Oct 29, 2024 Commissioners Court

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GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

IT IS 1008 AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE OCTOBER 29TH, 2024 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER.

[Pastor Samuel Smith of Mt. Horeb Missionary Baptist Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]

THANK YOU, JUDGE, BUT I'LL DECLINE TO GIVE IT TODAY.

MAYBE ANOTHER DAY. BUT IT IS MY TURN.

I'M HONORED TO HAVE REVEREND SAMUEL H.

SMITH, SENIOR.

HE WAS THE SIXTH OF EIGHT CHILDREN BORN IN ALTO, TEXAS.

THE FAMILY LATER MOVED TO HOUSTON IN THE MID 30S, WHERE HE ATTENDED HOUSTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMPLETING HIS EDUCATION IN 1948 WHILE SERVING ACTIVE DUTY IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY.

DURING HIS MILITARY TOUR FROM 1947 TO 1954, HE MARRIED MISS SYLVIA THOMAS OF HOUSTON, TO WHOM HE'S BEEN MARRIED FOR 60 YEARS. 70.

70. OH.

71 YEARS.

AND LET ME POINT OUT, AT 94.5, HE DOES NOT MISS A BEAT.

HE IS THE FATHER, FATHER, GRANDFATHER, GREAT GRANDFATHER, AND A LOVING HUSBAND.

HE RECEIVED CHRIST AT THE TENDER AGE OF 22 AND ANSWERED THE CALL TO THE MINISTRY AT 27.

HE WAS LED TO PASS TO THE MORNING STAR BAPTIST CHURCH OF HOUSTON IN 1959, AND LATER BECAME THE PASTOR OF THE MOUNT HOREB MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH IN 1964, WHERE HE REMAINED GOD'S SERVANT FOR 49 YEARS AND 61 YEARS.

OH! LET THE LORD CORRECT ME, AND IF NOT, I KNOW YOU WOULD DO IT.

NOW I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT MY PASTOR, BISHOP DIXON, WROTE THESE NOTES.

SO WHEN HE IS SPEAKING FOR YOU AT YOUR 95TH BIRTHDAY, YOU TELL HIM TO GET HIS NOTES RIGHT.

BUT WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU. IT'S SUCH AN HONOR TO BE ASKED TO COME.

AND ON THAT NOTE, WE JUST WANT TO INVOKE THE PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY UPON THIS MEETING TODAY.

AND I WAS RECEIVED BY MY BOSS TO TELL YOU BEFORE I PRAY, TO KEEP YOUR EYES FOCUSED ON WHATEVER THAT YOU ARE UNDERTAKING TO DO, AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO IT WITH YOUR BEST EFFORT BECAUSE HE'S WATCHING OVER YOU.

WITH THAT BEING SAID, WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEADS WITH US IN A MOMENT OF PRAYER.

ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING.

WE THANK YOU FOR THIS DAY.

WE THANK YOU, GOD, FOR ALLOWING US TO LIFT UP THIS MEETING BEFORE YOUR DIVINE PRESENCE.

WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE THE ORCHESTRATOR, THE DIRECTOR AND GIVER OF LIFE.

WE PRAY NOW THAT THOU WOULDEST LET EVERYTHING THAT IS DONE TODAY BE VICTORIOUS AND SUCCESSFUL.

WE KNOW YOU CAN BECAUSE OF WHO YOU ARE.

HAVE THY WAY WITH US, THROUGH US AND FOR US, AND LET US EVER DO THAT WHICH IS PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT.

WE PRAY NOW THAT THOU WOULDEST TAKE ALL NEGATIVISM AND LET IT BECOME POSITIVE.

AND WE PRAY THAT THOU WOULDEST LET YOUR POWER PREVAIL THROUGHOUT THIS MEETING, AND NOT ONLY THIS MEETING, BUT AS WE LEAVE FROM HERE, LET US LEAVE KNOWING THAT YOU ARE THE ENERGIZER, THAT YOU ARE THE DIRECTOR THERE, THAT YOU ARE THE KEEPER, THAT YOU ARE THE PROTECTOR AND THAT YOU ARE OUR EVERYTHING.

HAVE YOUR WAY WITH US, IN US, THROUGH US AND FOR US.

IN THE NAME OF HE WHO IS HOLY AND EVERLASTING.

AMEN. AMEN.

AND PASTOR.

THANK YOU. I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE A PRODUCTIVE MEETING TODAY, AND YOU JUST GAVE SUCH AN OUTSTANDING PRAYER.

I PRAY MY COLLEAGUES WILL DO IT AS QUICKLY AND AS COGENTLY AS YOU DID.

I NOTICED PASTOR COSBY WALKING BEHIND YOU BACK THERE, BY THE WAY.

I WAS AT HIS CHURCH FOR HIS 20TH ANNIVERSARY.

YOU GIVE US HOPE THAT WE WILL BE AS SHARP AS YOU ARE AT 90.

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THANK YOU FOR COMING. AMEN.

AMEN. THANK YOU.

PASTOR. PASTOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S BEEN JUST A PLEASURE.

A PLEASURE TO BE ABLE TO TO HEAR YOUR PRAYER, YOUR REMARKS.

AND I'LL HAVE TO ASK YOU FOR SOME MARRIAGE ADVICE AT SOME POINT.

THE ADVICE THAT I WOULD GIVE YOU IS DO YOUR VERY BEST.

DO YOUR VERY BEST.

THANK YOU. PASTOR.

I'LL TAKE THAT TO HEART.

LET'S RECITE THE PLEDGE.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS.

ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG.

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS.

ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

[Departments (Part 1 of 5)]

THE FIRST RESOLUTION IS UNDER MY AGENDA, AND IT CONGRATULATES DAN RILEY FOR 31 YEARS AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.

IS MR. RILEY HERE? AND LET'S GIVE HIM A HAND.

YEAH. WHERE'S DAN RILEY, A WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST WILL RETIRE FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HOUSTON GALVESTON OFFICE ON OCTOBER 31ST, 2024.

AFTER 31 YEARS OF SERVICE.

MR. RILEY BEGAN HIS CAREER WORKING FOR THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE AS A METEOROLOGY INTERN AT THE PITTSBURGH PITTSBURGH FORECAST OFFICE.

BETWEEN 1993 AND 2008, HE WORKED AT FORECAST OFFICES IN VIRGINIA, WORKING NUMEROUS SEVERE WEATHER EVENTS.

IN 2008, HE BEGAN AS THE WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST IN THE HOUSTON GALVESTON OFFICE.

THE SAME YEAR THAT HURRICANE IKE STRUCK THE GREATER HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA.

WHEREAS DURING HIS TENURE AS THE WARNING COORDINATION METEOROLOGIST, HE HAS PLAYED A VITAL ROLE IN WORKING CLOSELY WITH PARTNERS AT ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

HELP HIM PROTECT RESIDENTS IN THE REGION AGAINST A NUMBER OF WEATHER DISASTERS.

THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, HE HAS WORKED DISASTERS SUCH AS HURRICANE HARVEY AND BERYL, NUMEROUS FLOODS, THE EXTREME TEXAS FREEZE IN 2021.

HE'S HELPED ORGANIZE AND PROVIDE WEATHER SUPPORT FOR NUMEROUS OUTDOOR EVENTS LIKE THE SUPER BOWL AND THE WORLD SERIES.

PLURAL. MR. RILEY HAS DEVELOPED MANY CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIPS AND VALUES THOSE RELATIONSHIPS MOST OF ALL.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY CONGRATULATES AND COMMENDS DAN RILEY ON HIS RETIREMENT FROM THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE. AND, MR. RILEY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THOSE WEATHER ALERT NOTIFICATIONS, THE COORDINATION WITH OUR OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, JUST TO MENTION THAT.

AND I KNOW IT GOES WELL BEYOND THAT.

WE RELY ON YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

AND NOW I KNOW IT IS YOU SPECIFICALLY THAT WE HAD BEEN RELYING ON.

SO YOU'VE DONE JUST A GREAT SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND AND REALLY THE NATION IS AS IT SEEMS FROM YOUR BIOGRAPHY HERE.

THANK YOU GEORGE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

OH. GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD. I JUST WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT THE PARTNERSHIP ASPECT WITH OEM, WITH THE COMMISSIONERS, WITH THE JUDGE HERE, WE HAVE MANY STAFFERS ON OUR CALLS. AND SO WE WOULD WELCOME ALL OF YOU TO GET PLUGGED IN.

I KNOW JEFF LINDNER IS A GREAT RESOURCE AS WELL.

AND WE'RE TALKING TO HIM QUITE FREQUENTLY ALSO.

SO AGAIN, JUST THANK YOU FOR THE PARTNERSHIP.

WE ALL HAVE THAT ROLE TO PLAY.

WE KNOW OUR LANE IS THAT WEATHER PIECE.

I DIDN'T EVEN TALK ABOUT HAZMAT.

THAT'S ANOTHER ASPECT WHERE, YOU KNOW WE'RE PLUME MODELING AND WE'RE PROVIDING SUPPORT FOR THAT AS WELL.

SO AGAIN WE REALLY VALUE THE PARTNERSHIP.

SO THANK YOU ALL. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DAN, CONGRATULATIONS ON AN INCREDIBLE CAREER.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR US.

AND AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT FOR FOLKS AROUND HERE, ESPECIALLY IN PRECINCT TWO, WHERE WE TEND TO HAVE OUR UNFAIR SHARE OF TOXIC EMERGENCIES, WE RELY ON YOU TO GUIDE US AND TO HELP US UNDERSTAND, JUST AS YOU WERE JUST SAYING WHERE THE PLUME IS GOING

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AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU.

BUT IT WAS AFTER ITC THAT WE GOT TO LEARN YOUR CAPACITY AND YOUR EXPERTISE.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR HELPING US YOU KNOW, GUIDE US THROUGH THROUGH ALL THAT.

BUT THEN YOU WORKED WITH US ON TABLETOP EXERCISES AND REALLY THROWING A LOT OF CURVE BALLS SO THAT PEOPLE WOULD UNDERSTAND JUST HOW REAL THE VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES CAN BE.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A BUNCH OF STUDENTS HERE.

NONE OF THEM ARE GOING TO UT, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER STORY.

BUT THEY ARE.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THEM TO UNDERSTAND THAT WHEN YOU WHEN YOU ARE WATCHING TV AND YOU'RE GETTING THESE ALERTS AND NEWS ABOUT, YOU KNOW, PLUMES OR STORMS OR WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE, THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE LIKE MR. O'REILLY THAT ARE GUIDING A LOT OF THOUGHT AND A LOT OF OPERATIONS BEHIND THESE VARIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES.

SO, DAN, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT WITHOUT YOU.

BUT I'M SO GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR HAVING GIVEN SO MUCH OF YOURSELF.

AND I SAY THAT FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT WHETHER IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL EVENT, A HEALTH FAIR, OR SOME OTHER TYPE OF COMMUNITY EVENT KRISTEN LEE IN MY OFFICE WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO TELL ME THAT AT EVERY TURN SHE SEES YOU, WHETHER IT'S AT A TABLETOP EXERCISE, WHETHER IT'S A COMMUNITY MEETING, WHETHER IT'S AN LEPC MEETING, WHETHER IT'S A HIGH SCHOOL HEALTH FAIR, WHETHER IT'S, YOU KNOW, SOME OTHER COMMUNITY TYPE EVENT, A CHAMBER EVENT.

DAN RILEY WAS THERE TALKING TO PEOPLE, HELPING THEM UNDERSTAND WHAT YOUR JOB IS AND ALL THE ALL THE THINKING THAT GOES BEHIND IT.

AND SO JEFF IS A GREAT RESOURCE.

ABSOLUTELY. WITH WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S A DAN RILEY YET.

BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE GIVEN TO US.

I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THE NEXT CHAPTER OF YOUR LIFE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE FOR US.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, AND THANKS, KRISTEN, FOR THOSE WORDS TO YOU.

AND PASS THE BACK TO HER.

I DO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE MY TEAM BACK AT THE OFFICE.

THEY'RE A BIT MORE BEHIND THE SCENES.

YOU KNOW, MAYBE I'M THE FACE OF OUR OFFICE, BUT THEY'RE WORKING ROTATING SHIFTS 24 OVER SEVEN MONITORING THE WEATHER.

AND YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A GREAT TEAM THERE AT THE HOUSTON GALVESTON OFFICE.

AND I EXPECT THEY'LL CONTINUE TO BUILD THESE RELATIONSHIPS.

WONDERFUL. THANK YOU.

WHAT'S NEXT FOR YOU? MORE TIME FOR FAMILY AND THEN PERHAPS SOME SELECTIVE PART TIME WORK.

YOU KNOW, STILL SERVING THE AREA IN SOME WAY AS A AS A PRIVATE METEOROLOGIST.

SO IT REMAINS TO BE SEEN SOME UNCERTAINTY THERE, BUT STILL HOPE TO BE ACTIVE IN SOME WAYS.

WELL, THAT'S THAT'S WONDERFUL.

CONGRATULATIONS. AND I KNOW WE HAVE A COUPLE SPEAKERS OR A SPEAKER HERE FROM OUR OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ALSO TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOU ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS BRIAN MURRAY, I'M THE DEPUTY COORDINATOR FOR HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.

I JUST WANT TO ADD THIS HEARING DAN'S VOICE WAS NOT USUALLY IT USUALLY MEANT THERE WAS BAD NEWS ON THE WAY.

BUT I WILL ALSO SAY IT WAS RARE THAT THERE WAS A MORE WELCOME VOICE.

DAN HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN A SOLID PARTNER.

HE HAS BEEN AN EDUCATOR FOR US.

PERSONALLY, I HAVE LEARNED MORE ABOUT HOW WEATHER ALERTS AND WARNINGS WORK THAN FROM ANY OTHER PERSON.

MORE FROM DAN THAN ANY OTHER PERSON.

WE'RE GOING TO MISS HIM TERRIBLY.

HE'S BEEN A GREAT RESOURCE FOR US.

AND, YOU KNOW, WE CERTAINLY JOIN OUR OFFICE, JOINS IN WISHING HIM THE BEST IN HIS RETIREMENT.

BUT WE WILL MISS YOU, SIR.

THANK YOU BRIAN. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, BRIAN, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

VERY WELCOME. ANYTIME.

THAT'S WHY WE'RE WE'RE HERE.

SO THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 446 UNDER SUPPLEMENTAL.

THAT'S ALSO UNDER MY AGENDA.

AND THAT SHOULD BE MY FINAL RESOLUTION.

AND THIS IS A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING JAY KENT FRIEDMAN, KENNY FRIEDMAN, WHO IS CURRENTLY OUT OF TOWN NEGOTIATING BETTER TERMS FOR A SPORTS AUTHORITY BOND.

IT'S A JOINT RESOLUTION WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

WHEREAS J.

KENT FRIEDMAN, KNOWN AS KENNY, HAS DEMONSTRATED EXTRAORDINARY LEADERSHIP AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY, SERVING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND GUIDING THE DEVELOPMENT OF STATE OF THE ART SPORTS VENUES THAT ENHANCE THE VIBRANCY OF OUR COMMUNITY.

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HE'S BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN POSITIONING THE HHC, HSA AS A LEADER IN SPORTS TOURISM, SUCCESSFULLY BIDDING TO HOST NUMEROUS HIGH PROFILE EVENTS SUCH AS SUPER BOWLS, FINAL FOURS AND INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIONS, THEREBY CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY AND SHOWCASING HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY ON A GLOBAL STAGE.

HIS COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY EXTENDS BEYOND SPORTS INFRASTRUCTURE.

HE'S PLAYED A PIVOTAL ROLE IN VARIOUS CIVIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATIONS, INCLUDING THE MICKEY LELAND INTERNSHIP FOUNDATION, THE HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER, AND THE HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY. SHOWCASING HIS COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP, HE HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS ACCOLADES FOR HIS SERVICE, INCLUDING THE PRESTIGIOUS LEON JAWORSKI AWARD FROM THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION AND THE MAX NATHAN AWARD FROM THE AMERICAN JEWISH COMMITTEE.

RECOGNIZING HIS SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON BOTH THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY THROUGH HIS VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, KENNY FRIEDMAN HAS NOT ONLY ADVANCED THE GOALS OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, BUT HAS ALSO INSPIRED A COLLABORATIVE SPIRIT WITHIN THE COMMUNITY, ENCOURAGING PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT DIVERSE SECTORS AND ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY COMMENDS AND CONGRATULATES JAY KENT FRIEDMAN FOR MORE THAN 21 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY, CULMINATING AS CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS HERE TO SPEAK IN CELEBRATION OF MR. FRIEDMAN'S WORK.

YES, COMMISSIONER. JUST A FEW BRIEF COMMENTS.

NOT TO REPEAT ANYTHING YOU SAID, BUT I JUST WANT TO REITERATE THE SUCCESSES THAT HE HAD AS CHAIR.

TWO SUPER BOWLS, ONE COLLEGE FOOTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP, TWO BASKETBALL FINAL FOURS WORLD CUP OF 2026.

IT TOOK A LOT OF LEADERSHIP TO BE ABLE TO BRING IT IN.

IT'S A LOT EASIER TO CUT THE RIBBON THAN IT IS TO DO THE THINGS YOU HAVE TO DO TO MAKE THE CASE, TO BRING IT IN.

THE WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC IN 2026 THREE AAU JUNIOR OLYMPICS COMING UP, WORLD WEIGHTLIFTING CHAMPIONSHIP, WORLD TABLE TENNIS. IN TOTAL, IT'S OVER $2 BILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY THAT UNDER KENNY FRIEDMAN'S WATCH, HAVE COME INTO THE REGION. I KNOW THERE'S AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA OF LATER.

HE HAS ANNOUNCED THAT HE'S GOING TO RESIGN, EFFECTIVE AT THE END OF THE MONTH.

I, FOR ONE, WOULD HOPE THAT WE WOULD DELAY THAT, BUT WE'LL DISCUSS THAT WHEN THE ISSUE COMES UP.

I JUST DON'T PERSONALLY THINK IT'S A GOOD IDEA WHEN PEOPLE SERVE ON THESE BOARDS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT'S FOR FREE.

IF THE POLITICS MAY CHANGE TO PUBLICLY DISMISS SOMEONE.

SO I FOR ONE WOULD HOPE WE WAIT AND LET HIM RESIGN IN DIGNITY.

I MET HIM WHEN I WAS AN INTERN AROUND THE STATE CAPITOL, JUST KNEW OF HIM FROM A DISTANCE, BUT I GOT A LOT CLOSER TO HIM WHEN I BECAME MICKEY LELAND'S CHIEF OF STAFF IN 80 OR 81.

HE WAS ONE OF THE KEY ADVISORS TO THE CONGRESSMAN TO MAKE THE CASE THAT HE SHOULD GET WAY OUT FRONT ON TRYING TO HELP ABOLISH APARTHEID IN SOUTH AFRICA.

AND THAT WAS NOT AN EASY POSITION TO TAKE, EVEN GIVEN HIS CHIEF OF STAFF AT THE TIME.

ME LEGAL ADVICE ON TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A BRIEF TO KEEP SOUTH AFRICAN AIRLINES FROM BEING ABLE TO TO LAND IN HOUSTON.

IT DID GET PERMISSION, BUT WITH HIS HELP AND MANY OTHERS, WE WERE ABLE TO DETER THAT FLIGHT AND IT HAD TO LAND SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE UNITED STATES.

BUT TO LELAND KIBBUTZ INTERNSHIP PROGRAMS AND YOUNG KIDS FROM ALL THROUGHOUT HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY REGION TO SPEND TIME LIVING ON A KIBBUTZ.

THAT PROGRAM IS STILL GOING.

HE'S RESPONSIBLE FOR IT, ENDOWING IT TO THE TUNE OF $1 MILLION HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER.

A LEADER AT THE PORT STREET OLYMPICS, EL FRANCO LEE PROGRAM, HERMANN PARK CONSERVANCY BOARD OF REGENTS AT TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY.

DURING THE VERY DIFFICULT TIME FOR THIS SCHOOL, THE HOUSTON SYMPHONY.

GREATER HOUSTON INNER CITY GAMES FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL.

SOUTHWEST REGION OF AMERICAN JEWISH COMMUNITY.

COUNCIL OF JEWISH FEDERATION OF GREATER HOUSTON.

HOUSTON. INTERFAITH MINISTRIES.

THE ANTI-DEFAMATION LEAGUE IN HOUSTON PROUD.

BUT HE WAS SO CLOSE AND SOMEONE THAT MY MENTOR, THE CONGRESSMAN, TRUSTED SO MUCH THAT WHEN HE PASSED AWAY, A FUND WAS ESTABLISHED TO TRY AND HELP HIS THREE CHILDREN.

AFTER MICKEY LELAND DIED AND KENNY, ALONG WITH LIVINGSTON, KOSBERG AND I WERE THE TRUSTEES FOR THAT FOUNDATION UNTIL WE TURNED IT OVER TO HIS

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ONCE THE LAST KIDS THE TWINS REACHED, I THINK 18 OR 19 YEARS OLD, BUT JUST A DEAR FRIEND AND SOMEONE THAT I THINK DESERVES ALL OF OUR RESPECT.

THANK YOU. GEORGE.

YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU. AND I AND I JUST WANT TO ECHO YOUR YOUR WORDS, COMMISSIONER.

I'VE KNOWN KELLY.

KENNEDY. KELLY.

KENNY. OFF AND ON OVER THE YEARS.

AND FIRST INTERACTED WITH HIM WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL IN A DIFFERENT CAPACITY BACK THEN.

BUT HE SERVED HE SERVED US FOR 18 YEARS AT THE SPORTS AUTHORITY.

WONDERFUL SERVICE.

ALL THE SUCCESSES THAT ARE NOT ENTIRELY JUST BECAUSE OF HIM, BUT BECAUSE OF HIS COLLECTIVE WORK AND THE WORK OF THE AUTHORITY.

BUT JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, KENNY, FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT WORK.

AND LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU STAY INVOLVED.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

YES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YES, I ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS.

THANK YOU, MR. FRIEDMAN, FOR YOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO OUR SPORTS AUTHORITY AND TO SO MANY ORGANIZATIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES NAMED.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND PUTTING HOUSTON ON THE WORLD SPORTS STAGE.

SO IT'S REALLY BEEN EXCITING.

EVERYTHING THAT HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYTHING THAT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED.

AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING A JOINT CITY OF HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY RECEPTION ALONGSIDE THE BOARD TO HONOR MR. FRIEDMAN. AND I THANK MAYOR WHITMIRE AND HIS TEAM FOR HIS PARTNERSHIP FOR THAT UPCOMING CELEBRATION.

SO THANK YOU, KENNY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE.

I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.

TIFFANY, IF YOU'D PLEASE CALL THEM UP.

BRIAN WALSH.

THERE'S, LIKE, A WEIRD ECHO.

GOOD MORNING. JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS.

HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU. MY NAME IS RYAN WALSH.

I'M THE CEO OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AND CONVENTION CORPORATION, THE ENTITY THAT THIS HONORABLE COURT CREATED TO OVERSEE NRG PARK.

WE'VE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH KENNY SEVERAL BIG EVENTS.

COMMISSIONER, LIKE YOU MENTIONED, MANY OF THOSE HAPPENED AT NRG PARK.

THE FINAL FOUR, THE COLLEGE FOOTBALL PLAYOFF, THE BATTLE OF THE BANDS BANDS, AND KENNY CONSISTENTLY DEMONSTRATES LOYALTY, DEDICATION AND A POSITIVE OUTLOOK WITH A WARM SMILE EVERY SINGLE TIME IN A HANDSHAKE.

I'D LIKE TO EXTEND ON BEHALF OF THE SPORTS CORPORATION AND EVERYBODY AT NRG PARK, A WARM CONGRATULATIONS ON HIS ACHIEVEMENTS AND CERTAINLY CONTINUED SUCCESS IN WHATEVER HE DECIDES TO DO. THANK YOU ALL.

THANK YOU.

LINDA MORALES.

GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

LINDA MORALES, BOARD MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY AND ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION.

AND I'M TOLD I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS AND I HAVE TO SPEAK IN ONE MINUTE.

KENNY FRIEDMAN, IN HIS LONG TENURE, HAS BEEN THE WELCOMING FACE OF OUR BOARD.

ALWAYS GRACIOUS, ALWAYS THOUGHTFUL, ALWAYS WITH AN OPEN DOOR.

TO SAY THAT HE'S MADE AN IMPACT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT.

KENNY HAS CHAMPIONED SPORTS COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS A TRUE ADVOCATE OF OUR CITY AND COUNTY'S VISION OF ENHANCING THE SPORTS LANDSCAPE OF OUR CITY.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD AND ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK ALONGSIDE HIM, THANK YOU, KENNY FRIEDMAN, FOR YOUR SERVICE, YOUR COLLABORATION, AND YOUR BELIEF IN THE SPORTS AUTHORITY'S MISSION.

I'M ALSO HERE TODAY TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE RESOLUTION BY COMMISSIONER LESLIE BRIONES HONORING LILLY LEDBETTER, WHOSE COURAGE AND PERSISTENCE IN FIGHTING FOR EQUAL PAY HAS TRANSFORMED THE LANDSCAPE OF LABOR RIGHTS AND GENDER EQUITY IN THE WORKPLACE. LILLY'S BATTLE BEGAN, AS WE KNOW WHEN SHE UNCOVERED THE WAGE DISCRIMINATION SHE FACED OVER NEARLY TWO DECADES AGO, WHERE SHE WAS PAID SIGNIFICANTLY LESS THAN HER MALE COUNTERPARTS DOING THE SAME WORK.

HER LEGACY HAS EMPOWERED COUNTLESS WORKERS, PARTICULARLY WOMEN, TO DEMAND THEIR RIGHT TO FAIR AND EQUAL COMPENSATION.

THIS RESOLUTION HONORS HER PERSEVERANCE AND RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO UPHOLD THE PRINCIPLES OF FAIRNESS AND EQUALITY FOR ALL WORKERS.

THANK YOU AGAIN, COMMISSIONER.

APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU ALL.

LACEY WOLFF.

THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS COURT, EVERYBODY HERE.

I'M LACEY WOLFF, I'M THE PRESIDENT OF THE AREA LABOR FEDERATION AND ALSO THE A BOARD MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY.

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WHAT DOES HE MEAN TO US? AND KENNY WOULD RUN OUR BOARD MEETINGS LIKE A KINDERGARTEN TEACHER.

I MEAN, HE WAS SO PATIENT, KIND, THOUGHTFUL, MOSTLY THE PATIENT PART WITH ALL OF US.

EVEN WHEN WE WENT ON FIELD TRIPS, HE WAS LIKE THE ULTIMATE CHAPERON, JUST KIND OF KEEPING US TOGETHER.

BUT ONE THING I WAS APPOINTMENT OF LABOR.

SO THE THING THAT COMES TO MIND IS THAT HE FOUGHT FOR THE PEOPLE IN LABOR.

HE FOUGHT FOR EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY.

HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE COUNTY PEOPLE.

HE THOUGHT ABOUT THE STAFF THAT ALL THE STAFF PEOPLE FOR THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND THEIR FEELINGS.

HE THOUGHT ABOUT WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE THIS COUNTY RUN.

SO YOUR TIME IS UP.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU. AND HE WAS THE REASON THAT HE BROUGHT LIVABLE WAGES AND LABOR TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

I MEAN, TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY.

SO I'M A HUGE SUPPORTER OF KENNY, AND HE WAS THE ONE WHO MADE OUR SPORTS VISION RUN.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? NO, MA'AM.

SO I'LL JUST THANK YOU TO TO.

OH, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YES. I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE TOO, KENNY.

I MEAN, WHEN YOU DO THAT JOB OF COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY, WHEN YOU'RE THAT AT THAT NEXUS IN TERMS OF TRYING TO GET THINGS DONE, IT'S ALWAYS A CHALLENGE.

HE ALWAYS HANDLED IT WELL.

LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT HE'LL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE.

LOOK FORWARD TO WHAT THE SPORTS AUTHORITY WILL BE DOING IN THE FUTURE AS WELL.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

AND JUST TO POINT OUT SOME MORE OF HIS SUCCESSES, HE HELPED BRING TWO SUPER BOWLS, THREE FINAL FOUR BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS.

AND AND I DON'T KNOW THAT ANY OF US MENTIONED THIS, THE 2026 WORLD CUP TO HARRIS COUNTY.

THE SUPER BOWL IN 2017 BROUGHT ALMOST $350 MILLION TO HARRIS COUNTY AND THE WORLD CUP.

CHECK THIS OUT IS EXPECTED TO BRING THE ECONOMIC EQUIVALENT OF SEVEN SUPER BOWLS TO OUR ECONOMY.

SO THAT'S BILLIONS OF DOLLARS HE HELPED BRING TO OUR ECONOMY.

HE'S ALSO REFINANCING THE SPORTS AUTHORITY BOND, WHICH IS HOW WE FUND BUILDING AND RENOVATING OUR STADIUMS. SO THERE WAS A DISCUSSION FOR HIM TO A REQUEST FOR HIM TO STEP DOWN, AN AGREEMENT THAT HE WOULD DO SO AT THE END OF THE YEAR SO HE COULD FINISH REFINANCING THE BONDS BEFORE HE STEPPED OFF THE BOARD.

HE'S BEEN REALLY A VISIONARY.

AND I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE'RE GOING TO BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION LATER HAVING A DISCUSSION RELATED TO MR. FRIEDMAN, MY COLLEAGUE HERE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HAS BROUGHT FORTH AN ITEM TO VACATE THE POSITION OF THE CHAIR IMMEDIATELY, THAT IS, TO FIRE MR. FRIEDMAN IMMEDIATELY AND REPLACE HIM WITH JUAN GARCIA INSTEAD, RATHER THAN AT THE END OF THE MONTH AS PREVIOUSLY AGREED.

I'M NOT QUITE SURE ABOUT WHY THE SUDDEN CHANGE.

WHY ARE WE IN A HURRY? AS WE SPEAK, HE'S IN NEW YORK NEGOTIATING BETTER TERMS ON THE DEBT SERVICE, ON THE EXISTING BOND, POTENTIALLY SAVING US TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE PROCESS.

SO THAT MEANS EVEN IN HIS DEPARTURE, HE'S GETTING THE JOB DONE ON BEHALF OF OUR COUNTY.

AND SO ON BEHALF OF TRANSPARENCY, I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THE PROPOSAL TO IMMEDIATELY OUST HIM AND REPLACE HIM WITH SOMEBODY ELSE.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S PROCLAMATION AGENDA.

SO THIS IS ITEM THREE RESOLUTION.

YEAH, THIS IS ITEM THREE.

THIS IS THIS IS A RESOLUTION AND REQUEST THAT HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATE ITS CENTER FOR ACCELERATING HEALTH EQUITY AS A SHEILA JACKSON LEE CENTER FOR ACCELERATING HEALTH EQUITY.

I'M VERY PROUD OF THE BOARD.

THEY AGREED AS PART OF A COMMUNITY BENEFITS AGREEMENT, AS THEY WERE PASSING THE $2.5 BILLION BOND PACKAGE TO BUILD A NEW LBJ AND OTHER FACILITIES. ONE OF THE TENETS OF THE COMMUNITY BENEFITS PROGRAM WAS TO CREATE AN EQUITY CENTER, AND I CAN THINK OF A BETTER PERSON TO NAME IT IN HONOR OF THE LATE CONGRESSWOMAN.

THE CENTER WILL INITIALLY BE HOUSED AT FORNÉS PLACE AND THEN EVENTUALLY AT THE NEW LBJ HOSPITAL.

THE TIMELINE TO BECOME OPERATIONAL IS YET TO BE DETERMINED.

THE CENTER IS BEING DEVELOPED.

IT WILL HAVE A POLICY ROLE FOCUSING ON ADVANCING HEALTH EQUITY.

FOR EXAMPLE, HOW TO CONNECT SPECIALTY SERVICES TO UNDERSERVED POPULATIONS, HOW TO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE, AND HOST OF OTHER THINGS.

I KNOW THAT THERE WILL BE A NUMBER OF ITEMS THAT WILL COME FORWARD, HOPEFULLY THROUGHOUT OUR COMMUNITY, TO HONOR THE CONGRESSWOMAN.

WE HAVE ALREADY DECIDED HERE AT THIS TABLE THAT WE'RE GOING TO NAME OUR NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING IN OUR HONOR.

[00:30:05]

AND I THINK HER DAUGHTER, ERICA LEE CARTER, WHO I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WORKING WITH, HAS BEEN IN CONSULTANT CONSULTATION WITH THEM ON WHAT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE WAY TO DO THAT.

BUT I WOULD JUST HOPE THAT WE WOULD SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

AND I KNOW THAT THE BOARD MEMBERS OVER AT THE HARRIS CENTER WILL BE SUPPORTIVE AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AS YOU KNOW, THE CONGRESSWOMAN MEANT A GREAT DEAL TO US ALL, AND CERTAINLY A GREAT DEAL TO ME.

I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER, HER FAMILY, HER FRIENDS, HER SO MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT SHE TOUCHED.

AND I THINK WHAT BETTER WAY TO DO SO THAN TO NAME THIS CENTER IN HER HONOR? SO IT'LL BE A DEPARTMENT WITHIN HARRIS HEALTH THAT WILL FOCUS ON HEALTH EQUITY EFFORTS ON THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY, PARTICULARLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR THAT HAVE BEEN TRADITIONALLY UNDERSERVED OR UNDERSERVED IN HEALTH CARE, ACCORDING TO UNIVERSALLY ACCEPTED STATISTICS.

SO I THINK SHE WOULD BE HAPPY FOR US TO NAME THIS CENTER AFTER HER.

AND WE'VE SORT OF JOKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE.

WE WISH SHE WERE AROUND TO SEE US DO THIS CERTAINLY LEFT US TOO SOON.

BUT BUT WE LOVE WE LOVE HER AND WE SEND HER AND HER FAMILY ALL OF OUR LOVE AND PRAYERS.

ANY SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM? DOCTOR CHEATHAM BUCURESTI.

PROJECT. GOOD MORNING.

JUDGE. COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEND 56 SECONDS SHARING A LITTLE BIT ABOUT THE NEW SHEILA JACKSON LEE CENTER FOR ACCELERATING HEALTH EQUITY.

MY NAME IS DOCTOR BOCCHETTI.

I'M THE CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER AT HARRIS HEALTH.

AND THE INAUGURAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THIS CENTER, THE SHEILA JACKSON LEE CENTER FOR ACCELERATING HEALTH EQUITY, PROUDLY BEARS THE NAME OF ONE OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY'S MOST DEDICATED CHAMPIONS FOR HEALTH JUSTICE.

THROUGHOUT HER DISTINGUISHED CAREER, THE CONGRESSWOMAN WORKED TIRELESSLY, TIRELESSLY TO ADDRESS HEALTH CARE INEQUITIES AND TO ADVOCATE FOR THOSE, PARTICULARLY WHO WERE MOST MARGINALIZED, TO EXPAND ACCESS TO QUALITY MEDICAL CARE, SECURE FUNDING FOR PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS, INCREASE DIVERSITY IN HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONS, AND ADDRESSING SOCIAL DRIVERS OF HEALTH.

ANOTHER LUMINARY DOCTOR MARTIN LUTHER KING, ONCE SAID THAT POWER AT ITS BEST IS LOVE IMPLEMENTING THE DEMANDS OF JUSTICE.

YOU CAN GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD.

THANK YOU. AND FEW DEMONSTRATED THE MEANING OF THOSE WORDS BETTER THAN THE LATE CONGRESSWOMAN.

AND SO, THROUGH THE NAMING OF THE CENTER, WE HONOR HER LEGACY OF ADVOCACY AND REMAIN INSPIRED TO CONTINUE HER VITAL WORK OF ACCELERATING HEALTH EQUITY IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BROWN.

OH, SORRY. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? NO, MA'AM. OKAY.

COMMISSIONER BROWN.

THANK YOU, CHAIR AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.

I CAN THINK OF NO MORE FITTING NAME FOR THIS CENTER THAN CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON LEE.

SHE WAS A TIRELESS CHAMPION FOR HEALTH, JUSTICE, EQUITY, EVERYTHING THAT YOU JUST SAID.

DOCTOR AND HARRIS COUNTIANS ARE HEALTHIER AND THRIVING BECAUSE OF HER.

AND AMERICANS ARE HEALTHIER AND THRIVING.

SO THIS IS A WONDERFUL WAY TO HONOR HER, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HOPEFULLY MANY MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO HONOR THAT LEGACY, WHICH WAS UNPARALLELED.

SO THANK YOU FOR JOINING US TODAY.

AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, FOR DOING THIS.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE ITEM.

I JUST WANT TO REMIND FOLKS THAT DURING THE PANDEMIC, THERE WAS PROBABLY NO STRONGER INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS WORKING TO GET TESTING.

AND THEN ULTIMATELY VACCINES OUT TO THE COMMUNITY AND JUST WOULD NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.

AND SHE WAS JUST PHENOMENAL TO WATCH AND TO WATCH HER IN ACTION.

SO ABSOLUTELY APPRECIATE.

AND I THINK IT'S ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE THAT HER NAME CAN BE ATTACHED TO SO MANY THINGS, BUT HEALTH AND EQUITY AND HEALTH EQUITY ABSOLUTELY SHOULD BE ONE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

YES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YOU KNOW, YOU SOMETIMES JUDGE PEOPLE BY WHO SHOWS UP AND WHO DOESN'T.

AND THE RUNNING JOKE WITH THE CONGRESSWOMAN AND I WAS IT COULD BE A FUNERAL.

[00:35:01]

AND I REMEMBER THE LAST ONE I ATTENDED WITH HER, I WAS DISHING OUT THE MASHED POTATOES AND SHE WAS DISHING OUT THE CORN, AND WE HAD FUN.

SO I THINK THAT'S HOW PEOPLE SHOULD FUNCTION IN A COMMUNITY.

IT SHOULD BE ONE OF OF WHEN YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND YOU SHOW UP.

IT DOES MATTER.

AND I APPRECIATE THAT ABOUT HER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR BRINGING THIS AND TO HARRIS HEALTH.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR HONORING HER IN THIS WAY.

AND I SEE ERICA LEE IS HERE, SO THANK YOU.

THIS THE CONGRESSWOMAN LEE'S DAUGHTER AND AND I THINK YOU'LL BE STEPPING IN, HOPEFULLY, FOR THE REST OF HER TERM.

IS THAT ALREADY THE CASE? NOT YET. OKAY. I BETTER NOT SPEAK ON THIS.

ALL RIGHT.

SO LET ME LET ME MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AGENDA.

THANK YOU. FIRST, A POINT OF ORDER.

I'VE GOT A POINT OF ORDER.

POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

I DO HAVE SOME PHENOMENAL VISITORS.

I MENTIONED THEM EARLIER.

THE. YES, PREP NORTHLINE SECONDARY SCHOOL.

WILL YOU GUYS PLEASE STAND SO WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE YOU GUYS? ALL SENIORS.

ALL SENIORS.

THERE IS EVERYBODY HAS A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN MIND.

EVERYTHING FROM, I THINK UD, PHD.

DOWNTOWN OR UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON.

DOWNTOWN. GO, GATORS! TO TRINITY.

TO JOHN HOPKINS.

AND ANOTHER UNIVERSITY IN BOSTON.

CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THE NAME OF IT IS.

SAINT THOMAS.

SO ALL THESE FOLKS ARE HAVE A PLAN IN MIND FOR THE FUTURE.

AND I'M SO PROUD OF YOU AND JUST WANT YOU TO GO OFF AND DO GREAT THINGS.

BUT DON'T FORGET AS MY DADDY WOULD SAY, DON'T FORGET WHERE YOU COME FROM.

COME BACK HOME AND MAKE SURE THAT YOU HELP CONTINUE TO MAKE THE COMMUNITY BETTER AND AND BE A ROLE MODEL.

WORK WITH OTHER, OTHER YOU KNOW, KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY THAT MAYBE HAVEN'T FOUND THEIR WAY OR DEVELOP A PLAN LIKE YOU HAVE AND ENCOURAGE THEM AND WORK WITH THEM. AND, AND HELP THEM TAKE THOSE, THOSE STEPS AS WELL.

BUT SO PROUD OF YOU.

SO PROUD OF YOU. AND THEY ARE HERE WITH ACRES HOMES COMMUNITY ADVOCACY GROUP AND ITS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, RAY EATON EATMON, AND THEY ARE IN CIVICS 101.

YEAH, YEAH. AND THEY'RE THIS IS CIVICS 101.

SO THEY'RE LEARNING ALL ABOUT HOW GOVERNMENT WORKS.

AND THIS IS ONE PLACE THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE REALLY UNDERSTAND, AND THAT'S COUNTY GOVERNMENT.

AND SO I'M SO GLAD THAT YOU'RE HERE.

AND BUT I ASKED EVERYBODY HOW THEY'RE ALL, I THINK 18, EVERYBODY'S 18.

EVERYBODY IS REGISTERED TO VOTE, AND THEY'LL BE CASTING THEIR VOTE AFTER LUNCH TODAY.

SO CONGRATULATIONS.

SO WELCOME TO YES PREP.

AND AS I MENTIONED TO THEM, I ACTUALLY KNEW THEIR FOUNDER AND WORKED WITH THEM AND GOT TO SEE YES PREP GROW INTO BECOMING THE PHENOMENAL INSTITUTION THAT IT IS.

I TOLD HIM NOT TO HATE ON ME BECAUSE MY DAUGHTER WAS A HIPSTER.

BUT NONETHELESS, THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THIS CROWD, FOLKS, IS THAT NO ONE IS GOING TO UT.

SO, YEAH, IT'S NOT OVER YET.

IT'S NOT OVER YET. OKAY.

BUT ANYWAY, WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.

THANK YOU ALL FOR JOINING US TODAY.

THANK YOU. MY FIRST RESOLUTION, AND I DON'T KNOW IF SENATOR MILES HAS JOINED US. HE IS HERE.

WHERE ARE YOU? OH, THERE YOU ARE, SENATOR.

COME ON UP. AND I, I AM JUST SO, SO PROUD THAT WE ARE GOING TO WELCOME MISS CLEO WOODARD.

WOODARD THOMAS TODAY TO CELEBRATE HER LIFELONG COMMITMENT TO EDUCATION, COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE EMPOWERMENT OF FUTURE GENERATIONS, SOCIAL JUSTICE AND AND SHE HAS, I BELIEVE MISS THOMAS HAS MANY OF HER FAMILY THAT HAVE JOINED HER THIS MORNING.

BUT SENATOR MILES IS HERE BECAUSE HE IS GOD CHILD.

[00:40:07]

SHE IS A PROUD MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER, A WORLD TRAVELER AND ALWAYS ENRICHING HER LIVES AND THE LIVES OF OTHER OTHERS.

AND TODAY WE HONOR MISS THOMAS FOR ALL OF HER CONTRIBUTIONS, NOT ONLY TO HER COMMUNITY, BUT TO TEXAS AND THE COUNTRY AS A WHOLE. AND I AM JUST GOING TO SAY THIS, THAT YOU NEVER KNOW AND WHOSE PRESENCE YOU ARE.

AND ME AND A COUPLE OF MY BROTHERS HAD THE HONOR OF BEING TAUGHT BY MISS THOMAS AND AND AND LET ME JUST SAY, I GOT GOOD GRADES AND AND THANK GOODNESS THE CORPORAL PUNISHMENT WASN'T A THING BACK THEN ANYMORE.

AND BECAUSE I MIGHT HAVE DESERVED IT ONCE OR TWICE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE, THE LIVES YOU'VE TOUCHED, THE LIVES YOU CHANGED, AND UNDOUBTEDLY THE LIVES YOU'VE SAVED.

MISS THOMAS, GOD BLESS YOU.

AND WE'RE SO HONORED TO HAVE YOU HERE.

GOD'S SON.

THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

WELL, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

LET ME THANK YOU AS WELL AS JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND TO MY COMMISSIONER, SENATOR, COMMISSIONER, SENATOR, COMMISSIONER, SENATOR RODNEY ELLIS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HONORING MY GODMOTHER.

THE PILLAR OF THE FAMILY.

AND SHE IS JUST THAT, YOU KNOW, IN OUR COMMUNITY, MUCH LIKE YOURS AND OTHERS.

WE WERE RAISED BY A VILLAGE.

AND IN OUR VILLAGE, THIS WAS THE BIG POOBAH.

OKAY? WE HAD A PROBLEM.

YOU TOOK IT HERE WHEN YOU HAD AN ISSUE.

YOU TOOK IT HERE? YES, SIR.

AND IT WAS ALWAYS SOFT WHEN YOU WERE HUNGRY.

YOU TOOK IT HERE.

OKAY. WHEN YOU HAD FINANCIAL PROBLEMS, EDUCATIONAL PROBLEMS, HEALTH CARE PROBLEMS, WHATEVER THE ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN, YOU TOOK IT RIGHT HERE TO MISS CLEO THOMAS.

OKAY. AND I GUARANTEE YOU, EVERYONE THAT WILL GET UP HERE TODAY AND SPEAK.

WE ARE ALL CIVICALLY MINDED.

WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING A PART OF THE PROCESS.

WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING BECAUSE OF A ONE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION.

I CAN GUARANTEE YOU THAT WE ALL KNOW THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION BECAUSE OF A WOMAN.

MISS CLEO THOMAS AND I HAVE THE HONOR.

I HAVE THE HONOR OF SHARING MY BIRTHDAY ON HER BIRTHDAY.

YEAH, WE SHARE BIRTHDAYS.

THAT'S RIGHT. HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY. SO IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE HERE WITH YOU ALL.

IT'S A PLEASURE FOR TO SEE OUR COUNTY HONORING MISS CLEO THOMAS.

SHE'S NOT BEEN JUST A POOBAH FOR HER FAMILY, HER AND HER FAMILY, BUT ALL EXTENDED FAMILY ACROSS THE COMMUNITY AND ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

AS YOU SAID, UNBEKNOWNST TO YOU, SHE TAUGHT YOU AND YOUR BROTHERS.

FOR ON THIS DAY.

ON OCTOBER 29TH, 2024.

WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH OF YOU GUYS.

YEAH. THANK YOU TO BOTH OF YOU.

YOU WANT HER TO SAY SOMETHING? YEAH.

I JUST WANT TO SAY HOW APPRECIATIVE I AM FOR THIS HONOR.

WHEN I FIRST STARTED OUT IN EDUCATION, I THOUGHT I WANTED TO BE A SOCIAL WORKER.

I STARTED TEACHING AT A LITTLE SCHOOL IN EAST BERNARD, TEXAS.

TWO TEACHERS AND I TAUGHT.

I HAVE DEALT WITH CHILDREN FROM ZERO TO EIGHTH GRADE.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH TEACHING AND AS BORIS SAID, MY HOME WAS ALWAYS OPEN TO THE YOUTH OF THE COMMUNITY. WHEN I LEFT H.I.S.D.

I WENT TO MY CHURCH, AND I SPENT TEN YEARS THERE WITH THE LAWSONS, AND IT'S JUST BEEN A PLEASURE BEING PART OF EDUCATION.

THANK YOU. GOD BLESS YOU.

CHURCH. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW WE HAVE A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS AND I WANT TO GET TO THEM QUICKLY.

[00:45:03]

YOU HAD TO SPAT A ROD ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

BUT I'M GLAD YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO SPAT A ROD ON SENATOR MILES.

AND BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T, I THINK HE TURNED OUT VERY WELL.

WONDERFUL PARENTS.

YEAH, I TAUGHT HIS COUSINS, TOO.

GOOD DEAL. CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU AGAIN. THANK YOU.

I KNOW WE HAVE OTHER SPEAKERS HERE TO HONOR MISS THOMAS.

OH, YES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

MRS. THOMAS, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTLESS LIVES YOU HAVE TOUCHED.

AND THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE FOR OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE AND HAPPY JOINT BIRTHDAY.

SENATOR MILES, MRS. THOMAS, SO GOD BLESS YOU.

GOD BLESS YOU. THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. YEAH. NOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS.

I SEE SOME FAMILY MEMBERS HERE AND EVEN THE PASTOR.

THE FLOOR IS TO ANYONE WHO WANTS TO SHARE A WORD.

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE ALL THE WAY.

OKAY. THIS COULD BE A ROAST OR A TOAST.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU GUYS FOR HAVING FOR HONORING MISS THOMAS.

I AM ALSO ONE OF THOSE THAT SHE HAS GIVEN SO MUCH TO.

BUT TODAY I, HER BIGGEST FAN, WAS NOT ABLE TO BE HERE TODAY, BUT HE SENT A SPEECH AND HE IS AT A TENNIS CONFERENCE, AND HE IS ALSO PASSING ON A LOT OF KNOWLEDGE. SO I'LL START IT OFF AND I'LL BE REAL QUICK.

MY GRANDMOTHER, CLEO THOMAS, IS ONE AMAZING WOMAN.

SHE IS A GREAT MOTHER, A GREAT GRANDMOTHER.

SHE IS ACTIVE IN HER COMMUNITY.

SHE WORKS IN HER CHURCH.

SHE TRIES TO BE HELPFUL TO EVERYONE SHE MEETS.

SHE LEARNS.

IN SHORT, SHE'S AN EDUCATOR.

FOR MANY, BEING A TEACHER IS SOMETHING THAT'S A JOB.

IT'S A BUTTON THAT TURNS OFF ONCE YOU LEAVE.

THE ONCE YOU LEAVE THE CLASSROOM SOMETHING THAT IS A JOB TO BE DONE.

BUT NOT FOR MY GRANDMOTHER.

FOR HER, IT IS WHO SHE IS, WHO SHE IS, HAS BEEN, AND WHO SHE ALWAYS WILL BE.

AS YOUTH WHO WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT I KNEW IT ALL CAN CONTINUE, THAT I KNEW IT ALL.

I DIDN'T POSSESS THE EXPERIENCES TO UNDERSTAND HOW BIG IT WAS TO DEAL WITH, TO ALWAYS HAVE AN ANGEL ON HER SHOULDER SHOWING YOU THE WAY.

NOT FOR ANY PERSONAL GAIN OR ACKNOWLEDGMENT OR ANY OTHER, ANY OTHER HOPE OF REPERCUSSION.

SHE EDUCATES BECAUSE SHE WANTS BETTER FOR EVERYONE SHE COMES ACROSS.

AND AS WE HONOR HER TODAY, LET'S MAKE A POINT IN OUR LIVES TO HONOR HER EVERY DAY.

WITH A TIRELESS WORK ETHIC AND THE NOBLE SELFISHNESS PURSUIT OF EDUCATION FOR EVERYONE.

GRANNY, I LOVE YOU.

I WILL NEVER HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR WITHOUT PUSHING ME AND DIGGING DEEPER, DEEPER IN MY THOUGHTS AND MAINTAINING A THIRST FOR KNOWLEDGE.

I'M EAGERLY, EAGERLY, ENDLESSLY PROUD OF YOU.

YOU HONOR AND WELL, AND NO ONE DESERVES IT MORE.

CONGRATULATIONS. AND THIS IS IN CAPS.

GREAT JOB, ADDISON H.

THANK YOU. SO JUST JUST IN CASE SOMEBODY DIDN'T RECOGNIZE HER NOT BEING IN HER TENNIS ATTIRE, I HAVEN'T DIDN'T KNOW WHO YOU ARE.

JUST SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

I'M ZINA GARRISON, FORMER TENNIS PLAYER.

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, HERE TODAY FOR MISS THOMAS HAS INSTILLED IN ME TO GIVE BACK TO THE YOUTH.

AND SHE WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS ALWAYS AROUND IN THE COMMUNITY FOR ANYTHING THAT ANYBODY WAS DOING.

AND SHE LITERALLY BROUGHT ME UP.

SO I HAD SOME GREAT DINNERS WITH HER.

BUT MORE THAN ANYTHING, I HAD SOME GREAT LESSONS ALSO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MISS GARY, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

REVEREND DOCTOR MARCUS COSBY.

JUST SAY YOUR NAME, ROXANNE, WHEN YOU COME UP.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS ROXANNE LAWSON.

IT IS MY ABSOLUTE HONOR TO SPEAK TO YOU ON BEHALF OF THE LIFE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF MISS CLEO THOMAS BECAUSE SHE IS SO DESERVING.

I WAS NEVER A STUDENT OF MISS THOMAS'S 55 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM OR THE EDUCATION SYSTEM, BUT I HAVE BEEN A STUDENT OF HERS FOR 50 OR 55 YEARS IN THE CLASSROOM OF LIFE.

SHE WAS EMPLOYED AT WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

SHE WAS A VOLUNTEER AND SHE WAS A HANGER ON.

THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A TIME WHEN SHE WAS NOT PART OF THE FABRIC OF THE LIFE OF WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

SHE HAS SCHOOLED ME IN THE LESSONS OF BEING A YOUNG GIRL, AND HAS WATCHED ME GRADUATE TO THE LEVELS OF YOUNG LADY, WIFE, MOTHER, AND

[00:50:10]

MISS THOMAS HAS HELPED GUIDE ME TO BEING A KIND AND CONSIDERATE PERSON, BEING HELPFUL WHEN I CAN AND BEING THOUGHTFUL OF OTHERS.

I LEARNED THESE QUALITIES BY WATCHING HER EXHIBIT THEM.

SORRY. SHE WATCHED ME RAISE MY DAUGHTERS AS A SINGLE MOTHER, THEN SAW ME BECOME THE PRIMARY CAREGIVER TO MY MOTHER AND FATHER.

AND ONCE MY PARENTS AND SHE STOPPED DRIVING, MISS THOMAS BECAME A PASSENGER IN THE CAR WITH US EVERY SUNDAY, WHEN WE WOULD PICK HER UP ON OUR WAY TO CHURCH, THEN GO TO BRUNCH AFTERWARDS AT THE EGG AND I HOTEL ZAZA, THE BREAKFAST CLUB, OR ANYWHERE ELSE WHERE GOOD FOOD WAS BEING SERVED.

THERE WERE MANY CUMULATIVE HOURS OF FUN STORIES, LAUGHTER AT THOSE RESTAURANTS AND IN THOSE CAR RIDES, BUT IT WAS NEVER ABOUT THE FOOD. IT WAS ALWAYS ABOUT THE LOVE AND THE FELLOWSHIP.

AND A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.

EVEN THOUGH SHE COULD THROW SOME SOME HEAVY SHADE ABOUT PEOPLE, MOST OF IT PROBABLY TRUE.

I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER HEARD ANYONE SAY A HARSH WORD ABOUT MISS THOMAS, AND THAT SPEAKS VOLUMES.

HOW MANY OF US CAN SAY THAT ABOUT OURSELVES? RIGHT? CONGRATULATIONS.

AND HAPPY 94TH BIRTHDAY, MISS THOMAS.

SORRY. 92. I WAS GIVEN A TWO MORE.

THE ENTIRE LAWSON FAMILY AND ALL ITS VARIOUS AND SUNDRY OFFSHOOTS.

LOVE YOU DEARLY AND WE CELEBRATE YOU TODAY.

THANK YOU. AMEN. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MISS CLEO THOMAS.

IT IS WITH JOY THAT I STAND TO CELEBRATE HER TODAY.

ROXANNE, OF COURSE, HAS SPOKEN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE LAWSON FAMILY AND WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH.

LET ME ADD MY 42ND SENTIMENT TO THAT AS WELL AS WE THANK GOD FOR THE LIFE OF CLEO THOMAS.

IT WAS ON JANUARY 1ST, 1964, THAT SHE BECAME A PART OF THE WHEELER AVENUE BAPTIST CHURCH FAMILY.

FOR 60 YEARS SHE HAS HELPED OUR CHURCH TO BE WHAT SHE IS TODAY.

AND I'M GRATEFUL TO YOU, MA'AM, FOR ALL OF YOUR SELFLESS SERVICE AND WE AS A CONGREGATION, AS A COMMUNITY, CELEBRATE YOU THIS DAY.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! YOU ARE WELL DESERVING OF ALL OF THESE ACCOLADES AS YOUR LIFELONG PROFESSORIAL WORK CONTINUES TO GO FORWARD.

SHE'S SUCH A TEACHER THAT BECAUSE I WAS TWO MINUTES LATE THIS MORNING, SHE CALLED ME TO MAKE SURE I WOULD MAKE MY WAY INTO THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HONOR THIS BEAUTIFUL WOMAN.

I JUST WANT TO NOTE AGAIN, PASTOR COSBY, YOU HAD SUCH A WONDERFUL 20TH ANNIVERSARY SERVICE ON SUNDAY.

IT WAS JUST A DELIGHT TO BE THERE.

AND IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU AND THE DETAIL, THE CARE YOU PUT INTO YOUR MEMBERS THAT YOU WOULD BE HERE TODAY.

AND I THINK IT SAYS A LOT ABOUT MISS THOMAS.

JUST SO MANY PEOPLE.

THESE THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO ALL HAVE BUSY LIVES AND REPRESENT AND LEAD A LOT OF PEOPLE.

SO, MISS THOMAS, NOW, I WISH I'D BEEN YOUR STUDENT.

WHO KNOWS WHERE I'D BE TODAY? GO AHEAD. WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS MELANIE MILES BASIL.

AND IT IS SUCH AN HONOR TO BE HERE THIS MORNING CELEBRATING THE WOMAN THAT WE HAVE ALL GATHERED HERE TO CELEBRATE MISS CLEO THOMAS.

THAT MYSELF AND MANY OTHERS AFFECTIONATELY CALL MISS T.

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I FIRST HAD THE HONOR OF MEETING MISS T BACK IN 1996, AND FROM THAT DAY FORWARD SHE HAS BEEN A STEADFAST ROLE MODEL, A FRIEND AND A MOTHER.

MISS T, AS YOU ALL HAVE ALREADY SAID BEFORE, HAS DEDICATED HER LIFE TO EDUCATING MINDS WITH THAT SAME WARMTH AND DEDICATION.

BUT SHE.

THE THING THAT WE HAVEN'T MENTIONED THUS FAR IS THAT SHE HAS A FIERCE LOVE FOR HER COMMUNITY AND AN UNWAVERING BELIEF IN THE POWER OF POSITIVE CHANGE.

SHE HAS TAUGHT ME, AND SO MANY OTHERS, THE IMPORTANCE OF POLITICAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISM.

[00:55:02]

I'LL NEVER FORGET WHEN SHE DECIDED THAT THE DEED RESTRICTIONS IN HER OAK MANOR CIVIC CLUB NEEDED TO BE CHANGED, SOMETHING THAT MANY OTHERS FELT WAS TOO MUCH TROUBLE. BUT SHE DIDN'T FLINCH.

SHE QUICKLY SAID, WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS DONE, MELANIE.

AND WE DID.

QUICKLY AND ORDERLY AND TRUE KHLEO THOMAS STYLE.

HER LEGACY OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND ABILITY TO INSPIRE ACTION ONE BLOCK, ONE CHILD, ONE COMMUNITY AT A TIME HAS LEFT AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON US ALL.

MISS T, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LIFETIME OF SERVICE.

YOUR KINDNESS, YOUR EXAMPLE, AND MAY YOUR LEGACY CONTINUE TO INSPIRE ALL OF US.

AND WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH.

ALL RIGHT. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? WITH ALL THAT, LET ME JUST SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO BOTH OF YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU.

THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE.

MISTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GOD BLESS YOU. MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE THAT NOVEMBER IS DIABETES AWARENESS MONTH, A TIME TO HIGHLIGHT THE IMPACT OF DIABETES ON OUR COMMUNITIES AND REINFORCE OUR COMMITMENT TO PREVENTION, EDUCATION, AND SUPPORT.

DIABETES AFFECTS SO MANY OF US.

1 IN 10 AMERICANS LIVE WITH IT.

1 IN 3 ADULTS ARE AT RISK FOR TYPE TWO DIABETES, OFTEN WITHOUT REALIZING I'M A DOCTOR, OFTEN WITHOUT REALIZING IT.

THE HEALTH IMPACTS ARE SERIOUS.

DIABETES CAN LEAD TO HEART DISEASE, KIDNEY PROBLEMS, NERVE DAMAGE, AND VISION LOSS.

EARLY DETECTION IS CRUCIAL.

THE COST IS ALSO ENORMOUS.

DIABETES COST THE UNITED STATES $327 BILLION ANNUALLY, COVERING MEDICAL EXPENSES AND LOST PRODUCTIVITY.

PREVENTING IT PROTECTS OUR HEALTH AND FINANCIAL FUTURE.

SOME GROUPS ARE HIT HARDER THAN OTHERS, THOUGH.

IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AFRICAN AMERICANS, HISPANICS, NATIVE AMERICANS AND LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES FACE GREATER RISK KNOWING THE SYMPTOMS LIKE CONSTANT THIRST, FATIGUE, FREQUENT URINATION HELPS WITH EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT.

WE ALSO NEED TO DISPEL MYTHS.

MANY BELIEVE DIABETES ONLY AFFECTS OVERWEIGHT PEOPLE OR THAT SUGAR DIRECTLY DIRECTLY CAUSES IT.

THE TRUTH IS MORE COMPLEX AND EDUCATION CAN HELP REDUCE RISK.

SOME STEPS CAN MAKE A BIG DIFFERENCE.

A DAILY 30 MINUTE WALK OR CUTTING BACK ON SUGARY DRINKS CAN IMPROVE HEALTH OVER TIME.

HARRIS COUNTY'S DIABETES PREVENTION PROGRAM OFFERS SUPPORT, EDUCATION AND TRAINED COACHES TO HELP INDIVIDUALS MAKE MEANINGFUL CHANGES.

THIS PROGRAM IS A PATH TO A HEALTHIER FUTURE.

THROUGH YOUR PARTICIPATION.

BY WORKING TOGETHER AND STAYING INFORMED, WE CAN MAKE A REAL IMPACT TO FIGHT DIABETES, TO FIGHT AGAINST DIABETES.

SO DOCTOR BROWN WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO.

AND THE FLOOR IS YOURS.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

MY NAME IS DOCTOR ERICA BROWN.

I AM THE LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

FIRST I MUST SAY, YOU YOU PUT ME BEHIND SOME PHENOMENAL LEADERS AND JUST WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU'VE DONE IN THE COMMUNITY.

SECOND, YOU PUT ME ON THE WEEK OF HALLOWEEN TO TALK ABOUT DIABETES AROUND THE CANDY.

RIGHT. BUT I'M GOING TO PUSH THROUGH.

AND SO EVERYTHING IN MODERATION.

SO AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, DIABETES UNFORTUNATELY, IS STILL A SIGNIFICANT HEALTH CONCERN IN THE UNITED STATES.

AND NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH, WHERE WE REALLY WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPACTS OF DIABETES AND HOPEFULLY CARRY THEM THROUGH THE ENTIRE YEAR.

THE CDC SAYS THAT DIABETES IS UNFORTUNATELY THE EIGHTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THIS COUNTRY.

IN HARRIS COUNTY IN THE 2024 HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CHRONIC DISEASE REPORT.

AS YOU'VE STATED THE HISPANIC RESIDENTS REPRESENT THE HIGHEST SELF-REPORTED INCIDENCE OF DIABETES.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, THE BLACK COMMUNITY HAS THE HIGHEST MORTALITY RATE FROM DIABETES.

ACCESS TO PROPER HEALTH CARE BUILT ENVIRONMENTS THAT PROVIDE ACCESS TO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND HEALTHY NUTRITION CHOICES CAN HELP INDIVIDUALS PREVENT OR MANAGE DIABETES, LEADING TO BETTER OUTCOMES AND REDUCE HEALTH CARE COSTS.

[01:00:03]

ACCESS INFORMATION IS ON OUR WEBSITE, OR YOU CAN CALL (713) 274-7167.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, DOCTOR BROWN.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

AND DIDN'T OCCUR TO ME THAT HALLOWEEN IS THIS WEEK, BUT REESE'S PEANUT BUTTER CUPS ARE NOT BECAUSE IT HAS PEANUT BUTTER.

IT'S HEALTHY RIGHT? MY TIME IS UP, RIGHT? YEAH. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR BROWN.

LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S ASKING FOR A FRIEND.

RESOLUTIONS? YEAH.

I NEED TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THESE REESE'S PIECES.

VISION ZERO IS AN INITIATIVE ADOPT STATEWIDE, AND IT'S REALLY A NATIONAL INITIATIVE TO REDUCE DEATHS ON OUR HIGHWAYS.

AND THIS RESOLUTION IS MEANT TO PROVIDE A CALL TO ACTION.

AND WE CAN HAVE A NICE RESOLUTION ABOUT NOT HAVING DEATHS ON THE HIGHWAY.

OR WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

SO THIS RESOLUTION IS WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS A DUTY AND AN ABILITY TO POSITIVELY CHANGE THE STATISTICS AND DANGEROUS ROADWAY CONDITIONS. AND WHEREAS IN 2023, HARRIS COUNTY SAW 548 DEATHS DUE TO MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES.

THAT'S JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEREAS SOME OF THE MAIN FACTORS THAT INCREASE THE LIKELIHOOD OF DEATHS IN A MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES INCLUDE SPEEDING, INTOXICATION, DISTRACTED DRIVING, AND LACK OF SEAT BELTS.

WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, SPEEDING IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF ROADWAY DEATHS IN THE UNITED STATES AND WAS THE CAUSE OF 39% OF THE AUTOMOBILE DEATHS IN 2023.

AND WHEREAS THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN MOTOR VEHICLES WAS IMPAIRED, DRIVING.

DRIVING WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL WAS THE CAUSE OF 31% OF THESE DEATHS IN 2023.

WHEREAS, ALTHOUGH NOT A CAUSE OF MOTOR VEHICLE CRASHES, NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS INCREASES THE LIKELIHOOD OF DEATHS IN MOTOR VEHICLES BY 45%.

IF YOU HAVE CHILDREN TEENAGERS DRIVING, WOULD YOU PLEASE TELL THEM TODAY? BUCKLE UP.

I KNOW SOME THAT DIDN'T AND UNFORTUNATELY THEY'RE NOT HERE.

WHEREAS ACCORDING TO THE US DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, PROPER ROADWAY SIGNAGE AND STRIPING CAN DRASTICALLY REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF ROAD DEATHS A STATISTIC.

A COMMENTARY ON THIS IS THE THE STUDY IN TEXAS ON ROAD SIGNAGE SAID IF YOU WOULD JUST PUT A SIGN UP ALERTING THE DRIVER THAT THEY'RE ABOUT TO ENTER A CURVE, YOU REDUCE THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS BY 45%. HOW HARD IS IT TO PUT SIGNS UP ON OUR ROADWAYS? SO A LOT OF THESE ARE PRETTY PRAGMATIC.

DETAILS. SO WHEREAS THIS LOW COST YET HIGH IMPACT MEASURE COULD EASILY BE IMPLEMENTED COUNTY WIDE AND SERVES AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW COUNTY DEPARTMENTS CAN ACHIEVE SAFER ROADS AND OTHER EXAMPLES, INCLUDES EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS, CONSISTENT MAINTENANCE OF INFRASTRUCTURE, HOUSING, HIRING EXPERIENCED HIRING EXPERIENCED PROFESSIONALS TO DESIGN ROADS.

IT'S INTERESTING. I GOT A CALL FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ONE ONE DAY, AND I THANK MR. MANN IF HE WOULD MIND ME TELLING THE STORY.

HE CALLED ME AND HE SAID, WELL, THERE'S JUST BEEN A WRECK ON ONE OF OUR COUNTY ROADS.

AND I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT MAINTENANCE OF THE ROADS IS IMPORTANT TO PREVENTING WRECKS.

I SAID, WELL, THAT'S GREAT.

LET'S COME TO COURT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON MAINTAINING OUR ROADS.

SO THESE ARE PRETTY PRAGMATIC THINGS.

I THINK IT'S SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF 548 DEATHS MANY OF WHICH COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, I THINK, WITH ADEQUATE ENFORCEMENT OF TRAFFIC LAWS. SO TODAY, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED A CALL TO ACTION BY THIS COURT TO ENFORCE SPEED LIMITS, WHICH I THINK EVERYBODY IN THIS ROOM CAN AGREE THAT AT SOME POINT TODAY SOMEBODY IS GOING TO PASS YOU GOING WAY TOO FAST.

[01:05:02]

WELL WE NEED TO HAVE SOMEBODY THERE AND PULL THEM OVER OR I THINK THESE DEATHS WOULD CONTINUE.

PUNISH IMPAIRED DRIVERS AND MAKE OUR ROADS SAFER IS MY CALL TO ACTION.

AND I'LL BE SENDING THIS RESOLUTION TO THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE.

THAT COULD BE MOTHERS AGAINST DRUNK DRIVERS.

IT COULD BE A LOT OF THE DESIGN PEOPLE.

IT COULD BE THE CITY OF HOUSTON, IT COULD BE OTHERS.

BUT WE NEED TO DO MORE THAN JUST TALK ABOUT TRYING TO REDUCE THE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS, BECAUSE AT THIS POINT, THOSE THOSE DEATHS CONTINUE TO BE WAY TOO HIGH.

THEY'RE NOT GOING DOWN.

THEY'RE GOING UP. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU.

SO BOTH OF MY RESOLUTIONS TODAY, THE THEME IS ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE.

SO ITEM SEVEN RECOGNIZES OCTOBER AS WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH, AND I INVITE THE SPEAKERS AS WELL AS THE GUESTS TO PLEASE JOIN ME, A BIT OF HISTORY AND THEN KIND OF WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY.

SO IN 1988 THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP ACT WAS PASSED.

AND WHAT THIS ACT DID IS IT PROHIBITED LENDERS FROM IMPOSING GENDER BASED REQUIREMENTS AND ALLOWED WOMEN TO TAKE OUT BUSINESS LOANS IN THEIR OWN NAMES.

THIS WAS 36 YEARS AGO, AND THIS HELPED DRIVE PROGRESS.

FOR EXAMPLE, TODAY IN THE UNITED STATES, WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES ACCOUNT FOR NEARLY 40% OF ALL BUSINESSES, AND TEXAS IS ONE OF THE TOP STATES IN THE COUNTRY FOR FEMALE ENTREPRENEURS, AND WE HAVE OVER 1 MILLION WOMEN OWNED SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THAT BEING SAID, THERE ARE STILL INEQUITIES THAT PERSIST, AND HARRIS COUNTY IS LASER FOCUSED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE.

HERE ARE A FEW EXAMPLES ONE WE HAVE SEEN PROGRESS THROUGH AFTER THE DISPARITY STUDY.

AND I THINK THE LEADERSHIP OF MY COLLEAGUES, AND WE HAVE SEEN THAT BETWEEN 2020 TO NOW, IN 2020, 9% OF COUNTY CONTRACTS WERE GOING TO MWBES. THIS HAS IMPROVED TO OVER 29% IN 2024.

IN FOUR SHORT YEARS, THE COUNTY'S OPPORTUNITY FUND OFFERS FLEXIBLE LOANS RANGING FROM 5000 TO 250,000 FOR ELIGIBLE SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH AN EQUITABLE UNDERWRITING PROCESS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR MWBES.

WE ALSO HAVE AND I THANK THE LEADERSHIP, ESTELLA GONZALEZ AND ALL OF THE D.E.O.

THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

THEIR WORK HAS REALLY DRIVEN THIS.

THE PATHWAYS TO PRIME PROGRAM IS ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT GIVES GRANTS TO NONPROFITS THAT THEN HOST WORKSHOPS FOR MWBE SUBCONTRACTORS TO HELP THEM BECOME FROM SUB TO PRIME.

SO PATHWAYS TO PRIME.

AND A FOURTH QUICK EXAMPLE I WANT TO THANK OUR PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, BAKER, RIPLEY AND OTHER PARTNERS FOR HELPING PRECINCT FOUR AND OTHERS HOPE HOST WORKSHOPS AROUND THE PRECINCT AND THE COUNTY.

HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

HOW TO BECOME A VENDOR.

WORKSHOPS SO THAT WE CAN CREATE THE ACCESS MORE EASILY AND GET THE INFORMATION OUT INTO OUR COMMUNITY.

WE KNOW THAT UNFORTUNATELY, 36 YEARS LATER, AFTER THE WOMEN'S BUSINESS OWNER ACT WAS PASSED, WOMEN ARE STILL DENIED BUSINESS LOANS AT FAR GREATER RATES THAN MEN, SO THERE IS STILL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

BUT KNOW THAT YOU HAVE.

HARRIS COUNTY'S COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL KEEP DRIVING THE PROGRESS.

AND AS A SYMBOLIC GESTURE OF THAT, WE ARE PROUD TO RECOGNIZE OCTOBER AS WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE SOME VERY COURAGEOUS LEADERS, AND I JUST ADMIRE THE COURAGE OF ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO REALLY TAKE THAT RISK AND START YOUR OWN BUSINESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, I WISH YOU TREMENDOUS ONGOING SUCCESS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THERE'S TWO FOLKS WHO ARE REGISTERED TO SPEAK.

WE HAVE REMI ELLISON AND MARISSA WILSON.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS MARISSA WILSON, CHEF AND OWNER OF MR CATERING AND EVENTS.

IT IS WITH GRATITUDE THAT I ACCEPT THE WOMEN'S SMALL BUSINESS MONTH RESOLUTION FROM HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR UNDER COMMISSIONER LESLIE BRIONES.

HAVING HAD THE PLEASURE OF PROVIDING MEALS FOR COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND HER TEAM FOR OVER A YEAR NOW.

I'M THANKFUL FOR THIS RECOGNITION.

BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AS A BLACK WOMAN IN BUSINESS FILLS ME WITH HONOR.

AS I EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION, I MUST CREDIT MY GRANDMOTHER, WHOSE LOVING SERVICE TO OUR FAMILY SPARKED MY LOVE FOR FOOD.

[01:10:02]

THIS RECOGNITION HUMBLES ME AND I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR ACKNOWLEDGMENT.

MY GRANDMOTHER'S TEACHING CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME, AND I'M GRATEFUL FOR THIS MOMENT TO HONOR HER MEMORY.

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING AND RECOGNIZING VALUES INSTILLED TO ME BY MY GRANDMOTHER, MILDRED WATSON.

THANK YOU, MISS WATSON, AND THANK YOU TO YOUR GRANDMOTHER.

AND IN HEAVEN.

I KNOW SHE'S SMILING DOWN.

MISS ELLISON. YEAH.

GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE MY STORIES, AND FOR RECOGNIZING AND CONTRIBUTING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES IN OUR COMMUNITY.

MY NAME IS REMI ELLINGSON, THE OWNER OF WILD AFRICAN HAIR BRAIDING SALON ON BISSONNET AND THE OTHER ONE AT WESTHEIMER.

BUT THE BUSINESS IS NOT AS EASY AS JUST LIKE THE REGULAR WORK.

YEAH, WE LIVE WITH UNCERTAINTY.

EITHER TOMORROW YOU MIGHT BE WORRIED.

NEXT DAY YOU HAVE HOPE.

YES. STARTING WITH JUST ONE PAIR OF ME.

JUST ME WITH ONE PAIR OF HANDS BRAIDING CUSTOMERS.

THEY'RE WRITING THE RECEIPTS, THE BOOKINGS AND OTHER THINGS, AND CLEANING THE SHELVES AT THE SAME TIME.

AND. BUT TODAY, WE KEEP ON JUST GOING.

AND TODAY IS A DIFFERENT STORY.

THEN TO YOUR TIME IS UP.

CONTINUE. OKAY. PLEASE FINISH.

SO EVERY WOMAN BUSINESS OWNERS OUT HERE, I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU.

DON'T GIVE UP.

YOU WILL BE CHALLENGED.

YOU WILL FACE CHALLENGES, BUT THOSE CHALLENGES WILL MAKE YOU STRONGER.

EVEN IN THE HARDEST TIME.

HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAM.

MY JOURNEY WAS NOT ALWAYS SMOOTH, BUT WITH FAITH, HARD WORK, DETERMINATION, LOVE AND PASSION FOR WHAT I KNOW HOW TO DO BEST.

I HAVE MADE IT THIS FAR.

AND IF I CAN DO IT, EVERY WOMAN CAN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING AND BELIEVING IN WOMEN.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, MISS ELLISON, FOR YOUR MOTIVATING WORDS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR MOTIVATING WORDS.

SO THE SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION, AND I WANT TO INVITE ALL OF THE REGISTERED SPEAKERS AS WELL AS THE ADDITIONAL GUESTS.

IF YOU CAN JOIN ME, WE HAVE LINDA MORALES.

BELINDA AGUILAR, JUDY MALONE, STEIN ISENBARGER, SONIA RICO, RUSSELL HARRISON, AND AMETHYST JAMES.

IF YOU COULD, PLEASE JOIN ME.

SO THIS SECOND RESOLUTION IS ALSO FOCUSED ON ADVANCING OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE, AND IT'S TO HONOR THE LASTING LEGACY OF A CHAMPION, LILLY LILLY LEDBETTER, WHO UNFORTUNATELY JUST PASSED AWAY OCTOBER 12TH, 2024 A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO.

I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME OF THIS HISTORY AND THEN WHERE WE ARE TODAY, AND THEN WHAT HARRIS COUNTY IS WORKING TO DO ABOUT IT.

SO. SO LILLY LEDBETTER, SHE WAS BORN IN APRIL 1938, IN ALABAMA.

FAST FORWARD IN 1979, SHE WAS HIRED BY GOODYEAR TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY.

SHE WORKED THERE AS A SUPERVISOR FOR 19 YEARS, AND AS SHE NEARED RETIREMENT, SHE RECEIVED AN ANONYMOUS LETTER INFORMING HER THAT SHE WAS BEING PAID NEARLY 2000 LESS PER MONTH THAN HER MALE COLLEAGUES IN THE SAME ROLE, WHICH WAS A PAY DISPARITY OF MORE THAN $200,000 OVER THE COURSE OF TWO DECADES.

THEN, IN 1999, LEDBETTER FILED SUIT IN THE FEDERAL DISTRICT COURT IN BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA, CLAIMING WAGE DISCRIMINATION UNDER TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, AND THE JURY AWARDED HER $3.8 MILLION IN BACK PAY AND DAMAGES.

YET THE JUDGE REDUCED THE AMOUNT TO 360,000.

GOODYEAR APPEALED THAT RULING, LEADING TO THE LEGAL BATTLE THAT LASTED UNTIL 2007, WHEN THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT RULED IN FAVOR OF GOODYEAR, NOT LILY LEDBETTER.

