Jun 25, 2024 Commissioners Court OLD

[00:00:09]

>>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. IT IS 10:11 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE JUNE 25, 20 TO FOR MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS .

[Rev. Carissa Baldwin-McGinnis of Northside Episcopal Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 2.]

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> GOOD MORNING AND GOOD TO SEE EVERYONE. I AM HONORED TO INTRODUCE THAT TODAY'S OPENING PRAYER IS GOING TO BE GIVEN BY REV. CARISSA BALDWIN-MCGINNIS, SHE SERVES AT NORTHSIDE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, A CHURCH OF THE EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF TEXAS.

THE CHURCH IS ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY PROVIDING BILINGUAL SERVICE IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH PROVIDING YOUTH ACTIVITIES, INTERNSHIPS AND A BEAUTIFUL PRAYER GARDEN THAT PARISHIONERS WORK TO BUILD TOGETHER. GOING FROM THE FIELD OF HUMAN RIGHTS BASED IN WASHINGTON D.C. TO FAITH-BASED COMMUNITY ORGANIZING IN SOUTH TEXAS BEFORE ATTENDING DIVINITY SCHOOL IN HER HOMETOWN OF AUSTIN, TEXAS. SERVING ON THE BOARDS OF ST. FRANCIS MINISTRIES AND THE EPISCOPAL FOUNDATION OF TEXAS IN HOUSTON, CURRENT PRESIDENT OF THE ALUMNI STEERING COMMITTEE OF THE SEMINARY OF THE SOUTHWEST AND BEFORE BEING COMMISSIONED TO START NORTHSIDE EPISCOPAL CHURCH SERVING EPISCOPAL CONGREGATION IN HOUSTON AND LOS ANGELES WITH CONSISTENT FOCUS ON SPIRITUALITY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. REV. CARISSA BALDWIN-MCGINNIS LOVES TO CONTEMPLATE PRAYER AND A GOOD DANCE PARTY. YOU KEEP THE CONGREGATION ACTIVE THAT WAY AND INTERESTED. SHE AND HER WIFE ARE THE PROUD PARENTS OF THREE EXTRA ORDINARY CHILDREN.

SHE LOOKFORWARD TO MEETING ALL THE COMMUNITY AND WELCOMING EVERYONE WITH A SPIRITUAL STRONG SPIRITUAL PRAYER FROM THE COMMUNITY. REV., THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY

AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS. >> THANK YOU. GOD BE IN THIS PLACE. ONLY ONE GIVE TO ALL GATHERED HERE THIS DAY THE SPIRIT OF WISDOM, CHARITY, AND JUSTICE. MAKE THE YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULT LEADERS PRESENT , TO BE A LIGHTHOUSE OF MORAL DIRECTION, SHINING FOR US THE WAY TO A MORE BENEVOLENT TOMORROW. GIVE THOSE WITH THE MOST POWER EARS TO HEAR AND THOSE WITH THE LEAST, COURAGE TO SPEAK. AND IN ALL THINGS OH, HOLY ONE, EMPOWER US IN OUR COMMON PURPOSE TO PROMOTE AND PURSUE THE WELL-BEING OF US ALL. AMEN.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU , REV., THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE PRAYER. YOU MENTION YOUNG PEOPLE AND IT REALLY PULLED AT MY HEART BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN READING ABOUT JOCELYN AND SHE WAS 12 AND WHAT A TERRIBLE TERRIBLE TERRIBLE THING THAT HAPPENED TO HER AND HER FAMILY.

ALMOST UNSPEAKABLE, THE KIND OF THING THAT YOU WISH COULD NOT HAPPEN IN THE WORLD. SO I WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND ACKNOWLEDGE AND TAKE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR HER AND TO SEND LOVE TO THE FAMILY.

>> THANK YOU. OKAY 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. UNDER THE TEXAS FLAG. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]

[00:05:08]

>> SO, WE HAVE SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES. SIX RESOLUTIONS TO BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA I HAVE A NOTE YOU WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT YOUR SUMMER INTERNS SO I WAS THINKING YOU COULD DO THAT AFTER YOUR RESOLUTIONS AND BEFORE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DISTRICT COURT JUDGE REQUESTS ITEM 18 ABOUT THE JAIL BE TAKEN UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER LUNCH SO MY STAFF WILL REMIND ME OF THAT. AND REQUESTING 330 BE TAKEN UP AFTER 2:00 P.M. BUT YOU REQUESTED NO ACTION SO NEVERMIND ABOUT THAT. SO, LET ME TAKE THIS OFF. SO, LET'S START HERE WITH RESOLUTIONS. LET ME FIND MY PLACE. SO, ITEM NUMBER ONE UNDER RESOLUTION IS APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE JUNE AS NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO I AM AN IMMIGRANT, IT JUST SO HAPPENS TO BE IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH AND I'M NOT TRYING TO BE INSENSITIVE, WE KNOW IT WAS TWO IMMIGRANTS WHO ARE SUSPECTED OF KILLING JOCELYN , BUT WE SUBMITTED THE ITEM ON JUNE 17 SO WE DID NOT KNOW WHO THE SUSPECTS WERE AT THAT POINT.

EITHER WAY, THE FACT THAT TWO IMMIGRANTS COMMITTED THIS TERRIBLE CRIME DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY COMMITTED THE CRIME BECAUSE THEY ARE IMMIGRANTS. AND, IT IS VERY VERY EASY TO MALIGN ENTIRE COMMUNITIES WHEN TRAGEDY HAPPENS AND THAT'S ALWAYS AN EASY POLITICAL STRATEGY TO WHIP PEOPLE UP AND GET PEOPLE ANGRY. AND SO I JUST WANT TO MENTION, BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN THE VARIOUS CONVERSATIONS LEADING UP TO THE PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE THIS WEEK, THAT EVEN IF WE WANTED TO MALIGN IMMIGRANTS AND SAY IMMIGRATION IS THE REASON THAT THIS HORRIBLE TRAGEDY HAS HAPPENED, THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS PRESIDENT BIDEN AND LEADERS IN THE SENATE HAD AGREED ON A IMMIGRATION PACKAGE THAT WOULD'VE KEPT THOSE GENTLEMEN IN MEXICO AND WOULD HAVE SENT BACK ANYONE WHO DID NOT CROSS AT A LEGAL BORDER CROSSING SITE. THAT IS A FACT. AND, WHEN THE CURRENT PRESIDENT DECIDED , THE CURRENT PRESIDENT, WHEN THE FORMER PRESIDENT DECIDED THAT HE DID NOT WANT BIDEN TO HAVE A WIN ON IMMIGRATION HE TOLD HIS PARTY TO PULL OUT OF THE AGREEMENT.

SO, BLAME THINGS ON THE CURRENT IMMIGRATION POLICY IS ABSOLUTELY POLITICAL AND IT REALLY BREAKS MY HEART THAT PEOPLE WOULD POLITICIZE THE SADNESS THAT THAT THE TRAGEDY, THE SADNESS THE FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH AND I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE THINGS THAT THE VARIOUS GROUPS ARE TELLING THE FAMILY.

SO YOU KNOW, IF WE REALLY WANT TO MAKE IMMIGRATION TOTALLY LEGAL THE WAY TO DO IT WOULD BE MAKE IT A CRIME ILLEGALLY FOR ANYONE TO HIRE IMMIGRANTS. I WILL GIVE THE PARTY OF TRUMP THAT IDEA NOW, OF COURSE THEY DON'T WANT TO MAKE IMMIGRATION ILLEGAL BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT THE ECONOMY SPINS BECAUSE OF IMMIGRANTS AND THIS COUNTRY WOULD NOT WORK WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS. AND SO, EVIL HAPPENS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS. IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH WHY THEY COMMITTED THIS CRIME AND I HOPE THAT ALL OF US WILL BE RESPONSIBLE AND HOLD FAST TO, YES THERE IS A HORRIBLE TRAGEDY AND THERE IS A DEBATE ABOUT IMMIGRATION. THIS IS BEING SPUN IN WAYS THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO WELL-BEING AS A SOCIETY. SO I JUST HAD TO SAY THAT. AND AGAIN, MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY AND I WILL BE AT THE FUNERAL AND I KNOW THAT THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY IS SENDING THEM ALL THE LOVE. SO, THAT IS MY RESOLUTION. ON IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH AND , WHAT I HAVE HERE , I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU DO NOT

HAVE ANY RESOLUTIONS. >> JUDGE HIDALGO WE HAVE A

COUPLE SPEAKERS. >> OKAY, GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> ONE QUICK POINT. THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR THIS YOUNG LADY WILL BE ON THURSDAY

[00:10:02]

WE TALK A LOT OF POLITICS , BUT I THINK THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON ENCOURAGING THIS INCREDIBLE LOSS OF THIS FAMILY AND THE EXAMPLE THAT WE CAN BE IS EMBRACING THAT FAMILY, ENCOURAGING THAT FAMILY AND PROVIDING SUPPORT. I WANTED YOU ALL TO BE AWARE, EVERYBODY IS WELCOME AT 3:00 ON THURSDAY AFTERNOON GALLERY FURNITURE THANK YOU.

>> YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I WANT TO ADD MY CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY. I THINK THIS IS A TIME OF MOURNING ANYTIME ANY LIFE IS LOST IT'S TRAGIC. ESPECIALLY A YOUNG LIFE. SO I JUST ASSUMED AS A COMMUNITY , AS THE LARGEST COUNTY IN TEXAS IN A STATE OF MOURNING FOR THIS FAMILY. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE JUSTICE SYSTEM WORK AND WORK WELL. I WAS GLAD TO SEE A $10 MILLION BOND SET , BUT I THINK RIGHT NOW THE FAMILY NEEDS TO KNOW WE ARE MOURNING FOR THEM AND NO PARENT SHOULD OUTLIVE THEIR CHILDREN. AND EVERYTHING ELSE SHOULD BE AT THE SIDE BECAUSE NOW IS A TIME TO HONOR THIS BEAUTIFUL CHILD AND SUPPORT THAT FAMILY. GOD BLESS

THEM. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

OKAY WE WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS.

>> FIRST IS

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. WITH GREAT HONOR I SPEAK TO YOU TODAY TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY PROCLAMATION TWO JUNE IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH. I ECHO THE SENTIMENTS OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE FROM EARLIER. I NAME IS THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HOUSTON IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES COLLABORATIVE. A NETWORK OF 30 PLUS IMMIGRANT SERVING LEGAL SOCIAL SERVICES HEALTHCARE AND ADVOCACY GROUPS.

A VISION TO CO-CREATE A VIBRANT AND RESILIENT ECOSYSTEM FOR ALL IMMIGRANTS, MIGRANTS AND REFUGEES BELONG. THE MODEL OF LAUNCHING PROGRAMS WITH EMERGING NEEDS TO FILL GAPS IN SERVICE ONE SUCH PROGRAM IS DEPORTATION DEFENSE HOUSTON THE PRECURSOR OF HARRIS COUNTY IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICE FUND SINCE INFORMATION TWO YEARS AGO HAS HELPED NEARLY 300 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DETAINED TO OBTAIN RELEASE FROM DETENTION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN HONORING AND CELEBRATING DIVERSITY AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY.

>> THANK YOU, REMINDER THE PROGRAM GIVES LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO FOLKS SO IF THEY HAVE A LEGAL CASE THEY CAN STAY. THAT HAS ALSO BEEN SPUN. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> ONE MORE, NEXT IS HAVING ME JOIN IN THE CELEBRATION. I AM A PROUD AND GRATEFUL IMMIGRANT. WHOSE FAMILY CAME TO THE U.S. AFTER THE FALL OF SAIGON. OPPORTUNITIES OF THIS COUNTRY AND THE EMBRACE OF OUR NEW NEIGHBORS HAVE BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY AS A LEADER AMONG LEADERS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A COMMUNITY WHERE EVERYONE CAN THRIVE NO MATTER WHERE THEY CAME FROM. I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. OUR TEAM HELPS RESIDENTS SET A STRONG FOUNDATION FOR THEIR LIVES WITH SAFE STABLE HOMES AND FOR SOME TO EVEN REACH THE AMERICAN DREAM OF OWNING A HOME. IN THIS MISSION WE SUPPORT LOW AND MODERATE INCOME HOUSEHOLDS INCLUDING HOUSEHOLDS WHO COME FROM AFAR. SINCE 2021 HARRIS COUNTY HAS HELPED 1300 INDIVIDUALS FROM IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES, DEDICATING RESOURCES TO BUILD A HEALTHY PRODUCTIVE SOCIETY. WHERE MEN AND WOMEN CAN LIVE SAFELY AND FULLY CONTRIBUTE. HARRIS COUNTY FUNDS IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES THAT YOU HEARD OF WHICH HELP FAMILIES ACCESS FAIR AND AFFORDABLE REPRESENTATION DURING DEPORTATION PROCEEDINGS.

[00:15:02]

>> JUST WANT TO SAY I WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU THIS PAST FATHER'S DAY BECAUSE I REMEMBER YOUR WORDS AT THE GROUNDBREAKING AND HE MUST BE SO PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE WAY YOU ARE HONORING HIM AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH DIRECTOR. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> THAT'S ALL. >> RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGES , IS THE MOST ETHNICALLY DIVERSE COUNTY IN TEXAS 364 ETHNIC GROUPS INCLUDING 33 GROUPS ONLY FOUND IN HARRIS COUNTY. AT LEAST 145 LANGUAGES ARE SPOKEN IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH 80 NATIONS WITH REPRESENTATION SERVING AS IT IS AND RESIDENTS.

IMMIGRANTS IN THE U.S. HAVE CONTRIBUTED $382.9 BILLION TO FEDERAL TAXES AND 196.3 BILLION IN STATE AND LOCAL TAXES HAVING 1.6 TRILLION OF SPENDING POWER SHOWCASING IMMIGRANTS ROLES IN DRIVING ECONOMIC GROWTH THROUGH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION AND LABOR. DIVERSITY OF CULTURE LINKAGE AND TRADITION AMONG CITIZENRY OF THE UNITED STATES AS A SOURCE OF STRENGTH ENRICHING THE FABRIC OF THE NATION AND HARRIS COUNTY HONORS IMMIGRANTS AND CELEBRATES MARKABLE COURAGE AND CONTRIBUTIONS THE PUSH THE COMMUNITY FORWARD IN THE YEARS TO COME THERE FOR HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PROCLAIMS JUNE 24 AS NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH WHICH IT IS THE NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH. I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL FOR MY RESOLUTIONS. AND I DON'T THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OUT OF ORDER? I DON'T THINK HE HAS ANY OUT OF ORDER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> I AM HONORED TO PRESENT TODAY'S RESOLUTION THAT RECOGNIZES THE AFL CIO AND EFFORTS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY.

WE ARE JOINED TODAY BY JAY MALONE, IF YOU WILL ALL COME TO THE PODIUM AND LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION BECAUSE DURING THIS LAST STORM WE JUST HAD, THERE WERE A LOT OF TREES ON PEOPLE'S HOUSES. I DON'T KNOW IF ANYBODY HERE CAN RELATE TO THAT, BUT WHEN YOU CALL 311 AND OTHERS, WE HAD TO TELL YOU WE COULD NOT TOUCH YOUR PRIVATE PROPERTY. HOWEVER, THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP WERE JUST PHENOMENAL. IT WAS LIKE AN ARMY OF BEAVERS AND SQUIRRELS. CLIMBING ALL OVER THE PLACE AND CHOPPING STUFF DOWN AND HELPING PEOPLE GET SOME DEGREE OF RECOVERY, IMMEDIATELY. THAT IS IMMENSELY COMMENDABLE AND MUCH APPRECIATED. GOVERNMENT CANNOT TOUCH PRIVATE PROPERTY IN SPITE OF THE HORRIFIC DAMAGE, BUT YOU AS VOLUNTEERS MOBILIZE WITHOUT HESITATION AND HE WENT TO THE HARDEST HIT PLACES AND I SAW YOU WORKING AND IT WAS IMPRESSIVE AND YOU WARM MY HEART. THIS RESOLUTION READS AFTER THE IMPACT OF THE MAY 16 OF THE MAY 16, 2024 STORM, LOCAL UNIONIZED WORKERS UNDER TEXAS COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION WERE INTEGRAL IN ASSISTING THE RECENT NATURAL DISASTER RECOVERY. ECONOMY FOR WORKING HOUSTON, WORKING ALONGSIDE THE TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION AND OTHER PARTNERS PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN COORDINATING CLEANUP EFFORTS IN PROVIDING ESSENTIAL AID TO IMPACTED HOUSEHOLDS. SEVERAL NONPROFITS, INCLUDING THE ORGANIZED RESILIENCE GROUP, TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION, THE NEW HOUSTON WORKED QUICK TO HELP AND OPERATE DISASTER AID PROGRAMS HELPING TO CONNECT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DIRECTLY WITH RESOURCES SUCH AS FEMA, DEBRIS

[00:20:02]

YOU, THANK YOU. >> SO, TO 32 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COAST LABOR FEDERATION CHAIR OF THE NEW ECONOMY FOR WORKING HOUSTON. ON BEHALF OF THE 90 AFFILIATED UNIONS AND 62,000 MEMBERS A HEARTFELT THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO RECOGNIZE THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF UNION MEMBERS TO DISASTER RECOVERY IN THE WAKE OF THE STORM. IN PARTICULAR, YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE HAVE A UNIQUE COMBINATION OF SKILLED CRAFTSPEOPLE TRAINED THROUGH UNION APPRENTICESHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND RAPID RESPONSE MOBILIZATION CAPACITY. WE LEARN OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT WORKS CLOSELY WITH US TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE CAN BRING TO THE TABLE IN THESE EMERGENCIES, WE CAN RECOVER FASTER AND MAKE SURE RECOVERY IT'S MORE PEOPLE. WE LOOK FORWARD TO EXPLORING HOW WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT STORM WAS NOT THE LAST HOUSTON WILL FACE. WE ARE GOING TO FACE MORE FREQUENT EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS, ELECTRIC GRID VULNERABILITY. WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE COMMUNITIES ARE VISITING AS POSSIBLE. I WILL TURN IT OVER AND WE HAVE A COUPLE APPRENTICES WHO WORKED HERE ON THE JOB AS WELL.

>> MY NAME IS JAY MALONE CONDITIONS DIRECTOR AND ON FRIDAY THE 17TH, WE HAD A CALL FROM FAMILY IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON, A TREE HAD FALLEN ON THE HOME AND THEY WERE TRAPPED INSIDE, WE CALLED ELEVATOR CONSTRUCTORS AND THEY SET OUT WITH CHAINSAWS AND SPENT THE DAY REMOVING THE TREE AND BRING THE FAMILY AND THEN MOVING NEXT-DOOR DEALT ANOTHER FAMILY IMPACTED. SO THROUGH THIS, WE SAW THE NEED AND STOOD UP A WEEKLONG PROGRAM PUTTING TOGETHER TRADES WORKERS, VOLUNTEERS TO REMOVE DEBRIS FROM HOMES AND RESIDENTS AND WE ARE THANKFUL FOR EVERYONE WHO SHOWED UP AFTER THE STORM AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE INVESTMENT FROM HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WHICH HELPED EXPAND ENROLLMENT IN NINE SKILLED APPRENTICESHIPS OVER THE LAST YEAR. MANY APPRENTICES ARE DIRECT BENEFICIARIES OF HARRIS COUNTY INVESTMENT AND WE ARE THANKFUL YOU'RE DOING THIS TO GROW

CAPACITY IN THE COMMUNITY. >> WONDERFUL.

>> HI MY NAME IS FOR WORKING HOUSTON. WE ARE A NEW NONPROFIT BRINGING TOGETHER THE POWER OF LABOR UNIONS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND PUBLIC POLICY INNOVATION TO PUT THE NEEDS OF WORKING FAMILIES AT THE CENTER OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT DECISION-MAKING. WE WERE PROUD TO COLLABORATE WITH LABOR UNIONS AND COMMUNITY GROUPS TO SERVE HOUSTONIANS IN NEED. CONNECTING US WITH SKILLED WORKERS WE THEN COORDINATED TO SERVE FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS IN NEED IDENTIFIED BY WORKING CLOSELY WITH PRECINCT STAFF AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS LIKE WEST STREET RECOVERY AND THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. WE

[00:25:03]

QUICKLY. >> GREAT DEAL, THANK YOU. ANY WORDS FROM THOSE GUYS ON THE GROUND?

>> MENU IS

UNION. GLAD TO BE OF SERVICE. >> MY NAME IS THE PAINTERS LOCAL 550 DISTRICT 10 AND IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO HELP OUT WITH THE STORM AND ALL THE FAMILIES THAT ARE IMPACTED.

I MYSELF HAVE NEEDED HELP FROM FEMA, BEING A KATRINA VICTIM IN 2005. SO GIVING BACK WHAT WAS GIVEN TO ME MADE ME FEEL GREAT.

>> GOOD DEAL, THANK YOU. I ENDED UP AT THE HOME OF A FEW TEACHERS. LIKE YOU SAID, A LOT OF THE PEOPLE VOLUNTEERING AT ALSO BEEN AFFECTED. WENCH TO BE COMMENDED. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I GUESS YOU HAVE A CROWD IN THE BACK? OKAY. I THOUGHT THEY WERE PART OF THE AUDIENCE. ANYWAY, CONGRATULATIONS AND

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD . I ECHO YOUR SENTIMENTS 1000% THANK YOU AND THE 100 PLUS VOLUNTEERS, THANK YOU FOR SHOWING UP, FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO FIGHT FOR WORKING FAMILIES AND HELP WORKING FAMILIES RECOVER. MY TEAM AND I WERE SO GRATEFUL WHEN YOU SHOWED UP TO THE WEST HOUSTON MOBILE HOME COMMUNITY AND ON BEHALF OF OF MY CONSTITUENTS, OUR CONSTITUENTS, THANK YOU, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP. DISASTER RECOVERY, ENERGIZED BY APPRENTICESHIP , PARTNERSHIP AND LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON THAT SO TOGETHER WE KEEP ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE. MY PROFOUND GRATITUDE.

>> THANK YOU. >> STICK AROUND SO MUCH WE WILL

HAVE PICTURES IN A BIT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND I'VE GOT ANOTHER RESOLUTION. THAT IS TO RECOGNIZE OUR , PARKS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES . I AM PLEASED TO WELCOME , AND WE'RE JOINED BY PEGGY TURNER. WHERE ARE YOU? COME ON DOWN. PITY IS ACT RS OF MEMORIAL HERMANN AND I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU ALL. OUR PARKS ARE INCREDIBLE, AND A CENTRAL PART OF THE COMMUNITY. WHAT WOULD WE BE LIKE IF WE DID NOT COMMIT TO PROTECTING AND IMPROVING OUR GREAT SPACE. THIS RESOLUTION READS PARKS AND RECREATION ARE INTEGRAL PARTS OF COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY, INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY, RECREATION SPACE AND PARK PROMOTE HEALTH AND WELLNESS BY ENCOURAGING TIME SPENT IN A WHICH POSITIVELY IMPACTS MENTAL HEALTH BY INCREASING COGNITIVE PERFORMANCE AND WELL-BEING AND ALLEVIATES ILLNESS SUCH AS DEPRESSION, ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER AND ALZHEIMER'S. THE USE OF PARK AND RECREATION FACILITIES IMPROVES PHYSICAL HEALTH BY PROVIDING SPACE FOR PROPER SPORTS, HIKING TRAILS, SWIMMING POOLS AND MANY OTHER ACTIVITIES DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE ACTIVE LIFESTYLE. SPORTS AND EDUCATION ACTIVITIES LIKE OUT OF SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND YOU SPORTS AND ENVIRONMENT EDUCATION ARE CRITICAL TO CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT, PARKS AND RECREATION INCREASES COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DISPARITY THROUGH INCREASED PROPERTY VALUE, EXPANSION OF LOCAL TAX BASE, INCREASED TOURISM, ATTRACTION AND RETENTION A BUSINESS AND CRIME REDUCTION. PARKS ARE FUNDAMENTAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING OF THE COMMUNITY AS WELL AS THEY PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL AND ADAPTABLE IF RESEARCHER THAT MAKES OUR COMMUNITY RESILIENT IN THE FACE OF NATURAL DISASTER AND CLIMATE CHANGE. THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DESIGNATED JULY AS NATIONAL PARK AND RECREATION MONTH AND HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2 RECOGNIZES BENEFITS OF PARKS, HIKING AND BIKING TRAILS AND RECREATION RESOURCES. THANK YOU BALL, MIKE, YOUR THE BOMB BROTHER. YOU ARE THE BOMB. YOU AND MR.

[00:30:01]

>> OKAY AGAIN MY NAME IS PEGGY TURNER AND I BENNY PARKS AND RECREATION PROFESSIONAL AT TWO MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENTS IN HOUSTON FOR 42 YEARS. I WORKED FOR MEMORIAL HERMANN, ONE OF THE NATION'S LEADING REHABILITATION HOSTHE COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ESPECIALLY.

WHEN I STARTED MY CAREER IN HOUSTON, 42 YEARS AGO THERE WAS NOT ACCESSIBLE PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO PLAY ONCE THEY HAD A CATASTROPHIC INDUSTRY -- INJURY. I WANT TO THANK THE STAFF MIKE AND CHRIS AND YOUR TEAM FOR INVESTING SO MUCH BEFORE ADA AND DISABILITY AND INCLUSION AND ALL THE ACRONYMS WERE OUT THERE. YOU HAD IN YOUR HEART TO SERVE RESIDENTS AND CITIZENS IN THE ENTIRE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. SO, THANK YOU FOR JAMES DRIVER INCLUSIVE PARK, THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WAS LOW ON THE TOTEM POLE OF PUBLIC SERVICE, I ADMIRE AND RESPECT GREATLY WHAT YOU DO AND SO MUCH OF THAT I

DON'T EVEN KNOW. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOUR.

>> MY NAME IS 2. I AM GRATEFUL AND HUMBLED TO BE HERE REPRESENTING THE DEPARTMENT. ON OUR WAY HERE I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE CHILDHOOD PARK I USED TO VISIT AROUND THE CORNER OF MY HOME IN ROBINSON PARK. I COULD RIDE MY BIKE THERE WITH ONE METAL SLIGHT AND TWO SWINGS I WOULD BRING WAX PAPER WITH ME SO I COULD SLICK UP THE SLIDE. WITH THAT SAID WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR PARKS AND RECREATION AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VISIT A PARK DURING THE MONTH OF JULY.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MISS TURNER I USED TO WORK AS AN INTERPRETER AT TEE AND IT WAS MAGICAL TO SEE THE PROGRESS. YOU GUYS DO AMAZING , AMAZING WORK.

>> YOU STILL SORT OF WORK THERE BECAUSE YOU SUPPORT THE PARKS

THAT WE TAKE THE PATIENTS TO. >> LASTLY I HAVE , I WANT TO RECOGNIZE INTERNS THAT ARE JOINING US TODAY. NOW THAT IT IS SUMMER MY OFFICE IS HOSTING STUDENTS WHO WANT TO LEARN ABOUT HOW COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKS. WE HAVE 20S STUDENT GOVERNMENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN THE AUDIENCE TODAY AND 12 STEP UP COLLEGE INTERNS. SO, EVERYBODY PLEASE STAND COME ALL THE INTERNS. LET'S RECOGNIZE YOU GUYS.

AND LOOK, WE HAVE HIRED SEVERAL INTERNS OUT OF THIS PROGRAM. SO TRUST ME, WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO YOUR GOOD WORK.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR PARTICIPATING IN THE

INTERNSHIPS. OKAY THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> AS I WATCHED TEXAS A& M LAST NIGHT BARELY LOOSE THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP I REFLECTED THAT , AT LEAST TODAY WE WILL CELEBRATE A STATE CHAMPION IN BASEBALL. COACH DOUG RUSH, WOULD YOU COME DOWN AND HAVE YOUR GUYS FOLLOW YOU AS I READ THE RESOLUTION? TOMBALL HIGH SCHOOL. STATE CHAMPIONS.

[00:35:05]

WHEREAS BESIDE TREMENDOUS ON-FIELD ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE COUGAR BASEBALL ONE OF THE MOST IMPACTFUL EVENTS HAPPENED OFF THE FIELD. IN 2022 MEMBERS AND FRIENDS OF THE COUGAR TEAM, LIVES WERE TAKEN BY AN ESCAPED CONVICT, I KNEW THE COLLINS FAMILY, I KNEW THE FIVE BOYS AND THEN THE GRANDFATHER THAT WERE MURDERED. AND THAT MEMORY IS WITH YOU ALL TODAY. THE MEMORY OF YOUR TEAMMATES COMING THE MEMBER OF YOUR FAMILY AND DO NOT FORGET THAT FAMILY. REMEMBER THAT FAMILY BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT CHEERING YOU ON , THOSE THAT ARE NOT WITH US, THEY ARE CHEERING YOU ON, THEY KNOW WHAT YOU DID AND THEY KNOW WHY YOU DID IT. SO THE TOMBALL COUGARS COME TOGETHER AFTER THIS HORRIFIC EVENT TO HONOR THE LIVES AND MEMORIES OF THEIR FRIENDS, YOUNG MEN OF TOMBALL BASEBALL REPRESENTING THEMSELVES, THEIR SCHOOL, TOWN, COUNTY AND WITH PROFESSIONALISM THESE YOUNG MEN OVERCAME ADVERSITY. PUT TOGETHER ONE OF THE GREATEST TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL SEASONS ON RECORD. YOU ARE TO BE CONGRATULATED. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES >> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND I GET TO SHARED TOMBALL. THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION, CONGRATULATIONS, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND GO COUGARS. THANK YOU COACH AND THANK YOU TEAM.

>> THANK YOU, REALLY APPRECIATE YOU ALL HAVING US. A BIG HONOR, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THE REST OF THE COURT. MY WIFE IS BACK HERE PRINCIPLE FROM OAKCREST ELEMENTARY, A COUSIN OF CHRIS COLLINS WHO LOST ALL THREE OF HER BOYS.

THAT WAS IMPACTFUL TO US, WHALEN WAS PART OF THE TEAM A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND CARSON WOULD'VE GRADUATED, THIS YEAR HE WAS A FOOTBALL PLAYER AND MANY OF THESE GUYS WERE GOOD FRIENDS WITH HIM. ANYWAY, THESE GUYS ARE ABOUT 1/3 OF THE TEAM, THE REST OF THE TEAM IS OFF PLAYING EITHER BASEBALL IN SOME OTHER STATE OR THEY ARE DOING FOOTBALL CAMP OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. A LOT OF THESE YOUNG MEN HERE WERE VERY INSTRUMENTAL IN US GOING 41-3 WINNING THE LAST 30 GAMES. THAT WAS AN INCREDIBLE COMPASS ME AND WE WERE REALLY HAPPY THAT IT WAS FINALLY ALL HOUSTON IN THE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW THIS. MY TIME IS UP? THE HOUSTON AREA DOMINATED BASEBALL FOR A LONG TIME AND DALLAS TOOK IT OVER THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS SO WE HAVE KIND OF TAKEN BACK THE MANTLE. MORE IMPORTANTLY THESE GUYS ARE AWESOME YOUNG MEN WHO WILL BE GREAT LEADERS IN THE FUTURE.

>> WELL DONE. WHICH ONE IS KATE?

>> RIGHT HERE. >> IS THAT A LSU SHIRT? JUST CHECKING. HAVE YOU SIGN WITH LSU?

>> YES I HAVE. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I PROBABLY SHOULD NOT SAY THIS, BUT REMEMBER THAT PORTAL EXISTS. WE WANT, THAT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PORTAL.

CONGRATULATIONS, THAT IS DIFFICULT TO DO. ALL OF YOU COME I WANT TO SAY YOUR NAME OR TRY TO. DANIEL, BRANDON, MARK, KEEGAN , BLAKE, COLBY, COLEMAN, MARTIN, JACKSON , COACH IT

[00:40:12]

>> BEFORE YOU STEP AWAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE A VERY SALIENT POINT. I REMEMBER ALL OF MY COACHES. COACH BARNES, COACH STAFFORD. WHEN I PLAYED IN HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL. AND, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHILE YOU DO, BUT TO EVERYONE ELSE, WHEN A COACH SPEAKS TO YOU AND MOTIVATES YOU, IT'S SOME OF THE TOUGHEST CIRCUMSTANCES AND HEALTHY TO FOCUS ON THE COLLECTIVE TEETH RATHER THAN YOUR SELF. THOSE WILL BE WORDS THAT YOU HEAR ON MANY OCCASIONS THROUGHOUT THE COURSE OF YOUR LIFE. SO I APPRECIATE YOU AND ALL COACHES FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO HELP DEVELOP FUTURE GENERATION OF LEADERS AND GOOD MEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU COACH AND ALL THE TEAM IT TAKES STRENGTH IN HERE TO GET TO WHERE YOU GUYS HAVE GOT TO . I AM REALLY EXCITED TO SEE. I KNOW YOU WILL KEEP PLAYING SPORTS, BUT LONG AFTER THAT, YOUR WORK ETHIC AND HOW YOU'RE ABLE TO CONTROL YOUR EMOTIONS AND FOCUS IS A BIG SKILL YOU GUYS HAVE. KEEP IT UP, CONGRATULATIONS. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND COACH, THANK YOU FOR LEADING THESE YOUNG MEN. CONGRATULATIONS AND TO YOUR WIFE, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION. CONGRATS YOU GUYS.

THE HAIR IS GREAT. I MEANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT THE HAIR.

ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES .

>> QUICKLY, THE 89.3, THIS IS THE 42ND ANNIVERSARY. I KNOW THEY HAVE GOT US THERE ARE MANY DIFFICULT DAYS, PUT A LITTLE JOY AND STEP IN OUR WALK. JUST WANTED TO ORGANIZE THEM, RESOLUTION STATED AND JUST RECOGNIZE THEM, CELEBRATE THEIR

ACCOMPLISHMENT. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. COMMISSIONER BRIONES >> RACING 4 HAS TWO RESOLUTIONS. FIRST I ASK YOU JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER DAY AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE LAUREN ASHLEY SIMMONS, TEXAS ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER ALLIANCE AMONG MANY OTHER LEADERSHIP ROLES, SHE HOLDS AND WILL HOLD, WHISTLE HAVE ] THE TEXAS ENFORCEMENT ORGANIZER OF THE NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER ALLIANCE . AND TIFFANY DAVIS, LEAD ORGANIZER NATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER ALLIANCE HOUSTON CHAPTER.

HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT IS PROUD TO RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKERS DAY FROM JUNE 16. I ASK EVERYONE HERE TODAY AND EVERYONE WATCHING TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT AND TO SHOW YOUR RESPECT FOR DOMESTIC AND CARE WORKERS. THEY ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY AND OFTEN MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR SO MANY OF US TO BE ABLE TO REALIZE AND FULFILL OUR DREAMS. EVEN THOUGH THEY FULFILL SUCH AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN OUR COMMUNITY, DOMESTIC AND CARE WORKERS, THE MAJORITY ARE WOMEN OF COLOR ARE AMONG THE MOST VULNERABLE AND MARGINALIZED EMPLOYEE GROUPS IN THE UNITED STATES. DOMESTIC WORKERS EARN NEARLY 40% LESS THAN THE MEDIAN HOURLY WAGE OF THOSE IN OTHER FIELDS. FEWER THAN 10% ARE COVERED BY AN EMPLOYER PROVIDED RETIREMENT PLAN AND LESS THAN 5% RECEIVE EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH INSURANCE COVERAGE. ALL OF THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. AND, 82% OF DOMESTIC CARE EMPLOYEES REPORT FACING FOOD INSECURITY AND 48% REPORT EXPERIENCING HOUSING AND SECURITY. FURTHERMORE, WOMEN IN THESE LOW-WAGE WORK SITUATIONS ALSO FACE A HIGHER INCIDENCE OF

[00:45:01]

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS AND GOOD TO SEE HER JUDGE HAD ALL GO. DOMESTIC WAS DO THE WORK THAT MAKE ALL WORK POSSIBLE AND WE TALK ABOUT THAT A LOT IN THE ALLIANCE, IT IS ALSO FITTING THIS IS NATIONAL IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH BECAUSE THIS WORK IS PROPERLY DONE BY MIGRANT WOMEN AND WOMEN OF COLOR WITH HISTORICAL ROOTS IN SLAVERY WHICH IS WHY RECEIVED THIS WORK OFTEN UNDERVALUED. CARING FOR CHILDREN SO PARENTS CAN GO TO WORK KEEPING ELDERLY LOVED ONES COMFORTABLE AND SAFE IN THEIR HOMES AND AROUND THE WORLD THIS WORK IS NOT SEEN AND VALUED AND IS EXPLOITED AND WORKERS ARE VULNERABLE. INTERNATIONAL DOMESTIC WORKER DAY WHICH IS JUNE 16 MARKS THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE 2011 PASSAGE OF INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION CONVENTION 189 FOR DECENT WORK FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS ESTABLISHING INTERNATIONAL LABOR LAW FOR DOMESTIC CARE WORKERS. WE HAVE INTERNATIONAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF WORK BUT WE ARE STILL FIGHTING EVERY DAY FOR FEDERAL BILL OF RIGHTS FOR DOMESTIC WORKERS AND ALSO FOR LOCAL AND MUNICIPAL PROTECTION.

HOPEFULLY WE CAN CONTINUE TO PARTNER WITH THIS COURT AND COMMISSIONERS AND THE JUDGE TO SEE HOW WE CAN BEST UPLIFT WORK AND PROVIDE SOLID PROTECTION FOR WORKERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND WE STAND IN

SOLIDARITY. >> THANK YOU. ARE YOU GUYS IN TOUCH WITH OUR ESSENTIAL WORKER BOARD ALREADY?

>> ABSOLUTELY. WE WERE EXCITED TO BE PART OF THE BOARD AND GET THAT PASSED. WE WILL SEE YOU GUYS AGAIN WITH RECOMMENDATIONS

THROUGH THAT BOARD. >> THERE MUST BE SOMETHING WE CAN HELP WITH EVEN IF IT'S A LITTLE STEP, BUT THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> FINAL RESOLUTION FOR PRECINCT 4 'S AGENDA ITEM NUMBER EIGHT. BEFORE I DELVE INTO THAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL INTERNS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY WHO HAVE DECIDED TO SPEND YOUR SUMMER WITH HARRIS COUNTY. PRECINCT 4 SO THANKFUL, FOR THE 45 INTERNS DECIDED TO SPEND THEIR SUMMER, SOME ARE COMING BACK FOR THE SECOND SUMMER. WE HAVE SIX OF THE 45 YEAR TODAY. CAN YOU BRIEFLY STAND UP? IS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER THIS MAKES ME SO PROUD.

YOU GIVE ME AND US TREMENDOUS HOPE FOR THE FUTURE. SO, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. FINAL RESOLUTION AND I ASK PLEASE OUR GUESTS WHO ARE HERE TODAY.

HERE PLEASE COME UP.

PLEASE JOIN US. AND THE FOUNDER OF GOLDEN DRAGON, IF YOU CAN JOIN US. SO WE ARE HERE . SO AS WE THINK ABOUT IMMIGRANT HERITAGE MONTH, AND WE REFLECT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY OVER 26% OF OUR POPULATION WERE BORN OUTSIDE OF THE U.S. AND AS WE

[00:50:02]

THIS HAS SINCE GROWN IN THE LAST 50 YEARS. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL, IN CHINESE CULTURE THE LION SYMBOLIZES COURAGE AND POWER WHILE THE DRAGON SYMBOLIZES CONFIDENCE AND ADVENTUROUS. TOGETHER THESE ARE SEEN TO REPRESENT SUCCESS AND AMBITION AND THIS ART FORM DATES BACK MORE THAN 1000 YEARS AND IS TRADITIONALLY PERFORMED AT MAJOR CELEBRATIONS INCLUDING THE LUNAR NEW YEAR, THE MID AUTUMN FESTIVAL, WEDDINGS AND IS A WAY TO BRING GOOD FORTUNE, PROSPERITY AND TO CHASE AWAY EVIL SPIRITS. ON JULY 6, HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY IN ADVANCE. WE ARE CELEBRATE IN THE 50 YEARS OF CULTURE AND THEN PERFORMED NOT ONLY IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT FOR MULTIPLE PRESIDENTS INCLUDING JIMMY CARTER AND GEORGE BUSH. THEY PERFORMED AT THE ROCKETS AND A MULTITUDE OF OTHER PERFORMANCES. I AM JUST HONORED THAT THEY ARE HERE TODAY, I AM HONORED FOR EVERYTHING THEY DO TO TEACH US ABOUT THE RICH LEGACY, CULTURE AND HERITAGE AND TO ME THAT'S THE BEAUTY OF HARRIS COUNTY, WE CAN UNITE AND COME TOGETHER TO CELEBRATE UNIQUENESS AND THE BEAUTY OF DIVERSITY AND TOGETHER WE KEEP BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY. IT GIVES HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT GREAT HONOR TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF LEE'S GOLDEN DRAGON AND DRAGON DANCE ASSOCIATION. THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS.

>> I DID NOT BRING MY ENVELOPE.

>> WE ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE GOT LEGAL SIGNOFF.

>> BEAUTIFUL. >> OKAY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES YOU SAID EVERYTHING I WAS ABOUT TO SAY. YOU HAVE REALLY DONE YOUR HOMEWORK AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PROVIDING US A RESOLUTION FOR LEE'S GOLDEN DRAGON. WE'RE GOING TO CELEBRATE THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY AS YOU KNOW. IN 1974, I FOUND AND INFORMED THIS GROUP TO NOT ONLY PASS THE CULTURE AND PROMOTE THE CHINESE HERITAGE AND EVERY THING LIKE THAT, BUT TO TAKE THE YOUTH AND ALL MEMBERS OFF THE STREET, GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO THAT THEY CAN BE PROUD OF AND ESTABLISH A SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR THEM. I THINK I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED THAT AND WE CONTINUE TAKING NEW MEMBERS TO GIVE THEM SOMETHING TO DO INSTEAD OF HANGING OUT IN THE STREETS. WE HAVE PERFORMED, NOT ONLY DURING LUNAR NEW YEAR, BUT ALL YEAR ROUND. THERE IS SO MUCH DEMAND AND PEOPLE ARE REALLY AWARE OF THIS CULTURE AND HIRING US, WE HAVE HAD TO TURN DOWN BECAUSE WE'RE SO BUSY AND WE HAVE PERFORMED ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONALLY. WE HAVE PERFORMED FOR WALT DISNEY PRODUCTIONS, THE PREMIERE OF MULAN , KUNG FU PANDA, WE PERFORMED FOR PRESIDENTS. FOR GOV. ABBOTT, DIFFERENT MAYORS AND I HAVE TO SAY TWO OF YOU COMMISSIONERS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE HAVE DONE. LIKE I SAID WE WILL BE CELEBRATING 50TH ANNIVERSARY JULY 6 AT THE BALLROOM AND WE WANT TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOU WANT TO JOIN US, I WILL TALK TO YOU PERSONALLY AND I WANT TO SAY A SPECIAL HELLO TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA. HE HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL FRIEND TO US. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, DR. LEE.

>> NOW LET'S FEED THESE GUYS.

>> SO BEAUTIFUL. JUST AMAZING. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE SEEING. IT IS REALLY COOL FROM THE SIDE.

[00:55:06]

A REMINDER TO MY COLLEAGUES TO SIGN THEM SO WE GET THEM SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND WE WILL TAKE PICTURES IN THE ORDER THAT THE RESOLUTIONS WERE DONE. TO GIVE AGAIN, THIS IS SO JOYFUL.

>> DR. LEE, THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AND I HAVE GOT TO SAY THAT YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLE COMMUNITY LEADER.

COMMENTS ABOUT WHY THIS IS SO IMPORTANT NOT ONLY FROM A CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE, BUT FROM A DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVE FOR THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND HOW IT ENCOURAGES THEM TO GET BACK TO THEIR COMMUNITY. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, BECAUSE YOU COULD BE DOING SO MANY OTHER THINGS, BUT YOU TAKE PART OF YOUR HEART AND GIVE IT TO THESE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND YOU MAKE IT LOOK SO EASY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU, I APPRECIATE THE

COMMENTS. >> WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT

50 YEARS, CONGRATULATIONS. >> OKAY, WE WILL TAKE PICTURES.

[01:00:23]

>> CAN I GET RESOLUTION NUMBER 2 HOUSTON AREA AFL CIO TO LINE UP OVER HERE ON THIS WALL TO MY LEFT.

[Appearances before court]

[01:34:44]

>>> WE ARE STILL HERE, LET'S TAKE SPEAKERS.

[01:34:53]

>> FIRST IS

[01:34:58]

[01:35:22]

>> I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING MY FATHER WAS AN IMMIGRANT AND HE

[01:35:31]

[01:35:39]

[01:35:44]

>> NEXT IS CAESAR ESPINOZA ITEM 1 YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HE MAY HAVE LEFT ALREADY. LET'S SEE IF HE COMES BACK.

>> OKAY THANK YOU. NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 12, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS SPEAKING ON ITEMS 167 AND 180, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, CHRISTOPHER JENKINS. SPEAKING ON 180 AND 167, 180 COUNTY ATTORNEY, I NOTICED COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN DEPLORABLE SITUATIONS AND CONDITIONS I HAD A SITUATION WHERE A LANDLORD SAID I DID NOT HAVE ANY RIGHTS AND IN SOLIDARITY FOR JUNETEENTH I DISAGREE WITH THAT. SINCE I AM SPEAKING ON BOTH DURING THE PANDEMIC I HAVE A CONTINGENCY PLAN IN PLACE TO PROTECT RESIDENTS PARTICULARLY PROTECTING CLASSES OF PEOPLE AND WITH THAT SAID ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IT CAUSES HOMELESSNESS TO GO UP, THE JAIL TO OVERCROWD BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE NOT PROTECTED DURING THE PANDEMIC. HAVING LANDLORDS TAKE MONEY FROM THE COUNTY AND CITY AND NOT TAKE CARE OF THEIR CITIZENS SO I WANT TO ADDRESS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BECAUSE THIS DID HAPPEN IN YOUR PRECINCT. WE NEED TO START SHUTTING DOWN SOME OF THESE LANDLORDS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT ITEMS 210 AND 211. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> HI DIESEL BUSES AND EMERGENCY VEHICLES WITH ELECTRIC. OVER HAVE ELECTRIC BUSES IN THE U.S. ARE SITTING IDLE DUE TO A COMBINATION OF SOFTWARE ISSUES, MECHANICAL PROBLEMS AND WAITING ON REPLACEMENT PARKS. ELECTRIC BUSES AVERAGE LESS THAN 2000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING REPAIR AS DIESEL BUSES AVERAGE ALMOST 5000. ELECTRIC BUSES ARE NOT ONLY UNRELIABLE BUT COST 30% MORE TO REPAIR THAN VEHICLES POWERED BY INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINES. AS EMERGENCY VEHICLES IN ADDITION TO THE MENTIONED ISSUES, THE OTHER PROBLEM IS THE EMERGENCIES THAT TYPICALLY HAPPEN IN HOUSTON ARE THE ELECTRICITY IS OUT FOR THERE IS A FLOOD, NEITHER CIRCUMSTANCE IS A GOOD TIME TO RELY ON ELECTRIC VEHICLE , ACCEPTING MONEY TO DO SOMETHING STUPID IS

JUST STUPID. >> THANK YOU BARBARA.

