* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:06]
          >> GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:09 A.M. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE MEETING OF THE HARRIS COMMISSIONS COURT TO ORDER AND I WILL BE PRESIDING TODAY IN LIEU OF JUDGE HILDALGO WHO IS SUPPORTING A CLOSE FAMILY FRIEND WHO IS VERY SICK AND SHE CANNOT ATTEND TODAY'S MEETING. HARRIS HEALTH HAS REQUESTED THAT ITEM 24 BE MOVED UP EARLY AS POSSIBLE TO ACCOMMODATE AND THEY HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED THAT IT MIGHT BE BETWEEN 2:00 AND 3:00 THAT IT WILL COME UP AND I KNOW THEY ARE WISE TO WATCHING. 
          [Operations Pastor Chris Todd of Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 3.]
RAMSEY, YOU HAVE THE PLEASURE OF INTRODUCING OUR GUESTS. 
          >> IT'S GREAT TO WELCOME PASTOR CHRIS TODD. BACKGROUND ON CHRIS. HE ALSO SERVES AS A SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE IN THE AREA . I CAN'T THINK OF TWO JOBS MORE IN CRITICAL LIFE THAN BEING ON THE SCHOOL BOARD AND BEING A PASTOR . YOU HAVE TO GET IT FROM BOTH ENDS AND I KNOW IT IS HARD. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY, WHICH HAS BEEN AROUND SINCE THE 1800S. WE ALL CELEBRATE THAT AND HE ACTUALLY GRADUATED FROM KLEIN OAK . HE IS A PASTOR AT CHAMPION FOREST BAPTIST CHURCH AND GRADUATED FROM UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON WITH A DEGREE IN POLITICAL SCIENCE AND A MINOR IN PHILOSOPHY, SO ALL GOOD THINGS. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU PUBLICLY FOR WHAT YOU DO OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY MAKING A DIFFERENCE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH US. 
          >> THANK YOU. I GREATLY APPRECIATE THE KIND INTRODUCTION. ON BEHALF OF JARRET STEVENS, I THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE. COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY STAFF KNOW THAT I AM HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE BOW WITH ME AS WE PRAY. DEAR FATHER, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GRACE AND MERCY IN OUR LIVES AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE NEED YOU. WITHOUT YOU, OUR SINFUL NATURE WILL ENSURE DESTRUCTION. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT YOU HAVE MADE A WAY FOR OUR FORGIVENESS AND THOSE WHO CALL UPON YOU AND YOUR NAME AND ACCEPT YOUR FREE GIFT OF SALVATION AND FOREVER HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. TODAY, THE LEADERS BEFORE US WILL CONDUCT BUSINESS FOR THE ALMOST 4.8 MILLION PEOPLE THAT SERVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE LIFT THEM UP TO YOU AND WE HUMBLY ASK THAT YOU GRANT THEM THE DISCERNMENT, WISDOM AND UNITY , AS WELL AS GUIDANCE THEY NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT IMPACT OUR COMMUNITY. LORD, WE ACKNOWLEDGE THE RESPONSIBILITIES AND TRUST INTO THESE LEADERS ARE GREAT AND WE PRAY THAT YOU GRANT THEM THE COURAGE TO CARRY OUT THEIR DUTIES WITH INTEGRITY AND FAIRNESS. GIVE THEM THE HUNGER FOR TRUTH. FATHER, GRANT THEM THE HUMILITY TO LISTEN AND HAVE THE PATIENCE TO DELIBERATE AND HELP THEM SEE BEYOND DIFFERENCES AND WORK TOGETHER FOR THE COMMON GOOD. GIVE THEM STRENGTH TO SET ASIDE STRONGHOLDS AND SEEK YOUR WILL . FATHER, WE ASK FOR YOUR FAVOR IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WE ASK FOR AN AWAKENING AND REVIVAL THAT STARTS IN THE HOMES OF CHURCHES AND COMMUNITIES OF HARRIS COUNTY. FATHER, PROTECT OUR CITIZENS FROM THE OLDEST OF THE YOUNGEST AND PARTICULARLY WITH CHILDREN. GIVE THEM A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE AND PROTECTION AT SCHOOL . GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND MINDS FROM EVIL AND A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE AND PASSION TO CHANGE THE WORLD FOR THEY ARE THE FUTURE. WE ASK YOUR BLESSING UPON THIS COURT AND ALL ITS PROCEEDINGS TODAY. 
          MAY YOU GUIDE EVERY DISCUSSION AND DECISION MADE TODAY. IN 
          JESUS NAME I PRAY, AMEN. >> THANK YOU, PASTOR. 
          >> THANK YOU. IT WILL BE A LONG AND PRODUCTIVE DAY. LET STAND AND RECITE THE U.S. PLEDGE AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE OF THE 
          TEXAS FLAG. >> 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. I HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE TEXAS ONE STATE UNDER GOD ONE AND 
          INDIVISIBLE. >> THE RESOLUTION WE HAVE IS 
          [Departments ( Part 1 of  2)]
JUDGE HIDALGO AND WE HAVE A TOTAL SOLUTIONS WE WILL TAKE OUT OF ORDER THIS MORNING. THE FIRST ONE FOR JUDGE HIDALGO IS HONORING SHEILA WHO IS RETIRING FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING 
          [00:05:06]
AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AFTER 36 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE THROUGHOUT HER NUMEROUS ROLES AND LONG CAREER THAT SHE HAS HELPED THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY OBTAIN TRAINING TO DEVELOP SKILLS, AND ENSURE ECONOMIC STABILITY. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME SPEAKERS ON THE ITEM AND I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO BE RECOGNIZED AT THIS TIME. 
          >> SHEILA WARD, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. 
          MY NAME IS SHEILA WARD AND I WANT TO BEGIN BY SAYING HOW GRATEFUL I AM TO HARRIS COUNTY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED TO ME TO DEVELOP MY SKILLS BOTH PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. 
          I WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND MY DEEPEST APPRECIATION TO MY FAMILY, EMPLOYEES AND COLLEAGUES FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT THROUGHOUT MY TENURE . ADDITIONALLY, I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE DIRECTORS AND I HAD A PRIVILEGE TO WORK DIRECTLY WITH THEM. JOHNSON, DIAMOND, BRUCE AUSTIN, RANKIN, DWIGHT WOLF, JUDITH FOR THE INVALUABLE GUIDANCE, WISDOM , SUPPORT AND EXCEPTIONAL LEADERSHIP . I AM PROUD OF THE MEANINGFUL CONTRIBUTIONS I HAD MADE TO THE COUNTY AND I AM HUMBLED TO HAVE PLAYED A PART IN MAKING A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE LIVES OF 
          . >> WE ARE HONORED THAT YOU STAYED WITH US AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> ALL THE BEST. ANY PLANS FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER? 
          >> IN DOING SEVERAL THINGS. ONE, I'M INVOLVED IN THE PROGRAM TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS TO LEARN HOW TO READ, BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T READ, YOU CAN'T VOTE. TWO, I'M INVOLVED IN THE HOME, WHICH IS A PROGRAM FUNDED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS TO HELP SENIOR CITIZENS PROVIDE MEALS DAILY. 
          >> KEEP HELPING . >> I WILL. THANK THE COUNTY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. I APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR 36 YEARS OF SERVICE. WE WISH YOU THE 
          BEST. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> WE WILL TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU. 
          >> YESTERDAY WAS THE ANNIVERSARY AND I HAVE A RESOLUTION AND FAMILY THAT I WANT TO HONOR TODAY. THE FIRST IS AUGUST 2017 ALONGSIDE THEIR GREAT GRANDCHILDREN , DEBBIE, XAVIER , DAISY AND CROSSING OVER BRINGS VALUE WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ESCAPE UNPRECEDENTED AND OVERWHELMING FLOODWATERS ON THE LEASH BY HURRICANE HARVEY. I WANT TO THANK AND RECOGNIZE MISS ANITA WHO HAS TAKEN ON THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE SALDIVAR FAMILY AND IN WORKING WITH MY OFFICE TO WORK WITH THE SALDIVAR FAMILY MEMORIAL BRIDGE AND I KNOW THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR THEM EVERY YEAR IN PARTICULAR WHEN WE COME UP TO THIS HOLIDAY. AS YOU COME UP, I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I SEE THE IMAGES OF THE FOUR GREAT GRANDCHILDREN, AS WELL. I WILL NEVER FORGET DEBBIE, DOMINIQUE, XAVIER AND DAISY. IT WAS A LOSS TO GOOD FOR ANYONE FAMILY TO BEAR. THE STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE THAT YOU HAVE ALL SHOWN IS A TESTAMENT TO THE BOND OF YOUR FAMILY AND OF THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU COME FROM. 
          RENAMING THE ROAD BRIDGE, THE SALDIVAR FAMILY MEMORIAL BRIDGE IS JUST ONE WAY OF HONORING THEM AND IT'S A WAY TO HONOR YOUR STRENGTH AND RESILIENCE. IT'S HOW WE REMEMBER YOUR FAMILY ALONGSIDE YOU AS A COMMUNITY AND RECOGNIZE THE LASTING IMPACT THAT YOUR LOVED ONES HAD A ON FAMILY , FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS. THE NEWS ACCOUNTS THAT ALL OF US WITNESSED IN PART INSPIRED THE PREVIOUS COURT AND THIS COURT TO INVEST IN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF MONEY AND TRYING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY MORE RESILIENT. I WANT TO THANK YOU AGAIN. I MET THE FAMILY BRIEFLY EARLIER AND WE WILL TAKE PICTURES WITH YOU LATER , BUT WE ALL WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE 
          [00:10:04]
LOVE YOU AND WE FEEL YOUR LOSS AND PAIN. I KNOW IT'S MUCH MORE THAN ANY FAMILY. WITH GOD'S HELP, YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH THIS AND WE WILL BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO HEAR FROM 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. 
          THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS. IN APPRECIATION FOR THE MEMORIAL AND THE NAMING OF THE BRIDGE , ON BEHALF OF MY NEPHEWS AND ALL OF THE FAMILY, MY NAME IS ANITA, AND I WOULD JUST LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE MEMORIAL OF MY FAMILY IN REMEMBERING WHAT HAPPENED ON THAT DREADFUL DAY. I THANK YOU. 
          >> GOD BLESS. >> GOD BLESS YOU. 
          >> JUST BRING HIM RIGHT THERE. 
          >> I'M BILLY AND ON BEHALF OF THE SALVADOR FAMILY , WE THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS COURT , FOR COMMEMORATING THIS BRIDGE IN HONOR OF THIS FAMILY . THIS GOES TO SHOW THAT WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR MITIGATION AND EQUITY AND RESILIENCE WHEN IT COMES TO BLADDER CONTROL. I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, ELLIS AND HILDALGO FOR APPOINTING ME TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD RESILIENCY TASK FORCE AND WE HAVE BEEN MAKING GREAT PROGRESS IN OUR RECOMMENDATIONS TO MITIGATE FLOODING AND AT THE SAME TIME BECOME EQUITABLE WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING AND GETTING ALL OF THE PROPER FUNDING FOR UNDERSERVED AND UNDERREPRESENTED DISENFRANCHISED COMMUNITIES , SUCH AS MOVIES HOUSTON. 
          >> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU AND WE HAVE A LONG WAY. THERE IS STILL A LOT OF FUNDING GAPS WHEN IT COMES TO FUNDING THE BAYOU PROJECTS IN CERTAIN AREAS AND FLOOD MITIGATION IS VERY IMPORTANT, SO THINGS LIKE THIS TRAGEDY WILL NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. I WANT TO THANK YOU . THAT'S ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE TASK FORCE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT FOLKS UNDERSTAND THE PROGRESS THAT YOU HELP US TO MAKE ALONG WITH THE RESOURCES THAT THE VOTERS HAVE PROVIDED US WITH THE HARVEY BOND . IN 2015, WHEN WE HAVE THE MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD, 3000 STRUCTURES FLOODED AND WITH HURRICANE BARREL, WHICH WAS A COMPARABLE EVENT TO THE 2015 MEMORIAL FLOOD , WE HAD MORE THAN 20 STRUCTURES LAUDED. THE PROCESS IS VERY IDENTIFIABLE AND WE COULDN'T GET THERE WITHOUT PEOPLE LIKE 
          YOU. >> I AGREE. ALSO, PEOPLE HAVE THE MISUNDERSTANDING THAT WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT FLOOD CONTROL AND MITIGATION THAT IT WILL BECOME OBSOLETE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BEING THAT WE ARE SO FLAT, THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS NO FLOODING IN SOUTHEAST TEXAS. MITIGATION BASICALLY MEANS TO LESSEN THE SEVERITY OF FLOODING , LIKE WHAT WE HAD IN THE BIBLICAL EVENT, SUCH AS HARVEY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? 
          >> WE ARE EXTREMELY SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS IN THE FAMILY AND WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO TO DELIVER THE OUTSTANDING PROJECTS AND TO MAKE SURE WE ARE MAINTAINING TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY, THE CURRENT FLOOD MITIGATION INFRASTRUCTURE. MY HEART IS WITH YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE ON THE TASK FORCE IN HELPING US BE PART OF THE SOLUTION, BECAUSE OUR FAMILIES DESERVE TO BE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. MY HEART IS WITH YOU. 
          >> WE APPRECIATE IT. >> WOULD ANY OF THE SPEAKERS ON 
          [00:15:02]
THIS ITEM STAND UP FOR A SECOND? I KNOW YOU ARE HERE SOMEWHERE. TELL HIM I WANT TO GIVE HIM A SHOUT OUT , BECAUSE I KNOW FOR HIM HE THINKS ABOUT IT PROBABLY MORE THAN EVERYONE ELSE DOES EVERY DAY. WE ARE GLAD YOU ARE ALL HERE. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT WE ARE NOT FINISHED YET. THE $2.5 BILLION IS A LOT, BUT ALL OF US IN THE JUDGE KNOW THAT IT WILL TAKE MORE -- WE KNOW WHAT WE NEED TO DO IN TERMS OF MAKING US MORE RESILIENT. WE WILL TAKE TO SOME PICTURES LATER. YOU CAN COME UP. I KNOW WHEN THEY CALL ME AND SAY IT, I SAY, CAN THEY COME OVER AND HAVE BREAKFAST WITH ME? THEY SAY THAT THERE WILL BE 30 PEOPLE AND I SAID, LET'S SEE IF WE CAN GET A LARGER ROOM DOWNSTAIRS. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? 
          >> RICARDO SALDIVAR. I DID A LOT OF INTERVIEWS WHEN MY PARENTS AND GREAT NIECES AND NEPHEWS -- I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT IT WAS A TRAGIC ACCIDENT AND IT WASN'T ANYBODY'S FAULT. 
          MY DAD TOLD SAMUEL THAT YOU CAN MAKE IT AND WE WERE RAISED TO LISTEN TO OUR PARENTS, SO WE WENT FOR IT AND HE TOLD ME THAT THE VAN NEVER SHUT OFF. IT JUST STOPPED. BASICALLY, IT WAS FLOATING. YEAH, IT WAS PART OF THEIR FAULT . FROM THIS TRAGEDY THAT PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND, TURNAROUND AND DON'T DROWN. AT LEAST LEARN FROM -- HOPEFULLY THEY WILL REMEMBER MY PARENTS AND GREAT NIECE AND NEPHEW. I BETTER TURNAROUND . IT MAY TAKE YOU LONGER TO GET HOME, BUT AT LEAST YOU GET HOME. THANK YOU 
          ALL. >> THANK YOU. THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE WILL BE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, PAGE TWO ITEM SEVEN. 
          >> WE ARE JOINED BY BO . WE HAVE HAD SO MANY GIANTS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND WE LOST A FEW OF THEM AND MOST RECENTLY HER DAD. 
          PHYSICALLY, HE WAS NOT NECESSARILY A GIANT, BUT THAT HEART DIDN'T BELONG IN THAT SMALL BODY, BUT A GIANTS BODY. 
          I JUST WANT PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND AND YOU NEVER KNOW WHOSE PRESENCE WE ARE IN. IF YOU EVER HAD THE CHANCE TO MEET FELIX, AND WHEN I FIRST MET FELIX AND A YOUNG COP, ALL HE WANTED TO DO WAS TWO THINGS. HOW WAS I DOING? AND , WHAT CAN HE DO TO HELP? HE WANTED TO UNDERSTAND THE EXTENT OF THINGS HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY AND WHAT WE COULD DO TO BETTER HELP THE COMMUNITY AND BETTER LAW ENFORCEMENT . YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO BE CAREFUL, THE HEAD HE HAD AND ASK , BECAUSE HE WOULD SAY, IS EVERYTHING OKAY? CAN YOU GO DOWN THE STREET AND CHECK ON HIS FAMILY AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE OKAY? ALWAYS THINKING ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE. LOOK, ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT HE CARED ABOUT WHAT IT NECESSARILY KNOW WHERE THIS PLACE IS AT. THEY WOULD KNOW WHERE CITY HALL IS AT AND THEY WERE HARD AND WORKING HUMBLE PEOPLE. YOU COULD NEVER EVER DENY THAT THIS MAN JUST HAD AN 
          [00:20:01]
INSURMOUNTABLE AMOUNT OF LOVE . YOUR DADDY'S HISTORY IS INCREDIBLE AND I'M READING THE IMPACT REPORT ABOUT HOW YOUR FAMILY WALK OF LIFE STARTED IN THIS COUNTRY IN 1913. IN 1929 , THE WORLD GOT TO MEET FELIX. IN 1969 , HE SWEPT YOUR MAMA OFF HER FEET , THEN THE REST OF THE FAMILY BEGAN. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU. A CARING PERSON LIKE YOUR DAD DOESN'T JUST BELONG TO YOUR FAMILY. HE GAVE TO THE REST OF US. HE GAVE UNSELFISHLY AND RELENTLESSLY. HE WAS ALWAYS READY TO GIVE MORE . I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES IT TAKES AWAY FROM THE FAMILY, BUT WATCHING YOU AND ALL YOU DO IN OUR COMMUNITY, I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE THE SAME HEART AND LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE COMMUNITY. 
          THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO KEEP HIS LEGACY ALIVE . I'M HONORED THAT THIS RESOLUTION TODAY WILL ACKNOWLEDGE THE LEGACY , BECAUSE IT IS A TRUE LEGACY THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING FOR YOUR FATHER . WITH SO MUCH MORE, HE SERVED ON H ISD SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE AND CITY COUNCIL AND I SUCCEEDED HIM FOR THE COUNCILMEMBER RIGHT BEFORE HIM AND RIGHT AFTER HIM. HE JUST FOUND A HOME BEGINNING WHEN IT WAS A SETTLEMENT AND SO MUCH MORE --. I WILL TELL YOU, HE DIDN'T NEED AN OFFICE OR TITLE. AFTER I BECAME COUNCILMEMBER , YOUR DAD WAS REGULARLY IN MY OFFICE ADVOCATING FOR THE COMMUNITY. 
          WHAT CAN WE DO ? YOU CAN DO IT. YOU CAN MAKE THIS HAPPEN. I JUST TELL YOU, I ALWAYS ENJOYED WATCHING HIM IN ACTION. IT WAS JUST AN INCREDIBLE HONOR AND BEYOND PRIVILEGE. IT WAS AN HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN YOUR DAD AND TO HAVE WORKED WITH HIM AND HAVE SEEN HIM IN ACTION FIGHTING FOR SO MANY OTHERS THAT HAD NOT EVEN A SPECK OF A VOICE, BUT HE CARED ABOUT HIM. 
          SO INCREDIBLY WELL AND DILIGENTLY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. HE IS IN THIS RESOLUTION ON BEHALF OF THE COURT AND SIMPLY RECOGNIZES THE LIFE AND CAREER OF THE HONORABLE FELIX FOR HIS INVALUABLE SERVICE AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO NOT JUST THE RESIDENTS OF THE SECOND WARD , BUT TO HARRIS COUNTY AND UNDOUBTEDLY THAT THERE IS LIVING LEGACIES THROUGHOUT THIS COUNTRY THAT YOUR FATHER TOUCHED. GOD BLESS YOU . WE MISS YOUR DAD, BUT AS YOU KNOW, THERE IS SO MUCH A FOOT TO HELP KEEP HIS LEGACY ALIVE AND MAKE SURE THEY PEOPLE REMEMBER 
          FELIX. >> A BRIEF COMMENT. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND HONORING A GIANT IN OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR DAD WITH OUR COMMUNITY. HE WAS A FEARLESS ADVOCATE AND COMMUNITY CHAMPION WITH A HEART OF GOLD AND AS A PROUD LATINA , EVERYTHING HE DID NOT ONLY FOR THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE, BUT IN OUR LATINO COMMUNITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD BELIEVE AND WE COULD DO IT AND THAT OUR PROGRESS IS MEANINGFUL AND POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. I KNOW THAT HE IS SMILING DOWN FROM HEAVEN. 
          >> HE STILL ADVOCATING. OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES AND 
          GRATITUDE. >> ON BEHALF OF NELLY . 
          >> MY MOTHER AND FAMILY WERE VERY HONORED AND GRATEFUL FOR 
          [00:25:01]
THIS AWESOME RECOGNITION AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HOW HE DIED AFTER THAT FIRST WEEK AND YOU HAVE ONE OF YOUR STAFF ATTEND A RECEPTION FOR MY FATHER AND CAME WITH A CERTIFICATE, AS WELL. THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU TO YOU ALL , THE FOUR OF YOU AND THE JUDGE FOR RECOGNIZING MY DAD. YOU ALSO DID IT WHILE HE WAS IN THIS EARTHLY LIFE AND I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT. HE JUST LOVED THE COMMUNITY. AS YOU SAID, HE WOULD NEVER PASS UP AN OPPORTUNITY TO HELP PEOPLE. 
          THAT IS WHAT HE WAS ABOUT. HE LEFT HARRIS COUNTY AND THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA, SO HE WAS SIMPLY BEING WHO HE WAS AND WHO I BELIEVE HE STILL IS. AMONG US, WE CONTINUE TO DO THAT GREAT WORK AND HE WAS ABOUT HELPING PEOPLE MEET THEIR NEEDS AND ASPIRATIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> WHEN YOUR DAD WAS ADVOCATING FOR THE COMMUNITY, HE DID IT SO WELL. HE DIDN'T KNOW YOUR ARM IS BEING TWISTED. TO YOUR MOM , WE LOVE YOU. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. IT MAKES ALL THE SENSE KNOWING YOU AND HOW YOU FELL IN LOVE , BECAUSE YOUR HEARTS ARE JUST ABSOLUTELY IDENTICAL . ALWAYS GIVING TO THE COMMUNITY AND ADVOCATING FOR SO MANY. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE, AS WELL. I KNOW THAT YOU WERE AN INSTRUCTOR . DID YOU TEACH AT WESLEY HOUSE BY CHANCE? AT 
          WESLEY HOUSE? >> IT WAS SOMEONE ELSE. I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE YOU. THE ONLY THING FOR FUTURE YOUNG MEN THAT ARE GOING TO CLASSES , I WENT EXCITED, BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET TO MEET GIRLS. THEY PAIRED WE WITH MY SISTER. DON'T DO THAT TO ANYBODY ELSE, PLEASE. 
          >> IT'S DONE BY HEIGHT. >> AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. I WOULD BE HONOR TO TAKE PHOTOS IN A MINUTE. 
          >> ONE OF THE FAMILY FRIENDS WHO ARE GOING TO SHARE REMARKS. 
          >> WONDERFUL. PLEASE. >> YOU RECOGNIZE THAT ONE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M HONORED TO COMES SHARE SOME REMARKS WITH YOU. FALSE AND ECLECTIC AFTER ALL OF THOSE COMMENTS, BUT AS EVERYONE KNOWS, FELIX FRAGA WAS A GREAT MAN AND HIS LIFE WAS DEDICATED TO HELPING OTHER PEOPLE AND HE LIVED HIS LIFE AND THAT'S HOW HIS SONS ARE CONTINUING HIS LEGACY AND IT IS GREAT TO BE PART OF THAT. AS YOU KNOW, HE WAS ONE OF THE EARLY HISPANIC MEMBERS OF THE H ISD BOARD AND HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. NOT ONLY DID THE VOTERS HAVE CONFIDENCE IN FELIX BY SENDING HIM BACK, HIS COLLEAGUES ALL HAD A GREAT DEAL OF CONFIDENCE. WITH ALL OF THE PEOPLE WHOM HE WORKED IN BOTH OF THOSE ORGANIZATIONS, THEY HAD GREAT LOVE AND AFFECTION AND THEY RESPECTED HIM. HE ALWAYS FOUND A WAY TO GET TO MIDDLE GROUND, NO MATTER HOW DIFFERENT THE BACKGROUNDS WERE OR HOW DIFFERENT THE POLITICAL PERSUASIONS WERE. HE COULD ALWAYS TALK TO PEOPLE ABOUT ISSUES. COULDN'T WE USE MORE OF THAT IN THE COUNTRY THESE DAYS? 
          >> EXACTLY. CONTINUE. >> HE WAS MY FRIEND FOR OVER 50 YEARS AND WE DID A LOT OF THINGS TOGETHER. I MISS HIM LIKE EVERYBODY DOES. HIS DEATH LEAVES A GREAT VOID IN THE COMMUNITY, BUT HE LEAVES BEHIND A LARGER LEGACY. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING A WONDERFUL HUMAN BEING. APPRECIATE IT. 
          >> APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO, AS WELL. 
          >> CONGRESSMAN AND SOON-TO-BE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . 
          >> THANK YOU. EVEN THOUGH YOUR DAD HAS GRADUATED , HE IS WITH US AND WHAT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL IS TO SEE YOUR FAMILY HERE. HE LIVES ON IN ALL AND HE WILL LIVE ON FOR HIS GRANDCHILDREN AND GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN. LEGACIES LIKE THIS DON'T DIE. 
          THEY KEEP ON GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED WHAT HE DID WHILE HERE AND WHAT HE IS GOING TO DO THROUGH YOU ALL IN THE FUTURE. 
          >> EXACTLY. >> I WAS IN CHICAGO ALL LAST WEEK , BUT NOW WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE. 
          >> YES. I AM DEANNA MARTIN IS PAID ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, I WANT TO THANK YOU, THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE FOR MEMORIALIZING THE EXTRAORDINARY LIFE . IMAGINE BEING BORN INTO 
          [00:30:04]
THE 1929 AND WORKING DILIGENTLY TO DEDICATE YOUR LIFE AND YOUR ENTIRE LIFE TO IMPROVING YOUR COMMUNITY. RECENT TRIBUTES HAVE CALLED HIM A SECOND WAR HERO , PILLAR , HOUSTON ICON AND SERVANT LEADER. A TRAILBLAZER IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND EXCEPTIONAL FAMILY MAN. GROWING UP FROM DOWN THE STREET, MR. FRAGA SAW AND FOSTERED IN ME THE POTENTIAL TO SUCCEED AS A STUDENT AND VOLUNTEER AND THE BABYSITTER OF HIS AMAZING SONS . YES, AS A PUBLIC SERVANT. I AM ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AT THIS LANDMARK COMMUNITY CENTER. IT PROVIDED MY FAMILY EVERYTHING FROM ESSENTIAL HEALTH AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO AMAZING RECREATIONAL AND CULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES. RIPLEY HOUSE WAS A FOUNDATION OF MY COMMUNITY SERVICE AND MR. FRAGA WAS MY AS WE SAY IN SPANISH, ROLE MODEL, WHICH LED ME TO BECOME A STATE REPRESENTATIVE. TODAY, AS WE HONOR THE LIFE OF FELIX, I AM REMINDED OF THE WORDS. WE CANNOT TAKE ACHIEVEMENT FOR OURSELVES AND FORGET ABOUT PROGRESS AND PROSPERITY FOR OUR COMMUNITY. OUR AMBITIONS MUST BE BROAD ENOUGH TO INCLUDE THE ASPIRATIONS AND NEEDS OF OTHERS FOR THEIR SAKES AND FOR OUR OWN . ON THIS DAY AND FOREVER , I WILL SAY, BRAVO TO FELIX FRAGA FOR DOING THAT AND MUCH MORE. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR HONORING HIM. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I HAVE KNOWN THE FAMILY FOR A LONG TIME. I THINK YOU MET YOUR PARENTS WHEN I WAS AN INTERN WHEN HE WAS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR. IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOUR DAD AND BEING WELL READ AND KNOWING HISTORY. 
          THAT IS A POWERFUL NAME BEING NAMED AFTER SIMONE. WE WILL MISS HER FAMILY AND YOU HAVE BIG SHOES. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> YES, QUICKLY. >> WHEN HURRICANE BERYL HIT HARRIS COUNTY , IT SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACTED PRECINCT 3. WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE TASK BEFORE AS WE HAD NO IDEA THAT WE WERE ABOUT TO REMOVE 791,000 CUBIC YARDS OF DEBRIS LEFT BY THOSE TWO STORMS, WE KNEW WE NEEDED HELP. WHEN YOU KNOW YOU NEED HELP, YOU START ASKING PEOPLE THAT MIGHT KNOW SOMETHING. WE WENT TO TUNNELS TO TOWERS AND I THINK -- IS KIM HERE? IF YOU ARE, COME ON DOWN. WE CALLED TUNNELS TO TOWERS . 
          OUR QUESTION TO TUNNELS TO TOWERS IS, IS THERE VETERANS OVER THERE WHO WOULD LIKE A MISSION? ARE THERE VETERANS THAT WOULD LIKE TO GET UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY? YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY MUCH, BECAUSE THESE MEN AND WOMEN HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY IN AN INCREDIBLE WAY, BUT THEY NEVER ASK IN AN EMERGENCY SOMETIMES. I THINK MANY SHOWED UP . THEY WENT OUT THERE SHOULDER TO SHOULDER WITH US AND HELPED PICK UP DEBRIS. THAT IS NOT THE MOST CELEBRATED THING YOU CAN DO IS RIDE ALONG IN THE STREETS AND PICK UP LIMBS AND DEBRIS , BUT I KNOW THE PEOPLE WHOSE HOUSES THIS WAS IN FRONT OF, THEY CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. WE WANTED TO RECOGNIZE THEM. THANKS TO THE HELP OF THE MILITARY VETERANS , TUNNELS TO TOWERS GROUP , WHICH CELEBRATES SUCCESSFUL LEADERS IN THIS COMMUNITY . WHEN THEY ARE CALLED UPON , THEY MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE. ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, WE CELEBRATE TUNNELS TO TOWERS, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE ALWAYS THERE AND READY TO RESPOND. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. GOOD MORNING, 
          [00:35:01]
COMMISSIONERS, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND FELLOW COMMUNITY MEMBERS. MY NAME IS KENZIE LORENZO, COMMUNITY RELATIONS MANAGER FOR THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION HERE IN HOUSTON. IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS FOUNDATION . I AM DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCEPT THIS RESOLUTION , WHICH SIGNIFIES NOT ONLY THE RECOGNITION OF OUR EFFORTS TO ERADICATE VETERAN HOMELESSNESS , BUT ALSO A SHARED COMMITMENT TO SUPPORTING OUR NATION'S HEROES AND FAMILIES. WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND EFFORT THAT ALL MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HAVE DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS AND VETERANS, BUT I WOULD BE REMISS TO IF I DID NOT THANK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND HIS DEDICATED TEAMS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THESE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN. THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS HOUSTON VETERANS VILLAGE HAS BEEN WELCOMED WITH OPEN ARMS AND IT IS OUR GREAT PRIVILEGE TO PROVIDE THIS SAFE, DIGNIFIED AND INNOVATIVE HOUSING SOLUTION FOR VETERANS WHO HAVE FOUND THEMSELVES UNHOUSED. EACH OF THE VETERANS WE SERVE COME WITH CHALLENGES UNIQUE TO THEIR EXPERIENCES. 
          THERE IS NO ONE SIZE FITS ALL SOLUTION, HENCE OUR INDIVIDUALIZED APPROACH TO MEET EACH OF THE VETERANS WE SERVE EXACTLY WHERE THEY ARE , REMOVE THE BARRIERS IN FRONT OF THEM AND GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM. PROVIDES A STABLE HOME WITH 24 HOUR WRAPAROUND SOCIAL SERVICES THROUGH COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS , SO THAT THESE MEN AND WOMEN MAY REGAIN THEIR INDEPENDENCE AND GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY. THIS REMAINS OUR PRIORITY AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD VILLAGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN AREAS WITH THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATIONS OF UNHOUSED VETERANS. WE HAVE ALREADY BROKEN GROUND IN ATLANTA , MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE AND FLORIDA. WE ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT FOR SEVERAL OTHER PROPERTIES. OUR CONSTRUCTION TEAM IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO RENOVATE AND BUILD HOMES THAT WE WOULD BE PROUD TO LIVE IN. TO FURTHER THE IMPACT WE HAVE MADE IN HOUSTON, BOSTON, LOS ANGELES AND PHOENIX , OUR NATIONAL CASE MANAGEMENT NETWORK HAS PROVIDED HOUSING ASSESSMENT ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORTIVE SERVICES TO OVER 5000 VETERANS AND 1000 OF THEIR CHILDREN AND ITS INCEPTION IN 2022 . YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT IS VITAL IN ALLOWING US TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION OF SERVING THOSE WHO HAVE SACRIFICED SO MUCH FOR OUR COUNTRY. TO SHARE THE THOUGHTS OF VICE PRESIDENT OF THE TUNNEL TO TOWERS HOMELESS PROGRAM , WE ARE EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THE COMMENCEMENT OF OUR PHASE TWO COMFORT HOME VILLAGE , AS WELL AS OUR PLANS TO REPLICATE OUR VETERAN VILLAGE MODEL THROUGHOUT THE U.S. FOR THE BENEFIT OF OUR NATION'S HEROES. THE OVERWHELMING SUPPORT WE HAVE RECEIVED FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON, NEIGHBORS AND OTHER HOUSTON ORGANIZATION STAND AS A TESTAMENT THAT TOGETHER WE CAN COLLECTIVELY END HOMELESSNESS AMONGST OUR VETERANS. AS THE 23RD ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 QUICKLY APPROACHES , I HUMBLY ASK THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DISTINGUISHED GUESTS AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY JOIN US IN OUR MISSION TO NEVER FORGET THOSE WHO HAVE SERVED, MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE AND THOSE THAT CONTINUE TO SERVE AS THE GUARDIANS OF OUR COUNTRY 
          AND COMMUNITIES. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU . THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , FOR RECOGNIZING. 
          >> ITEM 10 IS CELEBRATING WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, WHICH WAS YESTERDAY, AUGUST 26TH. BEFORE I BEGIN, I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE OUR SPECIAL GUEST, THE HONORABLE JACKIE WHO IS REPRESENTING OUR HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION. SHE IS OUR CHAIR. DR. APRIL DATE FROM WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE. 
          KATIE CAMPBELL FROM LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AND GLORIA MARANO FROM CONGRESSWOMAN SYLVIA GARCIA'S OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR BEING TODAY WITH US. YESTERDAY WAS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY. IT SHOULD BE WOMEN'S EQUALITY REALITY 365 DAYS. ON AUGUST 26TH, THAT IS WHEN THE 19TH AMENDMENT INTO THE CONSTITUTION GRANTING WOMEN THE RIGHT TO VOTE WAS CERTIFIED 104 YEARS AGO . AS WE REFLECT ON WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY , WE HAVE MADE SO 
          [00:40:07]
MUCH PROGRESS IN MANY WAYS , YET WE KNOW THAT THE FIGHT FOR EQUALITY CONTINUES . I WILL BRING UP SOME EXAMPLES THAT I HOPE WE CAN ALL UNITE TO CONTINUE MAKING PROGRESS THAT ALL OF US DESERVE. ONE IS WITH REGARD TO PAY EQUITY AND THIS IS AN AREA OF LEADERSHIP THAT THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION IS HELPING US IMPROVE ON, SO THANK YOU AGAIN. HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY , LISTEN TO THIS. WOMEN EARN $.80 FOR EACH DOLLAR MEN ARE PAID. THE DISPARITY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR IS EVEN GREATER RELATIVE TO NON-HISPANIC WHITE MEN. BLACK WOMEN EARN $.45 TO EVERY DOLLAR. $.45. LATINAS EARN LESS THAN $.38 TO EVERY DOLLAR . IN THE YEAR 2024, THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS . FOR EXAMPLE, THANKS TO THE LEADERSHIP OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND MY COLLEAGUES ON COURT WITH THE DISPARITY CITY IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE LEARNED THAT ONLY 9% OF THE CONTRACT AWARD DOLLARS WERE GOING TO WOMEN MINORITY BUSINESSES. FAST-FORWARD, THE 9% IS NOT 27%. WE HAVE MADE MARKET PROGRESS. THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE. HEALTHCARE. I AM SO PROUD TO LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE A WORLD-CLASS MEDICAL CENTER AND THE LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER IN THE WORLD WHERE PEOPLE LITERALLY COME FOR BEST IN CLASS TREATMENT. WE ALSO KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS WORSE OUTCOMES THAN ANYWHERE IN TEXAS AND ANYWHERE IN THE U.S. FOR MATERNAL MORTALITY, ESPECIALLY WITH REGARD TO BLACK WOMEN . WE CANNOT BE LEADING THE WORLD IN HEALTHCARE WHILE ALSO LEAVING IN TERMS OF MATERNAL MORTALITY, WHICH IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND WE HAVE INFINITELY MORE WORK TO DO. 
          SOME STEPS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TAKING FOR EXAMPLE UNDER THE LEADERSHIP OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS THE $20 MILLION ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY PROGRAM INVESTMENT WITH THE ARPA DOLLARS. I THINK PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VICE PRESIDENT HARRIS FOR THAT INVESTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PART OF THAT INVESTMENT IS GOING TO IMPROVE BLOCK MATERNAL OUTCOMES FOR BOTH MENTORS AND CHILDREN. AGAIN, WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS, BUT WE ALSO NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE SOBERING FACTS THAT ARE FAR FROM EQUALITY. I'M AN OPTIMIST, SO LET ME GIVE ANOTHER POSITIVE EXAMPLE. I KNOW THAT MANY OF US IN THIS ROOM PROBABLY HAVE MANY STORIES STRUGGLING TO NURSE OUR CHILDREN, WHETHER IT WAS NURSING, PUMPING AND JUST HAVING TO GO TO DIRTY RESTROOMS AND BEING VERY UNCOMFORTABLE IN SETTINGS, BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT WELL EQUIPPED TO SUPPORT NURSING MOTHERS. I'M HAPPY THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS PASSED AND PROVED POLICIES FOR OUR WORKING PARENTS FOR THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION AND JUDGES HAVE GOTTEN FOR LACTATION PODS AND ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL , SO THAT WE HAVE SAFE AND CLEAN SPACES TO FEED AND OR PUMP. FOR EXAMPLE , THOSE ARE EXAMPLES OF PROGRESS, BUT HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS TO BE LEADING THE COUNTRY AND LEADING THE WORLD. THAT IS THE WAY I SEE IT. WE NEED TO BE UNITING , SO THAT THE PROGRESS MADE CONTINUES TO BE MADE. JUST TO END ON A PERSONAL NOTE, I AM THE PROUD MOTHER OF THREE GIRLS. THEY ARE MY EVERYTHING . 
          THEY ARE MY WIFE. IT PAINS ME THAT THEY ARE GROWING UP WITH FEWER RIGHTS THAN GRANDMOTHERS. THAT IS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. 
          ALL OF OUR EQUALITY IS INTERTWINED. ALL OF OUR FREEDOM IS INTERTWINED. THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, BUT ABOUT EVERYBODY'S EQUALITY AND EVERYBODY'S RIGHTS. I HOPE THAT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE CAN BE HONEST ABOUT THE WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THAT TOGETHER WITH GREAT PURPOSE AND CONVICTION, WE CONTINUE TO BUILD ON THIS PROGRESS. THAT IS WHAT OUR CHILDREN DESERVE. TODAY, THE DAY AFTER WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY , I HOPE WE CAN RECOMMIT. I HOPE WE CAN DO IT WITH EVERYTHING WE HAVE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU , BUT WE ARE NOT TURNING BACK THE CLOCK HERE IN 
          [00:45:01]
HARRIS COUNTY. WE NEED TO BE ADVANCING IN A WAY THAT ADVANCES JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY AND FREEDOM FOR EVERYBODY. WITH THAT, I'M THANKFUL THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THESE ROCK STARS HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE WORK THEY ARE DOING TO HELP LEAD AND DRIVE PROGRESS IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I AM CHAIRPERSON OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ELOQUENTLY STATED A LOT OF THINGS THAT I WAS GOING TO ACTUALLY TALK ABOUT. INSTEAD, I WILL TELL YOU A STORY. I HAVE BEEN AN ADJUNCT PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON FOR NOW 17 YEARS. LAST WEEK, WHEN WE STARTED CLASSES, ONE OF MY FEMALE STUDENTS APPROACHED ME AND SAID, HOW AM I SO BLESSED TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOUR QUALITIES TO BE MY PROFESSOR? YOU CARE SO MUCH ABOUT YOUR STUDENTS. I REMINDED HER THAT AS A FIRST GENERATION IMMIGRANT, MY PARENTS ARE FROM THE INDIES AND FIRST-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENT AND I REMEMBER WHAT IT'S LIKE TO BE IN HER SHOES. I ALSO REMINDED HER THAT IT IS HER RESPONSIBILITY TO CONTINUE PAY IT FORWARD TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE CONTINUES TO INVEST IN OUR COMMUNITY. AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID , BASED ON YOUR COLOR, WE ARE EITHER 68 CENTS PER ONE DOLLAR OR $.80 PER ONE DOLLAR OF OUR MALE PEERS. YES, WE HAVE MADE PROGRESS, BUT WE HAVE A LOT MORE TO. AS CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION, I PER -- FIRMLY AND WILL SUPPORT ANY INITIATIVES, POLICIES THAT WILL HELP EMPOWER THE WOMEN OF HARRIS COUNTY FINANCIALLY AND ECONOMICALLY. BY MAKING PROFESSIONAL CLASSES , TUTORING AND OPPORTUNITIES THAT SOME OF OUR WOMEN IN THE COMMUNITY MAY NOT KNOW THAT THEY HAVE. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO ALL COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF SINCE WE HAVE HAD THIS COMMISSION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE PUBLIC AND FOREFRONT AND BEING A CHAMPION FOR WOMEN'S RIGHTS. THANK YOU, EVERYONE. 
