Jun 26, 2025 Commissioners Court

>> GOOD WORK, YOU GUYS. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Appearances before court ]

WE WILL INVITE SPEAKERS TO ADDRESS THE COURT.

[00:05:01]

TIFFANY, GET US STARTED.

>> DORIS BROWN, BRITNEY KOBLE. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> WE WILL START WITH DORIS. WELCOME TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

WOULD YOU MIND CALLING THEM ONE AT A TIME? JUST IN THE STANDARD WAY, PLEASE.

>> OKAY. DORIS BROWN, BENJAMIN BROADWAY AND MR. HE ESPINOZA.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DORIS BROWN.

WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HARRIS.

WE VOTED FOR THE IZATION FRAMEWORK WHICH S SOCIAL VULNERABILITY. WE ARE TIRED OF FLOODING.

THE BOND IN 2018 REQUIRES EQUITY.

WHEN THIS COURT DISCUSSED THE BOND, YOU PROMISED PRIORITIZATION SYSTEM WOULD BE FOLLOWED TO HELP FLOOD- PRONE COMMUNITIES. THIS WAS YOUR COMMITMENT.

WE THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY TRUSTED YOU.

WE ASKED YOU HELPED DEVELOP THE FLOOD EQUITY GUIDELINES, BECAUSE THE SYSTEM THAT CAME BEFORE WAS NOT WORKING TO RESOLVE THE HISTORIC NEGLECT COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAD ENDURED FOR DECADES.

WE ARE HERE TO ENSURE OUR COMMUNITIES HAVE THE SAME PROTECTION AS MORE AFFLUENT ONES. FOR YEARS TO COME. FLOOD CONTROL

MUST USE -- >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU.

>> FLOOD CONTROL MUST USE THE SYSTEM THAT WAS BASED ON MONTHS OF COMMUNITY INPUT AND APPROVED BY ALL OF YOU. AND AS COMMISSIONERS IN, YOU MUST HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. AS BEFORE, THE FLOOD DISTRICT PEOPLE ARE THE PROBLEM AND NOT A PART OF THE SOLUTION.

THEN AGAIN, IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE IN THAT DEPARTMENT. WHERE IS INSTITUTIONAL ACCOUNTABILITY?

>> NEXT IS BENJAMIN BROADWAY AND DAVID ESPINOZA.

>> WHO IS THE NEXT ONE?

>> I DON'T THINK THEY ARE HERE YET.

KEEP GOING.

MAYBE THAT'S HIM COMING. I'M NOT SURE.

>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE, YOU ASKED ME WHEN I FIRST STARTED COMING HERE, WHICH PROJECTS AM I TALKING ABOUT? YOU SEE THEM NOW, DON'T YOU? WE NEED TO DO A DASHBOARD TO WHERE WE CAN SEE WHERE THESE PROJECTS START AND WHEN THEY FINISH. BECAUSE HISTORICALLY, WE HAVE BEEN NEGLECTED. I HAVE BEEN TO OTHER PRECINCTS.

THEY GOT WATER PUMPS BLOWING WATER UP FROM THE RETENTION POND. WE DON'T HAVE THAT IN OUR DISTRICTS. WE DON'T EVEN HAVE THE WATER PUMP TO PUT TO DRAIN THE RETENTION PONDS WHEN WE HAVE OUR FLOODS.

THERE'S NO EQUITY BEING DONE IN OUR AREAS.

Y'ALL SAID IN 2022 THAT, YEAH, WE WERE GOING TO DO THAT.

OKAY. WE STILL HAVEN'T SEEN THAT.

WE HAVEN'T SEEN THE MONEY FROM THE TOLL WAY.

THE FEDERAL MONEY YOU SAID WE WERE GOING TO GET.

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE. WHAT'S YOUR NAME?

>> MY NAME IS BENJAMIN BROADWAY. I HAVE BEEN HERE MULTIPLE TIMES.

I HAVE BEEN HERE BEFORE THE CHANGE OF THE GUARD. THEY HAVE TOLD ME BEFORE TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT Y'ALL WERE GOING TO GET TO IT.

WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT? LET'S CREATE A DASHBOARD WHERE WE CAN SEE ACROSS THE PRECINCTS WHEN PROJECTS START,

[00:10:01]

WHEN PROJECTS END. GET ACCESSIBLE FOR THE VISUALLY IMPAIRED AND HANDICAPPED.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

ONE THOUGHT ON THAT, WHICH IS I GUESS DISAPPOINTING ABOUT THE WAY -- MAYBE WE'RE LOOKING AT THINGS, IT'S ABOUT WHEN IT STARTS AS OPPOSED TO WHEN THEY FINISH.

I KNOW WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT LATER.

I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT THAT UP.

>> YES, MA'AM, THANK YOU.

>> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS IN.

ANY NAME IS DAVID ESPINOZA. I'M A RESIDENT OF NORTHEAST HOUSTON, PRECINCT 2. IT'S ONE OF THE -- I WANTED TO ASK THE COMMISSIONERS, BECAUSE I WAS IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. THINGS HAVE IMPROVED BECAUSE OF THE WORK HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL HAS DONE.

MY COMMUNITY IS HISPANIC AND LOW INCOME.

IT'S GREATLY IMPROVED OUR LIVES. WORK AND LIVE STRESS FREE OF FLOODS. I DON'T SEE THAT EVERYWHERE IN MY COMMUNITY.

THERE'S PEOPLE WHO DON'T SEE PROJECTS HAPPENING.

I ASK YOU -- ALL OF Y'ALL JUST TO KEEP WITH THE EQUITY GUIDELINES THAT WERE MADE FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL FOR THE FLOOD BOND. IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. THE REASON THAT EXISTED IS TO REMIND YOU, A LOT OF OUR FOLKS, OLDER FOLKS I WORK WITH, THEY REMEMBER A TIME WHEN BLACK AND BROWN FOLKS WERE IGNORED.

THIS KIND OF EQUITY GUIDELINES IS THE MAKEUP FOR THAT TIME THAT THEY WERE DISCRIMINATED AGAINST AND SEGREGATED.

WHEN WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THOSE SERVICES.

I KNOW WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN. WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.

THAT'S THE POINT. MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE ARE TAKEN CARE OF, THAT WE ARE PRETTY MUCH PUTTING OUR LIVES IN YOUR HANDS TO PROTECT US AND PROTECT OUR PROPERTY.

I TRUST THAT Y'ALL DO CARE ABOUT PROTECTING PEOPLE'S LIVES. I HOPE THAT YOU ARE IN LINE WITH MAINTAINING THOSE GUIDELINES. THANK YOU.

>> PETRA CERVONTES. BRITNEY AND JUDITH REVELS.

>> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.

>> THEN THE INTERPRETER SHOULD GET TWO MINUTES INSTEAD OF ONE. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE INTERPRETER NOW.

>> GOOD MORNING. JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I LIVE IN THE LIQUID AREA IN

HOUSTON. >> GET CLOSER TO THE MIC, PLEASE.

>> I LIVE IN THE LAKEWOOD AREA IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON.

LIKE YOU KNOW, THIS AREA TENDS TO FLOOD.

WHEN IT RAINS, WE ARE IN DANGER OF FLOODING.

THIS IS THE REASON I INSIST THAT YOU FOLLOW THE RULES FOR THE PROGRAM. THE EQUITY BOND PROGRAM. WE VOTED FOR ALL OF YOU.

PLEASE MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR HELPING US AND PROTECT US AGAINST FLOODING.

[00:15:03]

THIS IS WHY WE ARE PAYING TAXES TO FIX THE INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS BEGINNING TO FAIL.

IF YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE LAWS, IT'S VERY -- AS YOU CAN SEE, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO TAKE CARE OF THE LIFE AND THE PROPERTY OF OUR RESIDENTS IN THE HOUSTON AREA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GRACIAS.

>> TRANSLATOR: HELLO. GOOD MORNING.

TODAY I'M HERE TO ASK TO TAKE IN ACCOUNT THE AREAS MOST NEEDED. WE HAVE SEVERAL FLOODING PROBLEMS. WE VOTED FOR EQUITY IN VARIOUS OCCASIONS IN MARCH OF 2022. WE NEED TO MAKE IT PUBLIC THE PROJECT WHERE IT STARTED AND THE ONES THAT ARE PLANNED ALREADY. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT THE VOTE FOR THE EFFECTED AREAS AND THE ONES THAT ARE MORE IN NEED, NOT TO FIND ANY MORE ERRORS AND THE FUTURE BETTER PLANNING AROUND THOSE AREAS.

ALONG WITH T.O.P. , WE HAVE DEMONSTRATED SEVERAL ERRORS WHEN TRYING TO SELECT SEVERAL AREAS OF LOW INCOME RESOURCES COMMUNITIES.

>> HI. I LIVE IN EAST SUNNYSIDE.

HELLO TO THE COMMISSIONERS. AS A CITIZEN, I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITY. WE DEMAND THAT HCFCD TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES THAT WERE SET IN 2022 . WE WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO RELEASE THE LIST OF THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN COMPLETED. WE ASK THAT YOU CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES THAT WE VOTED FOR AS A CITIZEN. BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE TO SEE THE IMPROVEMENT THAT WE ASKED THE COMMISSIONERS TO CONTINUE TO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES. WE ASK THAT YOU HONOR WHAT THE VOTERS HAVE VOTED FOR.

WE TRUST THAT THE COMMISSIONERS WILL CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK THAT THE VOTERS HAVE VOTED FOR. WITHOUT YOUR TRUST, ME AS A VOTER AND THE VOTERS CANNOT DEPEND ON YOU GUYS TO CONTINUE DOING WHAT WE VOTED TO PUT YOU IN SERVICE.

>> HAD YOU FINISHED?

>> NO.

>> IS IT QUICK? A COUPLE

OF SENTENCES? >> OKAY.

NORTHEAST COLLECTIVE. HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD RESILIENCY TASK FORCE. WE NEED TO STICK TO THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 2022 AS A RECOMMENDATION BY THE TASK FORCE AND ALSO HARRIS COUNTY. FOR THE LONGEST, THERE'S BEEN INEQUITIES IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON, SOUTHEAST HOUSTON MAINLY. THE DASHBOARD THAT'S ON THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL WEBSITE IS OUTDATED.

>> BILLY GUERVA.

[00:20:09]

>> HELLO. YOU KNOW ME.

IT'S ONE OF OUR RECOMMENDATIONS AT THE TASK FORCE TO STAY ON TOP OF UPDATES SO THAT EVERYDAY CITIZENS CAN SEE WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR AREAS.

MY OTHER CONCERNS IS THAT IF YOU DO NOT STICK TO THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK THAT ARE RECOMMENDED -- THAT IS RECOMMENDED AND THAT WE VOTED FOR AND YOU STICK TO CUTTING THE FUNDING --

>> YOU CAN CONTINUE.

>> CUTTING THE FUNDING TO -- AS RECOMMENDED BY FLOOD CONTROL, THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT ARE GOING TO HURT ARE THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE LONG BEEN OUTSOURCED AND UNDERSERVED WITHIN NORTHEAST HOUSTON AND OTHER AREAS AS WELL.

THE ONLY ONES THAT ARE GOING TO GET HURT IS US.

WE'RE GOING TO KEEP FLOODING AGAIN. WE HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND TO EVERYONE LISTENING THAT IT'S ONLY A MITIGATION, TO LESSEN THE SEVERALTY OF FLOODING.

WHAT THAT MEANS IS THAT WE WILL ALWAYS HAVE FLOODING.

WE'RE JUST TRYING TO MAKE IT LESS SEVERE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. QUICK QUESTION FOR YOU.

YOU ARE PART OF THE --

>> NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE.

>> NO, NO.

>> THE Y FLOOD TASK

FORCE. >> WHETHER N WE SAY THE LETTERS, IT DOESN'T ROLL OFF THE TONGUE.

WHAT WAS YOUR INTENTION, IF YOU DON'T REMRIEND MIND REMINDINGREMINDING US? DO YOU REMEMBER SPECIFICALLY, WHAT WERE THE ISSUES WITH THE FRAMEWORK?

>> OFFHAND, I DO NOT KNOW. I DON'T HAVE MY NOTES IN FRONT OF ME. WE DID HAVE A MEETING -- BRIEF MEETING ON TUESDAY. WE WANTED TO STICK TO THE -- WE'RE HAVING ANOTHER EQUITY WORKSHOP WITHIN THE TASK FORCE TO REMIND US OF WHAT EQUITY IS.

WE KNOW WHAT EQUITY IS. WE KNOW WHAT INEQUITY IS.

WE'RE TRYING TO GET THE FAIR SHARE FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN LONG IGNORED.

NOT ONLY IN NORTHEAST HOUSTON BUT SOUTHEAST HOUSTON AND OTHER AREAS, TOO.

CLOVER LEAF HAS BEEN IGNORED. NORTH SHORE HAS BEEN IGNORED. WE ARE WAITING. ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITE, IT SAYS THAT THOSE PROJECTS , ALONG WITH NORTHEAST HOUSTON, ARE SHOVEL READY. I HAVE WALKED ALONG THE TRAIL THAT WAS DEDICATED A COUPLE YEARS AGO.

THERE IS NOTHING GOING ON. I CROSS REFERENCE THAT WITH WHAT'S ON THE WEBSITE. IT SAID SHOVEL READY.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I KNOW THAT UPSTREAM TOWARDS THE ALDEAN AREA, THEY HAVE MADE IMPROVEMENTS.

I SAID IN ANOTHER -- THE OTHER TIME I WAS HERE THAT -- I SPOKE TO ONE OF THE ENGINEERS, BASICALLY.

I ASKED HIM, WOULDN'T THAT CREATE A BOTTLENOSE AFFECT FOR US DOWNSTREAM? THE WATERSHED IS DOWN STREAM. HE SAID THAT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY. THEN AGAIN, WHO KNOWS? MAYBE WE WILL HAVE OOLT BIBLICAL EVENT LIKE HARVEY. NOBODY KNOWS. IT WOULD GIVE EVERYONE HERE, ALONG WITH OUR RESIDENTS, PEACE OF MIND KNOWING THAT THESE PROJECTS ARE BEING WORKED ON.

>> YEAH. THAT WAS MY OTHER QUESTION.

CFRTF, THERE WE GO. WE HAVE HAD THESE MEETINGS.

YOU GUYS HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME AND THE CFRTF.

I HAVE WALKED AWAY FROM CONVERSATIONS AROUND THE FLOOD BOND FEELING GOOD ABOUT IT, IN THE PAST. THEY FOUND THIS NEW FUNDING.

WE HAVE THIS FRAMEWORK. IT'S GOING TO GO ACCORDING TO THE FRAMEWORK. WE JUST KEEP FINDING OURSELVES TIME AND TIME AGAIN DISAPPOINTED. I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND FROM YOU -- I KNOW WE DIDN'T PLAN THIS.

SO IT'S OKAY IF YOU WOULD RATHER NOT ANSWER.

I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS TO WHAT THE

[00:25:04]

ISSUE IS. I'M HEARING THAT WHEN IT SAYS SHOVEL READY, IT'S NOT ACTUALLY

MOVING. >> NO.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU THINK IS THE REASON WHY WE FIND OURSELVES BACK HERE AGAIN?

>> WE ARE SCARED OF THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT'S BUDGET CUTS, PROPOSED BUDGET CUTS. THAT SCARES THE HELL OUT OF US, EXCUSE ME. IT REALLY DOES.

THE ONES THAT ARE GOING TO BE AFFECTED THE MOST ARE THE PEOPLE HERE, NORTHEAST HOUSTON, SOUTHEAST HOUSTON, SOUTH PARK, CLOVER LEAF, NORTH SHORE, ALL THOSE AREAS. ALL THOSE UNDERSERVED AREAS.

HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS. THAT'S OUR MAIN CONCERN, WHEN, WHERE AND HOW SOON OR HOW LATE.

THAT'S FROM THE HEART RIGHT THERE.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ONE MORE QUICK QUESTION.

>> GO AHEAD.

>> NORMALLY, I DON'T ASK FOLKS TO COME UP OUT OF ORDER. THE FOLKS WITH THE NORTHEAST ACTION COALITION -- COLLECTIVE, TEAMED UP WITH TEXAS HOUSERS AND FILED AND GOT A RULING WHICH PLAYED A ROLE IN US BEING GIVEN THE ABILITY TO DRAWDOWN $2 BILLION WE LOST.

WE DIDN'T GET IT. BUT THEY PLAYED A KEY ROLE IN THAT. I WANT TO LET YOU, BILLY, SHARE YOUR PERSONAL STORY ABOUT IT.

>> I GREW UP IN THAT AREA. I ATTENDED VILLAGE MIDDLE SCHOOL IN THE '80S, SHOWING MY AGE.

BARBARA JORDAN HIGH SCHOOL, 1993.

TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY IN '04. I HAVE ALWAYS LIVED THERE. MY MOTHER USED TO OWN PROPERTIES OVER THERE BEFORE SHE SOLD THEM ALL AND JUST KEPT THAT ONE HOUSEHOUSE ME.

SHE LIVED NEXT DOOR TO ME. WE CAME PRETTY CLOSE TO FLOODING WAY BACK IN THE '80S WHEN THE LOWER PART OF LAKEWOOD SUBDIVISION FLOODED.

MY AUNT, GOD REST HER SOUL, SHE USED TO LIVE ON MONTEREY STREET, HER BACKYARD WAS GREENS BAYOU.

SHE GOT FLOODED OVER THE ROOF DURING HARVEY AND DURING ALLISON. I HAVE SEEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD CHANGE, NOT ONLY WITH DEMOGRAPHICALLY, BUT ALSO GEOGRAPHICALLY AS WELL AS SLAPPING CHEAP ASPHALT ON TO OUR STREETS , INSTEAD OF PAVING THE STREETS WITH CONCRETE AND DOING DRAINAGE MODIFICATIONS THERE. THERE WASN'T QUITE AN UPROAR BACK THEN. NOW THAT PEOPLE ARE MORE CIVICALLY AND SOCIALLY CONSCIOUSLY AWARE, THE UPRISING HAS GOTTEN STRONGER, AS YOU CAN SEE FROM MEMBERS IN THE AUDIENCE.

>> BILLY, DID YOU HAVE A CONNECTION TO THE FOLKS WHO PERISHED FROM HARVEY?

>> YES, I DO. MY AUNT, MY UNCLE AND FOUR THIRD COUSINS PERISHED IN HARVEY TRYING TO ESCAPE THE FLOODWATER.

>> TRYING TO CROSS GREENS BAYOU?

>> CROSSING OFF THE LAY ROAD

KING. >> SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS. I WANT YOU TO SHARE THAT PERSONAL STORY.

>> YES. THEY DID.

>> I DIDN'T WANT TO BRING UP

CONTEXT. >> I UNDERSTAND.

>> BILLY, I ALSO WANTED JUST TO POINT OUT THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT -- ISN'T WORKING THROUGH OR ON ANY BUDGET CUTS.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU KNEW THAT.

>> JUST IN CASE THEY RECOMMEND THEM.

>> NO WORRIES. WE KNOW THEY

ARE IMPORTANT. >> I'M GOING BY PUBLISHED REPORTS.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS MARY ALLEN.

I WILL BE SHORT AND QUICK. ALL I'M ASKING IS THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL STAY WITHIN THE 2018 FLOOD BOND FOLLOWED THE EQUITY GUIDELINES TO DO MORE PROJECTS IN THE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I WAS AFFECTED BY HARVEY. I KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE. ALL I'M ASKING IS THAT YOU DO THE WORST FIRST. THANK YOU.

>> RITA ROBLES AND STEPHANIE VALDEZ.

[00:30:02]

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I LIVE IN THE DENVER HARBOR COMMUNITY. I JUST WANTED TO OVERALL SAY WHAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS SAID HERE AT NAC.

WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THESE FUNDS SO THAT THEY CAN REMODEL AND REDO ALL THE AREAS THAT ARE UNDERSERVED, WHICH IS A LOT IN THE NORTHEAST AND THE EAST AND THE SOUTHEAST.

I MYSELF HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED THE WORST OF HARVEY AS SOME OF THESE OTHER PEOPLE DID.

BUT I HAVE SEEN THE CHANGES IN MY OWN NEIGHBORHOOD.

THE OTHER DAY IT RAINED AND IT WAS A CONSISTENT RAIN FOR ABOUT AN HOUR.

IN JUST THAT SHORT PERIOD, MY DITCH FLOODED. THEN THE STREET FLOODED.

I HAVE BEEN CALLING AND ASKING FOR THE DITCHES TO BE DREDGED AND CLEANED OUT AND UNCLOGGED.

THEY DON'T GET DONE. NO MATTER HOW MANY 311S I CALL.

WHAT WE REALLY NEED TO DO IS -- WHAT WE'RE ASKING FOR YOU TO DO IS TO PLEASE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH WHAT YOU HAVE SAID YOU WERE GOING TO DO AND HELP THE MOST UNDERSERVED WHO ARE THE MOST DESERVING. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM WITH THE COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.

SINCE HURRICANE HARVEY, THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE, TEXAS HOUSERS AND OTHER COALITION MEMBERS HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE OUR RECOVERY AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS REACH THE COMMUNITIES THAT NEED THEM THE MOST. WE WERE PROUD TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE 2022 FLOOD RESILIENCE EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND PROUD TO SEE IT PASS UNANIMOUSLY THIS FRAMEWORK WAS NEVER JUST ABOUT FLOOD RECOVERY. IT WAS ABOUT COMMITMENT TO SMARTER, MORE EQUITABLE GOVERNANCE. IT DIRECTLY SUPPORTS THE COUNTY'S STRATEGIC PLAN THAT YOU ALL HAVE CAME UP WITH AND DEVELOPED.

YOU HAVE LAID OUT A VISION FOR EQUITY AND RESILIENCE, AND THIS IS STEP ONE. THAT'S WHY WE ARE CONCERNED TODAY. THERE'S GROWING EVIDENCE THAT THE FRAMEWORK ISN'T BEING CONSISTENTLY APPLIED BY THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

>> DID YOU FINISH? YOU CAN CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU. WITH CLEAR ACCOUNTABILITY -- I'M SORRY, THAT'S WHY WE ARE CONCERNING GROWING EVIDENCE THE FRAMEWORK ISN'T APPLIED CONSISTENTLY.

WE RISK FALLING INTO THE OLD WAYS WHERE PROJECTS WERE CHOSEN BASED ON POLITICS OR PROPERTY VALUE, NOT ACTUAL RISK OR NEED. WE ARE ASKING YOU TO REAFFIRM YOUR COMMITMENT TO THE EQUITY FRAMEWORK AND MAKE SURE DEPARTMENTS ARE FOLLOWING IT.

AND WE ARE ASKING FOR TRANSPARENCY.

RELEASE A FULL LIST OF PROJECTS UNDERWAY AND PLAN AND GIVE THE PUBLIC A WAY TO TRACK PROGRESS.

WE HAVE HEARD TALK ABOUT DASHBOARD.

I THINK THE TECHNOLOGY IS UP TO DATE.

IT SHOULD BE EASY TO DO THAT. THIS ISN'T JUST ABOUT POLICY.

IT'S ABOUT TRUST, VOTERS SUPPORTED THE BOND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT EQUITY WOULD GUIDE THESE DOLLARS THAT ARE BEING SPENT.

DEVIATING FROM THAT NOW SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE AND UNDERMINES THE STRONG PARTNERSHIP BUILT BETWEEN THE COUNTY AND COMMUNITY.

WE ARE NOT HERE TO CRITICIZE PROGRESS. WE ARE HERE TO PROTECT IT.

COALITION MEMBERS REMAIN COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU TO MAKE SURE THIS FRAMEWORK DELIVERS THE RESULTS IT WAS DESIGNED FOR, SAFER, STRONGER AND MORE EQUITABLE NEIGHBORHOODS. THANK YOU.

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE OUT OF ORDER SPEAKERS.

LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE OTHER SPEAKERS.

>> SARAH REMAN ON ITEM 1, UNDER COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

SHE LIVES IN PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4.

I'M A TEACHER. I'M TALKING ABOUT THE PROPOSED $7 BILLION FOR A NEW JAIL.

I WANT YOU TO UNDERSTAND THAT FOR THE FIRST SIX MONTHS INTO COUNTY JAIL, THE BLOOD IS ON YOUR HANDS.

YOU ARE UPHOLDING WHITE SEE PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMPSY BY DOING SO.

YOU NEED TO FUND AND BLIC SAFETY AND NOT CAGES.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M WITH BAYOU KEEPER CHANNEL.

[00:35:04]

TOXIC FLOOD AND DETERIORATING INFRASTRUCTURE, THIS ONGOING STRUGGLE WITH FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS HIGHLIGHTS SYSTEMIC ISSUES WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

TAXPAYERS DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND ALL FLOOD CONTROL INITIATIVES. BEYOND JUST BOND PROJECTS. THE COUNTY NEEDS AN ACCESSIBLE ONLINE DASHBOARD THAT ON THIS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M WITH BAYOU WATERKEEPER.

A PART OF MY WORK IS TO ADVOCATE FOR WATER STRUCTURE FUNDING IECHLT HERE TO URGE YOU TO PROTECT PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK BASED ON THE 2018 FLOOD BOND. AT OUR ORGANIZATION, WE ADVOCATED AT STATE AND FEDERAL LEVEL FOR INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDING THAT PRIORITIZES UNDERINVESTED COMMUNITIES. WE SUBMITTED COMMENTS AND ADVOCATED TO THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD IN SUPPORT OF FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECT FUNDING, INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITIES, AREAS LIKE PLEASANTVILLE AND SUNNYSIDE, THAT WE HAVE IDENTIFIED AS WATER JUS DISZONES DUE TO THEIR COMPOUNDING FLOODING GS.

COMMUNITIES DESERVE EQUITABLE CONSIDERATION.

I URGE YOU TO ENSURE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROVIDES TRANSPARENT REPORTING ON ALL PROJECTS AND CONTINUES TO PRIORITIZE PROJECTS BASED ON XHUTY NEED AND VULNERABILITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> CLARA GOODWIN. CHRISTOPHER JENKINS ON 2 AND 84 FROM PRECINCT 1.

>> GOOD MORNING. STAFF ATTORNEY AT BAYOU CITY WATER KEEPER. I'M HERE TO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK.

REMOVING PARTNERSHIP FUNDING FROM THE BENEFIT SUFFICIENCY FORMALLY WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THE FRAMEWORK AND IS SUPPORTED BY THE LANGUAGE IN THE INITIAL 2018 BOND ORDER. PARTNERSHIP ELIGIBILITY REQUIRES OFTEN INCLUDE COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, PRIORITIZED PROPERTY VALUE OVER PEOPLE.

AS A RESULT, PROJECTS IN LOW PROPERTY VALUE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE UNABLE TO QUALIFY AS OFTEN AS PROJECTS IN AREAS WITH HIGHER LAND VALUES, CONTRIBUTING TO DECADES OF UNDERINVESTMENT. FLOODING HAS DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT FOR ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES. WITH IS FLOOD PLAIN REGAGSS. SOME ARE REQUIRED TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO LIFT THEIR HOUSE THAN THEIR HOUSE TO QUALIFY FOR FLOOD INSURANCE.

WE ENCOURAGE THE COUNTY TO MAINTAIN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WHILE CONTINUING TO PURSUE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING TO ENSURE THE COMPLETION OF ALL BOND PROJECTS. THANK YOU.

>> THE MAIN DIFFERENCE THEN IS TAKING OUT PART NERSHIP FUNDING?

>> AND INCLUDING PEOPLE BENEFITTED AS WELL AS STRUCTURES BENEFITTED METRIC.

>> I COULD HAVE SWORN THE FIRST ONE HAD PEOPLE BENEFITTED.

I GUESS I HAVE MIS-REMEMBERED. WHAT DO YOU THINK THE ISSUE IS RIGHT NOW? WHY DO YOU THINK WE'RE RUNNING INTO THESE PROBLEMS?

>> IT SEEMS TO ME LIKE THE MAJOR ISSUE IS ACTUALLY A LACK OF COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY BETWEEN FLOOD CONTROL AND THE COMMISSIONERS IN.

IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S POSSIBLE THAT THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK ITSELF IS FINE, BUT THAT THERE'S NOT ENOUGH COMMUNICATION FOR YOU GUYS TO KNOW WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING AT FLOOD CONTROL, WHICH PROJECTS HAVE BEEN

[00:40:02]

STARTED OR NOT STARTED. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A COMMUNICATION AND TRANSPARENCY ISSUE.

>> YEAH. YOU ARE OKAY WITH LOOKING AT WHEN THE PROJECTS ARE STARTED VERSUS WHEN THE PROJECTS HAVE FINISHED?

>> I THINK YOU NEED TO KNOW WHEN THEY WERE STARTED AND HOW -- WHAT THEIR CURRENT PROGRESS IS.

>> I COULD HAVE SWORN IN THE -- I'M ASKING MY STAFF TO LOOK AT THIS. I HAD REQUESTED A TIME LINE.

I DON'T KNOW IF YOU MENTIONED THIS OR SOMEBODY.

MY EXPECTATION -- LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THIS OR WHAT FEEDBACK YOU HAVE -- WAS FOR THERE TO BE -- THE FIRST COLUMN OF A SPREADSHEET HAS EACH PROJECT.

THEN THE FIRST ROW HAS EACH MONTH OR EVERY SIX- MONTH PERIOD OR WHATEVER. SO WE CAN SEE FOR EACH PROJECT AT ANY GIVEN TIME WHAT NUMBER ARE THEY ON THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND WHAT PERCENTAGE IS COMPLETE. SOME WAY FOR -- EVERY TIME WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION, WE SPEAK IN GENERALITIES. EVEN THE PROPOSAL TODAY IS VAGUELY, ROUGHLY, ALL THE PROPOSALS MAKE SENSE.

TO YOUR POINT, HOW DO WE KNOW WHERE THE PROJECTS ARE AND WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS HAPPENING? I THOUGHT I ASKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE. I DON'T KNOW.

WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT SOMETHING LIKE THAT? WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN MIND?

>> I THINK WHAT YOU NEED IS TO DIRECT FLOOD CONTROL VERY EXPLICITLY TO CREATE THE TOOL YOU NEED. AT THE MOMENT, IN MARCH YOU SEND AN ORDER TO FLOOD CONTROL ASKING FOR REPORTING. UNTIL THAT POINT, THERE WAS NO ORDER FROM THE TY COMMISSIONERS IN TELLING THEM THERE WAS A NECESSITY TO REPORT ON STATUS.

FLOOD CONTROL HAD NO ORDER FROM YOU TELLING THEM THAT THIS WAS A REQUIREMENT.

I THINK WHAT I HAVE HEARD FROM VARIOUS PEOPLE IS THAT FLOOD CONTROL MAINTAINS THEIR SYSTEMS IN A VARIOUS DIFFERENT WAYS AND THE PROJECTS RIGHT- HAND ALL IN ONE SYSTEM AND THEY ARE BASICALLY NOT SET UP TO BE ABLE TO MANAGE THIS KIND OF LIST OR THIS KIND OF DATABASE IN AN EFFICIENT WAY. I THINK ONE OF THE ISSUES HERE IS THAT AS THE PEOPLE OVERSEEING FLOOD CONTROL, YOU NEED TO DIRECT THEM, THIS IS EXACTLY A TOOL WE WOULD LIKE YOU TO CREATE. HERE IS HOW WE WOULD LIKE IT TO LOOK. GIVE THEM MORE PARAMETERS AND

MORE -- >> YEAH.

>> MORE DIRECT.

>> I'M WONDERING -- WE FIRST -- WE CREATED A WEBSITE. IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A DASHBOARD. THAT'S WHERE I'M THROWN.

I THINK I WILL REMEMBER TO ASK FLOOD CONTROL LATER IF DR.

PETERSON, YOU COULD ADDRESS THE CREATION LATER, THE CREATION OF THIS DASHBOARD.

WHY IT'S SO HARD TO PUT IT TOGETHER.

I WONDER IF IT'S BECAUSE PROCUREMENT IS STILL IN THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AS OPPOSED IN THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT.

I DON'T KNOW. I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION AROUND THAT DURING THE AUDIT REPORT A COUPLE YEARS AGO. I MEAN, I THINK THAT -- IF IT'S TOO HARD TO DO, WE NEED TO REMOVE WHATEVER OBSTACLES THERE ARE. IT'S NOT SO HARD TO DO.

BEFORE WE CALL OTHER SPEAKERS, LET ME ASK FOR -- LOGAN -- YOU HAVE TO LEAVE AT 11:00? HE IS OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M A LEGAL INTERN. I'M SPEAKING ON AGENDA ITEM 2 REGARDING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SUPPORT ON THE 2018 FLOOD BOND AND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. I URGE YOU TO PRESERVE AND FULLY APPLY THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, ESPECIALLY ITS USE OF THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX. THIS TOOL IS ESSENTIAL FOR ENSURING THAT FLOOD CONTROL FUNDS BENEFIT COMMUNITIES MOST AT RISK. MANY OF WHICH THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY OVERLOOKED.

WE MUST PROTECT ALL OF OUR CITIZENS.

ABANDONING OR WEAKENING THE FRAMEWORK IN THE NAME OF EXPEDIENCY RISKS REPEATING THE SAME INEQUITIES THIS FRAMEWORK WAS MEANT TO FIX. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY, ACCOUNTABILITY AND RECOMMITMENT TO EQUITY IN EVERY SINGLE PROJECT MOVING FORWARD.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> HELLO. HAPPY JUNETEENTH. I CELEBRATE ALL MONTH. I'M CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.

HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 2 AND 84 PERTAINING TO THE FLOOD

[00:45:02]

DISTRICT EQUITY AND PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS. I HAVE A CONCERN OF LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WHERE FRAMEWORK HAS NOT BEEN IMPLEMENTED WITH MANY UNDERFUNDED AND STALLED PROJECTS. I ATTENDED A CONFERENCE FOR EVERYONE IN ATTENDANCE, COUNTIED -- 5D MINUTE ADMINISTRATION. WHAT I DIDN'T SEE IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ARE THESE TWO ENTITIES. DURING THE PROCESS OF ASSESSING PROJECTS, THEY FAILED THE COMMUNITY. IT'S IMPERATIVE THAT CERTAIN DATA INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE.

CALL FOR ACTION TO FULL COMMITMENT TO THE FRAMEWORK WITH NO REDUCTION IN PROJECT SCOPE.

>> PRY ORTY DEPLOY. WHAT TIME OF RELATIONSHIP DO THE FLOOD DISTRICT HAVE WITH ARMY ENGINEERING CORPS AND FEMA? I ASK BECAUSE IT'S BEEN POOR COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

THE WEALTH SIDE HIGHLIGHTS MONEY AND THEIR PARTNERS. THERE'S NO COLLABORATION IN TERMS OF BUILDING RESISTANCE AND RESILIENCY.

MANY FLOOD PLAINS AND VEGETATION REMOVAL.

I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT ONE THING. HE DID SPEAK ON THIS BEFORE ABOUT MONTGOMERY COUNTY. IT'S THE PORT AUTHORITY, SOMETHING LIKE THAT. I TRAVEL A LOT.

WHEN I COME ACROSS THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER AND MISSOURI RIVER, I SEE BANKS ALMOST FLOODING OVER. WHEN I GET TO TEXAS AND COME THROUGH EAST TEXAS, IT'S DRY.

I'M WONDERING WHERE THE COLLABORATION IN THIS TO IMPLEMENT PROGRESS WITH THE FLOOD DISTRICT. THEY ARE NOT REACHING OUT TRYING TO WORK WITH OTHERS. HURRY UP AND SPEND IT AND THERE'S NO ACCOUNTABILITY.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 17.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER. I'M THE HOUSTON AREA COMMUNITY OUTREACH ORGANIZING FOR TEXAS APPLE SEED.

I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 2, REGARDING THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT'S REPORT ON THE 2018 FLOOD BOND AND THE 2022, PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. IT'S NO SECRET THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN DEVASTATE AND SEEN HOMES REPEATEDLY DAMAGED.

WE KNOW THE COUNTY HAS PROMISED THAT VARIOUS COUNTY AND FEDERAL FUNDS WOULD BE USED TO FIX DRAINAGE IN NEIGHBORHOODS. I AND TEXAS APPLE SEED WANT TO URGE YOU TO ENSURE THE HCFCD PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK IS FULLY AND CONSISTENTLY APPLIED.

THIS FRAMEWORK IS VITAL FOR DIRECTING FLOOD CONTROL INVESTMENT TO COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE BEEN HISTORICALLY DISINVESTED AND ARE MOST VULNERABLE. USING THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX AS INTENDED. IN PASSING THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, THE COMMISSIONERS WERE CLEAR --

>> WRAP UP REAL QUICK.

>> THE COMMISSIONERS WERE CLEAR ABOUT HOW THEY AND THE VOTERS EXPECTED TO SEE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS COMPLETED.

WE ARE CONCERNED AT THE INTENT OF THIS DIRECTIVE MAY HAVE NOT BEEN FLOODED. WE NEED TRANSPARENCY .

TAXPAYERS DESERVE TO KNOW THE STATUS, TIME LINE AND COST OF ALL PROJECTS. PLEASE HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FOLLOWING FRAMEWORK AND PROVIDING CLEAR PUBLIC INFORMATION ON ALL FLOOD PROJECTS.

IF YOU WANT ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE FEEL FREE TO REACH OUT TO BRENDAN GRIFFIN.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I'M CHARLENE JONES.

I'M A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1.

HE RESIDE IN THIRD WARD. FLOOD ING IMPACTS AND RECOVERY ISN'T AS SWIFT AS WE HAVE SEEN IN OTHER AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS.

FRONT LINE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING DISASTERS HELP OTHERS BECAUSE RECOVERY WAS SO SLOW. I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR CONTINUING TO BE STRONG -- THE STRONG VOICE FUNDING THAT HELPS OUR COMMUNITIES.

COMMUNITIES OF COLOR HAVE BEEN PUSHED INTO FLOOD- PRONE AREAS.

IT'S TIME TO PRIORITIZE FLOOD PROTECTION WHERE IT IS NEEDED MOST. THAT IS JUSTICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

[00:50:02]

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I AM REPRESENTING PURE JUSTICE BUT POSITIVE WOMEN'S NETWORK, GREATER HOUSTON AREA. I'M A BLACK WOMAN LIVING WITH HIV. AS A NATIVE HUGH STONIAN WHO VOTED TO APPROVE THE $2. 5 BILLION EQUITY FLOOD BOND AS A MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER, THE PROMISE HAS NOT BENEFITTED BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

WHEN WE HAVE HEAVY RAINS AND STORMS, WHERE I LIVE IN GREENS POINT AND ALDEAN AREA, WE CANNOT GET OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS. WE ARE -- OUR LOSSES GREAT.

WE ARE TRAPPED. IT'S NOT RIGHT FOR OUR FAMILIES TO SUFFER. WE HAVE NO ELECTRICITY FOR WEEKS AT A TIME. ALSO, BEING TRAPPED IN THESE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE NOT SAFE WHEN IT COMES TO THE FLOODWATERS FOR OUR CHILDREN --

>> OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND ALL. WE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY ON PROJECT STATUS. FLOODING ALLOCATION.

AND TIME LINE. THAT IS COMMITTED TO THE EQUITY OF THIS FRAMEWORK OF HARRIS COUNTY. YOU ARE NOT PROTECTING THE VOTERS. WE SHOULD COME FIRST. IN OUR COMMUNITY.

AND IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR THE TIME.

>>> HI , GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS NICOLE EARL AND I AM A NATIVE OF NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA. I'M ALL TOO FAMILIAR WITH FLOODING.

NOT JUST KATRINA BUT THROUGH MY YEARS OF GROWING UP. I LIVE HERE NOW IN HOUSTON , IN PRECINCT 1. I AM SEEING THE SAME DILEMMAS WE HAVE IN NEW ORLEANS. ONE THING NOT MENTIONED HERE IS THE FLOODING IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. RESOURCES AS FAR AS HOUSING AS FAR AS TRANSPORTATION AND AS FAR AS LIVING FOOD COSTS, WHEN THOSE THINGS ARE DESTROYED , IT MAKES IT HARDER FOR PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES TO HAVE TO REGAIN THEIR LIVELIHOOD, AGAIN . IT MAKES THE PROBLEM FLOW UPSTREAM BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING TO THE PROBLEM NOW WHERE WE CANNOT

DEPEND ON THE CITY -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> GO AHEAD . >> I'M ASKING NOW THAT YOU WOULD PLEASE ALLOCATE THE MONEY . TO START THE PROJECTS IN THESE LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES THAT WHERE MONEY HAS BEEN ALLOCATED BECAUSE I SEE MORE AFFLUENT NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE THESE PROJECTS ARE BEING DONE BUT IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS THEY ARE NOT .

THIS IS MONEY ALREADY ALLOCATED AND IT SEEMS THE LOWER INCOME COMMUNITIES HAVE TO COME HERE AND LITERALLY BEG FOR RESOURCES THAT ARE RIGHTFULLY THEIRS. ALSO, WITH TRANSPARENCY, IT IS HARD TO FIND ANY KIND OF THING THAT IS GOING ON IN THE CITY, ESPECIALLY AS IT RELATES TO FLOODING AND WHERE THIS MONEY IS GOING . IT IS TOO HARD TO LOOK IT UP AND FIND INFORMATION ON IT . THIS CITY, AS A WHOLE, NEEDS TO MEET MORE TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE PROJECTS THEY ARE DOING HERE FOR US AND MAKE IT EASIER FOR US TO FIND. THANK YOU MR. ELLIS FOR CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE AS WE HELP YOU ADVOCATE FOR WHAT IS RIGHTFULLY OURS.

>> THANK YOU . >> THANK YOU.

>> BARBARA DENSON . >> NEARLY 8 YEARS AGO, NEARLY EVERY HOME IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD IN THE ENERGY CORRIDOR NEAR TERRY HERSHEYPARK WAS FLOODED FOR NEARLY 2 WEEKS AFTER THE CATASTROPHIC RELEASE OF WATER FROM DAMS. PEOPLE LOST THEIR HOMES AND SOME LOST THEIR LIVES. THE FLOOD CONTROL BOARDS

[00:55:03]

REMANDING ON BONDS IS A BLANK PAGE. DOES THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT THINK THIS IS A JOKE ? NOT A SINGLE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT HAS TAKEN SHAPE IN OUR AREA OF BUFFALO BAYOU . WITH THE BOND AND TAX DOLLARS COLLECTED SENSE, NO MEANINGFUL PROTECTION AND NO TRANSPARENCY AS TO WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING. PRECINCT 4 NUMBS SURE SEEMS TO GET A LOT OF NEW SIDEWALKS BUT SIDEWALKS WILL NOT HOLD BACK THE NEXT STORM. IN OUR PART OF HARRIS COUNTY, FLOOD CONTROL MATTERS MOST . YOU ARE THE ONE WE ELECTED TO LEAD.

>> MEMORIES ARE FRESH AND THE NEEDS ARE URGENT, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR BEARING WITH

ME. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MICHAEL SCHAFER. I AM A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT 4 OF HARRIS COUNTY.

I'M A RETIRED PLASTIC SURGEON. WE MOVED HERE 10 YEARS AGO FROM CHICAGO WHERE FLOODING IS NOT SO MUCH OF AN ISSUE . FORTUNATELY, MY PARTNER AND I LIVE IN AN AREA OF HOUSTON WHERE FLOODING IS NOT MUCH OF A THREAT AND COMMUNITIES RECOVER QUICKLY AFTER SOME WEATHER RELATED DISASTER . WHAT WE HAVE WITNESSED ON TV NEWSCASTS OF AREAS OF OUR CITY WHERE DEVASTATION WAS SIMPLY AWFUL. WHERE CITIZENS WERE RESCUED USING KITCHEN APPLIANCES AS RESCUE VEHICLES. WE HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE DESTRUCTION IS EVIDENT MONTHS AND YEARS AFTER THE STORM. LIKE THE RAINS OF HURRICANE HARVEY AND DEBRIS STILL STANDS AT THE CURBSIDE . I HAVE READ THE MOST

>> GO AHEAD , SIR, YOU CAN WRAP UP .

>> I HAVE READ THE MOST RECENT BOND REPORTS AND IMPRESSED WITH HOW MUCH HAS BEEN ACCOMPLISHED, BUT I AM DISTRESSED AT HOW MUCH MORE THERE IS TO DO . THERE IS A GREAT SENSE OF URGENCY ABOUT THIS WORK . WE ARE NOT PREPARED . AREAS OF OUR CITY, ESPECIALLY BRACK -- BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, ARE ALMOST ALWAYS THE HARDEST HIT AND ARE LEAST PREPARED FOR DISASTERS.

THEREFORE, WE MUST MOVE QUICKLY WITH OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY TO KEEP AHEAD OF THESE STORMS. FINALLY, THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR GOOD WORK AND CONSIDERATION. ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR BEING A STALL WART CHAMPION TO HELP THE NEEDIEST PEOPLE GET THE PROTECTION THEY NEED AND DESERVE . WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER . IF SOME OF OUR COMMUNITY IS UNDERWATER, WE ARE ALL UNDERWATER. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING . I WANT YOU TO KNOW I AM AWARE OF YOUR PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT. I AM GLAD THAT YOU AND YOUR PARTNER ARE USING SUCCESS YOU HAD IN CHICAGO TO SHARE THROUGH OUR

COMMUNITIES. >> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR WHAT

YOU ARE DOING . >> I HAVE A QUESTION FOR DR.

PETERSON . WE ARE SO TIGHT ON THE MONEY AND I WANT ADVOCATES TO KNOW, IF YOU DON'T ALREADY . WE ARE VERY TIGHT ON FLOOD CONTROL MONEY. WE DISCOVERED LAST APRIL THAT SINCE THE 70S, REALLY SINCE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WAS CREATED , IN ORDER TO AWARD CONTRACTS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS YOU PAID FOR WITH THE $2.5 BILLION BOND, THERE WAS NO PROCUREMENT PROCESS . NO SELECTION CRITERIA AND NO SCORING CRITERIA. NO SELECTION COMMITTEE AND NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING IN WRITING. SO, OBVIOUSLY, THAT'S NOT PROPER , AND I THINK IT COULD ALSO BE WASTEFUL. SO, WE VOTED AS A COURT LAST YEAR, IN APRIL, TWO CREATE SELECTION CRITERIA AND SCORING COMMITTEES, ET CETERA .

