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>> ALL RIGHT, GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. IT IS 10:00 A.M. AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THIS MAY 22ND, 2025 MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER.
>> JUDGE, IT IS 10:18 . >> YES .
>> THE PASSAGE TODAY WILL COME FROM THE COMMISSIONER, RAMSEY.
>> I'M SORRY, IS THE VIDEO ON? I JUST GOT A MESSAGE THAT IT
[Rev. Brandon Battle of The Lord’s Glory Church in Humble introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 3.]
WASN'T ON. GREAT, SORRY. I APOLOGIZE.>> MY PLEASURE TO INTRODUCE PASTOR BRANDON BATTLE AND HE IS WITH THE LORD'S GLORIOUS CHURCH IN HUMBOLDT TEXAS FOUNDED IN 1995 . BEGAN MINISTERING WITH HIS WIFE, SARA. THEY HAVE BEEN ADOPTED DAUGHTER, REBECCA, 2005 , FROM CHINA. ATTENDED TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY. ADOPTED SON JOSHUA, 2012, FROM ETHIOPIA. I JUST FOUND OUT, THIS MORNING , PASTOR, THAT YOU JUST CELEBRATED AS SEEN HERE, YOUR 30TH ANNIVERSARY. I REMEMBER WHEN MY FATHER CELEBRATED HIS 30TH ANNIVERSARY'S PASTOR . MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND WE WERE THERE AND IT WAS A BIG DEAL. IT WAS A BIG DEAL THEN AND IT IS A BIG DEAL NOW . SO, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN THE KINGDOM . THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO IN THE COMMUNITY. REMEMBER THE UNFORTUNATE PARTNERS IN WASHINGTON OF THAT PRECIOUS COUPLE ? THE COMMUNITY, OUR JEWISH COMMUNITY CONTINUES TO BE ATTACKED . PRAY FOR PEACE IN JERUSALEM . PRAY FOR PEACE IN WASHINGTON AS WE BATTLE ANTI-SEMITISM IN AMERICA . THANK YOU.
>> WOULD YOU BOW YOUR HEARTS WITH ME ? LORD JESUS, AS WE BEGIN THIS DAY HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT, WE LIVED UP ALL OF THE FAMILIES AFFECTED BY THIS RECENT TRAGEDY IN WASHINGTON DC . WE THANK YOU FOR PEACE IN WASHINGTON. WE THANK YOU FOR PEACE FOR , ESPECIALLY, THE FAMILIES OF THESE TWO IS REALLY YOUNG PEOPLE WHO WERE BRUTALLY GUNNED DOWN .
HEARTLESSLY GUNNED DOWN WE PRAY FOR YOUR PIECE FOR THEM FOR THE FAMILIES AND FOR EVERYONE AFFECTED . FATHER, WE JUST THANK YOU FOR THE PEACE OF JERUSALEM, TODAY. THANK YOU, LORD THAT WE ALSO LIFT UP ALL OF THE PRECINCT COMMISSIONERS WHO ARE HERE, TODAY, MAKING DECISIONS THAT WILL AFFECT THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE HERE AND OUR COUNTY THAT IS THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN AMERICA. WE DON'T TAKE THIS LIGHTLY. AND I KNOW THEY DON'T, EITHER . AND WE THANK GOD FOR THEM. MAY WE REMEMBER JAMES 1:5 : IF ANY OF YOU LACKS WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD WHO GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM. AND LASTLY, LORD, BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST GUIDE THEIR EVERY DECISION IN VOTE AND NO MATTER HOW DIFFICULT THINGS MAY SEEM, LORD JESUS, MAY THEY EACH BE ENCOURAGED BY THE POWERFUL PRAYER PRAYED BY THE APOSTLE PAUL IN EPHESIANS 3 WHICH BEGINS IN VERSE 14 : FOR THIS REASON, I BOW MY KNEES TO THE FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST FOR HIM THE WHOLE FAMILY IN HEAVEN AND EARTH IS NAMED, THAT HE WOULD GRANT YOU ACCORDING TO THE RICHES OF HIS GLORY TO BE STRENGTHENED WITH MIGHT THROUGH HIS SPIRIT IN THE INNER MAN, THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH, THAT YOU BEING ROOTED AND GROUNDED IN LOVE MAY BE ABLE TO COMPREHEND WITH ALL OF THE SAINTS WHAT IS THE WITH AND LINKS AND DEPTH AND HEIGHT , TO KNOW THE LOVE OF CHRIST WHICH PASSES KNOWLEDGE, THAT YOU MAY BE FILLED WITH ALL OF THE FULLNESS OF GOD. NOW, TO HIM, WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK OR THINK , ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US, TO HIM BE THE GLORY IN THE CHURCH BY CHRIST JESUS TO ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER
AND EVERYBODY SAID -- AMEN. >> PASTOR, THANK YOU SO MUCH AND
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FOR THOSE WORDS OF SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT HAS BEEN AFFECTED . SO, THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU AND IT IS NICE TO HAVE YOU HERE AND, OF COURSE, A WORD TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND I KNOW THAT THEY ARE GRIEVING AND THIS KIND OF THING IS JUST TERRIFYING . SO I WANT THE COMMUNITY TO HEAR US REITERATE OUR COMMITMENT TO TOLERANCE, TO SUPPORT FOR THEIR COMMUNITY AND ALL COMMUNITIES. HAVE A GOOD DAY, PASTOR. ALL RIGHT , SO LET'S STAND FOR 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.
>> JUDGE? IF I MIGHT, I HAVE TWO INTERNS THAT HAVE TO GO BACK TO WORK, ONE FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE AND ONE WHO IS IN OFFICE, KNIGHTRON WASHINGTON AND SHAWNEE SLANG SALE, PART OF MY TEXAS LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PROGRAM.
NEXT YEAR I GUESS WILL BE THE 35TH YEAR WHERE WE WILL HAVE A CLASS OR MAYBE IT IS THIS YEAR, I FORGET , I AM AT THAT AGE NOW BUT WE HAVE TO GO HERE AND 45 ARE SOMEWHERE RUNNING AROUND THE CAPITOL. I'M JUST PROUD OF THEM. LET'S GIVE THEM A ROUND
OF APPLAUSE. >> WHERE YOU GUYS STAND? WHERE
ARE THE INTERNS? ALL RIGHT! >>
>> AND THEY CAN GO BACK TO WORK. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER . SO SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES, WE UPDATED OUR RULES OF CONDUCT AND THE QUORUM LAST MEETING SO FROM NOW ON, THE RESOLUTION PORTION WILL KICKOFF AT 4:00 OR RIGHT AFTER WE FINISH OUR DISCUSSION LIST.
WE ARE GOING TO START WITH OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS, TODAY . AND WE WILL GO TO THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS AFTERWARDS. OUT OF ORDER, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE ITEM 293 ON LAW ENFORCEMENT PARITY FOLLOWING THE CONSENT AGENDA , OCA REQUESTS THAT ITEM 263, THE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER POSITION BE TAKEN FOLLOWING ITEM 293, AN ITEM THAT WILL BE DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AND ITEM 9 BE TAKEN OUT OF THE FIRST ORDER RESOLUTION TO COMMEMORATE THE ON ARIZA WORLD HUNGER DAY. AND AS YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO TAKE A BREAK BETWEEN 3:00 AND 4:00. I HAVE MY GROUP THERAPY. WE KNEW THIS WOULD WE'VE RESCHEDULED COURT FOR THURSDAY'S SO THAT WAS MY ASTERISK WHEN WE DECIDED TO MOVE COURT TO THURSDAYS.
>> I'M NOT -- AND AGAIN, JUST A QUICK QUESTION, JUDGE -- THAT PARADE OF 4:00 IS AN IMPORTANT OUR, WHAT CAN WE DO FROM 3:00
UNTIL 4:00? >> THE DISCUSSION CAN CONTINUE.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS RUNS THE MEETING AND YOU GUYS CAN CONTINUE THE MEETING. OFTENTIMES, SOMEBODY IS LATE AND WE JUST DO THAT, WE DISCUSSED . ALL I ASK IS I HAVE DONE WHEN ONE OF YOU GUYS IS ABSENT AND COME BACK IS THAT YOU NOT TAKE THE VOTE AND WAIT UNTIL I RETURNED TO TAKE A VOTE PICS THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST AND IF THERE IS LATITUDE TO DO IT, TODAY, IN THE RULES, I WOULD LIKE TO CHANGE IT, TODAY . IF NOT -- WHEN I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE AND SOMEONE HAD TO WALK OUT OF THE ROOM, WE GAVE PEOPLE PERMISSION, THE RULES OF THE SENATE . SO YOU COULD CAST YOUR VOTE WHEN YOU GOT BACK AS LONG AS IT DID NOT CHANGE THE OUTCOME OF THE VOTE . IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, YOU AS AN INTERN A LONG TIME AGO, I THINK YOU WORKED THERE FOR A WHILE BUT I THINK THAT WOULD BE GOOD.
SOMETIMES I MAY HAVE TO WALK OUT, ANYBODY MAY HAVE TO WALK OUT AND IF IT CHANGES THE BOW AND THAT IS A DIFFERENT DEAL BUT IT WOULD GIVE ANYONE OF US STABILITY TO WALK OUT OF THE ROOM TO WHATEVER YOU HAVE TO DO AND COME BACK. AM I RIGHT, J ?
AM I REMEMBERING THIS RIGHT? >> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER , AND WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT . I THINK FOR THE NEXT MEETING, I HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT IT .
WE CAN MAKE A CHANGE TO THE RULES TO EXPEDIENT THAT PROCESS.
UNFORTUNATELY, I CANNOT DO IT FOR THIS MEETING BECAUSE THERE IS NOT A RULES ITEM ON BUT WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE IT FOR NEXT
COURT. >> WHAT HAPPENED LAST COURT THAT
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WAS TIME-CONSUMING IS THAT THE COURT VOTED WHILE I WAS GONE.WHENEVER I AM PRESIDING OVER THE COURT, WHAT MAKES IT QUICK AND THE REASON YOU DON'T REMEMBER THIS IS BECAUSE I HOLD THE VOTE.
SO WE DISCUSSED AND ONCE SOMEBODY RETURNS, THAT I SAY, OKAY, LET'S VOTE AND NOW WE HAVE TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE SO LET'S VOTE. IF YOU WILL EXTEND THAT COURTESY TO ME UPHOLDING THE VOTE UNTIL I RETURN TO THIS COURT, IT WILL BE A LOT EASIER.
>> WHAT I AM SAYING IS THAT IF WE TWEAK THE RULES --
>> HE IS GOING TO TWEAK THEM FOR NEXT TIME BUT CANNOT TWEAK THEM
FOR THIS TIME. >> IF WE MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY TODAY, I THINK WE OUGHT TO FINISH THIS BY 3:00. WE OUGHT TO
FINISH 2:00. >> I WOULD AGREE AND I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN SEEING HOW MUCH TIME EACH OF US SPEAK TO SEE WHO IS HOLDING UP THE MEETING BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE TRIED TO CUT BACK ON SPEAKERS AND REALLY, IT IS THE SPEAKING SO MAYBE WE WILL HAVE SOME ONE THAT DOWN . SO WE ARE GOING TO INVITE OUR PUBLIC SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS THE COURT AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR TAKING THE TIME TO BE HERE . TIFFANY, IF YOU WOULD PLEASE INTRODUCE OUR SPEAKERS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SIMILAR TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST SAID, I ASK WOULD BE BOTH AND . IF SOMEBODY HAS AN APPOINTMENT OR ANOTHER COMMITMENT THAT THEY NEED TO LEAVE, THAT THEY BE AFFORDED THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE WHEN THEY RETURN AND MEANWHILE, THOSE WHO REMAIN CAN CAST THEIR VOTE AS WE ARE DISCUSSING BECAUSE IT IS HIGHLY DISRUPTIVE TO GO BACK TO ITEM BY ITEM. IF WE CAN BOTH AND THIS SO THAT WE CAN ALLOW FLEXIBILITY AND ALSO MAXIMUM EFFICIENCY AND FOCUS, THAT WOULD BE MY STRONG PREFERENCE, PLEASE
. >> THAT IS WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS EXPLAINED. WE ALREADY AGREED ON THAT. COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> I WALK INTO THESE MEETINGS WITH MY DAYS PLANNED. AND , SO, TODAY, I HAVE ALREADY GOT COMMIT ITS AND IF WE KILL AN HOUR WITHOUT ANYTHING PRODUCTIVE, IT REALLY SETS MY SCHEDULE OFF SO I WOULD ALSO LIKE SOME CONSIDERATION FOR MY SCHEDULE , NOT KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AN HOUR OUT DURING THE COURT MEETINGS AND SO I WOULD JUST SAY, WE ARE GOING TO CHANGE THE RULE NEXT COURT. IF WE HAPPEN TO GO INTO THE 3:00 HOUR WHEN YOU'RE GONE, I WOULD JUST ASK THAT WE CAN TAKE BOATS AND WE ARE GOING TO BE ONE COURT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD TO THE COURT AFTER .
>> AND YOU CAN DO IT, COMMISSIONER. I WILL MAKE SURE TO NOT EXTEND THAT COURTESY IN THE FUTURE BUT THE CONCERN IS THAT THE COURT IS TO BE ON TUESDAY AND DECIDED TO MOVE OUR MEETINGS TO THURSDAYS AND SO THIS IS NOT A COMMIT IT THAT CAME UP FOR ME OUT OF NOWHERE . I DID MY MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE IN 2023 . I WAS IMPATIENT FOR ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION FOR EIGHT WEEKS AND I HAVE AND VERY PUBLIC ABOUT THAT. SINCE I HAVE RETURNED, I HAVE BEEN DOING MY GROUP THERAPY ON THURSDAYS FROM 3:00 UNTIL 4:30 SO WHEN THE PORT SAID THEY WANTED TO MOVE OUR MEETINGS TO THURSDAY, I SAID I HAVE THE STANDING COMMITTEE, I GUESS IT COULD BE A COMMITTEE, IT IS A GROUP. THE STANDING COMMITMENT WHICH IS PART OF MY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT SO I WOULD JUST LIKE TO UNDERSCORE THAT THAT IS YOU JOINING THE RANKS OF THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO PICK ON ME OVER MENTAL HEALTH
TREATMENT . >> NO, PLEASE. WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO THERE . I GOT PUT ON THE PLANNING COMMISSION THAT IS ON THURSDAYS. WE MOVED THE COURT TO THURSDAYS . I CANNOT MAKE ALL OF THE PLANNING COMMISSION MEETINGS SO I HAVE MY PROXY THERE AND WE
ARE ABLE TO CONTINUE BUSINESS . >> I CANNOT SEND A PROXY TO MY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. LET'S JUST MOVE ON. IF YOU WANT TO HAVE THE VOTE WITHOUT ME, HAVE THE BOW WITHOUT ME AND I WILL REMIND THE COMMUNITY THAT YOU ARE INTERFERING WITH SOMETHING THAT I MENTIONED, BEFORE . PEOPLE CAN SEE THAT, PEOPLE CAN
[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 2)]
SEE YOUR BEHAVIOR AND I FRANKLY THINK IT IS EMBARRASSING BUT THAT IS OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON . LET'S TAKE THE SPEAKERS.>> AALIYAH ON ITEM 10, WHILE BARB AND FOR ITEM 60 AND BARBARA JENSEN, ITEMS 20 AND 130. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING. TEXAS HOUSES, IT IS DIFFICULT TO STAND IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 10 OF THE COST OF THE TIMIDITY PROSPERITY PROGRAM. DR. KING CALLED FOR A GUARANTEED INCOME IS THE
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SIMPLEST AND MOST EFFECTIVE SOLUTION TO POVERTY. KEEPING PEOPLE HOUSED THROUGH RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS MORE EFFICIENT THAN ADDRESSING THE AFTERMATH ONCE FAMILIES HAVE BEEN EVICTED AND HELPING OFFSET . SO FAMILIES CAN PAY BILLS LIKE RENT . THIS IS SO IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY NOW WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS CUTTING BACK ON PROGRAMS LIKE THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK . I HOPE THAT THE COUNTY CAN UNITE IN THE CITY'S ENDEAVORS TO KEEP CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSED. I WILL BE FOLLOWING UP WITH EVICTION SNAPSHOTS OF DATA FROM THE 8110 EVICTION FILINGS FROM 2023. YOU WILL ALSO FIND INFORMATION OF YOUR SPECIFIC PRECINCTS WITH THAT AND I AM HAPPY TO FURTHER TALK WITH EACH OF YOU ALL ABOUT THIS INFORMATION. THANK YOU FOR YOURTIME. >> THANK YOU. WELCOME. GO AHEAD.
>> MY NAME IS LIONEL. I PRESENT THE COMPANY AND THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR HEARING ME. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT ON BEAVER TECH, THE EUROPEAN LARGEST TECHNOLOGY EVENT HELD IN PARIS.
IT WELCOMES OVER 165,000 VISITORS WHICH IS HIGHER THAN THE CES IN LAS VEGAS. HOST 14,000 STARTUPS AND FEATURES 4000 EXHIBITORS AND MORE THAN 120 COUNTRIES. WHAT MOST INAUDIBLE ] HERE IS A STRONG FOCUS ON THE 2G COLLABORATION WHERE GOVERNMENT IS ENGAGING DIRECTLY WITH TECH LEADERS TO ADDRESS PUBLIC CHALLENGES. OVER 40% OF PARTICIPANTS PRESENT A.I.
SOLUTIONS INCLUDING TWO FOR EDUCATION, PUBLIC SAFETY AND DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE . KEY ALSO INCLUDES IMAGINARY HEALTHCARE FROM A.I. -- JUST ONE WORD, THANK YOU . IN MY VIEW, HARRIS COUNTY ENGAGEMENT IN THE EVENTS LIKE BEAVER TECH POSITION, THE REGION NOT ONLY TO ATTRACT GLOBAL INVESTMENT AND ALSO TO BENCHMARK INTERNATIONAL STRANGER -- STANDARD AND BRING BACK ACTUAL INSIDE TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO BRING DELEGATION FROM HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE CONSULATE. WE GOT A GREAT GROUP COMING TOGETHER I THINK IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR US WITH THE WORLD CUP COMING UP IN HER EXPERIENCE IN THE OLYMPICS AND I WILL SHARE WITH YOU OBVIOUSLY , WE ARE VERY EXCITED FOR ALL OF THE MEETINGS WE ARE GOING TO HAVE AND TO SEND THE MESSAGE THAT WHILE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MAY BE WITHDRAWING FOR OR FROM TRADE OR FROM THE WORLD STAGE HERE IN HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY, WELCOMED THE INVESTMENTS AND IN FACT ARE GOING TO GO OUT AND MAKE SURE THE INVESTMENTS ARE HERE. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH. YOU FOR YOUR TIME . AND I DO WANT FOR THE PUBLIC JUST TO CLARIFY THAT THIS REQUEST IS FROM A BUDGET THAT IS ALREADY EXISTING AND IT IS GENERALLY SPEAKING , THE MEMBERS OF COURT FUSED THEIR BUDGET AS THEY SEE FIT. MY BUDGET IS MUCH SMALLER , MY TRAVEL BUDGET IS MUCH SMALLER. I SAID AT THE LAST COURT THAT WE WOULD PAY FOR THIS WITH THE CAMPAIGN WHICH IS OF COURSE NOT APPROPRIATE BECAUSE WE ARE SENDING A DELEGATION OF BUSINESS AND OTHER LEADERS THAT I AM LEADING TO THIS PICTURE CONFERENCE AND IMPORTANT MEETINGS BUT AS IT TURNS OUT, I SIMPLY CANNOT PAY FOR THAT BECAUSE MYSELF WOULD HAVE TO TAKE VACATION TIME TO BE WORKING AND THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT WORK . IT IS GOING TO BE REALLY BUSY SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR COMMENTS. YES,
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> JUST A POINT OF ORDER. WE HAVE ADOPTED RULES TO GIVE EVERYBODY ONE MINUTE AND, TYPICALLY, WE ALWAYS GIVE PEOPLE MORE TIME . I UNDERSTAND THE SPIRIT BUT IT IS EITHER ONE MINUTE OR MORE THAN THAT AND WE TEND TO WANT TO GET INTO AGENDA ITEMS EARLY . I DON'T THINK THAT IS THE SPIRIT OF LISTENING TO SPEAKERS. IT IS US TO LISTEN FOR A MINUTE AND MOVE ON . SO I WOULD APPRECIATE US MANAGING THIS PART OF THE AGENDA USING THE ONE MINUTE AND NOT MORE.
>> THANK YOU . IF YOU GO PAST IT, I TEND TO TREAT EVERYBODY THE SAME BUT MY COLLEAGUES CAN TAKE A MOMENT TO TEND THE
DISCUSSION. GO AHEAD >> BARBARA JENSEN. THE VOTERS HAVE PLACED THEIR TRUST IN YOU TO MANAGE THEIR HARD-EARNED
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MONEY WISELY AND IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT EVERY DOLLAR IS SPENT EFFECTIVELY. STATE LAW REQUIRES ESSENTIAL EXPENDITURES MAINTAINING ROADS AND PARKS AND SHOPPING PUBLIC SAFETY, FUNDING PRISONS BUT WITH THE COUNTY FACING A $140 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT, EVERY EXPENSE DEMANDS CAREFUL SCRUTINY . WHEN FINANCES ARE SINKING, SPLURGING ON A $23,000 TRIP TO FRANCE ISN'T THE LIFE RAFT YOU NEED . A FRIVOLOUS TRIP SHOULD BE THE ABSOLUTE LAST PRIORITY. THIS SITUATION IS LIKE REASONING WITH A CHILD DETERMINED TO MAX OUT THE CREDIT CARDS WERE A GETAWAY THAT CANNOT AFFORD . THIS PROPOSAL IS FINANCIALLY RECKLESS AS BUYING GOD WHILE DROWNING IN DEBT. IT IS NOTHING MORE THAN A DISAPPEARING ACT FOR TAXPAYERDOLLARS. >> AND I WOULD BE CURIOUS TO SEE MY COLLEAGUES BUDGET LINE ITEMS . I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL EVEN PRODUCE THOSE BUT TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING THERE THAT YOU
WOULD FIND FRIVOLOUS. >> THERE IS A GROUP OF US THAT ARE WILLING TO TAG ALONG IF YOU END UP GOING .
>> THERE WERE SECURITY CONCERNS AND I DON'T APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES LEAKING DESPITE MY SECURITY STAFF ASKING THEM NOT
TO DO SO. LET'S CONTINUE . >> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS ON ITEM 104, WONDERLAND HUDSON ITEMS 151 AND 204 AND ALEXI SWIRSKY ON ITEM 267 . YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE CEO AND FOUNDER OF THE ORGANIZATION, I AM SPEAKING ON 104 WHICH IS INTERGOVERNMENTA L AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. THE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTS REGARDING HARRIS COUNTY LEGISLATIVE AGENDA. I START AN ORGANIZATION CALLED THE SHOULD HAVE HOOD AND CREATED A DATA COLLECTION AGENCY. IT IS FOR OUR SUSTAINABILITY, SOCIALLY ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENTALLY AND THROUGH THE ORGANIZATION, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENGAGE IN THE COMMUNITY, PROVIDE CRITICAL INFORMATION, CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR GAINFUL EMPLOYMENT , COMMUNITY. SINCE LAW ENFORCEMENT WANTS TO RAISE AND NEVER COMES UP WITH CREATIVE AND INNOVATIVE WAYS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A BUDGET SHORTFALL. SO CITIZENS CAN HAVE ACCESS TO CORRECT PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ARE YOU ALMOST FINISHED?
>> THIS WOULD ORGANIZE COMMUNITIES TO BE MORE SUFFICIENT WITH STRATEGIC PLANNING ELIMINATING ERRORS, CREATING PROBLEMS THAT CREATE BURDENS ON THE SYSTEM INAUDIBLE ] THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.
>> GOOD MORNING, I SUBMITTED MY WRITTEN COMMENTS TO EACH OF YOU COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE AND I AM HERE THIS MORNING IN REFERENCE TO MAEVE BEING MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS DAY. LAST WEEK, APPRECIATION MONTH. I PROPOSE TO THIS GRANT -- TO THE COMMISSIONERS THAT YOU CREATE OR DEVELOP A GRAND JURY SUPPORT INITIATIVE OR STRATEGY TO PROVIDE SUPPORT FOR THE CIVIC MINDED CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY WHO SERVE AS HARRIS COUNTY GRAND JURORS FOR 90 DAYS . THIS COUNTY HAS ALLOCATED RESOURCES FOR MENTAL WELLNESS FOR DEFENDANTS IN THE JAIL, THE COUNTY HAS ALLOCATED RESOURCES FOR MENTAL WELLNESS FOR BIG ROOMS .
HOWEVER, THERE IS NO MENTAL WELLNESS SUPPORT FOR THE GRAND JURORS WHO HEAR ALL KINDS OF CASES , CHILD FATALITIES, AGGRAVATED ROBBERIES, MURDERS, CAPITOL MURDERS AND HOMICIDE.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I HAVE ONE MORE SENTENCE, THE IMPACT OF SERVING BY THE GRAND JURORS IS THAT SOMETIMES THEY LEAD THEIR HONORABLE GRAND JURY SERVICE WITH ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, SLEEP AND APPETITE CHANGES, PHYSICAL AILMENTS , INCREASED ALCOHOL USE AND OTHER EMOTIONAL ISSUES.
THANK YOU FOR BRODY AND THE REVISED RULES OF THE PROCEDURES AND CONDUCT . IT IS IMPORTANT TO HONOR THOSE WHO SERVE LOCAL CITIZENS ON THEIR PASSING SUCH AS MY CONGRESSWOMAN OF OVER 25 YEARS AND THOSE RETIRING SUCH AS TODAY'S HONOREES, ASSISTANT
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CHIEF DAVID JONES AND DIANA RAMIREZ, THERE ARE OTHER SIGNIFICANT REASONS TO HONOR FELLOW CITIZENS. MAYBE THE TIME THESE RESOLUTIONS TAKE PLACE LATER IN THE DAY NEXT THE TIME MORE CONVENIENT FOR HONOREES, FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COWORKERS TO ATTEND AND MAYBE EVEN SOME STUDENTS MAY BE ABLE TO COME AFTER SCHOOL. WE ARE BLESSED IN HARRIS COUNTY TO HAVE SO MANY WHO ARE SIMPLEMINDED AND MAKE PERSONAL SACRIFICES TO SERVE THEIR FELLOW CITIZENS, AS WELL. THE LEAST WE CAN DO IS HONOR THEM WHEN THAT TIME IS OVER AND THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT DOES AN EXCELLENT JOB OF THAT, THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH UNTO MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE IDEA.
>> JOSÉ LOPEZ FOR ITEM 293, THE AMINO UNTO 93 AND HANS ON 293.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> COMMISSIONERS, I AM JOSÉ LOPEZ, THE PRESIDENT . I MET WITH EACH OF YOU AND I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. I AM NOT HERE FOR THE POLITICS NOR TO BE DIVIDED. I AM HERE REPRESENTING 3800 OF OUR MEMBERS WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO PROTECT OVER 2 MILLION RESIDENTS OF UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS CLEAR HOUSTON IS MAKING BOLD MOVES, CHB JUST CLEARED THE SENATE FINANCE COMMITTEE. SIGNIFICANTLY ENHANCING HPD'S RETIREMENT BENEFITS. HPD WILL SOON BE MORE COMPETITIVE, MORE ATTRACTIVE.
THE CHIEF SET OUT OF 200 VISITS TO THE RECRUITMENT WEBSITE, 75 CAME FROM HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES. THIS IS NOT JUST DATA, THIS IS A WARNING. WE ARE BEHIND IN THE GAP IS GROWING. IF WE DON'T CLOSE IT, PUBLIC SAFETY WILL CONTINUE TO DECLINE AND THE RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY WILL BE THE ONES MOSTLY AFFECTED BY THIS. I AM OPEN FOR ANY QUESTIONS.
AHEAD, SIR, YES . >> I AM DEPUTY LEAN YOU AND I AM WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CONSTABLE DEPARTMENT OF I'M SORRY, THERE IS COUNTY DEPUTY CONSTABLES ASSOCIATION AND I HAVE BEEN A MEMBER HERE FOR OVER SIX YEARS. WE ARE HERE, TODAY, TO EMULATE WHAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS DOING. WE NEED MORE MONEY.
OUR DEPARTMENT IS LIKE A REVOLVING DOOR , EVERYTHING WE ARE DOING, WE ARE TRAINING FOR ANOTHER DEPARTMENT. IT IS HARD FOR US TO MAINTAIN GOOD PEOPLE WITHOUT PAY. OBVIOUSLY, WE SAW THE NEWS THIS MORNING WHERE HB ALREADY HAS THEIRS IN PLACE OF OUR CITIZENS, WE DON'T WANT TO PUT OUR CITIZENS IN ANY KIND OF JEOPARDY BECAUSE THERE IS NO LAW ENFORCEMENT AVAILABLE BUT WE STILL HAVE OFFICERS WORKING EXTRA JOBS. WE ARE JUST THIS MORNING JUST TO MAINTAIN THEIR SALARIES, JUST TO MAINTAIN THEIR HOUSEHOLD. IT TAKES AWAY FROM THEIR FAMILIES AND IT TAKES AWAY
FROM US. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT HOPEFULLY, WE CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT BECAUSE OUR THEORY IS TO MATCH THE PAY AND MAKE THEM STAY.
PERIOD. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH .
>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONER. HERE REPRESENTING OUR ESSO GROUP AS WELL AS OUR HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY CONSTABLE.
I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS PAIN ISSUE PROBABLY WON'T BE RESOLVED AND ONE BUDGET CYCLE IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE . BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE ENTIRE FINANCIAL PICTURE. HEALTHCARE AND INSURANCE , PENSION COSTS INCLUDED . HOWEVER, THIS TIME IN THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE DOLLAR INCENTIVES NEED TO BE YOUR TOP PRIORITY. YOU HAVE TO DISPLAY TO YOUR LAW-ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL THAT YOU ARE SERIOUS ABOUT GETTING CAUGHT UP AND BE COMPETITIVE WITH PAYING BENEFITS. DON'T LET THE EXPERIENCE , SKILLS, TRAINING, KNOWLEDGE AND ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS THAT COME WITH EXPERIENCE WALK OUT THE DOOR. DON'T JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF OUR PUBLIC AND DON'T JEOPARDIZE THE SAFETY OF OUR DEPUTIES, DETENTION OFFICERS AND INMATES, AS WELL. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS. THANK YOU.
>> BYRON GARRETT JUNIOR ON ITEM 293. STITT -- SYDNEY LEBEAU ON 293 AND WALTER , YOU EACH ONE MINUTE.
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>> FOLKS WHO ARE IN THE AUDIENCE, WE APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE SPEAKERS APPEAR GENERALLY SPEAKING, I AM VERY CONSISTENT ACROSS THE BOARD ABOUT NOT HOOTING AND HOLLERING AND CLAPPING UNLESS IT IS A RESOLUTION SO IF YOU GUYS WOULDN'T MIND JUST SO THAT I CAN ENFORCE THAT FAIRLY BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE SPEAKERS. GO AHEAD, SIR .
>> MY NAME IS BYRON GARRETT JR AND I'M HERE TO EMPHASIZE THE CRITICAL NEED FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION. YESTERDAY, MORE THAN 70 DEPUTIES HAVE COMPLETED THE CODE EXPRESSING THE DESIRE TO TRANSFER TO HPD . I HAVE RECEIVED NUMEROUS CALLS FROM DEPUTIES PLANNING TO LEAVE AND I EVEN HAD ONE ASKED ME IF THEY COULD LIST ME AS A REFERENCE. WE ARE ON THE VERGE OF A STAFFING CRISIS. THE DEPARTMENT WILL BEGIN RECRUITING TO PREPARE FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR . THIS WILL CONTINUE TO DRAW DEPUTIES AWAY IF WE DON'T RESPOND NOW. PAY PERIOD IS NOT AN OPTION BUT ESSENTIAL. WITHOUT IT, WE WILL SEE DEPUTIES LEAVE IN DROVES LEAVING OUR STREETS VULNERABLE AND OUR COMMUNITIES UNDERSERVED.
OUR CURRENT SYSTEM IS UNSUSTAINABLE. AS A SUPERVISOR, I MUST WAIT SEVEN YEARS BEFORE I RECEIVE ANOTHER STEP INCREASE.
NO MAJOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY IMPOSES SUCH LONG DELAYS .
DESTRUCTION IS DEMORALIZING AND TO OUR ATTENTION, THE DAMAGE EXTENDS TO OUR RECRUITING LEVEL. I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH A BACK GROUND INVESTIGATOR . HSL RECRUITS COUNSELING THE INTERVIEWS . THE PAY SCALE IS NO LONGER COMPETITIVE AND POTENTIAL HIRES ARE WALKING AWAY BEFORE THEY EVEN STEP INTO THE DOOR. IF WE DON'T ACT NOW, THIS WILL TRANSFER TO A COUNTYWIDE EMERGENCY. WE MUST ENSURE THAT WE RETAIN DEPUTIES SO HSL IS THE BRIGHTEST AND STRONGEST APARTMENT. AND I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK AND GIVING ME THAT EXTRA MINUTE.
WE REALLY DO NEED THIS PAY PARODY AND WE REALLY DO WANT TO BE HERE BUT, UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE DON'T GET IT --
>> WE HEAR YOU. THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR
COLLEAGUES. >> GOOD MORNING, I AM HERE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY ORGANIZATION. I SEE FIRSTHAND WHAT IS HAPPENING. IT IS NOT JUST A PROBLEM BUT A CRISIS.
INAUDIBLE ] THE REAL ISSUE IS THE COMPROMISE DUE TO THE EXODUS OF PEOPLE THAT WE ARE LOSING BECAUSE OF THE PAY. THIS IS REALLY COMPROMISING SAFETY. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 60 EMPLOYEES APPROACHED ME SAYING THEY ARE LEAVING . THESE DEPUTIES HAVE 15 TO 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE. WHEN THEY ARE GONE, WE ARE NOT GETTING THAT BACK . WE ARE LOSING VITAL LEADERS. WE ARE LOSING PEOPLE AT GREENE'S POINT, AT AUDI AND MISSION. SO MY QUESTION TO THE COMMISSIONER IS , HOW ARE WE GOING TO EXPLAIN TO THE PUBLIC THAT WE CHOSE SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR MANPOWER?
>> AND DIRECTOR RAMOS, JUST SO THAT YOU CAN THINK AHEAD OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD THIS MORNING, THE LEADERSHIP, IF THERE IS A REALISTIC TIMELINE FOR WHEN YOU WOULD BE ABLE TO SIT WITH THEM AND YOU'RE RESPONSIVE AS ALWAYS BUT SIT WITH THEM AND REALLY GO THROUGH THE BUDGET AND SAY, IF WE CUT THIS MUCH, THIS IS THE EXTENT OF WHAT WE HAVE TO SACRIFICE JUST SO THAT ALL OF US CAN MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION.
>> WE HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM DIRECTLY BUT I CAN SCHEDULE SOMETHING FOR NEXT WEEK.
>> THE QUESTION IS, WHEN WILL YOU HAVE THE FULL INFORMATION? I SAID IT WOULD BE SOMETIME NEXT MONTH AND I KNOW YOUR DECK IS FULL BUT THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HONING IN ON, THE FULL INFORMATION. SO JUST THINK ABOUT IT. WE CAN MEET WITH THEM EARLY
NEXT WEEK. >> MY NAME IS WALTER . COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE LINE OF ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND OTHER AGENCIES WHO HAVE ABORTED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THIS TIME ABOUT THE LACK OF SAFETY WITH BEN TAUB GENERAL HOSPITAL INCLUDING BOTH THE HOSPITAL SECURITY AND HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE DEPUTIES ASSIGNED. WHEN I FIRST CAME TO AND TALK GENERAL HOSPITAL, I HAD A BACK AND SHOULDER INJURY THAT WAS BEING TREATED WITH STEROID MEDICATION. HOWEVER, I HAD A BAD REACTION TO THE MEDICATION WHICH I HAD NEVER TAKEN BEFORE. INSTEAD OF TREATING ME FOR THIS REACTION, THE DOCTOR AT THAT TIME SELECTED
[00:35:02]
TO ENTERTAIN HIMSELF AS THE NURSE PUT IT . AFTER READING MY CHART ALLOWED TO OTHER PATIENTS AND DANCING AROUND, I STATED I WAS GOING TO REPORT HIM . HE THEN CAME OVER AND PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED ME AND MADE THREATS . I DID TRY TO REPORT THIS TO HOSPITAL SECURITY WITH NO AVAIL AND THEN TO A DEPUTY NEARBY.HOWEVER, THE DEPUTY SAID -- HE WOULD NEVER FILE A REPORT ON A DOCTOR. IT DID NOT MATTER IF HE INJURED ME OR NOT . THIS WAS THE FIRST I HAD EVER ENCOUNTERED PHYSICAL ABUSE AT THE HOSPITAL.
