Apr 16, 2026 Commissioners Court

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>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE.

IT IS 9:21:00 A.M., AND I WOULD LIKE TO START THIS APRIL 16TH

[Imam Shaykh Waleed Basyouni of Clear Lake Islamic Center in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 2.]

COMMISSIONERS, DID YOU INVITE SOME GUESTS?

>> I WILL BE INTRODUCING OUR OFFICIANT TODAY ON BEHALF OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE HONORED AND SO PLEASED TO WELCOME TODAY IMAM SHAYKH WALEED BASYOUN TO GIVE THE OPENING PRAYER TODAY. THEY ARE HERE FROM THE CLEAR LAKE AREA. HE IS A RESPECTED ISLAMIC SCHOLAR, EDUCATOR AND COMMUNITY LEADER, KNOWN FOR HIS CLARITY, DEPTH AND PRACTICAL APPROACH TO TEACHING ISLAM.

HE SERVES AS THE A, MA'AM, OF CLEAR LAKE ISLAMIC CENTER.

AND HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN SERVING MUSLIM COMMUNITIES--

>> WE BELIEVE IN RESPECT AND INCLUSION HERE.

HE HOLDS ADVANCED DEGREES IN ISLAMIC STUDIES.

>> MA'AM,, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A STATEMENT YOU NEED TO MAKE IT AT THE DAIS, OR PEOPLE WILL NOT RECORD IT.

FOLKS THAT ARE-- I'M AFRAID THAT WHAT WE ALLOW HERE FROM EITHER SIDE, AND I KNOW THAT IT SOUNDS SILLY.

IF YOU SUPPORT SOMETHING, YOU CAN SNAPE, BUT OTHERWISE, LET'S BE QUIET, IF THERE'S SOMETHING CONGRATULATING SOMEONE, WE WILL CLAP. BUT, MA'AM,, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SAY SOMETHING, YOU CAN APPROACH THE DAIS, AND I CAN GIVE YOU A MINUTE LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE.

JUST MENTION YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD PLEASE.

>> MARY. THIS IS NOT MY ORIGINAL-- MARY SPECK. I AM A CHRISTIAN.

WE ARE NOT ALLOWING ISLAM TO COME INTO OUR NATION AND TAKE OVER. HEAVENLY FATHER WE ASK YOU TO PROTECT THIS NATION, PROTECT THIS CITY.

YOU CAN SEE THEY ARE TAKING OVER.

WE APPRECIATE YOU TO STEP IN AND LET THEM KNOW THAT WE LOVE THE MUSLIM PEOPLE. MUSLIM PEOPLE ARE GREAT.

IT'S INVASIONS THAT WE ARE NOT ALLOWING.

TAKING OVER OUR NATION AND SAYING WE NEED TO BOW DOWN TO A LA, WE ARE NOT DOING IT. WE BOW DOWN TO ONE KING.

AND THERE IS ONLY ONE KING, JESUS CHRIST.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND THANK YOU FOR THAT PRAYER.

WE HAVE A TRADITION OF INVITING FOLKS FROM DIFFERENT FAITHS.

AND ALL KINDS OF FAITHS WILL SPEAK.

SO I ASK YOU TO JUST LISTEN TO YOUR PRAYER AND THAT YOU LET US GO FORWARD WITH THE PRAYER TODAY.

THANK YOU. >> TO ME, RESPECT IS NONNEGOTIABLE FOR ALL PEOPLE. AND I SAY THAT IS A PROUD CHRISTIAN. MY CHRISTIAN FAITH TEACHES RESPECT. SO I WILL CONTINUE.

AND I WELCOME YOU, IMAM SHAYKH WALEED BASYOUN, AND SO DOES COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE REST OF COURT.

HE HOLDS ADVANCED DEGREES IN ISLAMIC STUDIES AND HAS STUDIED UNDER SCHOLARS. HE IS RECOGNIZED FOR HIS EXPERTISE IN ISLAMIC JURISPRUDENCE, FAMILY COUNSELING AND CONTEMPORARY ISSUES. IN ADDITION TO'S LOCAL LEADERSHIP HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND SENIOR INSTRUCTOR WITH AN INSTITUTE WHERE HE HAS TAUGHT THOUSANDS OF STUDENTS NATIONWIDE. HE IS INVOLVED IN SCHOLARLY COUNCILS AND ADVISORY BOARDS, AND TRIBBETT IN TO ISLAMIC RESEARCH AND GUIDANCE ON MODERN-DAY MATTERS.

HE IS KNOWN FOR HIS ABILITY TO CONNECT CLASSIC ISLAMIC KNOWLEDGE WITH REAL-LIFE APPLICATION.

HELPING INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES NAVIGATE THEIR FAITH WITH CONFIDENCE AND BALANCE. HIS LECTURES AND PROGRAMS IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CONTINUE TO INSPIRE AUDIENCES ACROSS DIVERSE COMMUNITIES. IT IS WITH RESPECT THAT WE INVITED YOU HERE TODAY. YOU AND ALL PEOPLE DESERVE RESPECT, AND RESPECT IS NONNEGOTIABLE ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY. SO WOULD YOU PLEASE COME UP AND GRACE US WITH YOUR PRAYER. [APPLAUSE]

>> HONORABLE COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, GOOD MORNING.

AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO OFFER THIS TODAY.

IN THE NAME OF GOD, THE MOST GRACIOUS, THE MOST MERCIFUL.

OH, GOD, LORD OF ALL PEOPLE, AND SUSTAINER OF ALL CREATION, WE COME BEFORE YOU HUMBLY, GRATEFUL FOR THE BLESSINGS OF GATHERING TO SERVICE OF OUR COMMUNITY. WE ASK YOU TO BLESS THIS BODY.

THE COUNTY JUDGE, AND EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF HARRIS COUNTY, WITH WISDOM IN THEIR DELIBERATIONS, CLARITY IN

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AS THEY TAKE UP THE BUSINESS BEFORE THEM, THE POLICIES, THE BUDGET, THE DECISIONS LARGE AND SMALL.

GRANT THEM UNITY WITHOUT AFFIRMATIVE.

LET THEIR WORK REFLECT NOT THE INTEREST OF THE FEW, BUT THE DIGNITY OF EVERY SOUL THAT THEY SERVE.

OH, GOD, YOU HAVE TOLD US IN YOUR SCRIPTURE, OH HUMANITY, WE HAVE CREATED YOU FROM MALE AND FEMALE, AND MADE YOU INTO A NATION OF TRIBES, SO THAT YOU MAY KNOW ONE ANOTHER.

GRANT US THE GRACE TO SEE OUR DIVERSITY, NOT AS A DIVISION, BUT AS MERCY, AND TO BUILD A COUNTRY WHERE EVERY NEIGHBOR, EVERY FAMILY, AND EVERY FAITH IS HONORED.

OH, GOD, YOU HAVE TAUGHT US THAT COMMUNITY CANNOT THRIVE WITHOUT JUSTICE. AND NO JUSTICE CAN STAND WITHOUT MERCY. HELP THOSE LEADERS, HOLD BOTH IN BALANCE. REMIND THEM THAT BEHIND EVERY AGENDA ITEM, IT IS A HUMAN STORY.

BLESS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS, OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS, OUR PUBLIC DEFENDERS, AND EVERY COUNTY EMPLOYEE WHO CARRIES THE WEIGHT OF THE COMMUNITY ON THEIR SHOULDERS.

STRENGTH-- STRENGTHEN THEM. PROTECTED THEM.

REMIND THEM THAT NO GOOD DEED, HOWEVER SMALL, IS EVER LOST IN YOUR SIGHT. AND BLESS THE MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC, WHO HAVE CAME TODAY TO BE HEARD.

THEIR PRESENCE IS NOT AN INTERRUPTION.

IT IS THE VERY POINT OF THIS GATHERING.

O LORD, WE PLAY THAT-- WE PRAY THAT OUR COUNTRY USES STRENGTH, WITH WISDOM, RESTRAINT AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO JUSTICE AND PEACE.

AND THAT OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN SERVICE ARE PROTECTED AND GUIDED TO WHAT IS RIGHT. OH, GOD, KEEP US HONEST, KEEP US JUST, AND NEVER LET TO THE POWER MAKE US FORGET THE PEOPLE THAT IT WAS MEANT TO SERVE. BLESS ALL WHO SERVE HARRIS COUNTY, SEEN AND UNSEEN, ELECTED AND APPOINTED.

UNIFORM AND UNSUNG. ME THEIR WORK MATTER, AND MAY THEY KNOW THAT IT MATTERS. WE ASK ALL OF THIS WITH HUMBLE HEARTS AND HOPEFUL SPIRITS. AMEN.

>> IMAM SHAYKH WALEED BASYOUN, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR PRAYER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYER.