I KNOW IT SOUNDS HARD TO BELIEVE AND SO -- I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO RECEIVE A REPORT. I AND ASKING SINCE LAST YEAR WHETHER OR NOT THAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING . I ENCOURAGE YOU TO ASK THE QUESTION AND WHEN THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AUDITOR COMES BACK , I EXPECT AN ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION BECAUSE I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR A YEAR. I HAVE ALSO REQUESTED THAT THESE

[01:00:01]

PROJECTS -- SO, IT'S A $2.5 BILLION BOND AND ALSO THE TOLLS YOU PAY . THE MONEY THAT GOES TO ENGINEERING PROJECTS . SO, ALL OF THESE ENGINEERING PROJECTS WERE BEING AWARDED WITHOUT THESE SYSTEMS . WE ALSO AWARDED TO PUT SYSTEMS IN PLACE . ONE THING I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET SUPPORT FOR WAS TO TAKE THESE PROCESSES BACK TO THE PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT , THE INDEPENDENT PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT . SO, I DON'T HAVE SUPPORT FOR THAT BUT I AT LEAST WANT TO SEE THERE IS SOME SORT OF PROCESS GOING ON AND DOCUMENTATION GOING ON BECAUSE WE CANNOT BE WASTING FUNDS . ALL RIGHT, WE WILL CONTINUE HEARING FROM THE ADVOCATES.

>> SPEAKER NUMBER 22, KENNETH BROWN UNFIGHTABLE 2 FROM

PRECINCT 1. >> AND BECKY SMITH OF PRECINCT 1. SPEAKER NUMBER 30, BATTERY -- BETTY GREGORY ON ITEM 2 OF PRECINCT 1. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> GOOD MORNING . >> .

>> I AM KIM BROWN FROM THE SUNNYSIDE AREA. I AM A MEMBER OF THE ADVOCATE OF EVERYONE THAT HAS COME TO SPEAK. I AM HERE THAT WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THERE IS A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE SOLVED. WHEN I GO TO THE BIBLE TO ASK, IT SAYS ON PENTECOST DAY THEY CAME OUT AS ONE ACCORD . I'M ASKING TODAY TO COME AS ONE ACCORD AND FIX THE PROBLEM. LOTS TO -- LET'S STOP KICKING THE BALL DOWN THE ROAD. I'D LIKE TO SAY HELLO TO RODNEY ELLIS AND ESPECIALLY TOM RAMSEY FOR YOUR RESPECT LAST TIME WHEN I WAS SPEAKING. WE DO ASK IN THE SHORT TIME OF EIGHT YEARS OF BUDGET STOPPING AND NOT DOING WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING FOR THE PEOPLE THAT VOTED FOR YOU TO DO THESE THINGS, WE ASK YOU TO COME TOGETHER WITH US ON ONE OF ORD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING. I HATE SPEAKING AFTER THE REVEREND. MY NAME IS BECKY SMITH AND I AM THE TEXAS DIRECTOR OF CLEAN WATER ACTION AND I REPRESENT GLASS ROOTS MEMBERS OF THE ELECTRIC. JUDGE, I HEAR FRUSTRATION, A LOT OF FRUSTRATION IN YOUR VOICE AND COMMENTS . I'VE BEEN WORKING IN HOUSTON SINCE I MOVED TO TEXAS AND 2018 SPECIFICALLY IN EQUITY AND FLOOD CONTROL AND PREVENTION AND DETECTION AND I WAS HERE FOR THAT BOND VOTE AS WELL . IT SEEMS -- I HAVE TRUSTED SINCE THEN THAT THE WILL OF THIS COURT IS TO SPEND FLOOD PROTECTION AND RECOVERY DOLLARS EQUITY BE THINKING EQUITABLY AND IT SEEMS YOU ARE RUNNING INTO ROADBLOCKS. I KNOW THE REPORTING ON STATUS OF PROJECTS IS NOT ENOUGH . IT HAS TO BE THE WILL THE COURT HAS DISPLAYED FOR DECADES, NOW, NEARLY .

>> GO AHEAD . >> TO CREATE THE RIGHT TOOLS .

NO DISRESPECT TO ADVISORY COMMITTEES WHO HAVE BEEN HERE LONG BEFORE I STEPPED UP TO THIS PODIUM TODAY. WE NEED ADDITIONAL INPUT NOT JUST FOR IMPACTED CITIZENS BUT FROM SOME OF THE GREAT ROOM -- MINES IN THE ROOM . HOPEFULLY CLEAN WATER ACTION AND THE NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE .

>> YEAH . >> THANK YOU .

>> AND OTHERS TO SIT WITH YOU AT A HIGHER LEVEL OF COMMUNICATION AS WELL AS THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE PRIORITIES ARE REPORTED ON AND ALSO IN THE ORDER OF THE PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN. I HEAR YOUR SUIT FRUSTRATION AND I WOULD LOVE TO OFFER SERVICE AND INPUT . I CANNOT TELL YOU WHAT SHOULD BE ON THE SPREADSHEET BUT I WOULD LOVE TO HELP. I JUST HEARD ABOUT NOT HAVING PEER KERMAN -- PROCUREMENT AND MEASURES IN PLACE FOR HOW THINGS ARE MEASURED .

>> JUST HOW CONTRACTS ARE AWARDED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF HOW THE VENDORS WERE SELECTED, ZERO . IT WAS LIKE A PHONE CALL OR SOMETHING. IT IS TRUE AND THAT'S WHY WE WERE ABLE TO VOTE AS A COURT LAST YEAR IN APRIL THAT THAT WE WERE GOING TO PUT THIS BASIC PROCUREMENT CRITERIA IN PLACE ,

[01:05:03]

BUT I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY REPORT BACK FROM THE AUDITOR OR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT OR THE ENGINEERING DIRECTOR THAT IS INDEED HAPPENING. THAT HAPPENS AT THE PRECINCT LEVEL AND IN THE PAST, I DON'T KNOW HOW THAT WAS AWARDED. IT DID NOT HAPPEN IN ANY OTHER COUNTY WE COULD NOT FIND ONE THAT DID THAT. IT IS LEGAL , OF COURSE, IN TAXES AND WE CANNOT FIND A STANDARD. IT IS NOT THAT HARD, NEITHER OF THESE THINGS ARE HARD. I SEE THE SIGNS YOU GUYS ARE HOLDING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND WHAT PRESSURE THERE IS ON THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS GOING ON . DOCTOR PETERSON IS SMART AND THE TEAM IS SMART AND THERE IS NO REASON THEY SHOULDN'T BE ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A SPREADSHEET. THE AUDITORS ARE SMART AND PETERSON IS SMART AND I DON'T SEE WHY THEY CAN'T GIVE AN ANSWER. THEN WE HAVE A SITUATION ON SECURITY WHERE THE FIRE MARSHAL WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO BRING SECURITY ON A TRADE MISSION SAYING IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE, WHEN IT HAD. SO, I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING BEHIND THE SCENES BUT I WOULD LIKE TO CALL -- CALL THE QUESTION ON WHAT KIND OF -- YOU KNOW, WE NEED THESE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO HAVE A BIT MORE OF A SPINE . I WILL SAY THE FOLKS THAT HAVE RETIRED RECENTLY, THEY WILL CALL ME AND SAY, JUDGE, WE ARE THERE WITH YOU. BE THERE WITH ME NOW AND NOT AFTER YOU RESIGN AND QUIT. I NEED ANSWERS TO THIS. YOU KNOW, WE ARE ALL

SMART . THE BS, I CAN SEE IT . >> YOU HAVE GREAT RESOURCES HERE . I FEEL THE HEART AND WILL IS THERE IN GETTING THE RESOURCES LINED UP AND THE TECHNICAL -- AGAIN NOT JUST THE REPORTING,

BUT THE WEIGHTS BEHIND IT . >> WEATHERED IS THE PREVIOUS PROCUREMENT DIRECTOR OR THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING . WHETHER IT IS THE PREVIOUS DIRECTOR OF FOLKS THAT HAVE LEFT , I GET THE PHONE CALL, YES, WE'VE BEEN FACING THIS PRESSURE AND THANK YOU FOR ADVOCATING. OKAY, WHY DO YOU SAY THAT AFTER YOU HAVE LEFT? LET'S GET THIS DONE .

>> I AM HERE AT THE BEHEST OF MEMBERS THAT ARE ALSO VOTERS AND WE WOULD LOVE TO BRING PRESSURE TO BEAR WHEN WE CAN THAT IS USEFUL AND HELPFUL, SO PUT US TO WORK .

>> REMEMBER THERE WAS A FAILURE TO GO TO THE VOTERS LAST YEAR SO WE CAN HAVE THE MONEY TO PAY FOR THE POLICE RAISES WE ARE GIVEN .

>> JUDGE, $300 MILLION WILL HAVE TO CUT .

>> JUDGE , IF WE COULD JUST LEAVE IT TO THE ITEMS POSTED ON THE AGENDA. I DON'T THINK THAT LAST COMMENT WAS .

>> IS SOMETHING TO ADVOCATE ON .

>> A LOT OF PROGRAMS FOR PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE CUT .

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS PRIORITY AND GIVING US TIME TO

SPEAK . >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> YES, THIS IS JUST

>> AND CAITLIN FROM PRECINCT 4 AND MICHAEL MORITZ FROM ITEM TO PRECINCT 1 , YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> I JUST GOT YOUR ENGINEERING FOLLOW-UP REPORT IS DUE JULY 1ST. OBVIOUSLY IT DOESN'T TAKE OVER A YEAR TO ANSWER WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE SCORING CRITERIA TO AWARD MONEY THE TAXPAYERS APPROVED FOR FLOODING AND THE TAXPAYERS PAY EVERY TIME THEY GO THROUGH THE TOLL ROAD . WHOEVER SENT THIS, IT'S RIDICULOUS.

I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR THIS SINCE LAST YEAR, APRIL AND TOLD THERE WOULD BE AN UP DATE IN AUGUST . JULY 1ST WOULD BE OVER A YEAR ON THIS. LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

>> YOU SAID BETTY GREGORY ? YOU MENTIONED TWO OTHER NAMES .

>> YES, BETTY GREGORY AND CAITLIN TOE AND MICHAEL MORITZ .

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, I AM MICHAEL MORITZ'S ON THE LIST. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO READ THE LANGUAGE ON THE BOND ORIGINALLY THAT WAS READ BY THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. SINCE FLOODING ISSUES DO NOT RESPECT BOUNDARIES, THERE SHOULD BE AN EQUITABLE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS RECOGNIZING THAT IT HAS BEEN

[01:10:06]

IMPACTED IN THE PAST AND COULD CONTINUE TO BE IMPACTED BY OTHER STATE, LOCAL AND FEDERAL FUNDS. SPECIFICALLY PUT , THE ARGUMENT IS ABOUT FAIRNESS. IN MY EXPERIENCE, THE VOTERS LOVE FAIRNESS AND IN 2021, I HELPED RUN THE FARE FOR HOUSTON CAMPAIGN AND WE COLLECTED 23,000 SIGNATURES AND IT WAS PASSED BY 100 40,000 TOTAL VOTES. MANY WERE AND ARE YOUR CONSTITUENTS AND MANY OF YOU SUPPORTED THAT PROPOSITION WHICH WAS ABOUT FAIRNESS IN REGIONAL GOVERNMENT THROUGH FAIR, GOOD AND SMART INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY.

>> IF YOU COULD WRAP UP. >> WITH THE MASSIVE SIGNATURE PROGRAM BECAUSE I KNOW ORGANIZERS WILL DO THAT OR A LAWSUIT LIKE WAS JUST FILED TO GET A FAIR AND EQUITABLE ALLOCATION OF FUNDS WE JUST TALKED ABOUT. I'M EXCITED ABOUT WHAT I HEARD TODAY FROM THE COURT ABOUT HOLDING THEM ACCOUNTABLE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT AND LIKE HAS BEEN

SAID, IT IS VERY URGENT . >> GOING BACK TO THE 2018 LANGUAGE , WHICH YOU JUST READ THAT AGAIN ?

>> IT WAS JUNE 5TH, 2018 AND IT SAYS SINCE FLOODING ISSUES DO NOT RESPECT JURISDICTIONAL OR POLITICAL BOUNDARIES, THERE SHOULD BE AN EQUITABLE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS RECOGNIZING THAT PROJECT SELECTION MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN THE PAST AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY OTHER MATCHING STATE, FEDERAL

AND LOCAL FUNDS . >> YOU ARE SAYING THAT IS THE LANGUAGE THAT WENT ON THE BALLOT ?

>> YES . >> I REMEMBER THAT BECAUSE I HELPED WORK ON THAT. I MADE THAT MOTION AND IT PASSED THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNANIMOUSLY. THEN, THE COURT, AFTERWARDS, DEVELOPED A FRAMEWORK AND EVEN CREATED A TASK FORCE OF EXPERTS THAT PLAYED A ROLE IN DEVELOPING THE FRAMEWORK . SO WHAT YOU AND OTHER SPEAKERS ARE SAYING, ESSENTIALLY, AND I WILL REPEATED AGAIN , IT'S JUST DO WHAT WE

SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO . >> EXACTLY .

>> THE REASON THIS LANGUAGE WAS ADDED TO THE DOCUMENT WAS BECAUSE EVERYBODY AGREED THAT THE FEDERAL NOTION OF COST/BENEFIT/RATIO WAS AS IT RELATED TO FLOODING ISSUES. NOT NECESSARILY A WIND OR EARTHQUAKE ISSUES BUT FLOODING ISSUES SINCE THE EARLY 80S. THAT IS THE CRUX OF THE ISSUE TODAY. I WANT US TO STICK TO THAT . WE CAN HAVE DASHBOARDS AND EVERYTHING ELSE.

IF YOU MADE A COMMITMENT TO A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, IT IS A SIMPLE QUESTION TO ASK AND GET A ANSWER. ARE YOU FOLLOWING THAT

? >> IF YOU DIDN'T FOLLOW IT , DEVELOP ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND COME UP WITH AN EQUITABLE FRAMEWORK . IF YOU ARE NOT USING WHAT THE COURT DEVELOPED, WHAT IS BEING USED? WE WILL GET TO THAT WHEN THE DEPARTMENT HEADS,.

>> RIGHT . >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS CAITLIN TO AND I AM AN ORGANIZER WITH ELITE VOTES. THOUGH I WAS TO YOUNG FOR THE BOND PASSED IN 2018 , I REMEMBER HURRICANE HERBIE. MY FAMILY WAS SPLIT APART BY THE STORM . I WAS SEPARATED FOR MY SIBLINGS AND CLUELESS ON HOW THEY WERE DOING. I WAS LUCKY THAT THE PLACE I STAYED IN HELD UP . AROUND THE HOMES WERE DESTROYED AND IT WAS CLEAR IT WASN'T THE SAME FOR EVERYONE. IN THE YEARS LATER, THIS DAMAGE -- THE DAMAGE IS VISIBLE IN THE HOMES AND THE WALLS AND THOSE BUILDINGS NO ONE CAME BACK TO. NOW WE ARE TOLD THE PROMISE MAY BE BROKEN WITH COMMUNITIES LEFT BEHIND. WE ARE NOT HERE TO WAIT, BUT RATHER A PROMISE. EQUITY IS NOT A TITLE , IT'S A TEST OF IF YOU SEE US AND WILL YOU FINISH WHAT YOU STARTED. THANK YOU. SPEAKER NUMBER 33, BRIAN GODSON ON ITEM 17 A PRECINCT THREE . AND NUMBER 34, MOUSSA MOHAMMED ON ITEM 4 .

EACH OF YOU HAVE A MONTH -- A MINUTE .

>> I AM BRIAN DODSON ASKING YOU NOT TO APPROVE CONTRACT NUMBER 3771 ON THE AGENDA . I WAS EXCITED TO SEE IT ON THE AGENDA BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT THE DETAILS OF EXHIBIT A ON THE CONTRACT, I

[01:15:02]

COULD SEE THAT IT IS OVERLY CONSTRAINED AND THE CONTRACTOR IS NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT ALTERNATIVES FOR COST AND MORE EFFECTIVE . I HAVE SENT AN EMAIL WITH MORE DETAIL AND CAN'T GO THROUGH IT IN ONE MINUTE. IT IS IMPORTANT TO MEASURE TWICE AND CUT ONCE. THE CURRENT PLAN IN THERE IS 4'2"

SHORT . OKAY? >> WHICH ITEM ARE YOU SAYING?

>> I THINK IT'S NUMBER 17 UNDER ENGINEERING. SO, IT IS ITEM 25 .

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> GO AHEAD, SIR, WHICH ONE ? >> IT IS 25 -37-51 .

>> APPROVAL TO EXECUTE AN AGREEMENT WITH CIVIL ENGINEERS

FOR A STUDY . >> YES.

>> WHAT IS YOUR ISSUE WITH IT, EXACTLY .

>> THE PROJECT IS OVERLY CONSTRAINED IN TERMS OF WHAT THE CONTRACTOR CONSIDERS ALTERNATIVES . IT IS RESTRICTED TO THE RIGHT-OF-WAY AT PARKER ROAD NEAR ASHFORD. IF YOU PUT HANDCUFFS ON THEM, THEY CANNOT LOOK AT BETTER AND LOWER COST ALTERNATIVES TO ACHIEVE THE SAME OBJECTIVE .

>> YEAH, AND SO -- FORGIVE ME, WHAT IS YOUR AFFILIATION WITH

THIS PROJECT? >> FOR 20 YEARS, AND COMMUTING THROUGH THE AREA AND I KNOW THE AREA. I TALKED TO THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND THERE'S NEVER BEEN A PUBLIC COMMENT ON THIS. I KEEP BEING TOLD THEY WILL HAVE A PUBLIC COMMENT. THEN I SEE THE AGENDA ITEM AND MY READ OF THE EXHIBIT IS YOU ARE GOING TO TRY TO SHOEHORN SOMETHING INTO A RIGHT-OF-WAY THAT IS NOT GOING TO FIT WITH CURRENT CONDITIONS. SO, THE SCOPE -- NOT THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT BUT THE SCOPE OF THE ALTERNATIVES NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED . THE CONTRACTOR NEEDS

THE FREEDOM TO DO THAT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING AND WE HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR .

THIS IS A FEASIBILITY STUDY AND I KNOW YOU SPOKEN TO SOME OF MY ENGINEERS YESTERDAY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR FEEDBACK BECAUSE IT IS IMPORTANT, THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING , I REPRESENT ZONE THREE COLLISION . WE HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH JOB NUMBER 25 -4082, THE QUICK CLEARANCE OF STALLED AND ABANDONED VEHICLES FROM HARRIS COUNTY FREEWAYS. WE HAVE JUST RECEIVED THE AWARD PETITION SHOWING THAT MULTIPLE COMPANIES, THE SAME COMPANIES THAT HAVE HAD THEM THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS ARE RECEIVING THEM AGAIN , EVEN THOUGH MULTIPLE TIMES -- I HAVE TO SEND MY WRECKERS OUT FOR CARS THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO OR THREE HOURS WITH PEOPLE WAITING MULTIPLE HOURS TO GET CLEARED OFF THE FREEWAY . I'VE SENT MANY, MANY EMAILS TO THE PURCHASING THE HARTMAN TRYING TO GET AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THESE CAME TO BE AND HOW IT IS THAT A COMPANY LIKE UNIFIED AUTO WORKS, PER SE , HAS NINE ACTIVE TRUCKS

AND YOU KNOW, THEY'VE GOT -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> THANK YOU . >> DO YOU WANT TO WRAP UP?

>> YES . >> THEY HAVE GOT FIVE DIFFERENT FREEWAYS WITH 18 WRECKERS AND NO ACTIVE VSS OR TDL ARE. I WONDER HOW SOMEBODY THAT KEEPS GETTING THESE COMPLAINTS WOULD GET AN AWARD ? SMACKS HER, WHICH ITEM IS THAT ?

>> IT IS ITEM 36. 25- 4082 . >> IT'S ON THE EMERGENCY AGENDA

. >> WE WILL HAVE THE PURCHASING AGENT UPDATE US ON THAT ONE AND PERHAPS I WILL TALK TO MY TEAM

ABOUT VISITING WITH YOU . >> I ONLY REQUEST THEY ACTUALLY INSPECT THESE COMPANIES TO SEE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO DO THE JOB OF SAVING LIVES ON THE FREEWAYS.

>> IMAGINE THE ONES THAT DON'T GO THROUGH PROCUREMENT AT ALL.

WHAT IS YOUR AFFILIATION WITH THIS PROJECT?

>> MY AFFILIATION AS I WORK WITH ZONE THREE COLLISION AND WE HAVE TOE AND GO IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITH 100% COVERAGE AT

[01:20:04]

ALL TIMES, 24 HOURS PER DAY. WE APPLIED FOR IT AND TOLD YOU DIDN'T GET ANYTHING . I WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW IT IS THAT SOME

OF THESE COMPANIES GOT IT. >> THAT'S FAIR . WE WILL HAVE THE PURCHASING AGENT UP DATE ON THINKING US ON THAT IF YOU GUYS DON'T MIND PULLING THAT ONE. WE WILL UPDATE YOU ON THAT .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> SPEAKER NUMBER 35 PRECINCT 2.

AND NON-AGENDA SPEAKER JACOB CLEMENT TO EDGE AND NON-AGENDA SPEAKER TERRY STONE, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE .

>> HI , THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME. MY NAME IS LOGAN FARRELL, THE COFOUNDER AND CEO OF ROBOTICS. WE ARE A COMPANY FOUNDED IN HOUSTON IN 2019 AND WE IN A ROUNDABOUT SIX YEARS.

THIS ROBOT DOES LAYOUT FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION AND WE PLAN -- PRINT THE BLUEPRINTS ON THE CONCRETE FLOOR. IT WAS MY PLEASURE TO GO WITH JUDGE HIDALGO TO PARIS. FOR AVIVA TECH AND CONTEXT, THERE ARE 180,000 PARTICIPANTS AND MOST OF THE BOOTHS ARE STAFFED BY COUNTRIES. WE MET WITH COUNTRIES AND WE WERE LOOKING AT THE ASIAN MARKET AND WE WERE ABLE TO ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS AND SOME NEW ONES WITH PLAYERS IN THE AREA . IT WAS GREAT REPRESENT THE CITY OF HOUSTON . THE MORE HOUSTON IS VIEWED AS A TECHNOLOGY HUB, THE BETTER IT IS FOR COMPANIES LIKE MINE FROM A VENTURE-CAPITAL STANDPOINT.

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD AND FINISH UP,

PLEASE. >> AN EVENT LIKE THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO KIND OF BUILD THE MIND SHARE OF THE COOL THINGS AND THE TECHNOLOGY THAT IS BUILT HERE IN HOUSTON.

>> GREAT, IT IS GREAT HAVING YOU .

>> HAVE YOU NAMED IT R2-D2? >> IT IS MARK ONE KIND OF OFF IRON MAN AND MARKING THE FLOOR .

>> PEOPLE WERE SO EXCITED TO LOOK AT THE ROBOT AND TALK TO

LOGAN, SO THANK YOU . >> ALL RIGHT, OUR NEXT SPEAKERS.

>> TIFFANY, IF YOU WOULD NOT MIND CALLING UP THE NEXT FOLKS .

>> NON-AGENDA'S BEAKER NUMBER ONE JACOB CLEMENT TO JEN NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER TWO , TERRY STONE.

>> HELLO, I AM TERRY STONE OF GREAT EASTERN PICKLEBALL . I KNOW WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT FLOODING AND THE LIKE AND HOW DANGEROUS THAT IS BUT ACTUALLY PICKLEBALL MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON THAT . IN CLEARLAKE, THERE IS PROPERTY WITH ABANDONED ATHLETIC FACILITIES THAT BELONGS TO THE SCHOOL DISTRICT . I WONDER IF WE COULD COME TO AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO REFURBISH THE AREA AND OPEN IT AGAIN . THAT COULD BE 10 PICKLEBALL COURTS . WHO CAN WE WORK WITH TO INVESTIGATE THE POSSIBILITY OF AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE OWNERS AND PARKS AND REC ? PICKLEBALL IS EXPLODING AMONG ALL SOCIOECONOMIC GROUPS WITH ROCKET SCIENTISTS AS WELL AS THOSE WITH DIFFERENT TRADITIONS AND BLACK RENT -- BACKGROUNDS. PICKLEBALL ARE -- PICKLEBALL ARE AS A COMMUNITY SPORT AND THE COMMISSION LOOKS LIKE WHO I PLAY WITHIN PICKLEBALL . YOU CAN HAVE FACILITIES THAT SUPPORT THE TWICE THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS.

>> PICKLEBALL GETS MORE BANG FOR THE BUCK . WE ARE A NONPROFIT .

>> THANK YOU . DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WANT TO ADD ?

COMMISSIONER GARCIA ? >> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND YOU'VE BEEN TALKING TO NEIGHBORS ABOUT PICKLEBALL OR AND I APPRECIATE THE PROMOTING OF A NEW SPORT . I AM AMAZED AS TO HOW MUCH IT IS REALLY IN THE COMMUNITY, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH

. >> THANK YOU . YOUR PARKS AND REX HAVE PAINTED LINES ON TENNIS COURTS AND A CLEARLAKE PARK , THERE HAS BEEN 100 PEOPLE PLAYING PICKLEBALL AT ONE TIME .

>> HAVE YOU PLAYED COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> NON-AGENDA SPEAKER NUMBER THREE , A WEEK OF PRECINCT 1 AND

[01:25:03]

ALEXI SWIRSKY AT PRECINCT 3. AND LEAVE PERRY OF PRECINCT TWO, YOU

EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> PARDON MY FRENCH . WELCOME BACK . OKAY , NOW I WANT TO SAY THIS , THERE WAS A CITY COUNCIL MEETING YESTERDAY AND IT WAS PRETTY INFORMATIVE. NOW THERE WAS A PRESENTATION BY LOCAL UNION 23 AND THEY TALKED ABOUT THE LACK OF ADEQUATE MONEY AND HOW IT IS GOING INTO THE HOSPITALITY BUSINESS . NOW WITH THE CITY AND THE AIRPORTS AND OTHER PLACES . SO, WE NEED TO SET OURSELVES STRAIGHT AND PAY US MORE AND GIVE US MORE HOURS , IF POSSIBLE . BECAUSE , THEY TRY TO WORK TWO JOBS BUT THEY GET STRESSED OUT ON THAT. WE NEED

HELP. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IS THE MICROPHONE ON? >> IS THAT BETTER ? YES.

>> THE MORNING. I AM THE ENVIRONMENTAL OUTREACH COORDINATOR AT ER ALLIANCE, HOUSTON. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK . I AM HERE TO SHARE INFORMATION AND INVITE YOU TO AN UPCOMING MEETING HOSTED BY THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ON JULY 15TH AT HERRERA ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. IT IS FOR THE SOUTH TEXAS CONCRETE LLC WHICH OPERATES A CONCRETE BATCH PLANT AT 7201 WEST HARDY ROAD.

CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS RELEASED FINE PARTICLES LIKE SILICATE DUST AND OTHER POLLUTANTS THAT ARE LINKED TO ASTHMA, HEART DISEASE AND OTHER SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUES. THE NORTHSIDE ALREADY FACES HIGHER RATES OF CHRONIC ILLNESS AND LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY THAN THE COUNTY AND THE STATE . THIS PLAN WOULD OPERATE YEAR-ROUND PRODUCING 300 CUBIC YARDS OF CONCRETE PER HOUR

. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> CAN YOU WRAP UP, PLEASE . >> 4800 PEOPLE WITHIN A MILE , MANY OF THEM CHILDREN AND SENIORS. THE AREA IS MORE THAN 95% PEOPLE OF COLOR WITH HOUSEHOLD SPEAKING SPANISH .

COMMUNITIES OF NORTHSIDE SHOULD NOT CARRY THE BURDEN OF YET ANOTHER POLLUTING FACILITY. AS SOMEONE WHO LIVES NEAR A SITE LIKE THIS IN HOPES TO RAISE A FAMILY, I KNOW DEEPLY HOW THESE IMPACTS ARE FELT. PLEASE JOIN US AT THE PUBLIC MEETING AND HELP SUPPORT RESIDENCE SEEKING CLEANER AIR AND PROTECTIONS,

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. AND JAY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE , CAN I DISCUSS THE FUNDING UNDER ITEM

NUMBER FIVE ? >> YEAH, YOU CAN, THAT'S FINE.

>> TO YOUR POINT, THE DEPARTMENTS WORKING ON THIS SUCH AS POLLUTION CONTROL AND PUBLIC HEALTH , BECAUSE WE DID NOT GO TO THE VOTERS LAST YEAR TO SEE IF THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO SUPPORT US IN TERMS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY INCREASES , WE ARE AT A $300 MILLION DEFICIT THIS YEAR AND EVERY DEPARTMENT IS ASKED TO CUT 10% OF THE BUDGET . I TALKED TO JUVENILE PROBATION DEPARTMENT YESTERDAY AND AS AN EXAMPLE , THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT AND THEY HAVE REDUCED RECIDIVISM THROUGH EVIDENCED BASED PROJECTS. IT IS AMAZING TO SEE WHAT THAT DOES TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFER . IF THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO CUT EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT CARR'S RULE, I CAN IMAGINE WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH WOULD HAVE TO CUT AND LIBRARIES ARE HAVING TO CUT PRETTY MUCH EVERYTHING THAT IS NOT NECESSARY. ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE SAYING FLOOD CONTROL IS NOT GOING TO HAVE CUT ANYTHING, THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS HAVE TO CUT MORE . THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO SHARE EARLIER, THIS WILL ALL HAPPEN IN THE BUDGET SEASON AND IT IS TIME FOR YOU GUYS, THE ADVOCATES, TO SPREAD THE WORD TO DEPARTMENTS AND ISSUES YOU CARE ABOUT TO ADVOCATE SO IT IS NOT CUT . AGAIN, OBVIOUSLY, WE NEED TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT THESE RAISES SO WE CAN RECRUIT AND RETAIN. YOU KNOW, I WAS NEVER OKAY WITHOUT GIVING THE RAISES TO KNOW WHAT WE ARE CUTTING . WE

[01:30:05]

WANTED TO SEE IF THE TAXPAYERS WOULD SUPPORT AND IT'S TOO LATE FOR THAT NOW BUT I WANT ACCOUNTABILITY FOR WHAT IS CUT .

TO PUT THAT IN PERSPECTIVE, OUR DISCRETIONARY BUDGET EVERY YEAR IS AROUND LIKE -- $200 BILLION. 300 OUT OF $2 BILLION IS ENORMOUS. I WANTED TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THAT .

>> THANK YOU FOR THOSE INSIGHTS.

>> YEAH , LET'S FINISH WITH THE SPEAKERS. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE?

>> LEE PERRY , ALEXI SWIRSKY AND AUDREY KNAPP .

>> I AM ALEXI SWIRSKY AND THE SAFETY OF THE PUBLIC IS SUPPOSED TO BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN TAXES. FLOOD PREVENTION FOR JAILS SO THEY THE MAS ARE SAFE AND STAFF. THEY SHOULD RECEIVE ADEQUATE FUNDING . PLEASE USE THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY TO PREVENT FLOODING AND DECREASE CRIME . COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY IS A PROFESSIONAL FLOOD CONTROL ENGINEER . THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT SHOULD LISTEN TO WHAT HE WANTS DONE AND GET IT DONE. MONEY SHOULD BE DISTRIBUTED ACCORDING TO NEEDS AND NOT ACCORDING TO CONSTRAINTS WITH NOTHING TO DO WITH FLOOD CONDITIONS SUCH AS SKIN COLOR .

I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO THE REPORTS TODAY FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT . THREE INMATES SUFFERED EMERGENCIES IN THE JAIL BETWEEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY OF THIS WEEK AND DIED . THREE INMATES IN TWO DAYS. SO FAR 10 INMATES HAVE DIED IN JAIL CUSTODY AND IT'S ONLY JUNE. THIS RAISES CONCERN ABOUT CONDITIONS INSIDE THE JAIL .

>> YOUR TIME IS UP . >> GO AHEAD IF YOU NEED TO WRAP

UP . >> LET'S GET THESE DONE WITH THE JAIL CONDITIONS AND POLICING . THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> AT AFTERNOON . MY NAME IS LEE PERRY. I AM A 74-YEAR-OLD SENIOR CITIZEN . U.S. MILITARY VETERAN , HONORABLE DISCHARGE . I NEVER IMAGINED WHEN I WAS YOUNG IN THE MILITARY THAT ONCE YOU GET TO BE A SENIOR CITIZEN, YOU GET KICKED UNDER THE BUS. I WAS SCAMMED BY A COMPANY AND I AM ABOUT ABOUT $300 RIGHT NOW. IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT ME, IT'S ABOUT ALL OF US.

I'VE GOT A CHECK RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW . YOU TAKE TO THE BANK THAT IT'S COUNTERFEIT BUT THIS IS THE SAME CHECK THAT YOU USED TO BUY MY PROPERTY FROM ME . EVERYWHERE IN THE WHOLE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA . IT IS CRIMINAL TO PAY FOR PROPERTY WITH A COUNTERFEIT CHECK, EVERYWHERE . SO I ENDED UP GOING TO CIVIL COURT AND I GET TO CIVIL COURT . NOW, THE ONE TRYING TO CLAIM MY PROPERTY SAYS THAT -- YOUR TIME IS UP .

>> GO AHEAD, SIR, IF YOU WANT TO FINISH UP .

>> HAVE WE BEEN KICKED UNDER THE BUS? I'VE FILED A REPORT IN SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR AND EVEN NOW , THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT INVESTIGATING. IN CIVIL COURT , THAT JUDGE SAYS YOU NEED TO GO ACROSS THE STREET TO THE CRIMINAL COURT BECAUSE WE DON'T DO THAT HERE. SO, HOW IS IT THINKING I SAID I CAN'T GO TO

THE DA AND SAY THAT . >> THE JUDGE IN CIVIL COURT IS THE ONE THAT SAID THAT'S A CRIMINAL MATTER, GO ACROSS THE STREET TO CRIMINAL COURT. NOW , ALL OF THIS INVESTIGATING, YOU'VE BEEN INVESTIGATING SAID TEMP TIMBRE OF LAST YEAR , WHAT'S THE PROBLEM? THE COUNTY CLERK HERE REFUSED AND SAID THE DOCUMENTS THEY ARE USING TO CLAIM MY PROPERTY ARE FRAUDULENT . THE COUNTY CLERK JUST LIKE YOU ALL , KNOW WHAT IS FRAUDULENT AND WHAT IS NOT . IF THEY SAY IT IS FRAUDULENT IN YOUR STILL USING THE FRAUDULENT DOCUMENT TO TAKE MY MONEY AND I HAVEN'T BEEN PAID IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. WE'VE BEEN KICKED UNDER THE BUS AND PUSHED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE JUSTICE SYSTEM, THAT'S ALL I

WANTED . >> WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU, SIR .

>> I HOPE SOMEBODY DO . >> GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA

. >> SIR, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO OUR NATION .

I DO WANT TO LET YOU KNOW I DO HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT DOES SPEAK TO THIS ISSUE. THIS HAS BEEN A VERY, VERY CHRONIC

[01:35:01]

CONCERN I HAVE HAD THAT I HAVE SEEN IMPACTING SO MANY INDIVIDUALS . PRIMARILY, MANY OF OUR SENIORS ARE FALLING VICTIM

TO THIS . >> I HOPE THE ITEM I HAVE ON THE AGENDA LATER TODAY WILL HELP BRING SOME PROTECTION AND RESOLUTION TO FOLKS LIKE YOU THAT ARE GOING THROUGH SOMETHING LIKE THIS . SO, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN AND BEAKING ON THIS

. >> I APPRECIATE THAT . I'VE BEEN A VOLUNTEER IN PRECINCT 2 FOR THREE YEARS AND PRECINCT 4,

ALSO . >> THANK YOU AND LOOK FOR CUTS TO THE VETERANS SERVICES DEPARTMENT. THAT'S ANOTHER ONE

THEY HAVE ASKED US TO CUT . >> MY NAME IS AUDREY NEFF AND I'M A NEUROLOGIST IN PRECINCT 1 . I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT THREE DEATHS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAILS WITHIN 48 HOURS IN THE MEDIA . I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY BE PEOPLE BOOKED INTO JAIL WHO MAY BE EXPERIENCING ACUTE MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC PROBLEMS WHO INSTEAD SHOULD BE PROBABLY GOING STRAIGHT TO THE E.R. . I AM CONCERNED THERE MAY NOT BE A PROCESS FOR THAT . AND, OVERALL CONCERN THERE ARE PREVENTABLE DEATHS HAPPENING IN OUR JAILS LIKE WITH CHRISTOPHER MCGREGOR AND THE INFECTION HE DIED OF.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU, DOCTOR TO CHAT WITH HARRIS HEALTH FOLKS. THANK YOU .

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS .

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL SPEAKERS. WE WILL MOVE TO THE TWO ITEMS AND THEN THE CONSENT AGENDA . YES?

>> THANKS, GUYS . ALL RIGHT, IT'S 11:33 -- 11:53 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. ALL RIGHT , THANK YOU

[Emergency/Supplemental items ]

EVERYONE . ALWAYS LOOKING FOR AN EXCUSE TO BANG THE GAVEL . SO, ITEM 314 IS A DISCUSSION UPDATE ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES IDENTIFIED DURING THE DELEGATION SUMMIT . AS YOU KNOW, WE JUST HAD A GENTLEMAN HERE WITH ROBOTICS THAT AND HE WAS ONE OF THE FIRST DELEGATES WHO CAME WITH US FOR THE FIRST INTERNATIONAL TRADE MISSION WE HAD . I WAS GOING TO PAY FOR IT FROM THE BUDGET AND I PAID FOR IT WITH MY CAMPAIGN MONEY . I WAS ALSO GOING TO PAY FOR HIS SECURITY DETAIL BUT WAS NOT ALLOWED TO BRING THEM FOR SOME REASON . SO, RICE UNIVERSITY AND THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP MADE THE TRIP POSSIBLE. IT WAS VERY, VERY BUSY. WE MET WITH WORLD LEADERS AND INVESTORS AROUND THE CLOCK . AND, THE IDEA WAS TO BRING BACK FOREIGN INVESTMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY . HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY IS AT THE IMPORTANT LEADING EDGE WITH TECHNOLOGY. WITH THE CAMPUS THAT IS THERE AND SECOND IS AEROSPACE AND NASA WAS SO MUCH TAKING PLACE ON THAT. OIL IN THE GAS, OBVIOUSLY AND FINALLY THE PORT .

SO, A LOT OF THESE FOLKS DID NOT KNOW HOUSTON HAD THESE ATTRIBUTES. IS A GROWING POPULATION AND A YOUNG POPULATION. AN AREA WHERE BUSINESSES THRIVE . WHAT WE NOTICED WAS A LOT OF THE BUSINESSES CHATTING WITH OUR DELEGATES, FOR EXAMPLE FRANCE'S LARGEST EMPLOYER BRINGING TOGETHER COMPANIES AND EMPLOYERS SAW SO MUCH POTENTIAL IN HARRIS COUNTY THEY WILL VISIT HOUSTON IN 20'S 26. AND FRANCE INVEST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR IN BUSINESSES THERE AND THEY JUST STARTED RECENTLY LOOKING AT INVESTMENTS THEY COULD MAKE INTERNATIONALLY. THEY ARE COMING WITH 20 COMPANIES IN MARCH AND HOST A FRENCH AND AMERICAN BUSINESS FORUM WITH OUR CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. THAT IS THE FIRST TIME THAT BP FRANCE HAS DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT . AND ALSO COMING WITH 25 COMPANIES THIS WINTER. OF COURSE, THE GOAL WAS TO SHOW HARRIS COUNTY IS A BETTER COMMUNITY TO INVEST IN THAN ANY OTHER PLACE IN THE WORLD. IT'S A COMPETITION WITH WHERE THESE COMPANIES INVEST IN IT ULTIMATELY KEEPS US THRIVING AND CREATES JOBS. YEAH, SOME OF

[01:40:02]

THE NOTABLE INVITES THAT WE GOT AND CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAD WERE WITH MY COUNTERPART IN PARIS WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE REGION AKIN TO MY WORK . IT'S A REGION THAT INCLUDES PARIS WITH A FORMER AMBASSADOR THAT HAS A LOT OF EXPERIENCE AROUND THE REGION . WITH THE HEAD OF THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS THAT FOCUSES ON NORTH AMERICA . I HAD A FIVE-MINUTE CHAT WITH PRESIDENT MCCRONE AS WELL. I HAD MET WITH HIM BEFORE BUT UPDATED HIM ON WHAT WE WERE DOING AND INVITED HIM TO JOIN US AT THE WORLD CUP . WE MADE SOME OTHER IMPORTANT CONNECTIONS. ONE ISSUE THAT I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO BE ABLE TO LEAD BECAUSE OF MY ROLE AS HEAD OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND HOMELAND SECURITY WAS ON THE WORLD CUP . SO, ONE OF THE INTERESTING THING DATING ONE OF THE INTERESTING FOLKS WE CONNECTED WITH IS ACTUALLY THE GENTLEMAN THAT WAS IN CHARGE OF ALL OF THAT FOR THE OLYMPICS .

AND, WE WERE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THAT . SO, REALLY VALUABLE MEETINGS. OBVIOUSLY, $20,000 IS WHAT A PARTY COSTS AND SOME OF THESE BIG PRECINCTS . I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THE RHETORIC WAS DISAPPOINTING ABOUT THE TRADE MISSION . I DON'T THINK WE NEED TO BE SORT OF MALIGNING WORK TO PURSUE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AND OPPORTUNITIES. I'M VERY PROUD OF MY TEAM AND I HOPE MY COLLEAGUES WILL RECONSIDER BEING ABLE TO USE OUR OWN OFFICE TRAVEL BUDGETS TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT WAS AN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL MISSION AND, A LOT OF GREAT FOLLOW-UP IS COMING FROM IT . I AM GRATEFUL TO HEAR SOME COMPANIES ARE SEEING SOME OF DATES . SO THAT IS MY REPORT TO THE COMMUNITY AND, WE WILL -- WE ARE WORKING NOW ON ANOTHER TRADE MISSION . WE WILL BE COMING BACK WITH REQUESTS TO BE ABLE TO FUND THIS WITH INTERNAL ALREADY APPROVED OFFICE BUDGET AS OPPOSED TO CAMPAIGN MONEY . I ALSO REQUEST TO BE ALLOWED TO BRING A SECURITY DETAIL AS I HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS TRAVEL . I HAVE TOLD INEXPLICABLY THEY WERE NOT ALLOWED TO COME AS THEY HAVE IN THE PAST. WHATEVER POLITICS IS TAKING PLACE BEHIND THE SCENES IS VERY MUCH NOT APPROPRIATE. SO, THAT'S THE END OF THAT, LET ME PASS IT ON TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. I WANT TO THANK THE VARIOUS OFFICIALS WHO CAME . I WISH WE HAD SOMEONE

[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]

FROM THE WORLD CUP AND WE WILL FILL YOU IN AS WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THOSE FOLKS WHO LED THE OLYMPICS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,

YOU HAVE ITEM 2. >> NO ACTION .

>> NO ACTION THAT THIS IS A WORTHWHILE BANG FOR OUR BUCK AND NOT A CAMPAIGN ACT TIVOLI. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC KNOWS WE WILL BE BRINGING THIS BACK AND I DON'T THINK POLITICS SHOULD PLAY A ROLE IN OUR POLICIES.

>> WELCOME BACK AND I'M GLAD THE TRIP WENT WELL.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> SO, NO ACTION, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ? >> ARE WE DOING ITEM 2 .

>> RIGHT, FLOOD BOND. >> ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A PRESENTATION ? I WILL HOLD MY COMMENTS UNTIL AFTER THE

PRESENTATION, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.

>> GOOD MORNING . >> SO I DID SEND OUT A BRIEF POWERPOINT THAT I WAS HOPING WE COULD WALK THROUGH JUST TO SET THE STAGE FOR THE CONVERSATION AND THEN I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS THAT YOU HAVE.

>> DOCTOR PETERSON, I AM PULLING IT UP, GIVE ME A MINUTE.

>> ALL RIGHT , SO IF WE COULD GO TO THE FIRST SLIDE ON THE NEXT

[01:45:02]

PAGE, PLEASE. SO, REALLY I JUST WANTED TO START THE CONVERSATION CENTERED AROUND WHAT MANY OF THE SPEAKERS THIS MORNING HIGHLIGHTED. IT WAS THE CHALLENGE THAT HARRIS COUNTY FACED AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY . HURRICANE HARVEY WAS A DEFECATING -- DEVASTATING STORM. THE COST LOSS OF LIFE WITH 154 STRUCTURES FLOODED IN 654,000 VEHICLES WITH IMPACTS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY . WE ARE HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT THE BOND PROGRAM CREATED IN RESPONSE TO HURRICANE HARVEY. THE PROGRAM HAS 181 PROJECTS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THERE IS 137 UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE , ONE OF THE CHALLENGES WE HAD WITH THIS PROGRAM WAS CREATED STRAIGHT FROM THE BEGINNING. THE PROGRAM WAS CREATED TO HAVE A FUNDING GAP .

THAT CHALLENGE WAS ACKNOWLEDGED EARLY ON AND WE HAVE HAD TO WORK VERY HARD TO OVERCOME THAT GAP, BUT WE HAVE . WE HAVE SECURED $2.7 BILLION IN PARTNERSHIPS WHICH HAS ALLOWED US TO HAVE $5.2 BILLION IN FUNDS TO PUT TO USE FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE ARE HIGHLIGHTING VERY QUICKLY THE DOLLARS SPENT THUS FAR. WE SPENT ABOUT $1.5 BILLION AND HAVE ANOTHER $1.4 BILLION UNCOVERED AND READY TO GO TO USE FOR THE PUBLIC . NOW, IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE , ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE BEEN VERY, VERY PROUD OF IS THE WORK COMPLETED TO DATE. WE HAVE COMPLETED MORE THAN 200 PROJECTS AND WE ALSO HAVE MORE THAN 200 UNDERWAY. IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, WE CAN SEE EXAMPLES OF PROJECTS COMPLETED ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY .

ONE OF THE THINGS WE KNOW IS THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE. THESE PROJECTS IN THE GROUND RIGHT NOW PROTECTED HOMES DURING HURRICANE BARREL LAST SUMMER. THOUSANDS OF STRUCTURES WOULD HAVE FLOODED IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE PRODUCTS IN THE GROUND. ON THE NEXT SLIDE, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE SCHEDULE . CERTAINLY, WHEN THE BOND WAS PASSED, THERE WAS WORK TO BE DONE TO ADDRESS REPAIRS AND THE CHALLENGES CAUSED BY HARVEY. AFTER THE INITIAL WORK , THE PROJECT SHIFTED INTO DELIVERING BOND PROJECTS AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE NOW. IF YOU NOTICE IN THIS CHART THERE IS A DRAMATIC WRAP UP IN THE NEXT TWO YEARS TO SIGNIFICANTLY START DELIVERING PROJECTS . THIS MEANS WE WILL BE SEEING PROGRESS ALL THE WAY THROUGH 2029 . IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE , I DO WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE REASON WE ARE HERE TODAY . SO, THE WORK WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT WAS DRIVEN BY SEVERAL MOTIONS FROM COMMISSIONS COURT TO PROVIDE DATA AND INFORMATION AS WELL AS A REPORT TO PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS. SO, WE ARE HERE TODAY TO SPEAK TO THE DATA THAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED AS WELL AS PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS AFTER WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH ALL OF YOUR OFFICES. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. ONE MORE, PLEASE.

SO, ONE OF THE THINGS I DID WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE WAS THE AMOUNT OF WORK THAT YOU AND YOUR TEAMS HAVE PUT INTO THIS EFFORT. IT HAS BEEN A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF EFFORT WITH NUMEROUS SPREADSHEETS GENERATED AND A LOT OF INFORMATION. THERE HAS BEEN GOOD DIALOGUE BACK AND FORTH . I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE HARRIS COUNTY FLIGHT CONTROL TEAM THAT DID A LOT OF WORK TO PULL THIS INFORMATION TOGETHER . WE HAVE VERY STRONG SYSTEMS WHERE ALL OF THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE. THE CHALLENGE IS GETTING IT INTO A FORMAT THAT IS DIGESTIBLE FOR OTHER PEOPLE TO UNDERSTAND.

HAVING A DATABASE IS ONE THING AND GETTING IT INTO A SPREADSHEET THAT EVERYONE CAN UNDERSTAND CAN BE CHALLENGING.

SO, WE HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME WORKING TOGETHER. AND, IF WE GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE -- WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT CHALLENGES.

CERTAINLY, WE KNOW THERE WERE CHALLENGES WITH THIS PROGRAM.

THE STRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAM FROM THE BEGINNING WAS A CHALLENGE . ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT WITH THIS PROGRAM IS COST . AND, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE KNOW IS THERE ARE INCREASING COSTS AND IN FACT THAT IS WHY WE ARE

[01:50:03]

HERE . THIS IS REALLY A REACTION TO THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE BEEN HAVING . SO, WE KNOW THERE ARE COST INCREASES AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IS WE CAME TO THE TABLE WITH THE DATA AND INFORMATION WITH POTENTIAL RISKS AND INCREASED COSTS. WE WANTED TO PUT THE INFORMATION ON THE TABLE PROACTIVELY BECAUSE WE DID NOT WANT YOU TO BE SURPRISED. I WOULD RATHER ALERT YOU TO THE POTENTIAL FOR COST INCREASES.

WE'VE NEVER DONE SUCH A DEEP COMPREHENSIVE DIVE. THAT USUALLY IS WHEN YOU PUT A PROJECT OUT TO BID . WE WANTED TO BE PROACTIVE TO MAKE SURE WE COULD ACHIEVE THE OUTCOMES THIS COURT HAS ALREADY ARTICULATED. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE . IN THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD WITH YOUR TEAMS , IT WAS BROAD RANGING BUT I HEARD A LOT OF THE SAME THEMES AND FEEDBACK THAT I HEARD FROM THE COMMUNITY THIS MORNING . THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND THAT WAS NOT EVER IN QUESTION . MAKING SURE WE BALANCE THE NEED FOR SPEED WITH PROJECTS IN AREAS WHERE THINGS HAVE NOT HAPPENED AS FAST. SO, SPEED CANNOT BE THE ONLY DRIVER FOR A DECISION. OBVIOUSLY, PARTNERSHIPS HAVE BEEN AT THE FOUNDATION OF THIS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER FACTORS INVOLVED. I THINK IT HAS BEEN A VERY COLLABORATIVE AND VERY INVOLVED IN VERY DEEP CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING. AGAIN, WE APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAMS BEING ABLE TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS. IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. SO, WHAT WE WANT TO DO TODAY AND AGAIN THIS IS ACKNOWLEDGING THERE WERE A LOT OF FACTORS GOING INTO THE CONVERSATIONS.

ALL OF IT WAS BASED IN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK . IF WE COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE . WHERE WE ARE IS WE WERE ASKED TO COME BACK WITH SOME RECOMMENDATIONS FOR HOW TO MAXIMIZE THE COMPLETION OF HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS . SO, THAT IS WHAT WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY. THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE HAVE ARE REALLY BASED ON THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN HAVING AS WELL AS OUR PERSPECTIVE. FIRST AND FOREMOST, THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK , WE ARE RECOMMENDING IT IS FUNDAMENTAL TO MAKING THE COMPLETION OF HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS POSSIBLE . SECONDLY, GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS TRULY ARE NECESSARY TO DELIVER THE HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS. AGAIN, WE CANNOT ALLOW PARTNERSHIPS TO DRIVE DECISIONS , BUT THE REALITY IS THERE ARE PARTNERSHIP DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE THAT ARE IMPORTANT FOR COMPLETING HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS . THAT DOES NOT MEAN THAT ALL PARTNERSHIPS ARE IMPORTANT. MAINTAINING THE CONTINGENCY FUND , FOR US WE THINK IT IS SOMETHING VERY IMPORTANT. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE FUNDING AND AVAILABLE DOLLARS TO BE ABLE TO PIVOT AND FUND A PROJECT WHEN IT NEEDS ADDITIONAL FUNDS. FINALLY, WE FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS NECESSARY. WE WANT TO DEVELOP THIS PLAN SO WE CAN GUIDE HOW THE PROGRAM IS DELIVERED AND MAKE SURE THERE IS AN ALIGNMENT WITH COMMISSIONS COURT PRIORITIES AND DIRECTION. AND, WITH THAT , I'M HAPPY TO TAKE

QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> I WANT TO GIVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND. I NOTE THAT SOME OF THE SPEAKERS WENT THROUGH IT . I'M THE ONLY PERSON, UNFORTUNATELY OR MAYBE FORTUNATELY , WHO WAS AT THIS TABLE WHEN HARVEY CAME THROUGH . AND, WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO PUT AN ITEM ON THE BALLOT ONE YEAR AFTER HARVEY CAME THROUGH , THE LANGUAGE THAT I READ EARLIER, I WANT TO READ AGAIN AND I THINK YOU MAY HAVE IT IN FRONT OF YOU, OR WE CAN POP IT ON THE SCREEN. THIS LANGUAGE WAS INCLUDED IN THE BOND ORDER .

>> SINCE FLOODING ISSUES DO NOT RESPECT JURISDICTIONAL OR BONDING BOUNDARIES, THERE SHOULD BE A PROCESS FOR THE EQUITABLE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS RECOGNIZING THAT PROJECT SELECTION MAY HAVE BEEN AFFECTED IN THE PAST AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED --

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND A SECOND .

[01:55:07]

>> MOTION CARRIES . >> RECOGNIZING IT HAS BEEN IMPACTED IN THE PAST AND MAY CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY MATCHING STATE , FEDERAL AND LOCAL FUNDS. I MAKE THIS STATEMENT AND IT WAS SECONDED AND PASSED THE COMMISSIONS COURT UNANIMOUSLY IN 2019 . THE REASON IS THAT DOCTOR PETERSON, YOUR PREDECESSOR CAME TO ME AND EXPLAIN THE COST/BENEFIT RATIO.

AND SAID, THE COURT OUGHT TO DO EVERYTHING IT CAN TO GET THE LANGUAGE OUT OF FEDERAL LAW. IT MET THAT EVEN A PROJECT LIKE BRACE COULD BE IMPACTED . IT REALLY MEANS YOU GO AND TAKE CARE OF THE WEALTHIER PROPERTIES FIRST. NOW , BEING LOGICAL , IT WOULD MAKE SENSE IN ANY CITY. NEW ORLEANS, HOUSTON, ANYWHERE .

OF COURSE, YOU'VE GOT TO PROTECT YOUR DOWNTOWN AND IT WOULD BE GOOD TO PROTECT YOUR MEDICAL CENTER SO YOU SURVIVE A DISASTER. IT IS NICE TO PROTECT YOUR COURT. ARGUABLY , THE UNIVERSITIES, PROTECT THEM . BUT, THAT LANGUAGES THROUGHOUT FEDERAL LAW , GOING BACK TO THE EARLY '80 S. SOME PEOPLE SAY IT WAS MISINTERPRETED . THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS FOR FLOODING , EVERYONE WORKS IT IN. I DID NOT CATCH IT WHEN IT WAS FIRST EXPLAINED IT MAY BE ABOUT THE THIRD TIME I CAUGHT IT. I SAID, IN SIMPLISTIC TERMS, THAT MEANS YOU TAKE CARE OF THE WEALTHY PROPERTIES FIRST. AND, THIS LANGUAGE WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE UNANIMOUSLY THIS COURT DID NOT WANT TO BE IN POSITION WHERE WE WERE CHASING FEDERAL AND OFTENTIMES ESTATE DOLLARS WITH A COST /BENEFIT RATIO DRIVING . JUST LOOKING AT THAT, IT'S PRETTY AMAZING THAT UNDER THAT COURT THAT THE LANGUAGE WOULD PASS UNANIMOUSLY . I DID MAKE IT CLEAR THERE WERE TWO THINGS I WANTED. I WANT THE COUNTY TO DO A DISPARITY STUDY, WHICH THEY AGREED TO DO BUT THEY SAID PRECINCT 1 HAD TO PAY FOR IT AT $700,000. THAT IS WHY WE HAVE THE MWBE PROGRAM WE HAVE NOW. I MADE IT CLEAR I WASN'T GOING TO VOTE FOR IT WOULD CAMPAIGN AGAINST IT AND IF THEY WANT TO PUT ON THE BALLOT, GO AHEAD.

THEN, WE COME TO THIS COURT. YOU KNOW , THE COURT LEADERSHIP CHANGED SIX MONTHS OR FIVE MONTHS AFTER HARVEY AND OTHERS WERE SWORN IN . JUDGE, YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COME JANUARY . ALTHOUGH THAT COURT PUT IT ON THE BALLOT, THE NEW COURT PUT IT HERE . WHETHER I LIKE IT OR NOT , I AM BOUND TO COMMITMENTS MADE BY MY PREDECESSOR WHEN YOU PUT IT ON THE BALLOT . THE REASON IS IN THE BOND LANGUAGE AND WE DID NOT DEFINE EQUITY IF I DIDN'T THINK I WOULD GET A SECOND TO DEFINE IT, NO MATTER WHAT I SAID . SO, JUDGE, IT WAS YOUR FORMER CHIEF OF STAFF THAT YOU TOOK FROM ME. ALL OF MY STAFF WORKED ON IT BUT IT WAS JOE MADDON . THEY CAME UP WITH THIS LANGUAGE. AND , I WAS AMAZED AT PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND THEN I TURNED AROUND AND MADE THE MOTION. AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE DID HAVE A FIGHT , IF YOU WERE WATCHING FROM THE SIDELINES, OVER WHEN TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT. I THOUGHT WE OUGHT TO PUT ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER . I SAW FOUR MEMBERS OF THIS COURT AT THE TIME, ASSUME THAT'S WHEN YOU HAD THE HIGHEST TURNOUT AND THAT'S WHEN YOU WOULD HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF PASSING IT. THE JUDGE, AT THE TIME, DIDN'T THINK SO, OR MAYBE HE DIDN'T WANT IT ON THE BALLOT WHILE HE WAS TRYING TO GET REELECTED ASKING TO FUND THE 2.5 BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE. ONE COLLEAGUE CALLED ME IN HIS OFFICE AND SAID , I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT AND WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO EACH OTHER. YOU MAYBE DIDN'T KNOW IT BUT YOU ARE NOT THE MOST POPULAR GUY AROUND THE DAIS. THEY SAID, LAY LOW. THEN THINGS CHANGED AND SO WE TOOK A LITTLE BREAK AND THEY SAID, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE IT IN AUGUST ON THE ANNIVERSARY OF

[02:00:05]

HARVEY, OR WE WON'T HAVE IT AT ALL AND SO I VOTED NO. THEN, RATHER DRAMATICALLY, IN THE MIDDLE OF THE VOTE THINKING I SAID NO, WERE NOT PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT THAT DAY. OF ALL PEOPLE, COMMISSIONER RADEK ASKED ME TO CHANGE MY VOTE. THERE WAS A GOOD PERCENTAGE OF THOSE FOR OR AGAINST IT THAT WOULD COME OUT OF THE PRECINCT. IT HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH ME . I WENT OUT ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS EQUITY LANGUAGE. EVERYBODY ELSE TALKED ABOUT THIS EQUITY LANGUAGE. THEN JUDGE, WHEN YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA GOT HERE , WE CAME UP WITH LANGUAGE ON WHAT THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK WOULD BE LIKE . IT WAS NOT MY LANGUAGE AND IN FACT, IF YOU RECALL IT, BY THEN YOU HAD MR. MADDON OVER THERE .

>> IT WAS NOT MY LANGUAGE. YOU KNOW, I WAS GOING TO GO WITH THE PHRASE LMI, LOW TO MODERATE INCOME . WE CAME OUT WITH SOME BUSH ONE LANGUAGE FROM THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL. THAT WORD SOCIAL VULNERABILITY SCARED ME , IF YOU REMEMBER, IN THE DEBATES. IT WAS THE LANGUAGE THAT GEORGE BUSH USED TO DO FUNDING. I JUST WANT IN SIMPLISTIC TERMS TO DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO. THE LANGUAGE THAT WE PUT IN THE BALLOT IS WHAT WE OUGHT TO FOLLOW UP ON. WE CREATED A TASK FORCE. I THINK IT WAS CF RTF. THE COMMUNITY FUND RESILIENCE TAX FORCE COMPRISED OF 17 MEMBERS , FIVE APPOINTED BY THE OFFICE OF THE TIME. IT COMPRISED ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL EXPERTS. IN 2021, THE COURT REQUESTED THAT CFRTF REVISE IT .

IN 2022, THEY DID MAKE CHANGES AFTER PUBLIC INPUT IN HERE WERE SOME OF THE CHANGES. CREATE KEY PRIORITIES WAS PEOPLE OVER BUILDINGS AND IMMEDIATE FLOOD RISKS AND KEEP FLOODING FROM GETTING WORSE . IN THE METRICS USE EQUITY RELIANT ON BEST PRACTICES . AND, WE HAVE NOT DONE THAT . THERE IS A SCORE ATTRIBUTED TO EACH ONE OF THESE PROJECTS AND WE WERE TRYING TO GET AWAY FROM CHASING PARTNERSHIP BY ANY OTHER MONEY .

THE REASON IS, NORMALLY WE KNOW WHO GETS THE PARTNERSHIPS . THE NEIGHBORHOODS WHO ARE MOST ORGANIZED AND OFTENTIMES THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE A BIT MORE POLITICALLY AND FINANCIALLY ASTUTE . SO, MY FRUSTRATION, TODAY , AND I'VE SAID IT AND I DON'T WANT TO KEEP HARPING ON THE MESSAGE IS, THAT'S ALL I WANT US TO DO. BEFORE YOU JUMP . WE KNOW THE STORY ABOUT RUSH DINGHY RUSS POPPY IN THE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS , THOSE WERE THE TOUCHPOINTS DURING THAT CAMPAIGN. IT IS NOT HYPERBOLE, BUT WHY ELSE WOULD THE COMMISSIONERS COURT, AT THAT TIME, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, HAVE VOTED UNANIMOUSLY ON THIS LANGUAGE? I'M JUST -- YOU KNOW, ALL OF THE SCENARIOS -- DOCTOR PETERSON , NONE OF THESE ARE ACCEPTABLE TO ME AND I CAN'T VOTE FOR THEM. I MAYBE NOT THE FIRST TO SAY IT PUBLICLY, BUT ONE OF THE EARLY ONES, WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY. IN YOUR JUDGMENT , PAUSE FOR A SECOND AND THEN MAINTAIN MY TIME. IN YOUR JUDGMENT , WHAT IS THE SHORTFALL HERE ? THERE ARE VARIOUS REASONS AND I'M NOT BLAMING IT ON YOU. I GET THAT THE THINGS GO UP AND ISSUES GO UP .

>> WHAT WE HAVE ESTIMATED, COMMISSIONER, AND THIS IS A VERY HIGH LEVEL NUMBER BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE DEEP WORK, PROBABLY OVER THE LAST TWO MONTHS . I WOULD SAY BASED ON WHAT WE HAVE ESTIMATED, IT IS ROUGHLY $1 BILLION OUT OF THE $5 BILLION PROGRAM . WHAT WE WOULD NOTE IS THERE ARE MANY ESTIMATES OF HOW MUCH INCREASE IN COSTS THAT ALL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE IS DEALING WITH . THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS HAS AN ESTIMATE OF ROUGHLY A 30%

[02:05:02]

INCREASE SINCE 2018 FOR THEIR INFRASTRUCTURE. WHAT I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER IS IT IS A PRELIMINARY ESTIMATE .

>> IT COULD CHANGE. LIKE WE SENT A NOTE TO YOUR STAFF A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO AND THEY SENT US BACK A NUMBER OF 1.342 BILLION . I'M JUST GOING TO KEEP THE TIME GOING BECAUSE THIS IS AN

IMPORTANT. >> $603 MILLION IN UNFUNDED NEED FOR CURRENT PROJECTS . $625 MILLION FOR THE NEXT PROJECT PHASE . SO, WHEN YOU AND I CHATTED , I THINK YESTERDAY THE

NUMBER WAS $300 MILLION . >> THAT WAS THE COURT HELD ONE

ONLY . >> IT WAS THE WHOLE THING AND MY STAFF CAME IN AND SAID, HOW CAN WE GET $1 BILLION OFF.

>> YES . >> THANK YOU. BUT IN MY MIND , WE'VE GOT TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS BASED ON THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. WE CANNOT SCALE THEM BACK , THE PUBLIC WILL SEE THAT. LOOK , I'M HARPING ON THIS BECAUSE AT SOME POINT -- I'M HARPING ON THIS . I WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED FOR IT AND IF WE HAD KNOWN ABOUT THIS, WE SHOULD HAVE PUT IT ON THE BALLOT THEN. BUT, IF I HAD KNOWN THIS WHEN WE VOTED TO LEAVE YOUR BUDGET AT 7% FOR MAINTENANCE, I WOULD NOT HAVE VOTED FOR THAT. WHAT THE WHAT PUT ME ON IT AND STARTED IT WAS THE $10 MILLION THAT CONGRESSWOMAN JACKSON-LEE PUT IN AS A COMMUNITY PROJECT. AND, I WAS THINKING THE COMMUNITY COLLEGE HAD AGREED TO IT. FINALLY, THEN ONE DAY I SAID, WHERE IS IT IN WRITING? WHERE IS THE TEXT OR THE EMAIL ? IT DIDN'T EXIST. IT HAPPENED BEFORE YOU , BUT WHY DIDN'T SOMEBODY SAY THAT TO ME EARLIER . I TAKE A LOT OF ARROWS AND THAT WAS MY FIRST SIGNAL. THEN ON THESE DRAINAGE PROJECTS AS A COMMISSIONER WHO DOESN'T BEAT THE DEPARTMENT HEADS UP BEHIND THE SCENES. I GET A MEETING IN MY PRECINCT AND THESE TWO HAPPEN TO BE THE ONES WITH LOWER INCOME. WITH ALL OF THE CONSTITUENTS, BUT THESE TWO HAPPEN TO REPRESENT THE POOREST AREAS. THEY ARE WONDERFUL PEOPLE. , EVERYBODY MAY NOT WANT THEM, BUT I WILL SHARE THEM . THAT WAS THE SECOND SIGNAL TO ME THAT MADE ME GET MORE APPROPRIATE TO BUT WHAT WE ARE DOING HERE. I HATE IT WHEN MY CONFIDENCE IS SHAKEN. IT IS HARD TO GET IT BACK. IT WAS BLOOD AND SWEAT AND A LOT OF SMILING , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. A LOT OF GRINNING TO GET A LOT A UNANIMOUS VOTE ON THAT . WHEN WE COME BACK, WHAT DO WE SAY TO PEOPLE? THE OTHER TEAM WAS IN CHARGE AND THEY WOULD ADMIT THE COST/BENEFIT RATIO IMPACTED THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS, EVEN IN THEIR AREAS . WHEN THE OTHER TEAM GETS IN CHARGE, WE GO BACK AND DO THE SAME THING. I, FOR ONE , FLOODED OR NOT FLOODED, I'M GOING TO SLEEP WELL AT NIGHT BECAUSE I'M GOING TO LIVE BY WHAT WE SAID . YOU KNOW, I STILL REMEMBER THOSE PEOPLE OUT THERE IN GREENS AND HALLS BY YOU . INCLUDING A GENTLEMAN WHO LOST SIX MEMBERS OF HIS FAMILY. AND NOT A ONE OF THESE SCENARIOS , YOU LEAVE ABOUT $100 MILLION ON GREENS . WE CAN BLAME IT ON PARTNERSHIPS. MOST OF US WERE HERE WHEN POPPY SAID MANY TIMES , WE ARE GOING TO GET THIS BILLION DOLLARS FROM HUD . WE WERE HERE WHEN THE ACTIVISTS GOT LAWYERS TO GO OUT -- NOT-FOR-PROFIT LAWYERS TO GO OUT AND SUE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND GET A RULING IN THEIR FAVOR. WHEN YOUNG BUSH PENCIL WHIPPED HARRIS COUNTY IN JEFFERSON COUNTY. I MEAN , IT'S JUST NOT RIGHT . SO, THE TIME FOR TRUSTING THE BUREAUCRACY IS OVER . I DON'T LIKE THESE MEETINGS WHERE THE BUREAUCRACY GOES AND TALKS TO EACH OFFICE BECAUSE YOU TELL EACH ONE WHAT WE WANT TO HEAR. I USED TO BELIEVE IN BUREAUCRACY AT THE OIL AND GAS REGULATORY COMMISSION. WHEN I TALKED TO THOSE COMMISSIONERS AND IT WAS ONLY THREE . THANK GOD, NOT FIVE. THEN THE MOTION

[02:10:01]

LEVEL FOR SOME ENVIRONMENTAL GROUP, I HAVE HARPED ON EQUITY AND FRAMEWORK BASED ON WHAT WE DID. IF SOMEONE WANTS TO CHANGE IT, CHANGE IT, BUT ADMIT YOU CHANGE IT. I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU REMEMBER WHEN I SAY EQUITY WAS JUST A SIX LETTER WORD AND MOST PEOPLE TREAT IT LIKE IT'S A FOUR LETTER WORD. EQUITY IS -- MOST PEOPLE DEFINE EQUITY AS I GET MORE . THEN, AS POLITICIANS, WHEN THAT WON'T WORK , YOU SAY TO DIVIDED EQUALLY. THAT'S NOT EQUITY . WHEN YOU DIVIDE EQUALLY, IF THERE WAS AN IMBALANCE, YOU REINFORCE THE IMBALANCE AND IT IS JUST TO NOT WRITE . THANK YOU .

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY .

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER . I CERTAINLY REMEMBER HARVEY . I REMEMBER THE 22 WATERSHEDS THAT EXIST IN HARRIS COUNTY. I REMEMBER THE 22 PUBLIC MEETINGS WE HAD IN EVERY WATERSHED TO GARNER AND GAIN SUPPORT FOR THE BOND ISSUE. TO PARTICIPATE IN IT AND UNDERSTAND IT, A LOT MORE THAN I WANT TO, SOME DAYS. I HAVE PARTICIPATED IN DRAINAGE WORK THAT IS IN EVERY COUNTY THE TOUCHES HARRIS COUNTY, INCLUDING HARRIS COUNTY . THE GENTLEMAN WHO SPOKE EARLIER ABOUT MY COMMENTS RELATED TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY, I WILL SAY IT AGAIN TODAY, I WANT YOU TO STOP FLOODING ME. I AM AN ADVOCATE FOR NOT FLOODING HOMES. THE MOST UNDERSERVED FROGS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE THOSE FOLKS WHO HAD WATER IN THEIR HOMES. THAT IS WHO I AM ADVOCATING FOR. IT IS NOT RIGHT FOR A PERSON TO FLOOD IN THE MEMORIAL DAY FLOOD OR THE TAX DAVE FLOOD OR IN THE IKE FLOOD OR THE HARVEY FLOOD OR IN THE BERYL FLOOD . IT'S NOT RIGHT. WHEN I LOOK AT WHAT IS BEING PROPOSED WITHIN THIS ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION , I CAN TELL YOU THE FORMULA IS FLAWED . YOU HEARD IT FROM ME.

USUALLY WHEN I KNOW ENOUGH ABOUT A FORMULA, I TEST THE FORMULA .

SO, I TOOK THE FORMULA THAT IS BEING REFERENCED -- WELL, WE'VE GOT TO USE THE FORMULA. IF IT IS NOT IN COURT TELL ONE, IT MUST BE BAD. SO WE DO ALL OF IT BECAUSE THAT'S THE FORMULA .

IT'S A FLAWED FORMULA AND THE REASON I KNOW THAT IS THERE IS A LOT IN PRECINCT 3 THAT IS NOT BEING DONE THAT SHOULD BE DONE.

GIVE ME AN EXAMPLE? OKAY . WHEN I LOOKED AT AN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITY AND WHEN I LOOK AT ONE OF MICE PRECINCT. LET'S LOOK AT BARRETT STATION. I SPEND TIME THERE AND HAVE FRIENDS THERE .

THEY ARE MY CONSTITUENTS. WHEN THEY DETERMINED BARRETT STATION IS NOT UNDERSERVED , ARE YOU KIDDING ME? BY THIS ANALYSIS AND BY THIS EVALUATION , IT IS BEING RULED NOT A COURT TELL ONE . I KNOW THE FORMULA IS WRONG AND THAT IS NOT RIGHT . SO, WHAT I AM SAYING TODAY IS WE NEED TO DO THE RIGHT THING . I KNOW WHAT WE PROMISED THE VOTERS IN 2018 BECAUSE I WAS ONE OF THEM. I KNOW THE DETAILS RELATED TO FLOODING AND WHAT WE WERE SUPPOSED TO DO AND MAYBE WHAT WE HAVE NOT DONE . AND I'VE GOT A REAL GOOD IDEA OF THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY SINCE I HAVE MOST OF IT IN MY PRECINCT. BUT, GETTING BACK TO GEORGE P. BUSH WHO DID AN ANALYSIS AND SAID WELL, NO ONE IN HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD BE FUNDED. WELL, FORTUNATELY HE BACK OFF OF THAT WHEN WE POINTED OUT THAT 90% OF THE DAMAGE FROM HARVEY WAS IN HARRIS COUNTY . SO, HE DID PUT THAT BACK OUT THERE. FORTUNATELY , WE HAVE GOT AN INCREDIBLE LAND COMMISSIONER CALLED DON BUCKINGHAM THAT HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL PARTNER TO HARRIS COUNTY AND IS INVOLVED WITH $1 BILLION. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT MONEY, LET'S TALK ABOUT MONEY. SO, SHE HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF US AND OUR EFFORTS IN TRYING TO GET WATER OUT OF

[02:15:05]

PEOPLE'S HOMES. I'M GOING TO QUOTE HER . I ASKED IF I COULD AND SHE SAID I COULD. SHE SAID, WHEN YOU CONSIDER DOING STUFF AND WHEN YOU MAKE THE FINAL DECISION OF WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO DO AND NOT DO, JUST BE SURE YOU ARE FAIR . THERE WAS YOUNG MAN HERE THAT SPOKE ABOUT FAIRNESS AND THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID, BE FAIR. WELL, WHAT IS PROPOSED IN PRECINCT THREE IS

SIMPLY NOT THREE . >> MOTION TO CONTINUE .

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY . >> ALL IN FAVOR, AYE .

>> THE MOTION CARRIES. >> THAT'S NOT RIGHT , THAT'S NOT RIGHT UNDER ANY FAIRNESS DOCTRINE THAT WE HAVE GOT .

WE'VE GOT UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS IN PRECINCT 3. WHY , WHY DO YOU CUT TWICE AS MUCH IN PRECINCT 3? IT IS FLAWED .

WHATEVER WE ARE DOING NOW IN TERMS OF EVALUATING THESE PROJECTS AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO CUT . WHEN WE WERE TALKING EARLIER, THIS WHOLE ANALYSIS, THIS WHOLE PROCESS THAT WE HAVE GONE THROUGH, IT HAS BEEN -- APPARENTLY , APPARENTLY IT IS

WORKING TOWARD >> TO WAIT JUST A SECOND, COMMISSIONER. MAYBE SOMEBODY HAS THEIR MICROPHONE ON. IS THAT YOU

GUYS? SOMEONE ON THE WEBEX. >> DID IT GO AWAY?

>> YEAH . >> OF CURRENTLY THE INITIAL OBJECTIVE WAS TO FIND ROUGHLY -- AND, HERE IS A NUMBER . IF THIS NUMBER ISN'T RIGHT , IT SOUNDS LIKE $160 MILLION, DID I DREAM THAT? ROUGHLY THIS EXERCISE IN SCENARIO ONE OR SCENARIO TWO OR SCENARIO THREE OR SCENARIO FOUR? I WAS TOLD THAT A MAYBE I WAS SPECIAL AND TOLD BUT $160 MILLION WHICH IS ROUGHLY $40 MILLION A PRECINCT. THAT IS WHAT I THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.

AFTER YOU LOOK AT THE CUTS AND WHAT YOU ADD BACK, I MEAN WE'VE MADE THIS THE MOST COMPLICATED THING. WE COULD LAND A GUY ON THE MOON WITH WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE IN TERMS OF HOW COMPLICATED WE HAVE MADE IT. YOU HAVE GOT TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT CHARTS. HONESTLY, THE ONE THING I WILL TAKE FROM THE COMMENTS RECEIVED TODAY, IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHETHER A PROJECT IS GOING TO BE DONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD OR NOT DONE IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD . IT'S JUST -- I HAD TO SEND A REGISTERED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER WITH 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE TO MEET TWO HOURS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT PROJECTS ARE BEING DONE IN JUST MY PRECINCT. SO, THAT'S NOT RIGHT .

>> YEAH . >> WE'VE GOT TO DO BETTER ON THAT. SO, I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT ANY MOTIONS TODAY UNLESS I KNOW WE ARE TREATING PEOPLE FAIRLY. I PROMISE COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM WE WOULD DO THIS AND WE WOULD BE FAIR. WHAT I'M LOOKING AT NOW AND ALL OF THE SCENARIOS, I COULD SUPPORT SCENARIO NUMBER FIVE. BY THE WAY, WE HAVE GOT SOME CDBG GRANTS ON THE TABLE THAT ARE PROPOSED TO BE UNFUNDED .

THAT'S NOT RIGHT . WE MADE A COMMITMENT. SOMEBODY SAID , THAT IS WORTHY OF BEING COMPLETED. SO, WHEN I GO THROUGH THE DIFFERENT PROJECTS , THE GATE ZONE FOR HOUSTON IS PROPOSED TO BE CANCELED. WE ARE CONTRIBUTING $20 MILLION FROM THE COUNTY AND OTHER FEDERAL MONEY IS GOING TO BE $200 MILLION. REALLY ? ARE WE GOING TO SAY WERE NOT GOING TO GIVE $20 MILLION AND PULL OUT? THAT'S GOING TO KILL THE PROJECT . ANOTHER IMPORTANT PROJECT IN PRECINCT 3 AND FOUR IN THE MEMORIAL CITY AREA .

CROSS WOOD HAS BEEN FLOODING IN ALL OF THOSE STORMS, MEMORIAL DAY AND TAX DAY AND HARVEY. THEY FLOOD ALL THE TIME AND THIS WOULD HELP MITIGATE THAT. WE ARE BRINGING $20 MILLION TO THE TABLE . THE CITY HAS A FEMA GRANT AND ANOTHER GRANT TOTALING $70 MILLION . IF WE JUST SAY WE ARE GOING TO PULL OUT, IT WILL KILL THE PROJECT . NOW, WERE GOING TO DO CLEAR CREEK AND I UNDERSTAND CLEAR CREEK. I HAVE BEEN UNDERSTANDING CLEAR CREEK FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS . IT IS WAY OVERDUE, BUT THAT'S A

[02:20:05]

PROJECT THAT WAS ON THE BALLOT FOR $70 MILLION. TODAY , THE PROJECT IS $220 MILLION . SO, I'M SITTING HERE THINKING -- INFLATION IS ONE THING BUT WHAT WE HAVE HERE, DIRECTOR, IS SCOPE CREEP. WE'VE INCREASED THE SCOPE . WE ARE GOING TO DO NOT ONLY WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO IN THE BOND, I WANT TO DO WHAT WE SAID WE WOULD DO IN THE BOND. CAN YOU AFFORD TO TRIPLE THE SCOPE ? THAT'S THE QUESTION. HOW MANY MORE OF THOSE ARE IN HERE. I HAVE MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS, UNFORTUNATELY. BUT EVERY SCENARIO I LOOK AT , PRECINCT 3 HAS TO CUT MORE THAN ANYBODY ELSE AND THEY GET FEWER PROJECTS FUNDED . TO DATE, HERE IS THE UPDATE. PRECINCT 1 , MONEY SPENT IN PRECINCT 1 ON PROJECT S, $424 MILLION. PROJECTS SPENT IN PRECINCT TWO, $268 MILLION. PRECINCT THREE, $296 MILLION.

PRECINCT FOUR, $260 MILLION. COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE THE LEADING HORSE IN TERMS OF THIS WITH PROJECTS FUNDED. JUST SO YOU UNDERSTAND , GOING FORWARD, WE'VE MADE COMMITMENTS TO EVERYBODY IN HARRIS COUNTY WE WOULD DO THOSE PROJECTS, WE WOULD DO CERTAIN PROJECT . NOW WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WELL, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF MONEY. MAYBE BECAUSE WE EXPANDED THE SCOPE OR MAYBE BECAUSE INFLATION HAS IMPACTED IT, BUT WE'VE GOT TO GET A HANDLE ON THIS . WE CAN GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. I WAS LOOKING AT A NEW SCENARIO LAST NIGHT. AND, LET ME START WITH THIS. WHAT WE ARE ASKING THE DIRECTOR TO DO IS NEXT TO NEAR IMPOSSIBLE . TO SATISFY ALL OF OUR IDEAS OF WHAT EQUITY IS AND WHAT IS EQUAL AND WHAT IS THIS. THAT IS NEXT TO IMPOSSIBLE . SO, IT'S EASY TO SAY, THE PROBLEM IS THE DIRECTOR AND HOW THAT IS -- NO, I THINK THE PROBLEM IS US . WE NEED TO GIVE CLEAR DIRECTION ON WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. COMMISSIONER, IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT, WE WILL REFUND PROJECTS IN THREE TO FUND PROJECTS IN ONE. IF THAT IS THE DIRECTION, BE CLEAR ABOUT IT AND DON'T PLAY GAMES. I DON'T RUN TO THE COUNTY BY COMMITTEE. I HAVE NOTICED YOU HAVE ANOTHER COMMITTEE FORMING . WE NEED TO MAKE DECISIONS AND BE CLEAR .

THESE PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW WHAT WERE GOING TO DO AND WHAT WERE NOT GOING TO DO. LET'S MAKE A DECISION. LORD KNOWS, WE KNOW ENOUGH TO MAKE A DECISION AND I THINK IT IS UP TO US TO DO IT .

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA .

>> DOCTOR PETERSON, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THIS IS AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION TO HAVE, ESPECIALLY WHERE WE ARE AT . BUT I AM GLAD WE ARE FINALLY AT KNOWLEDGE EATING WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, EVER, TO COMPLETE THESE PROJECTS. COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT IT WAS IN -- I THINK LATE -- IT WAS MID TO LATE 2019 THAT WE VOTED TO ENCOURAGE THE DISTRICT -- THIS WAS PRIOR TO YOUR TIME, I THINK , TO ACCELERATE THESE PROJECTS BECAUSE THEY WERE ON ORIGINALLY A 15 YEAR SCHEDULE AND WE WANTED THEM DONE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER . SO, WE TRIED TO GET TO A SEVEN YEAR TIMELINE . I DON'T THINK THAT WAS EVER PRACTICAL .

BUT, WE DID AGREE ON A 10 YEAR GOAL AND SO WE DIRECTED THE DISTRICT TO SPEND MONEY ON STAFF AUGMENTATION . THAT MONEY, I AM ASSUMING , CAME FROM THE FLOOD MONEY. THEN , WE GET THE MEMO ON THE PANDEMIC WHICH HAS HAD AN IMPACT AND STILL HAS AN IMPACT ON SUPPLY CHAIN. NOW , TALENT IS ALSO A PART OF THE COST ESCALATION FACTOR RELATED TO ALL PROJECTS. MATERIALS ARE PART OF

[02:25:01]

THIS CONVERSATION ON THE COST OF PROJECTS. AND, SO , I'M JUST GLAD WE ARE FINALLY ACKNOWLEDGING THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH MONEY TO BEGIN WITH. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT WAS NEIGHBORHOOD DRAINAGE PROJECTS THAT WERE APPROVED, OR THESE PROJECTS THAT WERE MADE OF PART OF WHICH THESE PROJECTS WERE NEVER PROPERLY DESIGNED. NEVER PROPERLY STUDIED . SO, WE WALKED INTO THESE PROJECTS NOT KNOWING -- NOT REALIZING, BETTER YET , THE IMPACT OF RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION. I MOVED TO EXTEND

TIME . >> SECOND.

>> ARE WE ALLOWED TO DO THAT , J MAC ?

>> ABSOLUTELY . >> A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE 10

MINUTE. ALL IN FAVOR ? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSE? >> THE MOTION CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY . >> WE WALKED INTO THESE PROJECTS WITH NO CONVERSATION ABOUT RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION OR NOT KNOWING WHAT STUDIES OR IMPACT THERE WOULD BE AS PART OF THE CHALLENGE. WE DID NOT HAVE A CONVERSATION, NOR DID THE PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP OF THE DISTRICT TELL US WHAT THE FEDERAL CONSTRAINTS WERE GOING TO BE ON THE FUNDING. THEN, WE WENT THROUGH ABOUT ALMOST 2 YEARS, I THINK , FROM THE PREVIOUS LAND COMMISSIONER EXITING OUT HARRIS COUNTY . THAT BY PRESIDENT TRUMP. I THINK THERE WAS SON IMPACT TO THE SCHEDULE OF THE PROJECTS. SO, THIS ISN'T -- AND, THEN, I WANT TO ASK DIRECTLY , IN SPITE OF ALL OF THOSE CHALLENGES AND AFTER WE HAD DEVELOPED THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK , THE DISTRICT NEVER COMPROMISED ON THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK .

YES OR NO? >> THAT IS CORRECT. WE IMPLEMENTED THE FRAMEWORK TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY AS DIRECTED

BY THE COURT . >> SO WE ARE ACKNOWLEDGING THERE WAS NEVER ENOUGH MONEY AS I HAVE BEEN HARPING ON FROM THE BEGINNING. AND, I HAVE ALWAYS HAD CRITICISM -- NOT TO YOU OR YOUR TEAM, BUT TO PREVIOUS LEADERSHIP ON HOW THE BOND PROGRAM WAS CONSTRUCTED BECAUSE OF THINGS THAT I LAID OUT. AND , AS A CONSEQUENCE, I WAS HERE ADVOCATING FOR $150 MILLION IN RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION WHERE NOBODY , ALMOST NOBODY , MAYBE A SMALL HANDFUL OF HOUSES, BUT MAINLY RICE FIELDS WERE WE WERE BUYING THE RIGHT-OF-WAY FOR FUTURE DEVELOPMENT WHICH, BY THE WAY, THERE WAS NOTHING PLANNED. I WANTED THAT PUT INTO PROTECTING HOMES. I DID NOT HAVE SUPPORT . I TRIED BUT CANNOT GET THE MONEY MOVED. NOW THERE IS SOME WAKING UP TO THAT MAY HAVE BEEN A GOOD IDEA AT THE TIME . AND, I HAVE BEEN AN ADVOCATE OF GIVING PRECINCTS THE FLEXIBILITY SO THAT WE KNOW OUR PRECINCTS THE BEST AND WE CAN STAY IN THE FRAMEWORK AND MOVE THOSE DOLLARS TO THE PROJECTS THAT DO IMPACT HOMES AND WHERE THE PEOPLE LIVE AT THE MOST. MAYBE COMMERCIAL AREAS BUT FOR ME, IT IS NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE I HAVE THE DOWNSTREAM . WHATEVER WATER COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DOESN'T CATCH, I CATCH. AND , SO THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF SCENARIOS THAT HAVE BEEN FLOATING AROUND.

BUT, I THINK AT THE END OF THE DAY, THE GOAL TODAY IS TO NUMBER ONE FOR ALL OF THE PEOPLE THAT CAME AND SPOKE, JUST MAKE IT CLEAR , NO ONE IS SAYING -- AT LEAST, I DON'T THINK -- NO ONE IS REALLY SAYING, DROP THE PRIORITIZATION. I'M NOT SAYING THAT IN COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS NOT SAYING THAT AND I DON'T THINK ANYBODY ELSE IS REALLY SAYING THAT. WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS LET'S GET THESE PROJECTS DONE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WITH THE DOLLARS WE HAVE LEFT. SO, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME

[02:30:06]

FLEXIBILITY, BUT I DON'T WANT THAT FLEXIBILITY -- IF WE CAN'T GET THERE, I DON'T WANT THAT FLEXIBILITY TO BE CONSTRUED AS DROPPING THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK . I STILL THINK A LITTLE BIT TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S. , THERE ARE PROJECTS ON THE PRIORITIZATION SCHEDULE THAT I HAVE ISSUES WITH , BUT THEY ARE, BASED ON THE FORMULA THAT WE HAVE PUT TOGETHER, THEY ARE IN SO I WILL WORK WITH THAT. BUT, WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO -- YOU KNOW, I'M LOOKING AT COMMISSIONER ELLIS'S PROPOSED COMMISSIONS. HIS MOTION SPEAKS TO FULLY FUNDING ALL PROJECTS ON ONE INTO . IS THERE JUST ENOUGH MONEY TO FULLY FUND ONE AND TWO

PROJECTS? >> THE ANSWER IS NO, WE ARE NOT.

>> I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE CASE. SO I WOULD HAVE A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT AND IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH SUPPORT THIS. TO FULLY FUND ALL CURRENT NEEDS IN QUARTILES ONE AND REPORT BY SEPTEMBER 2025 COMMISSIONS COURT, THE QUARTILE TWO PROJECTS FUNDING FEASIBILITY WITH THE REMAINING UNENCUMBERED 2018 FLOOD BOND FUNDS FOLLOWING THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND TO DIRECT THE DISTRICT TO REPORT BY SEPTEMBER 2025 COMMISSIONERS COURT THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE PARTNERSHIP FUNDING THAT IS NEEDED TO SUBSTANTIALLY COMPLETE ANY -- ANY PROJECTS REGARDLESS OF QUARTILE . DOES THAT MAKE SENSE TO YOU ?

>> YES . >> THAT WOULD BE A FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT . >> CAN I MAKE A BREAK -- BRIEF

COMMENT. >> ELLIS IS NEXT.

>> I GIVE TIME TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS .

>> IF WE KNOW IT IS 1,000,000,003 , WHATEVER WE SAID IT WAS, THAT HAS TO COME FROM SOMEWHERE . PRIORITIES OF CHANGE FOR FEDERAL AND STATE OPPORTUNITIES TO GET IT. IF, AT SOME POINT WE GO BACK TO THE VOTERS, WE HAVE FOUR QUARTILES.

IF YOU DIDN'T AT LEAST COMPLETE QUARTILE ONE , HOW ARE YOU CAN ASK ANYBODY TO BELIEVE YOU AGAIN ?

>> I'M NOT AN ENGINEER, I GET IT , I WAS ON THE SLIDE RULE TEAM. JUST BASIC COMMON SENSE, IT WOULD BE GREAT IF YOU SAID ONE, TWO, THREE , BUT NOT ALL FOR.

>> IT WOULD BE EASY TO ACCEPT IT.