THE REST I WILL SEND TO YOUR OFFICE. THANK YOU .
>> MONITORED THE SPEAKERS AND THE GAMBLE , CHARLES AND RENÉE GRIFFIN, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GO AHEAD, MA'AM . >> GO AHEAD, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LINDA GAMBLE AND I AM HERE REPRESENTING MY 95-YEAR-OLD MOTHER.
COUNTY IS THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES .
AND WE ARE SETTING A PRECEDENT WHERE SOMEONE CAN GO INTO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE FRAUDULENTLY AND FILE CONVEYANCE DEEDS, TAKE OVER YOUR PROPERTY, HOLD IT JUST LIKE WE ARE DECEIVED AND OUR FAMILY IS HAVING TO PAY FOR LEGAL FEES. WE WENT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR AN EVICTION. MY MOTHER ALLOWED HER SISTER TO LIVE THERE UNTIL HER DEATH. HER FAMILY HAS TAKEN OVER THE PROPERTY. WE WENT TO THE LEGAL PROCESS OF TRYING TO HAVE THEM EVICT. WE FOUND OUT, THEN, THAT MY COUSIN LOANED THE FUNERAL HOME IS BURIED HER MOTHER ON THIS PROPERTY .
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND SHE HAS DEEMED THIS PROPERTY AS A CEMETERY WITH NO LEGAL PAPERWORK. AND THIS IS
WHERE WE ARE. >> WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU.
>> THANK YOU . >> SOMEBODY FROM MY STAFF WILL TALK TO YOU AND SET YOU UP WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT BUT YOU JUST HAVE TO GO THROUGH A PROCESS.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, I AM AN ELECTED OFFICIAL FOR HARRIS COUNTY WC ID 89 AND I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE CONSTABLES FOR ALL OF THE HARD WORK YOU DO. TO HEAR A CHARLES. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO BUT BE VERY CAREFUL IF YOU'RE GOING DOWN THE STREETS OF:, SCOTT AND FURMAN ROAD. WE HAVE SUBMITTED THESE PICTURES IN 2023. WE NEED STREETLIGHTS DOWN THESE ROADS AND THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM . IF THE CONSTABLE IS EVER IN NEED OF SUPPORT, WE HAVE TO PULL OVER WITH OUR CARS AND SHINE LIGHTS SO THAT THEY CAN DO AN INVESTIGATION. JUST THIS PAST WEEKEND, WE DID THE SAME THING FOR THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES . I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR HELPING TO PUT THOSE SIDEWALKS IN FOR $20 MILLION. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, WHAT DID THE PARENTS SAY TO YOU BECAUSE PERHAPS I AM SEEING THE WRONG THING FROM MY DISTRICT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR THE PAST 10 YEARS AND WE
NEED STREETLIGHTS. >> THANK YOU, SIR. WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS RENÉE GRIFFIN AND I AM A COMMUNICATIONS PROFESSIONAL WHO UNDERSTANDS THE POWER OF TRANSPARENCY, TRUST AND NARRATIVE IN SHAPING PUBLIC SYSTEMS . I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, HIS LEADERSHIP AND STAFF FOR ADVANCING IN THE CENTRAL REFORMS THAT REFLECT NOT ONLY POLICY CHANGE BUT CLEAR COMMUNITY CENTERED VISION . THE PUBLIC DASHBOARD ON USE OF FORCE , CIVILIAN OVERSIGHT BOARD REPORTS ON RACIAL AND ECONOMIC DISPARITIES, A STUDY ON FINES AND FEES, HOLISTIC RESPONSE TEAMS, VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS AND MAJOR INVESTMENT IN INDIGENT DEFENSE. COMMISSIONERS, EACH REFORM TELLS A STORY THAT JUSTICE CAN BE MORE EQUITABLE , DATA CAN DRIVE CHANGE AND SYSTEMS CAN BE RESHAPED WITH PEOPLE AT THE CENTER.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS COMMUNICATING THAT STORY THROUGH ACTION AND IT IS ONE FROM WHICH OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY BENEFITS.
[00:40:02]
SUNDAY WILL MARK THOSE SUNDAY WILL MARK FIVE YEARS SINCE THE DEATH OF GEORGE FLOYD, MONDAY WILL BE MEMORIAL DAY AND LEADING INTO THIS WEEKEND AS WE HONOR THOSE WHO GAVE OUR LIFE -- THEIR LIVES FOR OUR NATION'S FREEDOM , EQUAL JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITY, MAY WE CONTINUE TO STRIVE TO UPHOLD THOSE PRINCIPLES HERE INHARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU >> JUDGE, THAT IS ALL OF THE
SPEAKERS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. TAKE YOU TO THE SPEAKERS. LET ME MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEARING. WE HEARD THE
[Public Hearings]
SPEAKERS PUBLIC HEARINGS, LET ME JUST GO THROUGH THIS REALLY QUICKLY, WE HAVE THREE . NEXT WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 233 AND THE PUBLIC HEARING IS ON PAGE 30. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT SECTION 1. IS THERE IS ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NO ONE , IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER -- MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT, THERE IS A CORRECTION ON ITEM 234. WE NEED TO CHANGE PRECINCT 3 TO PRECINCT 4 . NOW WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR A CORRECTED ITEM 234 ON PAGE 30, PUBLIC HEARINGS. I NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE SUBDIVISION PLAN ENTITLED SECTION 2. IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? HEARING NONE, I NOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER235 -- >> I BELIEVE 233 WAS ALSO CHANGING FROM PRECINCT 3 TO PRECINCT 4 .
>> DO I NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON THAT OR LEAVE IT?
>> JUST MAKE SURE WE ANNOUNCE IT .
>> ITEM 233 ALSO HAD A TYPO. >> 233, 234 AND 235 .
>> ALL NEED TO SAY PRECINCT FOR WHERE IT SAYS PRECINCT THREE.
MOVING ON TO 235, IT SHOULD SAY PRECINCT 4 INSTEAD OF PRECINCT THREE. WE HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ITEM 235 AND I AM OPENING THE PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE REVISION OF THE SUBDIVISION PLAT ENTITLED SECTION 3 . IS THERE ANYONE WHO WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM? SEEING NONE, I KNOW CLOSE THIS PUBLIC HEARING. IS THERE A MOTION ON THE ITEM? MOTION, SECONDED, THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
[Departments (Part 1 of 6)]
THANK YOU. NOW, LET'S MOVE ON TO THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS.FIRST, I WILL LOOK AT ITEMS THAT NEED MINOR CHANGES. ITEM 3 THAT IS ON MY AGENDA, THE 30TH UNIVERSITY -- ANNIVERSARY. WE ARE REQUESTING THE ELECTION. ITEM 30, WE NEED TO ADD A, AFTER 21.485% . AND THEN, IT SHOULD SAY, SUBJECT TO A REVISION OF THE SCOPE. THE COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 91, A MASTER PLAN. THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA REQUEST NO ACTION ON THAT LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM. 104 ON PAGE 12, CORRECT . ITEM 132 ON PAGE 70, THAT IS SOLAR THAT WE NEED TO REPLACE FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDS WITH QUOTE TO PASS THROUGH ADDITIONAL THINGS AND WE NEED TO CHANGE THE NUMBER TWO MAN $651,025 TO 2,902,000 SO IT WILL READ REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR AN APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT FOR AGREEMENT WITH TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF THE CENTER TO PASS FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT INAUDIBLE ] FOR THE SOLAR PROGRAM. ITEM 204 , THAT IS A RENEWAL BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. WE NEED TO REPLACE IN THE AMOUNT TERM. ITEM 213 OCA ON GRANTS MANAGEMENT SYSTEM . NO ACTION ON
[00:45:02]
THAT ITEM. PRECINCT 4, UNEMPLOYMENT MINIMUM WAGE POLICY, NO ACTION. THAT IS ITEM 220. THANK YOU. ON PAGE 29.>> I STILL WANT TO DISCUSS IT. >> WE WILL STILL DISCUSS THAT ONE. LET ME JUST ADD IT, HERE. MAKE SURE I HAVE GOT IT. SO THAT IS 220. I GOT THAT FOR YOU. AND THEN, WE HAVE CORRECTED AND HELD THE PUBLIC HEARING ITEMS. NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM 245 ON PAGE 31, IT IS A WHITE PAPER TUNNEL PROJECT. REQUEST NO ACTION. AND ON ITEM 27, PURCHASING ABOUT RENEWAL FOR EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING CENTER. WE NEED TO ADD, AND SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF PAYMENTS OF AUDITED CLAIM. AFTER "NEW CONTRACT AWARD." SO THAT LAST WILL INCLUDE EXTENDED UNTIL THE NEW CONTRACT AWARD SUBJECT TO APPROVAL OF AUDITED CLAIM ET CETERA. 292 PRECINCT 3 REQUEST NO ACTION AT THE VACANCY. SO, THOUGH SHOULD BE ALL OF THE CORRECTIONS. DID I MISS ANYTHING? SO LET'S MOVE ON. TO THE DISCUSSION LIST . SO LET'S START WITH THE EXECUTIVE SECTION ITEM 260. FOLKS NEED TO DISCUSS DISAPPOINTMENT OF THE DOCTOR OR THE CENTER OF MENTAL HEALTH AND IDS? WHAT ABOUT THE APPOINTMENT OF CRYSTAL STONE HIM? HARRIS COUNTY FINANCE , APARTMENT TO THE WORKERS FORWARD? 263 IS ON THE CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER'S POSITION SO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT, CORRECT? 264, WE HAVE DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE ACTION ON SECURITY AND CYBER SECURITY DEVICES. AN EXECUTIVE SESSION? YES, OKAY.
THEN, 265. THAT IS A REAPPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY BOARD. SAY HELLO TO PAUL. 266 IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY AGENCY ON AGING.
>> ALL APPOINTMENTS APPROVED? >> CORRECT. I GOT TO 63 AND 264.
NOW FOR THE DISCUSSION LIST , ITEM 10 HAS BEEN FLAGGED BY A COUPLE OF OFFICES. DO WE STILL NEED TO DISCUSS THAT ONE? 11 FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3. 15, FEE FOR WORLD CUP -- 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP. SO I REQUEST THAT WE DISCUSSED 19, 20 AND 218 TOGETHER. ITEM 91, COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION.
WOULD YOU GUYS STILL LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT ONE? IT IS PROFESSIONAL ARCHITECTURE SERVICES FOR DOWNTOWN FACILITIES MASTER PLAN. 105 IS EMPOWERED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ONE. 107 , THAT WAS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY . IT IS ON
THE LGBT CHAMBER . >> TO BE CLEAR, 91 WAS PULLED,
CORRECT? >> LET ME GET THERE BUT I THINK THE ANSWER IS, YEAH. NO ACTION AND NO DISCUSSION. ONE OF FIVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , YOU SAID YOU DO WANT TO DISCUSS, HOW ABOUT 107. 111, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 113, SIR. HEALTH PREVENTION. 130, 134. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, 137 , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FAMILY PLANNING. 135, COMMISSIONER BRIONES . COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, XEROX 167. WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A LONG 19 AND 20 PER THE BUDGETS OFFICES REQUEST. 219 REQUESTED BY PRECINCT 3 ON VETERANS. 220, PRECINCT FOUR REQUEST BUT PRECINCT 3 STILL WANTS TO DISCUSS, CORRECT? THIS IS A REQUEST BY PRECINCT 3, POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES. 282 ALSO
[00:50:03]
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, B6, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 87 , CHECK SOURCE EMPLOYMENT , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 291, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND 293 , WE ARE TAKING OUT OF ORDER. SO LET ME GO BACK OVER THE DISCUSSION TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT MISSING ANYTHING. 239.LET'S SEE, 239. 239 IS A TRANSMITTAL ON SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE FOR A DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT AND I AM PUTTING THAT ON THE DISCUSSION AGENDA 239. OKAY. SO HERE ARE THE ITEMS I LIST FOR DISCUSSION . EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 263 AND ITEM 264 . REGULAR AGENDA ITEM , 10, 11, 15 16 , 19 , 20 , 105 , 107 , 111 , 113 , 130 , 134 , 137 , 145 , 158 , 167 , 218 , 219 , 220 , 239 , 276 , 282 , 286 , 287 , 291 AND
293. DOES THAT SOUND GOOD? >> ITEM ONE?
>> YES, JUST A MOMENT. SO THAT IS A RESOLUTION. SHOULD I READ
THE LIST AGAIN OR ARE WE OKAY? >> JUDGE, JUST TO BE CLEAR, ITEMS 14 AND 70 WILL BE APPROVED
>> WHICH ONES ARE THOSE? >> TO PROCURE TO PAY THE PROJECT
TO DATE? >> APPROVAL PRESENTED AND INAUDIBLE ] APPROVED AS PRESENTED . SO, NOW, WE NEED A
[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 2)]
MOTION . >> JUST BEFORE YOU APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA, I THINK THERE WAS ONE SPEAKER WHO WAS MISSED
AND SHE IS HERE, NOW . >> LET'S TAKE THAT SPEAKER,
THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. HELLO, JUDGE.
MY NAME IS MARY ALLEN AND I RESIDE IN SINK ONE IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON. I AM HERE PRESENTING ILLEGAL ISSUES PLAGUING OUR COMMUNITY. WHEN IT RAINS, HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS FOR DRIVERS. THE SITUATION ON LAY ROAD NEAR THE DUMPING SITE IS PARTICULARLY ALARMING. TRASH IS SCATTERED EVERYWHERE BLOCKING PROPER WATER DRAINAGE. THIS STRETCH HAS BECOME A NOTORIOUS ILLEGAL DUMPING GROUND DUE TO ITS SECLUDED LOCATION. IN THE PAST, HEAVY RAINFALL AND FUNDING WERE SO SEVERE THAT THE ENTIRE BACK PORTION OF HOMESTEAD WAS NOT PASSABLE. EXTENDING MY COMMUTE HOME FROM WORK BY THREE HOURS WHILE MY HOME WAS SPARED , FAMILIES BEHIND ME LOST EVERYTHING TO THE FLOODWATERS. I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST GREATER TRANSPARENCY REGARDING INFRASTRUCTURE -- PROJECTS PLANNED FOR OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WERE EASILY ACCESSIBLE ONLINE UPDATES, IMMEDIATE ATTENTION TO THE AREA NEARLY WROTE DUMPING SITE , CLEANING AND MAINTAINING THIS AREA WITH SIGNIFICANTLY IMPROVED FLOW TO THE BAYOU .
PRIORITIZATION FOLLOWS CRITERIA AND ADDRESS THE MOST CRITICAL
[00:55:05]
AREAS FIRST. OUR COMMUNITY DESERVES EQUITABLE INFRASTRUCTURE ATTENTION AND MEANINGFUL SOLUTIONS TO THE LONG-STANDING PROBLEMS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION .>> MY STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.
[Departments (Part 2 of 6)]
>> OKAY . IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS ONE THROUGH 293 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY
[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 1 of 3)]
OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY SO WE WILL START WITH THE OUT OF ORDER SECTION AND THAT IS THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAPER FOR THE ITEM AND I WANT TO START BY JUST STATING THAT I HAVE SUPPORTED LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR YEARS, WE HAVE GIVEN THOSE RAISES, CERTAINLY NOT ENOUGH. I APPRECIATE OUR DEPUTIES AND I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU TO PUT YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE EVERY DAY AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE SUPPORTED THESE PAY RAISES AND DONE THE HARD WORK OF REQUESTING THAT WE RAISE THE TAXES TO PAY FOR THESE RAISES BOTH IN 2022 AND IN 2024 . THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE FACING A $130 MILLION BUDGET DEFICIT AND THAT IS WEALTH -- WITHOUT THE PAY RAISES . $240 MILLION WITH THE PAY RAISES SO WE ARE IN THIS SITUATION OF HAVING A DEFICIT BECAUSE SOME OF US HAVE BEEN BEHAVING AS THOUGH THERE IS SOME MAGIC BUCKET OF FUNDS SOMEWHERE THAT WE CAN GIVE AND GIVE MONEY WHILE NOT BRINGING IN ENOUGH REVENUE . THE REALITY IS WE ARE EITHER GOING TO CUT ESSENTIAL SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE EFFICIENCY STUDIES. WE ARE ALREADY ASKING FOR CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD . ADDITIONAL CUTS ACROSS THE BOARD. OR WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO GO FOR A TAX RATE ELECTION. SO THOSE ARE THE TWO REALITIES AND THE CHOICE IS IN FRONT OF US. I DON'T LIKE HERE. WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS IF WE HAD HAD ONE MORE VOTE IN THE FALL OR WE COULD HAVE AVOIDED THIS IN 2022.UNFORTUNATELY, THAT DID NOT HAPPEN.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , WOULD IT MAKE SENSE FOR US TO HAVE DANIEL DO THE BUDGET PRESENTATION? IT SEEMS LIKE THEY TIE IN.
OBVIOUSLY, IT IS ABOUT MONEY SO I AM SUGGESTING TO THAT AS WELL.
DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> FROM ITEM 20 IN THE
[Departments (Part 3 of 6)]
PRESENTATION THAT I SENT OUT THIS MORNING.>> JUDGE, WHAT ITEM ARE WE DISCUSSING?
>> WE WERE DISCUSSING 293 BUT IT IS 1920 AND 218.
>> ITEM 20 , THE PRESENTATION . >> COLLEAGUES, I JUST FIGURED SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT MONEY --
>> I WOULD LIKE TO DO IT RATHER THAN GET INTO THREE OTHER ITEMS,
CAN WE RATHER FOCUS? >> I CAN JUST WALK TO WHAT THOSE NUMBERS WILL LOOK LIKE . MY STAFF PUT TOGETHER AN ANALYSIS AND THAT WAS SHARED WITH YOUR TEAMS ON WHAT THE COST WOULD BE TO IMPLEMENT PAY PARITY WITH HPD . IF WE WERE TO MOVE FROM TODAY'S SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE SALARIES TO HPD'S CURRENTLY SALARY, THAT IS A $96.5 MILLION IN DEBIT OR TO GET THEM IN THE FIRST YEAR RAISES WHICH IS 10%, THAT IS AN ADDITIONAL $45 MILLION SO IT WILL BE $102 MILLION TOTAL. YEAR TWO WOULD BE $242 MILLION AND 36 , 39 AND 35.7. THE TOTAL ANNUAL COST FROM TODAY'S SALARY TO THE END OF EACH PD CONTRACT IS 289 MILLION A YEAR . IN TERMS OF TOTAL CASH OUTLAY IN THAT FIVE-YEAR PERIOD, YOU ARE LOOKING AT 1.07 BILLION DOLLARS . THAT IS THE FIVE-YEAR ACCUMULATIVE. TO GO FROM TODAY'S SALARY TO THE SALARIES AT THE END OF THE FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT IS $289 MILLION A YEAR . THE CUMULATIVE COST OF THAT IMPLEMENTING THESE RAISES WOULD
[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]
BE A LITTLE OVER 1 BILLION. >> ARE YOU DONE WITH YOUR
PRESENTATION? >> THANK YOU, DANIEL . THANK YOU, DEPUTIES. WE APPRECIATE YOUR PRESENCE, TODAY. WE HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING HPD SO WE START WITH THE GOOD WORK , THE HARD WORK, I
[01:00:01]
THINK , THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON DID . THE FIRST THING THEY DID WAS NOT RAISE TAXES. THE FIRST THING THEY DID WAS THE HARD WORK OF LOOKING AT WHERE THEY ARE SPENDING THEIR MONEY AND HOW THEY ARE SPENDING THEIR MONEY . AND THEY HAVE DETERMINED THAT THEY CAN PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT PAY RAISES FOR THE PEOPLE . I APPLAUD THEM FOR DOING THAT HARD WORK. MY MOTION TODAY IS TO HAVE PAY PARITY WITH HPD AND THAT MEANS LAW ENFORCEMENT AT THE COUNTY WHICH INCLUDES THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLES , THAT THEY WOULD HAVE A PARODY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON . NOW I JUST LOOKED AT THE BUDGET DIFFERENTLY THAN JUDGE FALL -- I DON'T DO THE FIRST OF RAISING TAXES. I DO THE HARD WORK OF LOOKING . I LOOK AT DOING THE HARD WORK OF LOOKING AT THE EXPENSES, HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY AND THIS IS WHAT I KNOW. WE HAVE ROUGHLY A $2.6 BILLION BUDGET . JUST LET THAT SINK IN, $2.6 BILLION IS WHAT WE SPEND. SELF-REPORTED BY THE DEPARTMENTS, $500 MILLION PLUS IS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. THOSE ARE CHOICES THAT THIS COURT MAKES TO SPEND IT ON THAT RATHER THAN STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES LIKE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, THE COURTS AND OTHERS. SO I THINK THERE IS PLENTY OF ROOM. I THINK THE TIMING IS WONDERFUL. WE ARE GETTING ON THE FRONT END OF THE BUDGET. WE ARE LOOKING AT THIS EVERY YEAR . I APPRECIATE YOUR FIVE-YEAR ANALYSIS. BUT THE THING THAT IS ON THE TABLE TODAY IS THE FIRST YEAR WHICH I WOULD SAY IN 2026, THAT WOULD BE THE 142ND MILLION THAT YOUR REFERENCE. SO MY MOTION THAT I AM MAKING, TODAY, IS THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAD PAY PARITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT , SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES DEPUTIES HAVE PAY PARITY WITH YOU SOON AND THAT WE DIRECT BUDGET TO PUT A PLACEHOLDER IN THERE. IF IT IS $141 MILLION, WE ARE STARTING THE BUDGET ROSS AS KNOWING WE ARE GOING TO ACHIEVE A PARODY WITH HPD IN THIS BUDGET YEAR. THANK YOU.>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT ITEM AND I TYING THIS MOTION TO? 293.
>> IS THERE A SECOND FOR THE MOTION?
>> I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE. AFTER COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> THAT MOTION IS ON THE TABLE.
>> MR. RAYMO'S , I WANT TO GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO GIVE US SOME SENSE OF THE FINANCIAL EXPLICATIONS AND WHERE IT CAME FROM BUT I DO WANT TO SAY TO THE DEPUTIES THAT I APPRECIATE THE MEETING I HAVE HAD WITH YOU ALL. I COMMEND YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO. I AM FOR PAY PARITY, PAY EQUITY AS I TOLD YOU YESTERDAY BUT I ALSO KNOW YOU HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND THE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT THAT I COME FROM, ANYTIME YOU'RE IN THE STATES BUDGET, POLICY MEANS YOU HAVE TO SHOW YOUR CUTS , NOT JUST TALK ABOUT THEM IN BROAD TERMS THAT YOU HAVE GOT TO PAY FOR IT . I WANT TO JUST ASK MR. RAYMO'S, HOW DID WE GET IN THE FINANCIAL POSITION THAT WE ARE IN TODAY. AND HOW WILL OTHER JURISDICTIONS BE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE LAW ENFORCEMENT? PAY RAISES THAT ARE COMING ABOUT
>> A COUPLE OF THE BIG TICKET ITEMS INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY, SPECIFICALLY, ONE IS IN 2019 OR I THINK IT WAS FISCAL YEAR 20, WE DEFAULT THE REVENUE RATE TO TOTAL IF WE HAD ADOPTED THE VA ARE AT THAT POINT, IT IS ABOUT $153 MILLION IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR THAT WE WOULD HAVE ACCESS.
>> WE WENT TO NOSE NEW REVENUE . STAFF THIS IS IN 2020.
>> WE LOST 153,000 -- $153 MILLION .
[01:05:09]
>> NUMBER TWO, THE BIGGEST ONE IS HISTORIC. WE HAVE A BIG OUTLIER OF PAYING FOR GENERAL MEDICAL OUTSIDE OF THE GENERAL FUND AS OPPOSED TO THE HARRIS HEALTH. NUMBER THREE, WE HAVE HAD AN EXPLOSION IN OUR COSTS. AND MY TIME HERE, ENERGY DEFENSE EXPENSES HAVE DOUBLED APPROACHING TRIPLE . WHEN I FIRST STARTED HERE, WE STARTED WITH THE $11 MILLION OUTSOURCING PROJECT , THAT HAS TURNED INTO A 50+ MILLION DOLLARS ENDEAVOR ANNUALLY. SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS AND THE REVENUE CAP GOING FROM 8% DOWN TO 3.5% HAS DRAMATICALLY CHANGED OUR FISCAL
PICTURE FROM A DECADE AGO. >> HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE NOT KEPT PACE WITH THE TAX RATE AT THE SAME LEVEL OF THE URBAN COUNTIES. I THINK I HEARD YOU SAY THAT.
>> BESIDES THAT RAID AND THEY ADOPTED THE REVENUE RATE. IN TERMS OF STRUCTURE, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS MARKEDLY DIFFERENT FOR US IS OUR UNINCORPORATED AREA IS AS A PERCENTAGE.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , THE MOTION CARRIED
UNANIMOUSLY. >> ROUGHLY HALF OF THE COUNTY RESIDES IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY WHICH WE HAVE THE PRIMARY SERVICE PROVIDER THAT THE NEXT CLOSEST AMONG THE URBAN IS 20% SO THE UNINCORPORATED PART OF HARRIS COUNTY IS THE FASTEST PART OF THE COUNTY THAT IS GROWING SO IT REALLY HAS EXPANDED OUR SERVICE AND I KNOW THAT YOU ALL SEE THAT EVERY DAY.
AND YOUR BREXITERS IN YOUR INFRASTRUCTURE DISCUSSIONS.
UNLIKE A CITY THAT CAN DIVERSIFY ITS REVENUES EITHER THROUGH SALES TAX AND OTHER KIND OF FEES THAT WE DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO, WE ARE REALLY LIMITED IN HOW WE DERIVE REVENUE WHICH IS ALMOST ENTIRELY HOUR 80% AND GROWING PROPERTY TAX AS WELL AS FEE-FOR-SERVICE WHICH WHILE WE GET THE DOSE I THINK NEXT YEAR, WE ARE PROJECTED AT $110 MILLION AS A COUNTIES CONTRIBUTION.
>> YOU SAID TUESDAY OF NEXT WEEK?
>> WE SETTLED ON WEDNESDAY. >> I WOULD SUGGEST YOU HAVE SOMETHING SO YOU MENTIONED THREE POINTS AND YOU SHOULD GET ABOUT FIVE. SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT OR NINE , DEPENDING ON WHAT HAPPENS THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION, THERE MAY BE A NUMBER OF THINGS THAT INCREASE THIS DEFICIT THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE GOING FORWARD.
AND WE HAVE GOT TO CUT, JUST GIVE ME SOME IDEA TO COME UP WITH THIS AMOUNT OF MONEY FOR MY COLLEAGUES. WAS IT 142 OR 242?
>> IT IS $142 MILLION TO GET TO PAY PARITY BY THE END OF THIS --
>> FOR THIS YEAR? IN ROUGH TERMS, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO CUT ? YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE FEDERAL MONEY OFF THE TABLE BECAUSE ONCE YOU PUT IT THERE, YOU CANNOT GET IT BACK. YOU CUT THOSE PROGRAMS OF WHATEVER IS THERE THAT HAS BEEN AWARDED ANYWAY.
>> WE ARE REQUESTING 70% BUDGET DECREASES AND WE ARE ALSO COMING WITH THE SWEEP OF COUNTYWIDE OPTION PRIMARILY DERIVED OF THE FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL PLANS. AFTER THAT, WE ARE REALLY GOING TO START TO EAT INTO THE VACANCIES THAT WE HAVE ACROSS THE DEPARTMENTS . WE CHECKED YESTERDAY, THE VALUE OF ALL OF THE VACANT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMISSION REPORT VACANCIES ,
ABOUT 75 MILLION? >> 7% ACROSS-THE-BOARD AND THAT OBVIOUSLY CANNOT APPLY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE CAN SAY IT BUT
THAT IS NOT ENFORCEABLE. >> WE ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THEM LAST YEAR'S BUDGET AS WELL AS THE SAME HEADCOUNT OF LAW
ENFORCEMENT . >> TO COME UP WITH AT 141 AND 142 , HE REALLY HAVE TO END UP CUTTING THE.
>> WE WILL BE CUTTING SERVICES, THERE IS NO WAY AROUND IT.
>> THANK YOU DIRECTOR, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS FOR YOU IN A SECOND BUT FIRST I WANT TO ADDRESS OUR DEPUTIES . FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES ORGANIZATION, PRESIDENT LOPEZ, SHERIFF GONZALES FOR THE SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND FOR OUR CONSTABLE DEPUTIES . I AM SUPPORTIVE OF PAY EQUITY PERIOD AND I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU ALL SO THAT WE CAN MIRROR THIS FIVE-YEAR PAY INCREASE OF HPD AND I KNOW AND
[01:10:02]
THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE TIME WE HAVE SPENT TOGETHER THAT WE WERE READY BEFORE THE RECENT INCREASE IS ALREADY APPROXIMATELY 20% BEHIND SO WE NEED TO CATCH UP IN A MULTIFACETED WAY AND WE KNOW THAT EVEN BEFORE THE INCREASE IN PAY, WE HAVE A 350 VACANCIES IN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY. THAT IS A PROBLEM . SO IF WE START HEMORRHAGING OFFICERS TO HPD AND OTHER SURROUNDING JURISDICTIONS, A RESPONSE TIMES FOR CALLS OF SERVICE WILL GO DOWN. WE WILL BE LOSING EVERYTHING WE HAVE INVESTED , TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE TO OTHER AGENCIES AND IT WILL BE SO DIFFICULT TO FILL THOSE SPOTS AND RESPOND WITH A LEVEL OF SERVICE AND PROTECTION OF OUR FAMILIES DESERVE TO KNOW THAT I AM DEEPLY COMMITTED TO FINDING A WAY AND ANOTHER IS A MOTION ON THE TABLE BUT JUST SO THAT EVERYONE'S CREATIVE JUICES CAN GET FLOWING, BEFORE I ASKED MY MOTION BECAUSE I KNOW WE HAVE ALL BEEN TALKING AND THE CONSTABLES HAVE BEEN TALKING AND I THINK WE REALLY NEED TO COME TOGETHER IN A VERY CONCERTED WAY TO MOVE THIS FORWARD AS WE APPROACH OUR NEW FISCAL YEAR OF OCTOBER 1ST . AND SO MY MOTION WAS GOING TO READ AS SUCH, A MOTION TO CREATE A COMMITTEE INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM HRT, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE COURT ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CONSTABLES TO NEGOTIATE A CLEAR PATH TO PAY PARITY FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS . THE COMMITTEE SHOULD PROVIDE EXECUTIVE UPDATES. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR PATHWAY HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO THE MATH AND WHAT THE OPPORTUNITY COST WILL BE.AS YOU KNOW, BOTH AND IS MY LIFE PHILOSOPHY.
HOW ARE WE GOING TO BALANCE THE MULTIPLE, CRITICAL, COMPETING INTERESTS.
SO TO BE CLEAR, LET'S JUST KIND OF LEVEL SET.
WE HAVE SET ASIDE ALREADY AS WE PREPARED FOR THE NEW BUDGET CYCLE, 50 MILLION FOR PAY PARODY BUT FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
>> 50 WE SET ASIDE THIS YEAR, WE HAVE REMAINING APPROXIMATELY 13.
>> WE HAVE 13, BUT WITH THE CAVEAT WE HAVE GIVEN THE EQUIVALENT OF 41 MILLION INCREASES WHEN OWE ANNUALIZE THE RAISES WE HAVE GIVEN.
>> AGREED. AND THEN WE HAVE ASKED FOR A 93% CLS SERVICE WHICH WE WERE JUST
>> BASED ON YOUR MATH AND I THINK LATER IN THE DAYIVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REDUCE THAT CLS, WE NEED TO HAVE A PATHWAY FORWARD, THE CLS BASED ON YOUR BEST ESTIMATIONS, DOES THAT GET US ANOTHER 50 APPROXIMATELY? OR WHAT IS THE NUMBER?
>> SO THE REQUEST FOR 7% WORTH OF OPTIONS GETS US IN THE 140, 150 RANGE OF SAVINGS.
>> OKAY. BUT WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE PROVIDING MORE OPTIONS THAN JUST WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE COMING WITH. SO WE WILL BE COMING WITH -- O & B WILL BE COMING WITH A SUITE OF OVER SAVINGS OR REVENUE INCREASING OPTIONS FOR COURT TO CONSIDER. WE ALSO, AS PART OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING, WILL BE LOOKING AT THE SERVICES THAT SCORE LOESEST ON -- IN TERMS OF ALIGNMENT WITH OUR STRATEGIC PLAN AND WE WILL CREATE A SECONDARY PROCESS TO WORK WITH THOSE DEPARTMENTS ON THOSE LOW- SCORING SERVICES TO SEE IF THERE'S A BETTER SERVICE DELIVERY MODEL OR FRANKLY IF COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE THOSE
UNDERSTOOD. AND SO JUST TO RECAP WHAT YOU JUST SAID, BETWEEN THE 50 THAT HAS BEEN HELD SACRED FOR PAY EQUITY FOR THE UPCOMING FISCAL YEAR, PLUS THE CURRENT 93% CLS, WOULD YOU PLEASE REPEAT THE ESTIMATED NUMBERS AND WHAT THAT TOTALITY --
>> BETWEEN THOSE TWO, IT'S ABOUT 180 MILLION.
AND O & B IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING TENS OF MILLIONS OF OVER OPTIONS FOR COURT TO
AND THEN THE OPTION I'M EAGER TO BE ABLE TO TRIGGER IS THE NOT HAVE TO SPEND THE 50 MILLION ON OUTSOURCING. I KNOW WE'RE WORKING CLOSELY WITH YOUR OFFICES, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICES, THE SHERIFF, ET CETERA AND THE WONDERFUL DIRECTOR MILLS TO HOPEFULLY GET THERE BY THE END OF THE YEAR, RIGHT? SO WE HAVE THESE DIFFERENT LEVERS.
I SEE AS SOMEONE WHO GREW UP CHECK TO CHECK, TO ME RAISING TAXES SHOULD BE A LAST RESORT.
WE MAY ONE DAY GET THERE, BUT THAT'S NEVER MY FIRST OPTION. TO ME, IT'S WE NEED TO REDUCE EXPENSES AND MAXIMIZE REVENUE. MOVING TO THE MAXIMIZED REVENUE, WE JUST TALKED ABOUT REDUCING EXPENSES. MAXIMIZING REVENUE, LAST YEAR AND PART OF THE FIVE- YEAR BUDGET WE TALKED ABOUT INDIRECT COSTS, FOR INSTANCE, ON GRANTS, PARKING FEE, PERMITTING FEES. THERE WAS SOME REVENUE GENERATING IMPROVEMENTS WITH OUR TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR WHICH I KNOW WE'RE INVESTING IN. CAN YOU SPEAK TO US
[01:15:02]
BRIEFLY ABOUT POTENTIAL REVENUE GENERATORS AS WE THINK OF THIS ISSUE WE'RE TRYING TO SOLVE TOGETHER.>> SURE. AS PART OF THE FIVE- YEAR PLAN WE LOOKED AT ALL OF OUR REVENUES AND DETERMINED IF THERE WERE OPPORTUNITIES SO WE DID IMPLEMENT AN OVERHEAD RATE PARTICULARLY WITH HECTRA FOR THE SERVICES THAT, YOU KNOW, KIND OF BIG COUNTY PROVIDES TO MAINTAIN THAT OPERATION. WE WILL LIKELY BE RECOMMENDING THAT THAT OVERHEAD RATE GO TO OVER ENTERPRISE FUNDS. IT IS ALREADY IMPLEMENTED ON THE GRANT SIDE. I KNOW DR. RAMAN HAS BEEN WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH THE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AND THE BUILDERS TO COME TO COURT WITH A RECOMMENDATION ON PERMIT FEES. SO WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT WORK. O & B IS COMMITTED TO BRINGING AS MANY OPTIONS AS POSSIBLE FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURTS REVIEW. SO THOSE OPTIONS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE SOMETIME IN MID JUNE. WE WILL BE SCHEDULING BRIEFINGS IN LATE JUNE WITH ALL OF YOUR OFFICES TO GET TO SOLICIT YOUR FEEDBACK THROUGHOUT JULY AND THEN WHEN WE GET THE FINAL TAX ROLLS AT JULY 25TH IS WHEN WE KIND OF MOVE INTO -- WE GO FROM DECISION MAKING TO PRESENTING IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET.