>> NEXT IS

MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, THANK YOU

[01:40:08]

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER 15 UNDER PURCHASING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

SOUTH POST OAK RECYCLING CENTER SECOND-GENERATION OWNED METAL RECYCLING FACILITY 30 YEARS IN THE COUNTY. PRESENTLY YOUR METAL RECYCLERS, I COME TO YOU TODAY CONCERNED ABOUT ITEM 282 THE SCRAP METAL CONTRACT UNDER AGENDA. LAST YEAR YOU GENERATED $50,000 WORTH OF RECYCLED METALS FROM PARTICIPATING LOCATIONS. TODAY YOUR VOTING TO ACCEPT A BID $9638 FOR THE SAME MATERIAL THAT NETTED OVER 50,000 LAST YEAR. AS RECENT AS MAY OF THIS YEAR YOU HAVE NETTED $20,000 WITH US MANAGING RECYCLED MATERIALS VERSUS 9368 OPPOSED. WITH AGENDA ITEM 2282 YOU WILL BE MAKING A DECISION BASED ON A SINGLE BID OFFER TO DECREASE YEARLY REVENUE BY $40,000 PLUS. WHY? WE DO NOT

INITIALLY. >> CONTINUE.

>> NOT ONLY LOOKING AT $40,000 LOSS IN REVENUE PER YEAR BY $200,000 REVENUE LOSS OVER THE COURSE OF THE CONTRACT. WHY? WE DID NOT RECEIVE THE BID NOTIFICATION THROUGH BONFIRE WHEN IT WAS POSTED AS NORMAL. WE ENDED UP SUBMITTING THE DAY IT WAS DUE UNAWARE THAT DEADLINE WAS 2:00 P.M. SO WE WERE A FEW HOURS LATE, I KNOW GUIDELINES ARE IMPORTANT AND I RESPECT AND IS A RESIDENT AND BUSINESS OWNER I THINK HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLAR LOSS IS WORTH CONSIDERING. I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO RECONSIDER YOUR VOTE AT THIS TIME ON THE BASIS OF A

LOSS. >> JUST A SECOND. BEFORE YOU STEP AWAY. YES. DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD BRIEFLY? IF IT GOES LONG WE WILL HAVE TO MOVE IT, BUT DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD OR WOULD IT BE A PROBLEM TO HOLD?

>> WE CAN HOLD BUT I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME FACTS BEFORE WE PRESENT WHAT HAS ONLY BEEN STATED TODAY. WE WILL BE GLAD

TO HOLD. >> DO YOU WANT TO SHARE YOUR

PERSPECTIVE BRIEFLY? >> FROM MY PERSPECTIVE THE FACT THAT SHE WAS NOT NOTIFIED I WOULD HAVE TO GET WITH BONFIRE TO PROVIDE IF THE INDIVIDUAL WAS NOT NOTIFIED BECAUSE THE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY NOTIFIES THEM ALL AND THE COMMENTS FOR 10 YEARS THEY KNOW THE BIDS ARE DUE TO:00 P.M. EVERY MONDAY SO I WOULD BEHOLD -- GOT TO HOLD. IF YOU FEEL WE CAN LOOK AT THE REVENUE. I DON'T WANT TO HURT THE COUNTY WITH REVENUE SO I WILL BE GLAD TO RECONSIDER. I WAS NOT AWARE OF SOME OF THE INFORMATION PRESENTED TODAY IN COURT.

>> IT IS A MATTER OF CHECKING THE BONFIRE NOTIFICATION. FOR MY PART I WOULD NOT QUESTION IT IF EVERYTHING IS DONE FOR THE

SYSTEMS. >> WE CAN HOLD FOR TWO WEEKS.

>> ARE YOU OKAY WITH THAT? IF APPROPRIATE, IS IT APPROPRIATE

TO CHAT? >> YES, SHE CAN CONTACT ME DIRECTLY. SHE HAS MY CONTACT INFORMATION, IF NOT, I CAN CHAT WITH HER TODAY AFTER THE CALL.

>> WE WILL LOOK INTO IT. >> TODO REPORTING NO ACTION ON

282? >> CORRECT.

>> NEXT IS SPEAKER 16, ANTHONY COLUMBO ITEM 283 UNDER PURCHASING. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

[01:45:09]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ANTHONY COLUMBO PRESIDENT OF MC 2 CIVIL ITEM 282 WE WERE THE BETTER ON THE PROJECT AT 24 MILLION AND YOU HAVE THE AGENDA ITEM WITH THE SECOND BID 27 MILLION 27,000,003.5 MILLION PREMIUM OVER CAPABLE CONTRACTOR. WE HAVE FILED A FORMAL PROTEST ON IT AND I WOULD REQUEST YOU HOLD THE JOB AWARD UNTIL THE PROCESS IS COMPLETELY VETTED AND WE HAVE HAD A CHANCE TO SPEAK. THANK YOU.

>> I KNOW IT IS BEING PULLED SO AS YOU GO THROUGH THE PROCESS.

>> I HAVE A WHITE PAGE IF I CAN LEAVE IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS SPEAKER 17 ITEM 332 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 3. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> HE IS ON HIS WAY. >> THANK YOU 432 ACTUALLY. I AM HERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT GOING ON WITH METRO. I AM SURE YOU ARE AWARE UNIVERSITY PROJECT WAS CANCELED AND I KNOW THEY WANT TO SAY DIFFERED, BUT CANCELED AND THIS IS PART OF THE METRO NEXT PLAN APPROVED BY THE VOTERS. I AM HERE TO URGE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE AND TO HOPEFULLY PUSH METRO APPOINTEES TO SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND HOPEFULLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA , YOU VOICE SUPPORT FOR THIS PROJECT, NO EXAGGERATION THIS PROJECT IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION PROJECT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT WOULD AT THE END COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR YOUR SUPPORT. I THINK THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. I HOPE THIS COURT SUPPORTS IT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I REQUEST THAT THE MEMBERS VOTE BECAUSE I THINK IT IS INAPPROPRIATE FOR ALL INTENTS FOR PURPOSES TO CANCEL A PROJECT AND WASH THEIR HANDS OF THE FACT THAT THEY DID THAT SO I WANT TO SEE WHO STANDS WHERE. NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE RIDE METRO BECAUSE IT IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH, MANY PEOPLE DEPEND ON IT, BUT MORE PEOPLE WOULD RIDE IF IT WAS ROBUST ANYWHERE NEAR TO THE LEVEL OF THE OTHER BIG CITY, NOT IN THE COUNTRY, BUT IN THE WORLD. I AGREE WITH YOU AND I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHERE THE MAJORITY CAME FROM.

>> THE PROCESS, THERE HAS BEEN A NEW BOARD IN METRO A FEW MONTHS AGO ALL INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT DISAPPEARED OVERNIGHT AND IT WAS UNDER REVIEW. AND LAST WEEK THEY SAY IT WAS TOO EXPENSIVE AND IF YOU MOMENT AGO THE PREVIOUS BOARD WAS FULLY COMMITTED TO THE PROJECT. I'M NOT SURE WHAT'S

GOING ON. >> WE SHOULD KNOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME OUT OF YOUR SCHEDULE TO COME BY. WHEN THE PROJECT WAS DISCUSSED , METRO DID NOT HAVE IT RIGHT SO I WENT DOWN TO SPEAK ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY WAS UPSET WITH IT. WE WERE ABLE TO CRAFT A COMPROMISE AND I WENT BACK TO ENDORSE CONTINUATION AT THAT TIME . THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT WE HAD SO I AM IN CONVERSATIONS WITH METRO ON SAYING WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AMENITIES THAT I WANT TO SEE COME THROUGH THIS. SO WE ARE FOLLOWING UP WITH THAT, THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

RECENTLY 200 BUS SHELTERS, THAT'S A BIG ISSUE WITH METRO SO THANK YOU. AND FOR ALL THE PEDESTRIAN AND PARK PROJECTS THAT YOU ARE WORKING ON, ONE MORE QUICK THING. WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE MORE PUBLIC TRANSIT IN HARRIS COUNTY. METRO THE METROPOLITAN TRANSIT AUTHORITY IT DOES NOT GO TO ALL HARRIS COUNTY. A LOT OF PARKS LIKE JUNETEENTH I CANNOT ACCESS

[01:50:05]

>> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 18 SPEAKING ON ITEM 414.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON I THINK IT IS GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS NAME ], CEO OF CUSTOM TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS HERE TO LEND MY VOICE AND SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE. I HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS 27 YEARS MY ASSOCIATION GOES BACK AND 1/3 OF MY BUSINESS LIFE I AM MUCH RICHER FOR IT TODAY THAN WHEN I JOINED AND THE REASON I SAY THAT IS EVEN THOUGH WE PROMOTE EQUITY AND EQUILIBRIUM AND BUSINESS WE BASICALLY HAVE FUNDAMENTAL CREATED COMMERCE AND WEALTH AND BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN THOSE WHO HAVE AND WHO HAVE NOT. THE CHAPTER INCLUDES BUSINESSES 1 MILLION IN SIZE OVER 10 BILLION AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE AT THE LOWER END OF THE ECONOMIC SPECTRUM WE ARE INCUBATORS OF BUSINESS AND FOR THOSE WHO ARE MATURE BUSINESSES WE SERVE AS A BRIDGE. PERSONALLY I BELIEVE I HAVE

LEARNED ABOUT >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE BRIEFLY. >> IT IS MORE ABOUT GIVING THEN GETTING BUSINESS AND IF YOU WERE TO SUPPORT OUR INITIATIVE I THINK YOU WOULD HOLD THE LANDSCAPE AND ECONOMIC FOOTPRINT OF THE CITY , THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS ENGINEERING CONSULTING A CERTIFIED VETERAN OWNED MINORITY OWNED ENGINEERING FIRM AND I AM ALSO A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT HOUSEHOLD. I AM HERE TO SUPPORT THE PROPOSAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT CERTIFICATION OF MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS AND I ASK THAT YOU APPROVE ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION. WORKING CLOSELY WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND OTHER PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS IN THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTORS TO INCREASE ACCESS TO CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES AND BY APPROVING THE PROPOSAL IT WOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR DIVERSE SUPPLIERS

LIKE US TO DO BUSINESS. >> YOU CAN WRAP UP REAL QUICK.

>> THANK YOU. AS PART OF THE BOARD AND ALSO PUT OF THE CERTIFIED BUSINESS WE ARE BENEFITING A LOT FROM CERTIFICATION. THE COUNCIL HELPS US TO CONNECT WITH MAJOR CORPORATIONS, TO MAKE CONNECTIONS AND CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES AND CONNECTING US WITH DIFFERENT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTY, CITY OR STATE AS A WHOLE SO WE REALLY THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY TO ACCEPT CERTIFICATION TO BENEFIT FROM PURCHASING AND ALSO BENEFIT MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES. THAT'S ALL I HAVE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS ONE MINUTE.

>> HELLO JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS NAME ] PRES. AND CEO OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS AND I SERVE A CERTIFIED BOARD MEMBER AND AS THE CHAIR OF THE INPUT COMMITTEE FOR THE HOUSTON MINORITY SUPPLIER COUNCIL. HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU IN SUPPORT OF THE PROPOSAL FOR OFFICE TO ACCEPT CERTIFICATION. HELPING MY COMPANY GROW AND SUSTAIN BY PROVIDING EXCELLENT TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES SUCH AS PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE, LEADERSHIP ACADEMY, SO MUCH SO THAT THE FIRM HAS BEEN AWARDED LEVEE IMPROVEMENT DISTRICTS WE ARE AN ACCOUNTING FIRM AND WE ALSO SERVE AS THE FIRM FOR COMMISSIONERS GARCIA PRECINCT TOGETHER. ALL OF THAT HAS WORKED TO HELP GROW OUR FIRM SO IN CLOSING I ASK THAT YOU

[01:55:03]

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 22 MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME HERE TODAY. MY NAME IS DR.

APRIL DAY AND WE ARE HERE TO ALSO ASK THE ACCEPTANCE OF THE CERTIFICATION AND INITIATIVES. I WANT TO SHARE A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND A LITTLE BIT ABOUT , ESTABLISHED IN 1995 WHEN WE CERTIFIED , RIGHT NOW 830 CERTIFIED WOMEN BUSINESS ENTERPRISES BUT BECAUSE WE DOUBLE AS A RESOURCE CENTER WE SERVICE OVER 1500 BUSINESSES MALE, WOMEN AND MINORITY OWNED, WE SERVICE FROM MICRO ENTERPRISES UNDER 1 MILLION UNDER 10 EMPLOYEES TO OVER 20 MILLION THAT SUPPORT THE ECONOMY ENHANCING SMALL BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM OF THE CITY IN ADDITION TO CERTIFICATION WE ARE COMPANY INTO BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION WITH CAPACITY PROGRAMS TO INCUBATE, LAUNCH AND SCALE BUSINESS WITH TWO SBA RESOURCE CENTERS THAT SERVE WOMEN , MINORITIES SMALL BUSINESSES AND OTHERS.

>> YOU CAN WRAP UP QUICKLY. >> IN ADDITION OUR GOAL IS TO MAKE SURE BUSINESSES ARE CONTRACT READY AND HAVE OPPORTUNITY FOR PROCUREMENT CONNECTIONS AND HAVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT IS IMPORTANT. WE DO THIS BY PARTNERING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY ON CERTIFICATION AND TOGETHER WE CAN REDUCE BARRIERS THAT EXIST FOR SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITIES AND THIS WILL HELP US TO ENHANCE SUPPLY DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT AND ENHANCE PROGRAMS SO WE HOPE YOU ACCEPT CERTIFICATION SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO BUILD THIS GREAT CITY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT IS

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU. HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTON MINORITY SUPPLY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL AS PRESIDENT AND CEO WORKING WITH ACCOUNTING AND OTHER OFFICIALS 51 YEARS AS A MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION. WE CONTINUE TO OFFER SCHOLARSHIPS OVER 2 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES, AS MENTIONED FROM MEMBERS THAT HAVE SPOKEN BEFORE MY WE OFFER TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CONNECTIONS TO PROCUREMENT OPPORTUNITY ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND TO DECISION-MAKERS OUR JOB IS TO CONNECT MINORITY OWNED BUSINESSES ACROSS TEXAS. WITH CERTIFIED MBE'S FROM THE PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND HOPE YOU VOTE IN SUPPORT OF THIS INITIATIVE TO HAVE HMSDC CERTIFICATION RECOGNIZED BY

HARRIS COUNTY. >> THANK YOU.

>>

>> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION. I OWN TWO COMPANY CERTIFIED ONE IS FIDELITY FUEL HOLDING CITY OF HOUSTON WASTE MANAGEMENT FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND CONTRACTS BECAUSE WE HAVE CERTIFICATION MY OTHER COMPANY THIRD ROCK RENEWABLE WE OWN LICENSING TO MARKET IT PANTED IT TECHNOLOGY THAT TAKES TIRES AND SIDEWALL USING IT TO BUILD SUSTAINABLE ROADS AND PARKING LOTS , RICE UNIVERSITY CARBON CREDIT FORCE YOU WILL NOT GET POTHOLES IT'S LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUILD, WE SUPPORT THE PROJECT AND HAVE WORKED RELENTLESSLY TO PUT US IN TOUCH WITH THE RIGHT PEOPLE WITH THE RIGHT ORGANIZATIONS, EXXON MOBIL DONATED THEIR BOOTH AT THE NATIONAL CONFERENCE IN DENVER 100% DUE TO INVOLVEMENT AND WE ARE WORKING TO CHANGE THE WAY ROADS ARE BUILT AND THE

ROADS THAT ARE 12 YEARS OLD. >> CONTINUE.

>> OKAY THANK YOU. >> CAN I WRAP IT UP?

>> YOU'VE GOT ME AT POTHOLES.

>> THANK YOU. YOU NEVER GET A POTHOLE, BUT THE CHALLENGE WE ARE LOOKING FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS AND GEOTECH ENGINEERS THAT WANT TO BUILD THIS WAY AND THIS IS NOT NEW. GEORGE BUSH SENIOR DIRECTOR OF D.O.T. PATENTED THIS. NOW WE HAVE A

[02:00:08]

>> WE WILL FOLLOW UP. >> OKAY GREAT THANK YOU.

>> NEXT

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. PRESIDENT AND FOUNDER OF TIME FOR MARKETING BOUTIQUE DIRECT MARKETING CONSULTANCY AND I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF ADDENDUM ITEM 414 CERTIFIED MBE AND VICE CHAIR OF THE INPUT COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSTON MINORITY SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL APPROVING ACCEPTANCE OF CERTIFICATION IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. HMSDC CERTIFICATION BRINGS QUALIFIED VETTED BUSINESSES THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED TO THE TABLE AND MAKES IT EASIER FOR SMALL BUSINESSES LIKE MYSELF TO DO BUSINESS WITH ENTITIES LIKE HARRIS COUNTY. HELPING ME TO BECOME CORPORATE READY WITH EXCELLENT PROGRAMS AND HAS MADE VIABLE INTRODUCTIONS EXPANDING THE COUNTY LIST TO INCLUDE HMSDC WILL INCLUDE A POOL OF SMALL BUSINESSES AVAILABLE TO THE COUNTY AND WILL MAKE FOR STRONG AND DIVERSE COUNTY BUSINESS ECOSYSTEM. GOD BLESS YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR ALL YOU DO.

>> IF I MIGHT I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THEM I THINK THAT WAS THE LAST ONE WITH YOUR GROUP AND SAY THAT I HOPE I WILL SEE SOME OF YOU. I WILL BE OUT AT THE CELEBRATION THIS WEEKEND THE HEAD OF THE ORGANIZATION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS VERY HELPFUL ON SO MANY ISSUES WITH THE CITY AND IN HIS LATER YEARS CALLED IN TO HELP US LOOKING AT THE POLICY, HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE FUNERAL SATURDAY. THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> NEXT IS SEN.

YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE, GLAD PLEASE.

>> STATE SEN. MOLLY COOK REPRESENTING DISTRICT 50 AND I AM EXCITED DISTRICT 15 IS HOME TO MANY OF THE HIGHEST RIDERSHIP ROUTES, SEVERAL I RIDE REGULARLY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAN UNIVERSITY LINE AND TO THANK YOU FOR EXAMINING IT TODAY, I URGE US ALL TO MUFFLED WITH THE PROJECT AND TO WRITE THAT THE VOTERS PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY IN THE REGION. I AM A NURSE AND EVERY DAY IN THE ERA SEE THE NEED FOR TRANSPORTING PUBLIC TRANSIT. JEFFERSON PATIENT OR SOMETIMES IN A UBER WITH NO WAY HOME I MEET WOMEN COVERED IN BRUISES WOULD HAVE LEFT A SITUATION EARLIER THEY HAD BETTER ACCESS TO TRANSPORTATION AND SENIORS WHO MISS APPOINTMENTS BECAUSE THEY CAN NO LONGER DRIVE IN THE TRAVE DEATH MIGRATE CONNECTION. AND FRESH OFF KNOCKING ON THOUSANDS OF DOORS IN MY DISTRICT AND PEOPLE IN THE CITY AND UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY AND SMALL CITIES ALL WANT MORE

INVESTMENT. >> YOU CAN CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU.

AND CONCERNS. UNIVERSITY LINE IS NOT JUST A BUS LINE IT IS A LIFELINE FOR MANY PEOPLE TO HOLD POTENTIAL TO BE THE NEW BACKBONE FOR THE ENTIRE SYSTEM CONNECTING THOUSAND. THIS WOULD CONNECT THE MOST TYPE OF RELATION DENSITY AND HIGH JUMP AREAS WITH EDUCATION AND HEALTH CENTERS FOR FAMILIES ALONG THIS LINE WITH OR WITHOUT A CAR THIS WOULD OFFER THEM OPPORTUNITY AND CONNECTION TO JOBS. MY PATIENTS NEED A LINE, MY CONSTITUENTS NEED THE LINE AND ALL OF HOUSTON DESERVES THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT SO THANK YOU FOR DISCUSSING TODAY AND FOR WHAT I HOPE WILL BE SUPPORT OF A HISTORIC PROJECT.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS. I APPRECIATE

[02:05:01]

>> >> SEN. THIS IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO SPEAK ON THIS. YOU HIT ON A POINT THAT'S PART OF THE CONVERSATION WITH METRO AND RIDERSHIP HAS GOT TO BE A MAJOR PART OF THE FOCUS. THANK YOU FOR TOUCHING ON THAT AND CONGRATULATIONS. I WILL SEE YOU

SOON. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH SEN.)

>> SPEAKER 28 SPEAKING ON ITEM 432. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE. WITH AIRLINE HOUSTON CLIMATE TEAM THE AIR POLLUTION NONPROFIT POLICE AREA AND BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO CLEAN AIR IN FAVOR OF UNEMPLOYMENT A 32 METRO UNIVERSITY LINE. THE BEST RESEARCH ON CLIMATE SUGGESTS WE NEED TO DOUBLE RIDERSHIP ON PUBLIC TRANSIT EVERY YEAR FOR THREE YEARS. THERE IS NO CLIMATE EXPANSION WITHOUT TRANSIT. AFFECTING FOLKS ACROSS HER SKIN INCLUDING PRECINCT 1 CASIMIR GARDENS AND SECOND WARD, THE PROJECT CONTRIBUTES TO THE OBJECTIVES ADOPTED THEIR HARRIS COUNTY STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK KEEPING THE PROJECT MOVING IS A TEST OF HOW DEDICATED THE COUNTY IS TO ITS FRAMEWORK ACHIEVING A SAFE, FAIR, HEALTHY AND RESILIENT HARRIS COUNTY WOULD BE UNDERMINED BY LOSS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH URBAN DESIGN FOR HEALTH AIRLINES HOUSTON HAS A MODEL TO HELP IMPACT ON UNIVERSITY LINE THE ENVIRONMENT AND HEALTH BENEFITS INCLUDE LOBAR TYPE II DIABETES RATES , HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HEALTH DISEASE RATES AND LOWERING DEPRESSION AND DISTRESS. THIS REPORT IS NOT QUITE READY BUT HE DID SEE THE NEED TO SHARE RESULTS GIVEN THE PATH ON THE METRO NEXT PROJECT. I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU LATER TODAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER ONE

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE LINE OF THE ISSUES OF HARRIS HEALTH AS OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES HAVE AVOIDED RESPONSIBILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH OFFICERS AND DEPUTIES POSTED AT HARRIS HEALTH, MY FIRST ENCOUNTER WITH HERS HELP WITH A PHYSICIAN PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED ME AFTER I STATED I WOULD REPORT THEM FOR READING MY CHART OUT LOUD AND VERBALLY ABUSING ME. I CONTACTED THE OFFICER NEAR THE EMERGENCY CENTER AND HE REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTION. AS HE STATED THERE WAS NO WAY HE WOULD TAKE A REPORT ON A DOCTOR. THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS TO MAKE SURE PATIENTS ARE IMMEDIATELY OR CAN IMMEDIATELY REPORT PHYSICAL ABUSE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT RETALIATION LIKE I HAD. NEXT THE ISSUE WITH HERS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHICH WILL NOT MAKE ANY REPORTS ON ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH EVEN WITH AUDIO AND VIDEO

EVIDENCE. >> THANK YOU YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER FIVE, MICHAEL DICKERSON. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MORNING MY NAME IS MICHAEL DICKERSON I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON JAMES DRIVER PARK. VERY IRONIC THIS MORNING , NATIONS WERE GIVEN TO THEM, BUT I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT A SAFETY ISSUE CHILDREN AT THE PARK ARE BEING INJURED ON A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE USED FOR THEIR RECREATION. I WANTED TO BRING ONE OF THE PARENTS IN THIS MORNING, BUT THEY ARE UNDOCUMENTED SO THEY DID NOT WANT TO APPEAR. THE CHILDREN ARE GETTING INJURED ON THE EQUIPMENT. I TOLD MY SUPERVISOR AND WAS HERE THIS MORNING BUT NOTHING WAS DONE IF SOMEONE CAN'T COMMISSIONER GARCIA IF YOU CAN TAKE CARE OF THAT I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. SIR, WHAT WAS THE ISSUE SPECIFICALLY?

[02:10:01]

>> THERE IS AN AREA AT THE PARK AT JAMES DRIVER WHERE CHILDREN AND I HAVE PICTURES, WHERE CHILDREN CAN FALL, SMALL CHILDREN CAN FALL 78 FEET I MEASURED 78 FEET AND I TOLD MY SUPERVISORS AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. I EVEN CONTACTED COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE AND NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE AND I HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THEM DIRECTLY SO I CANNOT PLACE THE BLAME ON YOU, BUT I DO PLACE BLAME ON THE FACT THAT I HAD DOCUMENTED THIS AND SEND IT IN AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT AND TO MY RECOLLECTION THERE IS AT LEAST THREE CHILDREN WHO HAVE BEEN INJURED OUT THERE AND NOTHING WAS DONE ABOUT IT AND WHEN I BROUGHT THE ISSUE UP, THEY STARTED TO

RETALIATE AGAINST ME. >> WE WILL BE SURE TO FOLLOW UP AND WORK WITH THE COMMISSIONER.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER SEVEN, MARCUS ALLEN , YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF CREEKSIDE PARK VILLAGE ONE OF THE MOST NORTHERN COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY AT JASON TO SPRING CREEK IN THE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN. MY REQUEST TO THE COMMISSIONER IS TO FOLLOW UP TO MY REQUEST TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO UPDATE MODELS OF FLOODING IN THE AREA. ALSO TO THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR THE PLANNING AND SAFE EVACUATION OF RESIDENTS IN THE 100 YEAR FLOODPLAIN . SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT IN THE AREA ALONG THE COUNTY AND OUTSIDE THE COUNTY IS PROBABLY GOING TO BRING MORE DIFFICULTY THAN HURRICANE HARVEY WHICH ISOLATED MY NEIGHBORHOOD FOR TWO DAYS AND THE MAIN ACCESS WAY OUT WAS COMPLETELY FLOODED. THANK YOU. I HAVE A DOCUMENT HERE I HAVE SUBMITTED TO HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD DISTRICT AND I ALSO SUBMITTED TO YOUR OFFICE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING BY, WE WILL VISIT AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU AND I WILL HAVE MY TEAM CHECK IN WITH YOU.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER EIGHT,

>> SHE IS MAKING HER WAY.

>> HOW MANY MINUTES? >> ONE MINUTE.

>> OKAY. YOU HAVE A BUNCH OF CROOKS DOWN THERE FALSIFYING MY RECORDS. YOU WILL WITNESS I AM NOT DEAD AND TRYING TO TAKE MY PROPERTY.

>> NEXT IS NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 11.

ONE MINUTE. >> WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE CHECK IN WITH YOU.

>> >> 12-YEAR-OLD JOCELYN AND 11-YEAR-OLD MARIA ARE JUST A FEW OF THE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS MURDERED BY ILLEGAL ALIENS WHAT THE GIRLS ALSO SEXUALLY ASSAULTED. THIS EVIL DOES NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE MAYOR NOTED THERE WERE MORE THAN 900 MURDER OR CAPITAL MURDER SUSPECTS OUT ON BAIL IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MANY ARE FUGITIVES WHOSE WHEREABOUTS ARE UNKNOWN. IN 2017 HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE I'M SORRY HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF ED GONZALEZ ANNOUNCED THAT DEPARTMENT WOULD END THE FEDERAL PROGRAM UNDER WHICH ACTIVITIES ARE TRYING TO IDENTIFY SUSPECTS WITH DEPORTATION ORDERS. I.C.E. HAS LAUNCHED DETAINERS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL FOR MARTINEZ AND, THE MURDERS WHO BRUTALLY ASSAULTED JOCELYN FOR TWO HOURS . WE NEED COUNTY OFFICIALS WHO WILL STAND UP TO PROTECT CITIZEN RIGHTS TO LIVE NOT THE RIGHT TO MURDER AND NOT THE RIGHT TO LEGALLY IMMIGRATE. IT IS WELL KNOWN THE COUNTRY WHERE THE MURDERERS WERE FROM VENEZUELA IS EMPTYING CITIZENS INTO THE UNITED STATES THANK YOU.

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 13, MARISSA HANSON YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> IT TOOK A DATE FOR YOU TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE BRUTAL MURDER.

I UNDERSTAND YOUR SILENCE, BUT AS LEADERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY YOU ARE OSTRACIZING A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE.

[02:15:01]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 29 SPEAKING ON ITEM 432.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. ON BEHALF OF THE MANY UNABLE TO SPEAK TODAY I URGE YOU TO PUBLICLY SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY PRT AND ENSURE THE METRO DELIVER TO THE RESIDENTS OF THE REGION FOR THE TRANSFORMATIVE PROJECT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO RECEIVE IN THE REGION. AT THE THIRD-LARGEST COUNTY HOST OF THE FOURTH-LARGEST CITY IT IS A DISSERVICE AND DISRESPECTFUL TO FAIL TO MEET THE VISION AND NEEDS OF THE LONG EXPRESSED METRO CONSTITUENCY. UNIVERSITY PRT IS A ONCE IN A GENERATION CATALYTIC PROJECT POISED TO BRING A POSITIVE TRANSFORMATION IN A REGION FACING HARDSHIPS AND CHALLENGES. CHALLENGES REQUIRE ALL OF US TO RISE UP AND MEET THE MOMENT, RESIDENTS AND VOTERS HAVE ALREADY DONE THEIR PART FOR DECADES. NOW I ASK YOU PLEASE ENSURE YOUR SUPPORT IN ENTERING METRO DOES THE SAME AND DELIVERS ON THIS PROMISE.

>> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER 27

>> THAT AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS LINK HOUSTON A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT ADVOCATES FOR EQUITABLE TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS AND WE ARE APPALLED BY METRO RECENT DECISION TO ABANDON THE FEDERAL GRANT PROCESS FOR THE UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR PROJECT. THE BACKBONE OF THE METRO NEXT MOVING FORWARD PLAN WHICH WAS SUPPORTED BY 68% OF HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS IN 2019. THE UNIVERSITY LINE IS EXPECTED TO BE THE LARGEST IN THE NATION CONNECTING TO OVER HALF A METRO LOCAL ROUTES AND WOULD ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF THE SILVER LINE AND THE GULF REVITALIZATION AND TRANSIT PROJECT FORMALLY KNOWN AS THE GOLDEN PRT. THROWING YEARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OUT THE WINDOW, LEAVING NEARLY $1 BILLION ON THE TABLE AND NOT LISTENING TO THE CALL OF HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS FOR TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE .

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> WE URGE THIS BODY TO MAKE YOUR VOICES HEARD AND ASK METRO TO MOVE THE METRO NEXT UNIVERSITY CORRIDOR PROJECT TO THE NEXT PHASE OF THE PROCESS,

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN.

[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU. DID LEAVE ALREADY? I WAS TRYING TO MAKE SURE I DO NOT MISS HIM BEFORE HE LEFT TO TALK ABOUT THE JAIL BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HIDE THE BALL ON THE JAIL ITEM. WE WILL HAVE THE PRESENTATION, BUT SOMETHING THAT CAME OUT OF THE ANALYSIS THANKFULLY , THE ANALYSIS WAS DONE, BUT OF COURSE I WISH THIS HAD BEEN DONE YEARS AGO. THAT IN THE COMPETENCY RESTORATION ISSUE THERE IS ONE GENTLEMAN WHO HAS BEEN AT THE JAIL 18 YEARS BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT THEY SEND HIM TO THE STATE HOSPITAL FOR RESTORATION AND THEN GO BACK TO THE JAIL AND BOOK HIM WITH A NEW NUMBER SO REALLY DIGGING THROUGH EVERY PIECE OF THE SYSTEM, THE ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE LEADERSHIP HAS FOUND THIS AND THERE ARE SEVERAL RECOMMENDATIONS COMING TO THE COURT TODAY THAT'S WHY THE JUDGES ARE SPEAKING. I DID NOT WANT TO JUST NOT SAY ANYTHING, SO ANYWAY IF HE IS LISTENING. WE WILL DISCUSS THIS MORE

[02:20:01]

OKAY SO WE ARE MOVING ON TO APPROVALS MY COLLEAGUES AGREE.

>> CONNECT SUGGEST THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. FIRST, CABLE OF CONTENTS. 18 AND 329 TOGETHER. RELATED TO THE JAIL, ITEM 19 I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE 19, 433 FOR EXECUTIVE PAY AND PAY EQUITY AND 323 AND 429 FOR DEPARTMENT HEAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.

ALL FOUR WHICH ARE RELATED TO BASIC SYSTEMS AT THE COUNTY.

ITEM 73 THERE IS A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO CHANGE 118 -25 IS THAT A-? 118 -25-01-01 -04 3.02 -04 3.02112-00-00- 03-005 03-00

5.0. >> BEFORE I FORGET, WE NEED A VOTE FIRST TO CHANGE THE ORDER.

>> I JUST MENTIONED IT, BUT OF COURSE I DON'T MIND WHEN WE DISCUSSED. THEY ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES. SO JUST MENTIONING REQUESTS TO TAKE THE ITEMS TOGETHER BUT IF FOLKS DON'T WANT TO TAKE THEM TOGETHER WE DON'T HAVE TO. ITEM 144, NO ACTION NEEDED LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM, 147 REQUESTING NO ACTION ON THE POLICY, 177 DISTRICT CLERK REQUESTS NO ACTION. PRESELECTION PLAN DISTRICT COURT REQUEST NO ACTION. THAT IS 184. 194 IS NO ACTION ON A GRAND. 210 REQUEST TO TAKE 210 AND 211 TOGETHER RELATING TO VOLKSWAGEN ENVIRONMENT A MITIGATION PROGRAM. 217 REQUEST TO TAKE

RELATED TO HEART. >> AS DOES 214. 2014, 217, 264? OKAY. AND THEN 256, A CORRECTION WE CHANGE IT HUNDRED 60,000, 364.90 $859,926.34.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTING .

>> JUDGE? >> I'M 25 NO ACTION.

>> OKAY, ITEM 25. THANK YOU, I MISSED THAT. 282 WE AGREED NO ACTION ON ITEM, 283. NO ACTION ON THE OTHER ITEM BEING LOOKED INTO. 323. TAKING THEM TOGETHER. OKAY 330 PRECINCT 3 REQUEST NO ACTION. HARRIS HEALTH BUDGET. 364. ORDER FROM THE BORDER DISTRICT JUDGE BUDGET AMENDMENT CLERK REQUEST NO ACTION. ANY OTHER CORRECTIONS? ALL RIGHT, LET'S GO OVER THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. EXECUTIVE SESSION , WE HAVE GOT EXECUTIVE SESSION 394 NOMINEE FOR THE HARRIS CENTER. FOLKS NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? 395 . VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 396 NUMBER 11. OKAY.

397. ANOTHER. 398 MANAGEMENT COUNCIL BOARD. ALL RIGHT. 399.

[02:25:15]

>> NO. >> OKAY 400 HARRIS COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSION, 401. 402 INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD. 403 SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION. WHAT ABOUT 420, COUNTY ATTY. SETTLEMENT.

>> IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> WE WILL PUT THAT ON CONSENT.

>> JUDGE, APPROVED AS PRESENTED 394 THROUGH 403.

>> THANK YOU. >> NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO THE GENERAL AGENDA. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 9? OKAY ITEM 10 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . 11 AND 12. 18 IS THE JAIL ITEMS. 19, OKAY. 20 AS WELL , GOES WITH 19, 22. 23. BCG MONITORING PROJECTS. 73. THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROJECT THAT HAD THE NUMBER CHANGE COMMISSIONER. 73 UNDER COUNTY ENGINEER. 146 COMMISSIONER GARCIA , YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE AS UIS POLICY. 147. THE FLEET POLICY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THERE IS NO ACTION. >> RIGHT, THANK YOU. THAT ONE IS NO ACTION. 160 IS GRANT FUNDING. OKAY. 210 IS GOING WITH 211. 214 AUDITORS. WE WILL TAKE A VOTE AT SOME POINT.

OKAY. 214 AND 217 ET CETERA OKAY. AND THEN OBVIOUSLY 217 ,

YES. >> 210 AND 211?

>> YES, 210 AND 211. WE HAVE 214, 217 AND 256 AND 264. AND THEN 280 AND 268. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ONE. 269? 270? 276. FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 1. 323 . YES. THAT IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS , 229 YES WE WILL GO WITH ANOTHER JAIL ITEM IF FOLKS WANT THAT. 330, NO ACTION. SO THAT IS THE HARRIS

HEALTH. >> YES AND TO MAKE A NOTE.

PRAYERS ARE WITH DANIEL RAMOSE. THAT IS THE REASON I PULLED

THAT, THANK YOU. >> I WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL AFTER, BUT THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>> 331 ON THE PICK FUND. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED IT, TURN TO 32 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 335 COMMISSIONER GARCIA DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, 414 COMMISSIONER BRIONES, 324 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. NATIONWIDE PHARMACEUTICAL. 429 I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE WITH THE OTHER THREE ITEMS. 432 , COMMISSIONER ELLIS, 433. 435. TRANSFER OF COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. LET ME JUST GO OVER IT . HERE, ONCE MORE. NO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS THAT I CAN SEE REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 9 , 10, 11, 12, 18, 19 , 20, 22, 23, 73, 146, 160 ,

[02:30:16]

OKAY? OKAY AND LET'S VOTE. >> JUDGE REAL QUICK ITEM 21. IT

SAYS DISCUSSION ITEM. >> OKAY, 21 IS THE DEPARTMENT BUDGET HEARINGS. DISCUSSION ABOUT HOLDING BUDGET HEARINGS.

DO YOU GUYS HAVE APPROVE AS PREVENTED ?

>> YES, DISCUSSION ONLY. I DON'T THINK THERE CAN BE A

VOTE ON THAT. >> JUST NO ACTION.

>> AND THEN ITEM 148. >> 148 IS I.T. GOVERNANCE POLICY. THAT IS A DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE APPROVAL. THAT

WOULD BE APPROVAL OKAY? >> APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

>> YES. SO, LET ME GO OVER THE , THE ITEMS THAT FOLKS WANT TO TAKE TOGETHER. JUST BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL AND WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT. SO IS THERE A MOTION TO TAKE ITEMS 18 ENTER INTO 29 TOGETHER BOTH RELATED TO THE JAIL?

>> SO MOVED. >> MOTION AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY IS THERE A MOTION TO TAKE 210 AND 211 TOGETHER RELATING TO THE

SETTLEMENT? >> SETTLEMENT.

>> MOTION AND SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. IS THERE A MOTION TODAY 2014, 217, 256 AND 264 TOGETHER? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. MOTION TO TAKE ITEMS 19, 433, 323 AND 429 TOGETHER AS THEY RELATE TO HR POLICY? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONER GARCIA ? HE IS IN FAVOR OKAY. THE MOTION CARRIES 5-0. GREAT. NOW, WE NEED A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS ONE THROUGH 435 WITH EXCEPTIONS OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS LISTED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES. UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY.

OKAY IT IS 1:00 AND WE WILL TAKE A BREAK UNTIL 2:00. MY GOODNESS. I LOOKED AT THE CLOCK. THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN MANY MORE TIMES. IT IS 12:46 AND WE ARE TAKING A LUNCH BREAK UNTIL A QUARTER UNTIL 2:00. YES.

[02:35:08]

>>> ALL RIGHT, 2:11, COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET'S START WITH THE FIRST DISCUSSION ITEM. OKAY, THERE IT IS. GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER.

>> UNDER ITEM 9 REQUEST THE OFFICE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO EXTEND TWO POSITIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOVERY FUND AND THIS IS ADMINISTRATION.'S WORK I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT, ARE WE

BACK? >> I THOUGHT I SAID THAT.

>> I MUST NOT >> IT COULD HAVE BEEN ME, GO

AHEAD. >> CAN I GO?

>> YES SIR, I APOLOGIZE. I DID NOT HEAR THAT.

>> MY CONCERNS HERE, RELATE TO WE HAVE A BUDGET ISSUE THAT WE ALL KNOW AND WE HAVE A BUDGET ISSUE THAT ARPA MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP US ON. THAT IS A MONTHLY FOR WHAT WE USE ARPA FUNDS ON OR WHAT WE NOT. I WOULD THINK THAT ANY EXTENSIONS WE WOULD DO IN ARPA WOULD HAVE TO BE HEAVILY VETTED, PARTICULARLY ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE. I AM NOT IN SUPPORT OF THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

>> TO EXTEND THE LIFETIME OF TWO POSITIONS IN BEHAVIORAL HEALTH PORTFOLIO. I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF MY EXPERIENCE AND EVEN WITH WHAT RECENTLY HAPPENED TO ONE OF THE TEAM MEMBER FAMILIES HERE, MENTAL HEALTH AND BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ARE SO IMPORTANT. IF WE NEED TO CUT , WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT OTHER PROGRAMS THAT ARE MAYBE NOT AS SUCCESSFUL, BUT I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE COMING FROM.

>> MOTION TO MOVE IT. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL OF IN FAVOR? MOTION

CARRIES 4-1. >> ITEM 10, SAME ISSUE. THIS ONE IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT IN THAT THIS PARTICULAR POSITION IS UNFILLED. SO IT WOULD SEEM LIKE THAT WOULD BE ONE WE COULD

AT LEAST DELAY. >> POSITION UNFILLED BUT MY TEAM IS TRYING TO BUILD THE WORK AND MAINTAIN THAT, THE BIG THING THEY DO IS REPORTING REQUIREMENTS WHICH TAKES UP A HUGE PORTION OF THE TIME. SO SOME OF THE TRACKING HAS TO DO

WITH RETURNS ARE REPORTING. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OLD POST? MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

>> ITEM 11, SAME ISSUE. WE CAN VOTE.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-1.

>> ITEM 12 HAS TO DO WITH WOMEN HEALING AND EMPOWERING WOMEN .

HOW WAS THIS ENTITY CHOSEN TO DO THIS WORK? THROUGH

PURCHASING? >> A COMPETITIVE RFP.

>> THEY WERE THE MOST QUALIFIED SELECTED?

>> A NUMBER OF VENDORS WERE SELECTED, THE CONTRACTS HAVE

COME THROUGH. >> IS QUESTION. DOES THIS FOLLOW ALL PURCHASING PROTOCOL AND ARE YOU

FINE WITH IT? >> THIS WAS THE LAST OF THE ONES THAT WENT TO THE PROCESS FOLLOWING NORMAL PROCUREMENT

PROCESS. >> THANK YOU.

>> I MOVE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4-1. ARE YOU GOOD TO MOVE ON TO 18? WE WOULD TAKE

[02:40:02]

>> THANK YOU JUDGE. WE HAVE AND

ANY QUESTIONS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MANAGING DIRECTOR OF JUSTICE INNOVATION WITH OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND WITH ME IS HONORABLE JUDGE COLLABORATING ON BOTH ANALYSIS ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE JAIL AND DRIVING THE POPULATION AND THEN SOLUTIONS TO REDUCE THAT. AT THE REQUEST OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE QUIT COMING WITH ANALYSIS WITHOUT SOLUTIONS SO WE ARE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THOSE. THE ANALYSIS IS RATHER DENSE AND I WILL MOVE AS FAST , AS QUICKLY AS I CAN THROUGH THE SLIDES. I KNOW WE HAVE A BUSY DAY. THERE IS A STORY TO TELL ON THE DATA TODAY AND I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT THAT AND THE SOLUTIONS TO ADDRESSING THAT. HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT A OVERVIEW OF THE JAIL POPULATION BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024, BETWEEN THAT TIME A 13% INCREASE IN THE JAIL POPULATION. TO DATE, IN 2024 WE HAVE SEEN 3% REDUCTION OVER LAST YEAR STILL 11% HIGHER THAN 2020 AND THE ADP TENDS TO INCREASE IN THE SUMMER MONTHS WITH THE AVERAGE OF THAT OVER FIVE YEARS ABOUT 5% BETWEEN MAY AND AUGUST. IF WE WERE TO SEE 5% INCREASE FROM WHERE WE ARE TODAY IN 2024 ADP WOULD BE AROUND 9600. FOR CONTEXT, THE JAIL RATED CAPACITY IS 10,022 INCLUDING 574 VARIANTS BED WE DON'T HAVE TODAY . THAT WOULD HAVE DESIGN CAPACITY 9448, SO 9600 WOULD PUT US IN FURTHER OVERCROWDING. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO, JUSTICE INNOVATION CONDUCTED ANALYSIS TO IDENTIFY KEY DRIVERS AND PRIORITY POPULATIONS WITHIN THE JAIL STARTING HERE LOOKING AT IN CUSTODY POPULATION AND THIS IS SNAPSHOT IN CUSTODY POPULATION 2024 NOTE CHANGES THE TABLE IS LOOKING AT EVERYONE IN CUSTODY BY THE HIGHEST DISPOSE CHARGE BY CHARGE CATEGORY BETWEEN 2020 AND 2024 SNAPSHOTS THERE WAS A 1700 THERE WAS A 1726 % INCREASE FOR 267,000 JAIL BED DAYS. ALL CHARGE CATEGORIES HAVE THE SAME GROWTH IN THIS TIME THE TWO WITH THE HIGHEST GROWTH IS THE SERIOUS CHARGE CATEGORY WITH THOSE REPRESENTING 59% OF THE PEOPLE IN CUSTODY. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SAME COHORT, BUT LOOKING AT HIGHEST LEVEL OF DEGREE. FELONIES ACCOUNT FOR 91% OF THE PEOPLE IN CUSTODY AND 97% OF JAIL BED DAYS CONSUMED. FELONIES ALONE GROW BY 1199 PEOPLE MISDEMEANORS GO BY 527. FELONIES ACCOUNTED FOR 90% OF THE 267,000 JAIL BED DAY INCREASE. CAPITAL FELONIES GREW BY 59 UP TO 286 PEOPLE WITH 671 AVERAGE DAY LENGTH OF STAY 2020 FOR FIRST-DEGREE FELONY GREW BY 353 WITH 2378 PEOPLE WITH 340 DAY AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY. PEOPLE WHOSE HIGHS CHARGES FELONY ARE DRIVERS OF THE JAIL POPULATION. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

HERE WE LOOK AT THE SAME COHORT, BUT LOOKING AT TIME BANDS BY THE NUMBER OF DAYS INDIVIDUALS HAVE BEEN IN CUSTODY. CONSIDERATION OF TIME GOING TO THE 3199 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY MORE THAN ONE YEAR WITH THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY 761 DAYS. NEXT SLIDE. THE PREVIOUS SLIDE WE SAW THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CUSTODY BY THE TIME IN TERMS OF DAYS HERE WE LOOK AT 1399 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY MORE THAN ONE YEAR IN TERMS OF YEARS. 66% OF THE 1399 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY MORE THAN ONE YEAR

[02:45:03]

ROUGHLY 60% OF THE PEOPLE OUTSOURCED RIGHT NOW.

