYBODY. >> I AM GLAD THE GOOD LORD HAD THAT INTERVENTION AT THE RIGHT TIME.

>> I'M HERE BECAUSE OF IT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: AMANDA.

NO, YOU ARE GOOD? THIS IS IN RECOGNITION THAT SEPTEMBER IS SUICIDE PREVENTION MONTH.

SO JUST -- I JUST ASK EVERYONE HERE AND EVERYONE WATCHING US, AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID, LET US ALL DO OUR PART TO TALK ABOUT IT AND REACH OUT TO ANYONE THAT MAY BE HAVING A HEAVY DAY.

WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE THOUGHTS MAY BE AT.

AND SO JUST ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO PICK UP THAT PHONE AND CALL 911. IT COULD BE THAT SIMPLE AND THAT LIFE SAVING. SO THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE ONE MORE? >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I HAVE ONE, COMMISSIONER. YES, SIR.

AND THIS RESOLUTION IS CONSTITUTION DAY AND RECOGNITION CITIZENSHIP DAY. I WANT TO BEGIN BY READING THIS QUOTE FROM THE U.S. CITIZENSHIP AND IMMIGRATION SERVICES AND CITIZENS RESOURCE CENTER BY CONSTITUTION DAY AND CITIZENSHIP DAY, 1787, THE FOUNDING FATHERS SIGNED THE U.S. CONSTITUTION.

OVER 00 YEARS, THE CONSTITUTION SERVED AS SUPREME LAW OF THE LAND. THE CONSTITUTION ALONG WITH THE BILL OF RIGHTS AND OTHER AMENDMENTS THAT GUARANTEE OUR GOVERNMENT AND OUR RIGHTS. EACH YEAR ON THE 17B 17TH OF SEPTEMBER, AMERICANS CELEBRATED CONSTITUTION DAY AND CITIZENSHIP DAY. IN ADDITION, SEPTEMBER 17 THROUGH 23 IS ALSO RECOGNIZED AS CONSTITUTION WEEK.

DURING THIS TIME, AMERICANS ARE ENCOURAGED TO REFLECT ON THE RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF CITIZENSHIP AND WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A U.S. CITIZEN. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE JOINED BY NICOLE MALACU, WHO IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL PARTNERSHIP OF NEW AMERICA.

I THINK SHE WILL BE ONLINE TO SPEAK AND RECEIVE THIS RESOLUTION. BEFORE WE HAVE HER COME ON, LET ME JUST SHARE A COUPLE OF THINGS.

A LOT OF FUN THINGS I HAVE DONE IN MY LIFE, THE MOST GRATIFYING WHEN I USED TO TEACH CITIZENSHIP AT NIGHT.

I STILL SEE SOME OF MY STUDENTS WALKING AROUND.

MAYBE NOT A SECOND-GRADE TEACHER, BUT SOMETIMES THOSE CLASSES THAT ALMOST FEEL LIKE IT.

BUT ALSO IN 1959 ON A SIMILARLY HOT DAY.

[00:40:06]

WILL IT BLOW UP. SAID NO, EVERYBODY GET OUT AND PRAY. EVERYBODY KNELELED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE PRAYER WAS THANK YOU FOR LETTING US WORK IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY, PLAY HARD, PLAY BY THE RULES, OBEY THE LAWS AND GIVE BACK TO THIS BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY, EVERYTHING WE GIVE AND GET FROM HER.

AS WE WERE REFLECTING THAT DAY YEARS LATER I SAID TELL US ABOUT THAT PRAYER. AND MY DAD SAID, NO BIG DEAL.

I ASKED MY BROTHER AND I SAID WHAT IS THAT PRAYER? WHAT DID DAD SAY THAT DAY. MY BROTHER SAID I DON'T KNOW, BUT SURE SOUNDED LIKE THE NATIONAL ANTHEM.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO HOPE THAT ON THIS OCCASION OF THIS RESOLUTION AND IN RECOGNITION OF CONSTITUTION AND CITIZENSHIP DAY. THAT I HAVE TRIED REAL HARD HEARING THAT STORY EARLY AND OFTEN AS A KID, I HOPE THAT I HAVE DONE MY DADDY A GOOD SERVICE OF JUST TRYING TO LIVE UP TO THE SPIRIT OF THIS COUNTRY, SERVING HER AND TRYING TO GIVE BACK TO HER AS MUCH AS SHE HAS EVER GIVEN ME AND MY FAMILY. SO -- SO, NICOLE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NICOLE MALACO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. ANY NAME IS NICOLE MAAACU AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NEW AMERICANS.

WE ARE THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO REALIZE THE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP -- U.S. CITIZENS ON CITIZENSHIP DAY THROUGH THIS RESOLUTION AND ACROSS THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND THE COUNTRY.

AS YOU KNOW, THERE ARE 300,000 IMMIGRANTS ELIGIBLE TO NATURALIZE IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND WE ARE THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY, CITY OF HOUSTON, HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND LOCAL NONPROFITS TO BUILD CAPACITIES TO ASSIST ELIGIBLE POPULATIONS WITH THIS IMPORTANT PROCESS.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO HELPING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND STATES PROMOTE EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMS AND POLICIES AND WE ARE PROUD CONVENERS OF THE CITIES AND COUNTY CITIZENSHIP NETWORK OF 110 CITIES AND COUNTIES DEDICATED TO INCREASING CITIZENSHIP ACCESS AMONG ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS.

WE WELCOME HARRIS COUNTY TO THE. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM, YOUR TIME

IS OUT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING US TODAY. WE ARE THRILLED TO PARTNER WITH YOU TO MAKE AN IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS WHO FEEL TO BE NATURALIZED AND THEY FEEL WELCOMED AND EMPOWERED TO TAKE THIS STEP. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>>. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK

YOU, NICOLE, THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I THINK YOUR DAD WILL BE VERY PROUD YOU HAVE YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE

ONE. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I DO.

I THINK IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO TAKE A MINUTE AND BE THANKFUL FOR HEALTHY CHILDREN. WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT A LOT OF ISSUES, BUT HEALTHY CHILDREN IS JUST -- IT IS A BLESSING THAT NEEDS TO BE PURSUED.

AND I AM GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT IN A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT CONTEXT TODAY. I THINK WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS.

AND I WILL GO THROUGH A PART OF THE RESOLUTION.

AND THEN WANT TO HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS.

WHEREAS, HEALTHY CHILDREN ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHEREAS, A TERM OF FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER DESCRIBES THE RANGE OF DISABILITIES THAT MAY AFFECT AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS EXPOSED TO ALCOHOL DURING PREGNANCY. AND WHEREAS THE FASD CAUSES PERMANENT DAMAGE TO THE DEVELOPING CHILD RESULTING IN MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS, NEUROLOGICAL IMPAIRMENTS, BEHAVIORAL ISSUES, HEART DEFECTS AND MORE.

THROUGH NO FOUGHT OF THE CHILD, SECONDARY DISABILITIES OF INDIVIDUALS WILDFIRE FASD INCLUDE INTERACTION WITH FOSTER CARE, DISRUPTIVE SCHOOL EXPERIENCE, TROUBLE WITH JUVENILE AND ADULT CRIMINAL JUSTICE, SUBSTANCE ABUSE, EMPLOYMENT PROBLEMS AND GUARDIANSHIPS.

TEXAS RESEARCH SHOWS US IN 2016 THAT TEXAS HAD AN OVERALL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE OF 8.4% IN THE BABIES BORN IN TEXAS.

[00:45:07]

AND I AM PLEASED TO AT LEAST PROVIDE ADDITIONAL AWARENESS OF THIS. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THE TEXAS FASD NETWORK. AND THE MISSION OF THE TE TEXAS FASD TO PROVIDE RESEARCH AND SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF NAVIGATING FETAL ALCOHOL SPECTRUM DISORDER TO INCREASE AFSD IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

AND I THINK WE HAVE SPEAKERS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I THINK WE HAVE ABOUT SEVEN, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER FOR BRIDGING

THIS BOARD. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THE SPEAKERS ARE COMING OUT. CALL THEIR NAMES OUT SO THEY

KNOW WHICH ORDER. >>CLERK: FIRST IS KATH

KATHERINE KARIMA. >> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I AM KATHERINE KARIMA, THE PARENT OF THREE CHILDREN. OUR YOUNGEST IS 17.

I WEAR THESE JEWELRY AND EARRINGS THAT HE MADE.

HE IS BRIGHT, TALENTED AND YET HIS LIFE IS EFFECTED EVERY DAY BECAUSE OF THE BRAIN DAMAGE FROM THE FETAL ALCOHOL SIN TROEM DISORDER. AGAIN, I WANT TO EXPRESS SINCERE GRATITUDE FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS LAWRENCE THOMPSON, JR.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

REALLY APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY. I AM DR. LAWRENCE THOMPSON.

I AM THE DIRECTOR OF INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, AND I WANT TO SAY A COUPLE OF WORDS ON THE PRACTICE SIDE OF THING.

WE HAVE A TEAM OF PSYCHOLOGISTS, PSYCHIATRISTS, PEDIATRICIANS AND THOSE WHO WORK WITH THE CHILDREN AND DO OUR BEST TO HELP THEM ON A DAILY BASIS. I WANT TO SAY ONE OF THE KEY COMPONENTS OF THEIR TREATMENT IS JUST KNOWLEDGE OF WHAT IS GOING ON. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS SO THOUGHTFUL AS TO TALK ABOUT HOW -- HOW MUCH -- TOO MUCH WE SEE THIS PROBLEM. BUT EVEN AMONGST PROVIDERS, SOMETIMES WE DON'T REALIZE THAT IT IS THERE AND DIAGNOSE IT APPROPRIATELY SO WE CAN APPROPRIATELY TREAT IT.

SO KNOWLEDGE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT IT IS THERE, WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE IS KEY TO ADDRESSING IT AND MAKING IT BETTER.

GLAD TO DO THAT HERE TODAY. >>CLERK: YOUR TIME IS UP.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS REBECCA SEELSKI. >> GOOD MORNING, I AM REBECCA.

I AM BOARD MEMBER OF THE TEXAS FASD NETWORK AND PRECINCT 3 RESIDENT RAISING A CHILD AFFECTED BY PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE THAT ENDED UP IN FOSTER CARE.

AND ULTIMATELY WITH US AND HAVE HAD ISSUES IN CSCHOOL, SIGNIFICANT ISSUES BECAUSE OUR TEACH EFFORTS DON'T KNOW THAT FASD EXISTS BECAUSE PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

THERE IS JUST NO AWARENESS. THERE IS NO TRAINING.

SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

MY FAMILY REALLY APPRECIATES YOU BRINGING AWARENESS TO THIS IMPORTANT AND OFTEN OVERLOOKED ISSUE.

THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

YOU. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK

YOU. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK

YOU. >> NEXT IS CLARISSA DORIC.

>> AS SHE SAID PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEVELOPMENTAL DELAYS IN CHILDREN, THREE TIMES MORE PREVALENT THAN AUTISM, YET 100% PREVENTABLE.

I AM CARISSA DORIS. A MOM OF A CHILD WITH FETAL ALCOHOL DISORDER AND A CHILD FROM FOSTER CARE.

I PROVIDE FASD EDGE DIETITIAN MY SON'S TEACHERS AND CLIENT SCHOOLS, DOCTORS IN PRECINCT 3 THAT WE USE.

MY JOB EVERY DAY TO BEAT THE STATISTICS.

61% OF SLEPTS WITH FASD EXPERIENCE LEGAL TROUBLE.

31% WILL BE INCARCERATED AT SOME POINT IN THEIR LIVES.

MANY END UP WITH MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES, SCHOOL TRUANCY, HOMELESSNESS AND INCARCERATION AND EARLY DEATH.

THEY ARE MISUNDERSTOOD WITH LITTLE OR NO SUPPORT AS ADULTS.

WE RALLY AROUND MOVEMENTS LIKE THIS AND ADVOCATE.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> HOME OF THE WORLD'S BEST MEDICAL CENTER TO IMPROVE SUPPORT TO OUR CHILDREN W WITH FASD IN OUR FAMILIES. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

[00:50:01]

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS DR. SHERRY VINCENT. >> I AM DR. SHELLY VINCENT AND A DEVELOPMENTAL PHYSICIAN THAT LIVES IN COMMISSIONER BRIONES' PRECINCT. THE LAST 26 YEARS, I HAVE SEEN YOUNG CHILDREN, TEENS AND ADULTS WITH PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE.

PROBLEMS INCLUDED PHYSICAL BIRTH DEFECTS AND SEVERE LEARNING, BEHAVIOR AND MOOD PROBLEMS. DESPITE LONG-TIME RESEARCH SHOWING IT IS BEST FOR WOMEN TO HAVE NO ALCOHOL DURING THEIR PREGNANCY AND NEW ER RESEARCH SHO SHOWING. OVERALL ONE IN 0 TEXAS BABIES WERE AFFECTED BY PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE AND HOUSTON HAD ONE IN 12 BABIES AND DALLAS HAD ONE IN SIX BABIES IMPACT.

THANK YOU FOR INCREASING AWARENESS OF THIS PREVENTABLE PROBLEM AND THE NEED FOR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES TO REDUCE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION AND ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF PATIENTS WITH

PRENATAL ALCOHOL EXPOSURE. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK

YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS MIKHAIL

KNUCKLES. >> HELLO, ANY NAME IS MICHELLE KNUCKLES. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND ALL OF YOU FOR SEEING US. SEVERAL OF US ARE WEARING RED SHOES TODAY. BECAUSE RED SHOES ROCK FOR FASD.

I AM VERY PROUD OF MY DAUGHTER AND SHE WOULD LIKE -- ALSO SEPTEMBER 9 IS FASD AWARENESS DAY.

>> MY NAME IS OLA. THANK YOU FOR SEEING ME AND MY FRIENDS. WE WORK VERY HARD TO SUCCEED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANKS FOR COMING. >>CLERK: NEXT.

>> YOU WILL SUCCEED, BABY. YOU WILL SUCCEED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DO WE HAVE ONE MORE?

>>CLERK: THEY, DORYWINN. >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONERS FOR DOING THIS RESOLUTION.

UP WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I HAVE SEEN THIS IN OUR FOSTER CARE AND GUARDIANSHIP AND THE JAILS.

WE KNOW IT IS THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY.

BUT I DID WANT TO MAKE TWO POINTS IN CLOSING HERE.

THE FIRST IS THAT FASD IS TOTALLY PREVENTABLE.

IF WE ALL LEARN ABOUT THE ETHANOL WHICH IS WHAT CAUSE IT IS IN ALCOHOLIC DRINKS. CAN BE MANIPULATED LAKE NICOTINE AND CIGARETTES. THE SECOND POINT, THE SOCIETY AND BOTH LOSS OF LIFE AND ECONOMIC LOSS FROM FASD IS TREMENDOUS. WITH RECORD TO LOSS OF LIFE.

WE KNOW THAT ABOUT 0% OF CHILDREN WHO WERE EXPOSED ARE GOING TO HAVE A MINUTE T-- A MINUTE TALL ILLNESS.

WE ARE SEEING MENTAL ILLNESS IN SHOOTERS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY.

WE KNOW THAT THE PARKLAND SHOOTER SUFFERED.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >>THE PARKLAND SHOOTER SUFFERED AND NOW SPEND THE REST OF HIS LIFE IN PRISON.

SO WE GET TO PAY FOR THAT AS WELL.

WITH REGARD TO THE ECONOMIC LOSS.

A BROCHURE PUT OUT 25 YEARS AGO OF THE HARRIS COUNTY INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL NEEDS COUNCIL AND IT SAID AT THAT TIME THAT IT WAS COST BEING $5 MILLION PER CHILD OVER THE LIFETIME. THAT IS IN SUPPORT SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY GIVES. RIGHT NOW FACTOR IN INFLATION, COSTING $8,876,000 PER CHILD. I RECENTLY HEARD A YOUNG MAN WHO SAID -- WHO MADE A WISH AB ABOUT FASD.

HE HAS IT. HE SAID I WISH I HAD GOTTEN A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS AS A BABY. I WISH I HAD BEEN GIVEN CORRECT MEDICATIONS. AND EARLY INTERVENTIONS THAT WOULD HELP THEM TREMENDOUSLY TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE AND BETTER LIFE. WITH THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE RESEARCH THAT WE NOW HAVE, THAT WISH COULD CERTAINLY COME TRUE FOR ALL THE BABIES OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DORY,

GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> DORY, I WANT TO SAY GOOD TO SEE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAVE TWO, ITEMS 7 AND 8.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU FOR ALL THE ADVOCATES AND PARENTS AND THE YOUNG GIRL THAT SPOKE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PASSION, ADVOCACY AND HELP TO SPREAD AWARENESS. I KNOW MANY OF MY STUDENTS WERE AFFECTED AND IT IS SO PREVENTABLE JUST LIKE SUICIDE.

[00:55:03]

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. SO MOVING ALONG TO ITEM 7.

WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE NUESTRA PALABRA.

I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE TONY DIAZ, AS WELL AS MISS LURAN UP,

PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE HAVE A RESOLUTION TODAY.

BUT THE -- AT A HIGH LEVEL, WE ARE HERE CELEBRATING THE WORK OF MR. DIAZ AND HIS TEAM FOR THE LAST 25 YEARS.

AND REALLY TO EMPOWER LATINO LITERATURE AND ADVOCACY THROUGH THE WORD -- THROUGH THE SPOKEN WORD AND WRITTEN WORD.

I AM GOING TO READ THE RESOLUTION AND THEN I HAVE AN INVITATION FOR ALL OF YOU. HERE IS THE RESOLUTION.

WHEREAS IN 1994, TONY DIAZ BECAME THE FIRST CHICANO TO EARN A MASTERS OF FINE ARTS DEGREE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM. WHEREAS, TONY DIAZ FOUNDED NUESTRA PALABRA, LATINOS WRITERS HAVING THEIR SAY IN 1998 AS A GRASS-ROOTS, NONPROFIT MOVEMENT PROMOTING LATINO LITERATURE, EDUCATION AND CIVIL RIGHTS THROUGH MONTHLY READINGS, A RADIO SHOW, AND A LATINO BOOK AND FAMILY FESTIVAL FROM 2002-2007 THAT GREW INTO ONE OF THE LARGEST IN TEXAS WITH UP TO 30,000 PEOPLE IN ATTENDANCE. AND WHEREAS, IN JUNE 2023, THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE ARTS AWARDED NUESTRA PALABRA A $20,000 GRANT TO CREATE LOCAL PROGRAMMING FOR THE NEA BIG READ PROGRAM. IN 2023, NUESTRA PALABRA WILL PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARIES TO HIGHLIGHT THE BOOK "INFINITE COUNTRY" BY COLUMBIAN AMERICAN AUTHOR PATRICIA ENGEL AND GIVE OUT HUNDRED OF COPIES OF HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AS PART OF THE BIG READ.

NUESTRA PALABRA IS FURTHER COLLABORATING WITH A GROUP OF ADVOCATES OF CULTURAL AND VISUAL ARTS AND ARCHIVE COMPLEX IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY TO QUANTIFY THE LATINO ECOSYSTEM TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY UNDERSTAND THE VISION OF THE LATINO ART COMPLEX. GIVEN WE ARE ALMOST HALF OF THIS COUNTY, I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT BECOMING A REALITY.

COUNT MY SUPPORT IN. NOW, THEREFORE, BE RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HONOR NUESTRA PALABRA FOR 25 YEARS OF PROMOTING LATINO LITERACY, CULTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND. AND WE INVITE ALL OF YOU, PLEASE JOIN US MONDAY SEPTEMBER 25 FROM 6 TO 8:30 P.M. FROM THE EAST SIDE CAMPUS. WE WILL HEAR FROM PATR PATRICIA ENGEL, THE AUTHOR AND A MOMENT TO COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE THE ART. AS WE TALK OF THE PARTNERSHIP AND THE OVER 300,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE FOR NATURALIZATION IN OUR COMMUNITY, AS WE BRING PEOPLE IN, THERE IS NOTHING THAT EWE MILES I THINK FOLKS LIKE ART, LITERATURE, MUSIC.

THANK YOU, MR. DIAZ FOR BEING A WARRIOR OF PROMOTING OUR CULTURE. WITH THAT, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND ON BEHALF OF NUESTRA PALABRA LATINO ARTISTS HAVING THEIR SAY, OUR BOARD MEMBERS, HUNDRED OF WRITERS WE WORKED WITH, THOUSANDS OF BOOKS THEY CREATED.

THANK YOU ALL FOR THIS RECOGNITION, BUT FOR TEAMING UP WITH US TO DELIVER THE AMERICAN DREAM THROUGH EDUCATION AND BOOKS. AND ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT OF THE ARTS OF NUESTRA PALABRA.

GIVE YOU THE FIRST COPIES OF "INFINITE COUNTRY" BY PATRICIA ENGEL, IF YOU ARE IN THE ROOM AND WATCHING, WE DON'T WANT YOU TO BE JEALOUS. WE HAVE 394 MORE COPIES.

IF YOU JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 25, YOU WILL NOT ONLY HAVE A GREAT T TIME PARKING IS FREE, ADMISSION IS FREE. YOU GET THIS FREE BOOK.

AND EVERYBODY WHO ATTENDS AS PART OF OUR 25TH ANNIVERSARY, WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FEW KNEW LITERACY JOURNAL.

WE WANT YOU TO TELL YOUR STORY WHETHER YOU ARE LATINO OR NOT.

WE ARE HUMBLED AND YOUR PRESENCE TO TALK OF THE BOOK.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHO YOU WERE A CITY COUNCILMAN BACK IN THE DAY WHEN YOU GOT US INTO THE CENTER.

PEOPLE THOUGHT WE WOULD NOT FILL IT.

AND A QUARTER OF A CENTURY TO PROVE EVERYONE WRONG AND HOUSTON IS OUR CITY. THANK YOU.

>> TONY, YEAH. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING TONY AND NUESTRA PALABRA FOR ALL YOUR GOOD WORK.