SO, BOTH FROM AN EXPENSE REDUCTION, REVENUE GENERATION THERE'S PATHS FORWARD, PLUS THE 50 MILLION FOR PAY EQUITY, HOPEFULLY THE 50 MILLION FOR JAIL OUTS. WE DO SEE SOME PATHS OF
OPPORTUNITY. >> WE WILL HAVE -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT WILL HAVE MANY OPTIONS TO DECIDE FROM.
I JUST CAN'T PROMISE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO BE
MOTION TO EXTEND. I'M ALMOST DONE BEFORE I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SO IN SUM --
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO EXTEND MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY TOP PRIORITY, THE MOST FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITY OF GOVERNMENT TO DELIVER SAFETY TO ITS RESIDENTS.
THIS IS NONNEGOTIABLE. I DON'T WANT TO HEMORRHAGE OFFICERS BECAUSE WE'LL END UP IN A FAR WORSE SITUATION AND END UP PAYING MORE LATER. SO I WANT TO FIND A PATHWAY TO, YES. I DO THINK THIS NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE, THE SHERIFF'S REPRESENTATION, CONSTABLES REPRESENTATION, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE BUDGET, WE NEED TO BE IN A VERY COLLECTIVE, CONCERTED, COLLABORATIVE WAY MOVING FORWARD SO WE'RE PREPARED TO GO BIG ON OCTOBER 1ST. SO, I THINK THERE'S A WAY TO TRI AINGEULATE IN SUM THE TWO MOTIONS THAT HAVE THE NEGOTIATING COMMITTEE WITH THE GOAL OF THE 142 FOR YOUR ONE.
>> SO THANK YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS FOR ALL THE HARD WORK YOU'RE PUTTING INTO -- THANK YOU.
>> AND WE WILL HAVE A CONTINUED DELIBERATIVE, TRANSPARENT PROCESS. SO, THERE'S -- I HEAR YOU.
I HEAR THE MEMBERS OF COURT THAT ARE SAYING THIS IS A PRIORITY.
WE DON'T NECESSARILY NEED AT THIS POINT ACTION BECAUSE WE'RE GOING HAVE ALL OF THE SUMMER TO GATHER THE INFORMATION AND PRESENT OPTIONS FOR YOUR REVIEW.
>> THANK YOU. AND DANIEL, WHAT I WOULD LIKE ALSO -- IF WE CAN INCORPORATE THIS INTO THE MOTIONS, IS THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE A CONVERSATION UNTIL WE GET TO ADOPTION OF THE BUDGET.
I WOULD LIKE FOR A REPORT MAYBE TO THE EXTENT THAT DETAILS ARE AVAILABLE TO DEMONSTRATE THE PROGRESS THAT WE'RE MAKING WHERE WE GET TO CONSENSUS ON SOME PARTICULAR SCHEDULES, SERGEANT MENTIONED THE STEP PAY, FOR EXAMPLE, WHEN WE GET TO PARTICULAR POINTS IF WE CAN JUST KIND OF COME BACK AND GET FEEDBACK THAT THERE IS CONSENSUS ON PARTICULAR AREAS OF THE PROPOSAL, SO WE CAN GET THERE. BUT ALSO, I JUST WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY, THAT WE HAVE THE RISK OF LOSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR FOLKS. IT'S A REAL THREAT.
AND IT'S A THREAT NOT BEING PURPOSEFULLY MADE BY OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM. BUT IT IS A THREAT THAT ANYONE RESPONSIBLE FOR A FAMILY HAS TO MAKE.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, LAW ENFORCEMENT AMONGST OVER PROFESSIONS HAS THE HIGHEST DIVORCE RATE, HIGHEST SUICIDE RATE, AND THAT IS DRIVEN BY THE STRESS OF THE JOB AND IT'S DRIVEN BY THE STRESS ON THE FAMILY, AND IT IS DRIVEN BY THE THINGS THAT THEY DEAL WITH ON A
[01:20:04]
DAILY BASIS. I HOPE THAT PUTTING A RESPECTFUL PACKAGE TOGETHER FOR OUR MEN AND WOMEN WILL HELP TO ELIMINATE THOSE ISSUES.MAYBE, MAYBE NOT. BUT I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A SITUATION WHERE WE COULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING AND WE DO NOT.
AND SO, HAVING MADE TOUGH DECISIONS IN YEARS PAST, ALONGSIDE, YOU KNOW, MAYOR WHITE, WHERE WE CONTINUOUSLY WORKED TO IMPROVE HPD'S SALARY, WE CAN GET THERE. I KNOW ---IVE ALL I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE WE CAN GET THERE. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, MR. RAMOS, THAT YOU LOOK AT THIS VERY CLEARLY, OPEN MINDEDLY. YOU TAKE THE READS FROM US.
AND IT IS THIS BODY'S NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUR MEN AND WOMEN.
AND SO -- AND ONE QUESTION, FOR EXAMPLE, IS THAT I KNOW THAT AMONGST YOUR PORTFOLIO WE HAVE INVESTMENTS. HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE IN INVESTMENTS?
>> ACROSS ALL FUNDS WE'RE PROBLEM IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF A BILLION, A BILLION FIVE.
>> AND THE INVESTMENTS ARE NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRED, CORRECT?
>> IN SOME CASES, BUT WE DO FACTOR IN THAT REVENUE FROM THOSE INVESTMENTS INTO OUR FORECAST.
>> YEAH. BUT THE INTEREST OFF OF THOSE IS FAR BELOW A BILLION DOLLARS?
>> SO WE CAN GET THERE. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. LET ME JUMP IN AND GO BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S ELLIS AND RAMSEY.
SO, ON THIS ONE -- I'VE ALWAYS SAID I'M GOING TO LOOK AT INEFFICIENCIES. WE HAVE LOOKED AT INEFFICIENCIES SINCE WE TOOK OFFICE. ONE OF THE VERY FIRST THINGS WE DID. AND OF COURSE WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, BUT WE ALSO HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT CUTS DON'T DEFUND CRITICAL SERVICES.
SO TO ME RIGHT NOW, IT'S ALL TALK.
LET'S JUST SEE WHAT REALLY IS GOING TO COME.
I THINK WHAT THE CITY IS PROMISING IS ALSO TALK SO FAR. I WANT TO SEE REALLY WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO CUT SPECIFICALLY WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO CUT? BECAUSE I ASKED MY STAFF HERE, WHAT ARE SOME NON- ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT WAS BROUGHT UP EARLIER.
SO, SOME NON- ESSENTIAL SERVICES ARE LIBRARY SERVICES.
AND HARRIS COUNTY PETS, OUR ANIMAL SHELTER.
SO WE'RE ONLY REQUIRED TO PROVIDE BARE MINIMUM, CRUELTY AND LEASH LAWS. YOU TALKED ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH IMPACTING LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T DO ENOUGH OF. WE ARE BARELY TRYING TO PROVIDE ENOUGH OF THAT. SO, I SO WANT TO MAKE THIS WORK THAT I REQUESTED WE GO TO THE VOTERS LAST YEAR TO ASK THE VOTERS IF THEY'RE WILLING TO DO THIS. MY INSTINCT IS NOT TO RAISE TAXES. IN FACT, I'VE CUT THE TAX RATE EVERY YEAR. THAT NEVER HAPPENED UNDER THE REPUBLICAN COURT BEFORE I WAS HERE. AND SO, BUT I'M ALSO NOT PUTTING NEW EXPENSES ON THE TABLE WHEN WE'RE AT A DEFICIT. WE WERE ALREADY AT A DEFICIT WHEN MANY EXPENSES WERE PROPOSED THIS YEAR. AND THAT'S JUST NOT A SMART WAY TO DO IT. WE WOULDN'T DO THAT WITH THE BUDGET, RIGHT? SO I JUST WANT TO BE REAL WITH THE COMMUNITY THAT THERE'S NOT AN EASY SOLUTION TO THIS.
IT'S EASY TO TALK ABOUT HOW MUCH WE VALUE LAW ENFORCEMENT BECAUSE WE DO. IT'S EASY TO TALK ABOUT HOW WE DON'T WANT TO LOSE OFFICERS, BECAUSE WE DON'T.
AND WE WANT MORE OFFICERS, MORE SAFETY, NOT LESS.
AND SO, WHAT I WANT TO BE JUST REAL TRANSPARENT ABOUT IS THATTHAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN WITHOUT REALLY PAINFUL CUTS TO REALLY IMPORTANT SERVICES.
AND THE ONLY WAY TO NOT HAVE THAT HAPPEN IS TO GO TO THE VOTERS AND ASK THEM IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT. SO AS I'M ANALYZING, OKAY, WE ALREADY MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY IN 2020 AND OPPORTUNITY IN 2022 AND 2024 THAT NARROWS OUR OPTIONS THIS YEAR. IF WE HAD TAKEN THE OPPORTUNITY LAST YEAR, WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION. WE WOULD HAVE KNOWN WHAT THE VOTERS WANT. AND LAST YEAR THE SHERIFF BROUGHT THIS PROPOSAL LAST YEAR, DIDN'T HE?
>> I BELIEVE LAST YEAR THE PRIORITY WAS ON THE
[01:25:01]
DETENTION OFFICER PAY. BUT THE SHERIFF HAS HAD A PROPOSED SALARY SCALE FROM EVEN PRIOR TO ME STARTING.>> YEAH. AND SO LAST YEAR THAT WAS -- AND ALSO IN 2022, THAT WAS WHAT I KEPT TALKING ABOUT IS LET'S PASS THIS, STILL LOWER TAX RATE THANTHAN WAS EVER HAD UNDER THE REPUBLICAN COURT BEFORE I TOOK OFFICE. SO STILL WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOWER TAX RATE. BUT LET'S SET A TAX RATE THAT ALLOWS US TO PAY LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE.
AND I COULD NOT GET THREE VOTES FOR THAT.
SO LOOK, I'M EXCITED TO SEE WHAT WE COME UP WITH. AND I JUST DON'T WANT TO PRETEND LIKE WE HAVE A LOT OF, QUOTE UNQUOTE, NONESSENTIAL MONEY FLOATING AROUND BECAUSE WE ALREADY DID THE CUTS AND WE'RE ABOUT TO CUT 7% OFF OF EVERY DEPARTMENT.
THAT'S JUST TO GET US OUT OF THE HOLE THAT WE'RE ALREADY IN BECAUSE A FEW OF US IN THIS COURT HAVE BEEN VOTING TO SPEND MONEY EVEN AS THE BUDGET OFFICER HAS RECOMMENDED EVERY TIME THAT WE NOT SPEND ON THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO SPEND ON Y'ALL. SO, YOU KNOW -- AND AT THE TIME, I SAID WITH MY COLLEAGUE, WHERE ARE WE GOING TO GET THIS MONEY FROM? HOW CAN YOU SPEND MONEY WE DON'T HAVE? SO, WE WOULD BE IN A LOT LESS OF A HOLE.
SO I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR ON, YOU KNOW -- WE'VE DONE ENOUGH KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD AND WE'VE DONE ENOUGH TALKING, SAYING NICE THINGS. AND SO LET'S SEE WHAT THE REAL PROPOSALS ARE. I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT FROM MY COLLEAGUES. I'VE MADE PROPOSALS ALREADY FOR THE VOTERS. AND I'VE BEEN FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE. SO, ANY WAY -- AND I APPROVE THE CONSTABLE RANK REQUEST, WHICH IS AN INCREASE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET. YOU KNOW, WE WERE FIGHTING ON THAT. OF COURSE I BACKED THE BLUE.
I WAS A VICTIM OF CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT. I GREW UP IN WAR- TORN -- WAS BORN IN WAR- TORN COLOMBIA. OF COURSE, THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN FIGHTING FOR IS YOU GUYS. AND SO, YOU KNOW, LET'S SEE IF NOW THEY ACTUALLY BUCKLE UP AND COME UP WITH A
SOLUTION. >> SO TO MAKE THIS QUICK, I ASK FOR UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
>> JUST UNANIMOUS CONSENT. OKAY,
WORKS FOR ME. >> VOIR. SORRY, WHAT SHOULD I SAY?
>> SAY OBJECTION NONE AND KEEP
GOING. >> YOU ASKED FOR CONSENT TO CONTINUE. IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, YOU JUST CONTINUE.
>> OLD TRICKS OF THE TRADE TO KEEP US
IF YOU HAVE MORE OF THOSE, PLEASE SHARE.
SO IS THERE UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONTINUE THE DISCUSSION?
>> THERE'S NO OBJECTION YOU CAN CONTINUE.
>> IF THERE'S NO OBJECTION, YEAH.
>> IS THERE AN OBJECTION TO CONTINUING --
>> NO OBJECTION? NOBODY WILL SAY
>> YEAH. SO THERE'S NO OBJECTION.
>> SO LET ME -- JUST ONE THING, COMMISSIONER.
ONE QUICK QUESTION THAT I HAD FOR THE DIRECTOR IS, DIRECTOR, DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF REALISTICALLY EXACTLY HOW WE WOULD ACHIEVE THIS? HOW WERE WE GOING TO PATCH THE 140?
>> YEAH. WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU THINKING? AND THEN WHAT EXACTLY -- WHERE IS $100 MILLION? I ASKED TO PUT THE TABLE BACK UP BECAUSE I SEE 100 MILLION IN HARRIS HEALTH AND I SEE -- YOU KNOW. THERE'S SOME BIG NUMBERS OUT THERE. AND SO I WOULD JUST LIKE FOR YOU TO GO OVER, YOU KNOW -- I WOULD LOVE FOR THE ANSWER TO BE WE CAN GRAB SOME OF THAT.
SO I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND, IS THAT THE CASE? AND IF NOT, WHY NOT? IS THERE A POT OF INVESTMENTS, HARRIS HEALTH MONEY, ET CETERA THAT'S GOING TO ADD UP TO 200 AND SOMETHING THIS YEAR AND THEN 200 SOME ODD EVERY YEAR AFTER THAT.
>> SO, I DON'T WANT TO SHORTCHANGE THE BUDGET PROCESS.
WE WORKED REALLY COLLABORATIVE WITH YOUR OFFICES TO CREATE AN OPEN, TRANSPARENT AND DIALOGUE WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH MILESTONES.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, I'M NOT PREPARED TO SAY THIS IS EXACTLY HOW WE'RE GOING TO DO IT BECAUSE WE'RE STILL WAITING ON THE DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT THEIR PART, WE'RE STILL DEVELOPING OUR INTERNAL OPTIONS.
I CAN SAY CONFIDENTLY THERE ISN'T ONE PLACE WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO TAKE 270 MILLION OUT OF TO CLOSE THE DEFICIT AND FULLY FUND THESE. IT WILL HAVE TO BE A COLLECTION OF A LOT OF DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT CUTS, COUNTY WIDE POLICY CHANGES, ET CETERA.
>> WHAT'S LIKE -- HOW MUCH -- OH, GO AHEAD.
THANK YOU, JUDGE. I THINK WHAT THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT HAS ASKED FOR IS FOR DEPARTMENTS TO PROVIDE 93% BUDGET.
SO, IDENTIFYING WHERE 7% OF CUTS OR OFFSETS COULD OCCUR.
SO THAT WILL GO -- YOUR OFFICES WILL SEE THOSE BUDGETS
[01:30:01]
AND YOU'LL SEE TAKING ALL OF IT FROM EVERYONE WILL GET US TO THE 140 MILLION THAT DANIEL IS TALKING ABOUT.THERE MAY BE THINGS YOU WANT TO KEEP.
THERE MAY BE THINGS THAT WE DON'T.
AND SO, I THINK ONE THING TO DO IS DEPARTMENTS, I THINK, NEED TO BE PREPARED AS THEY PUT THOSE CLS, 93% BUDGETS THERE, THAT WHAT'S ON THAT OFFSET LIST IS GOING TO GO AWAY. AND SO YOU'LL SEE THAT BREAKDOWN FROM EVERY DEPARTMENT. SO, I THINK THERE'S ONE SENSE WHERE CAN WE TAKE IT FROM ONE PLACE. TO DANIEL'S POINT IS NO, PROBABLY NOT. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS FROM EVERY
PLACE. >> BUT DOES 7% WAS FOR THE DEFICIT THAT EXISTED BEFORE THESE BUDGET REQUESTS, RIGHT?
>> YES. AND IT DOES SOUND LIKE WE NEED TO UP THAT. I WOULD RECOMMEND UPPING IT TO 10% TO ACCOMMODATE THE ADDITIONAL OPTIONS RELATED TO -- I SET A MOTION OUT TODAY WAS 93%. I THINK WE SHOULD MOVE IT TO 90% GIVEN WHAT I'M -- THE FEEDBACK I'M RECEIVING, I DO WANT TO REMIND FOLKS, WE'RE ALSO TRYING TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF --
>> PAY EQUITY FOR CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES.
SO WE PUT A PLACE HOLDER IN THERE OF 50.
WE KNEW THAT WAS NOT GOING TO BE
RIGHT. >> SO WE CAN KEEP GOING UNTIL WE HAVE ENOUGH MONEY --
>> BECAUSE WE LOSE COURT CLERKS AND THE FOLKS -- THE TRANSCRIBERS -- PEOPLE THAT ALSO ARE HELPING OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM, THE INTAKE PROSECUTORS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. SO IT IS NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, ONE PIECE. BUT JUST SO I UNDERSTAND, DIRECTOR RAMOS, SO YOU'RE SAYING WITH THE 10% CUT, THAT WILL GET US FROM $130 MILLION DEFICIT COVERAGE TO A 200 SOME ODD --
>> THAT WITH OTHER OPTIONS WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ENOUGH OPTIONS TO GET US TO THE 270
AND WHAT'S THE BUDGET -- WHAT'S MY OFFICE BUDGET?
>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE UNDER 10 MILLION.
>> AROUND 10 MILLION, INCLUDING
OE-M. >> INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. WHAT'S THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT BUDGET?
>> THE SHERIFF AND PATROL AND THE JAIL ARE TWO LARGEST DEPARTMENTS. THEY'RE ROUGHLY 300 MILLION A PIECE. YOU ADD UP ALL THE CONSTABLES, THEY'RE ANOTHER 300 MILLION.
>> WHAT'S THE BUDGET FOR EACH PRECINCT COMMISSIONER OFFICE?
>> 46 -- 44 MILLION IN THE LAST
AND THAT INCLUDES THE MOBILITY MONEY?
>> NO. WE'RE JUST TALKING ABOUT GENERAL FUND AT THIS POINT.
>> BUT MOBILITY MONEY IS MONEY THEY GET AND THEY SPEND THAT I DON'T GET.
>> THE MOBILITY MONEY LIKELY CAN'T BE USED FOR A LOT OF THE --
>> I MEAN THE STATE IS SAYING THE CITY CAN.
SO, AND WE'RE ALL -- BUT THREE OF US ARE BEST FRIENDS WITH THE MAYOR. SO WHAT'S THE -- WHAT IS THE -- IF THE STATE IS SAYING WE CAN AND OF COURSE THE STATE SUPPORTS LAW ENFORCEMENT, HOW MUCH IS THE MOBILITY MONEY?
>> WE'VE BUDGETED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS 280 MILLION IN TRANSFERS.
>> MINUS ESOME TRANSPORTATION- RELATED EXPENSES AT THE COUNTY ENGINEER.
>> SO THAT IS DIVIDED BY FOUR, THOUGH? SO THAT'S ANOTHER, WHAT, 75 MILLION EACH, 80?
>> OKAY. ANY WAY, THE TOTAL BUDGET WOULD BE SOMEWHERE AROUND 100 MILLION. BUT THE POINT IS, I WOULDN'T SLEEP ON THAT BECAUSE THE STATE IS SAYING THAT THE CITY CAN TAKE THE MOBILITY MONEY AND USE IT HOWEVER THEY WANT.
>> AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE TALKED WITH OUR IGA TEAM.
>> THE STATUTE -- THE BILL THAT MIGHT GET PASSED SAYS THE CITY CAN DO IT. THEY'RE NOT SAYING THE COUNTY COULD DO IT AS WELL.
>> RIGHT. BUT LET'S LET THEM VOTE AGAINST THE COUNTY DOING IT, RIGHT?
>> IT'S FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. LOOK, JUST A THOUGHT.
AGAIN, AND WE WOULDN'T BE IN THIS SITUATION IF WE HAD ADDRESSED THIS IN THE PAST AND TALKED TO THE VOTERS ABOUT IT. OKAY.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, RAMSEY AND THEN
BRIONES. >> I'M LOOKING AT THE MOTION.
I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE COMMITTEE THAT LOOKS AT THIS, ANY HOST OF ISSUES. BUT COMMISSIONER, I DO WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF SUGGESTIONS.
ONE WOULD BE THAT WE ADD THE CHIEFS OF STAFF.
THAT OUR CHIEFS OF STAFF -- ONE WOULD BE THAT OUR CHIEFS OF STAFF TO THIS BECAUSE THAT MIGHT KEEP US FROM HAVING DISCUSSIONS. THE OVER ONE WOULD BE THAT THIS IS ONLY FOR CLEAR PATH PAY PARITY FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST WE
[01:35:04]
GO AHEAD AND TALK ABOUT THE PAY EQUITY PIECE IN THIS, IF NOT, I HAVE TO PUT A SEPARATE ITEM ON. WE PUT IT ALL ON THE TABLE, IF YOU DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. I WOULD SAY HOWEVER WE PHRASE IT, WE PUT OUR CHIEFS OF STAFF IN THERE IN THE ROOM.IT DOES SAY INCLUDING. SO YOU GOT LATITUDE.
BUT I LIKE TO SPELL THEM OUT. AND THEN JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT PAIR PARITY FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES, EQUITY AS OPPOSED TO PAY PARITY, SINCE THAT IS THE MONEY THAT WE PUT ASIDE. IS THAT OKAY? YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT?
>> GENERALLY YES, BUT I'LL WAIT TO RESPOND UNTIL MY TURN AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE UNION OF THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLES -- WE NEED A
WORKSHOP, PLEASE. >> I JUST PUT A SEPARATE ONE UP AND REQUEST WE DO THE SAME THING FOR --
>> I THINK THEY'RE HIGHLY COMPLIMENTARY AND INEXTRICABLY LINKED. I SEE IT FOR PAY PARITY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THIS COMMITTEE. AND MEANWHILE, ALL THE COUNTY OFFICES, THEY HAVE BEEN AND SHOULD BE ARDUOUSLY WORKING ON THE PAY EQUITY FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY EMPLOYEES. SO, I SEE IT
BOTH/AND. >> IF WE DON'T WORK, IT ISN'T A FIT, I'LL PUT A SEPARATE ITEM EITHER TODAY OR PUT IT WHEN WE COME BACK TO MAKE SURE BECAUSE THAT'S BEEN -- THAT STUDY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR.
I MADE THE POINT A NUMBER OF TIMES THAT WE STUDIED THAT UNTIL THERE'S NO MONEY. MAYBE NEVER WAS THERE.
AND THEN MR. RAMOS, I KNOW THE BOND RATING AGENCIES LOOK AT OUR ABILITY TO SERVICE OUR DEBT. YOU GOT ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT? I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY AS I SAID EARLIER, I THINK WE CAME IN -- I TOLD THE DEPUTIES YESTERDAY, IT'S A NO- MONEY PROBLEM. SO WHETHER THAT'S BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY BECAUSE YOU WANT TO TAKE IT FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT OR YOU COME UP WITH NO ADDITIONAL REVENUE BUT SIT A NO- MONEY PROBLEM.
WE HAVE TO SERVICE OUR DEBT. AND YOU KNOW DOWNGRADE IS NOT THE END OF THE WORLD BUT IT DOES INCREASE THE COST OF BORROWING FOR INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
YOU WANT TO TALK TO THE RATING EXPERTS OR YOU HAVE ANY THOUGHTS?
>> RETAINED OUR AAA RATING BOTH IN THE GENERAL FUND AND FUND CONTROL.
IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, THOSE TWO THINGS ARE COMPLETELY SEPARATE. YOU KNOW W THE INS RATE, WHICH IS OUR DEBT SERVICE DIVIDED BY THE ACCESSIBLE BASE IS, YOU KNOW -- THEY GET PAID KIND OF REGARDLESS OF WHETHER HARRIS COUNTY EXISTS OR NOT. FOR EXAMPLE, DALLAS COUNTY ISD STILL LEVIES A DEBT RATE EVEN THOUGH DALLAS ISD IS NO LONGER A FUNCTIONING ORGANIZATION.
THE OPERATING SIDE IS REALLY WHERE WE ARE LIMITED IN THAT 3. 5% INCREASE YEAR OVER YEAR.
THEN ON THE INS RATE, WE ARE STARTING TO REACH A POINT WHERE WE NEED TO BE STRATEGIC ABOUT OUR BUDGET -- ABOUT BUDGETING FOR RCIP.
>> UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION.
>> DOES ANYBODY OBJECT TO UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO CONTINUING THIS DISCUSSION? NOBODY OBJECTIONS.
>> WE'RE NOT AT THAT POINT TODAY BUT OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS, YES.
WE'RE GOING TO NEED TO BE STRATEGIC ABOUT HOW WE -- HOW AND WHEN WE ISSUE DEBT ABOVE WHAT THE VOTERS HAVE
AND JAY, IF YOU'LL LOOK AS A PROBLEM WITH HAVING THE SAME STRUCTURE ON PAY EQUITY WITH THIS, ADDING AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IF IT'S NOT TAKEN THAT WAY, TODAY I WANT TO VOTE ON SEPARATE ONE SO WE DO THAT ON THE PAY EQUITY SIDE AS WELL OR I'LL PUT IT ON THE NEXT
COURT. >> COMMISSIONER, IS IT POSSIBLE TO ASK IN YOUR DISCUSSION HOW MUCH THE PAY EQUITY WOULD COST, JUST SO WE CAN -- THINK ABOUT THAT.
>> I THINK THAT'S WHAT THE STUDY WAS GOING TO TELL US, BUT A LOT.
>> BUT YOU KNOW, ROUGHLY? TENS OF MILLIONS?
>> THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE, DIRECTOR DOUGLAS, YOU WANT TO CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE ORIGINAL STUDY WE HAD KIND OF BUDGETED AROUND $120 MILLION TOTAL.
NOW WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASES, THAT IF WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO PAY EQUITY WITH HPD, THAT NUMBER IS WOEFULLY SHORT, AS YOU CAN SEE.
>> THE ORIGINAL NUMBER AGAIN, NOT INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT, FOR TOTAL PAY EQUITY IN TOTAL IS ABOUT 180 MILLION. OBVIOUSLY IT WILL BE OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS OBVIOUSLY. AND OBVIOUSLY ADDING THE ADDITIONAL DOLLARS TO BRING PAY PARODY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT INCREASING THAT AMOUNT CONSIDERABLY. WE'RE WORKING IN CONCERT WITH OMB TO IDENTIFY A NUMBER OF OPTIONS, MANY OF THOSE YOU'VE DISCUSSED THIS MORNING. AND WE'LL BE ABLE IN ADVANCE OF THE DATA FROM THE PAY EQUITY STUDY BE ABLE TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT AROUND THOSE NUMBERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE AS ACCURATE AS POSSIBLE IN LIGHT OF -- IN LIGHT OF WHAT IS --
[01:40:04]
>> I ADD 180 TO 142 IT WOULD BE
332. >> IT'S PROBABLY AROUND THERE.
>> PLUS THE DEFICIT WE ALREADY HAVE.
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THEN BR IONES AND GARCIA.
>> I THINK TODAY WE'RE RESPONDING TO AN URGENT ISSUE THAT WE HAVE? TERMS OF WHAT WE PAY OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WE UNDERSTAND IT'S $142 MILLION TO HAVE PAY PARITY WITH HPD.
THE MOTION I MADE -- LET ME BE MORE CLEAR WITH THE MOTION.
THE MOTION IS TO HAVE PAY PARITY WITH HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING ALL RANKS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLES OFFICES STARTING IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.
THAT'S THE MOTION. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT FOR CLARITY PURPOSES THAT WE COMMUNICATE CLEARLY ON WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO. THE GETTING THERE IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT. THAT'S CLEARLY UNDERSTOOD.
THAT'S WHY WE'RE STARTING ON THE FRONT END OF THE BUDGET PROCESS. CURRENTLY TODAY, THE HPD HAS 1200 VACANCIES. AND THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS ROUGHLY 350.
IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING TODAY, THIS TIME NEXT YEAR THERE WILL BE 1,200 VACANCIES IN HARRIS COUNTY AND 350 AT THE CITY. AND MOST OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME FROM THE COUNTY.
SO, I DON'T -- WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, I'M NOT VOTING TO FORM A COMMITTEE. I'M NOT VOTING TO FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING IN TERMS OF WHAT PEOPLE AGREE WITH ON OUR DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. I THINK WE KNOW THERE'S 500 MILLION. I KNOW WHEN I HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AND MANY TIMES THE CONVERSATION ENDS UP WITH, WELL, COMMISSIONER, THAT'S A POLICY DECISION ON HOW WE SPEND OUR MONEY.
THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF DISCRETIONARY SPENDING.
A POLICY DECISION TO HIRE BOSTON CONSULTING GROUP AND PAY THEM TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, THAT'S A POLICY DECISION. BUT LATER IN THIS -- LATER IN THIS AGENDA, I'LL BE PUTTING AT -- I PUT A LOT OF THINGS ON THE AGENDA TODAY, AND WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE DISCRETIONARY SPENDING IN THIS VERY AGENDA THAT WE'LL BE REVIEWING THROUGH THE REST OF THE DAY. SO THERE IS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING THERE. IT'S A -- MAYBE I'LL QUOTE COMMISSIONER BRIONES IT IS AN ALL AND IN TERMS OF WHAT WE LOOK AT AND THE DECISIONS WE MAKE.
BUT I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WITH THE MOTION THAT'S THE REASON I MADE THE MOTION NOT TO FIGURE OUT TODAY HOW WE'RE GOING TO -- WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO STOP DOING, BUT I BELIEVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE A SPENDING PROBLEM, NOT A REVENUE PROBLEM.
MY MOTION STANDS AS STATED. I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING A
SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU, TEAM. SO YES, AS ALWAYS, IT IS A BOTH AND. AND I HAVE AN UPDATED VERSION OF MY MOTION TO SHARE. AGAIN, PUBLIC SAFETY, TOP PRIORITY, NONNEGOTIABLE, WE NEED TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.
I DON'T WANT TO HEMORRHAGE DEPUTIES.
IT WOULD BE SO CATASTROPHIC. I WANT TO ADD CLARITY TO THE LANGUAGE. AND BY A COMMITTEE, I MEAN AN ACTION ORIENTED NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE BECAUSE WE CAN'T KEEP HAVING DOZENS AND DOZENS OF DESPERATE CONVERSATIONS. IT'S NOT AN EFFICIENT USE OF OUR TIME, ENERGY AND EFFORT. I WANT TO BE LAZER FOCUS ON HOW DO WE GET TO YES BUT OUR OCTOBER 1ST FISCAL YEAR.
I DON'T WANT A COMMITTEE THAT'S GOING TO TALK.
I WANT A COMMITTEE TO USE OUR TIME EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY. THIS IS A NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE TO BE CLEAR.
WE KNOW ALL THESE BIG DEALS WITH HPD AND OVERS HAVE BEEN IN NEGOTIATING WITH MULTIPLE KEY STAKEHOLDERS AT THE TABLE.
LET ME CLARIFY THAT. AND I MEAN PARITY WITH HPD BECAUSE THAT IS THE BIGGEST LOSS. I'VE BEEN SENT ADS AND QR CODES, THEY'RE POACHING OUR PEOPLE AND THEY'RE DOING IT -- THEY'RE POACHING OUR PEOPLE PERIOD. I'LL STOP THERE.
SO, HERE IS WHICH MARRIES SOMEWHAT.
IF YOU COULD PLEASE LISTEN AND WE'LL SEND WRITTEN COPIES.
THEY SHOULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN CIRCULATED TO THE FIVE
[01:45:01]
OFFICE. MOTION TO CREATE A NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLES THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY'S ORGANIZATION FOP LODGE 39, HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY CONSTABLE ASSOCIATION AND THE CHIEFS OF STAFF OR DESIGNEES FROM THE FIVE COURT OFFICES TO NEGOTIATE A CLEAR PATH TO PAY PARITY WITH HPD FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. THE NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE SHOULD PROVIDE REGULAR UPDATES TO COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS AT COMMISSIONERS COURT.THE COMMITTEE WILL WORK -- THIS IS THE SPECIFICITY.
THE COMMITTEE WILL WORK TO IDENTIFY AND PRESENT OPTIONS TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ACHIEVE PAY PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER A FIVE- YEAR PERIOD WITH THE FIRST YEAR FOCUSSED ON SECURING AN INVESTMENT OF AT LEAST 142 MILLION.
THAT WOULD BE THE DUAL PRONG MOTION.
>> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SECOND THAT. I WOULD ASK FOR A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO CHANGE REGULAR TO EACH COURT MEETING TO PROVIDE US -- TO PROVIDE US AT EACH COURT
ACCEPTED. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
AND THAT WAY WE'LL HAVE FULL TRANSPARENCY, UPDATES TO COURT, TO THE PUBLIC, TO ALL DEPUTIES AT EACH COURT.
THAT. >> I REALLY THINK THERE'S TWO MOTIONS ON THE TABLE.
>> THERE'S ONE MOTION TO DO PAY PARITY AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER MOTION TO -- HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO THAT? SO I CAN SUPPORT TWO MOTIONS. BUT I THINK THE SECOND MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES PUT ON THE TABLE, WELL MEANING IN TERMS OF THE HOW, I THINK THAT'S SECONDARY. I CAN'T SUPPORT TELLING EVERYBODY WE'RE GOING TO GO FORM A COMMITTEE AND TRY TO GET THERE, HOPE TO GET THERE, PRETTY SURE WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.
I THINK THE MESSAGE THAT WE NEED TO SEND TODAY, WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE. THAT'S THE FIRST MOTION.
THE SECOND MOTION IS THE HOW WE'RE GOING TO GET THERE.
SO I MADE A MOTION. I WOULD LIKE -- AND I'LL MAKE -- I MADE THE MOTION.
SO IF THERE'S NO SECOND, I GUESS THERE'S NO SECOND.
>> OKAY. NO, I THINK YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE NEED TO GO BACK AND JUST VOTE ON THOSE.
DOES HE NEED TO REPEAT HIS MOTION? IF YOU WOULDN'T MIND.
>> SO, THE MOTION I MADE IS TO HAVE PAY PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, INCLUDING ALL RANKS AT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND CONSTABLE'S OFFICES STARTING IN FISCAL YEAR 2026.
