Sep 19, 2023 Commissioners Court

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>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I KNOW WE HAVE GOT FULL DAY.

GLAD TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE HERE. IT IS NOW 10:05 AND CALLING THE SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 MEETING OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. WE ARE GOING TO DO A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT ORDER TODAY. AFTER THE PRAYER AND THE PLEDGES, WE WILL OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING ON TAX RATES.

AFTER WE FINISH ITEMS ON THE TAX RATES, WE WILL PROCEED WITH RESOLUTIONS AND A NUMBER OF RESOLUTION SO AS BE PATIENT WITH US. THEN WE WILL BE WITH SPEAKERS AND OTHER I'M IN THE TYPICAL ORDER OF THE AGENDA.

[Reverend Kenny L. Hernandez of Grace, Hope & Love Ministries International in Houston. Departments]

SO LET'S DO THE PRAYER FIRST. >> IT IS MY HONOR TO INTRODUCE TO YOU PASTOR KENNY HERNANDEZ TO GIVE THE OPENING PRAYER TODAY.

PASTOR HERNANDEZ IS CURRENTLY LEADING IN A PASTORAL CARE FOR GRACE HOPE AND LOVE MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL.

IN ADDITION TO HER HISTORICAL WORK, PASTOR HERNANDEZ HOSTS BIBLICAL SOUL CARE, A SHOW DEDICATED TO ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS EVERY WEEK.

PASTOR HERNANDEZ PAY AS HUGE ROLE IN THE COMMUNITY BY PLAYING A ROLE IN DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE HOUSTON FOOD BANK, SENIOR FACILITY AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION.

SHE SERVED AS AT THAT BOARD MEMBER FOR TWO DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS, SAFE DIVERSITY AND SERVES AS THE PACA POLICE AND CLERGY ALLIANCE MEMBER. PASTOR KENNY HERNANDEZ IS A WRITER, POET, EDITOR, LIFE COACH AND AN ENTREPRENEUR.

SHE IS CURRENTLY WORKING ON HER LATEST BOOK WHICH WILL, RELEASED IN THE FALL OF 2024. WELCOME.

>>REVEREND HERNANDEZ: THANK YOU. I WANT TO FIRST AND FOREMOST TO THANK GOD FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE BEFORE YOU.

AND I THANK EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU COMMISSIONERS AND THE COURT FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. LET'S GO AHEAD AND CLOSE OUR EYES AND BOW OUR MEADS. AMEN.

FATHER, WE THANK YOU FOR THIS GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BLESS THIS COURT, FATHER GOD, AND EVERYONE HERE.

AND BLESS THE AGENDA THAT IS AT HAND, FATHER GOD, THAT WE MAY LEAD AND LEAD WITH LEADERSHIP, INTEGRITY IN OUR COMMUNITY'S, GOD, IN EVERYTHING THAT IS ABOUT TO TAKE PLACE THIS DAY AND THIS COURT. LET US FATHER GOD DO EVERYTHING ACCORDING YOUR PLANS AND PERFECT WILL IN OUR LEAVES.

FATHER GOD, THAT WE WILL LEAD EVERYONE, FATHER GOD, IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT WAS ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU ASKED US TO DO, LORD.

I ASK YOU AND I THANK YOU FOR THIS COURT.

BLESS THIS COURT TODAY. LETTIOUS PEACE REIGN IN YOUR HEARTS. AND THANK YOU FOR THE JOY IN OUR HEARTS. I BLESS THOSE WHO ARE PRESENT AND THOSE WHO WILL BE REQUESTING FOR DIFFERENT THINGS, FATHER GOD, IT IS BECAUSE OF YOUR PERFECT WILL IN OUR LIVES.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO, FATHER GOD, IN ALL THE HONOR AND GLORY. AMEN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL DO TWO PLEDGES.

THE U.S. PLEDGE AND THEN THE TEXAS PLEDGE.

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

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLEDGE 'ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS.

ONE AND INDIVISIBLE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THE FIRST

[Public Hearings ( Part 1 of 2 )]

I AM NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING TO TAKE TESTIMONY ON ITEM 378 RELATED TO THE TAX RATES FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY.

TIFFANY, PLEASE CALL UP THE SPEAKER FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR TAX RATE IN THE ORDER THEY ARE SIGNED UP.

>> WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER SIGNED UP.

I DON'T KNOW IF SHE IS THERE, SPEAKER NUMBER 33, KAY TYNER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ARE YOU HERE, MISS TYNER? WE WILL GIVE HER A SECOND. ANYONE IN THE HALL? OKAY. ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE TAX RATE? I SEE A HAND? YOU SIGNED UP? THE FIRST PERSON, AGAIN,

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CALL HER NAME AGAIN. >>CLERK: MISS KAY TYNER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY. THE OTHER PERSON -- I SAW YOUR HAND. SPEAK UP ON THE TAX RATE AND SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. OF COURSE I KNOW YOU, I JUST COULDN'T SEE YOUR HAND. AND SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE

RECORD. >> ALEXIS, HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

MUCH MONEY IS BEING SPENT IN THE WRONG THINGS AND NOT ENOUGH ON THE NECESSARY THINGS. WE SHOULD NOT BE SPENDING TAX MONEY TO PAY FOR PROJECTS LIKE SPENDING $50 MILLION ON PLANTING TREES, TO DECREASE CRIME. SPOILER ALERT.

TREES DON'T STOP CRIME. AND INCOME PROGRAM, PROPOSED BUDGET PROGRAMS WILL CONTINUE TO ARISE AND BURDEN TAXPAYERS FURTHER. GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO HELP CITIZENS WITH THEIR RIGHTS AND NOT TO TAKE FROM SOME AND GIVE TO OTHER PEOPLE. I AM CONCERNED OF THE UNNECESSARY DEATH IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.

SOMEONE DIED THERE OVER THE WEEKEND.

IT WILL BE BETTER TO HAVE MONEY THERE.

MONEY IS BEING EXPENDED IN N NONEFFECTIVE WAY.

CUT THE STUFF OUT OF THE BUDGET. >>CLERK: YOUR TIME IS OUT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANYBODY WANT TO TALK ON THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR TAX RATES? I I AM CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 378 FOR THE TAX RATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND THE PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY.

WE WILL TAKE A VOTE ON ITEMS 378 AND ITEM 380, THE SET TAX RATES FOR HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND WE NEED IS A SEPARATE MOTION FOR EACH OF THE TAXING ENTITIES. I HAVE THEM THERE.

>> SO MOVED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: FOR HARRIS COUNTY, I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED WITH THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.35007 WHICH IS NEXT EFFECTIVELY A 13.034% TAX INCREASE.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SO MOVED. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED. THE MOTION CARRYING 4-0.

FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. I WILL READ IT AND HOPEFULLY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL MAKE THE MOTION.

THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE BE INCREASED WITH A TAX RATE OF 0.03105, WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 13.91% INCREASE IN IF THE TAX RATE.

DID I GET THAT WRONG? 12.9.

YEAH. THAT IS WHAT YOU CALL MELANTONIN AT MIDNIGHT. TO GET OVER THE JET-LAG.

>> FOR CLARITY, COMMISSIONER. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WILL READ IT ALL OVER AGAIN. I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX RATE INCREASE WITH THE ADOPTION OF A TAX RATE OF 0.03105, WHICH EFFECTIVELY A 12.91% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: SO MOVED. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

NOW FOR HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH. THE MOTION IS,OR TO MOVE F HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DBA HARRIS HEALTH, I MOVE INTO A PROPERTY RATE TH INCREASE WITH E ADOPTION OF THE TAX RATE 0.104343 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY A 7.39% INCREASE IN THE TAX RATE. IS THERE A SECOND?N

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: MOTIO PREENZ BRIONES SECOND.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED, VOTE NO. >> NO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THREE AYES AND ONE NO.

THE PORT OF HOUSTON, I MOVE THAT THE PROPERTY TAX BE SET AT POINT 00574 PER $100. COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDS IT ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NO.

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LET'S GO TO THE REST LOUISES. ARE WE GOOD? LOOK, I TOLD YOU I TOOK THAT MELANTONIN.

>> DO WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AT THIS POINT?

>> THE BUDGET ITEM HAS TO BE TAKEN UP.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE CAN. A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HERE -- PEOPLE HERE ON RESOLUTIONS I WAS GOING TO DO THAT AND THEN GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET AND THEN GO TO THE BUDGET.

IS THAT OKAY? >> I AM FINE WITH THAT.

[Departments ( Part 1 of 3 )]

WE HAVE 13 I HAVE A COUPLE FOR THE JUDGE AND ON ONE MINE, AUDIT. DO I LET THE PERSON SPEAK?

>> JUST BEFORE THE VOTE, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SO IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE RECENTLY REMINDED US THAT THE FULL TEXT OF THE RESOLUTION DOES NOT NEED TO BE READ INTO THE RECORD.

YOU ALL HAVE IT. YOU CAN SHORTEN IT A LITTLE BIT IF YOU WANT TO AD-LIB. FOR JUDGE HIDALGO, I HAVE ONE RESOLUTION HERE. REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER 7, 2023 AS AINSLEY'S ANGEL OF GREATER HOUSTON DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

>> SO MOVED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WAS ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK ON IT? TAKE PICTURE AS SOON AS LOOK, IT IS AN IMPORTANT RESOLUTION AND I AM PROUD TO DO IT FOR THE JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION. WE WILL APPROVE IT BUT LET YOU

SPEAK FIRST. >> MY NAME IS HEATHER O'HARA.

I WANTED TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THANK YOU TO JUDGE HIDALGO WHO IS NOT HERE.

AINSLEY'S ANGELS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ORGANIZATION.

I HAVE WITH ME PAIGE SAMERS ONE OF THE LEAD GUARDIAN ANGELS AND AND I AM THE AMBASSADOR FOR THIS.

WE ARE NOT ONLY VOLUNTEERS FOR THE ORGANIZATION BUT MOTHERS TO SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN. THIS IS VERY CLOSE TO OUR HEART.

AINSLEY'S ANGEL IS THE NATIONALLY KNOWN NONPROFIT TRANSFORMING HUNDREDS OF COMMUNITIES WITH 70 AMBASSADORSHIPS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES AND WE HAVE OVER 35,000 MEMBERS. OUR GREATER HOUSTON AMBASSADORSHIP IS ONE OF THE LARGEST AMBASSADORSHIP IN THE COUNTRY WITH OVER 500 MEMBERS. IT SERVES INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AS FAR NORTH AS COLLEGE STATION AND ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GALVESTON AS FAR WEST TO THE EAST BORDERS OF BEAUMONT.

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

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DO YOU HAVE A QUICK COMMENT?

REAL QUICK. >> WOULD LIKE TO INVITE EVERYONE TO AINSLEY'S ANGELS 5K. YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE A RUNNER.

WE ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY.

AND JUDGE BRIONES, AT THE EVENT CENTER AND WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO

BE THEREH WITUS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL

TAKE A QUICK PICTURE WITH YOU. >> AS A POINT OF PERSONALIV PRILEGE, I RECEIVED A TEXT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO JOIN ME. JUST GOT WORD THAT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DELGADO'SUN FATHER UNFORTATELY HAS PASSED AND HAS GONE TO REST WITH THE GOOD LORD, AND SHE WRITES, GOOD MORNING, JUST WANT TO SHARE THAT MY HERO HAS GONE HOME TO BE WITH THE LORD AFTER THREE WEEKS IN THE MONTH.

IT WAS APPARENT THAT DAD WAS NOT GOING TO BOUNCE BACK.

TRANSFERRED HIM TO HOUSTON HOSPICE AND HE PASSED AWAY.

GAME BY TO VISIT. GREAT TO HEAR ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS HE DID. SUCH A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR LATINOS AT THE PORT AND DO YOU REMEMBER THE MORNING AFTER THE ELECTION, THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REFERRED TO HIM AS HER SECRET WEAPON. THAT WAS HIS -- HE WAS A BLESSING TO HER, SIGNED JUDGE HIDALGO.

CAN YOU JOIN US IN WISHING HER THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND JOIN ME IN A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF HIM.

SGLI

>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PAGE 2, REQUEST FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 AS CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.

ANY SPEAKERS ON IT? OF COURSE, COME ON.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR

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I AM THANKFUL FOR THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVED FOR OUTSIDE THE SECURITY INITIATIVES FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND ALL OUR DEPARTMENTAL MEMBERS. THIS WEEK THIS MONTH, WE HAVE BEEN FOCUSED ON THE CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE INDIVIDUALS OF ALL BACKGROUNDS. IN WEEK ONE, KICK OFF BY THE IMPORTANCE OF CULTIVATING A SECURITY CULTURE.

EMPHASIZING THE SHARED RESPONSIBILITIES WE ALL HOLD IN SAFEGUARDING OUR DIGITAL AS EX. WEEK TWO, SPOTLIGHTS THE EVER INVOLVING THREAT OF RANSOMWARE. AND EQUIPPING PARTICIPANTS WITH

THE KNOWLEDGE AND TOOLS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU CAN

FINISH. >> WEEK THREE, THE FASCINATING INTERSECTION OF SOCIAL MEDIA AND AI.

AND WEEK FOUR, WE WILL BE HIGHLIGHTING THE IDEA OF, YOU CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE. AS THEY SAY, CYBER SECURITY IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY AND EACH OF US HAVE IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF MAKING OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE IT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU SHORTLY IF YOU ARE STILL HERE.

ITEM NUMBER 3, REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY JOJ FOR THE RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AS A BOOK SANCTUARY TO COMBAT SENSOR HIP, DEFEND INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM AND PROTECT THE RIGHT TO READ. ANYBODY TO SPEAK ON THAT? IF NOT, WE ARE GLAD TO HAVE IT. ITEM --

>>CLERK: ED MELTON SHOULD BE THERE.

THE DIRECTOR OF THE CAAB LIBRARY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU IF HE SHOWS UP.

PROBABLY READING A BOOK. >> THERE HE IS.

COME ON IN. >> THANK YOU ALL.

THANKS COMMISSIONERS COURT. EDWARD MELTON, LIBRARY DIRECTOR.

I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY FOR YOUR SUPPORT FOR RECOGNIZING HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY AS A BOOK SANCTUARY.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE LIBRARY TO PROVIDE CONTENT AND INFORMATION FOR EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY A COMMUNITY SO DIVERSE IN TERMS OF HARRIS UN COTY.

THE THING ABOUT BOOKS, YOU CANY ALWA -- ALWAYSN A REFLECTIOOR A WINDOW -- A REFLECTION OF YOURSELF FOR PERSONAL EXPERIENCE OR A WINDOWE THAT YOU CAN SHAR EXPERIENCE WITH SOMEONE ELSE.

ALLOWING HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY TO BE A

SANCTUARY. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WANTS TO SAY THANK YOU, DIRECTOR MELTON FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I AM PROUD OF THIS RESOLUTION. I WAS THE DAUGHTER OF ENGLISH TEACHERS. I USED TO BE A ENGLISH TEACHER AND AS A MOM, EDUCATION SHOULD BE OPEN CITY WIDE FOR EVERYBODY IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> LIKEWISE, ED, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOUR LIBRARIES DO. NOT JUST ABOUT BOOK BUT INCREDIBLE AMOUNT OF SERVICES AND I APPRECIATE YOU AND THE DOCTOR WORKING THROUGH THE CAFE. WE WILL FIGURE OUT AND HAVE THE DUST SETTLE FROM THAT BUT EXCITED IN YOUR PORTFOLIO BECAUSE IT CREATES SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW, YOU HAVE BEEN THERE FOR OUR LIBRARIES AND UP UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH EMPOWERMENT YOU GET OUT OF THEM WHEN YOU WALK IN THERE. THANKS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: GOOD TO SEE YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO FOR THE LIBRARIES.

WE TALKED ON OCCASION AND WE ARE GLAD THE LIBRARIES OF PRECINCT 3 ARE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS TO GATHER WILL CONTINUE TO BE MINDFUL THAT -- THAT ALL -- NOT ALL BOOKS ARE -- ARE AGE APPROPRIATE AND AS WE CONTINUE TO BE SURE THAT JUST LIKE MOVIE RATINGS, WE DON'T LET FIRST-GRADERS SEE AN R-RATED MOVIE. WE WILL WORK REAL HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT AGE APPROPRIATE MATERIALS ARE PROPERLY IDENTIFIED. AND WE WILL WORK ON THAT.

THAT HAS BEEN A -- A SOURCE OF COMMUNICATION WITHIN THE PRECINCT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON

THAT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU TOO MR. MELTON. I WAS AT AN EVENT WITH THE BARBARA BUSH FOUNDATION. I WAS ON THE PRIVILEGE TO BE ON THE BOARD LAST WEEK OR THE WEEK BEFORE I FLEW OUT THERE.

AND ALSO I KNOW THERE WAS A PROTEST AT ONE -- ONE OF YOUR LIBRARIES WHERE PEOPLE WANTED CERTAIN BOOKS SENSORED.

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>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT ONE IS ITEM 2 -- PAGE TWO, ITEM 4, REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE WEEKEND OF SEPTEMBER 23-24, 2023 AS BEY HARRIS COUNTY WEEKEND IN HARRIS COUNTY.

ANYONE SIGNED UP OR ON THE LINE THAT WANT TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM?

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: IF ONLY BEYONCE WAS HERE.

WE WOULD HAVE EVEN MORE OF A PACKED CROWD.

I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HER AGAIN. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE ALL KNOW TO TAKE THAT PICTURE. I WAS ASKING IF SOMEONE WALKED IN SILVER. PAGE 2, ITEM 5, REQUEST BY THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2023 AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY.

DO WE HAVE ANYBODY THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK ON THAT ITEM?

>>CLERK: EARL DEAN FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YES, GOOD TO HAVE YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, MAJOR DEAN FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ON BEHALF OF MR. GONZALEZ THANK THE COURT FOR APPROVAL OF THIS RESOLUTION.

OUR 40TH ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT FROM OCTOBER 3 FROM 6 P.M.

TO 9.M P. WE HIGHLY ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO ATTEND.

LL YOUR CITIZENS, COME OUT AND MEET YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. LEARN S MORE OFAFETY AWARENESS AND CRIME PREVENTION. WE LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING YOU ON THIS DAY AND THANK MMYOU, COISSIONERS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU, DEPUTY -- INSIDE JOKE THERE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I KNOW WE ALL TAKE IT VERY SERIOUSLY AND ALL OUR STAFF DO A GREAT JOB. I KNOW BACK IN MY PREVIOUS JOB, WE HIT 100 EVENTS AND HAD VOLUNTEERS GO OUT AND DO IT.

I KNOW IT IS A GOOD DEAL. WEA, NOTICE FROM YOUR SOCIAL

MEDI ALL OF US DO IT AS WELL. >> GOOD DEAL.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PAGE 58, ITEM 4 HAD 59, A RESOLUTION FOR MONDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2023 AS INDIGENOUS PEOPLE DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY. ONE SPEAKER ON IT.

I WILL MAKE A COMMENT. ONE HONORS GOVERNOR BILL RICHARDSON WHOSE WIFE PASSED AWAY.

IF I CAN TIE THE TWO TOGETHER. I WENT TO HIS HOME GOING AND SIT IN THE CHURCH, COLLEAGUES WITH FORMER CONGRESSMAN ARTESE.

I WAS HEARING THE DRONES AND WHAT IS THE IRONY OF SOMEONE PROTESTING OUTSIDE HIS FUNERAL. SO COUNCILMAN SAID, I THINK THEY ARE ABOUT TO COME IN THE DOOR. SO THE NATIVE-AMERICAN GROUP OF TRIBAL LEADERS CAME INTO THE CATHOLIC CHURCH.

THE BASILICA THERE IN SANTA FE. AND IT WAS QUITE ENLIGHTENING.

BEHIND THEM WAS THE FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, BILL CLINTON AND HIS WIFE. AND HIS -- AND BILL RICHARDSON'S WIDOW. HERE IS THE POINT THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO THE WINDOW ROCK WAS CONGRESSMAN BILL RICHARDSON.

ONE OF THE LARGEST NATIVE-AMERICAN CELEBRATIONS IN THE COUNTRY. I AM PROUD TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION. WE ARE DOING IT TODAY ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A COUPLE OF WEEKS. I THINK WE WILL DO SOMETHING WITH ONE OF OUR LOCAL TRIBAL LEADERS MAYBE IN FRONT OF THAT MURAL THAT IS ON A COUNTY BUILDING -- ON YOUR BUILDING THAT FEATURE AS LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHO IS NATIVE-AMERICAN. SO AS SOMEONE WOULD LIKE TO

SPEAK ON THE RESOLUTION? >> COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO ADD I HAD THE HONOR OF MEETING THE GOVERNOR AS WELL.

THE NAME BILL RICHARDSON TAKES BY SURPRISE.

THE FEATURE AND HERITAGE DO NOT. I WAS FORTUNATE TO BE IN A PRIVATE DINNER WITH HIM. AND I SAW THAT LATINO IN HIM COMING OUT. VERY STRONG, VERY WELL, VERY LOUD. I WILL TELL YOU A FASCINATING INDIVIDUAL. WITH ALL THE WORLD EVENTS GOING ON THESE DAYS, WE HAVE TO REMEMBER HOW INSTRUMENTAL HE WAS IN A KEY MOMENT WHEN CALLED UPON THE PRESIDENT TO GO OVER AND TALK TO ANOTHER WORLD POWER AND GET THEM TO CHANGE THEIR

POSITION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OF COURSE NAFTA AND SO MANY THINGS. I WAS THINKING COMMISSIONER GARCIA, PRESIDENT CLINTON MADE A SIDEBAR OF BILL RICHARDSON, THE

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POPULATION WAS A THIRD NATIVE-AMERICAN AND A GREAT BOOK. WORTH LISTENING TO HIM.

HIS FATHER FROM MEXICO CITY AND HIS MOTHER WAS OF MEXICAN ANCESTRY. YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON.

I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE RECOGNIZE THIS DAY.

PARTICULARLY AS I LOOK AT THE PORTRAIT OF SAM HOUSTON.

NO ONE WAS A GREATER ADVOCATE OF THE TRIBES IN TEXAS THAN SAM HOUSTON. I SURE HOPE THAT PORTRAIT MAKES

ITS WAY DOWN TO THE FIRST FLOOR. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WILL SAY THIS. I COULD THINK OF NO ONE WHO DID MORE DAMAGE TO SAM HOUSTON'S LEGACY, OF COURSE, THAN IN TEXAS HISTORY FOR UP ALL OF THESE TREES FROM NATIVE-AMERICANS AND ESSENTIALLY CREATED S GENOCIDE AGAINST THEM.

>> GENERAL SAM -- >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: DID A LT OFTHINGS. SOME NOT SO GREAT. W

OWNED A FE SLAVES AS WELL. >>E THEY COULD SAY TH SAME THING

FOR US IN AMERICA. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A ANOTHER ONE AND SPEAKER ON IT. IT IS ABOUT THE NO TRAFFICKING ZONE POLICY THAT WE HAVE. AND BISHOP DIXON COULD NOT BE HERE BUT I THINK THERE IS ONE SPEAKER ON IT.

TIFFANY, DO YOU WANT TO CALL THAT PERSON UP?

>>CLERK: WE DON'T HAVE ANYONE FOR ITEM 7, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I THINK -- ON THE NO TRAFFICKING ZONE.

WAS THERE A SPEAKER ON THAT? I THINK SO.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING. I KNOW BISHOP DIXON.

I WAS DIALING. HE WAS TRYING TO GET THERE.

SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM JACQUELINE ALUTO AND PRESIDENT OF NO TRAFFICKING ZONE. I WANT TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE LAWS QUESTION HELPED TO GET PAST 3553 AND 3554. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS ARE AWARE 79,800 YOUTH ARE SEX TRAFFICKED IN THE STATE OF TEXAS ON ANY GIVEN DAY. HARRIS COUNTY IS THE HUB.

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS IDENTIFIED OVER 24,000 GANGS ALONE IN THIS COUNTY. HB 3553 AND 3554 WILL MAKE IT 25 YEARS TO 99 TO LIFE WHICH IS A LOT BETTER THAN A SLAP ON THE WRIST AND FIVE YEARS IF YOU WANT TO TRAFFIC A CHILD FROM THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM, THE WELFARE SYSTEM, STAY CARE CENTERS AND COLLEGES. 000 TRAFFIC SOMETHING $150 BILLION INDUSTRY. IT IS LIKE ANY OTHER BUSINESS AND HAS MANY, MANY MARKETS. SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND HOW DOMESTIC MINOR TRAFFICKING IS WORKING AND WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO IMPLEMENT LAWS TO CREATE CHANGE.

YOU GUYS ARE THE DECISION-MAKERS AND WE ARE THE CHANGE MAKERS.

I WANT TO JUST SAY THESE ARE SURVIVOR LEADER TRAFFICKED FROM THEIR SCHOOLS AND GANGS. THESE ARE ACTUAL REAL PEOPLE THAT LIVED AND FOUGHT FOR THESE BIL BILLS. AUTHORED THE BILL AND FOUGHT FOR IT -- OUR BILL WAS RULED ON UNANIMOUSLY.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT BECAUSE I KNOW I RAN OUT OF TIME.

BUT IN THIS DAY AND AGE TO GET BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY IS SO IMPORTANT. BECAUSE WE NEED ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LEADERS AND DECISIONMAKERS TO COME TOGETHER EVEN IF THEY DON'T LIKE EACH OTHER FOR THE GREATER GOOD AND PROTECT OUR CHILDREN AND FOR HUMANITY AND PROTECT OUR NATION.

I WANT TO THANK THE STATE OF TEXAS.

I WANT TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY. AND EVERYONE WHO FOUGHT FOR THESE BILLS AND ALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT MADE THIS UNANIMOUS AND ALL THE POLICE UNIONS ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS THAT OFFER THIS BILL TO HAVE HIGH PENALTY PUNISHMENT CRIMES AGAINST CHILD PERPETRATORS AND I WANT TO LEAD THE EXAMPLE FOR

FUTURE LAWS WE WILL PASS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS:

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING WARRIORS AND CHAMPIONS ON THIS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ISSUE. IT IS ANGERING AND SADDEN SOMETHING THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES IN THE COUNTRY AND IN THE WORLD. HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AS WE KNOW -- AND I AM THANKFUL FOR OUR STATE LEGISLATOR TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE MORE APPROPRIATE PENALTIES FOR ONE THAT WANT TO DO THIS. MODERN-DAY SLAVERY AND SADDENS ME THAT HARRIS COUNTY LEADS IN THE MOST DESPICABLE WAY IN THIS

[00:30:01]

OF MY HEART. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY.

IT IS IMPORTANT. THESE ARE THINGS THAT SOME PEOPLE DON'T WANT TOOU TALK ABT, BUT THEY MUST BE TALKED ABOUT.

WE HAVE GOT 15 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN P HARRIS COUNTYRECINCT 3.

ONE OF THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IS ON.

AND THEY STARTED "HARRIS PROTECT OUR CHILDREN.

IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT THAT, WE NEED TO COMMUNICATE THAT.

IT NEEDS TO BE IN EVERY SCHOOL IN THE AREA.

WE START WHERE TRAFFICKING STARTS IS IN OUR SCHOOLS.

IT IS A BIG PROBLEM YOU THANK YOU FOR THAT.

WE WILL TRY TO GET MORE OF A MESSAGING TO OUT AND TRY TO GET THAT STARTED AND MOVE TO THE OTHER 15 SKIES.

HUM BOLT STARTED A GREAT PROGRAM THERE.

I CAN'T THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER?

>> THANK YOU. AND ESPECIALLY WITH THE WORK BEING DONE IN AND AROUND HARRIS COUNTY FACILITIES IN THE PARK, IN PARTICULAR. I NEVER FORGET WHEN I WALKED WITH SOME FOLKS TO DISTRIBUTE LITERATURE ABOUT -- DON'T COME TO HOUSTON DEW DURING ODC AND BE ABLE TO BUY SOMEBODY AND NOT FEEL LIKE THE CONSEQUENCES. YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I WAS DOING SOMETHING HORRIBLE BY VIRTUE OF THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. THEY CAME DOWN ON ME PRETTY HARD. BUT I AM PROUD THAT WE ARE HERE TODAY AND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FIGHT.

GOD LOVE YOU FOR YOUR STRENGTH, YOUR RESILIENCY, TO SURVIVE UNTIL YOU MOVE FORWARD AND TO SAVE OTHERS.

WE APPLAUD YOU. WE HONOR YOU.

WE RESPECT YOU. AND FOR ANYONE WHO THINKS THAT IT CAN'T CUT YOUR HOPE JUST BE CAREFUL.

PRETTY QUICK AND PRETTY EASILY. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK, A BETTER, HEALTHY SAFER PLACE BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT YOU DO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

SO -- THANK YOU. MISS ALUTO.

WHERE DOES MOST OF IT GO ON IN JACQUELINE, WITH DOES MOST OF IT OCCUR, JACQUELINE, AROUND SPORTS VENUES AND EVENTS LIKE THE OTC,

BIG CONFERENCES? >> TRAFFICKING HAPPENING WITH LARGE EVENTS. NOT JUST LARGE EVENTS, SCHOOLS.

OVER 55% OF TRAFFICKING VICTIMS ARE RECRUITED FROM THEIR SCHOOLS. EXPLOITATION.

THEIR SOCIAL NETWORK. THAT IS REALLY A BIG THING.

POSTER CARE FACILITIES. HOMELESS YOUTH FACILITIES.

THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION WHERE KIDS ARE.

THAT IS WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE HIGHEST AND REALLY, NO ONE IS

EXEMPT FROM IT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PRODUCTS, THE FOLKS THAT ARE WANTING TO PARTICIPATE TEND TO COME IN WHEN YOU HAVE -- I GUESS A PORT CITY OR MAJOR AIRPORT,

TRANSPORTATION, CONVENTIONS. >> THEY COME IN TO BUY PEOPLE TO DO DRUGS AND BUY PEOPLE. AND THEY THINK THAT IS A GOOD TIME. MANY OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE OUR

CHILDREN. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.

OBVIOUSLY I KNEW THAT, BUT TIMES WE DON'T THINK ABOUT THAT WHEN WE ARE TRYING TO ATTRACT CERTAIN CONVENTIONS.

CERTAIN CONVENTIONS WE KNOW HERE WHERE SOME OF THIS HAPPENS?

I KNOW OTC. >> THE OIL CONVENTION BRINGS IN A VERY LARGE -- SOMETIMES LARGER000 TRAFFICKING.

WE KNOW THE PLAYOFFS DURING SPORTS, DIGITAL TRACKING.

ZIP CODES WILL COME ON MEANING THEY ARE BRINGING GIRLS UP AND CHILDREN FROM OUT OF STATE. THE GREAT THING ABOUT ENERGY PARK. THEY DID IMPLEMENT IT TO BE THE FIRST NO TRAFFICKING ZONE. AND WE DO UNDERCOVER OPS AND HAVE A HUMAN TRAFFICKING TEAM FOR THE RODEO, TEXAN GAMES AND EAR GAMES WITH A HIGH INFLUX OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING HAPPENING IN

THE STADIUM AND AROUND IT. >> I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO YOUR POINT. IF SOME WAY IT WOULD DEFER -- SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

THEY DON'T NEED TO KEEP TOMING. >> WE WANT TO WORK ASSE CLOLY AO SSIBLE WITH YOU. THIS MODERN-DAY SLAVERY.

