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>> GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:07, I'D LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING MUCH THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING TO
ORDER. >> WE WELCOME YOU BACK AND HOW PROUD WE ARE FOR THE WAY IN WHICH THE PUBLIC COMMENT REACTING. THE.
>> CHAIR, JUST BRIEFLY, I THINK THE WAY YOU DECIDED TO GO PUBLIC WHICH HEALTH ISSUES WILL HELP A LOT OF PEOPLE.
A LOT OF PEOPLE I HAVE SPOKEN TO HAVE TOLD ME THAT IT GAVE THEM THEGE COURA TO GO W FORWARDITH ISSUESHAT THEY WERE DEALING WITH. SO I KNOW THAT, I COAFNLT LET THIS MOMENT MASS WITHOUT SAYING THANK YOU I AND TELLING YOU HOPE YOU DIDN'T KEEP OPEN EVERYTHING WE DID BUT -- WE G GOT ALONG PRETTYOOD BECAUSE IN PART WE ASSUME YOU WERE WATCHING.
WELCOME. >> I SERK THAT WELCOME BACK.
>> VERYTH GOOD. >> THANK YOU, ANK YOU, I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, TRULY YOU WERE INCREDIBLE, JUST A CLASS ACT. SO SUPPORTIVE.
I MEAN I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT, OBVIOUSLY.
AND I WAS -- I FELT SO LOVED. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR PRESIDING OVER THE MEETINGS AND TAKING OVER SO MANY OF MY DUTIES AND BEING SUCH AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER BUT REALLY TO ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES, EVERYONE AT THE COUNTY AND I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE THE NUMBERS OF THE STAFF OF THE PRECINCTS WERE SO KIND AS WELL TO MY TEAM. THEY WERE SO HAPPY TO SHARE WITH ME HOW WONDERFUL AND GENEROUS EVERYBODY HAD BEEN.
AND THEN OBVIOUSLY, THE COMMUNITY WAS SO SUPPORTIVE.
SO I'M JUST INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL. IT WAS A DIFFICULT THING TO ACCEPT. FOR MYSELF.
AND SOMEBODY ASKED ME YESTERDAY, YOU KNOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY? AND WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY IS, I WISH I FIGURED THIS OUT SOONER.
I REGRET NOT HAVING HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND AND THE KNOWLEDGE OF MENTAL ILLNESS AND MENTAL HEALTH TO HAVE ALLOWED MYSELF TO SEEK THIS TREATMENT, YEARS AGO.
AND SO I REALLY HOPE THAT THIS EXPERIENCE TUMPS OTHER PEOPLE OUT THERE, WHO JUST KNOW SOMETHING IS WRONG, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER IT IS, BECAUSE I CAN TELL YOU I JUST FEEL SO MUCH BETTER. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I WAS OPERATING ALL THESE YEARS WITH THAT CLOUD OVER MY HEAD.
SO I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IN GENERAL.
PARTICULARLY MENTAL ILLNESS, WE ALREADY KNEW THAT BUT NOW I FEEL I UNDERSTAND THE LANDSCAPE A LOT BETTER.
AND MY TEAMS ARE ABLE TO ANSWER WHAT MORE CAN BE DONE.
BUT FOR NOW EDUCATION, AWARENESS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, ALL THE VARIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, LET'S EDUCATE OURSELVES AND OUR CHILDREN ABOUT THAT. AND SEEKER ALL KINDS OF CARE THAT IS OUT THERE BECAUSE THE TREATMENT DOES WORK AND IT'S FANTASTIC. SO THANK YOU GUYS.
I'M JUST SO INSPIRED BY THE LOVE IN THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYBODY HERE. THANK YOU.
[Campus Pastor Chris DeArman of Crosspoint Church in Bellaire.]
ALL RIGHT. LET'S GET BACK TO WORK AND WE WILL START WITH THE PRAYER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS.>> I BELIEVE I HAVE IT JUDGE. YOU GOING TO SCARE ME I'M ABOUT TO SAY I'VE GOT TO GIVE THE PRAYER, GIVEN MY NOTES.
>> THERE WILL BE THUNDER, MAN! >> TOM I ADMIT THEY GAVE ME A C,
BUT I WAS ON THE BAPTIST -- >> YOU COULD DO VERY WELL.
WE ARE FORTUNATE TO HAVE CHRIS DEARMAN WITH US TODAY.
HE IS A PASTOR AT THE CROSSPOINT CHURCH, DOES A WONDERFUL MINISTRY IN THE COMMUNITY. CROSSPOINT IT'S IN BELLAIRE.
ALSO, THERE IS -- HE -- I KNOW PEOPLE THAT ATTEND HIS CHURCH.
AND THERE'S NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY. IN MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND BEFORE YOU, BEFORE WE CALL FOR A MINUTE OF PRAYER, LET ME JUST SAY I HEARD FROM MY FRIEND IN JERUSALEM YESTERDAY, DAVID TALL. HE'S A COLONEL IN THE RESERVE.
AND HE GOT A GOOD SCRIPTURE THERE.
PSALM 122:6, PRAY FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM.
I TOLD THE COLONEL, TO HAVE RESOLVE IN DEALING WITH THE
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ATROCITIES THAT'S FACING THEM. AND HE HAD ENCOURAGING WORD.I THINK IT SPEAKS TO THE JEWISH PEOPLEIN TIMES LIKE THIS, THEY GO TO SCRIPTURE AND THEY W SEEK THATORD.
SO THAT WORD IS FROM DAVID. TO US, TODAY.HA AND IT AFFIRMS TT WE SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR THE PEACE OF THE
LET US PRAY TOGETHER. GOD WE WANT TO START THIS DAY OFF LOOKING TO YOU, OUR HEAVENLY FATHER, FOR GUIDANCE, IN ALL THAT WE DO. HEAVENLY FATHER, GUIDE OUR ACTIONS, GUIDE OUR THOUGHTS, HELP US TO BE PEOPLE OF COMPASSION. KINDNESS, LORD.
HEAVENLY FATHER, HELP US TO BE MEDIUM WHO TRUST YOU AND -- PEOPLE WHO TRUST YOU AND LOOK TO YOU, ESPECIALLY AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS WHO ARE WALKING THROUGH THOSE DIFFICULT, DIFFICULT TIMES RIGHT NOW OVER IN ISRAEL.
WE DO PRAY THAT PRAYER OF PEACE FOR ISRAEL GOD WHICH YOU AT LEAST SEE THIS THROUGH AND BRING THIS TO A SWIFT END GOD, WE ASK THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE WHAT'S NEEDED THERE.
LORD THANK YOU FOR OUR COUNTY, THANK YOU FOR OUR LEADERS, THANK YOU FOR OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ALL THE GREAT WORK THAT THEY DO AND THE TEAMWORK THAT THEY DO TOGETHER.
WE PRAY A BLESSING OVER THIS MEETING, WE PRAY A BLESSING OVER OUR COUNTY AND ALL THE CITIES THAT ARE REPRESENTED.
MAY YOU GUIDE US TO BE A LIGHT TO OUR COMMUNITIES, TO OUR NEIGHBORS. TO OUR NATION.
AND TO OUR WORLD. AGAIN WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT IS TO BE HERE TOGETHER TODAY. WE PRAY ALL THIS IN THE MIGHTY
RESURRECTED NAME OF JESUS. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, AND IT IS IMPORTANT IN CLEAR TO RECOGNIZE WHAT'S GOING ON AND THE ATROCITIES, PRAY AND MY HEART GOES OUT. SO ALL OF THE VICTIMS THAT INCLUDE SO MANY WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED.
SO THANK YOU FOR THAT. LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE.
I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO 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 STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.
>> WE'VE GOT 13 RESOLUTIONS TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING.
YES, COMMISSIONER. >> TO HONOR A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND TO THE THEME OF ISRAEL.
I WAS AT THE TEMPLE YESTERDAY, WITH AN INCREDIBLE CROWD OF FOLKS. AND MAYOR TURNER DID A PHENOMENAL JOB, THE TONE WHAT IS MEANT OF WHAT'S HAPPENING IN ISRAEL. I JUST WANT TO -- IT JUST MADE ME REFLECT THAT SEVERAL TIMES I WAS ALWAYS TAKEN ABACK AS TO THE BORDER COMMUNITY INCIDENT, HOW BOMB SHELTERS LOOK LIKE.
YOU COULD SEE IN EVERY RESTAURANT WHERE ESCAPE ROUTES AND BOMB SHELTERS WERE AT IN THE RESTAURANT.
CHILDCARE CENTERS WERE FORTIFIED AS BOMB SHELTERS.
IF YOU ARE A LUCKY HOMEOWNER YOU HAVE A SAFE ROOM IN YOUR HOME.
AND THE REASON THAT THAT WAS IMPORTANT FOR THOSE AREAS IS BECAUSE ALTHOUGH WE'VE KNOWN THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO HAVE WHAT'S CALLED THE IRON DOME, THOSE THAT MET THE OFFENSIVE DID NOT PROTECT, THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEM FEEL VULNERABLE.
I REMEMBER MEETING WITH THE MINISTRY OF TREASURY, MICKEYWH E O HAD BEEN THE COMMANDER FOR INTIFADA, HE WAS TELLING US HOW PART OF HIS DAILY ROUTINE THAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO IS PREPARE ACCESS FOR CHILDREN BUT HE'S HAD TO INCLUDE THE INSTRUCTION OF MAKE SURE YOU DON'T GET ON THE SAME LEVEL BECAUSE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF THE FUEL SIDE BOMBING.
SO IT JUST MAKES ME REFLECT THAT WHILE WE HAVE CHALLENGES HERE AT
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HOAX, AND -- HOME AND WE HAVE TO REMIND OUR YOUNGER CHILDREN TO WAIT BEFORE THEY CROSS THE STREET, THE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING ARE, I HOPE THAT IT WILL BE ABOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY(INAUDIBLE). >> I JUST WANTED TO SHARE THAT.
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
LET'S TAKE THE RESOLUTIONS AND I'LL START WITH MY FIRST IS ITEM 2 AND THAT IS A RESOLUTION DESIGNATING OCTOBER AS BREAST CANCER MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. THERE WAS TIME WHEN CANCER WAS SOMETHING, AS STIGMATIZED AS MENTAL HEALTH IS TODAY.IN THE MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH AT THE SAME TIME, IT JUST SHOWS WHEN YOU PAY ENOUGH ATTENTION AND DESTIGMATIZE AN ISSUE THERE'S MORE INVESTMENT IN RESEARCH, THERE'S MORE WORK, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A LONG WAY TO GO FOR THINGS INVOLVING BREAST CANCER BUT I'M GLAD IT HAS THE ATTENTION IT DESERVES.
OCTOBER 2023 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.
ONE IN EIGHT WOMEN WILL BE DIAGNOSED WITH BREAST CANCER.
AND IN THE UNITED STATES THE NATIONAL CANCER SNOOUTLE ESTIMATES THERE WILL BE 300,000 NEW CASES OF BREAST CANCER FOR FEMALES AND MALES, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING THE COMMUNITY ON THE IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DETECTION AND REFERRALS TO INDIVIDUALS WHO QUALIFY AND HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT BY CALLING 822-927-9300.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES THE MONTH OF OCTOBER 2023 AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. AND THEN (INAUDIBLE).
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. AS YOU STATED JUDGE, THE STATISTICS BREAST CANCER IF CAUGHT EARLY IT IS CURABLE.
FOR MOST WOMEN. AND SO I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE AWARENESS OF RAISING AWARENESS AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS A RESOURCE FOR SCREENING, EXAMS, ET CETERA AND FOUR OF OUR LOCATIONS AND JUST SO THE PUBLIC IS AWARE, THOSE LOCATIONS ARE IN UMBLE, SOUTHEAST HEUNT AND ANTOINE AND THE MOBIL CLINIC LOCATED IN CYPRESS STATION.
WE WILL CONTINUE TO OUTREACH THIS MONTH AND INCREASE THE SERVICES AVAILABLE TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> AND WE'LL SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THOSE RESOURCES.
>> CORRECT. >> THE SECOND ONE IS ON THE LADY ENFORCEMENT PREVENTION WEEK. LEADERSHIP DIRECTOR ROBINSON A LOT OF ONGOING WORK ON REDUCING LEAD EXPOSURE IN HOMES THAT WE INHERITED OF COURSE, THERE IS A LOT MORE TO GO AND THERE WAS SOME RECENT ARTICLES ABOUT THIS. SO JUST AS I PULL THIS UP.
WHEREAS NATIONAL LEAD POISON PREVENTION WEEK IS OCTOBER 22ND, THROUGH8, 2 2023, AND IT AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CHILDHOOD EXPOSURE TO LEAD. HIGHLIGHTS THOSE PREVENT HARMFUL HARM EFFECTS, T SAYS EXPOSUREO EVEN LOW LEVELS OF LEAD CANMP NEGATIVELY IACT CHILDREN'SRA INTELLECT, CONCENTTION AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE. CONSIDERABLE PROGRESS IN THE LEVEL OF BLOOD EXPOSURE, LEAD CAN HARM A BABY FROM BREAST FEEDING PERSONS, INCLUDING THE BRAIN NERVOUS AND REPRODUCTIVE SYSTEMS. OLDER HOUSES AND HOMES IN THE LOW INCOME AREAS MAY HAVE LEAD PLUMBING FIXTURES CONTAINING LEAD DUE TO THE USE OF LEAD PAINT PRIOR TO 1970.
HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS DEDICATED TO EDUCATING AND RAISING AWARENESS IN HARRIS COUNTY ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF LEAD APPOINTEDS ONING. CHILD BLOOD TESTING IS AVAILABLE, (INAUDIBLE) AND REPORTS CHILDREN WITH ELEVATED LEVELS OF LEAD TO FACE MANAGEMENT.
BLOOD ABATEMENT PROGRAMS IN HARRIS COUNTY WORK TO UPDATE LEAD FOUND AT HOMES BUILT BEFORE 1978.
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BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES THE FOURTH WEEK OF OCTOBER 2023 AS NATIONAL LEAD POISONING PREVENTION. DIRECTOR ROBBINS.>> THANK YOU JUDGE, THANK YOU COUNTY COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING LEAD SCREENING AND AWARENESS DURING THE WEEK IN OCTOBER. WE ARE SO GRATEFUL FOR THE RESOURCES THAT YOUR BOARD HAS INVESTED AND THROUGH ARPA TO EXPAND OUR ABILITY TO DID SCREENING IN CHILDREN ESPECIALLY IN VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES, WHERE HOUSING STOCK IS SIGNIFICANTLY OLDER. IT'S OFTEN LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS, INDIVIDUALS OF COLOR ARE LOCATED IN THOSE HOMES. AND SO IT HAS ALLOWED US TO BE MORE ROBUST AROUND I GREATLY APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK AS WELL AS OUR EFFORTS AND INVESTMENTS IN OUR LEAD ABATEMENT PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS US TO GO INTO A HOME AND REMEDIATE THOSE CONDITIONS TO CREATE A HEALTH AND SAFETY ENVIRONMENT FOR CHILDREN. THANK YOU.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON, JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOUR TEAM, LEAD APAVEMENT IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE AS YOU SAID, (INAUDIBLE) REMIND ME HOW GROWING UP, THE PAINT WOULD START TO CHIP AWAY AT OUR WINDOW SILLS AND KIDS TEND TO PUT ALL KINDS OF THINGS IN THEIR MOUTH.
AND THEN I REMEMBER MY MOM (INAUDIBLE) IN THE SENSE THAT SHE HAD A VERY GOOD RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR ALL THINGS HEALTH. REMEMBER MAKING -- BACK THEN AND I REMEMBER HER FREAKING OUT WHEN SHE SAW ME PULLING UP SOME OF THAT PAINT AND LOOKING LIKE IT WAS GOING IN THE WRONG PLACE.
AND -- BUT THE RESEARCH AND THE EVIDENCE IS PROFOUND.
IT HAS CAUSED SO MUCH DAMAGE TO MANY LIVES AND THE IDEA THAT (INAUDIBLE) HIGHEST RATE OF CANCER IN ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY, HIGHER THAN (INAUDIBLE) SO AGAIN THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING. I WISH WE COULD DO MORE, FASTER, BUT THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING IS AMAZING AND I APPRECIATE THAT. ON THE PREVIOUS RESOLUTION THANK YOU FOR ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY ALL OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS APPROACH TO PROVIDING THOSE OPPORTUNITIES TO ALL FAMILIES TO GET THE CARE AND ATTENTION THAT THEY NEED. IT'S JUST SO FABULOUS, I JUST WHEN I THINK ABOUT OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM AND, YOU KNOW, ALL THINGS THAT I'VE TALKED TO PEOPLE IN THEOM CMUNITY, ALL THE RESEARCH, ALL THEDE EVINCE, IT'U ST IMPORTANT TO POINT THOSEIN THGS OUT. SO THANK YOU, THANK YOUR TEAM.UD
>> JGE, IF I COULD, WE HAVE DR. SALAZAR ZAMORA WITH US, SHE IS SUPERINTENDENT OF TOPOL AND SHE'S GOT A BUILDING FULL OF TEACHERS WAITING TO HEAR FROM HER.
IF I COULD TAKE HER OUT OF ORDER.
>> OF COURSE, THAT IS PAGE 2, ITEM 9.
WELCOME, SUPERINTENDENT AND TCONGRATULATIONS.
WE'RE SO HAPPYO HAVE YOU HERE. >> AS SUPERINTENDENT, SALAZAR SADDAM MANY RAH COMES UP I HAD THE FRIXG OF GOING TO CONVOCATION, I HADN'T BEEN TO CONVOCATION SINCE I WAS IN THE 9TH GRADE. BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN TO A CONVOCATION LIKE THAT. ONE INSPIRATION, EXCITEMENT, ANTICIPATION. AND I KNOW MR. BRIONES AND I WE SHARE TOMBALL AND THE GOOD THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING THERE.
LET ME SIMPLY GIVE THE GOOD NEWS ON DR. ZAMORA.
DR. MARTHA SALAZAR ZAMORA IS SUPERINTENDENT OF TOMBALL ISD, AN HISPANIC SUPERINTENDENT TO HOLD IN THE OFFICE, AND AFTER RIGOROUS INTERVIEW PROCESS DR. SALAZAR ZAMORA'S LEAD CREDENTIALS HAVE PROVEN TO BE BEST.
WITH THE TITLE OF THE 2022 TEXAS, THAT IS AS IN THE STATE, TEXAS, SUPERINTENDENT OF THE YEAR.
AND I COULD READ ALL THESE OTHER THINGS BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE TO BE OUT WITH THE TEACHERS, AND LET ME JUST SAY FROM ALL THE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEIR THIS AND THEIR THAT, YOU REALLY DO SET A GREAT STANDARD IN TERMS OF HOW WE DO
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THAT. I KNOW YOU'VE INSPIRED NOT ONLY THE CHILDREN BUT OTHER -- OTHER COMMUNITIES AROUND THERE, OTHER SCHOOL DISTRICTS AROUND THERE. SO THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THIS COURT AND LET ME THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO EVERY DAY.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THOSE KIND WORDS
FROM CHAIR. >> WE ARE INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU, YOU ARE LITERALLY THE BEST OF THE BEST IN TEXAS AND WE ARE HONORED. I'M SO HAPPY TO BE IN ANY PART OF THE TOMBALL COMMUNITY AND TO SEE WHAT YOU DO EVERY DAY FOR OUR STUDENTS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR SERVICE AND FOR FIGHTING FOR PUBLIC EDUCATION FOR ALL OF OUR STUDENTS. AND AS A SP FELLOW LATINA.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AND SIMILARLY I GOT A LOT OF EDUCATORS IN MY FAMILY. YEARS AGO, I SAW A YOUTUBE VIDEO CALLED DID YOU KNOW, TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. IT REALLY TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS, EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SAID ABOUT HOW MANY MORE FOLLOW BEHIND IT. BUT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WAS TALKED ABOUT WAS THAT CHILDREN HAVE TO LEARN ANSWERS TO PROBLEMS WE DON'T EVEN KNOW EXIST YET.
AND SO THAT'S WHAT YOU'RE CHARGED WITH.
SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING OUR FUTURE BRIGHT.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> I TELL YOU FIRST, WE GOT TO DO EVERYTHING WORKING WITH YOU, IT'S GREAT, GLAD COMMISSIONER IS IN SPANISH, I WANT MY PICTURE WITH JENNA.
>> I CAN ABSOLUTELY TAKE A PICTURE.
>> THERE ARE 5.4 MILLION STUDENTS BEINGCA EDUTED IN TEXAS TODAY.I COULD THINK OF NOTHING IMPORTANT THAN PUBLIC EDUCATION. IT IS AN HONOR TO SERVE.
I HAVE A FELLOW SUPERINTENDENT IN THE AUDIENCE A DEAR FRIEND, FSUPERINTENDENT O DR. ANTHONY MAIZE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE REMEMBER REGARDLESS OF ANYTHING ELSE HAPPENING, PUBLIC EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT, IT IS HONORED TO SERVE AS O THE TEXAS SUPERINTENDENTF THE YEAR FOR THE LAST TWO WEEKS NOW AND IT IS AN HONOR THAT I TRULY WILL CARRY WITH ME MY ENTIRE LIFETIME. I'M PROUD TO REPRESENT THE TOMBALL INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT, VERY HIGH PERFORMING SCHOOL DISTRICT IN YOUR AREA. SO THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR AND BEING RECOGNIZED TODAY AND WELCOME BACK.
IT'S WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU BACK. >> CONGRATULATIONS.
>> THANK YOU. YES LET'S GET A QUICK --
>> I DO HAVE A BOARD MEMBER WITH ME AS WELL, I'D LIKE TO RECOGNIZE DR. MICHAEL PRATT.
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DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF OCTOBER AS NATIONAL DEPRESSION MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING MONTH. AND LET'S SEE.IT SAYS WHEREAS NATIONAL DEPRESSION MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING MONTH IS RECOGNIZED IN THE MONTH OF OCTOBER, MOST PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED OR KNOWN SOMEONE WHO HAS SOME MENTAL ILLNESS AND ESTIMATED DEPRESSING PERSON I ONENHT EIG AGE 12 TO, 17MOST RACIALC AND ETHNIPS GROU HAVE SIMILAR OR LOWERSE DIAGNOD MENTAL IMNESS RATE COMPARED TO OTHERS.
UNTREATED MENTAL ILLNESS CAN LEAD TO OTHER NEGATIVE HEALTH OUTCOMES. THAT HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH ANDLO INTELLECTUAL DEVEPMENTSE AND DISABILITIES RVES AS ONE OF FIVE CRISIS CENTERS THAT RESPONDS TO 988 CRISIS CALLS, 988 IS BOTH SUICIDE AND CRISIS HOT LINE.
19,500 FOIMENTS IN A CLINICAL SETTING.
DEPRESSION AND MENTAL HEALTH REDUCES STIGMA TO HEALTH AND INCREASED ACCESS TO CARE. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSION DESIGNATES OCTOBER 2023 AS NATIONAL DEPRESSION AND MENTAL HEALTH SCREENING MONTH.
AND WE HAVE SOMEONE HERE TO JOIN US, GO AHEAD.
>> HI, MY NAME IS JENNIFER BATTLE, I WORK AT THE CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD. JUDGE THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING ATTENTION TO IT THIS YEAR.
AS YOU MENTIONED WE ARE ONE OF THE PROUD LOCATIONS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND NATIONALLY THAT SERVES TO ANSWER 988, FOR NOT JUST OUR JURISDICTION BUTFUL JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS AND WE ARE THE PROUD SEVERS OF ARPA FUNDS TO BRING UP CONCERNS YOU BROUGHT UP WITH US TODAY.
HEALTHY MINDS HEALTHY COMMUNITIES WHICH WE ARE WORKING IN ALTERNATIVE SPECIFIC ZIP CODES AT THE MOMENT WHICH WERE CHOSEN SPECIFICALLY BECAUSE OF SUICIDE RATES IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND LACK OF ACCESS AND CONNECTIVITY TO THE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH SERVICES. AND 60% OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS THAT WE ARE SERVING IN THAT ARPA FUNDED PROJECT ARE PRIMARILY HISPANIC. TALK ABOUT YOUR STORY IN A WAY THAT REJECTS STIGMA AND SUPPORTS.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> WE ALSO KNOW THAT YOUNG LALATINAS APPRECIATE YOU IN THE WORK THAT YOU DO EVERY DAY AND ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING THIS
PROJECT, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU MS. BATTLE AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO.
IT IS A BIG DEAL, $23 MILLION OF ARPA FUNDING, OF COURSE IT IS ONE TIME FUNDING AN THAT'S MY FIGHT FOR ONGOING FUNDING ON MENTAL ILLNESS AND IT IS TO TRAIN ADDITIONAL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH OF THEM TO SUPPORT CHALLENGES THAT YOU HAVE FOR EXAMPLE, BUT THEN WE ALSO HAVE ADDITIONAL PROGRAMS ON HOMELESSNESS, VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ALL KINDS OF INITIATIVES THAT ARE -- IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE FOR THE PEOPLE IT SERVES IN THE GREATER CONTEXT, THE NEED IS SO MUCH MORE. BUT THAT'S THE SITUATION NOT JUST HERE SO I'M HOPING THE MORE WE TALK ABOUT IT THE MORE WE CAN GREATLY MAKE IT A FINANCIAL PRIORITY.
I KNOW IT'S HARD WORK. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR BEING IN THAT FIELD. HERE DUE TO MY FINAL RESOLUTION IT IS TO PROCLAIM THE WEEK OF OCTOBER 8TH THROUGH 14TH AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY.
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I'M GLAD YOU'VE JOINED US TODAY. I'M READING HERE FROM YOUR DOCUMENTS, BUT FORTUNATELY WE FINALLY GOT, I KNOW THAT HEMS. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS, ALL THOSE IN HARRIS COUNTY, FIRE IS A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN.HOMES ARE THE LOCATIONS WHERE PEOPLE ARE AT GREATEST RISK FROM FIRES. HOME FIRES KILL MORE THAN 2800 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES IN 2021.
FIRE DEPARTMENTSTH IN E UNITED STATES ARE RESPONDING TO 338,000 HOME FIRES. COOKING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF HOME TIRES. MORE THAN HALF OF NONFATAL HOME COOKING FIRE INJURIES OCCURRED WHEN THE VICTIMS TRIED TO FIGHT THE FIRE THEMSELVES. HARRIS COUNTY RESINTS SHOULD TURN POT HANDLES TO THE BACK OF THE STOVE, KEEP A THREE FOOT TIP FREE ZONE AROUND THIS STOVE. HARRIS COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING THE OCCURRENCE OF THOSE HOME FIRES AND THE 2023 FIRE PREVENTION WEEK THEME IS COOKING SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PLAISMS OCTOBER 8 THROUGH 14, URGING ALL PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY TO USE SAFE COOKING PRACTICES DURING FIRE PREVENTION.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.
I'M LAURIE CHRISTIANSON I'M YOUR HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL.
WE GREATLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT GIVES US. RIGHT NOW AS YOU CAN IMAGINE IS CARRYING ALL THE OUTREACH AND THE COMMUNITY AND SOCIAL MEDIA ALONG WITH SOME OTHER MEMBERS OF OUR TEAM THAT DIDN'T WANT TO COME UP. BUT I WANT TO GIVE HER A MINUTE TO SPEAK AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.
>> GORGE AND HAPPY FIRE PREVENTION WEEK.
THIS MONTH IS A MONTH LONG CHEEKS ACHIEVEMENT, COOKING SAFETY STARTS WITH YOU. IT IS JUST A REMINDER THAT AS WE INTERN FOR THE HOLIDAYS, SETTING BOUNDARIES FOR OUR CHILDREN AND MET AND KNOWING BASICALLY FIRE SAFETY, FIRE CAN START AT ANY TIME AND AGAIN WE JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE FIRE PREVENTION WEEK AND JUST STAYING SAFE WHILE YOU'RE COOKING AND THANK YOU
GUYS, MY NAME IS MICHAELA. >> COMMISSIONER YOUR RESOLUTION.
>> I HAVE ONE SPEAKER, EMILY WHITEHURST.
THIS IS NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH.
I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT WE PAY HOMAGE TO THE WOMEN'S CENTER. THEY RUN A 24 HOUR HOT LINE CENTER, FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AVERAGES MORE THAN 50,000 CALLS A MONTH. A COUPLE OF FACTOIDS, HOMICIDE DOUBLED 2019 TO 2022, PROBABLY IN PART BY COVID-19, PEOPLE BEING AT HOME MORE. IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE NUMBER OF DOMESTIC ABUSE HOMICIDES ARE PEOPLE BETWEEN AGES 18 TO 25, FIREARM INCREASED FROM 61% FROM 2020 TO 2022.
PROBABLY WHAT WE'LL CALL OF THE VACANCY ACCESS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE ADVISED BUT WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND I'M HONORED TO BE YOUR NEIGHBOR.
SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THEIR COMPLEX, THEY'RE GOING TO PUT HOUSING THERE. IT IS JUST ANOTHER TESTAMENT TO WHAT HAS COME ABOUT IN PART BECAUSE OF THE INFLUX OF FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS COMING. BUT WE JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU DO AND IT'S ALWAYS A PRIVILEGE.
I'M GLAD THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE THE DYNAMIC A BIT.
SEVERAL OF US WENT ON A FIELD TRIP.
I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WENT TO SAN DIEGO, I NOTICE THEY HAVE A BRICK WALL THAT JUST SEPARATED, MADE THEM FEEL THEY ARE IN A WAR ZONE AND THEY'RE GOING TO CHANGE THAT.
WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY SO THAT
OUR FENCES WILL MATCH. >> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, I'M EMILY WHITEHURST.
WE HAVE A LARGE CAMPUS THAT WE'RE EXPANDING AND WE'RE GOING TO TRIPLE OUR CAPACITY TO PROVIDE EMERGENCY SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. IT IS A SECURE CAMPUS WITH A BEAUTIFUL YET TO BE WALL ERECTED TO MAKE SURE PEOPLE PEOPLE SAFE.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS ON THE RISE DUE TO GUNIO VLENCE.
HAVE A RECENT REPORT THAT REALLY DEMONSTRATES THAT
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CONNECTION. HOUSTON IS FAILINGE TO PROVID CRITICAL SAFETY TO WOMEN AND CHILDREN REGARDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE KNOW WE ARE TURNING AWAY PEOPLE WHO CALL OUR HOT LINEED WITH ATTEMPT OF BEING MURDERED AND WE DO NOT HAVE, WE ARE GOING TO TRIPLE OUR CAPACITIES, NEW YORK IS ONLY TWICE THE CAPACITY OF HOUSTON, THAT IS ALARMING BUT HAS TWICE AS MANY BEDS.WE FIT TECHNICALLY IN YOUR PRECINCT, WE SERVE SURVIVORS FROM EVERY ZIP CODE IN THIS COUNTY.
I'M SO HONORED TO BE HERE AND WILLING TO EXPAND REALTIME SAFETY FOR SURVIVORS. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> EMILY I WANTED TO JUST COMMEND THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.
THE FACT THAT YOU'RE TRIPLING YOUR CAPACITY IS EXCITING BUT DEPRESSING ALL AT THE SAME TIME. AND JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE TO OTHER AGENCIES.
YOU ARE INDEED PROVIDING CRITICAL SUPPORT TO THE AGENCIES THAT MY PRECINCT, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR COPING WITH ME OR ME COPING WITH YOU, A LIVE EVENT ON OCTOBER THE 17TH. WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO PARTICIPATE. THIS DISCUSSION IS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE, THE LIVE DISCUSSION WILL ADDRESS COMMON MISCONCEPTION ABOUT PARTNER VIOLENCE. YOU WILL ALSO DISCUSS THE WORK THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS DOING, SURVIVORS AND THEIR FAMILIES, SO EVERYBODY IS WELCOME TO TAIND. THERE IS A LINK THAT WE'LL SEND OUT TO EVERYBODY BUT IT IS TUESDAY OCTOBER 17TH.
AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO ADD THE POINTS THATSON YEA PERALEZ HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBILITY PARTNER FOR THIS COUNTY IN GENERAL BUT I DO WANT TO ACCENTUATE THE ISSUES, THE SHERIFFS OFFICE HPD IS DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB IN OUR AREA OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, WE ARE DOING A PHENOMENAL JOB ON VIOLENCE RIGHTS.
WE HAVE YET TO GET DOMESTIC VIOLENCE MOVED IN THE DIRECTION SO WE GOT WORK TO DO SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE BEEN DOING FOR SO MANY YEARS AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.
>> AND I JUST FEEL LIKE IN HONOR OF SONIA PERALEZ, BEEN THERE FOR 30 YEARS, I'D BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MENTION TODAY, LEAVING IS THE MOST, IT IS WHEN TYPICALLY YOU UNDERSTAND IT BUT THAT DECISION TO LEAVE OFTEN ENCOURAGED BY FRIENDS AND FAMILY CAN BE A LETHAL ONE. SO WE REALLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE ESPECIALLY IF THERE ARE GUNS IN THE HOME TO CALL OUR HOT LINE, 24 HOUR, TO GET AN INDIVIDUALIZED SAFETY PLAN.
WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER.
THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE.
MY LAST MEETING WITH THE MAYOR YESTERDAY, I'M GOING TO MAKE SOME CALLS TO TRY HELP US, AFTER A BIG GRANT, I'LL BE LISTENING,
I'LL COME BACK WITH PHOTOS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> MY FIRST RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE A CONTEMPORARY ISSUE THAT WE HAVE AND THAT IS RECOGNIZING THAT THIS IS DIGITAL INCLUSION WEEK. AND SO I'D LIKE TO WELCOME DIRECTOR FENDU MEMA INFROM MA FROMUNIVERSAL SERVICES.
BRINGING AFFORDABLE INTERNETVI CONNECTITY TO MORE THAT NEED THIS WORKN AND EDUCATIO AND ACCESS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES. MS. MEMON THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND BEEN DOING. PROVIDING MORE CONNECTIVITY IS A GAME CHANGER FOR MANY FAMILIES WHICH WE UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF IT. WE TOOK IT FOR GRANTED BUT WE UNDERSTOOD THE VALUE OF IT DURING THE PANDEMIC, ESPECIALLY AS WE WERE RECOGNIZING THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THAT SCHOOL DISTRICT CONTINUE TO FEEL THE RAMIFICATIONS OF A LACK OF CONNECTIVITY DURING THE PANDEMIC.
SO DIRECTOR, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, GOOD
[00:40:04]
MORNING COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC. DIGITAL TOOLS HAVE NOW BECOME A NECESSITY FOR US BECAUSE MOST OF THE BUSINESSES FROM ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND FROM THE DAY-TO-DAY OPERATIONS OF A FAMILY. DIGITAL LITERACY HAS BECOME A CRITICAL ASPECT OF OUR DAY-TO-DAY LIVES.SO WITH THAT THIS TOPIC, OFFICIAL INCLUSION WEEK HAS BEET IT'S BEEN RECOGNIZED. AND I HAVE THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE OR INITIATIVES THAT WE HAVE TAKEN UP AND THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE. SO I'LL GIVE A VERY QUICK BRIEF SUMMARY OF ALL THE INITIATIVES IN PROGRESS AND WHAT HAVE BEEN DONE SO FAR. SO WE HAVE HANDLED THE FIRST OF ALL WE HAVE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS DURING THE REACTION
PHASE. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE MADE PHENOMENAL PROGRESS DURING THE INITIAL PHASE WHICH WAS DURING THE PANDEMIC WHEN WE HAD TO STAND UP OUR QUICK RESPONSE TO THE NEED FOR THE CONNECTIVITY. THAT WAS DONE AS PHASE 1.
PHASE 2 WAS WHEN WE INITIATED, GOING OUT TO THE COMMUNITY TO NAVIGATE THE PROGRAM THAT WAS STOOD UP IN THE MONTH OF AUGUST.
WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO, I'M HAPPY TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONNECT, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PRID TOOLS AT THE LAST OPPORTUNITY FOR CONNECTIVITY FOR ABOUT 300 FAMILIES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY AND OUR THIRD PHASE IS DURING THAT TIME, WE ALSO WORKED WITH STP AND THE STATE TO IDENTIFYING THOSE GAPS IDENTIFIED AND THE AMOUNTS AND WE CONTINUE DID TO WORK ON THAT IN OUR NEXT PHASE EFFORTS AS WELL.
WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT BUILDING AN INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WOULD HELP MOVE THIS GAP ADDRESSING OF THE GAP TOWARD IN SUCH A MANNER THAT WE HAVE BY THE YEAR 2030 WE HAVE MOST OF THE HOUSEHOLDS CONNECTED. THAT'S OUR GOAL.