>> OKAY. SO THAT'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
LET ME JUST SAY -- YOU KNOW, THIS DISCUSSION TIME, THIS IS -- BASICALLY WHAT THE CITY HAS DONE, WHICH IS TO MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT FIGURING OUT HOW THEY'RE GOING TO MAKE IT. I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S RESPONSIBLE. IT'S A NICE -- IT'S A NICE TALKING POINT, YOU KNOW. AGAIN, OUR REVENUE INCREASE HAS BEEN LESS EVERY YEAR COMPARED TO WHAT IT WAS PERCENTAGE WISE WHAT IT WAS BEFORE WE TOOK OFFICE. SO, YOU KNOW, THEY NEVER HAD THIS CAP. BUT I FOR ONE, YOU KNOW, AS I SAID, WE NEED TO BE REALLY CLEAR WITH THE PUBLIC AS TO HOW WE WOULD DO THIS AND BECAUSE IT'S A MYSTERY RIGHT NOW. WE'RE LOOKING AT FINDING 200 POSSIBLY $300 MILLION IF WE'RE NOT WANTING THE REST OF OUR STAFF TO LEAVE. SO I THINK THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE TO MAKE A DECISION WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT TAKES TO GET THERE. THAT'S THE REASON THE COUNTY IS AT $130 MILLION DEFICIT EVEN WITHOUT THE PAY BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS OF THIS COURT CONTINUE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT I FEEL ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE, LIKE BLINDLY APPROVING SOMETHING WITHOUT KNOWING WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO COME FROM.
AND I, FOR ONE, AS I SAID LAST YEAR IN 2022, WOULD LIKE TO -- WOULD PREFER THAT WE ASK THE VOTERS WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE TO SEE THESE CUTS TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, TO THE TUNE OF $300 MILLION, OR WHETHER THEY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A TAX RATE ELECTION. I THINK THAT'S A QUESTION FOR THEM. I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD BE MAKING THIS DECISION FOR THEM RIGHT NOW. AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO CUT YOUR ANIMAL SHELTER AND YOUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
WE JUST HEARD FROM THE DIRECTOR THAT THERE IS NOT A POT
[01:50:05]
OF MONEY WHERE WE CAN GET ALL THESE HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, SO I THINK THIS IS -- IT'S UNFORTUNATE, BUT I WANT TO HAVE MY CONSCIENCE CLEAR THAT I BOTH SUPPORT LAW ENFORCEMENT, BACK THE BLUE, WISH THERE HAD BEEN ENOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT WHEN I WAS BEING SEXUALLY ASSAULTED AS A CHILD, ALL OF THIS I'M THERE FOR AND ALSO WE HAVE TO HAVE THE HARD CONVERSATIONS AND BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE PUBLIC AS TO, YOU KNOW, WHAT IS IT THAT WE'RE GOING TO CUT OR DO WE NEED MORE FUNDING? WOULD YOU GUYS AGREE TO THAT? SO ANY WAY, I WILL BE A HARD NO ON THIS ONE. SO, IS THERE ANY MORE DISCUSSION? OR SHOULD WE TAKE A VOTE?>> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL, I'VE BEEN A PART OF THESE NEGOTIATIONS IN THE PAST. AND SO, THERE IS A PROCESS.
NO ONE HAS MADE ANY DECISIONS ON CUTTING ANYTHING.
BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T STARTED TALKING.
SO, I DON'T WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE MISDIRECTED BY A LOT OF GLOOM AND DOOM AND FEAR BY CUTTING DOWN GOVERNMENT SERVICES. BECAUSE WE JUST AREN'T THERE YET. AND SO I APPLAUD COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR THEIR WILLINGNESS TO SET THE TABLE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH OUR MEN AND WOMEN AND WORK TO A PLAN TO GET TO PAY PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT.
AND FOR ANY PERSON WHO IS NOT YET A VICTIM OR HAS NOT YET BEEN A VICTIM OF A CRIME, OUR GOAL IS TO KEEP THAT FROM EVER HAPPENING. AND THE WAY WE DO IT IS BY CONSTRUCTING A PLAN THAT KEEPS OUR GUARDIANS AT THE HELM PROTECTING US. AND SO, I SUPPORT THE ITEM.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER
BRIONES. >> SO THIS IS A MOTION TO JUST SAY IT'S GOING TO HAPPEN, $142 MILLION THIS YEAR, CORRECT?
>> NO, NO, MORE THAN THAT. BECAUSE WE NEED TO MATCH THE DEFICIT --
>> I GOT YOU. BUT THE MOTION -- WHICH MOTION IS THIS? IS THIS YOURS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> LOOK, I SUPPORT A PLAN TO COME TO $142 MILLION.
BUT I CANNOT VOTE BLINDLY TO SAY WE'RE GOING TO DO IT.
SO, YOU CAN SAY I'M CUTTING IT IN HALF OR WHATEVER, BUT I JUST -- THE SCHOOL OF THOUGHT THAT I COME FROM I CAN SAY IN GOOD CONSCIENCE I CAN SAY I'LL DO IT. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I ASSUME YOU PREFER NOT TO HAVE THE OVER EQUITY PIECE ON THIS ONE.
I DON'T WANT THOSE FOLKS TO THINK THEY JUST
>> I WONDER IF WE WOULD VOTE TO COMMIT TO HAVE THAT PARITY AS WELL, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I WOULD BE
CURIOUS. >> WE'LL MAKE THAT MOTION.
>> AT LEAST FOR ME, I PREFER I VOTE FOR A PROCESS TO COME ONE A PLAN. I HOPE $142 MILLION IS THERE, BUT I COULDN'T JUST VOTE FOR ME BLINDLY AND SAY WE'RE GOING TOTO IT.
FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, SET THE RECORD THERE, I'M THE ONE THAT MADE THAT MOTION BEFORE. I WOULD HAVE TAKEN THAT HEAT.
IT'S NEVER EASY TO ASK FOR MORE MONEY.
I BET THEY WISH WE HAD THAT MONEY NOW.
OKAY. BUT LET'S VOTE SO WE CAN GET OUT OF HERE.
>> I SECONDED COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION AND I MADE MY SEPARATE MOTIONS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE VOTE ON THAT. AND WE -- I APPRECIATE YOU, DIRECTOR RAMOS, HOW HARD YOU AND YOUR TEAM WORK. WE HAVE BEEN SCOURING OPPORTUNITIES AND PATHS FORWARD.
I BELIEVE WE MUST ALL BE RESPONSIBLE IES PLANNING WHAT POTENTIAL CUTS WHAT POTENTIAL ADDITIONAL REVENUE AND OVER OPTIONS AND BE AS CREATIVE IN SOLUTIONS ORIENTED. THIS IS NOT BLINDLY.
THIS IS NOT DOOMSDAY. WE WILL MOVE FORWARD AND WE WILL FIND THE BEST PLAN FORWARD. AND THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT ARE NONNEGOTIABLE AND TO ME PUBLIC SAFETY IS A TOP PRIORITY. MY TEAM IS AMAZING.
THEY'VE BEEN SCOURING THE BUDGET, FINDING OPPORTUNITIES.
AND WE REMAIN DEEPLY COMMITTED TO PAY EQUITY AND I CANNOT WAIT FOR OCTOBER WHEN WE'RE GETTING THOSE FINDINGS AND IMPLEMENTING THEM AND MAKING THEM HAPPY BECAUSE WE NEED TO DO RIGHT BY EVERY HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE, PERIOD. SO, I STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THAT. BUT, THE MOTIONS FOR TODAY ARE LAZER FOCUSSED ON THE LAW ENFORCEMENT ISSUE GIVEN THE CRITICAL EMERGENT, URGENT ISSUES.
[01:55:01]
>> WE CAN VOTE SEPARATE. WE CAN VOTE ON COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. >> SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN
>> I'M OPPOSED. IT MAKES ME -- I JUST FEEL BAD FOR THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY'RE NOT HERE TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WHERE ALL THESE FOLKS THAT DEPEND ON WHETHER IT BE PUBLIC HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS, ANIMAL SHELTER, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, ET CETERA, ET CETERA, COMMUNITY SERVICES, SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AND ADULTS, THEY'RE NOT HERE TO SAY, HEY, HOW CAN YOU AFFORD THIS WITHOUT CUTTING MY KEY SERVICES. SO ANY WAY.
I'M VERY -- I'M VERY FIRM IN BEING TRANSPARENT AND WOULD HAVE LIKED TO KNOW WHAT WE'RE DOING BEFORE WE VOTE FOR SOMETHING. I THINK THIS IS JUST FOR THE SAKE OF RHETORIC AND WE HAVE ENOUGH OF THAT IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. ALL RIGHT.
SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES MOTION --
>> SO PASSED 3-2. MR. ELLIS AND I
THANK YOU. >> SO NOW WE'LL MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES MOTION. DOES SHE NEED TO READ IT AGAIN IS THIS.
>> YES. IF YOU CAN ADD THE AMENDMENT AS WELL WITH THEIR MOTION.
>> THE ONE COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE ABOUT COMMISSIONERS COURT, SURE.
AT EACH COURT MEETING. SO, THIS IS THE PRECINCT 4 MOTION ON ITEM 293.
MOTION TO CREATE A NEGOTIATION COMMITTEE, INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT, THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET, THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLES, THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY'S ORGANIZATION, FOP LODGE 39, THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY CONSTABLES ASSOCIATION AND THE CHIEF'S OF STAFF OR DESIGNEES FROM EACH COURT OFFICE TO NEGOTIATE A CLEAR PATH TO PAY PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS. THE COMMITTEE SHOULD PROVIDE UPDATES AT EACH COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING.
THE COMMITTEE WILL WORK TO IDENTIFY AND PRESENT OPTIONS TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ACHIEVE PARITY WITH THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT OVER A FIVE- YEAR PERIOD WITH THE FIRST YEAR FOCUSSED ON SECURING AN INVESTMENT OF AT LEAST 142
AND I JUST WANT TO REITERATE COMMISSIONER BRIONES COMMENTS EARLIER TO THOSE THAT WILL BE PART OF THIS PROCESS. THIS HAS GOT TO BE ACTION-ORIENTED. I WANT TO HEAR STRONG RECOMMENDATIONS, MOVEMENT FORWARD, AND NOT STUDIES AND NOT DEBATE AND NOT SPECULATION. WE NEED DIRECT ACTION MOVING FORWARD.
>> I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR IT. I WANT TO STRESS THAT THEY PUT ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. I THINK THOSE ARE THE WORRIES I HEARD FROM THE DEPUTIES. NOW, IF I CAN DO IT TODAY, I'LL HAVE THAT SEPARATE ITEM, LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR PAY EQUITY FOR OVER EMPLOYEES BECAUSE I DON'T WANT THEM TO BE LEFT BY THE SIDELINES.
AND WHEN ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE, I THINK THEY OUGHT TO INCLUDE OUR BUDGETS, PRECINCT BUDGETS, THE JUDGE'S BUDGET, SOME CONSOLIDATION OF SOME COUNTY SERVICES, YOU KNOW, COMING UP WITH $322 MILLION, IF MY NUMBER IS RIGHT S NOT AN EASY THING TO DO BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT ALL OPTIONS ON THE TABLE TO DO IT. SO WE'LL SEE.
>> ALL RIGHT. SO THERE'S A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. I MISS WHO HAD THE SECOND WAS.
WAS IT GARCIA? SECOND BY GARCIA.
[Departments (Part 4 of 6)]
>> JUDGE, AS WE'RE VOTING, IF WE COULD TAKE ACTION ON THE ITEM 20.
>> LET ME GO BACK TO THAT ITEM.
>> I THINK WE COVERED ALL OF THE FINDINGS THAT WE HAD IN OUR PRESENTATION, SO FOLKS WOULD LIKE ME TO GO BACK AND GO THROUGH IT. I THINK WE COVERED ALL OF IT.
IT. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN MAKE HIS MOTION.
>> CORRECT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN MAKE A MOTION ON ITEM 20. IN ADDITION TO THE MAIN ITEM ITSELF. RELATED TO THE --
>> WE MAY JUST KEEP GOING ON THE REST OF THE AGENDA TO WORK IT UP.
>> YEAH. AND I HAVE A MOTION THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE, COMMISSIONER. MAYBE WHILE THEY WORK ON THAT ONE. SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT -- LET ME SEE.
THIS ONE WAS -- THIS IS GOING TO BE FOR ITEM NUMBER 20?
>> ITEM NUMBER 20. THAT AS A COMMITTEE DETERMINES WHAT TO CUT FROM THE BUDGET
[02:00:05]
TO GENERATE 200 AND HOW MUCH IS IT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PLUS THE DEFICIT?>> IF WE DO THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PLUS DEFICIT IT'S 270 MILLION.
>> TO CUT $270 MILLION IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THAT THEY PROTECT GENERAL FUNDS ALREADY ALLOCATED FOR HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FLOOD CONTROL AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. SO THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION.
SO THE MOTION IS THAT AS THIS COMMITTEE DETERMINES HOW TO CUT $270 MILLION FROM OUR BUDGET FOR THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR, THAT IT PROTECT GENERAL FUNDS ALREADY ALLOCATED TO HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSE, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FLOOD CONTROL AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT.
>> AT LEAST FROM MY STANDPOINT, I JUST DON'T WANT TO SIT HERE AT THE TABLE.
I THINK THE IDEA OF JUST SAYING WE'RE GOING TO COME UP WITH $142 MILLION WITHOUT A PLAN TO DO IT IS ONE THING.
BUT I DON'T -- I'M NOT PREPARED TO SECOND THAT.
>> YEAH. YOU MEAN -- WHAT DO YOU MEAN WITHOUT A PLAN TO DO IT?
>> I THINK WE COULD SIT HERE -- WE GO THROUGH EACH CATEGORY IN THE BUDGET. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION TODAY. AT LEAST NOT FOR ME.
I WANT TO FINISH THE REST OF THIS
>> I WANT FOLKS TO KNOW THAT THERE WAS NOT A WILLINGNESS BY THE COURT TO COMMIT TO PROTECTING FUNDING FOR HOMELESSNESS, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, EARLY CHILDHOOD, PUBLIC HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH, FLOOD CONTROL OR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. SO WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO GET THE MONEY FROM. AND WE ARE NOT COMMITTING TO PROTECTING THAT. BUT WE ARE COMMITTING TO SOMEHOW FINDING $270 MILLION THAT WE DON'T KNOW WHERE WE'RE GOING TO FIND. THAT'S JUST FOR THE RECORD.
AND FOR VOTERS. MAYBE PRIMARY VOTERS.
>> GIVE THEM TIME AND WE DO THAT ITEM LATER
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER
BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU WANT TO SAY ANYTHING ELSE?
>> SO I -- LEADERS ARE COMMITTED TO BEING SOLUTIONS ORIENTED. AND ONE THING THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE, DANIEL, AS WE THINK CREATIVELY AND WE CONTINUE THE DISCUSSIONS, IS A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO REQUEST COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO SUBMIT A 90% CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE BUDGET PROPOSALS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026.
AND THIS MOVES FROM THE 93 TO 90.
>> WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OF THAT. THAT WOULD GIVE US THE COVER TO GO AND FIND MORE OPTIONS FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT TO CONSIDER.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN FAVOR.
>> ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
I THINK THEY WERE ALREADY DOING THAT.
AGAIN, I BROUGHT A SOLUTION IN 2020 AND 2024 TO TRY TO NOT FIND OURSELVES IN THIS SITUATION. AND I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVING AWAY MONEYING AS WE RECEIVED WARNINGS FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GIVE AWAY. ALL RIGHT.
SO, LET'S MOVE ON TO -- SO WE'LL COME BACK TO ITEM 20, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> WHICH EMPLOYEE GROUP TO PLUG IN, SO THAT'S THE ISSUE.
IF YOU JUST WANT TO DO YOUR ITEM 20 AND I'LL PUT IT ON THE NEXT COURT AGENDA, I CAN. I'M TRYING TO FIGURE OUT --
>> SO THE MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS ALSO FOR 20, CORRECT?
>> THAT'S FOR 20 BECAUSE THE OLYMPIAN HAD BEEN 93% CLS, DEPARTMENTS WORKING SO HARD AND AGAIN, DANIEL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP, BUT THIS IS THE 90 JUST TO
CORRECT. >> SO IS THERE -- THERE WILL BE A SECOND MOTION?
>> WE CAN WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THAT ONE.
SECOND. >> MOVE AS PRESENTED, IT'S THE --
>> THE ONE I READ. IT'S THE ONE I READ.
JUST FOR CLARITY, MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO REQUEST OPTIONS FOR DEPARTMENTS TO FUND 90 AND THE KEY CHANGE IT'S FROM 93 TO 90, 90% FOR THEIR FISCAL YEAR 2026, CURRENT LEVEL OF SERVICE BUDGET.
>> WE ALREADY VOTED ON THAT, DIDN'T WE?
>> THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. THEN THERE'S NO ACTION ON 19.
>> SO WE HAVE NOT VOTED ON THAT ONE, YOU GUYS?
>> THAT WAS VOTED ON AND PASSED.
>> SO HE JUST SAID NO ACTION FOR 19.
>> OKAY. BUT THE ONE THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES MADE THE MOTION
>> SHE JUST REREAD THE MOTION FOR ME FOR
CLARIFICATION. >> NO, THAT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
>> SO WHATTIVE IS 293 THERE WAS A TWO MOTIONS VOTED ON ITEM 19, YOU SAID NO ACTION. AND THEN THE MOTION RIGHT NOW BRIONES MADE WAS FOR ITEM 20.
>> NO, NO BECAUSE THE TWO MOTIONS THAT WE VOTED ON
[02:05:02]
EARLIER, ONE WAS RAMSEY'S AND THE OVER ONE WAS THIS MOTION FROM BRIONES. SHE READ IT AGAIN.>> OKAY. SO I GUESS THAT'S WHAT THE CONFUSION WAS. SO THEN THERE'S TWO SEPARATE -- OKAY.
>> WE VOTED ON TWO MOTIONS UNDER --
>> THAT WAS FOR A TOTALLY SEPARATE ITEM.
WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ITEM 20 AND DANIEL WAS CLARIFYING THE OVER OMB RELATED ITEMS ALL IN THE SAME PAGE.
>> WE'RE ALL GOOD ON ITEMS 19, 20, 293 AND I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- OKAY.
>> OKAY. SO, LET'S THEN THAT WAS AN OUT OF ORDER ITEM THAT WE WANTED TO BRING. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES. AND THEN AFTER THAT, WE
[Executive Session]
WANTED TO GO TO OC EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM ON THE CANDIDATES FOR CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER POSITION.I HAVE THIS AS A REQUEST FOLLOWING THIS ITEM WE JUST WENT THROUGH AND THEN TO GO BACK TO THE BEGINNING OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS BUT I MAY HAVE MISSED
OUR RECOMMENDATION, JUDGE, TAKE 263 IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, THE PUBLIC DEFENDER ITEM.
>> DO YOU NEED TO TAKE IT NOW OR CAN WE TAKE IT LAETER?
>> OUR RECOMMENDATION WAS TO TAKE IT
>> SO COLLEAGUES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE ALL THE EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW? OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO NOW AND THEN GO BACK LATER?
>> LET'S TAKE THEM ALL. SO WE'RE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 263 TO CONSULT ON AN HR MATTER.
WE'RE ALSO GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 264, WHICH IS ON CONSULTING WITH OUR ATTORNEY, CYBERSECURITY. ALL RIGHT. SO THOSE TWO ITEMS. AND IS IT A NO ACTION FOR 218? THANK
>> NO 218 WAS THE ONE WITH THE BUDGET, WASN'T IT?
>> SO NO ACTION, COMMISSIONER? NO ACTION.
SO WE WILL COME BACK AT 1:30 AND JUST CONTINUE WITH THE REST OF THE DI
>> IT IS 1:53 P.M. AND WE ARE BACK IN SESSION AND WE ARE GOING
[Departments (Part 5 of 6)]
TO START FROM THE TOP. ITEM ONE WAS FILED BY COMMISSIONERRAMSEY. >> WHICH ONE IS THAT BEFORE I MAKE THE MOTION? I CAN'T REMEMBER.
>> IT IS ABOUT HONORING FORMER COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. IT WAS A
JOINT ONE. >> I WILL SECONDED.
>> A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> BEFORE YOU VOTE THERE ARE A
FEW SPEAKERS FOR THAT. >> OH , THANK YOU. THANK YOU. WE
WILL TAKE THE SPEAKERS. >> STELLA GONZALEZ, JESSE
DICKERMAN AND LEAH BARTON . >> JUDGE, I AM CONFUSED I THOUGHT THIS WAS A RESOLUTION AND WE WERE TAKING RESOLUTIONS
AT 4:00, ARE WE NOT? >> WE CAN DO IT AT 4:00.
>> YES, THERE ARE OTHER RESOLUTIONS AND I GUESS IT IS BECAUSE HE PULLED IT , THAT IS WHY BUT WHATEVER YOU PREFER.
>> LET'S 2 TO 4:00. >> OKAY, WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT. SO , ITEM 10 IS NEXT AND I WAS LED BY PRECINCTS ONE AND
TWO. >> I PULLED THIS ONE. IT RELATES TO THE COMMUNITY PROSPERITY PROGRAM. IS THAT WHAT WE USED TO CALL UPLIFT? WHY DID YOU CHANGE THE NAME?
>> IT IS A NEW PROGRAM, A DIFFERENT PROGRAM.
>> IT WAS UPLIFT AND NOW IT IS THIS?
>> I BELIEVE WE MADE CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM AND A PART OF THAT,
[02:10:03]
IT WAS RENAMED. >> THE MONEY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE IS , WHAT IS THE TOTAL AMOUNT WE ARE TALKING
ABOUT? >> WE ARE STILL GETTING IT TOGETHER BUT WE THINK THE ESTIMATE IS JUST ABOUT OVER 18
MILLION. >> 18 MILLION . DOES THAT
INCLUDE INTEREST? >> THOSE FUNDS ARE INTEREST, ALL
OF THOSE. >> WAS NOT GO INTO THE FLAGS
FUND? >> I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS TECHNICALLY, COMMISSIONER, OUR INTEREST IS A SEPARATE AND CAN BE SPENT, HAS TO BE SPENT ACCORDING TO THE ARBOR RULES DO
NOT ON THE SAME TIMELINE. >> BUT THE SAME WAY THAT WE
>> THE FLEX MONEY WAS GIVEN THE SAME RESTRICTIONS AS THE ARPA
MONEY. >> BUT CLEARLY WE HAVE MORE FLEX ABILITY WITH THE FLEX FUND THEN YOU HAVE WITH, THEN IS CLEARLY
DESIGNATED. >> THE BIG DIFFERENCE AS I UNDERSTAND IT IS THAT IT IS NOT RESTRICTED ON TIME, THE ARPA INTEREST, THE SAME WAY THE ARPA DOLLARS WERE.
>> RECOGNIZING THIS WOULD BE MY OPINION, DISCRETIONARY SPENDING, ARPA DISCRETIONARY SPENDING AND RECOGNIZING THE SIGNIFICANT ISSUE WE HAVE ON ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROGRAM, WHICH IS INDIGENT DEFENSE , IT IS 57 MILLION IN THE HOLE. I WOULD SAY TAKE THESE DOLLARS SINCE THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY AND DISCRETION , TAKE THESE DOLLARS AND A FLY IT TO THE INDIGENT
DEFENSE FUND. >> COMMISSIONER, THIS TAKES , IT ESSENTIALLY THE OBLIGATES THE MONEY FROM THE PROGRAM AND THE DECISION WILL GO BACK THROUGH THE SAME PROCESS WE HAVE GONE THROUGH BEFORE. IT WILL GO BACK TO THE FOCUS AREA COMMITTEE THAT WILL COME BACK TO STEER TO AND YOUR OFFICES ARE REPRESENTED AND IT WILL THEN COME BACK TO COURT FOR A FINAL DECISION.
>> I'M NOT PREPARED TO VOTE FOR THIS UNDER THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> COMMISSIONER, THIS ITEM DOES NOT ACTUALLY DESIGNATE HOW MUCH MONEY ARE WHERE THE MONEY IS SPENT. THIS MONEY D OBLIGATES IT FROM THE COMMUNITY PROSPERITY PROGRAM.
>> AND RE-ALLOCATED , IT D OBLIGATES INJURY OBLIGATES .
>> RECOMMENDS REALLOCATING , TOM?
>> YES, TOM -- OFFICE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, GOOD AFTERNOON.
THIS ACTION ESSENTIALLY ASKS PUBLIC HEALTH TO CLOSEOUT THE PROGRAM AND THEN THE STEERING COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDATION BACK IN NOVEMBER WAS THAT THIS WOULD GO TO HOMELESSNESS, RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FOOD AND NUTRITION BUT WE HAVE NOT OUTLINED THE SPECIFIC DOLLARS THAT IT WOULD GO TO AND THEN THAT WILL GO BACK TO THE FOCUS AREA TEAMS, ONCE THE PROGRAM IS CLOSEOUT AND WE KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH MONEY IS LEFT AND THEN COURT CAN MAKE A DETERMINATION OF HOW YOU WANT TO SPEND THE
MONEY. >> I RECOMMEND THAT STEER CO TAKE A LOOK AT OUR NOVEMBER SITUATION, IT IS A LOT DIFFERENT THAN THE SITUATION HERE IN MAY. I WOULD, I WOULD COME I UNDERSTAND THE DE-OBLIGATION , IF YOU WANT TO DE-OBLIGATE, THAT IS FINE BUT I'M NOT PREPARED TO SUPPORT HAVING THEM , HAVE THE REMAINING FUNDS TO RENTAL ASSISTANCE, HOMELESSNESS AND
FOOD NUTRITION. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS . I HAVE GARCIA FIRST.
>> HE PULLED AND I PULLED IT. >> WHOEVER PUSH THE BUTTON.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> OKAY. I WANT TO SAY FIRST OF ALL. IT WAS A GREAT PROGRAM. THE LEGISLATURE HAS NOT PASSED A BILL YET THAT WOULD PROHIBIT US FROM HAVING THIS PROGRAM . SO, THE COMMUNITY PROSPERITY PROGRAM, WE MADE CHANGES THAT COMPLY WITH THE DIRECTION WITHOUT THE COURT WAS GOING. THE LAWSUIT IS STILL GOING ON. I WOULD ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT MEETING. LOOK, I ASSUME THE BILL WILL PASS BUT IT IS NOT OUT OF THE CALENDARS COMMITTEE YET ON THE HOUSE SIDE AND I WOULD NOT VOTE TO DO THAT TODAY. I WOULD RESPECTFULLY VOTE AGAINST IT AND ASK THE COURT TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT TO MAKE THE DECISION. BUT TO ANSWER THE QUESTION THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WAS RAISING, STEER CO HAS ALREADY DETERMINED THAT THESE FUNDS WHICH WERE MARKED FOR THE POOREST WORKING FAMILIES AND THE POOREST 10 Z.I.P. CODES IN HARRIS COUNTY,
[02:15:05]
ABOUT 1500 WORKING FAMILIES IN THE Z.I.P. CODES THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY WOULD'VE GONE A PATH TOWARD SOME ECONOMIC SECURITY. WE KNOW THE RATES IN HARRIS COUNTY, I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT IT HAS NOT WORKED OUT SO FAR BUT I WANT TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER TWO WEEKS, IF THE COURT GRANTS ME THAT. AND STEER CO HAS VOTED THE MONEY WOULD GO TO HOMELESSNESS PROGRAMS, EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FOOD . WHICH IN MY JUDGMENT IS A GOOD CHOICE, IF THE DECISION IS MADE TO ENTER PROGRAM BUT I'M NOT PREPARED TO VOTE TO END IT TODAY, THAT IS MY PREFERENCE BUT IF THE COURT DOES VOTE TO END IT, TO STOP THE PROGRAM TODAY, STEER CO ALREADY MET AND VOTED AND IT WOULD GO TO THREE VERY WORTHY AREAS. MY ASK IS THAT WE WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT MEETING AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE LEGISLATION AND I WANT TO COMMEND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE.THEY HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS WANTED TO SUE THE COUNTY TO BLOCK THE PROGRAM AND THE COURTS OF FAILED TO RULE ON WHETHER OR NOT CPP OR UPLIFT CAN GO AHEAD. I DO URGE 15 COURT OF APPEALS TO ISSUE ITS OPINION QUICKLY AND WE HAVE A CLEAR PATH THAT WE HAVE TO FOLLOW WHAT , BUT WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS PROGRAM TO START WHO NEED THE MONEY, THEY ARE ANTICIPATING IT AND IF WE ARE UNABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM THEN I THINK WE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT COURT AND LOOK AT THE OTHER SOURCES OF FUNDING, WHICH
STEER CO HAS LAID OUT. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> THANK YOU. I TOO THINK , LET ME ASK THIS QUESTION. MR. --, BUT WAS LAST COURT DECISION THAT WAS MADE ON THIS ISSUE?
>> I THINK JOHN CAN ANSWER THAT. HE KNOWS THE SPECIFICS.
>> COMMISSIONER, ARE YOU ASKING FOR THE COMMISSIONER COURT
DECISION? IN THE COURTS? >> THE COURT DECISION.
>> THERE WAS A HEARING LAST FALL IN THE TRIAL COURT COURT IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT WE WON AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE COURT OF APPEALS DECISION EVER SENSE.
>> HAS BEEN APPEALED. >> YES, BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
>> GOT IT. AND WE ALSO KNOW THERE IS LEGISLATION WORKING TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF FUNDS IN THIS PARTICULAR MATTER.
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. LET ME JUST SAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR ONE MORE COURT, I SUPPORT THAT. I THINK THE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE AND WITH THIS MONEY, IT CAN GO HELP PEOPLE WITH EVICTION ISSUES, HOMELESSNESS , FOOD INSECURITY , I REALLY WOULD WANT TO SAY THAT I WOULD LIKE YOUR SUPPORT THAT WE MAKE A DECISION AT THE NEXT
COURT. >> I RESPECT THAT. I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE THOSE FOLKS AND I WANT THEM TO FEEL LIKE WE WENT AS FAR AS WE COULD. BECAUSE YOU KNOW ABOUT HUNDRED 50 JURISDICTIONS HAVE SIMILAR PROGRAMS AND IF THE BILL PASSES IT WILL SHUT DOWN ONCE AT OUR EXISTING AND I'M JUST ASKING TO PUT ON THE NEXT COURT AND THEN I WILL FOLLOW THE STEER CO RECOMMENDATION.
>> THANK YOU. >> I MAKE A MOTION THAT WE DELAY IT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT. NO ACTION.
>> ALL RIGHT. NO ACTION ITEM 10. LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 11 ALSO
FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3. >> HOW MUCH IS IN THE FLEX FUND
, MA'AM? THE ARPA FLEX FUND ? >> 110 MILLION, COMMISSIONER.
>> 110. SO, AGAIN, A LOT OF OUR BUDGET ISSUES , I'M ASSUMING THEY'RE LOOKING AT , I KNOW STEER CO IS LOOKING AT THAT, THEY LOOKED AT NOVEMBER DECISIONS THAT WERE MADE BUT SINCE THE TERM IS USED OFTEN AS FLEX FUND I RECOMMEND WE LOOK AT WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP OUR CURRENT FINANCIAL SITUATIONS. IN THE CONTEXT OF WHAT MIGHT WORK WITH STEER CO. I HAVE NO OTHER
>> SECOND. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN
>> THE MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. NEXT WE HAVE ITEM 15. THAT IS ON THE
[02:20:02]
WORLD CUP. THANK YOU TO THE DEPARTMENTS OCA, FIRE MARSHALS, DEPARTMENT HEADS , EVERYBODY, MY COLLEAGUES HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN PLANNING IN THE WORLD CUP. THE WORLD CUP IS NOT A ONE WEEKEND EVENT, SEVEN MATCHES WILL TAKE PLACE AT ENERGY STADIUM OVER 20 DAYS FROM JUNE 14TH THROUGH JULY 4TH, 2026. IN ADDITION TO A 39 DAY FAN FESTIVAL , THIS GLOBAL EVENT WILL REQUIRE PROJECTS ON TRAFFIC, PUBLIC SAFETY, EMERGENCY RESPONSE, CROWD CONTROL, ET CETERA. AS PREPARATIONS ARE UNDERWAY WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY AGENCY KNOWS IT'S ROLE, EMERGENCY OR NONEMERGENCY AND THAT THERE IS A UNIFIED STRUCTURE GUIDING OUR ACTIONS AND SO , I HAVE A MOTION HERE THAT WAS WORKED ON WITH THE GROUP. IT IS A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO ESTABLISH A HARRIS COUNTY FIFA WORLD CUP CORONATION COMMITTEE. TASKED WITH OVERSEEING THE PLANNING AND COORDINATION OF ESSENTIAL COUNTY SERVICES AND NON-EMERGENCY OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES RELATED TO THE 2026 EAGLE WORLD CUP. THE COMMITTEE SHALL BE COMPOSED OF ONE APPOINTEE FROM EACH COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICE , A LIAISON TO COORDINATE WITH OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENTS AND ONE REPRESENTATIVE EACH FROM HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE AND HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. OCA IS DIRECTED TO PRESENT A PROPOSED SCOPE OF WORK OUTLINING THE COMMITTEE'S OBJECTIVES , RULES AND AUTHORITIES FOR APPROVAL AT THE JUNE 26, 25 COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING. THAT IS MY MOTION.>> DID YOU GUYS SEND IT ALREADY? >> YOU GUYS SHOULD HAVE IT. IS
>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, RAMSEY IRMA GARCIA AND BRIONES.
>> THERE ARE TWO MOTIONS NOW? >> NO , THE ONE I JUST READ. I
CAN READ AGAIN IF IT HELPS. >> I HAVE A MOTION.
>> ARE THEY IN CONFLICT? DO THEY CONFLICT WITH ONE ANOTHER?
>> NO. >> THEY ARE. BECAUSE COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAYS THAT IGA WILL LEAD THE EFFORT, HE DOES NOT MENTION THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. THIS IS PROJECT CREEP AGAIN AND MY PROBLEM IS THAT IF SOMETHING HAPPENS AND I HAVE TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERAS. BUT SO, THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE AND WE HAVE WORKED WITH VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS ON THIS MOTION, RIGHT? WHO WE WORKED WITH? THE
FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE . >> CAN WE PUT THEM BOTH ON THE
TABLE? >> YES BUT YES, WHO ELSE? COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE AND THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. YOU CAN MESS WITH ME WITH THE TIME AND THE VOTING AND THIS AND THAT BUT LIKE THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> I HAVE LOOKED AT IT AND I ASSUMED THIS WOULD BE ABLE TO BE WORKED OUT BUT MAYBE WE SHOULD PUT THEM BOTH ON THE TABLE TO SEE IF THEY CAN BE WORDSMITH- ED .
>> THERE IS NO SPECIAL WORDSMITHING. I MEAN ONE OF THEM
PUTS THE -- >> OKAY, I SECONDED SO WE CAN VOTE ON IT AND THEN VOTE ON THE OTHER.
>> YEAH . I'M JUST . >> IMOVIE CALLED THE QUESTION
AND VOTE ON THE ITEM. >> OKAY. WHICH ONE YOU GUYS WANT
TO VOTE ON FIRST? >> YOURS CAME UP
>> THIS IS TOO SERIOUS , I WOULD LIKE TO WEIGH ON US AND BRING IT UP LATER. THIS IS NOT APPROPRIATE. IT IS TO: 09 AND I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A BREAK.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE JUDGE
LIAISON. >> OKAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS , YOU CONTINUE TO MOVE THE MEETING? THERE IS AN ITEM.
>> THE JUDGE MADE A MOTION AND I SECONDED IT ON HER MOTION, WHY
DON'T WE VOTE ON THAT? >> MY APOLOGIES, SHE DID SAY TAKE A BREAK, YOU WANT TO SAY WHAT TIME IT IS?
>> IT IS 2: 10 AND COMMISSIONER KORDAS BACK FROM BREAK, LET'S VOTE ON THE FIRST ONE. SHE MADE A MOTION AND I SECONDED IT COME ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE AND ALL POST VOTE NO. THREE KNOW AND ONE
[02:25:08]
AYE, THE MOTION FAILS. SECOND MOTION IS A MOTION BY PRECINCT4. >> I'M HAPPY TO MAKE IT BUT THERE ARE OTHERS IN ORDER. GARCIA?