25 YEARS, GOD ALMIGHTY, I THINK WE FOUND YOU IN A -- IN AT THAT

[01:00:05]

BECAUSE I AM CONSTANTLY ASKING HIM, YOU KNOW, ARE WE -- ARE WE DOING -- ARE WE AS AGGRESSIVE THAT WE CAN BE IN ADDING MORE LATINO-THEMED BOOKS AND LATINO-AUTHORED BOOKS TO OUR -- YOU KNOW, TO OUR LIBRARY SYSTEM AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE AVAILABLE BECAUSE I AM SURE IF A KID FROM OUR COMMUNITY READS ONE OF THESE, IT IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING.

IT IS GOING TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND I AM PROUD OF YOUR CONTINUED

WORK. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I AM AT ALL OF YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR UNITING WITH

NUESTRA PALABRA. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, MR. DIAZ. RECOGNIZE HIS WONDERFUL BETTER HALF, THE BRILLIANT LAWYER, YOU CATALINA.

AND MISS DULAN. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW

WORDS. >> HELLO ROAR GOOD MORNING, I AM MARIA DURAN, THE FOUNDER OF CENTRAL AMERICAN.

AND A PROUD SISTER OF KAPPA DELTA KAI.

WE ARE VERY GLAD TO PARTNER ON THIS EVENT AND FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF NOT ONLY BOOKS, YOU KNOW, FOR EVERYONE, BUT ALSO RECOGNIZING, YOU KNOW, THE WOMEN ESPECIALLY WOMEN AUTHORS. YOU KNOW THOSE POWERFUL WORDS THAT REALLY EMPOWER LATINA AND WOMEN.

WE APPRECIATE THIS RECOGNITION AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE 25TH.

EVERYONE IS INVITED. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING FLORIDA. ALL THE HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 TEAM MEMBERS HELPING TO WORK ON THE EVENT.

RAISE YOUR HANDS. I APPRECIATE YOUR PROPRIETORSHIP SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. BRING YOUR KIDS.

BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS ARE READING, THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: FOR NUESTRA PALABRA.

MY SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION IS TO CELEBRATE WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY. I KNOW WE'LL HEAR FROM THREE SPEAKERS. BUT ALL THE WOMEN AND MEN IN THE ROOM AND WATCHING AUGUST 26 WAS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, WHERE WE CELEBRATED THE CERTIFICATION OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT WHERE WOMEN GOT THE RIGHT TO VOTE IN THIS COUNTRY.

FAST FORWARD, WE HAVE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS.

AND THERE IS STILL SO MUCH PROGRESS TO BE MADE.

A COMMON THEME THAT I KNOW WE TALK ABOUT OFTEN.

I WILL BRIEFLY READ THIS AND HEAR FROM OUR SPEAKERS.

WHEREAS, AUGUST 26 IS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, CELEBRATED IN THE UNITED STATES TO CELEBRATE THE 19TH 5789 THAT GRANTED WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE. WOMEN FOUGHT AND ARE STILL FIGHTING TO SECURE EQUAL RIGHTS EARNING THE RIGHT TO VOTE MARKED A MAJOR VICTORY FOR THE STRUGGLE OF GENDER EQUALITY THAT CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. WHEREAS, HOUSTON, TEXAS, THE SITE OF THE NATIONAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN NOVEMBER OF 1977.

2,000 SELL THE GAS AND 30,000 OBSERVERS PARTICIPATED IN THIS FIRST AND ONLY FEDERALLY FUNDED NATIONAL WOMEN'S CONFERENCE IN U.S. HISTORY. AND WHEREAS, DESPITE MAKING SIGNIFICANT STRIDES, WOMEN STILL FACE SYSTEMIC BARRIERS.

WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY, FOR EXAMPLE, EARN 80 CENTS.

80 CENT OS FOR EVERY DOLLAR THAT MEN ARE PAID.

AND AN EVEN LARGER GAP FOR WOMEN OF COLOR.

WHEREAS, 15.1% OF WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY LIVE IN POVERTY COMPARED TO 10.5% OF MEN AND MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF SINGLE MOTHERS LIVE AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE.

DOING RIGHT BY OUR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY.

WHEREAS, A QUARTER OF WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING AGE IN TEXAS ARE UNINSURED, REDUCING THEIR ACCESS TO PREVENTIVE AND ROUTINE MEDICAL VISITS. AND HERE IN A PLACE WITH THE WORLD-CLASS, LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER IN THE WORLD, THE MATERNAL MORTALITY RATE IS HIGHER IN HARRIS COUNTY THAN ANYWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES. WHICH WILL ONLY BE FURTHER EXACERBATED BY THE FACT THAT WOMEN'S RIGHTS TO MAKE DECISION ABOUT OUR OWN BODIES HAVE BEEN SUBSTANTIALLY ERODED.

WHEREAS ROAR THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION WAS FORMED IN MARCH 2022 TO ADVISE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADVANCE OUR ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES, IMPROVE OUR HEALTH OUTCOMES, AND, AGAIN, AS A MOM OF THREE LITTLE GIRLS THIS IS PERSONALLY SO DEEPLY

[01:05:08]

AND EVERYBODY'S RIGHTS AND WAGES AND EVERYONE'S OUTCOMES ARE IMP IMPROVED.

WE CELEBRATE WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE SPEAKERS INCLUDING I WOULD LIKE TO CALL A MAYOR TALK OF A WOMEN WARRIOR. MISS PARTICIPATE A QUATRO.

>> I HAVE BEEN CALLED A LOT OF THINGS BUT NOT WARRIOR LATELY.

>> I SAY THAT WITH GREAT LOVE. >> THANK YOU.

WHEN I STARTED MOVING MANY MOONS AGO, THE HELP WANTED -- CLASSIFIED ADS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS, MEN'S JOBS AND THE WOMEN'S JOBS. WOMEN'S JOBS CONSISTED OF NURSING, TEACHING AND CLERICAL. AND WE MADE $.59 ON THE DOLLAR AS COMPARED TO MEN. WE NOW MAKE 80 ADD CENTS NATIONWIDE AND TAKEN 60 YEARS. I DON'T HAVE ANOTHER 60 YEARS.

WOMAN OF MY AGE HAVE GOT BACKWARDS.

THIS NEEDS TO CHANGE. I APPLAUD THIS RESOLUTION BUT WE NEED APPLICATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MISS WILLIAMS, I BELIEVE WE HAVE TWO.

ONE VIRTUAL AND DR. GREGORY. IS DR. GREGORY HERE.

>>CLERK: ELIZABETH GREGORY. SHE WILL BE ADDRESSING YOU

VIRTUALLY. >> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, WE CAN, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY MARKS THE PASSING OF WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE AMENDMENT IN 1920. MANY SOUTHERN WOMEN DID NOT VOTE BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY GOT THE TAX WAIVED AND 14,000 INCLUDING BLACK WOMEN. FULL EQUALITY REMAINS ELUSIVE.

RACE AND GENDER DISPARITY WHILE WHITE WOMEN MAKE $.70 ON THE DOLLAR EARNED BY WHITE MEN. HIS TARIK WOMEN JUST $37 ON THE DOLLAR. WOMEN'S EFFORTS TO BUILD A FAMILY SUPPORT SYSTEM TO ALLOW THEM TO PARTICIPATE MORE FULLY HAVE BEEN EX-STANDING WHILE IN 1990 LESS THAN 6% OF CONGRESS WAS FEMALE. AND THE VOTE FOR UNIVERSITY FAILED BY ONLY ONE VOTE. AS WE APPROACH CRITICAL MASS FOR CHANGE, WE ARE SEEING INCREASED PUSH BACK INCLUDING BANS ON REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS. WHEN WOMEN LOSE, EVERYONE LOSE.

AT THIS TIPPING POINT, WE ALL PAY IT FORWARD BECAUSE EQUITY GROWS THE PIE. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU, DR. GREG GREGORY.

>>CLERK: LINDA MORALES SPEAKING VIRTUALLY.

>> LINDA MORALES WITH T THE FDIC-O.

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY. CELEBRATE THE RIGHTS AND FREEDOM OF WOMEN IN OUR COUNTRY. IN MAYBE UNIONS, WORKING PEOPLE ARE DEDICATED FOR FAIR SCHEDULES.

FAIR PAGES. ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE AND CHILD CARE AND PAID LEAVE FOR ALL WORKING FAMILIES.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND A BETTER FEATURE FOR ALL OUR AMERICAN DAUGHTERS AND THE

NATION. >> ANOTHER WOMEN WARRIOR.

THAT IS FOR SURE. THANK YOU, MISS MORALES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: LET'S TAKE A BREAK FOR PHOTOS.

[01:26:08]

. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO IF I

[01:26:09]

[01:26:12]

[01:26:15]

WE WILL COME OUT AT QUARTER TO >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IT IS NOW 11:46 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

[Appearances before court ( Part 1 of 2 )]

CONSENT AGENDA. >> DO WE NEED TO CONFIRM THE

CONSENT AGENDA FIRST. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL DO THAT. ONCE HE SEES WHO IS ON IT, WE WILL RUN THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA.

MAYBE E-MAIL IT AROUND TO YOU ARE STAFF AND WE WILL DECIDE.

I KNOW A COUPLE OF ITEMS THAT THE CITY AND A FEW PEOPLE ARE WAITING ON AND WE WILL TRY TO DO CONSENT AGENDA.

AND GO TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS AND WE WILL LET YOU CALL THEM UP IN THE ORDER THEY ARE LISTED. THEY HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH.

IF PEOPLE WANT TO SUBMIT SOMETHING IN WRITE GOING THE MINUTE IS NOT ENOUGH, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO DO THAT.

CALL THEM UP. >>CLERK: JACOB CLEMETAGE

SPEAKING ON ITEM 8. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YO YOU.

>> GOOD NEWS AND THEN THE BAD NEWS.

THE GOOD NEWS, LESLEY DID A WONDERFUL JOB RECOGNIZING WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY. AND 19TH AMENDMENT AND 1920, HEY, BECAUSE JUST LIKE THAT, 1920.

AND CAME TO RATIFY. AND THE BAD NEWS, I WAS LEFT MY JOB BECAUSE OF REASONS. THE REASONS ARE BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT I CLOCKED IN ON THE CLOCK.

AND THEN I PROCEEDED TO WATCH THE BASEBALL GAME.

ON COMPANY TIME. AND HE WAS CLOCKING OUT.

I DID NOT NEED THAT. I CLOCKED IN.

BUT THEN I -- I WAS NOT SCHEDULED.

SO I -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. THE MISSIONER ELLIS: BY WAY. Y DO THEHAVE TO SAY THEIRFO NAME R THE RECORD OR NOT. IF YOU WOULD, SAY YOUR NAME FOR

THE JRECORD. >>ACOB CLEMENTAGE.

>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT SPEAKER.

THANK YOU, JACOB. >> GOOD MORNING. T

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: HANK YOU, JACOB.

WHO IS OUR NEXT SPEAKER. >>CLERK: JASMINE TELLER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> ALL RIGHT. MY NAME IS JASMINE TELLIS.

HERE REPRESENTING STUDENTS. ON AGENDA ITEM 35, WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF SETTING A COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET AND FREEZING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. LAST YEAR, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE STATED THAT JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY SAFETY WAS A TOP PRIORITY AND SETTING A COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET IS WHAT WE NEED.

OUR COUNTY NEEDS TO INVEST IN SERVICES FOR OUR COMMUNITY LIKE HART. ITEM 473, ELECTION PLANNING OF THE TRANSFER OF ELECTION DUTIES ARE UNDER WAY, PROTECT POLLING LOCATIONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. AS A STUDENT WORKING PART-TIME JOBS AND HAVING TO COMMUTE AN HOUR INTO THE CITY, IT WAS VERY

[01:30:01]

THANK YOU LET'S PRIORITIZE OPEN EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS AND KEEPING THEM ON COLLEGE CAMPUS. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

YOU GOT THAT IN ONE MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YES. >> IF YOU CAN CALL UP SPEAKER 34, IVORY MAYHORN ELLIS WEELZ LIKE TO CALL UP IDA MAYHORN.

>> YES, AVERY MAYHORN, THE PRESIDENT OF THE NORTHEAST SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 47. ALSO THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LAUNCH POINT CDC. WOULD LOVE TO MENTION THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO FIND A WAY TO GET THE COUNTY TO WORK WITH NORTHEAST HOUSTON. WE HAVE ABOUT 200 INMATES COMING OUT OF INCARCERATION INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AND IN THE NORTHEAST HOUSTON AREA, WE HAVE THE HIGHEST RATE OF THE POPULATION OF EX-OFFENDERS OUT THERE AND WE ARE PROVIDING A NUMBER OF RE-ENTRY SERVICES INCLUDING HOUSING, JOBS, HIGH SKILL TRAINING.

AND A LOT OF RE-ENTRY SERVICES AND PROGRAMS. AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO WORK TOGETHER.

WE ARE CURRENTLY WORK WITH HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND HARRIS COUNTY JAILS.

A. AND THEY ARE SENDING --

>>CLERK: THANK YOU, SIR, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU MR. MAYHORN AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO. I KNOW MY STAFF -- TODAY MIGHT NOT BE THE GOOD DAY TO SEE FOLKS HERE AT THE COUNTY.

BUT THANK YOU FOR COMING. I KNOW WE HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE.

[Departments ( Part 2 of 3 )]

I WILL WANT TO RUN THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA, COLLEAGUES AND SEE IF ANYBODY WANTS TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAYBE WANT TO PULL OFF THE MAIN AGENDA. YOU HAVE THOSE TWO PAGES.

WHEN I LOOKED AT MY LIST, IF YOU HAVE IT THERE IN FRONT OF YOU.

WE HAVE 18 ITEMS. SO IF YOU WANT TO ADD SOME ITEMS OR IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ANY OF THESE OFF, IF YOU CALL THEM OFF,

I WILL WRITE THEM DOWN. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, PULL 98, 99 AND 100.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 98, 99 AND 100.

>> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE -- ADD 29 AND TAKE 475 WITH IT. AND ADD 277.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 77 2. 475 IS ALREADY PULLED.

YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT OBVIOUSLY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE IT UP AND TALK ABOUT IT WITH 29.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO YOU -- YOU ARE ADDING 277.

>> AND MM29. >>COISSIONER ELLIS: AND 29.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ANY?ON >>COMMISSIER GARCIA: GYES, I HAVEOT A CORRECTION ON ITEM 439.

IT SHOULD READ FROM NOVEMBER 1. >>CLERK: COMMISSIONER, YOUR MIC.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: CORRECTION FOR 439, SHOULD READ NOVEMBER 1, 2023. TO NOVEMBER 1, 2026.

AND THEN I THINK THERE IS -- ONE SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: JAY, I DON'T NEED TO SAY THAT SINCE IT IS IN THE RECORD AND HE MADE THE CORRECTION. LL

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: AND -- >>COMMISSIONER EIS: CHECK AND

SEE IF YOU WANT TO ADD -- >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: TIME TRYING TO FIND ANOTHER ONE THAT IS HERE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING I WILL JUST READ THE CORRECTIONS IN THE RECORD. IS THAT ALL RIGHT? I WILL READ THE CORRECTION INTO THE RECORD.

DO YOU HAVE OTHER CORRECTION AS SOON AS PAGE 7, ITEM 48, NO ACTION. PAGE 8, ITEM 56, NO ACTION.

PAGE 11, ITEM 79, CHANGE PRECINCT 3 TO PRECINCT 4 SO THAT IT READS, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A CHANGE IN CONTRACT WITH HARRIS HARR HARRISCRANCON, INC. WITH WESTPORT DRIVE PEDESTRIAN UNDERCROSSING-2019 ADDING 112 CALENDAR DAYS, COMMA, JOB NUMBER 22/0324-1. UPIN, 0103N 3182, COMMA,

[01:35:09]

MWDBE CURRENT PARTICIPATION, 100%.

PAGE 16, ITEM 139, NO ACTION. PAGE 34, ITEM 266, NO ACTION.

PAGE 42, ITEM 334, NO ACTION. PAGE 54, ITEM 439, CHANGE FROM THE TERM ENDING AUGUST 9, 2026 TO FOR A TERM FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2023-NOVEMBER 1, 2026. SO THAT IS READS, REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPOINTMENT OF SONYA CORALES, A NOMINEE FROM COMMISSIONER -- PRECINCT 2 TO THE HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULT SUPPORT FOR A TERM FROM NOVEMBER 1, 2023-NOVEMBER 12026. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. JAY, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT APPOINTMENTS IN GENERAL.

DO I NEED TO PULL ONE OF THESE ITEMS TO DO IT AND CAN WE VOTE ON THEM AND HAVE DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> CAN YOU BE MORE SPECIFIC, COMMISSIONER.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KEEP TAB ON

HOW MANY EACH OF US APPOINTS. >> HOUR, IS THAT DISCUSSION YOU

NEED TO HAVE OUT HERE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: AS AN

EXAMPLE. >> YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THAT TODAY BECAUSE OF THE APPOINTMENTS. I AM SAYING THAT NEEDS TO BE OUT

HERE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I DO WANT TO GET TO THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA.

EXECUTIVE SESSION34 4 AND APPOINTMENT 435, 436, 437, 438, 440, 441 ALREADY 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 446, O 448.

>> GOING TMAKE SOME COMMENTS PUBLICALLY ON 442, 447 VERY

BRIEFLY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YES.

YOU WANT TO DO IT NOW OR LATER? >> LATER.

>> COMMISSIONER, JUST TO YOUR POINT, 445 AND 446 ARE NOT RELATED TO APPOINTMENTS. THEY ARE SEPARATE ITEMS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THOSE ITEMS IN EXEC.

445 AND 446. >> 445 UNLESS THERE ARE QUESTIONS WILL NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

BUT WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS 446. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL

PULL 446. >> SO --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WANT TO DO IT HERE OR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> YOU ARE SAYING 445 AND 446 ARE GOING TO GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DOES ANYBODY NEED TO TALK ABOUT 445? I DON'T. MISS GARCIA? NO. IT WON'T GO INTO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> IF YOU COULD -- ELLIS THAELZ

ITEM ON CONSENT. >> THEN JUST FOR CLAY CLARIFICATION, SO YOU ARE SAYING 434-444 AND 4 46 47-448 ARE THE

ONES YOU WILL WANT TO DISCUSS? >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I THINK WE CAN VOTE ON THEM. WE WILL HOLD --

>> YOU WILL HOLD ALL OF THOSE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 457,

COUNTY ATTORNEY BRIEFING. >> YES, EXECUTIVE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY. ALL ITEMS NOT IDENTIFIED FOR DISCUSSION WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WANT TO ADD SOME?

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YES, I WANT TO TAKE NO ACTION ON PAGE 7, ITEM 48. AND PAGE 8, ITEM 56.

>> THOSE WERE ALREADY PUT ON NO ACTION, YES.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ALSO WANT TO TAKE 458 TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 4-5-8.

JUST LOOKING. WHAT IS THAT, COMMISSIONER?

458 TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YES.

>> MY APOLOGIES, BUT I AM GOING TO NEED IF YOU DON'T MIND REPEATING AGAIN THE ONES YOU ARE GOING TO DISCUSS AND THE ONES YOU WILL TAKE INTOICS EXECUTIVE SESSION TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE IT

CORRECT ON RECORD, PLEASE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY.

SO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE WILL DISCUSS ITEM 446.

WE WILL DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION 457.

ARE THERE ANY OTHERS? >> AND 458.

[01:40:04]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEM 458 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

I AM GOING TO TRY TO RUN THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA AS I HAVE IT HERE. OF THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN

PULLED, AT LEAST. >> OKAY.

JUST REAL QUICK. SO BEFORE YOU DO THAT, SO THE OTHER ONES THAT ARE NOMINATIONS THAT ARE NOT GOING TO BE DISCUSSED UNDER EXECUTIVE SESSION WILL BE APPROVED AS

PRESENTED? >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE CAN STILL TALK ABOUT THEM BUT WE CAN

APPROVE THEM. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE CAN

TALK ABOUT THEM. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL RIGHT. SO I AM GOING TO RUN THROUGH THE ITEMS THAT HAVE BEEN PULLED FOR DISCUSSION.

IF I MISS ONE, CALL IT OUT, AND I GUESS ON THE RECORD.

DO I NEED TO SAY IT, JAY, IF I MISSED ONE?

>> GO AHEAD AND CALL IT OUT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEM 13 WILL BE DISCUSSED. ITEM 21, 2, 25, 38, 178, 181, 220, 266, 274, 325, 387, 392, 402, 459, 473, 475, 476.

THESE HAVE BEEN ADDED. 98, 99, 100, 29, 277.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU MADE NOTE OF A CORRECTION IN 439.

WE WILL VOTE ON IT ON THE CONSENT CIAGENDA.

>>COMMISSIONER GARA: CORRECT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NO ACTION ON 48 AND 56. WANT TO HAVE THEM IN OUR ISNOTE

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IS TH --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHAT DID WE DO WITH 458.

FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION OR DISCUSSION.

>> EXECUTIVE SESSION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANOTHER ONE YOU WANT TO ADD. ARE WE OKAY, COLLEAGUES?

IS THERE A MOTION TO MOVE -- >> MOVE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. FOUR AYES AND NO NOS.

[Appearances before court ( Part 2 of 2 )]

AND THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PATIENT.

>>CLERK: CLARISA ROGERS SPEAKING ON ITEM 21.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> CLARISA ROGERS, 71 AND 47.

JUST BRING ATTENTION TO THE COLLEGE CAMPUSES THAT I REPRESENT. ALL POLLING LOCATIONS IN THE PAST. JUST WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU AND THE BODY TO MAKE SURE AS WE MAKE THIS TRANSITION OVER TO THE COUNTY CLERK AS WE HAVE IN THE PAST THAT WE KEEP THESE POLLING LOCATIONS ON CAMPUSES BECAUSE THIS HELPS A TON OF STUDENTS AND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY AT TEXAS SOUTHERN WHICH IS IN THE HEART OF THE WARD. TO KEEP THESE BODIES IN MIND AND VALID POLLING LOCATIONS FOR EV AND ELECTION DAY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR COMING.