SO IN THE INITIAL PHASE WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE INVALUABLE RESOURCES TO EMPOWER ABOUT 15,000 STUDENTS AT THE COUNTY.
SO THAT'S PRETTY MUCH A VERY HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY.
I AM JOINED BY MR. JOHN SPEARS WHO LEADS OUR OFFICE OF BROADBAND AND HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL IN DEVELOPING THE PARTNERSHIPS BOTH IN FEDERAL, STATE, ALL THE PUBLIC, PRIVATE ENTITIES THAT WOULD -- THAT ARE A PART OF THIS SYSTEM.
SO I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
I APPRECIATE THIS. YOU WANT TO HAVE HIM SAY A FEW
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, JOHN SPEARS MANAGER OF BROADBAND.
TO ENSURE THAT BROADBAND IS AVAILABLE TO ALL RESIDENTS WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY BOTH URGENT NIGHT FOR CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR OFFICE OF BROADBAND AND INITIAL SERVICES WE WILL IMPLEMENT THE VISION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT AND PREVIOUS WORK WE HEM TO ADVANCEN OALL INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE FUTURE AND CURRENT UNITS OF RESIDENTS OF OUR COUNTY BUTAB ALSO ENLE OPPORTUNITIES TO TECHNOLOGY ANDUR INFRASTRUCTE TO OPERATE BETTER THROUGH THENS OPERATIO OF THE COUNTY AND
EMPOWER RESIDENTS. >> THANKFO YOU, THANK YOU R ALL YOU'RE DOING ON BROADBAND, BY THE WAY, APPRECIATE YOUR WORK HERE AND APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE AS WELL, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.
NEXT RESOLUTION IS ONE THAT RECOGNIZES OUR UNITED STATES MILITARY VETERANS LIKE THIS YOUNG LADY RIGHT HERE, CASTIE CASSIEWITH MY OFFICE. WE ARE PARTYING WITH OPERATION GREEN LIGHT, LIGHTING BUILDINGS GREEN FROM NOVEMBER THE 6TH THROUGH THE 12TH. CASSIE IS OUR VETERANS SERVICES MANAGER AND SHE IS AN ARMY VETERAN AS WELL AND A VERY ARMY STRONG VETERAN AT THAT. OPERATION GREEN LIGHT IS A SPECIAL EDITION TO THE NATIONAL OBSERVATION OF VETERANS DAY WHICH WILL BE OBSERVED ON NOVEMBER 11TH.
WE HONOR AND CELEBRATE THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF GREAT AMERICANS WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY IN UNIFORM AND AGAIN, HAVING TO GO BACK TO ISRAEL, WE UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF OUR MILITARY NO MATTER WHERE THEY MAY SERVE, SO CASSIE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND TALK TO US ABOUT
[00:45:05]
OPERATION GREEN LIGHT. >> FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I APPRECIATE BEING HERE.
MY NAME IS CASSIE GIBSON AND I'M THE MANAGER OF VETERANS SERVICES. EACH YEAR WE TAKE THIS TIME AND THIS MOMENT TO HONOR ALL OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS THAT SERVE AROUND PROTECT OUR COUNTRY. AND BY DOING SO, SOME PEOPLE MAY THINK, YOU KNOW, IT'S JUST A GREEN LIGHT BUT IT IS SO MUCH MORE. WE ARE NOTIFYING OUR VETERANS THAT WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE. WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE HONOR YOU FOR PUTTING YOUR NAMES ON THAT LINE AND PUTTING YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE TO PROTECT HERE AT HOME AND ACROSS THE WORLD. WE WILL BE LIGHTING THE VP RAMSAY VETERANS CENTER IN CHANNEL VIEW, IN HOUSTON AS WELL AS THE CHALLENGESSER 7 WORK SO THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I
APPRECIATE IT. >> ARMY OR THE ALL, THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER? OKAY.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> WE HAVE FOUR RESOLUTIONS, WE'RE GOING TO DO NUMBER 11 FIRST.
ALL OF THE TEAM MEMBERS WHO ARE HERE.
SO OCTOBER IS ALSO NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH. AND I'M SO PROUD TO BE HERE WITH CONSTABLE KEITH WHO IS ONE OF OUR CONSTABLE PARTNERS IN PRECINCT 4 ALONG WITH HIS SON ANDREW WHO HAS BEEN A TEAM MEMBER FOR THE LAST SIX YEARS, AS WELL AS JORDAN MA MERRICK.
IF EVERYONE CAN COME WE WELCOME YOU.
WE ARE HERE BECAUSE OCTOBER IS NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT DISABILITY MONTH. AND WE TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THAT IN HARRIS COUNTY 11% OF OUR RESIDENTS ARE DISABLED. 11% AND ONLY APPROXIMATELY 32% OF OUR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES ARE EMPLOYED.
AND ABOUT 20% OF OUR RESIDENTS WITH DISABILITIES LIVE BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. SO HARRIS COUNTY IS DEEPLY COMMITTED TO ACCESS AND TO EQUITY AND TO MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE AND COUNSELOR HEATH AND I STARTED TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT EMPLOYERS AROUND HARRIS COUNTY THAT REALLYOD ARE MEL FOR THIS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY.
AND IN CONVERSATIONS WITH CONSTABLE ATH AND DOCTOR BLAKE ELLIS OUR CHIEF TALENT OFFICER WE HAVE DECIDED TO LAUNCH A PILOT PROGRAM FOR ADULTS WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO COME WORK AT PRECINCT 4 AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPREADING THIS PILOT THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY SO THAT WE CAN BE LEADING IN THIS ENGAGEMENT EFFORT IN THIS DEEPENING OPPORTUNITY, AND SO I'M SO THANKFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP ON SO MANY LEVELS.
I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE TODAY AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AS WELL. AND WE HAVE HAVE TEAM OWNERS AND MEMBERS, HOW THEY'RE SPREADING OPPORTUNITIES IN OUR COUNTY.
AND EVEN WE SEE OUR PRIEST JOIN US AND IT'S BEEN SO WONDERFUL TO
SPEND THIS MORNING. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU JUDGE FOR ALLOWING TODAY FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO BE BROUGHT TO THE FLOOR. YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY'S PRIDES ITSELF ON BEING AT THE CUTTING EDGE OF EVERYTHING THAT WE DO AND WE TALK EVERY TIME THIS BODY COMES TOGETHER ABOUT THE EQUITY OF THE POPULATION WE HAVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY BUT I DO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A PORTION OF OUR COMMUNITY THAT IS NOT IN THIS CONVERSATION. AND THAT CONVERSATION IS, PART OF THAT COMMUNITY IS OF COURSE THOSE WITH DISABILITIES.
SO I BELIEVE THAT THIS RESOLUTION IS GOING TO GO A LONG WAY TOWARDS ACHIEVING THAT. THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE TOGETHER HAVE A SHIRT THAT THEY WEAR AND IT SAYS FROM THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND IT.
FROM THE INSIDE LOOKING OUT, WE CAN'T EXPLAIN IT.
AND I THINK THAT THAT'S AN AWFUL LOT SAID IN THAT ONE PHRASE RIGHT THERE. WE NEED TO LEARN AND WE NEED TO GET BETTER AT UNDERSTANDING IT. BECAUSE THEY CAN'T ALWAYS EXPLAIN IT. BUT THEY HAVE SO MANY GIFTS AND TALENTS THAT THEY COULD BRING TO THE COMMUNITY.
AND THAT'S ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE SELF VALUE, WORK AND CONTRIBUTE AS EVERYBODY ELSE DOES.
AND I THINK AS YOU HEAR FROM A FEW PEOPLE TODAY YOU'LL COME TO UNDERSTAND THAT THEY DO HAVE SOME UNTAPPED TALENTS AND GIFTS.
[00:50:01]
AND I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD AND I HOPE THAT HARRIS COUNTY CAN BE ON THE CUTTING EDGE OF A PROGRAM LIKE THIS AND SET A PRECEDENT NOT ONLY FOR THIS COUNTY BUT FOR THE ENTIRE STATE.THANK YOU FOR BRINGING A RESOLUTION FORWARD.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERMISSION.
>> THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
MY NAME IS ROB EPSON, I'M THE OWNER OF HOWDY HOME MADE ICE CREAM, WE ARE A HOME MADE ICE CREAM SHOP, WE DO GLOI INDIVIDUALS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. 90% OF MY STAFF HAVE IDD.
THIS IS THE GREATEST THING I'VE DONE IN MY 36 YEARS OF LIVING AND IN THE BIBLE THERE IS THE BOOK OF JOHN THEY TALK ABOUT SYMON AND PETER FISHING ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOAT, THEY HAVEN'T CAUGHT ANYTHING. JESUS SAID HAVE YOU TRIED TO FISH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOAT.
LIST OF 60 TO 70 INDIVIDUALS WAITING FOR EMPLOYMENT BECAUSE WE FISH ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOAT.
AND SO IT'S BEEN AMAZING, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR.
THESE INDIVIDUALS HAVE REALLY BLESSED ME AND IT'S BEEN LIFE CHANGING. AND EVERYBODY THAT COMES IN THE ICE CREAM SHOP I THINK FEELS THE SAME THING.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM THE INDIVIDUALS WITH UNTAPPED ABILITIES. THEY DON'T JUST TAKE OUT THE TRASH, THEY RUN THE CASH REGISTER, THEY DO IT ALL.
AND SO I WISH WHEN I WAS 18 AND I GOT OUT OF COLLEGE OR I WAS GOING INTO COLLEGE I KNEW WHAT I KNEW NOW, I WOULD HAVE WORKED WITH THE POPULATION THEN. SO IT'S BEEN A BLESSING AND I HOPE THAT Y'ALL GIVE THE SAME SPIRIT FLOWING WHEN YOU HEAR FROM THEM WHEN I DO WHEN I WORK WITH THEM.
FISHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOAT.
>> GOOD MORNING LINA AND WELCOME BACK.
HI, MY NAME IS ANDREW HEATH. I AM 28 YEARS OLD.I HAVE WORKED AT MARY JOE PECKHAM PARK FOR SEARCH YEARS, I HAVE ALSO WORKED AT HOWDY'S ICE CREAM. I LOVE TO MAKE PEOPLE HAPPY AND SMILE BECAUSE I BELIEVE I CAN EO IT ANDVERYONELI WITH DISABITIES CAN DO IT. MY BOSS AND ALL THE PEOPLE I WORK ARE SOME OF MY BEST TRENDS AND THEY ALWAYS WILL BE.
WORKING IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AND MAKES ME FEEL GOOD ABOUT MYSELF AND I THINK IT MAKES EVERYONE FEEL GOOD ABOUT THEMSELVES TOO WITH DISABILITIES. I HAVE ONE FREE QUEST FROM ALL OF YOU, CAN I MEET THE LADY THAT GETS TO SAY YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE? THAT'S SO COOL. AND THANK Y'ALL.
TIFFANY, ANDREW WANTS TO MEET YOU.
>> MY NAME IS DORIN, I HAVE TWO JOBS.
I WORK AT HOWDY'S HOME MADE ICE CREAM, I HOPE HOWDIES AND HAVE WORKED THERE FOR OVER TWO YEARS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU ROD AND CHRISTINA FOR GIVING OPEN OPPORTUNITIES HOW'DIES AND GIVING PEOPLE WITH PROFESSIONAL NEEDS JOBS OPPORTUNITIES.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU JORDAN.
>> THANK YOU FOR SIGNING UP TO SPEAK AND FOR SHARING YOUR GIFTS WITH US TODAY. AND YOUR GIFTS WITH SONNY AND I KNOW YOU HAVE TO GET BACK TO KEEPING US ALL SAFE.
SO CAN WE PLEASE TAKE A PHOTO. >> COMMISSIONER I JUST WANT TO SAY ANDREW I THINK YOU'RE THE BETTER LOOKING OF THE TWO.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> ANDREW THERE'S A LOT OF THINGS THAT I MISS ABOUT NOT HAVING KATIE IN OUR PRECINCT ANYMORE. YOU ARE THE BIGGEST THING I MISS IN TERMS OF THE THREE YEARS, TWO YEARS WE HAD WORKING.
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND CONTINUAL, TO DO,.
>> ALL RIGHT? >> THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR GIFTS WITH HARRIS COUNTY. WITH.
[00:57:14]
>> CAN WE PLEASE GIVE ANOTHER A ROUND OFPPLAUSE TO THESE I TALENTEDNDIVIDUALS.FO THANK YOU R BEING WITH USI TODAY. HAVELU THREE MORE RESOTIONS.
ON THE SAME TOPIC AND MAKING SURE WE'REPO SPREADIG OPRTUNITY, I'M TURNING TOIC ITEM TIN WHH IS OUR RESOLUTION T CONGRATULATINGHE CAMARA DE EMPRESARIOS LATINOS DE HOUSTON ON THEIR 30TH ANNIVERSARY. THEY HAVE GROWN TO 4,000 BUSINESSES, 450 BUSINESSES CREATING OPPORTUNITY, ILDINGY ECONOMIC PROSPERIT THAT WILL CONTINUE TO PAY DIVIDENDS FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. SO THANK YOU FOR CHAMPIONING OUR BUSINESSES, OUR CULTURE AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE HAS ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY. THANKLA YOU SO MUCH.
FOR THE ST 30 YEARS. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
CELEBRATING THE NEXT 30. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, BRIONES AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR LAST WEEK AWARD, LEADERSHIP IS NOTHING TO BE A LEADER IF YOU DON'T SERVE YOUR COMMUNITY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE.
AND YOU ALREADY KNOW WHAT WE DO SO WE WANT TO TELL YOU THAT WE HAVE GRADUATED 3500 WOMEN IN THE CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS.
IN ONE OF OUR CLASSES. WHICH SOME OF THEM HAVE STARTED THEIR OWN BUSINESS OF ROOFING AND FRAMING.
SO AROUND ALSO WE GRADUATED ARE MORE THAN 500 BUSINESS HISPANIC BUSINESS OWNERS TO TAKE THEIR BUSINESS TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
SO OUR COMMITMENT OF WORK -- >> THANK YOU.
>> -- IS TO HELP YOU, WITH OUR HISPANIC BUSINESS THROUGH EDUCATION INFORMATION CONNECTIONS AND SUPPORT TO BRING THE HOUSTON ECONOMY TO ANOTHER LEVEL.
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> AND THANK YOU.
AS A FEMALE FIELD, LATINO FIELD, YOU ARE AN EXAMPLE OF SO MANY AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO IMPROVE OUR NWD OPPORTUNITIES, THANK YOU
FOR WORKING WITH THEBA BOARD. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH WELCOME CK AND THANK YOU FOR BEING PUBLIC WITH US, HISPANIC COMMUNITY NEEDS TO BE AWARE OF ALL THE MENTAL ISSUES AND SOMETIMES WE SHUT UP ON THAT ISSUE BUT WE NEED TO OPEN UP AND BE AWARE OF THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.
>> WE HAVE TWO MORE. NOW ITEM NUMBER 12.
[01:00:01]
>> I'M SORRY COMMISSIONER, CAN WE PLEASE HAVE HER STATE HER
NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> MS. GONZALEZ.
>> ADRIANA GONZALEZ. >> THANK YOU, AGAIN MS. GONZALEZ. SO WE HAVE TWO MORE RESOLUTIONS MOVING TO NUMBER 12 ALSO ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. IF I COULD PLEASE INVITE UP NOT ONLY OUR SPEAKERS BUT EVERYONE WHO HAS COME TODAY FROM DIA ASIANS AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE, JOIN US AS WELL.
SO THERE'S VERY LITTLE TO CELEBRATE IN OCTOBER, BUT AGAIN IT'S ALL ABOUT BRINGING AWARENESS AND ATTENTION TO THIS CRITICAL, CRITICAL PROBLEM. DOMESTIC ABUSE RELATED HOMICIDES IN HOUSTON HAVE DOUBLED, DOUBLED OVER THE LAST THREE YEARS.
DOMESTIC ABUSE HOMICIDES INVOLVING A FIREARM HAVE INCREASED 61% IN TERMS OF THOSE MURDERED BETWEEN THE AGES OF 18 AND 29. IN THE UNITED STATES, ONE IN THREE WOMEN AND ONE IN FOUR MEN HAVE EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER.
AND UNFORTUNATELY, IN TEXAS, 40% OF WOMEN AND 35% OF MEN EXPERIENCE, HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE, TALKING AND RAPE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER IN THEIR LIFETIME.
UNFORTUNATELY WE SAW RISE DURING THE PANDEMIC AS WE ALL KNOW BUT IT HAS NOT GONE DOWN. WE ARE STILL ABOVE PREPANDEMIC LEVELS AND THESE ISSUES PERSIST. AND THE ORGANIZATIONS WE HAVE INVITED TODAY ARE OF PARTICULAR IMPORTANCE AND EXTRA-DEAR TO MY HEART. THANK YOU FOR HOSTING ME AND MY TEAM, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR OUR PRECINCT AND BEYOND BUT OUR ASIAN PACIFIC ISLANDER SISTERS AND BROTHERS HAVE EVEN HIGHER RATES THAN THE ONES I JUST STATED ESPECIALLY WITH WOMEN, UP TO 55% OF ASIAN WOMEN IN THE UNITED STATES HAVE ALREADY EXPERIENCED SOME FORM OF PHYSICAL OR SEXUAL VIOLENCE IN THEIR LIFETIME. AND I'M SO PROUD THAT BEFORE I WAS HERE IN OCTOBER OF 2022, COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED $4.7 MILLION IN ARPA FUNDS FOR THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND. 20 DIFFERENT AGENCIES AND SOME OF THOSE AGENCIES ARE HERE TODAY.
DAYA ASIANS AGAINST COMESK ABUSE AND ARI-NISA.
WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY, WELCOME YOU HERE TODAY IN OCTOBER AND EVERY MONTH OF THE YEAR WE ARE YOUR PARTNERS IN RAISING AWARENESS AND SEEING HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TRYING TO DRIVER PROGRESS. SO WITH THAT I KNOW SEVERAL OF YOU HAVE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK. TIFFANY DO YOU WANT TO CALL THEM
IN THE ORDER PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM.
FIRST IS DR. NASRIT AMIN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING THIS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
AS FOR 23, THERE WERE 204 TEXANS, I'M DIRECTOR SOUTH ASIAN ORGANIZATION AND WE HAVE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ABUSE, SERVICES. FROM THEIR LANGUAGE COMMUNICATION THERE ARE A LOT OF BARRIERS THAT THE ENTRANT IMRANLTIMMIGRANTCOMMUNITY FACES. WE COLLABORATE WITH ALL OF YOU TO MAKE A SYSTEM THAT IS FAVORABLE TO THE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO HERE WE EXTEND OUR INTENTIONS TO WORK ALONG WITH YOU, TO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU DR. AMIN, THANK
YOU. >> NEXT IS MIRIAM CAMAL ALDEN.
SHE'S FROM ASIANS AGAINST DOMESTIC ABUSE.
>> I'M MIRIAM CAMAL ALDEN. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
I'D LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS RECOGNITION. OUR NORTH ASIAN STEPS, THIS POPULATION IS ALWAYS OVERLOOKED AS BEING PART OF ASIA.
WE BELIEVE THAT FIVE AGAINST WOMEN IS MUCH MORE COMPLEX THAN
[01:05:07]
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ALL AND IT'S FELT IN MANY WAYS.ASIAN SURVIVORS FACE BARRIERS WITH SEEKING HEALTH AND NAVIGATING SYSTEMS. SOME OF THESE AREAS ARE MORE VISIBLE THAN OTHERS. AT ADA WE AIM TO PROVIDE OUR SURVIVORS WITH SERVICES THAT WILL ENABLE THEM TO LIVE THEIR LIVES INDEPENDENTLY. THROUGH OUR RESOURCES, ADVOCATE
HOUSING PROGRAMS. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> AND SAFETY PLANNING. MENTAL HEALTH AND OUTREACH.
WE ALSO AIM TO BUILD UNDERSTAND AND WORK TOGETHER TO ADDRESS VIOLENCE. WE ARE PROUD RECIPIENTS, WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET, THANK YOU.
>> SADATH PATEL. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH AND FOR RECOGNIZE US. I JUST WANT TO TALK ABOUT TWO DAYS IN OCTOBER, THREE WOMEN AND ONE MAN WERE KILLED IN THE FIRST DAYS OF THIS MONTH. HOMICIDE IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS HUGE, IT IS THE NUMBER 1 REASON FOR DEATH IN HARRIS COUNTY, ALL THE STATISTICS THAT ARE THERE. WE HAVE A WHOLE DEPARTMENT OF MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS AND CASEWORKERS THAT WORK ON IT.
BUT WHAT'S MORE IMPORTANT IS AWARENESS.
WE TALK ABOUT PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL ABUSE, WHAT ABOUT EMOTIONAL, SPIRITUAL, FINANCIAL, SO MANY TYPES THAT ARE NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED OR CONDEMNED. AWARENESS IS SO IMPORTANT.
90% OF DOING LEARNED BEHAVIORS. THAT IS WHY REEFNTION AND AWARENESS IS SO KEY. YOU KNOW PREVENTION HAS WORKED IN OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES. SEAT BELT USAGE HAS INCREASED FROM 14% TO OVER 90% TODAY. DRUNK DRIVING HAS INCREASED BY HALF SINCE 1993. WHY CAN'T WE DO THAT, CHANGE THE NORM IN THE ENVIRONMENT FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
DOMESTIC IS NOT CORRECT. THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.
IT IS NOT JUST IN OUR HOME AND UNLESS WE ALL WORK TOGETHER, TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AND TO FIGHT IT, IT'S GOING TO CONTINUE TO DESTROY FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU MS. PATEL.
>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU TO -- THANK YOU TO EVERYONE HERE AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S SHELTER. THANK YOU TO ALL THE 20 PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS. WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY AND IT IS ALL ABOUT PREVENTION. WE HAVE ONE LAST RESOLUTION AND SPEAKING OF ON THE FRONT LINES OF PREVENTION AND EDUCATION WE HAVE ANOTHER ROCK STAR SUPERINTENDENT.
WITH US TODAY DR. MAYS AND HIS FABULOUS TEAM.
PLEASE JOIN US. PLEASE EVERYONE COME UP.
MY TEAM AND I HAVE DEEP DEEP BAY LEAVE PRIDE.
WE ARE THRILLED TO CELEBRATE THE 10 YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF A LEIF ISDALIEF PROUD DAY. MANY OF YOU HAVE VISITALIEF.
IT IS ONE OF THE CULTURALLY DIVERSE AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
OVER 90 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN. DR. MAYS AND HIS TEAM HAVE DONE A PHENOMENAL JOB IN MAKING SURE WE CELEBRATE THE RICH DIVERSITY AND LEARNING THERE EACH OTHER. I WANT TO GIVE OUT MY SPECIAL SHOUT OUT, MY PARENTS ARE HERE FROM SOUTH TEXAS GABRIELLE EDUCATORS. AND ALICE LEE MY PHENOMENAL CHIEF OF STAFF IS A PROUD GRADUATE OF ELSIC HIGH SCHOOL.
WE ARE NEARLY ALL IN AND THE FORMALLY ACKNOWLEDGED OCTOBER 14TH 2023 AS ALIEF PROUD DAY. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
PROUD TO REPRESENT ALIEF AND PROUD TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU.
>> THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION, HAPPY BIRTHDAY AND AGAIN THANK YOU TO SOME LIFELONG SUPPORTERS OF THE PROGRAM.
BUT AGAIN, ALIEF PROUD IS REALLY ABOUT COMMUNITY, TRUSTEE PRESIDENT, (INAUDIBLE) WE ALSO HAVE (INAUDIBLE) HERE.
YOU SAY ROCK STAR BUT IT REALLY IS THE TEAM THAT IS AT THE
[01:10:02]
FOREFRONT. WONDERFUL COMMITTEE HERE AND AGAIN THE WORK IS ABOUT HAVING (INAUDIBLE) WITH YOU ALL ABOUT THERE THE ALIEF COMMUNITY. I GOT (INAUDIBLE) WE GOT YOUR BACK AND AGAIN WE TRY TO CELEBRATE COMMUNITY THIS SATURDAY, YOU'RE WELCOME AND INVITE ALL OF YOU OUT TO OUR ALIEF PROUD EVENT AND WE APPRECIATE THAT.>> WELCOME BACK. >> JUDGE MAY I SAY WHAT'S IN THE
HOUSE. >> WE HAVE TWO SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR THIS, IS THAT CORRECT TIFFANY?
>> YES, WE HAVE A FEW SPEAKERS. FIRST IS CARA PARKER.
>> GORGE, THANK YOU EVERYONE. MY NAME IS CARA PARKER, I SERVES AS THE DIRECTOR OF THE LANDING, ALIEF WESTWOOD COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE CITY AND COUNTY ON MANY OF THE RESOURCES AVAILABLE IN THE COMMUNITY.
STEPPED ACCESS, WE LOOK AT THE GROUP CAUSES OF TRAFFICING, IT IS OFTEN THE LACK OF ACCESS TO FOOD AND STABLE HOUSING, ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND SO THE MORE THAT WE INVEST IN THE COMMUNITY AND INITIATIVES WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS IT HELPS REDUCE THE VULNERABILITY OF THE COMMUNITY TO TRAFFICING BUT ALSO, HELPS SUPPORT SURVIVORS FROM RECOVERY SO THEY ARE NOT RECOGNIZED FOR THAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO AND IT'S A PRIVILEGE.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS TOMMY WAN.
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.
ON BEHALF OF THE STUDENTS HERE AND ALIEF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM YOU ARE DEVELOPING LEADERS HERE IN THE AREA AND WE ACTUALLY HAVE A FEW STUDENTS HERE WHO ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE COMMUNITY PROJECTS THEY ARE DOING.
THANK YOU ALIEF ISD AND SUPERINTENDENT MAYS AND THEIR WONDERFUL TEAM AND EVERYBODY IN ALIEF FOR DOING SUCH A WONDERFUL COMMITMENT, WE ARE A FABRIC OF THE NATION, WE HAVE SO MANY LANGUAGES SPOKEN AND WE ARE SUCH A GREAT COMMUNITY AND TODAY I JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE YOUTH LEADERS FOR ORGANIZING COMMUNITY PROJECTS FOR BEING ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE ARE TRULY ONE TOGETHER AND WE ARE ALIEF PROUD, THANK YOU SO
>> NEXT IS NAYEL BLUNT YASHIKAWA.
>> HELLO, MY NAME IS NAYEL. I YOU ARE SO ACCEPTED AS YOURSELF. OUR MISSION IS TO GET MORE ENGAGED. WE ARE VOIRT REGISTRATION, VOTER OPPORTUNITIES AND TREE OPPORTUNITY AND FOSTERING SO MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I WOULD LIKE TOHA TNK DAVIDAN LDFORD.
THANKOU Y. >> YOU MAKES UPROUD.
THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS.
>> OKAY. OKAY NOW LET'SE TAKPICTURES.
[01:19:13]
... ...[01:20:24]
[01:33:14]
>> WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS, WE HAVE QUITE A
[01:33:19]
FEW FOLKS. ATIVEY WE'LL GO WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THEN GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA AND GO FOR LUNCH.>> YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD DAY PEOPLE, WELCOME BACK, LINA. I'M SPEAKING ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WHILE I HAVE FRIENDS WHO WORK AT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WE NEED MORE RECENTING OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND I ALSO WANT TO SAY THAT THE FOUNDATION HELPS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. AND SO NOW I'M GOING TO SPEAK ABOUT THE NATIONAL DISABILITY AWARENESS WEEK.
WITH LESLIE, MEMBER LESLIE TALKING ABOUT IT.
INFLUENTIAL WOMAN OF 22. MARTY A FRIEND OF MINE SHE AUTOGRAPHED FOR ME AN ARTICLE FOR HER, QUALITY, MARTY.
NOW I'VE ASKED THE WORKS AT NGR STADIUM.
>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND CAN I TALK ABOUT WHAT ELSE, LESLIE ABOUT NRG PARK? SPEAKING FOR AND RICH BOWMAN.
>> JACOB WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS BUT THANK YOU.
[01:35:03]
>> THANK YOU JACOB. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 22, ANGELLITA, SPEAKING ON 2526 AND 27.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> IT IS ANGELITA RTA RODRIGUEZS
THAT WHAT YOU SAID? >> YES, MA'AM.
>> HI. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MY CASE AT 11208 42, AT 1910 COURTHOUSE. I WENT THERE SAN ANTONIO, LEFT ON A PIECE AT A JP JUSTICE OF THE PIECE AT SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS.
SO THERE'S -- I'VE BEEN MISLED HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS.
THEY HAVE NOT UNDERSTOOD MY CASE.
I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF PRESIDENT BR BARACK OBAMA AND PRESIDENT GEORGE BUSH. MEETS THE ADDRESS, THE SHARE FOR THE ELECTION WE HAD A HEADLESS HORSEMAN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.
NOW I'M THE SECRETARY OF ALL THE STATES OF U.S.A.
HOW DID I GET THAT? WELL BECAUSE --
>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >> APPRECIATE IT.
>> NEXT IS SAN JUANITA CISNEROS. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> I WANTED TO START BY THANKING THE HARRIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP FOR THEIR CONTINUOUS SUPPORT IN ENSURING EARLY LERNLINGS QUALITY NETWORK GRANTS. AS AN EDUCATIONAL LEADER, PRIVATE SCHOOLS AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DWRAIRT LEARNING AT THE YMCA AND THE MOTHER OF TWO SUCCESSFUL DAUGHTERS, I KNOW FIRSTHAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HIGH QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE CHILDCARE. AS THE LARGEST PROVIDER OF CHILDCARE IN THE NATION, THE YMCA, WE FACE WORKFORCE CHALLENGES TO KEEP UP WITH THE DEMANDS.
THIS GRANT WILL ENSURE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAM AND LEADING TO STRONG EDUCATIONAL AND OUTCOMES FOR HARRIS COUNTY WORKING FAMILIES. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I GUARANTEE YOU THAT THE FAMILIES OF OUR EARLY LEARNING CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THANK YOU. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HOW WE CAN WORKING TO, OR THE HIGH QUALITY PROGRAMMING FOR ALL.
>> THANK YOU. JUANITA JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND I WANT MY COLLEAGUES TO KNOW THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE IN PRECINCT 2 AND PARTICULARLY WITH A PREK PROGRAM THAT WE STARTED IN MY FACILITY AND IT'S NOW NAMED EL KASTILLO, EARLY LEARNING ACADEMY. THE BABIES ARE BLOOMING, YOU'VE DONE SOME INCREDIBLE WORK AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PURPOSE ALL YOU'VE DONE AND TO ALL YOUR BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING FOR OUR FAMILIES. THEY REALLY COUNT ON YOU.
AND I KNOW THE FAMILIES ARE BEING EMPOWERED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CONTINUE HIGH QUALITY LIFE, PLANS FOR THEIR FAMILIES IN THE FUTURE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH
COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA. >> NEXT IS DAVID MITCHUM, SPEAKING ON ITEM 25. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU, MAY IT PLEASE THE CORD.
MAY NAME IS DAVID MITCHUM, FIRST ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY OF HARRIS COUNTY, CHIEF OF COURTS. I HAVE WITH ME A DOZEN HIGH LEVEL DISTRICT ATTORNEYS THAT WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH YOU BRIEFLY CONCERNING THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA NUMBER 25 IN THE REFERENCE TO THE FUNDING OF OUR OFFICE.
WE WOULD ASK FOR AN EXCEPTION TO THE ITEM BECAUSE IF IT'S INTERPRETED IN SUCH A NUMBER BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET THAT WE END UP LOSING POSITIONS AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IT WILL UNDERMINE PUBLIC SAFETY AND IT WILL JEOPARDIZE OUR ABILITY TO BE ABLE TO SEEK JUSTICE FOR THE VICTIMS OF CRIME. AND SO WE ASK THAT WE BE GIVEN, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BE GIVEN AN EXCEPTION OF THIS
COUNTY. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> OKAY. >> NOW IT'S RUBIN PEREZ THERE
SPECIAL CRIMES. >> GOOD MORNING, GOOD MORNING
[01:40:02]
JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. SEEMS LIKE I'M SPEAKING TO PEOPLE THAT ALREADY KNOW. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT AS A CAREER PROSECUTOR OF 42 YEARS I'VE REALLY, REALLY WATCHED THE EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE. MY UNDERSTAND BEING IS THAT IF THIS RULE PASSES WITHOUT AN EXCEPTION WE WILL LOSE POSITIONS IN OUR D.A.'S OFFICE. FFI'M VERY, VERY FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO SPEAK FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A FEDERAL PROSECUTOR VERSUS A STATE PROSECUTOR.FEDERAL PROSECUTOR HAVE A LOT OF RESOURCES FOR LIKE IN CHICAGO THEY HAVE ALMOST A THOUSAND ADA'S.
WE HAVE LIKE 358 ADA'S. YET MY SPECIAL CRIMES BUREAU WITH ONLY 45 ADA'S WE'RE RESPONSIBLE OR THE SPECIAL CRIME BUREAU FOR 6849 CASES. SO BOTTOM LINE IS THAT IF WE DON'T GET THE EXCEPTION, THIS WOULD MOVE TO US LOSING POSITIONS. AND CANNED AFFORD IT OR THE
PUBLIC SAFETY. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M NATHAN BEDLE, I'M THE MISDEMEANOR TRIAL CHIEF, I'M RESPONSIBLE FOR OVER 27,000 CASES. I WANT Y'ALL TO UNDERSTAND THAT IT WAS AT 44,000 AT THE BEGINNING AT THE CENTER OF THE PANDEMIC SO WE'RE DOWN 17,000 CASES.
IF WE DO NOT HAVE OUR FUNDINGS THAT WILL BE GENERAL PLANNED THAT CONTINUED DOWNWARD TREND. I ALSO WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT ANYBODY IN YOUR FAMILY THAT'S BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME THAT'S BEEN HILT BY A DRUNK DRIVER, IF WE DON'T HAVE OUR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT PUBLIC SAFETY, EVERYTHING IS IN JEOPARDY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WILL BE GOING FORWARD.
>> MY NAME IS ALICIA HARDY, I'M THE DIVISION CHIEF OF PACE DEVELOPMENT. I SUPERVISE EIGHT FELONY ADA'S, FOR AN EMERGENCY DOCKET, WE'RE OUT SICK, ON MATERNITY LEAVE, ANYBODY WHO IS OUT ON VACATION BECAUSE MOST OF US ARE PUTTING OFF OUR VACATIONS. WE SIMPLY HAVE TOO MUCH WORK TO GO. ON ANY GIVEN DAY I HAVE FAR MORE REQUESTS FOR COVERAGE THAN I HAVE ADA'S TO COVER.
OUR LAWYERS ARE LITERALLY DROWNING IN WORK.
WE HAVE AND HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO HIRE MORE.
BUT THE LEGAL MARKET RIGHT NOW IS HOT.
AND IF YOU TAKE AWAY POSITIONS OR DELETE OUR PCN'S WHICH GIVE US THAT FLEXIBILITY TO DO THE HIRING WE NEED, PUBLIC SAFETY WILL SUFFER. I ASK YOU TO EXEMPT THE D.A.'S OFFICE AND GRANT US AN EXCEPTION TO THE CURRENT PLAN OUTLINED IN
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 35. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS CAROLINE DOZZIER, I'VE BEEN WITH THE DAMENT'S OFFICE FOR ALMOST 23 YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THAT I HANDLE MULTIPLE CAPITAL MURDER CASES INCLUDING THE CAPITAL MURDERS OF HPD SERGEANT HAROLD PRESTON AND ALMANDARE DISWRVETION.
I'M CONCERNED HOW THIS WILL AFFECT OMGZ, WE NEED TO COMMIT THESE CANDIDATES IN THE MOMENT WE WILL LOSE THEM.
WHEN WE LOSE THESE CANDIDATES WE HAVE CASES THAT HAVE TO BE REDISTRIBUTED AMONGST AN OVERBURDENED WORKFORCE.
THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS PUBLIC SAFETY.
SUPPORT STAFF ARE ASKING MORE REQUESTS.
LIKE I SAID I'VE SPENT ALMOST 30 YEARS IN THIS JOB AT THE GREATLY EXPENSE OF MY OWN PERSONAL LIFE, MY FRIENDS WHO ARE HERE TO TESTIFY. WE ANSWER CALLS, WE ARE THERE TO HANDLE WARRANTS AFTER HOURS. WE SHOULD BE DOING HOMEWORK.
>> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP. >> WE ASK THAT WE BE EXEMPTED THERE THIS POLICY. THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS JENNIFER MERRIWEATHER.
19 YEARS AGO I PASSED THE BAR EXAM.
THE I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN A ROSS CURIOSITY, WE USE ID TO LAW SCHOOL TO HIRE OUR BEST AND BRIGHTEST TO FILL OUR OFFICE.
