Jun 04, 2024 Commissioners Court

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>>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. IT IS 10:05 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE JUNE 4, 2020 FOR MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY

[Rabbi Jonathan Siger of Congregation Jewish Community North in Spring introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 3.]

IS A PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE RABBI , MY NEW BEST FRIEND, I SPENT TWO MINUTES WITH HIM JUST NOW, BUT IT IS A PLEASURE, HE IS ALUMNUS OF THE PORTLAND SCHOOL GRADUATED FROM BRANDIS UNIVERSITY WITH HONORS. HE ALSO GRADUATED FROM THE SECOND CITY CONSERVATORY OF IMPROV THEATER IN CHICAGO . A REAL RENAISSANCE MAN. HE STUDIED AND RECEIVED HIS MASTERS IN MEDICAL ORDINATION FROM HEBREW MEDICAL COLLEGE. IN CINCINNATI. SINCE HE JUST TOLD ME THAT IS THE OLDEST , IN 1875 IT WAS ESTABLISHED. AGAIN, HE BRINGS A WEALTH OF EXPERIENCE AND IN THESE DAYS OF ANTI-SEMITISM , IT WILL BE A GOOD DAY , A GOOD WAY TO START THE DAY AND GET A GOOD WORD FROM THE TORAH AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE PRAYER. THANK YOU, RABBI.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE HONOR AND PRIVILEGE OF BEING HERE WITH YOU ALL TODAY. I OFFERED THIS PRAYER. ALMIGHTY GOD , ETERNAL ONE, SOUL OF THE WORLD AND HEAVENLY PARENT OF US ALL. I STAND BEFORE YOU ASKING TO PRAY BEFORE LEADERS AND ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY THEY LEAD. YOU, BEYOND ALL PRAISE AND WORDS OF ADORATION THAT I MIGHT OFFER BE WITH US THIS DAY AND GUIDE US, STRENGTHEN US WHEN WE MUST DO THE RIGHT THING, NOT THE EASY THING. LET US NEVER FAIL TO PROVIDE COLLEAGUES WITH THE GRACE WE DEMAND FOR OURSELVES. LET US NOT BE AFRAID TO ADMIT OUR HUMANITY, IMPERFECTION AND PROTECT US FROM THE ADVERSARY THAT USES OUR EGO AGAINST US. WATCH OVER OUR COUNTY AND THOSE THAT SERVE AND PROTECT US. WE GATHER THIS DATA IN THE ANCIENT COUNTING TOWARD PENTECOST, ONE OF 49 DAYS THAT HAS US COMBINE SEVEN OF YOUR HOLY ATTRIBUTES IN PRAYER SO WE CAN BECOME THE BEST VERSION OF OURSELVES. THIS DAY APPROPRIATE HE IS THE DAY OF , A DAY THAT HAS YOUR SOVEREIGNTY COMBINED WITH FOUNDATION. WE GOD ARE CALLED TO COMBINE YOUR WILL FOR US WITH OUR BASIC NEEDS AS YOUR HUMAN CHILDREN. HELP US TO DO THAT, GOD. FOR OURSELVES AND FOR ALL BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN OUR BELOVED HARRIS COUNTY. IN CLOSING I ASK YOU TO BLESS OUR COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND ALL OF US WITH THE THREEFOLD BLESSING YOU GAVE MY ANCESTORS SO LONG AGO. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND KEEP YOU. MAY GOD SHINE FORTH UPON YOU AND BE GRACIOUS UNTO YOU.

MAY GOD LOOK UPON YOU AND GRANT YOU EVERY FULLNESS. BE THIS

YOUR WILL. AMEN. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, RABBI.

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.

>> ALL RIGHT. WELL, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. HOUSEKEEPING NOTES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NOT ATTENDING TODAY, BUT HE HAS A VIRTUAL LINK AND MAY JOIN DURING PARTICULAR ITEMS. WE HAVE EIGHT RESOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER, ONE PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 429 REGARDING A REVISION TO SUBDIVISION PLAT IN PRECINCT 3.

AND WE HAVE A REQUEST TO TAKE ITEM 496 PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE WEEK OUT OF ORDER RIGHT AFTER RESOLUTION. IS THAT

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>> YES. >> WE ALSO HAVE REQUEST BY OMB TO TAKE 29, THE FIVE YEAR PLAN AT 2:00 P.M. AFTER LUNCH OR AT 2:00 P.M. AFTER LUNCH, GOT IT. AND THEN, COUNTY ATTORNEY TO TAKE EXECUTIVE SESSION BEFORE 5:00 P.M. OKAY. SO I WILL KEEP THAT ONLY IF ITEMS FOR 75 AND 476 NEED TO BE DISCUSSED WHICH I DO NEED TO DISCUSS. ANY OTHER HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS COLLEAGUES? THE COUNTY COURT JUDGES ARE HERE. I THINK. NOT YET? OKAY.

BUT, DO YOU KNOW IF THEY ARE COMING? THEY WILL BE COMING.

OKAY WE WILL LOOK OUT FOR THEM AND WHEN THEY COME WE WILL GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK SO THEY CAN RESUME THEIR WORK SCHEDULE. THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO SPEAK ON A NON-AGENDA ITEM. ALL RIGHT I WILL COUNT ON YOU GUYS TO LET ME KNOW IF I MISS THE

[Departments (Part 1 of 8)]

2024 MARKS THE FIRST TIME IN 27 YEARS AN INSTITUTION IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS RECEIVED THIS HONOR AND THE ONLY TIME TWO INSTITUTIONS IN THE SAME METROPOLITAN AREA WERE HONORED SIMULTANEOUSLY. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT RECOGNIZES THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY AS RECIPIENTS OF THE 2024 NATIONAL MEDAL FOR MUSEUM AND LIBRARY SERVICE.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS.

IT IS A BIG DEAL AND AS YOU COME UP YOU. YOU GUYS ARE SO CELEBRATED , WE ALMOST TAKE IT FOR GRANTED. THIS IS HUGE SO WE ARE ALL VERY VERY EXCITED. GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. I AM CEO OF THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON.

I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR MISSION TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES THROUGH INNOVATIVE AND CHILD CENTERED LEARNING IMPROVING TRAJECTORY OF ALL CHILDREN. WE HAVE A SIZE EDUCATIONAL EQUITY AND WE ARE HONORED TO SERVE AS A MEDAL WINNER THIS YEAR ENTERING EVERY FAMILY HAS THE BEST SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING, MATH, CULTURAL AND ART EXHIBIT PROGRAMMING IN THE WORLD. SINCE INCEPTION IN 1986 WE HAVE SERVED OVER 26 MILLION THROUGH OUR MUSEUM AND OUTREACH PROGRAMS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE KIDS ARE SCHOOL READY, 35% OF VISITORS COME FREE OF CHARGE. WE PREPARE CHILDREN FOR S.T.E.M. DEPENDENT CAREERS AND CELEBRATE DIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WITH ARTS AND CULTURAL PROGRAMMING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, LIBRARY DIRECTOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY ESTABLISHING AND DESIGNATING HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY AS A BOOK SANCTUARY, SUPPORT IN TERMS OF BROADBAND EFFORTS, WE COULD NOT DO THIS IN THE LIBRARY WITHOUT SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONERS COURT SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THE IMPACT WE HAVE IN TERMS OF ENRICHING LIVES OF THE RESIDENTS IS REALLY ACKNOWLEDGED THROUGH THIS MEDAL SO I AM VERY HUMBLED IN TERMS

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COUNTY RESIDENTS. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS SOME COMMENTS FOR YOUR.

>> I WANT TO REITERATE, IT IS A BIG DEAL AND WE'RE SO PROUD OF BOTH INSTITUTIONS. REMARKABLE TO GET THE AWARD AND FOR BOTH OF THEM IN THE SAME CITY IN THE SAME COUNTY, IN THE SAME STATE IS REALLY IMPRESSIVE. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND APPRECIATE THE

WORK SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I THINK EVERYONE IS A LITTLE SUBDUED, BUT IMAGINE FIREWORKS GOING OFF, VERY EXCITING AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE ONE MORE SPEAKER FOR THE ITEM.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, THIS IS A HUGE DEAL, THE HOUSTON I'M IN HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY AND HOUSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM RECOGNIZED BY GOOD HOUSEKEEPING OF AMERICA AS THE TOP MUSEUM IN THE WORLD. THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM DOES NOT ONLY SERVE INSIDE THERE. TO GO OUT TO DO OUTREACH WHICH THEY HAVE BEEN DOING FOR YEARS. DURING HURRICANE HARVEY, THEY WENT TO THE GEORGIA BROWN AT THE REQUEST OF LEADERSHIP OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON TO HELP THOSE CHILDREN GET TO THE TRAUMA THAT THEY WERE EXPERIENCING AND WHEN THEY SAW THOSE SHIRTS THAT SAID CHILDREN'S MUSEUM, THEY STARTED SCREAMING AND THEY WERE SO HAPPY. I AM TELLING YOU THE CHILDREN'S MUSEUM HAS BEEN GOING TO HOMES, FOR YEARS ON A SCHOOL BUS ON THURSDAYS FOR FREE TO BRING THOSE CHILDREN TO THE MUSEUM. YOU WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED TO FIND A CHILD OR ADULT WHO HAS NOT HAD A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE AT A CHILDREN'S MUSEUM. PLEASE GIVE THEM THE THUNDERING ROUND OF APPLAUSE THEY DESERVE.

>> THANK YOU, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, THANK YOU.

LET'S GO ON TO ITEM 2 WHICH DESIGNATES ALL ELIGIBLE HARRIS COUNTY FACILITIES AS BROADBAND COMMUNITY ANGER INSTITUTIONS. I HAVE ASKED WE HIGHLIGHT THIS BIG AWARD TO THE MEDIA LATER TODAY SO MY TEAM WILL BE IN TOUCH. IT IS A HUGE DEAL AND WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY KNOWS ABOUT IT. SO ONE OF HARRIS COUNTY'S MISSIONS THROUGH OFFICE OF BROADBAND TO CONNECT UNSERVED AND UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES TO RELIABLE HIGH-SPEED INTERNET ACCESS. PUBLIC FACING HARRIS COUNTY FACILITIES ARE POSITIONED TO PROVIDE BROADBAND INTERNET ACCESS AND SERVICES THAT ENRICH LIVES EDUCATIONALLY, ECONOMICALLY AND SOCIALLY. THE COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO DIGITAL LITERACY FOR ALL AND THROUGH A MULTI-DEPARTMENT PARTNERSHIP HAS PROVIDED 1900 COMPUTER AND TECHNOLOGY CLASSES IN 2023 AT BOTH LIBRARY BRANCH LOCATIONS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS ACROSS THE COUNTY. IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 , THE COUNTY TOOK PROACTIVE MEASURES BY AUTHORIZING ONE-TIME FUNDS TO THE PLAY BROADBAND MESH NETWORK ENCOMPASSING 130 PUBLIC FACILITIES EXTENDING ACCESS TO OVER 65,000 CONSTITUENT USERS. SOLICITATION IS PLANNED FOR FISCAL YEAR 24 , TO CONTRACT WITH ONE OR MORE MANAGED SERVICE PROVIDERS LEVERAGING INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGY AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP SOLUTIONS. TO HELP ENSURE ALL ELIGIBLE RESIDENTS ENROLLED IN THE AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICE DIGITAL NAVIGATORS VISITED FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTY TO ASSIST PATRONS WITH THE ENROLLMENT PROCESS. IN RECOGNITION OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE OFFICE OF BROADBAND AND LIBRARY CONNECTED PROGRAM AMONG OTHER INITIATIVES. WE WERE DESIGNATED 2023 VISIONARY DIGITAL INCLUSION TROUBLE IS ARE OTHER DIGITAL INCLUSION ALLIANCE. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER COURT DESIGNATE ALL ELIGIBLE FACILITIES THAT MEET THE FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION'S CRITERIA AS BROADBAND COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS. I CONFESS I AM A LITTLE BIT THROWN ABOUT WHAT THIS WILL DO SO IF SOMEBODY, ANY OF THE SPEAKERS OR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WOULD LIKE TO EXPLAIN FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE

COMMUNITY. WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

VERY THANKFUL FOR THE RESOLUTION. THE ACP GRANT HAVING EXPIRED, THE CHALLENGE OF CONNECTIVITY AND PROVIDING LOW COST BROADBAND ACCESS TO OUR POPULATION THAT NEEDS IT IS

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THESE BARRIERS ARE SHOWN ON THE BROADBAND DEVELOPMENT MAP CHALLENGE DETERMINATION AND WITH THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT. BASED ON THE DEFINITION OF THE COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS, THIS RESOLUTION WILL HELP US DEFINE 137 COUNTY FACILITIES AS COMMUNITY ANCHOR INSTITUTIONS WHICH WILL ELEVATE INTERNET ACCESS POSSIBILITIES AT THOSE

LOCATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> YES AND I AM JOINED WITH OUR LEAD FROM THE OFFICE OF BROADBAND. IF I HAVE MISSED ANYTHING, HE CAN TOUCH ON THAT.

>> THANK YOU. VERY THOROUGH. I WANT TO ADD BY WAY OF DESIGNATION THE EXPANSION OF THE 137 COUNTY FACILITIES, THIS WILL PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH HEIGHTENED TACTICAL OVERSIGHT OF STRATEGIC ACQUISITION EFFORTS TO OBTAIN WHAT IS ONE TIME GENERATIONAL FUNDING MADE AVAILABLE BY THE BIPARTISAN INFRASTRUCTURE LAW WITH VARIOUS, APPROXIMATELY 3.3 BILLION AVAILABLE AND WE HOPE THROUGH THIS DESIGNATION WE WILL EXPAND AND MAKE THOSE EFFORTS THAT MUCH MORE

COMPETITIVE IN THAT PROCESS. >> SAID WE ALREADY HAVE THE FUNDS TO PROVIDE SOMETHING OR ARE YOU COMPETING FOR SOMETHING? VERY BRIEFLY ONE SENTENCE WHAT IS COMING OUT OF

THIS? >> YES JUDGE IT WILL PROVIDE THE COUNTY WITH THE ABILITY TO DEVELOP A MORE STRATEGIC APPLICATION MADE AVAILABLE BY THE STATE BROADBAND OFFICE

LATER THIS YEAR. >> WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE GRANT APPLICATIONS , THAT'S WHAT THIS WILL HELP US WITH.

>> THIS WILL HELP US APPLY FOR GRANT TO PROVIDE BROADBAND ACCESS GOT IT. THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> I SEE THE DISTRICT CLERK, I FAILED TO MENTION EARLIER LOOKING RIGHT AT YOU, LOOKING AT THE SCRIPT WE WILL TAKE YOU UP IF THAT'S OKAY AFTER RESOLUTIONS.

>> OH, OKAY. WE WILL WAIT FOR THEM TO ARRIVE. GOT IT, THANK YOU. SO THEN, WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS THESE ARE MY

RESOLUTIONS. >> BRIEFLY READING IT, THIS WAS A GREAT GOING HOME CEREMONY AND I AM APPRECIATIVE OF THE CITY AND I KNOW NUMBER OF MY COLLEAGUES WERE THERE AND YOU WERE THERE WITH ME. A GREAT CELEBRATION WE APPRECIATE SUPPORT. FROM ALL OF US THIS IS NOT JUST FROM ME SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SUBMITTED FROM OFFICE IS BUT A GREAT MAN AND GREAT LEGACY. THE OTHER ONE THAT I HAVE IS NUMBER SEVEN IF I CAN GO TO THAT ONE OR NUMBER FOUR. THE ONE FOR THE HARRIS CENTER.

WE PASSED A RESOLUTION JUNE A RESOLUTION JUNE 27, 2023 TO

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OBVIOUSLY THAT BOARD DOES A GREAT JOB, THEY HAVE A TREMENDOUS CHALLENGE HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR STRONG MENTAL HEALTH WORKFORCE IT IS SO IMPORTANT, BUT I'M HOPING THEY CAN RESOLVE THE ISSUE QUICKLY AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM TO DO THAT. IF THEY CANNOT AFTER WE MEET AGAIN I WILL ASK ESTHER WAYNE YOUNG TO COME OVER AND HAVE A DISCUSSION IN PUBLIC WITH LEGAL ISSUES. SO IT IS A SIMPLE RESOLUTION ON THAT ITEM AND THE LAST ONE I HAVE IS FOR GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. I AM GOING TO GO AND PRESENT IT TO THEM AS SOON AS IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, I SHARE YOUR COMMITMENT TO MAKE A THE HARRIS CENTER IS WORKING WITH ALL HARRIS CENTER WORKERS. I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DIRECTOR YOUNG TO MAKE SURE THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT THE HARRIS CENTER DOES THE RIGHT THING BY OUR WORKERS TO MAKE SURE IT IS REFLECTING THE WAGES AND SAFETY AND PROTECTION THAT WE HAVE ASKED OF THE HARRIS CENTER SO I AM OPTIMISTIC THAT WILL CONTINUE GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT DONE AND WE'RE DOING RIGHT BY ALL THE WORKERS.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IF PERMISSIBLE , SOME STAFF MEMBERS NEED TO MEET WITH THEIR TEAM TO SORT IT OUT AND I HOPE THAT WILL GET IT DONE, ONE YEAR AGO LAST YEAR WE FIRST PASSED THE VOTE MAY HAVE BEEN UNANIMOUS BUT I CAN REMEMBER.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FOUR OR FIVE. I HOPE THAT THEY WILL GET

IT SORTED OUT. >> ARE THERE SPEAKERS ON THE

ITEM ? >> YES MA'AM FIRST IS

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> WHILE THEY SPEAK , UNLESS IT IS NOT ALLOWED, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM MR. YOUNG AT SOME POINT IF HE CAN BE CALLED UP. WHILE LABOR UNION LEADERS ARE HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LEAD ORGANIZER IS HERE BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION. IF WE CANNOT DO THAT, THEN AT LEAST TALK TO MR. YOUNG IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> IT SHOULD BE FINE. >> IF THERE ARE ISSUES RELATED TO WHETHER OR NOT THERE IS POSSIBLE LITIGATION I WANT TO TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

>> WE CAN GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ANY CONSULTATION WITH ATTORNEYS. SO WE CAN DO THAT.

>> GO AHEAD. >> CAN MORNING COMMISSIONERS. I AM HERE STANDING IN SUPPORT OF SOLIDARITY IN REGARDS TO THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE HARRIS MENTAL HEALTH STAFF TO BE ABLE TO UNIONIZE. TO BE ABLE TO HAVE ADVOCACY AND TO BE ABLE TO ASK ON BEHALF OF OF THEIR WORKING CONDITIONS ENSURING THEY ARE IN A EQUITABLE ENVIRONMENT. AN ENVIRONMENT THAT AFFORDS THEM OPPORTUNITY FOR DIGNITY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. >>

MINUTE. >> HI MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. NAME IS THERAPIST WITH THE HARRIS CENTER FOR HEALTH AND IDD. I HAVE BEEN WITH THE CENTER FOR 10 YEARS. I AM A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE FOR THE UNITED WORKERS OF HARRIS AND I'M HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO SUPPORT US WORKERS AND THE RESOLUTION PROPOSED TO GIVE OUR UNION, TELL TO GIVE THE UNION OFFICIAL STATUS. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING SINCE , OVER ONE YEAR, BUT SINCE JANUARY WE WENT PUBLIC AND ASKING FOR OFFICIAL

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SERVICES TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW IT IS NOT EASY TO COME SPEAK PUBLICLY, BUT WE ARE COGNIZANT OF THAT AND WE HOPE THIS WORKS OUT. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING SURE IT GETS DONE OVER THE YEAR AND ANOTHER COUNTY JUDGE AND I WENT OUT TO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE WHEN WE PASSED THE RESOLUTION OR MAYBE BEFORE TO SAY IT WOULD BE INTRODUCED. I APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY.

>>

>> GOOD MORNING. >> NICE TO SEE YOU.

>> IAM THE INTERNATIONAL VICE PRESIDENT HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS BEFORE YOU AND CONSIDERING IT. GO QUICKLY THROUGH THE HISTORY HERE. WORKERS FROM THE HARRIS CENTER BEGAN TALKING TO CWA IN 2023 AFTER WORKERS AT THE LOCAL HEALTH MENTAL AUTHORITY IN TRAVIS COUNTY WON THE UNION AND ADOPTED CONSULTATION POLICY IN 2022. JANUARY OF THIS YEAR THEY COLLECTED SIGNATURES ON THE MISSION STATEMENT ABOUT 10% OF THOSE SIGNATURES OUT OF 2500 EMPLOYEES THE HARRIS CENTER UNION ORGANIZING COMMITTEE CONTINUES TO ORGANIZE ACROSS THE CYCLE.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> SINCE THAT TIME EMPLOYEE SUPPORT FOR UNIONIZATION AND CONSULTATION POLICY HAS GROWN.

IN RESPONSE THE EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT CENTER HAS BEEN TO DELAY OR COME UP WITH EXCUSES WHY THEY WON'T SUPPORT THE UNION PROPOSAL ON CONSULTATION POLICY. IN FACT, THE PRIMARY RESPONSE HAS BEEN TO COME UP WITH THEIR OWN POLICY WHICH IS ANTIUNION IN ITS CONCEPTION AND ON PAPER. IT IS A MANAGEMENT DRIVEN POLICY WHICH DOES NOT TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION THE FACT THAT THE EMPLOYEES HAVE DECIDED TO UNIONIZE AND ORGANIZE AND THEY SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE UNION. WE CONTINUE TO HEAR THIS FROM LEADERSHIP THAT THEY CANNOT GRASP THE FACT THAT THE CONSULTATION POLICY , IT IS LEGAL, SOMETHING DONE THROUGHOUT THE STATE, A LEGAL FORM OF A WAY THAT UNIONS AND EMPLOYER CAN ENGAGE IN ACTUAL AGREEMENT WITHOUT ARBITRATION. DOES NOT VIOLATE ANY LAWS ON THE BOOKS, THERE WERE MANY PUBLIC EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATIONS THAT USE THIS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE NOT SAT AT THE TABLE IN GOOD FAITH AND NEGOTIATING THIS WITH US QUITE FRANKLY IT'S BEYOND ME. WE ARE GLAD YOU'RE TAKING THIS UNDER CONSIDERATION FOR THE SECOND TIME AND WE HOPE THE HARRIS CENTER AND CEO WORKS IN GOOD FAITH WITH THE UNION.

OVER THIS POLICY AND THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL TAKE ANY

QUESTIONS. >> YOU KNOW I HAVE GONE TO TWO OF THE MEETINGS. ANYTHING ELSE WHEN I PARTICIPATE IN A PRESS CONFERENCE, ANYTHING ELSE SPECIFICALLY YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO DO? HAVE TALKED TO MY BOARD MEMBERS. OBVIOUSLY THEY

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ELSE WE CAN DO? >> I THINK JUST INSTRUCTING THE CEO TO ENTER INTO GOOD FAITH NEGOTIATIONS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE UNION AND EVERY PIECE OF THE POLICY WE PUT FORWARD , IF THERE IS ISSUE LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND NEGOTIATE THOSE THINGS OUT. BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENED. WE WERE TOLD 48 HOURS BEFORE THEY PUT A NEW POLICY IN FRONT OF US WHICH IS NOT DRIVEN BY THE EMPLOYEES OR EMPLOYEE WISHES. QUITE FRANKLY WHAT IS FRUSTRATING TO EMPLOYEES ON THE GROUND 11 WORKING OVER ONE YEAR TO ESTABLISH , TO ESTABLISH THE UNION SO WHAT WE HOPE AS A COURT IS YOU PASS THE RESOLUTION AND YOU INSTRUCT THE CEO TO WORK IN GOOD FAITH WITH

THE UNION AND EMPLOYEES . >> AS I RECALL FROM MY INVOLVEMENT OVER A YEAR AGO YOU ASKED FOR A MEETING AND A GROUP OF EMPLOYEES CAME WITH YOU TO SAY YOUR GRIEVANCES AND YOU WANTED ME TO WRITE A LETTER AND I SAID WHY NOT PUT A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE SUPPORT OF THE COURT AS LONG AS IT FOLLOWS THE LAW. SO IF THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE THAT YOU WANT MEMBERS OF THE COURT TO DO A QUORUM COULD NOT SHOW UP, BUT I HAVE GONE OVER TWICE SO LET US KNOW. LET MY

COLLEAGUES KNOW. >> I THINK THERE IS ONE MORE SPEAKER FROM THE LABOR UNION? CORRECT? DID SHE ALREADY SPEAK? I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU DON'T MIND COMING BACK OR I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND FROM WAYNE YOUNG WHAT THE ISSUE IS AND HAVE YOU GUYS DECIDED BECAUSE THIS IS A VENUE TO CLEAR MISCOMMUNICATION. WE WILL NOT WORK IT OUT HERE PROBABLY BUT I'M HOPING TO GET TO A SPOT WHERE WE CAN SAY YOU GUYS WORK ON THIS DISCRETE ISSUE TOGETHER BECAUSE I AM ECHOING WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS SAID. I FEEL I HAVE HAD PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION WITH YOU GUYS AND WITH MR. YOUNG AND I AM SURPRISED, DISAPPOINTED TO HEAR THAT THERE IS STILL A BIG ISSUE.

>> I AGREE JUDGE. I WOULD HOPE HOWEVER THE CONVERSATIONS HAPPEN, THOSE ARE CARRIED OUT. WHEN WE ACTUALLY SPEAK OUTSIDE OF YOU. I THINK WE'RE GETTING DIFFERENT COMMUNICATIONS. WE ARE THE SAME SPOT WE WERE A YEAR AGO AND HAVE NOT MADE ANY MOVEMENT. SO I WOULD APPRECIATE IF WE COULD HAVE AN AGREEMENT , CAN WE SIT DOWN IN GOOD FAITH WHICH YOU HAVE OTHER AND OPEN THE POLICY WHICH THE EMPLOYEES HAVE LOOKED FOR THE HARRIS

LEADERSHIP. >> OKAY, I WANT TO BELIEVE AND I CERTAINLY BELIEVE THE HARRIS CENTER OPERATES IN GOOD FAITH AND I AM IMAGINING THERE SOME SORT OF MISCOMMUNICATION HERE.

LET'S JUST GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR BOTH SIDES, BUT I HEAR WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. SO IF YOU WOULD NOT MIND SPEAKING, LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYBODY ELSE ON THIS ITEM AND IN THE MEANTIME IF FOLKS CAN MAKE SURE MR. YOUNG IS ON THE LINE.

>> HELLO, GOOD MORNING. FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU HAVE COMMITTED TO US SO FAR. WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE IT. I WILL TALK MORE ABOUT WHAT THIS MEANS TO US. I WORK ON THE CRISIS LINE, I HAVE WORKED HERE ABOUT TWO YEARS. THE REASON WHY WE WANT TO HAVE A SITDOWN WITH THE DIRECTOR IS BECAUSE MOST THE TIME THEY DON'T KNOW THE REALITY OF THE THINGS WE GO THROUGH AND THE CLIENTS, WHAT THEY NEED. ESPECIALLY WITH THE CRISIS LINE , THE WORKLOAD HAS BEEN INCREASED TREMENDOUSLY OVER THE TWO YEARS I HAVE BEEN THERE. THAT CONTRIBUTES TO THIS REVOLVING DOOR WE HAVE WE GET NEW HIRES, THEY STAY HERE FOR A COUPLE MONTHS, THEY WILL SEE THE WORK WE HAVE TO DO WITH THE INCREASE COMING IN AND THEN THEY LEAVE. SO, SUSTAINABILITY IS REALLY THE ONE FOR US. WE WANT TO BE OF THE VOICE THE REALITY.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> WE WANT TO VOICE THE REALITY OF THE NATURE OF THE JOB SO THEY CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT

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THAT'S REALLY WHAT IT IS. WE WANT TO DELIVER THE BEST SERVICES WE CAN. NOW WITH COMMUNICATION ISSUES I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT IS COMING FROM. WE HAVE ALL VOICED THIS IS FOR THE GOOD. TO RETAIN EMPLOYEES, TO GIVE BETTER CARE. TO GET OURSELVES DIGNITY. SO WE ARE UNSURE AND WE HOPE THIS RESOLUTION, YOU WILL VOTE FOR IT AND IT WILL BE PASSED SO WE

CAN START VOICING. YES, YES. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND

THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I HAD MY HAND UP WHEN YOU ARE SPEAKING, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, EVERYTHING YOU DO AROUND THE COUNTRY. WE HAVE SPOKEN AND WE HAVE MET AND THERE IS SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS THAT ARE WEIGHING HEAVILY ON ALL OF US AND I HAVE TALKED AND MET IN PERSON AND TALKED WITH DIRECTOR YOUNG AND WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO BOARD MEMBERS, THIS IS PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. AT THIS POINT IT SEEMS AND WE HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AN INDEPENDENT THIRD-PARTY MEDIATOR SELECTED UNANIMOUSLY BY BOTH PARTIES BECAUSE WE HAVE TO MOVE, I MADE IT CLEAR WE MUST GET TO YES AND THEY MUST NEGOTIATE IN GOOD FAITH. SO I WOULD LOVE TO BE AS INVOLVED AS THE LAW PERMITS AND MY TEAM AND I WILL KEEP LEANING IN AND MAKING THE MESSAGE CRYSTAL-CLEAR BECAUSE WE STAND IN CELEBRITY AND I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE TIME TO COME.

>> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR PERSISTENCE

AND YOUR PATIENCE. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL. SO OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE AN INDEPENDENT YOUNG PERSON AND I'M SURE YOU HAVE SUPPORTIVE PARENTS. I WOULD BE WORRIED WHAT ABOUT YOUR JOB BUT THIS SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU AND I'M PROUD OF YOU SO THINK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE TRY NOT TO DO APPLAUSE, BUT I DO , I CAN'T IMAGINE, SHE IS MUCH YOUNGER THAN I WAS WHEN I TOOK OFFICE AT 27 YEARS OLD. I DO WANT TO EXPRESS, NO MATTER YOUR AGE I THINK EVERYONE IS DOING A GREAT JOB. SO, , SO LET ME CALL UP

MR. YOUNG IF HE IS AVAILABLE. >> JUDGE, WE HAVE ONE MORE

SPEAKER FOR THE ITEM. >> AHEAD, THANK YOU.

>>

>> THANK YOU, I LOVE YOUR NEW ARENA BUT FOR THE OLD PEOPLE, THESE STEPS. LET ME GO ON. I WANT TO SPEAK ON THIS BECAUSE THE EMPLOYEES ASK FOR UNION FREE RETALIATION OR INTIMIDATION I UNDERSTAND I'M NOT AN EMPLOYEE BUT I HAVE BEEN THROUGH WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE. I HAVE A SITUATION HERE. OPEN RECORDS REQUEST IMAGINE SOMEBODY IS PROSECUTING YOU AND YOU FIND OUT THERE IS NO CASE , THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW. NOBODY IS SPEAKING OR TALKING AND TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK YOU TO RELEASE , YOU HAVE NO CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO HOLD ONTO IT AND IT IS STILL A FORM

OF RETALIATION. THANK YOU. >> WHAT IS IT YOU WANT

RELEASED? >> MY PROPERTY.

>> I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'RE GETTING THE INFORMATION, I HAVE BEEN SHOWING PROOF OF EVIDENCE THIS IS YOUR OWN PRECINCT 4 OR FIVE AND THE COMMISSIONERS ARE INVOLVED AND JUDGES INVOLVED TO HELP THIS PERSON INTIMIDATE AND IMPERSONATE ME AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES TO SELL THE PROPERTY AND SOMEHOW HE IS TIED UP WITH HARRIS COUNTY WHERE HE IS WORKING WITH THE COUNTY, MIKE SULLIVAN IS ONE OF THE COUNTY PEOPLE HE WORKS WITH . IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH YOU GUYS I FEEL YOU SHOULD REACH OUT TO THE RESIDENTS. WE ARE TO KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING.

>> WE WILL BE SURE TO CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU.

>> OKAY ESTHER YOUNG. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE.

>> GOOD MORNING. >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE TO HAVE

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YOUR CAMERA. >> SO SORRY I DON'T REALIZE I

DID NOT PUT IT ON. >> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE HEARD CONCERNS SO MOST DIRECTLY IF YOU CAN ADDRESS FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AND WHERE YOU THINK

THERE MAY BE DAYLIGHT. >> I HAVE NOT HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE CONCERNS TODAY. I LOGGED ON A COUPLE MINUTES AGO SO I CAN'T THE LAST COMMENT OR TWO WITH COMMENTS FROM THE COURT. I DON'T KNOW SPECIFICALLY WHAT

WAS SAID. >> LET ME BRING UP THAT'S OKAY. CAN YOU BRIEFLY OUTLINE THE KEY POINT ISSUES

YOU HAVE NOW. >> CURRENTLY, YOU HAVE MET WITH THE UNION AND THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE, TWICE OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS. OUR POLICY HAS NOT BEEN DISCUSSED NOR HAS IT BEEN SERIOUSLY , WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY REAL BACK AND FORTH AND I THINK ABOUT THREE WEEKS AGO YOU THEN PUSHED THE POLICY THAT QUITE FRANKLY DID NOT RESEMBLE ANYTHING THAT WAS IN THE CURRENT CONSULTATION POLICY. WE WERE TOLD THAT OUR POLICY WAS PERMANENTLY TABLED. SO WE MET TWO TIMES ON OUR POLICY. THERE WERE NO REAL DISCUSSIONS AROUND PIECES OF THE POLICY THAT YOU HAD ISSUES WITH AND WE GET TOLD 48 HOURS BEFORE WE MET THAT OUR POLICY WOULD BE PERMANENTLY TABLED BY THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. AND THEN A NEW POLICY WAS PUT BEFORE THE BOARD THAT WAS QUITE FRANKLY A MANAGEMENT DRIVEN POLICY WITH NO REAL INPUT OR DISCUSSION ON OUR POLICY BEFORE THAT WAS PASSED. SO THAT IS PRETTY MUCH OUR ISSUE.

