* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.
          [Appearances before court]
          [00:00:09]
          >> A GOOD MORNING. IT IS A 10:03 AND LET US CALL THIS 2024 BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. WE WILL 
          START WITH OUR SPEAKERS. >> PAGE MCGINNIS ITEM NUMBER 
          ONE YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AND CONGRATULATE AND RECOGNIZE MARTHA JANE SLOAN FOR SERVING 25 YEARS AT THE PURCHASING OFFICE. THIS WAS WITHIN THE PURCHASING TEAM AND MARTHA HAS SERVED ALL OF HER DEPARTMENTS VERY WELL. AND ALSO HAS BUILT MANY RELATIONSHIPS WITH OUTSIDE DEPARTMENTS AT THE COUNTY AND AS WELL AT THE PURCHASING OFFICE, DIRECTLY. WE ARE VERY EXCITED AND IT IS BITTERSWEET AT THE SAME TIME. BUT SHE DESERVES TO DO THINGS THAT MAKE HER HAPPY OUTSIDE OF WORK. SHE HAS CONTINUED TO SHOW UP, MENTOR THE STAFF, LEARN NEW WAYS OF METHODS TO GET THINGS DONE. ONE OF HER SPECIALTIES WAS FURNITURE. SO WE ARE DEFINITELY GOING TO MISS SOME OF HER GUIDANCE AND RELATIONSHIPS OF THAT INTERNAL TRAINING AND MENTORSHIP SHE IS BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE TO SO MANY OF US. MARTHA, WE WISH YOU ALL THE BEST , THANK YOU. 'S 
          >> WOULD YOU LIKE TO SAY A FEW WORDS? 
          >> THANK YOU, YES. >> WELL, 25 YEARS HAS COME AND GONE PRETTY QUICK. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES AND I SERVED UNDER THREE COUNTY JUDGES AND NOW JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. FOR PURCHASING AGENTS , JOHNSON AND NOW MCGINNIS . 
          CHANGE IS WONDERFUL AND YOU NEED TO KEEP GOING . I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THANK YOU SO MUCH. 
          >> CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. WHAT 
          ARE YOUR PLANS? >> WELL, LOSE SOME WEIGHT AND I WANT TO GO TO JAPAN BECAUSE I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO. I AM GOING TO GO WITH THE CLEARLAKE'S ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AND BE ABLE TO WALK UP THOSE STAIRS TO THE VARIOUS TEMPLES AND HAVE FORMAL HOCHSTEIN. - HARTEY. 
          >> WELL, THINK OF US CHEERING YOU ON. THANK YOU . 
          >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE, THANK YOU TO JUDGE LINA HIDALGO , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR ALLOWING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SAY A FEW WORDS ABOUT MARIANNE. INSPIRATION AND INFORMATION WITHOUT APPLICATION WILL NEVER AMOUNT TO TRANSFORMATION. BUT TODAY WE HONOR THE DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY. 
          THROUGHOUT OUR CAREER, SHE HAS EXEMPLIFIED THE BELIEF THAT INSPIRATION AND INSPIRATION WITH APPLICATION WILL LEAD TO TRANSFORMATION. CHANNELING HER EXPERTISE INTO MEANINGFUL CHANGE FOR THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. UNDER VISIONARY LEADERSHIP, THE LIBRARY TRANSCENDED ITS TRADITIONAL ROLE OF BECOMING A DYNAMIC HUB. IT NOT ONLY INFORMED BUT INSPIRED AND EMPOWERED GUIDES BY ITS MISSION TO PROVIDE EQUAL AND OPEN ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR ALL. THE LAW LIBRARY THRIVED. AS WE CELEBRATE HER RETIREMENT WE EXPRESS OUR DEEPEST GRATITUDE FOR EXTRAORDINARY CEDAR SAYS. SHE HAS PROVEN THAT INSPIRATION INFORMATION WILL APPLY AND CAN TRULY TRANSPORT LIVES. THANK 
          YOU. >> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SPEAKING 
          [00:05:05]
          ON ITEM 3, ITEM 5. >> GOOD MORNING AND I WANT TO STAY TO MY ONE MINUTE. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS I'M HAPPY TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER. SHE WAS THE HEAD OF THE LAW LIBRARY. SHE HAS JUST BEEN FANTASTIC AND A LEADER, AND A MENTOR FOR PEOPLE ACROSS THE OFFICE. SHE HELPED US AS WE RENAMED THE LAW LIBRARY. AND WE ALL KNOW THIS IS NAMED AFTER ONE OF THE FOUNDERS OF THE ASSOCIATION THAT FILED A LAWSUIT AFTER THE LAW LIBRARY WAS SEGREGATED. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO SIT AT THE SAME TABLES. THAT FACILITY IS ALL ABOUT ACCESS TO JUSTICE. 