WE CAN NOT BE IN THE NATIONTH A E WORLD -- AS WE PREPARE FOR THE WORLD CUP, WE NEED TO TRICKLE DOWN TO BE AS AGGRESSIVE

AS POSSIBLE. >> FOR THE WORLD CUP, THE GREAT THING SINCE WE HAVE A HUMAN TRAFFICKING TEAM ON-SITE AND

[00:35:01]

I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF BECAUSE HIS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES ARE WITH US ALONG WITH FEDERAL AGENCIES.

I ALWAYS WANT TO THANK THEM FOR WALKING WITH US.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL TAKE PICTURES AFTERWARDS.

THANK YOU FOR COMING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

GO TO YOU. 8?

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: I AM SO HONORED.

THIS BEAUTIFUL HUMAN BEING TOOK TIME OUT OF HIS BUSY SCHEDULE TO COME BACK TO HOUSTON AREA AND JOIN US.

I THINK DR. STEINBERT. THERE YOU ARE.

YOU CAN MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM.

WELCOME DR. STEVEN CLIMERT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WITH MY STAFF. HE WOULD BE OKAY.

>> THE STAFF IN VIRGINIA AND I THANK HIM FOR MAKING TRIPP TODAY. HE PUBLISHED THE FIRST AREA SURVEY. HOUSTON HAS TRANSFORMED TO A MORE ETHICALLY AND DIVERSE METROPOLITAN AREAS IN THE COUNTRY. TODAY OUR REMEMBER DEMOGRAPHICS SHOW HARRIS COUNTY 40% HISPANIC 20% ANGLO.

19% AFRICAN-AMERICAN. AND 10% ASIAN.

DIVERSE VIEWS AND EXPERIENCES OF POUR RESIDENTS AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT DR. CLIMBERT, WE DO OUR BEST TO OFFER A RESOLUTION TO HONOR AND RESPECT YOU AND WE COLD FRONT IS ENOUGH PAPER AND RESOLUTION TO DO IT. BUT FIRST TO SAY WE ALL THOUGHT -- AND YOUR BEAUTIFULLY, THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO CELEBRATE 60 YEARS TOGETHER. ALTHOUGH YOU MOVED UP TO THE NORTHEAST, YOU ARE STILL ANNEXED HERE.

BUT YOUR TAX-FREE. OK OKAY. SILL SAY TO FOLKS THAT I WAS VISITING WITH THE DOCTOR THEY ARE MORNING AND I THINK THE FIRST OR MAYBE YOUR SECOND HOUSTON ENVISIONING SESSION THAT YOU DID AND YOU SAID SO MANY THINGS THAT STRUCK INCREDIBLE NERVINGS WITH ME. YOU TALKED OF THE POSSIBLE OF THIS GREAT CITY PRODUCING -- INTENTIONAL LOOK PRODUCING AN UNDERCLASS THAT LOOKS BROWN AND BLACK.

AND A CONCERN ABOUT INTELLECTUAL CAPACITY IF WE DID INVEST IN PUBLIC EDUCATION. AND THOSE THINGS, GIVEN MY LIFE EXPERIENCES GROWING UP REALLY STRUCK A NERVE WITH ME.

AS I SAID, YOU HAVE AN IMPACT ON ME.

WHY MY OFFICE HAS FOCUSED ON EDUCATION.

FOLKS THAT FOCUS ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

FOLKS THAT FOCUS ON HEALTH SERVICES.

IT IS BECAUSE ALL THOSE ISSUES TEND TO RESONATE IN SOME WAY OR ANO YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT KINDER HAS LOOKED TO CONTINUE TO WORK.

WE JUST HOPE THEY DO IT WITH THE FLARE AND THE SINCERITY AND THE WASH COME PASSION AND THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO WAY ANY KIND OF MONEY OR ANY KIND OF INSTITUTION CAN REPLACE SOMEONE WITH YOUR VISION, YOUR COMMITMENT, YOUR PERSONAL WORK, YOUR DEL OCCASION. AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHEN I SAWS NEWS THAT YOU WERE RETIRED AND GOING TO YOUR FAMILY NORTHEAST. IT RUBBED ME WRONG.

I REALLY I WAS LOOKING FORS DEPUTIETO TRY TO HANDCUFF YOU AND KEEP YOU HERE.

WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU TOOK TIME TO JOIN US.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. I THINK YOU REALLY HELPED TO KEEP HOUSTON'S SYMPATHY ALIVE. BECAUSE AS WE ARE TALKING -- IF WE HAD ALLOWED HOUSTON TO BE KNOWN AS WORLD BUSINESS COMMUNITY, ONLY FOCUS ON MAKING MONEY, THEN I THINK WE WOULD BE A MUCH DIFFERENT COUNTY TODAY. THE FACT YOU STARTED TO TALK TO PEOPLE. AND STARTED TO RAISE THESE CONVERSATIONS OF THESE DISCUSSIONS AND POINTS OF VIEW.

I THINK YOU REALLY GOT TO A LOT OF PEOPLE AND I THINK, IN FACT, JIM KETTLE WHO STARTED THE PRESIDENTIAL SCHOLARSHIP FUND AT JEFF DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WAS MOVED BY A LOT OF WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY WHICH IS MADE HIS COMMITMENT TO INVEST IN

[00:40:04]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT HAS BEEN SUCH A TREMENDOUS HONOR TO ACHE A REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF US OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS OVER 47 YEARS. ASKING PEOPLE HOW THEY SEE THE WORLD AND WATCHING THE WORLD CHANGE.

HOUSTON IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE NEW AMERICA.

AN ECONOMY THAT REQUIRES EDUCATION BEYOND HIGH SCHOOL FOR ANY DECENT JOBS. USED TO BE IRONWORKS, THOSE JOBS HAVE DISAPPEARED AND A DEMOGRAPHIC RESOLUTION.

MEDIAN AGE OF ANGLOS IS 27. THE MEDIAN AGE OF LATINOS IS 45.

AND WE NEED TO DEFINE WHAT THE CHALLENGES AT THE FOREFRONT AND ACROSS MOST OF AMERICA. THE MOST INTERESTING THING WE DO. WHAT WE DO HERE MOTORS IN A FUNDAMENTAL WAY AND BUILD THE THAT'S CORRECT OF THE 21ST CENTURY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> WHERE DID YOU MOVE THROUGH, DR. LAMBERT?

DID YOU MOVE TO VIRGINIA? >> ALEXANDRIA.

>> TWO CHILDREN AND FIVE GRANDCHILDREN ALL IN THE

WASHINGTON D.C. AREA. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU SAID VIRGINIA. BRUTAL LEX ANDREA.

AT THE AIRPORT.

ALEXANDRA. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: TAKE A PICTURE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE, IT

IS REAL NICE IN THERE. >> HE WAS THERE WITH ME.

HE WAS THERE WITH ME. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, DOCTOR. DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

>> YES, SIR. I HAVE TWO MORE.

THIS NEXT ONE IS JUST AS SPECIAL AS DR. CLINBERG, BECAUSE THIS RESOLUTION SPEAKS TO A HOST OF HEROES, MENTORS AND ULTIMATELY FRIENDS, PIONEERS, TENACIOUS INDIVIDUALS THAT KNEW NOTHING BUT GET IT DONE. THIS GROUP WAS FORMED IN 1979 WHEN HOUSTON CANTINA MURDERS STARTED TO ERUPT IN HOUSTON'S EAST END. OVER THE YEARS, THEY DEALT WITH A LOT OF THE RESPECT AND CHALLENGES, SOME THAT WE TALKED ABOUT TODAY. TRAFFICKING.

KIDNAPPING. HOMICIDES. DR UG-RELATED MURDERS. THEY JUST DEALT WITH SOMUCH.

AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT WHEN I MET THESE GUYS YOU, IT WASIN LI MEETG MOVIE STARS. ST THEY WERE JU QUESTION NOMINAL.

BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY WERE VERY WELL-ROUNDED.

AND -- AND THEY JUST CARED ABOUT TAKING CARE CAN OF BUSINESS.

THIS GROUP WAS FORMED IN THE HOMICIDE DIVISION OF HPD.

AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT ALTHOUGH THE VICTIMS OF CRIMES WERE EXCITED, BUT WHAT WOULD EVERYBODY DO.

FOR A SQUAD TO BE GIVEN ONE TYPEWRITER TO DO THEIR WORK.

THEY GET -- THEY -- THEY OUTPERFORM THE ENTIRE HOMICIDE DIVISION IN THEIR CLEARANCE RATES.

AND THEY DID SOME INCREDIBLE WORK BY WORKING WITH FEDERAL AND INTERNATIONAL OFFICIALS. AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT IN A BIT. BUT -- AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE JOINED BY CHIEF CONTRERAS, PIONEER IN ITS O RIGHT.

YEAH MO HAPPENS TO BE THE RECRUITING LIEUTENANT TO GET PAST TO JOIN. CHIEF, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

I DO WANT TO READ THIS RESOLUTION TO ITS INTIER TEE BECAUSE OF ALL THEY DEALT WITH. ALL THEY WERE THROWN AT.

ALL THAT PEOPLE TRY TO ENSURE THEIR FAILURE RATHER THAN THEIR SUCCESS AND THEY HAD TO FIGURE OUT THE HARD WAY.

[00:45:05]

THE SQUAD WAS PERFORMED AS A 90-DAY PILOT PROGRAM TO ADDRESS RISING CRIME RATES IN HOUSTON COMMUNITIES.

MANY OF THE CRIMES WERE UNSOLVED AND THE COMMUNITY WAS HESITANT TO WORK WITH POLICE. OVER THE NEXT THREE DECADES, THE NILLCHICANO SQUAD EARNING THE TRUST OF THE COMMUNITY AND ONE OF THE HIGHLY REMEMBERED AND TRUSTED IN THE COMMUNITY.

THE SIX ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE CHICNO CLUB.

RAYMOND WHO JOINS US HERE TODAY. HIS BROTHER REGRETS HE IS NOT HERE -- YOU HAVE TO TALK TO YOUR BROTHER, MAN.

A FLIGHT TO ITALY TO CELEBRATE HIS BIRTHDAY AND HIS RETIREMENT OR BE WITH HERE WITH BIG BROTHER.

I THINK ITALY KIND OF WORKED AGAINST YOU THERE, PRO.

BUT RAYMOND, THE FITTEST MAN IN AMERICA, ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER CAN'T HEALED A CANDLE TO THIS GUY.

HIS NICKNAME WAS AFFECTION NATALIE KNOWN AS "STRONG MAN." JIM MONTERO. AND CECIL SKEETER M,MOSCARA.

AN INCREDIBLE GUY FROM THE NEAR NORTH SIDE AND TOLD US OF CHIEF SCOTT. WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A BIT.

AND JOSE, MARINE CORPS, TAKE THAT HIT --SEVERA JR. WAS THE ORIGINAL MEMBERS OF THE SQUAD AND THEY WORKED FROM THE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT MOST OF US CAME FROM.

THEY SPOKE THE LANGUAGE, UNDERSTOOD THE CULTURE OF THE COMMUNITIES. SERVING THIS CONNECTION TO THE COMMUNITY. WAS INSTRUMENTAL AND OF THE UNIT OF A SMALL OFFICE WITH A SINGLE T THE CHICANO SQUAD WITH THE ME FOR RUSS AWARD IN 1997.

HISPANIC OF THE YEAR,HE THE POLE OFFICER OF T YEAR IN '98.

HPD IN '89. LIFE SAVING AWARD IN 2004 AND RECOGNIZED BY THE TEXAS SENATE IN 2004, NOTABLY THE SQUAD EARNED NATIONAL RECOGNITION IN 1997.

BY POSTING A 91% CLEARING RATE, A TREND WHICH CONTINUED FOR MANY YE YEARS.

SOME COUNTY SQUAD'S BIGGEST CASES INCLUDE THE SAFETY RECOVERY IN 2001 OF A KIDNAPPED NEWBORN.

MOTHER DIED AFTER BEING LOCK IN A CAR TRUNK.

THE 2002 ARRESTS ARE OF THE ACCUSED EAST END SERIAL KILLERS AND BRINGING HOME A 14-MONTH-OLD CHILD KIDNAPPED FROM HOUSTON BY A BABY SITTER IN 19189 AND LATER FOUND SAFE INMONT EAGLE.

I GET CHOKED YOU WERE READING YOUR HISTORY, GUYS. 89 AND LATE FOUND SAFE INMONT EAGLE. I GET CHOKED YOU WERE READING YOUR HISTORY, GUYS. I'M HERE BECAUSE OF YOU.

YOU GAVE ME STRENGTH. YOU GAVE ME THE WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON CHALLENGES. YOU PAVED A PATH FOR ME BEGINNING WITH CHIEF CONTRERAS, ONE OF THE FIRST LATINOS IN THE HPD'S RANKS. THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR, THE LIFETIME YOU HAVE LIVED TO THIS POINT IS ALL DEDICATED TO YOUR COURAGE, YOUR RESILIENCY, YOUR TENACITY.

AND I AM SO HONORED TO BE ABLE TO GIVE JUST A LITTLE BIT TO REFLECT ON YOUR WORK. CONGRATULATIONS AND WE LOVED IT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LIKE TO ASK CECIL SINCE HE WAS THE FIRST ONE ASSIGNED BESIDE JIM MONTERO WHO WAS THE VISIONARY, GOD IF YOU -- I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM CHIEF CONTRERAS. JOE CONTINUES TO BE A MARINE AND A COP. HE WORKS FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS AN INVESTIGATORS.

[00:50:02]

AND I ALSO WOULD BE REMISS IF I DID NOT RECOGNIZE SERGIO, HIS SON WHO WIRED THESE DAYS AND REPRESENTS THESE INDIVIDUALS IN AN UNIQUE WAY BECAUSE A LOT OF STORIES BEING WRITTEN BY HPD CHICANO'S CALLED HISTORY AND WORK.

AND THE CHALLENGES AND HELPING TO NAVIGATE.

ANNIE IS WORKING ON A -- ON A PRODUCTION THAT WILL BE OUT OF IT NEXT YEAR. AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU SERGIO FOR YOUR WORK TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.

CECIL, COP ON UP. >> CHIEF CONTRERAS.

>> COME ON. >> YOU WANT US TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> YEAH. >> WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU INVITE IS US TO COME FOR THIS MOMENT. IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME.

MOST OF US -- ALL OF US ARE RETIRED EXCEPT FOR JOE.

HE IS STILL IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND IT'S -- IT IS -- IT HAS LONG BEEN -- AS YOU KNOW WE GREW UP TOGETHER.

WHEN YOU WERE A POLICE OFFICER BACK THEN.

SO K YOUNOW OUR HISTORY. AT THE TIME IN 1979, THERE WAS A LOT OF TURMOIL AND A LOTSU OF ISESTH GOING ON WI THEDE POLICE PARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY. THERE WAS A LANGUAGE MIBARRIER.

IMGRATION WAS HEAVY BACK THEN. MUCH MORE THAN IT IS NOW.

AND THERE WAS A LANGUAGE BARRIER AND THEY COULDN'T COMMUNICATE.

SOME OF THESE CASES WERE NOT BEING SOLVED.

A LOT OF HISPANIC CASES SO THEY NEEDED TO -- THEY DECIDED -- AND THE TO CLEAR THE CASES. THE CASES WERE NOT BEING SOLVED.

BACK THEN, ONLY TWO OR THREE DETECTIVES THAT RANKED UP.

WE WERE THE FIRST POLICE OFFICERS TO COME IN.

WE WERE HANDPICKED TO COME THROUGHOUT THE CITY TO COME AND ASSIST THE HOMICIDE DIVISION WITH THE CASES.

IT WAS A PILOT GROUP IN THE BEGINNING.

AND THE REST IS HISTORY. OUR WORK ETHICS IS WHAT DROVE US THROUGH. AND WE WENT THROUGH -- WE WENT A LOT. LIKE I SAID, WE GOT STARTED.

AND THE FOR THE MOST PART, AS THE YEARS WENT BY, THE COMMUNITY ACCEPTED US. AND WE WERE ABLE TO SOLVE A LOT OF CASES WITH THEIR -- WITH THEM HELPING US SOLVING THE CASES.

WE WOULDN'T HAVE THE CLEARING RATE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS.

WE CARRIED THE HOMICIDE DIVISION FOR MANY, MANY, MANY YEARS.

>> REMIND US. HOW MANY GUYS WERE IN THE SQUAD,

ROUGHLY? >> THE ORIGINAL WAS FIVE -- FIVE ORIGINAL POLICE OFFICERS AND ONE DETECTIVE TAMPA.

AND THROUGHOUT THE YEARS THROUGH 1979 AND 2010, WE PROBABLY WENT THROUGH 80 TO 85 MEMBERS THAT ROTATED THROUGH THIS SQUAD.

>> THE SQUAD DIDN'T GET ANY BIGGER OF HOW MANY?

>> UP TO 12 WAS THE HIGHEST. >> HOW MANY HOMICIDE DETECTIVES IN THE REST OF THE HOMICIDE DIVISION WORKED IT?

>> AT THE TIME, THERE WAS -- >> COUPLE HUNDRED.

>> PROBABLY. PROBABLY ABOUT 80 TO 90.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THE DISPARITY NOT ONLY IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE DEDICATED TO THE UNIT, BUT THE DISPARITY IN THEIR ABILITY TO HAVE A CLEARANCE RATE IN CONTRAST TO 200 OTHER INDIVIDUALS.

IT WAS PHENOMENAL. CONGRAT

CONGRATULATIONS, GUYS. >> THANK YOU.

>> CHIEF. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. WE STALL KNOW YOU AND LIKE

HEARING IT INTO THE RECORD. >> FORMER HPD ASSISTANT CHIEF, FORMER U.S. MARSHAL FROM THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS, AND THE LIEUTENANT TO GAVE THIS KID AN OPPORTUNITY.

I WILL NEVER, EVER BE ABLE TO REPAY YOUR -- THAT OPPORTUNITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FIRST OF ALL, GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THIS -- THIS TREMENDOUS -- CERTAINLY OUTSTANDING GROUP OF OFFICERS THAT -- WITH THE CHICANO SQUAD. LET ME TELL YOU THE OBSTACLES

[00:55:06]

AND THEY WERE THE FIRST STEP -- YOU HEARD THE TERM COMMUNITY POLICING, THIS WAS COMMUNITY POLICING.

DEVELOPED WITH THE COMMUNITY. THE TREMENDOUS CLEARANCE RATE.

AND THE PUSH BACK. BECAUSE THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT POLICE OFFICERS MOVED UP TO -- TO DO THE INVESTIGATIVE LEVEL. AND THAT CAUSED A LOT OF RIPPLES WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT. DISREGARDED THAT AND CECIL JUST REFERRED. THE TOTAL COMMITMENT TO GET IT DONE. I WANT TO SAY FROM POLICE AD MINISTRATOR, I ALWAYSE PEOPL THAT IT ISPL THE PEOE THAT MAKE US LOOK GOOD. THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU THAT THE DOCUSERIES COMES UPNG NEXT SPRI AND I AM --IN I AM JUST DYG TO SEE IT, BECAUSE -- IT IS A GREAT -- WHEN YOU GOT A GOOD BADGE, YOU FEEL LIKE THE LAST MAN STANDING. YOU SEE -- RELIVING OF HISTORY AND SEE THAT -- LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THE DOCUSERIES AND SEE

WHAT IT IS ABOUT. >> HERE AGAIN, THANKS AGAIN FOR

ACKNOWLEDGING THIS TREMENDOUS -- >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> WE ARE JOINED BY COUNCILMEMBER GALLEGOS.

HE TOOK OUT OF HIS BUDGET TO FUND THE HPD MUSEUM FOR CHICANO SQUAD. I MADE AN APPEAL FOR MAYOR TURNER HE SHOULDN'T PAY FOR IT OUT OF HIS BUDGET BECAUSE THESE GUYS WORKED ALL OVER THE CITY AND SHOULD BE GENERAL FUNDS.

ROBERT, I AM PROUD THAT YOU DID IT AND MADE IT HAPPEN.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE CHICANO SQUAD THAT IS HERE TODAY. I KNOW THEY CAME TO SPEAK TO ME BACK IN EARLY 2019. AS THE ONLY LATINO COUNCILMEMBER IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THEY COME TO MY OFFICE AND SHARED WITH ME WHAT THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH.

SHARED WITH ME THAT AFTER 40 YEARS, THAT THEY WERE ABOUT TO CELEBRATE THAT THEY HAD NEVER, EVER BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON. SO WHEN THEY SHARED WITH ME THEIR STORIES AND FORMED, THEY WERE GIVEN A LITTLE CORNER TO GO AND DO THEIR WORK. WHEN THEY SHARED WITH ME.

WHEN THEY CAME IN WEARING SUITS. AND THEY WERE MADE FUN OF.

YOU KNOW, WHAT DO YOU THINK THEY ARE GOING TO DO TODAY? THAT HURT. THAT HURT.

TO KNOW THAT AFTER 40 YEARS, THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN RECOGNIZED SO I LET THEM KNOW AND I ASSURED THEM NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO, WORK WITH CHIEF ACEVEDO AT THIS TIME AND WE DID.

WAS ABLE TO GET THE OKAY FROM THE HPD POLICE DEPARTMENT.

I WENT OUT TO THEIR UNIT THAT DOES CONSTRUCTION AND I HAVE MONEY FROM OUR DISTRICT SERVICE FUNDS.

TODAY THERE IS A BEAUTIFUL, GLASS, YOU KNOW, DISPLAY CASE THERE AT HPD'S HEADQUARTERS AND HAS THE MEMORABILIA OF THE CHICANO SQUAD, NOT ONLY MALE, BUT THE FEMALES THERE AT THE TIME. AND IT WILL ALWAYS BE THERE TO TELL THE STORY AND I AM PROUD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO DO THAT.

NOW WITH HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH CALL BACK TO 1977 GRADUATED FROM HIGH SCHOOL. TO HEAR THE STORIES THAT WERE MURDERED BY FIVE POLICE OFFICERS.

BEATEN UP, THROWN INTO THE BAYOU AND OF VIETNAM AND THE COMMENT WAS, LET'S SEE IF THIS WET BACK CAN SWIM.

WE HAVE A MEMORIAL FOR JOSE. WE HAVE A NORTHEAST STATION NAMED AFTER ART CONTRERAS. THING WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCOMPLISH AND TAKEN US DECADES TO HAVE THIS ACKNOWLEDGED, BUT WE GOT IT DONE. AND OUT OF THE ALL THE TROPHIES I HAVE IN MY OFFICE OF THE TEN YEARS IN OFFICE, THIS IS THE ONE I AM MOST PROUD OF. THE CHICANO SQUAD GAVE IT TO ME.

>> IT SAYS A MAN WHO SPEAKS TWO LANGUAGES IS WORTH TWO MEN.

AND CELEBRATING THEIR 40TH ANNIVERSARY.

SO, AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU AGAIN.

[01:00:01]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER BRIE BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION AND HONORING THESE INCREDIBLE HEROES. WE HONOR YOU.

RESPECT YOU. THANK YOU FORE. YOUR SERVIC YOUR SACRIFICE, STRENGTH, AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE TO ADVANCE THIS CITY AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS SO MUCH MORE LUCK TO BE DONE AND WE KNOW THIS IS LONG OVERDUE.

YOU HAVE OUR UPMOST RESPECT AND COMMITMENT THAT WE ARE PUSHING FORWARD. AND ALWAYS FORWARD.

AND THANK YOU COUNCI COUNCILMEMBER GALLEGOS FOR JOINING US AND YOUR POWERFUL WORLD AND WE CAN NOT GO BACK.

YOU ARE THE GIANT WHOSE SHOULDERS WE STAND.

THANK YOU FOR THE CHICANO KWAP SQUAD AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA

FOR BRINGING THIS ISFORWARD. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS:

COMMSIONER RAMSEY. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THANK YOU FOR PAUSING AND REMEMBERING. WE DON'T DO ENOUGH OF THAT.

WE SLOW DOWN AND REMEMBER THE GREAT WORK THAT HAS GONE BEFORE US. LET ME ALSO JUST SAY THE WAY YOU DID IT. THERE WEREN'T BUILDINGS BEING BURNED DOWN OR DOORS BEING HAMMERED.

YOU WENT IN, GOT BUSY AND DID AMAZING THINGS.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID NOW. BEFORE WE ALL GET TOO FAR OUT OF HERE, WE NEED STORIES ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

[LAUGHTER] >>COMMISSONER GARCIA: IS A WHOLER IN THING. WE WON'T GO THERE.

I WILL TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, REAL QUICKLY, THAT WE -- IT -- IT IS IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT AMONGST THE DISCUSSION OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION, WAS A PIONEER AT THE TIME BECAUSE THEY HAD THE FIRST FEMALE ASSIGNED TO THEIR U UNIT.

AND LATER IT WAS -- REPLACED THEIR -- SO WE ARE -- WE ALSO NEED TO REFLECT THAT THIS WAS A UNIT THAT RECOGNIZED THAT, RESPECTED IT AND MADE IT WORK WELL.

I DO WANT TO ASK IF YOU WANT TO SHARE A FEW WORDS SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN DOING SOME VERY IMPORTANT WORK.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING US AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS ON THE COURT. I KNOW I WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF SOME OF THE OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS, MY FATHER.

WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE THE COUNTY RECOGNIZE THE GREAT WORK THAT THE CHICANO SQUAD HAS DONE. LAST MONTH THE 44TH ANNIVERSARY OF THIS UNIT. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH TIME AND ACKNOWLEDGE ONE PERSON IN THE ROOM THAT IS SPECIAL.

LITTLE MAN IN REYES RESCUED. SHE IS IN THE BACK OF THE COURTROOM RIGHT NOW. BUT OVERALL, JUST THANK YOU.

IT FEELS GOOD FOR THE SQUAD. I WILL SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THEM TO BE SEEN AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY FOUR ALL THE

GREAT WORK THEY DID IN THE CITY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK

YOU. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: IN CLOSING, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANTED TO MAKE A POINT WHY IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AS A COUNTY. HOUSTON -- THESE ARE CITY OF HOUSTON EMPLOYEES, HPD OFFICERS, BUT THEY HELP THE COUNTY HOMICIDE DIVISION CLEAR UP A BUNCH OF CASES.

AND IN FACT, I REMEMBER TALKING TO BURT DIAZ WHO TRIED TO CREATE THE CHICANO SQUAD HERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND DIDN'T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF THE LEADERSHIP AT THE TIME.

SO A LOT OF HISTORY HERE, GUYS, AND BEGINNING AGAIN WITH CHIEF CONTRERAS, CECIL, JOE, UP, RAYMOND, ALL THOSE WHO COULDN'T BE HERE. JAMIE, AVILA, THE -- THE -- THE PIONEERS RIGHT THERE AND THESE WEREN'T THE FIRST GUYS.

WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

VERY IMPORTANT. ALWAYS GOOD TO CHIEF CONTRARAS IN PARTICULAR. BEFORE YOU CAME ALONG WAS BEN REYES BUT I WAS THE SECOND FAVORITE.

LEEE BROWN. DO YOU HAVASI ANOTHER.

>>COMMISONER GARCIA: YES, I DO.

THE FINAL RESOLUTION FOR THIS MONTH BEGINNING THE RECOGNITION OF HISPANIC HERITAGE IS -- WE HAVE INTEREST DR. A

[01:05:02]

AND DR. ORDUNA, I WILL JUST SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND I AM SO PROUD TO SEE THIS GROUP IN EXISTENCE WITH YOUR WORK. AND DR. KLINEBERG LIT A FIRE UNDER ME WITH HIS DISCUSSION, BECAUSE THE CONVERSATION SEEMED TO KNEE -- AT LEAST THE WAY I REMEMBER IT, IF HOUSTON DIDN'T MAKE IF, A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC EDUCATION, THAT LATINOS AND AFRICAN-AMERICANS WOULD BE THE LARGEST UNDERCLASS POTENTIALLY IN AMERICA IN THIS COMMUNITY. YOU ARE ALLOWING THAT NOT TO BE THE CASE SO I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING.

I AM UPSET THAT I HAVE TO FOLLOW THESE GUYS.

THAT IS NOT GOOD. I WANT TO SAY GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU. ANY NAME IS DR. ARMANDO ACUNA AND THE EDUCATIONAL NONPROFIT THAT IS DEDICATED TO ELIMINATING THE BARRIERS OF EQUITY FOR CHILDREN IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THAT IS ALL, FOLKS. NEXT WEEK AT THE STATE OF LATINO EDUCATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 28.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHERE? >> RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER AT THE JULIA EISEN BUILDING. FIND TICKETS AT LATINOS FOR

EDUCATION.ORG. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: DOC, LET ME SAY, I PRONOUNCED YOUR NAME ORGUNAS.

BUT IT IS ORGUNA. YOU LOOK TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES. OUR LAW SCHOOL GRAD.

JUDGE HIDALGO, HARVARD. STANFORD GRADUATE AS WELL.

YOU ARE DOING SOME IMPRESSIVE WORK AND OTHERS LIKE YOU ARE PIONEERS. IN FACT, I NEED -- TO MY WATCH LIST THAT I ADDED LAST NIGHT WAS A MILLION MILES AWAY.

THE STORY OF JOSE HERNANDEZ. MO WENT ON TO BECOME ONE OF OUR FIRST LATINO ASTRONAUTS WHO ARE NOW DOCTOR JOSE HERNANDEZ.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU FOR THE EXAMPLE.

THANK YOU FOR THE ROLE MODELING. THANK YOU FOR ENSURING THAT WHEN KIDS OPEN BOOKS AND WE TALKED ABOUT OUR LIBRARIES, THAT PHENOMENAL THINGS HAPPEN. LOOKING FORWARD TO SUPPORTING

YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE WILL TAKE PICTURES AFTERWARDS. BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK YOU HAVE FIRST RESPONDERS.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I DO. QUICKLY, WE ARE IN THE MOOD TO REMEMBER THIS RESOLUTION IS REMEMBERING SEPTEMBER 11, 2023, THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF THAT EVIL ATTACK IN NEW YORK AND WASHINGTON THAT KILLED 2996 OF OUR FELLOW CITIZENS.

IT'S REMEMBERING THE EVIL THAT ATTACK, THATWO AKE A PASSION IN PEOPLE. BUT MORE THANIN ANYTHG,YO WHEN U LOOK AT THE 9/11 MEMORIALS. UP THINK OF IT 9/11 AND THAT WHOLE HORRIBLE STORY. WHEN YOU REMEMBER THAT, YOU HE THINK OF T FIRST RESPONDERS. YOU THINK OF THOSE FIREMEN WHOO WERE RUNNING T THE TOWERS. T YOU THINK OF IT OFHE POLICE OFFICERS. YOU THINK AFTER THAT, THE PEOPLE THAT VOLUNTEER FOR OUR FOREIGN H SERVICES, HOW THEY RAN TO E BATTLE TO ENGAGE WHEREVER IT WAS IN THE WORLD.