>> YES, BRIEFLY. FIRST, THE STRUCTURE THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES IS PUTTING FORTH , NO DISRESPECT ANYONE, OTHER THAN FIFA IS PROVIDING A GREAT DEAL DIRECTION. THEY ARE THE EXPERTS ON HOW THE WORLD CUP SHOULD TAKE PLACE AND THE FOLKS AT IGA THAT ARE BEING RECOMMENDED TO PROVIDE HERE ARE NOT GOING TO BE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT , IN THE EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ROLE BUT RATHER WOULD BE IN A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE OF GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION . WHICH IS ESSENTIAL. ESPECIALLY IN OUR REGION. SO, I WANT TO APPLAUD COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR HER WORK WITH THE WORLD CUP AND FEVER. YOU HAVE BEEN PROVIDING US UPDATES ON THIS. WE HAVE HAD PRESENTATIONS AT MAKO AND SO , I WANT TO THINK IGA FOR THEIR CONTINUED COMMON CREDIBLE WORK, GOOD TO SEE IT AND I JUST WANT TO APPLAUD THE WORK THAT WE HAVE. WE HAVE TO DO THIS AND IT ENSURES OUR ABILITY TO BE SUCCESSFUL WITH THE WORLD CUP. I FEAR MOTION, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I'M HAPPY TO SECOND IT .
>> I TO SUPPORT , BEFORE YOU GO THROUGH IT IN DETAIL. THE KEY WORD THERE AND JUST AS A SIDE NOTE , I CONSIDER EVERYTHING WE DO AT THIS TABLE IMPORTANT , INCREDIBLY, AND THE WORD , THE MOST COMPELLING WORD USED IS LEAD, YOU ARE IDENTIFYING LEADERSHIP AND I SUPPORT THE MOTION.
>> ONE QUESTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IS THERE ANYTHING HERE THAT WOULD CONTRADICT THE ROLE OF THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY
MANAGEMENT? >> THERE IS NOTHING THAT WOULD CONTRADICT, ON THE CONTRARY IT WOULD BECOME ENTRY BUT IF I COULD GO THROUGH IT I CAN EXPLAIN. JUST TAKING A STEP BACK. I KNOW WE DISCUSSED THIS AT LAST COURT. MANY OF US HAVE BEEN WORKING REALLY HARD FOR OVER A YEAR AND I WANT TO THINK THE FIRE MARSHAL, IGA, ESPECIALLY THE DIRECTOR, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS BEEN ALL IN ON SAFETY AND SECURITY AND BEYOND , THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, THE SPORTS CORPORATION, THE HOST COMMITTEE, I MEAN ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER. WE HAVE ALSO GONE TO THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES AND HAVE WORKED WITH THE 11 HOST JURISDICTIONS, CITIES AND COUNTIES , SO MUCH WORK HAS BEEN DONE, THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY INVITED. THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP, A TEAM EFFORT, NO PUN INTENDED AND WE NEED TO EXECUTE WITH THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT SUCH A HUGE, ONCE IN A GENERATION EVENT REQUIRES AND THAT THE PEOPLE DESERVE. I MEAN, THIS IS GAME CHANGING, APPROXIMATELY $1.5 BILLION IN ECONOMIC IMPACT.
APPROXIMATELY 6 MILLION INTERNATIONAL VISITORS TO THE UNITED STATES, EVERYTHING FROM SAFETY AND SECURITY TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORTING LOCAL BUSINESSES, THE TRAFFIC FLOW. WE HAVE BEEN GOING TO D.C. TO ASK FOR A $625 MILLION APPROPRIATION , WORKING WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THE STATE AND BEYOND. GOD BLESS YOU, JAY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT AND I PRAY WE DON'T HAVE A HURRICANE OR ANY DISASTER DURING THE WORLD CUP AND REST ASSURED AS OEM HAS BEEN CONTINUOUSLY INVITED, THEY WILL CONTINUOUSLY BE INVITED , BUT GIVEN THE INTENSE FOCUS ON INTERGOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS AND HOW FIFA IS WORKING NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY AND THERE ARE VERY SET CRITERIA THAT EACH POST JURISDICTION MUST ABIDE BY THAT , THE LEAD PART IS THE COMMISSIONER PRINTED OUT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , THEY HAVE BEEN LEADING VERY EFFECTIVELY IN A WAY THAT IS COLLABORATIVE AND VERY OPEN . AGAIN, WE MUST EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENCE. THE MOTION IS , A MOTION TO DIRECT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO LEAD COORDINATION WITH THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE , OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE , THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND OTHER RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS IN COLLABORATION WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AUTHORITY , THE HARRIS COUNTY SPORTS AND CONVENTION CORPORATION, ALL FIVE COURT OFFICES IN ALL OF PROBATE PARTNERS DIRECTED IN SERVICE
[02:30:03]
MATTERS RELATED TO SECURITY , EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS , ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION , AHEAD OF AND DURING THE 2026 FIFA WORLD CUP . INCLUDING DEVELOPMENT OF ANY NECESSARY , INTERLOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH THE SPORTS AUTHORITY AND/OR SPORTS AUTHORITY FOUNDATION.>> DOES THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION OFFICE, ARE YOU
ALL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER, THAT IS WHAT HAS BEEN ASKED FROM THE FOLKS OF ALREADY BEEN INVOLVED.
>> IS WHAT YOU ALL ASKED FOR? >> THEY ACIDLY WORKED AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, OCA, RGA , THE FIRE MARSHAL.
>> THIS IS WHAT WE ORIGINALLY ASKED FOR, COMMISSIONER AT THE
>> AYE. >> THE MOTION PASSES, 4-0. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 16 . COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? HARRIS COUNTY TRAVEL.
MAYBE WE GOT TO HOLD THAT TILL THE JUDGE COMES BACK. OKAY. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 19. COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> WE TOOK 19 AND 20 ALREADY. >> OKAY.
>> IT JUMPS TO 105. >> COMMISSIONER ALICE, I SAW YOUR STAFF CIRCUITED MOTION ITEM 20 AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT
TO BRING THAT UP NOW? >> ITEM 20 NOW. THIS IS THE MOTION THAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER , REALLY TWO MOTIONS THAT YOU CAN COMBINE IN ONE. ONE IS A MOTION TO RETAIN THE $50 MILLION IN FISCAL YEAR '26 , CONTINUING THE SERVICE BUDGET TO ADDRESS PAY INEQUITIES AND DISPARITIES IN THE CIVILIAN WORKFORCE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING , SINCE WE HAVE BEEN MEETING THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE HOLDING IT FOR.
>> IT WAS FOR COMPENSATION INCREASES.
>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STAYS IN PLACE AND THE SECOND PART , WE WILL VOTE ON A SEPARATELY , ITEM ONE IS A MOTION TO CREATE A COMMITTEE INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES OF HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT OF THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET , THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, A DESIGNEE FROM EACH COMMISSIONER COURT OFFICE AND A LABOR REPRESENTATIVE DESIGNATED BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO REVIEW FINDINGS FROM THE EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION EQUITY STUDY AND TO PRESENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ADDRESS IDENTIFIED INEQUITIES AMONG THE CIVILIAN WORKFORCE IN FISCAL
YEAR '26 AND SUBSEQUENT YEARS. >> I'M HAPPY TO SECOND BOTH OF
THEM. >> THE STUDY SHOULD COME OUT IN OCTOBER AND IT WOULD NOT START RIGHT AWAY.
>> COMMISSIONER , DOES THIS COMPLEMENT THE PAY EQUITY STUDY
WE ARE DOING NOW? >> IT DOES. CORRECT. I MADE THE MOTION. COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDS IT, ANY OBJECTION? SEE NO OBJECTION, THE AMENDMENT PASSES.
>> THIS IS A SECOND MOTION FOR ITEM 20.
>> COMMISSIONERS, WE WILL TRANSMITTED NEXT COURT AND UPDATED CURRENT SERVICE LEVEL FORECAST WITH THE DECISIONS MADE
TODAY. >> ARE WE STILL USING CURRENT
LEVEL SERVICE? >> I OFFERED A REWARD ON WHO COULD RENAME IT AMONGST MY STAFF AND WE CANNOT COME UP WITH
ANYTHING BETTER. >> I THOUGHT CURRENT LEVEL OF
SPENDING WOULD BE GOOD. >> YOU GO ON AND METAL NOW.
>> ALL RIGHT, THE NEXT 105. ARE WE GOING TO 107? 105, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? APPRENTICESHIP ORTNER .
>> I THINK IN JUST A MINUTE WE ARE GOING TO VOTE. THIS IS A $4.8 MILLION PROGRAM AND I AM SURE IT IS WELL INTENDED BUT THIS IS THE DEFINITION OF DISCRETIONARY AND IT IS 4.8 MILLION AND I CAN DO THE MATH ON HOW MANY POSITIONS THIS WOULD AND HOW MUCH OF A GAP THIS WOULD CLOSE AND WE CAN VOTE ON THIS, I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING IT. THIS IS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. THIS IS SOMETHING WE CHOOSE TO DO , I'M NOT SURE WE CAN AFFORD TO
>> THANK YOU. I LEFT A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM IS ARPA FUNDED, NUMBER ONE. NO GENERAL FUND DOLLARS. NUMBER TWO RATED THREE, THIS IS ALREADY PART OF THE MPOWER AGREEMENT THAT WAS ALREADY PASSED PREVIOUSLY, CORRECT?
>> THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP THAT CAME FROM THAT AGREEMENT. WE ARE ADDING SOMETHING NEW THROUGH AN INTERNSHIP PROGRAM BUT IT IS NOT ADDING COSTILLA COUNTY. MPOWER WILL FUND THE INTERNS.
[02:35:02]
>> OKAY. THE FORMER TEACHER IN ME, I LOVE APPRENTICESHIPS AND CREATING JOBS AND ALLOWING FOLKS TO EARN MONEY WHILE THEY LEARN A SKILL AND GET A CERTIFICATION AND GET CONNECTED TO EMPLOYMENT AND I ACTUALLY LOVE THAT THIS TALENT PIPELINE IS COMING TO THE COUNTY BECAUSE WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING TO WREAK FRUIT AND RETAIN GREAT TALENT. THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING THAT THIS IS NO ADDITIONAL DOLLARS AND I WILL MOVE , UNLESS ANYONE ELSE HAS QUESTIONS AND HAPPY TO MOVE WHEN IT IS TIME.
>> DIRECTOR, IT DOES USE ARPA FUNDS.
>> EMPOWER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PAYING THE INTERNS , THEY CAN USE ARPA IN ADDITIONAL TO OTHER GRANT FUNDING.
>> OKAY, THERE IS SOME ARPA FUNDING.
>> OKAY. A MOTION AND -- ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE . THREE YES, ONE KNOW. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTED NO. THE ITEM PASSES.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 107. >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE . THREE AYE AND ONE NAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO, THE ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,
111. >> AGAIN, DISCRETIONARY FUNDING
AND WE NEED TO VOTE. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS IT . ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. THREE AYE AND ONE NAY.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO. >> IS COMING MAKE ONE COMMENT, I VOTE YES BUT DIRECTOR BARTON, I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU FOR ANY SORTS OF CONFERENCES AND ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS, PLEASE COME TO US. WE ARE GREAT COMMITTEE CENTERS THAT WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO PARTNER WITH AND SOME REALLY BEAUTIFUL , ACTUALLY THINK THE BEST I HAVE SEEN, COMMISSIONER , THE BUSH ONE. ANYWAY, I HAVE SOME, YOU'RE WELCOME TO USE THEM AND I JUST THINK ANYWAY THAT WE CAN BE PROACTIVE ABOUT SAVING FUNDS , GIVEN THAT WE OUGHT TO BE TIGHTENING THE BELT. I HIGHLY ENCOURAGE YOU AND ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL AND PURPOSEFUL AND COME TO US FOR PARTNERSHIP, WHICH WE ARE ALL HAPPY TO WORK
WITH YOU. >> GOOD IDEA. AND I WANT OFFER COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S HOUSE IN ADDITION TO THOSE COMMUNITY CENTERS, IT IS VERY NICE. NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 113, COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. >> ALL OPPOSED VOTE NO.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO BUT THE ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY? ITEM 130. >> OUT OF TAXES TRAVEL. THIS IS ALL IN A TRAVEL CATEGORY. I WANT TO APPROVE, A MOTION TO APPROVE
ALL ITEMS EXCEPT NUMBER 26. >> I SECONDED, ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE? IT PASSES, NEXT I MOVE ITEM TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY .
>> LET'S BE CLEAR. >> 26. I MOVE IT.
>> ITEM 130 AND TRAVEL AND TRAINING ITEM 26.
>> YES, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL. >> OKAY, WE WILL WAIT ON THAT UNTIL LATER. I AM JUST TRYING TO MOVE US.
>> BUT WE VOTED ON EVERYTHING BUT THAT.
>> IF THE JUDGE COMES BACK AND WANTS TO VOTE WE WILL DO THAT
THEN. >> SORRY, COMMISSIONER, TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND, WE ARE GOING WITH THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE ARE HOLDING OFF?
>> HE MOVED IT, I SECONDED IT AND WE PASS IT. OKAY.
>> WE HAVE TO COME BACK AND VOTE ON THE WILL BE PULLED STILL.
>> OKAY. NEXT IS 134. I MOVE IT. THAT IS THE ONE I WAS HOLDING.
THAT I SKIP ONE? >> THAT IS THE FEMA MITIGATION GRANT. I WANT TO BRING FLOOD CONTROL UP TO ASK A FEW QUESTIONS ON HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE, ALMOST $10 MILLION. I DO NOT SEE YOU IN THE BACK OF THE ROOM. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, I WAS LOOKING FOR YOU ON THE VIDEO.
>> NO WORRIES, GLAD TO BE HERE. >> CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT
HAPPENED ON THIS? >> YES. THE PROJECT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RELATED TO THIS GRANT IS A PROPOSED CHANNEL MITIGATION PROJECT IN THE NORTH FOREST AREA. THERE WAS A PROPOSED STORM WATER DETENTION BASIN THAT WAS A MAJOR FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT. IT WOULD PROVIDE 35 ACRE-FEET OF STORAGE AND UPGRADED LOCAL CHANNEL FROM A TEN-YEAR TO A FIFTY-YEAR CAPACITY. THE PROJECT TEAM LISTED A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT LOCATIONS FOR PLACING THE STORM WATER DETENTION BASIN AND THE ONLY LOCATION THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND THAT WOULD WORK FROM A HYDRAULIC PERSPECTIVE WOULD NOT DISPLACE MORE STRUCTURES THAN IT WOULD PROTECT. IT WAS USE OF OPEN PROPERTY ON THE HCC CAMPUS
[02:40:05]
IN THE NORTH FOREST AREA. SO, WE BEGAN CONVERSATIONS WITH HCC AND UNFORTUNATELY WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON THE USE OF THAT PROPERTY AND SO, THERE ARE NO OTHER SITES TO USE FOR STORMWATER MITIGATION AND GIVEN THAT WE HAVE NO PATH FORWARD TO DO SOMETHING ELSE , WE ARE COMING TO COURT TODAY TO ASK TO TERMINATE A $3.7 MILLION GRANT , WITH FEMA, AND RETURN THOSE FUNDS BECAUSE WE ARE UNABLE TO COMPLETE THAT PROJECT.>> SO, THE TOTAL AMOUNT WE ARE FORFEITING IS 3.7?
>> CORRECT. >> HAD A TOTAL AMOUNT OF THIS MONEY WAS USED BECAUSE -- WAS 10 MILLION, CORRECT?
>> CORRECT. >> THE REASON I WANT US TO STOP TO LOOK AT IT IS I THINK IT IS A TEACHING MOMENT , PARTICULARLY FOR THE 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT. THE CONGRESSWOMAN HERE BEHIND ME I THINK THIS IS EARMARKED. A PRODUCT HER MOTHER GOT IN AND THEN CONGRESSMAN TURNER FOUGHT TO PROTECT IT. AND THEN SHE FOUGHT TO PROTECT IT. THE 18TH UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND THEIR CONTROL OR THE CONSTITUENTS CONTROL , THEY WILL NOT HAVE A SHOT. THEY ARE STILL TRYING, I HOPE OUR COLLEAGUES WILL HELP , I'M EVEN CALLING SOME OF MY FRIENDS ON THE OTHER SIDE IN CONGRESS TO SAY THAT IT IS JUST SO UNFAIR, IN A CIRCUMSTANCE LIKE THIS. BUT WHAT LESSONS HAVE WE LEARNED? BECAUSE WE WOULD ONLY WRITE A LETTER FOR A COMMUNITY PROJECT IF , IN MY CASE, I WAS TOLD THIS WOULD WORK. I DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GO.EVERY LETTER I ACROSS ALL OF THE T'S, THIS MAY PRECEDED YOU, I DON'T REMEMBER.
>> IT DID. >> I'VE ALWAYS STRESSED, ONE THING I KNOW THAT WOULD GET PEOPLE IN TROUBLE IS WHEN YOU LOSE FEDERAL MONEY. I DID NOT WANT THIS TO PASS WITHOUT ASKING , WHAT ARE WE LEARNED? HOW DO WE AVOID THIS EVER HAPPENING AGAIN? I'M GLAD IT IS 3.7 AND NOT THE WHOLE 10 BUT YOU KNOW, I WOULD PREFER WE FOUND SOMETHING TO DO WITH A 3.7 BUT THE LANGUAGE THAT YOU HAVE TO PUT IN WHEN YOU SUBMITTED IS VERY SPECIFIC AND NO MARGIN FOR ERROR, PARTICULARLY IN THIS ENVIRONMENT, HOW CAN WE AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN? FROM SOME OTHER CONGRESSPERSON ON EITHER SIDE, BECAUSE THEY DON'T KNOW.
THEY CALL AND SAY, WHAT PROJECTS YOU HAVE THAT MEET THIS
CRITERIA? >> OUR CHALLENGE I THINK, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE OFTEN HAVE TIMES WHERE STAFF CHANGES AND UNDERSTANDINGS BETWEEN STAFF MAY NO LONGER BE APPLICABLE. SO, I DO BELIEVE, WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THE NEED TO HAVE A LOT OF GOOD DOCUMENTATION , WHICH WE CERTAINLY HAVE STARTED TO IMPLEMENT. SINCE I'VE BEEN AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND I THINK THAT IS REALLY THE KEY, FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, IN TERMS OF LESSONS LEARNED FOR US AND YOU KNOW, I BELIEVE, HONESTLY, MAKING SURE THAT OUR PROJECTS ARE AT THE RIGHT STAGE WHEN WE BEGIN THESE CONVERSATIONS. THIS PROJECT WAS VERY EARLY IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF PLANNING, WHERE THERE WERE UNKNOWNS THAT EXISTED AND SO, MAKING SURE WE ARE AT THE RIGHT STAGE WHEN WE BRING THESE PROJECTS TO THE FOREFRONT THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH CERTAINTY THAT WE KNOW WE CAN EXECUTE AND THAT IS ALSO SOMETHING THAT WE ABSOLUTELY ARE DOING BECAUSE IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE USE EVERY SINGLE DOLLAR THAT WE RECEIVED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND PUT IT TO GOOD USE.
>> OBVIOUSLY IT IS A SERIOUS BLUNDER AND THE TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR ME , THE SECOND MAJOR ONE FROM YOUR DEPARTMENT, THE OTHER ONE WAS ON GREENS AND HALLS , I DON'T WANT TO LITIGATE AGAIN BUT YOU KNOW, THE SO-CALLED CONVERSATION , WE DID NOT GO AFTER SOME OF OUR MONEY , ANTICIPATING THAT SOME FEDERAL MONEY WAS GOING TO COME IN, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT? ADRIAN, DO YOU REMEMBER? EVERYBODY WAS DONE, IT IS A $1 BILLION AND THEN WHEN WE DID NOT GET IT WE WERE LEFT IN A HOLE.
SO, ON THIS ONE I WAS RUNNING DOWN THE PATH , GOING TO THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE , TAKING HEAT FOR MY CONSTITUENTS, BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THAT THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAD AGREED TO SELL US SOME OF THEIR LAND AND WE WOULD ADD AMENITIES TO MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE FOR THEM AND I'VE TAKEN A LOT OF HEAT AND I'M A BIG, FAT GUY , I CAN TAKE IT, I CAN LIVE WITH IT BUT AT SOME POINT I SAY, WHERE IS IT IN WRITING ? AND WHO WAS IN THE MEETING , THE TEACHABLE MOMENT FOR ME AND I HOPE FOR MY
[02:45:04]
COLLEAGUES IS, DO NOT BE SO SHORT WHEN THE DEPARTMENT HAS YOU OUT THERE , I CAN TAKE IT IF SOME PEOPLE GET MAD AT TO GO THROUGH THAT AND THEN WHEN I'M TALKING TO THE CHANCELLOR OR MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND SAYING THAT YOU ALL COMMITTED, THEY DIDN'T ASK ME AND I THOUGHT ONE DAY I WOULD GO BACK TO SAY, SHOW ME IN WRITING WHERE SOMEBODY SAID IT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD THIS IS VERIFIED, THEY AGREED, AND I SAID WHAT IS IT? AN EMAIL , WHO WAS THE PERSON AND NOBODY KNEW. IT IS A SERIOUS BLUNDER AND I HOPE IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THENCOMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I'VE LOOKED AT THE DETAILS OF THIS . IF THERE IS A MORE BENEFICIAL PROJECT ON PLANET EARTH I CANNOT FIND IT. THIS IS A HUGE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY.
MANY FOLKS THAT COME HERE ON A REGULAR BASIS WOULD HAVE
BENEFITED FROM THIS. >> ONE WAS HERE TODAY BY THE
WAY. >> YES. BUT IT IS BEYOND MY UNDERSTANDING, AND I WILL SAY IT, REALLY THE HOUSTON COMMITTEE COLLEGE IS NOT GOING TO WORK WITH US IN MITIGATING FLOODING , FOR THEIR CAMPUS AND THEIR NEIGHBORS? AND WE WOULD'VE CREATED SOMETHING INCREDIBLE THERE. SO, I DO NOT UNDERSTAND AND CLEARLY TO YOUR POINT , WE NEED EVERYTHING IN WRITING AND YOU INHERITED THIS, DIRECTOR, I GET THAT. BUT I WOULD'VE THOUGHT IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT ONE PHONE CALL, HELLO, COMMUNITY COLLEGE , YOU ARE IN THE COMMUNITY , I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD WANT TO DO SOMETHING WORTHWHILE. THERE ARE SOME PROJECTS WE DO THAT ARE, YOU KNOW, IT IS LIKE 50/50 , THIS IS HUGE IN TERMS OF , I WOULD HATE , I WISH THERE WAS AT LEAST ONE MORE PHONE CALL WE COULD MAKE THE HOUSTON COMMITTEE COLLEGE BEFORE WE SAY IT IS OVER. I WISH THERE WAS SOME PRESSURE WE COULD PUT ON THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE TO WORK WITH US ON IT, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE HEAT BECAUSE WE GET OUT THERE IN THE COMMUNITY AND SOMETIMES THEY MISS UNDERSTAND WHY WE DO IT OR WHAT WE ARE DOING BUT I CAN TELL YOU, THERE IS NO OTHER WATERSHED THAT NEEDS HELP MORE THAN HALL'S AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE KEY ONES IN THAT AREA, I SUPPORT ANYTHING , IF IT IS A WASHINGTON THING OR ANOTHER THING BUT IF WE NEED TO ALL LOAD UP AND GO TO THE HOUSTON TO COLLEGE AND HAVE A CONVERSATION, IF THERE IS ANY BENEFIT , MAYBE THEY JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND.
>> A COMMENT. AT SOME POINT, WE COULD NOT CONDEMN IT AS A GOT A
TIMETABLE ON SPENDING THE MONEY. >> BUT I MEAN THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE THAT YOU CANNOT CONDEMN US BECAUSE WE ARE IN A SPECIAL CATEGORY, THIS IS AN ENGINEER TALKING NOT A LAWYER BUT SO, THEY WERE TELLING US, LIKE OKAY WE WILL GO DOWN TO -- NATION BUT I WOULD NOT PICK YOU HAVE TO CONDEMN HOUSTON COMMITTEE COLLEGE WITH ALL WE TRY TO DO WITH THEM AND A PARTNERSHIP.
THIS IS PROBABLY MORE BENEFIT TO THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
THAN IT IS TO ANYBODY ELSE. >> DO YOU WANT TO COMMENT?
>> YES. THE REALITY IS THAT WE ARE ON A TIMELINE BECAUSE THIS IS A GRANT AND IN ORDER TO MAKE THE DESIGN DECISIONS WE HAVE IN FRONT OF US, IN ORDER TO EXECUTE THE PROJECT WITHIN THE TIMELINE WE HAVE WITH THE GRANT , WE IDENTIFIED THE DECISION HAD TO BE MADE AT THE END OF LAST YEAR. A JANUARY TIMEFRAME. SINCE JANUARY WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE STEPS TO .THE EYES AND CROSS THE TEASE MAKE SURE THERE IS NO OTHER WAY THAT WE CAN CHANGE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROJECT , CONGRESSMAN TURNER WAS CERTAINLY IN THE CONVERSATION HELPING US WITH THAT AND UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE REALLY AT THE END OF THE PATH.
>> AND YOU SPENT 6.3 OF THE 10? THAT WOULD'VE MADE THE IMPROVEMENTS YOU ARE REFERRING TO, FOR WHAT IS IT? 50,000 HOMES
, SOME NUMBER OF HOMES. >> YES. BUT THE DOLLARS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW, THE 3.7, WE ARE NOT ABLE , AT THIS
TIME. >> WE TRIED. THEY HAVE BEEN DOWN FOR A NUMBER OF TIMES AND I'M SURE THEY ARE STILL MAD AND I WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT YOU CAN GO UP, THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE ARE ANGRY BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T GET THE THINGS THEY THOUGHT THEY SHOULD'VE GONE AND PROBABLY SHOULD'VE GONE BUT THE POINT IS THAT YOU CAN GO UP, YOU ALWAYS HAVE TO GO ACROSS, COMMISSIONER
GARCIA? >> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR, THANKS FOR YOUR WORK AND I THINK AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ALLUDED TO,
[02:50:03]
THIS IS A TEACHABLE MOMENT BUT BEFORE WE GIVE THE MONEY BACK, IS THERE ANY OTHER USE THAT WE COULD DO FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF A FUTURE ALLOCATION THAT WOULD THEN EXPEDITE THE PROJECT, ASSUMING WE DO ALL OF OUR STUDIES, IS THERE STILL SOME USE OF THIS MONEY THAT WE CAN USE BEFORE SENDING IT BACK?>> I WISH I COULD TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT THE ANSWER IS YES BUT WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS NOTED IT IS CONSTRAINED, THESE DOLLARS BECAUSE IT COMES DOWN TO CONGRESSIONAL INTENT AND IF YOU STRAY FROM THE DETAILS ON THE PAGE, YOU ARE STRAYING FROM THE CONGRESSIONAL INTENT. YOU DO RAISE A GOOD POINT, SO, IF I MAY SHARE TWO THINGS. ONE, WE ARE STILL DOING WORK IN THE COMMUNITY , IT UNFORTUNATELY WILL NOT BE THIS PROJECT BUT WE ARE GOING TO DO A MAINTENANCE PROJECT TO AT LEAST ADDRESS THE CONCRETE CHANNEL THAT IT IS DAMAGED, IT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT AND THINKING AHEAD , I THINK WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE OPEN TO THE OPPORTUNITY OF A CONVERSATION WITH THE HOUSTON COMMITTEE COLLEGE. THAT WOULD SET US UP TO BE READY FOR THE NEXT STEP AND I THINK THAT IS A VERY GOOD POINT.
>> AND IS THERE A BETTER WAY THAT WE COULD'VE APPLIED FOR IT? THAT WE NEED TO LEARN FROM FOR FUTURE REQUESTS?
>> YES. AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE MADE A CHANGE. SO, WHEN WE ARE GOING TO OUR CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS , WE TALK WITH THEM ABOUT THE PROJECT AND WE MAKE SURE NOW THAT THE PROJECT IS FAR ENOUGH ALONG THAT WE UNDERSTAND THE DETAILS, WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE THE PROPERTY, OR WE DON'T, BUT WE KNOW WE CAN GO GET IT.
THE REAL CRUX OF THE ISSUE HERE IS THAT THIS WAS IDENTIFIED , AGAIN BEFORE I STARTED AT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, AND BROUGHT TO CONGRESS AS A PROJECT THAT APPEARED FULLY THOUGHT OUT BUT THE REALITY WAS THAT IT WAS EARLY STAGES AND ANY TIME WE ARE WORKING IN THE URBAN ENVIRONMENT WE ARE OFTEN CONSTRAINED AND HAVE LIMITED OPTIONS AND IN THIS CASE, UNFORTUNATELY, THERE WAS REALLY ONLY ONE OPTION TO MOVE THE PROJECT FORWARD. I THINK THAT IS OUR LESSON LEARNED. WE NEED TO HAVE ENOUGH CLARITY ON THE PROJECT DETAILS BEFORE WE BRING IT FORWARD TO ASK FOR THIS
TYPE OF FUNDING. >> THANK YOU.
>> GET IT IN WRITING. >> OF COURSE.
>> IF FACTORS TAMES, THERE USED TO BE TIMES YOU COULD RELY ON A HANDSHAKE BUT YOU GOT TO PUT IT IN WRITING BECAUSE OF HER BUT HE
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FOR FLAGGING THIS. MAYBE I AM AN INTERNAL OPTIMIST ARM TO STOP IN FOR MY OWN GOOD BUT IS THERE ANY LAST WINDOW OF OPPORTUNITY WHERE WE CAN SOLVE FOR THIS? ON THE HCC NEGOTIATION FRONT AND PERHAPS GETTING AN EXTENSION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? IS THERE ANY LAST WINDOW BEFORE SENDING BACK THE MONEY?
>> ONE CAN NEVER SAY NEVER, COMMISSIONER BRIONES BUT I WILL SAY THAT THE TIMELINE WE WERE WORKING ON WITH THE DEADLINE AT THE END OF THIS YEAR AND EARLY NEXT YEAR WAS ALREADY ACCOUNTING FOR THE FACT THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET A TWO YEAR EXTENSION. I DON'T BELIEVE WE CAN GET ANY ADDITIONAL EXTENSIONS AND THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO BE IN CONSTRUCTION , VERY SOON , IN ORDER TO EXPEND THESE DOLLARS IN A TIMELY MANNER AND THAT IS THE CHALLENGE. WHILE I WISH WE WOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO TRY TO NEGOTIATE, WE DID DO A VERY , WE DID A LOT OF OUTREACH AT THE END OF LAST YEAR AND EARLY THIS YEAR AND I REALLY THINK WE ARE AT THE END OF WHERE WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY THAT THIS IS PROBABLY THE PLACE WHERE WE NEED TO STOP, SO WE CAN MOVE ON. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO SPEND THE DOLLARS EVEN IF WE COULD SECURE THE PIECE OF PROPERTY.
>> IF WE DID NOT PASS THIS , DO WE PUT MORE SCRUTINY, DOES THAT PUT MORE SCRUTINY ON US ARE MORE MONEY AT RISK? BECAUSE THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES ARE THE GUIDELINES, FROM MY EXPERIENCE.
IF YOU CANNOT DO IT AND JUST TO COME UP WITH THE OTHER 6.3 MILLION , THAT YOU HAVE SPENT BECAUSE OF THE $10 MILLION
PROJECT FOR HOW MANY HOMES? >> 505,000.
>> IT PROVIDES 35 ACRE FEET AND INCREASES THE SIZE OF THE
[02:55:06]
CHANNEL TO REDUCE LEADING TO HOMES, ROADWAYS AND OTHERSTRUCTURES. >> WENT TO THE SUPERINTENDENT, I'VE GONE TO BOARD MEMBERS AND BASICALLY THE POSITION THEY TOOK WAS SELLING TO THE COMMUNITY. I WENT OUT THERE AND TOOK A WHIPPING , THAT IS OKAY, THAT IS WHAT WE SIGN UP FOR, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? SOMETIMES AMUSING HE JUST KIND OF LOOK, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? DO NOT THINK I AM NOT LISTENING BUT I'M JUST
LOOKING. >> THAT WAS THE MAIN RATIONALE.
>> I MAKE A MOTION. ANY DISCUSSION? MOTION MADE BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE AYE. THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 137 , FAMILY PLANNING.
>> WE NEED TO VOTE, DISCRETIONARY SPENDING.
>> MOVED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. THREE AYE, ONE NAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO. NEXT, 145,
COMMISSIONER BRIONES ? >> 145, I WANT TO FLAG THIS IS A THANK YOU FOR THE TEXAS PARKS WHILE THE DEPARTMENT , WE ARE SO GRATEFUL WE ARE GETTING NEARLY 470,000 IN GRANT FUNDS THAT PRECINCT 4 WILL MATCH APPROXIMATELY 470,000 , TO ME THIS IS GOOD GOVERNMENT, WE CAN LEVERAGE FUNDING FROM VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO DELIVER MORE OF THE SAME PEOPLE WE ARE ALL SERVING AND I INVITE EVERYONE, THIS WILL BE WORK AT JOHN PAUL LENDING, WHICH TO ME IS ONE OF THE TREASURES OF HARRIS COUNTY , IT IS A BEAUTIFUL PARK AND MY PREDECESSORS DID A GREAT JOB WITH IT. THIS WILL BE AN EDUCATIONAL CENTER IN CYPRUS AT JOHN PAUL LENDING AND I INVITE EVERYONE TO COME AND THIS WILL BE A BENEFIT TO THE CYPRUS COMMUNITY AND HARRIS COUNTY AND SURROUNDING COUNTIES, I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE INVESTMENT, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE. WITHOUT A MOVE 145 IS PRESENTED.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO SECOND . WE GOT A SIMILAR GRANT AT EDGEWATER PARK. GRANTS MATTER. THIS IS A STATE GRANT AND THAT IS GREAT
>> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY RAMSEY AND GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. FOR AYE, NO NAY, ITEM PASSES.
NEXT IS ITEM 158. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY
INCORPORATION. >> ONE OF THE XEROXED THINGS, WE ALL NEED IT. THEY GIVE PROBABLY THE WORST SERVICE ON PLANET EARTH AND IT IS LIKE, THAT IS XEROX, CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. WE HAVE GOD IN OUR OFFICES, I NEED IT SERVICED , WHETHER THEY DO A GOOD JOB OR NOT AND WHEN I SEE THINGS ON THE AGENDA THAT ARE NOT DOING A GOOD JOB THEY OUGHT NOT TO GET CREDIT FOR
IT. >> MAY ASK A QUESTION TO OUR PURCHASING AGENT , THESE ARE THE SAME THINGS THAT , I AGREED IS NECESSARY AND WE SEE SOMEONE IS NOT AN A+ STUDENT/VENDOR/PARTNER, MAKING SURE WE ARE BEING VERY PURPOSEFUL TO NOT BE IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE STUCK RENEWING AND USING THE TIMELINE TO PREPARE , CAN YOU SPEAK TO US ABOUT OUR OPTIONS ON A GO FORWARD AS WE PLAN FOR NEXT HER,
PLEASE? >> HAS, COMMISSIONER AND GOOD AFTERNOON. PAIGE MCGINNIS FOR THE PURCHASING OFFICE. WE HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTING HERE RECENTLY THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING WITH THIS VENDOR. I BELIEVE WE HAVE THREE OF YOU ALL'S PRECINCTS NOW DOCUMENTED. WE ADDED PRECINCT FORESTS OF TODAY, WE HAVE INFORMATION ON OUR FILES. WE DO THOROUGHLY VETTED AND THIS IS ONE OF THOSE CONTRACTS THAT IS COUNTYWIDE AND THAT IS WHY WE NOTIFY AND TRY TO GET THE OUTREACH OF A CONTRACTUAL PROBLEM BECAUSE WE NEED TO BE IN THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE VENDOR TO DOCUMENT A CURE NOTICE, A PATH FORWARD , THE LAST THING WE EVER WANT IS FOR US TO BE A BAD PARTNER BUT ALSO HOLD THE VENDORS TO THE FIRE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE. WE ARE DOCUMENTING THAT AND WE ARE WORKING ON A RE-BID PROCESS NOW.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT CONSOLIDATING OTHER OPTIONS AND IMPROVING THE COPIERS. PRECINCT 2 HAS ASKED FOR SPECIFIC INFORMATION AND THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE TO BE ADDED TO SEE HOW MUCH VOLUME ARE REALLY USING HERE, ARE WE USING THE COLORS? THE BLACK AND WHITE TONER , YOU KNOW, HOW MANY COPIES ARE COMING OUT? HOW CAN BE MORE EFFICIENT AND LOOKING AT SUSTAINABILITY AND TAKING CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT WITH ALL OF THE PAPER. SO, -- AND HER TEAM FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES WILL BE ON BOARD WITH US AS FAR AS THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE THAT WE ARE LOOKING TO GET SOMETHING OUT TO STREAMLINE AND ENHANCE OUR SPECS
[03:00:01]
AND REQUIREMENTS COUNTYWIDE. >> THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, ALL, SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU . I THINK I MOVED IT, RIGHT? ONE FAVOR VOTE AYE? ALL OPPOSED VOTE NAY. YOU CONVINCED HIM, THE ITEM PASSES, FOUR AYE AND NO NAY , ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, 167.