>> SAY THAT AGAIN. >> IF WE REDUCE THE LENGTH OF

STAY IN 2023 >> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> IF WE REDUCE THE LENGTH OF STAY IN 20 23 X 5 DAYS 56 DOWN TO 51 IT WOULD HAVE EQUALED 832 PERSON REDUCTION IN THE ADP OR 60% OF THE PEOPLE WE HAVE OUTSOURCED. SMALL CHANGES IN LENGTH OF STAY WOULD HAVE A BIG IMPACT IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CUSTODY. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. CONSIDERATION OF TIME, NEXT SLIDE. CONSIDERATION OF TIME WE WILL MOVE THROUGH THIS PRETTY QUICKLY. THAT IS GOOD. SO, IN THE PREVIOUS LIVES WE HAVE SEEN FELONIES IMPACTING ADP, BEHAVIORAL HEALTH THOSE WHERE COMPETENCY IS RAISED WITH AIR INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL HAS EVEN MORE IMPACT ON THE AVERAGE DAILY JAIL POPULATION. THE JUDGE WILL TALK ABOUT THIS A LITTLE BIT MORE IN DETAIL.

PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING A MENTAL HEALTH OR BEHAVIORAL ISSUE AT THE TIME OF BOOKING HAS ALMOST DOUBLED FROM 2020 TO 2023. SHARE OF TOTAL BOOKINGS BY THOSE INDIVIDUALS WITH BEHAVIOR HEALTH ISSUES IS ALSO INCREASING FROM 18 TO 29% DURING THE SAME TIMEFRAME FROM 20 TO 2023. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

WHEN COMPETENCY IS RAISED FOR INDIVIDUAL COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL LENGTH OF STAY INCREASES. THESE ARE COMPLEX CASES WITH A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE INVOLVED AND AGENCIES INVOLVED WHICH MAKES THEM COMPLEX. THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE FOUND INCOMPETENT HAS GROWN BY 573 PEOPLE FROM 1400 BY 573 PEOPLE FROM 1495 AND 2020 TO 20 TO 2068 IN 2023 FROM 2020 THROUGH 2023 AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY HAS ALSO INCREASED WITH A NUMBER DISCUSSING HERE INCLUDING MISDEMEANORS. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. PEOPLE ON STATE HOSPITAL WAITING LIST PENDING TREATMENT HAVE INCREASED YEAR-OVER-YEAR, INCREASING 71% FROM 189 IN 2020 FROM 189 IN 2022 323 PEOPLE THROUGH MAY

[02:50:05]

THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU FOR IDENTIFYING

THAT . >> THE MINUTE, IN THE PHONE CALL WHEN WE BROUGHT TO ATTENTION THE CASE WAS REASSIGNED TO HER COURT DURING THAT CONVERSATION AND DISTRICT COURTS HAVE RESPONDED EXCEPTIONALLY FAST IN ADDRESSING THE CASE AND APPRECIATE THEM AND COLLABORATION WITH THEM. NEXT SLIDE. SO, WE KNOW STATE HOSPITAL WAITLIST , WE HAVE TOOLS IN HARRIS COUNTY TO ADDRESS COMPETENCY ISSUES, HARRIS COUNTY OPERATES A 50 BED COMPETENCY PROGRAM BEGINNING IN 2021 WITH A CAPACITY FOR 20 PATIENTS, EXPANDED IN MARCH 2023 TO 50 BEDS WITH GRANT FUNDS FROM ARPA WHICH WERE DISCONTINUED IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. AS OF JUNE 11 SERVING 416 PATIENTS, OVERALL RESTORATION RATE OF 90% RESTORING 275 FOLKS IN THEIR PROGRAM. NEXT SLIDE .

JB CR OUTCOMES WE ARE JUST SHOWING THE AVERAGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE ON THE WAITLIST TO ENTER TREATMENT IN A STATE RUN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL 185 COMPARED TO 83 IN JBCR, AVERAGE WAIT TIME TO ENTER IS 221 DAYS AS OPPOSED TO 90 THROUGH 120 WITH JBCR AND RESTORATION RATE IS 90% , AT THE TIME WE DID ANALYSIS THE STATE RANGING 40 TO 60%. JBCR MORE EFFECTIVE AT REDUCING WAIT TIMES, IMPROVING RESTORATION RATES AND REDUCING COMPETENCY POPULATION. 152 FEWER PEOPLE ARE WAITING FOR RESTORATION BEDS FOR JBCR THAN AT THE STATE AND AGAIN 90% RESTORATION RATE. NEXT SLIDE . FELONIES ARE KEY DRIVERS OF THE JAIL POPULATION. A SIGNIFICANT PORTION IS PRETRIAL 74% AND IN SOME OF THE ANALYSIS WE SHOULD HAVE REDUCING AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY CAN HAVE A DRAMATIC IMPACT ON REDUCING ADP AND ALSO HAVING IMPACT ON REDUCING OUTSOURCING AND COST ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

MENTAL HEALTH COMPETENCY CASES RISING IN THE JAIL FELONY COMPANY CASES WITH TWICE THE STAY OF OVERALL FELONIES AND JBCR IS EFFECTIVE WITH RESPECT TO COMPETENCY RESTORATION. NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. SO PROPOSALS THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER ARE IN TWO PHASES, THE FIRST IS WITH RESPECT TO DISTRICT COURT AND GENERAL PROCESSING OF FELONY CASES. WE WORK CLOSELY WITH PRECINCT 4 STAFF IN THE DISTRICT COURT'S TO COME UP WITH SOLUTIONS TO EXPEDITE OR HELP REDUCE THE LENGTH OF TIME

[02:55:03]

IMPROVED DATA COLLECTION AND TRACKING OF COMPETENCY CASES FOR BETTER EVALUATION OF PROGRAMS AND COURT PROCESSES.

BECAUSE OF THE INCREASE IN COMPETENCY CASES OCA RECOMMENDS WE COLLABORATE WITH COURT JUDGES TO EVALUATE THE CREATION OF A FULLY TIME FULLY RESOURCED DOCKET, CURRENTLY IT IS A SIDE HUSTLE. AND THEY MEET TWICE A WEEK. AND FINALLY A RECOMMENDATION FROM THE HARRIS CENTER FOR CONSIDERATION IS TO CENTRALIZE ALL FORENSIC JAIL DETENTION INMATES WITH COMPETENCY FACTORS UNDER A SINGLE UMBRELLA RELATED TO STREAMLINING AND CLOSING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR GAPS SO WE DON'T EVER SEE SOMEBODY IN CUSTODY THAT HAS FALLEN THROUGH THE CRACKS AT 17.8 YEARS. THANK YOU. AND JUDGE .

>> MAY IT PLEASE THE COURTS, SO GOOD TO SEE YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, COUNTY JUDGE. THANK YOU ARE HAVING THE I AM COURT ONE OF THE FELONY COURTS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS CLOSE TO HOME AND I AM ONE OF THE COAL PRESIDING JUDGE IS OF THE COMPETENCY RESTORATION DOCKET WHICH MS. MILLS ACCURATELY DESCRIBES AS A SIDE HUSTLE, BUT WE DO HUSTLE HARD AND GET IT DONE. I AM HERE TO SHED LIGHT ON SOME WAYS IN WHICH THE PROGRAM WORKS AND THE DATA GIVES SOME CONTEXT. AND IDENTIFIES OPPORTUNITIES TO REDUCE DELAYS IF THAT'S WHAT THE COMMISSIONERS ARE INTERESTED IN. NOT ADVOCATING, ONLY HERE AS A RESOURCE. THE COMPETENCY DOCKET, AS A JUDGE MY JOB IS TO PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE COURT TO ENSURE BOTH SIDES GET A RESOLUTION. EVERYBODY WANTS JUSTICE. A PERSON THAT'S A VICTIM AND THE ACCUSED PERSON THE SOONER THE CASE IS RESOLVED THE SOONER THERE'S CLOSURE FOR EVERYBODY AND THAT IS ONE OF MY MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES. WHEN SOMEONE IS FOUND INCOMPETENT IT MEANS THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL PROCEEDINGS. THEY CANNOT MEANINGFULLY ASSIST COUNCIL IN REPRESENTING THEM.

SOMEONE CAN BE SEVERELY MENTALLY ILL AND SUFFER DELUSIONS ABLE TO ASSIST AND BE PRESENT SO IT IS A LEVEL OF SIGNIFICANT EFFECT IN THE ABILITY TO PARTICIPATE SO EVERYTHING STOPS. THERE ARE MECHANISMS IN PLACE AND WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD. WE CANNOT HEAR FROM AN INCOMPETENT PERSON

[03:00:03]

SOMEONE MAY BE PSYCHOTIC AND HAVE DELUSIONS, SOME FOLKS MAY HAVE DEMENTIA, SOME FOLKS MIGHT BE DISABLED AND HAVE THE INABILITY TO UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE AN INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT WORKS WITH THE POPULATION AND I WANT TO COMMEND MS. MILLS AND NAME ], FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THEY DID TO DIG IN AND VISIT WITH EACH OTHER AND WITH US TO PROVIDE THIS REPORT AND SHED LIGHT ON WHAT WE DO. THE URGENCY OF SOME OF THE DELAYS THAT HAPPEN IN THIS PROCESS ARE EXPOUNDED NOT JUST BECAUSE IT'S CRITICAL FOR BOTH SIDES TO GET JUSTICE LIKE WITH ANY CASE, INCLUDING FOLKS IN CUSTODY, BUT THE POPULATION WHO IS INCOMPETENT IS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE AND HAS HIGH NEEDS.

POTENTIALLY THAT CAN BE SEEN AS ADDING TO THE URGENCY FOR ALL THESE ISSUES. THERE ARE TWO THINGS POINTED OUT IN THE REPORT THAT I WANTED TO CAST LIGHT ON, ONE IS THE JBCR PROGRAM. THERE WAS A TIME PERIOD DURING COVID WHERE PEOPLE WERE WAITING UP TO TWO YEARS TO GET TO A STATE HOSPITAL. SO THAT HAS BEEN REDUCED TO UNDER ONE YEAR BY THAT IS STILL A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, THE JBCR PROGRAM BEATS THAT AS FAR AS HOW QUICKLY THEY CAN GIVE SOMEBODY THE CARE THEY NEED AND THAT IS HELPFUL, IT ALSO MEANS THEY STAY CLOSE TO HOME. THE PROCESS IF SOMEONE IS TO GET SHIPPED OUT IS TO BRING THEM BACK, MAYBE BENCH WARRANT BACK, MAYBE THEY GET RELEASED AND COME BACK TO THE COURT BUT WE HAVE TO BRING THEM BACK FOR PROCEEDINGS AND THAT CAN TAKE TIME. THE DELICACY WHEN SOMEONE HAS BEEN RESTORED AS HIGH. ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IDENTIFIED IS FOR CARE WORKERS AND ADDITIONAL MEDICAL STAFF AT THE HARRIS CENTER TO ASSIST IN MAINTAINING COMPETENCY ONCE IT HAS BEEN RESTORED. DIGGING INTO THOSE NEEDS IS A WORTHWHILE VENTURE FOR YOU ALL , BUT THERE'S ALSO OPPORTUNITY BEFORE A PERSON IS RESTORED AT JBCR IN THE HOSPITAL MEDICATION AND TREATMENT, COMPANY TO MEET YOUR MEDICALLY STABLE AND ALSO THAT YOU UNDERSTAND SO HAVING RESOURCES IN PLACE WHERE YOU'RE NOT WAITING UNTIL YOU GET A BED AT JBCR TO EDUCATE OR STABILIZE TO BE REDUCED EVEN LOWER THAN WHAT WE HAVE NOW WITH VERY SUCCESSFUL AND IMPORTANT JBCR PROGRAMMING. IDENTIFYING A FOR SUPPORT EXPANSION IN THE OUTPATIENT COMPETENCY PROGRAM COULD BE A GREAT BENEFIT TO FOLKS NOT HAVING TO WAIT IN JAIL. THERE'S LOTS OF CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE MADE IN THAT DECISION BUT INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, THERE IS ALWAYS FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE HOMES OR A WAY TO GET A MEDICAL APPOINTMENT, FOLKS WHO DON'T HAVE A CARE TEAM THAT IF THEY HAD THOSE THINGS THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO BE OUT OF THE JAIL. I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THOSE SUCCESSES. I THINK THOSE ARE THE MAIN AREAS. JBCR HAS BEEN IN A CREDIBLE RESOURCE FOR THE PROGRAM, EXPANSION OF CAPACITY OF THE TEAM WHO HANDLES THIS POPULATION TO DO MORE SERVICES BEFORE AND AFTER THE PROGRAM, AS WELL AS SOMETHING COMING UP IN A COUPLE WEEKS. SOMETIMES WE HAVE A STATE JAIL FELONY OR THIRD-DEGREE , IT DOES NOT EVEN GET TO THE COMPETENCY DOCKET UNTIL SIX MONTHS AFTER THE CASE HAS BEEN FILED. SIX MONTHS IS UNACCEPTABLE IN A REGULAR CASE BECAUSE THAT'S THE MINIMUM SENTENCE YOU SERVE AS GUILTY. A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS GET A MISDEMEANOR OFFER OR PROBATION OFFER BECAUSE THEY ARE COMPETENT IT'S NOT ON THE TABLE SO IT DELAYS. ONE OF THE THINGS CAUSING THE DELAY IS INADEQUATE STAFFING IN THE HARRIS CENTER TO COMPLETE ASSESSMENTS. MENTAL HEALTH IS A CRISIS. POPULATION IN NEED IS EXPANDING AND WE DO NEED ADEQUATE STAFF FOR THE COURT TO BE INFORMED WHEN SOMEONE IS INCOMPETENT SO THE RESTORATION PROCESS CAN START SOONER RATHER THAN LATER AND THE SIX-MONTH STARTING POINT IS A TRAGEDY. SO I WANT TO BRING IT UP, I KNOW DIRECTOR WOODS WILL BRING IT UP NEXT CYCLE AND THERE IS THE BEFORE, DURING AND THEN DURING DURING THAT ARE OPPORTUNITIES TO ADDRESS THIS LENGTH OF STAY AND THE TIME PEOPLE HAVE BEFORE JUSTICE COMES ON BOTH SIDES.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. I AM ALWAYS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON THE PROGRAM, ON WHAT WE DO SO YOU CAN MAKE YOUR DECISIONS APPROPRIATELY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

[03:05:04]

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR REACHING OUT AND ACTIVELY ENGAGING IN HELPING TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEMS AND ALSO WHEN WE COME WITH THESE PROBLEMS HAVING A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT TOWARD SOLVING THOSE PROBLEMS. THE CASE WAS IDENTIFIED AND WE WERE ABLE TO TAKE ACTION WHEN IT CAME AS A DIRECT BYPRODUCT OF US SITTING AT THE TABLE, LOOKING OVER INFORMATION AND COMING UP WITH WAYS TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS. WE WANT TO GET RID OF JAIL OUTSOURCING BECAUSE IT SLOWS DOWN THE PROCESS, BUT THERE ARE THINGS THE JUDGES HAVE MENTIONED THAT I DON'T THINK IT'S THE LEVEL OF ATTENTION IT NEEDS. WHEN SOMEONE COMES INTO CORE IF THERE'S ANY INDICATION THIS PERSON IS NOT COMPETENT THEY HAVE TO GET AN EXAM AND UNTIL THAT COMES BACK EVEN TRESPASS OR SOMETHING I WOULD GENERALLY BE ABLE TO HAVE A CASE RESOLVED AND THERE NO LONGER THERE I CANNOT UNTIL THE EVALUATION COMES BACK. SO IF IT TAKES BECAUSE ORIGINALLY WE HAD 6.5 CONDITIONS, NOW WE ARE DOWN TO TWO. IT IS TAKING SIX MONTHS EVEN ON THE MOST LOWEST LEVEL CASES TO GET THE EVALUATION DONE. IF YOU LOOK AT THE TIMES WE TALK ABOUT REDUCTION OF FIVE DAYS COULD HELP RELIEVE 16% OF OUTSOURCING . LOOK AT THE NUMBERS WE HAVE , THE PEOPLE WE HAVE IN JAIL JUST WAITING IN EVALUATION WHEN THE CASES COME BACK CAN HELP GET TO THE NUMBER AND HELP US KEEP ALL RESIDENCE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND STOP SPENDING MONEY IN OTHER COUNTIES AND THEN LOOKING AT NOT JUST IDENTIFICATION OF THE PEOPLE CHARGED BUT THE PART IS VERY IMPORTANT IF WE GO BACK 25 DAYS OR 25 BEDS AVAILABLE THAN THE STATE JAIL HOSPITAL, ALL THOSE PEOPLE WAITING WOULD BE OUT OF THE BEDS WHICH DRIVES UP NUMBERS. IN TALKING WITH PARTNERS AT THE JAIL, SOME OF THE PEOPLE WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE CREATING OR THEY HAVE HIGH STAFFING NEEDS, THEY HAVE MORE NEEDS THAN THE AVERAGE PERSON INCARCERATED PRETRIAL. IF WE ARE ABLE TO GET SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE INTO ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE MORE CONDUCIVE TO THE PRODUCTIVITY THEN WE END UP IN A SPACE WHERE WE WANT TO TAP RESOURCES OF THE JAIL QUITE AS MUCH. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF THINGS WE CAN DO, BUT THUS WE ARE SENDING THE ALARMS AS IT RELATES TO STAFFING ISSUES. CLINICIANS, WE ARE DOWN TO TWO AND WE MAY BE DOWN TO ONE NEXT MONTH. IF WE HAVE ONE CLINICIAN DOING TEST AND FOR THE PHONE RECORDS OUR GOAL IS TO HELP THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. I CHEER ON OUR COLLEAGUES BECAUSE DESPITE THE CONDITIONS THE COURTS HAVE A CLEARANCE RATE OF 105% OVER 100% WHILE OVER ONE YEAR AS IT RELATES TO WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO DO. WE CANNOT DO THAT IF WE CAN'T GET THE EVALUATIONS DONE AND THE NUMBERS GO UP CREATING MORE PROBLEMS, MORE CASES AND UNDERMINING SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ARE HERE, WE ARE OPEN TO ANY QUESTIONS. WE HAVE TAKEN THE APPROACH I DON'T MIND BEING CALLED OUT ON SOMETHING I HAVE DONE WRONG OR SOMETHING NOT WORKING BECAUSE IF I SWEEP IT UNDER THE RUG IT NEVER GETS FIXED. SO WE WILL ANSWER QUESTIONS. IF THERE ARE THINGS TO BE FIXED WE WILL SIT AT THE TABLE AND HELP FIX THEM BUT WE ALL WANT TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE. THESE ARE IDEAS WE HAVE AND WE ARE READY FOR ANY QUESTIONS. TRANSPARENCY

BREEDS PROGRESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> FIRST OF ALL, MS. MILLS YOU'RE A TREMENDOUS BLESSING TO HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. JUDGE THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR BEING ALL IN AND WORKING ON THIS FOR MONTHS. I APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP TO MY CORE BECAUSE I KNOW THE JAIL IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR ALL OF US AND IT IS A TRAGEDY AND A TRAVESTY SO I AM SO THANKFUL. THESE JUDGES ARE NOT ONLY LEADING ON THE JAIL ISSUE, THEIR LEADING ON THE INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION, LANGUAGE ACCESS, YOU EMBODY THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS AND DEFENDANTS AND FOR ALL WHO WORK IN THE JAIL AND IN THE COURTS SO THANK YOU. I AM ALL INCOME

[03:10:03]

GRATITUDE. >> JUDGE, JUDGE DR. MILLS, AS WELL. COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID IT WELL AND I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING JUDGE, THINK OF HER LEVERAGING YOUR EXPERIENCE FROM THE BENCH, IT HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL. WE HAVE MISSED YOU HERE SO I APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION. DR. MILLS THANK YOU FOR GETTING TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS. BUT, JUDGES, I CANNOT OVER EMPHASIZE HOW PROUD I AM FOR YOU ALL WILLING TO STEP UP. I BELIEVE YOU WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO PARTICIPATE. WE ARE LOOKING FOR, AT MINIMUM THREE AS MANY AS SIX, THAT'S THE NUMBER THAT HAVE BEEN TOLD ARE LOOKING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PILOT PROJECT. SIX, YEAH. I KNOW YOU WILL ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO COME ALONG AND PARTICIPATE. THE , YOU KNOW, 30 DAYS IN CUSTODY WAS MY AVERAGE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS APPROPRIATE , IF YOU WILL, BUT OVER ONE YEAR, ABSOLUTELY IS WRONG. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO PARTICIPATE AND LEVERAGE YOUR PLATFORM TO HELP US GET TO A BETTER PLACE. THE MONEY WE ARE SPENDING ON OUTSOURCING CAN GO TO OTHER MORE VIABLE COMMUNITY CENTRIC PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS AND WE'VE GOT TO SAY THAT MONEY AND WE CAN DO IT, BUT IT DOES NOT HAPPEN WITHOUT YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PARTICIPATION. SO I AM VERY EXCITED YOU ARE WILLING TO COME FORWARD AND SUPPORT THIS EFFORT AND GLAD THESE RECOMMENDATIONS COME FORWARD. VERY VERY EXCITED, SO THANK YOU AND AGAIN FOR YOUR STAFF HELPING TO NAVIGATE THIS

FORWARD, VERY EXCITING. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I WANT TO ADD MY APPRECIATION TO JUDGE BLESSED TO HAVE THIS FEDERAL MONEY COME TO US FOR CREATING PROGRAMS LIKE THIS. THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE SHOULD OF BEEN DOING ANYWAY. WITH EFFECTIVE USE AND STRATEGY TO SAFELY MOVE THE PROCESS. I KNOW BUDGET MANAGEMENT WILL DO WHAT THEY CAN LOOKING FOR MONEY. WILL MAKE DECISIONS IN THE NOT TOO DISTANT FUTURE ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND AND IT WILL BE SUPPORTIVE. IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO GO TO THE WISHLIST CAN MOVE AROUND, AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE THE MONEY. WE KNEW THE FEDERAL MONEY WOULD GO AWAY WHEN IT CAME IN AND WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE IT. IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE LEADERSHIP WE HAVE IN WASHINGTON D.C., BUT THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE 22 MINUTE PRESENTATION. I REALIZE IT COULD HAVE BEEN LONGER, BUT THAT WAS GOOD. THE DATA IS IMPORTANT. IT'S HARD TO MAKE

[03:15:01]

>> WITHIN HARRIS HEALTH. ORIGINALLY THEY HAD ] SMOKE THEY USED TO HAVE SIX AND THEY ARE DOWN TO TWO? WHY

ARE THEY DOWN TO TWO? >> THERE IS A LAWSUIT IN A DIFFERENT COUNTY THAT REQUIRED THEM TO HIRE CLINICIANS, WITH THEY DID TO TRACK WAS SIGNIFICANTLY RAISING THE PAY RATE NOW THEY ARE APPROACHING CLINICIANS FROM ALL OVER AND GIVEN WHAT THEY PAY VERSUS WHAT HARRIS COUNTY PAYS, IT IS APPLES TO ORANGES. IF AFTER DUE FIVE EVALUATIONS SOMEWHERE ELSE ONLINE AND THEY GET PAID $30,000 MORE THEY ARE NOT INCLINED TO STAY AND DO IT FOR HARRIS COUNTY WHERE THEY HAVE MORE EVALUATIONS AND THEY MAKE LESS MONEY. THEY ARE LEAVING AND I GUESS THIS IS THE ALARM BELL TO ME BECAUSE I HAVE SAT IN YOUR OFFICE AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE ISSUES. WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO GET TO A PLACE TO REDUCE THOSE NUMBERS IN THE BACKLOG SO IF WE COME NEXT MONTH AND SAY WE ARE DOWN TO ONE CLINICIAN FOR ALL THESE EVALUATIONS SO I CANNOT PROCESS ANYTHING I FEEL LIKE IT UNDERCUTS THE WORK ALL OF US HAVE PUT IN TO GET THE COUNTY MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO SOMEONE COMING TO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH A RECOMMENDATION TO EITHER ADD MORE CONDITIONS, INCREASE THE PAY , WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT SOLUTIONS, I KNOW WE JUST ADDED, TODAY WE HAVE ALREADY VOTED ON ADDING NUMEROUS PEOPLE SPENDING ARPA MONEY. I WOULD RATHER SPEND THAT ON CLINICIANS RATHER THAN SOME OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING ARPA MONEY ON. YOU ALL HAVE CLEARLY CONNECTED THE DOTS BETWEEN WHAT COULD HAPPEN WITH MORE CLINICIANS AND IF IT IS A PAY ISSUE I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD COME TO COURT AND ASK US FOR A SPECIFIC , WE NEED TO INCREASE THIS MUCH AND ADD THOSE POSITIONS. I THINK YOU WOULD FIND ENCOURAGEMENT FROM WHAT WE HEARD TODAY BECAUSE YOU PROVIDED DATA THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO MAKE A GOOD DECISION.

>> COMMISSIONER, THE JULY COURT WILL HAVE A RECOMMENDATION , DIRECTOR WOODS WILL BE COMING WITH THAT. WE DID NOT GET IT IN, IN TIME FOR THIS COURT, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OMB FOR THAT REQUEST AND THEN IN JULY IT WILL COME WITH SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS AROUND WHAT IS A PILOT TO HELP REDUCE THE OVERALL GENERAL POPULATION. AND ALSO WORK WITH OMB ON THE FUNDING FOR THE JBCR FSP BROUGHT TODAY. ALL OF THOSE WILL COME, THE MATH HAS BEEN DONE, WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED AND WE WILL BRING SPECIFIC REQUESTS IN JULY. THANK YOU.

>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AS WELL. IT REALLY IS A TEAM

EFFORT. >> IS GOING TO POINT TO RICHARD AND SAY HE WILL BE HERE NEXT MONTH WITH A REQUEST GOING OVER NUMBERS. WE DON'T WISH HER TIME IF WE DON'T HAVE THE

SOLUTIONS INCLUDING NUMBERS >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR HUMILITY WORKING IN AND DIGGING AND DOING THIS FOR THE BETTERMENT OF THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS IS IMPORTANT. IT REALLY IS TRAGIC. VICTIMS, PERPETRATORS BE THEY ARE INNOCENT. WHICHEVER WAY YOU SLICE IT, BUT THE TRUTH IS NOBODY REALIZED THIS 18 YEARS SO I AM GRATEFUL AND ADMINISTER FOR TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY. THIS REQUEST I HAVE HAD MANY YEARS AND YOU DID TURN YOUR FOCUS AND FOUND DIR. MILLS. THANK YOU ALL AND THE SAME GOES TO YOUR. CALL ME OR WRITE TO ME ANYTIME.

>> IF I MAY, DIR. MILLS , AGAIN I CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. I WAS AFRAID YOU WERE WRITING A BOOK RATHER THAN SOLVING A PROBLEM , BUT THANK YOU. TO THAT END, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT PRETRIAL POPULATION IS NEXT ON YOUR LIST AND THEN , THE OTHER IS TO HELP IDENTIFY ANY OTHER PERIPHERAL

[03:20:08]

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, YES,.

>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? >> I DON'T THINK SO. SOME MOTIONS WERE SENT AROUND, I THINK WE ARE GOOD.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON THE OTHER ITEM WE ARE TAKING WITH THIS ONE ABOUT THE GENERATORS. ANY QUESTIONS ON

THAT? >> THAT IS PRETTY SIMPLE. IT GETS BACK TO THE BASICS. WE CLEARLY HAVE CLOSE TO 10,000 PEOPLE AT RISK WHEN WE HAVE A STORM EVENT. WHEN I CALLED THOSE PEOPLE THAT PROVIDE THE POWER IN THE GREATER AREA, I ASK THEM, TELL ME ONE OF THE VULNERABLE AREAS AND DID NOT HESITATE AND SAID THE COUNTY JAIL. SHAME ON ALL OF US IF WE DON'T LOOK AT THE GENERATORS AT THE JAIL BECAUSE WE KNOW THERE'S GOING TO BE ANOTHER STORM. WE KNOW WE WILL BE KNOCKED OUT OF POWER. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ONE STORM THIS YEAR WITH 1 MILLION PEOPLE OUT OF POWER. SO I WOULD ASK, MY MOTION IS TO ASK THE COUNTY ENGINEER STARTING WITH THE JAIL TO EVALUATE THOSE GENERATORS IF WE NEED TO UPGRADE SIGNIFICANTLY TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME ASSURANCE THAT WE DON'T HAVE 10,000 PEOPLE WITHOUT POWER. I CAN BEGIN TO IMAGINE NO POWER IN THE JAIL WITH 10,000. NOT JUST AIR-CONDITIONING, BUT ALL THE SECURITY THINGS, THE PROTECTION. THE HEALTH. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO ASK THE COUNTY ENGINEER STARTING WITH THE JAIL TO EVALUATE COUNTY FACILITIES IN TERMS OF GENERATORS AND WHAT RECOMMENDATIONS HE WOULD HAVE TO GET THOSE UP TO STANDARD.

>> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE DR. RAMAN AND CHIEF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH GOOD NEWS ON THE JAIL GENERATORS.

>> THAT AFTERNOON COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS . I WANTED TO UPDATE YOU, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR APPROVING THE GENERATORS IN THE LAST COURT. PART OF THAT $110 MILLION CAPITAL PROJECT APPROVED IN THE LAST COURT IMPROVES FOUR JANITORS, TWO AT 1200 BACKER AND ONE OF THEM AT 3007 BACKER AND WE HAVE ANOTHER ONE. SORRY. 1201 COMMERCE FACILITY. OUR 701 FACILITY HAD NEW GENERATORS INSTALLED LAST YEAR AND GPC IS RAN BY THE CENTRAL PLAN. SO WITH THIS WE WILL HAVE THE REDUNDANCY AND RESILIENCE IN TERMS OF POWER.

>> THANK YOU, WHEN WILL THE GENERATORS BE IN PLACE?

>> THE GOAL IS TO HAVE THEM IN PLACE WITHIN THE NEXT 12 TO 20

MONTHS. >> SO WITHIN A YEAR OF FEELING BETTER ABOUT THE JAIL, THE GOOD NEWS, WE HAVE GOT THEM ORDERED.

I WOULD SEE IF THERE'S ANY WAY TO EXPEDITE TO GET THE

GENERATORS IN PLACE. >> ABSOLUTELY. THE PROJECT TEAM LOOKING INTO IT THAT'S GOING TO BE TO SEE IF WE CAN PAY SOME

EXTRA FEE TO GET IT QUICKER. >> THANK YOU FOR ANTICIPATING THE QUESTION BEFORE IT IS EVEN ASKED.

>> SO WE DON'T NEED THE MOTION. OKAY.

>> YES, I WOULD STILL THINK THE REST OF THE FACILITIES WE HAVE BECAUSE WE GO THROUGH A STORM AND WE NEED COOLING CENTERS AND OTHER THINGS. THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME LEVEL OF COMFORT THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY.

>> WHAT'S THE MOTION? >> EVALUATE ALL COUNTY FACILITIES. IN TERMS OF THE BACKUP POWER GENERATORS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON UPGRADES OR REPLACEMENT.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> AS THE ADMINISTRATOR AND

[03:25:07]

BANDWIDTH, TIMELINE. >> YOUR STAFF WILL BE DOING THE

WORK. >> YES. WE FEEL WE CAN DO IT IN ABOUT 12 MONTHS. ONE THING WE NEED CLARIFYING HIS VERIFICATION , AT THIS POINT COUNTY ENGINEERING MANAGERS SEVEN GENERATORS IN THE SOUTHERN ARE MANAGED BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE IN TERMS OF MAINTAINING. I WANT TO MAKE CLARIFICATION , DOES THE MOTION INCLUDE ALL COUNTY FACILITIES?

>> I TRUST YOUR DISCERNMENT ON PRIORITIES RELATED TO THESE. I KNOW SOME OF THESE FACILITIES ARE UNDER WORKING WITHIN THE PRECINCT, WORKING WITH A DIFFERENT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, SO THE BEST WE CAN TRY TO IDENTIFY THOSE AREAS. PROBABLY STARTING WITH POTENTIAL COOLING CENTERS THAT MIGHT END UP IN COOLING CENTERS AS YOUR FIRST LEVEL OF FOCUS. THAT COULD BE COMMUNITY CENTERS, LIBRARIES, IT COULD BE THOSE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC DURING TIMES OF EMERGENCY.

>> THANK YOU. >> WE WILL KEEP IT TO EVALUATE ALL COUNTY FACILITIES IN TERMS OF BACKUP POWER GENERATORS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON REPLACEMENT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. >> CLARIFICATION ITEM 329.

>> FOR THE JAIL WE HAVE A FEW MOTIONS. SO, DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO WORK WITH DISTRICT COURT JUDGES TO EVALUATE POSSIBILITY OF CREATING A FULL-TIME FULLY RESOURCED COMPETENCY RESTORATION DOCKET AND TO RETURN WITH A RECOMMENDATION FOR CONSIDERATION BY COMMISSIONER COURT WITHIN 45 DAYS. ADDITIONALLY TO DIRECT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO WORK TOGETHER TO IDENTIFY FUNDING OF $998,240 AND TO RETURN RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CONSIDERATION WITHIN 30 DAYS TO ABSORB THE MONEY LOST IN ARPA FUNDING FOR THE JBCR PROGRAM TO ADD CARE COORDINATORS TO THE SINGLE PORTAL AUTHORITY TO STREAM AND REQUEST AND RESOURCES FROM JUDGES. TO ADD PSYCHIATRIC DOCTOR AND NURSE , THE FORENSIC SINGLE AUTHORITY FOR MANAGEMENT ON THE HOSPITAL WAITLIST AND THOSE RETURNING AND TO IMPROVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAINTAIN COMPETENCY. SO INDIVIDUALS CAN SEE QUICKER DISPOSITION OF THEIR LEGAL

CASES. A MOTION? >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO RELIEVED WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. SO THEN NEXT.

>> BEFORE WE GO TO THE NEXT ITEM, IF WE GO BACK TO ITEM 12.

I THINK WE WANTED TO CLARIFY COMMENTS.

>> ITEM 12 ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE ON EMPOWERING WOMEN.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'M SORRY JUDGE. YOU ASKED ABOUT THE RFP AND THE BID PROCESS, I WAS INCORRECT IN WHAT I STATED.

WE DID A LARGER RFP PRIOR TO A DIFFERENT PROJECT, BUT THIS ONE WE PROVIDED GUIDANCE TO PUBLIC HEALTH AS A SUB RECIPIENT AWARD. THEY WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH INTERNAL PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO SELECT A VENDOR THROUGH THEIR PROCESS BECAUSE IT WAS NOT REQUIRED BY STATE STATUTE TO BID THE SERVICE. I WANTED TO CLARIFY, THAT MAY NOT CHANGE YOUR DECISION BUT IT DID NOT GO THROUGH MY OFFICE, NOT MY RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD THAT INDIVIDUAL. I WANTED TO CLARIFY.

>> DOES NOT CHANGE. THANK YOU.

>> YES SIR. >> OKAY AND THEN LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 19. POSSIBLE FROM KORN FERRY, THAT IS THE ONE THAT WE ARE TAKING, IT WILL BE 19 AND 433 RELATED TO EXECUTIVE PAY AND PAY EQUITY AND DEPARTMENT HEAD PERFORMANCE EVALUATION.

THEY ARE ALL RELATED TO THE COUNTY SYSTEMS. DO YOU GUYS

[03:30:04]

>> YES JUDGE THAT WOULD BE GREAT. WE HAVE OUR REPRESENTATIVE FROM KORN FERRY BE ON THE LINE, MAKING A PRESENTATION WITH A POWERPOINT PRESENTATION FOR OPEN COURT TO TALK ABOUT THE PROCESS AND METHODOLOGY THAT HE USED. WHEN WE GET TO THE PORTION WHERE WE ARE IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION FOR PAY , FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WE WOULD HAS TO TAKE IT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION SO THAT CAN HAPPEN BACK THERE BEFORE YOU MAKE A DECISION, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> YES I AM HERE. CAN YOU HEAR ME OKAY?

>> YES, THANK YOU. CAN YOU PUT UP THE SLIDES TO SHARE THAT CONTENT. LET THEM KNOW WHEN YOU NEED A NEW SLIDE.

>> OKAY, PERFECT. GREAT, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I AM A PRINCIPAL AT KORN FERRY, FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW COURT VERY IS A ORGANIZATIONAL CONSULTING FIRM SPECIALIZES IN ANYTHING AROUND PEOPLE, PRIMARILY COMPENSATION, CAREER PATH, JOB ARCHITECTURE. SALES COMPENSATION DESIGN, VALUE PROPOSITION. ANYTHING AROUND PEOPLE IN THE ORGANIZATION IS WHAT WE DO AND HOW WE WORK WITH CLIENTS. HAPPY TO KIND OF WALK THROUGH THIS AND LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS IN TERMS OF THIS STUDY. NEXT SLIDE. FIRST LOOKING TO GIVE A BACKGROUND ON METHODOLOGY AND HOW WE HELP TO DETERMINE AND INFLUENCE PAY OR INFORM PAY AND THEN WE WILL GET INTO THE COMPENSATION ANALYSIS PORTION AND SOME OF THE FINANCE. NEXT SLIDE. SO, OVER THE LAST TWO OR THREE MONTHS , GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS KIND OF THE FLOW OF WHAT WE WENT THROUGH. SO, WE MET WITH KIND OF AN OBJECTIVE PROJECT TEAM , AS WELL AS KEY STAKEHOLDERS. AND, WE RECEIVED A LOT OF JOB DOCUMENTATION, JOB DESCRIPTIONS, ORG CHARTS, SALARY INFORMATION, WE ALSO SCHEDULED INTERVIEWS WITH ALL 17 EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. 16 ARE SITTING AND ONE IN TURN, 17 FOLKS. WE MET WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM 45 MINUTES EACH. WE TOOK THE INFORMATION AND EVALUATED THE JOBS SO WITHOUT LOOKING AT COMPENSATION I WILL GET INTO MORE DETAIL ABOUT THAT. WE TOOK A CRITERIA AND WENT TO THE MARKET AND COMPARED JOBS AND CONTENT AND COMPARED THAT TO THE MARKET. AND THEN WE ALSO BUILT A SALARY STRUCTURE. YOU GUYS CURRENTLY HAVE A SALARY STRUCTURE THAT HOUSES EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, BUT WE CREATED A NEW ONE WITH A FEW OPTIONS TO ENHANCE THAT AND PUT YOU IN A MORE COMPETITIVE POSITION. AND THEN ALSO WE ARE NOW DOING COMMUNICATIONS IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATING FINANCES , THAT'S THE FLOW OF THE PROJECT. IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. HERE ARE ALL OF THE WONDERFUL EMPLOYEES WE MET WITH. WE HAD GREAT CONVERSATIONS, LEARNED A LOT OF WONDERFUL THINGS ABOUT THE THINGS YOU GUYS ARE DOING. EACH EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IS THEIR OWN CEO ESSENTIALLY IS WHAT WE HAVE COME TO REALIZE AND ALL THE THINGS YOU GUYS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. THE CONVERSATIONS WERE AROUND , YOU KNOW, EACH INDIVIDUAL AND THEIR BACKGROUND, BUT ALSO WHAT YOU DOING ON A DAILY BASIS? WHAT ARE SOME LONG-TERM GOALS, WHAT'S A BUDGET YOU'RE MANAGING, WHAT'S THE CAPITAL BUDGET, WHAT ARE SPECIAL PROJECTS? WHAT ARE SOME QUALIFICATIONS TO BE SUCCESSFUL? WHAT TYPE OF ROLE IS REPORTED, ALL OF THAT WENT TO THE DISCUSSION WITH EACH MEMBER AND APPRECIATIVE OF EVERYBODY'S TIME AS THEY HELPED INFORM ONE DATA POINT OF THE ANALYSIS. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. JOB EVALUATION. KORN FERRY IS KNOWN FOR JOB EVALUATION. WE HAVE FIDELITY'S AND HOW WE LOOK AT IT AND THE

[03:35:06]

IN ADDITION IT ALSO GIVES INSIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING.

WAITING THE DESCRIPTION WE MIGHT HAVE QUESTIONS WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THIS OR WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? SO WE ARE ABLE TO GET THAT THROUGH THE INTERVIEW PROCESS. WE TAKE THAT AND MEASURE IT THROUGH JOB EVALUATION METHODOLOGY. SO TO ENHANCE, WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT COMPENSATION, THIS IS STRICTLY ABOUT WHAT IS THE JOB DOING, WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS? WHAT ARE THE DAILY OPERATIONS , WHO DO THEY REPORT TO AND SO WE PLUG IT IN TO OUR EVALUATION PROCESS AND THEN, THAT HELPS TO DETERMINE HOW BIG THE ROLE IS FROM A JOB LEVEL PERSPECTIVE.

SO THAT'S KIND OF THE FLOW OF HOW IT WORKS. GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. SO, HERE ARE THE , THE DIFFERENT LEVELS. CURRENTLY TODAY YOUR OPERATING AND HAVE ABOUT FIVE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. AND I BELIEVE COME I THINK WE WERE ABLE TO VALIDATE THERE ARE DIFFERENCES. BY DIFFERENT LEVELS EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE IS A EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, THERE ARE MORE , THERE ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS. OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEADERSHIP. SO I THINK WE ARE ABLE TO VALIDATE THAT. AND , PLACE ROLES AS THEY COMPARED TO EACH OTHER AND THAT'S WHAT WE

[03:40:03]

LEVELING GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO SIX. WE RARELY WILL SEE SIX.

SIX IS LIKE TO GIVE YOU CONTEXT, SIX IS LIKE FACTORY WORKERS, HIGH-VOLUME POSITIONS, ROLES THAT YOU ARE TOLD WHAT TO DO EVERYTHING ALL DAY. THERE IS NO LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITY, YOU DON'T NEED A BACHELORS DEGREE. FRESH OFF A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA, SOMETIMES NOT EVEN HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA. WHEREAS 20S ARE VPS, SENIOR DIRECTOR, DIRECTOR, SENIOR VP , THOSE POSITIONS JUST DEGREE GUYS CONTEXT AS IT RELATES TO OUTSIDE THE ORGANIZATION. AND INVALIDATING THE PROCESS, WE MET WITH TEAM TO VALIDATE AGAIN THE LEVELING. FOR EXAMPLE I WOULD SAY I BELIEVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH ROLE IS 24 AND THE QUESTION IS WHY, THEN I WILL EXPLAIN WHY. HERE IS MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE POSITION, THIS IS WHAT THE ROLE IS DOING AND I WOULD GET THE FEEDBACK FROM THIS INTERNAL PROJECT TEAM , COMPENSATION TEAM IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING AND MAKING SURE SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE VALIDATING. A VERY COLLABORATIVE APPROACH TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK ON HOW WE ARE THINKING. SO, HERE IS THE LEVELING AND THIS HELPS TO INFORM , THIS IS WHAT IT HELPED TO INFORM COMPENSATION. LET'S GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. COMPETITIVENESS. HERE IS HOW WE LOOK AT THE MARKET AND HEAR ARE SOME BASIC METHODOLOGY ON HOW WE LOOKED AT THE MARKET. SO YOU GUYS WILL HEAR THINGS LIKE 25, 50, 75 AND THAT MEANS THOSE ARE DIFFERENT MARKET POSITIONS. 25 MEANS IN LAYMAN'S TERM THE LOWER END OF THE MARKET WHERE 75 IS THE HIGHER END OF THE MARKET. 75 MEANS 75% YOU ARE PAID HIGHER THAN 75% OF YOUR COMPARED WITHIN THE MARKET. VERY HAS THEIR OWN PAY DATABASE THAT, OVER 200,000 PARTICIPANTS WILL PARTICIPATE ANNUALLY AND WE USED A DIFFERENT CUT AND THE REASON WHY, YOU CAN SEE USING ALL INDUSTRY IT IS INDUSTRY AGNOSTIC FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE AND WE WANT TO BE MORE GRANULAR LOOK AT BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICES COMPANIES AND PUBLIC SECTOR COMPANIES. WE ALSO LOOKED AT SPECIFIC FUNCTIONAL CUTS SO EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT, HUMAN RESOURCES, FINANCING AND ACCOUNTING, HUMAN RESOURCES WE LOOK AT THE VP OF HUMAN RESOURCES. WE WOULD NOT LOOK AT ALL INDUSTRY FOR HUMAN RESOURCES, WE LOOK AT ALL INDUSTRY THEN GET MORE GRANULAR AND SAY ALL INDUSTRY HUMAN RESOURCES AND EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT. THAT'S THE FLOW OF HOW IT WORKS. SAME WITH FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING, BUDGETING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND ALSO ENGINEERING. THOSE TYPES OF FUNCTIONS WERE SPECIFIC TO THOSE SPACES ANY OTHER REASON WHY GOING WITH THIS METHODOLOGY IS DURING THE INTERVIEW PROCESS AND UNDERSTANDING BACKGROUNDS OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS WHEN ONE QUESTION WE ASKED WAS WHO ARE THE , WHO ARE YOUR COMPETITORS. NOT JUST YOU COMPETE WITH FOR TALENT, BUT

[03:45:01]

AGAIN, FOR THE SAKE OF THIS CONVERSATION WE MADE SURE TO ACCOUNT FOR ALL COMPENSATION NUMBERS. FOR EXAMPLE IF IT SAYS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF TOLL ROADS SHOULD BE PAID $100,000 IN THE MARKET WE ADDED 9% COST OF LABOR AVERAGE BECAUSE WE SAID THE HEAD OF THE TOLL ROAD IN HOUSTON WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, SAME THING IF WE WERE IN CALIFORNIA WE WOULD ADD 20%. IF WE WERE IN ARKANSAS WE MIGHT GO UNDER 100% OF NATIONAL AVERAGE

DOWN TO 90%. >> CAN I INTERRUPT? CAN I GET YOU TO SPEED UP A LITTLE BIT? I KNOW WE ARE GETTING INTO SOME EXAMPLES, BUT WE HAVE BEEN AT IT 60 MINUTES AND WE HAVE A LOT

OF ITEMS TO STILL COVER. >> NEXT SLIDE PLEASE. HERE IS A RECOMMENDATION. GO AHEAD. IF YOU LOOK ON THE LEFT SIDE THIS IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE 50 MARKET MEDIAN. TO GIVE YOU PERSPECTIVE, YOU GUYS ARE SITTING , AT LEAST FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR PERSPECTIVE ON AVERAGE ON THE LOWER END WHICH MEANS NOT EVERY SINGLE ROW IS AT THE LOWER END OF THE MARKET COMPARISON. ON AVERAGE, IF WE PUT THESE ALTOGETHER IT IS TOWARD THE P 25. THIS RANGE LOOKING TO THE RIGHT RECOMMENDED, THAT IS THE RANGE WE ARE RECOMMENDING YOU GUYS ADOPT REPRESENTING AGAIN A MORE COMPETITIVE P 50 MARKET MEDIAN WHICH MEANS YOU ARE PAID RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF COMPANIES. ON THE LEFT SIDE CURRENT , THIS IS THE CURRENT RANGE RIGHT NOW.