I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT WE DO REMEMBER AND SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHETHER THEY BE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR FIRE FIGHTERS OR EMERGENCY MEDICAL PERSONNEL.

THEY GET UP EVERY DAY WITH THE COMMITMENT AND THE COURAGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR CITY AND IT IS WORTH HAVING A MOMENT AND REMEMBERING WHAT YOU DO FOR US EVERY DAY.

AND WE HONOR YOU TODAY WITH THIS RESOLUTION.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MITCHELL WESTON WITH THE MARSHAL COUNTY FIRE OFFICE. THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF FIRE MARSHAL LOW CHRISTIANSON. OFTENTIMES A LITTLE GRATITUDE

[01:10:03]

WE THANK YOU FOR ACKNOWLEDGING THAT AND WE HOPE WE CAN BRING

THAT MESSAGE FORWARD. >> THANK YOU, ALL.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP.

WE CAN NEVER FORGET THAT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAVE A

COUPLE. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU, ALL AGAIN FOR YOUR SERVICE. SO, YES, FIRST IS A RESOLUTION TO HONOR RALPH BA RRCALO. RETIRING FROM PRECINCT 4.

HE WASN'T ABLE TO JOIN US BUT I WANTED TO THANK HIM FOR HIS

SERVICE. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: NEXT WE HAVE AN ITEM WITH REGARD TO OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. MANY OF US KNOW SOMEONE OR LOST SOMEONE THAT WE LOVE AND CHERISH DUE TO OVARIAN CANCER.

AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ACKNOWLEDGE BECAUSE, OF COURSE, THE BEST WAY TO BEAT THE CANCER IS PREVENTION.

SO MAKING SURE EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY HAS ACCESS TO THE CARE THEY NEED FOR PREVENTION. I WILL NOT READ THE RESOLUTION IN ITS ENTIRETY, BUT I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT ONE FACT AGAIN THAT SUPPORTS THE IDEA OF PREVENTION. HALF OF ALL OWE VARY IAN CASE OWES KERR IN WOMEN OVER 63 YEARS OLD.

AND IF YOU HAVE ARE AN EARLY DETECTION, THE SURVIVAL RATES INCREASE DRAMATICALLY, SO IT DECLINES -- A FIVE-YEAR SURVIVAL RATE DRAMATICALLY DECLINES FROM 89% FROM STAGE 1 TO 20% OF STAGE 4. SO EARLY DETECTION IS KEY.

WE HAVE A WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL CENTER AND NEED TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO THAT. I WILL STOP HERE BUT PROUDLY A CAN KNOWLEDGE THAT SEPTEMBER IS OVARIAN CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS HERE TO DISCUSS IT.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD SO

THEY WILL KNOW. >> SURE, ANTHONY CONSTLIS.

I AM ONCOLOGIST. THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING OWE VARY IAN AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.

BETWEEN THE YEARS OF 2016 AND 2022.

AND ANNUALLY. AND CANCEROUS SYSTEMS ARE ON A DAILY BASIS, TROUBLE EATING. BECAUSE OF THIS MOST CANCERS ARE DIAGNOSED AT LATE STAGES. ALL KNOW OWE VARY IAN CANCER REMAINS UNDERFUNDED WE LEARN MORE AND MORE OF HOW CERTAIN CHANGES IN OWE VARYAN I CANCER TUMORS INCREASE OF RISK. IN CLICAL TRIALS ARE ONGOINGCL INUDING AT THE COMPREHENSIVE CONFERENCE CENTER AND HAVE BEEN STRIDES MADE IN THE FAST FIVE OR SO YEARS.

ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO CARE FOR WOMEN WITH TO HE VARY IAN CANCER AND DEDICATE THEIR LIFE OF IMPROVING TREATMENT FOR THOSE PATIENTS AND WOMEN WHO ARE UNFORTUNATELY DIAGNOSED WITH OWE VARY IAN CANCER, THANK YOU FOR DRAWING ATTENTION TO THIS ER

DISEASE. >>COMMISSION BRIONES: THANK YOU DOCTOR AND YOUR TEAM AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU DO.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: PROMOTION.

>> ANOTHER ITEM? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: ONE

OTHER SPEAKER IN THIS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

I AM TYLER GILMAN. FACULTY MEMBER AT MD ANDERSON AND SONCOLOGY SURGEON. AWARENESS IS EVERYTHING ON THIS DISEASE. EFFECTS ONE IN 80 WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY AND UNFORTUNATELY IT IS DIAGNOSED AFTER THE POTENTIAL FOR CURE IS GONE. FIRST AN AWARENESS FOR SYMPTOMS AS THE DOCTOR ALLUDED TO. BLOATING, PELVIC PAIN SHOULD NEVER BE IGNORED. SECOND IS AN AWARENESS THAT WHERE YOU GO FIRST MATTERS AND WE FORTUNATELY IN HARRIS COUNTY MD ANDERSON AND THE CLINICAL TRIALS TO TREAT THIS DISEASE. LASTLY A PERSONAL NOTE AND AWARENESS OF THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCY OF PATIENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THIS DISEASE THAT INSPIRES US TO DO WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY. FOR ALL DO YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU FOR MD ANDERSON FOR BEING A

LEADER IN THE WORLD. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEM 13

NEXT? >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: YES, TWO OTHERS. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL UP OUR LEADERS OF CRECEN AS WE DISCUSS THIS RESOLUTION.

[01:15:03]

MY PHILOSOPHIES WE SHOULDN'T JUST HAVE THE DAYS AND MONTHS A CELEBRATION OF ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY AND ALL CULTURES 365 DAY AS YEAR. WILL TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY OF HISPANIC HERITAGE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME IT THE FRONT, PLEASE, WE ARE HONORING CRECEN WHICH STANDS FOR THE CENTRAL AMERICAN RESOURCE CENTER OF HOUSTON.

CRECEN WAS STARTED IN 1981 BY INDIVIDUALS WHO WANTED SUPPORT REFUGEES AND ESCAPING IN ARMED CONFLICT IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

AS WE THINK OF THE EXTREMELY RICH POPULATION WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CELEBRATING ALL FACETS OF THE LATINO COMMUNITY AND I AM PARTICULARLY PROUD TO HAVE IT TO BE AN ORGANIZATION WORKING ALL DAY, EVERY DAY, INCREASING -- LOCATED IN PRECINCT 4 AND HELPING PEOPLE FROM AROUND THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO WHETHER IT IS HELPING INDIVIDUALS GET CONNECTED TO HOUSING, HEALTH CARE. MR. CIVIC ENGAGEMENT WITHIN OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY. THE WORK YOU DO IS THE FRONT LINES. I AM PROUD THAT CRECEN WORKS IN THIS BEAUTIFUL ELLIS ISLAND THAT IS HARRIS COUNTY.

APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EVERYTHING DO YOU BEYOND.

WITH THAT, WE HAVE OUR LEADER WHO HERE TO SPEAK WITH US AND

THANK YOU FROM PRECINCT 14. >>

>> FOR EVERYONE HERE GREETINGS AND A BIG THANK YOU AND A BIG HUG FROM THE ORGANI ORGANIZATION CRECEN.

COR CONGRATULATE LESLEY BRIONES AND HER TEAM FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR A THE COMMUNITYND THE FUTURE. THE ORGANIZATION CRECEN THAT I REPRESENT HAVE ACCOMPANIED THE MAJORITY OF THE MIGRANTS COMING FROM CENTRAL AMERICA IN OUR COMMUNITY.

IN AS MUCH AS FOUR DECADES OF WORK IN THE BEAUTIFUL CITY OF HOUSTON AND ITS SURROUNDINGS, WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED SO THAT MILLIONS OF OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS CAN OBTAIN THEIR CITIZEN

HIM HERE IN THE UNITED STATES. >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH IS.

>> TODAY WE ARE CONTINUING OUR WORK IN THESE DIVERSE TOPICS THAT AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY AND AFTER ALL THIS TIME OF 40 YEARS, WE ARE CONTINUING WITH THE SAME LOVE THAT WE ARE BORN WITH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND ONCE AGAIN, MANY HUGS TO ALL OF NEW THE FIRM THAT INFORM CRESCEN.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE EDIES, CHRI CHRISTIAN, ROBERTO, OSWALDO. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

GRACIAS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO

OUR COMMUNITY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS:

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ORGANIZATION.

DEFINITELY DOING A LOT OF WORK. VERY SIMILAR TO THE CHICANO SQUAD DURING THE SALVADORAN CONFLICT.

IT BECAME EXTREMELY INSTRUMENTAL.

I JUST SAID THAT THE YEARS HAVE TREATED HIM VERY WELL.

HE LOOKS JUST THE SAME WAY HE DOES WHEN I FIRST MET HIM YEARS AGO. GRACIAS.

[01:20:06]

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE HAVE ONE LAST ONE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IS CRITICAL IMPORTANCE THAT WE MUST FOCUS ON. IT IS REGARDING VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION. AND WE HAVE SEVERAL GUESTS WHO ARE HERE TO SPEAK, INCLUDING OUR WONDERFUL DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

DAVID LEWIS AND RANELL FROM THE HARRIS CENTER AND ELIZ ELIZABETH KLEMAN FROM THE MEDICAL CENTER.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED TO THINK ABOUT EVERY DAY.

HARRIS COUNTY LOSE AS VETERAN TO SUICIDE EVERY FIVE TO SIX DAYS.

VETERANS CAN MAKE UP 3.5% OF HARRIS COUNTY.

3.5% OF OUR POPULATION BUT THEY ACCOUNT FOR 11% OF OUT SUICIDES.

11%. AND OUR SERVICE MEMBERS DESERVE OUR RESPECT. AND THEY DESERVE OUR SUPPORT.

AND WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHERS A COMMUNITY TO DESTIGMATIZE MENTAL ILLNESS SO EVERYONE FEELS COMFORTABLE GOING TO GET THE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES THEY NEED ESPECIALLY OUR VETERANS THAT SACRIFICED EVERYTHING FOR OUR DEMOCRACY AND OUR NATION.

AS THE PROUD GRANDDAUGHTER OF VETERANS, IAL SUTE YOU, I SUPPORT YOU, AND I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THIS ISSUE AND I WANT TO DESIGNATE SEPTEMBER 22 AS VETERAN SUICIDEAY AWARENESS D AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, DIRECTORSE LEWIS.

PLEA SAY A FEW E WORDS. >> DAVLEWIS, DIRECTOR OF VETERAN SERVICES FOR HARRIS THANK YOU VERY MUCH, COMMISSIONER FOR 450I89ING THIS.

DISPROPORTIONATELY EFFECTS OUR VETERAN POPULATION.

SOMETHING WE NEED TO TOP TALKING TABOO ABOUT IT.

THERE ARE A LOT OF RESOURCES. WE RECOGNIZED A BUNCH OF HEROES IN THE ROOM. THOSE SITTING IN FRONT OF YOU OUR SUICIDE PREVENTION AND RESOURCE COORDINATION FOR HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY, THE SPARK.

WE HOPE TO SPARK THE CONVERSATION.

THESE ARE HEROES THAT ARE WORKING NOT NECESSARILY THAT YOU SEE EVERY DAY ARE YOU BEFORE WORKING HARD IN THE TRENCHES HELPING TO TAKE CARE OF ALL YOU HAVE OUR FOLKS.

FOLKS FROM IT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HERE.

V.A. THE HARRIS CENTER. NUMEROUS NONPROFITS.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE.

AND THE TEXAS STATE LEGISLATURE RECOGNIZED THIS AS A STATE RECOGNITION DAY AS WELL. A LOT WENT THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE THIS YEAR, BUT THIS IS ONE THAT CLEARED.

>>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS U

UP. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT.

WE HAVE A MARINE IN THE ROOM. Y'ALL BE NICE TO HIM.

BUT TO HONOR OUR VETERANS, WE ARE GRATEFUL.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: COUPLE MORE SPEAKERS.

>> GOOD MORNING, JANELLE LONG WITH THE HARRIS CENTER.

THANK YOU THE COURT, THE COMMISSIONERS AND EVERYBODY HA PARTICIPATED IN SPARK. WE APPRECIATE THE EFFORTS AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE VETERANS, THE SERVICE MEMBERS AND THEIR VETERANS KNOW THAT THEY ARE NOT ALONE.

THE HARRIS CENTER OF MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT VETERAN AND THANKFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE A RESPECTED AND UNIQUE POPULATION. WE GENUINELY APPRECIATE THEIR SERVICE AND HOPE TO BE ABLE TO GIVE BACK TO THE VETERANS.

WE ARE COMMITTED TO IT PROVIDING HIGH-QUALITY CARE TO THEM AND THE FAMILY MEMBERS AND SUPPORT THE CONNECTIVENESS.

AND TO ADDRESS ANY MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE.

WE PRIDE OURSELF WITH THE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY, WITH SPARK, WITH THE COURTS. AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH OUR EFFORTS TO ADDRESS THE NEED WITH THE HOPE THAT NO VETERANS DIE FROM SUICIDE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: THANK YOU FOR YOU YOUR WORK.

>> MY FLAME IS ELIZABETH KLEMAN, LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER AT THE HARRIS VA. I WORK ALONGSIDE THE VETERAN ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU HEARD MR. LEWIS MENTIONS, COMMUNITY PROVIDERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS, MANY OF WHICH ARE HERE TODAY.

THE SUICIDE PREVENTION OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND LIKE TO CALL IT SPARK. WE ARE WANTING TO SPARK A CONVERSATION. I WOULD LIKE TO START BY THANKING COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THE COURT FOR ACKNOWLEDGING SEPTEMBER AS SUICIDE VETERAN PREVENTION DAY.

PREVENTING VETERAN SUICIDE IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY AT THE VA. 6,000 EMPLOYEES TRAINED TO RESPOND TO A VETERAN IN CRISIS BUT SUICIDE PREVENTION IS EVERYBODY'S BUSINESS AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE VETERAN WHO DIE FROM SUICIDE DO NOT RECEIVE THEIR CARE AT THE VA AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT IT WE CAN'T DO IT ALONE.

[01:25:03]

AND VETERANS LIVE, WORK AND THRIVE.

ON BEHALF OF SPARK, WE APPRECIATE TRULY THE ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF VETERAN SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY AND THE SUPPORT TO HELP VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

THAT IS YOUR LAST ONE. RIGHT, COMMISSION HER IN OKAY, LET'S -- WE WILL TAKE A BREAK -- .

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IT IS NOW 12:0237 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RETURNED FROM RECESS AND IS BACK IN SESSION.

WHAT WE WILL DO NOW IS GO TO THE BUDGET.

SO I NOW OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING TO TAKE TESTIMONY FOR ITEMS 376 AND 377 RELATED TO THE BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, S HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HARRICOUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. TIFFANY, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL UP ANY SPEAKERS FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE BUDGET.

>>CLERK: YES, SIR. SPEAKER NUMBER 23, KATIE MERSDA.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THEY EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE, RIGHT? SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.

>> KATIE MERSDA. LIVE IN PRECINCT 2 AND I REPRESENT THE IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER AND THE HOUSTON IMMIGRANT RIGHTS. I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL OF YOU FOR EXPANDING AND INCREASING FUNDS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS PRO THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTO TWO ADDITIONAL ZIP CODES. I WAS SEVERELY DISAPPOINTED TO SEE THE REST OF THE COURT MUCH COURT FAIL TO FOR THIS PROPOSAL.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU SAID YOU WERE VOTING FOR THE JAIL CONTRACTS. AND WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE SPEND FUNDS ON ACTIVE MEASURES. THE.

WE HAVE E-MAILED A LETTER TO YOUR STAFF ON BEHALF THE COALITION ASKING TO YOU REVERSE YOUR VOTES AND OTHERS AS WELL.

WE WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT.

POLICING HAS BEEN HARRIS COUNTY'S PRIMARY APPROACH TO ADDRESSING CRIME AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BUDGET IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE THAT THIS YEAR OVERNIGHT, BUT AT MINIMUM, ALL RESIDENTS DESERVE A MINIMUM COMMITMENT.

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

>>CLERK: IN NEXT IS ERIC BATTEN. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> ERIC BATTEN WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES ASSOCIATION.

THIS WILL SOUND PRETTY FAMILIAR FOLKS OF SOMEONE THAT LOOKED A LOT LIKE ME. WE ARE ASKING FOR A COMMITMENT FROM THE COURT FOR A RESOLUTION FOR ADDITIONAL 7% PAY INCREASE EACH YEAR FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS.

THIS COMMITMENT FROM THE COURT TO LAW ENFORCEMENTS AND THE COMMUNITIES YOU SERVE WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVE OUR ABILITY TO COMPETE WITH SURROUNDING AGENCIES.

ADDITIONALLY WILL APPROVE EACH AGENCIES FOR PERSONNEL AND HELP WITH THE RECRUITMENT EXPERTS. PROFESSIONALS -- THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS. MANY OF US ARE SET TO RETIRE IN THE NEXT THREE TO FOUR YEARS, WE WILL SEED SIGNIFICANT PAY I CREASES. COMMISSIONERS, WE CAN NOT CONTINUE TO RETAIN THESE PERSONNEL.

LAST MONTH WE LOST 76%. OVER 10% WAS DUE TO RETIREMENT.

THESE NUMBERS ARE UNSUSTAINABLE. THE REST DUE TO RESIGNATION AND

TERMINATIONS. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR COMING. >>CLERK: DR. MELANIE JOHNSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSION.

AGAIN, I AM MELANIE JOHNSON. PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ORGANIZATION COLLABORATIVE FOR CHILDREN.

I DON'T HAVESH TO ARE THE IMPORTANCEEA OF RLY CHILD CARE IN THIS COMMUNITY BUT ASKING ON BEHALF OF 377 THAT YOU APPROVE THE BUDGET, BECAUSE -- INTEGRATED IN THAT BUDGET IS OUR OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE EVIDENCE-BASED SUSTAINABLE CHILD CARE FOR THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY AREA.

AS A RESULT OF COVID, WE LOSTHE ONE THIRD OF T CHILD CARE S CENTERS. IT INOT NICE TO HAVE, IT IS A NEEDS TO HAVE. IT IS AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WE OFTEN THINK ABOUT REACTIVELY, BUT ONE WE MUST APPROACH PROACTIVELY. SO AT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD INCOME FUNDS, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COME TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE FUNDING SOURCES TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A SUSTAINABLE MODEL THAT HAS EVIDENCE BEHIND IT -- RESEARCH EVIDENCE SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO UPHOLD THAT VERY IMPORTANT PART OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS CHRISTOPHER RIV

[01:30:08]

RIVERA. >> HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME HERE. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA AND HEAR TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET.

I WANT TO APPLAUD THE COMMISSIONER FOR INVESTING MORE IN THE HEART PROGRAM BUT DISAPPOINTED THAT THE COMMUNITY VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER PROGRAM DID NOT GET SUPPORT.

THEY SERVE FOUR AREA CODES AND I HOPE TO EXPAND THAT BECAUSE IT HELPS REDUCE VIOLENCE AND IT MAKES THE COMMUNITY SAFER.

IF IT IS A ISSUE OF FUNDING, INSTEAD OF USING THE ARPA DOLLARS WHICH IS $ 5.4 MILLION INTO OFFICERS' SALARIES.

WE SHOULD USE THAT FUNDING TO INVEST IN, BECAUSE AS I MENTIONED BEFORE, IT REDUCES VIOLENCE AND DOES HELP PEOPLE IN NEED INSTEAD OF CRIMINALIZING THEM INSTEAD OF THE CONSTABLES AND SHERIFFS. I HOPE NEXT YEAR WE CAN INVEST IN THAT AND EXPAND THIS PROGRAM. AND I BELIEVE THAT IT WILL BE JUST AS SUCCESSFUL IF WE INVEST IN IT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS SABA BLANDING. >> HI, GOOD MORNING.

ANY NAME IS SABA BLANDING AND I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. THANK YOU FOR EXPANDING HEART AND INCREASING FUNDS FOR PUBLIC DEFENDERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOCATING FUNDS. I AM CONCERNED WITH THE CONTINUING 37.3 MILLION OF FUNDING FOR OUTSOURCING OF PRISONERS. $14 MILLION IN GENERAL FUND TO OUTSOURCE PRISONER TO LASALLE AND ADDITIONAL $23.3 MILLION TO GARZA COUNTY. OTHER SOLUTIONS WHICH I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS. I WAS ALSO DISAPPOINTED THAT THE COUNTY DID NOT SUPPORT THE EXPANSION OF CPIB.

HAS TO A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF SHOOTINGS AND KILLINGS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR THE INVESTMENTS AND HELPING THE HUMAN SERVICES. AND WE JUST ASK FOR MORE.

THANK YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS AMA SHERIFF.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I DON'T THINK THAT PERSON IS HERE.

WHO DO YOU HAVE NEXT. >>CLERK: NEXT IS MARIE ARCOS.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, MARIE ARCOS WITH THE YMCA OF GREATER HOUSTON. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO ADDRESS YOU AND SUPPORT BUDGET LINE ITEM 377 FOR EARLY CHILD CARE INITIATIVES. ONE OF THE YMCA'S PRIORITY IS AFFORDABLE CHILD CARE AND AS ARPA FUNDS COME TO AN END ACROSS THE NATION, OFFICER FOCUSING A CRISIS CALLED THE CHILD CARE CLIFF. AND POSES A THREAT TO THE ACADEMIC SUCCESS OF OUR YOUTH. THE YMCA SERVED HARRIS COUNTY FOR OVER 136 YEARS AND LEADER IN CHILDAR CE SERVICES.

OUR MISSION INVOLVES STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION OF OUR COMMUNITY; HOWEVER, WE RECOGNIZE AT THE Y WE CAN NOT DO THIS IN ISOLATION. WE STAND RED TO COLLABORATE WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO DEVELOP COMP TEMPORARY BUSINESS MODELS AND STRATEGY TOLD SUPPORT EARLY CHI CARE.

THE YMCA RECEIVED FUNDS DURING COVID RELIEF --

>> ARCONTINUE. >> CHILD CE INITIATIVE GRANTS THROUGH THE COUNTY ARPA FUNDS. AS AN EARLY RESULT, WE ARE POISED TO OPEN TEN NEW INFANT SPACES THROUGH THE EARLY REACH GRANT OPPORTUNITY. AND WE ARE ONE OF THE PROVIDERS OUGHT OF 13 YMCA CHILD CARE CENTERS.

WHAT THAT MEANS FOR OUR PARENTS, $15,000 IN TUITION FOR A PARENT.

IT IS ALSO A WAGE INCREASE FOR OUR CHILD CARE WORKERS OF ABOUT $6,000 ANNUALLY A YEAR. VERY CAN I GO CAN'T.

WE WHOLEHEARTEDLY URGE YOU TO CONSIDER MAINTAINING OR EVEN INCREASING THE FUND FOR EARLY CHILD CARE INITIATIVES.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

I AM CURIOUS, IF THE CITY USE ANY OF THEIR ARPA MONEY FOR

CHILD CARE? >> WHAT I AM -- NO.

WE -- THE Y SERVED ON -- NOT PART OF OUR CHILD CARE STAFF, BUT OUR CHILD CARE STAFF WITH A COALITION WITH COUNTY AND CITY EARLY INITIATIVE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE AS OF YESTERDAY, NO FUNDS WERE RECEIVED FROM THE CITY.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I DON'T KNOW IF -- DO THEY HAVE ANY GENERAL FUND MONEY THAT GOES INTO IT?

>> I HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANY OUR COUNCILMEMBERS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WANT TO RAISE IT.

BECAUSE THEY ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A CHANGE OVER THERE IN THE CITY.

I AM PROUD OF WHAT WE CHOSE TO DO WITH THE ARPA MONEY.

A TREMENDOUS FOCUS ON EQUITY, BUT I WOULD SAY GOING INTO THIS

[01:35:05]

THE ATTITUDE IF YOU START, WHAT WILL THEY DO WHEN THE FEDERAL

MONEY IS GONE. >> WE HAVE BEEN VERY CONSERVATIVE WITH THE WAY WE HAVE USED TWC ARPA DOLLARS.

WE RECEIVED $23 MILLION. >> I AM VERY PLEASED.

I AM JUST SAYING I KNOW HOW IT WORKS WHICH IS GONE.

WE APPRECIATE THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S WHERE IT CAME FROM. BUT I WANT TO STRESS WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THE CASE, WHEN THAT MONEY IS GONE, GOING IN THE GENERAL REVENUE, YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT CASE TO OTHER ENTITIES AS WELL. OBVIOUSLY MAKE IT TO THE STATE.

WHAT I FOUND IN MY YEARS, MOST PEOPLE WILL GO TO PEOPLE WHO AGREE WITH THEM. THEY DON'T WANT TO TALK TO

PEOPLE WHO DON'T. >> I WILL TALK WITH THEM.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THE Y IS GOOD AT THAT.

YOU HAVE A LOT OF CLOUT. >>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: THANK YOU, MARIE. APPRECIATE FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR ADVOCATING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

VERY IMPORTANT TO ME AND LOOKING FORWARD HOW WE CAN DO THIS.

>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT.

>> NEXT IS KORETTA BROWN. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS KORETTA BROWN AND I AM A SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCATE WITH A 501-C-3. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE PUBLIC SAFETY. PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD ALSO INCLUDE THE SAFETY OF POTATO THE RESIDENTS AND THE EMPLOYEES OF THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. THE CONTINUED DEATH, MISTREATMENT AND LACK OF PROTECTION OF RESIDENTS FROM PREDATORY BEHAVIORS IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL CAUSED A LAWSUIT TO BE FILED AGAINST THE JAIL. IT IS OUR POSITION THAT WE ASK THAT THE JAIL BE GIVEN A BUDGET TO DO A STUDY ON THE PROS AND CONS OF INCREASING THE BUDGET TO HIRE GRADUATES OF HIGHER LEARNING AND SOCIOLOGY AT THE DETENTION OFFICERS SO THAT THE OFFICERS ARE PAID FAIRLY AND HAVE THE SKILLSET TO PURPOSELY WORK WITH JAIL RESIDENTS. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOO R H BEINGERE. XT

NE. >>CLERK: NEXT IS MARISSA HANSON.

>> MARISSA HANSON. I HAVE A QUESTION FOR YOU CONCERNING THE MOBILE BUYOUT. HOW DO APPRAISALS FOR MOBILE HOMES GO UP 400% IN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD AND A MANDATORY FLOOD ZONE. PRIOR TO 2019, THE AREA WAS ONLY WORTH $1 MILLION. NOW IT IS ALMOST $5 MILLION.

AND YOU ARE USING GLO FUNDS OVER THIS BUYOUT PROGRAM.

AND THE BUYOUT PROGRAM IS ONLY IN YOU AND GARCIA'S DISTRICT.

SO CAN YOU PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT IS GOING ON AND WHY THE APPRAISALS MORE MOBILE HOMES WENT UP 400% IN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD. THERE IS OVER SIX OF THOSE AREAS. AND THEY ARE ALL REDISTRICTED IN YOU AND GARCIA'S LOCATIONS. I KNOW ELI SASON.

I KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON. THIS IS FRAUD.

>>CLERK: THANK YOU, TIME IS UP. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT

SPEAKER. >> PEOPLE IN --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOUR TIME IS UP.

>>CLERK: THAT IS ALL FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANYONE ELSE PRESENT WHO WANTS TO SPEAK ON THE BUDGET? OKAY.

I AM NOW CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEMS 376 AND 377 RELATED TO FY '24 BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

WE WILL NOW TAKE A VOTE ON ITEM 376 AND 377 TO ADOPT THE IF,Y '24 ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THE HARRIS COUNTY -- AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SO MEMBERS, I AM GOING TO READ THE MOTION AND SEE IF SOMEONE WILL MAKE THE MOTION.

HERE IS THE LANGUAGE. FOR ITEM 376, MOTION TO APPROVE THE FY 2024 BUDGET FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT, DBA, HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM AS PRESENTED.

[01:40:01]

>> ON ITEM 377, JUST WANT TO CLARIFY ON THE AMOUNT.

THERE WAS A. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: FROM

EARLIER. >> GO AHEAD AND READ THAT, IF

YOU WOULDN'T MIND. >> THERE WAS A CORRECTION.

>> CORRECTION. >> OKAY.

SO I THINK WHEN I GET -- WHEN I GET TO IT NEXT.

YOU WANT ME TO DO BOTH -- BOTH MOTIONS NOW?

>> YOU CAN DO THE FIRST BURN AND THEN THE SECOND ONE.

>> 376 AND I HAVE THE CORRECTED VERSION.

IT WAS CORRECT FOR 376. >> 76 IS CORRECT.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED IT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED, SAY NAY. >> THIS IS THE HARRIS?

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 376 IT IS.

>> NO. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THREE AYES. AND ONE NAY.

376 IS PASSED. >> AS PRESENTED.

>>. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: AS PRESENTED. THE NEXT ONE YOU WILL READ FOR 377. MOTION MOVE TO APPROVE THE FY 2024 ANNUAL BUDGETS FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WHICH INCLUDES A TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET OF

>> SO MOVED. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY GENERAL FUND AND TOTAL APPROPRIATIONS BUDGET OF $257 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL GENERAL FUND.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES THE MOTION.

AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS IT.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: I HAVE A COMMENT

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YES, SIR. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: VOTE ON THE BUDGET THAT WE WILL HAVE NTACTSI .AM SITTING HERE TODAYCH WHI IS A BITA OF SURPRISE FOR SOME , PEOPLEBUT IN THK I AM BEING CONSISTENT WITH WHAT I HAVE ADVOCATED SINCE I BECAME COMMISSIONER. AND THAT'S IT WE FOCUS ON SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND WHAT I NEED TO CLEARLY COMMUNICATE IS THAT THIS BUDGET PROVIDES 119 MILLION DOLLARS FR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN COMMITMENT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT THEY THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

SO 119 MILLION REASONS WHY I SUPPORTED THIS BUDGET.

THERE IS 119 MILLION REASONS WHY I AM SITTING HERE.

SO I SAY THAT WITH SOME DEGREE OF PASSION.

SOME DEGREE OF COMMITMENT. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY THIS.

I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES, MR. ELLIS, MR. GARCIA, MRS. BRIONES. HOW THE BUDGET PROCESS WAS DONE AT THIS TABLE WAS A STARK DIFFERENCE TO HOW IT WAS DONE LAST YEAR. AND I WANT TO CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE. THAT IS THE PEOPLE SITTING HERE.

YOU LEFT YOUR PARTISAN AT THE DOOR.

WE FOCUSED ON WHAT WAS IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND IT MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN THE WORLD.

MAY THIS BE AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE DO THIS IN THE FUTURE.

NOW I AM LOOKING AT OUR BUDGET OFFICER.

AND MR. RAMOS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

I WILL RECOMMEND NEXT YEAR THAT WE HAVE PUBLIC MEETINGS FOR EVERY DEPARTMENT. AND THEY NOT BE CLOSED.

I THINK THAT IS MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT IN WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. OUR OFFICES ALWAYS HAD SOMEBODY THERE. AND WE COMMUNICATED WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PROCESS. SO I -- THAT WOULD BE THAT PART.