>> FIRST, DOCTOR PETERSON, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU TO YOUR TEAM . THANK YOU FOR COMPLETING THE 200 PROJECTS THAT HAVE COMPLETED AND THANK YOU FOR THE 200 ACTIVE PROJECTS AND PLAYWRIGHT NOW. IN TERMS OF SPREADSHEETS, ALL OF THEIR TEAMS HAVE RECEIVED INCREDIBLY DETAILED SPREADSHEETS AND WE HAVE SPENT HOURS DELVING INTO THE DATA. WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE WORKING INCREDIBLY HARD AND WE HAVE BEEN DEALT A HARD HAND . I WANT TO PREFACE WITH A THANK YOU AND I UNDERSTAND YOU HAVE A LABYRINTH OF THINGS TO BALANCE AND EXECUTE UPON . I CAN ONLY IMAGINE FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT -- I SAY IT AS A LAWYER BUT I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE COMPLEXITY BECAUSE AS I SEE IT, IT IS INTENSE. THE WAY I SEE IT IS WE OWE THE PUBLIC A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TRANSPARENCY AND HONESTY ABOUT WHAT WE CAN AND CANNOT DO AND WHY . WHAT WE HAVE COMMITTED TO AND WHAT WE REMAIN COMMITTED TO AND WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT. RIGHT ? TO ME, WHAT MATTERS MOST IS THAT WE ARE FAIR . THAT WE ARE FAIR IN HONORING WHAT WAS PUT ON THE 2018 BOND WHICH IS THE EQUITABLE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS. THE PRIORITIZATION OF THE FRAMEWORK THE COURT HAS PASSED . TO ME,

[02:35:07]

THAT IS THE FOUNDATION, AS YOU STATED. WE MUST CONTINUE BEING FAIR AND WE MUST CONTINUE ALSO BEING INCREDIBLY AND BRUTALLY HONEST WITH THE PUBLIC BECAUSE OF THE COMPLEXITY OF THE TIMELINES AND THE COMPLEXITY OF THE PROJECTS. IF WE CANNOT MOVE FORWARD BECAUSE OF A RIGHT-OF-WAY ISSUE OR AN ENVIRONMENTAL OR LAN ISSUE, WE NEED TO FLAG THAT A KNOWN THAT AND EXPLAIN IT IN A CLEAR AND DIGESTIBLE WAY . AND, IN ADDITION TO BEING FAIR, WE NEED TO BE FAST. SEVEN YEARS HAS ALREADY PASSED ON THE CLOCK AND THAT SEVEN YEARS IS TOO LONG .

AGAIN, I RESPECT THESE PROJECTS ARE COMPLEX BUT SEVEN YEARS WITH SO MUCH LEFT TO COMPLETE, I KNOW THAT ME PERSONALLY, I WOULD NEVER FEEL COMFORTABLE GOING BACK TO THE VOTERS UNTIL WE HAD COMPLETED A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION. THIS SENSE OF URGENCY THAT I HAVE IN MY COLLEAGUES HAVE , IT IS BECAUSE IT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING PROBLEM THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS. WHETHER YOU ARE IN CASHMERE GARDENS OR KING THAT'S IMPORTANT TO MY COLLEAGUES. IF YOU LIVE IN THE ENERGY CORRIDOR, ALL OF US HAVE THE CONSTANT FEAR AND VIVID MEMORIES OF THE TRAUMA WE ALL EXPERIENCE. MY DAUGHTER, LUCY A IS A VISUAL REMINDER BECAUSE I WAS SUPER PREGNANT DURING HARVEY . ALL AROUND ME FLOODED AND I COULD NOT HAVE GONE TO THE HOSPITAL SAFELY AND I REALLY THOUGHT I WOULD HAVE HER IN THE BATHTUB . AS I SEE MY LITTLE GIRL GROWING, SHE'S MY VISUAL CLOCK OF HOW LONG. THIS LITERALLY KEEPS ME UP AT NIGHT AND AS REPRESENTING PRECINCT 4 WHICH DOES HAVE AREAS OF HIGH SBI AND IT HAS ATTICS AND BARKER WHICH WE KNOW ARE TWO OF THE MOST DANGEROUS DAMS IN THE COUNTRY. IF YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT VIVID TRAUMA AND THE RELEASE OF THOSE DAMS AND WHAT IT CAUSED, JUST GO VISIT THE PHOTOS. IT'S A BALANCING ACT .

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL GONE THROUGH THE LITANY OF THE PAST FUNDING THAT WE THOUGHT WAS COMING AND IT DIDN'T COME AND IT TOOK TWO YEARS IN THE LITIGATION. FAST FORWARD AND NOW I'M HAPPY AND THANKFUL THAT WE DO HAVE THE $2.7 BILLION IN PARTNERSHIP MONEY . I'M VERY THANKFUL AND I WANT TO ECHO TO COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM THE FACT THAT THE DLO HAS GIVEN US OVER THE BILLION DOLLARS WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR . BETWEEN THE DLO AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND OTHER PARTNERS, I NEVER WANT TO WALK AWAY FROM MONEY THAT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE. WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AND TO WALK AWAY FROM $2.7 BILLION TO ME IS A NEGOTIABLE. I THINK TO ME THERE IS A WAY TO CREATE CLARITY AND AN ACTION PLAN MOVING FORWARD WHILE THE INFORMATION YOU PROVIDED IS HELPFUL . I STILL WANT TO DRILL DOWN FURTHER TO PROJECT LEVEL DATA BEFORE WE MAKE DECISIONS ON CUTS TO

QUARTILE TWO, THREE , FOUR. >> IN QUARTILE ONE WITH THE HIGHEST SCORING PROJECTS IN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK. THE MOST MERITORIOUS BASED ON THE FRAMEWORK ADOPTED, YOU ARE SAYING WE CAN MOVE FORWARD AND GET THOSE DONE. THE CONTINGENCY OF , I AM SUPPORTIVE OF WITH EYES WIDE OPEN . WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE MONEY TO COMPLETE PROJECTS WE ARE COMPETE -- COMMITTING . AND, NOT WALK AWAY FROM GRANDSON DO THIS IN A WAY THAT IS FAIR AND FLEXIBLE . I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE FLEXIBILITY TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S.EARLIER. IF THERE HAS BEEN CHANGES IN WHETHER A PROJECT FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE OR RIGHT-OF-WAY OR LAND OR WHATEVER -- NOW WE ARE ALMOST 8 YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, IS THERE A MORE MERITORIOUS PROJECT THAT WILL HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE? WE NEED A WINDOW OF FLEXIBILITY IN EACH OF OUR PRECINCTS. THIS IS FROM SOMEONE WHO CAME TO THE COURT IN 2023 AND INHERITED PROJECTS. WE NEED THE HIGHEST IMPACT PROJECTS . I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO TRIANGULATE WHAT I'VE HEARD FROM COLLEAGUES BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS RECOGNIZING THE 2018 BOND ORDER INSTRUCTS THE COURT TO DEVELOP A PROCESS FOR THE EQUITABLE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS AND ADOPTIVE FRAMEWORK IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE BONDS. I WOULD MOVE, AND THIS IS IN WRITING AND I KNOW THERE ARE MULTIPLE MOTIONS ON THE TABLE . A MOTION TO DIRECT THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECT TO FULLY EXIT CUTE QUARTILE ONE PROJECTS TO MAKE SURE THE HIGHEST PRIORITY PROJECTS BE COMPLETED . AND TO WORK WITH ALL

[02:40:11]

COURT OFFICE STAFF ON PROJECT LEVEL DETAILS TO REVIEW NUMBER ONE FEASIBILITY AND NUMBER TWO GRANT PARTNERSHIP FUNDING AND NUMBER THREE, A TIMELINE FOR EACH PROJECT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET IT DONE WITH ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS AND THE GRANT FUNDING. AND THEN A THIRD PART IS TO DIRECT A CAPITAL PROJECTS LIST FOR FUTURE PROJECTS TO BE CONSIDERED AS FUNDING BECOMES AVAILABLE SO WE ALWAYS HAVE THE HIGHEST IMPACT LIST READY . AND I WANT TO STATE FOR THE RECORD TO MY COLLEAGUES, IF, AS THIS ADDITIONAL DATA AS WE DELVE INTO IT AS A COURT, I AM COMMITTED TO TAKING MY FAIR SHARE OF THE PAIN THAT IS CAUSED FROM THE FACTUAL REALITY WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO COMPLETE THE PROJECTS.

SO, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING. I KNOW YOU WERE UP AT NIGHT WITH THIS IMMENSE RESPONSIBILITY TO EXECUTE. IT IS SUCH AN EMERGENCY. I LOVE SEEING MY DAUGHTER GROW UP BUT I DON'T LIKE IT HAS BEEN SEVEN YEARS. SEVEN YEARS TOO LONG . WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INSTILLING PUBLIC TRUST AND CONFIDENCE AND PUT OUT INFORMATION THAT IS VERY CLEAR FOR EVERYONE TO

UNDERSTAND. >> THANK YOU AND I THINK MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE I KNOW WE ALL FEEL PASSIONATELY. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE WANT TO PROTECT PEOPLE FROM FLOODING . TO MAKE SURE THOSE LONG NEGLECTED ARE FOCUSED ON AND FROM AN ENGINEERING PERSPECTIVE THAT WATER FLOWS. WHAT IS THE STRATEGIC ADD THAT WOULD HAVE MAXIMUM BENEFIT FOR ALL ? THANK YOU FOR BALANCING THESE INCREDIBLY COMPLEX AND COMPETING PRIORITIES. THANK YOU THAT WE ARE RELENTLESSLY DELIVERING WITH THE SPEED THAT THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE. THANK

YOU. >> SO, DID YOU WANT TO ADD

SOMETHING ? >> I DID HAVE A CLARIFICATION QUESTION THAT I WILL JUST OFFER . WE CAN CONTINUE WITH THE CONVERSATION BUT WE DID A LOT OF WORK THAT WE WERE ASKED TO PUT ON THE TABLE. WHAT IS THE POTENTIAL WITH THE CURRENT NEED AND THE FUTURE NEED AND SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M UNDERSTANDING. I BELIEVE I UNDERSTAND THE CURRENT NEED FOR

OR TILE ONE . >> SO CAN YOU JUST SO WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SAME PAGE. WE HAVE SPENT HOURS WITH YOU AND YOUR TEAM BUT CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT QUARTILE 1 IS AND WHAT THE GAPS

ARE OR ARE NOT ? >> ON THE MOTIONS, JUST TO NOT REPEAT WHAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID, I HAVE SENT AROUND MY COMMENTS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS , THE WAY I HEARD YOUR COMMENTS IS THAT YOU ARE OKAY WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S FRIENDLY AMENDMENTS.

IS THAT RIGHT? >> I AM AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS A SUGGESTION . WHEN WE DO BREAK, WE HAVE TWO OR THREE MOTIONS FLOATING AROUND. I HATE TO LOOK AT PAPER AND I KNOW WE ARE LOSING TREES. I DON'T READ ALL OF THOSE EMAILS THAT YOU SEND AROUND. FOR MY STAFF TO GET TOGETHER WHEN WE TAKE A BREAK SO WE CAN KNOW WITH A PRINT OUT WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT.

>> I THINK SO TOO, IF I'M UNDERSTANDING THE SPIRIT OF THIS, WHAT I DON'T HAVE HIS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION.

OKAY, YOU'RE WORKING ON IT

>> I DON'T THINK IT SPECIFIES SO I GUESS IT'S ONLY UNMET NEEDS. I THINK WE DO NEED TO CLARIFY THAT IN THE MOTIONS. I SENT AROUND MY LANGUAGE SO MINE -- WE'LL LOOK AT IT ALL TOGETHER LATER BUT MY LANGUAGE IS SIMPLY CHANGES THE SECOND POINT ON THE FLOOD EQUITY WORKING GROUP . IT'S GOT TWO BULLETS RIGHT NOW AND SO CHANGES IT TO THREE BULLETS AND IT WOULD LEAD THE FLOOD EQUITY WORK GROUP SHALL DEVELOP A PLAN, BYLAWS, AND A LIST OF EXPECTED DELIVERABLES. IT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT YOU GUYS HAVE BECAUSE WE GOT SOME TWEAKS

[02:45:06]

FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE MEETING. THE WORK GROUP SHALL DEVELOP A PLAN, BYLAWS AND A LIST OF EXPECTED DELIVERABLES FOR COURT APPROVAL. EXCUSE ME, THE FLOOD EQUITY -- CREATE A FLOOD EQUITY WORK GROUP COMPRISED OF ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE FIVE COURT OFFICES WITH SUPPORT AND INPUT FROM THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTERED, OFFICER OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND DISTRICT. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR COURT'S CONSIDERATION SHALL BE MADE BY THE FIVE REPRESENTATIVES FROM COURT OFFICES. THE FLOOD EQUITY WORK GROUP SHALL DRAFT A RECOMMENDED PLAN, BYLAWS, AND IT WAS THE EXPECTED DELIVERABLES FOR COURT APPROVAL TO COMPLETE FLOOD BOND IDS IN QUARTILES ONE AND TWO WITH ALL REMAINING UNENCUMBERED 2018 FLOOD BOND FUNDING ACCORDING TO THE 2022 PRIVATIZATION FRAMEWORK AND THE FLOOD BOND FUNDS. THE FLOOD EQUITY WORK GROUP SHALL WORK WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP THE FLOOD BOND PROJECT DASHBOARD BY DECEMBER 2025, WHICH WILL INCLUDE A DETAILED TRACKER THAT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE WHICH HAS EACH PROJECT WITHIN THE FLOOD BOND PROJECT.

FOR EACH PROJECT THE TRACKER SHALL INCLUDE INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT PERCENTAGE COMPLETE IT IS, RANKING WITHIN THE PRIVATIZATION FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PERTINENT DETAILS THAT IS UPDATED EVERY SIX MONTHS MOVING FORWARD. I WOULD PUT THIS IN SEPTEMBER INSTEAD OF DECEMBER. THE FLOOD EQUITY WORK SHALL CREATE A CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT APPROACH TO UPDATE COMMISSIONERS ORDERLY ON THEIR PROGRESS AND TO OBTAIN INPUT. SO THOSE ARE MY EDITS AND COMMISSIONER, I TAKE YOUR POINT SO WE'LL DRAFT THEM IN COMBINED BUT MY POINT IS I'M OKAY WITH WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING.

COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, AND I GUESS WE JUST HAVE TO DIG INTO THE CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS. MY QUESTION IS, DIRECTOR PETERSON, AND I DO THINK THAT -- SO I GUESS ZOOMING OUT, WE'VE ALWAYS KNOWN WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY AND THIS IS SORT OF THE COMMENTS I GUESS FOR THE COMMUNITY IS WE'VE ALWAYS KNOWN, WE'VE LONG KNOWN THAT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY. OBVIOUSLY THE WAY IT WAS REPRESENTED TO THE VOTERS IN 2017, I DON'T THINK QUITE CONVEYED THAT, AND PART OF IT IS THE COST INCREASE, AND PART OF IT IS INFLATION AND WHAT NOT. BUT THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS EVEN IF WE WERE TO DO ALL OF THOSE PROJECTS, WE WOULD STILL HAVE FOLKS TELL US ABOUT THEIR UNMET NEEDS. WE WOULD STILL SEE UNMET NEEDS IN OUR COMMUNITY, SO THAT'S WHY I'M ON THE SIDE OF LET'S GET THIS DONE. LET'S MOVE ON FROM THE -- FROM PARSING THIS OUT SO MUCH, GET CLEAR UPDATES, AND LET'S MOVE TO HOW CAN WE REALLY MAKE OUR REGION FLOOD RESILIENT. SO THAT'S WHY I WANT TO HAVE TRANSPARENCY IN THE DASHBOARD. I DON'T WANT TO CHANGE THE FORMULA AGAIN. YES IT'S IN PERFECT. THIS WHOLE THING IS IMPERFECT. VERY IMPERFECT. AND SO -- BUT TO ME THE PLAN SHOULD BE SPENT ON A HEARING, AS BEST WE CAN, TO THE IMPERFECT FORMULA, MAKING SURE THAT'S DONE TRANSPARENTLY, AND THEN LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE BOND BUT DOESN'T ENTANGLE SO MANY OF THESE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE NOT RECEIVING THE HELP BECAUSE THERE ARE JUST TOO MANY NEEDS AND TOO LITTLE FUNDING. SO THAT'S MY OVERALL COMMENT. FOR DR. PETERSON, ONE QUESTION, ACTUALLY TWO QUESTIONS AND THEN I'LL PASS IT ON TO THE POINT ABOUT CURRENT NEEDS AND FUTURE NEEDS. QUESTION NUMBER ONE IS ON THE -- ON THE DASHBOARD. DID YOU NEED CLARIFICATION ON WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR? WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES THAT ARE ON YOUR WAY

FOR YOU TO ACHIEVE THAT? >> THANK YOU FIRST, JUDGE, FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. IN TERMS OF THE DASHBOARD, I APPRECIATE YOU SEEKING FEEDBACK AND INPUT IN THE CONVERSATION WITH THE PUBLIC. I THINK I CERTAINLY LEARNED SOME THINGS THROUGH THAT CONVERSATION THAT YOU WERE HAVING. WE DO HAVE ACTUALLY TWO DASHBOARDS ON OUR WEBSITE. I WILL ADMIT THEY ARE LIKELY VERY DIFFICULT TO FIND. ONE IS ON OUR HOME PAGE, BUT YOU HAVE TO SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE BOTTOM. IT'S A MAP THAT TAKES YOU TO THE LOCATIONS OF THE PROJECTS. THERE'S ALSO ANOTHER DASHBOARD THAT SHOWS ALL OF OUR SPENDING. BUT AGAIN, YOU DO HAVE TO GO TO THE ACTIVITY WEBSITE, SECTION OF THE WEBSITE. SO I THINK WE'VE GOT TWO GOOD PLACES TO START AND WE CAN INCORPORATE SOME OF THE FEEDBACK THAT YOU ARE GETTING THROUGH THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY. SO I THINK WE HAVE ENOUGH INFORMATION ALREADY IN THE SYSTEMS THAT WE CAN THEN SIT DOWN WITH YOU AND ALL OF THE TEAMS, AND I THINK THERE'S THIS TASK FORCE THAT WE ARE SPEAKING OF. WE CAN EVEN WORK WITH THEM TO GET FEEDBACK AS TO WHAT SHOULD BE INCLUDED. SO WE CAN

[02:50:01]

GET A FIRST THAT I THINK YOU MENTIONED SEPTEMBER.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT BECAUSE WE NEED TO KNOW NOW.

IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE THAT RIGHT NOW. WE DON'T. IT'S GOING TO TAKE SOME WORK. I THINK DECEMBER IS JUST TOO FAR FROM NOW. BUT I

THINK WE CAN DO -- >> WE HAVE SOMETHING NOW AND I THINK WE CAN BUILD OFF OF WHAT WE HAVE AND BRING AT LEAST A FIRST VERSION IN SEPTEMBER. TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS THAT

YOU'RE LOOKING FOR. >> AND THE QUESTION WOULD BE, HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU? ANYWAY, MY QUESTION, HOW CAN WE SUPPORT YOU TO BE ABLE TO GET THAT DONE SOONER THAN LATER? IS IT AN ISSUE OF PURCHASING DATA THAT YOU DON'T HAVE? IS IT AN ISSUE OF MANPOWER? IS IT AN ISSUE -- LIKE WHAT IS IT?

>> HONESTLY I THINK WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IS MORE FEEDBACK AS TO WHAT PEOPLE ARE REALLY INTERESTED IN. WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION OF NOT ALL ENGINEERS BUT A LOT OF ENGINEERS, SO SOMETIMES THE DATA WE THINK IS INTERESTING IS NOT INTERESTING FOR OTHERS. SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, I THINK HEARING JUST THE TYPE OF INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE LOOKING FOR WOULD BE VERY, VERY HELPFUL FOR US. THAT, TO ME, IS WHAT WE NEED

MORE THAN ANYTHING. >> THAT'S IN THE MOTION AND I'LL HAVE MY COLLEAGUE PITCH IN BUT TO ME IT'S SORT OF WHAT I DREW FROM THE SPEAKERS IS TO BE ABLE TO SEE THE TRAJECTORY OF EACH PROJECT, SO THAT WE CAN SEE AND START -- FIRST IT WAS 50 ON THE LIST AND THAT IN 2020 IT BECAME 67 ON THE LIST THE LIST WAS REDUCED, AND THEN NOW IT'S FINISHED. JUST WHAT'S UP? AND IT'S NOT GOING TO BE AN ENTIRELY POSITIVE DASHBOARD, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO ALL THE PROJECTS THAT PEOPLE WERE PROMISED, AND THAT WAS BUILT -- THAT FAILURE WAS BUILT INTO THE BOND, AND THAT'S DISAPPOINTING, BUT IT HAPPENED AND WE JUST NEED TO MOVE FORWARD. SO YOU KNOW, I HEAR YOU

SAYING THE FIRST DRAFT -- >> IT WILL BE A GOOD DRAFT, JUDGE. IT WILL BE A VERY, VERY STRONG DASHBOARD.

>> THAT'S THE THING. I CAN TOTALLY UNDERSTAND HOW, LIKE YOU SAID, AS ENGINEERS YOU SEE CERTAIN THINGS AS BEING IMPORTANT. MY HOPE WOULD BE THAT THIS GROUP CAN HELP, AND IF WE NEED TO HAVE A GRAPHICS COMMUNICATIONS PERSON THERE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK, YOU KNOW, BUT YEAH, SO THAT DRAFT IS VERY SOLID. SO I APPRECIATE THAT COMMENT. OKAY. AND THEN THE SECOND PIECE IS ON THE PURCHASING PIECE. SO -- AND I SEE AUDITOR POST BACK THERE, SO WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION YEARS AGO IN TERMS OF -- YEARS AGO, MONTHS AGO, LAST YEAR APRIL. SO IT'S OVER A YEAR AGO AT THIS POINT AND THE AUDITOR DISCOVERED THAT THESE PROJECTS WERE BEING AWARDED WITHOUT ANY KIND OF SYSTEM, THESE CONTRACTS. AND SO AT THAT POINT, AND WE COULD PROBABLY GO BACK AND ROLL THE TAPE, I WAS ASKED, REALLY SUGGESTED BOTH NUNEZ AS WELL AS DR. RAMAN AND I DON'T KNOW IF PURCHASING, TOO. SO AT THAT POINT WE WERE TOLD, I WAS TOLD AND PRETTY MUCH WE SAID IN OPEN COURT, I THINK THAT BY AUGUST WE WOULD HAVE A REPORT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THOSE PROJECTS ARE BEING AWARDED WITH SELECTION CRITERIA, SCORING COMMITTEE, CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS, PAPER TRAIL. SO MY QUESTION IS, ARE 100% OF THE PROJECTS SINCE WE PASSED THIS, HAVE THEY BEEN AWARDED WITH ALL OF THOSE THINGS? YES OR NO?

>> YES JUDGE, THEY HAVE. WE HAVE RIGHT NOW AN RFQ OUT, SOLICITING CONTRACTORS. WE HAVE A POLICY IN PLACE. WE HAVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS. WE ARE USING THE COUNTY BONFIRE SYSTEM AS THE PROCUREMENT VEHICLE FOR US, SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE CONSISTENCY IN HOW WE DO OUR WORK. AND SO, YES WE DO.

>> OKAY, SO I APPRECIATE THAT. PARDON ME, BACK TO THE BUREAUCRACY THING, FOR YEARS I'VE ASKED FOR THIS INFORMATION AND AUDITOR POST AND I TALKED ABOUT IT AT THE TIME ERIC, I BELIEVE WHO DID THE AUDIT, FOUR YEARS I SENSED THERE WAS SOMETHING PROBLEMATIC WITH OUR PROCUREMENT PROCESS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS SO I KEPT PUTTING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA, SAYING WHAT IS IT, LET'S REVIEW IT, AND WHAT KEPT BEING DONE IS THAT THE BUREAUCRACY WOULD ANALYZE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS INSIDE THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. BUT IT WAS COMPLETELY IGNORING ALL THESE HUNDREDS OF BILLIONS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WERE BEING AWARDED OUTSIDE OF THE PURCHASING PROCUREMENT DEPARTMENT. AND SO, THAT'S WHAT I DON'T -- I DON'T APPRECIATE YOUR ANSWER. I'M HESITANT BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WHOEVER HAS BEEN INVOLVED HAS BEEN KIND OF CUTE AND ALL OF THIS BUT IT'S NOT FAIR TO THE TAXPAYERS. AND

[02:55:02]

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RECEIPTS, IF THAT'S OKAY. I DO APPRECIATE YOUR DIRECT ANSWER. AND I'M HAPPY TO HEAR THAT. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, FROM THE AUDITOR, NOT SO MUCH WHY IS IT TAKING SO LONG AND WHY IS IT GOING TO TAKE LONGER, BUT HOW SOON CAN YOU GET THIS TO US? BECAUSE I'VE ASKED FOR IT SINCE LAST YEAR. I'VE ASKED FOR IT IN OPEN COURT SINCE THEN AND IT'S FROM ENGINEERING. AND IT'S FROM FLOOD CONTROL. AND I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WE NEED MORE DATA, BUT IT'S NOT THAT HARD. SO FAR, WITH THE ONE PROJECT THAT WASN'T DONE THAT WAY, THE SECOND PROJECT, THE THIRD PROJECT, I'VE SPOKEN TO AUDITORS FROM OTHER COUNTIES. IT AIN'T THAT COMPLICATED AND I'VE JUST BEEN STRUNG ALONG. THE TAXPAYERS HAVE BEEN STRUNG ALONG

ON THIS FOR MANY YEARS. >> IF I COULD OFFER SOME INFORMATION I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO PASS IT OVER TO AUDITOR POST.

FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING THE FIRST PROCUREMENT AND SO IN ORDER FOR PURCHASE OF THE AUDITOR TO HAVE SOMETHING TO REVIEW, I HAVEN'T TALKED TO THE AUDITOR BUT I'M SURE HE NEEDS SOME INFORMATION, SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF THE FIRST ONE AND WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS, AND I EXPECT THERE WILL BE A FOLLOW-UP ON IT.

>> SEE, YOU HAVE PROJECTS IN EVERY PRECINCT AND THE IDEA IS THAT AT EACH STAGE THERE'S PERSONAL ADDITIONAL SERVICES CONTRACT THAT ARE AWARDED WITHOUT THE SYSTEM, APPROPRIATELY SO, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS IT. AND THEN THERE ARE OTHER CONTRACTS THAT, IN EVERY OTHER COUNTY, ARE AWARDED ACCORDING TO PROCESS. IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR 50 YEARS AWARDED WITHOUT ANY SORT OF PROCESS. SO ARE YOU TELLING ME THAT SINCE BETWEEN APRIL OF LAST YEAR AND ALMOST JULY OF THIS YEAR, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CONTRACTS AWARDED IN ANY PRECINCT IN EITHER FLOOD CONTROL OR ENGINEERING, FOR ANYTHING?

>> THAT WOULD NOT BE TRUE, BUT WE HAVE BEEN AMENDING CONTRACTS, JUDGE, BECAUSE WE ARE IMPLEMENTING THIS PROCESS. SO WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF IMPLEMENTING THIS NEW, I GUESS MORE CONTROLS IN PLACE, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE FOLLOWING ALL OF THE GUIDELINES THAT WERE PROVIDED BY THE AUDITOR.

>> I STILL DON'T -- I DON'T REALLY GET THAT ANSWER, YOU GUYS. AND BECAUSE, WHAT DOES A CHANGING OF THE PROJECTS HAVE TO DO WITH IT? IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT WE ARE MOVING THIS QUICKLY, HOW ARE WE NOT PRODUCING ANY CONTRACTS? WHY WAS I TOLD AUGUST? LET ME HEAR FROM THE AUDITOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR

COMMENTS. >> MIKE POST, COUNTY AUDITOR. WE DID THOSE SERIES OF AUDITS, AS YOU'VE MENTIONED, JUDGE. FLOOD CONTROL, TRAVEL DURING. WE LOOKED AT THE PROCUREMENT THAT WAS BEING DONE THAT WASN'T DONE DURING THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT. WE HAD RECOMMENDATIONS AND THE DEPARTMENTS CAME BACK WITH MANAGEMENT ACTION PLANS, WHAT THEY WERE GOING TO DO TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES THAT WERE RAISED IN THOSE AUDITS. NOW WE HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE DEPARTMENTS AND WE KNOW ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT'S BEING MADE OR HAS BEEN MADE. LET ME SUGGEST THAT WE PROVIDE THE COURT WITH AN UPDATE, AND THAT WAY WE COULD LET EVERYBODY KNOW WHAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, AND IF THERE ARE ANY OF THOSE ISSUES THAT STILL NEED SOME ACTION TO BE ADDRESSED, I HEAR YOU. WE DID THIS BACK IN APRIL. WE HAVEN'T PROVIDED YOU, AS A COURT, WITH THAT UPDATE. YOU'VE GOT SOME QUESTIONS, AND GLENN IS MY CHIEF OVER THE AUDIT DIVISION, GLENN HOLLOWAY, AND GLENN, I THINK WE COULD DO THAT PRETTY QUICK, RIGHT?

>> SO LET ME JUST RESPOND TO THAT. SO THE AUDIT -- AND SORT OF DR. PETERSON WILL TELL YOU ABOUT ENGINEERS AND THIS ISSUE WITH YOU GUYS FOR PROFESSIONAL AUDITORS, AND WE RECEIVED THAT REPORT. AND THE SMARTEST PEOPLE IN MY OFFICE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. THE REPORTERS COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. IT WAS REALLY CONFUSING. SO THEN WE HAD THAT MEETING IN THAT OFFICE WHERE I SAID, OKAY, EXPLAINED THIS TO ME. HOW EXACTLY DOES A PROJECT GET CHOSEN? WE GET A PHONE CALL. IS THERE SCORING, NO. IS THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS? NO. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TIME ARE THE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE OFFICE ACCEPTED? 100% OF THE TIME. SO THAT IS WHAT I BROUGHT TO COURT AND I WAS ABLE TO SHARE WITH THE

[03:00:03]

PUBLIC. THAT IS SORT OF IN THE REPORT. IT'S IN THEIR BUT YOU HAVE TO REALLY LOOK AT IT WITH -- LIKE IT'S CONFUSING. IT'S VERY COMPLICATED IN THE WAY IT'S PRESENTED. THE ACTION PLANS ARE IN THE REPORT, RIGHT? SO THOSE ACTION PLANS WERE DEVELOPED BEFORE THE PUBLIC FOUND OUT AND HAD THIS WHOLE DIALOGUE ABOUT SPECIFICALLY CONFLICT OF INTEREST FORMS, SCORING CRITERIA, SELECTION COMMITTEE, PAPER TRAIL. THAT WAS THE SPECIFIC -- THOSE WERE THE SPECIFIC ITEMS THAT WERE PASSED THAT COURT. I'M NOT SO CONCERNED ABOUT THE MANAGEMENT OF ACTION ITEMS IN THE REPORT, BECAUSE SOME OF THEM ARE OKAY.

IT WAS MOSTLY KIND OF FLUFFY. I REMEMBER HAVING TO TWEAK SOMETHING AND WHAT I'VE BEEN ASKING SINCE LAST YEAR IS WHEN THESE PROJECTS ARE LET THAT INVOLVE THE PRESENT AND THE FLOOD CONTROL OR THE PRECINCT AND ENGINEERING THAT ARE NOT PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS, IS THERE -- SHOW ME THE SCORING CRITERIA, THE SELECTION COMMITTEE. DO I NEED TO GO FOR A PIA TO GET THIS? HOW HAS IT BEEN MORE THAN A YEAR FOR THIS? IT'S WHAT I WOULD LIKE. I JUST -- YOU KNOW I HOPE YOU UNDERSTAND MY FRUSTRATION, BECAUSE IT TOOK ME -- I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE SINCE 2019, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, FIVE YEARS TO FINALLY GET SOMEBODY TO DO THE AUDIT THAT FINALLY DID, BUT YOU'VE BEEN AUDITOR THAT WHOLE TIME. Y'ALL KNEW THAT THIS WAS HAPPENING FOR 50 YEARS, AND THANK GOD THE PUBLIC ABOUT IT, AND MY COLLEAGUES AGREED TO CHANGE IT, BECAUSE IT OPENS THE COUNTY UP TO ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS, BUT IT'S ALSO A DISSERVICE TO TAXPAYERS, WHO BY THE WAY, WERE TOLD THEY WEREN'T GOING TO BE PAYING TOLLS A LONG TIME AGO, AND NOT ONLY DO THEY KEEP PAYING TOLLS, THE TOLL MONEY WAS BEING SPENT WITHOUT A PROCUREMENT PROCESS, JUST LITERALLY SOME SORT OF PHONE CALL OR IN PERSON CONVERSATION, THE PAPER TRAILS TO HOW IT WAS AWARDED. IN THE IRONY THAT THAT'S WHAT THAT WAS ACTUALLY HAPPENING EVERY DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY. SO THE DATA POINTS THAT I HAVE, FOLKS, ARE I ASKED ABOUT THIS FOR OVER FOUR YEARS AND FOR OVER FOUR YEARS, WHAT Y'ALL BROUGHT BACK TO ME WAS HERE'S HOW WE CAN CHANGE THE PROCESS INSIDE DWIGHT 'S SHOP, AND YOU KNEW THAT THERE WAS A LOT MORE PROCUREMENT OUTSIDE OF THEM. AND THEN FINALLY WE GOT THIS AUDIT DONE AND I'VE BEEN TELLING DELOITTE ABOUT THIS EVERY YEAR WHEN THEY ASKED ME IF I SEE SOMETHING FUNNY GOING ON IN THE COUNTY. IT'S THIS, OKAY? SO I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY'RE DOING, AND THEN I ASKED -- LAST YEAR WE PASSED'S MOTION THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FOR INFORMATION. I WAS TOLD I WAS GOING TO GET IN AUGUST AND NOW WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, YOU KNOW, THE MANAGEMENT ACTION ITEMS. SERVER, YOU REPORT TO A PANEL OF JUDGES. YOU'VE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME. I RESPECT YOU AND YOUR EXPERTISE, AND I APPRECIATE THAT YOU DID THAT AUDIT. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH DWIGHT, WITH YOU, WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID ABOUT DEPARTMENT HEADS BEEN THE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S HAPPENING BUT IF SOMEBODY SHOULD NOT BE PRESSURED, NOT TO BE TRANSPARENT, IT'S YOU. YOU DON'T REPORT TO ANY OF THESE PEOPLE. SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY I CAN'T GET A STRAIGHT

ANSWER FROM YOU. >> WELL I WILL SAY, JUDGE, I HAVE NOT BEEN AWARE OF YOUR FRUSTRATIONS OR YOUR SEEKING THESE ANSWERS. WHAT I'M HEARING --

>> WE CAN CHECK BACK IN OTHER PAST COURTS, MR. AUDITOR. AND THIS WAS ALL OVER THE PRESS LAST YEAR AND IT'S ITEMS HAVE COME BACK EVERY YEAR, AND YOU SAW THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY FALSELY PROSECUTE THREE STAFF MEMBERS WHO WERE THEN LET OFF BY THE AG, THE PERSON PROSECUTING THEM WAS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY'S YOUR, OVER WHAT YOU KNEW WAS BEING DONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND IT'S CRAZY BECAUSE SOME OF MY FORMER STAFF MEMBERS THAT WORKED WITH THESE FOLKS WERE WORKING IN OFFICES THAT WERE DOING THAT AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S UP WITH Y'ALL BUT YOU GUYS KNEW THIS WAS HAPPENING. SO INSTEAD -- LOOK, AT THIS POINT WHAT I WANT, AND THE REASON I BROUGHT UP THE FLOODING IS BECAUSE WE ARE CUTTING PROJECTS. WE ARE CUTTING MONEY. WE ARE TAKING YOUR TOLL MONEY AND I, THE COUNTY JUDGE, CANNOT GET AN ANSWER ABOUT THIS.

AND THE AUDITOR IS INDEPENDENT. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THE OTHER DIRECTORS ACTING IN WAYS THAT ARE ILLOGICAL, BACK TO NOT LETTING ME BRING MY SECURITY DETAIL. WELL THEY NEVER TRAVEL WITH YOU. THEY TRAVELED WITH ME THIS TIME, THAT TIME, THAT OVERTIME. WILL THEN WE HAVE TO GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS THE SAME THING. OKAY, GIVE THE COMMISSIONERS THREE CARS EACH.

YOU KNOW I JUST GET SUCH A LOGICAL STUFF BUT YOU, SIR, YOU DON'T REPORT TO ANY OF US. PLEASE JUST GIVE ME THE ANSWERS

[03:05:01]

THAT I'M LOOKING FOR. >> JUDGE, I WANT TO DO THAT. I WANT TO DO THAT INDEPENDENTLY. I WANT TO DO IT OBJECTIVELY. I WANT TO SIT DOWN WITH YOUR STAFF OR YOU. I WANT TO HEAR YOUR QUESTIONS. I WANT TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE YOU WITH INDEPENDENT, OBJECTIVE REPORT SO YOU CAN GET THE INFORMATION YOU NEED. I APOLOGIZE, I DIDN'T REALLY HEAR, MAYBE, THAT YOU WERE ASKING FOR THIS. I THOUGHT THAT DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS SUCH AS FLOOD CONTROL HAVE BEEN MAKING PROGRESS AND DOING THOSE THINGS THAT WE POINTED OUT IN THE AUDIT. BUT I DO WANT TO SATISFY YOU. I DO WANT TO PROVIDE THAT. I'M COMMITTED TO DOING THAT AND I WILL WORK TO GET YOU THE ANSWERS YOU'RE LOOKING FOR.

>> THANK YOU. AND TO CLARIFY FOR THE RECORD, THE QUESTION IS I WANT TO SEE ALL THE CONTRACTS THAT HAVE LET OUT, THAT ALL INVOLVE THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENT. ALONGSIDE THE PRECINCTS. JUST ALL THE CONTRACTS IN HARRIS COUNTY, ALL OF THEM. PURCHASING, NON-PURCHASING, HAVE ALL OF THEM -- THERE SHOULD BE ONLY TWO BUCKETS, PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONTRACTS AND CONTRACTS THAT GO THROUGH A PROCESS THAT INCLUDES CONFLICT OF INTEREST FUNDS, SCORING CRITERIA, SELECTION COMMITTEE, PAPER TRAIL, THAT'S IT. THERE SHOULD NOT BE ANY PROJECTS THAT DON'T DO THAT. IS COMPLETELY INAPPROPRIATE AND IT GOES AGAINST WHAT WE PASSED IN APRIL 2024. SO THESE ARE THE TWO -- I NEED TO SEE THAT IT'S ONLY THESE TWO BUCKETS, NOT A THIRD ONE, AND UNDERSTAND THAT THAT'S

GOING TO HAPPEN. >> AS FAR AS I KNOW --

>> AND I CAN GO MAKE ANOTHER STINK ABOUT THIS. I'VE BEEN NICE ABOUT IT FOR A YEAR BUT I CAN GO MAKE A STINK.

>> I'M GLAD YOU'RE LETTING ME KNOW. AS FAR AS I KNOW, PROJECTS ARE ALREADY GOING THOSE TWO BUCKETS BUT WE WILL LOOK. WE WILL GET YOU THE ANSWERS. WE WILL GET YOU THE INFORMATION.

>> AND THAT MEANS YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO GO IN THERE AND LOOK

AT THE YOURSELF AGAIN. >> ABSOLUTELY .

>> AND YOU CAN BECAUSE YOUR THE AUDITOR AND YOU DON'T REPORT TO

ANY OF US. >> WE HAVE ACCESS AND CAN LOOK

AT ALL THE INFORMATION. >> OKAY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU SO MUCH AGAIN. LET ME PASS THAT ON TO I THINK

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YEAH, DR. PETERSON, JUST A COUPLE POINTS. I KNOW FOLKS ARE GOING TO GET TIRED, TIME TO TAKE A BREAK. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MADE REFERENCE TO HOW MUCH MONEY HAS BEEN SPENT. WOULD YOU JUST GIVE US A BREAKDOWN? YOU TOLD ME YESTERDAY, ALLOCATION BY PRECINCT FROM THE COUNTIES $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE. YOU HAVE THAT SHOWING? I WAS ASKING --

>> YES. SO IN TERMS OF BREAKDOWN -- THE HARVEY BOND ISSUE, THE

COUNTY MONEY. >> NOT BE PARTNERSHIP.

>> I HAVE ANOTHER POINT WITH THIS, COMMISSIONER.

>> PRECINCT 1, $526.8 MILLION, PRECINCT TWO, $401.3 MILLION.

PRECINCT 3, $634.2 MILLION. AND THEN COUNTYWIDE PROJECTS, $432.3 MILLION, WHICH TOTALS 2.5 POINT

>> I DIDN'T WRITE IT OUT. OF THE NUMBERS YOU GAVE, WHICH PRECINCT GOT THE LARGEST AMOUNT OF THE HARVEY BOND MONEY THAT

THE COUNTY CONTROLS? >> PRECINCT 3 HAS THE HIGHEST

NUMBER. >> BY HOW MUCH, 100 MILLION?

150? >> ROUGHLY YES. THEY HAVE 25% OF

THE ALLOCATION. >> YET, SO I ONLY MAKE THAT POINT TO STRESS WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THAT ORIGINAL LANGUAGE THAT I GOT INCLUDED IN THE BOND ORDER. I CAN ASSURE ALL MY COLLEAGUES THAT IF YOU THINK GET SICK OF ME FROM TIME TO TIME, I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT OLD COURT WAS SICK OF ME. SO WHENEVER THIS LIST WAS WORK UP, I HADN'T BEEN HERE BUT EIGHT MONTHS AND I CAN ASSURE YOU, ANYTHING THAT WAS INCLUDED, IT WAS INCLUDED BECAUSE IT WAS JUST SO NEGLECTED. IT WAS PRECINCT 1 AND TWO. AT THE TIME, PRECINCT 2 MIGHT'VE HAD MORE THAN PRECINCT 1 HAD A. MIGHT BE CLOSE TO NOW BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT. KNOWING THE COST BENEFIT REGIO, MOST OF THE OUTSIDE MONEY YOU BRING IN WOULD BE BASED ON THE HIGHER END PROPERTY, COMMISSIONER. JUST DOING IT TO MAKE THE POINT, IT'S KIND OF HOW YOU SPLIT IT.

OKAY? THE OTHER POINT I WANTED TO MAKE, RESPECTFULLY, THE REASON I BRING UP THE ISSUE, I JUST SUGGEST THE COMMITTEE, I THINK WITH THE ENGINEERS AND ALL THE DEPARTMENTS NEED MORE THAN ANYTHING IS WHAT DO WE WANT ? AND YOU KNOW WHEN THEY TALK TO

[03:10:05]

US INDIVIDUALLY, I WANTED TO BUT THEY GENERALLY HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS. THEY HAVE A LOT OF THINGS BUT THEY PROBABLY HAVE FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS BECAUSE WE ARE CONSTRAINED BY OPEN MEETINGS. BUT I WAS IN THE LEGISLATURE IT WAS NOT THAT WAY.

YOU KNOW I CAN TALK TO ANY ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ON ANYTHING. SO AT LEAST YOU COULD KIND OF FIGURE IT OUT. BUT HERE IT IS THE LAW, FOR GOOD REASON. I GET IT. SO THE LEAST ONE IS SUB STAFF COMMITTEE. THAT WE DON'T GET -- THAT WE HAVE FOUR OR FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS AND I MADE A COMMENT TO YOU, DR. GLEASON, YESTERDAY, NOT TO BE MEAN-SPIRITED. WHEN I SAID IF YOU GIVE US OPTIONS TO REFLECT WHAT YOU HEAR, WE CAN GET THAT FROM A I. THAT MUCH I KNOW. AND I'M WILLING TO BET YOU, YOU HEAR FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS. SO IF WE DID THAT, TO THE COUNTY OF STREATOR, INTERIM COUNTY, EVERYTHING THAT COMES UP, IF YOU PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA AND YOU JUST REFLECT WHAT YOU HEARD FROM THE FIVE OF US, YOU HEARD FIVE DIFFERENT THINGS. BUT THEN WHY ARE WE GOING THROUGH ALL THIS? THE ONE A.I. CONFERENCE I WENT TO, I TRY NOT TO GET ON CHAT GPT ALL THE TIME YOU CAN JUST PLUG IT IN AND POP OUT WHAT YOU'RE HEARING. SO WHAT THEY WANT FROM US IS A DECISION AND THEY WANT US TO NOT PUT SOMETHING BACK ON THE AGENDA TO CHANGE IT BY SOME HOOK OR CROOK, SOME POLITE WAY OF WIGGLING AROUND IT. BUT ONE THING I DID KNOW IN 2019 WAS THAT THEY KNEW THEY'D HAVE TO GO THROUGH FOLKS, THAT MAYBE I HAD A LITTLE INFLUENCE WITH, TO GET ON THE BALLOT. THAT'S WHY -- WHY ELSE WOULD THEY HAVE VOTED FOR THAT LANGUAGE? YOU KNOW, IT WAS JUST SUCH AN OBVIOUS NEGLECT IN THESE AREAS, SO THE NUMBERS YOU GAVE, OMISSION OR, IF PRECINCT 1 GOT MORE, I CAN ASSURE YOU BECAUSE HISTORICALLY IT WAS THE MOST NEGLECTED. IT WAS NOT BECAUSE OF ME. THAT COULDN'T HAVE BEEN ENOUGH SHOCKING AND DRIVING OR SMILING I COULD'VE DONE TO GET THOSE PROJECTS IN THAT AREA. BUT JUDGE HOWARD SUGGEST IT'S BEEN A LONG MORNING, WE TAKE A LITTLE BREAK. MAYBE MY STAFF TRIED TO WORDSMITH SOMETHING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO AGREE OR JUST AGREE TO DISAGREE AND BRING IT UP IN TWO WEEKS.

>> ALL RIGHTS. SO LET'S TAKE A BREAK

>> THANK YOU. IT'S 2:38 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. I KNOW THE STAFF IS PUTTING THE FINISHING TOUCHES ON THE AGENDA ITEMS FOR THIS FLOOD BOND ITEM, SO I WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN GO OVER CORRECTIONS AND CONSENT AGENDA WHILE THEY FINISH THAT. SO LET ME START WITH THE CORRECTIONS, ITEM 9, WHICH IS AN AGREEMENT WITH THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD, REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 14, EMPLOYEE SATISFACTION SURVEY, HRT REQUESTS NO ACTION. 52, THAT IS CONTRACT WITH MCCOY ENGINEERING REPLACE PRECINCT 3 WITH PRECINCT 2 SO THAT IT READS THE JOB NUMBER ALT, PRECINCT 2 ALT, STEPHEN'S TECHNICAL SERVICES, COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 84, NO ACTION IS NEEDED ON THE BROAD LEGISLATIVE DISCUSSION ITEM. ITEM 99 ON THE AGREEMENT WITH MAGNIFICAT HOUSE, REPLACE HOUSE WITH HOUSES, REPLACE GENERAL FUNDS WITH FIXED FUNDS AND REMOVE WILL BE TRANSFERRED TO FLEX FUNDING AND AFTER THE FUND, SO IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO TERMINATE THE ORIGINAL AGREEMENT WITH MAGNIFICAT HOUSE INCORPORATED, USING FLEX FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $133,750 FOR THE GUEST ADVANCEMENT CENTER PROJECT. THE FUNDS WILL BE REALLOCATED TO CAPACITY BUILDING TO ADEQUATELY COVER THE COST OF ADMINISTRATIVE AND PERSONNEL NEEDED FOR THE PROJECT. ITEM 113, A SETTLEMENT WITH WILLIAM PERRY, CAO. REQUEST NO ACTION.