>> SO I AM CLEAR. ONE CONCERN AS YOU HAVE NOT MET MUCH, JUST TWICE OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS? AND YOU HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REALLY GET INTO WHAT WAS IN THOSE PIECES OF YOUR POLICY , THE LABOR POLICY THAT MANAGEMENT HAD ISSUES WITH. AND THEN YOU ARE SAYING THREE WEEKS AGO, INSTEAD, THE HARRIS CENTER LEADERSHIP PRESENTED A MANAGEMENT DRIVEN CONSULTATION POLICY AND SAID THE LABOR UNION POLICY HAD BEEN PERMANENTLY TABLED AND THAT TOOK YOU BY SURPRISE.

>> VERY MUCH SO. >> SO MR. YOUNG, WHAT DO YOU

THINK HERE? >> YES MA'AM. IS A QUICK REFLECTION. I KNOW IN JANUARY AT THE BOARD MEETING REPRESENTATIVES FROM COMMUNICATION WORKERS PRESENTED DRAFT POLICY TO THE BOARD. THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEES FOR ALL POLICIES REVIEWED AND CONSIDERED THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE DID NOT MEET IN FEBRUARY BECAUSE IT HAD TO ADOPT EXTERNAL AUDIT SO IT WAS THE AUDIT COMMITTEE NOT GOVERNANCE, GOVERNANCE MET IN MARCH. THAT IN APRIL AND MAY , CONSIDERED THE COLLABORATION POLICY. AT THE MARCH MEETING THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY, THEY ASKED IN APRIL FOR MORE DISCUSSION ABOUT EXPANDING THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING MORE VOICES THAN JUST THOSE WHO EXPRESSED INTEREST AND DIRECTED ME TO BRING BACK A BROAD SENSE OF HOW TO ENGAGE MORE VOICES IN THE ORGANIZATION AND I'M SURE THEY WERE HEARD. ALL OF THAT HAPPENED IN OPEN PUBLIC MEETING AND THEN IN MAY THE BOARD ASKED ME SO CHALLENGE IS NOT THE RIGHT THING I WILL PERHAPS RECHARACTERIZE THE POLICY AS THE POLICY THE BOARD ALIGNED WITH WHAT THE BOARD REQUEST AND SUGGESTIONS HAD BEEN BECAUSE IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO TRY TO DRAFT POLICY BUT TO CAPTURE WHAT THEY HAVE INDICATED THEY WOULD LIKE IN A POLICY AND PROVIDE THAT TO THEM. IN MAY THE POLICY TRY TO ENCAPSULATE AND CAPTURE THEIR FEEDBACK AND DIRECTION TO ME PRESENTED TO THEM FOR CONSIDERATION. SO THAT IS THE TIMELINE. WE HAVE MET TWICE .

ONCE AT THE REQUEST OF YOUR GROUP ONCE AT MY REQUEST AND I REQUESTED A THIRD MEETING AND THAT WAS DECLINED AND INDICATED UNLESS THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT SUBSTITUTING COLLABORATION POLICY FOR THE POLICY THE BOARD CONSIDERED AND I DON'T KNOW WHO IT WAS , BUT WHOEVER RESPONDED IN THE EMAIL SAID THERE WAS NO REASON TO MEET SO THE THIRD MEETING REQUEST WAS DECLINED. SO IN TERMS OF THE MEETING , I KNOW

[00:45:02]

BE ABLE TO FIND COMMON GROUND. >> A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. ARE

YOUR MEETINGS ONLINE? >> THEY ARE NOT RIGHT NOW.

>> DO YOU KNOW IF COUNTERPARTS PUT MEETINGS ONLINE?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE, I KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY THAT DO NOT AND I CANNOT SAY IF ANY DO OR NOT.

>> DO YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE ONLINE IN AUSTIN?

>> I'M NOT SURE. >> I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TRY TO.

I WENT TO THE MEETING I DID NOT WANT TO RELY ON MY STAFF MEMBER WHO GOES PERIODICALLY JUST GIVING ME THE NOTES I WANTED TO WATCH MYSELF BECAUSE NOW IS THE POLICY YOU WERE PROPOSING THE

AUSTIN POLICY? >> YES.

>> I CALLED YOU AND WHEN WE CHATTED AND YOU TOLD ME THERE WAS A SEPARATE POLICY COMING UP IN 48 HOURS I SUGGESTED MAYBE JUST PUT BOTH OF THEM ON THE AGENDA. I THINK YOU SAID YOU DON'T CONTROL THAT. DID YOU MENTION TO THE CHAIR THAT WAS A SUGGESTION? PUT THEM BOTH AND LET THE BOARD MEMBERS DECIDE.

>> I DID MENTION THAT REQUEST TO THE CHAIR INTO THE CHAIR OF

THE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. >> SO LIKE HERE WHEN I WAS IN LEGISLATURE SOMETIMES YOU COULD KILL SOMETHING THROUGH COMMITTEE. THE WAY IT WORKS HERE ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT CAN PUT ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA SO AT LEAST YOU HAVE TO VOTE IT DOWN. IT DOES NOT DIE A QUIET DEATH. IS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING THE POLICY PROPOSING WAS ESSENTIALLY THE TRAVIS COUNTY

POLICY? >> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

THAT POLICY WAS ON THE AGENDA IN MARCH AND THE BOARD DID CONSIDER IT AND TABLED THAT REQUESTED POLICY. FOR CLARITY , NOT TRYING TO GET INTO SEMANTICS.

>> ON A BOARD LIKE THIS WHERE THERE ARE COMMITTED PEOPLE, THEY ARE VOLUNTEERING, THEY MAY HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO, FAMILY AND JOB RESPONSIBILITIES. TO A GREAT EXTENT WHEN YOU ARE ON A BOARD LIKE THAT, YOU DO TEND TO RELY ON STAFF OF THE ENTITY AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TO A GREAT EXTENT TO INFORM YOUR OPINIONS. THEY DON'T MAKE THE DECISION FOR YOU BUT YOU RELY ON THEM TO HELP YOU FORMULATE WHAT THE DECISION IS. IS THAT YOUR SENSE OF OUTBOARDS LIKE THIS WORK?

>> THAT IS OFTEN THE CASE. IN THIS CONTEXT AND ISSUE CWA MADE IT CLEAR THEY WERE APPROACHING THE BOARD AND ASKING THE BOARD TO CONSIDER A POLICY DECISION. NOT LOST ON ME THE WAY GOVERNANCE WORKS IS THE BOARD SETS THE POLICY AND MY JOB IS TO IMPLEMENT. I TRIED REALLY HARD TO HELP FACILITATE THAT AND NOT DETRACT OR ADD TO BUT ALLOW THE BOARD TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND HELP FACILITATE DECISION-MAKING AND SUPPORT THEM IN THE REQUEST. SO WHERE WE ARE IS NOT SO MUCH A FUNCTION OF LEADERSHIP OR MANAGEMENT MANAGING OR MASSAGING THE PROCESS, BUT THE BOARD WORKING TO THE PROCESS DILIGENTLY AS THEY CAN AS A ALL VOLUNTEER BOARD WHO GETS PAID SOMETIMES WITH A DELI SANDWICH IF THERE MEETING GOES TO LUNCH.

>> I WANTED TO STRESS THE PROCESS BECAUSE I THINK ON A BOARD LIKE THIS, SOMETIMES ONE CAN USE A COMMITTEE STRUCTURE TO STIFLE A DISCUSSION. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE POLICY I DID SUGGEST A MINOR CHANGE. I THINK WE HAD A MONTHLY MEETING WITH THE CEO AND I SAID THAT IS A BIT MUCH. YOU ARE NICE FOLKS AND I TEND TO AGREE WITH YOU BUT I DON'T WANT TO MEET WITH YOU EVERY MONTH. YOU TELL ME WE WANT MORE PAY, MORE TIME OFF, THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR YOUR MEMBERS AND I BROUGHT THE ISSUE OF MAYBE A VIRTUAL MEETING, BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD.

IF YOU MET WITH THE CEO ONCE A YEAR OR TWICE A YEAR SO YOU

[00:50:03]

THE INFORMATION FLOWS. >> I WILL POINT OUT THE POLICY , THE MOST RECENT TABLED IN LAST MONTH'S MEETING CALLED FOR EVERY OTHER MONTH MEETING WITH THE CEO OR DESIGNEE IF NEEDED. SO THE CHARACTERIZATION OF OUR MEETINGS NEVER HAVING HEARD CONCERNS, I WALK THROUGH WITH MULTIPLE MEMBERS OF CWA IN A MEETING, THEY HAVE FIVE KEY POINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE POLICY AND I WALK THROUGH EACH OF THOSE TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THEM AND LOOKING FOR COMMON GROUND, THAT MEETING WAS ONE EXAMPLE OF THAT WITH A PROPOSED A STRUCTURE OF FIVE EXECUTIVES WHICH SEEMED LIKE A LOT TO ME. SO I SAID WHOEVER YOU WOULD INVITE AND ME WILL SIT DOWN ONCE EVERY OTHER MONTH. THE POLICY CALLED FOR A LOT OF VOTING AND I BELIEVE PART OF THE LEGAL CONCERNS YOU HEARD ABOUT IS IN THE AREA OF COLLECTIVE BARGAINING WHERE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION REFLECTS ON THIS AS UNILATERAL PRESENTATION OF CONCERN RATHER THAN BILATERAL NEGOTIATION. I TRY TO HONOR THAT INTENT AND TO HEAR THEIR CONCERNS, NOT EVERYTHING WAS CAPTURED IN THE BOARD POLICY, BUT THERE WERE COMPONENTS OF IT THAT WERE CAPTURED AND REFLECTED IN THE POLICY AND RESPONDED TO FAVORABLY FROM THE BOARD. THE MEETING WITH ME WAS ONE OF THOSE , AS WELL AS REPRESENTING EMPLOYEES WITH GRIEVANCE REQUEST OR TERMINATION APPEALS, WE HAVE AN APPEAL PROCESS WHERE IF THEY ARE TERMINATED WE REQUEST THAT BE REVIEWED.

>> WE ARE GOING A LITTLE BIT IN CIRCLES. OFF OF WHAT YOU SAID AND I KNOW YOU HAVE A .2. I WANT TO COMMENT ON THIS. IT SOUNDS TO ME LIKE THIS CONSULTATION POLICY IS NOT SORT OF TOTALLY OUT OF THE ORDINARY. IN FACT I KNOW IN TEXAS, I MEAN THIS IS ALMOST A GUIDELINE BECAUSE IT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE, YOU CAN'T GO ON STRIKE SO IF IT WERE THAT WAY, PERHAPS I WOULD UNDERSTAND THERE HAS TO BE SO MANY ROUNDS AND THE BOARD HAS TO DRAW UP THEIR OWN, BUT I'M WONDERING WITH THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS CONVERSATION COULDN'T THE CWA SIT WITH THE BOARD AND IRON OUT WHAT DIFFERENCES THEY HAVE AND IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE TIME, THEN LET YOU SIT WITH THEM AND IRON OUT THE DIFFERENCES SINCE YOU ARE NOT A VOLUNTEER EMPLOYEE AND SO JUST HAVE SOMEBODY BE ABLE TO PUT PEN TO PAPER IN THE SAME ROOM TOGETHER. IF THAT DOES NOT WORK AND THEN AT THE NEXT MEETING YOU CAN BRING WHEREVER THERE IS DAYLIGHT AND WE DO NOT DIRECT MR. YOUNG, THE BOARD DOES BUT WE APPOINT THE BOARD MEMBERS. AT THAT POINT WE FIGURE OUT IF WE NEED A FACILITATOR OR WHATNOT AND THE SIMPLE STEP IS THE DISCUSSION YOU ARE BEGINNING TO HAVE HERE WHICH WE DON'T REALLY HAVE

TIME FOR. >> CAN I ADD ONE THING? I THINK WE HAVE TO STOP USING THIS WORD, THIS IS NOT COLLECTIVE BARGAINING. THIS IS A CONSULTATION POLICY. WE SHOULDN'T USE THAT LANGUAGE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS IS. WHEN YOU USE THAT LANGUAGE IT GETS COMPLETED WITH WHAT IS ILLEGAL WHICH WE KNOW PUBLIC-SECTOR EMPLOYEES CANNOT HAVE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT IN TEXAS. THIS IS NOT THAT, THIS IS A CONSULTATION POLICY USED THROUGHOUT THE STATE WITH EMPLOYEES WHO ARE PUBLIC-SECTOR EMPLOYEES SO I WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR BECAUSE SOMETIMES WHEN THE WORD IS USED IT IS A BUZZWORD FOR FOLKS TO SAY THIS IS ILLEGAL AND IT IS

NOT. >> I WOULD LET YOU THINK ABOUT THAT. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE WILLING TO DO?

>> YES I AM HAPPY TO MEET WITH THEM. I THINK THERE IS A MEETING IN PROCESS TRYING TO BE SCHEDULED.

>> THE POINT IS FOR YOU GUYS TO WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT AT THE MEETING AND PRESENT THAT AGREEMENT TO THE BOARD NOT FOR YOU TO MEET WITH THEM AND THE BOARD TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE. SO IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THAT THEN WOULD YOU HELP US? ALL OF US ARE HAPPY TO HELP. SO WE ASK WHICH ORD MEMBER WILL MEET WITH HIM AND IF THEY'RE TOO BUSY THEY CAN DEPUTIZE YOU TO MEET WITH HIM OR WHOEVER. DO YOU SEE WHAT

I'M SAYING? >> WE DO AND WE CAN'T LATER

[00:55:01]

BOARD DIRECTION. >> SO YOU ARE SAYING THE PROBLEM IS THE BOARD? IF THAT'S THE ISSUE FOR THOSE OF US WE OUGHT TO BE AWARE OF THAT BECAUSE WHEN I TALKED WITH BOARD MEMBERS THEY POINT TO YOU AND THEN WHEN I TALK TO YOU, YOU POINT TO THEM. AT SOME POINT IT IS UNCOMMON FOR US TO PASS A RESOLUTION TWICE. IT SAYS THE SAME THING THAT THE

OTHER ONE SET A YEAR AGO. >> I WOULD REQUEST TO THE BOARD MEMBERS , CERTAINLY THE BOARD MEMBERS HE AND I APPOINT AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES WILL SPEAK IN A MOMENT, THAT THEY SIT WITH THESE FOLKS BASED OFF OF WHAT THEY PRESENTED AND WORK ON A RESOLUTION AND IF THERE IS NOT ONE WEATHER WAYNE OR THE REPRESENTATIVE COME TO THE NEXT COURT AND LET US SEE IF WE HAVE FEEDBACK OR OTHERWISE WE WILL GO FROM THERE SO THAT WOULD BE

MY ASK. COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I ECHO THE QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I WANTED TO HEAR YOUR ANSWER TO THAT, WE HAVE MET IN PERSON AND SPOKEN MULTIPLE TIMES MR. YOUNG. AGAIN THIS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO THE MAJORITY OF COMMISSIONERS COURT THAT WE FIND A PATH FORWARD IN GOOD FAITH THAT PROTECTS AND HONORS WORKERS PERIOD. DO WE HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT THAT YOU AND THE BOARD WILL WORK IN GOOD FAITH ALONGSIDE CWA AND HARRIS CENTER WORKERS? DO WE HAVE YOUR

COMMITMENT? >> YES IS THE ANSWER AND I WORRY THAT SOMEHOW IMPLIES IT HAS NOT BEEN HAPPENING.

>> TO THE QUESTION THIS BIFURCATION BETWEEN THE BOARD AND CEO AND WE ALL UNDERSTAND GOVERNANCE STRUCTURES. THIS IS BOTH AND SO WE CAN BREAK DOWN THE SILOS OR FINGER-POINTING SO THERE'S GREATER PROCESS AND GREATER TRANSPARENCY. I'M SURE YOU ALL CAN FACILITATE A GROUP GOOD FAITH DISCUSSION. TO MAKE SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS. DO WE HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT ON THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. HAPPY TO FIND PROGRESS WHEREVER IT CAN BE

FOUND. >> GREAT. I THINK THAT'S GOOD, MR. YOUNG I DON'T MEAN TO IMPLY BAD FAITH OF ANYBODY REALLY. I THINK, WE'RE MOVING FORWARD NOW, LET'S START FROM THERE. LET'S NOT THINK ABOUT WHATEVER FRUSTRATIONS OR RESENTMENT EITHER SIDE MIGHT HAVE FOR WHATEVER PERCEPTION AND LET'S ASSUME EVERYBODY IS OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH BECAUSE I THINK EVERYBODY INVOLVED ARE PEOPLE OF GOOD CHARACTER AND LET'S SEE HOW WE CAN MOVE THIS FORWARD.

>> ONE MORE COMMENT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO POINT OUT THE BOARD HAS PASSED TWO RESOLUTIONS SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO FORM AND JOIN A UNION ASSERTING THAT CAN BE DONE WITHOUT FEAR OF RETALIATION OR ANY REPRISAL SO I WANTED TO BE OUT, THAT THE BOARD DOES SUPPORT THE UNION RIGHT TO ORGANIZE AND WANT TO MAKE SURE EMPLOYEES ARE AWARE.

I WANTED TO PUT IT OUT THERE. >> THAT IS GOOD TO KNOW. THE ISSUE, HOW DOES THE UNION, WHAT SUPPORT THEY NEED AND IT IS THE DISCUSSION ON THIS PARTICULAR POTENTIAL AGREEMENT. SO THAT IS SOMETHING YOU CAN WORK ON BUT I DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RESOLUTION SO THAT'S GREAT. WE WILL WORK ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS LEAD FOR NEXT COURT, BUT CERTAINLY I THINK YOU GUYS CAN

GET SUMMER. >> I DO TOO. THE BOARD DID PASS IT SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE HARD. MY EXPECTATION IS THEY SHOULD BE FAIRLY EASY WORKING TO THE CONSULTATION POLICY THAT THE

UNION PRESENTED. >> JUST PUT IT ON THE TIME SCHEDULE. I WANT TO GO TO THE BACKGROUND. COMING IN OVER A YEAR AGO WITH EMPLOYEES WHO RAISED CONCERNS. WANTED ME TO WRITE A LETTER AND I SAID I WILL PUT A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA. IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TIMETABLE AND OPERATE YOU NEVER HAVE TO WONDER WHAT I'M SAYING WHEN YOU TALK TO ME, I AM PRETTY BLUNT. IF IT HURTS SOMEBODY'S FEELINGS I'M SORRY, AT LEAST YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING BUT I THINK YOU OUGHT TO GET IN THE ROOM, SORT IT OUT,

[01:00:04]

>> THANK YOU FOR WORKING TOGETHER.

>> ANY OF THE RESOLUTIONS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS ? I HAVE A NOTE FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA. FOR ME TO TAKE UP SPEAKERS ON HIS TWO RESOLUTIONS. FIRST IS ITEM 6 TO PROVE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JUNE 15 JUNE 15, 2024 AS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY. HE REQUESTED THAT I NOT READ THE RESOLUTION BUT I WILL DEFER TO HIS TEAM. LET'S TAKE SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 6. RESOLUTION HONORING WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY.

>> FIRST IS

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT.

ADULTS. WITH ME TODAY IS OUR DEPUTY DIVISION DIRECTOR FOR ADULT SERVICES DIVISION AND OUR MANAGER SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THIS RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE JUNE 15 AS WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY. HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCE FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS PROVIDE SERVICES TO THE VULNERABLE ADULTS AND SENIOR VICTIMS OF ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION. TO OUR GUARDIANSHIP PROGRAM AND SENIOR ASSESSMENT PROGRAM. AS YOU KNOW WE ARE A AGING POPULATION, BY THE YEAR 2034 THERE WILL BE MORE PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES OVER THE AGE OF 65 THAN CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 18.

SADLY WE KNOW ELDERLY PEOPLE ARE MORE VULNERABLE TO VIOLENT CRIMES DUE TO WEAK PHYSICAL HEALTH AND REDUCED RENTAL CAPACITY. OFTEN THE PERPETRATOR IS RELATED TO THE VICTIM OR IS SOMEONE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARING FOR THEM. LAST YEAR SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER SERVED 437 SENIOR VICTIMS OF CRIME. COLLABORATION WITH PARTNERS LED TO SUCCESSFUL CONVICTIONS AND SAFE OUTCOMES FOR SENIORS. THIS MONTH AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR IT IS IMPORTANT WE STAY INVOLVED IN THE LIVES OF THE SENIORS WE CARE ABOUT. LET'S ALL DO OUR PART TWO HARRIS COUNTY A SAFER PLACE TO GROW OLD AND WE INVITE YOU TO NEXT FRIDAY, THE 14TH WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PRESS CONFERENCE FOR WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER ON FRIDAY THE 14TH AT 10:00 A.M.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HOPE TO BE ABLE TO JOIN YOU GUYS. MY GRANDPARENTS WHEN THEY WERE MUCH YOUNGER COMMITMENT AND VOLUNTEERISM WENT TO THIS CAUSE. SO GROWING UP I WOULD HEAR STORIES OF GRANDPARENTS, GREAT-GRANDPARENTS WHOSE CHILDREN OR GRANDCHILDREN WOULD JUST MISTREAT THEM AS THEY WOULD END UP AT THESE HOMES AND NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT THAT SO THANK YOU. THE SECOND RESOLUTION.

>> THERE ARE MORE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. NEXT IS

>> SHE IS MAKING HER WAY >> GOOD MORNING I'M CHAIR FOR THE REGION SIX ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICE ADVISORY BOARD AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AT CARE. THANK YOU FOR ORGANIZING WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY. TOO MANY ADULTS SUFFER IN SILENCE AND SHEDDING LIGHT ON ELDER ABUSE THE PUBLIC DISCOURSE SUCH AS TODAY'S PROCLAMATION IS KEY TO PREVENTING SUFFERING. NO OLDER ADULT OR PERSON LIVING WITH DISABILITIES SHOULD EXPERIENCE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL OR FINANCIAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT. EACH PRECINCT HAS A ACTIVE SENIOR PROGRAM AND THERE IS MORE WE CAN AND SHOULD BE DOING. OUR 60 PLUS POPULATION IN HARRIS COUNTY IS 18% BIGGER THAN EL PASO. MORE OLDER ADULTS LIVE ALONE AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION IS KEY TO HEALTHY AGING. WHEN WE REMIND VULNERABLE PEOPLE THEY MATTER IT REMOVES ABUSE, STIGMA AND FEAR. SUNLIGHT CAN BE THE BEST DISINFECTANT. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEARN MORE ABOUT YOUR OWN POPULATION BECAUSE WOULDN'T IT

[01:05:01]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >>

MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE HOUSTON DISTRICT DIRECTOR FOR ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING AS WE WORK ALONGSIDE RADICAL PARTNERS LIKE THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, SENIOR JUSTICE ASSESSMENT CENTER.

HARRIS COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING AND THE HARRISON ARE. WE WORK TO PROTECT THE MOST VULNERABLE ADULTS AND ADULTS WITH DISABILITY FROM EXPECTATION. WE KNOW TOGETHER WITH CLIENTS , FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS WHO ARE ABLE TO HELP SO MANY TEXANS HAVE A HEALTHIER AND SAFER LIFE WITH DIGNITY INTACT. BUILDING STRONG SUPPORT FOR ELDERS IS WHAT WE HAVE DONE WITH SUCCESSFUL COLLABORATION, WE CANNOT DO THIS WORK ALONE AND PARTNERSHIP HELPS US TO RESTORE DIGNITY TO THE LIVES OF OLDER ADULTS WHO EXPERIENCE ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPECTATION. APS WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF DEPARTMENT HAS ASSISTED WITH SHUTDOWNS AND FOUND SAFER LIVING ENVIRONMENTS

FOR VULNERABLE CLIENTS. >> CONTINUE.

>> WORKING ALONGSIDE HELPING TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR ALL THE CLIENTS WORKING ALONGSIDE WITH AAA TO HELP US FIND WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR CLIENTS. THE HARRISON OR HAS HELPED FIND CRITICAL PLACEMENT FOR DISABLED ADULTS NEEDING SECURE PLACEMENT TO MEET THEIR NEEDS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES TO BRING AWARENESS TO NEGLECT AND EXPECTATION AS A COMMUNITY WE CAN WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE OLDER ADULTS AND DISABLED ADULTS HAVE SAFE COMMUNITIES TO LIVE IN AND THRIVE AND MAKE CONTRIBUTION TO OUR COMMUNITY.

ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES RECEIVED 16,753 INTAKES FOR

HARRIS COUNTY LAST YEAR. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY I WORK WITH FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT GROUPS AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT FEAR IS THE BIGGEST ISSUE THAT. IT MAY BE HEALTH-RELATED , FINANCE RELATED, IT MAY BE STORM RELATED, BUT THE BIGGEST THING THEY NEED IS SOMEONE THEY CAN CALL WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE ANYBODY ELSE TO CALL. I KNOW YOUR THAT ENTITY IN A LOT OF

CASES. >> ALONGSIDE ME THERE FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS.

>> DO YOU HAVE AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT HAPPENS? OFTEN YOU THINK OF CERTAIN THINGS COMMUNAL LONELINESS AND WHATNOT, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL PHYSICAL ABUSE THAT A LOT OF THESE ELDERLY PEOPLE GO THROUGH OR BEYOND LONELINESS

AND WHATNOT. >> THINKING ABOUT THE WEATHER IS GOING TO HOT SUMMER MONTHS, SOME OF THE BIGGEST CASES WE RECEIVE ARE PHYSICAL NEGLECT CASES BECAUSE WE KNOW SENIORS ARE ON A FIXED INCOME AS FOOD COST RISES AND ENERGY COST RISES SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO ASSIST THEM WITH PAYING BILLS SO THEY CAN RUN THEIR ELECTRICITY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS AND EVEN IN THE WINTER MONTHS. SOME OF THE BIGGEST COMMUNITY ISSUES WE HAVE IS UNPERMITTED BOARDING HOMES AND I THANK THE COURT FOR SIGNING OFF ON ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT TO WORK TOGETHER WE SEE ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPECTATION.

>> THANK YOU FOR HELPING EXPLAIN AND TO MY COLLEAGUES FOR RECOGNIZING THE ISSUE. THE FINAL RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION SUPPORTIVE HOUSTON-AREA JANITORS IN THEIR FIGHT FOR BETTER WAGES AND BETTER WORKING CONDITIONS. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME

SPEAKERS HERE. >> MINUTE.

LET ME JUST SAY THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR DOING THIS TODAY I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR PUTTING THIS FORWARD. THIS IS THE HOUSTON JANITORS FIRST TIME IN COMMISSIONERS COURT. MY NAME IS 33 I REPRESENT JANITORS

[01:10:02]

AS MANY OF YOU KNOW WE JUST WON A HISTORIC NEW CONTRACT FOR JANITORS WE REPRESENT INCLUDING THE LARGEST INCREASE ON WAGES SINCE THE CREATION OF THE UNION AND ORGANIZING EFFORTS. MANY JANITORS WILL BE MOVING THEM OUT TO A MINIMUM OF $15 AN HOUR WITH PART-TIME JANITORS MOVING CLOSER TO THAT AT A MINIMUM OF $14 AN HOUR. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO GO EVEN FARTHER BY ALSO MOVING JANITORS TO A MINIMUM OF $15 AN HOUR. THAT IS A HUGE STEP FORWARD AND I WOULD LIKE TO DO MY COMMENTS IN SPANISH IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> JUST A MOMENT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS ALLOWED WITHOUT

AN INTERPRETER. >> YES IT RELATES TO THE

RESOLUTION. >> OKAY.

>>

>> YES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> WELCOME, SO I'LL BE TO HAVE YOUR. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE RECENT DEAL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE STAND IN SOLIDARITY, THANK YOU FOR COMING TO MEET WITH US AND FOR ALLOWING MY TEAM TO BE PART OF THE DELEGATION. AND I CANNOT WAIT TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IT ON SO WE CAN BE SURE, WE HAVE PASSED THE $15 AN HOUR FOR HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS, IN TERMS OF CONTRACT AND TEMPORARY LABOR, WE NEED TO WALK THE WALK. I WILL PROBABLY VOTE IN FAVOR AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE HONOR YOU AND HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT AND APPRECIATION.

>> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU. I KNOW IT IS TOUGH AND I CAN REMEMBER SOME YEARS AGO WHEN WE WERE OUT BY THE GALLERIA, EASY LITTLE WALK ON THE SIDEWALK AND I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET ARRESTED. CONGRESSMAN MAYBE SEVEN YEARS AGO, HE BEAT ME TO IT, HE WENT TO THE MARCH THE OTHER DAY , BUT HE THOUGHT I WOULD BE AFRAID OF GETTING ARRESTED. IT IS A REALLY BIG DEAL AND THANK YOU FOR COMING TO THE PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY AND SUPPORTING THE ITEM. IT IS AMAZING WHAT ALL YOU WILL HAVE DONE. SOME BUILDINGS THE COUNTY WOULD SUBCONTRACT AND I'M TOLD PEOPLE WERE PAID AS LITTLE AS $10 AN HOUR. SO UNDER THE ITEM COMING UP LATER WE PUT A POLICY IN PLACE WITH THE COUNTY MANAGER AND HER TEAM WILL COME UP WITH A WAY OF NOT MAKING $15 THE FLOOR ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL IT IS STUCK AT SEVEN SOMETHING. IT'S DIFFICULT TO ADJUST EVERY YEAR SO WE OUGHT TO DO THAT BASED ON WHAT TRAVIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF DALLAS DO , DALLAS COUNTY WITH SOME METRICS THAT MAKE SENSE. THANK YOU FOR COMING AND SPEAKING IN SPANISH AT THE

PRESS CONFERENCE. >> I WANT TO SAY I AM SO PROUD, WE KEPT HEARING WE COULDN'T GET TO THE $15. HOUSTON, THE MARKET WILL NOT ACCEPT THAT, AND I AM SO PROUD. I WAS PROUD TO SAY HOUSTON HAS COME A LONG WAY AND WE HAVE CHANGED AND HOUSTON IS DIFFERENT, THEY SAY HOUSTON IS DIFFERENT AND I SAID WE ARE DIFFERENT. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND YOU HAVE MADE ME NOT A LIAR BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY IS DOING IT NOW.

>> YOU MAKE US BETTER, THANK YOU AND YOUR WORKERS.

>> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

[01:15:02]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I DON'T SEE ANYWHERE THOSE SOLUTIONS OUT OF ORDER ON YOUR AGENDA. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS TODAY. FIRST, ITEM 8 CELEBRATING PRECINCT 4 LIBERTY FESTIVAL. PLEASE INVITING SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT BOARD MEMBER DAVID PETERS AND ANOTHER SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT NUMBER AND NAME ] IF YOU COULD JOIN US. WE ARE SO HAPPY TO HAVE YOU AND TO BE CELEBRATING THE FIFTH ANNUAL LIBERTY FESTIVAL IN SHARPS TOWN ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE AREA IN THE REGION AND IN THIS COUNTRY.

AND WE ARE SO PROUD TO HAVE NUMEROUS BUSINESS DISTRICTS, INCLUDING CHINATOWN, ASIA WALL STREET, THE GANDHI DISTRICT AND WE HAVE OVER 60 LANGUAGES SPOKEN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND MAKING SURE WE'RE CELEBRATING INDEPENDENCE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND BRINGING ALL CULTURES TOGETHER AS YOU CELEBRATE LIBERTY FESTIVAL. MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GONE MULTIPLE YEARS. WE WILL BE THERE AND WE INVITE EVERYONE WHO IS LISTENING ON JUNE 30 TO JOIN US. IT WILL BE IN THE PARKING LOT , SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY WITH EVERYTHING YOU DO TO DRIVE THE

SHARPS TOWN AREA FORWARD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY, CELEBRATING JULY 4 , CELEBRATION. SORRY I AM NERVOUS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE AND RECOGNIZING OUR CELEBRATION. LIBERTY FEST. IT IS OUR FIFTH YEAR AND I APPRECIATE COUNTY COURT HAS RECOGNIZED THIS DAY FOR US, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE COURT AND FOR PARTICIPATING AND GIVING US THE MOST NEEDED EQUIPMENT, AND PORTABLE POTTY TRAILERS. THIS YEAR IS THE YEARS WE GROW IN NUMBERS WE EXPECT MORE THAN 15,000 PARTICIPANTS AND READ BY JUDGE OR COMMISSIONER TO PLEASE JOIN US JUNE 30, STARTING AT 4:00 ENDING AT 9:00 AND LAST YEAR WE HAD THE COUNTDOWN SO WE INVITE EVERYBODY TO JOIN US IN THIS WONDERFUL COUNTDOWN JUNE 30 AT THE PLAZA AMERICANA. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALL THE SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU. MY TEAM AND I ARE HAPPY TO SUPPORT IN EVERY WAY WE CAN. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY PHENOMENAL CHIEF OF STAFF WHO HELPED LEAD SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AMONGST MANY ORGANIZATIONS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. I WILL

SEE YOU ON JUNE 30. >> YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD

PLEASE? >> STATE YOUR NAMES FOR THE

RECORD PLEASE. >> DAVID PETERS.

>> WITH SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

>> AND OUR STAFF

BEING HERE. >> MY SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION. BEFORE I BEGIN I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OF NUMEROUS COMMUNITY LEADERS WHO I AM SO PROUD TO HAVE YOU TODAY.

COMMERCE, UNITED AND DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS FOR TRANSGENDER EDUCATION NETWORK OF TEXAS.

OF THE NORMAL ANOMALY INITIATIVE.

DIRECTOR OF EQUALITY TEXAS.