THE LAST THING I AM GOING TO TOUCH ON IS FAIRNESS.

Y'ALL HAVE COMMITTED THAT WHATEVER WE DO HERE IS FAIR.

AND I THINK FOR THE MOST PART, WE HAVE GOT THERE.

BUT I THINK I CAN TELL YOU IN SOME PLACES AS IT RELATES TO HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 3 IT HAD BEEN FAIR.

I WANT TO COMMUNICATE THAT HERE TODAY.

I WANT TO ASK THAT IT BE FAIR, THAT JUST BECAUSE I REPRESENT 1.2 MILLION PEOPLE, DON'T -- DON'T TAKE WHATEVER ISSUES THAT THERE MAY BE WITH THE PARTISAN ISSUES THAT MAY BE IN AUSTIN OR WASHINGTON, DON'T BRING THAT HERE.

THE SPECIFIC EXAMPLE I WILL GIVE IS THERE WAS A VOTE BY THIS COURT TO -- FOR A BOND ISSUE FOR 2022 BOND ISSUE.

IN THAT BOND ISSUE, A COMMITMENT WAS MADE AT THIS TABLE, INCLUDING JUDGE HIDALGO THAT EACH PRECINCT GET A MINIMUM OF

[01:45:05]

SO I WOULD JUST SAY, THERE IS STILL TIME.

THERE IS STILL ROOM. I CAME HERE TODAY IN GOOD FAITH.

I WILL ASK YOU ALL IN GOOD FAITH TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF MANAGING THAT FAIR, BECAUSE THAT WAS SAID AT THIS TABLE. THAT WE DO SPEND THE 220 AND RIGHT NOW -- AND RIGHT NOW THAT -- THAT -- THAT IS NOT THE CASE.

I -- AGAIN HE. I WANT TO APPLAUD THIS PROCESS.

YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB OF CHAIRING THESE MEETINGS AND MOVING THEM ALONG, IF YOU WILL. THAT IS WHY I'M HERE AND WHY I AM VOTING MAYBE NOT IN SXOR OF EVERYTHING BUT THE GENERAL FACTS AND ALSO MORE. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK GARCIA. MISSIONER

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: ON COMMISSIER RAMSEY, I WANT TOAM SAY I NOT SURPRISED THAT YOU ARE HERE.

REALLY NOT. AS FOLKS ASKED ME HOW THEY THOUGHT THIS WOULD GO I SAID I THINK TOM HAS A GOOD FOCUS ON ACCOUNTING. AND I THINK HE IS INTERESTED IN DOING THE RIGHT THING AND THE BEST FOR HIS PRECINCT AND THE COUNTY IN GENERAL. AND I WANT TO TELL YOU I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WORK.

I HEAR THE POINT OF THE CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE IN YOUR PRECINCT, AND THERE IS A LOT OF SIMILARITIES BETWEEN YOUR PRECINCT AND PRECINCT 4. SO IT RELATES TO ME NOT BECAUSE OF SIMILARITY BUT I WAS IN YOUR CHAIR WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE.

SO THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE, BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND I REALLY DO RESPECT AND APPRECIATE YOUR WORK HERE TODAY.

>> I WILL JUST SAY THAT I ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S SENTIMENTS. NOT JUST AT THIS TABLE BUT IN PRECINCTS. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND

YOUR COMMITMENT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WILL JUST MAKE A FEW COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I REMEMBER IN AUSTIN AN EMOTIONAL ISSUE CAME UP AND I WENT TO THE GOVERNOR AND SAID I WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOME GOOD THINGS ABOUT THE WORK WHEN I TO DO HELP YOU SO I AM NOT SURE IF I SAID SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT YOU THAT I WOULD HELP YOU OR NOT.

I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IN MY YEARS OF POLITICS.

MAY NOT BE WHAT I WANT, BUT I ALWAYS FELT LIKE THERE WAS A TTIME TO CAMPAIGN AND I DO IT HARD.

MAKE NO BONES ABOUT IT. BUT MY 40 YEARS IN GOVERNMENT, MY FOCUS HAS BEEN ON DOING THE BEST THAT I CAN WITH WHAT I HAVE AND WORKING WITH THE PEOPLE THAT I HAVE.

I FIND THAT EVEN WHEN I DISAGREE WITH SOMEBODY PHILOSOPHICALLY, I HAVE A LOT MORE IN COMMON WITH THEM THAN I WOULD REALIZE AND I LOOK AT THEM AND I THINK WE ALL SHOULD.

I WANT TO SAY TO YOU THAT I JOKE ALL THE TIME AND SAY I KNOW WHAT IT IS LIKE TO BE IN THE MINORITY.

WHEN I GOT HERE, YOU THINK YOU HAVE SOME PROBLEMS, BUT I PUT MY HAND UP AND SAID I HAVE AN A MINORITY ALL MY LIFE.

PERSONALLY I THINK BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL.

IT IS A WONDERFUL THING. WHEN WE TALK OF EQUITY AND FAIRNESS, ALL OF US IF WE ARE SERIOUS IT CAN'T START WITH WHERE WE ARE. WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE. AND IN THIS COUNTY, THE PRECINCTS THAT HAVE THE ONE AND TWO WHEN AL FRANCO, TED BASS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO HAD IT BEFORE

SYLVIA. >>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: FONTINO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THEY WERE ISSUES AND ALWAYS WITH FORMULAS.

FOR EXAMPLE, WE ALL KNOW HOW THAT WORKS.

SOMEBODY DECIDES WHO WILL FILL THAT ROLE FOR THAT PERSON.

I WILL SAY, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TOTALITY OF IT -- BEFORE WE DO THINGS. AND I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THAT IS HOW WE COME CLOSER THEN WE ARE NOW.

[01:50:12]

I RAISED CAIN LAST WEEK ABOUT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BY THE WAY, BUT WE HAVE TO MAKE SURET THA DON'T PUT -- THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS DON'T DO THINGS BECAUSE THEY THINK IT MIGHT HELP THEM OR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. C AND THATREATES MORE FRICTION THAN WE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE. BL WE ARE VERY CAPAE ON OUR OWN OF GETTING INTO FIST FIGHTS AND DON'T NEED HI HELP.

TO THAT END, I WILL PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA TORE MA SURE. IF THE ARE OTHER AREAS IN THIS BUDGET WHERE SOMEBODY HAS A ONE OFF OR ONE UP.

SOME GOING ON BEFORE WE GOT HERE AND AT LEAST GOING FORWARD.

YOU KNOW WHAT I AM MAKING REFERENCE TO.

IF THERE ARE OTHERS, DON'T PUT NEWS A POSITION.

AS ONE WHO VOTED TO CREATE THE STRUCTURE, IT WAS A CLOSE VOTE, AS I RECALL DUE TO COUNTY MANAGEMENT FORM OF GOVERNMENT.

I DON'T NEED BUREAUCRACY TO HELP ME GET IN DISAGREEMENTS WITH MY COLLEAGUES. EACH OF US ARE CAPABLE OF DOING THAT ON OUR OWN JUST DON'T DO IT.

I KNOW THE COUNTY MANAGER SAID COME BACK WITH SOMETHING SO WE CAN SAFEGUARD IT. NOT GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET AND FIND OUT THROUGH THE RUMOR MILL. IT CREATES UNNECESSARY DISTRACTIONS AND WILL PUT ANY ONE OF US IN A POSITION THAT WE FEEL LIKE WE ARE NOT FIGHTING FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS.

DON'T PUT US IN A POSITION TO FIGHT FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS WILL END UP UNNECESSARILY FIGHTING EACH OTHER.

I WOULD JUST STRESS THAT. A MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.

YOU MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS SE SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NO. IT PASSES 4-0.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAVE RELATED MOTION ON THE BUDGET.

MY MOTION WOULD READ TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO DEVELOP A PROCESS, POLICY AND TIMELINE TO DELETE UNFUNDED POSITION CONTROL NUMBERS PCN IN THE PEOPLE SOFT SYSTEM. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED SOMETHING TO THIS REGARD AT THE LAST MEETING.

I THINK YOU ARE FOCUSED ON THE FUNDED BUT UNUSED.

AND I THINK IT IS GOOD FOR US TO START WITH UNFUNDED ONE AND I

WILL MAKE THE MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ANY

COMMENTS OR SECOND. >> SECOND.

>> COMMISSIONER, IF YOU CAN SEND IT TO US.

THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU WANT ME TO READ IT TO YOU? DO YOU HAVE A COPY OF IT? FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE. ANY CONCERNS?

>> I THINK THIS WILL BE SUPER HELPFUL.

I ASKED SOME OF YOU TO FLAG -- THAT THERE IS AN AUDIT REPORT THAT YOU WILL HAVE A PRESENTATION ON LATER TODAY.

AND AGAIN, WHAT I SAID CONSISTENTLY IS I THINK THERE ARE MORE THINGS THAT SHOULD COME THAT ARE UNDER THE COMMISSION'S PER VIEW AND EVEN IF IT IS A RUBBER STAMP AND DOING THE PERSONAL TRANSACTIONS IN THE LIGHT OF DAY.

THING IS A VERY PROMISING FIRST STEP AND TO HELP CONTINUE THE MOMENTUM. ON THE BUDGET SIDE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST THAT YOU PLACED IN ME AND THE BUDGET IS HEAVILY AMENDED, BUT VARIOUS POINTS I SAID, HEY, HE WILL TRY SOMETHING A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT.

AND TO TRUST ME AND THE END PRODUCT WILL BE WHAT YOU ALL WANT IT TO BE. SO I APPRECIATE THAT TRUST AND I APPRECIATE MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE PROCESS AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS.

AND MY TEAM. WE ARE COLLECTIVELY RAISING THE STANDARD. WHEN WE TALK OF ONE-OFF ISSUES, TALK ABOUT NOT KNOWING WHAT WE ARE VOTING FOR.

AND CONVERSATION WITH EACH OF YOU.

WE ARE RAISING THE STANDARD AND THE MORE WE DO IT, THE MORE YOU ALL MR. HAVE CONTROL WHAT YOU ARE VOTING FOR.

>> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THERE IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED. FOUR AYES, IT PASSES.

ANY OTHER COMMENTS. >> USED THE WORD "HEAVILY AMENDED." LET'S DESCRIBE HEAVILY.

IN THE BALLPARKF O$260IL MLION, THAT BALLPARK.

>> GIVE OR KETA. >>HI TS -- WE WERE HERE THIS TIME LAST YEAR. WE ADOPTED AGE BUDT AND IT WAS AMENDED M$260ILLION I NOWN TERMS OFAS ARE OF IMPROVEMENT,

[01:55:03]

BUTO ME, WHATEVER WEET SAID, WHHER I VOTED FOR IT OR NOT,AT THAT IS WH WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COMMISSIONERMM BRIONES.

>>COISSIONER BRIONES: DIRECTOR, A THANK YOU.

WERE W RAISING THE BAR ANDE D NEED TO KEEPOING FOTHAT.

THANK YOU R HAVING THESE BUDGET PUBLIC TOWN HALLS. I LET'S KEEP DOINGT. LET'S DO MORE.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONERE RAMSEY, SHOULD BIC OPEN TO THE PUBL AND MORE TRANSPARENCY TO H DRIVE FORWARD INARRIS COUNTY THE BETTER OFF WE WILL ALL BE. FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONES REALLY ON THE FRONT LINES OF DRIVING U FORWARD. THANYOU.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU TOO. MY COMMENT. E NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT WDO THAN THE BUDGET. R SAYS EVERYTHING ABOUT OU VALUES.

ONE OF MY BOSSES SAID 90% BUDGET.

10% POETRY. IT REALLY IS.

BECAUSE WHERE YOU PUT THE MONEY. NOT THE RESOLUTIONS WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, BUT THE MONEY THAT COMES WITH THE RESOLUTIONS.

AND BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER THE OPEN MEETINGS LAW, THE STATE IS NOT. SO WHAT WE DID WAS REALLY SMALL IN COMPARISON TO -- ONE TIME I CHAIRED THE FINANCE COMMISSION.

AND TWO-YEAR CYCLE. YOU KNOW, YOU COULD GO IN THE BACK ROOM AND SAY A LOT OF THINGS, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE LUXURY OF DOING THAT. SO IN NO WAY WHEN WE AMEND IT, SHOULD ANYBODY TAKE THAT THE WRONG WAY.

AND I KNOW YOU DIDN'T MEAN THAT. BUT IT IS REALLY THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL MORE IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN SAY ABOUT OUR VALUES. I WANT TO STRESS THAT GOING FORWARD, I DIDN'T OFFER THIS AMENDMENT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ALL THE BACK-UP. AND THE CULTURE HIT THE COUNTY.

NOT YOUR FOUGHT. IT WAS NOT THERE.

SO WE WANT TO KNOW. AND LAST BIT OF ADVICE, AGAIN, IT GAVE ME THE PLAN THAT YOU HAD THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL THING.

ENGINEER REPUBLICAN BILL SAID RODNEY, IF YOU DON'T USE THE STATE'S BUDGET TO GO PASS YOUR LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES.

I WANT TO SAY OH, LIKE YOU BOYS DID.

YOU KNOW, BUT I DID NOT DO THAT. YOU KNOW.

ALTHOUGH CERTAINLY A TEMPTATION. FOR ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS, I WANT TO STRESS YOU DON'T USE THE COUNTY'S BUDGET TO GO CUT DEALS WITH COMMISSIONERS. AT SOME POINT WE FIND OUT.

IT TAKES A WHILE, BUT IT ALWAYS -- SOMEBODY ALWAYS TALKS, YOU KNOW, THEY FORGET DOWN THE ROAD. I WANT TO STRESS THAT.

NOW WE HAVE -- I KNOW IT IS A LONG DAY, BUT WE HAVE 24 SPEAKERS THAT -- THAT ARE LEFT. THREE OF US HAVE TO BE HERE.

SOMEBODY HAS TO TIP OUT. IT IS UP TO YOU ALL.

BUT MY SUGGESTION WILL BE IF THEY WAITED ALL THIS TIME, YOU KNOW. I TOLD YOU I AM HUNGRY, BUT I THINK WE ARE GOING -- IS THAT OKAY? Y'ALL HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH. AND WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS. SO YOU CALL THEM UP IN THE ORDER

THEY ARE LISTED PETITION. >>CLERK: YES, SPEAKER NUMBER 14,

TAYLOR THOMAS SPEAK ON ITEM 17. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PLEASE STAY YOUR NAME. YOU HAVE A MINUTE EACH AND IF YOU DON'T GET IT ALL IN THAT MINUTE, YOU CAN SUBMIT IT TO US.

PEOPLE GET IRRITABLE WHEN THEY ARE HUNGRY.

I AM 15 POUNDS OVERBEAT. I AM TELLING YOU I GET

IRRITABLE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS, TAYLOR THOMAS WITH PALLADIUM USA.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPERS ATTEMPTING TO BRING AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

PALLADIUM IS A PRIVATE REAL ESTATE COMPANY THAT SPECIALIZES IN WORK FORCE HOUSING. PALLADIUM PRIDES ITSELF ON THE DEVELOPMENT AND ABILITY TO INTEGRATE US INTO THE COMMUNITY.

IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO PROVIDE RESOURCES AND EVENTS AS WELL AS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO LIVE.

ALL OF OUR PROPERTIES HAVE A FULL AMENITY PACKAGE WITH SWIMMING POOLS, FITNESS CENTER, BUSINESS CENTER, FULLY APPOINTED CLUB ROOM AND MORE. OUR INTERIORS RIVAL WITH GRANITE

[02:00:05]

WE ARE PROUD OF OUR DEVELOPMENTS AND WANT TO KEEP DEVELOPING OUR AFFORDABLE PROPERTIES TO SUCH A HIGH STANDARD BECAUSE WE ARE LONG-TERM OWNER WHO MANAGE THE PROPERTY OURSELVES.

DUE TO CURRENT MARKET CONDITIONS AND THE LASTING EFFECTS OF THE

COVID-19 PANDEMIC. >>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. NEXT IS AVIS CHASEN SPEAKING ON ITEM 17 HAD. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, I HAVE A AYE SHASON.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PALLADIUM. I WOULD LIKE TO SEND MY CONDOLENCES TO JUDGE HIDALGO WITH THE LOSS OF HER FATHER.

>> IT WAS COUNTY -- JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DELGADO.

>> SORRY, DELGADO. EXCUSE ME.

TEENAGE WITH WHAT TAYLOR SAID, OUR INDUSTRY IS DEALING WITH FUNDING GAPS OF RISING INSURANCE COST, CONSTRUCTION COSTS ARE, AND INTEREST RATES HAVE SKYROCKETED AS WELL AND WILL CONTINUE TO SKYROCKET. LEADING TO CHALLENGING TIMES IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE WOULD LIKE TO ADVOCATE AND ASK FOR YOUR HELP. COMMISSIONER ELLIS THIS DEVELOPMENT IS IN YOUR PRECINCT. WE ARE EXCITED TO BRING IT TO THE REGION. WE HOPE THAT YOU HUMBLY APPROVE OUR REQUEST AND CONTINUE TO FUND AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH ARPA DEVELOPMENTS AS WELL. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE HAVE ANOTHER DEAL COMING IN OCTOBER IN YOUR PRECINCT WHICH WE BRIEFED YOUR STAFF ON. SO WE --

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

>> WE ARE LOOKING. WE ARE LOOKING.

THIS IS OUR SECOND DEAL. LIKE WE HAVE TWO.

WE CONTINUE TO LOOK. THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS ANA BE BETH TERCIOS SPEAKING ON ITEM 79. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

I AM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR. WE ARE IN SUPPORT OF 79 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS 2 WITH AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH DISTRICT TO PERFORM THE JENSON CORRIDOR STUDY THE DESIGN CONCEPT ROMP INCLUDING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING. LAST MONTH OUR CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT NORTH SIDE ON OF THE MOVE WAS APPROVED AT COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE STUDY OF THE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF JENSON DRIVE'S INFRASTRUCTURE AND DEVELOPMENT NEEDS.

THE JENSON CORRIDOR WILL HELP DEVELOP PLANS FOR FUTURE BICYCLE AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS. STUDY WILL HELP US WITH FUNDING AND USE THE REPORT AND FOSTER MORE PARTNERSHIPS.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, REBECCA.

BUT I WANT TO THANK THAT YOUNG GUY, PASTOR SMITH, COME ON DOWN.

YOU HAD NO IDEA HOW EXCITED I WAS TO SEE THIS ITEM HAPPEN PRIMARILY BECAUSE A LOT OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, BUT YOU EVER BEEN FROM MY DAYS ON COUNCIL, YOU HAVE LITERALLY BEEN THE NUMBER ONE CHEERLEADER FOR THE JEN JENSON COMMUNITY AND CORRIDOR IN PARTICULAR AND REVITALIZATION.

YOU HAVE -- I THINK SOMETHING THAT SAYS YOU HAVE FOUGHT THE FIGHT. YOU HAVE RUN THE RACE, AND YOU ARE KEEPING THE FAITH FOR JENSON.

AND I AM SO HAPPY TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.

BECAUSE I SEE IT AS WELL. AND -- BUT WITHOUT SOMEONE LIKE YOU RAISING IT, TALKING ABOUT IT, AND THAT -- NOT BEING MEAN OR UGLY. I HAVE BEEN TO SOME NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THEY SAY WE ELECTED YOU.

YOU NEVER PULLED THAT NUMBER. BUT YOU JUST KEPT REALLY PREACHING ABOUT THE VISION OF WHAT COULD HAPPEN OUT THERE.

AND HOW MUCH OPPORTUNITY THERE IS, WHICH I APPRECIATE HOW YOU WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY, OUR STAKEHOLDERS, THE COUNCILMEMBERS, REBECCA, AND THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP. I AM VERY, VERY HAPPY ABOUT THIS ITEM. THERE IS -- YOU HEAR -- YOU GET -- IN THIS BUSINESS, YOU GET TO HEAR A LOT OF IDEAS THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS. BUT YOU RARELY WORK THEM TO SEE THEM HAPPEN. AND SO AT LEAST WHEN PEOPLE ARE STILL AROUND, RIGHT. AND SO PASTOR, THIS ITEM SHOULD BE RENAMED THE PASTOR SMITH VISION ITEM.

SO GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU FOR WITH OUR WORK.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, PASTOR.

NEXT SPEAKER. >>CLERK: PASTOR DAVID L. SMITH

SPEAKING ON ITEM 79. >> YOU WANT THE DRUM ROLL?

[02:05:03]

>> NO DRUM ROLL. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

DAVID SMITH, PASTOR OF MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

PRESIDENT OF NORTH HOUSTON, AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD. I'M HERE TO SUPPORT THE REQUEST ON APPROVAL FOR THE LOCAL -- INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND THE CORRIDOR STUDY AND WILLS FOR THE DESIGN CONCEPT INCLUDING THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND TRAFFIC ENGINEERING.

THANK PRECINCT 2 COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR ENGAGING OUR COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN UNDERSERVED FOR SO LONG.

PASTORING THAT AREA FOR 31 YEARS.

MY HEART IS IN EAST JENSON AND WE TRY TO DO A LOT OF THINGS WORKING WITH THE NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT CIVIC SOURCES AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY IS NOT LEFT OUT, AND WE BECOME NOT JUST IS A HOOD, BUT A NEIGHBORHOOD.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> AVA, IF YOU ARE STILL HERE. LIKE TO PUT PEOPLE TOGETHER.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT SPEAKER.

>>CLERK: REBECCA REYNA SPEAKING ON 79.

>> I AM SHOT SURE I HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY.

MY NAME IS REBECCA REYNA, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. ON BEHALF OF THE DISTRICT AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.

ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THE PRECINCT 2 PARTNERSHIP PROJECT THAT WILL BEGIN TRUE TRANSFORMATION OF JENSON DRIVE. WHEN I FIRST STARTED OVER 16 YEARS AGO, I STRUGGLED WITH JENSON, BECAUSE IT NEEDED SO MUCH. IT NEEDED EVERYTHING.

AND SO BARB BUT WITH THE WORK AND ADVOCACY AND SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY AND BUSINESSES OF PEOPLE LIKE PASTOR SMITH A AND TEVIN LEWIS WITH THE SUN BEAM CLUB AND THE SUPPORT OF OUR BOARD AND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, WE ARE HERE TODAY PREPARING FOR THE TRUE CHANGE OF JENSON DRIVE. I WANT TO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. AND REBECCA, SIMILARLY, YOU HAVE BEEN A VERY, VERY INSTRUMENTAL COULD IN THE PROCESS.

TO NOT FOR YOUR WORK. THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN IN THE WAYSIDE AND THESE THINGS WOULD CONTINUE TO HAPPEN.

YOU SUPPORTED THE COMMUNITY AND I WANT TO SAY THIS SINCERELY, YOU REPRESENT ONE OF THE LARGEST GEOGRAPHICIC DISTRICT IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT YOU HAVE DONE IT AND MADE IT LOOK EASY.

AND YOU KEPT PLACES LIKE JENSON THAT COULD HAVE BEEN WITH ALL THE CHALLENGES AND YOU KEPT UP. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

APPRECIATE IT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: NEXT

SPEAKER. >>CLERK: NEXT IS SPEAKER 21, TIM SMITH, SPEAKING ON 185, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI, TIM SMITH WITH HOPE DEVELOPMENT SERVICES.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION FOR BROOKSIDE GARDENS EXISTING MULTIFAMILY DEVELOPMENT THAT PLANNING TO UNDERGO SUBSTANTIAL REHABILITATION AND THANK YOU FOR

YOUR PARTNERSHIP. >> THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: SPEAKER 22, JACK JENSON SPEAKING ON 185.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS JACK JENSON, AGAIN, SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF BROOK SIDE GARDENS.

A ASSOCIATE WITH DEVCO. OWNERS OF THE PROPERTY HERE TO OBTAIN A RESOLUTION WITH NO OBJECTION FOR THE PROPERTY'S RENOVATION. WE HAVE A $10.8 MILLION RENOVATION PLAN, WHICH EQUATES TO $45,000 PER -- HOST OF UPGRADES ACROSS ALL PROPERTY IF THIS IS APPROVED.

WE WILL PROPOSE THE TAX CREDITS AND BONDS AT THE END OF THE MONTH WITH THE RENOVATION BEGINNING SHORTLY AFTER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDER, CONSIDERATION.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS SPEAKER. >> JEFF, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE.

-- I WANT TO TESTIFY ON THE AUDITOR'S REPORT OF PUBLIC DEFENSE FUNDING. THIS YEAR WE HAD THE VERY FIRST MILLION DOLLAR ATTORNEY IN TEXAS.

SOMEONE PAID $1 MILLION FOR PUBLIC DEFENSE REPRESENTATION.

SO PRIVATE ATTORNEY. AND THAT WAS RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY USING TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

WE WOULD LOVE TO SEE IMPROVEMENTS OF PUBLIC DEFENSE

[02:10:01]

>> DID WE LOSE HIM. >>CLERK: I THINK HE WAS FINISHED, COMMISSIONER. NEXT IS SPEAKER 35, JALEN THOMAS SPEAKING ON ITEM 404. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> REAL QUICK BEFORE YOU BEGIN. DID WE EVER VOTE ON MY MOTION?

>> YES. >> I BELIEVE WE DID.

>> IT WAS 4-0. YES, SIR.

>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS JALEN THOMAS. I AM WITH THE PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE MOVEMENT. ALMOST A YEAR AGO I WAS ARRESTED DURING THE PROBATIONARY PERIOD AT A NEW JOB WORKING FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS IN A POSITION I WAS PROUD TO SECURE NOT KNOWING OF EVERYTHING I WOULD ACQUIRE AND ARREST WOULD BE WITHOUT WARNING. MR. ABBOTT, THE COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER ASSIGNED TO MY CASE PRIOR BELIEVING IN THE SANCTITY OF THE ATTORNEY-CLIENT RELATIONSHIP. EVERY ATTEMPT TO COMMUNICATE TO SEEK ANSWERS WAS MET WITH INCREASING DISTAIN.

OUR PERSISTENCE WAS MADE WITH ANGER, NOT GUIDANCE.

THE BREAKING POINT AFTER SEEKING CHANGE OF REPRESENTATION.

HE DISPLAYED AN UNPROFESSIONAL OUTBURST LIKE A CHILD.

TO MY ASTONISHMENT THE JUDGE SEEMED EMPATHETIC TO HIM.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THANK U.YO >> THANK U.YO

>>CLERK: NEXTS ISPEAKER 36, JESSIE BROWN SPEAKINGN OITEM 404. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD RNAFTEOON, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

MY NAME ISE JACKIBROWN. AN D I AM A VOLUNTEERTH WITH E EMPOWERMENT AND SUPPORT FORDE FENSE PROGRAMS. I HAVE BEENTE FORTUNA TO SERVEA AAT COURT WCHER FOR TWO OF OUR . DEFENDANTS ONE INAUDIBLE ] FIND -- I WAS T DISTURBEDO OUT THAT SHE HAS BEEN ON THER N FOTWO YEARS SIMPLY BECAUSED SHE HAAN ATTORNEY WHO FAILED TON KEEP ICONTACT WITH HER AND THENAS DROPPED HER CE WITHOUTOW HER KNING IT. H PETITIONELPED HER GET A NEW A ATTORNEYND A NEW COURTDG DATE IN JUE DANITA WEJACKSON. ALSO HELPED HER AND HERCR FAMILY TO EATE A BIOTO WHICH THE ATRNEY MAY USED TO HHELP R GET

THE BESTESULTS IN HER TCASE. >>CLERK:HANK YOU, YOUR TIME ISMM

UP. >>COISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR K:COMING. >>CLER NEXT IS SPEAKER 37.

CECILA HAWKINS SPEAKING ON ITEMA 404.

YOU VE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, CECILA HAWKINS, ALSO AE VOLUNTEER WITH TH PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE PROGRAM TO SHARE THE TESTIMONY OF A CLIENT WHO DID RECEIVEE RESTORATIVE JUSTICIN SENTENCING.

HIS NAME IS GERALD MILLS JR. HE RECEIVED A EYCOURT-APPOINTED ATTORN MR. JEANINE ORTIZ WHO HELPED GERALD FOR THE BEST H POSSIBLE OUTCOME FORISW CHARGES.

WE KNO THAT MANY ARE NOT AS FORTUNATE AS GERALD.

WE HAD MORE THAN ONE CLIENT WITH BAD ATTORNEYS.

AND TRIED TO GET THEM TO PLEAD GUILTY.

WE KNOW THERARE ATTORNEYS WHO ARE NOT RESPONSIVE BECAUSE WE ARE ON THE CALLS AND E-MAILS. WE THINK IT IS UNFAIR TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO PLEAD GUILTY TO A CRIME JUST BECAUSE THEY WANT TO GET OUT OF JAIL. WE WOULD LIKE FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO START HOLDING COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WHO ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB EFFECTIVELY TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER ONE, CHRISTOPHER CARTER. YOU HAVE WITH ONE MINUTE.

>> HOW IS IT GOING, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. CHRISTOPHER CART CARTER.

A FORMER OFFICER FOR HISD FOR FOUR AND A HALF YEARS.

MARCH OF 2021, I FILED FOR CHILD CUSTODY FOR MY DAUGHTER.

AND IN MAY 25 OF 2021, I WAS FALSELY ARRESTED AND HAD A CRIMINAL CHARGE THAT WAS WEAPONIZED AGAINST ME AND I WAS TAKEN TO CUSTODY AT MY POLICE DEPARTMENT.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, NO PROBABLE CAUSE FOR THE ARREST.

DA KIM, HAS RECEIVED OVER $7 MILLION FROM THIS

[02:15:03]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER MARTHA CRUZ.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. MY FIRST TIME HERE.

I LISTEN TO EVERYBODY. AND I AM GOING TO SUPPORT EVERYTHING FOR THE -- FOR HOUSTON AND THE COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR COMING.

YOU DID VERY WELL ON YOUR FIRST TIME.

>> WONDERFUL,GRACIAS CLERK RZ CLERK NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 4, KERMIT FISHER. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

KERMIT FISHER, HARRIS COUNTY MUD 49 PRESIDENT.

A MONTH AGO, THERE WAS A SUSPECT THAT WAS BE A FREE HENDED IN OUR MUD DISTRICT THAT SHOT FOUR OFFICERS 15111 SILHOUETTE RIDGE.

AFTER THAT SHOOTING TOOK PLACE, SERGEANT ALBERT ASHWORTH WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME AND WE MET OUT IN THE COMMUNITY WITH THE -- WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY VIOLENT TASK FORCE. AND HE ASKED ME, MR. FISHER, WHAT CAN WE DO IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD WITH EVERYONE PRESENT. AND I SAID, WHATEVER -- WHATEVER THE COMMUNITY WANTS AS FAR AS HOA MEETINGS ATTENDING EVERYTHING. SO -- EXCUSE ME --

>>CLERK: THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS U

UP. >> IS THERE A REQUEST YOU HAD

FOR US? >> THE QUESTION WAS THAT WE JUST CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK THAT OUR OFFICERS ARE DOING.

