[00:00:07]
>> GOOD MORNING, YOU GUYS. I KNOW THE HAPPY NEW YEAR WAS A MOMENT AGO, BUT HAPPY NEW YEAR. SO IT'S 9:19 A.M. AND I'M CALLING THIS JANUARY 8TH, 2026 COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ORDER. WE'LL GO TO THE PRAYER.
>> SO JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, I GOT A CALL IN, SO I DID SOME CHECKING AND I FOUND OUT FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT JUDGE LINDSAY DIED, SO I WANT US TO DO A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE IN JUDGE LINDSAY'S HONOR. SO JUST A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
>> OH, NO. OKAY, YEAH, LET'S HAVE A MOMENT OF SILENCE.
[Dr. Max A. Miller Jr. of Mt. Hebron Missionary Baptist Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]
>> THANK YOU. SO OUR PASTOR OF THE DAY IS DR.
MAX MILLER JR. HE'S THE PASTOR AND PRESIDENT OF MT. HEBRON BAPTIST CHURCH, WHO HAS MULTIPLE BAPTIST ASSOCIATIONS AND OUTREACH MINISTRIES. HE'S DEEPLY ENGAGE IN CIVIC AND HE GRADUATED FROM MILLBY HIGH SCHOOL EARNED A BS IN THEOLOGYTHEOLOGY CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP AND DOCTRINES IN RELIGIOUS EDUCATION AND DIVINITY. HE'S MARRIED, HIS SPOUSE IS RHONDA MILLER AND THEY HAVE THREE CHILDREN.
HE'S A GREAT FRIEND. AND I MIGHT MENTION ON A PERSONAL NOTE, THAT HIS UNCLE, WHO PRECEDED HIM AT THAT CHURCH, WAS MY BARBER. AND AS YOU CAN TELL FROM THE WAY I LOOK, I'M GLAD HE TURNED TO THE LORD FULL-TIME! BUT A GREAT MINISTRY --
>> THIS WAS THE LAST HAIRCUT THAT HE GOT.
HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB HELPING A LOT OF PEOPLE.
>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THE HUMBLENESS OF THIS PRIVILEGE. LET US BAY OUR HEADS.
GOD OF GRACE AND GOD OF GLORY, SURELY A GOD OF MERCY.
HOW PRECIOUS AND HOW EXCELLENT IS THY NAME.
LORD, WE CALL ON YOU AS WE KNOW HOW.
IN FACT, WE CALL ON YOU BECAUSE YOU'VE BEEN GOOD TO US, AND YOU SURELY HAVE BEEN GOD TO US.
WE LIFT YOUR NAME, BECAUSE YOUR NAME SUPERSEDES ANY OTHER NAME THERE IS AND BEFORE WE ASK YOU FOR ANYTHING IN THIS WORLD, WE HAVE TO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING WE THANK YOU FOR THE POWER, THE PRESENCE, AND THE PRIVILEGE OF PRAYER.
THEN AGAIN, LORD, WE THANK YOU BECAUSE THIS IS THE FIRST PRAYER, THE FIRST MEETING OF 2026. SO WE THANK YOU, GOD, FOR ALLOWING US TO MAKE IT TO THIS POINT.
AND WE REALIZE WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE DID NOT HAVE TO DO IT.
BLESS THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
BLESS EACH COMMISSIONER ONE BY ONE, AND BLESS OUR COUNTY JUDGE.
NOW, LORD, WE ASK YOU TO RID US OF FICKLE FAITH AND THE PROCESSES THAT KEEP US SEPARATED AND UNIFY US WITH THE UNITY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE THAT THIS THIS COURT SERVES.
GIVE US THE STRENGTH AND THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT THE STRENGTH, THE POWER, AND THE PEACE TO DO THAT WHICH IS GOOD AND IF FOR THE BETTER OF THIS, OUR COUNTY. BLESS EVERY PUBLIC SERVANT, EVERY POLITICAL FORCE, AND EVERY PERSON IN THIS ROOM, BECAUSE, GOD, WE REALIZE, IF WE EVER NEEDED YOU BEFORE, WE NEED YOU AT THIS PRESENT TIME.
WE ASK YOU TO HEAR OUR REMARKS OF THIS PRAYER, FOR HIS SAKE,
>> PASTOR, THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR FRIENDSHIP OVER ALL OF THESE YEARS. THIS IS THE FIRST PRAYER OF 2026. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYBODY ELSE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, PASTOR. IT'S WONDERFUL TO HAVE YOU.
LET'S STAND AND RECITE THE PLEDG PLEDGE. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THIS FLAG
[00:05:02]
OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG, I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.SO SOME HOUSEKEEPING NOTES HERE. COUNTY ATTORNEY REQUESTS TO TAKE ITEM 340, WHICH IS EXECUTIVE SESSION REGARDING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY POSITION AS THE FIRST POINT OF ORDER.
SO WE WOULD GO DIRECTLY TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, I BELIEVE, QUITE BRIEFLY, AND PRECINCT 4 REQUESTS A POINT OF PRIVILEGE TO TAKE ITEM 383 FOLLOWING EXECUTIVE SESSION, PRECINCT 1 REQUESTS A POINT OF SESSION TO TAKE.
AFTER BOTH RESOLUTIONS AND A BRIEF PICTURE RECESS, WE WILL HEAR FROM ALL PUBLIC COMMENT SPEAKERS WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO ADDRESS THE COURT.
SO I KNOW WE HAVE KIND OF SPEAKERS, WHICH IS GREAT AND WE WILL BE AS EFFICIENT AS POSSIBLE WITH THESE COUPLE OF OUT OF ORDER REQUESTS SO WE CAN GET
[Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]
TO THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. ALL RIGHT, SO LET US HEAD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 340 AND IT IS -- SAY THAT AGAIN? THAT'S THE COUNTY ATTORNEY -->> JUDGE, I DON'T THINK WE NEED EXECUTIVE
SESSION. >> YOU DON'T THINK WE NEED EXECUTIVE SESSION? YOU NEED TO GO BACK? ALL RIGHT, SO, IS THERE A MOTION TO NAME JONATHAN FONBON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, EFFECTIVE? WHAT DO WE NEED TO SAY? IMMEDIATELY? TODAY.
WELL, LET'S MAKE A MOTION TO SECOND.
BUT I THINK WE KNOW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN.
>> I THINK THAT MEANS IT WAS DONE BY UNANIMOUS
DO YOU GUYS NEED A VOTE STILL?
>> YES. >> SO WHO MADE THE MOTION? GARCIA?
>> IS THERE A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?
>> AYE. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> IF IT'S OKAY, I'LL BE VERY QUICK.
THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST YOU'VE PLACED IN ME.
I APPRECIATE THE VOTE OF CONFIDENCE AND THE CHANCE TO SERVE AS HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I'M GRATEFUL FOR IT AND I TAKE THIS JOB VERY SERIOUSLY.
THE MOST REWARDING PART OF THIS JOB HAS BEEN PARTNERING WITH EACH OF YOU TO HELP MOVE THE COUNTY FORWARD. WHETHER IT'S TAKING DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX INSIDE, NEGOTIATING THE CLOSING OF PURCHASE OF LAND, TO EXPAND THE NATURE PRESERVE, PROVIDING LEGAL SUPPORT DURING DISASTERS, WORKING WITH THE CARBONDALE COMMUNITY TO CHALLENGE THE LANDFILL EXPANSION, OR PARTNER IT TO GET FUNDING BACK FOR OUR REFUGEE CLINIC, I GREATLY RESPECT THE GENUINE WAY YOU APPROACH YOUR WORK AND THE SERIOUSNESS YOU BRING TO SERVING THE COUNTY.
I SEE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S JOB AS BEING A PRACTICAL PARTNER TO THIS COURT, HELPING YOU UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL LANDSCAPE, FINDING SOLUTIONS TO LEGAL PROBLEMS, RAISING ISSUES WHEN WE NEED TO, AND STAYING OUT OF THE WAY WHEN WE DON'T. I PLAN TO KEEP CHECKING IN WITH YOU REGULARLY ABOUT WHAT YOU NEED IF OUR OFFICE, BOTH NOW AND AS THINGS EVOLVE IN THE MONTHS AHEAD. A FEW OTHER THANK YOUS.
I WANT TO START BY THANKING I GUESS THE FORMER COUNTY ATTORNEY, KRISTIN MENIFEE.
>> WE CAN CLAP RIGHT NOW. I MEAN, YOU KNOW, WE'RE VERY PROUD OF YOU AS WELL. #
>> THIS PARAGRAPH IS TOO LONG. A YOUNG OFFICER SHOWED HIS PLAN TO RUN FOR HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY. MY FIRST REACTION, WHAT SAY COUNTY ATTORNEY? AFTER WE TALKED, I KNEW CHRISTIAN WOULD BE AN EXCELLENT COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HIS VISIONS ALIGN WITH MY VISION OF PUBLIC SERVICE, IT'S ABOUT SERVING PEOPLE WITH HUMILITY.
OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO HELP HIM RUN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
HE'S TRULY A GIFTED LAWYER AND LEADER.
I'VE LEARNED A LOT FROM WORKING WITH HIM AND I'M THANKFUL FOR HIS LEADERSHIP AND FOR THE TEAM HE BUILD.
SO, THANK YOU. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE LAWYERS AND STAFF IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. A BUNCH ARE HERE. THEY'RE THE ONES WHO KEEP THINGS MOVING EVERY DAY AND MY GOAL IS TO SUPPORT THEM, KEEP THE
[00:10:01]
OFFICE STEADY AND MAKE SURE THEY CAN KEEP DOING THEIR JOBS. AND FINALLY, I WANT TO THANK MY FAMILY, MY KIDS, COULDN'T BE HERE TODAY.WE LOOKED AT THE DECORUM RULES, AND THEY WOULD HAVE VIOLATED ALL OF THEM.
BUT ESPECIALLY MY WIFE, DR. LAUREN SADDLER, WHO'S -- SHE'S A BRILLIANT ENGINEER AND PROFESSOR AT RICE AND THE REASON I MOVED TO HOUSTON. IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY BEING MARRIED TO A LAWYER, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE CLIENTS THAT CALL AT ALL HOURS OF THE NIGHT.
BUT SHE'S BEEN SO SUPPORTIVE OF MY CAREER AND I WOULDN'T BE HERE TODAY WITHOUT HER. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR CONFIDENCE AND THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M HONORED TO SERVE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I KNOW I SPEAK FOR ALL OF US WHEN I SAY WE'RE REALLY HAPPY TO HAVE YOU TAKE OVER THIS POSITION AND I MEAN, YOU DEVICE HAVE DONE AMAZING. THE ATTORNEYS AS WELL, WE WERE LISTENING TO THE BEAUTIFUL WORDS, AND WE DIDN'T STOP TO CLAP FOR YOU ALL, SO I WANT TO SAY WE KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORK.
AND COUNTY ATTORNEY MENIFEE BUILT AN INCREDIBLE TEAM, SO, ANYWAY, WE WILL ALSO MISS YOU.
I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS RELATED TO THIS ITEM AND SO TIFFANY, I'LL LET YOU CALL THETHE SPEAKERS.
I WAS HOPING TO CALL THE ELECTED OFFICIALS -- YES?
>> OH, I SEE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN BRIONES AND GARCIA. THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO CONGRATULATE HIM AND THANK HIM, AS WELL. I KNOW WE'LL GET TO TALK SEPARATELY ABOUT HIS PRRDS, SO I'LL LET THOSE COMMENTS WAIT UNTIL AFTER WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. Y'ALL MADE A GREAT TEAM.
AND I HOPE EVEN IN THIS NEW ROLE, YOU WILL REMAIN AS DEDICATED. I KNOW WE TRADED FOUR TIMES YESTERDAY. YOU MIGHT HAVE CALLED ME ABOUT 7:00 AND I WAS IN A COMMUNITY MEETING. I HAVE MIGHT HAVE CALLED YOU BACK ABOUT 9:00. AND THIS MORNING WHEN I DID GET YOU ON THE LINE, YOU SAID, I'M TRYING TO GET THE KIDS OUT.
BUT YOU'VE HAD A GOOD BALANCE ON THAT. AND SO HAS YOUR PREDECESSOR.
KEEP THAT UP. I'M JUST DELIGHTED THAT YOU WERE WILLING TO STEP IN AND YOU'VE HELPED MAINTAIN THINGS TO THIS POINT.
AND IT'S A GREAT APPOINTMENT. I APPRECIATE YOU AND I APPRECIATE ALL MY COLLEAGUES.
AND I'M GLAD IT'S SOMETHING WE COULD DO UNANIMOUSLY. CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN GARCIA?
>> SO, CONGRATULATIONS, COUNTY ATTORNEY FONBON AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY MENIFEE IN JUST A MOMENT. BUT CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN. YOU ARE A LAWYER'S LAWYER. YOU'RE ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT LAWYERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH.
AND I LOVE HOW SOLUTIONS- ORIENTED YOU ARE AND JUST HOW STRAIGHT UP AND STRATEGIC AND YOU JUST ARE ALWAYS ADVANCING THE BALL AND ADVOCATING FOR JUSTICE.
AND JUST THE AMOUNT OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT WORK THAT WE HAVE DONE TOGETHER IN THE LAST THREE YEARS THAT WE'VE WORKED TOGETHER AND YOU WORKED TIRELESSLY.
AND I KNOW WE TALK ALL DAYS OF THE WEEK, AT ALL TIMES, AND YOU'RE JUST ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND ALWAYS WILLING FIGHT FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.
I LOOK FORWARD TO WORK WITH YOU AND TO YOUR FAMILY, I SAY "THANK YOU," I KNOW THEY'VE SACRIFICED A LOT AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO. I LOOK FORWARD TO IT, CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> JOHN, LIKEWISE, CONGRATULATIONS.
AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, YOU'VE KEPT A GOOD BALANCE WITH YOUR FAMILY. I GOT YOUR CHRISTMAS PICTURE ON MY TABLE IN MY OFFICE. IN FACT, YESTERDAY, STAFF, WHEN WE WERE DOING BRIEFING SAID, OH, JOHN'S GOT A BEAUTIFUL FAMILY.
LIKE THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE A SURPRISE OR
SOMETHING. >> IT'S NOT FROM ME.
>> I WILL TELL YOU, THAT IS IMPRESSIVE, BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HARD YOU WORK. SOMETIMES WE'VE HAD VISITS, YOU'VE BEEN RUNNING PRETTY RAGGED, I CAN TELL.
BUT TO KNOW THAT YOUR FAMILY IS A PRIORITY TO YOU IS VERY COMFORTING. WISH YOU ALL THE BEST.
HERE TO SUPPORT AND HELP YOU MOVE THE COUNTY FORWARD.
>> JUNE, JONATHAN, PROBABLY THE HIGHEST HONOR I CAN GIVE YOU IS, YOU'RE PROBABLY ONE ATTORNEY I TALK TO THAT ACTS LIKE AN
ENGINEER. >> YOU CAN THANK HER.
>> AND PRETTY -- MUST BE YOUR WIFE, A GREAT INFLUENCE.
BUT YOU'RE PRAGMATIC, YOU'RE PRACTICAL, AS COMMISSIONER
[00:15:02]
BRIONES SAID, ARE SOLUTIONS ORIENTED.I DON'T THINK MOST PEOPLE REALIZE WHAT -- HOW MUCH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S INVOLVED NEFRG WE DO. WHETHER IT'S BUILDING A NEW ROAD, OPENING A NEW COMMUNITY CENTER. WHETHER IT'S RESPONDING TO ISSUES WITHIN THE PRECINCTS IN TERMS OF CONCERNS.
BUT HAVING SOMEONE WHO ACTUALLY ANSWERS THE PHONE IS A GREAT CREDIT TO YOU.
>> EVERYBODY'S HAPPY ABOUT THIS.
LET'S CALL UP THE SPEAKERS, TIFFANY.
>> FOR ITEM 340, WE JUST HAVE ONE, GRETA STALLWORTH.
[Departments (Part 1 of 4)]
CAN WE HAVE ONE MINUTE?>> YES, THANK YOU. EVERYONE'S HERE FOR CHRIS.
OKAY, FIRST IS COUNCILWOMAN TIFFANY THOMAS.
REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN ASHLEY SIMMONS, YOU EACH HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> ONE MINUTE, OKAY! GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT. HAPPY TO BE HERE. MANY OF US ARE CLEARLY HERE FOR CHRISTIAN, OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND MANY IN THIS ROOM CAME TO KNOW HIM AS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
BUT I KNOW HIM AS FRIEND. CHRISTIAN STOOD WITH ME WHEN I CHOSE TO DO SOMETHING HIGHER IN PUBLIC SERVICE FOR THE PEOPLE ON THE WEST SIDE.
AND EVERY TIME I CHOSE TO STAND WITH HIM, WHEN HE CHOSE TO DO SOMETHING MORE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, HE HAS TRANSFORMED THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND WE ARE FOREVER GRATEFUL FOR THAT. AND I KNOW THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO TRANSFORM COMMUNITIES IN OUR CITY. IT IS GRATEFUL TO STAND WITH YOU, TO KNOW YOU, TO WITNESS YOUR LIFE AND TO WITNESS ALL OF THE WORK THAT HIS LEADERSHIP HAS DEMONSTRATED IN ALL OF YOUR PRECINCTS. SO I'M HAPPY TO BE HERE THIS MORNING AND TO BE WELCOMED BY THE JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
CONGRATULATIONS, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND THANK YOU, JOHN. CONGRATULATIONS.
LOOKING FORWARD TO CONTINUE WORKING WITH YOU, AS
WELL. >> THANK YOU, COUNCILMEMBER
THOMAS. >> REPRESENTATIVES, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORDS.
GO AHEAD, YES? JUST SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD IF THAT'S OKAY.
>> GOOD MORNING, STATE REPRESENTATIVE LAUREN ASHLEY SIMMONS. GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO, ESTEEMED COMMISSIONERS.
I'LL BE VERY BRIEF, BUT I DID WANT TO SHARE AN ASPECT OF THE WORK THAT CHRISTIAN HAS DONE.
HE'S ALWAYS BEEN A CHAMPION OF WORKING PEOPLE. AS AN ORGANIZE, I'M EXTREMELY CRITICAL OF COLLECTED OFFICIALS.
AND I CAN SEE HOW WE CAN BE A LITTLE BIT OF A PAIN, NOW THAT I'M ON THE OTHER SIDE. THE WORK THAT HE HAS DONE WITH THE ESSENTIAL WORKERS' BOARD AND REALLY JUST CENTERING THE NEEDS OF WORKERS, BUT ALSO MY TIME AS AN ORGANIZING DIRECTOR, AND MANY OF Y'ALL HELPED US WITH THAT WORK. HE ENSURED THAT OUR PEOPLE FELT HEARD AND THAT THERE WAS A PATHWAY TO JUSTICE FOR WORKERS. A LOT OF TIME, OUR PEOPLE ARE OVERLOOKED. AND THEY COME INTO THESE BUILDINGS AND THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT THEY HAVE VOTED FOR AND SUPPORTED, BUT THEY DON'T GET A LOT OF FACE TIME WITH THEM. AND WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIT DOWN WITH HIS OFFICE, AND I REMEMBER ONE OF MY WORKERS SAYING, WOW, THIS IS SOMEBODY'S NAME THAT I'VE SEEN ON THE BALLOT.
AND HE'S SITTING HERE LISTENING TO ME TALKING ABOUT ME
LOSING -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS
CONTINUE. >> OH, NO, I'M DONE.
BUT I WANTED TO LET PEOPLE KNOW OUTSIDE OF THE ACTUAL COUNTY ATTORNEY WORK THAT HIS WORK IS VERY MEANINGFUL FOR PEOPLE. THANK YOU SO MUCH, CONGRATULATIONS, AND CONGRATULATIONS,
JOHN. >> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE SIMMONS.
SIMMONS. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU DO, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS, AS WELL.
>> I'LL LET THE RECORD REFLECT TO COUNCILMEMBER THOMAS, I WAS GOING TO GIVE IT TO YOU.
>> NEXT IS BISHOP JAMES DIXON, GRETA STALWART, DEXTER MCCOY, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS. AND I DID NOT BRING A SERMON.
EXCITED FOR SUCH A POSITIVE EQUATION TO CELEBRATE THE PASSING OF THE BATON FROM CHRISTIAN MENIFEE TO JONATHAN.
I KNOW BOTH OF THESE GENTLEMEN AND HAVE WORKED WITH OVER THE YEARS. IT'S A PRIM OF ME TO SAY CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THEM AT THE SAME TIME MAYA ANGELO SAID, THE SIGN OF A GREAT LEADER IS A GREAT LEADER MAKES LEADERS AND EVALUATES NEW LEADERS.
AND CHRISTIAN, YOU'VE DONE THAT IN THIS MOMENT.
[00:20:03]
WE WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THAT. SMALL LEADERS KEEP SMALL PEOPLE AROUND THEM TO MAKE THEM FEEL BIG. THE FACT THAT YOU BROUGHT SOMEONE AS BRILLIANT AS JONATHAN TO WORK WITH YOU SAYS THAT YOU HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF.THANK YOU FOR DEMONSTRATING THAT.
MY NEXT SERMON. CHRISTIAN, I WANT TO SAY TO YOU, CONGRATULATIONS. WE'VE KNOWN YOU TO BE A MAN OF FAITH, A MAN OF FORTITUDE, A MAN OF FOCUS, A MAN OF THE FUTURE, AND A MAN WHO FIGHTS. AND A MAN OF FAMILY.
WE WANT TO COMMENT YOU, BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE CHARACTERISTICS, YOU HAVE REPRESENTED AND LIVED OUT IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU HAVE INSPIRED OTHER PEOPLE TO DO THE SAME. GREAT LEADERS DON'T TAKE WALKS BY THEMSELVES. THEY INSPIRE OTHERS TO TAKE MEANINGFUL JOURNEYS ALONG THE WAY.
AND YOU'VE DONE THAT AS OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY.
THE FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN. SO I'M SPEAKING AS AN NAACP PRESIDENT, AS A PASTOR OF THE FRIEND, AS THE COMMITTEE CORPORATION AND WHATEVER ELSE I AM. BUT WE APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT YOU HAVE DEMONSTRATED YOUR FAITH, YOU'VE WORN THAT WITHOUT BEING ASHAMED OF IT, YOU'VE DEMONSTRATED THE FACT THAT YOU'RE A MAN OF FOCUS, YOU'VE STAYED THE COURSE, FOCUSED ON THINGS THAT MATTER. A MAN WHO UNDERSTANDS THE FUTURE, LOOKING TOWARDS CREATING A FUTURE THAT LOOKS BETTER THAN THE ONE THAT WE HAVE RIGHT NOW, AND A MAN WHO FIGHTS. THOSE THAT OPPOSE, YOU HAVE FOUGHT THOSE THINGS WITH VIGOR, VIM, VITALITY, AND WITH VISION.
FOR THOSE REASONS, WE SAY, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR DECISION, YOUR FUTURE LIFE, AND THE BEST IS STILL YET TO COME.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR GIVING US JONATHAN FONBON TO STEP IN AND CARRY THAT BATON. GOD BLESS AND PEACE TO
ALL. >> I'M GRETA STALLWORTH WITH HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND THE CHAIR ELECT OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE TRUSTEES. AS WE REFLECT ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY CHIEF CIVIL ATTORNEY ROLE, REPRESENTING THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THIS GREAT STATE OF TEXAS, THIS ROLE PRESENTS A TRULY DAUNTING TASK. CHRISTIAN MENIFEE HAS REPRESENTED HARRIS COUNTY EXTRAORDINARILY WELL AND HAS SERVED WITH THE HIGHEST STANDARD OF INTEGRITY. IN THIS PROFESSION, ATTORNEY MENIFEE RECOGNIZES THE IMMENSE VALUE THAT THE OFFICE BRINGS TO THE COUNTY, PROVIDING SOUND LEGAL ADVICE AND EXCEPTIONAL LITIGATION IN LAWFUL MATTERS.
COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS, AND CITIZENS IN UNDERRESOURCED REGIONS HAVE BENEFITED GREATLY FROM HIS LEADERSHIP. AS CITIZENS, WE ARE THE BENEFICIARIES OF CHRISTIAN'S DISCIPLINED APPROACH TO PROTECTING THE COUNTY.
AS A FAMILY MAN AND COMMUNITY LEADER, CHRISTIAN HAS SHOWN VALUES OF LOVE, PROTECTION, AND STABILITY.
HE CERTAINLY LIVES UP TO THE STANDARD INSTILLED IN HIM BY HIS PARENTS. SO WE WOULD SAY FROM DISTRICT 9 IN HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE, WELL DONE, YOUNG SIR, WELL DONE.
>> NICE TO HAVE YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING. IT'S INTERESTING TO BE ON THIS SIDE OF THINGS, JUDGE, MEMBERS OF COURT, IT'S GREAT TO BE HERE WITH YOU.
I JUST HAVE TO COME AND SPEAK AS COUNTY COMMISSIONER AND I HAVE TO JUST COME AND SPEAK AS A FRIEND, A COLLEAGUE, AND SOMEONE FROM THE FAN CLUB OF CHRISTIAN MENIFEE. BUT I HAVE TO SAY THIS.
CHRISTIAN, BECAUSE YOU HAVE SERVED AND BECAUSE OF THE WAY YOU HAVE SERVED, THERE ARE LITTLE BLACK BOYS AND BLACK GIRLS WHO TODAY KNOW THAT THEIR HIGHESTS A SEPARATIONS ARE POSSIBLE BECAUSE YOU SHOWED THEM. BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT YOU HAVE FOUGHT FOR EVERYONE, NOT JUST IN THIS COUNTY, BUT IN THIS REGION AND IN THIS STATE.
THERE ARE KIDS TODAY WHO WILL KNOW THAT THEY CAN FIGHT, TOO. THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO ACCEPT WHERE THEY ARE TODAY THAT THEY CAN FIGHT WHERE THEY WANT TO GO TOMORROW. THAT'S YOUR FIGHT. ON BEHALF OF MY CHILDREN.
ON BEHALF OF YOURS AND ALL OF THE CHILDREN IN THIS REGION AND THIS STATE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE WAY YOU SERVE. THANK YOU FOR BEING THE PERSON THAT I CAN CALL WHEN WE'RE IN A BIND AND THE PERSON WHO WHEN I'M TRYING TO CHECK THE OPINIONS I'M GETTING ON MY SIDE OF THE WORLD, AFFIRMING THAT WE HAVE A RIGHT READ ON THE LAW AND ON JUSTICE. AND I'M EXCITED FOR WHERE I'M GOING. JOHN, THANKS FOR TAKING MY CALL YESTERDAY, AND I'M REALLY EXCITED IN ALL YOU'RE GOING TO DO IN CONTINUING THIS GREAT LEADERSHIP. ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US, THANK
YOU. >> OTIS AVAGARO, BRIANNA THOMAS,
[00:25:01]
MAXWELL.>> COMMISSIONER MCCOY, WELCOME. IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU, MY FRIEND. HELLO?
>> WELL, GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER ICE'S COURT. JUST A CITIZEN FOR TODAY.
NORMALLY I WOULD PREPARE SOMETHING, BUT IT'S HARD TO TALK ABOUT SOMEONE THAT MEANS A LOT TO YOU. I'M GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE MAN THAT IS CHRISTIAN MENIFEE. A MAN OF FAITH, A MAN OF CHARACTER, A MAN WHO'S ALWAYS GOING TO BE THERE FOR YOU.
AND I THINK Y'ALL HAVE SEEN THAT.
THERE HAVE BEEN SOME TOUGH TIMES THAT WE'VE HAD.
AND I'VE BEEN ABLE TO CALL CHRISTIAN, NO MATTER THE TIME, THE DAY, THE HOUR. HE'S ALWAYS BEEN THERE.
AND SO FOR THAT, I SAY, THANK YOU, BROTHER.
THANK YOU FOR DOING A FANTASTIC JOB IN AN OFFICE THAT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT.
AND NOW EVERYBODY KNOWS ABOUT THE OFFICE.
SO GREAT JOB, CHRISTIAN. AND TO CLOSE, CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN. YOU'VE BECOME A FANTASTIC ADVISER AND FRIEND YOURSELF, AS DEXTER JUST SAID. WE GET TO CALL YOU, TOO.
SO THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN, FOR THAT. FOR KEEP GIVING US GIFTS. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN, AND GOOD LUCK.
>> GOOD MORNING. EVER SINCE MIDDLE SCHOOL, I KNEW I WANTED TO BE A LAWYER. I TRIED TO WRITE LIKE ONE, READ LIKE ONE, SHOOT, EVEN ARGUE LIKE ONE.
HOWEVER, AS MY SENIOR YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL WAS COMING TO AN END, SO WAS MY PASSION. I NO LONGER SAW A CLEAR PATH IN FRONT OF ME. I DIDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO, WHO TO TALK TO, OR EVEN HAVE THE FUNDS TO SUPPORT MY PASSION.
SLOWLY, MY HEART BROKE BECAUSE OF IT.
THEN ON A RANDOM DAY IN MARCH, MY MOTHER SENT ME AN APPLICATION LINK TO SOMETHING CALLED SLA AND TOLD ME TO APPLY. I DID.
IT WAS A TWO- WEEK PROGRAM FILLED WITH LESSONS ON APPLYING TO LAW TO WHAT TO EXPECT AS A LAW STUDENT, THE VARIOUS FIELDS OF LAW, AND OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEAK WITH LAW STUDENTS, LAWYERS, AND JUDGES WHO LOOKED LIKE ME.
I KNEW CHRISTIAN MENIFEE, THE FIRST AND YOUNGEST AFRICAN-AMERICAN MAN TO SERVE AS HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY AND YOUR AMAZING STAFF HAD NO IDEA THAT SLA WOULD CHANGE MY LIFE. NOT ONLY DID I LEARN FROM INCREDIBLE --
>> YOU CAN CLOSE OUT. DON'T FORGET TO MENTION YOUR NAME AS WELL.
>> YES, OF COURSE. NOT ONLY DID I LEARN FROM INCREDIBLY INSPIRING PEOPLE, BUT I ALSO FORMED MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS AND MEMORIES FROM FELLOW ALUMNI THAT I AM TRULY GRATEFUL FOR. THESE WERE STUDENTS WITH SO MUCH PASSION, DRIVE, AND COURAGE THAT BLEW MY MIND, MORE THAN PRACTICING OUTSIDE QUESTIONS FOR THE FIRST TIME. FROM LEARNING BOOKS -- OR FOR SHARING BOOKS, STORIES, NOTES, AND FOOD, TO MEETING AT A COFFEE SHOP BEFORE WALKING IN AT 9:00 A.M. , AND EVEN COORDINATING WHICH COLOR POLO WE WOULD WEAR THE NEXT DAY, THESE TWO WEEKS WERE MEMORABLE IN THE HOSPITAL ONLY FOR THE LEARNING EXPERIENCE, BUT FOR THE AMAZING INDIVIDUALS LEARNING ALONGSIDE ME.
MR. MENIFEE, YOU MAY NOT HAVE REALIZED IT AT THE TIME, BUT YOU IMPACTED EVERY SINGLE STUDENT AND EVERY SINGLE COHORT, ESPECIALLY ME. AND BY THE END OF THE PROGRAM, I COULD FINALLY SEE A PATH, MY PATH.
TODAY, I'M A JUNIOR AT TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY PURSUING MY BACHELOR'S DEGREE IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE AFTER EARNING MY ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE FROM BLAINE COLLEGE AND NOW INTERNING AT THE VERY OFFICE THAT GAVE ME BACK MY DREAM. SO THANK YOU, MR. MENIFEE FOR NOT GIVING UP ON YOUR PASSION, AND FOR CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR STUDENTS LIKE ME, SO THAT WE CAN ACHIEVE OURS, TOO.
THANK YOU. MY NAME IS BRIANNA THOMAS.
>> DID YOU REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING. I'M MAXINE LAYNE SEELS.
JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE YOU. IT GIVES ME AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO COME HERE TODAY.
I'M A FORMER TRUSTEE, A LIFE- LONG TRUSTEE OF SERVING OVER 20- PLUS YEAR AT THE FOREST EXPECT SCHOOL DISTRICT AND A TRUSTEE AT THE HCC BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
AND IT'S A PRIVILEGE TO COME HERE TODAY TO TALK ABOUT A GREAT PERSON WHO HAS SERVED AS A GREAT SERVANT TO THE COMMUNITY.
I WROTE A FEW NOTES ABOUT CHRISTIAN AND CHRISTIAN, I'M A BIT OLD AND OLD FASHIONED, BUT STAND UP WHILE I TALK. I WANT THEM TO SEE YOU! AND SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT AND WHAT'S HAPPENING, SITTING THERE WAS JUST NOT ENOUGH FOR
ME. >> KEEP HIM GROUNDED! KEEP HIM GROUNDED!
[00:30:01]
>> THAT'S MAXINE FOR YOU. OH, BY THE WAY, I DID HAVE THE TITLE OF LITTLE SHEILA JACKSON LEE.
>> CHRISTIAN HAS ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANT LITIGATION WINS FOR OUR COUNTY. HE'S NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT WITH TXDOT OVER NHIP, INCORPORATING DRAINAGE PRODUCTS, EXPANDING PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, AND PROVIDING FUNDING FOR PEDESTRIANS AND OUR BIKE TRAILS.
HE BROUGHT IN MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH CORPORATE BAD ACTORS, PROTECTED FUNDING FOR NUMEROUS COUNTY PROGRAMS IN THE COURTS, INCLUDING THE COUNTY'S REFUGEES SCREENING PROGRAM.
THAT WASN'T ENOUGH, HE RAISES STANDARD FOR LEGAL OPERATIONS AT THE COUNTY.
TOOK DELINQUENT PROPERTY TAX OPERATIONS IN HOUSE, DECREASED TURNAROUND TIME ON CONTRACTS AND RECRUITED TALENTED LAWYERS TO THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ATTORNEY MENIFEE PROTECTED OUR COMMUNITIES FROM HARMFUL POLLUTION.
HE STOPPED THE EXPANSION OF A LANDFILL -- HE SUED THE TCEQ TO STRENGTHEN REGULATIONS OF CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS, NEGOTIATED A DEAL, REDUCED THE TAXIC EMISSIONS IN THE MANCHESTER NEIGHBORHOOD AND JOINED WITH THE CITY TO RING THE CLAMOR ON THE CANCER CLUSTER IN THE FIFTH WARD COMMUNITY.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, HE ESTABLISHED NEW CONSUMER PROTECTION STANDARDS. HE CREATED A HOTLINE AND WEBSITE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS TO REPORT CONSUMER FRAUD AND PUBLISH CONSUMER PROTECTION GROUPS TO RESPOND TO THESE REPORTS.
HE SUED FRAUDULENT TITLE COMPANIES AND INDIVIDUALS FOR STEALING PEOPLE'S HOMES AND SCAMMING RESIDENTS. AND HE CRACKED DOWN ON PRICE DURING STORMS LIKE OUR HURRICANE BARREL. THE ONE THAT IMPRESSED ME MOST IS THE CHAMPION'S CREATION RIGHTS.
HE REMOVED BARRIERS FOR PEOPLE TRYING TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AFTER BEING INVOLVEDINVOLVED WITH SYSTEM.
GLASHTED ON ESTABLISHING NEW SAFETY POLICIES.
THANK YOU, COUNTY COMMISSIONER, FOR THE WORK THAT YOU HAVE DONE AND WE THE PEOPLE OF THE COMMUNITY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND CONGRATULATION TO YOU, THE INTERIM COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> TRUSTEE, I WANTED TO MENTION THE BAN THE BOX ACTUALLY CHRISTIAN, I THINK THE TRUSTEE AND SOME OTHER FOLKS HAVE MENTIONED HOW YOU PRIOR TIED THE COMMUNITY, AND THAT'S NOT A POLITICAL BUT IT'S IMPORTANT, AND I REMEMBER WE HAD THAT PRESS CONFERENCE, SO YOU'VE DONE A LOT OF GREAT THINGS, BUT THAT ONE REALLY STANDS OUT TO ME, BECAUSE IT'S NOT POLITICALLY CONVENIENT AND THAT'S RARE.
>> DANIELLA LANDERS, THOMAS LOPEZ, AESAR ESPINOZA, LINDA MORALES, YOU EACH HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.
MY NAME IS DANIELLA LANDERS. IT IS MY PLEASURE TO THANK YOU CHRISTIAN MENIFEE FOR HIS -- ALL OF HIS GREAT WORK WITH THE BAR AND THE COMMUNITY AT LARGE I HAVE THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING CHRISTIAN AND HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE CAITLIN BEFORE HE WAS COUNTY ATTORNEY.
AND WHAT I ADMIRE ABOUT HIM AND BOTH OF THEM, ACTUALLY, IS THEIR THENTS AND THEIR PASSION AND THEIR CONTINUED COMMUNITY SERVICE. SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE. PARTICULARLY WANT TO POINT OUT A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT HE'S DONE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT A LOT OF FOLKS MAY NOT KNOW. WE APPRECIATE THE PARTNERSHIP THAT YOU HAD WITH THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION AND THIS COURT FOR THE LAW PODS, WHICH INCREASED ACCESS TO JUSTICE FOR MANY, MANYMANY PEOPLE. WE APPRECIATE ALSO YOUR CONTINUED VOMT IN THE CONTINUE CONTINUED INVOLVEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON BAR ASSOCIATION. OFTENTIMES LIFE GETS SO BUSY, WE'RE NOT ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT.
SO WE APPRECIATE YOUR SO WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF
[00:35:03]
THE ATTORNEYS IN THIS OFFICE WERE MEMBER MEMBERS. WE GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR DEDICATION AND SERVICE AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU, MR. FONBON AS YOU CONTINUE SERVING OUR COMMUNITY AND THE LEGAL COMMUNITY. THANK YOU.>> GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE.
GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS THOMAS LOPEZ AND I'M REPRESENTING THE HARRIS COUNTY LGBTQIA COMMISSION.
WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT OUR GRATITUDE TOWARDS CHRISTIAN MENIFEE. HE'S A TRAILBLAZER AND HIS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND THE LGBTQIA COMMUNITY HAS BEEN A GREAT BENEFACTOR OF HIS TIRELESS WORK. WE'VE SEEN HIM AT PRIDE PARADE, LIKE WE'VE SEEN MANY OF YOU.
AND YOU KNOW HOW HOT IT IS. AND HE SWEATED IT OUT WITH US. BUT LONG AFTER THE GLITTER AND THE FLOATS HAVE SUBSIDED, HE'S BEEN THERE FOR OUR COMMUNITY. HE'S SHOWN UP FOR OUR COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS. AND HE'S STOOD UP FOR THE RIGHT TO TRANSGENDER YOUTH AND THEIR FAMILIES BY FILING A BRIEF.
WE ARE THANKFUL FOR CHRISTIAN MENIFEE'S SERVICE AS THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY AND APPRECIATE HIS FIGHT FOR JUSTICE. PARTICULARLY IN SUPPORT OF THE LGBTQIA PLUS COMMUNITY. AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING HIM CONTINUE TO BLAZE TRIAL TRAILS AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I'M EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. I'M GLAD TO BE STANDING HERE TODAY AS A CELEBRATORY DAY TO COMMEND AND HONOR EVERYONE TO MENIFEE.
OFTENTIMES, WE IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY HAVE FELT ALONE, BUT WE ARE HAPPY AND PROUD TO HAVE HAD SUCH A GREAT ADVOCATE BY OUR SIDE, NOT WHEN IT WAS POPULAR, BUT WHEN IT WAS RIGHT.
AND OFTENTIMES IN LEADERSHIP, WE HAVE TO BE CALLED UPON TO DO THINGS. AND I CAN SAY THAT CHRISTIAN MENIFEE HAS BEEN THERE WITHOUT BEING CALLED.
THERE MAY BE A LAWSUIT OUT THERE, WHICH WE WON'T TALK ABOUT TOO MUCH TODAY.
BUT WHEN WE FELT ALONE, AND I REMEMBER SITTING THERE AND THEN MY OFFICE STAFF COMES IN AND THEY'RE ELATED BECAUSE ATTORNEY MENIFEE HAD FILED A BRIEF ON OUR BEHALF. AND WHEN WE FELT THAT SUPPORT, I TOOK IN A DEEP SIGH OF RELIEF AND SAID --
>> GO AHEAD AND FINISH. >> -- MAYBE EVERYTHING IS GOING TO WORK OUT. AND SO FAR IT HAS.
AND I THANK EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING THERE WHEN WE NEEDED YOU THE MOST.
>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, LINDA MORALES, REPRESENTING THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION OF THE AFL- CIO AND OUR 75 AFFILIATED UNIONS. I RISE TODAY TO EXPRESS DEEP GRATITUDE TO COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTIAN MENIFEE, AS HE PREPARES TO LEAVE THE OFFICE THROUGHOUT THE TENURE, CHRISTIAN STOOD SHOULDER-TO- SHOULDER, DELIVERING REAL RESULTS FOR WORKING PEOPLE.
HE WALKED THE PICKET LINES AND ENSURED LABOR HAD A SEAT AT THE TABLE SO THAT THIS COURT COULD ADVANCE WORKERS' SAFETY, EXPAND APPRENTICESHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND STRENGTHEN WORKER VOICE.
WHEN WORKING PEOPLE WERE UNDER ATTACK, CHRISTIAN ACTED WITH COURAGE AND CONVICTION TO BLOCK HARMFUL ACTIONS.
THAT LEADERSHIP MATTERED. WE THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN, AND WE WISH YOU CONTINUED SUCCESS. AND TO JONATHAN, WE STAND READY TO KEEP FIGHTING FOR WORKING PEOPLE, INSPIRED BY THE EXAMPLE THAT CHRISTIAN HAS SET. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
>> CHRIS HAULINS, NATALIE DE LUCA, MIMI HAHN, SARAH UTLEY.
>> GOOD MORNING, ESTEEMED MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I AM -- CITY CONTROLLER CHRIS HAULINS. AND A MINUTE IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH TO EXPOUND ON THE WORK AND THE VIRTUES OF THE GREATEST COUNTY ATTORNEY IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY. BUT I WANT TO SUMMARIZE IT BY SAYING THANK YOU. CHRISTIAN, I'M OLD SCHOOL.
YOU'LL HAVE TO STAND UP WHEN I TALK.
CHRISTIAN, AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY, I
[00:40:01]
WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURAGE, FOR YOUR SPIRIT, FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THE FIGHTS THAT ARE WORTH FIGHTING, EVEN IF THOSE ARE UPHILL BATTLES. BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SKILL, THE STRATEGY, AND THE SMARTS ALONG WITH YOUR INCREDIBLE TEAM THAT HAVE ALLOWED YOU TO WIN THOSE FIGHTS ON BEHALF OF 5 MILLION RESIDENTS OF THIS COUNTY.SO, THANK YOU. AS A -- AS A FELLOW PUBLIC SERVANT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR RAISING THE STANDARDS OF WORK ETHIC, OF INTEGRITY, OF VISION, OF EXCELLENCE IN THESE OFFICES. BECAUSE WHEN WE'RE PUT IN THESE POSITIONS OF PUBLIC TRUST, THAT IS WHAT OUR RESIDENTS DESERVE. AND YOU HAVE SET THAT STANDARD AND YOU HAVE GONE WELL BEYOND THAT STANDARD. TO CAITLIN AND TO YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE SACRIFICES THAT COME ALONG WITH PUBLIC SERVICE. AND WE'RE VERY, VERY GRATEFUL TO YOU FOR THAT.
COUNTY ATTORNEY FONBON, I'M GOING TO STATE THE OBVIOUS IN MY CONGRATULATIONS, AND THAT'S THAT YOU HAVE SOME INCREDIBLY LARGE SHOES TO FILL. I'LL ALSO SAY, THOUGH, THAT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE'VE SET THE PRECEDENT OF APPOINTED OFFICIALS RAISING THE STANDARD EVEN FURTHER WHEN THEY'VE BEEN PUT IN THESE INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT POSITIONS. IT SPEAKS VOLUMES THAT YOU WERE APPOINTED UNANIMOUSLY AND BIPARTISAN FASHION, AND WE KNOW THAT YOU ARE GOING TO SERVE ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY WITH THE TIME THAT YOU HAVE IN THIS OFFICE.
SO THANK YOU. OBVIOUSLY, I'M NOT GOING TO READ THESE, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, BUT I HAVE A RESOLUTION FROM THE CITY CONTROLLER'S OFFICE, AS WELL AS A RESOLUTION FROM THETHE OFFICE OF CITY COUNCIL MEMBER ABBY CAINMAN.
SHE WISHED SHE COULD BE HERE TODAY, BUT SHE WAS UNABLE TO BE HERE.
BUT KNOW, CHRISTIAN, THAT WE'RE SO GRATEFUL FOR YOU.
THAT YOUR COMMUNITY HAS YOUR BACK, THAT WE'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT STEPS IN YOUR JOURNEY. AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU WILL BE, BUT I'VE ALREADY BOOKED MY FLIGHT TO D.C. FOR THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY AND SO, AGAIN, THANK YOU SO, SO MUCH.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO, AND TIFFANY, CAN I RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THAT DEON SHANTIR BE CALLED UP.