ITEM 127, PRESIDENT STREET PARKING GARAGE, JUSTICE OF THE PEACE 1-2 . ITEM 148, AGREEMENT OF THE HARRIS CENTER FOR MENTAL HEALTH GRANT PROGRAM REQUESTING NO ACTION. 172, YELLOWSTONE LANDSCAPE, REPLACE 9.6% WITH 16.5%, SO IT SAYS IN THE VBE CURRENT PARTICIPATION 16.5%. ITEM 228, UPDATE ON METRO NOW, PRECINCT 2 REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 234 ON KIDS SUMMER CAMP, PRECINCT 2 REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 297 ON THE SECURITY MEASURE, WE NEED TO ADD' OFFICE THREAT MANAGEMENT GROUP AFTER

[03:15:02]

FIRE MARSHAL AND ADD PURSUANT BY TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.089 THREE AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO IT READS REQUEST BY THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, THREAT MANAGEMENT GROUP FOR AN EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551.089 AND IN PARENTHESES 3 FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING SECURITY MEASURES AND ACTION FOR 1001 PRESTON STREET.

298 ON AN OCA APPOINTMENT. THERE'S A CORRECTION. WE NEED TO REPLACE MARCH 26TH, 2026 WITH MARCH 27TH, 2027, AFTER POSITION FOR A TERM ENDING AND WE NEED TO REPLACE MARCH 27TH, 2027 WITH MARCH 26TH, 2026 AFTER POSITION FIVE OR A TERM ENDING SO IT READS REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION OF THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF HARRIS COUNTY REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER ONE.

SHERRY CURL TO POSITION 4 FOR A TERM ENDING MARCH 27TH, 2027, AND RUBEN SALAZAR TO POSITION 5 FOR A TERM ENDING MARCH 2026.

PRECINCT 4, ITEM 317, AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS CENTER FOR IDD, PRECINCT 4 REQUEST NO ACTION. ITEM 322, KINGWOOD HIGH SCHOOL STATE BASEBALL PRECINCT 3 REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 323, HIGH SCHOOL SOFTBALL STATE CHAMPIONSHIP PRECINCT 3 REQUESTS NO ACTION. 324, PRECINCT 4 ON THE ANNIVERSARY -- NEVERMIND, DISREGARD, WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT THAT. 326, RETIREMENT FROM NATIONAL GUARD, PRECINCT 2 REQUESTS NO ACTION. DID I MISS

ANY CORRECTIONS? >> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, I JUST GOT 321, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT 152 HAS BEEN

PULLED FOR NO ACTION. >> OKAY.

>> AND THAT WE CAN TAKE 225 EARLY BECAUSE I'LL BE LEAVING EARLY TODAY, IF THAT'S POSSIBLE.

>> OKAY. ALL RIGHT. SO ITEM -- >> 152.

>> OKAY. SO -- >> THAT'S WHERE NO ACTION.

>> THAT'S THAT MICROSOFT ONE POINT

>> AN AMENDMENT WITH MICROSOFT CORPORATION. THAT'S GOING TO BE A NO ACTION AND THEN ITEM 225 IS --

>> THAT'S YOUR ITEM. >> OH YEAH, THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION. 225. YEAH SO MAYBE WE CAN TRY TO TAKE THAT RIGHT AFTER FLOOD CONTROL, I GUESS. OKAY. SO LET ME GO OVER THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. ALL RIGHT. SO HERE IS THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.

ITEMS. DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 291? APPOINTMENT FOR THE GULF COAST REAL DISTRICT BOARD OF

DIRECTORS. 292 -- >> NO.

>> 293? OKAY. 294? >> NO.

>> HOSPITAL DISTRICT. 295? >> NO.

>> SOMEONE SAYS YES. OKAY, SO WE WILL GO ON TO HUNDRED 95. LET ME MAKE SURE I MARK THIS HERE. OKAY. SO 295 IS A DISCUSSION FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FINANCE CORPORATION. ITEM 296, WE --

>> CAN WE PLEASE? >> YES, THAT'S ON THE JUDICIAL SEAT, HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT OF LAW NUMBER 12. 297 IS ON THE THREAT MANAGEMENT GROUP. I THINK WE DO NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, RIGHT? FOR THE UPDATE? ALL RIGHT. 298 --

>> 297, WE'RE GOING? >> YES. NOW ON TO HUNDRED 98 ,

NO ON 298. 299? >> YES PLEASE, AND MARTY KENDRICK IS HERE SO IF WE COULD PLEASE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, TALK ABOUT THAT ONE FIRST, PLEASE?

>> OKAY, SO TALKING ABOUT THAT ONE FIRST.

>> ALL THE APPOINTMENTS THAT ARE BEING PUT ON THE CONSENT IS THE PURPOSE 315? I'D LIKE TO TAKE THAT ONE OFF WITH 297 ON THE SECURITY

[03:20:04]

MEASURES. SO UP FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO IN TERMS OF EXECUTIVE SESSION, I HAVE 295, 296, 297, 299 AND 350, AND INCLUDING A NOTE TO START WITH 299. OKAY. AND THAT AS FAR AS THE REGULAR AGENDA, WE'VE GOT ITEM 1 ON THE JAIL POPULATION.

WE'LL DISCUSS THAT. ITEM 2 ON THE FLOOD BOND. I KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. ITEM 3, RULES OF PROCEDURE, CONDUCT, AND THE KORAN. DO I NEED TO DISCUSS THAT?

>> YES. >> OKAY, ITEM 10.

>> YES PLEASE. >> OKAY. 13.

>> YES PLEASE. >> 14.

>> YES PLEASE. >> HR TWO REQUESTS NO ACTION. WE

STILL WANT TO DISCUSS IT? >> I'M FINE.

>> OKAY. AND THEN ITEM 86, PFM SUB AWARD.

>> PUT ON THE DISCUSSION LIST. OH YEAH.

>> YEAH, PUT IT ON THE DISCUSSION LIST.

>> OKAY. OKAY, ITEM 87. >> YES.

>> 94. PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATIONS.

>> YES. >> 138. OKAY. 140?

>> YES. >> 222?

>> >> DISASTER RECOVERY EFFORTS.

>> YES. >> OKAY. 223, AGREEMENT WITH

INAUDIBLE ] >> THAT'S OKAY, YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO EITHER ONE OF THOSE, JUDGE.

>> OKAY, WE WILL TAKE THIS BACK. AND THEN 225, I KNOW WE TALKED

ABOUT THIS ONE ALREADY. >> I'M SORRY, I LOST THAT. DID COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAY 222 GOES BACK AS WELL? OKAY, 222 AND 223

POINT >> OKAY, 225 WE'LL DISCUSS.

PIPELINE SAFETY. 229. HOME TITLE FRAUD . COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> YES. >> OKAY. 229, EMERGENCY

PREPAREDNESS, OMISSION RAMSEY. >> YES.

>> 243, A MASTER PLAN. 262, LEGAL FEES. I GUESS THESE MUST BE SOME OTHER FALSELY ACCUSED PERSON IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH

DEPARTMENT. >>

>> OKAY. >> WHICH ONE IS THAT?

>> 262 AND 263. IS THE REIMBURSEMENT OF LEGAL FEES.

>> I'LL JUST MOVE IT QUICKLY. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED TO MANKIND IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES 4-1. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE EMPLOYEES THAT WERE MADE TO GO THROUGH THIS. 267, TRANSMITTAL OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. TUNNEL PILOT PROJECTS. OKAY. 288.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU HAD FLAGGED THIS TERMINATION. OKAY.

306. THAT IS FLAGGED BY ME. YEAH. WE WANTED TO -- WE WERE GOING TO ASK DWIGHT ABOUT THIS ONE JUST BECAUSE THAT GENTLEMAN

ASKED. >>

>> WHO GEEZ, THANK YOU. PAGE 314. IS ON -- I ALREADY DISCUSSED IT. THAT WAS NO ACTION. AND THEN 316 IS ON THE EMPLOYEE TURNOVER RATE SO THAT ONE WE'LL TAKE ALONG WITH ITEM 13. ITEM 4 WOULD BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED AND ITEM 5 WOULD BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED. OKAY. SO HERE ARE THE DISCUSSION ITEMS.

>> JUDGE, ITEM 253, I KNOW WE TOOK A VOTE ON 262, WE TOOK ONE

ON 263? >> THEY DID.

>> WE DID ON THIS. >> MY APOLOGIES.

>> HERE'S THE REGULAR AGENDA DISCUSSION LIST. ITEM 1, ITEM 2, 3, 10, 13, 86, 87, 94, 138, 140, 225, 229, 239, 243, 267, 288,

[03:25:09]

306 AND 316. >> JUDGE , THAT WOULD INCLUDE -- AND WE SIMPLY NEED TO VOTE ON 319 AND 324 POINT

>> SO MOVED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER -- >> HOLD ON A SECOND.

>> YEAH. >> JUDGE, BEFORE WE DO THAT, IF YOU CAN ADD 318, 322, 323 TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. LOSER RESOLUTIONS WITH SPEAKERS. AND THE

DISCUSSION. >> ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

>> I'M SORRY, 319, WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A VOTE ON, AND WHAT WAS

THE OTHER ONE? >> 324.

>> 324 POINT >> SO 318, 322 AND 323 HAVE NO SPEAKERS, SO IS THERE A MOTION FOR THOSE?

>> SO. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SO ETSY IS THE RETIREMENT. 22 IS KINGWOOD HIGH SCHOOL AND 23 IS KINGWOOD HIGH SCHOOL. WELL, OKAY, ALL IN

FAVOR. >> 322 AND 323 WERE NO ACTION.

>> I'M SORRY, I APOLOGIZE. IS THERE NO ACTION ON ]? I'M SORRY. NO ACTION -- JUST MAKE 318 THEN. MY APOLOGIES.

>> OKAY. MOVE ON 318. >> OKAY, YEAH. YEAH. LET'S GO IN ORDER. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON 318, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR?

>> HI . >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED

UNANIMOUSLY. WHAT ABOUT 319? >> VON 319 AND 324 POINT

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA

ON 319 AND 324 POINT >> JUDGE, I THINK WE MIGHT HAVE SPEAKERS ON THOSE, SO WE NEED TO HAVE THEM SPEAK BEFORE THE VOTE.

>> OKAY. AT THIS POINT I LOST. WOULD YOU LIKE FOR ME TO DO?

>> UNDER THE RESOLUTIONS, THAT'S WHY. THOSE INDIVIDUALS MAY NOT BE HERE BECAUSE WE DON'T NORMALLY DO THIS UNTIL

4:00. >> I'M JUST GOING TO LEAVE THE

RESOLUTIONS ALONE. >> THAT'S FINE.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO WHAT ABOUT THE NON-RESOLUTION ITEMS? SHOULD I

READ THE LIST AGAIN? NO? >> NO MAN. AD FOR CLARITY, WE'RE GOING TO ADD TO THE DISCUSSION LIST, 319, 320, 321, 24 AND THREE $.25 THOSE ARE THE RESOLUTIONS AT 4:00.

>> BUT 22 AND 23 HAVE NO ACTION.

>> CORRECT. 319, 320, 321, 324 AND 325.

>> GOT IT. THAT SOUNDS RIGHT. OKAY. AND THEN WE HAVE -- LET ME WORK ON A MOTION. SO IS THERE A MOTION?

>> SO MOVED. >> FOR ALL THE ITEMS THROUGH 326 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION

ITEMS JUST LISTED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. DO YOU GUYS HAVE THE MOTIONS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL.

>> YES-MAN. I HAVE AN ITEM HERE. THE MOTION THAT WE WORKED UP IS TO MOVE. THE MOTION IS TO TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK TO ASSESS , UNDER THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS WITH A POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY -- I'M SORRY, THIS IS WRONG.

>> YEAH, I WAS LIKE -- >> OKAY.

>> YOU KNOW WHY I PUT IT ON PAPER.

>> MOVED TO FULLY FUND ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS FOR PROJECTS IN QUARTILE 1 ACCORDING TO THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND DIRECTEDNESS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO WORK WITH COURT OFFICES AND REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, PROJECTS SCHEDULED BY SEPTEMBER 18TH, 2025, ON ALL FUTURE PROJECTS OR THE RECOMMENDATION.

>> SECOND. >> ON ALL FUTURE PROJECTS?

>> ALL FUTURE PROJECTS. >> OKAY.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO THE MOTION.

>> WE'LL DRAFT A MOTION IN A SECOND. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRANDIS AND WE'LL HAVE DISCUSSION. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THE REASON I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT, I DON'T NORMALLY VOTE FOR THINGS THAT WE DON'T UNDERSTAND ALL THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE AMOUNT OF EFFORT THAT'S BEEN PUT FORTH IN JUST THE LAST TWO MONTHS, TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT PROJECTS WILL DO AND WHAT PROJECTS YOU WILL NOT DO. SO THE

[03:30:05]

UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES OF SIMPLY SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DO ALL OF QUARTILE 1 PROJECTS IS THIS -- THAT PUTS AT RISK ALL THE CBG PROJECTS. AT LEAST SOME CDBG PROJECTS THAT WILL HAVE TO BE CANCELED. AND TO NOT KNOW THAT BEFORE YOU VOTE, I JUST DON'T THINK THAT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE. I HAD PLANNED ON MAKING A MOTION. I DON'T THINK I'LL GET A SECOND FOR IT, BUT TO SIMPLY DO SCENARIO 5, WHICH IS EQUAL TREATMENT FOR ALL FOUR PRECINCTS, WOULD INCLUDE DOING MOST OF THE QUARTILE 1 PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO BE DONE, AND IT WOULD FUND CDBG PROJECTS, AND THE GATES LIKE HOUSTON. SO TO ME THAT'S A MOTION WHERE YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN. WHEN YOU SAY WE ARE GOING TO FULLY FUND ALL THE QUARTILE IN FUTURE PORTIONS OF QUARTILE 1, LET ME TELL YOU THE QUARTILE 1 PROJECT AND PRECINCT 3. IT'S THE SPRING RESERVOIR. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE SPRING RESERVOIR IS GOING TO BE. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE COST OF THE SPRING RESERVOIR IS GOING TO BE. WE DON'T HAVE A CLUE. YET WE ARE JUST BY THIS VOTE SAYING WE'RE GOING TO DO THAT, AND WE ARE GOING TO SET ASIDE MONEY TO DO THAT, AND WE'RE GOING TO CANCEL CDBG PROJECTS.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO PROJECTS THAT ARE READY TO BE DONE. SO I DON'T THINK THIS MOTION, EVEN THOUGH I'LL CALL IT A FEEL-GOOD, WE ARE GOING TO SAY WE ARE GOING TO FULLY FUND PROJECTS THAT WE DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FUND, AND WE'RE GOING TO CANCEL PROJECTS THAT FRANKLY OUR FOLKS VOTED FOR. AND ON THE NUMBERS, COMMISSIONER, I DID A LITTLE WORK AT LUNCH AND THE NUMBERS THAT THE DIRECTOR REFERENCED EARLIER, THAT WAS THE 2018 BOND BY PRECINCT. SUGGESTED DUE TO REDISTRICTING. AND I'LL TAKE A MINUTE, REDISTRICTING HAD A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON WHERE PROJECTS WERE. SO YOU MOVED A LOT OF PROJECTS OUT OF 4 INTO 3.

YOU MOVED A LOT OF PROJECTS OUT OF 2 INTO 3 BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT REDISTRICTING DID. SO IF YOU SAW A NUMBER IN PRECINCT 3 OF $634 MILLION, THAT WASN'T PROJECTS TO BE DONE. THOSE WERE PROJECTS THAT VOTERS VOTED ON AND REDISTRICTING HAPPENED TO PUT MORE PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3 THAN THE OTHER PRECINCTS. FRANKLY I THINK IT WAS PRETTY EQUAL AMONGST ALL FOUR PRECINCTS BEFORE REDISTRICTING. SO THAT'S REALLY A FALSE NARRATIVE. WHEN YOU PUT NUMBERS OUT THERE, THAT'S THE PROBLEM WITH THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION. YOU MADE A BIG DEAL THAT WE HAD $634 MILLION IN THREE TO BE DONE. THAT'S NOT FOR. YOU MADE THE POINT THAT 526 AND ONE, 481 AND 25, THAT'S OLD NEWS. THAT'S WAY BACK BEFORE WE DECIDED WITH A NEW VISION TO RE-CREATE THE CRITERIA BY WHICH PROJECTS WOULD BE DONE. REMEMBER WE TOLD THE VOTERS SOMETHING IN 2018, AND IN 2021 WE DECIDED WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. IN 2022, WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT. I AGREE WITH WHAT WAS SAID EARLIER. WE NEED TO DO WHAT WE TOLD THE VOTERS WE WERE GOING TO DO IN 2018. SO FOR THE RECORD, MY NUMBERS WERE RIGHT. WHAT'S BEEN DONE, PROJECTS DELIVERED ON THE GROUND, DONE, SELAH IN PRECINCT 1, $24 MILLION, PRECINCT 2, $254 MILLION, PRECINCT $296 MILLION INCREASE IN 4, -- THAT'S WHERE THIS IS HEADED. WE ARE GOING TO END UP DOING MORE PROJECTS BY DESIGN IN PRECINCTS 1, LIKELY 2, BY DESIGN, AND MANY PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 3, FOR NO GOOD REASON.

PROJECTS THAT COULD BE BUILT. THE PROJECTS THAT HAVE CDBG GRANT MONEY READY COULD BE DONE, WILL BE CANCELED BECAUSE WE ARE GOING TO SET ASIDE MONEY IN QUARTILE 1 PROJECTS LIKE THE RESERVOIR, THE SPRING RESERVOIR. WE ARE GOING TO SET MONEY ASIDE

[03:35:04]

AND CANCEL CDBG MONEY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , MAY I BORROW SOME OF YOUR TIME?

>> MR. GARCIA , BRIONES, ALICE .

>> AMICIA RAMSEY, WE WORKED HARD ON THIS ITEM, WE FEEL STRONGLY THAT THIS IS NOT CANCELED ANY CDBG FUNDING . FOR THE OTHER POINTS THAT YOU MAKE, THAT MAY NOT BE IN THE CURRENT FRAMEWORK , THAT WAS THE SECOND MOTION I WAS WORKING ON. AND WE SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER. ON THIS FIRST MOTION, AND , WHEN WE COME BACK IN SEPTEMBER, IF THERE IS ANY INDICATION THAT CDBG MONEY WOULD BE CANCELED , I WANT TO HEAR THAT BECAUSE THAT IS NOT THE GOAL I AM WORKING TOWARDS. I WANTED TO SAY THAT. THAT THAT IS NOT THE INTENT OF THIS MOTION , NOR DO I WANTED TO BE THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE OF THIS MOTION .

>> I CALLED IT UNINTENDED , I THINK THERE WILL BE CONSEQUENCES THAT WE DO NOT KNOW. I DO NOT THINK IT IS FAIR.

>> THAT WE HAVE THE DIRECTOR WORK THIS UP AND BRING IT BACK ON THE SEPTEMBER COURT ? STILL EARLY ENOUGH TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NOT THE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCE .

>> I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I'M VOTING FOR .

>> GOT YOU . >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> DR. PETERSON , I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS THAT GO TO THE CDBG POINT . BY UNDERSTANDING, WITH MY TEAM OF ENGINEERS WAS WORKING THIS UP, IF WE PASSED THIS MOTION TO COMPLETE THE PROJECT IN QUARTILE ONE , WE WOULD NOT INADVERTENTLY CANCEL ANY OF THE CDBG PROJECTS BECAUSE IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT THE GRANT FUNDED, PARTLY FUNDED PROJECTS, WE LEVERAGE THOSE FUNDS AND I WAS TOLD BY MOVING FORWARD WITH QUARTILE ONE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO FORFEITING OF THESE CDBG FUNDS. COULD YOU PLEASE ANSWER, IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER, THIS IS A RELEVANT FACT AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE CORRECT INFORMATION.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS CORRECT, THERE ARE TWO CDBG PROJECTS THAT ARE IN QUARTILE THREE AND I BELIEVE THIS IS PROBABLY WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> BARRETT STATION . >> YES . POTENTIALLY . THERE ARE A NUMBER OF CDBG PROJECTS IN QUARTILE TWO AND THREE . THE QUESTION BECOMES, THERE ARE CERTAIN PROJECTS THAT WILL BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD , CERTAIN PROJECTS THAT WILL NOT , WE UNDERSTAND THAT, THAT IS PART OF OUR CHALLENGE. BASED ON WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING AT, AGAIN, I WOULD HAVE TO -- I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER GARCIA GIVING US TIME TO LOOK AT THIS TO BE SURE . BASED ON OUR INITIAL ASSESSMENT, WE THINK THERE IS A WAY , BUT WHAT I CANNOT TELL YOU IS WHAT ARE THE TRADE-OFFS.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, THE CDBG FUNDED PROJECTS ARE IN QUARTILE

TWO AND THREE. >> CDBG PROJECTS, YES COME IN

QUARTILES ONE, TWO, THREE . >> ASKING YOU TO COME BACK FOR RECOMMENDATIONS FOR QUARTILES TWO , THREE , FOUR , DC CONFLICTS, I GO WITH THE ANDA, BY MOVING FORWARD WITH QUARTILE ONE AND CONTINUING THE DUE DILIGENCE ON QUARTILES TWO , THREE, FOUR, PLEASE ADVISE US IF YOU SEE , FOR TODAY'S PURPOSES, WE ALL WANT TO MOVE FORWARD AND TAKE ACTION AND HAVE GUIDANCE WHERE WE CAN, CONTINUE TO DO DILIGENCE WHEN WE NEED ADDITIONAL DATA. COULD YOU PLEASE ADVISE THE COURT IF THERE IS ANY CONFLICTS THAT WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF .

>> THERE IS A CONFLICT INHERENT IN THE DISCUSSION. I THINK THAT IS THE CHALLENGE. SO, WE HAVE A NUMBER OF CDBG PROJECTS , WE HAVE ROUGHLY -- A LOCAL AMOUNT OF DOLLARS THAT ARE INCLUDED AND

[03:40:01]

THE CDBG DOLLARS ALSO INCLUDED. IF THE MOTION WERE TO DIRECT US TO DO THIS ANALYSIS , SUCH THAT CDBG DOLLARS ARE NOT INCLUDED, IN THIS ANALYSIS, THAT WOULD GIVE US THE CLARITY TO ANSWER THIS AND TELL YOU WHERE, IF THERE IS A CONFLICT , WHERE IT

IS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> DR. PETERSON , HOW DID WE GET OUT OF PROJECTS THAT WERE IN QUARTILE ONE WHICH WERE THE GREATEST NEED BASED ON A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK? THEY WERE THE WORST FIRST, YOU SAID THAT WE FOLLOW THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, SO HOW DID WE JUMP FROM QUARTILE ONE TO TWO AND THREE OF FOUR.

>> ONE OF OUR CHALLENGES IS THE AMOUNT OF WORK WE NEED TO DO IS SO GREAT. THIS CURRENT BOND PROGRAM, AS WE ALL KNOW, IS NOT ENOUGH. WE HAVE SO MUCH WORK WE HAVE TO DO AND SO MANY PLACES.

BEING ABLE TO -- WHERE OUR FOCUS HAS BEEN IS ON THE WORK THAT WE

HAVE IN FRONT OF US RIGHT NOW. >> I GOT YOU, DON'T MEAN TO CUT YOU OFF. IF WE HAD A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, FOLLOWING THE BOND ORDER, WE CAME UP WITH THE PROCESS, YOU SAID YOU FOLLOWED THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, IN THESE INSTANCES , YOU DID NOT , FOR WHATEVER REASON . THE QUESTION IS, WHAT FRAMEWORK WERE YOU FOLLOWING TO GET OUT OF THAT

PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK? >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MAY, FOR ME, WHERE THE CONFLICT IS --

>> NO MONEY COMPLEX? I GET THAT --

>> PLEASE, FINISH . >> IF WE DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, ONE OF THE EARLY PEOPLE DO SAY IT AT THIS TABLE, IF WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH MONEY, I THINK IT WOULD HAVE BEEN INCUMBENT UPON THE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE SAID THAT LOUDLY IN PUBLIC BEFORE JUMPING AROUND TO OTHER PROJECTS. I AM JUST BEING HONEST WITH YOU , GO BACK TO THE VOTERS AND YOU TRY EXPLAINING THIS GOBBLEDYGOOK TO THEM. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , I WANT TO MAKE A POINT . WHEN WE CAME UP WITH A PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, IT WAS AGNOSTIC. JUST AS THE WATER IS, TO WHAT PRECINCT IT WAS IN. IF YOU WANT TO GO COUNSEL SOMETHING IN HER PRECINCT IN QUARTILE ONE , JUST HER PRECINCT I WILL VOTE FOR YOU

. >> I AM NOT CANCELING, I AM SAYING WE ARE NOT READY TO THE PROJECT.

>> IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ONE ONLY YOUR PRECINCT AND MOVE IT TO THE

END, THAT IS FINE . >> THAT IS JUST A PLAN, YOU ARE VOTING ON SOMETHING YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE CONSEQUENCES WILL

BE. >> I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS AND HOPE YOU WILL VOTE, WE VOTED ON SOMETHING TWO WEEKS AGO. WE DID NOT KNOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF. THE CONSEQUENCE MAY TURN OUT ALL RIGHT BUT I AM SAYING, BEFORE I GET HOLIER THAN THOU, WE JUST

DID IT. >> DIRECTOR , DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH MATCHING FUNDING THE CDBG REQUIRES ?

>> I DO NOT HAVE THE NUMBERS IN FRONT OF ME BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE MANY DIFFERENT ALTERNATIVES TO LOOK AT THIS AND COME OUT , BASED ON OUR VERY QUICK ANALYSIS, THERE ARE WAYS.

I DO WANT TO BE CLEAR , WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT , WE ARE ASKED TO LOOK AT UNMET NEED , WE LOOKED AT WHAT IS THE UNMET NEED OF THE CURRENT WORK AND THAT NEXT PHASE. I THINK THE NEXT PHASE IS THE PART WHERE IT BECOMES A LITTLE MORE DIFFICULT. WHAT I WILL SAY , IF WE ARE DIRECTED , TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT PUT THE CDBG DOLLARS AT RISK , WE WILL PERFORM AN ANALYSIS .

>> THE PROBLEM IS YOU ARE TAKING AWAY FROM THE QUARTILE ONE

AGAIN. >> THAT WOULD NOT BE .

>> IS AS FULLY FUNDED ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS FOR PROJECTS IN QUARTILE ONE, ACCORDING TO THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK, DIRECT FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO WORK WITH COURT OFFICERS AND REPORT ON A PROJECT SCHEDULE. ARE YOU SAYING, WE WOULD HAVE A PROJECT SCHEDULE THAT DOES NOT RISK CDBG?

>> YES . >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WHAT YOU THINK ABOUT THAT, PUTTING CDBG AFTER QUARTILE ONE BUT BEFORE

[03:45:03]

THE REST ? >> I WOULD PREFER TO VOTE ON IT THE WAY IT IS BECAUSE SHE IS GUESSING. WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE IS, IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE SAYING THAT WE CAN FINISH QUARTILE ONE AND WE CAN ALWAYS PROTECT CDBG MONEY IN THESE OTHER QUARTILES . IF THAT IS THE CASE, WHAT IS WRONG WITH EXPULSION? WE WOULD COMPLETE QUARTILE NUMBER ONE. WHEN I WAS IN LAW SCHOOL , THAT IS CALLED A NON SEQUITUR.

>> THE MOTION WOULD BE , LET'S COMPLETE QUARTILE ONE .

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS SAYING THERE IS NOT ENOUGH MONEY FOR THAT. HOW ABOUT WE DO -- THIS IS MOVED TO FULLY FUND -- OKAY, WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS .

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ALL IN FAVOR ? >> TEND TO BE READ ONE MORE

TIME. >> TO FULLY FUND ALL CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS FOR PROJECTS IN QUARTILE ONE ACCORDING TO THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND DIRECTLY HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO WORK WITH COURT OFFICERS AND REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT A PROJECT SCHEDULE BY SEPTEMBER 18TH , 2025, ON ALL FUTURE PROJECTS WITH A RECOMMENDATION.

>> ALL IN FAVOR ? >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED. >> NO.

>> I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES, 4-1. DIRECT FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT FOR A BOND DASHBOARD BY SEPTEMBER OF 2025 WHICH WILL INCLUDE A DETAILED TRACKER THAT IS PUBLICLY AVAILABLE THAT TRACKS EACH PROJECT WITHIN THE FLOOD BOND PROJECT, ONE PERSON IS COMPLETED IT IS, RANKING WITHIN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK , AND OTHER PERTINENT DETAILS REQUESTED BY COURT OFFICES THAT IS UPDATED EVERY MONTH -- EVERY SIX MONTHS MOVING FORWARD AND TO WORK WITH THE COURT OFFICES ON

DEVELOPING AT . >> I WILL SECOND THAT AND MAKE ONE SUGGESTION. HOW ABOUT EVERY SIX MONTHS OR AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE , SO YOU CAN UPDATE IT QUICKER.

>> YES. DO I NEED TO READ IT AGAIN? FLOOD BOND DASHBOARD INCLUDING A DETAILED TRACKER PUBLICLY AVAILABLE THAT TRACKS EACH PROJECT WITHIN THE FLOOD BOND PROJECT, WHAT PERCENTAGE COMPLETED IT IS, RANKING WITHIN THE PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK AND OTHER PERTINENT DETAILS REQUESTED BY COURT OFFICES .

THAT IS UPDATED EVERY SIX MONTHS OR AS SOON AS IT IS AVAILABLE, MOVING FORWARD, AND TO WORK WITH THE COURT OFFICES IN DEVELOPING

NOT. >> SECOND.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES , UNANIMOUSLY . COMMISSIONER, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO GO , BEFORE I AM BACK I WILL READ THE 225 RULEMAKING.

>> I DO HAVE ANOTHER MOTION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. IT SPEAKS TO SOMETHING THAT I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS CONCERNED ABOUT. I THINK WE ARE ALL IN SOME FORM OR FASHION CONCERNED ABOUT. THESE ARE RELATED TO PROJECTS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT INTO THE FLOOD BOND BUT WERE NOT. THIS IS NOT DEDICATING ANY RESOURCES OTHER THAN TO PUT THESE PROJECTS ON THE MAP . THE OTHER DAY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WAS VISITING WITH , I CANNOT REMEMBER THE NAME OF THE GROUP, IN YOUR PRECINCT , A LOT OF THE FOLKS THAT CAME HERE TODAY WERE THERE AND SPEAKING TO , I HAVE GOTTEN A LOT OF CALLS FROM MY DEAR FRIEND, JACKIE COME ON PROJECT P-125, THAT IS NOT A PART OF THE BOND. ADAMANT THAT , THE WORK ON THE PROJECT , OR CHANNEL , SHOULD BE DONE BUT IT IS NOT ANYWHERE BEING CONSIDERED. SIMILARLY, I HAVE A FEW AREAS IN MY PRECINCT THAT DID THE SAME CATEGORY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS THE LAKE HOUSTON FLOODGATES . MY MOTION IS TO PUT THESE THINGS OUT THERE IN FRONT OF US SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND THEM . THIS MOTION READS, MOVED TO DIRECTLY HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO DEVELOP A FRAMEWORK TO ASSESS UNDER THE 2022 PRIORITIZATION FRAMEWORK FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS

[03:50:03]

WITH A POTENTIAL SIGNIFICANT COMMUNITY IMPACT THAT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY ASSESSED AND TO REPORT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY SEPTEMBER OF 2025 , SEPTEMBER 18TH, --

>> AND THEY HAVE A PRICE TAG ON THEM .

>> SHE WILL GIVE US A WORKUP ON THEM. WE ARE NOT COMMITTING ANY

DOLLARS. >> NOBODY IS .

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY BRIONES. ALL

THOSE IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> I WILL ABSTAIN BUT THE MOTION CARRIES 4-0. I AM LATE TO MY GROUP THERAPY BEFORE WE SCHEDULED THIS AND I WILL BE BACK IN AN HOUR. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF THE PIPELINE ITEM CANNOT PASS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT OR WITHOUT MY SUPPORT, I WILL BRING IT BACK NEXT TIME BUT IT IS SIMPLE AND WE HAVE GONE OVER

IT WITH YOUR STAFF. >> QUICK, IF WE CAN TAKE NO ACTION BECAUSE I WANT TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE AND WORK WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS ON THIS, THAT IS MY CONCERN, THE STAKEHOLDERS WERE NOT ENGAGED AND I WOULD RATHER NOT VOTE ON IT BECAUSE I

THINK THERE IS GOOD INTENT. >> I HAD THE SAME CONCERN. WE ARE ALERTING THE STAKEHOLDERS AT THE POINT IS THAT ALL THIS IS IS A COMMENT . BUT THEN YOU START WITH THE CONVERSATION, RIGHT? WE ARE TRYING TO SUBMIT A REQUEST TO THE STATE TO SAY, WOULD YOU CONSIDER HAVING THESE ADDITIONAL PIPELINE SAFETY STANDARDS? THEY WILL GO AND TALK TO THE FOLKS THAT ARE OPPOSED TO THIS AND THERE WILL BE A NEGOTIATION. THE IDEA IS TO REQUIRE PIPELINE OPERATORS TO FACTOR -- THIS CAME AFTER THE , HOWEVER MANY DAY FIRE WHERE A CAR HIT A PIPELINE THAT WAS ABOVE GROUND. WE HAVE WORKED ON THIS WITH THE RAILROAD COMMISSION STAFF , PIPELINE SAFETY TRUST, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, FIRE MARSHAL, AND CORE OFFICES, AND THIS WAS SENT AS A COURTESY? TO THE BUSINESSES , TO THE INDUSTRY , TO TELL THEM WE ARE SENDING THIS, PLEASE SEND COMMENTS BACK. IT IS QUITE SIMPLE. THERE ARE VARIOUS SAFETY STANDARDS THAT PIPELINE OPERATORS HAVE TO ADHERE TO , AND WE ARE HOPING TO ADD THREE MORE. ONE IS TO FACTOR THE RISK POSED BY EXTERNAL FACTORS , THEY CURRENTLY HAVE EXTERNAL FACTORS THEY CONSIDER BUT WE ARE ASKING THE ADD TO THAT, VEHICULAR DAMAGE AND NATURAL DISASTERS. WHEN THEY DECIDE WHAT'S UP THE PIPELINE TO CONDUCT TESTING ON FIRST . THE SECOND THING IS, REQUIRING PIPELINE OPERATORS TO ASSESS EACH INDIVIDUAL VALVE WITHIN THEIR SYSTEM AND DEVELOP AN EMERGENCY CLOSURE PLAN FOR EACH VALVE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY . THIS WOULD BE SUBMITTED TO THE RAILROAD COMMISSION AND MADE AVAILABLE TO FIRST RESPONDERS IN RELEVANT JURISDICTIONS AND REQUIRE PRIVATE OPERATORS TO INSTALL PROTECTIVE BARRIERS AROUND ABOVEGROUND PIPELINE VALVES IN AREA WHERE PIPELINE EMERGENCIES HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO HARM INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN THE PIPELINE. THERE WAS A NEIGHBORHOOD WHERE THERE WAS QUITE A LOT OF BURNING. A PLAYGROUND WAS CHARRED. THE MOTION WOULD BE TO SUBMIT THIS PETITION FOR RULEMAKING TO THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION REGARDING PIPELINE SAFETY , LETTING THE STAKEHOLDERS KNOW, WE WORK WITH THE RAILROAD COMMISSION, WHICH IS NOT A BASTION OF LIBERALISM, IT IS COMMON SENSE STUFF. TRYING TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE SO AFFECTED BY THE PIPELINE.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ON THAT POINT, THE MAYOR OF THIS AREA WAS NOT COMMUNICATED WITH IN OUR OFFICE WAS NOT COORDINATED WITH.

OTHER INDUSTRY PARTNERS WERE NOT COORDINATED WITH. I WOULD RATHER BE WORKING WITH THEM TO GET TO A GOOD RESOLUTION RATHER THAN THEM FEELING LIKE THEY HAD NOT BEEN ENGAGED. IN SPITE OF BEING

[03:55:01]

INFORMED, MAYBE NOT ENGAGED. >> LIKE I SAID, THE ENGAGEMENT COMES AFTER THE PROPOSAL IS SET BECAUSE WE NEED TO HAVE -- HERE IS WHERE WE ARE, LET'S DISCUSS IT, YOU SENT YOUR SIDE, THAT IS WHEN WE HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS, YOUR OFFICE DID WORK ON IT,

COMMISSIONER. >> THEY DID NOT .

>> AS TO THE MAYOR, ONE OF THOSE SITUATIONS, LIKE CERTAIN PEOPLE AROUND THE DAIS, I KNOW THERE ARE CERTAIN PEOPLE WHO CANNOT REACH OUT TO BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT -- BECAUSE THEY WILL NOT WORK WITH ME I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR THIS, WE CAN SAY TO NO END WE NEED TO SOCIALIZE IT, WE ARE NOT VOTING ON A RULE BUT A PETITION FOR THE RAILROAD COMMISSION TO CONSIDER WHAT ROLE IT WAS TO PASS BASED ON OUR PROPOSAL AND WHAT OTHER STAKEHOLDERS WOULD LIKE TO SEE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO

PASS. SECOND? >> I THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO

HOLD IT. >> WHEN WOULD YOU PROPOSE BRINGING IT BACK, COMMISSIONER GARCIA ?

>> THANK YOU. I WOULD LIKE TO WORK THROUGH THE PROCESS, WORK WITH OUR STAKEHOLDERS NOT EXACTLY SURE HOW LONG THEY WILL TAKE TO BRING IT BACK. AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> SEE, IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO MEET THE STANDARD TO YOUR SATISFACTION, WE HAVE ENGAGED TO THE EXTENT -- LIKE I SAID, IF YOU WANT TO VOTE AGAINST IT, THAT IS OKAY I GET A PRESS CONFERENCE -- DID NOT DO A PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY BECAUSE WE FOCUS ON THE FLOOD ISSUE, I THOUGHT THE ALIGNMENT, BECAUSE I WAS NOT HERE, YOU CANNOT HAVE YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED, IF WE WILL SPEND ALL THIS TIME NEGOTIATING IT WITH VARIOUS STAKEHOLDERS, THAT IS NOT HOW THIS WORKS.

>> CAN I MAKE THE SUGGESTION TO BOTH OF YOU? HOW ABOUT WE HOLD IT UNTIL NEXT COURT WHICH IS IN TWO WEEKS ?

>> I AM NOT GOING TO DO ANY -- I AM GOING TO MAKE A MOTION, IF HE WANTS TO GO SOCIALIZE IT, HE WILL NEVER SOCIALIZE IT -- LOOK, I WILL MAKE A MOTION I WILL SECOND, THAT IS OKAY, WE WILL BRING IT BACK AND MAKE A PRESS CONFERENCE. THAT IS OKAY. I MAKE A MOTION TO PASS THIS PETITION TO THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION TO CONSIDER THIS IDEA . THE TEXAS RAILROAD COMMISSION , PART OF THEIR DUTY WHEN CONSIDERING THIS PETITION, IS TO ENGAGE THE VERY STAKEHOLDERS . AS A PART OF THE PROCESS, THEY WILL HEAR FROM ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THEY WILL HEAR FROM US. WE ALREADY WORKED ON THIS WITH THE FOLKS ON OUR SIDE OF THE LEDGER. THAT IS LIKE SAYING YOU HAVE TO SOLVE THE COURT CASE BEFORE YOU GET TO THE COURTROOM. I AM MAKING THIS MOTION, DO I HAVE A SECOND?

OKAY. >> I WILL MAKE A MOTION WE BRING THIS ITEM BACK IN THE NEXT COURT MEETING.

>> WHO IS WE? >> IT COMES BACK TO THE

COMMISSIONERS COURT . >> I WILL SECOND.

>> OKAY, I HAVE TO GO TO MY PRESCHEDULED GROUP THERAPY AND WE WILL KEEP THE COMMUNITY INFORMED.

>> I WITHDRAW THE MOTION AND ASKING TO BE PUT ON THE NEXT COURT SO COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU WANT TO GO, SOMETIME WE NEED TO VOTE . WE CANNOT CHANGE IT, WE WILL NOT WATER THIS DOWN, IT IS WHAT IT IS, THIS IS WHAT WE WORKED ON WITH THE EXPERTS AND WHATEVER SOCIALIZATION, IF WE ARE WATERING IT DOWN, THAT IS NOT OUR ROLE , THAT IS THE RAILROAD COMMISSION'S ROLE. I

DO NOT UNDERSTAND. >> I DO NOT SEE IRREPARABLE HARM

IN WAITING FOR TWO WEEKS. >> NO, THAT IS HOW THINGS GET DELAYED, DELAYED, MAKE MY CAMPAIGN PAY FOR THINGS OR NOT KNOW WHETHER PURCHASING WAS PERFORMED OR NOT COVER THE BUDGET OF THE THINGS THAT NEED HELP, WE COULD HAVE DELAYED THIS VOTE WE JUST HAD ON AND ON AND ON. NOW , IF HE SAID, I DO NOT GET IT, LET'S HAVE THE DISCUSSION, FINE, BUT IF HE WANTS TO WAIT TO ENGAGE THE STAKEHOLDERS AND HEAR WHAT THEY WANT TO WATER THIS DOWN, THAT IS WHAT THE PROCESS IS FOR.

>> I WAS BUSY WITH THE FLOOD PROJECT AND I AM NOT READY IN TWO WEEKS, I WILL BE READY. DURING THAT TIME , IF ANYBODY WANTS TO SOCIALIZE IT WITH ANYBODY --

>> YOU ARE WAITING FOR OPPOSITION FROM THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY AND THAT IS DISAPPOINTING TO THE FAMILIES WHO WERE IMPACTED. I WILL GO TO MY PRESCHEDULED GROUP THERAPY

SESSION . HE CANNOT DO A PROXY >> CAN WE PLEASE MOVE TO THE

NEXT ITEM? >> NO ACTION. COLLEAGUES , IF

[04:00:03]

THERE IS AN ITEM I KNOW YOU WILL LEAVE AT 4:00 , COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, UNDER ITEM 140 , IS THAT WHERE WE JUST WANT TO VOTE? PAYMENT OF AUDIT CLAIMS. IF YOU SEE ANOTHER ONE WHERE SOMEBODY WILL HAVE TO VOTE , IF I WILL SEE ONE, I WILL TELL YOU.

>> A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL DISBURSEMENTS EXCEPT THE BOSTON

CONSULTING GROUP. >> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> AYES HAVE IT. I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR THE OTHER ITEMS.

>> AYE. >> ITEM PASSES. WE CAN GO TO THE JAIL POPULATION . DO YOU SEE ANYTHING ELSE BECAUSE HE WILL

LEAVE AT 4:00? >> THE ONLY ONE, WE HAD MARTY HERE TO DO NRG, I DO NOT KNOW HOW LONG THEY CAN STAY.

[Executive Session ]

>> WHICH ITEM, LET'S GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ALL OF

THEM. >> THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE.

>> IT IS 3:26 , WE WILL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON PAGE 36, 295, 296, 297.

>> THANK YOU, IT IS FOR: 07 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN

[ Departments (Part 2 of 2)]

SESSION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA ?

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS, ITEM 87, THE BROADBAND MAP.

FIRST, I WANT TO THANK THE DIRECTOR, THERE YOU ARE. THANK YOU FOR BREAKING NEWS ITEM TO COURT AND HER UNWAVERING ADVOCACY FOR SECURE INTERNET ACCESS ACROSS THE COUNTY. ABOUT 9% OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS -- 135,000 HOMES LACK BROADBAND SUBSCRIPTIONS AND ANOTHER 220,000 HOUSEHOLDS RELY ONLY ON SMART PHONES , LIMITING ACCESS TO JOBS, SCHOOL , AND HEALTHCARE AMONG JUST A FEW THINGS. WITH THE END OF AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM , FUNDING FROM LAST YEAR, OVER 171,000 OF THESE HOUSEHOLDS LOST RELIABLE INTERNET WHICH PROMPTED THIS COURT TO THE DIRECTOR AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO UPDATE THE COUNTY'S ROCK BAND PLAN. THE UPDATED BROADBAND ROADMAP RECOMMENDS FORMING A BROADBAND TASK FORCE , MAPPING ALL COUNTY FIBER AND ASSETS AND EXPANDING THE DIGITAL NAVIGATOR WORKFORCE . IT IDENTIFIES THREE PILLARS , INFRASTRUCTURE, PARTNERSHIPS, AND DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY. IT ALSO SUPPORTS SOLUTIONS LIKE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS AND FIBER LEASING . THE ROADMAP WILL EVOLVE OVER TIME AND DESIGNED TO GUIDE COUNTYWIDE BROADBAND EXPANSION AND WITH A SUSTAINABLE AND FLEXIBLE FUNDING. I WANT TO THANK THE DIRECTOR FOR ALL OF HER WORK AND I HAVE A MOTION I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WHICH WOULD KICKSTART THE FORMATION OF THE RECOMMENDED BROADBAND TASK FORCE . THE MOTION IS TO -- FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DEVELOP A BROADBAND TASK FORCE WHICH WOULD INCLUDE RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATION , AND OTHER PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERS, AND IN PARALLEL WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND BOARDS AND COMMISSION TO COME BACK TO COURT ON OCTOBER 16TH , WITH THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE , GOVERNING DOCUMENTS , AND BYLAWS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY BROADBAND TASK FORCE. ALSO WANTED TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS VERY OPPORTUNE. AS I SAID AT THE LAST COURT AS WE LOOK AT THE BUDGET, THE BUDGETING PROCESS, THIS IS VERY OPPORTUNE BECAUSE OF THE UPCOMING WORLD CUP. RECOGNIZING THAT OUR BANDWIDTH WILL BE VERY CHALLENGED DURING THE TIME THAT THOUSANDS OF NEW FOLKS WILL BE HERE FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS . WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE REMAIN CONNECTED , WE ARE ABLE TO HANDLE ANYTHING , ESPECIALLY IF AN EMERGENCY MAY ARISE . JUST BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS AS USUAL. NOT TO MENTION , THE

[04:05:01]

WORLD CUP IS TAKING PLACE DURING THE HURRICANE SEASON. WE DO NOT WANT THOSE TWO TO COLLIDE . DIRECTOR , THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT MOTION HAS BEEN MADE.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> QUICKLY, DIRECTOR , I WAS LOOKING AT THE BACKUP, THE DATA , IT IS EXTRAORDINARY THE LACK OF THE PROBLEM IN PRECINCT 3 . PRETTY RURAL , UNINCORPORATED FOR THE MOST PART AND BY DEFINITION THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA OF HARRIS COUNTY. I GUESS THAT IS A

LITTLE SURPRISING TO ME >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION. GOOD AFTERNOON. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES. THANK YOU TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS , YOUR STAFF WORKED VERY CLOSELY WITH US AND WE ALSO WORKED WITH THE DATA WE RECEIVED FROM THE CENSUS FROM 2023. I AM JOINED BY LEE DAVENPORT , THE DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AT U.S.