          >> THANK YOU. IF YOU MISSED ANY TOWN HALLS UNDER THE LEADERSHIP AND HONORABLE , THEY HAVE BEEN GOING AROUND HARRIS COUNTY TO GET IDEAS FROM THE COMMUNITY, SO THAT WE CAN KEEP DRIVING 
          ACTIONABLE CHANGE. >> MY NAME IS DR. APRIL DAY AND I AM WITH THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE. I AM JUST OVERJOYED HERE WITH EVERYTHING YOU SAID. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY SERVE THIS AMAZING COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 30 YEARS DOING BUSINESS SUPPORT AND COMPREHENSIVE WRAPAROUND SERVICES FOR THE WOMEN LED AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY , AS WELL AS CREATING BUSINESSES. JUST LAST YEAR TO GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND, WE STARTED 42 WOMEN OWNED COMPANIES AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3000 WE SERVE EVERY YEAR AND CERTIFIED 830. 
          WHILE WE HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR 30 YEARS, YOUR EXACT RIGHT. 
          THERE IS STILL WORK TO BE DONE. I AM SO EXCITED THAT I GOT TO COME HERE WITH YOU A FEW MONTHS AGO AS WE NOW WILL BE CONSIDERED A CERTIFYING ENTITY OF THE COUNTY. THAT IS AMAZING TO BRING IN THESE WOMEN BUSINESSES IN THIS COMMUNITY. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE GET TO EMPOWER WOMEN, SO THEY CAN EMPOWER MANY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS OPPORTUNITY. 
          RIGHT NOW, WE ARE SITTING AT ABOUT 830 CERTIFIED INDIVIDUALS. WE CAN DO SO MUCH MORE. IT IS 40,000 JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN CREATED. WE CAN DO MORE TOGETHER. RIGHT NOW, IN TERMS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT , SO THAT WE HAVE STRONG EQUALITY AND ECONOMIC IMPACT , WE HAVE $5.7 BILLION, WHICH IS JUST FROM THE WOMEN LED AND WOMEN OWNED COMMUNITY. WE CAN DO MORE AND THANKS TO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT WE WILL. 
          THANK YOU SO MUCH FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND EVERYONE WHO SERVES AT THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS ENTERPRISE ALLIANCE. 
          >> MIGHT I BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T TAKE MY COLLEGE FOR THE RESOLUTION AND CHALLENGE. YOU HAVE ALL DONE SUCH A GREAT JOB. 
          WE CREATED A FUND WITH THE COUNTY MONEY TO ENCOURAGE EDUCATION AND TO TAKE MONEY FROM THE COUNTY AND TO DO THE STUDIES. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN HAVE A PROGRAM. THREE SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND ONE COMMUNITY COLLEGE. THEY AGREED 
          [00:50:01]
OUT OF THIRTYSOMETHING INSTITUTIONS. H ISD WILL DO ONE AS A $4.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE THAT COMES UP. IT WILL TAKE A COUPLE OF YEARS FOR THEM TO GET A POLICY IN PLACE IF THEY DO IT. JUST SAYING. COULD HAVE DONE A LONG TIME AGO WHEN WE FIRST BROUGHT THIS UP SIX YEARS AGO . I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU THAT THE POLICIES MAKE A DIFFERENCE. PEOPLE WHO WANT TO END THESE PROGRAMS GET THAT WAY IN COURT. I WANT TO CHALLENGE YOU ALL AND SOME WHO HAD DONE THE STUDY , DIDN'T MAKE ANY CHANGES. I BEAT THAT HORSE TO DEATH AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU ALL. TEXAS WAS AN EARLY STATE AND IN PART PUSHED HER HUSBAND GOVERNOR TO MAKE TEXAS ONE OF THOSE STATES TO RATIFY EARLY. WE WEREN'T THE FIRST, BUT IT WAS WAY BACK THEN. SPEAK TO THESE OTHER COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS. 
          WE WILL GIVE YOU A LIST. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO ADVANCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND MOBILITY FOR WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES , LOCAL BUSINESSES. ANYONE WHO MAY BE LISTENING OR ANYONE THAT YOU MAY KNOW IN THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE ENCOURAGE THEM TO GET THEIR BUSINESSES CERTIFIED JUST TO FURTHER EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          LEADERSHIP. >> WE ARE A RESOURCE CENTER. 
          ONE THAT IS SPECIFICALLY FOR WOMEN OF COLOR, SO THESE ARE FREE SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY TO REALLY HELP USHER IN THIS UNIFICATION OF BUSINESSES AND WHAT WE DO. 
          >> WE APPRECIATE YOU. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS IN HOUSTON. CIVIL RIGHTS AND WOMEN'S RIGHTS RUN REALLY DEEP. THAT IS WHEN HOUSTONIANS WERE REALLY PUTTING THE HUMAN SUFFRAGE ISSUES INTO PUBLIC DIALOGUE . THESE LEADERS TRAVELED ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO FIGHT FOR THE PASSAGE OF THE 19TH AMENDMENT. ONE WEEK BEFORE RATIFICATION MET AT THE RICE HOTEL A COUPLE OF STREETS AWAY TO CELEBRATE AND FORM THE HOUSTON LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS AT THE SAME TIME THAT THE NATIONAL LEAGUE WAS ALSO ESTABLISHED. TO CELEBRATE , ONE OF THE FOUNDERS ACTUALLY HIRED A BRASS BAND TO LEAD MEMBERS IN SAVAGES DOWN MAIN STREET, BUT OUR WORK HAD JUST BEGUN. TOPICS BACK THEN ARE NOT SO DIFFERENT FROM TODAY. HOW TO EFFECTIVELY PARTICIPATE IN POLITICS AND GOVERNMENT WITH PLANS TO FIND -- FIND THE PORT OF HOUSTON, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION SCHOOL FUNDING AND HOW TO BEST ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN. TODAY, WE ARE FACED WITH CHALLENGES OLD AND NEW. WE MUST NOT FORGET ALONG PATH AND EQUAL RIGHT TO VOTE, BUT IS IT TO HIM BOLD IN US AND CAST THEIR BALLOTS IN EACH AND EVERY ELECTION. CONTINUE THIS LEGACY BY BRINGING UNBIASED NONPARTISAN ELECTION EDUCATION TO THE VOTERS. TOGETHER, LET'S CONTINUE TO FIGHT FOR EQUALITY AND ENSURE THAT EVERY SINGLE ELIGIBLE VOTERS VOICE IS HEARD AND COUNTED. BEFORE I CLOSE, I WANT TO SAY HELLO TO MY DAUGHTER. EVERYTHING I DO IS FOR HER. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR 
          THIS OPPORTUNITY. >> THANK YOU, SHUMWAY. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS GLORIA MARANO AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU IN THE AUDIENCE AS WELL AS BEHIND COMMISSIONERS COURT . I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR BRINGING THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC TO THE FOREFRONT. AS YOU MAY KNOW, I DO WORK FOR CONGRESSMAN GARCIA WHO WAS THE FIRST ELECTED WOMAN TO SIT ON COMMISSIONERS COURT , SO WE CAN SEE THAT IT WORKS WHEN EVERYONE COMES TO VOTE AND GET INVOLVED. THAT IS KIND OF WHAT OUR MESSAGE IS FOR TODAY. 
          WHILE WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE WOMEN'S RIGHT TO VOTE , WE ALSO NEED TO REMEMBER AND CELEBRATE THE SOCIAL ECONOMIC ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE CULTURAL AND POLITICAL ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE OCCURRED , ESPECIALLY AS WE WOMEN HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUE TO STAY INVOLVED. I LOVE SEEING SO MANY WOMEN HERE WORKING AND SUPPORTING ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT. 
          ALSO, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING UP THE GENDER PARITY ISSUES. UNTIL WE MAKE SURE THAT WOMEN ARE PAID THEIR EQUAL DO , THEN WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO. IN THIS MOMENTOUS YEAR WHERE WOMEN'S EQUALITY HAS EVEN MORE MEANING AS WE MOVE TO NOVEMBER 
          [00:55:03]
, I'M JUST SO EXCITED AND PROUD TO SAY THAT , YES, WE ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKING SURE THAT EVERYONE GETS OUT TO VOTE TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ACCESS AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR WOMEN CONTINUE. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU, MARANO. PLEASE SEND OUR THANKS TO CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA. TALK ABOUT A TRAILBLAZER AND REMODELED TO ME AND SO MANY. THANK YOU TO EVERYONE AND CLOSING WITH THE MEMORY THINKING OF THE SACRIFICES OF OUR MOTHERS, GRANDMOTHERS, GREAT-GRANDMOTHERS AND BEYOND. 
          LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THEIR SACRIFICES , THOSE SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO LET THE SUFFRAGE MOVEMENT ARE NOT IN VAIN AND WE DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR PROGRESS, UNITE AND EXPAND EQUALITY AND FREEDOM FOR EVERYONE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. MY SECOND AND FINAL 
          RESOLUTION . >> QUICK COMMENT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING THIS TO THE TABLE. I THINK WE BUILT ON A FOUNDATION OF A GREAT LEADERSHIP AMONGST WOMEN IN THIS COUNTY. THERE IS NOT A SINGLE NIGHT THAT I AM NOT -- THAT IS NOT RUN BY WOMEN. WE WOULDN'T GET ANYTHING DONE IN THIS COUNTY IF IT WASN'T FOR THE WOMEN INVOLVED . THAT IS ON THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT SIDE. 
          THIS IS NOT A PARTISAN ISSUE. I CELEBRATE AND SHE WAS A COUNCILMEMBER IN SUGAR LAND. SHE ALSO HAS A SMALL BUSINESS, SO WHEN YOU SEE AND WORK WITH THIS COUNTY IN THE SMALL BUSINESS, BUT THE PLACE I SEE MOST LEADERSHIP AMONGST WOMEN IN THIS COUNTY, IT'S A CHURCH. WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO DO'S CHURCH IF IT WEREN'T FOR WOMEN. WE LOOK AT THIS THROUGH JAUNDICE EYES IN TERMS OF WHETHER THIS WAS ONE ISSUE OR NOT. THE LEADERSHIP AND EMPOWERMENT OF IT COMES OUT OF OUR ROOTS AND BIBLICAL ROOTS. IT COMES OUT OF OUR PARTICIPATION IN THE PROCESS. THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS PRAGMATIC SOLUTION ON THE TABLE. 
          >> I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU . IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE TO HAVE A MOM HERE, BECAUSE YOU ARE LOOKING TO THE NEXT GENERATION AND YOUR WORK OBVIOUSLY SPEAKS TO THAT. AS A PROUD FATHER OF MY OWN YOUNG LADY AND THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO GET HER TO LAW SCHOOL. I HOPE SHE'S LISTENING. THESE THINGS DO MATTER. THE WORK OF THE COMMISSION IS INCREDIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL YOU DO. CONTINUE TO RAISE THE VOICES TO THE ROOFTOP AND LET US KNOW WHAT ELSE WE COULD BE DOING TO EMPOWER THE COMMISSION TO DO EVEN MORE. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE THINK ABOUT THE INDEXES THAT IN SPITE OF WHERE WE ARE AT TODAY AS A NATION, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF ROOM TO DO AND GROW. WHEN WE LOOK TO OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, WE SEE THE BOUNDARIES THAT THEY ARE BREAKING AND I THINK WE CAN DO THAT HERE, AS WELL. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU. 
          >> I THINK THAT FINAL GLASS CEILING MIGHT GET BROKEN SOON. 
          I WANT TO BRING THAT UP TODAY. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS ELLIS , GARCIA AND RAMSEY. I HAVE ONE MORE POINT. MY PARENTS ARE ALWAYS WATCHING FROM LAREDO AND THEY ARE BOTH MY BEST FRIENDS. MY MOTHER AND GRANDMA ARE THE ONES WHO RAN THINGS . TO YOUR POINT ABOUT WHO RUNS THINGS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE . ALSO, TO MY DAD AND YOU THREE COMMISSIONERS WHO I WORK CLOSELY WITH AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO TO ADVANCE EQUALITY FOR WOMEN AND ALL. 
          AND, MY DAD IS THE BIGGEST FEMINIST I HAVE EVER MET AND HE RAISED US TO SAY THAT YOU CAN DO ANYTHING. THIS IS WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY, BUT ALL A QUALITY DAY. HE HELPED LEAD A& M. THAT IS WHY COMMISSIONER IS ASKING PRETTY LOUISIANA SKILLS. 
          TWO-MINUTE BACK, SO I THINK MY DAD AND MOM FURTHER EXAMPLE, BUT IT IS OFF FOR OUR KIDS AND GRANDKIDS AND WILL BE HAD FROM HERE. THE NEXT AND FINAL RESOLUTION IS ITEM 429 AND I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE MR. JUAN GARCIA AND DR. CHRIS SPELLMAN, 
          [01:00:04]
CEO AND PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW IN RADIO AND ARE WONDERFUL TRAILBLAZER , CHAIRPERSON PHILLIPS WHO WAS THE FIRST WOMAN TO SERVE AS CHAIRPERSON OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO. WE ALSO HAVE DANIELLE JOHNSON WHO IS JUAN GARCIA'S LAW PARTS THAT PARTNER . AGAIN, IN THE THEME OF THE LAST RESOLUTION, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHERE WE ARE NOT CELEBRATING ANY FIRST, BECAUSE WE HAVE MADE SO MUCH PROGRESS THAT THERE ARE NO MORE FOR SOURCE FEELINGS TO BREAK, BUT WE ARE CELEBRATING A VERY EXCITING FIRST AND I AM THRILLED TO HAVE MY FRIEND AND FELLOW LAWYER AND COMMUNITY MEMBER JUAN GARCIA WHO IN THE OVER 90 YEAR HISTORY OF OUR HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO, JUAN IS THE FIRST HISPANIC EVER TO SERVE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE RODEO. HE HAS BROKEN NOT CEILING. HE HAS BROKEN THAT CEILING FOR ALL OF US AND I COULD THINK OF NO ONE WHO IS MORE DESERVING. I MET JUAN DECADES AGO AND THROUGH THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION AND HE HAS SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION AND I HAVE SEEN FIRSTHAND THE DEDICATION YOU HAVE TO THE RODEO AND HISPANIC BAR AND TO EVERY SINGLE ORGANIZATION THAT YOU VOLUNTEER WITH. YOU DO IT WITH FULL HEART AND MY TEAM AND I ALWAYS TALK ABOUT HEART HUSTLE IN HIGH STANDARDS. THAT IS JUAN GARCIA. HEART HUSTLE AND HIGHER STANDARDS. THANK YOU FOR BREAKING THE BARRIER AND YOUR SERVICE TO THE RODEO FOR YEARS ON SO MANY COMMITTEES. I COULD KEEP THIS ALL DAY, BUT ALSO IT IS A VICTORY NOT ONLY FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY , BUT EVERYONE WHO ABSOLUTELY LOVES THE RODEO. I WAS THINKING OF YOU ALL AT THE CHRIS STAPLETON CONCERT WITH JOY AND THE PHENOMENAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. LET ME READ STATISTICS THAT ARE JUST AMAZING. AS YOU ALL KNOW AND AS PROUD TEXANS AND HAIR SCALLIONS, OUR RODEO IS THE WORLD'S LARGEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS LIVESTOCK EXHIBITION. WE HAVE TRAPPED OVER 1 MILLION YEAR TO THE PARK AND JUST IN 2024, WE AS IN THE RODEO GENERATED MORE THAN 300 MILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT. CAN YOU IMAGINE? OUR RODEO OVER 300 MILLION, WHICH IS AMAZING. I JUST LOVE THE COMMITMENT TO SCHOLARSHIPS AND EMPOWERING YOUTH, SO THANK YOU, DR. BOWMAN AND CHAIR FOR THE LEADERSHIP THERE. THE RODEO HAS COMMITTED OVER 600 MILLION TO TEXAS YOUTH AND EDUCATION SINCE ITS INCEPTION AND THE RODEO SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM AWARDS OVER HATE HUNDRED SCHOLARSHIPS WORTH OVER 14 MILLION EACH YEAR AND HAS PRESENTED NEARLY 20,000 SCHOLARSHIPS VALUED AT 275 MILLION SINCE THE FIRST SCHOLARSHIP WAS AWARDED IN 1950 -- 1957. THIS WILL CONTINUE GROWING AS THE PHENOMENAL ECONOMIC IMPACT CONTINUES GROWING AND GOING BACK TO JUAN AND HIS AMAZING WIFE , I AM INSPIRED FOR SO MANY REASONS. 
          AS A FELLOW PERSON WHO GREW UP ON THE U.S./MEXICO BORDER, JUAN GREW UP IN BROWNSVILLE AND HE IS THE PROUD SON OF MEXICO IMMIGRANTS. HISTORY IS WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE GREATEST PROMISE AND YOU ARE THE EMBODIMENT OF WHAT THE AMERICAN DREAM CAN WORK. JUAN WORKED AT A GROCERY STORE FOR APPROXIMATELY 14 YEARS, THEN HE LEFT THE GROCERY STORE AND PURSUED EDUCATION AND HE WENT TO LAW SCHOOL AND GRADUATED SUMMA LAUDE AND GRADUATED FROM ONE OF THE NATIONAL FIRMS AND SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION AND STARTED HIS OWN FIRM , WHICH I'M SO PROUD. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE RODEO AND EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR THE RODEO AND NOW THAT YOU ARE ON THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE , I KNOW THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO ENHANCE THE WONDERFUL IN FACT THAT IS THE RODEO ON OUR COMMUNITY. CONGRATULATIONS AND I'M SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO WELCOME YOU AND YOUR AMAZING 
          WIFE. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS 
          [01:05:02]
RECOGNITION. I STAND HERE AS ONE OF OVER 35,000 VOLUNTEERS AND WE GIVE OUR TIME, TREASURE AND IT IS BECAUSE IS A HEART. 
          YOU MENTIONED NUMBERS, BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT BEHIND EVERY NUMBER THERE IS A STORY THAT IS WHAT KEEPS US COMING BACK. OF THOSE SCHOLARSHIPS, IT'S A LITTLE-KNOWN FACT THAT HALF OF THOSE GO TO MINORITY STUDENTS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT, SO THAT IS IMPRESSIVE AND I FEEL IN THIS NEW ROLE THAT IT IS MY JOB TO IMPROVE THAT AND MAKE IT EVEN BETTER AND SHOUT OUT THOSE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. SPEAKING OF FIRSTS AND PIGGYBACKING ON THE PAST RESOLUTION, PAT MANN PHILLIPS IS THE FIRST WOMAN IN 90 YEARS TO SERVE AS AGENT OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RADIO. WE SAY AT THE RODEO THAT IT IS A TEAM SPORT, SO YOU RECOGNIZE MY WIFE , BUT I COULDN'T DO IT WITHOUT HER SUPPORT HERE AND BEING BESIDE ME. MANY TIMES IN FRONT OF ME BLEEDING AND MAKING SURE THAT I MAKE THE RIGHT STEPS ALONG THE WAY. FINALLY, I DO HAVE TO THANK MY LAW PARTNER, BECAUSE SOMEONE HAS TO STAY AT THE FIRM AND WORK. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE SUPPORT AND EVERYTHING, BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THE REST OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS RECOGNITION GRADE I AM VERY HONORED. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> CONGRATULATIONS. >> I JUST WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU, AS WELL. I SAW YOU OVER THE WEEKEND AND I SAW THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WERE BRINGING YOU OVER AND CONGRATULATIONS FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE. I AM SO PROUD THAT YOU ARE LEADING THAT EFFORT FOR ALL THAT YOU DO FOR THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND GIVING THEM THE OPPORTUNITY TO LIVE THEIR DREAMS, AS WELL. ALSO, JUST TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WORK WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON DOWNTOWN . I APPRECIATE THAT COLLABORATION. IT GOES TO SHOW THAT WHEN YOU THINK THROUGH THINGS, YOU CAN RESOLVE CHALLENGES AND CREATE NEW PATHWAYS GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. YOU DO IT WITH INCREDIBLE STYLE AND I APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO FOR US. WE CAN'T LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT OF WHAT THE RODEO IS. IT'S TIME FOR ONE, HOOPING AND HOLLERING AND WATCHING GREAT CONCERTS. IT REALLY IS WHO HOUSTON IS. IT IS AN EVENT WHERE NEIGHBORS COME TOGETHER , WORK TOGETHER AND SUPPORT EACH OTHER AND HELP TO MAKE PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT THEY NEED TO NOTICE US AND RECOGNIZE HOW GIVING, CARING AND SUPPORTIVE WE ARE OF EACH OTHER, SO I REALLY APPRECIATE THE HISTORY OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW. 
          HAVING BEEN A COMMITTEE MEMBER AND TEJANO COMMITTEE MEMBER AT THE STAND , IT IS GREAT TO SEE YOUR LEADERSHIP AND EMERGENCE AT THE LEVEL OF THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW. 
          CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT OPPORTUNITY TO OUR ATTENTION. YOU SAW THAT WE JUMPED ON IT AND WE WELCOME ANY OPPORTUNITIES THAT THE COURT SEES AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING AND PARTNERING WITH THE COUNTY IN THE FUTURE ENDEAVORS THAT THE RODEO HAS. 
          THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS RECOGNITION. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING AND HOWDY. I PUT MY HAT ON , BECAUSE IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT. ON BEHALF OF OUR CHAIR OF THE BOARD AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 35,000 VOLUNTEERS. WE ARE SO THANKFUL THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONERS HERE TODAY ARE RECOGNIZING JUAN. NOT ONLY IS HE AN EXCELLENT AND OUTSTANDING VOLUNTEER TO THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO, BUT HE IS A COMMUNITY LEADER IN SO MANY DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS AND HE REPRESENTS AS WELL. THE THING I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT HIM AND HIS CLASS DID SOMETHING THAT NO OTHER OFFICER CLASS HAS DONE AND THEY NORMALLY DO THREE YEARS. 
          BECAUSE OF COVID, WE NEED THEM TO SERVE A YEAR TO HELP GET THROUGH AND WITH JUAN AND HIS CLASSMATES, THEY DID IT FOUR YEARS FOR US AND AT A TIME THAT WE WANT TO PUT BEHIND US, IT MEANT SO MUCH AND IT WAS REFLECTION OF THE LEADERSHIP THAT HE DEMONSTRATES WHO IS TRANSFORMATIONAL AND COLLABORATIVE. HE IS CARING AND ONE OF THE NICEST GUYS THAT YOU CAN EVER WORK WITH. I JUST WANT TO THANK JUAN FOR HIS LEADERSHIP. I DO RECOGNIZE THAT IT'S A TEAM SPORT AND I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE STRONG PARTNER AND THEY DO IT TOGETHER . THERE IS NO QUESTION ABOUT IT. PLEASE JOIN ME IN 
          [01:10:02]
RECOGNIZING HER. WE HAVE NOW GIVEN OVER $600 MILLION TO THE YOUTH IN TEXAS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO DOING MORE. I WANT TO WELCOME EVERYONE BACK TO THE 2025 SHOW , MARCH 4TH THROUGH MARCH 23RD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU ALL. BEFORE WE TAKE A BREAK, I HAVE TWO THAT I WANTED TO BRING UP QUICKLY TOGETHER. FLOORS AND LISA THOMAS. IF THIS COURT AGREES TODAY, THE FIRST FEMALE TO BE APPOINTED TO HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AND CONVENTION CORPORATION AND SHE WILL BE THE FIRST LABOR LEADER TO BE APPOINTED TO THE HARRIS HEALTH BOARD, SO I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE TO GO BACK AND YOU WILL BE THE LAST, BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO GET 
          BACK TO YOUR OFFICES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER. IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE CONSIDERED FOR THIS POSITION. I LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING ON THE HARRIS CENTERBOARD AND BEING PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT PROVIDES HIGH-QUALITY SERVICES TO THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES. AS A CAREGIVER TO MY MOTHER, I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO MAKE SURE THOSE THAT DO THE WORK TO PROVIDE THOSE SERVICES ARE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT. I LOOK FORWARD TO INCLUDING THOSE WORKERS AS PART OF THE BOARD AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE A VITAL AND CONTINUE TO PROVIDE SERVICES . THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD TO BEING PART OF THIS ROLE AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. 
          >> JUST SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, SO THAT SHE KNOWS. 
          >> THOMAS. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WILL SAY MY NAME FOR THE RECORD, AS WELL. I SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF TEXAS REGION AND WE ARE BOTH ON THE EXECUTIVE BOARD. I WANTED TO SAY THAT I AM ALSO VERY HONORED TO BE CONSIDERED PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP BREAK THAT. AGAIN, MOVING IN THE TRADITION NOT JUST AS LATINO, BUT AS A WOMAN. THE SERVICE FACING EVERYPLACE THAT WE CAN . SPORTS ARE NO LONGER JUST FOR MEN AND WE CAN BRING SOMETHING TO THE TABLE IN THAT CAPACITY, AS WELL. I AM ALSO HELPING HOPING THAT I WILL HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING OTHER STUFF TO THE TABLE , WHICH IS MAKING SURE THAT THE BOARD IS REFLECTIVE OF THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY , THAT IT SERVES AND THINGS ABOUT OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY. AS WE BRING EFFORTS TO CONTINUE TO HELP BUSINESS, WE CAN ALSO DO THAT FOR SMALL BUSINESSES OF MINORITIES AND ALSO REFLECTS THE NEEDS OF THE WORKERS WHO ARE THE BACKBONE IN OUR COMPLEX. I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S LEADERSHIP IN MAKING SURE THAT IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. THANK YOU. 
          >> I CANNOT WAIT FOR THESE LEADERS AND I AM ENERGIZED TO SEE WHAT YOU WILL DO ON THE SPORTS COURTS BOARDS AND I KNOW YOU WELL AND HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT. I AM ENERGIZED BY THE PROGRESS THAT I KNOW WE WILL MAKE FOR ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES AND ESPECIALLY FOR WORKERS WHO ARE THE BACKBONE OF MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ADVANCING IN TERMS OF SAFETY, WAGES AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND MOBILITY AND BEYOND. THANK YOU FOR THE JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY THAT YOU BRING TO THE BOARDS AND I CAN'T WAIT TO VOTE FOR THE EXCELLENT CHOICES WITH THESE 
          WONDERFUL LEADERS. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR NOMINATING THESE TWO YOUNG LADIES , HOWEVER ONE OF THEM WAS ON MY RADAR FOR SOMETHING ELSE. WE WILL HAVE TO TALK. LISTEN, ON A DIFFERENT FRONT, AS YOU KNOW, I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE BACK OF THE CI YOU, BECAUSE YOU REPRESENT MY MOTHER. MY MOTHER WAS A JANITOR WHEN I WAS A KID. JUST REMEMBER THOSE DAYS AND I REMEMBER THE HUMBLE WORK AND I AM SO PROUD OF THE WAY YOU REPRESENT THOSE WHO CONTINUED TO PROVIDE THAT HUMBLE , HARD AND HONEST WORK FOR SO MANY BUILDINGS AROUND THE HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY , SO I CONTINUE FIGHTING FOR THEM AND ADVOCATING FOR THEM AND I AM LOOKING FOR? I STILL WANT TO SERVE AS A JANITOR FOR A DAY , SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ALONGSIDE THE MEMBERS AND LETTING THEM KNOW THAT THEY HAVE A KID THAT HASN'T FORGOTTEN ABOUT THE WORK THAT 
          [01:15:06]
HIS MOTHER DID. THANK YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DO. 
          >> IF YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING, I CAN THINK OF A FEW AND I'M SURE THAT SHE CAN STEP OFF THIS AND IT WILL GO ON. I WILL GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO JUDGE HILDALGO, AS WELL, BECAUSE SHE CALLED ME AND SAID THAT SHE WAS TRYING TO THINK OF AND SHE'S THINKING OF SOME WAY . IF SOMETHING ELSE COMES, EITHER ONE OF YOU, I WILL MAKE SOME TIME. THANK YOU BOTH. WE HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK AND WE WILL PAUSE AND TAKE PICTURES AND SOME OF US MAY HAVE TO GET BACK TO THE FACILITIES, THEN WE WILL GO BACK. RIGHT AFTER WE POST THE PHOTOS. 
          >> TIME FOR BREAK? >> NEVER WILL COME BACK. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES. 
          >> IF EVERYONE WILL STAY SEATED, THEY WILL CALL YOU UP BY RESOLUTION AND IT MIGHT BE QUICKER. STAY SEATED AND THEY WILL CALL YOU UP BY RESOLUTION. 
          >> PLEASE COME TO THE SIDE. 
          SHARON? ARE YOU WITH SHARON'S GROUP? SHARON GARRETT? WE WILL GO TO THE NEXT ONE. WHEN YOU ARE COMING FOR PICTURES, YOU NEED TO LINE UP ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE WHEN YOU ARE FACING THE COURT. RIGHT-HAND SIDE. SHEILA WARD? 
          >> SALT OF OUR FAMILY? JUST COME RIGHT HERE. WE WILL HOLD HERE . SALT OF OUR FAMILY. 
          >> 
          [Appearances before court]
          [01:44:33]
          >>> OKAY WE'RE GOING TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS NOW, WE HAVE 110, 
          [01:44:38]
MAYBE 111 PUBLIC SPEAKERS. I MIGHT ASK THAT IF MEMBERS WANT 
          [01:44:45]
TO CHANGE ANYTHING ON THE CONSENT AGENDA HAVE YOUR STAFF, 
          [01:44:49]
LET THEM KNOW AND IT WILL MAKE IT A LITTLE MORE EFFICIENT IN 
          [01:44:52]
CASE YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND ON SOMETHING , SPEAKERS YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE EACH AND WE WILL START NOW. 
          >> FIRST IS 
          [01:45:18]
          >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE. GOOD TO BE WITH YOU TODAY. NAME IS NAME ] FOUNDER AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF BREAD OF LIFE, ON BEHALF OF THE THOUSANDS WE ASSISTED IN RECOVERING THE WAKE OF HURRICANE HARVEY I AM HERE TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THIS COUNTY'S INVESTMENT TOWARD HOUSING AND INFRASTRUCTURE THROUGH DISASTER RECOVERY HARVEY FUNDING. THIS IS THE ANNIVERSARY OF HURRICANE HARVEY AND I COMMEND THE REMARKABLE EFFORTS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND COMMISSIONERS COURT FACILITATING RECOVERY WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY OVER THE YEARS FOLLOWING THE STORM. AS WE REFLECT ON THE PROFOUND IMPACT WE RECOGNIZE NOT ONLY THE IMPACT AND DEVASTATION OUR COMMUNITY FACED, BUT THE INCREDIBLE RESILIENCE AND SUPPORT THAT EMERGED IN ITS AFTERMATH. WE HAVE AN HONOR TO PLAY A ROLE. SPOT THANK YOU, 
          YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GOOD FULL FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE PART OF THIS RECOVERY COMMUNITY AND ALL THE WORK YOU HAVE SUPPORTED ALONG THE WAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. SPOT BECAUSE THERE ARE 111 IF YOU DON'T GET TO SAY SOMETHING YOU CAN STILL SUBMIT IT, TRY TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS DOWN TO THE ONE MINUTE. WE WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY. IF NOT, YOU CAN SUBMIT AND WE WILL READ IT. 
          >> GOOD MORNING I AM COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS, GRATEFUL TO BE HERE, SEVEN YEARS AFTER WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS DEVASTATION SHOWING DILIGENCE AND DEDICATION, HARRIS COUNTY WHO UNDERWROTE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD OUR ENTIRE CAMPUS REDEVELOPMENT WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU, COMMISSIONERS OPENED THEIR DOORS TO MYSELF, YOUR TEAMS LISTENED TO THE PLIGHT OF COVENANT HOUSE TEXAS AS WE DISCOVERED STRUCTURAL DAMAGE THAT HELPED US TO RECONSTRUCT OUR ENTIRE CAMPUS SERVING 50% MORE HOMELESS YOUTH AGES 18 TO 24 AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THE SUPPORT AS IT HAS SPURRED A PUBLIC-PRIVATE CAMPAIGN RAISING $55 MILLION TOWARD $61 MILLION CAMPAIGN. OUR FACILITY IS 80% COMPLETE, STILL AT THE CORNER AND WE ARE ANXIOUS TO GET OUR KEYS ON 
          DECEMBER 23, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> THANK YOU. MINIMUS SINGLE-FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION PROGRAM I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY FOR THIS PROGRAM. BECAUSE OF THEM ME AND MY FAMILY, MY CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO PURCHASE OUR NEW HOME, WE CLOSED MAY 2, WE HAVE BEEN IN A FEW MONTHS AND AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR THESE FUNDS THAT HARRIS COUNTY RECEIVED FOR THIS TO BE ABLE TO HAPPEN FOR MY FAMILY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> 
          >> AM TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DID FOLLOWING HURRICANE HARVEY. 
          SEWER TREATMENT PLANT NOT NEARLY AS NICE THE PROJECT AS YOU THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE RECONSTRUCTION JOBS, THINK ABOUT A SEWER PLANT THAT'S PRETTY IMPORTANT WHEN IT FLOODS OVER AND THINGS WASHED DOWNSTREAM, ESPECIALLY IF YOU LIVE DOWNSTREAM WITH FUNDING FROM HARRIS COUNTY WITH OVERSIGHT OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WE ARE APPROACHING IN 2 TO 3 WEEKS SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION ON THE PROJECT WHICH IS A $5.3 MILLION PROJECT. WE WANTED TO BE HERE 
          TODAY TO SAY THANK YOU. >> 
          YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> MORNING EVERYBODY I COME BEARING GIFTS AND I AM HERE DIRECTOR OF HOPE CLINIC, HERE TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE INVESTMENT YOU HAVE MADE IN THE COMMUNITY PROVIDING $7.5 MILLION TO THE HOPE CLINIC TO BUILD A NEW CLINIC AND YOU CAN SEE A PICTURE AND THIS IS A 70,000 FT.÷ FACILITY PROVIDING 
          [01:50:02]
CARE TO 15,000 NEW PATIENTS PROVIDING PRENATAL CARE, ADULT CARE, PEDIATRICS, BEHAVIOR HEALTH, PSYCHIATRIC AND THERE IS A PHARMACY AND DENTAL FACILITY. PLEASE COME VISIT, WE HAVE LEVERAGED YOUR FUNDS FOR A TOTAL OF $30 MILLION INVESTMENT IN THIS COMMUNITY. THANK YOU AGAIN AND ON A PERSONAL NOTE AS A IMMIGRANT, THIS IS AN AMERICAN DREAM, THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO. MY MOM AND I WERE AFFECTED BY HURRICANE HARVEY, THE INSURANCE WILL NOT HELP, WE FIX OUR HOME USING CREDIT CARDS, LOANS AND OUT-OF-POCKET MONEY, FEMA PAID BACK SOME OF THE FUNDS WHILE OTHER PROGRAMS RAN OUT OF MONEY, JUNE 1, 2018 I RECEIVED AN EMAIL THE INTRODUCTION OF A NEWLY FUNDED PROGRAM HARRIS COUNTY HARVEY RECOVERY SO MY MOM AND I SIGNED UP, EVERYONE THAT HELPED WAS VERY PATIENT AND THOROUGH , BECAUSE OF THIS I BENEFITED FROM THE PROGRAM EVEN AFTER MY MOM FELL ASLEEP IN DEATH, I'M GRATEFUL AFTER COVID THE HARRIS COUNTY DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM DID NOT LET US SLIP THROUGH THE CRACKS. 
          COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND MY HUSBAND THE ONE WHO HELPED ME THROUGH THE HARDEST TIMES SO I COULD RECOVER AND RECEIVE BACK THE MONEY MY MOM AND I PUT INTO REBUILDING OUR HOME. THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRAM THAT FOCUSED ON HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS INCLUDING MY MOM AND ME. 
          >> NEXT IS SPEAKER NUMBER 18, ITEMS 22 AND 346. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS THE SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION. I AM HERE TO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF APPROVING THE NEW COMMISSION BY LAW. WE ARE REQUESTING THIS TO ESTABLISH THIS AS A STANDING COMMITTEE SO THAT THOSE IN THE COMMITTEE CAN MOVE FROM BEING REACTIONARY FOR SCHOOL VIOLENCE TO PROACTIVE , THIS WILL ALLOW US TO CONTACT KEY STAKEHOLDERS TO IDENTIFY, KEY PROBLEMS THAT THE SCHOOLS ARE HAVING AND ACTUALLY TO BE YOUR VOICE AND TO REQUEST ASSISTANCE ON HOW WE CAN ASSIST THEM. HELPING TO MAKE SCHOOL SAFE. AGAIN I AM REQUESTING YOU THE BYLAW SO AGAIN THE COMMITTEE CAN BE PROACTIVE AND WE CAN HAVE A SAFE SCHOOLS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> NEXT IS 
          >> OKAY GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS TEXAS CHAPTER OF MOM'S DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SINCE IN AMERICA. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO MAKING THE HARRIS COUNTY SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION A PERMANENT ENTITY TO THE ADOPTION OF ITS BYLAWS. TO THANK COMMISSIONER FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS THE THREAT OF GUN VIOLENCE SHOULD NOT BE FELT IN SCHOOLS WENT TO THE WERE SHOOTINGS IN THE NATION OCCURRING IN OUR STATE AND GUN VIOLENCE IS THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF KIDS AND TEENS IN AMERICA. DESPITE CRIES FROM EVERY CORNER OF THE STATE FOR LAWMAKERS TO DO SOMETHING TO SAVE LIVES STATE GOVERNMENT HAS REJECTED PROVEN GUN SAFETY POLICIES INSTEAD THE MAJORITY OF ELECTED OFFICIALS IN AUSTIN OFTEN BOUND BY TIES TO THE GUN LOBBY HAVE LOOKED TO LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND DISTRICTS AND DISREGARDED SAFETY AND THAT IS UNCONSCIONABLE. HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY LEADERS HAVE STEPPED UP AND ARE MAKING CHANGES TO PROTECT CONSTITUENTS. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT, LOCAL LEADERS. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> 22. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL, BESIDE ME MY SGT. OVER SCHOOL SAFETY INSPECTION. 
          I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR FIRST OF ALL BRINGING THIS COMMISSION TOGETHER. THE IDEA TWO YEARS AGO WHEN IT CAME TOGETHER WE WERE NOT SURE THIS WOULD GO. THIS HAS INVOLVED AND EVOLVED 
          [01:55:02]
INTO SOMETHING MUCH BROADER THAN I COULD'VE IMAGINED. 
          BEING PART OF THE BYLAWS AND BEING PART OF WHAT WILL HOPEFULLY BE ADOPTED AS THE BYLAW FOR THE SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION , IT ALLOWS US AS THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE TO BECOME PART OF THE TEAM, NOT JUST FIRST RESPONDERS, SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE VARIOUS COMMITTEES REPRESENTED IN HERE. 
          ONE OF THE THINGS ABOUT FIRE MARSHALS, WE DO THE INSPECTIONS FOR LIFE SAFETY BUT IT'S ALSO ABOUT SECURITY. MAKING SURE SECURITY DEVICES DON'T AFFECT LIFE SAFETY. SCHOOLS ARE THE MOST DIVERSE AND LARGEST GROUPS YOU WILL FIND AND ALL ASSAYS THIS, I DO WANT TO SAY THIS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 
          KRISTIN IS THE SGT. OVER 17 DISTRICTS AND 600 SCHOOLS AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT CLASS. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER 22 NAME ] SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 22. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERY PARENT OR CARETAKER EXPECTS WHEN CHILDREN ARE DROPPED OFF AT SCHOOL EACH MORNING THEY WILL BE SAFE THROAT THE DAY AND RETURN HOME UNHARMED. YOU MUST PROTECT THEM FROM ALL FORMS OF VIOLENCE, GUNS, PHYSICAL HARM, BULLYING, SEXUAL PREDATORS ARE HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SCHOOL SHOULD BE ENVIRONMENTS WHERE CHILDREN CAN THRIVE GROWING THEIR MINDS AND HEARTS TO PREPARE THEM FOR FUTURE CHALLENGES IN THE WORKPLACE AND IN SERVICE. THIS COMMISSION STAND AS THE ONLY COUNTY CRATED BODY IN TEXAS ADVOCATE FOR AND SUPPORTING SCHOOL SAFETY SINCE THE 22 REPORT FROM THE LEGISLATURE ENACTED LAWS ADDRESSING HALF OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BUT MANY OF THESE MANDATES ARE EITHER UNFUNDED, UNDERFUNDED OR POSING SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES. WE ARE COMMITTED TO STRIVING FOR SAFER SCHOOLS AND TRANSITIONING TO A PERMANENT BODY TO ENSURE SUSTAINED FOCUS AND PROGRESS IN SCHOOL EFFORTS AND I WANT TO EXTEND MY THANKS TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS HERE AT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THEIR 
          WORK. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> NEXT IS 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS I AM THE DIRECTOR FOR THE CENTER FOR SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS AT HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. WE SUPPORT THE SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION BEING A PERMANENT STANDING COMMISSION, CITY SCHOOLS THE CENTER FOR SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS WAS ESTABLISHED IN 1999 AT THE REQUEST OF HARRIS COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENTS IN RESPONSE TO THE COLUMBINE SHOOTING CREATED TO ADVANCE SAFE AND SECURE ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING AND TEACHING, NOW 25 YEARS LATER FROM OUR CREATION THE NEED HAS GROWN AND EVOLVED WITH THE CENTER FOR SAFE AND SECURE SCHOOLS A FULL-TIME DEPARTMENT PROVIDING CAMPUS SAFETY AUDITS, TRAININGS AND STAFF PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT. THE SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION IS AN ADDED LAYER OF BRAINPOWER AND RESOURCES TO HELP HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT NAVIGATE THESE CONCERNS. THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION LOOKS FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP WITH SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TOWARD SAFETY FOR SCHOOLS AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES THANK YOU FOR RECONVENING THE COMMISSION. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP . 
          >> 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS I AM DIRECTOR MARCH FOR OUR LIVES HOUSTON. CREATED WITH THE INTENTION OF ALLOWING STUDENTS TO FINALLY HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST PREVENTABLE INJUSTICE WHEN NO ONE ELSE WILL. THE FORMAL ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION CAN BE BOILED DOWN TO MONETARY CONCERN BOARD MINISTRY OF DUTY IT MEANS MORE TO US THAN THAT. WE THE STUDENTS ARE THE ONES LIVING THIS REALITY EVERY DAY SO THE VIEWS ON WHAT MAKES US FEEL SAFE ARE CRUCIAL. IF WE ARE NOT PART OF THE DISCUSSION THERE IS RISK THAT THE SOLUTIONS MIGHT MISS THE MARK OR NOT ADDRESS WHAT REALLY MATTERS TO US. 
