* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [00:00:01]
          >> SO, COLLEAGUES, I'M GOING TO GET STARTED. HELLO. GOOD MORNING. IT IS NOW 10:06. GOOD MORNING. IT'S NOW 10:06, AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE OCTOBER 8TH, 2024 MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER. I PRESIDE TODAY IN JUDGE HIDALGO'S ABSENCE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS TO LEAVE BY 5:00, AND I'M TOLD ONE OTHER COLLEAGUE MAY HAVE TO LEAVE BY 5:00. SO WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GO AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN SO ITEMS AND MEMBERS WANT TO VOTE ON MAY BE ABLE TO VOTE. 
          FOR RUNNING THE SHOW TODAY, I PROPOSE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 2:00 P.M. THE PROPOSED PLAN IS THAT WE HAVE A LUNCH AND EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 1:00 P.M., AND THEN RETURN TO COURT AT 2:45. SO READING THE SCRIPT, AS YOU GAVE IT TO THEM, I THINK WE MAY AS WELL EAT AND GET TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WHICH WOULD GIVE US 45 MINUTES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND I WAS JUST SAYING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO LEAVE TODAY, SO I'M PROPOSING WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT 2:00 P.M. AND SO WE WILL BREAK FOR LUNCH, WE'LL EAT, AND THEN AT 1:00 P.M. GO IN TO SESSION. WE COME -- WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK IN HERE, WE GO STRAIGHT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND GO BACK TO THE COURT AT 2:45. JAY, I MENTIONED YOU AS WE WERE MULTITASKING, CYCLING IN THIS MORNING, I MENTIONED THAT SO IT MIGHT SPEED US UP A LITTLE BIT. 
          >> SURE. COMMISSIONERS AND FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, THE DISCUSSION ITEMS THAT THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT HAVE PULLED FOR CONVERSATION TODAY IS AVAILABLE ON THE WEBSITE. SO IF ANYONE WANTS TO KNOW, THEY CAN PULL THAT OUT IN ADVANCE SO THEY CAN FOLLOW ALONG A LITTLE BIT BETTER. ONE OF THE THOUGHTS WAS IS THAT THERE ARE ITEMS ON THERE THAT THE COURT WANTS TO HAVE AN EXCHANGE AND DISCUSSION ABOUT, AND THERE ARE ITEMS -- COURT MEMBERS SIMPLY WANT TO TAKE A ROLL CALL VOTE SEPARATE FROM THE CONSENT AGENDA. SO I THINK IN ADVANCE OF -- AS WE GET TO THAT POINT, IF MEMBERS OF THE COURT WANT TO IDENTIFY THOSE ITEMS WHICH THEY SIMPLY WANT TO VOTE, VERSUS THOSE ITEMS IN WHICH THEY WANT TO HAVE ACTUAL DISCUSSION. 
          >> AND SO IF YOU JUST TELL JAY, I'LL -- WHEN WE GET TO THEM, WE'LL PULL THEM OUT. SOMETIMES IT'S AN ITEM, I DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS IT, I JUST WANT TO VOTE NO ON IT. BUT I WOULD WANT YOU TO TELL ME IN ADVANCE, BECAUSE THAT'S LIKE WE WERE COUNTING VOTES. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? SO IF YOU OR YOUR STAFF LET JAY KNOW, THEN HE WILL LET ME KNOW, AND I'LL ANNOUNCE IT. 
          >> YEAH. JUST TO BE CLEAR, YOU'RE NOT TELLING ME WHAT 
          [Minister Swapnil Gupte of Vedanta Institute Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 4.]
YOUR VOTE IS, YOU JUST WANT TO VOTE 
          >> DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WOULD YOU PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR GUEST MINISTER OF THE DAY. I DO WANT TO MENTION WE HAVE OUR FRIENDS IN PLES COUNTY, TAMPA, IS THAT WHERE WE WERE, I RECALL A FEW I REMEMBER THAT I MET THIS 
          SUMMER. >> HILLSBOROUGH. AND PINELLAS. 
          WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE THEM IN OUR PRAYERS. 
          >> YES, VERY MUCH. SO I'M HONORED TODAY TO INTRODUCE SWAPNIL GUPTE WHO IS THE MINISTER OF RELIGION FOR VERYDANTA. IF YOU COULD PLEASE JOIN US. IT MEANS KNOWLEDGE AND END. VERYDANTA IS ANCIENT KNOWLEDGE OF LIFE AND LIVING THROUGH THE SEARCH FOR SELF-KNOWLEDGE AND GOD. 
          SWAPNIL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SHARING THE LEADERSHIP OF VERYDANTA FOR INDIVIDUALS ACROSS OUR REGION ACHIEVE PEACE, PROSPERITY. SWAPNIL BEGAN HIS STUDIES AT 1998 AT THE ACADEMY, COMPLETING A THREE-YEAR RESIDENTIAL COURSE IN 2002. HE HAS SINCE DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO TEACHING AND SPREADING VERYDANTA TO VARIOUS COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD. 
          AT THE VEDANTA INSTITUTEHE LEADS TO MANAGEMENT TEAMS LOCALLY AND ONLINE GLOBALLY. IN ADDITION TO HIS WORK AT VEDANTA INSTITUTE, SWAPNIL CONTINUES TO BRING THE VALUES OF KNOWLEDGE, DEVOTION AND ACTION TO ALL, EMPOWERING INDIVIDUALS TO LEAD MORE BALANCED AND FULFILLING LIVES. 
          PLEASE JOIN ME THIS MORNING IN WELCOME I'M ABOUT TO RECITE IS CALLED THIS, THE PEACE PRAYER WITH THE THINGS HAPPENING ALL AROUND US IN THE WORLD AND THE HURRICANE WHICH IS MOVING TOWARDS FLORIDA, I THINK IT REQUIRES US TO ALL PRAY FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED. SO THIS PRAYER GOES 
          [00:05:01]
-- BUT BEFORE THE PRAYER, LET ME READ THE TRANSLATION SO EVERYBODY CAN JOIN, IF NOT IN WORDS, BUT IN SENTIMENTS. SO THE PRAYER GOES MAY THE LORD PROTECT US ALL. MAY THE LORD OFFER US HUMILITY IN WHATEVER ENDEAVORS WE CHOOSE. MAY ALL THE PARTICIPANTS HAVE THE HUMILITY TO ACCEPT THE DIFFERENCES THAT WE HAVE AND DISSOLVE IT PEACEFULLY. SO THIS IS HOW THE PRAYER GOES. 
          ] >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> IF YOU WILL STAND FOR THE U.S. PLEDGE AND THEN THE TEXAS PLEDGE. 
          [Departments (Part 1 of 3)]
          >> JUDGE HIDALGO HAS A COUPLE OF RESOLUTIONS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO PRESENT TO HER AND JAY AYER FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WILL RECITE THE RESOLUTIONS FROM THE 
          JUDGES. >> SURE, ITEM 2, PAGE 3, THIS IS THE OCTOBER 2024 AS FLU SEASON AWARENESS MONTH. FLU SEASON TYPICALLY BEGINS IN OCTOBER AND CAN EXTEND THROUGH THE SPRING. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH REMINDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO TAKE ACTION AND PROTECT THEMSELVES AND THEIR LOVED ONES BY GETTING THEIR ANNUAL FLU VACCINE. THIS ITEM, I BELIEVE, HAS SPEAKERS. TIFFANY. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. DR. ERICA BROWN, LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. AS JAY MENTIONED, THIS MONTH IS FLU AWARENESS MONTH, AND THE REASON THIS IS SO IMPORTANT IS BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, THE WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION STATES THAT 650,000 INDIVIDUALS DIE FROM THE FLU EVERY YEAR. AND IT IS PREVENTIBLE. THE WAY YOU CAN PREVENT IT IS TO GET A FLU VACCINE. AND SO WE ENCOURAGE ANYONE WHO IS SIX MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER TO GET A FLU VACCINE. THE MONTH OF OCTOBER IS THE PERFECT TIME TO DO SO BECAUSE THE FLU VACCINE LASTS FOR SIX MONTHS WHICH WILL TAKE YOU THROUGH MOST OF THE FLU SEASON, INTO THE EARLY SPRING. AS WE STATED, THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE ARE SIX MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER. WE HIGHLY RECOMMEND ANYBODY WHO HAS CHRONIC CONDITIONS SUCH AS DIABETES, HEART DISEASE, OUR INFANTS AND OUR ELDERLY TO GET VACCINATED. BUT, OF COURSE, WE RECOMMEND FOR EVERYONE TO GET VACCINATED. WE ALSO RECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE PRACTICE GOOD HYGIENE. THAT MEANS GREAT HAND 
          WASHING. >> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU. THAT MEANS GOOD HAND WASHING. THAT MEAN COVERING YOUR NOSE AND MOUTH WHEN YOU SNEEZE AND COUGH. AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, IT MEANS TAKING THE TIME TO HEAL YOURSELF WHEN YOU'RE SICK AND TO STAY HOME UNTIL YOU'RE FEELING BETTER. AGAIN, RERECOMMEND THAT EVERYONE GET A FLU VACCINE THIS YEAR, SIX MONTHS OF AGE AND OLDER. FOR THOSE WHO QUALIFY, IT IS FREE, OFFERED BY HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. AND YOU CAN CALL 832-927-7350. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. TIFFANY, ANY 
          OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? >> NO, SIR. 
          >> I'M GOING TO GO GET MY SHOT THIS WEEK. 
          >> SURE. >> ALSO THAT COVID SHOT. 
          >> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERS, PAGE TWO, ITEM 4 UNDER THE RESOLUTIONS FOR DESIGNATING OCTOBER 2024 AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, MAINTAINING THE SECURITY OF CYBERSPACE IS A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY WITH EACH OF US PLAYING A CRITICAL ROLE IN ENHANCING AWARENESS OF COMPUTER SECURITY ESSENTIALS, THEREBY IMPROVING THE SECURITY OF HARRIS COUNTY'S INFORMATION, INFRASTRUCTURE AND ECONOMY. 
          TIFFANY, SPEAKERS? >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. 
          EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR THIS 
          [00:10:01]
PROCLAMATION. OCTOBER, WE HAVE CELEBRATED OVER THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS OCTOBER AS CYBERSECURITY MONTH, AND THE THEME FOR THIS MONTH, THIS MONTH, FOR THIS YEAR IS SECURE OUR COUNTY. THE PRIMARY FOCUS WE WILL BE ENGAGING IN MULTIPLE ACTIVITIES THROUGHOUT THE MONTH TO INCREASE AWARENESS. AS THE PROCLAMATION SAYS, CYBERSECURITY IS A GIANT RESPONSIBILITY, SO AS WE HAVE DONE, WE HAVE EDUCATED THE COMMUNITY. THERE WILL BE EMAIL BLASTS GOING OUT FOR THE EMPLOYEES, AS WELL AS SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS, ALONG WITH POSTERS AND VIDEO ANIMATIONS THAT WILL BE SHARED BOTH INTERNALLY, AS WELL AS WITH OUR COMMUNITY. SO THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE PRIVATE SECTOR, AS WELL AS WITH THE COUNTY TO INCREASE THE 
          AWARENESS. THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, AND APPRECIATE ALL YOU DO TO KEEP OUR NETWORKS SAFE. SO CONTINUE THE GOOD WORK. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? THANK 
          YOU. >> NO, SIR. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE COURT RULES AND PROCEDURE TO PERMIT THE READING OF AN ADDITIONAL RESOLUTION OUT OF ORDER FOR ITEM 9, DEPUTY RUTH RECIO FOR 
          RETIREMENT. >> SECOND. 
          >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> AYE. ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAVE 
          THREE, ITEM 7, 8 AND 9 >> THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES FOR ALLOWING ME TO GET THIS EXTRA RESOLUTION IN. I WOULDN'T BE ASKING TO SUSPEND THE RULES IF I DIDN'T THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT, AND YOU'LL UNDERSTAND IN A MINUTE THE VALUE IN RECOGNIZING THIS INDIVIDUAL. HOWEVER, THIS FIRST RESOLUTION GOES TO SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A MENTOR AND A PIONEER FOR ALL OF US, BUT A MENTOR TO MANY, MANY IN ELECTED OFFICE. AND TODAY WE'RE -- WE WANT TO WELCOME THE FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES OF THE LATE DR. 
          TATCHO MINDIOLA JR. AS WE CONTINUE TO MOURN HIS LOSS. 
          LESS THAN TWO MONTHS AGO, WE LOST A GREAT EDUCATOR, LEADER AND SOMEONE WHO WAS AN INSPIRING FIGURE FOR MANY OF US. WE CELEBRATE, AND WE CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE DR. 
          MINDIOLA'S WORK TO A LIFELONG CAREER, WORKING TO PROVIDE CIVIC AND ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUTH AND THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY AND BEYOND. WE ARE JOINED TODAY BY HIS WIFE, CINDY MENDOZA MINDIOLA AND THEIR SONS. SO IF I CAN ASK YOU ALL TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM. AND SONS TREY AND GILBERT, MINDIOLA IF YOU'RE HERE, MAKE YOUR WAY. WE WANT TO CONTINUE REMEMBER DR. MINDIOLA DURING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH WHICH IS A SPECIAL TIME TO HONOR THOSE WHO PERSEARED AND CONTRIBUTED TO EDUCATE, EMPOWER AND SHARE THIS RICH CULTURAL HISTORY WITH ALL OF OUR RESIDENTS. FOR OVER 40 YEARS, TATCHOA, AS HE WAS AFFECTION ATLY KNOWN, WAS A LEADING PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND FOUNDER OF THE MEXICAN, AMERICAN AND LATINO STUDIES PROGRAM. HE WAS ALSO A PASSIONATE ADVOCATE FOR VOTER REGISTRATION AND POLITICAL ENGAGEMENT AMONG MEXICAN AMERICANS. THROUGH INNOVATIVE COURSES AND RESEARCH, HE SOUGHT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF POVERTY, CRIME AND EDUCATIONAL ACCESS OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. HE ALSO WORKED TO IMPROVE SOCIAL JUSTICE AND EQUITY FOR HISPANICS. AND SO WE CONTINUE TO OFFER OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES, BUT TO SAY VERY SIMPLY THAT DR. MINDIOLA CONTINUES TO LIVE, AND HE CONTINUES TO BE IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS. I CAN SEE ALL OF HIS POSTS FROM HIS MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY, MANY STUDENTS THAT HAVE GREAT MEMORIES OF HIM AND STILL LOOK TO HIM AS A REASON FOR THEIR CURRENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND SUCCESSES TODAY. SO MRS. MINDIOLA , THANK YOU FOR JOINING US, AND I OFFER 
          YOU THE PODIUM. >> SURE. 
          >> CERTAINLY THE RESOLUTION HIGHLIGHTS MANY OF THE WAYS THAT TATCHO IMPACTED OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS LEADERSHIP, LATINA, LATINO EDUCATION, EQUALITY, THEY WERE DEFINITELY HIS CORE PASSIONS. PHILOSOPHER WILLIAM JAMES ONCE SAID THE GREATEST GIFT IN LIFE THAT YOU CAN GIVE IS TO DO SOMETHING THAT LIVES BEYOND YOU, AND IF THAT'S THE CASE, I 
          [00:15:05]
THINK MY HUSBAND CERTAINLY ACCOMPLISHED THAT. 
          >> BEAUTIFUL. >> HE ALSO CARRIED HIS VALUES, HIS PASSION, HIS BELIEFS TO HIS CHILDREN, HIS FOUR CHILDREN, HIS FAMILY. HE ENCOURAGED THEM TO BE EDUCATED, TO THINK FOR THEMSELVES, TO BE FREE THINKERS, TO HAVE EACH OTHER'S 
          BACK. >> CONTINUE. 
          >> TO HAVE EACH OTHER'S BACK AND TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ALL THE COMMISSIONERS FOR 
          HONORING HIS MEMORY. >> WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. 
          AND ARE YOU TREY OR GILBERT? >> GILBERT. 
          >> GILBERT. I HAVE A BROTHER NAMED GILBERT AS WELL, SO YOU'RE IN GOOD COMPANY. WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE A FEW WORDS? 
          >> I DON'T THINK THAT I COULD RIGHT NOW. 
          >> UNDERSTOOD. UNDERSTOOD. WELL, TO THE FAMILY, IF YOU WILL JUST GIVE US A MINUTE, WE'LL BE TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS IN A MINUTE. WE'D BE HONORED TO HAVE ONE WITH YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> OUR DEEPEST CONDOLENCES. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL OF US GOT TO KNOW HIM, RESPECT HIS WORK, AND IT'LL CONTINUE. 
          >> THANK YOU. THIS NEXT RESOLUTION IS JUST AS BEAUTIFUL AS THE FIRST, AND THIS ONE IS TO RECOGNIZE DR. CRISTINA RIVERA GARZA . WE ASK HER IF YOU COULD MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM RADIO. SHE IS CURRENTLY THE MD ANDERSON PROFESSOR IN HISPANIC STUDIES AND DIRECTOR OF THE CREATIVE WRITING PROGRAM IN HISPANIC STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON MAIN CAMPUS. DR. REYES, A COLLEAGUE IS HERE ALSO TO SHARE A FEW WORDS. SO WE'D LIKE TO ASK HIM TO MAKE HIS WAY AS WELL. DR. 
          REYES IS CHAIR AND ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF LATIN MARKET STUDIES IN THE DEPARTMENT OF HISPANIC STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. HOW, DR. RIVERA GARZA WON THE 2024 PULITZER PRIZE FOR MEMOIR AND AUTOBIOGRAPHY, LILANA'S INVINCIBLE SUMMER A SISTERS' SEARCH FOR JUSTICE. IT'S ABOUT HER SISTER LILANA WHO WAS MURDERED AT 20 YEARS OF AGE IN MEXICO. IT EXPLORES DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, CORRUPTION, GRIEF AND SOCIAL JUSTICE. WE HONOR HER FOR HER ACHIEVEMENTS AS A LATINA, AUTHOR AND NAVIGATE FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH. THE THEMES OF HER BOOK ALSO COINCIDE WITH NATIONAL DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. HOWEVER, DR. RIVERA GARZA WAS BORN IN MEXICO. SHE HAS LIVED IN THE UNITED STATES SINCE 1989. DR. RIVERA GARZA STUDIED URBAN SOCIOLOGY AT THE NATIONAL AUTONOMOUS UNIVERSITY OF MEXICO AND EARNED HER PHD IN LATIN-AMERICAN STUDIES IN HISTORY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON IN 2012. FROM 2016 TO PRESENT, SHE HAS WORKED AS A DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND IS FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF PHD AND HISPANIC STUDIES WITH A CONCENTRATION IN CREATIVE WRITING. DR. RIVERA GARZA IS AN AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF SIX OTHER NOVELS, THREE COLLECTIONS OF SHORT STORIES, FIVE COLLECTIONS OF POETRY, THREE NONFICTION BOOKS. SHE PRIMARILY WRITES IN SPANISH AND IS RECOGNIZED FOR HER HYBRIDITY STYLE IN CREATIVE WRITING, BLENDING GENRES AND ELEMENTS. AND I WOULD JUST TELL YOU GUYS, LAST WEEK I WAS HONORED TO HOST DR. RIVERA GARZA FOR A READING FROM HER BOOK. IT WAS ALL PHENOMENAL. IT WAS ALL INCREDIBLE. BUT WHAT STOLE THE SHOW WAS THAT THIS BOOK WAS NOT ONLY WRIT NEN ENGLISH, IT WAS ALSO WRITTEN IN SPANISH, AND SO DR. RIVERA GARZA READ SOME OF THE EXCERPTS IN SPANISH. AND IT WAS JUST AMAZING. IT WAS BEAUTIFUL, IT WAS POETRY. SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE -- I HAVE SOME OF THE BOOKS, AND I'LL SHARE THEM WITH MY COLLEAGUES. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO READ IT BECAUSE THE POINT OF HYBRIDITY IS AN INTERESTING ONE BECAUSE THE BOOK IS WRITTEN IN A VERY POETIC WAY. HOWEVER, IT'S BEAUTIFUL BECAUSE LIL ANA IS ALSO SPEAKING TO US IN THE BOOK. SHE TAKES SOME PASSAGE FROM HER SISTER'S DIARY AND INCLUDES THEM INTO THE BOOK. SO IT'S MADE IT REALLY, REALLY FAS 98 READING. AND SO, DR. RIVERA GARZA, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. BUT WE HONOR YOU ON THIS OCCASION OF HISPANIC 
          [00:20:07]
HERITAGE MONTH AS WELL. SO THANK YOU. 
          >> MUTUALO GRASSOS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR ME TO BE HERE IN OCTOBER, A MONTH, AS YOU SAID, DEVOTED TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS. AND, YES, INDEED, IN LILANA'S INVINCIBLE SUMMER , MY MOST RECENT BOOK, I EXPLORED THE LIFE AND FEMICIDE OF MY YOUNGER SISTER WHICH OCCURRED WHEN SHE WAS 20 YEARS OLD, AN ARCHITECTURE STUDENT IN MEXICO CITY. I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO REMIND US THAT FEMICIDE WHICH IS A CRIME COMMITTED AGAINST WOMEN BECAUSE OF THEIR GENDER IS ALSO A MAJOR PROBLEM IN THE UNITED STATES. 
          THREE WOMEN ARE KILLED BY THEIR INTIMATE PARTNERS IN THE UNITED STATES DAILY. A STAGGERING, HORRIBLE NUMBER THAT ALLOWS US TO CALL THESE AN EPIDEMIC. SO THERE'S A LITTLE WORK TO DO IN THAT REGARD. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HIGHLIGHTING, SHEDDING 
          LIGHT ON THESE URGENT MATTERS. >> AND DR. RIVERA GARZA, THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT. AND AS THE PROUD DADDY OF A YOUNG LADY WHO I'M VERY, VERY HAPPY THAT SHE'S IN A GOOD RELATIONSHIP, BUT THE POINT OF FEMICIDE IS REALLY ONE THAT WE HAVE ALL TAKEN IMMENSELY SERIOUSLY HERE. COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS BEEN LEADING ON MANY INITIATIVES TO HELP ON THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS THAT WE'RE RUNNING IN THE COUNTY. 
          BUT IT REMAINS ONE OF THE MOST STUBBORN INDEXES IN OUR CRIME RATE, OUTPACING OTHER VIOLENT AND SERIOUS CRIMES WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS. AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH YOUR EXPERIENCE IN THE SENATE, THE ONE THING THAT WE ALL GOT THE OTHER NIGHT WAS THAT FEMICIDE IS DEFINED IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN INTERNATIONAL LAW. IT'S NOT DEFINED IN U.S. LAW. AND SO I'D LIKE TO WORK WITH YOU TO SEE MAYBE IF WE CAN DEDICATE SOME EFFORT DURING THIS UPCOMING SESSION TO SEE IF WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO INCLUDE IT. IN HONOR OF ALL VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND INTERPERSONAL VIOLENCE BUT ALSO IN HONOR OF YOUR SISTER AS WELL. SO, DOCTOR, PLEASE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ALL THE COMEERS. 
          I'M VERY HONORED TO BE HERE TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT MY GREAT COLLEAGUE WHO IS A PROFESSOR, WRITER, SCHOLAR, MENTOR A PLOP NENT FIGURE AS YOU MENTIONED BEFORE, A LEADER IN MEXICO BUT IN THE REST OF LATIN AMERICA, IN THE U.S. AND IN EUROPE. SHE EXPLORES THINGS LIKE GENDER VIOLENCE AND IDENTITY, TRANSCENDS MEMORY THAT CHALLENGE -- APPLIES ATTENTION TO SILENT VOICES WITH COMPASSIONATE COMMITMENT, DR. 
          RIVERA GARZA SHOWS US THAT LEARNING IS GOING ON A VENTURE THAT NEVER ENDS. HER WRITING AND CREATIVE PROCESS SERVES AS A POWERFUL REMINDER THAT THE WORST CAN BECOME BREACHES AND TOOLS AND AND RESISTANCE. THIS IS THE WORK OF THE MACARTHUR GENIUS, AS A MACARTHUR FELLOW RECOGNIZED IN 2020. THANK YOU 
          VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. 
          >> FOR A MOMENT. CONGRATULATIONS. IT GIVES ME SO MUCH PRIDE AS A FELLOW LA TINA. WINNING THE PULITZER PRIZE IS JUST A HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT. BUT I AM SO SORRY THAT YOUR SISTER WAS TAKEN FROM YOU AND THAT SO MANY WOMEN ARE TAKEN FROM OUR SOCIETY DAILY. I READ YOUR BOOK. I COULD NOT PUT IT DOWN. 
          AND THE WAY YOU DEPICT FEMICIDE AND JUST THE DEEP COMPLEX ISSUE THAT PLAGUES EVERY COUNTRY, IT WAS POWERFUL. I WAS JUST THANKFUL FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEADERSHIP TO SHARE YOUR STORY, AND I THOUGHT IT WAS SO BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN. SO CONGRATULATIONS, AND WE'LL BE TALKING MORE ABOUT INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE, AND WE WOULD LOVE YOUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AND ACTIVISM SO THAT WE CAN TRY TO BREAK THROUGH THIS RECALCITRANT, HORRIFIC PROBLEM. 
          ] >> I'M SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, 
          [00:25:02]
          BUT MY DEEPEST CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, AND PLEASE COUNT ON ME FOR ALL THOSE PROJECTS. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. 
          >> WHAT A GREAT RESOLUTION. YOU KNOW, IN 1991, THE LAW IN TEXAS STILL EXISTS SO THAT AN OFFENSE TO PROSECUTION FOR RAPE WAS THAT'S MY SPOUSE, EVEN IF SOMEONE HAD BEEN SEPARATED 20, 30 YEARS. THAT WAS A DEFENSE PROSECUTION TO 1991. 
          >> CRAZY. >> A LOT OF CHANGES HAVE COME 
          ABOUT. >> GOOD DEAL. I HAVE ONE MORE, AND THIS IS THE REASON THAT I RESPECTFULLY ASKED MY COLLEAGUES TO SUSPEND THE RULES. THIS YOUNG LADY IS ABOUT TO EMBARK ON AN INCREDIBLE JOURNEY, AND VERY PROUD OF HER. 
          I GOT TO KNOW THIS YOUNG LADY WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, AND IF NOT FOR SOME INTERESTING TWISTS OF FATE, THIS YOUNG LADY MAY HAVE TAKEN A JOURNEY BACK THEN. BUT SHE REMAINED COMMITTED, NOT ONLY TO THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, SHE REMAINED COMMITTED TO OUR DEPUTIES WHO WERE ENLISTED IN THE UNITED STATES MILITARY, HELPING THEM REINTEGRATE INTO OUR LOCAL SOCIETY AND COMMUNITY BUT ALSO INTO THE DEPARTMENT. WHEN I MET DEPUTY RECIOS, SHE WAS CONTEMPLATING MOVING ON, AND I ASKED HER IF SHE WOULD TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE OF CREATING A VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND SHE TOOK THAT CHALLENGE, AND, MAN, I'LL TELL YOU WHAT, IF ANYBODY TAKES A BULL BY THE HORNS, IT WAS THIS YOUNG LADY. SO I'D LIKE TO ASK DEPUTY RUTH RECIO IF YOU'D COME TO THE PODIUM PLEASE, AS I WORK TO SHARE THE FACT THAT SHE IS RETIRED. YOU'RE OFFICIALLY NOT RETIRED, RIGHT? OR YOU HAVE HOW MANY MORE DAYS? SHE IS RETIRED, OKAY. AFTER 21 YEARS AND 25 YEARS WITH THE UNITED STATES ARMY, DEPUTY RECIO WAS THE FIRST DEPUTY ASSIGNED TO THE MILITARY LIAISON OFFICE THAT WAS CREATED IN 2013, AND SHE IS A PHENOMENAL PIONEER FOR HER COUNTRY, BUT TO OTHER MEMBERS OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO ARE IN ACTIVE MILITARY DUTY AND DEPLOYMENT. HER MENTORSHIP AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR NEXT GENERATION OF MILITARY EMPLOYEES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT WILL FOREVER, EVER CEMENT YOUR LEGACY. AND I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A BROTHER PRESENT AS WELL? IS DAN HERE? 
          >> YES. >> OKAY, DAN, WHY DON'T YOU COME ON DOWN AS WELL. OKAY. GOTCHA. WE WILL TRY NOT TO MAKE 
          THIS A ROAST AND TOAST >>> BUT WE WILL TOAST YOU. SO PROUD. SHE HAS SERVED, AS I MENTIONED, THE ARMY. SHE HAS SERVED AS A MASTER SERGEANT, AND SHE ALSO HAS ENDURED MULTIPLE TOURS TO THE MIDDLE EAST, AND AND I THINK THE WORLD OF YOU. THE REASON I THOUGHT THIS WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE VETERANS' PROGRAMS AS A COUNTY BY ACCIDENT. WE ARE INTENTION BECAUSE, NUMBER ONE, WE CARE ABOUT OUR VETERANS, BUT NUMBER TWO, IS WE ASK YOU TO DO AN INCREDIBLE DUTY, AND THEN SOMETIMES IN YEARS PAST WE FORGOT THAT YOU TOOK ON THAT KIND OF CHALLENGE. AND WE JUST ASSUME YOU'RE A SOLDIER, AND YOU'LL MUSTER THROUGH THINGS. BUT THE REALITY IS YOU'RE ALSO A HUMAN BEING, AND YOU'RE A PERSON. AND WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF THE FACT THAT WHEN YOU LEAVE US TO GO DO THESE INCREDIBLE TOURS OF DUTY, SOMETIMES YOU DO COME BACK A LITTLE BEAT UP, MORE THAN YOU LEFT. AND WE CANNOT -- WE CANNOT EVER FORGET THAT. AND SO I'M PROUD OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE FOR SO MANY OTHERS. BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PERSEVERANCE. THANK YOU FOR GIVING THE IDEA A 
          [00:30:01]
CHANCE BECAUSE OTHERS WOULD HAVE SAID I DON'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT. I WANT TO JUST MOVE ON. BUT YOU TOOK ON THE CHALLENGE, AND YOU DID IT WITH INCREDIBLE PRIDE. AND SO, DEPUTY, YOU'LL FOREVER BE A DEPUTY. BUT AS I READ YOUR RANK HERE, I THINK I'M GOING TO START REFERRING TO YOU AS MASTER SERGEANT. I DON'T WANT YOU TO HAVE ME DOING ANY PUSHUPS. BUT WITH THAT, THE FLOOR IS YOURS, MASTER 
          SERGEANT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR HAVING ME. I AM HUMBLED BY YOUR INVITATION. MY 21 YEARS HAVE COME TO AN END, AND I STAND BEFORE YOU WITHOUT THE ARMOR, BUT I HAVE SO MANY TESTIMONIES. WE IMPACTED GREATLY UNDER YOUR COMMAND, FORMER SHERIFF GARCIA, NOW COMMISSIONER. I AM PROUD TO STAND BEFORE YOU TODAY AND SAY THAT OUR JOB IS COMPLETE HERE, THE LEGACY WILL CONTINUE UNDER THE COMMAND OF A NEW LEADER, A NEW LIAISON. AND I AM EXCITED THAT HE IS A MARINE. HE'S A 
          HARD CHARGER, AND THAT IS -- >> A SERGEANT MARINE? WHERE ARE 
          YOU, SARGE? THERE YOU GO. >> I KNOW THE OFFICE IS IN GOOD HANDS, BUT THROUGHOUT MY 21 YEARS, I HAVE LEARNED THREE THINGS IN REGARDS TO TAKING CARE OF THE TROOPS AND WHAT 
          WILL MOTIVATE THE TROOPS. >> CONTINUE. 