[APPLAUSE] >> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S RECITE PRAYER. >> EVERYONE: I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE UNITED-- TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, INTO 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 THE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND INDIVISIBLE.

[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 4)]

>> ALL RIGHT. WE WILL START WITH SPEAKERS, COLLEAGUES. IF THAT IS OKAY? ALL RIGHT. GO-AHEAD, TIFFANY.

>> J.K. WASHINGTON, ON ITEM 17-428.

CHRISTOPHER JENKINS ON ITEM 134. STEPHANIE ON ITEM 366.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM KEN WASHINGTON.

I'M DUE TO CONCERN FOR OUR COMMUNITY ON ONE OF THE COMMISSIONERS PROPOSALS TO PROHIBIT LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM WORKING WITH FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, SPECIFICALLY ICE. AND 24 YEARS OF LAW-ENFORCEMENT, BETWEEN THE STATE, THE CITY, AND THE COUNTY, HAVE NEVER SEEN GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS CREATE OBSTACLES LIKE NOW TO PROHIBIT LAW-ENFORCEMENT FROM DOING THEIR JOB, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WOULD MAKE OUR COMMUNITY LESS SAFE. THE PUBLIC STATEMENTS I HAVE HEARD FROM THIS COURT HAVE CREATED HYSTERIA, AND MISTRUST, INSTEAD OF UNDERSTANDING OF THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES FROM OUR LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FEDERAL AGENCIES RELATIONSHIP.

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LET THE LAWS AND POLICIES AND CONSTITUTION DICTATE THEIR JOBS, AND NOT YOUR IDEA OF WHAT SHOULD BE DONE.

LET US NOT CREATE CONTINUED ISSUES BETWEEN OUR COMMUNITY BECAUSE OF THE HARMS ACROSS THE BOARD MAKING ISSUES THAT WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE. THANK YOU.

>> THIS IS A FRAUGHT ISSUE, SO I WILL ASK FOLKS TO NOT CLAP OR BOO, IF YOU JUST WANT TO SNAPE-- THERE ARE TWO SIDES TO THIS,

LET'S JUST WORK TOGETHER. >> CHRISTOPHER JENKINS, COMMISSIONER COURT JUDGE. I'M ON AGENDA 134 FOR THE INTER-GOVERNMENT GLOBAL AFFAIRS, PLUS 428 ON ICE.

FOR SOME TIME NOW THE STATE HAS MISLED US AND LET US DOWN.

THEY FAILED US COMPLETELY. THEY ARE UNABLE TO RESTORE IS TO POWERS OF THEIR OFFICE. WE HAVE HAD COVID AND NATURAL DISASTERS, SO I'M ASKING THAT THE IGA WORK FOR THE LEGISLATIVE AGENDA AND MAKE THIS A BETTER PLACE.

MY CONGRESSPERSON... OVERSIGHT OF THE HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, WHICH I'M A PART OF, IT'S JUST A LOT OF IRREGULARITIES GOING ON IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I FEEL LIKE THE AGA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND WORK WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO STEP UP FOR THE PEOPLE AS WELL.

AND WE NEED TO FIGHT THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT FROM DOING HARM TO OUR CITIZENS. SO WE COULD INVOKE THE

AMENDMENT, THE TENTH AMENDMENT. >> THANK YOU.

AND I WILL ENFORCE THE ONE MINUTE RULE.

>> JUDGE, WE DO NOT HAVE CORAM RIGHT NOW.

>> ALL RIGHT. WE NEED TO CALL A

>> OKAY. IT'S 9:34.

COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE HAVE ONE COLLEAGUE WHO IS USUALLY ALWAYS HERE WHO IS OUT, AND OUR OTHER COLLEAGUE IS OUT, HE HAS AN IMPORTANT SPEECH TO GIVE IN ATLANTA. SO WE WILL BE PATIENT.

SOMETIMES-- I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS WHAT YOU WERE DOING, BUT I MIGHT NEED TO RUN TO THE RESTROOM.

SO JUST BE PATIENT WITH US. WE WILL CONTINUE LISTENING TO

THE SPEAKERS. >> STEPHANIE VALDES.

ONE ORTEGA, DR. MELANIE JOHNSON. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS, AND MORNING JUDGE, MY NAME IS STEPHANIE VALDES, I'M AN ORGANIZER WITH THE COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, EQUITY AND... I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 300, 10366.

ONE I FIRST WAS HIRED, THESE ITEMS ARE ONE OF THE FIRST PROJECTS THAT I WAS WORKING ON. I CAME INTO THIS WORK WATCHING MY COLLEAGUES, MANY HERE TODAY AND WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR A LONG TIME. I SAW THE LONG HOURS, ADVOCACY, THE PUSH FOR EQUITY STANDARDS, AND THE EFFORT IT TOOK FOR US TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE THESE FUNDS WERE ALLOCATED IN A WAY THAT WAS PRIORITIZED. LOW TO MODERATE INCOME COMMUNITIES, AND IT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

IT WAS FOUGHT FOR. SO IT'S FRUSTRATING TO BE HERE NOW LOOKED YEARS LATER ASKING FOR BASIC TRANSPARENCY.

WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT PROJECTS ARE MOVING.

SUMMER OUT OF BED, SUMMER IN DESIGN, AND IF YOU ARE IN CONSTRUCTION, BUT WE ARE NOT GIVEN CLEAR TIMELINES OF WHERE THIS IS HAPPENING. AND THAT MATTERS BECAUSE THESE FUNDS HAVE DEADLINES. DEADLINES THAT IF WE DON'T MEET THEM, THE STATE CAN COME AND TAKE THIS MONEY BACK.

AND WE HAVE SEEN HOW THE STATE OPERATES AND WE CANNOT ASSUME--

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JUAN ORTEGA. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF MINORITY CONTRACTORS.

WE STRONGLY SUPPORT HARRIS COUNTIES INITIATIVE TO MODERNIZE COMPLIANCE WITH THE TEXAS LITTLE MILLER ACT.

THIS IS A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS CREATING A MORE TRANSPARENT, CONSISTENT AND FAIR CONTRACTING ENVIRONMENT.

TODAY, INCONSISTENT REQUIREMENTS CREATE CONFUSION, CREATES COST, AND DISCOURAGES SMALL AND MINORITY OWNERS FROM PARTICIPATING. THIS EFFORT DIRECTLY ADDRESSES THOSE BARRIERS. WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S PLAN TO CLEARLY DEFINE WHICH PROJECTS REQUIRE BONDS, CLARIFYING EXCEPTIONS FOR MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS, AND IMPLEMENTING A CENTRALIZED, STANDARDIZED PROCESS FOR MANAGING BONDS ACROSS ALL DEPARTMENTS. JUST AS IMPORTANT AS THE PROPOSED EXCEPTION PROCESS, WHICH ENSURES TRANSPARENCY AND

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

>> GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS COURT, COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO. I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT A THIRD OF OUR CHILDREN ARE NOT ABLE TO READ BY THIRD-GRADE.

I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT THIS PERSISTS FOR 93% OF THE CHILDREN IN TO FIFTH-GRADE. THIS LACK OF LITERACY.

I DON'T HAVE TO TELL YOU THAT ONE IN TEN CHILDREN IN THE COUNTRY THAT ARE ENROLLED IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, RESIDE IN PUBLIC SCHOOL, IN THE STATE OF TEXAS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT.

YOU ALREADY FUNDED US GENEROUSLY WITH ARPA DOLLARS THAT INFORMED THE LEGISLATION OF THE RECOMMENDATION YOU WILL HEAR LATER ON TODAY. I AM A PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COALITION ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE.

THE COMMITTEE YOU SO GENEROUSLY SUPPORTED US WITH TO ENSURE THAT THE ARPA DOLLARS WOULD INFORM BUSINESS ACCELERATOR TO IDENTIFY REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, FAMILIES, COMMUNICATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> AMANDA, ITEMS 307 AND 320, LANCE, ITEMS 307 AND 320.

SAM, JOHN, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GO-AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS AMANDA MCMILLAN, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF UNITED WAY OF GREATER HOUSTON. I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF WORKING FAMILIES WHO NEED GREATER ACCESS TO QUALITY AFFORDABLE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. WHEN CHILDREN FROM ZERO TO FIVE HAVE ACCESS TO QUALITY EDUCATION AND CARE THEY RECEIVE SOCIAL, AND PHYSICAL AND COGNIZANT MILESTONES THAT PREPARE THEM FOR SUCCESS IN SCHOOL AND THE WORKFORCE.

AND WE KNOW THE COST WHEN THEY DO NOT.

IF A CHILD CANNOT READ BY THIRD-GRADE, THEY ARE FOUR TIMES MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL.