THE FIGHT FOR EQUAL PAY DID NOT END WITH THAT SUPREME COURT VERDICT.

AND AS WE KNOW, IN 2007, DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS OF CONGRESS INTRODUCED THE LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT AFTER.

MAY SHE REST IN PEACE AND POWER.

JUSTICE GINSBURG'S DISSENTING OPINION URGED CONGRESS TO AMEND THE LAW, AND THE LILLY LEDBETTER FAIR PAY ACT WAS THE FIRST BILL SIGNED BY FORMER PRESIDENT

[01:15:06]

THANKS TO LEDBETTER'S ACTIVISM.

THE LAW IS CHANGED, WHICH HAS HELPED MILLIONS OF AMERICANS.

THE FIGHT CONTINUES, HOWEVER.

THIS IS SUBSTANTIAL PROGRESS, BUT WE NEED TO HOLD UP THE MIRROR AND BE VERY TRANSPARENT WITH THE INEQUITIES THAT STILL PERSIST.

LET'S FOCUS JUST ON HARRIS COUNTY.

WHITE WOMEN IN OUR COUNTY EARN $0.75 FOR EVERY DOLLAR EARNED BY A WHITE MAN.

ASIAN WOMEN $0.71 TO EVERY DOLLAR.

BLACK WOMEN $0.55 TO EVERY DOLLAR.

AND HISPANIC WOMEN $0.41 TO EVERY DOLLAR.

IN MODERN DAY 2020 FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

SO CLEARLY THERE REMAINS TREMENDOUS WORK TO BE DONE AS WE CONTINUE TO ADVANCE EQUITY OF ALL KINDS.

AND HERE TODAY FOCUSING ON PAY EQUITY.

SO I'M VERY THANKFUL TO THE LEADERSHIP OF THE COURT, MY COLLEAGUES, DIANA RAMIREZ, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, BECAUSE WE HAVE KICKED OFF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY FOR OUR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THOSE RESULTS AND THAT DATA COMING BACK SO WE CAN MAKE THE NECESSARY ADJUSTMENTS.

AND THERE HAVE BEEN THE INVESTMENTS THAT I JUST TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS.

SMALL BUSINESS, MWBE BUSINESSES HELP SUBS BECOME PRIMES BECAUSE THERE'S SO MUCH PROGRESS THAT REMAINS NEEDED.

AND AS A MOM OF THREE LITTLE GIRLS, THE FACT THAT THESE PAY INEQUITIES STILL PERSIST AT SUCH PERVASIVE, BRAZEN LEVELS DEEPLY CONCERNS ME.

AND THIS MY CALL TO ACTION TO YOU, NOT ONLY THE FOLKS IN THE ROOM, BUT ANYONE WHO MAY OWN A BUSINESS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND, WE NEED TO BE LEADING IN TERMS OF THE EQUITY SO THAT ALL FAMILIES HAVE A FAIR SHOT AND THAT EVERYBODY HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE HERE.

AND WITH THAT, IT I'M HONORED BY THE LEADERS WHO HAVE SHOWN UP TODAY TO SHARE THEIR PERSPECTIVE AND THEIR JOURNEYS.

AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME AND MAY LILLY LEDBETTER REST IN PEACE AND POWER, AND MAY WE CONTINUE HER FIGHT.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THIS PROPOSAL.

AS WE KNOW, LILLY LEDBETTER FOUGHT TIRELESSLY FOR EQUAL PAY AFTER DISCOVERING SHE SHE WAS PAID LESS THAN HER MALE COUNTERPARTS AT GOODYEAR TIRES.

SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION IS VITAL FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

PAY EQUITY IS NOT JUST A WOMAN'S ISSUE.

IT BENEFITS FAMILY AND COMMUNITIES BY ENHANCING ECONOMIC STABILITY.

BY SUPPORTING THIS RESOLUTION.

WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR A FAIR WORK ENVIRONMENT WHERE EVERYBODY, REGARDLESS OF GENDER, IS COMPENSATED EQUALLY FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS.

IN CONCLUSION, SUPPORTING THE LILLY LEDBETTER RESOLUTION IS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS ACHIEVING TRUE WORKPLACE EQUALITY AND ENSURING THAT THE WORKERS RECEIVE THEIR FAIR PAY THEY DESERVE.

IT IS AN INVESTMENT IN MORE THAN JUST A EQUITABLE FUTURE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD? OH. I'M SORRY. BELINDA AGUILAR.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, MISS AGUILAR.

GOOD MORNING JUDGE.

GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

I AM JUDY MALONE STEIN.

I'M BUSINESS AGENT FOR IATSE LOCAL 896.

WE ARE THE THEATRICAL WARDROBE, WIG AND MAKEUP UNION.

OUR UNION IS COMPRISED MOSTLY OF WOMEN.

IT'S 60 YEARS OLD.

WE BEGAN AS THE WIVES, SISTERS AND DAUGHTERS OF STAGEHANDS WHEN COSTUMES NEEDED TO BE CONSTRUCTED OR ALTERED.

WHEN I STARTED MY JOB AS BUSINESS AGENT WITH THIS UNION TEN YEARS AGO, MY FIRST OBJECTIVE WAS PARITY FOR OUR WORKERS, PARITY WITH THE STAGEHANDS WHO WERE MOSTLY MALE.

LILLY LEDBETTER, SHE CUT A PATH AND GOT LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW.

BECAUSE WE ARE PART TIME SEASONAL WORKERS, WE STILL NEGOTIATE THESE WAGES AND BENEFITS.

WOMEN STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

[01:20:02]

AND WE SUPPORT YOUR RECOGNITION OF HER AND HER EFFORTS.

THANK YOU, MISS MILLSTEIN.

GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS ILAN BAHAR.

I AM THE DISTRICT REP FOR HOPE LOCAL.

123 THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, ALSO ON THE BOARD AND ALSO THE POLITICAL CO-CHAIR.

I HAVE WITH ME TODAY PRESIDENT OF HOPE LOCAL 123, SONIA RICO AND DISTRICT REP FOR SOLID WASTE RUSSELL HARRISON.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, FOR THE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING LILLY LEDBETTER.

THIS RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGES THE SYSTEMIC CHALLENGES WOMEN FACE IN IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING WAGE DISPARITIES.

LEDBETTER'S EXPERIENCE AS A DEDICATED EMPLOYEE WHO WAS UNFAIRLY COMPENSATED FOR HER WORK HIGHLIGHTS THE URGENT NEED FOR POLICIES THAT EMPOWER INDIVIDUALS TO SEEK JUSTICE AGAINST DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICES.

THIS RESOLUTION SENDS A MESSAGE TO CLOSE THE GENDER PAY GAP, BUT ALSO PROMOTES A CULTURE OF RESPECT AND EQUALITY.

YOUR TIME IS UP. ENCOURAGING A MORE DIVERSE AND INCLUSIVE WORKFORCE.

BY INTRODUCING THIS RESOLUTION, THE GOVERNMENT REAFFIRMS ITS ROLE AS A PROTECTOR OF WORKERS RIGHTS, ENSURING THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS THE OPPORTUNITY TO RECEIVE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR THEIR HARD WORK AND DEDICATION.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.

THAT'S REALLY, REALLY SPECIAL.

WONDERFUL. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER, FOR THE RECOGNITION AND CALLING ATTENTION TO THE TO THE PAY PARITY ISSUE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE.

AND I THINK THAT'S WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT, AT LEAST FOR US IN THE COUNTY, TO BE REALLY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE AWARD PAY INCREASES AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT NOBODY IS, IS SINGLED OUT.

AND WHY DREW SO MUCH ATTENTION TO THE 40% PAY INCREASE THAT THE TOLL ROAD DIRECTOR RECEIVED ALONE? SO I'LL ALWAYS STAND UP FOR THAT WHETHER IT'S POLITICALLY CONVENIENT OR NOT.

AND I APPRECIATE YOUR GUYS'S CONTINUED ADVOCACY AND AND HOLDING US ACCOUNTABLE FOR NOT SINGLING OUT SPECIFICALLY MEN FOR SURPRISE PAY INCREASES.

IS THAT ALL FOR RESOLUTIONS? OKAY, SO NOW WE WILL TAKE PICTURES.

[01:46:34]

[01:46:36]

[Appearances before court]

[01:46:42]

[01:46:45]

[01:47:05]

IT IS STILL MORNING. YES.

BARBARA JENSEN IF I UNDERSTAND THE NEW COURT PROCEDURES CORRECTLY, THEN A HYPOTHETICAL SCENARIO COULD UNFOLD.

LET'S JUST SAY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SPEAKS ON A TOPIC FOR FOUR MINUTES, AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR THREE, AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THREE.

AND LO AND BEHOLD, THE TEN MINUTES IS UP.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULDN'T GET TO TALK.

AND LET'S JUST ASSUME THE RIDICULOUS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MIGHT, ODDLY, HAVE A DIFFERENT POINT OF VIEW.

WHAT ARE THE CHANCES? BUT LET'S JUST SAY THAT HE DOES THEN UNDER THIS RULE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S VIEWPOINT WOULD NEVER BE HEARD.

I'M SURE NONE OF YOU WOULD EVER WANT TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

AND I DO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WANT TO MOVE ITEMS THROUGH QUICKLY.

HOWEVER, CONTENTIOUS ITEMS REQUIRE MORE DISCUSSION.

THANK YOU. MA'AM. YOUR TIME IS UP.

ARE YOU ALMOST DONE? SORRY.

I WAS JUST GOING TO SAY DISSENTING VOICES SHOULD NOT BE SILENCED.

AND THE RULES MATTER.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THANKS, BARBARA. AND YOU KNOW WHAT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS? THEY'VE BECOME SORT OF PERFUNCTORY BECAUSE WE JUST EXTEND THE TIME ALL THE TIME.

SO I, FOR ONE WOULD BE OKAY TO GOING BACK TO TO THE THE TEN, YOU KNOW, NOT HAVING THE TEN TEN MINUTE THING.

IT'S A LITTLE BIT OF A NUISANCE.

AND LIKE LIKE YOU SAID IT COULD IT COULD HAPPEN THAT IT SHUTS DOWN MEMBERS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

BUT BUT I NEVER LIKED THE IDEA IN THE FIRST PLACE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS WALTER PROTHERO AND MICHELLE BLACKWELL.

THANK YOU SIR. YES, SIR. YES, MY NAME IS WALTER PROTHERO.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE LINE OF THE ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH, AS OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES HAVE AVOIDED THEIR RESPONSIBILITY.

TO START WITH MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE AND WITH EVIDENCE, I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT PATIENTS HAVE BEEN TOP GENERAL HOSPITAL USING HARRIS HEALTH DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO PROFESSIONAL CARE, MUCH LESS SECURE IN THE KNOWLEDGE THAT CORRECT PROCEDURES IS DONE WITHOUT ANY DECEPTION.

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS IS, OH, THANK YOU.

IS THE STATE OF TEXAS IMPLEMENTATION OF TORT REFORM, OR AS THE PUBLIC SHOULD BE CALLING IT, THE TEXAS FREE KILL LAW, AS THIS HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED FIRST IN OTHER STATES LIKE THE FLORIDA FREE KILL LAW.

TEXAS HAS DONE ONE BETTER BY RESTRICTING PATIENTS RIGHTS FOR ADEQUATE COMPENSATION OR BASIC CIVIL RIGHTS HAS LED TO, IN MY

[01:50:03]

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OKAY. HOW'S EVERYBODY DOING? MY NAME IS MISS BLACKWELL, AND I'M AN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBER ON THE ELK IN THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK AND I ALSO I LIVE IN PEACE.

I LIVE IN PRECINCT TWO.

WOO WOO. OKAY.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT. AND I'M A COMMUNITY AND SCHOOLS ADVOCATE, AND I ATTENDED MANY OF THE LKNOW, THE LEARNING THE LEARNING NETWORK ORGANIZATIONS, THEIR COMMUNITY MEETINGS, CONVERSATIONS, AND THIS IS WHAT THE COMMUNITY HAD ISSUES WITH AND CHALLENGES WITH DEALING WITH CHILD CARE FACILITIES.

NOT ENOUGH, NOT ENOUGH.

AVAILABLE. NEED EXTENDED HOURS.

NEED MORE WORKERS WITH THE CHILDREN.

DAYCARE IS TOO EXPENSIVE.

NEED MORE TRAINED STAFF IN THE AREA OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN.

THE PLAN THAT WE'RE WORKING ON IT WILL RESULT IN IMPROVEMENT OF QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR THE CHILDREN ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

I'M SORRY IT WAS SO RUSHED, BUT ONE MINUTE.

SO I WAS TRYING TO GET IT ALL IN, SO.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.

NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS BONNIE, ALBRECHT AND MIKE.

SEE WHEN YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

THANK YOU AND GOOD MORNING.

HELLO. COMMISSIONERS COURT.

MY NAME IS BONNIE ALBRECHT.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK PROGRAM.

I'M A CHILD. I'M THE CHILD AND YOUTH DIRECTOR AT WESLEY COMMUNITY CENTER IN PRECINCT TWO, A HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING EDUCATION PROVIDER AND CONCERNED ABOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF CARE FOR FAMILIES, ESPECIALLY CHILDREN 0 TO 3, AND HOW PROVIDERS CAN MAINTAIN QUALITY CARE AND QUALITY STAFF WITH LIMITED FINANCIAL MEANS AND HOW FAMILIES CAN AFFORD CARE. THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY MEETINGS I QUICKLY LEARNED THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A PROVIDER CONCERN, BUT ALSO A CONCERN FOR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.

THE WORK THE EARLY LEARNING QUALITY NETWORK IS DOING AND THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE IS DOING IS IMPORTANT TO HELP MAKE VOICES HEARD AND VALIDATE FAMILIES AND PROVIDER CONCERNS TO TO ME TO TAKE ACTION AND ADDRESS CONCERNS AND BUILD SUPPORT FOR NETWORKS OF FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY.

MY PARENTS AND STAFF THAT HAVE ATTENDED THE MEETINGS AND ACTIVITIES HOSTED BY THE EC E LXN HAVE NOTHING BUT GOOD THINGS TO SAY.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

NON-AGENDA. NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS ANNIE BOND AND JACOB CLEMENTS WHO EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

AND I DON'T NEED THAT MANY BECAUSE I'M GOING TO TAKE ALL THIS PHONY STUFF TO THE POLICE.

AND ANYBODY CAN.

DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MISS ANNE BENNETT? WELL, THIS IS PHONY, AND THIS IS WHAT SHE GAVE ME FOR THIS PROPERTY THAT YOU GAVE YOUR MOTHER.

TO KILL ALL OF YOU.

THANK YOU. WE'LL HAVE SOMEONE VISIT WITH YOU WHEN THEY DROP THEM BOMBS? THEY DIDN'T DROP THEM. TRICK OR TREAT.

TRICK OR TREAT.

I MEAN, HEY, IT'S HALLOWEEN TIME.

SO THIS IS MY HALLOWEEN COSTUME.

I GOT BATS, AND I GOT A TEXAS SHIRT, AND TEXAS IS EVERYTHING ON.

SO WHILE I OFFER COUNCIL MEMBER, LET'S BE HONEST, IN THIS TRADE FOR THE THE HOUSTON DYNAMO FOR HER HALLOWEEN COSTUME, BECAUSE SHE HAD THE THE GOOD NATURE TO PROVIDE ME WITH A CAN, A BOTTLE OPENER, AND THE FUNCTION OF BY THIS COUNCIL MEMBER AND HE'S AT DISCOVERY PARK THIS SATURDAY.

AND SO SHE GETS THIS KOOZIE FROM THE DYNAMO.

OH, AND I'M GOING TO GO SEE THE DYNAMO WIN THE CHAMPIONSHIP ON SUNDAY AND THE THIRD AND SO.

WELL IT IS.

BYE. THANK YOU.

THANKS, JACOB. OKAY.

THANK YOU. NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS.

ALEXA. SWIRSKY AND MORE.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

WE HAVE A PROBLEM THAT PRESIDENT GEORGE WASHINGTON CALLED ATTENTION TO.

HE SAID THE TUMULTUOUS POPULACE OF LARGE CITIES ARE EVER TO BE DREADED.

[01:55:01]

THE PROBLEM OF CRIME IN BIG CITIES ISN'T NEW.

THE MASSIVE INFLUX OF CRIMINALS FROM FARAWAY COUNTRIES IS WE NEED TO IMPRISON THEM WITH A LENGTHY SENTENCE BEFORE THERE ARE MORE MURDERED YOUNG GIRLS.

1 IN 10 HOUSTON INMATES HAS AN ICE DETAINER.

VIOLENT CRIME IN HARRIS COUNTY IS MORE THAN TWICE AS HIGH AS THE STATEWIDE AVERAGE FOR TEXAS.

PLEASE GIVE THE CONSTABLES THEIR REQUEST FOR DETECTIVES AND RAISES FOR THE DETECTIVES, AS WELL AS THE YES VOTE TO SIMILAR REQUEST TO BOLSTER THE FORCE.

THE GROUNDSWELL OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS IS A BIG FACTOR IN THE HIGH CRIME RATE, AND WE NEED TO DO ALL WE CAN TO FIGHT THIS CHALLENGE.

ASSAULT AND MURDER IS HORRIFIC PROOF OF THIS.

THE TWO VILE CREATURES WHO MURDERED HER HAD BEEN IN CUSTODY, BUT WERE RELEASED AND THEN WENT ON TO MURDER JOCELYN.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SYLVAN MORTON, THE ELECTED TRUSTEE FOR HISD REPRESENTING NORTHEAST HOUSTON.

THERE'S SOME PERSON THAT MADE A PUBLIC STATEMENT THAT WAS ADVOCATING FOR THE BOND.

PUBLICLY, I'M SAYING TO VOTE NO AGAINST THE BOND BECAUSE IF IT'S APPROVED, THEY WILL CLOSE SEVEN BLACK AND BROWN SCHOOLS.

MR. GARCIA, WHERE WERE THEY WHEN WE WERE STOPPING THE TRAINS FROM MAKING SURE THAT OUR KIDS CAN GET TO THE SCHOOL SAFELY? WHERE ARE ALL THESE PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR THE BOND? MR. ELLIS, WHEN WE'RE MENTORING THESE YOUNG MEN AT YOUR PARKS, I'M ASKING YOU DON'T ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING THAT WE'VE NEVER SEEN YOU.

EVERY DAY I TAKE CHILDREN TO SCHOOL BECAUSE HE REFUSES THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE BUS TRANSPORTATION FOR THE KIDS IN FIFTH WARD.

AND SO I'M TELLING YOU, VOTE NO FOR THIS BOND BECAUSE THERE'S LEGAL LANGUAGE THAT SAYS THAT HE CAN CHANGE THE BOND AFTER IT PASSES.

AND SO THE COMMUNITY WAS VERY UPSET WHEN YOU MADE THAT PUBLIC STATEMENT.

AND SO I JUST CAME ON THEIR BEHALF BECAUSE EVERYONE, YOU KNOW, THEY'RE WORKING RIGHT NOW, THEY CAN'T SHOW UP.

SO PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU.

THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

PEOPLE. PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU.

SO BE COGNIZANT OF THE.

NO, I TOLD HIM HE COULD CONTINUE.

IT'S FINE. YEAH.

PEOPLE LOOK UP TO YOU.

BE COGNIZANT OF WHAT YOU SAY.

I HAVEN'T MISSED A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING IN FOUR YEARS.

I'VE NEVER SEEN YOUR FACE AT A SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.

EVERY DAY I'M TAKING KIDS TO SCHOOL BECAUSE THEY WON'T PROVIDE BUS TRANSPORTATION.

I JUST HAD A SENIOR IN KELLY VILLAGE HAD TO DROP OUT.

I GOT HER DESIGNATED AS A HOMELESS STUDENT, AND THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION.

SHE WANTS TO BE A FORENSIC SCIENTIST.

WE HAD TO PUT HER IN AN ONLINE SCHOOL.

THERE'S SO MANY TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS THAT HAVE BEEN FIRED.

SOMETIMES WE FEEL LIKE LONE WOLVES BECAUSE FOR YEARS WE'VE BEEN TELLING WHAT'S HAPPENING TO US IN HISD AND NO ONE WAS LISTENING.

BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN, ONCE IT'S AN ELECTION PERIOD, PEOPLE WANT TO SPEAK.

BUT WHERE WERE YOU WHEN YOU'RE SAYING KIDS CAN'T WAIT? AND IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS, BUT WE NEVER SEE YOU IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I COMMEND COMMISSIONER ELLIS BECAUSE HE PUBLICLY SPOKE THAT HE'S NOT FOR THIS BOND.

THERE'S TWO THINGS THAT I DO.

I LISTEN TO MY ELDERS AND I LISTEN TO THE PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY, MY ELDERS.

HE SHOWN ME THE WAY.

AND SO NOW, AS A YOUNG PERSON, I GOT TO DO THE SAME THING.

SO I'M JUST ASKING YOU BE VERY CAREFUL WHEN YOU POST PUBLIC STATEMENTS BECAUSE YOU'RE HURTING PEOPLE THAT ARE SHOWING UP EVERY SINGLE DAY.

NOW I'M ABOUT TO GO BACK TO KNOCKING ON DOORS AND POLL GREETING BECAUSE WE GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WIN THIS ELECTION.

BUT I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.

THANK YOU. AND I CAN'T RESPOND BECAUSE IT'S NOT ON THE AGENDA.

BUT IF YOU WANT TO HANG AROUND TILL LUNCH, I'M HAPPY TO TALK TO YOU.

ALL RIGHT. I JUST JUST WANT TO SAY I'M NOT AS OLD AS THEY SAY I AM.

ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? NO, MA'AM. THAT'S ALL.

OKAY, FOLKS.

SO LET'S DISCUSS ANY CHANGES OR ERRORS, AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER THE CONSENT

[Departments (Part 2 of 5)]

THE COUNTY ENGINEER HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION.

ITEM 180 LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

NO ACTION IS REQUESTED.

ITEM 201 PUBLIC LIBRARY REQUEST.

NO ACTION ON A LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

I JUST WANT US TO ADD A STATE LILLY LEDBETTER LAW TO OUR AGENDA.

EXCUSE ME. DEPARTMENT, JUST MAKE NOTE OF IT.

SO LET'S ADD TO OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA FOR NEXT SESSION THAT WE SUPPORT A LILLY LEDBETTER LAW IN VOTER RESOLUTION.

I KNOW WE DON'T HAVE ONE ON THE STATE LEVEL.

IS THAT OKAY, JAY? CAN YOU GUYS RUN WITH THAT? YEAH, I THINK YOU WERE GOING TO BRING IT BACK THE NEXT.

OH, HE JUST WANTS TO STATE IT TO THE.

YEAH. THAT'S FINE.

OKAY. SO STILL NO ACTION.

201 RECIPROCAL LENDING ARRANGEMENT PROGRAM.

NO ACTION.

208. CONSTABLE.

[02:00:02]

NO ACTION TO 12.

CONSTABLE. PRECINCT THREE.

NO ACTION.

214. CONSTABLE.

PRECINCT FOUR. NO ACTION.

WHO PULLED THOSE? THOSE ARE PULLED.

COMMISSIONER. COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS REQUESTING NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. WE. THEY'RE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETECTIVE RANK WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THERE'S A LOT OF BACK AND FORTH ON THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WITH THE DEFINITIONS OF ROLES.

IN ADDITION, THERE ISN'T A FISCAL NOTE ATTACHED, AND THERE ARE SOME FISCAL IMPACTS OF THOSE BILLS.

SO WE'RE JUST REQUESTING NO ACTION TO BRING THEM BACK ONCE IT'S A LITTLE MORE IRONED OUT.

AND ONCE WE GET A FISCAL IMPACT.

JUDGE, I DON'T WANT TO I'M NOT GOING TO I'M NOT I MEAN, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE DOING, BUT THEY WERE PUT ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS, AND YOU'RE PULLING THAT FOR NO ACTION.

WE'RE REQUESTING THE COURT TAKE NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. SO, JUDGE, YOU'RE DIRECTING THE COURT TO TAKE THE ACTION? YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SO I'LL PULL IT IF NECESSARY.

BUT I THOUGHT UNDER OUR RULES, IF AN ITEM INVOLVES THE EXPENDITURE OF MONEY, IF IT HAS A FINANCIAL IMPACT, WE SUPPOSE TO KNOW THAT BEFORE IT GETS ON THE AGENDA AND WE DON'T KNOW IT. RIGHT? IT WAS NOT THE FINANCIAL REQUEST FORM WAS NOT FILED WITH THOSE WITH THOSE ITEMS. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS FOR MORE THAN A FEW MONTHS.

SO WE CAN HAVE A CONVERSATION WHEN WE GET TO THIS AGENDA ITEM, BUT WE NEED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION TODAY.

I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLISON.

AN OCA, PART OF THE MODERNIZATION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND PROFESSIONALIZATION OF IT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT DEPARTMENTS OR ANY OF US CAN'T JUST PUT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA WITHOUT REVIEWING THEM WITH BUDGET AND HAVING A PROPER FISCAL NOTE AND HELL, DOING IT THROUGH THE BUDGET SEASON.

SO I THINK THIS IS A BAD PRECEDENT AND THAT THEY'RE NOT SAYING THEY'RE GOING TO NOT BRINGING BACK.

THEY'RE JUST REQUESTING DUE DILIGENCE AND JUST TALKING ABOUT AN IDEA FOR MANY MONTHS DOES NOT EQUATE DUE DILIGENCE.

SO IS THAT OKAY, TOM? WHAT? TO HOLD IT SO WE KNOW WHAT THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS ARE.

I THINK I THINK IF IF WE WANT TO HAVE MORE CONVERSATION ON THE FISCAL SIDE, IF I THINK TODAY IS TO AGREE THAT THE CONSTABLES SHOULD BE PAID EQUAL TO WHAT THE SHERIFF INVESTIGATORS SHOULD BE PAID.

AND IF YOU WANT TO DELAY ACTION UNTIL YOU CAN FIGURE OUT THE NUMBERS, THAT'S FINE.

BUT AT LEAST WE CAN AGREE TODAY THAT IF YOU HAVE IF YOU HAVE INVESTIGATORS IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT MAKING ACTS BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE ABOUT EQUITY, I THOUGHT WE WERE ABOUT BEING SURE THAT PEOPLE GOT PAID THE SAME FOR DOING THE SAME JOB.

SO I THINK WE OUGHT TO AT LEAST HAVE A CONVERSATION TODAY.

IF YOU DON'T THINK THAT CONSTABLES SHOULD BE PAID INVESTIGATORS THE SAME AS THE SHERIFF THEN.

THEN WE OUGHT TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION TODAY BECAUSE SAVE Y'ALL A LOT OF TIME, RIGHT? SURE. I MEAN, COMMISSIONER, THE ONLY OTHER THING I THINK WE'D SAY IS THAT, AGAIN, WE'RE SEEING THE JOB DESCRIPTIONS MOVE AROUND AROUND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AS THEY REALLY DEFINE WHAT THAT DETECTIVE RANK MEANS IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

AND SO WE'RE ASKING THAT SO WE CAN GET CLARITY ON WHAT THE EQUIVALENT DUTIES ARE, SO THAT IF THOSE RANKS, YOU KNOW, WERE TO COME ABOUT THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, THAT IT WAS, WELL, IF I MIGHT, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YEAH. WAS IT ME OR COMMISSIONER? BROWNIES. BROWNIES.

OKAY. THANK YOU. JUDGE.

SO MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS HAS BEEN PUT ON PAUSE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WITH REGARD TO THE DETECTIVE CHANGE, BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS OF THE ROLE.

AND THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION IS WORKING OUT THE DETAILS AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH GRIEVANCES.

CORRECT? THAT'S CORRECT.

THERE'S I BELIEVE, BETWEEN 40 AND 50 STILL OPEN APPEALS AT CIVIL SERVICE.

THAT WILL BE HEARD SOMETIME IN NOVEMBER.

OKAY. SO MY ASK WOULD BE THAT THE SHERIFF AND HIS TEAM, AS WELL AS THE CONSTABLES AND THEIR TEAM, I KNOW THEY'VE STARTED PRELIMINARY CONVERSATIONS, BUT THAT THEY REALLY GO DEEP. AND I KNOW THE SHERIFF, WE HAD TO NOT WE THEY PUT IT ON PAUSE BECAUSE THERE WAS STILL WORKING OUT THE DETAILS.

I ASKED THAT THEY COLLABORATIVELY WORK TOGETHER SO THAT IF THERE'S PARITY, THERE'S TRUE PARITY IN REQUIREMENTS, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN TERMS OF WHAT THE JOB DUTIES ARE FOR WHICH CRIMES, LIKE A LOT OF DETAIL, NEEDS TO BE WORKED OUT.

PLUS, WE NEED TO HONOR THE FISCAL NOTE FOR ALL AGENCIES.

AND SO I AM OPEN TO REVISITING THIS WHEN IT'S READY TO COME BACK.

BUT GIVEN HOW THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HIT IT, PAUSE.

GIVEN THAT THEY NEED TO WORK OUT DETAILS, I THINK THEY ALL NEED TO GO BACK TOGETHER AND WORK OUT DETAILS IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY.

THAT'S VERY CLEAR.

THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. AND JUST TO EXPLAIN, NO ONE HAS BEEN PROMOTED YET AT THE SHERIFF'S, SO NO ONE'S FALLING BEHIND IN OTHER DEPARTMENTS AT THIS POINT.

[02:05:03]

THE SHERIFF STILL WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK TO RECLASSIFY THE POSITIONS, AND THEN THERE WOULD BE A PROMOTION.

SO THE COURT IS GOING TO GET MULTIPLE BITES AT THE APPLE AGAIN AFTER AFTER TODAY REGARDLESS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THE RULE, BECAUSE I THOUGHT WE WERE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM DEPARTMENTS OR ELECTED OFFICIALS JUST PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA, AND THEN WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAY FOR IT LATER.

NOW, AS SOMEONE WHO WAS WILLING TO TAKE THE HEAT AND SAY WE OUGHT TO MAKE THAT 8% PERMANENT, I WAS GOING TO PULL IT UNTIL YOU ALL DID.

BECAUSE IF THAT'S THE RULE, I JUST WANT TO KNOW, BECAUSE IF NOT, LET'S JUST OPEN THE FLOODGATES.

SINCE WE TALKED ABOUT EQUITY AND EVERYBODY ELSE, BECAUSE I'M ASSUMING THIS IS THE ONE THAT JUST KIND OF THAT HAPPENS.

IT JUST SLIPPED ON THE AGENDA.

BUT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THERE IF WE DIDN'T KNOW THE FISCAL IMPLICATIONS.

THAT'S CORRECT. AND THE ONUS IS ON THE DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT THE FISCAL REVIEW FORMS IN ADVANCE OF THE ITEM COMING TO COURT.

OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHAT ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN RELATIVE TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND INVESTIGATORS? THERE HAS BEEN COURT ACTION TAKEN ON THAT.

AND WAS THERE A FISCAL NOTE ASSOCIATED WITH THOSE INVESTIGATORS? THE DETECTIVE RANK WAS FUNDED AT THE SHERIFF'S DURING THE FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET.

AND SO THE ACTION TO THIS POINT WAS TO CREATE THE CREATE THE RANK.

AT THIS POINT, CIVIL SERVICE IS NOW REVIEWING ALL OF THE APPEALS.

THERE'S A HANDFUL OF OF FOLKS THAT ARE SAYING THAT THEY QUALIFY UNDER THE JOB, THE JOB DEFINITION.

THE SHERIFF DISAGREES, AND CIVIL SERVICE IS RULING ON THOSE.

BUT THE REASON THERE ISN'T A FISCAL NOTE WAS BECAUSE THE ITEM WAS WAS BUDGETED AS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 24 BUDGET.

WOULD IS THE INVESTIGATORS AND THE CATEGORY OF ADOPTED BUDGET OR THE OTHER CATEGORY IS ADOPTED.

IT WAS PART OF THE FISCAL YEAR 24.

ADOPTED AND WAS ROLLED INTO THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

NOT. NOT YET.

OTHER. THERE'S GOING TO BE NO NO SUPPLEMENTAL APPROPRIATION RELATED TO THE DETECTIVE RANK BECAUSE IT WAS BUDGETED IN THEIR BUDGET LAST YEAR.

SO AT THIS POINT, THE INVESTIGATORS AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAVE NOT BEEN THAT THAT THAT POSITION HAS NOT BEEN NECESSARILY OFFICIALLY CREATED.

THE CLASSIFICATION IS CREATED, BUT NO ONE IS IS SITTING IN A IN A POSITION WITH THAT CLASSIFICATION.

THE PAYMENTS NOT BEEN.

THAT'S CORRECT. NO ONE'S GETTING NO ONE'S GOTTEN THE RAISE YET.

SO ARE YOU GOING TO BRING THIS BACK TOGETHER? WE CAN WORK WITH THE CONSTABLE OFFICES TO BRING IT ALL AS A PACKAGE.

OKAY, SO AGAIN, IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO SOUND LIKE WE'RE HAVING THE CONVERSATION ON ALL THESE ITEMS, WHICH I GUESS THAT'S SUFFICIENT, BUT WHEN THERE WON'T BE ANY CHANGE, ANY INCREASE ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE UNTIL WE HAVE THE CONVERSATION ON THE CONSTABLE'S, IS THAT WHAT YOU'RE TELLING ME? I DON'T I DON'T SEE WHY THAT NEEDS TO BE THE CASE.

COULD THE CONSTABLE'S REQUEST HAVE COME TO THE BUDGET CYCLE? IT DID, BUT WE MADE A DECISION.

AND I MEAN, COMMISSIONER, I'M AFRAID, YOU KNOW, IN 2022, WE TRIED TO RAISE THE BUDGET FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SUBSTANTIALLY.

AND YOU WERE ONE OF THE TWO MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHO WANT TO GO DOWN MEMORY LANE HERE.

JUDGE, I'D LIKE TO FINISH.

I'D LIKE TO FINISH.

SO WE COULD HAVE PAID FOR THIS WITH THAT.

JUST A COUPLE MONTHS AGO, WE TRIED TO PRESENT TO THE VOTERS A TAX RATE THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO PAY FOR A WHOLE LOT MORE COMMUNITY NEEDS AND DID NOT RECEIVE THE VOTES TO EVEN PUT THAT ON THE BALLOT, TO ASK IF THE VOTERS WANTED TO DO IT.

SO I DON'T SEE WHY THE SHERIFF NEEDS TO THE SHERIFF'S ALLOCATIONS NEED TO BE RELITIGATED.

I'LL ALSO POINT OUT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS WRITINGS BY SERIOUS PUBLICATIONS ABOUT THE PROFOUND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE WORK THAT THE SHERIFF DOES AND THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE'S DO.

SO, I MEAN, I'M READY TO MOVE THESE AND VOTE NO ON THEM.

I JUST IT'S NOT IT'S NOT FAIR AND IT'S NOT I DON'T THINK IT IS RESPECTFUL OF THE COMMUNITY TO VOTE NO ON TAXES AND THEN MAKE A WHOLE PRESENTATION EVERY TIME ABOUT WHY WE CAN'T AFFORD THINGS THAT WERE NOT PRESENTED DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS.

IF THESE FOLKS CONSTABLES WOULD LIKE A SALARY INCREASE, I INVITE YOU.

AND I DID INVITE YOU.

I THINK THEY WERE HERE BEFORE THE BUDGET PROCESS.

I INVITED YOU GUYS TO COME AND SAY AND LOBBY FOR THE BALLOT ITEM THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO SET A TAX RATE IF THE VOTER SO WISHED.

I REMEMBER THEY WERE HERE AND I MENTIONED THAT TO THEM.

SO WE CAN'T, YOU KNOW, WE CAN'T SPEAK OUT OF BOTH SIDES OF OUR MOUTH.

SO I'D LIKE TO MOVE THESE ITEMS. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

[02:10:03]

YEAH. I'LL LISTEN.

THANK YOU. THE BUDGET DISCUSSION THAT YOU MISS SO MANY THINGS ON. AND I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO INTO WHAT YOU'VE MISSED ON THAT.

WHAT I'M SIMPLY SAYING IS, WHEN WE COME BACK WITH THE RECOMMENDATION ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT WILL INCLUDE THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES WAS ALLUDING TO.

I SUPPORT THAT, AND SO I'LL AGREE THAT THESE ITEMS WILL BE DELAYED.

KEY WORD THERE. DELAYED UNTIL WE GET THE REST OF THE STORY ON THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SO I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER BROWN'S DISCUSSION TO DELAY THIS, BUT THE.

OH, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. JUST TO CLARIFY, AND I DO NEED FROM MY VANTAGE POINT, BECAUSE I ALWAYS WANT TO BE FAIR AND HAVE ALL THE FACTS.

TO ME, THIS NEEDS TO BE DELAYED FOR TWO REASONS.

ONE, WE NEED THE FISCAL IMPACT, AS WE'VE DISCUSSED, BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT PART OF THE ADOPTED BUDGET.

AND TWO, IF WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT PARITY BETWEEN DEPARTMENTS, DIVISIONS, ROLES, WE NEED TO FLESH OUT WHAT EXACTLY THE POSITION IS, WHAT IT'S NOT YEARS OF EXPERIENCE TYPES OF CRIMES.

WE NEED THAT DETAIL.

SO I'M HITTING PAUSE BECAUSE WE NEED TO PUT THE REALLY SHARPEN THE PENCIL AND DO THE WORK.

I WAS NOT SAYING BECAUSE WE HAD ALREADY APPROVED IT AS PART OF THE BUDGET FOR THE SHERIFF.

SO I THINK THAT PART HAS ALREADY BEEN APPROVED.

WHAT I ASKED IS FOR THE SHERIFF AND HIS TEAM AND THE CONSTABLES AND THEIR TEAMS TO WORK TOGETHER WITH REGARD TO WHAT A DETECTIVE IS, FOR WHICH CRIMES, YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, QUALIFICATIONS.

SO THEY NEED TO WORK TOGETHER ON THAT.

BECAUSE IF THE GOAL IS TO HAVE PARITY AMONGST OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE SAME THING.

SO JUST TO CLARIFY, THAT WAS THE DISTINCTION I WAS MAKING AND WHAT I AM I HEARING YOU SAY, I THINK I'M HEARING YOU SAY, COMMISSIONER, WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY, WHICH IS SURE, WE CAN FLUSH THIS OUT AND DISCUSS IT.

HOWEVER, WE DON'T NEED TO STOP THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FROM IMPLEMENTING WHAT WE PASSED DURING THE BUDGET SEASON.

TO ME. SO THAT WAS PASSED PART OF THE BUDGET THAT'S DISTINCT FROM A FISCAL PERSPECTIVE.

BUT EVEN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS PAUSED ANY MOVEMENT BECAUSE THEY'RE STILL FLESHING OUT WHAT THAT DETECTIVE ROLE IS IS NOT WHICH IS FINE, WHICH IS FINE, BUT INDEPENDENT OF THIS REQUEST, BECAUSE THEY GOT THEIR BUDGET PASSED, THEY'RE NOT RELATED.

AND JUST JUST TO REITERATE WHAT THE PROCESS IS, IT'S WE CREATE A CLASSIFICATION WHICH IS APPROVED BY CIVIL SERVICE.

IT CAME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT AND IT WAS APPROVED.

FROM THERE, THEY'VE GONE.