          THROUGH COLLABORATION WITH STUDENTS THIS COMMISSION HAS THE ABILITY TO PROVIDE LIFE-SAVING CARE TO SCHOOLS AND FOSTER A TRULY NURTURING ENVIRONMENT WHERE CHILDREN DO NOT FEAR EDUCATION, BUT EMBRACE IT. TOGETHER WE CAN KEEP GUN VIOLENCE OUT OF SCHOOLS. LET'S MAKE THIS HAPPEN, THANK YOU FOR 
          [02:00:01]
YOUR TIME. 
          >> HELLO EVERYONE MY NAME IS STUDENT PART OF MARCH OUR LIVES, GUN PREVENTION ORGANIZATION. WE ARE HERE TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SAFE SCHOOLS COMMISSION. HAVE ASSOCIATED SCHOOL IS A SAFE PLACE FOR LEARNING SINCE KINDERGARTEN A PLACE WHERE THE NEXT LEADERS OF AMERICA UNLOCK THEIR GIFTS AND POTENTIAL, NOW AS PARENTS AND US TO SCHOOL THEY WORRY WE WILL NOT COME BACK, SCARED WE WILL BECOME ONE OF THE 340,000 STUDENTS OF EXPERIENCED GUN VIOLENCE IN THEIR SCHOOLS. 75% OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS BEGIN WITH CLEAR SIGNS PRESENT BEFORE THE ATTACK AND SADLY THE MAJORITY WENT UNNOTICED, 4.6 MILLION AMERICAN CHILDREN LIVE IN A HOME WHERE ONE GUN IS KEPT LOADED AND UNLOCKED. THE SAFE SCHOOL COMMISSION COMBATS ISSUES BY INFORMING THE PUBLIC TO BREAK THE CYCLE, STUDY CANNOT BECOME SYNONYMOUS WITH SHOOTINGS. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM WITH MARCH FOR OUR LIVES HOUSTON. AS A CURRENT HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT I CAN CONFIDENTLY ASSERT EVERY SINGLE ONE OF MY PEERS WANTS TO FEEL SAFE IN THE CLASSROOM. 
          OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS THERE HAS BEEN A PLETHORA OF GUN RELATED INCIDENTS PLAGUING THE HALLWAYS OF SCHOOLS MAKING STUDENTS FEEL UNCERTAIN ABOUT THE FUTURE. OUR TEACHERS SHOW UP TO WORK TO EDUCATE THE NEXT GENERATION THEY HAVE A RIGHT TO FEEL SAFE AND FREE TO TEACH SUBJECTS WITHOUT HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT MAKING IT BACK HOME. AS A STUDENT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO WONDER IF EVERY UNKNOWN CAR IN THE PARKING LOT IS A POSSIBLE INTRUDER. WE ARE FUTURE LEADERS, POLICYMAKERS VOTERS, GOVERNORS AND PRESIDENTS. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO EDUCATION THAT SHOULD NOT BE IMPEDED BY PREVENTABLE GUN VIOLENCE, TEACHERS SHOULD WORK DILIGENTLY TO EDUCATE YOUTH ABOUT HAVING TO BRING GUNS INTO THE EQUATION, HAVE A RIGHT TO EDUCATE WITH PRIDE AND NOT FEAR, THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT IS AGENDA SPEAKER 27, HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS LIVE-IN PRECINCT FOR , DURING THE NATURAL DISASTER IN APRIL I EXPERIENCED MUCH INCONVENIENCE DUE TO THE POWER OUTAGE. 
          >> 
          >> AGAIN, DURING THE HURRICANE IN JULY, TWO OF MY REFRIGERATORS BROKE DOWN DUE TO THE POWER OUTAGE. I WAS UPSET MY KIMCHI REFRIGERATOR, A CHERISHED WAS DISCARDED ALL THE FOOD INSIDE WHICH CAUSED SIGNIFICANT EMOTIONAL AND MATERIAL LOSS. 
          >> 
          >> I RECENTLY LEARNED HOW TO APPLY FOR DISASTER COMPENSATION FOR FEMA EVEN WITH THE HELP OF THOSE AROUND ME I FACED DIFFICULTY WITH UNDERSTANDING AND FILLING OUT THE FORMS IN ENGLISH BECAUSE OF THE TERMINOLOGY AND DIFFERENCES, THESE DIFFICULTIES DID NOT GO AWAY AFTER APPLYING AS I STRUGGLE TO FIND OUT HOW TO TRACK THE PROCESS. 
          >> WITH MORE AMERICANS EXPECTED THIS YEAR COMPARED TO PREVIOUS YEARS IT IS CRUCIAL TO ESTABLISH A SYSTEM PROVIDING DISASTER PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES SPECIFICALLY IN KOREAN SOAKER IN POPULATIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY CAN PREPARE AND EVACUATE MORE QUICKLY AND SUFFICIENTLY. 
          >> THEREFORE EVERQUEST RATHER THAN ADDITIONAL FUNDING TO BE 
          [02:05:05]
LOCATED TO POLICE IN THE BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BE REDUCED IN ORDER TO LOCATE MORE FUNDS FOR LANGUAGE SUPPORT, THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO I AM A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR TEAM AT AND RESIDING IN PRECINCT AND RESIDING IN PRECINCT 4. 
          >> 
          >> I HAVE LIVING IN THE COULD YOU AND HAVE MANAGED WELL EXCEPT FOR COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH, HOWEVER, MY BIGGEST CHALLENGE ARISES WHEN I NEED TO VISIT THE HOSPITAL. 
          >> 
          >> IN THE EARLY DAYS OF MY IMMIGRATION MY CHILDREN WOULD ACCOMPANY ME SO I HAD NO SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTIES, NOW THAT THEY ARE GROWN UP AND HAVE THEIR OWN LIVES I OFTEN HAVE TO FORGO MEDICAL VISITS UNLESS THEY ARE SERIOUSLY URGENT. 
          >> 
          >> ADDITIONALLY MEDICARE RECORDS ARE NOT AVAILABLE IN KOREAN WHICH CREATES MAJOR PROBLEMS. 
          >> WE HAVE REPEATEDLY RELAYED SUGGESTIONS TO THE TEXAS CAPITOL, HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL AND HARRIS COUNTY TO ADDRESS LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY ISSUES BUT UNFORTUNATELY NONE OF THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN RESOLVED YET. 
          >> 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP 
          >> I STRONGLY URGE YOU THAT MULTILINGUAL SERVICES ESPECIALLY KOREAN BE PROVIDED PROMPTLY IN ALL PUBLIC DEPARTMENTS AND OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          I ALSO REQUEST THE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF NOT BE INCREASED AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET BE REDUCED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 29 
          >> 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS APARTMENTS IN PRECINCT 4. 
          >> 
          >> REGARDING VOTING I HAVE ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTY BECAUSE OF THE BALLADS AND CANDIDATE INFORMATION ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH. AT TIMES I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO THE SITE WHOM TO VOTE FOR AND I HAVE ENDED UP WITHDRAWING. 
          >> 
          >> DUE TO SIMILAR ISSUES MANY KOREAN AMERICAN SENIORS ARE UNABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN VOTING AND CANNOT VOICE THEIR VALUABLE 
          OPINION. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WITH THE UPCOMING PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS AND OTHER OFFICIAL ELECTIONS AND ELECTIONS THAT ARE OCCURRING ALMOST EVERY YEAR, THIS ISSUE 
          CANNOT BE IGNORED ANY LONGER. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 
          [02:10:13]
10,000 KOREAN POPULATION RESIDING IN HARRIS COUNTY. I STRONGLY URGE CANDIDATE INFORMATION AND PALLETS BE PROVIDED IN KOREAN SO THEY CAN EXERCISE THEIR CRUCIAL VOTING RIGHTS. 
          >> 
          >> I ALSO REQUEST THAT THE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF AND POLICE NOT BE INCREASED AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET BE REDUCED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH SAVINGS RELOCATED TO 
          LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER THREE, ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO I AM 
          >> 
          >> MY MOTHER LIVES IN SENIOR APARTMENTS LOCATED IN PRECINCT 1 AND I OFTEN FACE THE INCONVENIENT OF HAVING TO CONSTANTLY ASSIST HER WITH INTERPRETATION ON PAPERWORK DUE 
          TO THE LANGUAGE BARRIER. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> ONE DAY THE APARTMENT MANAGER ASKED ME TO HELP INTERPRET FOR ANOTHER RESIDENT BUT THE RESIDENT DID NOT SHOW UP AT THE SCHEDULED TIME. I LATER FOUND OUT THE RESIDENT DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHY THEY NEEDED TO BE THERE BECAUSE OF THE MISCOMMUNICATION WITH THE APARTMENT STAFF. 
          >> 
          >> I FIND IT ABSURD THAT EVEN THOUGH ALMOST 70% OF THE APARTMENT RESIDENTS ARE KOREAN AMERICANS THERE IS NO KOREAN SPEAKING STAFF TO ASSIST WITH LANGUAGE ISSUES. OUR CIVIC ENGAGEMENT TEAM HAS REPEATEDLY RAISED THIS ISSUE AND REQUESTED A RESOLUTION , BUT NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN SO FAR. 
          >> I STRONGLY URGE THAT KOREAN INTERPRETERS BE MADE AVAILABLE AT APARTMENTS WHERE THE MAJORITY OF RESIDENTS ARE KOREAN SENIORS SO THEY CAN RECEIVE PROPER LANGUAGE ACCESS SERVICE FOR TRANSLATION AND PAPERWORK I ALSO REQUEST THE BUDGET INCREASES FOR THIS SERVICE BE OFFSET BY FREEZING FUNDS FOR THE SHERIFF, POLICE AND DISTRICT ATTORNEYS WHEREVER 
          POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. >> 24. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS ENGAGEMENT TEAM AT AND RESIDE IN PRECINCT 4. 
          >> 
          >> MY HOME WAS RECENTLY LEFT WITHOUT POWER FOR A WEEK DUE TO THE HURRICANE WHILE APPLYING FOR COMPENSATION THROUGH FEMA I ENCOUNTERED LANGUAGE BARRIERS THAT LED TO SELECTING INCORRECT TERMS ON THE APPLICATION AND I WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THEM 
          AFTERWARD. >> LANGUAGE ] 
          >> I HAVE TO VISIT A FEMA TEMPORARY OFFICE TO SEND A FAX ABOUT MY SITUATION AND IT REMAINS UNCERTAIN WHETHER I WILL RECEIVE BENEFITS. THIS EXPERIENCE MADE ME REALIZE HOW RESIDENTS WHO DO NOT SPEAK ENGLISH OR SPANISH STRUGGLE TO 
          [02:15:01]
          AXIS PUBLIC SERVICE. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> I STRONGLY URGE THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC SERVICE WEBSITE TO INCLUDE MULTILINGUAL 
          SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY KOREAN. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> FOR THIS PURPOSE EVERQUEST THE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF AND PATROL POLICE NOT BE INCREASED AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET BE WITH SAVINGS LOCATED TO ENHANCING LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES. THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 32, 
          ONE MINUTE. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> HELLO MY NAME IS AND I AM A SENIOR FELLOW AT AND RESIDING IN PRECINCT AND 
          RESIDING IN PRECINCT 4. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED POWER AND TELEPHONE SERVICES OUTAGES IN THE WAKE OF TWO HURRICANES MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND FOOD OR GAS EVEN AFTER TRAVELING MORE THAN 15 MILES. WHEN HURRICANE BERYL HIT, THE CREAM COMMUNITY CENTER WAS USED TO OPERATE AS A COOLING CENTER. 
          >> THIS OPPORTUNITY PROVIDED MANY MULTICULTURAL FAMILIES WITH A SAFE ENVIRONMENT, ACCESS TO FOOD AND VIABLE INFORMATION REGARDING ESSENTIAL SUPPLIES AND LOCAL COOLING CENTERS. 
          >> ONE NOTABLE EXPERIENCE INVOLVES VISITING THE LAKEVIEW SENIOR APARTMENTS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WHERE 80% OF WHOM ARE KOREAN, WE PROVIDED ICE AND BEVERAGES, COLLECTED AND RECHARGED MANY PHONES AND EVEN ARRANGED FOR AN AMBULANCE TO TRANSPORT A PATIENT IN DIRE MEDICAL NEED TO THE HOSPITAL. 
          >> THIS YEAR, DUE TO THE UNUSUAL WEATHER PATTERNS, MORE THAN SIX HURRICANES ARE EXPECTED. 
          >> 
          >> I URGENTLY REQUESTED INFORMATION ABOUT COOLING CENTERS AND EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS BE MADE AVAILABLE IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES INCLUDING KOREAN. I ALSO REQUEST THE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF AND POLICE NOT BE INCREASED AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET BE REDUCED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE WITH SAVINGS LOCATED TO LANGUAGE SUPPORT SERVICES, THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 33, ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS PRECINCT 4. 
          >> EVEN IN MY 40 YEARS OF LIVING IN THE U.S. RUNNING A SMALL BUSINESS I HAVE NOT HAD THE TIME TO LEARN ENGLISH PROPERTY PROPERLY WHICH HAS CAUSED MANY DIFFICULTIES AND SOCIAL INTERACTIONS. 
          >> 
          >> WITH MY LIMITED ENGLISH SKILLS I WASN'T ABLE TO GO TO THE VOTING CENTERS DURING ELECTIONS UNTIL I RECEIVED HELP AND STARTED VOTING. 
          >> HOWEVER, UPON GOING TO THE POLLING LOCATIONS I FOUND THE INFORMATION WAS ONLY AVAILABLE IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, CHINESE OR VIETNAMESE, NOT KOREAN. I AM HERE TO REQUEST THAT THE KOREAN LANGUAGE BE INCLUDED ON THE BALLOT INFORMATION. 
          [02:20:15]
          >> 
          >> VOTING IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS, YET A LACK OF MULTILINGUAL SUPPORT, PARTICULARLY KOREAN MAKES THE VOTING PROCESS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR MANY, THE SITUATION IS UNREASONABLE AND LANGUAGE SUPPORT FOR VOTING IS URGENTLY NEEDED IN ORDER TO PROVIDE EQUAL VOTING OPPORTUNITY. 
          >> 
          >> I SUGGEST WE LOCATE FUNDS BY NOT INCREASING THE BUDGET FOR SHERIFF AND POLICE AND REDUCING THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BUDGET AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS 
          PRECINCT 3. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> IN A MULTICULTURAL SOCIETY, LIKE THE UNITED STATES, THE MOST PRESSING NEED HIS LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY, GIVEN THE REALITIES THAT WE SHARE IN SOCIAL AND CULTURAL ASPECTS, LANGUAGE ACCESSIBILITY IS FUNDAMENTAL AND CRUCIAL FOR EXPRESSING ONESELF. 
          >> 
          >> IN PARTICULAR WHEN PUBLIC INFORMATION IS ESSENTIAL TO RESIDENTS AVAILABLE ONLY IN SPECIFIC LANGUAGES PEOPLE WHO NEED THE INFORMATION OFTEN FACE LIMITATIONS DUE TO LANGUAGE BARRIERS LEADING TO DISADVANTAGES SUCH AS 
          INADEQUATE SERVICES. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THREE YEARS AGO I HAD A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE AT A HOSPITAL DUE TO THE LANGUAGE ISSUES. I MISUNDERSTOOD THE PROCEDURE WAS GOING TO BE UPPER AND LOWER ENDOSCOPY AND I HAD TO TAKE UNWANTED VERY UNPLEASANT MEDICATION IN ORDER TO PREPARE THE BOWELS. IT WAS ONLY TO FIND OUT ON THE DAY OF THE PROCEDURE THAT IT WAS ONLY GOING TO BE THE UPPER ENDOSCOPY. 
          >> 
          >> AND, TO PREVENT SUCH UNFAIR DIFFICULTY CAUSED LANGUAGE BARRIERS I STRONGLY REQUEST A BUDGET BE LOCATED PER LANGUAGE 
          ACCESSIBILITY. >> 24. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> HELLO I AM A MEMBER OF THE SENIOR TEAM AT AND I RESIDE IN 
          PRECINCT 4. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> TWO YEARS AGO I MOVED FROM ANOTHER STATE TO HOUSTON AND VISITED THE DRIVERS LICENSE OFFICE TO REPLACE MY LICENSE. 
          >> 
          >> DESPITE FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT PROCEDURE AND SPENDING A LOT OF TIME WAITING I FACED SIGNIFICANT DIFFICULTIES COMMUNICATING IN ENGLISH. THERE WERE MULTIPLE 
          [02:25:01]
EXCHANGES OF REPEATED QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS AND AS A RESULT I WAS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION THAT DAY AND HAD TO COME VISIT AGAIN AT ANOTHER TIME. 
          >> 
          >> THIS CAUSED CONSIDERABLE DISRUPTION TO ECONOMIC ACTIVITY AND DAILY LIFE, THEREFORE I REQUEST FUNDING BE LOCATED FOR MULTILINGUAL SERVICES, SPECIFICALLY KOREAN INCLUDING SIMULTANEOUS SYSTEMS, MULTILINGUAL WEBSITES AND BROCHURES RELATED TO DRIVER'S LICENSE SERVICES. 
          >> ADDITIONALLY I URGE THE BUDGET FOR THE SHERIFF AND POLICE NOT BE INCREASED AND THE BUDGET FOR THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY BE REDUCED TO LOCATE THE MAXIMUM FUNDING FOR LANGUAGE JUSTICE, THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 36, SPEAKING ON ITEM 24 YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS OF THE WITH ENTRAILS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION. HERE TO BRING TO YOUR ATTENTION A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT ARE NEGATIVELY AFFECTING RESIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD AND I WOULD LIKE TO LEAVE SOME INFORMATION IF POSSIBLE. THE FIRST IS A LACK OF SECURITY AND MAINTENANCE AT THE HOLLISTER DETENTION BASIN PARK WHICH WAS AN AMENITY BUT BECAME A HAZARD AND A NUISANCE. 
          THERE IS LIVE IN CRIME, ILLEGAL DUMPING AND FULL-SIZED VEHICLES THAT DRIVE ON THE TRAILS AND ALSO JUST IN JULY A DEAD BODY WAS FOUND IN THE PARKING LOT, THERE WERE MULTIPLE STAB WOUNDS AND GUNSHOT WOUNDS SO IT HAS BECOME A PLACE OF CONCERN FOR THE RESIDENTS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD NEXT-DOOR. LASTLY ON WHITE OAK THE BAYOU , UNFINISHED CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS HAVE LEFT LARGE HOLES IN THE GROUND WHICH ARE SWALLOWING OF SOME OF THE YARDS OF RESIDENTS WHO BACKUP TO THE BAYOU TO TRY TO CONTACT FLOOD CONTROL WITHOUT SUCCESS SO I'M LEAVING A COPY OF EMAILS AND PHOTOS OF SOME OF THESE SITUATIONS. HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET SOMEONE TO LOOK AT IT, 
          THANK YOU. >> 24, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> HELLO, HI MY NAME IS STUDENTS AND ORGANIZERS FROM PRECINCT 1 ON HOUSTON AND TSU CAMPUS IN SUPPORT OF SETTING COMMUNITY SAFETY AND CONTINUING TO FUND PARK CITY INFRASTRUCTURE SOCIAL AND HEALTH SERVICES AND PROGRAMS, LAST WEEK I RECEIVED A DESPERATE PHONE CALL FROM A FRIEND, HER COWORKER HAD SUFFERED A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AT WORK. SHE NEEDED HELP CONNECTING TO RESOURCES AND THERAPISTS SO I GOT HER CONNECTOR. I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE SPECIFICS BUT POLICE WERE INVOLVED AND DID NOT MAKE THE SITUATION ANY EASIER OR BETTER. AFTER HANGING UP THE PHONE I WISH I COULD'VE TOLD HER, YOU LIVE IN A COUNTY WHERE THE PROGRAM EXISTS AND INSTEAD OF CALLING THE POLICE WE COULD'VE AVOIDED THIS SITUATION ALTOGETHER. IT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT WE CONTINUE TO INVEST IN COMMUNITY AND COMMUNITY RESOURCES. YOU POSTED COMMUNITY BUDGET TOWN HALLS AND WE HAVE HEARD THAT'S 
          WHAT WE WANT. THANK YOU. >> JOSÉ LOPEZ SPEAKING ON ITEM 24. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> IT AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY ORGANIZATION, FOP 39, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO COME HERE AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY MEMBERS. A REPRESENTATIVE 400 MEMBERS IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT. IT IS NO SECRET THAT WE ARE 20 TO 25% BELOW PAY PARITY WITH SURROUNDING AGENCIES. ALSO IT IS NO SECRET THAT WE HAVE BECOME TRAINING GROUNDS FOR SURROUNDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES TO RECRUIT FROM , PUBLIC SAFETY IS AND SHOULD BE ALL OF OUR PRIORITIES. IN ORDER FOR US TO RECRUIT AND RETAIN PERSONNEL WE NEED A SIGNIFICANT AND IMMEDIATE PAY RAISE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          [02:30:05]
          >> THANK YOU. >> WANT TO CONGRATULATE YOU ON YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL THE BEST TO YOU IN YOUR NEW ROLE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> 24, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> IT AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. 
          NAME IS DEPUTY ORGANIZATION. I WANTED TO KNOW WHEN ELECTED OFFICIALS RECEIVED PAY RAISES YET LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE DAILY DO NOT THAT SENDS A DISHEARTENING MESSAGE. IT SUGGESTS WHILE LEADERSHIP IS VALUED AND REWARDED, THE BOOTS ON THE GROUND, THE ONES WHO MAINTAIN PUBLIC SAFETY ARE NOT. MORALE SUFFERS, RECRUITMENT, RETENTION BECOME CHALLENGING AND ULTIMATELY THE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITIES ARE COMPROMISED. FAIR COMPENSATION IS NOT JUST A MATTER OF EQUITY, BUT ESSENTIAL TO ENSURING OFFICERS REMAIN MOTIVATED AND THE COUNTY STAY SECURE. WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER IMPACT ON YOUR DECISION ON THOSE WHO SERVE AND PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. 
          >> NOT APPLY, WE HAVE 111 SPEAKERS WE WANT TO TRY TO LET ALL OF THEM HAVE A CHANCE TO SPEAK. BUT, THANK YOU, GLAD YOU ARE 
          HERE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS NAME ] . A MONTH AGO WE HELD A TEACHER IN ABOUT THE COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS WITH 70 PEOPLE ATTENDING WE SHARED HOW TAX DOLLARS FUND THE COUNTY AND WHERE THE MONEY IS BEING ALLOCATED TO THE PROGRAMS THAT WE NEED. WE SHARED 60% WENT INTO POLICING, JILL , SURVEILLANCE AND THE COURTS, WE SHARED IF SP 4 WERE IMPLEMENTED IT WOULD INCREASE OR ADD AN ADDITIONAL $180 MILLION EVERY YEAR FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE ASKED THE PEOPLE FELT SAFE WITH THIS DISTRIBUTION. NO ONE SAID YES. WE ASKED WHAT SERVICES THEY WANT TO BE AND FEEL SAFE, NONE OF THEM SAID POLICING, JAILS, SURVEILLANCE OR COURTS. 
          IT WAS HEARTS, THE LANGUAGE ACCESS, PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION AND DISASTER PREPAREDNESS. ARE YOU NOT LISTENING TO THESE CONCERNS? WHY SHOULD IT BE OKAY FOR US TO HAVE HARD-EARNED TAX DOLLARS USED TO KILL PEOPLE? THAT'S THE THING I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW FROM THE FRONT AND THE BACK PEOPLE HAVE THE POWER IF YOU DON'T DO WHAT WE WANT YOU WILL SEE IT. 
          >> LET'S TRY, WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL TO EVERYBODY WHO WANTS TO SPEAK. WE WON'T BE ABLE TO DO THAT IF WE CLAP OR A PLOT AFTER EACH ONE SO LET'S CONTINUE. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 43, ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS, ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS REPRESENTING THE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE ORGANIZATION IN THE HARRIS COUNTY W COUNCIL ASSOCIATION. PRIMARY AND MOST IMPORTANT FUNCTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS THE SAFETY OF CITIZENS AND PUBLIC SAFETY SEEMS TO HAVE TAKEN A BACKSEAT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. WE CAN DISAGREE ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF OTHER PRIORITIES, BUT THERE WILL BE NO DISAGREEMENT WHEN EXCUSE ME. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE LESS IMPORTANT WHEN PERSONAL SAFETY IS IN JEOPARDY. I HAVE REVIEWED A LITTLE BIT OF THE BUDGET AND HAVE A FEW THINGS I WOULD LIKE TO VISIT WITH EACH OF YOU ABOUT, BUT THE RETENTION AND REHIRING QUALIFIED LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL OUGHT TO BE YOUR PRIMARY GOAL. COMMISSIONER BRIONES WE HAVE A MEETING ON SEPTEMBER 16 AND I WOULD LIKE TO MEET WITH EACH COMMISSIONER BEFORE THERE IS A FINAL RESOLUTION ON THIS 
          BUDGET. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS DIRECTOR FOR COMBINED LAW ENFORCEMENT ASSOCIATION OF TEXAS. RECENTLY RETIRED AFTER 48 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT I RECENTLY RETIRED 32 YEARS WITH THE COUNTY AND I'M GLAD TO SAY FINALLY LIVE COMFORTABLY. AFTER MY RETIREMENT AND SOCIAL 
          [02:35:02]
SECURITY I AM DOING GOOD. BUT IT TOOK ME 48 YEARS TO SAY THAT. OUR KIDS NOWADAYS YOUNG KIDS DON'T WANT TO WAIT 48 YEARS TO SAY THAT. AS FAR AS , EVERYTHING IS GOING UP AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE HOUSING, WHAT IT COSTS TO BUY A HOUSE NOWADAYS, YOUNG POLICE OFFICERS HAVE TO WORK TWO OR THREE EXTRA JOBS IN ORDER TO AFFORD THAT. I REMEMBER WHEN I FIRST CAME TO 
          HOUSTON ABOUT 40 YEARS AGO. >> THANK YOU COMMUTE TIME IS 
          UP. >> QUICK COMMENT YOU WANT TO 
          MAKE? A QUICK COMMENT. >> I MET ONE OF YOUR MEMBERS FROM MISSIONERS COURT MISSIONERS COURT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. EVERYWHERE I WENT , HE WAS OUT THERE WORKING EXTRA JOBS. COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW OUR STRUGGLES AND I WANT YOU TO BE OUR VOICE COME AND TAKE THE LEAD IN THIS AND 
          BE OUR VOICE, THANK YOU. >> 24. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> COULD AFTERNOON PUBLIC SAFETY IS IN DANGER, THERE'S COUNTY ORGANIZATION UNITED FRONT IS A NEUTRAL PARTY UNINTERESTED IN POLITICAL PARTIES AND SERVICES. WE DEMAND THEY ELECT ATTENTION. WE ARE ASKING THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FIRST ENDORSE THE EMPLOYS BEFORE THEY ENDORSED THEMSELVES OR POLITICAL PARTY, PUBLIC SAFETY IS IN DANGER. WE HAVE HEARD FOR YEARS WITH PROMISES AND WERE PRESENTED WITH NO ACTION FROM ANYONE. WE ARE HERE TO CALL TO ACTION A WRITTEN PLAN FOR EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION THAT WILL ADDRESS THE MASS UNDERSTAFFING, ILL-EQUIPPED AND UNDERPAID EMPLOYEES. THERE IS A STORM ON THE HORIZON, YOU HAVE TIME TO PLAN AND PREPARE, THE ELECTED HAVE FAILED, NOW THE STORM IS HERE AND MADE LANDFALL SO LET'S MAKE A DECLARATION, STATE OF EMERGENCY IN HARRIS COUNTY CALLING IN-STATE RESOURCES BECAUSE WE CANNOT KEEP IT UP ANY LONGER, WE DEMAND YOU ARE HERE FOR THE PUBLIC AND YOU ARE ELECTED TO SERVE. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP >> SPEAKER 48 SPEAKING ON ITEM 24, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS BERNARD FRAZIER DEPUTY WITH HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND I HAVE BEEN WITH THE OFFICE 30 YEARS. AS YOU HAVE HEARD IN THE PAST, SEVERAL PEOPLE , OUR DEPARTMENT HAS DIRE PROBLEMS. WE NEED MONEY TO BE ABLE TO COMPETE WITH OTHER AGENCIES. WE HAVE 100 CADETS IN THE ACADEMY AND WE LOSE 75 IN SIX MONTHS. TO AGENCIES MAKING 70 OR 80,000 A YEAR. WE HAVE THE MIDRANGE DEPUTY 5 TO 20 YEARS LEAVING MAKING 80 OR 90,000 A YEAR WITH $10,000 SIGNING BONUSES. WE ARE HERE TO ASK YOU RESPECTFULLY TO PLEASE LOOK INTO GIVING US A PAY RAISE SO WE CAN BE WITH AND COMPETE. OUR JOB IS TO PROTECT CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AND THAT'S ALL WE'RE ASKING FOR. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> CHRISTOPHER RIVERA , YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER RIVERA AND I WORK WITH TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT AND WITH THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE SAID, WE SHOULD BE INVESTING IN LANGUAGE ACCESS AND EVICTION PROTECTION AND REALLY TAKING THE MONEY FROM WHAT THE SHERIFF AND CONSULATE ASK FOR AND PUTTING IT TO THINGS THAT ACTUALLY PROTECT PEOPLE . THEY TALK ABOUT SAFETY THEY DON'T REALLY ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSE , KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND AWAY FROM EVICTION OR KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE DURING FLOODS, WHEN THE GENTLEMAN SAID THERE'S A STORM COMING , THERE'S A STORM THAT COMES ALL THE TIME AND WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THOSE PEOPLE WHO POTENTIALLY LOSE THEIR LIVES AND LIVELIHOOD SO WHEN THE COPS 
          [02:40:01]
SAY THEY WANT MORE MONEY, THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO GIVE THEIR FAIR SHARE TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED IT. I ASKED WE FREEZE THE POLICE BUDGET, NO LONGER INCREASE THE DA BUDGET AND I AM AGAINST 306, WE SHOULD NOT GIVE MONEY TO OUTSOURCING PEOPLE TO HELP PEOPLE NOT INCARCERATE THEM. 
          >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS COORDINATOR WITH WORKER DEFENSE , A GROUP THAT REPRESENTS IMMIGRANT WORKERS. FIRST OF ALL I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH ALL WORKERS AND I BELIEVE ALL WORKERS IN YOUR JOB PREVENTION DESERVE TO COME HOME, YOU DESERVE TO PROVIDE FOR YOUR FAMILY HOWEVER I DO THINK THERE IS A STRONGER SENSE OF URGENCY TO PROVIDE THOSE RESOURCES TO COMMUNITIES DIRECTLY , HERE COPS TALK A LOT ABOUT PROTECTING AND SAFETY A LOT OF TIMES POLICE SHOW UP AFTER THE ISSUE IS DONE WHEREAFTER HARM HAS BEEN DONE BUT WE NEED TO BE MORE PROACTIVE AND INVEST THOSE DOLLARS DIRECTLY TO THE COMMUNITY AND INTO SOCIAL SERVICES AND EDUCATION. TO LANGUAGE ACCESS AND THESE ARE PREVENTATIVE THINGS THAT WILL PREVENT US FROM HAVING TO INCREASE THE BUDGETS. WE DON'T NEED MORE POLICE, I DON'T THINK THE BUDGET NEEDS TO BE INCREASED, WE NEED TO FOCUS THOSE RESOURCES ON COMMUNITY SERVICE AND WHAT PEOPLE 
          ACTUALLY NEED. THANK YOU. >> MINUTE. 
          >> I DON'T THINK SHE'S HERE. 
          >> OKAY. CHRISTOPHER JENKINS YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> COULD AFTERNOON, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A COUPLE THINGS. I WANTED TO TOUCH ON FREEZING THE BUDGET , THERE'S A LOT OF OPPRESSION GOING ON WITH PEOPLE. I TALKED WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN HIS OFFICE, HE TOLD ME NO BUT I RECEIVED PHONE CALLS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN THE JAIL THAT ARE NOT GETTING MEDICATION. 
          LAST WEEK I WAS DOING ACTION I TOLD THE COURT ABOUT LANDLORDS WEAPON IS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST TENANTS AND AGAIN LAST WEEK WE HAD JUSTICE ON THE PEACE ON-SITE WITH US I BELIEVE IT WAS AGENT GARCIA PRECINCT WHERE PEOPLE WERE ILLEGALLY EVICTED AND THEY CALLED THE CONSTABLES, BUT WE HAD JP SITTING OUT THERE. AND I WOULD SAY WITH A GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE LAST WEEK SPEAKING ON THE RAISE FOR THE CONSTABLES WHEN I SPOKE ON ME THERE WERE NOT ALLOW ME TO SPEAK ANYMORE I WAS THE ONLY SPEAKER HERE SO THEY COULD NOT ALLOW ME AN EXTRA 10 SECONDS TO GET MY CONCERNS OFF ABOUT THE ISSUES I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> MORRIS THOMAS SPEAKING ON ITEM 24, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS DEPUTY THOMAS FROM HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE ARE FACING A CRITICAL SITUATION OF OFFICER SAFETY. WHERE LOSING CADETS IN THE ACADEMY AND MIDRANGE DEPUTIES TO HIGHER PAY. WE ARE 20% PAY LESS THAN THE AVERAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT IN TEXAS. WE NEED TO RETAIN EMPLOYEES, WHERE LOSING THEM LEFT AND RIGHT AND MORE WE ARE LOSING THIS WEEK AS LAW ENFORCEMENT WE ARE THE FOUNDATION AND THE BACKBONE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT IN TEXAS AND PROTECTING CITIZENS, THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD DAY. 
          >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS TODAY FOR ALL MY FRIENDS AND FAMILY RESIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THE EVENTS FROM THE PAST THREE MONTHS HAVE SHOWN US WE ARE INADEQUATELY PREPARED FOR ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER. 
          INFRASTRUCTURE IS WEAK, ROADS GET SUBMERGED. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT RESIDENTS MUST DEAL WITH THIS EVERY YEAR. 
          FLOODED ROADS, NO POWER, NO HOPE FOR IMPROVEMENT. MORE FUNDS MUST BE EARMARKED FOR UPDATING AND FORTIFYING AGAINST HARSH WEATHER AND CLIMATE SUPPOSED WE GENERALLY WANT A SAFER HARRIS COUNTY IN THAT CASE WE MUST PAY ATTENTION TO 
          [02:45:03]
THE REAL ENEMY OR IN THIS CASE THE GULF COAST. HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, SUFFER A LOT AND THE WEATHER AND CLIMATE DO NOT PAY ATTENTION TO SKIN COLOR, GENDER OR IMMIGRATION STATUS. THANK 
          YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> 
          MINUTE. >> MY NAME IS IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER. LIKE MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS HERE TODAY I SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY SAFETY BUDGET. 
          LIKE TO CLARIFY THE GOALS OF THE SAFETY BUDGET, IT IS TO SHIFT THE WAY WE USE RESOURCES TO MOVE TOWARD TRUE PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS MEANS A COMPLETE FREEZE ON HARMFUL LAW ENFORCEMENT FUNDING TO MAXIMIZE INVESTMENT IN SOCIAL SERVICES. 
          WE DO SUGGEST WAS SOME OF THE INVESTMENTS SHOULD BE, SIMPLY FUNDING SOME PROGRAMS INDIVIDUALLY DOES NOT MEET THE SPIRIT OF THE CAMPAIGN. OVER THE PAST 2 1/2 YEARS SINCE THE BUDGET SB 23 LIMITED THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO SHIFT FUNDING FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT I HAVE REPEATEDLY HEARD COUNTY STAFF SAY THAT THEIR HANDS ARE TIED YET THE COUNTY CONTINUES TO INCREASE BUDGETS FOR THE SHERIFF, CONSTABLES AND THE DA, IF YOU INCREASE THESE BUDGETS EVEN ONE DOLLAR YOUR PREVENTING SB 23 IS NOT WHAT'S HOLDING YOU BACK. IF YOU'RE REQUIRED TO INCREASE SELLERS, TAKE FUNDING FROM ANOTHER LINE ITEM TO HOLD TO THE MINIMUM REQUIRED BY STATE LAW OTHERWISE WE'RE STUCK WITH THESE INFLATED BUDGETS, NOT ANOTHER DOLLARS. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 57. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> HELLO MY NAME IS WHOSE SON WAS KILLED IN THE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY DUE TO MEDICAL NEGLIGENCE. THE FINANCIAL BURDEN LEFT ON MYSELF AND OTHER MOTHERS TO BURY NOT ONLY LOVED ONES IS NOT ONLY APPALLING BECAUSE NOT ONLY DO WE NOT HAVE TIME TO MOURN THEIR LOSS, NOW WE HAVE TO SCRAMBLE TO SAVE UP ENOUGH MONEY TO GIVE OUR LOVED ONES A PROPER SENDOFF, THIS COMMISSION HAS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO SPEND ON SENDING CHILDREN OUT OF STATE TO GO DIE BUT NOT ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP THEM HERE AND ALIVE. 
          HOW IS IT THIS COMMISSION CANNOT TALK ABOUT EXPANDING MORE MONEY TO THE SAME SYSTEMS THAT NOT ONLY KILL OUR LOVED ONES, BUT ALSO KEEP THEM FAR AWAY FROM US EXPANDING THE DA BUDGET -BENT ON INCARCERATING US DOES NOT KEEP US SAFE, EXPANDING JAILS DOES NOT KEEP US SAFE, THIS WEEKEND ANOTHER PERSON DIED INSIDE OF HIS COUNTY JAIL, HOW MANY MORE MOTHERS NEED TO TESTIFY BEFORE YOU REALIZE THAT ENOUGH IS 
          ENOUGH. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> GREETINGS COMMISSIONERS AGAIN. I AM REV. 
          MOTHER OF EVAN LEE WHO WAS BRUTALLY BEATEN BY TWO OF YOUR CORRECTIONAL OFFICERS IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL MARCH IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL MARCH 22, IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL MARCH 22, 2022. ONE SECOND FOR THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN CUSTODY. THANK YOU. 
          PREVIOUSLY MEETINGS I HEARD BUDGET MENTION $50 MILLION BEING PUT AWAY FOR THE OUTSOURCE OF THE PRETRIAL INMATES. I AM JUST THINKING WHAT THE JAILS WILL BE LIKE IF WE KEPT THE MONEY HERE INSIDE THE COUNTY. ALSO, OVER 100 DEATHS HERE IN THE COUNTY TO SPEAK OF A RACE TO THE SHERIFF AND ANY OTHERS, I SAY THAT SHOULD BE HELD. ALSO, THE OVERCROWDING AND IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS , IT SHOULD BE 
          ADDRESSED BETTER, THANK YOU. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 60, SPEAKING ON ITEM 24. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> 
          >> I LIKE TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE ON HOW TAX DOLLARS ARE BEING SPENT. I HAVE NOTICED MANY NEW SIDEWALKS AND IT IS 
          [02:50:06]
GREAT TO SEE NECESSITIES BEING MADE MORE ACCESSIBLE WITH PEOPLE'S SAFETY IN MIND. MY COMMUNITY IS NO DIFFERENT FROM FELLOW IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. MANY OF OUR PEOPLE LIVE ALONE AND ARE GETTING OLDER. THEY NEED ACCESS TO EMERGENCY PLANS AND ASSISTANCE. WHEN I WENT TO SIGN UP FOR NOTIFICATION THROUGH READY HARRIS I CANNOT FIND ANY OPTIONS FOR KOREAN SPEAKERS. WHEN PEOPLE ARE PREPARED, THEY SUPPORT AND CAN RECOVER MORE QUICKLY, THEREFORE WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MORE LANGUAGE ACCESSIBLE, READY HARRIS. 
          >> THANK YOU , YOUR TIME IS UP COLLEAGUES IT IS NOW 1:00 SO WE ARE GOING TO BREAK UNTIL 2:15. AND WE 
          >>> SPEAKING ON ITEMS 24 AND 100, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM RESPONSIBLE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. HERE TO SPEAK ON TWO ITEMS TODAY STARTING WITH ITEM NUMBER 400 WHICH I HAVE HEARD HAS BEEN REMOVED FROM THE AGENDA BUT I WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT ANYWAY, I SUPPORT VOTER REGISTRATION. PERSONALLY I WAS RECENTLY RECERTIFIED AS A VOLUNTEER DEPUTY VOTER WHERE TO START AT SO MUCH I FEEL ABOUT IT. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE UNELECTED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BLINDLY SOLICITING PHANTOM POTENTIAL VOTES OF UNKNOWN STATUS. I SUPPORT THE ELECTED TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR VOTER REGISTER. SECOND ITEM NUMBER 24. ARE YOU REALLY CONSIDERING SPANKING THE TAXPAYERS OF THIS COUNTY WITH 8% INCREASE? IF SO PERHAPS FOUR OF THE FIVE OF YOU ARE AWARE THESE MASKS WHILE YOU ATTEMPT THIS ROBBERY. THANK YOU. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 63, PASTOR DAVID SMITH SPEAKING ON ITEM 44. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS DAVID SMITH PASTOR OF THE BAPTIST CHURCH OVER 32 YEARS PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON NORTHEAST CDC AND FORMER RESIDENT OF EAST TEXAS SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 46. HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 44, FOR THE JENSEN CORRIDOR STUDY UNDER COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA PRECINCT 2 AND INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH OUR COMMUNITY WITH 
          THIS STUDY. >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE YOU 
          COMING DOWN. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 65, SPEAKING ON ITEM 44, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF PRECINCT 2 PRESIDENT OF SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD 46 IN WORKING WITH PASTOR SMITH ABOUT 8 TO 10 YEARS NOW TO REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY. HAVING GROWN UP NOW RAISING A FAMILY IT IS AN HONOR TO ADVOCATE AND SPEAK ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY. I AM HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 44 REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO EXECUTE THE AGREEMENT FOR PROFESSIONAL ENGINEERING SERVICES FOR THE CORRIDOR STUDY FOR JENSEN DRIVE, THE NEXT MOVES INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FORWARD AND LIKES THE WAY FOR THE WORK WE ARE ALL TRYING TO DO TO REVITALIZE OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR THE CONTINUOUS COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY AND FOR PARTNERING WITH THE GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE 
          MANY RESOURCES NEEDED. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN. APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU GUYS ARE DOING. 