I WAS BIKE RIDING AND WENT THROUGH ONE OF YOUR GREAT CAMPUSES YESTERDAY. 98 DEGREES.

RICE, UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND TEXAS SOUTHERN.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. >>CLERK: KATIE SPEAKING ON ITEM 25. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I'M KATIE MERSA AND I REPRESENT THE IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER IMMIGRANT HUMAN RIGHTS. I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. THANK YOU FOR IMPLEMENTING TOWN HALLS AND BUDGET SIMULATOR TOOLS.

ANOTHER WAY TO UNDERSTAND THE BUDGET PROCESS, BUDGET ITEMS AS A PERCENTAGE BOTH AS VISUALS AND IN SPREADSHEET FORM.

AS AVAILABLE AS A PDF, INCREASES DUE TO INFLATION OR SHIFT IN BUDGET PRIORITIES ARE INDISTINGUISHABLE.

AND ASK FOR INCREASES IN FUNDING.

IF THOSE INCREASES CHANGE THE PERCENTAGE OF THE BUDGET THE DEPARTMENTS RECEIVED SOMETHING ELSE IS BEING TAKEN AWAY FROM HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. WE DESERVE TO SEE WHAT HOURS OF CALCULATION. I CALL YOU TO INTRODUCE AMENDMENT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE FISCAL 2023 BUDGET AND THE DEPRIVATION OF SOCIAL SERVICES WILL BE PERMANENT UNDER STATE

LAW. >> HI, I AM SALVA BLANDING AND SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET.

MORE SPECIFICALLY TODAY I AM ASKING THAT YOU FREEZE THE SHERIFF AND D.A.'S BUDGET IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET CYCLE.

[01:45:03]

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS GRACIE ISRAEL ON 75

AND 473. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.

I AM GRACIE ISRAEL. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THEO TIME O LISTEN TGA OUR COMMUNITY. RERDING ITEM 473, I AM AGAINST CLOSING THE POLLING LOCATION AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND I STRONGLY SUPPORT OPENING POLLING LOCATIONS ON ALL COLLEGE CAMPUSES. AS A UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON STU STUDENT, THIS ITEM IMPACTS ME AND MY PEERS. WILL HAVE VOTING ACCESS FOR YOUNG ADULTS INCLUDING FIRST-TIME VOTERS.

TO REMOVE THE NEED FOR TRAVEL WHICH CAN BE DIFFICULT FOR STUDENTS WITHOUT CARS. HOUSTON'S DIVERSE CAMPUSES CONTRIBUTE TO MORE REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY ADDRESSES TIME CONSTRAINTS AND STUDENTS SCHEDULES AND STUDIES SHOW IT ENCOURAGE LIFELONG CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

REDUCES CONGESTION AT ALL POLLING LOCATIONS MINIMIZING WAIT TIMES. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: ERIC BATTEN, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> ERIC BATTEN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF ASSOCIATION.

A DOUBLE DIGIT STARTING POINT WILL BE BETTER.

WE ARE ASKING FOR A COMMITMENT FROM THE COURT THROUGH A RESOLUTION TO IMPLEMENT AN ADDITIONAL 7% PAY RAISE EACH YEAR FOR NEXT THREE YEARS. THIS COMMITMENT TO THE COURT TO HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE COMMUNITIES ARE WHICH SERVE AND EACH OF IT REPRESENTS WILL BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH SURROUNDING AGENCIES. IMPROVE EACH AGENCY'S ABILITY TO HAVE PERSONNEL IT HAS INVESTMENT IN AND INCREASE THE RECRUITMENT FOR THE NEXT GENERATION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS SINCE MANY OF US ARE SET TO RETIRE IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOURS YEAR.

WE CAN NOT KEEP UP WITH THE ATTRITION RATE WITH PEOPLE LEAVING FOR OTHER AGENCIES AND THROUGH RETIREMENT.

AND I AM ASKING YOU TO MAKE A SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AND COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE COMMUNITIES WE SERVE.

THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR BEING HERE. >>CLERK: JUDITH SPEAKING ON ITEM 43. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JUDITH MCLAUGHLIN AND FOUNDING DIRECTOR OF A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY OFFERINGS ONE CREEK WEST. WE REPRESENT OVER 40 NEIGHBORHOODS THAT ARE ALL LOCATED UPSTREAM OF THE RESERVOIR AND ANOTHER 8400 IN OUR AREA.

I'M HERE TO EXPRESS OUR STRONG SUPPORT FOR THE PROPOSED COMMUNITY PLAN AND TRANSPORTATION MOBILITY STUDY FOR KATIE EAST WHICH IS THE AREA WHICH I REPRESENT.

AND OUR COMMUNITY LIKE MANY COMMUNITIES HAVE DEVELOPED OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS IN KIND OF A PATCHWORK FASHION WITH LITTLE THOUGHT GIVEN HOW WE WOULD CONNECT OR THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD BE NEEDED TO SUPPORT THE WELL BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS.

TODAY WE FACE EVEN GREATER CHALLENGES AS MANY APARTMENT PROJECTS INCLUDING TWO HIGH RISE IN OUR AREA ARE PLANNED.

AGAIN WITH LITTLE UNDERSTANDING HOW THE CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE WILL SUPPORT THAT GROWTH. THIS STUDY WILL ALLOW US TO MAKE

THESE CHALLENGES VISIBLE. >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR BEING HERE. >>CLERK: MARY LAWLER SPEAKING ON 81 VIRTUALLY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY ON -- IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSED PROPERTY TAKES. FOR HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION.

UP IS GREAT NEED AND MAKE OUR UNIT AFFORDABLE TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES AND SENIORS AND PROVIDE SERVICES TO THOSE FAMILIES AND

[01:50:03]

I APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE SUPPORT OF THE ENTIRE COURT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY STAFF FOR MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU, MARY.

APPRECIATE ALL YOUR INCREDIBLE WORK AND VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS ITEM COMING ON THE AGENDA TODAY AND I WANT TO THANK MR. RAMOS AND HIS WORK AND TEAM ON THIS.

THANK YOU, MARY. >>CLERK: NEXT IS GRACIE GARCES SPEAKING ON ITEM 188. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE CHIEF STRATEGY AND EXTERNAL FOR TEJANO CENTER OF COMMUNITY CONCERN.

I AM JOINED BY MY COLLEAGUE ADRIANA WILSON THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PROGRAM. WE ARE HERE TO EXTEND OUR IMMENSE GRATITUDE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM AND LIBRARY THROUGH DELIVERY OF SERVICE THROUGH PROJECT GRAD AND KINDLY REQUEST YOUR SUPPORT OF AGENDA ITEM 198 RELATED TO THE MOU FOR PROJECT GRAD.

OUR CEO AND MISS WILSON AND I THE PLEASURE TO SPEAK TO MOST OF YOU IF NOT YOUR STAFFS OF EVERYTHING THIS PROGRAM HAS DONE TO OUR COMMUNITY. WE ENSURED THE MULTIGENERATION PROJECT GRAD HAS HAD SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1994 AND HAS CONTINUED TO HAVE DUE TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THIS SPECIFIC

PARTNERSHIP IN 2021. >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU.

ANYTHING ELSE. >> JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT WE ARE CONFIDENT THAT WITH THIS SPECIFIC MOU, WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO EXPAND THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE.

MISS WILSON WILL SPEAK DIRECTLY THE IMPACT OF THIS PROGRAM

ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: BEAUTIFUL. THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: ADRIANA WILSON SPEAKING ON ITEM 198.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, ADRIANA WILSON, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE TEJANO FOR COMMUNITY CONCERNS. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS PARTNERED WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA OF PRECINCT 2 AND HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY FOR INTERGENERATIONAL COLLEGE AND CAREER SERVICES THROUGH OUR PROJECT GRAD LOCATIONS PARK PLACE, PASADENA, BAY TOWN, EAST ALDINE, PASADENA PARK AND SCARCEDALE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE WERE ABLE TO SERVE 1158 INDIVIDUALS PROVIDING 2888 ADVISING SESSIONS AND SUPPORT 204 INDIVIDUALS QUALIFYING FOR APPROXIMATELY $1.2 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID. THIS YEAR TO DATE, GRAD CAFE, SUPPORTED 1109 THROUGH THEIR COLLEGE AND CAREER JOURNEY AND 323 AND HELPED 373 INDIVIDUALS POTENTIALLY QUALIFY FOR OVER 2.7 MILLION IN FINANCIAL AID DOLLARS.

WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.

>>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPANDING GRAD CAFE SERVICE ACROSS COUNTYWIDE SITES IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ADRIANA AND GRACIE, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND SPEAKING ON THIS ITEM. I WANT TO THANK DR. CAMIS FOR HER WORK AND LEADERSHIP ON THIS ITEM.

IT VERY, VERY NEAR AND DEAR TO MY HEART.

I AM EXCITED TO KEEP GRAD CAFE MOVING FORWARD.

THE OPPORTUNITIES WE ARE CREATING FOR KIDS WHO WANT TO BECOME THE NEXT COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND ROCK STAR IN OUR COMMUNITY BY ACHIEVING THE EDUCATION OF THEIR DREAMS IN THE QUALITY EDUCATION. THE MONEY BRINGING BACK, POTENTIALLY IF NOT FOR GRAD CAFE THEYOU WLDN'T HAVE ACCESS OAR KNOW HOW TO ACCESS THOSE RESOURCES.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND I HOPE WE CAN GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN SEE THIS EXPANDED COUNTYWIDE.

AGAIN. OU, >>MM THANK YOU, COISSIONERS.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS ANA BETH SPEAKING ON ITEM 337.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, THE DEPUTYRT DIRECTOR OF THE NOH SIDE DISTRICT. TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFEOW F COMMERCIAL PROPERTY NERS.

WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 387 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT FOR CAPITAL PROJECT NORTH SIDE ON THE MOVE.

THIS STUDY REPORT IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND PRECINCT 2. THIS COMPREHENSIVE STUDY CONDUCTED BY THE GOODMAN CORPORATION EVALUATED 29 CORRIDORS WITH THE HIGHEST NEED AND IMPROVEMENTS.

[01:55:01]

>>CLERK: YOUR TIME IS UP. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ANA BETH, AGAIN, THANK YOU. AND GIVE REBECCA MY APPRECIATION. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

ALL OF THE ITEMS ON THIS PARTICULAR ACTION ARE IMPORTANT, BUT PLEASE CONVEY TO PASTOR SMITH FOR THE JENSON CORRIDOR COMMUNITY FOR JUST THEIR CONTINUED ADVOCACY TO SEE JENSON BECOME SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL ONCE AGAIN.

AND I AM EXCITED THAT IT IS RANKED HIGH ON THIS PARTICULAR STUDY BUT COULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THE SUPPORT OF THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE WORK OF MY TEAM.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND EXCITED TO SEE THIS ON THE

AGENDA. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: BEFORE OUR NEXT SPEAKER COMES UP, WE DO HAVE A GUEST TODAY. THE CEO OF LOS ANGELES HARRIS COUNTY. I WAS TELLING MR. RAMOS AND THEIR GRAND JURY THOUGHT IT WAS $30 MILLION BUT $47 MILLION.

DAVENPORT HAS BEEN A FRIEND OF MINE FOR FREE LONG TIME AND SHE IS HERE ON VACATION. SO PROUD THAT ANYBODY FROM LOS ANGELES WILL COME HERE PARTICULARLY WHEN 110 DEGREES.

WHEN WE TAKE A LUNCH BREAK, RAMOS' UNCLE RUNS THE CALIFORNIA FOUNDATION AND I GUESS -- BESSIE, WHEN YOU WERE HERE MEETING WITH FOLKS AND YOU TALKED ABOUT HOUSING HOMELESS PEOPLE WHO WERE UNHOUSED. THE MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES WAS HERE A MONTH AGO. FRESIA DAVENPORT IS A GREAT LEADER .WE LOOK TO CALIFORNIA FOR SO MANY GREAT IDEAS AND WE CAN'T AFFORD THEM. BUT MISS DAVENPORT, WELCOME.

GLAD TO HAVE HERE. NEXT SPEAKER.

>>CLERK: NEXT CYNTHIA COLL SPEAKING ON ITEM 442.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> CYNTHIA COLE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ASME 1450. I SPEAK ON BEHALF THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEMS EXECUTIVE BOARD. A LOT OF CHANGES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED ABOUT SOME OF THE CHANGES BUT WE HAVE ALL NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THERE MAY BE OTHER CHANGES. WE ASK YOU TO BE CONSIDERATE OF WHO THOSE CANDIDATES ARE, THAT THEY ARE LABOR FRIENDLY AND CONSCIENTIOUS OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE FACING.

ALSO, I LOOK TO YOU ALL FOR SOME DIRECTION ON WHETHER OR NOT THE CEO OF HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEMS I BECOME A ELECTED POSITION

AM ASKING. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THIS IS

SPEAK. E YOU GET TO >> I AM SAYING TO YOU.

I AM ASKING. SO I WILL BE SENDING THE E-MAILS TO SEE WHAT ARE THE STEPS THAT CAN BE TAKEN.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK HA YOU.

>> TNK ONYOU. >>COMMISSIER ELLIS: GLAD TO

SEE YOU WALKING AND RUNNING. >> SOON I WILL BE RIDING THAT

BIKE REAL SOON. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT EX

SPEAKER. >>CLERK: NT IS JAVON TONE SPEAKING ON ITEM 273. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> SO, HELLO, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS VOVON TONE AND A SENIOR AT TEXAS UNIVERSITY HERE TO SPEAK REGARDING ITEM 473.

I STRONGLY AFFIRM THIS ITEM DUE TO NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE, YOUNG PEOPLE, GETTING OUT TO VOTE. THE AVERAGE AGE FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE GETTING OUT TO VOTE IS 67. WHICH MEANS NOT ENOUGH YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GETTING OUT TO VOTE. I STAND STRONGLY IN CLOSING THE POLLS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES BECAUSE THESE POLLING LOCATION ALSO NOT ONLY INCREASE VOTING TURNOUT, BUT WE ARE BRINGING THE POLLING LOCATION TO YOUNG PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE.

WITH ME BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT AND A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE YOUNG PEOPLE WHO ARE IN PRECINCT 1 ARE USING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE, BECAUSE EVERY VOTE MATTERS.

[02:00:01]

>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHERE

WERE YOU AN INTERN? >> PRECINCT 2.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PRECINCT 2?

OKAY, GOOD. >>CLERK: NEXT IS LUCAS CHARLETTE SPEAKING ON ITEM 473. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. LETTING ME TO SPEAK ON 473.

TO EDUCATE YOUNG VOTERS .THESE STUDENTS REPRESENT THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ASK THAT HAD YOU CONTINUE ACCESS AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY. I CAN TELL LOOKING AT YOU YOUR COLLEGE YEARS MUST NOT HAVE BEEN THAT LONG AGO AND I AM SURE YOU

NEED NO REMINDER -- >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU CAN

TELL. >> PACK SCHEDULES, MOUNTAINS OF HOMEWORK, LIMITED TRANSPORTATION AND DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO OUT OF OUR WAY FOR AN OFF-CAMPUS LOCATION.

IF THERE IS NO ON-CAMPUS LOCATION STUDENTS WON'T VOTE IF WE DON'T HAVE THE TIME AND MEANS NECESSARY TO GET OFF CAMPUS.

AND TO TAKE IT AWAY WOULD THROW A MAJOR CURVEBALL AND WITH ALL DUE RESPECTS LEAVE THOSE TO THE ASTROS.

YOU ALREADY KNOW THAT IT LAGS BEHIND OTHERS AND A LOT OF YOUNG LEADERS AT TSU PUTTING IN THE WORK TO CHANGE THAT.

WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE. >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER ONE, WAL WALTER PARETHO. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> YES, I'M NAME IS WA WALTY PARATHO.

TO INTRODUCE WHAT TO USE WHEN USING HARRIS HEALTH FACILITIES WITH EXPERIENCE. RECENT REVELATIONS OF MASS FRAUD IN NURSING IN OPERATION NIGHTENGALE.

TO ME SOME 67 THE SAME INCIDENTS CAN BE FOUND WITH BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HARRIS HEALTH. I NOTIFIED HARRIS HEALTH INTO FALSE ENTRIES INTO MY MEDICAL RECORD BY UNKNOWN PHYSICIANS WHO WERE ASSIGNED TO OVERSEE RESIDENTS I WAS IN CONTACT WITH.

HARRIS HEALTH JUST IGNORED THIS WITH AUTO VIDEO AND AUDIO EVIDENCE. WHEN RECORDING THESE INSTANCES, HAS ONLY LED TO RETALIATION BY HARRIS HEALTH AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. THESE INCIDENTS OF RETALIATION WERE REPORTED TO HARRIS HEALTH, BUT AGAIN WITH EVIDENCE, THEY WERE IGNORED. THIS IS THE SPECIFICEA RSONIK LE THE REST OFS THITO I PUTN THE RECORD PLEASE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER TWO, SANDRA STERN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS SANDRA STERN AND I AM OBVIOUSLY DISABLED. AS A PERSON WITH A SERVICE DOG, WE FACEN DISCRIMINATION, SEGREGATIO AND EXCLUSION QUITE OFTEN. THERE ARE FEDERAL AND STATE DISABILITY RIGHT LAWS THAT ARE MEANT TO PROVIDE STABILITY FOR US. JUST SUCH A LAW WILL BE EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1. LIKE THE ADA, HOWEVER, IT LOOKS PROSECUTION AND ENFORCEMENT COMPONENTS.

WE ASK YOU PLEASE HELP US OUT BY FINDING A WAY TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE DISABLED TO REPORT WHEN WE ARE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND WHEN OUR DOG IS ATTACKED OR WHEN WE PERSONALLY ATTACKED. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION AND I APPRECIATE OUTHELP.

THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. THANKS FOR COMING.

>> WHO IS YOUR COMPANION. >> MY PARTNER, MEDIC.

>> MEDIC, ALL RIGHT. HANDSOME.

>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER 4, CHERYL GRAPES, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A GOOD-LOOKING DOG.

BEAUTIFUL. ONES LIKE THAT ARE WELL BEHAVED.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CHERYL GRAVES.

STILL SEEKING A RESOLUTION TO THE DUST, TRAFFIC AND NOISE ON MESA DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN DENIED TRIPS BECAUSE OF THE TRAFFIC. JUDGE HIDALGO ANNOUNCED HER LEAVE AUGUST 2 FOR CLINICAL DEPRESSION AND COMMISSIONER

[02:05:04]

BOB YURI WITH CENTRAL HOUSTON AND DOWNTOWN MANAGEMENT DISTRICT

AND THAT IS HOW -- >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A QUICK

COMMENT YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE. >> I WANT TO SAY THAT THE TRAFFIC NOISE HAS GOTTEN WORSE. I HAVE BEEN THERE 30 YEARS.

I NEED SOME HELP. THEY ARE TRYING TO RUN ME OUT.

THE 18 WHEELERS. THEY ARE JUST EVERYWHERE.

THE PAST TWO YEARS HAVE BEEN TERRIBLE .THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU HANG IN THERE.

BE CAREFUL THERE. >>CLERK: NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 6, ANNIE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL TALK QUICK.

SOMETHING CHANGED THE RECORD DOWN THERE FOR 44 YEARS AND SWITCH IT OVER TO SOMEBODY ELSE'S NAME AND TRYING TO TAKE PEOPLE'S PROPERTY AND GIVE IT TO WHOEVER THEY WANTED TO GIVE IT TO. AND I KNOW THAT -- THAT THESE MEN DIDN'T GIVE THEM -- GIVE THEM THEIR LEGAL ALIENS THE QUART HE OF A MILLION DOLLARS. THEY GAVE IT TO ME AND THEIR

STAFF. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

YOU. >> I HAVE BEEN CALLING YOU FOR SO LONG. 40 YEARS AND YOU A NEVERNSWER

THE PHONE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8, JOHNNY RAMIREZ, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JOHNNY RAMIREZ.

OWN EVERY OF SV SMALL BUSINESSES MINORITY COMPANY.

WE BIDED ON PRECINCT 2 NORTHSIDE PARKS.

OUR BID WAS KICKED OFF BECAUSE OF ONE SIGNATURE MISSED.

WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO RECONSIDER OF LETTING US HAVE THAT CONTRACT. WE ARE THE LOWEST BIDDER.

JUST WANTED TO --U. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

YO >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU. APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11.

KIMBERLY RICHARDSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

GOOD AFTERNOON TO COMMISSIONERS COURT THANK YOU GUYS FOR GIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

TODAY I'M SPEAKING IN FAVOR OF POLLING LOCATIONS ON COLLEGE CAMPUSES. AS THE ORGANIZER FOR MOVE AT U OFH. I WORK A LOT WITH HELPING YOUNG PEOPLE REGISTER TO VOTE. I AM ALSO A FULL-TIME STUDENT.

I WORK TWO PART-TIME JOB. I LIVE ON CAMPUS AND I DO NOT HAVE A CAR. I AM REALLY GRATEFUL FOR THAT POLLING LOCATION AT U OFH THAT MAKES IT EASY TO GO OUT AND VOTE. UNFORTUNATELY SCHOOLS LIKE SCHOOLS DOWNTOWN AND HCC MAY NOT HAVE THAT OPTIONS.

A LOT DIFFICULT FOR THOSE STUDENTS TO GET OUT AND VOTE.

I THINK IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO OPEN THE POLLING LOCATIONS ON THESE CAMPUSES. MAKE SURE EVERYBODY'S VOICE GETS HEARD. NOT JUST PEOPLE WITH A CAR OR A EASY WAY TO GET TO THE OFFCAMPUS POLLING LOCATIONS.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR COMING. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 12. LESLIE VASQUEZ.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT OFFICER OF THE DEEDS CHAPTER OF U OFH.

I ENCOURAGE COLLEGE STUDENTS TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED BECAUSE I BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS ABILITY TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD.