CAUCUS AND WE ALSO HAVE NORMAL ANOMALY INITIATIVE, 33 PROGRAM COORDINATOR FOR THE NORMAL ANOMALY INITIATIVE, FOR THE NORMAL ANOMALY INITIATIVE, ANOMALY AND WE HAVE

[01:20:02]

WHEREAS AFTER COMING TOGETHER TO PROTEST A ANTI- LGBTQIA+ ACTIVIST VISIT TO HARRIS COUNTY THE CAUCUS HELD THE FIRST POLITICALLY ORIENTED MEETING OF LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE UNITED STATES KNOWN AS TOWN MEETING ONE. NOMINATING IN CREATION OF SEVERAL COMMUNITY SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDING THE MONTROSE CENTER AND CLINIC NOW KNOWN AS LEGACY COMMUNITY HEALTH. WHEREAS IN 2016 THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQIA+ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WAS LAUNCHED WHICH ELVES CONNECT AND EMPOWER TREND 20 BUSINESSES, THOSE THAT ARE OWNED AND ALLIED SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY WHO HAVE MOBILIZED THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY RUN BY THE WONDERFUL TAMMY WALLACE, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IN 2023 MY TEAM AND I WERE PROUD TO PUT AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA TO CREATE HARRIS COUNTY'S FIRST TREND 20 COMMISSION. A FIRST FOR HARRIS COUNTY WITH MANY COMMUNITY LEADERS INCLUDING SOME OF YOU ON THIS COMMISSION HELPING TO PROVIDE ACTIONABLE IDEAS. HOW WE CAN CONTINUE TO ADVANCE JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND WE KNOW LAST YEAR IN 2023 IN THE UNITED STATES THERE WAS OVER 400 PIECES OF HATEFUL LEGISLATION INTRODUCED AND WE KNOW IN TEXAS AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU AND QUALITY TEXAS TEAM DO. WE HAD OVER 140 PIECES OF LEGISLATION IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. WE CAN GO ON AND ON WITH THE NUMBERS. WE KNOW FOR THE TREVOR PROJECT THAT ONE OF OUR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH AGED 13 TO 24 ATTEMPT SUICIDE EVERY 45 SECONDS. UNACCEPTABLE AND I COULD GO ON AND ON. HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WE ARE A PLACE OF RESISTANCE AND PROGRESS, HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WE PROUDLY STAND IN SOLIDARITY NOT JUST TODAY, IN JUNE, BUT ALWAYS AND WE ARE HERE TO ADVANCE EQUALITY AND INCLUSION IN HARRIS COUNTY, AS A MOTHER OF THREE LITTLE KIDS I WANTED TO GO UP WHERE THEY CAN BE THERE FULL AUTHENTIC SELVES. I WILL BE OF TEXAS AND THE REST OF THE COUNTRY IS MOVING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION, WE NEED TO LEARN FROM HISTORY NOT RELIVE IT. IT GIVES ME GREAT PRIDE TO BE THIS YEAR'S ALLIED GRAND MARSHAL, IT GIVES ME PRIDE TO LEARN AND BE A PART OF THIS HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY BECAUSE I HOPE ONE DAY TEXAS WILL BE LIKE HARRIS COUNTY BUT UNTIL THEN WE ARE

[01:25:01]

AND LASTLY AS THEY COME UP, I WANT TO INVITE AND THANK THE CHAMBER BECAUSE THANKS TO THE CHAMBER WE HAVE A SHOW YOUR PRIDE EVENT FROM 12:00 UNTIL 2:00 TODAY IN THIS BUILDING ON THE NINTH FLOOR. TAKE A PICTURE, SHOW YOUR PRIDE EVENT, WE ARE HERE TO CELEBRATE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE HONORING TODAY AND ALWAYS PLEASE JOIN US AND THANK YOU TO THE CHAMBER FOR

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]

CAN YOU PLEASE CALL THE SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP?

>> AM A COFOUNDER , PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQIA+ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, ON BEHALF OF OF 500 MEMBERS THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH. THIS RESOLUTION SPEAKS VOLUMES AND SENDS A POWERFUL MESSAGE THAT ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY ARE WELCOME AND VALUED. YOUR RECOGNITION NOT ONLY ACKNOWLEDGES VIBRANT CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY BUT ALSO AFFIRMS HARRIS COUNTY IS A PLACE WHERE DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION ARE CELEBRATED. PRIDE MONTH IS A TIME TO REFLECT ON PROGRESS MADE, HONOR THE TRAILBLAZERS WHO FOUGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE WORK YET AHEAD. TIME TO CELEBRATE RICH DIVERSITY THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY UNIQUE AND INTEGRAL TO THE FABRIC OF OUR REGION AND ECONOMY. YOUR SUPPORT FOSTERS AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN THRIVE REGARDLESS OF THEIR SEXUAL ORIENTATION OR GENDER IDENTITY. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR STANDING WITH THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY.

>> THANK YOU, DR. WALLACE. >>

>> GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY PRIDE. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PLATFORM OUR ISSUES. AS ONE OF THE LARGEST METRO AREAS IN THE COUNTY HOUSTON IS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE CITIES IN THE U.S. THIS PRIDE AND EVERY PRIDE AND EVERY DAY ORGANIZATIONS FIGHT FOR THE DIVERSITY AND EMPOWERING AND UPLIFTING OF THE GENDER EXPENSIVE COMMUNITY.

HARRIS COUNTY PRIDE FESTIVALS ARE SO MUCH MORE , IT IS A ROOT SYSTEM ROOTED DEEP IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE BEEN THE MOTHERS OF MOVEMENT AND OF THE COMMUNITY.

THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN HERE AND FOUGHT ALONGSIDE OTHER HOUSTONIANS. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT HARRIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP INVEST IN THE PROSPERITY OF THESE COMMUNITY MEMBERS AS WE FACE TROUBLING TIMES , ATTACKED FROM EVERY EXISTENCE OF OUR BEING. WE STAND FOR TO SHOW THIS IS NOT A ME AGENDA, BUT A

WE AGENDA. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE NORMAL ANOMALY INITIATIVE. MY PEOPLE BEHIND ME, MONTHS LIKE THIS ARE CREATED FOR BOTH CELEBRATION AND COMMEMORATION AND THOUGH THESE IDEAS SEEM TO BE MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE, THEY ARE TRULY COMPARABLE FOR PRIDE MONTH. AS WE DISCUSSED PRIDE MONTH CELEBRATION , IT'S OFTEN THE PARADE, BUT IT STARTED FROM PROTEST , COMMEMORATING OF A PROTEST FROM TWO TRANS WOMEN OF COLOR AND THE RAINBOW FLAG IS WAIVED IN CELEBRATION AS A SYMBOL THAT COMMEMORATES THE DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCE, IDENTITY AND GENDER OF OUR COMMUNITY. AS THE RESOLUTION GOES FORWARD I ASK LOVE FOR US NOT ONLY MAKE YOU CELEBRATE US AS YOUR CONSTITUENTS IN COMMUNITY, BUT YOU REMEMBER ALL COLORS AND JOIN US IN THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND EQUITY. WE ARE YOUR SIBLINGS, CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS AND WE ARE MUCH MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT. PLEASE SUPPORT PRIDE. IN CONSTRUCTIVE WAYS.

>> ABSOLUTELY, THANK YOU. >> BRAD PRITCHETT .

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR AT EQUALITY TEXAS FOR THE STATE'S LARGEST LGBTQIA+ AND CHAIR OF THE LGBTQIA+ HARRIS COMMISSION. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THE RESOLUTION UP INTO THE COURT FOR SUPPORTING. WE HAVE 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND EQUALITY TEXAS TRACKS 30 PRIDE

[01:30:03]

>> THANK YOU FOR HEADING THE COMMISSION AND EVERYTHING YOU DO AROUND THE STATE OF TEXAS, WE ARE GRATEFUL.

>> HAVING US TODAY. I AM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON LGBTQIA+ POLITICAL CAUCUS, LAST YEAR IN JUNE I WAS HERE AND SPOKE IN SUPPORT OF THE CREATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRST LGBTQIA+ COMMISSION. TODAY I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING PRIDE MONTH. IN HARRIS COUNTY FROM LAST YEAR TO TODAY ATTACKS ON THE LGBTQ COMMUNITY HAVE INCREASED, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO TAX ON THE TRANS COMMUNITY SPECIFICALLY ON YOUTH. THIS RESOLUTION IS NEEDED NOW MORE THAN EVER AND ILLUSTRATES THE IMPORTANCE OF ALLIES STANDING WITH US DURING THESE CHALLENGING TIMES. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING THE LGBTQIA+

COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS ALL FOR THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS WONDERFUL TO SEE YOU HERE. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR THIS AND FOR THE EVENT YOU HAVE PLANNED WITH TAMMY WALLACE. ONE THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ALL RECOGNIZE IS , THIS REALLY AFFECTS ALL OF US. IT IS A MATTER OF FREEDOM AND SOME PEOPLE MIGHT SAY WELL YOU KNOW, I AM NOT PART OF THE COMMUNITY, SO I DON'T NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO THIS. THIS IS A CONVERSATION THAT I PERSONALLY HAD WITH PRESIDENT BIDEN. AT THE WHITE HOUSE AROUND THE TIME THAT THE ANTI- ABORTION RULING WAS MADE BY THE SUPREME COURT. THE COMMENT AND HE HAS MADE THESE PUBLICLY AS WELL. WHEN YOU GO BACK ON A RIGHT THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN RECOGNIZED AND YOU THINK ABOUT MARRIAGE EQUALITY GETTING OVERTURNED AND YOU THINK ABOUT OTHER KINDS OF RIGHTS THAT APPLY TO EVERY KIND OF PERSON. IT IS NOT AN EXAGGERATION TO SAY THAT'S ON THE TABLE, CERTAINLY THE RHETORIC THAT IS USED WHICH HAS BEEN EXACERBATED WAS DIVISIVE OBVIOUSLY AND HOW EXTREME ONE OF THE PARTIES HAS BECOME. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WE ARE ALREADY SEEING OUR RIGHTS ELIMINATED. RIGHTS RELEVANT TO THIS COMMUNITY AND RELEVANT TO ALL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE BEING ATTACKED. MOST IMPORTANTLY I WANT TO THANK YOU GUYS FOR YOUR BRAVERY AND COMMITMENT BECAUSE I, LIKE ALL OF YOU, KNOW PEOPLE WHO ARE MOVING OUT OF TEXAS BECAUSE OF THE ATTACKS AND THE RHETORIC, THE REAL PHYSICAL VIOLENCE AND EMOTIONAL VIOLENCE. AND SO I KNOW, I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS QUITE LITERALLY DANGEROUS WORK TO DO, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT AND AS WE SAW WITH THE ABORTION FIGHT, WHEN THE COMMUNITY MOVES, THAT'S WHEN YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND NOW WE CAN SEE FOLKS WHO CAME AFTER RIGHTS BACKTRACKING A LITTLE BIT. SO, WE ARE RIGHT THERE WITH YOU AND IT IS A FIGHT WE WISH WE DID NOT HAVE TO FIGHT AND THAT'S WHY ALL OF US, I AM COMMITTED TO WHATEVER THE GROUP IS, THERE IS NO REASON TO FEED EXTREME RHETORIC, TO CALL PEOPLE NAMES OR EQUATE THEM TO NONHUMAN THINGS AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT'S TAKING PLACE NOW AND LEADS TO THE MOST TERRIBLE OUTCOMES. ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE YOU GUYS, APPRECIATE THE COMMISSIONER, YOUR TEAM AND THE COLLEAGUES WHO HAVE BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF YOU. LET US KNOW

WHAT MORE WE CAN DO. >> THANK YOU, I COULDN'T AGREE MORE. ALL EQUALITY AND RIGHTS ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED. SO WE ARE ALL IN AS I AM A PROUD ALLY AND ACCOMPLICE I WILL BE IN THIS FIGHT FOR YEARS BECAUSE WE MUST CREATE A FUTURE WHERE

[01:35:04]

THANK YOU, 12:00 UNTIL 2:00 SHOW YOUR PRIDE PLEASE GO TO THE NINTH FLOOR. WE LOOK FORWARD TO TAKING A PHOTO MOMENTARILY. THANK YOU AGAIN.

>> ANY OTHER OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS COMMISSIONER? OKAY SO THE QUESTION IS, I SEE THE JUDGES ARE HERE. QUESTION FOR MY COLLEAGUES. TO TAKE THE JUDGES AND THEN TAKE THE PICTURES OR DO WE TAKE THE PICTURES AND THEN WE WILL HEAR

FROM THE JUDGES? >> LET THE JUDGES DECIDE.

>> OKAY LET'S TRY TO KEEP IT UNDER TIME BECAUSE THERE ARE FOLKS WHO ARE HERE AND THERE IS A MASSIVE AWARD SOME FOLKS WON AND VERY WORTHY CAUSES. WILL TAKE COMMENTS FROM OUR COLLEAGUES AND WELCOME TO THE NEW COURTROOM.

THESE ARE THE NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS, SOME OF THE NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS I BELIEVE.

>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS JUDGE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS. WE REQUEST COMMISSIONERS COURT TO REEVALUATE COMPENSATION AND CONSIDER A COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE FOR ALL COUNTY COURT JUDGES. COUNTY AND COURT JUDGES HAVE NOT HAD A RAISE COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE SINCE 2017 WHICH IS BEFORE HARVEY.

OVER THE PAST DECADE JUDICIAL SELLERS HAVE INCREASED BY 6% ALL PRIOR TO 2018 CONSIDERING INFLATION AND RISING COST CURRENT SALARIES REMAINED STAGNANT. WHILE HARRIS COUNTY IS THE THIRD-LARGEST COUNTY IN THE NATION JUDICIAL SALARIES RINK 40TH. EVEN WITH A LOW RANKING WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR A RAISE WE ARE ASKING FOR THE SAME COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE 7% THAT WENT ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES LAST YEAR. MY FELLOW JUDGES WILL SPEAK MORE AND I HOPE YOU'LL GIVE US SERIOUS

CONSIDERATION. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE OF CRIMINAL COURT, #10. AS MY COLLEAGUE MENTIONED WE ALL KNOW WE ARE THE THIRD-LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY YET WE RINK 40TH FOR JUDICIAL SALARY. YOU WILL HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES ABOUT THE EXCEPTIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND A RAISE IS WELL-DESERVED BUT WE ARE NOT HERE ASKING FOR A RAISE WE ARE SIMPLY ASKING FOR COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT THAT WAS GIVEN TO ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES. AS WITH ALL JOBS SALARIES MUST BE COMPETITIVE TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE BEST TALENT. WHEN GOOD LAWYERS MAKE MORE IN PRIVATE PRACTICE THERE IS NO INCENTIVE FOR THEM TO BECOME PUBLIC SERVANTS. I SHOULD KNOW AS SOMEONE WHO LEFT PRIVATE PRACTICE AND TOOK ON A SALARY NOW LEARNING HAVE ABOUT MY PREVIOUS INCOME WAS. I DID IT BECAUSE I CHOSE TO SERVE.

PEOPLE CALLED ME CRAZY. IT IS A TOUGH CALL TO MAKE. ON TOP OF THIS WE ARE NOT ALLOWED TO COMPENSATE BY WORKING IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION. WE ARE ASKING TO BE PAID COMMENDS HER TO THE COST OF LIVING TO THE WORK AND LOAD WE ARE COMPARED TO , TO OTHER ATTORNEYS IN THE DA OFFICE, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE AND ATTORNEYS FOR THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU. HI MY NAME IS LAW NUMBER SEVEN. COMPETITIVE SALARIES ARE IMPERATIVE , BUT THAT'S NOT THE ONLY REASON WE ARE ASKING FOR THE COST OF LIVING. MANY OF US ARE IN SECOND TERMS ON THE BENCH AND HAVE WORKED HARD TO POSITIVELY IMPACT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH STARTS WITH MISDEMEANOR REFORM , WE DID THAT TO REMEDY THE PRIOR RAIL SYSTEM IN PLACE BEFORE FOUND IN CONSTITUTION BY JUDGE ROSENTHAL AND FIFTH CIRCUIT. AS PART OF THAT WE CREATED MOST ENSURE MISDEMEANOR DEFENDANTS ARE GRANTED SECURE BOND WITHOUT CONDITIONS SET AT $100 BUT WE HAVE CARVEOUTS FOR OFFENSES OR FOLKS ON SUPERVISION TO MAKE SURE PUBLIC SAFETY IS ALSO CONSIDERED. IN 2021 WE FURTHER UPDATED COURT NOTIFICATION TO MAKE IT EASIER TO DIGEST AND GET ELECTRONIC NOTIFICATION WHEN PEOPLE HAD

[01:40:05]

FORWARD, THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS FROM KENDRICK REVENUE COURT, #5. WHAT HAVE WE DONE? BAIL REFORM, WE ARE COMMITTED TO WHAT? PUBLIC SAFETY THAT'S WHAT WE DO. AT THE SAME TIME WHAT WE FOCUSED ON? ENSURING THE PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD TO BE JAILED OR CANNOT AFFORD TO GET OUT , GET OUT, MAINTAIN LIVING AND DO NOT GET FIRED, DO NOT UPEND THEIR LIVELIHOOD JUST BECAUSE THEY STAYED IN JAIL. WE STILL MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE RECORD, YOU CAN LOOK AT THE DATA WHICH SHOWS PUBLIC SAFETY HAS NOT BEEN COMPROMISED. WHAT ARE WE ASKING FOR? NOT MUCH, A COST-OF-LIVING RAISE THAT'S ALL WE WANT. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS LESLIE JOHNSON THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT MY NAME IS LESLIE JOHNSON THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT, #3. I WANT TO SHARE WITH YOU THE INCREDIBLE JOB MISDEMEANOR JUDGES HAVE DONE IN REDUCING THE BACKLOG OF HARRIS COUNTY. SINCE 2022 WE HAVE CLEARED OVER 126,000 CASES. AVERAGING 7900 PER COURT. SINCE 2022 WE HAVE CUT THE BACKLOG BY 66% FROM 24,000 CASES PER COURT TO AROUND 8000, WE ARE CLEARING MORE CASES THAN ARE FILED EACH MONTH. CLEARANCE RATE HAS TRENDED WELL ABOVE 100% , 137% IN FEBRUARY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION.

>> GREETINGS.

HARRIS COUNTY COURTS OUTLAW INCLUDING CRIMINAL AND CIVIL AND THE PRESIDING JUDGE FOR COURT AT LAW NUMBER NINE. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS IN ALL HARRIS COUNTY COURTS OUTLAW BY PLACING A SHARP FOCUS ON BEST PRACTICES, GOOD LEADERSHIP DECISIONS AND DATA-DRIVEN PRACTICES. WE HAVE ATTENDED TRAININGS AND CONDUCTED COURT ASSESSMENT, DEVELOPED ACTION PLANS, UPDATED FORMS AND PRACTICE TO ENSURE WE ARE WORKING AT OPTIMUM LEVELS. WITHOUT ESTABLISHING A SECOND TYPE OF SHIFT A NIGHT AND WEEKEND COURT WHICH WOULD COST MORE MONEY FARES COUNTY WHICH MEANS EITHER PAYING OVERTIME FROM EMPLOYEES OR ADDING ANOTHER PROSECUTOR , BAILIFFS, PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND SO FORTH. WE ARE EAGER TO CONTINUE DILIGENTLY WORKING ON THE BACKLOG AND IN CLOSING I ASKED THAT YOU WILL HONOR EFFORTS AND IMPROVE QUEST -- REQUEST FOR COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT WE ARE ALSO ASKING FOR THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE FOR THE NECESSITY FOR FAMILY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PACE FROM ECONOMIC STATUS, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER EIGHT. WE HAVE WORKED VERY HARD TO REDUCE THE BACKLOG AND WE HAVE DONE THIS WITH LIMITED RESOURCES. HARRIS COUNTY IS COMING UP ON FIVE HARRIS COUNTY IS COMING UP ON 5 MILLION RESIDENTS, THE THIRD-LARGEST IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. JUST BEHIND LOS ANGELES AND COOK COUNTY.

NATIONAL STANDARDS FOR CALL FOR JURISDICTION OF THE SIZE TO HAVE 27.5 QUARTS. WE ONLY HAVE 16 MISDEMEANOR COURTS. WE HAVE BEGUN THE PROCESS OF REQUESTING THE LEGISLATORS TO CREATE MORE COURTS AND WILL ASK COMMISSIONERS COURT TO FUND THEM BUT WE KNOW THE PROCESS IS LONG AND NOT GUARANTEED, SO WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE AND WORK HARD ON THE WORK THAT ACCORDING TO NATIONAL STANDARDS SHOULD BE SPREAD AMONGST 27 1/2 QUARTS,

THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. WHEN HE WAS MISDEMEANOR COURT ESTABLISHED THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGED DESIGN COUNCIL MORE COMMONLY KNOWN AS, TO ENSURE INDIGENT DEFENDANTS HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY DEFENSE AND TO END THE APPEARANCE OF PAY FOR PLAY APPOINTMENT EXISTING IN THE PAST, THE FIRST OF ITS KIND IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ONE OF FIVE PROGRAMS IN TEXAS. SINCE INCEPTION INCREASING THE NUMBER AND DIVERSITY OF LIST OF APPOINTED COUNCIL WITH USE OF INVESTIGATOR SOCIAL WORKERS MITIGATION SPECIALISTS AND IMMIGRATION CONSULTATIONS BY APPOINTED COUNCIL INCREASING DRAMATICALLY REFLECTED IN THE REPRESENTATION PROVIDED THE SIXTH AMENDMENT GUARANTEES ANYONE FACING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION HAS THE RIGHT TO EFFECTIVELY WILL COUNCIL FOR GODLESS OR WHETHER THEY CAN AFFORD IT. APPOINTING COUNCIL FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD IT ENSURES A FAIR TRIAL BY BALANCING POWER BETWEEN THE GOVERNMENT AND THE ACCUSED. WE HAVE TAKEN SERIOUSLY THE RESPONSIBILITY TO PROTECT THIS VITAL PART OF THE PROCESS. THANK YOU.

[01:45:03]

>> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. I AM THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER ONE. IN 2022 WE CREATED THE CITY COMMUNITY COURT THE ORIGIN EDUCATION ARM OF THE CRIMINAL MISDEMEANOR COURT, THE FIRST PROGRAM WE LAUNCHED UNDER COMMUNITY COURT WAS FRESH START A SECOND CHANCE PROGRAM TO HELP PEOPLE CHANGE COURSE AFTER EXPENSES WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY CEILING ELIGIBLE CRIMINAL RECORDS AND CONNECTING THEM TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER, HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND CORRECTIONS AND MANY OTHER JUSTICE AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS. DESIGN FOR PEOPLE WHO COMPLETED DEFERRED ADJUDICATION PAID THEIR DUES HAD CASES DISMISSED AND THOUGHT THEY COULD MOVE ON BUT QUICKLY FOUND OUT A DISMISSED CHARGE COULD HAUNT THEM THINGS LIKE HOUSING JOBS, STUDENT LOAN AND PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION, SINCE ITS INCEPTION WE HOSTED 10 EVENTS DURING THAT TIME WE HAVE HELPED HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE GET THEIR RECORDS SEALED, THE PROGRAM HAS BECOME SO POPULAR REGISTRATION FOR QUARTERLY EVENTS THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. I'M THE PRESIDING JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 15. CONTEMPLATING CURRENT CASELOAD AS WELL AS BACKLOG WE CREATED THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOCKET . WE DID THIS BECAUSE WE WANTED TO PRIORITIZE SOME OF THE MOST SERIOUS CASES INVOLVING INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, VIOLATIONS OF PROTECTIVE ORDERS AND INVOLVING FIREARMS AS WELL AS ANIMAL CRUELTY CASES. WE DID THIS BY UTILIZING THE EXISTING EMERGENCY RESPONSE DOCKET AND HIRING ASSOCIATE JUDGE TO OVERSEE THOSE CASES. SINCE IT'S INCEPTION LAST YEAR THE DOCKET HAS DISPOSED OF OVER 1100 CASES ROUGHLY 70% OF THE CASELOAD ASSIGNED. IT IS OUR GOAL MOVING FORWARD THAT WE DEVELOP PRETRIAL INTERVENTION PROGRAMS AS WELL AS SPECIALTY DOCKETS THAT ARE REHABILITATIVE IN NATURE WHICH WILL ALLOW US TO GIVE THE CITIZENS THE RESOURCES AND TOOLS THEY NEED TO CONTINUE TO BECOME PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF SOCIETY.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 13. IN 2020 WE WORK TO CREATE SITE AND RELEASE A PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS DISCRETION TO ISSUE CITATIONS RATHER THAN MAKE ARREST FOR CERTAIN LOW-LEVEL NONVIOLENT OFFENSES. THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO DECREASE THE NUMBER OF NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS IN JAIL TO MITIGATE THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCE OF PRETRIAL INCARCERATION LIKE LOSS OF JOB, HOUSING AND EVEN CHILD CUSTODY.

FOR LOW-LEVEL OFFENSES AND BOOST PUBLIC SAFETY BY LETTING POLICE STAY ON THE STREETS INSTEAD OF SPENDING HOURS TRANSPORTING AND PROCESSING LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS. AS LAW ENFORCEMENT UNDERUTILIZE THE PROGRAM WE BELIEVE IN ITS PREMISE AND WANT IT TO WORK. WE ARE STARTING WAYS TO MAKE IT MORE EFFECTIVE AND UTILIZED. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS COURT AT LAW NUMBER ONE. REPRESENTING MY 3 CIVIL COURT COLLECTS AND WE HANDLE MATTERS, CIVIL MATTERS DISPUTES UP TO $250,000 A YEAR. WE ALSO HANDLE APPEALS FROM EVICTION CORDS FROM 16 JUSTICE COURTS, HISTORICALLY COURTS HAVE MAINTAINED A DOCKET OF 5000 CASES PER YEAR. WE CLEAR HISTORICALLY OVER 20,000 CASES EACH YEAR COLLECTIVELY, BEGINNING THIS YEAR AND BECAUSE OF THE SURGE OF EVICTION APPEALS WITH THE HELP OF THIS COURT AND THE REST OF THIS COURT WE WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH THE FIRST EVER SPECIALTY EVICTION COURT HIRING AN ASSOCIATE JUDGE THOMAS. FROM JANUARY THROUGH MAY OF THIS YEAR WE ARE ON COURSE AND HAVE HANDLED 10,249 CASES OF WHICH WE HAVE CLOSED 12,299. THANK YOU AND WE WANT COLA FOR THE COURTS, THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING MEMBERS OF THE COURT I AM MARILYN BURGESS HERE TODAY TO ASK YOU TO APPROVE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF COST OF LIVING ADJUSTMENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS. FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS OFFICIALS HAVE NOT RECEIVED A SALARY ADJUSTMENT AND I THINK WE DESERVE IT AND NEED IT AS MUCH AS ANY OTHER HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE. ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED FROM THE LAST TWO COLAS AND I BELIEVE IT IS ONLY FAIR THE COURT RECOGNIZED THE VALUE OF THE WORK WE PERFORM. I HOLD A POSITION OF HIGH RESPONSIBILITY IN HARRIS COUNTY LEADING AN AGENCY WITH 550 EMPLOYEES.

[01:50:03]

>> THANK YOU WILL SO MUCH. AS YOU KNOW IT IS A NON-AGENDA ITEM. SO YOU BETTER THAN ANYONE KNOW THAT WE CANNOT COMMENT AND HAVE TO ABIDE BY THOSE RULES. WE HEAR YOU GUYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND FOR TAKING TIME TO BE HERE AND HAVING SUCH QUICK AND TO THE POINT PRESENTATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL THE BEST FOR THE REST OF

[02:05:06]

>>> OKAY 12:28 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN

[02:05:14]

[02:05:16]

>> FIRST IS

>> HE IS COMING.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH . WHAT I WANTED TO SAY , HOWEVER, THAT GUN CAME FROM HIS OWN COLLECTION. THAT IS WHEN THE POLICE OFFICER FIRED IT. OKAY. AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH CARE , SO , I HAVE , I WANT TO SAY NOW THAT

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I TALKED ABOUT YOUR PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE WEEK AND I FILLED TO CALL THAT UP, DO YOU WANT TO

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 6)]

TAKE THAT UP NOW? >> SURE, ABSOLUTELY.

>> A BRIEF DETOUR. >> THANK YOU JUDGE. THE ITEM IS 496 RELATED TO PROPERTY TAX ASSISTANCE WEEK JUNE 17 TO THE 21ST. I CHOSE FOR THAT NOT TO BE AN AGENDA ITEM, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER IF WE DISCUSSED IT AND WHO BETTER THAN WENDY CAESAR TO COME UP IF WENDY IS HERE, THERE YOU ARE. ALL I TRY, YOU KNOW THE DETAILS AND THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ALL DO. AT THE TAX OFFICE , WHY DON'T YOU GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF SOME OF THE IMPORTANT EVENTS DURING THE WEEK.

>> OKAY THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THIS ON THE AGENDA. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE HIDALGO, GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ABOUT FOUR YEARS AGO THE COURT BROUGHT UP WHAT CAN WE DO FOR THE TAXPAYERS? SO THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR TO DETERMINE WHAT CAN WE DO. WHAT SHE CAME UP WITH WAS WHY NOT TAKE THE TAX OFFICE TO THE PEOPLE? THIS IS THE THIRD ANNUAL PROPERTY TAX WEEK. WE ARE VERY PROUD ABOUT THIS BECAUSE WHAT WE DO IS GO TO ALL FOUR COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS AND WE DO THIS ALONG WITH AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. NOW SINCE THEY ARE THE DELINQUENT COLLECTORS. WHAT WE DO IS REEDUCATE THE PEOPLE.

WITH ME I HAVE THE CHIEF DEPUTY WHO ACTUALLY DOES THE TRAINING AND COVERS THE DIFFERENT TOPICS ON HOW TO HELP SOMEBODY MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ALL OF THE EXEMPTIONS SO WHATEVER THEY NEED ON THEIR PROPERTY. I WILL HAVE HER COME UP TO SPEAK ABOUT

THAT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON I'M WITH THE TAX OFFICE , THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I WILL TALK BRIEFLY.

WE DO WORKSHOPS THE ENTIRE YEAR BUT WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS WEEK BECAUSE IT'S KIND OF THE END OF THE PROPERTY TAX CYCLE BEFORE WE START THE NEXT YEAR SO WE WANT ALL FOLKS WHO HAVE UNPAID TAXES AWARE WE HAVE PAYMENT PLANS, WE DO THE BASIC POVERTY TAX. HOW THINGS ARE VALUED, EXEMPTIONS WORK, HOW BILLS ARE CALCULATED WHICH HELPS FOLKS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT AGO WHENEVER PROBLEM. US OR THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT? A LOT OF PEOPLE THINK WE ARE ALL TOGETHER. WE HELP FOLKS UNDERSTAND THAT, WE GO TO PAYMENT PLANS AND EXEMPTIONS.

WHAT SHOCKS PEOPLE IS HOW MUCH A HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION CAN SAVE YOUR MONEY BECAUSE WE SHOW DOLLARS FOR DOLLARS AND WE GO TO ANYTHING NEW LIKE YOU JUST APPROVED LAST MONTH INCREASING OVER 65 AND DISABLED SO WE GO OVER THE NEW THINGS THAT LOCAL

[02:10:01]

TELL YOU A FEW THINGS ELSE. >> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON.

WE ARE ELATED FOR THIS PARTNERSHIP AND AGAIN THE WEEK IS JUNE 17 THROUGH THE 21ST AND WE WILL KICK OFF INCREASING 4 AT THE TRACY COMMUNITY CENTER 11:00 UNTIL 1:00 AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE SENIOR CENTER WHICH WOULD BE ON THE 18TH 2:00 UNTIL 4:00 P.M. FOLLOWED BY THURSDAY AT THE MENDENHALL COMMUNITY CENTER FROM 11:00 UNTIL 1:00 AND WE WILL END WITH PRECINCT 2 AT THE DEPUTY DARREN COMMUNITY CENTER , AS WELL. SO WE ARE EXCITED AND WE ARE READY TO GO.

>> THANK YOU ALSO MUCH. >> ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION IS WE ARE TAKING THE TAX OFFICE, THE WHOLE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION TO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS, SETTING UP THE PCS AND DOING EVERYTHING LIKE IF YOU WERE TO COME TO PRESTON OR THE OTHER BRANCHES. SO WE CALL IT A MOBILE TAX OFFICE. SO WE FEEL THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO ASSIST THE TAXPAYERS IN MAKING SURE WE ASSIST BEFORE TURNING OVER TO THE DELINQUENT ATTORNEYS. SO WE'RE HAPPY YOU BROUGHT THIS UP AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS THIS IS AVAILABLE.

>> THANK YOU, LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN HELP AMPLIFY THAT, THAT

IS WONDERFUL. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL VOTE ON IT LATER BECAUSE COMMISSIONER ELLIS

WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON IT. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JUST A

DISCUSSION ITEM. >> WELL , THERE WE GO THAT IT

IS A BIG DEAL SO THANK YOU. >> NO ACTION ?

>> CORRECT. SO CAN WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS NEXT HAVE A NOTE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I DON'T WANT TO KEEP THE SPEAKERS WAITING BUT I'M SURE YOU HAVE A GOOD REASON.

>> TO ACCOMMODATE THE DISTRICT CLERK SCHEDULE. WE ARE ON THE SPEAKER LIST FOR ONE OF THE ITEMS THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN UP

AT HER TODAY. >> OKAY YES LET'S GO AHEAD.