AND THE RIGHT SIDE IS YOUR , IT IS OUR RECOMMENDATION. THIS IS ONE RECOMMENDATION. IF YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE , THIS IS THE SECOND RECOMMENDATION. THIS IS ASSUMING , OBVIOUSLY THERE IS COST TO BOTH , BUT OBVIOUSLY A LITTLE MORE COST TO THE P 50.

THIS IS REPRESENTING 225 AND THIS IS THE ENHANCEMENT, THE RANGES ARE LITTLE ENHANCED. FOR THE MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM MORE EVENLY DISTRIBUTED AND SO THIS IS KIND OF THE REPRESENTATION

[03:50:02]

VIEW OF THE CURRENT RANGES. >> THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE IT.

SO THAT IS AN OF THE PRESENTATION FOR OPEN COURT, THE COURT WANTS QUESTIONS OUT HERE OR YOU WANT TO GO TO

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

>> A REMINDER RELATED TO SCALE OR POLICY QUESTIONS, THOSE HAVE

TO BE DONE IN OPEN COURT. >> COULD WE DISCUSS RELATED ITEM FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS, 433 AND I THINK .

>> I HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR DELIVERING THIS PROGRESS AND TO THE CONTRARY TEAM, THANK YOU.

ADMINISTERED WHAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION BASED ON THIS

DATA? >> I THINK IF THE COURT WANTS TO BE VERY POSITIVE ABOUT RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE PAY, THEN 50TH 50TH PERCENTILE MAKES SENSE. IF THE COURT IS HAPPY WITH HOW THINGS ARE NOW AND DOES NOT FEEL THERE IS A THREAT THAT WE ARE LOSING EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS, THEN WE COULD STAY AT THE 25TH AT THE 25TH PERCENTILE WHERE WE ARE NOW. I THINK, IF YOU GO TO THE 50TH, THEN WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, LATER, THAT WILL START LATER THIS YEAR, THEN WE WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT 50TH PERCENTILE FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES NOT JUST THE EXECUTIVES.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR THE DATA. DID THIS INCLUDE BENEFITS?

>> NO SIR, ONLY PAY , DIRECT PAY.

>> I HAVE ONLY WORKED IN HARRIS COUNTY 40 YEARS. 40 YEARS I HAVE HEARD ONE OF THE REASONS YOU GO TO WORK AT HARRIS COUNTY IS THE BENEFITS. SO IT MAKES ZERO SENSE TO ME WHY ANYBODY WOULD DO A COMPENSATION STUDY AND NOT INCLUDE BENEFITS IN THE COMPENSATION. SO, I WOULD THINK IF YOU REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE COME TO WORK HERE OR LEAVE HERE, YOU BETTER START WITH THE BENEFITS AND THE FACT THAT YOU , NOT YOU, THE FACT THAT KORN FERRY DID NOT INCLUDE THAT IN THE ANALYSIS DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME. THAT IS ONE OF SEVERAL REASONS WHY, I DON'T THINK WE ARE PREPARED TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION TODAY. THE OTHER THING I WOULD SAY RECOGNIZING COMMISSIONER ELLIS 'S ITEM LATER ON. STARTING TOP DOWN, I THINK WE SHOULD START BOTTOM-UP. IF WE LOOK AT COMPENSATION, IF WE LOOK AT AND IF IT'S, WE NEED TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF THOSE BEFORE WE ARBITRARILY OR MAYBE EVEN CAPRICIOUSLY START DOWN THIS ROAD RELATED TO WHAT I WOULD THINK IS A HIGHLY GENERIC SALARY STUDY. WHEN I WAS IN BUSINESS, WE GOT ROUTINE UPDATES ON COMPENSATION STUDIES. FROM MANY DIFFERENT AGENCIES THAT, THEY REALLY, YOU JUST HAD THE MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATION AND YOU GOT IT. I KNOW WE PAID LARGE SUMS OF MONEY TO GET THE KORN FERRY STUDY. BEFORE WE BEGIN TO TAKE ACTION I REALLY THINK WE BETTER DO OUR HOMEWORK ON COMPENSATION WHICH INCLUDES BENEFITS BEFORE WE START MAKING THOSE DECISIONS, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> JUDGE I KNOW YOU WANT ME TO BE BRIEF.

>> LET'S TAKE A BREAK UNTIL

>>> OKAY 3:53 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> JUDGE , THANK YOU. I FIRST WANT TO SAY THAT I AM VERY

[03:55:03]

MORE THAN HALF OF HARRIS COUNTY WORKFORCE IS PAID UNDER $75,000 PER YEAR. OVER 1/5 OF THE EMPLOYEES EARNED BELOW $50,000 A YEAR. WHAT THAT MEANS, THE MAJORITY OF THE WORKERS AT THE LOWER END OF THE PAY SCALE AND UP BEING WOMEN OR PEOPLE OF COLOR. NOW I SUSPECT A LOT OF THEM STAY HERE BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS. BUT WE ARE NOT PAYING THEM NEARLY ENOUGH TO MAKE ENDS MEET AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO BOTH, BUT I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SOME DECISIONS ON HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND IN THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE SOMETIME THIS SUMMER. I REMEMBER WHEN I WOULD LISTEN TO THE PREACHER WHICH IS NOT BAD OFTEN, BUT A SERMON ALONG THE LINES OF EVERYBODY WANTS TO GET TO HEAVEN, BUT NOBODY WANTS TO DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO TO GET THERE. I DON'T THINK I NEED TO ELABORATE OTHER THAN MAKE THE POINT WE HAVE TO HAVE YOUR MONEY. I THINK IT IS SO EASY FOR PEOPLE IN OUR POSITION AND IN MY YEARS OF GOVERNMENT IT'S AMAZING HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE BRILLIANT IDEAS ON WHAT WE COULD DO, BUT WHEN IT WAS TIME TO COME UP WITH THE MONEY THEY WOULD SAY CUT SOMEBODY ELSE'S . THEN YOU GET THE INERTIA. SO I THINK THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T JUST TAKE CARE OF OUR GREAT PEOPLE AT THE TOP WHO HAVE TO RUN THESE ORGANIZATIONS AND CREATE MORE INEQUITY AND MORE FRICTION BETWEEN SOMEBODY RUNNING THE ORGANIZATION AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE TO HAVE DO THEIR JOBS EVERY DAY. IN ORDER FOR THE ORGANIZATION TO WORK. AND WE HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH OTHER PEOPLE ON COLA, LAST YEAR THE COURT PASSED A CRITICAL 7% COLA FOR ALL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES AND MADE CUMULATIVE ADJUSTMENTS OF 9.2% IN 2022. COUNTY COLA OF THE LAST YEAR WAS 2021 AT LEAST 10% . TRAVIS COUNTY 14.5, DALLAS COUNTY 13.3, BEAR COUNTY 10% , PLUS THE ADDITIONAL 5% IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 . SO JUST AS OUR COUNTY HAS GOOD BENEFITS, COUNTY GOVERNMENT IN GENERAL DOES MORE BENEFITS THAN STATE GOVERNMENT OR THE CITY'S IN MOST JURISDICTIONS. YOU SAW THAT EVEN IN TRAVIS COUNTY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE, WE DON'T DO SOMETHING AND CREATE MORE OF A SCHISM FOR FOLKS AT THE BOTTOM THAN WHAT WE ALREADY HAVE BECAUSE THEY WATCH WHAT WE DO , AS WELL. AND THEN WE HAVE OTHER PEOPLE. I AM SENSITIVE TO FOLKS IN THE ELECTED CLASS. ALL THE JUDGES CAME IN AND IT IS A SENSITIVE ISSUE FOR US AS WELL. IF WE WANT TO KEEP THE GOOD FOLKS PRESENT COMPANY EXCLUDED. IS ONLY PICKS US UP IN THE

[04:00:07]

BACK. >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO ENTER THAT, WHAT I HAD SAID AND CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. THE PAY EQUITY STUDY WE ARE EXPECTING THE CONTRACT WILL BE BACK ON THE AGENDA FOR JULY 15. I KNOW THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE HAS A LOT OF CONTRACTS THEY ARE WORKING ON.

>> TO DO THE STUDY. SO WHEN DO WE GET.

>> I WOULD SAY LIKE SIX MONTHS. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG TO DO THE FIRST PHASE IF ALL THEY FOCUS ON HIS PEOPLE UNDER

$51,000 FOR THE FIRST PHASE. >> YES, WE CAN MAKE SOME

PROGRESS . >> A LITTLE LOUDER.

>> SORRY. I THINK WITHIN SIX MONTHS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET A BIG PORTION DONE. A LOT OF THIS WILL TAKE ANTICIPATION BECAUSE WE HAVE TO GET JOB DESCRIPTIONS AND THINGS LIKE THAT. WE SHOULD GET A LARGE CHUNK OF THOSE DONE.

>> WHEN I LOOK AT THE REPORT YOU GAVE TO US, YOU MADE A RECOMMENDATION LOOKING AT THE PAY EQUITY AND I THINK THE LANGUAGE IS TO FOCUS ON PEOPLE THAT FALL IN THAT CATEGORY THAT I MADE REFERENCE TO FIRST CORRECT?

>> YES, UNDER 51,000 AT THE TIME IS WHAT WE WERE RECOMMENDING. REALLY THOSE OUTSIDE OF THE SALARY RANGE, NOT EVEN MAKING THE MINIMUM. TAKING SMALL BITES TO MAKE A

DENT IN THE PROGRESS. >> EVEN BEFORE THE STUDY DO YOU HAVE A ROUGH IDEA WHAT IT WILL COST? YOU HAVE A ROUGH BALLPARK

FIGURE? >> BACK THEN THIS WAS BEFORE 7% COLA. JUST FOR TACKLING THOSE INDIVIDUALS, THERE WAS 1500 OR SO THAT WAS $10 MILLION WHICH WE CALCULATED.

>> FOR THE EXECUTIVE PAY OPTION HOW MUCH WILL THAT COST?

>> A LITTLE OVER 1 MILLION. >> SO I AM AFRAID IF THE MILLION GOES FORWARD, HOW MUCH IS THE SHORTFALL FOR THE YEAR? WHAT DO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH?

>> THE DEFICIT IS 130 MILLION. >> THAT 130 MILLION INCLUDES 50 MILLION FOR THE PAY EQUITY STUDY.

>> OKAY, I WOULD FEEL BETTER IF WE DID IT AT THE SAME TIME. I HOPE WE WON'T LOSE ANYBODY BEFORE THEN, LOOK I KNOW WHAT IT WAS LIKE, TIMES IN MY LIFE WHEN I WAS ONE OF THE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T SAY IT YET TO WALK IN AND SMILE AND ACT LIKE IT DOES NOT MATTER BUT IT DOES. AND IT HAS A IMPACT ON WHETHER OR NOT YOU DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO TO MAKE THAT ORGANIZATION OPERATE THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD.

>> YES OR AND THAT'S WHY ONE OPTION FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION TIMELINE IF THE COURT CHOOSES TO INCREASE SALARIES FOR THE EXECUTIVES, ONE IS NEXT PAY PERIOD, ANOTHER IS EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, THE NEW FISCAL YEAR AND THE THIRD OPTION IS WAIT UNTIL WE GET THE PAY FOR THE FOLKS AT THE BOTTOM AND DO IT

AT THE SAME TIME. >> MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO DO

[04:05:04]

>> I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. I WANT TO ADD SOMETHING BEFORE WE GO AROUND ANOTHER TIME. THE TIMELINE, I HAVE REVIEWED A LITTLE BIT BUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS TALKING ABOUT. I MEAN, YOU WERE NOT HERE FOR A LOT OF THIS, BUT I DON'T IN 2019 COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD, 2019 AND 2020, YOU KNOW WE HAVE HAD SO MANY DIFFERENT ITEMS TO TRY TO HAVE THIS COMPENSATION STUDY AND THEN 2021. SO ANYWAY, ARE YOU ABLE TO SHINE A LIGHT FOR US A LITTLE BIT ON WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING, HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT AND I WANT TO SAY I VERY MUCH AGREE WITH WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THE BENEFITS AND

WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID. >> ON THE TIMING. ALL THE TIMES IT HAS COME TO COURT, EVEN LAST TIME IN MARCH WAS THE MONTH BEFORE I TOOK THIS ROLE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AFTER THAT, THE DECISION WAS MADE TO LOOK FOR ARPA FUNDING FOR THE STUDY.

SO I BELIEVE THERE WAS A LOT OF WORK DONE TO GET THE STUDY VETTED THROUGH THE STEERING COMMITTEE AND GETTING IT APPROVED AND GETTING THE FUNDING APPROVED AND IT WENT THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

>> YES THAT IS CORRECT. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I SHARE YOUR CONCERNS AND YOUR COMMITMENT. IN TERMS OF CONCERNS IN ADDITION TO THE TERRIBLE STATISTICS, YOU CITED ONE THAT CAPTURED ME IN THE MOST ACCEPTABLE. HALF OF THE EMPLOYEES IN HARRIS COUNTY, HALF EARNING LESS THAN $50,000 PER YEAR ARE BLACK AND LATINO WOMEN. AND I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS SINCE 2019 AND I JOINED THE PARTY IN 2023 AND I KNOW WE HAVE SET ASIDE $50 MILLION TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES TO THE PAY EQUITY STUDY AND TO ME THAT 50 MILLION IS SACRED. WE CANNOT GO DOWN THE ROAD AND SAY WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT THE FINDINGS. I AM DEEPLY TROUBLED , HOW LONG IT HAS TAKEN. I KNOW WE PASSED THE LATEST STUDY OCTOBER 2023 WHEN I WAS HERE AND TO THE CONTRACT STILL HAS NOT BEEN AWARDED AND YOU ARE SAYING WHEN IT IS IT WILL STILL TAKE SIX MONTHS FOR THE FIRST TRANCHE OF DATA, THE 51,000 AND UNDER INDIVIDUALS?

>> YES, TO GET A LARGE PORTION, OF COURSE WE GET THE JOB DESCRIPTION AND THINGS LIKE THAT FROM THE DEPARTMENT SOONER

WE CAN IMPLEMENT THAT. >> THIS IS ANOTHER EXTREMELY URGENT ISSUE. SO TO ME, WE NEED TO HAVE A FIRM COMMITMENT TO THE GREATEST DEGREE POSSIBLE WHEN WE WILL BE ABLE TO DELIVER THIS PROGRESS. I SEE IT AS BOTH AND, WE WERE CLEAR WITH YOU RECENTLY, DO THE 16, GET IT DONE QUICKLY, WE WANT TO DELIVER PROGRESS ON PAY EQUITY. LET'S DO IT FOR THE LEADERSHIP. MY HEART IS WITH THE LOWER PAID WORKERS AS SOMEBODY WHO USED TO WORK MULTIPLE PART-TIME JOBS PLUS FINANCIAL AID AND I WISH WE ALL HAD IT WRAPPED UP IN A BOW NOW.

I WANT TO THROW IT BACK TO YOU, MY FINAL POINT IS A QUESTION. I KNOW WE GIVE YOU CLEAR DIRECTION TO GET THE STUDY DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, TO MAKE IT RIGHT IN TERMS OF EQUITY FOR THESE PEOPLE AND WE GAVE THE MANDATE ALMOST ONE YEAR AGO FOR THE ALL EMPLOYEES WITH A SPECIAL FOCUS ON THE LOWER PAID. FROM YOUR VANTAGE POINT WHAT WOULD BE YOUR RECOMMENDATION IN TERMS OF ACTION AND TIMING YOU WOULD WANT US TO CONSIDER AT THIS POINT AND TIME?

>> I THINK WAITING UNTIL WE HAVE THE 51,000 THE $51,000 FOLKS , ALSO HAVE THE PAY EQUITY FOR THEM AND WAITING FOR LEADERSHIP TO GET THAT, TO ME IT MAKES SENSE. IT IS A MORALE ISSUE AND LEADERSHIP ISSUE. THERE IS A BOOK ON LEADERS EAT LAST AND I THINK IT'S TRUE AND WE SHOULD SHOW IT. SO I THINK THAT AT THE LEADERSHIP LEVEL, FOLKS HAVE A LOT OF WORK, THEY

[04:10:04]

>> THANK YOU. ON THE BENEFITS SO WE CAN LEVEL SET AND BE CLEAR MOVING FORWARD. WHY WERE BENEFITS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS KORN FERRY ANALYSIS AND WILL THEY BE INCLUDED IN THE PAY EQUITY ANALYSIS FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS?

>> THE PAY EQUITY ANALYSIS ARE THE BENEFITS INCLUDED OR NOT?

>> YES, THEY SHOULD BE INCLUDED.

>> OKAY GREAT. FOR THIS ANALYSIS, WE WERE WORKING QUICKLY, WE WERE GIVEN A SHORT TIMEFRAME FOR DELIVERY SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS DOABLE. WE WERE ALSO USING INTERNAL RESOURCES AND HR IN THE EXISTING CONTRACT THEY HAD SO WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS SOMETHING THAT THE METHODOLOGY COULD TAKE ON WELL. SINCE , THE WAY THEY DO METHODOLOGY AND THEY LOOK AT THE PAY, THEY ARE NOT LOOKING AT JUST COMPARING TO OTHER URBAN COUNTIES IN TEXAS OR LARGE URBAN COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE NATION. THEY ARE LOOKING PUBLIC SECTOR, PRIVATE SECTOR, STATE, FEDERAL, LOCAL. SO IT IS BIGGER, IT IS A BIGGER CATEGORY OF TYPES OF JOBS THEY ARE LOOKING AT FOR THE EXECUTIVE PAY. WHEN YOU LOOK AT BENEFITS ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR, IF WE ASKED FOR THEM TO LOOK AT ALL BENEFITS, THEN PRIVATE SECTOR GETS STOCK OPTIONS, ALL SORTS OF OTHER THINGS THAT ARE NOT A THING AT THE COUNTY SO THAT WOULD HAVE TAKEN LONGER TIME FOR KORN FERRY AND MORE MONEY FOR THEM TO TEASE THAT OUT. SINCE THIS HAPPENED IN APRIL OR MAY AND WE HAVE UNTIL JUNE 4, THE ORIGINAL DATE WE WERE GIVEN AND WE MET THAT DATE AND IT WAS JUST DELAYED FOR OTHER REASONS, WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS SOMETHING WE COULD GET DONE AND

THAT WAS REASONABLE. >> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> A COUPLE OF THINGS. I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD TAKE ACTION TODAY AS WE GO INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE. YOU MENTIONED EARLIER THAT OCTOBER 1 WOULD MAKE A LOT MORE SENSE. I THINK WE WILL NEED UNTIL OCTOBER 1 TWO FIGURE OUT THE DETAILS, PARTICULARLY IF YOU TAKE A BOTTOM-UP LOOK AT IT. THAT IS ONE. TWO, COMPENSATION. 1/3 OF THE COMPENSATION IS BENEFITS. I KNOW IT IS A LITTLE ANECDOTAL ON THE REASONS WHY PEOPLE COME TO WORK AT THE COUNTY, BUT I HAVE HAD LONG-TERM FRIENDS THAT TELL ME I WORK AT HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS. AND THE STOCK OPTIONS THEY CAN GET, ALL KINDS OF OTHER THINGS THEY CAN GET, BUT THEY WORK HERE AND STAY HERE BECAUSE OF THE BENEFITS. WE HAVE A STERNER A PENSION, HEALTH, A LOT OF OTHER BENEFITS. SO I THINK IT IS A MAJOR FLAW , BECAUSE OF THE URGENCY WE WILL LEAVE OUT PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THING TO DEAL WITH COMPENSATION IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE BENEFITS WHICH AGAIN MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. I THINK WE NEED UNTIL OCTOBER 1 TWO FIGURE OUT THE TOP, THE BOTTOM AND THE BENEFITS. AT THAT POINT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT DIRECTION SO WE CAN MAKE A DECISION, THAT WOULD BE MY

RECOMMENDATION. >> AS FAR AS WHEN THE COURT MAKES A DECISION THAT'S UP TO YOU, WE WERE DIRECTED TO BRING IT BACK-AND-FORTH THEN WE WOUND UP WITH LA SO JUNE 25 WAS THE NEXT ONE. SO THIS IS DEFINITELY YOUR CHOICE IF YOU WANT US TO BRING IT BACK WE ARE HAPPY TO.

>> I WAS TOLD TO DESIGN A BRIDGE ONE TIME IN A MONTH. I SAID YOU WANT THE BRIDGE TO STAND UP OR FALL DOWN? THEY SAID I WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO STAND UP AND I SAID OKAY I WILL NEED TWICE AS MUCH TIME. SO I THINK TO DO IT RIGHT, LET'S

TAKE THE TIME. >> UNDERSTOOD. THE ONLY OTHER THING ON BENEFITS AS I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE BENEFIT STRUCTURE BECAUSE AS WE SEE WITH THE YOUNGER GENERATIONS, THERE IS NOT THE SAME INTEREST IN BENEFITS, IT'S MORE ABOUT PORTABILITY OF BENEFITS, A DIFFERENT TYPE OF INTEREST, SO I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE COULD LOOK AT.

[04:15:02]

>> AGE 35 THEY BEGIN TO SAY THOSE BENEFITS ARE REALLY NICE.

UNDERSTOOD. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU FOR THE STUDY, FINALLY. IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST CONSULTED PRODUCTS WE HAVE HAD AND , BUT IT TAKES ME BACK TO A COUPLE THINGS. ONE WAS WHEN OUR SHERIFF , JUST AS THE SHERIFF'S CONTENDING WITH RETENTION AND IN THE JAIL IN PARTICULAR, WE HAVE DONE SOME THINGS TO SURE THAT UP. I PROPOSED A MULTI-YEAR PLAN TO HELP TO GET OUR GUYS AND GALS UP TO PARITY WITH THE REGION , THE MOST COMPETITIVE AGENCIES. AND A LITTLE BIT TO DR. MILLS COMMENT . WE ARE DOING A LOT OF STUDIES. WE CAN TAKE SOME ACTION. I BELIEVE, PROBABLY , DID NOT TURN INTO EMOTION, BUT I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT A MULTIYEAR PLAN TO RAISE SALARIES. AND, APPARENTLY COMMISSIONER ELLIS LAID OUT WE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATIONS ON THIS. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT NEVER MATERIALIZED INTO ACTION . NOT SURE IF THAT WAS UNDER TO PUT FORTH A PLAN TO MOVE US FORWARD SO WE CAN TAKE CARE OF OUR LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES AND LOOK , MY STAFF HAS WORKED HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH COMPRESSION AND COMPENSATION AND REWARDING EMPLOYEES. BUT WE ARE OBVIOUSLY GIVEN A FINITE NUMBER OF RESOURCES WHICH IS WHY A PUSH TO PUSH THE PRECINCT BUDGET SO CAN TAKE CARE OF THOSE OFFICES.

WE NEED TO HAVE THAT SAME TYPE OF THOUGHT FOR ALL EMPLOYEES.

WE DID NOT NEED THIS STUDY TO UNDERSTAND THAT. SO, I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHY WE CANNOT TAKE ACTION TODAY , TO START TO COMPENSATE OUR LOWER EMPLOYEES, AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND TAKE

CARE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. >> IF YOU WANT TO FUND A PERCENTAGE INCREASE, WE DON'T HAVE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THE FUNDING NOW. WE CAN LOOK AT IT, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT YOU CAN DIRECT US TO LOOK AT IT AND WHAT WE CAN AFFORD ON A ONGOING BASIS, THAT WILL TAKE RESOURCES FROM THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. IT WILL BE TAKING CREAM OFF THE TOP AND THAT'S FINE. SO YOU CAN DO THAT IF YOU WOULD LIKE.

THE ISSUE IS, IT WOULD BE ANOTHER COLA ACROSS THE BOARD WHICH IS FINE FOR THE LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES, BUT ALSO AT WHAT LEVEL? WHERE DO YOU GO? IT IS UNPLANNED AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE PAY EQUITY ISSUES RESOLVED. EVERYBODY UNTIL WHATEVER LEVEL YOU SET WOULD MOVE UP THE SAME AMOUNT SO WE WERE NOT ADDRESS PAY EQUITY WITH THAT AND WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE YET SO THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING, IF YOU WANTED IT, WE COULD MAKE IT HAPPEN, BUT I THINK WE WOULD WIND UP NOT REALLY SOLVING ANY OF THE BIG PROBLEMS THAT WE

HAVE SEEN WITH PAY EQUITY. >> I JUST WISH WE HAD BEEN THOUGHTFUL ABOUT MOVING FORWARD ON THIS, COLLECTIVELY. SO IT TOOK A STUDY AT THE EXECUTIVE LEVEL TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT LOWER PAID EMPLOYEES AND HOW TO BUDGET THAT. I KNOW I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT A MULTI-YEAR PLAN TO TAKE CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND GET THEM UP TO PARITY. I JUST REGRET THAT FOR WHATEVER REASON, WE JUST DID NOT DO IT.

>> THAT CAN KEPT GETTING KICKED DOWN THE ROAD, I AGREE. I UNDERSTAND THAT. I THINK NO MATTER WHAT IT'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE A MULTI-YEAR PROGRAM BECAUSE $50 MILLION SOUNDS LIKE A LOT, BUT IT'S GOING TO GET EATEN UP FAST. WE LOVE TO DO WITH PAY EQUITY, PAY PARITY, THERE ARE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE A

[04:20:04]

THERE ARE PRESSURES THROUGHOUT THE PAY SCALE. I THINK WHERE FOLKS HAVE THE MOST HEARTBURN AND EMPATHY ABOUT IT IS WITH WORKERS AT THE LOWER LEVELS BECAUSE WE KNOW IT IS SO HARD

TO MAKE ENDS MEET. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I WANTED TO MAKE THE POINT THAT EXECUTIVE PAY WAS INCLUDED IN THE ORIGINAL REQUEST FOR THEM TO DO A STUDY ON EQUITY.

IT WAS NOT FOR YOUR TASTE, LOWER INCOME PEOPLE, WE MADE A DECISION WE WANTED TO ACCELERATE THIS. ALSO I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT WOULD BE GREAT TO DO A MULTIYEAR COMMITMENT, BUT WE, THE FIVE OF US , WE ARE IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY WE WILL HAVE OR WILL NOT HAVE IN ORDER TO DO IT BECAUSE IF WE STARTED OFF SAYING WE HAVE $130 MILLION DEFICIT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH WE CAN'T JUST KEEP COMING UP WITH IDEAS AND PROGRAMS WE WANT TO FUND. SO WE HAVE TO MAKE A MULTIYEAR COMMITMENT. WE HAVE TO MAKE A MULTIYEAR COMMITMENT TO PAY FOR IT OR AS WE COME BACK WE HAVE GOT TO CUT SOMETHING AND FOR CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND OUR CONTROL WITH WHAT THE STATE DID WITH A CAP ON US, WE DID SOME THINGS THAT LOWERED OUR TAX RATE WHICH IS THE LOWEST IT HAS BEEN IN A VERY LONG TIME. AND THEN IT MAKES IT MORE DIFFICULT TO GO UP BECAUSE OF THE STATE STATUTE. SO CIRCUMSTANCES THAT CAME ALONG, WE HAVE TO MAKE THE TOUGH DECISIONS AND I WANT TO STRESS I WILL TAKE THE HEAT IF WE WANT TO DO THOSE THINGS AND WE WOULD BE WORSE OFF IF WE DID WHAT MOST OF OUR PEERS DID WITH FEDERAL MONEY AND PLUGGED IT IN TO TAKE CARE OF THINGS THEY HAD TO DO AND THEN THEY TRIED TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE CUTS. WE ARE LUCKY WE DID NOT DO THOSE.

>> I AGREE, I THINK COLA , EVEN ACROSS THE BOARD, I AM LOOKING AT THE ALMOST 40% RAISE. COLA IS $24,000 FOR PARKS CARETAKER COLA IS LESS THAN $3000 BECAUSE THEY MAKE A LOT LESS THAN EXECUTIVES. SO I THINK , PRIMARILY, WE NEED CONSISTENCY.

IT IS A SHAME WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO SO UNTIL NOW. I THINK IT WAS BEST INTENTIONS TO SAVE MONEY AND YOU KNOW, IT IS NOT IDEAL. I WISH IT HAD BEEN DONE BEFORE BUT THE TRUTH IS WE WOULD EXACERBATE THE PROBLEM IF WE GRANT COLAS OR ADDITIONAL SALARIES IN A INCONSISTENT WAY. AND I LOVE THE WAY YOU SAID IT, ADMINISTRATOR. LEADERS EAT LAST. I WAS BOTHERED AND I ABSTAINED FROM THE VOTE REQUESTING THE EXECUTIVE STUDY AND THE OTHER RAISE BECAUSE IT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE TO GIVE THESE ENORMOUS SUMS OF MONEY WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE MAKING A LOT LESS THAN THAT WITH $30,000 THAT'S WHAT A PARKS CARETAKER MAKES WHICH IS 1/4 OF WHAT SOME OF THESE GUYS MAKE THAT WOULD BE GETTING THE PHRASE. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE, I BELIEVE IT IS IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY PROFESSIONALISM TO KEEP IT CONSISTENT. EMOTION WOULD BE , THE SPIRIT OF THIS IS TO TAKE

NO ACTION ON 19. >> YES I DON'T THINK THAT

REQUIRES ANYTHING. >> IF I COULD, I KNOW THIS WAS BROUGHT UP AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOR A POINT OF CLARIFICATION. ON THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, I THINK COMMISSIONER BRIONES WAS RIGHT IT STARTED IN OCTOBER AND HAS TAKEN A LONG TIME. I WANT TO BE CLEAR IT IS NOT TICKLY IN OUR OFFICE. IT IS STILL WITH CEO, A SIX MONTH PROCESS. WE ARE HAPPY , FULLY RECOGNIZING THE WILL OF THE COURT TO MOVE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE AND WE CAN GET IT IN JULY BUT WE DON'T HAVE THE

CONTRACT YET. >> THAT WOULD BE MY OTHER REQUEST. YOU HAVE SHOWN ALREADY THAT YOU ARE VERY EFFICIENT AND REALISTIC SO I BELIEVE EVERYBODY THERE AND NOT HERE ON THE SCREEN WILL DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO DO THIS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. NOW THAT WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE AND THIS IS REALLY A PRIORITY WHEN IT COMES TO THE TIMELINE.

[04:25:05]

>> YES AND ONE OF THE THINGS, TO THE POINT, THE FACT THAT WE ARE SITTING BEFORE GETTING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IT IS PROCURE TO PAY WHICH I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN CHAMPING AT THE BIT FOR US TO GET RIGHT. THIS IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE WHERE WE NEED TO DO BETTER AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT AND I HAVE TALKED WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR AND WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE NEED TO DO

BETTER AND BE FASTER. >> A QUICK POINT. I DON'T THINK WE WANT TO REINFORCE INEQUITIES SO IS IT COMMON IN SOME ENTITIES IF YOU DO COLA TO MAKE SURE THE COLA APPLIES TO CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE FROM THE BOTTOM AND MIDDLE NOT NECESSARILY FOLKS AT THE TOP? I DON'T WANT TO REINFORCE THE

INEQUITY THAT HAS EXISTED. >> FROM MIKE'S FRIENDS IN TRAVIS COUNTY, WHAT THEY WOULD DO, NOT NECESSARILY YOU KNOW CUT IT OFF AT THE TOP, BUT WHAT THEY WOULD DO, INSTEAD OF HAVING, LIKE IF WE HAD A 3% COLA FOR EVERYBODY THEN THE FOLKS BELOW A CERTAIN RANGE WOULD ACTUALLY GET A FIXED DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WOULD BE A HIGHER PERCENTAGE FOR THEM BECAUSE OTHERWISE IF WE WENT WITH 3% FOR SOMEONE WHO MAKES 30,000 A YEAR YOU ARE NOT GETTING ANYTHING. YOU DO NOT SEE ANYTHING IN YOUR PAYCHECK SO WHAT TRAVIS COUNTY WOULD DO, THEY WOULD SAY FOR THE BOTTOM AMOUNT WE ARE GOING TO GIVE TO ANYBODY IT'S $2000 AND EVERYBODY ELSE UP TO THIS LEVEL, THEN EVERYBODY ELSE GETS 3%. SO IT WOULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE PAYCHECK AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAY SCALE IF THEY GOT AN ACTUAL DOLLAR FIGURE INSTEAD OF A PERCENTAGE.

>> SO WHEN YOU DO THIS I LOOK AT YOUR EXPERIENCE. I DO NOT HAVE IT. YOU HEADED AS SHERIFF, BUT DEALING WITH A BIG ORGANIZATION, I HAD THE SAME SALARY FOR 26 YEARS . I JUST GOT MY 600 A MONTH. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE AND THE LAST POINT IS I HOPE WHEN YOU MEET WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEADS , BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANY OF THEM, I HOPE WHEN YOU MEET YOU LET THEM KNOW SOMETHING IS COMING , BUT WE ARE SENSITIVE TO JUST TAKING CARE OF THEM AND THEN THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN STUCK AT THE BOTTOM. THERE HAS BEEN A MANDATE FROM ALL OF US TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT EQUITY. I THINK IT'S COMING.

>> IF I MAY, WE HAVE DONE A STUDY AND NOW WE ARE NOT GOING TO ACT ON THE STUDY, BUT I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR SALARY IMPROVEMENTS FOR LOWEST PAID EMPLOYEES. WHY CAN WE NOT APPROVE THE KORN FERRY STUDY AND IMPLEMENT IT WHEN WE GET A LOWER PAY SCALE? I WANT OUR DIRECTORS TO KNOW, BUT IT WON'T GO INTO EFFECT UNTIL WE HAVE THIS OTHER PLAN THAT HAS BEEN LONG ELUSIVE. SO I WANTED TO KNOW WE WILL TAKE ACTION, BUT IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED ONCE WE BRING THE OTHER HALF OF THE

PLAN FORWARD. >> THAT IS ONE OF THE OPTIONS

WE LAID OUT. >> HOW DO WE DO THAT KNOWING WE

HAVE THE MONEY? >> THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE TO

WORK ON. >> WHEN I LOOK AT $130 MILLION SHORTFALL AND WE SAY WE WILL PULL OFF 1 MILLION, WE HAVE EARMARKS ON THE OTHER MONEY WHAT ABOUT THE 130?

>> IT WORKS THE SAME WAY WITH ALL EMPLOYEES.

>> I COULD NOT VOTE FOR THAT. I RESPECT THE DEPARTMENTS.

>> WHEN IT COMES BACK THAT WOULD BE MY INTENTION TO DO IT ALTOGETHER FOR THE SAKE OF CONSISTENCY. THE THING I AGREE WITH YOU, I APPRECIATE THE SENTIMENT , THE ONE THING I AM THINKING ABOUT NOW THAT COLLEAGUES MAY WANT TO INCLUDE OR JUST ADVISE ADMINISTRATOR THE CONVERSATION THAT THE JUDGES CAME TO NOW WE TALK ABOUT COLA BECAUSE THEY DID NOT GET A COLA IT IS A UNCOMFORTABLE DISCUSSION TO HAVE WHEN YOU ARE IN PUBLIC OFFICE, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THERE ARE OTHER HARRIS COUNTY ELECTED OFFICIALS WHO HAVE STOPPED ME AND SAID THERE WAS INFLATION FOR ME, TOO. SO I'M

[04:30:05]

>> I WOULD SUGGEST THAT WE DO INCLUDE JUDGES AND OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AND IF IT GIVES THEM DISCOMFORT, I KNOW IT'S A SEPARATE STATUTE AND A SEPARATE PROCESS YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST IF ANYBODY FEELS UNCOMFORTABLE DO NOT TAKE IT , BUT I KNOW I TALKED WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GOING. I'M NOT VIOLATING ANYTHING? I SAW YOU REACH DOWN.

I THINK YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THEM AND WE DECIDE WHETHER WE DO THAT OR NOT AND I WOULD SAY ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> FOR THE SALARY SETTING THERE IS A SPECIFIC CALENDAR AND PROCESS THAT HAS TO BE DONE BEFORE THE BUDGET IS ADOPTED AND ALLOW FOR GRIEVANCE PERIOD. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH SHANE, WORKING TO BRING BACK JULY 15 FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON ELECTED OFFICIAL SALARIES. WE WILL BE RUNNING THAT BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BACKING UP FROM ALL THE DATES REQUIRED. THAT DECISION WILL HAVE TO BE MADE BEFORE

OCTOBER 1. JUST SO YOU KNOW. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY .

>> SINCE YOU HAVE MORE TIME CAN YOU INCLUDE BENEFITS IN THE

PROCESS? >> I NEED TO CHECK WITH SHANE AND PURCHASING IF THE CONTRACT ALLOWS US TO DO THAT WERE FOR

YOU TO GO BID IT OUT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> JUST TO RECAP AND I SHARE CONCERNS AND COMMITMENTS.

STARTING WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS THOSE WHO DID NOT GET THE 7% COLA THAT WE GAVE TO EVERYONE ELSE , WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS.

I WOULD BE SUPPORTED BECAUSE INFLATION HIT THAT GROUP AS WELL AND I WOULD BE FINE FOR US FIVE TO BE EXEMPTED, BUT ALL THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT DIDN'T. WE NEED APPLES TO APPLES. I WOULD STRONGLY FAVOR THE BENEFITS INCLUDED FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS BECAUSE WE NEED APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON. THREE I AM DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE TIMELINE WITH ALL DUE RESPECT AND I'M EXTRA CONCERNED KNOWING IT IS NOT EVEN HIT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE BECAUSE WE ALL WANT THE STUDY TO HAVE STARTED A YEAR AGO OR MANY YEARS AGO. SO, MY WORRY IS AS I LOOK AT MR. SHAW, THANK YOU FOR STANDING IN. IF WE ARE AIMING OR I WOULD AIM FOR THE 50TH I WOULD AIM FOR THE 50TH PERCENTILE. COULD WE START WORKING ON BUDGETARY PROJECTIONS FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES , AS WE PLAN WE HAVE 50 MILLION SET ASIDE TO ME THAT'S SACRED, BUT WE KNOW THAT MAY NOT BE ENOUGH TO REACH PAY EQUITY FOR EVERY SINGLE EMPLOYEE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE WORKING NUMBERS OF THE TOTALITY SO WE CAN PLAN HOW WE PAY FOR IT. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO WAIT AND WAIT FOR THE STUDY AND THEN FIND OURSELVES SEARCHING FOR MONEY. IF EVERYTHING CAN BE AGGRESSIVELY ON PARALLEL TRACK THAT WOULD BE MY STRONG PREFERENCE AND REQUEST. AND THEN DEO . DIRECTOR GONZALEZ WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO COMMIT WHEN YOU CAN TAG THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SO WE CAN BE SURE PAY EQUITY STUDY GET STARTED AS

SOON AS POSSIBLE. >> YES I HAVE ASKED MY TEAM TO SEE WHERE THEY ASK IS. AS YOU KNOW THE GOAL IS TO GET ALL REQUESTS BACK WITHIN FIVE BUSINESS DAYS SO THIS SHOULD NOT BE ANY LONGER. I AM ASKING NOW TO GET THE UPDATE.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, IN TERMS OF WHERE IT IS NOW. I KNOW THIS IS AN ISSUE. SO, THE PLAN CONSTRUCTED WAS NOT APPROVED SO APPARENTLY WE HAVE TO WAIT AN ADDITIONAL 10 DAYS TO SEE IF THEY WILL PROTEST IT.

I KNOW THE WHITE CAN OFFER SOME GUIDANCE.

>> WHAT WAS THAT? >> I CAN ONLY SPEAK TO MY STAFF, THEY INFORMED ME THE RECOMMENDED AWARDED VENDOR WAS , THE UTILIZATION PLAN WAS REJECTED SO I HAVE TO DO FOR BACK TO MISS GONZALEZ SO SHE CAN DETERMINE IF THERE'S OPTION TO BE FIXED OR NOT. I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS ENOUGH

[04:35:02]

RESOLVED. >> MAYBE WE HAVE AN UPDATE FROM THE NEXT COURT ADMINISTERED HER AND THEN YOU AND DIRECTOR GONZALEZ AND FILL US IN. WE ALL SAY THE SAME THING, PARALLEL TRACKS, BENEFITS AND HOW MUCH IT COSTS. DOES THAT SOUND OKAY?

>> JUDGE WE WILL PRIORITIZE THIS AS SOON AS IT COMES TO THE

DESK. >> THANK YOU. SO THAT IS THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS DO YOU NEED TO DISCUSS YOUR ITEM ON PAY

EQUITY? >> NO.

>> WILL THERE BE NO ACTION ON 19?

>> NO ACTION ON 19 OR 433. RIGHT?

>> I DON'T NEED TO DO ANYTHING, I THINK THE DISCUSSION, I DON'T NEED ANY MOTIONS, IT'S PRETTY CLEAR,

THANK YOU. >> SO COME ON 323 AND I KNOW IT MATCHES WITH YOURS COMMISSIONER ELLIS I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO START WHERE YOU WANT ME TO START ON 429.

>> HERE IT IS. SO WHAT I WANT TO DO IS COME UP WITH SOME PROCESS SO THAT WE ARE CONSISTENT WITH HOW WE EVALUATE ALL EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS. I KNOW EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ISSUES ARE THERE, BUT I WANT TO LOOK AT BEST PRACTICES AROUND THE COUNTRY FOR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES ON THE BEST WAY TO DO IT SO I CAME UP WITH A SERIES OF STEPS HERE THAT I THINK WOULD MAKE SENSE LIKE EIGHT EVALUATION CATEGORIES THAT ARE USED. THIS IS FROM RESEARCH MY STAFF GOT. THE CITY MANAGER, COUNTY MANAGER ASSOCIATION LOOKING AT PROFESSIONAL SKILLS AND STATUS AND LEADERSHIP, COORDINATION, POLICY EXECUTION, MANAGING RESULT IN RESOURCES, SUPERVISION, CITIZEN RELATIONS, STAFFING, HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT, INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS AND COMMUNICATIONS, BOARD RELATIONS, RELATIONS WITH ELECTED MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY. I WAS TRYING TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE STANDARD PROCESS TO EVALUATE THE ENTIRE GROUP OF FOLKS ON THAT LEVEL. DEVELOP A FAIR AND CONSISTENT AND EQUITABLE PROCESS FOR EVALUATION. THE COURT , THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CAN SET EXPECTATIONS AND DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS DESERVE SOME FEEDBACK ON A ONGOING BASIS , A ROUTINE BASIS TO HELP WITH RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION OF TOP TALENT. IF WE ONLY BRING UP ISSUES OF PERFORMANCE AT THE LAST MINUTE WHEN A JOB IS AT RISK WE CREATE A WORK ENVIRONMENT THAT RISK ALIENATING HIGH-PERFORMING EMPLOYEES AND STRONG CANDIDATES. SO I HAVE A MOTION AROUND AND I WILL READ IT . MY MOTION WOULD BE SIMPLY TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP A UNIFORM, FAIR AND EQUITABLE PROCESS BASED ON RESEARCH, BEST PRACTICE FOR EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THAT REPORT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COMMISSIONER COURT. PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SHOULD BE COMPLETE BY DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> I WOULD SECOND THAT BUT YOU HAVE AN ITEM?

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THIS ITEM CONFUSES ME. IS THEIR CONCERN, IT'S CONFUSING ON A COUPLE LEVELS. IF WE WANT TO ADOPT BEST PRACTICE, I REVIEWED WHAT THE COURT HAS DONE SINCE 2019. AND EITHER THROUGH COURT ACTION OR POTENTIAL ACTION , THERE HAS BEEN TWO COMMUNITY SERVICES DIRECTORS GONE. THERE BEEN TWO DIRECTORS GONE, A BUDGET OFFICER GONE . THERE HAS BEEN A POLLUTION CONTROL DIRECTOR GONE . UNIVERSAL SERVICES , TWO GONE. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR , ONE GONE. DIRECTOR, GONE, ENGINEERING DIRECTOR , GONE . DEO DIRECTOR GONE. FLOOD

[04:40:08]

THE SECOND POINT. I THINK IT IS VERY CONFUSING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS I HAVE SAID BEFORE I ONLY WORKED WITH 50 CITIES IN TEXAS, SO THESE ISSUES ARE SIMILAR TO A CITY MANAGER IN A CITY AND YOU ASK THE CITY MANAGER WHAT THEIR JOB IS. THE CITY MANAGER RUNS THE CITY. RIGHT? EVERYBODY IN THE CITY REPORTS TO THE CITY MANAGER. THE CITY MANAGER REPORTS TO THE CITY COUNCIL. IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE JOB THE CITY MANAGER DOES THEN WE FIRE THE CITY MANAGER. BELIEVE ME, THE AVERAGE TENURE OF THE CITY MANAGER IS LESS THAN FIVE YEARS. SO I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE IF WE WANT TO TALK ABOUT POLICY, I THINK THIS WAS INITIATED BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SOMEONE BEING EVALUATED AND REVIEWED INAPPROPRIATELY. I HAVE BEEN CONCERNED ABOUT PEOPLE BEING EVALUATED INAPPROPRIATELY FIVE YEARS. SO, I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO CLEAN THIS MESS UP WHICH IT MIGHT BE TIME TO START CLEANING THE MESS UP. I THINK MISS RAMIREZ AT LEAST OWES AN EXPLANATION ON WHAT HER POWERS AND I WILL USE THE WORD BECAUSE IT IS A POWERFUL POSITION. SHE CAN HIRE AND SHE CAN FIRE.

ANYBODY ON THE ORG CHART THAT REPORTS. EVERY NONELECTED EMPLOYEE IN HARRIS COUNTY REPORTS TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAS THE POWER , THROUGH A PROCESS TO HIRE AND TO FIRE. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND A CLARIFICATION. ARE WE ADOPTING A POLICY THAT EMPOWERS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO INITIATE THAT ? ARE WE RELIEVING OURSELVES OF THE POWER THAT HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT LEVEL , THE FIVE COMMISSIONERS. IT IS INTERESTING. AS I LOOK BACK AT HOW THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS OPERATED IN THE PAST, RARELY DID IT GET INVOLVED AS WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED, AS THIS COURT HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS. I THINK THERE WERE PRETTY STABLE POLICIES PRIOR TO 2019. I THINK THEY WERE PRETTY ROUTINE, PEOPLE WORKED AT THE COUNTY A LONG . OF TIME, I AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM IN RIVER CITY WITH HOW THIS IS HANDLED. I DO NOT THINK THIS SOLVES THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS TO ANSWER, IN TERMS OF WHO IS EMPOWERED TO MAKE DECISIONS ON DIRECTORS , COUNTY DIRECTORS, IN TERMS OF REPORTING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR REPORTING TO THIS COURT. I DON'T THINK THIS IS READY TO BE VOTED ON OR MUCH LESS BE IN LIMITED.