LACK OF ACCESS TO THIS CARE IS A BARRIER TO ACHIEVING FINANCIAL STABILITY, WITH 20,000 FAMILIES ON A WAIT-LIST ACROSS THE GULF COAST REGION. TEXAS EMPLOYERS LOSE ALMOST $7.6 BILLION ANNUALLY DUE TO CHILD CARE ABSENTEEISM.

BUT TOGETHER WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THANK YOU FOR CONSIDERING ACTIONS TODAY THAT WILL INCREASE ACCESS TO THE CHILD CARE SYSTEM, ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY OF PROVIDERS-- PROVIDERS TO OFFER HIGH-QUALITY CARE, AND STREAMLINE THE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS THAT PROVIDERS HAVE TO NAVIGATE EVERY DAY. AND ENFORCING THE LONG-TERM ECONOMIC GROWTH FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS LANCE, I'M HERE ABOUT ITEM 307. AROUND 50 YEARS I'VE ENDEAVORED TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN COMMUNITIES THROUGHOUT TEXAS AND HARRIS COUNTY.

ABOUT TEN YEARS AGO I REALIZE THE LESSONS FROM CREATING PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, GROCERY STORES, IT CAN BE APPLIED TO INCREASING THE CAPACITY AND QUALITY OF OUR CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING SYSTEMS AND TAXES. IN 2023 AFTER A STINT AS A PHD STUDENT I JOINED THE STAFF AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS LBJ SCHOOL. I COAUTHORED A FINDING OF INTEREST AND THE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE ALIGNED WITH COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AND SUGGESTED ACCESS AND... EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND ECO-SYSTEM OF CARE. I'M PLEASED TO REPORT THIS COPY TO YOUR OFFICES AND IF I MAY MAKE ONE FINAL COMMENT, I'VE BEEN ASKED 100 TIMES HOW DO WE ENHANCES, AND THE ANSWER IS--

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> AND MORNING, DAY US, I'M SPEAKING IN SUPPORT OF FAMILIES, PROVIDERS AND BUSINESSES WHO DEPEND ON EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR YOUR INVESTMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 150 MILLION EARLY CHILDHOOD DOLLARS.

THAT FUNDING THROUGH ARPA FUNDS HAS LAID A STRONG FOUNDATION AND IS DEMONSTRATING RETURNS THAT WILL EXCEED THE INITIAL COST.

HOWEVER, RECENT DATA STATES AND DEMONSTRATES THAT PROGRESS HAS BEEN MADE, YET WE STILL HAVE WORK TO DO.

16 ZIP CODES IN HARRIS COUNTY LACKED ADEQUATE ACCESS TO CHILD CARE, AND TEN OF THOSE ARE LABELED CHRONIC RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, BECAUSE THEY BEEN IN THAT CONDITION FOR THREE CONSECUTIVE YEARS. YET THE STATE HAS NOT SEEN IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE REPRESENTATION ON THE GOVERNOR'S EARLY CHILDHOOD TAX FORCE. THROUGH CONTINUED COLLECTIVE

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THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ERNEST LEWIS ON ITEM 307 AND 320, JULIA, ITEM 307 AND 320, TAYLOR LANDON, ITEM 307 AND 320. DESMOND TAYLOR, ITEM 307 AND 320. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> AND MORNING JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M ERNEST LEWIS THE THIRD, VICE PRESIDENT OF COMMUNITY IMPACT OF BATTALION BAKER RIPLEY.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF WORKING FAMILIES AND CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN YOUNG CHILDREN ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY.

AND I WANT TO THINK THE COURT FOR MAKING IT A PRIORITY, EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE. AT BAKER RIPLEY, CHILD CARE IS INTEGRAL TO OUR MISSION, AND OUR PROGRAMS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE GOLF COURSE WORK-- GULF COAST WORKFORCE AND OUR WORK WITH THE COUNTY THREE UNITED WAY IN EARLY REACH, WE SEE HOW ACCESS TO CARE ENABLES PARENTS TO GET CHILDREN TO MOVE STRONG.

BUT THE NEED IS THERE. 28,000 FAMILIES IN A REGION ARE WAITING FOR CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE AT FAMILIES ARE READY TO MOVE FORWARD, BUT UNABLE TO DO SO WITHOUT STABLE CARE.

WHEN CARE IS UNSTABLE, FAMILIES FALL BEHIND, PROVIDERS STRUGGLED TO STAY OPEN AND CHILDREN MISS CRITICAL EARLY LEARNING MOMENTS. WHEN WE INVEST SIMPLY ON SUPPORT AND STRENGTHEN FAMILIES AND HONOR PROVIDERS WE GROW A DYNAMIC WORKFORCE. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF US TO LEAVE WITH-- LEAD WITH COLLECTIVE ACTION.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GO-AHEAD. GO-AHEAD.

ONCE YOU APPROACH THE DAIS WHO ARE WELCOME TO START.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JULIA, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE GOLF COURSE WORKFORCE BOARD AND...

I WILL START BY SAYING QUALITY CHILD CARE IS ECONOMIC INFRASTRUCTURE. TODAY WE SERVE 55,000 CHILDREN REPRESENTING ROUGHLY 25,000 FAMILIES ACROSS THE REGION.

AND YET THERE THOUSANDS HAVE REMAINED ON THE WAIT-LIST.

AND EMPLOYERS ARE OBSERVING THE COST WITH TURNOVER ABSENTEEISM AND REDUCED PRODUCTIVITY. WHEN ACCESS TO CHILD CARE INCREASES, WORKFORCE PARTICIPATION FOLLOWS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMMEDIATE LEVERS WE HAVE TO EXPAND THE LABOR MARKET. RECENTLY THE TEXAS LABOR WORKFORCE COMMISSION PROVIDED US WITH A GRANT IN WHICH WE PARTNERED WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON TO DESIGN AND DEVELOP A CHILD CARE BUSINESS ACCELERATOR PROGRAM.

WE BUILT A MODEL, BUT WE DID NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO CONTINUE TO SCALE IT. THE COUNTY'S PROPOSAL GIVES US THAT OPPORTUNITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH THE COUNTY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR CHILD CARE BUSINESSES TO LEARN MORE ABOUT ACCESS TO OPERATIONAL SUPPORT AND CLEAR PATHWAYS TO GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS. I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THIS COLLABORATION.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM THE EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AT THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP, AND I WANTED TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY THIS MORNING JUST TO TELL YOU WHY EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS A STRONG SYSTEM.

AND WHY IT'S SO IMPORTANT TO THE BUSINESS COMMITTEE.

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SYSTEM IS A PILLAR OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT. IF WE CAN THINK ABOUT THE FRONT END OF THE PIPELINE, IF WE CAN GET THAT PART OF THE PIPELINE, THOSE CRITICAL YEARS, ZERO TO FOUR AND FIVE, RIGHT, THEN KIDS WILL ENTER KINDERGARTEN MORE PREPARED TO LEARN AND GET THE TRAJECTORY TO READING ON GRADE LEVEL BY THE THIRD GRADE.

AND IT SUPPORTS THE VERY BACK END OF THE WORKFORCE PIPELINE.

THE WORKERS THAT WE NEED MOST TO CONTINUE THE ECONOMIC MOVEMENT OF THIS REGION, ARE THE ONES THAT DEPEND MOST HEAVILY ON A STRONG SYSTEM OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

SO WE ARE REALLY PLEASED TO BE A PART OF THIS WORK.

WE APPRECIATE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS ARE TAKING THE

APPROACH-- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THEN WE CAN GO ABOUT BUILDING A STRONG SYSTEM.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS DESMOND TAYLOR, PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR OF GOVERNMENT RELATIONSHIPS AND AFFAIRS AT GLOBAL WORKFORCE BOARD.

AND THE CHALLENGE BEFORE US IS CLEAR.

WHEN IT COMES TO CHILD CARE, DEMAND OUTPACES SUPPLY.

AND OUR WORKFORCES PAYING THE PRICE.

THE REALITY IS SIMPLE. PARENTS NEED CHILD CARE TO WORK, EMPLOYERS NEED A RELIABLE WORKFORCE, AND CHILDREN NEED EARLY EDUCATION TO SUCCEED. ITEMS 307 AND 320 WILL MAKE TRANSFORMATIVE INVESTMENTS THAT WILL SHIP THE TRAJECTORY OF OUR COUNTY AND STATE'S FUTURE POOR FAMILIES AND PEOPLE.

BY EXPANDING ACCESS, INCREASING HIGH-QUALITY SEATS AND SUPPORTING UPSCALING PROVIDERS. WE CAN REDUCE WAIT LISTS,

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THIS COUPLED WITH INTENTIONAL STRATEGIES AND OUTREACH TO LEVERAGE STATE RESOURCES DURING THE UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION WILL POSITION HARRIS COUNTY IS A GOLD STANDARD-- STANDARD.