THEY'RE GOING THROUGH THE APPEALS PROCESS RIGHT NOW.

THERE'S STILL A BALANCE OF SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 40 AND 50.

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER AT THAT POINT.

WE WILL KNOW HOW MANY FOLKS ARE SLATED TO BE PROMOTED.

THE SHERIFF WILL COME BACK WITH THE RECLASSIFICATION.

AND AT THAT POINT, THOSE FOLKS WOULD BE APPOINTED, WOULD BE PROMOTED.

IF COURT WERE TO APPROVE THE RECLASSIFICATION ON THE CONSTABLE SIDE, THE RANK NEEDS TO BE CREATED, AND THEN IT WOULD FOLLOW THE SAME STEPS OF GOING THROUGH THE RECLASSIFICATION PROCESS AND THEN A PROMOTION.

SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE'RE AT.

AND WE'RE ASKING TO PAUSE BECAUSE THE SHERIFF STILL HAS TO GO THROUGH THE APPEALS PROCESS.

SO THEREFORE THE DETECTIVE RANK HAS NOT BEEN SOLIDIFIED FOR ANYONE.

SO ONCE THAT COMES BACK, THEY IT WILL BE FAIR GAME FOR COURT TO TO DECIDE WHICH DEPARTMENTS GET THE DETECTIVE RANKS AND WHICH DO NOT FAIR GAME, BUT COUNTERED A PROCESS THAT WE'VE ALL AGREED TO CORRECT.

YEAH. JUDGE OUR RECOMMENDATIONS BASED ON BOTH THOSE THINGS THAT COMMISSIONER BROWN HAS TALKED ABOUT.

ONE IS THE FISCAL NOTE, AND THE SECOND IS THE FLUSHING OUT OF THE JOB DEFINITIONS.

SO WE REALLY KNOW WHAT THAT DETECTIVE RANK ENTAILS.

AND THERE CAN BE A QUALITY ACROSS.

YEAH. IN THIS COURT ON A REGULAR BASIS ADOPTS BUDGET AMENDMENTS.

SO WE SHOULD NOT PLAY LIKE WE'VE NEVER ADOPTED A BUDGET AMENDMENT BEFORE.

SO WE LOOK I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT DISCUSSION IN THE FUTURE.

YES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SO JUST BRIEFLY ON ON THE PROCESS ONLY ON THAT ISSUE, BECAUSE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EQUITY, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FAIR TO ALL OF THE OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL.

HERE'S WHAT WE ADOPTED.

ALL AGENDA ITEMS PRESENTED BY A COUNTY DEPARTMENT OR ELECTED OFFICIAL OTHER THAN A COUNTY COMMISSIONER OR THE COUNTY JUDGE, WILL BE REVIEWED BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ITEM HAS A FISCAL IMPACT.

ITEMS EXPECTED TO HAVE A FISCAL IMPACT.

ITEMS WILL BE REFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR FISCAL REVIEW, BEFORE THE ITEM MAY BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR A COMMISSIONERS COURT.

NOW, ONLY READ THAT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHETHER SOMEBODY IS A CONSTABLE OR JP, A JUDGE, ANYBODY ELSE.

IF YOU DO IT FOR ONE, YOU NEED TO DO IT FOR ALL OF THEM.

[02:15:01]

ONE OF US AS COMMISSIONERS, A JUDGE COULD HAVE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA, BUT I'M JUST WITH ME.

I'M JUST STICKING WITH THE PROCESS BECAUSE I HAVE THESE OTHER JP'S AND FOLKS WHO CALL WHO HAVE A MILLION BRIGHT IDEAS AS WELL.

AND I ALWAYS TELL THEM WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO DECIDE ON HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD COME IN, IT WAS A DEAFENING SILENCE.

YOU KNOW, FROM ALL THESE FOLKS, FOLKS WHO COME IN WITH IDEAS THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND I JUST DIDN'T WANT TO BE RUDE AND SAY IT WHEN THEY WERE IN THE ROOM.

I SAID IT ONCE THEY LEFT, BUT THE TIME TO DISCUSS MORE MONEY TO SPEND IS WHEN YOU SET THE TAX RATE.

BUT I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR, AND I JUST WANT TO END ON THE POINT THAT I'M THE NUMBER ONES HAVE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE SUPPORTER FOR SALARY INCREASES FOR ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE THE SUFFICIENT SUPPORT IN 2022, NOR IN THIS BUDGET SEASON.

AND THAT IS ON THE RECORD.

I PROPOSED INCREASES.

WE NEED TO HAVE SUFFICIENT TAXES FOR THAT, WHICH STILL WAS A TAX RATE CUT.

ONE YEAR I WAS BOYCOTTED AND THE OTHER YEAR COLLEAGUES VOTED NO.

SO I JUST FOR THE RECORD, I MENTIONED TO ONE OF THE OF THE GENTLEMAN, I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH CONSTABLE WAS HERE.

I SAID, I WOULD LIKE TO RAISE YOUR PAY, BUT WE CANNOT AFFORD IT UNLESS WE GO TO THE VOTERS.

AND THAT'S JUST THE FACT OF THE MATTER.

ALL RIGHT, SO NO ACTION ON THESE ITEMS? NO ACTION. OKAY.

SO NO ACTION. NO ACTION, NO ACTION.

THEN WE HAVE 386 BONDS FOR CERTAIN HEALTH FACILITIES.

OCA REQUESTS NO ACTION.

WE DO HAVE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS, WHICH I'LL GET TO LATER.

435 COUNCIL PRECINCT ONE.

NO ACTION.

AS WITH THE OTHER ONES.

441 PURCHASING REQUESTS, NO ACTION ON DPS DRIVER RECORDS.

453 TRANSPORTATION TO THE POLLS CIO REQUESTS NO ACTION.

454 TECH SOLUTIONS.

PUBLIC HEALTH REQUESTS NO ACTION.

DID I MISS ANY CORRECTIONS? HOW ABOUT 222 222 IS STILL ON THERE FOR POSITIONS FROM ARPA FUND TO GENERAL FUND SEEMS LIKE A TRANSFER OF POSITIONS IS THAT IT'S BUDGET NEUTRAL.

SO WE'LL JUST LEAVE IT ON THE CONSENT AGENDA UNLESS SOMEBODY WANTS TO DISCUSS.

OKAY. SO LET ME GO OVER WHAT WAS THAT NUMBER TWO.

TWO. TWO UNDER DISTRICT CLERK, I BELIEVE.

NO, TWO. TWO. TWO WAS.

CONSTABLE. CONSTABLE.

PRECINCT EIGHT.

OH, THERE WE GO. I MISREAD IT THEN, TO ADD ONE CLASSIFICATION TO THE CONSTABLE.

SALARY, RANK OF DETECTIVE.

SO YOU'RE LEAVING THAT ON THERE? SECTION TWO. CONSENT.

SORRY, THAT WAS ONE OF THE ONES THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN.

NO ACTION. NO ACTION.

I THOUGHT I CALLED THAT THIS WON'T BE CLEAR.

I THINK YOU DID. BUT THEN YOU JUST WENT BACK TO IT.

I THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN. ALL RIGHT.

I'LL GO BACK. SO NO ACTION ON 142.

NO ACTION ON ONE 8201.

NO ACTION 208.

NO. ACTION 212.

NO ACTION 214.

NO. ACTION.

222. NO ACTION 386.

NO ACTION 435.

NO ACTION 441.

NO ACTION 446.

NO ACTION EXCUSE ME 441.

NO ACTION 446.

IS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION 453.

NO ACTION 454.

NO ACTION. AND I THOUGHT THAT THE QUESTION FROM LUCINDA WAS ON A WHOLLY DIFFERENT ITEM.

JUDGE. YES.

WAS ITEM 386.

DID SOMEONE REQUEST NO ACTION? 386 YEAH.

IT SAYS ISSUANCE OF BONDS TO FINANCE CERTAIN HEALTH FACILITIES.

OCA HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION.

IS THAT JUST. I'M JUST WONDERING WHY THE REASON FOR THAT.

SORRY I HAVE THAT ON.

NO, ACTUALLY, I DON'T THINK WE REQUESTED IT.

SORRY. LET ME LOOK. OKAY, I'LL JUST PUT THAT ON THE DISCUSSION LIST.

YEAH. WE CAN. THANK YOU. JUDGE.

APPRECIATE THAT. DECIDE WHAT TO DO WITH IT.

SO THEN WE'RE REMOVING IT FROM NO ACTION.

386. YEAH.

REMOVE IT FROM NO ACTION.

OKAY, SO LET ME GO THROUGH THE DISCUSSION LIST HERE.

I. ALL RIGHT.

SO UNDER CONSENT AGENDA, EXECUTIVE SESSION, DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS ITEM 421, AN APPOINTMENT TO

[02:20:05]

HARRIS COUNTY CULTURAL EDUCATION FACILITIES BOARD.

HOW ABOUT 423? A REAPPOINTMENT TO THE AFRICAN AMERICAN CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION.

424. A MEMBER TO THE HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION.

WE DO. PLEASE.

OKAY, SO THAT ONE IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.

YES. 424 425 THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? I BELIEVE YES, I THINK WE DO.

JOHN, ARE YOU ON? I CAN'T? YES WE DO.

OKAY. WE'LL KEEP.

425 FOR DISCUSSION.

438 DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE? ONLY IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS.

FOLKS, DO YOU WOULD YOU LIKE TO PUT THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION? 438. I'LL PUT IT IN CONSENT AGENDA SESSION.

YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, JUST PUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

OKAY, SO 438 IS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

450. ON THE CHAIR OF THE HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY AND 451 ON THE SAME TOPIC.

BOTH I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS.

ALL RIGHT, MOVING ON TO THE REGULAR AGENDA, AND I'LL GO BACK OVER EVERYTHING JUST REAL QUICK.

JUST THOSE OTHER APPOINTMENTS WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

YES. THANK YOU.

ITEM NINE FLAGGED BY PRECINCT THREE, ELITE RESEARCH, LLC.

COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY.

DO YOU STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE? OKAY. ITEM TEN BY PRECINCT THREE EVALUATIONS OF THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM.

ITEM 12.

PRECINCT THREE $1.3 MILLION OF FLEX FUNDS.

ITEM ITEM 13 I WOULD LIKE TO FLAG THAT IS ON COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRAM.

ITEM 18.

PRECINCT THREE.

YES, COMMISSIONER.

ITEM 16. YES.

JUST A SECOND.

ALL RIGHT. ITEM 16 IS ON PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING COMMISSIONER.

OKAY. SO WE'RE ADDING ITEM 16.

THEN WE'RE MOVING ON TO ITEM 18, FLAGGED BY PRECINCT THREE.

IT IS EARLY CHILDHOOD IMPACT FUND.

ITEM 22, FLAGGED BY PRECINCTS ONE, THREE AND FOUR ON THE MWBE SCORECARD.

24 ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

I'LL LEAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION.

36 ON MARKET SALARY ANALYSIS FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS.

37 A DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE.

OKAY, BACK TO CONSENT.

I JUST HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

OKAY. WE'LL LEAVE IT FOR DISCUSSION.

78 CENTER POINT LIGHTING SERVICES FLAGGED BY PRECINCT TWO.

OKAY. 112.

THAT IS A A SIDEWALKS ON.

OKAY. PRECINCT FOUR 139 BY PRECINCT THREE.

ERNST AND YOUNG.

KEEP IT. OKAY. 193.

157. OKAY, JUST A MOMENT.

157. THAT IS AN AGREEMENT WITH TEXDOT.

ALL RIGHT. YEAH.

I'M SORRY. LEAVE THAT ON CONSENT.

OKAY. SO WE'RE 139, THEN? 193, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YEP. OKAY.

194. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

A GRANT 196.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING 313.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

339. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

AFL-CIO. OKAY.

344. YES.

OKAY. FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY 357.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SPYGLASS CONSTRUCTION ON A BOARDWALK 372.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

EXXONMOBIL. ALMOND BAYOU 386.

WE'RE PUTTING ON ON THERE FOR DISCUSSION.

PENDING. COUNTY ATTORNEY 389.

BY PRECINCT TWO.

IT'S A VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION.

[02:25:05]

EITHER WAY. OKAY.

I'LL JUST PUT I'LL JUST PUT IT ON THERE.

AND THEN.

389. ITEM 390.

THAT IS COMMISSIONER PRECINCT THREE ARPA PROGRESS FOR 26.

PRECINCT THREE.

YES. 441.

27. JUDGE. OKAY, JUST A MOMENT.

427. 427.

THAT IS AN AWARD TO PUSH FOR DREAMS, COMMISSIONER.

OKAY, THERE IT GOES.

AND THEN WE'RE LOOKING AT.

441 IS THE ONE THAT IS NO ACTION.

WE'D ALREADY PUT THAT ON.

ON NO ACTION FOR 43.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TETRA TECH ON THE DEPARTMENT OF EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

YES, MISTER RECOVERY.

OKAY. PRECINCT THREE, ALSO ON 452 HARRIS COUNTY GRANT FUNDS.

YES. 453 COMMISSIONER CAO REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THIS ONE.

SO I'LL JUST PUT IT BACK TO NO ACTION.

454 IS ALSO NO ACTION.

AND THEN WE HAVE THE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS.

YES. I NEED TO PUT 238.

OKAY. 238 IS A LAWSUIT? SO WE ARE ADDING THAT TO THE DISCUSSION AGENDA.

ALL RIGHT. SO YES ITEM 386 CAN IS NO ACTION CAN CAN GO BACK TO BEING NO ACTION.

THE REQUESTING THE ENTITY TO PUT IT ON AS REQUESTED.

NO ACTION. SO WE'RE JUST GOING TO GET DELAYED.

WHICH ONE AGAIN J 386.

OKAY. YEAH. THE BONDS.

AND THEN CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHY I THINK THAT WAS THE QUESTION WE HAD.

SURE. GO. GO AHEAD.

YES. YEAH.

APOLOGIES JUDGE I WASN'T ON THE EMAIL, BUT THE ORGANIZATION HAD A CHANGE IN THE NOTICE.

AND SO THEY WANTED THEY ASKED TO BRING IT BACK AND THEY'LL BRING IT BACK ON NOVEMBER ON NOVEMBER 4TH.

OKAY. GREAT.

SO WE'LL PUT IT BACK ON CONSENT.

SO LET ME READ.

NO, NO JUDGE, JUST NO ACTION.

NO ACTION. IT'LL COME BACK. COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

THANK YOU. ON.

NO ACTION. ALL RIGHT.

SO DISCUSSION ITEMS EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM FOR 24.

FOR 25 FOR 38 FOUR 5451 ON THE REGULAR AGENDA, AND I'M LEAVING THE PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR THE END.

YEAH. JUDGE, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING, SO WE DO NEED TO OPEN THAT UP, APPARENTLY.

OKAY. SO I'LL DO THAT BEFORE WE GO TO THE.

THANKS. PERFECT. SO ON REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 910 1213 1618, 22, 24, 36, 37, 78, 112, 139 193 ONE.

94 196 38 313 339, 344, 357, 372, 389, THREE 9426, 427, 443, 452.

PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS 387 AND 388.

HAVE I MISSED ANYTHING? YES. JUDGE 23 OKAY.

23. ALL RIGHT.

[02:30:01]

ALL RIGHT, SO THAT IS THE PROPOSED, PROPOSED REQUESTS FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON RULES OF PROCEDURE, CONDUCT AND DECORUM.

23. DO YOU GUYS.

THAT. SOUNDS LIKE FOLKS WANT THAT FOR DISCUSSION.

JUDGE, WE DON'T REALLY NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ANYMORE, DO WE? I'M KIDDING. OF COURSE WE DO.

I MEAN. DO WE HAVE A TIME LIMIT? NO. I'M KIDDING. WE DO WANT TO DISCUSS THAT.

23. NO.

OKAY. OKAY.

I'M GOING TO LEAVE THAT AS.

NO ACTION.

NO ACTION. OKAY.

THANK YOU. 23 I'M SORRY.

ON THE CONSENT AGENDA. I WAS TRYING TO.

SO IT WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

YES, YES. GOT IT.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS.

ALL RIGHT. APPROVED.

OKAY, SO LET ME DO THE LET ME DO THE PUBLIC HEARINGS, AND THEN I'LL GO OVER IT AGAIN, AND THEN WE CAN VOTE ON THE, ON THE, THE WHOLE CONSENT AGENDA.

SO I NOW WE HAVE PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 387.

[Public Hearings]

APPROVAL OF THE REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED CROSSING AT CYPRESS LAKES SECTION ONE TO PROCEED UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009 C1.

PRECINCT THREE.

IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? ANY DISCUSSION? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING AT STANDING UP.

OH. OH.

THANK YOU. YOU DON'T NEED.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON ITEM 387.

SECOND. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT, WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 388.

I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL TO APPROVAL OF THE REVISION TO THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED CROSSING AT CYPRESS LAKES SOUTHEAST RESERVE TO PROCEED UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232009 C1, PRECINCT THREE. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS.

IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? MAKE A MOTION. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ON ITEM 388.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ALL RIGHT, SO LET ME GO THROUGH ALL OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.

[Departments (Part 3 of 5)]

425 438.

AND LET ME KNOW IF I'M GOING TOO FAST.

FOUR 5451.

REGULAR AGENDA ITEM 910 1213 1618 2224, 36 EIGHT 112 139 193 1941 96 238 313 339 344, 357, 372, 389, THREE 9426, 427, 443, 452. DID I MISS ANYTHING, FOLKS? COUNTY ATTORNEY. ALL RIGHT.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS? ONE THROUGH FOUR. 54 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED?

[02:35:02]

IT IS 1242.

WE CAN GET STARTED. OR WE CAN TAKE LUNCH.

LUNCH? LUNCH. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S BREAK UNTIL JUDGE.

YES. IN TERMS OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, WE HAVE SORT OF A WAIVER REQUEST FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

NEEDS TO. WE'RE WONDERING IF WE COULD TAKE IT TO 2:00.

RIGHT. OKAY. SO WE'LL MAKE SURE.

GOT IT. AND FEEL FREE TO.

I HAVE THE NOTE, BUT FEEL FREE TO REMIND ME IF I FORGET.

WE'LL DO JUDGE. OKAY, SO LET'S LET'S TAKE LUNCH UNTIL A 1:45.

YEAH, IT'S 1243.

IT IS 152, AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION.

THE FIRST ITEM, COMMISSIONER.

THE FIRST SEVERAL ITEMS ARE FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHICH IS WHY I STARTED.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS? EXCUSE ME, CAN WE TALK ABOUT THAT TWO HERE? THEY'RE YEAH.

I MEAN, WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE, BUT WE CAN JUST WAIT.

YOU'RE SAYING YOU WANT TO WAIT TILL THEY COME BACK? RIGHT. WE NORMALLY DISCUSS IT.

IF YOU'RE THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS A QUESTION, AND THEN WE WAIT UNTIL THEY COME TO VOTE.

WE'VE DONE IT IN THE PAST, BUT.

SAY THAT AGAIN. I GUESS WE'RE WAITING.

VERY POLITE.

[02:44:22]

IF YOU IF YOU WANT TO JUST GO AHEAD AND ADJOURN TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND THEN WE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAN JUST MEET US IN THERE.

IT'S UP TO WHATEVER YOU GUYS WANT TO DO.

IS THAT OKAY, COLLEAGUES? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IS THAT OKAY? OKAY. SO IT IS 201, AND WE'RE HEADED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[Executive Session]

ALL RIGHT. WE'RE HEADED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON SEVERAL ITEMS. WE'RE LOOKING AT ITEM 424.

425, 438, 450 AND 451.

[02:45:06]

AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION OR BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[Departments (Part 4 of 5)]

BEFORE WE GET TO THE THE ITEMS, WE HAVE A SLIGHT WE HAD A SLIGHT ERROR ON ITEM 17 THAT PASSED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

I NEED A MOTION TO RECONSIDER.

THAT ITEM WAS REVISED.

AND I THINK THE THE THE DATE ON IT WAS CHANGED FROM THE PERIOD OF.

IT SHOULD READ THE PERIOD OF NOVEMBER 14TH, 2025 TO JULY 31ST, 2026.

I THINK THE ORIGINAL ONE HAD A BEGINNING.

NOVEMBER. I'M SORRY, HAD A BEGINNING NOVEMBER 15TH, 2025.

SO I MOVE TO RECONSIDER ITEM AND MAKE THOSE CHANGES.

SECOND JUST NOTED.

IS THAT SUFFICIENT BY MYSELF? IS THAT SUFFICIENT? I WORK FOR YOU. YES, THAT'S FINE WITH ME.

OKAY. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO ON ITEM 424.

WE'RE MOVING TO A POINT.

ARE RESIDENT ENGINEER AS THE MEMBER OF THE NEW MEMBER OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION.

IS THERE A MOTION? NO, ACTUALLY IT WAS.

IT MOVED.

MOTION TO APPROVE THE APPOINTMENT OF COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA, WITH PATRICK PACA SERVING AS ALTERNATE TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON PLANNING COMMISSION FOR A TERM ENDING ON OCTOBER 29TH, 2026.

SO MOVED. I WOULD MOVE THAT MOTION.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER VRIONIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? I THINK THE ENGINEER SHOULD HAVE IT, BUT I'M AVAILABLE.

I'M AVAILABLE FOR CONSULTING.

OKAY. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

OKAY. ALL RIGHT.

ITEM 425 IS NO ACTION.

ITEM 438.

[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 2)]

SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

MOVING ON TO 450.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

AND FOR 51.

FIRST, AS WE'VE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT EARLIER DURING THE RESOLUTIONS, I WANT TO THANK KENNY FREEMAN FOR HIS FRIEDMAN FOR HIS INCREDIBLE SERVICE TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND TO THE CITY AND TO THE REGION.

AND WITH THAT, I MAKE THE MOTION TO VACATE THE CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY UPON CONCURRENT ORDER FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON, AND TO PROVIDE NOTICE TO THE CHAIR OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY.

THAT WOULD BE MY FIRST MOTION.

SECOND. I SECOND A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND. BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I'D JUST LIKE TO SAY THAT I PERSONALLY THINK IT SETS A BAD PRECEDENT WHEN SOMEONE HAS SERVED ON A BOARD AND NO ONE HAS DELINEATED IN PUBLIC REASONS WHY THEY SHOULDN'T BE THERE.

WE WENT THROUGH THE ACCOLADES EARLIER.

SO I DON'T WANT TO BELABOR THE POINT, BUT I THINK WHAT IT DOES IS IT'S A BAD PRECEDENT BECAUSE WHEN THE POLITICS CHANGES, IT WOULD DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM GOING ON A BOARD.

WHEN WE PUT OUR PUT THEM IN A POSITION WHERE WE PUBLICLY CHASTISE THEM OR APPEARS TO BE PUBLICLY HUMILIATING GOOD PEOPLE TO SERVE ON THE BOARD.

SO FOR THAT REASON, I'LL BE VOTING NO ON THIS ITEM.

AND WHEN THE SUGGESTION IS MADE FOR ANOTHER PERSON WHO I THINK VERY HIGHLY OF, I'VE ONLY MET IN PASSING, BUT I'VE HAD NO DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS POSITION. I'LL HAVE TO VOTE AGAINST THAT PERSON.

IT'S NOT SO MUCH A VOTE AGAINST THAT PERSON.

IT'S REALLY A VOTE AGAINST A PROCESS.

AND I JUST THINK IT'S, IN MY JUDGMENT, BAD FORM TO POLITICIZE SOMETHING LIKE THIS.

AND FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH.

BOTH CHAMBERS, THIS ONE AND CITY HALL WOULD HAVE TO VACATE THE CHAIR.

AND I DON'T THINK THAT ITEM IS GOING TO PASS AT THE CITY THIS WEEK.

I THINK IT'LL BE TAGGED.

YES. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND MAY I PLEASE ADD A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE MOTION IF I CAN READ IT?

[02:50:04]

SINCE WE HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THE CHAIR WAS GOING TO RESIGN AT THE END OF THE MONTH, IT WOULD READ MOTION TO VACATE THE POSITION OF CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY, EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2024, AND TO PROVIDE NOTICE OF VACANCY TO THE CHAIR OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND TO THE SECRETARY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SPORTS AUTHORITY.

I WOULD SUPPORT THAT.

THAT'S FINE. I MEAN, IF HE HE THE AGREEMENT WAS THE END OF THE YEAR.

BUT EVEN IF THERE WAS A SEPARATE CONVERSATION ABOUT NOVEMBER 1ST, THEN THERE DOESN'T NEED TO BE A PUBLIC ITEM RUSHING THIS. AND SO I'M JUST WONDERING WHAT YOUR REASONING IF I CAN MAKE MY COMMENTS.

I'D LIKE TO THANK CHAIR FRIEDMAN.

I CONSIDER HIM A MENTOR.

I RESPECT HIM, I LIKE HIM.

HE HAS SERVED ON THIS BOARD FOR 21 YEARS, AND HE'S BEEN THE CHAIR SINCE 2007.

AND SO I DEEPLY APPRECIATE ALL OF HIS SERVICE AS CHAIR AND AS A MEMBER OF THE BOARD FOR THE LAST 21 YEARS.

AND IT'S TIME FOR A NEW DIRECTION, A NEW CHAPTER.

AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THE JOINT CITY COUNTY CELEBRATION OF MR. FRIEDMAN AND HIS ALL OF HIS VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS.

AND I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING IN FAVOR OF THE NEXT ITEM AND HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF JUAN GARCIA AS THE CHAIR COMMISSIONER.

I'M HEARING A CONCERN WITH THE LENGTH OF TIME HE'S BEEN IN OFFICE.

AND AS YOU KNOW, I'VE PROPOSED SEVERAL TIMES THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENT TERM LIMITS FOR ALL OF OUR APPOINTEES AT EIGHT YEARS.

SO WOULD YOU NOW SUPPORT THAT SO THAT WE ACTUALLY PASSED IT THIS YEAR? SO I THANK MY COLLEAGUES.

NOBODY ABIDES BY IT.

IT'S NOT ENFORCEABLE AND NOBODY ABIDES BY IT.

ANYWAY, I INVITE FOLKS TO CHECK ON THAT.

AND JUST THE PIVOTING AROUND AROUND QUESTIONS SHOULD BE PRETTY ILLUSTRATIVE, BUT I'D BE HAPPY TO ENFORCE THE EIGHT YEAR LIMIT IF LENGTH OF SERVICE IS SUCH A CONCERN.

IT CERTAINLY IS FOR ME.

BUT ACROSS THE BOARD AND WITH RESPECT FOR PEOPLE.

SO ANYWAY, THERE'S HERE'S A MOTION AND THIS WILL BE THE MOTION COMMISSIONER BROWN HAS JUST READ.

CORRECT. RIGHT.

MOTION HAS BEEN MADE. SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN'S.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER FRIENDLY, A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, AND THEN SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYE. OH I'M OPPOSED ON BEHALF OF THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY UPSET AT THIS SLEIGHT OF HAND WITH THE CHANGING OF THE DATE AND SUDDEN CONCERN FOR TERM LIMITS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO 451.

JUST A MINUTE. FOUR.

YEAH. 451. I'M SORRY.

451. IS TO A TO AMENDED IT.

WELL, WE JUST CALL THE VOTE.

YOU JUST VOTED NO.

YEAH. YEAH. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

THAT WAS OKAY.

WAS IT, WAS IT J.

WAS THAT THE MOTION? THE FULL MOTION WE JUST VOTED ON? I BELIEVE SO, YES.

YES IT WAS. WE'RE ON 451 NOW.

CORRECT. SO THE SECOND ONE FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF APPOINTMENT OF MR. GARCIA. CORRECT? NO, IT WAS TO VACATE.

I'M SORRY. TO VACATE? YEAH. YEAH, I THINK THAT'S WHAT HE'S GOING ON NOW.

WE ARE GOING TO GO WITH THE MOTION.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES READ AS THE ACTUAL MOTION.

CORRECT? YES. FOR ITEM 450.

THERE YOU GO. ALL RIGHT.

SO 451, 451.

ON THAT ONE, IT IS WE'RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR TALENT TO HELP US ON DIFFERENT INITIATIVES.

AND I I APPRECIATE THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO HELP US WITH THINGS AND, YOU KNOW, GIVE A GREAT DEAL, A GREAT DEAL OF THEIR NOT ONLY THEIR TIME, BUT A GREAT DEAL OF THEIR EXPERTISE AND LEND A GREAT DEAL OF THEIR LIVES TO A LOT OF THESE INITIATIVES. WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT IS MY HONOR TO MAKE THE MOTION TO APPROVE THE ORDER APPOINTING JUAN GARCIA AS CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY TO BE EFFECTIVE UPON VACANCY AND CONCURRENT ORDER FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON. JUAN IS A LOCAL AND PROMINENT ATTORNEY VERY ACTIVE IN NUMEROUS EVENTS, INCLUDING THE HOUSTON BAR THE MEXICAN AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION, BUT HAS REALLY MADE A NAME FOR HIMSELF AT THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO AND HAS MOVED UP THE RANKS, IF YOU WILL.

[02:55:04]

I JUST GRATEFUL FOR HIS WILLINGNESS TO SERVE AND IN HIS ABILITY TO LEND HIS EXPERTISE AND TALENTS TO TO THIS WORK. WE'RE LOOKING TOWARDS THE THE WORLD CUP, AND I'M EXCITED THAT HE WILL HELP GUIDE US TO A SUCCESSFUL AND PROMINENT EVENT. SO WITH THAT, THAT IS MY MOTION AND I SECOND IT AND I HAVE SOME BRIEF COMMENTS TO MAKE.

I ECHO THOSE SENTIMENTS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I'VE KNOWN JUAN FOR MANY YEARS, AND I MET HIM THROUGH THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION.

HE WAS THE PRESIDENT OF HIS BAR.

HE TO ME REPRESENTS THE AMERICAN DREAM.

HIS CHILD OF IMMIGRANTS GREW UP ON THE BORDER IN SOUTH TEXAS, IN BROWNSVILLE, YOU KNOW, WORKED AT A GROCERY STORE, WORKED HIS WAY THROUGH SCHOOL, IS AN EXCELLENT LAWYER. AND IN EVERY ORGANIZATION I HAVE SEEN HIM LEAD, HE DOES IT WITH THE HEART, HUSTLE AND HIGHER STANDARDS THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE.

AND I'VE SEEN THAT IN SPADES WITH HIS WORK IN THE RODEO, HIS BAR AND BEYOND.

AND SO I'M THANKFUL TO THE POINT.

WE NEED GREAT TALENT WHO STEP UP AND SERVE.

WE HAVE GREAT TALENT WHO'S READY TO STEP UP AND SERVE.

AND I THANK MR. GARCIA FOR WHAT I KNOW WILL BE A TREMENDOUS SERVICE AND BRING THIS NEW CHAPTER, NEW ENERGY, NEW VISION AS WE PREPARE FOR 2026 AND THE WORLD CUP AND BEYOND.

SO THANK YOU, MR. GARCIA.

AND I'M PROUD TO SECOND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YES. I'VE JUST RECENTLY GOT TO KNOW MR. GARCIA, HE HE HAS GREAT RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOLKS IN MY PRECINCT, BUT AS, AS INDICATED, HIS UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE RODEO MEANS TO THIS COUNTY, WHAT THE RODEO MEANS TO THE SPORTS VENUES IN THIS COUNTY.

I THINK HE'LL BRING A MUCH NEEDED FRESH LOOK AT THINGS.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

JUDGE. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I STATED EARLIER THAT I WILL NOT BE VOTING IN SUPPORT OF MR. GARCIA FOR THIS POSITION.

I DO WANT TO GIVE HIM A BIT OF ADVICE.

I THINK I'VE MET HIM ONCE, MAYBE TWICE, MADE HIM HERE IN THIS CHAMBER WHEN HE'S BEEN ON IT.

I'VE NOT HAD A CONVERSATION WITH HIM ABOUT THIS SUBJECT.

I ASSUME THE VOTES WERE IN PLACE, BUT THE FRIENDLY ADVICE I GIVE HIM WOULD BE THAT IT TAKES A GROUP AND A VILLAGE TO BE SUCCESSFUL AT MOST THINGS YOU DO.

AND I CAN'T REMEMBER YEARS AGO WHEN ATLANTA WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET THE OLYMPICS, AND IT WAS MAYOR MAYNARD JACKSON WHO WAS IN OFFICE WHEN HE WON IT, BUT HE WAS KIND ENOUGH TO BE VERY COMPLIMENTARY TO MAYOR ANDREW YOUNG, WHO WAS IN OFFICE WHEN IT CAME, RECOGNIZING, I THINK HE MADE THE COMMENT BY ANDREW YOUNG DID, IT'S ONE THING TO CUT THE RIBBON WHEN IT HAPPENS.

AND IT'S ANOTHER THING IF YOU HAVE TO GO WORK TO POLITICS SO THE RIBBON CAN'T BE CUT.

BUT WE HAVE SOME DIFFICULT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES AHEAD.

IN THIS POSITION, HE WILL REPRESENT ALL FIVE OF US HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, AND I'M SURE HE'LL BE COGNIZANT OF THAT FOR THE PEOPLE IN PRECINCT ONE WHO TRUSTED ME.

MANY OF THEM NOW FOR 40 YEARS.

SO WHEN WE TALK ABOUT SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN AROUND A WHILE, I HOPE I'VE EARNED THEIR TRUST.

AND AT SOME POINT, THEY MAY HAVE SOMETHING THAT HAS TO GO TO THE VOTERS.

AND IT'S IMPORTANT THAT YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH PRECINCT ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR TO JUDGE THE CITY AND THE COUNTY AND THE CONSTITUENTS THAT WE REPRESENT IF YOU WANT TO BE SUCCESSFUL.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM AND GETTING TO KNOW HIM, BUT I WILL HAVE TO VOTE NO ON THIS.

THANK YOU. SO WE HAVE A MOTION A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND I'M ALSO OPPOSED AND FOR THE QUOTE UNQUOTE, HIGHER STANDARD OR BASIC STANDARD OF HAVING ACROSS THE BOARD TERM LIMITS FOR APPOINTEES. MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.

AND AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, I'M NOT RELATED, ALTHOUGH I WOULD LIKE TO BE BECAUSE HE IS A SHARP INDIVIDUAL AND PROUD OF HIM.

ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S START WITH OH, RIGHT.

CLARK BURGESS. HELLO.

SO WE HAD FLAGGED ITEM THREE 88.

[Departments (Part 5 of 5)]

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU FLAGGED THAT ONE.

AND MISS BURGESS HAS KINDLY MADE HERSELF AVAILABLE.

THANK YOU. MISS BURGESS, GOOD TO SEE YOU.

[03:00:03]

IT DOESN'T APPEAR TO BE WORKING AS INTENDED BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE JUST LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, WE HAVE AS MANY PEOPLE NOT CASHING THE DEBIT CARD AS NOT CASHING THE CHECKS.

IT LOOKS LIKE THE ONLY DIFFERENCE IS WE GET TO PAY A BUCK 75 PER CARD, GIVE OR TAKE.

AND TO A THIRD PARTY VENDOR, I THINK WE'D BE BETTER OFF JUST GIVING THEM A CHECK AND AND AVOIDING THE BUCK 75 PER CARD, IT WOULD APPEAR.

THIS DEBIT CARD IS NOT MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ORIGINALLY INTENDED.

AGAIN, THERE'S AS MANY PEOPLE DON'T USE THE CASH.

THE DEBIT CARD IS CASHED.

THE CHECK IS WOULD BE MY MY COMMENT.

SO I WOULD NOT BE IN FAVOR OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH RAPID FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS FOR THOSE REASONS.

I DISAGREE RESPECTFULLY.

FIRST OF ALL, WE HAVE GOTTEN NOTHING BUT VERY, VERY POSITIVE FEEDBACK FROM OUR JURORS.

THEY'RE VERY HAPPY TO HAVE THE CARD IN THEIR HAND WHEN THEY LEAVE THE JURY ASSEMBLY PLAZA.

THEY GET THEIR MONEY WITHIN TWO DAYS OF THEIR SERVICE BEING COMPLETED.

WHEN? BEFORE IT WAS TWO WEEKS TO FOR A CHECK TO COME IN THE MAIL.

AND THE FEE IS GOING DOWN TO $1.70.

SO WE'RE DECREASING THE FEE SLIGHTLY, AND WE ARE SEEING MORE USAGE OF THE CARDS THAN WE WERE CHECKS.

ABOUT 76% OF THE PEOPLE, 77% OF THE PEOPLE ARE USING THE CARDS THAT ARE ISSUED.

IT WAS ABOUT 70% OF THE PEOPLE GETTING CHECKS WERE CASHING THOSE CHECKS BEFORE.

AND BEAR IN MIND THAT THE BIG REASON, THE PRIMARY REASON THAT THIS WAS BROUGHT TO US BACK WHEN DYLAN OSBORNE WAS TREASURER WAS DUE TO THE FRAUD THAT WAS OCCURRING WITH THE USE OF CHECKS, AND HE WAS WANTING TO GET THE NUMBER OF CHECKS BEING ISSUED PER DAY DOWN, AND THE COST FOR THE CHECKS IS NOT NEGLIGIBLE, JUST A POSTAGE STAMP AND THE ENVELOPE AND THE PRINTING, THE LABOR.

THEY WERE SPENDING 2 TO 3 HOURS A DAY FOLDING AND STUFFING CHECKS INTO ENVELOPES WHEN WE WERE USING CHECKS.

AND NOW THE TREASURER'S OFFICE IS NOT HAVING TO DO ANY OF THAT.

WELL, THEY'RE DOING SOME BECAUSE THE JP'S ARE STILL GETTING CHECKS, BUT IT'S DECREASED THEIR LABOR SUBSTANTIALLY AND THE JURORS ARE VERY HAPPY WITH IT AND THE USAGE HAS INCREASED OVER THE CHECKS.

CHECK. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK I'VE TALKED TO YOU ABOUT THIS.

WHILE I CAN'T RECALL, TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, OTHER JURISDICTIONS USING THIS SYSTEM, SOME FORT BEND IS USING IT.

SEVERAL OTHER COUNTIES I CAN'T THINK OF.

THE ONES OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD IS RELATIVELY NEW.

THERE'S PROBABLY ABOUT FIVE IN THE STATE OF TEXAS COUNTIES THAT ARE USING IT RIGHT NOW.

OKAY, I'LL MOVE THE ITEM AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION FOR IT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES? ALL IN FAVOR? HI.

HI. ANY OPPOSE? NO. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MISS BURGESS.

ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S GO BACK TO THE TOP OF THE LIST.

SO WE HAD ITEM NINE FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THIS IS ON THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY.

YEAH, I SEE THE DIRECTOR HERE.

JUST A QUICK QUESTION.

WE'RE ABOUT TO AUTHORIZE AN AMENDMENT RELATED TO THESE ACTIVITIES OF OF UNDER HIGHER UP HARRIS, WHICH IS 713 RESIDENTS HAVE ENROLLED IN TRAINING AT AN AVERAGE COST OF HUNDRED AND $59.

SO WHAT ARE THE METRICS.

SO WE KNOW WE'RE BEING SUCCESSFUL WITH THIS.

IS IT BASED ON PEOPLE GETTING A JOB.