I'M SORRY, BUT PLEASE GO AHEAD.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
I WILL TRY TO BE AS BRIEF AS MY COUNCILWOMAN, TIFFANY THOMAS WAS. I'M D.A. SEAN TIRR, AND SOMEONE WHO HAD YOU AS MY LAWYER FOR THE FIRST YEAR OF BEING A PUBLIC SERVANT, IT HAS BEEN A JOY TO WORK WITH YOU.
BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, YOU HAVE BEEN SUCH A FIGHTER FOR ALL OF US. NOT JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT THIS STATE AND THIS COUNTRY.
YOU'RE FEARLESS. AND I KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO CARRY THAT INTO WHATEVER YOU'RE GOING TO DO NEXT.
I COULD NOT BE A BIGGER SUPPORTER AND FAN OF YOU, FROM THE VERY FIRST MINUTE I MET YOU YOU TO NOW. SO THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU'VE DONE. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'RE DOING AND WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO DO.
YOU'RE AMAZING. AND JOHN, WE'VE STILL GOT A LOT OF WORK TO DO. SO THANK YOU, AND I'M EXCITED FOR YOUR NEW ROLE AS WELL.
>> THANK YOU, D.A. , AND THANK YOU TO CONTROLLER HAULINS ASAS
WELL. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS NATALIE DE LUCA.
I'M MANAGING COUNCIL IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OVERSEEING THE EMPLOYMENT REAL ESTATE AND DEFENSIVE LITIGATION DIVISIONS.
I JOINED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN EARLY 2021 UNDER MR. MENIFEE'S LEADERSHIP AND I HAD WORKED AS IN-HOUSE COUNCIL FOR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT FOR A VERY LONG TIME, BUT NEVER WORKED DIRECTLY IN AN ELECTED OFFICE. AND I'LL CONFESS, BEFORE ACCEPTING THE POSITION, I HAD SOME RESERVATIONS, AS Y'ALL CAN SOMETIMES BE A HANDFUL.
BUT AFTER MEETING WITH CHRISTIAN, I WAS CONVINCED AND IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I'VE SEEN CHRISTIAN LIVE BY THE VALUES THAT HE SHARED WITH ME IN OUR FIRST MEETING. DEDICATION TO THE COMMUNITY AND DEDICATION TO HIS FAMILY. HE HAS PAUSED OUR BUSINESS MEETINGS TO TAKE CALLS FROM THE MAYOR AND FROM HIS MOTHER. AS AN EMPLOYMENT LAWYER AND A WORKING PARENT, I WAS SO PROUD WHEN HE TOOK PARENTAL LEAVE FOR THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILDREN, BECAUSE IT MODELED FOR OUR STAFF, YOU CAN SUPPORT YOUR FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS WITHOUT DIMINISHING YOUR PROFESSIONAL. I KNOW THAT THESE VALUES
[00:45:03]
WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU, CHRISTIAN, ON YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WATCHING THAT FUTURE UNFOLD.>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT. MY NAME IS MIMI HAHN, MANAGING COUNCIL FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I'M HONORED TO BE HERE TODAY.
TODAY MARKS A VERY SPECIAL HISTORIC MOMENT OF GRATITUDE AND TRANSITION AS COUNTY ATTORNEY CHRISTIAN D. MENIFEE MOVES TO THE NEXT CHAPTER OF PUBLIC SERVICE AS A LONGTIMER IS ER SERVANT AT THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I'VE BEEN ABLE TO WITNESS HIS DEDICATION, INTEGRITY, AND PASSION FOR THE OFFICE.
HE'S MOVED AT 100 MILES PER HOUR AND I HAVEN'T SEEN HIM WAIVER YET OR SLOW DOWN YET.
WITH THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT, HE CREATED THE PROPERTY TAX DIVISION.
AND THAT DIVISION WON THE VERY PRESTIGIOUS NATIONAL AWARD OF FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR COUNTIES OF ASSOCIATION.
HE'S DONE SO MUCH. I HAVE ONE MINUTE.
HE REALLY MODERNIZED OUR OFFICE, AND THAT WAS A VERY HARD FEAT TO DO.
AND IT WAS VERY NEEDED BECAUSE OF THE POPULATION OF OUR GROWTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I WANT TO SAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH, CHRISTIAN.
IT'S BEEN AN HONOR WORKING UNDERNEATH YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS, JOHN. SO THANK YOU VERY
>> GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
I'M A MANAGING COUNCIL, I SUPERVISOR THE CPS DIVISIONS AND THE DISABILITY ELDER DIVISION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, REPORTING DIRECTLY TO JAY IRE AS THE FIRST ASSISTANT.
WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LEADERSHIP, PEOPLE OFTEN TALK ABOUT TITLES.
BUT REAL LEADERSHIP, YOU FEEL IT.
AND WHEN CHRISTIAN DESEAN MENIFEE WALKS INTO A ROOM, YOU FEEL IT. THAT PRESENCE, THAT IT FACTOR, THAT MAKES PEOPLE WANT TO LEAN IN, BE INVOLVED, AND BE A PART OF SOMETHING BIGGER.
HE NEVER SIGHED AWAY FROM THE HARD WORK, HE TOOK ON DIFFICULT TASKS AND BIG FIGHTS BECAUSE THEY WERE THE RIGHT FIGHTS AND THEY BENEFITED THE ENTIRE COUNTY. BUT HIS GREATEST ACCOMPLISHMENT WAS A HEADLINE OR A VICTORY, IT WAS US. HE MADE US FEEL HEARD, VALUED AND APPRECIATED.
HE TRUSTED OUR EXPERTISE. HE EMPOWERED US TO DO OUR JOBS AND BECAUSE OF THAT TRUST, THIS OFFICE DIDN'T JUST FUNCTION, IT THRIVED.
THEY SAY GREAT LEADERS LEAD FROM THE FRONT, AND HE DID EXACTLY THAT.
HE DIDN'T RETREAT WHEN THINGS GOT HARD.
HE STEPPED FORWARD. WE WERE LUCKY, BLESSED, AND WE ARE BETTER FOR HAVING WORKED ALONGSIDE HIM. THIS ISN'T JUST GOOD- BYE, IT'S THANK YOU. IT'S ALSO A PROMISE. WHEREVER YOU GO NEXT AND WHATEVER YOU DO, THERE ARE GREAT THINGS TO COME.
AND WE WISH YOU CONTINUED GREATNESS AND THANK YOU FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF JONATHAN FONBON AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. I SERVE AS MANAGING COUNCIL FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION. COUNTY ATTORNEY MENIFEE LED OUR OFFICE WITH A STRONG COMMITMENT TO PUBLIC SERVICE. HE LED WITH A TRUE SERVANT'S HEART. HE CONSISTENTLY LISTENED TO THE FEEDS AND THE CONCERNS OF THE COMMUNITY AND IMPORTANTLY, HE SUPPORTED HIS STAFF. IN FURTHERANCE OF THE WORK OF HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE PEOPLE HE SERVES. CHRISTIAN WAS INTENTIONAL ABOUT DIRECTING RESOURCES WHERE HE IDENTIFIED GROWING NEEDS.
HE EXPANDED THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION AND CREATED THE AFFIRMATIVE LITIGATION DIVISION. TODAY, BOTH DIVISIONS ARE EQUIPPED TO MEET THE EXPANDING AND EVOLVING NEEDS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE IT SERVES.
CHRISTIAN, IT'S BEEN AN HONOR TO SERVE UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AT THIS OFFICE.
>> NEXT IS TRACY BRANDON AND JENNIFER
HADEA. >> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TRACY BRANDON.
I'M A REALTOR. I'M HONORED TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING CHRISTIAN MENIFEE.
ESPECIALLY THE WORK HIS OFFICE HAS DONE TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS FROM CONSUMER FRAUD. DEED FRAUD IS ONE OF THE MOST DEVASTATING CRIMES A HOMEOWNER CAN FACE. IT DOESN'T JUST TAKE PROPERTY, IT TAKES SECURITY, STABILITY, AND GENERATIONAL WEALTH.
IN MY WORK ADDRESSING DEED FRAUD, ONE OF THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES HAS ALWAYS BEEN ENFORCEMENT.
EDUCATION MATTERS, BUT WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, FRAUD CONTINUES.
[00:50:04]
UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY MENIFEE'S LEADERSHIP, THAT CHANGED. BY LEVERAGING THE FULL STRENGTH OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HARRIS COUNTY HAS BUILT A MEANINGFUL SMER PROTECTION SYSTEM, SYSTEMS THAT HOLD BAD ACTORS ACCOUNTABLE AND GIVE VICTIMS A CLEAR PLACE TO TURN. THIS WORK CREATES DETERRENCE. THE LONG-TERM PROTECTION OWNERS ACROSS THIS COUNTY. THE IMPACT OF HIS WORK WILL BE FELT FOR YEARS TO COME, AND HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE STRONGER BECAUSE OF IT. THANK YOU.>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND BRIONES, WOULD YOU LIKE TO SPEAK NOW OR AFTER THE SPEAKERS.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JENNIFER HIDIA.
I WAS BORN, RAISED, AND LIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
I'M A FORMER COUNTY EMPLOYEE ANDAND THE DIRECTOR OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL NONPROFIT CALLED AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON.
I MENTION ALL OF THOSE ROLES BECAUSE THEY REPRESENT ALL OF THE COMMUNITY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE HAD THE VERY BEST ATTORNEY FOR THESE PAST FEW YEARS.
CHRISTIAN MENIFEE NEVER BACKED DOWN FOR US.
HE HELD TCEU ACCOUNTABLE FOR ALLOWING CONCRETE BATCH PLANTS, HE MELD MAJOR OIL CORPORATIONS FOR BEING BAD NEIGHBORS WHEN THEY HAD CHEMICAL FILS SPILS, FIRES, OR EXPLOSIONS.
WE HAVEN'T AFRAID TO STAND UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PROTECT RENEWABLE ENERGY IN OUR COUNTY.
AND HE BUILT AN INCREDIBLE TEAM. PEOPLE I AM PROUD TO CALL FRIENDS AND LEAGUE COLLEAGUES, WHO ARE JUST AS COMMITTED TO MAKING HARRIS COUNTY MORE EQUITABLE AND JUST. SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF US WORKING, I WANT TO THANK CHRISTIAN MENIFEE FOR BEING OUR ATTORNEY. AND I KNOW HIS LEGACY WILL FIF ON IN HIS SUCCESSOR AND IN HIS OFFICE. THANK YOU.
>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS
ITEM. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COUNTY ATTORNEY, I KNOW ALL OF THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT -- GOSH, FORMER COUNTY ATTORNEY, EACH OF THESE PEOPLE REPRESENT A WHOLE LOT OF OTHERS.
AND OBVIOUSLY, IT'S A WHO'S WHO OF COMMUNITY LEADERS AND SOME OF THE BEST EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF WORKING WITH AND SO I KNOW, I KNOW WE'RE ALL GOING TO MISS YOU, BUT WE'RE VERY EXCITED ABOUT YOUR FUTURE AND GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES?
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THE HONORABLE -- THE GENTLEMAN FROM TEXAS, I DIDN'T WANT TO MISS THE OCCASION. OBVIOUSLY, WE WANTED TO CONGRATULATE, BECAUSE WE JUST TOOK A VOTE ON JOHN'S NEW ROLE AS COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT I WANTED TO SAY TO YOU, CONGRATULATIONS, AND I'M PROUD OF YOU WILLING TO TAKE THIS STEP. IT TAKES A LOT TO STEP DOWN TO PURSUE ANOTHER ENDEAVOR. THE HALLS OF CONGRESS ARE NOT KIND THESE DAYS. BUT I HOPE THAT YOU AND YOUR WHEREWITHAL, YOUR INTELLIGENCE, YOUR DEMEANOR WILL FIND A WAY TO HELP BRING CONGRESS TOGETHER, SO THAT WE CAN GET THINGS DONE AND MOVE OUR NATION FORWARD, ESPECIALLY ON ISSUES LIKE IMMIGRATION. AND SO I'LL BE HERE AS A FRIEND, A SUPPORTER, WHATEVER I CAN DO TO HELP YOU ON ANY FRONT, BUT I WANT TO JUST CONGRATULATION YOU AND THANK YOUR WIFE.
WE HAVEN'T MENTIONED YOUR WIFE ENOUGH.
FOR HER TO HAVE SUPPORTED YOU THROUGH THIS ENDEAVOR.
I KNOW WE GOT A TWOFER WHEN WE GO YOU.
AND I REMEMBER THE PROUD MOMENTS WITH THE BIRTH OF YOUR CHILDREN AND, SO I JUST WANT TO SAY TO THE GENTLELADY FROM HARRIS COUNTY, THAT I THANK YOU. BECAUSE MY WIFE HAS BEEN VERY SUPPORTIVE OF MY ENDEAVORS AND IT TAKES A LOT -- THERE'S A LOT OF SACRIFICES AND THERE'LL BE MORE IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT I KNOW THAT THE RETURN ON THAT INVESTMENT WILL BE GREAT AND WE WILL ALL BENEFIT FROM IT. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?
>> YES, COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE HONORABLE CHRISTIAN MENIFEE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
AND CAITLIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
I KNOW YOU ARE THE ROCK IN THE FOREST AND YOU'RE A BRILLIANT LAWYER IN YOUR OWN RIGHT AND YOU ARE THE WIND. SO THANK YOU, CAITLIN, AND YOUR TWO SONS AND YOUR PARENTS. I JUST -- NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT FOR YOU, CHRISTIAN, CAITLIN, AND YOUR FAMILY.
THE LAST THREE YEARS -- I KNOW YOU'VE LONGER AND HAVE LOVED YOU FOR MANY YEARS, BUT SEEING WHAT YOU HAVE DONE WITH YOUR
[00:55:05]
COURAGE AND CONVICTION, IN FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN UNPRECEDENTED WAYS, HOW YOU TRANSFORMED AND REVITALIZED THIS OFFICE, WHETHER FIGHTING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE, FIGHTING THE ECQT TO PROTECT OUR STUDENTS, OUR PATIENTS.WHETHER FIGHTING FOR TAXPAYERS AND TAKING PROPERTY TAX IN HOUSE. WHETHER IT WAS STANDING UP TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WHEN THEY CUT OUR REFUGEE HEALTH CARE FUNDS. THE DEED FRAUD, THE CONSUMER PROTECTION. I MEAN, EVERYONE HAS BEEN GOING EXAMPLE AFTER EXAMPLE AFTER EXAMPLE.
BUT THAT RELENTLESSNESS AND COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE HAS JUST BEEN DEEPLY INSPIRING. AND YOU HAVE BROKEN SO MANY BARRIERS BARRIERS. YOUNGEST COUNTY ATTORNEY, FIRST AFRICAN-AMERICAN COUNTY ATTORNEY, I LOOK FORWARD TO THE MANY OTHER CEILINGS YOU WILL SHATTER FOR OUR COMMUNITY. AND ANOTHER CEILING YOU SHATTERED, AND THIS WAS AS A WORKING MOM, AND THIS WAS MENTIONED EARLIER BY NATALIE, WHEN YOU SENT OUT THAT EMAIL THAT YOU WERE TAKING PARENTAL LEAVE, WHAT THAT MEANS AS A WORKING MOM, TO HAVE A WORKING DAD DO THAT TOO, YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE IN EVERY SINGLE WAY. AND I APPRECIATE THAT SO MUCH.
AND TO YOU AND TO THE OVER 250 FOLKS WHO WORK AT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THANK YOU. TO JOHN, THANK YOU, AND CONGRATULATIONS. AND TO JAY AND TO NATALIE AND MIMI AND ALL OF YOUR TEAM, I MEAN, YOU ALL ARE THE FOUNDATION OF EVERY SINGLE THING WE DO AT THIS COUNTY. AND I JUST APPRECIATE YOU SO VERY MUCH. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE DECADES OF SEEING YOU FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND OF FRIENDSHIP AND OF GOOD TROUBLE TOGETHER.
AND I KNOW LATER WE'RE GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT PRESIDENT CLINTON MLK DAY.
AND I TALK ABOUT THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARDS JUSTICE. YOU HAVE BENT THE HELL OUT OF THAT ARC, MY FRIEND, AND HAVE ADVANCED JUSTICE IN HARRIS COUNTY IN UNPRECEDENTED WAYS.
AND I HAVE PROFOUND RESPECT AND APPRECIATION.
AND I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY, MANY MORE DECADES OF SERVICE TOGETHER. CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU, CHRISTIAN.
>> CHRISTIAN, MANY TIMES WE TALK AND WE TALK ALL TIMES OF THE DAY.
AND BEING THE ONLY GGIE FROM CROCKETT ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT, YOU'VE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CALLS AND EXPLAINED WHY I'M ON THE WRONG END OF SO MANY 4-1 VOTES, BUT YOU DO IT IN A GREAT WAY. IT'S LIKE, WE HANG UP AND I'M LIKE, WELL, I THINK HE LIKES ME. BUT I THINK THAT'S A CREDIT.
OF COURSE, I'VE KNOWN YOUR FATHER-IN- LAW FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS. THAT'S WHERE I FIRST HEARD OF YOU. BUT PROBABLY, I LOVE YOUR TWO KIDS IN A BACKSEAT GOING TO SCHOOL. AND IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN THAT ADD, THAT'S A REALLY GOOD ADD, BY THE WAY.
BUT YOUR CREATIVITY, FOR PATIENCE WITH ALL OF US AND ENCOURAGEMENT, SOME DAYS WHEN WE HAVE MAYBE EVEN DIFFERENCES OF MEDICINE.
BUT APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE YEARS OF CONVERSATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. ATTORNEY, I'LL STAND WHEN I SPEAK TO YOU. I GUESS I AM THE OG.
I APPRECIATE YOU POINTING OUT TO ME THAT DIDN'T MEAN OLD GUARD. BUT I WANT TO THANK CAITLIN, OF COURSE, FOR STANDING BESIDE YOU. I KNOW IT'S BEEN TOUGH, PARTICULARLY ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL EACH TIME, NOT JUST EVERY TIME, BUT THIS TIME.
FAMILY MEMBERS TAKE IT MORE PERSONAL THAN WE DO.
AND OF COURSE, MALCOLM AND GABRIEL, I'M JUST SO GLAD YOU MADE THEM, AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, A PART OF THEIR CAMPAIGN.
BECAUSE IT REALLY IS A FAMILY AFFAIR.
THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD DO THIS, IF YOU'RE FORTUNATE ENOUGH FOR THE NEW POSITION YOU'RE RUNNING FOR, THE ONLY WAY YOU CAN DO THAT IF YOU HAVE THAT FAMILY SUPPORT BEHIND YOU.
YOU KNOW, I TAKE SOME PRIDE IN THE FACT THAT ONE REASON WHY YOU DECIDED TO LEAVE YOUR BIG JOB, HIGH- PAYING JOB AT THAT LAMPL OVER THERE WITH YOUR SUCCESSOR WAS OVER BAIL REFORM. AND I DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO FORGET THAT. YOU KNOW, IT MIGHT BE A BLIP ON THE RADAR SCREEN NOW, BUT I THINK IN A LOT OF WAYS, I HEARD MY COLLEAGUE MADE REFERENCE TO DR. KING'S COURT, BUT YOU KNOW, I JUST THINK IN SO MANY WAYS, YOU EMBODY ALL OF THE THINGS THAT THURGOOD MARSHALL EXPECTED FROM PEOPLE TO GO GET A LAW DEGREE.
IT'S A LOT EASIER FOR US TO GET IN OFFICE THAN TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE OFFICE.
IT'S A LOT EASIER TO GET A LAW DEGREE THAN IT IS TO
[01:00:02]
DO SOMETHING MEANINGFUL WITH IT. SO TO WALK AWAY FROM A HIGH- PAYING JOBS AT A BIG LAW FIRM, FOR BOTH OF YOU, TO ENTER PUBLIC SERVICE SAYS A LOT ABOUT YOU AND WHAT YOU'RE INTERESTED IN.YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB IN THIS POSITION.
OF COURSE, WE SETTLE MISDEMEANOR BAIL BEFORE YOU GO HERE. BUT YOU HAD TO DEFEND IT.
EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHEN IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY. BUT EVERY ISSUE YOU AND YOUR TEAM HAVE TAKEN ON. YOU'VE DONE IT WITH TREMENDOUS SKILL, TENACITY, AND GRACE.
AND EVERY TIME WE'VE MET WITH YOU IN PUBLIC OR IN PRIVATE, YOU HAVE RARELY LOST YOUR COOL IN PERSON. I GUESS I'VE GOTTEN TO KNOW YOU IN PARTICULAR, CHRISTIAN, A LOT BETTER. SOMETIMES I GET THOSE CALLS AFTERWARDS. EVEN IF YOU WERE COMPLAINING ABOUT SOMETHING I SAID. MAYBE IN SOME WAYS, I DO REMIND YOU OF THE OGS IN YOUR FAMILY, SO I WOULD SAY THING, AND I WOULD SAY, HE'S A LITTLE CRAZY.
I WOULD SAY IT TO MYSELF, BUT IN A GOOD WAY.
HEIM PROUD OF YOU. I HOPE YOU'RE SUCCESSFUL IN YOUR NEW VENTURE. IF FOR WHATEVER SEASON IT DOESN'T WORK FOR YOU, I HOPE YOU STAY COMMITTED TO PUBLIC SERVICE. IT'S NOT AN EASY THING TO KNOW.
YOU KNOW, ADRIAN, YOU'VE BEEN IN IT AND IT DIDN'T WORK OUT, BUT GOD HAS A PLAN FOR ALL OF US. I DON'T THINK YOUR PLAN, MY FRIEND, IS TO GO MAKE MONEY . YOU COULD MAKE IT, BUT YOU WOULDN'T BE NEARLY AS HAPPY.
SO THANK YOU FOR A JOB WELL DONE.
IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD, COUNTY ATTORNEY
MENIFEE? >> ALL RIGHT, IT'S BEEN A MORNING. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SETTING UP THIS RESOLUTION TODAY. IT MEANS THE ABSOLUTE WORLD TO ME, TO BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS, TO BE ABLE TO HEAR FROM Y'ALL.
THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKERS. TO MY WIFE, CAITLIN, FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE READ ARAK AND MICHELLE'S MEMOIRS, CAITLIN IS BOTH BARACK AND MICHELLE.
MY WIFE WALKS BESIDE ME AND SHE'S THE ROCK STAR AND I'M JUST THE GUY WHO DECIDED TO RUN FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY. I WAS TALKING TO A FRIEND OF THE COUNTY THE OTHER DAY. HE SAID, WHEN YOU FIRST GOT IN OFFICE, YOU WERE VERY SERIOUS. FRANKLY, WHEN I GOT ELECTED COUNTY ATTORNEY, IT WAS LIKE A DOG CATCHES CAR MOMENT. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS GETTING INTO. WE HAVE NOW OVER 3 H FOIKS THAT WORK IN THE OFFICE. I FOUND OUT THERE WERE MANY FOLKS WHO HAD BEEN PRACTICING LAW LONGER THAN I HAD BEEN ALIVE.
SO I KNEW I HAD TO GET FOLKS TO BUY INTO THE LEADERSHIP OF A 33-YEAR-OLD. BUT THEY DID. AND WHAT I FOUND IN THE OFFICE WAS A SET OF SEASONED LAWYERS AND STAFF, JUST CONSUMMATE PROFESSIONALS, PEOPLE WHO WERE CARING, WHO WERE LOVING, WHO WOULD BREAK INTO TEARS OVER A CASE THEY WERE WORKING, THAT THEY WERE SO PASSIONATE ABOUT. AND I HAVE GROWN TO COUNT THEM AS FAMILY. TO THE FOLKS IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, I KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE IN GOOD HANDS, BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY FANTASTIC PEOPLE WORKING IN THAT OFFICE. WE ACCOMPLISH A LOT IN THIS HAUFS. I'M NOT GOING TO GET INTO ALL OF THAT. BUT I REALLY ENJOY TAKING THIS OFFICE AND TRYING TO MOLD IT INTO A PLACE THAT DWOEKTS TO PEOPLE EACH AND EVERY DAY. TO MY SENIOR TEAM, NEIL, WHO LOST A LAW FIRM. ROXANE, THE FIRST COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR IN THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND HAS DONE AN ABSOLUTE STELLAR JOB.
JAY IRE, WHO CALLED ME WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE ALWAYS JOKE WITH HIM, HAS BEEN A GRANDFATHER OF SORTS TO ME. AND REALLY GUIDED ME THERE SO MUCH AT THE OFFICE. I'M A MORNING PERSON, I GET UP AT 3:00 A.M. AND THEY'VE BECOME MORNING PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH ME. TO THE PEOPLE ACROSS THE COUNTY.
TO BLOCK SOME OF THIS STUFF THAT OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS DOING OR GETTING A COUNTY FROM OUR COUNTY CLERK AT 10:00 P.M.
AT NIGHT, BECAUSE SHE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT SOMETHING WITH THE ELECTION, BEING ABLE TO NAVIGATE THESE ISSUES HAS BEEN SUCH A JOY.
AND I'VE COME TO KNOW EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU
[01:05:04]
PERSONALLY AT THIS POINT. I'M PROUD TO SAY I HAVE NEVER ONCE RODE A BIKE WITH RODNEY ELLIS. I DO NOT LIKE BIKING.BUT THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ON TOGETHER, COMMISSIONER, YOU KNOW, WELCOME WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO DO A LOT OF GOOD AND HAVE GOOD TROUBLE.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, STANDING NEXT TO YOU AT JAMES ROBERT PARK, TRYING TO PUT A CONCRETE PLAN NEXT TO AN ALL- INCLUSIVE PARK.
JUST SEEING HOW RESILIENT YOU ARE AND HOW STRONG YOU ARE IN THE FACE OF ADVERSITY HAS TAUGHT ME A WHOLE LOT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO BUILD A RELATIONSHIP LIKE WE'VE HAD BUT I'VE REALLY LEARNED A LOT FROM YOU AND YOUR PROFESSIONALISM AND THE WAY YOU METHODICALLY THINK THROUGH THE ISSUES. AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES, JUST YOUR PASSION AND HOW MUCH YOU CARE ABOUT THE WORK THAT YOU DO. YOU'VE BEEN SO EFFECTIVE, BUT DONE IT FROM A PLACE THAT REALLY SPEAKS TO YOUR SOUL. AND JUDGE HIDALGO, I HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH FROM YOU. I'M THINKING WHEN FIRST GOT IN OFFICE AND WE SUED TXDOT OVER THE EXPANSION AND I'M TWO AND A HALF MONTHS IN, AND HALFWAY THROUGH THAT PRESS CONFERENCE, I REALIZED THAT WE HAD REALLY STEPPED IN SOMETHING, AND YOU'RE TALKING AND YOUR HANDS ARE STEADY AND YOU'RE CALM. IT'S BEEN SUCH A JOY TO WORK ALONGSIDE OF YOU, AND IT'S MEANT THE WORLD TO WORK NEXT TO YOU. TO JOHN, I'M SO PROUD THAT YOU WERE UNANIMOUSLY VOTED. I DON'T THINK COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTED FOR ME.
I'VE SAID THIS MANY TIMES BEFORE. JOHN IS THE SMARTEST HUMAN BEING I'VE EVER MET. FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS, I'VE DONE MY BEST TO STAY ABOVE WATER. WE HAVE 80- SOME ODD DEPARTMENT HEADS. AND AT TIMES, IT CAN BE INCREDIBLY CHALLENGING AND HAVING JOHN, JAY, ROXANE, NEAL RIGHT THERE, ESPECIALLY JOHN HAS BEEN SO HELPFUL.
JOHN WAS THE FIRST PERSON I TALKED TO ABOUT WANTING TO PURSUE BEING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HE SACRIFICED A LOT TO COME HERE. I HAVE NO DOUBT THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS GOING TO RUN AT LEAST AS GOOD AS IT'S BEEN RUNNING FOR THE LAST FIVE YEARS WITH JOHN THERE.
IT IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT, JOHN, AND YOU KNOW THAT.
AND I'M SURE YOU'RE GOING TO DO A FANTASTIC JOB.
I MEAN THIS FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.
IT HAS BEEN THE HONOR OF MY LIFETIME TO SERVE AS COUNTY ATTORNEY. I CAME TO THIS GIG AS A 13-YEAR- OLD KID JUST TRYING TO FIGURE STUFF OUT.
Y'ALL IN THE FOLKS IN THE OFFICE SURROUNDED ME, YOU HELPED ME OUT, YOU HELPED ME HELP YOU, AND SO OF I JUST KNOW THAT THESE RELATIONSHIPS WILL LAST A LIFETIME. THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT REALLY MEANS A LOT.
>> JUDGE, IF I COULD ADD ONE TAGLINE.
SOMETHING OCCURRED TO ME, CHRISTIAN.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY, HARRIS COUNTY IS MUCH BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU. AND BY FAR, WE MAKE DECISIONS UP HERE, BUT WE DO NEED LEGAL GUIDANCE TO MAKE THE BEST POSSIBLE DECISIONS.
AND HISTORY WILL BE VERY KIND TO YOU, BECAUSE YOU HAVE HELPED TO DEMONSTRATE WHAT COUNTY KBOFT CAN DO FOR A WHOLE BUNCH OF FOLKS, WHERE COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS NEVER LOOKED TO OR THOUGHTTHOUGHT HELPING. THANK YOU,
AGAIN. >> I KNOW WE HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION, BUT I LOVED HOW YOU SAID, THE TXDOT DEAL, I REALIZED WE STEPPED ON SOMETHING, AND I REMEMBER WHEN YOU FIRST GOT ELECTED, WE WENT FOR THIS WALK, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU REMEMBER, AND I SAID, HEY, CONGRATS, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING, AND YOU SAID, YOU KNOW, I'M VERY HAPPY, I'M GOING TO DO ALL OF THIS, BUT I'M PROBABLY JUST GOING TO BE THERE ONE TERM PIP JUST, YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT TO MAKE MONEY AND THIS AND THAT.
AND I THINK YOU STEPPED ON WHAT YOU WERE MEANT TO DO.
JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID.
SO I'M REALLY EXCITED. I'VE ALSO ENJOYED WORK ALONGSIDE AND HAVE LEARNED FROM YOU. AND TO ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, I DON'T THINK I'VE HAD AN ATTORNEY -- RARE, TO EXPLAIN THINGS AND PRESENT THINGS AS WELL AS YOU AND YOUR STAFF DO. I MEAN, YOU'RE VERY GOOD AT IT, PARTICULARLY GOOD AT IT. SO I THINK IT WAS GREAT OF YOU TO SET THAT TONE. SO, ANYWAY, AND OF COURSE, I DIDN'T REALIZE THAT YOU WERE THERE, I'M SO SORRY, ME AND MY GLASSES, I PUT THEM ON ON THIS SIDE, TOOK THEM OFF ON THIS SIDE, BUT ANYWAY, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU DO.
I KNOW YOU'RE A BADASS ALSO AND FOR SUPPORTING CHRISTIAN.
[01:10:04]
ANYWAY. THANK YOU FOR THE HUNDREDTH TIME, BUT THANK YOU.PICTURES NOW AND THEN DO THE -- WE HAVE AN OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTION ON THE RETIREMENT OF PUBLIC DEFENDER BUNON? OKAY, SO I'LL PASS THAT ON TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> I WON'T READ THE RESOLUTION. SIMPLY, I THINK IT BY MEMORY.
ALEX BUNON IS THE FIRST PUBLIC DEFENDER IN THE HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY. THEY DID A NATIONWIDE SEARCH TO BRING HIM IN.
I CAN'T THINK OF ANYBODY WHO WOULD HAVE BEEN MORE CAPABLE TO STEP IN SKPF SET THAT UP.
I WAS NOT HERE ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BUT I PLAYED A MODEST ROLE ON ADVOCATING FOR IT.
AND HE DID GET A UNANIMOUS VOTE AND HAS DONE A GREAT JOB IN TAKING THAT OFFICE TO HEIGHTS THAT I KNOW HIS SUCCESSOR IS GOING TO PICK UP AND JUST KEEP GOING.
BUT WE ARE SO GRATEFUL TO YOU, AND TO YOUR WIFE, IN PARTICULAR, FOR JUST SHARING YOU WITH US ALL THESE YEARS. WE HAVE A RECEPTION FOR HIM.
I HOPE SOME OF Y'ALL WILL MAKE IT BUY Y TONIGHT.
WE THANK YOU. OBVIOUSLY, IF THAT OFFICE HADN'T BE THERE, WE MADE REFERENCE TO THAT MISDEMEANOR BAIL OFFICE EARLIER. THAT OFFICE BEING THERE EXPANDED CONSIDERABLY, BUT THERE'S NO WAY WE COULD HAVE SETTLED THAT LAWSUIT IF WE HADN'T HAD A PD'S OFFICE IN PLACE FOR THE KEY PART OF THAT SETTLEMENT THAT THAT OFFICE PLAYED. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND I'M JUST SO PLEASED TO SPONSOR THIS RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF YOU. AND I KNOW ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE PROUD OF THE WORK YOU'VE DONE, SO THANK YOU, ALEX BUNON
>> AS YOU MAKE YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT -- I THINK THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- AND I HAVE TO BELIEVE THE KPLEBL WORK THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE HAS DONE HELPED PUSH FORTH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS. ANYWAY, JUST SO MUCH.
ALEX BUNON, FORMER CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, IT WAS 15 YEARS AGO LAST MONTH THAT I CAME TO MY FIRST COMMISSIONER'S COURT, TO BE OFFERED THE JOB. AND I CAME TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. I WAS THERE ABOUT 15 YEARS AND I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW HOW A COMMISSIONER'S COURT WORKED.
AND THEY SENT ME THE AGENDA. I THINK IT WAS 53 PAGE LONG.
AND I WAS ON PAGE 50. I SAID, I'M GOING TO BE HERE FOR HOURS. AND BACK THEN, COMMISSIONER'S COURT COULD OFTEN TAKE 15 MINUTES. THE PRAYER OFTEN WAS THE LONGEST PART OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
SO IT WENT A LOT QUICKER THAN THAT.
AND FELT WELCOMED. A LOT OF THE PEOPLE WHO WERE INVOLVED WITH THAT -- THEN SENATOR ELLIS WAS INSTRUMENTAL TO THAT.
A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE PASSED AWAY, REVEREND LAWSON, RABBI, ARCH BIF BISHOP, PASTOR NASH. ALL GREAT MEN WHO WERE ESSENTIAL IN CREATING THIS OFFICE.
>> THANK YOU. AND I RELIED ON -- I THINK, YOU KNOW, WHATEVER CREDIT I TAKE FOR THE OFFICE IS I HIRE REALLY GOOD PEOPLE. I THINK WE NOW HAVE ONE OF THE BEST PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICES IN THE COUNTRY.
IT'S IN REALLY GOOD HANDS. DENNIS DRAPER, WHO WORKED FOR ME AT ONE POINT, HAS BECOME A JUDGE, HAS COME BACK, HAS MY FULL SUPPORT. I THINK IT WILL GO ON TO BE A GREAT PLACE THAT YOU CAN BE PROUD OF .
>> I WOKE UP ABOUT 4:00 A.M. THIS MORNING, AND I WONDERED WHAT FONBON WANTED, BUT I'M LEARNING HOW TO WORK THIS OG THING, THIS CHATGPT DEAL.
SO I'VE BEEN LOOKING FOR THIS OP-ED THAT BARRY SCHECK AND I DID TO REALLY RYE TRY TO PUT THE HEAT ON TO GET A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE HERE.
33 33R SO SOMEBODY AT THE INNOCENCE'S PROJECT WROTE IT AND IT KIND OF STARTED THE BALL ROLLING. AND I THOUGHT THAT WAS YOUR PRIVATE NUMBER.
>> I HAD A COUNTY PHONE FOR 15 YEARS.
I GAVE IT BACK. NOBODY CAN FIND ME
ANYMORE. >> YOU DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO GET A PUBLIC DEFENDER IF YOU WALKED OUT OF HERE WITH THAT PHONE. I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT. SUCH A RICH HISTORY.
AND I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THINK -- YOU KNOW,
[01:15:03]
HOWARD JEFFERSON, I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S COMING TONIGHT TO HONOR, BUT RABBI AND REVEREND AND ARCHBISHOP REALLY WERE THE HEROES.I COULD WRITE OP- EDS AND TRY TO BULLY AND THREATEN AND GET THE PRESS ON IT, BUT THEY PUT THE FEAR OF GOD IN THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT. SAID, CALL THE DOGS OFF.
I SAID, WHO? TALKING ABOUT ALL OF THESE RELIGIOUS LEADERS THAT PACKED THAT COURTROOM. HE SAID, MAN, I GOT THE VOTES.
WILL YOU PLEASE ASK THEM TO JUST QUIETLY FLANK US.
BUT IT WAS A STRUGGLE TO GET THAT OFFICE CREATED.
AND YOU WERE JUST THE RIGHT PERSON.
YOU CAME FROM NEW YORK, RIGHT?
>> WHERE THEY DON'T HAVE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, BY THE WAY.
TO PACK UP AND LEAVE. WEREN'T YOU UPSTATE NEW YORK, SYRACUSE?
>> I WAS THE FEDERAL PUBLIC DEFENDER FOR NORTHERN NEW YORK, SYRACUSE, ALBANY, BINGHAMTON.
>> COLD WEATHER. ADRIAN AND I WERE IN NEW YORK, SO YOU WERE UP THERE THIS TIME, IT MIGHT BE 10 DEGREES WITH THE CHILL FACTOR IN UPSTATE NEW YORK TODAY. AND TOTO HERE -- IT'S BEEN HOT ALONG THE WAY, BUT THANK YOU
SO MUCH. >> AND IT'S AN HONOR TO BE HONORED WITH CHRISTIAN MENIFEE, WHO'S COME A LONG WAY SINCE HE WAS AN INTERN IN THE PUBLIC
>> WOULD YOU LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT NOW OR LATER?
>> I'LL BR BRIEF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR 15 YEARS OF SERVICE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO ADVANCE JUSTICE.
THANK YOU FOR STARTING OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND GROWING IT TO ONE OF THE BEST IN THE COUNTRY AND FOR MENTORING SO MANY AND TEACHING SO MANY, AND DEFENDING SO MANY. SO THANK YOU.
I HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR MUCH- DESERVED RETIREMENT.
AND WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND TO OUR CHIEF PUBLIC DEFENDER, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TORCH AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE CONTINUED NEW HEIGHTS THAT YOU WILL TAKE THE OFFICE. THANK YOU BOTH FOR YOUR SERVICE.
CONGRATULATIONS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> LIKEWISE, ALEX. YOUR NEIGHBOR -- I SEE YOU WALKING AROUND EVERY SO OFTEN.
BUT IT'S PRETTY COOL TO SEE SOMEONE WHO HAD YOUR RESPONSIBILITY BEING A NEIGHBOR OF THE LINDALE COMMUNITY. AND AGAIN, YOU KNOW, JUST THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU'VE DONE.
BEING AN OLD COP. NO ONE WOULD HAVE THOUGHT BACK THEN THE VALUE OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER. SO FOR YOU TO BE A PIONEER HERE, IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE DEATH SENTENCE CAPITOL OF THE NATION, IS VERY, VERY, VERY CRITICAL. CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR WORK AND WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR
>> MY NAME IS MARJI MYERS, I'M THE FORMER FEDERAL DEFERRED FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS.
AND I'M HERE TODAY TO REALLY SECOND WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TALKED ABOUT.
YOU HEARD COMMISSIONER BRIONES MENTION THAT. ALEX WAS KIND OF IN THE BUSINESS OF STARTING PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICES. I KNEW HIM WHEN HE WAS IN PRIVATE PRACTICE, HE WAS IN BEAUMONT.
HE NOT ONLY WAS THE FEDERAL DEFERRED FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AND VERMONT, BUT ALSO MOBILE, ALABAMA, BUT I WORKED WITH SENATOR ELLIS IN GETTING A PUBLIC DEFENDER IN HARRIS COUNTY AND THAT WAS A TOUGH SLOG.
THAT OFFICE WAS OPPOSED NOT ONLY BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT BY THE DEFENSE ATTORNEYS AND BY THE JUDGES.
AND IT TOOK AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING TO START THAT OFFICE AND TO DEMONSTRATE THE VALUE OF A PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. THERE'S NO BETTER SYSTEM OF PROVIDING JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER.
>> AND IT REALLY TAKES SOMEBODY TO WALK INTO THIS COUNTY AND CONVINCE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE AND DEMONSTRATED TO ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHAT AMAZING LAWYERS PUBLIC DEFENDERS ARE. AND JUST ONE OTHER THING THAT ALEX HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE ABOUT, IT ISN'T JUST PUBLIC DEFENDERS. THIS COUNTY, LIKE THE FEDERAL SYSTEM, RELIES NOT JUST ON PUBLIC DEFENDERS, BUT ALSO ON PRIVATE LAWYERS WHO WORK AT A REDUCED FEE. AND IT IS OUR MISSION AS PUBLIC DEFENDERS NOT ONLY TO DEFEND OUR CLIENTS, BUT TO ENSURE THAT THE PRIVATE BAR IS UP TO SPEED IN DEFENDING PEOPLE WHO CAN'T AFFORD A LAWYER. AND ALEX HAS DONE, HIS OFFICE HAS DONE A GREAT JOB OF TRAINING, BUT HE HAS BEEN OUT THERE SPEAKING UP WHEN CONGRESS AND SBOERNT AND OTHER ENTITIES WERE NOT WILLING TO FUND THE PRIVATE BAR. FOR THAT AND HIS COMMITMENT TO
[01:20:03]
JUSTICE, I THINK THIS RESOLUTION IS WELL MERITED.>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS GENESIS DRAPER.
I'M THE CHIEF DEFENDER FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THIS RESOLUTION. THERE IS NO GLORY IN BEING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, OTHER THAN THE GLORY OF DEFENDING THE CONSTITUTION.
SO I REALLY APPRECIATE Y'ALL FOR TAKING THIS MOMENT TO HONOR ALEX'S SERVICE. TODAY, WE HONOR ALEX NOT JUST AS OUR OUTGOING CHIEF, BUT AS THE FOUNDING DEFENDER WHO HELPED BUILD THE VERY FOUNDATION WE STAND ON.
15 YEARS AGO, ALEX DIDN'T JUST START AN OFFICE, HE STARTED A MOVEMENT.
HE BELIEVED IN WHAT PUBLIC DEFENSE COULD BE, AND HE COMMITTED HIS CAREER TO MAKING IT A REALITY.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE, ALEX IS ONE OF THE REASONS I AM HERE.
HE TOOK A CHANCE ON ME AND HIRED ME AS AN ASSISTANT PUBLIC DEFENDER, SHAPING NOT ONLY MY CAREER, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE WITH INTEGRITY, COURAGE, AND BOLDNESS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE HIS LEGACY IS NOT JUST IN THE OFFICES HE ESTABLISHED, BUT IN THE PEOPLE HE MENTORED AND THE LIVES HE DEFENDED AND SAVED.
ALEX, THANK YOU FOR YOUR VISION, FOR SACRIFICE, AND YOUR SERVICE. THIS OFFICE IS BETTER BECAUSE OF YOU AND SO IS HARRIS COUNTY.
>> JUST BRIEFLY, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK YOU AS WELL, JUDGE DRAPER, FOR LEAVING THE BENCH TO BECOME THE SECOND PUBLIC DEFENDER IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND YOU'RE DOING A GREAT JOB, A GREAT LEGACY TO BUILD ON. I THINK WHEN I GOT HERE IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO, I GUESS. I THINK THAT OFFICERS HELEN, 3% OF THE CASES, I THINK WE'RE ABOUT 18, 20% OF THE CASES NOW. AND I KNOW A CHALLENGE WILL BE TO GO HIGHER.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU, JUDGE DRAPER AS THE NEW PUBLIC DEFENDANT, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU IN PARTICULAR. I PASSED THAT BILL IN 2001 THAT GIVES THE COUNTY THE OPTION TO CREATE A PUBLIC DEFERRED.
THEY NEVER ASKED FOR IT. AND HE NEVER WOULD HAVE ASKED FOR IT IN HARRIS COUNTY. BUT TO REALLY EXPAND IT, THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME CHANGES. AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT, I USED TO HAVE A LITTLE CLOUT UP THERE IN AUSTIN. NOW I'M DOING THIS AI THING, I GET IN THERE AND WONDER, PRESIDENT BUSH YOU'D TO SAY FROM TIME TO TIME, ELLIS, HOW IN THE HELL DID YOU GET US TO VOTE FOR THAT BILL AND GET US TO SIGN IT? BUT THAT BILL OUGHT TO BE CHANGED. PARTICULARLY THE PART WHERE THE JUDGES VOTE LIKE THEY'RE IN A CLAN MEETING.
IT'S IN SECRET, ON WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL USE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OR NOT.