THE LACK OF POLLING LOCATIONS ALSO AFFECT VOTER TURNOUT AND DISENFRANCHISES STUDENTS. COLLEGE STUDENTS DON'T HAVE CARS AND MANY STUDENTS HAVE HEAVY COURSELOADS, FULL-TIME JOBS AND COMMITMENTS. SPARKING YOUNG VOTERS LIKE LONG CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. CALL TO ACTION IS TO BRING UP VOTING POLLING LOCATION BACK TO U OFH DOWNTOWN AND TSU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR COMING. >>CLERK: NEXT IS HAYDEN COHEN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

I AM FOR THE SAME REASON AS MANY OF US ARE HERE TO ENCOURAGE

[02:10:02]

I WAS A STUDENT AT HCC MAIN CAMPUS LAST YEAR AND THIS YEAR.

SOME STUDENTS DON'T HAVE CARS .SOME ARE LAZY.

SOME HAVE JOBS. HAVING A POLLING LOCATION.

KNOWING THAT IT IS JUST THAT EASY TO STEP OUT THE CLASS AND STEP IN THE LINE TO VOTE. WE DON'T HAVE MANY VOTER REGISTRATION EFFORTS ON CAMPUS ALL THE TIME.

HAVING THAT WOULD BE AMAZING .IF YOU ARE WORRIED OF TURNOUT IN SOME OF THE CAMPUSES, MAYBE THAT WHY YOU REDACTED A POLLING LOCATION, MAYBE FOCUS MORE ON EDUCATION.

FOCUS ON ENGAGEMENT. MANY STUDENTS ARE SCARED TO GO TO THE POLLS. MAYBE THEY DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY VOTE. DO THEY NEED TO VOTE OR BASED OFF OF WHERE THEY LIVE AT THE DORMS. I WOULD ENCOURAGE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE PLACING POLLING LOCATIONS NEAR METRO STOPS AND CREATING AND KEEPING THAT

PARTNERSHIP WITH METRO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR COMING DOWN. >>CLERK: NEXT IS CAMERON MAYFIELD. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU, FOLKS. MY NAME IS CAMERON MAYFIELD AND APPEAR COLLEGE STUDENT, ROGRESSIVE ADVOCATE WITH TEXAS RISING AND AXA EAST TES NATIVE. MY ORGANIZATION REGISTER STUDENTS TO VOTE AND EDUCATE OF UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN A HALLWAY ONCE OR TWICE A WEEK WHEN STUDENTS ARE RUSHING TO LUNCH OR CLASSES. GETTING STUDENTS ENTHUSIASTIC IS HARD BUT GETTING I THEM TO THE POLLS EVEN HARDER.

WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF YOUNG VOTERS AND STIFLE THE VOICES OF COLLEGE STUDENTS IN HOUSTON. THE 26TH AMENDMENTS GIVING 18-YEAR-OLDS ABILITIES TO VOTE, NO SYSTEMIC CHANGES AS SOON AS THEY BECOME ELIGIBLE. A HEALTHY DEMOCRACY SUPPORTS PARTICIPATION. THE PROCESS IS OFTENTIMES HARDER TO MAKE IT VOTE. OUR DEMOCRACY FAILS TO REPRESENT YOUTH GENERATION AFTER GENERATION.

>>CLERK: YOUR TIME IS IS UP. >> LET'S KEEP THEM OPEN.

THANK YOU, GUYS. >> WHAT PART OF EAST TEXAS ARE

YOU FROM? >> NAGODOCHES SIR.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS SKYLER RON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO, MY SKYLER, A 21-YEAR-OLD NURSING STUDENT OF DISTRICT 4. I WANT TO ADVOCATE FOR THE STRAY ANIMALS OF HOUSTON AND GREATER IMPORTANCE OF ARE THE KEYS YOU, CARE AND ADOPTION PROCESS OF OUR BELOVED STRAYS.

UP TO US TO TAKE CARE OF THE INNOCENT ANIMALS THAT CAN'T HELP. MY EXPERIENCE OF CARING AND RESCUING STRAY ANIMALS. I BELIEVE THAT CHANGE IS NEEDED AND THE SITUATION IS GETTING WORSE.

AN IDEA WE CAN CONSIDER IS HAVING HARRIS COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTERS COORDINATE WITH SHELTERS NATIONWIDE TO TRANSFER RESCUE ANIMALS TO A PLACE WITH A MUCH HIGHER CHANCE OF ADOPTION.

I WANT TO POINT OUT THE 48-HOUR HOLDING PERIOD THAT STRAY ANIMALS IS GIVEN. NOT A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET A SHELTER ANIMAL 48 HOURS TO FIND A FOSTER HOME.

I AM ASKING YOU TO CONSIDER EXTENDING THE TIME SHELTER ANIMALS ARE GIVEN AND TO BAN THE UTILIZATION OF ANIMALS UNDER A YEAR OLD WHEN THEY HAVE NO HEALTH ISSUES.

THE TRAP, NEUTER AND RETURN PROGRAM --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SKYLER, DID YOU VERY WELL.

THANK YOU. >> YES.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER 16.

CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. FEED YOUR HOOD ORGANIZATION WITH COLLABORATION OF THE URBAN LEAGUE OVER A DECADE AGO.

SINCE THEN I RAISED MILLIONS OF COMMUNITY ECONOMIC GROWTH.

THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE NEEDS TO BE AUDITED LACK OF OVERSIGHT, TRANSPARENCY AND SO ON SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF THE CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY. THIS IS RISK AVOIDANCE DUE TO THE FACT THAT OUR COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS CONTINUOUSLY IGNORED THE VOTERS' VOICES. AND THE SAME INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE THE PEOPLE ELECTED INTO OFFICE, SHOULD HAVE BEEN RISK MITIGATION TO REDUCE CONTROL -- TO REDUCE AND CONTROL THIS ENTIRE EXPERIENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC THAT HAS CAUSED AN INCREASE AND INFLUX IN THE COUNTY JAIL SYSTEM AND HOMELESS POPULATION WHICH PUT SIGNIFICANT CHANGE IN THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM TO PROVE THAT THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE HAS ABRIDGED THEIR AUTHORITY. THEY HAVE A REMEDY.

SET A PRECEDENT. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

[02:15:07]

>>CLERK: COMMISSIONERS, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE.

DO YOU WANT TO HAVE LUNCH? >> BEFORE YOU BREAK, COMMISSIONER, CLARIFICATION, 167 WHICH IS A LEGISLATIVE ITEM THAT COMES ON COURT. AND IT 445 WAS MARKED AS DISCUSSION ONLY. SO WANT TO VERIFY THAT IS ALSO

CONSIDERED A NO TIACON. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: LET ME JUSTOO LK AND SEE FOR A SECOND HERE. 44 5. THAT IS A REQUEST, BUSINESS

FINANCIAL ISSUES. >> AN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.

>> NOT PULLED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: UNLESS NO QUESTIONS, WE WILL APPROVE IT.

>> IT WAS NO ACTION ONLY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MEMBERS, TAKE A LUNCH BREAK. Y'ALL DONE SUCH AN EFFICIENT JOB. YOU WANT 30 MINUTES OR AN HOUR.

MAKE IT 1:30. NOW 12:36.

COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL RECESS UNTIL 1:30 P.M

. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I AM GOING TO -- FIRST OF ALL, IT IS 1:35.

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

[Executive Session]

AT THIS , TIMEWE WILL IF AHEAD AND DISCUSS THE ITEMS PULLED FOR

EX- EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> DO D YOU WANT TOO THE OTHER EXECUTIVE SESSION SAME T TIME?E

SO IIS 458. >> 457 AND 458.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEMS 21, 220, 458 AND 457.

WE WILL TAKE THESE ITEMS TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND I SHOULD ANNOUNCE THE TIME

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IT IS:09 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK

[Departments ( Part 3 of 3 )]

ANYONE FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE, MISS CAESAR TO GIVE US THE THOUGHT ON THE TRANSITION PROCESS.

ANYTHING WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY. >> YES.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COURT MEMBERS. WHILE WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT THIS IS NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION, I AM COMMITTED TO DOING THE JOB BEFORE ME WITH YOUR SUPPORT. OVER THE LAST FEW MONTHS, I HAD WORKED WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE, THE COUNTY TOATRNEY'S OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THEFF OICE OF BUDGET NAMAGEMENT, THEUD AITOR'S OFFICE, THE PURCHASING T'AGENS OFFICE, AND, OF COURSE, THE TAXES ASSSOR COLLECTOR'SIC OFFEEN TO SURE THATOT SMOH TRANSITION OF AS SETS, EMPLOYEES ANDDS RECOR INAC CORDANCE WITH SB 1750. I OOK FORWARD TONG WORKI WITH TO AND ALL STAKEHOLDERS CONTINUENG TO STRETHEN OUR EC ELTION PROCESS AND THE PUBLIC'SNC CONFIDEE INAC CORDANCEAT WITH STE AND FEDERAL ELECTION GUIDELINES. TH AND E NEXT, FEW WEEKSWE WILL CONTINUEIO THE ELECTN PLANPL IN ACE TO AVOIDN DISRUPTIOORYS DELA AND THE ONGOING WORKD RELATETO THE CONDUCT OF THE NOVEMBER 7,ON 2023 ELECTI. YO THANK U VERY MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

>> YES. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS.

WENDY CAESAR FOR THE OFFICE OF ANNE HARRIS BENNETT, CHIEF DEPUTY. NG WE ARE GOI TO WORK IN TAKEH GENT WITEACH OTHER TOE MAKE SURE WHAVE A SMOOTH ELECTION COME GHNOVEMBER. RIT NOW WE ARE WORKING VERY AK CLOSELY TO ME SURE THATLL NOTHING FAS THROUGH THE CRACKS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL ELECTION COME NOVEMBER AND WE ARE WORKING WITH LL T PARTNERS TO MAKE SUREHAT HAPPENS.

AND WE WILL BEWI WORKING CLOSER TH YOU AS WELL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MEET THEMM NEEDS OF THE COISSIONERS AS WELL.

SO I'M HERE TO SAY THAT WE LOOK FORWARD TO DO THE JOBTH AND DOI IT TO E BEST OF OUR ABILITIES.CO THANK YOU.

>>MMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK U, YOU.

THANK YO ERBOTH, FOR YOUR LEADSHIP.

MEMBERS, LET'SDA GO BACK TO THE AGEN.

HOW ABOUT ITEM . >> ANY MOTIONS FOR THE ITEMS ONI

[02:20:07]

EX-NEXT. >> 220S THE ONE YOU HAVE TO VOTE ON. I WOULD SAY AS PRESENTED.

>> MOVE AS PRESENTED, : YES. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS COMMISSIONER GARCIISA MAKES A MOTION.

THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE.

OPPOSE? AYES HAVE IT.

FOUR AYES, NO NOS. >> NO ACTION ON 21 AND 473 AND

200? >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THAT'S

CORRECT. >> 458AS TOO?

>> 458. >> THERE W NO 00,

COMMISSIONER. >> OKAY, I AM 58SORRY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 4, YOU ARE RIGHT.

NO -- >> 220.

SO IT WOULD BE 21, 473. >> OKAY.

>> 446, 457 AND 458. NO ACTION.

>> ACTION ON 458. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 458.

>> MOVE TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IS THERE

A SECOND? >> WHAT IS THAT, 458?

>> IS THERE A SECOND? >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.

IS THERE A SECOND? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: MMSECON

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION TO APPROVE 458 AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECOND IT.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED.

AYES HAVE IT. FOUR AYES AND NO NOS.

ITEM PASS. ITEM 13.

ONE OF YOURS. >> JUST REAL QUICKLY.

I WANTED TO GO BACK A SECOND WHILE I GUESS THEY HAVE LEFT, BUT IS IT OKAY TO SAY SOMETHING TO ALL STAFF IN THE COUNTY THAT HAVE HANDLED ELECTION AT THIS TIME?

>> SURE. >> CAPTURED BY AT LEAST ONE OF

THE ITEMS. >> SO JUST REAL QUICKLY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I JUST -- AS HIS HUSPED SAID NOT AN IDEAL SITUATION, BUT I WANT TO THANK LIZ TATUM, IN PARTICULAR, AND ALL OF THE ELECTION ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, STAFF, FOR JUST BEING TROOPERS. AND WEATHERING ALL OF THESE RESPECTIVE STORMS. NOT WHAT THEY SIGNED UP FOR, BUT THEY HANDLE IT AS PROFESSIONALS. AND THEN TO THE RESPECTIVE OFFICES OF THE TAX ASSESSOR AND THE -- AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE, I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BEING UP TO THE TASK.

AND I JUST WANTED ALL THE STAFF AND MR. TATUM IN PARTICULAR TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR PROFESSIONALISM.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION. THANK YOU FOR KEEPING YOUR CHIN UP. AND THANK YOU FOR BRAVING ALL OF THIS INTERESTING CROSSWINDS THAT HAVE BEEN CIRCULATING.

AND NOT WHAT ANYBODY SIGNED UP FOR, BUT I SIMPLY WANT TONIGHT

SAY THANK YOU TO EVERYONE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOU SPEAK FOR ALL OF US.

NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN ELECTIONS.

AND OBVIOUSLY WE ALL HAVE CONFIDENCE IN THESE TWO OFFICEHOLDERS. AND I, FOR ONE, HAVE CONFIDENCE IF THERE TATUM AND WISH HIM WELL AND COMMENTS THAT THEY WILL ALL BE IN GOOD HANDS. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? OKAY. WE WILL GO TO ITEM 13.

HAND THIS IS YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THAT IS -- >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: OH, YEAH.

ON THIS ONE -- YEAH, ON THIS ONE, I WANT TO THANK MISS CUSTIS FOR HER WORK ON THIS. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, FRANCISCO CASTILLO AS WELL. BUT I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED.

THIS IS APPROXIMATELY -- HOW MANY ACRE AS SOON AS THIS IS SEVEN -- NEARLY SEVEN ACRES THAT WILL BE CONVERTED INTO 50 AFFORDABLE MULTIFAMILY UNITS AS WELL AS UP TO 120 AFFORDABLE SINGLE-FAMILY HOMES. AND THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST USES OF ARPA MONEY THAT WE HAVE UNDERTAKEN.

HAVING GROWN UP IN THE NEAR NORTH SIDE.

AND TRAVERSE AT EITHER AS A KID OR A COP AROUND A YELLOW CAB PROPERTY. CABS, RIGHT.

WHO HAS SEEN A CAB LATELY. BUT I JUST WANT TO SAY I AM SO EXCITED WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACQUIRE THESE NEARLY SEVEN ACRES TO BE ABLE TO CONVERT THEM INTO SOMETHING MUCH MORE USEFUL FOR THE RESIDENTS OF THE NEAR NORTH SIDE.

AND I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN PARTICULAR, ESPECIALLY OUR PARTNERS WITH THE HOUSTON LAND BANK, SPECIFICALLY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR KRISTA STONER -- STONEHAN AND MARY LAWLER WE HEARD FROM EARLIER. AND AS WE MENTIONED STARTED WITH MISS COSTIS AND THE CSD TEAM. I AM VERY EXCITED AND I CAN'T

[02:25:02]

>> SO MOVED -- I PROVE TO PRESENT IT --

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE OPPOSED. FOUR AYES AND.

NEXT IS ITEM 2. >>COMMISSIONER GCIA: ON THIS ONE I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO DIRECT THE HRRM AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DETERMINE THE BUDGETARY AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS. OF RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY AS A HOLIDAY AND TO COME BACK TO THE COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19 TO MAKE AN ACTION. WE HAVEN'T REALLY HONORED OUR VETERANS AS WE SHOULD. SO I JUST WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN COME UP WITH A PLAN TO DO SO.

ADDITIONALLY, I WANT TO MAKE A SECOND MOTION THAT THE JUNE 4 COURT BE MOVED TO JUNE 11 AND ADDITIONAL BUSINESS COURT BE SCHEDULED WITHIN THAT TIME PERIOD TO ENSURE CONTINUITY OF BUSINESS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MISS RAMIREZ ON THIS RATHER, AND I UNDERSTAND IF THERE ARE SOME COMPLICATIONS, LET ME KNOW AND WE WILL LOOK AT IT.

BUT, IF AT ALL POSSIBLE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT IF ACCOMPLISHED.

AGAIN YOU SHARED WITH ME MORE OF THE CHALLENGES, SO DON'T -- DON'T HESITATE TO TELL ME IT JUST WON'T WORK IF THAT IS THE

CASE. >> WHAT WILL HAPPEN IS, WE WILL HAVE FIVE WEEKS BETWEEN TWO COURTS.

AND THAT THE CONCERN THAT IT IS SUCH A LONG TIME THAT EVEN WITH A SECOND BUSINESS COURT. HOW BUSINESS COURTS ARE CONDUCTED A NARROW SCOPE OF WHAT CAN BE -- CAN BE ACCOMPLISH $IN THE BUSINESS PORT, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER COMMENTS OR CONCERNS JUST THAT AND HOW OFTEN TO GET THROUGH THE PURCHASING ITEMS AND ALL THAT WHICH IS TIME SENSE.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: LOOK, I AM NOT MARRIED TO IT.

I WILL WITHDRAW MY OCEAN. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: BUT YOU

-- >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THE FIRST MOTION I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT MOVE FORWARD WHICH IS IT TO FIND A WAY TO RECOGNIZE OUR VETERANS OR RECOGNIZE THE VETERANS HOL HOLIDAY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MAKE IT A COUNTY HOLIDAY.

ARE YOU MAKING IT AS A REQUEST. >> A MOTION.

>> IF I COULD REPEAT THE MOTION. THE MOTION IS -- MOVE TO DIRECT THE HRRM AND OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DETERMINE THE BUDGETARY AND OPERATIONAL IMPACTS OF RECOGNIZING VETERANS DAY AS A HOLIDAY, AS A COUNTY HOLIDAY, AND TO COME BACK TO COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19 WITH A PLAN TO MAKE

THE DECISIONS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO YOU ARE RECOMMENDING THAT WE VOTE ON THIS ITEM AS IS, BUT YOU ARE ADDING THAT AS AN AMOUNT TO IT TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT

AND TELL US THE BEEN IMPACT. >> TWO MOTIONS.

THE FIRST TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED WITH AN AMENDMENT TO.

>> VETERANS DAY. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I HAVE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. SIMILAR.

I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SECOND THAT. I DEEPLY BELIEVE THAT ELECTION DAY SHOULD BE A NATIONAL HOLIDAY.

UNTIL THEN, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE FISCAL IMPACT TO MAKE ELECTION DAY A COUNTY HOLIDAY SO ALL COUNTY WORKER AND THEIR FAMILIES, IT IS EASIER FOR FOLKS TO VOTE BECAUSE SO FUNDAMENTAL TO OUR NATION AND OUR DEMOCRACY. LAWYER IN ME, I DON'T KNOW IF WE

HAVE A SUB MOTION. >> IF IT IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEN THAT IS FINE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: VETERANS DAY AND ELECTION DAY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU HEARD THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS AMENDED WITH A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER BRIONE WIS HER FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO HIS SUBSTITUTE MOTION.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NO.

AYES HAVE IT. FOUR AYES AND FOUR NAYS.

NEXT WE DID 25. >> I HAVE A MOTION ON THIS.

MR. RAMOS, YOU NEED TO MAKE A PRESENTATION.

>> NO FORMAL PRESENTATION. THE DOCTOR WILL BE MAKING A PRESENTATION ON BEHALF OF HARRIS HEALTH.

COUPLE OF TECHNICAL AND CLERICAL CHANGES I WANT TO GO OVER VERY QUICKLY. THE FIRST IS, WHEN WE CREATED THE ORIGINAL BUDGET, WE DID NOT HAVE THE COURT ORDER FOR THE

[02:30:02]

THAT IS $198,105. AND WE WILL SUBMIT THAT ALONG WITH THE BUDGET AMENDMENT AS ANYTHING THIS COURT WILL PUT UP.

BUT THAT IS GENERAL FUND SAVINGS FOR US TO BE ABLE TO REALLOCATE.

ONE THING I OMITTED FROM MY PRESENTATION LAST YEAR -- AND LAST WEEK WAS MOVING TOWARD A UNIVERSAL FEE FOR CREDIT CARDS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE BUDGET DOESN'T ASSUME $1 MILLION OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE TO HELP US RECOUP THE COST.

WE PAY IT ON BEHALF OF RESIDENTS AND PAYORS TODAY.

AND I AM COMING WITH A MOTION TO SO HE LIT PHI THAT AND FOR THE COUNTY TO DEVELOP A UNIFIED POLICY.

I WANT TO CLARIFY ONE COMMENT I MADE LAST.

I AM NOT INVOLVED IN HARRIS HEALTH ON THE DAY-TO-DAY BASIS LIKE WITH PETRA OR ANYTHING THAT IS A COUNTY DEPARTMENT.

THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT WE DON'T TALK ALL THE TIME, JUST AWKWARDNESS WITH THE TIMING AS THEY HAVE TO GET THEIR -- BOTH THEIR PROPOSED TAX RATE AS WELL AS THEIR BUDGET APPROVED BY THEIR BOARD. WHILE I MAY KNOW IT IS NOT PUBLIC YET UNTIL -- I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING IT UNTIL THEIR BOARD FORMALLY REVIEWS AND COMMITS IT.

I THINK THE DOCTOR AND I WILL WORK ON THE CALENDAR MOVING FORWARD SO WE CAN BE ON THE SAME SCHEDULE AND VIEW THE BUDGET HOLISTICALLY AND ENSURE BOARD MEETINGS IN ADVANCE OF THE BUDGET SUBMITTED SO YOU DON'T ONE INTO THIS PROBLEM.

THE SAME ISSUE THE LAST TWO YEARS.

MOVING FORWARD, WE HOPE TO SOLVE OF THAT.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: IF YOU GO BETTER ALIGN THE TIMELINE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANYTHING MR. RAMOS THAT YOU WOULD RECOMMEND. SOME EX-OFFICIO POSITION IF THAT IS NECESSARY TO COMPLY WITH THE LAW SO YOU CAN BE INVOLVED IN THAT? GET THE INFORMATION.

>> I BELIEVE THE BOARD IS SET BY THE -- BY STATUTE.