BECAUSE THEY HIRE US BEFORE WE FAST THE BAR EXAMPLE WE HAVE TO -- BAR EXAM WE HAVE TO KEEP THE PLACE OPEN, HURT US IN THE LONG RUN. YOU'VE GOT TO ALLOW AN EXCEPTION SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HIRE THROUGH LAW SCHOOL PROCESS TO FILL OUR OPEN SPOTS WHILE WE WAIT FOR THEM TO PASS THE BAR EXAM. THANK YOU.
[01:45:05]
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. OR GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS KATIE WARREN. I'M A PROSECUTOR AT THE D.A.'S OFFICE. I'M A DIVISION CHIEF IN THE FELONY DIVISION OF THE TRIAL BUREAU.
NOVEMBER WILL BE MY 19TH YEAR AS AN ADA IN THIS COUNTY.
I CURRENTLY SUPERVISE NEARLY 30 PEOPLE.
WE HIRE OVER 5500 FELONIES AT THIS TIME.
LIKE JENNIFER I WAS ALSO A PRECOMMIT.
I WAS GIVEN AN OFFER ALMOST 19 YEARS AGO IN MY THIRD YEAR AS A LAW STUDENT, AND IT CHANGED MY LIFE.
NEVER DID I DREAM THAT 15 YEARS LATER I'D BE MAKING CALLOUTS FOR DEPUTY INVESTIGATION OR ANY OTHER OFFICERS, OTHER OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHOT IN THE LINE OF DUTY EVEN THIS YEAR. THAT'S ONE OF OUR DUTIES.
THE POINT IS, IN ORDER TO GET THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST OUT OF THE LAW SCHOOLS WE NEED THESE OPEN PCN'S THESE OPEN SPOTS.
THAT IS OUR BIGGEST POOL OF APPLICANTS, IT IS THE BIGGEST AND BRIGHTEST BATCH OF NEW LAWYERS TO BE ABLE TO COME IN
FOR OUR LAW FIRM -- >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> I'M JOHN JORDAN. I'M THE TRIAL BUREAU CHIEF, HOSTING THESE AMAZING WOMEN WHO SERVE UNDER ME.
WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR 35,000 CASES, RESPONSIBLE FOR 2,000 CAPITAL MURDERS AND MURDERS. WE WERE AGGRESSIVE AND YOUNG LAW SCHOOL APPLICANTS TO COME TO US GET TUTORED BY US AND HANDLE THE MOST SERIOUS CASES. THIS IS THE PROBLEM.
TRINS, THIS COURT DID A TREMENDOUS THING BY ALLOWING (INAUDIBLE) AND THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT HOWEVER THE CONSEQUENCE IS THAT AT ANY GIVEN TIME NOW WE MAY HAVE UP TO 26 COURTS SIX PEOPLE OUT ON NAME MEDICAL LEAVE FOR ABOUT REASON.
THOSE ARE HOLES THAT WE NEED THE BENCH TO COME AND FILL.
SO WHILE WE HAVE GOOD INTENDED LEGISLATION THERE IS CONSEQUENCES BEHIND IT, PEOPLE OVERWORKED.
WE ARE ASKING YOU TO GIVE US THAT FLEXIBILITY.
THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE LITERALLY LIVES ARE ON THE LINE.
FAMILIES ARE ON THE LINE. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS TIFFANY DUPREE AND I'M A DIVISION CHIEF IN OUR FELONY TRIAL BUREAU, OVER SECTION 3, INCLUDES OVER 30 STAFF, OVER 5500 THROIN CASES, THAT ISUR O MOST VIOLENTFF OENDERS, CAPITAL MURDER, MURDER, AGOAW VTED XUAL ASSAULT. THEIT POSION SEVERELYIT LIMS OUR ABITY TO HIRESE PROCUTORS. THEY HAVE TO I STARTN MISDEMEANOR, WEWI WORK TH THEM AND T TRAINHEM UP.IF WE LOSE THETY ABILI TO DOTH AT AT THE BOTTOM IT WILL DIRECTLY HINDER OURTO PROSECURS AND FELONY COURTS.IS ISINCREASED WORKLOAD ALREADY --E WOULD BALREADY DIFFICT FOR THOSE WHO ARE NDALREADY HALING OVER 450 CASES EACH.SS ACRO THE COUNTRYRS PROSECUTO AREFI LOSING OFCEST BECAUSE OFHI THE GH DEMANDSN OF STRESS I.
COURTS BECAUSE WESS ARE PAID LE THAN THE CIVIL SECTOR AND BECAUSEGH F HI BURNOUT DUEY TO SECONDAR TRAUMA. PLEASE DO NOT INHIBITIT OUR
THE --T >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.D
>> GOOE MORNING, THER2010 I TRIED A MURDERR AND COMMISSIONE GARCIA WHEHE WAS SHERIFF AT THE TIME CAME UP AND THANKED MEL PUTTING PUIC SAFETY ATT THE PARAMOUNOFSO EVERYTHING.
METHING I TAKE TO HEART, A LOT OF THETO PROSECUTORS TAKE S HEART, ACROSTHEEC COUNTRY PROSUTORS HAVE TO DEAL WITH AND THAT IS THE FA THAT WEOU HAVE, HARRIS CNTY WE CAN'T GET THE KIND OF KIDS WELE USED TO BE AB TO GET BACK IN 2008, 2010, PRIVATE LAW FIRMS PAY A LOT MORE, THEY GET TO WORK THERE HOME, THE KIND OF PUBLICGE WORK LIFE THEY T WE DON'T GET.
WHEN YOU TAKE AWAY JOBS IT PUTSO EVEN MORE PRESSUREN THE ALREADY OVERPRESSURED DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WE HAVEE WHICH PUTS EVEN MOR PRESSURE ON PUBLICJO SAFETY.
EVERY B YOU TAKE AWAY, EVERY TIME WE CAN'T FILL A POSITION IT PUTS MORE PRESSURE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND DID HE PRICE OF THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY FROM SAFETY.
WHAT I TAKE APART I IS THAT PUBC SAFETYS PARAMOUNT.
THANK YOU. >> SIR CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR
NAME FOR THE RECORD? >> DAVID LONG.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS BRIAN ROSE. I AM CHIEF OF THE GENERAL LITIGATION DIVISION. WE FUNCTION AS GENERAL COUNSEL SUPPORT STAFF TO ESSENTIALLY OUR TRIAL BUREAU AND TRIAL ATTORNEYS. I STAND HERE BEFORE YOU HAVING SERVED OVER 30 YEARS AT THE D.A.'S OFFICE, I'VE SERVED THROUGH MULTIPLE ADMINISTRATIONS, YEARS BACK
[01:50:02]
THROUGH JOHNNY HOLMES ERA. ONE THING I'VE HAPPENED THROUGH ALL THE ADMINISTRATIONS, TURNOVER COMES IN WAVES.IT IS UNPREDICTABLE AND WHEN IT HITS YOU YOU TAKE A SHOT IN THE MOUTH, THE OFFICE HURTS. WHETHER THOSE POSITIONS ARE OPEN -- WHEN THOSE POSITIONS ARE OPEN, THE OFFICE IS RUNNING ON FUMES. PEOPLE ARE SPILLING OUT THEIR LIVES TRYING TO CONNECT THE DOTS AND COVER FOR PEOPLE THAT AREN'T THERE. AND SO THE NEW POLICY HAS AN EFFECT WHERE ONCE WE HAVE A ROUND OF TURNOVER AND WE LOSE
ALL THOSE PEOPLE. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> IT IS ABSOLUTELY DEBILITATING OR THE ALL OF THEM.
>> THANK YOU JOHN. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 36, TAMICA WALKER, SPEAKING ON ITEM 224.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> IS THAT A DIFFERENT TOPIC?
>> YES, MA'AM. >> I JUST WHILE THE SPEAKERS ARE HERE, MS. WITH AWKER IF YOU DON'T MIND, WHILE THE SPEAKERS ARE HERE, I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND, DIRECTOR, DID YOU VISIT WITH MR. (INAUDIBLE) ANYBODY ABOUT THIS ISSUE?
>> WE MET WITH THE INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS, FOR THE POLICY DID NOT LET US THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> WE WERE NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER.
>> SO YOU MET WITH THE INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS?
>> COUNTY AUDITOR, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND YOOUFERLS, WE HAVE ALREADY REACHED OUT TO THE SHERIFF WHICH HAD THE LION'S SHARE OF THE OVERALL PCM'S. TO CLARIFY, WE ARE NOT TALKING ABOUT REDUCING THE HEAD COUNT, THE ABILITY TO ANY DEPARTMENT TO HIRE WHAT THEY ARE BUDGETED. WE HAVE OVER 900 POSITIONS WHERE THERE IS ZERO FUNDING, THERE IS ZERO ASIDE TO THE BUDGET BACK TO THE COMMISSION. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DID IS GET TO A BASELINE OF WHAT IS FUNDED AND WHAT IS NOT FUNDED.
AT NO TIME ARE WE TRYING TO EXHIBIT WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS ABLE TO FILL ITS FUNDED POSITION.
>> OKAY SO I THINK IT MAKES SENSE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET TO THIS IN A MINUTE. BUT WHILE WE HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS, PERHAPS YOU CAN VISIT AND SEE WHERE THE DAYLIGHT IS. BECAUSE I'M HEARING AND CANDIDLY, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE JUST SOME THINGS THAT DON'T ADD UP. I WANT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE FACTS ARE AS TO THIS PARTICULAR TOPIC.
I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY, THE FUNDING, I KNOW FOR A FACT FUNDING HAS BEEN TAKEN AWAY. I HEARD A LOT OF COMMENTS ABOUT THE OFFICE NEEDING MORE RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, WE WORK HERE FOR SIX MEETINGS LAST YEAR TRYING TO GIVE YOUR OFFICE MORE RESOURCES. THAT DIDN'T COME TO PASS.
YOU KNOW, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT HOW MANY FACES YOU HAVE, THERE HAVE BEEN A KNOWN EXPOSE ABOUT THE TIME YOUR OFFICE IS SPENDING ON PROSECUTING POLITICAL T PREFERENCES OF THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY. SOHERE IS A LOT OF WHAT WE'RE DISCUSSING HERE IS THIS NEW PCN POLICY THAT'S WHAT'S ON THE TABLE. AND I WANT TO TAKE AWAY POLITICAL RHETORIC, WHO STANDS WHERE, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS UP FOR REELECTION. THAT'S ASIDE.
RIGHT THOUSAND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE RIGHT POLICY FOR THE COUNTY. IT'S COME BACK AND IT CAME BACK WHILE I WAS OUT, A REPORT FROM THE AUDITOR THAT A LOT OF BASIC ACCOUNTING PROCESSES AND RESOURCE TO PROSECUTE ARE ANTIQUATED AND WE ARE LOOKING TO PROFESSIONALIZE AND MODERNIZE.
I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND IF WE ARE NOT TAKING AWAY ANY FUNDING AND YOU'RE KEEPING THE NUMBER OF PCNS THAT WE HAVE FUNDING FOR I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW THAT PRESENTS YOU FROM HIRING NEW ATTORNEYS LIKE THE TWO WOMEN THAT SPOKE ABOUT BEING, THAT DOESN'T ADD UP TO ME. THAT DOESN'T MEAN THAT IT'S NOT LOGICAL. SO I'M ASKING THAT YOU VISIT WITH MR. RAMOS, OUTSIDE MUCH FUNDING, THERE IS GOING TO BE FUNDING ABOUT LACK OF BUDGET BECAUSE WE TRIED TO INCREASE YOUR BUDGET, ABOUT CASELOADS WHICH THERE ARE QUITE A FEW CASES THAT HAVE BEEN REPORTED ON WHERE WE'LL SEE WHAT KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT, ACTUALLY SEVEN OR $8 MILLION SPENDED IN POLITICAL AGENDA. THEN AFTER THIS DIRECTOR RAMOS, MAYBE YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THE RECOMMENDATION OR EVEN WHETHER THIS MIGHT NEED ANOTHER COURT, IF MR. MITCH 'EM.
EM. HE'S HERE, WHY DON'T YOU GUYS SEE AND THEN WE'LL DISCUSS IF WE NEED TO IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO BUMP IT A COURT OR GET TO A RESOLVES. COMMISSIONER YAH YOU WANTED TO
SAY SOMETHING. >> I THANK YOU, YOU REPRESENTED
[01:55:01]
US WELL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE POINT WHAT YOU'RE BUDGETED AND WHAT WE ARE EFFECTIVELY LOOKING AT, THE FISCAL PART, YOUR PART TODAY, AND YOUR POSITIONS ARE FUNDED. THE POSITIONS THAT DICK FUNDED ARE NOT BUDGETED POSITIONS. SO THAT'S WHAT WE'RE TAKING OFF THE PLATE. IT'S DURING YOUR FISCAL YEAR YOU RETIRE, THERE WHAT DESIGN THEN THAT MONEY, THAT SALARY ISTHERE, THAT'S (INAUDIBLE). >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> AND YOU'LL BE ABLE TO FILL THAT POSITION WITH A NEW PERSON.
THERE IS NO PROBLEM IN PLANNING YOUR HIRING PROCESS BECAUSE IT DOESN'T CREATE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE HUMAN PROCESS OF HEAD COUNT.
>> NO, THIS IS PURELY FOR UNFUNDED POSITIONS WHERE THEY WOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO FILL THEM.
AND EVEN IF THEY HAD A PCF THERE IS NO FUNDING ASSOCIATED THERE.
IT'S VERY SIMILAR TO WE DON'T ALLOW FOR CONTRACTS FOR PO'S TO BE ISSUED ON CONTRACTS WITHOUT A FUNDING SOURCE.
>> SO I JUST (INAUDIBLE) THAT THIS IS NOT TO IMPEDE EXISTING BUDGET, DOESN'T TAKE ANY POSITIONS THAT ARE FUNDED AWAY.
IT DOESN'T RESTRICT ANY ABILITY FOR LEADERS OF THE ORGANIZATION TO MANAGE THEIR OPERATIONS, THIS IS JUST TAKING A PARTICULAR ITEM OFF THE TABLE THAT IS (INAUDIBLE) ANYTHING, SO BUDGETING, THIS IS NOT A BUDGET ITEM.
IF FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, A WIDGET ITEM.
>> AS LONG AS IT DOESN'T VEANT T EEVENTUATE IN A LACK OF
PROSECUTORS. >> WE JUST HAD WONDERFUL BUDGET, COMMISSIONER WENT THROUGH A BUDGETING PROCESS HERE, GOT GOOD FEEDBACK. I THINK CONVERSATION IS ON NEEDED AND UNNEEDED PCN'S. MY COMMENTS AT THE LAST COURT MEETING WAS RELATED TO UNNEEDED PCN'S.
AND I HAD LIKE 40 PCN'S I DIDN'T NEED 20.
SO I SAID, I DON'T NEED THOSE PCN'S.
BUT HERE'S THE POINT. THERE MIGHT BE SOME PCN'S THAT AREN'T FUNDED THAT ARE NEEDED. AND THEN THAT WILL BE A SEPARATE CONVERSATION. BECAUSE WHEN YOU ELIMINATE PCN'S THAT CREATES A WHOLE 'NOTHER PROCESS THAT YOU GOT TO COME BACK THROUGH COURT AND WHATEVER. SO THERE MIGHT BE A CASE.
THE OTHER THING I'LL SAY AND WE'LL GET TO IT WHEN WE GET TO THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA, ON 25, THE -- I THINK THE OTHER PART OF THIS IS, IT CANNOT BE ONE SIZE FITS ALL.
THAT'S NOT HOW THIS WORKS. EVERY ONE OF OUR DEPARTMENTS, EVERY ONE OF OUR ELECTEDS, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT ISSUES AND DIFFERENT NEEDS. SO WE AS A COUNTY, WE CANNOT BE A ONE SIZE FITS ALL ON EVERY POLICY.
WE HAVE TO LISTEN WHEN THE FOLKS THAT ARE GOING TO LIVE WITH OUR POLICIES COME TO US. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THEK. I THINK THERE IS DAYLIGHT.
I THINK WE'RE GOING TO BE VERY PRAGMATIC.
I KNOW WE'RE LISTENING AND ONE, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND PUTTING SOME DETAILS ASSOCIATED WITH PCN'S BECAUSE PCN'S GETS REAL COMPLICATED WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE THEM.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU ALL FOR TAKING THE TIME. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS POINT ABOUT LISTENING MAKING SURE WE'RE ALL OPERATING OFF THE SAME FACTS. I TOO THINK IT WOULD BE TREMENDOUSLY HELPFUL IF Y'ALL PLEASE SIT DOWN WITH MR. GAMELS AND IN THE SPIRIT OF WE'RE ALL ONE TEAM.
WE'RE ALL HERE TO BEST SERVE HARRIS COUNTY'S RESIDENTS IN TERMS OF EFFICIENCY, TRANSPARENCY AND MOBILITY.
SO I THINK THE MORE WE TALK AND MAKE SURE WE'RE OPERATING WITH WHAT THIS IS AND WHAT THIS ISN'T, AND THE WHY BEHIND IT, SITTING DOWN AND BEING PRODUCTIVE.
I APPRECIATE THAT WHOEVER IS ALREADY HERE I COULD NOT AGREE MORE, PERFECT OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT AND OUT OF RESPECT FOR OTHER SPEAKERS TIME WE'LL GET TO THEM AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
DELVING FURTHER INTO THIS TOPIC. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. GO AHEAD TIFFANY.
>> TAMICA WALKER, SPEAKING ON ITEM 224, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> THANK YOU OR THE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU
[02:00:02]
TODAY. BLESSINGS TO ALL OF YOU.I'M THE CEO OF UNITED AGAINST HUMAN TRAFFICING, PROVIDING SERVICES THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY.
I'D LIKE TO TALK TO THE SERVICES WE DESPERATELY NEED.
GREAT WORK DONE THERE, AS WE MOVE FORWARD THINKING ABOUT POLICE FORCES, OPPORTUNITIES, THAT WOULD BE REALLY GREAT.
I THINK OVER TIME AS WE WORK THROUGH THIS ISSUE IN OUR CITY AND OUR COUNTY SHARING THAT WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE SERVICE PROVIDERS OUT THERE DOING GREAT WORK AND WE BELIEVE IN THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING AND I REALLY VALUE THE WORK YOU'VE DONE HISTORICALLY. KNOWING THERE IS A MAJOR NEED, 65% OF OUR CLIENTS IN OUR ORGANIZATION ARE BEING SEND IN THE AREA FOCUS IN THAT AREA TO PROVIDE SERVICES, KNOW THAT YOU LOVE AND APPRECIATE THAT SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 37, BRANDON GRIFFIN SPEAKING FOR ITEM 348. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, GO AHEAD
PLEASE. >> HI, MY NAME IS BRENDAN GRIFFIN, JUSTICE DRIVEN NONPROFIT WORKING AT THE INTERSECTION OF POLICY, ADVOCACY AND THE LAW.
THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK.
WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT ITEM HERE AND WE WANTED TO REITERATE THAT WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE COURT'S COMMITMENT TO A WORST FIRST APPROACH THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT PHYSICAL VULNERABILITY IN AREAS THAT NEEDS TO BE PRIORITIZED FOR FLOOD CONTROL. WE APPRECIATE WHAT WE HAVE SEEN ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL ABOUT SORT OF CLARIFYING THE REMAINING ITEMS, FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS AND THEIR FINANCIAL SCOPE AND PHYSICAL SCOPE AND WE REALLY THINK THAT THE NEXT CRUCIAL STEP IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THIS FINANCIAL SHORTFALLS AND NOT EVERYTHING CAN BE OPPORTUNITIED RIGHT AWAY, THAT WE REALLY CONTINUE TO USE THAT PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK OR SOMETHING LIKE IT, TO PRIORITIZE VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED IT MOST. AND WE REALLY HOPE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT CAN STAY ON TARGET FROM RELEASING ITS
GUIDANCE REPORT. >> YOUR TIME IS UP.
NEXT IS NONAGENDA ITEM SPEAKERS NUMBER 2 MICHELLE, GO AHEAD
GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS MICHELLE BANTAN, I'M THE FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ANDERSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS, FORMERLY HARRIS COUNTY CULTURAL COUNCIL. I'M HERE TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND SAY THANK YOU TO THIS COURT AND TO COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND ELLIS IN PARTICULAR FOR THEIR HISTORIC VOTE ON SEPTEMBER 12TH IN GETTING FUNDING FOR PUBLIC ART APPROVED.
IT HAS BEEN A VERY LONG HAUL. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING BEHIND THE SCENES WITH A LOT OF PARTNERS. AND I ALSO JUST WANT TO, WE HAVE SOME RESOLUTIONS THERE SOME COMMUNITY GROUPS, ON WHAT WE POSE JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WE HAVE RESOLUTIONS THERE OWRG ORGANIZATION. COMMISSIONER RAMSAY WITH THE (INAUDIBLE) WITH COURTNEY GARDNER WE'VE WORK WITH HER AS WELL, WITH BEXAR COUNTY COMMISSIONER, AND THE NORTH CHANNEL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. SO WE WANTED TO PRESENT THOSE
TODAY I ALSO WANT TO QUICKLY -- >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> MICHELLE, THANK YOU SO MANY FOR TELLING US.
>> I'M HERE COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, THAT'S VERY EXCITING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 4 CHRISTOPHER J JENKINS, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYONE. I'M CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, I'M A COMMUNITY ORGANIZER. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON DIVERSIFICATION PROGRAMS AND STOP OVERFLOW AND PREVENTION OF NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS, CONSTANTLY IN VIOLATION OF STATE AND FEDERAL CODES. INFLUX OF CITIZENS BECOMING HOMELESS AND WHICH WE WOULD DIVERT THEM FROM THE STREETS.
THAT INCLUDES PROGRAMS WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, AND THE DIVERSION PROGRAM OVERALL.
VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HUMAN TRAFFICING, DUE TO PROPER RESOURCE, HELP STABILIZE MENTAL HEALTH INDIVIDUALS AND WE HAVE ORGANIZATIONS COME OVER SOLUTIONS FOR THEIR, ALREADY IN PLACE IN OUR COMMUNITY, VS. ACCESS TO THESERO PGRAMS CAN ALSO HELPUT OREACH PROGRAMS BECOME MORE EFFECTIVEND A CRINEASE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMICRO GWTH.
WE NEEDO TREBUILD OUR COMMUNITIES C ANDLEAN OUR STETS, WE CAN'T DO THIS WITHOUT THE WORKEL OF ECTED OFFICIALS AND THE WORK OF OTHER PEOPLE.
I'HERE TO SPEAKDI ON VERSIONPR OGRAMS, CHRISTOPHERNS JENKI,
YOTHANK U. >> NT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER
[02:05:02]
NUMBSEN, LISA RUTLEDGE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.,NUMBER 7 LISA RUTLEDGE. H >>I, I PRINTEDNK OFF I THI I F HAVEIVE THERE, MY NAME IS LISA RUTLEDGE, I'M A VOLUNTEER CONCERNED TIZEN. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT DTREATMENT ANOF WELL-BEING HARRISNM COUNTY JAIL IATES.
TOI CAN'T SPEAK THE MONUMENTAL ISSUES THAT FURTHER PUNISH ANDE MARGINALIZTHE POPULATIONS, I CAN SPEAK TO HOW I FEEL THENT HARRIS COUY SHERIFF'SON OFFICE RESPDS TO THAT.
I HAVE REGULAR IN INMATE VISITATIONS.
I'VE GOT SEARCH THERE, KNOWO WE CAPTAIN TALK TALL THAT HERE.O
I PLEAD WITH YOU T READ IT,OT I'VE GIVEN YOU A L OF>> INFORMATION. THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> I JUST ASK THAT YOU LOOK OVER IT AND I'M GLAD TO ANSWER ANY T QUESTIONS. YOUR TIME IS'AM
>> NEXT IS NORCH AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 8 MARTHA CRUZ, YOU HAVE
ONE MINUTE. >> MY COMMENT IS ABOUT 109.
PLACE, THANK YOU. >> DWGRACIAS.
>> NONAGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 9, PATRICIA CA BRAIR AH.
CABRERA.YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER FOR BRICK THIS TO THIS FORUM. WE HAVE A GROWING CONSTITUENCY IN SPRING BRANCH PRECINCT 4 WHO ARE VERY ENCOURAGED BY THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES, INCLUDING ONE IN SPRING BRANCH. TO DATE TWO SESSIONS HAVE BEEN LABELED IN SPRING BRANCH. THE FIRST IS HELD CLOSER TO ALIEF AND THE SECOND IS BEING HELD CLOSER TO THE HEIGHTS.
I JUST WANT TO REGISTER OUR DISAPPOINTMENT AND BEWILDERMENT IN THE SELECTION OF THESE SITES. IT IS NOT IN OUR BEST INTEREST TO PROTEST THESE SESSIONS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOU AND SEEK REPRESENTATION FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO BE HEARD.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> JUDGE THOSE ARE ALL THE
SPEAKERS. >> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SPEAKERS. WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. SO ITEMS AT A THAT NIGHT MINOR CHANGES OR ERRORS WITH NO ACTION.
FIRST IS ITEM 115. THAT IS A COUNTY ENGINEER ITEM, THEY HAVE REQUESTED NO ACTION. ITEM 128, COUNTY STUDY, NO ACTION. 190, IS A JP ITEM NO ACTION.
340 ON THE COUNTY SIGNALING OVERSIGHT BOARD, NO ACTION.
359, IT'S GOT A TYPO SO WE NEED TO CHANGE FOR TO IN.
SO THAT IT'S IN SHELDON INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT.
DID I MISS ANYTHING? >> I BLEACH 26.
I'M NOT SURE THAT CHANGED. >> I JUST HAVE THERE'S A SPEAKER ON THAT ITEM. ANY CHANGES ON THAT ONE?
>> I THINK THERE'S A CORRECTION TO THE BACKUP, JUDGE.
[02:10:01]
SO. >> NO CHANGES? GOT IT, THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
[Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]
OKAY SO LET ME GO THROUGH THESE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. ITEM 369, THAT IS APPOINTMENT FROM MY OFFICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY LGBTQ IA COMMISSION. EXECUTIVE SESSION?>> WHAT ABOUT 370, REAPPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION, 371, APPOINTMENTS BY PRECINCT 2.
372, APPOINTMENTS BY PRECINCT 3, HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE
>> 373, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE BY
>> 374, COMMISSIONER 4, SPORTS AUTHORITY, OKAY.
DO YOU NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION OR OPEN COURT DISCUSSION? NOW WE HAVE 375.
AMENDING THE TERMS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 376, COUNTY ATTORNEY EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS?
>> NO NO, NOT UNLESS THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.
>> 377, APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSION.
>> NO. >> ADMINISTRATION REAPPOINTMENT FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. FTC ALL RIGHT WE'LL WAIT ON IT, I'LL PUT A NO. 379.
>> NO. >> COMMISSIONER YAH NO.
380, IT'S ANNAL APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD, POSITION 9. THAT'S COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
AND 381. IS (INAUDIBLE) WE NEED TO DISCUSS. OKAY.
GREAT. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, ITEM 380 NEED TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> 380 NEEDS TO GO BACK. >> AND JUDGE, 385, THAT CAN GO
BACK TO CONSENT. >> ALL RIGHT.
385 CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT. GOT IT.
ALL RIGHT, SO LET ME GO THROUGH THE REGULAR AGENDA.
>> JUDGE JUST TO BE CLEAR. 381 IS THE ONE THAT IS GOING TO
GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> EXECUTIVE SESSION WE HAVE GOT 3 TOWER, WE'LL DISCUSS IT IN OPEN COURT BUT WE HAVE 376, 380
AND 381. >> COMMISSIONER 385 AND
(INAUDIBLE). >> I'LL GET THERE --
>> 385 WE'LL DO OVER. >> SO IT'S --
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
>> WE'LL GET THERE IN A MINUTE REGULAR AGENDA.
OKAY REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 15. >> MY APOLOGIES --
>> LET ME DO THIS, 17, DISCUSS PUBLIC NUISANCE.
>> 15? >> YES, UNDER COVID 19.
>> YES. 18, THAT IS REQUEST FOR
>> ITEM 19 -- >> WE CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT.
>> GO BACK TO CONSENT. ITEM 22.
THAT IS AN AWARD ON THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAM.
ITEM 22, REMAINS ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.
FUNDING PLAN FOR ENGINEERING HOUSE PROGRAM THOUGHTS.
>> THAT CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT. >> OKAY.
59. >> APPROVAL OF 44 (INAUDIBLE).
>> OKAY SO TROWR IS BUDGET PROBATION TRANSFERS TO FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENTS, I'M PUTTING THAT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.
THEN WE HAVE 59. AN AGREEMENT WITH --
OKAY 110. >> THAT CAN GO BACK TO CONSENT.
TO REGULATIONS FOR FUNDING, FUNDING FOR CONSTRUCTION.
>> 128, DEPARTMENT REQUESTS NO ACTION SO I'M GOING TO PUT THIS ONE BACK ON CONSENT OR AFTER THE ELECTION.
[02:15:04]
185. IS 3 IT IS AN AGREEMENT.>> THAT CAN GO BACK. >> ALL RIGHT THAT WILL GO BACK.
186 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, REDRAWING ELECTION BOUNDARIES.
>> WE NEED TO DISCUSS. >> OKAY, 187, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AMICUS BRIEF. 193, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AN APPLICATION TO THE ENDOWMENT. 236, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THAT IS A MODULAR HOME FAIR PROJECT.
288, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FEASIBILITY STUDY.
311, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, 315, PRECINCT 4.
326, COMMISSIONERS YAH AND RAMSEY, BILINGUAL PAY INCENTIVE.
IS NO ACTION. SO I'M GOING TO TAKE THAT OFF THE DISCUSSION. 399 IS THE NON(INAUDIBLE) POLICY
>> ALL RIGHT. >> THAT IS (INAUDIBLE) RESULTS.
I'M PUTTING THAT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.
THEN WE HAVE -- >> MY APOLOGIES, JUDGE.
I DO NEED 3851 INSPECTION. >> OH RIGHT, 340 WAS THE ONE THAT WAS NO ACTION. 385 ON DISCUSSION.
>> 402, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU'D LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THAT ONE AFTER LUNCH. 406, PRECINCT 3, FLOODING AND EROSION IMPACT, 409. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> YES. >> 410 IS RELATED TO THE EARLY
CHILDHOOD PROGRAM AND -- >> YES.
>> AND LET ME -- >> DID WE GET 407 DONE?
>> IT'S NOT FLAGGED NOW COMMISSIONER.
>> I NEED TO PULL THAT. >> 407 IS A RECONSIDERATION OF A VOTE. SO I'M PUTTING THAT BACK ON.
>> OKAY. >> ALL RIGHT SO HERE'S WHAT WE'VE GOT. ALL TOLD.
HERE ARE THE -- THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THE AGENDA.
SO LET ME GO THROUGH DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT I MISSED, EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS ONE OF WHICH WE'LL DISCUSS IN OPEN COURT.
374, 376, 380 AND 381. REGULAR AGENDA ITEMS, 15, 18, 22, 24, 25, 26, 44, 59. 111, 186.
311, 316, 326, 332, TH 385. I SKIPPED 346.
SO 333, TH 346, 385, 399, 401, , 406, 407, 409, 410, AND THAT'S
IT. >> JUDGE, ITEM 132 IS THAT A NO ACTION? IS THAT THE LEGISLATIVE ONE?
>> YES. >> NO ACTION THERE MY PART.
>> NO ACTION. AND THEN JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS THAT WERE THE APPOINTMENTS ARE GOING
[02:20:03]
TO BE APPOINTED AS PRESENTED? >> YES, 369, THREE 70, THREE 71, THREE 72, 373, 375, 377 TO 379 ARE ALL APPOINTED AS -- APPROVED
AS PRESENTED. >> AND 380 AS WELL?
I'M SORRY -- >> MARKED FOR DISCUSSION IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. OKAY, GREAT.
SO WE STILL HAVE SOME TIME BEFORE LUNCH SO LET'S BEGIN.
AND WE CAN START WITH ITEM 15. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO CONSENT?
ALL RIGHT MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS 1 THROUGH 410 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER EMS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT NOW WE CAN GO TO THE DISCUSSION ITEM REGULAR AGENDA, ITEM 15 IS THE FIRST ONE,
COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU, I'M GLAD TO SEE THAT THESE ARE BEING ABATED THIS INCLUDES ASSURANCE OF AN EMPTY OVERGROWN LOT ON BEAUMONT PLACE. THIS WILL GIVE RELIEF TO THE RESIDENTS IN THE AREA BY PROVIDING THEM WITH A CLEANER SAFER COMMUNITY. THIS ALLIANCE WITH REVIVE TO THRIVE, THEIR RESIDENTS THIS ITEM HAS SIX AABATEMENTS BUTBA S TINHEHA CNNEL COMMUNE AND YTOWN, I WANT THEES RIDENTS TO BE AWARE THATHI TS PROGRAM IS RUNNINGL WEL W ANDE'REY VER FAITHFUL TO THEEN BID-HARRIS ADMINISTRATIONAU BECSE IF IT T WEREN'FOR P THOSEEOPLE WEWO ULDN'TGO HAVE TTEN THE
LOCAON. I MOVE ON THIS AMENDMENT.>>
SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YAH, SECOND BYIO COMMISSNER BRIONES. ALL INN FAVOR I FAVOR, CARRIESLY UNANIMOUS. THANK YOCOMMISSIONER ITEM 18.IS COMMSIONER RAMSEY.
>> THIS LOOKS LIKE A GOOD PROGRAM.
I THINK IT IS $10.5 MILLION FOR LOANS.
COULD DO ANO LOT FOR ECOMIC DEVELOPMENT.
E JUST WANT TO BSURE THIS IS AID COUNTY WE PROGRAM,ET NOT MARKED FOR ANY SPECIFIC NEIGHBORS.
>> GO AHEAD.OO AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COUNTER JUDGE, CHAMB OF COMMERCEEC GONZALEZ, EXUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEO.
YES, IT IS COUNTY WIDE.E >> SO THER WILL BE MARKETING
DONE WITHIN OUR FULL PRECINCT? >> ABSOLUTELY,Y, YES.
>> SECOND. >> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER,
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ITEM 22, COMMISSIONERS YAH
ANDOU RAMSEY. >> THANK YNT JUDGE.
THE INVESTMES THAT WE'RE MAKING INTO CHILDCARE, TWO IN PARTICULAR HAVE SEEN A VERY, VERY VERY EXCITED.
THIS IS ALL RECOGNIZED JUANITA FOR HER INCREDIBLE WORK AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COMMUNITY CONCERNS WITH DR. NABIS BUTME THESE INVESTMENTS ARE SOTHING OR THE US TO BE ROWD OF, THESE AGREEMENTS ARE A NEXT STEP OF OUR CHILDCARE PROVIDERS, THANKS TO OUR FANTASTIC PRECINCT PARTNERS, WE WILL MOVE FORWARD WITH THIS CREATIVE APPROACH THAT SERVED OUR YOUNGEST RESIDENTS IN THEIR MOST FORMATIVECR YEARS. THESE INVESTMENTS ARE ITICAL FOR THE PROSPERITY AND THE STABILITY OF OUR SOCIETY AS WE BUILD A BETTER FUTURE. EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION BUILDS A FOUNDATION, CHILDREN WHO HAVE CASE TO QUALITY CHILDCARE ARE BETTER PREPARED FOR SCHOOL, MORE LIKELY TO GRADUATE FROM HIGH SCHOOL, AND HAVE IMPROVED LONG TERM OUTCOMES IN EDUCATION AND EMPLOYMENT. SO INVESTING IN CHILDCARE IS NOT JUST AN ACT OF COMPASSION BUT IT IS A STRATEGIC ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE FOR THE WELL-BEING OF OUR CHILDREN, OUR COMMUNITY, AND OUR COUNTY AND STATE AS A WHOLE IF NOT THE NATION, HELPS US CREATE A BRIGHTER AND MORE PROMISING FUTURE FOR ALL.
AND JUST WANT TO REMEMBER JUDGE THAT WHEN YOU GAVE YOUR STATE OF THE COUNTY ADDRESS AT THE TALKED ABOUT THIS AND SO SEEING THESE
[02:25:04]
INVESTMENTS HAPPEN ARE IMMENSELY EXCITING.YOU OUGHT TO COME BY AND VISIT THE FIELD EARLY CHILDHOOD CAP BY BECAUSE THE PROMISE OF OUR FUTURE IS ABSOLUTELY OBVIOUS AND BRIGHT IN THE FACE OF THE YOUNG BABIES AND EXCITED AND I'LL MOVE
ON THE SIDE FOR PASSAGE. >> MOVE.