WHAT ARE YOUR METRICS THAT YOU MEASURE SUCCESS IN THE PROGRAM UP TO THIS POINT? THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOR THAT QUESTION.

SO IN THE CONTRACTS THAT WERE FOR HIRE POWERS AND APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE, THEY DID HAVE THE KPIS AND TARGETS.

SO IT'S BOTH THE NUMBER OF FOLKS BEING SERVED AND ALSO JOB PLACEMENT RATE.

THOSE THE ITEM NUMBER NINE IS FOR ELITE RESEARCH WHICH IS DOING THE EVALUATION PART OF IT.

SO THEY WILL BE EXTENDING THEIR CONTRACT AS THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE CONTRACTS ARE GETTING RENEWED AND EXTENDED.

AND THE HIGHER POWERS ALREADY DID AS WELL.

SO I, I DON'T HAVE THE TOP OF MY HEAD THE DATES, BUT WE WILL BE HAVING THE DRAFT EVALUATIONS AND SUBMITTED TO COURT SO THAT YOU ALL COULD HAVE THAT AS WELL. AND IT WILL BE THE INTERIM REPORT.

AND THEN A FINAL REPORT ON THE.

[03:05:02]

YEAH. IT'S TO ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO EVALUATE THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE EXTENDING THEMSELVES SO THAT FOR THEM TO CONTINUE THE EVALUATION THROUGH THE END OF THE PROJECT PERIOD.

OKAY, THAT THOSE ARE MY QUESTIONS.

I'LL MOVE IT. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. I'M OPPOSED.

NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I CAN'T GO BACK TO GUESSING WHAT THE SILENCE MEANS.

I'M VOTING IN SUPPORT.

OKAY. GOT IT.

SO 4 TO 1, 4 TO 1.

THANK YOU. LET'S GO TO ITEM TEN, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THE REACH EACH PROGRAM.

AND AGAIN, IT LOOKS LIKE WE'RE WE'RE TRADING AN EASIER ADMINISTRATION OF THE PROGRAM FOR ACCOUNTABILITY.

IT LOOKS LIKE TO ME THE REASON FOR THE COURT ACTION IS TO APPROVE A COST NEUTRAL AMENDMENT TO TRANSITION THE VENDORS PAYMENT STRUCTURE TO A MILESTONE BASED BILLING.

ARE YOU CONCERNED THAT WE WON'T BE ABLE TO EVALUATE THE ACCOUNTABILITY RELATED TO THE PROGRAM? NO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS MORE FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE PART OF JUST PAYING THE INVOICES.

YOU MIGHT HAVE NOTICED WE'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR QUITE A BIT OF OUR PROGRAMS, AND THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ONES JUST STAND OUT BECAUSE THEY HAVE SO MANY PROGRAMS THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY IMPLEMENTING.

BUT THIS WAS JUST A BETTER WAY TO ADMINISTRATIVELY RECEIVE THE INVOICES AND BE ABLE TO PAY.

SO WE MOVED QUITE A BIT OF OUR CONTRACTS TO MILESTONE BASED BILLING.

OKAY, THOSE WERE MY QUESTIONS.

I'LL MOVE IT. SECOND.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ON ITEM TEN.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. I.

AM IN FAVOR? NO. EXCUSE ME.

AND YOU'RE. NO.

AND I'M.

I'M JUST, LIKE, SERIOUSLY CONFUSED ABOUT WHETHER WE'RE PLAYING A GAME OF WHETHER THE COMMISSIONER SAYS YES OR NO.

YEAH. YEP.

I THINK IT WAS FOUR EYES AND ONE NAY.

HERE'S WHAT. THEN, WHEN I ASSUMED THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MEANT YES, WHEN HE WAS QUIET.

IT BECAME A WHOLE THING.

SO I THINK THE MICROPHONE NEEDS TO HEAR SOMEBODY SAY YES OR NO.

CAN WE AGREE TO THAT? OR DO WE NEED TO PASS A RULE THAT IF PEOPLE ARE SILENT, IT MEANS YES.

I DIDN'T HEAR ON THE MICROPHONE.

COMMISSIONER, YOU SAYING YES OR NO? AND I NEED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THE COURT MOVING.

WE'LL TAKE THE VOTE LATER, I GUESS, AND WE'LL JUST KEEP DISCUSSING THE ITEMS. ALL RIGHT. ITEM 12.

THAT'S ALSO PULLED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ON FLEX FUNDS, THIS IS AN A, A USE OF FLEX FUNDS, WHICH IS FLEX IS ANOTHER WORD FOR ULTIMATE FLEXIBILITY ON HOW YOU SPEND THE FUNDS.

BUT IT HAS TO DO WITH BROKERAGE FEES AND THE EVALUATION, MAYBE IN THE PURCHASE OF PROPERTIES AND OTHERS.

IS SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE RESIDENTS.

THAT MIGHT BE USED FOR LOW INCOME HOUSING.

IS THAT PRECLUDED FROM THESE FEES OR NOT? I DON'T BELIEVE SO.

I SEE DIRECTOR ACOSTA'S ON THE LINE, I THINK.

TAO, DO YOU WANT TO ANSWER? WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

DIRECTOR ACOSTA'S.

NO. I THINK YOU MIGHT BE MUTED.

TAO. OH, SHOOT.

YEAH. NO LUCK.

NOPE. WHY DON'T WE.

DO YOU WANT TO KEEP TRYING? AND WE'LL BRING.

WE'LL BRING YOU BACK. OKAY.

OKAY. SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WILL COME BACK SO THAT YOU CAN DISCUSS WITH THE DIRECTOR.

OKAY. JUDGE? YES, JUDGE. JUST IN ORDER TO MAKE I KNOW THIS QUESTION COMES UP A LOT, BUT I JUST WANT TO.

SO EVERYONE KNOWS WHEN THERE'S.

IF A MEMBER OF THE COURT DOESN'T SAY ANYTHING, THE ASSUMPTION IS UNDER UNDER OUR RULES.

THE ROSENBERG'S RULES IS THAT IT'S IT IS.

YES. IT'S CONSENT.

SO IT'S ONLY IF THEY SAY NO.

SO OFTENTIMES IN ORDER TO MAKE THINGS GO FASTER.

[03:10:02]

AND I'M JUST I KNOW I'M SORRY.

I WANT US TO IF WE ALL NEED TO VOTE ON THAT BECAUSE REMEMBER AND WE CAN CHECK THE RECORD.

ONE TIME COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS SILENT.

I ASSUMED IT WAS.

YES, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA LIKES TO DO.

AND IT BECAME A WHOLE THING.

NO, NO, I UNDERSTOOD, AND YOU WERE RIGHT.

YOU MADE THE CORRECT ASSUMPTION.

YOU MADE THE CORRECT ASSUMPTION.

SO IF I MIGHT, SINCE WE HAD THE RULES UP EARLIER, I JUST MOVED THAT IF A MEMBER'S VOICE IS NOT HEARD, THE ASSUMPTION IS IT'S YES.

CORRECT. IT'S YES.

AND I MEAN NO, NOBODY MEANS ANY DISRESPECT.

YES. SO IF I, IF I, SOMEBODY HEARD IT AND I DIDN'T HEAR IT, I MEAN I'M JUST REPORTING WHAT I HEAR.

IF I DON'T HEAR ANYTHING, I'M GOING TO TAKE IT.

ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. JUDGE YOU WHEN YOU CALL, THE VOTE IS FOUR ONE, THREE TWO.

IT'S THAT'S WHAT'S INFORMALLY IN THE RECORD.

AND SO YEAH.

AND IF I MAKE A MISTAKE, I'M HAPPY TO CORRECT IT.

ALL RIGHT I'M GOING TO GET MY ITEM PASSED.

DON'T CORRECT IT OKAY.

SO SO SO SO THAT WAS FOR ITEM TEN COMMISSIONER ITEM TEN.

SO I MADE A MOTION THAT IF YOU DON'T HEAR SOMEONE'S VOICE THE ASSUMPTION IS IT'S YES.

ALL RIGHT. SO I'LL MAKE THAT A MOTION.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? WHAT NOW? WHICH ONE ARE WE? SHE DOESN'T. IF THE PERSON PRESIDING DOES NOT HEAR SOMEONE SAY NO, THE ASSUMPTION IS IS.

YES, YES. YOU FOR THIS.

ALL RIGHT. YES.

MOTION CARRIES SILENT ON.

THAT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

ALL RIGHT. SO SHOULD WE GO BACK TO ITEM TEN? YES, MA'AM. ALL RIGHT.

SO THERE WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND, BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO. 4 TO 1.

GOOD JOB. TEAM. ALL RIGHT.

ITEM 12. DIRECTOR COSTAS, HOW ARE YOU FEELING ABOUT YOUR MIC? I. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? YES. OKAY.

SO THIS PARTICULAR POOL OF RESOURCES IS FOR OUR MULTIFAMILY AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS WITHIN THE ARPA MIX.

SO IT IS FOR THESE PROFESSIONAL SERVICES THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE FOR.

YES. ALL THOSE INVESTMENTS, NOT SINGLE FAMILY RIGHT NOW.

DIRECTOR, ARE YOU CLEAR ON THE DELIVERABLES OR WHAT YOU CAN USE THIS FOR? IT'S A PRETTY BROAD.

APPRAISALS REAL ESTATE SERVICES.

IT'S A WHOLE BROAD SECTION.

SO I GUESS YOU YOU HAVE A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU END UP SPENDING THIS MONEY ON.

YES. AND WE ALSO WILL NOT SPEND MONEY UNNECESSARILY ON, ON SERVICES THAT WE DON'T NEED.

SO THAT INCLUDES SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE.

NOT IN THIS PARTICULAR FUND.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

I'LL MOVE IT. SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO. MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

ITEM 13.

I HAD A QUESTION ON THAT ONE.

SO? SO WHO'S WHO COULD GIVE THE THE SORT OF THE LATEST UPDATE ON WHAT'S COMING BACK? I DON'T KNOW SORT OF WHICH DEPARTMENT THAT'S ON.

HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

THE 13.

YEAH. 13 IS DIRECTOR.

I THINK SHE JUST DISAPPEARED, BUT I'M SURE.

WELL, ANYWAY, MY POINT IS, YOU KNOW, I LOOKED AT THE 22 ORGANIZATIONS, AND THEY'RE GOOD.

THEY'RE GOOD PROJECTS.

HOUSTON AREA WOMEN'S CENTER, KIDS MEALS.

BUT I'M JUST CONCERNED WITH THE VENDOR SELECTION PROCESS.

JUST LIKE THE ETHICS REFORM ALL OF US MANAGED TO DO IN APRIL, I THINK IT PUTS ALL OF US, AS MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND THE COUNTY, AT RISK FOR SELECTION PROCESSES TO BE IN ANY WAY BIASED OR PERCEIVED AS BIASED.

SO THESE SELECTION COMMITTEES WERE COMPOSED OF A MAJORITY STAFF FROM THE PRECINCT THAT CHOSE THE VENDOR.

YOU CAN'T HAVE A TRUE SELECTION COMMITTEE A BASIC STANDARDS, MUCH LESS A HIGHER STANDARDS SELECTION COMMITTEE, WHEN THE MAJORITY OF THE COMMITTEE ARE STAFF MEMBERS WITH AN INTEREST IN THE OUTCOME.

SO I ADVOCATED THEN I THOUGHT WE HAD AGREED THAT THE COMMITTEE WAS GOING TO HAVE A RESPONSIBLE MEMBERSHIP ACCORDING TO GENERAL PRACTICE, BUT I I THINK THAT'S THE BEST WAY TO YIELD THE BEST RESULTS.

NOT A BALANCE THAT WE COULD END UP, END UP NOT REFLECTING THE BEST THAT WE CAN ON OUR COUNTY.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT PUTTING OURSELVES IN THAT POSITION, PUTTING OURSELVES IN BEING ACCUSED OF AWARDING PLUM PAYMENTS.

OBVIOUSLY, THESE ORGANIZATIONS WILL BE HAPPY TO HAVE RECEIVED THE MONEY FROM THE SPECIFIC PRECINCT COMMISSIONER

[03:15:08]

SO THAT'S THE ISSUE I HAVE WITH IT.

FOR THAT REASON, I'LL BE VOTING NO.

AND I'M HAPPY TO CONTINUE BRINGING ATTENTION TO THE BASIC STANDARDS WE NEED TO ESTABLISH BEFORE WE TALK ABOUT HIGHER STANDARDS.

I'LL MOVE IT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

JUST A JUST A POINT OF DISCUSSION.

EVERY OFFICE PARTICIPATED IN THIS.

EVERY OFFICE.

ALL FIVE OFFICES PARTICIPATED IN THIS.

ALL FIVE OFFICERS APPROVED THE PROCESS AND ALL FIVE OFFICES WERE CONSULTED AT EVERY STAGE OF THIS DEVELOPMENT.

AND SO.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE UNDERSTAND THAT IT'S NICE TO BRING UP ISSUES WHEN YOU'RE NOT INVOLVED.

SO AM I INVOLVED OR AM I NOT INVOLVED? BUT ALL FIVE OFFICERS WERE INVOLVED AND ALL FIVE OFFICERS APPROVED THE PROCESS.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A FACTUAL DISAGREEMENT, BUT I CAN'T BOTH BE INVOLVED AND NOT INVOLVED.

SEEING AS I'M ONE OF THE FIVE OFFICERS.

ALL RIGHT, SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

IS THERE A SECOND? I WILL SECOND, AND I SEE DIRECTOR COSTAS.

I THINK SHE WAS GOING TO ADDRESS THE QUESTION ABOUT THE PROCESS.

PLEASE. THE PROCESS DID INVOLVE MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS, INCLUDING THE PRECINCT STAFF, AND WE CONFERRED WITH PURCHASING AND OUR COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING THINGS IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY.

RIGHT. BUT REMEMBER, FOR FOR 50 YEARS, THE QUOTE UNQUOTE, MOST APPROPRIATE WAY.

QUOTE UNQUOTE, HIGHER STANDARDS WAY WAS FOR INDIVIDUAL PRECINCT OFFICES TO SELECT VENDORS FOR FLOOD CONTROL DOLLARS, LOCAL DOLLARS, AND TOLL ROAD DOLLARS WITHOUT CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS, WITHOUT SELECTION COMMITTEES, WITHOUT SELECTION CRITERIA OR ANYTHING IN WRITING.

SO THAT DOESN'T REALLY GIVE ME A WHOLE LOT OF CONFIDENCE.

DIRECTOR COSTAS, AND YOU HAVE NOT ANSWERED OR ADDRESSED THE POINT THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE STAFF WERE FROM THE PRECINCT.

OF COURSE, THE DIRECTOR SERVES AT THE PLEASURE OF THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT.

THE MAJORITY OF THE COURT IS OKAY WITH THIS PRACTICE.

JUST BECAUSE SOMETHING IS LEGAL DOESN'T MEAN IT'S GOOD.

AND OUR LINE FOR BASIC, NEVER MIND HIGHER STANDARDS SHOULD NOT BE WHAT BARELY CROSSES LEGALITY.

WE HAVE A MOTION.

WE HAVE A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? I FOR CONFIRMATION.

WHO WAS THE SECOND? GARCIA. GARCIA. OKAY.

ANY OPPOSED? OH. I'M OPPOSED.

THANK YOU. DIRECTOR.

SO IT'S 4 TO 1? YEAH. JUDGE. YEAH.

AND GREAT ON THE THE GOODWILL THEY'LL GET WITH THESE ORGANIZATIONS.

OKAY, SO LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 16.

I DON'T HAVE WHO REQUESTED THAT ONE.

WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA? I CAN'T REMEMBER.

AVENUE THREE. 60.

HEALTH AND WELLNESS.

ON. ON THIS ITEM.

I JUST WANT TO MENTION HOW THE HOW THIS ALONGSIDE OR RATHER COMBINES AFFORDABLE HOUSING WITH HEALTH CARE, WITH MENTAL HEALTH, WITH JOB SUPPORT, MAKING IT EFFECTIVE FOR CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

TODAY'S 29,000 FUNDING CUT FROM AVENUE THREE 60, COMES AFTER THE PROGRAM MOVED FULLY TO HARRIS COUNTY'S GENERAL FUND FROM THE FEDERAL CARES ACT SUPPORT.

WHILE THIS REDUCTION MAY SEEM SMALL HOUSING COSTS PER PERSON, WHICH IS 18 TO 20,000, ARE FAR LESS THAN THE 126,000 COST OF EMERGENCY SERVICES COMBINED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT COMBINED WITH EMERGENCY HEALTH CARE.

AND SO ONE PERSON TREATED WITH CURRENT FUNDS COULD HOUSE SEVEN.

IF WE LEVERAGE MORE LOCAL AND FEDERAL RESOURCES, HOMELESSNESS IMPACTS PUBLIC HEALTH, CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICES.

[03:20:01]

IT BENEFITS EVERY COUNTY DEPARTMENT LOWERING CRISIS, FOCUSING LAW ENFORCEMENT ON MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES AND BUILDING STRONGER COMMUNITIES. OUR GOAL IS A HOMELESSNESS FREE HARRIS COUNTY WITH SUSTAINED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

WE MUST MINIMIZE CUTS.

SEEK DIVERSE FUNDING SOURCES AND EXPAND CAPACITY TO HOUSE MORE PEOPLE.

IT TAKES EVERYONE WORKING TOGETHER TO PREVENT CUTS.

INCREASE EFFORTS, AND TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A NATIONAL LEADER IN ENDING CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS.

I HAVE MADE VISITS TO VISIT WITH HUD TO SHOW THEM OR TO REMIND THEM THAT WE HAVE JOINTLY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

WHEN WHEN WE STARTED THIS COLLABORATION WITH MAYOR TURNER THAT PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING WORKS AND AND THAT WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE HUD TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE FUNDING OR THAT WE SHOULD, THAT WE SHOULD LOOK FROM FUNDING PROBLEMS TO FUNDING SUCCESSES.

AND AND I WANT TO THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM AS WELL AS WELL AS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BECAUSE WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED WHEN WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER, THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT, THAT WE CAN REALLY IMPACT THE LIVES OF SO MANY PEOPLE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO NOT LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT CAREER RECOVERY AND RESOURCES HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL AND VERY CRITICAL ELEMENT OF OUR SUCCESS.

AND, YOU KNOW, WHEN IT'S BEEN A PLEASURE THAT WHEN I'VE BEEN IN MEETINGS, AT NATIONAL CONFERENCES AND UNBEKNOWNST TO ME, PEOPLE FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, I THINK IT'S THE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT'S OR THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE ON HOMELESSNESS HAVE GOTTEN UP THERE AND SAID IN HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO IMPACT HOMELESSNESS IN A MAJOR WAY.

AND SO IT TELLS ME THAT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK, BUT WE'RE ON THE RIGHT TRACK LARGELY THANKS TO THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOR THE ARPA DOLLARS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TO THIS INITIATIVE AND OTHERS INVOLVING HOMELESSNESS.

AND SO I JUST HOPE THAT HUD WILL LOOK MUCH CLOSER AT WHAT WE'VE DONE HERE AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE HAVE A GOOD MODEL THAT'S SCALABLE, AND THAT I HOPE THAT THEY WILL LOOK AT WAYS TO EXPAND PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING AND OTHER ALL THE OTHER ELEMENTS THAT WE'VE PUT TOGETHER JUST TO SHOW JUST OR RATHER JUST TO SHOW HOW SUCCESSFUL WE'VE BEEN.

BUT BUT POTENTIALLY TO HELP OTHER COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED TO MOVE ON.

THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR LEADING ON THIS.

ITEM 18 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY RUPANI FOUNDATION FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD.

WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. SO MOVED.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRYANT.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO. I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

ITEM 22, FLAGGED BY EVERYBODY.

THIS IS THE MWBE SCORECARD.

OCA UNDER OCA AGENDA.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS IT FIRST, OR COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SO I WANT TO FIRST, THANK THE OFFICE, THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE DEO. AND PURCHASING FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK ON VARIOUS ELEMENTS.

HOWEVER, I DON'T THINK THIS ITEM IS READY YET, AND I, I'M CONCERNED THAT WHEN WE HAVE SO MUCH OTHER ELEMENTS IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS AND BUREAUCRACY TO TO HELPING ME BECOME A BETTER PART OF OUR, OUR, OUR WORK.

I WOULD HATE TO PUT DIRECTORS IN A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION BY THINKING THAT THEY'RE GOING TO GET A BAD GRADE IF THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE SELECTED.

AND I DON'T WANT TO BE THE CAUSE FOR THEM FEELING PRESSURED TO DO SOMETHING WHEN SOME THINGS ARE JUST NOT NOT READY YET.

[03:25:06]

I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

BUT I AM I JUST THINK WE WE NEED TO HELP IN OTHER AREAS OF THIS PROCESS BEFORE WE START TRYING TO GRADE OUR DIRECTORS FOR FOR THIS THIS PROCESS.

SO MY, MY MOTION ON THIS WOULD BE TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES, IN CONSULTATION WITH DEO, THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE AND PURCHASING TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP THE DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCORECARD.

BECAUSE I DON'T THINK WE DON'T WE KNOW THAT YET AND UNDERSTAND THAT.

AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IT'S IT'S A WELL IT COULD BE WELL APPLIED.

AND THEN I'LL HAVE A SUBSEQUENT MOTION TO DIRECT THE EO TO SUBMIT THIS PROPOSAL AS A BUDGET ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR THE 2026 BUDGET.

BUT I, I JUST THINK THAT I WANT I WANT TO.

I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE HOLDING OUR PRIMES ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR MWB AND MWB PARTICIPATION AND UTILIZATION.

BECAUSE I'VE JUST HEARD TOO MANY STORIES OVER THE YEARS.

I HAVEN'T NECESSARILY HEARD IT AS MUCH HERE, BUT AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SO MANY MBES WOULD COME TO ME AND SAY, I DIDN'T KNOW I WAS A I WAS ON THIS CONTRACT, I DIDN'T KNOW I HAD BEEN PLACED ON THIS CONTRACT.

AND THEN THERE ARE EMPLOYEES THAT ARE GETTING TERM CONTRACTS THAT ARE NEVER BEING UTILIZED.

AND SO THEY MAY HAVE $1 MILLION NEXT TO THEIR NAME, BUT THEY'RE NEVER BEING UTILIZED.

AND SO THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OPPORTUNITY TO EARN THAT MONEY.

AND SO I THINK WE JUST HAVE SO MANY OTHER PIECES OF THIS TO UNDERSTAND AND FIX.

AND SO RESPECTFULLY, I DON'T THINK THE SCORECARD IS IS READY TO MOVE FORWARD.

SO ON THE SCORECARD I WOULD BE ASKING THAT WE CONSIDER STRONGLY CONSIDER A NO ACTION ON IT.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOLLOWED BY ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YEAH, THE PROMPT PAYMENT I THINK, DOES INTERACT WITH THIS.

WE'RE STRUGGLING WITH THAT RIGHT NOW, FRANKLY.

IT'S NOT WHERE WE, ANY OF US WANT IT TO BE.

SO I THINK WE NEED TO GET THAT PART IN ORDER.

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE COUNTY WORK AND WHENEVER I WOULD DECLARE A SUB, THAT SUB GOT THAT MUCH OR MORE.

AND I KNOW THE DIRECTOR AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, AND I APPRECIATE HER INITIATIVE TO REALLY HOLD THE PRIMES ACCOUNTABLE FOR WHAT? THEY SIGNED A CONTRACT.

THEY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO USE THESE FIRMS. AND WHEN YOU DON'T DO WHAT YOU SAY YOU DO IN THE CONTRACT THAT'S THAT'S AN ISSUE.

SO THERE'S A LOT OF, I THINK, DETAILS TO WORK OUT.

I THINK THIS PROGRAM WAS MODELED OFF OF NEW YORK, WHICH I THINK THAT'S BEEN DISCONTINUED AS I UNDERSTAND IT AT THIS POINT. SO I THINK THERE'S SOME WORK TO BE DONE.

IT NEEDS TO BE FULLY UNDERSTOOD.

WE'VE HAD THIS DISCUSSION ONCE TODAY ALREADY.

WHAT IS THE BUDGET IMPLICATION? WHAT IS THE IMPACTS? AND I DON'T THINK WE UNDERSTAND THAT AT THIS POINT.

SO UNTIL WE BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT WHETHER YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT INVESTIGATORS OR A DEO PROGRAM, YOU BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COST IMPACTS ARE BEFORE YOU IMPACT A PROGRAM. AND I DO THINK IT SHOULD BE DELAYED.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, JUDGE, I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THIS PROGRAM.

I PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA, I THINK, ALMOST A YEAR AGO, AND WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR IT TO MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK IT'S REAL EASY FOR US TO HIGH FIVE AND PAT OURSELVES ON THE BACK ABOUT HOW FAR WE'VE COME AND IGNORE THE FACT THAT THIS COUNTY WAS ABOUT THE LAST URBAN COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY TO DO A MWBE PROGRAM.

AND I THINK IN PART, THAT'S BECAUSE THE PREVIOUS COMMISSIONERS COURT JUST PUT THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND AND SAID PUBLICLY AT THIS DAIS THAT THE NUMBERS AT THE COUNTY WERE BETTER THAN THE NUMBERS AT THE CITY, AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN COLLECT THE NUMBERS.

AND EVEN NOW, WITH ALL WE'VE DONE, WHEN WE CHALLENGED ALL OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS AND PUT UP MONEY FOR THEM TO DO DISPARITY STUDIES, THEY DIDN'T KNOW THEIR NUMBERS AND REALLY DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW THE NUMBERS, AND THEY GO BY AD IN THE NEWSPAPER, AS THIS

[03:30:05]

AND, YOU KNOW, THEY BUY BANQUET TABLE AND THEY GET AN AWARD FOR THAT GREAT DIVERSITY PROGRAM.

I JOKINGLY SAY, IF YOU BOUGHT ONE OF MY BANQUET TABLES, I'LL GIVE YOU AN AWARD TOO, BUT YOU NEED TO KNOW THE NUMBERS.

SO WE WENT THROUGH THAT.

NOW WE KNOW THE NUMBERS.

AND IF A PRIME IS NOT DOING WHAT THEY SAY THEY'LL SUPPORT, THEY'RE GOING TO DO WELL.

WHEN THE GRADE IS CALCULATED, THEY CAN EXPLAIN WHY.

BUT LOOK, WE THEY WEREN'T THE SAME DEPARTMENT HEADS WE HAVE NOW NECESSARILY.

BUT DEPARTMENT HEADS WENT RIGHT ALONG WHEN I WAS HERE BY MYSELF.

AND THEY WOULD SAY, OH, WE GOT A GREAT PROGRAM AND WE'RE DOING SO MUCH AND WE'RE DOING NOTHING.

AND EVEN NOW MOST OF THE COMMUNITY COLLEGES DON'T COLLECT THE DATA AND THEY DON'T WANT TO KNOW.

THEY WANT TO PUT THEIR HEADS IN THE SAND.

SO IF THERE ARE THINGS THAT THEY ARE PERFECT.

PERFECT THEM. BUT MOVE FORWARD.

AND I MIGHT SAY THIS.

WE DIDN'T MAKE THE MISTAKE.

THAT THE CITY MADE WHEN THEY SET UP THAT PROGRAM IN 1984.

THAT PROGRAM IS A SUBCONTRACTOR PROGRAM AT THE CITY.

YOU HAVE TO APPLY BY WHATEVER THE GOAL IS, NOT A QUOTA.

THE GOAL, EVEN IF YOU ARE MWBE AND THAT RELEGATES YOU TO ALWAYS BEING SMALL.

AND SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN THE CONTRACTOR COMMUNITY THE LAST MINUTE, WE WON'T ZOOM.

IF YOU RECALL, IT CAME IN SUGGESTING, OH, IF YOU REALLY WANT TO HELP THE SMALL, I DON'T WANT THEM TO STAY SMALL.

IF WE HADN'T WAITED SO LONG THE WAY WE DID, WAIT BECAUSE OF A LACK OF POLITICAL COURAGE.

SO I SUGGEST WE DO IT.

WE DO IT AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

THE MOTION THAT I'M GOING TO MAKE, OR JUST ASK THE OMB TO DISCUSS RESOURCES FOR MWBE SCORECARD DURING THE FIRST QUARTER OF FISCAL YEAR 25, ASSUMING SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT WE'VE ALLOCATED FOR SOME PROGRAMS THAT ARE PASSED HERE WITH PRETTY GOOD SUPPORT, AT LEAST FOR ONE THAT WE MAY NOT GET TO IMPLEMENT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD IT WAS A BUDGET ISSUE TO GET THIS DONE.

SO FOR ME, STRONGLY, RESPECTFULLY, I THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD.

AND WE HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA WHEN THE DETRACTORS TO THESE PROGRAMS ARE GOING TO END IT, BY THE WAY.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE COMPLY WITH THE LAW.

IF THEY NEED MORE TIME, THEY COULD ASK FOR MORE TIME.

THEY ASKED FOR MORE RESOURCES.

AND I'M GOING TO CONCEDE THAT.

I WON'T ARGUE THE POINT SOMETIMES.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ON THIS ONE.

I LIKE TO TAKE YOUR POSITION.

I DON'T WANT TO BRING IN SOME CONSULTANT TO FIGURE IT OUT.

GO DO IT.

BUT I JUST I THINK WE'VE WAITED FOR FAR TOO LONG.

RESPECTFULLY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND I KNOW IT MAKES PEOPLE FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

BUT YOU KNOW WHAT? THOSE MINORITY AND WOMEN OWNED BUSINESSES ARE THE MOST UNCOMFORTABLE BECAUSE THEY HAD TO WAIT SO LONG FOR THIS COUNTY TO GET THERE.

AND THEN WHEN WE DID THE STUDY THAT TOOK TWO YEARS PLUS TO COME UP WITH A PROGRAM, IT'S ONLY BEEN A FAIRLY SHORT AMOUNT OF TIME THAT WE'VE HAD A PROGRAM.

BUT SO FOR THAT REASON, I WOULD HOPE WE MOVE FORWARD.

AND IF THEY COME BACK AND SAY THEY'VE RUN INTO SOME HURDLES, BUT IF SOMEBODY'S FEELINGS ARE GOING TO BE HURT BECAUSE THEIR GRADE WAS NOT SOMETHING THAT PLEASED THEM AND THEY THINK THEY DIDN'T DESERVE IT.

MAKE THAT CASE.

BUT YOU GOT TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION.

I JUST DON'T WANT TO KEEP PUTTING THIS ISSUE IN THE CLOSET.

I THINK WE'VE DONE THAT IN THIS REGION FOR FAR TOO LONG.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU.

BEFORE I GO, MAY I PLEASE MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE TIME? SECOND. I SECOND IT.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRENNAN.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO I SHARE THE PASSION AND I SHARE THE CONCERNS FOR THESE REASONS.

SO JUST SO EVERYONE KNOWS WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IS THIS MWBE UTILIZATION SCORECARD THAT WOULD GRADE THE DEPARTMENTS ON AN A TO F SCALE FOR MWBE SPENDING IN COMPARISON TO THE AWARD AMOUNTS? I FEEL VERY PASSIONATELY THAT WE NEED THIS SCORECARD.

WE NEED TO HOLD OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE AND BE TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHAT WE'RE DOING AND NOT DOING.

AND WE NEED TO HAVE.

I'M IN FAVOR OF OPTION B.

WE NEED THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO COACH THE DEPARTMENTS TO GET BETTER.

HOWEVER, IN THE SPIRIT OF TRANSPARENCY, WE DON'T HAVE THE DATA INFRASTRUCTURE TO ACTUALLY GET STARTED WITH THIS.

I WISH IT HAD BEEN BEING CREATED IN PARALLEL AND I REALIZED IT HAS NOT.

SO WE CAN'T EVEN IMPLEMENT THE SCORECARD TOMORROW IF WE WANTED TO, BECAUSE IT'S HIGHLY MANUAL AND WE'RE BUILDING THE DATA INFRASTRUCTURE AND I APPRECIATE

[03:35:01]

AND YOU HAVE A PLAN, AND I APPRECIATE OMB AND OCA RECOMMENDING THAT THIS COME BACK IN NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET ENHANCEMENTS TO GIVE TIME FOR THE DATA INFRASTRUCTURE TO BE BUILT.

I HOPE AND I KNOW, ESTELA, WE'VE TALKED ABOUT THIS SO OFTEN.

I SHARE THE CONCERNS THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND RAMSEY STATED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HOLDING THE PRIMES ACCOUNTABLE IN TERMS OF PAYMENT TO THE SUBS, IN TERMS OF UTILIZATION TO THE SUBS.

AND I ALSO WANT THAT TO BE VERY CLEAR, APPARENT AND TRACKABLE.

AND WE NEED THAT DATA AS WELL.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT YOU ALL ARE WORKING ON THAT AS WELL.

BUT WE NEED TO HOLD OUR DEPARTMENTS AND OURSELVES ACCOUNTABLE, AND WE NEED TO HOLD OUR PRIMES ACCOUNTABLE.

AND I THINK WE NEED MORE FREQUENT UPDATES ON THE PROGRESS THAT IS BEING MADE OR NOT, AND WHY AND HOW WE CAN SUPPORT.

BUT IN SOME THE MOTIONS THAT I HAD AND I FEEL VERY STRONGLY ABOUT THE SCORECARD, SO I CANNOT WAIT FOR IT TO BE A REALITY.

BUT IN THE MEANTIME, AGAIN, WE NEED THE DATA INFRASTRUCTURE TO HAVE THE DATA TO THEN RATE THE DEPARTMENTS.

SO THE MOTIONS THAT MY TEAM AND I HAD WORKED ON ARE ACTUALLY THE ONES THAT WERE CIRCULATED EARLIER TODAY AND WERE THE ONES READ.

WELL, NO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THOSE ARE THE ONES. SO IT WAS BASICALLY I'M IN SOME VERY FAVORABLE TO THE SCORECARD.

WE NEED IT. WE NEED TO HOLD THE DEPARTMENTS ACCOUNTABLE.

AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING UPDATES ON WHAT WE'RE DOING TO HOLD OUR PRIMES ACCOUNTABLE.

AND THEN AS WELL AS THE SAFETY RECORD WORK THAT WE PASSED.

AND I KNOW YOU'RE WORKING ON ALL OF THIS, ESTELLA, BUT WE NEED TO TAKE ACTION IN A MUCH MORE AGGRESSIVE FASHION AND A MORE AGGRESSIVE TIMETABLE.

SO IN SOME THE MOTIONS THAT I WOULD SUPPORT ARE THE MOTIONS TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND CONSULTATION WITH DEO, OCA AND PURCHASING TO IDENTIFY AND DEVELOP THE DATA REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE SCORECARD AND A MOTION TO DIRECT THE CEO TO SUBMIT THE PROPOSAL AS A BUDGET ENHANCEMENT REQUEST FOR THE FY 26 BUDGET.

AND THIS IS SOMETHING THAT IN ADVANCE, I WILL BE HAPPY TO ADVOCATE FOR THAT IN THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BROWN, A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER.

AND THAT'S GOOD. AND I JUST ALSO MENTION IT'LL TAKE 6 TO 12 MONTHS FOR THE SCORECARD TO GET OUT.

AS YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER BROWN'S IN ANY RATE.

SO IT WON'T HAPPEN OVERNIGHT I AGREE I MEAN WE NEED THIS AND IF WE COULD AND I'LL PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA, BUT I'D REALLY LOVE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS THAT WILL BE MADE TOWARDS THE SCORECARD, BUT ALSO ALL THE MACRO IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE SURE THE WORKER SAFETY POLICY, HOW WE'RE ENFORCING IT AND HOLDING FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE, PAYMENTS TO SUBS AND THE TRACKING AND THE CERTIFICATIONS.

ET CETERA. ET CETERA, ET CETERA. I KNOW THERE'S A LOT OF WORK STREAMS, BUT WE NEED TO BE MAKING MARKED PROGRESS.

AND SO I APPRECIATE YOUR PARTNERSHIP, ESTELLA, AND ALL OF YOUR TEAM.

SO THANK YOU. AND I JUST CAN'T EMPHASIZE ENOUGH.

BOY, DO I WANT TO SEE 1,000,000% OF MWB PARTICIPATION AND UTILIZATION? BUT I WANT THEM TO GET PAID, AND WE'RE JUST NOT PAYING OUR SUBS RIGHT NOW BECAUSE WE'RE NOT PAYING OUR PRIMES.

I AGREE, AND AND, YOU KNOW, AT SOME POINT, IF WE NEEDED TO DO A SCORECARD ON PAY IT ON PAYING.

YEAH. COMMISSIONER GARCIA I'D BE FOR THAT AS WELL.

AND THAT'S WHAT I WAS REFERRING TO BECAUSE I AGREE.

LIKE THERE'S WE WANT TO HELP MWBES AND WE GET CALLS THAT THEY CAN'T MAKE PAYROLL AND PAY BECAUSE THE PRIMES HAVEN'T PAID.

SO I HAVE BEEN IN ACTIVE COMMUNICATIONS WITH DIANA AND ESTELLA.

I KNOW WE ALL HAVE, BUT WHERE'S THAT WORK TO.

BECAUSE THAT IS OF HIGHEST PRIORITY AND SHOULD BE BUILT INTO THE STORE CARD AS WELL IN MY ESTIMATION.

BECAUSE IF THERE'S A CERTAIN DEPARTMENT THAT'S NOT HOLDING THEIR CONTRACTORS ACCOUNTABLE, THAT'S OF CONCERN.

THAT WOULD BE RAMSEY.

SO YOU COULD END UP HAVING A PROGRAM WHERE THE SCORE LOOKS PRETTY GOOD BECAUSE YOU GOT A WELL I GOT A CONTRACT.

THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO BUT YOU DIDN'T GET PAID BUT YOU DIDN'T GET PAID.

THEY DIDN'T PAY IT. WELL THEY DIDN'T PAY THEM.

THEY DIDN'T USE THEM. YEP.

CAN YOU, CAN YOU GUYS WOULD YOU GUYS BE OKAY WITH THE MOTION SOMEHOW INCLUDING THAT THEY INCORPORATE TIMELINESS OF PAYMENTS IN THIS? WELL, I MEAN, WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON, ON PROMPT PAYMENT FOR ALMOST TWO AND A HALF YEARS NOW.

AND SO AND IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED.

RIGHT. WE'RE GETTING NOTICES, LEGAL NOTICES FROM ATTORNEYS TRYING TO COLLECT FOR THEIR FIRMS. IT IS A MAJOR PROBLEM.

AND REGRETTABLY, IF THERE IS GOING TO BE A SCORECARD, THE SCORECARD, UNFORTUNATELY, WOULD FALL LIKE ON D0.

AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND ON PURCHASING.

SO THAT'S WHERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES ARE.

AND LOOK THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT ARE PART OF THIS GOAL AND THE MINORITY BUSINESSES THAT WE WANT TO SUPPORT IN BECOMING PRIMES.

NONE OF THAT MATTERS IF THEY DON'T GET PAID.

BECAUSE TOO OFTEN PEOPLE ARE NOW STAYING AWAY FROM TRYING TO SUBMIT FOR THESE CONTRACTS, BECAUSE IT'S A LOT OF MONEY TO BID TO PUT

[03:40:06]

AND THEN JUST TO KNOW THAT YOU GOT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO FLOAT PAYROLL, BECAUSE WE'RE SO DAMN SLOW ON ON PAYING PEOPLE WHAT I MEAN.