          EVERY DAY PEOPLE COME IN TO LEARN AND REPRESENT THEMSELVES. 
          THEY DO EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO HAVE A FAIR SHOT AT THE JUSTICE SYSTEM. SHE EMBODIES THE BEST THAT THE LAW LIBRARY HAS TO OFFER. WE ARE SAD TO SEE HER GO. BUT HOW FANTASTIC HER LEADERSHIP HAS BEEN IS THAT SHE VOLUNTARILY STEPPED DOWN A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO TO PASS THE TORCH TO THE NEXT GENERATION. 
          MARIANN SEARS ESTATE ON AS A MENTOR. I AM EXCITED TO ACKNOWLEDGE HER. WE KNOW THAT SHE IS OFF TO BIGGER AND BETTER 
          THINGS. >> THANK YOU. 
          >> MIMI HANS IS NEXT. >> DOES MARIANN SEARS HAVE 
          ANYTHING TO ADD? YES, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS RACKET MISSION. IT HAS BEEN MY HONOR AND PLEASURE TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY SINCE FAIRBURY FIRST, 2012 AS DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW LIBRARY AND LATER AS OPERATIONS MANAGER AND DIRECTOR. DURING MY 12+ YEARS AT THE LAW LIBRARY, WE HAVE WITNESSED AND PARTICIPATED IN UNPRECEDENTED INCREASES IN OUR SERVICE AND OUTREACH TO THOSE WHO FALL WITHIN THE JUSTICE GAP. AND EVEN THE DIGITAL DIVIDE AND I AM PROUD OF THE WORK THAT WE HAVE PERFORMED AND CONTINUE TO PERFORM IN THE FULFILLMENT OF OUR MISSION TO PROMOTE OPEN AND EQUAL ACCESS TO THE JUSTICE SYSTEM FOR ALL. 
          AND OPEN ACCESS TO LEGAL INFORMATION. I THANK YOU THE OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THE TRUST AND CONFIDENCE YOU HAVE PLACED IN ME AND MY ABILITIES. 
          BUT NOW IT IS TIME FOR ME TO MOVE ON. MY GRANDCHILDREN, WANT ME TO COME AND PLAY WITH THEM AND I AM EAGER TO JOIN THEM AND TO BE NEAR MY AMAZING DAUGHTER AND SON-IN-LAW. I LEAVE THE LAW LIBRARY IN THE MORE THAN CAPABLE HANDS OF ANDRE DAVISON WHO IS THE PERFECT LEADER TO DIRECT THE LAW LIBRARY INTO THE EXCITING FUTURE THAT AWAITS US ALL. I LEAVE GRATEFUL GRATITUDE TO THE COURT, THE CEO AND MY COLLEAGUES, THE EXCELLENT LAW LIBRARY AND'S CURRENT AND FORMER WHO ALWAYS GAVE ME THE LATITUDE TO DO MY JOB. THEY NEVER SAID NO TO A GOOD IDEA. 
          AND WHO ALLOWED ME FOR SO LONG TO DO MY BEST WORK. THANK YOU, 
          IT WAS GREAT. >> THAT WAS SO INSPIRING AND OBVIOUSLY YOUR WORK HAS BEEN, AS WELL. THANK YOU AND ENJOY YOUR GRANDCHILDREN . IT IS AMAZING, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. MIMI HAN SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER FIVE. 