          >> MOTIVATION IS GOING TO BE THE KEY FOR THE TROOPS TO CONTINUE TO FIGHT TO COME BACK, TO CONTINUE THE RACE AND FINISH, INSPIRATION AND EMPOWERING THE TROOPS TO COME UP WITH NEW PROGRAMS, INNOVATIVE WAYS TO CONTINUE THE MISSION AND THEN ENCOURAGEMENT FOR THOSE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR WAY, WHO HAVE LOST HOPE, WHO HAVE BECOME TIRED AND HAVE TAKEN A KNEE AND WONDERING IF THEY SHOULD GET BACK IN THE FIGHT ANYMORE. SO IT'S PARAMOUNT THAT LEADERS CONTINUE TO SUPPORT YOUR MILITARY EMPLOYEES BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH THE WAR IS OVER, IT DOESN'T MEAN THE WAR IS OVER HERE. 
          >> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S RIGHT. 
          >> THAT WILL LIVE WITHIN THEM. >> THAT'S RIGHT. 
          >> BUT THEY CAN CONQUER, THEY CAN OVERCOME, AND THEY CAN CONTINUE TO FIGHT, BUT EMPLOYER SUPPORT IS MONUMENTAL, AND THAT HAPPENING -- AND YOU DID THAT. YOU BOLDLY DID THAT. YOU HIRED WOUNDED VETERANS, PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS. YOU SAID REGARDLESS OF THEIR INJURIES, THEY WILL BE GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE TO SERVE THEIR COUNTY. YOU OPEN UP THEIR DOORS, AND WE HAD GREAT, GREAT VETERANS TURN OUT TO BE GREAT DEPUTIES. AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT WILL STAY IN MY HEART FOREVER AS A LEADER. IT MEANT A LOT TO ME, AND THAT'S WHAT GAVE ME THE STRENGTH, THE COURAGE AND THE WILL TO SERVE THOSE VETERANS WITHIN OUR 
          AGENCY, AND I THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. WOW! 
          >> I GUESS AS YOU TRANSITION, AND YOU PUT THAT IN THE HANDS OF THE MARINE OVER THERE, ARE WE GOING TO BE USING -- WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE TO USE A LOT OF PICTURES AND SMALL WORDS FOR HIM, RIGHT? LISTEN, CONGRATULATIONS. WE LOVE YOU. 
          THIS YOUNG LADY IS ALSO LOOKING TO RELOCATE, NOT TO ANOTHER COUNTY, NOT TO ANOTHER CITY, NOT TO ANOTHER STATE BUT POSSIBLY TO ANOTHER COUNTRY. SHE IS LOOKING TO SOUTHEAST ASIA TO TAKE ON A REALLY BEAUTIFUL ENDEAVOR THAT INVOLVES ELEPHANTS. AND SO I JUST THINK THAT'S PHENOMENAL, AND SO, COLLEAGUES, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO GET THIS RESOLUTION IN. IT JUST MEANT THE WORLD TO ME JUST REMEMBERING MASTER SERGEANT'S WORK AND CONTRIBUTIONS TO US ALL. BUT AS YOU LOOK TO GO TO ANOTHER COUNTRY, JUST KNOW THAT YOU'LL ALWAYS HAVE A HOME HERE. THANK YOU. 
          >> YES. 
          BRINGING THIS. WE HAVE LOTS OF EMPLOYEES IN THE COUNTY THAT ARE VETERANS, AND IT'S GREAT THAT YOU CALL ATTENTION TO IT BECAUSE THE CONTRIBUTIONS THAT THEY'RE MAKING ON A DAILY BASIS IS EXTRAORDINARY, AND IT'S GOOD THAT WE PAUSE, REMEMBER THAT, PAY ATTENTION TO THAT AND LOOK FOR MORE VETERANS 
          WHERE WE CAN FIND THEM. >> AMEN. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> YES, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND AS YOUR WORK AS SHERIFF. THANK YOU, RECIO FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COUNTY AND OUR NATION, AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING THAT YOU DID TO LEAD 
          [00:35:03]
AND SERVE OUR HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND OUR VETERANS. SO WE HONOR YOU, WE THANK YOU, AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYTHING THAT LIES AHEAD FOR YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO YOU 
          HAVE ITEM 10? >> I DO. AND IT IS PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH, AND I CONSIDERED -- GOASH, WE HAVE SO MANY THAT WE COULD BRING. I SAW SOME LAST NIGHT ON THE OCTOBER 7TH GATHERING AS WE REMEMBERED WHAT HAPPENED A YEAR AGO YESTERDAY, AND SO MANY PEOPLE OF FAITH GATHERED. I THOUGHT, WELL, WHO COULD I BRING? AND I THOUGHT, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO TAKE A LITTLE POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND HONOR MY FATHER WHO GRADUATED, THAT'S KIND OF TERMS FOR PASSING AWAY, BUT MY FATHER GRADUATED 19 YEARS AGO TODAY, AND WHEN I LOOK AT A PASTOR WHO I GOT -- WHEN YOU'RE A PREACHER'S KID, YOU GET A REAL GOOD INSIGHT INTO WHAT A PASTOR DOES AND WHAT THEY DO ON A DAILY BASIS. HIS RESOLUTION WILL PAY ATTENTION. HIS FIRST SERMON WAS PREACHED WHEN HE WAS 15. 
          >> WOW! >> HIS FIRST CHURCH HE PASTORED 
          WAS WHEN HE WAS 16. >> WOW! 
          >> HE WENT TO SCHOOL, PAID FOR IT ON HIS OWN, EAST TEXAS BAPTIST, AND THEN WENT TO SOUTHWEST BAPTIST THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY WHERE HE GRADUATED IN '54. I WAS BORN IN '52 WHEN HE WAS IN SEMINARY IN FORT WORTH. MY FATHER'S LEGACY, IF YOU WILL, IS A PASTOR'S LEGACY. HE WAS PASTOR OF FIRST COMPANY BAPTIST CROCKETT FOR OVER 40 YEARS. MOST PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHERE CROCKETT IS, BUT HE WAS CONSIDERED THE PASTOR OF CROCKET. I KNOW THAT BECAUSE HE WOULD ANNOUNCE FOOTBALL GAMES ON FRIDAY NIGHT. HE WOULD BE THE SPEAKER AT MOST GRADUATIONS THEN. HE WAS THAT KIND OF A GUY, AND HE WAS THAT KIND OF A FATHER. AND THE THING I WOULD END ON, I HAVE EVERY SERMON HE EVER PREACHED. HE WAS A VERY ORGANIZED GUY, AND THE STACK WOULD BE ABOUT THIS HIGH, AND TO GET INSIGHT INTO WHAT HE THOUGHT ABOUT ISSUES BECAUSE HE WAS AN ISSUES-ORIENTED PASTOR. 
          DON'T COME TO CHURCH UNLESS YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT YOU MAY NOT WANT TO THINK ABOUT. BUT HE SO REPRESENTS WHAT I THINK HAPPENS EVERYDAY IN A QUIET WAY IN NEIGHBORHOODS. I KNOW THAT I READ A BOOK ONE TIME, PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING BOOK ABOUT A RUSSIAN WHO CAME TO AMERICA TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE SECRET WAS TO THE SUCCESS WE HAVE, THE DEMOCRACY WE HAVE HERE, THE REPUBLIC WE HAVE HERE, AND HIS COMMENT WAS THERE'S A CHURCH ON EVERY CORNER IN AMERICA, AND THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE. AND MAY THAT NEVER CEASE. AND SO WITH THAT, I WANT TO HONOR REVEREND E.P. 
          RAMSEY JR. HE'S KNOWN IN EAST TEXAS AS BROTHER E.P., BUT, AGAIN, RECOGNIZE HIM. I KNOW HE'S BEEN GONE A LONG TIME, BUT HE AND MY MOM BOTH PASSED AWAY WITHIN A COUPLE OF WEEKS OF EACH OTHER. AND IT WAS HARD ON THE COMMUNITY THERE IN CROCKETT, BUT IT'S GOOD TO SIT AND JUST TO SHARE HIS STORY BECAUSE SOMETIMES YOU DO THAT, AND IT IS A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT. SO THANK YOU FOR THAT LITTLE POINT OF PRIVILEGE AS WE RECOGNIZE OR REMEMBER PASTOR APPRECIATION MONTH 
          THROUGH BROTHER E.P. RAMSEY JR. >> AMEN. AMEN. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR DAD WITH CROCKETT, AND WITH US TODAY. I KNOW HE'S SMILING DOWN FROM HEAVEN WITH PRIDE AND GREAT LOVE, AND I KNOW HIS LEGACY CONTINUES THROUGH YOU, COMMISSIONER. SO THANK YOU. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. AND LIKEWISE, I JUST WANTED TO SAY IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO HAVE A GOOD DAD, AND WE'RE BLESSED. BUT IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO BE A GOOD SON. 
          YOU'RE A GOOD SON. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, YOU HAVE 
          ITEM 11 AND 12. >> I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS. THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 11 ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH OF OCTOBER. I'D LIKE TO INVITE OUR RESOLUTION GUESTS UP, AND THEN I WILL GET STARTED. WE HAVE EMILY 
          [00:40:03]
WHITEHURST THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF HAWK, THE HOUSTON-AREA WOMEN'S CENTER. WE HAVE HEATHER STOUTMEISTER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND THERAPIST OF FAMILY TIES FAMILY RESOURCES SERVICES. WE HAVE ANN COFFEE WHO'S THE CEO OF THE WOMEN'S HOME, AND WE HAVE LEUPEE WASHINGTON WHO IS A DIRECTOR AT OUR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH AND VIOLENCE PREVENTION SERVICES AND I ALSO -- THERE'S MANY OTHERS WHO DIDN'T SIGN UP TO SPEAK, BUT YOU'RE ALSO WELCOME TO JOIN THEM, ROSE, MEGAN, SARAH, DR. BROWN AND LEIA BARTON. SO THE FOLLOWING, THIS RESOLUTION IS RECOGNIZING OCTOBER AS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH, AND WE ALREADY STARTED TALKING IT WITH DOCTOR'S PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING BOOK. THE FOLLOWING SHOULD MAKE YOU EXTREMELY ALARMED, UPSET, SADDENED, AND I HOPE IT SPURS YOU TO ACTION. I'M GOING TO READ SOME VERY STAGGERING STATISTICS, AND THEN I'M GOING TO GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS RECENTLY BEEN DOING, AND THE BOTTOM LINE THAT THERE'S STILL SO MUCH WORK TO BE DONE. THE TRENDS ARE NOT POSITIVE WHATSOEVER. SO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND I WANT MAT PARTNER VIOLENCE AFFECTS PEOPLE OF ALL AGES, ALL RACES, ETHNICITIES, GENDERS, RELIGIONS AND SOCIOECONOMIC BACKGROUNDS, AND THIS CAN BE PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, MENTAL OR FINANCIAL. 
          IN THE UNITED STATES, NEARLY ONE IN FOUR ADULT WOMEN HAVE EXPERIENCED, ONE IN FOUR HAVE EXPERIENCED PHYSICAL VIOLENCE BY AN INTIMATE PARTNER. MORE THAN 12 MILLION PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE AFFECTED. HARRIS COUNTY, UNFORTUNATELY, LEADS FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS IN THIS REGARD. IN HENRY COUNTY, THE INTIMATE PARTNER HOMICIDES HAVE DOUBLED, DOUBLED FROM 2019 TO 2022. UNFORTUNATELY, THOSE NUMBERS, THE ONE IN FOUR, ARE EVEN WORSE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY IN TEXAS. IT'S ABOUT 40% OF TEXAS WOMEN HAVE REPORT -- THAT'S WHO HAVE REPORTED BEING AFFECTED BY INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE. SO WE'RE HIGHER THAN THE U.S. AVERAGE. GUNS WERE USED IN 73% OF THESE INTIMATE PARTNER DEATHS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. , AND THE NUMBERS CONTINUE, AND THEY'RE STAGGERING. IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE ONLY HAVE 330 APPROXIMATE SHELTER BEDS. SO THINK ABOUT IT THIS WAY. NEW YORK CITY HAS DOUBLE OUR POPULATION, BUT THEY HAVE 10 TIMES THE NUMBER OF BEDS FOR THOSE FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. SO DOUBLE THE POPULATION, 10 TIMES AS MANY BEDS. HERE IN THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY, WE SHOULD NOT ONLY HAVE 330 SHELTER BEDS -- AND I KNOW THESE BOLD, BRILLIANT WOMEN ARE WORKING HARD EVERYDAY TO CHANGE THAT FACT IN COLLABORATION WITH THE COUNTY. BUT, AGAIN, THERE'S SO MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE. AGAIN, THIS AFFECTS ALL PEOPLE OF ALL RACES AND ALL ETHNICITIES. AND WE KNOW WE ALSO HAVE TO BE VERY CULTURALLY SENSITIVE, DEPENDING ON THE DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES. WE ALSO KNOW THE HORRIFIC FACT THAT BLACK WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY MAKE UP 52% OF THE WOMEN WHO HAVE BEEN MURDERED FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 
          SO, AGAIN, THE MORE YOU DIG INTO THE DATA, THE MORE UNACCEPTABLE AND TRAGIC IT IS. LET ME GIVE YOU A FEW EXAMPLES OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE RECENTLY TO TRY TO MAKE PROGRESS. I WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COORDINATING COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY FACILITATE THE COLLABORATION BETWEEN LOCAL, STATE, FEDERAL PARTNERS, OUR NONPROFIT COMMUNITY. SO THANK YOU TO THE COORDINATING COUNCIL. SO IN 2022, HARRIS COUNTY AWARDED THE COUNCIL $4.7 MILLION IN FEDERAL ARPA DOLLARS. WE ALSO LAST YEAR CONTINUED THAT WITH ANOTHER $6.2, AND THIS WAS FOCUSED ON A RESILIENCY FUND, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN GROAG UP IN THESE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SITUATIONS BECAUSE, UNFORTUNATELY, THE DATA SHOWS US THAT THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ABUSED HAVE MORE LIKELIHOOD TO BECOME ABUSERS. 
          SO WE ARE VERY FOCUSED IN STOPPING THIS INTERAND 
          [00:45:03]
MULTI-GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF VIOLENCE. THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND WON A NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AWARD IN 2024 FOR HELPING NEARLY 2,000 INDIVIDUALS LEAVE ABUSIVE SITUATIONS AND REGAIN STABILITY BY PROVIDING THIS FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO THE SURVIVORS. WE ALSO -- AND I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR RAMOS AND ALL OF HIS TEAM. THE RECENT WORK HAS BEEN ARPA FUNDED, BUT WE -- AT LEAST, MY COLLEAGUES THANKFULLY ALL APPROVED. BUT TO ME IT'S OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE THAT WE MOVE IT INTO THE GENERAL FUND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE IN INVESTING AND STOPPING THIS PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS. AND SO WE MOVED $1.5 MILLION INTO THE COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO HAVE ONGOING FUNDS TO CONTINUE THIS CRITICAL WORK. I CAN READ MORE HORRIFIC STATISTICS, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE UNITED AS A COMMUNITY IN SUPPORTING OUR SURVIVORS. I USED TO BE A PUBLIC SCHOOL TEACHER, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, YOU KNOW, I'M GETTING -- I AM SO MOVED, AND THIS IS ONE OF MY TOP ISSUES BECAUSE I SAW THE EFFECT THAT MY STUDENTS LIVING IN THESE VERY VIOLENT HOMES, AND IN LAW SCHOOL, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON RESTRAINING ORDERS IN THE MOST HORRIFIC SETTINGS. WE KNOW THIS IS A MULTI-FACETED PROBLEM, AND WE KNOW THAT IT'S GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US TO STOP THESE HORRIFIC TRENDS BECAUSE EVERY NUMBER IS A PERSON, AND EVERY PERSON WE LOSE IS A FAMILY IS AFFECTED FOREVER. AND SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW WE HAVE SPEAKERS. SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR WHAT YOU DO EVERYDAY TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER. AND I'M ALL IN, AND WE WILL CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE CAN AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO SUPPORT YOUR FUNDAMENTALLY CRITICAL WORK. SO 
          THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. YOU CALL UP SPEAKERS? ANY PARTICULAR ORDER. YOU'RE WELCOME. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH. THIS IS A MONTH WE REMEMBER THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN KILLED AND ALSO CELEBRATE THE COURAGE OF SURVIVORS LIVING DAY IN AND DAY OUT DOING THEIR BEST TO MAYBE NAVIGATE GUN VIOLENCE, HOMELESSNESS, FINANCIAL ABUSE. THIS IS THE MONTH WHERE WE BELIEVE THEM AND MAYBE MORE IMPORTANTLY BELIEVE WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO STOP IT WHICH IS WHY I'M SO GRATEFUL THAT THE COUNTY HAS PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS. THE CHILDREN'S RESILIENCY FUND IS SO IMPORTANT. I THINK PEOPLE FORGET HOW MANY CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED, AND WHAT WE KNOW IS IF WE DON'T INTERRUPT THAT CYCLE, THEY ARE LIKELY TO 
          BECOME VICTIMS OR PERPETRATORS. >> THAT'S RIGHT. 
          >> THE FUND GETS MONEY DIRECTLY INTO THEIR HANDS SO THEY CAN MAKE THE CHOICES. THAT LITTLE BIT OF MONEY CAN SOMETIMES BE LIFE SAVING. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I ARE IN A FIGHT, A RACE TO FIGURE WHO'S GOING TO FINISH OUR BUILDING FIRST. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOUR TIMING IS. BUT WE'RE HOPING TO GET OURS DONE BY THE END OF THE YEAR. THAT WILL HELP US ADDRESS THIS SHORTAGE. REAL QUICK, THE TRAGIC AND CRITICAL SAFETY GAP FOR PRIMARY WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING VIOLENCE, WE WILL TRIPLE OUR CAPACITY, AND I KNOW WE'RE NOT DOING THIS ALONE, SO I'D LIKE TO SHARE THE MIC, SO 
          THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MRS. WHITEHURST. 
          >> EMILY WHITEHURST. I HEARD THE PASSION. 
          >> I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND FOUNDER OF FAMILY TIES FAMILY RESOURCE SERVICES. WE ARE LOCATED AS FAR NORTHWEST AS YOU CAN POSSIBLY GO AND NOT LEAVE THE COUNTY. WE'RE IN THE BACKWARD 7 OF WALLER COUNTY. BUT OUR EXECUTIVE IS LOCATED IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE ALSO HAVE AN OUTREACH OFFICE IN CYPRESS. 
          WHEN I STARTED THE AGENCY OVER 17 YEARS AGO, WE SAW THIS NEED, AND NOT ONLY DID WE SEE THE NEED FOR ADULTS, BUT WE ALSO SAW THE NEED FOR CHILD VICTIMS. A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE SEEING A SECONDARY -- SEEN AS SECONDARY VICTIMS. ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE SEEN AS PRIMARY VICTIMS AS WELL. WE ARE INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES INVITED US TO BE HERE TODAY. WE'RE INCREDIBLY HONORED THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS RECOGNIZED THE NEED FOR THE FUNDING TO SUPPORT THAT. WE ARE A RECIPIENT OF THE DBAF FUNDS THROUGH HDABCC AND HAVE WORKED WITH THEM AS PARTNERS FOR MANY YEARS. WE ARE GREATLY APPRECIATE, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE ARE IN PRECINCT 4 AND PRECINCT 3, AND A LOT OF TIMES WHEN YOU'RE OUT IN THAT NORTHWEST RURAL AREA, WE KIND OF GOT FORGOTTEN FOR A FEW YEARS, BUT WE HAVE NOT BEEN FORGOTTEN, AND WE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR INCLUDING US. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> AND FOR HONORING VICTIMS TODAY. PLEASE REMEMBER THAT IT'S NOT JUST THE VICTIMS THAT WE ARE MEMORIALIZING TODAY BUT ALL OF THOSE WHO ARE STILL IN THAT CRISIS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. LIKE EMILY SAID, PUTTING THE MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT MAKES 
          THINGS HAPPEN. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. 
          [00:50:05]
          >> THANK YOU, MS. STOUTMEISTER. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ANNA COFFEE. IT IS MY PRIDE AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE AS THE CEO OF THE WOMEN'S HOME. AT THE WOMEN'S HOME, WE PRIMARILY SERVE WOMEN WITH THREE THINGS IN COMMON, THEY HAVE A SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, A MENTAL HEALTH CONDITION, AND THEY HAVE EXPERIENCED HOMELESSNESS. 72% OF OUR WOMEN ARE ALSO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS. THE POPULATION THAT WE SERVE HAS A MUCH HIGHER PREVALENCE OF BOTH SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS DUE TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEY ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO BE VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. 
          AND SO THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT IS INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT TO US. WE HAVE OFFICES IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS' PRECINCT, AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES' PRECINCT. WE ARE STARTING TO WRITE A WHOLE NEW CHAPTER OF THE WOMEN'S HOME AND HOW WE SERVE WOMEN THROUGH ECONOMIC STABILITY, THROUGH WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT AND COMBINING IT WITH MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. 
          AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING OUR WORK. I WANT TO DO A LITTLE BIT OF A BRIGHT SPOT FOR US AMIDST ALL OF THE DEVASTATING STATISTICS THAT WE'VE HEARD TODAY. WOMEN CAN AND DO SURVIVE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. WE WATCH MIRACLES EVERYDAY AT THE WOMEN'S HOME OF WOMEN RECLAIMING THEIR LIVES, AFTER MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS, SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HAVE RUINED THEIR LIVES. THEY RECLAIM THEIR LIVES, AND WITH THE RIGHT FUNDING AND THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE AND THE RIGHT ATTITUDE ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE CAN AND DO HELP THESE WOMEN OVERCOME THEIR 
          DEVASTATING CIRCUMSTANCES. >> AMEN. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> MS. COFFEE. 
          >> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF MORE? >> THERE'S ONE MORE, I BELIEVE. 
          INCLUDING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. IN HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH IS COMMITTED TO RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ESPECIALLY IN THIS MONTH. AND I DID WANT TO JUST BRING FORTH THE STATISTICS WERE MENTIONED AND TO -- YOU KNOW, THEY ARE JUST ALARMING. SO WE'RE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, EXCITED ABOUT SOME THINGS THAT WE HAVE COMING UP HERE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND ALSO IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. BUT OUR STEAM SINCE WE LAUNCHED, AND IT'S MAYBE ABOUT 2 1/2 YEARS NOW, WE HAVE SERVED APPROXIMATELY 250 RESIDENTS WHO HAVE DEALT WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ISSUES. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF OUR 
          DIVISION. >> THANK YOU, MS. WASHINGTON. 
          THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU 
          GUYS DO. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER 
          BRIONES. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> SO MY SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION IS ITEM NUMBER 12, IF I CAN PLEASE INVITE UP OUR RETIRING CEO OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER, CHE-MEI LIN WHO WE ARE HONORING TODAY AND THE CONSULTING COUNCIL MEMBER OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER. SO I CONGRATULATE -- CONGRATULATIONS SO VERY MUCH, WE ARE HONORED I WANT TO READ A BIT ABOUT YOUR LIFE BECAUSE IT'S A POWERFUL JOURNEY OF SERVICE. MS. LIN WAS BORN IN TAIWAN AND GREW UP IN A MILITARY FAMILY WITH HER THREE BROTHERS. AFTER HIGH SCHOOL, SHE WENT ON TO STUDY ENGLISH AND EDUCATION AT NATIONAL TAIWAN UNIVERSITY, AND SHE LATER MOVED TO THE UNITED STATES TO FURTHER HER STUDIES IN EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN. 
          AND SHE OBTAINED HER DEGREE IN 1981. AND FOR OVER 40 YEARS, MS. LIN HAS DEDICATED HER CAREER TO HELPING OTHERS THROUGH VARIOUS LEADERSHIP ROLES WITH A VARIETY OF SOCIAL SERVICES AGENCIES, INCLUDING SOUTH COVE MANNER IN BOSTON, GOOD WILL INDUSTRIES IN SAN ANTONIO, THE WOMEN'S HOME IN HOUSTON, AND IN 1999, SHE BECAME THE ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER BEFORE 
          [00:55:05]
BECOMING PROMOTED TO CEO IN 2002. SINCE THEN, MS. LIN HAS LED THE CCC TO EXPAND ROBUST EDUCATIONAL, CULTURAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES PROGRAMS TO THE GREATER HOUSTON RESIDENTS, AND YOU HAVE HELPED EXPAND OUR CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER WHICH I'M SO PROUD IS IN PRECINCT 4, FROM ADDING A GYM TO SERVING AT-RISK SCWREUT, YOU ALSO LED THE EXPANSION OF THE CENTER TO BETTER SERVE OVER 5,000 PEOPLE, LOW TO MODERATE INCOME FAMILIES AND CHIRP WHO VISIT OUR CENTER YEARLY. YOU'VE ALSO BEEN VERY LASER FOCUSED ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS, AND THESE PROGRAMS HAVE RECEIVED ACCREDITATION FROM THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE EDUCATION OF YOUNG CHILDREN. SO CONGRATULATIONS. MY PRECINCT 4 TEAM AND I, AND I ALSO SPEAK FOR MY DEAR CHIEF OF STAFF ALICE LEE WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR DECADES, WE HAVE PROFOUND RESPECT FOR YOUR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP ALL OF THESE DECADES. AND JUST THE SHEAR COMPASSION AND AWE THEN YOU TISSITY WITH WHICH YOU SERVE. SO THANK YOU FOR GOING ABOVE AND BEYOND FOR ALL THESE YEARS. THANK YOU FOR JUST ALL OF THE TIMES YOU HAVE PARTNERED WITH THE PRECINCT SINCE I BECAME COMMISSIONER. I WAS ALSO SO HONORED THAT I HAD MY INVEST CHEUR AT THE CENTER, AND THE FIRST TALL TEAM MEETING. 
          THERE'S SO MANY THINGS WE'VE DONE TOGETHER FROM VACCINATIONS TO COMMUNITY DRIVES, YOU'VE JUST BEEN A PILLAR IN OUR COMMUNITY. I KNOW YOU WILL NOT BE GOING ANYWHERE AND SERVICE IS IN YOUR DNA, BUT YOU DESERVE AN AMAZING RETIREMENT, AND WE ARE THRILLED TO CONGRATULATE YOU AND HONOR ALL OF YOUR SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. SO WOULD YOU ALL PLEASE JOIN ME IN CELEBRATING CHI-MEI LIN ON HER RETIREMENT. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. WHEN I STAND HERE, AND I LOOK AT ALL THE COMMISSIONERS, I REFLECT ON HOW IT INTERACTS WITH 25 YEARS AND 40 YEARS IN SOCIAL SERVICES. WE KNOW IT'S COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TOGETHER AND OUR PRECINCT 4 COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WE BUILD THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND THE SOUTHWEST HOUSTON SAFE AND PROSPEROUS NEIGHBORHOOD FOR ALL THE RESIDENTS THERE, AND AS THE CHINESE SAYING ALWAYS SAY, YOU PLANT A TREE, IT WILL TAKE MORE THAN 10 YEARS TO CREATE A SHADE AND MORE THAN 40 YEARS TO MULTZ PLY. AND I HAVE TO SAY A LOT OF GRATITUDE GO TO THE PEOPLE THAT I WORK WITH BECAUSE TOGETHER WE -- YOU KNOW, WE ACCOMPLISH A LOT IN THIS JOURNEY. SO I REALLY WANT TO GIVE THANKS TO WORK OF A LIFETIME. 
          ] YES, I WAS WITH YOUR AGENCY BEFORE I CAME TO CCC. AND THE VISIONARY BOARD, AND I'M SO GLAD -- MY MEMBERS ARE HERE WITH ME. STILL, WHEN I GET READY TO A NEW CHAPTER, I STILL GOING TO SHARE MY GRATITUDE, AND I TAKE AWAY WITH REAL, REAL CHERISHED MEMORIES, LIFETIME FRIENDSHIP, OKAY. ELLIS, SHE USED TO BE OUR YOUNGEST POOL MEMBER, I ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT. 
          AND, OF COURSE, ALL THESE TIMES WE WORK TOGETHER WHEN I, YOU KNOW, DRIVE MY GRANDDAUGHTER TO PLAY SOFTBALL, I SAW COMMISSIONER'S NAME THERE, I SAY, WOW, THIS IS A BEAUTIFUL, BEAUTIFUL PLACE. AND WE KNOW AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO A NEW LEADERSHIP, THERE IS A LOT TO BE DONE. AND WE KNOW AS WE LISTEN TO TODAY'S TESTIMONY AND WE ALWAYS HAVE THIS SAYING BEING A LIFETIME SOCIAL SERVICE PRACTITIONER, I STEPPED DOWN. 
          BUT WE NEVER STEP AWAY. SO THANK YOU AGAIN. 
          >> THANK YOU. WE'RE SO GRATEFUL. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, DISTINGUISHED COMMISSIONERS, HARD WORKING STAFF AND THE PUBLIC COMMUNITY HERE PRESENT TODAY. MY NAME IS ERNEST HIGHWAY, I'M THE CURRENT BOARD CHAIR OF THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER. I'M JUST SO HONORED -- YOU CAN COMMISSIONER BRIONES, OF THE CURRENT CEO. WE ARE BOTH VERY HAPPY FOR HER RETIREMENT, SHE'S WORKED HARD OVER MANY DECADES AND VERY SAD THAT SHE WILL BE LEAVING -- FORMALLY, NOT DEFINITELY, BUT FORMALLY WITH US. WE ARE CURRENTLY 
          [01:00:01]
SEARCHING FOR A NEW CEO AND FIND IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DO SO. SHE HAS AGREED TO STAY UNTIL WE FIND A GOOD REPLACEMENT. SO I'M THINKING FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, SHE MIGHT 
          STILL BE AROUND. >> WE'LL DRAG THAT OUT. 
          >> I MUST SAY, I'VE BEEN SERVING ON THE BOARD FOR A DECADE NOW, AND I'VE SEEN HER FROM THE TWO CAPITAL CAMPAIGNS THAT SHE STARTED AND COMPLETED TO HELP US MOVE FROM A CHINESE SCHOOL ALL THE WAY NOW TO A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT SERVES THE ENTIRE COMMUNITY, ALL WALKS OF LIFE, ALL BACKGROUNDS, AND EVERYONE THAT WE HAVE AROUND US. SO I'M JUST SO THANKFUL AND HONORED TO HAVE WORKED WITH HER AND SEEN HER AS A GREAT ROLE MODEL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF US. THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, ERNEST. 
          >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CECIL FONG. I AM THE FORMER BOARD CHAIR FOR THE CHINESE COMMUNITY CENTER, AND I JOINED THE BOARD, ACTUALLY, ABOUT THE SAME TIME CHI-MEI JOINED THE CENTER 25 YEARS AGO. I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH HER FOR MANY YEARS. OVER THE YEARS -- HAS EXPAND FROM A CHINESE SCHOOL TO A MULTI-SERVICE CENTER, SERVING THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES IN MULTIPLE SERVICES, RANGING FROM DAYCARE, AFTER SCHOOL, SENIOR PROGRAMS, ADULT EDUCATION, AND BEYOND THAT, WE SERVE THE ASIAN POPULATION AS WELL. IT WOULD NOT INCLUDE A CLIENTELE -- VERY DIVERSE IN BOTH HOUSTON AND THE FORD BEND AREA, AND OUR BUDGET HAS GROWN OVER THE YEAR FROM UNDER A MILLION WHEN SHE JOINED, NOW IT'S OVER $4 MILLION. SO MUCH OF THIS COULD BE ATTRIBUTED TO CHI-MEI'S LEADERSHIP. SHE'S A GREAT MENTOR FOR THE MANY CCC STAFF WHO COME THROUGH THE CENTER, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, SHE ALWAYS HAVE A HEART FOR THE COMMUNITY, ALWAYS BRING A PASSIONATE SPIRIT TO WORK EVERYDAY. SO WE'LL MISS HER AND APPLAUD THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR RECOGNIZING HER ACHIEVEMENTS, IT'S VERY MUCH WELL DESERVED 
          >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, CECIL. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A COMMENT. 