          >> TWO SPEAKERS AT A TIME NUMBER 66 
          EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS 
          [02:55:01]
I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF GREATER NORTHSIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS MORNING ON ITEM NUMBER 44 THE AGREEMENT FOR THE JENSEN DRIVE CORRIDOR STUDY. THIS MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP FORWARD IN REVITALIZING AN AREA LONG OVERLOOKED AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER TARSIER FOR HIS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT WHICH HAVE BEEN CRUCIAL IN BRINGING US TO THIS MOMENT, THE EFFORTS HAVE DEDICATED COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIKE PASTOR SMITH, BRINGING THIS ISSUE TO THE FOREFRONT, APPROVING THIS WILL SIGNAL A NEW ERA OF GROWTH AND REVITALIZATION REFLECTING A COLLECTIVE COMMITMENT TO ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND ENCOURAGING BUSINESSES TO THE CORRIDOR SO THANK YOU FOR THAT OPPORTUNITY. 
          >> THANK YOU, APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ON THE DISTRICT ARE DOING. 
          >> THAT AFTERNOON, MY NEIGHBORS -- NAME IS DIRECTOR FOR BIKE HOUSTON WITH MORE THAN 12,000 SUPPORTERS WE ARE ON A MISSION TO MAKE HOUSTON A CITY WHERE ANYONE CAN ARRIVE SAFELY BY BICYCLE. WE ARE HERE FOR ITEM 47 TO VOICE SUPPORT FOR THE COMMERCE STREET CORRIDOR STUDY. THIS MILE HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM . ON THE CITY HIGH INJURY NETWORK WHICH MEANS THERE TOO MANY SERIOUS AND FATAL CRASHES FOR PEOPLE WHO WALK, BIKE AND DRIVE. THE OLD WIDE DESIGN OF THE STREET WORKED WELL A CENTURY AGO WHEN THE SHIPPERS WERE DELIVERING CARGOES IN WAGON, NOW A WIDE STREET INVITES AGGRESSIVE DRIVERS TO SPEED AND ENDANGERS US ALL, THERE'S WIDESPREAD NEIGHBORHOOD SUPPORT TO REMOVE THE ABANDONED FREIGHT RAIL TRACKS FROM THE STREET IMMEDIATELY AND TO PUT BACK IN MODERN STREET THAT'S GOOD FOR LOCAL BUSINESS AND REINFORCES SAFE BEHAVIOR BY ALL STREET USERS. PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW 
          WE CAN SUPPORT YOU. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU ROBIN. 
          >> SPEAKER NUMBER 69, EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS ] RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4 AND SENIOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR AT A NONPROFIT CENTER SERVING IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE WITH LEGAL SERVICES SOCIAL SERVICES AND POLICY AND ADVOCACY WORK. AS PART OF MY ROLE I LEAD THREE COHORTS OF IMMIGRANT SURVIVOR ADVOCATES ACCURATELY IMAGINING CREATING COUNTY AND CITY THE FOCUS IS ON THE DIGNITY AND SAFETY OF ALL RESIDENTS. I WOULD LIKE TO BRING ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS EXPERIENCE VIOLENCE EXIST WITHIN THE LARGER CONTEXT OF INSTITUTIONAL VIOLENCE SUCH AS A TAX ON RIGHTS MADE VISIBLE THROUGH HARMFUL LOSS LIKE SP FORZA, WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET CYCLE AND WITH IMMIGRANT SURVIVOR COHORTS WE ASKED WHAT WOULD MAKE THEIR COMMUNITIES FEEL SAFE AND DRIVE? THE RESPONSE TO NOT INCLUDE MORE INVESTMENT INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUT INVESTING IN INFRASTRUCTURE AND INTO HEALTHCARE AND SUCCESSFULLY MENTAL HEALTH BECAUSE THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS I AM SCOTT SEIFERT THE FIRE CHIEF OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND HARRIS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICE DISTRICT NUMBER SEVEN I AM OPPOSED TO ADDING ANOTHER FIREWORKS SALES PERIOD ALONG WITH SOME OF MY FELLOW FIRE CHIEF'S IN THE COUNTY WE BELIEVE THIS WILL CAUSE A 50% OR GREATER INCREASE IN EMERGENCY RESPONSE IS RELATED TO PROPERTY DAMAGE FOR FIRE AGENCIES , INJURIES FOR EMS AND FIRE AGENCIES AND INCREASE RESPONSES TO FIREWORKS RELATED INCIDENTS FOR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT. DUE TO THE TIME FRAME OF THE HOLIDAY, IN THIS AGENDA ITEM, THE INCREASED USE OF FIREWORKS DURING HALLOWEEN CREATES SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL FOR INCREASE IN INJURIES. I ASKED THAT ALL COMMISSIONERS CONSIDER THESE ITEMS, GET ADDITIONAL DATA FROM HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE AND GET ADDITIONAL FEEDBACK FROM 
          OTHER AGENCIES. THANK YOU. >> QUICK QUESTION. HOW MANY 
          CHIEFS DO YOU REPRESENT? >> THERE IS FIVE CURRENTLY BECAUSE WE ONLY FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS ON THE AGENDA ON LATE THURSDAY EVENING. THERE HAVE BEEN 40 CHEERS CONTACT ABOUT THIS, SO FAR FIVE HAVE SUPPORTED MY OPPOSITION. 
          [03:00:06]
          >> THERE IS A BUDGET IMPACT? >> THERE IS A BUDGET IMPACT, WE ALL STAFF UP DURING FIREWORKS SALES PERIODS. SO IT'S KIND OF 
          LIKE AN UNFUNDED MANDATE. >> DO YOU HAVE A BALLPARK OF 
          WHAT THAT IS? >> THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE CLEARLY HAS THE DATA AND I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL DATA. 
          >> THANK YOU CHIEF. >> SPEAKER 58. AND SPEAKER 70. 
          YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> IT AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. 
          NAME IS THE MOTHER OF 33-YEAR-OLD ZACH WHO DIED ONE YEAR AGO TOMORROW. 
          MY SON A LITTLE MENTAL HEALTH AND SUBSTANCE USE ISSUES. HE WAS HELD IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL LAST YEAR ON EXTREMELY HIGH BOND FOR NONVIOLENT CHARGE WHILE IN JAIL HE WAS BRUTALIZED. HE SUSTAINS FRACTURED VERTEBRAE, A SKULL FRACTURE RESULTING IN A SEVERE TBI. HE WAS ADMITTED MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE WE COULD SECURE HIS RELEASE, WITHIN WEEKS HE WAS FOUND DECEASED IN HIS VEHICLE. MY SON'S DEATH WAS COMPLETELY IGNORED. NEVER INVESTIGATED BECAUSE HE HAD BEEN IN JAIL PRETRIAL. YOUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS MADE MY BEAUTIFUL SON LESS THAN HUMAN, JUST A NUMBER AND NOTHING MORE. HIS CAUSE OF DEATH IS STILL UNDETERMINED. WE DON'T NEED MORE FUNDING FOR THE DA OR THE JAIL. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> I AM ALMOST DONE, WITH THANK YOU. WE DON'T NEED MORE FUNDING FOR THE DA OR THE JAIL OR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WE NEED MORE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THEIR ALREADY BLOATED BUDGETS. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN HERE, GOT BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. 
          >> 
          IS HERE. >> 
          >> I DON'T THINK THAT PERSON IS HERE. 
          >> OKAY, 
          >> RODNEY SEEMS CAN ALSO COME. 
          >> YOU CAN LEAD A HORSE TO WATER BUT YOU CAN'T MAKE THEM DRINK. 
          LIKELY DOOMED TO BE DISREGARDED, THE MOST EFFECTIVE IS IN PERSON FOLLOWED BY PHONE CALL AND THEN EMAIL. TO VOTE IN PUBLIC IS A RIGHT. FOR THE PUBLIC. NOW, IF YOU HAVE A PRIVATE ENTITY LIKE A THIRD PARTIES THAN THEN THAT VENDOR, IT IMPLIES PRIVACY . NOW WHAT I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT IS TEXAS RIGHT TO LIFE SEPTEMBER 28 AND ALL OF YOU ALL ARE INVITED. I HAVE DONATED A LOT OF GOODS TO THAT PLACE. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> AM RODNEY SEEMS A BARBER, RANCHER AND PASTOR IN THE CROSBY AREA. I WANT TO THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR ALL THAT YOU DO IN OUR AREA TO HELP US. SP 1750 REPLACED HARRIS COUNTY ELECTION ADMINISTRATION WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS AND SB 1933 CAME BEHIND IT. FOR THEIR PROVIDING SECRETARY OF STATE WITH OVERSIGHT OVER THIS. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THIS OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION INTENDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF VOTER REGISTRATION USING THIRD PARTIES TO INCREASE VOTER REGISTRATION AND THIS THIRD-PARTY HAS SENT OUT THOUSANDS OF UNREQUESTED VOTER REGISTRATIONS TO FOLKS, LIKELY NOT CITIZENS OF THIS COUNTRY OR ELIGIBLE TO VOTE. IF THIS IS THE INTENTION I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU CONSIDER THE LEGALITY AND IMPACTS OF THIS GOING FORWARD. 
          >> THANK YOU, PASTOR. >> 
          [03:05:12]
          >> VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1. I WANTED TO SPEAK ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT VOTE ON ATTEMPT TO CIRCUMVENT THE ELECTED VOTER REGISTRAR TO USE A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR TO MAIL THOUSANDS OF UNREQUESTED VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS WITHOUT CONTROLS IN PLACE TO ENSURE NONCITIZENS ARE NOT REGISTERED TO VOTE. VOTING NEEDS TO BE LIMITED TO CITIZENS BORN HERE OR THOSE WHO ARE CITIZENS BY LEGAL MEANS TO ACHIEVE THAT. IT IS AN HONOR TO VOTE AND IT SHOULD BE FOR CITIZENS ONLY. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO VOTE AND THIS MUST BE HELD IN HIGH REGARD. ALL BALLOTS ARE IMPORTANT AND IT SERVES TO MAKE CHANGES AND IMPROVEMENTS IN OUR LIVES AS CITIZENS. AGAIN, ONLY THE CITIZENS WITH PROPER ID SHOULD PARTICIPATE IN THE VOTING. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> I DON'T THINK THAT PERSON YOU CALLED OUT IS HERE. 
          >> OKAY THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AM ALSO GOING TO TALK ON THE ITEM OF NUMBER 400, PAGE 49. 
          WHY IS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT , WHY ARE YOU CIRCUMVENTING THE ELECTED VOTER REGISTRAR TO USE THEIR PARTY VENDORS TO MAIL UNREQUESTED VOTER REGISTRATION FORMS? AS A CITIZEN, I HAVE YET TO MOVE TO DISMISS THE AUTHORITY OF THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS . I HAVE COME UNDER AUTHORITY, YOUR AUTHORITY AS A CITIZEN OF HARRIS COUNTY AND I COME UNDER A HIGHER AUTHORITY OF CHRIST AND UNDER HIS AUTHORITY IN HIS BOOK HE SAYS TO HONOR , TO PRAY FOR AND TO RESPECT YOU AND AS I HAVE BEEN VOTING FOR YEARS. MY TIME IS UP , THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS BRIAN DOUGLAS . WEST DEVELOPMENT, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING OFFICER STATING THAT MY CONTRACT TO 20366 WILL BE TERMINATED OR IS TO BE TERMINATED TODAY. JUST WANTED TO BRING SOME KEY POINTS TO YOUR ATTENTION. THE DAILY REPORT DOES NOT INDICATE THAT ASSERTION . THERE IS NO INDICATION OF PERFORMANCE ISSUES IN THE DAILY REPORTS, ONLY EMAILS ON THE PROJECT MANAGER. THIS MAY BE SOMETHING PERSONAL. WE WERE ALMOST RIGHT AT 3/4 DONE WITH THE CONTRACT. 
          OF A YEAR-LONG CONTRACT AND WE WERE STOPPED. MY ASK IS TO DEFER TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT. 
          >> THANK YOU >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS GREENSVILLE MOBILE HOMES, AT FIRST I WAS SKEPTICAL ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY PROGRAM , BUT GAVE IN THE REASON WOULD BE A BETTER OUTCOME FOR FAMILY AND PERSONAL GROWTH. ALTHOUGH SCHOOLS PROVIDED FOR MY CHILDREN ARE BETTER FOR THEM, AS A RESIDENT AND FATHER I AM NOT, IT IS NOT A GREAT FIT FOR US FINANCIALLY. I HAVE TO PAY FOR A MORTGAGE AND HOA FEES THAT ARE DOUBLE THE COST ALONE OF WHAT I WAS PAYING. ON PROPERTY THAT I ALREADY OWNED. GIVEN THE HIGH COST OF NORMAL LIVING, I HAVE SCHOOL RENT, CLOTHING, FOOD, DAYCARE, BABYSITTING, AFTER WORK LONGER HOURS NOW SO I CAN BE ABLE TO PROVIDE AND PAY THE BETTER HALF OF MY MONEY THAT I EARN. THAT 
          [03:10:07]
MY FAMILY DEPENDS ON TO SURVIVE. THE PROGRAM DOES HAVE SOME VALUE. AT WHAT COST TO A LOT OF US HERE. 
          SO AGAIN, RELOCATION IS BETTER BUT THE FINANCIAL PART OF IT IS A BURDEN TO MOST OF US. THANK YOU. 
          >> RECENTLY PREVIOUSLY WITH THE HOUSTON RECEIVING RESOLUTION ON YOUR FIRST DAY I THINK THAT WAS SO THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING. 
          HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERSHIP ANOTHER CAMPAIGN THAT'S BRIDGING A NONPROFIT WHOSE FOCUS ON FASHION, FILM FITNESS I'M SORRY FASHION FILM MUSIC THEATER ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY AND MANY OTHER THINGS HELPING TO DRIVE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOR HOUSTON TO BECOME MORE OF AN ENTERTAINMENT HUB . WE ARE HERE TODAY WITH FRIENDS FROM THE COMMITTEE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT TO SIT DOWN AS WE BRIDGE THE GAP AND BUILD A HOUSTON CELEBRITY EVENT THAT WE WANT THE COUNTY TO BE PART OF. WORKING WITH YOUR DISTRICTS SORRY NOT THE DISTRICTS BUT WORKING WITH YOU GUYS IN THE PRECINCTS WE KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT NEED TO GET INVOLVED SO WE ARE ASKING TO PARTICIPATE AND WORK WITH THE TEAM AS WE DEVELOP ALL OF IT. 
          >> HELLO. MY NAME IS TO CONTINUE IN THE LINE OF ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES AVOIDING THE RESPONSIBILITIES. TO START OUT I LIKE COMMISSIONERS TO DRAW ATTENTION TO A RECENT PUBLISHED ARTICLE FOR THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE DISCUSSING THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE CARDIOLOGY STAMP FROM WHAT COULD BE DESCRIBED IS THEY WERE FINED $15 MILLION AND ETHICAL CONCERNS AROUND EXECUTION OF OVERLAPPING SURGERIES CAN BE SAID MEDICAL PRACTICE. THIS IS NOTHING NEW AS I HAVE EXPRESSED FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS, UNETHICAL BUILDING PRACTICE FROM BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND HARRIS HEALTH FOR MANY YEARS, THIS IS BACKED UP WITH VIDEO AND/OR AUDIO RECORDINGS WHICH WERE TURNED OVER TO HARRIS HEALTH WITH NO ACTION TAKEN EXCEPT FOR RETALIATION THAT I HAD TO ENDURE. ADDITIONALLY ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I NOTIFIED HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU WALTER FOR YOUR PERSISTENCE. 
          >> BRIAN LOPEZ 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON, I AM PART OF THE ADVISORY BOARD FOR IAP AND WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND AN INVITATION TO THE COUNTY TO JOIN FORCES TO HELP EXPAND THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY HERE IN HOUSTON. WE HAVE A LOT OF TALENT LEAVING THE CITY WITH ON A POTENTIAL BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY THAT SHOULD BE HERE TO CREATE REVENUE TO SUPPORT LOCAL ARTISTS LIKE RAISING STAR AND OTHER ARTISTS SUCH AS SAM NIGHT, PLEASE JOIN US IN THE IEP EVENT SEPTEMBER 28 AND WE ARE OPEN TO HAVE OTHER CONVERSATIONS TO SEE HOW WE CAN WORK TOGETHER IN TERMS OF TAX INCENTIVES AND OTHER BUSINESS POSITIONS. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. 
          >> SORRY THIS IS MY FIRST TIME DOING THIS. HI MY NAME IS NAME ] AND MY CONCERN IS HOMELESSNESS. I WAS A TRUCK DRIVER FOR 38 YEARS, I CAME IN OFF THE ROAD APRIL 21 AND RECEIVED AN INJECTION WHICH LEFT ME PARALYZED SO I LOST MY INCOME AND MY HOUSING. NOW I'M IN A TEMPORARY HOUSE. MY CONCERN IS COME OCTOBER 31 OF THIS YEAR I WANT TO MOVE INTO MY CAR. WEARS THE SAFEST PLACE TO PARK WHEN YOU DO LIVE IN YOUR CAR IN HOUSTON WITH ALL THE CRIME GOING ON? I APPLIED FOR HOUSING AT A NEW FACILITY ON CLAIBORNE AND 288, MY APPLICATION WAS ACCEPTED, MY DEPOSIT WAS ACCEPTED, MY SECURITY DEPOSIT, MY APPLICATION FEE, THE GENTLEMAN SAID HE CANNOT ACCEPT ME BECAUSE I AM IN SCHOOL AND ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE, THEY FURTHER EDUCATION , BUT I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO LIVE THERE BECAUSE I AM IN SCHOOL. 
          >> WILL HAVE SOMEBODY FOLLOW UP WITH YOU. YOU DID VERY WELL. 
          [03:15:03]
          >> COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE OWNER OF CREEK GLOBAL MEDIA YET I CONTINUE TODAY IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE INTERNATIONAL ENTERTAINMENT PARTNERSHIP AND WE ARE FOCUSED ON EXPANDING THE HOUSTON ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY AND CREATING A WORKFORCE FOR THE CREATIVE COMMUNITY. OUR MISSION IS IN THE STRUCTURE, EDUCATION, COLLABORATIVE OPPORTUNITY AND BRINGING A SILO COMMUNITY TOGETHER FOR THE BENEFIT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN TV, FILM, ART, THEATER, MUSIC, E SPORTS, GAMING AND FASHION AND PHOTOGRAPHY. YOU HAVE ALREADY HEARD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP LEADERS TALKING TO YOU ABOUT ONE OF THE UPCOMING INITIATIVES ON AUGUST 13 WE RECEIVED A PROCLAMATION FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON IN THEIR PLEDGING SUPPORT AFTER FIVE AND HAVE YEARS OF US BEING HERE HAVE A HOST OF INITIATIVES IN THE COMMUNITY WE WOULD LOVE TO ASK THE COUNTY ALSO JOINS ARMS WITH US SO WE CAN BE THE ORGANIZATION THAT HELPS TO EXPAND ENTERTAINMENT IN HOUSTON WITH YOUR SUPPORT, THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO , GOOD MORNING, GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS RESIDENT AT PARKVIEW MOBILE HOMES IN PASADENA. MANY TENANTS INCLUDE MYSELF HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED DISCRIMINATION, INJUSTICE FROM THE NEW MANAGER THAT WAS ENFORCED IN MARCH. ONE OF MY MAIN CONCERNS FOR THE COMMUNITY 'S MANAGEMENT DEMANDED ALL TENANTS TO SIGN A NEW LEASE AGREEMENT WITHOUT PROVIDING A COPY MANAGEMENT REFUSED TO PROVIDE A COPY IN SPANISH KNOWING THAT 90% OF OUR PARK IS HISPANIC AM I BELIEVE IT IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE ALL TENANTS UNDERSTAND AND HAVE A COPY OF THE LEASE AGREEMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO ADD THREE MONTHS AGO JUDGE HOLLY ORDERED REIMBURSEMENT FOR A TOLL HEARING ON MY BEHALF AGAINST THE MOBILE HOME BOTH PROPERTY OWNER AND MANAGEMENT HAVE REFUSED ALL RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT LEAVING THE 
          HOPELESS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. I WANT TO GIVE YOU SOME INFORMATION. I'VE SPOKEN WITH COUNCILMEMBER PASADENA CITY COUNCIL, THIS ISSUE FALLS IN THEIR AREA OF JURISDICTION SO IF YOU CAN WRITE THIS NUMBER DOWN. 
          713-475- 5520. THAT IS TO HIS OFFICE AND THEN TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE. 713-475- 5545. COUNCILMEMBER LIKE TO SPEAK WITH YOU AND THE OTHER FOLKS THAT OF BEEN IMPACTED. UNFORTUNATELY WE DO NOT HAVE ANY JURISDICTION OVERSIGHT OVER THAT LETTER. LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> 
          >> 
          >> I HAVE BEEN A RESIDENT AT THE PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME FOR 14 YEARS 
          >> 
          >> ON JUNE 8 I SIGNED MY LEASE, I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE MY LEASE, ON AUGUST 17 MY NEIGHBOR'S HOME CAN'T FIRE CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY OWN HOME DESPITE THIS I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY ASSISTANCE. 
          >> 
          >> I BELIEVE THAT THE OWNER AND ALSO THE MANAGER ARE ABUSING THEIR POWER AT PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME AND AT THIS TIME I NEED THE INTERPRETER TO CLARIFY. THE TENANTS ARE GETTING EVICTED, THEIR HOMES ARE DESTROYED AND ALSO BEING BURNED. 
          [03:20:05]
          >> I APOLOGIZE, I DO SPEAKING THIS BUT I GOT NERVOUS I'M NOT USED TO THIS ONE HAD EVERYTHING WRITTEN DOWN BUT I'M HERE JUST FOR THE COMMUNITY, I HOPE THEY CAN HELP 
          >> THANK YOU, YOU DID GREAT. YOU DID GREAT. 
          >> I DO READ AND SPEAKING THIS BUT I GOT NERVOUS. 
          >> NO WORRIES, THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> MY NAME IS THERE 13 YEARS AT PARKVIEW, I BELONG TO PRISON NUMBER TWO. 
          >> 
          >> THE REASON I AM HERE IS BECAUSE ME AND MY FAMILY IS SUFFERING FROM RACISM, ABUSE OF POWER AND ALSO HARASSMENT FROM 
          THE MANAGER. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WE HAD A MEETING TO TELL THE OWNER THAT MANY THINGS ARE WRONG THERE. 
          >> WE HAVE THE LIGHT POSTS THAT ARE DOWN. WE DO NOT HAVE ANY LIGHTING. 
          TRIM THE TREES. 
          >> AND THEY WILL TICKET US FOR PARKING CARS IN FRONT OF THE 
          HOUSE FOR A FEW MINUTES. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WE HAVE ALSO REPORTED THE WATER VALVES ARE NOT WORKING. 
          >> 
          >> THE MANAGER HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING ABOUT ANY OF THESE THINGS, SHE HAS NOT ANSWERED OUR PHONE CALLS. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THAT AFTERNOON, MY NAME IS NAME ] RESIDENT AT THE PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME IN PASADENA, TEXAS. 
          >> AS OF FIVE MONTHS AGO MY LIFE HAS BEEN AFFECTED BECAUSE OF SITUATIONS THAT HAVE COME UP BECAUSE OF THE NEW MANAGEMENT. 
          >> 
          >> SUPPOSEDLY THERE CLEANING UP THE PROPERTY. 
          >> 
          >> THEY IMMEDIATELY SEND NOTES ABOUT THESE LAWS OR RULES THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. 
          >> 
          >> NOT FOLLOWING THROUGH WITH THE RULES WOULD GIVE US SANCTIONS AND WE WOULD HAVE FEES AND WE WOULD HAVE RENT 
          INCREASED. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WE HAD TO SIGN A NEW LEASE WHICH WAS WRITTEN IN A LANGUAGE THAT I DO NOT COMPLETELY 
          UNDERSTAND, IN ENGLISH. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> WHEN I SIGNED THIS LEASE, I ALSO HAD TO TAKE CARE OF SOME OTHER ISSUES THAT I HAD WITH TAXES WHICH I WAS BEHIND IN AND A PROBLEM WITH THE TITLE. 
          >> 
          >> THIS HAD A SOLUTION, BUT THE MANAGEMENT DID NOT TO HELP ME, 
          LEAVING ME WITH NO OPTIONS. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THE ONLY OPTION WAS TO VACATE MY HOUSE WITHOUT HAVING A COURT ORDER AND DAYS LATER AFTER VACATING MY HOME, MY HOME WAS DESTROYED BY THE MANAGEMENT LEAVING ME WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE. THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          [03:25:02]
          >> MY NAME IS PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME IN PASADENA. 
          >> 
          >> WE HAVE NEVER SUFFERED SO MANY ABUSES LIKE WE HAVE NOW WITH THE NEW MANAGEMENT AND THE OWNER. 
          >> 
          >> HAVING TO SIGN A NEW LEASE WITHOUT HAVING A CHANCE TO BE IN AGREEMENT WITH IT AND HAVING TO SIGN IT JUST BECAUSE WE ARE 
          IN FEAR OF HAVING TO VACATE. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> HAVING TO REMOVE THE CARPORTS THAT WE MADE FOR VEHICLES WITHOUT CARING HOW MUCH MONEY WE INVESTED IN BUILDING THEM. 
          >> 
          >> MY FAMILY AND I SUFFERED EMOTIONALLY AND PSYCHOLOGICALLY BECAUSE WE HAD TO GET RID OF OUR DOGS BECAUSE OF THEIR BREED, THEY ARE CONSIDERED PART OF THE FAMILY AND YOU HAVE A CERTIFICATE SHOWING THEY ARE OF EMOTIONAL SUPPORT. 
          >> 
          >> UNFORTUNATELY, OTHER RESIDENTS DID NOT HAVE THE LOCK THAT IS BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AS TO GET A CERTIFICATE AND THEY HAD TO GET RID OF THEIR PETS. THANK YOU. 
          >> AURORA HERNANDEZ AND PATRICIA VIEIRA. 
          >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS AURORA HERNANDEZ I HAVE BEEN LIVING 13 YEARS AT THE PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME. 
          >> 
          >> THE MANAGER AND THE OWNER HAD US SIGN MY FAMILY IN ORDER TO VACATE BECAUSE WE DID NOT TURN IN THE TITLE ON TIME FROM 
          THE TRAILER. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> SHE TOLD US SHE WANTED IT QUICKLY BECAUSE IF WE DIDN'T JUST GO TO HAVE THE ORDER TO VACATE FROM OUR TRAILER. 
          >> 
          >> FOR ME AND MY FAMILY THIS HAS BEEN VERY STRESSFUL. IT HAS MADE ME VERY FEARFUL AND I SUFFERED PSYCHOLOGICALLY, THOSE DAYS I WAS UNDER A LOT OF STRESS I WAS NOT ABLE TO SLEEP. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP >> SHE IS VERY RACIST. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> MY NAME IS PATRICIA BEER I LIVE AT THE PASADENA TEXAS PARKVIEW MOBILE HOME PRECINCT 
          2. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> I'M HERE BECAUSE THEY DESTROYED MY TRAILER AND HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A HOME SOMETIMES I SLEEP IN MY CAR, OTHER TIMES I'M AT RISK OF LOSING MY JOB BECAUSE I SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION. I LOST MY PERSONAL BELONGINGS, I HAVE BEEN PAYING ALONE WHICH I GOT TO REPAIR MY TRAILER AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED HELP ANYONE. 
          >> PLEASE LISTEN TO MY SITUATION AND THAT JUSTICE BE DONE BECAUSE OF MY DAMAGES. 
          >> 
          [03:30:01]
          >> I AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND ONLY 
          GIVE ME A MONTH TO VACATE. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THE REASON I WAS NOT ABLE TO VACATE WAS BECAUSE OF A LACK OF FUNDS. 
          >> 
          >> IN ORDER TO MOVE MY TRAILER I NEEDED $4000 AND I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET THE MONEY SO I ENDED UP IN THE STREETS. 
          >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN FROM THE HEARING GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS 
          >> 
          >> I HOPE I DON'T BORE YOU BUT I AM THE MOTHER OF PATRICIA AND 
          WE ARE SAYING THE SAME THING. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO BE ABLE TO HELP BECAUSE HE HAS BEEN LIVING AT THE PARKVIEW 
          MOBILE HOME 17 YEARS. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THEY SENT HER A NOTICE SHE HAD TO VACATE THE LOT IN ONE MONTH SO SHE IS A SINGLE MOTHER AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE THE FUNDS. 
          >> 
          >> IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR HER TO GET $4000 WHICH SHE'S BEING CHARGED TO MOVE HER MOBILE HOME. 
          >> 
          >> FOR THAT REASON THE OWNERS MADE THE DECISION TO DESTROY 
          HER MOBILE HOME. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> NOW MY DAUGHTER HAS NOWHERE TO LIVE AND SHE IS AT THE POINT OF ALMOST LOSING HER JOB 
          >> 
          >> THIS HAS BEEN A RESULT FROM ALL THE STRESS THIS HAS BROUGHT 
          ON. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> ALSO, THEY ASKED HER TO GET RID OF HER PETS AND THE DOG POUND IS FULL OF PETS AT THE MOMENT. THANK YOU. 
          >> REPORTS IN THE MEDIA ABOUT THE DYSFUNCTIONALITY OF THIS BODY AND MY DESIRE TO INTRODUCE YOU TO A PART OF ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER THAT ADDRESSES SMALL BOARDS LIKE THIS ONE WHICH APPEARS IN THIS BOOK IS WHAT BROUGHT ME HERE TODAY. THEN I FOUND YOU OPERATE UNDER ROSENBERG'S RULES. I READ THEM. THEY GIVE DICTATORIAL POWER TO THE CHAIR, CHAOS IS A NATURAL OUTCOME. IT'S NOT JUST YOU, I HAVE WRITTEN ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER FOR KIDS AND BIG KIDS, TEXAS SCHOOLS HAVE ELECTIVE AS CHAIR OF THE COMMUNITY OUTREACH COMMITTEE OF THE UNITARIAN FELLOWSHIP, I BEGAN DISCUSSING THIS WITH THEM. YOU ALL NEED TO GET RID OF ROSENBERG'S RULES. YOU NEED TO COME TO A WORKSHOP THAT I AM GOING TO BE DOING , THAT IS CONTAINED IN THIS HANDOUT OF MATERIALS. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE TO HELP YOU ALL BE IN TOUCH. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS THIS AFTERNOON, ONE OF THE THINGS I'VE NOTICED AND YOU ARE DEALING WITH IS THE STORM DEBRIS LEFT AROUND THE COUNTY. 
          I TALKED WITH TOM A LITTLE BIT AND WE HAVE A NATURE SCAPE AND IN THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AND TAKEN THE LITTER WE HAD GROUNDED UP AND MADE TRAILS AND USED LARGER PIECES FOR BORDER TO TALK WITH SOMEBODY ON YOUR STAFF AND THEY MENTIONED THOSE ARE THINGS YOU ARE LOOKING AT SO WE HAVE A LIVING EXAMPLE WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO SHARE WITH THEM TO SEE HOW WE CAN GET RID OF SOME OF THE STUFF IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY. THANK YOU. 
          THAT'S WHY I CAME DOWN TO TALK. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> WAS YOUR GOVERNMENT IS 
          [03:35:08]
RESPECTABLE, WILL INVADE YOUR RIGHTS SAID BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON. CACTUS JACK DID A RESPECTFUL JOB AS HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER, A MAN OF GREAT CHARACTER HOPEFULLY NAMING A COMMUNITY CENTER AFTER HIM OVER MY CURRENT COMMISSIONERS TO RESPECT CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HOW YOU GOVERN. 
          SUBVERTING THE JOB OF THE ELECTIONS ELECTED TAX ASSESSOR AND COLLECTOR AND PAYING OUTSIDE CONTRACTOR TO RUN IT IS NOT RESPECTABLE, THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR IS IN CHARGE OF VOTER REGISTRATION IN HARRIS COUNTY. THE SAME SCHEME WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE WITH THE RESULTING FRAUDULENT ELECTIONS IS NOT WHAT THIS IS ABOUT? MY FREEDOM IS NOT FOR SALE , STOP TAKING THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS SELLING US OUT BY SELLING THE JOB TO CORRUPT ENTITIES. PLACING OFFICIALS VOTED IN BY HARRIS COUNTY CITIZENS WITH CRONIES IS NOT RIGHT OR RESPECTABLE. 
          >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> 
          >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS 
          >> 
          >> I CAME HERE ON BEHALF OF MY PARENTS WHO LIVE THAT PART 
          MOBILE HOME. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> MY PARENTS MOBILE HOME CAUGHT ON FIRE AND THEY LOST EVERYTHING. 
          >> 
          >> THEY ARE ELDERLY INDIVIDUALS WITH CHRONIC RADICAL HEALTH 
          ISSUES. >> 
          LANGUAGE ] >> THE FIRE COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED OF THE FIRE HYDRANTS HAD WATER IN THEM. 
          >> 
          >> THEY BEEN LIVING THERE 23 YEARS. 
          >> 
          >> LATELY THEY HAVE BEEN LIVING UNDER STRESS. 
          >> 
          >> THE INCREASED RENT, REMOVED THE FENCES. 
          >> 
          >> IN THE FIRE THEY LOST PETS. I ALSO LIVED THERE. 
          >> 
          >> THEY GIVE ME AN ORDER TO VACATE WITHOUT A VALID REASON. 
          >> 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR VALUABLE TIME. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS PARKVIEW MOBILE HOMES IN PASADENA, TEXAS. HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY TERM OF THE CURRENT LANDLORD, LIVING YOUR SEVEN YEARS WITH LIFE-CHANGING IN SECONDS. I WANT TO LIVE IN PEACE WITH NO FEAR, CONSTANTLY SCARED OF GETTING ELECTED HAVING TO DESTROY A HOME FORCING HOMES GET EASTWARD FROM HAVING TO TAKE OFF OUR SHED AND GET BY OURSELVES LOSING MATERIAL TO HELP US STAY SAFE, ALL THE MONEY WE SPENT DESTROYED ON AUGUST 16 MY NEIGHBORS HOUSE CAUGHT FIRE AND THE HOUSE WAS AT RISK. SMOKE ALL OVER THE HOUSE BECAUSE OF THE FIRE HYDRANT DID NOT WORK TO HELP THE FIREFIGHTERS. ONE MANAGEMENT SHOWED UP AND WE ASKED FOR HELP AND SHE SAID GET A BUCKET YOURSELF TO ONE OF MY NEIGHBORS. ALSO ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS HOUSE WAS DESTROYED RESULTING IN DESTROYING A DRIVEWAY PATHWAY FOR VEHICLES, THE MOST UNSANITARY THING IS WE SMELL THE CANAL FROM THE RESTROOM. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> IS THAT ALL SPEAKERS ON 
          PARKVIEW? >> 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. TODAY I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY OF PART TWO IN PASADENA, THEIR SUFFERING FROM THE OPPRESSION ABOUT THE OWNER AND PROPERTY AND MANAGEMENT. 
          EVERY DAY THEY LIVE IN FEAR OF FINDING THEMSELVES WITHOUT A PLACE TO LIVE BECAUSE AT ANY MOMENT SHE CAN DECIDE TO SERVE THEM WITH EVICTION NOTICES TO LATER DESTROY THEIR TRAILERS. 
          SOME OF THE PEOPLE HERE TODAY ARE LEAVING -- LIVING IN THE CARS BECAUSE TRAILERS WERE DESTROYED LAST WEEK , THESE FAMILIES ARE HARD-WORKING FAMILIES WHO HAVE BOUGHT THEIR TRAILERS THE SACRIFICES. IT IS NOT FAIR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 
          [03:40:05]
ALLOWS THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY TO COMMIT THIS INJUSTICE AGAINST THESE FAMILIES. I'M ASKING YOU TO PLEASE HELP US FIND SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM. NO ONE DESERVES TO LIVE IN FEAR, WHERE HUMAN BEINGS AND DESERVE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND DIGNITY. 
          >> THAT IS ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> CHAIR, IF I MAY. 
          >> I WANT TO THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS ON THIS MATTER OF THE MOBILE PARK HOME. 
          >> THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE CITY OF PASADENA. 
          WAITING TO HEAR FROM YOU ALL, I HAVE SHARED THE PHONE NUMBER. 
          HE IS ANXIOUS TO HAVE YOU COME TO CITY HALL IN PASADENA TO HEAR YOUR CONCERNS AND FRUSTRATIONS AS WELL. THIS IS A MATTER HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU ON. 
          IN A GLOBAL LANGUAGE ] >> THANK YOU ALL. THAT IS 111 
          [Departments ( Part 2 of  2 )]
SPEAKERS TODAY. NOW WE MOVE TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. STAFF WILL READ THE CORRECTIONS WITH NO ACTIONS. 
          >> YES COMMISSIONER. ITEM TWO I HAVE TO CORRECT THE SPELLING OF SHEILA. ITEM NUMBER THREE. REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM NUMBER FIVE, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 14. CHANGE $1,047,585 1 MILLION $47,585-$1,047,584. ITEM 24. REMOVE THE WORDING AND POSSIBLE ACTION . ITEM 45, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 80, CHANGE TO 205180163 , 240-503-0117 ITEM 154. ADD LEGISLATIVE PLATFORM AFTER AGENDA. ITEM 174, CHANGE FROM $24,230,610, TO 24,231,000 TO $24,231,087.74. ITEM 199, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 392, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 400 REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 404 REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 419, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 424 REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 429, REQUESTING A CHANGE TO DESCRIPTION. TO READ AFTER HONORING THE FIRST HISPANIC ELECTED TO SERVE AS A MEMBER OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO. ITEM 434 , WE WILL CHANGE THE DESCRIPTION TO READ REQUEST BY OFFICER PURCHASING AGENT THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT TO GIVE DIRECTLY IN THE DECREASED AMOUNT OF $301,604, TO UPDATE THE BUDGET. FOR THE BASIC INCOME PROGRAM , HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY PROSPERITY PROGRAM WITH THE ADMINISTERED FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 10, FOR THE PERIOD OF OCTOBER 10, 2023 THROUGH DECEMBER 31, 2025. 230271 , JUSTIFICATION 0% PARTICIPATION , 0% MINIMAL OF A AVAILABILITY. THE ITEMS THAT I HAVE HERE, FOR DISCUSSION. I HAVE ITEM 11. 24, 40, 171, 199, IT IS A NO ACTION ITEM, BUT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULD STILL LIKE TO DISCUSS ON THAT ITEM. ITEM 235, 246, 285, 301, 318, 
          [03:45:09]
332, 346, 347, 367, 368, 400 HAD ORIGINALLY BEEN REQUESTED TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER WITH 38, BUT 400 IS A NO ACTION ITEM. 
          407, 408, 415, 419, 424, 428, 432 AND 434. 
          >> SO COLLEAGUES, WE HAVE A LIST OF EXECUTIVE SESSION REVIEW ITEMS. IS THERE ANYTHING SOMEONE DOES NOT WANT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? ANY EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM THAT NEEDS TO GO 
          TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> COMMISSIONER I THINK THAT'S THE ONLY ITEM. THAT'S THE ONLY ITEM THAT NEEDS TO GO. 
          >> WHICH ONE IS THAT? >> 405. 
          >> WITH ONLY TAKE 405 TO EXECUTIVE UNLESS SOMEONE HAS AN 
          OBJECTION. >> I'M SORRY. THERE WERE TWO 
          ITEMS. >> YES, ITEM 154 IS, LEGISLATIVE AGENDA THAT HAD BEEN PREVIOUSLY DISTRIBUTED. 
          REQUIRES A MOTION TO MOVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. 
          >> SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER 
          GARCIA MADE THE MOTION. >> ITEM 38. TO APPROVE THE BUDGET TRANSFER AS PRESENTED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF TWO TRANSFERS TO THE TAX OFFICE VOTER REGISTRATION TOTALING 
          300,000. >> SO MOVE. SECOND? MOTION MADE BY ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? ITEM PASSES. OKAY IS THERE ANY OBJECTION TO PLACE THESE OTHER EXECUTIVE ITEMS ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? IS THERE A MOTION FOR CONSENT AGENDA? MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER BRIONES I THINK YOU WANTED YOUR ITEM 347? FIRST. IF YOU DON'T MIND. 
          >> 347 , PLEASE. THIS IS AN ITEM AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL AND THE BOTTOM LINE, PLEASE I WILL ASK FOR MY COLLEAGUE'S SUPPORT FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO WORK WITH A ROBUST GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE 26 FIRE DEPARTMENTS, EIGHT EMS AGENCIES AND RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS SO WE CAN SEE WHAT MAY BE POSSIBLE IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH REGARD TO HAVING AND AUTHORIZING THE SALE OF FIREWORKS . THE REASON I WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO ASSESS THIS IS SEVERAL REASONS. FIRST TWO LEVEL SET IN SEPTEMBER 2023 SO A YEAR AGO THE STATE PASSED HOUSE BILL 608. WHICH MADE A DISCRETIONARY FIREWORK HOLIDAY SO THEY PUT IT ON THE TABLE. IT IS UP TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IN VARIOUS COUNTIES TO DECIDE WHETHER TO AUTHORIZE THE SALE DURING THIS PERIOD I WOULD LIKE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO ASSESS WHAT MAY BE POSSIBLE AND THE REASON I WOULD LIKE FOR THIS TO HAPPEN IS SEVERAL FOLD. ONE IS DIWALI IS THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS WHICH THE VERY NATURE, THE POWER OF LIGHT , GOOD OVER EVIL, THE SYMBOLISM, FIREWORKS FOR CENTURIES HAVE BEEN PART OF THIS CELEBRATION. AS THE REPRESENTATIVE OF PRECINCT 4 WITH THE LARGEST CONCENTRATION OF ASIAN AMERICANS IN THE STATE WE HAVE HEARD FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS THAT THERE IS INTEREST IN BEING ABLE TO PURCHASE AND USE FIREWORKS DURING DIWALI, MOREOVER FROM A LOCAL BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE FOLKS CAN GO TO OTHER COUNTIES THAT ALLOW THIS TO PURCHASE BUT I WOULD RATHER KEEP THE BUSINESS HERE. MICHAEL IS FOR US TO NOT ONLY BE THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY, BUT THE MOST INCLUSIVE SO ADDING DIWALI TO THE LIST OF SALE AND USE WOULD MAKE SURE WE ARE LIVING UP TO THE VALUES OF INCLUSIVITY AND HELPING LOCAL BUSINESS. NOW IT IS NONNEGOTIABLE THAT SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE FACTOR PERIOD. 