>> OH WONDERFUL, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER YAH I'M SO THRILLED AND I FEEL LIKE GIVING YOU A FIST BUMP BECAUSE THIS IS --
>> LIKEWISE. >> EFFORT AND I'M VERY PROUD OF IT. SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ANY OWNED, MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. THAT WAS 22.
LET'S MOVE ON TO 24. LIKED BY PRECINCTS 3 AND TOWER.
>> I WANTED TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, I'M VERY COMFORTABLE WITH THE POLICY BROUGHT BACK AND I REALLY THINK IT WILL HELP US MAKE MORE INFORMED DECISIONS ON GOING FORWARD AND AGAIN I APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS THAT YOU'RE HELPING TO DRIVE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY SO THAT WE HAVE ALL THE FACTS AS WE MAKE DECISIONS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY.
SO I WANTED TO THANK THEM FOR REALLY TAKING OUR FEEDBACK TO HEART. I WILL MOVE ON THE ITEM BUT
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> COMMISSIONER RAX I.S. AND
COMMISSIONER. >> WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ITEMS COME BEFORE THE COURTS COME HERE UNFETTERED, I DON'T THINK I NEED THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE AT THIS TABLE.
IT'S A FINE LINE BETWEEN VETTING AND DECIDING WHAT COMES HERE.
THAT'S -- THAT WOULD BE MY CONCERN.
IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS A CHANCE FOR THAT.
WE'LL SEE HOW IT PLAYS OUT BUT I WOULD BE CONCERNED THAT AGAIN, THESE ARE -- OUR DEPARTMENTS HAVE PRETTY MUCH ALREADY BOGGED DOWN WITH ADDITIONAL PAPER WORK, DEADLINES TO SUBMIT COURT ITEMS. WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THAT AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. I THINK WE HAVE A PRETTY OPEN WAY OF GETTING AGENDA ITEMS, LIKE WE SEE BY OVER 400 ON THE COURT TODAY. I THANK THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE HAVE ALL THE FACTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT.
I JUST DON'T NEED THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKING DECISIONS THAT SHOULD BE MADE AT THIS PLATE.
>> I SHARE THAT. I DEFINITELY WANT US TO MAKE THE DECISION. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FISCAL NOTES, IT IS CONSISTENT, APPARENT AND OPEN AND EVERYONE HAS THAT SAME RESOLUTION.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> TO ASK DIRECTOR RAMOS OR HIS REPRESENTATIVE WHETHER OR NOT THIS FORM AND PROCESS CAPTURED ALL THE NEW SPENDING WHICH SHOULD BE REVIEWED.
HISS ABLE REPRESENTATIVE HERE. >> AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I'M IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, MY UNDERSTANDING IS YES, I KNOW DIRECTOR IS HERE TO SEEK THE ITEM BUT I BELIEVE HE IS STILL MEETING WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEYS AND YOU MAY WANT TO COME BACK TO THE ITEM BUT YES.
>> I'LL ASK, I CAN'T LET IT GO OUT WITHOUT ASKING THE QUESTION BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE RIGHT FOR ALL OF US TO HEAR IT ON THE RECORD BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M COMFORTABLE WITH IT.
PLUS THERE'S A GAME GOING ON. >> I MOVE AS PRESENTED.
>> I KNOW I SECOND IT BUT I DO WANT TO ADD MY COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. LIKE YOU I'M ALL ABOUT THE STREAMLINED PROCESS OF ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE WORK DONE AND THIS WAS MY NUMB 1 CONCERN, COMMISSIONER RAMOS, WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE DIRECTOR MOVED ON IT, I'VE GOTTEN THE GROWN LIGHT FROM THE FOLKS THAT THEY DON'T SEE ANY IMPEDIMENTS TO WORK ON THIS. THIS COULD END UP BEING MORE JUICE FOR THE SITUATION THAT COMES -- THAT MAY COME TO VISIT US HERE AND WE JUST RIGHT NOW DON'T HAVE A PROCESS FOR THOSE.
BUT BY AND LARGE MY UNDERSTANDING IS, THE CONFIDENCE I'VE BEEN GIVEN IS THAT THIS WILL NOT IMPEDE THE REGULAR WORK
OF OUR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS. >> THERE IS AN ITEM ON THIS
[02:30:04]
AGENDA THAT HAS GONE THROUGH ITEM 190 AND ON THE ITEM 190, THERE WAS A RECOMMENDATION MADE BY THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET NOT TO -- NO ACTION REQUESTED BY MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. SO IT WHEREAS PULLED AT THE --IT WAS PULLED AT THE TABLE. >> THEY REQUESTED NO ACTION
COMMISSIONER. >> THAT IS NOT --
>> OMB HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM.
THE NOTES THAT I HAVE. >> THAT WOULD BE I GUESS MY POINT. MY UNDERSTANDING, THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS COME BEFORE US.
MAYBE BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS REQUEST (INAUDIBLE) AND THERE WAS NO PARTICIPATION IN THE BUDGET PROCESS WHICH IS WHAT CREATED FOR OUR BUDGET DIRECTOR, (INAUDIBLE) REQUEST TO HAVE AND THIS DID NOT GO THROUGH THAT AND THAT'S I THINK WHAT'S
CREATED THAT PARTICULAR ACCOUNT. >> SO THEY DID THOUGHT COMPLY
WITH THE PROCESS. >> WELL, I THINK THE VALUE OF THIS IS THAT IT PROFESSIONALIZES THE SYSTEM.
BECAUSE OTHERWISE, (INAUDIBLE) MAKES IT THE MOST -- TUGS AT YOUR HEART STRINGS ARGUMENT AS OPPOSED TO LET US REVIEW THIS WITH THE BOOK IN FRONT OF US AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR NEARBY AND THEN TO THE COURT, AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR MAY NOT ADHERE TO THE REQUEST, HE STILL HAS TO EXPLAIN TO US THAT HE HAS EVALUATED THE FISCAL REQUEST. SO WE'LL MAKE CLEAR FOR RECORD TODAY THAT WE EXPECT ALL OF THE REQUESTS THAT COMPLY WITH THE FORM TO COME AND THE BUDGET DIRECTOR CAN SAY I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS. BUT CERTAINLY, THE IDEA IS IN THE PROCESS APPLIES, I DWREA THAT IT IS A BIG PROCESS.
(INAUDIBLE). >> MY STAFF TELLS ME THAT ONCE I ASK MY QUESTION WAS PROBABLY GOING TO SAY THAT HE WILL RETURN TO THE COURT ON OCTOBER 31ST WITH A REVISED PROCESS THAT CAPTURES ALL THIS SPENDING AND A ACCOMPANYING PROVISION TO COURT RULES. IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? IS THAT CORRECT? THAT IS CORRECT?
>> YES THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO THE CHANGE IS I SAID WHAT I WAS TOLD TO SAY. I WANT TO GET THAT ON THE
RECORD. >> I'LL DO THAT THANK YOU.
>> COME BACK ON OCTOBER 31ST. >> I DO HAVE FROM HIM THAT THE PROPOSED FISCAL REVIEW PROCESS WILL BE COMMISSIONERS COURT EVEN IF THE ITEM IS ULTIMATELY NOT RECOMMENDED TO BE CONSIDERED AT THE RESPECTIVE COMMISSIONERS COURT.
ALL RIGHT, SO AT THIS POINT I FORGOT TO MAKE THE MOTION.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER, ALL IN FAVOR, AS PRESENTED, ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1. 25 WE NEED TO SKIP FOR NOW.
I NOTE DIRECTOR RAMOS IS WORKING HARD.
26,. >> I THINK IT'S INTERRELATED WE
TAKE THEM UP TOGETHER. >> ALL RIGHT.
44. THAT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I
THINK YOU WOULD LIKE THAT ONE. >> TROWR.
>> TROWR IS BUDGET APPROPRIATION TRANSFERS FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. MAYBE IT WAS COMMISSIONER
GARCIA. >> ON THIS ONE JUDGE AT THE LAST COURT I REFLECTED THAT BE SET A SIDE FOR ART.
THE COURT DID APPROVE $500,000 FOR EACH PRECINCT BUDGET AS PART OF THEIR ARTS ALLOCATION. AND I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT MY (INAUDIBLE) FOR PUBLIC ART WAS TO HAVE AN INDEPENDENT FUND IN PEOPLESOFT FOR EACH PRECINCT. THAT WAY IT CAN BE TRACKED AND TRACKED EFFECTIVELY. WE CAN SEE HOW IT'S GOING.
I DID NOT WANT IT GOING INTO LET HEE SPEAK FOR MYSELF, INTO THE GENERAL FUND AND THE POSSIBILITY OF COPING WITH OTHER ITEMS. I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE PERFECTING (INAUDIBLE) THEY COULD RECOGNIZE THAT THEY COULD ALLOCATE OUT OF POT IT IS FOR PUBLIC ART BUT THIS IS THE WAY TO BUDGET IT SUCCESSFULLY.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
[02:35:05]
ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED, THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS. 59 COMMISSIONER YAH.>> YES. I JUST, OUR PARTNERSHIP PROJECT PROGRAM WORKS WELL AND I'M EXCITED THAT IT'S ALLOWED US TO KICK OFF ANOTHER PROJECT WITH OUR PARTNERS, THIS IS WITH PASADENA ISD, TRED ROBERTS MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THEY ARE PROVIDING SOME OF THE FUNDING. BUT BECAUSE THIS JUST MAKES A GREAT DEAL OF SENSE WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT HEALTH AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL CHILDREN'S IN THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, THIS WOULD HELP US TO CONSTRUCT AN (INAUDIBLE) FOR THEIR SCHOOL. WE ARE CONTRIBUTING JUST OVER $21,000 FOR THE PROJECT, WILL PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO FINISH OFF THE CONSTRUCTION AND THE MAINTENANCE OF IT.
BUT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY WILL HAVE ACCESS, IT WILL BE ABOUT 300 FEET OF WALKING TRAIL WITH FOUR TO SIX FEET WIDE LANES AND JUST IS EXCITED.
THIS IS REVIVE TO THRIVE AS I TEND TO CHIRP ABOUT IT QUITE OFTEN. THIS IS AN EXCITING ITEM.
MOVE ON IT AS PRESENTED. >> I SECOND.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YAH SERK BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
ALL IN FAVOR, PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
111, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND -- >> THAT IS BACK TO CONSENT.
>> 111 BACK TO CONSENT. >> NO COMMISSIONER THAT WAS --
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YAH SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELINGS.
ALL IN FAVOR ON 111? ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 186 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
THIS IS AN ITEM THAT HAS TO DO WITH COMMISSION BOUNDARIES, I GUESS I WOULD HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT ARE SELECTED. I KNOW THEY ARE THE ONES THAT DID THE REDISTRICTING. I GUESS THAT'S WHY I WOULD HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT A PROBABLE CANDIDATE HERE.
SO WAS THERE A PROCESS -- WAS THERE AN RFP AND GOING THROUGH PROPOSALS TO DO THIS? IN THE COUNTY?
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I CAN ADDRESS THIS QUESTION.
SO FIRST OF ALL THE REPRECINCTING WAS ALREADY APPROVED AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT SO THIS IS JUST BUTTONING UP THE CONTRACT. THERE IS NO NEED FOR AN RFP FOR CONTACT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LIKE THIS.
AS YOU MAY REMEMBER AND AS WE SPLAIRCHED AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING, WE RETAINED MR. ENG L'S FIRM, THE CHANGES WE WERE MAKING WERE SO MINOR.
SO IT REALLY WAS A FAIRLY MINIMAL AMOUNT OF WORK.
WE CAN OF COURSE NEXT TIME GO THROUGH A LONGER PROCESS OF SELECTING SOMEONE BUT THIS TIME WE HAD A VERY SHORT DEADLINE TO MEET AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAD BEEN TAKING THIS ON EVEN IN THE PAST THE TAX COLLECTOR'S OFFICE.
WE WANTED TO USEHE T PERSON THAT WAS MOST FAMILIAR WITH THE HARRISOU CNTY FORED RISTRICTING AND REDRAWING THE LINE.
>> I WANT TO MAKE M THEOTION BUT AL WANTED TO, ASKDO YOU KNOW HOW THEY WEREKE PICD WHEN IT WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY,DI (INAUBLE) DID THEY GO P FOR AROCESS TO THEM PICK?
>> I'M SORRYAV I'M HING A LOT OR OUBLE HEARING
>> THIS FIRMKE WAS PICD BEFORE WHEN THEY DID K IT, YOUNOW GOTA W PROCESSHEN THEY PICKED
>> I BELIEVE A THERE WASND THISA WAS RT OFTR THE REDISICTES PROCS. THERE WAS THAT $TO THAT CONTRACS
TO AO INCLUDENG REDISTRICTI. >> THEY HAD DONE IT BEFORE, WHOEVER I PICKED THEM ASSUME IT COURT. PREVIOUS I DON'T THINK I WAS HERE WHIT
WAS THAT OKAY TO GO?NO >> NO NO IT WAS JUSTTH BEFORE E LAST ROUNDIN OF REDISTRICTG IN 2021.RE
>> CORCT, I MOVE IT. >> SECOND.
>> MOTION BYOMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND G BY COMMISSIONERAFERSFEA
YOU EL CONFIDENCE ABOUT IT?S >> THIS WA DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS MEETING. WE TOOK THE BRING IN TO
[02:40:07]
COMPLIANCE, HISTORICALLY, THE TAX ASSESSORS OFFICE TOOK THIS ON. WE EXPLAINEDO THE COURT.OUT OF THE LAST MEETING THERE WAS A DECISION MADE THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION COULD TAKE THAT PROCESS ON AND WE'LL START THE PROCESS MUCHD EARLIER. WE JUST DI IT THIS TIME AROUND AS A ONE OFF. WE SELECTED THIS PARTICULAR FIRM JUST BECAUSE WE HAD THE -- THEY HAD DONE THE LAST ROUND OF
REPRECINCTING FOR THE COUNTY. >> ALL RIGHT I'LL GET CAUGHT UP.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER YAH, ALL IN FAVOR? AYES, OPPOSED? NO. I'VE NOT BEEN BRIEFED ON THIS ONE I'M GOING TO ABSTAIN SO WE'LL PASS IT 2 -- THREE TO ONE.
ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, SO LET ME GO TO 187.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THERE WASN'T A LOT OF REQUESTS FOR THIS, REQUEST THE COUNTY TO JOIN AN AAMICUS BRIEF.
I'M NOT SURE WHY WE DID IT. >> I'M HAPPY TO MAKE THE MOTION AND IF YOU WANT TO COMMENT ON WHAT THIS ITEM IS ABOUT.
>> THIS IS AN AMICUS BRIEF IN THE ONGOING RESOLUTION OF THE DRUG METHOPRISTONE. NOTHING REALLY CHANGED ABOUT THE COUNTY'S POSITION. IT IS ALSO NOT UNUSUAL FOR COUNTIES AND CITIES TO GET INVOLVED.
WE WOULD BE ONE OF OVER 20 OR 25 COUNTIES AND CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY SIGNING ON. SO AGAIN, IT'S JUST AN AMICUS BRIEF WHICH IS A TREND OF THE COURT BRIEF SEEINGS TO EDUCATE THE COURT ON THE IMPACT OF THIS POTENTIAL ROLLING EFFECT ON THE COUNTY. SO IT IS NORMAL AND APPROPRIATE AND SOMETHING THAT WE'VE DONE MANY TIMES BEFORE.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, MOVED AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SHE KEEPS BEATING ME TO IT.
ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION AND SECOND BY, SECOND BY ELLIS.
ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
>> COMMISSIONER MAY HAVE VOTED OR THE IT.
>> OKAY 193, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU JUDGE. I'M EXCITED TO BRING THIS IN ORDER, BEING ONE OF THE CHAMPIONS FOR BILINGUAL EMPLOYMENT, I'M I EXCITED THAT OCA HAS JOINED US IN EXPANDED LANGUAGE TO THE COUNTY. AS WE HAVE SEEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN, LANGUAGE IS MORE THAN JUST A MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION, IT IS ACTUALLY A KEY TO EXCLUSIVITY.
ENSURE THAT EVERYONE REGARDLESS OF THEIR NATIVE LANGUAGE HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE FULLY IN SOCIETY, ENABLES INDIVIDUALS WITH DIVERSE LING WHICH ISI LINC BACKGROUNDS, TO PARTICIPATE IN CULTURAL EXCHANGE. SO I'M EXCITED THAT THIS IS COMING FORWARD. AND THEN ALSO, JUST TO SAY THAT THESE ARE SKIMS THAT EMPLOYEES BRING WITH THEM, THAT THEY TYPICALLY DON'T LEARN WHEN THEY ARE GETTING ASSIGNED TO RESPECTIVE GOALS. AS IT RELATES TO EMPOWERMENT, IN MY OFFICE WE HAVE THREE GOALS, ENGAGE EDUCATE AND EMPOWER.
GIVE THEM THE CONFIDENCE THAT WHEN THEY PICK UP THE PHONE IF THEY'RE NOT AN ENGLISH SPEAKER THEY ARE GOING TO BE RMENTED AND TREATED AS IF THEY WERE JUST ANYONE ELSE.
SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS. AND SO I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER YAH, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. WE ALSO HAVE THE PAY ITEM.
WHAT ITEM IS THAT? I THINK WE MIGHT AS WELL TAKE
[02:45:08]
>> 326. AND 2 AND 3 HAVE FLAGGED THAT ONE AS WELL SO THAT'S A BILINGUAL PAY INCENTIVE PROGRAM.
ANYTHING TO ADD ON THAT ONE COMMISSIONER?
>> NO JUST AGAIN THAT WE'RE ALLOWING FOR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PROFICIENT AND THERE IS A PROCESS TO GETTING THERE.
AND ONE THAT WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH AGAIN AS A CITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS HAD ACCESS TO THIS.
A FEW OTHER DEPARTMENTS. BUT THE ITEM OF CREATING AN -- THE IDEA OF CREATING A STANDARDIZED APPROACH TO ALLOWING OUR EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE, IT'S S -- IT'S KEY AND SO THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL ITEM THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE PREEBS. SO I MOVE ON WITH THIS ITEM IN
PRESENTING. >> COMMISSIONER THANK YOU FOR CHAMPIONING THIS AND I WOULD ASK PLEASE THAT OCA OMB HRM ALL THE EFFECTIVE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE WORKING ON THIS, I'M CURIOUS, I'D LIKE TO SEE IT AS INCENTIVE PAY, JUST SO IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR IN THAT EVERY DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE THE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITY TO AVAIL ITSELF. ABSOLUTELY.
AND WHEN WE DID THE FH-18S WE THE INCLUDE THE CERTIFICATION COST AND THE ONGOING ACCREDITATION INTO THAT NUMBER.
BUT WE'LL COME BACK WITH A STANDARDIZED PROCESS.
I DO WANT TO FLAG THAT THIS IS DOVETAILED DIRECTLY INTO THE CLASSIFICATION STUDY THAT HRM IS EMBARKING ON, LOOKING TO INCENTIVIZE A LOT OF THE STANDARDS IN THE COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> THAT WAS MY RECOLLECTION, IT IS PROGRAMMED BY LANGUAGES ARE IDENTIFIED, IT SAYS THAT ANY CAN BE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE, THAT THERE IS FLEXIBILITY WITHIN THE RAM. I KNOW WE HAD A THUMB OF PEOPLE
WE WOULD BE ABLE TO COME BACK AND AMEND IT IF SOMEBODY WERE TO COME FORWARD WITH A SPECIFIC LANGUAGE, WE CAN COME BACK.
>> I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU DRAW ON MY MEMORY THERE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT SIGNING IS ALSO ONE OF THE RECOGNIZED
AND EIFFEL APPLY FOR HRM. >> THANK YOU.
AND JUST HAD A NOTE ON THIS. WHICH IS THERE IS FLUENT AND THERE IS FLUENTLY. I HAD EXPERIENCE WHEN I WAS AT LINDNER. THE GENTLEMAN SAID HE WAS FLUENT, THEY FEEL MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE IN SPANISH.
I SAID ARE YOU REALLY FLUENT, HE SAID I'M AN INTERPRETER, HE SAID YES I AM. WE SIT DOWN, THIS GUY WAS NOT FLUENT. YOU KNOW, AND I THINK PEOPLE THINK THEY SPEAK INTERNAL THEY ACTUALLY DO.
I WOULD ASK THAT AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS THAT YOU -- AND YOU PROBABLY ALREADY GOING TO DO THIS BUT FOR THE SAKE OF AT LEAST I GOT IT OUT THERE THAT REALLY IT IS PROFESSIONAL EXPERTS IN EACH OF THE LANGUAGES THAT DETERMINE U.C. WHICH EMPLOYEE IS QUALIFIED TO DO WHICH KIND OF SERVICES.
I'VE HEARD OF IN OUR COURT SYSTEM IN FACT THE WOMEN ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE RESOLUTION THAT COMMISSIONER BROIRNS BROUGHT, BETTER ACCESS IN THE COURT AND PEOPLE DON'T SPEAK THE LANGUAGE TO THAT LEVEL OF FLUENCY IS A VERY DELICATE MATTER. AS FAR AS PRESINGTH MATTER, THERE IS A LOT OF FORM FOR YOU. THEY DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT THEY'RE READING. SO I WANT TO BE VERY, VERY PROFESSIONAL AND CLEAR ABOUT WHAT THAT IS.
>> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WE RESOLVE AGAIN IS TESTING, ONGOING TEFSING AND CONTINUING EDUCATION REQUIREMENT WITH THE PROGRAM. SO IT IS A TESTED.
IT IS VERY COMPARABLE TO THE FEDERAL THE WAY THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT DOES IT. >> L.A. COUNTY HAS THE SIMILAR PROGRAM WITH L.A. CITY, ABLE TO PROVIDE THOSE TESTS.
>> THANK YOU, SO THAT IS 183 AND 326, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW I DO SEE BOTH MR. MITCHUM
AND MR. RAMOS BACK. >> SO WE DID COME TO AN ACCORD.
[02:50:02]
I WILL BE COMING WITH AN EXCEPTION ON BEHALF OF THE D.A.'S OFFICE. WE'RE LOOKING TO EXEMPT, IT IS REALLY THE ADA'S AND THE LEGAL INTERNS, THE FLEXIBILITY, THEIR OFFERS ARE MADE ALMOST A YEAR IN ADVANCE.SO WE ARE GOING TO BE EXEPG THAT AND COMEPGHT THAT, AND IF THE BUDGETS COMMENTS TO 105, 107%, WE'LL COME TO THE NEXT MEETING
WITH THAT. >> THANK YOU, SO NEXT MEETING THERE WILL BE AN EXCEPTION THAT WILL PROVE IT'S MR. THE D.A.'S UNIQUE BUSINESS MODEL I HAVE HERE, WHY DON'T YOU EXPLAIN IT SO WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND MAKE SURE MR. MITCHUM HEARS
THE SAME THING. >> WHERE WE ARE AS A COUNTY AND WHERE WE'RE HEADED. THE THREE VERY TIE IN ESSENTIALLY THE ONLY CHECK ON A DEPARTMENT'S SPEJ SPENDING OR HIRING WAS THE LABOR EFFORT. SEARNTION THE OKAY ROLL DIVIDED BY THE 26 PAY PERIODS. LET'S SAY DIVIDE THIS BY 26 MILLION DIVIDED BY 26 YOU GET 1 MILLION PER PAY PERIOD.
YOU CAN GO UP TO THAT 1 MILLION BEFORE THE AUDITOR SAYS OKAY STOP YOU'VE OVERHIRED. AND SO WHAT DAVE CAME UP FOR HE TRIED TO MATCH THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS TO THAT LABOR ENTRANCE, WORK ENCUMBRANCE, THE WITH THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS ONE IT ALLOWS DEPARTMENTS TO PUT A BUDGET MAX THAT IS LOWER THAN THE MINIMUM SALARY THAT WE WOULD PAY OUR EMPLOYEES.
THE BUDGET MAX IS $21 AN HOUR, THE MINIMUM SALARY IS $29 AN HOUR BUT SOMEBODY PUTS IN $10. YOU WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO HIRE FOR THAT POSITION IF YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY BUDGETED ASSOCIATED WITH THE PEOPLE SHOWN. AND THE FORM THAT WE'VE USED ALLOWS FOLKS DOESN'T FORCE FOLKS TO BALANCE.
SO WE HAVE MILLIONS MORE POSITIONS THAN WHAT THEY COULD HIRE FOR PERIOD, THAT THE AUDITOR COMES IN AND BLOCK VOTE.
I'M TRYING TO MARRY THOSE TWO THINGS BUT THE NUMBER OF POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE BUDGETED THAT WE SHOW IN OUR BUDGET BOOK THAT ARE ON THE DEPARTMENT ROSS ROSTERS AND THE LABOR BUDGET THEY MATCH CORRECTLY. I'VE NEVER WORKED IN A JURISDICTION WHERE THERE IS SO MUCH AMBIGUITY.
I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES THE DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE COME TO MY AND SAID HEY CAN I HIRE THIS PERSON? TO ME I SHOULD NEVER BE IN THAT CONVERSATION.
THE BUDGET IS EITHER FUNDED OR IT'S NOT FUNDED.
NEVER TALK TO ME ABOUT YOUR INTERNAL HIRING.
THAT IS AT YOUR INTERNAL DISCRETION AT THE DEPARTMENT.
>> SO THE ISSUE THAT THEY WERE ENCOUNTERING WAS --
>> THE ISSUE THAT THEY ENCOUNTERED IS THEY HIRED -- THEY HIRE A LOT OF INTERNS AND OFTEN TIME BECOME THEIR BAR FELLOWS. AND SO SOMETIMES THEY ARE MAKING OFFERS MORE THAN A YEAR IN ADVANCE OF WHEN THAT PERSON'S GOING TO GRADUATE AND PASS THE BAR.
FOR THE ADA'S THEY NEED TO TREAT THEM A LITTLE DIFFERENTLY.
WE MAKE OFFERS BACK BAR IN ADVANCE.
I THINK THERE MIGHT BE SOME LATITUDE THERE SO TO MAINTAIN THEIR BUSINESS MODEL OF HIRING THE LEGAL INTHERNS, WHO THEN BECOME THE BAR FELLOWS WHO THEN WHEN THEY PASS THE BAR MOVE INTO THE ADA POSITIONS. I THINK OTHER THAN THAT WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE CAN WORK OUT THE FINE DETAILS.
>> AND JUST MY LAST QUESTION. ARE THEY PAID IN THAT YEAR IN SWRANS JUST -- OR JUST THE OFFER IS TAKEN --
>> WE DO HIRE THEM WHEN THEY GRADUATE IN MAY I BELIEVE, THEY MAKE A SMALLER SALARY BUT THEY TAKE 56, 57,000 AND WHEN THE RESULTS COME BACK THEY AUTOMATICALLY THE DAY OF THEY
ACTUALLY WILL FLIP TO BE AN ADA. >> AND THAT'S WHY THE 57 IS EMPBELOW WHAT IT'S WORTH. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM
THE FULL PAGE OFF. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND
ELLIS. >> BEST PRACTICES FOR OTHER SIMILARLY, AND WHAT IS THE BEST PRACTICE FOR HOW IS THIS TAKEN IN ALIGNMENT. TWO, I'M SO THRILLED THAT Y'ALL HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TALK BUT THERE WILL BE THIS EXCEPTION WHICH I IS SEE IS VERY FITTING IN THIS INSTANCE.
OTHER DEPARTMENTS MAY NOT HAVE HAD A SIMILAR OPPORTUNITY AND TO BE FUNDAMENTALLY, MAKING SLUR WE'RE MAKING THE BEST IMPORTANT DECISION POSSIBLE. ARE THERE OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT
[02:55:04]
WOULD NEED THEIR INPUT ON BEFORE WE -- IN YOUR ESTIMATION? AND GIVEN AN ANSWER TO THAT ONE FIRST AND THE BEST PRACTICES.>> SURE. IN TERMS OF THE EXCEPTION THERE IS SOME DEPARTMENTS WE HAVE MET WITH THE SHERIFF.
THEY HAVE BY FAR THE MOST NUMBER OF PCM'S THEY ARE LARGELY SUPPORTED IT IS THE CHAMBER PRACTICE WITH THEM.
IN MY DEALINGS WITH THEM, THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE DEPARTMENTS DON'T SEE THE TREFT THROUGH THE TREES.
SO THIS SCALE OF PCM THAT LET HAPPEN IT REALLY DISTRACTS AWAY THERE IF YOU'RE BUDGETED FOR A THOUSAND DEPUTIES, DON'T ASK THE OMP OR HRM, GET TO YOUR THOUSAND DEPUTIES.
IT IS ONLY WHETHER WEET G TO 0520 OR1005R O 1006,IA PRETRLCE, THE JAIL, ORHE THE T MOST PART, IT'SY PRETTAR STANDD.
YOU YOU KNOW, TRARCHGLY, IF ALL PAST MEETING (INAUDIBLE) I WANT TOAT KNOW WH I'MON VOTING WHEN IT COMES TO THE THIS IS KIND OF A PINNACLE, IS THIS FURSHED, NOT IEOPPORTUNITD AND IS THERE ARD RECO FOR RECLASSES? R CAN WEECONCILEHE FROM WHAT T W STAFFINGAS OFTEN DAY W 1? SOHAT ALLRS COMMISSIONE COURTS DECISIONS WERE, NEXT BUDGET YEAL AND TRARCHY,BL YOU WEREN'T AETH TO VIEW IS YEAR, FIRST YEAR WE WERE ABLEIS TO PUBLH POSITIONSO COWFNTS. AR OFF.
COMPED TO WHAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO AND CERTAINTY TO THE T DEPARTMENTS,O US, TO THES COMMISSIONERCOURT, THIS IS WHAT'SHA FUNDED, THIS IS WT'S THOUGHT.
TALK ABOUT BEST PRACTICES ON THAT POINT IN TERMS JURISDICTIONS? I APPRECIATE MOVINGR FORWARD AND FO THE PURPOSES OF TRANSPARENCY, IT SEEMSNT LIKE HARRIS COUY HAS BEEN AN OUTLIER NOT IN A GOOD WAY.US CAN YOU EDUCATE ON OTHER JURISDICTIONS?MO
>> SURE. ALST EVERY JURISDICTION HAVE PCN OR PIN OR SOME KIND OF THEY HAVE FUNDED POSITIONS THOSE POSITIONS ARE NOT UNCOMMON.
THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS THE SCALE.
WE HAVE 21,000E POSITIONS, THEE AR900 THAT WE KNOW HAVE A BUDGET MAX OF ZERO. I WOULD GUESS ANOTHER THOUSAND WHAT WE THROW THROUGH THIS EXERCISE ARE OVERBUDGETED.T ASSOCIATED WITH THEM THA DON'T FIT INTO THEIR BUDGETS.
SO WE'RE TALKING THE SCALE IS JUST MASSIVE, WITH OTHERE JURISDICTIONS. WE HAVTHE CITY OF BALTIMORE, TRAVIS COUNTY, STATE OF MARYLAND, L.A. COIRCHLT ALL DOING WHAT -- COUNTY ALL DOING WHAT WE'RE DOING.
THEY HAVE A POSITION NUMBER, THEY HAVE A FUNDING -- IT'S FUNDING, MOVE FORWARD WITH HIRING AND WE ONLY CUT A CHECK WHERE THERE'S DEVIATIONS. BUT THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT WILL STILL HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY THAN PRETTY MUCH ANY OTHER JURISDICTION. MOST OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE SOME SORT OF GOVERNING BODY, CENTRALIZED HR THAT DOES MORE OF A HIGHER LEVEL OF ANALYSIS, THERE MIGHT BE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, WE'RE FAR AWAY THERE THAT LEVEL, THIS IS JUST AN IMPORTANT STEP OF IS IT FUNDED IS IT NOT FUNDED AND THAT SHOULD BE REALLY CLEAR WHEN YOU ALL SAY WE WANT TO INVEST X NUMBER OF POSITION IN Y DEPARTMENT I CAN TRACK THAT AND I CAN GIVE YOU A POSITION NUMBER THAT SAYS THESE ARE THE POSITIONS, THEY ARE FILLED OR NOT FILLED. AND YOU KNOW THE DEPARTMENT MIGHT HAVE RECLASSED THEM AT SOME POINT AND WE CAN RECONCILE
FROM THE 8-1 TO THE 8. >> THANK YOU.
EXCUSE ME. DANIEL THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I COMMENTED ON THIS ITEM (INAUDIBLE) THIS JUST HELPS REALLY TAKE A LOT OF THIS TRACTION OFF THE BOOKS BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WE APPROVED THE BUDGET AND ALSO WE STARTED HAVING A CONVERSATION ABOUT UNFUNDED POSITIONS.
AND SO THIS REALLY PROVIDES CLARITY, TO THE STAKEHOLDER, PROVIDES CLARITY TO US, AND TO REALLY THAT'S EVERYDAY AT A PLAIN LEVEL, GOING FORWARD. I HAVE BEEN AFTER THIS SINCE 2009 AND I'M SO GLAD THAT WE'RE FINALLY GETTING, IT WOULD BE, YOU KNOW, WHEN I WOULD ASK OR THE POSITIONS, I KNOW I GOT NO MONEY SO IT REALLY DOES CREATE A LOT OF (INAUDIBLE) APPRECIATE
[03:00:05]
THE WORK ON IT. >> COMMISSIONER.
>> QUICK QUESTION, I WOULD SAY THANK YOU ON THIS ITEM, REALLY THAT LED TO THIS RECOMMENDATION. I DO WANT TO ASK (INAUDIBLE) JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, EXCEPTION AND THAT ONE.
>> I DON'T BELIEVE I DO. TYPICALLY I ONLY HIRE LAWYERS THAT AREN'T LICENSED, THE D.A.'S PROGRAM HAS BEEN DOING THAT PRECOMMITMENT PROGRAM BEFORE I I WAS A LAWYER.
IT'S BEEN GOING ON FOREVER. I DON'T NEED AN EXCEPTION TO
THIS. >> I KNOW WITH THE (INAUDIBLE) DO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN TO EXPAND YOUR OFFICE.
SO I'D JUST LIKE YOU TO LOOK AT WHAT (INAUDIBLE) PROGRAM WAS
EVER (INAUDIBLE). >> WELL, THE PROBLEM IS YOU DON'T ALWAYS KNOW, YOU KNOW, WHEN AND IF THEY CAN GET LICENSED IN TEXAS. THERE IS A HUGE BACKLOG ON PEOPLE SEEKING RECIPROCITY TO COME TO TEXAS MUCH LESS THE PEOPLE RATING OR THE THEIR BAR RESULTS.
SO THERE'S A LOT OF UNCERTAINTY, IF YOU USE IT TO A GREAT EXTENT.
LET'S PUT IT THAT WAY. SO I LIKE THE ABILITY, I THINK IT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA TO KEEP IT AS A WAY TO HIRE PEOPLE.
BUT I'M NOT GOING TO RELY ON IT VERY MUCH BECAUSE IT WILL TIE UP
POSITIONS THAT I NEED TO FILL. >> IF SOMEBODY DIDN'T MAKE IT
THEY WOULD HAVE TO GO, RIGHT? >> THERE'S NOT MUCH I CAN DO WITH THEM. A LOT OF TIMES I KNOW OVER THE YEARS THE D.A.'S OFFICE HAS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO STAY AND TAKE ANOTHER BAR. AND WAIT OR THE THAT.
I DON'T THINK I COULD DO THAT. I NEED PEOPLE IN COURT WITH THE
ABILITY TO PRACTICE LAW. >> RIGHT, THANK YOU.
I THANK YOU ALL. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAD A --
>> I HAVE A QUESTION. IF SHERIFF GONZALEZ OR SOMEONE HAD THERE HIS TEAM GONE, I APPRECIATE YOU SPOKE WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS 400 OF THE SEEMINGLY 900 UNFUNDED POSITIONS.
SO SHERIFF OR SOMEONE FROM THE SHERIFF'S TEAM IF YOU COULD JUST CONFIRM THAT YOU'RE COMFORTABLE OR IF THERE IS ANY FEEDBACK YOU WANT THE COURT TO CONSIDER WE'RE ALL EARS.
>> IF THERE WAS A DIRECT CONVERSATION --
>> SO THAT LEAVES US WITH ITEMS 25 AND 26.
>> SO THIS ITEM WAS I BROUGHT UP IN THE LAST COURT THAT I HAD 40 FUNDED OPEN POSITIONS. AND I FOR THAT PRIVILEGE I GOT TO FACE $6 MILLION A YEAR AND I STARTED THE YEAR WITH 40 FUNDED.
I ENDED THE YEAR WITH 40 FUNDED. SO FOR THAT PRIVILEGE OF HAVING 40 FUNDED POSITIONS, I DIDN'T GET TO USE $6 MILLION.