I URGE YOU TO SUPPORT CHILD CARE IS CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.

WILL WE SUPPORT CHILDREN AND FAMILIES WE BREED FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES AND FUEL OUR LOCAL ECONOMY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> TENNIEL AUTO ON ITEMS 39 AND 100.

RAPHAEL, ON ITEM 319. AMY ON ITEM 319.

AND DORA THREE, ON ITEM 3:30 THREE.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MANY TIMES I LISTEN TO PEOPLE TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

TIMES I COME IN HERE AND TALK TO YOU AT TIMES WHEN YOU ARE NOT LISTENING, IT'S CRAZY AND APPALLING.

PEOPLE COME OUT HERE MIDWEEK AND CUT OUT THEIR WORKDAYS TO SIT HERE AND TALK ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS.

AND YOU ALL SIT HERE AND LOOK AT THEM.

SO IT KIND OF GOES DOWN TO YOU ARE ALL ELECTED TO POSITIONS, ELECTED SEATS. SO I'M JUST CONFUSED AS TO HOW TAX DOLLARS THAT ARE PAYING YOUR SALARIES ARE BEING USED TO HELP THE COMMUNITY. RIGHT? THIS IS HOW THIS COUNTRY WAS FOUNDED.

WHEN PEOPLE START FEELING LIKE THEY ARE NOT BEING REPRESENTED BY THEIR TAXES THERE IS A PROBLEM.

AND I FEEL LIKE IF YOU REALLY WANT TO BE IN THE SEATS COME NOVEMBER, YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT PEOPLE ARE WATCHING.

AND YOU SHOULD START DOING BETTER.

WHEN PEOPLE AREN'T HEARD THEY START PROTESTING.

AND I WOULD HATE FOR YOU TO BE THE REASON THAT PEOPLE START PROTESTING HERE. THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS TENNIEL AUTO. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS AMY. AND I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT ITEM 319. AND THE OVERALL ISSUES OF MAKING SURE THAT WORKERS ARE ABLE TO HAVE DIGNITY, RESPECT, GET PAID, AND BE SAFE ON THEIR JOBS. ONE OF THE THINGS I'M PROUD ABOUT, AND I AM PROUD TO CALL EACH OF YOU OUR ELECTED LEADERS, IS THAT YOU TAKE WORKERS AND THE WORKING PEOPLE OF HOUSTON VERY SERIOUSLY. YOU HOLD YOUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAKING SURE THAT THEY ARE TREATED WITH THAT DIGNITY AND RESPECT AND COME HOME SAFELY AT THE END OF THE DAY AND ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THEIR NEEDS. YOU HOLD THAT IN ALL OF YOUR HEARTS. AND WE HAVE JUST BEEN MADE AWARE OF SOME ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN GOING ON, SPECIFICALLY AT LBJ.

THAT ARE REALLY CONCERNING. AND I APPRECIATE HOW SERIOUSLY THIS BODY IS TAKING THAT ISSUE. THE THINGS I WANT TO NEYMAR THAT I DON'T THINK THAT THIS IS A ONE-TIME ISSUE.

I DO NOT KNOW, I DON'T HAVE THE DATA--

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> I APPRECIATE YOU AND I'D LIKE YOU TO DO A FULL INVESTIGATION. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS COURT.

MY NAME IS DOROTHY. ON THE COMMUNITY AFFAIRS ADVISOR PUBLIC RELATIONS SPECIALIST OF HOUSTON NATIONS UNITED.

MM HERE THIS MORNING CONCERNING ITEM 3:30 THREE.

REGARDING OUR REQUEST TO HOLD OUR HOUSTON HAITIAN FLAG DAY PICNIC AT MCCLENDON PARK IN PRECINCT FOUR.

WE ARE HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS AS WE CONTINUE TO BUILD FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN LOCAL HAITIANS AND THE WIDER HOUSTON COMMUNITY. AND THAT IS OPEN TO ALL.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. MY NAME IS RAPHAEL REAVIS.

ORGANIZER OF THE SMALL WORKERS UNION LOCAL 3:30 FOUR.

I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF ALL WORKERS TO RAISE CONCERNS REGARDING THE COMPLIANCE ON LBJ HOSPITAL EXPANSION PROJECT.

THIS SERIOUS CONCERN OF MISREPORTING AND POTENTIAL VIOLATIONS ON THE TAXPAYER-FUNDED PROJECT.

THESE ARE HIGH-RISK COUNTIES AND RESIDENT TAXPAYERS WHO SUPPORT THIS HOSPITAL AND THEY DESERVE A FAIR TREATMENT.

IF THESE VIOLATIONS ARE CONFIRMED, WORK SHOULD PAUSE UNTIL THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED AND WORKERS ARE PAID WHAT THEY ARE OWED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR

[Additional Item 1]

COMMITMENT TO OUR COMMUNITY. >> THANK YOU.

JUDGE? >> YES, COMMISSIONER?

>> I WANT TO TAKE A FEW POINTS OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE BEFORE WE CONTINUE ON WITH THE SPEAKERS. SO PLEASE LET ME-- I APOLOGIZE FOR DELAYING THE AGENDA JUST A LITTLE BIT.

BUT FIRST I WANT TO RECOGNIZE AND CELEBRATE OUR ASTRONAUTS.

[00:30:05]

SO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING AND HOW THEIR WORK IMPACTS OUR REGION AND THE SPECIFIC ARTEMIS PROGRAM. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO ATTEND SOME OF THE ASTRONAUT GRADUATIONS, AND THIS IS AN AMAZING THING TO WITNESS AND TO LEARN OF WHO THE MEN AND WOMEN ARE THAT WE ARE ASKING TO GO OUT INTO SPACE TO DO THOSE INCREDIBLE THINGS.

THIS WORK IS LIT IN LARGE PART OUT OF NASA JOHNSTON SPACE CENTER, WHICH IS RIGHT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY INCREASING TWO.

WHERE MISSION CONTROL CONTINUES TO GUIDE THESE HISTORIC MISSIONS. AND WE ARE JUST SO PROUD THAT NASA IS A PART OF PRECINCT TWO. LASTLY, JUST TO SAY, AS HOUSTONIANS, WE HAVE ALWAYS HAD THAT INFAMY OF NASA IN THE WORK, AND THE CHALLENGES THAT HAVE HAPPENED REGARDING NASA.

I AM HUMBLY PROUD THAT CHALLENGERS SEVEN IS A PART OF MY PORTFOLIO THESE DAYS, AND WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING TO CONTINUE TO HONOR OUR ASTRONAUTS, ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE. SO, LET US LET US GIVE IT UP FOR NASA AND THE ARTEMIS ASTRONAUTS. [APPLAUSE]

>> MY SECOND POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE IS THAT I JUST RETURNED FROM A LEAF PLACING CEREMONY, RECOGNIZING OUR VIETNAM VETERANS, AND HOW THEY WERE NOT WELCOME IN THE BEST WAY DURING THEIR TIME OF CONFLICT. BUT IT WAS ALSO VERY SPECIAL, BECAUSE THE MARINES AND NAVY MEN AND WOMEN WERE THERE.

BECAUSE FLEET WEEK HAS HAPPENED. IT HAS STARTED.

I WILL TELL YOU, I HAD A LONG DAY YESTERDAY.

MY DAY STARTED AT TWO IN THE MORNING.

I WAS ULTIMATELY ABLE TO EMBARK ON THE USS SHIP OUT IN THE OPEN SEA. IT WAS VERY EXCITING.

BUT TO SEE THOSE NAVY MEN AND WOMEN, AND WATCHING CAPTAIN ROSIE LEAD THAT BRIDGE, AND HOW SHE COMMANDED HER MEN AND WOMEN, IT WAS COOL TO SEE SEVERAL YOUNG LADIES ALSO BEING A PART OF VERY SIGNIFICANT AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY ON THAT SHIP.

ALL THAT TO SAY IS THAT WE WILL BE SEEING MORE SERVICEMEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM WALKING AROUND THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

AROUND HARRIS COUNTY. SO WHEN YOU SEE THEM, PLEASE WELCOME THEM. I'VE TOLD THEM THAT WE ARE THE FRIENDLIEST PLACE IN AMERICA. AND WE SHOULD LIVE UP TO THAT REPUTATION. SO PLEASE EXTEND A HAND TO THEM, HONOR THEM, RESPECT THEM, SALUTE THEM, SO THEY KNOW THAT WE APPRECIATE THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK HERE.

AND ALSO, IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE A BUSINESS OWNER, AND THEY WALK IN THERE, I KNOW YOU HAVE TO PAY BILLS, BUT LET'S MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE APPRECIATED AND DO EVERYTHING THAT WE CAN TO HONOR THEM. IT'S A SPECIAL OCCASION.