>> DISCRETIONARY, JUST NEED TO VOTE. THE WHEN I MOVE IT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND SAID. ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. THREE AYE, ONE NAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS NAY. NEXT, TO 18.
>> WE COVER THAT I THOUGHT REALLY WELL IN THE PREVIOUS DISCUSSION. AND WE ARE TALKING WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AND
JESSE'S OFFICE. >> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ITEM 219 , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
>> YES. I CALL IT THE VETERANS SAGA . WE STARTED WITH CONVERSATIONS , I GOT THE DATE, DECEMBER 14TH TO 2021, COMMISSIONERS COURT VOTED UNANIMOUSLY FOR RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO COURT FOR CREATION OF A VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS PROGRAM. WE TALKED AGAIN IN MARCH OF 2022 , COMMISSIONERS COURT ACCEPTED THAT PLAN AND AS FAR AS I CAN SEE IT HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED , IT IS IN THE CATEGORY AND I CANNOT REALLY GET TO THIS , HARD TO DO THIS IT HARD TO DO THAT. I REALLY WANT TO SEE IF VETERANS PROGRAM IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HAVE A VERY STABLE , I THINK -- PROGRAM AND I THINK WE CAN ADD IN MY MOTION, THAT I'M GOING TO MAKE , PARTICULARLY IN REMEMBRANCE OF MEMORIAL DAY ON MONDAY , MOTION TO INCLUDE THE VETERAN OWNED BUSINESS PROGRAM AND THE MWB PROGRAM AND I GUESS DELL IS HERE AND SHE CAN TELL ME WHY THAT WILL OR WILL NOT WORK.
>> IF I CAN REALLY QUICKLY , JUST THE ORDER OF EVENTS. IF YOU REMEMBER , COMMISSIONERS COURT HAD ADOPTED A FULL YEAR BUDGET AND THEN FOR A SHORT SCHOOL YEAR BUDGET AS WELL AS FISCAL YEAR 2023, THIS IS IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2023 BUDGET BUT THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT HAD BEEN ADDED AND WAS THEREFORE TAKEN OUT WHEN
WE DID NOT ADOPT THE TAX RATE. >> WHAT DID YOU TAKE OUT?
>> EVERYONE WENT OUT TO THE PRIOR YEAR BUDGET AND ANYTHING THAT HAD BEEN BUDGETED AS AN INCREASE OR AS A NEW PROGRAM HAD
BEEN STOPPED. >> WHAT IS THE COST? BECAUSE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING , SORRY TO RUSH YOU.
>> THAT IS RIGHT. WHAT IS THE COST?
>> DAVE LEWIS, DEPARTMENT DIRECTOR, WE HAVE ASKED EVERY YEAR TO HANDLE THIS, THE SCOPE HAS CHANGED SOMEWHAT. A SINGLE POSITION , IT HAS NEVER MADE THE CUT IN THE BUDGET. THERE SEEMS TO NOT BE AN APPETITE TO DO THIS. WE SUPPORTED AND I JOINED THE VETERANS CHAMBER OF CONGRESS TO HELP SHEPHERD SOME OF THIS THROUGH. WE ARE IN AGREEMENT, I BELIEVE, THAT PST SHOULD NOT CREATE ANY ADDITIONAL EXPERTISE THAT IS RESIDENT THERE. BUT WE DO HAVE IN VSD IS THE ABILITY TO CONNECT WITH A LARGE VETERAN POPULATION, SO , I REALIZE IT IS A TEST DAY TO DO THIS. WE WILL
ASK FOR AN ENHANCEMENT. >> IS IT ONE POSITION?
>> ONE POSITION FOR US. >> IS NOT THE ONLY HOLD UP?
>> NO. WE NEED TO REVISIT THE POLICY TO SCALE SOME OF IT DOWN BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED TO DO CERTIFICATIONS ANYMORE, TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION TAKES CARE OF ALL OF THAT. THERE IS A BROAD PROGRAM EXISTING WITHIN THE STATE AGENCIES WITHIN OUR OWN MWBE PROGRAM. WHAT WE HAVE ASKED FOR IS A PLACE TO CONNECT WITH THESE VETERANS TO BE ABLE TO WORK THAT AND BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD. WE WILL NOT DO THE TRAINING, THEY WILL DO THE TRAINING AND WE WILL PROVIDE THE VETERANS EXPERTISE.
>> WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH DAVE ALMOST A YEAR NOW AND TRYING TO DO WHAT WE CAN. WE HAVE JOINED THE CHAMBER, TRAINEES, WE HAVE WORKSHOP SPECIFIC FOR VETERANS AND WE WILL IMPLEMENT WHAT THE COURT WANTS US TO DO. WE HAVE TALKED
[03:05:01]
OVER THE YEARS , WE HAVE GROWN IN OUR CAPACITY, WE HAVE THE REPORT AND ATTRACT THE NUMBERS. WHY SHOULD THE DEPARTMENT TRACKING SOMETHING DIFFERENT? WE ARE OKAY WITH THAT BUT WE NEED RESOURCES AND I WOULD ASSUME THIS IS IN THE BUDGET PROCESS IS GOOD TIMING AND WE WOULD COME UP WITH AN ESTIMATE FOR THAT, AND WHAT IT WOULD COST FOR OUR STAFFING, COST INCREASES TO ADDING ADDITIONAL MODULES, OUTREACH OF COURSE WANT TO INCREASE. THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN WORK ON TO PUTINTO THE BUDGET. >> WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST. WE HAVE TO AT LEAST KNOW WHAT IT WOULD COST.
>> DANIEL NEW AND IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE BUDGET.
>> DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IT WAS? >> AT THE TIME WAS TWO POSITIONS
FOR 150,000. >> FOR THE VETERANS OFFICE?
>> THERE ARE A LOT OF DETAILS TO BE WORKED OUT.
>> THERE ARE DETAILS ON THE POLICY THAT WAS TRANSMITTED DOES NEED TO BE PRESENTED BY THE OFFICES. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH PURCHASING AS WELL AND FOR THEIR WORKLOAD AND TRACKING WHICH WILL
HAVE TO INCREASE. >> IS A PART OF THE BUDGET PROCESS I CAN SAY WITH YOU IN THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO WORK ON A SERVICE ENHANCEMENT THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYONE'S REVIEW THROUGH THE BUDGET.
>> WE TALKED ABOUT THE BUDGET EARLIER WE TALKED ABOUT OFFSETS BUT WE ARE ASKING DEPARTMENTS TO PUT SERVICE ENHANCEMENT DOWN.
YOUR OFFICE CAN SEE SITUATIONS LIKE THIS AND MAYBE IT WILL COME FROM THE OFFSETS, MAYBE THEY WILL BE INTERNALLY FUNDED OR CROSS DEPARTMENT FUNDED BUT WE ARE ENCOURAGING DEPARTMENTS TO STILL PUT SERVICE DEPARTMENT ENHANCEMENTS ON THE TABLE.
>> WE WERE CHALLENGED EARLIER TO CONSIDER WHAT WE MIGHT DO WITHIN EACH OF OUR PRECINCTS. I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THIS PROGRAM, IF IT COMES DOWN TO TWO POSITIONS IN THE PROGRAM, WE WILL FIND THE MONEY IN PRECINCTS THREE TO DO THE PROGRAM.
>> WE WILL HAVE ONE CONCRETE PACKAGE TO PRESENT WHEN YOU ARE REVIEWING OPTIONS IN JUNE AND JULY.
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? OR
COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> FIRST OF ALL, DIRECTOR LEWIS, THANK YOU , DIRECTOR GONZALEZ , THANK YOU HAD COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , THANK YOU FOR RESURRECTING THIS CRITICAL PROGRAM. I AM A PROUD GRANDDAUGHTER OF VETERANS THAT I'M PROUD HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST HOMES TO VETERAN AND IN THE COUNTRY. AND I WANT THIS TO BE IMPLEMENT IT AND ALSO IN TERMS OF SPACE, IF YOU NEED COMMUNITY CENTERS, YOU HAVE THEM. IF IT IS TWO PEOPLE, I'M HAPPY TO LONE -- WE CANNOT LET THE DOG IN A WORK SITUATION , IT CANNOT LINGER, IT IS SO IMPORTANT BUT ANYWAY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN BECAUSE IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT WE SHOW OUR RESPECT AND MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT WE CAN TO EMPOWER OUR VETERANS AND THIS IS A PERFECT WAY TO DO IT. I WAS ENERGIZED TO LEARN THE VETERAN OWNED BUSINESSES HAVE MORE THAN DOUBLED FROM 2022 TO 2024 AND THE MORE WE CAN TRACK THEM, I KNOW INFORMALLY WE HAVE GOTTEN, WE ARE GETTING LIST IN THE PRECINCT AND IS TRYING TO BE PROACTIVE ABOUT BUILDING THE RELATIONSHIP AND I WOULD LOVE TO DO IT MORE CONSERVATIVE BUT PRECINCT 4 BELIEVE DEEPLY IN THIS AND LASTLY, SPEAKING OF MEMORIAL AND HONORING SERVICE AND SACRIFICE, I INVITE YOU ALL, I KNOW YOU WILL ALWAYS COME, DIRECTOR LEWIS BUT ON MEMORIAL DAY AT BEAR CREEK PARK WE HAVE A BEAUTIFUL HARRIS COUNTY WAR MEMORIAL THAT IS INCREDIBLY MOVING, AT BEAR CREEK PARK IN RECENT FOUR, ON MONDAY AFTERNOON I INVITE YOU ALL COME. SO MANY VETERANS WHO COME OUT. BUT THANK YOU AND WE DO NOT WANT THIS TO FALL BY THE WAYSIDE. LET'S MAKE IT HAPPEN AND THANK YOU,
COMMISSIONER. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> THANK YOU AND STELLA, TO CONFIRM , THE ONLY THING STANDING IN THE WAY OF VETERAN AFFAIRS GETTING THIS PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING IS THE FTES THAT HE NEEDS AND THE SPACE YOU NEED.
>> ADDITIONAL RESOURCES. WE HAVE TO COME UP WITH A PLAN TO SEE WHAT WE WILL NEED, HOW MANY PCN'S AS WELL AS SOFTWARE OUTREACH DOLLARS AND ALSO THE POLICY DOES NEED TO BE REVISED AND WE WILL DO WHAT WE ALWAYS DO BUT IT DOES NEED REVISION.
>> COUNT ME IN MY OFFICE IN WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO GET THIS THING GOING. YOU WANT TO THINK ABOUT THIS UP AT THE VERY BEGINNING AND I CANNOT REMEMBER WHY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET IT
GOING. >> COMMISSIONER, YOUR STAFF HAS
[03:10:02]
AND HELPFUL IN DOING TRAININGS AND STUFF LIKE THAT TO GET GOING BUT IT IS A MATTER OF MAKING SURE THERE IS AN APPETITE TO MAKE THIS A PROGRAM. IT SOUND LIKE THERE IS AND WE ARE EXCITED TO MOVE IT FORWARD. BUT WE NEED RESOURCES BETWEEN THE TWO OF US.>> THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND ALL THE BLESSINGS TO ALL OF OUR MEN AND WOMEN , OUR NATIONS FINEST.
>> IF YOU FEEL LIKE GETTING UP AT 6:00 A.M. ON MONDAY MORNING GET UP AND COME TO GEORGE BUSH AND THEN GO AT NOON, YOU CAN
HAVE A FULL DAY. >> IS A PERMISSION TO SLEEP IN?
6:00 A.M.? >> I'LL MAKE THE LAST COMMENT,
I WANT TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES. >> COMMISSIONER, 219.
>> I WANT TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES, I WAS TAKING NOTES AND I AM FOR ALL OF THESE THINGS, PAID PARITY, PAY EQUITY , FOR THE VETERANS PROGRAM, BECAUSE MEMORIAL DAY IS COMING UP, I'M FOR REPARATIONS, JUNETEENTH IS COMING UP. I WILL NOT PUT THAT ON THE AGENDA BUT I JUST WANT TO REMIND YOU. OKAY,
NEXT ITEM , 220. >> ARE GOING TO VOTE ON TO 19?
>> 220. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO SAY A FEW WORDS RELATED TO ITEM 15. I AM EXTREMELY PROUD HARRIS COUNTY WAS SELECTED TO HOST THE WORLD CUP GAMES , THE WORLD'S LARGEST SPORTING EVENT AND 39 DAYS OF A FAN FEST EAST OF DOWNTOWN. HOSTING THE WORLD CUP IS A HUGE UNDERTAKING BEING LET IN OUR REGION BY FIFA AND BY THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSTON SPORTS AUTHORITY. BUT IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT CELEBRATION, AS A LEADER RESPONSIBLE FOR PREPARING FOR AND MANAGING EMERGENCIES WITHIN OUR COUNTY , I AM CONCERNED ABOUT MY COLLEAGUES DECISION TODAY TO PLACE AND I QUOTE, SECURITY, EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESOURCE ALLOCATION , END QUOTE, WITHIN A COMMITTEE LED BY HER INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS , LOBBYING GROUP AND ASKED THE OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT. MY MOST IMPORTANT JOB IS COUNTY JUDGES TO LOOK AT FOR THE SAFETY AND SECURITY MIKE AND THE TWINS. IN THIS CASE IT GOES BEYOND THAT.
TO ENSURING A SAFE EVENT FOR RESIDENTS AND VISITORS, FANS, PLAYERS AND MORE. AFTER THE ASTRAL WORLD STRATEGY I MADE A COMMITMENT TO NEVER LET SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. MUCH LESS OUR COUNTY STADIUM. I WILL CONTINUE TO DO MY JOB WHICH INCLUDES LOOKING OUT FOR THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR PEOPLE BUT I NEED TO SOUND THE ALARM WHEN MY ABILITY TO DO SO IS CONSTRAINED. SO WE WILL MOVE ON TO ITEM 220 NO ONE HAS ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> NO. >> PRECINCT 4 REQUESTS NO ACTION ITEM 220 , IS THAT STILL RIGHT?
>> I ADDED , JUST FOR DISCUSSION , I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS RELATED TO IMPLEMENTATION OF OUR MINIMUM WAGE POLICY. IS IT STILL THE INTENT TO IMPLEMENT , IS A JULY 1ST? IS IT JULY?
>> THERE IS NO ACTION, THIS HAS BEEN MOVED.
>> COMMISSIONER, COUPLE OF THINGS. THIS ITEM IS RELATED TO THE EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE POLICY, NOT THE CONTRACT ONE.
TECHNICALLY WE ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TALKING ABOUT THE CONTRACT BUT I KNOW IT HAS BEEN REMOVED , IT IS KIND OF A NON-AGENDA ITEM BUT WE COULD PUT IT BACK ON JUNE 12 TO GET A STATUS ON THE WAGE
POLICY. >> THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SOLUTIONS, THERE ARE NOT , I'M SITTING HERE TELLING YOU EARLY THAT WHETHER IT IS THIS POLICY RELATED TO THE EMPLOYEE MINIMUM WAGE, THERE ARE ISSUES THERE. AND CONSEQUENTLY THEIR FIRST COUSIN OF THIS, THE CONTRACTORS , THERE ARE PROBLEMS THERE.
THERE IS A WHOLE HOST OF THINGS WE SHOULD BE DOING AND AGAIN, WE PASSED THE POLICY WE WERE NOT READY TO IMPLEMENT. WE ARBITRARILY PICKED A DATE , WE ARE NOT READY TO DO THE DATE AND IF WE ARE GOING TO TALK ABOUT IT IN JUNE, I GUESS WE ARE, THIS IS COMING BACK IN JUNE. THERE WILL BE ONE ON BOTH SIDES OF IT. THIS IS THE EMPLOYEE AND WE WILL COME BACK IN JUNE AND I AM PRETTY SURE THE COURTROOM WILL BE FILLED WITH SMALL BUSINESSES.
[03:15:05]
AND HAVING THAT CONVERSATION BECAUSE I THINK THEY HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT AND I APPRECIATE PURCHASING , YOU HAVE DONE A WONDERFUL JOB LISTENING. I JUST DON'T THINK WE APPEARED DONE A GOOD JOB OF LISTENING. I GUESS TO GET SMALL BUSINESSES TO COME I THINK THERE IS A SOLUTION TO THIS. WE WILL JUST PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND HAVE A FULL CONVERSATION IN JUNE BUT I'M ON ALERT THAT THERE ARE PROBLEMS HERE.>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES?
>> A PREACHER THE WORK THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT HAS PUT IN THIS. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DISCUSSION AND IN ADDITION TO THE SMALL BUSINESS PEOPLE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME OF THOSE HARD-WORKING EMPLOYEES THAT ARE THE BACKBONE OF THE ECONOMY , IT IS PRETTY EASY FOR US TO REACT JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY , I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS EVENHANDED AND THE GROUPS THAT REPRESENT THEM AS WELL. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A
DISCUSSION AS WELL IN JUNE. >> NO ACTION ON THIS ONE.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> THANK YOU NEIL, PAIGE AND HIS TEAM, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO CONTINUE LISTENING SO WE CAN MAKE THE LIMITATION AS CLEAR AND SUCCESSFUL AND SMOOTH AS POSSIBLE. I AM VERY PROUD WE PASSED THIS FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND THE CONTRACTORS AND I WANT TO POISON FOR THE UTMOST SUCCESS, SPECIFICALLY WHY THIS WILL COME BACK IN JUNE FOR MY PERSPECTIVE, ANYWAY, THERE WAS ADDITIONAL CLARITY THAT IS NEEDED AROUND INTERNS. TWO, ADDITIONAL CLARITY , WE HAVE A PRECINCT FOR ABILITIES EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM , FOR ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES AND SOMETIMES IF YOU REACH A CERTAIN LEVEL YOU WILL TRIGGER AN ADVERSE ACTION IN TERMS OF BENEFITS RECEIVED AND WE DON'T WANT THERE TO BE ANY UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. THE REASON THIS WAS PUT ON AND IT IS STILL BEING IN PROGRESS IS THAT WE WANTED HONE FURTHER, SO THAT WE CAN HAVE THE UTMOST CLARITY FOR THOSE WHO MAY BE ON BENEFITS OR INTERN AND THAT IS WHERE I WAS COMING FROM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO GETTING CLARITY AND IF YOU CANNOT PLEASE CONTINUE TO LISTEN TO A ROBUST GROUP OF STAKEHOLDERS, SO WE CAN BEST POSITION US FOR SUCCESS, THANK
YOU. >> I SHOULD'VE MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOUR STAFF AND MY STAFF WORKED TOGETHER, THANK YOU.
>> OKAY, NO ACTION ON 220, LET'S MOVE ON TO 229 .
>> 239. >> I THINK THOSE ISSUES HAVE BEEN WORKED OUT. I GOT A NOTE FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE, JUST
ACCEPT IT AND >> WE ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL.
[Emergency/Supplemental items (Part 3 of 3)]
OKAY. 276. THAT WAS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3. -- WORK USA FOR SPECIALTY VEHICLE , FOR POLLUTION CONTROL.>> THIS IS IN POLLUTION CONTROL, IS THAT RIGHT?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. >> I AM HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THE QUESTION ABOUT THE LOWEST BID. THE LOWEST BID WAS NOT CHOSEN BECAUSE IT DID NOT FULLY GIVE US WHAT WE NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE.
THE VEHICLE IS AN ADDITIONAL RAM , WHICH IS THE RAPID AMBIENT AIR MONITORING UNIT THAT WE CURRENTLY HAVE. WE PURCHASED IT IN 2021 AND THIS IS TO ADD A SECOND VEHICLE , SECOND RAM TO OUR ARSENAL. THE INITIAL VEHICLE THAT WE PURCHASED , I BELIEVE HE PURCHASED IT FOR ABOUT $500,000, HOWEVER, THERE HAS BEEN SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS TO THE VEHICLE , TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT ANOTHER 350,000 AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT IS CURRENTLY IN CALIFORNIA RIGHT NOW , GETTING FINE-TUNED AND FITTED WITH A SENSOR THAT WOULD ALLOW US TO SAMPLE FOR ETHYLENE OXIDE. THIS DATE WE HAVE NOW GIVES US A TURNKEY VEHICLE WITH EVERYTHING INCLUDED , STABILIZATION, SO THAT THINGS DON'T MOVE AND SHAKE WHEN YOU ARE USING IT . IT ALLOWS FOR US TO HAVE AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A GAS GENERATOR THAT COULD INTERFERE WITH THE MONITORING AS WELL.
>> THE DATE OF THIS WILL GENERATE , AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE ARE MULTIPLE TOXIC COMPOUNDS THAT YOU WOULD BE ABLE
>> AND PER TIKI'S YOU AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS , THE DECISION ON
[03:20:04]
WHERE TO PUT COMMAS IS IN RESPONSE TO A DISASTER? OR IN RESPONSE TO MONITORING NEIGHBORHOODS? I GUESS IT ISMULTIPLE USES? >> YES , IT WOULD ALLOW US TO DO BOTH. MY DREAM IS TO HAVE ONE FOR EACH PRECINCT, SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE DAYTIME MONITORING WHEN THERE ARE BLUE SKY DAYS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE AIR QUALITY IS ON A REGULAR BASIS. HOWEVER, WE ONLY HAVE THE ONE RIGHT NOW AND USE IT MOSTLY FOR EMERGENCIES BUT WE DO IMPLEMENT DAYTIME MONITORING FOR BLUE SKY DAYS. RIGHT NOW THERE ARE DAYS WHEN IT IS DOWN AND WE CANNOT DO ANY MONITORING WITH IT. A SECOND VEHICLE WILL ALSO ALLOW US TO HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS UP AND RUNNING IF WE HAVE SOME KIND OF ISSUE WITH THE CURRENT VEHICLE WE HAVE GREAT
>> I MAKE A MOTION WE DO THIS AND NOTE IT IS DISCRETIONARY SPENDING. I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU ARE DOING.
>> THANK YOU. GOOD MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED BY
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I WANT TO MAKE A REMOTE, DR.
BEVAN, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. OUR OFFICES ARE GENERALLY TIED AT THE HIP. I APPRECIATE YOU, YOUR STAFF , I APPRECIATE YOU COMING OUT , PERSONALLY, AND MANY OF THE SCENES AND WORKING ALONGSIDE FOLKS THAT HELPED US GET THOSE THINGS BEHIND US, SO,
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >> AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT, WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. THAT ONE IS, ALL IN FAVOR, ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S MOVE ON TO 282 FIVE BY
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.
DISCRETIONARY. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. MOVING TO ITEM 286 FLAGGED
BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THIS CURRENT AMENDMENT WILL EXTEND THE CONTRACT TERM UNTIL ANOTHER CONTRACT IS EXECUTED.
SO, THE NEW MAX FOR THIS IS 20 MILLION , PAIGE ?
>> COMMISSIONER, ITEM 286 AND 287 COMMAS THAT WERE YOUR
>> THAT IS WHAT WILL BE ALLOCATED AND I SEE ROBERTO HERE , I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO BE THE ACTUAL AMOUNT SPENT IN TOTAL BUT IT IS WHAT IS ALLOCATED TO ENSURE COVERAGE. IS KIND OF AN UPPER MAX ?
>> YES, SIR. AND ROBERTO? >> IS THIS GOING BACK OUT? THIS
IS AN INTERIM SOLUTION? >> YES, SIR. TO ENSURE HECTOR MEETS THEIR KPIS AND THEIR SLAS THEY HAVE IN PLACE TO CONTINUE
OPERATION. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT IS A HIGHER NUMBER THAN PREVIOUS. WE ARE ACCEPTING CALLS AND DOING IMAGES FOR TSA WITH TXDOT AND THE NUMBER HAS INCREASED. WE WILL BE USING IS A RENTAL AMOUNT MOST OF IT WILL BE REIMBURSED BUT THAT JUSTIFIES THE INCREASE.
>> THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS RELATED TO THIS. IS THIS A FIX FOR AN INTERIM SOLUTION?
>> TWO FIXES OCCURRED, WE TRANSITIONED. PREVIOUSLY WE WERE USING OVERFLOW CALL CENTERS TO ADDRESS SERVICE LEVELS THAT WERE NOT BEING MET. WE USE OVERFLOW CALL CENTERS. THERE WAS A CONCERN WITH MARKUPS THAT WERE ASSOCIATED WITH USING OVERFLOW CALL CENTERS. THESE WERE A FIX , THESE WERE A FIX DURING THE PURCHASING PROCESS AND TALKING TO PAGE, THERE WAS SOME DOCUMENTATION THAT WAS NOT SUFFICIENT FOR THE PROCUREMENT.
WE COLLABORATIVELY AGREED WE WOULD GO OUT FOR MORE CONTRACTS AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS AND LIST NEW CONSULTANTS.
>> THANK YOU. >> CAN I MOVE THEM BOTH?
COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> HAVE COMMISSIONER BRIONES,
GARCIA AND ELLIS TO SPEAK >> I WAS JUST GOING TO MOVE THEM
>> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> TO BE CLEAR IN THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT IT SHOULD REALLY READ OF UP TO, RIGHT? 10 MILLION AND
THEN UP TO, CORRECT? 15? >> YES.
>> THIS IS KIND OF A STOPGAP SOLUTION AND THIS WILL BE PUT
>> THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE A
[03:25:01]
MOTION. >> WITH A FRIENDLY TWO PART.
>> OKAY. >> IT SHOULD SAY UP TO .
>> ON 286 WHERE IT SAYS IN THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF IT SHOULD
SAY UP TO . >> UP TO ON BOTH, YES, MA'AM.
>> IN THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF UP TO 10 MILLION AND THEN ONTO 87 IT SHOULD SAY IN THE ADDITIONAL AMOUNT OF UP TO 15,025,000 , SO, WITH THOSE EDITS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS MOVES
ITEMS 286 AND 287. >> I'M IN YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS SOMETHING TO ADD.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AS WELL, PAIGE FOR THESE PURCHASING ITEMS, THEY CAN BE COMPLICATED , THANK YOU. HOW MANY CALLS DO YOU TAKE IN? YOU ARE ALMOST JUST
LIKE 911? >> CURRENTLY WE ARE TAKING
30,000 CALLS PER DAY. >> 30,000 A DAY.
>> SEVERAL. >> IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A ROBUST CALL CENTER. ABSOLUTELY. THESE CONTRACTS HELP SUPPORT THE
>> THANK YOU, GUYS, THANK YOU. >> LET THEM TAKE SOME OF THOSE CALLS FROM THE LEGISLATURE IF YOU DON'T MIND.
>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES A MOTION ON 286 AND 287.
DID YOU GUYS CATCH THE LEMONS? OKAY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN THERE? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THAT PUTS US AT 291. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS ON THE EXECUTIVE SEARCH. WHAT IS
THE COST OF AN EXECUTIVE SEARCH? >> PEG FOR RSI, 20% OF THE FINAL
AGREED UPON SALARY . >> THE FEE WE WILL PAY IS 20% OF THE SALARY, IS THIS A CONTRACT WE ALREADY HAD?
>> YES, THIS WAS THE RSI CONTRACT, WHICH WAS DOING A NUMBER OF OTHER EXECUTIVE SEARCHES.
>> ARE THEY JUST DOING THE SEARCH?
>> THEY ARE IN THE PDO SEARCH , THEY ARE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SEARCH AND ALSO THE CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER SEARCH.
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> I MOVE IT.
>> THERE IS NOTHING. >> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ALLISON SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> THAT IS JUST DATA. >> GOT IT. NO ACTION. OKAY. NO
[Departments (Part 6 of 6)]
ACTION ON THIS ITEM. WE ARE GOING TO GO BACK TO TWO ITEMS. AFTER THIS WE WILL GO TO RESOLUTIONS BUT BEFORE WE GO TO RESOLUTIONS WE HAVE ITEM 16 , DISCUSSION PLUS ELECTION OF PROPOSED UPDATES TO TRAVEL AND TRAINING BUSINESS MEETING POLICYON PRECINCT THREE AND FOUR . >> I WOULD THINK OUR POLICY IS FINE THE WAY WE HAVE IT NOW. IF YOU'RE GOING TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL YOU COME TO COURT, I AM AT THIS POINT , I AM FINE WITH
THE POLICY THE WAY IT IS. >> IS THAT A MOTION,
>> THAT IS A MOTION. >> WE ARE GIVEN TWO OPTIONS AT THE LAST MEETING. OPTION A WAS TO KEEP THE EXISTING POLICY.
>> BASICALLY, NO ACTION? >> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CHANGES
>> THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CHANGES, THE NO-CHANGE OPTIONS WERE IN REGARDS TO THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY ONLY. IF THERE IS NO ACTION, YOU WOULD LIKE TO NOT UPDATE, OKAY.
>> THE PER DIEM , YES, IT DOES NEED TO UPDATE.
>> OPTION A WAS KEEPING THE CURRENT INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY, NO CHANGE MAKING UPDATES TO THE OTHER PIECES OF THE
POLICY. >> I HAVE MOTIONS THAT ESSENTIALLY ACHIEVE THAT, KEEP INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY AS IS. PLUS APPROVED THE PER DIEM CHANGES AND THE OTHER MINISTERIAL ONES. THIS WOULD BE THE MOTION.
>> I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT KEEPING THE INTERNATIONAL POLICY AS IS MEANS NO INTERNATIONAL POLICY?
>> IT IS PROHIBITED, IT IS WHAT IT WAS FOR ALL OF THOSE YEARS.
>> PROHIBITED EXCEPT FOR EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE.
>> MOTION TO PROHIBIT COUNTY BUSINESS TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES , I.E. THE STATUS QUO REMAINS BY RETAINING OPTION A FOR THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL OTHER NON-INTERNET TRAVEL REVISION TO THE POLICY AS PRESENTED, INCLUDING RECENT PROCEDURES FOR THE MEAL AND INCIDENTAL REIMBURSEMENT
>> . THE MOTION BY BRIONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA,
[03:30:01]
I DON'T KNOW , YES COMMISSIONER BRIONES NOT YES POINT BE TO I DON'T KNOW THE CURRENT POLICY PROHIBITS TRAVEL , I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO SAY TO KEEP THE TRAVEL POLICY , THE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL POLICY IS, COMMISSIONER BRIONES? BELIEVE IT, THERE'S SHOULD NOT BE LIKE, WAY YOU READ IT , YOU'RE DESCRIBING THE CURRENT POLICY AS TRAVEL OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS THE SHERIFF HAS DONE EDINBURGH, THE LIBRARY HAS A GUADALAJARA , THERE'S BEEN ALL KINDS OF -- AND THE ONTARIO.>> IS GENERALLY PROHIBITED, YOU SEE SOME GAMBLING WHICH AND THERE IS A VERY NARROW WINDOW OF THE ORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCES PROCEDURE PRIOR COURT HAPPY TO READ WHAT STATE ESSENTIALLY KEEP THE LANGUAGES IS WITH REGARD TO INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AND CHANGE THE PER DIEM AND THE OTHER REIMBURSEMENT PROCESS
>> DOES SHE NEED TO READ IT AGAIN AS LONG AS IT IS THE MOTION BRIONES READ I'M OKAY. ONE IS NOTHING --
>> BY RETAINING OPTION A DIRECTLY POLICY POLICY , YOU HAVE THE POLICY TO LANGUAGE IS CLEAR. PLEASE READ IT ONE MORE TIME CLARITY. , OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED , BECAME A STATUS WILL RETAINING OPTION A INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SECTION. A MOTION TO APPROVE NON-INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL REVISION TO THE POLICY , AS PRESENTED, INCLUDING RAISE AND PROCEDURES FOR PER DIEM, NEIL AND INCIDENTAL EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT. -- I AM NO LAWYER BUT THE STATUS QUO DOES NOT PROHIBIT TRAVEL OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTY OR WHATEVER VIOLATED THAT MANY TIMES OVER, THE COUNTY RULES. THAT IS THE I.E., I JUST DON'T THINK THE REST OF IT MAKES SENSE BUT THE FIRST SENTENCE DOES NOT DEFINE WHAT IT
SAYS IT IS DEFINING. >> PERHAPS IF I READ OPTION A'S
LANGWOOD YOU WILL BECOME CLEAR. >> I JUST MEAN WHY DO YOU HAVE
TO PUT THE FIRST SENTENCE? >> IF YOU READ OPTION IT A
TRACKS THE PREAMBLE LANGUAGE. >> I KNOW BUT IT SAYS PROHIBIT COUNTY BUSINESS OUTSIDE TRAVEL. IT IS FINE, IT IS JUST A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO BE CLEAR BUT IF I WAS OF THE COLLEAGUES WANT TO LEAVE IT IS FINE. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ALL ANY OPPOSED? OCEAN CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT IS ITEM 130. FOR LINE ITEM 26.
IT IS AN INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSION . THE TRAVEL WAS INCLUDED IN MY FISCAL 2025 YEAR BUDGET. WE ARE FOCUSED ON PROMOTING TRADE WITHIN OUR REGION AS WELL AS DISCUSSING BEST PRACTICES IN TERMS OF MAJOR EVENTS AND THESE ARE FUNDS TO PAY FOR STAFF TO JOIN ME, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO COME OTHERWISE THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE VACATION TIME. IN THE PAST THESE TYPE OF REQUESTS HAVE BEEN APPROVED WITHOUT ISSUE. THAT IS MY MOTION, I HAVE TAKEN OUT MY PAY. IF YOU DO NOT APPROVE THIS I CANNOT EVEN BRING SECURITY DETAIL , EVEN THOUGH THE LEAK ABOUT WHERE I'M GOING HAS ALREADY GOT PEOPLE SAYING THEY ARE GOING TO COME, SO , DO WHAT YOU DO BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE
THE PUBLIC KNOWS. >> IS THIS THE LAST ITEM?
>> EXCEPT TO RESOLUTIONS. >> I SECOND POINT
>> A MOTION TO SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? OKAY. THE MOTION FAILS . 2-3. LET'S MOVE TO RESOLUTIONS. SO, THE RESOLUTION IS , YOU KNOW WHAT, LET ME MAKE ANOTHER MOTION
[03:35:01]
BECAUSE I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT MY SECURITY DETAIL. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO PARIS, FRANCE, FOR TWO STAFF MEMBERS. I NEEDED FOUR TO INCLUDE STAFF AND DETAIL FROM THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE FOR $11,650 FROM JUNE 8TH TO THE 15TH, 2025. MY CAVEAT IS THAT THIS COURT APPROVED , LAST YEAR IN MAY, INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL FOR THE DIRECTOR AT A COST OF $13,000 FOR ONE EMPLOYEE. THIS REQUEST COSTS 1300 1003 $50 LESS THAN THAT AND WOULD COVER TWO EMPLOYEES AND WOULD ALLOW ME TO HAVE SECURITY DETAIL IN A PLACE THAT THIS BODY HAS ALREADY LEAKED TO MY CONSPIRACY THEORISTS. A MOTION TO APPROVE INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO PARIS, FRANCE FOR TWO STAFF MEMBERS IN THE COUNTY JUDGES OFFICE FOR 11,650 FROM JUNE 8TH TO THE 15TH, 25.>> SECOND. >> A MOTION TO SECOND, ALL IN
FAVOR? >> NO. IN ANY OPPOSED ?
>> 2-3. >> ALL RIGHT, RESOLUTION, I'VE
BEEN LOOKING FORWARD TO THEM. >> PEOPLE VOTED AGAINST IT, RIGHT? OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS. THIS ONE IS IMPORTANT FOR ME. OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THE SECOND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WE EVER HAD, WHICH WAS , IT WAS A TOUGH JOB AND I THINK SHE DID AMAZING. SO, JUST GETTING TO THAT. OKAY.