HAND THIS WE KEEP THAT PATROL AND THAT COMMUNITY AWARENESS WITH OUR OFFICERS PRESENT. IT IS EXTREMELY, EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. AND I KNOW THE RESIDENTS APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 5, SANDRA BELL. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS SAN DA BELL, I AM A VOLUNTEER WITH PARTICIPATORY MOVEMENT.

TODAY I STAND BEFORE TO YOU ADVOCATE FOR A CRUCIAL CHANGE IN OUR LEGAL SYSTEM THAT WILL GREATLY BENEFIT CLIENTS AND ATTORNEYS I ALIKE. I HUMBLY REQUEST A MANDATORY FORM THAT CLIENTS TO SIGN AFTER SPEAKING TO THEIR ATTORNEY, SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL TOOL WILL NOT ONLY ENSURE THE TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABILITIES, BUT ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LEGAL REPRESENTATION. IMAGINE THE PROFILE IMPACT THIS FORM COULD HAVE ON THE LIVES OF COUNTLESS INDIVIDUALS SEEKING JUSTICE BY SIGNING THIS DOCUMENTS.

CLIENTS WILL HAVE A TANGIBLE RECORD OF THEIR INTERACTIONS WITH THEIR ATTORNEYS CREATING A FOUNDATION OF TRUST AND CLARITY.

IT WILL SERVE AS A POWERFUL REMINDER THAT THEIR VOICE MATTERS AND THEIR NEEDS AND CONCERNS ARE HEARD.

ADDITIONALLY THIS FORM WILL INSTILL A DEEP SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY IN OUR LEGAL PRACTITIONERS.

ATTORNEYS MUST RECOGNIZE THAT THEY HOLD POWER TO CHANGE LIVES.

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

>> THANK YOU. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU

FOR COMING. >>CLERK: NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 7, BAR BARBARA DENSON.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI, I AM BARBARA DENIZEN.

I HAVE A DEGREE IN CIVIL ENGINEERING AND WRITTEN A COUPLE OF BOOK ON THE SCAM CALLED CLIMATE CHANGE.

IN JUNIOR HIGH AND HIGH SCHOOL, WE WERE TOLD THE EARTH WAS

[02:20:03]

AS AN ADULT I WAS TOLD FIRST THAT THE EARTH WAS WARMING AND THEY WERE ALL GOING TO DIE. THEN THAT THE CLIMATE WAS CHANGING AND WE WERE ALL GOING TO DIE.

THE CLIMATE HAS ALWAYS CHANGED AND LIKELY ALWAYS WILL.

IT ISN'T US. CARBON DIOXIDE ISN'T A POLLUTANT, IT IS PLANT FOOD. THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN INCREASING CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS AND AN INCREASE IN TEMPERATURE.

THERE HAVE BEEN OVER 500 HURRICANES AND TROPICAL DISTURBANCES IN FLORIDA TO EVERY RECORDED HISTORY, YET THIS LAST ONE IS CAUSED BY CLIMATE CHANGE? PLEASE DON'T USE CLIMATE CHANGE AS AN EXCUSE TO RAISE OUR TAXES OR TO SPEND OUR MONEY IN ANY WAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>CLERK: NEXT IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZER.

I WORK WITH MANY ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE COUNTRY .

THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE ARE NOT FOR THE PEOPLE NOR JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE. I PROVED IN A COUNTY COURT THEY ABUSED THEIR PROPERTY WITH THE WRIT OF MANDAMUS.

THE MORATORIUM BY THE STATE WAS NOT UTILIZE IN THE EVICTION PROCESS. THE EXECUTIVE ORDER WAS NOT ISSUED BY THE GOVERNMENT AND STATE AS WELL WHERE THE PROGRAMS FAILED CAUSING JAILS TO BE MORE OVERCROWDED AND MORE CITIZENS BECOMING HOMELESS DUE TO THE LACK OF FUNDING RELATED TO THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. PUT A STRAIN ON OUR HARRIS HEALTH COUPLE DUE TO THE LACK OF PREVENTIVE AND QUALITY HEALTH CARE AT THE SAME TIME. THIS SHOULD BE A FREEZE WITH QUALITY ASSURANCES WITHIN THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

THE JUSTICE OF THE PEACE WITH OVERSIGHT AND LAWFUL CHANGES WITH TRANSPARENCY TO ENSURE PROPER JUSTICE FOR THE PEOPLE AND IN THE ABSENCE OF CUSTOMER SERVICE, PROPER TRAINING AND LACK OF JUSTICE IN THE SYSTEM. ONCE AGAIN CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.

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

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IS THAT IS IT?

>>CLERK: THAT'S IT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I THOUGHT YOU SPOKE EARLIER? WHEN SOMEBODY SIGNS UP TWICE,

THEY GET TO SPEAK ONCE. >> THEY SPOKE ON THE PUBLIC HEARING AND SPECK SPEAK ON ANOTHER ITEMS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: COME ON UP AND SAY YOUR NAME.

WE WILL LET YOU SPEAK FOR ONE MIN

MINUTE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

MY NAME IS KORETTA BROWN, AND FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BRIDGES TO EMPOWERMENT WAY IS AN ORGANIZATION FOCUSED ON DECREASE OF MASS INCARCERATION. BEING PART OF THE PARTICIPATORY DEFENSE AS THE JAILS ARE OVERFILLED.

WE BELIEVE THAT DEFENSE ATTORNEYS SHOULD BE MANDATED TO SEEK ANNUAL -- ANNUAL BOND EVALUATION IF THE DEFENDANT WILL BE ISSUED A NEW BOND AFTER SERVING TIME IN JAIL FOR A BOND REVOCATION FOR PETTY NONNEW OFFENSE VIOLATION.

IT IS ALSO OUR POSITION THAT A NEW STUDY BE DONE WITH TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROTECTED CLASS PRERISK ASSESSMENT WHICH FAIL TO GIVE JUDGES AND DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AN OPPORTUNITY TO ADVOCATE FOR MUCH NEEDED AND AFFORDABLE FOR THEIR CLIENTS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

DID WE SKIP ANYONE ELSE WHO SIGNED UP.

IS THAT IS IT? OKAY.

IT IS NOW 1 P.M. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS RECESSING. WE WILL RECONVENE AT 2:00.

OKAY. WE WILL

. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IT IS NOW 2:04. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS GO THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS NEED MINOR CHANGES DUE TO ERRORS AND NO ACTION.

THE CORRECTED ITEMS READ AS FOLLOWS.

PAGE 27, ITEM 226, NO ACTION. PAGE 28, ITEM 2 37, NO ACTION.

AND MEMBERS, E-MAILING YOU ALL TO UPDATE THE LIST IN CASE YOU

DON'T HAVE IT. >> IF I MAY.

ON THOSE TWO ITEMS, A REQUEST. THESE WERE FOLLOWING COURT ADOPTED POLICY OF SUPPLEMENTAL THROUGH O&B.

AND WE REQUESTED NO OBJECTION ON THE ITEMS AND WILL REACH OUT TO SEE IF THEY CAN SUPPORT THAT AND WE ARE TRYING TO FOLLOW THE

PROCEDURE AS COURT LAID OUT. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. BECAUSE THEY ARE WATCHING.

COME SPEEDING RIGHT IN. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT.

PAGE 49, ITEM 377. CHANGE THE AMOUNT FROM $2740

MILLION -- >> WE ALREADY DID THAT ONE.

[02:25:03]

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WE ALREADY DID THAT ONE? OKAY, THANK YOU. PAGE 50, ITEM 392, NO ACTION.

PAGE 53, ITEM 424, NO ACTION. PAGE 42, ITEM 334, NO ACTION.

PAGE 54, ITEMS 430, NO ACTION. PAGE 55 -- I WORKED WITH D DR. RAHMANL A COME BACK WITH THE PROJECT.

I WILL BRIEF YOU ALL WITH THE WEEKS LEADING UP.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PAGE 55, ITEM 443.

NO ACTION. PAGE 55, ITEM 433.

>> WHAT WE HAVE NOW 226, NO ACTION.

237, NO ACTION. 393 NO ACTION.

430, NO ACTION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL RIGHT, THAT'S CORRECT? THAT IS NOT WHAT I HAD ON MINE.

>> 236 NO ACTION. 227, NO ACTION.

39 2, NO ACTION. 4234 NO ACTION.

430 NO ACTION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: 334?

>> NO ACTION. 334.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ITEM 453, NO ACTION.

IS THAT EVERYBODY? OKAY.

HERE ARE THE EXECUTIVE ITEMS. AND YOU TELL ME IF WE NEED TO GO BACK ON ANY OF THEM. APPOINTMENT OF KENNEDY FREEMAN

CHAIR OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY. >> NO.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THAT ONE WILL GO FORWARD.

IS THAT OKAY WITH EVERYONE. ITEM 425, WE WILL HAVE TO GO BACK ON FROM THE BAIT JUDGE. ITEM 461, NAVARES, WE WILL GO BACK ON THAT ONE. DOES ANYBODY NEED TO DISCUSS --

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: ONE OTHER ITEM I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, 403.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHAT IS THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: ONE OF THE COUNTY'S REPORTS ON

MICROSOFT. >> THAT'S OKAY.

WE CAN GO BACK. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHEN I

MAKE THAT MOTION, MAKE SURE. >> 403, 425, AND 261.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION, 423, AS PRESENTED.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL ITEMS NOT IDENTIFIED WILL BE PLACED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. YES, MA'AM.

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: BRIONES PULL 444 FOR PUBLIC COMMENT

DISCUSSION, PLEASE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: PULL 444.

THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TEAM HAS PROVIDED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT STAFF WITH ITEMS THAT WE WILL TAKE UP FOR DISCUSSION.

ALL OTHER ITEMS WILL BE APPROVED WITH THE REST OF THE AGENDA.

I AM GOING TO RUN THROUGH THEM BUT SEND IT TO YOU ALL.

I WILL GO THROUGH IT JUST TO BE SAFE SINCE WE MADE SOME CHANGES.

14. REQUESTED BY PRECINCT 3.

18. I WON'T HERE -- I WILL READ THROUGH THEM. YOU HAVE THE LIST.

ITEMS 14, 18, 21, 22, 23, 25, 39, 93, 123, 172, 180, 183, 241, 242, 275, 380, 381, 403, 404, 444, 468, 469.

>>COMMISSIONER GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ADD TO THAT LIST

77, 82, 193, 243, 247, AND 248. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: OKAY.

DO YOU HAVE ALL THOSE? >> YES, SIR, LET ME CHECK THIS

REAL QUICK. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: YOU HAVE

THE E-MAIL VERSION. >> NEED A LITTLE MORE CLAY IF I OCCASION ON ITEM 17 3, LEDGE RELATIONS.

>> NO ABS. >> I HAVE ITEMS. I WANTON ADD -- SORRY, I WANT TO PULL 174, 238, 288, WITH 321.

>> 321? SO I AM COUNTING 10.

COMMISSIONER. >> PUT ON CONSENT 183.

[02:30:03]

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: NO OTHERS.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: WHEN WE GET READY TO GO THROUGH IT, GIVE THE ONE -- I WILL LET HIM CALL IT UP.

IF I AM LOOKING AT HANDWRITING -- IF SOMEBODY FIGURES THAT OUT AND YOU JUST SEND IT TO SOPHIE. OKAY.

SO WE GOOD. SERVE ALL RIGHT.

SO IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED TO APPROVE --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THE CONSENT AGENDA.

ARE YOU OKAY WITH EVERYTHING? COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDS IT.

EVERYBODY OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

THOSE OPPOSED, NAY NO. FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS, THE CONSENT AGENDA -- WHILE YOU ARE WORKING AT THAT LIST, WE CAN GO TO 14. GO TO ITEM 14.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ITEM 14.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: LET ME GET THERE --

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: IT IS -- I KNOW THE FEELING.

TRUST ME. THIS IS $5.7 MILLION ARPA LOCAL RECOVERY FUND WITH THE SALARIES AND SHIFT FUNDING SOURCE TO THE GENERAL FUND FOR OFFICER RETENTION.

>> I THINK -- WELL, ONE, I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO DO THAT.

JUST -- JUST WANT TO CALL OUTS, AGAIN, THIS -- THIS WAS VERY SIMILAR TO WHAT TED HEAT WAS DOING OR WHAT HE BROUGHT TO COURT, IN TERMS OF TAKING THE SENATE AND USING THAT IN IT THE BUDGET JUST AS -- ARIZONA POINTS OF CONFERENCE RELATED TO THAT .KEEP THAT IN MIND. BUT I WILL PUT THAT OUT THERE

FOR VOTE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IS THERE A SECOND?

>>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: SECOND. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

AYES HAVE IT, FOUR AYES AND NO NAYS.

AND BACK TO MY LIST HERE. I HAVE 18 NEXT.

AND I -- I JUST WANT TO MAKE A COMMENT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU AND I BOTH PULLED IT.

I WANT TO SAY THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF -- WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING MORE OF. I PULLED SEVERAL OF THEM OFF.

BUT I COULD MAKE THE POINT ON THIS ONE.

IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE DO AS MUCH OF THESE THAT WE CAN TO HAVE ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

GLAD WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. AS I LOOK AT THIS, THIS IS ELLA.

115 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES. WILL INVEST IN SPRING SHAD I DOS, 112 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES AND THE FIRST HOTEL-MOTEL CONVERSION FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.

SO I AM VERY PROUD OF IT AND I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS DONE. WE NEED TO DO A LOT MORE OF IT.

I ALWAYS POINT OUT A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF THESE IN PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2. AND WE TALKED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO HELP THESE NEIGHBORHOODS TAKE THESE PROPERTIES.

PAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GIVE PEOPLE ACCESS TO HOME.

AND TAMPA HAS DIRECT IMPACT ON WHAT WE END UP SPENDING ON OTHER ISSUES LIKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS.

AS MUCH AS WE CAN'T DO, WE WILL DO IT.

OBVIOUSLY I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: THENL OY QUESTION -- IS SHE ONHE T LINE.

I SEEER H. THISS IA RATHER COMPLICATED DEAL. ARE YOU GOOD WITHHE TET DAILS OF THIS PARTICULARGR PROAM, THIS PROJECT?

>> YYES,ES, WE ARE,NO I KW THAT E HAVE HADTI MULPLE -- OR THE DEVELOP HERS WORKED WITH TCHVA ANDNC YOUR COERN IS AROUND SCHOOL AND I AM WORKINGY ACTIVEL TO W CONNECTITH THE SCHOOLDI STRICT TO UNDERSTAND THE RAMIFICATIONS HAND THIS PROJECT IS GOOD ONE, AE NEEDED ONAND TOMI CORRECT COMSSIONER ELLIS. E NOT TH HOMELESSHE ONE IT IS TTM APARENT

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WAS R MAKING AEFERENCE OF ALL FOURM.

OF THE A I PULLEDLL THREE AND LET THEM

GO SON WE CAN VOTE O THEM. ON >>COMMISSIER RAMSEY: THAT'S TH IT. ANK MMYOU.

>>COISSIONER ELLIS: IAT MADE AT TH MOTION.

DO YOU HAVE A >>COMMENT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES: WE ARE

DOING ONE BY ONE?ER >>COMMISSION ELLIS: WHAT I DIDS WAS LET THE OTHER A GO BAC ONNDME YOU MAY WANT TO COMNT

IT ONON. >>COMMISSIER BRIONES: THANK YOU, DIRECTOR ACOSTAS, WITH 19, $5 MILLION.

IT WILL GCONVERT. IF ALLO CONVERT CANDLEWOOD SWEETS. 81 UNITS FOR THOSE WHO ARE CHRONICALLY UNHOUSED. THIS ACTUALLY REALLY MOVESSE TH NEEDLE BECAU BASED ON THE LATEST RESEARCH ABOUT 360

[02:35:01]

AND I APPRECIATE YOU DIRECTOR AND YOUR TEAM TO GET THESE INDIVIDUALS CONNECTED WITH SUPPORTIVE HOUSING HAND THIS WILL BE A WIN FOR OURS COMMUNIT AND INDIVIDUAL.

>>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BROWN.

BECAUSE YOU TAKE A LITTLE BIT OF HEAT AND SO MANY COMMUNITIES GET INTO THE NIMBY ROUTINE. BUT INE APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER BRIOS AS WELL. I MADE A MOTION.

>>COMMISSIONER RAMSEY: WE ARE DOING ONE AT A TIME? A QUICK QUESTION DIRECTOR ON 18, THAT IS IN FOUR, BUT IT IMPACTS THREE SCHOOLS IN SPRING BRANCH AND THREE SCHOOLS ARE IN THE DISTRICT. HAVE YOU REACHED OUT TO THE

SCHOOL DISTRICT? >> THAT IS WHAT I WAS SAYING.

YES, I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REACH OUT TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND I BELIEVE SOMEBODY DID TRY TO CALL ME BACK TODAY.

SO WE WILL BE IN TOUCH FOR THIS, AS WELL AS FUTURE PROJECTS THAT

MAY BE. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THEY ARE AWARE OF EVERYTHING GOING ON. IF WE CAN PLAY A ROLE IN HELPING YOU, SOMETIMES IT IS HARD TO GIVE THEM A CALL BACK.

I WOULD SUGGEST YOU CALL US. SOMETIMES IT WILL BE EASY IF WE

CALL THE SUPERINTENDENT. >> YES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES'

STAFF HELPED ME YESTERDAY. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: THANK YOU. THERE IS A MOTION.

I THINK -- COMMISSIONER BROWN. VICE PERSON, IF YOU WANT TO MAKE

A MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER BRIONES: I WILL

MAKE THE MOTION. >>COMMISSIONER ELLIS: I WILL SECOND IT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

OPPOSED, NO. AYES HAVE IT.

4-0. THE NEXT ONE I HAVE IS 21.

COMMISSIONER, THAT IS YOURS, THE LIBRARY APPROVAL ARPA FUNDING, $2,600,000 FOR SIX FULL-TIME POSITIONS SEPTEMBER RATED RELATED TO CHILDREN, MY COMMENT HERE IS WITH THE DEATH OF THE CHILD IN NEW YORK, WHO IS EXPOSED TO FENTANYL AND IT JUST SPEAKS TO THE COUNTY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO INSPECT THESE CHILDCARE FACILITIES. I KNOW IT IS IN THE FIRE MARSHALS RESPONSIBILITY, I DID REACH OU TO HER, THEY INSPECT THEM ONCE A YEAR. I AM GOING TO ASK THE FILE MARSHALL TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THAT, OUT OF THE 530 O SO UNITS THAT WERE INSPECTED, 150 HAD TO GO BACK. WHICH MEAN THEY SAW SOMETHING THAT WOULD REQUIRE THAT THEY GO BACK. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE PROPERLY FUNDING THOSE CHILDCARE FACILITIES . MAYBE, SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T HAVE RESPONSIBILITY. I WENT TO SEE SOME ARE FOR MONEY OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS TO GIVE A GOOD , ROBUST REVIEW OF THE CHILDCARE FACILITIES, PARTICULARLY IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA THAT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE COUNTY. I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENT IN TERMS OF THESE, I

AM JUST ASKING. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES MOTION TO MOVE ALL THREE, IS THAT SECOND?

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BUT I.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NO. ITEM PASSES, 21, 22, AND 22 NEXT ONE I HAVE IS 25 AND WHO IS THAT? THAT'S THREE AND FOUR, GARCIA, YOU HAVE A COMMENT? YOU SIR?

>> I'M JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IF WE ALREADY ASKED THE COMMISSIONER SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. THIS IS THE ITEM I AM REMEMBERING. MY CONCERN WAS JUST MAKING SURE WE ALSO WORK DOWN, ANALYSIS OVERANALYSIS BY ANALYSIS.

>> HAVE THE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS SEEING WHATEVER FORMS WE ARE ASKING THEM? HAVE THEY BEEN TRAINED AT IT? DO WE

[02:40:03]

UNDERSTAND THE PROCESS? >> WE TALKED ABOUT THIS, LIKE,

FOUR MONTHS AGO? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, DID

YOU WANT TO RESPOND? >> THANK YOU, YES SIR. WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CHANCE TO TRAIN THE DEPARTMENTS YET BECAUSE WHAT I WANTED TO DO, BECAUSE THE LANGUAGE AND PROCEDURE WAS PRETTY BROAD, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ON THE RIGHT TRACK WITH HOW WE WERE INTERPRETING THAT LANGUAGE. TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ALL WERE OKAY, TO SAY, YEAH, YOU'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, GOOD, AND THEN WITH THE INTENT IS. YEAH, OKAY, YOU ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. THEN, YOU WOULD MAKE SURE WE HAVE ANOTHER COUPLE OF WEEKS TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICES? WE ALREADY HAVE SOME COMMENTS FROM ONE OFFICE ON A FEW TWEAKS THEY WERE SUGGESTING, SO WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS THAT TIME. AND THEN, WHEN WE SEND IT OUT TO THE DEPARTMENTS, TO HAVE THEM TAKE A LOOK AT IT TOO. THE THINGS YOU'RE ASKING ABOUT ARE THINGS THIS COURT KEEPS TALKING ABOUT. WE TALKED ABOUT IT AS WELL, PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING SO WE ARE LINKING PERFORMANCE MEASURES TO MIDYEAR REQUEST. BENCHMARKING FOR BEST PRACTICES, THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. THOSE ARE THE KINDS OF THINGS -- QUESTIONS WE ARE ASKING IN THIS FORUM AS PART OF THE ANALYSIS. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIMELINE, ADDING MORE TIME, WE ARE JUST MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION UP

FRONT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES?

>> ONE THING TO ADD, IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY AND MAKING SURE EVERYBODY EVERYTHING COMES BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THERE MIGHT BE INSTANCES WHERE I SAY, THEY HAVE MONEY IN THEIR BUDGET FOR THIS ALREADY OR THERE IS A POLICY, DECISION, WE ARE GOING TO TRANSMIT THAT DOCUMENT SO THERE WILL BE SOMETHING ON THE ITEM REGARDLESS, AND WE WILL BE SUPER TRANSPARENT TO SAY, THIS IS WHERE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR STANDS ON THE ITEM. THERE CAN STILL BE DISCUSSION AND THERE MIGHT BE INSTANCES WHERE YOU SAY, YOU GOT IT WRONG, BRING IT BACK ON THE NEXT WARM TO GET IT APPROVED.

>> WE KNOW WHAT YOU KNOW THE NUMBERS ARE, WE KNOW WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE THINKS THE NUMBERS ARE.

>> THAT WAS MY NUMBER ONE CONCERN, THAT WE WERE GOING TO KEEP THINGS OFF THE AGENDA TOTALLY, BUT I THINK THIS IS A GOOD COMPROMISE TO BE ABLE TO PUT -- THERE WILL BE AN UP ITEM UP FOR DISCUSSION. FOLKS WANT TO MAKE COMMENTS AND SAY, HEY, YOU GOT THIS WRONG, OR, WE AGREE WITH YOUR DECISION. IT WILL ALL BE IN THE INTEREST OF TRANSPARENCY.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU. THIS WILL BE HUGELY HELPFUL FOR TRANSPARENCY AND TO HELP US MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS. THEY ARE OF EQUAL IMPORTANCE, AS WE ALL KNOW, I ALSO WANT TO SEE EVERYTHING SO WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION AND DEBATE. BUT AT LEAST, WE ARE STARTING FROM THE BASELINE OF INFORMATION HAS A THANK YOU. I HAVE TWO THINGS, ONE THING, I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE GET -- BACK, I WOULD LIKE TO GREET THAT BEFORE WE GET IT PASSED, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION AND THEN I HAVE A SPECIFIC QUESTION. MY MOTION WAS GOING TO BE, MOTION FOR OCA TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK FROM DEPARTMENTS AND TO RETURN FROM COMMISSIONERS ON OCTOBER 10TH WITH AN UPDATED PROCESS AND OVERVIEW FOR US TO GET THE FREE FEEDBACK ON THE FRONT AND TO MAKE SURE IT IS WORKABLE.

>> I SECOND THE MOTION. >> DID SHE GET IT CHANGED ?

>> YES, SIR. >> MY SPECIFIC QUESTION, I LOVE AGGRESSIVE DEADLINES, SO IT MAY BE MADE ME SMILE, I HAVE ONE DAY, TWO DAYS TO PROVIDE THOSE NOTES, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, AGAIN, SPEAK NOW OR FOREVER HOLD YOUR PEACE. ARE THOSE WORKABLE DEADLINES FOR YOUR RESPECTIVE OFFICES?

>> I BELIEVE SO, THERE MIGHT BE SOME INSTANCES WHERE THINGS ARE MUCH MORE FAR-REACHING, GENERALLY, THE TYPES OF ITEMS I HAVE SEEN OUR X NUMBER OF POSITIONS OR X NUMBER OF DOLLARS FOR X NUMBER OF POSITIONS. Y DOLLARS FOR OUR CONTRACT AND THOSE ARE PRETTY EASY BECAUSE THERE MAY BE INSTANCES WHERE IT MIGHT BE A MORE -- LIKE, A HIGHER-LEVEL POLICY DECISION, SOMETHING AROUND OUR BENEFITS OR TAX RATE OR SOMETHING , TAX CREDIT, POSSIBLY. IT MAY REQUIRE SOME MORE INFORMATION. IN THOSE INSTANCES, I WILL ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION, IF I DISAGREE WITH SOMETHING, I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION IN COURT AND NOT JUST THROUGH A MEMO.

>> THE OTHER POINT ON THAT IS THAT IT WILL ENCOURAGED EVERY DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH US AHEAD OF TIME, IT SHOULDN'T BE

[02:45:03]

MAKING A RECOMMENDATION. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> HAVE Y'ALL DETERMINED THE FISCAL IMPACT OF --?

>> NO SUCH ANALYSIS HAS BEEN CONDUCTED.

>> I THINK YOU PROBABLY SHOULD. I'M BEING A LITTLE FACETIOUS, BUT ON THE OTHER SIDE, YOU CREATE A FOUR-POINT EDGE FOR PAGE FORM AND YOU WANT TO FILL IT OUT CORRECTLY AND I THINK MR. ELLIS SAID EARLIER IN THE MEETING, MY BUREAUCRACY ANTENNAS ARE BUZZING AND THE ONE THING WE DON'T WANT IS TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES'S POINT, DECISIONS NEED TO BE MADE AT THIS TABLE, NOT THAT TABLE. WHEN YOU ARE GATHERING DATA AND YOU ARE PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER, WHEN I HEAR WORDS LIKE, WELL, WE WILL TELL YOU WHAT WILL DO, THAT IS NOT A RECOMMENDATION. I DON'T MIND YOUR OPINION, BUT I THINK THERE IS -- WHEN IT COMES TO PROVIDE THE DATA HERE, WE WILL

MAKE A DECISION. >> THE FLAG IS MOVING.

>> OKAY, MAYBE THAT IS A SIGN.

>> DON'T TAKE IT THAT WAY. >> DON'T TAKE IT THAT WAY, IT'S

ONLY A SIGN OF IT HITS YOU. >> THAT'S THE REASON I WANTED TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA RATHER THAN JUST -- THE RULES OF PROCEDURE SAY THAT WE NEED TO START THESE OCTOBER 1ST AND I WAS, LIKE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO COME BACK TO THE COURT. THE ACTUAL LANGUAGE DOES SAY THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION WHETHER THE PURCHASE APPROVED THE ITEM AND FOR ME, THAT SET OFF THAT, OH, OKAY, I NEED TO GET BETTER GUIDANCE FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BECAUSE IS THAT WHAT THEY REALLY INTENDED? I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS WHAT WE ARE READING THAT IS IN YOUR RULES AND PROCEDURE THAT YOU ALL VOTED BACK IN AUGUST ON.

>> COMMISSIONER, IT IS YOUR MOTION THAT THIS ISN'T DONE

YET? >> IT IS A MOTION FOR OCA TO SOLICIT FEEDBACK AND TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS ON OCTOBER 10TH WITH AN UPDATED PROCESS AND FISCAL REVW IE --

>> SO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> HEARING NO OBJECTION?

>> IF YOU ALL HAVE -- IF YOU COULD HAVE YOUR STAFF TELL US IF YOU HAVE SPECIFIC ISSUES WITH THIS, THE AMOUNT OF INFORMATION THAT WE ARE REQUESTING, THE FORMAT, THE NATURE OF THE INFORMATION, THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL TO US.

RATHER THAN GOING BACK AND TAKING ALL COVERS, WE REALLY LIKE TO GET A FEEL FOR WHAT YOU WANT.

>> PUT IT THIS WAY, OUT OF ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, PROBABLY, THE BIGGEST PERSPECTIVE FROM THOSE ORGANIZATIONS BECAUSE ANY IMPROVEMENTS THEY MAKE WILL GENERALLY BENEFIT THE SMALLER

ORGANIZATIONS. >> GOT IT.

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE THE BEST THING.

>> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ADD THAT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE WHAT WE DON'T WANT IS, SOME DEPARTMENT OR SOME OTHER ELECTIVE ISSUE IS PUT ON THE AGENDA AND BASED ON WHAT THEY THINK, IT CAN BE DONE. AND THEN YOU ALL ARE IN A POSITION WHERE YOU DON'T NECESSARILY WANT TO VOLUNTEER, SOMETIMES I SEE A VOLUNTEER RELUCTANT SEE . AFTER IT TURNS INTO SOMETHING WE DID NOT INTEND, WE ARE ALL LOOKING TO YOU ALL, LIKE, WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL US? I THINK THAT'S WHY IT WAS IN THE RULES THAT WAY AND WHAT SOME OF US -- SOME DEPARTMENTS , OFFICES, ELECTED OFFICIALS IN PARTICULAR, IT MIGHT BE A RELUCTANCE TO SAY WHAT YOU THINK. AT LEAST, WHAT WE KNOW, IT IS ALL RIGHT IF I VOTE THE WRONG WAY. BUT IT WOULD BE NICE IF I KNOW WHAT THE -- I AM VOTING ON BEFORE I VOTE ON IT. THAT IS NOT ALWAYS THE CASE, SO YOU HEARD THE MOTION. IS THAT CLEAR? IS THERE AN OBJECTION TO THE ADOPTION OF THE MOTION? THE NEXT ITEM, ALL THREE OF THEM, MY COLLEAGUES FULL. THIS IS 39, ONLY RECOGNIZING ELECTION DAY, PAGE

COUNTY HOLIDAYS. >> I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH -- THERE WAS A STUDY DONE TO EVALUATE WHAT THE COUNTY

[02:50:10]

GENERALLY SPEAKING, THE COST OF A HOLIDAY IS APPROXIMATELY $5.6 MILLION. AND 424/7 OPERATIONS, THERE IS A DIRECT COST THAT COMES INTO EFFECT. OR F THE MOST RECENT HOLIDAY, JULY H,4T APPROXIMATELY 8432 REGULAR EMPLOYEES POSTED WORK S HOURAT N MAESTITED LOSS 97OF $5,000. F E WE WERTO APPROVE VETERANS ADAY AS OUPAID CNTY HOLIDAY EC THE DIRT S IMPACT I ESTIMATED TO BE THAT NUMBER, $975,000. LOSS CTOF PRODUIVITY BE AT MATED TO APPROXIMATELY ON$4.6 MILLI R FOELECTION DAY , THE DIRECT COST HEWOULD BE HIGR BECAUSE ELECTION ULEMPLOYEES WOD BE ANYWAY, HAT DAY INCLUDING THOSE PARTICIPATING IN THE ELECTION COURT PROGRAM.