>> CAN A MAKE A STAB AT IT. COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS. WHAT I DID WAS LOOK TO THE INTERNATIONAL CITY COUNTY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION, THE EVALUATION HANDBOOK FOR BEST PRACTICE FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS. AND THEN I HAD MY TEAM VISIT WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ STAFF AND I CALLED HER MYSELF AND SAID HERE IS WHAT I'M GOING TO PROPOSE . BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO EMPOWER YOU TO MAKE THOSE DECISIONS. I WOULD SAY TO YOU THAT PRIOR TO 2019 THAT DATE YOU MADE REFERENCE TO , I GOT HERE 2017, MY SENSE OF HOW IT WORKED WAS THAT, IF YOU WANTED TO STAY AROUND HERE AS A DEPARTMENT HEAD, YOU HAD TO MAKE SURE YOU COUNT TO THREE. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT WAS COUNTING TO THREE. AND THEN THERE WERE CERTAIN MEMBERS KNOWN TO GET INTO THE BUREAUCRACY MORE THAN OTHERS.

MY PREDECESSOR WAS ONE OF THEM. HE HAD AN ALLIANCE WITH ONE OF HIS COLLEAGUES AND THEY WOULD PRETTY MUCH DIVVY UP WHO WOULD

[04:45:01]

I HAVE SEEN FOUR PEOPLE HERE COME AND GO, ALL GOOD PEOPLE, BUT YOU KNOW NORMALLY THAT DID NOT HAPPEN. BEFORE I GOT HERE YOU CAN HEAR YOU USUALLY ENDED UP GOING OUT IN A WHEELCHAIR WHEN YOU ARE READY TO RETIRE SO A LOT HAS CHANGED, BUT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING I CAME UP WITH IN A VACUUM. DIRECTOR RAMIREZ, ADMINISTERED IT, IF YOU HAVE CHANGES YOU WANTED TO MAKE I'M SORRY IF I DID NOT INCORPORATE THEM. WHEN I CAME UP WITH THAT I HAD MY STAFF VISIT WITH YOUR TEAM AND THEN I CALLED YOU COME I SAID THIS IS WHAT THEY HAVE COME UP WITH, IS THERE ANYTHING IN HERE THAT OUGHT TO CHANGE? I WOULD SAY AGAIN IF SOMETHING ELSE OUGHT TO CHANGE, THEN GOOD. I JUST DID NOT WANT YOU TO THINK I DID IT IN A VACUUM.

>> I KNOW THIS ISN'T BUT I'M SAYING YOU AND I CAN RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE ON WHEN THE LAST FIVE YEARS AND THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT A BEEN EVALUATED WITH NO PROCESS.

>> I AGREE WITH YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I THINK I AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU. YOU NAMED ALL OF THESE FOLKS AND I REMEMBER EVERY ONE OF THEM. THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS IF YOU GO BACK TO THE TRANSCRIPT, THE VIDEO HISTORY OF THE COURT, YOU CAN SEE JUST HOW A LOT OF THESE FOLKS WERE TREATED IN PUBLIC.

WE HIRED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO HAVE A PROCESS THAT ANY ENTITY, ANY COMPANY WOULD HAVE, BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE HAVE GONE AROUND HER. I THINK IT IS AN APPROPRIATE PLACE IF IT'S ALLOWED FOR US TO HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION NOW ON ARE WE OR ARE WE NOT GOING TO FOLLOW THE PROCESS LAID OUT? THE 40% RAISE. THE EXECUTIVE STUDY, SEVERAL BUDGET ITEMS THAT HAVE TO DO WITH PERSONNEL HAVE GONE AROUND THE ADMINISTRATOR. SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO WHICH LINES UP WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS PROPOSING.

PROFESSIONALIZE THE PROCESS SO IT IS CONSISTENT SO IF YOU DON'T GET A BENEFIT AS A DIRECTOR IF YOU'RE FRIENDS WITH HER COMMISSIONERS OR YOU GET ALONG WITH ONE OF THEM BECAUSE YOU BOTH LIKE BASEBALL I MEAN I'M NOT PICKING ON YOU I'M JUST SAYING SOMETHING. LET ME PICK SOMETHING ELSE, SOCCER.

THERE YOU GO, CYCLING. OR THAT YOU GET CHEWED OUT IN PUBLIC BECAUSE YOU DON'T LIKE CYCLING OR WHATEVER. IT CANNOT BE THAT WAY, SO I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU ARE PROPOSING, THERE NEEDS TO BE A SPELLED-OUT SYSTEM BECAUSE THERE DOES SEEM TO BE CONFUSION AND WHAT I AM SAYING IS THIS SYSTEM NEEDS TO OPERATE IN PUBLIC AND WHILE THIS GETS MADE WE HAVE GOT TO MOVE AWAY FROM PUBLICLY HARANGUING DEPARTMENT HEADS BECAUSE MANY TIMES IT IS OVER UNFOUNDED ACCUSATIONS, BUT EVEN IF THEY WERE NOT UNFOUNDED IT WOULD BE INAPPROPRIATE. I DON'T KNOW OF ANY ENTITY THAT DOES THAT. I GUESS IF YOU ARE ON TRIAL, BUT THESE FOLKS, HR DISCUSSIONS NEED TO HAPPEN IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY BECAUSE YOU ALLUDED TO IT, THIS , THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE. WE HAD MEETINGS AROUND THIS WHEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES FIRST GOT HERE AND IT HAD BEEN AN ISSUE WHEN I STARTED TO THE POINT OF ALL THOSE NAMES. TRUST ME, THERE IS A LOT OF THAT , THAT DID NOT GO DOWN RIGHT.

DOES NOT MEAN THEY NEEDED TO STAY, BUT ANYWAY, YOU MENTIONED THE ITEM SO THAT IS AN ITEM FOR DISCUSSION ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR PERFORMANCE. SAME THING, A LOT OF PUBLIC, SHE IS NOT HERE BECAUSE OF AND I SAY THIS WITH HER PERMISSION, THE MENTAL AND PHYSICAL TOLL THAT THE ATTACKS HAVE TAKEN ON HER

[04:50:03]

SO I AM REALLY GLAD WE ARE DOING THIS. I THINK IT IS LONG OVERDUE, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID AND I THINK WE TURN THE PAGE AND IF WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION NOW ON DO WE RESPECT THE DIRECTOR MAKES THESE DECISIONS AND HOW DOES IT HAPPEN, I THINK IT'S TIME TO DO IT. COMMISSIONER

BRIONES. >> SEVERAL POINTS. SO I COME INTO THIS IS ONE OF THE FIVE INDIVIDUALS SITTING HERE AND IT WAS A CHIEF TALENT OFFICER AND CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER SO I CANNOT AGREE MORE WITH THE NEED FOR PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TO CREATE CLARITY, CONSISTENCY AND FOR ORGANIZATIONAL HEALTH. IT WILL IMPROVE THE CULTURE IF WE KEEP RECRUITING AND RETAINING THE BEST TALENT. I AM VERY IN FAVOR OF EVALUATION SYSTEMS BEST IN CLASS. WE CREATED , THIS WAS CREATED BEFORE I GOT HERE BUT I AM VERY SUPPORTIVE ADMINISTERED HER ABUSE SUPERVISING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS AND I SEE THIS AS BOTH AND, YOUR RUNNING POINT, QUARTERBACKING AND MANAGING DEPARTMENT HEADS AND IN THE ANNUAL EVALUATION FRANKLY I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU PROPOSE BY DECEMBER 31. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE A COMPONENT FROM EACH OF THE FIVE OFFICES SIMILAR TO THE WAY WE DO COMMITTEES TO GET A PORTION AND YOURS COULD BE WEIGHTED MORE HIGHLY AND WE COULD FIND A EQUITABLE SYSTEM, BUT FOR EXAMPLE FLOOD CONTROL. WE WORK WITH DR. PETERSON AND HER TEAM, DR. RAMON AND HIS TEAM DAILY ON

[04:55:05]

>> I WOULD AGREE I WOULD NOT ACCOUNTABLE JUST DOING EVALUATION OF DEPARTMENT HEADS I MYSELF IN A SILO. THE WAY DEPARTMENT'S WORK WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND IMPERATIVE FOR THEIR WORK AND MY WORK. SO I DON'T THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR IT TO BE IN A SILO WITH ME. I WOULD WANT EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS TO GO OVER, GET YOUR INPUT MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERY MEMBER STANDS WITH THAT PERSON WITH THAT DEPARTMENT HAD ON THE PERFORMANCE METRIC. I THINK THAT IS CRITICAL. I WORK FOR YOU AND AT THE PLEASURE OF THE COURT SO I WOULD WANT TO MAKE

SURE WE KEPT THAT GOING. >> THANK YOU AND I AGREE. IT IS A PARTNERSHIP AND THIS DOVETAILS NICELY AS WE DIVING INTO THE PAY EQUITY WORK WE NEED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT WE EXPECT AND HAVE THE DATA TO MAKE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS AND WE NEED CLARITY WHEN I STEPPED IN A YEAR AND ETHICAL PRECINCT 4 HAD ZERO PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND WHEN WE CONTACTED HR THEY SAID NO OLDER THAN DR. ELLIS AND DANIEL RODRIGUEZ AND WE HAVE EVERY HIRING EVALUATION AND DECISION, WE HAVE THE DATA TO MAKE DATA-DRIVEN DECISIONS. THIS IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE HYBRID PROPOSAL. IN TERMS OF THE LANGUAGE , COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> TO DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY

ADMINISTRATION AND . >> I MOVED TO DIRECT OFFICE OF COUNTY , MOTORIC OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND DEPARTMENT DESIGNATED BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP A UNIFORM, FAIR AND EQUITABLE PROCESS BASED ON RESEARCHED BEST PRACTICE FOR EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THE REPORT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH PERFORMANCE EVALUATION COMPLETE BY DECEMBER 31, 2024 AND SHOULD BE CONDUCTED IN ORDER TO BE DETERMINED BY THE COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR. >> SOUNDS LIKE COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS SAYING PERFORMANCE SHOULD BE CONDUCTED WITH INPUT BY MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT BUT THE FINAL DECISION LIES WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. SO WHAT I WOULD ADD AND MINE WAS FROM A SEPARATE ITEM, THE OPERATIVE PART OF MY IS WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS DONE TOMORROW, NOT UNTIL DECEMBER SO I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO PASS A POLICY THAT THE DEPARTMENT HEAD JOB PERFORMANCE IS HANDLED BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH INFORMATION FROM US OR IF YOU DON'T WANT TO ADD THAT, AT LEAST SAY DEPARTMENT HEAD JOB PERFORMANCE IS DISCUSSED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION WHERE PERSONAL MATTERS ARE HANDLED TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE HUMAN RESOURCE PROCESS. I DON'T WANT US TO CONTINUE ADDRESSING PEOPLE DOWN IN PUBLIC. WHETHER THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING WRONG OR NOT.

>> ONCE A YEAR IN NEARLY EVERY CITY IN TEXAS THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM TO EVALUATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CITY MANAGER. THAT IS NOT MEANT TO BE ANYTHING OTHER THAN THAT.

AND I TOOK EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN SET AT THIS POINT. IT IS OKAY FOR US TO ASK FOR AN EVALUATION. AT ANY TIME AT ANY POINT. TO MY OTHER POINTS. I KNOW WHAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WHAT I HAVE SEEN. I GUESS, CALL ME A LITTLE SUSPICIOUS, PARTICULARLY WITH CONVERSATION AROUND CONSOLIDATION AND I GET

[05:00:03]

MOTION. >> I DID WANT TO MAKE SURE, DID

YOU GET THE LAST PART ? >> NO . JUST THE MOTION THAT

YOU READ. >> GOLDING WOULD BE DIRECT DEPARTMENTS DESIGNATED BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP UNIFORM, FRANTIC WILL PROCESS BASED ON RESEARCH BEST PRACTICE FOR THE EVALUATION OF PERFORMANCE OF THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS THAT REPORT AGENCIES IN COMMISSIONERS COURT. BE DONE BY DECEMBER BE DONE BY DECEMBER 21 , THAT PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS BE CONDUCTED BY COUNTY ADMINISTERED WITH INPUT BY MEMBERS OF COURT FOR THE FINAL DECISION MADE BY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. PERSONNEL MATTERS BE HANDLED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF THE HUMAN RESOURCES PROCESS. I LIKED WHAT YOU SAID WE HAVE A ONCE A YEAR ITEM TO EVALUATE PERFORMANCE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> JUST SAYING. YOU CAN DO IT AT ANY TIME.

>> WE ALSO WOULD NOT WANT TO PUBLICLY HIRING ADMINISTERED A RAMIREZ. SPEC I WANT TO MAKE SURE , YOU AND I ARE SAYING THE SAME THING BUT I DON'T WITH THE RECORD TO BE MISREAD. I AGREE IT'S OKAY TO EVALUATE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT TO COME INTRA-PEOPLE AND ACCUSE THEM OF THINGS AND WHETHER THEY

DID THEM OR NOT IS NOT OKAY. >> WITH RESPECT TO MY EVALUATION. I HAVE TAKEN INPUT AND FEEDBACK FROM EACH COURT MEMBER AT DIFFERENT POINTS AND TIME AT DIFFERENT CHECK INS AND I TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY AS PART OF MY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION, KEEPING ME WITHIN YOU KNOW THE GUTTERS OF THE LANE. SO YOU KNOW I THINK THAT IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME IN MY EVALUATION THAT I KEEP GETTING CONSTANT CHECK INS FROM YOU ALL ABOUT HEY, I'M NOT HAPPY WITH THIS, LET'S FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET EVERYBODY , GET ME BACK ON TRACK. SO I'M SUPER COMFORTABLE WITH THAT AND VERY OPEN TO GETTING FEEDBACK FROM YOU ALL AND I HAVE IN THE PAST. I DO ALWAYS ENDEAVOR TO DO

BETTER. >> THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS I MOST RESPECT ABOUT YOU, YOUR EAGER AND OPEN FOR FEEDBACK AND THAT IS A MODEL FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR OPENNESS. TO MOVE TO THE MOTION ON THE TABLE. WE HAVE FOLKS FROM METRO AND OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WAITING.

>> DID YOU HAVE FEEDBACK ON THE MOTION?

>> IS THE MOTION FOR THE ACTUAL EVALUATIONS TO BE DONE BY THE END OF THE YEAR? OR THE PROPOSAL?

>> THE PROCESS. >> BUT THEN TO THE POINT WE ARE ALSO CLARIFYING THAT IN THE PROCESS, THE DIRECTION WE REQUEST AND WE WILL HAVE TO APPROVE AGAIN, THE DIRECTION NOW WE HAVE IN MIND IS THAT YOU WOULD CONDUCT PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS WITH INPUT FROM MEMBERS OF COURT AND FINAL DECISION WOULD SIT ON YOU. AND SAYING IN THE MEANTIME LET'S ALL AGREE PERSONNEL MATTERS ARE HANDLED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION TO PROTECT INTEGRITY OF HUMAN RESOURCES.

>> IS THE 31ST ENOUGH TIME? >> DECEMBER 31 IS PERFECT AND THAT'S ONE THING I INCLUDED ON THE RCA SO THAT IS GOOD. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT FIRST OF THE PROCESS, THEN WE SET EXPECTATIONS. I SIT DOWN, THEY KNOW THE EXPECTATIONS AND THEN WE DO THE EVALUATION AFTER SIX MONTHS OR A YEAR.

>> SO ADMINISTRATOR, YOU CURRENTLY HAVE THE POWER TO DISCIPLINE AND PROVIDE CORRECTIVE ACTION SO, ALTHOUGH COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS PROVIDING A FORMAL EVALUATION PROCESS, YOU HAVE THE POWER CURRENTLY TO CORRECT THIS AND TERMINATE

ANYONE. >> THERE ARE FIVE DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT REPORT TO ME WHERE HIRING AND FIRING HAS TO BE RATIFIED THROUGH COMMISSIONERS COURT. SPOKEO THE POWER TO INFLUENCE MENTOR, CORRECT, DISCIPLINE , TO WRITE UP PEOPLE

[05:05:01]

I AM NOT REALLY PUSHING MY AUTHORITY TO YOU BECAUSE I HAVE , I GOT ELECTED TO FIGHT FOR MY PRECINCT AND THAT'S WHAT I WILL CONTINUE TO DO. SO IT IS IMPERATIVE WE ALSO THINK ABOUT HOW YOU BACK THOSE SITUATIONS, YOU BACKUP YOUR EVALUATIONS.

AND SO THAT WOULD BE MY POINT.

>> YES OR THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU ALL UNDERSTOOD ANY EVALUATION, I WOULD LET YOU KNOW JUST LIKE I ADVISE THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WHAT MY AGREEMENT WITH THEM HAS BEEN.

IF I'M HEARING FROM A COMMISSIONER OR THE JUDGE THAT THEY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ONE OF YOUR PROGRAMS ARE WITH YOU I WILL CALL YOU AND LET YOU KNOW YOU NEED TO TAKE CARE THIS.

SAME THING YOU BETTER TELL ME, LET'S HAVE OPEN COMMUNICATIONS BECAUSE WE ARE ALL HERE TO SERVE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE TAXPAYERS AND RESIDENTS. THEY KNOW THAT, THAT'S THE WAY WE OPERATE AND COMMUNICATE AND RETURN TO MAKE SURE WE COVER THE NEEDS OF THE COURT.

>> I AM MORE CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY.

>> THEY CAN BOTH BE PLACED. WE CAN FIGHT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND TREAT EMPLOYEES PROPERLY AND FOLLOW STANDARD PROCEDURES. DO WE NEED TO REREAD THE MOTION OR DID YOU GET IT?

>> I WOULD PREFER TO REREAD. >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO VOTE FOR THE PRECINCT 1 MOTION AS STATED. I AM INCLINED TO VOTE FOR THE AMENDMENT FOR LEGAL REASONS WHICH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY , WE TALKED ABOUT THE ROLE OF EXECUTIVE SESSION AND HOW FOLKS NEED TO HONOR IT AND WHAT HAS AND HAS NOT TRANSPIRED AFTER RECENT LITIGATION SO THAT'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE CLARITY ON. PERHAPS AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING. SO I'M WILLING TO VOTE ON PRECINCT 1 'S VERSION.

>> SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE VETTED WITH LEGAL WE OUGHT TO BRING IT BACK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH A PART, I CAN GET TO THREE OR FOUR. THE PART YOU AGREE ON IS THE AMENDMENT I SENT OUT AFTER DECEMBER 31, 2024 YOU ARE ADDING WHAT AGAIN?

SAY THAT AGAIN. >> THE EVALUATION BE CONDUCTED BY COUNTY ADMINISTERED WITH INPUT BY THE MEMBERS OF COURT WITH THE FINAL DECISION MADE BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> IS THAT CLEAR? >> THAT IS ON THE ITEM 433.

EXCUSE ME, WHICH IS 323. IS THERE A SECOND ON THAT ONE?

>> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONER

GARCIA . >> WHEN YOU DON'T SPEAK ON THE ITEM YOU ARE VOTING AFFIRMATIVE.

>> ON MY ITEM I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE. ISSUES WITH EXECUTIVE SESSION WE HAVE A BUNCH OF ITEMS LEFT YOU CAN RUN DOWN BY THE END. I'M NOT GOING TO GIVE UP ON LET'S RESPECT DEPARTMENT HEADS WITHOUT A REAL REASON FOR WHY

WE DON'T WANT TO DO THAT. >> THE FIRST TIME IN FIVE YEARS

WE HAVE DONE THAT. >> I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO

CHANGE THINGS. >> THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT RESTRICTIONS AROUND RECORDING.

>> I FORGOT I WROTE IT WITH HIM SO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HIMSELF

HELP TO DRAFT THIS. >> I WILL HAVE TO ASK HIM.

>> I FORGOT. >> RESPECT IS NONNEGOTIABLE AND PERSONAL MATTERS SHOULD HAVE EXTRA SENSITIVITY. THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESPECTED AT VARIOUS LEVELS SO I ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MONTHS AGO TO PROVIDE A BRIEFING ALL FIVE OF US ON INBOUNDS AND OUT OF BOUNDS AND WHAT EXECUTIVE SESSION MEANS WITH REGARD TO SENSITIVITY AROUND PERSONNEL MATTERS. I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT BRIEFING AT THE NEXT MEETING, PLEASE.

>> SURE, HAPPY TO DO THAT. >> THE BOTTOM LINE, RESPECT IS

[05:10:05]

NONNEGOTIABLE. >> THE REQUEST IS EVALUATIONS OF DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BE CONDUCTED BY DIRECT SUPERVISOR, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND WHERE RELEVANT DISCUSSED WITH APPROPRIATE PROTOCOLS AND ONLY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. I WOULD REQUEST TO RUN IT DOWN AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT RESPECT AT THE NEXT COURT, BUT I THINK FOLKS FOR NOT SUPPORTING IT NEED TO GO ON THE RECORD ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THAT SENTENCE.

BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIRECTOR FILED A COMPLAINT WE HAVE ALL SEE NO SHE HAS BEEN TREATED AND SHE'S NOT THE ONLY ONE.

>> SHE'S NOT THE ONE WHO FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST A MEMBER OF THE COURT I WILL SAY IT THAT WAY. BECAUSE OF INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS FROM THIS TABLE . THAT IS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAYS WE OUGHT TO HAVE MORE SENSE THAN TO MAKE INAPPROPRIATE COMMENTS

. >> TELL ME WHAT YOU'RE TALKING

ABOUT? >> I CHOOSE NOT TO.

>> UNTIL YOU MAKE AN ACTUAL ALLEGATION WITH DETAILS.

>> WHICH ONE OF THESE, COMMUNITY SERVICES TWO ARE

GONE. >> THAT'S WHAT I'M SAYING.

WHAT ARE THEY WERE TREATED. >> WHAT I AM SUSPICIOUS OF IS WHY NOW AFTER FIVE YEARS OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR? WE HAVE

NOW DECIDED. >> THIS IS WHY AND I'M BEING CANDID WITH YOU. BECAUSE I KNEW SOME OF US ON THIS DAIS HAVE A PENSION FOR THAT BEHAVIOR AND I USED TO COUNT ON THAT VOTE AS MY THREE, NOW WE HAVE A DIFFERENT MEMBER AND THAT PERSON NOW VOTES WITH YOU AND I HAVE NOTHING TO LOSE TO BE ABLE

TO GET THIS DONE. >> WHAT ITEM ARE WE ON?

>> I BELIEVE WE ARE ON THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS ITEM.

>> KNEW IF I DID THIS I COULD NOT GET SUPPORT FOR MY ITEMS, NOW THERE'S MORE PEOPLE OR DIFFERENT PEOPLE, YOUR COLLEAGUE HAS BEEN REPLACED THAT'S WHAT I'M SURPRISED MY COLLEAGUE FROM PRECINCT 4 DOES NOT WANT TO SUPPORT AND I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHY BECAUSE WE HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE PAST.

>> POINT OF ORDER. IS THERE A MAIN ITEM ON THE AGENDA?

>> ITEM 429. >> AS A LAWYER AND FROM A JUDGE I LOOK FORWARD TO THE BRIEFING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IN THE

NEXT MEETING. >> A ITEM IS ON TODAY AND WE CAN DISCUSS IT WITH THE ATTORNEY. EVERYONE CAN SEE HOW YOU'RE TRYING TO STEP OVER ME, WHAT'S THE FEAR? OKAY. DO HAVE

A LEGAL ISSUE, YES OR NO? >> I WOULD ASK , I NEED TO CONFER WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> I WILL HOLD IT UNTIL LATER TODAY BECAUSE I HAVE PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND FOR YEARS DEPARTMENT HEADS HAVE BEEN MISTREATED IN PUBLIC I AGREE AND A VALID COMPLAINT HAS BEEN FILED AND WE ALL WATCHED IT HAPPEN AFTER THE LAST FEW MEETINGS AND WE CANNOT GASLIGHT PEOPLE AS TO WHY WE ARE NOT SUPPORTING THIS. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE REASON. SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ANYTHING THE DEPARTMENT HEADS DESERVE TO KNOW AND THE EMPLOYEES DESERVE TO KNOW BECAUSE WE ALL TOOK A GOOD GAME ABOUT RESPECT AND WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE WE GET MASSIVE RAISES WITHOUT EXPLANATION. WE ARE OKAY INSULTING PEOPLE IN PUBLIC. SO LET'S GET IT CHANGED. WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE THE COUNTY BETTER. WE ARE REVIEWING , THE QUESTION THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID WAS STANDING IN THE WAY OF HER VOTING FOR THIS. THE QUESTION WHETHER IT'S LEGAL OR NOT SO WE ARE RUNNING THAT DOWN UNLESS THAT'S NOT THE REASON I THINK WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT THE REASON IS BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE THE COUNTY BETTER. WE SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS A LONG TIME AGO, NOW WE HAVE TO DO IT AND I AM DETERMINED TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN INSULTED IN THE PAST WITH NO REASON AS WELL AS DIRECTOR ROBINSON AND I MEAN, JUST WATCH THE TAPES FROM THE PAST FEW COURTS IN THE PAST FEW YEARS. LET'S GET THIS DONE. IF SOMEBODY WANTS TO VOTE NO THEN VOTE NO AND I WOULD ASK WHY AND IT WILL BE ON THE RECORD. IS IT LEGAL OR CAN WE COME BACK LATER?

[05:15:01]

>> CAN WE TAKE A FIVE MINUTE RECESS?

>> WE ARE BREAKING UNTIL 6:00 P.M. EXCUSE ME UNTIL 5:20 P.M.

THANK YOU.

>>> OKAY, IT IS FIVE: 31, AND THE COMMISSIONERS ARE BACK IN

SECTION. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE SLIGHT DELAY PICK I JUST WANTED TO, I JUST WANTED TO BE ABLE TO CONFER WITH CHRISTIAN AND JOHN. THERE IS ACTUALLY NO ISSUE WITH THE MOTION AS IS PRESENTED AT ALL.

THE REQUIREMENT -- WELL , WHEN YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY SAYING IS YOU WANT TO MAKE A POLICY RECOMMENDATION THAT, THEN ON PERSONNEL MATTERS, THEY OUGHT TO BE THEY OUGHT TO BE DONE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND KEPT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. PERFECTLY APPROPRIATE POLICY. JUST A POINT OF CLARIFICATION, IT DOESN'T SORT OF LEGALLY BIND YOU, BUT IT IS A POLICY OF THE COURT AND THAT COURT MEMBERS WOULD HAVE TO HONOR THAT, IF THAT IS SOMETHING THEY CHOOSE TO DO, THAT'S FINE.

>> MY QUESTION IS CURRENTLY ALL PERSONNEL MATTERS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE HANDLED IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND UNDER TEXAS LAW , I'M USED TO ATTORNEY-CLIENT PRIVILEGE. SO UNDER TEXAS LAW , ONCE WE LEAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE HAVE SEEN THAT SOME MEMBERS WILL SPEAK TO THE PRESS. SOME WILL SPEAK AT THE DAIS. WHAT UNDER TEXAS LAW IS OR IS NOT REQUIRED -- IS THERE ANY PRIVILEGE, OR WOULD THAT BE A POLICY MATTER --

>> I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER. I SHOULD LET YOU CONTINUE. I'M SORRY. THAT'S NOT PRIVILEGE. THE CONVERSATIONS YOU HAVE BACK THERE AMONG THE FIVE OF YOU CAN BE TALKED ABOUT HERE. NOW WHAT THE JUDGE IS SUGGESTING IS A POLICY THAT SAYS YOU SHOULD NOT DO THAT , BUT THERE IS NO, THERE IS NO ACTUAL LEGAL RESTRICTION ON YOUR BE ABLE TO DO IT.

>> BUT THE POLICY ALREADY EXISTS. THAT IS WHAT WE WERE BRIEFED ON WHEN WE GOT HERE , SO THAT POLICY ALREADY EXISTS.

>> IT CERTAINLY IS A TRADITION. I THINK THAT IS A FAIR STATEMENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> WHICH HAS NOT BEEN RESPECTED . I DID SPEAK TO THE PRESS ABOUT WHY THERE WAS A 40% SUNRAYS IN THE DIRECTOR OF THE AUTHORITY, BECAUSE I DID NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT IT WAS. THE COMMUNITY WAS UP IN ARMS. THEY WERE ASKING WHY AND I SAID I DON'T KNOW YOU GENEEN, I AM VERY PROUD OF THAT. THAT IS NOT THIS. SO, THIS HAS BEEN, WE LITERALLY HAD A MEETING WITH WOMEN, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I AND OUR STAFF THAT HAD SELF ORGANIZED TO DISCUSS HOW THEY WERE BEING MISTREATED INCLUDING IN THIS PUBLIC FORUM, AND WE BOTH PROMISED PROGRESS ON THIS TO THE WOMEN . WE CAN'T GOVERN BY BULLYING. WE CAN'T GOVERN BY STRONG-ARMING. WE CAN'T GOVERNMENT BY, WHETHER YOU WERE BRIEFED ON IT WHEN HE TOOK OFFICE OR NOT, THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS RIGHT NOW IF SOMEONE DOESN'T DO WHAT ONE OF US WANTS, THAT PERSON AND THEIR ALLIES MAKE ANY KIND OF ACCUSATIONS THAT BORDER ON SLANDER, AND NOT ONLY REDUCES MORALE IN THE COUNTY, HARMS THE INDIVIDUAL'S FUTURE JOB PROSPECTS , HARMS THE PROGRAMS THEY'RE RESPONSIBLE FOR MANAGING , AND LIMITS HOW WE CAN ATTRACT THE FUTURE TALENTS.

IT IS NOT LEGALLY BINDING, BUT IT IS A COURT POLICY SO WE HOLD OURSELVES TO A STANDARD, BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN HOLDING OURSELVES TO A STANDARD. SO THAT IS MY REQUEST, AND SHOULD WE DISCUSS HR MATTERS INCLUDING PERFORMANCE AND PAY IN OPEN COURT? IS THAT STANDARD

BEHAVIOR? >> AS FAR AS I KNOW, MOST COMMISSIONERS COURT BOARDS TRY TO DISCUSS THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT, THAT IS WHAT YOU DO. THAT IS WHAT I ALWAYS ASK

YOU TO DO. >> BUT IS NOT WHAT WE DO,

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THAT'S NOT WHAT YOU DO.

THAT'S WHAT WE DO. >> WHAT HAPPENED WITH COMMISSIONER ROBERTSON, AND WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT ARE WHAT ARE YOU DISCUSSING? I'LL GIVE YOU A SPECIFIC EXAMPLE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES SPOKE WELL. THERE ARE THINGS WE TALK ABOUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION

-- >> I WAS ASKED WHAT JUST HAPPENED, AND I SAID THERE WAS A 40% INCREASE AND I DON'T

KNOW WHY. >> THERE IS LITIGATION ABOUT IT , AND NOW THERE IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST ONE MEMBER OF COURT, AND NOW THE COUNTY HAS SOME LEGAL LIABILITY AND ATTORNEYS FEES ASSOCIATED, SO YES WE HAVE A POLICY AND IT SHOULD BE RESPECTED AND WE SHOULD HOLD OURSELVES AND EVERYONE ACCOUNTABLE, BECAUSE WE ALREADY HAVE THIS POLICY . WE ARE GOING

[05:20:03]

>> TOTALLY. I ONLY DID ONE YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL, BUT WITH THAT I CAN TELL YOU ANYONE CAN FILE A LAWSUIT. SO THERE WAS A WOMAN WHO FILED A COMPLAINT, HERE WE ARE WITH THE WOMEN AGAIN, AGAINST THE DIRECTOR BY NAME. THE PRESS ASKED ME ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT BECAME PUBLIC. I NEVER MENTIONED HIM BY NAME. IT WAS OTHERS MENTIONED HIM BY NAME. I ALSO HAD A LAWSUIT TRYING TO REMOVE FROM OFFICE , BECAUSE I WENT ON MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE. I ALSO HAD A LAWSUIT OVERTURNING THE RESULTS OF THE ELECTION. I MEAN , I GOT A LOT OF LAWSUITS AND WE ARE ABOUT TO HAVE TO REIMBURSE ANOTHER LAWSUIT THAT I'M SURE WILL EVENTUALLY COME TO AN END THAT IS ALL MADE UP . I MEAN, WHAT ELSE DO YOU GUYS WANT TO TALK ABOUT? I HAVE NEVER, NOR SHOULD ANYONE, BRING THE DEPARTMENT HEAD TO THE DAIS , WHETHER IT IS DIRECTOR ROBINSON OR SOMEBODY ELSE, AND ACCUSE HIM OF THINGS LIKE YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING FOR THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY, INTERRUPT THEM. AS HAPPENED WITH MANY OTHER DIRECTORS. I DON'T WANT TO CALL OUT DIRECTOR MANON, BUT GO BACK AND LOOK AT THAT TAPE. GO BACK AND LOOK AT HOW JOHN BLUNT , AND MANY, I'M NOT GOING TO NAME ALL OF THE WOMEN, BUT LET'S JUST SAY, YOU AND I COMMISSIONER BRIONES WERE IN MY OFFICE WHERE YOU CAN SEE THE MURAL OF LADY JUSTICE WITH SEVEN -- SEVERAL WOMEN DIRECTORS AND YOU AND ME COMMITTED TO THEM TO FIGHT FOR RESPECT FOR THEM , AND THE DISRESPECT, I DIDN'T MENTION NAMES EARLIER, I WAS TALKING ABOUT RESPECT, BUT WE KNOW WHO MOSTLY DOES THIS IN COMMISSIONERS COURT AND BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. SO, IS THERE , IS PAY IMPORTANT TO SUCCESSFUL ORGANIZATION , DIRECTOR, ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ? IS PAY IMPORTANT TO A SUCCESSFUL

ORGANIZATION? >> IS PAY IMPORTANT?

>> SINCE WE DID ALL THIS WORK ON PAY.

>> YES. >> WHAT ABOUT RESPECT? IS

RESPECT IMPORTANT ? >> YES, RESPECT AND GOVERNANCE AND A LOT OF OTHER THINGS ARE IMPORTANT.

>> SO THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS. IS A STANDARD FOR PERFORMANCE ISSUES TO BE DISCUSSED IN PRIVATE?

>> YES. BUT THERE ARE ALSO, THERE ARE ALSO SOMETIMES SOME PEOPLE ARE ASKING QUESTIONS, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE ASKING

QUESTIONS ABOUT A PROGRAM. >> WHICH IS TOTALLY APPROPRIATE , BUT PERFORMANCE ACCUSATIONS, PERSONAL ATTACKS, INTERRUPTIONS, THAT IS NOT OKAY . WE CAN CLEARLY SAY HEY WHAT'S UP WITH THIS, THAT'S GREAT, BUT IF I BELIEVE THAT A DEPARTMENT HEAD IS IGNORING AN ENTIRE POPULATION, I WILL GO TALK TO HIM, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT IS NOT TRUE, BECAUSE THE NUMBERS BEAR THE EXACT OPPOSITE. SO IS IT, IS THERE A REASON, LEGAL REASON WHY WE CANNOT PASS THIS POLICY ?

>> NO, THERE IS NOT. >> AND WHITED EXIST? YEAH. IS IT WRITTEN SOMEWHERE? I'VE NOT SEEN IT WRITTEN ANYWHERE.

>> THAT'S A GOOD POINT. IT HAS VERY MUCH BEEN THE TRADITION OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND AS THE ADMINISTRATOR SAID, MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS DO HAVE PERSONNEL MATTERS DISCUSSED ONLY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION , BECAUSE THAT IS VERY MUCH THE NORM.

THIS IS EFFECTIVELY CODIFYING WHAT THAT, WHAT THE BEST PRACTICES IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS, AND WE HAVE TRIED TO PRACTICE HERE IN THE COUNTY.

>> SO THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT CAN GET RID OF US AS MUCH AS THE VARIOUS LAWSUITS ARE TRYING TO DO THAT , COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ON THE LAWSUITS THAT HAVE BEEN FILED AGAINST ME, AND THERE ARE PROBABLY GOING TO BE MORE, THEY DON'T EVEN LIKE, IS IT, WHAT MY FIANCE LOOKS LIKE. THEY ATTACK ME FOR ANYTHING. BUT THERE IS NO LEGAL REPERCUSSION. NONE OF US CAN GET RID OF THE OTHER PERSON OTHER THAN IN THE BALLOT BOX, AND DRAWING THE PRECINCT BOUNDARIES. BUT , WHAT WE CAN DO -- TRUE, YEAH, NO, TOTALLY. BUT WHAT WE CAN DO IS HOLD OURSELVES TO A STANDARD AND SAY THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT IS GOING TO BEHAVE ACCORDING TO A STANDARD SO THAT IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, WE KNOW, HEY, WE ALL ADOPTED A STANDARD, AND THERE IS AT LEAST AN UNDERSTANDING THAT THAT IS NOT OKAY, AND IT IS MY HOPE THAT THIS WILL MAKE IT TO WHERE THAT KIND OF DISRESPECT

DOESN'T HAPPEN ANYMORE. >> WHAT YOU PROPOSE ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS OF SOMEBODY WHO THEN COMES OUT AND DISRESPECTS A NUMBER MEMBER OF COURT OR ANOTHER DEPARTMENT HAD OR ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL? WHAT'S THE POLICY AND THEN WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS FOR NOT FOLLOWING THE POLICY? IF WE ARE GOING TO CODIFY THE RULES, WE SHOULD TRULY MAKE IT A

ROBUST POLICY. >> I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE ALLOWED TO, CAN YOU BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT YOU ARE

RECOMMENDING? >> BASICALLY THE QUESTION IS IF IT IS REQUIRED UNDER TEXAS LAW. THE ANSWER IS NO. WHAT YOU SAID COUNTY ATTORNEY IS THAT THIS WOULD BE A POLICY THAT THE COURT WOULD BE CODIFYING. MOST POLICIES LAY OUT WHAT THE POLICIES OBJECTIVE ARE, WHAT THE POLICY IS AND TO THE EXTENT A POLICY IS NOT COMPLIED WITH, WHAT ARE THE RAMIFICATIONS. IF

[05:25:02]

>> ARE WE ALLOWED TO HAVE A POLICY , LIKE, RAMIFICATION.

WHEN I TALKED TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, HE SAID WHAT I JUST SAID YOU WELL , WHICH IS I CAN'T SAY LET'S HOLD A VOTE THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS OUT AND WE HAVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE BACK. I CAN DO THAT. I CAN'T MAKE A RAMIFICATION. IF YOU HAVE AN IDEA, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ENLIGHTEN ME --

>> I THOUGHT WE WERE TALKING IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ?

>> YOU ARE ASKING WHAT THE RAMIFICATIONS ARE --

>> FOR THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, FOR PERSONAL MATTERS TO BE TALKED ABOUT ONLY IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, AND IF ONE PREACHES THAT POLICY WHICH IS CODIFIED BY COURT, WHAT ARE RAMIFICATIONS. WE AREN'T TALKING ABOUT ELECTIONS.

>> WHAT I'M SAYING IS I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE I CANNOT SAY LET'S HOLD A VOTE AND HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WHOEVER THE OPPONENT WAS BACK IN AND YOU GUYS CAN'T TAKE ABOUT AN SAY --

>> YES, I WOULD LOVE THAT. I WANT US TO BE ON THE RECORD , ESPECIALLY EMPLOYEES, MY FRIENDS IN LABOR TALK A GREAT GAME ABOUT WE RESPECT WORKERS. WE GAVE A 40% RAISE TO ONE PERSON . ABOUT WE WANT TO GIVE PAY RAISES, COME BY OUR, THE STANDARDS THAT WE FOLLOW, AND YET, I STILL DON'T UNDERSTAND , AND WOULD LIKE A CLEAR SENTENCE AS TO WHY WE CANNOT APPROVE A POLICY THAT SAYS DON'T HARANGUE PEOPLE IN PUBLIC , WHICH I HAVE NEVER DOES -- DONE. ANSWERING WHY DID SOMEONE GET A 40% RAISE IS NOT HARANGUING. IT'S A SAYING I HAVE NO IDEA MY COLLEAGUES DID NOT EXPLAIN IT.

>> TO BELIEVE THIS IS A POINT OF ORDER.

>> I MAKE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> MOTION DIES FOR LACK OF SECOND. CAN WE MOVE ON?

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU DON'T SUPPORT THIS EITHER?

CAN I UNDERSTAND WHY? >> POINT OF ORDER. WE DON'T

HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. >> I WILL PUT IT BACK NEXT TIME. I DO BELIEVE WE NEED TO RESPECT EVERYONE AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF 40% INCREASE ALLIANCES GOING ON OVER HERE.

>> YOU KEEP SAYING THINGS LIKE THAT BUT YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO IS VIOLATING THE VERY POLICY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> EXPLAIN HOW? >> IF YOU WOULD QUIT VIOLATING

THE POLICY -- >> WHEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPEAKS TO ROBINSON AND ALL THESE WOMEN YOU ARE OKAY WITH

THAT? >> I THINK THIS ITEM IS PASSED.

>> WE JUST NEED TO RESPECT PEOPLE, AND EVEN THOUGH AS STRONGLY AS YOU SAY IT, WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IS A LOGICAL COMMENCING WITH THE LADY TO YOUR RIGHT. GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER. GO AHEAD. >> I'M CALLING A POINT OF

ORDER. >> OKAY. DO YOU NEED TO DO

SOMETHING? >> MOVE ON.

>> YES. >> THE NEXT ITEM IS 217, THE HEART PROGRAM. AND I, I WOULD LIKE TO --

>> WHAT ABOUT 20 AND 21? >> IS IT GROUPED ALTOGETHER?

217, 256, AND 254? >> THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM 20.

>> IT'S ITEM 20? >> S COMMISSIONER. AND THEN 22.

>> THAT WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA .

>> AND ITEM 20 IS ON THE SUCCESSION POSITION , BROUGHT BY MY OFFICE, SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, HAPPY TO ANSWER.

>> IF I MIGHT, I THINK YOU DID A GOOD JOB ON THE SUCCESSION ISSUE, AND DO WE NEED A MOTION ON IT?

>> YES, SIR. IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS.

>> I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE A PROBLEM THAT DOESN'T EXIST. I MEAN YOU, I DO APPRECIATE -- THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CALLS ME OFTEN , AND WE HAVE GOOD, CLEAR CONVERSATIONS, AND I JUST DIDN'T AGREE. I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE SOMETHING, AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO SOLVE, SO I WOULD NOT BE

SUPPORTIVE. >> I WANT TO ASK ONE QUICK QUESTION AND I WOULD MAKE MOTION TO APPROVE AND ADOPT IT HERE TRAVIS COUNTY HAS A SYSTEM IN PLACE I BELIEVE, AND I KNOW LOS ANGELES HAS A SIMILAR SYSTEM, SO THAT WHEN THERE IS A CHANGE IN A DEPARTMENT, YOU HAVE SOME CONTINUITY OF LEADERSHIP OF SOMEBODY RETIRES OR WHATEVER , SO THERE IS AT

LEAST I KNOW THOSE TWO TO IT. >> YES SIR. IT MAKES IT EASIER TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT CONTINUITY AND HAVE THE PERSON WHO IS RETIRING OR LEAVING THE OFFICE BE AVAILABLE TO HELP

[05:30:01]

>> DOES THIS HAVE A BUDGET IMPACT?

>> IT SHOULD NOT. TO BE ONE-TIME FUNDING FOR THE NEW

POSITION -- >> ONE-TIME FUNDING. SO IT IS A

BUDGET. >> YES. IT WOULD DEPEND ON THE

POSITION. >> ADOPTION.

>> SECOND. >> QUESTION.

>> YES, SIR. >> I WOULD SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

HOWEVER, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T NECESSARILY

PRECLUDE A SEARCH . I MEAN -- >> NO. A SEARCH WOULD STILL BE PART OF THE REGULAR RECRUITMENT PROCESS WOULD STILL BE PART OF

THE WHOLE SITUATION. YES. >> ITEM 20.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY. THAT'S ITEM 20.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS . ANY IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-1. NOW, LET'S LOOK AT ITEM 22, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY .

>> IT IS ON THE NONCOMPLIANT DEPARTMENTS. PERHAPS BUDGET

MANAGEMENT -- >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A PRESENTATION ON THIS BEFORE --

>> THERE IS A PRESENTATION ON THIS. IT'S FOLLOWING THE

POLICY. >> SO IF I UNDERSTAND OUR BUDGET PROCESS, WE GO IN THE, IN THE, UNDER THE SPIRIT OF CONTINUING LEVEL OF SERVICE, CLS. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH IT INCREASED THE BUDGET IN EVERY DEPARTMENT BY --

>> WHATEVER WAS PRESENTED AT COURT.

>> SO I THINK IT IS. NOW WE ARE ASKING EVERY DEPARTMENT AFTER WE INCREASE AT 4% WE ARE ASKING THEM TO CUT 5%. I THINK THAT IS INTERESTING. I'VE JUST NEVER SEEN THAT BEFORE . FIRST YOU GIVE A DEPARTMENT WELL YOU ARE GOING TO INCREASE YOUR BUDGET 4% TO MAINTAIN CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE BASED ON NOTHING , SO THAT IS JUST ONE OF THOSE , I KNOW, WE WILL SAVE 4%. THEN YOU SAY WE ARE GOING TO CUT IT 5% AGAIN , BASED ON NOTHING . I WOULD BE IN FAVOR OF A MORE SURGICAL -- SOME, SOME DEPARTMENTS MAY NEED TO BE CUT 20%. OTHERS MAY NEED A 15% INCREASE. I THINK IT IS RATHER MINDLESS TO GO DOWN THIS ROAD, AND SO FOR THOSE REASONS , WHEN YOU ARE ENFORCING COUNSEL PRECINCT 6 , HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE , PROBATE COURT. DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE . THIS IS INTERESTING.