SO WHAT I DID WAS SIMPLY SAY I AM GOING TO NOT FUND 20 OF THOSE. AND THEN I GET $3 MILLION TO DO GOOD THINGS IN THE PRECINCT. WELL, THAT'S THE OTHER PART OF THAT. I PUT THAT OUT THERE SO THAT OTHER DEPARTMENTS, THINK ABOUT IT, CAN THINK ABOUT THAT.
IF YOU STARTED THE YEAR WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT UNFUNDED, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FUNDED POSITIONS AND YOU HAVE A LOT OF MONEY WRAPPED UP IN THOSE FUNDED POSITIONS THAT YOU DIDN'T FEEL OR MAYBE NOT INTENTION, SECOND POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THE PCN'S, THE LOSS OF THE PCN'S. I REMOVED THEM FROM FUNDED IN TERMS OF THOSE ITEMS, I STILL WANT THE PCN.
BECAUSE IF I DECIDE THAT I WANT TO GO HIRE SOMEBODY I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO COME BACK THROUGH YOU AND COME BACK TO THE CORE AND GET PCN'S DEFINED. SO I'M GIVING YOU A VERY CLEAR EXAMPLE OF WHY UNFUNDED PC PC NRCHLT'S ARE NOT NECESSARILY A BAD THING. I UNDERSTAND IF I HIRE WANT TO COME BACK AND FUND A PIECE THAT I FUNDED I WILL COME BACK TO THE COURT TO FUND IT, I FUND IT. BUT YOU SEE WHAT I'M SAYING? AND THAT KIND OF BLEEDS OVER INTO 26, WHERE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT MANAGING PCN'S AND MANAGING BENEFITS AND MANAGING ALL THESE OTHER ACTIVITIES. I THINK WE NEED TO BE REAL CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T OVERSTEP THAT.
BUT SO I SHOULD BE CONCERNED NOW WITH THE 20 UNFUNDED PCN'S THAT
[03:05:05]
I WANT TO KEEP. SIMPLY BECAUSE AT SOME POINT I MAY DECIDE OR MAY NEED, THE NEED MAY ARISE AND I UNDERSTAND,FAITHFUL -- >> HISTORICALLY COMMISSIONERS,
EXEMPTED IF THIS -- >> IS THAT THE EXCEPTION?
>> THAT WOULD BE MY INTERPRETATION.
>> THAT'S GOOD AND UNDERSTANDING, THAT'S NOT
NECESSARILY FOR ALL ELECTEDS. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> AND THEN THE LAST ONE TO ADD TO YOUR LIST PROBABLY NEED TO SIT DOWN WITH, WOULD BE THE OFFICE OF INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES THAT THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUE THAT THE VA DID.
THEY RECRUIT YEARS IN ADVANCE, TO GET THESE PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY
ARE SO RARE, SO FEW OF THEM. >> I'VE HAD TWO MEETINGS WITH DR. SANDS AT THIS POINT. WE HAVE ONE THIS FRIDAY TO RECONCILE THAT PERIL, PAYROLL, THE ROSTER LIST.
I'M NOT SURE I ANSWERED THE QUESTION EARLIER IN TERMS OF TYPE OF EXCEPTIONS. SOME OF THE EXCEPTIONS I CAN THINK OF, I CAN SHOW YOU A GRANT AWARD WHERE IT DOESN'T -- DON'T TAKE IT FOR ME TO TURN AROUND AND HAVE TO JUST ASK FOR IT RIGHT BACK. SOME OF THE EXCEPTIONS TO OUR FOR THE ACCREDITING RARE POSITIONS, PARTICULARLY THE HIGH AT BEST IT MIGHT BE HELPFUL IF WHEN THEY HAVE THEM TO BEND OVER BACKWARDS TO TRY AND GET THEM ON BOARD AND WE CAN KIND OF PLAN AROUND. AND THAT'S WHY THE POLICY ALLOWS FOR THE 102, 105%, ESPECIALLY THE DEPARTMENT, WE WANT TO YOU OVERHIRE. WE WANTEN YOU TO GET, BE AGGRESSIVE, LABOR ENCUMBRANCE, JUST TRY TO CLEAR A LOT OF THE NOISE OUT THAT I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE GUN SHY, I'M HIRING BACK HIRING THESE -- I'M HOLDING BACK HIRING THESE POSITIONS, IT'S LIKE GO HIRE. IF WE GET CLARITY ON WHAT'S FURNISHED AND WHAT'S NOT, GO HIRE, NOT CHECKING WITH ME ON WHETHER THAT IS KOSHER OR NOT. GOAL IS TO BE AGGRESSIVE AND GET TO YOUR LABOR ENCUMBRANCE. IF YOU ARE OVER YOUR LABOR ENCUMBRANCE YOU CAN SHOW THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO MAINTAIN THAT STAFFING LEVEL AT THAT POINT WE CAN COME BACK AND SAY, THE DEPARTMENT HAVING THE FUNDING TO BE ABLE TO STAFF STAFF APPROPRIATELY, JUVENILE PROBATION, STUFF LIKE THAT, THEY WERE ACTUALLY VERY AGGRESSIVE ABOUT THEIR PAY WAS JUST WELL BEHIND OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THEY DID THE ANALYSIS, THEY SAID LOOK, WE'RE NOT MAKING UP NUMBERS OF HERE.
WE'RE BUDGETED FOR 120 BUT WE ONLY EVER GET TO 100.
I'D REASHT KEEP THOSE SAME 100 FOR THE ENTIRE YEAR THAN HAVE THREE PEOPLE WORKING THAT SAME JOB.
THEY ABOLISH THE PCM'S, COMPETITIVE RATES, SOME OF THE RATES WE DID, GIVE US ADDITIONAL FUNDING AND THEY ARE CLOSE TO FULL STAFFING AND I COMMIT THROUGH THAT DIRECTOR, IF YOU MAINTAIN THAT STAFFING FOR THREE MONTHS IN A ROW THEN YEAH, I'M COME FORWARD AND SAY HEY, LET'S GET TO THE STATE POSITION, BUT YOU CAN PROVE YOU CAN KEEP YOUR POSITION.
>> SOUNDS LIKE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN -- BECAUSE WE ARE -- THERE IS A LITTLE BIT LESS FLEXIBILITY FROM THE SAKE OF PROFESSIONALISM, IF YOU ARE THINKING OF 100 TO 105, THAT FLEXIBILITY, OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE SOMETHING WHICH IS GREAT BUT WE CAN'T GO FROM 100 TO 200 OR 100 TO 120.
EVENTUALLY IF WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHERE ELSE WE ARE BEHIND AND I'M GLAD MR. GARCIA BROUGHT THIS FORWARD BECAUSE AT SOME POINT IF YOU ARE THE ONLY OUTLYING COUNTY AND THE FOLKS HAVE BEEN ELSEWHERE SAY MAKE YOU AN OUTLIAR ON THE PLUS SIDE THEN YOU KIND OF GOT TO GET WITH THE PROGRAM.
-- OUTLIER. WE HAVE TO TAKE A LUNCH BREAK SO WHY DON'T WE VOTE ON THESE ITEMS, 25 AND 26, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> 26 AGAIN, CAN WE DO 26 WHEN WE GET BACK? THERE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL ITEMS. WHAT STEVE TOLD ON 25 I THINK
THERE IS MORE DISCUSSION. >> AND VERY QUICKLY ON 25 DO YOU THINK OCTOBER 31ST GIVES US ENOUGH TIME WHEREAS NOVEMBER
14TH -- >> I DON'T THINK THOF 14TH WILL OCCUR. DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE SHERIFF --
>> I WOULD LIKE TO CALL FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT NOVEMBER 14TH BEING THE DID HE LINE, RATHER THAN (INAUDIBLE) TWO WEEKS. TEACHER IN ME IT'S NOT LIKE ME TO GRANT EXTENSIONS BUT IN THIS CASE IT'S SUCH A MASSIVE SHIFT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE CAN (INAUDIBLE) AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
[03:10:04]
IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE NEW POLICIES AND TIME LINE AS PRESENTED BY OMB WITH AN AMENDMENT DEADLINE OF NOVEMBER 14TH FOR THE LIST OF THE GENERAL FUND.>> (INAUDIBLE) TRICK OR TREAT ELEMENTS.
>> I'M GOING TO SUPPORT THE MOTION FLEXIBILITY SHOWN (INAUDIBLE) I DIDN'T COME HERE PREPARED TO (INAUDIBLE).
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IS THERE A SECOND BY OUR CEO? ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. YOU GUYS GOT THE LANGUAGE?
>> YES JUDGE. >> ALL RIGHT SO LET'S TAKE AN
HOUR BREAK. >> JUDGE BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK I DO WANT TO SEE IF WE CAN'T GET THE PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT.
I SEE THE PARENTS OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES HERE AND I THINK IT'S VERY APPROPRIATE THAT WE SHOULD HEAR SOME BABY STORIES AROUND PICTURES. AND PICTURES.
>> GO TO LUNCH. ALL ARE WELCOME TO SEEK OR THE FOR LUNCH. AT THE BEACH RIGHT?
>> I HOPE WE CAN TAKE THE BRG ITEM WHEN WE COME BACK.
I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS REQUESTED FOR THE ENERGY ITEM TO BE BROUGHT UP. IT'S AN EXCITING CONVERSATION COMMISSIONER, RICK BISHOP AND MR. CAMPO.
>> PAGE 48 ITEM 402. >> SO JUDGE I KNOW THAT BISHOP IS HERE AND ESPECIALLY BISHOP RYAN WATT.
IT IS A PRETTY REQUEST THAT I WANTED TO RAISE, BECAUSE NRG GIVES AN IMPORTANT RESOURCE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND THE COUNTY AND ONE WITH GREAT POTENTIAL. THE COUNTY HAS MADE SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENTS AT NRG PARK, UNLESS I GET IT WRONG BUT I THINK ABOUT A BILLION DOLLARS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.
OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE.
MY FIGURES ARE WRONG, YOU CORRECT IT WHEN YOU COME UP BISHOP. WE WANT IT TO BE THE BEST AS IT CAN BE AT A COMMUNITY RESOURCE. RYAN BEFORE WE WALK THROUGH JUST SO WE ALL KNOW OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, I THINK OUR GREAT PARTNERS AT THE ROAD BILL, ABOUT A MILLION AND A HALF SOMETHING LIKE THAT IN RENT A YEAR. THE TEXANS WHO ARE GOING TO HAVE A GREAT SEASON I KNOW, I THINK THEY MAY PAY ABOUT 2 AND A HALF, I'M NOT SURE, $4 MILLION A YEAR SO THAT MEANS THAT'S ABOUT $6.5 MILLION AT MOST WHICH GOES TO SERVICING THE DEBT ON THAT COMPLEX. I'M ASK HIM FOR THE NUMBERS OF WHAT COMES IN OFF THE CONCERTS. I KNOW THE MONEY THAT WE GET FROM TAX REVENUE, STATE LAW, WEET GE LESS THAN OUR OTHER GREAT PARTNERS, THE STATE GETS THE BULK OF IT.
THE CITY GETS MORE THAN WE GET BUT IT IS AN ASSET.
I WANT TO POINT THAT OUT BUT IT'S ALWAYS IMPORTANT TO GO THROUGH A NUMBER OF THESE THAT OUR PREDECESSORS ARE REALLY VISIONARY INCLUDING JUDGE HARFINES TO DECIDE TO MAKE THAT LEVEL OF COUNTY INVESTMENT WHICH REALLY IN TERMS OF THE NUMBERS DOES MORE IN TERMS OF NUMBERS FOR OUR STATE, FOR OUR CITY PARTNERS, AND ALSO FOR THE REGION.
BUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO, I THINK WE NEED A DIFFERENT DYNAMIC. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF TOURING THE COMPLEX IN ATLANTA, AND WITH LESS LAND, AN INTERESTING EXAMPLE OF WHAT A MIXED USE DEVELOPMENT CAN BE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO AS WE COME UP WITH A VISION GOING TO THE FUTURE. I'M JUST LAYING IDEAS OUT.
ANYBODY LISTENING, JUST COMING UP WITH BRIGHT IDEAS.
WHEN THEY CALL AND ASK ME WHAT WROTE WE DO WITH THIS PART OF THE COMPLEX OR OTHER PART. I SAID YOU COME IN WITH THE MONEY YOU WOULD BE AMAZED WHAT WE COULD DO.
WHAT ONE WEALTHY POTENTIAL INVESTOR, I THINK COMMENT I REALLY BORROWED IT FROM A GOOD FRIEND OF MINE OUT OF ATLANTA.
SAID WITH YOUR MONEY AND MY VISION YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT WHAT WE COULD DO. BUT IN IT'S THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY AND YOUR VISION THAT'S A DIFFERENT DEAL.
SO THIS LANGUAGE IS STRAIGHTFORWARD.
IT COULD BE CHANGED, ANYWAY, PROBABLY WANT TO SUGGEST, I JUST
[03:15:02]
WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER PLANS WE HAVE GOING FORWARD ALL OF OR PARTNERS ARE AT THE TABLE. IN PARTICULAR, O MB AND THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT HAS BEEN THE TAXPAYERS OF HARRIS COUNTY THAT THE FIVE OF US REPRESENT AND HAVE THE ABILITY TO ASK THEM FOR MONEY, MORE SO THAN ANY OF OUR OTHER PARTNERS.AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE ALTHOUGH WE WANT THIS DISCUSSED AS MUCH PUBLICLY BECAUSE THE BEST PLAN YOU COULD COME UP WITH IS PROBABLY NOT ONE THAT WOULD BE HASHED OUT INHE T NEWSPAPER AND OBVIOUSLYE WHAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND CONVERSATIONSHA TT WE HAVE WITHNE O ANOTHER. T BUI JUST WANT TO LAY SOMETHING ON T THEABLE. WITHT THAI'DE LIKFOR BISHOP YOU ANDN RYACOTO COMEWH UP AT AREER ORD YOU'D LIKE TO MAKE COMMENTS. I WANTRE TO STSS TO MYCO LLEAGUES, IF THAT'S THE LANGUAGEAN YOU WT TO. SUGGEST I
THISS.>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID YOUVE
HA A COMMENT NOWR? OR LATE>> I'LL GO AHEAD AND SAY NOW.
SIMPLY CMISSIONER, THANK YOU FORHI PUTTING TS ITEM AGENDA. I SHARE YOUR VISIONNS FOR VISIOE OF T COMPLEX. BUT I WANT TO THANK BISHOP FOR YOUR F LEADERSHIP,OR EXCITING, IT HAS BEEN IN THEG SYNERGY COMINFROMTS THE SPOR CORPORATION THE CONVERSATIONS WE'VE HAD ABOUT THE FUTURE POTENTIAL, WE I COULDN'T SEETS OUR STAKEHOLDER AS WELL, IT'SAM IN A.
>> FI -- A GOODFAMILY AND MAKE W THAT.
TO YOUR POINT COMMISSIONERS, NRG HAS CURBED SO MANY OTHER VALUABLE IMPACTFUL AND REALLYHA INFORMATIVE WAYS TT IT HAS BENEFITED OUTSIDE OFE ENTERTAINMENT.
THCOMPLEX WAS HOME TO THE KATRINA AND IT WAS HOAX TO WHAT DID WE CALL IT, THE COVID SPACING, JURY SELECTION, IT SERVED SO MANY OTHER INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY BENEFITING AREAS OF I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE THINK ABOUT A VISION, THAT WE DON'T LOSE SIGHT OF THAT REALITY AND THAT WE KEEP THE COMPLEX IN A PLACE THAT THE COMMUNITY WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE ACCESS TO.
YOU KNOW, I REMEMBER BEING -- I REMEMBER STAFF OF MAYOR LANIER, HE WAS HAVING TOUGH CONVERSATION ABOUT IT BUT HE WAS MAYOR LANIER WAS VERY THOUGHTFUL IN THAT, YOU KNOW, HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT HIS, THE AVERAGE WOULD STILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO ENJOY THE FOOTBALL GAME, AND ENJOY OTHER ACTIVITIES THERE.
AND SO HE WAS MINDFUL ABOUT THE USE OF (INAUDIBLE) FACILITY FOR AN AVERAGE MEMBER LIKES TO GO THERE AND HAVE A GREAT TIME.
YOU KNOW, AND IT'S SOMEONE WE SAW, ELVIS AT THE RODEO, MY WIFE, MY FIRST DATE TO SEE KC AND THE SUNSHINE BAND AT THE RODEO, MOHAMMED ALI, A LOT OF GREAT MEMORIES.
BUT NOW WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING AS FORWARD THINKING AS OUR PREDECESSOR. TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE CREATING AN ENVIRONMENT SO OTHER PEOPLE BEYOND US BEYOND OUR LIFETIMES CAN ALSO HAVE MEMORIES. SO AGAIN THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU, MR. ALICE FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. THANK YOU FOR LISTING THE BENEFITS. I LOOK AT THE ACTIVITIES AT NRG, HISTORICAL RODEO, OUR MEMORIES COLLECT MUCH LIKE MR. YAH, THAT'S WHO A LOT OF US EVEN THOUGH I DIDN'T GROW UP IN HEURCHT, GREW UP 120 MILES FROM HERE BUT THAT WHOLE ASTRODOME,
[03:20:08]
I'M ENCOURAGED BY THE DESIRE TO DO SOME EXTRAORDINARY.I'M ENCOURAGED THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A 50 YEAR PLAN NOT A 50 DAY PLAN. SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK DOWN THE ROAD AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO AND OBVIOUSLY, THE MONEY WILL ALWAYS BE A PART OF IT. BUT THE COUNTY WANTS TO BE AN IMPORTANT PART. NOW I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO SAY AT THIS POINT, OR JUNCTURE IS WE HONE OUT OUR AGREEMENT, I THINK I'M GOING TO SAY THAT WE'RE GOING TO DO A REALLY GOOD JOB OF DEALING WITH THE (INAUDIBLE) THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE AN ISSUE GOING FORWARD. I THINK NUMBER RIGHT NOW IS ROUGHLY $500 MILLION, I DON'T KNOW WHY IT'S 500 MILLION, I'M NOT GOING TO LOOK IN THE PAST BUT I THINK I FEEL LIKE I NEED TO SAY THAT BECAUSE AS WE WORK ON OUR NEW AGREEMENT, I MEAN AT LEAST AS THE OWNER OF THE COMPLEX, WE HAVE RESPONSIBILITIES. WE ALL TAKE THAT -- THOSE RESPONSIBILITIES SERIOUSLY. I THINK THIS COURT WILL BRING A FRESH PERSPECTIVE TO IT. I LOOK FORWARD TO LOOKING AT THIS AND APPROACHING IT IN A NEW WAY.
I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE SHEER THOUGHTS WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE OUR TENANTS. WHEN I SEE TWO ALTERNATIVES, THOSE WEREN'T ALTERNATIVES, IN MY MIND THOSE WEREN'T ALTERNATIVES COMING FROM THE EAST THE WEST THOSE ARE ALTERNATIVES THAT ARE PRETTY, ONE IS A FINE TUNING OF THE OTHER BUT THEY REALLY DO COMPLEMENT EACH OTHER.
SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT AS WE GO THROUGH THIS STAGE AND WE'RE LOOKING AT ALTERNATIVES WE DON'T COME UP WITH SOME PLAN THAT IT'S REALLY A SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHER, THAT WE COME UP AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING PRETTY CLOSE.
THE OTHER THING I'M SICK AND TIRED OF IS EVERYBODY GOING TO DALLAS TO PLAY HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL.
I AM TIRED OF EVERYBODY PACKING UP AND GOING TO CARRIAGE WORLD OR GOING UP THERE TO ARLINGTON, LIKE IT'S SOME BIK DEAL.
WE NEED TO BE THE BIG DEAL. WE'VE'S BEEN THE BIG DEAL IN TEXAS BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITMENT TO THAT AREA.
SO THAT AREA IS IMPORTANT TO THIS REGION.
AND, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF TIMES WE'LL GO BUILD A PARK.
WHEN WE BUILD A PARK WE DON'T ASK HOW MUCH MONEY WE'RE GOING TO GET OUT OF THAT PARK. WE KNOW IT'S GOING TO MEAN SOMETHING TO THE COMMUNITY. SO I'M NOT SAYING WHAT'S GOING ON OUT THERE AT LOCKLAND PARK, WHAT I DO KNOW IS HOW MANY PEOPLE GO UP AND GO TO THE RODEO, HOW MANY PEOPLE GET UP AND GO AS TEXANS SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE NUMBERS IT'S GOING TO BE A BALANCE OF THOSE ISSUES. SO THANK YOU ALL BISHOP, APPRECIATE YOU, AND RYAN, AND OUR OTHER STAKEHOLDERS HERE TODAY, THE RODEO AND THE TEXANS IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE BEGINNING TO DO NOW IN TERMS OF THIS ISSUE.
>> COMMISSIONER HOW FAR -- >> I WANT TO LET THE BISHOP SPEAK AND RYAN. I'M AWARE OF WHAT YOU ALL WANT.
>> LET ME FIRST, BEFORE I COMMENT ABOUT OUR AGENDA ITEM, SAY WELCOME BACK TO OUR ILLUSTRIOUS JUDGE.
GREAT TO SEE YOU IN YOUR SEAT TODAY AND WE CELEBRATE YOUR PRESENCE. HERE TODAY EACH OF YOU WHO HAVE SPOKEN AND THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE SHARED WITH US THEIR SUPPORT FOR A POSITIVE MOVE FORWARD, TIME PASSES PAST BUT ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AGO I THINK IT WAS NOW ALMOST, WHEN I WAS APPOINTED CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF THE SUPPORT COURT, WE INSTANTLY BEGAN HAVING DISCUSSIONS ABOUT WHAT THE FUTURE OF THE PARK COULD BECOME AT YOUR POINT 50 YEARS AND 50 DAYS AHEAD.
AND LOOK AT THE FACT THAT WE SET ON 350 ACRES OF LAND OWNED BY THE COUNTY, THAT IS ON 610, TEN MILLS, 12 FROM THE GALLERIA, 12 MINUTES FROM DOWNTOWN, WE ARE NEXT TO THE MEDICAL CENTER, SAME TIME. WE ARE IN A PRICE POSITION AND WE BELIEVE THAT IF WE ARE INSPIRED BY THE SAME KIND OF COURAGEOUS VISION THAT GIVE THE GO, WE CAN COLLECTIVELY WORK
[03:25:05]
TOGETHER TO CREATE WHAT I'M BOLD ENOUGH TO CALL A GLOBAL DESTINATION. PEOPLE GO PLACES BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT'S THERE. RIGHT NOW WE HAVE THE BEST MEDICAL CENTER WE KNOW IN THE WORLD.AND EVERY DAY PEOPLE ARE IN OUR HOSPITAL FROM AROUND THE WORLD BECAUSE WE HAVE GOT THE BEST MEDICAL SERVICES THERE ARE AND THAT'S A TRIBUTE TO OUR THREE CITIES.
BUT WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE TO GET SICK IF YOU WANT TO COME TO HOUSTON THERE ANOTHER NATION.
WE HAVE THINGS HERE THAT PEOPLE SHOULD WANT TO BE PART OF THE GREAT THAT HAPPENS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COMPREHENSIVE DEVELOPMENT THAT WHILE IT MAKES MONEY OR THE OUR TENANTS, FOR OUR COUNTY STAKEHOLDERS, IT SHOULD BE 365 DAY EVERY YEAR INNOVATOR OF PROFITS THAT DEALS WITH ENTERTAINMENT BUT ALSO COMMERCE RETAIL AND RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT AS WELL AND WE'RE EXCITED ABOUT THAT. WE'VE BETTER THAN TALKING ABOUT THAT WITH OUR SKI STAKEHOLDERS, THE (INAUDIBLE) AND AT ONE WOMAN AS WELL, SHARPMAN IS LIKE NONE OTHER, I THINK THE WOMEN'S AND SHARPER HOURS ARE NOT MORE. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THEM AND THINKING THROUGH WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE AND WE WANT TO THANK YOU, YOU LISTEN TO YOU TALKING ABOUT IT, I THINK THIS REVOLUTION IS A STEP FORWARD BECAUSE IT INCORPORATES THE FACT THAT THIS HAS TO BE A COLLABORATIVELY ARE PROJECT, THERE IS NO WAY THAT ANY ONE OF US COULD DO IT, NEITHER COULD OUR SPORTS CORP DO IT ALONE. COLLABORATIVE PROJECT TO REFLECT THE NEEDS OF ALL OF OUR KEY STAKEHOLDERS.
HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS, OF COURSE, THIS COMMUNITY, THE RODEO AND THE TEXANS, AS WELL AS OUR BROADER CONTINUITY, WE WANT TO SEE ALL THAT COME TO BEAR ON WHAT THIS VISION ULTIMATELY BECOMES. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT.
WE ARE APPRECIATIVE THAT THIS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTY SAYING YOU'RE WILLING TO INVEST AND SECURE THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ISSUE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WE CAN NEVER WIN LAST WEEK'S GAME BUT WE CAN PLAN TO WIN THE GAME LADY OF US.
WE CAN DO IT COLLABORATIVELY AND THOUGHTFULLY.
IF WE ARE METHODICAL, WORK WITH PURE INTENT, WE CAN ALL END UP WITH SOMETHING OUT THERE THAT BECOMES A LEGACY PROJECT FOR OUR LEADERSHIP, THE FACT THAT THE COUNTY WANTS TO INVEST IN IT MEANS WHOLE LOT. WE CANNOT DO THAT WITHOUT THE FULL 74TH OF COUNTY CHAMBER OF F COMMISSIONERS.
I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, AND SOME WITH OUR JUDGE AS WELL SO WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WHAT IS TO COME AND WE DO BELIEVE IN THIS SPHERE THAT YOU MENTIONED.
WE CAN DEVELOP LANDS AND BRING ALTERNATIVES THAT SAYS LET'S GET TO WHAT THE VERY BEST FOR ALL OF OUR STAKEHOLDERS AND THEN WE WOULD HAVE SAID WE DID IT TOGETHER AND UNITED.
>> I DO WANT TO MENTION THAT THE MOTION IS THERE, WE CAN LOOK AT IT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A VERY FRIENDLY REQUEST. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TO AMEND TO IT, BUT I WAS GOING TO READ THIS STATEMENT AND I'M GOING TO ADD YOURS TO IT. ASKING THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS INTERVENTION CORPORATION, ENVISION THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PUBLIC FOR NRG AND COME TO THIS COURT WITH IDEAS OF WHAT NRG COULD BE TO MAKE SURE IT SERVES THOUGHT ONLY THE TENANTS BUT ALSO COUNTY AND THE COMMUNITY. AND, THIS IS LANGUAGE THAT I GOT FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT IT MAINTAINS ITS PLACE IN DISASTER RELIEF AND RECOVERY RATIONS AS MAY BE NEEDED BY THE COUNTY AND THE HS -- HCSCC WILL BE CHARGED TO PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES AT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THAT THE ENFIGURESSING COURT, NGPT PROGRAM AND GOES.
AND WALK THROUGH THE MONEY, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THE REASON THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE IS 500 MILLION IS PRETTY SIMPLE.
IT WAS BECAUSE A DECISION TO PAY FOR IT WAS DEFERRED, AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE BEGIN TO THINK THAT ISSUING BONDS IS JUST
[03:30:02]
THAT IT'S SOMETHING OTHER THAN A CREDIT CARD.WHEN YOU WHIP IT OUT YOU GOT TO PAY.
SO NOW UNLIKE AMERICAN EXPRESS WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY IN 30 DAYS, YOU KNOW, MASTERCARD OR WHATEVER VISA BUT IT HAS TO BE PAID.
USUALLY HOURS, 30 YEARS, THAT'S WHAT THE ISSUES IS.
THE CAMPUSES I'VE LOOKED AT AROUND THE COUNTRY AT YOUR REQUEST, I WENT OUT TO LOS ANGELES, BISHOP WAS THE ONE I LOOKED AT OUT THERE, SOFI, IT WAS AMAZING.
THE PRIVATE SECTION THEM TO IT, HOUSING ALL AROUND IT, WHICH ATLANTA, AND LOOK WELL, I THINK THE TIME I COULD GO OVER THERE AND LOOK WHICH IS REALLY AMAZING.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, PLAY LAND
>> PEOPLE UP THE ROAD I REMEMBER PLAYING LEFT PARK AND FIRST PIECE OF PROPERTY I BOUGHT WAS NEAR.
1981. AND THE ASSUMPTION WAS THAT THAT WOULD BE THE BEST INVESTMENT THAT I COULD MAKE BECAUSE IT WAS NEAR THE AS ASTROZONE. ASTRODOME.
IT IS THE ONLY PIECE OF PROPERTY IN MY LIFE I HAVE BOUGHT, WHEN PEOPLE TELL ME HOW PROPERTY VALUES GO UP, CHAIR HIDALGO, CAN YOU IMAGINE I SOLD IT FOR WHAT I PAID FOR IT AND I WAS SO GLAD TO GET RID OF IT. BECAUSE AT EACH ONE OWN SEPARATELY. BUT THESE OTHER CAMPUSES I'VE LOOKED AT IT WAS A WIN-WIN BOTH FOR THE TENANTS, PARTICULARLY THE TEAM OWNERS, AND FOR THAT COMMUNITY.
CITY OR COUNTY OR WHOEVER PICKED UP THE TAB.
AND THAT IN MY JUDGMENT AT LEAST, THAT'S WHAT YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH IT. AS I VOTED WHEN THE ITEM CAME ON THE AGENDA TO GO PUT MONEY UP FOR THE ASTRODOME MY COMMENT IN THE PAPER WAS I'D BE HARD PRESSED TO TURN DOWN MONEY GOING INTO MY PRECINCT.
AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE FIVE OF US HAVE TO JUSTIFY IT, BECAUSE I REMEMBER KATRINA, COMMISSIONER YAH, MAYOR WHITE CALLED ME AND SAID YOU NEED TO BE THE FIRST ONE, I WAS IN THE SENATE, HE COULDN'T GET OUT OF CITY HALL.
I GOT OVER THEREND A IAI SD UNLESS SOMETHING CHANGE WHAT I HAVE TORY T FOR NOARNLS,HA TT N, THAT U WASP TORY EVEBODY, IT WAS IMPORTANT. THAT'S THET LASTIME THATT PAR OF THE COMPLEXSE WAS UD.BU T IN NO WAYWA DO I NT TO GIVE THE IMPRESSIONAS AT LET FOR IT'S JUST OPEN. CHECK THIS HAS F TO MAKEINANCIAL AND I TELLND MY FRIES ALL THEME TI THAT MOST OFLY US REALN' DOT FOCUS ON THE. NUMBERS I REMEER YOUROR PREDECESS, JUDGE HIDALGOE MAKING THCOMMENT THAT WHEN THE SUPER BOWL CAME I WHEN WAS RUNNING IT, GOT C HERE AT THEOUNTY, WE G DIDN'TET ANY MONEY.HE NOW OTRSCO TOLD ME TO UNTD WE MONEY.OME THAT'S WHY I WANTED OMB AND THEE FINANCE PARTMENT AND THETT COUNTY AORNEY INVOLVEDWE BECAUSE OUGHT TO KNOW.AN WALKER R THROUGH THESE NUMBERS AS THEY EXIST TODAY, I WAS JUST GUESSING WHAT MES THEREND CONCERTS A ROUGHLY WHAT ELSENE DO COST BEFIT REFER TO IT WITH.OL
>> SURE, ABSUTELY. THEREE ARE THREE SEPARATNT TYPES OF EVES,H RODEO EVENTS WHIC WE ALL KNOW, THERE ISPR TEXAN EVEN, OFESSIONAL SOCCER ANDCO FOOTBALL, AND NCERTS.
SO FOR OUR PART IT'S ABOUT 60 TO 65 MILLION IN ANNUALAT REVENUE.
BUT TH IS OF COURSE NOTE INCLUDING ALL THOVERHEAD AND THE COSTS AND EVERYTHING, OPERATING THE FACILITY.
LLCERTAINLY RODEO COULD TE YOU ABOUT THEIR ANNUALM NUMBERS.
TEXT THEFOR THAT. IT DOES IF CREATED CORRECTLY I THINK IT COULD GENERATE SIGNIFICANT REVENUE.
COMMISSIONER TO YOUR POINT, 22-YEAR-OLD FACILITIES, 48-YEAR-OLD ARENA, THE FACILITY MAY COST MORE AND MORE MONEY.
PROFITS ARE MAIRCHTED BUT GOING FORWARD TO CREATE A PLAN TO BENEFITS THE RODEO, THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY I THINK IT'S POSSIBLE, BISHOP'S POINT AND COMMISSIONER YOU PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE HELD ON TO YOUR PROPERTY A LITTLE LONGER BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE A CATALYST FOR THAT AREA.
>> IF YOU TOLD ME YOU WANTED IT, YOU GOT TO PAY MORE THAN I PAID
[03:35:03]
FOR IT. >> THAT'S A DIFFERENT OBJECTIVE.
WE'VE HAD A CHICKEN OR EGG CONVERSATION, WE DECIDED WE NEED TO DO IT. WHY CAN'T WE DO THE CHANGE WE WANT TO DO NOT JUST IN THE PARK BUT THE COMMUNITY AROUND US.
THERE IS SO MUCH OPPORTUNITY AND POTENTIAL OUT THERE, THESE WILL TEXT THE RODEO AND THE CORPORATION SEAT.
ALL THREE OF US WANT TO MAKE THAT VISION A REALITY.
>> LAST QUESTION. ROUGHLY HOW MANY DAYS A YEAR IS
THE FACILITY UNUSED? >> VERY FEW, VERY FEW.
ALL THE THREE FACILITIES WE HAVE ALMOST 600 EVENT DAYS EACH YEAR OUT OF 365 THAT MEANS OBVIOUSLY THERE IS MORE THAN ONE THING HAPPENING AT A TIME. QUITE A BIT OUT THERE.
>> HOW MANY DAYS A YEAR IS THE MAIN STADIUM USED?
>> I WOULD SAY PROBABLY SIX WEEKS, TOTAL, 15 WEEKS TOTAL.
BUT THAT IS INCLUDING NOT JUST THE EVENT ITSELF BUT YOU HAVE THE MOVE IN TIME, BEYONCE CONCERT TOOK ABOUT A WEEK TO MOVE EVERYTHING IN, THREE OR FOUR DAYS TO MOVE EVERYTHING OUT. RODEO, OBVIOUSLY A SUBSTANTIAL EVENT. CONTACT.
IT'S JUST BECAUSE THERE IS NOT TEN D'S IN THE BUILDING DOESN'T MEAN THE BUILDING DOESN'T GET OPERATED.
>> PEOPLE WILL MENTION LIKE THE IDEA OF SOLAR FACILITY OUT THERE IN THE PARKING SPOT BECAUSE WHEN THEY PASS BY TO LOOK AT IT SEE IT EMPTY THEY DON'T THINK ABOUT THE STAGING TIME.
>> THE OFFICES, THE TEXANS BUILDING, OUR OFFICES, RODEO HAS SPACES IN THE BUILDING THAT THEY DO AS WELL SIR.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER RYAN THANK YOU.
IT'S SO FORTUNATE FOR US TO HAVE YOU AS THE DIRECT SUPERVISOR, CHAIRPERSON, THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.
I ECHO MANY OF THE COMMENTS ALREADY SHARED BY MY COLLEAGUES, BUT THE WAY I SEE IT AND TO GAIN MY SUPPORT WE MEAD 92 TO BE GOING TO -- THIS NEEDS TO BE A WORLD LIQUIDATES FACILITY THAT CAN COMPETE ON THE GLOBAL MARKET ALONG WITH NASA AND OUR MEDICAL CENTER, THIS NEEDS TO BE BEST IN CLASS AND NOT JUST A FACILITY OF THE PARK BUT I WANT TO REIMAGINE THE ENTIRE REGION.
IT IS A DESTINATION THAT PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THEY GET SICK TO COME VISIT. THEY ARE ITCHING TO TRAVEL AROUND THE GLOBE, PART OF THEIR COUNTY SO I VERY MUCH LOOK FORWARD TO THE MULTIPLE OPTIONS THAT ARE BIG BOLD INNOVATIVE AND I KNOW WE SHARE THIS SENTIMENTS BUT THIS IS THE PEOPLE'S SENTIMENT AND STORE MANY YEARS I WOULD ARGUE THAT THIS PEOPLE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GAIN AS MUCH BENEFIT AS OTHER PARTIES AND SO THE WAY I SEE IT WE'RE IN THIS TOGETHER AND WE NEED TO FIND A WIN WIN WIN IN A WAY THAT'S FAIR OPEN TRANSPARENT SO THAT EVERY PARTY CAN BENEFIT AND WE ARE ALL REINVESTING TOGETHER TO KEEP IT BEST IN CLASS SO WE DON'T HAVE THE, YESTERDAY'S GAME SITUATION LIKE WE'RE MAINTAINING THE BEST THIS CLASS.