>> MORNING MEMBERS OF THE COURT, FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 485 A TRANSMITTAL OF WEBSITE WHICH IS A LITTLE UNUSUAL. TO UPDATE THE COURT ON A KEY PROJECT THAT HAS COME OUT OF THE O'DONNELL CONSENT DECREE REQUIRING THE COUNTY TO UNDERTAKE MEASURES TO ADDRESS NONAPPEARANCE RATES AT HARRIS COUNTY MISDEMEANOR COURTS WITH A LOT OF EVIDENCE THAT CAME TO LIGHT DURING AT OF THE CASE THAT DEFENDANTS LOST INFORMATION GIVEN TO THEM ABOUT THEIR NEXT HEARING OR HAD TROUBLE GETTING TO THOSE HEARINGS. COURT DOCKETS ARE TO UNDERSTAND FOR NONLAWYERS AND THOSE TIED UP IN THE SYSTEM. OUR OFFICE WORKING WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK DEVELOPED BY HARRIS COUNTY CASE , A WEBSITE THAT ALLOWS FOLKS WITH CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY COURTS TO QUICKLY AND EASILY LOOK UP THERE NEXT HEARINGS. WE HAVE A PICTURE OF THE WEBSITE HERE ON THE SCREEN NOW. ALL YOU NEED IS YOUR NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH AND HE WILL QUICKLY HAVE ACCESS TO THE NEXT HEARING INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THE COURT WEBSITE WORKS, THE WEBSITE ADVERTISES AT THE JAIL AND DISSEMINATES TO DEFENDANTS AND COUNCIL FOLLOWING INITIAL PROCEEDINGS. OUR OFFICE LED BY SETH HOPKINS WORKED TO HELP BUILD THE WEBSITE AND I WANT TO THANK THE DISTRICT CLERK OFFICE ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP, IT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THEM. THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR FUNDING SECTION 55 PLAN AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR WORKING ON THE PLAN INTO THE DISTRICT CLERK AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR MAKING THIS PHASE OF THE PLAN HAPPEN. WE STARTED WITH SECTION 55 WITH LOW HANGING FRUIT, WE WANTED TO MAKE IT AS EASY AS POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND WHERE AND WHEN HEARINGS WOULD TAKE PLACE IN A USER-FRIENDLY WAY AS POSSIBLE. BUT THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, THE NEXT PHASE INCLUDES MORE TECHNOLOGY UPGRADES FOR EXAMPLE CHARGING STATIONS IN THE COURTHOUSE AND AS PEOPLE LEAVE THE JAIL BUT AS WE RECOGNIZE A PERSON CELL PHONE IS CONNECTION TO THE RIDE AND CHECKING ON THE FAMILY, KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD. WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THERE IS A GREAT NEED FOR EDUCATION, ESPECIALLY FOR A PERSON ARRESTED THE FIRST TIME WHO DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT OBLIGATIONS ARE, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND THE FIRST APPEARANCE IS NOT YOUR TRIAL AND YOU ARE NOT AT RISK OF BEING SENTENCED

[02:15:01]

YOU FOR FUNDING THIS PROJECT. >> THANK YOU.

>> MAY I GET YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD?

>> SAY IN THE MICROPHONE. >> SETH HOPKINS WITH THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY. >> GOOD AFTERNOON I AM MARILYN BURGESS HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT. I WANT TO THANK THE OFFICE FOR RANDOMNESS AND COORDINATING THIS PROJECT. WE IN THE DISTRICT CLERK OFFICE ARE HAPPY TO BE PART OF THE EFFORT TO ENSURE HARRIS COUNTY IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH REQUIREMENTS OF THE DECREE. AS DISTRICT CLERK I HAVE THE STATUTORY DUTY FOR THE CARE, CUSTODY AND CONTROL OF ALL COURT RECORDS FOR ALL DISTRICT COURTS AND THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS OUTLAW, MY OFFICE IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPRESSIVE ITT WAS IN THE COUNTY AND IN THE STATE. I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THE DEPARTMENT DID BUILDING OUR PART IN THE MY HARRIS COUNTY CASE WEBSITE WHICH COMBINES ACCESSIBILITY WITH ALL THE NECESSARY SIDE GUARDS TO ONLY SHOW CASES THAT ARE PUBLIC RECORD. NAVIGATION IS EASY AS USES ONLY NEED TO TYPE LAST NAME AND DATE OF BIRTH TO GO DIRECT TO SEE THE NEXT HEARING DATE FOR THE CASE AND WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE REQUIRED TO BE PRESENT. OUR I.T. TEAM BUILT THE WEBSITE IN A FEW MONTHS MAKING IT COMPATIBLE WITH ALL MOBILE DEVICES. ONCE AGAIN THEY PROVED TO BE EXPEDITIOUS AND DEMONSTRATED THAT NO TASK IS TOO DIFFICULT AS THEY ALWAYS DELIVER SHOWING ADMIRABLE DEDICATION AND INSTITUTIONAL KNOWLEDGE. NOW MY I.T.

ADMINISTERED WILL TELL YOU A LITTLE BIT ABOUT HER TEAM AND THE TECHNICAL PROCESS THAT BROUGHT US HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU I AM THE I.T. ADMINISTERED FOR THE DISTRICT CLERK OFFICE. I HELPED MANAGE THE PROJECT ALONG WITH MY STAFF AND MY TEAM CONSISTING OF A FULL STACK DEVELOPER AS WELL AS MY SUPERVISOR AND MY SENIOR ARCHITECT . THE SITE WAS BUILT OFF THE SAME TECHNOLOGY AS OUR WEBSITE AND IS LINKED INSIDE OF MY HARRIS COUNTY CASES. OUR SITE WILL PULL CURRENT AND FUTURE COURT SETTINGS AND IT SHOWS THE SETTINGS WHERE THE DEFENDANT SHOULD BE PRESENT OR NOT. ALONG WITH THEIR ATTORNEY INFORMATION, WITHOUT THE NEED TO LOGIN. THE WEBSITE CAN BE TRANSLATED INTO MULTIPLE LANGUAGES AND MOBILE FRIENDLY SWORD WORKS ON ANY DEVICE. MY TEAM WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN PARTICULAR SETH HOPKINS AND WE ARE PART OF

THE PROJECT. THANK YOU. >> I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE CLERK 'S OFFICE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS PROGRESS WE ARE DELIVERING FOR THE COMMUNITY. I AM ALSO VERY HAPPY ON THE WEBSITE, THANKS TO THE TRANSLATION SERVICES IT IS AVAILABLE IN 100 LANGUAGES? SO, THANK YOU FOR DELIVERING THIS CRITICAL PROGRESS. WITH REGARD TO THE VIDEOS MENTIONED THAT WILL BE SHOWN CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE LANGUAGE ACCESS IN TERMS OF HOW WE WILL MAKE THOSE

VIDEOS ACCESSIBLE? >> ABSOLUTELY, THE POSTERS ARE IN FIVE LANGUAGES.

WE HAVE NOT PUT OUT THE RF FEE YET FOR THE VIDEOS, BUT AT MINIMUM WE HOPE TO HAVE ENGLISH AND SPANISH, PART ABOUT WILL COME BACK FROM THE RFP PROCESS. TO YOU HAVE ANY REQUESTS?

>> I KNOW WE AS A COURT ARE DEEPLY COMMITTED TO LANGUAGE ACCESS AND AS WE ADVANCE QUALITY OF JUSTICE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT IN A WAY THAT'S REFLECTIVE OF THE DIVERSITY AND INTERNATIONAL NATURE. SO I HOPE THE RFP IS CRAFTED IN A WAY THAT MAXIMIZES LANGUAGE ACCESS AND OTHER WAYS TO CONSUME THE INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO MAY HAVE DISABILITIES OR OTHER IMPAIRMENTS SO THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE

COLLABORATION. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, THIS IS WONDERFUL. I DON'T KNOW WHO CLICKS THROUGH THIS BUT I WAS THE PUBLIC AT SEE IMAGES WERE QUICK. ARE YOU ABLE TO DO THAT? TIFFANY CAN YOU CLICK THROUGH A COUPLE OF SECONDS FOR EACH IMAGE SO FOLKS CAN SEE WHAT THIS LOOKS LIKE?

>> AS SHE DOES I CAN YOU UPDATE US ON TEXT REMINDERS TO HELP

WITH NONAPPEARANCE IS? >> I HAVE NOT BEEN INVOLVED IN THAT BUT I UNDERSTAND FOLKS WHO HAVE, THERE WERE A FEW

[02:20:04]

UNDERSTAND. >> I LOOK FORWARD TO THE

UPDATE. >> I WILL PASS IT ON IN A SECOND, WHAT I WANTED TO SAY IS ACKNOWLEDGE YOU GUYS, BUT ALSO COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU DO BECAUSE , THIS IS THE RESULT OF THE BAIL REFORM SETTLEMENT AND I KNOW YOU HAVE, WE WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT YOU, WE WOULD NOT BE HERE WITHOUT THE JUDGES WHO CAME EARLIER. YOU GUYS HAVE MADE THIS A REALITY, THE DISTRICT CLERK WAS PART OF IT.

I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WERE YOU ALL THERE YET AT THE TIME? IMPLEMENT IN IS A BIG DEAL SO OBVIOUSLY WE CELEBRATE THIS, BUT I REALLY WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE FOLKS WHO WERE WORKING IN THE ROOM TO REACH THIS AGREEMENT AND IT IS REALLY GREAT TO SEE THIS COME TO FRUITION. SO, THANK YOU GUYS AND TO THE FOLKS WHO ARE NOT HERE. YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU AND STRESS YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAVING THE BOARDS TO DO IT AS WELL. WAS THERE SOMETHING AS I RECALL ABOUT CALLING PEOPLE? I KNOW THERE WAS A TEXT MESSAGING. TRYING TO GO FROM MEMORY. I KNOW THE CAR PROGRAM TRIES TO CALL PEOPLE AND PART OF WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO INCREASE FUNDING SO WE ARE HOPING THEY ARE ABLE TO EXPAND THE PROGRAM. THE PROBLEM IS WHEN WE ARREST THOSE MISDEMEANORS IT IS HARD TO HAVE THE HUMAN RESOURCES TO DO THAT.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET CLOSER TO THAT.

>> ARE USED TO TELL PEOPLE I DON'T CHECK MY PHONE ALL DAY CAN YOU JUST CALL ME? NOW I DON'T WANT THEM TO DO THAT, JUST TEXT ME BUT I AM ASSUMING THERE MAYBE SOME PEOPLE TO GIVE US SOME SENSE OF WHAT IT WILL COST BECAUSE IF IT HELPS US TO NOT FILL UP THE JAIL IT MIGHT BE WORTH THE COST TO CALL

SOMEONE. >> I DON'T KNOW ANY IDEA OF THE COST I CAN CHECK WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

>> I'M ASSUMING THAT'S PART OF WHY WE DID NOT DO IT. I REMEMBER IN THE DISCUSSIONS IT WAS TEXT AND CALL.

>> CORRECT, I KNOW THE TEXT IS IMPLEMENTED, THE CALL IS FOR SOME PEOPLE BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY MAKE THAT

DETERMINATION. >> OKAY LOOK IF IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE DON'T DO IT. I HAVE GONE FROM TELLING PEOPLE DON'T TEXT ME TO CALL ME TO SING DON'T CALL ME, TEXT ME.

>> QUICKLY, NEW PROGRAM, INVESTMENTS, WELL INTENDED, HAVE ARE YOU GOING TO TRACK THE USE OF IT, THE BENEFIT OF IT

GOING FORWARD? >> THAT'S A GREAT QUESTION.

SOMETHING WE IMPLEMENTED IN THE PROGRAM IS WE HAVE INSTRUCTED THE COURTS AND THE PROGRAM TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY COLLECT DATA SO WE CAN GET MORE ACCURATE DATA AND BE ABLE TO TRACK IT. THAT IS ONE IMPORTANT COMPONENT OF THE PROGRAM. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS SUCCESSFUL AND THIS IS THE FIRST THREE YEARS OF A SEVEN-YEAR PROGRAM AND YEAR THREE TAKING THE DATA TO SEE WHAT DOES AND DOESN'T WORK.

AND THEN IMPLEMENT AND REINVEST IN WHAT DOES WORK.

>> FOLKS, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. I THINK THAT IS PART OF AND I NEED TO ACKNOWLEDGE COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IN TERMS OF WHAT I THINK WAS WELL DONE AT THE TIME OF PUTTING INTO THE SETTLEMENT, LET'S TRY THESE THINGS, SEE IF IT'S GOING TO WORK AND SET THE FUNDS ASIDE. SO, YES I WILL ACKNOWLEDGE I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD HAVE PANNED OUT WITHOUT YOU GUYS, BUT I AM JUST EXCITED NOW BECAUSE I KNOW PEOPLE WORKED HARD IN THE SETTLEMENT. DOES THIS HAVE ANY APPLICATION TO THE JUVENILE SIDE OF THINGS? NOT AT ALL? OKAY. I CANNOT IMAGINE A JUVENILE NAME OF THE WEBSITE BUT I WAS THINKING IS THERE A WAY TO HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE THAT? JUST A THOUGHT.

THANK YOU AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS AND TAKE IT TO

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> WE CAN LOOK INTO THE

JUVENILE QUESTION. >> JUST A THOUGHT. I DON'T KNOW

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 2)]

CALLING SPEAKERS . >> NEXT IS AGENDAS FIGURE NUMBER 20,

[02:25:03]

>> GREETINGS JUDGE AND TO EACH COMMISSIONER TODAY. I AM ] FOUNDER OF JUSTICE FOR EVAN CUSTODY TO CASKET AND ONE MOMENT FOR EACH DEATH IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, THOSE WHO CANNOT SPEAK OUT FOR THEMSELVES. THANK YOU. 805 DAYS TODAY MY SON EVAN LEE WAS MURDERED IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. AND THE CONDITIONS ARE MY CONCERNS AND THE REPEATED VIOLATIONS IS MY CONCERN. AS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE , TO GET CALLS FROM THOSE THAT ARE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL AND THE BOARDING OF THE JAIL NOT TAKING ANY TYPE OF RESPONSIBILITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY, THOSE IN THERE SHOULD NOT BE CALLING US WITH SMOKE AND SMOG OF CONCERNS THAT'S IN THERE. AND SO MANY OTHERS YOU ARE AWARE OF WITH OUR LAST. COMMISSION MEETING AS YOU ARE AWARE OF THE VIOLATIONS , THOSE ARE MY MAIN CONCERNS.

THE REPEAT VIOLATIONS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. I WILL ADVOCATE FOR THE JAIL ITEM TO BE TAKEN FIRST AMONG THE ITEMS TODAY. I HEAR WE HAVE SOME PROGRESS.

YES, SO YOU KNOW I AM RIGHT THERE WITH YOU. IT IS SUCH A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE SITUATION. WE ARE WORKING AS HARD AS WE POSSIBLY CAN. OKAY LET'S HEAR FROM THE NEXT SPEAKER.

>> NEXT TO SPEAKER NUMBER 22,

ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO MY NAME IS ORGANIZING AND POLICY DIRECTOR FOR , I WANT TO SHARE SOMETHING THAT IS PAINFUL, BUT I WILL KEEP IT VAGUE BECAUSE IT DEALS WITH MY FAMILY. TWO MONTHS AGO ONE OF MY SIBLINGS HAD AN ACUTE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. MY FAMILY DOES NOT LIVE IN TEXAS, THEY LIVE IN LOUISIANA. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS HEART IN LOUISIANA, 4 1/2 TO 5 HOURS AWAY THIS HAPPENED. IT GOT TO THE POINT WHERE FAMILY HAD NO CHOICE BECAUSE MY SIBLING WAS POTENTIALLY A DANGER TO THEMSELVES. SO THEY CALLED FOR 911. I WAS SCREAMING AT MY FAMILY TO NOT DO THAT. THIS IS SOMETHING MY FAMILY ALSO BELIEVES THAT 911 IS GOOD.

>> GO AHEAD CONTINUE. >> THEY REALIZED THE DANGER OF DOING THAT. CAN YOU IMAGINE, YOU BELIEVE IN 911 AND THEN YOU ALSO UNDERSTAND THE RISK OF CALLING 911 ON YOUR OWN FAMILY MEMBER. I WAS SCREAMING TO MY PARENTS TO NOT DO THIS. AND THEN ONCE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND AMBULANCES ARRIVED, FAMILY MEMBERS STOOD BETWEEN MY SIBLING AND THE OFFICERS IMPLORING THAT HE IS NOT TENDERS. I CALLED FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES IN THE STATE , WHAT COULD BE DONE? THE CLOSEST THING I GOT IF YOU WANTED HELP I WAS NOT LAW ENFORCEMENT WAS FUNERAL SERVICES WHICH MAKES SENSE. THERE'S NO DANGER TO SOMEBODY WHO WAS ALREADY DEAD. I BRING THIS UP BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ONLY A MATTER THAT'S DEEPLY IMPORTANT TO THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTY, AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON, IT'S DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME. DO NOT PAUSE HEARTS UNDER ANY CONDITION, MAKE SURE WE CAN AT LEAST CONTINUE OPERATIONS AND IF YOU FIND THERE IS PROBLEMS WITH THE VENDOR, HAVE A ROBUST EVALUATION PROCESS SO THAT WE DO NOT SELECT VENDORS THAT ARE PROBLEMATIC INCLUDING ONES WE KNOW HERE LOCALLY IN THE COUNTY. INCLUDE COMMUNITY VOICES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE PART OF THE PROCESS. IF THERE ARE DAYS WITH A PAUSE, I JUST THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN , WHAT PEOPLE COULD MISS OUT ON IN TERMS OF THE HELP THEY NEED. I WAS FORTUNATE THE OFFICERS

[02:30:01]

>> THANK YOU. THERE IS NO REASON TO STOP OR PAUSE THE PROGRAM WHEN AS WE DISCUSSED THE INVOICES THAT ARE AT ISSUE HAVE BEEN VETTED AND APPROVED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE INDEPENDENT COUNTY AUDITOR AND INDEPENDENT PURCHASING DIRECTOR. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING. OKAY WE WILL HEAR

FROM OTHER SPEAKERS. >>

423. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HI I AM IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER, REGULAR SUPPORT TO LONG-TERM CHANGES I ASK THE COURT TO ENSURE THERE IS NO INTERRUPTION TO THIS LIFE-SAVING PROGRAM ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE COUNTY AUDITOR IS COMFORTABLE CONTINUING PAYMENTS. I ASKED THE COURT TO WEIGH OUT CONCERNS ABOUT WITH A CERTAIN HARM OF INTERRUPTION OF SERVICE. EVERY TIME HEART RESPONDS IT ELIMINATES THE RISK OF USE OF FORCE AND RIPPLE EFFECTS OF ARREST, DETENTION AND DEPORTATION. THESE HUMAN COSTS MUST BE KEPT IN MIND AND WE DISCUSSED RESPONSIBILITY TO THE TAXPAYER AS COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO TELL A FAMILY THAT THEIR LOVED ONE DIED BECAUSE OF DISAGREEMENT OVER A VENDOR. SEPARATELY REGARDING JELL-O RESEARCHER PLEASE ENSURE ANY ADDITIONAL JAIL FUNDING IS TIED TO A PLAN TO REDUCE THE POPULATION. WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDED POLICIES. I UNDERSTAND THIS COURT DOES NOT HAVE FULL DECISION-MAKING POWER BUT IT IS NOT POWERLESS, IT HAS INFLUENCE OVER THE SHERIFF TO FULLY IMPLEMENT THE POLICY HIMSELF AND WORK WITH OTHER AGENCIES TO DO SO. THANK YOU.

>>

>> GOOD AFTERNOON I AM THE ORGANIZING AND POLICY ASSOCIATE FOR , BASED OUT OF SPRING BRANCH IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS DISTRICT AND I'M ACTUALLY CONCERNED OVER THE POSSIBILITY OF A PAUSE IN HEART SERVICES. COMMISSIONER BRIONES , I KNOW YOU ARE AN ADVOCATE FOR IMMIGRANT JUSTICE AND LGBTQ JUSTICE, YOU CANNOT ALLOW A PAUSE IN SERVICES IF THAT WERE THE CASE LGBTQ PEOPLE ARE TARGETED AND INCARCERATED AT A RATE THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. AS RACIST DISCRIMINATORY LAWS ARE LOOMING AND PEOPLE ARE ALREADY SCARED AND LIVING IN FEAR AND NOT TRUSTING LAW ENFORCEMENT WE NEED TO KEEP HEART OPERATING WITH NO GAP AND QUICKLY MOVE DIRECT OPERATION UNDER HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. IT SHOULD NOT TAKE LONG TO FILL IN THESE POSITION CONTROL NUMBERS AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR

CHAMPIONING HEART . >> THANK YOU.

THREE ITEMS 423 AND 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> IT AFTERNOON JUDGES AND COMMISSIONER.

LEGAL ADVOCATE FROM GRASSROOTS LEADERSHIP TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND I WANT TO UPLIFT WHAT OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE SAID PLEASE DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE HEART TEAM THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE TRANSFER TO THE HARRIS CENTER. HAVE A PURPOSE IN SCOPE BUT WE DON'T WANT TO CONFLATE THAT AND EARLIER WE KNOW THEY ARE OVERWHELMED. FULLY FUND FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND I WANT TO UPLIFT SOMETHING COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID EARLIER. WE NEED TO LEARN FROM HISTORY NOT REPEAT IT. $272,000 IS WHAT HEART NEEDS FOR SERVICES ALREADY RENDERED. JANUARY 9 OF THIS YEAR $162,000 WAS ALLOTTED FOR ANTI-SUICIDE FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL RENEWALS. $696,000 IS BEING ASKED WITH HELPING OPERATIONS. WHAT I AM SAYING IS PLEASE MAKE THE FUNDING COMMUNITY RESOURCES YOUR

PRIORITY. THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS AND 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ON BEHALF OF THE CITY BUDGET COMMITTEE IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAM OR HEART PROGRAM NOT TO PAUSE THE PROGRAM AND KEEP IT TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABLE TO

[02:35:02]

>> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 29, ITEM 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS BRIONES PRECINCT, ONE OF THE FEW RESOURCES THAT INCREASES PUBLIC SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY RESPONDING TO 11,540 CALLS SINCE THE LAUNCH AND EACH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE PROTECT SOMEONE SAFETY AND PREVENT SOMEONE FROM BEING INVOLVED WITH THE LEGAL SYSTEM WHICH IS A LONG EXPENSIVE ROUTE FOR INDIVIDUALS, COUNTY OFFICIALS AND TAXPAYERS ANOTHER PERSON WHO CAN ASSESS TREATMENT OR BE SUPPORTED BY FAMILIES AND OF LANGUISHING IN THE COUNTY JAIL OR WORSE AN OUTSOURCED FACILITY. DISCONTINUING HEART TAKES AWAY A RARE TOOL THAT MAKES THE COMMUNITY SAFER, PEOPLE HEALTHIER AND SAVES LIVES. I APPRECIATE DEDICATION TO FISCAL PROFESSIONALISM BY INVESTING IS A CHEAPER MORE SUSTAINABLE OPTION COMPARED TO COSTLY ALTERNATIVE CONTINUED ARREST AND JAILING. AS A SURVIVOR OF INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE AND MENTAL HEALTH CRISES THERE BEEN TIMES WHERE I PRAY FOR A PROGRAM LIKE HEART SO I WOULD RATHER INVEST IN PREVENTATIVE MEASURES RATHER THAN FUNDING PUNITIVE APPROACH IS THAT WE KNOW DO NOT DETER CRIME. AND DO NOT NECESSARILY HELP. YOUR VOTE TO KEEP AND EXPAND IS A DECISIVE ACTION TO PROMOTE OVERALL WELL-BEING OF HARRIS COUNTY. AND REIMAGINE SAFETY FOR EVERYONE. STOP THE

BLEEDING AND SAVE HEART. >> NEXT IS STEPHANIE WILKINS ITEM 490 , YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS REVEREND STEPHANIE WILKINS. I LIVE IN COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PRECINCT. GOOD TO SEE YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. ALL I CAN DO IS ECHO WHAT HAS BEEN SAID.

HEART IS A PROGRAM THAT MUST REMAIN. WE HAVE A DISPROPORTIONATE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BLACK AND BROWN WHO HAD BENEFITED FROM THIS PROGRAM AND TO PAUSE IT , YOU PUT THEM IN MORE JEOPARDY. AGAIN, WE KNOW YOU CANNOT DO EVERYTHING, BUT WE KNOW YOU CAN DO SOME THINGS. MENTAL ILLNESS SHOULD NOT BE A CRIME, IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING WE LOOK TO HELP, YOU SAID WE WOULD SEE ALL THE PEOPLE AND WE WOULD SERVE ALL THE PEOPLE SO I AM ASKING YOU TO DO THAT AND IT MAY SOUND CLICHÉ BUT I AM ASKING YOU TO HAVE A HEART AND SAVE HEART.

THANK YOU. >>

490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> SHE STEPPED OUT. IF SHE COMES BACK JUST LET US KNOW AND SHE CAN SPEAK WHEN SHE RETURNS.

>> OKAY NEXT IS JOY DAVIS SPEAKING ON ITEM 490.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, GREETINGS EVERYBODY. I AM SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM, THE FUNDING SHOULD NOT STOP. I HAD A SON ALMOST SHOT BY POLICE BECAUSE HE RESPONDED AND DID NOT WAIT FOR THE CRISIS, THE PROGRAM TO SHOW UP. WE ARE SPENDING A LOT OF MONEY.

MENTAL HEALTH FUNDING SHOULD NOT BE UNDER RESOURCED, WE NEED TO CONTINUE FUNDING THESE PROGRAMS. WE SHOULD NOT STOP PAYMENT, CONTINUE THE PAYMENTS, THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 33

ONE MINUTE . >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I'M THE STAFF ATTORNEY FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROJECT AT TEXAS APPLESEED HERE TO URGE THE COURT TO CONTINUE FUNDING OF HEART ANY CENTRAL PROGRAM INCREASED ACCESS TO MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS IN CRITICAL TIMES OF NEED WITH

[02:40:02]

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS GREG ANDERSON SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY? OKAY, GREAT. MY NAME IS GREGORY ANDERSON WITH PURE JUSTICE I LIVE IN COMMISSIONER BRIONES PRECINCT HEART IS VITAL AS A COMMUNITY SAFETY MEASURE THAT IS NOT INVOLVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, ABSENT OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET CONNECTED WITH RESOURCES TO HELP THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM SUCH AS SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT, HOUSING, FOOD ASSISTANCE, ET CETERA AND PREVENTS THEM FROM BEING CRIMINALIZED AND ENTERING A HARMFUL CYCLE OF INCARCERATION. HART INTERRUPTS THE CYCLE.

INDIVIDUALS CAN FOCUS ON GETTING BETTER, HELPING THEIR FAMILY FIND EMPLOYMENT OR WHATEVER IT MAY BE WITHOUT INVOLVING THE CRIMINAL LEGAL SYSTEM, VIOLENCE OR SYSTEMIC BIAS. MEANWHILE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC SAFETY RESOURCES AND POLICE OFFICERS CAN FOCUS ON MEANINGFULLY PREVENTING AND RESPONDING TO EMERGING VIOLENT SITUATIONS. HART MAKES HARRIS COUNTY SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT. SAFETY FOR EVERYONE STARTS HERE, DON'T STOP, SAVE HART.

>> NEXT IS

>> SHE IS MAKING HER WAY . >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR FOR THE JUSTICE CENTER NONPROFIT SERVING IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE TO LEGAL SERVICES, SOCIAL SERVICES AND POLICY AND ADVOCACY. HERE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE HART PROGRAM WHY IT IS A NECESSARY RESOURCE FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IMMIGRANTS EXPENSE ITEM LEVEL OF TRAUMA, BARRIERS , FAMILY SEPARATION, AND ACCESSIBLE RESOURCES AND STRESS AMONGST OTHER VARIOUS.

IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO RELIVING TRAUMA AND EXPRESS HIGHER LEVEL OF MENTAL HEALTH CRISES BECAUSE OF THE TRAUMA. PARTNERS POST A REPORT STATING 76% OF IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS SURVEYED HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT CONTACTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE REPORT STATES IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS FEAR DEPORTATION AND FAMILY SEPARATION WHEN INTERACTING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE PROGRAM OFFERS SURVIVORS AND ALL COUNTY RESIDENTS THE OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN SAFETY AND STABILITY WITHOUT INTERVENTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT. I HOPE WE DO NOT PAUSE THE PROGRAM. SERVE ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY AS NECESSARY. THANK YOU.

>> CHRISTOPHER RIVERA SPEAKING ON ITEM 490. YOU HAVE ONE

MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA AND I WORK WITH TEXAS ALL RIGHTS PROJECT AND I'M HERE ASKING WE DO NOT PAUSE FUNDING FOR THE HART PROGRAM. I KNOW SOMEONE WHO HAS BENEFITED GREATLY FROM THE PROGRAM. PUTTING THEM ON THE RIGHT PATH TO GET THEM ON THEIR FEET, THEY STRUGGLE WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND HOMELESSNESS AND THEY ARE DOING WELL SINCE THEY HAD BEEN DIVERTED TO THE PROGRAM, BUT ALSO IF IT IS A CONCERN ABOUT MONEY AND RESOURCES, HART DIVERTED OVER 1000 CALLS AND THE COST UP TO $42,000 TO INCARCERATE AN INDIVIDUAL, IF ALL THE CALLS RESULTED IN ARREST IT WOULD BE $469 MILLION COMPARED TO THE FIVE OR 6 MILLION THAT IT COSTS TO RUN THE PROGRAM. PLEASE CONSIDER THAT . IT IS IMPORTANT AND BENEFICIAL. WE WANT TO KEEP HART IN THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM SO THANK YOU SO MUCH, FUND HART.

>> THINK IT. >> NEXT IS VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, GO AHEAD.

[02:45:05]

>> HI THIS IS

>> YES. >> OKAY THANK YOU. I AM WITH PURE JUSTICE, PRECINCT 1 CONSTITUENT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPONSIBILITY AND TRANSPARENT BUSINESS PRACTICES, PAYING RESPONDERS AND AGENTS OF HART FOR THE NECESSARY LIFE-SAVING WORK IS PART OF UPHOLDING THIS RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE TEAM IS COMPENSATED AND WE KNOW WE CAN COUNT ON HART SERVICES. WITHHOLDING PAYMENTS TO HART UNDERMINES THIS AND PREVENTS RESPONDERS FROM PUTTING DINNER ON THE TABLE FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND FOR PROVIDING SERVICES THAT ENSURE THOSE IN CRISIS CAN MAKE IT HOME FOR DINNER ALIVE.

HARRIS COUNTY CAN LIKELY RECOVER FUNDS IF FOUND TO BE AT FAULT TO THE AUDIT. I URGED THE COURT TO RESUME PAYMENTS, I WOULD PREFER MY TAX DOLLARS FUND MY FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBER RECOVERY AND HEALING RATHER THAN EXPENSIVE AND OFTEN VIOLENT INCARCERATION. BY REIMAGINING SAFETY FOR EVERYONE WE CAN SAVE LIVES AND DOLLARS. SAVE HART.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS SPEAKING ON ITEM 490. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> HELLO EVERYONE. CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. CEO AND FOUNDER OF , HERE TO SPEAK ON HART. MONTHS AGO IF YOU REMEMBER DURING COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WITH THE JAIL OVERCROWDING AND HOMELESSNESS, LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY, TRANSPARENCY, I WENT THROUGH HART MYSELF BECAUSE I HAD A LANDLORD THAT WAS WEAPON RISING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST TENANTS. I HAD A JUDGE , AND TO FILE TRO AND PERMANENT JUNCTION WHICH I WENT TO THE PROCESS WHICH EVERYBODY IS NOT GOING TO DO. SO HART IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE COMMUNITY BECAUSE SAY, FOR INSTANCE I WOULD'VE WENT TO JAIL BEHIND EVICTION WHICH IS ILLEGAL, HART WAS ABLE TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN A REAL THREAT TO MYSELF, THE COMMUNITY AND EVERYONE ELSE AND TODAY THE LANDLORD IS STILL WEAPON RISING LAW ENFORCEMENT. THANK YOU FOR

YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> NON-ATTENDANCE BECAUSE NUMBER ONE

ONE MINUTE. >> IT AFTERNOON YOUR HONOR AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MANAGER FOR MANUFACTURING FACILITY LOCATED AT 11122 WEST 11122 W. LITTLE YORK RD. HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR MY FELLOW EMPLOYEES OVER 150 WHO RISK THEMSELVES COMING TO AND FROM THE FACILITY DUE TO THE NEW ROAD PAINT THAT HAS CREATED A TURNING LANE IN FRONT OF THE FACILITY WHICH CAUSES OUR EMPLOYEES TO HAVE TO GO INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO COME INTO THE FACILITY AND TO LEAVE. I HAVE SUBMITTED A REQUEST WITH THE MANAGER OF TRAFFIC DESIGN FOR THE THIRD PRECINCT AND SENIOR TRAFFIC ENGINEER. THEY HAVE REJECTED IT AND I SEEK THIS COUNCILS HELP TO HELP ME PROTECT MY EMPLOYEES.

>> THANK YOU SIR. YOUR COMMENT IS NOT ON THE AGENDA SO WE

CANNOT RESPOND. >> WE HAVE INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE YOU.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT, MICHAEL DICKERSON YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. HERE TODAY TO CALL ATTENTION TO THE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS CURRENTLY PRESENT JAMES DRIVER PARK. IS A FORMER CARETAKER EMPLOYEE I REPEATEDLY OBSERVED SMALL CHILDREN BEING INJURED BY FALLING SEVEN OR 8 FEET ON THIS UNSECURED STRUCTURE ON THE CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND. SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE MADE MY SUPERVISOR WHERE THIS AND I WAS TOLD JUST YOUR JOB OF THE PRINCETON A COMPLAINT THEY DON'T WORRY. I HAVE PHOTOS OF THE HAZARD AND I BELIEVE HAVING CALLED ATTENTION TO THIS AND OTHER HAZARDS AT THE PARK I WAS SUBJECTED TO RETALIATION . NON-PROCEDURAL TERMINATION,

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 20, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI I AM DEBORAH SMITH. ONCE AGAIN I COME TO MENTION MY

[02:50:18]

GRANDSONS FROM 6 TO 8 . >> YOU CAN WRAP UP.

>> OKAY . THAT NEEDED THEIR MOM, NOW THEY ARE WITH THE GRANDMOTHER, AND IMAGINE YOURSELF HAVING TO TELL THEM THAT , THEN HE WAS SEVEN , HIS MOM IS NEVER COMING BACK, HE DOES NOT UNDERSTAND NEVER. HE IS BEGINNING TO REALIZE IT, BUT HE HAS HIS MOMENTS. THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED AND I WANT CHANGE, I WANT CHANGE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL

AND I WON'T STOP . >> THINK IT.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 27

>> SHE IS MAKING HER WAY.