SO I USED TO HAVE A LITTLE JUICE, BUT YOU'VE GOT SOME UP THERE NOW . I'VE SEEN IT.
BUT WHAT IT'S REALLY GOING TO TAKE TO EXPAND THAT OFFICE THE WAY IT SHOULD REALLY BE EXPAND IT. WE CAN DO AS MUCH CAJOLING AS WE WANT TO BE, BUT HERE'S THE AUTHOR OF THE BILL IN 2001 SAYING THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME CHANGES. BECAUSE THAT'S RIDICULOUS.
IT SHOULDN'T WORK THE WAY IT'S WORKING WHERE YOU'VE GOT TO HAVE A TWO- THIRDS VOTE.
AND IT'S IN SECRET, BY THE WAY. BUT WE'VE GOT SOME CHALLENGES AHEAD. SO YOU LAID THE FOUNDATION, MR. BUNON, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP.
I WANT TO SAY YOU WERE VERY HELPFUL BACK THEN.
AND YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE LOCAL JUDGES.
THAT'S WHY YOU PLAYED SUCH A KEY ROLE, BUT THANK YOU.
>> SO I JUST -- I WAS READING HERE SOME NOTES FROM THE PAPER AND IT SAYS HERE, ALEX GREW THIS OFFICE FROM THE GROUND UP. HE STARTED HIS JOB BACK IN 2010 WITH LITERALLY NOTHING. HE HAD A TEMPORARY OFFICE, NO EMPLOYEES, AND NO OFFICE EQUIPMENT.
AND YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT REALLY PAINTS A PICTURE. YOU HAVE BEEN JUST A WONDERFUL CHIEF DEFENDER. IT'S ONE OF THE REASONS I WAS EXCITED TO WIN, AS I BELIEVED I WOULD, AND ULTIMATELY DID, WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COMMUNITY, AND BECOME COUNTY JUDGE.
BECAUSE THAT'S IMPORTANT WORK TO ME. I THINK IT IS A TOUGH ONE, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN PLENTY OF NEWS ARTICLES EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. AND JUST FOR FOLKS WHO MAY NOT BE FAMILIAR WITH THIS, ONE OF THE ISSUES WE HAVE, AND CORRECT ME, GUYS, IF I'M MISSTATING SOMETHING HERE, IS THAT DEFENDANTS WHO CANNOT AFFORD A LAWYER, SOME OF THEM MANAGE TO HAVE A PUBLIC DEFENDER, WHICH CHIEF BUNON HAS MADE SURE IS A VERY, VERY HIGH- QUALITY ATTORNEY, TO DEFEND THEM.
OF COURSE, THEY'RE PRESUMED NOT GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN OTHERWISE.
AND THEN SOME DO NOT HAVEHAVE -- WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO ASSIGN THEM A PUBLIC DEFENDER. THEY HAVE ANOTHER ATTORNEY, BUT OFTENTIMES THESE ATTORNEYS WILL HAVE MORE CASES ON THEIR DESK THAN THEY COULD POSSIBLY
[01:25:03]
TAKE. AND THERE HAVE BEEN A LOTLOT STUDIES AND RESEARCH THAT CHOSE THAT. AND, YOU KNOW, SO PART OF IT IS HELPING THE JUDGES BE OKAY WITH REALLY, LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, NOT PUTTING CASES ON A PARTICULAR ATTORNEY, ET CETERA. THE INCENTIVES THERE ARE PERVERSE BECAUSE OF CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS, RIGHT? THAT'S HOW THE JUDGES GET ELECTED, OR RAISE MONEY TO GET ELECTED. AND PART OF IT ALSO IS GROWING THE CAPACITY OF PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.SO I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU, PERSONALLY, AND ALSO FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE COUNTY. IT'S REALLY BEEN WONDERFUL TO WORK WITH YOU. AND YOUR STAFF IS GREAT. AND I REMEMBER THEY INVITED ME TO A KNITTING CLUB DURING COVID. AND I STILL HAVEN'T BEEN.
IF IT'S STILL A THING, CHIEF DRAPER, I'VE GOT TO MAKE IT. THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS I LEARNED. I CAN GO HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF FUN. SO, ANYWAY, THANK YOU AGAIN, TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY AND ALL OF YOUR STAFF.
AND CHIEF DRAPER, IT'S SO GREAT TO HAVE YOU IN THAT POSITION. I THINK SOMETIMES, WHEN WE COMPLIMENT SOMEBODY COMING IN NEW, I FEEL THAT, I DON'T KNOW, SOMETIMES TO ME, IT SOUNDS A LITTLE BIT PATRONIZING. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW, THIS IS NOT HOW I MEAN IT, BUT I'M VERY -- I'M VERY PROUD OF YOU AND ALSO, OF, YOU KNOW, ALL OF US WHO RECOGNIZED THE INCREDIBLE TALENT AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS THAT YOU HAVE .
OF COURSE, A CHALLENGE FOR YOU WILL BE TO MAINTAIN THE STANDARD AND TO GROW THE OFFICE. I'LL TAKE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO PLEAD WITH MY COLLEAGUES THAT WE SAVE SOME MONEY FOR THE OFFICE. BECAUSE WE NEED TO -- TO CELEBRATE THE LEGACY AND TO CONTINUE THIS IMPORTANT WORK IS GOING TO TAKE SOME MONEY. SO I DON'T WANT TO IGNORE THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM. AND, ANYWAY, SO AS WE CLAP AND SIGN RESOLUTIONS, PLEASE KEEP THAT IN MIND.
PICTURES. >> JUDGE, DID YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THAT ITEM OR NOT YET?
>> I MOVE WE PASS IT UNANIMOUSLY?
>> MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR ? AYE. ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
ALL RIGHT. WE'LL TAKE PICTURES.
[01:45:59]
>> WE'RE GOING TO CONTINUE WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
[01:46:06]
WELL, I DON'T KNOW WHERE THEY WENT.[01:46:09]
WHO ARE WE MISSING? RAMSEY'S AROUND THE CORNER?[01:46:19]
OKAY. WE'LL WAIT JUST A LITTLE BIT.>> OKAY. SO COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. LET ME GO THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS REAL QUICK AND WE'LL TAKE THE SPEAKERS. SO TABLE OF CONTENTS, ITEM 114.
THERE'S A CORRECTION. WE HAVE TO REVISE THE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER QUOTE, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, SO IT NOW READS, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO EXECUTE AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH HARRIS COUNTY MUD, BLAH BLAH BLAH, DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PRODUCTS.
ITEM 142 ON THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.
143 ON OTHER AI IMPLEMENTATION, UNIVERSE SERVICES REQUESTS NO ACTION.
46 POSITIONS, ITEM 171, SHERIFF HAS REQUESTED NO ITEM.
172, DETENTION OFFICERS COMMAND, SHERIFF REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 206 HAS A CORRECTION.
WE NEED TO REVISE THE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER, QUOTE, TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT.
AND IT SHOULD SAY, APPROVAL TO SUBMIT APPLICATION TO THE TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE DEPARTMENT FOR GRANT FUNDS, UP TO $1. 5 MILLION.
THE REQUIRED MATCH OF UP TO HALF A MILLION DOLLARS. ITEM 216, INSPECTIONS AND MAINTENANCE, NEED TO REPLACE DECEMBER 31ST, 2027 WITH DECEMBER 31ST, 2026. ITEM 269, PRECINCT 1 REQUESTS NO ACTION. WHAT'S THE OTHER ONE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? THAT -- THAT WAS JUST A DISCUSSION ITEM, RIGHT? I'M JUST -- OKAY. AND THEN, 289, STAND OUT YOUTH, PRECINCT 4 REQUESTS NO ACTION.
290, HH EAST SC REQUESTS NO ACTION. ALL RIGHT, AND THEN, AS FAR AS THE DISCUSSION LISTS, IDENTIFY GOT EXECUTIVE SESSION 340.
WHICH WE ALREADY DID. I'VE GOT 341, DO WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT? HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S
342. THIS IS POTENTIAL CANDIDATES FOR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.
>> I THINK WE DO, COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S ONE SEAT THAT HAS MULTIPLE CANDIDATES.
>> OKAY. AND THEN 344, THIS IS ABOUT THE DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY AND CYBERSECURITY DEVICES.
[01:50:01]
SO, YES, AND 371, YES, ON THE COUNTY TREASURER'S OFFICE.SESSION. >> I WANTED TO ADD, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I THINK IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, I WANT TO GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE ON A NEW ITEM.
>> I CAN'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER.
THEN, DISCUSSION LIST ITEM 2 ON THE CALENDAR.
ITEM 10, COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY ITEM 3 AND 5, TAKING 364 AND 5 TOGETHER, AS THEY'RE BOTH RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING. 65 65, PRECINCT 5 TAKES THAT TO INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 2. 117 IS PART OF THE TRANSPORTATION PROJECT ITEMS. 120 REQUESTED BY MOST FOLKS ON 23 POSITIONS, ON 33, 12 POSITIONS, ALSO MULTIPLE REQUESTS, 151 REQUESTED BY PRECINCT 4 ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT.
155 VETERAN SERVICES. 2083, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ON DEOO. ON 218, THAT'S PART OF THE LIST TO DO WITH FRACTURE PROJECTS IN PRECINCT 2. SAME WITH 227.
237, COMMISSIONER, ELLIS. 258.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, MODEL 1 COMMERCIAL VEHICLES.
PRECINCT 1 REQUESTS NO ACTION ON 26.
WE ALREADY KNEW THAT. 276, PRECINCT 2 ON THE -- OH, OH, OKAY. MUSEUM OF CULTURAL.
239, COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON A DONATION.
COMMISSIONERS 3 AND 4, 308, WORKER'S -- WORK SITE SAFETY POLICY.
38 IS PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS BY PRECINCT 2.
319 IS CDBG. 345, PRECINCT 3, PROCURE TO PAY.
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 1 of 2)]
353, PRECINCT 1, BEN TALKING ABOUT, POSSIBLE ACTION.WE WON'T DISCUSS THAT. IS THAT RIGHT?
>> ABOUT POSTPONING THE PRESENTATION --
>> JUDGE, NO, I DON'T WANT TO POSTPONE IT.
I WAS AT A GREAT MEETING LAST NIGHT AND IT WAS ANNOUNCED. SO I THINK PEOPLE ARE EXPECTING US TO DISCUSS IT TODAY.
I HAVE TO GET A FLIGHT AT 2:47. I MOVED A SPEECH I COMMITTED TO GIVE SIX MONTHS AGO. SO WE JUST NEED TO BRING IT FIRST TO THE MOTION THAT I MAKE WILL BE JUST SO WE KNOW TO KEEP THE PRESENTATION OF THE HARRIS HEALTH COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT REPORT ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 2TH, 2026, TAKEN IMMEDIATELY, FOLLOWING SPEAKERS ON THAT ITEM, ONLY TO ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC DISCUSSION OF ANY POTENTIAL DECISION, IF NEEDED IS MADE PRIORITY 1:00 P.M..
>> OKAY. SO I'LL KEEP THAT ON THERE, UNLESS SOMEBODY WANT TO MAKE A SECOND AND WE VOTE ON IT REAL QUICK.
>> COMMISSIONERED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
SECONDED BY GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR.
[Departments (Part 2 of 4)]
MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.>> 359. 364, PRECINCT 3 WILL TAKE THAT OVER WITH 35. PRECINCT 5, 366, PRECINCT 3 ON TOLL ROAD INITIATIVES. 367, PRECINCT 3 ON HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT ISSUES. 368, PRECINCT 3 ON CDBG RECOVERY PROGRAMS. 369, WE'RE TAKING ALONG WITH ITEM 2, WHICH HAS TO DO WITH OCA PROCEDURES.
>> CAN YOU MARK THAT ON ITEM 2 FOR ME?
>> AND 370 IS A DISCUSSION ON THE ASTRODOME STUDY. OUT OF ORDER RESOLUTIONS, LET ME KNOW IF WE NEED TO VOTE ON THESE SEPARATELY.
OTHERWISE, THEY'LL PASS AS PART OF THE UNANIMOUS CONSENT.
372, HUMAN TRAFFICKING, RECRUITMENT INITIATIVE.
I HAVE TO SPEAK ON THOSE TWO. 375, CONGREGATION OF MANUEL.
376, WE ALREADY PASSED. HARRIS COUNTY RECEIVING THE
[01:55:02]
NFNA REWARD. THAT'S 377.378, NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY.
379, REMEMBERING AFFILIATION. 381, MLK DAY, 383, WE ALREADY DISCUSSED, WHICH IS MENIFEE'S --
>> AND THAT WILL BE ON THE CONSENT --
>> YES. AND THEN, ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S -- THESE ITEMS WERE NOT ADDED TO THE DISCUSSION LIST, BUT NEED A DIRECT MOTION.
SO ITEM 1 IS ON DISCUSSING POSSIBLE ACTION ON STRATEGIC HIRING EXCEPTIONS FOR POSITION CONTROL NUMBERS. THAT ITEM IS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. ITEM 3.
DISCUSSING POSSIBLE ACTIONS ON PCNS.
THAT'S APPROVED AS PRESENTED. AND ITEM 4, OMB ON THE FY '27 ON THE BUDGET CALENDARS, APPROVED AS PRESENTED. ANYTHING ELSE I NEED TO TAKE OUT OF ORDER?
>> JUDGE? I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT YOU'RE TAKING ITEM 65, 117, 218, 227, AND 316 ALTOGETHER?
>> ALL RIGHT. IN THAT CASE, IS THERE A MOTION -- EXCUSE ME -- OH, DO I NEED TO CLARIFY ANYTHING, COUNTY CLERK?
>> ALL RIGHT. SO IS THERE A MOTION --
>> SECOND? >> FOR ALL ITEMS, ITEMS 1 THROUGH 384 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SUCCEEDED BY COMMISSIONER
[Appearances Before Court]
ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SPEAKERS. >> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS ON ITEMS 2 AND 371 OF PRECINCT 1, DONNA HUM MEL ON ITEM 51, ELIZABETH KLIEMAN, YOU EACH HAVE ONE
MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE, COMMISSIONER'S COURT. MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER JENKINS.
I'M A NATIVE OF HARRIS COUNTY. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM AGENDA NUMBER 2, AS IT RELATES TO MEETINGS. FOR THE PAST YEAR, I'VE BEEN RAISING THE ISSUE OF LACK OF TRANSPARENCY WITHIN CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS. ALONG WITH PROCESSES AND THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCIES. I SET A PRECEDENT IN THE STATE AND THE COURTS DIDN'T HAVE A REMEDY, AND THE COUNTY CAN'T PROPERLY INCLUDE AGENDA ITEMS. LAST TIME I CHECKED, THE TREASURER IS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT WAS PUT IN OFFICE. THE TREASURY IS THE CHIEF CUSTODIAN OF A OUR HARRIS COUNTY AND THE OFFICE HAS THE INTEGRITY, TRANSPARENCY, AND RESPONSIBILITY. I DON'T RECOLLECT COMING TO THE PAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT, THAT THIS DEPARTMENT HAS HAD ANY ISSUES IN TERMS OF CUSTOMER SERVICE AT THIS PROFESSIONAL OBLIGATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. WHY ARE WE HERE? I WAS ORIGINALLY HERE COMING TO SPEAK ON WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT, COMMUNITY TO BUILD MORE EQUITY AND SUSTAINABILITY FOR THE COMMUNITY. SO I GUESS THE PEOPLE HAVE TO WAIT FOR THEIR RIGHT.
ON THIS EMERGENCY ITEM IS 371 --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> -- WE'VE BEEN ASKING ABOUT IN PAST. I HAVEN'T HAD REPRESENTATION --
>> -- SINCE I DON'T KNOW WHEN.
>> CAN I JUST ASK YOU REAL QUICK, SIR, I DIDN'T CATCH EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED US TO DO?
>> I CAME HERE TO SPEAK ON COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, ECONOMIC GROWTH AND WORKFORCE ISSUES, BECAUSE IN THE PAST WE'VE BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND THE FLOOD DISTRICT. AFTER COLLABORATING WITH EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS AND ALL ORGANIZATIONS TO GET PEOPLE JOBS AND TO GET BACK ON THEIR FEET, ENTRY, AND DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. BUT WHEN I'M LOOKING AT THE AGENDA AND I SEE THAT OUR TREASURER IS ON THE AGENDA, IT RAISE SOME CONCERNS FOR ME, BECAUSE I FEEL LIKE WE HAVE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT WAS GOING ON OUTSIDE OF THE OFFICE, RIGHT? AND IT CAUSES A LOT OF CONFUSION AND THAT'S WHAT THE TRANSPARENCY ENDS. BECAUSE WE DID ALL OF THIS WORK THROUGH BUDGET HEARINGS AND ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT THINGS, AND PEOPLE DO THE GREAT WORK, THEY DON'T GET EMPLOYEES AND EXTRA FUNDING FOR THEIR DEPARTMENT ARE THE ONES THAT ARE GETTING HIT? YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M SAYING? WHAT ABOUT THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN FILLING UP WITH PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN DOING THEIR PART, THAT COME DOWN HERE AND PUT THINGS TOGETHER. I DON'T GET IT. I FEEL LIKE IT'S BIGGER THINGS THAT WE COULD BE DOING.
>> OUTSIDE OF THINGS LIKE THAT.
>> NO, I GET IT. AND AMEN, AS YOU KNOW.
I THINK WE CAMPAIGN ON CERTAIN ITEMS AND THEN DEFUND THEM. OKAY, I HEAR YOU --
>> I DO MY OWN WORK. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM COMING DOWN HERE AND SPEAKING.
>> THANK YOU. I AGREE WITH YOU ON THAT
SPEAKER. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS COURT AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS DON HUM MEL ON BEHALF OF TOURS ONE CHAIRMAN AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, WE WANT TO SINCERELY THANK COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES AND THE PRECINCT 4 STAFF FOR TODAY'S AGENDA ITEM
[02:00:04]
155 THAT WILL DELIVER $29 MILLION FOR THE CHIMNEY ROCK ROOM AND ANDERSON DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT. THE BOARD IS VERY EXCITED, GRATEFUL, AND HONORED TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT ON THIS IMPACTFUL PROJECT IN THE HEART OF THE ST. GEORGE PLACE TOURS. THE TOURS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS PROJECT FOR OVER SEVEN YEARS AND THIS AMAZING PROJECT WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT THE HEALTH AND SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER LESLEY BRIONES AND THE PRECINCT 4 STAFF.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT'S GREAT NEWS.
RECORD. >> I CAN BE TIFFANY IF YOU WANT
ME TO BE TIFFANY. >> NO, NO, SHE'S -- WHO'S CALLING THE NAMES. ALL RIGHT.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY AND FOR CONSIDERING A HARRIS COUNTY SUICIDE MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE. MY NAME IS ELIZABETH KLIEMAN.
I'M A LICENSED CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER WITH THE MEDICAL CENTER IN HOUSTON. HARRIS COUNTY IS HOME TO ONE OF THE LARGEST VETERAN POPULATIONS IN THE COUNTRY AND THE HOUSTON VA SERVES AROUND 160,000 VETERANS. OUR FACILITY EMPLOYEES 12 LOCAL SUICIDE PREVENTION COORDINATORS WHO WORK TIRELESSLY TO SAVE LIVES. STILL, WE KNOW MOST VETERANS WHO DIE BY SUICIDE ARE NOT CONNECTED TO VA CARE. THEY'RE NOT CONNECTED TO SERVICES AND WE OFTEN ONLY KNOW AFTER THEY ARE GONE.
WHEN ONE PERSON DIES BY SUICIDE, 135 PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED BY THE DEATH, FAMILY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, COWORKERS, NEIGHBORS, AND ENTIRE COMMUNITIES. EACH DEATH CREATES RIPPLES OF GRIEF AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. OUR COMMUNITY ALLOWS TO US HONOR THOSE VETERANS BY LEARNING FROM THEIR DEATHS, ESPECIALLY THE ONES THE VA NEVER HAS HAD THE TIME TO
UP. >> PERHAPS MOST IMPORTANTLY IT'S A PREVENTION EFFORT. BY UNDERSTAND WHOG THESE VETERANS WERE, WHAT BARRIERS THEY FACED AND MISSED OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONNECTION, WE CAN TAKE INFORMED TARGETED ACTION TO PREVENT FUTURE LOSS OF LIFE. NOT JUST BENEFITING VETERANS, BUT FOR ALL OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. SUPPORTING THIS COMMUNITY MEANS TURNING TRAGEDY INTO KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE INTO MEANINGFUL PREVENTION.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND COMMITMENT TO PROTECTING VETERANS AND THE LARGER HARRIS COUNTY AND I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM MY COLLEAGUES.
>> NEXT IS CHRISTINA EMAN, ITEM 154 OF PRECINCT 4.
DIANE COLLIN ON ITEM 155. DAVE LOUIS ON ITEM 155.
AND CINDY SIEGEL ON ITEM 176 OF PRECINCT 1.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS CHRISTINA. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING TO US SPEAK ON ITEM 155 TODAY. SUICIDE IS A GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WITH OVER 550 HOUSTONIANS SPECIFICALLY MANY THIS COUNTY DYING BY SUICIDE EVERY YEAR, WHICH IS ABOUT A 36% INCREASE OVER THE PAST DECADE. THESE ARE NOT JUST STATISTICS.
THEY'RE OUR FAMILIES, OUR COWORKERS, OUR NEIGHBORS, AND WE'RE LEFT NAVIGATING PROFOUND LOSS. HSSBC IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION BROUGHT TOGETHER BY HEALTH CARE SYSTEMS, OTHER NONPROFITS, RESEARCHERS, AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO HIGHLIGHT THE WORK BEING DONE IN HOUSTON AND REDUCE THE GAPS IN CARE. TODAY, WE ARE RESPECTFULLY REQUESTING THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ESTABLISH A SUICIDE MORTALITY REVIEW COMMITTEE TO BE OVERSEEN BY HSSBC.
THIS COMMITTEE WOULD SYSTEMICALLY REVIEW ADULT SUICIDE DEATHS, ANALYZE DATA, AND PRODUCE ACTIONABLE, EVIDENCE- BASED RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN PREVENTION, RESPONSE --
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ARE YOU ON THE VETERANS ITEM OR
GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. MY NAME IS DIANE COLLIN.
I AM ALSO HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM NUMBER 155.
I AM THE BOARD CHAIR OF THE HOUSTON AREA SUICIDE PREVENTION COALITION, BUT TODAY I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING OVER THE PAST YEAR WITH OUR FELLOW COLLEAGUES THAT ARE HERE TO REPRESENT TODAY AND OTHER COMMUNITY AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS AROUND HARRIS COUNTY. OUR DIVISION CURRENTLY HOLDS AND OVERSEES THE HARRIS COUNTY CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM.
WE ARE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH HHSBC TO SERVE AS A RESEARCH ARM AND -- RESEARCH AND DATA HARM OF THE SMRC, AND ENSURE COLLABORATION WITH THE CHILD FATALITY REVIEW TEAM, SO THAT WE CAN UNDERSTAND UPSTREAM INTERVENTIONS THAT IMPACT ALL AGES AROUND SUICIDE.
THE GOALS OF THE SMRC IS TO DEVELOP A STANDARDIZED REVIEW PROCESS THAT INCLUDES EPIDEMIOLOGIST ANALYSIS OF SUICIDE DATA AND SERVES AS A MODEL FOR THE REST OF THE
[02:05:02]
STATE. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, DAVE LEWIS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ST.
LOUIS VETERANS DEPARTMENT. I OFFER TO TAKE POINT ON THIS SMRC ESTABLISHMENT HERE. WE HAVE BEEN IN HARD TRAINING FOR OVER A YEAR. THIS IS DIFFICULT BUSINESS, BUT IMPORTANT BUSINESS. PREVENTION, INTERVENTION, POST POSTVENTION, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE BELIEVE IS PREVENTABLE.
WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS MUCH STIGMA AND MANY MYTHS AROUND THESE PARTICULAR ITEMS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.
OUR GOAL IS TO BE ABLE TO COME BACK TO YOU WITH ACTIONABLE THINGS THAT WE CAN TAKE FROM A POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY LEVELS TO BE ABLE TO REDUCE WHAT IS AN OVERWHELMING BURDEN TO HARRIS COUNTY.
AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION ON THIS ITEM.
>> THANK YOU. DIRECTOR, JUST REALLY QUICKLY, IS THIS, DOES THIS REQUIRE ANY
FUNDING? >> WE ARE NOT ASKING FOR FUNDING THIS GO AROUND. WHEN WE GET INTO THE BUDGET CYCLE, WE WILL LOOK AT THE CYCLE TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT. BUT WE HAVE A WEALTH OF REALLY GOOD YGSS AGOS THAT ARE BRINGING THEIR EXPERTISE TO THE TABLE RIGHT NOW. THERE'S GOING TO COME A TIME WHEN WE DO ASK THAT, BUT WE ARE NOT ASKING ANYTHING TODAY. VETERANS MAKE UP ONLY 11% OF THE COUNTY.
>> IT'S MY HONOR TO DO THAT. WHEN I GOT HERE, I CHARGED MY TEAM WITH JOB 1 IS SUICIDE PREVENTION.
YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CINDY SIEGEL AND I'M THE CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY.
AND I TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.
I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 176, HERE FOR COUNTY CLERK, AS SHE TALKS ABOUT THE ELECTIONS.
WE'VE GOT AN UPCOMING PRIMARY AND HISTORICALLY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS HELD SEPARATE PRIMARIES, SHARED THE LOCATIONS WITH THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. AND DUE TO SOME LEGISLATION LAST TIME THAT SENATOR BETANCOURT INSTITUTED, WE'RE ABLE TO CONTINUE THAT TRADITION AND OFFER OUR PRIMARY AS A SEPARATE PRIMARY SHARING THE LOCATION. AND I'M REALLY HERE JUST TO SUPPORT AND THANK CLERK HUDSPET.
SHE'S GOING TO BE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE HOPE TO CONDUCT IT.
I THINK ALL OF OUR GOALS IS TO HAVE A SHARE ELECTION THAT WE PRESERVE THE INTEGRITY OF THE ELECTION. AND I THANK THE CLERK FOR EVERYTHING THAT SHE DOES ON THAT REGARD. THANK YOU,
>> NEXT IS SUSANNE ROTHSCHILD, ANTHONY COLLIER ON ITEM 16, MIAMI DOYLER, ELENA DEL ORIO ON ITEMS 176 AND 352 OF PRECINCT 1.
YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTE. THANK YOU, JUDGE. I'M WITH CINDY SIEGEL.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. CLERK HUDSPETH, I ASSUMED YOU WANT TO GO NEAR THE END, BUT MAYBE YOU WANT TO GO NEAR THE
MIKE. >> GOOD MORNING AND HAPPY NEW YEAR, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ITEM IS TO PROVIDE A HIGH- LEVEL OVERVIEW OF THE ELECTIONS, THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE IS CURRENTLY CONDUCTING, AND THOSE UPCOMING IN 2026.
AFTER TODAY'S UPDATE, I WILL MEET WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE AND RETURN TO COURT WITH A A FOR THE RESOURCES NEED TO SUPPORT THIS WORKLOAD.
WE ARE CURRENTLY ADMINISTERING THE JANUARY 31ST SPECIAL RUNOFF ELECTION FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 18.
VOTING BY MAIL IS UNDERWAY, EARLY VOTING RUNS JANUARY 21ST THROUGH JANUARY 27TH.
AND ELECTION DAY IS JANUARY 31ST.
AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE PREPARING FOR THE MARCH 3RD PRIMARY ELECTION. THE POLITICAL PARTIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR PRIMARIES AND CONTRACT WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE FOR OPERATIONS.
THIS YEAR, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY REQUESTED A JOINT PRIMARY.
WHILE THE REPUBLICAN PARTY REQUESTED A NON- JOINT PRIMARY.
AS A RESULT, WE ARE CURRENTLY PLANNING FOR A NON- JOINT PRIMARY.
THOUGH NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING --
>> GO AHEAD, MADAME CLERK. >> THANK YOU.
>> THOUGH NEGOTIATIONS ARE ONGOING AND CONTRACTS ARE NOT FINALIZED, FOLLOWING THE LEGISLATIVE CHANGES IN RECENT SESSIONS, INCLUDING SENATE BILLS 292 AND 285, POLLING PLACE REQUIREMENTS HAVE
[02:10:01]
SHIFTED, ALLOWING PARTIES TO CONSIDER HOW PRIMARIES ARE CONDUCTED. MY OFFICE CONTINUES TO WORK WITH BOTH PARTIES AND WILL RETURN TO COURT WITH INFORMATION ON FINANCIAL AND LOGISTICAL IMPACTS WHEN DECISIONS ARE FINAL.TRANSITIONING ] WITH DUE TO THE UNPRECEDENTED NUMBERS OF ELECTIONS BETWEEN NOW AND JUNE THE CLERK'S OFFICE WILL NOT BE CONTRACTING WITH THE LOCAL ENTITIES FOR THE MAY 2ND UNIFORMUNIFORM ELECTION. THOSE ENTITIES MAY JOIN THE NOVEMBER 2026 BALLOT. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE. I WILL RETURN TO THE COURT WITH A COMPREHENSIVE REQUEST FORFOR ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADD MINISTER THE ELECTIONS.
>> CLERK, DO YOU HAVE A BALLPARK AMOUNT?
>> WE DON'T HAVE A BALLPARK AMOUNT.
I MEAN WE HAVE PRELIMINARY NUMBERS, BUT I DIDN'T WANT TO GET IN THE WEEDS WITH NUMBERS UNTIL WE OFFICIALLY MET WITH BUDGET. WE WILL MEET WITH BUDGET.
WE WILL GIVE THEM THE AMOUNT. WE HAVE TO PREDICT, BECAUSE OF THE ADDITIONAL ELECTIONS WHICH RESOURCES WE WILL NEED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES COULD WE POSSIBLY NEED WITHWITH CORE PROGRAM. WHAT ADDITIONAL RESOURCES WILL WE NEED FOR HARVEY OR PR MARKETING. NOW WE HAVE TWO EXTRA ELECTIONS THAT WE DID NOT FORESEE, REALLY THREE WITH THE SPECIAL RUN OFF. WE WILL COME BACK TO GIVE YOU TANGIBLE NUMBERS, BUT WE DIDN'T WANT TO GET TOO AHEAD OF OURSELVES.
>> THE ISSUE, WHEN YOU SAID SOME ELECTIONS ARE NOT GOING TO HAPPEN UNTIL NOVEMBER 26TH.
>> MAY 2ND IS A STATE UNIFORM ELECTION LEVELS.
COUNTY CLERK HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTRACT FOR THOSE ENTITY ELECTIONS. BECAUSE OF THE OTHER ELECTIONS WE HAVE GOING ON, WE WON'T BE ABLE TO CONTRACT WITH THE ENTITIES FROM MAY 2ND.
SOME CAN RUN THEIR OWN ELECTIONS OR WILL JUST DECIDE I WILL JOIN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION SO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE CAN CONDUCT THE ELECTION.
>> LAST YEAR WAS AN ODD YEAR. WE DIDN'T HAVE AN ELECTION.
WE WERE ABLE TO SUPPORT AND CONTRACT WITH ENTITIES.
BUT, YOU KNOW, THIS LAST YEAR HAS BEEN UNPREDICTABLE.
>> ON THE JOINT AND THE SEPARATE PRIMARIES, I AM HEARING THAT IS BEING WORKED THROUGH.
>> THAT IS STILL BEING WORKED THROUGH.
WHEN I COME BACK TO THE NEXT COURT WITH THE RESOURCES AND REQUESTS, WE WILL HOPEFULLY BE CLOSER TO A FINALIZED CONTRACT.
>> OKAY. JUST THE LAST QUESTION FOR DIRECTOR RAMOS. HAPPY NEW YEAR.
DO YOU HAVE A SENSE, BASED ON HOW MUCH EACH ELECTION COSTS ROUGHLY HOW MUCH THAT IT WOULD COST TO DO THIS?
>> WE HAVE HISTORICAL INFORMATION, BUT GIVEN ALL OF THE REGULATION CHANGES WE WANT TO GET INTO THE WEEDS AND REALLY GET TO STAFFING PER ELECTION, PER TYPE OF ELECTION BEFORE WE SHARE ANYTHING.
>> OKAY. THANK YOU SO MUCH MADAM CLERK.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT VERY HELPFUL UPDATE.
THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS.
WE ARE LUCKY TO HAVE SOMEONE WITH YOUR LEVEL OF EXPERTISE LEADING AND THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO HELP IN A COLLABORATIVE WAY TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS ARE THE BEST THEY CAN BE. I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE AND COMMITMENT. DO WE THINK YOU ALL WILL COME BACK IN THE NEXT MEETING IN LATE JANUARY?
>> YES. WE ARE LOOKING TO COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING.
>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU JUDGE.
>> YOU HAVE A TOUGH JOB. YOU KNOW, HOW YOU AND THE FIRST GROUP CAN ALL COME TOGETHER.
THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE REGION AND I HOPE THAT IT CONTINUES.
NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN DOING ALL WE CAN TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO VOTE IN THE ELECTIONS.
WHATEVER ROLE THAT WE CAN PLAY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES TO DO THAT.
WHEN I AM NOT ON THE BALLOT, I DO AS MUCH AS I CAN.
I WILL MAKE IT OUT THERE TO SEE YOUR OPERATION.
>> I WAS GETTING READY TO LEAVE THAT AT THE LAST POINT.
>> IF YOU RIDE A BIKE OUT THERE WITH ME, I WILL GO
[02:15:04]
SATURDAY.>> OH, BOY. GOT A CARRIAGE YOU CAN PUT YOUR KIDS IN TOO.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMITMENT THROUGH EVERY ELECTION CYCLE. HOSTING COMMUNITY MEETINGS.
THAT WILL CONTINUE ON. WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUE COORDINATING. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS MIKE DOYLE, THE CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. I AM HERE TO ECHO CHAIR SEGAL.
WE CONDUCTED A HISTORIC JOINT PRIMARY IN HARRIS COUNTY, SUCCESSFULLY, COST EFFECTIVELY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY VOTER FRIENDLY. I KNOW IT TOOK THE SUPPORT OF FOLKS ACROSS THE AISLE TO GET THAT DONE.
AT THIS POINT I AM HERE TO POINT OUT IT THAT WE ARE NOT THERE YET AND POTENTIALLY FACING A STEP BACKWARDS.
IT IS A REAL AFFECT IF THERE IS A JOINT PRIMARY AND IT IS SPLIT APART. MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER MONEY THAT COULD BE SPENT ON FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE, THE THINGS HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS. WHEN YOU SPLIT AND HAVE SEPARATE SYSTEMS, WHAT IT DOES IN A DIVERSE COUNTY LIKE HARRIS COUNTY WE WILL HAVE PROBLEMS THAT ARE FULLY AVOIDABLE.
HARRIS COUNTY WORKING TOGETHER WITH A REPUBLICAN PARTY AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAVE A MODEL AND DID A GOOD JOB IN THE ELECTION. WE NEED TO DO IT AGAIN.
WHILE THERE MAY BE FOLKS WHO THINK IT IS A GOOD IDEA TO HAVE MESSED UP ELECTIONS, BUT IN HARRIS COUNTY WE DESERVE MORE. I BELIEVE STRONGLY A JOINT PRIMARY IS THE ONLY WAY TO DO THAT IN THIS COUNTY.
CHAIR DOYLE WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE US DO OR RIGHT NOW JUST SORT OF WAIT?
>> THIS POINT THIS IS A DECISION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT IT IS BIGGER THAN AN INTERNAL PARTY DECISION AND HAS COUNT- WIDE IMPLICATIONS ON THE CHECKBOOK AND WHAT HAPPENS AND IF WE HAVE A VOTING SYSTEM THAT WORKS WELL OR NOT.
>> THANK YOU AND I HOPE YOU GUYS CAN COME TO AN AGREEMENT.
ANTHONY COLLIER HERE ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY. MY GRANDMA USED TO SAY IF IT AIN'T BROKE DON'T FIX IT. A SEPARATE PRIMARY WOULD BE INEFFICIENT AND FISICALLY IRRESPONSIBLE AND WILL WASTE MILLIONS OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS AND WILL CAUSE UNNECESSARY CONFUSION.
BOTH PARTIES AGREED LAST TIME THE POINT PRIMARY WAS THE BETTER OPTION WITH THE GOP CHAIR SAYING THERE WAS A NIGHT AND DAYDAY DIFFERENCE.
I ASK WE PUT POLITICS ASIDE TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNT AND HE HOLD THE JOINT PRIMARY.
>> MY NAME IS ELAINE. I WILL DEFER MY COMMENTS UNTIL WE HEAR MORE INFORMED INFORMATION AT A LATER DATE.
>> NEXT IS SONIA CORRALES. DR. JACKIE BAILEY ON 341 OF PRECINCT 4. SANDEEP MARKUM.
>> GOOD MORNING. I SERVE AS THE DEPUTY CEO AT THE HOUSTON WOMEN'S CENTER. THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR INVESTMENT IN CRITICAL SERVICES THAT SUPPORT SURVIVORS ESCAPING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. THREE PRECINCTS, INCLUDING
[02:20:01]
TWO HERE IN PRECINCT 4. ALLOWING US TO DELIVER 2,063 SERVICES TO EMPOWER SURVIVORS. MAINTAINS THE CONTINUITY OF CARE. A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR YOUR CONSISTENT ADVOCACY AND I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON SURVIVOR- CENTERED PUBLIC SAFETY, AND TO COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS FOR EQUITY AND STRONG PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT AND OF COURSE YOU ARE THE BEST NEIGHBOR. TO JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE COURT FOR THE CONTINUOUS SUPPORT FOR SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL ASSAULT>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR.
I AM CHAIR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION. THIS MORNING I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
IT HAS BEEN A BLESSING TO SERVE SINCE INCEPTION OF THREE YEARS ON THE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMMISSION. WE HAVE BEEN VERY ACTIVELY ENGAGED. WE HEARD YOU.
WE HAVE BEEN VISIBLY IN THE COMMUNITY TALKING TO THE RESIDENTS AND IDENTIFYING THE KEY POLICY ISSUES IMPACTING WOMEN IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IN 2026 WE PLAN TO BE MORE INVIGORATED AND DO MORE. WE ARE TALKING TO ORGANIZATIONS THAT ARE INVESTED IN WOMEN'S CAUSES SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO BE PROACTIVE IN COME TO YOU.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR MY NOMINATION.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. YOUR TEAM HAS BEEN WONDERFUL.
THANK YOU TO ALL FIVE OF YOU. EVERY TIME WE ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE ALL FIVE OF YOU HAVE COME UP TO HELP THE WOMEN'S COMMISSION.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SERVICE.
>> NEXT IS DR. SANDY MARKUM. DR. LISA WOLFORD ON 359.
BD TUDOR ON 370 AND NICOLE ROMANO ON 370.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE. GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
HAPPY NEW YEAR. I AM PHOEBE TUDOR, THE CHAIRMAN OF THE ASTRODOME SERVANCY.
THE ORGANIZATION ENVISIONS A DYNAMIC ASTRODOME ACCESSIBLE TO ALL. WORKING IN GOOD FAITH UNDER A MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING AS THE COUNTY'S NONPROFIT PARTNER, WE HAVE RAISED ALMOST $5 MILLION. AN EXCITING MULTIPURPOSE REUSE OF THE ASTRODOME. THIS IS EXACTLY THE TYPE OF PROJECT RECOMMENDED BY THE URBAN LAND USE STUDY.
IT CONCLUDED IN THE STUDY SAYING THE ASTRODOME CAN AND SHOULD BE REIMAGINED FOR THE PEOPLE OF HOUSTON THEY RECOMMENDED A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO MAKE THE PROJECT A REALITY. WE CONTINUE TO SPEAK TO PRIVATE DEVELOPERS AND THEY HAVE SHOWN INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING IN THE PROJECT, BUT WE WILL NEED
[02:25:03]
HELP AND SUPPORT FROM THE COUNTY TO SHOW YOU ARE OPEN FOR PROPOSALS AND WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST AN RFP PROCESS FROM THE COUNTY.>> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. YOU HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT ON ALL OF THE ISSUES THAT YOU WORK ON. YOU NEVER GIVE UP.
WE ALL APPRECIATE YOU. YOU DID REACH OUT TO ME.
I MENTIONED IT, EACH ONE OF US HAVE THE RIGHT TO PUT ANYTHING ON THE AGENDA. CERTAINLY NOT AN OVERSIGHT ON MY PART. I HAD A FEW THINGS GOING ON MYSELF AND I DIDN'T THINK TO CALL YOU, BUT DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I HAVE BROUGHT THE BOOKS WHICH I WOULD LIKE DISTRIBUTED TO ALL OF YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.
I AM CO- FOUNDER AND ON THE BOARD OF THE ASTRODOME CONSERVANCY. WE ARE PREDICTING OVER $1.
5 BILLION IN IMPACT AND HUNDREDS OF JOBS.
IT COULD REVITALIZE THE AREA AROUND THE DOME AND SERVE AS AN ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT NEXT TO NRG STADIUM.
IT IS HOUSTON'S MOST FAMOUS BUILDING AND IT IS KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD.
IT IS A PAID FOR ASSET OF TREMENDOUS VALUE WITH A BRAND KNOWN AROUND THE WORLD. SEVERAL SURVEYS AND FOUR POLLS INDICATING 85% TO 95% WERE IN FAVOR OF THE ASTRODOME AND THE USE OF PUBLIC FUNDS TO PAY FOR IT.
>> HI JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE ASTRODOME CONSERVANCY. WE HAVE READ Tā HE SUMMARY TO E DISCUSSED ON THE AGENDA TODAY, AND WE ARE IN AGREEMENT.
THERE MUST BE PRIVATE DOLLARS BROUGHT TO THE ASTRODOME REDEVELOPMENT.
THE CHALLENGE THUS FAR IS EXACTLY WHERE THE PRIVATE INTEREST AND THE INVESTMENT WILL COME FROM. THE CONSERVANCY SAW THE GAP AND PROACTIVELY WORKED TO ADDRESS IT. WE ARE IN CONSERVATION WITH MULTIPLE PRIVATE LARGE SCALE DEVELOPERS WHO ARE VERY INTERESTED IN THE ASTRODOME AS A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP WITH HARRIS COUNTY.
WE CAN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BRING PRIVATE DOLLARS TO THE TABLE FOR CAPITAL AND ONGOING MAINTENANCE, AND WE ARE WORKING TO MINIMIZE THE INVESTMENT BY HARRIS COUNTY IN SUCH A PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP THANKS TO THE ABILITY OF THE HISTORIC TAX CREDITS WHICH WE DISCUSSED WITH MOST OF THE OFFICES IN THE PAST.
HARRIS COUNTY CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE LUCRATIVE CAPITAL SOURCE AND THE HISTORIC REHABILITATION TAX CREDITS.
WE ARE HERE TO HELP. WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BRING RESOURCES, RESEARCH AND INFORMATION TO THE TABLE. I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING A PRESENTATION TO YOU IN THE FUTURE SOON.
>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM HERE TO ASK WE PRESERVE AND REPURPOSE THE ASTRODOME AND NOT TEAR IT DOWN. THE ASTRODOME IS A SYMBOL OF HOUSTON'S IDENTITY AND REPRESENTS INNOVATION AND AMBITION AND A MOMENT THE CITY SHOWED THE WORLD WHAT IS POSSIBLE. PRESERVING THE ASTRODOME IS ABOUT OPPORTUNITY. CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE PROVEN THEY CAN BE REPURPOSED INTO MULTIUSE FACILITIES. THERE IS A CLEAR PATH FORWARD THROUGH SHARED UTILIZATION.
HOUSTON NEEDS TO BE A CITY THAT RE- INVENTS RATHER THAN ERASES.
BUILDS FORWARD. THE ASTRODOME CAN BE A
[02:30:03]
PLACE WHERE HOUSTON COMES TOGETHER AND NOT AS A RELIC WITH A PAST BUT FUNCTIONAL ASSET FOR THE FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE.>> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THE ASTRODOME? ANYONE ELSE? I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND. YOU ARE REQUESTING AN RFP FROM THE COUNTY.
EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.
>> YES, MA'AM. WE ARE RESPECTFULLY ASKING CONSIDERATION OF SOME SORT OF SIGNAL FROM HARRIS COUNTY TO THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY THAT THE COUNTY IS OPEN AND WILLING TO EXPLORE A PUBLIC/PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP AROUND THE BUILDING. IN THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY WE REACHED A STOPPING POINT BECAUSE AS A PRIVATE NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY THAT YOU DO AS THE COUNTY LEADERSHIP TO ACT ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY TO TAKE THE CONVERSATION TO THE NEXT LEVEL. SO THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY IN OUR CONVERSATIONS HAS TOLD US THAT WE NEED A SIGNAL FROM THE COUNTY THAT THEY WOULD BE OPEN TO A CONVERSATION WITH PRIVATE DEVELOPERS. IS THAT AN RFP OR SOME SORT OF MEMORANDUM FROM THE COUNTY THAT SIGNALS TO THE PRIVATE DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY AND PRIVATE INVESTMENT COMMUNITY THAT THERE IS ROOM AT THE TABLE FOR THEM.
>> THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR LEGAL AND BUDGET.
>> THANKS, JUDGE. WE REMAIN OPEN TO MEET WITH ANYONE THE CONSERVANCY WANTS TO BRING TO THE TABLE AND DISCUSS THEIR IDEA. WE HAD THAT CONVERSATION AND REMAIN OPEN TO THAT AND WOULD BE HAPPY.
>> IS THAT OKAY TO HAVE MEETINGS WITH THE DEVELOPERS?
>> WE ARE HAVING THE MEETINGS.
>> WE ARE WORKING. WE MET WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY LATE IN DECEMBER AND ARE WORKING TO SET UP SOME OF THE MEETINGS.
I THINK A FORMAL SIGNAL FROM THE BODY WOULD BE MOST ADVANTAGEOUS IN GETTING THE DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES TO THE TABLE.
>> I KNOW, WE ARE VERY TIGHT ON THE BUDGET, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE THE WHOLE NRG PROJECT. YOU KNOW, IT IS A DIFFERENT POD OF FUNDS. COULD YOU FIGURE OUT WHETHER WE COULD POSSIBLY HAVE SOME FUNDS AS PART OF THE NRG REDEVELOPMENT OR DO WE KNOW WE DON'T?
>> WE ARE LIMITED ON WHAT WE CAN SPEND ON A REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT. WE HAVE BEEN CLEAR ON WHAT THE LIMITS ARE. YOU KNOW, THERE ARE HOT TAXES WHICH WE ARE ABLE TO USE. BESIDES THAT, AS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT, ANYTHING ELSE WOULD BE FUTURE ORIENTED.
IT WOULD NEED LEGISLATIVE ACTION TO BRING IN NEW DOLLARS.
WE ARE LIMITED OUTSIDE THE HOT TAX ON WHAT WE ARE ABLE TO RECOMMEND FROM THE BODY. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN GOING ROUND AND ROUND ON THIS FOR A WHILE. YOU HAVE DONE A LOT OF WORK OVEROVER YEARS. THE ISSUE WAS ALWAYS FUNDING.
AND NOW THE BUDGET IS DESTROYED. WE ARE COUNTING ON MONEY THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THINGS WE ARE PASSING.
IT SEEMS TO ME THAT ASAS PERHAPS OF THE MEETINGS, YOU CAN CRUNCH NUMBERS AND MAYBE BRING PROPOSALS TO US. I JUST DON'T KNOW IF THE FUNDING THAT YOU GUYS NEED IS THERE AND WOULD BE WILLING TO COMMIT THAT. YOU MIGHT NEED IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE.
>> IT IS PREMATURE TO BE TALKING ABOUT FUNDING RIGHT NOW.
>> IN ORDER TO BRING THE PRIVATE DOLLARS TO THE COUNTY FOR THE CONVERSATION, YOU KNOW, WE ARE LOOKING FOR THE SIGNAL FROM THE COURT THAT THE COUNTY WOULD OR IS OPEN TO HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS.
>> COULD YOU GUYS MAYBE WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON WHAT THE SIGNAL MIGHT BE?
>> WE DON'T WANT TO COMMIT TO SOMETHING.
YOU KNOW, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WHATEVER IS SAID, IF IT IS
[02:35:04]
SAID, IS APPROPRIATE. BUT FOR NOW I THINK THE CONVERSATIONS ARE GREAT. MORE CONVERSATIONS NEED TO HAPPEN. MY SENSE IS THAT WE JUST DON'T HAVE IT.THAT DOES NOT MEAN THE CONVERSATIONS WON'T CONTINUE. YOU KNOW, THERE HAVE BEEN SURPRISES SOMETIMES ON THE BUDGET.
GOSH. THERE WAS ONE MORE THING I WAS GOING TO SAY. ANYWAY, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.
SO, I GUESS WE WILL HAVE THAT. ONCE YOU GUYS HAVE A SENSE YOU CAN BRING US OPTIONS WHETHER IT IS FUNDING, A SIGNAL.
WE CAN SEE IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING.
>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL FOR CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION WITH US.
>> NEXT IS JOY DAVIS ON ITEM 371.
MARK COERT ON 371. VICTOR MENDOZA ON 371.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS JOY DAVIS WITH THE PURE JUSTICE ACTION FUND, AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. I AM SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF DR.
WYATT. I BELIEVE PEOPLE SHOULD BE OFFERED GRACE, GIVEN SECOND CHANCES AND HAVE THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE.
IT IS NOT COMMON FOR SOMEONE TO MISTAKENLY ENTER THE WRONG VEHICLE. STUDENTS ACCIDENTALLY GETTING INTO THE WRONG VEHICLE OR SOMEONE COULD BE HAVING A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
MY SON AND I WERE IN A WALMART PARKING LOT AS I COMPLETED MY GROCERY LIST. MY PASSENGER DOOR OPENED AND AN OLDER LADY HOPPED IN MY CAR AND SAT DOWN. WE LOOKED AT HER AND I SAID BABY WHERE ARE YOU GOING. SHE WAS SHOCKED, EMBARRASSED AND LOOKED AS SURPRISED AS WE WERE.
WE LAUGHED IT OFF. I TOLD HER IT WAS OKAY.
>> HONORABLE COURT, FOR THE RECORD MY NAME IS MARK COART. THE ISSUES REPORTED IN THE MEDIA TRANSCEND PARTY AND POLITICS. THE RECENT ARREST OF OUR HARRIS COUNTY TREASURER IS DEEPLY DISTURBING FOLLOWING PRIOR ARREST.
PUBLIC OFFICE IS NOT JUST A POSITION OF AUTHORITY.
IT IS A POSITION OF TRUST. TAXPAYERS EXPECT THOSE TRUSTED WITH RESOURCES TO ACT WITH RESPONSIBILITY AND SOUND JUDGMENT.
ACCOUNTABILITY IS NOT OPTIONAL. UNFORTUNATELY THE WRONG ACTIONS ARE THE ONES BECOMING CONSISTENTCONSISTENT THIS DEFENDANT. THE BEHAVIOR IS GROWING INTO A DISTURBING PATTERN THAT HAS BROKEN THE PUBLIC TRUST.
ACKNOWLEDGING WHEN IT IS COMPROMISED AND TAKING APPROPRIATE ACTION. THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE A COUNTY TREASURER THAT DOES NOT HAVE A BAIL BONDSMAN ON SPEED DIAL.
>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE.
MY NAME IS VICTOR MENDOZA AND I AM A PROUD MEMBER OF THE PURE JUSTICE ACTION FUND.
I BELIEVE WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS UNFAIR TREATMENT.
OTHER OFFICIALS HAD LEGAL TROUBLE RECENTLY.
NO ONE IS PERFECT. WE ASK FOR HER TO BE TREATED FAIRLY. SHE HASN'T BEEN CONVICTED.
SHE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES ALL OF THE TIME AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE TO SEE HOW EASY THE MISTAKES ARE TO COST HER HER FREEDOM.
WE WITNESSED A LADY GETTING INTO MY MOM'S CAR BY ACCIDENT.
SHE SEEMED SURPRISED TO BE SITTING IN THERE WITH US.
A LITTLE FUNNY, BUT SHE SAT THERE, APOLOGIZED AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. YOU KNOW, IF WE WERE TO HAVE CALLED THE POLICE, HER FREEDOM COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM HER AND COULD HAVE TURNED INTO SOMETHING SERIOUS WHEN IT WASN'T.
THOSE THINGS HAPPEN. >> THANK YOU.
>> NEXT IS NONAGENDA SPEAKER WALTER PROTHREAU, MIKE SCRANTON. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> LET ME JUST SAY ON THE TREASURER ISSUE.
I WILL WAIT TO SEE THE LEGAL PROCESS PLAY OUT.
[02:40:04]
AS YOU SAID INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.TREASURER WYATT IS AN INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT THE PEOPLE VOTED FOR AND I THINK CHANGING HER DUTIES IS A PRETTY SERIOUS STEP.
WHATEVER COMES OUT IN THE COURTS WILL AFFECT MY DECISION.
>> MR. SECRETARY, CALL THE FIRST
>> TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANTHONY HAYES.
>> JACOB. YOUR TIME IS RUNNING JACOB.
>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.
>> ALL RIGHT. THAT IS MORE THAN A FEW SECONDS.
>> ALL RIGHT. LET'S GO AHEAD TO THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>> MY NAME IS WALTER PROTHREAU. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE THE LINE OF ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH.
OTHER COUNTY AGENCIES HAVE AVOIDED THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. I AM HERE TO DISCUSS THE FALSIFICATION OF MEDICAL RECORDS AND HOW THEY TRIED TO CONCEAL THE INJURY AND FRAUD CONDUCTEDCONDUCTED BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE PHYSICIANS. DURING THE OFFICIAL INVESTIGATION MADE FALSE STATEMENT OF THE INCIDENT IN WHICH I WAS INJURED. THE FALSE STATEMENT IS TO INTERCEDE IN TRUE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT BY DR. STEVEN CHEN AND FULLY ADMITTED TO THAT HE WAS THE ONE THAT CHANGED THE PROCEDURE WITHOUT AN EXAMINATION THAT I WAS TO BE GIVEN. UNNECESSARY PROCEDURE WAS DONE TO TREAT A NON- EXISTENT MEDICAL CONDITION THAT WAS CONFIRMED BY SEVERAL PHYSICIANS INCLUDING ONES FROM HARRIS HEALTH.
>> YES. I WAS EXCITED TO SEE ITEM 172 ON THE AGENDA. I AM GOING TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF IT OR TO SOMETHING SIMILAR. BUT IT HAS BEEN PULLED FROM THE AGENDA. WE NEED TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF DETENTION OFFICERS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAILS. HOUSING CRIMINALSCRIMINALS A STATUTE OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
THERE WERE 20 INMATE DEATHS IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL, 19 IN 2023. THE JAIL HAS BEEN OUT OF COMPLIANCE FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS WITH CITATIONSCITATION S THERE CARE AND BROKEN FIRE ALARM SYSTEM. MANY OF THE PEOPLE WHO DIED AWAITING TRIAL HAD NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
OUR AMERICAN PRINCIPLES OF LIBERTY INCLUDE A RIGHT TO A FAIR AND SPEEDY TRIAL. DYING TO CONDITIONS IN THE JAIL FOR EVEN RECEIVING A TRIAL VIOLATES THIS RIGHT.
SOMETIMES INMATES SPEND MORE THAN A YEAR IN JAIL BEFORE RECEIVING A TRIAL. I BELIEVE EVEN THE GUILTY ARE FELLOW HUMAN BEINGS WE SHOULD TREAT WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND MANY OF THE PEOPLE THAT ARE GUILTY ARE NOT GUILTY.
THEY ARE AWAITING A TRIAL. SO I APPRECIATE ANY EFFORTS THAT WE CAN MAKE TO INCREASE THE HUMANE TREATMENT OF INMATES IN
[02:45:06]
THE JAIL. >> DO WE KNOW WHY THAT WAS PULLED?
>> JUST BECAUSE WE WANTED TO CLARIFY WHAT SERVICE LEVELS WE WERE GIVEN AS PART OF THE AGREEMENT.
>> IS THAT FOR BUDGETING PURPOSES?
>> PARTLY BUDGETING. WE WERE NOT COMMITTING TO SOMETHING THE SHERIFF HAD DELIVERED ON.
>> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.
[Departments (Part 3 of 4)]
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
WE WILL START GOING THROUGH THE DISCUSSION ITEMS NOW.
STARTING WITH ITEM 2 WHICH GOES WITH ITEM 369, BOTH RELATE TO OCA PROCEDURES. COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND
MY COMMENTS ARE WITH REGARD WITH VERSION 2 OF THE PROPOSED 2026 COMMISSIONERS COURT CALENDAR.
IN PARTICULAR I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT THAT IT ADDS 11 ADDITIONAL BUSINESS COURTS ADDRESSING A LOT OF THE CONVERSATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN HAVING IN RECENT MEETINGS.
A SIMPLY WAS GOING TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF VERSION 2.
I DON'T HAVE ANY COMMENTS ON 369.
>> LIKEWISE. I AM HAPPY TO MOVE ON WITH THE ITEM IF THE COLLEAGUES ARE.
>> YEAH. CLEARLY WE NEED TO SET OUR CALENDAR. MY PRIMARY CONCERN ABOUT OUR MEETINGS HAS TO DO WITH AGENDA DEADLINES. THAT ARE CAPRICIOUSLY SET BY OTHER DEPARTMENTS. WHEN WE ADOPT A SCHEDULE FOR THE GENERAL MEETINGS, BUSINESS MEETINGS, A COUPLE OF POINTS OF CLARIFICATION. APPARENTLY THERE ARE SOME THINGS IN THE BUSINESS MEETINGS RELATING TO THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AND OTHER OFFICES THAT WE CAN'T GET INTO.
WHAT WE COULD DO IN THE BUSINESS MEETINGS.
THEY ARE GOING TO BE A CRITICAL PART OF US NOT SLOWING DOWN THE PROGRESS WE NEED WITH THEM WHETHER IT IS THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OR OTHERS. BUT SPECIFICALLY EXAMPLES OF AGENDA DEADLINES THAT MY OFFICE HAS EXPERIENCED IN TERMS OF, I THINK, COMPELLING REASONS TO CHANGE IT.
HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT HAS A SIX- WEEK REQUIREMEN REQUIREMENT.
I KNOW THIS BECAUSE I EXPERIENCED THIS.
CLEARLY WE NEED TO CHANGE THAT WHEN PURCHASING IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING THERE. YOU INHERITED A LOT OF THINGS IN PURCHASING, BUT THERE IS A FOUR- WEEK REQUIREMENT ON SOME THINGS COMING OUT OF PURCHASING.
MY THING TODAY IS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A TWO- WEEK REQUIREMENT GETTING THINGS ON THE AGENDA.
THAT APPLIES TO EVERY DEPARTMENT.
I AM GOOD WITH OPTION ONE OR TWO.
WE HAVE TO HAVE NO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
I THINK WE HAVE TEN DAYS. I WOULD PROPOSE TO GET THINGS ON THE AGENDA.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN LAST TUESDAY.
LAST TUESDAY, AN EXAMPLE, WE WOULD BE A TIME TO GET THINGS ON THIS COURT AGENDA.
TWO WEEKS. TWO WEEKS AGO FROM TODAY IS WHEN YOU HAVE TO HAVE THINGS INTO THE PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS.
SO, I WANT THAT CLEARLY SET. I AM FRUSTRATE ED D WITH THE ARBITRARY DEADLINES. IT IS AFFECTING EVERYTHING WE
[02:50:09]
DO. FOUR WEEKS BEFORE GOING TO COURT JUST TO GET ON THE AGENDA. THEN ANOTHER FOUR WEEKS OF PAPERWORK FOLLOWING THAT. THAT IS EIGHT WEEKS.ON A NEW POSITION. THIS IS NOT HOW YOU SHOULD SEPARATE GOVERNMENT. GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE A LOT MORE EFFICIENT. I KNOW A LOT OF THE THINGS YOU HAVE INHERITED, PARTICULARLY IN HR. IT JUST MEANS WE HAVE GOTTEN SLOPPY. I THINK THAT AS WE CLEAN UP THE TIME THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE FOR OUR MEETINGS.
I AM GOOD WITH OPTION ONE OR OPTION TWO.
THE MOST IMPORTANT THING FOR ME IS GETTING THESE CLEANED UP ON THE ARBITRARY DEADLINES. TWO WEEKS.
TWO WEEKS. THAT IS WHAT IT SHOULD BE.
MAKE IT CLEAR. THE DEPARTMENT'S NEED TO ADJUST ACCORDINGLY.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I WILL GIVE YOU THIS CONCERN.
WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL THEY WERE MEETING TWICE A WEEK.
THEY USED TO MEET ON TUESDAYS IN LUNCH BEFORE MEETINGS AND WORK EVERYTHING OUT. THEN THEY GO IN THERE ON WEDNESDAY AND KNOCK IT OUT. IT TURNED INTO A TUESDAY MEETING AND A WEDNESDAY MEETING. I HAD THE BRIGHT IDEA TO BE ABLE TO SHORTEN THE WEEK. GO TO A ONE- DAY MEETING.
THEN I WAS YOUNG. I HAD THE BRIGHT IDEA THEY OUGHT TO GO TO A FOUR- YEAR TERM. I REMEMBER THE ARTICLE IN THE TERM SAYING FRESHMAN COUNCILMAN WANTED TO SHORTEN THE TERM AND LONGER THE WEEK.
IT BURNED. I DO WORRY ABOUT THAT.
THE WAY THE BUSINESS COURTS ARE SUPPOSED TO WORK ISIS IF THE SPEAKER IS ON IT, IT DOES NOT COME UP.
WE HAD CHALLENGES FOR GETTING THREE OF US HERE IN THE BUSINESS COURT. THE LAST BUSINESS COURT SOMETHING CHANGED. YOU KNOW, THINGS COME UP.
I HAD PLANNED A TRIP, BUT THEN ALL OF THE STUFF THAT WAS ON THE AGENDA WHEN THINGS CHANGED, IT WOULD HAVE JUST STOPPED. PROMPT PAY ISSUES, ALL OF THE ISSUES. SO I CANCELLED WHAT I HAD TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAD THREE OF US HERE.
THINGS ALWAYS COME UP. I KNOW ON APRIL 9TH, THURSDAYS FOR WHATEVER REASON WHEN WE SWITCHED. THEY ASSUME IF EVERYTHING IS GOING TO THE DEAFIT IN THE HAND BASKET, YOU HAVE MONDAY, TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY TO PUT IT TOGETHER. IT IS A CHALLENGE ON THURSDAYS.
WE HAVE OTHER THINGS PULLING AT US.
THURSDAY IS THE DAY MOST PEOPLE PLAY.
THAT IS THE BEST DAY OF THE WEEK.
THAT IS A CHALLENGE. THANK GOD WE STARTING AT 9:00.
IF WE DO CHANGE IT WITH FEWER MEETINGS, WE OUGHT TO HAVE A GENTLE PERSON'S MEETING THREE PEOPLE ARE HERE TO START THE MEETING. I AM GLAD WE MOVED UP.
IT IS GOING TO BE A BIG CHALLENGE WHEN SOMETHING COMES UP. A GRADUATION.
YOU JUST CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE BUSINESS COURT.
>> YOUR CONCERN WOULD BE THE MORE FREQUENT BUSINESS COURTS WOULD BE MORE FREQUENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR CONFLICTS.
>> YES. I THINK I PULLED ONE ITEM.
IT WILL BE A QUICK COMMENT. IF YOU HAVE HEART BURN, YOU WANT TO PULL AN ITEM. SOMETHING COMES UP YOU DID NOT THINK ABOUT IT. I AM JUST SAYING THAT WE CAN CHANGE IT IF IT DID NOT WORK. IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, DO IT ON A PILOT BASIS AND FLIP IT BACK. I AM JUST WORRIED.
[02:55:04]
WHY IS IT UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WHEN IT IS MY BILL. EVERYBODY ELSE'S BILL, IT IS OKAY. I DO WORRY.WHATEVER YOU ALL DO, IF YOU HAVE THE VOTES DO IT.
APRIL 9 I WILL NOT BE HERE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A BUSINESS COURT A REGULAR COURT. I WAS HERE WHEN THE MEETINGS WERE REALLY QUICK. I DID AS MUCH AS I COULD TO GET HERE. I AM STILL DOING AS MUCH AS I COULD WHEN THE MEETINGS ARE ANYTHING OTHER THAN REALLY QUICK MIGHT I ADD. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THE STAFF. Y'ALL HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS? WE ARE GOING TO BE THE ONES COMPLAINING. I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU BEHIND THE 8- BALL BUT THAT IS WHY YOU GET THE BIG BUCKS.
>> WHEN WE HAVE FEWER COURTS AND THERE ARE ISSUES WE WANT TO ADDRESS THAT FOREVER WHAEN DON'T MAKE IT, THINGS THAT ARE PROJECT SPECIFIC I HAVE THAT CONCERN.
NOT MISS DEADLINES. NOT TO TAKE TOO LONG.
WE WILL OPERATE HOWEVER THE COURT DECIDES TO SET THE DEADLINES. WE WILL MAKE IT WORK. YEAH.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF ISSUES THE COURT WANTS TO HAVE INPUT ON. YOU KNOW, IT WILL BE UP TO EVERYONE IF WE ARE ONLY MEETING ONCE A MONTH THAT EVERYTHING GETS THROUGH.
>> I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS. IT IS AN HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO BE WITH YOU ALL. I DON'T WANT TO BE WITH YOU ANYMORE THAN I HAVE TO. I WORRY ABOUT CUTTING IT DOWN.
NOBODY HAS ALL OF THE CHALLENGES BECAUSE IT IS SO BIG.
EXTERNAL CHALLENGES OUR FRIENDS IN AUSTIN AND OTHER PLACES PUT ON US.
WHATEVER YOU DO, I AM HOPING WHEN YOU DECIDE DON'T MAKE THE APRIL 9TH THING.
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH YOU.
WHEN HI TELL FOLKS THEY HAVE A PROJECT COMING AND IT IS COME ING AND COMING, IT GETS FRUSTRATING.
IN RELATION TO YOUR POINT TELL US ABOUT STRUGGLING TO HAVE A QUORUM TO DO BUSINESS COURTS.
I WOULD JUST ASK THE AGENDA OFFICE TO WORK TO DO A HEAD COUNT IN ADVANCE OF ALL OF THE BUSINESS COURTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE SCHEDULED THROUGH COMMISSIONER BRIONES' MOTION.
THAT WAY, IT MAY NOT BE ALL OF THE FINE FACES, BUT IT WILL BE AT LEAST THREE AND THEY WILL GET THE ITEMS MOVING.
>> I WOULD JUST -- >> I AM CONCERN E ED I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT.
YOU ARE SAYING THE DEPARTMENT SETS DEADLINES THAT ARE TOO FAR AHEAD AND CAN WE MAKE IT CLOSER TO THE COURT.
>> AT THIS POINT IT WILL BE TWO WEEKS PERIOD.
SOMETIMES IT IS SIX WEEKS. SOMETIMES IT IS FOUR WEEKS OR EIGHT WEEKS.
>> OUR AGENDA DEADLINE IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.
THAT IS THE AGENDA DEADLINE. OTHER DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DEPARTMENT THAT HAVE LONGER PROCESSES.
HRT. I THINK THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEED TO REVIEW THOSE.
>> FROM THE AGENDA TEAM STANDPOINT, THAT IS LESS THAN TWO WEEKS.
>> RIGHT. I THINK THAT THE QUESTION IS, IS IT POSSIBLE TO SHORTEN THE TIME FOR THE DEPARTMENTS THAT HAVE MORE THAN TWO WEEKS? YOU KNOW, I GUESS THAT MIGHT BE A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR QUESTION.
[03:00:02]
BECAUSE IF IT IS FEASIBLE, THEN SURE.I AGREE. MAYBE THEY NEED MORE STAFF IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FEASIBLE. I DON'T KNOW.
CONTRACT REVIEW PROCESS AND PURCHASING AS WELL.
>> TO BE CLEAR, AS IT RELATES TO OUR OFFICE, WE HAVE LESS THAN TWO WEEKS. MANY OF YOU KNOW WE HAD ITEMS PLACED WELL WITHIN THAT, WITHIN A FEW DAYS.
WE WERE ABLE TO SET WHEN THINGS GET NOTICED.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THREE THINGS.
AS IT RELATES TO THE BUSINESS COURTS.
>> I AM STILL GETTING MY QUESTION ANSWERED.
>> ON THIS POINT OF THE COURT MEETINGS, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOUR MOTION IS TO SHORTEN IT RIGHT NOW. I WOULD SAY PUT THIS ON THE NEXT COURT AND IN THE MEANTIME YOU CAN TALK TO THE DEPARTMENTS.
>> I AM NOT -- NO. IT IS EASY TO FIND REASONS NOT TO DO SOMETHING. I THINK WE SET IT AT TWO WEEKS.
EACH DEPARTMENT CAN WORK THROUGH IT.
IF YOU NEED SPECIFICS OR LATITUDE GOING FORWARD.
BUT UNTIL YOU SET A CLEAR DEADLINE AND FOR 50 YEAR S PRIOR TO THIS WE DID IT. I KNOW IT BECAUSE I TALKED TO PEOPLE BEFORE. I THINK WE HAVE GOTTEN SLOPPY AND BUREAUCRATIC AND SET IT AT TWO WEEKS. IF PARTICULAR DEPARTMENTS HAVE ISSUES WITH MAKING A TWO- WEEK ISSUE WORK, WE CAN WORK THROUGH THOSE.
BUT YOU SET A STANDARD DEFINED DATE. YOU SET A DATE. YOU MANAGE TO THE DATE.
>> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT. THE PROBLEM IS THE OPPOSITE, WE OFTEN GET MUCH LATER ITEMS IN AFTER THE DEADLINES HAVE PASSED AND INSISTENCE THAT THINGS NEED TO COME ON.
>> THAT WILL BE UP TO THE DEPARTMENTS.
I THINK THAT WE ARE BEING VERY CLEAR THAT ALL DEPARTMENTS NEED TO ADD ADHERE.
YOU ARE SAYING YOU LIKE THE TWO-WEEK DEADLINE?
>> I AM SAYING OUR AGENDA TEAM TO GET THE AGENDA ON HAS A SHORTER THAN TWO WEEK DEADLINE.
>> THE ITEMS THAT COME TO THEM. IF THEY ARE COMPLETE AND READY TO GO TWO WEEKS, RIGHT, THEN THAT IS GREAT.
I CAN'T SPEAK FOR ENGINEERING AND WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM HAVING COURT- READY ITEMS. TO THE POINT, IF THAT IS THE DEADLINE THEY WILL WORK TOWARDS IT.
THEY WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE SURE THAT THE ITEMS GET IN IN ADVANCE OF THE AGENDA DEADLINE.
I THINK EVERYONE WILL HAVE TO FOLLOW THAT.
>> MY PART, YES. THERE IS ONLY SO MUCH THAT YOU CAN DO WITHOUT ADDITIONAL SUPPORT.
IT IS THE SAME THING TOLD TO THE DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, DURING BUDGET OF HEY, FIGURE OUT HOW TO CUT. WELL, THEY ALREADY CUT.
YOU HAVE TO CUT MORE. WHERE I AM SUPPOSED TO CUT MORE FROM. WE ENDED UP DECREASING SERVICES.
IT WAS JUST A PRESSURE. SO, I THINK THAT MY CONCERN IS THAT THE DEPARTMENT -- MY REQUEST WOULD BE THAT THE DEPARTMENTS TELL YOU OR MAYBE YOU HAVE TO TELL JESSE OR WHOEVER IS IN THE CHAIR THAT WE ARE STRUGGLING TO MEET THE DEADLINE BECAUSE OF BLANK.
MAYBE WE WON'T KNOW WHICH DEPARTMENT IT IS.
IT IS NOT FAIR TO PUT THINGS ON LIKE THAT.
WE SPENT ALL SUMMER BEATING THE DEPARTMENTS DOWN FOR THEM TO FIND MONEY OUT OF THIN AIR AND NOW THIS.
I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR. ON THE POINT OF THE MEETINGS, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I THINK THERE HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT EFFORTS. WE GOT HERE.
WE CHANGED 15- MINUTE MEETINGS INTO MEETINGS THAT WOULD GO UNTIL MIDNIGHT.
[03:05:03]
YOU KNOW I THINK WE REACHED A HAPPY MEDIUM.THAT DOES NOT MEAN WE CUT OUT PUBLIC MEETINGS.
>> AS FAR AS SETTING AN ARBITRARY TIME, I WANTED TO SAY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS CORRECT.
IN THE PAST WE HAD THAT FOR THE NON- ELECTED DEPARTMENTS.
THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR THREE OR FOUR DEPARTMENTS.
IF THE COURT WANTS TO SET A DEADLINE, THERE IS NOT A STANDARD THAT IS SET BY THE COURT.
IF THE COURT SETS THE STANDARD I THINK THE ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS WOULD ADHERE TO THAT. ON THE POINT COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE WITH RELATION TO THE NUMBER OF -- I AM PROBABLY IN THE MINORITY HERE. ESPECIALLY AMONG YOU GUYS.
I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE 21 REGULAR MEETINGS AND 13 BUSINESS COURTS, THE MORE THE BETTER FOR ME.
I KNOW I AM IN THE MINORITY THERE.
I WANT YOU GUYS TO MEET AS OFTEN AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE.
IF WE DO GO FOR OPTION TWO WHICH HAS A GRAFRT NUMBER OF BUSINESS COURTS. ONE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTS OUT, THERE WILL BE LESS OPPORTUNITY FOR THE KIND OF ROBUST DISCUSSION THAT THE COURT LIKES TO HAVE.
BUT TWO, WE PROBABLY OUGHT TO LOOK AT, AND I AM HAPPY TO WORK WITH OCA AND YOUR OFFICES TO THINK ABOUT MORE ITEMS THAT WE CAN MAKE ELIGIBLE FOR BUSINESS COURT. RIGHT NOW WE ALLOW SPEAKERS DURING BUSINESS COURT. WHAT WE DON'T IS DISCUSSION AMONGST YOURSELF. IF YOU WANT TO GO TO A MORE BUSINESS COURT FORMATTED SET OF MEETINGS WE CAN DO THAT. MY SUGGESTION WOULD BE THAT WE WORK TO GET MORE ITEMS THAT ARE NOT, YOU KNOW, NOT NECESSARILY NEEDING THE DISCUSSION AND ACT ACCORDINGLY. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, MY PREFERENCE IS THAT WE DO MORE REGULAR AND COURT MEETINGS BUT I AM A LONELY VOICE ON THAT FRONT.
>> I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE VERSION TWO -- OF THE PROPOSED 2026 COMMISSIONERS COURT CALENDAR WITH THE CHANGE THAT THE FEBRUARY 12TH, 2026 MEETING BE A REGULAR COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING AND THAT THERE BE A TWO- WEEK DEADLINE IN ADVANCE OF THE AGENDA POSTING DEADLINE.
>> COMMISSIONER, ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT THAT? CURRENTLY WE POST LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AND PUBLISH ON A FRIDAY. THE DEADLINE IS MONDAY.
YOU SAID TWO WEEKS IN ADVANCE OF POSTING.
YOU ARE LOOKING FOR AN INTERNAL AGENDA DEADLINE TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE MEETING.
>> IF YOU HAVE A DEPARTMENT, WHETHER IT IS THROUGH THE COUNTY ENGINEER OR HR OR PURCHASING.
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING ON THAT COURT, IT HAS TO BE IN TO THATTHAT TWO WEEKS. CAN'T BE SIX WEEKS OR FOUR WEEKS OR EIGHT WEEKS.
MOTION? >> JUST A CLARIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT.
>> SURE. AS I UNDERSTAND IT, IT IS A MOTION TO SET THE TWO- WEEK INTERNAL DEADLINE FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE COURT
>> THE AGENDA POSTING DEADLINE. THREE BUSINESS DAYS PRIOR.
>> THAT IS A WEEK. TWO AND A HALF WEEKS, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> FROM OUR TEAM'S PERSPECTIVE, TO PUBLISH FRIDAY WE NEED ALL ITEMS IN ON THAT MONDAY.
THAT IS THE DEADLINE TO HAVE THEM READY AND COMING.
>> DID YOU GUYS CATCH THE MOTION?
>> DOES THE POSTING PRIOR TO THE AGENDA DEADLINE?
>> I KNEW IT WOULD MAKE IT LONGER THAN TWO WEEKS.
>> WE WOULD APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN RE- READ THE MOTION.
>> THE MOTION IS TO APPROVE VERSION TWO OF THE
[03:10:01]
PROPOSED 2026 COMMISSIONERS COURT CALENDAR WITH THE CHANGE THAT THE FEBRUARY 12TH, 2026 MEETING BE A REGULAR COMMISSIONER COURT MEETING AND THAT THERE BE A TWO- WEEK DEADLINE IN ADVANCE OF THE AGENDA POSTING DEADLINE.>> CAN WE SEPARATE THOSE AGENDA? ONE OF THEM HAS TO DO WITH HOW MANY MEETINGS THAT THERE ARE.
THE OTHER HAS TO BE WHEN THE SUBMISSION DEADLINES ARE.
>> UNLESS YOU CALL A MOTION ON THAT IN WHICH CASE I DON'T KNOW.
>> RAMSEY, ELLISON AND BRIONES.
>> I WANT TO ASK AS A COURTESY THAT THE APRIL 9TH MEETING, THE THURSDAY, IT STILL BE ON APRIL 8TH. I WILL NOT BE HERE ON THE 9TH.
AND I WANT TO ALSO SAY THAT -- ONE THING I HAVE BEEN GOOD ON.
>> YEAH. THESE MEETINGS ARE GOING TO BE LONGER. I THINK INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE IMPORTANT BUSINESS, WHICH IF IT HAPPENS WILL HAPPEN ONCE A MONTH AS OPPOSED TO TWICE A MONTH.
WE NEED TO MOVE IT DOWN. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TIME.
MAYBE I WILL DO IT SIX. UNLESS WE FINISH EARLY.
WAITING A WHOLE MONTH. YOU HAVE FOLKS THAT CAME TO BE HONORED. UNLESS WE FINISH.
IF WE FINISH, START IT EARLIER. IF YOU STOP AND SPEND TWO HOURS ON RESOLUTIONS AND GO BACK TO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS WHEN YOU ARE MEETING ONCE A MONTH. IT IS TOUCH AND GO.
HAVE THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE BETTER START AT 9:00.
WE ARE READY TO EAT. IT IS GOING TO BE A LONG DAY.
>> I TOTALLY AGREE WITH WHAT YOU ARE REFERRING TO.
I THINK I GIVE OUT A LOT OF PROBABLE CAUSE -- PROCLAMATIONS. THERE ARE SOME THINGS YOU LIKE FOR ALL COURT MEMBERS TO SIGN.
I GET THAT. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT THE NUMBER OF RESOLUTIONS EACH COURT MEMBER BRINGS. I REALLY TRY TO KEEP MINE UNDER TWO OR UNDER.
SO, THERE ARE ALL OF THOSE ISSUES THAT WILL AFFECT IT. IF IT ENDS UP BEING 6:00.
WE HAVE 500 AGENDA ITEMS, THIS COURT MEETING TODAY, THE LAST COURT MEETING THAT WE HAD IN 2025 WAS ABOUT A MONTH AGO.
ROUGHLY 380 AGENDA ITEMS. A LOT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY WE PULL AND HAVE DISCUSSIONS. A LOT OF THE ISSUES YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT I AGREE WITH. JAY MENTIONED A VERY IMPORTANT ONE. I DO THINK THISSA WITH THE MORE BUSINESS COURT MEETINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE SURE THAT IF WE NEED TO BRING A PURCHASING ITEM OR ENGINEERING ITEM THAT IS CURRENTLY NOT TYPICALLY BROUGHT TO A BUSINESS COURT, THEN WE NEED TO TAKE A LOOK AT THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT APPROPRIATE MODIFICATIONS THAT WE CAN MAKE IN OUR OWN RULES ON THOSE BUSINESS COURTS TO BE SURE THEY ARE AS EFFECTIVE AS THEY CAN BE.
>> YOU UNDERSTAND YOU DEFEAT THE PURPOSE OF THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IF YOU TURN A BUSINESS COURT MEETING TO WHERE THERE IS A DISCUSSION. YOU DO RUN IN TO THAT.
>> MAYBE THAT WOULD BE A LINE TOO FAR, BUT SOMETIMES WE WON'T PUT CONTRACT AWARDS OR OTHER THINGS.
JUST SOME INTERNAL THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON RELATED TO THE BUSINESS COURT MEETINGS, THINGS WE PUT ON THEM AND DON'T.
THINGS THAT DON'T EVEN INVOLVE DISCUSSIONS.
JAY, WE SHOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT.
THEY ARE GOING TO BECOME MORE IMPORTANT.
>> SURE. I MEAN AS A PRACTICAL MATTER, WE WILL HAVE AN AGENDA OF 450 ITEMS, AND THE COURT WILL HAVE GREAT DISCUSSION ON 30 OF THEM.
THERE IS AN ARGUMENT TO BE MADE THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS
[03:15:03]
THAT WE CAN DO IN BUSINESS COURT, AND LEAVE THESE MEETINGS TO MORE OF THE 30 OR THE 40 OR 50 ITEMS. I THINK THE POINT IS NOT ONE THAT SHOULD BE TAKEN LIGHTLY.IT IS IMPORTANT FROM THE DEMOCRATIC PERSPECTIVE TO HAVE GOOD CONVERSATION. IT IS THE ONLY TIME ALL FIVE OF YOU CAN MEET. IF YOU LIMIT YOURSELF TO ONCE A MONTH, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE RAMIFICATIONS TO THAT.
>> THAT IS WHY I SAY IF YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT,TRY IT FOR SIX OR EIGHT MONTHS. IT REALLY DOES CONCERN ME.
BUSINESS COURTS ARE ESSENTIALLY A CONSENT AGENDA.
YOU TURN IT INTO A DISCUSSION, IT IS A DIFFERENT ISSUE.
>> I SAID WHEN IT FIRST CAME UP, I REALLY DON'T TRUST BUREAUCRACY. MY RESOLUTION.
YOU KNOW, NO SLICK TRICKS IN 2026.
WHEN I CAN WATCH YOU, AND YOU ARE GOING TO SEE ME EVERY COUPLE OF WEEKS. I USED TO BE MORE TRUSTING OF BUREAUCRACY. THIS IS A CHANCE TO CHECK ON THE BUREAUCRACY.
>> COMMISSIONER, IF YOU ARE MAKING A MOTION OR AMENDMENT THAT WE REVISIT THIS IN SIX MONTHS, THEN I CAN SUPPORT THAT.
>> WE CAN ROLL IT ALL IN AS ONE. I WANT TO MOVE THE REGULAR COURT TO THE 8TH.
>> I WILL SUPPORT BOTH OF THOSE.
>> I THINK THAT ON VERSION TWO, THE REGULAR COURT IS THE 16TH.
>> GOOD DEAL. I WILL SUPPORT THE REVIEW IN SIX MONTHS.
>> WHAT ABOUT MOVING THIS DOWN, THE RESOLUTION PART? IF YOU ARE MEETING ONCE A MONTH?
>> I THINK WE TRY IT OUT FIRST.
>> UNLESS WE FINISH. YOU CAN START IT AT NOON IF YOU FINISH. I WORRY ABOUT MEETING ONCE A MONTH AND STOP AND THEN GOING TO GO BACK AND GO ON TO THE PEOPLE'S OTHER BUSINESS.
>> WE HAVE TRIED A BUNCH OF THINGS. I SAY WE STAY THE COURSE AND JUST WORK AT IT.
>> I AM GOING TO VOTE NO BUT I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE A BIG DEAL OUT OF IT.
>> THIS IS ITEM 2 AND 369, RIGHT?
>> CAN WE DO ONE TOPIC AT A TIME? THE MOTION IS GETTING REALLY LONG.
IS THERE A MOTION ON MOVING THE RESOLUTIONS TO 6:00.
>> I WILL TRY THAT. UNLESS WE FINISH EARLY.
I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION. VOTE ON THAT ONE.
>> ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> YES. IS THERE A MOTION ON MAKING THE DEADLINE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS BE TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE SUBMISSION DEADLINE?
>> UPDATE RULES AS NECESSARY. CAN YOU ADD THAT TO THE END OF THE MOTION PLEASE?
>> THE SAME THING THAT YOU READ.
>> UPDATE RULES ARE NECESSARY.
>> I WILL SECOND THE MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR.
ANY OPPOSED. THE NEXT ONE IS ABOUT REQUIRING AN AGENDA SUBMISSION DEADLINE FOR ALL ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENTS OF TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE AGENDA POSTING DEADLINE.
>> PRIOR TO THE POSTING OF THE AGENDA.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[03:20:07]
THE NEXT ONE SHOULD BE ABOUT THEDATES. >> ITEM 2, VERSION 2 WHICH WAS READ.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE VERSION 2 OF THE PROPOSED 2026 COMMISSIONERS COURT CALENDAR WITH A CHANGE THAT FEBRUARY 12TH, 2026 MEETING BE A REGULAR COMMISSIONER COURT MEETING.
>> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT IT IN SIX MONTHS.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW IF IT THIS REQUIRES A MOTION BUT TO DIRECT THE AGENDA OFFICE TO CONTACT COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES FOR ATTENDANCE FOR
>> YOU CAN DIRECT US. OUR TEAM DEFINITELY DOES THAT.
MOTION CARRIES 3-2. ALL RIGHT.
OKAY. I THINK THAT I MIGHT HAVE MISASSIGNED THE MOTIONS. THE ONE ABOUT THE DATES.
THAT ONE IS FOR 369. THE OTHER TWO OR THREE ARE ITEM 2. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?
ALL RIGHT. ON WARD ON THIS TOPIC.
WE ARE GOING TO ITEM 10, THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY.
>> BEFORE WE MOVE ON, JUDGE, ONE GENERAL COMMENT.
I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO SOUND LIKE I'M BRAGGING, BUT WHEN SHE CALLS AND SAID ARE YOU GOING TO BE THERE.
I RESPOND TO FOLKS ININ THAN 24 HOURS. WHEN THEY LOOK AT WHO IS GOING TO BE THERE AND ISN'T GOING TO BE THERE.
IT DOES ALL REQUIRE THREE TO BE IN THE ROOM.
NOW THERE IS A GREATER POTENTIAL FOR CONFLICT AND SCHEDULES AND THINGS THAT HAPPEN. THE SOONER THAT WE ANSWER THE QUESTION, THE MORE EFFECTIVE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO PLAN OUR GO
FORWARD. >> I WILL ADD TO THAT, SOMETIMES THINGS CHANGE. YOU KIND OF WORK IT OUT.
USUALLY WHEN SOMEONE TELLS ME WHY THEY ARE NOT ABSENT.
THAT IS A DIFFERENT DEAL. YOU KNOW, SOMETHING COMES UP.
A FUNERAL, HEALTH ISSUE, SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
>> SOMETIMES IF I COMMITTED TO BE THERE AND CAN'T, I WILL START DOING MY OWN. CAN SOMEBODY COVER FOR ME.
OKAY. >> JUDGE, REALLY QUICK WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS A SPEAKER WHO WAS ON THE LIST BUT DIDN'T COME UP TO SPEAK. ON THAT ISSUE?
>> IT WAS IN REFERENCE TO A RESOLUTION THAT WAS APPROVED.
GO AHEAD. JUST REMEMBER TO STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.
>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I AM HERE ON BEHALF OF CARE TEXAS IN STRONG SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION. IT IS MEANINGFUL BECAUSE IT COMES AT A TIME MUSLIM COMMUNITIES ARE FACING HARM.
PALESTINIANS -- CARE TEXAS HAS DOCUMENTED A SHARP INCREASE IN ANTI- MUSLIM AND ANTI- PALESTINIAN DISCRIMINATION INCLUDING THREATS, WORKPLACE RETALIATION AND BULLYING OF CHILDREN IN TEXAS SCHOOLS TO NAME A FEW.
[03:25:01]
THIS RESOLUTION SPEAKS THE TRUTH, COUNTERING THE DISTURBING LIES SPREAD ABOUT US RIGHT NOW, THAT WE ARE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY AND SHARE FAR MORE IN COMMON THAN WHAT DIVIDES US AND STORIES ARE WOVEN INTO THE FABRIC OF HARRIS COUNTY.THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND STAFF FOR BRINGING FORWARD THE RESOLUTION AND FOR OUR DIGNITY, HUMANITY AND RIGHT TO BELONG.
>> THANK YOU TO YOUR CARE TEAM FOR EVERYTHING Y'ALL DO.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. ALL RIGHT.
THANK YOU FOR THE HEADS UP. NOW WE MOVE TO THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY.
>> WE DO HAVE A PRESENTATION IF THAT IS AVAILABLE.
GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM EXCITED TO BE HERE, COMING BACK TO TALK ABOUT OUR COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY THAT IS PROPOSED.
AMANDA PORTER, OUR DIRECTOR OF COMPENSATION.
WE ARE KEENLY AWARE WE ARE AT THE 1:00 HOUR.
ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU FOR THE PRESENTATION.
IF WE CAN MOVE FORWARD. WE ARE BACK TODAY ON THE DECEMBER 11TH COURT. WE ARE ASKING FOR APPROVAL TODAY.
WHY DO WE WANT A COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY? IT PROVIDES A FAIR APPROACH FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
THIS IS THE ORIGINAL DRAFT. WE WENT THROUGH A FEEDBACK PROCESS TOUCHING BASE WITH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE COUNT AND HE REACHED OUT TO 165 INDIVIDUALS AND LEADERSHIP IN HUMAN RESOURCES AND LIAISONS WE PARTNER WITH.