I JUSFEEL 'MSTRONGLY AND I GLAD EDTHAT WE RECOGNIZ OUR VETERANS EARLIER TODAY AND THE VALUE E THEY BRING TO TH COMMUNITY. I AM HOPEFUL THAT - WILL - AND ELECTION OWDAY, YOU KN, JUST BECAUSE YOU EETAKE EMPLOYS OUT OF THE REGULAR WORK CYCLE ANYWAY, TO GET THEM TO HELP WI THE ELECTIONS, I WOULD THINK THAT WE WOULD JUST, KIND OF, NOT BE CEWORKIN THAT PROSS ANYWAY. I OCAM HERE TO ADVATE VETERANS DAY ATTO BE A DAY TH WE SELECT FOR THAT.

>> IT IS ONLY A SUGGESTION, AND THAT IS THAT WE LD THIS ITEM TSAND ASK RELEVANT DEPARTMEN TO COME BACK AND PROVIDE US WITH ADDITIONAL BUDGET AND STAFFING IMPACTS. GOI THINK THEY'RE ALL OD RYIDEAS, BUT WHAT I WOR ABOUT IS ELECTION DAY, WHICH I LIKE, IM VERY SENSITIVE TO IT. YOU KNOW, GOING INTO A PRESIDENTIAL CYCLE IN PARTICULAR, I AM JUST WORRIED ABOUT US HAVING TO GO TO THESE DEPARTMENTS AND HAVE TO PAY EVEN MORE. WE ARE GOING TO TRY IT, IT'S A GREAT IDEA, BE THE FIRSTCOUNTY I KNOW OF IN THE COUNTRY TO DO IT.

SOMETIMES, USUALLY, YOU NEVER TOUCH THAT, I WOULD HATE FOR IT TO COME DOWN. OLD TOM SHOWED UP TODAY AND I WOULD HATE FOR IT TO BE HIS LAST DAY.

>> LOOK, THAT'S GOING TO BE MY SUGGESTION, I DON'T WANT TO CUT OFF ANY DISCUSSION. WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE DOING.

>> MY COMMENTS ARE ALONG WITH THE LINES OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S. I COULD TALK ABOUT VETERANS DAY ONCE I KNOW MORE ABOUT THE FISCAL IMPACTS, THE REAL COST, I THINK THAT IS WAY UNDERSTATED. THAT $5.6 MILLION, 17,948 , SO I WOULD CONSIDER THAT, I THINK, IT IS EXTREMELY PROBLEMATIC ON ELECTION DAY. I THINK THAT IS WELL INTENDED IN TERMS OF THE NATURE THAT WE ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE , I THINK O WE WOULD PROBABLY DO A PRETTY GO JOB OF THAT ANYWAY. I THINK, SINCE WE ARE RUNNING THE ELECTIONS, AND, AGAIN, HOLIDAY, ON THE DAY THAT, PROBABLY, IS THE MOST IMPORTANT WORK DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE COUNTY IS ELECTION DAY.

NOW, YOU PROBABLY DISCOURAGE SOME PEOPLE. FROM WORK BECAUSE THEY WOULD RATHER GO TO THE PARK AND HAVE A PICNIC WITH THEIR CHILDREN RATHER THAN LOOKING WAY WITH ANYONE. I THINK VETERANS DAY WOULD BE SOMETHING WE CONSIDER ONCE WE KNOW THE TOTAL COST IMPACTS, BUT I THINK ELECTION DAY WOULD

BE PROBLEMATIC. >> I WAS GOING TO ASK, ONCE WE KNOW MORE, I THINK IT IS SYMBOLIC HOW CLOSELY THEY ARE ON THE CALENDAR OUR SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN TO ME ARE HEROES.

THEY ARE OUR DEMOCRACY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE AN

[02:55:02]

>> IT IS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL MOTION, ONCE WE SEE THE DATA THAT WE CAN DIVIDE BOTH OR ONE OR THE OTHER.

>> AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT THE REAL NUMBERS ARE.

>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, SECOND FIX ANY OPPOSED? MOTION PASSES. THE NEXT ITEM I HAVE WOULD BE 93.

>> I HAVE 77? >> 77.

>> 77, I AM JUST EXCITED. IT IS AN AGREEMENT WE HAVE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT FOR THE DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF IMPROVEMENTS TO THE SALINA CLINTON ERA PEREZ DENVER HARBOR PARK. THESE ARE DESIGNED WITH MY INITIATIVE WITH INCREASED RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE PUBLIC, BY PROVIDING TRAILS, PARKING, PUBLIC SAFETY AND OTHER IMPROVEMENTS TO THIS IMPORTANT NEIGHBORHOOD PARK. I WOULD LIKE -- I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO MAKE DENVER HARBOR PARK A MORE VIBRANT, SAFER AND ACCESSIBLE PARK FOR ALL AND I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM FOR THEIR CITY OF HOUSTON WORK FOR THIS PROJECT MOVING FORWARD. I AM THANKFUL THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS GIVEN US THE ATTENTION IT NEEDS. I ALSO WANT TO TAKE A SECOND TO RECOGNIZE THE COMMUNITY WHO IS ADVOCATING FOR THIS PARK, DENVER HARBOR COMMUNITY HAS BEEN A STAUNCH REPORTER AND ADVOCATE TO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES BEING CREATED. I WANT TO THANK STATE REPRESENTATIVES ANNA AND ARMANDO WALLER BECAUSE OF THEIR COLLABORATION WITH THIS PROJECT AS WELL. COMMUNITY DECIDED TO SEE LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER AND GRATEFUL THAT IT IS FINALLY MOVING. GOT STUCK A LITTLE BIT, BUT THANKFUL THAT IT IS MOVING ALONG.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES IT, MISSION OR BRIONES SECONDS. ANY OPPOSED? EYES HAVE IT, NO NAYS.

>> 82 IS THE HIGHLAND RESERVOIR STUDY AND THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WITH THE SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY TO MAKE IMPROVEMENTS TO THE HIGHLANDS REVERENCE OR RESERVOIR TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY FOR RESIDENCE. SOME OF THE POTENTIAL INENHANCEMENTS INCLUDE DEDICATED PARALLEL PARKG AT THE PIER. RENOVATED FISHING PIERS, ACCESSIBLE TRAILS, AMONG OTHERS. THE PROJECT WAS IDENTIFIED AS A TOP PRIORITY IN THE COMMUNITY PLAN THROUGH OUR REVIVED TO THRIVE INITIATIVE. IT WILL INCLUDE EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TO FURTHER BUILD CONSENSUS AROUND THE HIGHLANDS RESERVOIR. I WANT TO THANK THE SAN JACINTO RIVER AUTHORITY FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP. OUT OF THE MANY PROJECTS I HAVE DONE, WHEN WE GOT THE CLEAR LAKE PEER DONE, DOWN AT CLEAR LAKE PARK, I WAS JUST BLOWN AWAY AT HOW THE PEER HAS JUST BECOME AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY PLACE AND , PROBABLY, JUST SECOND TO JAMES DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK. THAT PIER GENERATES SO MUCH EXCITEMENT IN THE COMMUNITY THAT FOLKS JUST TELL ME ABOUT IT, WRITE ME ABOUT IT, TEXT ME ABOUT IT, TWEET ABOUT IT OR CALL ME ABOUT IT. I'M HOPING THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WILL GENERATE AS MUCH COMMUNITY EXCITEMENT.

>> GOOD JOB. >> I MOVE AS PRESENTED.

[03:00:06]

>> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, SECONDED. FOUR AYES, NO NAYS, ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM

NUMBER THREE. 93. >> 93, THIS IS THE PROJECT WITH THE CASA DE AMIGOS HEALTH CENTER. I AM A PUBLIC HEALTH CARE BABY AND IT WAS THIS PLACE THAT MY MAMA USED TO TAKE ME TO GO GET MY SHOTS. AND MY FEET CHECKED AND ALL OF THAT KIND OF GOOD STUFF. BUT I AM JUST EXCITED THAT THIS WILL CONTINUE TO PROVIDE PATIENT QUALITY AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL HEALTH CARE SERVICES FOR THE SURROUNDING NORTHEAST COMMUNITY. THIS HEALTH CENTER WILL BOLSTER THE PRECINCT'S COMMITMENT TO REVIVE TO THRIVE, BUT IN THE HUMAN CAPITAL CONTEXT BY PRIORITIZING OUR CONSTITUENTS AND I WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION WITH US AS WELL. AND FOR THEIR WORK IN HELPING TO MOVE THIS PROJECT FORWARD. IS ITEM IS AS PRESENTED, MOVE

ON AS PRESENTED. >> IT HAS BEEN SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. ITEM PASSES, X IS ITEM NUMBER 120, NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC CALMING,

COUNTYWIDE. >> I HAD LOOKED AT THIS, I TALKED TO COUNTY ENGINEER. ABOUT THIS. THE MOTION THAT I WOULD OFFER IS TO ADOPT A CALMING TRAFFIC STUDY UNTIL WE CAN HAVE GUIDELINES FOR THIS PROGRAM. THE WAY IT IS NOW, WHAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THE TABLE IS, WELL, LET EACH PRECINCT DECIDE HOW THEY WANT TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC CALMING. I THINK THAT THAT COULD LEAD TO SOME INTERESTING SCENARIOS IN TERMS OF WHAT HAPPENS ON PRECINCT 4, VERSUS WHAT DOESN'T HAPPEN IN PRECINCT 3. AT A FEW YEARS EXPERIENCE OF TRAFFIC CALMING AND I THINK WE DO NEED STANDARDS. I THINK, SOMETIMES, WE CONFUSE THE PUBLIC AND I AM DOING IT ONE WAY, AND YOU ARE DOING IT ANOTHER WAY IN PRECINCT TO. OH INTENDED, I AM SAYING GET A CONSISTENT SET OF GUIDELINES AND MAKE THAT.

>> DR. AMANO, I WANT TO COME ON, AS SOMEBODY WHO HAD JUST TOLD ME EARLIER, I WANT US TO DO SOMETHING. I'M ONE OF THOSE WHO VOTE TO HAVE SOME COUNTYWIDE STANDARDS, BUT TO GET THE THREE OF US TO AGREE ON THAT IS NOT ALWAYS SO EASY. IF I'M TOLD, IF THERE ARE SOME MINIMUM GUIDELINES HERE.

>> LET ME JUST SAY THAT I HAVE PUSHED FOR THIS ITEM. BECAUSE I HAVE A CONSTITUENT THAT HAS SPENT EVERY DAY ON EVERY ONE OF MY PLATFORMS, POSTING SPEEDING CARS COMING THROUGH HER COMMUNITY AND SHE IS AGGRAVATED THAT I WON'T JUST GO PUT -- AND I AM TELLING HER, WE HAVE NEVER DONE THIS. WE DON'T HAVE A POLICY, WE DON'T HAVE THE IDEA OF CONSISTENCY AND, TO YOUR POINT, I WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT IT SO I WANT TO THINK DR. ROMANO FOR PUTTING THAT ON THE AGENDA.

THE LAST THING I WANT TO DO IS HAVE A PROGRAM AND GET IT DONE IT MAY PRECINCT AND THEN YOUR CONSTITUENTS, HOW COME YOU ARE NOT DOING IT? AND IF YOU'RE DOING IT DIFFERENTLY, MAYBE, BETTER, THEN PEOPLE ARE LIKE, WELL, WHY DID YOU DO THIS? YOU ARE RIGHT, WE DO NEED TO GET A POINT OF CONSISTENCY, BUT ALSO, THE IDEA OF THERE BEING A BIG COST TO THE MAINTENANCE.

I WILL CHALLENGE US , I THINK ANYONE OF US HAVE TRAVELED DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD. IT IS VERY FASCINATING BUT OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD SEEM TO HANDLE TRAFFIC CALMING. OF

[03:05:01]

>> WE CAN'T DO THE CAMERAS, YOU KNOW? LOOK, I AGREE WITH YOU, UNANIMOUSLY, WE VOTED FOR MISSIONS HERE, OUR CARS ARE BIGGER THAN ANYWHERE ELSE, EVERYONE IS IN A HURRY. ARE

YOU THERE, DR. ROMANO? >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT, YES, I AM HERE.

>> THERE YOU ARE, THERE YOU ARE. YOU ARE ON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF

THE COURT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

>> I WILL START, FIRST OF ALL, THANKING ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT FOR ADOPTING THE RESOLUTION IN AUGUST THIS 2022. ALSO, ADOPTING THE VISIONS IN OUR ACTION PLAN IN SEPTEMBER OF 2022. FOR ALL OF YOUR COMMITMENT , FOR VISION ZERO AND THE TRAFFIC SAFETY PART OF THE BOND DEDICATED $50 BILLION OF INVESTMENT THAT IS DEDICATED TO OUR VISION ZERO TRAFFIC . WE ARE TRYING TO DEVELOP A GUIDELINE TO SUPPORT THE LIVABILITY AND VITALITY OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS BY IMPROVING SAFETY FOR ALL USERS OF THE ROAD, NOT ONLY, YOU KNOW, THE CARS, THE BIKERS, THE WORKERS, ALL OF THEM. SO THEIR REPORT, WHAT YOU HAVE IS DIVIDED INTO TWO PARTS. PART ONE IS THE TRAFFIC CALMING EVALUATION AND PART TWO IS A TOOLBOX OF WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT METHOD WE SHOULD APPLY TO IMPROVE TRAFFIC SAFETY. WHAT YOU SEE IN THIS REPORT IS, WE ARE GIVING A GUARD RAIL, YOU KNOW, HE WN YOU HAVE COA MPLAINT FROM A RESIDENT OR NEA IGHBORHOOD THAT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT SAFE, HOW VAWE ELUATE THE TRAFFIC CONCERNS AND WITH THE STATE S STEPT THAEDARE NE TO BE TTAKEN.HE GUIDELINES ARE IN HE , REPORTWE ALSO HAVE PROVIDED SOME TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES ERAND WHE THEY APPLICABLE. IN SO I THK THIS IS A GOOD GUIDELINE OFFOR ALL THE ECINCTS TO USE DEFINITELY, ANY TIME THERE IS CONCERN THAT MEANS E TH NEED SUPPORT, WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HELP TTHE PRECINCTO L REAL WORK ON TYTRAFFIC SAFE.

EDUCATE AMAN, PLEASE ME ERFROM SITTING HE AS A , LAWYERI AM NOT AN ENGINEER. AG MY COLLEUE HAS DECADES ENOF EXPERICE IN ENGINEERING, CAN YOU BRIDGE COMMISSIONERS RAMSES COMMENTS TO WHAT YOU JUST SAID . IT SEEMSIKE THERE IS SOME UI LEVEL OF GDELINES, SOME MENU OF OPTIONS THAT CAN THEN BE D CUSTOMIZEDEPENDING ON THE FACTS AND CIRCUMSTANCES OF WHATEVERR PARTICULAR TRAFFIC O SPEED INCHALLENGE IN A CERTA COMMUNITY, SO CAN YOU HELP ME D TO UNDERSTAN -- THIS IS FOR DR. RAMAN ISAND THEN COMMSIONER DIRAMSEY, WHAT ADTIONAL STANDARDS IGOR GUIDELINES MHT BE -- YOU USARE SEEKING VERS WHAT THE ECONES THAT WOULD ROGNIZE AND RECOGNIZE RECONCILE THOSE ON A PRACTICAL BASE?

>> WHAT I'M HEARING, ONE, HATH GUIDELINE, WE VE 18 DIFFERENT MEASURES THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING AS PART OF TRAFFIC SAFETY OR TRAFFIC CAING THAT INCLUDES SPEED MONITORING TO L SPEED HUMPS, HORIZONTA T DEFLECTIONS AND ALL OFHESE HA TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX TT WE HAVE, BUT ALL I AM HEARING FROM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY KAIS MOSTLY ASKING THAT, OY, WHEN ARE WE GOING TO SPEED PUT A SPEED MAP? DO WE NEED 40% OF THE PEOPLE IN THE BLOCK TO DO A PETITION AND THINGS OF THAT MEASURE. INITIALLY, THE IDEA THAT WE WERE THINKING IS WE LEAVE THIS TO THE PRANK SYNCED

[03:10:02]

IT IS A COMMUNITY BY COMMUNITY BASIS, SO WE WANTED TO LEAVE THE ROOM JUST BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY IS SO DIVERSE IN DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES. YOU KNOW, I AM HOPING TO TAKING ANY DIRECTION FROM THE COURT.

>> THANK YOU, DR. RAMAN. THAT IS A USE OF A GOOD EXAMPLE IN TERMS OF THE SPEED HUMPS THAT WE MAY ADOPT AN 80% RULE IN PRECINCT RULE, IT MAY BE A 40% RULE IN ANOTHER PRECINCT, THAT PART OF IT COULD BE CONFUSING FOR THE PUBLIC. I THINK WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A PRETTY PROACTIVE APPROACH TO IT, GOT THE CALL DOWN IN HIGHLANDS ABOUT SPEEDING IN FRONT OF A PARTICULAR CONSTITUENTS HOUSE. THIS MAY NOT BE STANDARD, BUT WE WENT AND PUT A FOUR-WAY STOP IN FRONT OF THEIR HOUSE AND THEY ARE NOT SPEEDING ANYMORE. PEOPLE WITH RATHER NOT RUN A SPOT STOP SPINE SIGNED AND SPEED. ON ONE HAND, YOU COULD SAY, YOU HAVE LEFT US THE WONDERFUL MENU OF OPPORTUNITIES TO GO INTO EACH NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT SINCE, JUST ADJACENT TO ME AND MANY PARTS OF EAST PRECINCTS, A LOT OF OUR PRECINCTS, OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THEIR CRITERIA IS INTERESTING. TO SAY THE LEAST. YOU LET A SPEED HUMP BE THERE FOR , I DON'T KNOW, 10 YEARS AND YOU GOT A PROBLEM IF YOU DON'T MAINTAIN IT BECAUSE IT IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF DEAL. FIRST RESPONDERS, WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO GET FROM POINT A TO POINT B, HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A FIRE TRUCK GO OVER A SPEED HUMP? AT 60 MILES AN HOUR? IT'S INTERESTING. I THINK THERE IS A LOT OF CONVERSATION THAT NEEDS TO BE TAKEN PLACE BESIDES, AND I AGREE WITH DR. AMANN, ONE SIZE DOES NOT NECESSARILY FIT THEM ALL, YOU GOT TO LOOK AT IT IN THE CONTEXT. I WAS JUST LOOKING FOR SOME CONSISTENCY, BUT IF EACH ONE OF US SAY THAT , IF YOU WANT 70% OF THE PEOPLE IN YOUR BLOCK TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF A SPEED HUMP, THEN THAT IS YOUR CRITERIA. I SAY, WELL, IT'S GOING TO BE CLOSER TO 90, WHICH, TO BE HONEST , I WAS 95 IN SPRING VALLEY. THERE WERE SOME STREETS THAT HAVE SPEED HUMPS AND I JUST DON'T GO DOWN

THE STREET ANYMORE. >> I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU, DR. RAMAN FOR FORWARDING MY OFFICE ON THIS BECAUSE IT IS IT IS A CONSTITUENT HAS RAISED THIS, HOWEVER, IN PUBLIC MEETING, IT IS AMONGST THE TOP THREE ISSUES THAT COMES UP .

AND THEN, WE HAVE TO PUT IT OFF ON LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THEY WILL GO OUT THERE, DO SOME SPEED MONITORING FOR A WHILE, BUT THEN THEY GOT TO MOVE ON AND THEN THE SPEEDING COMES RIGHT BACK. THIS IS A CHALLENGING AREA, BUT I DO THINK TRYING TO DO SOME LEVEL OF CONSISTENCY IS CRITICAL.

THEN WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT IT AS, WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE POLICY FOR THE COUNTY? I JUST SAY THAT, AS A STREET IN MY ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD THAT DOES NOT HAVE A SPEED BUMP, IN CONTRAST TO EVERYBODY ELSE. EVERYBODY FINDS THEIR WAY DOWN MY STREET. YOU GOT TO BE CAREFUL.

>> DR. AMANN, WHAT IS VISION ZERO? JUST REMIND US, WHAT IS

VISION ZERO MEAN? >> COMMISSIONER, THE TERM ZERO VISION ZERO IS TO SAY A COMMITMENT FROM A COMMUNITY THAT WE WANT ZERO DEBT ON OUR STREET.

>> WHAT YEAR WAS IT? >> WE ADOPTED IT IN 2022.

>> WE ADOPT IT BY 2030. >> THE 50 MILLION THAT WE SET ASIDE, HOW DO WE DRAW THAT DOWN? TO GO HELP US GET TO -- HJELLE ARE SITTING THERE TALKING ABOUT WHAT YOU COULD

HAVE DONE. >> COMMISSIONER, THE 50 MILLION IN EACH PRECINCT IS PART OF THE BOND ALLOCATION AND

[03:15:02]

>> DO ATIT UNDER THE STANDARDS TH YOU HAVE, WHERE IT IS NOT

ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL? >> THAT IS RIGHT, COMMISSIONER, IT IS MORE OFTEN, IF YOU GET A COMPLAINT FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD,

WE WILL EVALUATE IT. >> THE REASON I AM ASKING, IF I THINK I HEAR WHAT YOU SAY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK I AGREE WITH YOU, I KNOW I WAS ON THE CITY COUNCIL, IF THE NUMBER IS SO HIGH AGAINST SPEED BUMPS, I KNOW WE CANNOT REGULATE WHAT THE CITY DOES, WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOES, BUT IT DOES HAVE , IF THEY NOTE THERE IS A PILE OF MONEY THEY CAN ONLY ACCESS IF THEY DO THIS, I ONLY DO ROADS OF IT IS TRA COMPLETE STREET. EVERYBODY HAS A COMPLETE SEET POLICY, WHICH IS A COMPLETE DISCUSSION. IF YOU WANT THE MONEY, THAT IS THE STREET THAT CAN JUSTIFY A BIKE LANE OR A SIDEWALK, IT'S GOING TO HAVE IT. OR I WOULD PUT THE MONEY IN, PERIOD. IF I HEAR WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, I WANT YOU TO COME BACK WITH SOME GUIDELINES IF YOU PLAY 95%, I DON'T THINK THAT'S RIGHT. THEY WERE DRAWN THIS WAY BEFORE I DREW THEM, MIGHT I POINT OUT.

SOMEBODY GOING FROM A TO B, YOU CAN EVEN GET TO THE COFFEE -- THE SECOND COPY SHOP WITHOUT GOING THROUGH ANOTHER PRECINCT, UNINCORPORATED TO BRING ALONG THE OTHER CITIES BECAUSE WE CAN'T CONTROL WHAT THEY DO. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I AM KIND OF AGREEING WITH YOU. I CAN MOVE THIS BROAD MENU AND COME BACK WITH SOMETHING THAT FILLS IT DOWN TO A TRAFFIC PROBLEM, AT LEAST TODAY, SAYING, IF YOU WERE TO TAKE A TOOLBOX , RUMBA THERE. WE SHOULD NOT AVOID DOING TRAFFIC CALMING PROJECTS . IF YOU DETERMINE, TODAY, THAT SPEED HUMPS ARE THE BEST SOLUTION FOR THAT PRECINCT THAT ESTABLISH A CRIER CRITERIA. WORK TOWARD AN OVERALL POLICY FOR THE COUNT.

>> I'M TRYING TO BRIDGE, I THINK THAT'S THE TERM YOU USED.

WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA. >> I AM ALWAYS LOOKING FOR THOSE BOTH, WE ALL STARE SHARE A COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY GENERALLY. WE NEED SOME HEIGHTENED LEVEL SO IT IS NOT COMPLETELY AD HOC, SO SOME MORE DEFINITION AROUND THE GUARDRAILS OR REQUIREMENTS FOR THE COMMUNITY. DR. MANN, SINCE I KNOW YOU UPSET WITH THIS MENU/TOOLKIT FOR QUITE A WHILE, HOW WOULD YOU BRIDGE THESE TWO REALITIES. I KNOW I WANT FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY TO BE CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE, TO BRING SOME OF THESE NEW IDEAS FROM DIFFERENT PLACES. BUT ALSO BE CLEAR WITH WHAT IS EXPECTED. HOW WOULD YOU

BRIDGE IS A QUESTION HERE? >> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE PUT SOME OF THOSE TRAFFIC CALMING MEASURES, LIKE A SPEED HUMP AND, SOMETIMES, REDUCING THE LIMIT, THAT IS A LITTLE CONTROVERSIAL. MAYBE, WE NEED TO HAVE A SOLID GOLD FINE GUIDELINE FOR COUNTYWIDE STUFF. 70%, IF WE HAVE A CONSISTENT GUIDELINE, IT WOULD PROBABLY HELP ALL OF YOU SO THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMEONE DOESN'T SAY, WE COULD DO IT IN PRECINCT 1, BUT WE CANNOT DO IT

IN PRECINCT FOR. >> IF HE COMES UP WITH 50%, DR.

AMANN SAID -- >> I ASSUME YOU LOOK AROUND AND SEE -- WE ARE UNIQUE, RIGHT? IT IS US OR SAN DIEGO THAT HAVE SUCH A LARGE UNINCORPORATED POPULATION SO I KNOW WHAT EXAMPLES WE HAVE. SOMETHING THEY HAD A STROLL DOWN THE 50 MILLION, BECAUSE IF NOT, IN 2030, WE WILL SAY WE THOUGHT

VISION ZERO IS 2035. >> SPENDING THAT MONEY IS NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM ON TRAFFIC CALMING. THERE ARE SO MANY CASES IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS

COUNTY. >> IF YOU GOT SUCH A BROAD

[03:20:03]

IF I WERE IN YOUR SHOES, YOU GOT A BROAD MENU BECAUSE YOU WEREN'T SURE YOU WOULD HAVE THREE VOTES FOR A NARROW, TAILORED MENU. AT LEAST, WHAT I AM SAYING, I WOULD LIKE TO GET ON A GOOD STARTING POINT. YOU WOULD HAVE THREE VOTES,

CREATIVE. >> THE OTHER THING I WANT TO REMIND FOLKS IS THAT , JUST AS I USED THE EXAMPLE EARLIER, YOU HAVE TO HAVE A COMPLETE NEIGHBORHOOD APPROACH. WHEN YOU DO IT FOR ONE CONSTITUENT, THEN YOU ARE IMPACTING SOMEONE ELSE. SO WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT BEGINNING WITH THE ISSUE AND NOT DISPLACING THE PROBLEM.

>> I AM ASSUMING THAT THIS WILL WORK FOR YOU IF WE PASS THIS ITEM, BUT YOU WILL COME BACK WITH SOMETHING THAT

NARROWLY TAILORS THIS A BIT. >> MORE CLEARLY DEFINED SOME OF THE CRITERIA. DR. AMANN KNOWS, HE KNOWS THOSE AREAS THAT WOULD PROBABLY NEED SOME CONSISTENCY BECAUSE HE IS GOING TO GET AS MANY PHONE CALLS AS WE DID.

>> COMMISSIONER, THAT WORKS WELL, I MEAN, WE CAN GO BACK FROM HERE AND IDENTIFY WHERE WE WANT A MORE CONSISTENT SET OF GUIDELINES , WHETHER IT IS A SPEED HUMP, SPEED REDUCTION, HORIZONTAL CONTROL, WE CAN PICK OUT OPTIONS. I CAN WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE AND COME BACK WITH A SECONDARY SET OF REGULATIONS, MORE HARRIS COUNTY REGULATIONS.

>> HOW MUCH TIME, 30 DAYS? 60 DAYS, WHATEVER? I DON'T WANT US TO GO BACK AND SAY VISION ACCOMPLISHED.

>> COMMISSIONER, 60 DAYS IS BETTER, THAT WILL ALLOW ME TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOUR OFFICES AND, AS YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH DIVERSE AREAS. TO PRESENT A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COMMUNITY.

>> I THINK YOU HURT US, AND THINK WE NEED A MOTION. WE JUST NEED A MOTION ON THE ITEM. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BOAT AYE. ANY POST, VOTE NO. FOUR AYES, NO NAYS.

>> IF YOU WANT A TRAFFIC CALMING APPROACH, WE ARE LOOKING AT A FOUR-LANE , REDUCING IT TO TWO WITH BIG SIDEWALKS. THAT IS GOING TO SAVE LIVES.

>> THAT'S GOOD, THAT WILL SAVE A LOT OF LIGHTS.

>> 50% OF THE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO LIKE IT.

>> TRUST ME, I GO THROUGH THE WINTER UNIVERSITY. STUDENTS ON BICYCLES, BUT I'M DOING IT ANYWAY. THANK YOU. ITEM 172.

WITH 242, THERE CONNECTED. THIS IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT, DIFFERENT LEVELS WORKING TOGETHER. I WANT TO THANK PETRA METRO AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THIS IS THE M.O. YOU THAT IS READY FOR US TO CONTINUE DOWN THE ROAD TO REIMAGINING EXPANSION OF THE TOLLWAY, ADDING MULTI-TOTAL ITEMS AND THEN REALLY TRYING TO CONNECT THE COMMUNITY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE TOLLWAY AND DO IT IN A WAY THAT IS COMMUNITY DRIVEN, MULTILINGUAL, CELEBRATING ARC OUR ARCHITECTURE. IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO WORK WITH ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND ALREADY HAVE THE M.O. YOU, SO I AM THRILLED WITH MOVING THIS FORWARD. THE REASON I WANTED TO TAKE IT UP WITH 242, I THINK MY TEAM , THEY ARE SEEKING A GRANT FROM THE U.S.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR THE RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES GRANT. THIS WOULD BE DIADTIONAL FUNDING, E ONOF THE STMO DISADVANTAGES -- DISADVANTAGED S,AREA IT HAS BEEN DIVIDED BYTOTHE LLWAY. THE GRANT IIS DUEN A FEW DAYS I REALLY HOPE WE E GET THGRAND. WANT TO TTHANK MYEAM FOR

[03:25:04]

EVERYTHING D WE HAVE ASKEOF YOU AND YOUR TEAM, SO I APPRECIATE YOURARTNERSHIP. THIS IS STTHE FAEST GROWING REGION IN ALTEXAS ONG THE WEST TOLLWAY, CSO THISOULD BE GAME CHANGING. I I

CAN'T WA TO MOVE IT FORWARD. >>

WOULD LIKE TO SECOND THAT. >> I WANT TO SECOND BECAUSE I C HAD A CHAN TO WORK ON THE

WEST PARK. >> OKAY.

>> BUT TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES' POINT, IT DIDNOT TAKE INTO ACCOUNT HOW YOU GO FROM ONE RT SIDE TO THE NOH SIDE AND THE ALL THOSE IN FAV, BOAT AYE. FOUR AYES AND NOOUNAYS.

>> THANK Y COLLEAGUES AND HARRIS COUNTY TEAM.

>> ITEMS 170 AND 242 OUR PAST, COMMISSIONER RAMSE THAT IS 174. 172 AND 242, PAST, WE ARE ON 174.