I AM TRYING TO FIND IT ON HERE. WHERE AS DEANNA RAMIREZ HAS SERVED AS THE ADMINISTERED OF THE HARRIS COUNTY OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION SINCE 2022. CONCLUDING HER SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY IN APRIL 2025 AFTER LEADING CORE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION. AND WHERE IS THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS CREATED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT IN 2021 TO PROFESSIONALIZE AND CENTRALIZE CRITICAL FUNCTIONS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND HAS SERVED AS A KEY MECHANISM FOR INSTITUTIONALIZING OPERATIONAL STANDARDS , IMPROVING INTERNAL REPORTING AND SUPPORTING THE COUNTY'S CAPACITY TO DELIVER SERVICES EFFECTIVELY. DURING HER TENURE SHE'S OVERSAW THE DEVELOPMENT AND LAUNCH OF HARRIS COUNTY'S FIRST-EVER COUNTYWIDE STRATEGIC PLAN A FRAMEWORK DESIGNED TO ALIGN DEPARTMENTAL OBJECTIVES WITH THE PRIORITIES OF COMMISSIONERS COURT AND IMPROVE ACCOUNT ABILITY, TRANSPARENCY AND PERFORMANCE ACROSS 16 DEPARTMENTS. SHE PLAYED A CENTRAL ROLE IN MANAGING AND OVERSEEING THE ALLOCATION OF AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN ACT FUNDS, DIRECTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS TO COMMITTEE FOCUSED INITIATIVES, INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH , HOUSING, SMALL-BUSINESS RELIEF AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENT. SHE ALSO FACILITATED STRONGER COORDINATION BY CREATING INTERNAL SYSTEMS THAT BROUGHT TOGETHER LEADERS AND BUDGET PATHOLOGY COMMUNICATIONS FOR MARK ALISA PLANNING OF COUNTYWIDE INITIATIVES. PRIOR TO JOINING HARRIS COUNTY SHOES INTERIM BUDGET DIRECTOR AND POLICY AND PLANNING MANAGER FOR TRAVIS COUNTY AND LET FISCAL EQUITY CENTER POLICY WORK AT NATIONAL NONPROFITS. WE EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO DEANNA RAMIREZ FOR SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP. WE RECOGNIZE THE OPERATIONAL INITIATIVE CONTRIBUTION SHE MADE DURING HER TIME WITH HARRIS COUNTY, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES APRIL 30TH, 2025 AS DEANNA RAMIREZ DAY. AND IF SHE CANNOT BE WITH US TODAY BUT I CANNOT THINK DEANNA ENOUGH. IT IS A REALLY TOUGH JOB, SHE DID IT WITH A PLUM AND A LOT OF SKILL AND WE WERE LUCKY TO BRING HER TO THE COUNTY IN THE FIRST PLACE AND I'M GLAD WE IDENTIFIED HER AS SOMEBODY WHO COULD HELP US EVEN MORE. THIS IS A JOINT RESOLUTION BETWEEN MY OFFICE AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES' OFFICE. MR. BRIONES WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING? AND THEN ELLIS AND GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO. YES, DEANNA RAMIREZ , THANK YOU FOR SERVING HARRIS COUNTY , THANK YOU FOR SERVING TRAVIS COUNTY AND FOR BRINGING AMAZING TALENT TO HARRIS COUNTY LIKE DIRECTOR MILLS. TO ME DEANNA STORY REPRESENT THE AMERICAN DREAM, THE DAUGHTER OF A MIGRANT FARMWORKER, SHE WENT ON TO
[03:40:02]
GRADUATE FROM UT, PRINCETON AND LED , YOU KNOW HELPED LEAD THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE UNITED STATES. SHE ALSO HAPPENS TO BE MY MOM'S HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT, FUN FACT. A FELLOW 956 , BUT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING SHE DID WHEN SHE WAS LEADING THE DEL IS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND I APPRECIATE HER HEARTS OF SERVICE AND HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU, DEANNA, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL NEXT CHAPTER AND WE WILL ALWAYS BE DOWN THE ROAD AT ANOTHER FRIENDSHIPS WILL LAST FOREVER, THANK YOU, DEANNA.>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. I AM NOT A BIG ONE ON RESOLUTIONS, AS YOU ALL KNOW BUT FOR SOMEONE WHO DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO PUBLIC SERVICE , WHEN SHE CAME OUT OF PRINT THAT I'M SURE THERE WERE A LOT OF OPPORTUNITIES THAT CAME HER WAY BUT SHE WANTED TO DO PUBLIC SERVICE AND SHE DID A GREAT JOB IN AUSTIN. I NUMBER FROM A DISTANCE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I THOUGHT THEY DID A GOOD JOB WHEN THEY FOUND HER TO COME HERE , SHE DID ONE HECK OF A JOB AND I'M GLAD SHE STILL ANSWERS THE TEXT MESSAGES.
I CALLED TO CHECK ON HER TO SEE HOW SHE WAS DOING AFTER ALL THIS IS OVER WITH AND SHE DID NOT ANSWER MY CALL AND IT KIND OF HURT MY FEELINGS, SHE USED ANSWER REALLY QUICK. I TEXTED HER AND I SAID, IS THAT HOW IT IS? SHE RESPONDED WITH A QUICK AND SAID, NO, I'M JUST TAKING A BREAK BUT I'LL CALL YOU BACK IF YOU WANT ME TO RIGHT NOW, BUT I WISH HER THE BEST AND LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT CHAPTER IN HER LIFE.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA . >> LIKEWISE I WANT TO THINK DEANNA FOR HER WORK AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES SAID IT WELL, IT IS A TOUGH JOB YOU HAVE TO RESPECT FOLKS WHO STEP UP TO DO TOUGH WORK, REGARDLESS. I WISH HER ALL THE BEST. I SPOKE TO HER RIGHT AFTER I RECEIVED YOUR LETTER AND I JUST SAID, IS EVERYTHING OKAY? AND SHE SAID, NO, APPARENTLY SHE HAS GONE A CONSULTING OFFER AND IS GOING TO BE DOING WELL. I WANT TO WISH
YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER
SPEAKERS? >> ESTELLA GONZALEZ, JESSE
DICKERMAN AND LEAH BARTON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, ON BEHALF OF ALL THE STAFF OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY I WANT TO TAKE A MOMENT TO EXTEND A HEARTFELT GRATITUDE TO DEANNA, BOTH IN LEADERSHIP IS THE FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF D.O. AND IS A FORMER HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. MANY MAY NOT KNOW THIS BUT I FIRST MET DEANNA WHEN I WAS TASKED TO HIRE OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM AT D.O. IT WAS OBVIOUS THEN THAT SHE HAD SKILLS, PASSION AND TALENT TO BENEFIT HARRIS COUNTY. ONE OF THE GREATEST BENEFITS OF WORKING WITH AND FOR DEANNA IS THAT JUST BY BEING AROUND HER WE LEARNED HOW TO BE THE BEST KIND OF PUBLIC SERVANT. SOMEONE WHO IS A PART, TRANSPARENCY, HIGH STANDARDS AND A STRONG SENSE OF ETHICS. THANK YOU TO DEANNA FOR HER DEDICATION , VISION, AND A WAVERING COMMITMENT TO PROGRESS. HER IMPACT WILL BE FELT FOR
YEARS TO COME. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> I WILL NOT SAY THIS ELOQUENTLY AS ESTELLA BUT I WANT TO THINK DEANNA, SHE WAS A GREAT BOSS AND A GREAT MENTOR, SHE LED WITH KINDNESS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ESTELLA SAID, SHE BROUGHT A LEVEL OF STABILITY TO THE ORGANIZATION THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE BEFORE. SHE MADE EVERYONE FEEL INCLUDED AND SHE WAS ALWAYS A COMMON PRESENCE WHEREVER SHE WAS AND THANK YOU, DEANNA AND THINK YOU ALL FOR CHOOSING DEANNA, YOU MADE A GREAT CHOICE,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> KENNY ADMINISTRATOR DEANNA RAMIREZ LOVE MANY THINGS, BOOKS , THE ASTROS, LIVE MUSIC. IN SPECIAL PUBLIC SERVICE. AND WITH A DEEP COMMITMENT TO EQUITY SHE HAS BROUGHT TENACITY TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ROLE.
COMING INTO OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IS INTERIM SHE DID NOT HESITATE TO MAKE NECESSARY CHANGES ORIENTING THE DEPARTMENT TOWARDS SERVICE. DEANNA HELPED CATALYZE MEANINGFUL PROGRESS ON ONE OF OUR MOST CRITICAL CHALLENGES, THE JAIL. WORKING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE SHE AND ADJUST THE NOVATION TEAM WERE ABLE TO ADVANCE INVESTMENTS IN AND A DETENTION OFFICER SAFETY, LAUNCH THE -- INITIATE THE JAIL'S ABILITY STUDY.
MANY OF THE OTHER SEEDS SHE PLANTED SUCH AS HR TRANSFORMATION, PUTTING ASSETS TO WORK, AND MORE WILL
[03:45:01]
CONTINUE TO BEAR FRUIT. WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR DIANA'S LEADERSHIP AND WISH HER THE BEST IN HER NEW ADVENTURES.>> THANK YOU. I LOVE THAT YOU STUCK TO THE TIME. SHE'S NOT HERE BUT I THINK MUCH I HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON HERE, BUT I THINK HE ALREADY SPOKE. I DON'T THINK HE MEANT TO -- OKAY. SO LET ME READ MY OTHER RESOLUTION AND THEN WE CAN VOTE ON THIS WHEN HE'S BACK. SO WE HAVE A RESOLUTION --
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, I KNOW ALL THE OTHER RESOLUTIONS WERE APPROVED WITH THE CONSENT, SO I THINK --
>> NO, THAT'S -- THERE WAS A SLIGHT ERROR THERE.
IT GOT LUMPED INTO THE AGENDA.
>> WE'RE GOING TO REVOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS, SO KINKS TO WORK OUT FOR NEXT TIME. MY SECOND RESOLUTION --
>> I'M SORRY, REAL QUICK, WE DO NEED A VOTE ON THE ONLY ONE WE DID. YEAH, I WAS WAITING FOR COMMISSIONER -- MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, DIANA. AND DID COMMISSIONER BRIONES NEED TO GO FIRST? I THINK YOU DO, RIGHT, FOR WORLD HUNGER DAY?
>> OKAY, THANK YOU. SO I'M GOING TO MOVE ON TO MY RESOLUTION, MY LAST ONE, WHICH IS APPROVING -- DESIGNATING MAY 2025 AS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH AND THE START OF SUMMER HEAT SAFETY SEASON.
DROWNING FOR CHILDREN AGES 1- 4 REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES WITH THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION, CDC, REPORTING A NATIONAL AVERAGE OF 4,000 FATAL UNINTENTIONAL DROWNINGS. MAY 2025 IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH WHICH AIMS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY AND DROWNING PREVENTION. HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH JOINS IN EDUCATION, RESPONSIBLE WATER PRACTICES AND INCREASED ACCESS TO SWIMMING LESSONS AND LIFESAVING SKILLS. HARRIS COUNTY ENCOURAGES PARENTS, CAREGIVERS AND ALL RESIDENTS TO PRACTICE WATER SAFETY BY ENSURING PROPER SUPERVISION, WEARING LIFE JACKETS AND FOLLOWING RULES. HARRIS COUNTY ALSO EXPERIENCES LONG PERIODS OF HOT WEATHER DURING THE SUMMER MONTH CREATING A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF HEAT- RELATED ILLNESSES AND FATALITIES. JUNE 2025 IS RECOGNIZED AS SUMMER HEAT SAFETY PREVENTION -- SUMMER HEAT SAFETY MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF EXTREME HEAT AND PROMOTE LIFESAVING PREVENTION MEASURES. HARRIS COUNTY ENCOURAGES RESIDENTS TO TAKE PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES BY STAYING HYDRATED, SCHEDULING OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES FOR COOLER TIMES AND SEEKING AIR- CONDITIONED SPACES WHEN POSSIBLE. HEAT RELATED ILLNESSES HAVE SURGED IN THE COUNTY BY 329% BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023.
BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES MAY 2025 AS WATER SAFETY MONTH.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES JUNE 2025 AS THE START OF SUMMER HEAT SAFETY MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, URGING MEMBERS TO ADOPT SAFETY MEASURES TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM WATER RELATED DANGERS AND HEAT- RELATED ILLNESSES THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS?
>> DR. ERICA BROWN AND DIANE DAVIS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.
AS YOU STATED, JUDGE, THIS MONTH CERTAINLY BRINGS US INTO THE SUMMER HEAT. WE'VE NOTICED THAT WITHIN THE LAST WEEK VERY QUICKLY, AND AS IT RELATES TO SUMMER HEAT SAFETY, WE JUST WOULD LIKE TO REMIND EVERYONE TO, AS YOU STATED, STAY HYDRATED TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE PERFORMING ACTIVITIES IN THE COOLER HOURS OF THE DAY AND CERTAINLY, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DO NOT LEAVE CHILDREN AND PETS IN THE CAR. WE HAVE SEEN AN INCREASE IN THE MILLENNIUMS OF HEAT- RELATED ILLNESS SINCE 2019 AND THOSE NUMBERS CONTINUE TO RISE. SO WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING EDUCATION TO THE COMMUNITY ABOUT THE SERIOUSNESS OF HEAT- RELATED ILLNESS AND APPRECIATE THE ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT IT IS HEAT TIME IN THE SUMMER IN HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, DIANE DAVIS. JUST WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO THANK THE JUDGE AND ALL THE COURT MEMBERS AND COMMISSIONERS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO RECOGNIZE MAY AS
[03:50:01]
WATERWATER MONTH.WE ALL KNOW THAT AS YOU SAID, JUDGE, DROWNING IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF DEATHS IN CHILDREN 4 AND UNDER, THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF UNINTENDED INJURY FOR KIDS 5 TO 14. SO WHILE WE ENTER THE SUMMER SEASON, WE ALL ENJOY OUR WATER- RELATED ACTIVITIES.
I KNOW I DO AS WELL. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THOSE FACTS AND BE VIGILANT WITH THE PROTECTION OF OUR KIDS AROUND WATER.
>> THANK YOU. AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PAST WITH THESE ADVOCACY CAMPAIGNS PARTICULARLY AROUND THE DROWNING ISSUE AND THE IMPORTANCE OF TEACHING KIDS, YOUNG KIDS, HOW TO SWIM. THEY CAN LEARN VERY EARLY ON, BUT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S INVOLVED AND LOVING PARENTS WHO HAPPEN TO TURN THEIR ATTENTION AND ALL IT TAKES IS A QUICK SECOND AND IT'S NOT THAT THEY'RE NOT GOOD PARENTS OR THAT THEY'RE NEGLECTFUL. IT'S JUST IT HAPPENS SO QUICKLY, SO JUST A REMINDER FOR EVERYBODY TO -- IF YOU HAVE YOUNG KIDS, MAKE SURE THEY LEARN HOW TO SWIM AND IF NOT, SPREAD THE WORD TO FOLKS YOU KNOW WHO HAVE YOUNG KIDS. WHAT'S THE EARLIEST THEY CAN
>> SO, YOU KNOW, YOU THINK IT WON'T HAPPEN, BUT IT DOES HAPPEN. IT HAPPENS TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> YES, IF I HAVE A MOMENT TO SHARE, LAST SUMMER A 5-YEAR- OLD LAST SUMMER ACCIDENTALLY FELL INTO A POOL THIS IS VERY PERSONAL FOR MYSELF AND MY FAMILY.
THANKFULLY HE IS IN SWIM SCHOOL SO HE WAS ABLE TO PADDLE HIS WAY TO THE TOP BEFORE MOMMY AND DADDY GOT TO HIM, BUT IT'S VERY SERIOUS. IT WAS A TWO- SECOND TURN AND HE HAD JUMPED INTO THE DEEP END, AS BOYS TEND TO DO.
SO JUST WATCH OUT FOR THE KIDDOS THIS SUMMER WHILE WE'RE ENJOYING OUR WATER- RELATED ACTIVITIES.
ACCORDING TO THE STATE DATA THERE WAS 103 DEATHS IN TEXAS FOR CHILDREN WATER RELATED.
THAT'S WAY TOO MANY. IN HARRIS COUNTY ALONE THERE WAS 20. SO JUST BE CAREFUL WITH THE KIDDOS THIS SUMMER. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THIS AS WATER SAFETY MONTH.
>> THANK YOU. ANYTHING ELSE I CAN DO TO ADVOCATE, JUST LET ME KNOW. SO IS THERE A MOTION --
>> YES, COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO, THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS AND YOUR ADVOCACY ON THIS TOPIC, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ACROSS THE COUNTY. I HAVE VIVID MEMORIES AS A LITTLE GIRL -- I WAS REALLY LITTLE, MY SISTER JUMPED INTO THE DEEP END, AND I REMEMBER SCREAMING AT THE TOP OF MY LUNGS FOR MY DAD OR MOM TO COME AND LUCKILY THEY SAVED HER IN TIME, BUT I HAVE SUCH VIVID MEMORIES. AND THEN FAST FORWARD OVER SPRING BREAK, A LITTLE CHILD FROM MY KID'S SCHOOL BROWNED, AND THERE'S THIS BENCH NOW IN THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL WE MORNING, AND IT'S JUST SO TRAGIC. SO WE ALL -- IT'S ONE OF MY PARANOIAS AS A PARENT AND SOMEONE WHO HAS A POOL, BUT I WANTED TO FOCUS ON THE POSITIVE.
MARY JO PECKHAM, ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, WE HAVE FREE SWIMMING CLASSES, SO WE INVITE EVERYONE TO HELP US SPREAD THE WORD SO FOLKS, WE KNOW IN OUR COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, THERE'S AN EVEN LARGER DELTA IN TERMS OF NOT KNOWING HOW TO SWIM AND ACCESSING SWIMMING CLASSES CAN BE EXPENSIVE. WE HAVE FREE CLASSES.
IF YOU COULD HELP SPREAD THE WORD, I APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU ALL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> THANK YOU ALL AGAIN FOR RAISING AWARENESS ON THIS.
WHEN I WAS SHERIFF, WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, I PARTICIPATED IN THIS SAME EFFORT BECAUSE OF WHAT JUST -- COMMISSIONER BRIONES TOUCHED ON THAT IN BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES DROWNING IS AT ITS REGRETFUL OPTIMUM LARGELY BECAUSE PUBLIC POOLS DON'T EXIST IN A LOT OF THESE NEIGHBORHOODS. AND SO WHEN I WAS WORKING ON JAMES DRIVER PARK I WANTED TO INCLUDE A POOL.
JUST TOO DAMN EXPENSIVE. BUT IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE FIND OTHER WAYS TO PROVIDE THIS EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE FOR OUR KIDS.
AND THEN, ALSO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE THE ONLY BEACH FRONT IN HARRIS COUNTY, WHICH IS SILVAN BEACH AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE WORKING TO DO AS WE ARE ON THE CUSP OF REMODELING THAT PARK, WE'RE GOING TO PUT ABOUT 30 MILLION INTO IT. ONE OF THE ASPECTS, ONE OF THE PHASES OF THAT PROJECT IS GOING TO BE TO WORK WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS SO WE CAN CUT THE RIP TIDE THAT WE HAVE ON THAT BEACH FRONT.
IN 2019 WHEN I CAME INTO THIS ROLE WE HAD A REGRETFUL DROWNING OF I THINK IT WAS TWO SIBLINGS, IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THREE, AND SO I JUST VOWED TO DO WHATEVER I CAN TO NOT LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN. WE UPPED OUR LIFEGUARDS. THE REAL WORK IS TO REDO THE BEACH FRONT AND DEAL WITH THAT RIP TIDE. SO EVERYTHING YOU DO TO MAKE SURE OUR KIDS CAN LEARNLEARN SWIM IS CRITICAL IN THOSE REAL KEY MOMENTS. AGAIN, THANK YOU.
THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU GUYS DO.
[03:55:02]
>> THANK YOU. SO WE SHOULD VOTE ON THIS ONE.
DO YOU GUYS KNOW IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS COMING BACK? HE NEEDED TO TAKE A CALL? OKAY.
I MEAN, IT'S JUST A VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION. OH, BUT WE DID ALREADY VOTE ON
WE DID BUT TECHNICALLY WE'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO VOTE ON IT UNTIL AFTER PEOPLE SPEAK, AND SO JUST SORT OF THE DOTTING IS, CROSSING TS.
>> IF HE COMES BACK THAT WOULD BE GREAT.
>> SO IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM --
>> -- TWO UNDER RESOLUTION. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I LIKE THE SOUND OF THAT. IS THAT HIM COMING OR GOING? WELL, THAT'S TOO BAD. OH, AYE.
OKAY, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.
I WILL TRY TO CATCH THE TAIL END OF MY GROUP THERAPY SO I'LL LET COMMISSIONER GARCIA RUN THE REST OF THE COURT.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH, AND THANK YOU AGAIN TO DIANA.
>> THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS -- WE HAVE ALL OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS' -- OH, NO, WE HAVE ITEM FOUR WHICH IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS' APPROVAL OF RESOLUTION FOR COMMEMORATING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TEXAS LEGISLATIVE INTERNSHIP PRAP AND THE CLASS OF 2025. AND WE DID HAVE ONE OF HIS INTERNS EARLIER THAT WE ALREADY TOOK PICTURES WITH.
I WILL LET THEM GO DO THAT WHILE THEY'RE WORKING ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WILL GO TO MY RESOLUTION. I'M EXCITED TO SEE SOME SPECIAL FOLKS THAT HAVE JOINED US THIS AFTERNOON.
ALTHOUGH THE PERSON OF THIS RESOLUTION IS NOT A PRECINCT 2 RESIDENT, UNFORTUNATELY, THE SECOND BEST PERSON IS, AND THAT'S HIS SISTER. AND SO I'M VERY, VERY HONORED -- I LOVE MUSIC.
I LOVE ALL KINDS OF MUSIC, BUT NOTHING BRINGS OUT THE JAZZY IN ME BETTER THAN SCOTT G. ERTNER AND I HAVE BEEN A FAN SINCE "MIDTOWN LIVE" DAYS.
I PULLED UP A FEW YOUTUBES ABOUT SCOTT.
EVERYBODY DESCRIBES HIM IN A VERY SPECIAL WAY.
AND I HAVE THIS RESOLUTION, CINDY, THAT I'M HONORED TO READ AND I'LL ASK YOU TO MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE PODIUM IF YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE SOME WORDS. FOR FOLKS WHO, YOU KNOW, MIGHT ENJOY SOME GOOD DANCING MUSIC, SOME GOOD TIME MUSIC, SOME MUSIC TO PUT YOU IN ALL OF THE BEST MOODS, IT WOULD BE TO HAVE BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN TO SCOTT, BUT IT'S ALSO TO BE ABLE TO BE AT THE VENUES THAT SCOTT IS WELL KNOWN FOR, TWO IN PARTICULAR. I MENTIONED MIDTOWN LIVE, BUT THAT WASN'T HIS.
SCOTT'S SKY BAR WAS AND SCOTT'S RHYTHM ROOM IS.
IT WAS JUST ALWAYS A LOT OF FUN AND VERY SPECIAL TO BE AT THESE PLACES ENJOYING ALL THE MUSIC BUT ESPECIALLY HEARING SCOTT'S RASPY, SEXY TENOR VOICE AND JUST GETTING FOLKS TO JUST GET UP OFF THEIR SEATS. AND SO THIS RESOLUTION, CINDY -- AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP WITH IT BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GOT IT RIGHT -- SCOTT SIMON GERTNER, A CELEBRATED HOUSTON MUSICIAN, ENTREPRENEUR, AND LEADER IN HOUSTON'S NIGHTLIFE SCENE PASSED AWAY UNEXPECTEDLY ON MAY THE 1ST, 2025, BUT WAS BORN ON AUGUST 11TH, 1958. SCOTT GREW UP IN HOUSTON AND WAS A GRADUATE OF THE HIGH SCHOOL FOR VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS WHERE HIS LOVE FOR MUSIC FLOURISHED. A THREE- TIME GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE -- WOW! I DID NOT KNOW THAT.
AWESOME. SCOTT WAS RENOWNED FOR HIS LOVE, HIS SMOOTH, SOULFUL VOICE AND COMMANDING STAGE PRESENCE INSPIRED BY HIS MOTHER, JEAN
[04:00:02]
GERTNER, A PROFESSIONAL SINGER. SCOTT'S MUSICAL JOURNEY BEGAN AT THE AGE OF 4.HE TAUGHT HIMSELF TO PLAY PIANO BY MIMICKING HIS SISTER'S LESSONS. HE PICKED UP THE GUITAR AT 6 AND THEN LATER FORMED HIS OWN BAND SETTING THE STAGE FOR A LIFETIME OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE.
SCOTT WAS DEDICATED TO HIS FAMILY AND HIS MUSIC.
HE MENTORED MUSICIANS AND WAS A GREAT INSPIRATION TO EVERYONE HE MET. HIS TALENTS TOOK HIM ACROSS THE NATION OPENING FOR MUSIC LEGENDS SUCH AS LUTHER VANDROSS, ELTON JOHN, BRIAN M CKNIGHT, ERICA BADU, HARRY CONNICK JR., AND THE NEVILLE BROTHERS.
HIS PERFORMANCES BLENDED GENRES, CAPTIVATING AUDIENCES AND A FAN BASE THAT CALLED HIM SCOTTIE G.
SCOTT WAS THE FACE AND VISIONARY BEHIND MANY OF HOUSTON'S ICONIC LIVE MUSIC VENUES. AS I MENTIONED INCLUDING SCOTT GERTNER'S SKY BAR AND RHYTHM ROOM WHICH HAS BECOME A MAIN STAY FOR LIVE MUSIC. SCOTT WAS KNOWN AS A CLASS ACT, A SELF- MADE MAN, GIFTED ARTIST, GENEROUS SOUL, A BELOVED SON, AND THE BEST BROTHER IN THE WORLD. HIS LEGACY LIVES ON THROUGH THE MUSIC HE SHARED, THE VENUES HE CREATED AND THE LIVES THAT HE HELPED TO UPLIFT. A DEVOTED PHILANTHROPIST, SCOTT VOLUNTEERED FOR CANCER RESEARCH, CEREBRAL PALSY, AIDS AWARENESS, SICKLE CELL ANEMIA AND THE ANTI- DEFAMATION LEAGUE. HE ADVOCATED FOR ARTS, EDUCATION AND PERFORMED FOR INNER CITY STUDENTS. CINDY, IT IS ABSOLUTELY PAINFUL.
I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND FOR THOSE WHO KNEW HIM BEST AND CLOSEST, BUT I WANTED TO DO THIS, ONE, BECAUSE HE WAS A MUSICIAN, AND HE PROVIDED A VENUE WHERE FOLKS COULD GO WHERE I WAS ABLE TOTO JOIN AND ATTEND AND LET THE STRESS OF A DAY GET BEHIND YOU BECAUSE HE JUST FOUND A WAY JUST WITH HIS PERSONALITY, MUCH LESS HIS SINGING AND HIS MUSIC BUT WITH HIS PERSONALITY HOW HE WORKED THE CROWD.
HE HELPED TO PUT YOU IN THAT MOOD THAT MADE YOU FORGET ALL OF THE DAYS AND PROBLEMS. AND I WAS SHOCKED WHEN I HEARD THE NEWS BUT ASAS NEIGHBOR AND AS A COMMISSIONER OF THIS PRECINCT, I WANTED TO DO MY PART TO HONOR YOUR BROTHER AND TO HONOR AN ICON, AN INCREDIBLE MUSICIAN AND ENTREPRENEUR FOR EVERYTHING HE DID FOR SO MANY AND JUST SIMPLY TO SAY THAT OUR PRAYERS CONTINUE TO BE WITH YOU, WITH YOUR FAMILY, AND HIS CLOSEST FRIENDS AND JUST SIMPLY SAY THIS PROCLAMATION DECLARES DECLARES SCOTT WILL BE FOREVER REMEMBERED AND RESPECTED AND APPRECIATED. THE FLOOR IS YOURS.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL ALLOW SYLVIA TO SPEAK.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO INTRODUCE SCOTT'S SON, AARON, WHO LOOKS LIKE HIM,
>> AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE PERFORMERS THAT HAVE BEEN WITH SCOTT FOR MANY YEARS IN COVINGTON.
ALSO, THAT'S HIS NIECE AND COUSIN, AND THIS IS COLETTE.
SHE'S BEEN SINGING WITH SCOTT FOR YEARS, AND SHE CONTINUES TO SING AT SCOTT'S RHYTHM ROOM AND, OF COURSE DAFNEY, HIS LONG TIME FRIEND AND KATRINA WHO HAS BEEN A PART OF OUR LIVES.
IT WAS A BIG SHOCK FOR US, LIKE ANYONE ELSE, WHEN SOMEONE UNEXPECTEDLY FALLS ASLEEP AND DOESN'T WAKE UP, AND SO YOU JUST HAVE TO CELEBRATE HIS LIFE.
THE LORD TOOK HIM BUT HE LEFT US WITH SO MUCH, THE LOVE THAT HE DID FOR THE CITY, WHAT HE DID FOR THE CITY WAS ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE. HE HELPED US TO CELEBRATE ANNIVERSARIES, BIRTHDAYS. HE HELPED US TO DO ALL KINDS OF EVENTS THERE FOR ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE.
AND SO THEN SINCE I WASWAS KID -- AND YOU SAW HIM AT HOUSTON LIVE. I SAW HIM AT BIRDWATCHERS IN THE '70S. CAN YOU BELIEVE THAT? THAT'S NOT EVEN AROUND ANYMORE. IN ANY CASE, WE
[04:05:03]
CELEBRATE HIS LIFE RAN AND WANT YOU TO INVITE EVERYONE TO BE AT SCOTT'S RHYTHM ROOM.WE HAVE GREAT FOOD, GREAT STUFF, AND WE WANT TO KEEP HIS VISION ALIVE, HIS MUSIC ALIVE.
HE HAD A FULL ARRAY OF PERFORMERS THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER THAT HE PUT TOGETHER. HE HAS -- AND WE KNOW WE TRAVELED ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT TYPE OF PLACE AND IT TOOK US TWO YEARS TO FIND THIS PLACE OFF OF MEMORIAL. HE PUT IT TOGETHER.
IT HAS HIS SENSE. IT HAS HIS MUSIC.
AND WE JUST APPRECIATE THAT HE WAS ABLE TO BE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PUT HIS BUSINESSES TOGETHER AND GIVEN US WHAT WE NEEDED WHICH WAS THAT LITTLE ESCAPE OF TIME WHERE WE COULD PARTY OVER THERE.
>> AND SO CINDY IS GOING TO LEAD US ON WITH HIS VISION, AND WE HOPE TO SEE YOU SOON AND EVERYONE WHO WAS HERE. I HAVE LITTLE -- IF YOU'D LIKE TO GO.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> WE HAVE GRATITUDE FOR EVERYONE HERE.
>> SYLVIA, THANK YOU FOR THAT. YOU JUST ACCENTUATED IT ALL PERFECTLY. ONE THING, CINDY, AS I WAS READING THAT RESOLUTION, YOUR MOM ALSO HAD HER TALENT.
SCOTT GOT SOME INSPIRATION FROM HER. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS YOUR TALENT ON THE MUSIC SCENE? WHAT DO YOU SING? WHAT DO YOU PLAY?
>> NICE. WELL, MY BROTHER WAS A MUSICIAN AS WELL. HE PLAYED THE SAX AND SO WHEN PEOPLE ASK ME WHAT I PLAY, I SAY THE RADIO.
THAT'S THE BEST THING I CAN DO. ANYWAY, ANYONE ELSE WANT TO SHARE SOME WORDS?
>> WELL, FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO SAY -- MY NAME IS MELANIE COVINGTON, AND CINDY CAN DO A MEAN LINE DANCE. WE'VE DONE THAT SEVERAL TIMES, SO I JUST WANTED TO MAKE ITIT POINT TO MAKE IT HERE TODAY. I MOVED HERE FROM ST. LOUIS AND HAD NO IDEA THAT I WAS GOING TO BE HERE FOR ANY TIME LONGER THAN 30 DAYS.
I MET SCOTT IN 1991 AND, YOU KNOW, HE ASKED ME TO JOIN HIM ON A WEDNESDAY NIGHT, BECAUSE I WAS ALREADY WORKING, AND IT WAS JUST -- IT'S BEEN A RIDE TO SEE ONE PERSON BE ABLE TO TOUCH SO MANY, AND THERE WAS ALWAYS INCLUSIVENESS. I MEAN, WHEN YOU WOULD COME TO ANY OF THE VENUES THAT HE PLAYED FOR AND THEN ONCE HE GOT HIS OWN CLUB, IT WAS CEMENTED. YOU LITERALLY COULD ENTER A SPACE WHERE EVERYONE FELT SAFE.
>> EVERYONE MAY JUMP UP AND SOMEONE MAY DANCE WITH SOMEONE ELSE. WE USED TO WATCH MOM AND DAD GERTNER. OH, THEY WOULD GO AT IT, AND IT WAS JUST BEAUTIFUL. SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE SHARED THEIR BIRTHDAYS.
PROMOTIONS. IT WAS ALWAYS SOMETHING THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL. WE EVEN HAD ONCE A PERSON THAT WAS THERE FOR THE NIGHT THAT DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO END THEIR LIFE AND THEY CHANGED THEIR MIND.
>> FEELGOOD MUSIC AND LOVE, MUSIC IS UNIVERSAL AND EVERYONE CAN IDENTIFY IN IT.
>> AMEN. THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE? ALL RIGHT. WELL, IT IS AN HONOR TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION, AND WE WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES IN A MINUTE. THANK YOU.
>> ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ITEM IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YOU HAVE A RESOLUTION HONORING ASSISTANT CHIEF DAVID JONES FOR 40 YEARS OF SERVICE.
>> YES, LET ME START WITH -- BEFORE WE GET TO MR. JONES, LET'S START WITH CALEB AND GARY AND MELISSA, I SEE YOU BACK THERE. I WOULD HOPE YOU COULD COME DOWN HERE WHILE WE CELEBRATE CALEB. IF YOU WANT TO BRING YOUR FRIEND APRIL, THAT WOULD BE GOOD, TOO.
WE HAD THE PLEASURE YESTERDAY OF GOING OUT TO OUR PARK AT GO FORTH AND IF YOU'VE NOT BEEN TO A COUNTY PARK IN ALL FOUR PRECINCTS, YOU'VE MISSED SOMETHING. THIS IS IN THE CYPRESS AREA.
AT THAT PARTICULAR PARK YESTERDAY WE WERE ABLE
[04:10:02]
TO DEDICATE A BENCH HONORING CALEB RICKENBACHER. THIS IS CALEB'S MOM AND DAD.THAT'S GARY AND MELISSA. TWO OF THE SWEETEST PEOPLE YOU WILL EVER MEET. I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT A FINE BLESSING HE WAS TO EVERYBODY. WITH THE BREEZE COMING OFF THE LAKE AND THE SUNSHINE, AND THERE'S A PICTURE OF CALEB WITH HIS DOG THAT I THOUGHT, WELL, THIS IS COOL. THIS IS JUST A GREAT THING.
BUT LET ME READ THE RESOLUTION SO I CAN INTRODUCE CALEB TO Y'ALL, AND WHAT HE'S MEANT, AND THEN I WANT TO HEAR FROM HIS MOM AND DAD.
WHEREAS CALEB RICKENBACHER WAS JUST 20 YEARS OLD WHEN HIS LIFE WAS SUDDENLY TAKEN BY AN INDIVIDUAL DRIVING A STOLEN VEHICLE AT A HIGH SPEED, WHEREAS PRECINCT 3 AND CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON DEDICATE A WE REMEMBER MEMORIAL BENCH, THIS WAS OUR, I THINK, THIRD ONE, AND GOFORTH PARK. HE WAS AN ADULT, ACTIVE MEMBER AT CHURCH, VOLUNTEERED ON MISSION TRIPS, ONCE THOUGHT OF BECOMING A YOUTH PASTOR. HE WAS PURSUING A DUAL DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE WITH PLANS TO ONE DAY WORK IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION AND WHEREAS HIS MURDERER WAS FOUND AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY WITH HELP FROM PRECINCT 4 CONSTABLES, THEY WORKED HARD.