WE SENT A SURVEY AND RECEIVED VERY GOOD FEEDBACK.
IT STARTED DECEMBER 19TH. WE EXTENDED IT TO JANUARY 2ND. WE WILL TALK ABOUT IT IN A SECOND AND DID PRECOURT ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS AND SOUGHT FEEDBACK VERBALLY AND IT INFORMAL FEEDBACK AS WELL. WE ARE NOW AT THE POINT OF ASKING FOR YOUR APPROVAL. NEXT PAGE, PLEASE.
THE FEEDBACK WAS GENERALLY VERY POSITIVE. PEOPLE WERE EXCITED ABOUT HAVING A CONSISTENT COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY. THIS IS OUR NORTH STAR, IF YOU WILL. AND SO, AMANDA'S TEAM IS WORKING DILIGENTLY ON AN EXHAUSTIVE PLAN. COMPENSATION AND ADMINISTRATIVE GO GUIDE. SOME OF THE THEMES WE ARE WANTING TO MAKE SURE WE HAD CONSISTENT APPROACH AND FLEXIBILITY. THERE IS A LOT OF FEEDBACK ABOUT BEING FISICALLY RESPONSIBLE TO THE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. THE QUESTIONS WERE MOSTLY OPEN ENDED BUT THREE HAD DATA.
A LITTLE OVER A THIRD IN THE COUNTY RESPONDED TO THE SURVEY AND GENERALLY IT WAS VERY POSITIVE.
THE PLACE THAT WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE NEXT PAGE.
THIS IS THE NEW PHILOSOPHY. A COUPLE OF THE MAJOR THINGS WEWE INCORPORATED WERE FEEDBACK AROUND TOTAL REWARDS AND WE STATED WE HAD FIVE PILLARS BUT ONLY HAD FOUR LAID OUT BECAUSE WE HAD COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS TOGETHER. BUT WE PICKED UP ON THE VALUE- BASED COMPONENT WITHIN THE GUIDING PRINCIPLES ABOUT BEING FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE AS YOU CAN SEE, THE PROGRAM OBJECTIVES. THAT IS CERTAINLY SOMETHING
[03:30:04]
WE ASPIRE TO AND DO HAVE IN CERTAIN POCKETS. WE WANT TO CONTINUE THAT AND KEEP THAT IN, IN SPITE OF THE FEEDBACK. YOU CAN READ THE OTHER ELEMENTS WHICH ARE FAIRLY CONSISTENT WITH WE STARTED.WE ARE ASKING YOU APPROVE THE COMPENSATION PHILOSOPHY.
WE WILL USE THAT AS WE GO THROUGH ALL OF THE CHALLENGES THAT WE ARE FACING.
IT WILL GIVE US A CONSISTENT APPROACH THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. QUESTIONS.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> THANK YOU FOR COMING. WE HAVE HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS IN THE OFFICE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE AND YOUR TIME YOU TAKE WITH US AS WE ASK QUESTIONS.
I KNOW THAT ON PAPER IT SOUNDS GREAT THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A PHILOSOPHY.
I AM LOOKING AT ACTIONS. I AM LOOKING AT A $1. 2 MILLION PAY EQUITY STUDY THAT IS DRIVING THE WHOLE FRAMEWORK OF HOW WE PAY AND COMPENSATE OUR PEOPLE.
I DO NOT SEE IN THE PLAN THAT HAS BEEN PREPARED THIS PHILOSOPHY AT ALL. I DON'T SEE THAT IN THE PLAN.
THAT WE PAID $1. 2 MILLION FOR. UNTIL WE GET THE PLAN IT IS HARD TO SIT HERE SAYING I AM FOR THE PHILOSOPHY. WHEN THE PLAN DOES NOT REFLECT THAT AT ALL. I DON'T THINK IT REFLECTS COMPENSATION. MY EXAMPLE OF THAT, THERE ARE 254 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THEY DON'T HAVE A SHIP CHANNEL OR A HOSPITAL DISTRICT.
THEY DON'T HAVE A LOT OF THE THINGS WE HAVE.
ONE THING ALL 254 COUNTY IES HAVE ARE ROADS AND BRIDGES.
750 JOB CLASSIFICATIONS AND NOT A SINGLE ONE HAS ROAD OR BRIDGE IN IT THERE IS NO ROAD AND BRIDGE SUPERINTENDENT OR DIRECTOR DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT THE COUNTY DOES. I HAVE LEADERS WHERE THERE ARE NO DESCRIPTIONS. I MIGHT EMBARRASS THEM BY SAYING THEIR NAMES. THEY ARE EXTRAORDINARY EMPLOYEES AND LEADERS, BUT THERE IS NO DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THEY DO IF YOU HAVE NOT WRITTEN A JOB DESCRIPTION HOW CAN YOU BEGIN TO UNDERSTAND POSITIONS YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND.
I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU. I AM TALKING ABOUT THE $1.
2 MILLION PLAN WE HAVE DONE. SO, I AM HESITANT IN SUPPORTING A PHILOSOPHY WHEN I DON'T SEE IT PLAYED OUT IN THE PLAN THAT WE HAVE COME UP WITH. BENEFITS WERE NOT TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT. WE HAVE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN WITH THE COUNTY FOR 30 YEARS.
I AM GOING TO PAY MORE ATTENTION TO A DEGREE SOMEONE HAS MORE THAN AN INCREDIBLE JOB. WE HIRED SOME OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL. I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT WHAT I SEE PLAYED OUT IN THE PAY PARITY PLAN. IT IS NOT REFLECTIVE AT ALL F OF THE PHILOSOPHY THAT YOU HAVE GOT HERE. I WON'T BE SUPPORTING THIS UNTIL I SEE A MORE CLEAR DESCRIPTION OF WHAT IT IS.
I THINK THAT WE NEED TO FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT OUR PEOPLE
[03:35:10]
DO. I WILL USE THE TERRIBLE WORD, FRAUD. IT IS FRAUDULENT TO SAY YOU BELIEVE ONE THING AND DO ANOTHER.WE ARE GOING TO USE THIS VERY TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GIVE INCREASES OF $44 MILLION BASED ON SOMETHING THAT I THINK CLEARLY DOES NOT UNDERSTAND WHAT WE DO.
I HAVE GREAT CONCERNS ABOUT THE PLAN.
IT HAS BEEN SAID BEFORE. I AM NOT PREPARED TO ADOPT A PHILOSOPHY BASED ON THE PLAN I HAVE SEEN COMING THROUGH.
>> THANK YOU. BEFORE I MAKE MY COMMENTS WOULD YOU LIKE TO RESPOND?
>> YES. I DO REMEMBER AT THE LAST MEETING YOU DID LIKE A LOT ABOUT THE PHILOSOPHY ITSELF.
I APPRECIATE THE POINT THAT YOU ARE CONCERNED WE WILL NOT BE LIVING UP TO THE PHILOSOPHY WITH THE WORK WE ARE DOING NOW.
WE ARE WORKING HARD TO VALIDATE IT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE GET IT RIGHT. I THINK THAT YOU DO IT WELL AND APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. WE ARE WORKING EXTREMELY HARD AND PARTNERING WITH YOUR TEAMS THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRESS THAT WAS MADE. THE NEXT UPDATE WILL COME JANUARY 29TH, CORRECT?
>> YES. YOU HEARD MY LITANY OF CONCERNS.
I APPRECIATE THE HARD WORK THAT IS GOING IN THERE TO DEEPLY MANAGE THEIR WORK. TO THE POINT OF THE PHILOSOPHY.
I HEAR YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD THE NORTH STAR AND GETTING IN TO IT. WE DO NEED A NORTH STAR.
WE CAN'T GO BACK IN TIME WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT JUST WORDS.
WE ARE LEANING IN TO ACTION WHEN WE IMPLEMENT OUR PAY EQUITY STUDY RESULTS THIS INQUIRED, BUT BEYOND.
RIGHT. BUILDING OUT THE PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMPONENTS. I DON'T JUST WANT WORDS ON A PAGE. I AM GOING TO BE IN SUPPORT OF THE PHILOSOPHY BECAUSE I BELIEVE WE NEED A VALUE- BASED NORTH STAR. BUT TALK TO US BRIEFLY ABOUT GOING INTO THE FULL LITANY OF THE PAY EQUITY.
THE PAY EQUITY. WE SET ASIDE THE MONEY TO IMPLEMENT THE CHANGES AND WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE THE PHILOSOPHY MANIFEST SO WE ARE HONORING THE WORDS AND SO, OUR PLAN RIGHT NOW IS TO WORK THROUGH THE DEEP VALIDATION PROCESS. DEEP MANAGEMENT AS YOU HAVE SAID. WORKING THROUGH THE COMP AND THE PAY EQUITY STUDY AND GETTING TO THE POINT WE EXPECT TO CLEARLY LAYOUT FOR YOU ON THE 29TH.
THAT IS THE PROCESS WE ARE GOING THROUGH NOW.
WE HAD INITIAL MEETINGS WITH 60 OF THE 70 GROUPS WE PUT OUT AND WE BELIEVE THAT IT IS DOABLE.
WE ARE STILL ASPIRING FOR ALL, BUT A GOOD SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. THEN CONTINUE TO DO WHATEVER WORK, IF THERE IS CLEAN UP THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN OR IF THE WORLD CHANGES.
WE HAVE PLANS AND GUIDELINES THAT WE WILL BE
[03:40:01]
ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD CONSISTENTLY FROM THERE. IF YOU NEED MORE DETAIL I WILL GO IN TO IT FURTHER. WE ARE NOT JUST LOOKING AT COMPENSATION. CONTINUE TO EXPAND TALENT DEVELOPMENT. MOTION TO EXTEND. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.>> THANK YOU FOR LAYING OUT THE PLAN.
MAKING SURE WE ARE RECRUITING AND RETAINING THE BEST TALENT SO THAT EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT IS EXPECTED AND WE ARE HOLDING FOLKS TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS. I AM HAPPY TO MAKE A MOTION TO A PLOUFFE WHEN PRESENTED WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT.
I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY OVER THE HOLIDAYS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GETTING IT CORRECT. IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME AND MY COLLEAGUES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND YOUR TEAMS.
>> I WANTED TO BRIEFLY GO BACK OVER WHAT WE HAVE DONE.
2019 WE RAISED THE WAGE $20 AN HOUR.
2024, $2,500 SALARY INCREASE TO EMPLOYEES MAKING LESS THAN 75K. WE PASSED A LIVING WAGE POLICY TO RAISING WAGES TO AT LEAST $20 MORE HOUR. IN THE 2026 BUDGET THE COURT VOTED TO INCREASE PAY FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AT A COST OF MORE THAN $100 MILLION.
THIS MAY NOT BE PERFECT BUT I DON'T THINK PROGRESS OUGHT TO BE IMPEDED.
VERY FEW THINGS I HAVE SEEN IN MY 42 YEARS OF PUBLIC SERVICE THAT WERE PERFECT, INCLUDING THE ONES THAT I ADVANCED. BUT WE DID DO MAJOR PAY INCREASES FOR EXECUTIVE STAFF. WE HAD A STUDY.
WE JUST DID IT. WALKED TO THE TABLE AND DID IT.
IT WAS IN 2022. I CALLED ON THE COURT TO ADDRESS PAY GAPS LEADING TO THE YEAR- LONG STUDY AND THE IMPLEMENTATION STILL CONTINUES TODAY. 44 MILLION I THINK YOU SAID COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS ON THE TABLE. HERE WE ARE, AFTER CHRISTMAS AND IN THE NEW YEAR AND THESE PEOPLE WAITING. HAD THE VOTES.
SOME OF WHICH I VOTED FOR. I SUPPORT MOVING FORWARD WITH THIS AND I FEEL SORRY FOR OUR STAFF. IT IS MUCH MORE DIFFICULT FOR WHOEVER TO FIGURE OUT WHAT GOES ON IN EACH OF THE PRECINCTS. I CAN'T LEAVE THE FOLKS OUT THERE WAITING. I CAN FEEL THEIR FRUSTRATION.
SOME PEOPLE FEEL SLIGHTED. THEY SHOULD HAVE.
PEOPLE IN YOUR OFFICES DID WHEN THE EXECUTIVE PAY ITEM PASSED. PROBABLY DIDN'T TELL YOU AT THE TOP, BUT THEY FELT YOU AS WELL. TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA IN 2022.
HERE IT IS 2026. WE STILL FIGURING OUT HOW TO GET IT RIGHT. WE NEED TO DO FORWARD.
THERE ARE VERY FEW PROBLEMS WE CAN'T SOLVE IF WE FIND THE MONEY. I HAVEN'T SEEN ANYTHING TODAY.
THAT IS WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO. I AM PROUD TO MAKE A MOTION.
MAKE IT A JOINT MOTION SINCE I HAVE TO WAIT SINCE 2022 TO MAKE THE DAMN MOTION. WE CAN JOINTLY MAKE THE MOTION FROM ELLIS AND BRIONES.
>> MOTION TO APPROVE. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND
[03:45:06]
SECONDED BY GARCIA.>> BY UNANIMOUS CONSENT I WOULD LIKE TO EAT.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL NOT BE APPROVING MONEY WE DON'T HAVE EITHER. WHEN NOT IF MEMBERS OF COURT WILL HAVE TO RAISE THE TAX RATE.
IT IS 1:05 P.M. WE ARE BREAKING FOR
COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
SO LET'S CONTINUE. I THINK THAT WE WERE ON 10.
>> THAT HAPPENED TWICE THIS MORNING.
OKAY. LET'S START WITH ITEM 55, COUNTY ENGINEER FLAGGED BY PRECINCT 3.
I CAN'T TELL WHAT YOU GUYS ARE SAYING. I THOUGHT I DID SOMETHING.
I WAS LIKE INSTRUCTION, FOR WHAT? OKAY. OKAY.
I AM LIKE WAIT. WE HAVE PEOPLE THERE.
WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY PEOPLE. I KNOW IT IS A BIGGER FLOOR.
ITEM 55, WE WANT TO TAKE IT ALONG SIDE 364, BOTH RELATE TO TRANSPORTATION PLANNING.
>> QUICKLY, I SAW THIS ON HERE TO AMEND THE CONTRACT FOR COUNTY ENGINEER. I JUST WANTED TO HAVE A BIT OF A PUBLIC CONVERSATION ON VISION ZERO IN GENERAL.
I WILL START THERE AND THEN I AM GOING TO END UP OVER ON TRAFFIC SIGNALS, WHICH I THINK IS RELEVANT AND PERTINENT.
2024 THERE WERE 574 DEATHS ON OUR ROADS IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF THOSE DEATHS IS SPEEDING.
SO, WE CAN TALK ABOUT DESIGN AND A LOT OF OTHER INITIATIVES, BUT UNTIL WE GET SERIOUS WITH ADDRESSING SPEEDING ON THE FREEWAYS AND COUNTY AND STATE WAYS, I THINK WE ARE JUST, AGAIN, USING THE WORD HYPOCRITE.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THE VISION ZERO POLICY WHEN WE TALK ABOUT STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES AND GEOMETRIC DESIGN. I DON'T THINK THE GEOMETRIC DESIGN OF OUR ROADS IS CONTRIBUTING SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE 574. I DO KNOW DISTRACTED DRIVING PRIMARILY AND SPEEDING DOES.
I WOULD HOPE THAT WHATEVER WE DO WITH THIS PARTICULAR CONSULTANT WOULD FOCUS ON HOW CAN WE GET THE DEATHS REDUCED AND WHAT REAL POLICIES CAN YOU COME BACK WITH THAT WOULD BE MORE THAN GEOMETRIC DESIGN.
THE FIRST QUESTION IS RELATED TO THAT. IT WILL BE A FEEL- GOOD, PUT IT ON THE SHELF. WE WILL SAY WE HAVE A VISION ZERO BUT WE ARE NOT DOING A BLESSED THING TO REDUCE THE 574, OR ARE WE REALLY GOING TO GET IN TO WHY THERE ARE DEATHS ON THE ROADWAYS AND START DEALING WITH THAT FROM A POLICY STANDPOINT.
>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM.
FIRST OF ALL, I WANT TO THANK ALL OF YOU AND THE DEDICATED STAFF MEMBERS.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION DIRECTLY, THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A FEEL- GOOD ITEM. THIS WILL BE AN ITEM THAT STRICTLY FOCUSES ON THE VISION ZERO INITIATIVES.
THE CRASH DATA ANALYSIS. THE GEOMETRIC GUIDELINES.
THE STEERING COMMITTEE JUST FOR THE SAKE OF THE COURT DOES NOT WANT TO BE INVOLVE THE STAFF
[03:50:01]
FROM THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT. IT INVOLVES SHERIFF'S OFFICE.IT IS GOING TO BE A COORDINATED EFFORT, A COMPREHENSIVE EFFORT THAT NOT ONLY INCLUDES POLICIES BUT PUBLIC EDUCATION AND ALL OF THE ASPECTS OF VISION ZERO.
I HAVE THEM THERE DAY TO DAY QUARTERBACKING THE ZERO VISION PART OF IT TO GIVE A COMPLETE UPDATE.
>> SO, THERE WILL BE A REPORT COMING BACK TO US WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHAT WE SHOULD DO?
>> AND I WOULD SIMPLY SAY WE DON'T NEED TO DO THE VISION ZERO PLAN TODAY, BUT I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT WE ARE ORDERING SHERIFF PATROL CARS WITHOUT RADAR IN THEM. IT IS REALLY HARD TO HAVE ANY KIND OF AN UNDERSTANDING ON SPEEDING IF YOU DON'T HAVE A RADAR IN YOUR CAR. THERE IS JUST A LITTLE CLUE IN TERMS OF WHAT SOME OTHER THINGS YOU MIGHT LOOK TO IN TERMS OF SPEEDING.
BUT AGAIN, I THINK VISION ZERO SHOULD DEAL WITH THE SPECIFICS, AND AS I SAID, YOU START WITH THE 574 PEOPLE THAT DIED ON OUR ROADWAYS IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE OF THAT IS SPEEDING. WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING RELATED TO THE SPEEDING. HISTORICALLY I DON'T KNOW THAT IT IS NECESSARILY COME BACK TO THAT.
>> QUICKLY, COMMISSIONER, GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
SO, AT THE FIRST MEETING IN FEBRUARY WE PLANNED TO COME BACK AND PROVIDE A DETAILED UPDATE ON VISION ZERO.
WE ARE PLANNING THAT. WE HAVE A MEETING WITH THE VISION ZERO COMMITTEE TOMORROW TO PRESENT THAT TO THEM AND WE WILL PRESENT IT TO YOU IN THE FIRST MEETING IN FEBRUARY.
>> SO THIS AGENDA ITEM 55 IS TO AMEND THE SCOPE AND THE AGREEMENT WITH DCCM. SPECIFICALLY WHAT ARE YOU AMENDING?
>> SO, WHAT WE REALLY ARE AMENDING IS THE SCOPE OF WORK IN THE BUDGET FOR DCCM TO SHIFT MONEY FROM ONE LINE ITEM TO THE OTHER SO WE CAN ADD VISION ZERO RELATED ACTIVITIES. ESSENTIALLY THE BUDGET WILL REMAIN THE SAME. STILL $4 MILLION.
WE ARE ONLY MOVING MONEY AROUND SO THAT WE CAN ADD TASS FOR VISION ZERO. WE CAN DO SOME OF THE WORK IN- HOUSE OPPOSED TO THE CONSULTANT AND WE ARE JUST MOVING AND SHIFTING MONEY AROUND.
>> JUST TO GIVE YOU A BETTER UNDERSTANDING COMMISSIONER. A COUPLE OF THE HIGH ENGINEERING NETWORK, AND THE OTHER IS GEOMETRIC DESIGN GUIDELINES.
THOSE ARE THE TWO BIG TICKET ITEMS. WE SAID IN A PUBLIC MEETING WE INITIALLY PUT THE COORDINATION WILL WOULD BE DONE WITH THE CONSULTANT AND WE THINK THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT ALONG WITH YOUR OFFICE WE CAN DO THE PUBLIC MEETINGS IN- HOUSE INSTEAD OF USING A CONSULTANT AND GET THE OTHER PARTS DONE QUICKLY.
>> SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE COMING BACK IN FEBRUARY WITH MORE DETAILS.
>> JUST GIVING YOU A ONE- MONTH HEADS UP IN AN AREA I AM INTERESTED IN SEEING CONVERSATION ON AND SPECIFIC RMZS RELATED TO.
>> AND ONE OTHER ITEM, AND THAT IS WHY I AM PULLING UP ITEM 364 WHICH HAS TO DO WITH TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE PROGRAM. IF YOU LOOK AT OUR AGING TRAFFIC SIGNAL SIGNALS, I DID A QUICK LOOK AT IT. PRECINCT 1 HAS 87 SIGNALS.
PRECINCT 2108 AND PRECINCT THREE 97, PRECINCT 4, 71.
SIGNALS WITH NO PLANS TO REPLACE THEM.
AND FRANKLY WHEN WE CALLED YOUR OFFICE, WHICH YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ADDRESSING SIGNAL SIGNALS, YOU TELL US THERE IS NO MONEY TO DEAL WITH THE SIGNALS.
WE IDENTIFY IN AN ACCOUNT AVAILABLE, MOBILITY FUNDS OF $53 MILLION. WE NEED TO FIX OUR SIGNALS.
IN TELLING US THAT YOU DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO FIX SIGNALS DELIVER YOU CAN'T FIX THE SIGNALS IS NOT AN ANSWER.
[03:55:04]
I WOULD LIKE, AND CERTAINLY THERE ARE DEATHS DUE TO INTERSECTIONS. THE INTERSECTIONS ARE A PRIMARY SOURCE OF PEOPLE CRASHING INTO ONE ANOTHER AND DEATHS ON OUR ROADWAY WHICH IS INCONSIST WENT OUR VISION ZERO.I THINK MAINTAINING OUR SIGNALS IN THE COUNTY IS IMPORTANT. I WOULD HOPE THAT YOU CAN HAVE A PLAN. THIS IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY NEED IN TERMS OF THE SIGNALS IN EVERY PRECINCT. THAT THERE IS NO MONEY TO DEAL WITH TRAFFIC SIGNAL REPLACEMENT AND THAT WE WILL NEED TO FIGURE OUT SOMETHING ELSE.
>> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU. WE HAVE ABOUT 227 SIGNALS OVER 30 YEARS OLD WHICH WILL NEED REPLACEMENT. YOU KNOW, THE IDEA OF TRAFFIC SIGNAL MAINTENANCE REPLACEMENT OR ADDING SIGNALS.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED THE BUDGET CYCLE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE AREAS. BUT THIS YEAR, ENGINEERING IS FUNDED. THE FUNDING WAS ROUTED TO THE PRECINCT FROM MOBILITY FUNDS TO DO NEW SIGNAL AND WARRANTED SIGNAL. AND OF COURSE DANIEL WAS LOOKING UNDER EVERY MATTRESS TO FIND MONEY.
THE $53 MILLION IS ALLOCATED TO VARIOUS PROJECTS.
IT IS NOT ENCUMBERED. IT IS TIED TO DIFFERENT PROJECTS, CAPITAL PROJECTS APPROVED BY THE COURT.
THE FUNDS THAT WENT TO PRECINCT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FUNDS.
>> WE GAVE YOU $9 MILLION OUT OF EACH PRECINCT.
>> YOU CAN'T USE THAT FOR SIGNALS?
>> THAT IS FOR LEVEL BUDGET, COMMISSIONER.
>> I GUESS WE ARE AT AN IMPASSE. YOU ARE LOOKING TO SPEND IT ON ONE THING AND NOT ANOTHER. I AM SIMPLY SAYING TO HAVE NO PLAN TO MAINTAIN THE SIGNALS IN HARRIS COUNTY, THAT IS JUST UNACCEPTABLE. I WOULD THINK YOU WOULD NEED TO ADJUST YOUR BUDGET INTERNALLY IN THE COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE TO MAINTAIN SCHEDULES. THAT IS YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY. BUILDING TRAILS IS NOT YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITIES. ADDRESSING SIGNAL MAINTENANCE IS YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY.
>> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER.
AGAIN, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION WE WILL BE HAPPY TO WORK WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE TO COME UP WITH A PROPOSAL.
>> YOU TOLD THE COUNTY ENGINEER HE COULD NOT FIX SIGNALS THIS YEAR?
>> I BELIEVE -- I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING THE DOCTOR SAID.
THERE IS A CHANGE TO THE AMOUNT ALLOCATED OUT OF MOBILITY. THE IDEA WAS, AND WE TABLED THE IDEA DURING THE BUDGET AND WERE GOING TO BRING BACK A POLICY THAT IS ESSENTIALLY, YOU KNOW, A CHARGE BACK MODEL.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR.
>> THE MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> A CHARGE- BACK MODEL FOR JUST THE NEW SIGNALS, CORRECT? WE HAVE BEEN TRADING DRAFTS BETWEEN THE TWO OFFICES THAT WE WILL BE SHARING ON THE 29TH.
>> ON THE 29TH. AT THAT POINT ARE YOU GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE $53, 576,000.
>> THAT MONEY IS FOR PROJECTS.
>> FOR VARIOUS PROJECTS, COMMISSIONER.
YOU KNOW, WE HAVE FOREST, PINE TRAIL, A LOT OF THE PROJECTS APPROPRIATED TOWARDS THE
PROJECTS. >> I THINK IT IS INCONSISTENT AND HYPOCRITICAL TO TALK ABOUT A VISION ZERO PLAN UPDATE WHEN WE ARE NOT EVEN MAINTAINING OUR SIGNALS. TO GO INTO THE CALENDAR YEAR WITH NO PLAN TO DEAL WITH YOUR STATUTORY RESPONSIBILITY
[04:00:02]
IS BORDERLINE IRRESPONSIBLE.>> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE MAINTAINING THE SIGNALS AS WE SPEAK.
WE ARE USING FUNDS FROM RESERVES TO DO THE SIGNAL MAINTENANCE. AS DIRECTOR RAMOS MENTIONED HE IS SUPPOSED TO BRING A POLICY FOR A CHARGE- BACK MODEL AND THE MONEY IS ALLOCATED TO PRECINCT.
NOW, WE ARE MAINTAINING AND TAKING CARE OF THE SIGNALS AS WE TALKED ABOUT.
IF ONE OF YOUR SIGNALS IS DOWN OR WORKING IT IS NOT THAT WE ARE SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THAT TODAY.
>> OKAY. WELL, I WILL BRING THE LIST THEN ON THE 29TH OF THE TIMES THAW -- THAT YOU TOLD ME OF THE TIMES YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO FIX SIGNALS AND GO FIGURE IT OUT. IF WE ARE GOING TO PUSH THIS TO JANUARY, AT THE END OF JANUARY, I WILL HAVE THE LIST OF SIGNALS YOU TOLD US WE ARE ON OUR OWN AND WE NEED TO FIX IT AND YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX IT.
>> I THINK THERE ARE TWO DISTINCTIONS.
ONE, THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THE SIGNALS. I THINK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TWO DIFFERENT TOPICS. ONE IS REBUILD AND NEW
SIGNALS. >> HOW ABOUT 40-YEAR- OLD SIGNALS THAT NEED TO BE FIXED.
>> THE DISCUSSION THAT WE HAD EARLIER WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE, THAT FUNDING WILL COME DIRECTLY FROM PRECINCT AS THEY WANTED TO INITIATE IT.
>> THAT IS THE COMMENT. YOU GO AND FIX IT YOURSELF.
YOU FIND THE MONEY AND YOU FIX IT YOURSELF.
>> I'M HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT. >> AT THE END OF THE DAY, SIGNALS ARE NOT BEING MAINTAINED. AT LEAST THE ONES I
HAVE IDENTIFIED FOR YOU. >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THEN
GARCIA. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. LET ME MAKE SURE I UNDERSTAND THIS. IS THIS ESSENTIALLY A DISCUSSION ABOUT TRYING TO CANCEL PROJECTS IN MY PRECINCT OR OTHER PRECINCTS TO DO LIGHTS IN ANOTHER PRECINCT? THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE TO PAY FOR IT.
>> I'M ASKING ABOUT SIGNALS TO BE MAINTAINED AND UNENCUMBERED MONEY. WHAT IS NOT? IT WILL BE A LONG TIME IF YOU TRY TO CANCEL
STUFF ON THIS LIST. >> HE'S NOT JUST GOING TO FIXED
THE SIGNALS. >> AGAIN, THESE ARE FUNDING NOT ENCUMBERED, BUT APPROPRIATED TO A PRODUCT -- PROJECT VOTED BY
THE COURT. >> PUT IT THIS WAY, THE MONEY MY COLLEAGUES ARE TALKING ABOUT IS MONEY THAT IS COMMITTED TO SOMETHING. I'M ALL FOR THAT. I'M ALL FOR IT, BUT DON'T COME
AFTER ANY OF MINE. >> BOTTOM LINE, THAT IS ALL SPOKEN FOR. IT IS COMMITTED. YOU HAVE GONE INTO THIS YEAR WITH ZERO BUDGET TO MAINTAIN SIGNALS AND PRECINCT, BECAUSE YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY AND I NEED TO FIGURE IT OUT
MYSELF. >> YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY? IS IT TRUE THAT THE DEPARTMENT WAS UNDERFUNDED BY $10 MILLION FOR TRAFFIC SIGNAL OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE IN FISCAL YEAR 2026?
WE MAKE THAT DECISION HERE. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> PROBABLY ON THE FORMULA ON HOW WE ARE DISTRIBUTOR AND MONEY. THAT'S WHY YOU DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. YOU DON'T HAVE IT UNDER THE MATTRESS ANYWHERE, DO YOU?
>> NOT THAT I KNOW OF, LESS THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SAYS I HAVE IT.
$9 MILLION A PRECINCT? >> THEN, WE DO $9 MILLION?
>> THE ISSUE WAS IT ENDED UP NOT BEING QUITE ENOUGH, BECAUSE THAT JUST COVERS LABOR FOR THE YEAR. YES.
>> OKAY. >> MAYBE WHEN IT CAME UP, WE
DIDN'T KNOW. NO TRICKS IN 26. >> WE ARE AWARE AT THE TIME,
[04:05:01]
COMMISSIONER, THAT IT WAS LESS MONEY TRANSFERRED FROM MOBILITYTO ENGINEERING. >> DID YOU ALL TELL US COLLECTS IT WE PROBABLY DIDN'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT IT. IT GOT REAL QUIET
DISCUSSIONS. >> WE JUST WANT --.
>> MOST OF THE STUFF I REMEMBER. I NOW UNDERSTAND THAT WE ARE NOT REALLY DOING VISION ZERO AND FIXING THEIR SIGNALS. I WILL
FIGURE THAT OUT ON MY OWN. >> IT'S ALL ABOUT THE MONEY. IF YOU HAVE THE MONEY, YOU WOULD BE AMAZED AT THE THINGS YOU CAN DO.
I'M TELLING YOU. >> SOMETIMES IT'S HOW YOU WASTE YOUR MONEY AND NOT HOW YOU SPEND YOUR MONEY.
>> JUST TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT, COUNTY ENGINEERS OFFICE IS TAKING CARE OF EVERY MAINTENANCE REQUEST COMING FOR SIGNAL MAINTENANCE FOR REBUILD AND NEW SIGNAL. THAT IS THE FUNDING WE DO NOT HAVE, EVEN THOUGH WE ARE NOT FUNDED, THE APPROPRIATED MONEY FROM INTERNAL BUDGET TRANSFER FUND. THERE IS NO GAP IN SERVICES. THE BUSINESS CONTINUES UNTIL -- AT SOME POINT, DR. RAMOS AT THE END OF THIS MONTH WILL THE OF POLICY BACK ON HOW IT WILL GET FUNDED MOVING FORWARD, BUT THERE IS IN NO WAY THAT -- IF THE SIGNAL IS BLINKING AND NOT GOING THERE TO
FIX IT, THAT'S NOT THE CASE. >> YOU WILL COME BACK?
>> IT WILL BE DISTRIBUTED TO THE OFFICE SHORTLY.
>> THANK YOU. >> JUST BRIEFLY, ON VISION ZERO, HE PULLED IT DOWN TO GIVE YOU TIME TO PULL IT TOGETHER. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT IF IT WAS JUST AN ISSUE OF ENFORCING SPEEDING, I THINK WE WOULD HAVE SOLVED IT.
>> WE DON'T DO ANY ENFORCEMENT.
>> WELL, WE PUT A LOT OF MONEY OVER LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I
DON'T KNOW WHY. >> I HEAR THEM RACING ON I 10
EVERY NIGHT. >> I DO, TOO. IT'S AMAZING HOW IF YOU SEE A DESIRE PATH AND PEOPLE WALKING, BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A SIDEWALK AND WHEN IT RAINS, THEY WALK IN THE ROAD, BECAUSE THEY DON'T WANT TO WALK IN THE MUD. SOMETIMES, ROAD DESIGNS AND THE THINGS YOU TO SLOW PEOPLE DOWN, BECAUSE WE ARE NOT JUST GOING TO HAVE SOMEBODY OUT THERE. WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY MAKE A PRIORITY IN TERMS OF SAVING A LIFE, BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS A GUN AND THEY BREAK INTO A HOUSE OPPOSED TO BEING ON EVERY ROAD. CARS ARE BIGGER AND IT'S A SPEED DEMON AND HOW YOU STOP AND LOOK PRETTY VOTED FOR THE LAW, SEE YOU CAN'T LOOK AT YOUR PHONE. EVERY TIME I LOOK, ANOTHER CAR LOOKS AT ME LIKE THEY'RE DOING SOMETHING. VISION ZERO, I'M HOPING YOU ARE TAKING THE BEST PRACTICES THAT YOU HAVE LOOKED AT AROUND THE COUNTRY. WE PASSED IT UNANIMOUSLY PRINT HOW LONG AGO WAS THAT? WAS THAT A
YEAR AND A HALF AGO? >> IT'S BEEN A WHILE. 2019.
>> I AM FORGETTING. 2019 AND WE HAVEN'T DONE MUCH SO FAR, SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REALLY PUT SOME TEETH IN COMMITMENT
ONCE WE PASS THE MOTION. >> THAT'S CORRECT.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. WORKING TO MAKE A MOTION. YOU ARE SHORTENED TO 10 MILLION AND IN ORDER FOR IDENTIFYING FOR SIGNALS, THE PROCESS WILL BE WITHOUT THAT MONEY THAT WE DID NOT GIVE YOU. IF WE IDENTIFIED YOUR SIGNAL THAT WE FIX, THEN WE WOULD HAVE TO GIVE YOU MONEY. CORRECT? MONEY GOES TO YOUR PRECINCT AND IF WE IDENTIFY THE SIGNAL THAT IS GOING REPUTEDLY OFF-LINE. A SIGNAL TYPICALLY COSTS $750,000. WE WILL MANAGE AND BUILD THE PROJECT FOR THEM. IN THAT REGARD, AND STAFF MAYBE HAVE NOT BEEN SUPPORT FOR IT. THE PROCESS IS A LITTLE BIT SLOWER TO GET THOSE SIGNALS FIXED.
>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION
[04:10:02]
CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. WE REPUTEDLY GO FIXING THAT SIGNALS. KEEP MAINTAINING LIKE IT'S YOUR OLD BAY COMMISSIONER.ANY MAINTENANCE CALLS GO HIGH. ONE PIECE IS THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF THOSE SIGNALS. COMPARED TO THE AUTO REPAIR THAT YOUR PRECINCT DO. IF YOU DON'T REPAIR IT AFTER A VERY LONG TIME AND KEEP GETTING POTHOLES, AT SOME POINT YOU WILL BUILD THE NEW STREET. BUILDING NEW SIGNALS TWO DIFFERENT PIECES. NONE OF THOSE PIECES WHILST FUNDED INTO ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT THIS
YEAR. IDEALIZE --. >> MOBILITY TRANSFER COULD HAVE HELPED. THE CAPITAL PART OF IT, BUILDING AND REBUILDING. IT COMES FROM PRECINCT AND THE OTHER PIECE WHERE DIRECTOR RAMOS WILL PUT A POLICY TOGETHER THROUGH MAINTENANCE OF THOSE
SIGNALS. >> ULTIMATELY, THE COURT WILL VOTE ON IF YOU WANT A PUSH PULL OR COUNTY ENGINEER. WE WILL INCLUDE THE TIMING AND PRESENT SOME OPTIONS. THAT IS TO YOUR STAFF TO SHOW HOW YOU WANT THE BILL BACK TO HAPPEN AND THAT WILL BE PART OF THE POLICY AND AS SOON AS THAT IS UP AND GOING,
WE WILL IMPLEMENT IT. >> THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND THEY KNOW WE ARE ALL TRYING TO WORK TO MOVE
FORWARD. THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES ?
>> DANIEL, WHEN YOU BRING BACK THIS POLICY. ENGINEERING'S, GENERAL FUND BUDGET OF 78 MILLION, WHAT ONGOING WORK DOES THAT ENTAIL VERSUS MOBILITY TRANSFER AND REIMBURSEMENT MODEL, OBVIOUSLY MOBILITY FUNDS ARE THINGS IS STRICTLY IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXAS TRANSPORTATION CODE. THAT IS WHAT I WANT CLARITY ON. WHERE ARE YOU ON FIRST AS A DEFAULT ON THE TIME WITHIN GENERAL FUND AND WITHIN MOBILITY DOLLARS, SO WE KNOW WHO'S ON FIRST AND THE PRECINCT WHERE HAPPY TO TAKE LEAD AND TAKE CHARGE, THEN TAG YOU ALL IN OR YOU WANT TO DO IT, THEN REIMBURSE? WE NEED TO BE CRYSTAL CLEAR, BECAUSE THE WORK NEEDS TO CONTINUE PRETTY GENERAL FUND AND MOBILITY. THERE ARE PLENTY OF RESOURCES THERE TO DO WORK AND WE NEED CLEAR POLICIES AND EFFICIENT, SO THERE ARE NOT UNNECESSARY DELAYS. I APPRECIATE THE TRIANGULATION OFTEN BETWEEN MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS AND I RECOGNIZE AND RESPECT IT. AND, WE HAVE SERIOUS WORK TO DO SO THAT IT'S NOT JUST WORDS, BUT EVERY DAY ACTION WE ARE TAKING.
WHEN ARE YOU BRINGING BACK THIS POLICY AND IF YOU CAN PROVIDE CLARITY WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE GENERAL FUND REGULAR ACTIONS VERSUS MOBILITY. WHAT DATE CAN WE EXPECT THAT? WE LOOK FORWARD
TO IT. THANK YOU. >> DO YOU THINK YOU CAN ALSO BRING A BIT OF A SNAPSHOT. MAYBE THE LAST TWO YEARS?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> TO AT LEAST HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT BEFORE THIS CHANGE, THIS YEAR'S CHANGE, YOU ARE DOING THIS NUMBER OF SIGNALS AFTER THE CHANGE OR WHATEVER MODIFICATION YOU COME BACK WITH. WE CAN AT LEAST HAVE SOMETHING TO COMPARE IT TO.
>> ABSOLUTELY, CRASH -- COMMISSIONER.
>> I WANT TO ASK MY PART OF THE QUESTIONS. ON VISION ZERO, I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ABOUT WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING HERE. I'M IMAGINING YOU HAVE ALREADY DONE THIS, BUT I'M CURIOUS WHAT LITERATURE REVIEW WOULD SAY ABOUT HOW WE REDUCE SPEEDING OR CRASHES. I WOULD SAY ACCIDENTS IN A METRO AREA. IS IT THE SPEEDING OR HIGHWAY AND PROBABLY ALL OF IT. WHAT'S THE BIGGEST THING. SURELY PEOPLE HAVE DONE STATISTICS ON THAT QUESTION AND VARIABLES AND RUN THE THING. ANYWAY , I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THAT IN WHATEVER IT IS YOU ARE PRIORITIZING.
[04:15:04]
>> ABSOLUTELY HE IS AN EXPERT. WE HAVE IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE DRIVERS BEHAVIOR. IT CAN BE STATE LINES. IT CAN BE LIGHTING AND ENFORCEMENT COMES ALL AS PART OF THE SPEEDING AND COMMISSIONER MENTIONED IT IS ONE OF THE TOP REASONS FOR FATALITIES. BE HAPPY TO BRING BACK AS PART OF OUR NEXT MISSION PRESENTATION AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT, WHAT ARE THE TOP FIVE REASONS WE THINK THE FATALITIES --.
>> TO JUDGE HIDALGO'S POINT, TEXAS TRANSPORTATION , THEY DO HAVE A LOT OF DATA AND OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE A GOOD PLACE TO
START OF WHERE THEY ARE. >> ANYWAY, YEAH, ANYWAY, AND SORT OF WHAT THE LITERATURE SAYS AND HOW THAT CONNECTS TO WHAT YOU ARE RECOMMENDING AND THE PRIORITY. DO WE WANT TO CUT IT FIVE WAYS OR WHATEVER? THAT'S MY THOUGHT ON THAT. IT WILL BE RELEVANT TO THE TYPE OF ROADWAY OF WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON. THE POINT ABOUT THE LIGHTS AND WHATNOT, I THINK WE ARE ALL SAYING THE SAME THING AND I JUST WANT TO -- FOR THE RECORD, SO I MAKE SURE THAT I'M NOT MISTAKEN, WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE PASS AN ITEM WAY BACK -- I GUESS AROUND THE BUDGET SEASON. WAS IT AFTER THE LEGISLATURE? ANYWAY, THE MONEY THAT WE WERE GETTING TRANSPORTATION AND MOBILITY FUNDS, IT WAS SPLIT AMONG PRECINCTS AND NO LONGER GOING TO YOU AND THE IDEA WAS IF YOU ARE BUILDING SOMETHING YOU WOULD NORMALLY BUILD WITH THAT MONEY, THAT PRECINCTS WOULD SEND THE MONEY FOR IT TO BE DONE. IS THAT WHAT WE WILL -- VOTED ON? DO YOU MIND CLARIFYING? THERE WERE SOME MOBILITY FUNDS TRANSFERRED TO ENGINEERING AND ENOUGH TO COVER THE LABOR EXPENSES FOR TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND SIGNAL MAINTENANCE, BUT THERE WAS A SECOND AMOUNT THAT TRADITIONALLY HAD GONE TOWARDS THE CAPITAL PROJECTS THAT WE HAD NOT GOTTEN TO AND THAT IS MY ENGINEERING, WE ARE PUTTING A POLICY TOGETHER THAT WOULD GOVERN THAT MONEY AND MECHANISMS OF WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HERE TODAY.
>> IT'S NOT THAT WE DON'T WANT TO TRANSFER THE MONEY, BUT WE
NEED ON HOW TO TRANSFER IT. >> IF I CAN ANSWER, THE FUND WENT TO THE PRECINCT AND PASSED THROUGH FROM PRECINCT. THERE WAS 9 MILLION FROM EACH PRECINCT THAT CAME BACK WITH ANOTHER ACTION TO COME BACK TO ENGINEERING TO FUND THE POSITIONS WE HAVE, THERE HUNDRED 40 SOMETHING POSITIONS. THAT IS FUNDED THROUGH MOBILITY FUNDS. WE DIDN'T WANT TO LAY OFF HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITHOUT FUNDING, SO WE HAVE TO USE THE GENERAL FUND TO FUND THOSE POSITIONS OR USE MOBILITY FUND AND PRECINCT WAS TRANSFER $9 MILLION FROM EACH PRECINCT TO
FIND THE POSITIONS. >> THAT IS WHAT JESSE JUST SAID.
>> NONLABOR FUNDING WITH PACKAGES FOR THE DAY-TO-DAY MAINTENANCE, WHICH IS ABOUT $10 MILLION AND THE OTHER PACKAGE WAS ABOUT $12 MILLION WITH ENGINEERING TO BE FUNDED FOR NEW SIGNAL BUILDING AND REBUILDING OLDER SIGNAL THAT IS NEEDED REPEATED REPAIRS. USUALLY, ABOUT 12 SOMETHING PROJECTS WITH THAT MONEY AND WE USUALLY SPLIT THAT MONEY FOR PRECINCT AND SAY, YOU'VE GOT THIS MONEY, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BUILD? FOR THIS YEAR, WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT MONEY.
>> THEN, I GUESS THE FUNDING THAT THE COUNTY ENGINEER RECEIVES KEEP UP WITH INFLATION AT LEAST?
>> IN THE PAST --. >> THIS YEAR.
>> LAST THREE YEARS, THE BUDGET REMAINED ENDED AND ADJUST FOR
[04:20:02]
ANY INFLATION, 35.1. >> MOTIONED BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY ELLIS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. WHAT I'M TRYING TO GET AT IS, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I UNDERSTAND THIS. I'M HEARING THAT YOUR BUDGETS REMAIN CONSTANT, WHICH IS AKIN TO CUTTING YOUR BUDGET BECAUSE OF INFLATION AND SEEING RESPONSIBILITIES, UNLESS WE CUT YOUR RESPONSIBILITY'S, I DON'T THINK SO. CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG. THERE WAS THE PART ABOUT RECEIVING THE LABOR FUNDING FOR THESE PROJECTS, BUT YOU DID NOT RECEIVE THE NONLABOR FUNDING, SO ARE WE ALL IN AGREEMENT THAT YOU WILL RECEIVE THE NONLABOR FUNDING?