>> 174, IS THIS A NEW FUNDED

>> THIS ISN'T ONE OF THOSE AND LIST BUDGETS, IS IT?

>> I AM HEARING SOMEBODY ON THE PHONE, GO AHEAD, I'M SORRY.

BCSO IT IS GRANT FUNDED? >> I BELIEVE IT IS ONE OF THE CBG WARNS, SO THEY ARE DOING THE WORK FORCE MONITORING FOR IT AS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL GRANT.

>> OKAY, IS THAT EMOTION? GARCIA MAKES A MOTION, SECOND , ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BOAT AYE. THREE AYES AND ONE NÉE.

ITEM 180, THIS IS A GREAT PROGRAM.

>> THAT IS ONE THAT I DID NOT AGREE WITH, IT IS A BIT OF A PILOT PROGRAM. THEY'RE GOING TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO BEST WORK THIS , I THINK MY BIGGEST HEARTBURN POURING GOING FORWARD IS THE LACK OF DIRECTION ON HOW WE USE THE MONEY. GROWING UP, PEOPLE WOULD NEED STUFF, MY FATHER WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE YOU TO THE GROCERY STORE OR TAKE YOU TO THE GAS STATION, TAKE YOU TO FIND A ROOM. BUT TO GIVE PEOPLE CASH, BUT AS A WHOLE OTHER THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER SET OF

CIRCUMSTANCES. >> I SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR BOAT AYE. AYE. THOSE WHO OPPOSE, BOAT NÉE. THREE AYES. CAN I CALL THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. IS HE COMING OUT OF LEGAL SIN? WE WILL WORK ON SOMEONE TO ADMINISTER IT , I THINK THAT IS THE ISSUE.

>> WE CAN LOOK INTO THAT. >> IF NOT, I KNOW THAT WHEN WE WATCHED IT, THAT WAS THE EXPECTATION. OF A CERTAIN TIMETABLE. I KNOW YOU ARE BACKLOGGED, BUT WE WILL DELAY A PROGRAM GOING IF AN ANALYSIS IS NOT COMPLETED ON THE REGAL LEGAL REQUIREMENT, IS THAT RIGHT? FROM THE HEALTH

DEPARTMENT? >> YES, COMMISSIONER, WE ARE ON A TIGHT TIMELINE AND WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO START ADMINISTERING THE DOLLARS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, SO THE SOONER WE CAN GET THE CONTRACT COMPLETED, WE CAN BEGIN THE PROGRAM, WE ARE TRYING TO BRING AS MANY DELAYS AS POSSIBLE.

>> IT IS GOING TO BE DELAYED FROM WHENEVER WE ANNOUNCE THAT?

WITH PEOPLE. >> WE EXPECTED ON THE TEMPERATE

TORN 10TH. >> THANK YOU.

>> ITEM 193, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT IS WEST MILTON

OUT WATER AND SANITARY LINE? >> I AM EXCITED ABOUT THE WEST NELDA WATER AND SANITARY IMPROVEMENT, THIS WATER AND WASTE PROJECT, FUNDED BY CDBG FUNDS IS BEING LED BY MCOMMUNI SERVICES DEPARTMENT, SO THANK YOU,ISS KOSTAS. THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE , IMPORTANT IMPROVEMENT, THROUGH OUR REVIVE

[03:30:06]

AGENDA. >> HOW MANY HOMES?

>> THIS IS GOING TO HELP -- LET ME FIND IT. MISS KOSTAS, DO YOU HAVE THAT NUMBER IN FRONT OF YOU? HOW MANY HOMES WE ARE

GOING TO BE ABLE TO -- >> UNFORTUNATELY, I DO NOT. I

WILL FIND IT OUT. >> I AM LOOKING FOR IT, I DON'T HAVE IT EITHER. I HAVE GONE THROUGH SEVERAL OF THESE IN MY PRECINCT SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE AND THERE IS NOT -- VR EXPECTING THIS, SO WE NEED MORE OF THIS. MISS KOSTAS, THANK YOU FOR HELPING US FIND THAT FUNDING AND TO MY TEAM FOR HELPING US PUT THE PROJECTS TOGETHER.

>> NATIONWIDE IS PROBABLY THE MOST USE OF CBG MONEY.

>> I'M 22ND. >> I MOVE ON IT AS PRESENTED

PICK >> ITEM HAS A MOTION AND PROPER SECOND, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BOAT AYE . AYE, FOUR AYES, NO NAYS, 238, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 238.

>> IS IS ARPA FUNDED? >> LET ME DOUBLE CHECK, BUT IT IS IN THE BUDGET, WE WOULD HAVE PULLED IT.

>> SO IT WAS IN THE BUDGET? IT WAS IN THE BUDGET THAT WE JUST APPROVED? IF YOU CAN GIVE ME ONE MINUTE, I WILL COME BACK.

LIAISON, THEY JUST GOT AROUND TO CREATING THE POSITION.

>> I MAKE A MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKES A MOTION, THERE IS A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. FOUR AYES, ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 241?

>> 241, I WANT TO THANK KRISTIN LEIGH ON MY TEAM FOR HER WORK ON SOLAR FOR ALL SINCE WE CAME INTO OFFICE, THIS LITERALLY HAS BEEN ASSIGNED FROM MY INCLUSIVE PARKS . THIS HAS PROBABLY BEEN THE SECOND-HIGHEST POLICY PRIORITY AREA AND THIS APPLICATION REPRESENTS A ONCE IN A GENERATION OPPORTUNITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO FUNDAMENTALLY AND CHANGE AND IMPROVE THE RESIDENCE THE WAY THEY ACCESS ENERGY. WE ALL KNOW THE BURDEN THAT HIGH ENERGY BILLS PLACED ON FAMILIES AND AFTER THE SUMMER WE HAVE HAD, WE ALSO KNOW THAT AIR-CONDITIONING IS NOT OPTIONAL. IT IS ABSOLUTELY REQUIRED TO SURVIVE THIS HEAT. SOLAR FOR ALL WOULD POSITION US TO ALLEVIATE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY SO THEY CAN KEEP THEIR LIGHTS ON AND THEIR HOMES COOL.

DEVELOPING SOLAR SOLUTIONS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS SO MANY OTHER NOTEWORTHY BENEFITS AS WELL, THIS OPPORTUNITY WILL MAKE US MORE RESILIENT BY DEPLOYING LARGE SOLAR ARRAYS HERE, LOCALLY, INSTEAD OF WEST TEXAS AND CONTINUING TO SUPPORT ROOFTOP SOLAR PROJECTS. I AM PROUD OF THE TEXAS SOLAR FOR ALL COALITION THAT WE HELPED ESTABLISH. BIG THANKS TO LISA LYNN FOR WRANGLING ALL THE CATS AND ENSURING THAT WE SUBMIT A STRONG APPLICATION AND TO THOSE OUT OF THE COMMUNITY, JUST KNOW THAT THIS HAS BEEN -- LIKE I SAID, I WENT TO MY FIRST CONFERENCE, WALK ME THROUGH THIS WORKSHOP, CAME BACK AND SAID, WE HAVE GOT TO GET THIS DONE. IT IS HOW WE DEALT WITH THE PUBLIC POWER POOL, IT IS HOW WE ULTIMATELY GOT TO THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY AND RESILIENCY, IT IS HOW WE GOT TO

[03:35:04]

VERY PROUD TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> I PROUD SECOND AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, TO MS. LYNN AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER. THIS ENERGIZES ME WHEN WE HAVE CITIES AND COUNTIES FROM AROUND TEXAS WORKING TOGETHER AND IF WE CAN LAND THIS $400 MILLION, FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS, APPROXIMATELY 100 THIS COULD HELP TENS OF THOUSANDS OF LOW INCOME RESIDENTS AND A PARTICULARLY AND TRANQUIL THANKFUL , AS YOU ALL KNOW, WEBB COUNTY IS PART OF THE COALITION, CITY OF BROWNSVILLE, THIS IS TEXAS AT ITS BEST AND I APPRECIATE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FOR CONSIDERING OUR APPLICATION AND WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE THE WORLD LEADER IN ENERGY, INDUSTRY, ESPECIALLY AS WE TRANSITION IN THE SECTOR. WE NEED TO CONTINUE . THANK YOU TO EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY, I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A TON OF WORK AND I AM REALLY APPRECIATIVE TO EVERYONE

PASSIVE THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK

YOU. >> PROUDLY SECOND.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD THAT I THINK THAT TIME TO ACTION PLAN IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE CAN DO WITH CLIMATE JUSTICE AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR RADAR. IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT, FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE TO THANK THE BIDEN HARRIS ADMINISTRATION, THIS IS PART OF THE PRESIDENTS JUSTICE FOR THE INITIATIVE THAT CREATED THIS UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY.

THESE FUNDS WILL DO A HECK OF A LOT, BUT IT IS BECAUSE OF THEM THAT WE CAN DO IT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HARRIS COUNTY TAKE THE LEAD BECAUSE WE ARE BIG ENOUGH THAT WE ARE IN A COMPETITION TO GET IT. IT IS A REALLY BIG DEAL, BUT AS MUCH AS I AM PROUD OF EVERYTHING, EVERYBODY AT THE COUNTY HAS DONE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION MADE A SERIOUS EFFORT TO ADVOCATE FOR CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, FATE VOTE AYE. FOUR AYES, NO

NAYS. >> 243, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? PROGRAM THAT WE ARE SUBMITTING FOR, IT IS THE RECONNECTING COMMUNITIES PILOT. THIS IS A -- ACCOMPLISHED BY REMOVING, RETROFITTING OR MITIGATING TRANSPORTATION FACILITIES, SUCH AS HIGHLIGHTS HIGHWAYS AND CREATE BARRIERS TO COMMUNITY.

THE SUBMISSION OF THIS APPLICATION WILL ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN $5 MILLION IN FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING FOR CAPITAL CONSTRUCTION OR PROJECTS LIKE THE PLAN JOHN R HARRIS PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AND BICYCLE BRIDGE. PEDESTRIAN CONNECTIONS TO SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOODS.

THE PROPOSED PROJECTS WILL ALLOW HARRIS COUNTY THE OPPORTUNITY TO INCREASE SAFETY ALONG MULTIPLE CORRIDORS, SURROUNDING THE PLANS JOHN HARRIS PARK. THIS WILL HELP ACHIEVE THE COUNTY'S INITIATIVE TO IMPROVE COUNTY ACTIVITY, SAFER ROAD REESE ROADWAYS, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION FOR THIS GRANT IS WITHIN FOUR YEARS AFTER THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE GRANT AGREEMENT. YOU KNOW, IF WE GET THIS DONE, NUMBER ONE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, HAVE WORKED ON THE --, THIS WOULD HELP CONNECT THIS PARTICULAR PARK TO THE ADMITS ESTIMATION EMANCIPATION TRAIL. IT WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO REVITALIZE THAT PARK AND MAKE SURE IT IS CONNECTED TO THE EMANCIPATION TRAIL, BUT ALSO -- I REFER TO IT AS IT EMANCIPATION CEMETERY THAT IS RIGHT' STREET FROM THIS PARK. AND HOW NOTHING WAS EVER DONE , JUST A PATCH OF GREEN SPACE THAT HAD NEVER HAD ANYTHING IMPROVED ON IT. BUT WE ARE ABOUT TO PROGRAM A SERIOUS AMOUNT OF FUNDING INTO THIS PARK. IT IS GOING TO

[03:40:03]

PRESENTED PICK >> SECOND.

>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT IS A BIG DEAL, I KNOW THAT YOU HAD A CHANCE TO MEET WITH MATT, BUT WHEN HE COMES BACK, MAKE SURE YOU DO THAT. YOU MET HIM,

COMMISSIONER? >> I MET HIM AT THE TAG EVENT.

GET ONE FIVE-YEAR TERM AS MAYOR AND THEN YOU'RE OUT. I THINK HE WAS OUT A DECADE AND RAN AGAIN, BUT HE DOES GET THE CREDIT FOR JUST TRANSFORMING THAT CITY IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY DID WITH BIKE TRAILS AND PUBLIC TRANSIT.

>> MAYBE, 10, 50% OF PEOPLE HAVE CARS, SO THEY REALLY USE MASS TRANSIT ANY BIG WAY. ON THIS TRAIL, HE CALLED ME AND HAD THIS IDEA OF TRYING TO ELEVATE IT. AND I PUSH FOR THAT, YOU KNOW, PRIMARILY IN YOUR PRECINCT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT I THINK IT COULD LEAD TO SOME SERIOUS TORIES OF. THAT GOT TO TAKE IT THROUGH THE PACES PLACES THAT ARE INTERESTING, WHATEVER THE NEWLY EMANCIPATED PEOPLE TOOK, YOU BETTER MAKE IT AN INTERESTING ROUTE SO PEOPLE WILL WRITE IT. THINGS LIKE YOU ARE DOING WITH THAT PARK , IT IS TIED TO THAT. MAY HELP YOU TO GET THAT GRANT. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, PROPER SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BUT AYE. FOUR AYES, NO NAYS, NEXT ONE IS YOURS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

247. >> WAI NT TTOHANK REPRESENTATIVE NNDEIS BOND N I HOUSE LLBI ONE. A.THE D.A., TEXAS SLLEGIATURE ALLOCATED FUNDS TO THE D FLOOCONTROL DISTRICT, SIGNED INTO LAW ON JUNE 18TH ERBY GOVNOR ABBOTT AND WENT INTO EFFECT ON THE FIRST OF THIS THYEAR. E ALLOCATION FROM THE LEGISLATURES BEING OBTAINED THROUGH XATHE TES WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD NDGRANT FUS IN NTTHE AMOU OF IO$10 MILLN WITH RENO REQUID MATCHING. IT WILL BE USED THFOR E PRATTENTION OJECTS, CREEK ANWATERSHED D A PROGRAM AND IT IS G,VERY EXCITIN I GLW AD TO COLLABORATE WITH D HIM AN I WANT HOTO THANK ALL TSE INVOLVED. DR. PETERSON ANAS WEL D IT HAS JUST BEEN AN EXCITING THING, SEEING THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT MOVE FORWARD. I AMOVE ON THE ITEMS PRESENTE

>> SECOND. >> ONMOTION HAS A SECD, FOUR

AYE, NO KNEES . >> SIMILARLY, 248, I WANT TO THANK Y REPRESENTATIVE WALL THE SAME BILL IS ALLOCATING $18 MILLION WITH NO REQUIRED L MATCH THAT WILBE USED FOR ONTHE CONSTRUCTI OF THE RETENTION BASIN PROGRAM. THIS PROJECT IS A COMPONENT OFTHE LARGER FLOOD DAMAGE REDUCTION PROJECT.

STATE COMMUNITYALDIRECTED FUNDING LOCATIONS THAT WILL FUND PRELIMINARY DESIGN , ENGINEERING AND DIVINE AND CONSTRUCTION. THE MEMBERS OF OUR LEGISLATURE, KEEP HARRIS COUNTY IN MIND AND WE GOT TO VISIT WITH THEM THE OTHER DAY AND WE ARE UNEXCITED ABOUT THE OPPORTITIES THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I MOVE ON THE ITEM AS

PRESENTED.IO >> SECOND.

>> MOTN HAS BEEN MADE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. AYES HAVE IT, FOR MY SERA. YO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT'S U.

I WILL MOVE IT. >> 275? SECOND.

>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, BUT AYE . ITE PASSES, NEXT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THAT IS YOU, 288.

>> 32 THREE AYES, ONE NAY. ITEM 288, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IT HAS BEEN MOVED, SECONDED, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE.

AYE. ALL THOSE OPPOSED, VOTE NAY. NEXT, 321, THAT IS YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THAT IS MOSAIC COMMUNITY PLANNING LLC

FOR FAIR HOUSING PLAN. >> THERE ARE TWO PROPOSALS HERE. IT LOOKS LIKE THAT MOSAIC , DO THEY HAVE AN OFFICE

[03:45:01]

HERE ? VAL? >> HE MIGHT BE MUTED.

>> I AM. YOU KNOW WHAT? I DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF THEY DO, LET ME FIND OUT. YOU ARE LOOKING FOR LOCAL? IF PURCHASING IS MANAGING THIS, I'M NOT SURE IF DWIGHT OR SOMEBODY FROM PURCHASING COULD ALSO HELP US.

>> IT IS JUST A RECOMMENDATION, IT LOOKS LIKE THE LOWER FEE

WAS SELECTED, AND GENERAL. >> WHICH ITEM WAS THAT AGAIN, I APOLOGIZE, I DID NOT HEAR YOUR ITEM?

>> THIS IS ITEM 321. MOSAIC. >> AND FAIR HOUSING.

>> DO THEY HAVE AN OFFICE IN HOUSTON?

>> LET ME PULL THE RAP, IF YOU GIVE ME FIVE MINUTES, I CAN PULL IT ELECTRONICALLY AND TELL YOU IF THERE IS A LOCAL OFFICE.

NEED TO PULL THE DOCUMENT. >> IS THIS ONE FROM A COMPETITIVE BID? HOW IS THIS DONE?

>> YES, SIR, IT WAS A COMPETITIVE BID.

>> I'M JUST CURIOUS, AND UNDER THE LAW, CAN WE REQUIRE AN

OFFICE HERE? >> WE CAN'T REQUIRE IT, BUT I

CAN LOOK AT THE INFORMATION. >> THERE WAS AN EVALUATION, IT

WAS NOT A SURPRISE. >> CORRECT, THERE WAS AN EVALUATION SCORED, BUT I CAN CHECK AND LET YOU KNOW IF THERE

IS A LOCAL OFFICE OR NOT. >> JUST GIVE ME ONE SECOND AND

I WILL GET BACK TO. >> WANT TO HOLD AND COME BACK

TO IT? >> WE WILL GO TO ITEM 49, WE

DID 380? LET'S GO TO 381. >> 381, AND WE HAVE 332? WAS THAT PULLED? DID YOU WANT TO GO BACK TO IT?

>> IT WAS VOTED ON. >> DID YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT

IT, COMMISSIONER? >> THERE WERE SOME ISSUES WITH

MORRIS AND DICKINSON. >> HOLD ON, LET ME JUST GRAB IT HERE. OKAY, YEAH, 300,000 FOR A PRIMARY PURSUIT OF ALSO

HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> I KNOW DWIGHT HAS VETTED THEM, OF WHATEVER ISSUES THEY HAD. NOT TO GET INTO ALL THOSE DETAILS, BUT THERE WERE SOME PRETTY SERIOUS ACCUSATIONS. ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH THIS GOING FORWARD, DWIGHT?

>> YES, SIR, AT THIS POINT, THEY HAVE BEEN IN THE COUNTY FOR 20 YEARS, I KNOW THERE WAS SOME ACTIVATIONS ACCUSATIONS, WE LOOKED IN TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE STILL CLEARED AND MOST OF THOSE ACTIVATIONS ACCUSATIONS WERE REMOVED. THEY ARE ONE OF THE DISTRIBUTORS THAT WAS IN REVIEW ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO WHEN THIS WHOLE OPIOID BROKE LOOSE. WE CAN DO MORE RESEARCH, LIKE I SAID, COMMISSIONER, THEY HAVE BEEN AROUND.

>> CONTINUE TO MONITOR IT. >> THAT MAY BE ALL SMOKE AND NO PROBLEMS, BUT JUST, YEAH, MORE MONITORING.

>> YES KOS OR. >> I WAS LOOKING IT UP WHEN THIS ITEM CAME UP, GIVE ME ONE SECOND, COMMISSIONER.

>> 381, THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL .

>> IT IS A TRANSMITTAL NO VOTE REQUIRED, I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE INVOLVED. HAS A TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. IT IS A LITTLE IRONIC THAT WE DID NOT CHECK OFF AT AN EARLIER DATE BECAUSE AS YOU HEARD, WE TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT IT WAS CRITICAL FOR THEIR ABILITY TO CREATE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY. TOO OFTEN, THEY WERE DEALING WITH FOLKS THAT WERE UNDOCUMENTED AND THERE WAS NO U VISA PROGRAM BACK THEN.

THEY HAD TO CREATE CONFERENCE AND PEOPLE TESTIFIED TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON AN INDIVIDUAL THAT HAS CREATED SOME HARM. THAT WAS IN PART WHAT I WAS THINKING WHEN WE CREATED THE FUNDING AND THE IDEA OF THE DASHBOARD. I WANT TO THANK SHERIFF GONZALEZ FOR HIS LEADERSHIP. HE'S THE ONE THAT WANTED TO SEE A DASHBOARD CREATIVE. THIS WILL ALSO HELP THOSE AGENCIES WHO HAVE NOT YET JUMPED ON BOARD WITH THE MODEL POLICY AND THE LEVERAGING OF THE U VISA POLICY AND APPROACH. SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT THIS WILL ALLOW US TO FURTHER BUILD THOSE RELATIONSHIPS AND MAKE HARRIS COUNTY EVEN SAFER BY CREATING THAT CONFIDENCE IN INDIVIDUALS TO HAVE INFORMATION

[03:50:05]

>> >> PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I SECOND EVERYTHING YOU SAID, THANK YOU, SHERIFF GONZALEZ. THIS IS HUGE, THE FACT THAT WE NOW HAVE A PUBLIC FACING DASHBOARD AND I'M SURE MOST OF US IN THE ROOM, ANYONE WHO MIGHT BE WATCHING, THESE UV SAYS ARE FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, DOMESTIC ASSAULT VICTIMS AND WE NEED TO STAND WITH ALL HIM VICTIMS, REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS. THIS APPLICATION OF DASHBOARD AND A LARGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROTECTING ALL VICTIMS. THANK YOU, TO EVERYONE WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING UPON IT BECAUSE IT IS SO CRITICAL.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. NEXT, TRANSMITTAL, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ITEM 403.

EXECUTIVE QUESTION SESSION? >> OKAY, GOOD, A TRANSMITTAL THAT I PULLED, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THIS IS A REVIEW OF APPOINTMENTS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU CAN GO FIRST.

>> IT'S 404. DEFENSE APPOINTMENTS, PAGE 51.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> S, 404, I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU AND I, COLLEAGUES, I FEEL VERY PASSIONATELY ABOUT THIS. WE ARE NOT SERVING THE BEST INTEREST OF JUSTICE WITH THE VOLUME AND AMOUNT BEING SPENT ON THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS. HAVING THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE A CASELOAD THAT IS NOT BEING MONITORED, PLUS MAKING 1 MILLION AND OTHERS WILL HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS PAYING THESE ATTORNEYS, WE NEED SO MUCH MORE CLOSE MONITORING OF THEM AND I THINK THE ROI, IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE GETTING FOR WHAT WE PAID FOR AND THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE IS JUST NOT THERE. AND I APPRECIATE THE AUDITORS OFFICE FOR RESPONDING TO THAT LETTER, THAT WE SENT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SO THANK YOU TO THE AUDITOR FOR DOING THAT. THIS REINFORCES MY COMMITMENT TO EXPANDING OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE BECAUSE, ONE, THERE ARE CASE CAPS AND WE ALL KNOW, AS LAWYERS, YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THE TIME NEEDED FOR A CASE. AND THEN, ALSO, WE WILL GET BETTER JUSTICE FOR LESS COST, SO WE ALL MAKE SURE WE MAKE THE MOST OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. THE AMOUNTS BEING PAID THESE ATTORNEYS ARE STAGGERING AND DEEPLY CONCERNING KOS I RECOGNIZE THAT EACH JUDGE IS INDEPENDENTLY SELECTED AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS A SEPARATE BRANCH OF GOVERNMENT, AND WE CANNOT TELL THE JUDGES WHO THEY CAN AND CANNOT APPOINT, THAT BEING SAID, WE ALL SHARE A COMMITMENT TO ADVANCING JUSTICE IN THIS COUNTY AND WE ALL KNOW THAT THE QUALITY OF ONE'S REPRESENTATION IS A PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO THE JUSTICE ONE RECEIVES.

USUALLY FALLS ON THE BACK OF OUR BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, SO I HOPE THAT THE JUDGES WILL JOIN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COMMISSIONERS . AS WE ALL CONTINUE IN MOVING FORWARD, SO THANK YOU AGAIN, THIS WAS JUST DEEPLY TROUBLING AS THE

EXECUTIVE. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. BUT I JUST RECENTLY APPOINTED SOMEONE , SO I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHAT AUTHORITY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DOES THE MAC HAVE TO ENCOURAGE THE JUDGES TO KNOW THAT THEY ARE -- THAT WE ARE AT A POINT OF THIS PROPORTION AND URGING THE CRIMINAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION TO ENCOURAGE MORE PARTICIPATION. BECAUSE, WHILE WE CAN'T EXPAND THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE, THERE HAS GOT TO BE -- I'M JUST CURIOUS AS TO WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE MAC IN BRINGING THE JUDGES INDIVIDUAL ATTENTION THAT THEY ARE CREATING A DISPROPORTIONATE CASE ASSIGNMENT.

>> THAT'S A VERY GOOD QUESTION AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. THEY COULD DO A HELL OF A LOT MORE, FORTUNATELY, I AM

[03:55:06]

QUESTION? >> I TRIED. THE FIRST THING YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND IS THAT THE MAC ONLY SUPERVISES MISDEMEANOR LAWYERS AND A LOT OF THESE COSTS HAVE TO DO WITH FELONY CASES. SO THAT IS THE REAL BIG REASON WHY THEY DON'T

HAVE CONTROL OVER THE. >> MR. HART, ARE YOU THERE?

>> YES, I AM HERE, SEEMS LIKE MY VIDEO IS MESSING UP FOR WHATEVER REASON. I APOLOGIZE, CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME?

>> AT LEAST HE IS TRYING. >> PURPLE RAIN IS ON.

>> APPARENTLY. I APOLOGIZE, I WAS WORKING ALL DAY, I APOLOGIZE. BUT I ALSO ECHO THE COMMENTS MADE BY CHIEF BRENNAN, WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING TO SHIFT THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES OR JUVENILE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO EMBRACE THE COUNSEL, OUR PROCESSES ARE UP AND RUNNING.

WE HAVE BEEN IN ALL 16 COURTS, WE ARE PRIORITIZING THE CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, PRIORITIZING MANAGING THE ATTORNEY PERFORMANCE AND SO, SHOULD THE JUDGES REACH THAT COMFORT LEVEL, HE WILL CERTAINLY BE WILLING TO ACCOMMODATE THE ACCOUNTABILITY OF MANAGING THE SYSTEM IN

THOSE COURTS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT'S UP TO THE JUDGES. UNDER THE LAW, BUT I MUST ADMIT I PASS, TWO THIRDS OF THE JUDGES HAVE TO AGREE, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> YES. >> LET ME ASK YOU THIS, IS THERE ANYTHING TO PROHIBIT YOU FROM GIVING THE DIFFERENT JUDGES A REPORT? IT MAY NOT BE PARTICIPATION, BUT CAN YOU

JUST OFFER ? >> TRYING TO EMPATHY WHAT THIS REPORT SHOWS. MR. HART AND MR. BRENNAN

>> REPORT? I MISUNDERSTOOD THE QUESTION.

>> HOW CAN YOU PROVIDE A REPORT JUST FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES TO THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ABOUT WHERE THEIR RESPECTIVE COURT APPOINTMENT AND CASELOAD -- WHAT THOSE

TRENDS ARE SHOWING. >> SURE, WE CAN PROVIDE AIRPORT, WE HAVE QUALITY REPORTS, WE CAN ALSO SHOW THE STATUS OF HOW OUR CASELOAD NUMBERS HOUR, WE CAN PROVIDE THAT UPON ANY REQUEST BY THE JUDGES. WE ARE CERTAINLY WILLING TO DO THAT AND TO SHOW THAT.

>> UPON THEIR REQUEST? >> IT HAS TO BE BY THEIR REQUEST ! WE DIRECT YOU TO OFFER A REPORT?

>> SURE, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO DO THAT, COMMISSIONER.

>> PLEASE, WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT.

>> IS A FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR?

>> RIGHT NOW, IT IS ONLY MISDEMEANOR. CAN WE GET A

REPORT ON FELONY? >> THIS REPORT DOES SHOW US

FELONY. >> I COULD GO ON AND ON, BUT THE MOST EGREGIOUS FACTS, VERY FIRED ABOUT THIS, MR. ELLIS,

THERE IS SOME. >> HERE IS THE POINT, WHAT COMES OUT OF THIS REPORT, IT SHOWS THAT THE PRIVATE ATTORNEY ME ATTORNEY SYSTEM IS FLAWED. IN A SINGLE YEAR, RECORDED NO JAIL VISITS. CLEARLY, R OU DEFENSE SYSTEM NEED OVERHAULED, YOU KNOW, OM CMISSIONERS, IIF WENT THROUGH IT, ALL RETHE PORT , TOP HFIVEIGHEST-PAID ATTORNEYS WERE BPAIDETWEEN ,000,002.3 IOMILLN PERFECT FISCAL YEARS 20 AND 22 ANDTHAT CASELOADS FTWO TOIVE TIMES THE CASELOAD STANDARD, ACCORDING TO WHAT THEDEFENSE COMMISSION PUTS OUT. I LIKE CA LLING NAMES OUT AND I'M GOING TO MAKE ENA RECOMMDATION SECOND. I WANT TO ASK THE UN COTY ADMINISTRATION.

>>IS THIS CASELOAD N BROKEN DOW BYOURT? IS THAT , MR. HAR CORRECT? WE KNOW

APPOINTED THEM. AM I >>RIGHT? YEP, WWE DO. THAT ISHY WE NEED TNTHE JUDGES PARERSHIP. SE CAN E WHICH JUDGES HAVE MOST C OF THEOURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS VERSUS FEPUBLIC DENDERS AND WE CAN SEE NT THE AMOUS. LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW HTO HELP DRIVE HOMEOW TH EGREGIOUS IS IS. QUITE COURT A PONY APPOINTED ATTORNEY FEES HAVE INCREASED IOTO 68.4

[04:00:04]

>> PREACH. CO >> THERE IS A REMMENDATION, BILLY CASEY'S DS IN TEXAS, RECOMMEN FOR FELONIES, SHOULD ONLY HAVE BETWEEN 77 AND T174 CASES. THAT ISHE RECOMMENDED CASE COUNT. WELL, XALET ME GIV YOU AN EMPLE, THE HIGHEST-PAID ATTORNEY HAD, IN 2022, 348 FELONY CASES THAT HE WAS APPOINTED TO. FORGET THE ONES HE WAS HIRED PRIVATELY, SO THIS IS FAR EXCEEDING THE CAP. THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE AND WHAT WE ARE PAYING ARE JUST ON ACCESSIBLE UNACCEPTABLE BY MY BOOK. WE NEED TO BE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE JUDGES BECAUSE THIS IS NOT A GOOD USE OF TAXPAYER MONEY

AND IS NOT JUSTICE. >> COMMISSIONER, DOES THE CAPACITY TO BE MORE BALANCED EXIST IN HARRIS COUNTY?

>> YES AND. >> IF THERE IS WHA WILLINGNESS.