          >> EVERYBODY SEEMS TO BE RETIRING FROM THE COUNTY OFFICE. WE ARE HERE TODAY WHO WORKS IN OUR TAX ADMINISTRATION TEAM. SHE IS BEEN WITH HARRIS COUNTY FOR 22 YEARS. SHE IS 37 YEARS OF PROFESSIONAL TAX ADMINISTRATION EXPERIENCE. WITH THE BLESSING OF KNOWING THAT SHE IS RETIRING BECAUSE SHE IS 
          [00:10:03]
GOING TO TO GO TO A DIFFERENT COUNTY. SHE IS GOING TO SERVE THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. SHE IS A CONSTANT PROFESSIONAL AND KNOWS THE BUSINESS AND SHE IS GOING TO DO A FANTASTIC JOB. 
          SHE WILL MAKE THE OFFICE VERY, VERY PROUD. WE HAD A RECEPTION AND SHE SPOKE ABOUT THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY AND HOW MUCH SHE HAS GROWN AND CONNECTED. NOT JUST TO FALL IN THE WORK THAT'S FALL IN LOVE WITH THE WORK BUT WE ARE EXCITED TO SEE 
          HER CONTINUE AS A GREAT LEADER. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I'M THE MANAGING COUNSEL FOR THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION OF THE COUNTY OFFICE. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF CAROLYN MIEDKE . I HAD THE HONOR TO WORK WITH HER. THE FIRST TIME I MET CAROLYN MIEDKE WAS ONE YEAR AND A HALF AGO. IT WAS WHEN SHE APPLIED FOR THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION FOR THE SENIOR CLERK POSITION. WHAT RESONATED WITH ME DURING THE INTERVIEW WAS NOT HER IMPRESSIVE RESUME WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. BUT IT WAS HER COURAGE TO WANT TO LEAVE A OFFICE WHERE SHE GREW UP IN, 21 YEARS AS THE COLLECTOR TO JOIN OUR TEAM. SHE KNEW THAT WHEN WE TALK IN TAX COLLECTION PROPERTIES IN OUR CASE IS GOING TO BE A GREAT AND IMMEDIATE BENEFIT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. SHE WANTED TO JOIN THE TEAM. IT WAS SUCH A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH HER. I WANT TO SAY THIS , IT IS TIME FOR HER TO RETIRE. SO SHE WOULD GET TO TRAVEL AND SPEND HER TIME IN HER CHARITY WORK. AT THE ORPHANAGE THAT SHE CARES ABOUT IN AFRICA THAT SHE JUST SPENT TWO WEEKS WITH HER FAMILY. SHE IS ACTUALLY TAKING THAT COURAGE AND THE LEADERSHIP AND RAN FOR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR. IT IS GREAT TO SEE THAT SHE IS GOING TO COMMIT TO CONTINUE TO SERVE PEOPLE. I AM HAPPY FOR CAROLYN MIEDKE AND CONGRATULATIONS ON HER TWO DAYS OF RETIREMENT. I HOPE THAT SHE SPENDS THESE TWO DAYS SLEEPING IN, RELAXING AND SPENDING TIME WITH HER FAMILY. IT HAS BEEN AN HONOR TO WORK WITH HER AND THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS 
          TO CAROLYN MIEDKE. >> PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PODIUM AND CONGRATULATIONS CAROLYN MIEDKE. TAX ASSESS COLLECTOR 
          ELECT CAROLYN MIEDKE. >> WHEN WORKING IN THE TAX OFFICE AND THAT ICE - THAT IS WHEN I FELL IN LOVE WITH WHAT I DO. WHEN I WAS OFFERED A POSITION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY 22 YEARS AGO I WAS ABLE TO GROW MY KNOWLEDGE AND HAVE PEOPLE AROUND ME THAT SUPPORTED ME TO GROW AND SPREAD MY WINGS. NOW THAT I'M GOING TO BE LEAVING HERE, I HAVE SADNESS OF MISSING THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO BE HERE. BUT I APPRECIATE WHAT HAS BEEN DONE AND I WILL TAKE MY KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE ON TO ANOTHER COUNTY AND ASSIST THEM. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE 
          DONE FOR ME. >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. THEY ARE LUCKY TO HAVE YOU AND IT IS BEEN A BIG DEAL OF WHAT WE AM ABLE TO ACHIEVE IN TERMS OF THE TAX COLLECTION. CONGRATULATIONS 
          , AGAIN MADAME TAX ASSESSOR . >> FRED WOODS IS OUR NEXT 
          SPEAKER AND HE HAS ONE MINUTE. >> MERRY CHRISTMAS AND GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE PRESIDENT OF NORTH CIVIC CLUB. I ASKED MY NEIGHBORS . I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR PARTNERSHIP ALONG WITH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PROVIDING THE RESOURCES TO THOSE IN NEED AFTER THE IMPACT OF THE HURRICANES. THE ROLE OF GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE THE WORK WITH US AND DID NOT DICTATE 
          [00:15:11]
WHICH SOLUTIONS ARE CHOSEN BECAUSE IT BEST FITS YOUR ASSESSMENT, THE BUDGETARY CONSTRAINTS OR YOUR INTEREST. 