>> YES, THAT IS THE POLICY DECISION. TRYING TO BRING THE
POLICY BACK TO THE COURT. >> IT SEEMS LIKE A SIMPLE POLICY IN THAT WE ALREADY PASSED IT AND SAID WHATEVER YOU NEED IS GOING TO COME FROM THE MONEY THAT WENT TO THE PRECINCTS. ANYWAY, I JUST ON THE CONSPIRATOR TO OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR DECISIONS MADE ON THIS COURT. WE TOOK AWAY MONEY FROM HIM. OF COURSE, HE CAN DO THE SAME WORK. THEN, IF YOU ARE GOOD AT BUDGETING, THEN TAKE AWAY MONEY FROM YOU AND DO THE SAME WORK AND DON'T INCREASE IT. THESE DEPARTMENTS DIDN'T GET CUT. THOSE DEPARTMENTS GOT CUT. THEY GET CHEWED OUT. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK. THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ON -- YES.
>> MOTIONED FOR 55 AND 364. >> BOTH? MOTIONS BY COMMISSIONER AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. THAT WAS 55. LET'S MOVE TO 65. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, 65, 117, 218, 227 AND 316 ALL RELATED TO GREASING TWO
INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS. >> I'M EXCITED ABOUT THESE ITEMS AND FUNDAMENTALLY EXAMPLES ARE REVIVED TO THRIVE ON HOW WE ARE WORKING TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES OF CONCERN TO THE COMMUNITY AND ALMOST ALL OF THESE ARE BRINGING MORE STREETLIGHTS TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS. NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CONSTANTLY REQUESTING STREETLIGHTS AND VERY EXCITED TO SEE ALL OF THESE ITEMS COMING FORWARD. A COUPLE OF THESE ARE THE TENSION BASIN, WHICH IS ITEM 227. THEN, THE EXPLORATION DOWN IN THE CLEAR LAKE AREA IS PROVIDING A 10 FOOT WIDE TRAIL CONNECTION, SO WHEN I CAME INTO THE ROLE, FOLKS FELL FROM DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE PRECINCT THAT THEY WERE BEING SUPPORTED AND OTHER AREAS WERE GETTING MORE THAN OTHERS. I'M EXCITED THAT REVIVED TO THRIVE IS CONTINUING TO TOUCH ALL ASPECTS OF PRECINCT AND THAT IT IS ADDRESSING ISSUES THAT FOLKS ARE EXPRESSING TO THE OFFICE AND MY STAFF IS WORKING DILIGENTLY TO RESPOND. LET'S SEE. WITH LAKE VILLAGE, WE ARE PUTTING IN AN IMPROVED PEDESTRIAN SAFETY, THEN WE ARE INSTALLING THE NORTH AND SOUTH SILVER GREEN DRIVE WITH A LOT OF REPAIRS, WHICH INCLUDES ABOUT 1000 FEET OF SIDEWALKS AND BILLIONS OF DOLLARS BEING INVESTED INTO THE RESPECTIVE COMMUNITIES AND THEY MENTIONED THE DETENTION BASIN DOWN IN THE CLEAR LAKE AREA. VERY EXCITED AND I WANT TO THANK THE DEPARTMENTS AND DIRECTORS FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK. DR. PETERSON, I WILL SEE YOU THERE.
MY ENGINEERS, PUBLIC WORKS AND MEDIA RELATIONS FOLKS, BECAUSE THEY ARE GENERALLY HEARING THESE ISSUES FIRSTHAND AND IT GETS TO US. THEY ARE DELIVERING CONCERNS AND THOSE ISSUES ARE BEING PUT INTO ACTION. I MOVE ON ALL OF THESE ITEMS AS PRESENTED.
>> ALL RIGHT. MOTIONED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON ALL OF THESE GREAT ITEMS. ALL IN FAVOR? A MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
THEN, LET'S GO -- I LOST MY PLACE. JUST A MOMENT. SO, WE DID
[04:25:01]
65. WE DID 117. NEXT, 120. PRECINCT TWO, THREE AND FOUR.COMMISSIONER GARCIA, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. ON THIS ISSUE, I WANT TO ASK IF HECTOR IS ONLINE. ARE YOU THERE, SIR? I WANT TO ASK -- IS EVERYBODY OKAY? GOOD DEAL. I WANT TO ASK HIM TO IMPLEMENT THE WORKSITE USING EXISTING AND VACANT POSITIONS.
OUTLINED A PHASED APPROACH THAT RELIES FIRST ON STAFF, THEN ADDITIONAL ROLES ONLY AS WORKLOADS REQUIRE. AFTER HEARING , I WANT TO ASK ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL DEPARTMENTS WHETHER A SIMILAR APPROACH COULD WORK FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DEPARTMENTS. THE GOAL IS TO MEET SAFETY OBLIGATIONS WHILE BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT STAFFING, TIMING AND OVERALL COST OF COUNTY. THIS IS AN IMPORTANT POLICY AND I WANT TO SEE IT EXECUTED SOONER THAN LATER, BUT ALSO -- COGNIZANT OF THE FINANCIAL CONSTRAINTS, SO NOBODY FROM -- HECTOR IS ON?
>> GOOD MORNING, SIR. GOOD AFTERNOON, SIR. THIS IS NICOLE.
>> HEY, NICOLE. THANK YOU. DID YOU HEAR MY QUESTION?
>> I WAS RUNNING DOWN TO MR. TREVINO'S OFFICE WHO IS ACTUALLY ON HIS WAY DOWN TO COURT AND HE SHOULD BE THERE IN
A FEW MINUTES. >> OKAY. IF WE CAN HOLD IS ITEM AND COME BACK TO IT. THANK YOU.
>> WE WILL WAIT TO DISCUSS ITEM 120. WHAT ABOUT ITEM 133?
>> THESE ARE ALL TOGETHER. WHAT ABOUT 151 REQUESTED BY PRECINCT
NUMBER FOR? >> THAT ONE WE CAN DO. 151, THIS IS AN EXCITING ITEM I CANNOT WAIT TO PASS. IT IS A PROJECT IN THE CHIMNEY ROCK AREA FROM 59 RECONSTRUCTING CHIMNEY WALK ALL THE WAY TO WEST TIMER. THIS IS AN AREA THAT IS FLOODED REPEATEDLY AND THANKS TO THE FEDERAL FUNDS, THIS $29.25 MILLION WILL BE INVESTED IN HELPING PROTECT THE NEARLY 2400 RESIDENTS IN THE AREA WITH OVER 54% LOW TO MODERATE INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS. TO ME, THIS IS GOVERNMENT WORKING AND I SEE ONE OF OUR PARTNERS . I WANT TO THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM. THIS IS WHEN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND COUNTY AND CITY ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO GET THIS $29.2 MILLION PROJECT DONE. THIS WILL BE REBUILDING THE DRAINAGE OF CHIMNEY ROCK, AS WELL AS CREATING DETENTION NEAR AND IN ANDERSON PARK AND IN PARTNERSHIP . I LOVE AND WE CAN JOIN FORCES ACROSS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT AND WITH COMMUNITY LEADERS AND COMMUNITY VOICES TO GET IT DONE. I KNOW THIS IS SOMETHING AFFECTING THE COMMUNITY FOR YEARS, SO I'M THANKFUL AND I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY PRECINCT FOR 18 WHO WORKS TIRELESSLY.
SPEAKING OF THE COUNTY ENGINEERS, YOU ARE QUARTERBACKING AND SOME OF YOU WITH THE ROAD IT ROADWAY RECONSTRUCTION. THANK YOU. ANYWAY, OF COURSE, HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND YOUR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO TO HELP BEST INVEST THESE FUNDS.
WITH THAT, I LOOK FORWARD AND I KNOW WE ARE MOVING EXPEDITIOUSLY TO GET THIS PROJECT DONE. I THANK YOU AND CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THE BENEFIT. I USED TO LIVE NEAR THE AREA AND WHEN IT STARTS RAINING, THE STREETS START RISING. WITH THAT, THANK YOU. I
MOVE THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED. >> SECOND.
>> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. VERY PROUD OF THIS. THEN, WE HAVE 155 , SUICIDE MORTALITY RATE COMMITTEE. I DON'T BELIEVE WE VOTED ON THAT BEFORE, BUT I CAN'T REMEMBER. WE DID NOT. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ADDITIONAL
QUESTIONS FOR THE DIRECTOR? >> I JUST WANT TO CHIME IN ON
[04:30:04]
IT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED WORK AND INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO THESE COMPLEX CHALLENGES. VETERANS AROUND HERE KIND OF JUST DON'T KNOW HOW FORTUNATE WE ARE TO HAVE YOU AT THE HELM HELPING US ADDRESS VERY TOUGH ISSUES LIKE THIS, SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS AND THIS PARTICULAR ITEM CREATES THE AUTHORITY TO CREATE THE COMMITTEE. WILL YOU BE ASKING US FOR CANDIDATES OR HOW WILL YOU DEVELOP THAT?>> IT HAS BEEN INFORMED FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND TRAINING FOR OVER A YEAR, SO THE EXPERTISE IS THERE. ACTUALLY, WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH TRAINING ONE WE FOUND OUT THAT THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE EXISTS FOR WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO. WHAT THIS DOES IS BRING LEGITIMACY AND ALLOWS US AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING BACK RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT. WITH THE NUMBER OF LIES LINES WHERE LOSING, PERSONALLY, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU, BECAUSE WHETHER IT'S A VETERAN OR A CIVILIAN. ALL LIVES ARE PRECIOUS. I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.
>> AS PART OF THE SUICIDE PREVENTION RESOURCE COORDINATION COMMITTEE THAT IS ORIGINALLY FOCUSED ON VETERANS, WE HAVE ADDED LAW ENFORCEMENT TO THE CHARTER, SO WE ARE NOW FOCUSED ON VETERANS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS A SEPARATE ITEM HERE AND WERE GOING TO THINK IT WILL PAY SOME DIVIDENDS.
>> THANK YOU. I WILL MOVE ON YOUR ITEM.
>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES? >> I WILL PROBABLY SECOND PER THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO. I KNOW WE TALKED EARLIER THIS MORNING , BUT COULD YOU -- I KNOW THIS WORK HAS BEEN IN PROGRESS AND I'M SO HAPPY YOU CAME TO US, SO UNDER THE CHAPTER 6 72 ESTABLISH IT. I LOOK FORWARD TO THE ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT CAN YOU BRIEFLY WALK US THROUGH WHAT THIS MEANS AND TASKS FORCE OF MULTIDISCIPLINARY TASK FORCE THAT WILL BE ANALYZING THE DATA JUST SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT IS TO
COME. >> THERE IS PREVENTION PEACE, INTERVENTION PIECES AND POST BUT HOPEFULLY WE GET AND THEREFORE WHERE WE DON'T WIND UP WITH ACTUAL SUICIDES, BUT THIS ARE VERY IMPORTANT STEPS ALONG THE WAY WITH THE EXPERTISE REQUIRED TO DO THAT. BEING ABLE TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET TOGETHER WITH ALL OF THE INFORMATION WE CAN TO REVIEW SUICIDES AT THE BEST LEVEL THAT WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS TO BRING BACK FOR YOU ALL FOR POLICY AND/OR LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVES. IT'S AN AREA MY ASSESSMENT HAS NOT GENERATED A LOT OF ATTENTION FOR A LOT OF YEARS AND IT'S A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH OUR SOCIETY CHALLENGES THAT CONTINUE TO GROW AND I THINK WE CONTINUE TO SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE UNAWARE. THAT IS REALLY WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET TO. WE ALL AGREED THAT THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE A COMMITTEE THAT WILL REVIEW THINGS AND KIND OF VIOLENT, IF YOU WILL, AND NOT DO ANYTHING WITH IT. WE WENT IN STRONGLY TO GET THE DATA, ANALYZE AND FIGURE OUT WHAT WE
CAN DO ABOUT THIS. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW WE ARE PROUD THAT OUR LARGEST POPULATION IN TEXAS, BUT IF WE TALKED ABOUT MANY TIMES, THROUGH .5% OF POPULATION AND 11% OF SUICIDES. PROUD GRANDDAUGHTER VETERANS THAT I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING YOU DO ON THE TOPIC AND EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR THE VETERANS OF HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
TAKING POSITIVE ACTION. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAD -- GARCIA HAD MADE A MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WILL LET YOU TAKE OVER. HAVE MY COMMITMENT AT 3:00 THAT EXISTED BEFORE WE MOVED.
>> NEXT ONE? >> NEXT ONE IS 176 ON RESOURCES.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES BLACK THAT ONE.
>> WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THAT EARLIER WITH THE CLERK WHEN SHE WAS HERE WERE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS OR UPDATES THAT WOULD NEED TO BE DISCUSSED? IT'S A DISCUSSION ONLY ITEM.
>> WE WILL PUT THE ITEM BACK ON THE 29TH WHEN WE GET THE UPDATE
ON THE FINANCIALS. >> THANK YOU.
>> NO ACTION. >> DISCUSSION ONLY. OKAY, THANK
YOU. >> THE NEXT ONE IS 208, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. CHILDCARE CONTRACTOR SLOTS WITH ONE VOTE.
[04:35:01]
>> JUST A QUICK COMMENT. I'M NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THE AMENDMENT. IN DECEMBER 2023, PAID $1.3 MILLION FOR ALLEGEDLY VIOLATING THE CIVIL MONETARY PENALTY LAW BY MISSPENDING GRANT FUNDS ON CERTAIN SERVICES, SO THAT ISSUE THERE WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS HAPPENING, IT MIGHT BE WORTH AT LEAST HAVING THE COUNTY TAKE A LOOK AT THIS AND BE SURE THAT WE ARE CROSSING OUR T'S AND DOTTING OUR EYES AS IT RELATES TO THESE PROJECTS AND HOW WE CAN VOTE ON THIS, BUT I WOULD ALSO ASK TO COME IN AND
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS. >> DO YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS?
>> WE ARE HAPPY FOR THE AUDITOR TO TAKE A LOOK.
>> LET'S MOVE AN ITEM. ANY PROBLEMS MOVING THIS ITEM?
>> PLEASE. >> GARCIA SECOND SAID. ALL ON A FAVOR? 3-1, IT PASSES. 218, COMMISSIONER GARCIA,
CONSTRUCTION? >> THESE ALREADY GOT APPROVED.
>> WE DID IT? >> 237 IS THE NEXT ONE.
>> 237. ON THAT ONE, I JUST WANT TO ASK. I ASSUME THIS IS ONGOING RFP. DO YOU WANT TO HELP ME OR SHOULD I BRING PURCHASING UP?
>> HERE IS MY CONCERN. I KNOW THERE IS NO GOAL IN IT . I THINK WHEN I CHATTED WITH YOU EARLIER, AN ONGOING CONTRACT. WANT TO GET A SENSE OF WHEN IT ENDS AND THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU DO SOMETHING, SO SMALL MINORITY LOCAL WOMEN OWNED PRESS OUTLETS HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE, AS WELL. WHEN DOES IT END? IT STRUCK ME, BECAUSE WHEN IT SAID ZERO AND WBE, I KNOW IT'S A SMALL NEIGHBORHOOD AND MINORITY WOMEN OWNED COULDN'T -- IT COULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THEM, AS WELL.
AGAIN UNTIL POPULATIONS. >> MY UNDERSTANDING AND AGENT
WILLIAMS IS HERE TO HELP. >> YOU GET TO WORK OFF OF AN
EXISTING CONTRACT. >> LOOKING FOR VENDORS THAT CAN BE USED FOR LARGE-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS AND THIS IS
RENEWAL 204. >> MY QUESTION IS, IF IT'S NOT YOU, YOU JUST HAVE TO WORK UNDER. HOW DOES IT END, WHEN DOES IT END AND IS A TIME ON THE MONEY? WANT TO LET SOME OF THESE SMALLER BENEFIT FROM THIS, AS WELL. WE HAVE TWO UMBRELLA AGREEMENTS AND ONE WITH THE PRO SCALER AND OUTREACH STRATEGISTS THAT DO HELP US MAKE THOSE ENGAGEMENTS WITH SMALLER
COMMUNITY --. >> HOW MUCH MONEY SPENDING THAT?
>> JUST OVER $200,000 THROUGH THAT.
>> HOW MUCH IS THIS ONE? >> SO --.
>> OBVIOUSLY, I CAN TELL THAT THE SMALL ONE HERE MIGHT BE 450.
IF WE SPEND 300 WITH THEM AND ABOUT ONE MINUTE AND A HALF, AND
I WRITE? 2 MILLION. >> WE CAN ALWAYS DO MORE AND I'M CERTAINLY HAPPY TO WORK WITH THOSE TWO UMBRELLA VENDORS AND PURCHASING TO CONTINUE TO DIVERSIFY MEDIA SPEND.
>> IF WE DIDN'T VOTE ON THIS TODAY?
>> WE NEED THEM TO CONTINUE THE FEDERALLY FUNDED CAMPAIGNS.
THESE ARE DOING LARGE-SCALE COMMUNICATIONS AROUND MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH FUNDING, PROMOTIONS --.
>> MOVE TODAY, BUT MAKE THIS REQUEST. FIND A WAY TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE AND NOT THE 300,000 OVER THERE AND IT'S TWO MILLION DOLLARS THERE. ALL RIGHT, I MOVE IT. AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING, COME BACK WITH SOME PLAN, NOT JUST THAT I WANT TO KEEP GOING.
>> WE WILL DO THAT. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANYBODY
OPPOSED? >> ON 258, I WILL TELL YOU THAT OUR SENIORS WILL BE MENTALLY HAPPY, BECAUSE THIS IS AN ITEM TO ALLOW US TO GET TWO OF THE FIRST FIVE NEW BUSES THAT WILL BE LIFT BUSES, WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE'RE ALWAYS CHALLENGED WITH, BECAUSE SOME OF THE SENIORS ARE A LITTLE CHALLENGED WITH MOBILITY, BUT I'M EXCITED, BECAUSE THE BUSES ARE USED TO HELP TRANSPORT SENIORS TO COMMUNITY EVENTS,
[04:40:07]
ACTIVITIES, CENTRAL APPOINTMENTS AND SUPPORT YOUTH PROGRAMS IN PRECINCT 2, INCLUDING ENRICHMENT ACTIVITIES. OUR CURRENT BUSES ARE AGING AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE PROBABLY ALL CHALLENGED WITH THAT. AND, BECOMING LESS RELIABLE, THE BREAKDOWNS DIRECTLY DISRUPTS SERVICES FOR EVERYONE INVOLVED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR BUSES ARE CONSISTENT, SAFE AND THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE THERE FOR ACTIVITIES THAT FOLKS ARE COUNTING ON. UPGRADING THIS IS NECESSARILY TO KEEP THESE PROGRAMS GOING SMOOTHLY PROTECT SAFETY AND ENSURE THAT PRECINCT 2 CAN CONTINUE DELIVERING SERVICES THAT THE COMMUNITY COUNTS ON. I WANT TO THANK MY TRANSPORTATION TEAM. MURRAY, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE LISTENING, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO AND YOUR STAFF. FOR ALL OF OUR DRIVERS. I'M SO PROUD OF THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS DO AND I GET A LOT OF HAPPY REPORTS FROM FOLKS ON THE BUSES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M EXCITED TO MOVEON THE ITEM. >> SECOND. COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE PRECINCTS WE SHARE. THAT IS A BIG DEAL. THERE IS PROBABLY NOTHING THAT IMPACTS OUR NEIGHBORHOODS MORE THAN THESE BUSES. I KNOW WE JUST GOT THREE THIS YEAR AND THERE WERE OUT PRETTY QUICKLY, BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR SHARING THAT. I
SECOND THE MOTION. >> MOTION BID -- MADE BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ITEM PASSES. NEXT, 276.
>> BEFORE WE GO TO THAT, AND NOTICED THAT DIRECTOR TREVINO,
DR. PETERSON --. >> THAT WAS 120, 133 AND 308.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> DIRECTOR, WOULD YOU MIND JOINING US? I ALWAYS APPRECIATE YOUR INNOVATION. YOU CAME UP WITH AN ITEM A COUPLE OF QUARTS AGO AND I'M TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS. IT WAS ON THE BOND REQUIREMENT OF OUR CONTRACTORS THAT ONLY ASK FOR THE CAPACITY NEEDED FOR THE PARTICULAR PHASE OF WORK THAT ALLOWS SMALLER FIRMS TO PARTICIPATE. I APPRECIATE YOU THINKING THROUGH THAT. I WANT TO ASK YOU TO WALK US THROUGH HOW YOU PLAN TO STAFF AND IMPLEMENT THE WORKSITE SAFETY POLICIES USING EXISTING AND VACANT POSITIONS AND HOW THIS FILLS THE ROLES NECESSARY THAT THE WORK REQUIRES AND WHETHER THESE POSITIONS HELP ADDRESS YOUR RESPECTIVE WORKLOADS, RATHER. AND, FOR DIRECTOR PETERSON AND DIRECTOR, I WANT TO SEE IF MAYBE THEY CAN PIGGYBACK ON THIS AND WORK THROUGH THE SAME TYPE OF APPROACH.
>> THE WORK SAFETY PROGRAM WAS IMPORTANT TO US, SO WE JUMPED ON IT RIGHT AWAY. HECTOR WAS FORTUNATE TO HAVE OPEN POSITIONS THAT CAN REALLOCATE AND USE EXISTING RESOURCES, AS WELL. TO IMPLEMENT THE WORK SAFETY PROGRAM, WE HAVE SIX INDIVIDUALS THAT ARE CURRENTLY STAFFED TO DO THAT. THREE INSPECTORS WHO GO OUT TO THE JOB SITES WITH ONE ADMINISTRATIVE PERSON TO HELP ADMINISTRATE A COORDINATOR -- A COORDINATOR. COORDINATING THE CLASSES AND LOGISTICAL CHANTS, HECTOR WORKERS, CONTRACTORS THAT SET UP OSHA TRAINING CLASSES, THE ANALYST TRACKS WHO WENT TO THE CLASS, THE INSPECTORS GO TO THE JOB SITE AND MAKE SURE THAT IT'S A HIGH-LEVEL SAFETY INSPECTION ON A BIWEEKLY BASIS AND COME BACK TO THE ANALYST AND WE KEEP TRACK OF WHO'S ON THE JOB SITE AND WHO'S NOT. MAKE SURE WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE. THE COORDINATOR ADMINISTRATOR, IT'S A SCALE OF HOMILY PROJECTS WE CAN DO. LARGE CAPITAL PROJECTS AND DOLLARS, BUT NOT MANY SITES TO ADDRESS. THE THREE WE HAVE NOW CAN MEET THE NEED AND WHEN WE START DOING OTHER PROJECTS, WE LIKELY HAVE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THE EXPANSION AND HOW MANY SITES THE SPECIFIC INSPECTOR CAN TAKE A LOOK AT, BUT RIGHT NOW WITH THE SIX WE CURRENTLY HAVE, IT
MEETS OUR CURRENT NEEDS. >> GOOD DEAL. PETERSON AND MONT, I KNOW YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT WORKLOAD. ONE OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD, NUMBER ONE, CAN WE GET YOU GOING ON A PHASED APPROACH AND I THINK YOU'RE ASKING FOR 23 POSITIONS. AN APPROACH THAT YOU CAN TAKE AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE POSITIONS OPEN OR NOT, YOU CAN REALLOCATE AS HECTOR HAS DONE.
[04:45:04]
>> AGAIN, ENGINEER. THE DIFFERENCE WE HAVE IS WE HAVE A LOT OF JOB SITES AND SMALLER PROJECTS, BRIDGER -- BIGGER PROJECTS THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE POLICY HAS CATEGORIZED THE JOB SITES AND MADE HIGH-RISK MONETARY AND LOW RISK. IT IS MONTHLY AND HIGH-RISK IS WEEKLY. WHAT WE DID IS A CALCULATION BASED ON CATEGORIES AND WE NEED ABOUT A GIVEN MONTH, 109 TO 125 SOMETHING WITH THAT SAID, THE STAFFING REQUIREMENTS, IT IS STILL THE SAME. IF YOU HAVE TO USE EXISTING RESOURCES, WE HAVE TO LOOK -- FOR YOUR IN A LARGE DEPARTMENT THAT GIVES US THE CAPACITY TO REALLOCATE RESOURCES., SO WE HAVE TO WORK WITH YOU TO FIND OUT WHY WE CAN COMPROMISE, SO I KNOW THAT SOMEBODY IS NON-COMPROMISE OF ALL TALK ABOUT A REVIEW AND SOME OTHER THINGS, BUT ARE THERE AREAS WE CAN COMPROMISE? THE OTHER AREA IS THAT WE HAVE SOME POSITION THAT HAS BEEN FROZEN THAT IS PART OF THE FREEZING. NOT A LOT -- NOT 23, BUT WE CAN LOOK INTO A FEW OF THOSE POSITIONS. CAN IT BE RECATEGORIZED? THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN LOOK INTO, BUT THAT IS WHAT I WILL SAY. WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF HOURS THAT ARE NEEDED TO SATISFY THE POLICY. IN TERMS OF PHASING COMMISSIONER TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, IT WILL REQUIRE THE POLICY IMPLEMENTATION TO ALSO BE PHASED OUT ON CHANGING FREQUENCIES. THE MORE FREQUENT, THE MORE POLICING WE ARE DOING.
WE'RE LOOKING AT THE PROJECT OF DOING IT WEEKLY, WE GO BIWEEKLY AND OTHERS WE GO MONTHLY. SAY, SIX MONTHS. THAT COULD POSSIBLY NEED LESS RESOURCES. THOSE ARE THE ONLY IDEAS THAT I CAN THINK
OF. >> LET ME BE CLEAR, I SUPPORT THESE ITEMS. JUST TO HELP US GET THROUGH THE BUDGET YEAR, I'M CURIOUS ABOUT THE PHASE IN APPROACH.
>> I WANT TO THANK THOSE WHO PUT THESE JOB DESCRIPTIONS OUT THERE. A LOT DID NOT EXIST AND WE DON'T THINK THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE IMMEDIATELY. WE WANT TO CREATE THEM AND THESE POSITIONS MAY TAKE A WHILE TO HIRE. WE DON'T THINK THEY WILL HAVE FULL YEAR FISCAL IMPACT. OUR GOAL IS TO COME IN ON JULY 1 WHEN WE
SHOULD START INSPECTING. >> I WILL MOVE THESE ITEMS AS
PRESENTED. >> THANK YOU FOR ASKING THAT QUESTION. I AM DOING GOVERNMENT WORK AND WE HAVE ALL BEEN INVOLVED IN INSPECTIONS AND I HAVE DONE THIS IN MY LIFE AND WHEN I WENT TO A JOB SITE FOR QUALITY. WHEN I WENT TO THE JOB SITE TO INSPECT IT FOR QUANTITY. I ALSO DID THE SAFETY. PLEASE LOOK AT WHAT THESE FOLKS -- THERE IS NOT A QUOTE UNQUOTE SAFETY INSPECTOR. THERE IS AN INSPECTOR. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE NEEDS ON YOUR PROJECTS, I'M ASSUMING YOU ALREADY NEEDED AN INSPECTOR TO DO THE QUALITY INSPECTION PRIOR TO THE QUANTITY INSPECTION AND I THINK YOU AND I HAVE HAD THESE CONVERSATIONS BEFORE, TOO. WHEN THEY GO TO THE SITE TO DO THOSE, I THINK IT'S NATURAL TO DO THOSE SAFETY, AS WELL. WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT FILLING IN THESE POSITIONS, I WOULD THINK THAT WE CAN LOOK AT A FULLY TRAINED PERSON TO DO -- TO DO ALL THREE. I KNOW THAT IS TYPICAL IN THE INDUSTRY. WOULD YOU AGREE? YES, FOR THE MOST PART. THE CHALLENGE WE HAVE, EXISTING WORKFORCE, THEY WILL HAVE TO BE WITH TIME BUILDUP FOR CERTIFICATION COURSES FOR ALL OF OUR SPECTERS. THE REQUIREMENT THAT THE JOB HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER, A LOT OF THEM DON'T HAVE THAT. THAT WILL BE TRAINING INCLUDED INTO IT. BEING ABLE TO DO A LOT OF THIS, SO I DON'T
[04:50:07]
HAVE TO HAVE TWO PEOPLE USING THE SAME VEHICLE GOING TO THESAME JOB SITE. >> YOU ARE STARTING WITH NOT HAVE ENOUGH INSPECTORS PERIOD. ALSO, TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY -- I DIDN'T REALLY COME HERE TODAY WITH THE IDEA THAT I WAS GOING TO SUPPORT THIS, BUT WITH THE COMMENTS AND THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS MADE WITH YOUR COMMITMENT AND THEY WILL DO QUALITY, QUANTITY AND SAFETY AND THERE MIGHT BE A CASE OR TWO WHERE ADMINISTRATOR CAN'T DO ALL THREE, BUT AT LEAST IF YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT NOT JUST DOLLARS AND CENTS, BUT WE NEED
FOLKS ON THE JOBSITE ANYWAY. >> ABSOLUTELY.
>> SEEING THE THREE OF YOU TOGETHER MAKES ME HAPPY. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TREMENDOUS QUALITY OF WORK THAT EACH OF YOU DO. PAST THE WORKSITE SAFETY POLICY, BECAUSE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR WORKERS IS OF PARAMOUNT IMPORTANCE. WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE INTO THE VALLEYS AND MAKING SURE THAT FOLKS CAN GO HOME WITHOUT INJURIES OR WORSE. THANK YOU FOR IMMEDIATELY GETTING TO WORK, SO THAT WE ARE PUTTING IT INTO ACTION. THAT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT IN JULY 2026 THESE AUGMENTED WORKSITE SAFETY INSPECTIONS WILL HAPPEN. JUST A PIGGYBACK, ONE THING OFFICER RALLY HERE, I'M THRILLED THAT WE WILL BE HAVING THESE INSPECTIONS AND HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OUR WORKERS. WE ARE TRAINING THEM TO INSPECT A MULTITUDE OF FACTORS, THE TRAINING AND ONGOING TRAINING WILL BE KEY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE OPERATING BEST IN CLASS. I ASK THAT YOU WORK CLOSELY WITH CHIEF, SO WE HAVE SYNERGIES BETWEEN ENGINEERING, FLOOD CONTROL AND THAT WE ARE GROWING, LEARNING AND IMPROVING TOGETHER AS WE IMPLEMENT THE POLICY.
THANK YOU AND PLEASE WORK WITH HER AND I WILL SUPPORT THESE
ITEMS, AS WELL. >> CAN I ASK ONE QUESTION RELATED TO THE VACANT POSITIONS? I UNDERSTAND THAT IN ENGINEERING, WE HAVE 63 VACANT FUNDING POSITIONS BUT FLOATING CONTROL, 85 VACANT POSITIONS AND 156 FUNDED POSITIONS. NOW, ABOUT TO APPROVE MORE AND BE SURE THAT ALL OF THOSE NUMBERS ARE
RECONCILED AS WE GO FORWARD. >> THANK YOU ALL. COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM. WILL IS COLLABORATED ON THIS POLICY AND IT IS A BIG DEAL. GARCIA, MOTION TO APPROVE 120, 133 AND AWAIT IS TRANSMITTAL, SO WE JUST ACCEPT IT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WANT TO SECOND? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDS. ITEM PASSES. NEXT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 276.
>> GOOD TO SEE THE THREE OF YOU ALTOGETHER. THAT LOOKS GOOD.
>> I DON'T KNOW IF CARLOS IS HERE. I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR HAPPY TO MOVE A PROJECT MUCH-NEEDED FOR THE COMMUNITY AND EXCITED THAT WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS. I AM EXCITED TO MAKE THIS -- PRESENT THIS ITEM.
>> I PROUDLY SECOND IT. THANK YOU FOR BEING --.
>> IS A GREAT PROJECT AND I'M GLAD THAT THEY WERE ABLE TO PUT
HALF MILLION DOLLARS IN. >> MOTION MADE BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? NO OPPOSED. PASSES. NEXT
ITEM IS --. >> 293. 293 IS TO ACCEPT DONATION FROM THE INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO HAVE FOOD AND BEVERAGES. I INVITE ALL OF YOU, SATURDAY, JANUARY 31ST, ONE OF OUR PRECINCT PARKS. IT IS IN THE CHINATOWN AREA AND THERE IS A PAVILION THAT REALLY GIVES HOMAGE TO THE CHINATOWN AREA AND INCREDIBLY DIVERSE A API COMMUNITY. IT'S A HANDCRAFTED PAVILION BY THE TAIWANESE MASTER CRAFTSMAN AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER WHO IS THE ONE WHO STARTED THE PROJECT. MY TEAM AND I HAVE CONTINUED AND HE AND I WILL BE TOGETHER JANUARY 31ST AT 9:00 A.M.. IT IS BEAUTIFUL AND THE COMMUNITY IS USING IT. THAT IS WHAT PARK AND OPEN SPACES ARE ALL ABOUT GATHERING AS A COMMUNITY AND LEARNING FROM EACH OTHER AND CELEBRATING CULTURES
[04:55:01]
AND HERITAGE AND AMAZING HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY. I WANT TO THANK THE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THEIR GENEROSITY FOR HELPING US CELEBRATE. WITH THAT, I MOVE THE ITEM AS PRESENTED.>> MOTION MADE BY BRIONES AND SECONDED BY RAMSEY. ALL IN
FAVOR? ITEM PASSES. >> GOING BACK TO 276, I UNDERSTAND THERE ARE MOTIONS I NEEDED TO MAKE, SO LET ME DO THOSE. FIRST, I MOVE ON THE AGREEMENT AS PRESENTED, THEN SECONDLY I MOVED TO APPROVE HARRIS COUNTY HOME PROPERTY LOCATED AT 601 LOCKWOOD AS A PRECINCT TO HISPANIC HERITAGE
AREA. >> MOTION MADE BY GARCIA AND SECONDED BY BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ITEM PASSES. NEXT,
GARCIA, 316. >> THAT ONE WAS ONE OF MY EARLIER ITEMS AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THE SIDEWALKS AND WORK BEING DONE AND HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL THAT IS GOING IN. JUST
EXCITED ABOUT ALL OF THAT. >> DID WE DO 319?
>> ON 319, DR. PETERSON, I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAM.
SIMILAR TO THE PRAISES THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES SHARED EARLIER TO YOU, COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM. THE WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING IS HELPING MOVE THESE ITEMS FORWARD, SIMILARLY TO THE INNOVATION THAT THE THREE OF YOU GUYS ARE DOING TO HELP PROJECTS HAPPEN AND I'M VERY EXCITED. THIS IS ABOUT A THIRD OF THE PROJECTS. THE MORE PROGRESS WE SHOW, THE GREATER COMFORT THAT COMES AND MORE SUPPORT AND HOPEFUL THAT WE ARE GETTING. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND WE APPROVE THE FIRST AMENDMENT BACK IN OCTOBER, WHICH ADDED FOUR PROJECTS AT 4.3 MILLION. NOW, WE ARE ADDING A SECOND AMENDMENT, SEVEN MORE, SO THIS IS GREAT EXCITEMENT. THEN, ALSO, I WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM. SHE IS ALSO EXCITED ABOUT THE PROGRESS BEING MADE, BUT SHE IS ALSO ANXIOUS, BECAUSE SHE WANTS TO SEE MORE PROGRESS, BUT NONETHELESS, SEND PRAISES TO YOU AND YOUR TEAM. REALLY, THANK YOU FOR KEEPING THE WHEELS
[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 2 of 2)]
TURNING AND GETTING THE PROJECT DONE.>> THANK YOU PRETTY >> I MOVE -- TRANSMITTAL.
>> CAN WE TAG RIGHT NOW WITH THE DIRECTOR APPEAR 368.
>> I WILL DO AS MANY AS WE CAN. NINE ITEMS LEFT AND THEY'RE ALL
YOURS. >> 319. IT'S ESSENTIALLY TO YOUR POINT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I SPEND TIME WITH COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM AND SHE WANTS TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE ON TOP OF OUR PROJECTS THE BUDDY OUT THERE AND SHE'S OUR GREAT PARTNER. JUST TO QUICKLY STATE THE PROBLEM, THE OBJECTIVE. ROUGHLY $250 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECTS BEFORE THE END OF MARCH, SO IT IS JANUARY. I THINK WHAT DIRECTOR PETERSON WILL TELL US IS THERE IS A PLAN TO DO THIS. MUCH COOPERATION BETWEEN FLOOD CONTROL AND ALL OF OUR OFFICES, BUT IT IS SO IMPORTANT IF WERE GOING TO MEET DEADLINES AND THE POINT IS THAT IF WE DON'T MEET THE DEADLINE, $250 MILLION AT RISK, SO IT SOUNDS LIKE WE HAVE A PLAN TO GET THESE AND PROBABLY EVERY COURT WILL TAKE AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES AND BE SURE WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK AND I WILL
TURN IT OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, RAMSEY AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THE CHANCE TO TALK ABOUT THE PROGRESS THAT WE MADE. YOU STARTED US OUT WITH RECOGNITION THAT WE ARE GIVING SEVEN ADDITIONAL PROJECTS AMENDED INTO THE CONTRACT AND THE PROJECTS THAT ARE MOST CRITICAL ARE THE CDBG DR CONTRACTS. WE HAVE BEEN MAKING A LOT OF PROGRESS AND I GIVE THEM TREMENDOUS KUDOS FOR THE HARD WORK THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DOING.
ONE PROJECT UNDER CONSTRUCTION RIGHT NOW. GARCIA, YOU
[05:00:07]
RECOGNIZED ANOTHER, BROOKLYN, AWARDED TODAY FOR CONSTRUCTION.THE REFLECTS THE STRONG MOMENTUM THAT WE ALREADY HAVE GOING. AS YOU NOTED, WE DO HAVE A PLAN FOR MOVING FORWARD WITH THE REMAINDER OF THE PROJECTS FOR DR. RIGHT NOW, FOUR PROJECTS OUT FOR BID, WHICH WERE ORIGINALLY SUPPOSED TO BE GOING OUT THIS MONTH, BUT WE WERE SUCCESSFUL IN EXPEDITING SCHEDULE AND PUSHING FAST AND HARD WITH THE COOPERATION OF OUR PURCHASING DIRECTOR TO GET THOSE OUT IN DECEMBER AND WE ARE MOVING AHEAD OF SCHEDULE NOW. WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL FIVE PROJECTS TO GET OUT AND RIGHT NOW WE ARE ON TRACK TO DO SO. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON CDBG KNIT, SO WE HAVE ENGINEERING WORK UNDERWAY AND CONSTRUCTION CONTRACTS GOING FORWARD FOR THE PROGRAM, AS WELL. WE ARE FOCUSED ON DR, BECAUSE IT'S THE MOST URGENT AND CRITICAL AND WE CANNOT FORGET THE FACT THAT WE ARE PUSHING BOTH AT THE SAME TIME AS HARD AS WE CAN. RAMSEY, YOU NOTED THAT COORDINATION IS KEY AND IT IS, SO WE WORK CLOSELY AND REMAIN APPRECIATIVE OF JELL-O, PARTNERSHIP AND SUPPORT. WE ARE WORKING IN A PRODUCTIVE WAY. JUST THIS PAST WEEK, THE NOTIFIED US THAT THEY HAD CLEARED SOME TAPE FOR US WITH THE TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION.
WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY TO IDENTIFY PLACES WHERE WE ARE HAVING CHALLENGES, THEN WORKING COLLABORATIVELY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CHASE THOSE ISSUES DOWN, SO WE ARE THANKFUL AND VERY APPRECIATIVE FOR NOT ONLY SUPPORT FOR FUNDING, BUT PARTNERSHIP AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROGRAM. AT THE SAME TIME, WE HAVE TO HAVE PARTNERSHIP WITH OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. KIM WILLIAMS HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS PARTNER WHEN SHE CAME IN. WE IMMEDIATELY STARTED BRAINSTORMING ON WHERE THE AREAS ARE FOR US TO TACKLE. THE ITEM THAT PASSED EARLIER TODAY, 132, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY, THAT GAVE HER THE ABILITY TO HELP MOVE FASTER LEARNERS WERE RUBRIC TOGETHER, AS WELL AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, SO THAT'S A GOOD EXAMPLE OF COLLABORATION. HONESTLY, IT IS ONE POINT OF COLLABORATION WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR MORE, BECAUSE EVERY DAY AND EVERY WEEK THAT WE CAN SAVE MAKES A DIFFERENCE. THE ITEM THAT PASSED EARLIER WILL SAVE US BETWEEN TWO AND SIX WEEKS. THAT WILL MATTER TO US, SO WE ARE DRINK WITH YOUR SUPPORT OF THE ITEM TO MOVE QUICKLY. OUR FOCUS IS ON THESE QUARTER ONE BID ITEMS AND WE ARE HAPPY TO PUT AN ITEM ON COURT AND BRING BACK OPTICS UPDATES, SEEKING KEEP TRACK OF THE
PROCESS PRETTY >> WELL DONE, ALL OF YOU. THANK
YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS TODAY. >> THANK YOU.
>> ACTUALLY, MORE FOR KIM. YOU HIT THE GROUND RUNNING, BUT DR.
PETERSON HAS SHARED WITH ME THE CONVERSATIONS AND IDEA OF DOING THE AUTHORITY DELEGATION, SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THINKING THROUGH THIS, BECAUSE ONE DAY COULD BE A MAJOR ISSUE, SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS AND CONTINUE PROGRESS. I
APPRECIATE YOU ALL. >> VERY BRIEF. THANK YOU FOR THESE INCREDIBLE UPDATES. I LOVE THE COMMUNICATION THAT COMES FROM YOU AND YOUR TEAM. AGENT WILLIAMS, HAVING YOU ON THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM, I HAVE SEEN A MARKET DIFFERENCE AND I LOVE THAT WE HAVE TWO SOLUTIONS ORIENTED, RELENTLESS LEADERS DRIVING PROGRESS. WHEN YOU HAVE LOCAL GOVERNMENT, COUNTY GOVERNMENT WORKING WITH STATE GOVERNMENT AND COLLABORATION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BRINGING CROSSING HURDLE AFTER HURDLE TO GET DONE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. UNLIKE, THERE IS A CLOCK TICKING IN MY HEAD AND IN A POSITIVE WAY. I JUST APPRECIATE AND APPRECIATE YOUR TIRELESS EFFORTS. KEEP US POSTED ON HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT YOU. WILLIAMS, LOVE WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO MAKE IT WORK BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. ANY ACTION? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, THE REST ARE YOURS.
>> IS THIS NO ACTION? >> NO ACTION. OKAY, I'M SORRY.
[05:05:01]
YOU GOT IT? COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, GO AHEAD.>> 345? >> YES, SIR. PROMPT PAY DEAL.
>> IF YOU DON'T MIND, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? I JUST WANT TO THANK OCA ON THIS. THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, UNIVERSAL SERVICES FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE DONE. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WE FINALLY SHIFTED A BIT FROM POLICY TO ENFORCEMENT.THIS WILL HELP US MOVE THINGS ALONG AND THIS WILL HELP US UNDERSTAND WHERE THERE MIGHT BE BREAKDOWNS. I'M EXCITED AND THIS IS SORT OF LIKE PAY EQUITY. A PROJECT A LONG TIME IN THE MAKING AND I'M EXCITED ABOUT THIS. THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN FULLY TESTED AND THE REMAINING REQUIREMENTS ARE ABOUT ACCURACY, TRANSPARENCY AND AVOIDING ERRORS BEFORE LAUNCH. THE CHANGES NECESSARY, ESPECIALLY SMALL AND INTO THE EAST. AND, TO MODERNIZE HOW THEY DO BUSINESS. OTHER TIMES, YOU HAVE TO HAVE ENFORCEMENT TO GO ALONG WITH THE POLICY. I MOVE ON THEM AS PRESENTED.
>> THE MARCH 27TH DEADLINE REASONABLE?
>> IN COMMUNICATION UNIVERSAL SERVICES, ALL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY THEN AND WITH ADDITIONAL TESTING, AS WELL.
>> WHEN WE GO TO MARCH 27TH, WHICH IS WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. IF WE THINK THERE ARE ISSUES RELATED, CAN YOU GIVE US A HEADS UP ON WHAT OUR PEOPLE AND OTHERS NEED TO BE AWARE OF?
>> ABSOLUTELY. >> MOTION BY GARCIA. I SECOND.
HEARING NONE. MOTION PASSES FOR 364, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? DID WE
DO THAT? 365? >> WE ALREADY DID THAT ONE.
>> YEAH. >> 265 IS WHAT WE NEED TO DO.
>> 364, WE DID. 365. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOU
PULLED IT. >> THAT IS SIMPLY COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL 1933 AND YOUR TIMING, AS USUAL, IS IMPECCABLE.