IGNITE WHICH PARTNERED WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO LOOK AT -- TO WORK WITH PRECINCTS , WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENTS , LOOK AT THE DATA AVAILABLE TO US THROUGH THE STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN DONE AND THE CENSUS. IN ORDER TO COME UP WITH THIS PLAN AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY , IT IS NOT ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL , THE ISSUES DIFFER, FROM PRECINCT TO PRECINCT . PRECINCT 3 HAS FEWER HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE NOT CONNECTED BUT THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF TELEWORKERS . HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 . FOR PRECINCT 3, WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TELEWORK, COORDINATION WITH EMPLOYERS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES , THAT WILL HELP IN STRENGTHENING THE BROADBAND CAPACITY FOR REMOTE WORK AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. I WILL HEAD OVER TO LEE TO PROVIDE THE DETAILS OF THE DAY THAT YOU ARE SEEING IN THE PRESENTATION.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF SLIDES, TOO. I CAN GET STARTED. THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. MY NAME IS LEE DAVENPORT, SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT ON DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY, BROADBAND, AND PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS . A QUICK PRESENTATION TODAY, THANK YOU FOR HAVING US. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT FOR INCLUDING BROADBAND IN THE HARRIS COUNTY STRATEGIC PLAN, AFFORDABILITY IS A CRUCIAL ISSUE IN CITIES AND COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTRY AND I WANT TO THANK THE 30 FOLKS WHO PARTICIPATED IN OUR SURVEY, OUR STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS, AND PRIORITIZATION WORKSHOPS IN THE COUNTY . I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE BROADBAND TEAM FOR THEIR TIME AND EXPERTISE . BEFORE I GET A LITTLE BIT OF INFORMATION ABOUT THE ROADMAP, U.S. IGNITE IS A 12-YEAR-OLD ORGANIZATION THAT -- DEVELOPING PLANS AND ADOPTING BROADBAND FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT . TODAY, THE U.S. IGNITE COMMUNITY INCLUDES MORE THAN 50 COMMUNITY INCLUDING A MAJORITY OF THE TOP 15 LARGEST CITIES AND COUNTIES . WE OFFER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, CAPACITY BUILDING , FACILITATION, NEUTRAL PROJECT MANAGING THE FOR COMMUNITIES LIKE HARRIS COUNTY ACROSS THE NATION AND EXCITED TODAY TO BE HERE AND SHARE INFORMATION ABOUT THE HARRIS COUNTY BROADBAND ROADMAP, A PLATFORM FOR SHARED INVESTMENT AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. I DO HAVE ANOTHER SLIDE. IT IS ON THE PROCESS TO PREPARE THE ROADMAP. WE INTERVIEWED COUNTY STAFF , REVIEWED PRIOR PLANS, ANALYZE MODELS AND BEST PRACTICES FROM DOZENS OF COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE . WE FOLLOWED THAT WITH A WORKSHOP TO SET PRIORITIES WITH SEVERAL OF THE STAFF AND FOR FOLKS IN THE ROOM . THE RESULTS OF THIS FLEXIBLE PLAN REFLECTS HUNDREDS OF HOURS OF INPUT AND PROVIDE OPTIONS FOR THE COUNTY TO ACT ON IT NOW AND IN THE FUTURE. MY NEXT SLIDE I WILL TALK ABOUT THE 2023 AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY . AS YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 171 HOUSEHOLDS ARE WITHOUT -- 171,000 HOUSEHOLDS ARE WITHOUT BROADBAND IN THE COUNTY AND THAT MEANS FEWER OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORK, HEALTHCARE, AND CONNECTION, THESE CHALLENGES DO NOT LOOK THE SAME EVERYWHERE .

SOME PRECINCT FACE HIGH RATES OF DISCONNECTION AND POVERTY .

OTHERS SEE GREAT DEMAND FOR TELEWORK, SERVICES, AND INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATION DESPITE THE SIZE AND ECONOMIC STRENGTH OF HARRIS COUNTY, MAJOR GAPS IN AFFORDABILITY AND AVAILABILITY AND ADOPTION WILL STILL DEEPEN EXISTING DIVIDES.

THE HARRIS COUNTY BROADBAND ROADMAP IS BASED ON A NATIONAL PRACTICES BEST PRACTICES AND RECOMMENDATIONS TAILORED FOR THE

[04:10:02]

COUNTY DOCUMENT SERVES AS A ROADMAP OF OPTIONS THE COUNTY SHOULD CONSIDER . ROADMAP IS BROKEN INTO THREE PILLARS, THANK YOU FOR REFERENCING THOSE ALREADY, WITH LONG TERM FUNDING STRATEGY INCLUDING A BLEND OF FEDERAL AND PRIVATE DOLLARS. AND PROACTIVE COMMUNICATION PARTNERSHIPS , NUMBER ONE, FOCUS ON IMPROVING COORDINATION ACROSS SECTORS INCLUDING MUNICIPAL PARTNERS . THE GOAL IS TO ALIGN RESOURCES AND FIND SHARED PRIORITIES , ESTABLISH A DEDICATED GROUP TO ASSESS AND RECOMMEND NEXT STEPS . INFRASTRUCTURE CENTERS ON IDENTIFYING GAPS, STREAMLINING PERMITTING , PREPARING THE COUNTY AND HIS PARTNERS FOR FUTURE PROJECTS . THIS INCLUDES ASSET MAPPING, INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION, EXPLORATION OF OPPORTUNITIES TO OPTIMIZE EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE. DIGITAL OPPORTUNITY IS THIRD . IT SUPPORTS EFFORTS TO IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY, STRENGTHEN DIGITAL SKILLS, AND EXPAND ACCESS TO DEVICES . PARTICULARLY IN WORKFORCE TRAINING THESE ACTIVITIES ARE MEANT TO COMPLEMENT EXISTING PROGRAMS AND ADDRESS LOCAL NEEDS IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES . BY INVESTING IN BROADBAND, HARRIS COUNTY CAN CONTINUE TO ENHANCE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES AND FOSTER A MORE COHESIVE AND WELL-ROUNDED COMMUNITY. MY LAST SLIDE, I WILL TALK ABOUT THIS CALL TO ACTION. THE COMMUNITY DOES NOT NEED TO SPEND FROM THE GENERAL FUND TO ACHIEVE THIS BUT NEEDS TO GET ORGANIZED FEEDBACK AND ATTRACT INVESTMENT FROM THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND FEDERAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND GRANTS. THE HIGHLIGHTS ARE TO ESTABLISH THE HARRIS COUNTY BROADBAND TASK FORCE , CREATE A TASK FORCE TO GUIDE STRATEGY AND COORDINATE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS , TRACK PROGRESS, THE COURT WOULD APPOINT MEMBERS FROM COUNTY OFFICES, COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS, ACADEMIA , THE PRIVATE SECTOR TO ENSURE A WIDE ARRAY OF PERSPECTIVES. THIS GROUP WILL ALIGN EFFORTS , SERVICE COMMUNITY NEEDS, AND RECOMMEND ACTIONS THAT REFLECT LOCAL PRIORITIES. TO POSSIBLE ACTIONS THEY MAY RECOMMEND TO MOVE THE PLAN FORWARD , COMPLETE SOME ASSET MAPPING, MODERNIZE PERMITTING PROCESSES, AND DESIGN SUSTAINABLE FUNDING MODELS WITH CLEAR OWNERSHIP AND LONG-TERM COST-SHARING. THESE STEPS WILL POSITION HARRIS COUNTY TO ACT QUICKLY ON FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES AND MANAGE FUTURE INVESTMENTS EFFECTIVELY. FINALLY, CHAMPION SMART PARTNERSHIPS AND INNOVATION. SUPPORT PRIVATE AGREEMENTS WITH ISPS , SOME IN THE ROOM TODAY, EXPLORE EXPANSION WITH PUBLIC WI-FI AND DIGITAL NAVIGATOR PROGRAMS. JOINT REGIONAL COALITIONS AND STRENGTHEN AND RESET THOSE RELATIONSHIPS FOR HARRIS COUNTY POSITION FOR FUNDING. APPLY MODEL PRACTICES , ACCELERATE BROADBAND ADOPTION, NOT NECESSARILY HIRED BY THE COUNTY, THESE COUNTY DIGITAL NAVIGATOR'S AND DIGITAL NAVIGATOR ACROSS THE COUNTY CAN BE ASSESSED, OVERSEE THE SKILLS , STANDARDIZED CURRICULUM, INTAKE AND DATA CAPTURE SO YOU CAN SEE HOW BIG OR SMALL THE PROBLEM IS. THAT IS ABOUT IT.

>> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP, DIRECTOR , FOR YOUR WORK I DO WANT TO RECOGNIZE WE ARE JOINED BY COMPU. , A FIGHT -- A GREAT PARTNER WITH US LOCALLY AND I HOPE THEY WILL ALSO BE ENGAGED IN A PART OF THE CONVERSATION, THEY ARE VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE AREAS THAT SUFFER THE GREATEST AREAS , AFFECTS OF BEING NOT CONNECTED, WE HAVE A GOOD PARTNERSHIP FOR YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE

PRESENTATION. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA , I WANT TO OFFER -- YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE -- CONSIDER APPOINTEES FROM THE COURT OFFICES, THE PRECINCTS THAT WERE MOST IMPACTED, I AM ONE OF THEM AND I TRUST YOU BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD , IF THEY GET TO BE QUICKER, BUT YOU GET TO ME PRETTY QUICK. I WOULD ALSO SAY SOME EXTERNAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING AT LEAST REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE FOLLOWING GROUPS, THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE LOWEST LEVEL OF INTEREST , CONNECTIVITY IN HARRIS COUNTY , AT THE TIME OF THIS MOTION INTERNET BROADBAND PROVIDERS , INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NONPROFITS ADDRESSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS COMMUNITY COLLEGES, PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WANT TO GET EVERYBODY BACK TO WORK. PEOPLE IN YOUR PRECINCT ARE DOING TELECOMMUTING .

>> I STILL HAVE A QUESTION ON WHAT THE 23,000 , PRECINCT 3,

[04:15:04]

THAT MEANS EVERYBODY ELSE HAS BROADBAND? ONLY 23,000 DO NOT?

>> LACK OF ACCESS AT THAT LEVEL MEANS NO ACCESS, THEY ARE UNDISTURBED, YES. THAT IS SURVEY DATA OF 91,000 ACROSS IN 2023 THAT SHOWS THAT THE COUNTY SINCE HIS LEVEL. -- CENSUS LEVEL .

>> WE CAN TALK LATER ABOUT HOW YOU CAME UP WITH THESE NUMBERS.

IS IT BASED ON ZIP CODES , LOW TO MODERATE INCOME ZIP CODES?

>> CENSUS DATA AT A STATISTICAL MODELING LEVEL .

>> AS DISCUSSED EARLIER TODAY, NOT EVERYBODY KNOWS WHERE THE LOW TO MODERATE INCOME PEOPLE ARE , PARTICULARLY THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND THE UNINCORPORATED AREA. I WOULD JUST PUT A MARKER, I QUESTION YOUR DATA, BASED ON, THE GENERAL CENSUS DATA, I HAVE BECOME AWARE THAT THAT IS NOT VERY ACCURATE WHEN IT COMES TO

THE UNINCORPORATED . >> THERE ARE SEVERAL CHALLENGES TO THE DATA WE COLLECTED FROM THE PREVIOUS MODEL -- NOT A SINGLE POINT OF THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF CONNECTIVITY AT TRACK LEVEL, ESPECIALLY IN THE RURAL AREAS. CONNECTIVITY ISSUES , NEXT-GEN FIXED WIRELESS, WIRELESS INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, WE KNOW THERE ARE GAPS TO FILL.

>> AS THE TASK FORCE FORMS AND WORKS WITH THE PRECINCTS , COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU WILL GET MORE CLEAR DATA SETS AS WE LEARN MORE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK, ESPECIALLY AS A FORMER TEACHER, I BELIEVE ALL HOUSEHOLDS SHOULD HAVE ACCESS FOR LEARNING AND CONNECTION A QUICK SUGGESTION, I LOVE THE MOTION AND THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I SERVE ON THE HGAC, AND THEY ARE WORKING ON A SIMILAR BROADBAND TASK FORCE FOR THE REGION . I PLEASE ASK YOU COLLABORATE SO WE ARE NOT DUPLICATING EFFORTS AND WE CAN LEVERAGE RESOURCES AS EFFICIENTLY AND EFFECTIVELY AS

POSSIBLE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> COMMISSIONER ? >> FOR CLARITY, IF IT COULD BE

READ WITH THE AMENDMENT . >> THIS IS THE AMENDMENT

VERSION. >> MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IS THAT THIS BROADBAND TASK FORCE WILL CONSIST OF A DIVERSE MEMBERSHIP REPRESENTING A BALANCE OF INTEREST , SECTORS, AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO. RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS , WHICH IS REDUNDANT, APPOINTEES FROM COURT OFFICES, EXTERNAL PARTNERS, INCLUDING AT LEAST ONE REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH OF THE FOLLOWING, THE COMMUNITIES THAT HAVE THE LOWEST LEVEL OF INTEREST, OF INTERNET CONNECTIVITY IN HARRIS COUNTY , AT THE TIME OF THIS MOTION, INTERNET-BROADBAND PROVIDERS , INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICTS, NONPROFITS AND ADDRESSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, WORKFORCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS, POST SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS SUCH AS COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES, OR TECHNICAL SCHOOLS. I PASS IT ON TO YOU.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. >> AYE.

>> ITEM PASSES. >> AN ITEM, WE HEARD ABOUT IT EARLIER FROM A GENTLEMAN WHO WAS ONE OF OUR VETERANS, THIS IS THE HOME TITLE FRAUD, ALSO CALLED -- IT IS RISING HERE AND NATIONALLY. IT ABSOLUTELY THREATENS THE AMERICAN DREAM OF HOMEOWNERSHIP, ESPECIALLY AMONG COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, LATINO AND AFRICAN-AMERICAN SENIORS LIVING ON FIXED INCOMES. SCAMMERS FORGED DOCUMENTS AND STEEL HOMES OFTEN WITHOUT THE OWNER EVER KNOWING UNTIL IT IS WAY TOO LATE. LEGAL REMEDIES ARE ABSOLUTELY EXPENSIVE AND COMPLICATED. YOU DO NOT FIND A LOT OF ATTORNEYS RUSHING TO TRY TO SOLVE THESE PROBLEMS WHEN PEOPLE REACH OUT. OTHER COUNTIES AND STATES ARE ACTING AS AN EXAMPLE, TARRANT COUNTY , IN EL PASO , NOT REQUIRING IDENTIFICATIONS FOR D FILINGS AND NEW YORK LETS PROSECUTORS STOP EVICTIONS IN SUSPECTED FRAUD CASES AND IN PHILADELPHIA, TACKLING TANGLED TITLES . HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD ALSO BE IN THE LEAD OF THIS SITUATION. BECAUSE OF WHAT IT REPRESENTS . THIS IS ABOUT PROTECTING BOTH PROPERTY AND DIGNITY. OUR RESIDENTS ,

[04:20:02]

ESPECIALLY SENIORS , AND WORKING-CLASS FAMILIES, DESERVE TO KNOW THEIR HOMES ARE SAFE. JUST AS A SIDE NOTE, WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, IT WAS SOON AFTER 9/11, THERE WAS A LOT OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHO WOULD KNOW HOW TO HURT, OR BRING HARM TO A COMMERCIAL STRUCTURE AND I CONSTRUCTED A CITY ORDINANCE THAT ALLOWED BUILDINGS TO REGISTER THEIR BLUEPRINTS SO , IF ANYBODY TRIED THE COPIES, THE ARCHITECT OF RECORD WOULD BE NOTIFIED AND DECISIONS TO BE MADE ON WHETHER OR NOT THAT WAS AN APPROPRIATE REQUEST OR NOT. THIS IS THE SAME THING . SO, WE HAVE INCREDIBLE LEADERSHIP, AND I ABSOLUTELY HAVE A GREAT DEAL OF FAITH IN THEM , INCLUDING OUR HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, COUNTY ATTORNEY, DISTRICT ATTORNEY, TAX ASSESSOR, COUNTY CLERK, AND ALL OF OUR PARTNERS TO HELP DEVELOP A SMART , EFFECTIVE POLICY THAT ESTABLISHES PREVENTATIVE SAFEGUARDS AND COORDINATES LEGAL REMEDIES , AND ABOVE ALL PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS. SO, THE ONLY THING I WILL TELL YOU, THE URGENCY IS, YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY MY MOM IS 101 , THANKFULLY FOR MY SISTER, SHE IS UNDER HER GOOD CARE , BUT IMAGINE IF SOMEONE UP IN AGE LIKE THAT WERE TO FIND OUT THAT THEY ARE BEING EVICTED BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS ABLE TO STEAL THEIR DEED. IT HAS HAPPENED, IT IS HAPPENING AND I HOPE MY MOTION WILL LEAD US TO A BETTER PLACE IN PROTECTING THESE FOLKS. THE MOTION IS , TO THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO COORDINATE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE , DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, CLERKS OFFICE, TAX OFFICE , AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS, INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY APPRAISAL DISTRICT , TO DEVELOP A DRAFT POLICY WITH RECOMMENDATIONS AND IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGIES TO PROTECT HOMEOWNERS , PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE POPULATIONS, FROM UNAUTHORIZED HOME TITLE FRAUD AND PRESENT IT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY OR BEFORE THE OCTOBER 30TH COURT DATE, 2025.

>> SECOND. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE.

>> AYE. >> MOTION PASSES.

>> A RESOLUTION, STUDENTS AMONG US RECEIVING A SCHOLARSHIP AND I WANT TO THANK THE HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION THAT PROTECTS SOME OF MY MONEY . I AM GLAD IT IS GOING TO GOOD USE.

THIS IS TO RECOGNIZE SEVERAL STUDENTS, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM, THEY ALL HAVE INCREDIBLE BACKGROUNDS AND THEY ARE ABSOLUTELY ON TRACK TO BECOME FUTURE LEADERS OF OUR CITY, COUNTY, STATE AND IF NOT THIS COUNTRY. SO, VERY QUICKLY, WE HAVE RHIANNA WINFREY , ALEXA FRIAS, MICAH THOMPSON , I WANT TO CONGRATULATE THEM AND GIVE THE FLOOR TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORTING THE

NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY. MY NAME IS VICKI SQUIRES , I AM THE PRESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION . WE ARE A MEMBER OWNED COOPERATIVE ESTABLISHED OVER 74 YEARS AGO TO SERVE THE FINANCIAL NEEDS OF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND THEIR FAMILIES . ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS , THE STAFF, AND MEMBERS, WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT . I AM HERE TODAY TO EXPRESS OUR APPRECIATION TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR HIS SPONSORSHIP OF THIS RESOLUTION AND TO ALL COURT MEMBERS FOR HONORING THE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENTS OF THIS YEAR'S MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS.

THESE OUTSTANDING YOUNG PEOPLE SEEKING TO BETTER THEMSELVES THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION ARE NOT ONLY THE CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF PRESIDENT HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION MEMBERS , THESE DESERVING STUDENTS ARE THE FUTURE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND BEYOND. WE ARE HONORED TO BE A PART OF THAT.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> YOU ARE QUITE WELCOME. THANK

[04:25:08]

YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. FOR YOUNG PEOPLE LISTENING, THERE IS MONEY EVERYWHERE TO SCHOLARSHIP, CHURCH, CREDIT UNIONS HAVE SCHOLARSHIPS, JUST OUT OF CURIOSITY, DOES THE HOUSTON POLICE FEDERAL CREDIT UNION DO THIS AS WELL?

>> I AM NOT AWARE. >> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

>> 321. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE.

>> AYE. >> IT PASSES.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> 296. THANK YOU, 296 PERTAINS TO A JUDICIAL SEAT FOR HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT, LOT NUMBER 12 , JUNE 12, 2025, WE APPOINTED A JUDGE TO BE OUR CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER, AND , WHICH WILL CREATE A VACANCY FOR CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 12. I AM PROUD TO MAKE A MOTION AND I WILL READ WHICH IN A SECOND BUT A MOTION TO APPOINT THE NEW JUDGE OF HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW NUMBER 12, SHE IS A DIVISION CHIEF AT A HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WITH DEEP EXPERIENCE AS A PROSECUTOR AND SHE IS ALSO BEEN A PUBLIC DEFENDER BRINGING THAT UNIQUE AND INVALUABLE PERSPECTIVE , SHE HAS ALSO SERVED AS A STAFF ATTORNEY AND SHE IS A PROUD GRADUATE OF LSU AND TULANE UNIVERSITY, AND A PROUD HOUSTON NATIVE . WITH AN EFFECTIVE START DATE OF JULY 7TH 2025 AND A MOTION TO CORRECT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION TO COLLABORATE WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT, ALL RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS TO COMPLETE ALL ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS NECESSARY TO ENSURE THE APPOINTMENT.

>> MOTION MADE. SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE.

>> AYE. >> ITEM PASSES.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, ASHLEY. >> AMICIA RAMSEY , THANK YOU, YOU HAD A COUPLE OF NAMES , THEY WERE STRONG, IT IS A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS. NEXT ITEM WILL BE , LET'S GO BACK TO THE

TOP -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ? >> RESOLUTION TIME.

>> WHAT IS OUR NEXT RESOLUTION? 319. THIS IS FOR THE DESIGNATING PRIDE HOUSTON. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WHICH ONE ?

>> 324. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO CELEBRATE THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT 'S LANDMARK DECISION .

WHILE I SHARE MY REMARKS , I AM VERY PROUD TO WELCOME BRAD PRITCHETT , CHAIR OF OUR LGBTQIA PLUS, AND LEADER OF EQUALITY TEXAS, 2025 IS THE TEN-YEAR ANNIVERSARY, I REMEMBER VIVIDLY LEARNING OF THE DECISION AND HAVING TEARS IN MY EYES. THIS IS SOMETHING DEEPLY PERSONAL TO ME BECAUSE SOME OF MY BEST FRIENDS , WHO ARE FAMILY TO ME AND MY WHOLE WORLD, OUR OUR -- ARE A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY AND THE FACT THAT THEY CANNOT MARRY THE LOVE AND TO NOT ADOPT AND BENEFITS UNDER SOCIAL SECURITY, ESTATE PLANNING, ET CETERA, WAS NOT THE SAME AS ME AND MY HUSBAND AND MANY OTHER COUPLES, NOT THE EQUALITY AND JUSTICE I BELIEVE THIS COUNTRY EMBODIES. WE ARE NOW CELEBRATING THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY, THIS DECISION EXTENDED CRITICAL LEGAL RIGHTS SUCH AS HOSPITAL VISITATION, MEDICAL DECISION-MAKING , ADOPTION, SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS TO NEARLY 750,000 SAME-SEX COUPLES ACROSS THE COUNTRY . THIS VICTORY WAS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE COURAGE OF INDIVIDUALS LIKE JIM, WHO WAS IN HOUSTON RECENTLY AND SPOKE AT OUR CHAMBER LUNCHEON. AND HIS HUSBAND, JOHN ARTHUR, AFTER HIS DIAGNOSIS WITH ALS, TRAVELED TO MARYLAND TO MARY IN 2013. THIS IS SO IMPORTANT ESPECIALLY NOW WITH SO MANY STATES ARE TRYING TO ROLL BACK THE RIGHTS AND THE

[04:30:02]

FREEDOM AND EQUALITY, THAT EVERYBODY IS INHERENTLY BORN WITH. AND THAT EVERYBODY IN THIS COUNTRY SHOULD HAVE. I AM VERY PROUD THAT , IN HARRIS COUNTY , WE WERE ABLE TO START OUR LBTQIA+ COMMISSION WHICH IS CHAIRED BY A DEAR FRIEND AND AN AMAZING LEADER , AND THIS IS A COMMISSION TO BRING US ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS AND HOW HARRIS COUNTY CAN CONTINUE TO ADVANCE THE QUALITY AND OPPORTUNITY HERE FOR OUR LGBTQIA+ RESIDENTS NOT JUST ABOUT PRIDE MONTH IN JUNE BUT TRIED 365 DAYS A YEAR. I HOPE THAT, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT EVERYTHING IS BIGGER IN TEXAS, AS A PROUD NATIVE TEXAN , I HOPE ONE DAY THAT WILL BE REFERRING TO OUR RIGHTS AND EQUALITY AND THE PROGRESS WE ARE MAKING, NOT MOVING BACK WITH HUNDREDS OF ANTI-TRAN08 BILLS. IT IS NOT THE BEST OF TEXAS OR THE UNITED STATES AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF JUSTICE AND AS WE CELEBRATE THIS TO ANNIVERSARY, I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE DECADES OF MAKING SURE THAT, WHEN WE SAY LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL, AND EQUALITY FOR ALL, WE MEAN IT. WITH THAT, A TREMENDOUS LEADER, BRAD PRITCHETT .

>> THANK YOU FOR STICKING IT OUT TODAY, I AM THE INTERIM CEO OF EQUALITY TEXAS, THE STATE'S LARGEST ADVOCACY ORGANIZATION, 10 YEARS AGO, WHEN THE SUPREME COURT RULED A DECISION , THEY GUARANTEED NATIONWIDE MARRIAGE EQUALITY. THAT IS ALLOWED HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LGBTQ PLUS PEOPLE TO MARRY WHO THEY LOVE AND SINCE THEN OVER HALF 1 MILLION SAME-SEX COUPLES HAVE BEEN MARRIED ACROSS THE COUNTRY , MANY HERE IN TEXAS, WHERE ARE NUMBER OF SAME-SEX HOUSEHOLDS HAS DRASTICALLY INCREASED AS A RESULT OF THE RULING. THAT MEANS THAT MORE FAMILIES ARE RECOGNIZED AND PROTECTED AND CELEBRATED . SOMETHING THAT , HERE IN TEXAS, WE DEEPLY VALUE, ESPECIALLY AS OUR LGBTQ+ COMMUNITIES FACE DISCRIMINATION IN MANY AREAS OF LIFE . THE DECISION IS A POWERFUL REMINDER THAT A SINGLE VOICE , WHEN IT SPEAKS OUT AGAINST INJUSTICE, CAN MAKE A POSITIVE DIFFERENCE FOR COUNTLESS PEOPLE ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY . TODAY, WE ARE CELEBRATING NOT JUST A LEGAL VICTORY AT THE COURAGE OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO MADE IT HAPPEN. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION FORWARD AND URGED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION AND REAFFIRM OUR COMMITMENT THAT HARRIS COUNTY SUPPORTS EQUALITY FOR ALL .

>> I WILL PROBABLY SECOND THE MOTION THAT WE WILL VOTE ON IT LATER WHEN EVERYBODY GETS A CHANCE TO BE HERE.

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE, BRAD, AND WHAT YOU DO TO ADVANCE JUSTICE AND EQUALITY IN TEXAS AND I WANT TO TAKE AUSTEN WHO HELPS LEAVE MY PRECINCT 4 COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM WHO ALSO SERVES AS OUR PRESIDENT OF OUR LGBTQ+ POLITICAL CAUCUS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVOCACY AND LEADERSHIP . HARRIS COUNTY , WE ARE ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY AND THE RIGHT SIDE OF JUSTICE AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING SOON. THANK YOU.

>> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> I HAVE ONE MORE, 325 WE ARE GOING TO CELEBRATE TAMMY MEADOWS FOR HER MORE THAN 40 YEARS OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR TIME , AND YOUR TALENTS WITH HARRIS COUNTY. I LOVE THAT RETIRED -- THANK YOU FOR HELPING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EXERCISE THEIR RIGHTS AND ENSURE THAT EVERYONE WHO WAS ABLE TO PARTICIPATE HERE IN THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS AND ELECTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY . I HAVE HEARD JUST HOW INCREDIBLY KIND YOU ARE , HOW YOU REPRESENT THE BEST OF WHAT THIS COUNTY STRIVES TO BE. THANK YOU. TO ALL OF HER FAMILY MEMBERS, CAN YOU PLEASE RAISE YOUR HAND, ALL OF HER FAMILY AND FRIENDS CELEBRATING HER. ALL OF HER COLLEAGUES , THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND SHARING TAMMY WITH HARRIS COUNTY, WE HAVE OUR VOTER REGISTRAR HERE AND OUR ONE AND ONLY TAMMY MEADOWS , CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER , FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO REALIZE MISS MEADOWS. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE HER, I CAME IN TO THE TAX OFFICE AND IT WAS A WARM WELCOME. I ALWAYS SAY THAT, IT IS A FAMILY IN THIS OFFICE . BUT WE ACTUALLY SPEND MORE TIME WITH THE FOLKS WE WORK WITH THAN WE DO WITH OUR OWN FAMILY SOMETIMES

[04:35:02]

AND I WANT TO RECOGNIZE TAMMY FOR HER FOUR DECADES OF EXEMPLARY SERVICE, SHE HAS SERVED THROUGH SEVEN TACK SUCCESSOR ADMINISTRATIONS BACK TO CARL SMITH AND ONE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR . AND CONSISTENTLY , HER COLLEAGUES HAVE RECOGNIZED HER DEDICATION, HER WONDERFUL CUSTOMER SERVICE, HER KINDNESS, AND ALWAYS WITH A SMILE ON HER FACE. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT , THE WORK SHE DID AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SHE WAS INVOLVED IN AND MAKING SURE THAT WE GOT ALL OUR FOLKS REGISTERED TO VOTE.

SHE WAS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THAT . I WANT TO THANK HER FOR ALL HER YEARS OF SERVICE. AND CONGRATULATIONS. PLEASE COME ENJOY YOUR RETIREMENT. YOU WILL BE MISSED.

>> WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU. >> THANK YOU. I ENJOY WHAT I DO AND THAT IS WHY I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SO LONG. SERVING THE VOTERS

OF HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU!

>> HELLO, THANK YOU FOR LETTING US CELEBRATE TAMMY. I FIRST MET HER IN 2014 WHEN I WAS A BABY ORGANIZER, REGISTERING VOTERS IN THE EAST SIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND SHE HAS BEEN AT THIS WINDOW CONSTANTLY WITH A SMILE AND HELPFUL FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO.

WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO GET REGISTERED TO VOTE. IT IS HARD TO PULL THESE NUMBERS BUT I WAS ABLE TO GO BACK ONLY TO 2012 .

OVER 20,000 PEOPLE HAVE REGISTERED AT THAT WINDOW WITH A MAJORITY WITH MS. TAMMY AND OTHER MEMBERS HERE AS WELL, NOT JUST ELEVATING HER AND THE WORK SHE HAS DONE BUT ALL OF THE HARD WORK , CIVIL SERVANTS WE HAVE WORKING IN THE VOTER REGISTRATION DEPARTMENT THAT MAKE DEMOCRACY HAPPEN. THANK

Y'ALL. >> THANK YOU.

>> CONGRATULATIONS, MS. MEADOWS.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THE JUDGE HAS A COUPLE RESOLUTIONS, CAN WE HOLD THEM?

>> SURE. >> STOP AND TAKE PICTURES OR

WRAP UP THE AGENDA ? >> IF YOU DON'T MIND SO THEY

CAN GO HOME. >> WE DO NOT HAVE TO RECESS?

>> NO. >> COME ON BACK DOWN, WE WILL TAKE PICTURES WITH YOU ALL.

[04:58:10]

>> OKAY , IT IS 5:04 AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN

[04:58:15]

SESSION. I WILL READ THESE TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT I DID NOT READ.

[04:58:22]

I DO NOT KNOW IF YOU KNOW, I WAS AT MY WEEKLY GROUP THERAPY

[04:58:26]

SESSION WHICH WAS SCHEDULED BEFORE COMMISSIONERS COURT WAS MOVED TO THURSDAYS. THE FIRST ONE IS ITEM 319, WHEREAS PRIDE HOUSTON 365 UNITED HARRIS COUNTY CELEBRATING THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY AND SERVES AS A BEACON OF HOPE , RESILIENCE IMPLORING US TO CHOOSE AUTHENTICITY AND CELEBRATE CONFIDENCE . PRIDE HOUSTON 365 POSTS MULTIPLE OF A YEAR-ROUND TO CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT OF CONTINUOUS CELEBRATION, INCLUDING ROCK THE RUNWAY , QUEENSRYCHE, OTHERS TO SUPPORT THIS IMPORTANT VOLUNTEER RUN ORGANIZATION. IT IS THE THIRD-LARGEST PRIVATE EVENT AND THE U.S. AND ONE OF THE LARGEST IN THE WORLD. THANKS TO THE TIRELESS EFFORTS PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE TO STRENGTHEN LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS AND HEALTHCARE MARRIAGE EQUAL PROTECTION UNDER THE LAW, BUT AS THE RISE OF LEGISLATION -- IT IS FAR FROM OVER, IT IS CRITICAL TO STAND IN SOLIDARITY WITH THE IMMUNITY TO -- INAUDIBLE ] HIGHLIGHTS THE TREMENDOUS CONTRIBUTIONS THEY HAVE MADE AS BUSINESS OWNERS AND NEIGHBORS CREATE SPACES FOR JOY IN THE MIDST OF THE CONTINUED FIGHT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS. THE 47TH ANNUAL HOUSTON PRIDE PARADE IS ON JUNE 28TH 2025 ON THE 56TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STONEWALL RIOTS , SERVING AS A REMINDER OF THE COURAGE AND RESILIENCE AND STRENGTH OF THE LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES JUNE 28TH, 2025 AS PRIDE HOUSTON 365 DAY.

[05:00:10]

ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? >> TWO.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON , COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, I SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF PRIDE HOUSTON , AS WE GATHER IN HARRIS COUNTY , ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTY IN THE NATION, IT IS VITAL WE CONTINUE TO UPLIFT THE VOICES, THE STORIES AND THE RESILIENCE OF OUR LGBTQIA+ COMMUNITY . PRIDE IS MORE THAN A CELEBRATION BUT A STATEMENT THAT WE BELONG , A STATEMENT THAT WE MATTER AND OUR CONTRIBUTION HAVE HELPED SHAPE THE CULTURE AND THE ECONOMIC FABRIC OF THIS VERY GREAT CITY . HOUSTON WAS THE FIRST CITY IN TEXAS TO CELEBRATE PRIDE WITH A PARADE, NOT JUST A MARCH, BUT A CELEBRATION OF LIFE, JOY, LOVE, VISIBILITY AS WE FACE A TIME WHEN LGBTQIA+ RIGHTS ARE BEING CHALLENGED, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE STAND IN UNITY AND CELEBRATE THE FREEDOM TO LIVE LOUD AND PROUD AND TO LOVE AUTHENTICALLY. THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOGNITION OF PRIDE DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY WHICH IS A MESSAGE OF HOPE AND INCLUSION AND PROGRESS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU .

AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR, I AM A CELEBRATION DIRECTOR FOR THE PRIDE HOUSTON FESTIVAL AND PARADE, I WANT TO EXPRESS OUR DEEP GRATITUDE FOR THIS RECOGNITION AND FOR DESIGNATING JUNE 28 AS THE PRIDE HOUSTON 365 DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY , THIS IS NOT JUST A CELEBRATION BUT A REFLECTION OF THE COMMUNITY'S RESILIENCE, DIVERSITY , AND CONTINUED FIGHT FOR EQUALITY, PRIDE IS MORE THAN A PARADE AND IT IS A MOVEMENT THAT ALTERS THE PAST AND CELEBRATES THE PRESENT AND CREATES A MORE INCLUSIVE FUTURE FOR US ALL. WITH THIS PROCLAMATION, HARRIS COUNTY AFFIRMS THAT EVERY LGBTQ+ PERSON BELONGS , IS VALUED, AND IS SEEN AND WE THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US AND FOR SUPPORTING OUR MISSION TO UPLIFT VOICES, PROTECT RIGHTS, AND FOSTER PRIDE 365 DAYS PER YEAR. THANK YOU.

APPLAUSE ] >> THANK YOU. I WILL READ THE RESOLUTION , THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER ESTABLISHED IN 1991 IN HOUSTON, HAS SERVED AS A BEACON OF PROTECTION, HEALING, AND PREVENTION -- ARE YOU OKAY, SOMEBODY? WATER? YOU ARE GOOD. A BEACON OF PROTECTION, HEALING, PREVENTION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES AFFECTED BY CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE RECOGNITION FOR A NEED FOR THE DEDICATED FACILITIES TO ADDRESS CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE IN HARRIS COUNTY, A UNIQUE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WAS FORMALIZED IN 1995 BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER FOUNDATION. UNDER THIS MODEL, BEST FOUNDATION MANAGES PRIVATE PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT ALLOWING THEM TO DELIVER HIGH QUALITY SERVICES. THEY HAVE BEEN GUIDED BY DEDICATED VISION INCLUDING FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO SERVED FOR 20 YEARS AND HAS WON NUMEROUS AWARDS FOR OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY ADVOCACY. THE CURRENT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO CONTINUES TO UPHOLD THE ORGANIZATION'S MISSION WITH UNWAVERING COMMITMENT AND WAS RECOGNIZED AS AN OUTSTANDING NONPROFIT BUSINESS LEADER OF THE YEAR IN 2024. OVER THE PAST THREE DECADES, THEY HAVE SERVED MORE THAN 175,000 CHILDREN, BECOMING ONE OF THE LARGEST AND MOST COMPREHENSIVE CHILD ADVOCACY TO IN THE NATION AND PIONEERED A CHILD FRIENDLY MODEL THAT BRINGS TOGETHER LAW ENFORCEMENT , CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, PROSECUTOR, AND MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS UNDER ONE ROOF .

THROUGH PREVENTION AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS, THEY HAVE ALSO REACHED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS , PARENTS, PROFESSIONALS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY . EQUIPPING THEM WITH THE TOOLS TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO CHILD ABUSE . WE RESOLVE THE HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES JUNE 26, 2025 AS THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER DATE IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.

YOUR WORK. ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? WOULD YOU LIKE TO

[05:05:02]

SHARE A FEW WORDS ? >> THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING US FOR ALL THESE YEARS, 30 YEARS, WE FORMED IN 1991 TO 1995 WE JOIN FORCES WITH YOU GUYS AND THAT IS WHAT WE CELEBRATE AS OUR BEGINNING . WE COULD NOT HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU. I WILL SPLIT MY TIME WITH KAREN, OUR -- SHE HAS BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION FOR 25 YEARS, SHE WAS TRADITIONALLY OUR DIRECTOR OF TRAINING AND EDUCATION, SHE IS , AS OF MONDAY, RESISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AND WE HAVE CLAUDIA GONZALES, BEEN WITH THE ORGANIZATION 13 YEARS AND OUR DIRECTOR OF FORENSIC SERVICES .

I AM A NEWBIE AT ONLY SEVEN YEARS AND I WILL SHARE MY TIME.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THIS CELEBRATION IS NOT JUST FOR THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER BUT WITH YOU ALL IN HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE YOU HAVE SUPPORTED US EVERY STEP OF THE WAY. AS THE OLDEST EMPLOYEE AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE . IN 1995, WAS A CASEWORKER WITH THE STATE, WE WERE AT 5100 SOUTHWEST FREEWAY AND WE TOOK UP HALF THE SECOND FLOOR . THE ACTIVITY CENTER -PLAY ROOM WAS A CLOSET , THERE WAS ABOUT SEVEN STAFF MEMBERS AND SEVEN PARTNERS . MOVING ON TO TODAY , WE ARE PROUDLY IN 134,000 SQUARE-FOOT BUILDING IN RICE VILLAGE AND CURRENTLY HAVE 120 STAFF MILLING MEMBERS -- MEMBERS UNDER CARRIE MCCRACKEN. WE SERVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WALKING THROUGH OUR DOORS EACH AND EVERY DAY. WE CURRENTLY HAVE 60 PARTNER AGENCIES AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO SERVE HONORABLY THE SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN IN

HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK . MY NAME IS CLAUDIA GONZALES AND I'M THE DIRECTOR. THE WORK WE DO AT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER IS QUITE PROFOUND. THE INTENTIONAL GOAL IS , WHEN CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WALK THROUGH THE DOORS, THEY FEEL SAFE AND RESPECTED , BUT THEY ALSO FEEL SUPPORTED , IN THAT MOMENT OF CRISIS AND UNCERTAINTY, WE STEP IN AND STEP UP TO SUPPORT THEM ALONG THE WAY. THAT INVOLVES STREAMLINING THE PROCESS , INFORMING THEM OF THE LEGAL PROCESS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT THROUGH A TRAUMA INFORMED LENS . THE CHILDREN OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE IT. WE STEP UP EACH AND EVERY DAY TO DO IT WITH SUCH WILLINGNESS AND SUCH HEART.

I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR STANDING WITH US, THEN, NOW, ALWAYS, BECAUSE THE CHILDREN OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE IT, WE ARE NOT JUST HERE TO HELP THEM SURVIVE BUT TO HELP THEM THRIVE.

THANK YOU. >> IF I CAN WRAP THIS UP, YOU SEE HOW LUCKY I AM TO HAVE WONDERFUL PEOPLE AT THE CHILDREN'S CENTER THAT THE WORK IS NOT DONE, WE ARE 30 YEARS IN BUT WE HAVE BIG PLANS AND I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW, FOR THE FUTURE, WE HAVE DUG INTO PREVENTION TRAINING . ONE THING I AM VERY PROUD OF , THANK YOU FOR YOUR ARPA MONEY, WE DOUBLED OUR TRAINING DEPARTMENT, WE BELIEVE PREVENTION IS THE KEY IN PUTTING OURSELVES OUT OF BUSINESS . IN THE FUTURE, EXPECT TO SEE MORE TRAINING EFFORTS OUT OF US . IN THE FUTURE, WE WANT TO ADDRESS EVERY CHILD IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT IS SEXUALLY ABUSED THAT NEEDS OUR SERVICES, NOT ONLY BECAUSE WHERE THE EXPERTS IN THE FIELD BUT THE SERVICES ARE FREE AND THEY RICHLY DESERVE IT, IF THEY DO NOT COME TO US, THEY MAY NOT GET THE SERVICES AT ALL . WE KNOW THAT, HAVING ONLY ONE LOCATION, IS A BARRIER FOR SOME OF OUR CHILDREN LIVING IN RURAL AREAS OR REMOTE AREAS OF HARRIS COUNTY. IN THE VERY NEAR FUTURE, YOU WILL HEAR US COMING TO YOU AND TALKING ABOUT OUR FUTURE TO REACH THE CHILDREN IN THOSE AREAS, RIGHT NOW, WE PROVIDE UBER, BUT IT IS A HARDSHIP FOR A PARENT TO TAKE OFF WORK TO COME DOWN TO OUR AREA AND WE WANT TO MEET THOSE FAMILIES WHERE THEY ARE. WE BELIEVE THAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE CAC, GETTING OUT OF OUR BUILDING AND INTO THE COMMUNITY AND WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED -- WE HOPE YOU AND -- WE HOPE YOU JOIN US IN THAT ENDEAVOR AND THANK YOU FOR THE

SUPPORT OVER 30 YEARS. >> THANK YOU .

>> A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, WE HAVE A FAMILY HERE, I SAID, 39 YEAR CAREER, I SAID, SIR, YOU DON'T LOOK MUCH OLDER THAN 39, DID YOU GET HIRED AT 10, BUT HE WAS HIRED AT 19, I AM NOT TOTALLY OFF HE WILL RETIRE ON JULY 25TH 2025 AT 339

[05:10:05]

YEAR CAREER MARKED BY UNWAVERING DEDICATION, INNOVATION , AND SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY, BEGINNING WITH THE COUNTY WORKING HALF DAYS , UNSCHOOLED TO A CO-OP PROGRAM CREATED BY FORMER HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER TO INTRODUCE HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS TO SKILLED TRADES. AFTER GRADUATING, HE BECAME A FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE HE SERVED IN A WIDE RANGE OF ROLES THROUGHOUT HIS CAREER, AS AN INSTALLER, PITCH TO, FEEL TO, RADIO PROGRAMMING COORDINATOR, RADIO SHOP SUPERVISOR, MANAGER, SR. SYSTEM TECHNOLOGIST, AND ULTIMATELY SOLUTIONS ARCHITECT .