>> MINIMUS OF CITIZENS IS A PRIMARY FUNCTION OF GOVERNMENT PROTECTING CITIZENS FROM UNDUE HARM BY BUILDING AND MAINTAINING SAFE ROADWAYS AND WATERWAYS , PREVENTING PHYSICAL HARM TO CITIZENS BY CRIMINALS, PROTECTING CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND KEEPING CITIZENS SAFE WHILE IN JAIL OR AWAITING TRIAL UNDER THE DOMAIN OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. PROMOTING SOCIAL MOVEMENTS, PAYING FOR ABORTION AND LEGAL SERVICES FOR NONSTUDENTS AND NONCITIZENS AND RUNNING PRESCHOOLS ARE NOT UNDER COUNTY GOVERNMENT. PLEASE TAKE THE RECOMMENDED ACTIONS TO GREATLY IMPROVE THE SAFETY OF STAFF AND PRISONERS IN THE JAIL. FEELING JAIL INSPECTION EIGHT YEARS IN A ROW IS A HORRENDOUS REFLECTION ON THE VALUES OF HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS A PROFESSIONAL EXPERT ON WATERWAYS AND UTILITY DISTRIBUTION SO PLEASE LISTEN AND VOTE TO ENACT HIS RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING SAFE WATERWAYS AND ENERGY POWER STRUCTURES.

>> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO WRAP UP?

>> WE HAD AT LEAST EIGHT HOUSTON RESIDENTS DIE AS A RESULT OF THE LAST STORM AND I KNOW IT WAS NOT ALL FILLERS OF ROADWAYS AND WHAT IT WAS, BUT SOME OF IT WAS AND IT NEEDS URGENT CONSIDERATION TO TAKE CARE.

>> THANK YOU. >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER 29 , NAME ] YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> HELLO, MY NAME IS SPEAK. I WILL SPEAK ON ELECTIONS, THE ELECTIONS HAVE IMPROVED, BUT STILL HAVE A LOT TO BE DESIRED. THE JUDGES AND CLERKS ARE NOT BEING NOTIFIED OF SITES IN ADVANCE WHICH LEAVES THEM SCRAMBLING TO GET CLERKS AND WORKERS. LOCATIONS ARE NOT NOTIFIED EARLY ENOUGH TO SCHEDULE WHICH MAKES IT HARD ON THE VOTERS BECAUSE THEY DEPEND ON WHERE THEY GO AND DO NOT LIKE SEARCHING FOR THE POLLING LOCATIONS. BOTH PARTIES ARE NOT EQUALLY DIVIDED. NUMBERS WISE. THIS MAKES IT HARDER ON THE VOTERS TO FIND AND GET TO THE POLLS. SOME

[02:55:07]

NO POLLS. >> THANK YOU.

>> THAT'S ALL JUDGE. >> OKAY IT IS PASSED OUR LUNCH TIME ARE YOU GOOD TO BREAK UNTIL 2:20? OKAY IT IS 1:00 LEAD AND WE WILL BREAK UNTIL 2:20.

>> JUDGE IT IS 1:19. >> OH, MY GOODNESS.

>>> ALL RIGHT, 2:24 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER WHO IS NOT ABLE TO SPEAK EARLIER, CARLA JONES. OKAY. SHE IS MAKING HER WAY .

>> HI. 4/29/2022 I WAS A VICTIM OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IN MY HOME ON THE DA OFFICE CONTACTED ME THROUGH EMAIL STATED THEY WANTED TO KNOW WHAT I REMEMBERED ABOUT THE CASE BECAUSE THE GENTLEMAN WAS BACK IN COURT 4/4 WAS A THURSDAY. I EMAIL HIM BACK AT APPROXIMATELY 12: 00 P.M. LETTING THEM KNOW I REMEMBER THE DAY AND I WAS INTERESTED IN SPEAKING WITH HIM. THE NEXT DAY I WAS AT WORK AND I RECEIVED A MISSED CALL LISTENED TO THE VOICEMAIL IT WAS THE DA LETTING ME KNOW HE LEFT ME A MESSAGE SAYING HE WAS RETURNING MY CALL ON MONDAY MORNING I CONTACTED TWO , TO CHECK THE STATUS TO MY SURPRISE AND HORROR MR. MCCORMACK SAID THE CASE WAS DISMISSED AFTER TWO YEARS BECAUSE CONSTABLE PRECINCT LIT -- SIX LOSS THE BODY CAM, COME TO FIND OUT I WAS LIKE OKAY.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> HE ALSO HAD IT IN THE FILE I WAS MISSING, I'VE NEVER BEEN MISSING, I HAVE PROVED HER EMAIL I HAVE BEEN CHECKING STATUS THEIR PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS AND ALSO, IT DROPPED LIKE THAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED, WHEN WAS THE EVIDENCE LOST, WHY WASN'T , WHY DID THEY NOT TRY TO CONTACT ME? I HAVE BEEN LIVING AT THE SAME ADDRESS 15 YEARS AND IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AND I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY ANSWERS. THIS GUY WAS LOOKING AT 25 YEARS, A CAREER CRIMINAL AND HE WALKED AWAY WITH NOTHING, I WAS TOLD BY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 6 I WAS MAD BECAUSE THE CASE WAS DISMISSED BUT I FEEL LIKE I WAS

VICTIMIZED. >> WE WILL PASS INFORMATION ON.

WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU. THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS THAT I MISSED? LET'S GO OVER THE ,

[Departments (Part 2 of 8)]

[Departments & Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 3)]

[03:00:02]

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 2 of 6)]

>> THERE WILL NOT BE ANY ACTION ON THAT.

>> OKAY. SO WE WILL MAKE SURE 495 MAKES IT TO THE DISCUSSION LIST. SO IN TERMS OF OUR DISCUSSION LIST, LET ME SO I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO BE ABLE , ONLY AVAILABLE

UNTIL 5:00 CORRECT? >> HI YES. IT IS JUST FOR THOSE SETTLEMENT ITEMS . IF THERE IS NO DISCUSSION NEEDED AND WE

[Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]

>> LET'S START WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT IS ITEM 56 WHICH IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THAT ITEM?

>> NO. >> OKAY THEN WE HAVE ITEM 4 AND 62 AND APPOINTMENT TO PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARD, DO WE NEED TO

GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> I DON'T.

>> 463 APPOINTMENT TO THE FACILITIES FINANCE CORPORATION.

EXECUTIVE SESSION? 464 REAPPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD BOARD. OKAY. 465 APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH

ADVISORY COMMITTEE. >> NO.

>> OKAY.

AND THEN 466. APPOINTMENT TO THE VETERINARIAN HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE, 467 SAME COMMITTEE. 468 IS THE APPOINTMENT OF A PRO-PROBATE COURT FIVE DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE ITEM? I HAVE A PROPOSAL . WE BETTER

LEAVE IT ON THE AGENDA. >> YES WE WILL ASK FOR THE APPOINTMENT. SOMEBODY HAS A NAME. LEAVE IT ON THE AGENDA.

>> OKAY. 469. DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION

ON THAT ONE? >> I DON'T THINK SO. MY GUESS

IS I DON'T THINK SO. >> WE CAN JUST DO IT NOW

BRIEFLY. 468. >> INTERIM APPOINTMENT UNTIL

THE ELECTION. >> I WOULD BE PROUD TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF APPOINTING JUDGE WATSON TO SERVE AS PROBATE

[03:05:03]

COURT, #5 JUDGE. >> OKAY MOTION AND SECONDED ALL

IN FAVOR ANY OPPOSED? >> I THINK THERE IS SPECIFICALLY WHICH RELATED TO THE BOND REQUIRED. IF YOU WOULD NOT MIND READING THAT INTO THE RECORD. OKAY.

>> MOTION TO APPOINT WATSON TO THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY WATSON TO THE JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY PROBATE COURT, #5 AND FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO SELF-INSURE AMOUNT UP TO $500,000 AGAINST LOSS ARISING OUT OF THE POSITION PURSUANT TO THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE 25.00231 C MOTION BY COMMISSIONER SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR MOTION CARRIES 4-0.

>> A GREAT DAY FOR JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY, CONGRATULATIONS.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. THAT IS WONDERFUL. 469. DISCUSSION ON SECURITY FACILITIES ENHANCEMENTS WE DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT. THAT'S THE ONE WE DO BEFORE

5:00? JUST THE SETTLEMENT. >> JUST THE SETTLEMENT 475 AND

476. >> 470, APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. NO

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 3 of 6)]

476. OKAY. SO, 476 IS A SETTLEMENT. WE WILL HAVE TO DO

THAT ONE BEFORE 5:00. >> JUDGE HIM'S ARTICLE BACK, 475 DISCUSSION WITH NO ACTION?

>> I WILL MOVE IT. >> WE MAY WANT TO DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. LET'S TAKE BOTH BACK.

>> 475 AND 476 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, IN THAT CASE I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THE ITEM RELATIVELY EARLY BECAUSE IN CASE THERE IS A NEED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT. SO THEN ON THE DISCUSSION LIST , WE HAVE ITEM .

>> I'M SORRY. THE ITEMS THAT WERE APPOINTMENTS, THOSE WITH THE EXCEPTION ARE TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

[Departments (Part 3 of 8)]

>> LET ME GO OVER ALL OF IT AT THE END. PAGE 13 ITEM 13.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED DISCUSSION ON THIS ONE.

>> YES ITEMS 13 AND 14, 15, 16, 17 AND 18 WE NEED TO VOTE.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-1. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 25 WHICH IS NO ACTION. 26 IS THE JAIL ITEM THAT GOES WITH 471. OCA WANTED TO DO 29 AFTER LUNCH. OKAY, DOES IT MATTER HOW SOON AFTER

LUNCH? >> EXCUSE ME JUDGE THERE ARE ALSO THREE RESOLUTIONS WE NEED TO VOTE ON. RESOLUTION FOUR , RESOLUTION FIVE, RESOLUTION NINE.

>> I MOVE. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> MOTION AND SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 3-1. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER . ITEM 26 GOES WITH 471, ITEM 29 WE WILL DISCUSS 199 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THIS IS MOU. OKAY WE WILL PUT IT BACK IN THE CONSENT AGENDA, NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 200 WHAT ABOUT 299?

[03:10:06]

COMMITTEE. >> WE NEED TO TALK.

>> 232 IT IS MOU WITH THE INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE FLAG BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-1. 234 REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS TO PROVE FOUR POSITIONS . IT LOOKS LIKE.

>> WE NEED TO TALK. >> OKAY 303 WE DISCUSSED ALREADY 303 423 AND 490 DOUBLE GO TOGETHER . 397 , COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND RAMSEY BOTH WANT TO DISCUSS. 398 .

ESSENTIAL WORKER PROTECTIONS. I IMAGINE YOU WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT. 399 IS , THEY ARE THE MOTION 399 AND 430 TO DO WITH THE GEORGE FLOYD , 423 IS ANOTHER ONE OF THE HART ITEMS .

426 IS A RESOLUTION FOR THE ISSUANCE OF MULTIFAMILY HOUSING REVENUE BONDS , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-1 I AM IN FAVOR. 427 COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 3-1. NEXT IS 430 WHICH WILL GO

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 4 of 6)]

[Departments (Part 4 of 8)]

>> 376 PRESENTLY NOT VOTING. MAKE NOTE OF THAT YOU NEED TO

PULL IT? >> 276, LET'S VOTE ON IT NOW.

IS VERY MOTION ON 376 A JOB ORDER CONTRACTING FOR

CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. >> MAKE THE MOTION.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . COMMISSIONER WE CAN BRING YOU BACK LATER IF YOU NEED TIME TO REVIEW.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS GOING TO BE PRESENT, NOT VOTING SO WE

HAVE TO VOTE OUTSIDE. >> I HAVE A PERSONAL CONFLICT

ON IT, THAT'S ALL. >> I WILL SECOND 376.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? AND THEN DOES THAT

MEAN ABSTAIN? OKAY. >> PRESENT NOT VOTING? I AM IN

[03:15:05]

FAVOR. >> 301. OKAY, THANK YOU. OKAY, SO THEN , ANY OTHER ITEMS ? LET ME READ THROUGH IT.

>> WE WILL RETURN TO 34 TO CONSENT.

>> RETURNING TO THE FOR THE CONSENT. ALL RIGHT. HERE'S WHERE WE ARE EXECUTIVE SESSION 469, 475, AND 476. REGULAR AGENDA 26 , 29 , 299, 303 , 397,

>> I'M SORRY JUDGE. AFTER 299 CAN YOU REPEAT THAT ONE?

>> 29 AND THEN 229, 229. TO TAKE WITH 499. AND THEN 303.

397. 398. 399. 423 . 430. 471. 490. 495. 497. 498. AND 499. WE WILL TAKE 429 SEPARATELY BECAUSE IT REQUIRES THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO I NEED TO ADD THIS BACK ON. OKAY, ANY?

>> YES JUDGE ITEMS 461 THROUGH 467 THE APPOINTMENTS PER APPROVED AS PRESENTED AND THEN ITEM 47 WAS DISCUSSION AND

POSSIBLE ACTION. >> LET'S SEE. PROBABLY APPROVED AS PRESENTED. 47 COUNTY ITEM. I IMAGINE THIS IS TO PROVE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES LISTED. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> I KNOW THERE WAS ONE ITEM THEY WANTED US TO TAKE NO ACTION ON. WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ONE THEY WANTED.

>> 49, I'M SORRY. YES I THINK 47 AS PRESENTED IS THE WAY THAT

IT WOULD BE. >> AND THEN ALSO, ITEM 470 IS AN APPOINTMENT APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

>> CORRECT. OKAY SHOULD I GO OVER IT AGAIN? ARE WE GOOD? OKAY, THE ONLY THING I DID WAS ADD THE PUBLIC HEARING SINCE WE

[Departments & Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]

GUYS WANT TO ADD TO THE TOP? >> THAT SOUNDS GREAT.

>> LET'S START WITH THE JAIL AND THEN WE WILL DO HART AND THEN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND WE WILL DO THE REST BY THEN, HOPEFULLY THAT WILL GET US EARLIER THAN 5:00 , BUT WHO KNOWS. SO LET'S START WITH ITEMS 26 AND 471 PLEASE ON THE

JAIL. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. WE HAVE TONYA MILLS MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR JUSTICE INNOVATION WHO IS REMOTE TODAY SHE IS ONLINE, WE HAVE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, COUNTY ENGINEER AND THEN HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHICH WILL BE AVAILABLE TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM ON THESE ITEMS AND ANSWER QUESTIONS AND THEN

STARTED. >> CAN EVERYONE HEAR ME OKAY?

[03:20:07]

WE ARE HERE TO BRIEF ON THE FIRST DELIVERABLE THE PRIORITY JAIL ITEMS THANKFULLY ENGINEERING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAD ALREADY DONE A GREAT DEAL OF THE LEGWORK, COLLABORATING FOR SOME TIME TO IDENTIFY THESE NEEDS AND THEY PROVIDED A LIST TO US IN APRIL FOR THE FIRST MEETING. WITH THAT IT MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR US TO MEET THE DEADLINE TODAY. WITH THE CHAIR MEETING MAY 9 DURING THAT MEETING WE DISCUSSED THE LIST PROVIDED BY ENGINEERING IN COLLABORATION WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND VOTED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THOSE ITEMS FROM THE COMMITTEE MEETING COMMITTEE MEMBERS WANTED TO ENSURE THE LIST OF THE PRIORITY NEEDS WAS COMPREHENSIVE AND TO UNDERSTAND IF THERE WERE ANY ITEMS THAT WERE NOT OUTLINED THAT WOULD BE TAKEN UP AS THE WORK WAS BEING DONE AS ECONOMIES OF SCALE. TO THESE ADDITIONAL MEETINGS WE IDENTIFIED POTENTIAL IF RESEARCHER NEEDS AND HAVE ENGAGED WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES. WE EXPECT TO BRING THAT ASSESSMENT AND BUDGET TO BACK TO THE COURT IN JULY. ALSO NOTED IN THE RCA THE LIST WAS ABETTED BY RESIDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE OVER TWO MEETINGS IN MAY TAKING A PRIORITY ITEMS WORKING ALLEGEDLY TO MEET THE DEADLINE. JOINING THE SECOND MEETING TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL CONTEXT FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS AND TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. THE COMMITTEE DECIDED TO VOTE TO APPROVE THESE ITEMS WITH THREE DISSENTING VOTES, THREE MEMBERS NOT THERE AND NINE VOTING TO APPROVE. ENGINEERING, OMB AND OCA ALL COLLABORATED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE INVESTMENT MEMO, THE COMPANION ITEM TO THE CURRENT ITEM TODAY. I WILL PAUSE FOR ANY QUESTIONS BEFORE GOING TO THE IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH DIRECTOR.

>> YES. ANY QUESTIONS? >> YOU DID A GOOD JOB, I THINK YOU TOOK A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH AND I AM PLEASED WITH

IT. >> VERY GOOD. THE IMMEDIATE NEXT STEPS, JULY WILL BRING AN ASSESSMENT OF BUDGETARY ESTIMATES RELATED TO THE I.T. RESEARCHER. WE RECENTLY WRAPPED UP INTERVIEWS WITH FACILITATOR AND EXPECT TO MAKE A DECISION ON THE CANDIDATE AND BEGIN WORK WITH PURCHASING TO CONTRACT WITH THEM . WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF PUTTING TOGETHER A STATEMENT OF WORK TO START WORKING WITH PURCHASING FOR A GEL CONSULTING. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE INSTITUTE OF CORRECTIONS FOR THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TRAINING, WORKING WITH SCHEDULING WITH THE SHERIFF AND OTHER FOLKS THAT ARE MANDATORY. WE WILL BEGIN SCHEDULING SITE VISITS. WE ARE WORKING WITH RDC MEMBERS TO SCHEDULE A SERIES OF JAIL TOURS FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND INVITE MEMBERS TO JOIN. AND WE EXPECT TO HAVE ANALYSIS OF PRIMARY COHORTS WITHIN THE JAIL THAT ARE DRIVING THE OVERCROWDING ALONG WITH RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE OVERCROWDING ISSUES FOR THE

JUNE 24 COMMISSIONER COURT . >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL NOTE , I KNOW ALL OF US KNOW THIS BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS OUT IN THE PUBLIC. THESE ARE THE PARTICULAR PROJECTS THAT STUDIES BY A CONSULTANT WITH SUPPORT FROM COUNTY LEADERSHIP HAS SHOWN ARE IMMEDIATELY NECESSARY. THESE ARE AREAS IN NEED OF IMMEDIATE REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES HE SEES ME AND PROJECTS THAT IF NOT TAKEN ON COULD RESULT IN CONTINUED MAINTENANCE AND OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND/OR SYSTEM FAILURES AND EXISTING FACILITIES. IS THIS THE COMPLETE OVERHAUL WE ARE TRYING TO DO TO MAKE THE JAIL COST

[03:25:02]

I THINK YOU CAUGHT US SPEECHLESS BECAUSE YOU PRESENTED EVERYTHING SO CLEARLY AND STAKEHOLDERS HAVE ALREADY BEEN INVOLVED AND ENGAGED AND THERE IS A CLEAR CONSENSUS THERE. THANK YOU AND GOOD JOB ON THAT.

>> QUICK COMMENT, OBVIOUSLY THIS WILL HELP GOING FORWARD WITH THE OUTSOURCING. ONCE WE GET THROUGH THESE IMPROVEMENTS, OBVIOUSLY PART OF THE REASON WE HAVE OUTSOURCING HAS TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO DO ONE FLOOR AT A TIME. SO WE GET TO THE PROCESS OF ADDRESSING WHAT YOU WOULD TERM CRITICAL MAINTENANCE ISSUES. WHEN WE GET THROUGH IT ON THE OTHER SIDE THIS WILL HELP NOT ONLY THE JAIL STANDARDS ISSUE, BUT ALSO

OUTSOURCING IS THAT CORRECT? >> I WILL DIFFER TO THE CHIEF ON THAT AS IT SPEAKS TO MORE OPERATIONS. ARE YOU ON?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I WOULD SAY YES TO BOTH QUESTIONS. THE OUTSOURCING IS TIED TO THIS AS WE HAVE TALKED WITH THE TEAM TO COME IN AND EFFECTIVELY DO REFURBISHMENT ON THOSE FLOORS IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE THE INMATES OUT OF THOSE SPACES.

AND ANYTIME CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE LIKE IT WAS ON THE LIST WITH FIRE SYSTEMS, THOSE FALL INTO THE PURVIEW OF JAIL COMMISSION SO ANY OF THOSE, TWO OF THOSE SYSTEMS ARE END OF LIFE. IF THOSE FAILED WE WOULD CONTINUE TO HAVE NONCOMPLIANCE ISSUES WITH THE STATE AND ULTIMATELY COUPLED WITH PROPER STAFFING WE WOULD BE ABLE TO REDUCE AND BRING

INMATES BACK HOME. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I WANT TO THANK ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED, IT IS A VERY AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE AND IT WILL TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT COME BACK LATER IN THE YEAR WILL MAXIMIZE PUBLIC SAFETY. PEOPLE AS LONG AS NECESSARY TO PROTECT PUBLIC INTEREST TO ENSURE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF EVERYONE AND USE HARRIS COUNTY RESOURCES EFFICIENTLY. I KNOW WE ARE FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF JURISDICTIONS NEW YORK, LA, NEW ORLEANS AND OTHERS WORKING WITH THE INSTITUTES FOR CORRECTIONS. I WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF, HE CHAIRS THE JAIL GOVERNANCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE. THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB SO YOU DID A GOOD JOB OF BRIEFING ME AND OTHER OFFICES SO THAT'S WHY WE ARE NOT TAKING A LOT OF TIME ON IT, BUT WE ARE COGNIZANT OF HOW HARD IT WAS TO GET THESE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED SO KUDOS TO YOU AND THANK YOU.

>> I ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS. I WANT TO THANK COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ AND DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BARTON. I HAVE SEEN MORE PROGRESS IN THE LAST COUPLE MONTHS THAN THE YEAR AND A HALF I HAVE BEEN HERE, I APPRECIATE THE BOTH APPROACH RUNNING AGGRESSIVELY AT THE MEDIA MAINTENANCE ISSUE THAT ARE AFFECTING THE DAILY LIVES OF INDIVIDUALS AND STAFF WHO ARE IN THOSE FACILITIES SO THANK YOU AND I REALLY APPRECIATE THE AGGRESSIVE TIMELINE. MAKE SURE THE TEAM STICKS TO IT SO WE ARE DRIVING REPAIRS AND I APPRECIATE WE HAVE THE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE AND STAKEHOLDER TASK FORCE THAT IS ROBUST SO WE CAN THINK HOLISTICALLY AS WE THINK THROUGH WHAT THE LONG-TERM FUTURE IS, THE BOTTOM LINE PLEASE KEEP BOTH AND MOVING PURPOSEFULLY AND HOLISTICALLY AS POSSIBLE. DIRECTOR MILLS I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATE YOU WILL GIVE LATER THIS MONTH ON THE DEEP ANALYSIS OF THE POPULATION BECAUSE I WANT TO BE MAKING SURE WE MOVE ON ALL LOVERS OF PROGRESS AND DIVING INTO WHAT OTHER CHANGES COULD WE SEE WITHIN THE OWNERSHIP OF JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, PUBLIC DEFENDERS LOOKING AT THIS SYSTEMICALLY SO WE ARE ENHANCING JUSTICE AND SAFETY AND RESPECTING EVERYONE'S RIGHTS. THANK YOU,

[03:30:01]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AFTER SPEAKING WITH THE SHERIFF AND THE TEAM WE APPRECIATE THE RESIDENTIAL ADVISORY NOMINEES THAT ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE OFFICE PUT FORWARD, THEY HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO GET THE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND THOSE STAKEHOLDERS AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYBODY'S INPUT, THANK YOU FOR THE CONTINUED SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU. >> APPROVE BOTH AS PRESENTED.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR ? ANNUAL POST? MOTION CARRIES 4-1. THANK YOU AGAIN EVERYBODY. LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID, OTHER UPDATES YOU HAVE

NOT FORGOTTEN. >> I MISSED SOME ITEMS THAT WERE ADDED TO THE CONSENT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS OR

CONSIDER. >> YOU CAN DISCUSS THEM BUT THE VOTE HAS ALREADY BEEN TAKEN. BUT YOU CAN DISCUSS ANYTHING ON

THE AGENDA TODAY. >> 19, 318 AND 368. TAKE THOSE

TOGETHER. >> 19, 318 AND 368.

>> IS IT OKAY IF WE GO OVER HART EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COME

BACK TO THIS? >> IF I MAY IT MAY MAKE SENSE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION 1ST SO IF THERE ARE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT THEY ARE ANSWERED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE CONVERSATION

AFTER. >> THE REASON I DID NOT START HIS I THINK THEY SHOULD BE OPENED -- ANSWERED IN OPEN COURT. OKAY GREAT. SO, THAT PUTS US AT THE JAIL ITEM. 26 AND 471. DID WE ALREADY APPROVED BOTH OF THE NECESSARY ONES? 26 WAS PRESENTATION SO WE DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING THERE. AND THEN 26 WAS THE MOTION JUST MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WE ARE GOOD TO MOVE ON.

>> FOR CLARIFICATION THAT WAS FOR BOTH ITEMS? AS PRESENTED.

>> CORRECT. >> NOW, LET'S MOVE ON TO TRY

[Departments (Part 5 of 8)]

>> I'M COMFORTABLE WITH THAT IF DR. ROBINSON WOULD LIKE TO COME ON FIRST. COLLEAGUES WE SENT AROUND SOME MOTIONS , WE HAVE WORKED TOGETHER AND THERE ARE SEVEN MOTIONS WE WORKED TOGETHER ON AND WE WILL MAKE THOSE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> OKAY. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON QUICKLY I KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN THESE MOTIONS IS , ESSENTIALLY IN SUMMARY AN ATTEMPT TO OPENLY TRY TO FIND A WAY WE CAN KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING AND THAT DECISION WILL BE MADE LATER WE MAY HAVE TO ASK QUESTIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT ALSO RUN ON TWO PARALLEL TRACKS. ONE WOULD BE TO GO AND DO ANOTHER RFP SO AT SOME POINT IF WE DECIDE NOT TO KEEP THE CURRENT VENDOR PUT OUT THE RFP TO SEE IF THE RESPONSE WE MAY CHOOSE

[03:35:01]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY ATTORNEY AND ADMINISTRATOR SO WE WERE MADE AWARE IN SONOMA COUNTY RELATED TO APRIL 22, PRIOR TO THAT, IT IS GOOD PRACTICE TO PROCURE EVERY 3 TO 4 YEARS SO WE WERE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS DEVELOPING RFP FOR THE HART PROGRAM AND CURRENTLY BECAUSE OF THAT THE RFP IS WITH PURCHASING. AWAITING THEIR REVIEW AND APPROVAL TO GO OUT ON THE STREET AND IT IS INCORPORATED , THE LEARNINGS AND BEST PRACTICES FROM THIS PILOT PERIOD OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS. SO WE WERE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS OF PREPARING THE RFP. SINCE GETTING DIRECTION FROM THE COURT WE HAVE DONE PRELIMINARY WORK AROUND CONTINGENCY PLANNING THAT CONTEMPLATES BRINGING THE PROGRAM IN-HOUSE AND AS I MENTIONED BEFORE FROM OPERATIONAL PERSPECTIVE THERE ARE SOME REQUIREMENTS RELATIVE TO THE STATE APPROVAL TO ADMINISTER EMERGENCY MEDICAL EMT SERVICES. THAT IS THE MOTTO AND IT IS BEST PRACTICE IN THE NATION IN TERMS OF DESIGNING THE PROGRAM AND WE WORK WITH THE HARVARD GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE LAB TO DO SO. SO JUST ON STAFFING ALONE IT IS ESTIMATED TO BE AROUND $11 MILLION WHICH DOES NOT INCLUDE THE COST OF NONLABOR ITEMS LIKE VEHICLES , THE I.T. INFRASTRUCTURE IN TERMS OF CASE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM, AUTOMOBILES ET CETERA SO I SAY THESE NUMBERS PRELIMINARILY, BUT WE HAVE NOT WORKED THE WHOLE PROCESS AND WITH CONTINGENCY PLANNING OR ALTERNATIVE TO BRING THE PROGRAM IN-HOUSE THAT WOULD TAKE COST APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS IF NOT LONGER FOR US TO TRANSITION FROM A CONTRACTOR TO IN-HOUSE. JUST IN TERMS OF I KNOW THERE WAS A QUESTION ABOUT WHY ARE WE RUNNING THE PROGRAM THROUGH RFP , I BELIEVE AT THE TIME THEY WERE DEVELOPING THE PROGRAM WITH HARVARD GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE LAB AND THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO DO RFP BASED ON WHAT WAS ON THE GROUND IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT WAS 2020 AND THE SUMMER OF 2021 I WAS DIRECTED TO BEGIN TO ADMINISTER THE PROGRAM AS IS BASED ON THE RFP MODEL. SO WE ARE DOING THE DUE DILIGENCE AND WORK MOVING WITH SPEED AND AGILITY TO BRING BACK CONTINGENCY PLAN FOR THE JUNE 25 COURT.

>> A FEW POINTS I WANT TO GO BACK IN TIME A LITTLE BIT. THE HART PROGRAM WAS SOMETHING DEVELOPED AS A RESULT OF THE RESOLUTION REPAST AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S FUNERAL THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN EFFECTIVE AND I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT THAT. I KNOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE MAY BE ON THE LINE AND THEY DID TEXT ME EARLIER TO LET ME KNOW THEY ARE SUPPORTIVE OF THE PROGRAM AND OF EXPANSION SO I WANT TO LET THEM COMMENT ON THAT FROM THEIR VANTAGE POINT. NUMBER THREE, THERE ARE NO CONFIRMED ISSUES OF WASTE , FRAUD, OR CONTRACT VIOLATIONS. WE MAY NOT BE PLEASED WITH EVERYTHING, CERTAIN NUANCES BUT FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING, NO ISSUES OF WASTE, FRAUD OR CONTRACT

VIOLATIONS WE CAN POINT TO? >> THE ANSWER IS THE AUDITOR HAS NOT FOUND ANY. BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE AUDITOR FOR THE INVOICE PROPOSED AS NOT FOUND ANYTHING.

>> OKAY. I WANT TO ASK THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT ON THE LINE, CHIEF OR SOMEONE MAY BE THERE IF YOU'RE LISTENING.

ANYBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON THE LINE? MAYBE NOT, THEY MIGHT COME LATER. FROM THE AUDITOR OFFICE IF YOU ARE AROUND . THANK YOU. YOU ARE HERE. I READ A COUPLE THE MEMOS IN MY OFFICE EARLIER THAT I THINK YOU SENT OUT OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT HAVE YOU FOUND ANY INSTANCES, THERE MAY NOT BE ANY, BUT HAVE YOU FOUND ANY INSTANCES OF WASTE, FRAUD OR

[03:40:04]

ABUSE? >> WE HAVE FOUND NOTHING TO CATEGORIZE AS FRAUD, WASTE OR ABUSE OR THAT WE CATEGORIZE AS WRONGDOING. WE STILL HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS , JUST LIKE TO WRAP UP LOOSE ENDS. WORKING CLOSELY WITH JONATHAN IN LOOKING AT WITH A CONTRACT SPECIFIES AND IF THERE HAS BEEN ANY VIOLATION OF THE CONTRACT AND THUS FAR I DO NOT BELIEVE SO. THE ITEM TODAY THAT WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IS A PAYMENT OF TWO INVOICES , PARTIAL PAYMENT BECAUSE THERE IS PART OF THE INVOICES NOT COVERED IN THE APPROVED CONTRACT. THERE IS AN AMENDMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE ENTIRE INTEREST, BUT , 72,000 , $72,960 , $72,960.57 IS ON THE AUDITOR ITEM 303 AND WE HAVE APPROVED THIS PAYMENT AND WE ARE ASKING THE COURT FOR THEIR

APPROVAL. >> SO THE 199 FOR THE 860,000 THOSE ARE NOT RECOMMENDED AT THIS TIME.

>> THAT TRIED. ACTUALLY, WE HAVE HELD BACK BECAUSE ITEMS ON INVOICES HAVE NOT MATCHED THE APPROVED CONTRACT PENDING THIS AMENDMENT WE HAVE 860,000 $860,354.90 WORTH OF INVOICE SERVICES THAT WE ARE HOLDING PENDING THE AMENDMENT APPROVAL.

TODAY, 272,000 THE AUDITOR OFFICE HAS APPROVED IT AND BELIEVES THAT IT SHOULD BE PAID.

>> WHEN YOU THINK FOR THE NEXT COURT MEETING THE 25TH, THE OTHER ISSUES MAY BE RESOLVED OR WE KNOW YOU WON'T RECOMMEND TO PAY IT? YOU WILL KNOW BY JUNE OR WE KNOW YOU WON'T RECOMMEND TO PAY IT? YOU WILL KNOW BY JUNE 25?

>> I THINK WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN IS THE AMENDMENT NEEDS TO BE PUT BACK ON COURT AND APPROVED, THAT'S THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

WE HAVE THE ORIGINAL DEMA HART CONTRACT. AND THEN THERE IS A FIRST AMENDMENT THAT WAS APPROVED , BUT THE FIRST AMENDMENT DID NOT INCLUDE A NUMBER OF THE POSITIONS AND RATES THAT THE EXPANDED PROGRAM , YOU KNOW THEY USE THE POSITIONS. SO THE SECOND AMENDMENT ACTUALLY CLARIFIES THAT, DEFINES THESE ROLES AND RATES AND WHEN THAT IS APPROVED BY COURT, ASSUMING WE FIND NO OTHER ISSUES, WE WOULD COME BACK FOR THE 860,000 AND ASK THE COURT TO APPROVE.

>> 860 AND 191, YOU COME BACK ON BOTH?

>> THE 191 IS INCLUDED IN THE 860.

>> OKAY I DON'T WANT TO SAY ANYTHING IN CASE THERE IS LITIGATION DOWN THE ROAD THEY WILL DISCUSS. DO YOU ALL HAVE RECOMMENDATION BASED ON WHAT THE AUDITOR SAID AS TO WHETHER OR NOT WE SHOULD PAY T■HE 210 OR WHATEVER IT IS?

>> WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WITH A POTENTIAL LIABILITY. >> OKAY WE CAN TAKE THAT TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> FOR EVERYONE 'S SITUATIONAL AWARENESS CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DUE DILIGENCE, THE RECORDS REQUESTED, WHEN YOU HAVE RECEIVED AND WHAT YOU HAVE FOUND THUS FAR AND WHEN YOU

WILL CONCLUDE THE FULL AUDIT. >> YES I WILL DO THAT. JUST KIND OF WALKING BACK AND LOOKING AT THIS OVERTIME. WE WERE PAYING DEMA INVOICES AND ACTUALLY I FIND IT KIND OF INTERESTING. HOW MANY DOLLARS HAVE REPAID DEMA SINCE THEY STARTED THE POD PROGRAM AND THEN THE HART PROGRAM? WE HAVE DISPERSED TO DEMA , $4,845,000. AND THE FIRST HICCUP CAME IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR. WHEN WE GOT SOME INVOICES AND WE SAW THESE POSITIONS AND THESE RATES THAT WERE NOT COVERED IN THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT. THAT'S WHEN WE STARTED SHORT PAYING, WE

[03:45:03]

THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR ALL THE TIME YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE DEVOTED TO THIS. YOU SAY YOU'RE NOT 100% THERE , WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT AND WHEN WILL YOU BE

100% THERE? >> WHEN I GET ANSWERS FROM DEMA ON THESE THREE PEOPLE, THEN I DON'T HAVE ANY MORE ALLEGATIONS THAT I AM INVESTIGATING. SO THAT WILL PRETTY MUCH PUT IT TO BED, EXCEPT I'M GLAD YOU ASKED THAT WE ARE ALSO DOING A CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AUDIT ON DEMA IN OTHER WORDS WE HAVE THE CONTRACT , WE SEE EVERY THING IN THE CONTRACT WHERE DEMA WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO DO. WE ARE MAKING SURE THAT THEY DID EVERYTHING THE CONTRACT REQUIRES. WE ARE VERY CLOSE TO WRAPPING THAT UP. I THINK WE WILL HAVE A FEW MINOR THINGS AND WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE ISSUING THE REPORT NEXT WEEK WE WILL SEND THAT OUT TO THE

COMMISSIONERS. >> ONE EXAMPLE AND YOU WERE REFERRING TO IT AND I HAVE MANY HIGH-LEVEL COMMENTS THAT I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING, BUT AS YOU ARE HERE, THIS WAS FROM THE EMAIL YOU SENT AND THE LETTER, DEMA PROVIDED DETAILED SUPPORT 412.5 HOURS FOR ONE EMPLOYEE, BOTH COUNTIES WERE BILLED A TOTAL OF 412.5 HOURS. BASICALLY ONE EMPLOYEE WORKED 206 HOURS FOR HARRIS, 206 SONOMA AND MAYBE THIS PERSON WAS EXTREMELY HARD-WORKING AND WORKS 15 OR 20 HOUR DAYS, SO YOU REQUESTED THE PAY STUBS TO MAKE SURE THESE HARD-WORKING MEN AND WOMEN GOT THE PAY FOR THE 20 HOURS OR 15 OR 16 HOURS. 412 HOURS FOR ONE

[03:50:03]

EMPLOYEE. >> YES, THAT EMPLOYEE EMPLOYEE 2 IS THE OWNER OF DEMA. SO THAT IS HER TIMESHEETS THAT ADD UP TO THAT. WE WERE BILLED 200 HOURS AND CINEMA COUNTY WAS BILLED TO TO 12.5 WHICH ADD UP TO THE TOTAL ON THE TIMESHEETS.

BUT, I HAVE NOT ASKED HER . I THINK SHE'S THE OWNER.

>> WHAT EMPLOYEE TOTALED 400 HOURS AND EMPLOY THREE SO THAT WAS NOT ANOMALY. DID YOU ASK NOT FOR THE OWNER BUT EMPLOYEE

ONE AND THREE? >> ONE AND THREE, THE TIMESHEETS THAT WE HAVE ARE ONLY FOR ABOUT HALF THE AMOUNT.

SO THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT I WANT AN ANSWER TO. EMPLOYEE ONE, THREE AND THE HART CASE MANAGER. I SEE THE TIMESHEETS THAT DEMA GAVE ME AND I SEE WHAT WAS BILLED HARRIS COUNTY AND SONOMA COUNTY FOR THE SAME PERIOD AND THE TIMESHEETS ARE ROUGHLY HALF. SO MY QUESTION THAT I'M WAITING AN ANSWER ON IS ONE, IS THAT BECAUSE THEY REALLY WORKED MORE THAN IS ON THE TIMESHEET AND THERE'S ANOTHER TIME SHE SOMEWHERE, BECAUSE THE CASE YOU MENTIONED, THE OWNER , SHE HAD A TIMESHEET FOR 7 1/2 HOURS EVERY DAY, SHE HAD ANOTHER TIMESHEET SIX HOURS ON THE SAME DAY AND THEN A THIRD SET OF TIMESHEETS. 7 1/2 HOURS PER DAY EACH WEEKEND. SO IS THERE ANOTHER SET OF TIMESHEETS FOR THESE THREE PEOPLE OR ARE YOU FEELING BOTH COUNTIES, NOT BECAUSE THIS PERSON WORKED ALL THE HOURS, BUT IS IT ON THE SAME THEORY AS THE MEDICAL EXAMINER , THAT THEY WERE AVAILABLE . ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN REPORTED TO US BY SONOMA COUNTY WERE ALL REMOTE WORKERS. SO THEY WERE ALL ABLE TO WORK FROM CALIFORNIA , ON THEIR COMPUTERS

AND THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT. >> SO BY NEXT WEEK AND I APPRECIATE YOUR HARD WORK. I MEAN HART IS LITERALLY THE TOP PRIORITY. BEFORE I WAS SWORN IN I HAD A MEETING WITH DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND I SAID THIS IS MY TOP PRIORITY FOR PRECINCT 4.

LAST YEAR I WAS THRILLED WE EXPANDED TO DISTRICT 4 AND WE ASKED FOR THE 24/7 COVERAGE. I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN DEMA TO DO ITS JOB, BUT PUTTING THAT ASIDE, WE ARE HERE TO SAVE AND STRENGTHEN HART. THAT'S WHY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I WORKED TOGETHER ON MOTIONS TO ERECT ROBINSON'S POINT. I WANT IT IN-HOUSE IN PUBLIC HEALTH SO THIS CAN BE A LASTING AND ROBUST PROGRAM THAT WE EXPAND THE COUNTY 24/7. MEANWHILE ON A PARALLEL TRACT SAFETY PLAN WE LAUNCHED THE RFP WHICH IF I HEARD DR. ROBINSON, THEY WERE PLANNING TO DO THIS BEFORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE BUSINESS PRACTICES AROSE. SO I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FUTURE OF NOT ONLY SAVING BUT STRENGTHENING IT. IN THE MEANTIME I AM STRUGGLING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE I HAVE LEGAL QUESTIONS BECAUSE IT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND THAT IF WE ARE HIRING A CONTRACTOR WORKING TWO JOBS IN TWO STATES 15 TO 20 HOURS A DAY WITH SOME GAPS IN DOCUMENTATION WHICH I RECOGNIZE AND I READ THE CONTRACT, WE NEED TO WRITE A MORE CLEAR CONTRACT. SO IF WE DO THE AMENDMENT THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO ADD CLARITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY WITH MORE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SO IT IS A WIN-WIN. WE HAVE A CONTINUITY PLAN BETWEEN JUNE 25, THE AMENDMENT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR MEANWHILE RUNNING AT THE RFP, MEANWHILE RUNNING AT THE IN-HOUSE DEPARTMENT. I WAS JUST CARRIES, I SO APPRECIATED YOUR TIME MEETING WITH ME LAST WEEK AND ALL THE CALLS YOU HAVE HAD WITH TREVOR. NEXT WEEK IS STILL THE END DATE WHEN YOU THINK YOU WILL CONCLUDE THE REST OF THE AUDIT?

>> WE HOPE TO GET OUT THE FINAL REPORT, THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE

REVIEW NEXT WEEK. >> JUDGE, SORRY I WANTED TO KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS ON THE WEBEX.

>> WELCOME, CAN YOU HEAR US OKAY? WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE

ANY COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU AND YES I JUST HEARD COMMISSIONER BRIONES COMMENTS . WE NEED CONTINUITY

[03:55:02]

COMMISSIONER BRIONES REMARKS. >> THANK YOU. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO BACK TO THE FIRST ISSUE HERE. YOU'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE MONEY 100% THERE ON THE FIRST 272,000. I WANT TO MAKE SURE. JUST CURIOUS WITH THESE WHAT DOES THE DOCTOR MAKE PER HOUR AND WHAT DO OTHER EMPLOYEES MAKE PER HOUR? TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF WHAT LEVEL EMPLOYEES WERE TALKING ABOUT.

>> JUST GOING TO ASK CASSIE, DO YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION? CASSIE DAVIS IS THE ONE IN THE INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT WHO

HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS. >> I BORROWED ONE FROM YOUR.

YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN VERY GENEROUS.

>> MAYBE YOU CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION ABOUT WHAT THEY MAKE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. FOR THE HART CASE MANAGER WHO IS LISTED AT THE TOP OF THE POST MEMO THAT EMPLOYEE MAKES $30 PER HOUR.

>> $30 PER HOUR. >> FOR THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR, HARRIS COUNTY WAS BILLED AT $343.29. AND THAT IS PER DAY.

>> OBVIOUSLY THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR, IT'S EASY FOR ONE TO ASSUME , AT THAT LEVEL , YOU'RE CHARGING FOR YOUR TIME. THE CONTRACT NOT BE CLEAR I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE OTHER EMPLOYEES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ARE $30 AN HOUR. THREE OF THEM?

>> SO, ONE OF THEM WAS $30 AND ANOTHER ONE WAS 75 AND ANOTHER WAS 50 , I BELIEVE. THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR WAS THE ONLY EMPLOYEE MAKING HIGHER THAN $100 AN HOUR.

>> THANK YOU, YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB.

>> CHARGED BY THE DAY OR BY THE HOUR?

>> THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR AND HOW THE CONTRACT WAS STATED WAS A WEEKLY RATE, BUT WHENEVER THEY BILL HARRIS COUNTY ON THE INVOICE IT IS PER DAY. FOR EXAMPLE ONE OF THE INVOICES IN QUESTION, THEY BUILD FOR HER AT $343 AT 105 DAYS WHICH WAS THE AMOUNT OF DAYS WITHIN THE INVOICE PERIOD.

>> YOU COMPARED THAT TO WHAT THEY WERE DOING FOR SONOMA

COUNTY. >> FOR SONOMA COUNTY DID NOT BUILD THE EXACT AMOUNT, IT IS SIMILAR. I AM LOOKING FOR IT .

>> WITH A BILLING BY THE HOUR OR THE DAY IN SONOMA COUNTY?

>> FOR SONOMA COUNTY THERE WERE BILLED BY THE DAY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THIS ITEM. MY QUESTION IS THIS, IF THEY ARE BILLING BY THE DAY, SO THAT'S BECAUSE OF HOW THE CONTRACT , SO THEY COULD OF DONE ONE HOURS WORTH OF WORK ON THAT DAY BUT

STILL GET >> CORRECT, THAT COULD BE A POSSIBILITY AND IN THE CONTRACT IT DID NOT REQUIRE FOR THEM TO PROVIDE THAT DETAILED SUPPORT DOCUMENTATION. FOR THAT PARTICULAR POSITION AND THAT IS ONE OF THE ITEMS WE DID REQUEST IN DEMA. TO GET SOME TYPE OF SUPPORT SO WE CAN GET IN ASSURANCE OF HOW MUCH TIME WAS ACTUALLY DEDICATED EACH DAY .

>> SO, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS A FAIR QUESTION FOR YOU, BUT FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY 'S OFFICE. DEMA I THINK THE CONTRACT WAS WRITTEN BY THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IF DEMA WERE TO , IN THE FUTURE WOULD THIS BE AN APPROPRIATE CONTRACT TO GET INTO? WHEN WE ACCEPT , OR WOULD WE HAVE MADE AMENDMENTS OR

CHANGES? >> IF YOUR QUESTION IS COULD THE CONTRACT BE MADE CLEARER, CERTAINLY THERE IS SOME CLARITY THAT COULD BE INJECTED INTO THE WAY THAT DEMA BILLS. OUR

[04:00:03]

>> ANOTHER RFP WE CAN'T AMEND THE CONTRACT?

>> IT DEPENDS IF DEMA SAYS WE WILL BUILD BY THE HOUR IT'S A NEW BUSINESS MODEL WITH A NEW FEE STRUCTURE AND IT COULD RESULT IN HIGHER FEES WHICH MAY HAVE TO GO BACK AND IT'S NO LONGER

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID YOU HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION? IF NOT I

WAS GOING TO ASK. >> I THINK THIS IS A POORLY WRITTEN CONTRACT FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO BE INTO. NUMBER ONE BRINGING WORK IN-HOUSE . FOR THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT INAUDIBLE ] SO I WOULD BE IN FULL SUPPORT OF BRINGING THE

WORK IN. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON, DID YOU ALL WRITE THE CONTRACT? YOU HAVE A LAWYER ON YOUR TEAM, WHO

WROTE THE CONTRACT? >> WE DID NOT WRITE THE CONTRACT . WE DON'T WRITE CONTRACTS, OUR ROLE IS TO DESIGN PROGRAMMING. SORRY, TRYING TO GET MY CAMERA TO WORK. WE DID NOT WRITE THE CONTRACT. WE WORKED WITH PURCHASING ON THE RFP AND WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON THE

CONTRACT. >> MIGHT BE ABLE TO EXPLAIN HOW THE CONTRACTING PROCESS WORKS.

>> IS A BROAD OVERVIEW. IN EVERY CONTRACT SITUATION THERE IS ESSENTIALLY FOUR DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED.

PURCHASING, D.O., THE DEPARTMENT ITSELF REQUESTING THE CONTRACT AND OUR OFFICE. ESSENTIALLY WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING, OFTENTIMES WE CONFLATE THE CONTRACT WITH THE BROAD PROCUREMENT PROCESS. UNDER OUR SYSTEM THE RFP IS GENERATED JOINTLY BY DEPARTMENT AND PURCHASING WHICH THE SCOPE OF SERVICE IS DEFINED FOR THE RFP AND THE BUSINESS TERMS ARE DEFINED BY THE DEPARTMENT AND PURCHASING. SO THAT'S MEMORIALIZED WITHIN THE RFP AND THE INDIVIDUALS RESPOND FROM THAT. BECAUSE OF TIME CONSTRAINTS, OFTENTIMES WHEN IT COMES TO US, WE GET ESSENTIALLY A POST-AWARD CONTRACT. THE VENDOR HAS BEEN SELECTED, THE TERMS HAVE BEEN AGREED UPON, BASED ON THE RFP AND IN THIS CASE A BEST AND FINAL OFFER WOULD'VE BEEN GENERATED. DOES BECOME PART OF OUR STANDARDIZED CONTRACT THAT WE USE FOR THE COUNTY, THAT CONTAINS INDEMNIFICATION CLAUSES AND GENERAL CONSTRUCTION. IT IS THE DOCUMENT IN RESPONSE TO THE RFP ATTACHED AS AN EXHIBIT THAT IS SORT OF THE CONTROL FORCE. SO OFTENTIMES THE DEPARTMENT AND VENDOR WILL HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT SORT OF THE INTENT BEHIND THE ARRANGEMENT AS JOHN ELUDED TO, TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S QUESTION. THIS APPEARS TO BE A FEE-FOR-SERVICE CONTRACT, BUT THERE WERE TIMES WHEN THERE WAS A REALLY RATES PUT IN. I DON'T KNOW IF I WAS DONE AT THE REQUEST OF PURCHASING OR THE DEPARTMENT, BUT IT IS IN THERE. THAT CAN LEAD TO CONFUSION SO WE CAN CERTAINLY CLARIFY. WE DO NOT CUSTOMARILY ALTER THE BEST AND FINAL PRESENTED OR ALTER THE TERMS OF SERVICE OR SCOPE DOCUMENTS GENERATED BY THE DEPARTMENT OR PURCHASING. SO THIS IS ALL TO SAY THAT WE WILL AND CAN TIGHTEN UP ANY CONTRACTS TO MAKE SURE THAT IS IN THERE. ANY ADDITIONAL PROTECTIONS. THESE STANDARDIZED LANGUAGE IS WHAT WE USED IN THE BULK OF NONPROFESSIONAL SERVICE CONTRACTS.

>> OKAY. >> IF I CAN ASK A QUICK

[04:05:02]

>> NORMALLY THAT'S DONE BY THE DEPARTMENTS WHICH CREATE THE PROGRAM, WE ARE NOT IN THE ROOM WHEN PROGRAMS ARE CREATED SO WE DON'T KNOW THE STRUCTURE AND THE RFPS ARE GENERATED BY PURCHASING AND THE DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION.

>> SO, MISS ROBINSON, DID YOUR DEPARTMENT WRITE TO THE BOARD ?

>> APOLOGIES, TRYING TO TURN THE CAMERA ON. YES MY DEPARTMENT WROTE THE SCOPE OF WORK BASED ON THE PROGRAMS AND KPIS AND THE VENDORS CAME IN WITH THEIR MODEL FOR HOW THEY WOULD DELIVER SERVICES BASED ON THE AMOUNT OF MONEY WE WERE APPROPRIATED FOR THE PROGRAMMING.

>> WHO IN YOUR OFFICE WROTE SCOPE OF WORK? DO YOU HAVE AN

ATTORNEY ON STAFF? >> WE DO NOT HAVE AN ATTORNEY ON STAFF, WE INHERITED THE SCOPE OF WORK. COMMISSIONER I WAS GETTING BACKGROUND. AT THE TIME THEY HAD DEVELOPED THE PROPOSAL AND SCOPE OF WORK IN 2020 AND IN THE SUMMER OF 2021 IS ON THE COURT DIRECTED THE DEPARTMENT TO STAND UP UTILIZING THE EXISTING RFP WHICH IS WRITTEN ALREADY TO EXECUTE THAT. WE SUBSEQUENTLY DID ADDENDUM ASKING FOR MORE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON BACKGROUND SO WE DID AUGMENT THAT WHEN WE TOOK OVER IT TO BETTER OPERATIONALIZE BUT WE

DID NOT WRITE THE ORIGINAL. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY STUFF TELLS ME THE HARVARD FERMILAB WROTE RFP. IS

THAT THE CASE? >> THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING.

>> I WANT TO ASK IN YOUR EXPERIENCE, ARE THE OTHER CONTRACTS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS?

>> I THINK THIS IS UNUSABLE. WE HAVE PROBLEMS WITH INVOICES QUITE FREQUENTLY. THE INVOICE IS FOR $50 A WIDGET AND THE CONTRACT IS FOR 30, BUT I'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING QUITE LIKE THIS WITH DEMA. SO THIS IS SORT OF NEW FOR ME. I AM NOT FAMILIAR, I CANNOT REMEMBER ANYTHING WHERE THERE WAS SO MUCH THAT WAS UNCLEAR AND DEBATABLE ABOUT A CONTRACT.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY WE OUGHT TO BE WILLING TO PUT UP THE RESOURCES IN EACH DEPARTMENT AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CONTRACT OR ANY OTHER. I KNOW IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT CASE, THEY GOT THIS ON A SHORT FUSE, THEY INHERITED THIS, THEY WERE GETTING TREMENDOUS PRESSURE FROM THE COURT, FROM ALL OF US TO STAND UP THE PROGRAM. I CANNOT RECALL WHY IT LEFT JAD TO GO OVER AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY LAWYERS WERE AT THE DEPARTMENT EITHER, BUT YOU KNOW I JUST WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT , YOU KNOW WE SHOULD NOT BE IN THE BUSINESS BECAUSE OF ALLEGATIONS THAT RAISE AND WE COME IN AT THE BACK END AND THEN WE POINT FINGERS. THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN TREMENDOUSLY SUCCESSFUL. I KNOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE DID NOT GET IN, SINCE BEGINNING OF OPERATIONS IN 2022 THEY RESPONDED 11,500 CALLS FOR WELFARE CHECKS, MENTAL HEALTH CRISES, FAMILY DISTURBANCES, MEDICAL CONCERNS AND OTHER ISSUES THAT HELPED US TO NOT END UP PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL WHEN IT WAS NOT AN INSTANCE WHERE WE HAD A VIOLENT PERSON. OR WE WOULD SPEND MORE MONEY ON THE BACK END. I AM ALL FOR OPERATING IN-HOUSE, I WILL LET DIRECTOR ROBINSON TALK ABOUT CHALLENGES. ALBUQUERQUE MUCH SMALLER OBVIOUSLY BUT THEY HAVE A SEPARATE COUNTY DEPARTMENT THAT HANDLES IT AND I FEEL VERY STRONGLY AND THE SHERIFF DOES AS WELL, IT SHOULD NOT BE PART OF LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTER ONE, I AM WILLING TO PAY FOR IT KNOWING THE CHALLENGE. SO WE GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS, SO MR. RAMEAU'S DOES NOT GET NERVOUS IT WILL COST CONSIDERABLY MORE. BUT I THINK IT WILL SAVE US MONEY IN THE LONG RUN BUT WE HAVE TO BE WILLING TO PUT THE MONEY UP TO DO IT OR IT WILL GO THE WAY OF ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE RESOLUTIONS THAT WE PASSED THAT

WILL NEVER BE IN LIMITED. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND

[04:10:01]

>> HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE WE INVESTED AT THIS POINT IN HART?

>> THE COUNTY AUDITOR STATEMENT 4.8 MILLION TOTAL WE HAVE PAID

THEM. >> THAT'S WHAT WE PAID TO DEMA, I UNDERSTAND THAT. WHAT IS THE TOTAL COST WE HAVE

SPENT, 12 MILLION? >> THE NUMBER IN MY HEAD AS WE HAD 5 MILLION AND WE ARE EXPANDING THE PROGRAM THE ADDITIONAL 5 MILLION AROUND 10 MILLION TOTAL. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE EXACT IN FRONT OF YOU.

>> I DON'T , BUT I'M GETTING IT FROM MY TEAM.

>> RIGHT AROUND THERE. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> TO REITERATE IT IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE TO NOT ONLY SAVE HART BUT STRENGTHEN. YOUR AUDIT WILL BE 100%

COMPLETE NEXT WEEK CORRECT? >> YES MA'AM.

>> WITH REGARD TO THE CONTRACT. I WANT TO BE SURE WE ARE HERE, WE SEE THE PROBLEM, THERE IS NUMEROUS OPEN QUESTIONS ABOUT BUSINESS PRACTICE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE HART IS IN THE BEST HANDS GOING FORWARD, BUT WE NEED TO PLAN FOR THE IMMEDIATE , SHORT-TERM, MIDTERM AND LONG-TERM. IN TERMS OF PREPARING FOR JUNE 25 TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE AUDITOR AND PURCHASING, WE HAVE THIS OUTSTANDING AMENDMENT THAT HAS NOT BEEN PASSED. ASSUMING DEMA IS AN AGREEMENT I COULD GET COMFORTABLE IF THE AMENDMENT HAD ADDITIONAL TRANSPARENCY AND TEETH IN TERMS OF INVOICING AND REPORTING TO OTHER CLARITY WE NEED SO WE DON'T SEE THESE $400 FOR ONE EMPLOYEE IN ONE MONTH SORT OF THINGS GOING FORWARD SO WE CAN PLAN BETWEEN JUNE 25 AND THE END OF THE YEAR MEANWHILE WE RUN AT THE RFP MEANWHILE WE RUN AT MAKING THIS IN-HOUSE IN A COUNTY DEPARTMENT. MY QUESTION IS, COMING UP WITH SOLUTIONS MOVING FORWARD COULD YOU ALL DELIVER AN IMPROVED AMENDMENT WITH THE ADDITIONAL REPORTING

REQUIREMENT AND TRANSPARENCY? >> YES, OBVIOUSLY THAT DEPENDS ON THE VENDOR AND DEPARTMENT MAKING SURE WHATEVER AMENDMENT IS IN THERE FOR FOLKS THE WORK TO BE DONE. IF IT CHANGES THE TERMS OF THE DEAL THAT'S A DIFFERENT PROBLEM. SO AS I DISCUSSED EARLIER IF IT'S GOING TO COST A LOT MORE TO DO HOURLY RATES THAT'S WHAT THE COURT WANTS THAT MIGHT CAUSE THE COUNTY MORE, UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WAS ON THE BARGAIN, THE BARGAIN WAS FEE-FOR-SERVICE SO A NUMBER OF PEOPLE ARE READY TO STAFF THE PROGRAM EVERY DAY AT A CERTAIN RATE AND IF THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE WE CAN REDRAFT THE CONCEPT INTO A CONTRACT THAT WILL HAVE SPECIFIC INVOICING MECHANISMS THAT WILL BE EASY TO CHECK BY THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND BRING IT BACK JUNE 25 IF DEMA

IS WORKING QUICKLY ENOUGH. >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON DID YOU

FIND INFORMATION? >> MY TEAM INDICATES THE TOTAL ESTIMATED COST ALLOTTED BY THE COURT IS 6.1 MILLION INCLUDING THE ADMINISTERED OF STAFF WITHIN MY DEPARTMENT AND THE

CONTRACTOR. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOUR HAND IS UP I DON'T KNOW IF

THAT'S OLD OR NEW. >> SO, I HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT. CAN I HAVE MY PARTNER PLEASE? SO, WHAT I AM WATCHING HERE IS , TO ME, VERY SIMILAR TO THE CONVERSATION FROM LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT . SO MY TAKE AWAY IS THE COUNTY AUDITOR CONTINUES AND IS FINALIZING AUDIT OF DEMA. THE DEPARTMENTS ARE WORKING IN TERMS OF THE WORK GOING FORWARD, WHAT IT IS THAT CAN BE DONE DIFFERENTLY. I WOULD ADVISE AS YOU ARE AT IT WITH A COUNTY ATTORNEY LOOK TO SEE IF THERE'S ANY OTHER TYPES OF CONTRACTS THAT FOLLOW A SIMILAR TEMPLATE , THE AUDITOR HAS SAID IT IS NOT COMMON, BUT YOU MIGHT AS WELL CHECK. THE POINT IS THAT WE HAVE A $270,000 OUTSTANDING INVOICE FOR WORK ALREADY PERFORMED , THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED AND REVIEWED BY THE AUDITOR CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> SO I'M WONDERING WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THE 270,000 BECAUSE LAST COURT THAT WAS MASHED , WHENEVER WE ASK THE AUDITOR 'S OFFICE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH 270,000? THE REPRESENTATIVES SAID YES. IS

[04:15:03]

>> YES WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. IT IS PART OF THE AGENDA ITEM 303. SO, IT IS INCLUDED IN THAT, SOMETIMES YOU SEPARATE THAT OUT BUT IF THE ITEM IS APPROVED, THEN IT WILL BE DISPERSED AND DEMA GETS THE MONEY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT BECAUSE THAT WAS THE POINT OF THE LAST COURT AND PERHAPS IT WAS A NEED FOR THIS EXTENDED DISCUSSION TO RECOGNIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO THINGS. AT THIS POINT, THE FUNDS , THEY NEED TO BE PAID.

THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, WOULD WE BE AT RISK FOR A LAWSUIT FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT OR COULD THEY CHARGE SOME INTEREST BECAUSE OF NO PROMPT PAYMENT, WHAT IS THE LEGALITY HERE TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN SPEAK IN OPEN COURT?

>> THAT HAVE A CLAIM FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT IF WE DON'T PAY TIMELY AND ON TOP OF THAT THEY COULD GET INTEREST BASED ON

PROMPT PAYMENT. >> SO YOU KNOW, THIS , SORT OF REPEATING I DON'T REALLY UNDERSTAND WHAT THE HANGUP IS.

I DID NOT UNDERSTAND LAST COURT AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS COURT. I AM HOPING THIS WOULD PASS SO I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE ON 303 THE AUDIT CLAIMS INCLUDING THE PAYMENT THAT FOR NOW 2 QUARTS IN A ROW, THE AUDITOR PURCHASING COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE SAID THEY ARE GOOD AND FOR WORK ALREADY DONE AND WE ARE AT RISK OF A LAWSUIT. HIGH RISK OR LOW RISK , THE POINT IS WE ARE I THINK IN BREACH OF CONTRACT AND SO CAN WE PLEASE APPROVE THIS FUND , THIS FUNDING? I MOVE 303.

>> SEVERAL THINGS HAVE CHANGED. THE AUDITOR IS HERE TODAY, THANK YOU VERY MUCH, TWO WE HAVE A WRITTEN CONFIRMATION FROM YOUR OFFICE ON THE AUDITOR LETTERHEAD SAYING YOU HAVE COMPLETED DUE DILIGENCE ON THE PAYMENT AND APPROVE CORRECT? SO WE HAVE EVOLVED AND TO BE CLEAR WHAT DO DILIGENCE WAS MADE ON 272 THAT LED TO THE CONCLUSION WHICH YOU PUT IN WRITING FOR

THE COURT IT SHOULD BE PAID. >> NUMBER ONE IT MATCHES THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT. EVEN THE TERMS OF THE CONTRACT THAT SAY, I THINK SECTION 5 B . THE TERMS THAT SAY , THEY HAVE TO PROVIDE THE ACTUAL HOURS THAT THE EMPLOYEES WORKED , DEMA DID THAT. AND THE THIRD THING IS, IT HAS BEEN APPROVED THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THEY WENT INTO THE SYSTEM AND DID THE RECEIVING WHICH INDICATES THAT THEY FEEL THE SERVICES WERE RECEIVED AND THEY ARE OKAY WITH US PAYING IT. SO THOSE THREE THINGS.

MATCHES THE CONTRACT, THE SUPPORT WAS THERE, INCLUDING TIME IN AND TIMEOUT FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND IT WAS APPROVED

THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. >> COLLEAGUES I'M HOPING TO CONTINUE MY POINT HERE WHICH IS A MOTION ON ITEM 303. AND I UNDERSTAND THIS SOUNDS A LOT LIKE WHAT REPRESENTATIVE LAST TIME CONVEYED. I DON'T KNOW THERE'S ANYTHING NEW. SO THE POINT, BUT THE QUESTION HERE IS , IS THERE A SECOND TO PROVE ITEM 303 WHICH IS THE AUDITED CLAIMS IN PARTICULAR IF WE NEED TO TAKE SEPARATELY IS THERE EMOTION FOR THE ALREADY AUDITED AND APPROVED SINCE A MONTH AGO PAYMENT OF THE $270,000 THAT THE AUDITOR , IS THERE A SECOND FOR THAT OR NOT?

>> JUDGE BEFORE A SECOND. OBVIOUSLY YOU AND I BOTH VOTED FOR IT A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I GET THE THREE. I WANT TO ASK COMMISSIONER COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT WILL GIVE YOU COMFORT

LEVEL WITH JUST THE 272 960? >> WITH REGARD TO THE 272 IT IS MATERIAL DIFFERENCE THAT YOU'RE HERE THANK YOU AND YOU PUT YOUR RECOMMENDATION IN WRITING THAT YOU GAVE RECENTLY. TO THE ALL FIVE OFFICES. DIRECTOR ROBINSON WILL YOU CONFIRM SERVICES WERE RENDERED FOR THE 272 AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY I HAVE A QUESTION FOR THEM TO CONFIRM FOR THEIR REVIEW.

[04:20:02]

>> YES COMMISSIONER WE ARE CONFIDENT SERVICES WERE PROVIDED BASED ON THE INDEPENDENT EVIDENCE OF THE CALLS RESPONDED TO AND STAFF THAT RESPONDED.

>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR ROBINSON.

>> WE FOLLOW THE NORMAL PROCESS, CLIENT DEPARTMENT CONFIRMS WORK WAS DONE THE AUDITOR CONFIRMS THE INVOICE MATCHES THE CONTRACT. AFTER DISCUSSIONS WE UNDERSTOOD THE PROCESS FOR MANAGING THE INVOICES AND THEIR CONSISTENT WITH THE CONTRACT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT DEMA WAS

SUPPOSED TO DO. >> I WILL SECOND , SUBJECT TO THE VARIOUS MOTIONS COMMISSIONER ALICE AND I WORKED ON TOGETHER WHICH IS THE PLAN FOR IT BECAUSE WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN AND MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING THE FUTURE .

>> THE MOTION IS SIMPLY RELATED TO 303 TWO APPROVE PAYMENT TO DEMA WE HAVE TO HAVE ANOTHER VOTE ON ALL THE OTHER ITEMS

THAT'S NOT DEMA. >> WE CAN VOTE ON ALL OF THEM.

>> YOU NEED TO BUILD A VOTE NO ON SOME OF THEM. CAN I MOVE ITEM 303 AS RELATED TO DEMA FULL STOP? I AM NOT MAKING IT CONTINGENT ON ANYTHING AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED .

>> I THINK WE HAVE AGREEMENT. >> WE HAVE AGREEMENT ON ALL MOTIONS. TO BE CLEAR IT'S ONE TRANCHE OF 272. YES I SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR 303 AS PERTAINS TO DEMA. ANY OF POST? OKAY I AM IN FAVOR AND THAT CARRIES 4-1.

>> I MOVE THE OTHERS . >> MOTION FOR EVERYTHING NOT

DEMA. >> SECOND.

>> DON'T YOU NEED TO PULL OUT SOME OTHERS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? OKAY, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON THE REST OF THE AUDIT CLAIMS NOT INCLUDING DEMA SECOND BY OMISSION OR ELLIS , ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OF POST? MOTION

CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> NOW FOR THE BROAD ITEMS. WAS GOING TO ASK COMMITTED YOU TO READ ALL THE MOTIONS? COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I CAN MAKE ALL OF THEM I THINK OF BUT HE HAS SEEN THEM. 'S WITH THE PUBLIC MIGHT BE INTERESTED.

>> I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS FOR THE AUDITOR. YOU KNOW I REALLY HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO ASK MY PIECE , I KEPT GETTING INTERRUPTED SO I SAID LET'S JUST VOTE FOR THIS. MR. COUNTY AUDITOR. AND COLLEAGUES , I STILL AM OBSERVING AND I AM AWARE OF OBSERVING FROM THE LAST COURT AND THIS COURT SOME COMMENTS ABOUT THE AUDITOR AND THE PROCESS THAT HAVE SOME INCONSISTENCIES AND MAKE ME WONDER WHAT'S GOING ON. OFTEN AT COMMISSIONERS COURT WHEN MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED AND SOMEBODY'S NOT AVAILABLE WE WILL REQUEST AND SAY WE WILL COME BACK AT THE END OF COURT AND CERTAINLY IT WAS POSSIBLE AT THE LAST COURT TO SAY WE WOULD LIKE MR. POST OR SOMETHING IN WRITING AND AS I ALWAYS DO I WOULD'VE SAID OKAY WHILE HE DOES THAT IS CONTINUE WITH THE REST OF THE AGENDA.