SO I THANK THE RODEO FOR EVERYTHING YOU ALL HAVE DONE FOR DECADES, ESPECIALLY FOR THE FORMER TEACHER AND DAUGHTER OF TEACHERS, THE SCHOLARSHIP ALWAYS PARTICULARLY MOVED ME THAT COMMITMENT. BUT BETWEEN OUR RODEO AND TEXANS WE WANT TO OPERATE AND NEGOTIATE WITH OPENNESS GOOD FAITH AND FIND EASILY WHERE WE WIN BEFORE WE CAN SPREAD SKYROCKET BEYOND THAT, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THAT OFTENNESS AND SPIRIT, PARTNERSHIP, I APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH, AND I KNOW THIS IS A VERY OBVIOUS POINT. REPRESENTATIVES ON A DAY-TO-DAY, HELPING TO NEGOTIATE THIS WIN WIN FOR EVERYBODY.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US ABREAST.
AND WE'RE ALL IN BECAUSE TO ME THIS IS ONE OF THE PROUD ROLES OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WE WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE THEM SHINE.
SO THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK Y YOU.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THESE OPTIONS AND THE LAWYER IN ME IN PARTICULAR I'M VERY EXCITED TO WATCH THE NEGOTIATIONS PLAY OUT WITH THAT SPIRIT OF COLLAB COLLABORATION I
KNOW IT WELL. >> YOU KNOW BRYAN JUST WANTED TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS BEFORE WE CLOSE OUT, IF THAT'S OKAY WITH YOU. OKAY QUESTION.
SO THE IDEA -- I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS EVERYONE IS SORT OF AGREEING WITH THE IDEA OF, YOU KNOW, REALLY MAKING THIS AN ECONOMIC HUB AND JUST BRINGING ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT TO THAT AREA OF TOWN. ARE THERE ANY POINTS OF SORT OF DISAGREEMENT RIGHT NOW FOR NEXT STEPS FOR JUST WORKING A PROPOSAL WHICH ALL STAKEHOLDERS, IS THERE A TIME LINE ON THIS?
[03:40:05]
>> SERIOUS, I DIDN'T PUT A TIME LINE ON IT, OBVIOUSLY REEXPIRE IS IT NOT, 20 STROO, YOU DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE, I KNOW THEY GOT TO FIGURE OUT A NUMBER OF SCENARIOS THAT THEY COULD GO THROUGH. I ASSUME THEY HAVE BEEN HAVING SOME -- I KNOW THEY'VE BEEN HAVING SOME INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS. I CALLED RICK CAMPBELL TO BE HONEST WITH YOU ON SOMETHING ELSE, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS AND I JUST BROUGHT UP THE NRG CONTHRICTS.
AND HE SAID MAYBE YOU DIDN'T KNOW IT BUT I HAVE A HAND DURING NEGOTIATIONS FOR THE AUTHORITY, FINANCE DIRECTOR SOMETHING AT A TIME, I SAID YOU DON'TEN MEAN TO SAY.
WE TALKED A GOOD 30 MINUTES, TO BE HONEST WITH Y'ALL, I DON'T THINK I UNDERSTOOD IT. I CALLED DAVE AND SAID WHY DON'T YOU TALK TO HIM. HE CALLED ME AND SAID HE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND IT EITHER. SO I SAID WELL WHY DON'T YOU GO MEET WITH HIM, AND THEY DID A COUPLE OF TIMES.
AND VERY COME BACK SAID THIS IS REALLY SOMETHING TO THIS.
AND THEN I ASKED BISHOP AND HOW THEY WINLT WITH CAMPO, WHEN PEOPLE HAVE GREAT IDEAS, I SEE MY FRIENDS FROM THE RODEO HERE
AND OBVIOUSLY THE TEXANS. >> IS THERE SOMEBODY HERE THERE THE TEXANS? GO AHEAD.
>> THEY WERE PREPARED -- >> THAT'S WHY YOU KNOW, AND NOW, YOU KNOW, THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM OBVIOUSLY, I WOULD SUGGEST I THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO LIVE WITH A CONCERTED, YOU KNOW, CERTAINLY WHEN YOU LISTED COMMISSIONER IN YOUR STATEMENT HERE, IT IS TALK TO THE COUNTY THE TENT AND THE COMMUNITY, I WILL SAY VERBAL REPLY ENCOURAGE BEING A VISITOR WITH THEM.
>> YES, WE HAVEN'T, WE WILL BE INTERESTED, AS WELL.
WE CONSIDER ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO BE A NECESSARY INTEGRAL PART TO WORK. WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED OF THAT.
>> IT IS EXCITING. WE HAVE HAD A LONG DAY.
I'M NOT SURE IF THE GENTLEMAN FROM THE TEXANS WERE WITH YOU.
SO THAT'S WHY I ASKED THE QUESTION.
>> THEY CALLED. THEY ASKED BUT SAID LET'S DO IT
TODAY. >> AND THAT'S FINE THAT THEY AREN'T TO BE BUT THEY ARE THE ONE BEFORE AND LET ME ASK ONE MORE QUESTION. YOU MENTIONED COMMISSIONER YOU HVISITED L.A. AND ATLANTA. WHEN I BACK TALKING WITH MR. CAMFO, WE WERE DISCUSSING THIS AGREEMENT, JUST SO YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING RIGHT HERE, IS THERE SOMETHING I'M NOT UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN WHAT THE DISCOVERY SORT OF MODEL AND WHAT WE ARE GOING FOR WITH ENERGY?
>> NO EXCEPT THAT OUR UNDERSTANDING, WE (INAUDIBLE) BUT THAT WOULD BE GREEN FACE, ACTIVITY SPACE, (INAUDIBLE) EVEN ON CASUAL DAY NOT JUST ON GAME DAY, WE'RE TALKING ABOUT SOMETHING THERE BIG AND BOLD AS BEEN REVENUED THAT IS GOING TO ENCOMPASS THOSE KIND OF FACILITY THAT COULD DESCRIBE PEOPLE OF THEIR BIRTH CULTURE ALL THE TIME.
I DESTINY AGAIN WORKING CLAIVEL, COLLABORATIVELY, WE WILL COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND.
>> GENTLEMEN, IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE MA HAPPENED A LONG TIME AG. NOW WITH YOU WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN. THERE'S NO REASON TO NOT MAKE IT HAPPEN BECAUSE IT'S BEEN DONE, NOT JUST ELSEWHERE BUT HERE AS WELL. I THINK IT'S, YOU KNOW, WE MUST BE ABLE TO FIGURE THIS ONE OUT. AND VERY EXCITING.
I'M JUST THRILLED. THANK YOU BISHOP, I AND
MR. BOLDEN THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AGAIN A VISIT WITH SPORTS ENTITY DOWNTOWN AS WELL, THE BISHOP AND I WENT WITH NEPTURNA, NO, WE WENT TO SPAIN. WE WENT TO BARCELONA FOR THE GAS STICKS TO MAKE THE PITCH WE COME TO HOUSTON, THEY DID IT'S A EFFORT TO TRY TO GET THEM TO COME HERE FOR FIVE OR SIX YEARS.
I WENT TO IT IN SINGLE FORM, THIS TIME, IT'S NOT AS BIG AS OKC BUT THEN IT BRINGS IN ALMOST AS MUCH MONEY, BECAUSE PEOPLE
[03:45:02]
ARE SPENDING MONEY ON HOTEL ROOMS, AND THE FRUSTRATION WAS I FELT IF YOU DO MAKE THE CASE, ON A REGULAR BHAIFS YOU HAVE PLENTY OF SPACES TO BE HOTELS. BUT IF YOU HAVE OTHER THINGS WHATEVER THEY DO WE GOT A WAY IT'S AN ECONOMIC MIXED USE MODEL THAT MAKES SENSE FOR THE TEXANS, FOR THE RODEO BUT ALSO SO DEVELOPERS WOULD WANT TO COME IN, INSTEAD OF HAVING MASSIVE APARTMENT LOTS THAT TO THE PUBLIC IS EMPTY FOR MOST OF THETIME. >> DID YOU GUYS CATCH HIS MOTION
EARLIER? >> IT'S AS PRESENTED AND I THINK THE TALKING POINTS I JUST LAID OUT TO RICK WEST.
>> OKAY SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER YAH. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> TO CLARIFY WHAT'S WITH THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
>> YES, I PUT THAT IN THE REQUEST, IN THE RECORD AS PART
OKAY. >> IT WAS OKAY, I READ IT.
>> ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
VERY EXCITING. >> THINGS ARE CLEAR I'M PUT IT
ON THE NEXT AGENDA. >> ALL RIGHT LET'S GO BACK TO
ITEM 26 MR. RAMOS. >> SURE SO IT IS IN ADDITION TO 25, THEY DOVETAIL TOGETHER. IT'S BASED ON THE PEOPLE'S SELF AUDIT THAT CAME OUT WOULD SHOW THAT THERE ARE MANY BASIC PRACTICES THAT WE JUST HAVEN'T PUT IN PLACE.
WE ARE REQUESTING TO DO THINGS THESE ARE ALL ITEMS THAT ARE IN ACCORDANCE OR NOT, DIRECTLY DOING, ONE IS RECLASSES, AGAIN AS WE DETERMINE WHAT IS THE BASELINE STAFFING TOWARDS THESE DEPARTMENTS WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO RECONCILE, WE STARTED HERE, ENDED HERE SO WE HAVE CLASSES COMING AND THERE MIGHT BE SOME REFINEMENTS THAT -- THERE MIGHT BE SOME EXCEPTIONS BUT WE CARED TO ACT IF THIS MAKES SENSE. THE SECOND IS FLSA, ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME OR NOT. WE FOUND OUT IN THE SOFT AUDIT THAT THERE ARE TOO MANY INSTANCES WHERE STATUSES ARE BEING CHANGED WITHOUT THE COMPANY DOCUMENTATIONS.
I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS. IT'S BASED ON THE FEELINGS OF THE WALL NOT THE PERSON. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IF YOU MAKE SUCH A DRASTIC CHANGE, YOU SHOULD COME TO COURT AND EXPLAIN IT AND COME TO THE LIGHT OF IT. THE THIRD ONE, WE ARE ASKING FOLKS AND THAT IS IN DIRECT RESPONSE TO THE PEOPLESOFT AUDIT IF YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN INCENTIVES TO YOUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE A DOCUMENTED POLICY, WHO GETS IT, HOW MUCH IS IT, WHY DO YOU GIVE IT, AND THAT GIVES US THE ABILITY TO THEN AUDIT IT.
WHAT THE AUDIT THERE ARE LOTS OF INCENTIVE PAYS AND THEY ASKED THE DOCUMENTS, THEY ASKED FOR DOCUMENTATION, CAN YOU SHOW ME A TIME TRAIL THAT SHOWS ME THIS PERSON WORKS THE NIGHT SHIFT, CAN YOU TELL ME THE MASTER'S DEGREE THAT THEY'RE GETTING PAID FOR, OR A CONTRACT TO REUP IT. AS WE GET MORE PRACTICE AT THESE HR SKILLS, AND AGAIN THESE ARE ITEMS THAT WE WANT TO COME TO COURT AND IF THERE ARE LIKE MAJOR ISSUES, EITHER I OR HRM
WOULD FIGHT THAT,. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN
COMMISSIONER. >> AGAIN, I WANT TO BE SURE THAT TWO THINGS. THAT THINGS THAT NEED TO COME TO THIS TABLE COME TO THIS TABLE. AND THOSE DECISIONS WERE NOT MADE IN THE OFFICE OF (INAUDIBLE).
>> 100%. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE SCREENING THOSE TYPES OF ITEMS OUT.
>> SCREENS WILL NOT HAPPEN. THE OTHER THING IS JUST THE BUREAUCRACY OF IT. I'VE DECIDED TO USE A PARK CARETAKER AND HE IS NOW GOING TO BE PROPOSED TO BE MANAGER.
THERE'S JUST WITHIN OUR WORLD OF 400 EMPLOYEES, PRECINCT 3, THERE'S A LOT OF CHANGES THAT HAPPEN.
AND MOST OF THEM ARE VERY LOGICAL, NEXT STEP ORIENTED, IF WE'RE HAVING TO COME TO COURT EVERY TIME WE MAKE A DECISION, WHETHER SOMEBODY IS GOING TO DRIVE A BUS OR SOMEBODY'S GOING TO WORK AT THE PARK IT SEEMS (INAUDIBLE).
>> WHAT I WOULD SAYS IWHAT I SAIDAR ELIER, THERE ISO N SCREENING. THERE ISO N(INAUDIBLE) AS IT RELATES TOAN MYTH OF ESE OF OUR ISSUES.
YOU CANE HAV ALA RECSS OF THE CREATION,OS A PITIONET DELION, A
[03:50:05]
TRANSFER TO OTHERTH PCN, AT IS LIGHT SPEED COMPAREDY TO AN CITY OR COUNTYI' THAT VE EVER WORKED. FO>> YOUON'T SAY THOSE COUNT ATIS TH TRIBAL IN TERMS OFCL
REASSIFICATIONS OF >> THAS WHAT THE, ITEM SAYS THAT WEWA WOULD FORRD AFTER -- SITE.WOULD COME TO THIS
>> IT WOULDHI COME TO TS TABLE.O IS THAT OD,NG IS THAT GOIER TO OVWHELM OURSELVES IN TERMS OF REQUESTS, RIGHT DECISIONS ARE BEINGNA MADE (IUDIBLE) WE'RE BETTER SYSTEM IS TO BRING ALLTH THAT TO E TABLE?T'
>> THAS CORRECT. >> I THINK IF I GOT THEES PERSPECTIV CORRECTLY, IT'SHA THE FACT TT WE HAVE NO COMPLICITY AROUND THE COUNTIES. ANDT THERE'S REALLY NOTHE WAY WE OUGHT TO (INAUDIBLE) IN OUR FACE.
I THINK THIS HAS ENABLED US AS A COUNTY TO HAVE NUMBER 1 A STANDARDIZED PROCESS AND POLICIES BUT ALSO IF YOU'RE GOING TO CHANGE SOMEBODYT APPRECIABLY, THAIS A BIG DEAL.
IT REALLY IS A BIG DEAL. AND, YOU KNOW, THERE A EXCEPTIONS, YES. THAT IS A BIG DEAL AND YOU OUGHT TO I THINK TAKE THAT INTO ACCOUNT, THAT THERE ARE MORE DOLLARS THAT NEEDS MORE AUTHORITY (INAUDIBLE).
>> THAT'S CORRECT. REAND IF YOU REMEMBER WHEN THE WAS A COMPENSATION STUDY PRESENTED TO THE COURT, WE HAD FOLKS THAT WERE MAKING 40 PICTURES AREA EITHER DIRECTION SAME CLASSIFICATION SAME YEARS OF SERVICE SAME CERTIFICATION.
80% DIFFERENCE IN PAY. AND SO AGAIN, I KNOW IT FEELS LIGHT SPEED COMPARED TO EVERYN OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE EVERY THREE WEEKS YOU COULD HAVE THESE ITEMS ON TO CONSIDER.
>> AND I THINK IT'S INTRETTING, IT SEARCHED MY OFFICE WHEN I CAME IN. THE CORRECTION AND THE IMPACT I THINK WILL BE (INAUDIBLE) ABOUT THAT IN MY OFFICE WHEN I CAME IN AND I THINK THIS COULD BE A PLACE FOR (INAUDIBLE).
>> SO GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER. >> I SHARE YOUR CONCERN ABOUT BUREAUCRACY, I I LIKE SPRINTING NOT WAITING.
BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING OR NOT, I CAN DEFER TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT BASED ON WHAT I REVIEWED IN THE AUDIT THAT WE SAW, OR 1 TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL THE COUPLE OF LAWS AND 2, FAIRNESS AND EQUITY I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT TO HAVE THESE THINGS THAT ARE HARD FOR THESE BIG SHIFTS TO FIIVET BUT IT IS TO ME IMPERATIVE AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING WILL BE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, AND I WOULD LOVE FROM A PROCESS STANDPOINT TO TRY TO GET IT WORKING WITH THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES IN A WAY THAT CAN BE AS STREAMLINED AS POSSIBLE AND TEED UP FOR OUR CONSIDERATION. SO THAT WE ARE MOVING IT ALONG AND MEETING THESE KIND OF OUR GOALS.
>> APPRECIATE THAT. >> SO I HEARD YOU SAY EARLIER, DIRECTOR RAMOS, WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT I THINK THE D.A.
DISCUSSION, YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT HOW WE'RE MOVING THE COUNTY IN THIS DIRECTION OF SORT OF MORE PROFESSIONALISM.
BUT YOU -- I ALSO HAVE HEARD YOU SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WE STILL HAVE A WAYS TO GO. AND WHAT I'M STRUGGLING TO UNDERSTAND HERE IS, HOW DO THESE POLICIES GET US ANY CLOSER TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE. THAT IS QUESTION 1.
MY SECOND QUESTION RELATED IS, ARE WE SELLING OURSELVES SHORT BY ADOPTING THESE POLICIES, AS OPPOSED TO -- WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO TO BE WHERE THE GOLD STANDARD IS, (INAUDIBLE) AND WHY -- IS THIS THAT IT'S NOT (INAUDIBLE) GOLD STANDARD?
>> I FORGOT YOUR FIRST QUESTION SO I'LL ANSWER YOUR SECOND QUESTION FIRST. THE DETERMINATION GOLD STANDARD, THE SPEED AT WHICH WE DO THINGS, AND THEN HAVING THIS MEETING REFLECTS CONCRETE THOROUGH EVALUATION BY AN HR PROFESSIONAL. THERE'S A TRADEOFF THERE.
SO AT THE COUNTY WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH IS ENOUGH. BUT FOR EXAMPLE, IN ANOTHER
[03:55:03]
JURISDICTION, THERE WILL BE CLASSIFICATION FROM ONE POSITION TO ANOTHER. THEY WOULD GO AND THEY WOULD EVALUATE. IF BASED ON THE JOB DUTIES, IS IT CLASSIFIED CORRECTLY? IS THAT PERSON A MANAGER, IS THAT PERSON A DIRECTOR, IS THAT PERSON AN ADMIN, KIND OF LIKE ON WHAT TIER, WHAT KIND OF TIER THEY'RE AT.AND THEN THEY WOULD LOOK AT HEY, YOU KNOW, ACROSS GENDER, ACROSS RACE, ACROSS DEPARTMENTS, ACROSS NORMAL LIFE LET'S SAY, YOU'RE AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT 3 BASED ON WHOSE CHALLENGE YOU ARE MANAGING, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, ET CETERA.
SO THOSE ARE IT'S KIND OF THE GOLD STANDARD WHERE YOU ARE MERITING THE PERSON AND THE JOB CLASSIFICATION.
THAT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME AND IT IS A TRADEOFF BETWEEN PUBLIC'S REVIEW, HR, FINANCE, ET CETERA IS DOING AND HOW QUICKLY WE ARE ABLE TO SAY, THAWBL SO THAT'S KIND OF THE FIRST FUNCTION SAYING I THINK THE ANSWER TO YOUR FIRST QUESTION IS THIS GETS US TO SQUARE 1. IT IS JUST A BASELINE.
WE ARE NOW ANSWERING, WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IT WAS AMAZING TO ME, PEOPLE WOULD SAY HEY CAN I HIRE THIS PERSON AND I WOULD ASK IS IT FUNDED, IS IT NOT FUNDED AND EVERYONE WOULD LOOK AT ME LIKE I WAS THE CRAZY ONE BRUT THAT WORKS.
-- BUT THAT WORKS. THE THREE MONTHS THIS SALARY, I HAVE TO HOLD THIS FOR SIX MONTHS, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN YOU'RE DESCRIBING LIKE, YOU'RE TRYING TO DESCRIBE BASEBALL TO SOMEBODY WHO'S NEVER SEEN THE GAME BEFORE.
YOU HAVE 100 EMPLOYEES, YOU HAVE 80 LABORERS, YOU HAVE AN EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT IN ADMIN AND THEN YOU HAVE KEY DIRECTORS, RIGHT? AND AS LONG AS YOU ARE WITHIN THAT REALM, YOU HAVE FULL SPEED AHEAD, HIRE THE PERSON.
NOW THINGS MIGHT CHANGE AND YOU MIGHT SAY HEY I DON'T NEED A SECOND DIRECTOR, THAT PERSON, WHAT I REALLY NEED IS THREE
MANAGERS, THREE SUPERINTENDENTS. >> OKAY THIS MAKES MORE SENSE.
WHAT I'M STILL WONDERING IS JUST FOR THE FIRST ONE RIGHT, RECLASSIFICATION, IF EVERY POLICY COMES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR RECLASSIFICATION, I GET -- OKAY YOU'RE SAYING THIS IS SQUARE 1 BUT HOW ARE WE -- HOW DO -- I MEAN --
>> SO THE IDEA BEHIND IT IS THAT WE HAVE MORE ABLE TO THEN RECONCILE. SO WE STARTED HERE, YOUR STAFFING MODEL AND GOING BACK TO THE EXAMPLE, THOSE TWO DIRECTORS AND TWO MANAGERS, OR THEY BECAME ONE MANAGER AND TWO ADDITIONAL LABORERS, SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE PAYING FOR WHEN YOU SET A BUDGET FOR A DEPARTMENT YOU KNOW HOW MANY --
>> BUT WHAT I -- WHAT IT SEEMS LIKE YOU'RE PROPOSING IS THAT BASICALLY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT PLAY THIS COMPLEX OVERSIGHT AUTHORITY THAT AN HR DEPARTMENT PLAYS IN OTHER COUNTIES. AND I DON'T SEE HOW WE -- I MEAN WE CAN'T COMPARE IT TO THE JOB AND IS IT CLASSIFIED CORRECTLY AND ACROSS GENDER, RACE, DEPARTMENT, DUTIES.
AND I THINK ONE BECAUSE WE ARE (INAUDIBLE) I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A LOT LESS RECLASS. IN MY MIND THE STAFFING MODEL LIKE THE BUDGET IS THE PLAN. AND 5% OF THE PLAN MIGHT CHANGE BUT 95% IS GOING TO STAY THE SAME.
YOU KNOW, IN MY MIND, THE IDEA IS IF WE'RE COMING TO COURT, HRM AND MY OFFICE ARE DOING THE SAME REVIEWS THIS WE ARE NOW.
AND -- THAT WE ARE NOW. WE WOULD FLAG THAT IN THE SAME
WAY I FLAG ITEMS THAT DON'T -- >> YOU ARE GIVING TEETH TO YOUR
>> YOU'RE USING US AS TEETH FOR YOUR REVIEW BECAUSE WE DON'T
HAVE THAT SYSTEM SET UP IN HR. >> CORRECT.
>> I THINK I UNDERSTAND. ALLOWANCES AND FLSA AND ALL THE
>> OKAY, LOOK MY MAIN CONCERN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO SAY SOMETHING BUT IF YOU GIVE US SOMETHING WE'RE NOT GOING TO WANT TO GIVE IT BACK. THAT'S KIND OF LIKE WHAT I'VE OBSERVED THE PRECEDENT NOT JUST HERE BUT IN LIFE.
SO IF THE DIRECTION WE NEED TO BE HEADING IS AN DEPARTMENT THAT CAN HAVE AN -- AN DEPARTMENT THAT CAN HAVE, I GET THAT YOU NEED TO TITRATE THAT, WE CAN GET TO THAT LATER.
BUT IF YOU ARE MAKING US THE HR DEPARTMENT I'M CONCERNED THAT YOU ARE ELIMINATING THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE HR DEPARTMENT WILL (INAUDIBLE) THAT'S JUST ME, I DON'T KNOW
WHAT Y'ALL -- >> AND I DON'T THINK THAT (INAUDIBLE) EXPENSIVE EVENLY IF JURISDICTIONS THAT HAVE HR LIKE L.A. COUNTY THEY HAVE ONE OF THE LARGER HR DEPARTMENTS IN THE COUPLE. BIG CITIES, ET CETERA.
THEY STILL GO TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS TO GET ITEMS
[04:00:04]
APPROVED. >> TO GET A RECLASSIFICATION OF
ONE OF THE 20,000 EMPLOYEES? >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> SO COMMISSIONER YAH THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. YOU'RE GETTING THE SENSE OF HOW IMPORTANT IT IS BY HOW INTERESTING IT IS.
AND SO BUT THIS IS WHAT YOU'VE BEEN DOING SINCE YOU GOT HERE.
YOU'RE RIGHT SIZING THE SHIFT, THE MANAGEMENT OF THIS ORGANIZATION AND I APPRECIATE YOU OR THE THAT.
BUT YOU'RE DIRECTOR AND YOU HAVE MENTIONED HRM A COUPLE OF TIMES AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT BEING DONE IN A VACUUM BY BUDGET OFFICE BUT ALSO BY SHANE.
I WOULD ASK SHANE TO WEIGH IN AND IT WAS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS COLLOQUY SO THAT WE KNOW HOW IT REALLY IS GOING TO END UP TRANSLATING INTO A LEDGER THAT YOU CAN EFFECTIVELY BALANCE IT AND QUANTIFY BY THE BUDGET PROCESS. BUT THEN THERE'S THE HR EXAMPLE SIDE OF THIS EQUATION THAT I THINK IS -- REALLY NEEDS TO BE (INAUDIBLE) BY THE PERSON IN CHARGE.
SO SHANE, YO -- YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ITEM.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER SHANE PARASAL, DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT. KIND OF GETS BACK TO KIND OF WHAT YOU ARE DISCUSSING FLEXIBILITY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED AN EXAMPLE VERSUS JUST HAVING THE COURT AWARE AND THAT SORT OF THING ALL THE DIFFERENT STAFFING THAT IS GOING ON THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF IT.
I THINK WE HAD 4,000 RECLASSIFICATIONS LAST YEAR, SOME OF THEM SIMPLE SOME OF THEM MORE COMPLICATED.
I THINK IT IS GOING TO PUT MORE WORK ON OUR TEAM AND DANIEL'S TEAM AND PROBABLY ON Y'ALL'S TEAM AS WELL, Y'ALL WILL WANT TO REVIEW THEM BEFORE Y'ALL ALL VOTE ON THEM.
WE ARE HERE TO IMPLEMENT THE POLICY IS THAT'S WHAT THE COURT
WANTS TO VOTE ON TODAY. >> WE WORK TOGETHER MANY I KIND OF OUTLINE SOME OF THE KEY TAKE AWAY THAT I GOT FROM THE AUDIT BUT SHANE AND STEVE ACTUALLY PUT THE HR NEED ON THE POLICY.
>> AND THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MAKE SO SHANE, I APPRECIATE IF WE WANT TO OR DON'T WANT TO, YOU ARE OUR DIRECTOR, THIS COUNTY
NEEDS IT THE MOST. >> YES, I JUST LET YOU KNOW FROM THE HISTORY, USED TO BE MORE TIGHT, IT'S GOTTEN RELAXED OVER TIME. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME TIGHTENING UP. WE CAN ALLS ADJUST, IF WE GET IT AND FOR EXAMPLE SOMEBODY'S WANTING TO CHANGE THE LEVELS WITHIN A CLASSIFICATION, WE NEED TO BE TIGHTEN UP A SUM, THERE IS A LOT OF IT GOING ON Y'ALL DON'T HAVE ANY INSIGHT INTO IT, WE DO
AND DANIEL DOES. >> QUICK THINKING, YOU ALL AGREE IT IS A BEST PRACTICES, PUTS US IN LINE WITH WHAT IS A BEST
>> WE DON'T LIKE BEST PRACTICE, WE GO BACK TO THE OLD THEME.
OKAY. >> ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION, THERE ARE INSTANCES WHERE THINGS GET STUCK IN NO MAN'S LAND.
SO WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING TYPES IS THE DEPARTMENTS WILL SUBMIT A LIST OF RECLASSES THAT ADDS 100,000, $150,000, YOU KNOW THE CASE WITH D.A. AND RAISES, CLOSE TO $3 MILLION.
IF THOSE ITEMS CAME TO COURT I THINK THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT, WHERE WE WANT THESE THINGS, MANY OF THEM ARE GOING TO END UP ON THE AGENDA, ME AND SHANE WILL REVIEW THEM.
THEY'LL GET RUBBER STAMPED FORWARD FOR YOUR REVIEW AND THEREBY BE A HANDFUL OF THEM, BUDGET AT $30,000 ARE GOING TO CREATE SEVEN DIRECTOR THINKS THAT COST $750,000 WE'RE GOING TO RAISE A RED FLAG AND SAY WE THINK EVERYBODY'S BUDGET OFFSETS IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PLAN.
AND SO WE'RE NOT SAYING, WE'RE NOT TRYING TO --
>> I'D LOVE TO GET MY HEAD ORE FACILITIES.
>> JUST A QUICK COMMENT (INAUDIBLE) THAT WAS GOING TO BE RETAIL AND SHANE SAID THERE WAS 4,000 POSITIONS.
[04:05:03]
I DIVIDE THAT BY, WE'RE GOING TO DOUBLE THE AGENDA ITEMS EVERY MONTH, THE DEVIL'S GOING TO BE IN THE DETAILS.I THINK WE SAW THIS MORNING THAT DEPARTMENTS FUNCTION DIFFERENTLY. THERE IS DIFFERENT NEEDS IN DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. I THINK WE'RE GOING TO FIND THAT EXPONENTIALLY THE CASE WHEN WE GET INTO THESE TYPES OF ISSUES.
DO WE NEED TO CHANGE? YES, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS IT.
>> I WOULD RECOMMEND MOVING FORWARD WITH THE TWO, WITH VERY LEAST, STATUS CHANGE TO ME THAT IS --
>> I'LL MAKE A MOTION. >> I'LL SECOND.
>> ON THAT ONE ITEM. I'LL JUST HOLD THE OTHER --
>> THINK JUST WHICH ONE? >> FLSA STATUS.
>> SURE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED 50 ELLIS.
ALL IN FAVOR,. >> Y'ALL PLEASE REPEAT WHAT THE
MOTION IS FOR ITEM 26. >> I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE TO MOVE
RECOMMENDATION 2. >> TO APPROVE THE POLICY AS
PERTAINS TO FLSA. >> THERE YOU GO.
>> OKAY ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. I WANT TO SUPPORT THIS.
LIKE I WANT TO SUPPORT YOUR EXPERIENCE IN VARIOUS JURISDICTIONS. LIKE HOW CAN WE SOWRT 4,000
POSITIONS WORTH OF CHANGES? >> JUST OF THE 4,000 PROBABLY 1700 TO 2,000 HAVE COME TO COURT.
>> IF YOU COULD EXPLAIN THAT A LITTLE BIT MORE CAREFULLY TO US BECAUSE I THINK IF WE APPROVE IT, AND IT GETS MESSY IT'S GOING TO BE WORSE. I'M 90% SURE YOU'RE PUTTING US
ON A GOOD PATH BUT I'M JUST -- >> WHY DON'T I COME BACK ON THE 14TH. YOU HAVE THE POLICY, IT'S OUT THERE, I KNOW SOMEEP DARTMENTS ARE GOING TOAN WT TO TALK ABOUT IT. I CAN COMEAC BK ONHE T 14TH ALONG WITH THEEA DDLINE MOVING TOWARD.
I THINK IT'SLL REAYSI IN MPLEST TES IT IS GETTING TO THE BASELINE AND BEING ABLE TO RECONCILE WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE YEAR. SO WE CANCR DESIBE IT IN THE
>> I WAS T GOINGOST SUGGE MR. ENS IS BACK ON THESC TRANRIPT, IF THERE'S GOING TO A THEIGNIFICANT INCREASE IN ISBER OF AGENDA ITEMS, THIS SOMETHING WE COULDR CONSIDEFOR A POTENTIALIN CHANGE THIS COURT.
>> HASO MAYBE TT'S -- I'M JUSTOU CURIS INHO PRACTICE W DO THEYT DO IINER THESE OTH COUNTIES.T RIGHNOW IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO A CHANGE CLASSIFICATION AND YOU BELIEVE IT'S A BAD IDEA FROM A S FISCALTANDPOINT, IS THERE THINKING ABOUT W IT?
>>E PULL IT AND THEN IT'S (INAUDIBLE) FOR THE
>> WI SEE, I THINKEIS GET IT, IS VERY ILLY JAY
HUMAN THAT ITING SO, YOU KNOW, I THINK IT'S MOVING, WE>> CAN -- ARE YOU BRINGING BACK I REALLY DO THINK THIS ISTI A BEST PRACCES AN IMPERATIVE EQUITY IN THE COUNTY BUT ITLP WOULD BE HEFUL IF YOU COULD TALK TO MORE DEPARTMENTS, HOW WOULD WE I OPERATIONALIZET, HOW CAN WE BE NIMBLE IN ACHIEVINGD THOSE GOAL.
AN ALSO KIND OFNE REMINDING EVERYO WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVEHI FOR AND SOME OF THE TNGS THAT CAME UP IN THE AUDIT I
THINK THAT WOULD BE A USEFUL>> BACKDROP.
I THINK IT WILL COME UP IN THE AGENDA LIKE TRAVEL ITEMS. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO (INAUDIBLE)O AGAINST THE GEORGIA U KNOW YOU COULD PULL IT OUT AND PLAY WITH IT BUT I SUSPECT THIS WOULD BE A
CONSENT ITEM. >> HE WE UNDERSTAND.
YES. >> I THINK MOVING ITEM MOST FOLKS WANT TO COME BACK WITH IT. WE ARE ASKING FOR INFORMATION.
>> ITHE INCENTIVE STRUCTURE WE ARE ASKING FOLKS,.
>> THE POLICY IS TO APPROVE THE POLICY AS PERTAINS THE INCENTIVE
>> I'D SECOND. >> THAT'S ALSO UNDER 26.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
LET'S GO FORWARD WITH 236. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING CONNIE PULLMAN, SYLVIA GARS YAH, FOR PUTTING THE EFFORT IN PUTTING FORTH ON HOUSE FLOOR TO SECURE $3 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING.
SHE'S BEEN A STRONG ADVOCATE ANDAL EYE FOR THE HEALTH ISSUES IN DISTRICT 2, SUPPORT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND, OUR CURRENT AREA
[04:10:03]
TO HAVE SEEN TREMENDOUS SUCCESS AFTER BEING STRATEGICALLY LOCATED. THE PODS HAVE SERVED THE CRUCIAL AND PRESENT NEEDS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE OF OUR COMMUNITY AND IMPROVE THE HEALTH OUTCOME. THEY ALSO FULFILLED A BROAD AREA OF GOALS SET UP IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS OR SET UP BY THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AS A COMMISSIONER COURT, BOTH CLINICS HAVE HELD MORE THAN 20,000 PATIENTS VISITED SINCE DEPLOYMENT. AND WHAT IS VERY COOL IS THAT 41% HAVE BEEN FOR NONIMMUNIZATION OR HAVE BEEN NONIMMUNIZATION INDIVIDUALS. OUTSIDE OF PRECINCT 2.WHICH IS EXCITING. THESE PODS HAVE BEEN CITED AND RECEIVED AWARD FOR BEING THE MOST INNOVATIVE COVID-19 EMERGENCY RESPONSE AND TO BE CLEAR, THESE EXISTING PODS ARE DIFFERENTLY THAN THE ONES BEING FUNDED BY THIS GRANT.
OTHER THAN THE MEANS COST FOR MY OFFICE, THE OPERATIONAL COST WILL BE SERVICED BY THE VENDOR AT NO COST TO THE GENERAL FUND.
THE GRANT ONLY PROVIDES FUNDING FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE EIGHT PODS MANAGEMENT OPERATIONAL COST DO NOT COME OUT OF THIS GRANT. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE PUBLIC HEALTH CONTINUES TO MANAGE THE EXISTING PODS AT PASADENA STATIONS HAVE RECEIVED SERVICING AT NO COST WHERE UNINSURED RATES ARE PARTICULARLY HIGH. AT FOUR DIFFERENT LOCATIONS ACROSS PRECINCT 2, ACCESS TO HELPING SMART PODS WILL BE DEPLOYED AT EACH LOCATION, THERE BEING EIGHT PODS IN TOTAL.
THIS WILL INCLUDE MENTAL HEALTH PODS, PHYSICAL HEALTH PODS, CHRONIC MANAGEMENT, WOMEN'S SELF NEEDS AND PROVIDE MANY OTHER SERVICES TO ALL INDIVIDUALS IN NEED OF SERVICE.
THIS WILL REDUCE THE VAST NUMBER BY INCREASING ACCESS TO CARE TO IMPROVE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT AS I MENTIONED WE DON'T TURN ANYBODY AWAY. SO WE'LL CONTINUE TO BE AVAILABLE OR THE ANYONE THERE ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY TO STEP IN AND UTILIZE THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED.