          >> YES. FIRST , CHI-MEI, CONGRATULATIONS AND FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR SO MANY FOR SO LONG. YOU'VE DONE IT WITH JUST AN AMAZING HEART. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING. AND JUST ONE POINT OF CLARITY, RESPECTFUL CLARITY IS THAT YOU REFERRED TO LEE AS -- SHE WAS YOUR YOUNGEST BOARD MEMBER. SHE'S STILL A YOUNG SERVANT. BUT, LISTEN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. EVERY TIME I HAVE EVER WALKED INTO THE COMMUNITY CENTER, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN WELCOMING, IT'S ALWAYS BEEN VIBRANT, AND IT'S JUST BEAUTIFUL TO SEE YOU -- HOW YOU SERVE AT THE FULL SPECTRUM OF LIFE, FROM THE YOUNGEST TO THE MOST M MATURE. AND IT'S ALWAYS AN INCREDIBLE OCCASION CELEBRATING ALL THE MANY CULTURAL EVENTS AND SEEING THE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THAT SPECTRUM DOING SO MANY BEAUTIFUL THINGS AND GLOWING SO IN TUNE WITH THEIR CULTURE AND THEIR LANGUAGE. AND SO I COMMEND YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE. I WOULD ASK YOUR BOARD MEMBERS TO RESCIND YOUR RETIREMENT, BUT THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO. AND, CECIL, SO GOOD TO SEE YOU, AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE AS WELL, AND YOU'VE DONE IT IN SO MANY DIFFERENT PLACES, AND YOU'VE CONTRIBUTED TO A GREAT DEAL OF THE CITY'S SUCCESS. SO GREAT TO SEE YOU, MY BROTHER. THANK 
          YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO, COLLEAGUES, NOW WE'RE GOING TO BREAK AND TAKE THE PHOTOS. THE MINISTER IS STILL HERE, SO WE'LL TAKE A PHOTO WITH YOU. THEY'LL CALL YOU UP. WE'LL GO TO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, COLLEAGUES, AND THEN WE WILL GO TO THE SPEAKERS, OKAY? 
          >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU SAY THE TIME OF THE BREAK? 
          >> OH. IT IS 
          [Public Hearings]
          >>> COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION FROM THE BREAK. WE WILL HAVE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND THEN WILL TAKE ITEM 37 AND 390 SEPARATELY BECAUSE EACH REQUIRES A SEPARATE PUBLIC HEARING TO BE TAKEN UP, REQUEST BY OFFICE OF COUNTY ENGINEER FOR PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAN ENTITLED HERON LAKE ESTATES PARTIAL PLAT NUMBER ONE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 236 236.009 236.0 09C-1 PRECINCT 3. 
          [01:05:02]
NEXT IS PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 387 PAGE 5 I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE RIVERS INTO SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED HERON LAKE ESTATES. ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THE ITEM? 
          >> RECORD BEFORE YOU SPEAK. HOW MUCH TIME DOES SHE HAVE? YOU 
          HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THAT AFTERNOON MY NAME IS NAME ] THE BOARD PRESIDENT FOR THE OWNERS ASSOCIATION. SO, I COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY TO DISCUSS THE PLAT OR TO DISCUSS THAT, THE RE-PLATT'S INCONSISTENT WITH THE MOU DATED MARCH 16 BETWEEN THE HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION AND THE DEVELOPER, IN THREE AREAS OF THE RE-PLATT IT FAILS TO COMPLY WITH A 20 FOOT MINIMUM DISTANCE REQUIREMENT BETWEEN THE NEW DEVELOPMENT AND THE EXISTING DEVELOPMENT AND THE HOA HAS NOT APPROVED. IS NOTHING IN THE RE-PLATT THAT PROVIDES WHICH IS INCONSISTENT WITH THE MOU AND THIS IS IMPORTANT FOR HEALTH AND SAFETY OF THE EXISTING HOMEOWNERS THAT ARE WALKING IN THE LANES WITH CARS WITHOUT SAFE ACCESS. THERE IS AGREEMENT TO CONVEY EXISTING LOTS TO HERON LAKES ESTATES, THESE ARE IN GREEN SPACE CURRENTLY. 
          >> PLEASE CONTINUE. >> UNDERWATER AND IT IS BASICALLY A POND AND ON THE RE-PLATT IT DEMONSTRATES THERE IS GOING TO BE DEVELOPMENT ON THE LOTS. SECTION 8 OF THE MOU, THERE ARE TERMS FOR THE RE-PLATT FOR THE BOTTOM LINE THERE ARE NO TERMS INCORPORATED IN VIOLATION OF THE MOU. AND THE MOU STATES SHALL DILIGENTLY AND IN GOOD FAITH FINALIZE THE RE-PLATT WHEN AGREED. WE WERE BLINDSIDED BY THIS AND THE RE-PLATT DOES NOT AGREE, THE DEVELOPER AND HIS TEAM HAVE TOLD THE HOMEOWNERS AND THE BOARD ALL THE THINGS THEY WANT TO HEAR BUT HAVE NOT FOLLOWED THROUGH WITH SOME OF THE THINGS THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO DO SO WE COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT THEREFORE NOT TO PROVE THIS UNTIL FINAL RESOLUTION WITH EXISTING HOMEOWNERS IN THE ESTATE 
          >> REMEMBER TO SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> I REPRESENT THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT AND I HAVE MET WITH THE HOA, I WAS A LITTLE SURPRISED, I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THE DRAINAGE, I UNDERSTAND DRAINAGE AND WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING THAT MEETS RELATION ABOVE AND BEYOND WE HAVE TRIED TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THE THINGS, ROADS ARE MEANT TO FLOOD, BUT AFTER YOU GET PAST A CERTAIN THING AND WILL MAKE THE SITUATION BETTER BY BRINGING DOWN THE STATIC WATER LEVEL CURRENTLY PREVENTING STORMS FROM DRAINING BECAUSE OF THE PRESSURE IN IT SORT OF TRY TO EXPLAIN. I HAVE MET WITH THEM TWICE. I HAVE GONE OVER THE PROJECT. I HAVE OVERSEEN IT, WE HAVE APPROVED DRAINAGE REPORT FROM HARRIS COUNTY ON THE PLAN, WE HAVE THE OUTFALL ALREADY SO WE FEEL LIKE WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING. TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS. 
          >> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? IS THERE ANY 
          DISCUSSION? >> LET ME OFFER A COMMENT. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF ANNEXING FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON. THIS IS THE PROBLEM. BECAUSE THEY CANNOT GO BEFORE THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING AND PLAT . WE HAVE NOT SET UP STANDARDS BY WHICH YOU DO THAT IN MY OPINION AND I KNOW THE COUNTY ENGINEER IS WORKING ON IT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, I SHARE CONCERNS BECAUSE THE CONCERNS I HAVE , IT'S MORE THAN JUST DRAINAGE, CONCERNS ABOUT THIS HAS TO DO WITH HOW YOU DO A PLAT AND IT WOULD BE MY EXPECTATION THAT WHATEVER THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING TO DO IN THIS 100 YEARS THAT WE WOULD FOLLOW THOSE GUIDELINES AND NOT GO 
          [01:10:05]
THROUGH SOME ANNEXING IN ORDER TO NOT COMPLY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S PLAT REQUIREMENTS. SO I WILL BE MONITORING THIS VERY CLOSELY. WHATEVER IS APPROVED IN THE FUTURE WILL BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S PLANNING AND PLAT REQUIREMENTS. I SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE PROCESS SO THERE'S PUBLIC HEARING IS MEANT TO TO OFFER COMMENTS AND I WILL BE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AS WE SET UP REQUIREMENTS RELATED TO NOW THAT IT IS NOT ANNEXED AND INTO THE COUNTY ENGINEER. I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING ON IT, COUNTY ENGINEER, BUT THIS IS ONE WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. I WANT TO THE STANDARDS OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING AND PLOTTING FOLLOWED. THAT WOULD BE MY EXPECTATION. 
          >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? I'M CURIOUS DO YOU HAVE A TIMETABLE OF WHEN YOU WILL BRING SOMETHING TO US? 
          >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT. WE ARE WORKING AND WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE WILL DISCUSS HOW WE ARE GOING TO UPDATE OUR REGULATION, TO REFLECT THESE KINDS OF ISSUES OF HOW WE ADVANCED THIS DE-ANNEXATION AND I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IN TERMS OF WE SHOULD FOLLOW CITY REGULATIONS ASPECTS HOWEVER WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO MAKE SURE THIS WITH 
          LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS. >> WE HAVE ORDINANCE AUTHORITY 
          TO DO IT. >> WHAT IS THE PROPOSED 
          TIMELINE CURRENTLY? >> WE DON'T HAVE A TIMELINE ESTABLISHED YET COMMISSIONER. WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU. 
          DEFINITELY WITHIN THE QUARTER. >> DO YOU KNOW OFFHAND , DO WE HAVE ORDINANCE MAKING AUTHORITY IN THIS SPACE? 
          >> WE DON'T GENERALLY, THE QUESTION OF IF WE HAVE RULEMAKING I CANNOT TELL YOU OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD. 
          >> I THINK WHERE THIS FALLS, BECAUSE THE LEGISLATURE ALLOWED CERTAIN OR ANY NEIGHBORHOOD TO DMX FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THIS IS THE CASE OF ANNEXATION AND BECAUSE THEY DID NOT ANNEX THIS DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE CITY OF HOUSTON SO WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH GUIDELINES, THAT'S NOT THE ORDINANCE BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE OUR REQUIREMENTS AND AS AND I ARE GOING TO BE PURSUING, I THINK THE SAME STANDARDS THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLATTING HAS BEEN DOING 100 YEARS. 
          >> THAT CORRECT. 
          IT. COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN WORKING ON THAT. OBVIOUSLY WE WILL GET WORKING ON IT, TO ADOPT THE REPAIR PLAN AND ESSENTIALLY MAKE SURE IT INTEGRATES TOGETHER. 
          >> YOU CAN SEND US SOMETHING. I GUESS THE PEOPLE WATCHING ARE TRYING TO GIVE US A SENSE OF ONE RESOLVES. A MONTH, TWO 
          MONTHS, SIX MONTHS? >> THE WAY IT WAS LEFT AT THE LAST MEETING WAS WE WERE GOING TO HAVE HIS OFFICE WORKING TO TRY TO ESSENTIALLY USE OR ADOPT OR BRING FORWARD ALL OF THE CITY'S PLANS AT LEAST, FOR THE END, THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR IS WHAT I UNDERSTOOD. SO WE HAVE THREE MEETINGS LEFT. 
          WITHIN THE NEXT THREE OR FOUR MEETINGS WE SHOULD HAVE THAT. 
          OBVIOUSLY THIS DISPROPORTIONATE LY AFFECTS PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR SO WE ARE WORKING AT GREAT SPEED TO GET IT DONE. 
          >> WITH COST ASSOCIATING STAFF TIME WITH ENFORCING THIS SO YOU WANT TO INCLUDE THAT, SO WE KNOW IT AS WELL. COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 
          >> SO BY THE END OF THE YEAR IS WHAT I'M HEARING. IN THE MEANTIME AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR AND AS IF GRAVE CONCERN. IN THE MEANTIME, I KNOW TODAY ITEMS ARE ALL IN PRECINCT 3 SO WHAT 
          IS YOUR RECOMMENDATION? >> THE INTERIM IS THE STANDARDS THAT ARE BEING FOLLOWED BY THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING WOULD 
          BE WHAT I EXPECT US TO DO. >> SO I GUESS AT SOME POINT 
          [01:15:09]
COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING AND IF THERE'S A MOTION  AND IF THERE'S NOT I GUESS THAT 
          ANSWERS IT. >> YES COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. 
          THIS BEGS THE QUESTION FOR ME, I COMMISSIONED THE STUDY, THE MOBILITY AND TRANSPORTATION AND THE FREIGHT STUDY , WHAT'S THE 
          PROGRESS OF THAT? >> COMMISSIONER, THE FREIGHT STUDY IS LED BY THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND THE LAST TIME I SPOKE WITH MIDWAY INTO THE STUDY, BUT IN TERMS OF THE PLAN OVERALL WE HAVE SELECTED A CONSULTANT AND WE ARE NEGOTIATING THE PROPOSAL , GOING BACK TO THE COURT IN THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH THE PROPOSAL. THE STUDY IS ABOUT PRELIMINARY STUDIES ABOUT 12 MONTHS WITH A LOT OF PUBLIC HEARINGS AND I THINK WE WILL HEAR A LOT OF SIMILAR ISSUES THAT WE HAVE TODAY AND THOSE ARE PART OF THE MOBILITY STUDY. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ANY MORE DISCUSSION BEFORE I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING? THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. 
          IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? >> IT DOES A PUBLIC HEARING AND 
          APPROVAL. >> YOU HAVE TO HAVE SEPARATE TO 
          PROVE. >> I HAVE TO HAVE MOTION ON ITEM TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE CORRECT? 
          >> MOTION TO DISAPPROVE UNTIL WE GET OUR ACT TOGETHER. 
          >> YOU NEED MOTION TO APPROVE NOT DISAPPROVE SO MOTION TO 
          APPROVE OR NO ACTION? >> SO THERE IS NO MOTION TO APPROVE. PAGE 50 ITEM DOES NOT PASS. NO ACTION. PAGE 50 ITEM 330 A REQUEST COUNTY ENGINEER PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL OF THE REVISION OF SUBDIVISION PLAN ENTITLED HERON LAKES ESTATE PARTIAL REPLIED UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE PRECINCT 3. NOW WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING ITEM 387 PUBLIC HEARING ON PAGE 
          50 I OPEN A PUBLIC HEARING. >> COMMISSIONER 388? WE JUST 
          FINISHED 387. >> 388 PUBLIC HEARING I KNOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED HERON LAKES AGAIN PARTIAL REPLIED. ARE THERE ANY PUBLIC SPEAKERS? 
          >> 
          >> I WILL MAKE IT EASIER I'M ASSUMING IF THERE'S NO MOTION THERE WILL BE NO ACTION. YOU CAN SPEAK, YOU'RE WELCOME TO SPEAK. SARAH AND FOR THE RECORD, JUST RUNNING IN OVER THE TRAIN IS HEADED. GO AHEAD AND SPEAK. STATE YOUR NAME. 
          >> WE HAVE MET CITY OF HOUSTON REQUIREMENTS. THE ONLY REASON WE PULLED IT OUT IS BECAUSE THEY DON'T GET THINGS DONE AND WE SAT THERE NINE MONTHS WAITING ON THEM TO GET THINGS DONE FOR TWO YEARS TRYING TO GET ANNEXATION INTO THE DISTRICT. THAT'S WHY WE WITHDREW. WE MEET ALL THE REQUIREMENTS AND BY TABLING THIS YOU ARE COSTING ADDITIONAL YEARS. IT'S ALREADY DRAGGING FOR OVER THREE YEARS. WE STARTED THE DESIGN FOUR YEARS AGO. WE HAVE MET ALL THE DRAINAGE REQUIREMENTS, WE HAVE HARRIS COUNTY DRUG -- FLOOD CONTROL APPROVAL WE HAVE DONE WHAT'S REQUIRED AND EVERYTHING MEETS CITY OF HOUSTON REQUIREMENTS OR BEYOND. THAT IS HOW WE DESIGN. SO I AM CONCERNED THAT YOU ARE DISAPPROVING THIS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO WITH THE ET J WITHDRAWAL THAT THE TEXAS LEGISLATION PASSED IN JUNE, NOW OVER A YEAR AGO NOW ALMOST 18 MONTHS AND WE CAN'T GET A PLAT 
          THROUGH? >> THANK YOU. ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS? IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW MOVE TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING A MOTION? HEARING NO MOTION. WE 
          WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> THAT IS NO ACTION. 
          >> NO ACTION ON THIS ONE, THE LAST PAGE OF THE ITEM 389 REQUEST OFFICER COUNTY ENGINEER PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL REVISION A PLAN ENTITLED HERON LAKES ESTATE PARTIAL REPLIED NUMBER THREE UNDERCOAT 232-009, C1 PRECINCT 3. I OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING, ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? OKAY. IS THERE ANY DISCUSSION? IS THERE MOTION? I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING, 
          [01:20:03]
MOTION ON THE ITEM? THE ITEM DOES NOT PASS, NO ACTION. THE NEXT ONE IS PAGE 50, ITEM 390 REQUEST BY COUNTY ENGINEER PUBLIC HEARING FOR APPROVAL REVISION OF SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED ST. CHARLES PLACE SECTION 2 PARTIAL REPLIED NUMBER 11 UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232009 , C1, PRECINCT 3. ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? ANY DISCUSSION? I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. MOTION? MOTION IS MADE BY COMMISSIONER AND SECOND? MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT 
          WE HAVE 387 THE LAST ONE? >> I BELIEVE YOU DID 387. 
          >> ANY OTHERS? I DON'T WANT TO SKIP ANYTHING. 
          >> DID WE DO 390? >> YES WE JUST FINISHED IT. I 
          [Appearances before court]
          HAVE ALL FOUR. >> NEXT WE WILL GO TO PUBLIC 
          SPEAKERS. >> SEVEN AND 11, ONE MINUTE. 
          >> THIS IS , A NEIGHBOR OF MY MY YOUNGER BROTHER. AND THEN HE WOULD'VE HELPED TO WORK AT THE PARK. AND NOW SINCE IT IS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, I GOT A MAGAZINE AND THE CHIEF AND WHILE , THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND FOR MAKING THIS A GREAT CITY. AND THEN THEY PUT THE DATE. HE PUT DEAR JACOB, 
          THANK YOU LORD FOR THE SUPPORT. >> YOUR TIME IS UP, THANK YOU. 
          NEXT SPEAKER. >> TWO SPEAKERS AT A TIME, NAME ] AND MINUTE. 
          >> MY NAME IS PROGRAM. THEY ATTEND THE ACADEMY AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THEM. THEY HELPED ME TO DEVELOP IN MY CAREER, NOW GOING TO SCHOOL, GOING TO WORK AND STUFF LIKE THAT SO LARRY VERY HELPFUL PART OF OUR LIVES AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK FOR MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR ALL THE HELP GIVEN TO ME AND MY FAMILY. I APPRECIATE IT, AND FOR OTHER FAMILIES, TOO. 
          THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON MY NAME IS NAME ] I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM WHERE MY TWO-YEAR-OLD KID HAS BEEN PART OF SINCE HE WAS A YEAR AND A HALF, AT THE SAME TIME I BECAME A SINGLE MOTHER TAKING CARE OF MY KID PROVIDING THEM WITH A DECENT LIFE HAS BEEN HARD. THANKS TO THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM ALL OF THIS HAS BEEN POSSIBLE. EVERY DAY I TAKE MY KID TO THE DAYCARE FACILITY I THANK GOD FOR THE HUGE SUPPORT BECAUSE THANKS TO THIS PROGRAM I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK FULL-TIME, TO HAVE A SAFE PLACE TO LIVE AND TO BE CLOSER TO ACCOMPLISH MY DEGREE . IF THIS HELP CONTINUES, I WILL BE GRADUATING FROM UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON NEXT YEAR. AND FINALLY WILL BE ABLE TO WALK ON MY OWN AND HAVE A DECENT LIFE THAT EVERYDAY 
          CITIZEN DESERVES. THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR 
          SUCCESS, CONGRATULATIONS. >> 
          SPEAKING ON ITEM 29. >> HI, GOOD DAY MY NAME IS 
          [01:25:09]
AMANDA CASTRO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY PRESCHOOLS. I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM, A VITAL RESOURCE FOR THE FAMILIES WE SERVE. OUR CENTER PROVIDES CARE FOR 62 CHILDREN THROUGH EARLY REACH ENABLING PARENTS TO WORK COMPLETELY KNOWING THEIR CHILDREN ARE SAFE AND EVEN THE HIGHEST QUALITY CARE. HOWEVER, I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS DEEP CONCERN BECAUSE AT PRESENT THERE IS NO TRANSITION PLAN FOR THESE CHILDREN IF THE CURRENT SUPPORT ENDS. OUR SCHOOL IS A SMALL GLIMPSE OF THE OVERWHELMING NUMBERS OF CHILDREN IN EARLY REACH, BUT LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT THAT. 62 CHILDREN WITHOUT A PLACE AT A SCHOOL, SOME OF WHOM HAVE BEEN ATTENDING SINCE THEY WERE WEEKS OLD. 62 CHILDREN WHO MAY NO LONGER BE INVOLVED, 62 FAMILIES WHO MAY NO LONGER BE ABLE TO WORK. SUBSIDY TAKES MONTHS AND EVEN THEN IT'S NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO PAY TEACHERS THE 
          LIVING WAGE THAT THEY DESERVE. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS NAME ] AND I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING TO INVEST  IN EARLY CHILDHOOD FOR YOUR ARPA INVESTMENT IN EARLY REACH AND EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND I'M THE DIRECTOR FROM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND WE HAVE BEEN A RECIPIENT OF THE INVESTMENTS. OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE SERVED 1000 FAMILIES WITH THE PARENTING PROGRAM UPWARDS, AND AVERAGE PARENTS ARE SPEAKING 4500 MORE WORDS TO THEIR CHILD EVERY SINGLE DAY. THESE POSITIVE INTERACTIONS ESTABLISH THE FOUNDATION FOR LIFELONG LEARNING IN ADDITION WE HAVE PROVIDED SERVICES TO 156 CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENT OF DELAY, 167 MOMS WITH POSTPARTUM DEPRESSION, CONNECTING 500 FAMILIES TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO ADDRESS BASIC NEEDS, WE HAVE EDUCATED 6000 CHILDHOOD PROFESSIONALS AND DISTRIBUTED 27,000 CHILDREN'S BOOKS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND FOR INCLUDING ENHANCING CHILD HEALTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN YOUR NEW STRATEGIC PLAN, THANK YOU. 
          >> WIFE THE OTHER ONE THAT WAS HERE. AS WE MENTIONED IN OUR CENTER I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW BUT WE ARE THE ONLY MAJOR CITY IN TEXAS THAT DOES NOT HAVE A UNIFIED EARLY EDUCATION SYSTEM. THE ONLY ONE, THEIR 500 MILLION IN THE SUBSIDY, 80 MILLION FOR HEADSTART, 250 MILLION UNUSED DOLLARS, 30 MILLION IN FOOD PROGRAM, SO MUCH IS OUT THERE THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM HAS BEEN A LIFELINE FOR MANY FAMILIES THAT HAVE GAPS IN CARE. CONCENTRATING THOSE EFFORTS TO BRING THE FAMILIES THE BEST CARE POSSIBLE. WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON BEING THE BEST IN HOUSTON BRINGING TOGETHER ALL THE PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT FAMILIES BUT WE HAVE SEEN THE BIGGEST GAINS NOT JUST IN CHILDREN'S GROWTH BUT IN THE PARENTS KEEPING JOBS. THE RISK WE HAVE HERE THE PROGRAM ENDING IS MANY FAMILIES DO NOT HAVE ALTERNATIVES. WE NEED TO COME TOGETHER TO SUPPORT FAMILIES. THANK YOU. 
          >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS HOUSE CHILDCARE CENTER . I AM ALSO HERE TODAY TO SPEAK ABOUT THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN A WIN WIN WIN SITUATION FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED. HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES FROM HARRIS COUNTY HAVE RECEIVED ACCESS TO VERY HIGH QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THE TEACHERS AND STAFF HAVE RECEIVED OUTSTANDING TRAINING AND MENTORING TO THE PROGRAM AND AT THE SAME TIME THEY HAVE RECEIVED SIGNIFICANT PAY BUMPS OR WE ARE NOW COMPETITIVE WITH OTHER BUSINESSES IN THE AREA. THE TRAINING, MENTORING AND INCREASED COMPENSATION HAVE BEEN GREAT FOR STAFF RETENTION WHICH IS SO IMPORTANT TO A HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAM. AND THE PARTICIPATING CENTERS HAVE BENEFITED SIGNIFICANTLY BY THE ADDED ENROLLMENT AND REIMBURSEMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PROGRAM. THIS HAS TRULY BEEN A LIFE-CHANGING PROGRAM FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED AND I HOPE THE PROGRAM WILL CONTINUE 
          INTO THE FUTURE. THANK YOU. >> 
          29. >> HELLO COMMISSIONERS COURT NUMBERS MY NAME IS LEARNING ACADEMY RESIDING PRECINCT 1 OVERSEEN BY COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS. EARLY REACH PROGRAM HAS BEEN A DREAM COME TRUE. BEFORE EARLY REACH IT WAS A STRUGGLE AS A OWNER TO KEEP DAYCARE COST DOWN FOR STRUGGLING FAMILIES WHILE PINKSTAFF A LIVABLE WAGE. JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL COMMISSIONERS I PAUSE TO SAY THANK YOU, THE LEADERSHIP TEAM AND REPRESENTATION FROM HARRIS COUNTY, 
          [01:30:04]
THANK YOU FOR MAKING EARLY REACH A SUCCESS THIS PAST HALF YEAR. I AM ON THE GROUND HEARING PARENTS A WITHOUT REALLY REACH THEY COULD NOT AFFORD CHILDCARE. I AM ON THE GROUND WITNESSING KIDS RECEIVE QUALITY CARE BECAUSE OF REALLY REACH TWO EVERLASTING IMPACTS. I AM ON THE GROUND WITH EMPLOYEES BEING APPRECIATIVE FOR WAGES AND TRAINING BEING RECEIVED FROM EARLY REACH. I WILL END BY SAYING IT TRULY TAKES A VILLAGE, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS YOU ARE PART OF OUR KIDS A VILLAGE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THANK YOU. 
          >> HI COME AFTERNOON, I AM THE DIRECTOR OF ACADEMIC COMMUNITY PRESCHOOLS TODAY I WANT TO SHARE THE PROFOUND IMPACT THAT REALLY REACH PROGRAM HAS HAD IN HARRIS COUNTY. EARLY REACH PROVIDES VITAL FUNDING FOR CHILD CARE TO FAMILIES IN NEED ENSURING CHILDREN HAVE ACCESS TO HIGH-QUALITY CHILDCARE WHILE PARENTS CAN PURSUE EDUCATION OR WORK. REALLY REACH HAS SUPPORTED HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES HELPING TO REDUCE FINANCIAL STRESS AND IMPROVE OVERALL FAMILY STABILITY. AT THIS MOMENT WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT THERE IS NO PLAN FOR FAMILIES AND EARLY REACH IF IT DOES NOT CONTINUE. AND IF IT'S OF THE PROGRAM EXTEND BEYOND INDIVIDUAL FAMILIES AND RIPPLE THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY, COMMUNITIES THAT YOU SERVE, BY INVESTING IN EARLY REACH WE INVEST IN A BRIGHTER FUTURE IN THE CHILDREN'S FUTURE AND IN COMMUNITIES IN THE COUNTY. 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> 
          29. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS KIDS ACADEMY PRECINCT 1 IN THE SOUTH PARK SUNNYSIDE AREA. AND I HAVE BEEN PROVIDING QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR CHILDREN HEARING IN THE COMMUNITY SINCE 2016. THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS STEPPINGSTONE IN OUR COMMUNITY. ALLOWING FAMILIES TO GO TO WORK WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT OR HAVING THE BURDEN OF QUALITY CHILD CARE. IT HAS GIVEN ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE MY STAFF ABOUT A GOOD WORKING WAGE WHERE THEY CAN ACTUALLY GO TO WORK AND PAY THEIR BILLS AND ANYTHING ELSE THEY NEED FOR THEIR CHILDREN. IT IS ALSO SUSTAINED MY BUSINESS WITH , WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE KIDS LEAVING TO GO TO SCHOOL BUT THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONERS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND WE'RE HOPING TO CONTINUE THANK YOU. 
          >> HELLO I AM FIRST, THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF EARLY REACH, THE RESEARCH IS CLEAR, CHILDREN ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PROGRAMS ARE MORE LIKELY TO FINISH HIGH SCHOOL AND ATTEND COLLEGE THAN CHILDREN WHO AREN'T. AS ESTATE INVESTMENTS IN PREKINDERGARTEN BEHIND THE NATIONAL AVERAGE ALL OF US HERE TODAY HAVE A ROLE TO PLAY IN IMPROVING, AND EXPANDING ACCESS TO THIS VITAL RESOURCE, THANKS TO HARRIS COUNTY INVESTMENT IN EARLY REACH OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS, 220 TEACHERS, WITH 36 DIRECTORS FROM 25 EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTERS HAVE GOTTEN ACCESS TO PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, COACHING AND QUALITY IMPROVEMENT SUPPORT PROGRAMS THEY COULD NOT HAVE ACCESSED OTHERWISE. THESE INTERVENTIONS HAVE HELPED TO CREATE 800 SPACES EARLY RESULTS OUTSIDE EVALUATORS ARE SHOWING THAT IT HAS INCREASED. 
          >> THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> 
          ITEM 29. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. AND THE CHIEF PROGRAM OFC. AND I AM DELIGHTED TO JOIN YOU THIS AFTERNOON IN SUPPORT OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM. I HAVE SPENT OVER 30 YEARS IN EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION ECOSYSTEM, 10 YEARS WITH THE LARGEST CHILDCARE PROVIDER IN EL PASO COUNTY. THE LAST 20 YEARS WITH BAKER RIPLEY. I CAN HONESTLY TELL YOU THE SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM IS ONE OF THE PROUDEST MOMENTS OF MY 30 PLUS YEARS IN EARLY CARE EDUCATION, EARLY REACH PROGRAM IS AN INVESTMENT WITH MANY WAYS OF MEASURING ITS RETURN ON INVESTMENT. IT IS A HOLISTIC PROGRAM WHICH ENCOMPASSES ALL THE TENANTS OF WHAT WE WANT TO SEE IN CHILD CARE. IT IMPROVES ACCESSIBILITY AND EQUITY FOR ACCESS TO CHILDCARE, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDCARE DESERTS, IT PROVIDES AFFORDABILITY FOR PARENTS AND IMPROVES THE CHILD CARE INDUSTRY WITH QUALITY AND IMPROVES WAGES FOR WORKERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. 
          >> GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE. MY NAME IS DR. ROSE 
          [01:35:07]
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AT KITTY ACADEMY AND SUPPORTING EARLY REACH. EARLY REACH HAS BEEN A VERY VERY UNIQUE PROGRAM FOR HARRIS COUNTY CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. THIS HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS ENRICHING PROGRAM FOR OUR CHILDREN. CHILDREN ARE LEARNING TREMENDOUSLY WITH QUALITY PROGRAMS. PARENTS ARE DROPPING THEIR CHILDREN OFF AND ARE BEING ASSURED THAT THEIR CHILDREN WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. THEY'RE GOING TO SCHOOL AND LEARNING AND PARENTS ARE GOING TO WORK AND EMPLOYERS ARE HAPPY THAT THESE PARENTS ARE COMING AND WORKING BECAUSE THEY ARE HAPPY THAT THEIR CHILDREN ARE BEING TRAINED IN A QUALITY PROGRAM. TEACHERS ARE GETTING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT, THEY'RE GETTING , TEACHERS ARE GETTING THEIR CHILD DEVELOPMENT . SO I WANT TO THANK YOU, PLEASE CONTINUE 
          TO SUPPORT. THANK YOU. >> 296. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> MORNING MY NAME IS MANAGER FOR MPOWER HOUSTON. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR MPOWER PROGRAM THROUGH YOUR ARE BOTH FUNDS. YOUR COMMITMENT HAS MADE AN INCREDIBLE IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY AND I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT THE RESULT TO DATE, MPOWER HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING 232 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. 55% OF WHOM COME FROM VULNERABLE BACKGROUNDS. IN PARTICULAR NOTEWORTHY IS 41% OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMEN, 53% ARE BLACK AND 21% ARE HISPANIC. 
          THROUGH THE PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THESE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES IN TECHNOLOGY, SKILLED DILEMMA, OPENING DOORS THAT MAY HAVE OTHERWISE REMAINED CLOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR BELIEF IN THE MPOWER MISSION AND FOR HELPING US TO EMPOWER SO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THE IMPORTANT WORK WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. THANK YOU. 
          >> I WILL SUGGEST , WE HAVE TO TAKE A 10 MINUTE BREAK. 
          >> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> THE TIME COMMISSIONER. 