GET $6 MILLION. AS OF A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT. UNIVERSAL SERVICES , 400 44,000 IN THE COUNTY CLERKS AND YOUR MEASURE , STANDARD IS SO ARBITRARILY SET I DON'T EVEN UNDERSTAND THAT. I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS BECAUSE IT IS NOT BASED ON DATA. IS NOT BASED ON FACT. IT IS NOT BASED ON COMMON SENSE.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I KNOW I SPOKE TO DIRECTOR RAMOS ABOUT THIS ABOUT FIVE OR 6 DAYS AGO . JUST WALK US THROUGH WHY WE ARE DOING THIS AGAIN. I AM ASSUMING IT IS BECAUSE WE KNOW WE HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR THIS $130 MILLION, SO A REQUEST FOR TO ALL DEPARTMENTS. WILL YOU USE YOUR BEST EFFORTS, WILL YOU COME UP WITH WHAT YOU THINK OUGHT TO BE CUT, BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT SOMETHING . THIS WAS I THINK AN ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM , SO IF THEY DIDN'T DO IT, YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING . AND IF YOU DEPARTMENTS, MAY BE WHERE THERE IS A CHANGE IN ELECTED OFFICIAL, WE HAVE TO MAKE A JUDGMENT CALL, IF ONE PERSON GOING OUT OF OFFICE DIDN'T DO IT. WE WOULD, I WOULD PROBABLY VOTE TO PUT THE MONEY BACK IN WHEN WE CROSS THAT BRIDGE. I HAVE SEEN SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THIS DONE IN MY YEARS IN STATE GOVERNMENT. IF THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE ASKED DEPARTMENT HAS TO GO IN AND MAKE A CUT, UNIVERSITIES , AND THEY DIDN'T DO IT, THE TRIGGER, THE HAMMER WAS WE ARE GOING TO CUT IT BY THE CEMENT. IF YOU THE PURSE MET -- PERSON OVER AT THE DEPARTMENT WON'T COME IN TO TELL US SURGICALLY WHAT YOU THINK IS GOING TO BE CUT, THAT IS MY SENSE OF WHAT HE WAS TELLING ME. AS I MENTIONED I WAS OUT OF TOWN WHEN HE TOLD ME. IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT WHEN I CHATTED WITH HIM, BUT AS I PRETTY MUCH THE GIST OF THIS?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES WAS TAKEN OFF OF THE LIST.

>> IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE WAS TAKEN OFF?

>> THE CLERK'S OFFICE IS STILL ON THE LIST. ONE THING I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT AS WE GET SERIOUS OMISSIONS FOR THE CLS ITEMS AND THEY GET EVALUATED BASED ON THE CRITERIA PROPOSED IN THE BUDGET

[05:35:02]

>> HOW MANY DEPARTMENTS DO WE HAVE?

>> ROUGHLY 80. >> SO OUT OF 80, ROUGHLY 4 DIDN'T DO IT. I DO WANT TO SAY IN DEFENSE OF THE CLERK, SHE DID HAVE ABOUT 3 TO 4 ELECTIONS TO RUN. I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT.

I THINK MY STAFF DID TALK TO HER ABOUT IT, BUT WITH THAT SAID I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.

>> I WILL SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES . ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4-1. OKAY. ITEM 23, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THIS IS BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP.

>> SO WE HIRED BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP, AND WE ALL AGREED WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS THEY'VE MADE FOR MORE REVENUE , THAT WAS PRIMARILY THE OBJECTIVE OF BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP. I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY CALL IT LOW HANGING FRUIT. I WOULD CALL IT FRUIT ON THE GROUND. IT WAS PRETTY, PRETTY OBVIOUS AND PRETTY SIMPLE. PICK IT UP AND PUT IT IN THE BASKET.

I DON'T KNOW WHY WE WOULD NEED TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO HELP US FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS SUCH OBVIOUS TRAFFIC FEES COME UP PARKING FEES, THOSE SORTS OF THINGS. I SEE NO NEED OF IT. WE ALREADY SPENT $800,000 ON THE STUDY. I SEE NO REASON TO BRING IN SOMEBODY PARTICULARLY NOW THAT WE ARE CLEARLY RUNNING SHORT OF MONEY, WHY IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO BRING SOMEONE ON

BOARD TO HELP WITH THAT. >> ONE THING I DO WANT TO CLARIFY IS THAT WE AREN'T ASKING FOR ANY SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING FOR THIS. IT IS WITHIN THE EXISTING BUDGET. WE JUST WANTED TO BE TRANSPARENT. THE OTHER REASON WE WANT TO BRING IT UP THROUGH THE DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE TODAY . WE'VE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF AREAS WHERE WE HAVE POTENTIAL SAVINGS BECAUSE IT IS FOOD ON THE GROUND AND WE NEED TO BE DILIGENT ON THAT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE, BECAUSE THE RUNWAY IS QUITE SHORT, A DEFICIT WE ARE FACING NEXT YEAR. THE POINT OF THIS IS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE IMPLEMENTATION IS QUICK, EFFICIENT, AND IT IS DONE RIGHT.

>> AND BCG IS COVERING 50% OF THE COST, CORRECT?

>> YES, THE COST IS SUBSIDIZED.

>> IF I COULD. LOOK, I SUPPORT THE WORK. HE HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL. HOWEVER, THIS ITEM , MY MY MY CONSTERNATION WITH IT IS JUST HOW IT IS WRITTEN. I DON'T LIKE THE IDEA THAT A COMPANY IS SUBSIDIZING US TO HIRE SOMEONE . IT JUST FEELS BAD , AND SO , IS THERE A DIFFERENT WAY TO PRESENT THIS?

>> DEFINITELY YOU GET A BENEFIT FROM THIS. THEY ARE TRENDING UP THEIR STAFF TO BASICALLY COME OUT AND TALK TO GOVERNMENTS AND WORK WITH THEM, AND HOW BETTER TO DO THAT THAN BE EMBEDDED WITHIN A COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

>> WHICH I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THIS. IT IS HOW THIS IS WRITTEN. I DON'T LIKE THAT THE COMPANY IS SUBSIDIZING US, BUT I APPRECIATE THAT. I'M JUST WONDERING IF THERE IS A DIFFERENT WAY TO PRESENT THIS.

>> FELLOWSHIP. >> IF WE CAN REWRITE IT A LITTLE BIT I WILL BE HAPPY TO SECOND IT.

>> I WILL MOVE IT WITH THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, THAT

CHANGE. >> I SECOND.

>> SO WHAT WILL IT READ, YOU GUYS?

>> NICER . FELLOWSHIP. >> FELLOWSHIP.

>> WITH , JUST REQUEST THAT IT WOULD BE STATED AS ORIGINALLY STATED BUT MAYBE WE CHANGE THE AND AS PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR CANTY PLAN WITH BCG AS A FELLOWSHIP?

>> WITH BCG -- >> SO REQUEST APPROVAL TO HIRE A DIRECTOR, ON SPECIAL PROJECTS ON A CONTRACT BASIS FROM BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP FOR ONE YEAR TO ASSIST WITH OMB PLUMMETING AND MONITORING PROJECTS THAT ARE PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR CANTY PLAN WITH BCG, PERIOD. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN

FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES -- >> QUICK POINT . MAKE SURE LEGAL YOU VENT IT SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA

[05:40:03]

-- >> IT'S NOT. JUST TO BE CLEAR THE WAY IT IS STRUCTURED THEY ARE ESSENTIALLY DISCOUNTING THEIR RATE. THIS IS REALLY AN INTERNAL MECHANISM, SO YEAH. I THINK THEY ARE PRESENTING IT AS GIVING US SOMETHING WHEN EFFECTIVELY THEIR HOURLY RATE IS $500. MAYBE $400 FOR THIS.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN DOING A GOOD JOB. IF WE HAVE TO, IF WE ARE OUT TILL 10:00 THEY HAVE TO COME AND DO AN INTERVENTION ON

US. >> DO WE NEED TO TAKE THE BOAT AGAIN AS I WASN'T ABLE TO CALL IN OR IS IT OKAY?

>> I'M SORRY JUDGE, WHAT WAS THAT?

>> WE VOTED BUT I DID NOT GET TO FINISH CALLING THE VOTE. DO IT AGAIN? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 4-1. OKAY. 73 , COMMISSIONER GARCIA

. >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO DR. PETERSON FOR HER WORK OVER AT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. AND I AM EXCITED FOR THE FORWARD MOMENTUM OF THE PANTHER CREEK FEASIBILITY STUDY TO SERVE THE RESIDENTS OF GALENA PARK. THE PURCHASE OF THE SIX ACRE TRACT WILL PROVIDE 32 ACRE-FEET OF STORM WATER STORAGE TO MITIGATE FUTURE FLOOD EVENTS IN THE AREA. THIS PROJECT WAS INITIATED AS PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT 2018 BOND PROGRAM PRIMARILY IN GALENA PARK. THE WATERSHED IS JUST NORTH OF BUFFALO BAYOU , JUST EAST OF LOOP 16 EAST AND THERE IS APPROXIMATELY TWO SQUARE MILES. THE STUDY HAS EXPERIENCED , THE STUDY AREA HAS EXPERIENCED SIGNIFICANT STRUCTURAL FLOODING IN RECENT YEARS WITH OVER 190 STRUCTURES BEING FLOODED DURING HURRICANE HARVEY. THIS LAND ACQUISITION WILL ACCOMMODATE THE CONSTRUCTION OF A RETENTION POND TO REDUCE FLOODING IN THE FUTURE, AND THIS PROJECT IS CURRENTLY IN PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING. I JUST, I WANT TO THINK THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR KEEPING THE GALENA PARK, THE CITY OF GALENA PARK IN , ON THE FRONT BURNER OF THEIR WORK. I HAVE HEARD ALL TOO OFTEN HOW CHALLENGED THE AREA WAS DURING HURRICANE HARVEY ALTHOUGH THIS PROJECT IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY , YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T GET ANYWHERE UNLESS YOU STUDY AT FIRST, SO I AM EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM IS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL SOON ALSO SEE A PROJECT TO HELP MITIGATE THEIR FLOODING

CONDITIONS. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS 146,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DIRECTOR FOR HER WORK AND HAVE HER COME AND PROVIDE US A PRESENTATION ON THE UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING A LOT OF UFO STUFF, SO THIS ALMOST SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE DOING A UFO PROGRAM HERE, BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE STARTED WITH THE, WITH THE CIVILIAN AGENCIES OR DEPARTMENTS IF YOU WILL, BUT TO HAVE A POLICY AND GUIDANCE FROM YOUR OFFICE IS CRITICAL , AND I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE WILL SOON SEE ONE, AND UNIVERSAL POLICY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT IF THEY CHOOSE TO ADOPT IT . I THINK IT WOULD BE IN THEIR BEST INTEREST, BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL

OF YOUR WORK, DIRECTOR . >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

GOOD EVENING, JUDGE. GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS. I AM JOINED TODAY BY MR. JEREMY BROWN. WHOSE TEAM HAS LED THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS POLICY ALONG WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT INCLUDED MEMBERS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGINEERING, FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICTS, FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, AND THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES. SO ALL OF THE TEAMS CAME TOGETHER. THEY ALSO COLLABORATED WITH MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING THE DIRECTOR'S OFFICE, COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES , COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE, ENGINEERING, FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, FLOOD CONTROL , APPRAISAL DISTRICTS, RISK MANAGEMENT, LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY, JUSTICE COMMUNITY.

>> WAS DEVELOPED AS A GROUP EFFORT AND IT IS EXPECTED TO ADDRESS THE NONLAW ENFORCEMENT BOTH IN EMERGENCY AND NONEMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

>> WONDERFUL, IS THERE ANYTHING WE NEED TO KEEP IN MIND IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THIS POLICY, DID YOU FIND ANYTHING THAT WAS OF

[05:45:02]

PARTICULAR INTEREST OR CONCERN? >> FROM AN ASSET MANAGEMENT PERSPECTIVE, THE NEXT STEPS TO WORK ON IS DEVELOPING INVENTORY, SO GETTING GRIP OF HOW MANY DRONES DO WE OWN, HOW MANY ARE OWNED BY EACH DEPARTMENT SO IT CAN BE AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. I WILL MOVE ON THIS ITEM

AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED ? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY, NEXT IS 160, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> CLICK COMMENT, I KNOW I HAVE VOTED NO ON A COUPLE OF THINGS TODAY RELATED TO STAFFING INCREASES BUT I'M GOING TO MAKE THE MOTION TO SUPPORT THIS STAFFING INCREASE, BECAUSE I THINK KOSTAS HAS DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB OF MANAGING HER RESPONSIBILITIES. SHE DIDN'T HAVE TO CUT WHAT SHE HAS CUT, BUT SHE DID CUT. SHE IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF THE SURGERY, WHEN SOMEBODY DOES SOMETHING GREAT, I WILL MAKE A MOTION, AND I

APPROVE. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? 210 AND 211 ON THE TC Q GRANDS ON THE ENVIRONMENTAL

INTEGRATION PROGRAM. >> I AM EXCITED BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY HAS ALWAYS LED THE WAY IN ENERGY, AND THIS WOULD HELP KEEP US AS THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. I'M VERY PROUD THAT IT IS THE FIRST IN THE COUNTY TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS GRANT OPPORTUNITY, BUT I HOPE WE ARE NOT THE LAST, THE EV'S LOWER NOISE POLLUTION AND PROMOTE ENERGY RESILIENCE , THAT TRANSITION TO EV'S IS ALSO A DOLLAR AND CENTS ISSUE , THEY COST LESS TO REPAIR, THAT SAVINGS WILL GO BACK INTO EFFICIENCIES TO ENSURE WE ARE GOOD STEWARDS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND I DON'T OFTEN GET TO SAY THANK YOU TO TCQ, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT, SO THANK YOU FOR THIS GRANT AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO RAY BURNS, OUR DIRECTOR OF FLEET AND I.T., AND THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR SUPPORT SERVICES, FOR LEADING IN THIS EFFORT AND FOR THEIR HARD WORK IN THE PURSUIT OF THIS GRANT, SO I'M VERY EXCITED. SOME OF THE NUTS AND BOLTS THAT THE TV EMP GRANT, ACCEPTED EIGHT PRECINCT 2 PROPOSALS INCLUDING FOR FIVE BUSES, THREE SEMI TRACTORS AND THE ASSOCIATED CHARGING INFRASTRUCTURE AND THERE WAS NO REQUIRED MATCH. THE ELECTRIC BUSES PRODUCED NO EXHAUST FUMES WHICH MEANS THEY DON'T EMIT HARMFUL POLLUTANTS SUCH AS NITROGEN OXIDE, PARTICULATE MATTER, CARBON MONOXIDE, THIS LEADS TO IMPROVED AIR QUALITY, REDUCING RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND OTHER HEALTH ISSUES ASSOCIATED WITH AIR POLLUTION AND WE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU ARE STUCK IN TRAFFIC , YOU SOMETIMES GET THOSE EMISSIONS BACK INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE SO THIS IS VERY EXCITING FOR OUR SENIORS WHO GENERALLY WILL BE USING THESE VEHICLES. ELECTRIC VEHICLES ALSO OFFER A SUSTAINED BENEFIT OF RESILIENCY AS A BYPRODUCT.

THIS REDUCES DOWNTIME AND CONTINUED MAINTENANCE COST TO SAVE MONEY FOR INCREASED OPERATIONS. THE TEXAS VOLKSWAGEN ENVIRONMENTAL MITIGATION PROGRAM, THE TEXAS VAMP PROGRAM PROVIDES GRANTS TO REPLACE OR UPGRADE OLDER VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT WITH LOWER EMISSIONS ALTERNATIVES.

VOLKSWAGEN ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST IS PART OF A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IN THE LITIGATION BETWEEN EPA AND VOLKSWAGEN ALLEGING THAT VOLKSWAGEN VIOLATED PROVISIONS OF THE FEDERAL CLEAN AIR ACT WHEN IT MANUFACTURED CARS WITH EMISSION DEFEAT DEVICES. SO, VERY EXCITED AND WE JUST ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE BUSES IN GENERAL BUT THESE ARE ELECTRIC BUSES WE WILL BE RECEIVING. AND RAY, THANK YOU, JUST REALLY QUICKLY,

[05:50:02]

FINDING SUCH GREAT TALENT. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. WE WILL TAKE 214, 217, 264, AND WE WILL GIVE THE INITIATOR A CHANCE TO UPDATE US FIRST.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, I JUST WANT TO GO BACK TO JUNE 4TH WHEN WE HAD A SIGNIFICANT DISCUSSION ON THESE ITEMS AND ON THE ISSUES WITH THE CONTRACT. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTED ME TO HELP SHEPHERD THIS, SECOND AMENDMENT THROUGH WITH ALL THE PARTICIPATING DEPARTMENT WHICH INCLUDES PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. AND THREE THINGS THAT THE COURT ASKED US, THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, THE NEW RFP AND AN OPTION FOR TAKING THIS INTERNAL AND WHAT THE COSTS ARE. SO, THE DRAFT RFP IN THE ACTION ARE ON MY DESK , I'M GOING TO BE REVIEWING THEM TODAY TO LOOK AT IT AND MAKE SURE IT GETS SHARED WITH THE COURT OFFICES THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT, SO WE CAN GET IT TO THE COURT BY THE TIMELINES THAT YOU STIPULATED ON JUNE 4TH. THE THIRD ITEM, THE DEMA SECOND AMENDMENT WAS ASKED TO BE BROUGHT BACK ON THIS COURT. MY TAKE AWAY FROM JUNE 4TH WAS THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT DID NOT WANT A GAP IN SERVICE FOR THIS PROJECT AND YOU DIDN'T WANT THE SERVICE FORM TO CHANGE TO INCLUDE LAW ENFORCEMENT. THOSE WERE THE CONVERSATIONS THAT I HEARD AND THAT IS WHY WE WERE STRIVING TO GET BACK TODAY WITH A SECOND AMENDMENT FOR THE CONTRACT WITH DEMA. WHEN I MET WITH THE DEPARTMENTS, WHAT I ASKED FOR WAS TO MAKE SURE EVERYTHING WAS LEGAL, WE MEET ALL LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, THAT THERE'S NO CHANGE TO THE BUDGET SO IT STAYS WITHIN THIS CURRENT CONTRACT AND DOESN'T TRIGGER HAVING TO GO OUT FOR A NEW COMPETITIVE BID, THAT THE CHANGE TO A FEE-FOR-SERVICE STRUCTURE MAKES IT VERY CLEAR AND EASY FOR THE AUDITOR TO BE ABLE TO AUDIT THE CLAIMS SO THE INVOICES CAN BE PAID AND THAT IT STILL REMAINS FEASIBLE AND OPERATIONAL FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TO IMPLEMENT, THOSE WERE THE FOUR THINGS THAT I ASKED THE DEPARTMENT AND EVERYBODY SAID YES, WE REVIEWED THE BACKUP, IT WAS SHARED WITH SOME OF YOUR OFFICES. I HAVE TO SAY IN CASE OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDING THEY DON'T WANT TO DO BUSINESS WITH DEMA MORE, THIS SECOND AMENDMENT, IF YOU CHOOSE NOT TO AUTHORIZE IT, THEN I WOULD RECOMMEND YOU GET LEGAL ADVICE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON WHAT OTHER STEPS ARE TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT TOTALLY. SO THAT IS ON YOUR PLATE UNFORTUNATELY, BUT THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE FOR THE SECOND AMENDMENT AND WE FEEL IT MEETS THOSE REQUIREMENTS. WITH THAT I WILL TURN IT OVER TO DWIGHT AND JOHN AND MIKE IN PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> I THINK THEY WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING FIRST, IS THAT YOUR PREFERENCE?

>> I THINK, BECAUSE THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS TOGETHER, SO IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON ANY OF THE ITEMS, I WAS JUST HELPING

ADMINISTRATE IT. >> I WANT TO SAY, YOU DID A GREAT JOB, YOU PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO IT AND I VISITED

[05:55:01]

256 AND 254 AS PRESENTED. >> REMIND ME WHAT IS IN ITEM 214, IS THAT IT THE $860,000 PAYMENT?

>> I BELIEVE 214 AND THE SETTLEMENT ITEM ARE RELATED.

AND HERE COMES THE AUDITOR, HE CAN CLARIFY.

>> WE MAY WANT TO SEPARATE THE ITEM.

>> YES, I WILL TRY TO DO THAT, I FIRST WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR SOME CONFUSION. MY INTENT WAS TO 17, THAT IS THE ITEM FOR YOU TO DECIDE WHETHER TO APPROVE THE $860,000. IT IS WRITTEN THAT IT IS SUBJECT TO OR CONTINGENT UPON YOU APPROVING 256 SO THIS ITEM, 256 WAS PUT TOGETHER BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY PURCHASING AGENT, DIANE'S PEOPLE, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, MY PEOPLE , BECAUSE THE $860,000 THAT WAS SHORT PAID DIDN'T PAY DEMA, THAT LEAVES SOMETHING FOR THE AUDITOR TO COMPARE IT AGAINST TO PAY IT. AND THE AMENDMENT , THE SECOND AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT THAT DIANA WAS TALKING ABOUT, THAT WILL SET US UP UNDER THIS NEW PAYMENT PROVISION TO GO FORWARD WITH FUTURE INVOICES, SO IT IS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED. SO, IF WE CAN APPROVE 217 AND A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT IS 256, THEN THOSE TWO TOGETHER WILL ALLOW US TO PAY DEMA THE $860,000 THAT WE HAVE BEEN HOLDING BACK. IF YOU APPROVE THE TWO HUNCHES IS BEFORE -- 264 ITEM, YOU ARE REALLY SAYING WE ARE ENTERING INTO AN AMENDED AGREEMENT WITH DEMA GOING FORWARD AND THEY ARE GOING TO BILL US DIFFERENTLY THAN THE PAST AND THAT WOULD BE EASIER FOR US ALL GOING FORWARD. SO

THAT IS HOW THEY BREAK OUT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> I WAS TRYING TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL THREE, IS THAT A PROBLEM? AND I DIDN'T DO 214 IN ITS ENTIRETY BECAUSE I'M ASSUMING IT IS ALL OF THE ITEM CLAIMS, SO I'M ASSUMING MISSIONARY IN THE -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULD LIKE

TO VOTE AGAINST THESE. >> I THINK THERE'S ISSUES IN

ALL THREE OF THEM. >> SO WE ARE VOTING 214 FIRST, HE IS VOTING TO SEPARATE THE DEMA.

>> HERE'S THE ISSUE FOR THE DEMA ITEM, A MOTION ON ALL OF THE AUDITOR CLAIMS EXCEPT DEMA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS.

>> YOU SAID WE ARE WITHHOLDING THE 160,000 BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPARE AGAINST. MY UNDERSTANDING AFTER READING YOUR AUDIT IS THAT WE AUTHORIZE WORK WITHOUT A PURCHASE ORDER, IS THAT ACCURATE?

>> THEY STARTED WORK BEFORE THEY HAD A PURCHASE ORDER, WHICH WAS CONTRARY TO WHAT THE CONTRACT SAID. THAT IS TRUE, THEY LATER GOT THE PURCHASE ORDER TO COVER THE WORK THAT THEY HAD DONE, BUT THEY STARTED WORK WITHOUT THE PURCHASE

ORDER. >> SO, THE AMENDMENT THAT WOULD BE VOTED ON LATER IS TO MAKE THIS LEGAL TO BE PAID.

[06:00:01]

>> WE PAID MOST ALREADY, THOSE PAYMENTS WE MADE WHEN THE PURCHASING AGENT ISSUED A PURCHASE ORDER FOR AN AMOUNT THAT COVER THOSE SERVICES THAT THEY STARTED PRIOR TO HAVING A PURCHASE ORDER. DWIGHT MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THAT HAPPENS EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AND IN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, IF THE PURCHASING AGENT DOES EVENTUALLY ISSUE A PURCHASE ORDER THAT COVERS THE SERVICES THEN WE WILL AT THAT TIME PAY FOR THOSE SERVICES.

>> MY QUESTION IS, THE AMENDMENT IS TO MAKE IT LEGAL TO PAY THE 160,000, IF WE DON'T AMEND IT, WE CANNOT

LEGALLY PAY IT. >> THAT IS WHEN IT GETS CONFUSING, ONE ITEM IS CALLED A SUPPLEMENT

>> COMMISSIONER, IF I MAY, THERE'S TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, THE PURCHASE ORDER ISSUED IN THE AUDIT REPORT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE $860,000, THAT ACCOUNTS FOR WORK THAT WAS DONE BY DEMA BUT WHEN THE CONTRACT HADN'T BEEN EXPANDING IT TO ACCOUNT FOR THE EXPANSION OF THE PROGRAM. SO THERE WE HAVE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND ESSENTIALLY THAT IS PRETTY COMMON, AND WE HAVE THESE FAIRLY REGULARLY, WE ARE COMPENSATING A SERVICE OR SERVICE PROVIDER FOR SERVICES RENDERED, EVEN IF THE CONTRACT WASN'T COMPLETELY CLEAR ON WHETHER THOSE SERVICES WERE COVERED BY THE CONTRACT. YOU DO THAT ESSENTIALLY TO AVOID LITIGATION BECAUSE YOU HAVE RECEIVED SOMETHING OF VALUE. THAT IS WHAT THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT IS. THE PURCHASE ORDER ISSUED HAS TO DO WITH ENDORSEMENTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN PAID. AND THE AMENDMENT HAS TO DO WITH THE WORD GOING FORWARD. SO THERE'S THREE

DIFFERENT THINGS. >> SO, ONE, I CAN'T VOTE FOR WORK DONE WITHOUT A CONTRACT. I REMEMBER YOU COMING TO ME WHEN I WAS SHERIFF ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THREATENING TO REMOVE ME FROM OFFICE BECAUSE WITHOUT PURCHASE ORDERS, I

REMEMBER THAT . >> I DON'T REMEMBER, BUT I

BELIEVE YOU. >> SO, IF WE ARE DOING SOMETHING TO MAKE AN ITEM LEGAL TO BE DONE, THEN THAT TELLS ME THAT SOMETHING IMPROPER TOOK PLACE AND I CAN'T VOTE FOR

THAT. >> IT IS PRETTY COMMON, AND I MIGHT JUST ASK, HOW COMMON IS THAT?

>> I WANT TO CLARIFY, THE AMENDMENT AND SETTLEMENT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH MAKING THE PURCHASE ORDER ISSUED LEGAL, THOSE ARE TWO SEPARATE THINGS. OF COURSE YOU CAN VOTE AGAINST THE SETTLEMENT OR THE NEW CONTRACT BUT THEY ARE NOT

RELATED. >> AND ONE QUESTION, IS IT FAIRLY COMMON FOR THEM TO START WORK BEFORE PURCHASE ORDER IS ISSUED AND IS THAT WHY WE HAVE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENTS ON THE COURT AGENDAS ON A REGULAR BASIS?

>> I WOULD SAY IT IS FAIRLY COMMON, YEAH.

>> FIRST, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THANK YOU FOR QUARTERBACKING THE PLAN THAT WE PASSED, I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO.

SECOND OF ALL, I APPRECIATE THE TEAMWORK I HAVE SEEN FROM THE PURCHASING OFFICE, AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT IN THE OCA. AUDITOR, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE TIME FROM YOU AND YOUR TEAM, I WANT TO CONFIRM, BASED ON THE DIFFERENT AUDITS YOU HAD STARTED AND HAVE COMPLETED, IS THAT YOUR RECOMMENDATION THAT THESE ITEMS BE MOVED FORWARD?

>> IT IS MY RECOMMENDATION THAT WE GO FORWARD WITH THE PAYMENT OF THE $860,000. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN MY JUDGMENT THAT WOULD PREVENT ME FROM THINKING THAT OUGHT TO GET PAID. AND WE DID COME AS YOU MENTIONED, DO SOME AUDITS, ONE OF THEM WAS BASED ON FRAUD ALLEGATIONS. AND WE FOUND LACK OF DOCUMENTATION.

I UNDERSTAND THAT IS CONCERNING. WE ALSO DID AN AUDIT, WHICH I CALLED THE CONTRACT REVIEW AUDIT, AND WE HAD FIVE OBSERVATIONS IN THAT AUDIT BUT I FEEL LIKE ALL OF THOSE HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED BY DEMA AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

[06:05:06]

>> SO YOU ARE COMFORTABLE, THAT IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION?

>> YES. >> I ESPECIALLY WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO TREVOR FROM PRECINCT 14, YOU EMBODIED THE HIGHER STANDARDS, SO THANK YOU, TREVOR. AND FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE, THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT MEETS THE AMENDMENT, IS IT YOUR RECOMMENDATION THAT ALL OF YOUR DUE DILIGENCE IN COLLABORATION WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT THE COURT MOVE

FORWARD WITH THIS? >> IT IS OUR POSITION THAT THIS SETTLEMENT PLUS THE NEW CONTRACT WOULD COVER THE COURT IN TERMS OF TAKING LEGAL ACTION TO PAY THIS IN FUTURE INVOICES.

>> AND TO BE CLEAR, FOR EVERYONE LISTENING, THE JANUARY 2025 TERMINATION DATE OF THE MASTER AGREEMENT STILL HOLDS,

CORRECT? >> DOESN'T NEED A TERMINATION DATE? ALSO I WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE COURT THAT THIS CONTRACT JUST LIKE ALL OF OUR CONTRACTS HAS A TERMINATION FOR CONVENIENCE PROVISION, THIS COURT CAN TERMINATE THE CONTRACT WITH 30 DAYS NOTICE AT ANY TIME AS WELL AS A TERMINATION FOR CAUSE PROVISION WHERE THE COURT CAN GIVE DEMA THE OPPORTUNITY TO CARE AND IF THEY DO NOT, THEY CAN TERMINATE

THE CONTRACT. >> AS WE DISCUSSED AT LENGTH LAST TIME, I WANT TO SAVE AND STRENGTHEN IT, AND I'M ENERGIZED ON HOW WE ARE BRINGING IT IN-HOUSE, AND THE NEW RFP FOR POTENTIALLY A FUTURE VENDOR SO WE HAVE A PLAN A AND PLAN B AND PLAY KNOWING THERE IS THE JANUARY 2025 EXPIRATION, SO THANK YOU AGAIN FOR QUARTERBACKING ALL OF THAT.

THIS WOULD BE AN INTERN SOLUTION SO THE WORK CAN CONTINUE, IS YOUR EXECUTIVE SUMMARY OF THESE ITEMS,

CORRECT? >> YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> I HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS,

THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT THIS HEART PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE HALLMARK INITIATIVES THAT WE PASSED. TO PUT A PROGRAM IN PLACE, THIS WAS ONE OF THEM BY ALL MEASURES THAT I HAVE SEEN, IT IS WORKING. IT WAS DONE WITH A RELATIVELY SMALL BUDGET. AND I THINK THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE PLAYERS INVOLVED HAVE DONE A GOOD JOB, I APPRECIATE THE WORK OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND HER STAFF WHO HAVE SHEPHERDED THIS THROUGH THE PROCESS AND ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ, SHE DID A GOOD JOB WITH CHALLENGING CIRCUMSTANCES. I'M HOPING WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH IT, I LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING THE IN-HOUSE PROGRAM. I KNOW THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH THAT IN CERTAIN THINGS UNDER STATE LAW THAT CREATE PROBLEMS FOR US TO DO THAT, SO WE HAVE TO LOOK AT AGREEMENTS WITH PROBABLY OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES WHO MAY NOT BE AS INTERESTED AS WE ARE. HOPEFULLY THAT WILL CHANGE. IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS THE COURT HAS WITH THIS VENDOR HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIND ANOTHER VENDOR, BUT I JUST WANT TO STRESS AGAIN, I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO STRESS COME WE HAVE BEEN VOTING ON THEM HERE. WE HAVE BEEN

[06:10:01]

SO WE NEED TO MAKE NOTE OF THAT IN THE FUTURE, THAT IS JUST HOW IT OPERATES, WAS IT A PERFECTLY JOHN CONTRACT? PROBABLY NOT. I HOPE AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE DON'T HAVE THE SUPPORT OF EVERYBODY ON THE COURT, THAT THE FOLKS RUNNING THE PROGRAM DO AS MUCH AS THEY CAN TO EARN THEIR SUPPORT BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES A LOT TO REDUCE INEXCUSABLE RATIO DISPARITIES IN OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. SO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR 256 AND 254.

>> I WANT TO TAKE A BIT OF A SUMMARY ON WHERE WE HAVE BEEN AND WHERE WE ARE GOING. I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS. OF THESE NINE INVOICES THAT HAVE RIGHTS THAT WERE NOT SUPPORTED BY THE RELATIONAL CONTRACT OR THE FIRST AMENDMENT, IDENTIFIED BY YOU, IS THAT WHAT WE ARE PAYING?

>> WE HAVE 217 WHICH IS MY ITEM, AND 256 WHICH I SAY MY ITEM IS CONTINGENT UPON THAT ITEM, WITH THOSE TWO, THAT IS

WHAT WE ARE PAYING. >> SO, THERE'S ANOTHER CONVERSATION ON SELECTION AND HOW THEY WERE SELECTED, WHO WAS NUMBER TWO IN TERMS OF THE SELECTION. I THINK IT IS WORTH THAT CONVERSATION, I WOULD ENCOURAGE COURT MEMBERS TO LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF WHO WAS NUMBER TWO ON THIS ONE AND PARTICULARLY WHEN YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT A CONTINUING PROGRAM. IN MY COMMENTS, MY QUESTIONS REALLY HAVE MORE TO DO NOT WITH HEART BUT WITH DEMA. AND WHEN I LOOK AT THE CONTRACT AND AGAIN STARTING IT WITHOUT A P.O., AS A CONSULTANT, YOU NEVER DO THAT. AND IN MY COMPANY, IF YOU EVER DID THAT, YOU WEREN'T THERE ANYMORE BECAUSE WE WERE IN A POSITION OF NOT GETTING PAID, SO THAT IS PRETTY SERIOUS WHEN I LOOK AT THE CONTRACT WORK STARTING IN MARCH 21ST, DEMA WASN'T INCORPORATED IN TEXAS UNTIL MARCH 22ND. IT IS JUST ODD, IT IS A BUNCH OF THINGS , AS WAS COMMUNICATED PREVIOUSLY AS A HEALTH SMART POD INCORPORATION AND NOBODY HAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I THINK THAT IS INTERESTING. THE SCOPE OF THE CONTRACT IN TERMS OF WHAT WAS DONE, THIS GETS INTO THE QUALITY OF THE WORK DELIVERED. I GAVE YOU THE DAY THE LAST TIME, WHAT'S IN THE AMENDMENT IN MY PACKET IS FOR 2021, 2022 ASSUMED INFORMATION, WE'VE GOT REAL INFORMATION HERE IN 2023, I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT WASN'T REFERENCED. LET ME GIVE YOU THE 23 ITEM, THERE WERE 5000 -- 5863 CALLS RESPONDED TO UNDER THE DEMA CONTRACT. THAT YOU ARE ABOUT TO PAY. 2048 WERE WELFARE CHECKS. I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND, IS THAT WHAT EVERYBODY EXPECTED? AND SOME OF US HAD DONE SOME ASKING FOR DATA AND I'M TELLING YOU, THAT DATA CHANGES EVERY DAY, THAT'S JUST ODD HOW THE DATA CHANGES. SUSPICIOUS PERSON, 509, DISTURBANCE, FAMILY AND OTHER, 134. UNKNOWN MEDICAL EMERGENCY, 112 POINT HERE IS WHAT I HIGHLIGHTED IN THE LAST COURT, MENTAL HEALTH, 287. THAT IS LESS THAN 5% OF THE TOTAL COST.

SO WHEN PEOPLE CAME AND SPOKE AT THE LAST COMMISSIONERS COURT, THEY WERE MOST CONCERNED THAT WAS THE CENTER, THE PRIORITY OF THE PROGRAM HAD TO DO WITH MENTAL HEALTH, WHEN LESS THAN 5% OF THOSE CALLS DEALT WITH THAT. I WENT BACK AND CHECKED THE WEBSITE TODAY, THAT DATA HAS BEEN TAKEN DOWN.

I FIND THAT ODD. YOU WON'T FIND 287 ON THE WEBSITE, WHAT

[06:15:04]

THAT IS A WHOLE OTHER ISSUE. BUT IF EDEMA IS INVOLVED, I'M

NOT SUPPORTING IT. >> THE THING THAT I FOUND IN YOUR AUDIT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY POINTED OUT THAT THEIR ADDRESS WAS MY HEALTHCARE POD IN THE PARKING LOT, AND THAT THEY WERE NOT REGISTERED WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS TO DO BUSINESS, NOR DID THEY HAVE INSURANCE WHEN THEY STARTED THEIR WORK, IS

THAT ACCURATE IN YOUR REPORT? >> IT GETS A LITTLE BIT COMPLICATED, YES, WHEN DEMA STARTED AND DWIGHT MIGHT KNOW THIS BETTER THAN I DO, WE FIRST CONTRACTED WITH THEM AND THEY WERE SOLE PROPRIETOR, AND AN EXEMPTION I BELIEVE TO REGISTERING. THEY CHANGED THE FORM FROM THE SOLE PROPRIETOR TO AN LLC, I KNOW THIS, THEY ARE CURRENTLY REGISTERED TO DO BUSINESS IN TEXAS, THAT INSURANCE COVERAGE, DWIGHT , I THINK YOU ARE WORKING WITH THEM TO GET ALL OF THE PIECES TOGETHER AND YOU MAY KNOW A LITTLE BIT MORE ABOUT THE BACKGROUND THAN I DO BUT I THINK YOU MENTIONED TO ME AND SOME OF MY PEOPLE THAT THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION BECAUSE IT WAS WRITTEN ONE WAY AND THE REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL IN A DIFFERENT WAY, BUT THEY ARE AND I SAW THE EMAIL A LITTLE WHILE AGO, IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE GETTING THE INSURANCE REQUIRED,

DWIGHT, PLEASE COMMENT >> YES, THE INSURANCE THAT YOU REFERRED TO IN THE ORIGINAL AUDIT IN 22, THEY WERE STILL OBTAINING THEIR AUTOMOBILE INSURANCE WHEN THEY WERE IN PENDING OTHER VEHICLES. THE UMBRELLA COVERAGE WAS NOT IN THERE BUT I DON'T THINK THAT WAS A REQUIREMENT IN THE CONTRACT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS WRITTEN IN THE AGREEMENT, THERE WAS TRANSITIONING BETWEEN THE OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON STANDARD LANGUAGE THAT WENT TO THE AGREEMENT. AS FAR AS THE INSURANCE, THEY HAVE BEEN UP-TO-DATE AND AS FAR AS THE SOLE PROPRIETOR, THEY WERE EXEMPT BASED ON THE FACT THAT THEY WERE LISTED AS SOLE PROPRIETOR AND THEY DID FILE FOR LLC IN MARCH, THE DOCUMENTATION SHOWED THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED AND DO BUSINESS IN TEXAS IF

THEY ARE SOLE PROPRIETORSHIP. >> BUT THEY DID START THE WORK

WITHOUT THESE THINGS IN PLACE. >> THEY DID START THE WORK AT THAT POINT , WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE, YES, SIR.

>> AND DID THEY START WORK WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED IN THE

STATE OF TEXAS? >> I WOULD ASSUME THEY DID, THEY SUBMITTED THEIR BID AND THEY HAVE TO BE REGISTERED UNDER THE STATE OF TEXAS AND I GOT A RESPONSE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AGREEING THAT THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE REGISTERED, THERE IS THE EXEMPTION THAT ALLOWS THEM TO WORK IN TEXAS

WITHOUT BEING REGISTERED. >> AND WE HAVE THAT SOLE

PROPRIETORSHIP CERTIFICATION? >> I WILL VERIFY THAT FOR YOU

TO MAKE SURE. >> OKAY, AND MR. POST, YOU HAVE BEEN HERE ALL DAY, YOU HEARD THE EXHAUSTIVE CONVERSATION ABOUT HOW TO TREAT FOLKS, THE TRAINING THAT WE REQUIRE OF

[06:20:10]

BY STAFF AS REQUIRED. >> THAT'S RIGHT. WHEN WE WENT OUT AND DID THIS COMPARISON OF THE CONTRACT TERMS WITH WHAT DEMA HAD ACTUALLY DONE, THIS WAS AN AREA WHERE THEY HAD NOT FULFILLED THE CONTRACT. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE PEOPLE ARE GETTING THE TRAINING, SO WHAT WE'VE GOT

HERE IS DEFICIENCIES. >> AND SOME EFFORT ON THE PART OF DEMA NOW TO GET EVERY THING CORRECT, BUT IT HAS BEEN

POINTED OUT. >> SO ON THE POINT OF THAT TRAINING, YOU FOUND THAT DEMA HAS BEEN SUED FOR SEVERAL

VIOLATIONS IN CALIFORNIA? >> I HAVE NOT FOUND THAT.

>> THE OTHER QUESTION -- I THINK THAT IS IT, MR. POST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS, I'M GLAD THERE IS EFFORT TO BRING THIS IN-HOUSE, THE SHERIFF HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF HEART AND HE WANTS TO SEE IT CONTINUE SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S NO DISRUPTION TO IT. I WILL ONLY SUPPORT THE PAYMENT IF THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO BRING THIS IN-HOUSE, AND AT WORST, NOT ALLOW US TO EXERCISE OUR

TERMINATION CLAUSE. >> JUST TO INSERT MYSELF HERE, I AGREE, I THINK IT IS FINE IF THERE IS ENOUGH CONCERNS THAT WE NEED TO GO FOR ANOTHER ONE, I JUST WANT TO NOT SEE AN INTERRUPTION TO PROGRAMMING. I DO WANT TO ASK, JUMPING OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS SAYING ABOUT THE CATEGORIES COMMISSION THAT YOU WERE SAYING ABOUT THE WORK, I DON'T KNOW DIRECTOR ROBINSON IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE OR SOMEBODY FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN GO OVER THAT BECAUSE THAT IS A

LITTLE MORE PROGRAMMATIC. >> GOOD EVENING, JUDGE, DIRECTOR ROBINSON HERE, I THINK WE HAVE SHARED THIS INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY BUT IT IS A CATCHALL CATEGORY AND IT INCLUDES ACTUALLY SOME PRETTY SUBSTANTIVE ACTIVITIES THAT THE RESPONSE TEAMS ARE RESPONDING TO. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RECOGNIZES THAT CATEGORY NEEDS TO BE MORE GRANULAR AND THEY ARE WORKING ON UPDATING THE CALL CODES TO REFLECT WHAT EXACTLY THE TEAMS ARE RESPONDING TO ON THE GROUND SO IT IS NOT NECESSARILY THOSE FOLKS OUT SHAKING HANDS AND GIVING OUT STICKERS AND COLORING BOOKS BUT THEY ARE ACTUALLY RESPONDING TO SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES.

>> I THINK THE OTHER ONE WAS THE TERM WELFARE CHECKS, IF YOU WANT TO DEFINE WHAT THAT MEANS AS WELL.

>> YES, THAT IS WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS CAN HAVE -- IF THEY HAD SENIORS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DISEASE WHERE FAMILY MEMBERS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATING BASIC LIFE SUPPORT SERVICES IN THAT PARTICULAR CATEGORY, SO IT IS NOT JUST A WELFARE CHECK TO SAY HOW ARE YOU DOING? BUT MANY OF THOSE INSTANCES ARE INDIVIDUALS WITH ACUTE ETHICAL AND

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CHALLENGES. >> AND YOUR TEAM IS IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING THE WEBSITE SO IT IS CLEAR WHAT THOSE TERMS

MEAN? >> YES, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO GET MORE GRANULAR WITH THE CATEGORIES AND THE METRICS WE ARE COUNTING.

>> I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU TOOK TO PUT THIS TOGETHER AT LIGHTNING SPEED, I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM

HAVE DONE. >> ON THAT ONE, JUST A QUICK QUESTION, IS THERE A WAY FOR US TO PAY FOR THE WORK ALREADY DONE AND THIS IS A QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR ROBINSON AS WELL, AND

[06:25:05]

WOULD YOUR THOUGHTS BE ON THAT? >> I WOULD DEFER TO DWIGHT AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN TERMS OF THE TIME, IF YOU ALL DECIDED TO TERMINATE THE AGREEMENT AS YOU KNOW, IT TAKES TIME TO RAMP UP THE PROGRAMS AND WE WOULD HAVE TO GET LICENSURE AND HIRE STAFF, SO CUTTING OVER FROM ONE OR THE OTHER THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE A TRANSITION PERIOD THAT WE OFTEN DO FOR OPERATIONS. SO IT WILL TAKE SOME TIME FOR US TO RAMP UP AN IN-HOUSE PROGRAM, AND WE ARE PREPARED TO PROVIDE THOSE DETAILS DURING THE JULY 15TH COURT, AS MY TEAM IS FEVERISHLY WORKING ON GETTING THAT INFORMATION TOGETHER.

>> I KNOW YOU SAID AT THE LAST COURT MEETING WHEN THIS CAME UP

-- >> SOME OF IT IS RELATED TO HAVING THE LICENSURE AND AUTHORITY TO OPERATE, THERE IS ANOTHER OPTION FOR US TO UTILIZE EMTS BUT THERE IS A PROTRACTED PROCESS WITH THE STATE TO ACTUALLY RECEIVE CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSING, I DID SPEAK TO LORI CHRISTIANSEN AT THE SUGGESTION OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEY OPERATE UNDER DIFFERENT AUTHORITY AND THEY DON'T PROVIDE EMT SERVICES TO THE PUBLIC, THEY PROVIDE EMT SERVICES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN THERE'S AN ACTIVE SHOOTER OR CRISIS OR SOME OTHER KIND OF INCIDENT, SO THERE'S THAT REQUIREMENT AND THE AUTHORITY TO OPERATE UNDER A MEDICAL LICENSE, EMT'S NEED TO OPERATE UNDER LICENSES, AND IT IS A CHALLENGE TO FIND SOMEBODY WILLING TO PUT UP THEIR MEDICAL LICENSE FOR THAT PARTICULAR RISK AND LIABILITY.

>> SO IT PROBABLY MAKES SENSE TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR A WAIVER, TO SEE IF WE GET IT, WHILE WE KEEP THE PROGRAM GOING AND CROSS THAT BRIDGE IF IT CAN BE DONE AND WE BRING IT IN-HOUSE, THEN WE GET THERE.

>> YES, AND IF THE CONTRACT WAS TERMINATED, THEY WOULD BE A DISRUPTION IN THE PROGRAMMING BECAUSE WE HAVE TO HAVE THE

TIME AND APPROVAL OF LICENSES. >> THANK YOU.

>> MR. POST, I REMEMBER WHAT THE OTHER QUESTION WAS, WAS IT YOUR PROCESS THAT FOUND DEMA HAD RECEIVED HIGH RATINGS, OR MAYBE DWIGHT, HIGH RATINGS ON REFERENCES, BECAUSE THEY HAD LISTED COUNTY SUPERVISOR GORE AS A REFERENCE AND HE HAS SINCE SENT A LETTER SAYING THEY WERE AUTHORIZED LISTED AS A

REFERENCE? >> THAT IS PROBABLY MORE DWIGHT

ON THAT REFERENCE SIDE. >> COMMISSIONER, I KNOW WE HAD SOME FOLKS REACH OUT TO US ON THAT BUT I DON'T RECALL IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WAS GORE.