THAT DID NOT COME UP LAST COURT, LAST COURT AND IT'S ON THE RECORDING, THE REASON EVERYBODY OFFERED TO NOT SUPPORT THIS WAS THE ONGOING AUDIT FOR THE REST OF THE MATERIAL. SO I AM IMAGINING AND NOW I HEAR THAT ERICA PERKINS WAS YOU WORKING ON THIS WHO IS ERICA PERKINS?

>> ERICA PERKINS WAS MY CHIEF OVER THE INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION AND IN 02 HALVES. I AM THE CONTROLLER AND INTERNAL AUDITOR. I HAVE TWO DIVISIONS. ERICA HAS TAKEN A JOB . AND KASSIE WAS ON MATERNITY LEAVE AND SHE CAME BACK AND STEPPED IN AND WE ARE FINISHING THE AUDIT. THAT IS HOW WE WERE ORGANIZED. WE DID SWITCH HATS IN DOING THIS.

>> IN THE MIDDLE OF THIS SO SHE WAS IN CHARGE OF THIS AT SOME POINT. WHAT I WANT TO SAY AND HAVE NOT DISCUSSED THIS WITH YOU. I DON'T INTEND ANY KIND OF DISRESPECT OR ANYTHING. THE BEST POSSIBLE SPIRIT IS THAT I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON IN TERMS OF THE CURRENT AND I MEAN IN THIS MOMENT IN TIME IN THE PAST MONTH OR TWO OR SO, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE

[04:25:03]

CERTAINLY I AM SEEING THAT THERE IS JUST , THERE IS THE INCONSISTENCIES AND THESE DEMANDS THAT DO NOT ADD UP TO ME. I JUST WANT TO SAY I DON'T LIKE THAT. IF YOU'RE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS CONTRACT WE OUGHT TO BE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY COUNTY WERE ALL THE PROCUREMENT IS NOT DONE IN THE INDEPENDENT PURCHASING AGENT AND THE COMMISSIONER , THE DIRECTORS AND THE DIRECTOR SELECTS THE CONTRACTORS AND THE CONTRACTORS , 92% OF THEM GIVE DONATIONS TO COMMISSIONERS. WAS THERE NOT TWO MEETINGS TALKING ABOUT THAT? SO I WOULD LIKE TO STATE, I THINK IT IS VERY INAPPROPRIATE THE WAY THE AUDITOR HAS BEEN QUESTIONED AND I THINK IT IS INAPPROPRIATE TO HIRE THE CHIEF AUDITOR JUST AS SOON AS THE AUDIT COMES UP OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> IF I MIGHT SINCE ONE IS DIRECTED AT ME. I AM VERY PLEASED TO HAVE HIRED ERICA PERKINS. IT IS A GOOD JOB FOR HER AND ANYBODY ELSE WOULD BE LUCKY IF THEY COULD GET HER AND RELATED TO OTHER ISSUES ANY MEMBER ON A BOARD CAN TAKE AS MUCH TIME AS THEY WANT. TO QUESTION ANY ISSUE THAT COMES

UP THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONCLUSION OF THE AUDIT. THANK

YOU. >> SO, TO FOCUS ON THE FUTURE AND MAKING SURE WE STRENGTHEN DEMA TRYING TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS WE WORKED ON SEVERAL MOTIONS TOGETHER. WE CONTACTING. FIRST WITH REGARD TO THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT. I MOVED TO DIRECT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON JUNE 25 WITH A CONTRACT AMENDMENT INCLUDING NUMBER ONE, AND EXPENDED SCOPE OF WORK EXHIBIT PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED AND NUMBER TWO , ENHANCED INVOICING AND

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> I HAVE GOT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. I WANT TO GET THIS OUT AS WE GO THROUGH THE FUTURE, THE GO FORWARD. I WILL LOOK A LITTLE BIT IN THE PAST TO GIVE A SENSE OF IT. I THINK THAT YOUR BUDGET BOOKS 22, 23 AND 24 FISCAL YEARS , IF YOU

[04:30:04]

>> WHAT IS IN THE BASE BUDGET TODAY FOR FISCAL YEAR 25 SORRY FOR THE CURRENT FISCAL YEAR IS ROUGHLY 8.2 MILLION. AND THEN FISCAL YEAR 25 IS 8.6, ALSO IN THE PROGRAM AND SERVICE IS VIOLENCE INTERRUPTERS AN ADDITIONAL 1 MILLION GIVE OR

TAKE. >> START WITH 22, 23 AND 24 I WANT TO GET THE NUMBERS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN. FIXING TO TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE GOING. IF YOU ADD UP IN THE BUDGET THAT

TOTALS 12 MILLION. >> SOUNDS ABOUT RIGHT.

>> $12 MILLION AND I APPRECIATE THE DIRECTOR IDENTIFYING ROUGHLY 6 MILLION SPENT AT THIS POINT.

>> SPENT AND ENCUMBERED. >> OKAY THAT GIVES US A FRAME , THE OTHER QUESTIONS I HAVE TO DO, THE METRICS FOR THE PROGRAM GENERATED BY DEMA GIVING YOU THE SOURCE AND WE CAN BE SURE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE GO FORWARD WE UNDERSTAND THAT. IN 2023, THE TOTAL HART RESPONSE WAS 5000 WAS 5836 THE WELFARE CHECK WAS 2048. MEETING THE CITIZENS WAS 1623. SUSPICIOUS PERSONS WAS 509 AND HERE IS AN IMPORTANT CATEGORY . MENTAL HEALTH , 200 , 287 . THAT WAS IN 2023. DISTURBANCE AND FAMILY AND OTHER CATEGORY , 126. UNKNOWN MEDICAL EMERGENCY, 120.

THAT WAS 2023, THUS FAR IN 2024 WE HAVE HAD 4074 RESPONSES. ME TO CITIZEN 1696. WELFARE CHECKS, 1368. SUSPICIOUS PERSON 360. MENTAL HEALTH , HERE'S ANOTHER NUMBER, 179.

DISTURBANCE OF FAMILY AND OTHER 88, UNKNOWN MEDICAL EMERGENCY 75. WHEN YOU ADD UP 5836 AND 4074, NEARLY 10,000 THEN YOU START GETTING AN IDEA OF THE CATEGORIES. CLEARLY THE VAST MAJORITY OF WHAT THIS HAS BEEN AT THIS POINT, IT JUST IS WHAT IT IS. I WANT TO LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT THE ULTIMATE 12 MILLION IS GOING TO BE , THE VAST MAJORITY IS WELFARE CHECKS AND MEET THE CITIZEN. AS WE CONSIDER THE GO FORWARD IT HAD A LOT MORE TO DO WITH THAT THEN MAYBE WHAT THEY HEARD FROM ANY PEOPLE WHO GAVE TESTIMONY TO WHAT THEY SEE HART DOING WITH TESTIMONY GIVEN TO WHAT THEY SEE HART DOING, NOT NECESSARILY WHAT THESE NUMBERS WOULD VERY OUT, AGAIN I GET THIS FROM THE WEBSITE, THE DATA, FROM THE COMPUTER SO AS WE LOOK AT THE GO FORWARD SO KNOWING WHAT THOSE INVESTMENTS AND WHAT EXACTLY HART WILL BE DOING , NOT DOING AGAIN, THAT WAS A VERY LIMITED BASIS, I THINK REALLY MOSTLY IN PRECINCT 1 AND CERTAIN ZIP CODES IN PRECINCT 4 OF RECENT. AND AS WE GO FORWARD I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT THE NUMBERS WILL BE I'M NOT SURE WHAT PEOPLE ANTICIPATED. I'M NOT SURE WHAT PEOPLE SET AS THEY IMPLEMENTED HART WITH A HOPE THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE EFFORT WOULD BE RELATED TO WELFARE CHECKS AND MAKE THE CITIZEN BUT THAT'S WHERE THE PROGRAM HAS BEEN. IT MAY GO TO A DIFFERENT PLACE IN THE FUTURE, BUT AT LEAST THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS WHERE WE HAVE BEEN.

>> EMOTION AND SECOND ON THE TABLE I WOULD SAY IN RESPONSE YOU KNOW IT'S A PILOT PROGRAM WE JUST STARTED. IF IT COMES IN IS GOING TO COST MORE MONEY LET'S SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING

[04:35:02]

>> MAY I? COMMISSIONER ELLIS THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND WORKING WITH THE COMMISSIONER ON THIS. ON THE MOTIONS I THINK THOSE EMOTIONS I AM IN SUPPORT OF THEM FOR POINTING OUT HOW THE MONEY IS BEING SPENT AND THIS IS ONE REASON WHY WE STRONGLY SUGGEST WE BRING IT IN-HOUSE SO WE CAN HAVE MORE OVERSIGHT FOR HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT AND I AGREE I ATTEMPTED TO START SIMILAR EFFORTS BACK IN MY DAY THE SHERIFF DID NOT HAVE SUPPORT BACK THEN THAT THE COURT , ESPECIALLY FOR THESE TYPES OF ISSUES BUT MENTAL HEALTH CALLS IS BY FAR THE MOST CRITICAL AREA THAT HART NEEDS TO BE POINTED IN. SO I WILL SUPPORT THESE MOTION BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A MOTION IN SUPPORT OF CREATING A CONTINGENCY PLAN SO THEY CAN BRING IT IN-HOUSE A LOT OF DOING A LOT OF THIS WORK AND CAN START THE WORK AS WELL AS OR WITH PUBLIC HEALTH

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 5 of 6)]

QUESTION. >> ADDITIONAL MOTION OR THE

ONE? >> THAT'S THE FIRST ONE.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE CLARIFY WHAT THIS IS TO?

>> WE ALL HAVE IT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE HAVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND NOISE. YOU MIGHT WANT TO MUTE WHEN YOU

WERE NOT TALKING. >> 490 AND THESE WERE DISTRIBUTED THESE WERE WORKED ON MY PRECINCT 1 AND PRECINCT 4, BASICALLY PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE.

>> COMMISSIONER CAN YOU READ THOSE?

>> WILL ATTACK TO. PART ONE WE ARE NOT ONLY SAVING BUT STRENGTHENING IN TERMS OF THE DATA TRACKING THE EVALUATION THE MENTAL HEALTH INVESTMENT THE LINKAGES TO SERVICE THESE NUMBERS SHOULD REALLY GO UP AND I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE IN PUBLIC HEALTH BECAUSE THIS IS A PUBLIC HEALTH INTERVENTION FROM MY ESTIMATION. IN ANY EVENT SEVEN PARTS WE WORKED ON TOGETHER, THE FIRST IS THE CONTRACT AMENDMENT. I MOVED TO DIRECT PURCHASING DEPARTMENT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, JUNE 25TH CONTRACT AMENDMENT INCLUDING ONE, THE EXPANDED SCOPE OF WORK , EXHIBIT PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED AND TWO ENHANCED INVOICING AND

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS. >> SECOND.

>> WE CAN VOTE ON ALL OF THEM TOGETHER RIGHT?

>> YES. >> I AM FOR ALL OF THEM.

>> YOU WANT TO LIST,. >> SECOND IS THE RFP, BOTH AND PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE. RFP DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUB WE HELPED ADVERTISE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL RFP SERVICE PROVIDER TO OPERATE HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM PROGRAM BY NO LATER THAN LIFE 15, 2024. THE RFP SHOULD REQUIRE THAT ANY SELECTED HART SERVICE PROVIDER INCLUDE A STAFF OF BEHAVIOR HEALTH AND MEDICAL RESPONDERS, TEAMS ARE QUALIFIED TO ADDRESS CALLS, RELATED TO BUT NOT LIMITED TO HOMELESSNESS, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH, SUBSTANCE USE, NONEMERGENCY MEDICAL AND SOCIAL WELFARE CONCERNS. AND THE PROGRAM RESPONDERS WERE ME DISTINCT FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT, CONSISTENT WITH OTHER NATIONAL

MODELS. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY YOU WANT TO TAGTEAM? I USED TO BE THE LECTURE AT CHURCH. THIRD PART IN-HOUSE PLAN, DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN COORDINATION WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS DEEMED RELEVANT BY OCA TO DEVELOP PROPOSAL TO OPERATE THE PROGRAM WITHIN A HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OR AGENCY TO BE SUBMITTED BY JULY 15 BY JULY

[04:40:04]

PROGRESS TOWARD FULFILLING ALL EXPECTATIONS OF THE EXPANSION PLAN AND DATA REPORTING SHOWING CALL TYPES AND VOLUME AND LINKAGES TO SERVICE. SO THAT WAS THE ENHANCED REPORTING FROM PUBLIC HEALTH. THE NEXT IS THE RIGHT REPORT, DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO PRODUCE A REPORT ANALYZING 911 CALL FOR SERVICE DATA. TO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR, ONE PRIORITIZING EXPANSION INTO NEW SHERIFF'S OFFICE DISTRICTS AND TWO EXPANDING THE CALL CODE THAT ARE HART ELIGIBLE. TWO MORE COMPONENTS, THE NEXT IS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDERS AND EXPERTS IN DEVELOPING AND/OR SCALING HEALTH BASED HOLISTIC RESPONSE PROGRAMS TO IMPLEMENT THE CONTINUITY OF OPERATIONS PLAN. HARRIS COUNTY SHALL APPLY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE HARVARD KENNEDY SCHOOL'S GOVERNMENT PERFORMANCE LAB 2024 2025 ALTERNATIVE 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE IMPLEMENTATION COHORT.

AND THEN LASTLY PROJECT MANAGEMENT DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO COORDINATE THE DELIVERY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF ALL WORK OUTLINED IN THESE MOTIONS.

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE. >> ONE THING BEFORE WE VOTE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BUDGET IS ASSOCIATED WITH, SO THIS IS WITH AN UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WILL UNDERSTAND WHAT THE

NUMBERS ARE >> WE WILL HAVE THAT IN TIME FOR THE BUDGET DISCUSSION OVER THE SUMMER.

>> DO WANT TO MENTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO YOUR COMMENT EARLIER THESE CAUSE SAY ABOUT 6000 OFFICE OF OFFICE HOURS PREVENTED ESCALATION WELFARE CHECKS AND OTHER ITEMS INCLUDING EARLY MEDICAL ASSESSMENTS. INCLUDING

INSURANCE AND EMS. >> I'M SURE THERE'S A LOT MORE DEPTH TO THAT THAT WAS 80,000 FOOT LOOK AT THE CALLS.

AND THE DISCERNMENT THAT THE DISPATCHER HAS TO HAVE WHEN MAKING THE CALLS AND WHICH ONES YOU WOULD SEND A POLICE OFFICER TO IN THE PAST WHICH ONES YOU DON'T. AND MAYBE THERE'S OTHER THINGS WE NEED TO TRACK BUT AT LEAST THOSE ARE THE NUMBERS BEING TRACKED CURRENTLY BY DEMA.

>> IT MIGHT BE DEEPER THAT WHAT SHOWED UP ON THE WEBSITE ON THE

SURFACE >> FOCUSING ON PRAGMATIC TEMPERAMENTS AND QUESTIONS ON HOW WE GROW THE PROGRAM AND WE THINK THAT'S DEFINITELY THAT IS UNDER PURVIEW AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE COMMISSIONER IS NOT MY INTENT TO PICK ON YOU I THINK WE KEEP SEEING EXAMPLES EXAMPLES OF SELECTIVE COLLECTIVE CONCERNS IN TERMS OF WHAT POLICIES ASKED BEST PRACTICES AND WHAT DOESN'T. 'S WE HAVE TO DIG INTO WITH A FINE TOOTH COMB AND I DON'T LIKE THE PRESIDENT OF BEING JUDGE, JURY AND EXECUTIONER SO TO SPEAK ON A PROGRAM. I'M AFRAID IT COULD'VE HAPPENED WERE IT NOT FOR THE ADVOCATES REALLY I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT DID NOT PASS LAST TIME, BUT I STILL CAN'T HEAR A REASON THAT BOTH ADDS UP LAST TIME AND THIS TIME AND SO I'M TRYING TO SHINE THE LIGHT ON THOSE INCONSISTENCIES AND HOPE WE DO BETTER IN TERMS OF RESPECTING THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND ALSO NOT SORT OF TO KILL THINGS BEFORE BEFORE THE EVIDENCE AND ALLEGATIONS ARE PROVEN OR DISPROVEN. AND ON THE CONCERNS I HAVE REALLY DIGGING INTO HOW THE UPDATED CONTRACT PRACTICES SO I WILL BRING, I WILL ASK FOR SOMETHING WE CAN DIRECT THE AUDITOR THAT WILL DO THAT ANOTHER TIME. AND IN THIS, I KNOW IT MIGHT SOUND LIKE I AM PAINTING SOMEONE THAT IS NOT MY INTENTION BUT I THINK SOMEONE NEEDS TO CALL IT OUT SO I'M

TRYING TO DO THAT. >> AS YOU CAN TELL BY MY DEMEANOR I REALLY REALLY TAKE ANYTHING PERSONAL BUT I WOULD

[04:45:01]

[Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]

>> THERE IS A MOTION AND SECOND. YOU HAVE THE SEVEN MOTIONS?

[Departments (Part 6 of 8)]

[05:20:32]

[05:20:35]

[05:20:40]

[05:20:43]

>> THAT'S CORRECT . I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, WHEN WE ARE

[05:20:50]

[05:20:52]

[05:20:59]

>> I HAD THIS CONVERSATION WITH SOME OF THE JUDGE'S AND BROUGHT IT UP AND PROBABLY JUST GOT MIXED IN WITH THE OTHERS .

I THINK IT MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE CONTEXT OF JAIL BUT ANYWAY, AT LEAST THE FOLKS I SPOKE WITH WANT US TO INSERT OURSELVES TO WHERE WE ARE THE ONES THAT SIGN OFF AS OPPOSED TO THEM. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S A THING THAT CAN BE DONE BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE A CONVERSATION WITH THE JUDGES BECAUSE THEY ARE VERY MUCH AWARE THAT THIS IS HAPPENING. WHAT I HEARD FROM THOSE FOLKS IS THAT THEY HAVE NO WAY TO CHECK . THEY JUST SIGN IT, SO THEY SAID CAN YOU LOOK AT IT? WELL, YOU PAY IT, SO THAT'S HOW THIS CAME TO BE.

>> I JUST DISCUSSED WITH THE DISTRICT COURT ADMINISTRATOR WOODS, HE REMINDED ME HE ACTUALLY DID MAKE THIS REQUEST A FEW YEARS AGO. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS THAT THIS COST HAS EXPLODED. IT'S ALMOST A 50% INCREASE SINCE FISCAL YEAR 2022 SO I THINK THERE'S A LOT OF EYES ON THIS.

>> 50%? >> JUST ABOUT.

>> 50%? >> TOTAL, BOTH COUNTY COURTS, DISTRICT COURTS AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. IT'S 48% AND CHANGE.

>> IT'S A LOT OF MONEY. >> I WANT TO CLARIFY THAT INVESTING IN INDIGENT DEFENSE IS THE QUALITY OF JUSTICE BEING DELIVERED AND THAT'S WHY THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMITTEE WORKING WITH THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE ON THE EXPANSION, HOPEFULLY A FELONY MAP ALTERNATIVE MODELS, IT IS THESE PRIVATE ATTORNEYS THAT, THERE'S NO CASE CAPS, VERY FEW CONTROLS ON THE FRONT END IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS DONE ON A CASE AND HOW MUCH TIME WAS SPENT ON THE CASE. IT WOULD BE WONDERFUL AND I KNOW THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION IS WORKING WITH JUDGES, BUT WHAT ARE THE ACTIONABLE POLICY CHANGES THAT WE CAN MAKE ON THE FRONT END WHILE WE DRIVE AT ALL THESE OTHER CHANGES? I THINK THE INVESTMENT IN INDIGENT DEFENSE HAS TO BE A SMART INVESTMENT THAT ADVANCES JUSTICE. NOT WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY, SO JUST TO CLARIFY WHERE I STAND ON IT.

>> CAN YOU GO OVER AN EXAMPLE? BCG LOOKED AT PRE-AND POST , WHEN IT WAS INSTITUTED IN TERMS OF HOW MANY BILLS THEY WERE

SENDING BACK FOR ACCURACY. >> WE'VE INTERVIEWED LEADERSHIP FROM BACK AND WHEN THE DEPARTMENT WAS FORCED TO-- THEY WERE RETURNING 20% OF INVOICES DUE TO INCORRECT HOURS, INCORRECT INFORMATION. IT HAS NOW LEVELED TO ABOUT 10% SO IT IS A GOOD CASE STUDY OF WHAT AN AUDIT OR MORE EYES ON A PROCESS CAN REALLY BRING TO THE COUNTY. JUDGE?

>> I WON'T STRESS IT, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE SAME DISCUSSION WHEN WE ARE PUTTING MONEY INTO THE DAS OFFICE THE WAY WE PUT MONEY INTO TRADITIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. SO WE ARE GOING TO PAY. WE DON'T PAY ENOUGH ON BUT WE MAKE SURE IT'S GOING TO THE RIGHT PLACE.

OBVIOUS HE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS THE PREFERENCE. WE HAVE DONE STUDIES TO SHOW THE OUTCOMES ARE MUCH BETTER. THAT'S A MUCH BETTER INVESTMENT THAN WHAT WE DID IN THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE CASES, LAWYERS DON'T COME THROUGH A MAC AND DON'T GO TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

THEY ARE COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS AND IT IS THAT POINT I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING INTO.

>> WE DO HAVE A COURT ORDER ON THE BOOKS . THIS WILL BE OUR SECOND YEAR EXPANDING THE PDO. THE GOAL WAS TO GET TO 50% ON THE THIRD YEAR AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE FUNDING IT AT THIS IS NOT IN LIEU OF AN EXPANSION, IT IS IN ADDITION TO -- WE ARE NEVER GOING TO GET TO 100% GIVEN HOW WE ARE SET UP . THIS

[05:25:05]

>> WHERE ARE WE NOW, 12%? >> I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER. I KNOW THAT THEY WERE FUNDED TO GET UP TO, I BELIEVE 23% .

>> YOU ARE MAKING A POINT HERE WITH, WE ARE SPENDING THREE TIMES AS MUCH AS DALLAS IS AND TO GO FORWARD IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS THERE IS SOME THOUGHT THAT THERE'S GOING TO BE A

SAVINGS. >> EXPANDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER WILL LEAD TO SAVINGS, WE ARE GOING TO PURSUE BOTH AS

AGGRESSIVELY AS WE CAN. >> WE ALSO CONDUCTED SOME BENCHMARKING ON HOURLY RATES AND CONSTRUCTS, SO SOME COUNTIES CHARGE PER CASE, SOME PER HOUR, SOME A MIXTURE OF THE FEW. WE ARE HOPING THAT CAN BE USEFUL INFORMATION TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE TO YOU, COMMISSIONER, SO THAT IF THE JUDGES COME FOR A DESIRED INCREASE YOU ARE NOW ARMED WITH THE INFORMATION THAT APPEARS LESS THAN WHAT WE ARE PAYING AND TO HAVE A PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION ON WHETHER AN INCREASE IS WARRANTED.

>> DON'T LET DALLAS KNOW WE THINK THEY ARE DOING SOMETHING

BETTER THAN WE ARE. >> WE WOULD NEVER DO THAT. WE ARE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, THROUGH AND THROUGH.

>> SUPER HELPFUL, THANK YOU. >> I'M PASSING ON THE RESOLUTIONS BECAUSE I COMMIT TO THE CLERK'S OFFICE THAT WE WILL DO IT DURING COURT. I'M NOT GOOD AT KEEPING THAT PROMISE. TODAY I AM DETERMINED. LET'S CONTINUE.

>> THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE LAST PIECE THAT WE WANTED TO PRESENT. MAYBE IF WE CAN FLIP BACK TO THAT PAGE, WHERE ARE WE? 10? JUST AS A REMINDER THAT WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS AGREEMENT ON THE GRAY BLOCKS AT THE TOP BEING THE ONES TO BUILD OUT THE NEXT LEVEL OF DETAIL AND BRING A SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION TO COURT TO PROCEED. THANK YOU FOR THE

TIME. APPRECIATE IT >> THE IMMEDIATE NEXT STEP IS THAT , BCG HAS GENEROUSLY OFFERED TO PICK UP HALF THE COST OF PROJECT MANAGERS SO WE WILL BE BRINGING THAT PERSON ON . SOME OF THOSE ITEMS DO REQUIRE SOME ADDITIONAL HOURS TO PUT THE SCOPE TOGETHER TO HELP IN THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE RELEVANT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. WHEN WE DISCUSS THE BUDGET INDIVIDUALLY AND AS A GROUP THESE WILL BE ON THE LIST AND I WILL TAKE YOUR FEEDBACK AND WORK WITH THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENT ON BEING READY TO IMPLEMENT STARTING EITHER NOW OR THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

>> CAN I PLEASE HAVE A MOTION FOR CONSIDERATION FROM MY COLLEAGUES THAT I DISCUSSED WITH DIRECTOR RAMOS. TRULY, NOT SARCASTICALLY, THANK YOU. THIS IS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL. THANK YOU, DOCTOR DRABBLE'S. THE MOTION IS, I MOVED TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO TRANSMIT A QUARTERLY REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS REPORT ON THE IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF

THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AT SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN

FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 4 - 0. >> IF WE GET PAST THIS ITEM AS

PRESENTED? >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON ITEM 29 AS PRESENTED. ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THIS MEANS THAT YOU GUYS WILL DEVELOP STRATEGIES FURTHER AND COME BACK LIKES GOT IT .

>> SO MISTER RAMOS HAS TOLD US THAT HE PROJECTS NEXT YEAR , $130 MILLION IN THE HOLE? SO WE ARE ASSUMING THAT THIS FIRST STEP IS GOING TO GET US OUT OF THE HOLE.

>> IT GETS US CLOSE. >> I ALWAYS LIKE TO ASK CONSULTANTS THAT AFTER WE HAVE AGREED TO DO EVERYTHING.

>> IT GETS IS PRETTY CLOSE, JUST UNDER $100 MILLION IF YOU

ADD UP ALL THE AREAS . >> YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY AND I KNOW THAT YOU ARE LOOKING IN OTHER AREAS. I KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN IN TERMS OF THE SECOND TIER AND WHEN YOU CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THINGS. YOU MIGHT KEEP SOMETHING IN THE WORKS AT LEAST TO BACK UP AND-- CONTINUOUSLY. GOOD WORK.

>> ON THE IT PART, I KNOW THAT THAT HAS BEEN A WISH FOR A LONG TIME FOR MANY FOLKS. ON ANY OF THEM, EVEN IN THE PROCESS OF

[05:30:04]

THEM, PARTICULARLY THAT ONE . >> ABSOLUTELY AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST TO PUT IN ME TO GET THIS PROCESS STARTED, AND FOR APPROVING IT. THANK YOU TO BCG WHO PUT IN HOW MANY HOURS TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. THAN MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT HEADS, I KNOW IT'S HARD TO MAKE TIME FOR CONSULTANTS TO COME TALK TO YOU BUT I THINK , WE THINK THIS IS A MEANINGFUL PATH FORWARD TO RESET OUR FISCAL SITUATION.

>> VERY WELL DONE. THANK YOU GUYS.

>> THAT WAS 29. >> WE DID 303, DIDN'T WE? OR

[Departments & Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 3 of 3)]

DID WE NOT? >> I THINK WE ARE AT 229 AND 499 TOGETHER. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG HERE, COLLEAGUES.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , IT'S 229 AND 499 BOTH RELATED TO THE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION.

>> I JUST WANT TO PUT THIS OUT HERE. I AM REALLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS ACTIVITY. I GET A LOT OF CALLS RELATED TO WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO IN THE HOUSTON AREA. THERE IS SO MUCH. THE NEED IS HUGE AND SETTING UP AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE, I'VE NEVER SEEN MORE PEOPLE WILLING TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP THAN ON THIS ISSUE , SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS MOVING FORWARD AND I MAKE THE MOTION THAT WE APPROVE AND ADOPT THE BYLAWS FOR THE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY

>> MY APOLOGIES IS THIS JUST FOR ITEM 229, THE VOTE?

>> DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING ELSE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> AGAIN, I BRING THIS TO COURT FOR US TO CONTINUE TO DISCUSS THE MERITS OF SEPARATING A VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION OUT WHICH WOULD ALLOW US TO FOCUS MORE ON THOSE ISSUES . I CAN'T IMAGINE A LARGER SCOPE OF SERVICE THAN WHAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY DEALING WITH. I DON'T REALLY WANT TO PUT IT TO A VOTE TODAY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK I HAVE IT, BUT I WOULD AT LEAST LIKE TO CONTINUE TO REVIEW THE POSSIBILITIES AND THE MERITS OF THIS PARTICULAR SEPARATION WHERE YOU WOULD ACTUALLY HAVE MANY, I THINK , BEST PRACTICES, WOULD TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE A SEPARATE VETERINARY HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. I KNOW THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT IS NOW BUT WITH ALL THE GROWING PROGRAMS WITHIN THE HEALTH SERVICES NOW, I THINK THIS WOULD BE WORTH CONSIDERING OR AT LEAST WORKING INTO -- LOOKING INTO. WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN HER OFFICE, AT LEAST DEFINING WHAT OTHER COUNTIES , OTHER PEERS WOULD BE DOING IN THIS AREA AND REPORT BACK TO COURT, WOULD BE MY MOTION.

>> DO YOU WANT TO MOVE IT AS IS BUT YOU WANT A REPORT BACK?

>> CAN YOU REPEAT THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> IT IS TO EVALUATE SETTING UP A SET VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION AND REPORT BACK TO COURT WHAT WE FIND IN TERMS OF COMPARING THAT. IT APPEARS OTHER COUNTIES AND OTHER GROUPS, SO WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE THAT CONVERSATION ON BEST

PRACTICES. >> CAN I REQUEST THAT WE ASK THAT THEY WORK WITH THE NEW ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THAT?

>> MAKES PERFECT SENSE. >> ANYONE ADD TO THAT ,

ADOPTING THE ITEM AS IS? >> AND WHO WILL EVALUATE IT?

[05:35:11]

>> FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO EVALUATE SETTING UP A SEPARATE VETERINARY HEALTH DIVISION AND REPORT WHAT THEY FIND IN TERMS OF PEERS, TO PLEASE WORK WITH THE VETERINARY ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON THAT PROJECT AND

RECOMMENDATION? >> CAN WE ADD THAT WE ALSO WORK

WITH PUBLIC HEALTH? >> AND THE VETERINARY PUBLIC

ADVISORY COMMITTEE. >> NOT PICKING ON DIRECTOR ROBINSON, JUST CURIOUS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS

, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? >> SORRY, SWALLOWING MY WATER.

[Departments (Part 7 of 8)]

>> THE MOTION CARRIES. NOW WE ARE ON THE MWDBE SCORECARD .

ITEM 397 COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BOTH WANT

TO DISCUSS THIS. >> JUDGE, I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

>> WHICH ITEM ARE WE ON? >> HUNDRED 97. -- 397.

>> THIS IS THE MOTION THAT I MAKE HERE TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY MINORITY AND WOMEN A BUSINESS ENTERPRISE PROGRAM TO ADDRESS RACIAL DISPARITIES AND ACHIEVE THE ASPIRATIONAL GOALS.

THE COUNTY SHOULD IMPLEMENT A MWDBE SCORECARD . THE NEED TO EVALUATE OUTCOMES IN CURRENT PRACTICES RELATED TO THE PROGRAM IN A TRANSPARENT WAY TO INFORM SUPPORT AND IMPROVEMENT FOR ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, DATA MANAGEMENT TEAM, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY, PURCHASING AND HARRIS COUNTY AUDITORS SHALL DEVELOP A SCORECARD THAT INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS.

REVIEW MWDBE UTILIZATION AND ALL OTHER RELEVANT DATA REGARDING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF POLICIES AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL , DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE MWDBE SCORECARD DESIGNED -- DESIGN AND TEMPLATE, PRESENT GRADING CRITERIA OPTIONS , REVIEW AND APPROVAL TO ASSIGN GRADES A THROUGH F BASED ON HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OUTCOMES, AND UPDATE CADENCE FOR THE SCORECARD. ENSURE THE SCORECARD IS EASILY ACCESSIBLE TO THE PUBLIC, THEY SHALL PRESENT A DRAFT FORMAT FOR OVERALL MWDBE SCORECARD AND THE PROJECTED TIMELINE FOR DELIVERY TO THE HARRISON COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT. MEMBERS, I WENT TO NEW YORK A COUPLE MONTHS AGO WITH ONE OF MY STAFF MEMBERS. THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A SCORECARD FOR, I THINK ALMOST A DECADE. IT'S BEEN EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AND CAN MAKE SOME PEOPLE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE BUT IF IT'S GOOD ENOUGH FOR US TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE WE GRADE SCHOOLS IN TEXAS, -- IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR US TO DO IT . AT THE TIME WE WERE THE LAST URBAN COUNTY IN AMERICA TO ADOPT A PROGRAM. I'M GLAD WE DID IT.