          >> WHAT YOU CAN DO, IF THERE ARE NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS, THEY 
          CAN CONTINUE SPEAKING. >> I WON'T TAKE A BREAK, BUT THE WAY IT WORKS UNDER STATE LAW IF IT IS AGENDA ITEM 3 OF US HAVE TO BE HERE AND IF NOT THEN ONE HAS TO BE IN THE ROOM. 
          >> YES, FOR NON-AGENDA. >> ANY SPEAKERS ON NON-AGENDA 
          ITEMS? >> YES. 
          >> I SEE ONE STANDING UP NOW. WE WILL LET YOU SPEAK RIGHT QUICK. I WILL LET YOU SPEAK NOW. OKAY. 
          >> NAME ] JESUS CHRIST, JUDGE AND MAYOR TAKES TO DECLARE SOMEBODY DISABLED AND THEY FALSIFIED MY RECORDS OR WHATEVER THEY WANT TO DO. CAN YOU TELL ME, WHERE CAN I GO TO NEVER COME BACK DOWN HERE AGAIN? 
          >> SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. 
          >> 
          >> THE ONLY BOMB I DROP ON THIS THING IS JESUS CHRIST. HE DROPS BOMBS ON PEOPLE WHO GIVE ME COUNTERFEIT MONEY. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHERS? 
          >> WE CAN GO BACK TO THE REGULAR AGENDA. 
          >> THEY TOLD ME WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM. 
          >> COMMISSIONER , THERE ARE TWO SPEAKERS , THERE ARE TWO SPEAKERS WHO SPOKE AND WE DO NOT HAVE THE QUORUM AT THE TIME. 
          >> IF THOSE TWO SPEAKERS WOULD COME BACK. WHAT WERE THE NAMES 
          [01:40:07]
          AGAIN? >> 
          >> THE SECOND? >> 
          >> ARE YOU STILL HERE? COME ON UP. 
          >> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ADMISSIONS MANAGER FOR MPOWER HOUSTON. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR MPOWER PROGRAM THROUGH YOUR ARE BOTH FUNDS. YOUR COMMITMENT HAS MADE INCREDIBLE IMPACT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE RESULTS TO DATE. MPOWER HAS HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING 232 HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, 55% OF WHOM COME FROM SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE AREAS IN THE COMMUNITY. WHAT'S NOTEWORTHY IS 41% OF THE PARTICIPANTS ARE WOMEN, 53% ARE BLACK AND 21% ARE HISPANIC. TO THE PROGRAM WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE INDIVIDUALS WITH LIFE-CHANGING OPPORTUNITIES IN TECHNOLOGY AND SKILL DEVELOPMENT, OPENING DOORS THAT MAY HAVE OTHERWISE REMAINED CLOSED. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR BELIEF IN THE MPOWER MISSION AND FOR HELPING US EMPOWER SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE EXCITED TO CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT WORK WITH YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT , 
          THANK YOU. >> NEXT SPEAKER. 
          >> THANK YOU MY NAME IS STUDENTS AND SUCCESS STORIES. THIS IS HOW MPOWER HAS IMPACTED MY LIFE. I HAVE GONE FROM MIDDLE-CLASS TO UPPER CLASS MAKING SIX FIGURES THROUGH THE PROGRAM WITH CERTIFICATIONS THAT I HAVE GAINED, COME TO YOU A PLUS AND CURRENTLY WORKING ON MY SECURITY PLUS I AM THE ONLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMAN IN THE WORLD DOING CYBER SECURITY TO THE CAREER REBOOT PROGRAM AND THAT IS FROM BEING A MEMBER AND STUDENT OF MPOWER. THEY'RE NOT JUST TECH FUNDAMENTALS BUT THEY SUPPORT THE ENTIRE PERSON WITH , WITH INTERVIEWING HELP. IT GETS THE JOB DONE. THEY ARE A FANTASTIC SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY, FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE DEGREES AND FOR THOSE LOOKING TO MAKE A CHANGE IN THEIR LIVES AND IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. BECAUSE OF THE PROGRAM I'M ABLE TO FULLY SUPPORT MY DAUGHTER'S FOR EXAMPLE WE ARE GOING ON A TWO-WEEK CREWS. THANK YOU 
          MPOWER. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. 
          LET ME SAY YOU GO GIRL. THANK YOU. NEXT. 
          >> CARLTON HARRIS ITEM 301 AND CARLOS MONTOYA ITEM 426. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> GOOD MORNING, CARLTON HARRIS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FORGOTTEN THIRD. WE SERVE UNDER THE UNDERSERVED YOUTH IN HARRIS COUNTY. SPEAKING ON REINVESTMENT FUNDS, CURRENTLY THE INTERMEDIATE HOUSE OUTSTANDING INVOICES FOR THE FORGOTTEN THIRD IN EXCESS OF $32,000 REFUSED TO BE PAID. 
          EXTENSION WAS MADE BASED OFF OF INVOICES NOT PROVIDED IN A TIMELY MANNER. A DUE DATE WAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE INVOICES AND THE INTERMEDIARY REFUSED TO MAKE THOSE PAYMENTS STATING THERE IS NO APPEAL PROCESS. I KNOW THIS IS NOT THE COURT TO LITIGATE THAT, WE ARE TAKING NEXT STEPS REGARDING THAT. 
          HOWEVER, COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THE INTERMEDIARY HAVE BEEN COMPLICIT IN HAND SELECTING ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE VIOLATING THE MOU THAT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE INTERMEDIARY FOR PROVIDING SERVICES TO JUVENILE PROBATION CLIENTS. A FULL REPORT WILL BE SUBMITTED TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH AUDIO RECORDINGS TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COURT. THANK YOU. 
          >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NAME ] AND 
          >> SOLUTIONS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATION IN EAST HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE BEEN GRANTED A FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS AND HAVE BEEN AWARDED AS A REGION SIX TEXAS 
          [01:45:05]
NALOXONE HUB AND I'M HERE TO ASK COMMISSIONERS IF WE CAN PLEASE PUT SOME NARCAN AND NARCAN SIDES AT THE COMMUNITY CENTERS IN CROSBY, BAYTOWN AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE DIRECTORS ALREADY, BUT WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO GIVE OUR COMMUNITY THIS INFORMATION AND EDUCATION AND EMPOWER THEM ON THE DANGERS AND THE OVERDOSE CRISIS THAT WE HAVE SEEN IN 
          UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> 
          >> OKAY. THIS IS INTERPRETER FOR HER. SO I'M GOING TO HAVE TO SUMMARIZE BECAUSE SHE WENT THE WHOLE MINUTE. SHE IS GIVING YOU THANKS FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE FOR COMMUNITY. SHE HAS SHARED WITH YOU A THUMBS UP FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND FOR HELPING THEM IN THE FLOOD ZONE THAT THEY LIVE IN. SHE NAMED EACH OF YOU BY NAME SAYING SHE HAS A HEART AND HER COMMUNITY IS IN THE HEART AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU 
          HAVE DONE FOR THEM. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING A DIGNIFIED PLACE TO LIVE AND I WANT TO SAY GOD BLESS YOU TO EACH ONE OF YOU. I KNOW JUDGE HIDALGO IS NOT HERE BUT I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE I HAVE A DIGNIFIED PLACE TO LIVE NOW. THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT SPEAKER. >> LANGUAGE ] 
          >> PROGRAM. WE ARE NOW , WE HAVE A DIGNIFIED HOME AND YOU HAVE HELPED US TO BUILD AND WE ALSO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO HELP OTHER PEOPLE BECAUSE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE WHO STILL NEED HELP. WE WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS, ALICE, GEORGIA 
          [01:50:05]
DOES NOT HERE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE DONE. 
          >> THANK YOU. BLESS YOU. >> LANGUAGE ] 
          >> MY NAME IS HEARD PREVIOUSLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HEALTH, BUT IT IS MY MISFORTUNE THAT I'M HERE TO ASK FOR YOUR HELP BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER AND I HAVE BEEN VICTIMS. WE HAVE BEEN UNDER FRAUD OF SOLAR PANELS AND I'M HERE TO SEE IF YOU CAN HELP ME. 
          >> 
          >> I AM HERE BECAUSE WE WERE VICTIMIZED. WE FELL INTO FRAUD. 
          THEY GAVE US AN AGREEMENT AND THERE WERE BANK PAPERS AND THEY CAME BACK WITH A DIFFERENT AMOUNT. SO NOW, WE FEEL WE HAVE BEEN DEFRAUDED AND THERE IS NOWHERE TO GO FOR HELP. 
          >> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER'S ROBIN SCOTT AND 
          HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON REPRESENTING LAUNCH POINT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT STARTED IN 1993 BY THE GREAT SUPPORTING THE YOUTH IN NORTHEAST HARRIS COUNTY. WHAT I AM HERE FOR TODAY IS TO TALK ABOUT RECIDIVISM. ONE OF THE BIGGEST COMPONENTS BUT WE ARE DOING NOW AND HAVE BEEN IS MAKING SURE PEOPLE HAVE A GOOD START BEING IDENTIFIED IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING. WE MAY NOT THINK SO BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE EXPERIENCE, BUT WHEN YOU GET OUT OF PRISON YOU NEED YOUR ID, YOU NEED AN IDENTITY. ANY TIMES PEOPLE END UP IN INCARCERATED SITUATIONS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE IDENTITY. THEY ARE FOLLOWING SOMEBODY, DOING THINGS THEY SHOULDN'T BE DOING BUT THEY DON'T KNOW WHO THEY ARE. SO WHEN YOU GET AN ID, YOU HAVE A NAME. YOU ARE NOT A NUMBER ANYMORE. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> ANY OTHERS? 
          >> OF COURSE, GOOD TO SEE YOUR. SO YES I AM FOR YES VOTES ITEMS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO DONATE FORFEITURE FUNDS TO CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON. CRIMESTOPPERS DOES A LOT OF SLOWDOWN CRIME AND 184 FEES FOR CONSTABLE OFFICES HAVE NOT BEEN RAISED IN NINE YEARS AND IT IS RECOMMENDED THEY GET 11% INCREASE. MAKING FAR LESS MONEY THAN OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEES AROUND 143,000 PER YEAR WITH THE PAY RATE FOR OTHER OFFICES ACCORDING TO THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE, THE SGT. OF THE SHARES DEPARTMENT MADE TO THE 31,000, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR 418,000, FIRE MARSHAL 212,000, ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY 281,000, CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER 539,000 , CONSTABLE OBVIOUSLY DESERVES A RAISE MORE THAN 11% AND I AM PLEASED WITH THE WORK OF MY CONSTABLE MARK HERMAN WHO MAKES LESS THAN 150,000 PER YEAR ONE OF THE TOP PRIORITIES OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS PUBLIC SAFETY. THANK YOU. 
          [Departments (Part 2 of 3)]
          >> THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> OKAY THANK YOU LET'S GO TO CORRECTIONS AND I WILL HAVE YOU READ THROUGH CORRECTIONS AND 
          SEE HOW MUCH WE CAN GET TO. >> PAGE 6 ITEM 31 , OCA REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. PAGE 14 ITEM 106 CHANGE 
          [01:55:06]
PRECINCT 2, TO PRECINCT 3. THAT IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS FOR LIMITED LLC PAGE 41 ITEM 314 UNDER PURCHASING. REMOVE SOLE-SOURCE BEFORE RENEWAL SO IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO CORRECT VENDOR NAME FROM BAKER TILLY AS APPROVED TO THE BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP LP IN CONNECTION WITH SOLE-SOURCE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT LP IN CONNECTION WITH SOLE-SOURCE APPROVED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT, OCTOBER 31ST, 2023 FOR EXECUTIVE RECRUITMENT SERVICES HARRIS COUNTY , 210306. PAGE 42 ITEM 322 CHANGE THE CAPRI TO CARPI . PAGE 54 ITEM 423 DIG HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. PAGE 55 ITEM 438 PRECINCT 3 HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL OF THE ITEMS THAT I HAVE. ANY ADDITIONAL? 
          >>, ITEM 142? >> WHICH ONE? I'M SORRY, NO ACTION ITEM 142. UNLESS THE COURT HAS ANYTHING ON 
          INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS. >> NO ACTION ON 209. 
          >> OKAY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, REQUEST NO ACTION ITEM 209. 
          >> RETURNING 23 TO THE CONSENT. >> COMMISSIONER I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST NO ACTION ON LINES 2 AND THREE OF ITEM 47. 
          >> TWO AND THREE OF 47. >> YES. 
          >> LINE 2 AND THREE ON ITEM 247. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> ANY OTHERS? OKAY THEN WE DON'T NEED TO VOTE ON THE CORRECTIONS, DO WE? OKAY. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS CLEAR ON THE CONSENT AGENDA . 
          >> WE ARE GOOD. >> I'M SORRY, PLEASE MOVE ITEMS MARKED FOR DISCUSSION FIRST. 
          >> SO MOVED. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES 
          THE MOTION AND I WILL SECOND. >> FIRST WE NEED TO GO THROUGH 
          DISCUSSION ITEMS. >> LET ME READ THAT OUT THE FOLLOWING ITEMS HAVE BEEN POLLED FOR DISCUSSION. THIS LIST IS ALSO ON THE WEBSITE FOR MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA. WE CAN NOW HAVE ACCESS AND IT ALLOWS THEM TO FOLLOW ALONG EASIER SO THANK YOU LUCINDA AND THE OCA TEAM. FOLLOWING ITEMS PULLED FOR DISCUSSION, ITEM 29, ITEM 30, ITEM 31, ITEM 34, ITEM 35, ITEM 44, ITEM 46, ITEM 48, ITEM 83, ITEM 114, 143, 152, 153, 184, 198, 206, 217, 221, 249, 254, 306, 314, 315, 362, 364, 370, 391, 398, 433, 436, 437 
          AND 439. >> 184 IS BACK. 
          >> 184 BACK TO CONSENT. >> I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS 209. 
          I KNOW IT'S NO ACTION. >> 209 ON THE DISCUSSION. 
          >> I WANT TO PULL 194. >> 194 ADDED TO THE DISCUSSION 
          LIST. >> CAN WE REPEAT ONE MORE TIME WITH THOSE THAT WERE JUST ADDED? 
          >> ITEMS 194 ADDED TO THE LIST. AND 209 WAS ADDED FOR DISCUSSION EVEN THOUGH IT'S MARKED NO ACTION. 
          >> I KNOW 31 WAS MARKED NO ACTION. IS THAT UNDER 
          DISCUSSION? >> 330 WHEN I DON'T HAVE. 
          >> 31. >> SORRY 31 I APOLOGIZE. 
          COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> WE CAN PUT NO ACTION. 
          >> NO DISCUSSION NO ACTION 31. >> CHECKING 194? 
          [02:00:05]
          >> COMMISSIONERS ITEM 184 THE DEADLINE TO UPDATE THE FEE WAS OCTOBER 1. COMMISSIONERS COURT ALREADY TOOK ACTION AND THE 
          FEES HAVE ALREADY BEEN SENT. >> SO WE DON'T NEED TO DO IT 
          AGAIN. >> THAT DEADLINE HAS PASSED. 
          >> JUST PULL IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> SO WE ARE SAYING IT'S 25% , THAT'S WHAT THE FEES ARE? 
          >> 11% ANY FEES WHERE WE HAVE DIRECT PRIVATE COMPETITOR ANY THAT WE DO NOT HAVE PRIVATE-SECTOR COMPETITOR WE, THE CONSTABLE IS THE ONLY LEGAL ENTITY TO DO THE WORK AND AGAIN THESE FEES WERE ADOPTED AS PART OF THE BUDGET. 
          >> SO THERE IS 11% COMPENSATION. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> OKAY, NO ACTION. 
          >> SORRY WHAT ITEM? >> 184. 
          >> COMMISSIONER, 439 FOR DISCUSSION, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 
          PULLED THAT CORRECT? >> 439. 439. 
          >> CAN YOU PULLED OUT ONE? >> EXECUTIVE SESSION? 
          >> MOSQUITO SPRAY IN THE WOODLANDS. 
          >> JUST A SHORT CONVERSATION. >> JUST CURIOUS FOR PEOPLE ONLINE, CAN REFLASH THAT ON THE SCREEN? 
          >> WE CAN TRY. >> I DON'T KNOW, I KNOW THEY LOVE HEARING OUR VOICES BUT IF WE PUT IT ON THE SCREEN. 
          >> WE WILL WORK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO LET YOU KNOW HOW WE 
          CAN GET IT DONE. >> TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE RECORD IF WE CAN REPEAT, I CAN REPEAT THOSE ITEMS IF YOU WOULD 
          LIKE. OKAY, I HAVE . >> SORRY ONE LAST ONE. 164. 
          UNIVERSAL SERVICE , DID NOT GET CAO APPROVAL IN ADVANCE. WE WILL BRING BACK AT THE NEXT COURT. 
          >> 164. NO ACTION ON 164. >> YES THANK YOU. 
          >> ONE MORE THING COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ITEM 370 , WE ARE REQUESTING TO GET MOVED TO THE NEXT COURT. JOHN IS ON THE LINE 
          DO YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO IT? >> THE AGREEMENT IS NOT READY YET. IT WILL BE DONE IN TIME. SOME OF THE FUNDING DEADLINES. 
          >> WE WILL BRING IT BACK FOR THE NEXT COURT. THAT WAS 370. 
          >> WE WILL DISCUSS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS NEXT. 
          >> BUT AFTER THIS WE WILL GO OVER EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. 
          >> TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE I HAVE 29, 30, 34, 35 , 44, 46, 48, 83, 114, 143, 152, 153, 194, 198, 206, 209, 217, 221, 249, 254, 306, 314, 315, 362, 364, 391, 398, 433, 
          436, 2037 AND 439. >> 323 NO ACTION. I MISSED 
          THAT. >> 323 IS. 
          >> I PULLED THAT FOR DISCUSSION. 
          >> I DON'T HAVE THAT AS NO ACTION. 
          >> YOU WANT TO DISCUSS? >> YES OR. 
          >> ADD 323? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU NEED 
          184? >> AS IT WAS SAID. 
          >> WE JUST ADAM 323 FOR THE DISCUSSION. OKAY. 
          >> YOU GOT IT. OKAY COLLEAGUES. COED. 
          >> PLEASE FIRST GO THROUGH EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS BEFORE 
          THE CONSENT. >> EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS WILL 
          BE , 14 TO -- 413 TWO 419. >> 479 419. 
          [02:05:07]
          >> ITEMS FOR 13 THROUGH 419 ARE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. 
          >> COLLEGE, HOW MANY DO YOU HAVE TO GO BACK ON? PRECINCT 4 WAS TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. 417 AND 419. ANY OTHERS WHERE WE HAVE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? 
          >> THE OTHER APPOINTMENTS WILL BE APPROVED. 
          >> MAKING SURE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS LISTENING. SO OTHER ITEMS OTHER THAN 417 AND 419 ON CONSENT AGENDA APPROVED AS PRESENTED. OKAY WE'RE GOOD I LOST PROMOTION ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ITEM PASSES. ANY OTHER BUSINESS BEFORE WE TAKE LUNCH? I'M GOING TO ANNOUNCE . 
          >> COMMISSIONER , WE CAN KEEP GOING UNTIL DISCUSSION ITEMS 
          AND BREAK AT 1:00. >> WE COULD TAKE LUNCH INTO 
          EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 
          NEEDS TO LEAVE EARLY. >> RING YOUR LUNCH TO EXECUTIVE 
          SESSION WHAT YOUR PREFERENCE? >> OKAY WHAT'S THE FIRST ITEM? 29? ITEM 29. PRECINCT 3 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 
          >> WE HEARD A LOT OF COMPELLING TESTIMONY FROM FOLKS IN TERMS OF THE POSITIVE IMPACT . THE NUMBERS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE, REQUEST , EXECUTE AGREEMENT WITH BAKER RIPLEY FOR ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF 30.7 MILLION. I THINK THAT IS THE TOTAL AWARD BAKER RIPLEY IS OVER 57 MILLION. SO IT IS A SIGNIFICANT INVESTMENT. MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR APPROPRIATION IS THAT WHEN , MY BEST ANALYSIS OF THE ADMINISTRATION COST IS, AT LEAST, 25% WHEN WE DEAL WITH NONPROFITS I AM A SINGLE-DIGIT KIND OF GUY. SO I THINK THAT IS EXTRAORDINARILY HIGH. PARTICULARLY IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN BEING SURE THAT THOSE FUNDS GET THROUGH, THE RECIPIENTS GET TO THE PEOPLE WHO NEED MOST HELP. WHEN YOU SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON ADMINISTRATION IT DOES NOT GET THERE. SO I'M NOT SUPPORTING IT AND I'M NOT SUPPORTING BECAUSE OF THE 25% ADMINISTRATION COST AND THAT IS JUST BAKER RIPLEY SITE, NOT EVEN COUNTING WHAT ADMINISTRATION COST WITH OUR NONPROFITS. THE OTHER THINGS THAT OCCURRED TO ME TODAY AS THEY SPOKE. WE OUGHT TO BE ASKING THE SCHOOLS TO DO MORE. I KNOW EVERYBODY PUT PRESSURE ON SCHOOLS, IF THEY CAN BUILD A NICE FOOTBALL STADIUM THEY CAN DO SOME EARLY, SOME REALLY EDUCATION, EARLY OUTREACH. WHEN I PAY MY TAXES, ALL I KNOW IS THE SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AT LEAST THREE TIMES MY TAXES THAT I PAY FOR THE COUNTY. SO IT LOOKS LIKE, TO ME, THIS IS WHAT WAS MADE BY 20 PLUS FOLKS HERE TODAY, A GOOD PROGRAM, THEY NEED MORE. I THINK MAYBE SCHOOLS SHOULD TAKE MORE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. NOT SOMETHING THE COUNTY SHOULD DO, THAT SOMETHING THE SCHOOL SHOULD BE DOING IN MY OPINION. THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS ITEM BECAUSE, WHAT THEY ASKED TODAY IS WE NEED TO CONTINUE FUNDING OF $50 MILLION. SO I'M NOT SURE WHERE THAT MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM AND THERE BETTER BE OTHER PEOPLE INVOLVED WITH THAT PROGRAM. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> FIRST TO THANK EVERYONE WHO CAME DOWN TO ADVOCATE. I AM A MAJOR PROPONENT FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. I HAVE SEEN WHAT IT HAS DONE TO MANY CHILDREN, MY DAUGHTER IN PARTICULAR. I DO SHARE CONCERNS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. WE ARE SO FAR ALONG ON THIS I WISH WE HAD A CONVERSATION ON THAT ISSUE EARLIER. MOST ADMINISTERED OF FEES ARE 6 TO 10% RANGE SO I THINK THAT'S A CONVERSATION TO BE HAD WITH BAKER AT SOME POINT. THIS PROGRAM, HOWEVER I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR ADVOCATES 
          [02:10:05]
AND TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT. WE ARE FORTUNATE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO THIS WITH THE ARPA FUNDS WE HAVE RECEIVED SO THANK YOU TO THE ADMINISTRATION. HOWEVER, THOSE FUNDS WILL EXPIRE AND I HOPE EVERYONE WHO IS HERE TODAY TO ADVOCATE FOR THIS PARTICULAR ITEM , I THINK YOU WILL HAVE SUPPORT TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD, BUT I WOULD STRONGLY ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO GO ADVOCATE AT THE APPROPRIATE AREAS. 
          WHETHER IT'S SCHOOL DISTRICTS, THE STATE TE A AND OTHER PLACES, PHILANTHROPY. MY HEART IS ALREADY BREAKING WHEN ARPA FUNDING ON THIS RUNS OUT AND THESE PROGRAMS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO GO AWAY. I WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE , YOU STILL HAVE ABOUT TWO YEARS TO WORK ON SOME SUSTAINABILITY FOR THIS PARTICULAR AREA. COUNT ON ME TO WORK WITH YOU ON THIS. I THINK EVERY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE DOING SOMETHING ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. IT'S THE SILVER BULLET TO POVERTY, TO CRIME, TO HOMELESSNESS, TO SO MANY THINGS AND THAT'S WHY, ALTHOUGH IT IS UNIQUE FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO GET INTO THIS SPACE, I THINK WE NEED TO BE THERE FOR THE FUTURE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE WILL CREATE SO MANY BRIGHT MINDS AS A CONSEQUENCE. AS A SHERIFF OR FORMER SHERIFF AND LONGTIME COP I HAVE SEEN ALL TOO WELL , UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WHERE WE HAVE FAILED SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE BY NOT INSURING THEIR SUCCESS BY THE THIRD GRADE AND HAVING A FORMER TEACHER AT THE TABLE, I THOUGHT ALL EDUCATORS FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND DEDICATION GOING INTO A VERY CHALLENGING CAREER. SO I THINK WE OWE IT TO THEM, TO MAKE THEIR JOBS AS EASY AS POSSIBLE AND MAKING SURE OUR BABIES ARE WELL EDUCATED, AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THIS BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ADVOCATED FOR THIS START WORKING ON SUSTAINABILITY OF WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DEMONSTRATE IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES . >> I ECHO WHAT HE SAID, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THANK YOU FOR POINTING OUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. I HOPE ALL THAT IS BEING INVESTED STRATEGICALLY. AS SOMEONE WHO WORKED IN PHILANTHROPY MANY YEARS I KNOW THAT SOMETHING ARPA SCRUB ALL FIVE OFFICES SO I WILL BE SUPPORTING TODAY. I SURE THE DEEP CONCERN BECAUSE WHEN ARPA RUNS OUT IN 2026, IT IS THE FEDERAL FUNDING TO THE STATE, TO THEN THIS REGION THAT WILL BE THE SUSTAINABILITY PLAN. I KNOW MANY OF OUR OFFICES A RING WITH GOVERNMENTS, STATE AGENCIES, BUT THE TRANSITION IS AND OTHERS, THERE MUST BE A PATH FORWARD, FOR ALL THE EDUCATIONAL AND HEALTH , WELLNESS, JUSTICE -RELATED REASONS BUT THE BIDEN/HARRIS ADMINISTRATION GAVE US THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO IT, RESPONDING TO THE PANDEMIC, BUT THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS ARE NOT PART OF THE BASE BUDGET SO WE KNOW THESE KIDS NEED SCHOOLING SO WE NEED ALL OF THE COMMUNITY. BUSINESS OWNERS, FAMILIES, PARENTS AND SCHOOLS I AGREE WITH YOU THE SCHOOLS NEED TO BE DOING MORE, BUT ULTIMATELY IT IS A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS MAKING SURE THOSE FEDERAL DOLLARS ARE COMING TO THIS REGION. SO I HOPE WE CAN WORK TOGETHER BECAUSE WE KNOW FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT THE EARLIER WE START EDUCATING, THE BETTER IT IS FOR OUR SOCIETY AND WE KNOW IF WE WANT THE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY TO BE ACCESSIBLE WE NEED CHILDCARE SO FOLKS CAN GET TO WORK. HOWEVER, GENERAL FUND DOLLARS ARE JUST NOT THERE SO WE NEED TO BE EYES WIDE OPEN MOVING FORWARD BECAUSE 2026, WE NEED PLANS . I AM HAVING MEETINGS, I'M SURE ALL OF US ARE AND I HOPE THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS, THROUGH SCHOOLS, TO THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION AND BEYOND HELP STEP UP BECAUSE THIS IS AN ECONOMIC ISSUE, EDUCATION ISSUE AND A WELLNESS AND JUSTICE ISSUE. I WILL BE SUPPORTING 29 TODAY BECAUSE I KNOW OUR OFFICES HAVE BEEN WORKING ARDUOUSLY OVER THE LAST YEARS AND WE NEED TO FINISH THIS PROGRAM AND EVALUATIONS AND WE HAVE THE DATA TO KEEP MAKING THE CASE TO FEDERAL AND STATE PARTNERS. 
          >> I WAS BITING MY TONGUE WHEN THE SPEAKERS CAME, THEY WERE SO 
          [02:15:06]
ORGANIZED AND METHODICAL AND I WAS THINKING THE DAY WE DID MAKE A DECISION ON THE GENERAL FUND MEETING HOW MUCH MONEY WE HAVE TO SPEND NOBODY SHOWED UP TO SAY WE SHOULD INVEST MORE IN THESE PROGRAMS SO I WANT TO BE MEAN AND SAY YOU ARE A MONTH LATE, BUT I ALWAYS GIVE THE SPEECH ABOUT EVERYBODY WANT TO GO MOVE THE CHAIRS AROUND ON THE TITANIC. I DID READ SOMETHING THE OTHER NIGHT WHERE WE WERE RANKED IN THE TOP 20 IN TERMS OF THE EQUITY INDEX ON HOW WE SPENT ARPA MONEY. SO IT MAY BE A LITTLE UNCOMMON FOR A COUNTY IN TEXAS TO INVEST IN THESE THINGS, BUT IT'S NOT UNCOMMON AROUND THE COUNTRY . 
          CERTAINLY UNCOMMON FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS TO INVEST BUT IT'S NOT UNCOMMON FOR OTHER STATES. 
          >> EVEN LOUISIANA HAS A GREAT PROGRAM SO OUR TEAM IS STUDYING DIFFERENT MODELS AND I PRAY THE STATE OF TEXAS HELPS TO CARRY THIS FORWARD. MEANWHILE THROUGH THESE ENTITIES THERE ARE DOLLARS THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS SENDING SO I WANT US TO UNITE AND MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT ONLY TAKING CARE OF CHILDREN, BUT ALSO PARENTS WHO WANT TO GET IN THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE THIS IS A WIN WIN WIN. AND WE KNOW WE HAVE TO GO HUNT FOR THOSE DOLLARS THAT NEED TO BE IN THE REGION. 
          >> MOVING THIS A LONG. MOTION TO APPROVE ITEM 29 ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM 30 . 
          >> WE HAVE THE CALENDAR . >> CAN WE LIVE WITH IT? 
          >> I THINK WE ARE ON VERSION 10. BEFORE WE APPROVE AND BEING A FLEXIBLE GUY THAT I AM, ANY OF THOSE 10 WORK FOR ME HONESTLY. MY ONLY CONCERN IS, THERE IS , WE ARE GOING IN VERSION 6 FROM 15 REGULAR MEETINGS TO THE VERSION 10 WHICH IS ONE ON THE AGENDA, TO 17 COURT MEETINGS. SO WE ARE REDUCING THE BUSINESS COURTS FROM 15 DOWN TO SEVEN AND I THOUGHT THE OBJECTIVE WAS TO HAVE THE BUSINESS COURTS TO TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF AND THE CONVERSATION GOING FORWARD WAS WHAT CAN WE DO IN THE BUSINESS COURT THAT WOULD BE MORE ROUTINE AND NOT A LOT OF DISCUSSION ORIENTED. SO I GUESS, TO QUOTE COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS MUCH AS I LIKE YOU ALL I DON'T KNOW 17 VERSUS 15 SO I AM A 15 VERSION GUY, THAT'S MY 
          ONLY COMMENT. >> I WANT TO SAY TWO THINGS. 
          ONE, LUCINDA HAS DONE AN AMAZING JOB IN LIKE 10 VERSIONS WORKING WITH ALL THE OFFICES. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A THANKLESS JOB. I DO WANT TO POINT OUT TWO THINGS. ONE, WE ARE MAKING CHANGES THAT YOU MENTIONED RELATED TO THE RULES, IT WILL BE ON THE NEXT COURT. WE WORKED AND MADE FINAL EDITS AND I COULD NOT GET IT DONE IN TIME SO I WILL GET IT ON THE NEXT COURT FOR SURE. SO IT WILL COOPERATE ALL THOSE THINGS YOU WANTED, BUT IN A PERFECT WORLD WE WOULD LIKE TO MEET ROUGHLY 36 TIMES A YEAR , I WOULD. I WOULD LIKE TO AND THE REASON I SAY THIS IS A POINT OF COMPARISON, NO COUNTY COURT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT IN TERMS OF THE THINGS YOU DO. WE MEET LESS THAN EVERY MAJOR COMMISSIONERS COURT IN THE STATE OF OUR PEERS. SOME OF THAT IS BECAUSE OF THE OBLIGATIONS TO DO DIFFERENT THINGS , IT'S DIFFERENT THAN IT IS FOR OTHER COUNTIES SO IT PUTS A LOT MORE PRESSURE AND YOUR STAFF HAS TO WORK HARD TO MAKE UP FOR THIS. % SO WE HAVE GOT THE BUSINESS COURT TRYING TO MAKE IT ALL FIT TOGETHER AND IT'S HARD BECAUSE THERE ARE 75 OR 80 DAYS THAT WERE BLOCKED OUT PLUS THE HOLIDAYS SO I KNOW IT'S HARD AND LIKE I SAID LUCINDA I DON'T KNOW HOW SHE GOT TO VERSION 10, BUT I THINK IT'S PRETTY GOOD WE ARE DOING OKAY. 