I AM INVOLVED AND AT THE DISCRETION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT HOW INVOLVED WE MAY BE. I STAY AT THE HIGHEST LEVEL.

>> BY VIRTUE, WE CAN DISCUSS LATER A INTERLOCAL FOR BUDGETARY PURPOSES. I THINK THAT CAN HELP RESOLVE

THAT. >> I THINK THAT WILL BE IMPORTANT THE FACT THAT -- THE STATUTE.

IF I HAVE TO VOTE ON THE -- WE HAVE TO VOTE OFTEN THE RATE, OBVIOUSLY THEY WOULDN'T HAVE A BUDGET IF -- IF WE DIDN'T VOTE ON THE RATE SO THEY HAD MONEY TO BUDGET.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AND THAT COLLABORATION IS IMPORTANT.

BUT IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT OUGHT TO BE DONE, IT MAKES SURE YOU GET IT AND AS TIMELY AS POSSIBLE.

IT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> I THINK MAYBE AS SOON AS WE FINISH THIS BUDGET, WE WILL WORK BACKWARDS FROM NEXT YEAR ON A CALENDAR AND SHARE IT WITH DR. PORSA AND HIS BOARD CHAIR AND GETTING A CALENDAR APPROVED BY YOU ALL WILL BE HELPFUL SO WE

CAN STAY ON TRACK. >> GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I HAVE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS THAT I AM THINKING ABOUT, BUT I WILL

ASK YOU TO -- >> MAKE YOUR PRESENTATION.

>> SURE, THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME AGAIN. BEFORE I START MY PRESENTATION, I JUST WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU HEARD FROM MR. RAMOS.

I WANT TO REMIND THE COURT, THIS IS ACTUALLY THE FIRST FULL YEAR WE ARE IN THE NEW BUDGET CYCLE STUDYING ON OCTOBER 1.

AS YOU ALL REMEMBER LAST YEAR. STILL IDENTIFYING MARCH 1, BUDGET YEAR. WE HAD A SHORTENED YEAR LAST OCTOBER. SET THE BUDGET YEAR.

THE FIRST FULL YEAR THAT OUR BUDGET STARTS ON OCTOBER 1.

WITH THAT SAID, WE WILL DO WHATEVER IS NEEDED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ALIGNED WELL. LIKE MR. RAMOS SAID WE HAVE BEEN LOCKSTEP TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WE ARE SAYING HE IS AWARE OF. AS HE MENTIONED, THERE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN PUBLIC JUST BECAUSE WE CAN'T POST ANYTHING PUBLICLY UNLESS OUR BOARD VETTED AND VOTED ON IT.

WITH ALL THAT SAID, WE HAVE A VERY QUICK PRESENTATION.

TWO SLIDES, COMMISSIONERS. IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

EXPLAINS HOW HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IS FINISHING UP THE CURRENT FISCAL. END THE YEAR 9.7% MARGINS AND SEVERAL REASONS FOR THAT AND I HAVE MENTIONED TO THE MAIN REASONS. ONE IS A $80 MILLION INVESTMENT INCOME. AND TO INCREASE IN THE INTEREST RATE BY THE BANK. WE ARE FORTUNATE TO BE BENEFICIARY OF THAT. AND THAT IS THE $80 MILLION

[02:35:02]

AND PROPORTION OF SHARE HOSPITALS AND UNCOMPENSATED SHARE. $60 MILLIONF OTHAT $190IL MLION IS CURRENTLY AT RISK OF THEAC BK AND FORTH OF CMSND A THE STATE AND TECHNICAL ISSUES. CURRENTLYJE PROCTED $190 MILLION. EXPENSE CONTROL.

MADE AMI PROSE TO MY BOARD AND ALSOE TO THSS COMMIIONERS COURT LAST YEARRE WE WE GOING -- WE HARRIS HEALTHWI SYSTEM LL HAVECA NTRACT FOR LABOR COST. WE HAVE BEEN ABLEHA TO DO TT. D AN O BECAUSEF THAT SAVED $25LL MIION Y OVER LASTEAR ANDNT CORACT A AND LABOR. THANK ALL THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM LEADER AND STAFF FOR THIS.

THIS IS NOT HAPPENING ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. KI AND SPEANG WITH OTHER CEOSRE THEY A STILL STRUGGLING WITHCT CONTRA LABOR AND SAME COSTRE IF NOT MO WHAT THEY WERERI PAYING DUNG THE COVID 7YEARS. $2ET MILLION IN MARK PLACE.

AFFORDABLE CARE ACTES SUBSIDIARI.

AND BY THE BIDEN ABLE TO SAVE THE ARE ANTICIPATED PAYING FOR THE SUB AT THIS DECEMBER.

THE MARKET PLACE. ON THEUNCONTROLLABLE ADDITIONAL EXPENSE,NA $30 MILLION ADDITIOL EXPENSE RELATED TO HAVING PUTDI ADDITIONAL FUNNG IN A PENSION PLAN IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDEE AN HOW WE EN THYEAR, THE FIRST ROW OF 2023, THE CURRENT TAX RATE. VE 14678. TAX RENUE OF $8 2 MILLION WITH 9.7% MARGIN, $242 VEMILLION. REPORT APPROD A NOT TO EXCEED APPROVAL RATE, 14668. THAT WILL AMOUNT TO $904 MILLION AND GIVE US A 3% MARGIN. I BELIEVE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET HAD A PLACE HOLDER IN THE LAST PRESENTATION TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OF 1.35, $8679 MILLION IN TAX REVENUE AND A $1.6% MARGIN. 9 MILLION IN TA A $1.6% MARGIN.

VERY IMPORTANT BEFORE I FORGET NUMBERS FOR PROJECTED PAT.

A $447 MILLION INTEREST PAYMENT RELATED TO HARRIS HEALTH BOND.

WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THIS AMOUNT WILL WILL BE REIMBURSED TO HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM IN OUR 2025 FISCAL YEAR AFTER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS ABLE TO SET OUR -- OUR DEBT SERVICES TAX RATE IN 2024 A YEAR FROM NOW. SO WE FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT.

BUT THAT IS IN THERE BECAUSE OF OUR ACCOUNTING PRACTICES.

THAT HAS BEEN THE RECOMMENDATION TO US.

AND IT WAS ONE MORE THING I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT I AM CURRENTLY FORGETTING AND I WILL STOP T THERE.

BY WANT TO SAY ONE MORE TIME THAT I WANT TO THANK MR. RAMOS WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS THE TRUSTED PARTNER.

I HAVE ENJOYED WORKING WITH HIM. AN OPEN BOOK TO MR. RAMOS AND I HOPE HE FEELS THE SAME WAY. WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO IMPROVE OUR COLLABORATION AND TIMING.

I AM ALL FOR IT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>> MR. RAMOS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

JUST TO TRANSLATE. HARRIS HEALTH DOES THINGS DIFFERENTLY. WE SEGREGATE OUR DEBT PAYMENTS AND DEBT REVENUE FROM THE INS TAX RATE AND O ANDM.

HARRIS HEALTH HAS THEM COMBINED. A PLACEHOLDER OF 869 IN THE PRESENTATION LAST YEAR. THEIR BUDGET $409 MILLION VOTER APPROVED RATE WITH 147 MILLION, COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH ADOPT A NUMBER. AND THAT $47 MILLION WILL COME OUT OF FUTURE TAX REVENUE. WITH THAT BEING SAID, ANY DOLLAR IS A DOLLAR WE CAN'T GIVE THEM IN THE FUTURE THEY CAN'T CARRY THE UNUSED INCREMENT IN THE WAY THAT THE GENERAL FUND DOES.

WE RECOMMEND BEING CLOSER ON THE UPPER LON ON THE VOTER APPROVE

[02:40:02]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: DO YOU GO, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION ANAND THANK YOU BO THANK YOU FOR IT.

THE MOTION DIRECT THE OFFICE OF THE MANAGEMENT BUDGET, COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A -- WELL, LET ME HOLD THAT EXTRA -- THIS IS A DIFFERENT ONE.

THE FIRST MOTION ACTUALLY DIRECTED TO THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM, BUT THIS SPEAKS A LITTLE BIT TO THAT AS WELL.

TO DIRECT THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AND HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DEVELOP A BUDGET ON THE 912 COURT BASED ON AD VALOREM TAX RATE THAT GENERATES REVENUE OF $888 MILLION. THAT IF YOU COULD, AT THIS TIME, DR. PORSA, BRING US TO SOME IDEAS HOW THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM CAN WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABLE ON ANY NEW DEVELOPMENT THAT THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM WILL WILL BE

BRINGING FORWARD. >> I WILL BE HAPPY TO, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR THAT MOTION.

I WANT TO SAY -- I REMEMBER WHAT I HAD TO SAY, I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DESIRES AND IS COMMITTED TO IF AT ALL POSSIBLE NOT TO INCREASE THE OVERALL TAX RATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO STATE THAT I WANT TO IN GOOD FAITH PARTNER WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO MAKE SURE THAT HAPPENS. WITH THAT SAID, THANK YOU FOR THAT MOTION AND DO OUR VERY BEST TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND BRING BACK TO THE SEPTEMBER 12, I THINK YOU SAID, BUDGET THAT REFLECTS THOSE NUMBERS AND WILL ALSO BRING BACK A SUSTAINABILITY WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE

IMPROVEMENTS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: TOM.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I AM CURIOUS.

I APPRECIATE, COMMISSIONER, PUTTING A NUMBER OUT THERE.

I GUESS I AM A LITTLE CONFUSED ON THE PROCESS.

I WOULD HAVE THOUGHT HARRIS HEALTH WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED A BUDGET AND OBVIOUSLY YOU WOULD BE TELLING US WHAT IS YOUR BUDGET IS AND WE WOULD HAVE A CONVERSATION WHAT THE TAX RATE WOULD BE RELATED TO THAT. SOME THIS MOTION WILL TAKE 888 UNTIL BACK TO YOUR BOARD TO ADJUST YOUR BUDGET TO THAT

POINT. >> THE WAY OUR BOARD APPROVED THE BUDGET, COMMISSIONER, LAST MONTH, WAS A NOT TO EXCEED ER AM AMOUNT.

>>COMMISSION RAMSEY: IT WAS THIS NUMBER?

>> IT WAS THE $904 MILLION. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: HOW MUCH?

>> 904. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THIS IS

THE NUMBER LESS. >> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION.

IT REMINDS ME THAT IT IS VERY INTERESTING AND A TESTAMENT TO THE GROWTH OF POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT THE VAR IS LOWER THAN THE CURRENT TAX RATE. AGAIN, IT IS WHAT IT IS AND JUST

AN INTERESTING FACT. >> IT IS INTERESTING WHEN YOUR APPRAISALS GO UP, OBVIOUSLY YOUR REVENUES ARE GOING TO GO UP.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE PLAYING THE I AM DOING YOU A GOOD JOB.

YOUR TAX RATE IS GOING DOWN. WE ALL FIGURED THAT OUT AFTER MANY YEARS IN HARRIS COUNTY. YOU PAID MORE TAX.

WITH THAT SAID, WHEN YOU LOOK SAT YOUR TAX REVENUE AND YOUR CASH AND SHORT INVESTMENT. YOUR TAX REVENUE COMPARED TO TAX AND SHORT INVESTMENT. THAT IS ANOTHER WORD FOR "RESERVES." WHAT IS YOUR CASH SITUATION AT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT RIGHT NOW? CASH AND SHORT INVESTMENTS.

[02:45:03]

>> VICTORIA -- >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: DANIEL, DO YOU HAVE ANY KIND OCCASION OF -- I CALL IT CASH -- CASH PLUS SHORT INVESTMENTS. ANY IDEA WHAT IT IS AT THE

HOSPITAL DISTRICT? >> I DON'T WHAT THE EXACT NUMBER IS TODAY BUT AT THEIR VERY LOWEST NORTH OF 800 MILLION.

AT THEIR PEEK, AT THE $1.2 MILLION PLUS.

LIKE HARRIS COUNTY, SLE HEALTHY TOP OF THE MARKET CASH RESERVES AND YOU ARE SEEING. AS THE INTEREST RATES WENT UP, BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MUCH CASH ON HAND.

YOU ARE WATCHING THE REVENUE. >> WE WILL BE HAVING TWO CONVERSATIONS, ONE DOWN THE PIKE AND THOSE NUMBERS.

AND THE OTHER CONVERSATION IS WHAT THE TAX RATE WILL BE.

>> AND THE BUDGET. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THE BUDGET ASSOCIATED WITH IT. THERE IS A FEW QUESTIONS I THINK I AT LEAST NEED TO UNDERSTAND START BEING EVER WE HAVE ANY CONVERSATION ON -- ON THE TAX RATE.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA -- BE THIS IS GOING TO BE A COMMON QUESTION ON A LOT OF STUFF. YOU ARE THE THIRD MAINTENANCE BECAUSE LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET DISCUSSION, YOU DESCRIBED MANY ITEMS I WOULD PUT IN THE CATEGORY OF DEFERRED MAINTENANCE WHETHER IT BE TAUB OR MAINTENANCE OR OTHERS.

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE NUMBER WILL

BE. >> IF WE ARE REFERRING TO OUR

CAPITAL, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN -- >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: REFERRING YOU TO YOU AND HERITAGE SOMETHING AND TAUB, OTHER FACILITIES. WHY MAINTENANCE WASN'T DONE MORE ABOUT ON THIS. WE HAVE OTHER COUNTY FACILITIES.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS IN OUR LAST BUDGET DISCUSSION.

I THINK THAT WILL BE A GOOD THING TO UNDERSTAND IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IN TERMS OF PREFERRED MAINTENANCE. NOT ONLY BUILDING NEW ONES BUT

TAKING CARE OF WHAT YOU GOT. >> IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN THE NUMBER FOR NEXT YEAR IS $190 MILLION.

>> THAT IS NOT THE TOTAL NEED BUT HOW MUCH THEY ARE PLANNING

ON SPENDING NEXT YEAR. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: STILL NUMBERS WE NEED TO SORT THROUGH.

>> ALL THE NUMBERS ARE IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS COMMITTED TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SOON AFTER MY BOARD APPROVED IT ON AUGUST 24. ALL THOSE NUMBERS, THE NUMBERS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, IS IN ALL THAT BUDGET PROPOSAL.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: WE PROBABLY NEED OF COMMUNICATE WITH DEFERRED MAINTENANCE. YOU ARE REFERRING TO WHAT WE

HAVE IN OUR BUDGET. >> WE WILL TRACK IT DOWN.

AN ASSESSMENT AS PART OF A BOND PREPARATION AND WE CAN GET THAT.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: EXCELLENT, THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> A MOTION ON THE TABLE E. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA. A SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY BRIONES.

OPPOSED. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NO.

I NEED MORE INFORMATION. A BIT MORE INFORMATION ELLIS IF WE DON'T VOTE ON IT TODAY. IS THERE STILL TIME.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IF IT DOESN'T PASS TODAY.

HIS MOTION. >> WE CAN COME BACK -- I THINK WHAT IS HELPFUL ABOUT THE MOTION IS QUESTION NEED TO START REFINING DOWN TO THE TAX RATE. AND WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED A MOTION. WE CAN BE DIRECTED TO COME BACK WITH THAT. AND EITHER WAY, WE NEED TO START PUTTING A PLACEHOLDER ON WHERE FOLKS ARE SO WE CAN HAVE.

>> IT WILL COME BACK US TO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION

PASSES 3-1. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU. DR. PORTIA, THANK YOU.

MY SECOND MOTION ON THIS ITEM BUT NOT DIRECTLY TO THE HOHOSPIL DISTRICT, BUT MY MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICES TO DEVELOP A $20 MILLION COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM FOR PRECINCT FACILITIES AND ANNEXES.

OUR FACILITIES NEED A LOT OF WORK AND THEY JUST HAVE NOT BEEN FUNDED APPROPRIATELY AND I THINK THIS WILL HELP US ALL ACROSS THE

COUNTY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU DON'T HAVE TO STAND UP THE WHOLE TIME. YOU CAN HAVE A SEAT.

WE ALL KNOW THE BROAD ISSUE. YOU ARE WELCOME TO STAY.

ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY? >> NO, SIR.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AND I GUESS I WANT TO SAY ONE MORE THING AS YOU GUYS ARE DOING YOUR DELIBERATION AND COME BACK ON SEPTEMBER 12. REALLY IMPORTANT TO KEEP IN MIND THAT GOING TO BE HOPEFULLY A BOND PROPOSAL.

[02:50:04]

THE BACK OF YOUR MIND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MIGHT HAVE A QUESTION, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THE POINT WE TALKED ABOUT A MOMENT AGO. TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL FOR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS IF WE CAN ALIGN THE DATES TO HAVE THE VAN FAJ POINT RATHER THAN WAIT ON YOUR BOARD TO SEE IT, PASS IT.

SO IF WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON THESE DATES.

>> YES, MA'AM. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, DR. PORTIA, THE ITEM IS BROAD ENOUGH, THE TAX RATE.

I HOPE YOU ARE MAKING PROGRAM PRESS WITH THE NAACP AND THE

COALITION OF GROUPS. >> WE ARE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ON BINDING LANGUAGE.

AND THE NEXT COURT WE WILL PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR.

REALLY, I DID. IT CAME FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WHEN WE VOTE ON SPENDING MEASURES, IT SAYS WHAT THE MWBE COAL WAS AND WHAT THE LEVEL IS.

IT DOES NOT SHOW WHO THE MINORITY WILL ACTUALLY GET IT.

I GET RESPONSE. YOU GOT TO PUT ALL THAT FLAZ PLACE. AND WHAT YOU THINK THE NUMBERS WERE WHEN THEY WERE PRESENTED AT THE LAST COURT.

MAY NOT BE THERE. AND I -- I THINK YOU OUGHT TO -- WHEN YOUR BOARD VOTES ON EVERY CONTRACT THAT COMES UP.

YOU OUGHT TO GO SHOW WHAT THE LEVEL OF MINORITY WOMAN PARTICIPATION. I WILL PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT WE PUT PEOPLE ON METRO.

AND STUFF CAME UP AND PUTS US IN AN AWKWARD POSITION.

I SAW ONE TODAY FOR -- FOR MINORITY HEALTH SOMETHING OUTREACH ON AIDS. AND IT SAYS ZERO MINORITY PARTICIPATION. I SAID THAT KIND OF SEEMS LIKE A NONSECRETARY QUE-- NON SEQUITUR ME.

>> WE ARE PUTTING THE FINAL THINGS IN PLACE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. SO IN JANUARY 2024, WE WILL BE

ABLE TO THAT AMOUNT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHEN YOUR BOARD VOTES. WHEN WE VOTE, IT IS REALLY AN AGGRAVATION MEASURE YOU COMEP U WITH.

WHEN THE ITEM COMES ON THE AGENDA, ITHO SWS WHEN YOUR BOY ISIN VOTGIT ON . THISL WILHAVEAC IMPT ON -- AT LEAST ON HOW C ONEOMMISSIONER ON YOUR TAX RATE AND OTHER ISSUE.

>> WE WILL BE ABLE T TO DOHAT EXACTLYYO WHAT U ARE BIDESCRING.

>> THANK YOU. TH ANK YOU, SIR. CO

>>MMISSIONER ELLIS: MR. MO RAS.

>> THANK YOU, DOCTOR. >> AT THISM POINT I AHAPPY TO R ANSWIO ANY QUESTNS ON THE BUDGET. WE AND LEAD UP TO MAX-UP DAY ASEA WE HD INTO THE BUDGET NEXT WEEK FORER FOLKS IF THE ARE THINGS ON THEIR RADAR THAT THEY WANTGH TO WALK THROU CAN HAVE THEM COSTED OUT ANDED PREPAR FOR THE 9-12 MEET. ER COMMISSION CORAMSEY.

>>MMISSIONER RAMSEY: THIS IS SUCH A BROAD NGISLAND, I AM GOI TO BRING UP AN ISSUE THAT I DEAL WITH IT WE TODAY ORD NOT, I AM PREPARE TO MAKE A MOTION.

BUT IT IS REFERENCED HERE, THE DISTRIBUTION OF MOBILITY FUNDS AND THERE WAS AS QUESTION RELATED TO WE AGREED THE H 168,320,000 WILLAD BEENON DISTRIBUTED AMG THE PRESENCE AND $73,400,000 THATTE WILL BE DISTRIBUD BASED ON SBI.

THERE IS THAT CALCULATION. AND I WON'T -- INTH MY CONVERSATIONS WI MR. RAMOS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH JAY.

THERE WAS ONE INTERPRETATION OF THAT THAT THE TR$73,400,000 WIL BE DISIBUTED BASED ON SVI 70% OF GREATER.

PRECINCT 3 WILL GET MORE OF THE DISTRIBUTION.

I DOT THINK THAT IS WHAT THE COURT MEANT.

IF YOU LOOK AT SBI AND MADE THE DISTRIBUTION ON THE BOND.

THAT WAS CLOSER TO 17% TO 19% SO I GUESS WHAT I AM SEEKING TODAY IS AN ATTEMPT TO PROVIDE DIRECTION ASR WE WORK THROUGH THIS PARTICULA BUDGET ITEM, PARTICULARLY THAT DISTRIBUTION.

WE ARE NOT ADDING MONEY. THIS IS A -- THIS IS A DISTRIBUTION. OBVIOUSLY ITEM 1 WILL BE MY

[02:55:01]

BUT AS -- AS THE SECOND ALTERNATIVE TO THAT, DISTRIBUTED AS YOU -- AS WE DID AND THE BOND ISSUE.

AND IN THAT CASE, PRECINCT 3 WOULD GET 19, WHICH IS STILL THE LEAST, BUT IT IS CLOSER TO WHAT WE DID ON THE BOND ISSUE THEN THE OTHER. THAT IS WHAT I AM SEEKING BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING THAT MR. RAMOS AND JAY ARE LOOKING AT -- AT CONVERSATION WE HAD AT A MEETING THE COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND THEY ARE DISTRIBUTING 4% BASED ON -- THAT WAS BASED ON POPULATION IN THE ROUTE. SOME I AM POINTING THAT OUT.