          [03:50:02]
WE WANT ALL RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS. CHIEF, I KNOW WE HAVE 26 FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND THE EIGHT EMS AGENCIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HONORING THOSE SO A ROBUST STAKEHOLDERS SO WE CAN SEE WHAT'S POSSIBLE, WHAT THE MANDATE, THE IMPLICATIONS FROM A BUDGETARY STAFFING SAFETY PERSPECTIVE, TWO SAFETY IS NONNEGOTIABLE, BUT I BELIEVE IN HARRIS COUNTY WE CAN BE SAFE AND WE CAN BE INCLUSIVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS SHOWN INCLUSIVITY BY ADDING DIWALI LAST SEPTEMBER SO SEVERAL COUNTIES INCLUDING SOME NEAR THE DALLAS AREA HAVE ADDED DIWALI TO THE PERMISSIBLE PURCHASE AND USE SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR OUR FAMILIES TO CELEBRATE DIWALI IF THEY SO CHOOSE TO BE ABLE TO PURCHASE AND USE, WIN FOR INCLUSIVITY, LOCAL BUSINESS AND SAFETY IS NONNEGOTIABLE, WE NEED STAKEHOLDER INPUT FOR MAKING A DECISION SO MY MOTION WOULD BE TO HAVE THE FIRE MARSHAL CHIEF WORK WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING FIRST RESPONDERS TO ASSESS AND COME UP WITH A PROPOSED PLAN FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. 
          >> I BELIEVE I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION COMMISSIONER. JUST SOME FACTS WANT TO BE SURE WE ARE WEIGHING OUT ALL THE ISSUES. I HAVE RECEIVED A LOT OF INPUT FROM PEOPLE WHO SELL FIREWORKS , THAT'S THE MAJORITY THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN CONTACTING ME. I RECEIVED LITTLE INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY ON THIS IN TERMS OF THE DIWALI COMMUNITY. I FIND THAT INTERESTING, THAT'S JUST A POINT OF REFERENCE , THE OTHER POINT THAT I THINK WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO IS PRECINCT 3 HAS 75% OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA IN HARRIS COUNTY. YOU CANNOT POP FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON, YOU CAN HOWEVER IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY. SO THE MOST IMPACTED PRECINCT IS GOING TO BE THREE. SO I WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL FOR A NUMBER OF WEEKS NOW. SHE HAS BEEN VERY HELPFUL IN VETTING THIS WITH THE OTHER FIRE MARSHALS AND THE OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS. SO I THINK THAT IS IMPORTANT. ANOTHER FACT WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION. JULY 4 FIREWORK SALES ARE IN THE SUMMER, SCHOOL IS NOT IN SESSION. CHRISTMAS IS ANOTHER POINT OF FIREWORKS SALES, SCHOOLS ARE NOT IN SESSION. IF WE DO DIWALI, SCHOOL IS IN SESSION. I THINK THOSE ARE IMPORTANT ISSUES WHEN WE ARE WEIGHING SAFETY AND REVIEWING THE DETAILS. IT IS CERTAINLY NOT MY CONCERN WOULD NOT BE RELATED TO A PARTICULAR HOLIDAY OR NOT. THIS IS NOT, THIS ISN'T MI FOR DIWALI OR OPPOSED . I THINK THE FIRE MARSHALS HAD A WONDERFUL NEXT STEP WHICH WOULD BE THE DIWALI CHAMBER HAD OFFERED TO DO SOME CONTROLLED CELEBRATIONS. AND I THOUGHT THERE WAS A STRONG CONTINGENT AMONGST THE COMMUNITY WHICH I THINK OVER THE COMING DAYS WE NEED TO CONFIRM THAT. IF WE CAN HAVE A CONTROLLED CELEBRATION IN THE SENSE THAT THESE ARE EVENTS I THINK THE DIWALI CHAMBER, AT LEAST THE GROUP THAT MET WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL FOR AN OPTION, I THINK WE NEED TO WEIGHT ALL OF THESE IN TERMS OF WHEN WE GET INPUT FROM UNINCORPORATED AREA IN THE PRECINCT, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE, AS EXPRESSED TO FIRST RESPONDERS , SOME CONCERNS. BUT I WILL SECOND THE MOTION BECAUSE I THINK IT'S WORTHY OF A STUDY. 
          THERE ARE FACTS THERE THAT WE NEED TO CAREFULLY WEIGHT BEFORE 
          REMAKE THE FINAL DECISION. >> I DO APPRECIATE THE MOTION , THANK YOU FOR CONVENING A GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS. I DO RESPECT THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH THE CHIEF ON THIS MATTER. 
          BUT I THINK WE CAN BRING CREATIVE MINDS TOGETHER TO FIGURE OUT A PATH FORWARD . THE DIWALI EVENT IS SPECIAL TO ME 
          [03:55:07]
BECAUSE OF MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE IMMUNITY. SO I WOULD LIKE TO ALLOW THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STAKEHOLDERS TO COME TOGETHER, TO SEE WHAT POSSIBILITIES CAN COME OUT OF THOSE CONVERSATIONS, BUT COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS MOTION FORWARD I WOULD SECOND IT. SECOND THE 
          SECOND. >> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES, SECOND . >> CAN I READ IT BECAUSE THERE 
          WAS SOMETHING WE HAD TO ADD. >> YES. 
          >> BEFORE I READ THIS I'M NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT FOR THE FIRE MARSHAL CHIEF, YOU TALK ABOUT TRUE PUBLIC SERVANT AND THE ESSENCE OF COLLABORATION. YOU INSPIRE US ALL, YOU INSPIRE ME PROFOUNDLY SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU CONVENING LEADERS AND STAKEHOLDERS SO WE CAN GET THE BEST MINDS TO SEE WHAT'S POSSIBLE. THE EXACT LANGUAGE OF THE MOTION IS TO PLEASE DIRECT THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO COLLABORATE WITH RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING FIRST RESPONDERS AND PRESENT AN ITEM TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BY SEPTEMBER 19, 2024 TO POTENTIALLY AUTHORIZE THE SALE OF FIREWORKS PRIOR TO DIWALI IN 
          ACCORDANCE WITH STATUTE. >> MOTION MADE AND SECOND, ALL THOSE , ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ADAM 11 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TEAM READY. ITEM 11 PRECINCT 3. THAT IS COLLEAGUES. 
          >> THANK YOU . >> OPPORTUNITY FOR APPROVAL NO 
          OR DISCUSS IT ? >> AGAIN THE BUDGET IS SHORT, I THINK THIS MIGHT BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SAVE SOME MONEY. 
          WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES AND I SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE ITEM PASSES. IF THE HARRIS CENTER IS READY IS THAT OKAY 
          ARE THEY READY? >> COMMISSIONER I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE OKAY HE IS ON. NEVERMIND. 
          >> KIND OF SMALL ON THIS TV. I CAN SEE ON THE OTHER ONE. GO 
          AHEAD. >> HELLO COMMISSIONER, ADDRESS ME TO SPEAK? OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE, WE HAD ONE SLIDE AND I'M NOT SURE THE 
          SLIDE MADE IT. >> THANK YOU. THIS IS AN UPDATE TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BECAUSE ACTUALLY THIS IS NOT THE CORRECT , BUT IT HAS THE INFORMATION IN IT. THERE WAS THE RESIZING OF THE NONCOMPENSATED CARE POOL BY THE STATE. OF SERVICES REDUCING THE FULL $200 MILLION FOR THE ENTIRE STATE. THE IMPACT TO HARRIS HEALTH HAS BEEN THAT THIS YEAR 24 PROJECTED BOTTOM LINE HAS SHIFTED FROM 5% OR $120 MILLION MARGIN 3.6% OR 88 3.6% OR 88 MILLION OVER MARGINS. AND BASED ON THAT SIZING OF THE POOL WITH THE UNCOMPENSATED CARE YOU'RE NOW PROPOSING 1% OPERATING MARGIN FISCAL YEAR 25. WHICH WOULD BE EQUIVALENT 29.1 MILLION , THAT IS 35.1 MILLION LESS THAN WHAT WE ANTICIPATED PREVIOUS. SO AS OF NOW THE END OF YEAR FISCAL 24 WITH 3.6% MARGIN OR 88 MILLION FISCAL YEAR 25 A 1% MARGIN AND $29.1 MILLION. THAT IS THE UPDATE TO THE PRESENTATION PROVIDED TO THE COURTS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO. HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> AS WE LOOK AT ALL THE BUDGETS WE HAVE GOT A LOT OF INPUT FROM STAKEHOLDERS IN THIS MEETING TODAY. SO, THERE IS A LOT OF COMPETING INTEREST VALUED COMPETING INTEREST, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE , I WILL REFER TO THIS AS THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I THINK 
          [04:00:04]
THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT SHOULD INCLUDE TAKING OVER THE JAIL , HEALTH AND HOSPITAL FACILITIES IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. THAT SHOULD BE A KEY PART OF THIS YEAR'S BUDGET TO TAKE OVER THE HOSPITAL. PART OF MY REASON FOR THE SENSE OF URGENCY IS, UNLESS YOU ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR SOMETHING, IF WE ARE THE BLANK CHECK FOR ANY INCREASE AND ANY ISSUES OVER IN THE JAIL, WE'RE NEVER GOING TO GET TO WHERE WE NEED TO. I AM VERY DISHEARTENED BY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO COME TO THIS COURT EVERY MEETING EXPRESSING THE STORY OF THEM LOSING A LOVED ONE IN THAT JAIL AND THAT IS NOT ALL WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THE HEALTH FACILITY, CERTAINLY YOU ALL TAKING IT OVER IT HAS GOT BETTER, BUT ANY BUDGET REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO THE HEALTH CARE FACILITY, I THINK THE GENERAL BUDGET IN HARRIS COUNTY IS MORE THAN STRESSED AND STRAINED AND WE NEED TO SHARE THE PAIN IF YOU WILL BETWEEN THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND HARRIS COUNTY ON THE BUDGET, RELATED TO THE JAIL. 
          THOSE THIS YEAR THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SHOULD INCLUDE THE HOSPITAL IN THAT ANY BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS AT LEAST FROM 
          WHAT I WOULD SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR BRIEF PRESENTATION. I KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATIONS WITH DANIEL, YOUR RECOMMENDATION IS WHAT AFTER THOSE CONVERSATIONS? 
          >> OUR RECOMMENDATION WAS 23 MILLION MATCHING THE OVERAGE FROM FISCAL YEAR 24 WHICH WE WOULD PAY FISCAL YEAR 25. WE WENT INTO THE SUBJECT MATTER WE PUT THE ITEM ON TO ALLOW FOR COMMISSIONERS TO ASK QUESTIONS OF ME, OF THE DOCTORS OR ANY OTHER BUDGETS WE ARE GOING TO ADOPT. ALSO IF THERE ARE ISSUES YOU NEED FOR THE CODIFICATION WITH IF WE DON'T HAVE ANSWERS TODAY WE CAN TAKE THE FEEDBACK AND PREPARE THEM SCHEDULING BRIEFINGS WITH ALL OF YOU AND NEXT WEEK WE WILL HAVE BUDGET HEARINGS SO THAT WAS THE INTENTION, BUT TO ANSWER YOUR DIRECTLY $23 MILLION MATCHES THE FISCAL YEAR 24 DEFICIT FOR GENERAL MEDICAL. ANYTHING ABOUT THAT IS GOING TO BE A DECISION FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT TO MAKE. 
          >> GOTCHA. WHILE I SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT HARRIS HEALTH SHOULD TAKE OVER THE BUDGET FOR THE JAIL MEDICAL I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING IT CAUTIOUSLY AND CAREFULLY. WE HAVE GOT CREDIT RATINGS ON ALL FRONTS THAT WE HAVE TO BE MINDFUL OF AND AM CONFIDENT THE CONVERSATIONS THE TWO OF YOU HAVE HAD INDICATE THAT 23 IS A RESPONSIBLE NUMBER AND I WOULD BE THE MOTION I WOULD BE SUPPORTING. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR THE DOCTOR AND A QUICK QUESTION FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. 
          AGAIN LEVEL SETTING. JUST SO WE ARE CLEAR WHAT IS THE PROJECTED TOTAL BUDGET FOR JAIL MEDICAL FOR 25? 
          >> 110 MILLION THE BASE BUDGET INCLUDING 10 MILLION FOR THE HARRIS CENTER NOT COVERED NOT UNDER THE DIRECT PURVIEW OF HARRIS HEALTH. THERE IS $23 MILLION FISCAL YEAR 24 WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FISCAL YEAR 25 RECOMMENDATION IS NOT TAKING. 
          ALSO WAS A FOLLOW-UP COMMISSIONER BRIONES YOU MADE THE MOTION LAST TIME TO WORK ON THREE OPTIONS. WE ARE HARD AT WORK ON THAT WE WERE NOT ABLE TO GET THE EXACT NUMBER TODAY SO WE EMAILED YESTERDAY HOPEFULLY LEVELING EXPECTATIONS WE CANNOT ANSWER THE QUESTION, BUT WE MET WITH THE FINANCIAL ADVISORS AND TEAMS THREE TIMES AT THIS POINT TO GET TO HOW MUCH DEBT TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT REASONABLY TAKE ON TO FUND PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE WITHOUT IMPACTING CREDIT RATING AND WE SHOULD HAVE AN ANSWER THIS WEEK OR AT LATEST EARLY 
          NEXT WEEK. >> THANK YOU DIRECTOR AND TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND YOUR BOARD, I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN MEETING AND SPEAKING REGULARLY. BY NEXT QUICK QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY PLEASE. COULD YOU PLEASE UPDATE US ON YOUR DETERMINATION AROUND HARRIS HEALTH BEARING THE COST OF INDIGENT CARE WITHIN THE JAIL AND THE SECOND PIECE DOESN'T REQUIRE HARRIS HEALTH COURT APPROVAL. 
          [04:05:02]
          >> TWO STEP PROCESS ON THE FIRST QUESTION WE DO THINK THERE IS A PATH FORWARD IN ALLOWING HARRIS HEALTH TO ESSENTIALLY USE THE TAX RATE TO SUPPORT IT. THAT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH OUR FOLKS AND BUDGET AND THE HARRIS HEALTH TEAM. AND YES WE DO BELIEVE HARRIS HEALTH , THE BOARD SHOULD BE PART OF THAT PROCESS AND SHOULD GO THROUGH AN APPROVAL PROCESS FOR IT WHICH IS WHY WE THINK IT MAKES SENSE TO DO IT AS PART OF A BROAD INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT. 
          THAT SAID WE MADE QUITE A LOT OF PROGRESS ON THIS AND I THINK WE FEEL PRETTY CONFIDENT THAT THERE IS A PATH FORWARD TO DO WITH THE $23 MILLION ISSUE THIS YEAR AND TO THE POINT A PATH FORWARD IN THE LONG-TERM SO MORE COST CAN BE BORN TO THE 
          PROCESS OF THIS AGREEMENT. >> ELIGIBLE EXPENSES WITH REGARD TO ELIGIBLE EXPENSES I WOULD LOVE TO LEVEL SET CLARITY CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT YOU MEAN? 
          >> THERE IS ESSENTIALLY A BASKET OF THINGS IN WHICH HARRIS HEALTH ESSENTIALLY IS AUTHORIZED OR LEGALLY ALLOWED TO COVER AND THERE ARE SOME, THREE CATEGORIES, YES, MAYBE AND NO. THERE ARE SOME WITH A CONFIDENT WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC. 
          AND SO WE CAN PROVIDE THAT LIST. SO SOME WE CAN TRANSFER OVER, SOME WE CAN'T AND WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER TO GET A LIST. 
          WE SHOULD HAVE THAT WHEN WE SET THE TAX RATE. 
          >> CAN YOU SHARE WITH US PLEASE AND THE PUBLIC IN TERMS OF INDIGENT HEALTHCARE, SO IF SOMEONE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO IS INDIGENT, THE RESPONSIBILITY HARRIS HEALTH HAS TO PROVIDE CARE AND IF THE SAME INDIVIDUAL IS IN JAIL , DOES THAT DUTY AND OBLIGATION CHANGE IN ANY WAY, THEN HOW DOES THAT TIE INTO 
          THIS DISCUSSION? >> IN HARRIS HEALTH FACILITIES THEY BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY, THERE IS NOT ANY QUESTION THERE. THEY BEAR THE RESPONSIBILITY, THE JAIL IS NOT A HARRIS HEALTH FACILITY. IT IS A HARRIS HEALTH FACILITY NOW. 
          THAT QUESTION IS STILL SOMEWHAT MURKY , BUT WE DON'T THINK WE NEED TO GET TO THAT ACTUAL CONCLUSION BECAUSE AS I SAID, WE HAVE A MORE COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIP WITH HARRIS HEALTH WHERE WE WILL DO THIS TO THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WHICH 
          ADDRESSES THE QUESTION. >> FOR A COLLABORATIVE APPROACH , WHERE ONE TEAM, ONE HARRIS COUNTY AND IN TERMS OF LEVEL SETTING, CLARITY OF THE FRAMEWORK IS ALWAYS VERY HELPFUL, SO THANK YOU DIRECTOR AND 
          >> I HAVE A COUPLE QUESTIONS. WHAT'S THE TOTAL COST? 110 IS 
          ELIGIBLE ? >> UNDER 100 MILLION. 
          >> HOW MUCH UNDER? >> THAT'S A QUESTION RETURNED 
          TO WORK OUT. >> THE HARRISON CENTER THE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE. 
          >> WE KNOW IT'S 10 MILLION SO IS THE BALANCE OF THAT WE ARE 
          WORKING TO? >> THE CLOSEST 100 MILLION. 
          >> A LITTLE HARD TO SPECULATE, BUT PROBABLY. 
          >> LET US KNOW WHEN THIS COMES BACK, I KNOW THE FIRST MOTION WAS MADE FOR THIS COST TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. SORRY IT TAKES A WHILE. SEEMS LIKE THAT WAS MADE WHEN JUDGE EMMETT WAS HERE AND I THINK I MADE IT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW HOW LATE? SO WE MAKE THE MOTION AND THIS HAPPENS SOMETIMES . AND IT JUST NEVER HAPPENED SO I WANT TO KNOW HOW LONG WAS IT DELAYED WITH THE TRANSITION IN LEADERSHIP FOR WHATEVER THE REASONS ARE? FROM WHEN THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTED THAT TO HAPPEN, HOW LONG WAS THAT DELAYED? 
          >> I WANT TO GO BACK AND LOOK AND SEE. SEVERAL COURTS AGO. 
          I'M NOT SURE THE EXACT YEAR. I THINK IT IS BEFORE MY TIME BUT I'M HAPPY TO LOOK AND IF NEED BE TALK TO WHO WAS HERE WHEN THAT HAPPENED. I DO KNOW IN 2021 , SINCE 2021 WITH A DOCTOR IN OUR FOLKS WE PUT TOGETHER A INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT CODIFIES. 'S WE ARE SATISFIED WITH THE PROCESS. SO WE WANT TO 
          JUST IMPROVE UPON IT. >> THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE AS THE REQUEST WAS MADE, VOTED ON AND FOR WHATEVER REASON NOT 
          [04:10:03]
SAYING IT WAS GOOD OR BAD THAT IT DID NOT HAPPEN. 
          >> IT DID NOT HAPPEN. >> TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW LONG WAS THE DELAY FOR WHATEVER THE REASONS. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD, I CAN RESEARCH THAT FOR YOUR. 
          >> WE SET THE TAX RATE. UNDER THE LAW HOW HIGH CAN WE GO? A PERSON. BEFORE WE LET THE VOTERS MAKE A DETERMINATION. 
          HOW MUCH CAN WE SET OUR RATE FOR, ABSENT NATIONAL DISASTER? 
          >> 3.5%. >> 3.5% . I WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT IT, LOOK. I MADE A MOTION AND WE CHANGED OUR MIND WHICH I RESPECT, BUT I WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT AND I AM IN A POSITION WHERE SOMEBODY COULD CRITICIZE ME FOR SAYING LET THE VOTERS DECIDE BECAUSE THEY GET TO DECIDE ON ME. I WAS WILLING TO SAY MAKE A PERCENT THAT WE CAN GET THIS YEAR PERMANENT. WE HAVE THE COURT DECIDED NOT TO DO IT. I HAVE NOT SEEN MANY DISCUSSIONS HERE WHERE WE TALK ABOUT SOME BUT NOT MANY WERE REGARD CUTTING STUFF. WHEN I LOOK AT THE BUDGET YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE TOTALITY. I WAS ON THE STATE BUDGET ONE TIME, EVERYBODY LOOKS AT THEIR PIECE OF THE PIE, BUT IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY, HAS NOT HAPPENED IN A LONG TIME, 20 YEARS AGO . I WILL NOT SUPPORT A BUDGET , I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I HOPE IT DOES NOT GET YOU IN TROUBLE ME SAYING I AGREE BUT I WOULD NOT SUPPORT 8% FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT IF THEY DO NOT PICK UP JAIL CARE AND I WAS WILLING TO MAKE A DECISION IF WE DECIDED TO GO THAT ROUTE. WE TO COVER MORE ON THE GENERAL FUND AND THEN COME BACK AND LET US KNOW HOW MANY TIMES HAS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT GIVEN THE HARRIS HEALTH CENTER A 8% 
          INCREASE? DO YOU KNOW ANY? >> NOT DURING MY TENURE. I'M PRETTY SURE FOUR YEARS. MINIMUM. 
          >> THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS THERE'S BEEN NO NEW REVENUE 
          FOR THE LAST TWO BUDGETS. >> LE SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE 
          SEVEN YEARS. >> WE WILL RESEARCH. I DON'T BELIEVE IT'S BEEN QUITE SOME TIME. 
          >> I DON'T THINK SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. SO COME BACK THE THIRD REQUEST, TELL ME OR TELL US BECAUSE I WOULD TRY TO FIGURE OUT IF THERE'S SOMETHING YOU WOULD SUPPORT SINCE I WANT TO DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING TOO TO TAKE THAT $100 MILLION OFF WHAT WOULD THE RATE BE? TO TAKE THAT OFF SO AT SOME POINT IF THE COURT DECIDES TO GO AS THE TAXPAYER TO MAKE A DECISION DO THEY WANT THESE THINGS BEFORE YOU END OF MEETING INDIGENT HEALTHCARE . ON THE COUNTY SIDE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO SO PEOPLE DON'T END UP , THAT'S THE SIDE OF IT EVERY TIME I GO TO TELL ME TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT AND I AM LESS APT TO END UP IN THE HOSPITAL AND HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO IT YET. ON THE PREVENTIVE SIDE THAT'S WHAT WE HAVE TO DO. I JUST WANT TO SAY FOR THE RECORD I WON'T SUPPORT IT SO I HOPE THERE'S NOT A MOTION MADE TODAY BECAUSE I HEAR AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE SAYING THAT WILL SUPPORT IT. 
          >> THIS ITEM IS JUST FOR DISCUSSION. WE WILL HAVE THE ACTION ITEM NOVEMBER 10. SEPTEMBER 10 I'M SORRY. 
          >> THAT'S THE LAST DATE WHEN WE HAVE TO MAKE THE DECISION? I KNOW THAT BOARD HAS TO MAKE THE DECISION AND THIS ONE. SO AT LEAST ONE PERSON I THINK I HEARD TWO ON THE BOARD MAKING 
          THAT DECISION. THANK YOU. >> MAY I? A COUPLE OF COMMENTS. 
          ONE, YOUR REFERENCE TO THE TAX RATE AND THE QUESTION OF HOW OFTEN HAS HARRIS HEALTH RECEIVED THAT RATE, TO MY KNOWLEDGE IT'S BEEN A VERY VERY LONG TIME. THAT COMES IN THE BACKGROUND AS YOU JUST HEARD NO NET REVENUE TAX RATE OVER THE LAST FOUR YEARS, THE RESULT OF WHICH IS THE FACT THAT EVEN THE VA ARE AT THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE TAX RATE THAT THIS COURT CAN IMPROVE, WE ARE LOOKING AT A 1% MARGIN OF $29 MILLION. I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR AND FOR THE COMMENT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE I WANT TO RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE THAT HARRIS HEALTH WILL SOMEHOW BE MORE , TAKE MORE CHARGE OF THE 
          [04:15:03]
QUALITY OF THE CARE INSIDE OF THE JAIL IF THEY PAY FOR IT 
          THAT'S JUST NOT TRUE. >> I WANT TO BE REAL CLEAR. 
          THAT IS NOT WHAT I INFERRED, WHAT I INFERRED WAS ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE BUDGET. IF YOU ARE NOT AMENABLE FOR THE BUDGET AND YOU JUST HAVE TO SEND THE EXTRA BILL OVER HERE, I'M PERFECTLY PLEASED WITH WHAT YOU ALL ARE DOING FROM THE QUALITY OF CARE. 
          SO WE WILL BE VERY CLEAR ON WHAT I SAID AND WHAT I SAID AND WHAT I MEANT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ACCOUNTABILITY FOR THE BUDGET . OKAY I APPRECIATE THAT. I WOULD STILL DISAGREE THAT SOMEHOW IT WOULD BE NOT AS COMMITTED TO CONTROLLING THE BUDGET IF WE WERE PAYING FOR IT OR IF THE COST WAS COMING TO THE GENERAL FUND OF THE COUNTY. REGARDLESS, TO THE COMMENTS BEING MADE ABOUT TWO THINGS, ONE I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THE FACT THAT WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET OFFICE IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO COLLABORATIVELY LOOK AND SEE HOW THIS CAN BE DONE WITHOUT HARMING THE INDIGENT CARE PROGRAM FOR HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM IN THE COUNTY. NUMBER TWO I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR THAT $100 MILLION , I KEEP HEARING , TO TRANSFER THAT IMMEDIATELY TO HARRIS HEALTH TALKING ABOUT $70 MILLION SHORTFALL AND I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR WHAT THAT MEANS, THAT MEANS THAT WE WILL HAVE TO CUT SERVICES. IT WOULD HAVE TO CUT SERVICES OR RISK ACCESS , I DON'T EVEN WANT TO MENTION I WON'T SAY IT, BUT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT REDUCING SERVICES AND THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS TO DECIDE, DO YOU WANT TO REALLY SIGNAL THAT THERE IS A DECISION TO BE MADE TO REDUCE INDIGENT CARE AT HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT IT WILL AMOUNT TO. AND AGAIN AM MORE THAN WILLING TO COLLABORATE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO BE HELPFUL FOR OUR TEAM WE ARE ONE TEAM AND I BELIEVE THAT. BUT THIS CANNOT BE AT THE COST OF THE SERVICES PROVIDING FOR THE INDIGENT OF HARRIS COUNTY NOT TO MENTION THE PROMISES THAT WERE MADE LAST YEAR DURING OUR BOND PROPOSAL WHEN WE MADE A PLEDGE TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS GOING TO CONTRIBUTE $600 MILLION TO FILL THE GAP BETWEEN BORROWING CAPACITY AT $2.5 BILLION AND $3.2 BILLION, THE TRUE COST OF THE FACILITY PLAN INCLUDING THE CREATION OF THE NEW HOSPITAL . THAT $600 MILLION SUPPOSED TO COME FROM $30 MILLION ANNUAL CONTRIBUTION FROM OUR OPERATIONAL COST SAVINGS STARTING THIS YEAR. 
          THIS WILL GO ON TOP OF THE $70 MILLION THAT WE WOULD BE SHORT IF WE WERE TO TAKE ON THE HEALTH BUDGET ALL AT ONCE AND $30 MILLION ANNUALLY FOR THE NEXT 10 YEARS LOSING CAPITAL WHICH WOULD GO OUT THE DOOR. SO I WANT TO BE ON RECORD AND SAY THIS VERY CLEARLY. WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED HERE IS PUTTING IN JEOPARDY WHAT WE HAVE PROMISED THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY WHEN THEY VOTED OVERWHELMINGLY TO SUPPORT OUR 2.5 $2.5 BILLION BOND. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO 
          SPEAK. >> COMMISSIONER UNSER. I APOLOGIZE, A FEW MINUTES PAST OUR 10 MINUTES. 
          >> WE CAN EXTEND TIME. >> MOTION TO EXTEND TIME? 
          >> WILL TAKE A BREAK FIRST. WE WILL DO IT AFTER BREAK. ALL IN FAVOR OF EXTENDING THE TIME? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE 
          BREAK? >> CAN YOU SEE THE TIME FOR THE 
          BREAK? >> 3:44 AND WE 
          >> IT IS NOW 4:02 IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. I WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT I APPRECIATE THE PASSION WITH WHICH YOU ARE MAKING YOUR CASE, BUT ALL OF 
          [04:20:03]
THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO LIVE WITH NO NEW REVENUE FOR A COUPLE OF CYCLES. OF COURSE, ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS DON'T HAVE A SEPARATE BOARD THAT THEY GO TO, BUT THE COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE A NO MONEY COMPLEX BECAUSE THERE WERE A NUMBER OF NATIONALLY DECLARED DISASTERS. WE CAN GO UP TO 8% FOR OUR GENERAL FUND, BUT THAT'S ONLY THIS YEAR. THIS COMING BUDGET. 
          AFTER THAT, WE ARE GOING TO FILL IT EVEN MORE, SO BECAUSE WE ARE FAMILY, ALL DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO MAKE SOME SACRIFICES, BUT I ASSURE YOU, WE ARE GOING TO FILL IT. BUT WE MADE THE DECISION A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO ON WHETHER OR NOT WE GET THE VOTERS THE OPTION OF DECIDING WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD GIVE US ADDITIONAL REVENUE BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT IS THEIR CALL. WE MADE THE DECISION NOT TO DO THAT. OTHER THAN THE EXCEPTION OF FLOOD CONTROL AND ALL THE PEOPLE WHO CAME IN TODAY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT AND VARIOUS ADVOCATES, I DIDN'T WANT TO ANGER THEM, BUT I WAS TEMPTED TO SAY, I MISSED YOU TWO WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THAT WOULD'VE BEEN THE TIME, IF WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY, BUT IT PUTS US IN POSITION WHERE WE ARE JUST MOVING THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE SHIP. AND TO THAT EXTENT, I THINK WE ARE AT LEAST TWO YEARS LATE. MAYBE MORE, WHEN SOMEBODY LOOKS AT THE RECORD. AND SAY, THAT IS NOT ANYBODY'S FAULT, BUT THAT GOT LOST IN FILE 13, WHEN THE REQUEST WAS MADE TO START NEGOTIATIONS TO GET IT DONE. BUT CERTAINLY, FOR MY VOTE -- I DON'T KNOW ABOUT ANYONE ELSE'S -- I WILL NOT VOTE FOR IT UNLESS THAT DECISION IS MADE NOW, AND I'M COGNIZANT OF THE FACT THAT IT TOOK US LONGER TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE WERE PUTTING HEALTH OVER YOUR OPERATION. 
          WAS NOT HERE, BUT I THINK HE WOULD PROBABLY AGREE. WHEN YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE JAIL, BUT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WAS NOT WILLING. ONCE THIS COURT GOT TO THAT CONCLUSION, IT GOT -- TOOK LONGER THAN IT SHOULD'VE TAKEN TO DO IT. I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND WHAT YOU'RE DOING. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS OR 
          COMMENTS? >> SO WE ARE WRAPPING UP OUR COMMENTS. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE DOING? A QUICK COUPLE OF OTHER COMMENTS. AND I TAKE EXCEPTION ON A COUPLE OF THINGS, DOCTOR. 
          BUT I WILL FOLLOW BACK UP WITH YOU DIRECTLY ON THOSE. BUT ON THE BUDGET, ITEMS, I WILL SAY, THE REASON THAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO INCREASE REVENUES THIS YEAR IN THE GENERAL BUDGET TO 8% IS BECAUSE OF THE DISASTER. I WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT WE ARE NOT NECESSARILY PRIORITIZING ADDRESSING THE DISASTER. WHEN YOU LOOK AT ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS AND HOW THEY WERE IMPACTED BY THE DISASTER. NOT JUST THE PICKUP , BUT OUR ROADS, OUR PARKS, OUR FACILITIES -- ALL OF US -- IT ADDS TO THE IMPACT OF THE DISASTER. SO IT JUST SOUNDS A BIT ODD THAT THE REASON WE ARE ALLOWED TO COLLECT ANOTHER 230 MILLION DOLLARS IN REVENUE IS BECAUSE OF THE DISASTER , AND WE SPENT VERY LITTLE OF IT ON THE ACTUAL DISASTER , BUT USE THE MAJORITY OF IT TO PLUG BUDGET HOLES. NOW, THAT'S A DECISION WE ALL MAKE ON HOW TO SPEND THE 230 ADDITIONAL DOLLARS. I'M TALKING ABOUT OVER AND ABOVE THAT REVENUE. 
          INAUDIBLE ] SO I'M JUST SAYING THAT IS AN ISSUE. Y'ALL ARE TIRED OF HEARING MY SAD STORY ABOUT NOT BEING PROPERLY FUNDED ON THE DISASTER. I'M STILL 4 MILLION IN THE HOLE, DIRECTOR, ON THIS DISASTER, AND I FIND THAT ODD THAT I'M 4 MILLION IN THE HOLE, AND THE COUNTY IS COLLECTING 230 MILLION BECAUSE 
          WE HAD A DISASTER. >> COMMISSIONER, ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION. THE EFFORTS BETWEEN THOSE IS 89 MILLION, AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THAT, I DON'T DISAGREE THAT THE PRECINCTS WERE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE RESPONSE, ALONG WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND OEM AND ALL THE OPERATIONAL DEPARTMENTS. THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN DISCUSS THROUGH THE BUDGET HEARINGS, AS WELL, SEPTEMBER 10TH, BUT I THINK THAT IS AN AN AREA WE CAN DISCUSS IT. 
          >> THAT SHOULD BE A POINT OF REVIEW. 
          >> AND ONE OTHER POINT, WE ARE FOR THE FIRST TIME IN MY HISTORY IN HARRIS COUNTY, I BELIEVE A FEW YEARS BEFORE THAT, ACTUALLY RECOMMENDING TO BUDGET A TRANSFER INTO THE 
          [04:25:04]
BANK. AND WE WILL LIKELY BE COMMITTING MORE THAN THAT THROUGHOUT, AS THE PROCESS EVOLVES. WE CAN WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE ON WHAT A PROPOSAL WILL LOOK LIKE AND COME PREPARED ON SEPTEMBER WE WERE ALLOWED TO RAISE THE RATE, WE WILL USE YOUR 90 MILLION. IT'S UNFORTUNATE THAT A GOOD PORTION SHOULD GO IN THE PIT BECAUSE WE WOULDN'T EVEN HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL 89 MILLION, WERE IT NOT FOR THE DISASTER DECLARATION. 
          >> I DON'T DISAGREE. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. 
          >> WE DON'T HAVE THE NUMBER OF DECLARED DISASTERS NEXT YEAR, WE CAN STILL THIS AMOUNTS TO. ANY OTHER COMMENTS? 
          >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> FIRST, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING MY PASSION. I LIKE TO THINK THAT THAT'S THE REASON WHY I WAS BROUGHT INTO THIS JOB . MY PASSION FOR PUBLIC SERVICE AND SPECIFICALLY FOR INDIGENT CARE. AND I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE ONE MORE TIME THAT I AM MORE THAN WILLING AND HAVE BEEN WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, WITH THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT OF BUDGET, AND I AM COMMITTED TO COMMIT -- CONTINUE THAT WORK TO FIND A PATH FORWARD. I JUST WANTED THE COMMISSIONERS TO HEAR THAT VERY 
          CLEARLY. >> THANK YOU. I WAS ELECTED 40 YEARS AGO FOR MY PASSION AND 40 YEARS INTO IT THOUGH SHE AND MY SKILL -- AND SOMETIMES I KNOW, WHEN YOU MATCH THE TWO, I HAVE TO USE MY SKILL SO I CAN ADDRESS SOME OF THE ISSUES I FEEL PASSIONATE ABOUT HERE. THANK YOU. OKAY. WE HAVE ABOUT 
          25 MORE ITEMS. >> JUST FOR THE RECORD, THERE 
          WILL BE NO ACTION. >> NO ACTION. ITEM 40. HR TRANSFORMATION UPDATE. PRESENTATION BREADTH AND 
          DISCUSSION. >> YEAH. JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTS I LOOK AT THE HR DEDICATED -- THERE ARE FIVE NEW POSITIONS BEING CREATED RELATED TO THE TRANSFORMATION , HAVING OPERATED BUSINESS THAT DOES THESE TYPES OF THINGS, CONSULTING BUSINESS, TYPICALLY, YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORKER BEES, AND NOT A LOT OF MANAGERS. I SEE DIRECTOR, AND HR PROJECT MANAGER, A COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER, AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT, AND A GRAPHIC DESIGNER. SO IT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S FOUR MANAGERS , FIVE MINIATURES, AND A WORKER BEE. 
          IF WE NEED HELP DEALING AND SORTING THROUGH ALL OF THE NEW INITIATIVES, YOU COULD PAY THE EQUITY INITIATIVES, AND RETENTION INITIATIVES. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, AS THIS TRANSFORMATION -- HUMAN RESOURCES TRANSFORMATION -- MODERNIZING HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HARRIS COUNTY, I THINK THE OBJECTIVES ARE HIGH MINDED, AND THAT IS GOOD. I'M GLAD WE ARE SHOOTING FOR THE STARS, BUT UNLESS YOU UNDERSTAND THE FOUNDATION , I THINK HARRIS COUNTY AND NOT EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED PRIOR TO 2018 WAS BAD. NOT EVERY POLICY PRIOR TO 2018 WAS BAD. AND MAYBE YOU COULD BUILD ON IT, AND WHAT I'M REFERRING TO , THE HARRIS COUNTY WAS THE PREFERRED GOVERNMENT ENTITY TO WORK AT FOR 40 YEARS. WHEN WAS THAT? IT HAD TO DO SOMEWHAT WITH OUR BENEFITS. AND YET, WHEN WE DID THE INITIAL PAY EQUITY, WE REMOVED -- OR THE SALARY STUDY, WE REMOVED THE BENEFITS, WHICH WAS THE PRIMARY REASON PEOPLE CAME, WHICH WAS THE PRIMARY REASON PEOPLE STAYED. SO I JUST HOPE THAT WE DON'T IGNORE EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENED PRIOR TO 2018 WHEN WE ARE DOING THE TRANSFORMATION . I HOPE WE ARE BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION, NOT BLOWING IT UP, AND CREATING -- CREATING ISSUES. SO CHANGE IS A GOOD THING, BUT IT SHOULD BE BASED ON BUILDING ON OUR STRENGTHS, 
          NOT TEARING IT DOWN. >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO THE PRESENTATION BEFORE WE DO THE RUSSIANS? DID YOU WANT TO 
          COMMENT FIRST? >> I WAS GOING TO ASK INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS TO GIVE US AN OVERVIEW OF THIS TRANSFORMATION PLAN. AND I'M VERY HAPPY THAT LATER IN THIS COURT , THAT WE ARE KICKING OFF OUR PAY EQUITY STUDY AND JUST TO CONFIRM, IT 
          [04:30:07]
IS NOW THIS STUDY WE WILL BE LAUNCHING IS A CONFERENCE OF ANALYSIS THAT INCLUDES BENEFITS. SO I KNOW MANY OF US, INCLUDING MYSELF, WERE PROUD TO WORK AT HARRIS COUNTY, AND WE HAVE SERIOUS GAPS THAT I HAVE SEEN DIRECTLY WITHIN OUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT, SO I WAS ENERGIZED. BY OUR MEETING, AND THE VISION THAT YOU HAVE. AND I THINK IT WOULD BENEFIT ALL OF US, IF WE SEE WHERE WE ARE HEADED, AND HOW WE CAN BEST SUPPORT MAKING SURE WE RECRUIT AND RETAIN THE BEST TALENT, SO THAT WE CAN BEST DELIVER TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> TURN YOUR MIC ON, MISS DOUGLAS. WE CAN SEE YOU, BUT WE CAN'T HEAR YOU YET. CAN YOU HEAR ME? OKAY. 
          >> WE CAN'T HEAR YOU YET, MISS DOUGLAS. AND WHILE SHE IS COMING, ON, I WILL JUST ADD A FEW MORE COMMENTS. THIS PAY EQUITY STUDY FOR ALL OF OUR 19,000 APPROXIMATE HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES -- KNOW THAT ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING OUR LAWN FOR SMITH OFFICERS, ARE PART OF THIS STUDY. THE FIRST TRANCHE WILL BE THOSE WHO MAKE 51,000 AND UNDER. AND THEN IT WILL BE TRANCHE BY TRANCHE. THIS WILL BE A HOLISTIC ANALYSIS OF COMPENSATION, BUT SALARY INCLUDING BENEFITS -- BUT IT'S ALSO GOING TO -- WHEN WE HAVE MULTIPLE CLERK LEVELS, THERE'S GOING TO BE AN ASSESSMENT OF WHAT IT MEANS TO BE AT EACH LEVEL. 
          IS A ROBUST PROCESS, AND THEN THERE WILL BE IMPLEMENTATION. I STAND FIRM, AND I APPRECIATE, DIRECTOR RAMOS, WE HAVE SET ASIDE $50 MILLION, WHICH IN MY BOOK, IS SACRED, SO WHEN WE GET THESE FINDINGS OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, WE HAVE FUNDING TO IMPLEMENT THE ADJUSTMENTS THAT MAY BE NEEDED. SO INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS, IS YOUR MIC WORKING NOW? NO, UNFORTUNATELY 
          NOT. >> SO WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET IT ON, I KNOW THAT WE DID A STUDY FOR PEOPLE AT THE TOP. IN THEIR QUEST WAS MADE FOR THIS ONE A LONG TIME AGO. I THINK I MADE THAT REQUEST BEFORE YOU WERE IN THE POSITION. SO IT'S BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, AND I HOPE WHAT HAS BEEN SET ASIDE IS ENOUGH, BUT IF IT'S NOT, I THINK WE OUGHT TO PRIORITIZE THOSE PEOPLE AT THE BOTTOM, AND AS IT RELATES TO BENEFITS, IF YOU GIVE US A REPORT, EACH TIME'S -- TIME, I BRING TO THE TABLE. THE COURT HAS DECIDED NOT TO DO IT. 