THIS IS NEVER HAPPENED IN TEXAS. SO THE FACT THAT THEY ARE HERE AND WE WANT TO-- YOU WANT TO GO OUT TO GALVESTON, OR THE PORTS SPECIFICALLY, YOU MAYBE ABLE TO GET A CLEAR SHOT INTO ST. LOUIS, IT'S VERY IMPRESSIVE. BUT I ALSO WANT TO SAY TO OUR HOUSTON PILOTS, IT WAS VERY IMPRESSIVE TO SEE HOW THEY HELPED TO BIRCH THAT SHIP, AND IT WAS THE MOST INCREDIBLE THING. OUR SHIP CHANNEL IS NOT THE EASIEST PLACE TO NAVIGATE. I WAS TALKING TO THE CAPTAIN ABOUT THE TEXAS CHICKEN THAT OUR PILOTS HAVE TO NAVIGATE ON A REGULAR BASIS. IT WAS JUST IMPRESSIVE TO SEE HOW THE HOUSTON PILOTS CAPT CAPTAIN -- CAPTAINS, HOW THEY WORKED TO GET THAT HUGE VESSEL. IT'S REFERRED TO AS AN L HD3, WHICH STANDS FOR LANDING HELICOPTER DECK, AND IT MEANS THAT THAT PARTICULAR SHIP IS DESIGNED MORE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE LANDING AND LAUNCHING OF HELICOPTERS FROM IT'S PARTICULAR

[00:35:04]

AND I JUST CANNOT SAY ENOUGH AS TO HOW PROUD-- NUMBER 1, TO CALL YOU A PERSONAL FRIEND, AND TO CALL YOU ONE OF THE IMAM'S THAT HAPPENS TO BE IN PRECINCT TOO. I AM SO PROUD OF THAT.

AND WHILE OTHERS MAY CAST DISPARAGING WORDS, OR STONES, BRENT I DO MY VERY BEST TO TAKE THEM FIRST, SO THEY DO NOT LAND ON YOU. I WILL ALWAYS HAVE YOUR BACK.

I WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE HARDWORKING AND BEAUTIFUL MUSLIM COMMUNITY THAT MAKES HOUSTON THEIR HOME.

THEY CONTRIBUTE SO MUCH. THEY ARE LEADERS, THEY ARE TEACHERS, THEY ARE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS.

THEY ARE HELPING US SAVE LIVES AND TOUCH LIVES AND SAVE LIVES.

I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU, THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE CALL TO GET STARTED AGAIN-- GET US STARTED AGAIN WITH A PRAYER OF HUMANITY AND RESPECT AND LOVE, AND APPRECIATION.

AND AGAIN, MY APOLOGIES, IF THERE IS EVER, EVER ANY DISRESPECTFUL WORD OR INTENTION SENT IN YOUR DIRECTION, PLEASE KNOW THAT THEY LAND ON ME FIRST. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH.

>> MR. GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING UP ARTEMIS.

THAT REMINDED ME OF 1960 SOMETHING, WHEN WE LANDED ON THE MOON. SOME OF YOU WERE HERE IN 1969.

THOSE OF US THAT WERE IT WAS A BIG DEAL.

I LOVED WHAT OUR LOCAL ASTRONAUT PILOT VICTOR SHARED AS HE WAS GOING AROUND THE BACKSIDE OF THE MOON AND HE CAME OUT AND SHARED HIS THOUGHTS. CLEARLY IT WAS THAT-- HE DESCRIBED EARTH, HE DESCRIBED EARTH AS A SHARED SPACESHIP.

IN A PRECIOUS OASIS, IN THE EMPTINESS OF SPACE, CREATED BY OUR LORD GOD ALMIGHTY. I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT.

THAT'S AN INSPIRED WORDING. OUR ASTRONAUT GROUPS IN THE AREA, THEY DO A GREAT JOB. AND WE WILL BE LAYING A WREATH ON SATURDAY AS WE CELEBRATE OUR VETERANS.

ALSO, FLEET WEEK. ADRIAN, THEY WON'T LET ME DRIVE A BOAT. THEY WON'T EVEN LET ME IN THE CABIN WITH THE PEOPLE DRIVING THE BOAT.

BUT IT'S IMPRESSIVE WHAT HAPPENS AS THEY COME.

SO THIS IS A BIG WEEK. IT'S LIKE A SUPER BOWL OF-- A SUPER BOWL, AND MOST FOLKS DON'T HAVE THAT TYPE OF EXPERIENCE.

[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 4)]

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING IT UP. >> LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE

SPEAKERS. >> MR. RUBIO, ITEM 319.

MR. MORALES ON ITEM 324. ANGEL RAILS ON ITEM 342.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> JUDGE?

>> AS COMMISSIONERS. >> I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOME

SPECIAL GUESTS IN. >> LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER

AND WE WILL CALL OUR GUESTS UP. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS JUAN RUBIO. ON THE POLICY COORDINATOR OF THE WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 319 CONCERNING THE HOSPITAL EXPANSION AT LBJ.

EARLIER THIS WEEK OUR ORGANIZING TEAM VISITED THE SITE AND SPOKE DIRECTLY WITH SOME WORKERS WHO WERE ON SITE.

SEVERAL REPORTED THEY WERE NOT BEING PAID ADEQUATELY AND THEY WERE ABLE TO COOPERATE WITH THAT.

NOT ALL WORKERS WERE NOT RECEIVING THE WAGE.

MANY WERE SPEAKING OUT DUE-- WERE NOT SPEAKING OUT DUE TO FEARS OF RETALIATION. THEY'VE BEEN DOING CRITICAL WORK TO BUILD THE ESSENTIAL PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE WE DEPEND ON.

WHEN PUBLIC DOLLARS FUND THESE PROJECTS, ALTHOUGH WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE WORKERS ARE TREATED FAIRLY AND PAID WHAT THERE OWED, I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT ALL OF YOU DO IN THE COURT DOES TO MAKE SURE THIS IS BEING DONE.

WE ALL APPRECIATE IT. AT THE SAME TIME, WE ARE HERE TO URGE THE COURT TO ADVOCATE FOR STRENGTHENED OVERSIGHT ON FUNDING PUBLIC PROJECTS. TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY AND PROTECT WORKERS FROM RETALIATION AND ENSURE THEY RECEIVE THE PAYMENT FUNDING AND RESOURCES THAT THEY NEED.

[00:40:01]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Additional Item 2]

WE ARE HOSTING SEVERAL GAMES DURING THE 2026 FEE FOR WORLD CUP. AND OUR 2026 HOUSTON WORLD CUP PRESIDENT IS HERE, AS IS RYAN WALSH.

WHO JUST RETURNED FROM A WONDERFUL TRADE MISSION WITH THREE NATIONS THAT ARE BIG SOCCER TITANS.

GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, AND PORTUGAL.

AND IT WAS REALLY EXCITING. THEY WERE ALL PLAYING-- THEY ARE ALL PLAYING GAMES HERE, AND IT WAS EXCITING TO CAN EXPORTS AND BUSINESS. SO WE WERE MEETING WITH THESE TEAMS, THESE NATIONAL TEAMS, THAT ARE THE BIGGEST DEAL.

BEAR AND INTERNATIONALLY, FOR THE BILLIONS OF PEOPLE THAT FOLLOW FOOTBALL, SOCCER. WE MET AT THESE TEAMS HEADQUARTERS, AND WITH THEIR COACHES.

THE PRESIDENTS OF THE ORGANIZATIONS, ET CETERA.

AND SO THE BUSINESSES WERE ENTICED TO COME AND HAVE THOSE DISCUSSIONS. AND OF COURSE WE ARE HAVING PURPLE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT INVESTMENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY FROM THOSE DISCUSSIONS. AND I HAD THE PLEASURE OF MEETING WITH THE MAYOR OF PORTUGAL.

WE HAD A RECEPTION WITH A U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE NETHERLANDS AND THE LEADERS OF MAJOR COMPANIES, INCLUDING THE LARGEST CHEMICAL COMPANY IN THE WORLD. IT WAS A PRODUCTIVE TRIP.

BUT, FOR ME, THE MOST EXCITING WAS REALLY UNDERSTANDING ALL THE DETAILS OF THE AMAZING EVENT THAT FEE FOR WORLD CUP, HERE IN HOUSTON, IS GOING TO BE-- FIFA WORLD CUP.