          >> EVEN THOUGH WE SCHEDULED SEVEN BUSINESS COURTS, WE CAN POST FOR A BUSINESS COURT MEETING. 
          >> YES AND THIS IS FOR THE FIRST TIME WE WILL NOT HAVE BIG 
          [02:20:03]
GAPS WE HAVE AT LEAST TWO MEETINGS A MONTH, SOME BUSINESS, SOMETIMES JUST BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE HOLIDAY SEASON BREAKS DOWN WE HAVE MORE TIME WHICH MAKES IT HARDER TO GET A QUORUM AND EVERYONE IS OUT. WITH THE EXPANDED ROLE OF THE BUSINESS COURTS THEY ARE MORE LIKE REGULAR COURTS. 
          >> SO IF I COULD I WOULD ASK MR. ADMINISTRATOR IF YOU COULD GIVE THOUGHT TO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TOUCHED ON WITH HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN ADMINISTRATIVELY, MORE ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS OR JUST TRANSACTIONAL ITEMS WE CAN PUT ON THOSE AGENDAS AND I WOULD LOOK TO YOU FOR GUIDANCE ON IF WE ARE ANYTIME PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE A BUSINESS COURT SCHEDULED, BUT WE COULD USE ONE I WOULD LOOK TO YOUR GUIDANCE ON SEEING WILL YOU CONSIDER PUTTING A SPECIAL BUSINESS COURT ON THE AGENDA TO POST IT, SO I WOULD ASK FOR THAT HELP SO WE KNOW WHERE WE CAN HELP TO DRIVE . I'M LOOKING TO THOSE BUSINESS COURTS FOR THE PROCURE TO PAY AND THAT'S ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS THAT I HEAR THAT MAKE IT WORK BETTER SO I WOULD LOOK TO YOU FOR THAT HELP. 
          >> IF WE HAVE ANY ISSUES COMING UP WITH PAYMENTS ON TIME WE WILL BRING IT UP TO THE COURT AND TRY TO FIND OTHER MEETINGS 
          TO POP IN. >> I CANNOT AGREE MORE. PAIN FOLKS ON TIME IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. LUCINDA YOU ARE A SAINT TRYING TO BALANCE COMPETING INTERESTS. I AM FLEXIBLE. I MAINTAIN, AS YOU KNOW AND I NOT -- NO NOT ALL OF YOU LOVED IT. THERE'S DAY INSTEAD OF TUESDAY BECAUSE TO ME, THE TEACHER IN ME, DEADLINES ARE THE SAME BUT IT INCREASES TRANSPARENCY FOR THE PUBLIC . SO YOU HAVE UNTIL THURSDAY UNTIL TUESDAY TO SEE ALL THE ITEMS, ALL THE BACKUP MATERIAL. THE PUBLIC WILL HAVE MORE TIME TO REVIEW WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING. SECOND, THE HG AC I INTEND TO GO TO EVERY MEETING THAT I CAN SO THAT RELIEVES CONFLICTS AND NUMBER THREE WE WORK SEVEN DAYS A WEEK PUT OUR TEAMS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE WORKING SEVEN DAYS A WEEK SO BY THURSDAY AS OPPOSED TO TUESDAY GIVE STAFF MORE TIME AND I KNOW MY TEAM WORKS ALL WEEKEND EVERY COURT TIME CYPRESS FOR YOUR FLEXIBILITY, BUT THOSE REMAIN THE TRANSPARENCY AND CONFLICTS AND THEN THE STAFF RELIEF ARE MY MAIN THINGS. IF YOU WANT MORE BUSINESS COURTS , IS TO BE IN COURT EVERY DAY WHEN I USED TO BE A JUDGE SO I LOVE SPENDING TIME WITH YOU ALL. I THINK MORE IS BETTER, BUT I KNOW THIS WAS A COMPROMISE. THE BALANCE OF EVERYONE'S 
          PRIORITIES. >> ONLY OTHER QUESTION YOU MENTIONED, THE DEADLINE STAYED THE SAME? 
          >> UNDER MY VERSION. CORRECT. >> WITH THE DEADLINES BEING THE SAME THINKING THROUGH THE IMPACT OF STAFF THEY HAVE TO RUSH TO GET SOMETHING IN AS IT GIVES MORE TRANSPARENCY AND PUBLIC REVIEW OF WHATEVER IS THERE. BUT I THINK, AS WE ARE ALLOWED A LITTLE BIT OF TIME . 
          >> NOT ME, THE BOSS. >> TWEAKING OF THE DEADLINES, WE RUSH AND HURRY AND MEET THE DEADLINE AND WE SIT HERE FOR OVER A WEEK AND THERE'S MAYBE TWO OR OTHER THINGS. 
          >> THE OTHER ISSUE IS MOVING THE DEADLINES OF THE AGENDA TEAM WORKS ON THE WEEKEND. FROM MY PERSPECTIVE IF LUCINDA AIN'T HAPPY NOBODY IS HAPPY BECAUSE SHE IS MY BOSS AND WE JOKE AROUND ABOUT IT IN THE OFFICE SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE CAN KEEP AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO THE CURRENT TIMEFRAME IT WOULD HELP THE AGENDA TEAM IN MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS DONE APPROPRIATELY AND LEGALLY. 
          >> THE WAY I SEE IT, I LOVE TO READ AND DIG IN AND UNDERSTAND. 
          THIS GIVES OUR TEAM IF THE DEADLINE STAYS THE SAME WE GET TO HAVE MORE DAYS TO PREPARE AND PRESSURE TEST QUESTIONS. WE MEET WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS AND IT GIVES TIME FOR ROBUST DIGGING AND QUESTIONING AND DISCUSSION. LUCINDA? 
          [02:25:06]
          >> I AGREE KEEPING THE DEADLINE THE SAME WOULD BE GREAT AND IT WILL ALLOW STAFF TO REVIEW EVERYTHING. ALSO FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS TO MEET WITH YOU AND SOCIALIZE WHATEVER ITEMS ARE ON 
          THE AGENDA. I AGREE, THANK YOU. >> I THINK WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO. WITH EFFICIENCY AND THAT IS SELF POLICING OURSELVES. TO BE HONEST NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE IMPORTANT ISSUES. I KNOW I MENTIONED BEFORE IF WE DO NOT WANT TO DO SPECIAL COURT WE CAN SET UP A COMMUNITY SO PEOPLE FEEL GOOD BUT TAKE TODAY WE SPENT TWO 
          HOURS. >> I KNOW YOU BROUGHT UP THE ISSUE AND WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS AND WHAT WE HAD TALKED ABOUT IS SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES TO HOW WE DO RESOLUTIONS COULD BE DONE IN THE NEXT CALENDAR YEAR. IF THE COURT WANTED TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION. FOR NOW WE WANTED TO 
          KEEP AS IS FOR THE REMAINDER. >> I WILL NOT PROPOSE WE CHANGE IT , WHAT I'M DOING IS PUTTING MINE ON THE BUSINESS COURT SO I INVITE FOLKS FROM MY OFFICE TO TAKE A PICTURE AND I WILL THANK THEM BUT WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON RESOLUTIONS. THAT'S US. I HEARD A MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AND A SECOND. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM A FEW 
          MORE OR EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> IT IS 1:00. 
          [Executive Session]
          >> THE TIME IS 1:00 P.M. AND THE COURT WILL MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE 551.087 AND 551.074, THE COURT WILL RETURN FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, I THINK 
          I SHOULD SAY. >> I DON'T THINK WE WANT A 
          SPECIFIC TIME. >> WE WILL RETURN AT 3:00 P.M. 
          >> AND LUNCH FOR EVERYONE ELSE. EVERYONE ELSE CAN HAVE LUNCH. 
          >> I'M SORRY, THE ITEMS YOU'RE GOING BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ARE? 417 AND 419 CORRECT? SO YES, EXECUTIVE 
          SESSION FOR 17 AND 419. >> BEFORE WE RUN OUT, I ASKED LUCINDA TO HANG OUT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE I WANTED TO SAY SHE WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE CHAMBER THE OTHER DAY FOR A DISTINGUISHED AWARD AND JUST WANT TO CELEBRATE IT. 
          >> THANK YOU. >> CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN. ARE WE GOOD? 
          [Departments (Part 3 of 3)]
          >>> THERE WILL BE NO ACTION ON THE ITEMS WE TOOK UP IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 34. 
          >> I WILL ASK NO ACTION ON 34. >> NO ACTION ITEM 34 AND THE NEXT IS ITEM 35, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> I AM VERY PLEASED AND LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING A MOTION ON 35 AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE DEPARTMENTS WHO WORKED ON THIS. WHAT THIS ACHIEVES IS THAT IT HELPS TWO INDIVIDUALS LEAVING ON PARENTAL LEAVE AND ONE ON MILITARY LEAVE. TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CAN TAKE THEIR LEAVE, NUMBER ONE BECAUSE THE POLICY WAS UNCLEAR WHICH WE NEED TO CLARIFY ON A GO FORWARD, BUT ALSO WE ARE NOT DEALING JUSTICE WHILE THEY ARE ON THE SO AS SOMEBODY WHO IS A PROUD MOM I THINK IT IS PARAMOUNT WE MAKE SURE THE PARENTAL LEAVE IS MEANINGFUL FOR THE HEALTH OF THE PARENT AND THE HEALTH OF THE CHILD AND THIS NEEDS TO BE CLEAR FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS AS WELL AS ELECTED OFFICIALS. SO HERE WE HAVE TWO JUDGES GOING ON PARENTAL AND ANOTHER GOING ON MILITARY LEAVE SO WE NEED TO BE SUPPORTING MILITARY LEAVE AND I WOULD ASK PLEASE AND THANK YOU IN ADVANCE, FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, BUT I PLEASE ASK OCA, OMB AND HRM TO UPDATE PERSONNEL POLICIES SO IT'S CRYSTAL CLEAR AND WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE FOLKS REACH OUT TO US AD HOC , SO WE HAVE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY. SO COULD YOU PLEASE RETURN TO THE COURT AND I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU WHAT YOU THINK IS A FEASIBLE TIMELINE SO WE HAVE THE POLICY 
          ON A GO FORWARD. >> THE POLICY WOULD BE 
          [02:30:05]
STRAIGHTFORWARD. IN ADDITION AND CHANGING LANGUAGE. SO THE NOVEMBER COURT WOULD PROBABLY , WE COULD DO IT THAT FAST. 
          >> WE SPOKE THIS MORNING, OUR INTERPRETATION IS THAT IT IS NOT ENOUGH WE DO NOT CALL IT OUT FOR THIS SPECIFIC THING, IT WAS A BUDGETARY ITEM BECAUSE THE COUNTY CORE BUDGETS WERE SO TIGHT, THAT THE AMOUNT OF THE COST FOR THE VISITING JUDGE WOULD'VE PUT THEM OVER SO WE WILL AMEND TO ENSURE ESPECIALLY FOR SMALLER DEPARTMENTS THAT THERE IS A PROCESS FOR FUNDING 
          IF IT PUTS YOU OVER. >> PERFECT, CLARITY ON THE FUNDING AND ON THE POLICY. I BEG TO DIFFER I DID NOT THINK IT WAS CLEAR ENOUGH AND IT IS SO STRESSFUL WHEN YOU ARE ABOUT TO DO YOUR MILITARY LEAVE OR HAVE A BABY OR ANY SORT OF PARENTAL LEAVE AND I WANTED TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP AND I MOVE ITEM 35 AS PRESENTED. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WITH A QUICK COMMENT. 
          >> I WANT TO BE CLEAR. MANY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY TAKE MILITARY LEAVE . WE HAVE MANY PEOPLE IN THE COUNTY THAT TAKE PARENTAL LEAVE. THAT IS AN ITEM WE VOTED ON. LOOKS LIKE WE'RE MAKING A BUDGET ADJUSTMENT FOR THIS PARTICULAR GROUP. 
          I UNDERSTAND IT, UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS ASKED FOR BUT THERE IS NOT A DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY THAT'S NOT IMPACTED BUDGET WISE. WHEN WE PASSED PARENTAL LEAVE THAT WAS UNFUNDED 
          MANDATE. RIGHT? >> THERE WAS NO CORRESPONDING 
          ADJUSTMENT. >> WE WERE TO FIGURE IT OUT. IT IS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT AND WE'RE DOING IT SO IT'S NOT LIKE WHEN PEOPLE CALL AND DO IT, MY QUESTION IS CAN WE NOW COME TO COURT INDIVIDUALLY , DEPARTMENT INDIVIDUALLY AND ASK FOR FUNDING FOR MILITARY LEAVE AND FOR PARENTAL LEAVE IT IS A HUGE IMPACT BECAUSE OF LAW ENFORCEMENT, I FEEL THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS IMPACTED, AND A LOT OF, ANY DEPARTMENT OUT HERE IS IMPACTED . SO IS THIS GOING TO OPEN THE DOOR ARE WE INVITING PEOPLE TO COME TO COURT AND ASK WHAT IS THE DISCERNMENT OF WHEN WE APPROVE AND WHEN WE DON'T APPROVE. 
          >> THIS IS A SPECIFIC CASE. IN THE INSTANCE OF JP TUTU, THE OFFICE HAS THREE PEOPLE, A VISITING JUDGE, YOU BASICALLY PAY FOR 1.2 OR 1.2 TIMES THE NORMAL SALARY AND BECAUSE IT IS ELECTED OFFICIALS THERE IS NO CORRESPONDING DECREASE IN LEAVE THROUGH FMLA AND OTHER ITEMS SO IT IS A UNIQUE CASE WITH THESE PARTICULAR JUDGES WHERE I CAN TELL YOU JP TUTU, TO HAVE A VISITING JUDGE AND PAY THE SITTING JUDGE AT THE SAME TIME THEY WOULD'VE NEED TO HAVE LAID SOMEBODY OFF. 
          >> IF IT IS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO THE BUDGET THEY CAN, ASK AND 
          WE MAY OR MAY NOT APPROVE. >> CORRECT AND WE WILL WORK ON THE POLICY AND PROCEDURE AND STANDARD FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING, BUT IT'S TOUGH WHEN YOU HAVE THE HIGHEST-PAID PERSON IN THE DEPARTMENT RECEIVING FUNDING AND WE PAY ABOVE THEIR SALARY FOR A VISITING JUDGE. 
          >> THE COUNTY COURT IS HERE NOT JUST JP. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. THE JUDGES ARE TIED FOR SECOND HIGHEST-PAID IN THE DEPARTMENT WITH LESS THAN A $100,000 SURPLUS. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE FOLKS TO DO THE LEAVE SO IT SUPPLEMENTAL, VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES THAT HAVE HUNDREDS OF VACANCIES AT ANY GIVEN TIME THAT OFFSET THE COST OR THAT THERE IS A PERSON IN THE CASE OF THE CONSTABLES AND SHERIFF'S THERE IS A LICENSED PERSON WHO CAN BACK FILLED THE POSITION OVER TIME. OR SOMETIMES. IN THIS CASE THERE IS NO REPLACEMENT FOR A JUDGE BESIDES THE VISITING JUDGE AND THE RATES ARE SET BY STATE LAW. 
          >> ANY OTHER DISCUSSION? >> I JUST, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 
          [02:35:03]
          >> I APPRECIATE AND I AGREE THESE ARE NUANCED CIRCUMSTANCES GIVEN HOW TINY THE TEAM IS AND THOUSANDS OF CASES SO WE CANNOT DELAY JUSTICE AND THERE'S NOBODY ELSE TO DO IT GIVEN HOW TIGHT THE BUDGET IS AND HOW SMALL THE TEAM IS. I MOVE ITEM 
          35 AS PRESENTED. >> MOTION MADE AND SECONDED. 
          ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THOSE OPPOSED? THE ITEM PASSES. ITEM 
          44, COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> ITEM 44 RELATES TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY REFINANCING ABOUT STANDING BONDS AND WHAT THIS IS, I APPRECIATE THEIR MOVING FORWARD WITH REFINANCING $353 MILLION IN DEBT WHICH WILL SAVE 50 MILLION IN INTEREST AND THIS WILL FREE UP THE DEBT CAPACITY BY REFINANCING AT LOWER INTEREST RATES BECAUSE THERE IS A PLAN TO ISSUE THE NEW BONDS IN 2026. I WANT TO THANK ] THE PRECINCT 4 SPORTS AUTHORITY BOARD MEMBER AND THE TEAM AND OCA AND EVERYONE INVOLVED. WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE FOR THE RECORD THAT YOU ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THIS AND THIS WOULD NOT ADVERSELY IMPACT ANY POTENTIAL CURRENT STADIUM BOND OR ANY POTENTIAL FUTURE. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. I THINK I'VE TOLD ALL OF YOU AND HAVE IT ON THE RECORD THE SPLIT OF 1/3 IS PROBLEMATIC GIVEN THE SIZE DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN ENERGY PARK OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE COUNTY VERSUS THE TWO OTHERS. IN TERMS OF THIS DEAL IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE COUNTY AND ALL PARTIES 
          INVOLVED. >> SO THIS IS IN THE BEST 
          INTEREST OF THE COUNTY? >> THAT'S CORRECT AND THAT'S WHY I ASKED FOR IT TO COME FROM OUR AGENDA. SO I COULD DEMONSTRATE TO YOU ALL THERE WAS A GREEN LIGHT FROM OMB. 
          >> SIMILAR QUESTION. CAN YOU LOOK AT THE MATH WHEN THEY GO TO DISTRIBUTE THE FUNDS CAN YOU VERIFY SO WE DO GET THE PROPER? 
          >> I CAN ASSURE YOU ON THE NEW BONDS WE DO. 
          >> WITH THE REFINANCING DEAL AS COMMISSIONER BRIONES REFERENCE, 50 MILLION. MAKE SURE THAT'S PER WHATEVER THE AGREEMENTS 
          ARE. >> YES AND FOR YOU ALL IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THE BOARD MEMBERS HAVE INFORMATION THAT THEY NEED TO REVIEW I'M HAPPY TO MAKE ME AND MY STAFF AVAILABLE. 
          >> THANK YOU MOTION? >> I MOVE 44 AS PRESENTED. 
          >> MOTION AND SECOND , ALL IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES, NEXT ITEM 46 COMMISSIONER RAMSEY KORN FERRY. 
          >> AGENDA ITEM IS TO ENGAGE KORN FERRY TO CONDUCT MARKET ANALYSIS FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER TO DETERMINE COMPETITIVE SALARY AND SUCH. WE HAVE A HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE BOARD WHICH WAS CREATED TO RELIEVE THAT CANDIDATES. TO GO THROUGH A VERY EXPRESSED BOARD, PROBABLY MORE THAN KORN FERRY. I DON'T KNOW NO -- WHY WE NEED TO HIRE A CONSULTANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE'RE GOING TO PAY FOR ONE PARTICULAR POSITION. I WOULD THINK THE BOARD WOULD BE ABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT. IF THEY NEEDED HELP THEN MAYBE THEY COULD TALK TO US BUT I THINK THE BOARD WOULD FIGURE THAT OUT WITHOUT THE NEED OF CONSULTING. JUSTIN THE IDEA OF COST 
          SAVINGS. >> YES, I BELIEVE OUR INTERIM CHIEF OFFICER IS ON. BASICALLY WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT ARE INDEPENDENTLY APPOINTED, SO NONELECTED ARE ALL REVIEWED AND ASSESSED USING THE SAME METHODOLOGY AND SINCE WE HAD THE 60 DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO THE OCA ASSESSED BY KORN FERRY THE IDEA IS WE WILL HAVE APPLES TO APPLES COMPARISON AND HR IS WORKING WITH PUBLIC DEFENDER BOARDS AT THE MOMENT ON REVIEWING THE JOB DESCRIPTION COMING TO YOU ALL FOR REVIEW SOON OR MAY HAVE ALREADY COME OR GONE TO YOU ALL. MISS DOUGLAS CAN YOU GO 
          THROUGH THAT PROCESS? >> ABSOLUTELY. OUR INTENT IS TO ENSURE THAT THE METHODOLOGY FOR SALARY EVALUATION IS CONSISTENT 
          [02:40:05]
FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, SPECIFICALLY THOSE APPOINTED BY INDEPENDENT BOARDS, WE HAVE ALREADY WORKED WITH THE PDO BOARD TO DO ABOUT THE DRAFT OF THE JOB DESCRIPTION, THAT DRAFT IS SITTING WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES OVERVIEW AT ITS INPUT. 
          UPON RECEIVING THE EDITS FROM EACH OFFICE FROM EACH COURT OFFICE WE WILL DEVELOP THE FINAL DRAFT AND PRESENT IT TO THE BOARD AND THE FINAL DRAFT TO EACH OF YOU AND YOUR OFFICES , PRIOR TO ENGAGING KORN FERRY FOR THE SALARY EVALUATION. 
          >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD NOT HERE WHEN I CREATED OFFICE I HAD A HAND IN ENCOURAGING TO DO IT AND I PASSED STATE LAW TO GIVE THE OPTION OF DOING IT. I KNOW THEY DID A NATIONWIDE SEARCH WHEN THEY FOUND THE CURRENT DIRECTOR 10 OR 11 YEARS AGO BUT THE BOARD DOES NOT HAVE ANY STAFF AND I WOULD FEEL BETTER IF I KNOW THERE WERE SOME NATIONWIDE SEARCH , SOME BASIS UPON WHICH THEY DECIDE WHAT THE RECOMMENDED SALARIES. I THINK IT IS A GOOD PRACTICE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. 
          >> I AGREE, THANK YOU. I LIKE THAT KORN FERRY WILL BE DOING THIS SO THERE'S CONSISTENCY AND I APPRECIATE WE'RE MOVING TO DATA-DRIVEN PRACTICES. THANK YOU, THAT CONSISTENCY WILL BE KEY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS BEING DONE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. 
          I AM EAGER TO LAUNCH THE NATIONAL SEARCH IN PARTNERSHIP WITH ALL THE COUNTY OFFICES IN THE BOARD. WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR YEARS TO GET TO 50% AND WE WILL NEED NATIONAL PROVEN LEADER AND EXPERT TO BE ABLE TO TAKE HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE DECIDED WE WANT TO GO. SO MY QUESTION IS QUICK, HOW LONG DO YOU THINK THE ANALYSIS WILL TAKE AND ASSUMING WE ALL GET IN THE EDITS BY THE END OF THE WEEK HOW SOON CAN WE LAUNCH THE 
          NATIONAL SEARCH? >> WE RECEIVED A REQUEST FROM THE COURT OFFICE FOR ADDITIONAL TIME EDITS. AT THE VERY LATEST WE WILL HAVE ALL THE EDITS FROM EACH OF YOUR OFFICES, ALL THE COURT OFFICES BY THE 17TH, NEXT FRIDAY. OUR INTENTION IS TO TURN YOUR EDITS WITH EDITS FROM THE BOARD, TURNAROUND AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE INTO THE DRAFT , HOPEFULLY A FINALIZED VERSION FOR YOUR EYES AND THAT OF THE BOARD. WE INTEND TO TURN IT AROUND. ASSUMING WE DON'T GET THE FINAL EDITS UNTIL THE 17TH CERTAINLY BY THE FOLLOWING MONDAY WE WILL HAVE A FINAL VERSION FOR EACH OF YOU ALONG WITH THE BOARD TO REVIEW. 
          >> TO KNOW HOW MUCH ONE FERRY TYPICALLY CHARGES FOR THE 
          SERVICES? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT INFORMATION AT THE MOMENT, BUT I CAN GET THAT SHORTLY. 
          >> AS A REMINDER THE COUNTRY STORY OF THE 16 WAS $48,000 PER 16 PEOPLE SO I ASSUME IT WOULD BE LESS. 
          >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> YES, THANK YOU FOR THIS AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. ADMINISTRATOR, I WANT TO MAKE SURE , ALL OF THIS STARTED WHEN WE WERE LOOKING TO COMPENSATE DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD PUT FORTH A FAIR EQUITY EFFORT FOR OUR LOWER PAID STAFF, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE DIRECTORS ARE NOT LOST IN THIS CONVERSATION. 
          THAT WOULD BE IN PART MY PRIORITY SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAN FOR WHEN WE COULD SEE COMPENSATION FOR THE DIRECTORS. 
          >> WE CAN DO THAT ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE BRINGING BACK OCTOBER 29 IS THERE WERE SOME OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT ARE NONELECTED THAT HAVE NOT HAD THEIR SALARIES ASSESSED SO WE WOULD LIKE TO BRING THAT TO YOU SO WE CAN HAVE COMPREHENSIVE JUVENILE , THE JUVENILE , THE PROBATION DEPARTMENT, THERE ARE 
          A FEW OTHERS THAT REMAIN. >> OEM IS ANOTHER. 
          >> CORRECT. THE, THE COURT ADMINISTRATORS AT THE DISTRICT AND COUNTY COURTS AT THE LAW LEVELS. NOW EVEN IF THEY HAVE INDEPENDENT BOARDS THAT SET THEIR SALARY. WE WOULD AT LEAST 
          [02:45:09]
HAVE THE INFORMATION AND PAY RANGE AT WHICH THE SALARY SHOULD BE SET FOR THE BOARD TO SET IT. 
          >> WE HAVE DONE SOME STUDY AND STARTED A CONVERSATION FOR OUR DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS. WE HAVE STOPPED THE CONVERSATION AND IT 
          WOULD MAKE SURE IT'S NOT LOST. >> WE WILL COME BACK ON THE 29TH WITH THE ADDITIONAL ONES TO BE STUDIED AND HAVE A TIMELINE FOR WHEN WE BRING IT BACK FOR ACTION FOR THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS OMB DID SET ASIDE $50 MILLION FOR THE PAY EQUITY STUDY SO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND HE PAY CHANGES THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDES TO MAKE WILL COME OUT OF THAT FUNDING AS WELL AS ANYTHING FOR THE FIRST TRANCHE FOR THE FOLKS MAKING UNDER $51,000, THAT'S GETTING STARTED NOW AND DIRECTOR 
          DOUGLAS IS LEADING THAT EFFORT. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. 
          ALL THOSE OPPOSED, THE ITEM PASSES. 
          >> AS PRESENTED? >> YES. 
          >> NEXT ITEM, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ITEM 48. 
          >> JUST A QUICK QUESTION. I THINK IS THIS FOUR POSITIONS OR 
          FIVE? IS THIS FOUR? >> THAT'S FOUR POSITIONS. 
          >> HR, PROJECT MANAGER, COMMUNICATION ASSISTANT AND 
          GRAPHIC DESIGNER? >> SORRY, CHANGE MANAGER IS NOT ONE OF THE POSITIONS, DIRECTOR OF HR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES. 
          DIRECTOR OF HR STRATEGIC INITIATIVES, COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER GRAPHIC DESIGNER AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT. 
          >> IT SEEMS AND I KNOW WE ARE FUNCTIONING IN THE INTERIM FASHION NOW, THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS. WE WOULD WANT TO GET THE PERMANENT DIRECTOR ON BOARD BEFORE WE START FILLING UP 
          THESE SLOTS. >> ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON IS THE JOB DESCRIPTION FOR THE NEW HEAD OF HR NOW THAT RISK MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN MOVED UNDER OMB SO THAT IS SITTING ON MY DESK, I NEED TO GET THE COMMENTS BACK TO HR. I SENT OUT JOB DESCRIPTION REVISIONS TO THE COURT MEMBERS AND I AM WAITING ON ONE SET TO COME BACK AND WE HAVE THE RECRUITMENT PLAN WE WILL BE PRESENTING TO COMMISSIONERS 
          COURT. >> THESE ARE SIGNIFICANT POSITIONS RANGING FROM 50 TO 90 RANGING FROM $50-$90 PER HOUR SO THESE ARE KEY POSITIONS IN HR, I WOULD THINK GOOD PRACTICE WOULD BE HAVE THE DIRECTOR ON BOARD AND INVOLVED IN THE SELECTION OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. HIRE INDIVIDUALS AND THEN HIRE 
          THE DIRECTOR. >> I UNDERSTAND. UNFORTUNATELY RIGHT NOW HR IS SO SHORTHANDED WITH SMALL STAFF THAT EVEN TO GET TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN KEEP MOVING WITH TRANSFORMATION, WE NEED HELP NOW AND THAT'S PART OF THE ISSUE OF WHICH COMES FIRST. THAT'S WHY IT IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF FOLKS. GOING THROUGH THE TRANSFORMATION WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT'S NEEDED IN THE FUTURE YEARS TO REALLY MEET THE NEEDS OF THE GROWING COUNTY. AT THAT POINT, THOSE WOULD BE COMING IF THEY GET APPROVED IN THE FUTURE THOSE WOULD BE COMING UNDER THE NEW HR DIRECTOR. 
          >> FUNCTIONING ON AN INTERIM BASIS AND WE ARE DOING THAT AS A CONSULTANT I MEAN, YOU COULD ONE MIGHT SAY GO HIRE A CONSULTANT OR HIRE A CONSULTANT FOR KORN FERRY SO IF YOU NEED HELP IMMEDIATELY GO GET CONSULTANTS , BUT I THINK IT IS GOOD PRACTICE TO HAVE YOUR DIRECTOR MAKE AND HIRE KEY 
          POSITIONS. >> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION? I WILL MOVE IT. ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR AS IS? THE ITEM PASSES. 
          THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, ITEM 83 I HAVE GOT ENGINEERING. 
          >> 83, THIS PERTAINS TO BURNETT BAIL AND PARK AND THE REIMAGINING IN OFTEN WHICH IS ELLIS ISLAND TEXAS AND ONE OF 
          [02:50:05]
THE ELLIS ISLANDS OF THE UNITED STATES I WANT TO THANK SO MANY OF MY TEAM MEMBERS, IN PARTICULAR NAME ] CARA, ANGIE AND SO MANY OTHERS. THIS IS GOING TO CHANGE A 35 ACRE CURRENT PARK WHICH IS UNDERUTILIZED, IT WILL DOUBLE THE FOOTPRINT BASED ON THE LAND THAT THE COUNTY OWNS AND WORKING WITH PARTNER AGENCIES. GOLFED IN HIS 70 DEGREES HOTTER THAN RIVER OAKS WHICH HAPPENS TO BE IN PRECINCT 4 SO THIS WILL HAVE A HUGE FOCUS ON A GREEN GOLFED IN SO WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH 30 CIVIC AND NONPROFIT GROUPS. WE HAVE BEEN COMBINING PLANNING EFFORTS GOING ON FOR YEARS. THERE HAS BEEN OVER 1000 COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO HAVE COME TO DIFFERENT WORKSHOPS AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR THE INPUT AND NEARLY 1000 SURVEY PARTICIPANTS. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THIS IS ANOTHER STEP TOWARD BEING ABLE TO DELIVER ON ALL THE INPUT WE HAVE HEARD SO WE CAN START WITH THE DESIGN WORK AND SO LASTLY I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE TEAM. THEY HAVE BEEN HUSTLING BECAUSE WE KNOW WE ARE LIMITED ON FUNDS THESE DAYS AND AM THRILLED AND THANKFUL TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT WITH THE $11.3 MILLION GRANT WHICH WILL HELP US BE ABLE TO DELIVER ON COMMUNITY VISION FOR THE BURNETT BAIL AND PARK. I'M HAPPY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD, THANK YOU TO THE ENGINEERING AND COUNTY ATTORNEY AND ALL THE TEAM MEMBERS WHO HAVE HELPED. I 
          MOVE 83 AS PRESENTED. >> MOTION MADE. 