OH GO AHEAD. SO THE MOTION'S BEEN MADE.

I THINK WE'VE TAKEN A VOTE ON THE ON THE ON THOSE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT I DO AGREE WITH YOU, BUT THAT ISSUE OF LATE PAYMENTS WAS GOING ON EVEN WHEN MOST OF THE BUSINESSES WERE WHITE. SO WE OUGHT TO KEEP WORKING ON THAT.

WE OUGHT TO BE PAYING.

OH, YEAH. NO, WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAYING EVEN BACK THEN.

AND LOOK, WE AGREED TO MEET MORE DAYS.

WHEN WE WERE ASKED. AT ONE POINT, I WAS TOLD THE ISSUE WAS WE WEREN'T.

OKAY. NOW WE DO THE BUSINESS COURTS, SO IT'S ON THE BUREAUCRACY TO TELL US IF THERE'S IS SOMETHING IN STATE LAW THAT'S A SEPARATE ISSUE.

NO NO, NO. IT IS HOW WE HAVE CONSTRUCTED THE BUREAUCRACY BECAUSE THERE IS A PRE REVIEW THAT HAS TO BE DONE.

THEN WE HAVE TO SEND IT TO DOE AND THEN IT GOES I THINK BACK TO THE DEPARTMENT.

THEN IT GOES TO PURCHASING OR THE AUDITORS AND THEN IT MIGHT GO BACK AND THEN FINALLY THEY MAY, THEY MAY GET PAID, BUT IT BOUNCES AROUND IN HOW WE'VE CONSTRUCTED THE BUREAUCRACY.

THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE NOT YET FIXED.

WHAT I MEAN ON THE SCORECARD, THOUGH, IS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT MWBE FOR A LONG TIME, AND WE'RE SAYING LET'S PUT SOME NUMBERS ON IT.

IT'S KIND OF LIKE LIKE THE JAIL.

WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT REDUCING THE POPULATION.

AND THEN FINALLY TANYA'S BEING ABLE TO PARSE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS.

AND SO IN TERMS OF PROMPT PAYMENT WHAT'S THE WAY TO DETERMINE EXACTLY HERE'S A THOUGHT.

YEAH. I WOULD HATE TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE.

YEAH, I KNOW SOMETIMES WHEN I WAS IN AUSTIN, PEOPLE WOULD SAY, WHEN I'M ADVOCATING FOR THE DIVERSITY PIECE, WHAT WE GOT TO SOLVE ALL THIS? AND I'D SAY, WELL, WE DON'T MIND GETTING IN WHILE IT'S MESSED UP.

YOU BOYS DON'T HAVE TO GET IT PERFECT BEFORE WE GET IN.

SO IF WE WANT TO GO DO A SCORECARD ON PAVEMENT, DO THAT.

BUT I DON'T WANT I DON'T THINK THAT THE DIVERSITY PIECE.

I WOULD NEVER MAKE THE ARGUMENT.

DIVERSITY IS SLOWING DOWN PAYMENT.

THAT WAS ALREADY SLOW, RIGHT? NO. AND THAT THAT WASN'T WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.

I WAS JUST SAYING I WAS JUST GOING FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF IF WE HAVE DIVERSITY, BUT WE STILL DON'T HAVE PAYMENT, THEY'RE STILL NOT GOING TO GROW.

AND I'VE HEARD THIS DISCUSSION BEFORE, AND I JUST MEAN HOW CAN WE AND IT COULD BE A SOMEWHAT SEPARATE THING, I GUESS.

NOT. NOT LIKE AN A THROUGH F SITUATION, BUT BUT HOW CAN WE REALLY GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT? OF COURSE, I WONDER, AND I WOULD SUSPECT THAT GOING THROUGH THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT, LIKE ALL OF THE COUNTIES, WOULD MAKE IT FASTER.

BUT SO HERE'S JUST A SUGGESTION.

MAYBE A WORKING GROUP BY STAFF TO LOOK AT THE PROMPT PAY ISSUE AND BRING SOMETHING BACK, BUT I JUST DON'T WANT TO CONFUSE IT WITH THE SCORECARD.

COMMISSIONER, WE GOT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, BUT THEY CAN DO IT WORK.

Y'ALL COME BACK AND TELL US THE LAST TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

THAT IS WHAT HAS TO BECOME A MAJOR PRIORITY.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN RAISING EVERY REGULARLY AT THIS, AT THIS COURT SAYING THAT THE PROMPT I, I PUT THAT ITEM TO MR. BARRY WHEN HE WAS HERE, AND WE HAVE YET TO GET IT RIGHT.

YOU BETTER DO YOUR SCORECARD ON THIS PROMPT PAY ISSUE COMING FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE.

AND MAYBE AGAIN, THIS IS, YOU KNOW, A BOTH AND ULTIMATELY THE PROCURE TO PAY PROGRESS.

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

THE IRONY.

WELL, I'LL SPARE YOU MY DIATRIBE, BUT IT'S EXTRAORDINARILY SLOW.

AND THE LACK OF PROGRESS AND LACK OF SPEED IS UNACCEPTABLE.

TEAM, CAN WE PLEASE PUT AN ITEM TO GET AN UPDATE ON THE PROCURE TO PAY PROGRESS FOR NEXT COURT? AND I KNOW ESTELLA, YOU'RE WORKING WITH CINDY AND DIANA AND AND NOW PAIGE AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS, AND I APPRECIATE IT, BUT WE NEED TO MOVE WITH MORE PURPOSE, AND WE NEED TO BE MAKING PROGRESS ON THE MWBE.

AND THERE'S INHERENT INTERSECTIONS, BUT IT IS A BOTH AND AND WE DON'T HAVE MONTHS TO WASTE MUCH LESS MORE YEARS TO WASTE.

AND SO AGAIN, THANK YOU IN ADVANCE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATES.

SO WE HAVE THE TWO MOTIONS.

SO WE HAD THE MOTION A SECOND FOR BOTH BOTH MOTIONS THAT COMMISSIONER BROWN HAS READ.

ALL IN FAVOR. AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU GUYS. DID ANYONE HAVE THOUGHTS, DIANA? OR I GUESS ANYBODY ON ON THIS PROMPT PAYMENT SITUATION.

ESTELLA AND SORT OF WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS INTO GETTING SOMEWHERE TANGIBLE? YES. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO PROCURE TO PAY PROJECT THAT I SEE DIANA IS ON AND SHE MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT.

AND THEN THIS PROJECT.

SO THE SCORECARD IS ABOUT PAYMENTS.

SO IT WILL BE LOOKING AT PAYMENTS OUT THE DOORS TO THE MWP VENDORS.

[03:45:03]

BUT I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT IT IS A MUCH BIGGER PROJECT.

SO WE ARE COLLABORATING.

PARTICIPATING ALREADY BEEN IN MEETINGS PROCESS MAPPING, BUT I JUST WANTED TO MAKE THAT THE DISTINCTION THAT WHAT WE ARE FOCUSED ON FOR THE SCORECARD PROJECT WILL BE DIFFERENT THAN THAT.

AND WE ARE OBVIOUSLY WANT TO UPDATE Y'ALL AS MUCH AS Y'ALL WANT.

AND IF THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE SUBMITTING TRANSMITTALS GIVING YOU ALL NARRATIVE UPDATES ON OUR WORK.

AS COMMISSIONER BROWN HAS MENTIONED EARLIER.

WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT AS WELL, AND I CAN WORK WITH THAT WITH MY TEAM.

I DON'T THINK THAT WOULD HURT.

DIRECTOR FOR NEXT MEETING.

JUST JUST VERY BRIEF.

I MEAN, I DARE SAY I REALLY APPRECIATE THE WAY TANYA DOES HER UPDATES JUST REAL TIGHT AND QUICK AND VISUALS.

PERHAPS SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OF COURSE, IF MY COLLEAGUES DISAGREE WE'LL DO A P2P PRESENTATION NEXT QUARTER AS WELL.

WE'LL BE READY FOR THAT.

DIANA RAMIREZ. THANK YOU.

ADMINISTRATOR. ALL RIGHT, YOU GUYS, THANKS SO MUCH.

AND I KNOW, ADMINISTRATOR, YOU'RE AT A CONFERENCE.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR REPRESENTING US OVER THERE.

OKAY, SO WE ARE ON ITEM 24 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

WELL, IT'S ALL ABOUT THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

SO GOOD AFTERNOON.

BOARD MEMBERS AND AND JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS DIANA RAMIREZ WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

AND I'D LIKE TO TAKE JUST ABOUT 5 TO 7 MINUTES TO PRESENT ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN OVERVIEW.

AND I'LL ASK YOU TO KEEP ME HONEST, NOW THAT WE HAVE THE TEN MINUTE RULE THAT APPLIES TO DEPARTMENT HEADS AS WELL ON PRESENTATIONS.

SO HAPPY AND PROUD TO PRESENT THE COUNTY'S FIRST FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION, AND, I HOPE, APPROVAL.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

TIFFANY, WE HAVE THREE PARTS TO TODAY'S PRESENTATION.

THE ON THE PROCESS, THE THE REVIEW OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN AND NEXT STEPS.

BUT WHAT I WANT TO REMIND EVERYONE IS THAT THE STRATEGIC PLAN IS ASPIRATIONAL FOR US.

IT INCLUDES THE WORK WE WANT TO DO IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS TO MOVE US TOWARDS OUR NORTH STAR.

AND BY THAT WE MEAN THAT BY 2050, HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE SAFE AND FAIR.

CONNECTED, THRIVING, HEALTHY, RESILIENT AND SECURE.

NEXT SLIDE PLEASE.

WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON THE PLAN FOR THE PAST YEAR AND ACCOMPLISHED SEVERAL FIRSTS.

AND TWO OF THOSE INCLUDE THAT THE COURT HELD A SPECIAL WORK SESSION MEETING LAST APRIL.

THAT WAS FOCUSED JUST ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN, WHICH REALLY MOVED US FORWARD ON THAT.

AND THEN WE WOUND UP LATER THAT MONTH IN APRIL, WITH THE COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVING THE STRATEGIC PLAN FRAMEWORK.

AND THE FRAMEWORK INCLUDES A VISION, PURPOSE, GUIDING PRINCIPLES, SIX GOALS, 23 OBJECTIVES, AND 22 COMMUNITY INDICATORS. NEXT SLIDE.

WE HAD SIGNIFICANT IMPACT INPUT FROM WITHIN THE COUNTY AND AMONG THE COMMUNITY AND NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS.

IT INCLUDES DEPARTMENT HEADS, COUNTY CHAMPIONS A LOT OF COMMUNITY GROUPS.

OVER 50 COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT YOUR OFFICES RECOMMENDED FOR US.

SO WE FEEL THAT IT, IT HAD A LOT OF OF GOOD INPUT AND OUTSIDE VOICES, NOT JUST COUNTY VOICES.

NEXT SLIDE.

AND TODAY WE'RE ASKING COMMISSIONERS COURT TO APPROVE THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

AS PRESENTED.

WE'VE MOVED FROM BROAD IDEAS TO SPECIFIC INITIATIVES AND MEASURABLE RESULTS.

AND THOSE TWO COMPONENTS MAKE THE PLAN STAND OUT COMPARED TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS FOR ITS LEVEL OF SPECIFICITY AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

TIFFANY, IF YOU CAN SCROLL OVER THE NEXT SIX SLIDES THAT COVER THE WORK UNDER EACH OF THE SIX GOALS AND TAKE ABOUT 10S PER SLIDE BEFORE MOVING TO THE NEXT ONE. EVERYBODY HAS THIS IN THEIR BACKUP.

IT'S IT'S A LOT OF DETAIL.

BUT ONE OF THE MAIN ISSUES I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT IS THE FACT THAT MANY OF THE INITIATIVES REQUIRE US TO PARTNER WITH THE OFFICES OF INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS, OTHER JURISDICTIONS, NONPROFITS, AND OTHER COMMUNITY GROUPS.

AND AS SUCH, WE KNOW WE WILL HAVE TO PHASE IN THE WORK AS WE DEVELOP OR IMPROVE THOSE RELATIONSHIPS ACROSS THE REGION, AND WE ALIGN THE WORK WITH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

[03:50:04]

SO OUR SUCCESS WILL NEED TO BE ASSESSED AGAINST WHAT WE ACCOMPLISH, RATHER THAN FOCUSED ON AN INITIATIVE THAT MAY NOT GET OFF THE GROUND OR THAT DOES NOT MEET THE MEASURABLE RESULTS EXPECTED.

SO NOW TO IF YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GO TO SLIDE 13 ON THE NEXT STEPS.

ASSUMING APPROVAL OF THE STRATEGIC PLAN TODAY, OUR NEXT STEPS ON THE IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP INCLUDE DEFINING OUR METRICS TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ALL TALKING ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING.

ALIGNING THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

BECAUSE AS AS IT'S COME UP SEVERAL TIMES TODAY, HAVING NEW INITIATIVES USUALLY REQUIRES RESOURCES, AND WE WANT TO GET ONTO A GOOD BUDGET, BUDGET PROCESS AND AND IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP WITH THAT, AND THEN CREATING A DECISION FRAMEWORK TO HELP STAFF IN FURTHERING THE PLAN'S IMPLEMENTATION.

FINALLY, THIS IS A LIVING DOCUMENT, SO YOU WILL SEE IT AGAIN, AND IT WILL BE ROUTINELY UPDATED TO ENSURE WE'RE RESPONDING TO NEW ISSUES AND BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE GREATER HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY.

IN CLOSING, I'D LIKE TO THANK YOUR STAFF, ESPECIALLY THE FOLKS THAT THAT YOU HAD WORKING ON THE STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE.

THEY SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS WORKING ON THIS.

EVERYTHING FROM THE BIG IDEAS DOWN TO WORDSMITHING, YOU KNOW, TO THE NTH DEGREE TO TRY TO GET AS AS PERFECT AS POSSIBLE.

WE'RE NOT AT PERFECTION, BUT WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD POSITION, I THINK.

I ALSO WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE COUNTY CHAMPIONS WHO ATTENDED MEETINGS AND GAVE US THEIR FEEDBACK.

THE DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO OCA AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTLY.

THEY SPENT A LOT OF TIME ALSO REVIEWING THE INITIATIVES, MAKING SURE THAT WE WERE STAYING WITHIN WHAT WAS LEGALLY FEASIBLE, EVEN THOUGH WE WERE LOOKING AT ASPIRATIONAL INITIATIVES. AND THEN TO TO MY STAFF IN OCA AND IN OMB.

AND ESPECIALLY ALEX T, WHO'S LIVED AND BREATHED THE STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND REALLY SHEPHERDED IT THROUGH.

I REALLY APPRECIATE ALL YOUR SUPPORT AND JUST ALLOWING US TO UNDERTAKE THIS PLANNING EFFORT.

AND WITH THAT OPEN IT UP TO ANY QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

JUST A QUESTION THAT I'LL MAKE A COMMENT.

WAS IT YOUR UNDERSTANDING THAT ONCE WE WENT THROUGH THIS PROCESS, OBVIOUSLY NO OFFICE OR DEPARTMENT GOT EVERYTHING THEY WANTED, BUT WAS IT JUST SINCE THERE WAS A CONSENSUS WE WOULD VOTE ON THIS AND WE WOULD NOT START AMENDING IT AGAIN? WE WE HAD FOLKS HAD MADE THAT CASE, OUR STAFFS, EVERYBODY, AND KIND OF LIKE, THIS IS IT.

WAS THAT YOUR SENSE? YES, SIR. THE THE IDEA IS BASICALLY WE HAVE TO REACH A POINT WHERE IT'S PENCILS DOWN AND WE CAN'T LET YOU KNOW, THE PERFECT BE THE ENEMY OF THE GOOD.

AND SO WE WE KNOW WE UNDERSTAND THINGS MAY BE MISSING.

THINGS MAY BE INCLUDED THAT WE'RE WE'RE THINKING, WELL, MAYBE IT'S NOT REALLY GOING TO GOING TO WORK OUT THAT WAY.

AND IT INVOLVES SO MANY OUTSIDE ENTITIES THAT NEED TO BE GOOD PARTNERS WITH US.

SO BUT AGAIN, IT'S ASPIRATIONAL AND IT'S I THINK IT'S TIME FOR PENCILS DOWN SO THAT WE CAN START MOVING FORWARD WITH IMPLEMENTATION.

SO WITH THAT MY COMMENT IS, JUDGE, I THINK A COUNTY AND COLLEAGUES AS BIG AS OURS OUGHT TO HAVE SOME CLEAR VISION ON WHERE WE WANT TO GO.

AND I THINK ALL OUR STAFFS WORKED AS BEST THEY COULD TO COME UP WITH SOME NOTION OF WHAT EQUITY MEANS TO US, WHAT FAIRNESS MEANS TO US.

AND IT WAS A COMPROMISE.

I KNOW MY TEAM AND I DIDN'T GET EVERYTHING WE WANTED, AND NOBODY AT THIS DAIS HERE DID.

BUT IF WE'RE GOING TO REOPEN IT HERE AT THE TABLE TODAY, I WOULD SUGGEST WE JUST NOT VOTE ON IT AND LET EVERYBODY COME BACK AND JUST HAVE A MAD SCRAMBLE OR SEND IT BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD.

BUT IT WAS MY SENSE.

IT WAS PENCILS DOWN, WHICH IS WHY SOME OF THE THINGS THAT THAT I WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THAT DIDN'T GET IN IT, AND SOME THINGS THAT DID GET IN IT, I WAS NOT THAT CRAZY ABOUT YOU KNOW, I DIDN'T COME IN AND AND SUGGEST ANY AMENDMENTS TODAY.

NO DISRESPECT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, TO YOU, BUT THAT WAS MY SENSE.

THAT'S WHAT MY SENSE WAS AND THAT WE DELAYED IT A NUMBER OF TIMES.

BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO EITHER GO WITH WHAT WE HAVE, AND IT DOESN'T MEAN THAT, HEY, I'VE SEEN IT AROUND HERE, THAT THIS IS AN INTERESTING DEAL.

WHEN YOU GET THREE, THAT'S IT.

YOU COULD HAVE THE THE BEST PLAN IN THE WORLD.

BUT IF YOU GOT THREE AT THIS TABLE, THOSE PLANS JUST CHANGE.

[03:55:03]

WE OUGHT TO JUST AGREE EVERYBODY CAN DO THAT AND JUST DELAY IT AND SCRAMBLE IN AND COME BACK AND MAKE THAT CASE.

YEAH. COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER. I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BRIONES AND THEN GARCIA.

YEAH. I'M NOT I'M NOT ADVOCATING THAT WE GO BACK TO THE TO THE BEGINNING.

AND I'M NOT SEEKING PERFECTION.

I KNOW THAT'S NOT A REASONABLE GOAL, BUT WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE AN ESTIMATE OF COST OF IMPLEMENTING A PLAN, NOT EVEN A BALLPARK.

USUALLY WHENEVER I DID STUDIES OR CONSULTANT, I COULD GIVE YOU I COULD GIVE YOU A NUMBER TO IMPLEMENT THIS PLAN.

IT'S GOING TO BE X MORE THAN WHAT YOU'RE SPENDING NOW.

THERE SHOULD BE AT LEAST AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THOSE COSTS WOULD BE GOING FORWARD.

THAT'S PART OF IT. AND THEN THERE'S SOME SPECIFIC THINGS IN THERE.

LIKE INITIATIVE D FOR THAT WANTS TO IMPLEMENT A PILOT PROGRAM TO END NON-SAFETY RELATED TRAFFIC STOPS BY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

WELL, AS I SAID EARLIER IN THE RESOLUTION, RELATED TO PROBABLY THE MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY THINKS THAT THEY GET PASSED BY PEOPLE DRIVING TOO FAST.

AND WHEN YOU HAVE 535 PEOPLE DYING ON THE ROAD, PRIMARILY BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE DRIVING FAST, I MAY WANT A PILOT PROGRAM RELATED TO THAT PART OF IT.

I MAKE A MOTION TO EXTEND 10S.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

JUST A COUPLE OF POINTS.

AND I'M NOT GOING THROUGH MAKING A MOTION THAT WE AMEND THIS OR AMEND THAT.

I DO THINK THERE'S ENOUGH CONCERN HERE.

THE SUPPORT OF JAIL SAFETY, COMMUNITY SAFETY, GOVERNANCE TO INCREASE NON-CRUCIAL OPTIONS, IMPROVE SAFETY.

I GET ALL THAT, BUT MIGHT WANT TO ADD IN THERE IN JAIL OUTSOURCING THAT'S NOT IN THERE.

AND IF I'VE HEARD ANYTHING IN THE LAST TWO YEARS JAIL OUTSOURCING HAS A BIG HAS A BIG A BIG ISSUE.

AND THEN INITIATIVE.

TATE SAYS IMPROVED REPORTING AND MEASURING OF COUNTY WEST WASTE STREAMS IN TERMS OF SOLID WASTE.

WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH SOLID WASTE.

SO THERE'S SOME THINGS IN HERE THAT DON'T BELONG IN HERE WILL NEVER BELONG IN HERE.

THIS ISN'T MAKING IT PERFECT.

THIS IS JUST TRYING TO GET THE FIRST DOCUMENT TO BE AT LEAST IN THE SAME ZIP CODE WHERE IT NEEDS TO BE.

I DON'T THINK IT'S THERE RIGHT NOW.

COMMISSIONER BROWN AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU. COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP OF THIS.

I HAVE A FEW QUICK COMMENTS, BUT JUST A QUESTION.

THE NEXT STEPS AFTER PASSING THIS, HOPEFULLY TODAY WILL BE COULD YOU JUST BRIEFLY SUMMARIZE, BECAUSE I THINK IT ADDRESSES SOME OF THESE BUDGETARY POINTS? YES, ABSOLUTELY.

SO SOME OF THE THE NEXT STEPS INCLUDE ON THE METRICS.

WE WANT TO CREATE A DATA DICTIONARY TO DEFINE ALL THE METRICS, ALL THE METRICS, SO WE CAN HAVE QUALITY METRICS FIRST AND THEN THAT THEY'RE CONSISTENTLY TRACKED. LOTS OF TIMES WHEN WE FOUND OUT WITH WITH DATA, LIKE WHEN WE STARTED GETTING INTO INTO THE, THE, THE JAIL DATA IS THAT DIFFERENT PEOPLE WERE DEFINING THINGS DIFFERENTLY AND THERE WAS NO SET DEFINITION.

AND SO WE NEED A DATA DICTIONARY.

AND OF COURSE, IF YOU'RE IN HARRIS COUNTY, YOU GOT TO HAVE A DATA DASHBOARD TO SHOW IT, TO SHOW AND TRACK ALL THE STRATEGIC PLAN METRICS.

AND THEN THE IMPLEMENTATION ROADMAP IS, IS BASICALLY SO THAT WE CAN ALIGN THE BUDGET PROCESS WITH THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

VICE VERSA.

SO BASICALLY THE IDEA IS MOST OF THE INITIATIVES OF THE 80 SOME ODD INITIATIVES ARE ALREADY PART OF COUNTY WORKLOAD.

THERE'S SOME NEW ONES.

AND THE REASON WE DIDN'T WANT TO PUT A NUMBER OUT THERE.

WE'VE DONE SOME BACK OF THE NAPKIN CALCULATIONS ON THAT, BUT THE REASON WE DON'T WANT TO GO THERE IS BECAUSE WE REALLY HAVEN'T DUG IN TO THE DEPARTMENT'S EXISTING PROGRAMS THAT MAYBE WE NO LONGER WILL WANT TO KEEP GOING.

WE NO LONGER WILL WANT TO FUND.

MAYBE IT'S IT'S A LEGISLATIVE OR A STATUTORY REQUIREMENT, AND IT'S BEING FUNDED AT THE CADILLAC LEVEL.

AND WE REALLY ONLY NEED A TOYOTA LEVEL.

SO THOSE KINDS OF THINGS ARE, ARE THE, THE NUMBERS THAT, YOU KNOW, WE'RE STILL WORKING ON.

AND IT'S GOING TO TAKE TIME TO FIGURE OUT.

WE'RE ALSO LOOKING AT PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT ENHANCEMENTS.

SO WE GET GOOD, GOOD PERFORMANCE METRICS.

AND THEN THE DECISION FRAMEWORK WHICH WOULD WILL HELP DEPARTMENT STAFF ALL UNDERSTAND WHAT COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL BE LOOKING FOR AS PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS AND THE

[04:00:07]

ALL OF THIS WILL BE COMING BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

ALL OF THIS WILL WILL GET A LOT OF REVIEW WITH THE EITHER THE STRATEGIC PLAN COMMITTEE OR WHATEVER.

COMMITTEES COME OUT OF THAT AND HOW THEY'LL MORPH AS WE'RE IMPLEMENTING THE THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

AND THE LAST THING I WANT TO SAY IS WE'RE CALLING THIS A FIVE YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN, BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT RESOURCES ARE ALWAYS LIMITED, AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS STILL GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS YEAR BY YEAR ON WHAT ARE THE THE HIGHER PRIORITY ISSUES FROM WITHIN THE STRATEGIC PLAN.

COMPARE IT ALSO TO ALL THE OTHER I WORKLOAD THAT THE COMMISSION THAT THE COUNTY HAS ON ITS PLATE, WHETHER IT'S FROM INDEPENDENT IN AN INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS OFFICES OR IN, IN IN DEPARTMENTS THAT REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THAT FLEXIBILITY TO TO REALLY MOVE THINGS AROUND, AND ONLY THE HIGHEST PRIORITY THINGS GO THE FIRST YEAR, AND THEN WE ROLL THEM OUT AS AS THE COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEM.

THANK YOU. WELL, I WANTED TO MY BRIEF COMMENTS ARE, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU AGAIN.

I COULDN'T AGREE MORE WITH THE NEED FOR A STRATEGIC PLAN AND HAVING THE NORTH STAR AND CLEARLY ARTICULATING THE PRIORITIES FOR ALL OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS.

AND I ESPECIALLY APPRECIATE THE WAY YOU LED THIS EFFORT.

COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ, WITH OUR FIVE OFFICES, ACTIVELY ENGAGED WITH THE OVER 50 COMMUNITY GROUPS, WITH THE COMMUNITY STAKEHOLDER GROUPS, THE OVER 1600 COMMUNITY RESPONSES.

I MEAN, THIS WAS VERY ACTIVE LISTENING AND WAS DEEP IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY VOICES.

AND SO THAT GIVES ME CONFIDENCE.

AND I AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID.

ALL FIVE OF OUR OFFICES HAD TO COMPROMISE, RIGHT? NONE OF US GOT EVERYTHING WE WANTED.

BUT THIS IS A COMPROMISE DOCUMENT THAT WILL BE A WORKING DRAFT OF OUR NORTH STAR AS WE PUSH FORWARD, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS BEING PART OF THE NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS SO THAT WE CAN DRIVE TOWARDS PERFORMANCE BASED BUDGETING.

AND THEN LASTLY, I REALLY WANT TO THANK ANNE SUNG, MY AMAZING CHIEF OF POLICY AND INNOVATION, WHO I KNOW SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS.

SO ANNE, YOU'RE AMAZING.

THANK YOU. BUT I LOOK FORWARD TO MOVE THIS AS PRESENTED.

AND AGAIN, JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YEAH. LIKE LIKEWISE.

DIANA, THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK THAT'S GONE INTO THIS.

AND I JUST WANTED TO SAY I APPRECIATE YOUR EARLIER COMMENT OF NOT LETTING PERFECTION BE THE ENEMY OF GOOD.

AT SOME POINT, WE'VE JUST GOT TO TAKE A STEP FORWARD.

AND SO I'M GLAD THAT WE'RE HERE.

AND AND JUST THANK YOU FOR FOR THE GOOD WORK ON THIS.

THANK YOU. SIR. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

YEAH. DIRECTOR, I APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS.

I WOULD TELL YOU THAT ANY FIVE YEAR PLAN YOU DO FOR A CITY OR COUNTY, WHICH I'VE DONE DOZENS.

I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE UPDATE EVERY YEAR.

THIS IS WHAT WE DID OR THIS IS WHAT WE DIDN'T DO.

SO I THINK WITH A STRATEGIC PLAN, THERE'S GOT TO BE THE ACCOUNTABILITY ASSOCIATED WITH, OKAY, THIS IS WHAT WE DID OR DIDN'T DO.

OTHERWISE IT'S JUST A DOCUMENT WITH LETTERING THAT'S MUCH TOO SMALL SITTING ON A SHELF.

BUT ONE ITEM TO CONSIDER AS WE GO FORWARD, THIS FUNDING OF ARPA PROGRAMS GOING FORWARD SHOULD BE A PART OF THAT STRATEGIC PLAN.

WE'RE COMING OUT OF ARPA.

YOU CAN CALL IT WHATEVER YOU WANT TO, BUT THAT TRANSITION FROM ARPA, WE'VE GOT ARPA.

WE DON'T HAVE ARPA PROGRAMS FUNDED BY ARPA, MAYBE NOT FUNDED IN THE GENERAL.

I THINK THAT WOULD BE IMPORTANT, BUT YOU PROBABLY HAVE A THOUSAND OF THOSE THAT YOU WOULD INCLUDE.

AND BUT I THINK BEING ABLE TO EFFECTIVELY COMMUNICATE ANNUALLY, THIS IS WHAT WE ACCOMPLISHED AND SAY IT AND MAYBE LESS THAN 15 MINUTES TO GIVE THE COURT A SENSE THAT ACTUALLY WE HAVE A PLAN.

WE'RE FOLLOWING A PLAN. WE'RE ACTUALLY DOING SOMETHING.

YES, SIR. AND WE DEFINITELY DO WANT TO TO HAVE AN ANNUAL REPORT TO COURT.

AND I THINK, AT LEAST IN THE BEGINNING, WE WILL BE PESTERING YOU MORE WITH WITH A FEW MORE PRESENTATIONS OR TRANSMITTALS UP FRONT AS WE GET THIS ESTABLISHED.

BUT YEAH, WE'RE EXCITED TO, TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT TO YOU IN THE FUTURE.

I ALWAYS CALL THE FIVE YEAR PLANS.

I DID THE A ROLLING FIVE YEAR PLAN BECAUSE YOU'RE ALWAYS CREATING THAT NEXT YEAR, EVERY YEAR.

ABSOLUTELY. AND THINGS WILL DROP OFF AND THINGS WILL ADD ON AS, AS CONDITIONS CHANGE IN THE COUNTY.

[04:05:01]

THAT'S ROLE I SECOND IT.

ALL RIGHT. SHE MADE A MOTION TO APPROVE IT.

SO I WAS GOING TO MOVE TO PASS THE STRATEGIC PLAN AS PRESENTED BY OKAY.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND AND AND THANK YOU.

I LOVE IT.

LOVE IT. DIANA AND EVERYONE INVOLVED AND.

ALEX. YAY! THANK YOU. EVERYBODY.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

ITEM 36 SALARY ANALYSIS FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

MY CLASSIC QUESTION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD HAD NOTED EARLIER.

DO WE REALLY NEED A CONSULTANT TO DO THIS? CAN'T WE DO THIS OURSELVES? THAT'S MY. THAT WOULD BE MY QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK WE, YOU KNOW, IS ON.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.

WE WE DO NOT HAVE THE METHODOLOGY INTERNALLY TO DO THIS STUDY ON OUR OWN.

AND, AND IN ADDITION, WE IT IS BEST IT IS BEST PRACTICES FROM A COMPENSATORY PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO FROM A LEADERSHIP PERSPECTIVE THAT THE SAME METHODOLOGY TO EVALUATE COMPENSATION REMAINS CONSISTENT.

AND SO, AS KORN FERRY HAS ALREADY DONE, A NUMBER OF EVALUATIONS FOR DEPARTMENT HEADS.

IT IS IT IS BEST PRACTICE TO ENSURE THAT ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS SALARIES ARE EVALUATED SIMILARLY FOR CONSISTENCY BOTH IN TERMS OF THE FRAMEWORK OF THEIR POSITIONS, BUT ALSO ALSO IN TERMS OF JUST ESTABLISHING A BEST PRACTICE AROUND A COMPENSATORY FRAMEWORK FOR OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS AND EXECUTIVES WITHIN THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU DIRECTOR. IT'S BEEN ENCOURAGING TO ME TO SEE HOW MANY OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN DEVELOP BY THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES, AND I HOPE KORN FERRY IS TAPPED INTO THOSE KIND OF ORGANIZATIONS, BECAUSE FRANKLY, THAT'S WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO FIND YOUR YOUR STAFFS.

NOT NOT A GENERIC REVIEW OF SOMETHING GOING ON IN NEW YORK OR LA.

I MOVE IT MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO.

THAT WAS ITEM 36.

AS PRESENTED. AS PRESENTED.

MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

COMMISSIONER RAMS. JUST LIKE PEOPLE UP IN AUSTIN, THEY WOULD SAY GET ON THE FLOOR AND SAY, I AGREE WITH SENATOR ELLISON.

PROCEED TO KILL MY BILL.

YEAH, YEAH.

OKAY. ITEM 37 A DEPARTMENT NAME CHANGE.

DIDN'T WE ALREADY PUT THAT IN CONSENT? I CAN'T REMEMBER. ANYWAY, I HAVE A FLAG FOR THE DEPARTMENT.

NAME CHANGE. DO FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS THAT? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

AND I PROBABLY.

YEAH. IT'S AFTER FOUR.

I CAN SAY IT.

YOU KNOW, I LIKE HUMAN RESOURCES.

I'D HATE FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO BE KNOWN AS A RAT.

AND, YOU KNOW, THERE'S GOING TO BE A TENDENCY TO SHORTEN THAT.

BUT I LIKE HR.

I'M NOT SURE I LIKE A RAT.

THAT'S FUNNY.

YEAH. LET'S NOT USE THAT ACRONYM.

I DON'T I HATE RATS, TO BE HONEST.

BUT I LOVE ADDING TALENT BECAUSE TO ME IT SHOWS OUR COMMITMENT TO RECRUITING THE BEST TALENT, RETAINING THE BEST TALENT, AND GROWING AND COACHING OUR TEAM MEMBERS HERE AT THE COUNTY. SO I H.R.

THAT'S BETTER THAN T RAT, THAT'S FOR SURE.

BUT I LOVE ADDING TALENT AND INTERIM CHIEF TALENT OFFICER DOUGLAS, I JUST APPRECIATE THE PROGRESS THAT YOU'RE DRIVING ON SO MANY FRONTS.

I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COURT MEMBERS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE WERE ACTUALLY THINKING IT WOULD BE HEART HRT, HRT OKAY, WITHOUT THE A, WHERE'S THE A? WE ALREADY HAVE AN ART.

WHERE'S THE A FROM? YEAH, A FROM HUMAN.

NO HRT HEART PHONETICALLY H RIGHT.

YEAH. OH OKAY.

WELL I PROPOSED I PROPOSED TO OUR TALENT AND HUMAN RESOURCES A PROPOSAL.

GET THE HELL OUT OF HERE.

I'M HAVING. I'M HAVING TOO MUCH FUN.

OKAY. DOES ANYONE HAVE A MOTION? I'M OKAY. WHAT ARE YOU MOVING? WHOEVER MAKES THE MOTION IS NAMING THE DEPARTMENT.

I MOVE, WE GO.

LET THE DIRECTOR COME UP WITH A GOOD NAME.

SECOND. OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER.

[04:10:02]

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY AS PRESENTED.

YEAH. YEAH. AS PRESENTED.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT.

78. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

STREET LIGHTING SERVICES.

FIRST I WANT TO ANNOUNCE AND VERY EXCITED THAT WE ARE PUTTING IN NEW STREET LIGHTS THROUGHOUT OUR PRECINCT AS A PART OF REVIVE TO THRIVE.

THESE UPGRADES ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE SAFETY AND VISIBILITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS, REINFORCING OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFER, MORE VIBRANT COMMUNITIES.

AND JUST TO TELL THE RESIDENTS THAT THEIR VOICES WERE ABSOLUTELY HEARD BECAUSE THIS PLAN OR THESE ITEMS ARE COMING FROM ALL OF THE COMMUNITY PLANS THAT WE HAVE DONE AND INTO THE RESPECTIVE AREAS OF PRECINCT TWO.

AND AND MAKING SURE THAT PEOPLE KNOW THAT WHEN YOU CALL 311, WE ARE LOOKING AT THAT DATA AND WE'RE PAYING ATTENTION TO THAT DATA AND WE'RE REACTING TO THOSE CALLS.

AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE CALLED 311 REQUESTING BETTER STREET LIGHTING OR NEW STREET LIGHTING IN, IN SOME, IN SOME PARTS OF THEIR RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES.

SO I'M VERY, VERY EXCITED.

BECAUSE REVIVED TO THRIVE WAS BASED ON THE FIVE PRONG APPROACH TO IMPROVING NEIGHBORHOODS, WHICH IS SIDEWALKS IMPROVED, DRAINAGE IMPROVED, ROADWAYS IMPROVE HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS AND STREET LIGHTS.

AND SO I'M VERY EXCITED.

I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, FOR HELPING US WITH THIS ITEM.

AND WE ARE ITEMS RATHER 77 THROUGH 88.

YOU KNOW, TOTAL APPROXIMATELY OR TOTAL 454 STREET LIGHTS THAT WILL BE PLACING INTO VARIOUS AREAS OF PRECINCT TWO.

SO VERY EXCITED ABOUT THIS.

I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM AGAIN FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK.

AND AND JUST CAN'T WAIT FOR THESE LIGHTS TO BE ACTUALLY INSTALLED AND WILL BE VISITING THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS WHEN THEY'RE ACTUALLY WORKING.

SO CONGRATULATIONS.

I MOVE THIS ON ON THIS ITEM.

SECOND. EXCELLENT.

THIS IS EXCITING. THANK YOU.

AND I SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON ITEM 78.

WAS IT GARCIA OR ELLIS? EXCUSE ME. GARCIA. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIAN.

ITEM 78. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND TEAM.

ITEM 112 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YES. THIS IS JUST AN EXCITING UPDATE, AND I WANT TO THANK ALL OF MY TEAM MEMBERS WHO MADE THIS POSSIBLE, ESPECIALLY DOCTOR RAY GUERRA AND ALL OF OUR INFRASTRUCTURE TEAM. SO AS WE DISCUSSED PREVIOUSLY, WE PUT OUT A PROACTIVE CALL FOR PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS CALLED PLACES FOR PEOPLE.

AND LAST YEAR WE PICKED 32 PROJECTS.

AND SO TODAY WE ARE CELEBRATING MOVING FORWARD WITH THE AGREEMENTS ON TWO OF THE KEY PROJECTS.

THE FIRST IS WITH CHELFORD ONE MUD IN THE MISSION BEND AREA, AND THIS WILL BE HELPING TO BUILD A PARK THAT WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ALL AGES, ALL ABILITIES AND IT WILL ADD STREET LIGHTS, BENCHES, SIDEWALKS TO BETTER CONNECT THE COMMUNITY AND CREATE A PLACE OF CONNECTION FOR THE COMMUNITY.

AND SO I'M THANKFUL TO THE MUD FOR THEIR PARTNERSHIP.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE 32 PROJECTS SELECTED, AND THE OTHER ITEM IS THE BRAYS BAYOU GREENWAY PROJECT.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE HOUSTON PARKS BOARD BECAUSE THERE ARE PARTNERS THERE.