SO I WELCOME OUR SPEAKERS AND THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO

BE HERE. >> AND MORNING, JUDGING COMMISSIONERS PICKED THANK YOU FOR GIVING US TIME TO SPEAK WITH YOU TODAY. RYAN HARRIS HERE, EXCITED TO BE HERE TODAY. BECAUSE IT'S NOT ONLY AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT IN COLLABORATION, BUT TO BRING SOME SPECIAL GUESTS FROM FIFA, AND HAVE THEM SEE THE VALUE OF THE COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ARE HAPPENING IN HARRIS COUNTY. NOTCHES FOR FIFA, BUT AT A LARGER SCALE. MARCH WAS THE BEST MONTH THAT HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY EVER HAD FOR EVENTS.

AND A-- FROM AND EVENTS ON SPORTS PERSPECTIVE AND IT'S ONLY GOING TO GET BETTER THIS SUMMER. WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT THAT.

BEING ABLE TO WORK WITH YOU ALSO CLOSELY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN, AT THE COUNTY'S CROWN JEWEL FACILITY, I APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU ARE DOING. AND I WANT TO BRING UP CHRIS AND HAVE HIM TALK A BIT MORE ABOUT OUR GUEST TODAY.

>> THANK YOU, RYAN. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO BE HERE. BELIEVE IT OR NOT WE ARE 56 DAYS AWAY FROM THE START OF THE WORLD CUP.

IT IS HERE AND HAPPENING VERY SOON WITH THE MATCH UP ON JUNE 11TH AT THE FIRST MATCH HERE IN HOUSTON ON JUNE 14TH.

AND WE HAVE GUESTS IN TOWN TODAY AT THIS JUNCTION, 56 DAYS OUT, TO GET A FINAL BRIEFING OF ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN HOUSTON IN OUR PREPARATION. SO I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP THE TWO GUESTS, WHO ARE TWO OF THE HIGHEST RANKING OFFICIALS AT FIFA NORTH AMERICA IN CHARGE OF THE WORLD CUP, WHO ARE HERE WITH US TODAY, AGAIN TO GET A FINAL BRIEFING BEFORE THE FIRST MATCHES TAKE PLACE. SO I LET THEM SAY A FEW WORDS AND THEY HAVE SOME GIFTS FOR YOU.

>> THANK YOU, CHRIS. THANK YOU FOR GIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO COME HERE TO MEET ALL OF YOU.

THIS IS OUR FINAL TOUR OF ALL THE 16 HOST CITIES.

WE ARE COMING TO VISIT AND LOOKING AT THE STATE OF OPERATIONS. AND I HAVE TO SAY THAT HOUSTON IS ONE OF THE BEST PREPARED. BECAUSE THIS IS ALL ABOUT PEOPLE, RELATIONSHIPS, COMMUNICATION, AND MAKING IT WORK. THE WORLD CUP IS COMING.

IT IS A GIANT PLATFORM FOR WHAT YOU NEEDED TO BE.

IT IS HERE AND I THINK THAT YOU GUYS HAVE MAXIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY. YOU ALSO LOOK AT LEGACY OPPORTUNITIES, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT.

BECAUSE THE WORLD CUP WILL COME AND GO.

BUT THE LATEST IS HERE TODAY-- TO STAY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR EFFORTS IN THIS, FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING US FEEL WELCOME.

I'M SURE IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT. >> THANK YOU.

AND WE KNOW THAT YOU GUYS ARE SO BUSY AND WORK ON THIS MASSIVE INTERNATIONAL UNDERTAKING. BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT I EXPLAIN THIS, THIS IS WHAT I SAID IN EUROPE, THE COUNTY CONTAINS 34 CITIES AS YOU KNOW, INCLUDING HOUSTON AND THE STADIUM, WHERE THE GAMES WILL TAKE PLACE, IS THE COUNTY STADIUM. AND WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD TO HAVE A COMMUNITY THAT IS JUST SO EXCITED.

LOTS OF IMMIGRANTS. LOTS OF TOLERANCE, AND I HAVE

[00:45:04]

MAYBE YOU CAN SHARE WITH US A BIT, THIS IS OUR GOVERNING BODY MEETING, LIKE CITY COUNCIL, BUT FOR THE COUNTY.

CAN YOU SHARE WITH US A BIT ABOUT YOUR VISIT TODAY AND WHAT

YOU GUYS ARE UP TO? >> WE ARE MEETING ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS. WE ARE HAVING A LOOK AT THE STATE OF PREPARATION, FANFARES. WE ARE MEETING THE FEE FOR TEAM HERE. WE HAVE A TEAM HERE IN THE CITY REPRESENTING US. TO SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE TO DO THIS FROM ZÜRICH, OR MIAMI. SO WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO WE REALLY WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW THE WORLD CUP CONCEPT APPLIES TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AND WE'VE GIVEN A LOT OF FLEXIBILITY. WE KNOW OUR 16 CITIES ARE SO DIVERSE AND DIFFERENT. DIFFERENT NEEDS, DIFFERENT CHALLENGES. AND WE TRY TO ACCOMMODATE ALL OF THAT. FOR US, THIS IS THE FINAL TOUR, WITH WORLD CUP AROUND THE CORNER.

AND WE ARE FILLING OURSELVES WITH CONFIDENCE.

SITTING IN THE OFFICES IN MIAMI, TRAVELING AROUND, MEETING PEOPLE, GIVING THEM THE FINAL PUSH, THE VINYL MOTIVATION, THE FINAL SUPPORT TO SOLVE ALL THOSE THINGS, THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF

THESE MEETING. >> SPEAKING OF NASA, I APPRECIATE GRANTING THE EXCEPTION TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A NASA BOOTH RIGHT OUTSIDE THE STADIUM.

THAT IS REALLY UNDERSTANDING THE IMPORTANCE OF NASA AND ALL OF THAT TO OUR COMMUNITY. THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND I KNOW THAT CHRIS HAS PROBABLY BEEN TO YOUR EAR ABOUT THIS ALREADY. BUT WE HAVE FLIGHTS TO ALL THE CITIES. AS YOU VISIT THE OTHER CITIES, JUST KNOW THAT HOUSTON-- WE REALLY ARE SPECIAL IN MANY, MANY WAYS. AND I REGRET HAVING TO HAVE THIS CONVERSATION IN PUBLIC, I KNOW YOUR SCHEDULE IS SO TIGHT, BUT I WANTED TO TELL YOU THAT I WELCOME YOU WITH OPEN ARMS.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> JUST TO REITERATE OUR THANK YOU. THANK YOU TO THE CITY, THE COUNTY. FROM DAY ONE, GOING BACK TO HOUSTON-- HOUSTON HAS LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

WHICH HAS BEEN AN AMAZING PUSH FOR OUR HOST CITIES.

JUST REITERATING THE THANK YOU, EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME OVER THE NEXT 57, PLUS 39 DAYS. BUT LOOKING AT WHAT HOUSTON LOOKS LIKE AFTER THE WORLD CUP KEPT THE SUPPORT YOU'VE HAD FOR THE LEGACY PROGRAMS, IT'S BEEN OUTSTANDING AND IT'S A TESTAMENT TO HOW HOUSTON HAS APPROACHED THE WORLD CUP.

EXCITED ABOUT WHAT IS TO COME. EXCITED ABOUT WHAT'S TO COME AFTER THE WORLD CUP FOR HOUSTON AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU. AND WILL WE BE ABLE TO THE BUS

FROM THE NETHERLANDS? >> BELIEVE IT OR NOT THE ANSWER TO THAT IS YES. THE BUSSES ON A SHIP.

>> THAT'S NOT ORANGES IT. >> YES, SIR.

OUR TEAM WORKED OUT THE PROPER REGISTRATION SO THE BUS CAN DRIVE AROUND HERE IN TEXAS. IT'S ON IT'S WAY.

>> FOR FOLKS IN THE MEDIA, I AM AGNOSTIC AS TO ALL THE TEAMS THAT ARE PLAYING THAT ARE NOT THE U.S.

BUT ONE EXAMPLE OF THE TRADITIONS IS THE TEAM FROM THE NETHERLANDS HAVE THIS MASSIVE MARCH.

AND I LEARNED ABOUT THIS IN THE NETHERLANDS.

THOUSANDS OF FANS WALK FOR TWO HOURS, AND YOU CAN LOOK THIS UP ONLINE, IT SO IMPRESSIVE. THEY HAVE A CHOREOGRAPHY.

SO IT'S THIS PACKED GROUP OF PEOPLE WEARING ORANGE.

AND THEY JUMPED TO ONE SIDE AND THE OTHER SIDE.

AND WE DID GET AN INVITATION TO WHERE OUR DYNAMO SHIRTS SINCE THEY ARE ORANGE, AND BE PART OF THE MARCH.

SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT, THEY HAVE THESE BUSSES, AND MAYBE I'M USING THE WRONG WORD. BUT THE SPECIAL LEADERS RIDE ON THIS SMALL BUS THAT IS PART OF THE CELEBRATION.