          >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL 
          THOSE OPPOSED? THE ITEM PASSES. >> I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ON THIS PROJECT. I SAID LAST TIME WHEN YOU LAUNCHED THIS, THIS WILL BE INCREDIBLE, BEAUTIFUL AND LONG LONG NEEDED AND 
          DESERVING. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> NEXT COMMISSIONER BRIONES THAT IS YOURS. WESTCHASE. 
          >> THIS IS ANOTHER I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT AND 114 GOES ALONGSIDE 99, 100, 101, 113 AND 114. WHEN I FIRST TOOK OFFICE WE LAUNCHED A PRODUCTIVE CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS TO WORK WITH CITIES, DISTRICTS, MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS SO WE CHOSE TO THE TWO PROJECTS IN 2023 SO THESE ARE FIVE MORE PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD AND AGAIN A HUGE THANK YOU TO THE ENGINEERING, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND ALL OF MY TEAM MEMBERS. THESE FIVE PROJECTS REPRESENT OVER $43 MILLION INVESTMENT . LEVERAGING 13.5 MILLION FROM PRECINCT 4. THE POWER OF PARTNERSHIP, WE CAN GET MORE DONE TOGETHER 99 IS A JOINT EFFORT WITH NOTTINGHAM TO BRIDGE GAPS BETWEEN SIDEWALKS TO LINK GREENBELT PARK WITH LIBRARY SCHOOLS AND SHOPPING CENTERS NEARBY, AND 100 IS THE HOUSTON PARKS BOARD FOR THE DESIGN OF A 4 MILE TRAIL THAT WILL CONNECT THE BAYOU GREENWAY WITH KEEGAN BAYOU TRAIL. 101 PARTNERING WITH THE KATIE DRAINAGE DISTRICT WITH THE MASTER DRAINAGE PIPE STUDY FOR KANE ISLAND BRANCH OF THE BUFFALO BAYOU TO MITIGATE FLOOD HAZARD CONDITIONS IN THE AREA AND THIS WILL ALSO BE HELPING THE COUNTY AND HARRIS. 113 IS RECONSTRUCTION OF A 1.3 MILE SEGMENT OF MEDICAL AND IN THE WESTCHASE DISTRICT TO IMPROVE DRAINAGE SAFETY AND MOBILITY. 114 IS THE PROMENADE WHICH WILL BE A WALKABLE CORRIDOR IN THE WESTCHASE DISTRICT FOR THE WALKABLE SPACE IN THE MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT. I AM EXCITED BECAUSE IN TOTAL OVER 32 PROJECTS IT'S 80 MILLION IN PRECINCT 4 WITH 82 MILLION PARTNERSHIP DOLLARS SO IT'S ALL ABOUT LEVERAGING TO GET MORE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE AND STAY TUNED IN THE NEXT TWO WEEKS WE ARE ANNOUNCING THE 2024 PLACES FOR PEOPLE WINNERS AND I APPRECIATE THE CITIES AND THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS. EVERYONE WHO HAS SUBMITTED PARTNERSHIP PROJECT IDEAS. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I MOVE. 114 
          HAS PRESENTED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED? THE ITEM PASSES AS SUBMITTED. 
          NEXT, 143 , COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 
          >> 143 AND I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR 
          [02:55:03]
TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. FEMA ADMINISTRATOR PROACTIVELY REACHED OUT TO HARRIS COUNTY. THEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO APPLY TO HOPEFULLY BECOME THE FIRST UNITED NATIONS RESILIENCE HUB IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND THIS WOULD BE A LEARNING COMMUNITY WHERE WE SHARE OUR EXPENSES, LESSONS LEARNED AND LEARN FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE WORLD SO TOGETHER WE BECOME MORE RESILIENT. I WISH WE NEVER HAD DISASTERS AND DID NOT HAVE EXPERTISE IN THIS AREA BUT IF WE DO WE NEED TO SHARE THOSE LININGS AND MAKE SURE WE'RE LEARNING BEST PRACTICE FROM OTHERS SO THIS IS A TESTAMENT TO THE LEADERSHIP OF SO MANY IN THE COUNTY AND IN PARTICULAR THE WONDERFUL IGA DIRECTOR 
          >> THE FEMA IN MINISTER APPROACHED THE COUNTY ON THIS. 
          THIS REALLY IS THE WORK OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY WITH OCA, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL, OEM AND COMMISSIONERS COURT. IT IS PART OF THE WORK THAT THE COUNTY HAS DONE ON CLIMATE ACTION PLAN , THE FLOOD RESILIENCE AND MITIGATION PROJECTS THE WAY WE HAVE MANAGED AND RESPONDED TO DISASTERS . YOU KNOW, WHEN FEMA BROUGHT THIS TO US IT WAS BROUGHT TO THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND IT IS MORE OF A RECOGNITION APPLICATION TO BE DESIGNATED AND THROUGH THE OFFICE OF THE UNITED NATIONS OFFICE OF DISASTER RISK REDUCTION. THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE -- IF COURT APPROVES THIS, THE NEXT STEP WOULD BE TO HAVE THE MEETING WITH THE U.N. OFFICE OF DISASTER TO SEE THE NEXT STEPS. THE WAY IT'S BEEN LAID OUT TO US, THE NEXT STEP IS TO FILL OUT AN APPLICATION AND IF COURT APPROVES , PROBABLY ADMINISTRATOR SUBMIT A LETTER REQUESTING THE DESIGNATION OR ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONERS COURT REQUESTING OUR INTEREST TO BE DESIGNATED. 
          >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THIS. I WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ON THIS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR STAFF FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. IF THERE IS ANY PLACE IN THIS COUNTRY THAT OUGHT TO HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE U.N. ON RESILIENCY AND THESE INITIATIVES, IT'S US. MAYBE FLORIDA AND GIVEN CONVERSATIONS, BUT THIS IS SO IMPORTANT AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR WORK, BECAUSE IT IS LIFTING US UP TO HAVE THAT PROFILE THAT WE SHOULD HAVE HAD A LONG TIME AGO . I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE CAN WORK TOGETHER ON THIS, AS WELL, SO THAT WE CAN THINK ABOUT HOW IT PLAYS INTO THESE CONVERSATIONS. WE ARE NOW IN MEMBER BY SPONSORSHIP THAT I PURCHASED AND WE ARE FIGURING THAT OUT, AS WELL. I'M READING ALL OF THE ARTICLES AND I'M FASCINATED WITH OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD DEVELOPING NATIONS ARE DOING IN COMPARISON TO US AND I THINK WE HAVE A LOT TO LEARN AND SHARE, AS WELL. THANK 
          YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. I THINK IT'S AN EXCITING OPPORTUNITY AND TESTAMENT TO WHAT THE COURT EMBRACED AND ENCOURAGED COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO DO AND WORK ON. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THIS IS A GREAT PURSUIT . AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA REFERENCED , THERE IS NOT ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD THAT HAS BEEN THROUGH WHAT WE HAVE. WE ARE ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN AMERICA . IF YOU LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU LIVE IN A LINE. WE HAVE THE LARGEST PORT IN AMERICA BY MANY METRICS. WE HAVE THE PROBABLY MOST RECOGNIZED FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT IN THE UNITED STATES . 
          OUR HISTORY IS NOT THAT LONG . IT WASN'T THAT LONG AGO . I CAN REMEMBER IN 1972 WHEN WE SAMPLED THE WATER. IT WAS DEAD. 
          [03:00:03]
THERE WASN'T ANYTHING LIVING IN THERE IN 1972 AT THE TURNING BASIN. IN JUST 50 YEARS, YOU COULD GO FISHING THERE. I THINK WE HAVE A STORY TO TELL OTHER COUNTRIES WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE AIR QUALITY AND IN PARTICULAR THE EAST SIDE THAT THEY ARE SO PROUD OF IN TERMS OF THE INDUSTRY. YOU CAN SAVE THE AIR IN 1972. DEVELOPING COUNTRIES CAN COME AND UNDERSTAND HOW YOU CAN START WITH ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE IN A DEVELOPING NATION. I THINK IT'S A PERFECT DESIGNATION . GOOD JOB. 
          >> THANK YOU. MOTION BY BRIONES AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ITEM PASSES AND SUBMITTED PRETTY 
          >> THANK YOU. >> NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 152 BY 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU. YES, DIRECTOR . 
          THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS . I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THEIR PARTICIPATION IN THIS. I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR CREATING THIS POLICY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT . I HAVE BEEN ASKING AND ASKING FOR THIS . I THINK IT WILL PROVIDE US WITH A CONSISTENT FOUNDATION FOR DRONE OPERATIONS , WHICH IS CUTTING EDGE. WE USED TO HAVE ONE DRONE FOR AN ENTIRE REGION . NOW, EVERY AGENCY IS LETTING THAT CAPACITY. I DON'T WANT ANY CRASHES IN THE AIR BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONVEYING TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO ISSUES OF PRIVACY AND THOSE THINGS. MAKING SURE THAT WE CAN DEFEND OUR RESPECTIVE OPERATIONS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS POLICY IS TO ESTABLISH AND MODEL SMALL UNMANNED AIRCRAFT SYSTEMS POLICY FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND REFERENCE THEIR PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OPERATIONS REQUIREMENT AND RECORDS MANAGEMENT AND SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS THAT ARE NECESSARY TO SUPPORT COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL CONDUCTED AS PERMITTED BY THE FAA. THE SMALL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM GUIDANCE IS DESIGNED TO MINIMIZE RISK TO PEOPLE, PROPERTY AND OTHER AIRCRAFT WHILE CONTINUING TO SAFEGUARD THE RIGHT TO PRIVACY BY ALL PERSONS. FURTHER, THIS POLICY IS DESIGNED TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL STATUTES . AS A MODEL POLICY, THIS IS A RECOMMENDATION FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES . IF ADOPTED, IT APPLIES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS , MANAGERS, EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDERS SUCH AS VENDORS, CONTRACTORS, CONSULTANTS AND COMMERCIAL ENTITIES. DEVELOP, IMPLEMENT, ADMINISTER OR USE COUNTY UAS TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY STATE AND FEDERAL LAW , AS WELL AS ANY OTHER OBLIGATION. THE POLICY IS NOT INTENDED TO BE A COUNTYWIDE POLICY , BUT RATHER A MODEL POLICY THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES CAN UTILIZE IN THE FORMATION AND ONGOING COMPLIANCE OF THEIR POLICIES. SEVERAL AGENCIES AND THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE PARTICIPATED WITH YOU , SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU . I HAVE BEEN FLAGGING THE PURCHASE OF DRONES WITHOUT THE POLICY . I MAY CONTINUE TO DO THAT FOR COUNTY AGENCIES . THEY ARE NOT ADOPTING THESE POLICIES, BECAUSE THEY ARE MINIMIZING RISK ON ALL FRONTS AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CONFLICTION WHEN THEY ARE IN A DISASTER AND IT'S IMPERATIVE FOR ALL AGENCIES TO LOOK TO YOUR OFFICE AND WORK THROUGH THIS POLICY. SPEAK ON HOW YOU GOT ALL OF 
          THIS PUT TOGETHER. >> ON 153, THANK YOU. AS WE CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE SAFETY AND PREPAREDNESS, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DISCUSS THE ROLE IN SUPPORTING OUR EMERGENCY RESPONSE EFFORTS PARTICULARLY THROUGH OUR TABLETOP EXERCISES. OUR I.T. CAPABILITIES ARE AT THE HEART 
          [03:05:03]
OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. I THINK WE HAD BEEN THROUGH A FEW OF THOSE. IT WILL BE CRUCIAL TO IMPROVING COUNTYWIDE COORDINATION DURING EMERGENCIES, SO I'M HAPPY TO SEE TABLETOP EXERCISES AND DISASTER RECOVERY PLANNING TO STRENGTHEN OUR POSTURE EMERGENCIES AND DISASTER SITUATIONS . I WANT TO THANK THE DIRECTOR AND FOR THE RESOURCES THAT SHE HAS PLANTED. IF THERE ARE ANY OTHER RESOURCES THAT YOU MAY NEED OR SUPPORT FOR MASS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS AS ROBUST OF PLANNING AND EXPERIENCE FOR OUR RESPECTIVE STAKEHOLDERS. PLEASE LET US KNOW. ON THAT POINT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CONTINUING ON CONVERSATIONS OF THE GRID. THAT WILL BE A CONVERSATION FOR THE FUTURE , BUT THESE EXERCISES WILL SPEAK TO THAT A BIT . YOU HAVE HIT A GRAND SLAM TODAY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. 
          >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. I WILL START WITH ADDRESSING ITEM 152 . FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO EXPRESS THANKS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. 
          ALSO, THE DEPARTMENTS THAT WORKED WITH US. SEVERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS HAVE WORKED WITH US FOR THIS MODEL DRONE POLICY , SO I EXPRESS MY THANKS TO THEM. 
          WE WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO BRING IT HERE IF THEY HAD NOT WORKED WITH US THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. THIS IS A BIG ACHIEVEMENT FOR US. ALL AGENCIES THAT HAVE A NEED FOR DRONE, BUT DON'T HAVE POLICY HAVE A MODEL POLICY THAT THEY COULD USE TO BUILD AIR. 
          THAT SAID, WE ARE ALSO WORKING ON THE DRONE SIDE AND COLLECTING DRONE ASSETS THAT WE HAVE AND CREATING INVENTORY, SO THAT ALL OF US KNOW WHO HAS HOW MANY AND HOW THEY ARE BEING USED. THOSE ARE ON ITEM 50 152. THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT FORWARD AND HELPING US MOVE THIS CRITICAL ITEM. ON ITEM 153, THE SIZES HAVE NOW BEEN PART OF OUR STRENGTHENING AND WORKING TOGETHER FOR OUR RESILIENCY PLAN FROM A TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE AND DISASTER RECOVERY PERSPECTIVE. 
          WE ARE GOING TO FIRM UP TABLETOP EXERCISES BIT LAST FEW YEARS WE HAVE TRIED A FEW AND THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL, INCLUDING THE TABLETOP WE DID THIS YEAR. WE EXPECT TO MAKE IT MORE OFTEN AND ALSO USING A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FEDERAL ENTITIES, SUCH AS DHS. WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FROM THE COMMISSIONERS CODE AND BUILDING RESOURCES THAT ARE NEEDED. 
          IT'S NOT DONE YET AND WE ARE NOT THERE YET. THERE IS STILL A FEW MORE TIGHTENING UP TASKS TO BE DONE . AS I BRIEF YOU THROUGH THE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS, WE WILL COME BACK TO YOU FOR 
          ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. >> WONDERFUL. I WANT TO COMMEND YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THE LEADERSHIP AND YOUR TEAM. I JUST GOT TO SAY, SHE ALWAYS LOOKS SO PLEASANT IN SPITE OF INCREDIBLE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE TO CONTEND WITH. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RADIATING PEACE AND TRANQUILITY REGARDLESS OF THE ROOM YOU'RE IN. 
          >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. 
          >> SECOND. >> GARCIA MAKES A MOTION FOR 152 AND 153. ALL OPPOSED ? BOTH ITEMS PASSED AS SUBMITTED. 194 . I PULLED THAT ONE. GIVE US YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON THESE 
          ITEMS. ON THIS ITEM. >> IF I CAN TAKE THIS ONE AND IT IS ON THE RECLASSIFICATION OF DEPUTIES IN ONE OF THE CONSTABLES OFFICES. I WANT TO GO THROUGH HISTORY . 
          ORIGINALLY, THE DETECTIVE RANK WAS ORIGINALLY RECOMMENDED BY THE STUDY AND CONSTABLES DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE AT THE TIME . CONSTITUTIONALLY , THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS A DUTY TO INVESTIGATE CRIMES , SO THE DETECTIVE RANK WAS CREATED UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE PROCESS , WHICH CONSTABLES DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN. AS PART OF THE 2024 BUDGET PROCESS, ONLY FUNDED THE RANK OF DETECTIVE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE WOULDN'T RECOMMEND CREATING A NEW RANK FOR THE CONSTABLES . 
          [03:10:03]
          >> I AGREE. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH PASSING AN ITEM. ANY DISCUSSION? THAT ITEM -- FAILS AND NO ACTION. WHEN 98, 
          COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> IT'S THE SAME TOPIC REALLY. 
          BELIEVE IT OR NOT, CONSTABLES DO INVESTIGATE. YOU MAY NOT CALL THEM DETECTIVES, BUT THEY DO A LOT OF INVESTIGATION . 
          THEY CAN PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION ON ALL THAT THEY DO INVESTIGATE AND COORDINATE CAREFULLY WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. THAT WOULD'VE BEEN MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO 198. I THINK THE MOTION OR ITEM IS FOR APPROVAL TO ADD ONE CLASSIFICATION TO THE STRUCTURE. OCTOBER 19, 2024 RELATED TO AN ITEM PREVIOUSLY ADOPTED. IN THAT , IT HAD TO DO WITH DETECTIVE AND CREATING CATEGORIES . REQUEST TO APPROVE ONE CLASSIFICATION STRUCTURE OF THE SHERIFF CONSTABLES AND FIRE MARSHAL . I'M ADDING CONSTABLES AND FIRE MARSHAL TO 
          THE SHERIFF'S CLASSIFICATION. >> COMMISSIONER? 
          >> MY MOTION. >> PROCEDURALLY , LET ME KNOW. 
          I DON'T WANT TO GO IN THE WRONG ORDER. I WAS GOING TO MOVE 198 AS PRESENTED AND I WANTED TO ADD SOME COMMENTS, BECAUSE I VALUE THE SERVICE TREMENDOUSLY. I HAD A SUPER PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATION WITH CONSTABLE HERMAN . THEY TALKED WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TODAY. THERE NEEDS TO BE MORE CONSISTENCY WITH THE JOB REQUIREMENTS, SKILLS, CERTIFICATIONS AND EXAMS . I THINK IT WILL BE AN ONGOING PROCESS , SO I WOULD NOT SUPPORT ANY OF THOSE AMENDMENTS TODAY, BUT I THINK THEY ARE HOPEFULLY GOING TO WORK IN CONJUNCTION GIVEN CERTAIN NATURES OF CRIMES AND RESPONSIBILITY , CIVIL-SERVICE PEACE, WHICH REQUIRES A LEGISLATIVE CHANGE. THERE ARE MOVING PARTS. WE NEED TO HAVE PARITY, BUT BE CLEAR ABOUT WHAT IT REALLY IS. I WAS GOING TO 
          MOVE 198 AS PRESENTED. >> I AGREE WITH THE DEPARTMENT. 
          >> AGAIN , IF WE DO PAST ITEM , WE STILL NEED TO DEAL WITH THE CONSTABLES. THERE ARE POSITIONS WHERE THEY DO INVESTIGATION AND DETECTIVE WORK . YOU CAN VERIFY THAT WITH A SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES. THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE , AS WELL. I WILL BE BACK AT THE NEXT MEETING WITH ANOTHER MOTION. THAT IS SINCE IT'S NOT APPARENTLY SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN TODAY. 
          >> I JUST WANT TO ASK . THE FIRE MARSHAL DID WORK WITH PFM AND THEY PARTICIPATED. WHERE THEY INCLUDED? 
          >> THAT WAS BEFORE MY TIME. >> I KNOW THE CONSTABLES DID 
          NOT. >> THEY WORK AND GOT A REPORT. 
          I GOT A PFM REPORT. >> ON THIS ISSUE, DID YOU SAY 
          THEY DID OR DID NOT? >> THAT WAS INFORMATION 
          PROVIDED TO ME. >> THE CONSTABLES WORK WITH PFM AND THERE IS A REPORT RELATED TO THE CONSTABLES. 
          >> THERE IS NO SECOND ON YOUR MOTION , BUT A SECOND TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES . ALL IN FAVOR? 
          >> I JUST WANT TO VERIFY . >> 198. 
          >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED? 
          >> BRIONES MADE IT AND GARCIA SECONDED. THE ITEM PASSES. 
          NEXT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WITH ITEM 206 COUNTY ATTORNEY. I WILL MOVE IT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DISTRICT ATTORNEY . DID I PULL THAT? 
          >> NO ACTION. THERE IS NO ACTION. A QUICK COMMENT ON IT. 
          I DO THINK THAT CRIME STOPPERS MAKES A GOOD EFFORT. I WENT TO THE REMEMBRANCE. THE EVENING OF REMEMBRANCE FOR THE M'S OF CRIME. THEY DO SUCH A SERVICE IN THIS COMMUNITY NOT ONLY RELATED TO TRACKING DOWN CRIMINALS, BUT ALSO THE SUPPORT 
          [03:15:03]
THEY GIVE TO VICTIMS . I JUST FELT LIKE I NEEDED TO SAY THAT. 
          IF THERE IS ANOTHER ITEM IN THE FUTURE, WHETHER IT'S THIS D.A. 
          FOR FUTURE D.A. , THEN THERE OUT THERE DOING GOOD WORK. 
          >> I ASKED FOR NO ACTION, BECAUSE I THINK IF IT'S A GOOD IDEA, THEN THE FUTURE D.A. OUGHT TO MAKE THAT DECISION. I WOULD SAY THAT IN 2022, SOME SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS WERE PUBLISHED . THE COUNTY REQUESTED THAT THE AUDIT DIVISION LOOK AT THE DONATIONS TO CRIME STOPPERS. CRIME STOPPERS USED THOSE FUNDS AND LOOK AT WHETHER OR NOT THEY USED THEM AND COMPLIED. CRIME STOPPERS REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST, SO WE DON'T KNOW HOW CRIME STOPPERS. 
          >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, THEY DID COOPERATE IN THAT AUDIT AND 
          DID COMPLY. >> ONLY BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE. WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION. 
          >> THERE WAS AN AUDIT DONE. >> NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. THE NEXT ITEM IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA . THIS IS AN APPLICATION FOR THE DEPARTMENT. 2.5 FROM THE COUNTY VIRTUAL POWERPLANT. 
          >> FIRST, I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK IN THE SPACE OF SUSTAINABILITY BY THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY FOR TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES. THIS VIRTUAL POWERPLANT WILL POSITION HARRIS COUNTY AT THE FOREFRONT OF ENERGY INNOVATION BY USING ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY TO INTEGRATE ENERGY RESOURCES, SUCH AS SOLAR PANELS AND BATTERY STORAGE CREATING A MORE RESILIENT AND EFFICIENT ENERGY GRADE, WHICH WE DESPERATELY AND ABSOLUTELY NEED. BY APPLYING THE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES FOR THE CONNECTED COMMUNITIES GRANT , HARRIS COUNTY IS PURSUING A SOLUTION THAT WILL NOT ONLY LOWER ENERGY COSTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY FACILITIES AND RESIDENTS, BUT ALSO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY REDUCING STRAIN ON THE GRID DURING PEAK DEMAND HOURS. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE FOLKS THAT ARE MANAGING THE STRATEGY. WE SAVED OVER 1 MILLION BUCKS ON ENERGY CONSERVATION. I DO ASK THAT WE THINK ABOUT OUR JANITORS, BECAUSE THEY HAVE CAUGHT ME ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. IT MAY NOT BE THE CASE AS MUCH RIGHT NOW AS THE WEATHER IS GETTING A LITTLE BETTER, BUT DURING THE SUMMER THEY SAID THAT FOR SOME REASON WE WOULD LEAVE THE BOTTOM FLOORS AC ON . BY THE TIME THE WORKERS GOT UP TO THE NINTH FLOOR, THEY WERE WALKING INTO REALLY UNCOMFORTABLE SITUATIONS. THEY HAVE BEEN ASKING THEM TO PLEASE THINK ABOUT IT . IT MAY BE A MATTER OF COORDINATING WITH WHOEVER MANAGES THE RESOURCES TO START AT THE TOP. LET THEM WORK THEIR WAY DOWN. I DON'T WANT TO IMPEDE OUR ABILITY TO CONSERVE ENERGY. I ABSOLUTELY ASK US TO PLEASE COORDINATE AND VISIT WITH THOSE LADIES, LEARN FROM THEM AND SEE HOW WE CAN STILL ACHIEVE . IT IS AN AND WHERE WE CAN SAVE AN ENERGY AND TAKE CARE OF OUR JANITORS AT THE SAME TOKEN. EXCITED ABOUT THIS GRANT JUST THE SAME. I MOVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION MADE BY GARCIA AND SECOND BY RAMSEY. IT PASSES. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? ITEM 
          PASSES AS SUBMITTED. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON 
          THAT. VERY EXCITED. >> NEXT, RAMSEY, THIS IS YOURS. 
          THIS IS ITEM 221 , EXCEPT AMENDMENT TO AN AGREEMENT WITH 
          U.S. DEPARTMENT. >> I JUST THINK IT COULD BE A LOT MORE EFFECTIVE FOR THE DOLLARS SPENT. THAT IS MY 
          CONCERN. >> WHICH IS NEEDED VOTE. 
          >> I WILL MOVE IT. >> A MOTION TO ACCEPT IT AS PRESENTED. GARCIA SECONDS IT. THE ITEM PASSES AS PRESENTED. 
          NEXT, RAMSEY AUDITED CLAIMS TO 49. 
          >> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL DISBURSEMENTS ACCEPT THE 
          CONSULTANT GROUP OF 13,000. >> SECOND. MOTION BADE MY MADE 
          [03:20:02]
BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL OPPOSED ? I WILL MAKE A MOTION 
          THAT WE PULL --. >> SECOND. GARCIA SECONDS . 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? 3-1 AND ITEM PASSES. 254, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES 
          COLLABORATIVE. >> IS THAT A SOURCE RELATED TO 
          THAT ? THAT'S MY QUESTION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . HOPE YOU CAN SEE AND HEAR ME OKAY. NO, SIR. THAT IS 
          NOT A SOLE-SOURCE ITEM. >> IT WAS MISTAKENLY NOTED ? 
          >> YES, SIR. WE HAD A CORRECTION NOTED EARLIER ON THE AGENDA TO REMOVE THE VERBIAGE FROM THE LANGUAGE. THAT WAS MY 
          OWN QUESTION. THANK YOU. >> I MOVE IT. 
          >> SECOND. >> MOTION MADE BY ELLIS TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. ALL IN FAVOR ? ALL OPPOSED? 
          >> 3-1. ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM, 306. DID I HAVE IT ON THERE 
          TWICE? NOW, THIS IS 306. >> 314. 
          >> THAT IS THE MONEY TO SUPPORT. 
          >> WE NEED A MOTION. >> SO MOVED. 
          >> ALL OPPOSED? >> MY APOLOGIES. WHO MADE THE 
          MOTION? >> GARCIA MADE IT AND I SECOND . APPROVE IT AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSES 3-1. NEXT, 
          COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , 314. >> IS THAT A SOLE-SOURCE, AS WELL? BAKER TILLY ADVISORY GROUP RECRUITMENT SERVICES. 
          >> REALLY QUICK , YOU VOTED ON 306 TWICE? MY FIRST MOTION FOR 
          306 --. >> 254 WAS THE FIRST ONE. DID I MAKE A MOTION? WHO MADE IT? DO YOU WANT TO DO IT AGAIN? DID I 
          MAKE IT? >> I THINK YOU MADE THE MOTION ON 254 AND I THINK BRIONES SECONDED IT. 
          >> RAMSEY VOTED NO. ON THE NEXT ONE , 306. DID GARCIA MAKE A MOTION? ED PASTOR IT PAST . WE ARE ON 314. THE QUESTION IS IF 
          IT'S SOLE-SOURCE. >> MISSIONARY RAMSEY , THAT IS NOT. THAT IS THE ITEM THAT WE CORRECTED TO REMOVE IT, THEN ITEM 253. SORRY, 254. THOSE WERE BOTH MISTAKINGLY PRINTED ON THE AGENDA THROUGH THE PROCESS. 
          >> DID WE CORRECT BOTH? WE CORRECTED BOTH? 
          >> WE NEED TO CORRECT BOTH. 314 WAS CAUGHT, BUT 254 WAS NOT. 
          >> HOW DO WE DO THAT? THE MOTION TO MAKE SURE? 
          >> WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION TO CORRECT IT. IS IT THE CAPTIONED PAGE ? IT'S IN THE BACK OF THE DOCUMENTATION, ISN'T IT? 
          >> YES, SIR. >> THE AGENDA CAPTIONED ITSELF. 
          >> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CORRECT THE BACKUP, SO THAT IT 
          DOES NOT INDICATE . >> CORRECT. 
          >> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 
          >> JUST A CORRECTION. >> 4-0. IS THAT OKAY? 
          >> THAT WORKS FOR ME. >> YES, COMMISSIONER. 
          >> WE ARE NOW BACK TO 314 OR 315. 
          >> THAT IS THE ONE YOU JUST --. >> 315 , RAMSEY. 
          >> THIS AGENDA ITEM IS REQUEST TO REJECT PROPOSAL RECEIVED FOR SECURITY SAFETY ASSESSMENT OF SELECT COUNTY BUILDINGS FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND THAT THE PROJECT WE WE ADVERTISED AT A LATER DATE WITH REVISED SPECIFICATIONS . I'VE GOT A COPY OF THE ASSESSMENT . I THINK THIS WAS AUTHORIZED AND 
          [03:25:08]
INITIATED IN 2019 . 2017 IS WHEN THE COURT ACTION . 2019 IS WHEN THEY DID THE ASSESSMENT . THERE ARE TWO QUESTIONS HERE. 
          HAVE WE DONE EVERYTHING THAT WE RECOMMENDED ? 
          >> I DON'T THINK SO. >> NOW, WE WILL GO BACK ON FOR 
          PROPOSALS AND HAVE ANOTHER? >> THAT IS WHY THESE ARE BEING REJECTED, BECAUSE THIS PROPOSAL WENT OUT . IT'S REALLY OLD AND STALE BREAD WE REALIZED THAT WE NEED TO WORK WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS AND WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. 
          >> IS MY ONLY COMMENT. LET'S MAKE SURE WE KNOW WE HAVE BEFORE WE GO BACK OUT, BECAUSE WE WILL EVERY ADVERTISE AT A LATER DATE. THAT IS AFTER YOU REVIEWED CAREFULLY. 
          >> WE REVIEW EVERYTHING AND MAKE SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE BASELINE AND THAT THERE IS A SECURITY COMMITTEE THAT IS COMPRISED OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. 
          >> I MAKE A MOTION. >> SECOND. I KNOW WE TALKED 
          ABOUT IT. THANK YOU. >> DO WE HAVE TO CORRECT ANOTHER ONE? WE DID NOT VOTE. LET'S VOTE ON THIS ONE. 
          >> YES, I BELIEVE THE MIXUP WAS WHEN YOU MADE THE CORRECTION FOR 254. IT WAS NOT A MOTION FOR 314. 
          >> WHAT'S THE MOTION WE NEED? >> WE JUST NEVER HAD A MOTION 
          FOR 314. >> I MOVE ITEM 314. MOTION HAS BEEN MADE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 3-1. THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM IS 315. 
          >> I MADE THE MOTION. >> RAMSEY MAKES A MOTION AND WE 
          APPROVE 315. >> SECOND. 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 4-0. 
          >> SECONDED BY GARCIA. >> 323. 247 ART STUDIOS FOR THE 
          JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER. >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. 
          >> DISCUSSION. >> GARCIA MAKES A MOTION. 
          >> I AM SO PROUD. I HAVE KNOWN HIM FOR MANY YEARS AND USED TO TRY TO CHASE HIM DOWN FOR ALL OF THE GRAFFITI HE WAS CAUSING . I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE ONE THING I WOULD ALWAYS COMMUNICATE THROUGH CHANNELS TO HIM WAS, WHY DON'T YOU BECOME A REAL ARTIST AND MAKE MONEY? HE WAS LIKE, I LIKE THE -- IT'S THE ADRENALINE. WHEN I CAME IN AS COMMISSIONER IN 2019, WE ARE CELEBRATING THE REMODELING OF THE CANAL BUILDING WHERE THE COUNSELOR IS HOUSED AT . WHO TOUCHED A BEAUTIFUL LABOR MOVE MURAL ON THE BUILDING . I SAID, ISN'T THIS BETTER THAN ME CHASING YOU DOWN? AFTERWARDS I ASKED -- I'M SO PROUD OF. I HAVE BEEN HEARING ABOUT ALL OF YOUR ACTIVITY . WHAT MOTIVATES YOU TO MOVE IN THIS DIRECTION? 