          FUNDING WAS NOT AN ISSUE WHEN WE WERE GIVEN THINGS WE DID NOT REQUEST LIKE BIKE LANES OR STORAGE FOR AFRICAN ART. OR BOND ALLOCATIONS DO NOT FOLLOW FEDERAL RATIO. WE FALL SHORT OF SEEING AN INCREDIBLE - DISBURSEMENT. THIS INCREDIBLES DASHING CONTINUES TO BE NEGLECTED AND OUR AREAS FLOOD MORE FREQUENTLY AND WE ARE IMPACTED MORE SEVERELY WHEN A NAMED STORM OR HEAVY RAIN. OUR TRIBUTARIES HAVE A LONG-STANDING HISTORY OF DISREPAIR BECAUSE OF A LACK OF MAINTENANCE. IN FACT, THE ONLY EQUALITY WE SEE IS HOW WE ARE IGNORED, REGARDLESS OF NEIGHBORHOOD. WE UNDERSTAND AND SUPPORT YOUR WORST FIRST APPROACH TOWARDS FLOOD MITIGATION. WE WILL NOT BE TOLD WHAT TO DO. OUR COMMUNITY SEEKS A HIGHER LEVEL OF ENGAGEMENT WITH YOU . STUDIES ARE BROUGHT TO BRING RESULTS AND WE SHOULD NEVER BE AT THE 11TH HOUR WHILE THE CLOCK IS TICKING TO RUN A TWO MINUTE DRILL AND GIVE ONLY ONE PLAY . TO PUT THIS A DIFFERENT WAY, YOU CANNOT ACT LIKE IKE TURNER AND UNTIL WE CAN EAT THE CAKE , IT IS UNACCEPTABLE AND IT DOES NOT FOSTER A HEAVY OR HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP OF MUTUAL RESPECT . WE KNOW THERE WILL BE ANOTHER ALLISON, CATRINA, HARVEY, OR OTHER. WE WILL SURVIVE BUT WE DESERVE TO THRIVE AND SEE A DAY WHEN WE HAVE INCREASED 
          RESILIENCE. >> ARE YOU ALMOST FINISHED? 
          >> YES. TO ADOPT A POLICY WHEN THE HOMES ARE ALLOCATED TO THAT COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IS PUT FIRST AND CONTINUES TO THE PROCESS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL OPTIONS. YOU CAN LET US UP DASHING THE SIDE AND LET THE PEOPLE DECIDE AS THEY HAVE DONE TO ELECT EACH ONE OF YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND 
          ATTENTION. >> THANK YOU. AND I KNOW THAT YOU HAVE VISITED WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. I WONDER IF THERE IS A WAY TO VISIT WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT . 
          WITH MY TEAM AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THANK YOU. 
          >> THANK YOU SO MUCH IN THANK YOU FOR COMING. 
          >> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS ON ITEM 18, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. SPENT GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. AND I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 18 TO AUDITING. WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO GOVERNANCE OF THE DAS OFFICE , THEY HAVE A AGREEMENT OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY. THE RECORD SHOULD BE MEAN ASSESSABLE AND THERE IS A LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITHIN THE DEPARTMENTS. THERE WAS NO CONTINGENCY TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. WITH 76,000 IN 2023. AND SINCE THE START OF 2020, THERE BEEN 25,000 FILINGS . EVEN A TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER IS IN PRESENT FIVE. THIS SHOULD BE ON DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS TO GET THE CORRECTED DATA FOR THE CITIZENS IN THIS COUNTY SO WE CAN UPHOLD THIS COMMUNITY. ORGANIZERS HAVE LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT INFORMATION TO COME UP WITH 
          PLANS. >> THANK YOU. PLEASE CONTINUE. 