SO THEY WANTED TO BRING THE BUS. SO WE DIDN'T KNOW IF IT WOULD BE POSSIBLE. BUT WE ARE BRINGING IT.

AND WE ARE REALLY WORKING ON ALL THOSE SMALL DETAILS.

SO ALL THE FANS ARE ABLE TO FEEL AT HOME AND CELEBRATE THEIR TRADITIONS. SO THE REST OF US ARE ABLE TO BE A PART OF THAT. SO THERE WERE 5 MILLION PEOPLE ON THE DRAW FOR WORLD CUP TICKET.

[00:50:01]

BUT THERE IS SO MUCH AROUND THIS.

OUTSIDE OF THE STADIUM. THERE IS GOING TO BE A FAN FEST EAST OF DOWNTOWN, GOING EVERY SINGLE DAY.

UNLIKE OTHER CITIES, WHERE PEOPLE CAN GO AND WATCH THE GAMES FROM THEIR WITH OUR COMMUNITY ON A BIG SCREEN.

THESE FOLKS HAVE BEEN WORKING SO HARD.

AND THE LAST THING I WILL SAY IS OBVIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY AFTER THAT WORLD TRAGEDY, AND AS DIRECTOR OF HOMELAND SECURITY MANAGEMENT.

MY QUESTION WAS ALWAYS HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THAT THIS IS GOING TO BE SAFE. AND I'VE HAD A MEETING WITH THESE FOLKS AND THE SECURITY LEADER FROM FEE FOR.

AND I'M ABOUT TO HAVE ANOTHER ONE.

AND THE SENSE THAT I'M GETTING IS THAT THERE ARE SUCH PROS-- THEY ARE SUCH PROS AND THERE ARE THOROUGH STANDARDS THAT THEY ARE IMPLEMENTING IN EVERY COMMUNITY. AND WE HAVE THE BEST OF THE BEST IN CHARGE OF THAT. SO I'M FEELING QUITE CONFIDENT ABOUT IT. AND WE WILL HAVE THAT DISCUSSION AGAIN. BUT THIS IS ONCE IN A LIFETIME.

WE ARE EXPECTING A BILLION PEOPLE AT LEAST TO BE WATCHING.

IT'S CRAZY. IS A MORE THAN THAT? IS IT LIKE HALF THE WORLD? LIKE HALF THE WORLD WILL BE WATCHING THIS. SO IT WILL BE, IT'S REALLY A TREAT FOR US TO BE ABLE TO HOST ALL THESE GAMES HERE IN HOUSTON, INCLUDING SOME REALLY, REALLY EXCITING ONES.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> IF I COULD SAY ONE MORE THING, FILE FOLLOW HOUSTONIANS LOOKING TO BE PART OF THE WORLD CUP. WE HAVE SOME ADDITIONAL TICKET RELEASES THAT HAVE JUST HAPPEN. INCLUDING TICKETS FOR HOUSTON GAMES. THERE WILL BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A TICKET RELEASE NEXT WEEK. SO WE BEEN ABLE TO RECONFIGURE SOME THINGS IN THE STADIUMS, OPEN UP MORE TICKETS.

SO IF YOU'RE ONE OF THOSE THAT DID NOT GET TICKETS, THERE IS

ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY. >> WE WILL LOOK OUT FOR THAT AND PASS IT ON TO THE PRESS. THANK YOU.

THAT'S GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

DO WE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD. YES.

I WILL GET MY COLLEAGUES AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEADERSHIP. I KNOW YOU WENT OVER TO THE SPORTS AUTHORITY, BUT KNOWING YOU AS HARD AS YOU WORK, YOU PROBABLY WOULD NOT HAVE HAD ANY. CHRIS, I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU HAVE HERE GIVEN HOW HARD YOU'VE BEEN WORKING.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. TAMMY, THANK YOU, FOR YOUR WORK REPRESENTING THE COUNTY IN THIS FRAMEWORK.

AND MAKING SURE THAT OUR RESPECTIVE STAKEHOLDERS AND PARTNERS FROM AROUND HARRIS COUNTY ARE ALL INCLUDED AND ENGAGED AND COMMUNICATED WITH.

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK WITH THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION COUNTIES.

SHE IS PROVIDING THE ASSOCIATION WITH UPDATES ON HOW THINGS ARE GOING. AND BECAUSE OF WHAT SHE COMMUNICATES, WE ARE THE ENVY OF THOSE HOST COUNTIES.

THEY ARE ALL JUST FIT TO BE TIED.

THAT ONE THE RELATIONSHIP THAT IS SO TIGHT AND STRONG AND POSITIVE, AND OTHERS FEEL NEGLECTED, NOT SPOKEN TO.

THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON. SO IT HAS JUST BEEN AN INCREDIBLE TEAMWORK. AND I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER FOR HER RESPECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN THIS AS WELL.

BUT TO THE FEE FOR OFFICIALS. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

AND THANK YOU FOR MAKING SURE THAT YOU ALLOW US TO DO EVERYTHING WE HUMANLY CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS BY FAR ONE OF YOUR BEST EVENTS. THE GOAL OF EVERYONE INVOLVED, I KNOW, IS INTENDED TO LEAVE YOU WITH IMPRESSIONS THAT-- JUST LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE, HOUSTONIANS COME FROM A LOT OF DIFFERENT PLACES. BUT WHEN YOU TALK TO THEM, THOSE WHO CAME FROM SOMEWHERE ELSE, THEY OFTEN SAY, I WASN'T BORN IN HOUSTON, BUT I GOT HERE AS QUICKLY AS I CAN.

I HOPE THAT AFTER EVERYTHING IS SAID AND DONE, THAT BECAUSE OF THE PROFESSIONALISM, BECAUSE OF THE LEADERSHIP, BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNICATION, BECAUSE OF THE ENGAGEMENT, BECAUSE OF OUR COMMITMENT, YOU ARE GOING TO SAY THIS WORLD CUP IS OVER, BUT WE HAVE TO GET BACK AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN.

THAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL. AND I JUST WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY THAT WE DID NOT GET HERE BY ACCIDENT.

[00:55:05]

AND I KNOW THAT THE HOST COMMITTEE, THE FEE FOR COMMITTEE, BETTER YET, LOOK AT THINGS LIKE OUR INFRASTRUCTURE.

LOOK AT THINGS LIKE OUR TRANSIT SYSTEM.

LOOK AT THINGS LIKE OUR PUBLIC SAFETY SYSTEMS. AND AGENCIES. LOOK AT ALL THOSE INTRICATE DETAILS. ULTIMATELY THOSE ARE THE FOUNDATIONS AS TO WHETHER OR NOT AN EVENT HAS THE POTENTIAL, WITH EVERY THING ELSE ASIDE TO BE SUCCESSFUL OR NOT.

AND I'M SO PROUD OF THE HOUSING HOTELS CAPACITY.

THE STADIUM CAPACITY. ALL THOSE THINGS ARE DETAILS THAT WE DO NOT THINK ABOUT. WE THINK THAT VIVA PICKED HOUSTON OUT OF THIN AIR, SUBMITTED A NATIONAL PROPOSAL.

IT DOESN'T WORK THAT WAY. SO MANY OTHERS.

SO MANY DIFFERENT MAYORS AND COUNTY JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR SUCCESS OF GETTING HERE.

THAT THEY ALL SHOULD BE TAKING PRIDE THAT WE ARE CELEBRATING THIS OCCASION. AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR WORK.

I JUST CANNOT WAIT TO SEE THIS HAPPEN.

SO MANY PEOPLE ARE JUST WAITING IN ANTICIPATION.

THE ARABI AND BEERS ARE WAITING TO START REGISTERING TENANTS.

RESTAURANTS ARE COMING UP WITH FEE FOR PLATES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. I THINK THERE'S A FEW WORLD CUP DRINKS THAT ARE BEING FORMULATED RIGHT NOW.

BUT EVERYBODY IS IN HIGH ANTICIPATION TO PARTICIPATE AND SUPPORT AND MAKE SURE THAT THIS EVENT HAPPENS BEAUTIFULLY SEAMLESSLY AND AGAIN, I'VE BEEN IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS. AND I WANT TO COMMUNICATE TO FOLKS THAT THE SAFETY OF THIS EVENT REALLY DEPENDS ON US.

ON EVERY ONE OF US. WE HAVE THE FIRST AND FOREMOST GREATEST OPPORTUNITY TO ENSURE THAT EVERYTHING GOES OFF WITHOUT A HITCH. SO I ASK EVERYONE TO BE DILIGENT. PLEASE HELP STAY IN COMMUNICATION WITH FOLKS. PLEASE LET US KNOW WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT LOOK RIGHT.