>> ON THE ISSUE OF THE EMT'S, WE CAN ABSOLUTELY CREATE A HYBRID MODEL, THERE'S A BUNCH OF EMT COMPANIES AROUND, WE CAN ACTUALLY RESOLVE THAT FAIRLY EASY. I THINK TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S POINT, THERE ARE LOCALS THAT CAN BE OBTAINED THAT WE CAN WORK THROUGH. SO I DON'T SEE A LOT OF SERIOUS OBSTACLES PREVENTING US FROM BRINGING THIS IN-HOUSE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU ON THAT, I HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE SO I KNOW THIS IS NOT INSURMOUNTABLE. WITH THAT, I WILL, WHENEVER WE ARE READY, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AN AMENDMENT

TO THE $860,000. >> AS WE TALK ABOUT THE AMENDMENT, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS TWO VERY SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS SERVED IN CORE. THAT WOULD TELL YOU THE BENEFIT OF THAT, IT IS NOT APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT DOES INVOLVE LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT EVEN IF YOU LOOK AT THAT AS AN INTERIM, A BRIDGE IF YOU WILL, TO GET US TO THAT POINT THAT WE CAN'T STAND UP ON HER OWN, HAVE YOU LOOKED AT SAAR AND CORE IN THE BENEFITS OF THAT PROGRAM THAT IT IS AN AWARD-WINNING, IN BOTH CASES, PROGRAM THAT IS ALREADY IN-HOUSE?

[06:30:04]

>> I PERSONALLY HAVE NOT LOOKED INTO IT OR ASKED PUBLIC HEALTH ABOUT IT TO DATE BECAUSE WHEN WE HEARD AT THE LAST COURT, IT WAS TRYING TO STEER CLEAR OF LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IT CAN BE A HYBRID AND AGAIN, WE ARE TRYING TO FIND A DUCT TAPE WAY TO GET US TO THAT NEXT POINT. AND CORE WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THAT MIGHT BE THE

BRIDGE. >> I SUGGEST WE VOTE ON THESE ITEMS AND CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET TO IT. SO CAN I MAKE A MOTION, IS THAT ON THE LAST ONE? OKAY, 217 AND 256.

>> I'M SORRY, YOU NEVER DID FINISH VOTING ON THE SECOND

ITEM TO 214. >> AND I ALSO ASK, I THOUGHT THERE WAS CLARIFICATION ON THE AMOUNT. IS THAT NOT TRUE? I THOUGHT IT WAS THE CORRECTION THAT THE AMOUNT WAS GOING TO BE LOWERED BY A FEW THOUSAND DOLLARS.

>> THE JUDGE I THINK MENTIONED THAT IN HER CORRECTIONS, THE CORRECT AMOUNT IS 859,000 , THAT WAS A MINOR CORRECTION TO ONE OF THE INVOICES THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT DISCOVERED AT

THE LAST MOMENT. >> I WILL HOLD THE DEMA ITEM UNDER 214 FIRST, THAT IS WHAT WE DID NOT DO.

>> OKAY, IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES, 4-1.

>> AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, IT'LL BE ITEM 256 AND 217 THAT IS GOING TO HAVE THE CORRECTED AMOUNT?

>> YES. >> FOR 256, THERE'S ALSO A SLIGHT CHANGE IN THE LANGUAGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BE ABLE TO AMEND THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT, I THINK WE SENT THAT OUT

EARLIER TODAY. >> WE DON'T HAVE IT, DO YOU

MIND READING IT OUT REAL QUICK? >> YES, LET ME JUST FIND IT. IT WOULD BE A MOTION FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH DEMA CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT TEXAS LLC IN THE AMOUNT OF $859,926.34 FOR HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM SERVICES PROVIDED FROM JUNE 6, 2023 THROUGH APRIL 9TH, 2024, SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY'S RECEIPT OF A CORRECTED INVOICE FROM THE VENDOR.

>> OKAY, DID YOU GUYS GET THAT? IT'S JUST AN ADDITION.

>> YES, THAT IS RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE

TRYING TO AMEND THIS ONE? >> YES, EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME, BUT TO THE LAST DATE, APRIL 9TH, 2024, CONTINGENT THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COURT MOVE THE HEART PROGRAM TO AN IN-HOUSE MODEL FOR A HYBRID IN-HOUSE MODEL WITH ELEMENTS CONTRACTED WITH VENDORS AS APPROPRIATE.

>> I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT DOESN'T DISRUPT THE PROGRAM, DIRECTOR ROBINSON, HAVE YOU SEEN IT?

>> WASN'T JULY 15TH A PART OF THE SEVEN-POINT PLAN? THEY WERE GOING TO PRESENT THE IN-HOUSE PLAN, CORRECT, ON JULY 15TH?

>> YES, THAT IS CORRECT. >> DO YOU SEE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AMENDMENT, THE ADDENDUM TO THE AMENDMENT ?

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK HERE AMENDMENT MIGHT BE BETTER UPON THE MOTION FOR 264 WHICH IS THE GOING FORWARD ITEM, AS OPPOSED TO THE JUST APPROVAL OF PAYMENT.

>> OKAY, 217 IS THE SAME BUT WE ARE ADDING A LITTLE BIT AT THE END OF IT, THE COUNTY CLERK -- I'M SORRY, 256. WE ARE STILL

LOADING ON 256. >> 256 WILL BE WITH THE MOTION

THAT JOHN JUST WROTE. >> THE SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT WITH DEMA TEXAS LLC , FOR HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE

[06:35:06]

IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECOND.

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, 3-2. NOW WE MOVED TO 264, THAT IS WHERE COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTED TO ADD MOVING THE PROGRAM TO EITHER IN-HOUSE OR HYBRID IN-HOUSE AND CONSULTANT. BECAUSE THAT IS ON THE GO FORWARD AGREEMENT, CORRECT? SO WOULD THAT MEAN THAT THEY WOULD KEEP WORKING UNTIL JULY 15TH DATE OR NO? THAT IS WHAT I'M

NOT UNDERSTANDING. >> WE DID NOT VOTE ON 217, THAT

IS AS PRESENTED, CORRECT? >> EXCEPT WITH THE CHANGE OF

AMOUNT. >> YES.

>> OKAY, 217 , DEMA CONSULTING AND MANAGEMENT TEXAS LLC SUBJECT TO THE DETRIMENT OF THE AGENDA ITEM FOR THE SETTLEMENT OF ALL UNPAID INVOICES AND SERVICES FROM JUNE 6, 2003 THROUGH APRIL NINTH, 2024. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED?

>> NO. >> MOTION CARRIES. WHAT IS THE DEAL ON THE GO FORWARD ONE, ON 264?

>> SO, MY AMENDMENT TO THIS ITEM IS REQUESTED THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE THE AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH DEMA TO INCORPORATE AND EXPAND PURPLES AS AN EXHIBIT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR HOLISTIC ASSISTANCE RESPONSE TEAM SERVICES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 10TH, 2024, THROUGH JANUARY 9TH, 2025 WITH NO INCREASE IN THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT . WHAT IS THAT NUMBER IN THE PARENTHESES MARK OKAY, CONTRACT NUMBER 210251, JUSTIFICATION FOR 0% PART -- PARTICIPATION GOAL, 0% NON-DIVISIBLE. CONTINGENT --

>> DID THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND COURT MOVE THE PROGRAM TO IN-HOUSE OR EITHER HYBRID IN-HOUSE CONTRACT? AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A COMMENT.

>> WHY IS THE AMENDMENT DATED JANUARY 10TH, 2024?

>> THAT IS THE ACTUAL CONTRACT DATE FOR THE ENTIRE CONTRACT, THE AMENDMENT WILL START THE DATE APPROVED BY THE COURT WHICH IS ON THE RCA. THIS IS JUST THE TERM OF THE CONTRACT.

>> SO YOU ARE JUST MIRRORING WHAT IS IN THE ORIGINAL

AGREEMENT. >> YES, SIR. THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WITH A ONE-YEAR TERM, AND AGAIN, THE AMENDMENT DOESN'T TAKE EFFECT UNTIL NOW SO IT IS FROM THIS POINT FORWARD WHAT WILL AFFECT THE NEW PRICING STRUCTURE.

GENERALLY 10TH WAS THE ORIGINAL AWARD, THE FIRST AMENDMENT WAS IN APRIL OR MAY IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN, COMMISSIONER.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER THIS FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT WOULD WORK? >> I MIGHT CHANGE THE CONTINGENCY TO BE CONTINGENT ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DEVELOPING A PLAN, OR PUBLIC HEALTH DEVELOPING A PLAN TO BRING THE PROGRAM IN-HOUSE, I THINK THAT WOULD MAKE THE EXECUTION OF THE AMENDMENT CONTINGENT ON THE PLAN ACTUALLY

BEING DEVELOPED. >> I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY IN THE SEVEN-POINT PLAN WE PASSED, WE WERE GOING TO HAVE TWO PLANS RUNNING IN PARALLEL, THE IN-HOUSE PLAN WHICH WOULD BE PRESENTED JULY 15TH AND WE WERE GOING TO LUNCH THE NEW RFP JULY 15TH AND SEE WHAT WOULD BE THE BETTER OF TWO OPTIONS. AS FOR

[06:40:04]

>> I THINK WITH THE CURRENT AMENDMENT THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS WOULD PRETTY MUCH SET US ON THE PATH FOR IN-HOUSE, I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AND SEE HOW LONG THAT WILL TAKE US, WE HAVEN'T DEVELOPED THAT END, I'M WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH ON THAT AND JANUARY 10TH IS GOING TO BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT. SO I THINK BEING ABLE TO HAVE THE TWO PARALLEL WOULD BE GOOD WITH THE GOAL OF GOING IN-HOUSE AT SOME POINT, BUT IF WE NEED TO MOVE TO ANOTHER VENDOR FOR ANOTHER PERIOD OF TIME, ON JANUARY 10TH, 2025, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO THAT AND GET AWAY FROM THIS CURRENT DEMA CONTRACT AND START FRESH AND HAVE OURSELVES TIME TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A REALLY GOOD PROGRAM IN-HOUSE.

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, YOU MENTIONED EARLIER HOW QUICKLY WE STARTED. WE STARTED THAT FAST, I CAN'T SEE WHY THIS IS

GOING TO BE HARD. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO BRING IT IN-HOUSE, I MENTIONED THE ALBUQUERQUE MODEL THAT WE ARE NOT IN NEW MEXICO. FROM MY TIME WITH THE STATE, I HOPE IT CAN BE DONE. FROM MY PREFERENCE, I WOULD PREFER NOT TO HAVE THE AMENDMENT, WE ARE SAYING WE WANTED BUT THE WAY I REACH THE AMENDMENT, YOU LOCK IT IN, SAYING IT IS DEAD OR IT IS COMING IN-HOUSE AND WHAT IF IT TAKES ANOTHER TWO WEEKS OR TWO MONTHS?

>> THIS PUTS PRESSURE ON THE ADMINISTRATOR TO GET IT DONE, AND I WILL HAPPILY CONSIDER AN EXTENSION IF NECESSARY BUT I WANT SOME COMMITMENT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE MOVING

IN-HOUSE. >> FOR ME AT LEAST, I CANNOT VOTE FOR IT BECAUSE I'M TOO COMMITTED TO THE PROGRAM. AND SOMETIMES WE SIT ON THIS SIDE OF THE DAIS AND WE JUST TALK ABOUT ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS COME UP WITH AN IDEA AND TELL THE BUDGET OFFICE, IT IS A PRIORITY AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MORE IT'LL COST BUT IT'LL COST MORE MONEY. I CAN THINK A LOT OF THINGS WE HAVE DONE WHERE WE HAVE WASTED MONEY AND EVERYTHING ELSE, BUT I WON'T GO THERE, I WOULD JUST PREFER

WE AMEND IT. >> I JUST WANT A COMMITMENT.

>> WE CAN WORK WITH YOUR STAFF DIRECTLY AS WE ARE WORKING ON THE PROPOSAL SO WE CAN MOVE AS FAST AS POSSIBLE AND THAT WOULD HELP US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING AND WE WILL CIRCULATE THINGS AHEAD OF TIME AND SOCIALIZE ANYTHING WE COME UP WITH WITH THE COURT OFFICES. WE CAN DO THAT.

>> IS IT ALLOWED TO MAKE A SEPARATE MOTION, TO TALK ABOUT A PLAN FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO BRING THIS PLAN, THIS PROGRAM IN-HOUSE?

>> LIKE A BEST EFFORT TIMETABLE WITH SOMETHING SHORT OF

DELIBERATE SPEED. >> WELL, WE CAN ADD FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO BRING THE PRODUCT

IN-HOUSE OR HYBRID. >> AS SOON AS PRACTICABLE.

>> I THINK THE LANGUAGE JOHN USED IS WHAT YOU WERE ASKING.

[06:45:02]

>> THE PLAN IS COMING JULY 15TH.

>> CORRECT. >> WE ARE COMMITTED TO THAT.

>> THE PLAN OR THE LAUNCH, THEY HAVE TO BE CLEAR.

>> RAMSEY? >> ADMINISTRATOR, I'M VOLUNTEERING TO PROVIDE INFORMATION, THIS WILL NOT COST YOU ANY TIME OR EFFORT, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH CORE AND START, AS YOU DEVELOP THIS, JUST BE AWARE THAT LEAST THAT DATA BECAUSE IT'S ALL COMING OUT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THEY ARE VERY PLEASED AND PROUD OF THAT. IF YOU ARE JUST AWARE OF IT, THE SCOPE AND WHAT IS HAPPENING, AS THIS NEW PROGRAM IS DEVELOPED, AT LEAST YOU ARE AWARE OF ANY POTENTIAL AREAS THAT MIGHT COMPLEMENT, BUT WE WILL BE GETTING WITH YOU, JUST SO THAT YOU ARE AWARE OF IT.

>> IT IS IN MY NOTES. WE GOT IT.

>> THE MOTION I HAVE IS THE REQUEST THE COUNTY EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CONSULTED MANAGEMENT TO INCORPORATE AN EXPANSION PROPOSAL FOR THE HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAM SERVICES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR JANUARY 10TH, 2024 TO JANUARY 9TH, 2025 WITH NO INCREASE IN THE TOTAL CONTRACT AMOUNT.

JUSTIFICATION FOR 0% PARTICIPATION GOAL, YOUR PERCENT NONVISIBLE AREA. AND A PLAN TO BRING THE PROGRAM EITHER IN-HOUSE OR HYBRID IN-HOUSE AND CONTRACTOR AS SOON

AS POSSIBLE. WHEN THAT WORK? >> THAT IS GOOD, YES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, 5-1. LET'S

MOVE ON TO 268. >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> MOTION. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES, THREE IN FAVOR, ONE

OPPOSED AND ONE ABSTAINED. >> 269 AND 270 WE CAN JUST

VOTE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. 276, PRECINCT ONE, IT IS

ABOUT INSURANCE. >> I WORKED WITH THE DEPARTMENT ON A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. 276. I THINK MY STAFF HAS WORKED WITH YOURS ON THIS AMENDMENT, THE MOTION I WANT TO MAKE , I MOTION THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY SUBJECT TO CHANGE ENROLLMENT FROM THE DEFAULT OPTION TO A PERSON OF CHOICE. HERE'S THE REASON WHY. THE VENDOR IS SAYING THIS WILL BE A MUCH BETTER PROGRAM FOR OUR RETIREES ABOUT 5000 OR SO BUT THE WAY IT WORKS, THEY WILL MAKE EVERYONE GO TO THAT PLAN AND IF YOU DON'T THINK IT IS THAT OPTION, YOU HAVE TO OPT OUT AND I KNOW SOMETIMES YOU DON'T READ ALL OF FILE:///C:/USERS/KWEISS/DOWNLOA DS/AGENDA%20(4).PDF THOSE PAPERS SO I PREFER THAT THE EXERCISE PERSONAL CHOICE AND INSTEAD OF THEM HAVING TO OPT OUT OF SOMETHING, THEY WILL PUT INTO, I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO OPT IN, SO I WANT TO MAKE IT A PERSONAL CHOICE ISSUE SO I WANT TO PASS THE ITEM BUT I WANT TO

ADD THE AMENDMENT TO IT. >> REQUEST ON THE APPROVAL OF THE BASIS OF LOWEST REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THE MEETING REQUIREMENTS AND THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH HUMANA INSURANCE COMPANY SUBJECT TO A CHANGE IN ENROLLMENT FROM THE DEFAULT OPTION TO THE PERSONAL CHOICE OPTION FOR GROUP MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AND PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE PERIOD OF JANUARY 1ST, 2025 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2025, FOR ONE YEAR RENEWAL OPTIONS.

[06:50:16]

IN THE DEFAULT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE. I HAVE NOT SEEN THIS YET. I WOULD LIKE TO LOOK AT IT TO MAKE SURE WE WILL NOT CHANGE ANYTHING MAJOR TO THIS -- SCOPE OF WORK.

IT DID QUOTE ALL THREE OPTIONS ON THE SPECIFICATION. WE ARE JUST REPLACING ONE OF THE OPTIONS WITH THE OTHER.

>> I DO NOT WANT TO BE OUT NINE MONTHS OR A YEAR. THANK YOU.

>> ARE YOU COMFORTABLE VOTING? THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS I READ IT. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S MOVE ON TO 331. THIS IS COMMISSIONER

PRECINCT 3 ITEM ON THE PICK. >> QUICK QUESTION. THERE HAVE BEEN SOME CONVERSATION RELATED TO FEMA RUNNING SHORT OF THEIR MONEY. I KNOW WE DEPEND ON FEMA TO REIMBURSE US ON STORMS. HOW IS THE PICK FIND DOING? I KNOW WE HAD TWO STORMS IN MAY. ARE YOU ALL FEELING FINE WITH THE PICK AND WHERE IT IS?

>> HELLO. THE CURRENT BALANCE IS SOMEWHERE AROUND 210 MILLION. EVEN AFTER THE STORMS WE RECENTLY HAD. I THINK WE HAVE SENT IN LIKE $13 MILLION IT COVERS STORM DEBRIS. I THINK THE LAST STORM HARVEY WAS THE BIG ONE. I THINK WE SPENT 100 MILLION OR SO. I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE RIGHT NOW.

>> WE ARE GOING INTO A BUSY SEASON. THANK YOU.

>> IS THERE -- NO ACTION. MOVING ON TO 332. COMMISSIONERS

RAMSEY -- BOTH FLAT IT. >> THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TOO 17 HAS INCREDIBLY GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ENERGY COMPANIES IN THE AREA TO ACCESS LOW INTEREST LOANS. SOME OF THE FOLKS I'VE TALKED TO, INCLUDING CENTERPOINT, SAYS THIS MIGHT BE A VERY GOOD THING. MY FOCUS IS HARDENING THE INFRASTRUCTURE, THE UTILITY DELIVERY SYSTEM. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE THERE. THE ISSUE IS, YOU NEED A STATE AGENCY TO SPONSOR IT. THE FEDS WOULD WORK THROUGH -- SEEMS OBVIOUS. I DID SPEAK TO J-LO COMMISSIONER DON BUCKINGHAM LAST WEEK. SHE SAYS SHE IS ON IT. AND SHE IS LOOKING INTO IT. I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU HAVE AN UP

DATE? >> YOU WANT TO FINISH?

>> PLEASE. >> I WANT TO THANK COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ -- AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THIS BIPARTISAN PARTNERSHIP AND COMMISSIONER DON BUCKINGHAM.

THIS DOES NOT EXIST IN TEXAS. THIS COULD BE A FIRST FOR TEXAS. AND BASICALLY WHAT -- IS, WE CAN DRAW DOWN EXTREMELY LOW INTEREST LOANS THAT COULD HELP WITH RESILIENCY EFFORTS.

EVERYTHING FROM STRENGTHENING OUR CURRENT INFRASTRUCTURE, TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT, STORAGE. IT COULD HELP -- THERE IS A MULTITUDE OF RESILIENCY RELATED EFFORTS THAT THESE LOW INTEREST LOANS CAN DRIVE DOWN. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY POINTED OUT, WE NEED A STATE ENTITY TO BE THE SPONSOR. AND THEN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES, PRIVATE ENTITIES, SUCH AS CENTERPOINT, WHO IS EXCITED ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY -- WE COULD THEN DRIVE DOWN THE LOAN. IT WOULD GIVE US LOW INTEREST FUNDING TO REALLY STRENGTHEN THE INDEPENDENCE FROM OUR GRID AND CREATE A MORE RESILIENT HARRIS COUNTY AND MORE RESILIENT TEXAS. TOMORROW, COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM'S TEAM , YOUR TEAM AND MY TEAM, THEY ARE HAVING A CALL TOMORROW TO CONTINUE THE DUE DILIGENCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH COUNTY LEADERSHIP. I HOPE WE HAVE UPDATES SOON. AS A VERY PROUD TEXAS RESIDENT MY WHOLE LIFE, I THINK THIS COULD BE SOMETHING TRANSFORMED THE -- INFORMATIVE ACROSS THE STATE ANATOL FOR INNOVATION IN A WAY THAT IS AFFORDABLE FOR GOVERNMENT ENTITIES AND PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS THE JESSE AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ AND OUR DEPUTY ADMISSION BAR IN FOR THE LEADERSHIP.

[06:55:06]

>> JUST DO NOT TELL DALLAS. WE WANTED ALL COMING TO HARRIS

COUNTY. >> IT'S A FOREIGN COUNTRY,

COMMISSIONER. >> THAT IS WONDERFUL NEWS. I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT COMES OF IT. NO ACTION RIGHT NOW. 335, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THIS IS ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE DOCKET.

EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ON THIS TRANSMITTAL, IT DOES A GREAT JOB IN REVEALING THE NEED FOR MORE ATTENTION TO BE PAID TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CASES IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHETHER WE PURSUE THE CONTINUATION OF A SPECIALTY DOCKET OR ASSESS THE BEST WAY TO CONNECT VICTIMS TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE -- QUALITY SERVICE, THIS IS HELPFUL TO DETERMINE NEXT STEPS. I DEDICATED DOCKET ENTRIES CONSISTENT AND KNOWLEDGEABLE APPLICATION OF LAWS, AND PROCEDURES SPECIFIC TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE'VE ALSO SEEN HOW CONCENTRATED RESOURCES ON THESE CASES CAN BE WHEN WE IMPROVE EFFICIENCY. ALLOWING FOR QUICKER ADJUDICATION AND MORE EFFECTIVE USE OF COURT TIME. I WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AS WELL. I AM GETTING VERY EXCITED HAVING HEARD FROM DR. MILLS EARLIER. AND THE PROGRESS THAT YOU, AND HER AND OTHERS HAVE BEEN MADE IN GETTING THE JUDGES ENGAGED. I AM HOPING THAT WILL ALSO BE SEEN IN THIS REGARD. BECAUSE OUR VICTIMS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ABSOLUTELY NEED SOME SYSTEMS IMPROVEMENT. I AM VERY EXCITED ON THIS. I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR THEIR CONTINUED WORK. ESPECIALLY FOR ALL OF THE VICTIMS ADVOCATES THAT ARE OUT THERE. DR. JAMES, I DID NOT SEE YOU THERE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND FOR ALL OF YOUR COLLECTIVE STUDY AND BAD -- WORK . THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS TRANSMITTAL, SO, NO ACTION.

>> ACCEPTED . >> ON 335. THANK YOU GUYS SO

[Emergency/Supplemental items]

-- CERTIFYING AGENCIES. >> I WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENT. WE DID A GOOD JOB WHEN WE ASKED THEM TO COME UP WITH WAYS OF LOOKING AT SOME OF THE ENTITIES TO CERTIFY. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THEM, I MENTIONED THIS TO THEM EARLIER TO LOOK AND SEE THE MODELS AROUND THE COUNTRY WERE SOME GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES LOOK AND SEE IF SOME OTHER GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY THAT HAS A VERY ROBUST PROCESS TO MAKE SURE FOLKS ACTUALLY ARE WHO THEY SAY THEY ARE. MINORITY OR WOMAN OWNED BUSINESS. AS AN EXAMPLE, MAYBE WE CAN SEE AN AGREEMENT IN THE LOCAL CITY OF ATLANTA OR MIAMI. OR SOME OTHER CITY. I WAS TOLD BY -- IF THAT HAPPENS, SOMETIMES PEOPLE LOOK TO ATLANTA AS A MODEL. AS IMPORTANT AS IT IS, AS MEMBERS OF THIS BODY HAS SAID, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE TO QUICKLY GET PEOPLE CERTIFY. NOTHING WOULD BE WORSE TO HAVE COMPANIES THAT ARE FRIENDS. FRONTS. THAT IS WHY SOMETIMES THE CITY TAKES LONGER TO GO TO THE PROCESS. OF COURSE, WE DO NOT PAY. WE ARE NOT GIVING THE CITY MONEY. THEY ARE DOING THIS CERTIFICATION. IT'S ONE OF THE MORE ROBUST CERTIFICATION PROCESSES IN THE COUNTRY. SO I THINK, ATLANTA AND CHICAGO. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DID AND ENCOURAGED YOU TO LOOK AT THOSE. I WOULD BE MORE THAN

HAPPY TO SECOND A MOTION. >> I FLAGGED THIS BECAUSE I FEEL SO PASSIONATELY. I WANT TO PROUDLY SECOND-PERIOD DIRECTOR GONZALES, THANK YOU FOR BEING FORWARD THESE ADDITIONAL FOUR ENTITIES . I THINK IT IS A HUGE STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE STAY AND HAVE THAT FIRE UNDER US AS WE CONTINUE TO IMPROVE THE PROCESSES. PARTICULARLY , I AM INTERESTED THAT THESE ORGANIZATIONS OFFER SCHOLARSHIP FOR VENDORS TO HELP REDUCE AND COVER COSTS. I SEE THERE IS A ONE-YEAR RENEWAL PERIOD. I AM HOPING THIS WILL HELP EXPEDITE ACCESS TO OPPORTUNITY WHILE THE COMPANY GETS THE CITY OF HOUSTON OR ANOTHER ENTITY CERTIFICATION. I SEE IT AS KIND OF AN ACCELERATION AND ALSO A STOPGAP. THERE MUST BE A BETTER WAY SO THERE IS NOT SUCH A BACKLOG. SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO

[07:00:01]

COUNTY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. I DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS. ONE, NOT THAT WE DO NOT ALLOW ANYBODY TO DO BUSINESS TODAY. BUT THIS POTENTIALLY CAN BRING OUT-OF-STATE M/WBE INTO HARRIS COUNTY BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES.

IS THAT ONE POTENTIAL OUTCOME?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE DID HAVE BOTH THE NATIONAL OFFICES FOR THE ORGANIZATION. BUT WE REALLY DO THAT AS A WAY TO INCENTIVIZE. KEEPING IN MIND THAT THE M/WBE POLICY PASSED IN 2020 DOES HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LOCAL PRESENCE. THAT REQUIREMENT MUST BE MET. EVEN IF IT MIGHT INTENTIONALLY -- INCENTIVIZE FOLKS FROM OUT OF TOWN. THEY WOULD HAVE TO HAVE OFFICES HERE, A SIGNIFICANT LOCAL PRESENCE IN THE MARKET.

AND ALSO SHOW WORK THEY HAVE DONE IN EITHER HARRIS COUNTY OR THE SURROUNDING AREAS. IT COULD BE IN THE FUTURE, BUT HOPEFULLY THEY BECOME A HARRIS COUNTY COMPANY AND THEN IT BENEFITS THE ENTIRE COUNTY TO HAVE MORE M/WBE 'S HERE.

>> WE WILL NOT ACCEPT EXECUTIVE OFFICES AS PRESENCE? THE RENTAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES. WE WILL HAVE A HARRIS COUNTY ADDRESS FOR AN

OPERATION? >> I REALLY CANNOT SPEAK TO THAT . IT WOULD HAVE TO BE THE CERTIFYING AGENCIES THAT DO THOSE THINGS. I CAN SPEAK TO THE FACT THAT THESE AGENCIES ARE DOING SITE VISITS. AS WE WERE LOOKING AT RESEARCH AND RECOMMENDATIONS, TWO NONNEGOTIABLE ARE THE SITE VISITS AND FINANCIAL REVIEWS. IS A CERTIFIED AGENCIES I HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE COMPANIES THEY ARE CERTIFYING ARE NOT DOING

THINGS LIKE THAT. >> GOT YOU. SECOND QUESTION IS, DO THESE HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS TO PERSONAL WEALTH?

>> THEY DO NOT HAVE ANY RESTRICTIONS. THEY DO NOT HAVE SIZE STANDARDS. THERE ARE SOME OF THE AGENCIES WE ACCEPT DO, LIKE THE SAA ONE WE ACCEPTED. WE REALLY FELT THAT WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE A BALANCE. IT WOULD BE HAVING SOME THAT DO AND HAVING SOME THAT DO NOT. AND WE TOOK THE STAND THAT IT IS UP TO YOU ALL TO WEIGH THE PROS AND CONS.

THERE IS NOT A SIZE LIMIT FOR THESE CERTIFYING AGENCIES. THEY WORK WITH VERY SMALL TO LARGER ONES. THEY ALSO STAGGER THE

PRICING THAT WAY TOO. >> I WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT WITH YOU BECAUSE THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN. WHILE WE HAVE LOCAL PEOPLE HERE TRYING TO GET A STEP UP. SOMEONE WHO WOULD QUALIFY AS M/WBE, BUT BE A MILLIONAIRE ALREADY . AND HAVE AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE AGAINST OUR LOCAL

>> THAT IS A GOOD POINT, COMMISSIONER. YOU COULD BE PRECLUDED FROM ANOTHER CERTIFICATION AGENT THE AND

INCLUDED IN AND JUST ONE. >> YOU COULD THEORETICALLY NOT BE ABLE TO DO WORK FOR THE CITY UNDER THAT PROGRAM, BUT YOU COULD DO WORK -- THAT IS WORTHY OF A CONVERSATION.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO REVISIT YOU ON THAT. LASTLY, YOUR CAPACITY.

BY DOING THIS , YOU ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO GET THE M/WBE'S APPROVED AND CERTIFIED AND CONFIRMED IN ALL OF THAT FOR CONTRACTS ALREADY GONE THROUGH THE RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS. HOW MUCH MORE BANDWIDTH WILL YOU HAVE TO DO THIS FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE JUST COME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY AREA?

>> THE IMPORTANT PART TO KNOW IS WE WILL NOT BE DOING ANY OF THE CERTIFYING. I THIS DISCUSSION STARTED IN THE LAST QUARTER IN REGARD OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON BACKLOG. THEY ARE CHALLENGING AND WISHING THOSE OUT . I THINK THE LAST TIME I SAW IT ON THE WEB RIGHT IT WAS MY. IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WILL TAKE ON OURSELVES. HOWEVER, IT DOES ADD A LITTLE BIT OF WORK REGARDING REALLY UPDATING OUR PROCESSES. SOME UPDATES TO OUR

[07:05:03]

USUALLY WE GO THROUGH -- IF THAT SO WE MIGHT HAVE THE TO A SECOND SYSTEM. AND ALSO, WE ARE ASKING FOR 60 DAYS FOR IMPLEMENTATION. BECAUSE WE DO HAVE DUES SOME UPDATES TO OUR MANUALS, PROCEDURES AND WORK WITH PURCHASING AND GET THE WORD OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. SOME WORK FOR OUTREACH THERE. AND I REALLY WANT TO STRESS IT WILL NOT BE AS DOING THE CERTIFYING.

SO WE FEEL LIKE WE CAN BE ABLE TO HANDLE THAT. I WANT TO MENTION WITH THE TEAM, I KNOW THEY OFTEN WATCH COURT, THEY ARE DOING A GREAT JOB IN THEIR GOAL SETTING AND PREAWARD. MORE THAN 90% OF THE REQUESTS THAT COME OUR WAY ARE MET WITHIN THE FIVE DAY GOAL THAT WE HAVE. SOMETIMES WHAT TAKES A LITTLE BIT IS THE POST AWARD. TO REMIND EVERYONE, WE HAVE THAT PROCESS IN PLACE. WE LET THE VENDOR APPEAL. THERE IS A TIME FOR THEM TO COME IN, WE HAVE TO HEAR THEIR APPEAL. THERE IS A TIME TO REVIEW. THOSE ARE WEEKS TO GET ADDED TO THE PROCESS. I DO WANT TO COMMEND THE TEAM THEY ARE DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB AND WORKING WITH THE RESOURCES. I WILL MAKE A PLUG THAT I DID PUT IN SOME BUDGET REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 25 -- I AM HAPPY TO MEET WITH ANYONE TO DISCUSS THAT IN DETAIL SO WE HAVE WHAT WE NEED GOING INTO THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

>> GOOD DEAL. YOU ARE DOING A GOOD JOB. THANK YOU FOR DOING ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING. BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT YOUR CAPACITY, YOUR BANDWIDTH. BECAUSE WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT SOME CHALLENGES THAT EXIST HERE.

LEFT THE VISIT ON THAT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE LEVERAGING TECH KNOWLEDGE HE TO THE EXTENT THAT YOU CAN. A I AND ANYTHING ELSE.

ONE MORE THOUGHT THAT CAME TO ME, HAVE YOU DEVELOPED ANY STRUCTURED WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH LBO --

>> THEY HAVE AN INTERIM DIRECTOR RIGHT NOW. I THINK WE ARE MEETING THIS FRIDAY. WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT BRAINSTORMING , MAKING SURE WE HAVE A GREAT WORKING RELATIONSHIP. WE FEEL STRONG ABOUT THAT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THEM GREAT TO MEET ON A REGULAR BASIS.

>> GREAT DEAL. IS THERE ANYTHING DEVELOPMENT THAT MAY TURN INTO AN M.O. YOU OR INTERLOCAL?

>> WE ARE IN THE DISCUSSIONS RIGHT NOW. I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED EARLIER THAT WE DO NOT PAY THEM. THEY BROUGHT THAT UP A COUPLE OF TIMES. I WANT TO BE MINDFUL OF ANY FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS OF ANYTHING. IF THERE ANY IDEAS ABOUT WHAT AN M.O. YOU -- I AM HAPPY TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION

AS WELL. >> VISIT WITH -- SHE MAY HAVE

SOME THOUGHTS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I JUST WANT TO SAY, THESE ARE ALL GOOD POINTS. I HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON IT. IT IS WORTHY OF A MUCH BROADER DISCUSSION. WE WAITED SO LONG BEFORE WE SET UP A PROGRAM. YOU AND I ENCOURAGE OTHER ENTITIES, METRO AS AN EXAMPLE. THEY THOUGHT THEY COULD NOT HAVE A PROGRAM BECAUSE -- THAT EXPIRED A DECADE AGO. OF COURSE, THE BOARD DID NOT COLLECT THE DATA.

HAD THE ABILITY TO DO IT BUT DID NOT. -- WILL FINALLY DO IT.

AS THEY GET READY TO DO AN BOND ISSUE. YOU KNOW THE EFFORTS. I WANT TO STRESS TO YOU, A LOT OF THESE FIRMS, MOST OF THEM. THEY WANT TO USE WHAT WORKS. I AM SURE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID NOT DO THIS. WHEN HE WAS IN HARRIS COUNTY, HE WOULD SAY, I AM LOCAL. IF HE WAS IN TRAVIS COUNTY HE WOULD SAY, I AM GLAD.

GOOD. SOME PEOPLE FIND THEY DO NOT NEED THOSE OFFICES. A LOT OF OUR LOCAL M/WBE'S MAY BE OPERATING OUT OF AN EXECUTIVE SUITE. WHEN PEOPLE COME IN FROM MIAMI, FROM LOS ANGELES. THERE IS A REASON WHY THE LARGER HISPANIC FIRMS WERE IN SAN ANTONIO , OR LOS ANGELES. THE BLACK ONES WERE IN ATLANTA.

CHICAGO , BECAUSE THE PROGRAMS IN PLACE THERE, THAT IS A BIG PART OF HIS SUCCESS WITH HIS FIRM. WHEN THEY COME IN, IT INCREASES THE CAPACITY. UNDER THE LAWS, THEY HAVE TO OPERATE, THERE IS A HIGHER GOAL TO GO TO. I JUST HAVE TO STRESS , THE PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE A BROADER CONVERSATION.

>> I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TRACKING THE DATA

[07:10:05]

BUT COMPETITION IS GOOD. AND THE SAME TOKEN, THE COMPETITION HAPPENING RIGHT NOW IS MOSTLY AMONG HARRIS COUNTY BASED OR HARRIS COUNTY REGIONALLY BASED BUSINESSES. WHEN WE START BRINGING IN -- OUT-OF-STATE FIRMS INTO THE EQUATION, IT CAN START PUSHING SOME OF OUR LOCAL FOLKS WHO HAVE BEEN HERE FOR

DECADES OFF THE TABLE. >> I KNOW IT'S 7:30. WE HAVE A CHANCE WHEN WE GET TO IT. IF WE WANT SOME OF THESE FIRMS TO BE PRIME, JUST THE REALITY IS WE WILL WAIT A LONG TIME. IF SOMEBODY CAME IN FROM OUT OF TOWN, IF THEY ARE SMART, THEY WILL HAVE TO MERGE WITH FOLKS HERE TO GET THEM INVOLVED. I DO NOT WANT US GETTING INTO THE BUSINESS OF HAVING A PROGRAM SO LATE . THERE ARE VARIOUS COURT CHALLENGES OUT THERE. THEY SHUT IT DOWN AT SOME POINT . REGARDLESS, I WOULD JUST HATE

FOR US TO WAIT. >> THAT IS KIND OF WHY I WANTED TO MAKE SURE OUR LOCAL FOLKS ARE BENEFITING BEFORE THEY GET SHUT DOWN AND BEFORE WE INVITE OUT-OF-STATE COMPETITION.

>> I SHARE YOUR COMMITMENT AND YOUR CONCERNS AND I WOULD LOVE TO WORK ON A MACRO TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A BEST IN CLASS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND WE ARE EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES. I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO LAUNCH THE UPDATED DISPARITY STUDY IN 2025, I AM EAGER FOR THAT DATA. SPEAKING OF DATA, I AM EAGER TO SEE, ASSUMING IT PASSES THIS EVENING, WITH THESE ADDITIONAL ENTITIES, IF WE COULD TRACK THAT DATA AND LEARNING SO WE COULD INNOVATE AND IMPROVE. -- WE KNOW HOW LONG MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN WAITING. I WILL PROUDLY SECOND THIS ITEM. AND I APPRECIATE DIRECTOR GONZALES, YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. MAKING SURE THERE IS A VERY KEEN FOCUS ON DATA AND A KEEN FOCUS ON EMPOWERING LOCAL BUSINESSES . AND ON THE EARLIER CONVERSATION ON LEVERAGING, THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT SYNERGIES DO WE HAVE TO BETTER LEVERAGE OUR RESPECTIVE RESOURCES TO EXPEDITE AND HAVE A MORE EFFICIENT SYSTEM WITHIN THE COUNTY, /CITY. I WOULD BE UP FOR ALL OF THESE MACRO CONVERSATIONS. THE BOTTOM LINE IS, THANK YOU, AND I WILL PROUDLY SECOND .

>> IS A MOTION TO EXPAND THE LIST OF ACCEPTED M/WBE AGENCIES AS EXCEPTED? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSE? MOTION

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> LET'S MOVE ON TO 424.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SECOND .

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THE MOTION CARRIED 4-1. THE NEXT IS -- ON MULTIMODAL TRANSPORTATION.

>> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE, YOU CAN SEE WE ARE VERY TRANSPARENT. I KNOW I WOULD APPOINT THESE TO THE BOARD. MR. TREVINO WAS ON

THE LINE. >> I WILL LET THE FOCUS AT METRO SPEAK AS WELL. AND I WILL RAISE MY CONCERNS. THREE QUARTERS OF THE COMMUNITIES ALONG -- DISADVANTAGE AREAS WITH ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES. I TALKED ABOUT UNIVERSITY -- TRANSIT PROJECT. IT CONNECTS TO OVER HALF OF METRO'S LOCAL ROUTE AND PROVIDES A VITAL ACCESS TO JOB CENTERS, UNIVERSITIES AND HEALTH. THE PROJECT IS INTENDED TO TRANSFORM THESE COMMUNITIES, GIVING RESIDENTS THAT ARE ACCESSED TO EDUCATION, JOBS AND ESSENTIAL SERVICES. METRO, IF IT IS NOT ACT ON THE NEXT PHASE OF THIS PROJECT BY JUNE 27TH, THEY STAND TO LOSE ALMOST $1 BILLION IN GRANT FUNDING BY THE FEDERAL TRANSIT ADMINISTRATION. THIS REPRESENTS OVER 60% OF THE TOTAL PROJECT. MY FEAR IS IF METRO DOES NOT SUBMIT THE PAPERWORK, THE CLOSE TO $60 MILLION THAT HAS BEEN EXPENDED, ALL OF THE EFFORTS THEY HAVE GONE THROUGH TO GET TO THIS WILL START AT ZERO AGAIN. AND WE WILL BE IN THE BACK OF THE LINE. FROM MY EXPERIENCE, IN POLITICS , WHEN METRO WAS CREATED, THAT WAS AN EFFORT, A REFERENDUM TO GO OUT AND COME

[07:15:02]

THEY HAD TO WORK OUT CERTAIN MODIFICATIONS. ONE FRIEND IN CONGRESS, BY THE WAY, HAD SOME CONCERNS. WHEN DID THIS COME TO YOUR ATTENTION AND FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS A BOARD MEMBER, I KNOW YOU JUST HAVE ONE VOTE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT DOING THIS AND THE BOARD DOES NOT EVEN VOTE?

>> THIS IS -- METRO BOARD MEMBER. TO ANSWER THE COMMISSIONER'S QUESTION, I WILL START OUT WITH A GRANT PROCESS. IT HAS A SET DURATION. THESE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT YOU COMPETE AGAINST OTHER PROJECTS IN THE NATION. THEY ARE DIFFICULT TO OBTAIN. METRO HAS DONE A GOOD JOB SINCE 2019 , HAVING MULTIPLE COMMUNITY MEETINGS. HAVING MULTIPLE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE BOARD. THE EXISTING BOARD -- THE PREVIOUS BOARD HAD ALLOCATED UP TO $185 MILLION OF CONTRACT AUTHORITY TO PROGRESS THE PROJECT TO APPOINT TO GET FUNDED. TO YOUR POINT, IT'S A HARD DEADLINE, JUNE THE 27TH. FDA -- THERE WAS ONE EXTENSION GRANTED. YOU ARE ALLOWED ONE. IT WAS GRANTED IN THIS THE HARD DEADLINE. IF WE MISSED THE DEADLINE, YOU ARE ESSENTIALLY OUT OF THE PROGRAM AND ANY FLEXIBILITY TO CHANGE THE MONEY TO ANOTHER PROJECT IS NOT A REALISTIC OPTION. BECAUSE THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS AND ANY FUNDING COMMITMENT -- OR SOMETHING PUT INTO THE PRESIDENTS BUDGET IS SPECIFICALLY ALLOCATED TO THE PROJECT THAT HAD A LOCALLY PREFERRED ALTERNATIVE AND WAS ENVIRONMENTALLY CLEAR. IT HAS GOTTEN TO A POINT TO WHERE IT IS VERY LATE IN THE PROCESS .

SO THAT IS THE DISCUSSION ON WHAT IS AT RISK BY NOT PROCEEDING WITH THE PROJECT. AS FAR AS THE PROCESS , I CANNOT SPEAK FOR THE BOARD MEMBER --, I WILL SPEAK FOR MYSELF. WE HAD A VERY ROBUST CONVERSATION REGARDING THE PROJECT, WITH THE COMMUNITY AND BOARD. THE BOARD, YOUR HARRIS COUNTY APPOINTEES DID NOT RECEIVE ANY UNIVERSITY COURT OR UPDATE SINCE JANUARY.

THE PROJECTS WERE UNDER REVIEW. THERE WERE NO BRIEFINGS PROVIDED TO ANY BOARD MEMBERS. THE FIRST BRIEFING, THERE WERE ISSUES FINANCIALLY OR A DECISION WAS MADE TO NOT

[07:20:01]

AND THEN A COMMITTEE HAPPENED LAST WEEK WHERE THE DECISION WAS MADE. AND A PRESS RELEASE WENT OUT AN HOUR AFTER SAYING METRO HAS MADE A DECISION NOT TO PROCEED. THERE IS A FULL BOARD MEETING THIS THURSDAY. THERE IS NO AGENDA ITEM TO DISCUSS THIS TOPIC. BOARD MEMBERS DO NOT HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO ADD ITEMS TO THE AGENDA. THE AGENDA COMES OUT AND WE ARE LIMITED TO WHAT WE CAN SPEAK ABOUT AS TO WHAT IS ON THE AGENDA. THAT IS WHERE WE ARE AT. I DO BELIEVE METRO HAS NOTIFIED THE FDA IN WRITING THEY WILL NOT BE PURSUING FEDERAL FUNDS. FORMAL DOCUMENTATION HAS GONE TO FTA SAYING WE WILL NOT PROCEED WITH THE PROCESS. AT THIS POINT, FOR THE UNIVERSITY -- TO PROCEED, IT IS DIRE. IN MY OPINION, IT HAS NOT BEEN DONE IN A TRANSPARENT MANNER BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ANY POTENTIAL FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AND ANY OPEN DISCUSSION WITH THE BOARD OR

PUBLIC. >> WHEN DID THE BOARD LAST VOTE ON IT? WAS THAT NOVEMBER OF LAST YEAR?

>> WHAT HAPPENED LAST NOVEMBER WAS A BOARD RESOLUTION FOR A COMMITMENT TO THE UNIVERSITY LINE THAT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD. HOWEVER, THE VOTES THAT MATTER IN MY OPINION ARE THOSE WHO FIND THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESS. FOR THE UNIVERSITY

ALONE WAS ABOUT $75 MILLION. >> IT'S ABOUT $75 MILLION TO GET TO THIS PROCESS THAT METRO HAS PLANNED. WITH THAT BOND

MONEY? >> LOCAL DOLLARS . ANY REIMBURSEMENT OF THOSE DOLLARS IS AFTER YOU SUBMIT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PAPERWORK. AND THE IMPROVE -- APPROVED THE PROJECT AND THAT'S WHERE YOU COULD POTENTIALLY BE REIMBURSED. BY NOT COMPLETING THE PROCESS, THOSE DOLLARS ARE NOT REIMBURSED AND THE MAJORITY OF THOSE DOLLARS WILL LIKELY

HAVE TO BE WRITTEN OFF. >> I DO WANT TO APPRECIATE YOUR CHAIR CALLING ME. WE HAD A CONVERSATION. SHE HAS BEEN A FRIEND FOR A LONG TIME. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN.

AND MAYBE COMMENT, IS BASED ON MAJORITY OF WHAT THE BOARD SAYS, WHY EVEN HAVE A BOARD? WHY GO TO THE MEETINGS? IF I WAS HERE, WHY SHOW UP? IF EVERYTHING IS DECIDED. I ASSUME THE BOARD HAD TO HAVE A MAJORITY VOTE TO SPEND THAT $60 MILLION OR SO TO GO THROUGH THE APPLICATION PROCESS. AND I HOPE YOU ARE HIRED SOME OUTSIDE FINANCIAL ADVISER. SOME GURU.