AND THIS IS REALLY EXCITING.

IT'S TWO MILES OF TRAIL ALONG BRAYS BAYOU, INCLUDING AN UNDERCROSSING AT BELTWAY EIGHT AND A PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE RIGHT AT 59. AND THE TRAILS WILL BE ON THE SOUTHERN PORTION OF THE BAYOU, AND THERE'LL BE A 16 FOOT WIDE PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE PARALLEL TO US 59 AND A TEN FOOT WIDE CONCRETE TRAIL, RETAINING WALLS, SLOPE PAVING AND LANDSCAPING, AND EDUCATIONAL AND WAYFINDING SIGNAGE.

SO THIS WILL BE A HUGE WIN FOR PUBLIC SAFETY FOR ANYONE WHO HAS BEEN ALONG THAT AREA OF BRAYS BAYOU.

AND IT WILL BE A WONDERFUL PLACEMAKING EFFORT TO REALLY CONNECT OUR COMMUNITY.

SO I'M THANKFUL TO THE HOUSTON PARKS BOARD AND THE CHELFORD ONE MUD AND THE DOZENS OF PRECINCT FOUR TEAM MEMBERS WHO HELPED MAKE THIS POSSIBLE.

SO I AM PROUD TO MOVE ITEM 112 AS PRESENTED.

SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED?

[04:15:01]

OOP. OH.

I BELIEVE HE'S BACK THERE AT THE CURRENT.

HE'S MOVING. THANK YOU.

I WAS ABOUT TO SAY WHOEVER'S DOING THAT.

THANK YOU. A DISTRACTED CHILD.

I KNOW THIS HAS BEEN MY REQUEST.

EVERY COURT MEETING. JUDGE, I SAID THIS IS A GOOD TIME FOR WHEN HE SAYS NOTHING, IT MEANS YES.

YES. RIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR ADDING LIGHT IN HERE.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIAN.

THAT SOUNDS SO BEAUTIFUL.

THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE.

DO WE? DOES ANYBODY DISLIKE THE CURTAINS OPEN? I LOVE THE CURTAINS OPEN.

CAN WE JUST OPEN THE CURTAINS, PLEASE? THANK YOU.

TO THE LIKE.

LORDS OF THE COURTROOM.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS, GUYS.

LET'S MOVE ON TO 139 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I UNDERSTAND THAT, AND WHEN WE LOOKED AT HOW WE CAN GENERATE MORE INCOME, I KNEW THAT INCREASING FEES WERE A PART OF THAT.

BUT I THINK I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MY COLLEAGUE AND FRIEND DOCTOR RAYMOND.

THE PERMITTING PROCESS IS IS INTERESTING.

IT'S CHANGING EVERY DAY WITH WITH WHAT WE HAVE TO DO NOW THAT WE'VE TAKEN ON A LOT MORE RESPONSIBILITY FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHEN IN TERMS OF PLANNING AND PLATS AND OTHER THINGS.

SO I THINK AS A PART OF THE PERMITTING FEES, EVALUATION OF THOSE FEES AND WHAT THEY SHOULD BE, WE SHOULD ALSO BE LOOKING AT HOW LONG SHOULD IT TAKE TO GET A PERMIT TO DO SPECIFIC THINGS.

THE COUNTY IS THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT DEPEND ON THE COUNTY TO ISSUE PERMITS SO THEY CAN DO X, Y, Z.

COULD HAVE TO DO WITH, COULD HAVE TO DO WITH HEALTH CARE, COULD HAVE TO DO WITH WITH RESTAURANTS.

IT COULD HAVE TO DO WITH DEVELOPMENTS.

SO I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WHEN WE'RE LOOKING AT THE FEES.

ALSO LOOK AT THE TIMING OF OUR FEES.

ARE WE ISSUING FEES AND ARE WE ISSUING PERMITS IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO BE DETERMINED? GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

THIS IS ACTUALLY ALREADY INCLUDED AS PART OF THE SCOPE.

AS YOU MENTIONED, THAT WE HAD TO COMPLY WITH HOUSE BILL 3492, WHICH STATES THAT A MUNICIPALITY MAY NOT CONSIDER THE COST OF CONSTRUCTION OR IMPROVEMENTS OR IMPROVING THE PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A SUBDIVISION LOT OR A LITTLE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT.

IN DETERMINING THE AMOUNT OF FEE SUBJECT TO THE SECTION, ALSO, THE MUNICIPALITY SHALL DETERMINE THE FEE BY CONSIDERING THE MUNICIPALITY'S ACTUAL COST, AS APPLICABLE FOR REVIEW. NOW, IN DOING SO, COMMISSIONER, ONE OF THE BIG PROCESSES YOU SEE AS PART OF OUR SCOPE IS THE STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT.

AND ON PAGE THREE OF THE DOCUMENT WE'RE GOING TO ENGAGE WITH OUR CONTRACTORS, DEVELOPERS, HOMEOWNERS EVERYONE, INCLUDING YOUR OFFICES, THAT IN TALKING ABOUT WHAT IS THE TIME WE ISSUE ABOUT 57,000 PERMITS, COMMISSIONER, A YEAR FROM OUR PERMITS OFFICE.

AND IT'S VERY IMPORTANT, OUR SERVICE LEVEL, IN ORDER TO INCREASE OUR SERVICE LEVEL, WE NEED MORE RESOURCES.

AND THAT'S WHAT IS GOING TO BE THE DRIVING FORCE IN OPTIMIZING OUR BUSINESS PROCESS AS WE COME UP WITH NEW FEE, BECAUSE THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A REVENUE GENERATING OPERATION.

IT'S GOING TO BE MORE OF OPTIMIZING OUR OUR PERMIT SYSTEM AND THE NUMBERS OF DAYS.

WHAT IT TAKES FOR US TO REVIEW IF THE RESIDENTS, THE DEVELOPERS, ARE WILLING TO PAY MORE TO EXPEDITE THE REVIEW.

WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME SOME OF THOSE CHANNELS AS WELL, LIKE MANY OTHER ENTITIES.

AS OF TODAY, WE DON'T HAVE MANY OF THESE.

SO LIKE I MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER, OUR OFFICE WILL BE ENGAGING WITH ALL THE OFFICES, ALL THE DEVELOPERS AND THE ENGINEERING FIRMS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL THAT THEY CAN ALREADY SUPPORT.

AND, COMMISSIONER, IF I COULD JUST ADD, WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE REVENUE FORECAST FOR THIS, WE DID.

WE WERE REALLY CONSERVATIVE BECAUSE WE WE UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE WAS LIKELY TO BE IMPROVEMENTS NEEDED AND ADDITIONAL STAFF TO, TO SUPPORT DOCTOR RAHMAN IN, IN EXECUTING ON THE PLAN. GOOD.

COMMISSIONER BROWN. SO THANK YOU, DOCTOR RAHMAN.

I'M HEARING YOUR DEEP COMMITMENT TO STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT, VERY BROADLY DEFINED, TO MAKE SURE WE'RE HEARING ALL VOICES AND WHAT'S WORKING, WHAT'S NOT, AND WHERE WE GO FROM HERE AND AS WELL AS THE STATUTORY COMPLIANCE.

SO THANK YOU FOR THOSE COMMITMENTS I WANTED.

AND THANK YOU, DANIEL, BECAUSE I KNOW THAT YOU AND THE PART OF THE FINANCIAL PLAN HAD REALLY GONE DEEP IN THIS AS WELL.

SO WE'RE MARRYING THESE TWO EFFORTS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, DOCTOR RAHMAN, TO MAKE SURE WE GET IT RIGHT, BECAUSE I WANT US TO BE ALIGNED IN TERMS OF WHAT THE FEES SHOULD BE, AND WE NEED TO BE DELIVERING WITH EXCELLENCE THAT THE COUNTY RESIDENTS DESERVE.

BUT MY QUESTION TO YOU SPECIFICALLY LOOKING AT THESE TIMELINES, DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERN ABOUT THE STUDY'S TIMELINE AND MEETING THE MID-YEAR IMPLEMENTATION

[04:20:06]

SO, COMMISSIONER YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 27 WEEKS FOR COMPLETING THIS STUDY.

I THINK WE COULD COME BACK, BUT I WOULD SAY ONCE WE MEET WITH OUR STAKEHOLDER WE WILL HAVE A BETTER UPDATE FOR THE COMMISSIONERS CODE A LOT OF THE TIME WHEN YOU DO A FEE INCREASE, IDEALLY, WE DON'T WANT TO NOTIFY OUR DEVELOPER THAT, HEY, IT'S GOING TO BE EFFECTIVE IN NEXT WEEK.

WE NEED TO GIVE OUR DEVELOPERS AND THE ENGINEERING COMMUNITY AND THE PLANTS IN THE PROCESS SOME TIME, BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT HAVE, YOU KNOW, IF YOU ARE A PROPERTY OWNER, YOU ALREADY SUBMITTED AN APPLICATION OR ARE GETTING READY TO SUBMIT AN APPLICATION.

FOR THE LARGE DEVELOPER, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE A PROBLEM.

BUT A LOT OF OUR COMMITTEE ARE SMALL YOU KNOW, IMPROVEMENTS.

AND THEN. WE LOST YOU.

WE LOST YOU. DOCTOR RAHMAN, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

LOST YOUR AUDIO. AND I HEAR YOU THAT A LOT OF WORK WILL GO INTO THIS.

BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE, AGAIN, WE'RE MOVING AGGRESSIVELY AND PURPOSEFULLY AND FAIRLY AND TRANSPARENTLY.

SO THE TIMETABLE THAT BASICALLY I'M TRYING TO TRIANGULATE THE TIMETABLE THAT YOU NEED TO DELIVER WITH EXCELLENCE, AS WELL AS WHAT DIRECTOR RAMOS AND THE BUDGET TEAM DID, SO THAT WE HAVE ALIGNMENT AND CLARITY AS A COUNTY TEAM WORK AND WORK WERE IN LOCKSTEP.

AND THAT THE E TEAM THAT'S WORKING ON THIS I HAVE A LOT OF FAMILIARITY FAMILIARITY WITH AND A LOT OF TRUST IN.

OKAY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU, DOCTOR RAYMOND.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

AND DANIEL AS WELL.

THE, YOU KNOW, AS WE AS WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT PERMITTING AND I WANT TO ECHO THE COMMENTS OF BOTH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND BRIONES. THE ONE THING THAT I WILL WANT TO SEE COME OUT OF THIS PROCESS IS NOT ONLY MAKING SURE THAT THE COUNTY ISN'T BEHIND ON WHAT SHOULD BE THE MARKET RATE FOR OUR OUR RESPECTIVE FEES.

BUT WE A LITTLE BIT TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, BUT WE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS WE ADJUST THAT, THAT IT'S NOT JUST REVENUE.

IF WE NEED TO INVEST EVERY PENNY BACK INTO THE ENGINEERING OFFICE SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE VALUE ADDED TO OUR CUSTOMERS THAT NEED PERMITS TO ENSURE THAT THEY'RE BEING EXPEDITED, NOT BECAUSE THEY'RE ADDING MORE MONEY, THEY'RE PAYING MORE MONEY AS A AS A EXPEDITED FEE PROCESS. BUT BECAUSE WE HAVE IMPROVED OUR PERMITTING PROCESS.

SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE I WANT TO PUT A FLAG IN THIS THING TO ENSURE THAT IF WHATEVER THE REVENUE IS, I WANT IT GOING BACK INTO THE ENGINEERING OFFICE FOR THE STAFF AND THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE SYSTEMS THAT HE NEEDS TO ENSURE THAT OUR PERMITTING PROCESS IS BETTER TODAY BECAUSE WE'VE RAISED FEES AND THAT OUR CONSTITUENTS FEEL THE BENEFIT OF THOSE RESOURCES BEING INCREASED, AND RECOGNIZE THAT WITH A FEW DOLLARS, THEY'VE BEEN ABLE TO HELP US IMPROVE THE OVERALL PROCESS.

SO I WANT TO, YOU KNOW, I SAID THAT THE BEST WAY FOR US TO IMPROVE OUR BUDGET IS TO ENSURE THAT DEVELOPERS CAN GET THEIR PERMITS AS FAST AS POSSIBLE, SO THAT WE CAN COUNT THOSE ROOFTOPS AS A PART OF OUR OUR ALLOCATION.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE, WE RECOGNIZE THAT DOCTOR RAYMOND IS GOING TO NEED RESOURCES FOR THESE IMPROVEMENTS AND THAT WE SUPPORT HIM IN PROVIDING VALUE ADDED AS A RESULT OF THE FEE INCREASES.

THANK YOU. DOCTOR. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? YES. THERE'S SOME PROPOSED MOTIONS TO ADD TO WHAT WAS 139 IS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE E CONSULTING SERVICES.

AND I HAD A COUPLE OF OTHER MOTIONS, JUST TO BE CLEAR ABOUT THIS IMPLEMENTATION, IF I CAN READ THEM, BUT I COULDN'T AGREE MORE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I LOOK FORWARD TO THIS IS A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO DO PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS AND MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY MOVES TOWARDS BEST IN CLASS PROCESSES, TECHNOLOGY, ETC.

BUT SO 139 I'M HIGHLY SUPPORTIVE OF THAT.

AND JAY, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

I KNOW WE SOCIALIZE THESE WITH ALL FIVE OFFICES IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS EARLIER TODAY, BUT A MOTION TO DIRECT ENGINEERING TO BRING BACK A PRESENTATION OF NEW FEES AND AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR POSSIBLE ACTION NO LATER THAN THE MARCH 27TH, 2025 COURT AND MOTION TO DIRECT OMB TO WORK WITH ENGINEERING AND PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE IMPACT OF THE PROPOSED FEES AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE FY 25 BUDGET, NO LATER THAN THE MARCH 27TH COURT.

SO THE MOTIONS WOULD BE THOSE TWO MOTIONS PLUS ITEM 139 AS PRESENTED, CORRECT? YES, PLEASE. MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER BRUINS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

[04:25:01]

ON 139.

NEXT IS 193.

AND I THOUGHT IT'S SOMEWHAT RELATES TO ITEM 389.

SO WE CAN TAKE IT TOGETHER OR NOT.

WHATEVER YOU WISH, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THAT'S GOOD. GOOD IDEA. JUDGE.

THE 193 IS SIMPLY TAKING THE ALLOCATION $1.1 MILLION ALLOCATION AND APPLYING THAT TO MORE SUPPORT FOR OUR ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICERS.

WE'VE GOT QUITE THE, I THINK, CRISIS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY.

BUT THIS MONEY JUST TO PUT JUST TO PUT SOME DATA WITH NUMBERS, THIS WILL ALLOW 15,600 CALLS, ADDITIONAL CALLS THAT ANIMAL CONTROL CAN MAKE, 1700 ANIMALS WILL BE SERVED BY THIS.

SO I THINK IT PROVIDES SOME MUCH NEEDED RESOURCES.

I APPRECIATE INTERIM DIRECTOR LEAH BARTON AND COREY STEELE FOR THEIR EFFORTS.

AND I MAKE A MOTION.

WE MOVE ON THIS MOTION ON ITEM 193 AS PRESENTED.

IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND THE MOTION WAS BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ITEM 389.

THAT WAS THE PRESENTATION TRANSMITTAL BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

A JUDGE REAL QUICK, JUST TO BE SURE, THIS WAS JUST FOR ITEM 193.

CORRECT? CORRECT. YES.

AND THEN ON 389 THERE'S BEEN A STUDY, I THINK IT'S NOT CLEAR ON THE STUDY ON WHETHER WE SHOULD WE SHOULD PULL VETERINARY SERVICES OUT OF IT.

ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES OUT OF HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND THIS.

I KNOW WE HAVE INTERIM DIRECTOR LEAH BARTON.

SHE IS GETTING A GREAT HANDLE ON EVERYTHING HAPPENING WITHIN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.

BUT I JUST HIGHLIGHT THIS HERE, AS IN THE COMING WEEKS, THAT WE SHOULD HAVE A FOCUS ON THIS, BECAUSE I THINK THAT MAY BE A CRITICAL PART OF IT.

WHETHER WE PULL OUT.

ANIMAL CONTROL SERVICES MAKE IT SEPARATE, MIGHT EVEN HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING.

MAYBE LEVERAGE SOME RESOURCES THERE.

I'M JUST CALLING ATTENTION TO THAT TRANSMITTAL, AND THERE'S NO ACTION TO TAKE TODAY, JUST MORE OF CALLING ATTENTION TO THAT.

THERE'S MUCH MORE WORK TO BE DONE.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE SETTLED THE FACT.

I THINK IT'S PRETTY NEUTRAL IN TERMS OF WHETHER WE SHOULD OR SHOULD NOT PULL IT OUT, BUT WE SHOULD AT LEAST CONTINUE TO TALK, HAVE MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY AND WHAT THEY CAN DO. BECAUSE WHEN I'M TALKING TO ORGANIZATIONS OUT THERE IN TERMS OF ANIMAL CONTROL ISSUES, THEY USE THE TERM CRISIS IN TERMS OF WHAT'S HAPPENING ON THE STREETS.

JUST A COMMENT ON THAT TRANSMITTAL.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I, CONCUR WITH YOUR YOUR THOUGHTS.

AND ALTHOUGH WE CANNOT MOVE ON MAKE A MOTION ON THIS TRANSMITTAL, I DO WANT TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE RETURN TO THE DECEMBER 10TH COURT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL SPAY AND NEUTER ORGANIZATIONS AND SUBSEQUENT MOTION THAT WE RETURN TO THE MARCH COMMISSIONERS COURT. I PAY ATTENTION TO COMMISSIONER BRYAN'S COMMENTS.

I WOULD ADD THE MARCH 27TH COMMISSIONERS COURT OF 2025 TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE OCA VET PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT.

AND AND I WOULD ALSO CONSIDER A MOTION TO BRING CONCRETE OR SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON SEPARATING ANIMAL CONTROL FROM PUBLIC HEALTH.

SO I MAKE THOSE TWO MOTIONS.

ONE TO RETURN TO THE DECEMBER 10TH COURT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS MADE TOWARD A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL SPAY AND NEUTER ORGANIZATIONS AND A MOTION TO TO RETURN TO THE MARCH 27TH COMMISSIONERS COURT, 2025 TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON PROGRESS MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE OCA VET PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT.

SECOND. COMMISSIONER, JUST FOR THE RECORD, LET'S SINCE THE OTHER ITEM IS A TRANSMITTAL, LET'S MAKE THIS PART OF ITEM 193, WHICH IS THE SO.

[04:30:02]

DID YOU JUST DID YOU GUYS CATCH THE ITEMS? SO JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE MOTION YOU JUST READ, I WILL ATTACH IT TO ITEM ONE 9193.

SO THEN I'LL JUST NEED A SECOND VOTE FOR THAT.

CORRECT? AND IS THAT BECAUSE THE THE THE REPORT RIGHT GIVES US TWO PATHS.

AND I THINK THE REPORT IS DEFINITELY VERY HELPFUL.

I WANT TO THANK DIRECTOR STEELE AND THE STAFF.

I KNOW THEY WORK REALLY HARD UNDER VERY STRESSFUL CONDITIONS.

YOU KNOW, WE DO HAVE GOOD SIDES.

HIGH LIFE RELEASE RATE, OBVIOUSLY.

A LOT OF COLLABORATIONS.

NOT ENOUGH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND GARCIA, BUT CERTAINLY A LOT OF THEM.

MY CONCERN IS IF WHETHER SEPARATING THE DEPARTMENT WOULD ADD AN ADDITIONAL BURDEN TO AN OPERATION THAT ALREADY HAS ENOUGH TO DO.

SO I ALMOST WONDER IF WE COULD SORT OF BOLSTER WHAT WE KNOW NEEDS TO BE BOLSTERED, AND THEN THINK ABOUT WHETHER IT NEEDS TO BE SEPARATED OR NOT.

MY OTHER POINT IS, I DON'T THINK THERE WAS A REQUEST FROM OR FOR VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH IN THE LAST BUDGET.

NOTHING SIGNIFICANT ANYWAY.

SO I WONDER, SEEING AS WE, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST COMMISSIONER RAMSAY AND I AND IT SOUNDS LIKE OTHER FOLKS AGREE IS QUITE A PRESSING ISSUE.

WHETHER THAT'S SOMETHING TO BEGIN THINKING ABOUT FOR THE NEXT BUDGET CYCLE.

I MEAN, YOU DO GO TO CERTAIN COMMUNITIES AND IT'S A IT'S A CRISIS, LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSAY SAID.

IT REALLY IS.

YES, COMMISSIONER.

EXCUSE ME, DIRECTOR RAMOS.

WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF WE PUT TOGETHER HOW MUCH CREATING A NEW DEPARTMENT WOULD COST? I THINK SOME OF THE. VERY HELPFUL.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW. I COULDN'T VOTE ON IT UNLESS I KNOW WHAT IT WOULD COST.

WE CAN PUT SOMETHING GENERAL TOGETHER, AND IT CAN BE JUST KIND OF A PLACEHOLDER.

IF A DEPARTMENT'S THIS BIG, THIS IS ABOUT WHAT IT WOULD COST TO CREATE A WHOLE NEW ONE.

IS THERE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF QUARTERS? DO YOU GUYS HAVE LIKE A PROS AND CONS OF A STANDALONE? BECAUSE WHAT WAS INTERESTING TO ME IN THE REPORT IS THAT THERE'S BOTH LIKE THERE'S NOT REALLY YOU KNOW, PEOPLE DO ALL SORTS OF WAYS.

LIKE MY, MY THING IS LIKE I THINK THE NUMBER ONE QUESTION IS HOW CAN WE DO MORE ACKNOWLEDGING THE GREAT WORK THAT THE DEPARTMENT ALREADY DOES AND THE FACT THAT THEY PROBABLY NEED MORE SUPPORT IN ORDER TO DO MORE IF MAKING IT A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT SOMEHOW MAKES IT MORE EFFICIENT. SURE.

BUT I DON'T THINK THE GOAL, I DON'T THINK THE END GAME IS TO HAVE A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT.

IT'S TO HAVE STRONGER RESULTS.

YEAH. COMMISSIONER YANEZ.

YEAH. THAT'S RIGHT COMMISSIONER.

YEAH. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

OH, NO, I JUST I AGREE WITH THE GENERAL SENTIMENT OF MY COLLEAGUES.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO DO MORE AND DO BETTER.

I KNOW DIRECTOR STEELE HAS EXCELLENT IDEAS ON AREAS FOR HIS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS INTERIM DIRECTOR BARTON.

AND THEY HAVE BEEN KEEPING OUR TEAMS CLOSELY ABREAST, SO I LOOK FORWARD TO THE UPDATE.

I THINK TO ME THE END GOAL IS NOT CREATING A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT.

AND FRANKLY, BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ AND THE DATA I HAVE, I WOULD BE DISINCLINED BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S AN ECONOMIES OF SCALE ARGUMENT TO BE MADE.

WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER DEPARTMENT WITH MORE OVERHEAD.

WHAT WE NEED TO DOUBLE DOWN ON OUR INVESTMENT TO GET BETTER OUTCOMES FOR ANIMAL WELFARE.

AND I KNOW THAT COREY AND LEAH HAVE EXCELLENT IDEAS, AND THEY'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH OTHER NONPROFITS, PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS, THE CITY.

AND I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO THEM IMPLEMENTING THEIR FURTHER IMPLEMENTING AND TO PROVIDING AN UPDATE.

SO I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU ALL DO.

AND THIS IS A REALLY DIFFICULT ISSUE, AND I KNOW WE ALL CARE DEEPLY ABOUT IT.

SO THANK YOU. SO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DOES YOUR MOTION TIE US TO A STANDALONE DEPARTMENT? NO. OKAY.

IT JUST IT WE JUST NEED SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS.

THE REPORT DOES MENTION THE COST TO WHAT A STANDALONE ORGANIZATION WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT THE CALLS FOR RESPONSE TO DANGEROUS ANIMALS IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT CALLS THAT I GET.

AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE HAVING A LAW ENFORCEMENT RESPONSE TO THAT, WHICH IS NOT A GOOD ONE.

AND SO I THINK WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO GET TO A BETTER PLACE ON THIS.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE BEING CHALLENGED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT REPORT.

AND IF AND IF THE REPORT IS ULTIMATELY IT, YOU KNOW IN TERMS WE'RE WE'RE LOOKING FOR A BEST PRACTICE.

BUT THE THOUGHT ON THAT IS THAT IT'S A BEST PRACTICE TO HAVE IT STAND ALONE, AND IT'S A BEST PRACTICE TO KEEP IT INTERNAL.

[04:35:03]

WE KNOW WHAT AN INTERNAL ORGANIZATION IS DOING.

MAYBE WE CAN GET MAXIMUM OUTPUT OUT OF A STANDALONE WITH WITH THE RESOURCES DEDICATED TO IT.

SO AM I JUST SO I UNDERSTAND IT.

WHAT IS YOUR MOTION AGAIN? THE MOTION WAS.

THE MOTION WAS TO RETURN TO THE DECEMBER 10TH COURT TO PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THE PROGRESS MADE TOWARD A FORMAL AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL SPAY AND NEUTER ORGANIZATIONS.

RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE VERY INFORMAL AND VERY LOOSE RELATIONSHIPS WITH PEOPLE TO DO SPAY AND NEUTERING EVENTS.

I WANT TO SEE US BE MUCH MORE STRATEGIC, MUCH MORE INTENTIONAL, MUCH MORE COORDINATED AND, AND, AND, AND MUCH MORE COORDINATED WITH THOSE THAT PROVIDE SPAY AND NEUTER EVENTS AND WORK ON A ON A DOLLAR THAT ISN'T COMING FROM THE COUNTY.

SECONDLY, IT IS TO RETURN TO THE MARCH 27TH COMMISSIONERS COURT 2025.

A UPDATE ON PROGRESS MADE TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS MADE IN THE OCA VET PUBLIC HEALTH REPORT.

THAT WORK THAT WORKS FOR ME.

SECOND, THERE'S A LOT OF GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS IN THERE.

YEAH. YOU WERE GOING TO SAY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

YEAH. WE I THINK WE AGREE COMPLETELY WITH YOUR READ OF THE REPORT.

THERE ISN'T A LOT OF EVIDENCE THERE TO SUGGEST ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.

AND SO FOR NOW WE SHOULD CONSIDER DISCUSSION.

YEAH. KEEP GOING BY COMMISSIONER.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO? SO TO SAVE THE THE REPORT QUOTES ABOUT A MILLION, JUST OVER $1 MILLION TO SPEND ON NEW DEPARTMENT.

I THINK THE BETTER USE OF THOSE DOLLARS TODAY WOULD BE TO EXPAND THE SERVICES AND AND THE OPERATIONS AND THE IDEAS THAT THEY'RE CURRENTLY PUTTING TOGETHER.

SO WE HEAR YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER WILL COME BACK WITH THOSE WITH THOSE REPORTS.

BUT AT THIS TIME THAT WOULD BE OUR RECOMMENDATION TO STAY AND TO KEEP.

IS THERE A WAY FOR ME? I MEAN, I'M JUST HAVING DEJA VU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WITH THE POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT SIX YEARS AGO.

LIKE, IS THERE A WAY TO SAY, LIKE, YOU GUYS WILL TAKE A LOOK AND SEE WHAT IT IS THESE FOLKS NEED? BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THEY NEED HELP, BUT THE BUDGET REQUESTS DIDN'T COME IN.

REALLY? SURE.

I MEAN, I THINK I THINK THERE'S ALWAYS A PUSH AND PULL WITHIN DEPARTMENTS OVER WHAT TO FUND AND THE WAY OUR BUDGET SYSTEM WORKS.

WHAT ARE THE MOST PRESSING NEEDS? WHAT ARE THE SECONDARY PRESSING NEEDS? BUT I THINK AND THAT'S MAYBE ONE REASON NOT TO HAVE IT WITHIN A DEPARTMENT, BECAUSE MAYBE PUBLIC HEALTH THOUGHT, OKAY, LET ME FOCUS ON THIS AS OPPOSED TO THAT.

ANYWAY, I WOULD JUST CHALLENGE YOU GUYS AS ONE OF THE GOALS TO THINK ABOUT WHAT'S THE BEST WAY FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO MAKE ITS NEEDS KNOWN.

WE CERTAINLY HEAR THAT. IF THE COURT IS INTERESTED IN SEEING A BUDGET REQUEST FROM VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH, THEN YOU'LL SEE ONE.

MAYBE IT'S THE KIND OF THING BECAUSE LIKE WE HAVE LIKE SHERIFF AND LIKE SHERIFF CIVIL SERVANT.

I MEAN, I KNOW IT'S NOT THE SAME THING, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? LIKE, MAYBE THEY CAN, LIKE, STILL HAVE THE ECONOMIES OF SCALE BUT BE ABLE TO MAKE THEIR OWN BUDGET REQUESTS.

NOT THAT WE'LL HAVE THE MONEY FOR THEM.

OF COURSE, WE DON'T KNOW, BUT YEAH, I'M SURE I'M SURE DIRECTOR BARTON WILL WILL BE AMENABLE TO THAT KIND OF REQUEST.

OKAY, SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER, I SEE DIRECTOR BIDEN NODDING.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU LEAH.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

IT WAS THOSE TWO MOTIONS OR TWO PART MOTION.

IS THERE A SECOND, SECOND, SECOND, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU GUYS. THAT WAS THOSE MOTIONS WERE UNDER 193 AND WE'VE ALREADY DISCUSSED 389.

IT SEEMS LIKE ANYTHING TO ADD ON.

389 WE'RE GOOD.

ALL RIGHT. SO WE'LL JUST ACCEPT THIS MEDAL.

YEAH. THANK YOU. MOVING ON TO 194 REQUEST BY REQUESTED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ABOUT A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO. MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

ITEM 196 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

I DO HAVE A LETTER ON 196 RELATED TO THIS.

OPPOSED BY THE KLEIN ISD.

AND IN RESPECT AND RESPONSE TO THAT AND OTHER CONCERNS.

I'LL BE VOTING NO.

SO WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. I'LL MOVE IT.

SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO. MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

TWO. 38.

FLAGGED BY PRECINCT TWO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. THANK YOU.

AND IT'S HARD FOR US TO FORGET WHAT WE WENT THROUGH DURING THE ITC FIRE IS A COMMUNITY.

IN 2019, A WEEK LONG ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTER THAT RELEASED SMOKE AND CHEMICALS INTO THE AIR, DISRUPTING LIVES AND POSING

[04:40:04]

AND SO, BY FILING THIS LAWSUIT, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS STANDING UP FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING AND HEALTH OF OUR COMMUNITY.

TITLE FIVE PERMITS ARE VITAL TOOLS DESIGNED TO CONSOLIDATE AND CLARIFY EMISSION AND OPERATIONAL LIMITS FOR MAJOR INDUSTRIAL SOURCES, WHILE ENSURING THERE IS A CLEAR MONITORING FRAMEWORK FOR COMPLIANCE WHEN THESE STANDARDS ARE DELAYED OR OVERLOOKED.

IT COMPROMISES PUBLIC HEALTH AND THE ENVIRONMENT, WHICH WE CANNOT AFFORD TO RISK.

THE LAW REQUIRES TC TO MAKE FINAL DECISIONS ON PERMIT RENEWALS WITHIN 18 MONTHS OF RECEIVING A COMPLETED APPLICATION. APPLICATION.

THIS HASN'T BEEN THE CASE WITH THE ITC DEER PARK FACILITY PERMIT, MEANING THE PUBLIC BUSINESSES.

LOCAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE BEEN DENIED THE RIGHT TO CHALLENGE TERMS THAT MAY NOT MEET TODAY'S CLEAN AIR ACT STANDARDS.

THIS DELAY IS UNACCEPTABLE AND WE RECOMMEND THE WE RATHER WE COMMEND.

I COMMEND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR TAKING ACTION TO RESTORE ACCOUNTABILITY, TO PROTECT OUR OUR AIR QUALITY.

AND I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS BEING DONE BECAUSE TC ISN'T DOING THEIR JOB AND THAT'S THAT'S REGRETFUL.

AND SO I WANT TO THANK MR. MENIFEE FOR HELPING TO NUDGE THOSE FOLKS ALONG AND GET THIS DONE.

I JUST, YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO HAVE A BETTER RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRY, BUT WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE YOUR PERMITS IN PLACE, IT'S HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO BE DOING.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK MR. MURPHY. AND SO I THINK THIS I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ITEM 238.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND I ECHO YOUR SENTIMENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ITEM 313, FLAGGED BY PRECINCT THREE.

JUST NEED TO VOTE. SO MOVED.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIAN.

A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? NO, I'M IN FAVOR.

MOTION CARRIES 4 TO 1.

ITEM 339, FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

YES. SO THIS WOULD BE A RENEWAL AND EXPANSION OF OUR APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM IN OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION.

AND I HOPE THAT JUST AS THIS WAS UNANIMOUS THE FIRST TIME WE PASSED THIS IN 2023, IT WILL BE UNANIMOUS AGAIN TODAY.

JUST TAKING A STEP BACK.

I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK COLLEAGUES THAT THIS HAS BEEN THE LARGEST INVESTMENT IN APPRENTICESHIPS IN HARRIS COUNTY HISTORY.

DOUBLING THE SLOT CAPACITY.

AND TO ME, THIS IS ABOUT ECONOMIC JUSTICE AND GIVING PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN WHILE THEY LEARN.

AND IN TOTAL, WITH THE EXPANSION WITH THE TEXAS GULF COAST AFL-CIO AND EMPOWER, THERE WILL BE A THOUSAND APPROXIMATE APPRENTICE APPRENTICES, AND TWO THIRDS OF THESE APPRENTICES WILL BE FROM UNDERSERVED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THE DEMANDS OF THE ECONOMY TODAY AND OF TOMORROW.

AND SO THESE ARE IN HIGH DEMAND AND HIGH GROWTH AREAS.

SO IT'S A WIN WIN FOR INDUSTRY.

IT'S A WIN FOR THE ECONOMY OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S A WIN SO THAT EVERYONE HAS A FAIR SHOT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND I'M SO THANKFUL TO OUR PARTNERS.

AND I GET THIS MOVES ME DEEPLY, BECAUSE I USED TO BE A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER, AND SO MANY OF MY KIDS WERE NOT ON A PATH TO GO TO COLLEGE, WHICH IS ABSOLUTELY FINE.

AND THEY COULDN'T GET THESE SORTS OF APPRENTICESHIPS IN SOUTH TEXAS, WHERE I LIVED AT THE TIME AND TAUGHT AT THE TIME.

AND SO TO BE ABLE TO EARN WHILE YOU LEARN AND GET OUT OF THIS, SOMETIMES MULTIGENERATIONAL POVERTY IS REALLY GAME CHANGING.

AND I PERSONALLY BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THE AMERICAN DREAM, AND I BELIEVE ALL OF US ARE FIGHTING TO MAKE IT MORE OF AN AMERICAN REALITY.

AND I JUST THINK THAT THE PLUMBERS, THE ELECTRICIANS, THE IRONWORKERS, HVAC, ALL OF THE APPRENTICES THAT WE WILL HAVE COME OUT OF THIS PROGRAM IS JUST IT ENERGIZES ME, AND I HOPE WE CAN CONTINUE TO DOUBLE DOWN, NOT ONLY TODAY, AND I HOPE IT WILL BE UNANIMOUS AS IT WAS LAST YEAR, BUT I ALSO JUST LOOK FORWARD TO BUILDING ON THIS BIG PICTURE FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

AND IF I MAY, PLEASE, IF I COULD PLEASE INVITE OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, HANY KHALIL OF THE TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION.

AND WE ALSO HAVE ONE OF OUR APPRENTICESHIP APPRENTICES HERE.

AND SHE HAS A POWERFUL STORY TO SHARE AS WELL.

BUT THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

AND IF YOU COULD PLEASE BRIEFLY SHARE THE SUCCESSES YOU'VE SEEN AND KIND OF THE VISION ON THE GO FORWARD.

[04:45:04]

SURE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE HOPEFULLY, AN EXPANSION OF MORE ACCESS TO APPRENTICESHIPS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE WERE SO GRATEFUL WHEN, A YEAR AGO, THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AGREED TO INVEST $9.1 MILLION IN UNION APPRENTICESHIPS AND INCREASING ACCESS TO THEM. WE HAVE BEEN ON TRACK IN SPENDING.

WE HAVE BEEN ON TRACK ON HITTING OUR GOALS IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF APPRENTICES COMING THROUGH.

SO FAR, IT'S BEEN 458 IN THE FIRST YEAR.

WE'RE HAVING MORE WOMEN, MORE PEOPLE OF COLOR PARTICIPATE IN OUR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THAN EVER BEFORE.

IN LARGE PART THANKS TO THE COMMISSIONERS HERE, THE FOLKS ARE COMING FROM ALL ACROSS EACH OF THE PRECINCTS ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR.

EVERYBODY IS GETTING ACCESS TO THESE PROGRAMS AND WE'RE SUPER EXCITED BY THAT.

THE TWO THIRDS OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE COME THROUGH THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM COME FROM MODERATE TO HIGH VULNERABLE HOUSEHOLDS.

SO FAMILIES THAT MOST NEED ACCESS TO GOOD JOBS, SAFE JOBS ARE GETTING IT.

AND THAT'S THE PURPOSE OF THIS PROGRAM.

AND WE'VE BEEN SO APPRECIATIVE OF THE BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION FOR MAKING THESE KINDS OF RESOURCES AVAILABLE THROUGH THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT.

WE'RE SO APPRECIATIVE TO THE ROLE OF JUDGE HIDALGO AND HER OFFICE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S OFFICE FOR SPEARHEADING THE EFFORT TO GET THIS MAKE APPRENTICESHIPS A PRIORITY, AND WE APPRECIATE CONSIDERATION OF THE EXTENSION OF THE CONTRACT.

BUT LET ME BE QUIET AND ACTUALLY BRING ONE OF OUR APPRENTICES FROM THE ELECTRICIANS LOCAL 716, BARBARA SWANSON, TO TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHY THIS HAS BEEN SO IMPORTANT TO HER. WELCOME.

THANK YOU. GOOD EVENING, AND THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK.

I JUST WANTED TO SAY THIS HAS BEEN A PHENOMENAL OPPORTUNITY FOR ME BECAUSE I CAME FROM A FAIRLY DECENT CAREER.

I WAS IN REFINERIES BEFORE THIS, AND EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM JOB.

AS A CHILD, I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT I WANTED TO BE WHEN I GREW UP.

MY PATH ENDED UP LEADING ME TO REFINERIES AND I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THAT.

BUT WHEN YOU HAVE LAYOFFS OR WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANGE OF CAREER WHERE YOU WANT MORE FREEDOM BECAUSE YOUR JOB OR THE CAREER PATH THAT YOU CHOSE DOESN'T TURN OUT THE WAY THAT YOU WANT IT TO BE, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO, EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE NOT A YOUNG PERSON STRAIGHT OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL, YOU DON'T HAVE THE YEARS TO SPEND GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, PAYING FOR TUITION, AND THEN MAYBE, MAYBE NOT GETTING A JOB AFTERWARDS.

IF THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO RESTART AND REDO SOMETHING WITH YOUR LIFE, AND WITHOUT THAT OPPORTUNITY, YOU'RE NOT GIVING A LOT OF PEOPLE THE CHANCE TO REMAKE THEMSELVES.