BRINGING A PHENOMENAL WORK ETHIC AND A DEEP COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SAFETY, COMMUNICATIONS . MR. MALDONADO PLAYED A CRITICAL ROLE IN SOME OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSFORMATIONS IN THE COUNTY APOLOGY IS RADIO INFRASTRUCTURE, INCLUDING THE MIGRATION FROM CONVENTIONAL TO COUNTYWIDE TRUCKING FACILITATING MUTUAL AID , BY HELPING TO CONNECT SURROUNDING COUNTIES COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS TO HARRIS COUNTY, LEAVING THE MOVE FROM ANALOG TO DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS . WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS TO COORDINATE REGIONAL RADIO FREQUENCIES AND DEVELOP NEW RADIO FREQUENCIES ADOPTED NATIONWIDE. ENSURING THAT HARRIS COUNTY ALWAYS DEPLOY THE BEST POSSIBLE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE SOLUTIONS IN KEEPING OUR FIRST RESPONDERS CONNECTED WHEN IT MATTERS THE MOST. HIS LEGACY IS ONE OF VISION, MENTORSHIP, AND EXCELLENT AND HIS IMPACT WILL BE FELT FOR GENERATIONS. THE RESULT THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY CELEBRATES AND COMMANDS RAUL MARTIN OTTO IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS AND EXTENDS BEST WISHES FOR AN ENJOYABLE RETIREMENT . THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY.

>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS , THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND I WANT TO SAY THAT IT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS JOY WORKING FOR HARRIS COUNTY FOR , I SAY 40 YEARS, BUT 39 COME IN THE FIRST YEAR IS THROUGH THE PROGRAM OF BEING IN HIGH SCHOOL THROUGH COMMISSIONER LEE, I THINK IT WAS AN EXCELLENT PROGRAM THAT GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE A CAREER WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM ONE OF THOSE STORIES, RIGHT? I WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR LEADERSHIP , FOR ALWAYS ALLOWING US TO PURSUE AND DO THE BEST WE CAN FOR HARRIS COUNTY. BEING ABLE TO MANAGE THE RADIO NETWORK, NOT ONLY ALLOWS LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS TO COMMUNICATE WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY, IT WILL ALSO BRING SOUND IN MORE THAN FOUR COUNTIES ARE TIED INTO THE SAME RADIO NETWORK. PROVIDING THAT COMMUNICATIONS AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, WHEN THEY HIT THAT PUSH TO TALK, THEY CAN MAKE SURE THEY WILL GET THE HELP THEY NEED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE EVERYONE. GOD BLESS .

>> THANK YOU . CONGRATULATIONS.

>> JUDGE, FUN FACTS, HE IS REFERRED LOVINGLY BY OUR RADIO TEAM AS THE GODFATHER.

>> I WANTED TO MENTION THAT . HE IS JOINED BY HIS WIFE, HE AND HIS WIFE ARE PLANNING TO TRAVEL FOR A FEW MONTHS, HE PLANS TO GO TO SEATTLE , CHICAGO, AND MEXICO CITY. COME BACK AND RE-JOIN THE RADIO AND PUBLIC SAFETY INDUSTRY.

>> THANK YOU, DIRECTOR. ROUND OF APPLAUSE, NOT JUST MR. MALDONADO. IT IS 40. THANK YOU TO YOU, THE DEPARTMENT AND YOUR WIFE, YOUR FAMILY , THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR MY SUPPORTING MR. MALDONADO AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY , PARTICULARLY LAW ENFORCEMENT. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

OKAY, THAT SHOULD BE IT FOR RESOLUTIONS. SAID TO I WILL

SECOND. THIS IS YOURS. >> 318 HAS ALREADY BEEN VOTED

ON. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I

SECOND YOURS, AND 319. >> I HAVE A MOTION. ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> OPPOSED? >> NO. I AM IN FAVOR.

[05:15:04]

>> 325, I SECOND . >> 324.

>> 324 AND 325. I SECOND BOTH. >> LET'S VOTE SEPARATELY.

>> 324. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> I AM IN FAVOR, 3-1. 325? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND SECOND . ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY .

>> 320, FOR THE RESOLUTION . >> WE VOTED ON IT ?

>> VOTE AGAIN . >> MOTION THE RESOLUTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR ?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY .

>> 5:22, FORMALLY RECORD MY POST ON ALL THE ITEMS CONSIDERED DURING 4F3, UIMY ABSENCE, PURSUANT TO LOCAL RULE MOVE FOR THE COURT TO RECORD MY VOTES TO APPROVE THE FOLLOWING ITEMS, PAGE 38, 140, PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS, PAGE 10, 87, UPDATE TO THE COUNTY BROADBAND, ROADMAP, PAGE 229, -- PAGE 30, 229, HOME TITLE FRAUD, PAGE 39, 321 ON SCHOLARSHIPS, THE RECIPIENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SCHOLARSHIPS COME AND PAGE 36, 296, WHICH IS ON THE JUDICIAL SEAT IN HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL COURT OF LAW, 12. THAT WAS MY MOTION . SECONDED BY

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. VOTING YES. >> ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

WE DID HAVE AN OUT OF ORDER SECTION ON 299. IS THAT STILL SOMETHING YOU WANT TO DO OR SHOULD WE GO BACK AND KEEP

WORKING ON THE AGENDA? >> WE DISCUSSED THAT .

>> CAN WE DO 239? REAL SIMPLE. SUBMIT LET'S DO 239. --

>> PAST ELECTION -- EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS.

>> I WANT TO COMMENT , I HAVE HAD SOME REALLY GOOD MEETINGS WITH COUNTY ENGINEERS , SAM IN PARTICULAR, THEY ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS, WORKING WITH EACH ONE OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS IN TERMS OF DEBRIS ZONES, DEBRIS DISASTER PLANS, AND THEY ARE WORKING ON THE FINAL DETAILS . I AM JUST HERE GIVING NOTICE THAT , ON JULY 10TH, I THINK THE ENGINEERING WILL DELIVER MORE THE DETAIL IN TERMS OF WHAT IS INVOLVED. AS WE PREPARE FOR THIS TIME LAST YEAR, WE JUST WENT THROUGH THREE DISASTERS AND THERE WERE A FEW LESSONS LEARNED . THIS PLAN WILL REFLECT THAT AND I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO IT. THIS IS MORE OF A HEADS UP THAT WE WILL HAVE A GOOD DETAILED PLAN COMING FORTH ON JULY 10TH .

>> THANK YOU, SO MUCH , COMMISSIONER. WE DO NOT HAVE TO COLLABORATE ON IT LIMITING THAT, BUT IF WE DO, OUR TEAMS DOING VERY WELL. IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ONE ?

>> NO. >> THAT WAS 239 , WE WILL GO FOR NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. SO, HAVE WE HAD THE PRESENTATION ON THE JAIL POPULATION ? WHY DON'T WE GO WITH THAT.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON MANAGING DIRECTOR WITH OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, TIFFANY , DO YOU HAVE THE SLIDES

>> I AM PULLING IT UP. >> THE FIRST FEW SLIDES ARE UPDATES TO DATA WE REGULARLY REPORT . IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, UNLESS YOU WANT A DEEP DIVE, I WILL HIT THE HIGHLIGHTS AND MOVE ON TO THE NEW DATA IN THE REPORT.

[05:20:04]

>> JUST GO AHEAD . >> NEXT SLIDE TIFFANY. AS OF JUNE 1ST, THE JAIL POPULATION WAS 8807, 1098 DECREASED FROM THE FISCAL YEAR HIGH OF 9905 ON FEBRUARY 2ND OF 2025. WE HAVE MAINTAINED A POPULATION WELL BELOW 9000 FOR SEVERAL WEEKS AND OF JUNE 1ST, -- BACK ONE, PLEASE, AS OF JUNE 1ST, THERE WERE 192 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY WITH STAYS EXCEEDING 1000 DAYS . IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE, OF THOSE 192, THERE WERE 39 PEOPLE THAT WERE ADJUDICATED BUT WAITING TRANSFER TO ANOTHER FACILITY.

ADDITIONALLY, THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CUSTODY OVER 1008 IS DOWN 49 PEOPLE FROM THE MARCH 2025 REPORT AT 241. NEXT SLIDE.

WE ARE LOOKING AT THE ADP OVERTIME, THE ORANGE LINE REPRESENTING 2025, GREEN IS 2024 AND YOU CAN SEE THE DECLINE IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 BEGINNING IN JANUARY AND CONTINUING TO THE REPORT TO DATE. THROUGH JUNE 4TH, THE AVERAGE MONTHLY DAILY POPULATION WAS 8840, DOWN 227 FROM APRIL AND THERE IS A TYPO THAT STATES APRIL 2024 BUT IT IS APRIL OF 2025. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, THE CHART ON THE TOP PART IS IDENTIFYING MONTHLY BOOKINGS, IN FISCAL YEAR 2025 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2024, YOU WILL NOTICE WE HAVE A STEADY INCREASE FROM FEBRUARY THROUGH MAY OF BOOKINGS EACH MONTH . SURPASSING 2024 LEVELS BEGINNING IN APRIL. WITH THE BOOKINGS . THE GOOD NEWS IS, THE RELEASES , THE BOTTOM RIGHT, HAVE STEADILY INCREASED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR .

I HAVE SAID AND ALMOST ALL THE UPDATES THAT I HAVE DONE, IN ORDER FOR US TO HAVE A SUSTAINED AND MEANINGFUL REDUCTION IN THE JAIL POPULATION, OUR RELEASES HAVE TO OUTPACE OUR BOOKINGS AND WE HAVE BEEN DOING THAT EVERY MONTH SINCE FEBRUARY. OUR RELEASES ARE OUTPACING OUR BOOKINGS HAVE A GREAT INDICATOR WE'RE MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE.

THIS SLIDE LOOK SPECIFICALLY AT THE BOOKINGS BY THE TOP THREE CATEGORIES FOR FELONIES, BOTH FELONIES AND MISDEMEANORS COME IN THE FAMILY GROUP, OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS , AGAINST PROPERTY AND DRUGS, REPRESENT -- REPRESENTED 3141 BOOKINGS IN MAY, DOWN 144 FROM 3285 IN APRIL OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS CONTINUE TO BE THE TOP FELONY CHARGE, WHICH WILL BE CLOSELY MONITORED, THIS GROUP TENDS TO HAVE A HIGHER LENGTH OF STAY.

FELONY PERSONS CHARGES REPRESENT 77% OF THE BACKLOG AS OF JUNE OF 2025. THE BOTTOM PART OF THE SLIDES ARE MISDEMEANOR BOOKINGS . IN MAY, DWI WAS THE HIGHEST INCREASE OF THESE GROUPS AT A 5.8% INCREASE FROM APRIL. WE WANT TO KEEP -- LAST PRESENTATION, WE NOTED THAT MISDEMEANOR BOOKINGS WERE STARTING TO INCREASE AND WE WERE GOING TO KEEP A CLOSE WATCH ON THOSE AND THE NEXT REPORT WILL HAVE A GOOD DRILL DOWN ABOUT THAT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. OF NOTE, NOT MOVING AS FAST AS I PROMISED, OF NOTE ON THIS PAGE, THIS IS THE IN CUSTODY POPULATION, HERE , WE SEE, ON THE TOP RIGHT, THE ORANGE TABLE OFFENSES AGAINST PERSONS IN CUSTODY HAD A DECREASE OF 125 BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY. IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN CUSTODY AND THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY WENT DOWN BY EIGHT DAYS , ALL OF THE FELONY TOP THREE CHARGE CATEGORIES IN CUSTODY HAD A DECREASE BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. WE INTRODUCED THIS SLIDE THE FIRST TIME IN MARCH , A MARCH REPORT, THE FELONY GEL CASE BACKLOG BY COURT. BACKLOG, A CASE IS CONSIDERED BACKLOG IF IT IS OVER 365 DAYS . AS OF THE TIME OF THIS REPORT, THERE WERE 192 PEOPLE IN CUSTODY OVER 1000 DAYS, A 7% DECREASE FROM APRIL OF 2025 . SIMILARLY, THE AVERAGE

[05:25:02]

LENGTH OF STAY FOR THIS GROUP HAS DROPPED BY 18 DAYS. THIS IS A GREAT INDICATOR THAT THE HIGHEST STATE CATEGORIES ARE STARTING TO MOVE. OVERALL, THE BACKLOG DECREASED 73 BETWEEN APRIL AND MAY, AS OF JUNE 19TH, THERE ARE 1033 CASES CONSIDERED BACKLOG. THIS IS DOWN 366 FROM THE JUNE 2024 REPORT OF 1399.

THIS IS NOT TO SAY WE HAVE ONLY MOVED 366 BACKLOG CASES . AS YOU WILL SEE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF SLIDES, CASES ARE MOVING INTO THE BACKLOG AS ORIGINAL BACKLOG CASES ARE ROLLING OUT. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, THIS LIGHT LOOK TO THE TIME BAND OF IN CUSTODY POPULATION BY COURT , EVERYONE IN CUSTODY BY COURT WITH SPECIFIC TIME BANDS . THE GREEN REPRESENTS ZERO TO 90 DAYS, ORANGE IS 90 TO 180 COMMENTS SO ONE AS OF JUNE 19TH, THERE HAVE BEEN 1586 CASES OR 668 PEOPLE DISPOSED OF THAT WERE CONSIDERED BACKLOG CASES AT THE TIME OF DISPOSITION IN THIS CALENDAR YEAR ALONE. BECAUSE INPUTS HAVE BEEN PRETTY STEADY, WE WILL SEE THAT IN GREATER DETAIL IN THE NEXT FEW SLIDES, CASES CONTINUE TO ROLL INTO BACKLOG STATUS. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DAS OFFICE AND THE COURTS TO ADDRESS STRATEGIES TO INCREASE CAPACITY WITHIN THE COURTS TO PROCESS ADDITIONAL CASES FROM THOSE MIDDLE TIME BANDS SO THAT GREATER PROGRESS CAN BE MADE IN REDUCING THE OVERALL BACKLOG. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. I WILL NOT SPEND A LOT OF TIME ON THE SLIDE TODAY , BUT THIS SHOWS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY BY COURT BY TIME BAND.

WHICH IS COMPANION DATA TO THE PREVIOUS SLIDE THAT DEMONSTRATED THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. YOU WOULD REFERENCE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN A SPECIFIC CATEGORY AND KNOW THAT THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF STAY FOR THOSE CATEGORIES. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. THIS CHART REPRESENTS FELONY BACKLOG CASES IN GREEN. NEW FELONY FILINGS IN ORANGE . AND TOTALLY FELONY DISPOSITIONS IN BLACK . THE FELONY GEL CASE BACKLOG HAS BEEN REDUCED BY HALF FROM 5255 TO 2619 BETWEEN JUNE OF 2022 AND MAY OF 2025. NEW CASE FILINGS HAVE INCREASED SLIGHTLY , UP ABOUT 276 . FROM JUNE OF 2022 .

HOWEVER, THEY ARE UP 835 FOR 3398 IN MARCH OF 2025 TO 4233 IN MAY. THESE INCREASES IN NEW CASE FILINGS WILL MEAN THAT TOTAL DISPOSITIONS MUST CONTINUE THE RECENT UPWARD TREND , IF WE ARE GOING TO GET TO SEE MEANINGFUL REDUCTIONS IN THE ADP. TOTAL FELONY DISPOSITIONS, ALONG WITH THE BACKLOG DISPOSITIONS, HAVE SEEN A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE SINCE LATE 2024, AND THAT IS THE BIG JUMP UP AROUND DECEMBER , JANUARY OF 2025. WHILE THIS HAS HAD A POSITIVE IMPACT ON REDUCING THE OVERALL GENERAL POPULATION, IT HAS RESULTED IN AN INCREASE OF ENGINE AND DEFENSE COSTS, ROUGHLY 85% OF THESE CASES ARE PRIVATE ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS. WHILE THE PDO IS RAMPING UP AND WILL TAKE A GREATER SHARE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE APPOINTMENTS, I ANTICIPATE THAT INDIGENT DEFENSE EXPENDITURES WILL REMAIN ABOUT 24 , 2025 LEVELS AS WE ELIMINATE THE FELONY CASE BACKLOG .

PARTICULARLY IF NEW CASE FILINGS CONTINUE TO RISE A LITTLE BIT.

OR STAY STEADY . NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE .

>> AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT IS REALLY HOT? IS IT POSSIBLE TO TURN THE COLD UP? CAN YOU TALK TO SOMEONE ? WE ARE LISTENING .

>> ACTIVE CASES PENDING, BOND AND GEL CASES, FOR THE LAST THREE YEARS . JAIL FELONY ACTIVE CASES PENDING HAVE DECREASED 33% FROM 16,126 IN JUNE OF 2022 TO 10,721 THROUGH MAY OF THIS YEAR.

FELONY ACTIVE BOND CASES HAVE DECREASED BY 50% FROM JUST ABOUT 30,000 TO 14,947 DURING THE SAME TIMEFRAME WITH INDIGENT DEFENSE CASES BEING REPRESENTED MOSTLY BY PRIVATE APPOINTMENT ATTORNEYS, REDUCTIONS IN THE ACTIVE CASES PENDING ARE ACHIEVED THROUGH DISPOSITION OF ACTIVE CASES, WHETHER BOND OR JAIL, REGARDLESS OF THE FINAL DISPOSITION REDUCTIONS IN THESE CASES HAVE AN IMPACT ON INDIGENT DEFENSE SPENDING.

>> MOTION TO EXTEND? >> SECONDED.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> MOTION CARRIES. >> WE WILL WRAP IT UP, I PROMISE

[05:30:09]

. 1098% DECREASE IN GENERAL POPULATION FROM FISCAL YEAR HIGH OF 9905 HAS BEEN THE PRODUCT OF TREMENDOUS COLLABORATION BETWEEN THE JUSTICE STAKEHOLDERS . ALL INDICATORS ARE THAT THE SYSTEM IS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, MEANINGFUL PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE IN REDUCING THE GENERAL POPULATION , PARTICULARLY DISPOSITIONS OF FELONY CASES WHICH ARE CURRENTLY DRIVERS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. UNTIL SUCH TIME AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS ABLE TO TAKE A HIGH PERCENTAGE OF CASES, JAIL POPULATION REDUCTIONS IN CASE DISPOSITIONS WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON MORE HEAVILY ON PRIVATE APPOINTMENT -- ENTERED THE APARTMENT AND CONTINUE COLLABORATION AND PRIORITIZATION OF GEL CASES, AND A TARGETED APPROACH TO REDUCING THE TIME TO DISPOSITION WILL BE ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL FOR CONTINUED AND SUSTAINED JAIL POPULATION REDUCTIONS. WE DO WANT TO BE KEEPING AN EYE ON MISDEMEANORS SO THAT THEY ARE NOT CREEPING UP. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE . COMMISSIONER BRIONES ASKED WE GIVE AN UPDATE ON SOME OF THE PROGRESS ON PUBLIC DEFENDER -- INDIGENT DEFENSE, AS WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER , THE NEWLY APPOINTED CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER WILL START ON JULY 7TH . SHE WILL HAVE AN IMPACT ON LOWERING PRIVATE APPOINTMENT ATTORNEY COSTS OVER TIME . BECAUSE IT WILL TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO HIRE AND TRAIN REDUCTIONS IN PRIVATE APPOINTMENT ATTORNEY COSTS WILL NOT BE REALIZED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE OFFICE WILL NEED TO HAVE SOME FUNDING AND STAFFING AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO RAMP UP SO THEY CAN GROW IN AN APPROPRIATE MEASURE. THERE HAVE BEEN SIGNIFICANT DISPOSITIONS IN JAIL AND BOND CASES, INPUTS HAVE REMAINED STEADY IN BOTH FELONY AND MISDEMEANOR CASES . THE INCREASE DISPOSITIONS HAVE CONTINUED -- CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST OF INDIGENT DEFENSE BUT IT IS ALSO AIDED IN THE REDUCTION OF JAIL POPULATION. THESE DISPOSITIONS ARE SORT OF FIGHTING US BOTH WAYS. THE STEADY FLOW OF INTAKES WITHOUT SUBSTANTIALLY HIGHER CAPACITY WITHIN THE PDO HAS BEEN CONTINUED RELIANCE ON PRIVATE ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS . THERE ARE A FEW STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THAT WE THINK WE COULD CONSIDER MONTHLY OR QUARTERLY BILLING FOR PRIVATE APPOINTMENT ATTORNEYS, WHILE OVERALL THE COST WOULD BE THE SAME, STRUCTURED BILLING MAKES INVOICE REVIEW EASIER AND WOULD AID IN BETTER COST PROTECTIONS . CONSIDER WORKGROUP TO LOOK MORE CLOSELY AT THE VARIABLES IMPACTING INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS TO BETTER PREDICT FUTURE COST BASED ON TRENDS IN BOTH CASE FILINGS AND CASE MANAGEMENT. CONSIDER AN ANNUAL AUDIT OF A SAMPLE OF INVOICES FROM ACROSS ALL COURTS AND CASE

TYPES. THAT IS THE END. >> OKAY, THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER ELLIS , BRIONES, RAMSEY , LET'S START WITH ELLIS .

>> YOU DID A GREAT JOB AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU'RE DOING AND COMMEND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, LEADERSHIP IN THAT OFFICE CAN PROVIDE, AND THE DISTRICT JUDGES AS WELL, THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING WE CAN DO IS JUST TO KEEP PUTTING MORE MONEY INTO THE JAIL, THAT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE PLACE TO HAVE TO WAREHOUSE SOMEBODY. IF A CASE IS GOING TO GET DISMISSED, THE SOONER WE DO IT , THE BETTER OFF WE ARE. IF SOMEBODY HAS A MENTAL HEALTH PROBLEM, THE SOONER WE FIGURE OUT HOW TO ADDRESS THAT, THE BETTER OFF WE ARE. I HOPE WE CAN MAKE BETTER PROGRESS IN INCREASING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND THE COMMITMENT THIS COURT HAS MADE MANY TIMES, OBVIOUSLY INHERENT IN THE SYSTEM IS A LEVEL OF INDEPENDENCE AWAY FROM WHAT WE CAN DO. WITH THE POWER OF THE PURSE STRINGS, ABSENT STATE LAW BEING CHANGED . I WOULD ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO CONSIDER DOING THAT . PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE GETS BETTER RESULTS AND IT IS LESS EXPENSIVE . I WOULD NOT WANT TO END UP IN A POSITION WHERE OFFICES IN THE COUNTRY -- THEY DO NOT INVEST ENOUGH AND THE JUDGES DO NOT HAVE THAT ABILITY TO DO OUTSIDE COUNSEL , SO YOU UNDERFUND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND RUN INTO THE SAME CYCLE. BUT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS BUT WE STILL HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO . THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY .

>> THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION AND THE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS YOU ARE OVERSEEING , THE DATA IS INCREDIBLY HELPFUL AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS WHICH I VALUE TREMENDOUSLY. AT ONE OF OUR LAST MEETINGS, YOU HAD MENTIONED THAT WE WOULD BE STARTING AFTERNOON DOCKETS IN CERTAIN COURTS. WHAT

[05:35:02]

IS THE STATUS, WHEN WILL THEY BEGIN AND HOW OFTEN PER WEEK, AND HOW MANY JUDGES ARE IN THIS PILOT?

>> SIX JUDGES IN THE PILOT COHORT THAT ARE ALSO PARTICIPATING IN SOME CASE MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENTS, THERE ARE RESETS AND SOME OTHER THINGS THEY'RE WORKING ON. THOSE JUDGES WOULD BE IDEALLY THE ONES TO FEED THE AFTERNOON JAIL DOCKETS. WE WANTED TO BE CERTAIN THAT CASES THAT WERE BEING PASSED TO THE AFTERNOON JAIL DOCKETS WERE LIKELY TO BE DISCHARGED. OR WHAT HAVE A PRODUCTIVE DOCKET AND NOT JUST BE ANOTHER SETTING AND RESET. WE ARE WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO FIND SPECIFIC CASES ON THOSE JUDGES DOCKETS THAT WOULD HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF HAVING A PRODUCTIVE AFTERNOON JAIL DOCKET. WE WILL HAVE TO STAFF THOSE WITH OVERTIME FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE. ONCE THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS THE FIRST TRANCHE OF CASES, WE WILL MOVE THOSE CASES, THEY WILL GO BACK AND LOOK FOR SOME MORE . WE CAN REPEAT THE PROCESS OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN BUT WE ARE VERY SPECIFICALLY TARGETING CASES THAT HAVE A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF HAVING A

PRODUCTIVE DOCKET. >> WONDERFUL . I COULD NOT AGREE MORE, I HAVE BEEN ENERGIZED BY THE PROJECT -- PROCESS, I KNOW TRIALS WERE UP APPROXIMATELY 30%, WHAT IS THE CURRENT NUMBER?

>> I WILL HAVE TO GET THAT . >> WITH RECENT LEGISLATIVE CHANGES, HOW MAY THAT IMPACT THE DATA YOU WERE JUST DISCUSSING?

>> WE ARE GOING TO WANT TO WATCH VERY CLOSELY HOW SB9 IT IMPACTS THE GENERAL POPULATION, IT HAS THE POTENTIAL TO SEE THE POPULATION COME UP SOME, THAT'S WHY WE WERE HOPEFUL THE AFTERNOON DOCKETS WOULD MOVE THIS SUMMER AND WE CAN HAVE A DIP. I ANTICIPATE AS BUBBLING UP A LITTLE BIT . SPENT THE AFTERNOON DOCKETS WILL BEGIN WHEN?

>> WE ARE HOPING MID-JULY. ONE OF THE INDICATORS I DID NOT SHARE, THIS SPEAKS TO THE TRIAL QUESTION, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FOLKS ON THE -- WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED AND AWAITING TRANSFER TO THE STATE. THOSE NUMBERS HAVE CONSISTENTLY BEEN AROUND 800, WHEN WE TALK LAST YEAR THEY WERE BETWEEN 400 AND 600 AND WE SAW A WEEK WHERE THEY WERE AT 900 AND THAT IS A GOOD SIGN THAT CASES ARE MOVING, NONE OVER THE 45 DAYS, ALSO VERY POSITIVE BUT THOSE CASES ARE MOVING AND BEING MOVED THROUGH

TRIALS. >> EXCELLENT . THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> DIRECTOR, GOOD JOB, NICE TO SEE THE DATA AND THE DATA GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION, THANK YOU FOR BEING PROACTIVE. INDIGENT DEFENSE COSTS , AS I UNDERSTAND, THE UNUSUAL WAY OF DEALING WITH THAT IS THAT YOU DO NOT BILL UNTIL THE CASE IS DISPOSED OF. WE ARE GETTING INVOICES ON THINGS THAT HAPPENED FOUR YEARS AGO .

>> YES, SIR. >> HOPEFULLY, YOU CAN ENCOURAGE SOME COMMON SENSE AND LOGIC . AND HOW PEOPLE BILL. IT COULD PROBABLY TAKE A BIG NUMBER TWO PENCIL TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THIS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS AND NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END. MR. REYNOLDS DID NOT PAY ME TO SAY THAT. THAT WOULD BE VERY HELPFUL AS WE TRY TO MANAGE THOSE COSTS .

>> I COULD NOT AGREE MORE. >> YES, WE WANT THAT DONE IN MANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS, IT MAKES IT EASIER FOR THE JUDGES TO REVIEW, ALSO AT THE POINT THEY ARE REVIEWING, THEY ARE COVERING A 30 DAY OR 90 DAY PERIOD, INSTEAD OF FOUR OR FIVE YEAR, HARD TO VALIDATE SOMETHING FOUR OR FIVE YEARS AGO AS OPPOSED WITHIN THE LAST 90 DAYS .

>> DO WE HAVE THE CAPACITY IN THE JAIL, WE CANNOT USE BECAUSE WE DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH DETENTION OFFICERS?

>> YES, SIR. IF THE CHIEF IS ON, HE CAN SPEAK TO THAT, THAT IS

TRUE. >> THERE WOULD BE A CHANCE TO FURTHER REDUCE THE OUTSOURCING BY THE HIRING OF OFFICERS?

>> YES. >> THAT IS A PROPOSAL THE SHERIFF AND MY TEAM IS WORKING ON AND WE SHOULD GET IT SHORTLY, 100%, I FORGOT WHAT THE SAVINGS IS PER DETENTION OFFICER, BUT IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY CHEAPER TO HAVE ONE POST STAFFED 24/7 THAN THE

[05:40:09]

EQUIVALENT NUMBER OF PEOPLE OUTSOURCED . WHEN THAT PROPOSAL IS READY FOR PRIME TIME , WE WILL SHARE IT WITH THE OFFICES

AND GET AN ITEM -- >> LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN FURTHER ENCOURAGE, IF YOU RUN INTO ROADBLOCKS , IF THERE ARE ISSUES, WHETHER BUDGET ISSUES OR OTHER, PLEASE LET US KNOW AND I DO CONCUR WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THE MENTAL HEALTH. THAT MAY BE THE SHORT TERM ANSWER TO A LOT OF PROBLEMS, NOT NECESSARILY FOCUSED ON THE JAIL BUT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES TO PROVIDE RELIEF FOR THE JAIL, THOSE WOULD BE A LOT EASIER TO DEAL WITH. FRANKLY, I THINK ARE MUCH BETTER , A MUCH BETTER SOLUTION . HOW ARE WE ON STATE APPROVALS IN TERMS OF

CERTIFICATIONS FOR THE JAIL? >> CHIEF?

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY , WE ARE GOING THROUGH ON-SITE , UNANNOUNCED INSPECTION CURRENTLY WITH THE JAIL COMMISSION.

>> GOOD LUCK . HOPEFULLY, WE CAN BE -- GET ALL THE BOXES CHECKED.

THANK YOU. >> WE MADE SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS AND THAT COMES WITH SUPPORT FROM THE COURT.

>> THANK YOU, CHIEF. DIRECTOR, I ECHO THE GRATITUDE FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED. CHIEF, TO YOU AS WELL. I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS COME ON THE LENGTH OF STAY PIECE , IS IT POSSIBLE FOR YOU TO ADD SOME GOALS, I SEE THE TRENDS, MAYBE THE STANDARD WITH A JAIL OUR

SIZE? >> SO, ALONG WITH THE LENGTH OF STAY WE HAVE, WHAT TYPES OF LINKS?

>> WHERE SHOULD IT BE ? >> WE CAN DO THAT .

>> IF WE COULD PUT THAT TO THE CHARGE WHERE POSSIBLE, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. ON THE OUTSOURCING , WE EITHER REDUCE THE POPULATION AND/OR INCREASE THE DETENTION OFFICERS , GIVEN WHERE WE ARE NOW. HOW MUCH MORE DO WE HAVE TO REDUCE THE POPULATION BY WITH A NUMBER OF DETENTION OFFICERS WE CURRENTLY

HAVE? >> THAT IS A CHIEF QUESTION . HE AND HIS STAFF AND I , MOSTLY HE AND HIS STAFF , WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TOGETHER AND BRING A WORKSHOP TO YOUR STAFF IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS WHERE WE CAN WALK THROUGH POST ANALYSIS AND WHAT IT WOULD TAKE , HOW MUCH WE NEED TO BRING DOWN THE POPULATION AND AT WHAT POINT WE NEEDED TO START ADDING STAFF SO WE CAN SEE SPECIFICALLY WHERE WE THINK WE CAN REASONABLY BRING THE POPULATION DOWN AND AT WHAT POINT WE HAVE TO START ADDING OR OPENING NEW POSTS. ANY NEW POSTS WE OPEN WILL REQUIRE ADDITIONAL STAFF. ARE YOU STILL ON, CHIEF?

>> YES . I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT. WE HAVE BEEN PUTTING THOSE NUMBER -- NUMBERS TOGETHER, ON THE SHORT END, 20 OR SO DIFFERENT VARIABLES AND WE ARE TRYING TO STREAMLINE IT DOWN SO WE CAN COME TO THE EASIEST CONCEPTION AND SAY THE POPULATION OF THIS REQUIRES THIS MANY OFFICERS OR THIS MANY POSTS, IT WOULD BE CLEAR AND CONCISE.

>> WITH THE CURRENT NUMBER OF OFFICERS , DO YOU HAVE A SENSE OF WHAT THE POPULATION WOULD NEED TO BE FOR US NOT TO HAVE TO

OUTSOURCE? >> WITH THE CURRENT NUMBER OF OFFICERS, WE WOULD NEED TO BE DOWN AROUND 8000 .

>> NOT LIKE AT 2000 OR 5000. SPIRIT WE OUTSOURCED 105 32

INMATES -- 1532 INMATES . >> MY EXPECTATION IS THAT --

YES? >> THEY HAVE BEEN VERY GENEROUS TO KEEP THE BUDGET OFFICE INVOLVED WITH THE ANALYSIS AND THAT IS PART OF WHAT WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS IS A STEP DOWN PLANT , MATCHING THE POPULATION IN STAFFING WITH THE FACILITIES THAT WE WOULD BE STEPPING DOWN FROM .

>> I WOULD RATHER OVERSHOOT IT ON THE POSTS AND THE STAFFING, RATHER THAN BE SPENDING ALL THAT MONEY AND THE IMPACT ON FAMILIES AND INDIVIDUALS. WHETHER YOU NEED TO BRING THAT BACK, WHETHER

[05:45:03]

WE ARE OVER SHOOTING IT . >> IT IS THE CAPACITY TO BRING IN AND RETAIN DETENTION OFFICER WITH THE TRENDS BEING POSITIVE AT THIS POINT, BUT THERE IS A LIMIT ON HOW MANY PEOPLE WANT TO HAVE A JOB AND HOW QUICKLY THEY CAN GET TO THE TRAINING.

>> IN A MATTER OF MONTHS, WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO STOP

OUTSOURCING IF THIS SHAKES OUT. >> I FEEL CONFIDENT IN SAYING WE CAN MAKE A VERY STRONG REDUCTION , BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR

YEAR. >> LET'S SHOOT FOR THE MOON. IN TERMS OF GETTING IT DONE BY THE END OF THIS CALENDAR YEAR .

PARTICULARLY, WITH THE BUDGETARY ISSUES . I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN ONLY TRAIN SOMEONE SO FAST AND RECRUIT THEM SO FAST, THAT IT IS LIKE, A FIFTH OR SIXTH OF WHAT WE ARE IN THE RED ON.

WHATEVER ADDITIONAL RESOURCES YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN, I THINK IT WOULD BE A WORTHWHILE INVESTMENT. I HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR, CHIEF, I AM JUST SAYING, MY HUNCH IS, IF WE PUT ALL WORK TOWARDS HIS, PERHAPS IT IS POSSIBLE.

>> THIS IS FOR FELONIES, ACTIVE CASES, FILINGS AND DISPOSITIONS , PAGE 10 , IS THERE AN EQUIVALENT CHART FOR

MISDEMEANORS. >> WE CAN INCLUDE THAT IN THE NEXT -- WE ARE FOCUSING ON FAMILIES RIGHT NOW AS FELONIES ARE THE DRIVERS OF THE GENERAL POPULATION. AND I'M HAPPY TO INCLUDE THAT IN THE NEXT PRESENTATION.

>> IF THAT IS OKAY , WHAT IS INTERESTING, THE FILINGS ARE UP BUT EVERYBODY'S TALKING ABOUT HOW GREAT THE DA IS DOING. I THINK THERE IS A DATA POINT MISSING, WHICH CASES ARE QUICKLY DISMISSED BY THE DA BECAUSE THEY REALIZE IN COURT THAT THERE IS NO CASE. I DO NOT KNOW THE FILINGS NECESSARILY CAPTURES THE WORK THAT THE DA IS DOING , THE REASON I WOULD LIKE FOR IT TO BE CAPTURED , BECAUSE I WANT TO BE ABLE TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE EACH ACTOR, NOT THAT WE CAN DO A LOT, BUT WE CAN AT LEAST SEE IT. AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT OTHER LINE YOU NEED TO DRAW.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT TOTAL FELONY DISPOSITIONS ON THE SAME PAGE, REGARDLESS OF WHEN IT WAS DISPOSED WOULD BE INCLUDED. IF IT WAS A QUICK DISMISSAL EARLY OR A CASE THAT WAS TAKEN TO

TRIAL, >> THAT MAKES THE JUDGE IN IT AS WELL. THE QUESTION IS , HOW CAN WE SEPARATE -- WE HAVE THE DATA ON THE JUDGES CLEARING THEIR DOCKET PER COURT , AND WE HAVE THE DATA ON FILINGS , POLICE OFFICERS PLUS THE QUICKEST DA REVIEW, BUT WE ARE LACKING THE DATA ON WHAT IS THE DA ENDING UP DOING ? I AM TRYING TO PINPOINT EACH OF THE ACTORS. ONE OTHER POINT , REAL QUICK, ON THE BACKLOGS I AM SEEING ON THE FELONY COURT, I AM OVER HERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, WHY DO YOU STILL HAVE ALL THESE CASES , I HAD MENTIONED THIS BEFORE, DIRECTOR, I DO NOT KNOW OR IF YOU HAVE NOT GOTTEN TO IT, BUT ABOUT EVIDENCE PROCESSING, THIS DOES NOT FEEL -- FALL UNDER THE CHIEF, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE , FOR EXAMPLE , ON CASES THAT HAVE BALLISTICS EVIDENCE, THERE ARE ONLY A COUPLE OF PEOPLE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT ARE COMPARING THE BULLETS FOR THE FRAGMENTS TO THE GUN AND THAT TAKES FOREVER. IF WE COULD GET MORE PEOPLE TO DO THAT, THAT EVIDENCE MAY MOVE FASTER. THE OTHER THING I AM BEING TOLD BACK TO DNA , WE TALKED ABOUT THIS BEFORE, YOU CAN REQUEST CERTAIN ITEMS BUT THE ATTORNEYS WANT MORE ITEMS TESTED WHICH ADDS MORE TIME. THESE ARE GENERALLY MORE SERIOUS OFFENSES. I WOULD JUST LIKE , IF POSSIBLE , FOR YOU TO SIT DOWN WITH THESE

[05:50:04]

JUDGES AND THE EVIDENCE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT WHAT CAN WE DO AND THE SHERIFF FOLKS, DA , WHAT CAN WE DO TO SPEED UP THAT EVIDENCE

PROCESSING. >> CERTAINLY.

>> THE DNA LABS ARE SLOW BECAUSE OF THE VOLUME. CAPACITY?

>> YES , WE ARE ACTUALLY , HOPEFULLY, DANIEL AND I HAVE TALKED AND MIDGET WHAT WE HOPE TO DO , HAVE A PERFORMANCE-BASED AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY AND EVIDENCE PROCESSING TIED TO THE JVC INTERLOCAL AT SOME POINT, MY UNDERSTANDING IS IT IS THE CITY

LAB. >> MAYBE WE NEED TO DO ANOTHER, MAYBE THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE WE NEED TO DO. I THINK THE INVESTMENT ENDS UP PAYING FOR ITSELF. THERE IS A PIECE ABOUT -- THE CITY LAB WOULD DO THE DNA BUT THE PIECE ABOUT THE BALLISTICS. WHICH SOUNDS LIKE IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I THINK IT DEPENDS ON WHO HAS FILED THE CASE, HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE CITY LAB, A CONSTABLE OR THE SHERIFF OR UNINCORPORATED, OUR LAB IN IFS.

>> LET'S SEE, AND IF, MAYBE HAVING THE DATA ON TURNAROUND TIME , IF WE CAN SAY, HERE IS WHAT IT IS THAT IFS AND THE CITY LAB, WE HAVE TO SQUARE THIS, THAT IS A WAY TO SHINE A LIGHT ON THE ISSUE . WE ARE ALL PRESSED FOR TIME ON THIS AND I'M GLAD THAT YOU HAD PURSUED THIS LINE OF INQUIRY. MY CONCERN IS, LIKE, HOW IS THE INTERLOCAL GOING TO HELP THEM PROCESS

THINGS FASTER? >> BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT HAD IN-DEPTH CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY, IF WE COULD PRIVATELY BRIEF YOU, IT MAY BE BETTER BECAUSE IT IS A MULTIMILLION

DOLLAR CONTRACT. >> SO, TELL ME IF YOU CAN'T

ANSWER, A CONTRACT FOR WHAT? >> THE -- IF POSSIBLE, JUDGE, IF WE CAN BRIEF YOU PRIVATELY , WE HAVE APPROACHED THE SUBJECT WITH ANY OF THE PARTIES THAT THIS IS AN IDEA BETWEEN TONYA AND I THAT

WE NEED TO SOCIALIZE . >> WE DO NOT HAVE TO DO IT NOW , WHEN IT IS MORE SOLID , BUT CONSIDER WHAT I AM SAYING AND IF YOU NEED HELP GETTING IN TOUCH WITH THE STAKEHOLDERS, LET ME

KNOW, BUT I SUPPOSE YOU CAN. >> YES.

>> QUICK QUESTION, CHIEF, IN US BRINGING MORE PEOPLE TO THE JAIL IF WE HAD MORE STAFFING, ON FEBRUARY 27, WE ARE PREPARED APPROXIMATELY $2.8 MILLION, THAT SHOULD BE FOR 150 NEW DETENTION OFFICERS, WOULD YOU PLEASE GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT HIRING AFTER FOUR MONTHS, WHERE WE ARE ?

>> YES . >> WHEN YOU GRANTED THOSE, WE HAD ROUGHLY 54 OPENINGS , IF YOU WILL TAKE THAT AS PART OF THE CONTEXT, TODAY, WE HAVE 136 OPEN FUNDED POSITIONS. WE RECENTLY SENT 33 OFFICERS INTO THE POLICE ACADEMY, THAT IS A LITTLE BIT MORE CONTEXT, AND WE , ON AVERAGE, AN ATTRITION RATE PER MONTH IS 12 TO 14 , RETIREMENT, OR LEAVING THE FIELD, WHATEVER IT IS . IF YOU WILL ADD THOSE NUMBERS UP AND WHAT WE SENT TO OUR ACADEMY, I THINK WE ARE STILL HAVING 136 OPENINGS, WE HAVE DONE REALLY GOOD. IN THE LAST FOUR MONTHS , WE HAVE A CLASS THAT STARTED THIS WEEK , WITH 67 OFFICERS IN IT. AND I BELIEVE IN OUR NEXT ACADEMY, 4.5 WEEKS OUT, WE ALREADY HAVE 20 COMMITS. WE HAVE FOUR WEEKS TO CONTINUE TO ADD PEOPLE TO THAT COURSE . WE ARE AVERAGING ABOUT 40 TO 50 PER CLASS, AGAIN, WE

ARE MAKING GOOD PROGRESS . >> THANK YOU FOR THAT PROGRESS,

CHIEF . >> IT IS A TEAM .

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU, THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, GREAT, THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO, MOVING ON, IT -- DID

[05:55:05]

THREE? OKAY, SO, ITEM THREE IS FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE SHOULD -- ARE WE CHANGING THAT TODAY?

>> YES, JUDGE, THIS CAME BACK, THIS HAS TWO CHANGES, I THINK IT WAS DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COURT, ONE IS THE ADDITION OF RECORDING VOTES FROM MEMBERS WHO WERE ABSENT FOR A PORTION, FOR MEDICAL REASONS. THE OTHER IS AROUND THE FISCAL REVIEW REQUEST FORM. THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE DID COME BACK AND SEND IT BACK TO US TO REQUEST USING THE DECISION ANALYSIS MATRIX ON ONLY FRF ITEMS. SO, AGAIN, IT IS NOT FOR -- THE OFFICE OF A WIMPY WOULD DO THE RATING AND AGAIN, THIS IS COMING BACK FROM THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE AND THAT IS WHY WE BROUGHT IT BACK.

OH, IT HAS ONE OTHER ITEM, WE HAVE COME IN THE PAST, BEEN ABLE TO HOLD THINGS THAT WERE INCOMPLETE, SO IT ADDS A SECTION THAT SAYS WE CANNOT PUBLISH AGENDA ITEMS, IF THEY HAVE NOT COMPLETED THE FISCAL AND PERSONNEL SUMMARY WHEN THE

COMPLETION IS NECESSARY. >> IT JUST APPEARS FOR LACK OF FILTER AND I AM JUST NOT SUPPORTING IT.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> QUICK QUESTION, DANIEL AND JESSE, I WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT THE CHANGE WE PASSED A YEAR AGO WITH REGARD TO THE FISCAL IMPACT ANALYSIS WITH HOW MUCH THINGS COST, LABOR AND NON-LABOR, BEFORE WE PASS THEM. I KNOW LAST TIME, WE EXPRESSED CONCERNS ABOUT BUREAUCRACY DELAYS BECAUSE NONE OF US HAVE ANY PATIENCE OR TOLERANCE FOR DELAYS. IS THIS NOW A MORE TRUNCATED, QUICK VERSION, THAT WHEN YOU ARE DOING THE QUICK IMPACT, YOU WILL QUICKLY ANALYZE WHETHER YOU ARE ALIGNED OR NOT ALIGNED? NOT A MASTERS THESIS, BUT YES OR NO, IT IS ALIGNED. OR, TO JUST WALK US THROUGH TO HELP ALLEVIATE AT LEAST MY CONCERNS? BECAUSE I DO WANT IT STRATEGICALLY RELEVANT AND I DO WANT THE FISCAL IMPACT NOTE BUT YOU ARE ALREADY DOING THE FISCAL IMPACT NOTE. HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU ANTICIPATE THIS

TAKING? >> 30 MINUTES TO ONE HOUR, OF MY STAFF TIME, WHICH THEY ARE ALREADY INVESTED IN. JUST TO BE CLEAR, THERE HAS NEVER -- TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE HAS NEVER BEEN AN ITEM WHERE THE FRF WAS SUBMITTED TO US COMPLETE, THAT WE HAVE HELD, OR ASKED FOR NO ACTION ON. LIKE, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN IT HAS BEEN INCOMPLETE AND WE HAVE HAD TO GO BACK AND FORTH WITH THE DEPARTMENT TO GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHEN WE WERE NOT ABLE TO COMPLETE IT IN TIME, BUT IF THEY ARE SUBMITTED COMPLETED, IT TAKES MY TEAM ABOUT AN HOUR TO AN HOUR AND A HALF TO DO THE REMAINDER OF THE WORK AND BE READY TO SEND IT TO COMMISSIONERS OFFICES.

>> AND YOU HAVE THE COUNTY JUST TO CONFIRM?

>> YES. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, SO, ARE YOU GUYS READY TO VOTE?