          >> WHEN YOU GET MARRIED AND HAVE KIDS, YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT A LIVING. I'M SO PROUD ABOUT WHAT HE'S DOING. 
          >> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU KNOW, BUT HE HAS A MURAL ON MAIN STREET. HE DID A GREAT JOB ON IT. I MET HIS WIFE AND SHE KEPT GAINING ON ME ABOUT THE PRICE. HE DID A GREAT JOB. 
          >> THEY NEED A LOT. >> I AM PROUDLY IN SUPPORT OF THIS. OUR JUVENILE DETENTION CENTER NEEDS A LOT OF WORK, BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE REHABILITATING YOUTH AND THIS IS OUR STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION TO MAKE IT A PLACE WITH MORE DIGNITY AND REHABILITATIVE SPACE. I LOVE THAT THE STUDENTS AND JUVENILES IN THE CENTER WILL BE WORKING WITH THE ARTIST TO CREATE THE CONCEPT AND DESIGN. WE HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO TO HAVE A CENTER THAT IS TRULY MEETING GOALS , BUT AT LEAST THIS WILL BE A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. 
          DIRECTOR HENRY GONZALES IS MAKING THIS POSSIBLE. MOTION 
          [03:30:12]
MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 3-1 AND THE ITEM DOES PASS. NEXT, 
          COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 362. >> YES, 362. HERE WE GO. I WANT TO THANK THE ADMINISTERED OF HER WORK AND MY STAFF IN PARTICULAR. I HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR WORK ON A LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE. WHEN WE HAVE DONE ALL OF THE PROGRAMMING, ESPECIALLY DURING THE PANDEMIC, WHETHER IT WAS SMALL BUSINESS ASSISTANCE, RENTAL ASSISTANCE , TESTING , VACCINES , DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND COMMUNITY IN SPITE OF ITS NUMBERS IN TERMS OF POPULATION HAS PARTICIPATED THE LEAST ON ALL OF THESE PROGRAMS . MAKE A COMMENT THAT EQUITY IS NOT NECESSARILY ALWAYS EQUAL . YOU HAVE TO UNDERSTAND THESE THINGS. BY DOING SOME WORK ON A LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE , IT WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING APPROPRIATE AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE DELIVERY TO THE COMMUNITIES. MY MOTION IS DIRECTED THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP AND RETURN TO THE NOVEMBER 12 COURT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CREATION OF A LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE , WHICH INCLUDES SPECIFIC GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AIMED AT ADDRESSING DISPARITIES FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH A DETAILED PLAN FOR A LATINO EQUITY SUMMIT , INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING COMMUNITY LEADERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR EXPERTS AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS . ALONG WITH GUIDELINES FOR PRODUCING A POST SUMMIT REPORT OUTLINING RECOMMENDATIONS AND NEXT STEPS FOR THE LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE. AS SOMEONE WHO HAS GROWN UP IN THE AREA AND AS I WOULD TELL FOLKS, GROWING UP IN A TOUGH NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE TOUGH THINGS HAPPEN , THEN JUST REMEMBERING BEING IN A WELFARE LINE AND GETTING OUR FAIR SHARE OF CORNBREAD, FLOUR, BEANS AND RICE, BUT NEVER RECOGNIZING THAT I WAS POOR . OUR FAMILY WAS IN NEED. THIS IS MY EFFORT TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT FORGET THAT JUST BECAUSE THE COMMUNITY DOESN'T MEASURE ITS NEEDS AND PARTICIPATES IN PROGRAMS DOESN'T NEED THAT MEANS DO NOT EXIST. SOME PEOPLE COME IN WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE DEFICIENCIES AND IT MAY BE AN ISSUE THAT WE ARE NOT BEING LOWERED AND PUBLIC FACING OR AS AGGRESSIVE AS WE NEED TO . I'M HOPEFUL THAT THIS WORK WILL BLEND INTO OTHER COMMUNITIES AS WE ARE GROWING DIVERSITY AND RECOGNIZING THAT THERE ARE OTHER COMMUNITIES THAT MAY BE FACING THE SAME CHALLENGES. WE JUST HAVE NOT SEEN OR HEARD CONVERSATION. PROVIDE ENOUGH THOUGHT THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE OUGHT TO BE THINKING ABOUT AS WE GROW IN HARRIS COUNTY. THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO THE ADMINISTRATORS OFFICE. 
          >> I WILL SECOND. >> I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REALIZE THAT THERE IS CLEARLY AN INTERSECTION ALLEY IN TERMS OF DISTRICT IMPACT ON PEOPLE BASED ON RACE AND ETHNICITY. IF WE DO IT FOR ONE , THEN WE HAVE TO DO IT FOR OTHERS. WE HAVE TO DO IT AT THE SAME TIME, WHICH WOULD BE LIKE IF I WAS HERE BY MYSELF AND PUSHING EIGHT YEARS AGO FOR DISPARITY STUDY, MY COLLEAGUE SAID THAT WE COULD DO IT, BUT ONLY IF I PAID. I COULD'VE SAID THAT INSTEAD OF $650,000, I JUST DO IT FOR THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN SISTER PILOT. IF I DID THAT, BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE RESPECTFUL TO THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY , LGBT COMMUNITY , AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY . I THINK WE WILL NEED TO SPEND MONEY TO DO IT, 
          [03:35:05]
SO HERE'S A SUGGESTION. INSTEAD OF A MOTION TO MAKE SURE WE DO ONE OR THE OTHER GROUPS, THEN SOMEONE CAN SAY THAT EVEN CERTAIN GROUPS THAT MAY HAVE ONCE BEEN IN THE MAJORITY , THOSE HAVE THE LEAST EDUCATION , SUCH AS POOR WHITES, FOR EXAMPLE. IF THERE IS SOME INTERSECTIONALITY AND IF YOU KNOW OF ONE WHERE THEY PULLED IT OUT OF ONE GROUP. I LOOKED TO KING COUNTY SEATTLE, WASHINGTON STATE AND THEY LOOKED TO L.A. . USUALLY AND I THINK I MAY BE WRONG , BUT I JUST GOOGLED IT EARLIER TODAY. THEY USUALLY TAKE BROAD ISSUES AND HAVE TO BREAK IT OUT. 150 AND TO DO IT IF YOU DO IT FOR ONE GROUP. DO IT FOR THE BLACKS AND SOUTH ASIANS, AS WELL. IN SOME WAY, YOU MAKE IT MORE COMPREHENSIVE. STILL, PULL OUT AND GO IN. I CAN'T THINK OF ANY GROUP OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN MORE MARGINALIZED . EACH GROUP WILL GO AND I WANT TO ASK THE DEPARTMENT AND WILL BE THE DIRECTOR. YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON HOW PEOPLE DO IT. I GET THIS NOTION. INTERSECTIONALITY IS A BIG WORD. YOU OBVIOUSLY WANT TO PEEL DOWN AS WE DID WITH THE DISPARITY STUDY. WHEN OTHER HISPANIC NUMBERS AND EMAIL NUMBERS . WE KNOW THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEMBERS AND HISPANIC NUMBERS. HOW DO YOU DO IT, SO THAT YOU GET YOUR BIGGEST BANG FOR YOUR BUCK IF WE WANT TO GET TO THE SAME 
          PLACE? >> I ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT IT , BUT WHEN YOU ARE WORKING ON THE DISPARITY STUDY, YOU CAN HAVE THE SUPPORT. WE HAVE ALL BEEN HERE AT THIS TABLE AND I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY SAY THAT WE NEED TO GET THIS ONE STARTED AND ASK THE ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT. THIS IS TO COME BACK NOVEMBER 12TH WITH A PLAN FOR THE LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE , BUT I WOULD SUPPORT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN WITH A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH FOR ALL OTHER COMMUNITIES AND TO SEE WHERE THE INTERSECTIONALITY WOULD COME IN. I FELT THAT I HAVE GIVEN THE ADMINISTRATOR DIRECTION TO DO THIS MONTHS AGO AND WITH NO ACTION . I FINALLY CONSTRUCTED THIS MOTION TO PUT IT ON THE COURT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN. I WOULD SAY THAT I SUPPORT YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT A MOTION TO COME BACK AND HAVE THE ADMINISTRATOR COME BACK TO COURT WITH A PLAN FOR BROADER WORK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THIS GET STARTED 
          ONCE AND FOR ALL. >> BRIDGED MY THINKING. I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THE LATINO EQUITY WORK , GIVEN THAT THEY ARE ALMOST HALF OF HARRIS COUNTY. I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE WITH REGARD TO OUR BLACK AND ASIAN COMMUNITY FROM A GENDER AND IMMIGRATION PERSPECTIVE . I KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING DIFFERENT WORK , SO I WANT TO SEE THE PLAN FOR TOTALITY , SO THAT WE ARE ALL ADVANCING. I KNOW ULTIMATELY IT'S A QUESTION OF TIMELINE , RESOURCES AND PRIORITIES. 
          BASICALLY , THE BOTH. I WAS GOING TO ASK JOHNSON, IF I MAY. 
          I KNOW WE HIRED YOU AS OUR CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER AND THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE HOLISTIC PLAN FOR THE COUNTY AND MAY BE NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE FULL-TIME TO HEAR ALL UPDATES, BUT I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THE PLAN FOR HOW WE WILL ADDRESS EQUITY IN LINE WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON. CAN YOU BRIEFLY UPDATE US INTO HOW WE GET TO THIS BOTH AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE? 
          >> ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE IN T■HE PROCESS OF DOING AN EQUITY NEEDS ASSESSMENT. WE HAVE HAD ABOUT 1800 RESPONSES ON THAT , SO WE WANT TO LOOK AT THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SERVICING NOT ONLY INTERNAL STAKEHOLDERS , 
          [03:40:03]
BUT EXTERNAL, AS WELL. WORK WITH THE EQUITY MATURITY MODEL. 
          IT IS MORE SO ABOUT THE PARTICULAR CONVERSATION WHERE IT IS EFFICACIOUS FOR US TO LOOK AT THIS THING HOLISTICALLY, THEN BE ABLE TO PARSE OUT . IF WE LOOK AT THE WORK DONE AND WHAT WORK HAS BEEN DONE IN KING COUNTY, L.A. 
          COUNTY OR COOK COUNTY OR THE CITY OF DALLAS, THEY HAVE MADE A SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN EQUITY AND THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN HAVING THIS KIND 
          OF CONVERSATION. >> THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO DIRECT THE ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON THE NOVEMBER 12TH COURT. THE PLAN FOR THE LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE WITH SPECIFIC GOALS ADDRESSING WITHIN THE LATINO COMMUNITY. A DIFFERENT PLAN FOR THE SUMMIT WITH STAKEHOLDERS, COMMUNITY LEADERS, PUBLIC AND PRIVATE SECTOR AND ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS. A REPORT OUTLINING SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS . IF YOU DIRECT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME BACK TO THE NEXT COURT WITH A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN ON HOW TO DO ALL OTHER AREAS OF CONCERN AND OTHER DIVERSE COMMUNITIES WHERE MAYBE THAT FRAMEWORK WOULD BE DIFFERENT OR I DON'T KNOW. I KNOW THAT OTHER EQUITY ISSUES , WE DIDN'T STOP THAT WORK TO INCLUDE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS OR COMMUNITIES. I THINK THAT WOULD INCLUDE YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT 
          AND WE COULD MOVE FORWARD. >> I MOVE. 
          >> SECOND. ANYBODY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAD A 
          COMMENT. >> IS THERE A BUDGET NUMBER TO THE INITIATIVE? IS THAT WHAT YOU WILL COME BACK WITH? 
          >> THAT IS WHAT WE WILL COME BACK WITH. 
          >> WHATEVER BUDGET ITEMS WE HAVE FOR THIS FISCAL YEAR ? 
          >> THIS TYPE OF COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS WASN'T CONTEMPLATED WHEN WE HAD OUR BUDGET PROCESS. WHAT WE DO HAVE IS FUNDING FOR THE CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER WHERE WHEN I WAS DOING MY REORGANIZATION, I MOVED A POSITION OVER TO DO THAT . WE RECENTLY MOVED OVER TWO OTHER POSITIONS WHERE WE ARE DOING DIFFERENT KIND OF ADMIN WORK FOR DIFFERENT DIVISIONS. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COULD GIVE SUPPORT TO DR. 
          JOHNSON , SO MOVED TO OTHER POSITIONS INTERNALLY. ALL WE HAVE DONE IS INTERNALLY MOVE THREE RESOURCES OVER TO START THE WORK. WITH THIS KIND OF PLANNING AND SUMMIT , WE WOULD HAVE OPTIONS FOR THE COURT THAT WE WOULD PRESENT ON WHICH LEVEL OF PLAN, EVENT AND PHASING YOU WOULD WANT TO SEE. 
          >> THIS IS JUST AUTHORIZING FOLKS TO COME UP WITH A PLAN AND THEY WILL COME BACK WITH THE DETAILS , WHICH WILL 
          CONSIDER AT A LATER DATE. >> CORRECT. HAS ALREADY BEEN WORKING ON HER PLANNING EFFORTS AND LIKE SHE MENTIONED, SHE WILL GET A REALLY GOOD RESPONSE RATE ON THE INTERNAL SURVEY THAT WE SENT OUT. 1800 RESPONSES IS WHERE WE BASICALLY HIT THE 10% MARK. THAT IS AMAZING FOR A SURVEY AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT IT. THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF INTEREST ON THE COUNTY ON EQUITY WORK. THERE IS RACIAL EQUITY, SOCIAL EQUITY AND A LOT OF DIFFERENT AREAS THAT EQUITY HITS IN GOVERNMENTAL SYSTEMS , ECONOMY, WORKFORCE, HOMEOWNERSHIP, WEALTH, LIFE EXPECTANCY, HEALTHCARE, GENDER IDENTITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION, CHILD POVERTY AND ALL OF IT. IT ALL GETS ROLLED IN AND IT IS SUPER NUANCED WORK , BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH YOU MIGHT HAVE A FRAMEWORK ON EQUITY OVERALL AND LOOKING AT HOW POLICIES ARE IMPACTED AND BY LOOKING AT THEM THROUGH AN EQUITY LENS , THEN THE ANSWERS AND POPULATION DATA HAS TO BE DESEGREGATED, BECAUSE EVERY POPULATION HAS DIFFERENT PREFERRED METHODS OF COMMUNICATION AND WHAT KIND OF BACKGROUNDS THE SUBPOPULATIONS COME FROM . THE ANSWER IS NOT A 
          [03:45:01]
ONE TYPE ANSWER FOR EVERYBODY. YOU HAVE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT 
          WORKS FOR EACH OF THESE. >> ARE YOU FINISHED? I JUST 
          WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND. >> AND WE MADE A MOTION TO EXTEND TIME, BECAUSE WE ARE AT 4:20 AND THAT GARCIA NEEDS TO LEAVE IN 40 MINUTES. HE MADE A MOTION AND NO ONE SECONDED IT. 
          >> WE DID. >> I LITERALLY JUST -- THAT'S 
          FINE. >> WE ALL NODDED OUR HEADS. 
          >> WE NODDED OUR HEADS. I GOTCHA. PUNT SOMETIMES IT'S 
          HARD TO UNDERSTAND. >> I THINK GARCIA SECONDED IT TO EXTEND TIME. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IN WHAT I'M CLEAR. I THINK IT WOULD BE A MISTAKE TO GO TODAY AND SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO PASS A LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE AND TELL OTHERS TO COME BACK AND FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO LATER. 
          >> I THINK WE HAVE ALREADY PASSED AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK . 
          THAT IS ALL THE WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE DURING THE PANDEMIC. 
          WE HAVE HAD THAT. MY ISSUE IS THAT IN SPITE OF THE DEMOGRAPHIC SIZE , THE LATINO COMMUNITY HAS NOT MEASURED COMPARABLY IN THAT FRAMEWORK. SOMETHING IS STILL MISSING. IN HOPES OF COMING BACK WITH A PLAN, HELP US FURTHER UNDERSTAND WHAT WE NEED TO BE DOING TO ENSURE THAT WE DO HAVE A TRULY COMPREHENSIVE EQUITY FRAMEWORK. DURING THE PANDEMIC, YOU HEARD ME SAY THAT WE WEREN'T SEEING THE NUMBERS IN ALL VARIOUS PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE DONE. MY PRECINCT HAS THE HIGHEST CONCENTRATION OF LATINOS AND WE ARE PARTICIPATING THE LEAST. WE WEREN'T GETTING PARTICIPATION , VACCINATIONS OR TESTING UNTIL WE GOT HEALTHCARE WORKERS TO ENGAGE. I HAVE BEEN ASKING WHETHER EQUITY IS NOT THERE FOR THIS COMMUNITY . WHEN WE DID THE BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH AS AN EXAMPLE, WE RECOGNIZE THE DISPARITY . WE SUPPORTED THAT. 
          WE DIDN'T SAY TO NOT DO THAT ONE UNTIL WE CAN UNDERSTAND IT AND ALL OTHER CROSS-SECTIONS OF OUR DIVERSITY. WE SUPPORTED THAT ONE. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD, SO THAT WE CAN LEARN FROM IT AND APPLY IT IN OTHER 
          AREAS. >> THE COURT WILL MAKE THE DECISION. I WILL HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WHATEVER WE DO FOR HISPANICS, WHO DID THE SAME FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS . WE DO IT FOR SOUTH ASIANS. I DON'T THINK ANY FOUR OF US WOULD WANT ANY GROUP TO THINK THAT WE LEFT THEM BEHIND . I WAS TRYING TO SUGGEST THAT THEY COME BACK WITH AN INITIATIVE , BUT GO AND ADDRESS THE HISPANIC PIECE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN PIECE, GENDER , FEMALE PIECE , INDIGENOUS PEACE . I DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THE DISPARITY STUDY AND I FORCED IT. THEY DON'T WANT TO AGAINST THE HARVEY ISSUE. THEY SAID TO PAY FOR IT. IT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. COULD HAVE SAID TO DO THE BLACKS AND IT WOULDN'T 
          HAVE COST ME 650. >> LET'S MOVE FORWARD ON THIS ONE. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO KNOW THAT IT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE INTEREST, SO THAT WE COULD HAVE THOUGHT THROUGH THE MOTION OR ITEM A LITTLE BIT BETTER . I JUST FEEL STRONGLY THAT I HAVE BEEN RAISING THIS ISSUE FOR QUITE SOME TIME WITH THEORETICAL SUPPORT AT THIS TABLE AND GIVEN DIRECTION SEVERAL TIMES . I THOUGHT I SAID, GO WORK ON A LATINO EQUITY FRAMEWORK . NOTHING HAPPENED , SO I GUESS IT WASN'T GIVING GOOD DIRECTION. THAT OR YOU WERE BEING TOLD NOT TO DO IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS NO AMBIGUITY 
          IN THAT REGARD. >> MAYBE THIS WILL WORK. YOU WANT TO VOTE ON A LATINO . I WANT TO MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION THAT WE DO THE LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE AND 
          [03:50:05]
AFRICAN-AMERICAN EQUITY INITIATIVE . A SOUTH ASIAN ONE AND INDIGENOUS AMERICANS AND WOMEN . THEY CAN BRING IT BACK, BUT I THINK IT COULD COST $100,000 FOR EACH ONE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO. I THINK YOU CAN PROBABLY GET TO WHERE YOU WANT TO GET . IT WOULD BE LIKE IF I'M SAYING DISPARITY FOR EACH SEPARATE GROUP INSTEAD OF DOING IT DISPARITY STUDY ON BUSINESS. 
          OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE ALL LOOKED AT IT AND PULLED OUT THE NUMBERS FOR WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT HISPANICS ARE DOING, SOUTH ASIANS , WOMEN . I THINK MAY EVEN GO DOWN A POLE WITH HISPANIC, BLACK WOMEN AND SALVATION. I THINK IT WAS CHEAPER WHEN THEY DID THE THING FOR $650,000 AS OPPOSED TO JUST DOING A BLACK, BROWN ONE AND SOUTH ASIAN. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? CANNOT FORCE A VOTE ON MY END BUT I DON'T WANT TO TO LIKE I'M AGAINST. I DON'T THINK THE COURT IS AGAINST A 
          BLACK ONE OR SOUTH ASIAN ONE. >> IF YOU PUT AN ITEM ON THE TABLE, I WOULD HAVE SUPPORTED . I'M TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHEN I PUT THIS ONE, ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A NEED TO SLOW THIS ONE DOWN TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE BROADER. 
          >> I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT OF IT . I WOULDN'T HAVE THOUGHT, BECAUSE WE WORK ON SO MANY ISSUES TOGETHER. IT JUST WOULDN'T HAVE CROSSED MY MIND TO JUST DO IT FOR ONE GROUP. 
          >> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THERE IS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT YOU 
          INCORPORATED . >> THE SAME TIME. 
          >> THAT MUST HAPPEN AND MAKE PROGRESS AND ALL OTHER DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. THAT IS SO WE ARE NOT LEAVING ANYONE BEHIND. 
          >> ALL AT THE SAME TIME. >> BECAUSE THE CONVERSATION. 
          >> I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND. A MOTION IS AS PRESENTED WITH THE 
          LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE . >> A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT MINE IS TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN ON NOVEMBER 12TH. THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IS TO COME BACK WITH A PLAN AND PROCESS TO 
          INCORPORATE OTHER COMMUNITIES. >> I'M SAYING TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT WITH ALL OF THEM. 
          >> I THINK YOU'RE SAYING THE SAME THING. 
          >> THE HISPANIC ONE AND ALL OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME. 
          >> HE'S ACCEPTING THAT MOTION. >> WILL YOU HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO 
          DO ALL MY NOVEMBER 12TH? >> IT WOULD BE A HEAVY LIFT AND HAVE TO BE MORE FRAMEWORK AND A SHELL RATHER THAN FULLY FORMED, BECAUSE THAT WOULD TAKE A LOT LONGER FOR US TO DO IT JUSTICE. 
          IF YOU WANT FRAMEWORK, SHELF OR WHAT WE ARE THINKING AND WE CAN DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT, BUT NOT THE FULL-FLEDGED PLAN. 
          >> I JUST WANT TO SUGGEST THAT IF WHAT I'M SAYING MAKES SENSE TO COME BACK WITH ONE INSTEAD OF SPENDING $1 MILLION AND DROPPING 100 FOR EVERY GROUP . IF YOU CAN DO IT FOR $300,000 
          AND CATEGORY. >> I'M JUST TRYING TO UNDERSTAND . WHETHER THE LATINO COMMUNITY WILL YET AGAIN BE 
          DELAYED . >> I DON'T WANT THAT TO HAPPEN ANYMORE. I MAY HAVE BEEN TALKING TO ME ABOUT THIS FOR A WHILE. ONE OF THE KEY THINGS AS YOU WERE SAYING IS THAT THE LATINO PARTICIPATION IN COUNTY PROGRAMS. THAT IS PART OF IT, 
          TOO APART FROM OVERALL EQUITY. >> I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PRAISE THIS ISSUE AT ALL TURNS. I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS EFFORT DELAYED. I SUPPORT THE INCORPORATION OF OTHER COMMUNITIES, BUT I DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS EFFORT DELAYED. CAN 
          THAT BE ACCOMPLISHED? >> YES, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ACCOMPLISH THE BOTH AND WE WILL WORK IT. 
          >> I MOVE ON THE ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP AND RETURN TO THE NOVEMBER 12, 2024 COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING WITH PART ONE AND 
          [03:55:01]
PLAN WITH THE CREATION OF A LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE, WHICH INCLUDES GOALS AND OBJECTIVES AIMED AT DIRECTING DISPARITIES FOR THE LATINO COMMUNITY . A DETAILED PLAN FOR A LATINO EQUITY SUMMIT, INCLUDING IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERS AND GUIDELINES ARE PRODUCING A SUMMARY REPORT. A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CREATION AND EQUITY INITIATIVE, INCLUDING 
          ALL OTHER COMMUNITIES. >> I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR FOR 
          ME TO VOTE. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU COME BACK WITH A PLAN FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND WOMEN, AS 
          WELL. I WILL JUST VOTE NO. >> CAN WE DO IT? CAN WE GET SOMETHING TOGETHER FOR EVERYTHING? I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A PLAN FOR BEING METHODICAL ABOUT THIS. 
          >> WHAT I'M HEARING THE COMMISSIONERS SAY IS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN THAT IS INCLUSIVE OF ALL UNDERSERVED AND UNDERVALUED COMMUNITIES. 
          >> THAT WOULD BRING BACK A COMMUNITY CENTERED FRAMEWORK THAT WOULD ONLY ADDRESS HOW WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTE THESE DELIVERABLES , AS WELL AS STAFF AND RESOURCES NECESSARY. IS 
          THAT WHAT I'M HEARING? >> THAT'S CORRECT. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU HEAR ABOUT HOW WHEN YOU AND I MET, I ASKED THE SAME QUESTION. HOW TO CREATE A LATINO EQUITY FRAMEWORK FOR THE COUNTY . YOU DIDN'T QUITE UNDERSTAND THE CONVERSATION WHILE WE WERE HAVING IT. I WANT TO BE CLEAR . 
          I WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW WHEN WE SET UP PROGRAMS, WHY THIS COMMUNITY -- AT LEAST FROM WHAT WE CAN MEASURE PARTICIPATES THE LEAST. WHY IS THIS COMMUNITY AT THE HIGHER REGRETFUL SPECTRUM OF ALL DEATHS THAT OCCURRED AND WHAT COULD BE DONE TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY MORE RESILIENT? WHETHER OUR OUTREACH AND PUBLIC FACING PROGRAMS HAVE THE EQUITY ELEMENTS IN THEM TO EFFECTIVELY ENGAGE . I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT I'M LAYING OUT HERE IS OF LOSS FOR THIS COMMUNITY AS WE WORK TO EMBRACE ALL OTHERS IN AN EFFORT TO CREATE AN EQUITY FRAMEWORK. I WANT TO MOVE THIS FORWARD , BUT I'M STILL TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. 
          WE ADOPTED EQUITY FRAMEWORK IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN THEORY, WHAT YOU'RE ASKING FOR SHOULD ALREADY BE THERE. FOR THE SAKE OF MOVING FORWARD , I'M SUPPORTING THIS FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. I WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. I WANT TO ALSO BE CANDID AND CLEAR. I WAS GETTING DIRECTION I THOUGHT AND NOTHING HAS HAPPENED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LATINO COMMUNITY DOES NOT GET SIDELINED AGAIN. RESPECTFUL AND CONCERNED FOR THE DIVERSITY TO EXIST . I THINK MY WORK AND THE WORK WE HAVE DONE HERE COLLECTIVELY DEMONSTRATES THAT . WE HAVE ALREADY ADOPTED EQUITY FRAMEWORK IN HARRIS COUNTY. 
          THAT ASKED IS TO EXPLAIN WHY THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK IS WORKING OR ISN'T WORKING. THIS IS WHERE MY CONCERN IS COMING FROM. THIS IS WHAT I SHARED WHEN WE MET. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND THIS. I DON'T WANT TO DELAY SOMETHING I HAVE BEEN ADVOCATING FOR AT THIS TABLE AND BEING CLEAR ABOUT IT . I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PRIORITY I HAVE RAISED AND WE HAVE RAISED EQUITY IN HARRIS COUNTY . I JUST WANT TO MAKE 
          SURE THAT THIS ISN'T LOST. >> YES, SIR. IT IS A HEAVY LIFT 
          [04:00:09]
AND YOU ARE RIGHT. WE SHOULD HAVE ALL OF OUR WEBSITES AND LANGUAGES. WE HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH INTERPRETERS EVERY TIME SOMEONE ISN'T QUITE DOING THE JOB , SO WE HAVE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WE KEEP SEEING OVER AND OVER AGAIN, SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I CAN TELL IS IMPACTING THE CONVERSATION AND I UNDERSTAND SOME OF THESE AREAS THAT WE ARE FALLING SHORT. I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS TAKE A BIGGER TEAM. I WILL ASK YOU FOR YOUR OFFICES TO IDENTIFY SOMEONE THAT WE CAN WORK WITH , SO THAT WE CAN STAY IN CONSTANT TOUCH, JUST LIKE WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE FORWARD ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND ALL DIFFERENT PROJECTS WHEN WE HAVE A TEAM THAT INCLUDES A COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES , REPRESENTATIVES, YOUR REPRESENTATIVES AND IT HELPS US STAY ON TRACK AND HAVE MILESTONES THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL BE ASKING FOR THAT AND I WILL TALK TO SOME DEPARTMENT HEADS AND DO SOME WORK TO HAVE THEM COME IN AND HELP US OUT, TOO , AND SHELTER SOME WORKLOAD. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? ARE WE CLEAR ON THE 
          MOTION? >> I WAS GOING TO SAY , JUST FOR CLARITY FOR THE RECORD AND I KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF BACK-AND-FORTH AFTER THE MOTION HAS BEEN READ. ARE WE GOING TO GO BASED ON THE MOTION READ AT THE AND? WILL THAT BE 
          THE OFFICIAL RECORD? >> LET ME MAKE THIS COMMENT. I WAS HERE ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH AN OPPORTUNITY TO USE LEVERAGE TO TRY AND HELP BUSINESSES. I MUST ADMIT THAT IT WAS DEVIOUS , BUT RATHER SHREWD. I THINK THEY THOUGHT THAT I HAD TO THAT BONDAGE. I MADE A MOTION FOR BLOCK GROUPS, BROWN GROUPS, SALVATION GROUPS TO COME IN AND TALK ABOUT THE LACK OF BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES. SOME OF THEM PUT CONTRACTS AT RISK TO DO IT. THE COURT SAID THAT WE GAVE MORE MONEY TO WOMEN BUSINESSES THAN THE CITY, BUT WE DIDN'T MEASURE IT. WHEN THE STUDY CAME BACK, WHICH THE PRECINCT PAID FOR. I PAID FOR IT. I KNEW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN CHEAPER TO JUST DO BLACKS. THEY MIGHT HAVE SUPPORTED IT TO GET ME OFF THEIR BACK. THEY JUST WANTED TO GET PAST , WHICH IS PRETTY SMART ON THEIR PART. 
          BLACKS HAVE BENEFITED THE LEAST FROM THE PROGRAM. IT WOULD HAPPEN TO BE SOMEONE WHO IS BLACK WHO PUSHED IT ALONG TO GET IT DONE. I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WHEN THEY HAVE SO MANY INEQUITIES IN SOCIETY. AS A LEADER PUT HERSELF IN POSITION WHERE WE PUT ONE GROUP AGAINST ANOTHER. 
          TRUST ME, I HAVE IT FOR THE GROUP TO COME FROM IN PARTICULAR. FOR 70 YEARS, I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO TEMPER MY ADVOCACY TO BE AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE. I THINK YOU RECOGNIZED EARLIER. HE IS ONE OF THE PEOPLE WHO TAUGHT ME THAT . WHEN YOU FIND AN ALLIANCE WITH GROUPS, SO THAT IS WHY I HAD THE RELUCTANCE. IF I HAD TO VOTE AGAINST IT AND IF WE WERE GOING TO PUT ONE GROUP AHEAD OF THE OTHER, I THINK YOU WOULD CALL ME AND YOU KNOW ME LONG ENOUGH. WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD YOU JUST SAY THAT YOU ARE GOING TO STUDY THE NUMBERS FOR AFRICAN-AMERICANS? I JUST WOULDN'T DO THAT. IT'S NOT IN ANY WAY TO BE DISRESPECTFUL OR CONFRONTATIONAL, BUT I COULDN'T IN GOOD CONSCIENCE KNOWING WHAT MY ANCESTORS HAD 
          DONE AND TO THIS COUNTRY. >> I GOT SOMEONE WHO LANDED IN 
          VERACRUZ, BY THE WAY. >> SOME ARE BORN AND LOST THEIR COUNTRY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MOTION THAT WAS 
          READ EARLIER. READ IT AGAIN. >> MOTION 362 IS A MOVE TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO DEVELOP AND RETURN TO KNOW THAT A MEMBER 12 NOVEMBER 12 WITH A CREATION OF A LATINO 
          [04:05:04]
EQUITY INITIATIVE TO A DETAILED PLAN FOR LATINO EQUITY SUMMIT AND COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CREATION OF AN EQUITY THAT INCLUDES ALL UNDERSERVED AND UNDERRECOGNIZED COMMUNITIES IN 
          THE HOUSTON AREA. >> HARRIS COUNTY. NOT HOUSTON. 