I DON'T THINK THAT IS WHAT -- I DON'T GET THAT IMPRESSION IN THE COURT. IT WILL BE CLOSER TO WHAT WE DID ON THE BOND ISSUE AND THAT IS WHAT I AM ASKING.

>> FOR PURPOSES OF CLARITY, CAN WE DISCUSS THIS WITHIN THE

PURSUE, IS THAT -- >> THIS IS A QUESTION I AM GOING TO HAVE TO ASK DANIEL FOR. IT IS IN THE BUDGET JUST SO THE COURT WILL KNOW. THIS IS A VERY BROAD ISLAND AND EVERYTHING IN THE BUDGET BOOK WE CAN DISCUSS.

I WILL ASK COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST FOR -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION RELATED TO THE ITEM.

SO I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WANTS TO MAKE ANOTHER MOTION, BUT IF WE CAN JUST MAKE THINGS EASIER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: MY MOTION WAS TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER, THE OFFICE OFABILITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOPMENT A $20 MILLION COMMERCIAL PAPER FOR PRECINCT FACILITIES AND ANNEXES ELDZ ELLIS IS THERE A SECOND.

>> CAN YOU TAKE WITH 392 BECAUSE THEY ARE SO SIMILAR.

COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4. I WANT TO SAY ONE QUICK WORD FOR THE RECORD. I AM A FIRM BELIEVER IN BOTH OF THESE PROPOSALS. WE SHOULD BE USING -- I SAID THIS BEFORE, WE USE $.04 OF THE $.80 WE ARE ALLOWED TO ON DEBT.

THE WAY OUR TAX SYSTEM IS SET UP AND WAY IT IS HEAVILY RELYING ON PROPERTY TAXES AND THE REVENUE CAPS, WE STRUGGLE TO SEE FUND REVENUE THAT WE SEE EVERY DAY IN YOUR PRECINCTS.

I AM A BIG BELIEVER AND WE SAID IT BEFORE THE RIGHT FINANCIAL INSTRUMENT. THE RIGHT MONEY FOR THE RIGHT TYPE OF SPENDING AND I BELIEVE THAT COMMERCIAL PAPER IS THE BEST IN TERMS OF RUSING FOR FLEET AND FACILITY.

THE ONLY THING I WILL ASK AS IT PERTAINS TO OVERALL BUDGET, MOMENTUM TO THE PRECINCT DOLLARS.

KEEP IN MIND IF WE WERE TO DO BOTH FACILITIES AND FLEET.

THAT IS GENERAL FUND DOLLARS YOU WERE SPENDING. G CASH YOU WERE SPENDINTHAT WILL BE ON COMMERCIAL PAPER AND OUTSIDE OF YOUR BUDGET AND KEEP THAT IN MIND AS YOU THINK THROUGH HOW MUCH YOU NEED FOR YOUR PRECINCTS.

I AM HUGELY SUPPORTIVE OF BOTH ITEMS.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: MINE IS BROAD HER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: LET'S VOTE ON THIS ONE FIRST.

>> JUST FOR ITEM 25. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A MOTION AND A SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSE? FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS. ITEM PASSES.

GO TO YOURS. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: TRYING TO CLARIFY HOW WE WANT TO DISTRIBUTE THE ADDITIONAL TRANCHE OF MONEY FROM PETRA AND I THINK THEY ARE GOING DOWN A ROAD TO A DISTRIBUTION THAT I DON'T THINK WOULD BE AGREED TO DO WHAT WE DID DO ON THE BOND. WE SEE A DISTRIBUTION AS A PROPOSAL HAND THIS WILL BE THE MOTION TO ALLOCATE THE ADDITIONAL $73,400,000 OF MOBILITY TRANSFERS TO PRECINCTS IDENTIFIED BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET ACCORDING THE DISTRIBUTION PERCENTAGES USED IN THE 2022 ROAD BONDS.

PRECINCT 1 GETS 27%. TWO GETS 30%.

THREE GETS 19%. AND PRECINCT FOUR GETS 24%.

>> I WILL BE CURIOUS TO KNOW -- I DON'T KNOW -- THE FOLKS ARE ON THE LINE OR NOT TO KNOW HISTORICALLY WHAT THIS AMOUNTED TOO. I DO KNOW THAT WHEN I CAME HERE SEVEN YEARS AGO, PRECINCT 1 WAS GETTING, I THINK, 19%.

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT TWO WAS GETTING AT THE TIME.

AND THEN BY THE TIME I WAS NOMINATED.

[03:00:03]

PRECINCT ONE AND TWO WENT DOWN. I THINK FOUR WENT DOWN A BIT AS WELL. BUT IT WILL BE -- WHEN YOU ARE LOOKING AT IT, THE NUMBER OF PLACES YOU CAN START.

ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO LOOK AT HOW REACTIVE TO WHERE WE ARE.

AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE KNOW THAT OR NOT.

WIFE LIKE TO GET AN ANSWER OF THAT.

THEY ARE NOT LISTENING OR CALCULATE IT.

I PREFER A WEEK SO AT LEAST WE KNOW AND MAYBE GO TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COME BACK TO YOURS IF THAT IS ALL RIGHT. DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT WAS.

SHORT OF IT IS, I KNOW PRECINCT 1 WAS SHORTCHANGED FOR A LONG TIME. SO IS PRECINCT 2.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I HAVE BEEN BLESSED TO HAVE THE MOST MILES. 6700 MILES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU HAVE LESS OF A FORMULA WHEN IT ALL CAME TO MIND ON HOW YOU DECLARE ROAD MILES.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: AGAIN, I AM ASKING FOR THE LEAST AMOUNT.

BASED ON THE SBI. BASED ON THE FORM WE ALREADY

USED. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I -- I WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU AND LOOK AT THE FORMULA.

MY ONLY HEART BURN RIGHT NOW THE BUDGET IS KIND OF BAKED.

AND I KNOW THAT MY ENGINEERING STAFF IS PROBABLY ABOUT TO FALL OVER IF WE END UP TAKING PROJECTS UP THAT WE ARE ALREADY MOVING FORWARD WITH BASED ON WHAT WE THINK IT THE BUDGET IS GOING TO BE. SO I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED WITH

IT. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: IT WAS UNDERSTOOD AND AGAIN I THOUGHT I WAS BRINGING CLARITY TO THE ISSUE. WHAT I THOUGHT.

AND UNDERSTOOD FROM EVERYBODY IN DAY ONE THAT PRECINCT 3 WOULD

GET 4% OF ADDITIONAL MONEY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THERE YOU ARE. WILL TREVINO.

>> THE DISTRIBUTION WHEN I CAME ON -- IT WAS AN EVEN SPLIT OF MOBILITY AND THE FLOOD BOND PROGRAM MONEY THAT WILL GO THROUGH. A SEPARATE ACTION.

WE HAVE MULTIPLE ACTIONS TO DICTATE HOW THE SURPLUS REVENUE WAS GOING TO BE DISBURSED. COMMISSIONER ELLIS REGARDING THE HISTORY OF IT, THE CURRENT DISTRIBUTION WHAT HAS BEEN PLACED SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. WE WILL GET YOU THE HISTORICAL IF WE HAVE A LITTLE BIT MORE TIME.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PRECINCT ONE WAS NOT HISTORICALLY GETTING 5%. NOR WAS PRECINCT TWO.

THAT MUCH I KNOW SO. >> IT WAS SHARED WITH YOUR STAFF AND I CAN TRY TO TRACK IT DOWN. HISTORICALLY IN PRECINCT 1, I BELIEVE IT WAS EVENED OUT IN '18 OR '19 AND HAS BEEN EVENLY SPLIT SINCE THAT POINT. THIS WOULD BE A CHALLENGE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NOT EVEN OUT HISTORICALLY BUT EVEN OUT BECAUSE IF YOU HAVE THE GOOD 20 -- HOW LONG HAS THIS BEEN GOING ON MR. TREVINO SINCE THE LEVELS WERE CREATE AND.

HOW LONG WERE THE DISTRIBUTIONS GIVEN TO THE PRECINCTS.

>> WE CAN GET YOU THAT INFORMATION, COMMISSIONERS.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: DO YOU KNOW? 25 YEARS. I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME BUT I CAN FOLLOW UP. I THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SO EVERYONE IS ON THE FULL PAGE, THE ADDITIONAL $70 MILLION, WHETHER IT IS SPLIT BY SVI OR THE POND WHICH WAS 70ISH% DIVIDED EVENLY AND THE REST DIVIDED THE OTHER ROUGHLY 30% DIVIDED. WE CAN PROVIDE THAT NUMBER SPLIT. WE INTERPRETED IT AS BEING DIVIDED BY THE SVI SO IS THE ADDITIONAL 70 GOING BASED ON

THOSE PERCENTAGE. >> THAT WOULD BE MY QUESTION.

WHAT IS THE EXACT LANGUAGE OF WHAT WAS VOTED ON AND WHEN.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WOULD LIKE CLARITY FOR WHAT WE DO FOR THE 2020 BAND ALLOCATION. 25, 25, 25, IS ONE THING BUT SOME HYBRID. WE NEED TO BE CLEAR ON THE BASELINE FACTS BEFORE WE VOTE. WE NEED TO BE FAIR BECAUSE OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND NOW UNDER OUR WATCH.

MAKE SURE WE ARE FAIR AND CONS CONSISTENT. THE BUDGET BOOK IS SILENT ON THE SPLIT. MY INTERPRETATION AND, JAY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, WILL DEFAULT IN THE LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION THAT WAS PASSED. SO WE CAN WORK TOGETHER AND GET CLARITY ON WHAT CA'S INTERPRETATION OF THE SPLIT.

>> SURE, COMMISSIONER, I CAN DO THAT.

[03:05:02]

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IT CAN BE COVERED UNDER THE BUDGET ITEM,

CORRECT? >> YES, IT CAN BE COVERED ELLIS

TOELZ COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: IF WE TURN TO 392 WHICH IS RELATED TO COMMERCIAL PAPER AS WELL.

I WILL SHARE THE MOTION LANGUAGE AND THEN WE CAN DISCUSS THE WHY BEHIND IT, BUT MY MOTION WOULD BE TO DIRECT OMB AND THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO DEVELOP A POLICY TO ALLOW COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS UTILIZE AVAILABLE GENERAL USE COMMERCIAL PAPER, LEASE FINANCING OR OTHER SHORT-TERM FINANCING OPTIONS FOR THE PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT AND OR VEHICLES AND FOR THE REPAIR OF PRECINCT FACILITIES AND BY FACILITIES I MEAN PARKS, BUILDINGS. FACILITIES BROADLY DEFINED AND BRING SAID RECOMMENDED POLICY BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON SEPTEMBER 19. THAT REASONABLE?

>> JUST ONE THING. IF WE ARE GOING -- THE ADVANTAGE OF USING COMMERCIAL PAPER AS A FUNDING MECHANISM FOR FACILITY AND FLEET. $.04 OF THE $.80 OF THE O.

SO SHORT-TERM LEASING WILL BE A LITTLE BIT DIFFICULT.

IF THE GOAL THAT WE ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH IS TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO EEK OUT MORE MAINTENANCE AND OPERATION FUNDING FOR OTHER ITEMS THAN SHORT-TERM LEASE ALSO HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE M&O RATE. WE WILL TAKE BOTH ITEMS TOGETHER AND COME BACK ON 9/19 ABOUT A PROGRAM.

>> COULD IT BE ON 9/12 JUST SO WE HAVE --

>> WE CAN -- >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WOULD

THAT POSSIBLE? >> WE HAVE A COMMERCIAL PAPER POLICY. WE NEED TO AMEND IT TO INCLUDE -- HISTORICALLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS THE PRECINCTS HAVE THEIR MONEY. GENERAL FUND HAVE THEIR MONEY AND THESE THINGS DID NOT OVERLAP.

THESE THINGS WILL BLEND. THE PRECINCT O ANDM SPENDING WILL OVERLAP WITH THE GENERAL FUND.

WE WILL AMEND -- WE WILL COME BACK WITH AN AMENDED POLICY, BUT IT EXISTS TODAY WOULD NEED TO INCLUDE THE PRECINCTS WHICH HAVE

PREVIOUSLY BEEN EXCLUDED. >> COMMISSIONER ON YOUR MOTION.

I WANT TO MAKE CLEAR -- I AM SORRY, I APOLOGIZE.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: HE I WAS GOING TO SECOND THE MOTION.

>> FOR POINT OF CLARIFICATION. AS PRESENTED TO A COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL THE 9/1 MEETING.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: 9/12, YES, PLEASE.

>> I HAVE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO IT.

THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WILL READ THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO THIS ITEM TO READS, DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO DEVELOP A POLICY TO ALLOW COME COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT WITH COMMERCIAL PAPER ALONG WITH THE DATE. I WANT TO TAKING A WHOLE GOVERNMENT APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITIES.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES, WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN CIRCULATED.

I ORALLY SAID SUSTAINABILITY. I BELIEVE THAT WAS CAPTURED.

BUT, YES, I AGREE WITH YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY I WANT THEM

INVOLVED. >> I WAS ABOUT TO ASK IF THAT --

CAN YOU CAN PLEASE REPEAT. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THE UPDATED VERSION. I WAS ORALLY UPDATING MY OWN.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU WANT TO READ IT.

TO INCORPORATE BOTH. >> JUST READ IT BACK.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WILL RE-READ IT FOR EVERYBODY'S

CLARITY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU ARE GOING TO INCORPORATE IT IN ONE MOTION.

I THINK SHE IS GOING TO TRY IF YOU WANT TO DO IT.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I WILL BE HAPPY TO DO IT.

INCORPORATION WILL BE -- THAT SECOND, DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR A POLICY TO ALLOW COMEDIES' PRECINCT FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER, LEASE FINANCING AND OPTIONS FOR THE PURPOSE OF EQUIPMENT AND VEHICLES AND BRING SET RECOMMENDED POLICYAC BK TO- -ON

THE -- >>OR SRY, I AM GOINGO TJUMP IN.

WE ARE TAG TEAMING HERE. IF I, MAYORER OTH SHORT-TERM FINANCINGIO OPTNS FOR THE URCHASE OFIP EQUMENT AND OR VEHICLESHE AND TR REPAIOF RECINCT FACILITIESRI AND BNG SAID RECOMMENDATIONS OF THEPO LICY T BACK TOHE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR PR APOVAL.

>> ONCOMMISSIER, CAN I READ ITB CK TO MAKE IT

[03:10:01]

COURT>> MEETING. COMMISSIONER BRIONES:>> PERFECT.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THAT ISOD UNDERSTO THAT WOULDPA INCLUDE

RKS. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES:IS YES.

>>COMMSIONER ELLIS: THE B MOTION HASEENMM MADE BY COISSIONER SEBRIONES AND CONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA I DO WANT TO ASK ONE QUESTION. YOUR INTENT IS THAT EACH OF THE PRECINCTS WI GET THE SAME AMOUNT OBVIOUSLY.

BASED ON WHO HASNG THE MOST BUILDIS, THE MOST EXPENSIVE BUILDINGS. HOWEVER DO YOU IT.

YOU. >> AT LEAST WE WANT TO DEAL WITH WHAT OUR PREDECESSORS DID. AND SOMEONE WILL UNRAVEL THIS

AND SOME WILL GET AMNESIA. >> TO ME, FAIRNESS WILL BEHI

FUNDAMENTALLY EVERYTNG WE DO. >> JUST A POINT OF DI CLARIFICATION. D WE VOTE ON MY ITEM EARLIER?

>> ON 25, WE VOTED ON THE FIRST AND SECOND MOTION BUT WE DID NOT VOTE ON THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE.

WE JUMPED TO ES392. >>COMMISSIONER BRION: THE

REASON FOR THAT I -- >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: T WAS

UNANIMOUS, BY THE WAY. >> I DO NEED AN ACTUAL VOTE FOR

392. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ASK MY

QUESTION BEFORE WE :VOTE. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES I MAKE

THE MOTION FOR 392. >> AMENDED AND : CHANGED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS MR. WANT TO SAY

SOMETHING. >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR AND NOT LEVEL SOME EXPECTATIONS. THE COMMERCIAL PAPER PROGRAM, ELIGIBLE USES AND NONELIGIBLE USES AND THINGS WE HAVE VOTED AUTHORITY FOR ARE LIKELY OFF THE TABLE SO PARKS -- I JUST DON'T WANT TO SET FALSE EXPECTATIONS AND THESE PROJECTS.

>> YOU WILL TELL US ON THE 12TH WHAT WILL WORK OR NOT.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE WILL SEE WHAT IS IN BOUNDS AND OUT OF BOUNDS. I WOULD LIKE A BROADER ITAPPROA.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHEN COMES BACK, MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE -- WE DON'T WANT SOMEBODY TEN YEARS FROM NOW TRYING TO UNDO WHAT WE DID AND MAYBE THEY WILL UNDERSTAND EQUITY A BIT CLEARER. IF WE ARE EQUAL TO BEGIN WITH, WE DON'T HAVE TO ARGUE WHAT IT MEANS.

YOU HEARD THE MOTION. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED. AYES HAVE IT.

FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS. MOTION ONPASSES.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: COMMISSIER WHILE WE ARE ON 25.

AND I THINK WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS GREAT.

THE MOST INPUT I GOTTEN FROM THE PUBLIC ON THE BUDGET RELATES TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE. WHAT WE DO ON THE ROADS.

WHAT WE DO WITH THE PARKS. WHAT WE DO WITH THE COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THESE ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THAT WHEN THEY -- AND, AGAIN, THIS IS A 2.4 BILLION BUDGET.

AND OUR PRECINCTS SPENT THE ALLOTMENT -- THE BUDGET FOR OUR PRECINCT OFFICE IS 2%. YET MOST PEOPLE TALK A LOT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. SO I THINK ANYTHING WE CAN TO DO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IS A GOOD THING.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I AGREE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. MR. RAMOS ARE YOU RECOMMENDING THAT THE TAX RATE BE BELOW THE APPROVED RATE.

>> NOT AT THIS TIME. THE BREADTH OF THE BUDGET AMENDMENTS I HEARD AND GOING UP TO THE VOTER APPROVED RATE --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: JUST ONE MORE QUESTION.

I KNOW YOU KNOW THE ANSWER AND I KNOW IT AS WELL.

BUT HISTORICALLY, WHAT HAS THE COUNTY DONE BEFORE THE LAST TWO CYCLES? THE LAST.

>> SO THERE WAS 18 STRAIGHT YEARS OF KEEPING THE EXACT SAME RATE OVERALL AND THEN THE FOUR YEARS BEFORE THAT HAD THE EXACT

SAME RATE. >> AND THEN SOMEWHERE WHERE IT WAS CUT WAS HARRIS HEALTH. ONE TIME OR TWO TIMES.

>> THE OVERALL COUNTY RATE WAS EXACTLY THE SAME.

>> LAST QUESTION IS, JUST SO WE KNOW.

I KNOW WE ASKED YOU. AND TO SEE WHERE WE PUT THE ANSWER. WHEN WE WENT TO THE NO NEW REVENUE RATE, HOW MUCH MONEY DID WE LOSE THE FIRST YEAR.

AND HOW MUCH MONEY THE SECOND YEAR AND WHAT IS THE TOTAL.

WHAT WOULD WE HAVE. >> GOING BACK TO THE 019, THE FIRST YEAR WAS $121 MILLION. THE SECOND YEAR $126 MILLION.

THESE ARE -- THESE ARE -- WOULD ADD UP.

THEY ARE CUMULATIVE. 120, 126, 1 1.8, 30.5, 130.8.

[03:15:03]

ON FLOOD CONTROL, 9.1, 9.4, 9.4, 33 AND 30.

SO CUMULATIVE OF 91.7 MILLION THAT IS LEFT ON THE TABLE.

AND ON THE HOSHOSPITAL DISTRICT 295 MILLION, 682 MILLION -- SORRY, THAT WAS CUMULATIVE. 06 MILLION, 93 MILLION, 141 MILLION. 38 MILLION, 452 MILLION, THAT IS CUMULATIVE 1.1 BILLION. THE TOTAL AMOUNT IS 1.967

BILLION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IF WE DID WHAT THE COUNTY DID THE PREVIOUS 30 YEARS.

>> WHICH IS GO TO THE HIGHEST RATE, THAT'S CORRECT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER ACTIONS ON THIS? >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NEXT MEETING WE ARE DOING OUR BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> NEXT WEEK'S HEARING.

I BELIEVE I DISCUSS IT IN YOUR INDIVIDUAL BRIEFS BUT FOR THE PUBLIC, THE BUDGET HEARINGS WILL BE HERE AND DISTRIBUTED TO THE STAFF. WE GOT A MEMO FROM COMMISSIONER BRIONES. TWO OF YOU CAN BE HERE AT ANY GIVEN TIME. A THIRD ONE COMES, WE WILL HAVE TO CALL A TIMEOUT AND ASK SOMEBODY TO LEAVE.

THE STRUCTURE WILL MIRROR THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY COMMITTEES THAT HAVE BEEN SET UP A THREE-MINUTE OPENING STATEMENT FOR DEPARTMENTS AND A TWO-MINUTE CLOSING STATEMENT FOR DEPARTMENTS AND THE BALANCE OF THE TIME BETWEEN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES. WE WILL HAVE STAFF HERE THAT WILL KEEP -- KEEP TIME AS WELL AS DOCUMENT ANY FOLLOW-UPS.

AT THE END OF EVERY DAY, I HOPE TO SEND YOU WITH WHAT THE FOLLOW-UPS ARE. AT THE END OF THE WEEK SEND OUT THE INFORMATION WE ARE ABLE TO GATHER AT THAT POINT.

>> I WILL TELL YOU NOW WE PLAN ON SITTING IN ON SOME OF THEM.

MAYBE NOT ALL. BUT I DO PLAN ON SITTING IN.

>> IF YOUR STAFF WILL SEND US THE LIST, WE CAN RECONCILE AND

LET FOLKS KNOW. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: EVEN WHEN STAFF IS THERE, I WILL WATCH, BUT I WILL NOT ATTEND.