AND THAT HAS BEEN SO INVALUABLE TO ME.

AND IT'S NOT ONLY INVALUABLE TO ME, BUT IT'S INVALUABLE TO THOSE WHO MIGHT BE IN A BAD SITUATION.

AND THEY WANT TO BETTER THEMSELVES, NOT ONLY FOR THEMSELVES, BUT FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND THEIR YOUNG CHILDREN AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YEAH. I WANT TO SECOND THIS MOTION.

AND AND I WENT TO MY HIGH SCHOOL HOMECOMING THIS WEEKEND.

IT'S A VERY RURAL SCHOOL.

NOT MANY OPPORTUNITIES.

SO THE CENTER OF THE UNIVERSE IS DOWN HERE.

SO KIDS COMING OUT OF THAT PARTICULAR RURAL HIGH SCHOOL, THEY NEED OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF THAT THEY NEED.

SOME WILL GO TO COLLEGE, SOME WILL DO OTHER THINGS, BUT SO MANY DON'T HAVE A CLUE ON WHAT THEY CAN DO.

AND JUST THE MORE OF THESE KIND OF PROGRAMS WE CAN HAVE, THE BETTER.

AND IT'S REFRESHING TO SEE HOW ENCOURAGING, EVEN IN POOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS WHERE KIDS COMING OUT DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE CLEARLY DEFINED OPPORTUNITIES, THAT THERE IS OPPORTUNITIES DOWN HERE.

NOT TOO FAR. IT'S ABOUT 100 MILES, GIVE OR TAKE.

AND AGAIN, JUST CELEBRATING WHAT YOU'RE DOING FOR THOSE FOLKS COMING OUT THROUGH THIS, AS YOU JUST SO ELOQUENTLY SAID.

DON'T. NOT REALLY SURE WHAT I WANT TO DO GOING FORWARD, BUT YOU ALL PROVIDE A VERY IMPORTANT AVENUE FOR THEM.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU.

ANNIE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

BARBARA, THANK YOU FOR THAT STORY.

AND AND LOOK, I WILL TELL YOU THAT THERE'S AN INCREDIBLE CAREER PATH IN THE RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES.

[04:50:03]

IT'S NOT. YOU DON'T JUST WALK IN AND DO GOOD AT IT.

YOU GOT TO LEARN IT AND KNOW IT AND KNOW IT WELL.

AND AND THIS IS WHAT THIS APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM IS ALL ABOUT.

IT'S ABOUT SETTING YOU UP FOR SUCCESS SO THAT YOU CAN HAVE A LONG, INCREDIBLE CAREER AND YOU MAKE THE RESPECTIVE INDUSTRIES BETTER AND STRONGER AND SAFER BECAUSE YOU LEARN HOW TO DO THE JOB RIGHT, AND YOU LEARN HOW TO DO IT RIGHT AT THE BEGINNING.

AND SO I COMMEND YOU.

SO PROUD OF YOU TO TO SEE YOU IN THIS IN THIS AREA.

WE NEED MORE WOMEN LIKE YOU TO STEP UP AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITIES.

BUT, ANNIE, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE THIS IS SO IMPORTANT AND IT SETS UP MORE YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE BARBARA FOR SUCCESS.

AND YOU'RE MAKING A MEANINGFUL IMPACT IN THE LIVES OF A LOT OF PEOPLE AND INDUSTRY AND FOR THE ECONOMY.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THIS, AND IN PARTICULAR, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

BARBARA. SO I MET YOU EARLIER AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE.

YOU GOT BETTER. THE MORE YOU DO IT, THE EASIER IT GETS.

JUST FORGET ABOUT THE CAMERA.

THEY'RE LOOKING AT YOU. APPRENTICES LEARN QUICKLY, VERY QUICKLY.

YEAH. AND.

ANNIE. ANNIE.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER.

THANKS FOR PAUSING US ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE HIDALGO.

MY MY STAFF WAS GLAD TO WORK WITH YOUR STAFF ON GETTING THIS DONE.

WE GOT A LOT OF CRITICISM FOR A NUMBER OF THE PROGRAMS THAT WE USE AT FEDERAL MONEY TO FUND, AND UNLIKE MANY OF OUR PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT AROUND THE STATE AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, WE DIDN'T JUST GO PLUG HOLES IN OUR BUDGET.

WE DID CREATIVE THINGS LIKE THIS TO HELP CREATE GENERATIONAL WEALTH AND HELP PEOPLE AVOID POVERTY AND HELP GET PEOPLE OUT OF POVERTY. THE REAL TRAGEDY IS THAT UNLESS THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GIVES US THAT KIND OF FUNDING AGAIN, WE'LL BE HARD PRESSED TO CONTINUE IT.

BUT MAKE THE CASE ANY YOU DID A GOOD JOB, AND AT SOME POINT WE MAY DECIDE TO USE LOCAL FUNDS TO DO IT, BECAUSE IF NOT MANY YOUNG PEOPLE LIKE BARBARA WOULD END UP BEING IN A POSITION WHERE WE'D BE SPENDING MONEY IN SOME OTHER AREA TO TRY TO HELP THEM.

SO GOOD LUCK TO YOU. PROUD OF YOU.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS.

A QUICK JUST A QUICK QUESTION FOR OUR BUDGET DEPARTMENT.

SO THIS IS A NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

SO WE PASSED ENOUGH MONEY FOR A ONE YEAR RENEWAL.

ARE THERE ADDITIONAL RENEWALS AFTER THAT, OR IS THIS THE LAST? I WOULD DEFER TO THE ARPA TEAM ON THIS ONE.

ARPA TEAM. IF YOU IF YOU KNOW, I CAN ANSWER THAT.

THIS IS THE LAST RENEWAL FOR THIS PROGRAM.

OKAY. DO YOU HAVE TOP OF MIND SORT OF WHAT IT COSTS ANNUALLY? I SECOND.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

JUDGE, I DON'T HAVE IT BROKEN DOWN ANNUALLY, BUT I CAN GET THAT.

I DO KNOW OVERALL, THE INVESTMENT IN THESE SINCE 2023 THROUGH 2026 FOR BOTH THIS PROGRAM, A PARTICIPANT EVENTS HAS TWO VENDORS.

IT'S ABOUT 17.6 MILLION.

YEAH. OKAY. OKAY.

I THOUGHT SOMEHOW THE 30.

I HAVE THE NUMBERS, JUDGE, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR THEM.

SO THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WAS FOR 9.1 MILLION.

THIS WOULD BE AN EXPANSION OF 3.7 MILLION FOR 12.8 FOR THE AFL-CIO.

AND THEN WITH REGARD TO EMPOWER OUR OTHER PARTNER, IT WAS INITIALLY 1.8 PLUS THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF THREE, WHICH WE VOTED ON LAST COURT.

AND THEN THAT WOULD BE A TOTAL OF 4.8.

SO BETWEEN BOTH PARTNERS AND THE EXPANSION, IT'S A TOTALITY OF THE 17.6 THAT DIRECTOR GONZALEZ MENTIONED.

AND THAT'S WHAT REALLY HAS ME CONCERNED IS AND HANNI, WITH YOUR ORGANIZING POWER, YOU KNOW, IS WE REALLY ARE IN A BUDGET HOLE LIKE THIS YEAR. WE GOT A TAX, A DIFFERENT TAX RATE.

BUT BECAUSE WE DIDN'T SEND TO THE VOTERS THE OPTION TO HAVE A TAX RATE, THAT WOULD STILL BE LOWER THAN IT EVER WAS BEFORE ANY OF US TOOK OFFICE. WE'RE GOING TO JUST FALL BACK DOWN NEXT YEAR.

SO THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I'M KIND OF FEELING LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS OF LIKE, YOU KNOW, THIS IS THIS IS. THIS IS WHY WE NEEDED ACTION.

WHATEVER IT WAS A MONTH AGO.

BUT I THINK THAT IS DEFINITELY SOMETHING THAT I PUT ON MY PRIORITIES LIST.

AND I REALLY HOPE THAT WITH THE LIMITED FUNDS THAT WE'RE FORCED TO TO COME TO THAT WE'LL BE ABLE TO CONTINUE IT BECAUSE, GOSH, IT'S JUST IT'S IT'S A ONE OF THE PROGRAMS I'M PROUDEST OF.

AND REALLY, CREDIT BELONGS TO ALL OF US AND ALL THE PROGRAMS. SO IT'S NOT THAT IT'S JUST A VERY GOOD ONE.

AND I THINK IT'S ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL THINGS WE CAN DO AS COUNTY GOVERNMENT WITH THE ENERGY TRANSITION AND ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS OF OUR REGION.

[04:55:08]

PLEASE CONTINUE TO DO THAT.

AND ESPECIALLY AROUND BUDGET SEASON NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. APPRECIATE THAT.

WE THIS PROGRAM HERE WILL BE FUNDED OUT OF ARPA MONEY THROUGH 2026.

AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH YOU ALL ABOUT EXPANDING IT AND EXTENDING IT, AND FIGURING OUT WAYS TO DO THAT AFTER THAT.

AND SINCE YOU'RE HERE, I WAS SAYING EARLIER, I HATE TO BRING IT UP.

EVERYBODY SHOWS UP WHEN WE SPENDING THE MONEY, BUT THE TIME TO SHOW UP WILL BE WHEN WE DECIDING WHAT THE TAX RATE WILL BE.

AND BECAUSE OUR FRIENDS AT THE LEGISLATURE PUT A CAP ON US.

THE LEGISLATURE FORCES US TO GO ASK THE PUBLIC.

AND YOU COULD HELP MAKE THE CASE THAT THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY COMING IN, BECAUSE THE HARRIS HILL FOLKS WOULD PICK UP THE TAB FOR JAIL HEALTH CARE.

SO THERE'S SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY, BUT YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF HANDS COMING IN ON THAT.

BUT IT WAS JUST INTERESTING.

EVERYBODY WAS DOWN HERE TODAY.

WE WERE PASSING THE BUDGET, AND IT WAS REALLY ABOUT 3 OR 4 WEEKS AHEAD OF THAT DISCUSSION, WHEN WE WERE DECIDING HOW MUCH MONEY WE WOULD HAVE TO SPEND AND WE WERE BY OUR LOANS.

OKAY. THANK YOU GUYS.

SO MOTION ON 344.

NO. EXCUSE ME. YES COMMISSIONER BRIAN.

SO THANK YOU AGAIN.

AND, MISS SWANSON, THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR STORY.

AND WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS.

AND THANK YOU, MR. CARLISLE, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

AND AND I WANT TO THANK PRESIDENT BIDEN AND VP HARRIS, BECAUSE WITHOUT THESE ARPA FUNDS, THIS INVESTMENT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE.

AND I WANT TO THANK THE ARPA STEERING CO WHO VOTED INITIALLY AND THEN VOTED ON THIS EXPANSION.

SO THANK YOU. I KNOW COUNTLESS HOURS GO INTO THIS AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A PLACE WHERE EVERYONE HAS A FAIR SHOT.

SO THANK YOU AND I AM PROUD TO MOVE.

339 AS PRESENTED.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON 339.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER.

DO YOU GUYS FEEL STRONGLY ABOUT IT? RAMSEY. RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS, AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON TO 357.

WE ALREADY WENT OVER 344 WHEN MISS BURGESS WAS HERE.

THAT IS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. AGAIN, AS A PART OF MY REVISED TO THRIVE, THE.

THE REVITALIZATION OF CHALLENGER SEVEN MEMORIAL PARK WILL FOCUS ON ENHANCING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND OUTDOOR EXPERIENCES THROUGH THOUGHTFUL DEVELOPMENT IN THREE KEY AREAS.

AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS ONE OF THE PARKS I OBTAINED FROM YOU.

AND SO IN THIS ITEM IS THE BOARDWALK AREA TRANSFORMATION.

THE EXISTING BOARDWALK WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW IMPROVED STRUCTURE.

THIS AREA WILL ALSO FEATURE IMMERSIVE LEARNING COMPONENTS INCLUDING AN INTERACTIVE CLASSROOM, AN OUTDOOR CLASSROOM, AND DESIGNATED SPACES FOR FUTURE EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGE FOSTERING A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH NATURE AND THE PARK'S ENVIRONMENT.

THE SECOND AREA IS TRAILHEAD AND BOAT RAMP AREA.

A NEW TRAILHEAD WILL BE ADDED, COMPLETE WITH BIKE PARKING TO PROMOTE ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION.

THE SPACE NEAR THE EXISTING BOAT RAMP WILL BE REPURPOSED TO INCLUDE ADDITIONAL WALKING TRAILS.

A SEATING AREA FOR RELAXATION.

A FLOATING KAYAK LAUNCH TO ENCOURAGE WATER ACTIVITIES AND NEW PLANTINGS TO ENHANCE THE NATURAL BEAUTY OF THE AREA.

AND THEN THIRDLY, THE PLAYGROUND RENOVATION.

THE EXISTING PLAYGROUND WILL UNDERGO A RENOVATION TO ENSURE IT REMAINS A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE SPACE FOR CHILDREN.

THIS WILL INCLUDE THE INSTALLATION OF NEW SAFETY FALL SURFACES, UPDATED PLAY EQUIPMENT AND ADDITIONAL BENCHES FOR SEATING.

THESE. THESE ENHANCEMENTS REFLECT REVIVE THE THRIVE'S COMMITMENT TO CREATING DYNAMIC, ACCESSIBLE AND ENGAGING SPACES THAT ENRICH THE COMMUNITY'S QUALITY QUALITY OF LIFE WHILE PRESERVING THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.

AND MOVE THIS HERE.

AND I JUST WANT TO THANK MY TEAM CHRIS SADLER, MY PARKS DIRECTOR TYCHO HOUSEMAN, MY DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF.

FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK.

AND SO MUCH MORE IS TAKING PLACE AT CHALLENGER SEVEN.

WE'RE NOW HAVING OUTDOOR CAMPING ACTIVITIES.

WE'VE HAD KIDS BEING ABLE TO EXPERIENCE ASTROLOGY AND ARCHERY.

AND WE ALSO HAVE OUR VEGETABLE GARDEN INDOORS AND ARE PRODUCING SOME OF THE MOST DELICIOUS STUFF I'VE EVER EATEN TOMATOES, JALAPENOS, OREGANO, LETTUCE, EVEN WATERMELONS.

[05:00:03]

AND IT WAS ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS.

BUT I'M JUST SO PROUD OF MY TEAM.

AND WE TEND TO LOOK AT REVIVE TO THRIVE IN SO MANY AREAS, NOT JUST INFRASTRUCTURE, BUT IN THINGS THAT ALSO ENHANCE THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF PRECINCT TWO RESIDENTS.

SO I AM EXCITED TO MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.

SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO LONG AS YOU INVITE US.

SUPER COOL. WHEN ARE WE GOING? WHEN CAN WE MEET? OVER THERE. A CAMPING TRIP.

THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME. GIVING ME.

GIVING IT TO ME IN THE CONDITION IT WAS.

I WANT A WATERMELON SO I CAN TAKE IT OUT OF THE BASEMENT.

THIS IS. THIS IS.

SOUNDS SO EXCITING. YEAH.

THAT'S WONDERFUL. YOU CAN HAVE A CAMPING TRIP THERE, BY THE WAY.

YEAH. WOW.

WE'RE ALL JUST GOING TO SHOW UP, COMMISSIONER.

YEAH. ALL RIGHT, SO MOVING ON TO 372.

ALSO FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. MAN, THIS IS AN EXCITING ONE.

FIRST, I WANT TO ASK MR. FUN, FUN, FUN FUN TO WE'RE GOING TO LIVE THAT.

OH, NO. YOU KNOW, HE CAN DO THINGS.

YOU KNOW THAT, RIGHT? JOHN IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, THIS THIS IS HISTORIC, AND I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN GENERAL CHRISTIAN MENEFEE AS WELL.

THIS IS A HISTORICAL THING THAT WE'RE DOING HERE TODAY.

WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO ME IN THE OPPORTUNITY OF IT I DIDN'T MAKE IT EASY FOR GETTING IT TO THIS AGENDA. IT WAS COMPLICATED.

IT IT WAS DELICATE.

THERE WAS A LOT OF ISSUES TO RESOLVE IN IT.

AND AND YOU AND YOUR TEAM WERE JUST MASTERFUL AT AT GETTING IT PACKAGED SO THAT WE CAN VOTE ON IT TODAY.

AND I HOPE THAT THIS IS A UNANIMOUS ITEM.

BUT JOHN, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, MR. FOREMAN, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

I WILL I'LL THANK SOME OTHER FOLKS AS WELL.

BUT YOUR YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS ITEM? NO, I MEAN, I WANTED TO SAY THAT, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WHEN WE'RE IN FRONT OF YOU, IT'S IT'S ALWAYS BECAUSE WE'RE RESOLVING A DISPUTE OR OR TRYING TO GET AUTHORITY TO SUE SOMEONE. BUT WE'RE ALSO INVOLVED IN SOME OF THESE GREAT PROJECTS WHERE THE COUNTY IS, IS BUILDING THINGS.

AND I THINK ABOUT THINGS LIKE DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX COLLECTION AND THIS PROJECT, WHICH INVOLVED MANY, MANY MONTHS OF HARD WORK.

AND I WANT TO CALL OUT A FEW MEMBERS OF MY TEAM, JESTINA PRESTON AND ERIC BAILEY AND SARAH UTLEY, WHO WORKED EXTREMELY HARD ON THIS PROJECT TO GET IT OVER THE LINE. I KNOW WHEN WE INHERITED IT, WE THERE WAS A LITTLE BIT OF UNCERTAINTY ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT COULD BE DONE.

AND NOW WE'RE HERE TODAY AND I'M GOING TO LET YOU SPEAK TO TO THE BENEFITS OF THIS PROJECT.

BUT IT'S JUST A FANTASTIC THING.

ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER IS A FANTASTIC ASSET THAT THE THE COUNTY HAS IN ITS, IN ITS JURISDICTION.

AND TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND THAT AND REUSE THIS LAND THAT'S BEEN OWNED BY EXXON FOR SO MANY YEARS IS FANTASTIC.

AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK EXXON.

THEY WERE AN INCREDIBLE NEGOTIATING PARTNER.

AND REALLY ALSO HELPED US GETTING GETTING OVER THE LINE.

SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

THIS IS A FANTASTIC PROJECT AND WE WERE REALLY GLAD TO SERVE.

GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU JOHN.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

AND FOR EVERYONE ELSE TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT THIS IS THAT TODAY'S APPROVAL OF THIS PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT MARKS A MONUMENTAL STEP TOWARDS PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY FROM DEVASTATING FLOOD RISK.

BUT ALSO IT'S SAVING 1137 ACRES IN PASADENA FOR FROM DEVELOPMENT, WHICH MEANS WE'RE SECURING A NATURAL BUFFER FOR FLOOD MITIGATION, SPARING NEARBY HOMES AND BUSINESSES FROM POTENTIAL DISASTER AND PRESERVING AN ESSENTIAL GREEN SPACE THAT SERVES AS A CARBON SINK FOR THE ENTIRE REGION.

THIS AGREEMENT IS THE CULMINATION OF YEARS, YEARS OF NEGOTIATION AND PARTNERSHIP WITH THE ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER.

THROUGH THIS PROCESS, WE'VE UNITED MULTIPLE AGENCIES, PRIVATE PARTNERS, AND LOCAL ADVOCATES UNDER A SHARED VISION OF RESPONSIBLE CONSERVATION.

BY PROTECTING THIS LAND, WE'RE EMBRACING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH THAT PRIORITIZES THE WELL-BEING OF OUR COMMUNITY, WILDLIFE, AND

[05:05:09]

AND AS I MENTIONED, MY EXTREME GRATITUDE TO THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY, CHRISTIAN MENEFEE, HIS OFFICE, JOHN FONTBONNE, A SPECIAL THANKS TO ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY'S JUSTINA PRESTON AND ERIC BAILEY, WHOSE DEDICATION AND COUNTLESS HOURS OF WORK WERE INVALUABLE IN BRINGING US TO THIS PARTICULAR POINT AND MOMENT.

A BIG THANK YOU TO SARAH UTLEY.

AS YOU POINTED OUT, JOHN, YOU AS WELL FOR YOUR COUNSEL THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS.

AND SO I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO ONE DAY VISITING THE TRAILHEADS NAMED IN YOUR HONOR.

THE FOND BOND OR FUN BOND? THE I KNEW THAT'S WHERE HE WAS GOING.

ONE OR THE OTHER.

BUT I WANT TO THANK YOU.

I WANT TO THANK THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS AS WELL.

DOCTOR PETERSON AND JONATHAN HOLLY AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND THANK TIM PILOT, AND AS YOU POINTED OUT, EXXON FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT THROUGHOUT THIS JOURNEY.

THIS COLLABORATIVE EFFORT HAS BEEN KEY TO OUR SUCCESS.

TIM'S TIM PILOT'S ENTHUSIASM FOR CONSERVATION HAS WAS OFTEN BOY, WAS OFTEN THE BOY.

WE NEEDED THE BOY TO THAT WE NEEDED TO MAKE MAKE IT THROUGHOUT THIS LONG CONTRACT REVIEW SESSIONS.

AND LET ME JUST SAY THAT WHEN WE STARTED ON THIS, WE WERE HOPEFUL THAT WE WOULD BECOME THE LARGEST NATURAL OR NATURE PRESERVE URBAN NATURE PRESERVE IN NORTH AMERICA.

UNFORTUNATELY, DALLAS, OF ALL PLACES, THAT FOREIGN COUNTRY HAS OUTPACED US A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THEY ACQUIRED A COUPLE OF THOUSAND ACRES.

HOWEVER, THEIR ACQUISITION OF ACRE OF THEIR ACRES WAS JUST LAND.

IT WASN'T AS COMPLICATED AS WE HAVE ACHIEVED HERE TODAY.

AND SO FOR THAT REASON WE MAY NOT BE THE LARGEST, BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE THE MOST UNIQUE AND SPECIAL URBAN NATURE PRESERVE IN NORTH AMERICA BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY THAT WE HAVE HERE IN PRECINCT TWO WITH ALL OF OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS. AND THEN ALSO, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE WE OFTEN TALK A LOT ABOUT OUR INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH THEM. I WANT TO THANK AND BE JUST REAL CLEAR.

THANK YOU TO EXXONMOBIL FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SIT WITH US AND WORK THROUGH THIS, AND BE WILLING TO GET US TO A BETTER PLACE.

THEY COULD HAVE MADE THIS THING A NONSTARTER.

THEY COULD HAVE MADE IT MUCH MORE COMPLICATED.

THEY COULD HAVE REALLY JUST LOOKED TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT AND ENCOURAGE OTHERS TO MAKE MONEY OUT OF IT BY TURNING IT INTO A DEVELOPMENT SITE.

BUT EVERYBODY STAYED AT THE TABLE.

EVERYONE WAS CHALLENGED.

AND AS I MENTIONED, I CAN'T SAY HOW COMPLICATED THIS WAS OVERALL.

AS I LOOKED AT THIS SITE, I I TOLD A YOUNG LADY IN MY OFFICE AS SHE WAS JUST LIKE, REALLY WANTED ME TO GIVE IT A A UNCONDITIONAL GREEN LIGHT, AND I DIDN'T.

I KNEW THE CHALLENGES THAT WOULD COME WITH THIS, WITH ALL THE WELLS THAT ARE THERE.

AND AND I JUST SAID, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I DON'T PUT THE COUNTY OR THE PRECINCT IN HARM'S WAY BY JUST JUMPING INTO A TRANSACTION WITHOUT THOUGHT OF THE BROADER PICTURE.

AND THIS ITEM HAS ALL OF THOSE PROTECTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS TOGETHER.

IT HAS EXXONMOBIL AT THE TABLE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME.

AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK KRISTEN LEE IN MY OFFICE.

JOHN, I WILL I WILL SAVE YOU THE NAMING OF THE TRAIL HEADACHES AND AND FUN WITH THAT, BECAUSE I THINK THIS ULTIMATELY WILL BECOME KNOWN AS THE KRISTEN LEE NATURE PRESERVE URBAN NATURE PRESERVE JUST BECAUSE OF HER HER.

[05:10:02]

AND SO, KRISTEN, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

AND I AM ABSOLUTELY OVER THE MOON TO SAY I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.

SECOND, THIS IS AMAZING.

IT IS. TALK ABOUT A PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THAT'S GAME CHANGING.

CONGRATULATIONS. AND SECOND.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON ITEM 372.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

CONGRATULATIONS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

MOVING ON TO 390.

OH, AND KRISTEN LEE. THAT'S VERY EXCITING.

MOVING ON TO 390.

BY FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

JUST A QUICK, QUICK QUESTION.

THIS MAY BE A QUESTION FOR LEAH, BUT THIS IS AN UPDATE ON ARPA.

IS THERE ANY ANY SURPRISES AT THIS POINT? THIS IS A MONTHLY UPDATE.

ANY ANY CHANGES FROM PREVIOUS MONTH THAT THAT'S OF CONCERN.

GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE.

COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

MY NAME IS TOM HARGIS.

I'M THE DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS AND THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

RIGHT NOW WE'RE FEELING REALLY GOOD, AND WE HAVE A CLEAR LINE OF SIGHT TO OBLIGATION OF THE FULL ARPA PORTFOLIO BY THE END OF THE YEAR.

AND WE'VE BEEN UPDATING OUR CODE, ERASE ANY RISKS THAT MAY BE THERE ALONG THE WAY.

AND RIGHT NOW I THINK WE'RE IN A REALLY GOOD SPOT.

SO THERE'S A DEADLINE AT THE END OF THE YEAR, AND WE FEEL PRETTY GOOD ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ON THAT ARPA MONEY.

WE DO. OKAY, THAT WAS IT.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM 390? IT'S A TRANSMITTAL. ALL RIGHT.

WE ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

426 FLAGGED ALSO BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

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

EXCUSE ME. ADJUSTMENTS.

IS THIS. OH, THIS IS THIS IS PROBABLY IN THE SAME CATEGORY AS JUST PRECINCT ONE.

OH. I'M SORRY. THIS IS THE DIFFERENT ONE.

AND THE THERE'S A NUMBER REFERENCED IN HERE, AND I'M NOT SURE WHO PREPARED THIS.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN YOU.

WERE YOU INVOLVED WITH THIS, DANIEL? SO IT'S IN CONCERT WITH THE CONSTABLE OFFICES AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE, AS THEY WORK THROUGH ALL THE CONTRACTS, THE TRENDS.

AND I GUESS THERE'S JUST A NUMBER.

I'M A SORE ARM BEING AN ENGINEER TODAY, THERE'S A TRANSMITTAL FROM OCTOBER 2023 SHOWS THAT A TOTAL NUMBER OF 1222 CONTRACT OFFICERS. THIS REPORT SHOWS DOCUMENT SAYS THERE ARE NOW 1208 OFFICERS.

YET IT SAYS THERE IS AN INCREASE OF SEVEN THAT LOOKS LIKE THERE'S A DECREASE.

SO THERE WAS AN ERROR IN LAST YEAR'S ITEM.

THERE WAS THIS YEAR WE WE SCRUBBED IT.

THERE WERE SOME CONTRACTS THAT WERE IN IN QUEUE TO BE APPROVED THAT ULTIMATELY DID NOT.

SO THAT THE, THE, THE, THE RCA THAT WAS SENT AROUND BY YOUR TEAM, THE THE FISCAL YEAR 24, WHICH WAS ADOPTED IN AROUND THIS TIME IN, IN 23.

WAS INCORRECT. AND SO IT IS A NET INCREASE OF SEVEN FROM, FROM THE ACTUAL NUMBER LAST YEAR.

SO THE 1222 WAS NOT CORRECT.

THAT'S CORRECT. OKAY.

I'LL MAKE A MOTION TO MOVE.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ITEM 426.

ALL IN FAVOR? AYE.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

ONTO 427.

FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

YES. I WANT TO ASK AND I THINK THIS MAY GO TO EITHER PURCHASING AGENT OR D.O., BUT I JUST AM CURIOUS WHY 381 AGREEMENTS WERE BEING USED FOR PERFORMANCE BASED CONTRACTS.

NORMALLY, THINGS LIKE THIS ARE DONE THROUGH RFPS.

AND SO I'M NOT SURE.

STELLA, IF OR PURCHASING AGENT CAN ANSWER THIS.

SURE. SO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS ONE WAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PATHWAYS TO PRIME PROGRAM.

SO WE SUBMITTED THAT TO COURT, LET'S SAY JANUARY OF THIS YEAR.

AND IN THAT PROGRAM DESIGN.

IT DID SAY THAT WE WERE GOING TO UTILIZE THE LOCAL CODE FOR CHAPTER 381, BUT WE WANTED TO ENSURE TO HAVE SOME PARAMETERS, INCLUDING MAKING SURE THAT THE ORGANIZATIONS WOULD BE ABLE TO PROVIDE INFORMATION ON THEIR KPIS.

SO WE WORKED QUITE A LONG TIME WITH ALL THE COURT OFFICES TO FINALIZE THAT PROGRAM DESIGN.

[05:15:05]

SO WE MODELED IT AFTER SOME OF THE PREVIOUS CHAPTER 381 PROGRAMS, BUT IT WASN'T A APPROVED DESIGN THAT WENT TO COURT AND GOT APPROVAL EARLIER THIS YEAR.

AND AND SO THE THE GROUPS THAT WERE AWARDED OR BEING AWARDED ONE IS PUSH FOR DREAMS, WHICH IS, WHICH COMES FROM TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

THAT HISTORICALLY HAS FOCUSED ON SERVING SCHOOL DISTRICTS ON ON CULTURALLY RESPONSIVE TEACHING.

ACCORDING TO THEIR WEBSITE AND SOME CURIOUS WHAT QUALIFIED THEM TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY. SURE.

SO THEY ARE THEY ARE FROM TACOMA, WASHINGTON.

THEY DO HAVE TWO LOCAL SUBS THAT ARE WORKING WITH THEM, AND THEY HAD TO FOLLOW THE SAME EVALUATION CRITERIA THAT ALL THE OTHER ORGANIZATIONS DID.

AND THEIR SCORE IS WHAT QUALIFIED THEM TO WIN AN AWARD.

SO THEY WERE ONE OF THE TOP SCORERS.

AND IN THAT EVALUATION COMMITTEE, THERE WAS A DOE STAFF, PURCHASING STAFF, AND THEN EVERY COURT OFFICE HAD OBSERVERS.

BUT WHAT WAS IT THAT MADE THEM AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT? EXPERT? I GUESS IT WOULD BE THE PROCUREMENT, THE SPECIFIC PROCUREMENT.

THEY'RE GOING TO DEVELOP A CURRICULUM THAT WILL ASSIST MWHS IN PACKAGING THEIR BIDS RFP AND RFQ.

AND SO THAT'S PART OF THEIR THEIR WORK THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

GOTCHA. AND THEN LASTLY I I'M I'M A LITTLE WORRIED ABOUT THIS ITEM.

BECAUSE NORMALLY SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD BE RUN THROUGH THE PURCHASING AGENTS OFFICE, BUT IT'S BEING DONE OUT OF YOUR OFFICE.

STELLA AND I JUST WANT TO CAUTION AGAINST DOING THIS.

I THINK IT JUST CREATES A POTENTIAL FOR SOME CHALLENGES AND AND AND CONCERNS.

AND SO I WILL NOT BE.

I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE OF THE WORK, BUT I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS ITEM BECAUSE OF THE CONCERNS THAT I HAVE WITH HOW THE 381, 381 AGREEMENTS ARE BEING USED AND, AND HOW IT WAS SET UP.

SO I WANT TO JUST BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS.

YES. UNTIL COMMISSION.

BRING US BACK AND SEE WHAT IT SAYS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT.

YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS ITEM.

OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DO YOU WANT TO START DISCUSSING ITEM 443 ON TETRA TECH? YEAH, IT'S A SOME KIND OF A QUESTION, ACTUALLY.

THAT. WHAT? COMMISSIONER GARCIA I'M FAMILIAR WITH A LOT OF FIRMS FAMILIAR WITH TETRA TECH.

GOOD FIRM.

NO IN TERMS OF WHAT THEY DO AND HOW THEY DO IT.

BUT I FOUND IT INTERESTING THAT THEY'RE USING THIS CONTRACT FOR COMPLIANCE MONITORING ON AN EARLY REACH PROGRAM FOR EARLY LEARNING AND QUALITY.

IT JUST SEEMS THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT A TETRA TECH TO BE DOING.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THIS IS PAIGE MCGINNIS FROM PURCHASING.

REGARDING THIS CONTRACT.

THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM IS TIED TO CERTAIN FEDERAL FUNDING, AND THAT DOES QUALIFY BASED ON THE SPECIFICATIONS OF THE INITIAL RFP PURCHASING PROCURED.

WE DO HAVE SOME LENGTH AND A DEPTH OF SCOPE TO HIT MULTIPLE FUNDING SOURCES, WHICH THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM IS INCLUDED IN.

SO WHEN DOE CONTACTED US WITH AN INITIATIVE FOR CERTAIN CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND CERTAIN PROGRAM MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT IN ORDER TO, YOU KNOW, BE UTILIZE RESOURCES AT HAND AND CONTRACTS WE ALREADY HAVE IN PLACE TO EXPEDITE SOME TIMELINES.

WE WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE AN AMENDMENT WITH TETRA TECH UNDER THE CURRENT RFP THAT WE HAD IN PLACE.

MR.. JUDGE, I JUST YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

YEAH, I JUST WANT TO ASK SO WE KNOW ON BOTH FROM PURCHASING FIRST ON 4227 AND 443.

ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH BOTH OF THESE ITEMS? I WILL SPEAK ON FOUR, TWO, SEVEN.

I'M COMFORTABLE.

AS THE PROGRAM WAS PRESENTED TO COURT IN JANUARY WITH AN ATTACHED ORDER WITH THE 381 AGREEMENT REQUIREMENTS.

I CAN'T SPEAK TO THE, YOU KNOW, EXECUTION OF THE 381 BECAUSE I THINK WE NEED COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ALSO WEIGH IN ON THAT.

REGARDING THE DEPTH AND THE REACH THAT A 381, YOU KNOW, COVERS.

[05:20:02]

LATER DOWN THE ROAD, FOR ANY AUDITS OF ANY MISDOING WITH TETRA TECH USING A CURRENT RFP FOR THE EARLY REACH PROGRAM.

OKAY. SO, JAY, YOU ALL HAVE ANY CONCERNS ON, YOU KNOW, ON, ON, ON THE THREE ONES FOR OUR OFFICE DID DRAFT THOSE AGREEMENTS.

WE'RE COMFORTABLE WITH THE, THE THE USE OF THE 381 IN THAT PROCESS AND COMPLY WITH EVERYTHING.

WE WORK CLOSELY WITH THEM.

SO FROM A GEO LEO'S PERSPECTIVE, ANYTHING ELSE YOU ALL WANT TO ADD OR I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION.

I JUST WANTED TO SEE IF YOU HAD ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO ADD THOUGH.

I JUST WANTED TO ADD FOR TOUCH-A-TRUCK.

THEY'VE BEEN USING THEM SINCE THEY WERE WITH ECI TEAM, WAS USING THEM DURING THE COMPLIANCE WHEN THEY WERE WITH OCA.

SO THIS IS A CONTINUATION OF THAT AND IT WAS JUST EXPIRING IN OCTOBER.

SO THIS IS WHY WE USE THIS CONTRACT.

SO IT'S A CONTINUING OF SERVICES.

SO I MOVE FOR 27 AND FOR 43 AS PRESENTED SECOND MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED? NO, I'M IN FAVOR OF MOTION CARRIES 3 TO 2.

AND NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO FOURTH.

I'M SORRY. SO IT'S COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

NO. CORRECT.

FOR BOTH ITEMS, 427 AND 443.

IF I'VE GOT THIS RIGHT, MY MY, MY NO VOTE IS ON 427.

YEAH, THAT WAS 4274.

JUST FOUR. TWO SEVEN.

NO. YOU KNOW, YOU SAID ON BOTH.

ADRIAN. NO.

ON FOUR. TWO. SEVEN. OKAY.

SO ON FOUR, TWO, SEVEN IS 3 TO 2 WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTING AGAINST.

AND ON FOUR, FOUR, THREE, IT'S 4 TO 1 WITH ONLY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTING AGAINST.

MY ISSUE WITH THE FOUR, TWO, SEVEN IS THAT THE 381 AGREEMENT PROCESS CIRCUMVENTS THE PURCHASING AGENT, AND I JUST THINK THAT'S NOT THE WAY IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

IF I'M READING THIS CORRECTLY, WE ONLY HAVE ONE MORE ITEM LEFT, AND THAT IS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON HARRIS COUNTY GRANT FUNDS.

WELL, I'LL END ON A POSITIVE NOTE.

WE'RE WE'RE STILL GETTING GRANT FUNDS FROM THE STATE.

WE ALL GOT A LETTER FROM REPRESENTATIVE HARLESS, AND I GUESS I'M ENCOURAGED BY THAT.

I KNOW THE THE LETTER ESSENTIALLY ASKED FOR A, A, A SUMMARY OF HOW THE GRANT FUNDS THAT HAS BEEN EXPENDED, BE IT STATE FUNDS OR FEDERAL FUNDS IN THE COUNTY.

SO I THINK IT'S A HEALTHY EXERCISE.

I THINK THE COUNTY AUDITOR IS IS DEALING WITH THIS SPECIFIC REQUEST.

I JUST POINT THIS OUT THAT WE DO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PARTNERS IN WASHINGTON.

WE HAVE A LOT OF GOOD PARTNERS IN AUSTIN, AND THEY DO CARE ABOUT HOW WE SPEND THE MONEY.

AND THE FACT THAT HE WROTE THE LETTER IN THE FIRST PLACE SHOULD BE A POINT OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO US IN TERMS OF THOSE DOLLARS.

I KNOW THAT THERE'S A LOT OF MONEY COMING INTO THE REGION THROUGH HJC, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS IS WELL ON THAT.

TO BE SURE WE GET THOSE FUNDS FREED UP.

THEY SEEM TO BE STALLED OUT, IF YOU WILL, BUT I THINK THAT'S SOME OF THE SPIRIT OF IT.

PLUS THE THE THE OTHER THINGS WE DO COULD BE RELATED TO THE CONSTABLE'S COULD BE RELATED TO A LOT OF THINGS IN TERMS OF FUNDING AND WHAT OUR DOLLARS ARE USED FOR AND WHAT THE GRANT DOLLARS.

SO I JUST WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT AND SAY IT'S A IT'S A GOOD THING WHEN THE STATE REP TAKES AN INTEREST IN WHAT WE'RE DOING.

GREAT. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER, I KNOW THAT'S BEING RESPONDED TO.

DO WE NEED ANY ACTION ON THIS? NOPE. ALL RIGHT.

SO IS THIS A NO ACTION? NO ACTION ON 452? AM I MISSING ANY ITEMS, COLLEAGUES? NO. JUDGE. COUNTY CLERK, COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WONDERFUL. I JUST WANT TO SAY THE SUN WAS UP WHEN WE CAME IN.

IT'S ABOUT TO GO DOWN.

GOOD NIGHT. ALL RIGHT.

IT'S. THANK YOU. SIX COMMISSIONERS COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.