          WE HAVE REDUCED SOMEWHERE, I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IT BACK TO THE TABLE. IT IS WHY I WANTED THE JOB, ON THE COUNTY, WHEN I WAS COMING OUT OF LAW SCHOOL. BACK THEN, YOU WENT TO ONE PLACE AND STATE. OF COURSE, A JOB CAME UP IN WASHINGTON, D.C., SO I DIDN'T COME HERE, BUT I DON'T WANT US TO LOSE 
          SIGHT OF THAT. >> AND I'M INTERESTED , INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS, WHEN YOUR MIC WORKS, AND OF VARIOUS LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE REACHED OUT TO MANY OF US, I'M SURE. PART OF THIS PAY EQUITY WILL BE TO COMPARE SALARIES, FOR EXAMPLE, WITH OTHER AGENCIES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY AND THEN SURROUNDING HARRIS COUNTY. SO THIS IS IN PROGRESS. 
          I KNOW IT IS NEVER AS FAST AS ANYONE WOULD LIKE, BUT I AM SO HAPPY THAT IT IS KICKING OFF, AND THANK YOU, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BARTON FOR PUTTING THIS INTO ACTION. I KNOW WE ARE ALL EAGER TO MAKE SURE WE STAY AS COMPETITIVE AND FAIR AND AS EQUITABLE AS 
          POSSIBLE. >> ANY LUCK ON THE MIC? 
          >> LET'S GO TO 171, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF WE MIGHT. IT IS THE ONE ON CITY OF LAPORTE TO REVISE THE SCOPE OF 
          WORK AND REALLOCATE 415,500. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE -- THE CITY RECEIVED CDBG-DR FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF 3.47 MILLION -- IT WILL BENEFIT RESIDENTS -- 67% ARE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME AND WE ARE BRINGING MUCH-NEEDED AND FOR STRICTER IMPROVEMENTS TO SHOWCASE OUR REVIVED TO THRIVE INITIATIVE. I JUST WANT TO CONTINUOUSLY APPLAUD THE CITIES AND PRECINCT 2 FOR THEIR 
          [04:35:05]
COLLABORATION AND PARTNERSHIP. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THOSE EXAMPLES WHERE WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY OF LAPORTE IN THIS CASE. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THE IMPROVEMENTS WE'RE HELPING TO BRING. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE A MOTION. 
          AYES. NO NAYS. LET'S GO TO THE NEXT ITEM. 
          >> IT'S JUST GOING TO COME BACK AT A FUTURE DATE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, THE REASON WE REQUESTED ACTION WAS, ONE, THIS DIDN'T FOLLOW THE POLICY AROUND THE FISCAL REVIEW FORM. 
          THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY DID NOT SUBMIT A PROPOSAL, WHICH MAKES IT INELIGIBLE FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING. AND WE HAVE A NEW DISTRICT ATTORNEY, WHOEVER THAT IS, STARTING IN JANUARY. FOR THOSE REASONS, WE ARE NOT RECOMMENDING IT, BUT WE ASK FOR NO ACTION BECAUSE IT DID NOT FOLLOW THE FISCAL REVIEW 
          PROCESS. >> SO IT IS TOO LATE TO DO ANYTHING IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET. 
          >> THE COURT CAN ACT TO AMEND THE BUDGET AT ANY POINT. 
          >> SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE BUDGET DISCUSSIONS. I JUST WANT TO TAKE TWO MINUTES AND SAY WHAT THIS IS ABOUT, AND THEN WE CAN MOVE ON. THIS IS A $2.6 MILLION FUNDING REQUEST TO SUPPORT THE PROSECUTIONS RESPONSE BY HPD. HPD HAD THESE CASES FROM 2018 TO 2024. MORE THAN 264,000, INCLUDING 4000 SEXUAL ASSAULT CASES THAT HAVE NEVER BEEN INVESTIGATED. EVERY SINGLE VICTIM AND ALL THE CRIME VICTIMS DESERVE A FULL AND FAIR INFESTATION AND PROSECUTION OF THEIR CASES WHENEVER POSSIBLE. 
          THE INVESTIGATIONS ARE COMPLEX AND REQUIRE PROSECUTORIAL ASSISTANCE AND REVIEWING THE WITNESS INTERVIEWS POINT WORKING WITH LABS , WRITING SEARCH AND ARREST WARRANTS. 
          WITH SUPPORT FROM THE DA -- NECESSARY TO ADDRESS RATE CASES. IT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY IMPACT THE RAPE VICTIMS. THIS IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS. I JUST WANTED TO KNOW THE SENSE OF URGENCY 
          RELATED TO THAT ONE. >> THANK YOU. I LOOK FORWARD TO GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS AND MAKING SURE IT GOES WHERE THEY SAY IT WOULD GO, BECAUSE THAT HAS NOT ALWAYS BEEN THE CASE. I JUST WANT TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF IT COMES BACK, NO STRIKES ON IT. I THINK YOUR 
          MIC -- IS ON, MS. DOUGLAS. >> IT IS. CAN YOU HEAR ME, 
          COMMISSIONERS? >> YES. 
          >> WONDERFUL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME THIS AFTERNOON. I AM EXCITED TO COME AND SHARE WITH YOU AN UPDATE ON ALL THINGS HR TRANSFORMATION. AS YOU ALL ARE AWARE, I PREVIOUSLY SERVED AS THE CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER, AND I'VE RETURNED IN AN INTERIM CAPACITY, HELPING TO ENHANCE THE WORKAROUND HR TRANSFORMATION, AND I'M EXCITED TO SHARE WITH YOU AN UPDATE, AS WELL AS OUR PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE A HUGE SHADOW TO THIS AMAZING CENTRAL FUNCTIONAL HR TEAMS. WE HAVE SUCH A GREAT TEAM. AS I LIKE TO SAY, TINY TEAMS, BUT MIGHTY. AND THEY DO SUCH PHENOMENAL WORK, AND ARE EXTREMELY DEDICATED TO HARRIS COUNTY AND EVERY EMPLOYEE AND EVERY DEPARTMENT, SO I JUST WANTED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEM. ALONG WITH OUR PARTNERS IN THIS WORK. WE CANNOT DO THIS BY OURSELVES. WE ARE NOT DOING THIS BY OURSELVES. WE ARE WORKING IN CONCERT WITH OFFICE OF COUNTY AND MINISTRATION. OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET. UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. HUGE SHOUT OUT TO SHANE AND THE RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM, AND BRIDGET SWEENEY, WHO LEADS OUR FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION TEAM. WE ARE ALL PART OF A VERY COHESIVE TEAM THAT IS WORKING TOWARDS IMPROVING AND MODERNIZING HUMAN RESOURCES AT HARRIS COUNTY. 
          COULD YOU GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE? SO JUST A PAUSE. IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR, COMMISSIONERS, THE COURT APPROVED THE INTERIM CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER. THAT'S ME. THE STATEMENT OF WORK. THERE WERE SOME VERY CLEAR DELIVERABLES OUTLINED OVER THIS YEAR. THIS IS JUST A SNAPSHOT OF THE DELIVERABLES AND WE ARE CURRENTLY ON TASK, PROVIDING OUR YEAR ONE PRIORITIES TODAY TO YOU, AND WE WILL BE BACK TO UPDATE, WITH A LONGER ROADMAP IN NOVEMBER OF THIS YEAR. WE ARE ALSO ON TRACK FOR THE TRANSITION OF RISK MANAGEMENT TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, BEGINNING IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE 
          [04:40:07]
AWARE THAT WE ARE MEETING THE DELIVERABLES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED, AND MEETING YOUR EXPECTATIONS AND THE TIMING AROUND THOSE DELIVERABLES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, THIS IS A LOT OF WORDS. I WILL READ IT TO YOU. WHAT I WILL SAY FOR YOU IS, YOU KNOW, HARRIS COUNTY, AND SPECIFICALLY THIS DEPARTMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY, WAS CREATED IN THE 1970S. THE ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THIS DEPARTMENT WAS TO MANAGE THE LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL COMPLIANCE AROUND HIRING. OVER THE LAST 50 YEARS, THE WORLD HAS EVOLVED. THE WORKFORCE HAS EVOLVED. AND SO, THESE FANTASTIC TEAMS OF HR PROFESSIONALS -- MANY OF WHOM ARE LEGACY HR EMPLOYEES -- HAVE WORKED TIRELESSLY DOING THE WORK OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN THIS ERA AS IT HAS EVOLVED. AND THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY RIGHT NOW TO INTENTIONALLY AND THOUGHTFULLY DESIGN A HUMAN RESOURCES BUSINESS FUNCTION, AND WITH THAT, THE NECESSARY HR INFRASTRUCTURE THAT EVERY ORGANIZATION NEEDS, IN ORDER TO THRIVE AND TO OPERATE AND ENSURE OUTCOMES AND OPERATIONAL DELIVERIES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY, ACROSS THE PROVINCE, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE -- OUR GOAL IS TO PRIORITIZE BUILDING OUT THAT INFRASTRUCTURE. THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT GAPS THAT I KNOW YOU ARE AWARE OF. WE HAVE A HUGE GAP IN TERMS OF HR TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS. WE HAVE A GAP AROUND OUR COMPENSATION STRATEGY OR LACK OF COMPENSATION STRATEGY, AND A TALENT STRATEGY, WHICH WE ARE WORKING ON, AS WE BEGIN TO ENDEAVOR UPON THE COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY STUDY. WE ALSO HAVE REALLY SMALL TEAMS. VERY SMALL TEAMS FOR THE SIZE OF OUR ORGANIZATION. AND THESE TEAMS ARE -- AGAIN, TINY BUT MIGHTY. 
          WE ARE WORKING TO GET THE WORK DONE, BUT AS WE THINK ABOUT TRANSFORMING HUMAN RESOURCES, IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER ALL OF THE RESOURCES. CERTAINLY, POSITIONS AND PEOPLE ARE PART OF THAT, BUT WE ARE ALSO IN NEED OF ADDITIONAL NONLABOR. WE ARE IN NEED OF TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS, AND OF COURSE, THAT REQUIRES LABOR, AS WELL, AGAIN, TO TRANSFORM HARRIS COUNTY'S FUNCTIONS ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO THIS IS A CURRENT STATE. AND WHAT I WILL SHARE WITH YOU IS, OUR CURRENT CHALLENGES -- AND EACH OF OUR VERTICALS -- WE HAVE IDENTIFIED OUR HEADCOUNT. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED OUR WORKLOADS TO PROVIDE YOU WITH SOME CONTEXT IN TERMS OF THE VOLUME OF TRANSACTIONS AND VOLUME OF THE VARIOUS -- ACROSS THE FUNCTIONAL TEAMS, THE VARIOUS WORKLOADS THAT OUR TEAM IS CARRYING. OUR CURRENT CHALLENGES, WE HAVE THE SAME THINGS. -- THEMES. THOSE NAMES ARE WE ARE NOT PROPERLY RESOURCED. NOT ADEQUATELY STAFFED FOR THE DEMAND THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY EXPENSING, AND HONESTLY, HAVE BEEN EXPENSING FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS. THE ADDITIONAL GAP FOR US, AND ALL OF OUR FUNCTIONAL AREAS, IS TECHNOLOGY AND SYSTEMS. AND ALSO, THERE IS A DEMAND FROM DEPARTMENTS, CANDIDLY, WHERE WE ARE HELPING TO TRY AND SUPPORT AND IN MANY INSTANCES, TRIAGE WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL, SO ACROSS ALL OF OUR FUNCTIONS, OBVIOUSLY, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF HR TRANSFORMATION, WE ARE EXPENSING THESE PAIN POINTS, AND THERE ARE VERY VALID REQUESTS, AND VERY VALID NEEDS FOR HUMAN RESOURCES TO OPERATE AT A HIGHER LEVEL AND A BROADER LEVEL. BUT WE ARE VERY MUCH LIMITED BY CAPACITY. FROM BOTH A WORKLOAD PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL AS BROADER RESOURCING PERSPECTIVE. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS MORE AN FYI. THERE IS A BENCHMARK FOR HR, HUMAN RESOURCES, THAT HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS. THAT BENCHMARK IS 1.7. HR STAFF FOR 100 EMPLOYEES. SO WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE ARE 61 POSITIONS ON OUR TEAM AT THIS TIME. THERE ARE SEVEN INFIELDS. THAT INCLUDES THE FOUR POSITIONS THE COURT APPROVED TO SUPPORT THE PAY EQUITY AND COMPENSATION STUDY. AND THEN THERE ARE THREE VACANT POSITIONS WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF FILLING THE EXISTING POSITIONS THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN THE PROCESS OF FILLING AT THIS TIME. BUT IF WE WERE TO LOOK AT HARRIS COUNTY ORGANIZATIONALLY, THE TOTAL HARRIS COUNTY HEADCOUNT AS OF FRIDAY WAS 19,171 EMPLOYEES. AT THAT 1.7 RATIO THAT WOULD PUT US AROUND 326 HR STAFF ACROSS THE ORGANIZATION. I KNOW THAT'S A BIG NUMBER. I WANT TO BE REALLY CLEAR. I RECOGNIZE 
          [04:45:02]
THAT IS A HUGE NUMBER, BUT AS WE LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND LOOK AT LARGE CITIES AND LARGE COUNTIES THAT ARE SIMILAR IN SIZE, THEIR TEAMS ARE WITHIN THIS THRESHOLD. THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS DOWN THE ROAD FROM US. LITERALLY DOWN THE ROAD FROM US, AND THEIR HEADCOUNT IS AROUND 25,000. THEIR HR TEAM IS RIGHT AT 300 PEOPLE, JUST TO PROVIDE SOME CONTEXT IN THAT REGARD. NEXT SLIDE. SO HERE ARE PRIORITIES FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25. SOMEONE IS , AND I JUST WANTED TAKE A MOMENT. WHEN I STEP INTO THIS ROLE IN MAY OF 2021, AT THAT TIME, THERE WAS -- THERE WAS ERIKA'S TEAM, WHICH WAS THE TEAM FOCUSING ON ALL THINGS COMPLIANCE, EMPLOYEE RELATIONS. WE WERE DOING SOME TRAININGS. LIMITED TRAININGS. BUT THERE WAS NOT A TALENT ACQUISITION FUNCTION FOR RECRUITMENT FUNCTION AT THAT TIME. AND ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT THE FORMER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TEST ME WITH WAS PUTTING IN PLACE THE TALENT ACQUISITION TEAM. THAT WAS THE FIRST SIGNIFICANT IN DENVER -- ENDEAVOR THAT WE UNDERTOOK. MYSELF, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ANDREA CAMPBELL SCOTT WHO LEADS OUR ACQUISITION TEAM, WE HURRIED BECAUSE IT WAS A RUSH TO DO IT, AND IDENTIFIED SOME PHENOMENAL STAFF AND PUT THAT SMALL TEAM IN PLACE. THREE SENIOR-LEVEL RECRUITERS AND SOME TALENT ACQUISITION SPECIALISTS TO SUPPORT THE TRANSACTIONAL WORK AND THE MAINTENANCE OF OUR JOB POSTING PROCESS. THE REASON THAT I AM BRINGING THAT UP IS BECAUSE AS IT RELATES TO OUR FIRST OBJECTIVE FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25, WE -- WE DIDN'T TAKE A MOMENT TO REALLY THOUGHTFULLY DESIGN OUR PROCESS, AND ALSO DESIGN HOW WE PARTNER AND WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS. AND SO, FOR THIS YEAR, WE ARE BEING VERY INTENTIONAL ABOUT DEVELOPING A TRAINING PROGRAM THAT CLARIFIES THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES BETWEEN WHAT THE CENTRAL TALENT ACQUISITION TEAM DOES, WHAT IS THE RESPONSIBLE -- RESPONSIBILITY OF HIRING MANAGERS, AS WELL AS, THE RESPONSIBILITY'S AND ROLES OF OUR HR LIAISONS, WHICH ARE CRITICAL PARTNERS IN THE ENDEAVOR OF RECRUITMENT AND HIRING. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ONE, IT'S A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE, AT EVERY LEVEL. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE CANDIDATES HAVE A MORE CONSISTENT EXPERIENCE. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE DEPARTMENTS' NEEDS ARE BEING MET, AND FROM A HIRING MANAGER PERSPECTIVE, WE WANT TO MAKE THE PROCESS AS SIMPLE AND AS WITH GREAT EASE AS POSSIBLE. THAT IS ONE OF OUR SIGNIFICANT ENDEAVORS THAT WE ARE GOING TO INITIATE IN THIS NEXT FISCAL YEAR. RIGHT BEHIND THAT IS THE COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY STUDY. AGAIN, ONE OF THE OUTCOMES OF THAT WILL BE THE ABILITY -- I'M SORRY. ONE OF THE OUTCOMES OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY WILL BE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENT COMPENSATION PRACTICES, STANDARDIZED JOB DESCRIPTIONS, JOB FAMILIES, AND AGAIN, WE ARE GOING TO ENSURE THAT THEY EQUITY GETS ADDRESSED, OR PAY INEQUITY, I'M SORRY, GETS ADDRESSED. THAT WORK. I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT PAY EQUITY QUITE A BIT IN THE MOST RECENT MONTHS. 
          BUT THAT IS ALSO ONE OF OUR BIG ENDEAVORS FOR FISCAL YEAR 24-25. WE ARE OPTIMISTIC, ASSUMING THAT THE CONTRACT FOR COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY IS APPROVED, TODAY WE ARE ALREADY WORKING ON AN EARLY SEPTEMBER KICKOFF, WITH OUR VENDOR GALLAGHER IN THAT REGARD. SO EXCITED FOR THE BEGINNING OF THIS REALLY SIGNIFICANT WORK ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. AGAIN, THIS IS A FIRST IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY. OUR THIRD ENDEAVOR IS A IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR LEARNING MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. 
          AS OF TODAY, THE RFP HAS CLOSED. DEMOS ARE BEING COMPLETED. WE ARE AWAITING OFFERS FROM THE TOP FIVE VENDORS. WE EXPECT TO RECEIVE THOSE BY THE END OF BUSINESS TOMORROW. IT IS A REASONABLE EXPECTATION, COMMISSIONERS, THAT WE WILL, AGAIN, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, HAVE IDENTIFIED OUR TOP VENDOR NEXT WEEK, AND WE HOPE TO BE MOVING TO OUR CONTRACTING IN THE NEXT FEW 
          WEEKS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE GONE 
          PAST 10 MINUTES. >> HOW MUCH MORE DO YOU HAVE? 
          >> THIS IS ACTUALLY -- I HAVE TWO SLIDES. THIS ONE AND THE NEXT ONE. I CAN GO REALLY QUICK IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO. 
          >> WE WILL MAKE A MOTION. 
          AYE. THANK YOU. >> WE ARE PREPARING FOR AN APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM RFP. WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING OUR RENEWALS. NOW WE NEED TO GO TO AND RFP. THAT IS BIG FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, IN TERMS OF OUR 
          [04:50:07]
PRIORITIES IS THE SERVICE DELIVERY DESIGN OF TALENT ACQUISITION. SIMILAR TO MY EARLIER STATEMENT, WE BUILT A TEAM TO HELP COME IN AND TRIAGE AND SUPPORT THE RECRUITMENT WORK, BUT WE HAVEN'T REALLY THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT SERVICE DELIVERY FOR TALENT ACQUISITION LOOKS LIKE. OUR END GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FULL CYCLE RECRUITMENT FUNCTIONALITY, ALTHOUGH IT MAY NOT BE -- ALTHOUGH FULL CYCLE RECRUITMENT MAY NOT NECESSARILY BE NEEDED FOR EVERY VACANCY. 
          ] NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. LAST AND FINALLY, ONE OF THE DELIVERABLES IN THE STATEMENT OF WORK WAS TO PUT IN PLACE A TEAM OF PEOPLE WHO WOULD BE DEDICATED TO TAKING THE LEAD ON HR TRANSFORMATION. IN MY PRIOR SEASON IN THIS ROLE, WE, MYSELF, AND THE FUNCTIONAL HR DIRECTORS, WE TRIED BUILDING THE PLANE AND FIXING THE PLANE ALL AT THE SAME TIME. AND I CAN TELL YOU, COMMISSIONERS, THAT IT JUST DIDN'T WORK, AND IT DOESN'T WORK PARTICULARLY WITH THE WORKLOADS AND THE SIZE OF THESE TEAMS. KNOWING THAT THE TRANSFORMATION OF HUMAN RESOURCES AT HARRIS COUNTY IS A MULTIYEAR ENDEAVOR, HAVING A DEDICATED TEAM WHO CAN PRIORITIZE YOUR PRIORITIES AND THE COUNTY'S PRIORITIES, AND ALSO MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BEING -- THAT WE ARE ACCELERATING TRANSFORMATION -- THAT RESOURCES ARE BEING USED EFFECTIVELY, AND WE HAVE SO MANY BEST PRACTICES IN TERMS OF HR TRANSFORMATION, BOTH IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR AS WELL AS THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AND IN EVERY SCENARIO, THERE HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TEAMS TO ENSURE THE SUCCESS OF TRANSFORMING AND MODERNIZING HUMAN RESOURCES. 
          AND THAT'S MY LAST SLIDE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS OR ADDRESS ANY CONCERNS YOU MAY HAVE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> MS. DOUGLAS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRESENTATION, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PART OF YOUR WORK IS FOCUSED ON COORDINATING, BECAUSE YOUR COMPARISON OF YOUR SIZE VERSUS -- COMPARED TO HARRIS COUNTY'S SIZE AND OTHER COUNTIES -- DOESN'T ACCOUNT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAVE AN HR TEAM, I THINK, ALL COMMISSIONERS HAVE AN HR TEAM. EVERY DEPARTMENT HAS AN HR TEAM. YOU'RE NOT NECESSARILY BY YOURSELF. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PART OF YOUR SCOPE INCLUDES WORKING WITH THE RESPECTIVE HR DEPARTMENTS. 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. WE CONSIDER OUR HR APPEARS TO BE STAKEHOLDERS 
          IN THIS WORK, AS WELL. >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER 
          QUESTIONS OR DISCUSSION? >> ALONG THE SAME LINES, JUST TO BE CLEAR, ARE WE TALKING ABOUT -- YOU GOT MY ATTENTION -- AND THANK YOU, INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS. APPRECIATE THE BRIEFING YOU'VE GIVEN US BEFORE, BUT WHEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO INCREASE BY COMPARISON 270 POSITIONS, THE THING THAT CAME TO MY MIND IS EXACTLY WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA POINTED OUT. IS THIS GOING TO BE A CENTRALIZED HR? ARE WE GOING TO CONTINUE TO FUNCTION LIKE WE HAD TO SOME EXTENT BY EACH OF US HAVING -- AND I THINK DEPARTMENTS HAVE HR -- ARE YOU COUNTING THOSE IN YOUR HEADCOUNT? 
          >> YES. SO A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE, THIS IS NOT A -- I WANT TO BE VERY CLEAR. I'M NOT PROPOSING A CENTRALIZED HR FRAMEWORK. I'M SPEAKING SPECIFICALLY -- THAT DATA IS AROUND THE FUNCTIONAL TEAMS. SO AGAIN, BENEFITS, TALENT ACQUISITION. LEARNING AND DEVELOPMENT, AND WHAT DID I MISS? EMPLOYER RELATIONS AND COMPLIANCE. SO THAT RATIO, THAT BENCHMARK IS BASED OFF OF FUNCTIONAL TEAMS. FUNCTIONAL HR DEPARTMENTS. I AM NOT PROPOSING , NOR AM I SUGGESTING THAT WE CENTRALIZE HUMAN RESOURCES. I AM SIMPLY SAYING THAT ARE FUNCTIONAL HR TEAMS ARE UNDERSTAFFED FOR THE BUSINESS DEMANDS OF THIS ORGANIZATION. WE CONSIDER OUR HR LIAISONS, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, YOU'RE CORRECT. IN YOUR DEPARTMENT'S COMING UP TEAMS. THERE ARE A HANDFUL OF LARGER DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE TEAMS. MOST DEFERMENTS, HOWEVER, HAVE A SINGLE POINT OF CONTACT THAT IS MANAGING HUMAN RESOURCES OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE, OR THE REPETITIVE NATURE OF INAUDIBLE ] . THERE ARE TEAMS. I AGREE WITH YOU. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE PERMITS HAVE SINGLE INDIVIDUALS. AND SO, ARE CENTRAL TEAMS TEND TO GET PULLED IN TO SUPPORT THEM IN AREAS WHERE PERHAPS THEY DON'T HAVE THE SAME SKILL SET OR DIVERSITY OF SKILL SETS AS YOU WOULD HAVE AND OTHER LARGER DEPARTMENTS -- OR HAVE LARGER TEAMS. DID I ANSWER YOUR 
          QUESTION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> YES. THANK YOU. ANY OTHER 
          QUESTIONS? >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS WORK AND HELPING TO DRIVE PROGRESS. AND I ALSO APPRECIATE HOW YOU HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO THE DEPARTMENTS, AND I KNOW OUR PRECINCT 4 TALENT TEAM HAS ENJOYED THE CONVERSATIONS AND WE ARE ALL IN, IN CONTINUING TO 
          [04:55:02]
DRIVE THIS WORK, SO THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> GREAT JOB. I APPRECIATE IT. 
          IT HAS BEEN A LONG TIME COMING, SO WE ARE GLAD YOU'RE GETTING OVER THE FINISH LINE. NEXT, WE HAVE NO OPTION -- ACTION ON. 
          NEXT THIS ITEM 235. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID YOU 
          WANT TO VOTE ON IT? >> YEAH, BUT BEFORE WE VOTE, THERE WAS AN ARTICLE RELATED TO IT . I'M NOT GOING TO GO INTO THE DETAILS, BUT IT GOES INTO THE REASONS THAT I AM NOT SUPPORTING IT . I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T MAKE THE ALL AWARE OF THAT ARTICLE . IT IS NOT GOOD. IN TERMS OF THE IMPLICATIONS AND ISSUES, SO WE CAN VOTE, AND I'M NOT GOING TO VOTE TO PAY CAN HAVE. I WANTED Y'ALL TO BE AWARE OF THE EXTENSIVE ARTICLE THAT THE CHRONICLE WROTE TODAY, SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO INAUDIBLE ] WHICH AFFIRMS THE REASONS I HAVE NOT VOTED FOR 
          IT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO PULL OUT ALL OF THE ITEMS OTHER THAN 
          INAUDIBLE ] . >> ALL IN FAVOR, 220. FOUR 
          AYES. NO NAYS POINT >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. ALL OPPOSED, VOTE NO. OKAY. 
          IS PURCHASING -- ITEM 236 POINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, PEOPLE THAT ONE. THIS IS THE HEART PROGRAM. 
          246. >> YES. AND JUST TO BE CLEAR, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK DWIGHT A QUESTION, PLEASE. SO I KNOW WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT HEART MULTIPLE COURSE. 
          I KNOW SOME OF US ARE COMMITTED TO SAVING HEART. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE NEW RFP FOR A NEW VENDOR, AS WELL AS AN IN-HOUSE TRANSITION, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE HEART EVENTUALLY IN-HOUSE , AND MY DREAM WOULD BE TO HAVE IT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. SO THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, IN TERMS OF THE RFP, DWIGHT, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE TIMELINE, WHEN IT WENT LIVE, WHEN IT CLOSES, AND SOME OF THE MECHANICS, PLEASE, SO WE CAN ALL BE ON THE 
          SAME PAGE. >> SO, YES. THIS ITEM, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR THE LAST MONTH, GETTING ALL THE INPUT FROM THE COURT OFFICES ON WHAT THE REQUIREMENTS WOULD BE WITHIN THIS RFP. IT DID HIT THE STREET I THINK LAST WEEK, AND I BELIEVE IT WILL CLOSE -- I HAVE TO GET THE EXACT DATE. WITHIN 3 TO 4 WEEKS. SO WE ARE LETTING IT RUN FOR 3.5 WEEKS. TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SUBMITTALS WE GET BACK AS FAR AS OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER VENDORS. ONCE IT CLOSES, WE HAVE HAD A COMMITTEE CREATED . WITHIN I THINK SIX INDIVIDUALS, IF NOT FIVE OR SIX INDIVIDUALS. EACH BOARD MEMBER'S OFFICE HAS A LIAISON THAT WILL BE ON THE PANEL, AS FAR AS EVALUATION PANEL. THERE WILL BE NONVOTING MEMBERS, BUT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO OBSERVE THE PROCESS THAT TAKES PLACE. SO, AGAIN, WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTERS OFFICE, PUBLIC HEALTH, HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. COMMUNITY SERVICES DIVISION, AND THERE MAY BE ONE OTHER ONE THAT I CAN RECALL AT THE TOP OF MY HEAD. 
          BUT THIS WOULD BE A VERY OPEN, COLLABORATIVE PROCESS THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE COUNTY STAFF, SO THAT WE WILL HAVE MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE ON THE EVALUATION COMMITTEE. 
          WHAT WE WILL DO IS GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATIONS, HAVE AN INITIAL SCORING, AND THEN WE WILL DO SHORT LIST, AND THEN WE WILL GO BACK TO THAT PROCESS AND GET BEST AND FINAL OFFERS FROM THE ACTUAL FINALIST BEFORE WE MAKE A RECOMMENDATION FOR COURT. BUT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH AGAIN AND GOT INPUT FROM ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS , MEANING ALL COURT MEMBER STAFF. AND I THINK WE HAVE A VERY GOOD SPECIFICATION OUT THERE, AND WE WILL, LIKE I SAID, THEY WILL RUN FOR THREE WEEKS, UNLESS WE HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS, OR ASK FOR ADDITIONAL TIME. OUR INTENTION IS TO CLOSE IT WITHIN FOUR 
          WEEKS. >> THANK YOU, DWIGHT. AND SO THAT'S, IN THE SAFE AND STRENGTH IN HEART, WHENEVER IS THIS NEW RFP FOR A POTENTIAL VENDOR. AND I KNOW WE VOTED ON TWO PIECES OF IT RECENTLY, IS TO BRING THE DATA TRACKING 
          [05:00:04]
IN-HOUSE, IN TERMS OF THE HEART OUTCOMES, SO THE SOFTWARE PIECE, AS WELL AS THEN TRANSITIONING ALSO THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN TERMS OF THE BUILDINGS. SO WOULD SOMEONE FROM PUBLIC HEALTH , DIRECTOR ROBINSON OR SOMEONE ON THE TEAM, PLEASE GIVE US AN UPDATE, AND A RECAP OF THE TIMELINE WITH REGARD TO THAT HYBRID IN-HOUSE TRANSITION. 
          >> DIRECTOR ROBINSON, ARE YOU THERE? ANYBODY FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ONLINE? 
          >> WELL, >> GO AHEAD. 
          >> PARDON ME. SORRY. >> WE WILL GET SOMEONE FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ONLINE POINT COMMISSIONER GARCIA. WE WILL 
          COME BACK. >> DID YOU WANT TO SEASONING 
          US? >> I WAS WAITING TO HEAR. BUT ANYWAY, THE BOTTOM LINE, AT LEAST FROM MY VANTAGE POINT IS, WE NEED THIS DIVERSION OUTLET, SO THAT OUR JAIL STOPS CONTINUING TO BE THE LARGEST MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY, AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN HEART AND IT'S APPLICATION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING PROGRESS ON THESE PARALLEL TRACKS AND WE NEED TO CONTINUE THE SERVICES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO NEEDED AND WE NEED TO STRENGTHEN THEM. 
          THANK YOU, DWIGHT, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS ONE PIECE OF THE AVENUE, AND WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YOU ALL ARE TRYING TO FIND SOME FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, 
          RIGHT? >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK GENERALLY SPEAKING. AND CAN YOU GIVE ME THE BREAKDOWN OF THE SELECTION COMMITTEE, THE VOTING SELECTION COMMITTEE? 
          >> YES SIR, COMMISSIONER. LET ME PULL THAT UP RIGHT QUICK REPRINT I HAVE TO GET THE BREAKDOWN BECAUSE MY STAFF HAD 
          IT LISTED. >> I HAD IT. 
          >> YES SIR. I'M READY FOR YOU NOW, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU ARE 
          READY. >> I'M SORRY? 
          >> GO AHEAD. >> GO AHEAD. 
          >> THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL FROM COMMUNITY HEALTH CHOICE. 
          COMMUNITY SERVICES ARE THEIR NEW NAME. THERE ARE TWO INDIVIDUALS FROM PUBLIC HEALTH. THERE IS ONE INDIVIDUAL FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ONE INDIVIDUAL FROM HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM. AND THEN THERE IS ALSO ONE INDIVIDUAL FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES. AS AN ADVISER, I BELIEVE. AND SO THERE IS ONE, TWO, THREE -- SIX INDIVIDUALS , COMMISSIONERS. THOSE ARE THE 
          VOTING MEMBERS. >> GOTCHA. I WOULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT. NOT SURE IF THERE IS ANY OPPORTUNITY, BUT I WOULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHOULD HAVE 
          AT LEAST TWO VOTES ON THIS. >> THE NUMBERS -- 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THOSE NUMBERS DON'T MATCH THE NUMBERS THAT I HAD. DIRECTOR ROBINSON, I HAD TWO FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. TWO FROM PUBLIC HEALTH. ONE FROM OCA. 
          ONE FROM HARRIS PUBLIC HEALTH. IT WAS SEVEN TOTAL. THAT IS 
          WHAT I HAD LASTLY IN WRITING. >> TWO PUBLIC HEALTH, TWO 
          SHERIFF'S OFFICE, ONE OCA. >> ONE HARRIS HEALTH, AND ONE FOR HCD, HOUSING, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT. THEY MIGHT BE ON 
          AS TECHNICAL ADVISERS. >> CAN YOU SEND THOSE TO ME? 
          >> YEAH. I WILL, DWIGHT. >> WE DON'T HAVE THE LATEST UPDATED LIST. IT WOULD BE NICE IF WE CAN GET THAT IN OUR SYSTEM. AS WELL, COMMISSIONER BRIONES -- BOTH OF THOSE WERE THERE YESTERDAY. THEY ARE IN SOONER THAN I THOUGHT THEY WOULD BE. THEY ALREADY RECEIVED THEM YESTERDAY. WE WILL START 
          THE EVALUATION SOON. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, 
          DEWIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT. I THINK HARRIS CENTER WOULD BRING GREAT INSIGHT TO THESE ISSUES. THEY HAVE DONE SOME GROUNDWORK ON THAT. WHERE THEY EVEN CONSIDERED? 
          >> I'M CONSIDERED IF THEY WEREN'T CONSIDERED AS POSSIBLY BEING A VENDOR AGAIN. THEY SUPPLIED LAST TIME. WE WANT TO 
          MAKE SURE. >> THE OTHER COMMENT -- YES, DWIGHT, DID YOU WANT WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? 
          >> I WANT TO CONFIRM THAT IS THE REASON WE DIDN'T. I THINK THEY'RE INTERESTED IN THE PROJECT. 
          >> THE OTHER THING -- AND I HAVE SAID THIS A COUPLE OF TIMES. 
          [05:05:40]
          >> I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. IT WILL COST MORE MONEY IF WE PUT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. I'M WILLING TO MAKE A CASE FOR THE MONEY. 
          THE MOTION IS MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. I SICKENED IT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE NUMBER THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM IS 285. 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. THIS IS THE GALLAGHER BENEFIT SERVICES. 
          >> YEAH. IF I WOULD, THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. I JUST WANT TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS . BOTH MR. RAMIREZ AND MR. RAMOS, HAS HARRIS COUNTY CONDUCTED A PREVIOUS COMPENSATION AND PAY 
          EQUITY STUDY BEFORE? >> AS FAR AS I'VE HEARD, WE'VE DONE INDIVIDUAL ONCE FOR DEPARTMENTS. AND WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS ONE FOR A DEPARTMENT THAT RELATES TO -- ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY HIRE FOR LIKE POSITIONS, ONE WE HAD A BIG INCREASE IN THE NEED FOR TAS, WE SAW AN INCREASE IN FOLKS LEAVING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND COUNTY ATTORNEY TO WORK THERE. 
          THIS WOULD BE THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE EVER DONE IT HOLISTICALLY SO WE DON'T HAVE THAT INTERNAL MIGRATION. 
          >> GOTCHA. AND WHO CAN CONFIRM WHICH EMPLOYEES WOULD BE THE WAY THAT THIS STUDY -- 
          >> I'M HERE. WHAT'S THE QUESTION AGAIN? IT WOULD YOU 
          MIND REPEATING IT? >> MY QUESTION IS, WHICH EMPLOYEES WITH THE FIRST WAVE OF THE STUDY FOCUS ON AND WILL IT INCLUDE APPOINTED OFFICIALS? 
          >> WE HAVE -- EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE PRIORITIZING OUR EMPLOYEES UNDER 51,000, FOR THE COURT'S 
          REQUEST. >> NO, NO, NO. APPOINTED. 
          APPOINTED. >> APPOINTED. I'M SIR. 
          APPOINTED OFFICIALS WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE STUDY, AS WELL. 
          THEY WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRST TRANCHE OF EMPLOYEES. 
          AGAIN, PRIORITIZING THOSE BELOW 51,000. 
          >> OKAY. >> DID YOU WANT THEM INCLUDED? 
          I'M SORRY. >> I THINK WE HAVE SEVERAL THAT HAVE NOT BEEN -- HAVE NOT HAD ANY PAY RAISES IN QUITE SOME TIME. SO, YEAH, DEFINITELY, I WANT THEM INCLUDED. 
          >> NO, I MEANT IN THE FIRST TRANCHE, IS MY QUESTION. 
          >> YEAH. YEAH. ELECTED OFFICIALS, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY PAY RAISES. AND THEN THE OTHER QUESTION IS ONCE THE COUNTY HAS RECEIVED THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE POTENTIAL TIMELINE AND ANY CHALLENGES YOU MIGHT BE 
          ANTICIPATING. >> ABSOLUTELY. OUR INTENTION IS IN OUR KICKOFF MEETING, WHEN WE ARE GOING TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN IN TERMS OF THE QUARTER, WE WILL RECEIVE A COPY OF THAT AND BE ABLE TO WEIGH IN ON THAT, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, AS WE GO THROUGH THE STUDY ITSELF, BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROPOSITIONS THAT WE ARE DOING, WE'LL BE PROVIDING INTERIM UPDATES. AND ALSO, RECOMMENDATIONS IN SOME INSTANCES. OBVIOUSLY, WE WILL BE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH DANIEL AND HIS OFFICE, AS WELL, BUT THIS WILL BE AN ENDEAVOR THAT THERE WILL BE REGULAR UPDATES AS WE PROGRESS THROUGH THE STUDY. 
          >> GOTCHA. >> SORRY. IF I COULD JUMP IN REALLY QUICKLY. ALSO, DEPARTMENTS WILL HAVE A KEY ROLE , AND THAT MANAGERS, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE GET QUALITY JOB DESCRIPTIONS. WE HAD QUALITY DUTIES SO WE CAN PLACE PEOPLE APPROPRIATELY SO THAT THEIR WORST -- SO THAT THEIR COMPENSATION WILL MIRROR THEIR 
          [05:10:04]
RESPONSIBILITY'S. WE ARE GOING AS FAR AS TO SHADOW FOLKS IN JOBS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A FULL UNDERSTANDING OF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN PLACE THEM AND COMPENSATE THEM APPROPRIATELY. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT WE DID A COMPENSATION STUDY FOR 
          DIFFERENT HEADS. >> NOT APPOINTED OFFICIALS. 
          >> CORRECT. THAT WAS FOR -- >> WAS THE LAST TIME YOU GOT A PAY RAISE? 
          >> A COUPLE YEARS AGO. 
          >> BUT NO PAY RAISE. CAN YOU GIVE A 5, 10 FINGER -- HOW LONG 
          HAS IT BEEN? >> USE THE TOES. 
          >> JUST KIDDING. >> YEAH. 
          >> YOU FOR YOUR WORK, HENRY, BY THE WAY. 
          >> I THINK SHE WAS GOING TO SAY SOMETHING. 
          >> I WAIT UNTIL YOU ARE FINISHED. IT IS ABOUT THE APPOINTED 
          >> AND THEN IN TERMS OF CHALLENGES, I KNOW THAT SOME OF THE REASONING BEHIND THE WEIGHT YOU ARE GOING ABOUT IT IS TO NOT HAVE COMPRESSION . BUT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE COMPRESSION REGARDLESS. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I WISH WE HAD JUST BEEN VERY THOUGHTFUL OF THIS BEFORE WE PUT DIRECTORS THROUGH THE CORN FAIR STUDY. I THINK IF ONE OFFICIAL SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THE CORN FAIR STUDY, I DO RESPECT -- MAKING SURE WE ARE TAKING CARE OF OUR EMPLOYEES, BUT IT JUST -- I JUST WANT TO SAY TO DIRECTORS, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK. I JUST WISH WE HAD MOVED ON THE CORN FAIR STUDY BECAUSE THE DIRECTORS WILL ALWAYS BE DOING MORE WITH LESS, AND I DON'T, YOU KNOW, SO I JUST WANT TO SAY MY PIECE BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE APPOINTED OFFICIALS ARE BEING TAKEN CARE OF. AND SECONDLY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DEAL WITH THE COMPRESSION AT SOME POINT BECAUSE AS SOON AS WE DO THIS TRANCHE, WE ARE GOING TO BE HEARING ABOUT THE COMPRESSION, SO, THAT IS MY PIECE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMOS. 
          SENTIMENT AND I HAVE A PROPOSED IDEA FOR THE TEAM'S CONSIDERATION. SO MY HEART IS WITH THE FIRST TRANCHE. WE SHOULD BE LASER FOCUSED AND HAVE GALLAGHER TO THE EXTENT THIS HOPEFULLY PASSES IN A SECOND, HAVE THEM LASER FOCUSED AND MOVING AS AGGRESSIVELY AS POSSIBLE THROUGH EACH TRANCHE. 
          RIGHT. THERE IS NO MORE TIME FOR DELAY. THIS IS ALMOST A YEAR IN THE MAKING. WE NEED TO GET STARTED. WE NEED TO ACT, BUT IT IS A BOTH AND, THE WAY I SEE IT. WE HAVE CORN VERY FOR THE DIFFERENT HEADS, BUT WE LEFT OUT THIS GROUP WHICH INCLUDES JUVENILE PROBATION. THANK YOU, DIRECTOR GONZALES, FOR YOUR SERVICE, PURCHASING. THANK YOU, DWIGHT, FOR YOUR SERVICE, PUBLIC DEFENDER. SO I HAVE BEEN THINKING A LOT ABOUT -- THERE IS OEM AND OTHERS. I HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT A LOT LATELY BECAUSE WE ARE HOPEFULLY ABOUT TO LAUNCH A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR NEW PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND MY DEEPEST GRATITUDE TO ALEX FOR ALL OF HIS YEARS OF SERVICE, BUT AS WE LAUNCH THIS NEW POSITION AND AS THE PURCHASING ROLE WE HEARD THAT DWIGHT WILL BE RETIRING SOON. THANK YOU AGAIN, DWIGHT, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IS ALIGNED WITH THE MARKET, SO I BELIEVE -- CORRECT ME, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ -- CORN VERY IS STILL UNDER CONTRACT. 