IF I CHANGE MY MIND, I WILL LET YOU KNOW.

BUT STAFF MEMBERS WILL GET THERE AT THEIR ALLOTTED TIME.

>> CORRECT. FOR 30-MINUTE MEETING FIVE MINUTES PER OFFICE. FOR HOUR-LONG MEETING 11 MINUTES

PER OFFICE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: LOOK, I DO WANT TO SAY I PLAN -- AND THEY WILL BRING IT OUT.

I PLAN TO -- AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL BE SUPPORTED TO TAKE THE VIOVY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO BE FAIR. WE MADE THESE MINORITY BUSINESS WOMEN PROGRAMS A REALITY AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY FOLLOW IT AND ENCOURAGE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR THAT $1 MILLION FUND. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEIR STAFFING NEEDS ARE MET. I AM JUST LAYING THAT OUT, SO,

YOU KNOW. >>.

UNDER STOOD. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANY OTHER COMMENTS, MEMBERS? 178.

>> WILL WE HAVE A VOTE FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION?

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: HE WILL BRING IT BACK.

178. I DID SKIP ONE.

>> 29 IS THE NEXT ONE AND THEN 39.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: REAL QUICK.

A FUNCTIONARY THING. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE PAYING OFF HERE. THAT IS GOOD THING.

WE ARE PAYING OFF THE BONDS AS THEY MATURE.

BUT I WAS LOOKING AT THE DATES ON THESE.

SOME OF THESE ARE 2022. WHAT ARE SOME --

>> SOME OF THE BOND DEBT WE PAY OUT EARLY AND REFINANCE IT TO NORMALIZE THE COST OVER THE YEARS.

IF WE SEE A BIG BALLOON PAYMENT IN THE GIVEN YEAR, WE WILL ISSUE ADDITIONAL BONDS TO REFINANCE EXISTING.

>> PAYING OFF SERIES IN 2014. ALL LEFT IN 2020.

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: DOES THIS INCREASE OUR ABILITY TO ISSUE COMMERCIAL PAPER?

>> SO THOSE ARE SEPARATE PRO

PROGRAMS. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THIS LOOKS SO SHORT TERM LIKE THE 2022, THAT IS NOT COMMERCIAL

PAPER? >> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK WITH MY STAFF, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE SO. SOMETHING IN THE '22 BONDS THEY

WERE TRYING TO REFINANCE. >> THERE IS AN EXHIBIT IN OUR BUDGET BOOK AND I WILL GET THE PAGE NUMBER RIGHT NOW THAT SHOWS KIND OF WHERE WE ARE. AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY DILIGENT

[03:20:02]

WE DO LOOK AT ALL OF IT AND IT FITS KIND OF -- IT FITS WITHIN THE RANGE. THE ONLY THING I WILL CAUTION IS DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE NEW JAIL, THAT THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND SHERIFF IS HARD AT WORK.

PROBABLY ONE OF THE BIGGEST IN COUNTY HISTORY.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: AGAIN, WHEN WE PAY THESE OFF, WE ARE LOOKING AT THE INTEREST RATES. THE INTEREST 80S 15 YEARS AGO WAS DIFFERENT THAN -- COMMISSIONER CAN WRITE A BOOK ON

THAT ONE. >> WE LOOK AT ALL OF OUR DEBT.

ESPECIALLY AS WE GET CLOSER TO THE TAX YEAR.

WE START SETTING THE RATE. AS WE DO ISSUANCES, OUR FINANCIAL ADVISORS -- OUR UNDERWRITERS ARE VERY HELPFUL UNTIL TRYING TO IDENTIFY EFFICIENCY AND ISSUE MORE DEBT DURING THAT ISSUANCE. WE LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES.

WE LOOK FOR AWAY LOON PAYMENT AND SEE CERTAIN DEBT THAT HAS A HIGHER RATE THAN WHAT WE EXPECT TO GET AT MARKET.

WE GO AHEAD AND REFINANCE IT. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: DO WE HAVE TO PAY THE 2015 BONDS OFF BEFORE WE GET TO THE 2022.

>> NO, THE LEGAL REQUIREMENT THAT THE 15 BONDS -- JAY, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, ARE ENCUMBERED PRIOR TO US I SHALL

2022 ANTIBODIES. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: OKAY,

THANK YOU. >> EVERYBODY HAS PLANS FOR 15 BONDS. EVERYBODY BUT PRECINCT 2 HAS 15 BONDS. WE NEED TO SEE CASH FLOW AND MONEY ENCUMBERED BEFORE WE HAVE THE PROCESS OF GETTING COMMERCIAL PAPER. WE ARE SEEING XHERLG PAPER INCREASES DOWN THE PIKE TO HAVE THE LIQUIDITY SO YOU ARE NOT

WAITING ON US FOR PROJECTS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THERE A

MOTION. >> SO MOVED.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED.

FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS. KAMALA KAMALA 475 ABOUT GOOD.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEED A MO

MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 498, NO ACTION.

38 -- DID WE PULL 38? >> YES.

WE HAVE 38 AS PULLED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY, 38.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I THINK I AM GOOD WITH A THAT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MOVES IT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

NO NAYS. ITEM PASSES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THE NEXT ONE IF I AM LOOKING AT IT

CORRECTLY, 98. >> IF HE CAN TAKE 9, 99 AND 100 TOGETHER. I HAVE THREE MOTIONS.

BUT DR. ROMAN. I SEE YOU ON THE SCREEN.

ANY UPDATE TO THESE THREE ITEMS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, MIL MILTON ROMAN, COUNTY ENGINEER, THREE ITEMS 98, 99 AND 100 ARE ALL LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS THAT ARE PASSED THIS YEAR.

AND 98 IS RELATED TO PERMIT GUYS AND TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 3492. THE BILL REQUIRES THAT THE INSPECTION FEE CANNOT BE BASED ON VALUATION ANYMORE.

SO WE HAVE LOOKED AT ALL OF OUR GUYS RELATED TO INSPECTION.

AND WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP A MODEL. AND OF STRUCTURE TO COMPLY WITH THE REGULATIONS. WE WILL BE USING THE GUYS IN GENERAL, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO INCREASE PERMIT FEE.

THAT IS 98. AND ITEM 99 IS TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 3697. AND THIS BILL IS IMPACTING OUR ABILITY TO REQUIRE RIGHT-OF-WAY AS FUTURE CORRIDOR.

SO THIS BILL SAYS THAT COUNTY MEDIC REFUSED IMPLICATION AND

[03:25:06]

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: D DR. ROMAN.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: ON 99, ASSUMING OUR NEGOTIATIONS WITH TXDO TLSHGZ TAKE MORE THAN A MONTH, WHAT IS OUR INTERIM PLAN WHEN THIS TAKES EFFECT ON SEPTEMBER 1 IN WORKING WITH THE PLANNING COMMISSION ON THESE RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUES -- DEDICATED RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUES.

>> COMMISSIONER, DISCUSSING WITH OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, OUR UNDERSTANDING OUR ROAD LAW -- OUR COUNTY ROAD LAW SUPERCEDES THIS BILL. SO WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY OF WHY WE HAVE A ROAD LOG TO DECLARE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

WHEEL WE DON'T HAVE A ROAD LOG, WE ARE ACTUALLY OUT OF LUCK.

>>. UNDER STOOD.

>> WHAT ABOUT NUMBER 100? >> SO, COMMISSIONER, ITEM NUMBER 100 ISLS AO TOOM CPLY WITHOU HSE BILL . 14 N OUT BILL TH14, IS ALLOW -- SO THIS ISDI REGARNG THE APPLICANT'STY ABILI IF WE CAN NOTW REVIET A PERMIWITHIN 45 YS DA, IT ALLOWS THEM TO HAVE AIN SPECTOR ORR REVIEWETO REVIEWA PLAN AND GETED IT APPROV. ANDHA ALSO, WE VE TO OUTFIT OUR REGULATION TO INCLUDE FOR THEAR APPLICANTS E TO COME BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVAL OF A PERMITA VARICE. IN THE PAST,EE IF WE DON'T MTRM THE PEITNE REVIEW DEADLI WITHIN 25 DAYS, WE FEEL VERY GOOD, ATCOMMISSIONER, THEW OUR REVI TIME IS 2 DAYS RIGHT NOW.

WE DON'T SEETS A LOT OF PRODUCN COMING IFRONT OFVA YOU FOR A RIANCE AND COULD BELY OCCASIONAL ONE OR TWO THAT ARE COMING INA FRONT OF YOU FOR VARIANCE REQUEST.

>> THANK YOU, DR. HERMAN --IL >> THESE BILLS WL COST MORE

MONEY? >> COULD BE,ON COMMISSIONER.

E OF THEM THAT WILL REALLY HURT US IS OUR ABILITY ON ITEM 99 WHY WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO DECLARE RIGHT-OF-WAY.

IT COULD BE VERY COSTLY FOR THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE BUILDING UNPLANNED SUBDIVISION WHERE YOU DO NOT HAVE ALL THET MOBILITY CORRIDOR THAWE NEED. SO THIS IS GOING TO BE VERY

COSTLY TO THE COUNTY. >> TO DESIGN SOME PROJECTS.

>> YES, SIR I. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: S THERE A MOTION. DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? SO THANK YOU, DR. RAHMAN FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM ON THIS.

ITEMS 898, 99 AND 100. >> : SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED. AYES HAVE IT.

IT PASSES, 4-0. AND NEXT ONE THAT I HAVE IS 277.

NEXT ONE IS THAT WHAT YOU HAVE? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: 178.

SEE WHAT THAT IS. DO YOU KNOW WHO PULLED IT? PRECINCT 3. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

178. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: JUST NEED

A VOTE. A >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IS THERE MOTION. I WILL MOVE IT.

IS THERE A SECOND? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECONDS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY. I MOVED IT.

COMMIS COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE VOTE AYE. THOSE OPPOSED.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THREE AYES AND ONE NO. MOTION PASSES.

NEXT ONE. >> 181.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: 181, I PULLED AND THIS WAS THE ITEM I

[03:30:02]

AND DANIEL, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND BEING VERY THOUGHTFUL AND METHODICAL ON IT AND MAKING SURE IT IS A SOLID A3R0E67 TO WHAT WE WANT TO DO, BUT THERE IS -- WE GET TO VOTE ON A LOT OF STUFF. THERE ARE VERY FEW ITEMS LIKE THAT THAT ARE HOPEFULLY WILL OUTLIVE US.

SO I AM EXCITED TO SEE THIS ITEM COME BEFORE US.

AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY CRISIS CONTINUES.

AND I CONTINUE TO DO WHAT I CAN TO BE A CHAMPION ALONG WITH MY COLLEAGUES HERE. BUT IT IS A -- OBVIOUSLY A CHALLENGE WITH THIS COUNTY. AND THIS HOUSING PROPERTY DEVELOPED BY ISD, MR. RAMOS, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND CHAMPION WITH FOLKS LIKE MARY LAWLER IS AN INCREDIBLE POLICY BEING LEVERAGED -- LEVERAGING 11-1825 WITH A TEXAS PROPERTY CODE AND NOW HARRIS COUNTY WILL EMPOWER NONPROFITS AND COMMUNITY HOUSING ORGANIZATIONS AND OTHER ELIGIBLE ORGANIZATIONS. WITH THAT SAID, I -- I WOULD BE REMISS IF I COULDN'T THANK MARY ENOUGH.

A HARD WORK ARE OUT THERE JUST DOING WHAT SHE DOES.

BUT SHE SPENT TIME THINKING ABOUT THIS AND BROUGHT IT TO US.

I DON'T THINK SHE REALLY HAD ANY IDEA THAT THIS WOULD MOVE AND WILL GO ANYWHERE. AND THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE ITEM HERE. SO I -- I AM EXCITED AND, AGAIN, THANKING. I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED WITH THIS. WITH THAT I MOVE THE ITEM AS

PRESENTED. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I

SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED IT.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. OPPOSED.

FOUR AYES, NO NAYS. IT PASSES.

WE VOTED ON 220. >> I WANT TO SAY ONE THING.

THANK YOU, MR. GARCIA. IT REALLY WAS SHE AND HER TEAM THAT PUT IT TOGETHER AND I JUST WROTE THE CHECK.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: YOU WROTE THE GOOD CHECK.

I LIKE THE WAY YOU SIGNED IT. >> I CAME -- I FORGET WHEN, BUT PERMISSION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN, ONE OF THE TASKS THE ECONOMIC TOOLBOX. WHEN THE DEVELOPER COMES AND SAYS WANT TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND SLATE OF INTERVENTIONS. AND WHATEVER WE CAN TO DO HELP BRIDGE THAT CAPITAL STACK TO MAKE THE PROPERTIES AFFORDABLE.

HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY BLESSED.

WE HAVE SPACE AND PEOPLE HAVE BUILT ON IT.

AS THE MAP STARTS TO FILL IN, WE CAN DEVELOP NEW CONSTRUCTION OUT IN THE PER RIMRY, OR HAVE TO START SUBSIDIZING EITHER DENSITY OR THINGS CLOSER NOT HAVING TO CONTAIN AND REBUILD ROADS THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CURRENT NETWORK.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING MISS COSIS ON THIS. JUST AS YOU HAVE GONE OUT AND TALK TO WHETHER IT'S AN ECOLOGIST OR FOOD DISSTREKT.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE POLICY ISSUES THAT I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL JOIN ME IN GOING TO PLACES LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND LIKE THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND URGE THEM TO ADOPT THIS POLICY AS WELL BECAUSE IT IS GOOD THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS DONE, BUT WE ARE JUST A FRACTION OF THE TAXATION THAT THESE PROPERTIES ARE UNDER SO IT IS IMPERATIVE TO GET AS MANY OTHER TAXING AGENCIES TO PARTICIPATE WITH THIS AS WELL.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: GOOD POINT.

MAYBE WE SHOULD THINK OF INCENTIVES WHEN WE PARTNER WITH FOLKS. WE DID IT WITH DETENTION REQUIREMENTS. TO ENCOURAGE IT.

SO. >> SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU.

>> I HAVE 266 NEXT. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: MY QUESTION THERE, COMMISSIONER, RELATES TO THIS GRANT IS WITH -- HOUSTON ENDOWMENT WITH THE ELECTIONS --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHAT DID WE SAY.

MY UNDERSTANDING NO ACTION. >> BUT IT WAS STILL PULLED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT OR WITHHOLD IT.

274. >> CORRECT.

>> JUST NEED A VOTE. ELLIS STHAELZ A MOTION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES A MOTION.

[03:35:02]

A SECOND? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES VOTES SECOND. OPPOSED SAY AYE.

THOSE VOTING NO. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 3-1. >> 377.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: APPROVE ALL DISBURSEMENTS OF PSM

CONSULTING GROUP. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY NOS? NO NOS.

FOUR AYES, IT PASSES. YOU ARE GOING --

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THE OTHER MOTION.

I MOVE TO ADOPT THE PFM REPORT. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR SAY AYE.

THREE AYES AND ONE NO. COMMISSIONER TRAM SEE IS A NO.

325. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: 325 IS MY ITEM AND THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THEIR WORK AND HELP ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

AS PART OF THE ONGOING WORK IN PRECINCT 2 TO APPROVE PUBLIC SAFETY, I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE PINEBROOKE HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL CONSTRUCTION THAT WILL START LATER THIS YEAR.

THIS PROJECT IS A KEY PART OF REVIVE TO THRIVE.

A MILE LONG AND EIGHT-FOOT-WIDE LOOP TRAIL OF THE RETENTION BOND IN THE AREA. THIS PROJECT CREATES A HEALTHY RECREATION AND TRANSPORTATION OPPORTUNITY BY PROVIDING THE COMMUNITY WITH A SAFE AND ACCESSIBLE PLACE TO WALK, JOG OR CYCLE. AND THE EXISTING GROUND WILL BE ELEVATED TO CONSTRUCT THE TRAIL -- THE TRAIL AND MEASURE ALSO WILL BE TAKEN TO PROTECT TREES AND PREVENT SURFACE WATER POLLUTION THAT COMBINES OUR GOALS FOR A SAFER PLACE FOR THE PUBLIC AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK A RESIDENT OF CLEAR LAKE.

KARUN. CARUN IS ONE OF OUR CONTRACTORS AND HE IS A RESIDENT OF THE AREA.

AND HE POINTED OUT THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE IS A RETENTION BASIN AND LOOK AT IT IF ANYTHING CAN BE DONE WITH IT.

I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR WORKING -- LOOKING AT IT AND GETTING WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ON IT AND NOW WE HAVE THE PINE BROOK HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL.

>> SECOND. >> MOVE ON TO THIS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS IT.

FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS. THE MOTION PASSES.

387. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: 387 IS THE ITEM THAT WE HAD A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS ON TODAY.

I AM EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THE ADOPTION OF THE NORTH SIDE ON THE MOVE STUDY REPORT. THIS WAS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WITH THE GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO IDENTIFY AND PRIORITIZE FUTURE TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS ON THE NORTH SIDE. THIS, TOO, IS A KEY PART TO REVIVE TO THRIVE. IT INCLUDED EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT FOR BUILDING ON THE NORTH SIDE AND SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENT, AIR LINE DRIVE, MARY ROAD, TIDWELL, AND I MENTIONED THE ONE I AM VERY EXCITED ABOUT IS JEN ON DRIVE.

WE ARE NOT STOPPING HERE. AND MUCH THANKS TO THE GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT WHO IS ABLE TO APPLY TO OUR PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AGAIN FOR THE REIMAGINE JENSON DRIVE CORRIDOR STUDY AND LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW WE WILL BE DOING MORE TO HAVE MEETINGS AND HAVE FURTHER DISCUSSIONS AND VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

AND I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK ON MOVING THESE -- THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT FORWARD.

I MOVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECONDED BY -- I WILL SECOND IT.

ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE, VOTE AYE. ANY OPPOSED? FOUR AYES. IT PASSES.

VOTE ON 392? >> YES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY, 4

402? >>.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IN IS ANOTHER PRECINCT 2 PROJECT AND ANOTHER EFFORT COMBINING -- WORKING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO BRING MORE REVIVE TO THRIVE INITIATIVES TO THE AREA. THIS PROJECT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE OUR PRECIOUS KIDS IN PRECINCT TWO RO NOW SAFER.

AT THE REQUEST OF THE COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT CONSTRUCTED A 28-FOOT PRIVATE ROAD FROM PARK STREET ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SO SOUTH SHAVER.

[03:40:04]

AND THE ROAD PROVIDES MAINTENANCE ACCESS FOR THE FLOOD DISTRICT, WHICH ENSURES REPAIRS CAN BE MADE QUICKLY AND EASILY.

I AM THRILLED THAT THIS PROJECT IS PART OF THE SOUTH SHAVER RETENTION BASIN PROJECT AND TRAIL AROUND THE BASIN .BASIN UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND SCHEDULED FOR COMPLETION BY NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. THE COMPLETED PROJECT WILL BENEFIT ALMOST 450 STRUCTURES. AND SO, AGAIN, I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, BUT THIS IS ALSO A PROJECT THAT WILL BENEFIT THE CHILDREN OF THE PASADENA INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT COMMUNITY.

I MOVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL,

SHOULDN'T WE JUST ACCEPT IT? >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEM 459.

I THINK YOU PULLED THAT. >> 442, 444.

>> NO, WE DON'T HAVE THOSE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU JUST

WANT TO THE TALK ABOUT THEM. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I KNOW WE VOTED ON THEM. QUICKLY ON 442, AN APPOINTMENT OF THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD OF TRUSTEES, DR. JOHNSON WHO HAS BEEN SERVING HIS TERM IS COMING UP SOON.

AS OF NOVEMBER 1, I WAS VERY HAPPY AND THANK YOU FOR MY COLLEAGUES FOR VOTING FOR ESHEN DAVIS.

BOTH PUBLIC HEALTH BACK GROUND AS WELL AS A LAWYER.

HELPS LEAD THE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS.

MD ANDERSON AND TEXAS CHILDREN'S.

SHE IS ALONG WITH SEEMA RECENTLY APPOINTED, THE FIRST ASIAN-AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDERS TO EVER SERVE ON THE BOARD.

HARRIS HEALTH. AGAIN, I LOOK FORWARD TO A DAY THERE IS NO MORE FIRSTS BUT PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING.

FLUENT IN ERDU AND HINDI AND SHE CAN READ AND WRITE IN ARABIC.

A AGGIE AND LONGHORN AND WENT TO U OF H FOR LAW SCHOOL.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: VERY DIVERSE.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: DIVERSITY OF ALL KINDS.

SHE HAS JUST EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE IN TERMS OF HEALTH CARE, FINANCING, HEALTH CARE LAW. TERMS OF PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES. AND SHE WILL BE A GREAT ADDITION AND TAKE -- ONCE DR. JOHNSON'S TURN IS OVER TAKE THE TERM IN NOVEMBER. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

I AM EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK OUR TEAM.

CAME UP WITH THE BOARD AND SCORING CRITERIA AND KNOWING WHAT THE COMPETITION IS, WHERE THE GAPS ARE AND WHERE WE CAN ADD THAT TALENT. NEXT ON 444, OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARD. I WANT TO THANK DAVID NATRENTAL SERVING ON THE BOARD FOR THE LAST NINE YEARS.

THE NEW BOARD MEMBER LO LOUIS GRACE.

YOUR STORY EARLIER REMINDED ME OF HIM.

HE WAS A PRODUCT OF THE AMERICAN DREAM.

CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AS A LITTLE BOY.

HIS IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY. HE IS NOW A IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY. AND I THINK THAT EXPERIENCE OF THE IMMIGRATION SYSTEM AND THE INTERSECTIONALITY WITH THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WILL BE A ADDED PERSPECTIVE.

PLUS A BUSINESS OWNER. IN ADDITION TO HIS LAW BUSINESSES, HE HAS OWNED OTHER BUSINESSES.

HOW DO WE DETERMINE KPRS TO THE 50% GOAL.

THANK YOU, LOUISE AND DAVIS FOR THEIR SERVICE.