ONE OF THE PEOPLE O CAME ON EARLIER, THEY HAVE FILED A LAWSUIT , I E CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH COUNTY, TO BHONEST WITH YOU, AND AT SOME POINT, IT'S GOING TO COME HERE. MR. HARTMAN, I KNOW THE LAW ALSO REQUIRES THAT THERE IS A PREFERENCE? I GUESS, IS THERE A PREFERENCE IN THE LAW, I GUESS, THAT I PASSED. AFTER I LEFT , IT SAYS THERE IS A PREFERENCE THAT YOU USE -- THE JUDGE USES, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S TRUE. >> CAN I CALL A COUPLE NAMES OUT? JIMMY ARTESE WAS PAID OVER 785 THOUSAND DOLLARS EACH YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF 3.3. JEANNIE ARTESE, HAVE NO IDEA IF THERE IS ANY RELATION OR NOT, PAID BETWEEN 352,000 AND 1 MILLION EACH YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $1.9 MILLION. SHE WAS APPOINTED TO 406, I GUESS, THAT IS MISDEMEANOR, FELONY CASES, 872 MISDEMEANOR CASES AND YOU STILL DO YOUR PRIVATE PRACTICE.

AND THIS REPORT BREAKS DOWN WHICH JUDGES APPOINTED WHO, JUDGE RAMONA FRANKLIN, ASSIGNED 147 FELONIES OVER THREE YEARS TO THAT PERSON, I BELIEVE. JUDGE ALEX ELGATO TYING 200 ASSIGNED 217 MISDEMEANOR CASES. EACH YEAR FOR A TOTAL OF $1.6 MILLION. I MEAN, HERE IS MY REQUEST TO THE COUNTY OFFICE -- OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. REASON MY OFFICE PUSHED TO GET THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE SET UP WITH SO IT WOULD NOT JUST BE ME. I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES, CHIMING IN AND RAISING THESE ISSUES BECAUSE, SOMETIMES, THEY WOULD BECOME HOLLOW BECAUSE I BEAT THAT HORSE TO DEATH. SO MUCH. BUT I WANT TO ASK YOUR OFFICE, SINCE WE PUT THAT IN YOUR OFFICE, I HAD RESERVATIONS ABOUT IT, SO THAT MEANS I HAVE TURNED TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. YOU ALL NEED TO AMPLIFY THIS REPORT. AND COME BACK TO US WITHIN 30 DAYS ON HOW YOU ARE GOING TO AMPLIFY IT. HERE ARE SOME SUGGESTIONS, YOU COULD DO A DASHBOARD ON WHICH JUDGES APPOINTED PEOPLE ABOVE THOSE RECOMMENDATION S OF CASELOADS.

DEMONSTRATING. >> I THINK SHINING A BIG LIGHT ON IT MAKES A WHOLE LOT OF SENSE .

>> I DON'T KNOW HOW TO -- >> IT NEEDS TO BE ON BOTH. NOT

ONLY THE ATTORNEYS PICK >> THE LAWYER AND THE JUDGE.

>> BOTH OF THEM. >> WE DID NOT --

>> THE ATTORNEY IS GOING TO ATTACK WHATEVER IS THROWN AT

THEM. >> YEAH. ONE OF YOUR PREDECESSORS, THANKFULLY, WHO LED THIS EFFORT, CREATED THIS OFFICE AND HAD SOME SUBTLE ENCOURAGEMENT FROM THE STATE SENATOR. BUT TO CREATE THIS OFFICE, MR. BUNYAN ALSO RAISE THE POINT, WE MADE A COMMITMENT AND MOST OF US, AT THIS NIGHT WHO WERE THERE, THIS DAIS, WE SAID WE HAVE REACHED THAT GOAL WITHIN TWO YEARS. I THINK I READ IN THIS REPORT, DID IT SAY YOUR OFFICE WAS AT 12 OR 14%, MR. BUNYAN? ON THE CASES?

>> I THINK IT IS ABOUT 14%, YEAH.

>> I THOUGHT IT WAS A LITTLE UNDER 15%. YOU KNOW, WE GOT TO PUT SOME PRESSURE ON IT. THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO.

>> I GOT OUT OF THE DISCUSSION WE HAD IN THE LAST MEETING, WAS THE MOST THAT ANYTHING WE CAN DO IN THE NEAR TERM WAS 20%

IN PD. >> WE ARE DOWN TO 14.

[04:05:04]

>> HERE IS THE UNLIMITED FUNDING THAT EXISTS FOR THE PD.

THE MORE HE HIRES, THE FEWER THESE OUTSIDERS OF ATTORNEYS WE USE, MONEY IN THERE. I DID NOT REALIZE, JUDGE, COMMISSIONER, THAT THERE IS ACTUALLY A STANDARD BY WHICH YOU SHOULD BE OPERATING UNDER AND MY JUDGE WOULD UNDERSTAND, YOU ARE THREE TIMES WHAT THE STANDARD IS?

>> THAT OPERATION HAS BEEN FOLDED IN YOUR SHOP, THEY MIGHT NEED TO GO HAVE SOME COMMUNITY MEETINGS TO AMPLIFY WHAT IS IN THIS REPORT. I DON'T KNOW, BUT I WANT YOU ALL TO COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION.

>> THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT, ABOUT EVERY MONTH, WE SAY, HERE , HERE IS THE TOP THREE OR FOUR CASES OF ATTORNEYS OR TOP THREE OR FOUR CASES OF JUDGES WHO CLEARLY, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? YOU GOT 700 CASES AND YOU'VE GOT PAID SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS?

>> I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I , WE'RE NOT GOING TO HIDE SOMETHING BEHIND THE COMMITTEE. THAT'S WHY WE CREATED THAT APARTMENT DEPARTMENT, WITH A SPOTLIGHT ON IT. I HAD A ROLE IN ONE COMMITTEE, THAT PASSED THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT 20 SOME ODD YEARS AGO. WE'RE GOING TO DO OUR PART, BUT WE NEED THAT PRESSURE ON. WE DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN, AT THE END OF THE DAY, TWO THIRDS OF THE JUDGES HAVE TO AGREE. AND HAVING A FORMAL JUDGE AT THIS TABLE HURT ME CERTAINLY HELPS, BUT THE FRUSTRATION I HAVE IS, I WANT THE PRESSURE, WE ARE GOING TO DO OUR PART WITH THIS COMMUNITY, BUT I DON'T WANT STAFF TO HIDE BEHIND AS CREATING A COMMITTEE. THAT YOU ARE NOT MONEY, I WANT YOU ALL TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE DOING, I DON'T NEED ANYBODY ELSE POINTING TO ME OR COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON WHAT

WE CAN DO. >> WE WILL DEFINITELY REACH OUT TO THE DISTRICT JUDGES, AND TALK TO THEM AND THEIR REPORTED ADMINISTRATORS AS WELL AND COME BACK WITH A PLAN BY

OCTOBER 31ST, DOES THAT WORK? >> I WANT TO STRESS, HAVE SOME COMMUNITY MEETINGS BECAUSE PEOPLE REACT TO -- AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE ALL ELECTED. THIS AREA DOES NOT GET THE ATTENTION, YOU WILL SEE THIS ON THE 6:00 NEWS. YOU KNOW,? IT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE BLOOD AND GOT DOES, I GET THAT.

IT IS JUST NOT RIGHT. >> IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE CONTINUE SHINING A LIGHT BECAUSE SOME OF THE JUDGES ARE ONLY REFERRING ABOUT 4.7% OF THE CASES TO THE PD'S OFFICE.

AND THEN AT THE HIGH END, IT IS BATCH 21.5% AND WE KNOW WHICH JUDGES AND I WANT TO COMMEND JUDGE MARTIN, JUDGE MARTINEZ, ANNA MARTINEZ, THOSE OF THE TOP TWO WHO WERE FOR THE MOST TO PD'S. WE NEED THE PD'S TO HANDLE A GREATER PAQUETTE CAPACITY TO MAKE SURE IT IS EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT AND THEN WE CAN GET THIS TO GO TO THE FELONY, WHAT POSITIVE INFANT INCENTIVES CAN WE CREATE FROM THE COMMUNITY AND OTHERWISE WITH THIS ADDED TRANSPARENCY? TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CONTINUOUSLY INVESTING TAX PAYERS MONEY TO GET THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF JUSTICE BECAUSE THIS IS DEEPLY

CONCERNING. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> IT WAS MENTIONED, ALTHOUGH THIS IS A --, IS THIS -- IS IT OKAY TO TRY TO MAKE A MOTION OUT OF THE ITEM?

>> SPECIFICALLY ON THE DASHBOARD.

>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU NEED A MOTION, I THINK YOU CAN JUST

DIRECT. >> I DIRECT THE OCA AND RELATED DEPARTMENTS TO WORK TO CREATE A DASHBOARD ON THE MAC, ON COURT APPOINTMENTS. AS IT RELATES TO BOTH DISTRICT AND MISDEMEANOR COURTS AND I AM GLAD TO HEAR THE CONVERSATION BECAUSE WHEN I WAS LOOKING AT THE POCKETS, THERE WAS A LOT OF DISCOMFORT ABOUT ME RAISING THAT ISSUE. THAT WE ARE TALKING THIS COURT APPOINTMENT BECAUSE IT IS JUST AS EGREGIOUS . 2

>> THANK YOU, AGAIN, TO THE AUDITORS OFFICE ON THE WORK ON THIS. WE NEED THE JUDGES PARTNERSHIP, BUT AGAIN, I HOPE ALL OF US ARE CALLED TO SERVE HERE IN THIS COUNTY BECAUSE WE BELIEVE IN JUSTICE. AND ADVANCING IT, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING TOGETHER AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, THEY ARE ASKING US TO PAY THE ATTORNEYS BILLS AND IN GOOD CONSCIOUS, I HAVE TROUBLE APPROVING IT WHEN THERE ARE THESE OTHER, FAR MORE JUST OPTIONS THAT WE COULD BE PURSUING.

>> AND UNDER THE LAW, THE WAY IT WORKS, THEY SET THE RATES,

[04:10:01]

PART OF WHAT HELPED CREATE THIS PD'S OFFICE WAS THE FEAR OF LITIGATION COMING OUR WAY. THERE WAS LITIGATION, NOT ON THIS ISSUE, BUT ON SOMETHING ELSE. WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO TAKE SOMEBODY FINDING SOMEBODY TO SUE THIS COUNTY. ABOUT OUR LACK OF FILLING OUR CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT, SO WHAT THE PD OFFICE, AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE TO FIGURE OUT HOW YOU PUT A SPOTLIGHT ON THIS. I KNOW THERE ARE SOME DASHBOARDS THAT SHOW SOME OF THIS. OBVIOUSLY, IF THEY SHOW THIS, NOBODY IS LOOKING AT IT. YOU GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AMPLIFY IT AND THAT'S WHY, AS LATE AS IT IS, YOU JUST PERKED ME UP, BY THE WAY. THE CAFFEINE JUST KICKED IN. WHAT SHOULD WE TALK ABOUT.

>> SIMILARLY, YOU'LL PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA UNDER YOUR OFFICE, WOULD LIKE YOU TO SEE A REPORT ON THE DOCUMENT.

DASHBOARD. WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT THAT, I CAN SEE .

>> I'M PEPPED UP, ITEM 444, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

[Emergency/Supplemental items ( Part 1 of 2 )]

>> TRANSMITTAL, ACCEPTED. >> THIS IS GENERAL SPECKLE

SPECIAL ELECTION. >> THANK YOU, CLERK HUDSON, ARE YOU PLEASE AVAILABLE? CLERK HUDSON? ARE YOU PLEASE

AVAILABLE? >> IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY.

>> YES, I'M SORRY, I'M HERE. I'M TRYING TO GET ON. AND YOU

ALL HEAR ME? >> YES.

>> WE DON'T HAVE YOUR FACE YET, THERE YOU GO.

>> CAN YOU SEE ME? >> YES.

>> I'M GOING TO WORK WITH WHAT I HAVE, I'M IN A SIDE ROOM, SO LET ME KNOW IF I GO OUT OR SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE. GOOD EVENING, AFTERNOON, COURT MEMBERS. REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR TIME, THIS WOULD PROVIDE SOME UPDATES ACCORDING TO HIS TO THIS UPCOMING NOVEMBER ELECTION. I WILL START WITH LAST WEEK, THE COUNTY CLERKS OFFICE PROVIDED ENTITY LEARNING. WHICH INCLUDE THE 14 STATE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS AND A COUNTYWIDE PROPOSITION. I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT ALL 43 ENTITIES SIGNED FOR APPROVAL. YESTERDAY, WE STARTED THE LOGIC AND ADVOCACY TESTING, TO BE USED IN THE NEXT ELECTION.

THIS TEST IS ONGOING AND SCHEDULED TO CONCLUDE TOMORROW.

TODAY IS NATIONAL VOTER REGISTRATION DATE, COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE NATION ARE BEING PROVIDED VOTER REGISTRATION MATERIALS TO GET REGISTERED, CHECK THEIR CURRENT ROSTER AND PREPARE TO VOTE. THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS WORKING WITH THE TAX OFFICE TO CONTINUE ALL VOTER FRUSTRATION EFFORTS AND ASKED OUTREACH EVENTS. MANY MORE SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER 10TH, THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINE. BOTH CENTERS, THERE ARE 68 EARLY VOTING CENTERS AND 701 ELECTION CENTERS THIS ELECTION. WE ARE WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL VOTING CENTERS ARE ACCESSIBLE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT, INCLUDING PROVISIONS MADE FOR AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES. THE EARLY GOING LOCATIONS ARE UP ON HARRIS COUNTY TODAY. YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDED THE MOST UP-TO-DATE SITES, WE WILL CONTINUE TO UPDATE THROUGH ELECTION DAY. OUR OFFICE IS WELL ON ITS WAY TO COMPLETE MOVE IN FOR THE NRG ELECTION COMMAND CENTER, EARLY VOTING, ELECTION DAY LOCATIONS, AND WE WILL SERVE AS ONE OF OUR RALLY SITES FOR ELECTION NIGHT DROP OFF. ARE OBJECTED AS A WHOLE IS TO RUN A SMOOTH ELECTION, PROVIDING ELIGIBLE VOTERS THE OPPORTUNITY TO CAST A BALLOT IN THIS ELECTION CYCLE AND PRODUCE TIMELY RESULTS IN A TRANSPARENT MANNER. WITH A TEAR COMMISSIONER COURT STAFFERS, FOR WEEKLY MEETINGS TO FURTHER DISCUSS DETAILS OF OUR ACCOMPLISHED -- HOW WE ARE GOING TO ACCOMPLISH THAT GOAL OF A SMOOTH ELECTION. THANK

[04:15:01]

>> ANY QUESTIONS? >> THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM. I KNOW YOU'LL DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENT, SO THANK YOU. WHEN WILL THESE WEEKLY MEETINGS

BEGIN? >> WE ARE GETTING AN EMAIL SENT SHORTLY, I SPOKE WITH MANY OF YOUR STAFFERS VIA THE PHONE, NEXT WEDNESDAY, WE ARE SHOOTING FOR THAT READING AND WE ARE LOOKING AT WEDNESDAYS EVERY WEEK. MONDAY'S AND TUESDAY'S CAN DBEIFFICULT, SO WE ARE CIRCULATING THAT EMAIL TO GET EVERYONE'S RESPONSES. OSTHE MEETINGS WILL BEGIN XTNE WEEK AND THAT WISHERE WE WILL GET DOWN INTO THE DETAILS OF WHAT WE EXPECT, WHAT OUR CHALLENGES MIGHT BE, AND FURTHER TEUPDAS.

THIS WEEK, WE ARE LOOKING TO GET ONELECTI JUDGE APPOINTMENT LETTERS AND OTHINGSF THAT ATURE, BUT WE O WANT TGIVE YOU LITTLE MORE COLOR, COMMISSIONER.

>> CLERK HUDSON, MAWOULD KE SURE THE COMMISSIONERS ISCOURT GIVING YOU ON EAYOUR TM AND -- EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND THE SUPPORT NEED. AT THIS TPOINT INIME, IS THERE WANYTHINGE CAN HELP BOYS IOTHIS ELECTN FOR GR

EAT SUCCESS? A >>BSOLUTELY AND VEWE WILL GI A MORE PO DETAILED RERT MEETING, I CAN GUARANTEE ITDUE, WILL BE AROUND WORKER TM RECRUIENT, TECH-SUPPORT RECRUITMENT, SOME OF THE THING THAT I PINGED TTYOU ALL ON PREY EARLY E ON WHEN WE WER DISCUSSING ACHING SURE THAT WE HAVE MEADEQUATE PLACENT AND FOR THIS ERS ELECTION CYCLE. WE ARE WELL ON OUR N WAY RIGHT NOW, ITHIS WENE WEEK, WILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT N MORE OF A MBER CADENCE IN HA TERMS OF TT. AGAIN, WITH THE CA POLLING LOTIONS AND A.D.A. I COMPLIANCES, WE ARE INALWAYS WORKG ON SURVEYING OUR PRSITES AND OVIDING AS MUCH IT MITIGATION. WILL BE AROUND A THE STAFFINGND WHAT OUR POTENTIAL GAUGE IS GOING HETO WITH T COUNTY, INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT NGPROGRAM AND SEEI HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATE HE THAT. THE OTR WOQUESTION I AM RKING WITH WITH THE COUNTY E ATTORNEY'S OFFICIS THE OTHER O CCO STAFF THAT DTHERE FOR JO THEIR FULL-TIME BS . IT'LL A BE AROUND STAFFINGND THE G SUPPORT OF STAFFINFOR OUR ELECTION DAY LOCATIONS. WE WILL HAVE A LITTLE MORE COLOR FOR YOUR STAFFERS R NEXT WEEK, ACTUAL NUMBET SO WE CAN PUT PLACEMENTO NUMBERS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN CEXPECT TO NEED MORE OF,OME ELECTION DAY. DS

>> THANK YOU, CLERK HUON. NG THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHI YOU GUYS ARE DOING IN TERMS OF THE EDUCATION OF THE COMMUNITY, I KNOW THAT YOUR TEAM WAS AT ONE OF OUR LISTENING TOWARDS LAST WEEK AND IT WAS SO INCREDIBLY HELPFUL , IOJUST GETTING THAT EDUCATN OUT AND HAVING COTHE MACHINE THERE, SO FOLKS ULD PRACTICE. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU TO THE ENTIRE COURT, AGENT EVEREST PREACHED PRECINCT HAS CALLED AND SAID, WHAT YOU NEED, EVERYBODY, EVER OFFICE. FROMRALLY SITES TO OUTREACH EVENTS AND, YOU KNOW, I AM HAPPY TO SAY THAT THIS TEAM IS ROBUST AND WE ARE MOVING AROUND THE CLOCK AND WILL DEFINITELY SPEAK UP AND LET YOU KNOW OUR NEEDS. THANK YOU FOR THIS MOMENT OF CATCH-UP TIME AND AS SOON AS WE ARE OFF, I'M HEADING RIGHT BACK TO THE

GRIND. >> CLERK, IT IS GOOD TO SEE YOU, I AM TOLD OUR ENTIRE STAFF, WHATEVER THE COUNTY CLERK NEEDS, THAT IS WHAT SHE NEEDS TO GET. YOU JUST CALL, IF THERE'S ANYTHING THAT COMES UP. HOW DID THE MOCK ELECTION GO? SOME OF YOU SENT YOUR STAFF OVER, THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE REALLY GOOD COVERAGE IN TERMS OF MEDIA UNDERSTANDING S WHAT A MOCK ELECTION LOOK-ALIKEOR WHAT WE CALL A PRETEST ELECTION. WE HAD A PRETTY ROBUST TEAM THAT WE DID NOT NEED AS MANY TODAY, WE ARE REALLY EXCITED TO HAVE THIS PRETEST OR LOG AND ACCURACY COMPLETED BY TOMORROW. WE ARE GOOD IN TERMS OF THE TRANSITION, WE ARE STILL GOOD ON TIMING AND WE ARE NOT RUNNING BEHIND. THAT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD, AND THANK YOU, YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN IN EXTREMELY WE RESPONSIVE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU, CLERK. THERE IS A MOTION FOR APPROVAL, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, FOLKS TRIG12. ITEM PASSES AS PRESENTED. LET'S GO

[Departments ( Part 2 of 3 )]

DWIGHT? >> YES, SIR, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THE COMPANY MOSAIC , THEY ARE OUT OF ATLANTA, GEORGIA, BUT THEIR SUBCONTRACTED SOPHORA PASS HERE INTO SIN HOUSTON AND THEY WORK WITH TEXAS SERVICES, SO THEY ARE SUBCONTRACTORS BASED OUT OF HOUSTON AND THEN, OF COURSE, MOSAIC HAS WORKED IN BEAR COUNTY AS WELL. THAT IS

[04:20:03]

WITH. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY MOTION HAS BEEN MADE, I WILL SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR COMBO TRIG12. ALTHOUGH SUPPOSE, VOTE NO. NO TRIG13, NAYS, NEXT ITEM IS 468, COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 2 MILLION FLEX FUND? THEM UP TOGETHER. THESE ARE SOME OF THE CPTED PROJECTS, THIS WILL COMPLEMENT WHAT WE WERE DOING IN A LEAF. THIS WILL HAVE THE EFFECT OF INCREASING PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH LIGHTING , SIDEWALK IMPROVEMENTS, BUT ALSO , REALLY, TO ADDRESS THE URBAN HEAT INDEX THAT THAT IS SO TERRIBLY EFFECTIVE IN THIS AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM BECAUSE WE TARTED STARTED A PLANNING TEAM, TRYING TO STRETCH EVERY DOLLAR TO FIND OPPORTUNITIES FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT, BUT ALSO FOR THE ART AND TO REALLY CREATE A SENSE OF PLACE, SO I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM AND I JUST VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING THESE PROJECTS STARTED AND WE HAVE ALREADY KICK STARTED THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PIECE, SO REALLY LISTENING TO THE COMMUNITY SEE WHAT THEY WANT IN THESE SPACES.

SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT AND THAT WILL AGAIN COMPLEMENT WHAT WE ARE DOING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO DRIVE FUNDING THERE. TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND PUBLIC SAFETY CHALLENGES THAT WE HAVE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR PLANNING TEAM INTO THE ENGINEERING TEAM AS

WELL. >> THANK YOU, IS THERE A

MOTION? >> I'LL MOVE, YES.

>> APPROVED AS PRESENTED, COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, VOTE TRADE AYE. ITEM PASSES, COLLEAGUES, LET'S GO

[Public Hearings ( Part 2 of 2 )]

>> NO SPEAKERS, SIR. >> NO SPEAKERS, NOW CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 379. IS A MOTION?

>> MOVE. >> SECOND.

>> PAST ITEM AS PRESENTED, ALTHOUGH IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE.

[Executive Session]

>> PLEASE DO CALL OUT THE ITEMS.

>> 403, 425 . AND 461. WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE START WITH ITEM 403, 4:44, BACK IN SESSION. IS GO TO ITEM

[Departments ( Part 3 of 3 )]

>> I WANTED TO LOOK TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LEADER. I JUST

ASK THAT WE MOVE FORWARD. >> I'M SORRY, I'M SORRY.

[04:25:01]

>> MY VOTE IS TO DIRECT H HR F TO REVIEW CURRENT HR POLICIES AND PRACTICES AND REPORT BACK TO COMMISSIONER

SUPPORT ON OCTOBER 10TH. >> I THINK A MOTION WAS NOT

NECESSARY, BUT YOU DIRECTED? >> ON WAYS TO STANDARDIZE HR PRACTICES COUNTYWIDE TO PRODUCE POTENTIAL -- TO REDUCE POTENTIAL FOR, I GUESS, CHECK ISSUES FOR FUTURE AUDIT FINDS.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD?

>> I VERY MUCH SHARE HIS SENTIMENT AND LOOK FORWARD TO

10/10. >> IT IS A TRANSMITTAL, WE WILL ACCEPT IT AS IS. NEXT ITEM WAS THE ITEM THAT WE HAD, YOU TELL ME, WHAT ITEM IS IT? ITEM 425, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAVE

A MOTION THAT IS ON THAT? >> I DO HAVE A MOTION TO APPOINT FORMER JUDGE KATHLEEN STONE TO THE NEW -- THAT WAS

JUST CREATED. >> THE MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND PROPERLY SECONDED. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT SHE WILL TAKE IT ON AN INTERIM BASIS, AT LEAST, WHEN I CHATTED WITH HER. SHE WILL NOT RUN , SHE WILL TAKE IT ON AN INTERIM BASIS AND WHOEVER WINS THE DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLICAN PRIMARY JANUARY ELECTION,

ANYTHING ELSE? >> I WANTED TO SAY, HER WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE, SHE HAS BEEN A LAWYER SINCE 1979, SHE HAS BEEN A CIVIL DISTRICT COURT JUDGE, A PROBATE COURT JUDGE AND SHE HAS BEEN A VISITING JUDGE ACROSS TEXAS. SO HER DEPTH OF JUDICIAL AND LEGAL EXPERIENCE WILL BE A GREAT WAY TO KICKSTART THIS PROBATE COURT FOR SUCCESS. THEY HAVE EXTREMELY HIGH NUMBERS OF CASES IN EACH OF THE PROBATE COURTS. SHE WILL HIT THE GROUND RUNNING AND SERVE UNTIL THE PEOPLE DECIDE WHO THEY WANT TO BE THERE JUDGE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU. YOU WERE THE LEAD FOR AN ADDITIONAL PROBATE COURT, AND I WILL TELL YOU ATTH VISITING WITH SSMI STONE IT, S WAREALLY INTERESTING, YOU KNOW? AT COU IS NOT A COURT JUST BECAUSE IT IS A T.COUR AND THERE IS A PARTICULAR NUANCE TO ATPROBE COURT HETHAT S TE EDUCAD N. G HAVINTHAT EXPERIENCE TO COME IN WITH EATHE ID THAT SHE IS GOING -- EVEN IWITH THEDEA SHE IS DGOING TOO IN AN IN TERIM BASIS, I THINK, SO AMI PROUD TO SECOND THE BOOK.

>> TEI JUST WAND TO SHAPED AT STE THAT SHE OODID SUCH A GD BENCH HEN SHE WASN THE BEFORE. AND ASKED HER TO BACOM CK, SO WE ARE FORTUNATE THAT HA SHE S OFFERED TO SERVE ON A

GENERAL >>BASIS. THANK YOU, R JUDGE, FOR YOU

[Emergency/Supplemental items ( Part 2 of 2 )]

SERVICE. R >> FOU AYES, NO NAYS, THE LAST ITEM, I THINK AND HOPE IS ITEM 461, DIRECTOR? UNINTERIM

COTY . >> ON 461, I WANT TO ALSO 2 MENTION ITEM7, ERTHE COMMISSIONS COURT ALREADY APPROVED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WHICH WAS RECLASSIFYING THREE POSITIONS THATRE DEPARTMENT HEADS, SO RIGHT NOW YOU EESTILL HAVE THR DEPARTMENT HEADS IM THAT ARE INTER, IE UNIVERSAL STUDS, ESTELLA GONZALEZ AND TAMMY ARRAEZ WITH IGA. MY INTENT FOR THOSE S RECLASSIFICATIONWAS TO MAKE SI SURE THAT THOSE POTIONS WERE LOOKED AT FOR EQUITY WITH OTHER POSITIONS THAT AREDEPARTMENT HEADS WILL REPORT TO OCA TO MAKE SURE THAT THE EQUITY WAS THERE WITH THE ONOTHER POSITIO BASED SITHEIR ROLES AND RESPONBILITIES AND THE SIZE OF THEIR BUDGETS AND THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT THEY HAVE TO DO. SO I AM NDVERY EXCITED ABOUT THAT A WHAT THIS MEANS IS THAT , TONIGHT, I'LL BE ET FINALIZING THEIR OFFER LTERS BECAUSE I'M GOING TO BE OFFERINGTHOSE WOMEN THE PERMANENT POSITIONS. FOR DEL, IGA AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND I THINK THAT THEY ARE VERY WELL QUALIFIED WOMEN AND WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO HAVE THEM ON THE TEAM. I AM ASSUMING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO EXCEPT THE OFFERS, AND CHOOSE TO STAY WITH US BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A GREAT JOB IN AN INTERIM

ROLE. >> THANK YOU, I SHOULD THEY SAY THAT YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB AS WELL. I HOPE THAT PROCESS WILL BE WRAPPED UP PRETTY SOON, ONE OF US OUGHT TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND PUT YOU ON A PERMANENT BASIS AS WELL. THESE THREE WOMEN, WE WOULD ALL BE FAIR TO YOU AS

WELL. >> WE CAN DO IT IN A YEAR AND A

[04:30:03]

HALF. >> A LITTLE SOONER.

>> WE LEARN AS WE GO. HOW ABOUT A WEEK AND A HALF?

>> LET ME SAY THIS, FIRST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND I WANT TO THANK CINDY FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO STEP UP TO DO THE ROLE AND I APPRECIATE HER LEADERSHIP AND HER WORK.

SHE HAS JUST SLID INTO THAT SITUATION VERY, VERY WELL AND I AM VERY PROUD OF HER WORK. SOFT-SPOKEN, BUT AN INCREDIBLY INFORMED AND THOUGHTFUL LEADER THAT WE HAVE THERE. I WANT TO THANK STELLA, I HAVEN'T GOTTEN TO KNOW HER VERY WELL.

I AM EXCITED ABOUT WHERE THE OFFICE IS GOING AND EXCITED TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENTS. READY TO GET THAT PROCESS GOING, BUT TAMMY, A YEAR AND A HALF IN HER ROLE AND I JUST WANT TO SAY, WE ARE FORTUNATE WE DIDN'T LOSE HER SOONER. I'M GOING TO FOLD MY ITEM NOW, GIVEN THAT WE HAVE PUT THIS DISCUSSION ON THE RECORD, BUT I WANT TO THANK TAMMY BECAUSE SHE WENT INTO A VERY, VERY DIFFICULT LEGISLATIVE SESSION AND SOFTENED THE BLOW ON HARRIS COUNTY. AND HAS DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK OTHERWISE. I WANT TO SAY THAT I WAS VERY ADAMANT ABOUT MY ITEM BECAUSE A YEAR AND A HALF , BEING A WOMAN AND NO DIRECTION, JUST THROWN THERE, LEFT TO BE FORGOTTEN WAS JUST WRONG, ABSOLUTELY WRONG. I'M GLAD THAT YOU HAVE INDICATED THAT IT WILL BE MADE AS AN OFFER TO HER AND I AM EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> YES, THANK YOU, MR. RAMIREZ, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR HELPING HARRIS COUNTY TO MOVE FORWARD. AND THANK YOU, TAMMY, I SHARE THAT TREMENDOUS GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR TAMMY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HER CONTINUED GREAT WORK AS WELL AS ASTELLAS , WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE. I KNOW, TOGETHER, WE WILL KEEP PUSHING FORWARD. THAT IS WHAT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE, SO THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER? >> I ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS, I KNOW IT WAS AN INTERESTING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, EVEN FROM MY CHAIR, I FOUND WORKING WITH HER AND THAT ROE SETTLING.

>> IS THERE ANY OTHER BUSINESS? ARE YOU SURE? IT IS 4:52.

THIS COMMISSION COURT MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

>> THANK YOU.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.