SOME FIRM, SOME BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP WHO DOES PROJECTION S FOR YOU IN THIS BASE.

>> THE -- DOES HAVE FINANCIAL CONSULTANTS THAT TAKE A LOOK AT EVERYTHING FOR YOU. WITH THE CFO AT THE AGENCY.

>> DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE THE SAME FINANCIAL CONSULTANT WHEN THE BOARD DECIDED TO APPROPRIATE THE $60 MILLION YOU

HAVE NOW? >> I BELIEVE SO. IT IS THE SAME

CONSULTANT. >> DO YOU HAVE THE SAME FINANCE

DIRECTOR? >> YES, SIR.

>> I ASSUME WE DID HAVE A PANDEMIC. BUT I HAVE READ THAT THE RECOVERY FOR OUR METRO HAS BEEN A BIT BETTER THAN IT HAS BEEN IN OTHER PLACES. IS IT YOUR SENSE WITH THE LIMITED INFORMATION YOU HAVE YOU GUYS -- ALL COULD'VE UNIVERSITY QUARTER WHICH WAS THE BIGGEST PROJECT AS OPPOSED TO SAYING TO THE FEDS, WE DON'T WANT IT AT ALL. WE JUST WALKED AWAY.

>> YES, SIR. I THINK THAT IS WHERE A LITTLE MORE COMMUNICATION WOULD HAVE HELPED. THE METRONET PROGRAM WOULD LOOK AT IN ITS TOTALITY. THERE ARE THREE BIG PROGRAMS WHERE THE COST DRIVERS WERE MATCHING. -- THOSE WERE THE BIG COST DRIVERS. THERE WAS LITTLE TO NO DISCUSSION OF, LOOK AT BE DELAYED PROJECTS. STIGMATIZING PROJECTS. NOT HAVING THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION PUBLICLY, OR WITH THE COMMUNITY AND SAYING, WHAT WORKS, WHEN WE SAY WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR, WHAT CREATIVE OPTIONS DO WE PUT ON THE TABLE TO DEFER SOME OF THE COST OR LEVEL OUT SOME OF THE

[07:25:01]

INAUDIBLE ] TO ASSUME YOU WOULD FACE THAT OUT AND COMPLETED OVER FIVE YEARS CONSIDERING THE POINT WHERE WE ARE IN THE PROCESS IS REALLY AGGRESSIVE. IT IS THOSE DISCUSSIONS , AND WHAT CREATIVITY WE USED TO TRY TO ENSURE THAT ALL THREE GET DONE. IN MY OPINION, IT IS WHAT BOARD MEMBERS COULD CONSIDER.

OR THE COMMUNITY COULD'VE WAITED AND SAID, MAYBE WE COULD SEGMENT I'S IT AND SAVE A SEGMENT. BY BEING NOTIFIED SOLEIL, IT LIMITED THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR DISCUSSION.

>> I DON'T WANT TO DOMINATE, BUT I WANT TO LET COMMISSIONER

GARCIA SAY SOMETHING. >> THANK YOU. ROBERTO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK OVER AT -- THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THE METRO BOARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSPECTIVE.

I WAS GOING TO ASK THE QUESTION , HAVE YOU BECOME THE CEO OF METRO, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE GIVEN THE MAYOR ON SEEING THIS ENTIRE PROGRAM MOVE FORWARD? UNFORTUNATELY, -- FORTUNATELY, YOU ARE NOT THERE. JUST KNOW, WE RESPECT YOU. AT LEAST, MOST OF US RESPECT YOUR WORK AND ADMIRE THE DIRECTION YOU'RE HELPING US MOVE IN. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I THINK YOU WERE AT THE BOARD MEETING WHEN ICE OAK ON IT. WHEN THERE WAS CONSTERNATION ABOUT THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE UNIVERSITY LINE COMING THROUGH. BECAUSE OF THE OVERPASS THAT WAS BEING PROVIDED WAS GOING TO ONLY BE FOR B.A.R.T. -- YOU WERE AT MY BUILDING WE HAD METRO COME OVER AND GIVE ME THE FULL BRIEFING THAT METRO THOUGHT THEY HAD GIVEN ME OVER A 10 MINUTE COFFEE BREAK IN D.C. AND THEN WE CONSTRUCTED A COMPROMISE.

THE COMPROMISE WAS A GREAT SEPARATION UNDERPASS. THAT WOULD ALLOW FOR THE TRAFFIC , THE COMMUTER TRAFFIC AND THE BUS AND PUBLIC SAFETY NOT TO BE CONSTRICTED AS THE OVERPASS WOULD HAVE DONE. AM I REMEMBERING THESE THINGS

CORRECTLY ? >> YES, SIR. YOU SHOWED UP TO COURT. THE CHALLENGE WAS, YOU HAD TWO HIGH-CAPACITY TRANSIT LINE. THE LIGHT RAIL ON HARRISBURG AND THE UNIVERSITY LINE AT AN INTERSECTION. THERE WAS A DECISION TO GO OVER BY THE AGENCY. AND YOU SHOWED UP TO THE METRO BOARD AND SAID IT IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE WANT AN UNDERPASS, THE COMMUNITY ONCE AN UNDERPASS. AND AGENCY AGREE TO HAVE AN UNDERPASS AT THAT

LOCATION. >> THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT I REMEMBERED. I MENTIONED THAT TO THE CHAIR. I THINK SHE HAS HAD BAD DEATH WORK BECAUSE SHE SAID NO ONE TOLD HER THAT IT WAS A COMMITMENT METRO HAD MADE IT TO ME. I'M GOING TO HAVE MY CONVERSATION , AND CONTINUE TO HAVE MY CONVERSATIONS. I WANT YOU TO CONTINUE TO HELP MOVE THEM IN A BETTER DIRECTION. I AM HOPEFUL THEY WILL APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS WE HAVE. IT WENT FROM, WE HATE METRO COMING THROUGH HERE AND THERE IS A BIG CONVERSATION ON, WE ARE GOING TO DISRUPT THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.

AND WE HAVE HALF EMPTY, OR EMPTY BUSES AND TRAINS COMING THROUGH. AND NOW WE ARE WANT TO DISRUPT THE COMMUNITY AGAIN.

FOR MORE -- BUSES COMING THROUGH. WHY ARE WE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS? AND THEN, THE GREAT SEPARATION UNDERPASS GOT THE COMMUNITY ON BOARD BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT SO MUCH -- WAS NOT SO MUCH THAT WE AGREED ON SOMETHING THAT WAS BENEFICIAL TO METRO, IT WAS THE COMPROMISE WAS BENEFICIAL TO THE COMMUNITY. NOW THAT COMMITMENT IS BEING TAKEN AWAY. I DO NOT WANT TO BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE. I AM GOING TO ASK YOU TO HELP ME CONTINUE TO KEEP THAT CONVERSATION AT THE.

>> YES, SIR. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> THANK YOU, ROBERTO. THIS HAS BEEN ON THE RADAR SCREEN FOR

[07:30:10]

RIDERSHIP IS DOWN 40% SINCE 2005. FEDS DON'T COVER $1.5 BILLION A MONTH WENDED LIABILITY. CANNOT KEEP HOLDING WHEN PEOPLE ARE NOT WRITING. HERE IS AN IMPORTANT IT. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE A SET OF GRANDKIDS TO THE RODEO. WE ALWAYS GO DOWN TO THE FANNIN STREET AND GET ON THE TRAIN. WE GOT ON THE TRAIN THAT DAY. THERE WERE THREE PEOPLE IN THE BACK WHEN I GOT ON WITH MY GRANDKIDS. I HAD TO TELL YOU, I DID NOT FEEL SAFE ON THAT TRAIN. THERE WERE THREE METRO POLICE ON THE PLATFORM, SO CLEARLY, SAFETY AND CLEANLINESS WOULD NOT A CONCERN THAT DAY. IT WAS NOT A CONCERN THAT THEY.

I HAVE A CHOICE OF WHERE I WRITE IT OR DO NOT. I AM ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE WHO DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE. IT WOULD MAKE METRO MUST SAFER. WE MUST MAKE METRO CLEANER. WHEN YOU LOOK AT SAFETY, MORE BUS STOPS, CURB TO CURB SERVICE, ROAD IMPROVEMENT, SIDEWALK, CLEANLINESS. IF WE PROCEED WITH THIS, EVERY ONE OF THOSE INITIATIVES WILL BE SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED UNTIL 2040. I AM SITTING HERE THINKING, WE HAVE TO GET BASIC SERVICES DONE. WE HAVE TO MAKE METRO SAFE AND CLEAN. IF WE SPEND ALL OF OUR MONEY, AND COMMIT OUR OUR MONEY ON SOMETHING THAT IS QUESTIONABLE AND IT IS JUST NOT TOM RAMSEY QUESTIONING IT, I HAVE THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON . IT IS INTERESTING THE UNIVERSITY LINE IS NOT BEING SUPPORTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. I FIND THAT INTERESTING. THEY HAVE CONCERNS DATING BACK TO 2022, THAT HAVE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED. SO THE WRITE A LETTER AND NOTHING HAPPENS. PEOPLE WONDER, WHY ARE YOU JUMPING UP NOW? IT IS NOT A JUMP UP NOW. THEY HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR YEARS. WE HAVE THESE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 67, GREATER THIRD WARD. THE WASHINGTON TERRACE NEIGHBORHOOD IS DEEPLY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY. ITS RESIDENTS REPRESENTING DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS, AGES AND GROUP, HAVE FOSTERED A STRONG SENSE OF BELONGING AND COHESION. THE PROPOSED METRO RAPID ROUTE ALONG WHEELER AND -- THREATENS TO DISRUPT THIS COHESION AND NEGATIVELY IMPACT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN SEVERAL WAYS.

WERE THE OF A PAUSE. THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP, AND I QUOTE, " METRO'S DECISION TO PAUSE EFFORTS RELATED TO UNIVERSITY -- IS SUPPORTED BY THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP." THESE ARE NOT FLY-BY-NIGHT RADICAL, DO NOT LOOK AT DATA PEOPLE. WHEN WE LOOK AT THIS, I AM TAKING OF -- AND HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET SERVICES THERE.

SPECIFICALLY, HOW CAN WE MAKE THE BUSES CLEAN TODAY? HOW CAN WE MAKE THE BUSES SAFER TODAY? IF YOU LIVE IN AUGUSTA, AND YOU ARE RIDING THE BUS, YOU HAVE CHOICES OTHER THAN TO RIDE THE BUS. HARRIS COUNTY, AGAIN, IS A PART. THEY CAN REAPPLY ONCE RIDERSHIP HAS IMPROVED. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUS RAPID SYSTEM IN THE GALLERIA, WHICH WAS BY MANY DEFINITIONS, A COLOSSAL FAILURE. DR. STEPHEN CRAIG SAID NO ONE RODE IT AND IT MADE THE WHOLE AREA MORE CONGESTED. PREVIOUS METRO CFO, ART SMILEY WHO SIGNED OFF IN 2019 IS NOW AGAINST IT. THERE HAS BEEN INTENSE CONTROVERSY . UNDERSTAND, THIS IS ONLY ONE OF 16 INITIATIVES IN METRO NEXT. IN 2019, THE VOTERS APPROVED THE $.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE. I THINK THAT PEOPLE VOTED FOR MORE AND MORE -- I THINK THAT IS THE FOCUS NOW. MORE MOBILITY. WHILE WE TALK ABOUT BOND ISSUES, I KNOW YOU LOOK FORWARD TO BRINGING THIS UP EVERY MEETING. I WILL CONTINUE, WE SAID CERTAIN THINGS ABOUT THE 2022 BOND ISSUE HERE IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD BE INVESTED IN EACH PRECINCT.

WE CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT. THIS WHOLE TRUST ISSUE THAT WE HAVE,

[07:35:02]

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I AM WITH YOU ON THAT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YES? EPSTEIN OR VOTE? -- ABSTAIN OR VOTE?

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I KNOW ARE OTHER BOARD APPOINTEE WAS WITH US EARLIER. I BELIEVE SHE IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. I JUST WANTED TO SAY , AS ALWAYS, I KNOW MY HUSBAND IS WATCHING.

HE WILL SMILE. MY LIFE PHILOSOPHY IS BOTH HANDS. I BELIEVE IN METRO NOW AND IMPROVING THE SURFACE, SAFETY AND HAVE IS, -- SAFETY ENHANCE I BELIEVE IN METRO NOW AND METRO NEXT. I APPRECIATE THE INSIGHT YOU SHARED. AND I APPRECIATE CHAIR BROCK WHO I AM INFREQUENT CONVERSATIONS WITH, AND SHE HAS ALWAYS BEEN WILLING TO ANSWER ALL THE QUESTIONS AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT AND YOUR SERVICE, MR. TREVINO.

FIRST OF ALL, I AM VERY PROUD OF MY INTERN. TWO OF THEM ARE STILL HERE, AND THEY ARE STILL FOCUSED. THAT ENERGIZES ME ABOUT THE FUTURE. YOU ENERGIZES ME RIGHT NOW AND NEXT. OUT OF RESPECT FOR TIME, I KNOW THERE ARE TWO INDIVIDUALS THAT YOU CALLED FROM METRO WHO HAVE BEEN PATIENTLY WAITING. I DO NOT KNOW IF WE WERE GOING TO PIVOT SINCE IT'S ALMOST 8:00. I JUST

WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT. >> IF I COULD POINT OUT TO YOU TIME -- ONE THING, MR. TREVINO I DID MENTION TO STEVE KING, WHO CALLED ME, AND WE TALKED ABOUT THIS. THERE IS NO RIDERSHIP STRATEGY. I WANT TO SEE A RIDERSHIP STRATEGY REGARDING METRO. IT IS THE STRONGEST, BEST WAY TO ENSURE CONTINUED SUPPORT FROM THE FTA AND OTHERS. IF YOU CAN HELP ME TO ADVANCE THAT, I MENTIONED IT TO THE MAYOR WHEN WE MET. I MENTIONED IT THE CHAIR. I MENTIONED IT TO COMMISSIONER

KEEGAN AS WELL. >> I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTS TO MAKE A COMMENT. IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, AT LEAST WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE, DIRECTOR TREVINO AT THE BOARD, OF COURSE WE CANNOT TAKE THEM DO IT, IF THERE'S ANY WAY FOR YOU TO ADVOCATE, AT LEAST A THIRD OF THE DISCUSSION OF THE REASON.

BASICALLY FROM THE CONVERSATION HERE, WE KNOW ALL OF THE ARGUMENT. WE RECEIVED A LETTER. WHEN GHP SAYS, IT IS TOO EXPENSIVE, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT DISCUSSED. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND EXACTLY WHY IT IS . I THINK EVERYONE RINGS UP VALID POINTS BUT WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR THE BOARD TO DO THIS? I THINK THE AWAIT TO THE COMMUNITY. OBVIOUSLY, I AM IN FAVOR OF IT. BUT MAYBE THEY HAVE A GREAT REASON THAT I DON'T KNOW ABOUT. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR THAT. ANYWAY, DO YOU THINK THERE IS A CHANCE TO GET THEM TO BE DIRECT?

>> I WILL SPEAK TO CHAIR BROCK. YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. I THINK WHAT IS MISSING IS TRANSPARENT THE. IT IS MORE TRANSPARENCY. WHAT LED TO THE DECISION? EVERYONE COULD EXPECT -- RESPECT IF THERE THE BUDGETARY ISSUE . BUT WHAT EFFORTS WERE MADE TO SAVE THE PROJECT? THOSE ARE THE ROBUST DISCUSSIONS WE HAVE TO HAVE PUBLICLY. METRO HAD HUNDRED OF MEETINGS TO GET SUPPORT , BUT ONE BRIEFING TO CANCEL THE PROJECT. I THINK THAT IS WHERE WE CAN BRIDGE THE GAP. MORE WE SHARE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND OTHERS, THE MORE EVERYONE CAN GET ON BOARD WITH WHATEVER THEY DECIDE.

>> CAN THAT BE DONE BEFORE THE FEDERAL DEADLINE? I DO NOT KNOW YOU GUYS A SCHEDULE . HOW CAN YOU HELP US GET SOMETHING ON

THE RECORD? >> JUDGE, THE DEADLINE IS JUNE 27TH, THURSDAY. THE FULL BOARD MEETING IS THURSDAY. THERE IS NOT EVEN EIGHT AGENDA ITEM TO DISCUSS THIS. BY THE DEADLINE, I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY LIMITED OPPORTUNITY. IN FUTURE BOARD DISCUSSIONS, TO EXPLAIN WHY THE PROJECT IS NO LONGER. I DO WANT TO CLARIFY I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS PROJECT IS BUS. BY NOT MEETING THE DEADLINE, THIS PROJECT LIKELY DOES NOT HAVE A FINANCIAL FUTURE. BECAUSE WERE OUT OF THE GRANT PROCESS. YOU CAN SAY, WE PAUSE AND WE WILL GET BACK IN, BUT YOU HAVE TO

[07:40:02]

>> HOW TO GET ITEMS ON THE AGENDA?

>> THE CHAIR CONTROLLED THE AGENDA, JUDGE.

>> THAT IS IS APPOINTED. I SAY IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES, YOU HAVE THE VOTES. IT'S NOT ACCIDENTAL THAT THERE IS NOT AN ITEM. I JUST HATE TO SEE THAT CULTURE OF METRO. I HOPE YOU CAN HELP WITH THAT. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> IS A COUPLE OF POINTS. >> I'M GOING TO TAKE A RESTROOM BREAK. DO YOU WANT TO LEAD THE COURT WHILE I RUN

AWAY? >> I JUST WANTED TO SAY , -- MR. TREVINO, I THINK YOU MADE IT CLEAR WHEN YOU SAID THEY HAVE WRITTEN ABOUT IT. TO ME, THEY DID NOT WANT INPUT AND DID NOT NEED INPUT. IS IT IMPORTANT TO NOTE , IT IS NOT A PAUSE, IT IS DEAD. IT MEANS IT STARTS OVER. WE ARE COST CENTRIC CITY.

THIS DECISION PLAYS INTO THAT. I MEAN THE UNIVERSITY CORE DOOR WAS READY TO BACK BONE IT. EVEN WHEN YOU DO THE OTHER PORTIONS OF IT, WHERE DO THEY GO? WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO IS BE ABLE TO GET PEOPLE TO PLACES OF EMPLOYMENT. PLACE WHERE THEY GET AND IT -- AN EDUCATION. I KNOW THE CHAIR WAS CONCERNED WITH DISRUPTIONS OF SERVICE. I SPENT $50 MILLION ON COUNTING MONEY ON CUDD STREET. YOU WOULD THINK I WAS THE BAD GUY. NOW THEY ARE GLAD IT IS FINISHED. I REMEMBER THEY SAID, WE HAVE A BIG GAME COMING UP, WHAT CAN WE DO? IT IS A CONSTRUCTION SITE, THAT HAPPENED IN ANY NEIGHBORHOOD. I THINK THAT IS A BIG MISTAKE. WE TALK ABOUT CLIMATE ACTION PLANNING, WE WANT TO DO I TRANSITION TO CLEAN ENERGY. WILL YOU SHUT DOWN INDUSTRIES TO COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MANDATES? ARE YOU GOING TO STOP COMING FROM THE TAILPIPE? WE ADD TO THAT. LOOK AT WHAT WE WILL SPEND ON FREEWAYS. WE WILL HAVE SOMETHING WIDER THAN THE KATY FREEWAY, WHICH WAS FOR A LONG TIME CONSIDERED THE LONGEST FREEWAY IN THE WORLD. SOME PEOPLE WOULD ARGUE. THEY WOULD SAY, YOU DON'T COUNT THE SERVICE ROAD . IT IS DEAD. I WANT TO STRESS THAT. I WANT TO GIVE -- THE OPPORTUNITY . I THINK IT IS A BIG MISTAKE. IT WOULD BE HARD-PRESSED NOT TO TRUST HIM AGAIN. THEY HAD A POT OF MONEY, WHEN THEY GO BACK AGAIN -- HOW MANY TIMES DO YOU GO TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND SAY YOU ARE INCHED IT IN AN A RELATIONSHIP AND WALK AWAY AT THE ALTAR? JUST CHANGE HER MIND AT THE LAST MINUTE. I AM CURIOUS, MAYBE I CAN LET THE FOLKS AT METRO ANSWER, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY WOULD BE SPENT IF THEY JUST SENT IN THE PAPERWORK? WOULD THAT HAVE COMMITTED THEM? COULDN'T THEY HAVE DECIDED IF THEY COULD NOT GET ENOUGH MONEY? BEFORE SIGNING THE AGREEMENT THAT IT WAS OVER WITH? IS THAT YOUR SENSE, MR. TREVINO?

>> YOU ASKED FOR PERMISSION -- IT SAYS, WE WILL PARTICIPATE AT THIS LEVEL TO REIMBURSE YOU . THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY YES OR NO WOULD STILL BE AFFORDED TO THE AGENCY HAD IT SUBMITTED THE

PAPERWORK AND TIME. >> NOT ONLY ARE YOU A GREAT BOARDMEMBER BECAUSE YOU'RE AT METRO, YOU KNOW HOW IT WORKS.

WHAT ARE THE OTHER CITIES IN LINE? WHERE CAN I GO AND THEY WILL GIVE ME A HIGH FIVE AND A, THANK YOU, HOUSTON AREA, WE WILL GET THIS MONEY? DO YOU KNOW FROM WHEN YOU WERE THERE?

>> FROM MY UNDERSTANDING, THE LARGER ESTABLISHED ONES IN THE NORTHEAST -- THAT IS WHERE THE BULK OF THE MONEY WILL LIKELY GO. I AM NOT AN EXPERT AS TO WHAT PROJECTS ARE IN Q. THAT IS FROM MY READING OF WHERE THEM MOST NEED IS.

>> WAS IN $150 MILLION? WAS IT SOMETHING IN THE BUDGET?

>> THERE WAS $150 MILLION IN THE PROPOSED PRESIDENTIAL

BUDGET FOR THE UNIVERSITY. >> WHICH IS PRETTY GOOD. THAT TOOK SOME STRONG EFFORT. AND CAJOLING TO GET THAT DONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES. -- ON THE LINE? IF NOT, I WANT TO BRING THE METRO PEOPLE UP. IF THEY WANT TO STEP IN. I KNOW

SHE WAS HERE EARLIER. >> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER

[07:45:04]

ELLIS. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. YOU ARE

GOOD. >> OKAY.

>> SORRY I DID NOT BRING IT UP EARLIER.

>> I AM AFRAID IF WE CANNOT SEE YOU --

>> THAT APPLIES TO COUNTY APPOINTEES.

>> GO AHEAD. >> I WANTED TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE THIS DISCUSSION HERE THIS EVENING. I AM A NEWER APPOINTED BOARD MEMBER. I WANT TO REMIND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT I AM HERE WITH AN OPEN DOOR POLICY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ON PRIORITY. AND REPRESENT THE COUNTY TO THE BEST OF MY ABILITY. I APPRECIATE SERVING WITH DIRECTOR TREVINO GIVEN HIS EXPERIENCE, NOT ONLY ON THE BOARD, BUT TEXT -- TECHNICAL EXPERTISE AND BACKGROUND. AND THEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH HIM TO BEST REPRESENT THE COUNTY AS WE MOVE FORWARD. I WANT TO ECHO A LOT OF THE CAN TURN THAT WERE ALREADY RAISED DURING THE MEETING. CLEARLY, COMMUNITY INPUT, THERE WERE U.S. OPPORTUNITIES FOR BROADER COMMUNITY INPUT. I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAISED AS FAR AS WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN AT STAKE IF WE WOULD HAVE SUBMITTED AND STAYED IN THE GAME FOR THE PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR COMING OVER. I KNOW MR. MIRANDA, THE VICE PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS. I HAVE SEEN HIM AROUND, BUT DO NOT KNOW HIM AS WELL. THANK YOU FOR BEING

HERE. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I AM SORRY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF AFFAIRS AT METRO. THIS IS GEORGE -- OUR CFO. WE ARE HERE MAINLY AS RESOURCE. WE CAN TRY TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IF YOU WOULD LIKE US TO. GEORGE KING BRIEF YOU THROUGH THE FINANCIAL REASONING FOR THE STAFF RECOMMENDATION. BUT I LEAVE

THAT UP TO YOU. >> ONCE THE LETTER HAS GONE OUT FROM THE AGENCY TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, DOESN'T MEAN IT IS PRETTY MUCH OVER? THAT IS IT? THE DECISION HAS BEEN MADE,

RIGHT? >> WE SUBMITTED THE LETTER, YES, SIR. AND THE DEADLINE IS JUNE 27TH.

>> JUST A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. IF YOU ALL DECIDED TO STAY IN THE GAME, HOW MUCH MORE MONEY WOULD YOU HAVE TO SPEND ABOVE THE $6 MILLION THAT YOU SPENT SO FAR? JUST TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH 10 SOME PAPERWORK SAYING, OKAY, NOW IT IS TIME TO SIGN.

>> AT THE STOPPING POINT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW, GEORGE PITINO IS THE CFO, WE HAVE SPENT $72 MILLION. HAS BE CONTINUED, IT WOULD BE ANOTHER HUNDRED $60 -- THAT IS NOT THE GUARANTEE.

THERE'S A LOT OF TALK ABOUT GRANT. THE GRAD PAYS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE PROJECT, THE BIRTH. NOT THE REARING, -- THE REAL ISSUE AND CRUX OF WHAT I IDENTIFIED AS CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, WITH OPERATING COST. WHEN THIS PROJECT GOES LIVE, IT WILL BE IN OPERATING COST. WE CANNOT BORROW FOR THAT OR GET GRANTS FOR OPERATING COST. CURRENTLY AT METRO, WHERE WE ARE TODAY, FROM 2019 WHERE THIS VISION OF METRO NEXT BEGAN , A VERY DIFFERENT WORLD THAN NOW. WE HAD RIDERSHIP PROJECTIONS THAT WERE MUCH HIGHER THAN THEY ARE TODAY. WE HAD OPERATING COSTS WERE MUCH LOWER THAN THEY ARE TODAY. INFLATION DID -- RAVAGE A LOT OF EXPENSES. JUST LIKE THE CONVERSATIONS HERE. WE TALKED ABOUT INCREASED IT IN INVESTMENTS. IF WE STAY ON THE PAST AND SUBMIT, IT IS A SUBMISSION THAT IS SHALLOW. I WILL TELL YOU WHY. RIGHT NOW, WE ARE HAVING DISCUSSIONS IN METRO OF MAKING INVESTMENTS IN CLEANLINESS, RIDERSHIP, SAFETY.

ALL OF THEM ARE OFF THE TABLE. IF WE GO THROUGH WITH THE CURRENT TRAJECTORY, WE ARE LOOKING AT FOUR YEARS OF WHAT I CALL, OPERATING BUDGET HYSTERIA, ZERO GROWTH FOR FOUR YEARS. THAT IS A HIGH COST. THAT IS TO GET US TO A POINT WHERE THIS WAS OPERATING AND WE CAN FIND OR OPERATED. RIGHT NOW, METRO HAS OVER $900 MILLION OPERATING BUDGET. FOUR YEARS, A FLAT BUDGET AND GROWTH. ONE PERCENTAGE GROWTH.

[07:50:01]

>> IT IS NOT JUST THE COST, THE OPPORTUNITY COST. WHAT CAN'T WE DO? THAT IS THE REAL ITEM HERE THAT HAS GIVEN US PAUSE.

OTHERWISE WE WOULD BE SENDING -- TO THE FDA THAT WOULD BE SHALLOW, AND NOT TRUE AND WOULD NOT MAKE SENSE.

>> WHEN DID YOU DISCOVER THIS? >> IS 2019. WE HAVE LOOKED AT OUR 20 YEAR PLAN WITH METRO NEXT. METRO NEXT IS A RESOURCE.

$3.5 BILLION. A VISION OF A MULTIPLE MULTIMODAL PROJECTS.

EVERY YEAR, WE LOOK AT THE 20 YEAR PLAN. WE MAKE SCENARIO ANALYSIS. EVERY YEAR AS WE GET FURTHER AND FURTHER AWAY FROM THE PANDEMIC, WE SEE INFLATION CONTINUE TO DEGRADE. WE SEE THE BALL BOUNCE. AT SOME POINT, LET ME FINISH, WE WILL NOT HAVE A

REBOUND IN RIDERSHIP. >> WHEN YOUR BOARD VOTED LAST ON THIS ISSUE, DID YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE FINANCIAL CONCERNS

THEN? >> WE HAD THESE RISKS, YET.

>> DID YOU RECOMMEND TO THE BOARD AND THAT THEY NOT THAT

THAT THEY NOT MOVE FORWARD? >> BETWEEN THEN AND NOW, EVEN OUR COSTS HAVE INFLATED. BETWEEN THEN AND NOW, IF YOU LOOK AT OUR FAREBOX, -- THE RISKS WERE AT YELLOW, NOW THEY ARE HIGHER. EVERY YEAR FROM 2019, WE HAVE SEEN THE RISK.

AND C, IS IT GOING TO CHANGE? DO WE -- REMAIN ASPIRATIONAL? THIS IS THE THRESHOLD WE ARE CROSSING.

>> ON THE ISSUE OF THE BOARD HAVING A FULL-BLOWN DISCUSSION , A DIFFERENT BOARD VOTED IN NOVEMBER, CORRECT?

>> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE REAFFIRMATION?

>> NOVEMBER A YEAR AGO OR LAST NOVEMBER?

>> LAST NOVEMBER. >> NONE OF THESE ISSUES CAME UP THEN? YOU DID NOT SEE THE FINANCIAL RISK BEEN?

>> CERTAIN BOARD MEMBERS WERE AWARE. THEY ARE RISKS, WE DO

NOT KNOW FOR SURE. >> USE IT CERTAIN BOARD

MEMBERS? >> YES, SHORT. CERTAIN BOARD MEMBERS KNEW. THIS IS AGGRESSIVE PLANNING.

>> I'M TRYING -- >> HOW COULD THERE NOT BE RISK SINCE ALL OF THE EVENTS THAT OCCURRED TO 2019 -- IT PILES

UP. >> WHEN YOUR BOARD VOTED NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR, YOU TOLD THEM, DON'T DO THIS?

>> OUR BOARD VOTED A REAFFIRMATION ON OUR PATH . IF YOU LOOK AT OUR PATH, AND FIVE-YEAR PLAN, WHICH IS WHAT THE BOARD WAS AWARE OF, THE PUBLIC IS AWARE OF OUR FIVE-YEAR PLAN. THE PROBLEMS I AM IDENTIFYING, AT LEAST AS AN CFO, WE COULD BE IN TROUBLE. IT IS WELL BEYOND FIVE YEARS. WE DO NOT DRIVE WITH OUR HEADLIGHTS OFF.

>> I AM TRYING TO GET A CLEAR ANSWER. DID YOU TELL THE BOARD IT MADE SENSE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE VOTED IN NOVEMBER OR NOT? OR DID YOU DISCOVER THIS AFTER THE VOTING?

>> IT WAS NOT A RECOMMENDATION ASKED UPON ME. THIS IS THE BOARD POLICY DECISION.

FINANCIAL RISKS . THEY HAVE ALWAYS BEEN NOTIFIED OF MY

INPUT. >> WHEN WAS A DECISION MADE THAT YOU COULD NOT MOVE FORWARD TO CONVINCE THE LEADERSHIP TO WITHDRAW AN APPLICATION? BEFORE THE LAST BOARD MEETING? AFTER

THE LAST BOARD MEETING? >> WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD, THERE ARE NEW REFIX. I EXPLAINED, THIS IS THE PATH WE ARE ON. THIS IS A RISK WE HAVE IDENTIFIED. WE ARE STILL ON THE SAME PATH. THESE RISKS HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY BETTER. WITH THAT NEW INFORMATION, WE HAVE A NEW DECISION HERE.

>> DID YOU DO THAT IN A BOARD MEETING OR PRIVATELY?

>> I DID IT LAST WEEK AT A STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE.

>> OKAY, IS THAT WHEN YOU FIRST DISCOVERED IT? IT COULD'VE BEEN PUT ON AN AGENDA -- AS AN ITEM TO DISCUSS?

>> EVERY YEAR WE WOULD SUBMIT AN 20 YEAR PLAN IN THE -- TO THE FTA. THERE ARE SCENARIOS. LET ME GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

TALK ABOUT THE GRANT BUSINESS. 60%, THAT IS NOT GUARANTEED. WE CAN GET ZERO, WE CAN GET 50%, 40%. 40% IS HALF A BILLION DOLLARS. IT IS A RISK. INFLATION HAS NOT STOPPED. IT

[07:55:05]

CAN DO IS INFORM. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> WHAT I JUST HEARD WAS THAT THERE WAS AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK BY THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION BOARD AND THEIR ASSESSMENT OF THE RISK WAS ONE THING IN NOVEMBER. THE NEW BOARD AND ADMINISTRATION REVIEWED AND ASSESSED THAT RISK AND SAID, NOPE. NOT GOING TO DO IT. I RESPECTFULLY UNDERSTAND HOW YOU MIGHT LOOK AT ONE THING IN NOVEMBER, THE RISKS WERE THERE. BUT ONE ADMINISTRATION WE LOOK AT THE WRIST AND SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT THE I WILL NOT BE HERE THAT MUCH LONGER ANYWAY, WE WILL ROCK 'N ROLL. NEW ADMINISTRATION LOOKS AND SAYS, WE ARE HANDCUFFED FINANCIALLY FOR THE NEXT MANY YEARS. AND IT WOULD BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO METRO. THANK YOU FOR COMING HERE AND SHARING AT LEAST THAT INSIGHT TERMS OF WHAT YOU SAW

THAT HAPPENED. >> I THINK THERE IS A DIFFERENCE, COMMISSIONER. BETWEEN A BOARD VOTING AND A BOARD BEING BRIEFED, A COMPLETE DIFFERENT. IF THE BOARD MET, WE JUST TALK TO TWO OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS. IF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT THEY SET THERE AND THEY HAD A PUBLIC, MADE THAT CASE, PEOPLE COULD SIGN UP. I KNOW IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE. WE HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE 10:00 THIS MORNING. EVEN ON THE SIMPLE POINT, THERE IS A WAY YOU DO IT. WHEN YOU SPENT THE MONEY TO GO TO ALL OF THESE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, GO TO OTHER PEOPLE. OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS. WHO ARE NOT ON THE BOARD. AND SAY, WILL YOU BACK THIS? AND YOU LAY OUT A PLAN FOR ONE THING AND YOU DECIDE IN A BRIEFING . JUST THE OPTICS OF THAT. DO NOT LOOK RIGHT TO ME.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE DISCUSSION . I AGREE, COMMISSIONER ALICE.

I CONTINUE THINKING, IRRESPECTIVE THAT IT WOULD BE REALLY HELPFUL IF THEY HAD A CONVERSATION IN PUBLIC, JUST RESTATING THE SERIOUS BECAUSE IF A BIG DECISION IS MADE, WHICH ULTIMATELY BY DEFAULT, IT IS IN NOT SUBMITTING THIS, THE COMMUNITY OUGHT TO KNOW. I THINK THAT'S ABOUT ALL WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE AND FOR YOUR

TIME. TEAM, ONE MORE ITEM. >> NO ACTION?

>> NO ACTION. >> THAT WAS DEAD.

>> UNFORTUNATELY. THE FINAL ITEM IS 435, FLAGGED BY

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES. ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM , AND SHANE, GOOD TO SEE YOU. SINCE WE HAVE TRANSITIONED TO EDNA, A NUMBER OF OUR PRECINCT TWO EMPLOYEES HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH HER NEW COVERAGE HAS CHANGED FOR THE WORST. ONE EMPLOYEE WHOSE SON HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERE AUTISM SAW THE NUMBER OF COVER THERAPY HOURS CUT BY NEARLY 40%.

APPARENTLY UNDER THE ERRONEOUS THEORY THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT WOULD COVER THE GAP. OTHER EMPLOYEES REPORT DRAMATIC INCREASES IN THE COST OF THEIR PRESCRIPTION. IN SOME CASES, MORE THAN 400%. ONE EMPLOYEES ON HIS PRESCRIPTION FOR A LIFE-SAVING MEDICATION GO FROM ZERO PER MONTH TO $1000. HE WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE HE COULD BRING IT BACK TO ZERO BY SWITCHING PHARMACIES. BUT HE HAD TO NAVIGATE THAT ON HIS OWN. THESE ARE STORIES THAT DO NOT REFLECT THE ASSURANCES THAT I RECEIVED WHEN WE MADE THE TRANSITION THAT IT WOULD BE SEAMLESS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO GO FROM CIGNA TO AETNA. OUR BENEFITS ARE ONE OF THE STRONGEST RECRUITING TOOLS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. AND WE CANNOT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE ISSUES. I HAVE QUESTIONS, SHANE. FIRST, ARE YOU OF WHAT -- AWARE OF WHERE THE COUNTY HAS KNOWLEDGE FOR AN HOUR TRANSITION WITH AETNA ? HOW MANY OTHER EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN CALLING YOU COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS?

[08:00:04]

>> COMMISSIONER, I HAVE RECEIVED A CALL ON CERTAIN ISSUES. USUALLY THEIR INDIVIDUAL SITUATIONS AND WE RESEARCH IT AND WORK THROUGH THEM. I WILL SAY WE ALL KNOW PUT IN PERSPECTIVE, WE HAVE 42,000 MEMBERS IN OUR PLAN, THAT IS EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES. WE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $1.1 MILLION PER DAY IN CLAIMS. JUST TO SHOW THE ENORMITY OF IT.

THERE IS MOST LIKELY GOING TO BE SOME ISSUES. I HAVE HAD TO LOOK INTO SOME OF THESE. I AM AWARE OF THE AUTISM ONE, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE MEMBER AND AETNA ON THAT PARTICULAR ONE.

AGAIN, IF WE GET THESE TYPE OF SITUATIONS, WE HAVE AETNA FOLKS ON SITE AND WE CAN WORK WITH THEM TO RESOLVE WHATEVER THE ISSUES ARE. OR IF WE NEED TO TAKE IT UP THE CHAIN, WE CAN DO

THAT AS WELL. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENT ON THE ENORMITY FOR THE COMPARISON OF HOW MANY EMPLOYEES VERSUS -- I DO NOT THINK I SPEAK IN A VACUUM, BY THE WAY. I WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU CAN CONDUCT AN EMPLOYEE SURVEY ON SATISFACTION WITH AETNA , AND WHAT KIND OF ISSUES OUR EMPLOYEES ARE CONFRONTING. I AM SPEAKING ABOUT THEM PRECINCT 2 EMPLOYEES, AND I'VE HEARD THIS FROM OTHERS. AND SOME RETIREES.

I THINK THIS IS MUCH BIGGER THAN WE KNOW. AND I DO NOT WANT TO DISCOUNT IT. ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO HEALTHCARE. THE OTHER THING IS, WHAT IS YOUR COMMUNICATION PLAN WITH EMPLOYEES ON MATTERS LIKE THIS? IF YOU ARE HERE IN THIS IS HAPPENING AND IF THE SURVEY COMES BACK, AS I THINK IT MIGHT, HOW DO YOU WORK TO KEEP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATION OPEN? OR BETTER YET, I KNOW YOUR DAY IS PROBABLY FILLED WITH MANAGING ISSUES LIKE THIS. BUT WHEN YOU START TO HEAR SOMETHING BECOME CHRONIC, HOW DO YOU GET AETNA'S ATTENTION, THAT THEY HAVE GOT TO STEP IT UP ?

>> YES, SIR. IF IT IS THE ONE OFF THINGS THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, THEY COULD BE MORE CHRONIC. IF THERE WERE SEVERAL EMPLOYEES. AND JUST DEPENDING ON THE ISSUE. IF IT IS A PRESCRIPTION ISSUE, OR A DRUG, --

>> WHEN A CHILD IS LITERALLY CUT FROM THEIR PRE-EXISTING THERAPY, THAT IS NOT A LOST PRESCRIPTION THAT HAS NOT BEEN FILLED. THAT IS VERY, VERY DIFFERENT.

>> YES. IN THOSE CASES, COMMISSIONER, IN ONE EXAMPLE, ANY INSURANCE CARRIER HAS A UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT PROGRAM.

AETNA HAS ONE, CIGNA HAS ONE, UNITED HEALTHCARE. WHEN THE CASES COME OVER, THERE UTILIZATION MANAGEMENT TEAM LOOKS AT THEM AND GIVE THEIR OPINION ON THE SERVICES BEING PROVIDED AND THINGS LIKE THAT. IN THIS CASE, WE CONSIDER THAT A TRANSITION TYPE ISSUE. IT IS NOT LIKE THIS IS A NEW DIAGNOSIS AND DIDN'T LIKE THAT. THAT IS THE KIND OF THING WE CAN WORK WITH AETNA AND TAKE IT TO THE ACCOUNT TEAM . IF IT'S SOMETHING JUST CHRONIC AND NOT BEING TAKEN CARE OF AND WE CAN WORK OUR WAY UP TO WHOMEVER WE NEED TO GET IT

RESOLVED. >> GOOD DEAL. DO YOU THINK AN EMPLOYEE AND RETIREE SURVEY IS A GOOD IDEA OR NOT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. NOW THAT WE ARE SIX MONTHS INTO THIS, -- I DON'T PARTICULARLY LIKE DOING SERVICE AT THE BEGINNING. THERE WILL BE ISSUES THAT WILL LIKELY JUST THAT NOW. WHAT THEY GET INTO IT, I THINK IT'S A GREAT TIME DOING. I HAVE EVERY -- ALREADY TALKED TO THE BENEFITS TEAM. NOT JUST AETNA. BUT DENTAL AND VISION. AND EVEN BENEFITS WE HAVE NOT CONSIDERED, LIKE CAN'T HER INSURANCE, WE PLAN ON DOING THIS AND WE PLAN ON SHARING THE RESULTS WITH THE STAFF.

>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THE SURVEY TO BE DONE?

>> NO, I DON'T PARTICULARLY NEED A MOTION. WE PLAN ON DOING THAT ANYWAY. AND LESS YOU WANTED TO DIRECT ME TO COME

[08:05:02]

>> I WANT TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. I'M GOING TO MAKE THIS A MOTION. I HOPE I HAVE A SECOND. IT'S TO MOVE TO CONSTRUCT HRM TO DEVELOP A SURVEY FOR EMPLOYEES TO DEVELOP ISSUES WITH THEIR BENEFITS , ENGAGE SATISFACTION -- AND GAUGE THAT AFFECT WITH AETNA. AND COME UP WITH A PLAN FOR EMPLOYEES TO ACTIVELY HELP THEM NAVIGATE THROUGH ISSUES THEY

MAY BE HAVING. >> SECOND-PERIOD

>> A QUICK QUESTION, IT SHOWS THAT IT'S JUST AN REQUEST FOR

UPDATE. >> CAN A MOTION BE MADE QUITE

>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT. THE UNDERLYING ITEM -- IT IS JUST

ASKING FOR AN UPDATE. >> IF YOU WANT TO GIVE ME

DIRECTION? >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I WAS SIMPLY GOING TO SAY, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS TO COURT. I KNOW HOW DEEPLY YOU CARE ABOUT ALL OF YOUR TEAM MEMBERS. I RESPECTED THAT AND SHARE THAT COMMITMENT. SHANE, VERY BRIEFLY, I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE RESULT OF THIS SURVEY. WE EXPECT YOU AND YOUR TEAM TO HOLD AETNA ACCOUNTABLE -- THANK YOU , AND JUST STAY ON THEM SO WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE DELIVERING THE QUALITY OF CARE THAT OUR TEAM MEMBERS DESERVE. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> SHANE, DO YOU RECALL WE WERE REWARDING THIS CONTRACT TO AETNA. I THINK WE ASKED FOR A GRAPH SHOWING US ON THE PERIODIC BASIS IF SOMEONE REQUESTED SOME TEST AND THE CARRIER TURNED IT DOWN, NO YOU COULD NOT SAY WHO. I KNOW I HAD THAT ISSUE WITH THE PREVIOUS CARRIER. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT CONVERSATION?

>> YES, SIR. YOU CALLED IT A CLAIMS DENIAL REPORT. WE HAVE AETNA WORKING ON THAT . THEY PUT A TWO-MONTH LAG ON IT. WE JUST RECEIVED A REPORT. -- WE ALSO RECEIVE DATA FROM CIGNA TO SERVE COMPARISON. ONCE WE HAVE THE ANALYSIS COMPLETE WE CAN

SHARE IT. >> SO EMPLOYEES GET IT, PUT IT ONLINE OR SOMEWHERE. YOU CANNOT SHOW WHO, BUT IF SOMEONE REQUESTED, THE DOCTOR SAYS, GIVE THEM A TEST. THE PREVIOUS CARRIER LET ME DO THE FIRST YEAR AND DENIED IT THE SECOND YEAR. PROBABLY BECAUSE I READ A LOT OF KANE.

>> IT WILL BE AGGREGATED. >> ONCE WE AWARDED THIS CONTRACT, HOW LONG IS THE CONTRACT? AND HOW LONG IF WE

WERE NOT HAPPY WITH THEM? >> IT IS ONE YEAR AND FOUR RENEWALS, SO A FIVE YEAR CONTRACT. WITHIN THE CONTRACT, IT'S 180 DAY CLAUSE. I THINK IT IS 180 DAYS IS WHAT I WANT TO SAY. I DO NOT HAVE IT IN FRONT OF ME. WE NEED A LOT OF LEAD TIME TO CHANGE MEDICAL CARE IF WE HAVE TO.

>> JUST AS I HAVE THOUGHT, I'VE GOTTEN A FEW MESSAGES FROM EMPLOYEES. LAST YEAR, IT CAUSED -- COST OF ZERO DOLLARS. AETNA COSTS 900. SOMEONE ELSE IS, I HAVE A BETTER DEAL, I HAVE 500.

SOMEONE ELSE PAY $500 FOR THE DOCTOR. ANOTHER COUPLE OF HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR THE HOSPITAL. I THINK YOU WILL GET AN INTERESTING EARFUL WANT TO GET THE SURVEY OUT OF THE WAY.

>> YES, SIR. COMMISSIONER, WE CAN REMEMBER -- LET'S LOOK INTO IT. SOMETHING WE NEED TO LOOK INTO NOW. I DO NOT WANT TO

WAIT FOR THE SURVEY. >> THANK YOU, SHANE. YOU KNOW MY SOAPBOXES ON THE MENTAL HEALTH PARITY. THEY SAY THEY HAVE IT, THEY BEING ALL THE INSURANCE COMPANIES. I THINK THAT IS A FIGHT TO FIGHT AT A DIFFERENT LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT.

ANYWAY, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR EFFORTS . AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ALICE. ON THIS ITEM, THERE IS NO ACTION, YOU JUST MADE THE DIRECTION. ANYTHING ELSE FROM COUNTY ATTORNEY? COUNTY CLERK? GOOD NIGHT.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.