ANDHE TN LASTLY- -AND THANK MY COLLEAGUES,OM CMISSIONER ELLIS ANDOM CMISSIONERAR GCIAOR F SUBMITTING THEIR NANOMITIONS.

I AM THRILLEDOU OF RTQ LGB+ COMMISSION, AND THE HISTORY IS THIS COUNTYMA IS KING ANDG MOVIN THIS D.FORWAR TH ANKS BRADET PRIMPTR. AND D GONZALEZ THERO FOREFNT OF RIGHT OF CIVILFO RIGHTS R BEING E INDIVIDUALS WHO I WAS INVEST PROUD TOE NOMINATAND WHO GOTPA SSED TODAY.

LIKE FORWARDOT TO THE HERMI NONEES WE ARE GOING TO HAVEOM FR OURS COLLEAGUEAND TOAL RELY T LAUNCHINGHIS COMMISSIONRE AND ALLY FINDING ACTIONABLE IDEAS WHERE HARRIS COUNTY ISAC PLE TO FAIRNESS IS PROGRESSING.

AND WITH THAT,MR THANK YOU TO . DAVIS AND MR.MR GONZALEZ AND .

PRIMPETTSS FOR WILLINGNE TO SERVE AND STEP UP TO THE M PLAT TOAKE HARRIS COUNTYTH BETTER. ANK YOU TO PRECINCTTH TEAM FOR E EXTREMELY THOROUGH COMMITMENT OF HIGH QUALITY

TALENT AND TRUE PUBLIC COSERVAN >>MMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR CREATING THIS COMMISSION AS WELL. ME I DID WANT TO NTION TO MISS DEANNA RAMOS.

ONI APPOINTMENTS. WANT TO MAKE SURE -- RAMIREZ,

[03:45:02]

>> OUR STAFFS DR.LL$. >>COMMISSIONER EIS: ITS LATE IN THE DAY AND I AM READY TO GET OUT HERE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

WITH THESE APPOINTMENTS, I WANT THE APPOINTMENT OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT AT ODDS WITH ONE EACH OTHER.

IF IT IS A NINE-PERSON BOARD. I WAS TOLD I HAVE TWO SLOTS AND NOMINATED A PERSON AND HARRIS HEALTH BOARD SAID THAT CHANGED.

YOU DON'T HAVE TWO. YOU HAVE ONE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- I WON'T MAKE THE MOTION TODAY OR SECOND IT. BUT FRY NOT TOO IF YOU ARE KEEPING THE MEETING FLOWING. BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT IT, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE YEARS FROM NOW CONFUSION OVER THIS BOARD ON WHO APPOINTED WHO BECAUSE YOU TAKE PRECEDENT WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST AND LOOK AT THE RECORD, YOU WON'T KNOW BECAUSE SOMEWHERE ELSE. AND SOMEONE ELSE MAKES A MOTION ON MY APPOINTEE FOR ME. I WANT TO THINK OF THE WAY YOU DO THAT SO WE DON'T END UP AT ODDS WITH ONE ANOTHER AND HAVE SOMEONE DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE WE REPLACED THEM AND ADDED THEM AGAIN AND THEN SOMETHING SAID NOT YOUR SLIDE.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE OFFICE -- ANOTHER EXAMPLE, ONE OF MINE -- I HAD ONE THAT -- WE REPLACED HER TODAY.

THAT HAS BEEN ON THIS BOARD FOR SO LONG.

AND NO ONE EVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT IT TO BE HONEST WITH YOU.

I NEVER GOT A LIST. IT WAS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE WHICH IS WHY I THINK MY OFFICE PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO CREATE THIS OFFICE OF APPOINTMENT. AS A PROCESS, IT IS EXTRA LENGTHY BUT THAT'S WHY THEY GET PAID TO READ IT.

I THINK THAT IS LAID OUT IN THAT POLICY.

SO I WANT TO LET THEM DO IT. CREATED AN OFFICE 37 AND USED TO BE KEPT IN THE DOOR IN A OFFICE OR SOMEONE ELSE'S MIND.

A LENGTHY POLICY. IF WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE IT.

PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA. AND I DIDN'T READ IT.

MOI ST-- MY STAFF WORKED ON IT WE WOULD NOT HAVE CONFUSION AND

WE DON'T EMBARRASS EVERYONE. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I AGREE.

OUR NEW CHAIR. MR. SANTA MARIA I ECHO COMMISSIONERS ELLIS'S POINT. IF WE HAVE AT THAT POLICY MAKE SURE IT IS CLEAR AND THEN IT IS EVENLY APPLIED.

SO MANY RAN OVER THEIR TERMS AND WEREN'T REAPPOINTED.

WE NEED TO TREAT EVERYONE FAIRLY AND CONSISTENTLY.

IF YOU ARE IN YOUR TERM, GRATE. IF YOU WERE OVER YOUR TERM, YOU EITHER NEED -- DEPENDING ON THE BYLAWS OF EVERY COMMISSION.

WE SHOULDN'T HAVE A POLICY IF NOT FOLLOW IT CONSISTENTLY.

I WOULD LOVE TO REFRESH AND MAKE SURE WE ARE FAIRLY COMMITTED TO HAVING IT APPLY ACROSS ALL OFFICES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IF WE HAVE TO CHANGE IT, BY THE WAY, NO MAGIC TO IT. I DON'T WANT USES TO KIND OF HAVE THE JUNGLE WARS LIKE THE LGBTQ+ COMMISSION HAS NINE PEO PEOPLE.

>> WE WROTE THOSE BLAWS IN A WAY IF THE MEMBER OF COURT DOES NOT SUBMIT THEIR NOMINEES AT LARGE, THERE IS A PROCESS AND ALSO A PROCESS FOR THE BOARD TO APPOINT TWO ADDITIONAL MEMBERS TO GET THE BOARD'S INPUT ON GAPS AND OPPORTUNITIES.

WE WROTE IT -- WE TRY TO BE AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEIR HELP AND UP TO US TO

-- >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE COULD END UP IN A POSITION WHERE MY STAFF OR YOUR STAFF LOOKED AT IT AND THEY GO IN AND TURN IN A NAME.

MAYBE ONE -- WITH ONLY TWO PEOPLE ON IT LIKE THE METRO BOARD BY THE WAY. DON'T PUT NEWS A POSITION TO JUST PUT IT ON THERE. SOMETIMES I LOOK AT THE AGENDA AND ASSUME SOMEBODY PUT IT ON THERE, OH, THAT WAS THEIR APPOINTMENT. MAY NOT BE.

MAY BE A COLLECTIVE THING. AT LEAST PUT USES IN A POSITION WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A NAME UP AND EMBARRASSING SOMEBODY.

ONE OF THESE SLIDES FOR FREE, I MIGHTED A.

>> MR. SANTA MARIA, WILL YOU HELP LEAD THE PROCESS OF REFRESHING AND THEN MAKING SURE WE HAVE A VERY CLEAR CHART OF WHO IS OVER -- HAS AN EXPIRED TERM VERSUS NOT AND UPCOMING APPOINTMENT. IF YOU CAN HELP TAKE EVERYTHING TO THE NEXT LEVEL, WE WILL GREATLY APPRECIATE THAT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU ARE MUTED, MR. SANTA MARIA.

>> WE CAN NOT HEAR YOU, SIR. WE CAN HEAR YOU, MR. SANTA

MARIA. >> I APOLOGIZE.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THAT.

[03:50:04]

OFFICE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THAT WI-FI IN THERE.

OFF BAD COLLECTION. >> WE ARE LOSING YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WELCOME ON BOARD.

AND I THINK HE GOT -- SO -- WE HAVE YOU ALL TO HELP.

THERE IS ENOUGH THAT WE CAN GET ANGRY WITH ONE ANOTHER ABOUT BUT WE KIND OF WANT YOU ALL TO HELP US NOT GET ANY ANGRIER THAN WE

HAVE TO GET. >> MR. SANTA MARIA HAS BEEN IN OUR OFFICE NOW JUST A FEW MONTHS.

AND HE IS ALREADY MAKE A LOT OF CHANGES AND UPGRADES AND A LOT MORE COMMUNICATION WITH THE COURT OFFICES AND ALSO ALL OF YOUR OFFICELESS STAFF HAVE ACCESS TO IT THE GRANICUS DATABASE WHERE WE KEEP TRACK OF ALL THIS.

AND TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS ON THE SAME PAGE. I KNOW MR. SANTA MARIA WILL TAKE

THAT CHALLENGE ON. >> COMMISSIONER, MR. SANTA MARIA IS DOING A FANTASTIC JOB AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH OUR OFFICE.

LIKE A NINE-MEMBER BOARD. YOU HAVE ONE APPOINTMENT AND REMAINDER AT LARGE AND AT-LARGE SYSTEM.

HE DOES A GREAT JOB OF TRACKING IT WHICH DOESN'T -- HAVEN'T BEEN THE CASE. THE BYLAWS ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH STATE STATUTE THAT WE ARE UPDATING.

I KNOW HE HAS ONLY BEEN HERE A FEW MONTHS AND HE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB ALREADY. AND IT IS INCUMBENT UPON YOUR STAFFS TO REALLY REACH OUT TO HIS OFFICE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE AND THAT IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS. MOST OF THESE APPOINTMENTS ARE STATUTORY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT.

VERY FEW OF THEM ARE DESIGNATED FOR A PARTICULAR MEMBER OF THE COURT AND IMPORTANT TO DO COLLECTIVELY.

YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB WITH IT.

AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I AM GOING TO STRESS THE POINT SINCE I CREATED THE OFFICE.

MR. SANTA MARIA, WELCOME. I AM GLAD I CREATED AN OFFICE WHERE YOU HAVE A JOB. NOW -- SO WHAT I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IS PUT US IN A POSITION WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO. I AM NOT LOOKING FOR MORE STUFF FOR OUR STAFF TO DO. PARTICULARLY MAIN.

THEY HAVE PLENTY TO DO. WHEN THAT BUDGET COMES UP, I WANT TO MAKE THAT OFFICE AS MUCH AS I CAN TO LET US KNOW.

AT CITY HALL, THE MAYOR IS RUNNING IT.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY HERE. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MR. SANTA MARIA.

[Emergency/Supplemental items]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WELCOME. >> THANK Y'ALL.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT ONE IS 459.

IS THAT WHAT YOU HAVE? SOMEONE PULLED IT.

IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: NO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THREE AYES AND ONE NO.

I HAVE 473. >> I HAVE 476.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: 476 IS A THOUGHT OF GIVING OUR ARPA COMMITTEE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT TAKING THOSE ARPA FUNDS AND USING THAT AGAIN FOR MAYBE SOME DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ON FACILITIES. THIS CAME UP IN THE LAST COURT THAT MAYBE THERE COULD BE A FEW ARPA DOLLARS.

NOT A LOT MAYBE, BUT A CHANCE FOR OUR PRECINCT CAN GET LASTING DOLLARS. YOU DO SOMETHING IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND YOUR PARKS AND FACILITIES AND EVERYTHING.

A 50-YEAR INVESTMENT. OUT OF THE $915 MILLION FROM ARPA TAKING A FEW DOLLARS AND DOING DEFERRED MAINTENANCE

WOULDN'T BE A BAD IDEA. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I KNOW HE A ARPA PROCESS. SO SOMETHING WE CAN SUBMIT TO

THAT PROCESS? >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I THINK IT IS GOING THROUGH THE PROCESS BUT SAYING WHY DON'T WE INCLUDE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE ARPA COMMITTEE TO PUT IT ON THE

TABLE. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WOULD LOVE FOR THAT TO GO THROUGH THE ARPA PROCESS.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: A GOOD POINT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

AND I GUESS MY QUESTION IS WHEN CAN WE GET AN UPDATE ON ARPA? AND SO WE KNOW BECAUSE WE ARE ABOUT TO -- WHEN -- ALMOST AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND WE WILL HAVE TWO YEARS LEFT ON ARPA.

AND I THINK WE ARE GOING TO HAVE ONE YEAR LEFT TO ENCUMBER.

AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE IT IS ALL AT SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT REVAMPING AND RECONSTITUTING THE BUCKETS THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE.

[03:55:04]

>> MISS BARTON IS ON CAMERA AND OUR RESIDENT EXPERT ON ARPA AND WHERE WE ARE. THEY JUST SUBMITTED ONE OF THEIR ANNUAL REPORTS SO WE HAVE THAT. BUT ANYTHING YOU NEED TO ADD?

>> YES, THIS IS LEAH BARTON. OUR GOAL TO MEET WITH COURT OFFICES ON A QUARTERLY BASIS TO REVIEW ALLOCATIONS.

OUR NEXT ROUND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA TIME SCHEDULED AFTERNOON OF SEPTEMBER. AND OTHER FOLKS, HAPPY TO MAKE

SURE -- >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I AM SORRY, BUT LEAH, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MEETING BUT I THINK THEY ARE WETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HEAR FROM YOU ON WHAT IS MOVING.

WHAT IS NOT MOVING AND NOT NECESSARILY HAVE YOU MAKE RECOMMENDATION WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

BUT TO LET US KNOW WHAT IS THE FUNDING THAT WE HAVE TO THINK AS

A GROUP TO ADJUST. >> JUST IN ADDITION, MY TEAM SET AN UPDATE TO A STEERING COMMITTEE TO A SUMMARY OF ALL OF OUR CURRENT ALLEGATIONS. HAND THIS IS IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE AS A RESOURCE, AND I AM HAPPY TO COME BACK IN ANY

WAY, SHAPE OR FORM. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: A BIG PART OF THAT REPORT IS HOW MANY POSITIONS ARE CURRENTLY FUND AND THROUGH ARPA. IN TWO YEARS, THEY MAY OR MAY

NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS:

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WANTED TO ECHO THE SENTIMENT. YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATES YOU HAVE GIVEN US.

COME TO THE COURT WHEN YOU THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO PRESENT TO THE COURT. I KNOW THERE ARE SOME BIG OPEN QUESTIONS WHETHER ARPA MIGHT BE DEPLOYED FOR THE LASALLE PIECE OR SOME OF THESE OTHER BIG ITEMS. WHEN DO YOU THINK WILL BE AN APPROPRIATE TIME, MISS BARTON,

MR. RAMOS. >> I THINK THERE IS A LITTLE WORK FOR LEAH TO DO -- SORRY, LEAH, FOR SPEAKING FOR YOU, BUT INTEREST IN USING ARPA FOR THE OPERATING BUDGET AND MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THE COMPANION ON THE 9/12 COURT COURT TO DISCUSS ARPA

AS WELL. >> I MENTIONED THAT TO LEAH AS WELL AND MADE SURE SHE WAS PREPARING FOR THE EVENTUALITY THAT BELL BE DISCUSSING ARPA DOLLARS IN THE SHORT TERM FOR FISCAL YEAR 24. AND THEN IN THE LONGER TERM OF HOW WE ARE GOING TO ASSESS THE PROGRESS AND PROGRAMS THAT WE STARTED WITH ARPA TO SEE WHICH ONES THE COURT WILL WANT TO CONTINUE. WHICH ONES TO WIND DOWN AND POSITIONS THAT ARE FUNDED THROUGH ARPA.

I KNOW WHEN WE GOT POSITIONS, THEY ALWAYS HAD AN END DATE AND SAID THEY WERE GRANT FUNDED. WE WEREN'T MAKING ANY ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THOSE POSITIONS BEING FUNDED ONGOING WITH GENERAL FUND. I THINK THOSE ARE THE KIND OF CONVERSATIONS THAT WE WILL NEED TO START HAVING.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IF I COULD ASK YOU TO THINK THROUGH THE IDEA OF MAKING THOSE -- GETTING THAT INFORMATION AND MAKING THOSE DECISIONS IS CRITICAL.

AND RECOGNIZING THE PCNS THAT ARE POTENTIALLY IMPACTED BY THIS. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE WHITE HOUSE HAS MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS ON USING IT FOR HEAT RELATED EVENTS OR ISSUES WHICH MAKES ME THINK OF THE FACT THAT WE ONLY GET -- AND I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER WHO FUNDS.

THE UNITED WAY ULTIMATELY THAT FUNDS THE AIR CONDITIONERS THAT ARE DISTRIBUTED WITH THIS WEATHER.

I DON'T THINK IT IS GOING TO GET ANY BETTER NEXT YEAR.

AND THINK OF OUR WONDERFUL CITIZENS AND I DON'T KNOW HOW PEOPLE ARE MANAGING WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING BECAUSE OF THIS

HEAT. >> CLIMATE ADAPTATION STEPS AS WELL AS RESILIENCY AND SUSTAINABILITY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COUPLE OF COMMENTS.

MISS BARTON, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE AND THE ENTIRE TEAM. I AM ASSUMING AT SOME POINT -- KNOWING THAT THERE IS TIME TABLES TO MEET TO SPEND THE MONEY, WE WILL HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION.

YOU ALL WILL HAVE TO GIVE US A RECOMMENDATION ON THINGS THAT PROBABLY CANNOT GET DONE IN TIME TO SPEND IT TO MEET DEADLINES.

IF WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS SUGGESTING. IF IT IS THE LAST MINUTE, THEN WE COULDN'T DO IT. BECAUSE IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DO SOME DEFERRED MAINTENANCE, YOU GO THROUGH A PROCESS.

PART OF IT IS FIGURING OUT WHAT WE DO.

[04:00:03]

SOME OF THE BIG BUCKETS WHEN I LOOKED AT THE ANNUAL REPORT.

SOME OF THE LARGE CATEGORIES. SOMETIMES WE RUN INTO ISSUES WITH ACQUIRING PROPERTIES WHETHER IT IS IN THE HOUSING AREA. SOME OF THE CHILD CARE STUFF THAT WE WANT TO DO IF YOU LOOK AT THE BIG CATEGORIES.

HAVE PROBLEMS WITH SOME OF THE JOINT PROBLEMS ON FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS BECAUSE WE DIDN'T KNOW IF OUR PARTNERS, THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR OTHER CITIES COULD GET THE RIGHT-OF-WAY IN TIME.

SO A DECISION WAS MADE BY ENGINEERING AS ANXA EMPLE THAT PUT C AAP ONT. I TOTAL $20 MILLIONRO PJECT.

AND ION D'T WANT US TOE BBE IN A POSITIONRE WHETH AT E LAST MINUTE ONLYTA CERIN THINGS TO DO TO O GETUT THE . DOOR A PLAN ANDHI I TNKCE PREDESSOR WAS ALWAYS THEE -- THNG HOUSI ND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT EPARTMENT WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL IS SOMETHING THAT ALWAYW BL UP BECAUSES PROBLEMWITH THE CDBG MONEY. WITH ALLER THE FEDAL STRINGS ON THE T MONEY, IIS A CHALLENGE. NT I WA TO ENCOURAGEKE YOU TO MA SURE IF YOU WANT SOME LATITUDE. I CAN THINKTH OF A FEW INGS WHEREET YOU CAN G THE MONEY OUT QUICK. DOOR BUT NOT NECESSARILY THE STUFF THAT I WOULD WANT TO DO.

WOULDN'T BE AIT FIRST PRIORY IF WE KW WE HADAL A CRYSTAL BL.

AND, YOU KNOW,BE SO THAT WILL A REAL CHALLENGE.

IT IS GOODET WE DID THE BUDG UT HEARINGS O IN THE COMMUNITY.

WHENL I SEE THE ANNUAEREPORT, TH BLUEPRINT LOOKS GOOD.

WE DIDN'T DOE MUCH STUFF WHEN W WERE DOING ONGOING EXPENDITURES IN OTHER DARTMENTS. IG WE HAVE TO FURE OUT ONCE THE MONEY -- THE FEDERAL MONEY IS GONE MAY ANY OFHA GOING OUT AND VE SOME EXPECTATIONS WITH THE MONEYI MOVED AROUND.

HAVE MY SENSE THAT SOME OFSP IT WILL NOT BE ENT AT TIMEBL AND END UP SCRAMING ATO THE LAST MINUTE T SPEND SOME MONEY. M EVEN IF WE HAVE TOAKE TOUGH DECISIONS EARLY ON THAT WE KNOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT COME BACK AND REPROGRAM THAT. IF DO YOFOR MAINTENANCE, HOW WE DO IT SO IT IS EQUITABLE AND AT LEAST IF YOU STARNOW, I WOULD SAY YOU ARE DOING THE SAME AMOUNT EACH PRECINCT THAT IS THE CHALLENGE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE COULD DO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

BECAUSE THAT DECISION WILL HAVE TO BE QUICK. TH

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I INK A SET EQUAL AMOUNT.

AND THINKING THROUGH THE BUDGET WHETHER I KNOW -- AT LEAST A FEW OF US BASED ON OUR CONVERSATION IN COURT LAST TIME FEEL STRONGLY

WITH THE COLA. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DID THAT

QUICK. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: RATHER HAVE THAT IN THE POCKET OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS TO GET THE FULL SEVEN ACROSS LAW ENFORCEMENT IN THE POCKETS.

A ONE-TIME -- A QUICK WAY TO GET THE MONEY OUT THE DOOR AND ONE-TIME INFUSION. WE ARE NOT SIGNING UP TO DO IT EVERY YEAR AND TALK ABOUT IT EVERY YEAR ON A CASE-BY-CASE BASIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NEVER IN A POSITION TO SEND IS END A SINGLE DOLLAR BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. THANK YOU, MISS BARTON.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: LAST MINUTE THINKING OF STUFF LIKE THE BUSINESS PROGRAM. THE DIRECT INCOME STUFF.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL THAT INFRASTRUCTURE SET UP TO GET IT

OUT. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I EXACT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: MAYBET IS THERE.

THIS IS THE LAST ITEM I HAVE. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> THANK YOU, MISS BARTON. AM I SKIPPING ANYTHING?

>> DO YOU WANT IT TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENT?

BECAUSE I NEED A MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

FOUR AYES, NO NAYS. WILL SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION TO

ADJOURN THIS MEETING. >> MOTION.

>> SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: EVERYBODY IS FOR IT. IT IS 4:55.

DO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE? IT IS 4:55, AUGUST 29, 2023 MEETING OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS ADJOURNED.

GOODBYE.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.