AND AGAIN THESE LOCATIONS HAVE BEEN STRATEGICALLY CHOSEN NEAR PRECINCT BORDERS TO ENSURE THAT THE SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE.
TWO OF THESE LOCATIONS ARE AT THE MAGNUM POWELL CENTER, WILL PROVIDE HEALTH SERVICES, ONE SICH AREA IS GALENA PARK WHERE 49% OF THE INDIVIDUALS ARE UNINSURED.
TO BE MORE SELF SUFFICIENT AND RECIPIENT IN THE FACE OF FUTURE CATASTROPHIC EVENTS OR EMERGENCIES.
TOO MANY TIMES WE SPEND TIME TALKING ABOUT HOW WE DEVISE RESOURCES HOW TO TALK ABOUT HOW TO CUT THE PIE.
WITH ITEMS LIKE THIS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE'RE GROWING THE PIE. THE HEALTH DISPARITY IN TWO PARTICULARLY STRONG AS COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
I'VE TALKED ABOUT THEM GETTING TO THE TABLE.
THE INCIDENCE RATE OF HYPERTENSION, DIABETES, OBESITY AND SMOKING ARE SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER THAN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STATE OF TEXAS. ANALYZE ZIP CODES THAT LIE WITHIN THE PRECINCT HAVE SHOWN TO BE A FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL TWICE THAT OF HARRIS COUNTY TO BE AT 30.7% VERSUS 15.7%.
THE POPULATION PERCENTAGE WITHOUT A DIPLOMA IN THESE DITCH CODES ARE 40.5% VERSUS 17.7% IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE HEALTH INEQUITIES ARE ALSO DISPROPORTIONATE EFFECT AFRICAN AMERICANS AND HISPANIC POPULATION.
TRANSPORTATION BARRIERS HAVE MADE IT BUT AND IMPACTED ACCESS TO CARE. 13% OF RESIDENTS IN IDENTIFIED ZIP CODES AREA DO NOT OWN A VEHICLE.
MENTAL HEALTH HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS THE FOREMOST OF HEALTH NEEDS, 20% OF THE ADULTS IN PRECINCT 2 HAVE BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH DEPRESSION AT SOME POINT THIS THEIR LIVE.
IT'S BEEN SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY, THE LBJ, 10,000 REQUESTING TREATMENTS. PRIOR TO HURRICANE HARVEY, RETURNED TO THE MEDICAL CENTER WHICH WAS FLOODED AND DOESN'T EVEN EXIST ANY LONGER. BY BRINGING HEALTH CARE ACCESS RIGHT WITHIN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY CAN ANTICIPATE LONG TERM SUCCESS
[04:15:02]
IN DECREASING HEALTH DISPARITIES, INCREASING ACCESS AND IMPROVING HEALTH OUTCOMES TO OUR COMMUNITY.AND, YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS ONE OTHER MATRIX TO CITE IT IS THE FACT THAT PRECINCT 2 REGRETTABLY OWNS THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE BY 20 YEARS IN COMPARISON TO THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
SO I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS ITEM AND I MOVE AS PRESENTED.
>> SECOND. >> OKAY, SO THIS IS FOR -- THIS IS THE -- OKAY MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS.
OKAY THAT WAS 236. NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO 288.
OKAY. >> THAT IS ENGINEERING SERVICES
FOR FEASIBILITY STUDY. >> YES HERE DR. PETERSON IS ON THE LINE, I'M VERY PLEASED WITH THE ITEM.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT TO THE EXTENT WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT, THE STRATEGY TO USE THE TUNNELS IN PARTICULAR, I JUST WANT TO ADD THIS SIMPLE AMENDMENT.
THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS, ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OTHER SOCIAL IMPACTS AS WELL AS REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT, FOR THE INITIATIVE AND WITH THAT I WANT TO MOVE ADOPTION, AND THE REASON FOR IT, I'LL LET DR. PETERSON COMMENT ON IT IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IN NO WAY WE ADVANTAGE CERTAIN COMMUNITIES WITH A COST BENEFIT RATIO OR ISSUE AS WE LOOK AT TRYING TO IMPLEMENT THESE. I KNOW THERE'S A SIGNIFICANT FEDERAL INVESTMENT THAT WE CAN GO AFTER THAT SAYS MAKE SURE TO CONSIDER THESE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES AND SOCIAL IMPACTS AND NOT JUST WHICH NEIGHBORHOOD IS THE WEALTHIEST.
AND DR. PETERSON I WANT TO LET YOU COMMENT ON THIS AND SEE IF
YOU HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. >> FIRST OF ALL GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO. SO THIS ITEM IS NOTIFYING COMMISSIONERS THAT PURCHASING IS GOING OUT FOR A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS OR A REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS TO SEEK A PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION MANAGER FOR THIS WORK.
THIS IS A -- ACTUALLY A PROJECT THAT WE ARE WORKING ON IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS AS YOU NOTED COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO WORK WITH THE BOARD COLLABORATIVELY TO INVESTIGATE FLOOD MITIGATION SOLUTIONS ACTUALLY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.
SO WE'RE GOING IN WITH THE MINDSET OF LOOKING BROADLY AT SOLUTIONS. CERTAINLY TUNNELS COULD BE ONE OF THE OPTIONS THAT WE CONSIDER. AND, YOU KNOW, REALLY THIS STUDY IS FOCUSED PRIMARILY ON LOOKING AT THESE 12 WATERSHEDS THAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON. COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU POINTED OUT THAT THE COST BENEFIT RATIO HAS LONG BEEN A CHALLENGE ESPECIALLY FOR FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS.
YOU KNOW, WE KNOW THAT THE BENEFITS OF THESE PROJECTS FOR UNDERSERVED AND DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES ARE OFTEN NOT FULLY RECOGNIZED. AND, YOU KNOW, I DO NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR PROPOSED LANGUAGE BECAUSE ACTUALLY WE ARE WORKING RIGHT NOW WITH THE CORPS VERY CLOSELY TO ACTUALLY DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS TRAIL WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
AND WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT POLICIES THAT THE CORPS HAS ALREADY PUT IN PLACE THAT REQUIRE THE USE OF DECISION FRAMEWORKS THAT INCLUDE NOT JUST COST AND BENEFIT BUT ALSO ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS. THE REGIONAL BENEFITS AND THE SOCIAL BENEFITS OF THE PROJECT. SO THAT'S ACTUALLY POLICY THAT'S ALREADY IN PLACE WITH THE CORPS. AND SO WE, YOU KNOW, ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE CORPS ON THIS AND, YOU KNOW, I'M CLEAR WITH THE POLICIES OF THIS COURT EQUITABLE BENEFITS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY AND COMMITTED TO WORKING TOGETHER WITH THE CORPS TO IMPLEMENT THEIR POLICIES WITH THAT IN MIND.
>> COMMISSIONER I'LL SECOND YOUR ITEM.
THAT'S THE, YOU KNOW, I SUPPORT THE IDEA OF THE TUNNELS.
[04:20:01]
I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE FLAG THAT WE STILL NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT WHERE THE FALL LOOKS LIKE AND WHAT THAT WOULD LOOK LIKE, CAN'T AFFORD TO TURN IT INTO SOMETHING OTHER THAN A BIG OLDHOLE IN THE GROUND. >> ABSOLUTELY, ABSOLUTELY, CERTAINLY THAT WILL BE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CONSIDERED IN
THIS EFFORT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND
COMMISSIONER OWENS. >> I WILL SECOND THAT SECONDLY.
I TELL YOU WHEN I APPLIED THE COST BENEFIT TO ANY, IT DOESN'T PROPERLY RECOGNIZE THE BENEFITS. SO I THINK WHAT AND I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE DIRECTOR TO HONE THAT FORMULA AND WE'VE MADE A LOT OF PROGRESS I THINK IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS OF THE CORPS ON HOW THEY DO THAT CALCULATION.
SO THAT'S GOING TO BE A FOCUS 1 PRIORITY.
>> I KNOW THAT THE COURT LEADERSHIP HAS STATED VERY CLEARLY THAT WE THINK (INAUDIBLE) INTERESTING THING IS THAT EVERYBODY THAT I'VE TALKED TO, EVEN WITH YOU JUDGE AND WITH COMMISSIONER, THEY ARE FOR GETTING RID OF IT BUT SO FAR HASN'T GONE AWAY. I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION WITH THIS JUSTICE 40 NINE WOULD ATTEMPT TO DO THAT BUT MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE RECORD. SO I'LL MOVE IT WITH THAT
FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. >> SECOND.
>> OKAY, I WOULD PROPOSE THAT ITEM 288 BE AMENDED TO STIPULATE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CORPS BUT THIS PROJECT ALSO CONSIDER ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY AND OTHER SOCIAL IMPACTS AS TO WHETHER IT'S A REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT IN CONFORMANCE WITH THE ADMINISTRATION SUPPORTING THE ISSUE.
>> WONDERFUL, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER YAH. ALL IN FAVOR, FINE THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUS. NEXT ITEM.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW THAT WE ARE PROVIDING FUNDING TO GREAT ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT WILL HELP LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS.
I WANT TO SAY THAT AGAIN. THAT WE ARE HELPING LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS BECOME NATURALIZED CITIZENS.
THIS WOULD BE LUCKY, THIS WOULD BE BOTH MY PARENTS, MY PARENTS CAME SINCE THEY WERE LEGAL PERMANENT RESIDENTS AND ULTIMATELY TOOK THE OATH TO BECOME A UNITED STATES CITIZEN.
NATURALIZED CITIZENS DEEIVE THE FREEDOMS OF SPEECH THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE.
BY TAKING THE PATH OF NATURALIZATION INDIVIDUALS NOT ONLY GAIN ACCESS TO THESE ESSENTIAL RIGHTS BUT ALSO BECOME PART OF THE COLLECTIVE VOICE AS SHAPE THE NATION'S FUTURE.
THEY WILL ALSO HAVE ACCESS TO THE WIDER RANGE OF JOB OPPORTUNITIES, BE ABLE TO A BETTER EDUCATION AND CAREER GROWTH AND CONTRIBUTE MORE EFFECTIVELY TO THEIR NATION'S ECONOMY. WE HEAR SO MUCH ABOUT A WORKFORCE SHORTAGE AND THIS IS AFTERNOON EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO THAT PARTICULAR PROBLEM. THIS PROGRAMMING ALSO HELP KEEP FAMILIES TOGETHER. WHEN ONE MEMBER OF A FAMILY BECOMES A CITIZEN IT OFTEN EXPEDITES INTEGRATION PROCESS WHERE OTHER FAMILIES. AND LET ME JUST SAY IT WAS MY LATE BROTHER WHO RETAINED THE FIRST TO BE NATURALIZED IN OUR FAMILY BECAUSE HE WAS BEING ACCEPTED BY THE POLICE DEPARTMENT, HE DIDN'T HAVE TO BE ONE TO APPLY.
AND SO HE HAD TO GET NATURALIZED BEFORE HE FINISHED THE ACADEMY.
BECAUSE WHEN HE COMPLETES THE ACADEMY HE TAKES AN OATH OF OFFICE TO SERVE. AND THEN IT RESULTED IN MY SECOND OLDEST BROTHER WHO WAS GRADUATING FROM LAW SCHOOL.
AND HAD BECOME A NATURALIZED CITIZEN, AND TRANSLATE INTERMEDIATE MY OLDEST BROTHER AND MY PARENTS AND MY OTHER BROTHER AS WELL AND MY SISTER. MY SISTER ACTUALLY HAD TO GET MARRIED TO U ANITED STATES CITIZEN ANDHE S WAS ABOUT TO LEAVE FOR GERMANY ANDLW AAYS A DISAPPOINTMENT SHE HAD TOET G ALL SQUAREDWA AY BEFORE SHE COULD JOINN. I ALL THAT TO SAY ISHA TT I'M EXCITED ABOUTHI TS AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OFUR O STAKEHOLDERS WHO HAVE BEENEL HPING USIT WH THIS PARTICULARRO PGRAM AND YOU HAVEEL HPED TO LEAD ON THIS AS
[04:25:02]
LLWE. BUT THIS IS FUNDAMENTALO T EACRTING A STRONGER COMMUNITY, NUMBER 1,TR A SONGERNO ECOMY NUMBER, 2 A BUTNMM IENSELY BRIGHTER FUTURE,HO WITUT A DOUBT, NUMBER 3 T ANDHIS GOES RIT INE LINWITH THE COECTION IN OURTH FAI, SO I MOVE ONER AFT IT. REN>> SUPPORT IT AS WELLI AS ECHO THETE SEPMBERY. MAN CSDNK THA YOU Q FORUARTERBACKING IT.
WHEN YOU THINKUT ABO THE APPROXIMATELY 300,000PL PEOE IN OURIO REGN THAT ARENA TURALIZATION ELIGIBLE BUT THEPR OCESS IS JUST BEENRD SO HA TOAC CESS.
IT ISSI EXPENVE,PL COMEX, TIME CONSUMING T ANDHISTM INVESENT WILL HELPTH GIVE ATS. ACCES ANDOU SO, Y KNOW,EC IN PRINCT 4E HAVE THE ELLIS ISLAND ATTEMPTS I O THINKF THESE30 0,000 PEOPLES ACROSOURN REGIO AN ACCESS TOTU OPPORNITY AND TOT MEHIS IS A NATION IMMIGRANTS AND DOING B RIGHTY THE ARERA IMMIGNTS IS SO IMPORTANTHE FOR T FABRICIS OF TH COUNTRYF AND OTHIS COUNTY ANDSO THANK YOU TOBL (INAUDIE), AND ALL OF THEAR OTHER PTNERS THAT ARE GOING TO HELP THEM MYECT COSTANAS, I THK YOU, WHOLE TEAM S TO MAKEURE WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE IMPACTIS THAT TH WILL HAVECO SO I SEND.AN
>> SPEING OF PERMANENT S,RESIDENT I WANT TOE MAKE TH POINT, IOM THINK CMISSIONERRC GAIA WE WERE AT THE. MEETING BRING THAT OUT W THERE OSOEAL CN L - HOPEFULLY- I
>> WILL READ, I S WILL MAKEURE THAT THAT O IS PARTF WHAT BEEN BRINGINGWA UP, THAT S A LO( WITHINAUDIBLE) TO ADD THAT TONE
IT.GAIN ABOUT MUCH OF >> THANK YOUNE COMMISSIOR,ON MOTI BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS,ND SECO BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.AH OR Y SECONDEDSI BY COMMISONERNE BRIOS.
ALL IN ANY OPPOD? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUS. 315. YOU
>> WE HAD ONE OF OUR ROCK STAR SUPERINTENNTS DR. MAYS, I WISHAS HE W STILL I THERE, ITS 3:15. I WANT TO THANK MY PRECINCT 4 INFRASTRUCRE TEAM. THIS INVESTMENT IS IN SIDEWALKSS AND THE SIDEWALKS WILL TOUCH TWO OF OURE SCHOOLS HER AT I MILLERNTERMEDIATE, I THINKAM MY TE NOTES ONLY FOR THE T SIDEWALKS BUTHINKING ABOUT ITC HOLISTALLY, WHERE THESE SIDEWALKS WILL CONNECT TO THE SCHOOLSRE AND THAT WE AIN ALSO DOGIN AN UNDERCROSSG AS WEON REENVISI THE CROSSING.PP SO I ARECIATE MY TEAM MORE THAN IES CAN EVER EXPRS BECAUSEE OF ITS FSH PERSPECTIVE I AND THISNVOCAT NOAKS.IO INNOVATN, THANK J YOU, I'MUSTOU VERY HAPPY ABT IT.E
>> MOTIONER BY COMMISSION BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONERL YAH. L IN FAVOR, OPPOSED.
USPASSES UNANIMO. NEXT ONE IS ALSO BRIONES.IONER BER āŖ BAYLAN PARK.
>> FIRST OF ALMAYOR TURNER HASAT BEEN A GRE PARTNER, BURNETT BAYLOR, TALKING WITH MAYOR ITURNER, THE COUNTYS TAKING BACK BURNETT BAYLOR, OUR M ELLIS ISLANDAYOR TURNER AND HIEE TEAM HAVE BN AMAZING TO WORK WITH AND MEANWHILE, INVESTING IN RECONDITIONING, DEEP ENGAGEMENTS MULTILING WAM,O ENERGIZED BYOI WHAT WE'RE GNG TO DO. AND SO I WANT TO THANK MY CHIEF COMPLIANCE MANAGER WHO HELPED, NEGOTIATE THISSO WITH THAT I LOOK TOWARD TO HAVEAT EVERYTHING TH IS TO COME IN 10 AND I MOVE
>> ERMOTION BY COMMISSIOND BRIONES, SECON BY COMMISSIONER I
THAT -- >> I FIGURE (INAUDIBLE)FULLYD I WISH WE COULDO THAT, YOU HAVECH NO IDEA HOW MU IDO WISH WE COULD
L THAT. >> I'LE COME BACK OR THE TH VOTE. 346.
THAT WAS AS A TRANSMITTAL FOR PROGRAMAT RESULTS.
WAS TH>> (INAUDIBLE). IT IS AND I'M GOING TO COME
[04:30:02]
BACK AND REFERENCE THATA BECAUSE THIS IS DREDGING CONTRACT, $30T MILLION. TH TIES DIRECTLY TO THE BRIDGE, I'LL REFERENCE THIS JUDGE.THERE'S NOT -- I MAKEAD A MOTION GO AHE AND MOVE IT.
BUT THIS IST' NOT -- >> THAS TRANSMITTAL.
OKAY. >> SO MOTIONBR BY COMMISSIONER IONES AND SECONDED BYA. COMMISSIONER GARCI AYE, AND ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUS.
385, LET'S TAKE 385 AND 401 TOGETHER.
DISWHRWANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS ARE ACCORDING EQUALLY, THEY WILL PROBABLY GIVE US BREAKDOWN ON HOW THIS READ OUT, I APPLAUD COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR S EFFORTS BUT I KNOW THAT PRECINCT 1 I HAVE NO DISPARITIES AS WELL, SO MY MOTION ISHE TO MOVE TO DIRECT T OFFICE OFET MANAGEMENT AND BUDG TO IDENTIFY $1.1 MILLION OF PRECINCTS 1, 3 AND 4 THAT TOTALS $3.3 MILLION TO BE TRANSFERRED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET, PRECINCT DRIVEN PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES OPERATED BY PUBLIC HEALTH AND FOR OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO RETURN TO THE COURT ON OCTOBER 31ST, 2023, HALLOWEEN WITH NO TRICKS. YOU DON'T PUT ALL THAT IN, WITH THE PROPOSED FUNDING STRATEGY INCLUDING FUNDING SOURCE.
OUR CENSUS IS NEW FUNDING, WHY NOT PRECINCT 2.,
>> WELL, IN THE BUDGETI PUT IN $2 MILLION COMMISSIONER, AND AS I HAVE BEEN TOLD, AND MR. RAMOS OR DIRECTOR ROBINSON CAN COMMENT ON IT THAT PRECINCT 2 GOT 1.1 OR $1.2 MILLION TO OPERATE THE PODS LAST FISCAL YEAR AND THE BUDGET ANOTHER $1.1 MILLION WAS ESSENTIALLY BAKED IN. IT'S ONGOING.
I DO KNOW THAT WHETHER THE ISSUE OF THE PODS CAME UP,ME I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO TOLD ABOUT IT BUT BAYLOR HAD TALKED TO ME AND I ASKED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AT THAT TIME WHETHER OR NOT I SHOULD DO IT. PRECINCT FUNDS AND OPERATE THEM.
AND THE HEALTHME DIRECTOR AT THE TIME TOLD THAT HE DID NOT THINK DR. THAT IT WAS THE PRUDENT USE FOR ME IN MY PRECINCT. SO I DIDN'T DO IT.
BUT IF I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT BY EYEING THE PODS THAT THE FOR ME I PROBABLY WOULD HAVEM BOUGHT THEM.
YOU KNOW, IT WAS HIS OCCASION THAT IT WASN'T THE BEST STRATEGY. THAT WAS NOT THE OPINION OF BAYLOR SINCE THEY WERE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAD A FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENT, WHEN THEY APPROACH ME, THEY SAID THIS IS SOMETHING Y'ALL THINK ABOUT SO I DIDN'T DO IT.
SO IN YOUR BUDGET YOUR PRECINCT GOT 1.1 OR 1.2 MILLION LAST YEAR AND WHEN THEY CAME TO MY ATTENTION I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE THE CASE THAT, YOU KNOW, WE OUGHT TO DO IT FOR ALL MEMBERS.
I WILL SAY ONGOING I WOULD EXPECT THE DEPARTMENT TO FIGURE OUT HOW EACH OF US IF THERE IS SOME DISPARITY IN OUR PRECINCTS, FIGURE HOW EACH ONE OF US WOULD GET A COMPARABLE BIT.
>> YES BUT I ONLY GOT IT (INAUDIBLE) TO THE BUDGET BUT I STILL HAVE AN INORDINANT NUMBER OF HEALTH CONCERNS THAT I'VE LAID OUT EARLIER. SO I FEEL, YOU KNOW, I DON'T THINK I GET THE FAIR SHARE FOR WHAT MY NEEDS ARE.
SO I COULD SUPPORT THIS IF WE'RE GOING TO DO THIS EQUALLY.
BUT OBVIOUSLY NOT EQUI EQUITABL. >> I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS OPERATING, IF I HAD KNOWN THIS I WOULD HAVE SAID
[04:35:02]
I'LL GO BUY THE POD -- >> THEY ARE ACTUALLY BEING
>> JUST TO CATCH UP HERE BECAUSE I'M KIND OF I'M NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO MAKE ANY SENSE OF IT. SO IF YOU WILL GIVE ME SOME GRACE COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, HOW WE ENDED UP HERE BECAUSE I WASN'T HERE. SO INITIALLY, WE ALL WERE REVIEWING THE BUDGET. AND THERE WAS A LINE ITEM ON THERE THAT HAD $2 MILLION FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH BUDGET FOR PRECINCT 2 PODS. COMMISSIONER SAID THAT OPERATING THE PODS SINCE 2020, INITIALLY YOU WERE OPERATING THEM FROM YOUR BUDGET BUT THEN STARTING IN 2023 --
>> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. >> THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS GOING TO MOVING FORWARD OR THEY HAVE BEEN OPERATING THEM?
>> THEY TOOK THEM OVER I THINK IT WAS THE FISCAL YEAR --
>> 2023 WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN WHEN?
>> THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN OCTOBER OF 22.
>> SINCE OCTOBER OF 22 -- >> ONE CORRECTION.
IT'S IN HERE WRONG. THE $2 BILLION YOU ARE REFERRING TO IS A NUMBER I PUT IN THE BUDGET.
AND FOR THE OTHER PRECINCTS. IT WAS NOT FOR PRECINCT 2.
>> OKAY SO HOW MUCH MONEY WAS PUBLIC HEALTH COVERING, HAS PUBLIC HEALTH BEEN COVERING SINCE OCTOBER 22 THROUGH OCTOBER
23? >> ABOUT ONE QUARTER MILLION ANNUALLY. JUST A DISTINCTION.
THEY HAVE BEEN PAYING OR THE IT OUT OF THEIR SURPLUS.
THERE WASN'T NECESSARILY -- THERE IS NOT A LINE ITEM IN THE BUDGET THAT SAYS HEALTH PODS ON IT.
THIS IS THE SURPLUS BECAUSE THEY HAVE VACANCIES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN PAYING OUT FOR IT. SO I THINK THE GOAL --
>> IS DIRECTOR ROBINSON ON? BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW MY POINT IS I DIDN'T KNOW THAT THAT 1.1 MILLION WAS THE PRECINCT, I'M THOUGHT SAYING IT'S DISPARITY, I JUST DIDN'T KNOW.
>> DIRECTOR ROBINSON SO I CAN CATCH UP AND I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS GIVING ME THIS TIME. IS THIS YEAR IN THE BUDGET THAT WAS APPROVED, WAS ANY FUNDING GIVEN FROM PUBLIC UTILITY TO CONTINUE WITH THE PRECINCT PROGRAM?
WAS THAT THE $2 MILLION? >> NO.
THE ONE THING THEY WERE DOING, I NOTICE THIS, IT'S BAKED INTO THE LENDING. IT'S BUDGETED.
>> IT'S BUDGETED FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR?
>> THEY NEVER GOT A SUPPLEMENTAL TO DO THIS PART SO THEY'RE PAYING FOR IT BUT THEY'RE PAYING FOR IT AT ESSENTIALLY IF THEY WERE TO FILL ALL THEIR VACANCIES AT THE EXPENSE OF SOMETHING ELS-
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT FOR FISCAL YEAR 23 WHICH ENDED ALREADY BUT FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 WHAT'S THE LINE ITEM?
>> MY RECOMMENDATION IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GOAL IS TO GET TO A $1.1 BILLION PROGRAM FOR EACH PRECINCT.
>> FOR EVERY PRECINCT YOU SAY? >> CORRECT THAT IS GOING TO REQUIRE 4.4 MILLION. THERE IS ALREADY 2 MILLION BAKED INTO THE BUDGET. I CAN COME BACK WITH A SUPPLEMENTAL THAT TRANSLATES THIS TO 2.4 BILLION.
>> IN THE FUTURE WE CAN BE MORE CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T END UP IN
THIS SITUATION. >> ALSO WANTED TO MAKE THE POINT THAT ALTHOUGH THIS IS -- THESE PODS ARE IN MY PRECINCT, WE MAKE SURE, I'VE MADE SURE TO MAKE SURE THAT THESE PODS WERE ALL HARRIS COUNTY ACTION PODS. FIRST END OF MY (INAUDIBLE) BOTH OF THEM OR THE PRECINCT, PRECINCT 3 AND 3 AND 4.
I JUST DON'T SEE WHY IF I'M STILL PROVIDING AN ALL COUNTY SERVICE HOW IT GETS CUT OUT OF THAT.
BECAUSE OTHER SIDE OF THIS, I BELIEVE YOU'RE SAYING THAT PRECINCT 2 CONSTITUENTS THEN I'LL PUD THAT ORDER OUT.
>> JUST TO MAKE SURE I'M CLEAR ALSO I APPRECIATE THE GRACE, I'VE ONLY BEEN HERE IN 2023. SO WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO ACHIEVE IS SO THAT EVERY PRECINCT GETS 1.1 MILLION, EACH PRECINCT, 1, 2, 3, 4. BUT 2 GOT IT AS PARTLY OF THE BUDGET FOR PUBLIC HEALTH ALREADY, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE
TRYING TO -- >> THAT IS PART OF WHAT I'M -- HERE IS THE BROAD ISSUE, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE A TRANSPARENT BUDGET ISSUE, I DON'T THINK IT'S APPROPRIATE LIKE ANY DEPARTMENT HEAD TO GO AND FUND A GREAT IDEA IN MY PRECINCT OR ANYBODY ELSE'S PRESIXTH, WITHOUT TRYING TO. IF THIS 1.1 IS BEGIN TO THE OTHER THREE PRECINCTS FAR BE IT FOR ANYBODY TO DENY FOR THAT
[04:40:05]
MERIT ANOTHER COUNTY WHO SHOWS UP WITH THEY'RE I SUPPLIED, WHETHER IT'S A COMMUNITY CENTER, WHETHER IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL OR WHATEVER IT IS, I WOULD ALWAYS DO THAT AND I THINK EVERY ONE OF US AT THIS TABLE WOULD. BUT THE WAY THIS CAME ABOUT WAS QUIETLY DISCRETELY AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ISN'T PITCHING IT TODAY. BUT IT GOES TO THE ISSUE OF ON A TRANSPARENT BUDGET PROCESS HOW IT'S A GREAT IDEA BUT HOWEVER IT CAME ABOUT IF I COULD GO AND COME UP WITH IDEA ON WHATEVER OBESITY PROGRAM AND LET EVERYBODY GO, AND THEN I CAN GO TO MR. ROMHOLTS MR. BERRY, DR. SHAW OR GO TO BOBBY ROBINSON OR THE PLOOUKS CONTROL DEPARTMENT AND SAY I WANT TO TAKE YOUR UNFUNDED POSITIONS AND I WANT -- I'D SAY PUT THAT ON THE TABLE. BECAUSE IF IT HAD I WOULD HAVE SAID YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S A GOOD IDEA I THINK I MIGHT BUY A FEW PARTS. I WANT TO SEND THAT MESSAGE OUT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY.IT'S JUST BY ACCIDENT TO BE HORHONEST WITH YOU.
IT'S A GREATLY PROGRAM. BUT I MIGHT HAVE TOLD ONE OF OUR CONGRESS PEOPLE THAT STOOD UP GIVEN WE TRY TO DO AN EARMARK FOR SOMETHING ELSE GO GET THE PODS.
BUT I WAS TOLD BY SHAW HE DIDN'T THINK THAT THAT WAS THE BEST
STRATEGY. >> WELL, CHARLES, IF I WASN'T, SO I THOUGHT -- I'M FIGURING EXCEPTION 3P, EITHER YOU'RE SAYING (INAUDIBLE) OR YOU ARE SAYING SOMEBODY ELSE THIS IS THE
PRIZE. >> HOW DOES THIS, DID THIS COUPLE VOTE ON THIS TABLE ON THAT?
>> I DON'T THINK SO. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON, YOU DIDN'T TELL ME ABOUT IT BUT WAS THAT VOTED IN YOUR MIND ON THIS ISSUE, TAKING 1 AND 2 OUT OF YOUR BUDGET TO GO TO THIS?
>> DIRECTOR, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR --
>> I GET IT AND I THINK BOTH THINGS CAN BE TRUE.
SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA DEVELOPED A PROGRAM THAT HE BELIEVES IS IMPORTANT FOR HIS PRECINCT. I THINK COMMISSIONER YOU RAISE THE ISSUE, MY PODS SERVE THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
HOWEVER, YOU KNOW, THAT PROGRAM AT ANY TIME IN THE BUDGET PROCESS, OR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROIS IT CAN BE PROPOSED AS A PROGRAM TO BE EXPANDED TO EVERY PRECINCT AND THE FIVE OF US CAN DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO PAY FOR IT.
THAT WAS A PROGRAM WHERE IN THE PAST WE VOTED TO APPROVE FOR YOU TO FUND IT OUT OF YOUR BUDGET DURING COVID.
AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS DECIDED TO USE HIS MONEY FOR SOMETHING ELSE. BUT LET ME JUST FINISH THIS.
WE HAVE A DIFFERENT E-DIFFERENCE, I'M THE ADMINISTRATOR OKAY, AND WAS AN INTERIM AND WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE A NEW ONE. SO I THINK GOING BACK AND LOOKING AT THE PAST IS THOUGHT NECESSARILY THE -- YOU KNOW, WHERE WE NEED TO GET TIED UP THERE HERE.
I THINK WHERE WE ARE IS AT A POINT YES, THIS 1.1 MILLION WAS APPROVED IN THE BUDGET HOWEVER THERE WAS NO LINE ITEM FOR THE 1.1 MILLION. FROM AT A I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN FEEL THAT IS NOT TRANSPARENT ENOUGH.
SO GOING FORWARD WHAT CAN WE DO? SO THAT IF A MEMBER COURT WOULD LIKE A PROGRAM JUST FOR THEIR PRECINCT, THEY ARE, THAT IS GOING TO TAKE FUNDING THAT BELONGS TO A DEPARTMENT THAT BELONGS TO THE GENERAL FUND THAT IS NOT ALREADY ALLOCATED TO THEM WE KNOW THAT THAT WILL COME TO COURT AND I WOULD EXPECT THAT DIRECTOR RAMOS AND ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ OR WHOEVER IS HANDLING THAT FOR TODAY WOULD ENFORCE THAT.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT DEPARTMENT HEADS TO FEEL THAT ANY ONE OF US CAN COME AND REQUEST THAT. FOR NOW THE SOLUTION IS EASY.
YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER WRIGHT BUT DON'T -- (INAUDIBLE) DIRECTOR RAMOS HAD THE SOLUTION SO I THINK IT'S TWO PART. LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW YOU CAN GET FOR IT TO BE TOTAL $4.4 MILLION TO EQUALIZE JUST SO IT'S A RACE
TO GET MONEY WE DON'T HAVE. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR. A COST OF $1.1 MILLION WAS TAKEN OUT OF DIRECTOR ROBINSON'S BUDGET, IT WAS TO FIELD POSITIONS I FELT. AND NOW THAT SHE HAS FILLED THOSE POSITIONS THAT 1.1 IS ONGOING.
THAT MEANS IT IS ALLOCATED IN THE BUDGET WHEREVER --
>> AND I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU PEOPLE.
[04:45:03]
I WOULD MAKE THE POINT, THE HATE DEPARTMENT IS STILL WORKING FOR HEALTH DISPARITY ISSUE IN THE PRECINCT.BUT IT'S NOT LIKE ABLE TO TAKE IT FROM HER GIVEN THE WHOLE RESPONSIBILITY SELF HELP ORGANIZATION.
>> YOU CAN'T COME THIS FAR TO HELP FUND HEALTH DISPARITIES AT OEM AND NOT PUT IT ON THE TABLE TO SAY GIVE ME DIRECTOR ROBINSON FROM YOUR UNFUNDED MONEY AND COME DO SOMETHING IN MY OFFICE, I CAN SEE THAT ISSUE. I JUST THINK WE'VE HAD SUCH A GREAT DAY. RAMOS TO YOUR CONCERN COMMISSIONER ROM OAS, WHAT HE IS PROPOSING IS THAT THIS GO ON FOREVER. IS THIS IDEAL, IT'S FINAL, WE ARE IN TIME TO HAVE YOU MAKE YOUR FLIGHT.
LET'S MAKE IT CLEAR THAT DEPARTMENT HEADS IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT IS UNIQUE TO A MEMBER PLEASE BRING IT TO THE COURT. BECAUSE OTHERWISE WE END UP HAVING TO FIND MONEY THAT WE REALLY DON'T HAVE.
BUT WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AND LET'S NOT WASTE THE MOTION.
>> EVEN THOUGH I MISSED THE LIGHT, THE REASON I PARKED IN ON THIS IS BECAUSE IT NEVER SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. EVEN THE I DID, IT WAS NOT RIGHT. AND IF THE WAY TO GET IT DONE WOULD BE FOR ME TO GO TO COUNTY MANAGER, GO TO THE BUDGET DIRECTOR, GO TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, I COULD DO THAT HE COULD MAKE FOR A FAIRLY HOSPITAL TIME WORK ENVIRONMENT.
LET ME TELL YOU, I GREW UP KNOWING HOW TO FEND FOR MYSELF, WHICH IS WHY FOLKS TRUST ME TO FEND FOR THEM.
BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR.
IF THE OTHER 1.1 MILLION IS ADDED DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND M MR. THAT IS WHY SHE WILL NOT HAVE TO REDUCE OTHER THINGS SHE DOES COUNTY WIDE, BECAUSE THE 1.1 FOR THE GREAT --
>> WILL YOU CONFIRM THIS IS ALL THE COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM AS WELL.
>> COMMISSIONER YOUR MIC. >> THE GREAT IDEA FOR HIS COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM THAT IS BEING FUNDED IS ALL -- THAT IS GOING TO BE IN PERPETUITY. SO WHEN YOU ASK FOR THIS OTHER 1.1 I WANTED TO MAKE DIRECTOR ROBINSON THAT THAT'S NOT HIS CASE. 1.1 IS THERE AND SO MY MOTION WAS TO COME ONE AN EXTRA 1.1 FOR EVERYONE ELSE FOR WHAT I HOPE WOULD BE COUNTY WIDE PROGRAMS. DATA DRIVEN BECAUSE IT SURE ALL WAS WRONG, FINE, I'M GOING TO GET DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND SHOW ME HOW BAD I WAS WRONG, IF HE WAS WRONG, WE'RE GOING TO HAVE EVERYBODY WHEREVER THEY'RE FROM IF THEY'RE FROM YOUR PRECINCT, WHERE THEY ARE FROM, GALVISTON COUNTY, I DON'T CARE WHERE THEY'RE FROM. I WANT THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO KNOW IF THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING TO OPERATE TRUST ME, KNOW HOW TO
PLAY THAT GAME. >> WE'LL VOTE FOR THE
DECLARATION. >> THE PURPOSE OF YOU ALL, IF YOU WANT DIRECTOR ROBINSON, THAT 1.1 MILLION IS NOT TO GO OPERATE COMMISSIONER YAH'S PODS, THAT'S IN THERE.
WHEREVER THAT MONEY WAS GOING TO COME FROM.