          RIGHT, ON CALL. ON CONTRACT. >> COMMISSIONER. 
          >> MOTION TO GO BEYOND THE 10 MINUTES. 
          >> ACTUALLY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- THIS SPECIFIC ITEM IS RELATED TO APPROVAL OF THE GALLAGHER BENEFITS SERVICE. I RESPECT THIS IS A BROADER CONVERSATION THAT'S BEING HAD ABOUT THE STUDIES AND THE LIKE. I THINK IF WE CAN CONFINE IT TO JUST THE GALLAGHER ITEM FOR THE NEXT MEETING -- WE CAN 
          CERTAINLY PUT THAT ON. >> IF WE CAN PUT IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA HOW CORN VERY COULD POTENTIALLY FILL THAT GAP, COUNTY OF MASHINTER, I.E., FOR THE APPOINTED, AND THEN IT IS BOTH AND, BUT GOING BACK TO THE EXACT ITEM, THANK YOU TO OUR WONDERFUL COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I WOULD MOVE IT AS 
          PRESENTED. >> SECOND. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FIRST. I'M SORRY. 
          >> JUST A QUICK COMMENT. WE CAN VOTE. TO EVALUATE POSITIONS IN VERY DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. VERY DIFFERENT AREAS IS GOING TO BE AN INTERESTING EXERCISE, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT GALLAGHER COMES TO. HAVING DONE THIS -- I STARTED TO SAY THE REAL WORLD -- BUT HAVING DONE THIS A BIT IN TERMS OF TRYING TO DETERMINE WHERE ALL OF THESE SLOT AND OR NOT, I THINK IT IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE, BUT SO BE IT. 
          [05:15:07]
          >> BEFORE WE VOTE, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THE ITEM FOR THE FOLKS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE SKILL WAS ON THE AGENDA LONG BEFORE THE ITEM WAS ON THE AGENDA FOR THE TOLL ROLE AUTHORITY OR ANY DEPARTMENT HEADS. SO IT IS ABOUT TIME WE DO IT, BUT IT WILL COME BEFORE ANY OF THESE DISCUSSIONS. 
          >> WE SHOULD -- MY POINT IS WE SHOULD'VE GOT THAT DONE BEFORE WE PUT DIRECTORS THROUGH THAT CORN VERY STUDY. WE SHOULD'VE KNOWN WE HAD THIS PENDING. WE SHOULD'VE GOT THIS DONE IS MY POINT. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT WE WOULD PUT OUR DIRECTORS, MUCH LESS OUR APPOINTED OFFICIALS THROUGH A WHOLE CONVERSATION, AND THEN STOP THAT, SO THAT WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THESE EMPLOYEES WHO DO NEED TO BE TAKEN CARE OF, BUT MY FRUSTRATION IS, WE KNEW THIS WAS OUT THERE IN THE CYBER WORLD. NOBODY REMINDED US IT IS PENDING THEN WE STOPPED CONSIDERATION FROM OUR DIRECTORS, AND MY OTHER POINT IS THAT THE COMPRESSION ISSUE , WHETHER WE START AT THE BOTTOM OR START AT THE END -- 
          >> WE HAVE A 10 MINUTE LIMIT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, VOTE AYE. 
          IT PASSES. GO AHEAD. >> THE COMPRESSION IS GOING TO BE THERE REGARDLESS. WE NEED TO RESOLVE IT. 
          >> MY LAST COMMENT IS, THANK YOU AGAIN, INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS. MY FRUSTRATION IS HOW LONG THIS IS TAKING. I KNOW IT WAS OCTOBER 2023 THAT THE ARPA MONEY WAS PASSED. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TIGHTLY MANAGING AND MOVING FORWARD WITH GREAT PURPOSE. AND GREAT EXCELLENCE, SO THAT WE CAN TAKE ACTION TO REALLY TRY THESE EQUITY RELATED CHANGES FOR ALL TEAM MEMBERS. SO THANK YOU, AND -- 
          >> BEFORE WE VOTE, JUST REMEMBER, 5:00 P.M., I MADE THE COMMENT ABOUT THEM -- OF THE NOTE WHEN HE COMPLEX. IT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE. THE DECISION WAS MADE ON THE GENERAL FUNDS. YET TO MAKE SURE YOU COME UP WITH EXTRA MONEY. 
          INAUDIBLE ] >> ARE WE GOING TO STOP THIS 
          STUDY? >> THAT MONEY IS IN THE BUDGET. 
          I HEARD. >> IT WAS ARPA FUNDED, AND THE 50 MILLION IS SACRED, SET ASIDE TO IMPLEMENT THESE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT HAS BEEN ACCOUNTED FOR IN THE PROPOSED 
          BUDGET. ADDITIONAL POINT >> THAT IS GOING TO COST 
          ADDITIONAL MONEY. OKAY. >> SO THANK YOU. SO MOVED. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. 
          >> AYE. ALL OPPOSED, SAY NO. THREE YES, ONE NO. THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT, ITEM 301. DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THAT? 
          >> YEAH. JUST VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA SICKENS IT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. ALL OPPOSED, SAY NO. DID I SAY 318 
          A MINUTE AGO? >> NO, JUDGE -- COMMISSIONER. 
          WE ALSO NEED TO 85. I'M SORRY. 301. I'M SORRY. WE DIDN'T SAY 
          >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO VOTE NO ON THAT ONE OR NOT. 
          >> 318 IS MINE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FEW COMMENTS. 
          >> LET'S GO BACK. >> SO THIS LAST MOTION WAS FOR 
          301. >> THE VOTE WAS --'S COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> SO 318 IS SOMETHING I'M EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT AND GRATEFUL FOR. AND I WANT TO THANK MANY MEMBERS OF MY TEAM, ESPECIALLY TREVOR NUNNALLY FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN, BUT 318 IS TO EXECUTE AND AGREEMENT TO FORMALIZE THE PARTNERSHIP WITH BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND WHAT THIS WILL DO IS, THIS WILL CREATE A HEALTH CLINIC FOR OUR YOUTH, AGES 13 TO 24 AT BAIDLAND COMMUNITY CENTER , WHICH IS IN THE HEART OF SHARPS TOWN, NEAR GULF 10, AND BAYLOR HAS THIS PARTNERSHIP THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN VARIOUS PRECINCTS. AS Y'ALL KNOW, AT HIGH SCHOOLS, SO THEY WANT TO EXPAND THIS SERVICE, PRECINCT 4, AND SOME GRANT FUNDING. WE ARE INVESTING FOR YEAR ONE, BUT IN FUTURE YEARS, THIS WOULD BE OF NO FUTURE COST THE COUNTY. BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE WILL SUSTAIN IT, AND I, AS A PROUD MOTHER OF A TEENAGER, BUT MORE, AS A FORMER HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, TO BE ABLE TO -- THIS NO-COST CARE AT THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT BAYLOR COLLEGE 
          [05:20:02]
OF MEDICINE WILL DELIVER IT, IN OUR COMMUNITY, JUST BRINGING HIGH QUALITY CARE , OPENING THAT ACCESS, IN OUR COMMUNITY CENTER, IT ENERGIZES ME, AND IT REMINDS ME OF THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIPS. RIGHT, AND SO I THINK THE BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE FOR BEING SUCH A STRONG PARTNER THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY, AND NOW BEING WILLING TO EXPAND THIS TO BAYLOR . BAYLOR SERVICES OF BAIDLAND COMMUNITY CENTER. AND AGAIN, TREVOR, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU ALL OF THE TEAM AND OTHERS FOR MAKING THIS HAPPEN. I CANNOT WAIT. I JUST -- THIS IS WHAT IT IS ABOUT. WE INVITE OTHER POTENTIAL COLLABORATIONS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL -- WE CAN GET SO MUCH MORE DONE IF WE 
          DO TOGETHER. >> I SECOND THAT MOTION. 
          BAIDLAND USED TO BE IN PRECINCT 3 BACK IN 38, BUT, I WOULD SAY THIS ABOUT BAIDLAND. IT IS THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE FOR A LOT OF THINGS. AND YOU GO THERE ON ANY SATURDAY AND YOU WANT TO GET INTO FOOTBALL GAMES OR GET INTO ANY YOUTH ACTIVITY, HAVING A CLINIC FOR THAT BRACKETED AGE GROUP IS PERFECT. I AM PLEASED 
          TO SECOND THAT. >> I WANT TO SECOND THE SECOND BECAUSE, A COUPLE OF THINGS. , ONE, RICHARD KENDALL STARTED HIS PARKS CAREER I THINK AT BAYLAND, AND THEN, WHEN I WAS THE DIRECTOR OF THE OFFICE, ONE OF OUR FIRST MAJOR YOUTH INITIATIVES, WAS AT BAYLOR. AND WE WORKED HARD TO FOCUS ON ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE FOR THEM. IN THE PARK. WE DIDN'T QUITE GET THERE BECAUSE THE LEADERSHIP AT BAYLOR THAT WE HAVE THERE TODAY. I COMMEND YOU FOR SEEING THIS THROUGH AND MAKING IT HAPPEN. 
          >> I SECOND THE SECOND. >> I'M REALLY EXCITED. IT OPENS THIS FALL AND WHAT I REALLY LOVE IS IT WILL HAVE MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AS WELL AS PHYSICALS, IMMUNIZATION, REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH SERVICES, A VERY ROBUST MULTIFACETED PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH, AND IT WILL BE FREE FOR OUR YOUTH. 
          I'M SO THANKFUL TO PRECINCT 14 AND TWO BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE, AND WE JUST LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO BUILD 
          ON THIS. SO. >> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. SECONDED BY HAVE A SIMPLE AMENDMENT ON. 332. I WILL JUST READ IT. DID 
          YOU GET IT? >> I JUST WANTED TO VERIFY. AM I GOING TO SECOND ALL THREE OF YOU? OR IS IT GOING TO BE SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. DID YOU SHOW ALL THREE? I WAS TRYING TO MOVE US ALONG. NEXT IS ITEM 332. HERE IS THE MOTION I'M GOING TO PROPOSE. THIS IS THE TRAFFIC MEASURE. I MOVED TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO RETURN TO COURT ON SEPTEMBER 10TH, 2024, WITH A PROPOSAL FOR AN ANNUAL FUND FOR TRAFFIC PROJECTS. THE PROJECT SHOULD BE PRORATED FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024, AND REPLENISHED WITH EACH FISCAL YEAR. LIGHTED EQUALLY AMONG THE PRECINCTS DEDICATED TO FUNDING THE STUDY AND IMPLEMENTATION OF PROPOSED PROJECTS, INCLUDING PROJECT SETTLEMENT, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION EXPENSES, AND I MOVED TO SET THE EFFECTIVE DATE FOR THE TRAFFIC FUND FOR SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2024. FOLLOWING APPROVAL OF A FUNDING SOURCE. 
          >> QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. >> YES. 
          >> IF WE SET UP THIS DEDICATED FUND FOR TRAFFIC -- ARE YOU CREATING NEW FUNDS? WE HAVE A LOT OF BUCKETS THAT WE DEDICATE TO -- WE TRY -- WE REALLY DO -- ADHERE TO THOSE BUCKETS BASED ON WHERE WE SPENT THE MONEY. SO WE CREATE ANOTHER BUCKET THAT WE NEED TO PAY ATTENTION TO . IS THAT? 
          >> YES. IN OUR THIS CAME UP, WHEN HE PUT THE POLICY ON THE AGENDA -- 
          INAUDIBLE ] >> I DID. 
          >> OH, YOU DID. I SUGGEST IF IT IS LEGAL TO DO IT FROM A TOLL ROAD, BUT I LET THEM COME BACK AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT. I DON'T WANT TO JUST PASS IT AND NOT PAY FOR IT. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, WE WILL DO THE RESEARCH, BUT JUST FOR CONTEXT, ON THE MOBILITY FUND COME THE PROCESS THAT WE GO THROUGH, EVERY YEAR, WE MEET, IN THE JUNE -ISH TIME TO LOOK AT FINANCIALS, LOOK AT WHAT THE PROJECTED REVENUE IS FOR NEXT YEAR, PROJECTED EXPENSES, AND THEN WE MAKE A RECOMMENDATION OR TRANSFER OUT TO MAINTAIN -- MAINTENANT 730 DAYS OF CASH ON 
          [05:25:03]
HAND. WE HAVE REALLY GOTTEN PRETTY CLOSE TO THAT 730 DAYS. 
          NOW, JUST BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT THAT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED OUT OF THE LAST FEW YEARS. SO I CAN'T PROMISE THAT WE ARE GOING TO COME UP WITH A FUNDING SOURCE. WE CAN CERTAINLY LAY OUT ALL THE FUNDING SOURCES THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE THAT COULD BE REDIRECTED TO THIS PROGRAM, BUT I JUST WANT TO SET EXPECTATIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN VERY -- AND DIRECTOR TREVINO IF YOU'RE ON AND WANT TO COMMENT, WE HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE ABOUT SCRAPING CLEAN ALL OF -- AFTER HECTOR'S EXPENSES, AND THAT BASED ON OUR REVENUE PROJECTIONS, EVERY THING ELSE IS GOING OVER TO THE PRECINCT. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I DIDN'T WANT US TO JUST PASS A POLICY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHEN YOU CAME UP WITH IT. WE COULD DO IT UP -- ON HER OWN. AND NOT HAVE A POLICY IF WE DIDN'T WANT TO, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GO PAST A MANDATE IF WE DON'T HAVE THE FUNDING FOR IT, BUT GENTRY, DO YOU HAVE SOME COMMENT ON THIS? 
          >> JUST A QUICK COMMENT. AND DANIEL BROUGHT IT UP, RELATED TO THE CONVERSATIONS THAT GO ON BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY, SOME HEALTHY CONVERSATIONS ON WHAT THE TRANSFERS SHOULD BE, CAN BE, COULDN'T BE. I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD GOING FORWARD, IN THE NEXT BUDGET YEAR, THAT DIRECTOR RAMOS AND DIRECTOR TREVINO, AND MAKE A BRIEF -- NO POWER POINTS -- PRESENTATION TO COURT IN TERMS OF DIRECTOR TREVINO SAYING WE HAD A YEAR, AND THIS IS WHAT WE GOT. YOU'VE GOT A GREAT HANDLE ON THE BUDGET SIDE, BUT SEEING THE TWO OF YOU COME HERE AND SAYING THIS IS, THIS IS PRUDENT BECAUSE HERE IS MY $64 QUESTION TO YOU GOING FORWARD FOR THIS BUDGET. DO YOU BELIEVE THAT GOING FORWARD, THAT FIVE YEARS, AND THAT'S PROBABLY THE MOST YOU CAN LOOK IN THE FUTURE , THERE WILL BE ADEQUATE FUNDS TO TRANSFER OVER TO EACH -- LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN DOING. IT IS VARIED. IT'S INCREASED. AND THAT IS GOOD. BUT I'M JUST AS INTERESTED IN SUSTAINING THAT TRANSFER , AS I AM, THE AMOUNT OF THE TRANSFER. BECAUSE IF WE EVER GET TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS NO DOLLARS THERE, WE ARE ALL IN TROUBLE AND TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THE ROADS AND MAINTENANCE AND OTHER ISSUES. 
          IT WOULD BE, JUST AS A MATTER OF COMFORT LEVEL ON THIS END, BECAUSE WE SO GREATLY DEPEND ON THOSE DOLLARS COMING OUT OF THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY TO MAINTAIN WHAT WE'VE GOT, HAVING IT MORE OF A PRESENTATION, BRIEF PRESENTATION, WITH BOTH OF YOU, COULD THAT BE GOING FORWARD THAT YOU FEEL GOOD FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS? 
          >> SO WE DO PROJECT AT FIVE YEARS. I CAN'T PUT MY HAND ON A BIBLE AND SAY FOR CERTAIN, GIVEN THE VOLATILITY. WE RUN A STRONG TOLLROAD UNDER DIRECTOR TREVINO'S LEADERSHIP. I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE -- BUT AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE. AT THIS POINT LAST YEAR, WHAT WE RECOMMEND IN THE TRANSFER, HE SAID, HEY, GUYS, WE HAVE 40 MILLION HERE, WHICH WE DON'T THINK WE CAN SUSTAIN. THIS YEAR, WE WEREN'T ABLE TO SUSTAIN IT WHEN WE LOOK AT ALL THE FINANCIAL INFORMATION, BUT I THINK WE CAN GO AND LOOK AT IT OVER FIVE YEARS, WHETHER IT IS GOING TO BE A DEFINITIVE YES OR NO. 
          >> I THINK WE TRANSFERRED OVER AND ABOVE THE 
          >> THAT'S RIGHT. DESPITE THAT IS A BIG NUMBER. I'M SAYING THAT MAYBE THE RIGHT NUMBER, BUT I WANT TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE SURE THAT WE ARE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING OURSELVES IN A POSITION OF, IN YEAR THREE, THERE'S NOTHING TO DRAW FROM. 
          >> IF THAT WERE TO BE THE CASE, WE WOULD REPORT MUCH EARLIER AND TRY TO SMOOTH IT OUT AS MUCH AS WE CAN. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> AND I LIKE THAT RECOMMENDATION TO HAVE A JOINT PRESENTATION. 
          >> IT IS PART OF THE BIGGER IDEA. I CHATTED WITH HIM THE OTHER DAY. AND THAT IS A MUCH LARGER PRICE TAG. AND I JUST WANT TO MENTION TWO LITTLE FACTOIDS. OUR REGION HAS THE UNFORTUNATE DISTENTION OF RANKING NATIONALLY IS ONE OF THE TOP 10 COUNTIES FOR FATAL CRASHES, AS AN EXAMPLE. HOUSTON HAS ROUGHLY THE SAME NUMBER OF PEDESTRIAN DEATHS PER YEAR AS NEW YORK CITY. EVEN THOUGH HOUSTON'S POPULATION -- JUST 
          [05:30:03]
HOUSTON -- IS A THIRD OF THE SIZE OF NEW YORK CITY. AND SO THAT POINT, I THINK INTO THE 19 -- I THINK THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY UNDER THAT . AND IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT IT, WE'VE GOT TO PAY FOR IT. WE HAVE TO DECIDE IF WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT VISION ZERO OR IF WE ARE JUST JOKING, BUT IF WE ARE, WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT SEER OFF AND SAY WE ARE NOT DOING IT. WE WILL CALL IT VISION SOMETHING ELSE. VISION FOR WHEN WE ARE OUT OF OFFICE. THEY HAVE A TIMETABLE ON IT. I WOULD SUGGEST WE THROW HIM IN. IF YOU'RE NOT READY IN TWO WEEKS, IF IT IS A MONTH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER, WHATEVER IT TAKES, BUT COME BACK AND GIVE HIM WOULD BE ABLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THIS CONVERSATION ON A GO FORWARD BASIS IS TAKING THIS AFTER THE BUDGET, GETS APPROVED, AND THE VOTE IS CLOSED ON FISCAL YEAR 24, AND WE WILL HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF WHERE IT WENT, BUT AGAIN, OUR SYSTEM IS SET UP, THAT IF WE SEND ALL THE FUNDING TO THE PRECINCT TO DEFINE IT, WE WOULD HAVE TO REDIRECTED IN ORDER TO CREATE THE FUND. BUT WE WILL DO ALL THE RESEARCH AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY STONE THAT WE DIDN'T TURNOVER. 
          >> SO IS THIS MOTION BROUGHT ENOUGH SO IT LETS THEM COME BACK? IT'S OKAY WITH YOU ALL? 
          >> I WOULD SECOND IT. BUT THAT MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY ELLIS. 
          SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, 
          VOTE AYE. >> AYE. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER BRIONES. WE DID THAT ONE. DID WE DO HARRIS COUNTY SCHOOL COMMISSION? WE ARE ON THAT ONE NOW. ITEM 346. 
          >> SO SAVE SCHOOL COMMISSION. THERE WERE MANY SPEAKERS WHO CAME TODAY, AND I THINK ESPECIALLY THE STUDENTS -- THAT WAS PARTICULARLY ENERGIZING, AND I WANT TO THANK CHIEF CHRISTIANSEN, WHO HAS STEPPED INTO A LEADERSHIP ROLE, AS WELL AS THE OTHER BOARD MEMBERS. SO FIRST, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, BEFORE I GOT HERE IN 2022, IT WAS YOUR IDEA TO BRING THIS FORWARD. IT WAS UNANIMOUSLY PASSED. THEY ALL CONVENED IN A GROUP AND THEY CAME UP WITH A REPORT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS. SO TODAY'S ACTION IS PASSING BYLAWS THAT INSTEAD OF IT BEING AN AD HOC COMMITTEE, WE ARE NOW ESTABLISHING IT AS A BOARD, AND WE ARE ADDING A COUPLE OF STUDENT -- MORE STUDENT SEATS -- TWO MORE STUDENT SEATS SO WE CAN HAVE THE YOUTH PERSPECTIVE OF THE STUDENTS GOING TO SCHOOL AND HAVING TO WORRY ABOUT THEIR SAFETY, SO, AS A MOM OF KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOL AND AS A FORMER PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, I THINK OFTEN ABOUT YOU ALL THE DOSE -- UVALDE AND THE TRAVESTY THAT WAS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING SOMETHING ESPECIALLY IN TREMONT WHERE WE HAVE A FIVE SCHOOL DISTRICTS. THE LEVEL OF COORDINATION, AND COMMUNICATION THAT WE NEED TO HAVE SO THAT, GOD FORBID, IF WE EVER HAVE AN INCIDENT SIMILAR TO UVALDE, WE DON'T HAVE PARALYSIS OF WHO'S ON FIRST. WE HAVE CLARITY OF CONFUSION AND COMMANDS, SO THAT WE ARE BEST PROTECTING OUR STUDENTS. SO PART OF IT IS ABOUT GETTING READY FOR, KNOCK ON WOOD, ANY FUTURE SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, BUT THERE'S ALSO MANY OTHER SAFETY MEASURES WITHIN SCHOOLS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT ONLY GETTING THE ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, BUT THAT WE ARE DOING MORE TO MAKE OUR SCHOOLS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE SAFEST THEY CAN BE, BECAUSE FUNDAMENTALLY, THAT IS WHAT ALL OF OUR CHILDREN DESERVE, AND SO THIS BUILDS ON THE GREAT WORK OF THE COMMISSION. IT REALLY FORMALIZES IT. AND EXPANDS THE PERSPECTIVES ON THE TABLE. AND IF ANY STUDENTS ARE LISTENING, OR THE MEDIA CAN HELP GET THIS OUT, WE WANT STUDENTS TO APPLY, AND YOU CAN FIND THE LINK ON MULTIPLE PLACES, BUT ONE OF THEM IS ON WANT THIS TO BE A COMMITTEE THAT ASK, BECAUSE, AGAIN, OUR KIDS ARE DEPENDING ON IT. SO. THAT IS WHY WE ARE HERE TODAY. 
          THANK YOU. >> SO MOVED AS PRESENTED. 
          >> THIS IS A DISCUSSION ITEM. 
          SPEAKERS ] >> ITEM 22 IS ALREADY PASSED ON CONSENT. WE ARE GOOD ON THE BYLAWS. THIS IS DISCUSSION. 
          >> I THOUGHT WE PASSED SOME 
          THING. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING BELT AND SUSPENDERS ON. I THINK WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS IT ALLOWS THOSE SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HARRIS 
          [05:35:02]
COUNTY TO ESTABLISH WITHIN THEIR OWN COMMUNICATIONS BEST PRACTICES. THEY WANT TO ALL WORK INTERNALLY THEY WANT TO WORK ON THOSE THINGS THEY CAN DEAL WITH. IT IS IMPORTANT NOT TO GET EXTREMELY PARTISAN IN TERMS OF GOING TO AUSTIN AND DEMANDING THIS AND THAT. THERE ARE CONVERSATIONS AMONG THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON THINGS THAT THEY CAN DO AND LOOK AT HOW ESTABLISH BEST PRACTICES. I APPRECIATE YOU GETTING THAT 
          MONEY. >> FOR CLARIFICATION, NO 
          ACTION. >> NO ACTION. 
          >> MY APOLOGIES. >> EDUCATORS -- IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF IT, WE WANT YOUR IDEAS. 
          >> WE DID 347, CORRECT? EARLIER. 
          >> CORRECT. >> NEXT IS 367. I PULLED IT. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES PULLED IT. I WANT TO COMMEND THE DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE. THEY PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO IT AND THEY ARE EXPANDING INTO NEW AREAS WITH THAT DEPARTMENT. THEY HAVE THE THAT WILL HELP US MAKE OUR NUMBERS STRONGER GOING FORWARD. 
          I WANT TO BRIEFLY RUN THROUGH THE REPORTS. DID YOU ALL WANT TO MAKE A PRESENTATION? I'M SORRY. YOU DID WANT TO MAKE A PRESENTATION. 
          >> NO, THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS LEFT, AND I THINK ONE IS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. WITH 100 SPEAKERS, I COULDN'T GET US OUT OF HERE AS QUICK, ANYWAY. 
          >> OKAY. THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS COURT. 
          I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF DEEO. WITH ME TODAY IS MAIA, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION, WHICH INCLUDES THE MWB PROGRAM. 
          NEXT SLIDE. TODAY'S REPORT IS AN EXECUTIVE SUMMARY WHERE WE PULLED OFF FROM HER LENGTHY REPORT, THE MOST IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR DISCUSSION TODAY. I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME SINCE WE STARTED REPORTING THIS DATA THAT WE CANNOT REPORT ON SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS. THIS WAS A CLEAR PRIORITY FOR THE BOARD, AND I WANT TO PERSONALLY THANK MY STAFF MEMBER, FELIPE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO MAKE SURE WE CAN TRACK AND REPORT ON THIS CRITICAL DATA POINT. TODAY'S REPORT IS DIVIDED INTO THREE SECTIONS, AND MAIA WILL BE PRESENTING ON PARTS ONE AND TWO, WHICH COVERS THE MEAT OF THE REPORT. NEXT SLIDE. 
          >> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. TODAY, WE WILL BEGIN BY RENEWING -- REVIEWING THE CONTRACTS AWARDED ACROSS THE COUNTY, FOCUSING ON THE STRATEGIC IMPACT, AS WELL AS PROPERTIES -- OPPORTUNITIES PROVIDED TO VENDORS. THE NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS IS THE END-OF-THE-YEAR REPORT. WE WILL BE REVIEWING DATA TO MARCH 2024. WE ARE HAPPY TO REPORT THAT THE COUNTY ORDERED $910 MILLION IN CONTRACTS WITH 267 OF THOSE MILLION, WHICH EQUATES TO 29.3%, BEING AWARDED TO MWB SUBCONTRACTORS. THE PERCENTAGE MARKS A 3.4% INCREASE, COMPARED TO THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. THE LAST REPORTING PERIOD OF 29, 25.4 MILLION, WHICH WAS $97.6 MILLION. AS SHOWN IN THE PIE CHARTS, THE TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT FOR THIS PERIOD HAS MORE THAN DOUBLED. COMPARED TO OUR LAST YEAR. I'LL ADDRESS WHY THAT IS IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. IN THE FOLLOWING SLIDES, YOU'LL FIND A BREAKDOWN OF AWARDS TO PRIMES AS WELL AS SUBCONTRACTORS BY ETHNICITY. 
          THE LARGER PIE CHART SHOWS THE 29.3% OF AWARDS TO OUR M/WBE AWARDS. HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESSES WERE AWARDED NEARLY 80% OF THE AWARDS, DRIVEN BY THE COUNTIES -- DRIVEN BY TWO OUTLIER CONTRACTS, WHICH I WILL ADDRESS ON THE NEXT SLIDE. 
          ASIAN OWNED BUSINESSES RECEIVED 7.9%. BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, 7.6. WHITE WOMEN OWNED IS NEARLY 5% AND NATIVE AMERICANS AS WELL AS HUB CERTIFIED SERVICES VETERANS, COMBINED FOR ABOUT .5%. HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESSES SAW AN INCREASE -- 
          [05:40:03]
WE WANT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OTHER CATEGORIES REMAIN CONSISTENT FROM OUR PREVIOUS REPORTING PERIOD. SO FOR INSTANCE, BOTH ASIAN AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES RECEIVED AROUND 21, 20 MILLION, IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE PREVIOUS FISCAL YEAR. NEXT SLIDE. AS MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS SLIDE, WE DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE REASON BEHIND THE INCREASE IN CONTRACT AWARDS COMPARED TO LAST YEAR. BY REVIEWING TWO OUTLIER CONTRACTS. DURING THIS REPORTING PB, THE COUNTY AWARDED DAMAGES THIS TIME LAST YEAR. THE PIE CHART ON THE LEFT ILLUSTRATES THE IMPACTS OF THE OUTLIER CONTRACTS DURING THIS PERIOD. 
          THE TABLE ON THE RIGHT DETAILS THE CONTRACT AMOUNTS, AS WELL AS A DESCRIPTION OF THOSE CONTRACTS. $130 MILLION CONTRACT WAS AWARDED TO A M/WBE FIRM. ANOTHER 150 MILLION WAS AWARDED TO A NON-JIK60 FIRM, BUT INCLUDED 4 MILLION IN NON-CONTRACTOR WORK TO SURVIVE -- CERTIFIED THE M/WBE FIRM. 
          THESE ACCOUNT FOR 520 MILLION OF THE TOTAL 910 MILLION, SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASING THOSE OVERALL AWARDS, AND AT THREE SEE SUCH A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THIS REPORTING PB, AS COMPARED TO THE LAST REPORTING PB. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS SLIDE SHOWS THE TODAY'S REPORT. 829.3% AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SAY THIS IS THE HIGHEST PERCENTAGE THUS FAR. WE DO WANT TO POINT OUT -- IS -- AND REFLECTS THE COUNTIES EXPENDITURES, MEANING PAYMENTS IN POCKET TO VENDORS, AND NOT AWARDS. 
          GAIN A CLEAR VIEW OF OUR SPENDING AND STRIVE TO MEET THE COUNTIES 30% ASPIRATIONAL GOALS IN TERMS OF EXPENDITURES, RATHER THAN SIMPLY REPORTING ON AWARDS, AS WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY DONE. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THE COUNTY AWARDED 812.8 MILLION TO CONTRACTORS WITH M/WBE PRIMES RECEIVING 29.8% OF TOTAL CONTRACT AWARDS TO OUR M/WBE CONTINUE TO GAUGE THESE RESULTS TO PROMOTE MORE M/WBE PARTICIPATION AS PRIME CONTRACTORS. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS SLIDE SUMMARIZES THE DISTRIBUTION OF CONTRACTS AWARDED TO SUBCONTRACTORS FROM VENDORS WITH 89.4 MILLION AWARDED TO THOSE M/WBE SUBCONTRACTORS. IT ALSO EMPHASIZES OR TO THOSE UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS LIKE OUR NATIVE AMERICAN OWNED BUSINESSES, AS WELL AS OUR HUB CERTIFIED SERVICES SLIDE. NEXT, WE WILL BE DISCUSSING CONTRACTOR PAYMENTS, AND AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, A TOPIC THAT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR EEO. WE DO COUNT PAYMENTS MADE ON CONTRACTS, NO MATTER WHAT YEAR THE CONTRACT WAS AWARDED, SO IF THEY CONTRACT PAYMENT WAS MADE, THIS YEAR, IT WAS AWARDED IN FY 23. 
          WE ARE COUNTING THOSE EXPENDITURES. NEXT SLIDE. SO HAPPY AGAIN TO SAY THAT WE HAVE ENHANCED OUR REPORTING FOR SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS. CURRENTLY, OUR M/WBE UTILIZATION STANDS AT 18.3%, AYE 169 MILLION PAID TO MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE FIRST HALF OF THE FISCAL YEAR. OF THIS, HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESSES WERE 63 MILLION. ASIAN OWNED BUSINESSES, 53 MILLION, WHITE WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES, 29 MILLION, AND BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, 21 MILLION. AND DESPITE ONGOING DATA INFRASTRUCTURE, WE REMAIN FOCUSED ON IMPROVING THE ACCURACY OF THE M/WBE PARTICIPATION IN OLDER CONTRACTS, WHILE ENSURING THAT SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS CONTRACTORS OLD OR NEW, ARE BEING CLOSELY MONITORED. I DO WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE HERE TO SAY THAT UNFORTUNATELY, THE YEAR-BY-YEAR COMPARISON IS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS PARTICULAR DATA. JUST BECAUSE PREVIOUS REPORTS DID NOT ACCOUNT FOR SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS. HAVING COVERED CONTRACTOR AWARDS AS WELL AS PAYMENTS, I'M EXCITED TO HAND IT BACK OVER TO ESTELLA, WHO WILL SHARE INSIGHTS ON OUR FISCAL YEAR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES, ENTER FY 25 FORECAST INITIATIVES. THANK YOU 
          [05:45:01]
          SO MUCH. >> NEXT SLIDE. AND ONE MORE. I WANT TO POINT OUT TWO IMPORTANT PROJECTS. WE ARE PREPARING TO LAUNCH THE COUNTIES SECOND DISPARITY STUDY. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO FINALIZE OUR WORKPLAN AND TO RELEASE THAT RFP NEXT MONTH. REGARDING THE EXPANSION OF THE CERTIFICATIONS THE COUNTY WILL ACCEPT, WE ARE HAPPY TO SHOW THAT TWO OF THE CERTIFICATIONS WILL START BEING ACCEPTED NEXT MONTH, AND THE FINAL TWO ARE SLATED TO START 
          IN OCTOBER. >> OUR NEXT FISCAL YEAR -- SOME OF THESE PLANS DO REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES, AND ARE INCLUDED AS PART OF OUR DEPARTMENT ENHANCEMENT QUESTION THE FISCAL YEAR 25 BUDGET PROCESS BUT I WON'T READ EVERYTHING HERE, BUT DID WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THE ITEMS I HAVE ASTERIX, OR THE ONES THAT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL STAFFING BECAUSE WE JUST DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO ADD TO OUR CURRENT WORKLOAD. TWO EXAMPLES INCLUDE RESOURCES TO DELIVER NEW TRAINING CLASSES AND INITIATIVES, LIKE OUR MENTORSHIP PROGRAM, AND EXPANDING OUR PILOT PROGRAM. WE ARE REQUESTING ADDITIONAL STAFF TO FOCUS ON STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS AND OUTREACH SO WE CAN INCREASE OUR WORK AND DO SUCH THINGS LIKE AREAS, WHICH IS SOMETHING WE ARE OFTEN ASKED FOR. NEXT SLIDE. AS WE WRAP UP OUR PRESENTATION, WE WANT TO CONVEY THAT HER PROGRAM IS NOT ABOUT NUMBERS AND STATISTICS. WE OFFER SO MUCH MORE. WE PROVIDE PERSONALIZED SUPPORT THAT RECOGNIZES M/WBE UNIQUE CHALLENGES, ENSURING THEY HAVE THE GUIDANCE THEY NEED TO THRIVE. WE SERVE AS A VITAL INTERMEDIARY, REACHING -- BRIDGING THE GAP WITH HAMMIT ISSUES, WHICH HELPS US FOSTER TRUST AND COLLABORATION. IT ENHANCES THE POTENTIAL FOR SECURING CONTRACT WITH THE COUNTY. THE IMPACT OF OUR PROGRAM IS EVIDENT IN THE TESTIMONIAL SHARED HERE. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT, AND WE ARE HAPPY TO DO CONCUSSIONS NOW. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU HAVE DONE A REMARKABLE JOB. WE ARE SO APPRECIATIVE. I WANT TO DO A QUICK LITTLE RECAP. MY STAFF, THEY KNOW YOU HAD TO KEEP IT REAL SIMPLE FOR ME, SO WHEN I LOOK AT DEEO, 29% UTILIZATION RATE, 30% TARGET, PORT OF HOUSTON -- THEY ACHIEVE THE 30% TARGET. HERSELF, 22.9%. THAT TARGET WAS 20% FROM A DISPARITY STUDY. I WANT TO MENTION METRO. I CALLED DIRECTOR TREVINO AND MENTIONED THEM. WE CAN'T GET A DIRECT RESPONSE FROM THEM. THEY WILL KEEP GOING BACK TO SBE PROGRAM. 
          NOT IN THE BOE. BUT EVEN IF THEY HAVE NOT SET UP A PROGRAM -- THAT DISPARITY STUDY -- AS THE STUDY SAID THEY COULD DO, AT LEAST JUST GIVE THE NUMBERS. I MEAN, THAT IS JUST GOING BACK TO OLD SCHOOL KIND OF STONEWALLING -- ON PAYMENTS, THEY ABOUT 8%. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU CAUGHT THAT ONE. 
          HOW MUCH MONEY DID THEY GET, AND IN ADDITION, YOUR ADDING THE REQUIREMENT THAT WE PUT ON OUR AGENDA WHEN WE VOTE, SO WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE VOTING ON IT. IT JUST KEEPS US ON OUR TOES. 
          PORT HOUSTON, PAYMENTS, 6%. THEY DIDN'T SET A TARGET. 
          ABOUT 60% THEY PAID. 7% VERSUS 20%. AGAIN, METRO POINT NO DIRECT RESPONSE. I THINK THAT IS A REAL DISAPPOINTMENT. AND I HAVE TO TALK TO BOARD TO ASK. I'M GOING TO GO OVER MY SELF AND HOPE I GET A BETTER RESPONSE FROM THAT PERSON. THEY SAID THE LAST GO AROUND, HE WAS TALKING TO ME LIKE HE WAS TALKING TO A CHILD. 
          I JUST LET IT GO, BUT I DON'T WANT HIM TO THINK I GOT A BLACK JOB. I MAY COMMISSIONER. I CAN TELL HIM THAT IN THE SPIRIT OF MICHELLE OBAMA. I'M PROUD OF THE FOLKS THAT DECIDED TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY AND I'M IMPRESSED FOR THE ONES THAT ARE STILL OUT THERE, GETTING AWARDS FOR THEIR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION, BUT HAVE NOT DONE THE STUDY. THEY DON'T KNOW THE NUMBERS, BUT I WANT TO COMMEND LONE STAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, THE ONLY ONE THAT DECIDED TO ACCEPT FUNDING FROM THE COUNTY TO DO A STUDY OF THEIR NUMBERS. HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, ROBERT E LEE. 
          OPTED TO TAKE MONEY TO DO IT. THEY COULD'VE DONE ONE STUDY AT THE SAME TIME. IT WOULD'VE BEEN A LOT CHEAPER. EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T DO A PROGRAM, JUST KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I AM GLAD THAT HISD HAS DECIDED TO DO ONE. THEY HAVE $84.5 BILLION 
          [05:50:03]
BOND ISSUE. WITHOUT COMMENTING ON THE BOND ISSUE, IT'S GOING TO TAKE A YEAR. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE NUMBERS ARE. BUT WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY. THIS TRANSFERENCE HE MEANS A LOT. 
          THE WHOLE COURT WOULD SAY THAT OUR NUMBERS ARE BETTER THAN THE CITIES. BUT THEY DIDN'T COLLECT THE NUMBERS. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING. KEEP IT UP. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE GRADING SYSTEM. I KNOW YOU ALL CAN'T GRADE THE OTHERS, BUT I THINK I'M GOING TO FIND SOMEBODY TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO GRADE THE FOLKS THAT DON'T PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. 
          THEY WOULD GET AN F, OR INCOMPLETE. BUT THANK YOU FOR 
          WHAT YOU ARE DOING. >> MR. CHAIR. 
          >> 
          RAMIREZ. >> SHE IS HERE? 
          >> OPPORTUNITY TO ASK ABOUT OUR PROGRESS ON PROMPT PAYMENT. 
          >> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH MISSILE SERVICES. WHEN WE PRESENTED TO YOU, IT WOULD BE UPDATED. IT IS SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE VERY CLEAR MILESTONES WITH DATES ATTACHED TO EVERYTHING. WE ARE WORKING WEEKLY . 
          >> I'LL PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. I'M GLAD Y'ALL OUR MEETING. WE ARE NOT MAKING PROGRESS. I'LL BE PUTTING AN 
          ITEM ON THE AGENDA. >> THAT IS GREAT. THANK YOU. 
          >> -- PULLED THE ITEM. >> FIRST OF ALL, DIRECTOR GONZALES, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE PROGRESS YOU'RE HELPING TO DRIVE. THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUES DOING THE DISPARITY CITY SO WE HAVE THE DATA SO WE CAN TRACK OUR PROGRESS. IT IS EXCELLENT PROGRESS. WE HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO. ESPECIALLY AS WE LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES, ASIAN OWNED BUSINESSES. WOMEN BUSINESSES, AND BEYOND. BUT I HAVE THREE QUICK QUESTIONS. ONE, WITH THIS NEW ITERATION OF THE DISPARITY STUDY, I WOULD LOVE US TO FOCUS, AND WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, TO AMEND OUR MWB POLICY SO WE CAN REDUCE THE EXCEPTIONS THAT ALLOW THE CONTRACTS THAT HAVE 0% M/WBE GO. BECAUSE I REALLY HATE SEEING IN THE AGENDA, NOT SUBJECT BEFORE THE TIME. AND IT IS JUST RENEWED ON THIS AUTOPILOT RENEWAL. THEY SHOULD ALL BE SUBJECTS. TO THE M/WBE POLICIES POINT WOULD THAT BE POSSIBLE AND HOW CAN WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN IS MY FIRST QUESTION. 
          >> WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK INTO THAT AND PUT AN ITEM BACK ON THE AGENDA. AT A LATER DATE. AND HAVE A CONVERSATION. 
          >> I WANT TO SUGGEST -- I'M DOING THIS OFF OF MEMORY, BUT I THOUGHT THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING THAT IF WE DIDN'T RENEW IT, THEY COULD VOLUNTARILY MEET TO GO. THEY COULD VOLUNTARY DO IT. VOLUNTARILY DO IT. OR WE COULD SEND OUT RFP AGAIN, WHICH OBVIOUSLY, COULD DELAY SOME OF THOSE PROJECTS. I THINK, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THAT WAS THE ISSUE. DEWIGHT, HELP ME HERE. 
          >> YES SIR. EVERY CONTRACT WE RENEW NOW, WE LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF THERE IS A GO. -- GOAL . 
          >> I THINK YOU ARE REFERRING MORE TO THE SPECIALIZED NATURE AND THOSE TYPES IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. THE CO-OPS AND MAYBE OTHERS LIKE YOU THAT HAVE A ZERO GOAL. 