COUNTY TAX . WE TALKED, BUT I THINK IT'S HELPFUL WHEN WE COME TO COMMISSIONERS COURT TO SAY, YOU KNOW WHAT, SENATE BILL 19 33 AND WE ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH IT, AT LEAST GIVE THAT COMMUNICATION, SO THAT PEOPLE WON'T HAVE TO SIT OUT THERE. I
WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU. >> THANK YOU, RAMSEY PRETTY GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. THERE ARE A FEW STATEMENTS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE AND I'M AVAILABLE FOR QUESTIONS. THE HARRIS COUNTY TAX OFFICE IS COMMITTED TO MAINTAINING AN ACCURATE VOTER ROLE COMPLY WITH ALL STATUTORY DUTIES AND PUTTING HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS FIRST. IT HAS BECOME CLEAR THAT FOLKS ARE CONFUSED AND THERE IS MIST INFORMATION BEING CIRCULATED WHEN IT COMES TO VOTER REGISTRATION, WE RELY ON AND FOLLOW THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE AND RELATED GUIDANCE PROVIDED BY SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE. ONCE WE RECEIVED SENATOR BETTENCOURT'S ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT, OUR OFFICE TOOK IMMEDIATE ACTION AND FOLLOWED THE PROCESS ESTABLISHED BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND TEXAS ELECTION CODE. IN OUR RESPONSE TO THE COMPLAINT, WE DETAILED ACTIONS AND SHARED STEPS WE HAVE ALSO TAKEN TO FLAG ADDRESSES GOING WORD. IN A LETTER, THE SECRETARY OF STATE ACKNOWLEDGED AND EXPRESSED APPRECIATION TO TAX OFFICES DILIGENT AND TIMELY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED BY SENATOR BETTENCOURT. WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND OTHER STAKEHOLDERS TO ENSURE ACCURACY OF OUR VOTER ROLLS, SO EVERY ELIGIBLE VOTER CAN CAST A BALLOT WITH CONFIDENCE.
>> THANK YOU. YOU HAVE DONE A GREAT JOB. NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. GARCIA?
>> I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS FOR YOU. FIRST, I WANT -- I REMEMBERED AND THANK THE SECRETARY OF STATE ISSUED A LETTER LATE LAST MONTH AND EXPRESS APPRECIATION FOR YOUR
[05:10:07]
OFFICES DILIGENT AND TIMELY EFFORTS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS RAISED BY SENATOR BETTENCOURT. THANK YOU FOR THAT. IT ALWAYS HELPS WHEN FOLKS ACKNOWLEDGE EFFORTS AND GIVES CONFIDENCE ON THE WORK WE HAVE DONE. I DO HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS. WITH ALL THAT SAID, WHAT DOES THIS MEAN TO HAVE -- WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO HAVE OUR VOTER REGISTRATION SUSPENDED?>> PART OF THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE FUNCTIONS OF THE ROLE, IF THERE IS SOME REASON AS TO THE VOTERS RESIDENCY AND HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION THAT THE BOATER MAY BE REGISTERED AT A COMMERCIAL PO BOX IS NOT WHERE THEY RESIDE. WE ARE REQUIRED TO DO AN INVESTIGATION AND SEND A LETTER TO THE BOATER AND ASK THEM TO CONFIRM THEIR RESIDENCY. THEY EITHER SEND DOCUMENTS OR A FORM BACK. IF WE DO NOT HEAR FROM THEM WITHIN 30 DAYS, WE PLACE THEM ON RESPONSE. THEY ARE STILL ABLE TO VOTE IF THEY ARE ON SUSPENSE. IT IS THROUGH TWO ELECTION CYCLES. IF THEY DO NOT VOTE DURING THAT TIME AND HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO SUBMIT A RESIDENCY AT THE VOTING LOCATION, THEY WILL BE CANCELED.
>> THE FACT THAT THEY CAN STILL VOTE ON SUSPENSE IS STATUTE.
>> THAT IS STATUTORY. THERE IS NOTHING THAT ALLOWS US TO CANCEL A VOTERS REGISTRATION IMMEDIATELY.
>> WHAT SAFEGUARDS ARE IN PLACE TO PREVENT NONEXEMPT VOTERS FROM REGISTERING AT THE ADDRESS AS IT WAS STATED IN SENATE BENNETT
COURTS COMPLAINT. >> WAS INSTITUTED A PROCESS IN THE OFFICE TO FLAG ADDRESSES THAT WE KNOW ARE COMMERCIAL PO BOX AS PART ONCE IT IS BROUGHT TO THE ATTENTION THAT IN ADDRESS CAN BE A COMMERCIAL PO BOX, WE DO AN INVESTIGATION AND MAKE SURE IT'S NOT A RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS AND SOMETIMES THERE ARE P.O. BOXES BELOW AN APARTMENT COMPLEX AND THEY ARE RESIDENTIAL ADDRESSES. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE AND MOVING FORWARD IF WE RECEIVE A VOTER APPLICATION WITH THE ADDRESS FLAG, WE SEND THEM A STATEMENT OF REQUEST FOR THEM TO CONFIRM THE ADDRESS.
>> LASTLY, HAS THE OFFICE RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION ON ANY OTHER ADDRESSES THAT MAY BE P.O. BOXES?
>> YES, SIR. AND THE RESPONSE OF THE LETTER YOU WRITE TO SECRETARY OF STATE, THE ANNOUNCED INVESTIGATION AND EFFORTS THAT ATTACH THE LISTS OF ADDITIONAL ADDRESSES THAT THEY BELIEVED WERE COMMERCIAL PO BOX, PRIMARILY U.P.S. STORES AND WE REVIEWED THAT LIST. 25% OF THE ADDRESSES PROVIDED WERE LOCATED OUTSIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY, SO WE WILL SEND LETTERS OUT TO THOSE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND FOLLOW THE PROCESS WE SET UP.
>> THOSE OUTSIDE, WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT?
>> WE WILL LET THE SECRETARY OF STATE KNOW THOSE OUTSIDE.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND BEING ON TOP OF THIS. THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO GIVE FOLKS CONFIDENCE THAT HERS COUNTY IS
RUNNING ELECTIONS. >> LOOK, I JUST WANT TO STRESS HOW IMPORTANT THIS IS. WANT TO GET TO RESOLUTIONS AND I WANT TO REMIND MY COLLEAGUES THAT WAS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED TO ONE COUNTY. UP TO 4 MILLION PEOPLE. IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT MECHANISM, IT IS INCLUDED WITHHOLDING STATE ELECTION FUNDING AND IMPOSING A MULTI-YEAR STATE OVERSIGHT OF THE ACCOUNTING VOTING PROCESS, WHAT A MESS. IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY HAVE TO GO INTO THIS, IT IS SO UNNECESSARY, BUT I'M JUST SO GLAD THAT THE SECTOR WAS WILLING TO STEP UP AND ESSENTIALLY YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN FULL COMPLIANCE IN 1933, WHICH
ONLY APPLIES. THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE A CLOSE WORKING RELATIONSHIP SECRETARY OF STATE AND TO SPEAK TO THEM ON REGULATORY BASIS. MAKE SURE THEY ARE IN COMPLIANCE WITH THEIR
GUIDELINES AND ELECTION CODE. >> NEXT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY,
WHICH IS YOURS, AS WELL. >> 366. AGAIN, I WILL RUN DO THIS QUICKLY. RELATED TO THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY THAT ROBERTO HAS PAID ATTENTION TO AND WE HAVE ALL PAID ATTENTION TO. WHAT WE DID AS THE BILL WAS BEING WRITTEN, WE LOOKED AT HOW WE DISTRIBUTE OUR MOBILITY FUNDS, WE DID ENGAGE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON REIMBURSING THEM FOR WHATEVER COST AND WE CONTINUE TO
[05:15:04]
AUDIT AND TAKE CARE OF OUR ACTIVITIES AND FUNDS OUT THERE, SO THE ONLY POINT HERE, COMMISSIONERS, TO SIMPLY POINT OUT AND ADDRESS EVERY ISSUE THAT THEY HAVE BROUGHT UP IN THE BILL AND IT'S WORTH MAKING -- THEY DON'T NEED TO WRITE ANYMORE BILLS IN 2027 RELATED TO THIS ISSUE AND THIS IS MY ATTEMPT TO TRY TO PUT THIS TO BED AND GOOD JOB, ROBERTO. GOOD JOB ON BEHALF OF THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ADDRESS ISSUES TO AVOID THINGSIN THE FUTURE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER
RAMSEY. >> NEXT ONE. NO ACTION ON THAT
ITEM. THREE -- 366 TO 367. >> FIRSTLY, OBVIOUSLY I HAVE HAD PUBLIC MEETINGS IN MY COMMUNITY CENTER RELATED TO THEIR ISSUES ON CONDEMNING PARK AND THOSE ISSUES. THEY ARE ALSO INVOLVED WITH THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND INVOLVED WITH THE 2.5 BILLION DOLLAR BOND ISSUE. A LOT OF ISSUES THERE AND BOARD MEMBER ISSUES. I JUST WANT TO LOOK AT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND IF WE NEED TO DO RESEARCH ON THIS, ARE THE BOARD MEMBERS OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, BOARD OF TRUSTEES, ARE THEY LIABLE FOR THE DECISIONS MADE? HOW ARE THE BOARD MEMBERS COVERED ON THE
DECISIONS? >> THEY DO CARRY INSURANCE, BUT I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY JONATHAN IS ON NOW. ARE YOU ON?
>> THEY DO CARRY INSURANCE. FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS, WE ARE NOT LOOKING AT ANY KIND OF FINANCIAL LIABILITY OR HARRIS HELP. THE MOST SERIOUS THING WE ARE LOOKING AT IS TO STOP THE CHAPTER 26 PROCESS FROM HAPPENING AND TAKING ITSELF FROM HAPPENING AND IT CAN INVOLVE ATTORNEYS FEES AND COST OF LITIGATION, BUT NOT ALSO DAMAGES.
>> AT LEAST PUBLICLY STATE WHAT ANY LIABILITIES, IF THERE ARE ANY THERE, I GUESS THERE IS NOT, IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THE OTHER IS THAT WE HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS FOR HARRIS COUNTY.
WHAT DOES THE TOLLROAD DIRECTOR MAKE? WHAT DOES THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR MAKE WAXY WHAT WE TELL THEM WHAT EVERYBODY MAKES? I THINK IT'S WORTH NOTING WHAT DR. MAKES IN TERMS OF THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. I DID TALK TO HIM AND AS A MATTER OF WHAT HE COMMUNICATED WITH ME. HE MAKES BASE SALARY OF -- NOT 1.2 MILLION IN BONUSES, WHICH HE REFERRED TO AS RETIREMENT, ROUGHLY $400,000. FOR THE RECORD, SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 2.5 -- 1.5 AND $2 MILLION, SO THAT JUST WILL GO AS A MATTER OF RECORD, SO EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY, WE ARE KEEPING UP WITH WHAT EVERYBODY MAKES AND PUT THAT ON RECORD AND GO WITH IT AND THAT IS MY ONLY POINT IN POINTING THAT ONE OUT.
>> I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THE THINGS I SAID THAT MAY HAVE OFFENDED YOU. NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. WHAT'S THE NEXT ONE? WHAT
[Executive Session (Part 2 of 2)]
AM I MISSING? >> RESOLUTIONS AND EXECUTIVE
SESSION. >> CAN WE TRY TO DO EXECUTIVE SESSION REALLY QUICK? IT WAS HER ITEM? WHAT OTHER ITEMS GOING
INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON? >> 342, 343, 344, 370 AND 371.
>> IT IS 4:40 PM AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. COMMISSIONER HAS A MOTION.
>> THANK YOU , THE MOTION ON 344 , IT IS PRETTY LENGTHY. I THINK YOU GOT IT. HAVE YOU RECEIVED IT?
>> NO, COMMISSIONER, I'VE GOT 343.
[05:20:05]
>> THANK YOU, >> 343 COME I HAVEN'T.
>> HERE IT IS. >> THE MOTION IS TO APPOINT THE FOLLOWING NOMINEES AS PUBLIC MEMBERS OF THE HARRIS COUNTY BROADBAND TASK FORCE. THE FOLLOWING. NICOLETTE WALKER.
MARIE. LEONARD ROSE. VINCENT SANDERS. AS WELL AS STAKEHOLDER REPRESENTATIVES CHARLES CAVE, LINDSAY, DR. PAULA PETERSON, MICHAEL MCDONALD, BELINDA AGUILAR AND JORDAN CARDWELL. FOR TWO YEAR TERMS ENDING JANUARY 8, 2028.
>> SECOND. >> TO RECOGNIZE AS EX OFFICIO MEMBERS AND OR THEIR DESIGNEES, WHO WILL ALSO SERVE AS CHAIR.
EDWARD , SAM, ELIJAH WILLIAMS, AND CHRISTOPHER CAROL. AND TO AMEND THE BYLAWS AS NECESSARY TO AFFECT THESE RESPECTIVE
APPOINTMENTS. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION
CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. 344. >> I HAVE A MOTION. THIS MOTION READS, AND I WOULD ASK THAT DEPARTMENTS WHO ARE LISTENING TO PLEASE LISTEN. IF YOU ARE NOT LISTENING, PLEASE LISTEN. THIS IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT. MOTION TO DIRECT UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO BE IN COMPLIANCE WITH HOUSE BILL 149. BY DEVELOPING A COUNTYWIDE A.I. PROGRAM THAT INCLUDES A DETAILED RESOURCE PLAN AND A.I.
STRATEGY BASED ON REQUEST FROM ALL DEPARTMENTS . UNIVERSAL SERVICES , THIS MOTION ALSO DIRECTS UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH OCA AND OMB TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT ON FEBRUARY 26, 2026, WITH THE FISCAL NOTE OF FOR THE EFFORT.
IN RESPONSE TO THE MOTIONS APPROVED ON DECEMBER 11, 2025, RELATED TO THE TECHNOLOGY PROCUREMENT , TPR, AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE GOVERNANCE, THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK IN COORDINATION WITH ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS TO LEAD AND FACILITATE INTERDEPARTMENTAL COLLABORATION , TO IDENTIFY, EVALUATE AND IMPLEMENT A.I. SOLUTIONS THAT MAY MATERIALLY IMPACT COUNTY OPERATIONS, SERVICES, RESIDENCE, OR REGULATORY FUNCTIONS. THE SCOPE INCLUDES ANY SOLUTION , SERVICE, APPLICATION, SYSTEM, OR PLATFORM THAT UTILIZES A.I. TECHNOLOGIES , WHETHER OR NOT IT IS DIRECTLY SOLICITED OR SUPPORTED BY A COUNTY. FURTHER NO COUNTY DEPARTMENT SHALL INDEPENDENTLY PROCURE , PILOT OR DEPLOY A.I. SYSTEMS OR TOOLS THAT MAY HAVE ENTERPRISEWIDE OPERATIONAL LEGAL CYBER SECURITY OR PUBLIC FACING IMPACTS WITHOUT COORDINATION WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND COMPLETION OF REQUIRED COUNTY REVIEW AND GOVERNANCE PROCESS. PROCESSES.
UNIVERSAL SERVICES SHALL SERVE AS THE COORDINATING AUTHORITY TO DEVELOP A COMPREHENSIVE A.I. POLICY THAT ENSURES ALIGNMENT WITH ENTERPRISE ARCHITECTURE, CYBERSECURITY, DATA PRIVACY, AND RESPONSIBLE USE PRINCIPLES AND SHALL REPORT BACK TO COMMISSIONERS COURT BY MARCH 19 OF 2026. I DO WANT TO REITERATE TO OUR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, PLEASE WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY CRITICAL AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES NOW HAS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF HOUSE BILL 149. AND AS WE SPOKE WITH DIRECTOR , WE UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS NEW DEADLINES RELATED TO THE AGENDA.
BUT, SHE IS COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH EVERYONE EXPEDITIOUSLY TO MAKE SURE THAT YOUR REQUEST RELATED TO A.I. OR ANY OF THIS IS NOT IMPACTED TO YOUR DEADLINE AS IT RELATES TO THE AGENDA. SO,
[05:25:07]
THANK YOU, DIRECTOR, FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS. AND WE ARE STEPPING IN TO A NEW DOMAIN OF OUR WORK. AND, GOOD OR BAD, A.I.IS PART OF THAT NEW STEP IN WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING IT WELL. AT THE SAME TIME WE HAVE TO PROTECT THE COUNTY WITH THE USE OF A.I. AND WE ALSO HAVE TO PROTECT OUR BUDGET WITH A.I.
BECAUSE SOME DEPARTMENTS MAY BE PURCHASING THINGS THAT HAVE LICENSING AGREEMENTS THAT COULD SPAN OUT OF CONTROL. SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THIS IS WELL GOVERNED. SO THAT IS MY TWO MOTIONS. DID YOU GET THEM ALL? OKAY.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IS HER SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO TO STRESS BRIEFLY, SO, IN TERMS OF THE BILL, BIPARTISAN BILL, AND IT IS WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE, THAT EVERYBODY HAS A RESPONSIBLE APPROACH TO A.I., I KNOW FOLKS HAVE BEEN USING IT.
AND I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE IS, AS WE USE IT, ARE WE GIVING IT ACCESS TO DATA THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE ACCESS TO OR THE OTHER WAY AROUND? BUT ALSO, WHAT DO THESE GENERATIVE A.I.
PROGRAMS DO WITH OUR PROMPTS? RIGHT? AND SO THERE IS A LOT OF QUESTIONS HERE. THERE IS A LOT OF NEW GROUND TO COVER. AND I'M REALLY GRATEFUL DIRECTOR IS GOING TO BE WORKING ON THAT.
THAT MEANS COLLABORATION FROM EVERYBODY. I JUST WANT TO UNDERSTAND, I ASSUME THAT THE DEPARTMENTS AND ALL OF US AND CERTAINLY, IF THERE'S AN ISSUE WITH MY OFFICE LET ME KNOW, WILL BE COLLABORATIVE AS YOU WORK THROUGH THE FRAMEWORK . IN TERMS OF BETWEEN NOW AND MARCH 19, WHAT YOU NEED DEPARTMENTS TO DO?
>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON , THE QUESTION , IT'S A GREAT QUESTION. I WOULD LIKE TO START WITH SAYING, WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN SOME STEPS IN THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS TO BE PREPPED UP FOR THIS HOUSE BILL. TO A GREAT EXTENT. AS AN EXAMPLE, WE STOOD UP OUR I.T. GOVERNANCE BOARD. IN THE YEAR 2024. NOVEMBER 2024 WE STOOD UP AND I.T. GOVERNANCE BOARD THAT LOOKS AT THE TECHNOLOGY. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE LOOKING AT THE PROJECTS THAT ARE BEING IMPROVED AND BRINGING IT TO THE BOARD SO IT CAN BE FUNDED AND IMPLEMENT IT. SO A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN YOUR OFFICES ARE PHENOMENAL IN TERMS OF PARTICIPATING IN GETTING US GUIDANCE AROUND THAT. THE SECOND STEP IT WE TOOK WAS THROUGH THE MOTIONS THAT WERE GIVEN TO US IN THE LAST CODE WERE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY PURCHASES NOW HAVE TO GO THROUGH A REVIEW PROCESS BEFORE, IRRESPECTIVE OF THE DOLLAR AMOUNT IT HAS TO GO THROUGH A REVIEW PROCESS. SO THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS THAT ARE BEING PROCURED WILL ALSO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS. WE NEED HELP TO ENSURE , THERE ARE COUPLE OF AREAS WHERE WE PROBABLY NEED HELP. ONE IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING OF ALL THE A.I. INITIATIVES WITHIN THE COUNTY.
WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS IN GETTING A LIST OF ALL THE A.I.
INITIATIVES IN PROGRESS, OR THAT HAVE ALREADY BEEN WORKED ON ARE IMPLEMENTED. WE NEED TO CREATE A LIST OF THAT AND GO THROUGH A
SYSTEMATIC PROCESS. >> WHAT YOU MEAN A.I.
INITIATIVES? >> SUCH AS IF INDIVIDUAL PURCHASES, SMALL-SCALE PURCHASES OF A.I. HAVE BEEN DONE THROUGH
OTHER MEANS. >> IF THERE ARE INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEES THAT ARE USING A.I. , WHAT SHOULD THEY BE DOING RIGHT
NOW? >> THEY SHOULD BE REPORTING THAT TO US SO WE KNOW WHITES BEING USED AND HOW IT'S BEING USED.
>> SO THE A.I. CAN BE USED IN A MANNER THAT IS SAFE FOR THE
COUNTY, FOR EVERYBODY INVOLVED? >> EXACTLY.
>> ANYTHING ELSE FOLKS NEED TO BE DOING RIGHT NOW?
>> DURING THE PROCESS I WOULD ASK EVERYONE GOES THROUGH THE PROCESS. WE WOULD REQUIRE SUPPORT FROM PURCHASING.
AUDITORS OFFICE. INTERESTING FROM A PROCUREMENT PERSPECTIVE WHICH WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH BUDGETING AGENT PRETTY CLOSELY AND WE ARE CLOSELY ALIGNED. AUDITORS IN TERMS OF PAYMENTS.
>> OKAY, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS LIKE AN EMPLOYEE EMAIL TYPE THING, SO JUST CONSIDER, BUT I WILL SAY FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, AND THE ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHAT SOUNDS LIKE HAS TO HAPPEN IS TAKE IT VERY CLEAR TO YOUR EMPLOYEES THAT IF THEY ARE USING A.I., IF YOU GUYS HAVE ANY A.I. PROGRAM THAT YOU GUYS
[05:30:06]
PLEASE CONTACT UNIVERSAL SERVICES. AND I AM SO GLAD WE ARE DOING THIS. OBVIOUSLY, YES, YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT AND I AM PROUD OF THAT. AND THE STATE, THIS NEW LAWS OF COURSE VERY HOPEFUL. AND AS DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY I'M REALLY PLEASED TO SEE THIS. THANK YOU.>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
>> ALL RIGHT, SO NOW WE HAVE THE RESOLUTIONS. RIGHT?
>> WE STILL NEED 342, 373 71. >> THOSE ARE NO ACTION. NO ACTION ON 370, 371, AND NO ACTION ON 342. THAT'S RIGHT.
SO, ANYTHING ELSE BEFORE I MOVE ON TO RESOLUTIONS?
[Departments (Part 4 of 4)]
>> NO JUDGE. >> SO, MOVING ON, TO RESOLUTIONS, FIRST IS ITEM 372. THAT IS ONE OF MY RESOLUTIONS.
-- AND LET ME -- AND THINK YOU FOLKS HAVE BEEN WAITING. WHERE IS JANUARY IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH , TO SPREAD AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN TRAFFICKING, AND TAKE ACTION TO PREVENT FURTHER VICTIMIZATION, HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A CRIMINAL ACT THAT INVOLVES THE USE OF FORCE, FRAUD OR COERCION TO COMPEL AN INDIVIDUAL INTO LABOR OR A COMMERCIAL SEX ACT. EVERY YEAR THERE ARE AN ESTIMATED 313,000 VICTIMS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN TEXAS INCLUDING 39,000 MINERS. COMMON RISK FACTORS FOR VICTIMS INCLUDE HAVING AN UNSTABLE LIVING SITUATION, PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE OF SEXUAL ABUSE, OR VIOLENCE, CANONIC HARDSHIP, SUBSTANCE ABUSE OR ADDICTION OR PREVIOUS INVOLVEMENT IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE OR CHILD WELFARE SYSTEM.
HARRIS COUNTY IS ONE OF THE LARGEST HUBS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN THE COUNTRY. OBVIOUSLY NOT PROUD OF THAT. DUE TO GEOGRAPHIC SIZE, PROXIMITY TO THE BORDER AND LOCATION AMONG LARGE INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HAS DRUNKEN CONNECTIONS IN FUTURE AS A THEME FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH 2026. HUMAN TRAFFICKING CAN AFFECT PEOPLE OF ALL COMMUNITIES. AND WE NEED TO RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND LEARN TO SUPPORT A POTENTIAL VICTIM WHEN POSSIBLE. COMMUNITY MEMBERS CAN HELP PREVENT HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SUPPORT SURVIVORS BY LEARNING MORE ABOUT COMMON WARNING SIGNS, SHARING RESOURCES FOR SURVIVORS, RAISING AWARENESS ABOUT THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING HOTLINE AND SPEAKING DIRECTLY WITH POTENTIAL VICTIMS. HARRIS COUNTY REMAINS COMMITTED TO PREVENTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING, SUPPORTING SURVIVORS AND FUNDING RESOURCES, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY THEIR BITE DESIGNATES JANUARY 26, 2026 IS HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH. AS I ENTER MY LAST YEAR IN OFFICE, PREVENTING HUMAN TRAFFICKING IN HARRIS COUNTY'S IS ONE OF MY TOP PRIORITIES. SOMETHING WE TALK ABOUT A LOT AND HAS BEEN VERY. I HOPE THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, NONPROFITS, A LOT OF FOLKS DOING GREAT WORK, I THINK WE CAN DO MORE. ESPECIALLY AS WE ARE HOSTING FEE FOR WORLD CUP AND WE HAVE MORE AND MORE PEOPLE COMING TO THE REGION, THIS IS EXACTLY WHEN THE HUMAN TRAFFICKING ACTIVITY GROWS. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, SO MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT ARE WORKING , WHETHER NONPROFIT, INDIVIDUALS, LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHATEVER IT IS, AND HOPE WE CAN ADVANCE US TOGETHER EVEN MORE. DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THIS RESOLUTION?
>> GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD AND STANDING.
>> THANK YOU, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE COMMISSIONERS, I AM ANGELA WILTON. AND I AM PROUD TO BE THE LEADER OF OUR HUMAN TRAFFICKING TEAM AT THE VA'S OFFICE. I STRONGLY SUPPORT YOUR RESOLUTION. TO MAKE JANUARY 2026 HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH. THIS STARTS WITH AWARENESS BUT THEN MOVES INTO ACTION. IN 2025 THE DA'S OFFICE STRONGLY PARTNERED WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, WITH OUR ADVOCACY GROUPS, WITH OUR COMMUNITY, AND
[05:35:03]
WITH THIS COURT. IN ORDER TO DO SOME AMAZING THINGS. WE HAVE HANDLED HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF CASES THIS YEAR. WE HAVE EXTRACTED 80 YOUNG INDIVIDUALS FROM THEIR SITUATIONS PLACING THEM IN BETTER SITUATIONS. TRAFFICKING VICTIMS SUCH ASBRANDY, A 15-YEAR-OLD DESK >> GO AHEAD.
>> WHO LEFT HER HOME TO MEET WITH A TRUSTED INDIVIDUAL AND IN LESS THAN A WEEK FOUND HERSELF BEING TRAFFICKED . THIS IS AN INDIVIDUAL, BRANDY, WHO LOST HER PHONE, HER SAFETY, AND HER BODY.
TO THIS INDIVIDUAL WHO FORCED HER TO WALK THE BLADE. THIS KIND OF SITUATION WAS ABLE TO BE FOUND OUT BY THIS JOINT COMMUNITY WE HAVE CREATED. WE WERE ABLE TO TRACK HER PHONE, TO TRACK HER DOWN, TO FIND THE PERSON WHO TRAFFICKED HER. GET HER INTO A BETTER SITUATION BY EXTRACTING HER AND PROSECUTE THE OFFENDING TRAFFICKER WITH THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF FIRST-DEGREE FELONY. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT WE ARE WORKING ON AS A GROUP. THIS RESOLUTION REMINDS US THAT PREVENTION, PROSECUTION AND PROTECTION MUST REMAIN PRIORITIES. PLEASE NOTE THE DAS OFFICE WANTS TO WORK WITH YOU AND CONTINUE TO DO SO.
IN ORDER TO STAND TO FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND HEALING.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK YOU GUYS DO. IF YOU WANT TO SHARE ANY SPECIFIC RESOURCES, I KNOW THAT THE RESOLUTION WAS QUITE VAGUE, FREE TO INCLUDE THAT IN YOUR REMARKS.
>> YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONERS, I AM WITH THE LANDING. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH HONORING THE ORGANIZATIONS, WORKING EVERY DAY TO HELP THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITY. THE LANDING IS HONOR TO STAND ALONGSIDE AS PARTNERS AND TO BE PART OF A COLLECTIVE VOICE IN OUR COMMUNITY. HERE IN THE U.S. THERE ARE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CASES REPORTED EVERY YEAR, YET LESS THAN 1% OF SURVIVORS ACTUALLY GET THE HELP THEY NEED. AND THAT THEY DESERVE. PREVENTION DOESN'T BEGIN AFTER EXPLOITATION ENDS.
IT BEGINS WHEN COMMUNITIES RECOGNIZABLE ABILITIES , WHEN THEY KNOW THE SIGNS AND RESPOND THE MOMENT THAT A SURVIVOR REACHES OUT FOR HELP. HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS HAPPENING RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT IS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS, OUR SCHOOLS, OUR BUSINESSES AND ONLINE SPACES. I SEE IT EVERYDAY WHEN I DRIVE DOWN BISSONETTE TO THE LANDING AND I KNOW MANY OF YOU SEE IT TOO. THESE TRAFFICKERS PREY ON MOBILITY, THEY OFFER LOVE, SHELTER, FOOD, OR A JOB AND THEN THEY EXPLOIT THOSE NEEDS FOR PROFIT. THIS YEAR AT THE LANDING WE ARE HONORED TO BE CELEBRATING 10 YEARS OF SERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITY. ON JANUARY 11, 2016 WE OPENED THE DOORS OF HOUSTON'S FIRST AND ONLY DROP-IN CENTER FOR SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING. IT WAS CREATED IN RESPONSE TO WHAT OUR FOUNDERS WITNESSED FIRSTHAND, THAT SURVIVORS NEEDED A SAFE, NONJUDGMENTAL PLACE TO LAND WITHOUT BARRIERS OR CONDITIONS. BY STRATEGICALLY PLACING THIS DROP-IN CENTER ON BISSONETTE, ARE RECOGNIZED HOTSPOT FOR COMMERCIAL SEXUAL EXPLOITATION, WE EXPANDED PROACTIVE STREET OUTREACH , AND OVER TIME, COMPLAINTS OF SERVICES THAT INCLUDE 24/7 YOUTH ADVOCACY, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, CASE MANAGEMENT, AND ON-SITE MEDICAL, LEGAL AND HOUSING SUPPORT THROUGH STRONG COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS. FOR A DECADE THE LANDING HAS WALKED THE LOG SIDE SURVIVORS FUELED BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST LEADING SURVIVORS WHERE THEY ARE AND STING FOR AS LONG AS IT TAKES. ONE SURVIVOR SHARED WITH US THAT THE LANDING DIDN'T TRY TO FIX ME, THEY JUST STAYED. THEY BELIEVED. AND FOR THE FIRST TIME I FELT SAFE ENOUGH TO HOPE AGAIN. THAT IS WHAT TRUE RESTORATION LOOKS LIKE. IS NOT QUICK. IT MEANS REBUILDING SAFETY, HEALTH, STABILITY, EDUCATION, ECONOMIC INDEPENDENCE AND THE ABILITY TO TRUST AGAIN. THAT IS WHY WE DON'T OFFER QUICK FIXES AT THE LANDING. WE OFFER CONSISTENT, LOVING PRESENCE. BEGAN WITH 60 SURVIVORS IN 2016 TODAY REACHES OVER 600 CHILDREN, YOUTH AND ADULTS EVERY YEAR. AT THE LANDING. OVER THE PAST DECADE WE SERVED 2700 SURVIVORS AND PROVIDED 154,000 MOMENTS OF CARE. THIS WORK IS ONLY POSSIBLE THROUGH COLLABORATION, THROUGH OUR COMMITTEE PARTNERS LIKE THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE DAS OFFICE, HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS, CHURCH COMMITTEE, AND LEADERS JUST LIKE
[05:40:04]
YOU, WHO REFUSE NOT TO LOOK AWAY. PREVENTION REQUIRES AWARENESS, ACTION AND SHARED RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE WHEN EVEN ONE SURVIVOR REACHES OUT, WE HAVE TO BE READY TO RESPOND.THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR STANDING WITH US. WE ARE STANDING WITH SURVIVORS AND RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANT WORK HAPPENING IN OUR COMMUNITY. WE APPRECIATE YOU VERY MUCH.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOU AND THE
STAFF THE LANDING. >> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING JANUARY AS A HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH. DIRECTOR OF YMCA INTERNATIONAL. THE YMCA HAS BEEN SERVING SURVIVORS OF TRAFFICKING SINCE 2003, OPENING ITS DOORS TO HELP RESTORE HOPE AND CONNECT CLIENTS , SURVIVORS TO SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORK IN A COLLABORATIVE MANNER. THANK YOU FOR THE OFFICE OF THE JUDGE WHO REACHED OUT TO HAVE ME HERE TODAY. I HAVE SEEN HOW TRAFFICKING IMPACTS BOTH ADULTS AND MINORS. IN HARRIS COUNTY WE HAVE SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO WALK ALONGSIDE SURVIVORS EVERY DAY.
FOR MANY OF THESE SERVICES ARE NOT JUST HELPFUL BUT THEY ARE A LIFELINE. ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE WHO ARE REBUILDING SUPPORTIVE SYSTEMS ARE HAVE NO SUPPORT SYSTEM. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS ACCESS TO THE SERVICES DEPENDS ON AWARENESS. SURVIVORS CAN'T REACH SUPPORT IN THESE COMMUNITIES , DON'T KNOW THE SIGNS ARE WHERE TO TURN FOR HELP, OR EVEN WHAT HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS IF THEY DON'T HAVE THE HELP OF THE COMMUNITY.
AWARENESS IS NEEDED IN SCHOOLS, NEIGHBORHOODS AND OTHER CARE.
TOGETHER WE CAN WORK TO TARGET THIS ISSUE. HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT ONLY HAPPENS ELSEWHERE. IT HAPPENS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, IT HAPPENS AROUND US, OUR NEIGHBORS, FRIENDS, CLASSMATES, AND SO MUCH MORE. THANK YOU FOR ELEVATING THIS ISSUE IN STANDING WITH SURVIVORS. I'M HAPPY TO WORK
WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> THANK YOU. I TOO WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR ALL YOU DO.
YOU MENTIONED YMCA INTERNATIONAL. THAT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CONVERSATIONS I HAD BACK IN 2003 OR 2004, SO YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN AT THE TIP OF THE SPEAR FOR A LONG TIME. BUT, THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP THAT THE DA IS PROVIDING. THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAN I LIKE DOING THAN PUTTING HANDCUFFS ON THESE YOU KNOW WHAT. AND, SO THANK YOU FOR BRINGING JUSTICE TO THESE VICTIMS. AND FOR THE ADVOCACY YOU PROVIDE. THANK YOU.
YOU KNOW, THE JUDGE MENTIONED WORLD CUP. I REMEMBER, I BECAME VERY UNPOPULAR WHEN SHERRIFF AND I WORKED WITH , I THINK IT WAS FREE THE CAPTIVES, AND WE WENT OUT TO NRG AND DISTRIBUTE IT CARDS SAYING IF YOU WANT TO BUY SOMEBODY, WE'RE GOING TO PUT YOUR BUTT IN JAIL. THE GHP DIDN'T LIKE THAT, BUT SO BE IT.
IT MADE AN IMPACT. HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE THE STATEMENTS AND DEMONSTRATE TO OTHER CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES THAT THEY NEED TO BE IN THE SAME STEP WITH US. SO THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.
THANK YOU FOR THE LIVES YOU'RE SAVING. THANK YOU FOR THE LIVES YOU'RE PREVENTING FROM EVER HAVING TO EXPERIENCE THIS. SO
THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> LIKEWISE, THANK YOU FOR BEING BRINGING FORTH THIS RESOLUTION AND MAKING THIS HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS MONTH.
THANK YOU ALL AND ALL OF YOUR TEAMS AND ORGANIZATIONS THAT WORK ON THIS ISSUE WHICH WE KNOW WE ARE LEADING FOR ALL THE WRONG REASONS AND WORKING HARD GET THERE IS STILL SO MUCH MORE TO DO. PLEASE CONTINUE BRINGING ACTIONABLE RECOMMENDATIONS. IS EXPERTS ON THE FRONT LINE, I WAS MOVED RECENTLY BETWEEN THE ISD LOCAL BUSINESSES, LOCAL NONPROFITS, AND HPD BECAME ACTUALLY TO MY CHIEF OF STAFF SAYING CAN YOU HELP? BECAUSE THE CORRIDOR IS IN PRECINCT 4. THEY BUILT THESE GATES THEY NEEDED BECAUSE THEY WERE RECRUITING OUR KIDS AFTER SCHOOL TO BECOME TRAFFICKING VICTIMS. AGAIN, NOT ON OUR WATCH. WE HAD THE RESOURCES IN-HOUSE, BUILDING THESE GATES, WE SAVED RESOURCES FROM HPD AND WORKED TOGETHER. ANYWAY, FROM THAT PARTICULAR PART IT HAS REDUCED 40% BASED ON HPD'S DATA. GRANTED WE KNOW IT MOVES TO A DIFFERENT AREA. BUT IF THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO TO TAKE CONCERTED ACTION, PLEASE, IT'S SOMETHING I KNOW WE CARE DEEPLY ABOUT AND CONCERNS US SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING
YOU DO. >> THANK YOU. I HAVE HERE A
[05:45:04]
NATIONAL HOTLINE , IS THAT WHAT YOU USUALLY REFER FOLKS TO?>> NATIONAL TRAFFICKING HOTLINE WORKS TO CONNECT WITH SERVICE PROVIDERS IN NEARBY AREAS WHERE SURVIVORS ARE CALLING IN TO GET CONNECTED. I KNOW AS WELL AS SOME OF OUR PARTNER AGENCIES, WE HAVE OUR OWN RESPECTIVE HOTLINES HERE IN THIS COUNTY AND THE CONNECTING COUNTIES. YMCA HAS A HOTLINE. 832 808-3909. IT OPERATES 24 SEVEN. TO ASSIST SURVIVORS WHO ARE ADULTS OR MINORS AND SEND AN ADVOCATE ON THE WAY.
>> THANK YOU. I SEE THE LANDING DROP-IN CENTER, 713-766-1111 ?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. ALSO A HOTLINE THE COURT MEETS ALL OF OUR YOUTH ADVOCATE RESPONSE. TRIAD HOTLINE.
>> AND THE NATIONAL HOTLINE, 888373 7888, SHE HAS MUCH BETTER HANDWRITING THAN I DO. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I LOOK FORWARD WORKING
>> I WILL TRY TO BE BRIEF ON THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING REALLY EXCITING THE VARIOUS ORGANIZATIONS HAVE BEEN WORKING ON FOR A WHILE. YOU REMEMBER AFTER AN EMERGENCY, ESPECIALLY HARVEY, PEOPLE WANTED TO HELP. BUT IT WAS MORE DISJOINTED THAN IT NEEDED TO BE. YOU THINK ABOUT VOLUNTEER HOUSTON, BUT IF YOU GUYS TRIED TO LOG ON THERE AND FIND A VOLUNTEER JOB, AS I DID, YOU KNOW IT WAS PRETTY COMPLICATED. SO THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAXIMIZE THE IMPACT OF VOLUNTEERS DURING EMERGENCY BECAUSE WE KNOW PEOPLE LIKE TO HELP. WHEREAS VOLUNTEERS ARE THE CORNERSTONE OF RECOVERY, HARRIS COUNTY HAS A STRONG TRADITION OF SERVICE. OFFICE OF HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT IN PARTNERSHIP WITH VOLUNTEER HOUSTON, GULF COAST REGION TIER VOLUNTEERING, ANYWAY, AND AFFILIATE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS ACTIVE IN DISASTERS IS LAUNCHING THE HARRIS COUNTY READY TO SERVE, VOLUNTEER READINESS INITIATIVE. AND EFFORT DESIGNED TO STRENGTHEN VOLUNTEER ENGAGEMENT AND SUPPORT COURT NEEDED PREPAREDNESS, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY EFFORTS AROUND THE COUNTY. AGAIN, THANK YOU TO VOLUNTEER HOUSTON. MANY PARTNER AGENCIES AND ORGANIZATIONS CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE VOLUNTEER SHORTAGES. DURING BLUE SKY OPERATIONS, DISASTER RESPONSE AND RECOVERY, UNDERSCORING THE NEED FOR A MORE RELIABLE PIPELINE. THIS INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON RAISING COUNTYWIDE AWARENESS OF VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, ENGAGING CORPORATE PARTNERS, CIVIC GROUPS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, COMMUNITY GROUPS, ET CETERA. THOSE WHO HAVE THE ABILITY TO ORGANIZE VOLUNTEERS IN THEIR NETWORK. DIRECTING VOLUNTEERS TO TRAINING, ONBOARDING AND LONG-TERM ENGAGEMENT AND BUILDING A MORE RELIABLE VOLUNTEER NETWORK TO SUPPORT PREPAREDNESS RECOVERY EFFORTS. WE WILL HOST THE VOLUNTEER KICKOFF VIRTUAL EVENT AT 1:00 ON JANUARY 26. WE WILL ENGAGE ORGANIZATIONS THAT CAN SERVE AS MULTIPLIERS AND HELP US ROLL THIS OUT. IF YOU KNOW OF AN ORGANIZATION WHO WOULD LIKE TO JOIN US, PLEASE LET US KNOW. I WILL HIGHLIGHT HOW ORGANIZATIONS CAN CONNECT THEIR MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES TO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS THROUGH THE VOLUNTEER HOUSTON PORTAL, SO HOW CAN FOLKS, IF THEY ARE INTERESTED IN THE VIRTUAL EVENT -- HOW CAN THEY GET THAT INFORMATION? BE RESOLVED THAT WE AUTHORIZE THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY REGISTER OF VOLUNTEER READINESS AND AWARENESS INITIATIVE. DO HAVE SPEAKERS . THANK YOU, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU. PLEASE GO
[05:50:58]
OF PARTNERS, THEY'RE NOT ALL HERE, BUT THEY'RE ALL IN THE TABLE AND WE'RE WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE INITIATIVE. THE KICKOFF EVENT ON THE 20TH IS JUST THE BEGINNING TO GET THAT MOMENTUM GOING. THIS RESOLUTION WILL HELP SUPPORT US BUT IN THE YEAR TO COME AND THE NEXT YEAR, WE HAVE A LOT OF INITIATIVES AND TRAINING AND EXERCISES THAT WILL GO BEHIND THIS THAT WILL HELP SUPPORT CONTINUING A STRONG FOUNDATION AND A PIPELINE THAT WE KEEP ENGAGING OUR VOLUNTEERS FOR THE YEARS TO COME. THANK YOUFOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD.