>> YES, I WANT TO MAKE FOR 4.4 MILLION WE COULD COVER AND ENSHRINE AWAY LEADS FROM THE BASIS, THE DICIALG ADDITIONAL 1, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, EVERYBODY WOULD BE WHOLE THERE WHAT --
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A COMMENT.
>> I WAS -- I GOT (INAUDIBLE) I'M NOT SURE WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT 1.1 A YEAR AGO, 1.1 THOUSAND.
I OBVIOUSLY HAD THIS FAIRNESS CONVERSATION IN TERMS OF WHAT HAPPENS TO PRECINCT 3. AND I WANT TO BE SURE IT'S FAIR TO ALL FOUR PRECINCTS. AND WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, IT'S KIND OF INTERESTING. IF THERE IS MONEY, SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS, IF IT LOOKS LIKE THAT THE 4, WHAT, 4?
>> 4.1. >> THERE'S 2 MILLION BUDGETED ALREADY, SO EACH 4 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL.
>> THAT'S IT. >> JUST SO EVERYONE, IT WILL COME OUT OF THE UNBUDGETED RESERVE.
>> WHICH WE DO NEED, BUT SOMETHING HAPPENED THAT WASN'T
IDEAL -- >> AND WE CAN PREVENT THIS THERE
MOVING FORWARD. >> THAT'S THE POINT, AND AT LEAST THE COMMISSION IS CLEAR AND I DO DWREA, THEN WE NEED TO
[04:50:01]
TAKE IT AWAY FROM THE UNBUDGETED RESERVES?>> FOR ALLOWANCE THERE. THESE WILL BE FOR PODS AT ALL PRECINCTS. SO IT WOULD BE -- IT MAY NOT BE PODS FOR PRECINCT 1, DISPARITY AROUND MATERNAL HEALTH, FOR PRECINCT 3, THE NEED MIGHT BE OVER OLDER ADULTS OR ELDERLY.
DIRECTOR ROBINSON IS DOING WORK IN REGARD TO WHAT'S THE
APPROPRIATE PROGRAM. >> SOME PROGRAM DRIVEN BY THE
HEALTH DEPARTMENT. >> DATA DRIVEN PROGRAMS THAT TO MY POINT WOULD BE AVAILABLE TO ANYONE IN THE COUNTY BUT THEY WOULD EACH BE DIRECTED IN THE POSITION IN THE DISTRICT.
YAH ALREADY GOT A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN PERPETUITY AND HE DID THAT FOR PODS.
THE REST OF Y'ALL DON'T HAVE A $1 MILLION PROGRAM THAT NEEDS DESIGN WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
SO NOW EVERYBODY ELSE GETS TO DO IT AND WE'RE GOING TO TAKE IT OUT OF OUR RESERVES. ONE OF OUR OPTIONS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PROGRAM OR THE THREE OF YOU GUYS.
I'M OKAY WITH LIFTING UP THE THREE OF Y'ALL FOR PEACE AND I UNDERSTAND HE'S FINE WITH THIS BUT MY CAVEAT BEING THIS CAN'T BE A RACE TO THE BOTTOM, WE CAN'T KEEP DOING THIS.
IF EACH OF US GOES BEHIND THE OTHERS TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD --
>> THIS WHAT WE COMPENSATE YOU FOR, THIS IS WHAT THIS PAID OR THE. THERE IS A VOTE ON THE BUDGET, THAT'S VERY VOCAL ABOUT HOW (INAUDIBLE) SMART PODS BEEN VERY VOCAL THAT I SPENT MONEY OUT OF MY BUDGET FOR THE SMART PODS AND YES, EVERY ONE OF US GO OVER AROUND TALK WITH DIRECTION AND (INAUDIBLE) IN OUR PRECINCT. ALL THAT IS FORMALIZED IN THE BUDGET. AND SO THERE IS NO, ALL THE NARROW, IT WAS HOW DO WE KEEP SERVICES FROM BEING DELIVERED THAT HAS THE DATA TO IF THINK ARE HAVING HEALTH CONCERNS.
HOW DO WE ADDRESS THAT GIVEN THE RESOURCES THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE. THE BUDGET SURPLUS THAT WAS THERE WE WERE ABLE TO GET LOCATION ON JOBS.
>> BUT COMMISSIONER WHAT IF IT WAS -- I MEAN THIS PRESUMABLY WAS IN THE LAST BUDGET RIGHT, 2023 BUDGET?
>> YES. >> SO IT WAS IN 2023 BUDGET WHAT
LINED ITEM WOULD YOU BE DIRECT? >> UNDER THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY ARE PAYING NOR IT OUT OF THEIR --
>> RIGHT BUT IT WAS LISTED UNDER THEIR SURPLUS.
I GUESS LIKE DID WE KNOW THAT -- WHERE --
>> THERE WAS NOT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WAS SPENDING MONEY.
SO I THINK EVERYONE IS CORRECTLY STATED.
THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WHICH IS SPENDING IT, THEY ARE SPENDING IT ON THEIR OKAY GOING BASIS. YOU WOULD ASSUME IT IS IN THE BUDGET. BUT JUST WHERE WE ARE COLLECTIVELY, INTERPRET OUR ABILITY TO MANAGE DATA AND THE BUDGETS PROCESS, THERE WAS NOT A SUPPLEMENTAL LIKE THE WAY WE DID FOR A HEART EXPANSION. WE CAN'T GET THERE, WE SAID PUBLIC HEALTH IS GOING TO EAT THE STARTUP COSTS IN THE CURRENT YEAR AND WE'RE GOING TO DO A BUDGET SUPPLEMENTAL TO INCREASE YTHEIR FUNDS BEING ABLE TO SUSTAIN THE PROGRAM.
>> WHEN DIRECTOR ROBINSON PRESENTED TO ME HER BUDGET PROPOSAL LAST YEAR, DID IT HAVE A LINE THERE FOR PODS?
>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO. >> EITHER WAY IT HAPPENED RIGHT?
SO WHY DON'T WE -- >> I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING.
>> I SHARE YOUR DESIRE TO LIKE WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO THERE HERE? AND I BELIEVE WE CAN ALL COMMIT TO BEING AS OPEN, FAIR AND TENSE PARENTS WITH THE DEPARTMENT REDS I TOO ARE HOPE YOU ARE ALL I LISTENING, BRING IT TO THE TABLE, WE HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION.
I WASN'T HERE SO I HAVE NO COMMENT ON THE PAST BUT ON A GO FORWARD AND ANYTHING WE DO IS A DATA DRIVEN, B IN PARTNERSHIP AND C I LOVE IT'S OPEN TO THE ENTIRE COUNTY.
AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE ALL HERE TO SERVE.
THERE IS SO MUCH NEED IT IS AN ALL HANDS ON DECK PROPOSITION, SO I THINK THE FAIRNESS AND EQUALNESS IS SOMETHING WE ALL NEED, AND ALL OF US IT'S NOT JUST THE PRY SINGT BUT FOR THE
[04:55:03]
BIG BELL, GOING FORWARD, WE CAN'T REWRITE THE FAST.>> JUST ONE REQUEST MR. RAMOS OR BY COUNTY MANAGER OUGHT TO CONTACT SOME PROCEDURE SO IT KEEPS IT FROM HAPPENING.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT, 2.2 MILLION THAT WE WILL BE TAKING
OUT OF THE RAINY DAY FUND. >> THAT'S -- IT'S JUST WE BUDGET
FOR UNEXPECTED -- >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR TO THAT SAVES DIFFERENT THINGS.
THE 1.1 MILLION OR PROBATIONARY, PODS IS ALREADY IN THE BUDGET BUT A DEEPER EXTRA 1 MUCH 1, IS NOT THE -- I DON'T WANT ANOTHER 1 MILLION, CAN HELP WITH PODS, THE PROPERTY CAN DO THE THINGS THEY CAN'T DO BECAUSE THEY LOST THE 1.1 MILLION RATED IN THE
BUDGET IS THAT CORRECT? >> AS THE CORRECT.
>> I KNOW MY DADDY HAD ALZHEIMER'S BUT I DON'T YET.
>> THE 1.1 MILLION WE'LL SET IT UP, IF THERE ARE VARIOUS PRECINCT 2 PODS, PRECINCT 1, WHATEVER THE PROGRAM IS 3, 4, IT WILL BE IN THE BUDGET IT WILL BE 4.4 MILLION MOVING SLOWLY.
>> IT'S AN ONGOING EENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF MY IMPLEMENTATION IS CORRECT, I THINK PART 2, BUT IT HAS SO I KNOW EVERYBODY BECAUSE LOOK AT FIVE OF US THEY ALL WANT TO BE REAM FOOT LIGHT BUT I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ALL IN A POSITION BY ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS WHO ARE LOOKING, WILL YOU DO SOMETHING FOR ONE, COULD IT HERE SHON THE TABLE, LOOK ANOTHER WITH FER AT WHERE ME IF I DIDN'T HAVE MY VOTES? I PUT MY BIG SHOE, NOT BECAUSE THEY HAVE BIG FEET BUT BECAUSE I HAVE TO ADAPT TO THEM. THAT'S WHAT I WAS TOLD.
IF THEY GAVE YOU THE WRONG INFORMATION THEN I WOULD APOLOGIZE. I WOULD SAY TO YOU ALL I DON'T THINK I OWE YOU A APOLOGY BECAUSE YOU CAN'T GO WITH CONSENSUS ON EVERYTHING. AT THAT THE END OF THE DAY, IT'T FACTS. SO I WOULD MOVE THAT ITEM FOR THE 2.4. INSTEAD OF THE TWO PAYMENTS
ALREADY IN THE BUDGET. >> IS THAT CLEAR?
>> SO DIRECTOR TO IDENTIFY, IS IT 2.4?
>> WHAT WOULD I SAY IS IT'S 4.4 MILLION, AND I'LL DEFER TO PART OF YOU ON PUBLIC HEALTH AHS PROGRAMMING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRECINCTS, IS IT CLEAR ON THOSE LINES? I WILL STILL COME BACK WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL WHICH WILL HAVE A
BUDGET NOTE FOR DHS. >> O ANDB THAT IDENTIFIED?
>> I GOT IT. MOVE TO DIRECT O AND B TO IDENTIFY $4.4 MILLION TO DO PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT VOTING
AND OPEN SUPPLY PRECINCTS. >> 4.4 --
>> IT WILL END UP IN HERE AS 2 MILLION.
>> THE 1.1 MILLION AND THEN PUBLIC HEALTH WILL BE MADE WHOLE WITH WHATEVER YOFER SET THEY HAD ALREADY ALLOCATED.
>> THERE'S TWO IN THE BUDGET SO WEAVER ADDING TWROP 4 TO THE BUDGET. I THINK IF YOU JUST SAY 4.4 MILLION I'LL IDENTIFY TWO ALREADY EXISTS IN THE BUDGET.
I'M GOING TO HAVE TO COME FORWARD --
>> STILL GOING BACK TO ONE THING I COULD DO.
OTHERWISE, I CAN'T. YOU CAN SAY 1.1 MILLION FOR EACH PRECINCT. LESS THE COMMISSIONER GARCIA 1.4 MILLION FOR HIS POD IS IN THE BUDGET.
WE VOTED ON IT. >> WE'RE ALL THE SAME.
>> AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IT'S UNDERSTOOD, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS GOOD HEALTH SERVICES, THEY'RE NOT GOOD POD SERVING, GOOD HEALTH SERVICES. THEY'RE JUST IN THE COMMUNITY AS AN UNDERSERVED AREA. IT'S BASED BY DATA, WHERE THEY'RE AT, HEALTH CARE DESERT, IT'S HEALTH SERVICES.
SO IF WE'RE GOING TO BASE THIS ON THE WORK THAT'S BEING DONE OUT OF THE PODS, WHETHER THESE PODS OR ANYTHING SPECIAL, THEN
IT OUGHT TO BE HEALTH SERVICES. >> RIGHT, OKAY.
SO DHS, HOW ABOUT THIS. MOVE TO DIRECT THE OFFICE --
[05:00:04]
>> NOT SOME UNIQUE THING, IT'S JUST ALL HEALTH SERVICES.
NOTHING SPECIAL ABOUT THIS. THIS IS GOING TO LOOK DIFFERENT
FROM PRECINCT 3. >> WE HAVE THE WORD HEALTH.
SO TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO IDENTIFY 4.4 MILLION DOLLARS TO DO HEALTH PROGRAMMING IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PRECINCTS INCLUDING THE ONGOING HEALTH
PODS PROGRAM. >> I MAKE THAT MOTION.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> JUST FOR CONFIRMATION THIS WILL BE FOR 385 AND 401.
>> UNIN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES.
SO THE NEXT ONE IS -- >> HAVE YOUR MONEY.
>> I'LL TAKE YOUR MONEY. >> IT'S TIME TO GET OUT OF HERE
JUDGE. >> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION IT WAS COMMISSIONER YAH AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTED NO.
>> LET'S GO TO 399. DID WE ALREADY DO THAT?
>> JUDGE GET SOME CONTEXT TO THE ITEM.
AND I APOLOGIZE, I ASKED COMMISSIONER TO COME BACK WITH THE POLICY, I DID NOT REALIZE THERE WAS ALREADY PRECINCT POLICY, PRECINCT POLICY TO USE COMMERCIAL PAPER IN FUEL READY, COMMERCE GARCIA YOU ACHIEVED THE WORK TO MOVE THE BALM FORWARD TO MAKE THE POLICY EASY TO WRITE. SO IN ORDER TO SHOEHORN THE EXISTING PROJECTS PLUS OUR COMMITMENT TO NEW PROJECTS WE'RE RECOMMENDING AND I SENT THE MOTION AROUND TO MOVE FOR $5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO 15 MILLION BIANNUALLY, MANAGING OF A TWO YEAR BASIS MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR ME TO ADD THE PRECINCTS AND THE JUDGE TO MANAGE. WE'RE ALSO YOU BE THE JUDGE CJO THERE 1 MILLION ANNUALLY TO 3 MILLION AND WE'RE ASKING TO STRIKE THE WORD OEM TO GIVE THE JUDGES FLEXIBILITY TO GO ALL
ACROSS HER STAFFING. >> WITH THE CHANGE AND?
>> YES, AROUND. >> CLEARLY, SOME BY BIFURCATION.
>> THERE BE 15 MILLION FOR FACILITIES AND 2 AND A HALF AND ONE MILLION PER FLEET. WE'RE RECOMMENDING SHE BE THE FLEET AT THE ANNUAL BECAUSE, JUST SO EVERYBODY KNOWS, THE
>> AND THE REASON WE ASK FOR A TIME LIMIT, WE JUST WHAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST AND IF WE DON'T MANAGE TIMELY, DEPARTMENTS, PRECINCTS COME, THEY ISSUE PURCHASE ORDERS, ON COMMERCIAL PAPER, THE PROJECT KIND OF SITS AND THEN THAT TIES UP OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER WHICH MEANS WE HAVE TO GO BACK AND GET MORE COMMERCIAL PAPER, PROJECTS THAT ARE MOVING.
WE'RE TRYING TO AVOID AN INSTANCE WHERE A DEPARTMENT OR PRECINCT STARTS HOARDING THE COMMERCIAL PAPER AND SHOW UP SOME DAY SAYING I HAVE COMMERCIAL PAPER PROJECT, THAT WOULD CAUSE A LOT OF ADMINISTRATIVE ISSUE TO SCRAMBLE FOR A BANK THAT WOULD GIVE US THAT KIND OF MONEY.
WE ARE TRYING TO MANAGE, AND WE WANT TO BRING THE SAME WAY WE TRY THE OPERATING SIDE, I'M GOING TO BE COMING HERE FOR RECOMMENDATIONS ON THE CAPITAL SIDE, ESPECIALLY ON UNVOTED PROJECTS TO BRING THAT SORT OF TRANSPARENCY.
YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE BUYING WHAT YOU'RE SUBMITTING TO.
>> THIS IS REALLY EXCITING, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IS THERE A SECOND?
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THIS IS WHAT YOU SENT ME THIS
MORNING RIGHT THE MOTION? >> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
402 WE ALREADY DID. 406, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> IF WE COULD LOAD THE SLIDES, STARTING WITH A POWERPOINT.
BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS QUICK.
THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION ABOUT COLONY RIDGE DEVELOPMENT, OF HARRIS COUNTY IS DIRECTLY NORTH OF PRECINCT 3.
THE SLIDE, THE FIRST SLIDES YOU SEE THERE WAS AT A RECENT
[05:05:04]
RAINSTORM AND WE HADN'T HAD MUCH RAINSTORM.BUT WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS DITCHES THAT WERE SUPPOSED TO BE DESIGNED TO CARRY A FIVE YEAR STORM.
WERE OVERFLOWED AND THAT IS IN COLONY RIDGE WITH A ONE-YEAR STORM. SO THAT'S OF CONCERN.
BECAUSE EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE NORTH OF HARRIS COUNTY NORTH OF PRECINCT 3, AND I'LL SHOW YOU ON THE MAP WHEN WE GET TO THE, FLOWS INTO, FLOWS INTO PRECINCT 3 AND ULTIMATELY FLOWS INTO PRECINCT 2 AND SIGNIFICANT PARTS OF PRECINCT 1.
NEXT SLIDE THESE DITCHES THAT YOU CAN SEE THERE, THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY LOOK LIKE WHAT YOU WOULD NORMALLY SEE THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DRAINAGE, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT EROSION AND IN 45 YEARS OF DOING PROJECTS, IN FACT ONE OF THE FIRST PROJECTS I EVER DID WAS IN THE CANYON AREA WHERE WE HAD TO BUILD WITH WATER WASTE WATER DRAINAGE AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT WHAT WAS DONE BACK IN 1978 IT LOOKED ANYTHING LIKE THIS.
NEXT SLIDE. SO IN AUGUST OF 2017, THIS IS A COLONY RIDGE THREE MILE LONG DRAINAGE DITCH.
THIS DITCH WAS 120 FEET WIDE. TODAY WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT IS A 200 FOOT WIDE DITCH. THE EROSION THAT'S TAKEN PLACE ON THE SIDE SLOPES, ALL OF THAT'S ENDED UP IN LOOSE BAYOU, EAST FORK OF THE SAN JACINTO RIVER.
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT SOURCE OF DRINKING WATER IN HARRIS COUNTY IS LAKE HOUSTON, THERE WAS A $2 BILLION PROJECT TO BRING WATER INTO THE CITY OF HEURCHT, THE CITY BUILT A $2 BILLION SURFACE WATER PLANT. ALL THE SIDE SLOPES ARE IN THE EAST FORK OF THE SANDY RIVER AND IN LAKE HOUSTON, REMEMBER THE ITEM I REFERENCED EARLIER TODAY, THAT WAS A $30 BILLION DESITTING. WHY DO WE HAVE TO DESILT? YOU'RE LOOKING AT IT. IT'S ALL ENDING UP DOWN IN OUR PART OF THE WORLD. I THINK WE SENT OVER $1 -- SPENT OVER $100 MILLION USE DESITTING THE DRAINAGE FACILITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS THIS IS OF SIGNIFICANT -- NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.
THERE IS A -- THAT IS JUST UNHEARD OF.
IF YOU LOOK AT MOAT OF THE DRAINAGE DITCHES, MOST OF THE BAYOUS AND SWELLS IN HARRIS COUNTY THEY HAVE GOT A NIGHT EVENTUAL TAKINGS ON THEM, THEY ARE PROPERLY MAINTAINED AND TAKEN CARE OF. THIS IS A DISASTER IN TERMS OF WHAT'S COMING INTO HARRIS COUNTY.
COUNTY HAS NOT ADOPTED THIS TEAM.
I DID TALK TO MR. W WITMEYER, HE DID SAY THERE WERE PLANS SUBMITTED ON EVERYTHING THAT WAS BUILT IN COLONY RIDGE.
WOULD I QUESTION THE ENFORCEMENT OF THAT.
I WOULD QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT EVERYTHING GOT BUILT AS WAS INTENDED ON THE PLAINS. NEXT SLIDE, IF YOU LOOK AT THE -- THAT'S WATER COMING FROM IN SENSE OF THE COLONY RIDGE AREA INTO THE EAST FORK OF THE RIVER, SEE THE DIFFERENCE IN THE COLOR OF THE WATER? THAT FOLKS IS SILT AND EROSION COMING INTO OUR COUNTY. AND NOTHING IMPACTS OUR DRAINAGE MORE AND IN TERMS OF US TRYING TO MAINTAIN WHAT LITTLE FLOW WE HAVE. IF YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT KINGWOOD AND HUFFMAN AND CRAWL STREET AND THAT WHOLE AREA THIS IS HAVING A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. NEXT SLIDE, AND THAT'S A SAND BAR CREATED BY SILT. THAT WAS ROUGHLY IN THE SAN
[05:10:02]
JACINTO RIVER JUT NORTH OF LAKE HOUSTON.YOU CAN SEE AWAY WHAT'S COMING INTO HOUSTON, THAT DRAINAGE THAT WE HAVE TO KEEP OPEN. BECAUSE WHEN YOU PUT THAT MUCH SAND AND THAT MUCH EROSION AND THAT MUCH RUNOFF INTO OUR DRAINAGE SYSTEM YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE OTHER THING THAT I WILL TELL YOU THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT, IS TCEQ HAS DOCUMENTATION OF SEWAGE DISCHARGE INTO UNTREATED SEWAGE DISCHARGE INTO OUR WATER. REMIND YOU THAT GOES INTO LAKE HOUSTON, WHERE WE PULL WATER OUT OF LAKE HOUSTON, PUT IT IN THE SURFACE WATER TREATMENT PLAN AND SEND IT TO 2.2 BILLION RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT WHAT WE SHOULD BE DOING, I'M SITTING HERE, OBVIOUSLY IT'S BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR A LOT OF OTHER REASONS. THAT'S NOT WHY I'M HERE TODAY.
I'VE OBSERVED THIS SINCE I BECAME COMMISSIONER.
OBVIOUSLY THE GOVERNOR JUST PUT THIS ISSUE ON THE CALL FOR THE NEXT LEGISLATIVE SESSION. WOULD YOU KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT, IS THAT RIGHT, I MEAN COMMISSIONER THAN I WOULD.
BUT IT'S ON THE CALL. AND WE'VE BEEN IMPACTED AND WE KNOW WE'VE BEEN IMPACTED AND JUST LIKE HARRIS COUNTY GETS IMPACTED EVERY DAY BY WATERS COMING IN FROM OUR THAIBING COUNTIES, I KNOW THERE'S NOT -- NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, I KNOW THERE ARE NOT CITIES OR COUNTIES SAYING WE'LL SEND WATER DOWN TO HARRIS COUNTY. BUT IF WE ARE TO GET SOME HELP AND I'M ADVOCATING WE DO FROM THE STATE, TO HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THESE ISSUES. NEXT SLIDE, WE'RE ALMOST DONE.
THIS IS A BRIDGE ON FM 1010. THAT WAS BLOWN OUT PARTLILY.
WE HAD PRETTY SIGNIFICANT RAINS. THAT IS A FARM TO MARK FLOW.
THAT WAS REPAIRED, IT WAS BLOWN OUT DURING MARKET.
I'M ABOUT TO SPEND ROUGHLY $1.5 BILLION ON ASPHALT AND ROADWAY IMPROVEMENTS LEADING INTO THE LIBERTY COUNTY AREA.
THAT'S CALLED THE PLUM GROVE AREA.
BUT WE'RE ABOUT TO LET THAT CONTRACT IN PRECINCT 3 JUST TO TAKE CARE OF OUR ROADS. IF YOU LOOK ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTY LINE, AND IT'S IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE.
HERE IS MY ASK, HERE IS MY MOTION.
NEXT SLIDE. YOU CAN SEE THAT'S CONANY RIDGE.
THAT IS A MAP OF HARRIS COUNTY. YOU CAN SEE IT'S EVERYTHING THAT COMES OUT OF COLONY RIDGE ENDS UP IN PRECINCT 3.
BUT IT MAKES ITS WAY TO PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 2 PRETTY EASILY.
AND MY ASK IS, I NEED TO GET A HANDLE ON THE IMPACTS.
AND SO I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO FIND THE FLOOD IMPACTS GOOD TO UNMITIGATED FLOWS COMING INTO HARRIS COUNTY FROM COLONY RIDGE DEVELOPMENT WITH THE COST AND DETAILS AT THE NEXT MAINTENANCE BOARD.
NOT ASKING TO SPEND MONEY TODAY. WHAT I'M ASKING IS A DEFINITION OF WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO EVALUATE THAT.
AND THEN COME BACK TO -- COME BACK TO THE COURT WITH A DEFINED SCOPE OF SERVICES WITH AN ANTICIPATED FEE BEFORE WE WENT OUT FOR PROAMS. BUT I THINK -- PROPOSALS.
I THINK WE NEED TO GET A TIMING ON IT, THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION AND IF WE NEED TO GO BACK AND MAKE A CASE FOR THE SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS THAT I SEE HAPPENING OR HAVE ALREADY HAPPENED IN HARRIS COUNTY, NOW WOULD BE THE TIME.
>> WOULDN'T NO WAY TO CROSS WHEN YOU COME BACK.
>> THIS WOULD BE TO DETERMINE WHAT THAT WOULD BE.
>> DR. PETERSON, DR. GLISAN. DR. GLISAN WOULD YOU APPLIES SHARE YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS -- PLEASE SHARE YOUR INITIAL THOUGHTS TO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST STATED?
>> YES, SO THE COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY LAID OUT PRETTY CLEARLY A LOT OF COMPELLING PHOTOS, A LOT OF INFORMATION THAT SHOWS THAT THERE ARE DEFINITELY EROSION HAPPENING IN THIS AREA. YOU KNOW, WE HAVEN'T STUDIED IT.
WE CAN'T SPEAK TO THE SPECIFICS OF THE IMPACT RIGHT THOUSAND ON HARRIS COUNTY BUT I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SHOWED IS THERE'S A DEFINITE EROSION ISSUE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA JUST BASED ON THE TRAVIS. CERTAINLY I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT
[05:15:03]
THE PLANS. I HAVEN'T LOOKED AT ANYTHING BUT JUST BASED ON THE PHOTOGRAPHS IT DOES LOOK DIFFERENT THAN FLOOD CONTROL CHANNELS AND DITCHES. SO, YOU KNOW, IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO TURN THIS AROUND AND COME BACK WITH A COMPREHENSIVE SCOPE WE WILL WORK HARD TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE. WE UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU KNOW, OPPORTUNITIES RELATED TO FUNDING OFTEN REQUIRE US TO MOVE QUICKLY AND, YOU KNOW, WE'RE WELL SUITED TO DO THAT.WE TRY TO DO THE BEST WE COULD ON THAT.
>> WE'LL PROVIDE EVERYTHING YOU GOT FROM OUR OFFICE.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> THANK YOU. DOCTOR YOU DON'T SEE ANYTHING
STRANGE ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM? >> I MEAN I THINK WE NEED TO GET INTO THE DETAILS OF IT TO REALLY UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, THE SPECIFICS OF THIS PROJECT AND WHAT WE WOULD HAVE TO DO TO MEET THE CHARGE THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS GIVEN US.
>> I APPRECIATE THE ITEM BECAUSE SILT IS SOMETHING THAT IT'S KIND OF OUR MIDDLE NAME AROUND HERE. WITH ALL OUR REFLECTIVE CHANNELS. BUT WE ARE IN THE DOWNSTREAM SIDE OF FIVE COUNTIES INCLUDING HARRIS.
AND HOW MUCH WORK WOULD IT BE IF WE WERE TO, YOU KNOW, ASK YOU TO LOOK AT THE OTHER THREE COUNTIES, IN ADDITION TO.
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. I DON'T THINK WE COULD COME BACK NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THAT BECAUSE THE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT IS A FAIRLY COMPLEX SITUATION, IT TAKES OVENSING OF THE FLOW AS WELL AS THE SEDIMENT, WE HAVE TO LOOK AT WHAT INFORMATION WE HAVE, WHAT KIND OF MODELS WE HAVE TO DO
THIS COST EFFECTIVELY. >> I THINK THE OTHER ELEMENT IS ALSO I'M CONCERNED THEY HAVEN'T PUT IN A DETECTION.
SO I WOULD PUT THESE IN UNMITIGATED FLOW THAT COULD
EXIST AND THE OTHER COUNTIES. >> I WOULD -- WE COULD HAVE THE OTHER THREE COUNTIES INCLUDED, I WOULD SUPPORT THAT EFFECT.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WAS THINKING ALONG THE SAME LINES ABOUT WHAT OTHER AREAS WOULD HAVE A SIMILAR PROBLEM.
I WOULD SAY THIS TO YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE. IF IT'S A REGIONAL APPROACH, IF THAT WAS AN ASK, THERE IS A SPECIAL SESSION EVEN WHEN IT'S IN THE CALL AND SOMEBODY ELSE HAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM THEY'D KIND OF SAY, ME TOO. THEY RUN INTO THE SAME DISCUSSION WE JUST HAD EARLIER. IT WOULD JUST BE ON A BIGGER LEVEL. EVEN IF YOU CAN'T ANALYZE IT ALL YOU COULD COME UP WITH SOME FROM QUESTIONS THAT COME UP WITH, SOME LANGUAGE THAT WOULD BE NO SPECIFICS ON WHATEVER YOU CAN LOOK AT AND OBVIOUSLY YOU'RE NOT GOING TO SPEND A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT. IT'S JUST GOING TO BE BIG PICTURE BUT MAKE SOME REFERENCE TO IT BEING A REGIONAL PROBLEM UP DOWN, AND I THINK YOU'D BE ABLE TO MAKE SOME HEADWAY ON FINDING IT IN THE STATE. THE DEVELOPMENT BOARD BY THE WAY
HAVE A BIGGER ISSUE. >> I WAS GOING TO ADDRESS THAT POINT, DO WE KNOW WHAT SAN JACINTO PLANNING GROUP OF HAS
DONE THUS FAR? >> THEY HAVE TOUCHED ON (INAUDIBLE) IT WOULD BE GOOD TO I THINK ENGAGE THEM SEE WHAT THEY HAVE. BUT THAT'S THE ONLY FORMALIZED ONE I KNOW OF. SAN JACINTO.
>> INSTEAD OF SAYING WHAT YOU, DR. PETERSON, WHY DON'T WE ASK THE HEAD OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, SEE IF A REGIONAL
APPROACH COULD BE DEVELOPED. >> THAT IS A GOOD IDEA.
>> I MEAN, I THINK I CAN SEE HOW YOU WOULD SAY THERE HAVE BEEN OPPORTUNITY FOR FUNDING. I'VE HAD CONVERSATION WITH -- HEARING ABOUT WHAT THEIR DEVELOPMENT ULTIMATELY AFFECTS US. YOU'RE SAYING, (INAUDIBLE)
FUNDING FOR SOME -- >> IT'S TO COME.
>> MY CONCERN IS THAT, YOU KNOW, YES, SINGLING IT OUT, FROM ALL I READ ABOUT IS THE POLITICAL SIDE OF IT, SEEMS VERY CONSPIRACY THEORY. BUT I WOULD LEAVE FOR SINGLING
THIS OUT. >> WHAT DO YOU GUYS MEAN LIKE
NEIGHBORING COUNTIES? >> WHAT I'M THINKING IS IF SHE
[05:20:02]
CAN COME BACK WITH SOMETHING AT THE NEXT COURT, SPECIAL SESSION,HOPEFULLY MORE THAN 30 DAYS. >> I JUST I DON'T -- I MEAN WE HAVE PROBLEMS OF THE DEVELOPMENT IN COUNTIES BETWEEN AUTHORITY AND NORTHWEST, JUST BROADLY SPEAKING.
SO I COULD SUPPORT SOMETHING LIKE I TOLD DISTRICT TO FIND THE FLOODED PATHS DUE TO DEVELOPMENT, I WORK SOURCE COUNTIES, I DON'T KNOW AWAY THE RECOMMENDATION IS WITH COST AND DETAILS AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING.
I FEEL REALLY NERVOUS FANNING THE FLAMES OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I ALSO UNDERSTAND, YOU KNOW, WHAT YOU'RE SAYING IF THERE REALLY IS A, YOU KNOW, EROSION ISSUE THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET MONEY FOR IT.
BUT -- >> HERE'S WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST.
MAYBE SOME CROMS, MAYBE IF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULD WORK, I DON'T THINK SHE NEEDS AUTHORIZATION FROM US TO GO, SEE WHAT Y'ALL COME UP WITH THE NEXT BOARD MEETING.
I WOULD THINK YOU ALL SHOULD THINK ABOUT A LETTER BEFORE A RESOLUTION, I DON'T THINK THIS IS BROAD ENOUGH TO DO IT NOW ASKING THE STATE, MAYBE THERE IS BECAUSE WE SKIPPED OVER
GOVERNMENTALLAL AFFAIRS ITEM. >> AND I THINK MR. WALKER OF GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS, THAT IS THE IMMEDIATE OPPORTUNITY, I'M
NOT ASKING A TEN YEAR STUDY. >> SO WHAT I'M SAYING IS I THINK IT WOULD WORK THAT OUT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S BEFORE WE GET OUT OF HERE TONIGHT BUT JUST A BROAD LANGUAGE IN A RESOLUTION --
>> WE'LL BRING IT BACK NEXT TIME.
>> OKAY SO NO ACTION FOR NOW ON 406.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 407, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> I SECOND THE MOTION. WANT TO RECONSIDER HOLD UP EVER
>> I'LL SECOND HIS MOTION TO BRINGS IT BACK UP.
>> OKAY SO WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO PUT THE MOTION UP AGAIN IS
THAT WHAT WE'RE DOING? >> YES.
>> ALL RIGHT SO -- >> TECHNOLOGICALLY SO THIS IS AT A SEPARATE MEETING IT IS TECHNICALLY ON A MOTION TO RECONSIDER. EFFECTIVELY WHAT WE'RE DOING IS TAKING A VOTE TO ESSENTIALLY ALLOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO AS I UNDERSTAND IT TO VOTE NO, TO CHANGE HIS VOTE, SO THAT'S
REALLY ALL WE'RE DOING. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, MOTION FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY
TO CHANGE HIS VOTE ON RESOLUTIO- >> WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TWO VOTES, MOTION TO CHANGE THE VOTE AND MOTION TO VOTE?
>> JUST A MOTION TO RECONSIDER YOUR VOTE.
IT'S REALLY JUST A MOTION. IT'S ALREADY BEEN PASSED.
>> MOTION AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED?
>> NO NO NO, YOU -- YES, EVERYBODY YES.
>> THESE ARE TWO VOTES? >> NO NO NO, ONE VOTE.
(INAUDIBLE). >> ALSO FOR COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO CHANGE HIS VOTE, MOTION CARRIES, 5 TO 0.
>> IT'S CHANGED NOW. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.
>> KIND OF GET A LITTLE STRANGE THESE MEETINGS.
>> 409 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IT'S A PUBLIC HEALTH AGREEMENT.
>> JUST WANT TO VOTE NO. I PULLED IT.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR, AND ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.
>> UNIN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND I SEIZE THIS IS ON UPLIFT TERRACE.
>> IS IT UNANIMOUSLY? >> MY BRAIN WAS GOING SLOWER THAN MY MOUTH. 4 TO 1.
NOW WE'RE GOING 410 WHICH IS ALSO PRECINCT 3.
IT'S ANOTHER EARLY CHILDHOOD AGREEMENT.
>> WANT TO VOTE NO COMMISSIONER? >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED?
NO. >> THE MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.
THERE ARE NO PUBLIC HEARINGS ON THIS AGENDA SO THAT LEAVES US WITH THE REGULAR SESSION ITEMS. WE HAVE ITEM 371, UP IN COURT,
COMMISSIONER. >> I ASKED FOR MY COLLEAGUES SUPPORT TO APPOINT LINA MORALES ON THE FIRST COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD OF DIRECTORS POSITION 12 AND I'D LIKE TO THANK MR. COLLIER SERVING FOR THE TEN YEARS, HE
[05:25:03]
WAS AN APPOINTMENT BY COMMISSIONER HAKLE, AND LINA MORALES, A MEMBER OF THE LGBTQ PLUS COMMUNITY, SHE'LL BRING A WONDERFUL PERSPECTIVE, LOCAL BUSINESS PARTICIPATION, WORKER SAFETY, WORKER PROTECTIONS, ESPECIALLY AS WE PREPARE FOR THE WORLD'S CUP. AND SO I AM THRILLED AND I CAN'T WAIT TO HAVE HER PERSPECTIVE ON THE BOARD AND ME JOIN ME INHELPING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU.
>> AS PRESENTED. I MOVE ON 374 AS PRESENTED.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES,
CONGRATULATIONS. >> CONGRATULATIONS LINDA AND
[Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SERVE.>> SO NOW WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS, THOSE ARE 376, 380, AND 381. SO IT IS 4:38 AND WE ARE NOW HEADED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.