NOW I THINK THE LARGEST URBAN COUNTY WOULD BE TARRANT COUNTY BUT WE MADE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS FROM THE NUMBERS THAT WERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF ABOUT 9.1% IN 2020 - 27.4% AND IN 2023 THAT IS TREMENDOUS PROGRESS FROM WHERE WE WERE BUT WE STILL

HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO. >> I PROBABLY SECOND THIS AND THINK IT WILL HELP CONTINUE TO DRIVE PROGRESS AND ENHANCE TRANSPARENCY. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

>> THE QUESTION THAT I HAD COMMISSIONER WAS, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT WHEN YOU GET THE GRADE? YOU ANSWERED PART OF THAT BY GIVING A GRADE, KEEPING A SCORECARD, BUT I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE PROPERLY DEFINE EXPECTATIONS GOING INTO IT. OBVIOUSLY WHEN SOMEONE GETS AN F THEY KNOW THEY DIDN'T DO WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. BUT, IT ALSO LOOKS AT , AND I THINK YOU HAVE TO START SOMEWHERE , I THINK WHERE YOU ARE STARTING MAKE SENSE AT LEAST MONITORING NUMBERS AND LOOKING AT IT AND GOING FORWARD, BUT THERE ARE JUST A LOT OF-- THERE'S A LOT OF REASONS WHY MAYBE SOMEBODY ENDED UP GETTING ENOUGH. I KNOW WHEN I WENT HOME AND HAD TO EXPLAIN TO MY PARENTS I JUST GOT AN F, IT WAS VERY

[05:40:01]

>> IT WILL COME BACK TO US. THEY WILL COLLABORATE WITH THE DEPARTMENTS . REVEREND, I NEVER GOT AN F BUT I DID GET A C IN THEOLOGY. THAT EXPLAINED BY MY PARENTS WAS, JESUS HELPS US

ALL. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER?

>> TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 'S POINT, I WAS THINKING ONE OF THE THINGS WE COULD INCLUDE IN THE SCORECARD IS FOR ANY DEPARTMENT THAT DOES GET A C, D, OR F, THAT WE ACTUALLY INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR STEPS OR AN ACTION PLAN FOR HOW THEY CAN IMPROVE THEIR GRADE FOR THE NEXT REPORTING PERIOD.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA.

>> AGREED. >> I WILL TAKE THAT FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER-- AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. CAPACITY TO DO IT AND THE ABILITY TO LOOK INTO IT, I SEEM TO REMEMBER SOMEBODY SAYING TO ME, AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHO IT WAS, THAT BECAUSE WE ARE ALL IN SO MANY OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE SO MANY DIFFERENT CONTRACT MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE'S, THAT IT IS ACTUALLY ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO FIGURE THIS OUT. IS THAT A

MISTAKE? >> IT'S BEEN DIFFICULT UP UNTIL NOW BUT DAO IS WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES ON A NEW PROJECT TO BE ABLE TO TEASE THAT DATA OUT . SO THAT WILL BE PART OF THE WORK THAT WILL BE ONGOING. HAVE ALREADY STARTED THEM PROCESS, THEY BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS IF NOT YEARS ALREADY SO I THINK THE FIRST SCORECARD MIGHT BE A LITTLE BIT LIGHT ON SOME OF THE DATA BUT AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND GET THOSE DATA ELEMENTS CAPTURED APPROPRIATELY, THEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE A REALLY ROBUST SCORECARD MOVING FORWARD. IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US WORKING TOGETHER TO

GET THAT >> I THINK WE'VE BEEN CERTAINLY, COMMISSIONER, AND I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS FOR A LONG TIME. WHAT I WOULD REQUEST FOR YOUR NOTES IS THAT YOU BRING BACK WITH THIS THE REASON. BECAUSE WE HAVE THESE DIFFERENT SYSTEMS IT IS STILL GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER TWO MONTHS. BUT TO WEAR, IT'S NOT A MYSTERY WHY IT'S NOT COMPLETE AND WHATNOT. I KNOW THAT I HAVE SENSED FRUSTRATION IN THE PAST ABOUT THIS TOPIC BUT THAT IS GREAT .

>> JUDGE, I DON'T THINK WE HAVE TO ADD IT. IF FOR SOME REASON SOME ENTITY IS NOT ON THE SYSTEM BY THE TIME YOU DEVELOP THIS, JUST GIVE THEM AN EYE. I DON'T HAVE TO ADD IT AND SAY WHY. BUT WE DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION, WHEN PEOPLE DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS AND THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW THE NUMBERS , BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THAT'S WHAT THE COUNTY WAS DOING IN THE OLD DAYS. THEY WERE SAYING RIGHT HERE. THE NUMBERS AT THE COUNTY WERE BETTER THAN THE NUMBERS THAT THE CITY AND THEY DIDN'T COLLECT THEM. SO WERE OTHER ENTITIES IN TOWN SAYING THAT , BUT THEY WEREN'T COLLECTING THE DATA. IN THIS DAY AND AGE IT CAN'T BE THAT DIFFICULT. IF WE HAVE TO SPEND THE MONEY THEY SHOULD BE ON A SYSTEM BECAUSE HOW IS THAT TRANSPARENCY IF YOU WANT SOME SYSTEM BUT WE CAN'T MEASURE IT? JUST GIVE THEM AN EYE AND EXPLAIN WHY THAT OF HOW LONG IT COULD TAKE TO PUT IT IN A FORMAT WE CAN DISCERN FROM

THE OTHERS. >> I THINK THIS LINKS INTO THE PROJECT WE BEEN WORKING ON AND TEST WITH TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SPEARHEADING AND GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THINGS AND HOW WE CAN IMPROVE THE DIFFERENT PROCUREMENT PROCESSES. I THINK WE ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER AND IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A TEAM EFFORT AND EVERYONE IS GOING TO HAVE TO DO THEIR PART.

>> TO BE CLEAR, BECAUSE THE ITEM REQUEST THAT THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY OUGHT TO COLLABORATE BUT WHAT WE ARE WALKING AWAY FROM IS OCA WILL LEAD IT AND WORK WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE AUDITOR.

>> THE CHIEF FOR ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS.

>> MISTER POST, ANYTHING TO ADD ON THIS?

>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION THERE WILL NOT BE AN AMENDMENT?

>> IF THERE'S ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO ADD, JUST ADD IT.

>> THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WAS --

>> INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ANY DEPARTMENT RECEIVING A C,

D, OR F GRADE. >> THAT'S IT

>> DO YOU GUYS NEED TO WRITE AGAIN?

>> IT POSSIBLE FOR CLARITY. >> HOW ABOUT I GIVE IT TO YOU?

[05:45:02]

>> INCLUDING THE AMENDMENT. >> THE AMENDMENT TO READ IT IS, TO INCLUDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT FOR ANY DEPARTMENT RECEIVING A C, D, OR F LETTER GRADE.

>> SECOND. WE VOTED? DID WE VOTE YET?

>> CLERK'S OFFICE , YOU HAVE THAT IN THE UPDATED? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 - 0. THANK YOU, GUYS.

NEXT IS 398, WHICH IS THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR COUNTY CONTRACTS AND EMPLOYEES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES BOTH FLAGGED THIS ONE.

>> I THINK I WENT THROUGH IT WHEN THE SPEAKERS CAME IN. I'M GOING TO READ THE MOTION AND THAT MIGHT EXPLAIN IT. I'LL MAKE SURE I GIVE YOU A COPY OF IT. THIS MOTION ON THIS ITEM.

TO PROVIDE CONSISTENCY AMONG WORKERS DELIVERING SERVICES AND EXECUTING PROJECTS ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY , IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF HARRIS COUNTY SERVICES AND PROJECTS AND ADVANCE ECONOMIC EQUITY AND MOBILITY. OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS SHOULD DEVELOP A SET OF POLICIES THAT NUMBER ONE, SETS THE MINIMUM WAGE FOR ALL EMPLOYEES INCLUDING TEMPORARY AND GRANT. TWO , THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS ON CONTRACTS AWARDED BY HARRIS COUNTY FOR GENERAL SERVICES ON COUNTY PROPERTY OR ON COUNTY PROJECTS. ESTABLISHES AN APPROACH AND STANDING FOR WAGE INCREASES TO ENSURE THEY PAY LIVING WAGE RATES IN FEW FUTURE FISCAL YEARS WITH PERMANENT OR TEMPORARY ON CONTRACTED JOBS BY ADHERING TO THE MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, AND INSURERS IN HARRIS COUNTY RECEIVES DOCUMENTATION FOR CONTRACTORS OF THE MINIMUM HOURLY RATE OF ALL WORKERS ON CONTRACTED PROJECTS. ADDRESSES WHEN THE COUNTY SHOULD USE TEMPORARY WORKERS, PART-TIME WORKERS AND CONTRACTED WORKERS AND INSURERS THAT STAFFING AGENCIES CANNOT LIMIT THE ABILITY OF WORKERS TO ACCEPT PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT . APPLIES THE FAIR CHANCE HIRING POLICY AND FINALLY, RECOMMENDS AND ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH HARRIS COUNTY PROVISIONS RELATED TO WORKER PROTECTIONS. OCA IS DIRECTED TO WORK WITH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY. HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT OFFICES DEEMED NECESSARY TO DEVELOP

THIS SET OF POLICIES. >> I PROUDLY SECOND THAT.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS , GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> DO WE KNOW WHAT THIS IS GOING TO COST?

>> YOU REVIEWED IT , WE REVIEWED IT AND OUR EMPLOYEES FEEL CONFIDENT THAT IT'S A MINIMUM AMOUNT THAT WE HAVE BEEN AT THAT $15,000 FOR AT LEAST A LITTLE BIT. FOR THE CONTRACTORS WE WOULD NEED TO DO MORE IN DEPTH ANALYSIS AND IF WE WERE TO CREATE AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM , WHERE I'VE SEEN THE MOTTO WHEN THERE IS WAGE THEFT OF SOME KIND, YOU

CHARGE A FINE. >> FEDERAL LAW . WE WOULD JUST

ADD ANOTHER LAYER OF THAT >> WE WOULD ADD THE ENFORCEMENT ASPECT LOCALLY. ONE MODEL MAY BE THAT WE CHARGE A FINE TO VENDORS FOUND TO BE NONCOMPLIANT AND WE ARE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS BUT WE COULD DO SOME SORT OF MODEL

LIKE THAT. >> YOU DON'T SEE AN IMPACT IN

NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET? >> I DON'T BELIEVE WE WILL. WE ARE WORKING THE PROCUREMENT NOW TO GET THE RATES BUT I FIND IT UNLIKELY THAT WE ARE PAYING ANYONE UNDER 15 AT THIS POINT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

THANK YOU , IN 2019 FOR PASSING THE $15 MINIMUM WAGE FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND VERTICAL CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. I AM SO PROUD. THIS IS A GOOD DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE NOW ALL OF OUR CONTRACTED EMPLOYEES, TEMPORARY LABOR AND GRANT FUNDED POSITIONS, EVERYONE WILL BE ABLE TO MAKE AT LEAST $15 AN HOUR AND I LOVE THAT IT WOULD BE TIED TO THE MIT CALCULATOR SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE STAYING IN LINE WITH WHAT IT IS TO BE A LIVING WAGE BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE

[05:50:03]

>> THE INCREASE FOR LABOR COST TO HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT YET CLEAR BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT CONTRACT WORKERS ARE BEING PAID ALONG WITH IMPROVED WORK QUALITY, BOTH RELEVANT FACTORS

AS WELL. >> WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF HARRIS COUNTY I AGREE WITH MISTER RAMOS. I THINK WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. PROBABLY SINCE WE COMPETE WITH A LOT OF PEOPLE , CONTRACTOR RELATED FOLKS I THINK THEY WOULD AT LEAST HAVE

TO BE IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD. >> ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS . YOU GUYS, CAN WE TAKE A QUICK FIVE MINUTE BREAK? THIS TIME IT IS I WHO DRINK TOO MUCH WATER. IS THAT OKAY?

>> IT IS 5:59 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 399. 399 AND 430 ARE RELATED TO THE MOTIONS PASSED ON JUNE 9, 2020 RELATED TO JUSTICE AND SAFETY. THIS IS

COMMISSIONER ELLIS 'S ITEM. >> 430 WAS NOT ON THE LIST.

>> 399, IT IS A TRANSMITTAL. >> I MENTIONED A NUMBER OF TIMES, WE PASSED A SERIES OF MOTIONS. I HAD SOME, YOU HAD SOME, COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD SOME. I THINK THEY ALL PASS UNANIMOUSLY IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN. EVERY YEAR AROUND THE TIME OF-- I PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA SO I WANT TO TURN THIS OVER TO THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO GIVEN UP DATE ON WHERE WE ARE AND THEN I WILL HAVE A MOTION WHICH I'VE SENT AROUND AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME. WHOEVER IS GOING TO DO THE PRESENTATION.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE DOCTOR JOHANSSON AND-- FROM OUR RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS DIVISION.

DOCTOR JOHANSSON IS THE NEW DIRECTOR OF THAT DIVISION AND WILL IS THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR . WE ARE EXCITED TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE A TRANSMITTAL SUMMARIZING THE RESULTS AND I BELIEVE THEY ARE AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE

ANY. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT DOCTOR JOHANSSON IS THE SECOND PERSON

I STOLE FROM TRAVIS COUNTY. >> GOOD GOOD GOOD. IF YOU WOULD, JUST WALK US THROUGH WHAT WE'VE DONE. WHAT HAVE WE ACCOMPLISHED AND WHAT HAVE WE NOT ACCOMPLISHED? I DON'T WANT TO SEND A TRANSMITTAL AND WE DON'T PAY ATTENTION TO IT. BUT GIVE US A SCORECARD ON WHAT WE'VE DONE.

>> I WANT TO TALK ABOUT HOW RECURRENT THEY ARE WITH THE ITEMS. SO 10 MOTIONS RELATED TO CREATING A MORE EFFECTIVE SARAH AND EQUITABLE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THERE ARE FOUR ITEMS IN PROGRESS THAT I CAN GIVE ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATES.

THESE ARE MOTIONS RELATED TO REPORTING ON USE OF FORCE INCIDENTS, FEASIBILITY AND THE OVERSIGHT BOARD.

CRIMINALIZATION OF POVERTY AND REPORTING ON RACIAL DISPARITY IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THE REPORTING ON USE OF FORCE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM A, THIS MOTION DIRECTED HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLES TO SUBMIT MONTHLY REPORTS AND THIS PROJECT WAS RESTARTED IN APRIL 2024. THE GOAL IS TO HAVE A DRAFT MO YOU AND I BELIEVE THERE IS ONE THAT WAS PRODUCED BEFORE BUT GOT STALLED SOMEWHERE RELATED TO DATA SHARING AND USE OF FORCE IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. THE GOAL IS TO HAVE

[05:55:08]

THE VENDOR REPORT WAS SUBMITTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT IN JUNE 27, 2023 AND AS A FOLLOW-UP, OFFICERS WERE REQUESTED TO REPORT BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THE LEGAL PRACTICALITIES COST ANALYSIS AND PROPOSED NEXT STEPS TO GUIDE IMPLEMENTATION. -- IS CURRENTLY DRAFTING THE FINAL REPORT FOR THAT AND THE EXPECTED COMPLETION IS SUMMER 2024. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU HEAR ME.

>> IT'S GREAT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU LOOK LIKE SOMEONE I KNOW SO I WAS LOOKING AT YOU EARLIER SO IF I WAS STARING AT YOU THAT'S WHAT IT WAS. BUT WELCOME. THE PRESENTATION WAS

GREAT, GO AHEAD. >> IT WAS JUST THE MICROPHONE.

SOMETIMES YOU HEAR ME AND-- OKAY. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 17 IS THE IMPACT OF FINES AND FEES AND CRIMINALIZATION OF POVERTY.

THIS WAS REQUESTED TO REPORT ON FINES FEES AND OTHER COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRIMINAL CASE AND HOW IT AFFECTS LOW INCOME IN VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS. THE MANAGEMENT HAS MOVED TO A TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE TEAM. TEXAS APPLESEED, WAS CONTRACTED IN JULY 2022 TO WRITE THIS REPORT . SO DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS TOOK SOME TIME AND THAT ADDED DELAY BUT THE DATA WAS RELEASED IN MARCH 2024 AND THE REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED IN JULY 2025 AS THE CONTRACT EXPIRES.

THEN WE HAVE ONE REMAINING ITEM THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING ON AND THAT IS SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 18 WHICH IS THE REPORT ON RACIAL DISPARITIES WHICH INSTRUCTED OGS TO PROVIDE BIANNUAL REPORTS AND ALSO DO ROOT CAUSE ANALYSIS ON HOW TO ADDRESS THOSE DISPARITIES. GRAND POLICY RESEARCH CORPORATION IS UNDER CONTRACT TO PROVIDE THE FIRST REPORT AND THEY WILL GIVE A DRAFT FOR REVIEW IN NOVEMBER 2024 AND THEN THE FINAL REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH FOR REVIEW IN NOVEMBER 2024 AND THEN THE FINAL REPORT IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN MARCH 2025. THOSE ARE THE ITEMS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY WORKING ON. THERE ARE ALSO SIX SUPPLEMENTARY ITEMS WITH KEY MILESTONES BEING COMPLETED WHICH INVOLVES EITHER REPORTS OR PROGRAMS.

>> OUT OF THE 10, SIX OF THEM WOULD GET A PRETTY GOOD REPORT CARD. A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER THINGS WE'VE DONE, SIX OF THEM

WE'VE DONE. >> YES.

>> A BIG PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE PENDING ITEMS HAVE BEEN DELAYS AND SET TAX COMING FROM LACK OF ACCESS TO DATA.

>> I BELIEVE SO, YES. >> SO YOU THINK THE PROGRESS WILL BE MADE FROM THE DATE SET BY THE END OF THIS YEAR? WE COULD HAVE COMPLETED OR JUST SAID WE ARE GOING TO DO IT ON

THE OTHER FOUR PENDING ITEMS? >> THE GOAL IS TO COMPLETE THEM AND WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO RELEASE DATA--

>> I KNOW IT WOULDN'T BE YOUR FAULT --

>> I THINK AT THIS POINT WE HAVE RELEASED A PIECE OF DATA TO TEXAS APPLESEED FOR THAT REPORT. RAND CORPORATION HAS SOME ADDITIONAL DATA ELEMENTS THEY WOULD PREFER TO HAVE TO DO A MORE COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS. BUT THEY HAVE A DATA SET TO

WORK WITH. >> THANK YOU. HERE'S A MOTION I'M GOING TO MAKE. ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD? I KNOW IT'S LATE IN THE DAY BUT WHEN WE PASSED THEM IT WAS LATE THAT DAY AND I REMEMBER IT WELL. IT DID PASS UNANIMOUSLY. EVERY YEAR I WILL PUT THEM ON THE AGENDA TO MAKE SURE WE GET A LITTLE UP DATE. I MOVED TO DIRECT OFFICER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO UNDERTAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS WITH THE AIM OF FOSTERING COLLABORATION AMONGST STAKEHOLDERS TO

[06:00:03]

>> SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. YOU GUYS ARE OKAY WITH THAT AND THE TIMELINE AND EVERYTHING? I HAVE A QUESTION ON THE RACIAL DISPARITIES ONE. I READ THE MOTION FROM FOUR YEARS AGO AND IT DOES NOT SPECIFY THE ADULT SYSTEM OR THE JUVENILE SYSTEM SO I WANT TO PUT A PLUG IN FOR THE JUVENILE SYSTEM. I THINK IT MAY BE THE CASE THAT ANNIE CASEY IS ALREADY DOING THAT BUT I DON'T THINK SO. SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE CHECK ON THAT, WE HAVE BEEN STUDYING THE REDUCTION DISPARITIES AND TERMS OF THE JUDGES DECISIONS BUT IF YOU GO INTO A FACILITY IT IS STILL JUST BLACK AND BROWN KIDS. THEY SAY IT'S BECAUSE OF ARRESTS AND WE ARE TRYING TO WORK ON SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS-- SO ANYWAY IF YOU GUYS WOULD NOT MIND-- THANK YOU.

>> THE MOTION ASKS FOR BIANNUAL REPORTS SO THE GOAL WAS TO HAVE AN INITIAL REPORT THAT COULD BE REPLICATED BUT THE GOAL IS TO CONTINUE TO PRODUCE A BIANNUAL REPORT FOCUSING ON DISPARITY.

>> I'M JUST WONDERING IF WE COULD INCLUDE JUVENILE OF IT IS NOT A READY BEING ANALYZED OVER THERE. BUT WELCOME, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION. IT WAS VERY THOROUGH AND CLEAR AND

QUICK . >> ESSENTIALLY COMMISSIONER YOU WOULD BE ASKING FOR A COMPREHENSIVE REPORT .

>> CONTINUING WITH THE 10 THINGS YOU UNANIMOUSLY A PAST TO BE CRYSTAL-CLEAR? THANK YOU ALL FOR PASSING THAT. I KNOW WE CAN ALL REMEMBER WHERE WE ARE ON THAT HORRID DAY AND SITTING HERE FOR YEARS LATER THE LACK OF PROGRESS IS UNACCEPTABLE SO WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE NEW TO THE TEAM. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP SO THANK YOU IN

ADVANCE . >> THERE IS JUST A LOT OF STUFF ROLLED IN AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON THIS, BUT I HAVE TO DO MY FIDUCIARY DUTY AND SAY THESE ARE FIVE PROJECTS WE BEEN ASSIGNED. I AM PINNING IT DOWN IN WITH SPECIFICITY. PEOPLE WERE HOLDING ONTO IT AND MY SUSPICION IS THEY WERE HOLDING ONTO IT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T LIKE IT. AT SOME POINT YOU HAVE TO SHAKE IT FREE.

>> I THINK THE TEAM WE HAVE NOW IS ADEPT AT EXPLAINING WHAT THE DATA MEANS. WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY WELL-VERSED OF HOW YOU TALK ABOUT THE DATA THAT MAKES IT LESS THREATENING TO FOLKS BUT DATA IS THE DATA. LET'S START WORKING ON HOW WE CAN IMPROVE IT. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS PERMANENT AND

THE TEAM YOU FILLED. >> I KNOW YOU DIDN'T PLAN ON

[06:05:05]

>> ALL IN FAVOR? I. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 - 0.

[Public Hearings]

PRECINCT 3 IS REVISION TO A SUBDIVISION PLOT.

>> THAT'S A PUBLIC HEARING? >> THAT'S THE PUBLIC HEARING.

CAN I DO IT NOW? COUNTY ATTORNEY? YES? OKAY. PUBLIC HEARING. NEXT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 429 ON PAGE 53. IT IS A REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER FOR A PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL OF THE REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED DREAMLAND PLACE PARTIAL NUMBER THREE UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009 C1 PRECINCT 3. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A

MOTION ON THIS ITEM, ITEM 429? >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0 . I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR BEARING MITT WITH ME COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SO NEVERMIND ABOUT THAT, THAT'S THE PUBLIC HEARING. NEXT IS ACTUALLY 495. YOU DID FLAGGED THAT ONE.

>> QUICKLY, I HAVE HAD A PLACEHOLDER FOR A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING THE CAREER OF DOCTOR EDDIE YOUNG WHO STEPPED DOWN TWO WEEKS AGO. HE STEPPED UP. THE LEADER IN THIS COMMUNITY FOR OVER 46 YEARS IT JUST WOULD NOT BE RIGHT NOT TO MENTION A COUPLE OF THINGS RELATED TO DOCTOR YOUNG. YOU CANNOT RECALL ANY MAJOR STORM EVENT THE SECOND -- UNDER HIS LEADERSHIP DID NOT GO OUT THERE AND MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE. I THINK HE WAS LOOKED AT AS SOMEONE THAT WOULD GET THE PEOPLE FROM A TO B AND ENGAGE IN OUR COMMUNITY WITH OVER 85,000 MEMBERS . IT'S MAKING A HUGE DIFFERENCE, I THINK. I WILL QUICKLY WRAP THIS UP BY SAYING ONE OF HIS GOOD FRIENDS WAS BISHOP DIXON I CAN REMEMBER THE NIGHT THAT ED YOUNG AND A TALE OF TWO CITIES WHICH BELIEVE IT OR NOT WAS A STORY ABOUT UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS IN THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY REGION. THERE IS ONE KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD, THERE'S ANOTHER KIND OF NEIGHBORHOOD, BUT WE CANNOT IGNORE THE NEEDS OF THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS . THAT NIGHT BISHOP DIXON AND ED YOUNG FORMED WHAT IS CALLED LOVING KIDS WHICH IS SOMETHING I STILL PARTICIPATE IN THERE IS A REALLY GOOD CHANCE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO END UP IN PRISON. HIM AND HIS WIFE CELEBRATE WHAT HE HAS MEANT TO THIS COMMUNITY AND WHAT HE WILL CONTINUE TO MEAN TO THIS COMMUNITY IN TERMS OF MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE IN

PEOPLE'S LIVES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I RESPECT YOU AND LOVE WORKING WITH YOU AND I APPRECIATE THE GOOD THAT PASTOR YOUNG HAS DONE ESPECIALLY THE READING EXAMPLES AND THE DISASTER RECOVERY . I AM A VERY PROUD CHRISTIAN WOMAN, A PROUD CATHOLIC AND I HAD TO COMMENT VERY BRIEFLY THAT I'VE BEEN DEEPLY TROUBLED , SADDENED AND ALARMED BY

[06:10:03]

>> I THINK WE CAN GO INTO ANY CHURCH IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA AND FIND SOMETHING TO DISAGREE ABOUT. WHEN WE CAN FIND AT LEAST A SENSE OF INTEGRITY TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GREAT WORK OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY , I WOULD JUST, AGAIN CELEBRATE HIS LIFE , I WOULD RATHER BE POSITIVE AND TRY TO BRING SOME LEVEL OF TOLERANCE TO THIS DISCUSSION . THANK YOU ALL FOR LETTING ME EXPRESS THAT.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. IS THAT A MOTION?

>> NO, NO ACTION. >> WELL THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND BEST WISHES TO PASTOR YOUNG AND THANK YOU AGAIN SO MUCH.

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 6 of 6)]

>> THIS IS A QUICK ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HOW RESILIENT THE ELECTRICAL ENERGY SYSTEM IS UNTIL YOU DON'T HAVE IT. WE'VE JUST EXPERIENCED IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS OVER 1 MILLION PEOPLE WITHOUT SERVICE FOR SOME PERIOD OF TIME. LET ME SAY FIRST I THINK ELIZABETH BROCK, AND PAUL , THEY HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB, THE WHOLE CENTER POINT TEAM GETTING PEOPLE BACK UP WHEN I BLEW THROUGH THAT WAS FAIRLY DEVASTATING . I WAS WITHOUT POWER FOR THREE WEEKS. I DON'T THINK ANYONE WAS WITHOUT POWER FOR MORE THAN A WEEK. MOST PEOPLE WERE BACK IN THREE DAYS . CENTER POINT DID A GREAT JOB AND I KNOW THAT CENTER POINT HAS FILED A RESILIENCY PLAN WHICH TOTALS IN THE BILLIONS . ALL I WOULD SAY , AND I DON'T KNOW WE NECESSARILY HAVE TO TAKE ACTION OTHER THAN TO POSSIBLY CALL ON CENTER POINT TO PARTNER WEATHER THAT COULD BE STATE FUNDING, FEDERAL FUNDING, COUNTY FUNDING THE SAME TRANSFORMERS ALMOST BELOW IN EVERY STORM . I THINK WE KNOW WHERE WE COULD HARDEN THE SYSTEM AND MAKE IT MORE RESILIENT. IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING AND BE ABLE TO WORK THROUGH IT THERE MAY EVEN BE A RATE INCREASE BUT AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THE GOOD WORK THAT CENTER POINT HAS DONE BUT TO ENCOURAGE THEM AND ENCOURAGE STATE LEADERS TO LOOK AT THOSE UTILITIES , COST OF UTILITIES AND INCREASES AND I WOULD CERTAINLY LOOK TO SEE IF WE COULD HARDEN OUR SYSTEMS HERE IN THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY AREA AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT STORM. WE KNOW MORE ARE COMING IF WE COULD JUST POSITION OURSELVES FOR THAT.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WE ARE IN COMPLETE ALIGNMENT AND I AGREE WHOLEHEARTEDLY WITH REGARD TO YOUR COMMENTS ON ELIZABETH BROCK AND PAUL LOCKE.

I WAS BLOWN AWAY DURING THAT DERECHO STORM ESPECIALLY BY PAUL AND THE TEAM AND HOW INCREDIBLY RESPONSIVE THEY WERE. BEING THE FIRST KIND OF ITS TIME IN TEXAS, WE'VE APPLIED WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS AND SHOULD FIND OUT IN AUGUST AND I THINK THEY HAVE IDEAS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THAT'S ONE PIECE OF IT AND WAS SOLAR, THANK YOU . THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION, THE $250 MILLION THAT THE COUNTY WILL BE GETTING. I KNOW THAT I AM ALL EARS AND IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE.

[06:15:09]

FORWARD. >> IS THIS A MOTION AS

PRESENTED? >> YES. I THINK THEY WOULD BE FINE WITH IT . I DON'T THINK THIS WOULD COME AS A SURPRISE.

>> I'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM , THE DETAIL $1.45 BILLION TO REPLACE AND UPGRADE ASSETS MOST SUSCEPTIBLE TO SEVERE WEATHER. THEY HAVE REPORTS, THEY'VE GOT DETAILS ON WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. WE JUST NEED TO BE THAT SOURCE OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO GET THEM THERE.

>> MY TEAM HAS TALKED WITH THEM AS WELL. I'M VERY ENERGIZED

ABOUT WHAT COULD BE. >> THAT'S GREAT. I DO HAVE A NOTE HERE TO REBUILD A SITE WITH GREATER BANDWIDTH FOR WHERE THERE ARE OUTAGES, AND HAVING AN AFTER ACTION MEETING TODAY WHICH I THINK WILL BE GOOD TIMING WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS PROPOSING . MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? I. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4 - 0.

THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 497. NOW WE HAVE 498 WHICH IS ALSO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . WE'VE HAD A GOOD SESSION WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE SPECIFICALLY IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHICH WAS AN OPEN FORUM AND I WANT TO REPORT BACK TO COURT BUT IT WAS A GOOD CONVERSATION AND PART OF WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT IS THAT WE HAVE SOME TRIED AND TRUE RIGID CRITERIA IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE ARE CALLING ON MONTGOMERY COUNTY TO FOLLOW SOME GOOD EXAMPLES HERE. WE WANT TO PARTNER WITH THEM. I READILY ADMIT I WAS SITTING KNEE-DEEP IN WATER ON THE RIVER, NOT IN A GOOD MOOD WITH MY NEIGHBORS TO THE NORTH . I'VE BEEN IN A LOT BETTER SHAPE AND THE CONTEXT OF WHAT I MEANT WAS WE REALLY NEED THE CRITERIA AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY AND LIBERTY COUNTY, I'VE MET WITH THE LIBERTY COUNTY JUDGE AS WELL AND WE TALKED ABOUT THE CRITERIA THAT IS THERE. THEY ARE NOT NEARLY AS DEVELOPED AS LIBERTY COUNTY WHICH GIVES US A LOT MORE OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE WITH THEM. YOU CAN TALK GENERICALLY AND THE SPECIFICS ARE, PLEASE ADOPT . IN ORDER FOR US TO PARTNER YOU NEED TO ADOPT THE TRIED AND TRUE CRITERIA THAT WE SPENT HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO ENSURE WE GOT RIGHT.

THAT'S PART OF IT BUT THE OTHER PART OF IT IS TO ACTUALLY IDENTIFY A PROJECT OR TWO THAT IF WE PARTNERED WITH THEM IT WOULD HELP MONTGOMERY COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY, LIBERTY COUNTY, -- HARRIS COUNTY. AND IN SOME CASES , THERE WERE CONVERSATIONS IN WALLER COUNTY SIMILAR, THAT IT IS NOT AS DEVELOPED WHICH GIVES US MORE OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOME MITIGATION THERE. I'M NOT ASKING FOR ANY SPECIFIC APPROVAL ON ANY SPECIFIC PROJECT. I JUST WANT THE COURT TO BE AWARE AS MONTGOMERY COUNTY SPECIFICALLY LOOKS AT THE CRITERIA, THEY DO HAVE A SET OF CRITERIA DEVELOPED AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THAT NOW . THIS IS JUST MEANT TO BE FURTHER ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THEM TO CONSIDER. I DON'T KNOW IF

YOU HAD ANYTHING TO ADD. >> I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THAT YOU SAID AND WHILE WE NEED CONTINUED INDEPENDENCE TO DRIVE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROJECTS WE MUST INC. ABOUT THIS REGIONALLY . I'VE BEEN ENERGIZED BY THE CONVERSATIONS

[06:20:05]

RECOMMENDATIONS? >> A QUESTION ABOUT THE STUDY, LOOKING AT UNMITIGATED FLOW AND SETTLEMENT FROM COUNTIES SURROUNDING IT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY . WE ARE HOPEFUL TO HAVE SOME INTERIM UP DATES ALONG THE WAY.

>> WHAT I WOULD POINT OUT THERE WERE 30 " OF RAIN FALLING IN WALKER COUNTY . EVERY BIT OF THAT WATER WILL GO INTO THE LAKE. EVERY BIT OF THAT WATER COMING OUT OF LAKE CONROE COMES UP IN PRECINCT 3 PRIMARILY. OVER HALF OF THE FLOW WAS RETAINED IN THE LAKE -- WHAT AM I SAYING? THANK GOODNESS FOR LAKE CONROE BECAUSE HAD IT NOT BEEN THERE, ALL OF THAT ENTIRE FLOW WOULD HAVE ENDED UP IN HARRIS COUNTY. EVEN THOUGH WE TALK ABOUT OPENING THE GATES AND THE IMPACTS OF THAT, THE FACT THAT OVER HALF THE FLOW WAS MITIGATED BY SIMPLY THE WATER ACTUALLY RISING THREE OR 4', AND RETAINED IT. I QUICKLY ACKNOWLEDGED TO THE JUDGE AND GAVE MY APPRECIATION FOR RETAINING HALF THE FLOW. OTHERWISE IT WOULD HAVE BEEN A

LOT WORSE THAN WHAT IT WAS. >> IF ANYONE CAN DO IT IT'S YOU GUYS. IF THERE'S A TIME IT IS RIGHT NOW, SO I HAVE A GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE JUDGES BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT I COULD MOVE THE NEEDLE NEARLY AS MUCH AS YOU GUYS CAN. LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP BUT THIS IS CERTAINLY JUST FABULOUS. NO MOTION COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, JUST AN UPDATE?

>> NO ACTION. SO COLLEAGUES, IF I AM READING THIS CORRECTLY, I

[Departments (Part 8 of 8)]

>> WE MADE THE MOTION RELATED TO -- SO ITEM 423 IS NO ACTION.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> ANYTHING ELSE?

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.