THEY WENT BEYOND AND ABOVE, REALLY NO PARENT SHOULD FEEL THE PAIN THAT THEY DO, AND I APPLAUD CRIMESTOPPERS FOR THEIR INITIATIVE, THIS PROGRAM.
WE SIMPLY TRY TO BE GOOD PARTNERS TO IT AS WE REMEMBER CALEB.
THERE'S A PLAQUE BY THE BENCH, A QR CODE ON THAT PLAQUE.
YOU CAN GET YOUR CAMERA OUT AND EVEN HIGH- TECH PEOPLE LIKE ME CAN TAKE A PICTURE AND YOU CAN READ HIS STORY.
EVERYBODY'S GOT A STORY, BUT IT'S NICE TO TELL THE STORY. IT'S NICE TO SIT ON A BENCH AND REMEMBER. AS CALEB'S MOM COMMENTED AS WE WERE THERE AND LOOKING OUT OVER THE LAKE, IT'S IN THE MIDDLE OF A PLAYGROUND, AND SO IT IS AN HONOR TO CELEBRATE CALEB AND HIS LIFE.
HE WILL BE REMEMBERED, AND Y'ALL HAVE A BIT OF A NONPROFIT IN TERMS OF HIS LEGACY. SO WE CELEBRATE THAT WITH YOU.
BUT WE'RE YOUR FAMILY. GLAD YOU'RE IN OUR PARK.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU OUT THERE ON THAT BENCH AND DOING THE THINGS YOU CAN IN THE COMMUNITY.
WOULD YOU LIKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK?
>> YES, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE ARE JUST GRATEFUL BEYOND WORDS FOR CRIMESTOPPERS IN PRECINCT 3 FOR REMEMBERING CALEB FOR WHO HE WAS AND WHO HE IS, AND, YOU KNOW, HE WAS OUR PRIDE AND JOY.
WE MISS HIM SO MUCH, AND WE ARE JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT WE HAVE THIS BENCH AND THIS TREE THAT WE COULD GO TO. AS YOU CAN SEE PROBABLY FROM OUR FACES WE SPENT A LITTLE BIT TOO MUCH TIME OUT THERE YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AFTER EVERYBODY WAS WRAPPED UP. I JUST SPENT SOME TIME ON THE BENCH AND GOT A LITTLE BIT OF A SUN BURN, BUT IT WAS SO PEACEFUL, AND WE'RE JUST GRATEFUL BEYOND WORDS FOR REMEMBERING HIM IN THAT WAY.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO READ A POEM THAT I WROTE THE NIGHT BEFORE THE BENCH DEDICATION. I WOULD LIKE TO READ IT HERE TODAY, TOO. IT'S ACTUALLY FOR CALEB.
AND I WOULD ENCOURAGE ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS TO DO THIS IN YOUR PRECINCTS. EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR CHILD TO BE REMEMBERED.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. AND THIS IS SUCH A BEAUTIFUL WAY TO DO IT, AND WE ARE SO GRATEFUL.
[04:15:04]
SO, SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU ALL HAVE DONE THIS AND CRIMESTOPPERS IS JUST A GIFT, TRULY.THE WIND BLOWING THROUGH THE TREES, THE LIGHT MIST SETTLING ON OUR CHEEKS, A FRAGRANT FILLING÷÷FILLING AIR.
THE ECHOES OF LAUGHTER COMING FROM SOMEWHERE.
AND ALL THESE THINGS WE SEE YOU, SON, THE BEAUTY THAT IS YOU IS NOW WITH JESUS. BUT OUR MEMORIES OF ALL OF WHO YOU ARE SEEP INTO EVERYTHING, YOUR SMILE, YOUR LAUGH, YOUR LOVE.
YOUR SMILE SO LARGE YOU LIT UP ANY ROOM TO DISPENSE ANY GLOOM. YOUR EYES BEAUTIFUL AND FULL OF WONDER, SEEING MORE THAN MOST AND CARING WHEN THEY SPOT THE HURTING. YOUR EARS ALERT FOR ANY NEED.
HERO WAS YOUR CREED. YOUR BLOND HAIR HARD TO MISTAKE NO MATTER HOW MANY STYLES YOU TRIED, IT WAS ALWAYS DISTINCT BECAUSE YOU HAD BEAUTIFUL TASTE. AT 6'2" NO ONE COULD MISS YOU, BUT YOUR KINDNESS AND LAUGHTER IS WHAT MADE PEOPLE STAY TO HEAR WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY. YOU HAD A WAY WITH SO MANY -- CHILDREN, THE HURTING, THE FORGOTTEN, AND THOSE LOOKED DOWN UPON. YOU ENCOURAGED AND HELPED WHERE YOU COULD TO BRING LIGHT IN THE DARKNESS OF SO MANY LIVES. YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON BUT NOT JUST HERE. YOUR LEGACY LIVES ON WITH THE HEARTS YOU TOUCHED AND THE LIVES YOU CHANGED WITH YOUR AMAZING LOVE AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL WORDS THAT WERE SO LIFE GIVING TO THE DOWN-AND- OUT, THE HURTING, THE REAL, ALL WHO HAD A CHANCE TO KNOW YOU, THE REAL YOU. CALEB, WE ARE PROUD TO BE YOUR MOMMA AND DADDY. WE ARE PROUD OF YOU AND WE MISS YOU SO VERY, VERY MUCH. ONE OF THE LAST THINGS THAT CALEB DID, THE LAST THING THAT CALEB DID WITH HIS LIFE, WAS TO SAVE HIS GIRLFRIEND.
HE SWERVED THE CAR AND THAT'S WHAT SAVED HER.
BLESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS.
>> GOD BLESS. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> OUR DEEPEST, DEEPEST CONDOLENCES.
ALWAYS IN OUR HEARTS TODAY. AS A PARENT I CAN SEE THE PAIN AND CAN ONLY IMAGINE. MY PRAYERS AND HEART AND I KNOW WE ARE VERY, VERY OPEN, SO PLEASE TELL CRIMESTOPPERS AND ANY OTHER ORGANIZATION BECAUSE WE WOULD LOVE TO HONOR THE MEMORIES AS WELL.
>> GOD BLESS YOU. AND I'M SO VERY SORRY.
>> MY FATHER USED TO SAY WHEN PEOPLE TELL THEIR STORY YOU'RE WALKING ON HOLY GROUND.
>> THANK YOU FOR SHARING. THANK YOU FOR LETTING US BE A PART OF YOUR LIFE AND WE DON'T LIVE AS PEOPLE WITHOUT ANY HOPE.
>> I'M GOING TO GET TO MEET HIM AND I'M GOING TO SIT WITH CALEB UP THERE.
I'M SURE -- GOFORTH PARK IS NICE BUT THAT ISN'T ANYTHING LIKE THE LAKE CALEB IS LOOKING AT THIS MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR SHARING.
THANK YOU FOR COMING. THANK YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I JUST WANT TO EXTEND THE PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF MY FAMILY, MY ENTIRE PRECINCT TO YOU AS WELL.
NO ONE KNOWS WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH.
NO ONE CAN EVER PUT THEMSELVES IN THAT REGRETFUL SITUATION, BUT, LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DO BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU TELL THE STORY, IT BRINGS THEM BACK JUST A BIT, AND I LOST MY DAD, I LOST MY BROTHER, ALTHOUGH NOT VIOLENTLY, AND WHEN I TALK ABOUT THEM, IT IS STILL PAINFUL, SO I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART, BUT ALL TO SAY THAT THESE ARE EFFORTS WE TAKE UPON HERE TO DO ALL THAT WE CAN TO REMEMBER FAMILIES AND LOVED ONES LIKE YOU AND YOURS.
WE STARTED OUR BENCH PROGRAM IN 2023 AND JUST, YOU KNOW, IT'S A SPECIAL THING THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES.
AND SO WE WILL -- AND IT HELPS, YOU KNOW, TO REALLY PUT -- YOU KNOW, JUST AN EMPHASIS ON THE POINT THAT GONE BUT NEVER FORGOTTEN IS A TRUE THING AS MUCH AS WE WORK HERE TO DO THAT.
[04:20:01]
FAMILIES. IT'S AN HONOR TO MEET YOU.>> AND WE WILL TAKE SOME PICTURES HERE IN A MINUTE.
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?
>> AS THEY WALK BACK AND YOU SEE APRIL WITH THEM, AND I WON'T TELL YOU APRIL'S STORY, BUT APRIL HAS AA STORY.
AND I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IN A ROOM WITH 20 OR SO PEOPLE WITH A STORY AND THEY'RE LIKE FAMILY WITH EACH OTHER AND IT IS ENCOURAGING WHEN WE SEE PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY THAT ARE HURTING AND THEN OTHER PEOPLE STEPPING IN. SO THIS IS AN ENCOURAGEMENT AND A GREAT THING. THANK YOU, APRIL, FOR BEING A PART OF THIS.
>> I WANT TO REMIND EVERYBODY HERE AT COMMISSIONERS COURT, I SAW EARLIER TODAY HOW WE'RE MAKING DECISIONS THAT AFFECT THE COUNTY THAT CRIME VICTIMS ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT DON'T GET TO CHOOSE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.
JUDGES CHOOSE, POLICE OFFICERS CHOOSE, PROSECUTORS CHOOSE, DEFENSE ATTORNEYS CHOOSE, CRIME VICTIMS DO NOT. LIKE MANY CALEB HAD NO IDEA WHAT WAS COMING TO HIM THAT DAY, THAT THAT WOULD BE THE LAST DAY OF HIS LIFE AND THIS IS WHY IT'S IMPORTANT FOR US NOT TO HAVE MISALIGNED SYMPATHIES BUT TO HAVE THE GREATER GOOD OF THE COUNTY IN MIND.
LET'S STOP GIVING SYMPATHIES TO PEOPLE WHO CHOOSE TO HURT US, WHO CHOOSE TO VIOLATE OUR LAWS AND PUT US ALL IN DANGER.
I THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN YOU, LESLEY BRIONES AND YOU STAND FAST AND SWIM AGAINST THE CURRENT.
IT MAY NOT BE POPULAR BUT IT IS RIGHT AND I KNOW THAT YOU SLEEP BETTER AT NIGHT, AND I APPLAUD YOU AND I THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND OUR SAFETY. AND IF THAT MEANS PUTTING MORE PEOPLE IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY'RE CHOOSING TO VIOLATE THE LAWS, SO BE IT.
>> THANK YOU, APRIL. THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, ALL. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ANYTHING
ELSE? >> QUICKLY, IS CHIEF JONES HERE? I HAVE A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING HIM. HE'S DONE GREAT SERVICE FOR THE COUNTY, AND IT WILL BE ON CONSENT, A MATTER OF RECORD.
I THINK HE'S BEEN FOR 40 YEARS, YOU WORK ANYWHERE FOR 40 YEARS PARTICULARLY IN PUBLIC SERVICE, POLICE OFFICER, IS QUITE THE TESTIMONY.
SO THAT WILL BE A MATTER OF RECORD AND CELEBRATION ASSISTANT CHIEF DAVID JONES.
THAT? >> I GUESS ALL THESE RESOLUTIONS --
NEXT WE WILL HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING OLDER AMERICANS MONTH.
>> MANY OF US. JAY, ARE WE GOING TO VOTE AT THE END OF ALL OF THEM?
>> YES. WE CAN DO IT AT THE END.
I THOUGHT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS COMING BACK IN.
THAT'S WHY BECAUSE HE HAS ONE, TOO.
>> OKAY. SO I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS TODAY.
ONE IS OLDER AMERICANS MONTH AND ONE GUEST WHO IS HERE TO SPEAK.
MARY LOU FROM AARP CHAPTER AND WE HAVE A BOARD MEMBER HERE AS WELL, AND WE HAVE CINDY, THE PRESIDENT OF AARP CHAPTER 50. I WILL SHARE SOME POINTS AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM THE EXPERTS. AND I KNOW MY PARENTS ARE WATCHING, AND I LOVE THAT THEY ALWAYS WATCH EVERY COMMISSIONERS COURT. THIS IS GOING OUT TO YOU.
I LOVE YOU. THERE'S NEARLY LY 60 AGED 65 AND OLDER. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING AND EMPOWERING LISTENING AND SERVING OUR OLDER AMERICANS. ONE THING THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS DONE WE RAISED THE PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION FOR HOMEOWNERS AGED 65 AND UP AS WELL AS OUR DISABLEDDISABLED MEMBERS UP TO 320,000 LAST YEAR TO HELP REDUCE THE FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT WE KNOW MANY OF OUR SENIORS ARE WRESTLING WITH.
WE ALSO, ALL FOUR OF US, WE HAVE VARIOUS SENIOR PROGRAMMING IN EACH OF OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS, SENIOR TRIPS WHICH I KNOW OUR SENIORS REALLY LOVE AND WE APPRECIATE YOU ALL HELPING TO SPREAD THE WORD.
IN PRECINCT 4 WE HAVE TWO SPECIFIC CENTERS FOCUSED, ALL ARE FOCUSED ON SENIORS BUT THESE IN PARTICULAR, AND IT REALLY IS AS WE HEAR SO OFTEN, THIS IS MY SECOND HOME, AND I KNOW MY GRANDMAS, MAY THEY REST IN PEACE, THEIR SENIOR PROGRAMMING WAS EVERYTHING,
[04:25:03]
THEIR CHURCH AND THEIR COMMUNITY CENTER.IT MAKES MY HEART FULL. I'M SO PROUD WE HAVE SOME OF THE LARGEST AARP CHAPTERS IN THE WHOLE STATE OF TEXAS, THE LARGEST IN THE COUNTRY IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND KNOW THAT WE ARE HERE.
HARRIS COUNTY IS ALSO THANKFUL FOR THE WORK THAT HARRIS COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING PLAYS TO HELP OUR OLDER RESIDENTS, FAMILIES, CAREGIVERS WITH RESOURCES INCLUDING HOME- DELIVERED MEALS, TRANSPORTATION, RESPITE CARE AND BEYOND. SO, AGAIN, PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE WORD ON THAT AS WELL.
AND SO WE ARE HERE TO JUST CONTINUE TO AMPLIFY AND IMPROVE THE SENIOR SERVICES THAT ALL FOUR COMMISSIONERS OFFER AND THAT THE AREA ON AGING DOES AS WELL. AND SO, WITH THAT, I KNOW AS A DAUGHTER I WORRY BECAUSE MY PARENTS LIVE SIX HOURS AWAY IN SOUTH TEXAS AND MY SIBLINGS LIVE IN THAILAND. I'M NOT SURE -- I PRAY THEY'RE HEALTHY FOR A LONG, LONG TIME.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO.
IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE A LONG ROAD AHEAD AND A LOT OF WORK TO DO. I'M PROUD OF THE STEPS WE'RE TAKING TOGETHER TO BE ABLE TO AMPLIFY THE SUPPORT FOR OUR SENIORS. THE AMAZING, PHENOMENAL LEADERS ARE AT THE FRONT LINES OF THAT.
>> YOU KIND OF STOLE MY THUNDER I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR INVITING US OVER. CINDY IS OUR PRESIDENT AND I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR OUR AARP CHAPTER 50 AND WE ARE THE BIGGEST ONE, YEAH. I THINK THE MAIN THING HAVING BECOME AN OLDER AMERICAN PERSON THAT THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO THINK THAT WE ARE NO LONGER RELEVANT.
WE DON'T -- WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE KIND OF NICE TO LET US OPENOPEN DOOR FOR US AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT A LOT OF PEOPLE TREAT US LIKE WE REALLY DON'T HAVE IT ALL TOGETHER, YOU KNOW, AND WE NEED HELP AND THAT IS TRUE IN A LOT OF CASES, AND YOU BROUGHT UP SEVERAL OF THOSE THINGS THAT SOME OF MY NEIGHBORS ARE USING LIKE MEALS ON WHEELS. THERE'S A LOT OF US IN OUR CLUBHOUSE THAT ARE NOT FEEBLE AND ARE NOT READY TO GIVE UP THE GHOST.
I, MYSELF, TURNED 80 YEARS OLD. I'M NOT READY TO QUIT.
>> THAT'S AMAZING. PLEASE KEEP GOING, MARY
LOU. >> I WOULD SAY, LET US TAKE CARE OF THOSE THAT ARE IN NEED, BUT LET US ALSO HAVE SOME DIGNITY FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE REALLY READY TO GO.
MOST OF US IN OUR GROUP, WE'RE READY.
SOME OF US HAVE CANES. SOME OF US HAVE A WHEELCHAIR.
SOME OF US HAVE WALKERS, BUT THEY'RE STILL READY TO GO AND THEY'RE READY TO HELP, AND THEY ARE PART OF THIS COMMUNITY. THIS IS A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF SKILLS, AND SO WE JUST ASK THAT YOU GIVE US OUR DIGNITY AND LET US LIVE OUR LIVES AND LET US HELP EACH OTHER. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TO OUR APRIL BIRTHDAY PARTY THAT WE HAVE FOR ALL OF OUR MEMBERS ON THAT MONTH -- EVERY MONTH, AND ESPECIALLY FOR THE CAKE.
THE CAKE WAS REALLY GOOD. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> AND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK WITH YOU LATER AFTER THE MEETING TO REALLY THINK ABOUT SOME OF THE WAYS THAT OUR COMMUNITIES CAN ASSIST YOU IN VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS AND EVENTS YOU'RE DOING THAT YOU NEED SOME PARTNERSHIP WITH. WE WOULD BE HAPPY AND INTERESTED IN THOSE THINGS. I'M GRATEFUL FOR YOU AND FOR THIS -- WHAT IS IT?
>> I WANT TO MAKE IT ALREADY A PROPOSITION.
I HOPE THAT WILL GO AND I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT.
>> I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO INVITE YOU AND YOUR STAFF ON A DAY TOUR WITH US.
WE HAVE A GREAT TIME. NOT ALL AT ONE TIME.
MAYBE ONE OR TWO AT A TIME, OKAY.
AND WE LOVE THE BUSES. THEY ARE CLEAN AND GREAT.
AND WE REALLY LIKE THE PAINTED BUSES. WE REALLY LIKE THOSE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR INVITING US AND IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING TO HEM OR TO VOLUNTEER FOR OR WHATEVER, PLEASE LET US KNOW.
>> HAPPY 80TH. YOU ARE A POWERHOUSE, A DYNAMITE. YOU'RE UNSTOPPABLE.
I WANT TO LEARN EVERYTHING YOU'RE WILLING TO TEACH ME. I KNOW MY TEAM DOES AS WELL, AND WE WELCOME YOUR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP. YOU'VE ALREADY BEEN SUCH
[04:30:01]
A LEADER IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE WOULD JUST LOVE YOUR AND ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS -- TALK ABOUT AN UNSTOPPABLE GROUP.WE REALLY NEED YOUR HELP AND Y'ALL HAVE BEEN SOME OF THE ABSOLUTE BEST TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS AND PARTNERS, AND SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO MANY, MANY MORE YEARS OF ADVENTURES TOGETHER.
>> ON SUNDAY I'M ABLE TO TEACH TWO PRETTY WELL- ATTENDED BIBLE STUDY CLASSES.
THE AGE IS SOMEWHERE NORTH OF 80. WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE IN THEIR 90S.
AND THE THING I'D LIKE TO SAY ABOUT OUR SENIORS IS WE, BECAUSE I'M ONE OF THEM, SOMETIMES THEY UNDERESTIMATE US.
>> WHAT I'VE SEEN IN OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS, WHAT I'VE SEEN ON TRIPS WE TAKE, THE DAY TRIPS, IT COULD BE NASA OR OTHER PLACES, MANY TIMES OUR SENIORS COME TO THE COMMUNITY CENTERS BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER PLACE TO GO.
>> AND THEY ARE SUCH A JOY. IF YOU WANT TO COME TO THE MENDENHALL COMMUNITY CENTER WE'LL GET YOU TUNED UP ON THE YUKALALEY, YOU TALK ABOUT WISDOM SHARING IN TERMS OF WHAT WE CAN DO.
WE HAVE A SENIOR OLYMPICS. IF YOU DON'T THINK CHEER VOLLEYBALL IS COMPETITIVE, IT'S PRETTY COMPETITIVE.
THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR ENTHUSIASM.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND SPREADING THE WORD THAT WE MAY BE OF AN AGE BUT WHAT'S AN AGE ANYWAY, RIGHT?
>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANTED TO SHARE SOMETHING. FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE ROSA LINDA. I'M A MEMBER.
YOU HAVE BEEN AN INCREDIBLE PARTNER TO ALL OF US SO APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP OVER THERE. AND ON THE POINT YOU MADE ABOUT SOMETIMES FOLKS MAY THINK THAT YOU'RE NOT THERE, I RECENTLY HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE WORLD WAR II MUSEUM IN NEW ORLEANS, AND NEXT TO IT IS THE HIGGINS HOTEL, NAMED AFTER A GENTLEMAN NAMED ANDREW HIGGINS.
HE WAS THE INVENTOR OF THE HIGGINS BOATS, INSTRUMENTAL IN THE SUCCESS OF THE INVASION OF NORMANDY. AND AS WE WERE WALKING INTO THE MUSEUM, I SEE A GENTLEMAN WITH A CANE WALKING TO GET INTO THE MUSEUM WEARING A WORLD WAR II VETERANS HAT.
AND SO WE ACKNOWLEDGED HIM, BUT ONE OF THE PERSONS LEADING OUR GROUP SAID, HEY, THAT'S MR. HIGGINS. SO WE STOPPED HIM AND STARTED TALKING TO HIM, AND HE WANTED TO KNOW WHY WE WERE THERE. SO OUR GROUP LEAD STARTED TO MENTION WE WERE THERE TO VISIT WITH THE CEO OF THE MUSEUM AND A COUPLE OTHER PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT THEIR OPERATIONS AND HOW THEY GOT TO THAT INCREDIBLE MUSEUM AND ALL THE PROGRAMMING THAT GOES WITH IT. HE'S LISTENING AND HE HE GOES, YEAH, HE'S OKAY, BUT IF YOU DON'T GET ALL THE ANSWERS, YOU NEED TO CALL THIS GUY AND THEN CALL THIS GUY. BUT HE SHOULD BE ALL RIGHT.
AND THEN HE JUST GOES ON IN. YOU TALK ABOUT IMPRESSIVE.
SO ALL THE RESPECT AND HONOR BECAUSE FOR ALL OF US YOU HAVE PLOWED SOME INCREDIBLE GROUND FOR US TO FOLLOW. SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. AND WE SUPPORT YOU GUYS AS MUCH AS WE CAN, AND I KNOW THAT ADRIAN AND I HAVE KNOWN EACH OTHER FOR MANY YEARS WHEN YOU WERE A BABY POLICE OFFICER.
I DRAGGED YOU DOWN TO JUVENILE TO TALK TO THE KIDS.
>> THAT'S RIGHT. GOOD TO SEE YOU.
>> THANK YOU, MARY LOU. THANK YOU, CINDY.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT, SO THANK YOU, MARY LOU. CINDY.
>> I AM CINDY, THE PRESIDENT OF THE AARP CHAPTER 50 GROUP. I JUST WANTED TO ADD ONE LITTLE THING. I THINK OUR SENIORS COULD REALLY BENEFIT FROM SOME KIND OF ACTION OR MOTIVATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT, FROM THE COUNTY ESPECIALLY, IN TERMS OF, LIKE, TRANSFERRING SOME OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE TO OUR YOUTH.
I DON'T KNOW HOW WE COULD DO THAT BUT I SEE THAT AS A
[04:35:04]
WIN-WIN. THE SENIORS WOULD BENEFIT BECAUSE THEY STILL FEEL USEFUL. AND THE YOUTH AREN'T LEARNING ALL THOSE OLD TRADITIONAL VALUES THAT THEY USED TO LEARN. I THINK THAT IF ALL OF YOU COMMISSIONERS COULD SOMEHOW COME TOGETHER WITH A PROGRAM FOR THAT, WE WOULD ALL BENEFIT. SO THANK YOU.>> I WOULD LOVE THAT, CINDY. ACTUALLY, MY TEAM -- KATE, WHERE ARE YOU? WE WERE -- I COULDN'T AGREE MORE IN TERMS OF OUR YOUTH AND OUR SENIORS AND ALL THE WISDOM THAT YOU HAVE. WE WANT OUR YOUTH TO ABSORB.
I WANT TO ABSORB IT MYSELF, TOO. I'LL BE AT THAT PROGRAM.
SO KATE IS GOING TO REALLY HELP LEAD THAT.
THANK YOU, KATE, AND THANK YOU, CINDY. THANK YOU, MARY LOU.
>> SO MY SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA ALREADY MENTIONED WE HAVE ROSA LINDA MARTINEZ FOR AARP TEXAS. IT'S WONDERFUL, TWO OF YOUR PASSIONS AND WE HAVE BETH HARP, THE CEO OF KIDS MEALS HEREHERE TODAY. I'M GOING TO SHARE SOME INFORMATION AND SOME OF THESE NUMBERS ARE COMPLETELY STAGGERING AND COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY WE MUST KEEP UNITING, TAKING ACTION, MAKING PROGRESS, AND GOD BLESS YOU, KATE. MAY 28 IS RECOGNIZED INTERNATIONALLY AS WORLD HUNGER DAY TO RAISE AWARENESS AND INSPIRE ACTION TO END HUNGER.
AND ACROSS THE WORLD THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 343 MILLION PEOPLE THAT WE KNOW OF, 343 MILLION, ACROSS AT LEAST 74 COUNTRIES WHO EXPERIENCE ACUTE FOOD INSECURITY ACCORDING TO THE WORLD FOOD PROGRAM. HERE AT HOME IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 44% OF OUR RESIDENTS THAT ARE EITHER FOOD INSECURE OR AT THE BRINK OF FOOD INSECURITY. AND, AGAIN, AS A MOM, MY HEART GOES BACK TO THE KIDS. OVER 20% -- APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FIVE OF OUR KIDS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY -- ARE FOOD INSECURE.
WE SEE THIS INTENSE NEED AND WE SEE IS EXACERBATED AFTER DISASTERS. WE SEE IT EXACERBATED IN TIMES WITH INFLATION AND BEYOND. SO WHAT HAVE WE DONE ABOUT IT HERE AT HOME? SINCE 2021 HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS RESCUE PLAN FUNDING THROUGH OUR FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAM TO ADDRESS FOOD INSECURITY.
WE HAVE ALSO SUPPORTED EXCELLENT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE KIDS MEALS, AND THEY WILL TELL YOU MORE ABOUT WHAT THEY DO.
IT'S AMAZING AND I'M SO EXCITED HOW THEY'RE GOING TO FURTHER EXPAND. KIDS MEALS HAS DELIVERED MORE THAN 14 MILLION MEALS TO CHILDREN ACROSS 56 HOUSTON AREA ZIP CODES INCLUDING OVER 3 MILLION MEALS IN 2022.
AND IN THIS FALL, THE FALL OF 2025, KIDS MEALS WILL OPEN ITS NEW 50,000 SQUARE FOOT HEADQUARTERS, WHICH I'M SO EXCITED ABOUT, AND THIS WILL HELP THEM ACHIEVE THEIR GOAL TO SERVE APPROXIMATELY 26,000 PRESCHOOL- AGED CHILDREN EACH DAY BY 2031, WHICH IS JUST FANTASTIC. I KNOW MY TEAM AND I ARE EXCITED ABOUT DOING A VOLUNTEER DAY AS WELL. DAYS, PLURAL, FOR MANY YEARS TO COME. ANOTHER THING WE HAVE DONE, AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS DONE THIS IN PRECINCT 2, IS PARTNERING WITH THE CENTER. IT FORMS A GROCERY STORE SO FAMILIES CAN COME IN AND PICK OUT HEALTHY FOOD PLUS THEY DO NUTRITION COUNSELING AND THEY CONNECT INDIVIDUALS TO OTHER SERVICES.
THERE'S DIABETES PREVENTION. IT'S A MORE HOLISTIC APPROACH I REALLY LOVE AND I'M THANKFUL FOR THEM IN BAYLAND AND I KNOW THEY'RE IN PRECINCT 2 AS WELL WHICH IS WHERE WE GOT THE IDEA.
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. I USED TO BE A TEACHER, AND I KNOW THAT MANY OF MY STUDENTS, THE ONLY MEAL THEY HAD WAS WHAT THEY HAD AT SCHOOL.
AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL OF OUR CHILDREN AND ALL PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY IN THE WEALTHIEST COUNTRY IN THE WHOLE WORLD, THAT NOBODY GOES TO BED HUNGRY, AND I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO HERE TO MAKE SURE THAT'S POSSIBLE ESPECIALLY FOR OUR YOUTH, AND SO WITHOUT FURTHER ADO HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES MAY 28, 2025, AS WORLD HUNGER DAY AND I HOPE AS A COMMUNITY WE CAN CONTINUE UNITING SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE WORLD HUNGER DAYDAY ESPECIALLY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, IN THE RICHEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD. WITH THAT, LET'S KEEP PRESSING FORWARD AND WITH LEADERSHIP LIKE THE WONDERFUL LEADERS WE
[04:40:03]
HAVE HERE TODAY, I'M OPTIMISTIC.SO, BETH, WOULD YOU PLEASE SHARE SOME WORDS? WE HAVE BETH HART.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER÷÷COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ROSA LINDA MARTINEZ, WE'RE SO GRATEFUL TO HAVE HER HERE WITH US TODAY.
I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY TO RECOGNIZE WORLD HUNGER DAY.
KIDS MEALS IS THE NATION'S ONLY HOME DELIVERY SERVICE FOR PRESCHOOL- AGED CHILDREN THAT ARE LIVING IN IMPOVERISHED HOMES AND FOOD INSECURE HOMES, MANY OF WHOM DON'T KNOW WHERE THEIR NEXT MEAL IS COMING FROM.
AND WE ARE DELIVERING A HEALTHY MEAL THANKS TO VOLUNTEERS, PEOPLE JUST LIKE YOU AND ME WHO DONATE THEIR TIME LOVINGLY TO COME AND MAKE SIMPLE LUNCHES, MEALS, HEALTHY MEALS, FOR KIDS. AND WE TAKE THOSE MEALS AND WE DELIVER THEM DIRECTLY TO THEIR DOORSTEPS BECAUSE IT'S SO CRITICAL TO HELP RELIEVE THE STRESS ON THE FAMILY.
WHAT WE HEAR FROM PARENTS, AT LEAST I KNOW MY CHILD'S GOING TO EAT TODAY. THAT'S WHAT WE HEAR ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> AND I JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING.
THANK YOU FOR THE COUNTY'S SUPPORT, THE ARPA GRANT IS ENABLING US TO SERVE 2,000 MORE A DAY THAN WE DID BEFORE WHICH IS INCREDIBLE. WE'RE SERVING ABOUT 10,000 PRESCHOOL- AGED CHILDREN A DAY IN THE SUMMER. WE'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE.
IT WILL BE OUR BIGGEST SUMMER YET, 16,000 CHILDREN A DAY IS WHAT WE'RE SERVING BECAUSE WE FEED ALL THE SIBLINGS.
YOU CAN'T PULL UP IN A VAN IN FRONT OF A HOME, APARTMENT OR TRAILER AND YOU HAVE A 2-YEAR- OLD STANDING THERE AND A 10-YEAR-OLD STANDING THERE HUNGRY AND NOT FEED THAT CHILD. I ALSO WANTED TO THANK ALL OF YOU FOR SUPPORTING THROUGH THE COUNTY OUR NEW BUILDING THAT WE CALL BUILDING HOPE.
THANK YOU FOR GOING TO BAT FOR US.
I AM SO GRATEFUL. WE'RE BUILDING A 54,000-SQUARE- FOOT FACILITY. WE WANT TO BE A MAJOR PLAYER IN THE FOOD INSECURITY SPACE AND WITH OVER 100,000 CHILDREN IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT ARE PRESCHOOL AGED, LIVING FOOD INSECURE. THANKS TO YOUR SUPPORT, WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO REALLY IMPACT THAT CHILDHOOD HUNGER. I'M SO GRATEFUL TO YOU.
I HAVE SOME LITTLE MEMENTOS FOR YOU TODAY.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE. I FEEL SUPER HONORED AND BLESSED TO BE ON THE BOARD OF KIDS MEALS. AS A LATINA FROM THE EAST END, ONE OF THE ZIP CODES WE SERVE EVERY DAY THAT GETS DELIVERIES, I STARTED AS A VOLUNTEER.
MORE THAN 70% OF OUR FAMILIES THAT ARE SERVED EVERY DAY ARE HISPANIC. FOR ME IT IS AN HONOR TO JUST SEE THE WORK THAT WE'RE DOING.
WE REALLY APPRECIATE ALL OF YOU SUPPORT.
WE INVITE YOU TO COME AND RIDE ALONG AND SEE THE REAL IMPACT WE HAVE WHEN OUR PROVIDERS, OUR DRIVERS, ARRIVE TO THE HOME AND THESE KIDS RUN OUT BECAUSE THEY SEE MORE THAN A MEAL. THEY SEE HOPE.
WE ARE DELIVERING HOPE. IT IS REALLY A LABOR OF LOVE, AND WHAT WE'RE DOING IS CHANGING THEIR LIVES BECAUSE THE AGE 0- 5 IS WHEN THEIR BRAIN IS DEVELOPING AND SO WE ARE NUMBER TWO IN CHILDHOOD FOOD INSECURITY IN THE NATION, HARRIS COUNTY, AND WITH THIS BUILDING WE HOPE TO MAKE A HUGE IMPACT AND THAT WOULDN'T BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HELP OF EACH OF YOU. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS, WE'RE EXCITED TO BE IN YOUR PRECINCT AND HAVE THE NEW BUILDING THIS FALL. THANK YOU.
>> WE'RE SO EXCITED. THANK YOU.
I KNOW ALL OF US PROBABLY HAVE VOLUNTEERED AT THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.
THEY DO AMAZING WORK AND I'M SO GRATEFUL AND HOPEFULLY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT KIDS MEALS, NEXT TIME YOU HAVE FREE TIME AND MAY WANT TO VOLUNTEER, I ENCOURAGE TO YOU VOLUNTEER.
YOU CAN TAKE TEAMS FOR TEAM BUILDING VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, AND WE'RE GRATEFUL THE COUNTY HAS BEEN ABLE TO PARTNER AND WE LOOK ENDING HUNGER IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND.
LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU AGAIN.
>> WONDERFUL. AND JUST REAL QUICKLY, BETH, I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THAT -- FIRST, I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD BUT ALSO TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. I HAVE SEEN KIDS MEALS OVER THE YEARS THROUGH MY DAYS ON COUNCIL, AS A SHERIFF AND NOW IN THIS ROLE, AND I AM VERY GRATEFUL, BECAUSE AS ROSA LINDA MENTIONED, TO HAVE HUNGER IN A TOWN IS MAYBE NOT UNUSUAL, BUT TO TOUCH CHILDREN IS UNCONSCIONABLE.
SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR DOING TO ELIMINATE THAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE FROM GROWING
[04:45:01]
UP, AND THEN ALSO TO COMMEND YOU AND KIDS MEALS FOR THETHE THAT YOU HAVE. ONE, YOU HAVE FOLKS LIKE ROSA LINDA ON THERE AND THEN EARL WAS JUST PHENOMENAL AT ADVOCATING FOR THIS FUNDING TO HAPPEN. AND SO I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE FINDING SOME INCREDIBLE TALENT TO HELP YOU MOVE THE MISSION OF KIDS MEAL FORWARD.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND YOU'VE BEEN A LONGTIME ADVOCATE OF OUR FOR THE CHILDREN WE SERVE AND WE'RE FOREVER GRATEFUL.
>> IT'S AN HONOR. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WASN'T HERE, BUT I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, ALSO. YOU AND YOUR OFFICE, JUST BEING OUR CHEERLEADERS, I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.
>> THANK YOU. ANYBODY GOT ANY OTHER ITEMS?
>> WE NEED TO VOTE ON ITEMS 4 THROUGH 9.
>> COMMISSIONER, DID WE ALREADY DO THAT? JUST A MOTION TO APPROVE ITEMS 4 THROUGH 9.
>> ALL OF THEM PASS. ANY OTHER BUSINESS? ANY OTHER ANNOUNCEMENTS? IT IS NO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.