          >> PRECINCT 5 COULD GIVE WRONG INFORMATION , AND THESE ARE WEAPONIZE IN THE SYSTEM AGAINST THE CITIZENS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. THIS IS HAS EXACERBATED THE HOMELESS POPULATION BECAUSE OF JAIL OVERCROWDING. THE LAST DEPARTMENT HEAD FOR THE DA LOST BY A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR VOTES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. 
          >> THANK YOU, SO MUCH. HAVE WE SPOKEN ON THIS BEFORE? 
          >> YES I HAVE, JUDGE BUT IN THE MIDST OF THE BUDGET AND OTHER ISSUES, I HAD TO GET AWAY FROM IT FOR A WHILE. IT WAS IMPORTANT BECAUSE THEY UNDERUTILIZED THIS PROGRAM AT THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IT COST THE JAIL TO OVERCROWD WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT MOVING PARTS AND DIFFERENT THINGS 
          [00:20:03]
GOING ON. EVERYBODY WANTED TO POINT THE FINGER AT THE SHERIFF. IF YOU HAVE LANDLORDS WEAPONIZE IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AGAINST THE CITIZEN ENTITIES. WHAT IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO IF THEY DROP HIM OFF AT THE BACK DOOR? ALSO THE HIPAA FOR HARRIS COUNTY SO WE NEED ALL TO BE HEARD AND FIGURE OUT A WAY WHEN WE CAN MAKE THIS BETTER. HARRIS COUNTY IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE 
          GOING THROUGH THESE THINGS. >> THANK YOU AND WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU IF YOU CAN HANG AROUND A LITTLE BIT PICK WE HAVE HEARD A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE JAIL POPULATION. 
          >> I'VE SEEN OTHERS COMING IN WITH GRANTS AND TO ME, THEY REALLY CARE ABOUT THE COMMUNITY. BUT THIS GROUP DID NOT SHOW ANY TYPE OF WAY WHEN THEY WORKED FOR THE PEOPLE. 
          >> I KNOW AND FRANKLY I SUPPORTED BUT IT WAS EIGHT - IT WAS A DISAPPOINTMENT. THANK YOU. 
          >> JACOB CLEMENCY ON ITEM 21. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. 
          >> IN TERMS OF HEALTH, AND ORGANIZATIONS , ONLY TOTAL BRAIN WOULD BELIEVE IN THIS WITH FAIR BUT UNEQUAL PROPOSITION. TAXPAYER FUNDING LOBBYING IS THE PRACTICE OF GOVERNMENTAL EMPATHY. EXEMPTING PERSONAL EXPENSES SHOULD ONLY 
          BE USED IF MANDATED. >> THANK YOU . YOUR TIME IS UP. 
          >> FROM A COMPETITIVE EDGE WITH REQUIREMENTS , THIS IS LIKE ASKING FOR GOVERNMENT ASSISTED FUNDING AND SERVICES SUCH AS PURCHASING ILLEGAL ALCOHOL FOR MINORS. 
          [Departments & Emergency/Supplemental items]
          >> THAT IS IT ON THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. 
          >> OKAY AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS PICK WE HAVE A REQUEST FOR THIS ITEM TO BE SENT TO THE NORMAL MEETING OF COMMISSIONERS. LET US MAKE A MOTION FOR ALL THE ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF PAYMENTS . IS THAT CLEAR ENOUGH? 
          >> YES, BUT THERE IS A CORRECTION ON ITEM 6. 
          >> THANK YOU. A COUPLE OF THEM HAVE CORRECTIONS. ITEM NUMBER SIX WE HAVE TO CHANGE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN TO EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM . AND ITEM 41 INCREASING FOR REQUEST OF NO ACTION. AND ITEM 43, THE PRECINCT FOR REQUEST NO ACTION. 
          I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL. >> THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER 
          RAMSEY AND SECONDED . >> WITH ALL THE ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF WHAT YOU MENTIONED. 
          >> ALL IN FAVOR. AND THIS MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU, EVERYONE AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU TO THE RETIREES. 
          IT IS 10:27
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.