          >> OF THE KEY INCLUDED IT, BECAUSE IF YOU LAYOUT THE SUMMIT IN ALL OF THOSE THINGS FOR ONE GROUP, BUT YOU DON'T DO IT FOR OTHERS, THAT THAT'S NOT EQUITY. ONE OF THE DISADVANTAGED GROUPS, JUST COME BACK WITH ALL OF THEM. IF IT 
          CAME TO THAT, I WILL VOTE NO. >> GARCIA, ARE YOU GOOD ? WE WILL ADD ANOTHER DETAILED PLAN FOR AND IN EQUITY SUMMIT FOR ALL UNDERSERVED AND UNDERVALUED COMMUNITIES. 
          >> I SUPPORT IT. >> I DON'T HAVE IT IN FRONT OF 
          ME. >> THERE ARE FOUR SUBGROUPS. 
          ONE, COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR LATINO EQUITY INITIATIVE , DETAILED PLAN FOR LATINO EQUITY SUMMIT , COMPREHENSIVE PLAN FOR THE CREATION OF EQUITY INITIATIVE THAT INCLUDES UNDERSERVED AND UNDERVALUED COMMUNITIES, DETAILED PLAN FOR AN EQUITY SUMMIT THAT INCLUDES ALL UNDERSERVED AND UNDERVALUED 
          COMMUNITIES. >> SECOND. 
          >> THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE BUDGET OBLIGATION. 
          >> THEY WILL COME BACK AND DIRECTOR WILL HAVE TO COME BACK 
          WITH . >> BY NOVEMBER 12TH? 
          >> YES, MA'AM. >> I SECOND. REALLY QUICK, I KNOW THAT WE ARE NOW USING THE UNDERSERVED AND UNDERVALUED COMMUNITIES AND THERE ARE TALKS ABOUT SOUTH ASIANS. AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE, THE WHOLE ASIAN AMERICAN PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMUNITY AND NOT ONLY SOUTH ASIANS. ALL A API . I RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE NOT USING THAT LANGUAGE, BUT I KNOW A LOT OF SALVATION FRAMING HAS BEEN USED. THANK YOU, DR. JOHNSON, FOR BEING OUR CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER. THANK YOU FOR DRIVING PROGRESS . I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING WHAT YOU COME BACK WITH ON NOVEMBER 12TH. I GLADLY VOLUNTEER MY TEAM AND MYSELF. 
          I'M SURE THAT MY COLLEAGUES WOULD, TOO . WE BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THIS WORK. WE CAN'T JUST TALK, BUT WE HAVE TO ACT AND HAVE A PLAN THAT WE CAN BE MEASURING OURSELVES AGAINST AND ACTING AS PURPOSEFULLY AS POSSIBLE AND I AGREE THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE RISING TOGETHER IN OUR COMMUNITIES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT LETTING ONE COMMUNITY WHO HAPPENS TO BE HALF OF THE COUNTY FALL FURTHER BEHIND. WE ALL NEED TO BE ADVANCING. I WILL SUPPORT IT AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR NOVEMBER 12TH. YOU HAVE A MONTH IN A FEW DAYS. 
          GAME ON. GOOD LUCK. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY 
          GARCIA. >> SECOND PRINT 
          >> SECONDED BY BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT 
          ITEM IS 364. >> I USED TO SERVE ON THE BOARD OF LIFE GIFT. ON NOVEMBER 9TH OF THIS YEAR, THE LIFE GIFT ORGANIZATION DONATION AWARENESS WALK UPON WILL TAKE PLACE AND THIS IS TO HELP RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE CRITICAL NEED FOR ORGAN DONORS. IT IS ONE OF THE MOST INCREDIBLE ACTS OF KINDNESS AND HUMANITY THAT ONE CAN DO TO GIVE ONE'S ORGANS THAT WILL HELP SAVE A LIFE. YOU MAY NEVER KNOW WHO THE DONOR WAS, BUT THERE ARE POWERFUL STORIES OF THIS AND PROUD OF THE WORK THAT COMES OUT OF THE MEDICAL CENTER IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ORGAN TRANSPLANT HUBS IN THE WORLD AND THE DEMAND CONSISTENTLY EXCEEDS . 10,000 INDIVIDUALS AND CURRENTLY WAITING FOR AN ORGAN TRANSPLANT WITH HARRIS COUNTY AND FOR A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THIS. NEARLY 60% OF INDIVIDUALS ON THE TEXAS WAITING LIST ARE FOR MINORITY BACKGROUNDS. THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE BEING HISPANIC AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN, BOTH WITH COMMUNITIES LIKE PEOPLE WITH DIABETES, 
          [04:10:01]
HYPERTENSION AND ORGAN TRANSPLANTS. ON AVERAGE, 17 PEOPLE DIE EACH DAY WHILE WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT THAT NEVER COMES. EVERY 10 MINUTES, SOMEONE NEW IS ADDED TO THE WAITING LIST FURTHER UNDERSCORING THE NEED FOR ORGAN DONORS. ON MY DRIVERS LICENSE, YOU WILL SEE THAT I AM AN ORGAN DONOR. I WOULD ENCOURAGE EVERYONE WHO IS TO THINK ABOUT IT. IT IS AN INCREDIBLE ACT OF HUMANITY AND ITS POWERFUL. 
          THERE IS A LOT OF ABOUT APPREHENSION ABOUT DONATING ORGANS. ONE OF THE AREAS OF WORK THAT I HAVE WAS COMMUNICATING TO THE SPANISH-SPEAKING COMMUNITY ABOUT THE VALUE OF DOING SO AND WHY IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. EVEN IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE ON THE LIST, YOU GET CALLED UP TO HAVE AN ORGAN COMING AND YOU MIGHT REJECT IT. HAVING AS MANY PARTICIPANTS IS INCREDIBLY VALUABLE. I JUST WANT TO TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ON THIS ITEM , BECAUSE OF THE WORK THAT WE ARE DOING TO SUPPORT THEIR EFFORT AND WALKATHON AT 
          THE PAVILION. >> IT'S AN APPROVAL. 
          >> AT THAT WAS TRANSMITTAL. I MOVED TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED. 
          >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT, COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS TRANSMITTAL . 
          >> BEFORE WE GET TO 391, THERE ARE MOTIONS FOR THE PREVIOUS HEARINGS WE HAD RELATED TO LAKES. 37, 30 AND 389. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE TWO PAST THAT. I KNOW YOU 
          RAISED CONCERN. >> DO WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO VOTE? 
          >> I THOUGHT WE DID. >> WE DID NOT VOTE ON IT. 
          ESSENTIALLY , WE HAD NO ACTION ON THOSE THREE ITEMS. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM THE COUNTY ENGINEER IS THAT WE HAVE TO ACT ON THEM. THAT IS IF HE WANTS TO EXPLAIN IT. 
          >> COULD YOU PLEASE --. >> WHAT IS THE MOTION YOU NEED? 
          >> I HAVE THE MOTION, BUT I WANT TO SEE IF HE CAN EXPLAIN 
          WHY. >> YES, WE DO NEED A MOTION TO CONTINUE REVIEWING THIS AND WALKING ON THIS PLOT . WILL COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION LETTER WHETHER TO APPROVE . 
          THIS IS A REGULATORY REQUIREMENT TO GET A MOTION TO CONTINUE THE SUBMITTAL, SO THE CLOCK KEEPS TICKING. 
          >> IT WOULD BE TO ALLOW THE PROCESS FOR THE REVISION OF THE 
          SUBDIVISION PLOT . >> I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION. WE 
          HAVE TO CONTINUE TO REVIEW IT. >> CORRECT. LET ME READ A MOTION. THE CLERK HAS ALREADY RECEIVED IT. 387, MOTION TO ALLOW THE PROCESS FOR REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED HERON LAKES ESTATES PARTIAL RE-PLAT NUMBER ONE UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009 . MOTION TO ALLOW THE PROCESS FOR REDIVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED PARTIAL RE-PLAT NUMBER TWO TO PROCEED UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE. ITEM 389, MOTION TO ALLOW THE PROCESS FOR REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLOT ENTITLED HERON LAKES ESTATES PARTIAL RE-PLAT NUMBER THREE UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009. 
          >> THAT IS TO REVIEW IT. >> IT IS TO ALLOW THE PROCESS 
          FOR THE REVISION. >> YES. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MAKES THE THREE MOTIONS READ FOR 387, 388 AND 389 BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS THE MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? 4-0. THE MOTION PASSES ALL THREE ITEMS, 37, 38 AND 389. GARCIA MAKES A 
          MOTION . DID WE DO IT ON 364? >> YES, YOU DID. 
          [04:15:03]
          >> THROUGH ANOTHER ONE, TRANSMITTAL. 
          >> I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS MADE. I KNOW THAT THIS WAS PASSED IN 2022 TO PROCURE THE PAY BEFORE I GOT HERE TO IMPROVE THE LIFECYCLE OF THE COUNTY'S PROCUREMENT REQUISITIONING, PURCHASING, RECEIVING, PAYING FOR AN ACCOUNTING FOR GOODS AND SERVICES, SO I KNOW WE MADE PROGRESS NAMELY WITH OUTSTANDING INVOICES . IN 2022, THE COUNTY AVERAGED OVER 1600 OUTSTANDING INVOICES. TODAY, THE NUMBER IS LOWER THAN 250. THE AVERAGE TO PAY WAS CUT IN HALF. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CELEBRATING PROGRESS AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS WORK TO BE DONE. I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR AN UPDATE AND HOW WE ARE PRIORITIZING THE OUTSTANDING ITEMS FOR THE CONTRACT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT TARGET 
          OPERATING MODEL. >> I CAN SPEAK TO CLM. RIGHT NOW, THE TEAM IS PUTTING RESPONSES THAT WE HAD GOTTEN BACK FROM VENDORS TOGETHER AND THE RFP WE HAVE OUT CLOSES ON OCTOBER 21 . WE EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN AWARD HOPEFULLY BEFORE THE END OF THE CALENDAR YEAR BASED ON EVALUATIONS ON THE CLM SIDE. SIMULTANEOUS TO THAT, THERE IS A BROADER BUSINESS PROCESS OF RE-ENGINEERING GOING ON. WE EXPECT TO HAVE A SYSTEM WITH IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE IN THE FIRST QUARTER OF NEXT YEAR ON THE CLM SIDE. 
          >> WHAT EXACTLY WILL THE SYSTEM HELP US ACHIEVE AND WHAT GAPS 
          WILL NEED TO BE WORKED ON? >> IN TERMS OF THAT PORTION , IT WILL ALLOW FOR THE COMPLETE OWNERSHIP. IT IS LIKE MANAGEMENT EFFECTIVELY. FROM THE MOMENT AN AWARD IS MADE AND WE START THE CONTRACT PROCESS, YOU WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT IS, WHAT STAGE AND WHICH DEPARTMENT HAS IT. WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON? YOU WILL SEE THE ENTIRE TRACK AND IT WILL GO ON ONCE IT HAS BEEN PASSED. WE HAVE TWO ISSUES. OFTENTIMES, WE KNOW THAT A CONTRACT IS STARTING AND IT WILL BE A PARTICULAR DEPARTMENT. THERE ARE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED , DEPARTMENT THEMSELVES, PURCHASING OUR OFFICE AND IN SOME CASES MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS INVOLVED WERE YOU KNOW EXACT WORD IS AND YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TRACK IT. 
          WE WILL HAVE THAT CONTRACT AT ALL TIMES AND WE KNOW THE EXTENSION DATES WILL BE BUILT INTO THE PROCESS . IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF CONTRACT . ALSO, THE AUDITOR WILL KNOW EXACTLY WHETHER THE TERMS MEAT AND IT WILL MAKE THE PAYMENT PROCESSES FASTER RELATED TO THE CONTRACT. THAT IS SEPARATE FROM THE RFP PROCESS. I KNOW THAT THIS WILL COME IN ON A SUBSEQUENT DAY TO TALK ABOUT SOME QUALITATIVE IMPROVEMENTS THAT SHE IS MAKING ON THE PROCESS AND PROFESSIONAL SERVICE PROCESS. THAT IS THE FRONT END OF IT. THE AUDITOR IS DOING WITH THEIR SHOP IN TERMS OF THE PAYMENT PROCESS. 
          >> I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM DIRECTOR AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. TO ME, THIS IS ONE OF THE LARGEST POINTS TO THE COUNTY'S OPERATIONS IN DELIVERING TO THE PEOPLE OF 
          HARRIS COUNTY . DIRECTOR? >> THANKS FOR THE SEGUE INTO THIS. WE DO HOLD A PLACE WITHIN THAT PIECE . AS WE ARE MOVING PIECES WITHIN OUR INTERNAL TEAM TO SOURCING AND CONTRACTING , WE STARTED THAT ROLLOUT DATE ON SEPTEMBER 23RD INTERNALLY , WHICH IS PART OF OUR UPDATE. IN THE BACKUP, YOU WILL SEE MY SOURCING AND CONTRACTING MANAGEMENT TEAM ARE THE TEAM MEMBERS THAT ARE GOING TO REALLY HIT THE MAJORITY OF THE PROJECT AND IMPROVEMENT WHERE WE ARE STAGING UP THE WORKLOADS , SO I HAVE A TEAM FOCUSED ON WRITING SPECS, DELIVERING ADVERTISEMENTS, TURNING AROUND , TRYING TO ABIDE BY DEADLINES AND NOT PUSHING WITH EXTENSIONS . THAT IS TO KEEP THE PROGRESS MOVING QUICKER. IT WILL THEN WORK IN THIS NEW CLM SYSTEM 
          [04:20:05]
ONCE WE GET IT READY TO WORK CLOSELY WITH THE TEAM AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS. ALSO, IT WILL BUILD QUICKER WITH COMMUNICATION TO VENDORS. SOMETIMES THERE IS AN ITEM ON COURT TODAY TO REJECT A PROPOSAL. IT IS JUST OUTDATED. 
          SOMETIMES SOME OF THIS SINCE WITH VENDORS AND WE WANT TO BE A BETTER PARTNER AND COMMUNICATOR TO PUSH IT FORWARD AND CONTINUE TO BUILD ON RELATIONSHIPS WHILE WE ARE NEGOTIATING CONTRACTS TO MOVE THOSE PIECES. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEW SYSTEM TOGETHER DATA TO GET PROGRESS FOR OUR DIRECTORS AND TEAM INTERNALLY. 
          >> QUICK QUESTION. WILL WE BE ABLE TO TRACK HOW LONG IT TAKES? ARE THERE DELAYS AND WHAT'S DRIVING THE DELAY? 
          >> WE DO TRACK. WE HAVE A DASHBOARD THAT WE USE AND WE CAN RUN CERTAIN REPORTS THE PEOPLESOFT AND I DON'T WANT TO MISSPEAK ON THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE IN. THE QUOTES ARE WHAT REPORTS AVAILABLE. WE DO HAVE ACCESS TO CERTAIN FEATURES. IT DOES VARY ON THE PRICING THRESHOLD AND HOW WE PROCURE IT. DID IT REQUIRE COURT APPROVAL? AGAIN, THERE ARE VARIOUS FACTORS THAT WE STARTED TRACKING. WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING OUT AND TRYING TO IMPROVE . I KNOW THAT WITHIN PEOPLESOFT, WE CAN SEE WHERE IT IS HELD UP . IF IT IS HELD UP AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL BECAUSE THE INTERNAL BUDGET IS TO CHECK . 
          WE CAN GET A GOOD FOCUS DURING MY TEAM . ARE MY BUYERS SITTING ON IT FOR WEEKS AT A TIME? IF SO, ARE WE WAITING ON BONDS OR COURT APPROVAL? IS THIS A DEFICIENCY OR SOMETHING THAT HAS BEEN MISSED? AGAIN, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND BUILDING THINGS OUT IN OUR NEW DIRECTORS THAT HAVE BEEN RUNNING REPORTS NOW THAT THE ROLLOVERS HAPPENED . THESE ARE ALL PROGRESS IS FOR US FOR BETTER SPOT CHECKS INTERNALLY. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. TWO OTHER QUICK QUESTIONS. THIS IS PROBABLY MORE IN THE AUDITOR'S PIECE FOR THE LIFECYCLE. WE HAVE THE DASHBOARD AND WE SEE DEPARTMENTS THAT DO HAVE LARGER NUMBERS OF OVERDUE INVOICES WHERE THE LENGTH OF PAYMENT IS LONGER . WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE? HOW CAN COMMISSIONERS COURT HELP? WHAT OTHER QUESTION IS WITH REGARD TO TRACKING PAYMENTS WITH SUBCONTRACTORS. IF WE ARE NOT HAVING ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISMS TO SEE WHEN THE PREMISE BEING THE SUB AND HOW LONG IT'S TAKING AND FOLKS ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE PAYROLL, WHICH IS VERY REAL AND WE HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS . HOW ARE WE ADDING ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY MECHANISMS TO SEE PAYMENT? ARE WE GETTING CERTIFICATIONS? HOW ARE WE BUILDING THAT INTO THIS PROCURE TO PAY IMPROVEMENT? I KNOW IT'S TWO DIFFERENT THINGS, BUT HOW ARE WE HOLDING DEPARTMENTS WHO STILL HAVE A LOT BETTER OVERDUE AND HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE? WHAT ARE WE DOING ON THE PAYMENTS TO SUBS TO INCREASE EFFICIENCY , TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY? 
          >> ON HOLDING UP DEPARTMENT ACCOUNTABLE, WE ARE TRACKING THE FOLKS RUNNING LATE WITH INVOICES AND SENDING REMINDERS AND DASHBOARD AND DATA. WE DO THAT REGULARLY . WAS THE ONE THAT STARTED AND BY THE WAYSIDE WHEN WE MOVED OVER, BUT WE JUST GOT THE TEAM TO START DOING IT AGAIN , BECAUSE IT WAS BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT SOME OF THE FOLKS THAT HAVE SEEN IMPROVEMENTS AND WE ARE STARTING TO LAG AGAIN, SO WE ARE STARTING TO WEND SEND WEEKLY REMINDERS. THE DEPARTMENTS NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY TO STAY ON TOP OF THAT. NOW THAT WE ARE DOING THAT, I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE HURT THE REPEAT OFFENDERS WILL BE HEARING FROM ME BASICALLY MOVING FORWARD TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. HOW THE SUBS ARE GETTING PAID, I THINK THAT IS A LONGER DISCUSSION THAT WE NEED TO WORK OUT TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO LEGALLY AND WHAT WE CAN DO WITHIN CONTRACTS AND HOW WE GET THAT . WHAT ARE THE PROS AND CONS TO GETTING THAT IN? THE ABILITY THAT WE HAVE TO DO 
          [04:25:05]
THAT AND TO ENSURE THAT PAYMENTS ARE HAPPENING, SO THAT WE DON'T -- ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER THE POINT. MY APOLOGIES. ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE LOOKING AT IS TO BE ABLE TO MAKE PARTIAL PAYMENTS. WHEN YOU GET AN INVOICE AND PART OF IT RIGHT AND ISN'T, NOT JUST SAY NO TO THE WHOLE THING, BUT HOW ABOUT SAYING YES TO THAT STUFF THAT IS RIGHT ? LET THAT MOVE FORWARD. THE STUFF THAT IS NOT, WE ARE KICKING IT BACK TO THE CONTRACTOR . THAT WOULD HELP US IN BEING ABLE TO MOVE SOME PAYMENTS FORWARD FASTER , SO THOSE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW 
          TO DO TO EAKLY. >> I HAVE MANY OTHER QUESTIONS, 
          BUT I SENT IT TO MY COLLEAGUES. >> ON THE TECHNOLOGIES PIECE, WE ARE WORKING WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES WHO WILL BE INVOLVED AND ON THE IMPLEMENTATION. ALSO, ANYTHING WE ARE DOING WILL FIT INTO THE COUNTY'S BROADER SYSTEM . I JUST WANT TO 
          PUT THAT OUT THERE. >> WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND ON PHASE TWO OF THE AIP INTERFACE AND THAT PROJECT, WE WANT TO GET EVERYTHING DONE AT ONCE AND THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS. THIS IS THE ABSOLUTE MINIMUM THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN AND WE GOT THAT OUT OCTOBER 7TH THIS WEEK AND WE'RE ALREADY STARTING ON THE PHASE TWO PLAN, WHICH INCLUDES REPORTING, 
          DASHBOARDS AND USER INTERFACE. >> OKAY. IS THAT MOTION TO 
          ACCEPT? NEXT IS 398 . >> I WILL NOT GO INTO A LOT OF DETAIL ON THIS. THIS IS AN INTERIM REPORT AND AM WORKING WITH FLOOD CONTROL ON UPDATES . THERE ARE PROJECTS IDENTIFIED IN HERE RELATED TO THE PROJECT AND MAKING SURE THAT IT IS TIED TO THE DETENTION BASIN . I JUST WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THERE ARE MORE PARTICULARS THAT NEED TO BE ADDED. IT IS NOT THE END OF THE STORY AND PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY. I HAVE HAD QUESTIONS RELATED TO THE PROJECT AND ASSOCIATED BASIN, WHICH DOESN'T DO ANY GOOD ONE IF YOU HAVE THE OTHER. I KNOW IT'S DOWN THE WEEDS, BUT SUCH IS A TRANSMITTAL. I'M JUST MAKING THAT POINT. I THINK THE TRANSMITTAL IS FINE. WE JUST NEED TO BE SURE THAT SOME OF THESE DETAILS GET CLEARED UP. 
          [Emergency/Supplemental items]
          >> NEXT, 433. GARCIA? >> I JUST WANT TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM TO APPROVE AS PRESENTED, BUT I JUST WANT TO INDICATE HOW THIS WILL HELP US AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER. BE PART OF THE PROCESS TO REDUCE ENERGY COSTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY BUT ALLOWING FOR FACILITIES WITH ENERGY CONSUMPTION DURING PEAK HOURS. 
          ECONOMIC AND IF IT'S FOR THE COMMUNITY. I'M EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THE WORK THAT I'M DOING AND TO CONTINUE TO MAKE US -- ENERGY TRANSITION CAPITAL OF THE WORLD AND DEFINITELY THE NATION. I MOVE ITEM AS PRESENTED. 
          >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. 4-0. THE ITEM PASSES. 
          NEXT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND 436. SPENDING DEADLINE. 
          >> JUST A QUICK -- WE ARE APPROACHING THE DEADLINE . I KNOW WE HAVE WHAT IS REFERRED TO AS A FLEX FUND BALANCE AND WE CALL THAT A SLUSH FUND IN EAST TEXAS, BUT YOU DO HAVE A 
          [04:30:03]
LOT OF FLEXIBILITY RELATED TO THAT. ONCE WE PASSED THE END OF DECEMBER , DOES THAT FLEX FUND ACCOUNT NEED TO BE SET 
          SPECIFICALLY? >> WITHIN THE FLEX FUND , 
          PROJECTS CAN BE MOVED AROUND . >> THAT'S CORRECT. 
          >> THE TREASURY GUIDANCE, YOU CAN MOVE MONEY FROM THE ARPA PROJECTS BETWEEN AND YOU CAN'T CREATE ANYONE. 
          >> THAT'S CORRECT. PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED BY THE END OF THIS YEAR. COST SAVINGS OR NEED TO MOVE THINGS AROUND FOR THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN OBLIGATED. THE TREASURY GUIDANCE IS THAT WE CAN DO THAT. 
          >> YOU JUST COULDN'T MOVE MONEY . HE COULD MOVE UP FOR 
          THE HOUSING TO CHILDCARE . >> CORRECT. 
          >> THAT FUND AND HOW IT WILL BE MANAGED ON THE OTHER SIDE OF 
          DECEMBER. THAT'S ALL. >> NO ACTION? 
          >> NO ACTION. >> THE NEXT ONE IS YOURS, 437. 
          >> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF CONVERSATION OVER THE LAST WEEK WITH CENTERPOINT. THEY ARE MAKING CERTAIN COMMITMENTS. 
          THEY ARE SAYING THAT THEY HAVE DONE A LOT OF DIFFERENT THINGS. 
          THE NUMBER OF POLLS THAT THEY WERE PLAYS AND EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN ADDED . IT IS NOT LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DO, BUT I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT CENTERPOINT HAS DONE TO MAKE OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. I WANT US TO LOOK AT CENTERPOINT WITH A COUNTY PERSPECTIVE . I KNOW THAT I HAD OVER 69 SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES . THE INFORMATION THEY GIVE YOU IS LIKE 80,000 FOOT HIGH AND APPLIES ONLY 2000 POLLS AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE THOSE ARE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IT HAS DONE TO MAKE US MORE RESILIENT. IT WAS AT LEAST ATTEMPT AND I APPLAUD THE ATTEMPT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF MAKING US MORE RESILIENT. MAYBE THAT IS THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND THROUGH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR , BUT IF YOU CAN CONSIDER THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT KIND OF COMMUNICATION , BECAUSE MY COMMUNICATION WITH CENTERPOINT DURING THE STORM WAS HORRIBLE . THEY ARE TRYING TO RECOVER FROM THAT . US BEING AWARE OF WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT IN THE NEXT STORM BASED ON WHAT THEY ARE CURRENTLY DOING NOW 
          AND PLAN TO DO . >> YES , I THINK THAT'S A GOOD IDEA. I WAS JUST ASKING JESSICA DOES ALL OF THE ELECTRIC, ENERGY AND LEADERSHIP IN OUR OFFICE , BUT I THINK WE CAN REACH OUT AND HAVE THE RIGHT CONTACTS , SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE DOING THAT SPECIFICALLY IMPACTS AS AND HOW POSITIVE IT IS AND WHERE THEY INTEND TO DO OTHER 
          WORK. >> WE CAN WORK WITH YOU . MY OFFICE WILL HELP, AS WELL. JUST GETTING SOMETHING MORE DEFINITIVE IS BETTER THAN IT WAS. 
          >> WE TALKED TO MAJOR ACCOUNTS FOLKS OFTEN AND THEY ARE PARTNERED ON THE GRANT , SO WE ARE IN COMMUNICATION WITH THEM AND WE ARE A MAJOR ACCOUNT OF THEIRS AND WE HAVE A LOT OF 
          OUTINGS. >> 2000 POLLS . WHAT WAS THEIR PRIORITIES ? WHAT IS THE CRITERIA? THEY ARE DOING THINGS THAT DON'T UNDERSTAND. WHAT IS THEIR PRIORITIES GOING FORWARD? 
          >> I WOULD LIKE MUCH MORE DETAIL. I APPRECIATE THAT THE PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION CAME TO HARRIS COUNTY THIS WEEKEND . I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THEM COLLABORATIVELY IN A BIPARTISAN WAY, BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY , WHILE I LOOK FORWARD TO THE INFORMATION, ULTIMATELY IT'S ABOUT THE REGULATION AND PARTNERING WITH THE STATE ON WHAT IS REQUIRED OR NOT AND WHY . THIS WILL HAVE TO BE AN ALL HANDS ON DECK SITUATION IF WE'RE REALLY GOING TO MAKE TEXAS MORE RESILIENT AND SAFE, ESPECIALLY HARRIS COUNTY. COUNT ME IN. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. 
          >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? ITEM 439 IS THE LAST. 
          [04:35:06]
          >> NO ACTION FOR 437? >> THAT'S CORRECT. 
          >> YOU WILL HAVE A LOT MORE TO DO, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THERE IS A LOT OF SPRAYING GOING ON IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I KNOW THAT THERE IS SOME LEVEL OF COLLABORATION COORDINATION I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S THROUGH THE HEALTH OF OUR VENT, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY WORK THROUGH AND TRY TO SORT THROUGH THAT. JUST UNDERSTANDING WHAT AGENCIES ARE DOING WHAT, WHETHER IT IS THE CITIES ARE 34 CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I GUESS THERE ARE 300 AND EVERYBODY IS OUT DOING CERTAIN AMOUNTS. IF THERE WAS AN UNDERSTANDING OF SOMEBODY COORDINATING IN TERMS OF WHAT 
          THEY ARE SPRAYING AND WHEN. >> I THINK IT'S PUBLIC HEALTH THAT HAS THE PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY , WHICH IS WHAT I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW IF SHE'S ON, BUT 
          HAS TRIED TO GET ON CAMERA. >> WE CAN START THAT CONVERSATION. THAT WOULD BE GREAT. 
          >> WE CAN DEFINITELY START. THERE SHE IS. 
          >> WE AS HARRIS COUNTY WERE INVESTMENT PUBLIC HEALTH ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MOSQUITO CONTROL RELATED TO DISEASE. WE ARE TRAPPING MOSQUITOES ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE COUNTY DIVIDED INTO 268 DIFFERENT REGIONS. WE HAVE TRAPPED OVER HALF 1 MILLION MOSQUITOES THIS YEAR AND WE ARE ACTIVELY TESTING THEM. WHEREVER WE SEE DISEASES , WE DO HAVE AN ACTIVE SPRAYING PROTOCOL . WE ARE CAREFUL AND ARE WORKING TO SPRAY AT LOW VOLUMES NOT TO IMPACT ANY ECOSYSTEM HEALTH OR PERSONAL HEALTH, BUT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE WORKING AT DOSES THAT ARE AFFECTED AND WE ROTATE THROUGH DIFFERENT INSECTICIDES TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT BUILDING UP ANY RESISTANCE. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY NOTES, WE DO HAVE OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE DOING MORE NUISANCE CONTROL, BUT WE HAVE A CONFERENCE A PROGRAM AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DISEASE-RELATED CONTROL. ACTUALLY, TIFFANY HAS A MAP. WE HAVE A MAP AVAILABLE ON THE PUBLIC HEALTH WEBSITE. EVERYONE IS WELCOME TO CHECK YOUR AREA. THE YELLOW BORDERS ARE PLANNED FOR SPRING AND THE OTHERS ARE NORTH AND SOUTHWEST THAT WERE EITHER SPRAYED YESTERDAY OR THIS THING. WE ARE TAKING A TARGETED APPROACH , SO IN THE AREAS WHERE WE HAVE SEEN WEST NILE IN MOSQUITOES, BIRDS OR PEOPLE, WE HAVE SPRAYED MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVELY. WE ARE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO WORK WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND WE DO HAVE THIS RESPONSIBILITY 
          COUNTYWIDE. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> CAN I JUST ASK A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION? THE MOSQUITO SPRAYING THAT PUBLIC HEALTH DOES IS ONCE YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED THAT THERE IS A DISEASE POSSIBILITY THAT YOU ARE GETTING MOSQUITOES IN THE TRAPS THAT HAVE A DISEASE AND MOSQUITO BORNE . THAT IS WHEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE COUNTY GOES OUT AND DOES 
          SPRAYING. >> THAT IS OUR PRIMARY TRIGGER. 
          EITHER SEEING DISEASE IN MOSQUITOES OR PEOPLE , BUT AFTER A DISASTER , SUCH AS THE FLOODS EARLIER THIS YEAR, WE DO GO OUT AND DO LANDING TESTS. WE SEE VERY HIGH RATES OF MOSQUITO PRESENCE WHERE WE ALSO SPRAY IN THOSE CASES. ONGOING RESPONSIBILITIES IS THE CONTROL IN RESPONSE TO IDENTIFY. 
          >> IT IS JUST UNDERSTANDING WHAT THEY ARE DOING. 
          >> THE COORDINATION WITH THE OTHER ENTITIES. JUST WANT TO 
          MAKE SURE. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. 
          >> NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM? >> YES, SIR. 
          >> IT IS NOW 5:13. IN HONOR OF COMMISSIONER GA
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.