>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I'M GAYLA WILSON, THE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT OFFICER FOR VOLUNTEER HOUSTON. OUR WEB-BASED PORTAL CONNECTS AVAILABLES, GROUPS, AND COMPANIES WITH NONPROFITS ACROSS THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA TO TRANSFORM THE AREA NEEDS. WE'VE STREAMLINED THE VOLUNTEER REGISTRATION BY REDUCING THE THE WHEN A NEW PERSON WANTS TO REGISTER TO VOLUNTEER. WE NOT ONLY ASK FOR THEIR NAME, E-MAIL ADDRESS, AND PHONE NUMBER, AND ASK THEM TO INDICATE IF THEY'RE WILLING TO RECEIVE TEXT MESSAGING UPDATES DURING THE PROCESS. WE'VE ALSO ACTIVATED AND UPDATED OUR SMS TEXT MESSAGING SYSTEM TO WE NOW HAVE THE CAPACITY TO HAVE A BROADER REACH. WE'VE UPDATED OUR MOBILE APP SO WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE USING THEIR MOBILE PHONES OR A TABLET OPPOSED TO THEIR LAPTOP TO SIGN UP AND RESPOND TO VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES. AND WE'RE ALSO USING A SOFTWARE PROGRAM THAT ALLOWS US TO PRELOAD AND SCHEDULE SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS THAT WILL SUPPORT RECRUITMENT EFFORTS. AND SINCE THE VOLUNTEER AWARENESS INITIATIVE WAS LAUNCHED IN DECEMBER, THEY'VE REGISTERED OVER 500 NEW VOLUNTEERS AND WE'RE ACTIVITY REACHING OUT TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY OVER THE NEXT FEW MONTHS TO ENGAGE HOUSES OF WORSHIP AND CONGREGATIONS TO SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE. THANK
YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME TODAY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> I'M THE CHAIR OF THE TEXAS GULF COAST REGIONAL VOAD, A COALITION OF NONPROFITS, FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS, AND GOVERNMENTAL GROUPS THAT COLLABORATE SERVING TOGETHER AFTER A DISASTER. WE SERVED THE 8 MILLION TEXANS THAT LIVE IN THE 13 COUNTIES THAT COMPRISE THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA. IN BLUE SKIES, WE WORK TO HELP RECRUITING BY SUPPORTING TWO RECRUITING PLATFORMS THROUGH VOLUNTEER HOUSTON AND JUST SERVE, AND WE ASK THAT ALL OUR MEMBERS PARTICIPATE IN ONE OR BOTH. OUR MEMBERS SUPPORT SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEERS BY PROVIDING SUPERVISION WITH THE WORK THEY DO, KEEPING THEM SAFE, AND ENSURING THEY HAVE JUST A WONDERFUL, GREAT VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE THAT INSPIRES THEM TO COME BACK. AND WE'VE BEEN ENGAGING WITH CORPORATIONS, CIVIC GROUP, AND THE FAITH COMMUNITY TO SUPPORT RECOVERY BY AMPLIFYING THE ASK FOR SPONTANEOUS VOLUNTEERS. OUR WEBSITE COVERS ALL OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL 13 COUNTIES AND HIGHLIGHTS THE PRIORITIES DETERMINED BY THE OEM TO WARRANT SPECIAL ATTENTION. THE HARRIS
[05:55:04]
COUNTY INITIATIVE WE'RE SPEAKING ABOUT HERE SERVES AS A MODEL FOR THE OTHER COUNTIES THAT WE SERVE.>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. THIS IS A BIG DEAL, AND HOPEFULLY WE WON'T HAVE TO USE THE, THE GRAY SKY DAY CONTINGENCIES. I APPRECIATE FOLKS MENTIONING THAT THERE ARE A LOT MORE ORGANIZATIONS INVOLVED, AND THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE HOPEFULLY. THANK YOU GUYS FOR THE WORK YOU DO. AND LET ME JUST SHARE, UM, TO REGISTER GO TO THE VOLUNTEER HOUSTON
WEBSITE. >> TO REGISTER WHETHER YOU'RE A NONPROFIT OR INDIVIDUAL OR GROUP, YOU GO TO
VOLUNTEERHOUSTON.ORG. >> AND TO JOIN THE EVENT ON THE
20TH? >> JUDGE, YOU CAN GO TO READY HARRIS, AND WE'LL HAVE IT ON THE CAROUSEL AND WE'RE DOING MARKETING THIS WEEK AND NEXT WEEK FOR IT. WE'VE SENT MESSAGING TO ALL THE PARTNERS TO HAVE THE REGISTRATION LINK ON
OUR PLATFORMS. >> SO FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT THIS INITIATIVE AND BE A PART OF IT, JUST VISIT READYHARRIS.ORG. THANK YOU. LET ME PASS IT ON TO, UM,
COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. I APPRECIATE ALL THE GUESTS WAITING. WE TOOK LONGER IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. YOU HAVE AN EXECUTIVE RESOLUTION ABOUT A RABBI THAT SERVED AT A CONGREGATION FROM 1978 TO 2011.
HE WAS INVOLVED IN THE CONGREGATION FROM 1970 UNTIL HIS PASSING LATE LAST YEAR. HE HAD SO MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND WAS A GREAT FRIEND OF MINE. WE DID THE AMERICAN LEADERSHIP FORUM.
DELIGHTFUL GUY. HE PASSED LATE LAST YEAR. HE SERVED WITH A NUMBER OF ORGANIZATIONS WE'RE FAMILIAR WITH. CENTRAL CONFERENCE OF AMERICAN RABBIS, HOUSTON METROPOLITAN MINISTRIES, ADL, AND I COULD GO ON AND ON. BULLET HIS LOSS WILL BE HEALTH ACROSS OUR COMMUNITY AND THOSE CONGREGATIONS AND SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE THAT HE TOUCHED WILL CARRY ON HIS LESSONS, COMMITMENT TO SERVE, AND LOVE FOR ALL PEOPLE. HE WAS PARTICULARLY GRACIOUS TO ME. OUR SON WAS A STUDENT AT THE BECKER SCHOOL.
HIS BIRTHDAY FELL AT A TIME WHEN WE COULDN'T GET HIM INTO PUBLIC SCHOOL SOON ENOUGH, SO I WAS GLAD, HE DIDN'T STAND OUT BEING A LITTLE BLACK KID AT THE JEWISH PRE-K, AND HE WAS THERE WHEN SEPTEMBER 11TH, 2001 AT 7:46 IN THE MORNING WHEN 2977 PEOPLE LOST THEIR LIVES, THAT TRAGIC, THOSE PLANES THAT LANDED. BUT RABBI WAS JUST SO KIND. I KNOW THAT TWO PEOPLE HERE, ONE WHO I KNEW WELL AND TALKS ALL THE TIME, I'VE NEVER SEEN HIM SHUT UP, AND I KNOW HE SPOKE AT THE RABBI'S FUNERAL, BY CLOSE FRIEND DENNIS WHO WAS A BUSINESS PERSON AND HELPED ME DECORATE AND REALLY GOT ME INTO ART MANY YEARS AGO WHEN HE WAS MY NEIGHBOR, AND ALSO RABBI PAM. DENNIS, GO AHEAD AND SAY SOMETHING. YOU KNOW YOU'RE GOING TO CALL ME TONIGHT AND
TALK ANYWAY. >> JUST SAY THANK YOU.
>> I JUST WANTED SOMETHING FROM THE ENTIRE COURT, NOT JUST FROM ME. IT'S SUCH A HISTORIC PLACE HE SERVED AS A RABBI FOR SO MANY YEARS, AND I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT YOU GET ONE WITH ALL OF OUR NAMES ON IT, SO THANK YOU FOR COMING AND WE'LL MISS HIM.
ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU, AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR SHARING THE RABBI WITH US. THANK YOU SO MUCH. I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NEXT.
>> THANK YOU. I AM EXCITED TO PRESENT THIS RESOLUTION, AND I WOULD ASK THE DIRECTOR TO COME TO THE PODIUM AND I THINK WE'RE ALSO JOINED BY TOMMY WARD AND CHRISTOPHER VIERA. TOMMY IS THE DIRECTOR OF FLEET SERVICES AND CHRISTOPHER IS THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY. I WANT TO CONGRATULATION UNIVERSAL SERVICE FOR RECEIVING YOUR THIRD NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FLEET ADMINISTRATORS AWARD. THIS IS, AND THE FOURTH NATIONAL AWARD OVERALL IN 2025 FOR THE FLEET MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION FROM NAFA. I UNDERSTAND WE'RE NOW RANKED EIGHTH IN NORTH AMERICA,
[06:00:09]
AND IN THE 2025 GARAGE CONTEST. BY THE WAY, THERE'S A CYBER SECURITY CONTEST GOING ON, AND WE'RE GOING TO WIN. BUT THIS AWARD RECOGNIZES SUSTAINABLE FLEET OPERATIONS THAT REDUCE EMISSIONS AND OPERATIONAL IMPACT. WE APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT YOU GUYS ARE DOING IN THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES FLEET HIGHLIGHTS THAT YOU'RE SHARING TODAY, INCLUDING EMISSIONS REDUCTION WITH LOW EMISSIONS VEHICLES, METALS RECYCLING, BATTERY CORE RECYCLING, OIL, ANTIFREEZE, AND WASTE FLUID RECYCLING. SO CONGRATULATIONS, CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU DIRECTOR, AND TO YOUR TEAM AND THE GREEN FLOOR IS YOURS.>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. GOOD AFTERNOON. ON BEHALF OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES, I WANT TO EXTEND OUR SINCEREST APPRECIATION FOR RECOGNIZING US AND OUR FLEET DIVISION TODAY.
THANK YOU SPECIFICALLY TO YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR HAVING THIS RESOLUTION ON THE COURT. THIS AWARD AND TODAY'S RESOLUTION ARE DIRECT RESULTS OF THE STRONG LEADERSHIP AND VISION THAT DIRECTOR TOMMY WARD AND DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF SUSTAINABILITY CHRIS VIERA WHO JOINS ME TODAY. THEY BOTH ARE HERE. AND THE DEDICATED FLEET SERVICES TEAM WHO EXECUTE THIS WORK EVERY DAY. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THIS IS NOT A ONE TIME ACHIEVE. ACHIEVEMENT. IT'S SOMETHING WE PLAN TO CONTINUE.
IT'S A REAL MEASURABLE VALUABLE AS YOU INDICATED.
>> CONTINUE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. A COUPLE OF HIGHLIGHTS I'D LIKE TO BRING UP IS IN TERMS OF EMISSION REDUCTION, LOW EMISSION VEHICLES ARE 10% OF THE COUNTY'S FLEET WITH AN ECOSYSTEM OF COUNTY OWNED CHARGING POINTS AND PUBLIC CHARGING ACCESS AND SUCCESSFULLY HAVING COMPLETED AN ANTIIDLING PILOT. IN TERMS OF METAL RECYCLING, INTEGRATIVE PROCEDURES REDUCED LANDFILL WASTE AND ENABLED THE CONNECTION OF MORE THAN 174,000-POUNDS OF MIXED METALS FROM RECYCLING IN 2025. BATTERY CORE RECYCLING, AGAIN, BATTERY RECYCLING IS NOW MANDATORY CONTRACT REQUIRED PROCESS WITH MORE THAN 220 BATTERIES RECYCLED MONTHLY ACROSS OUR EIGHT VEHICLE MAINTENANCE AREAS. WHAT I WANTED TO EMPHASIZE IS WE LOOK AT OUR KPI'S VERY CLOSELY AND SERIOUSLY, AND ALL OF THAT IS DONE BY THE TALENTED GENTLEMEN AT THE BACK, SO I WOULD LIKE TO INVITE THEM TO SPEAK IF THEY'D
>> THANK YOU. GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
CHRIS VIERA, DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND EV IN HARRIS COUNTY UNIVERSAL SERVICES. AGAIN, THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THIS STARTED HERE FROM YOUR VISION, AND WE'RE PROUD TO SAY WE WERE ABLE TO DELIVER ON THAT VISION AND WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED. THESE ARE THREE AWARDS, AND WE DID RANK TOP GOVERNMENT AWARD BY PLUG IT IN AMERICA. SO WE'RE SHOWING STRIDE BY STRIDE. SUSTAINABILITY FOR US IS NOT JUST ABOUT REDUCING EMISSIONS, WHICH IS IN OUR CLIMATE ACTION PLAN AND WE'RE ALL COMMITTED TO, BUT IT IS ALSO BY IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY OF OUR FLEET, BRINGING DOWN THOSE LINE ITEM COSTS LIKE FUEL. IMAGINE EVERY PERCENTAGE WE REDUCE IN EMISSIONS IS A PERCENTAGE OF THE MONEY WE SPEND ON FUEL, AND WE'RE ALSO IMPROVING SAFETY. SAFETY IS THE ONE AREA THAT'S PROBABLY THE HIGHEST RISK FOR ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS. THE ABILITY FOR US TO IMPROVE DRIVER ABILITY AND SAFETY, THAT IS TAKEN US NEXT STEP THAT WE CAN DRIVE AND IMPROVE DRIVER BEHAVIOR SAFETY AND BRING DOWN THAT RISK OF ACCIDENTS AND IMPROVE OUR REPUTATION FOR CONSTITUENTS,
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> AND LET ME JUST SAY, I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, JOSE JIMENEZ IN PARTICULAR BECAUSE HE GOT US
[06:05:02]
STARTED ON THE CLEAN EMISSIONS VEHICLES OR GREEN VEHICLES AND THEN YOUR GUY RAY GOT US THE FIRST ELECTRIC CHARGING STATION.SO THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU GUYS DO. THIS IS A NEW DIMENSION OF THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY, BUT ONE THAT'S CATCHING ON. I APPRECIATE Y'ALL BEING AT THE FOREFRONT. OUR PARKS DEPARTMENT ALSO HAS TRANSITIONED THEIR CHAIN SAWS AND EVERYTHING ELSE TO BATTERY POWERED TOOLS, AND OUR PARK VEHICLES ARE ALMOST ENTIRELY ELECTRIC VEHICLES. SO IT JUST MAKES A LOT OF SENSE, AND I'M VERY PROUD OF THE WORK THEY'VE DONE, BUT COLLECTIVELY I'M PROUD OF THE COUNTY FOR THE LEADERSHIP YOU GUYS ARE PROVIDING. ONLY ONE QUESTION FOR YOU CHRIS, WHAT PART OF CROCKETT, TEXAS ARE YOU FROM? THAT ACCENT?
>> I'M ORIGINALLY FROM TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO.
>> THANK YOU. AND GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER. RIGHT, RIGHT. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? ALL RIGHT, CONGRATULATIONS, AND THANK YOU. WE'LL MOVE ON TO ANOTHER COMMISSIONER GARCIA
RESOLUTION. >> YES, JANUARY 9TH IS NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY. A DAY THAT'S ACTUALLY SET ASIDE TO RECOGNIZE MEN AND WOMEN WHO PLACE SERVICE ABOVE SELF TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE. SO I WANT TO BEGIN BY THANKING ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT, SHERIFFS, CONSTABLES, LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS, YOU KNOW, ALL THE SURROUNDING AGENCIES. THERE'S ABOUT 80 SOME ODD HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. OUR FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE THAT'S NOW RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF THE ACCREDITED AGENCIES, THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ALSO HAS INVESTIGATORS. THIS IS ALL PART OF THE FRATERNITY OF MEN AND WOMEN THAT SERVE OUR COUNTY, STATE, AND COUNTRY WITH DEDICATION AND COURAGE. TODAY WE ARE ESPECIALLY RECOGNIZING A COUPLE OF DEPUTIES. JOSHUA BLAIR AND LOUIS AELLA. WILL YOU GUYS COME DOWN? SORRY Y'ALL HAVE BEEN SITTING THERE FOR AWHILE, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE. IN THE EARLY MORNING HOURS OF FEBRUARY 2025 OF LAST YEAR THESE DEPUTIES RESPONDED TO A LIFE THREATENING CALL INVOLVING A WRONG WAY DRIVER ON I-10. IT WAS UNDER DANGEROUS CONDITIONS BECAUSE IT WAS HEAVY FOG THAT NIGHT. RATHER THAN DISENGAGE, THE DEPUTIES PLACED THEMSELVES DIRECTLY IN HARM'S WAY SLOWING THE DRIVER TO PROTECT COUNTLESS OF OTHER MOTORISTS. DESPITE THEIR EFFORTS, THEIR PATROL UNIT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON. EVEN WHILE INJURED THEMSELVES, THEY IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE TO CHECK ON THE OTHER DRIVER PUTTING DUTY, PROFESSIONALISM, AND HUMANITY FIRST. DEPUTY BLAIR, A FIELD TRAINING OFFICER, REPRESENTS THE EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP THAT STRENGTHENS THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. DEPUTY AELLA, A RECENT ACADEMY GRADUATE, DO THEY SKILL CALL YOU ROOKIE?
>> YES. >> SHOWS THE NEXT GENERATION THAT EMBODIES COURAGE AND PROFESSIONALISM. THEY REMIND US THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION IS NOT SYMBOLIC, IT IS EARNED EVERY DAY THROUGH QUIET COURAGE, SPLIT SECOND DECISIONS, AND PERSONAL RISKS. AS WE MARK NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT APPRECIATION DAY, FIRST RECOGNIZED IN 2016, WE HONOR NOT ONLY THESE TWO DEPUTIES, BUT EVERY OFFICER WHO PUTS THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY EVERY DAY THAT THEY PUT ON THEIR BADGE AND GUN AND UNIFORMS. THANK YOU TO THE DEPUTIES AND ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT PROFESSIONALS FOR YOUR DEDICATION, SACRIFICE, AND UNWAVERING COMMITMENT TO YOUR COMMUNITY.
THAT BELONGS TO ONE OF Y'ALL. THAT'S YOURS? THAT'S THE REAL
[06:10:01]
ROOKIE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON . BRIEFLY I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT, IT MEANS A LOT.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR RECOGNIZING US. IT'S GREATLY
APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.
>> JUST AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME, I REALLY APPRECIATE
IT. >> TYPICAL COPS OF SHORT WORDS,
MAN. WHEN DID YOU COME ON? >> IT WAS 2018, OCTOBER.
>> 2018. AND YOU JUST CAME ON? >> I DID. I GRADUATED DECEMBER
2025 2025. >> WOW, WOW. WELL, YOU'RE MAKING ME FEEL ANCIENT. I GRADUATED IN 1980, SO I'M KIND OF A DINOSAUR. BUT LISTEN, GUYS, THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING THE TRADITION OF PROFESSIONALISM, DUTY, DEDICATION, OF COURAGE.
IT'S WHAT WE NEED FROM OUR MEN AND WOMEN, AND THAT'S WHY I'M ALWAYS HONORED TO SUPPORT YOU IN ANY POSSIBLE WAY. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AN INCREDIBLE EXAMPLE TO
OTHERS. >> THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. AND TO ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FAMILY YOU MENTIONED, COMMISSIONER, WE'RE REALLY RECOGNIZING EVERYBODY AND THESE FOLKS ARE GREAT SYMBOLS OF THAT. COMMISSIONER -- OH, COMMISSIONER
BRIONES. >> YES, THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON AND THANK YOU TO THE OFFICERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND ALL OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE AND TO THE FAMILIES BECAUSE WE KNOW IT'S A FAMILY AFFAIR AND SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO, GOD
SPEED. >> YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> I HAD ONE MORE IF I MAY HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. I DO WANT TO PIGGYBACK ON EARLIER WE HAD SOMEONE SPEAK ON MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH. TODAY WE RECOGNIZE THE MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH AND THE MANY MUSLIM RESIDENTS WHO HAVE LONG HELPED SHAPE HARRIS COUNTY. MUSLIM CITIZENS OF HOUSTON CONTRIBUTE TO THE COUNTY LIFE AS HEALTH WORKERS, EDUCATORS, FIRST RESPONDERS, SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS, AND PUBLIC SERVANTS. AND HONESTLY, ONE OF MY FAVORITE CONTRIBUTIONS IS THE HALAL FOOD. I HAD LUNCH TODAY THANKS TO REZA'S PERSIAN RESTAURANT. THERE'S NEVER ANYTHING LEFT AFTER STAFF GETS TO IT. BUT ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY, MOSQUES AND ISLAMIC CENTERS ARE MORE THAN PLACES OF WORSHIP. THEY SERVE AS FOOD DISTRIBUTION SITES, DISASTER RESPONSE PARTNERS, YOUTH CENTERS, AND COMMUNITY ANCHORS. THAT INCLUDES A ROBUST MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND INSTITUTIONS LIKE THE CLEAR LAKE ISLAMIC CENTER THAT'S LONG SUPPORTED SERVICE, EDUCATION, AND CIVIC ENGAGEMENT. HARRIS COUNTY IS STRONGEST WHEN EVERY COMMUNITY IS SEEN, VALUED, AND PROTECTED. AND THAT INCLUDES STANDING CLEARLY AGAINST ISLAMOPHOBIA, HATE, AND DISCRIMINATION, ALL WHICH HAVE ZERO PLACE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS REDS RESOLUTION IS ABOUT BELONGING. IT RECOGNIZES MUSLIM-AMERICANS ARE NEIGHBORS, PARENTS, AND LEADERS WHO HELP MAKE THE COUNTY WORK. AS WE APPROACH RAMADAN, I LOOK FORWARD TO HOSTING MARCH 4TH AT THE SEVEN BEACH PAVILION. IT GOES ON WITH NO HITCH AT A TIME WHEN HARMFUL RHETORIC SEEKS TO DIVIDE, HARRIS COUNTY CHOOSES TO RECOGNIZE CONTRIBUTIONS, AFFIRM DIGNITY, AND BUILD BRIDGES. AND I WANT TO SHARE A QUICK STORY. WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, I WAS SERVING WITH COUNCILMEMBER KHAN, AND THAT'S WHERE I BEGAN TO LEARN ABOUT RAMADAN. HE WAS EXPLAINING IT TO ME, SO I SAID I WANT TO TRY. I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN PARTICIPATE IN THAT EXPERIENCE. HE SAID IT'S SIMPLE. YOU JUST DON'T EAT ALL DAY, DON'T DRINK ANYTHING ALL DAY, AND THEN AT THE EVENING HOUR WHEN THE SUN SETS YOU CAN HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT. I SAID OKAY. AND ANYBODY WHO KNOWS ME KNOW THAT I ALWAYS HAVE A CUP OF COFFEE IN MY HAND ALL DAY LONG, SO IT WAS TOUGH FOR ME. SO BY THE END OF THE DAY, WE'RE BREAKING THE FAST, AND HE SAYS HOW ARE YOU DOING? I SAID MAN, I'M HURTING. I'VE GOT A HEADACHE. AND HE GOES WHAT DID YOU EAT FOR BREAKFAST? I SAID BREAKFAST? YOU SAID YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO EAT. HE SAID OH, WELL, YOU CAN EAT BEFORE SUNRISE. I'M LIKE MAN, YOU
[06:15:01]
DIDN'T GIVE ME THAT SECRET! BUT NOW I KNOW HOW YOU DO RAMADAN APPROPRIATELY. SO HAPPY MUSLIM-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH.>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
>> YES, SOME MONTHS AGO WE PARTNERED WITH CRIME STOPPERS.
AND IN MANY OF OUR PARKS, WE HAVE 70 SOME ODD PARKS, WE BEGAN TO PUT BENCHES AS A PART OF THE WE REMEMBER PROJECT. THESE BENCHES ARE PUT THERE FOR FAMILIES TO GO REMEMBER LOVED ONES WHO IN MANY CASES DIED VERY VIOLENTLY, BUT IT GIVES A COMMON AND PEACEFUL PLACE FOR PEOPLE AND SOME FAMILIES TO COME, AND IT MEANS A LOT TO THE FAMILIES. I ATTENDED THE FUNERAL OF A FATHER WHO'S BENCH, HIS SON'S BENCH IS IN ONE OF OUR PARKS.
AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT THESE FOLKS WHO HAVE GONE THROUGH THESE TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES, THEY TRULY HAVE A BOND THAT'S UNHEARD OF. I'M TRULY PLEASED WE'RE ABLE TO DO THAT IN OUR COUNTY PARKS, AND I'M GOING TO RECOGNIZE ANOTHER BENCH TO BE PUT IN PLACE ON JANUARY 28TH AND IT'S GOING TO HONOR FELICIA NICOLE NUEZ. SHE WAS BORN IN 1982 IN HOUSTON, TEXAS, AND ENTERED THE WORLD FILLING HER FAMILY'S HOME WITH HAPPINESS AND LOVE. FROM AN EARLY AGE SHE LOVED SCHOOL, SHE WOULD OFTEN TALK OF BECOMING A TEACHER WHEN SHE GREW UP, AND SHE WAS AN HONOR ROLL STUDENT AND MENTOR TO HER FELLOW CLASSMATES. HER YOUNG LIFE, AT THE AGE OF 17, WAS TRAGICALLY TAKEN BY THREE VERY EVIL PEOPLE. WHILE PARTS OF THIS CASE HAVE BEEN SOLVED, THERE'S STILL ONE DESPICABLE MURDERER AT LARGE. SO THE HURT CONTINUES.
AND REALLY NO PARENT SHOULD HAVE TO ENDURE THE UNRELENTING PAIN OF LOSING A CHILD AND WE'LL NEVER STOP FIGHTING FOR HER AND WE'LL HONOR HER FOR THE MARK SHE MADE ON COUNTLESS LIVES THROUGH THE WE REMEMBER MEMORIAL. IN HER HONOR WE CONTINUE TO PURSUE JUSTICE FOR THE INNOCENT AND SHOW THEM COMPASSION WHICH SHE HAD SHOWED TO SO MANY OTHERS. IN THE BENCHES THERE'S ALSO A PLAQUE THAT GOES THERE WITH A QR CODE THAT WHOEVER SITS AT THAT BENCH, THEY CAN READ ABOUT HER LIFE AND BE ENCOURAGED BY THIS YOUNG LADY WHO DIED MANY YEARS AGO, BUT WE'RE GOING TO REMEMBER HER, AND IT MEANS, I THINK, A LOT.
ANDY, WOULD YOU COME JUST SAY, SPEAK A MINUTE IN TERMS OF WHAT THIS PROGRAM IS AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE
THAT WE REMEMBER? >> THANKS COMMISSIONER, THAT'S THE MOST REST I'VE HAD IN WEEKS. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. IF YOU WERE NOT AWARE, HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY ENTITY IN THE COUNTY THAT'S DOING A PROJECT SUCH AS VICTIMS MEMORIAL BENCHES. NO OTHER COUNTY, NO OTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL. SO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, FOR RECOGNIZING THE PLIGHT OF SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBERS OF HOMICIDE. I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS TO ALSO DO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS DOING IN THEIR PRECINCTS AND IN THEIR COUNTY PARKS AS WELL. AND CRIME STOPPERS WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH YOU IN ENACTING THE SAME TYPE OF WE REMEMBER MEMORIAL BENCHES IN YOUR PRECINCTS. I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU KNOW KERRY AND LOU RUIZ. FELICIA WAS 17 YEARS OLD. SHE WAS MURDERED ON HALLOWEEN EVE. SHE WAS STABBED TO DEATH OVER 39 TIMES. THREE DEFENDANTS.
TWO WERE CONVICTED, ONE IS DISCHARGED HIS SENTENCE. THE OTHER IS STILL IN PRISON. THE MAIN CULPRIT, JESUS SALAZAR FLED TO HIS NATIVE VENEZUELA WHERE HE'S BEEN LIVING FREE, PROTECTED BY THE VENEZUELA GOVERNMENT SINCE 1999. THEY WILL NOT TURN HIM OVER. WE ARE HOPING RIGHT NOW, AND AGAIN I DON'T
[06:20:01]
CARE WHAT ANYBODY'S POLITICS ARE, BUT WE'RE HOPING RIGHT NOW THAT VENEZUELA WILL TAKE SALAZAR IN CUSTODY AND RETURN HIM HERE TO STAND TRIAL FOR THE MURDER OF FELICIA. HE'S BEEN ON THE RUN FOR LONGER THAN SHE WAS ON THIS PLANET, AND IT'S TIME FORJUSTICE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ANDY, THANK YOU SO MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS BEING A STRONG AND LOUD VOICE FOR VICTIMS. IN FACT, I WAS MAKING A NOTE OF SOMETHING EARLIER THIS MORNING, AND IT WAS YOUR NAME I WAS TYPING. I'LL TELL YOU LATER ABOUT WHAT IT IS. BUT LISTEN, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR WHAT YOU DO, BUT WE'VE ALSO BEEN DOING MEMORIAL BENCHES AS WELL. IT'S A VERY IMPACTFUL THING FOR THE FAMILIES, AND IT MEANS SOMETHING THAT, YOU KNOW, THEY CAN COME BY AND REFLECT. I REMEMBER WHEN YOU DID THE FIRST ONE OVER AT ALLEN PARKWAY. SO IT'S A REALLY, IT'S A REALLY IMPORTANT THING BECAUSE PEOPLE WHO DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS, SOMETIMES BECOME CURIOUS AND BEGIN TO RESEARCH WHAT THE, WHAT THE NAME WAS OR WHAT THE EVENT WAS, AND IT BRINGS A LOT OF AWARENESS TO THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES, BUT ALSO THE NEED TO SUPPORT OUR VICTIMS SO THEY CAN HAVE JUSTICE. SO I APPRECIATE YOU, ANDY. THANK YOU
FOR BEING THAT LEADER. >> YEAH, I'VE ALWAYS HAD A SAYING THAT CRIME VICTIMS ARE THE ONLY UNWILLING PARTICIPANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. IT'S THE LEAST WE CAN DO TO GIVE DIGNITY AND RESPECT TO THOSE WHO LOST THEIR LIVES AT THE HANDS OF OTHER INDIVIDUALS, SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> YES, I HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS.
FIRST 381, A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING JANUARY 19TH, 2016 AS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND I WANT TO THANK MY FOUR COLLEAGUES WHO ALL JOINED IN ON THIS RESOLUTION. AS WE PLAN FOR MLK JR. DAY, IT'S THE ONLY FEDERAL HOLIDAY THAT'S HONORED AS A DAY OF SERVICE. SO AS WE PREPARE OURSELVES, I HOPE WE CAN PREPARE OURSELVES IN THAT SPIRIT OF SERVICE IN THE FIGHT FOR JUSTICE AND EQUALITY THAT DR. KING STOOD FOR. WE KNOW HIM FOR HIS WORK OVERSEEING THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT, HELPING FORM THE SOUTHERN CHRISTIAN LEADER CONFERENCE, AND OF COURSE LEADING THE 1963 MARCH ON WASHINGTON. HIS WORK LED TO THE PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964, THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 65, AND THE FAIR HOUSING ACT OF 68 THAT CHANGED THIS COUNTRY FOREVER. SO AS WE PREPARE FOR MLK DAY, AND AS WE CELEBRATE IT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO LEAN IN IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND PLACE OF WORSHIP TO DO SOMETHING. AS MICHELLE OBAMA SAID, WE ALL NEED TO DO SOMETHING TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ADVANCING JUSTICE. SO WE'VE DONE COMMUNITY BEAUTIFYING, TREE PLANTINGS, AND JOB FAIRS, SERVICE FAIRS, AND WE INVITE YOU THIS JANUARY 17TH AT BALEN COMMUNITY CENTER, WE'VE PARTNERED WITH OVER 30 ORGANIZATIONS FOR A JOB AND RESOURCE FAIR. WE'VE PARTNERED WITH THE CLERKS OFFICE, ELECTIONS OFFICE, GOODWILL, REALLY LEANING IN TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO FOR THE COMMUNITY AND TAKING A STEP BACK, I WAS REFLECTING THIS MORNING WHEN WE HONORED OUR FORMER COUNTY ATTORNEY MENEFEE, AND I LOVE SO MANY OF DR. KING'S WORDS, BUT ONE I THINK OF AWESOME IS THE ARC OF THE MORAL UNIVERSE IS LONG, BUT IT BENDS TOWARDS JUSTICE. SO IT'S UP FOR US TO GET ON THAT ARC AND BEND WHICHEVER WAY WE CAN. WITH THAT, HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT HEREBY RESPECTFULLY RECOGNIZES JANUARY 19TH, 2026 AS MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. DAY, AND WE HAVE OUR ONE AND ONLY NAACP BOARD CHAIRMAN JAMES DIXON HERE TO SPEAK AS WELL AS JUDSON ROBINSON III FROM HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. WE INVITE YOU TO
[06:25:03]
COME UP. I BELIEVE JUDSON MAY HAVE HAD TO LEAVE. I KNOW IT'S BEEN A LONG DAY. BUT BISHOP DIXON, IF YOU'D PLEASE HONOR USWITH YOUR POWERFUL WORDS. >> BISHOP, WOULD YOU READ HIS REMARKS? THAT MIGHT BE NICE. I'LL PASS THEM TO YOU.
>> YES, I'LL READ THEM. >> JUDSON SAID I STRONGLY SUPPORT THE RESOLUTION TO RECOGNIZE JANUARY 19TH, 2026 AS MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY. NOW MORE THAN EVER IT'S IMPORTANT TO RECOGNIZE THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF DR. KING AND HIS VALUE TO ANY MARGINALIZED COMMUNITY AND TO SOCIETY AS A WHOLE. HOUSTON IS A STRONGER CITY THANKS TO DR. KING AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT OF THE 1960S. ALMOST 70 YEARS AGO, THE CIVIL RIGHTS COMMUNITY AND BUSINESS COMMUNITY SAT DOWN HERE IN HOUSTON TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD CONTINUE TO PROTECT THE ECONOMIC PROSPERITY OF THIS GROWING AND DYNAMIC CITY WHILE ENSURING THAT ALL PEOPLE COULD HAVE OPPORTUNITY AND ACCESS TO EQUALITY. MANY WERE INVOLVED IN CIVIL UNREST AND RIOTS DUE TO THE KILLING OF EMMETT TILL AND ROSA PARKS. DR. KING ALONG WITH LEADERS OF THE DAY LIKE REVEREND BILL LAWSON, CURTIS GRAVES, AND OTHER BRIDGE BUILDERS FROM THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT IN HOUSTON WERE EVENTUALLY HAPPY WITH THE RHYTHM OF INCLUSION AND DIVERSITY THAT EVENTUALLY BECAME OUR STRENGTH AS BOTH A STRONG ECONOMIC CITY AND A JUST CITY.
THIS IS A REMINDER OF THEIR COURAGE AND SACRIFICE FOR COMMUNITY PROGRESS. IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THE DREAMER AND THE DREAM. SIGNED JUDSON ROBINSON III PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE.
>> THANK YOU FOR READING HIS COMMENTS, AND WHAT ABOUT YOURS?
>> THANK YOU, I COULD JUST LET JUDSON STAND FOR OURS AS WELL.
VERY WELL WRITTEN. I HOPE I DID IT JUSTICE READING IT. I AM HONORED TO BE HERE ON BEHALF OF THE HOUSTON CHAPTER OF THE NAACP AND OUR FAITH COMMUNITY. WE ALL WORK TOGETHER TRYING TO MAKE HOUSTON THE BETTER PLACE WE BELIEVE IT ALL COULD BE. DR.
KING IS WIDELY KNOWN, AS WE ALL KNOW, FOR HIS I HAVE A DREAM SPEECH AND KEEPING THE DREAM ALIVE IS A LOT OF WHAT WE HEAR.
BUT I WANT TO SHARE WITH US THAT EVEN LOOMING LARGER THAN DR.
KING'S DREAM WAS HIS VISION. AND MOST PEOPLE DON'T TALK ABOUT HIS VISION, WHICH WAS HE WAS COMMITTED TO BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY. HE WRITES ON THE CONTEXT OF WHAT WE COULD BECOME IF WE COMMIT TO BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY. AND I WANT TO GIVE, I WANT TO GIVE SIGNIFICANT EMPHASIS TO THAT TODAY BECAUSE HE TALKED ABOUT FROM CHAOS TO COMMUNITY. AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE TIMES WE'RE IN TODAY, THE NAACP IS COMMITTED, HOPEFULLY WITH ALL OF US, TO REINSPIRING THIS GENERATION TO COLLECTIVELY COME TO THE TABLE AS ARCHITECTS OF THIS TIME. TO SUGGEST IF WE PUT FORTH THE COLLECTIVE EFFORT, THE COLLECTIVE HEART AND MIND, WE NOW ARE AT THE HELM. WE LAUD DR.
KING'S ACCOMPLISHMENTS AND ARE INSPIRED BY HIS VALUES AND PRINCIPLES, BUT THE REALITY IS HE'S NO LONGER HERE. THEY INSPIRE THE LEGACY, BUT WE NOW ARE HERE. AND THE QUESTION IS WILL HISTORY RECORD THOSE OF US ON THE LEADERSHIP WATCH TODAY HAD HAD THE COURAGE TO MUSTER, TO COLLECTIVELY COME TOGETHER AND ASSERT OURSELVES TO BECOME BUILDERS OF THE BELOVED
[06:30:02]
COMMUNITY? COUPLE QUOTES OF DR. KING. ONE IS THIS, AND THAT IS LOVE IS IS THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE. THE GREATEST FORCE IN THE UNIVERSE. AND THOSE WHO LOVE BECOME IMENING AS AND PARTICIPANTS IN THE BEING OF GOD. ALL OF US ARE CHALLENGED AND ASK OURSELVES HOW STRONG IS OUR LOVE ETHIC? BECAUSE HE ALSO SAID JUSTICE IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE IN PUBLIC. JUSTICE IS WHAT LOVE LOOKS LIKE IN PUBLIC. DR. KING ALSO SAID THAT THE ULTIMATE MEASURE OF A PERSON IS NOT WHERE HE OR SHE STANDS IN TIMES OF COMFORT OR CONVENIENCE, BUT IN CHALLENGE AND CONTROVERSY. WE'RE IN SUCH TIMES NOW. AND I THINK DR. KING'S LEGACY WOULD URGE US TO ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND PART WITH THINGS THAT SEPARATE US AND DIVIDE US AND UNITE ON THINGS COMMON TO US. A SAFE CITY, A SAFE COUNTY, A SAFE AND JUST CITY AND COUNTY AND UNDERSTAND THE ULTIMATE MODEL FOR DR. KING WAS HIS LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WHO SAID LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. AND THE QUESTION FOR US IS DO WE LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS SELECTIVELY OR LOVE OUR NEIGHBORS INDISCRIMINATELY. THAT WAS HIS ADVOCACY. ON BEHALF OF THE NAACP, WE'RE SUGGESTING TODAY THAT WE NEED TO RETURN TO CIVIL DISCOURSE TO SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE OF BROTHER HOOD AND I MIGHT SAY SISTER HOOD FOR US TO SEE EACH OTHER AS ONE FAMILY WITH ONE FUTURE. ULTIMATELY THEN WE BECOME GOD'S REPRESENTATIVES IN THE POSITIONS WE HOLD, AND WHEN WE SEE DR. KING, WE'LL BE ABLE TO REPORT WE CONTINUE BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY HE STARTED AND ONE DAY SOMEONE WILL BE ABLE TO SAY ALL OF US, BLACK, WHITE, BROWN, AND OTHERWISE ACROSS THE CITY, STATION, NATION AND WORLD AREINDEED FREE AT LAST. >> THANK YOU.
>> AMEN, BISHOP. AMEN. >> I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER HAS
ANOTHER RESOLUTION? >> YES, MY SECOND AND FINAL RESOLUTION IS ITEM 382, RECOGNIZING JANUARY 27TH, 2026 AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. JANUARY 27TH IS OBSERVED EACH YEAR AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY MARKING THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE LIBERATION OF AUSCHWITZ, THE LARGEST EXTERMINATION CAMP WHERE OVER 1 MILLION INNOCENT LIVES WERE LOST. TODAY WE HONOR THE 6 MILLION JEWS AND MILLIONS OF OTHERS MURDERED BY THE NAZIS DURING THE HOLOCAUST. HARRIS COUNTY CONDEMNS ANTISEMITISM.
HARRIS COUNTY CONDEMNS ALL FORMS OF HATE, BIGOTRY, AND DISCRIMINATION. HARRIS COUNTY IS A PLACE OF TOLERANCE. SO WE RECOGNIZE INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY AS A DAY WE CAN REMEMBER FROM THE PAST AND COMMIT OURSELVES TO NEVER REPEATING IT. IT IS ONE OF THE JEWELS OF HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY IS OUR HOUSTON HOLOCAUST MUSEUM ESTABLISHED IN 1996, WHICH IS DEDICATED TO THE EDUCATION AND PRESERVATION OF THE MEMORY SO THAT FUTURE GENERATIONS WILL NEVER FALL INTO THE DANGERS AND GRIPS OF PREJUDICE, AUTHORITARIANISM, AND INJUSTICE, AND CURRENT GENERATIONS TO OUR LAST RESOLUTION ABOUT MLK DAY. THIS IS A TIME WE MUST UNITE AND EMBRACE LOVE, TOLERANCE, PEACE, AND UNITY. I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR OUR KNEW SEMI. AND TEACH US TO BE -- THANK YOU BEING BEING HERE AND YOUR PATIENCE TODAY, AND IT IS WITH GREAT PRIDE THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT RECOGNIZES JANUARY 17TH, 2016 AS INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.
[06:35:03]
>> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS HANS, AND I'M A MEMBER OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON. I'M A HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR, ESCAPING BY IMMIGRATING FROM GERMANY WITH MY FAMILY IN AUGUST 1939, VERY CLOSE TO THE BEGINNING OF THE WAR. IN BOTH OF THOSE CAPACITIES, THOUGH, I AM HONORED TODAY TO EXPRESS APPRECIATION TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR RECOGNIZING THE ANNIVERSARY OF INTERNATIONAL HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY WITH YOUR INSPIRING RESOLUTION. THEREBY TEACHING THE LESSONS OF THE HOLOCAUST ACROSS GENERATIONS, AND BY CONFRONTING THE ONGOING CHALLENGE OF HATE AND ANTISEMITISM AS YOU MENTIONED. YOUR RESOLUTION MAKES A STRONG, POSITIVE STATEMENT AND PLEASE VISIT OUR MUSEUM FOR A TOUR IF YOU HAVEN'T.
>> THANK YOU. TO YOU AND ALL SURVIVORS, OUR PROFOUND RESPECT.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> NO, PLEASE, PLEASE.
>> COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY AND FOR THIS RESOLUTION. I'M THE CEO OF HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON. JANUARY 27TH MARKS THE LIBERATION AND IS RECOGNIZED GLOBALLY AS HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY. BY AFFIRMING THIS DATE, YOU HONOR THE MEMORY OF THE 6 MILLION JEWS KILLED IN THE HOLOCAUST ALONG WITH MILLIONS OF OTHERS VICTIMS OF NAZI PERSECUTION AND AFFIRMS THE LESSONS HISTORY DEMANDS OF US.
AT HOLOCAUST MUSEUM HOUSTON, WE FRAME IT THAT IT WASN'T INEVITABLE, THAT DECISIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES, AND THAT UNCHECKED HATE LEADS TO VIOLENCE. THESE ARE NOT ABSTRACT IDEAS. THEY ARE WARNINGS WRITTEN INTO HISTORY AND REMAIN DEEPLY RELEVANT TODAY. RECOGNIZING THIS DAY IS NOT ONLY AN ACT OF MEMORY, IT'S A CIVIL RESPONSIBILITY. IT CALLS ON US TO EDUCATE FUTURE GENERATIONS SO THEY UNDERSTAND THEIR CHOICES MATTER. ON BEHALF OF OUR SURVIVORS, THEIR DESCENDANTS, EDUCATORS, AND SUPPORTERS, THANK YOU FOR THIS RESOLUTION AND FOR HARRIS COUNTY'S MORAL LEADERSHIP. BY REMEMBERING TOGETHER WE CHOOSE RESPONSIBILITY OVER INDIFFERENCE AND HUMANITY OVER HATE.
>> THANK YOU. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU SO MUCH
COMMISSIONER, GARCIA. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD. AND I JUST AM AMAZED BY THE CREATIVITY PEOPLE HAD TO COME UP WITH THIS SURVIVE AND SAVE LIVES. WHEN I TOOK OVER THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I WANTED TO TRY TO REMIND US WHAT OUR COMMISSION WAS. AND SO ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I DID WAS WORK TO HAVE MY NEW ADVISORS GO THROUGH THE HOLOCAUST MUSEUM. I HEAR FROM MANY WHO STILL REFLECT ON THAT. SO I AM, I'M THANKFUL Y'ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BE SUPPORTERS OF CREATING THOUGHT LEADERS BECAUSE THAT RESPONSIBILITY IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S ALSO ONE THAT SHOULDN'T BE MISAPPLIED. AGAIN TO ALL SURVIVORS AND ANYONE WHO'S NOT YET BEEN TO ISRAEL, I HOPE YOU GET THERE. I HOPE YOU GO SEE THE, THE CHILDREN'S MEMORIAL BECAUSE THERE'S NOTHING MORE POWERFUL. AS MUCH AS I HAD HEARD OF THE HOLOCAUST, THE IDEA OF CHILDREN DIDN'T REALLY REGISTER. BUT WHEN YOU WALK INTO
[06:40:04]
THAT MEMORIAL AND SEE ALL THOSE TINY SHOES AND THOSE CLOTHING ARTICLES, IT JUST HITS YOU LIKE, NOT A TON OF BRICKS BUT LIKE TEN TONS OF BRICKS TO KNOW THERE WAS JUST INDISCRIMINATE HATE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL IT. EVIL. THAT IS WILLING TO TAKE THE LIVES OF AN ADULT, OF A CHILD, MUCH LESS AN ADULT. SO THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS KEEPING US CENTERED BECAUSE THIS IS ONE EXPERIENCE WE CAN'T FORGET. SOMETIMES I WORRY WE'RE GETTING A LITTLE BACK TO MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION. SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU ALL. AND WHEN I VISITED THE LAST TIME, IT'S NICE TO HAVE YOU ALL, I ASKED WHAT'S LIKE THE EASIEST WAY TO CONVEY, LIKE TO SAY TO A YOUNG PERSON WHAT WE'RE TRYING TO PROMOTE, AND ONE OF THEM SHARED THE PIECE YOU TEACH YOUNG PEOPLE TO BE AN UP STANDER NOT A BYSTANDER, AND I LOVE THAT AND HAVE USED THAT. I THINK IT'S CLEAR, AND I ALSO APPRECIATE, SOMEBODY MENTIONED HOW INSPIRING THE MUSEUM IS IN THAT, YOU KNOW, THERE'S ALWAYS A POSITIVE FORWARD LOOKING, THE THE VISITING EXHIBITS. AND YOU ALSO LEARN ABOUT THE HOLOCAUST AND YOU LEARN ABOUT HOPEFULLY WHAT IT TAKES NOT TO GO IN THAT DIRECTION AGAIN. SO ANYWAY, I REALLY ADMIRE THAT MUSEUM. I REALLY ADMIRE YOUR MUSEUM AND ALL THE FOLKS THAT MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO BE SO WONDERFUL, AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO MAKE SURE WE NEVER FORGET.
>> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SHOULD I JUST ADJOURN THE COURT?
>> YEAH. >> OKAY,
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.