          >> SO WHILE WE LAUNCH THE STUDY AND WE LOOK AT A MASTER MATRIX , OBVIOUSLY, WE DON'T WANT TO BE SUED, AND WHO CAN WE GO TO AND TO THE EXTENT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO AGREE, DO WE HAVE RUNWAY BASED ON CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS AND PROJECT READINESS NEEDS, ET CETERA. WHERE CAN WE THEN PIVOT STRATEGICALLY ON CERTAIN ITEMS TO THEN GO OUT FOR NEW RFPS. 
          THAT IS A NEW CATEGORY. MY SECOND QUESTION WAS WITH REGARD TO, AND I LOOK FORWARD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO BRING THAT ITEM ON, BECAUSE WE ARE HERE TRYING TO EMPOWER AND CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR M/WBES, BUT IF WE ARE NOT 
          [05:55:15]
TRACKING PAYMENTS TO SUBCONTRACTORS, THAT IS A HUGE PROBLEM. AND I KNOW WE HAVE ALL HEARD FROM FOLKS WHO ARE HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING THEIR BUSINESSES AFLOAT BECAUSE THEY ARE WAITING ON THE PRIMES TO PAY THEM. THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE. 
          WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY INTO THE PAYMENT PROCESS. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO AN UPDATE ON THAT. BUT THERE IS, AND I KNOW YOU ARE GOING TO PRESENT AND THERE WOULD NEED TO BE ADDITIONAL BUDGET, BUT CAN YOU JUST TALK ABOUT PATHWAYS TO PRIME? BECAUSE THE GOAL IS TO GET THESE M/WBES TO BECOME PRIME CONTRACTORS IF WE ARE TRYING TO PUSH FOR EQUITY FULLY, CAN YOU GIVE US UPDATES ON THE PATHWAY TO PRIME PILOT PROGRAM, PLEASE? 
          >> YES BUT I'M VERY HAPPY TO DO THAT. WE DID START TRACKING THE SUBCONTRACTOR PAYMENTS. THIS IS THE FIRST REPORT THAT HAS IT, BUT THERE IS MORE TO DO THERE WITH MORE DETAILED -- MORE DETAIL PRETTY SO THE SITES LACK OF REWARDS AND ONLY ONE FOR PANTS. IS ON TALKING TO THE TEAM ABOUT MORE DETAIL ON THE PENS, ABSOLUTELY. THEN, FOR THE PATHWAYS TO PRIME, RIGHT NOW, I WON'T SHARE TOO MUCH BECAUSE WITH THE COUNTIES ATTORNEY OFFICE FOR DRAFTING THE AGREEMENT. IT DID COMPLETE BREAD WE ALREADY COMPLETED EVALUATION FOR OFFICES AS OBSERVERS ON THAT. WE ARE NOW JUST WAITING FOR IT TO BE DRAFTED AND NEGOTIATED WITH THOSE VENDORS THAT ARE SELECTED. AND WE WILL BE ABLE TO START SHARING THAT INFORMATION. THE OUTREACH PLAN, AND ALSO, WE ARE GOING TO BE DOING OUR IN-HOUSE EVALUATION FOR THAT PROGRAM, SO THAT WE CAN COME BACK TO COURT, SHOW RESULTS, AND TALK ABOUT EXPENDING IT. AT LEAST WE HAVE THE INTERNAL RESULTS FROM THE 
          PILOT. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR 
          LEADERSHIP >> DO WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION 
          FOR CONTINUED DISCUSSION? >> I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR CONTINUED DISCUSSION. 
          IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YES. >> BASED ON WHAT I HEARD IN THE FIRST MEETING. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE ON THIS. 
          HAVING BEEN A FORTY-YEAR PARTICIPANT AS A PRIME USING M/WBE AND THE OTHER PROMISE YOU WE ARE GOING TO DO 29%, WE WILL DO 29%, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY CONTRACTS OUT THERE. THAT PROMISES ON THE FRONT END. TRACKING NOW, IT IS INTERESTING TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS. I THINK THE BACKEND IS IMPORTANT. THERE IS ALSO THE REALIZATION. THEY FOUND A BUSINESS NICHE , AND THEY'RE NOT LOOKING TO GO TO THAT NEXT LEVEL. THEIR BUSINESS MODEL DOESN'T DO THAT. WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IN THE PROGRAM. WHEN WE HAVE -- NOT THAT YOU THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO ALWAYS BE AWARE OF THE SPIRIT OF BUT THEY BENEFIT AND THEY PARTICIPATE IN. SO THERE MAY BE SOME ACKNOWLEDGMENT THAT WE JUST AWARDED THIS HUGE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT OF WHICH IS BEING DONE BY A LOT OF THESE CONTRACTORS ARE INDEPENDENT CONTRACT OTHERS WORKING FOR PRIME. BUT BECAUSE OF DEFINITIONS AND OWNED THE BUSINESS ARE NOT OWNED THE BUSINESS, I THINK WE SHOULD AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE ARE THOSE KIND OF BUSINESSES OUT THERE. WE SHOULD PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AND I'M NOT SAYING MAYBE THEY GET FULL CREDIT, BUT MAYBE THERE SHOULD BE SOME CREDIT GIVEN TO THAT. A THIRD POINT WOULD BE, AS YOU ARE GOING THROUGH THE SYSTEM, BE SURE THAT YOU BECOME ALMOST INVISIBLE. IT BECOMES A NORMAL PROCESS TO FIRE ANYTHING UP. 
          WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON DEO TO BLESS ALL FORM OF AGREEMENT. IT ADDS COST TO THAT. AND SO, I THINK WE CAN DO THAT. WE CAN HAVE OUR CAKE AND EAT IT TOO. HE CAN HAVE A GREAT, VERBOSE -- ROBUST PROGRAM BUT IT SHOULD NOT IMPACT SCHEDULES AND BUDGETS AND OTHER THINGS IN THE PROCESS. I THINK YOU ARE GETTING THERE DIRECTOR, BUT OBVIOUSLY AS YOU WORK WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE DIRECTOR, AND OTHERS AND BEING 
          [06:00:06]
SURE THE PROGRAM IS IMPLEMENTED YOU HAVE TO BE AWARE ALSO, OF BUDGET SCHEDULES AND OTHER THINGS. 
          >> I JUST WANT TO CLOSE BY STRESSING THAT I HAVE NO APOLOGIES FOR OUR HISPANIC NUMBERS BEING AS HIGH AS THEY ARE. BY DESIGN, WE DID NOT MAKE THIS A SUBCONTRACTOR PROGRAM. 
          FOR ME, ONE OF THE GREATEST MISTAKES IN MY CAREER AS A YOUNG COUNT COUNCILMEMBER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON , I WAS THROWING BOMBS TO GET INTO THE MWB PROGRAM AND I DIDN'T HAVE THE STAFF OR PUT THE TIME AND TO FOLLOW WHAT THE POLICY WAS. 
          THE CITY'S PROGRAM IS A SUBCONTRACTOR'S PROGRAM. IF THE M/WBE GETS TO BE THE PRIME, WHAT THAT DOES IS IT KEEPS YOU SMALL. IN THE BUSINESS I WAS IN I WANT TO HAVE A BLACK-BROWN- GOLD AND SOME OLD FRIENDS AND THE CONTRACTOR COMMUNITY WHEN THIS POLICY CAME UP, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEY WERE SUGGESTING THAT NOT ONLY BECAUSE MY EXPERIENCE, I DIDN'T WANT THAT. BECAUSE OF WHAT WE DID THE CITY OF HOUSTON CHANGED THERE, SO NOW THEY WILL LET YOU SELF PERFORM SOME PERCENTAGE. NOT 100%, LIKE WE DO. I THINK THEY WENT TO 30 OR 40. IT IS A GOOD THING WE DID THAT I WANT TO COMMEND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT AND MENTION THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THIS POINT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET ALL OF THE ARSENAL THE SUPPORT WE NEED BECAUSE WE HAVE THOSE FORCES OUT THERE WHO DON'T WANT THIS PROGRAM WHICH IS WHY I WOULD BE CAUTIOUS SOMETIMES TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO SOMETHING. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, DO YOU KNOW IF THE CITY GIVES CREDIT? 
          >> I DO. THE LACK OF A PRIME WASN'T ALREADY FIRM, A GOT A PRIME ASSIGNMENT. THE OLD WAY WAS, THEY DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE 
          PRIME PERCENTAGE. >> THEY CHANGED IT BASED ON 
          WHAT WE DO. >> IS IT 100%? 
          >> NO. >> WE GENERALLY TEND TO HIRE PEOPLE WE KNOW THAT HAVE EXPERIENCE OR WE HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH. SO, A LOT OF TIMES, PRIMES, IF IT IS M/WBE IT'LL END UP DOING THAT REGARDLESS, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO DO IT, I THINK THAT IS THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD CHICAGO, VERY FEW CITIES DO THAT TO THE WAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON DOES IT AND I WAS NOT PAYING ATTENTION. NOW, I KNOW WHY OUR FRIEND WERE FOR THE PROGRAM. YOU SEE I WANTED TO BE A SUB . TO THE MINORITY PRIME AND I LOOK COULD NEVER DO THAT. THEY DID NOT 
          GIVE CREDIT. >> YEAH. WE COME A LONG WAY I WANT TO THANK YOU DIRECTOR GONZALES AND MISS WORN BY THE WAY. WE WERE BEATING THEM ON THE HEAD. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY JUST SPARKED THE POINT. I DO WANT TO TRACK HOW MANY MENTOR PROTÉGÉ PROGRAMS WE HAVE GOING. 
          >> WE JUST STARTED . GO AHEAD . YOU CAN COMMENT ON THAT RIGHT NOW. WE STARTED THAT NOW, RIGHT? THE MENTOR PROGRAM? 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE KIND OF USE THAT AS OUR CAPACITY BUILDING PROGRAM. JUST BECAUSE PEOPLE KNOW IT. BUT WE ARE ACTUALLY PART OF THE IMPP ALREADY. SO WHEN WE BUILD THE NEW PROGRAM WE CAN MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT DUPLICATING EFFORTS. I WILL MAKE SURE TO WRITE THAT DOWN. THAT IS ONE OF THE DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR ALL SLOWING US DOWN. I AM PUSHING YOU REAL HARD ON GETTING EVERYBODY TO GO AND GET A 30 EARLY AND OUR FRIENDS AT THE SPORTS CORPORATION MORE ABOUT TO DO ONE THEY ONLY CONTROL ABOUT 800,000 AND THEN WE MET I WAS THINKING, WAIT A MINUTE WE'RE GOING TO SPEND THE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO A M/WBE PROGRAM FOR $800,000. THANK YOU FOR MEETING WITH YOUR PEERS AND BE SHOULD DO MORE OF THAT. I THINK IT WAS JUST THE PERSON WHO WAS AT THE SUPPORT RIGHT NOW. WHEN YOU DO YOUR DISPARITY STUDY, ROLL THEM IN. BECAUSE SOMETIMES JUST YOU HAVE TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH SOMETIMES. WE CAN GO OUT AND SPEND $300,000 TO SET UP A PROGRAM. SOMEBODY'S MONEY $800,000 WITH A THE NUMBERS DON'T ADD UP. NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. ANY OTHER DISCUSSION. IF NOT THE NEXT ITEM. HE DID BOTH A GOOD JOB. 
          ITEM 368, JUVENILE PROBATION. LET HERB GET YOU YOUR RACE. 
          >> COMMISSIONER ALICE, IF I MAY, I WANNA THINK SHE FELT ALL GOES TEAM TO DO A BRIEF INTRO AND I WANT TO THANK JUDGE HELD ARGO WHO CHAIRS OUR HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE COURT AND WE 
          [06:05:02]
TALK SO MUCH ABOUT ALL THE PROBLEMS OUR COUNTY HAS AND WANT TO BE CELEBRATING THE PROGRESS TOWARDS ME, THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF WHAT WE CAN DO WHEN WE ARE BOLD AND WE TRY TO TRANSFORM WORK. THIS MEANS SO MUCH TO ME AND BECAUSE OF MANY OF MY STUDENTS WERE IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM SO YOU ARE A BLESSING TO THIS COUNTY. JUST VERY BRIEFLY, IT WAS AMAZING WHEN SHE HELD ARGO'S TEAM TAGGED US. WE HAVE SEEN A 30% DROP IN THE PAST 10 YEARS. A 30% OVERALL INCREASE IN YOUTH DIVERSION AND WE HAVE HAD 60% FEWER ADMISSIONS TO JUVENILE DETENTION AND ALMOST 80% FEWER COMMITMENTS TO THE TEXAS JUVENILE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT 85% FEWER OUT OF HOME PLACEMENTS AND THEN JUST I HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE FOR THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER TO RE-ENVISION JUST A CAR SORREL, COLD, PUNITIVE ENVIRONMENT TO SOMETHING WHERE WE CAN TRANSFORM LIVES AND TEACH AND EMPOWER AND TRAIN AND OPEN IT UP TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE FAMILIES. WHAT YOU HAVE DONE JUST PHENOMENAL. I'M PROUD HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE LOWER RATE OF JUVENILE INVOLVEMENT AND I KNOW WE WILL NOT STOP OUR GOAL IS TO NOT HAVE ANY OF OUR JUVENILES THERE BUT WHEN THEY ARE THERE, YOU TREAT THEM WITH THE HOPE AND RESPECT AND JUST EMPOWERMENT THAT THEY NEED AND DESERVE. I HAVE PROFOUND GRATITUDE. WITH THAT I AM THRILLED TO HEAR FROM DIRECTOR HENRY GONZALES AND WE WILL ALSO HEAR FROM DANIELLE FROM THE FOUNDATION WHO HAS HELPED CREATE THIS TRANSFORMATION IN HARRIS 
          COUNTY, SO, THANK YOU. >> I AM HENRY GONZALES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION OFFICE. THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING US HERE AND ALLOW US TO THIS PRESENTATION OF OUR 2023 ANNUAL ROOM DOOR. I BECAME THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR IN THE LATTER PART OF 2018, THAT WAS WITH WELL OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE AS A JUVENILE JUSTICE PRACTITIONER. THAT TENURE ALLOWED ME TO SEE THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY OF THE JUVENILE JUSTICE IS THEM. SAW THE PENDULUM SWING FROM A ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH TO ULTRA SOCIAL WORKER APPROACH TO EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN. WHEN I BECAME EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THERE, I KNEW THE DIRECTION I WANTED TO TAKE . I WANTED TO TAKE IT FROM A AREA THAT WAS REALLY FOCUSED TO ONE THAT WOULD GIVE OUR YOUNG PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITIES THAT THEY NEED SO THAT THEY CAN CHANGE. AND MAKE SURE THEY HAVE THOSE RESOURCES TO DO THAT. SO , IN 2019, THE HARRIS COUNTY REACHED OUT TO THE FOUNDATION TO WORK WITH THIS SHIFT NO -- KNOWING THE FOUNDATIONS PRINCIPLES THAT EVERY CHILD DESERVES A BRIGHT FUTURE AND THAT TODAY'S CHILDREN'S ARE TOMORROW'S EMPLOYEES , CREATOR, COMMUNITY LEADERS AND PARENTS. THE MOST VITAL ASSETS FOR BUILDING A STRONG AND PROSPEROUS COUNTRY AND THE BELIEF THAT THE PROVEN CHILDREN'S EXPERIENCES AND WELL-BEING TODAY WILL MAKE BETTER OUTCOMES FOR EVERYONE TOMORROW. SO RATHER THAN JUST GIVE YOU THE 2023 ANNUAL REPORT THAT YOU HAVE IN FRONT OF YOU, THAT HIGHLIGHT OUR TRANSFORMATION I ASKED DANIELLE, A SENIOR ASSOCIATE WITH THE FOUNDATION TO BE HERE AND SHARE OUR JOURNEY AND TO PROVIDE SOME NATIONAL INSIGHT. WITH THAT, DANIELLE? 
          >> GOOD EVENING. IT IS GREAT TO BE HERE. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THIS IS A REAL HONOR. I WAS TELLING HENRY JUST NOW, I AM USED TO BEING THE PERSON THAT IS PUT ON PAGE AFTER LUNCH TO TALK ABOUT DATA. THIS IS MY FIRST TIME GOING INTO THE NINTH HOUR OF A MEETING. OH I TAKE IT AS MY JOB -- NOT YOURS, I KNOW. 
          >> YOU MAKE ME FEEL BAD . >> YOU HAVE OUR FULL ATTENTION AND GRATITUDE. I CAN'T SEE THAT. WE WORK WITH JURISDICTIONS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY. I SUPERVISE OUR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO ALL OF OUR PROBATION TRANSFORMATION SITES ACROSS THE COUNTRY AND WILL SHOW A MAP IN A LITTLE BIT. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY, VERY SPECIAL ABOUT JURISDICTIONS WHERE ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE ENGAGED. AND IT IS NOT FREQUENT. THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS THAT ARE REALLY SPECIAL ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY . ONE OF THEM, THAT I WILL TALK ABOUT IS YOU GO THROUGH THE SLIDE IS THE CONSTANT AMBITION. 
          THERE ARE A LOT OF PLACES WE WORK , WHERE WE ARE CONSTANTLY 
          [06:10:01]
BEING ASKED , OKAY, THIS IS PROBATION TRANSFORMATION, HOW DO WE KNOW WHEN WE ARE TRANSFORMED? IN ONE OF THE THINGS WE SAY IS, YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE TRANSFORMED WHEN YOU STOP ASKING THAT. WHEN YOU STOP LOOKING FOR WHAT IS THE PLACE THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR YOUNG PEOPLE? WHAT IS A PLACE THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR COMMUNITIES AND FAMILIES? I HAVE NEVER HEARD THAT FROM A HARRIS COUNTY STAKEHOLDER. THERE IS NEVER A SENSE OF THAT IS GOOD ENOUGH. JUST TODAY, SPENDING TIME WITH PROBATION, TOP LEADERSHIP, THEY WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT ALL THE WONDERFUL THINGS THEY HAVE DONE, THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT ALL THE THINGS THE WANTED TO DO. SO WITH THAT, IF WE CAN GO THROUGH THE SLIDE , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU TALK ME A GREAT NEW EXPRESSION WE DO A LOT OF FRAMEWORK WITH THE FOUNDATION AND I LEARNED TODAY THAT IT IS OUR JURISDICTION THAT PUTS THE BELT AND SUSPENDERS ON THOSE FRAMEWORKS. 
          I WANT TO TAKE YOU THROUGH A COUPLE OF FRAMEWORKS AND SHOW YOU HOW HARRIS COUNTY HAS BUILT THEM OUT. NEXT SLIDE. THIS IS KIND OF THE FOUNDING IDEA OF THE FOUNDATION. IT IS AN IDEA THAT IF YOU TELL YOURSELF IT IS PRETTY GOOD , YOU'RE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO GET ANY BETTER OR NOT PROBABLY SPEAKS TO THE REALLY SHINING FACT ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND THIS CONSTANT AMBITION AND HUNGER TO DO MORE. NEXT SLIDE. SO, THIS SENSE OF CONSTRUCTIVE DISSATISFACTION THAT HAS FUELED THE FOUNDATION TO KEEP PUSHING OURSELVES TO DO BETTER. THESE ARE JUST SOME OF THE WAYS THAT WE HAVE CHANGE THE WAY WE WORK . WE STARTED OUR JUVENILE JUSTICE WORK FOCUS PURELY ON DETENTION. BASICALLY THE EQUIVALENT OF JAIL. WE HAVE NOW EXTENDED BEYOND THAT. YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND MOVE THROUGH THE NEXT THREE SO WE HAVE ALL FOUR LISTED. OKAY. SECOND, RACIAL DISPARITY , FOCUSING ON RACIAL DISPARITIES USED TO BE KIND OF LOW ON THE LIST IT WAS A THING THAT WE DID BUT NOW IT IS DRIVING ALL OF OUR WORK. 
          THIRD, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. ORIGINALLY THE FOUNDATION WAS SOLELY FOCUSED ON REDUCING CUSTODIAL POPULATIONS BUT WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT EVERYBODY HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT THEY LOVE? RAISE YOUR HAND. OKAY. YOU THINK ABOUT THOSE YOUNG PEOPLE, OF COURSE YOU WANT TO PROTECT THEM FROM BAD THINGS. BUT THAT IS NOWHERE NEAR EVERYTHING YOU WANT FROM THEM. YOU ALSO WANT TO SURROUND THEM WITH GOOD THINGS. THE THINGS YOU KNOW THEY NEED. NOT JUST TO SURVIVE, BUT TO THRIVE. WE WEREN'T DOING ENOUGH ON THAT. WE WERE FOCUSED VERY MUCH INTENSELY ON HARM REDUCTION WHICH IS SUPER IMPORTANT. WE WERE FOCUSED ENOUGH ON WELL-BEING. THOSE THREE SHIFTS PUSH US TO THIS FOURTH SHIFT WHICH IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT AND HAS BEEN REALIZED IN HARRIS COUNTY IN A REALLY BEAUTIFUL WAY. THE FOUNDATION AND THE ANNIE CASEY FOUNDATION IS TO TALK ABOUT THIS PURELY BETWEEN GOVERNMENTAL AGENTS  THESE. WHICH IS GREAT BUT IF YOU WANT TO GO BEYOND HARM REDUCTION, TO ACHIEVE WELL-BEING TO SURROUND PEOPLE WITH THE THINGS THAT THEY NEED TO THRIVE, YOU NEED COMMUNITIES. YOU NEED TO BE IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE PEOPLE AND THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE ASKED RYAN THE SYSTEM SO THAT YOU CAN GIVE THEIR CREATIVITY AND WISDOM. 25 YEARS AGO THE FAD WAS LOOKING FOR THAT MAGIC PROGRAM THAT WOULD CURE EVERYTHING. THE JUVENILE DETENTION ALTERNATIVE , INTRODUCED THIS IDEA THAT DECISION-MAKING, ADULT DECISION-MAKING IS AT OR MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROGRAMS. SO THIS IDEA OF POLICY AND PRACTICE AND MORE RECENTLY, PARTNERSHIPS AND OTHER TALKED ABOUT IN THE LAST SLIDE PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BECOME REALLY IMPORTANT. IN THE PAST FEW YEARS AND PARTICULARLY IN WORKING WITH PEOPLE, LIKE DIRECTOR GONZALES WE REALIZE WHAT IS MISSING FROM THIS FRAME IS PEOPLE. THE PEOPLE THAT SURROUND THE YOUNG PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE WHO LEAD WORK. THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING CHANGE. 
          THE PEOPLE WHO ARE HOLDING YOUNG PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE AND WHO ARE HOLDING THEIR STAFF ACCOUNTABLE. THERE IS NO WAY 
          [06:15:03]
FOR ME TO TELL YOU THE WHOLE HARRIS COUNTY JOURNEY. BUT IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO SHARE SOME HISTORY. SOME HIGHLIGHTS. NEXT SLIDE. WE'RE GOING TO LOOK BACK FROM 2014 FIVE YEARS BEFORE WE STARTED WORKING HERE, TO LAST YEAR WHICH IS THE LAST YEAR THAT WE HAVE FULL DATA AND THIS TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT HAS CHANGED IN HARRIS COUNTY JUSTICE. NEXT SLIDE. OKAY. SO, COMMISSIONER, YOU KIND OF SUMMARIZE THIS ALREADY. SO WE DON'T HAVE TO LINGER HERE. THIS 84% REDUCTION IN INSTITUTIONAL CONFINEMENT IS REALLY EXTRAORDINARY. THAT IS NOT SOMETHING YOU SEE EVERYWHERE. AND TO SEE THAT SIMULTANEOUS WITH THE REDUCTION IN THE NUMBER OF CASES COMING INTO THE SYSTEM IS REALLY SPECIAL. NEXT. YOU CAN CRUISE THROUGH THIS. THIS IS JUST -- OKAY. SO THAT IS THE DATA AND WE HAVE MANY MORE DATA SLIDE SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO LINGER AND READ AT 6:00 IN THE EVENING. THE CHANGES BEYOND THE DATA ARE EVEN MORE INSPIRING . WE HAVE NEW LEADERS, NEW VISION AND A TOTALLY NEW CULT HER IN YOUTH JUSTICE AND HARRIS COUNTY. SO, FROM 2019 WHEN WE STARTED WORKING WITH THE JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, WE SORT OF SAW OURSELVES AS TEACHERS . 
          THIS YEAR, I ASKED HENRY TO BE FACULTY AT OUR GEORGETOWN UNIVERSE THE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM, WHERE WE HAVE JURISDICTIONS FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY, AND APPLY TO HAVE AN INTENSIVE TRAINING FOR A WEEK. HENRY WAS NOT ONLY ONE OF THE INSTRUCTORS I I WILL TELL YOU HE WAS ONE OF THE HIGHEST-RATED INSTRUCTORS ALL WEEK. PEOPLE RESPONDED TO THE REALITY THAT HE BROUGHT, THE EXPERIENCE . THE CHARISMA. I TOLD YOU HAVE TO GET TO KNOW HIM. THIS IS NOT JUST A STORY, I CAN GIVE YOU COUNTLESS EXAMPLES. THE CASEY FOUNDATION, WE ACTUALLY HAD OUR NATIONAL CONFERENCE HERE LAST YEAR. IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WE ARE WORKING WITH THE NATIONAL JUVENILE AND FAMILY COURT'S ASSOCIATION TO SPONSOR A GROUP OF JUDGES FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TO COME TO THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER AND LEARN AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT HOW TO MOVE AND WORK IN THEIR JURISDICTION. IT IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST TRANSPARENT JURISDICTIONS IN THE COUNTRY IN TERMS OF DATA. ONE OF THE BEST AND SMARTEST DETENTION SCREENING INSTRUMENTS, THERE IS A REASON THAT THE DETENTION POPULATION USED TO BE OVER 300 AND IS NOW, FIRMLY IN THE 140S, 120'S. I ACTUALLY JUST HAD A OCCASION TO RECOMMEND THE HARRIS COUNTY DETENTION SCREENING INSTRUMENT AS AN EXAMPLE FOR STICK OLDER SO WERE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING IN DETROIT EXCUSING. -- EXCUSE ME. 
          I GET TO TAKE A SPEAKING BREAK AND SHOW YOU THE VIDEO THAT TELLS THE STORY OF THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER. 
          >> WE ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON IS A PART OF HARRIS 
          COUNTY. >> IF YOU WANT DIVERSITY, IF YOU WANT CULTURE, COME HERE. IF YOU LIGHT HEAT AND MOSQUITOES WE OFFER THAT AS WELL. 
          >> ONE OF THE MAGICAL THINGS ABOUT ENTERING THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER TODAY IS THAT YOU STILL SEE THE VESTIGES OF THIS OLD SETTING WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE ARE HOUSED . NOW, AS YOU WALK THROUGH YOU SEE YOUNG PEOPLE IN CLASSROOMS, LEARNING, THRIVING, CREATING RELATIONSHIPS WITH EACH OTHER AND IMAGINE YOU'RE IN A FUTURE NOW AND IT IS MUCH BRIGHTER. HARRIS COUNTY HAD BEEN EXPERIENCING A DECLINE IN HIS JUVENILE POPULATION INTO THEIR CYST THEM. THAT PROVIDED AN OPPORTUNITY TO RETHINK THE RESOURCES THAT WERE AVAILABLE. THE IDEA WAS, WE DON'T NEED THIS FACILITY WITHIN OUR RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US AND WHAT CAN WE DO DIFFERENTLY? HE MET THIS 
          [06:20:02]
BUILDING WAS ACTUALLY BUILT TO BE A JUVENILE CORRECTIONAL FACILITY. IT SERVES THAT PURPOSE FOR OVER 20 YEARS. 
          >> REPURPOSE IN THIS BUILDING, WHAT WE WANTED TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT OUR YOUNG PEOPLE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE. MAP THERE IS A MUSIC BOOTH , WHERE ONCE THEY ARE USED TO BEING A GUARD THEY CAN OVERSEE THE YOUNG PEOPLE. NOW, IN THE SAME BOOTH YOU HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE CREATING AND TELLING THEIR STORIES TO A LARGE AUDIENCE AND TYING THE EXPERIENCE OF THEIR OWN CREATIVITY. YOU MIGHT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, BECOMING FAMILIAR WITH THESE PROGRAMS THAT WERE MEETING THE NEEDS OF THOSE KIDS IN MEETING THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. I WANTED TO TRY AND CREATE A SPACE THAT BLENDED ALL OF THOSE TOGETHER . 
          CORRECTIONAL FACILITIES ARE INTENDED TO CONTAIN PEOPLE AND KEEP THEM IN. AND EVERY BIT OF THIS BUILDING DEMONSTRATED THAT. THE DOORS TO EACH OF THE UNITS WERE 800 POUNDS EACH AND THERE IS ONLY ONE PURPOSE FOR A DOOR THAT SOLID AND THAT AGAIN, IS TO CONTAIN SOMEONE. THIS WASN'T GOING TO BE A FACILITY THAT CONTAINED ANYONE ANYMORE. SO, IT WAS REALLY IMPORTANT THAT THOSE DOORS BE REMOVED TO TAKE THAT PEEL AWAY. 
          >> IS IS YOU COME INTO OUR BUILDING YOU ARE GOING TO SEE FOUR LARGE DAY ROOMS WHICH ARE WHERE OUR STUDENTS USE TO SPEND ABOUT 80% OF THE TIME. THOSE HAVE NOW BEEN REPURPOSED INTO VOCATIONAL TRAINING LABS WHERE WE PROVIDE EXPOSURE TO THE CONSTRUCTION TRADE. CARPENTRY, TINY HOMEBUILDING, LOGISTICS, LASER CUTTING, HVAC, PLUMBING OPPORTUNITIES. WITH MORE TO 
          COME AROUND HEALTHCARE. >> I AM FROM HOUSTON . I AM IN CHARGE OF MAKING DESIGN, GETTING ONE-ON-ONE EXPERIENCES WITH T-SHIRT PRESSING , SHIPPING OUT ORDERS. I REALLY ENJOY IT. I FEEL LIKE IT IS A CHANCE FOR ME TO EXPRESS MY ARTISTIC DESIGNS AND PRINTED ON A T-SHIRT. I FEEL LIKE THEY'VE SPENT TIME GATHERING HERE IS TO MAKE A BUSINESS OUT OF IT. 
          >> WE HAVE FROM OUR FIRST FEW CLASSES THAT GRADUATED ON THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER WHO ARE NOW IN EMPLOYMENT. TO HAVE ALUMNI THAT ARE NOW WELCOME AND SERVING IN THOSE CAPACITIES THAT IS WHAT IS ULTIMATELY ADDING CAPACITY TO THE WORK WE ARE DOING AND WHAT MAKES US FEEL OVERCONFIDENT THAT THIS ISN'T JUST TRANSFORMING JUVENILE JUSTICE. THIS IS TRANSFORMING CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND COMMUNITIES. I CAN TO MIND 
          FOR SURE. >> TO HAVE THIS TYPE OF CENTER IN THE COMMUNITY IS GIVING THOSE PEOPLE WILL CHALLENGES. 
          >> THE OPPORTUNITY CENTER IS SO WELCOMING BECAUSE IT IS NOW A PLACE OF TRUE OPPORTUNITY . OF HOPE AND NEW BEGINNINGS. TWO FROM A RESIDENTIAL FACILITY , FOR JUSTICE INVOLVED YOUTH, TO GO TO A PLACE TRULY FOCUSED ON INCREASING EDUCATIONAL AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES , IS AN AMAZING TRANSFORMATION AND IT WILL BE GAME CHANGING FOR THE SURROUNDING AREAS. 
          >> WHAT MAKES AN OPPORTUNITY LIKE THIS SUCCESSFUL IS TO HAVE 
          TRUE PARTNERSHIP. >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS NOT THE DIRECT PROVIDER OF SERVICES AND HOW DO WE DO THAT? OPENING THE DOORS OF THOSE EXISTING COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS AND ALLOWING THEM TO DO WHAT THEY DO BEST WITH THE FOLKS THAT THEY KNOW AND THE PEOPLE IN THE 
          COMMUNITY. >> WE HAVE OVER 40 DIFFERENT ORGANIZATIONS ENGAGED AT DIFFERENT LEVELS AND WE HAVE PARTNERS THAT ARE ADDRESSING THE BASIC NEEDS THAT ARE BEING 
          PROVIDED. >> SEEING THEM ON THEIR JOURNEY TOWARD SELF-LOVE , I THINK THAT IS CRITICAL TO WHAT WE ARE 
          DOING HERE. >> THAT IS WHY I AM HERE. 
          >> YOUR STORY MATTERS TO THEM. I KNOW MY STORY MATTERS. MY 
          MENTORS, COWORKERS -- >> EVERYONE IS NERVOUS AT FIRST BUT EVERYONE NEEDS HELP. MIKE IS AN AMAZING THING TO WATCH. 
          IN THIS SETTING . THESE KIDS CAN COME AND LEARN AND CONNECT WITH EACH OTHER THEY CAN DO SO BY EXPRESSING THEMSELVES AS 
          WELL. >> SCHOOL IS BACK -- 
          >> THANK YOU. >> WE GOT TO PUT OUR NAME ON A, BUT THAT IS ALL HARRIS COUNTY WORK THERE. AND MORGAN 'S MILD 
          [06:25:02]
THE AND JUST SUMS IT UP. CAN I SHOW YOU TWO MORE THINGS? 
          >> MAKE THEM QUICK. ABOUT ANOTHER MINUTE. 
          >> CAN WE JUMP TO THE LAST ONE? MAC SURE. 
          >> YOU CAN SEND US THE REST OF IT. 
          >> YOU HAVE THE REST OF IT. WE WILL STOP HERE. GO BACK ONE. GO BACK. TO THE PREVIOUS , YEAH. THERE WE GO. NO, ONE MORE. 
          LAUGHTER ], SORRY. IT'S WANT TO POINT THIS OUT. THIS IS DATA FROM OUR DASHBOARD. THIS IS DATA FROM JURISDICTIONS. THIS IS ONLY SHOWING JURISDICTIONS WITH POPULATIONS MORE THAN 400,000. U.S. IN ABSOLUTE NUMBERS SO THIS IS THE NUMBER OF DECISIONS TO REMOVE A CHILD FROM THE HOME AND PUT THEM IN AN INSTITUTION. HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT SURPRISINGLY HIGH. 
          >> HARRIS 
          [ Emergency/Supplemental items]
          >> I KNOW THAT WE ARE ADDING SEVERAL BUSES IN PARTICULAR AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE ARE PLACES TO CHARGE UP AS WE NEED THEM. BUT I CAN'T APPLAUD YOU STRONGLY ENOUGH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THIS REGARD. WANT TO VISIT WITH YOU A LITTLE BIT MORE OFF-LINE ON THIS BUT I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR 
          [06:30:02]
          ALL YOU HAVE DONE. >> IS IT A TRANSMITTAL DO NEED 
          A MOTION? >> I SECOND AND I SHARE THOSE SENTIMENTS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND I HOPE WE GET 
          THIS GRANT. THANK YOU. >> NEXT, COMMISSION GARCIA. I WANT TO APPLAUD, IF YOU ARE ON THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH THE SAFE PROGRAM, EVERYTHING THAT WE ARE DOING IS MOVING THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD AND I JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. COMMISSIONER ALICE, YOU HELPED TO CONSTRUCT THE $7 MILLION PROGRAM THAT WENT INTO THE SAFE PROGRAM TO HELP FOLKS WHO HAD SOME CHALLENGES AND I THINK WE STARTED WITH ABOUT 125 AND OUT OF THOSE, YOU HAVE GOT THAT 75 THAT ARE IN THE QUEUE AND THEN YOU'VE GOT MAYBE FIVE THAT ARE, GET TO BE DETERMINED AND ONE NEW APPLICATION, IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT? 
          >> LOTS OF MOVEMENT. THE BUYOUT JUST TURNED OUT TO BE OUR BANG. 
          BUT, YOU'VE ABSOLUTELY JUMPED IN BOTH FEET FIRST AND HIT THE GROUND RUNNING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THESE VERY COMPLICATED ISSUES AND CHALLENGES. I JUST CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR INNOVATIVE THINKING AND LEADERSHIP IN YOUR COMPASSION AND PATIENCE TO WORK WITH FOLKS THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM AND I KNOW THAT THERE ARE SOME FOLKS HERE THAT WERE JUST EXPRESSING FRUSTRATION AND CONCERN AND ALTHOUGH WE SHARED THEIR PLIGHT, THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE JUST VERY COMPLICATED FOR ANYONE OF US TO NAVIGATE OR SIMPLY SNAP OUR FINGERS AND FIX. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE AND I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN SOME RECENT EXTENSIONS APPROVED AND THERE IS CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR THE HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT ON BEHALF OF THIS THAT JUST SPEAKS VOLUMES OF YOU AND SO I AM JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO MORE CONTINUED GOOD WORK AND DEMONSTRATING TO FOLKS THAT WE MAY NOT HAVE ALL OF THE ANSWERS BUT WE WILL DEFINITELY TRY TO COME UP WITH MOST OF THEM. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. 
          >> YOU HAVE BEEN A MASTER TO GET US THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR 
          ONE. >> ITEM 415. 
          >> THIS IS AN ADDITIONAL AMOUNT HAS TO DO WITH THE 311 PROGRAM. 
          14,874,000. WOULD YOU SAY, DIRECTOR THAT IT'S HIT ON ALL CYLINDERS . MEETING SERVICE EXPECTATIONS, WHAT WOULD BE 
          YOUR OVERVIEW OF IT? >> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. SO, FROM A 311 PERSPECTIVE THE PROJECT IS MOVING AS PER WHAT WAS DESIGNED . AS AN INITIAL PHASE WAS FOR US TO STAND UP THE INITIAL INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS NEEDED FOR US TO BUILD THOSE BLOCKS OF HAVING THE CALL CENTERS AND ADDRESSING THE FLOW OF THE CALLS. THAT WAS STEP ONE, IN PHASE TWO WE BROUGHT IN ABOUT 20 DEPARTMENTS INTO 311 AND NOW PHASE THREE WE ARE INTEGRATING THE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SO THAT THE CALLS CAN FLOW IN AND THE WORK ORDERS CAN BE CREATED IN AN AUTOMATED FASHION. THERE ARE NO CONCERNS AS OF NOW . 
          >> THANK YOU. THAT ONE IS A TRANSMITTAL MOTION. 
          [06:35:05]
          >> WE NEED A MOTION. >> MR. RAMSEY MADE A MOTION. 
          >> WHAT IS LEFT? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          >> QUICKLY IN LIGHT OF SOME RECENT REVELATIONS, I THINK IT IS WORTHY. THE CURRENT POLICIES, THAT WAS IMPLEMENTED IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID I THINK IT IS WORTH TAKING A LOOK AT IT. WE HAVE A BELT AND SUSPENDERS THAT WE MONITOR WORKING AT HOME. IT IS A BENEFIT BUT IT IS VERY SPECIALIZED WHEN YOU CAN DO IT AND WHEN YOU CAN'T. 
          >> THANK YOU I WILL SECOND IT. 
          >> MR. RAMSEY, YOU PULL THAT ONE. 
          >> WHO DECIDES HOW THE FLEX MONEY IS SPENT ? 
          >> ULTIMATELY COMMISSIONERS COURT MAKES RECOMMENDATION. 
          >> THE SIZE OF THE FLEX MOUNT THE SIZE OF THE ACCOUNTS DOES THAT VARY? WHAT IS THE CRITERIA? 
          >> THAT IS ALSO RECOMMENDATION THAT IS MADE TO BE STEERING COMMITTEE . SO THIS RECOMMENDATION IS BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE HAVE USED MOST OF THE FLEX FUNDS THAT HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY ALLOCATED SO THERE HAS BEEN $70 MILLION PREVIOUSLY APPROVED AND WE BELIEVE IS WE'RE BALANCING THE PORTFOLIO BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF THE YEAR THAT THIS INCREMENT WILL BE HELPFUL IN EITHER FACILITATING THIS PROJECT THAT WE HAVE IN THE PIPELINE WHERE A FLEX FUND IS A BETTER FIT. A GOOD EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IT IS $20 MILLION OF PROJECTS AWARDED BY EACH PRECINCT THAT MAY GO PAST THE DEADLINE. FOR PROJECTS LIKE THAT WERE RETHINKING A TIMING FLEXIBILITY OR THE ELIGIBILITY CONSIDERATIONS THERE BETTER FIT FOR THE FLEX FUND. THE TOTAL ENVELOPE OF ASSOCIATED PROJECTS IS STILL THE 915 MILLION AARP 
          FUNDS. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR, AYE? THE ITEM PASSES. LAST ITEM I HAVE IS 434, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DO YOU JUST WANT TO VOTE ON THAT OR DO YOU WANT TO TALK? IS GIVEN DIRECTLY. 
          >> I'M SORRY, 434? >> YES, SIR. 
          >> WE JUST NEED TO MOVE IT. >> SECOND. 
          >> MOTION MADE BY ELLIS. THE ITEM PASSES, DO WE HAVE ANY 
          [Executive Session]
OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION? 
          >> JUST EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> IT IS NOW 405 -- 
          >> 6:21. >> COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 405. AT 6:21. I'M TIRED. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU HOLD ON ONE SECOND, CAN YOU HOLD ON ONE MOMENT. WE'RE TRYING TO DECIDE IF SHE ACTUALLY DOES 
          NEED TO GO BACK OR NOT. >> I WILL TAKE YOU TO DINNER. 
          >> I'VE GOT THE MOTION. >> I THINK THE, THE PROBLEM IS YOU I THINK THE PROBLEM IS THAT SHE IS LOOKING FOR EMOTION BUT 
          [06:40:03]
THE WITH THE AGENDA ITEM IS WRITTEN WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT YOU CAN'T MAKE A MOTION. 
          >> IT IS JUST AN UPDATE ONLY. THAT IS THE PROBLEM. 
          >> DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? 
          >> IF WE DO WE WILL. >> THAT GETS YOU TWO DISHES -- 
          DINNERS. >> ARE YOU SURE YOU HAVE WHAT YOU NEED? BETWEEN NOW AND NEXT TIME? 
          >> IF HE WANTS TO GO BACK WITH THE DETAILS, WE CAN GO BACK. 
          >> IT IS 6:23, WE ARE ABOUT TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 
          405, THANK YOU . >> I HAD A GOOD ONE PLAN FOR YOU, DIRECTOR. 
          >> IT IS NOW 6:40 P.M. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.