>> I HAD ONE OTHER QUESTION, THIS WAS FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT WHETHER YOU NEED A MOTION TO THEN TAKE ACTION IN A COURT VERSUS NOT HAVING A MOTION. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS ALSO A CHANGE RELATED TO THAT. WHETHER YOU HAVE TO TECHNICALLY MAKE A

MOTION, OR NOT. >> THERE IS NO ISSUE. LET ME SAY THIS, THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT A FORMAL MOTION HAS TO BE MADE IN ORDER FOR THE BOAT TO BE APPLIED SO, THERE IS NO -- THERE IS NO REQUIREMENT THAT IT HAS TO BE DONE THAT WAY.

>> OKAY. THANK YOU, BOTH. >> OKAY. SO, IS THERE A MOTION

TO APPROVE THIS ITEM? THREE? NO? >> I WILL MOVE IT.

>> OKAY. OKAY, SO, THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, IS THERE A SECOND? SHOULD I SECOND, YOU DON'T WANT TO SECOND IT? DO YOU WANT ME TO SECOND IT?

>> OKAY. >> IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS COMING

BACK, OR NO? >> OKAY, SO, WHAT IS THE PROBLEM WITH THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> I THINK IT ADDS A FILTER. I KNOW YOU TOLD ME 30 MINUTES, YOU JUST GOT ANOTHER REASON TO SAY NO, ANOTHER REASON FOR SOMETHING NOT COMING TO COURT. I JUST THINK IT HAS TO BE REAL EASY TO GET SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA, THERE SHOULDN'T BE A FILTER.

[06:00:01]

THIS LOOKS LIKE A FILTER, TALKS LIKE A FILTER, IT IS A FILTER.

>> AND JUST TO CONFIRM, LET'S SAY IT IS NOT IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE MATRIX, YOU WOULD CLICK, "NO, IT IS NOT IN ALIGNMENT," BUT IF IT HAD THE FISCAL REVIEW, IT WOULD STILL COME FORWARD?

>> CORRECT. >> SO, IT IS LITERALLY ANOTHER

DATA POINT FOR OUR COMMISSION. >> THE PROBLEM COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS REFERRING TO AS A FILTER, IT ALLOWS US IF THE PERSONNEL SUMMARY IS NOT COMPLETED, SO IF SOMEBODY IS GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY WITH AN ITEM AND THAT IS NOT FILLED OUT, WE CANNOT HOLD THAT UNTIL IT IS FULLY FILLED OUT. SO, THAT YES IS EXISTING, BUT ITEMS COURTS ARE SAYING ARE REQUIRED TO FILL IT OUT -- I MEAN, THAT IS THE COURTS CHOICE IF THEY STILL WANT TO SEE THAT ITEM EVEN IF THE DEPARTMENT CHOOSES NOT

TO. >> I AM NOT ADVOCATING THAT YOU SHOULD PUT AGENDA ITEMS ON HERE AND NOT BE PREPARED, NOT AT ALL.

>> AND THE CLARIFICATION, COMMISSIONER, IS ONLY BECAUSE IN THE PAST, THERE HAS BEEN SOME DEBATE OVER IF IT HAD TO GO TO COURT ANYWAY, EVEN IF IT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FISCAL NOTE AND THE FISCAL NOTE WASN'T FILLED OUT OR WASN'T PROPERLY FILLED OUT, SO WE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO MAKE SURE IT COULD BE HELD IN THAT CASE. BUT, I WOULD TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER, IT IS NOT A WIDE FILTER AND WE ARE REALLY NOT LOOKING TO HOLD ITEMS BACK. WE WANT ITEMS TO GET ON THE COURT. WE ARE NOT TRYING TO DECIDE FOR YOU, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE INFORMATION YOU HAVE ASKED FOR IN THE PAST.

>> THE AMOUNT OF TIME AHEAD, IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ON THE COURT FOR JULY 10TH -- THAT IS OUR NEXT MEETING --

>> YES. >> WHEN DO THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE

STUFF IN? >> THE DEADLINES ARE TIGHT, COMMISSIONER. I WILL TELL YOU IN OUR OFFICE AFTER THE LAST MEETING, WE ARE GOING TO DO AN INTERNAL REVIEW ON SOME OF THE DEADLINES AND ALL OF THE CHANGES WE HAVE MADE OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I KNOW YOU WEREN'T ON THE COURT, BUT WHEN WE GOT HERE FIVE YEARS AGO, THERE WERE AGENDA LETTERS, AND THERE WAS ALMOST NO STANDARDIZATION. AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES. WE THINK THERE HAVE BEEN SOME INCREASES TO ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN. AND WE ARE LOOKING TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT, BECAUSE WE WANT TO LESSEN THOSE. THE DATES ARE

COMPLICATED. >> YOU SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA IN FEBRUARY FOR AN AUGUST MEETING.

>> KNOW -- >> WELL --

>> SIR, JUST ONE POINT OF CLARIFICATION?

>> WE ARE JUST NOWHERE NEAR DONE WITH THE AGENDA AND I DON'T KNOW THAT WE NEED TO GO ON AND ON ABOUT THIS. SHOULD WE BRING IT BACK, OR SHOULD WE TAKE A VOTE?

>> WHATEVER YOU CHOOSE, JUDGE. WE HAVE BROUGHT THIS ITEM BACK.

>> I DO WANT TO JUST CLARIFY ONE POINT, THIS ITEM -- THE FRF ONLY APPLIES WHEN YOU ARE ASKING FOR NEW MONEY. SO, IN THE LAST TWO AGENDAS, WE HAVE HAD NO FISCAL REVIEWS FILLED OUT.

>> IS THIS THE LAST DECORUM QUESTION WE WILL HAVE FOR A

WHILE? >> I HOPE SO, COMMISSIONER.

>> THIRD MEETING IN A ROW. >> I HOPE SO, COMMISSIONER.

>> IT WILL BE THE LAST ONE TODAY. IF YOU MAKE A MOTION, I

WILL SECOND IT. >> WE TALKED A LONG TIME AT THE

LAST MEETING. >> YEAH, IT HAS BEEN SUCH AN INVIGORATING DAY. I WOULD CHECK MY BLOOD PRESSURE.

>> SO, THERE IS A MOTION, NOW THERE IS A SECOND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER

ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> MOTION CARRIES, 3-1. SO, THAT IS ITEM THREE. HAVE WE GONE OVER

ITEM 10 ALREADY? >> NO, WE HAVE NOT.

>> ALL RIGHT, SO, THIS IS A POLICY TO PAY EMPLOYEES OVERTIME. COMMISSIONER BRIONES? AND THEN, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED THAT WE TAKE THIS AND 316 TOGETHER.

>> SO, I JUST, FIRST OF ALL, WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU. TO ME, THIS IS GOOD GOVERNMENT, THIS IS FAIR GOVERNMENT. I KNOW WE APPLIED THIS LAST YEAR, WHEN WE HAD THE MULTIPLE DECLARED DISASTERS, AND I THINK THIS IS SO FAIR, JUST FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE LISTENING, BEFORE THEY WOULD GET COMP TIME IF THEY WORKED OVERTIME DURING A DISASTER. THIS WOULD ALLOW OVERTIME PAY WITH DEPARTMENT HEAD APPROVAL FOR DECLARED AND UNDECLARED DISASTERS, FOR THOSE ELIGIBLE EMPLOYEES. AND SO, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE Y'ALL PUTTING THIS POLICY TOGETHER, SO THAT WE HAVE THE CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY FOR ALL OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY TEAM MEMBERS AND I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHO JUST GOES ABOVE AND BEYOND AFTER EVERY DISASTER. IT IS JUST INCREDIBLY MOVING TO SEE. THIS IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. THIS IS EFFECTIVE GOVERNMENT. SO, I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AND I AM HAPPY TO MOVE IT AS PRESENTED, BUT I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ALSO WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING.

>> THANK YOU, CHAIR. >> AND I WILL SECOND IT.

>> THE PART I LIKE ABOUT IT, NOT ONLY IS IT IN AN OVERTIME VOTE FOR EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS AND SERVICE TO THE COUNTY, BUT IT ALLOWS US TO TAP INTO YOUR PICK TO HELP PAY FOR A LOT OF THESE

[06:05:04]

COSTS. AND IT IS A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT.

>> VERY SIGNIFICANT. >> SO, THIS IS A GOOD DEAL.

THANK YOU. >> YES, SO --

>> I JUST WANTED TO THANK OUR RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM AND SHANE IN PARTICULAR, WHO LED ALONG WITH FOLKS IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HRT THAT HELPED PUT THIS TOGETHER. THIS, I BELIEVE, PUT THOSE MOST CLOSER TO INDUSTRY-STANDARD WHERE WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE READY, WE WILL HAVE WARM BODIES TO RESPOND TO ANY EMERGENCY, WHETHER WE ARE GETTING

REIMBURSED OR NOT. >> THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS. SO, I WILL MOVE ITEM 10 AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> OKAY, SO, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON ITEM 10. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. SO, WHAT ABOUT ITEM 13? DID WE DISCUSSED THAT ONE ALREADY?

>> THAT IS THE ONE WE ARE GOING TO TAKE TO 316.

>> OKAY, SO, WHY DO WE TAKE THAT ONE WITH 316, THEN?

>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

>> GOOD EVENING. >> I HAVE AN UPDATE FOR YOU IN TERMS OF THE PROCESS BEING MADE IN TERMS OF ALL THINGS HR TRANSFORMATION. TIFFANY, WOULD YOU MIND PULLING UP THE DECK? NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, OUR -- YOU KNOW, THIS WORK CONTINUES IN THIS ORGANIZATION, AND I JUST HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PHENOMENAL TEAM, EVERY SINGLE PERSON WITHIN HUMAN RESOURCES, AND I DEFINITELY HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO OUR LEADERSHIP TEAM, WHO IS DOING A LOT OF THIS PROGRAMMATIC WORK IN DEVELOPMENT AND HELPING TO BUILD OUT WHAT WILL BE OUR FUTURE. THEY ARE A STRONG FOUNDATION FROM AN HR PERSPECTIVE. WE HAVE -- IN PREVIOUS UPDATES, I HAVE COME TO YOU AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED PRIORITIZING BOTH PEOPLE, PROCESS, AND TECHNOLOGY, WE ARE ADDING A FOURTH PILLAR TO THIS FOUNDATION, WHICH IS GOING TO BE THE NECESSARY POLICY THAT WILL BEGIN TO BE DEVELOPED, AND DRAFTED FOR YOUR INPUT AND GUIDANCE, TO HELP ENSURE GOVERNANCE FOR ALL OF THIS REALLY SIGNIFICANT WORK THAT IS TAKING PLACE, AS WELL AS THE FUTURE STATE OF ALL OF THE NECESSARY GOVERNANCE, WHETHER IT IS PAY EQUITY, WHETHER IT IS STANDARDIZATION OF HR BUSINESS PROCESSES -- THE NECESSARY POLICY TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ADHERED TO, THAT IS ALSO CRITICAL. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, WANTED TO TAKE AN OPPORTUNITY TO KIND OF VISUALIZE THE EMPLOYEE LIFECYCLE AT HARRIS COUNTY. THE ORANGE REFLECTS THE WORK THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY DOING, THAT IS IN PLACE IN SOME SERVICE MODEL. AND IN THE GRAY, IS THE AREAS THAT WE ARE NOT PERFORMING -- CERTAINLY NOT FROM AN HRT PERSPECTIVE, LET ME SAY THAT. SO, I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT WE ARE NOT ON BOARDING EMPLOYEES. WE ARE ON BOARDING EMPLOYEES. WE ARE JUST SIMPLY DOING IT THROUGH A MANUAL RESOURCE. IT IS NOT A STANDARDIZED PROCESS ACROSS THE COUNTY. AND SO, AS WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE OUR GAPS ARE FROM AN EMPLOYEE LIFECYCLE PERSPECTIVE, WE WILL ALSO BEGIN TAKING THE NECESSARY STEPS TO IDENTIFY THE STRATEGY AND DEVELOP THE PROGRAMMATIC WORK, THE PROGRAMMATIC PROGRAMS, THE INTERNAL TRAININGS THAT NEED TO BE DEVELOPED TO BRING THESE INTO PLACE. THIS WILL ALSO BE SUPPORTED BY A SUITE OF TECHNOLOGY THAT RFP IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS -- THE HR TRANSFORMATION RFPS WILL CLOSE ON MONDAY, JUNE 30TH, SO WE ARE ON TARGET FOR THAT. AND, REALLY, I AM THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO SAY THE RFP IS CLOSING. OBVIOUSLY, THERE IS MORE WORK TO DO, BUT WE ARE CERTAINLY MAKING PROGRESS, FROM A TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE.

BUT, THE EMPLOYEE LIFECYCLE IS REALLY IMPORTANT, BECAUSE AS WE IDENTIFY OUR GAPS, WE RECOGNIZE WHAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, BOTH FROM A TECHNOLOGY PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO FROM A SERVICE DELIVERY PERSPECTIVE, AS WELL. NEXT SLIDE, PLEASE. ONE OF THE PRIORITIES THAT THE COURT ESTABLISHED IN FISCAL YEAR '25 WAS ESSENTIALLY MODERNIZING AND REALLY TAKING A STEP BACKWARDS TO REDESIGN SERVICE DELIVERY IN TERMS OF TALENT ACQUISITION.

RIGHT NOW, I AM THRILLED TO BE ABLE TO SHARE THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE AND IS CONTINUING

[06:10:03]

TO BE DONE. WE ARE -- WE HAVE AND WILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE MAKING SURE THAT WE UNDERSTAND INTERNALLY WHAT OUR VOLUMES LOOK LIKE, WHAT OUR SYSTEMS ARE. AND THAT IS NOT JUST TECHNOLOGY, BUT AGAIN, WAYS OF WORKING, PARTICULARLY IN THE ABSENCE OF LARGE-SCALE, END-TO-END TECHNOLOGY. SO, WE ARE WORKING DIRECTLY WITH DEPARTMENTS AND THROUGH A SERIES OF FOCUSED SURVEYS TO GET THEIR INPUT AND THEIR FEEDBACK AROUND WHAT THEY ARE EXPERIENCES, WHAT THEIR PAIN POINTS ARE LIGHT. AS WE THINK ABOUT THIS MORE BROADLY, IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE IN THE PROCESS FROM A TALENT ACQUISITION AND RECRUITMENT PERSPECTIVE OF DEVELOPING STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES, WITH DEFINING ROLES. AGAIN, BOTH HRT FROM A CENTRAL PERSPECTIVE, BUT ALSO TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION DEPARTMENTS AND WHAT DEPARTMENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR LEADING AT THE DEPARTMENT LEVEL. IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT THE RECRUITMENT LIFECYCLE IN A WAY TO, ONE, BE BETTER EFFICIENT IN HOW WE THINK ABOUT RECRUITMENT. TRULY DEFINING AND DESIGNING OUR RECRUITMENT PROCESSES, AND ALSO MAKING SURE WE ARE ALIGNING WITH HIRING MANAGERS, SO THAT ONE, NOT ONLY CAN WE HIRE BETTER, BUT WE ARE ABLE TO HIRE FASTER, AS WELL. THERE IS ALSO A COMPLIANCE PIECE TO HIRING, SO MAKING SURE THAT THAT IS IN PLACE. AND AGAIN, TECH ENABLEMENT, THE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEM IS ONE OF THE SYSTEMS IN THIS RFP, AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO A MID-TO-LATE FISCAL YEAR -- I DON'T WANT TO QUOTE U.S. -- BUT, WE ARE ANTICIPATING THAT SYSTEM BEING IMPLEMENTED IN FISCAL YEAR '26. NEXT SLIDE. THIS ROAD MAP YOU HAVE SEEN NOW, SEVERAL TIMES. ALL OF THE PRIORITIES IN FISCAL YEAR '26 ARE CURRENTLY IN PROGRESS, SO I AM EXCITED TO SAY EVERYTHING IS IN PROGRESS. OBVIOUSLY, FISCAL YEAR '27 HAS NOT ARRIVED. BUT, WE ARE ALREADY LOOKING FORWARD AND DEVELOPING OUR ROAD MAP TO EXPAND OUR ROAD MAP AROUND THE SERVICES NECESSARY TO MEET THAT CRITERIA. FISCAL YEAR '28 IS A FEW YEARS OUT, BUT WE ARE ON TARGET, IN TERMS OF THE ROAD MAP THAT WAS DEVELOPED, THAT HAS BEEN DEVELOPED. LAST SLIDE, PLEASE. SO, IN TERMS OF WHAT IS NEXT, WHAT IS CURRENTLY UNDERWAY, AS I KNOW YOU ARE AWARE OF, THERE IS A NUMBER OF EXECUTIVE SEARCHES THIS TEAM IS MANAGING. WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT TALENT ACQUISITION SERVICE DELIVERY REMODEL AND ALL OF THE SUPPORT WORK AROUND THAT. THERE WILL ALSO BE A VOLUNTARY BENEFITS RFP THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING, AS WELL. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE HAD SOME RECENT ENHANCEMENTS TO THE METRO PROGRAM. THIS SUMMER, ONCE THIS RFP IS COMPLETE, WE WILL BE PRIORITIZING AND WORKING WITH PURCHASING IN U.S., AND THE EVALUATIONS OF THE TECHNOLOGY THAT WILL COME OUT OF THIS REQUEST PROPOSAL FOR THE RFP -- EXCUSE ME -- THE HR TRANSFORMATION TECHNOLOGY RFP. AND IN THE FALL, WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO IS POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAY EQUITY TO ACCOMPANY THE DATA AS A RESULT OF THE COMPENSATION AND PAY EQUITY STUDY ENDING. ADDITIONALLY, IN THE FALL, WE WILL BE PREPARING AND PRESENTING WHAT I HOPE WILL BE AN ANNUAL REPORT ON THE STATE OF TALENT ACROSS OUR ENTIRE WORKFORCE. FOR OUR WORKFORCE TO CONSIDER AS PART OF A DATA SET ON AN ANNUAL BASIS, AS WE THINK ABOUT OUR EMPLOYEES' TRENDS, WHAT WE ARE IN DOING WELL, WHERE THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES AND WHERE THERE ARE POTENTIAL RISKS, SO THAT IS ALSO A PRETTY SIGNIFICANT PROJECT WE ARE UNDER. THAT IS ALL I HAVE. I'M HAPPY TO ANSWER

ANY QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> DIRECTOR, GOOD JOB.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU'VE GOT A HARD JOB. WE HAVE TO PUT INTO CONTEXT, THIS ISN'T EASY. WE HAVE SOME EXISTING PROCEDURES, AND POLICIES, AND ALL THE OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN HERE A LONG TIME. I WANTED TO POINT OUT ONE PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT IS OF CONCERN, AS YOU WALK THROUGH THESE ISSUES, AS THEY LITERALLY TRANSFORM HR, AND HAVING SEEN FIRSTHAND THE JOB YOU ARE DOING WITH ALL OF OUR OFFICES, IN DEALING WITH ALL THE BASICS OF HUMAN RESOURCES, IT'S IMPRESSIVE. BUT, AS WE LOOK AT THE DATA, SINCE 2021, 13,000 PEOPLE HAVE GONE TO WORK FOR THE COUNTY. OF THAT NUMBER, 4000

[06:15:03]

HAVE LEFT. NOW, JUST LET THAT NUMBER SINK IN. THAT IS 33%.

THOSE HIRED BEFORE 2021 5000 LEFT. SO, THAT IS 9000 -- NEARLY HALF OF OUR FOLKS. I WOULD CALL THAT A CRISIS. I WOULD NEED TO DEDICATE SOME TIME, RESOURCES TO FOCUS ON THAT ISSUE, SEE IF WE CAN'T MITIGATE THAT ISSUE. WE WILL DO THAT, BUT IT IS OVERWHELMING TO CONSIDER. WE HAVE SUCH A HIGH TURNOVER RATE.

WE ARE TRYING TO CHANGE EVERYTHING. OF COURSE, WHAT WE KNOW, IT IS NOT JUST THE SALARY. IF WE DID AN IN-DEPTH LOOK AT EACH DEPARTMENT, YOU SEE SOME DEPARTMENTS WITH 50%, OR HIGHER.

THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG IN THE DEPARTMENT.

>> YEAH. >> SO, IT'S WORTHY OF SOME FOCUS, OF SOME LEADERSHIP. AND AGAIN, NOT ASKING YOU TO GO FIX EVERY DEPARTMENT IN THE COUNTY, BUT IT IS CERTAINLY -- YOU ARE OPERATING AT A GOOD, HIGH LEVEL. YOU CAN LOOK THERE AND SAY, "WELL, MAYBE YOU NEED TO LOOK AT THIS," AND TRIAGE SOME OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THESE DEPARTMENTS IN THIS COUNTY. SO, MY ONLY POINT IN ALL OF THIS IS, IF YOU NEED TO TAKE SOME TIME OFF OF THE TRANSFORMATION PLAN, IN ORDER TO FOCUS ON THE CRISIS WE HAVE HERE IN TURNOVER, I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE. AGAIN, I PROVIDE THIS INPUT ONLY AS AN ENCOURAGEMENT TO YOU, THAT SOMETIMES, WE DO HAVE TO ADJUST, BUT WE CAN'T DO EVERYTHING TOMORROW IN TERMS OF THIS PLAN, BUT MAYBE WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE COUNTY IN UNHEARD OF NUMBERS.

>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. TWO QUICK THINGS -- I AGREE WITH YOUR SENTIMENT, IN TERMS OF UNDERSTANDING WHY PEOPLE ARE LEAVING. I DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK AT LENGTH LATE LAST AFTERNOON WITH LEANNE, AND GARRETT, IN YOUR OFFICE SPECIFICALLY IN REGARDS TO THIS DISCUSSION, AND IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY USED THE AUDITORS DASHBOARD AROUND SOME OF THAT DATA. WE DID A POLL AND DISTRIBUTE A NEW, UPDATED REPORT. UNFORTUNATELY, THE AUDITORS DASHBOARD DOES NOT REFLECT INTERNAL MOVEMENT, SO WE ARE GOING TO PROVIDE SOME ADDITIONAL CONTEXT IN THAT REGARD. BUT, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE -- AND I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS -- AND WE ARE DEFINITELY MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS -- THERE IS SOME WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE INTERNALLY, THAT NEEDS ATTENTION SOONER RATHER THAN LATER, CERTAINLY FROM A TURNOVER

PERSPECTIVE. >> MY COMMENTS ARE MEANT TO

ENCOURAGE YOU. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> NUMBER ONE, CLEARLY, WE NEED A TRANSFORMATION. BUT, NUMBER TWO, MAYBE THERE IS TIME THAT COULD BE DEDICATED TO LOOK AT

THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE. >> ABSOLUTELY.

>> INTERIM DIRECTOR DOUGLAS, THANK YOU. I ECHO THE SENTIMENT, YOU HAVE ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT ROLES IN HARRIS COUNTY, ONE OF THE MOST CRITICAL RANKS. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY WITHOUT THE RIGHT TALENT IN THE RIGHT PLACES AND RETAINING AND RECRUITING THAT BEST PEOPLE, SO THANK YOU FOR THE PROCESS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN DRIVING. I COULDN'T AGREE MORE, WE NEED TO COMPLETELY TRANSFORM THE WAY THIS COUNTY DOES HR. AND AS YOU KNOW, I USED TO BE A CHIEF TALENT OFFICER, SO THIS IS AN AREA I FEEL MOST PASSIONATELY ABOUT. AND I, EVERY DAY, WITH THE PEOPLE WHO LEAD MY TALENT TEAM, DR. BLAKE ELLIS AND DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, I APPRECIATE THEM EVERY DAY, AND WE ARE ALWAYS TRYING TO PUSH FORWARD. BUT, MY CONCERN, IN PARTICULAR -- WELL, NUMBER ONE, JUST TO LEVEL SET, WE ARE NOW INTERVIEWING THE TOP THREE CANDIDATES FOR THE PERMANENT POSITION FOR THE CHIEF TALENT OFFICER FOR THE COUNTY.

AND HOPEFULLY, THAT WILL BE WRAPPED UP VERY SOON. THE PART THAT CONCERNS ME IS THE TECHNOLOGY PIECE. IT SEEMS LIKE THIS APPROACH IS VERY FRAGMENTED IN NATURE. I LOVE APPLICANT TRACKING SYSTEMS, I HAVE USED THEM, WE NEED THEM, ABSOLUTELY.

BUT, KNOWING THAT PEOPLESOFT WILL SUNSET, KNOWING THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS PUT OUT AN RFP SO THAT ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS CAN PUT THE REQUIREMENTS IN WHAT WILL BE THE FUTURE RFP FOR THE NEW CRM, RIGHT? THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT. WHETHER IT IS WORKDAY, OR SOME OTHER SYSTEM THAT ULTIMATELY GETS SELECTED, I WORRY THAT IF WE ARE SPENDING SO MUCH TIME, ENERGY, AND INVESTMENT WITH THESE PIECEMEAL

[06:20:01]

BAND-AID SOLUTIONS, A, I WORRY FROM A TECHNOLOGY AND IMPLICATIONS POINT, TO SEEING HOW LONG MONDAY.COM GOT TAKEN.

SOMETHING SUPER BASIC. WE ARE STILL STRUGGLING. SO, I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS, GENERALLY, WITH IMPLEMENTATION OF TECHNOLOGY, HERE. BUT, IN THIS PARTICULAR THING, I JUST THINK IT NEEDS TO BE COHESIVE AND HOLISTIC. WITH TALENT RELATED TECHNOLOGY, AND IT SHOULD CERTAINLY TIE IN TO THE FUTURE CRM THAT CINDY AND HER TEAM ARE WORKING TOWARDS. SO, I JUST WORRY THAT WE ARE MISSING THE FOREST. AND THEN, THE NEW -- OR, MAYBE THE PERMANENT, RIGHT -- WHOEVER WILL BE LEADING US ON A GO FORWARD, MAKE SURE IT IS ALIGNED WITH THE PERSON'S VISION. SO, MY CONCERN -- I KNOW THAT THIS RFP CLOSES ON MONDAY.

I WOULD BE VERY HESITANT TO MOVE FORWARD UNTIL WHOEVER IS SELECTED AS THE PERMANENT CHIEF TALENT OFFICER MAKES SURE IT TRULY IS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE HOLISTIC TRANSFORMATION. BUT, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IN TALENT, AND MY COUNTY EXPERIENCE WITH THE TECHNOLOGY AND WHERE WE ARE, MACRO, FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES COUNTYWIDE, I THINK IT WOULD BE -- ESPECIALLY WITH THE BUDGET CHALLENGES WE ARE HAVING -- I THINK IT WOULD BE A NONSTRATEGIC USE OF TIME AND RESOURCES UNTIL WE HIT "PAUSE" TO SEE HOW IT FITS IN MORE HOLISTICALLY, SO THAT IS WHAT I

WANTED TO FLY. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, COULD I

RESPOND TO THAT? >> SURE. ACTUALLY, ERP, I SHOULD

HAVE SAID ERP. >> YES, ERP. NO WORRIES. THIS HR TRANSFORMATION RFP HAS BEEN DONE FULLY IN PARTNERSHIP WITH, AND IN ALIGNMENT WITH, THE BROADER TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP -- IT IS WITHIN THIS BROADER TECHNOLOGY ROAD MAP, INCLUDING THE ERP, ALTOGETHER. SO, THIS IS NOT ISOLATED, OR SEPARATE FROM. AND U.S., AS WELL AS PURCHASING, AND THE BUDGET OFFICE, AND OCA, WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER, COHESIVELY, HAND IN HAND. SO, I AGREE. THE STRATEGY IS NOT TO PUT IN PLACE SOME DISPARAGED SYSTEM, ONLY TO HAVE IT, IN A YEAR OR TWO, NEED TO BE REPLACED. SO, I JUST NEED YOU TO KNOW THAT THE BROADER U.S. ERP AND ALL OF THE HR SYSTEMS THAT WILL BE A PART OF THAT, THIS -- THESE SYSTEMS THAT ARE IN THIS EXISTING RFP, ARE A PART OF THAT

BROADER STRATEGY AND PLAN. >> OH, GOOD. WELL, THAT'S USEFUL TO KNOW. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE ERP, BECAUSE I KNOW, RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH SYSTEMS NOT TALKING TO EACH OTHER, AND IT CREATES MANUAL ERROR, AND IT CREATES INEFFICIENCY, AND IT IS JUST, FRANKLY, NOT WHERE WE NEED TO BE AS A COUNTY. SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING PROGRESS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO -- JESSE, I KNOW EACH OFFICE HAS BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO INTERVIEW THE TOP THREE FINALISTS. WHEN ARE WE LOOKING TO COME BACK WITH A

FINAL DECISION? >> I THINK -- HOPEFULLY, BY THE TIME WE -- THE NEXT COURT IS JULY, AND WE ONLY HAVE ONE COURT IN JULY, SO HOPEFULLY BY AUGUST, I THINK.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. >> YEAH.

>> THANK YOU. >> OKAY, SO, DO WE NEED A MOTION

ON THAT ONE? >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> DO YOU KNOW IF OUR GENERAL RATE IS HIGHER THAN COMPARABLE COUNTIES, NATIONWIDE, OR IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ENTITIES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, LIKE THE CITY?

>> SO, COMMISSIONER, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, AT THIS MOMENT, I DO NOT, BUT WE ARE WORKING WITH BRAD TO DO SOME BENCHMARKING ON THAT, SPECIFICALLY. IN FACT, I HAVE A MEETING TOMORROW MORNING AROUND THIS REQUEST FOR BENCHMARKING AROUND TURN OVER,

AND -- >> AT LEAST WITH THE CITY,

BECAUSE IT IS IN THE AREA. >> YEAH, IN THE AREA.

>> JUST TO SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING HERE.

>> I COULD GET THAT FOR YOU PRETTY EASILY. SO, I WILL PROVIDE ALL OF YOUR COURT OFFICES WITH IT, HERE LOCALLY.

>> OKAY, DID YOU NEED A MOTION?

>> THERE IS NOT, THERE IS NO --

>> IT IS JUST AN UPDATE. >> OKAY, THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> AS YOU SAY, AS NICE AS IT IS FOR EVERYBODY TO HANG OUT WITH US, WE ARE REALLY MOVING AT A GLACIAL PACE. SO, HOW CAN WE DO A LITTLE BETTER? SO, THAT IS 13 AND 316. HERE WE ARE, ON 86. SO, THAT IS THE OPPORTUNITY FUND REQUESTED BY PRECINCTS TWO AND THREE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> YEAH, WE CAN VOTE. THE POINT I WILL MAKE HERE IS THIS IS $348,975 AND AGAIN IT IS GOING INTO THE PICK FUND AND AS I UNDERSTAND, THAT AMOUNT IS SIGNIFICANT. THIS IS THE PFM, BUT AGAIN, THIS IS FLEX FUND DOLLARS, SO ON THIS PARTICULAR

[06:25:04]

ONE, WE JUST NEED TO VOTE. >> I WILL MOVE IT.

>> SECOND. >> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND HE OPPOSE?

>> NO. >> MOTION CARRIES, 3-1.

>> 94. >> OKAY, NO, WE HAVE 87, AN

UPDATE ON THE BROADBAND -- >> I THINK WE DID THAT ONE.

>> THAT, WE DID DO. >> RIGHT, OKAY.

>> 94. >> 94, NOT YET DISCUSSED. SO, PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATIONS, PRECINCTS FIVE AND THREE.

>> ON AFFORDABLE HOUSING? >> AGAIN, REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATIONS ON ORGANIZING A PUBLIC FACILITY CORPORATION. ANY TIME I SEE A PFC, I SHOULDN'T, BUT I GET NERVOUS.

THE YEARS. I UNDERSTAND THE LEGISLATURE HAS TRIED TO MAYBE PUT SOME GUARDRAILS ON IT. BUT, I GUESS, DESCRIBE WHAT WE ARE

DOING, HERE? >> TOM COSTELLO, DIRECTOR OF HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, AND I BROUGHT OUR SUBJECT MATTER

EXPERT. >> SO, WE ARE EXPLORING ALL POSSIBLE TOOLS TO HELP US WITH THE HOUSING AFFORDABILITY. SO, THIS IS ONE THAT WE HAVE NOT YET BEEN INVOLVED WITH, OTHER THAN TO REACT TO. SO, MAYBE, TORY, YOU CAN GIVE A QUICK SUMMARY OF

WHAT THE TOOL IS? >> SURE. SO, THE PFC TOOL IS BASICALLY A TOOL THAT ALLOWS AFFORDABLE HOUSING TO GET A PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION IN EXCHANGE FOR A PUBLIC BENEFIT OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING. THE RULES HAVE BEEN CHANGED BY THE LEGISLATION THAT HAVE PUT A LOT OF GUARDRAILS IN PLACE THAT DIDN'T EXIST WHEN THE PROGRAM HAD STARTED, SO THAT CAUSED A LOT OF CONTROVERSY. I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF TO TRY TO CREATE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT ARE PRETTY BROAD. BUT, WE HAVE CREATED A BEST IN CLASS PFC PROGRAM THAT HARRIS COUNTY COULD BE PROUD OF AND WOULD NOT SHOW UP IN THE

PAPER AS DOING BAD DEALS. >> I --

>> YES, COMMISSIONER? >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP YOU, I ASKED THIS ITEM BE ON THE AGENDA, A WHILE BACK, I PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR THEM TO CREATE SOME GUARDRAILS FOR US. SO, THIS IS THE FIRST STEP, THAT IS WHAT THIS IS. IT IS AN IMPORTANT TOOL NOT BY THE COUNTY, BECAUSE WE HAVEN'T DONE MANY. SO, THIS IS JUST THE FIRST STEP THAT THEY PUT FORWARD. IT IS A GREAT TOOL. IT CAN CREATE MEANINGFUL, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, AND GOD KNOWS THAT WE NEED IT, BUT IT HAS BEEN ABUSED IN OTHER PLACES, INCLUDING IN OUR REGION, BUT NOT WITH HARRIS COUNTY. SO, THIS IS JUST SO THEY COME BACK WITH SOMETHING FOR US. AND I WAS HOPING TO BE A COLLABORATIVE PROCESS. I KNOW MY STAFF HAS BEEN INVOLVED WITH THAT, AS

WELL. >> YES, WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVING ALL OF THE COURT STAFF, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK PART OF THE CONCEPT HERE IS INSTEAD OF US JUST RECEIVING REQUESTS AND US SAYING "YES," OR "NO," WE CAN ACTUALLY PROVIDE MORE STRUCTURE, AND GUIDANCE, AND HAVE A LITTLE MORE OF A

SENSE OF CONTROL. >> AND NO MOTION TODAY, IS

THERE? >> WE WILL COME BACK.

>> WE WILL COME BACK. >> OKAY.

>> THANK YOU. YOU NECK ANY TIME.

>> OKAY, SO, NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. THANK YOU. SO, THEN, THAT TAKES US TO ITEM 138. THAT IS A PRECINCT 4 ITEM.

>> YES, 138, I WANT TO THANK UNIVERSAL SERVICES, AND ESPECIALLY THE TEXAS COMMISSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY, GOVERNMENTAL ALTERNATIVE FUEL FLEET GRANT PROGRAM. THIS IS A $250,800 GRANT WITH NO REQUIRED MATCH AND THIS WILL ALLOW US TO PURCHASE ONE NEW ELECTRIC BUS, TWO ELECTRIC PICKUP TRUCKS, SIX CLASS ONE ELECTRIC SEDAN SUVS, AND ONE DCFC CHARGER, SO I AM THANKFUL TO THIS GRANT TO PRECINCT 4 AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO MAKE PROGRESS ON THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN SO THAT WE CONTINUE TO TRANSITION MORE OF THE COUNTY'S FLEET TO LOW EMISSION VEHICLES, OR NO EMISSION VEHICLES. SO, THANK YOU FOR THIS GRANT, TEXAS COMMISSION ON ENVIRONMENT EQUALITY GOVERNMENT ALTERNATIVE FUEL FLEET, AND WITH THAT I OPEN

FOR QUESTIONS. >> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON ITEM 138, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> AND HE OPPOSE? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. WE ALREADY DISCUSSED 229. WHAT ABOUT THE B1 PARK MASTER PLAN?

>> SO, THIS IS ITEM 243, TO APPROVE THE BAY LINDA PARK

[06:30:03]

MASTER PLAN. I AM INCREDIBLY EXCITED ABOUT THIS. AND I WANT TO THANK THE YEARS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT THAT HAS LED US TO THIS. WE HAVE OVER 19,000 DATA POINTS FROM THE COMMUNITY, AND IN A MULTILINGUAL, INCREDIBLY INCLUSIVE WAY. I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, SO MANY TEAM MEMBERS, BUT ESPECIALLY DR. GUERRO AND SO MANY OTHERS WHO ARE MAKING THIS HAPPEN. THIS WILL BE NOT ONLY AN ALL INCLUSIVE FOR ALL ABILITIES, ALL AGES, BUT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE PERSPECTIVE, ADDRESSING THE HEAT ISLAND EFFECT, ADDRESSING DETENTION NEEDS IN THE AREA, THE HEALTH COMPONENTS, AND JUST AUGMENTING THE HEALTH OF THAT WE HAVE BEEN BUILDING AT BAYLAND. AND WE ARE ALSO TAKING ACTION, SO THIS IS NOT JUST THE MASTER PLAN. WE HAVE ALREADY HAD ANOTHER ITEM ON TODAY'S AGENDA, THAT APPROVES THE CONTRACT FOR THE SCHEMATIC DESIGN, WHICH WILL BE COMPLETED IN 2026. SO, IT IS BAYLAND PARK, I AM SURE MANY OF YOU HAVE VOTED THERE, PLAYED BASEBALL, FOOTBALL. IT IS ONE OF THE FAVORITES IN SOUTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY. SO, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE PEOPLE OF SHARP'S TOWN REALLY DELIVERING A PREMIER PARK THAT THEY DESERVE. SO, WITH THAT, I MOVE ITEM 243, AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN

FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY, 267, WE HAVE DISCUSSED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS ON THE TUNNEL PARK

PROJECT. >> BRIEFLY, I KNOW IT IS LATE, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THIS FOLLOWS OUR EQUITY FRAMEWORK OR SOME EQUITY FRAMEWORK, IF WE DO IT, SO I WILL MAKE THAT NOTE.

>> COMMISSIONER, JUST AS A SAD NOTE, THIS REALLY DOES -- WHAT I HAVE MENTIONED SPECIFICALLY IS THE WATERSHED, HUNTING HALLS, AND GRAIN. AND WE SHOULDN'T FORGET THE SMALLER DIAMETER THAT CAN GO INTO, VERY QUICKLY, SOME OF THESE AREAS THAT WE STRUGGLE WITH GETTING THE WATER OUT OF THERE. SO, IT IS TRULY A PAPER FOCUSED ON SMALLER DIAMETER. AND THAT WATERSHED, FIRST, AS A PRIORITY. HUNTING HALLS AND GREEN IS A PRIORITY.

>> JUST BASED ON PAST EXPERIENCE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, BECAUSE YOU KNOW MY LINE ABOUT MOST PEOPLE, EQUITY IS JUST A SIX LETTER WORD THAT YOU TREAT LIKE A FOUR LETTER WORD.

>> GOT IT. THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

>> SO, COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THAT?

>> NO, IT'S JUST A TRANSMITTAL.

>> JUST A TRANSMITTAL? OKAY. YEAH, THAT SOUNDS FASCINATING, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 288 WAS NOT YET DISCUSSED. THAT IS A FIRST3YEARS PROGRAM. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> YEAH, IT IS TRANSMITTAL -- IT LOOKS LIKE THE DOLLARS HERE -- AGAIN, I WANT TO REFERENCE THE FLEX FUND, AND AT LEAST PLANT A SEED, IN TERMS OF, I THINK THERE IS ROUGHLY $180 MILLION IN THE FLEX FUND, RIGHT NOW. BALLPARK. TOM, ARE YOU ON?

>> THAT SOUNDS RIGHT, COMMISSIONER.

>> THESE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT AS WE, FOR WHATEVER REASON, GOOD REASON OR ANOTHER, ARE NOT ABLE TO DO STUFF. WE PUT IT IN THERE. JUST KNOW THAT IS THERE. I WOULD LIKE TO REMIND PEOPLE THAT IT IS POSSIBLE TO MAYBE TAKE SOME OF THOSE DOLLARS, TO HELP REDUCE THE DEFICIT WE HAVE GOT OVER WITH INDIGENT DEFENSE, THE DEFENSE WE GOT WITH THE JAIL. THESE ARE DOLLARS THAT ARE SITTING THERE -- I KNOW THEY ARE ARPA DOLLARS -- BUT, THEY ARE WORKING TOWARD AN END, IN ANY CASE. I KNOW THE ARPA COMMITTEE IS SORTING THROUGH THAT. SOME OF THESE THINGS ARE ENDING, SOME OF THESE THINGS AREN'T. BUT, IT IS AN ISSUE. WE HAVE A DEBT PROBLEM IN 2025 WITH OUR BUDGET. JUST -- I SEE THOSE KINDS OF THINGS. IT IS NONSTATUTORY. WE SHOULD BE LOOKING AT IT. THANK YOU.

>> OKAY, SO, THAT IS A TRANSMITTAL, SO WE ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL, THAT WAS FOR ITEM 288. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ITEM 306, -- OH, I JUST HAD A QUESTION FOR THE PURCHASING AGENT. SO, SOMEBODY HAD AN ISSUE WITH THIS AWARD. OBVIOUSLY, THEY COMPETED FOR IT, SO I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY THEY WOULD BE UPSET AT THE OUTCOME. BUT, WOULD YOU JUST VERIFY THAT THIS FOLLOWED ALL OF THE PROPER PROCEDURES, PLEASE? AND I AM SORRY, I KEEP CALLING YOU DWIGHT.

>> THAT'S OKAY. HI, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. THAT IS CORRECT. THE VENDOR DID COME AND SPEAK TODAY.

UNFORTUNATELY, THE COMPANY DID NOT MEET THE MARKER ON OUR

[06:35:01]

EVALUATION CRITERIA, BUT I STAND HERE ARE VERY CONFIDENT TO LET YOU KNOW THAT OUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL PROCESS WAS FOLLOWED.

OUR EVALUATION AND COMMITTEE GUIDELINES WERE FOLLOWED. AND THE PROCESS -- YOU KNOW, THROUGH AN AUDIT -- IS CLEAN. WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE VENDOR, WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM AND ALSO OFFERED A DEBRIEF THAT IS ALSO PART OF OUR PROTEST POLICY, AND ITEMS WE DO OFFER ON HOW TO REMAIN IN BED READY AND TO BE PREPARED FOR FUTURE PROJECTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. AND, YOU KNOW, HE SEEMED CONCERNED ABOUT SOME -- THERE ARE STILL CARS -- I DIDN'T ENTIRELY UNDERSTAND. IT SOUNDS MORE LIKE A POLICY ISSUE. WHO WOULD THAT FALL UNDER?

>> I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ON THAT,

JUDGE. >> OKAY.

>> BECAUSE THIS PROJECT IS FUNDED BY A GRANT PROVIDED BY HDHC AND THERE IS STRICT REPORTING, AND MAINTENANCE, REPORTING THAT WE DO HAVE TO FOLLOW AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE RUNS THROUGH A CERTAIN DATABASE. I WOULD HAVE TO ASK FELIX OR LIEUTENANT GARZA FOR THOSE DETAILS. I DON'T HAVE THEM ON HAND. BUT, IT IS THROUGH A DISPATCH SYSTEM, AND I BELIEVE IT OCCURS IF THERE IS NOT A CALLOUT OR RESPONSE WITHIN EVERY 20 MINUTES, WE ARE NOTIFIED AND THEY KEEP AN AUDIT RECORD OF

THAT. >> OKAY. WELL, THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND WE DON'T NEED ANYTHING ELSE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. SO, THAT ONE -- WE

NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE. >> SO MOVED.

>> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, 3-0. RESOLUTIONS, WE ALREADY DID. SO, THIS LEAVES US AT EXECUTIVE SESSION. SO, EXECUTIVE SESSION -- OH, THANK YOU. SO, EXECUTIVE SESSION IS -- WE HAVE ITEM 299 IS THE ONE THAT YOU WANT US TO START WITH, SO WE WILL DO THAT. 295 --

>> JUDGE HIDALGO, WE DID 299, THE ENERGY, AND 296, WHICH IS A CRIMINAL COURT AT LAW. THE ONES WE DID NOT DO ARE 295, 297, AND

315. >> OKAY, SO, 295, WE WOULD STILL HAVE TO GO BACK FOR THAT ONE? DO WE THINK? I THINK THAT IS YOURS,

COMMISSIONER. >> YEAH.

>> OKAY, AND THEN, 297, GOES WITH 315. I WONDER IF WE DISCUSSED THAT ONE NEXT TIME, JUST IN THE INTEREST OF TIME?

BUT, UP TO YOU GUYS. >> IF SHE IS HERE, BECAUSE SHE

HAS BEEN HERE A LONG TIME -- >> OKAY. OKAY, SO, WE WILL TAKE THOSE TOGETHER AND 299, WE DO NEED.

>> I DON'T KNOW, SHE MIGHT HAVE LEFT.

>> WE WILL FIGURE IT OUT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, THEN. SO, WE ARE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEMS 295, 297, 299, AND 315.

DOES THAT SOUND RIGHT? >> THANKS, GUYS. IT IS 7:17, COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

>> OH, YES, I AM SO SORRY. >> WE DON'T HAVE ANY ACTION ON THE ITEM ABOUT THE APPOINTMENTS, SO THAT WOULD BE 295, SO WE ARE GOING TO BRING THAT BACK AT THE NEXT COURT. AND THEN, ONTO HUNDRED 97 -- SO, NO ACTION ON 315 AND ON -- 297, WE ARE LOOKING FOR A MOTION FOR THE FIRE'S OFFICE TO BRING BACK AN ITEM AT THE NEXT COURT. THE DIRECTION SHE WAS GIVEN IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> SO, I'LL JUST MAKE A MOTION THAT SHE BRINGS BACK COST SAVING RECOMMENDATIONS ABOUT SECURING

THE BUILDING. >> SECOND.

>> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,

ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.