THAT IS HOW WE ARE GOING TO MAKE SURE THAT ABOVE ALL, THE LAW-ENFORCEMENT COORDINATION THAT IS TAKING PLACE, THAT WE AS INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THE SAFETY AND SECURITY AND MAKE SURE WE HAVE A WORLD CUP EVENT THAT IS-- THAT REMAINS THE ENVY OF THE WORLD. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR ALL THAT YOU HAVE DONE, AND JUST LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS HAPPEN.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. AND ONE MORE THING, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT A SEPARATE PART FROM THE WORLD CUP, IT SHOULD BE SORT OF RELATED. BUT WE HAVE A STUDENT ORGANIZATION FROM ALL-- FROM ONE OF THE SCHOOLS.

THEY ARE CALLED THE ALL DEAN BOATS.

WILL THEY ALL STAND SO WE CAN RECOGNIZE YOU? [APPLAUSE] THEY ARE LED HERE BY DANIEL, WHO IS A COMMUNITY AND CIVIC ORGANIZER WITH ALL DEAN.

BUT ALSO A TRUSTEE WITH LONE STAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

WHERE ARE YOU? THERE YOU GO.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR WORK.

[APPLAUSE] >> AND THESE STUDENTS I THINK COME FROM MOSTLY-- NO. THEY COME FROM SEVERAL OF THE SCHOOLS. SO THERE IS-- SOME ARE COMING FROM THE YOUNG WOMEN'S LEADERSHIP ACADEMY.

MACARTHUR GENERAL HIGH SCHOOL. DAVIS HIGH SCHOOL.

GLANCED IN CTE HIGH SCHOOL. AND TWO OTHER HIGH SCHOOLS.

SO AS I ALWAYS TELL MY STUDENTS, DON'T HATE, BUT I WENT TO NORTHSIDE HIGH SCHOOL. BUT LISTEN, WE ARE HONORED TO HAVE YOU. WE WILL TAKE PICTURES AFTER THIS IS ALL DONE. SO PLEASE STAY PUT SO WE CAN MAKE SURE TO RECOGNIZE YOU. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. LET'S MOVE ONTO COMMISSIONER

BRIONES. >> FIRST OF ALL TYPE THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR YEARS TIRELESSLY, WITH THEIR EXPERTISE AND EXPERIENCE. THE FORMER-- A FORMER SHERIFF, AND YOUR DECADES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE SAFETY AND SECURITY IN PLANNING. THANK YOU FOR CHAMPIONING THAT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT. YOU ARE SO KIND AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AT THE HELM. THIS IS A TEAM EFFORT.

SO TO THE FEE FOR OFFICIALS, WELCOME PACK.

WE ARE THANK FOR FOR THE OPPORTUNITY, TO SPEAK TO ONE OF

[01:00:01]

TO RYAN WALSH, THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A TREMENDOUS LEADER.

AND TO CHRIS, THANK YOU, YOU HAVE BOTH BEEN AT THE HELM.

AND I'M PROUD THAT WHEN WE ARE HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND OTHER PEOPLE OFFICIALS, AND THEY SAY THAT HOUSTON HARRIS COUNTY IS LEADING THE PACK, IT IS BECAUSE OF CHRIS AND RYAN, AND THE TEAM. THANK YOU BOTH TREMENDOUSLY.

AND OF COURSE, DIRECTOR TAMMY, THANK YOU FOR BEING THE QUARTERBACK FOR ALL THE HARRIS COUNTY PARTNERS, AND FOR ME AND ALL MY COLLEAGUES AND DEPARTMENTS.

THANK YOU. AND OF COURSE, AARON.

BUT THE REASON THAT WE ARE SO THRILLED, AND I HOPE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR COMMUNITY IS AS FIRED UP AS WE ARE.

WE ARE EXPECTING ABOUT A 1.5 BILLION-- $1.5 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT HERE AT HOME. AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON HOW WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROMOTING LOCAL BUSINESSES AND KEEPING THE OPPORTUNITY HERE AT HOME.

SO THE BUY HOUSTON I HOUSTON PROGRAM BACK HOW WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO BUILD IN TERMS OF WORKERS RIGHTS AND SAFETY, THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMPONENT. THE SUSTAINABILITY AND ENVIRONMENTAL COMPONENT, IT'S BEEN SO GREAT, AND I APPRECIATE THE PRINCIPLES AND COMMITMENT TO THIS ACROSS THE GLOBE.

ALL FOUR OUT OF US ARE THRILLED ABOUT THE GROWTH OF THE GAME.

AS A FORMER TEACHER I'M HAPPY WE WILL BE ABLE TO HELP UNDERSURFACE YOUTH TO GET ACCESS TO PLAY SOCCER ON THESE FIELDS.

THANK YOU FOR THAT LASTING INVESTMENT.

WE ARE ALSO INCREDIBLY ENERGIZED.

MOST OF ALL BECAUSE SOCCER IS THE WORLD'S GAME.

AND HAPPY WORLD WILL BE WATCHING US HERE AT HOME, AND THIS IS WHERE HARRIS COUNTY IN UNITY IS SHOWCASING WHAT WE HAVE AT HOME ON THE WORLD STAGE, AND DOING IT ANYWAY THAT IS SAFE WITH UNITY AND EXCELLENCE, THAT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY.

AND SOCCER AND SPORTS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

SO ESPECIALLY NOW, WE NEED THIS UNITY MORE THAN EVER.

I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE ONE OF THE HOST CITIES.

MY COLLEAGUES AND I WELCOME YOU. WE ARE ALL IN.

WE HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE ALL IN, AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT IN ANY WAY THAT WE CAN. SO THANK YOU.

>> WELCOME, THANK YOU FOR COMING OUT TODAY.

YOU DON'T NEED ANOTHER LONG SPEECH.

I ECHO EVERYTHING THAT ADRIAN AND LESLIE JUST SAID.

YOU ARE SO WELCOME HERE. BUT THE BIG DEAL IS THAT YOU TRUSTED US. THANK YOU FOR TRUSTING US.

WE ARE THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN AMERICA.

I THINK WE ARE THE BEST. BUT I ALSO THINK WE FUNCTION AT A HIGHER LEVEL. WE TRY TO DO THAT.

WE WANT TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO HELP SUPPORT YOU.

THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO AND WHAT YOU CONTINUE TO DO.

RYAN, TAMMY, KEEP US POSTED. KEEP LETTING US KNOW.

WE DRIVE THE TRUCKS AND WE CLEAN THE PARKS.

WE TAKE CARE OF STUFF. SO JUST TELL US WHAT YOU NEED, AND IT WILL HAPPEN. I LIKE THE FACT THAT THERE WILL BE A LEGACY. WE WILL HAVE WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO SIX SUPER BOWLS IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND IT WILL BE GREAT, AND EVERYBODY-- I WANT TO LET YOU KNOW IN PRECINCT THREE THERE WILL BE EIGHT MORE SOCCER FIELDS.

WE ALREADY HAVE EIGHT FIELDS IN THIS ONE COMPLEX, WE WILL ADD ANOTHER EIGHT. THERE WILL BE 16 SOCCER FIELDS WHERE KIDS WILL COME FROM ALL PARTS OF THE NEXT 20 COUNTY AREAS AND PLAY SOCCER THERE. THAT IS WHAT HE-- THAT IS WHAT FIFA IS DOING FOR THIS REGION. PROVIDING SOMETHING THAT WILL BE LASTING LONG AFTERWARDS-- LONG AFTER THESE GAMES ARE OVER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE GAMES.

>> THANK YOU ALSO MUCH. AND WE DO HAVE SOME PRESENCE FOR YOU ALL. SO I WILL SHARE WITH YOU WHAT THEY ARE. WE WON'T HAVE THE MIC LATER.

AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE VISITING CITY HALL, THE FORMER LATE MAYOR WAS A FRIEND OF MANY OF US, AND HE USED TO SAY THAT AS TEXANS AND HOUSTONIANS, WE ARE CONTRARY, BUT WE ARE ALSO CHIC.

SO I WILL DEMONSTRATE THAT ALL TO YOU ALL WITH SOME BELT BUCKLES THAT YOU CAN WEAR TIME YOU ARE IN TOWN.

MAKE SURE THEY LET YOU IN THROUGH THE AIRPORT.

AND WE HAVE-- I HAVE SOME CHALLENGE COINS, AND THOSE ARE FOLKS AND EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, OR THE MILITARY, THEY USE THOSE, AS YOU KNOW, SO AS HEAD OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT I HAVE ACOIN THAT BASICALLY SHOWS ALL THE EMERGENCIES THAT WE HAVE FACED, SOME OF THEM. YOU WILL SEE A HURRICANE, A FLOOD, CO. BID, CHEMICAL FIRES. IT'S BEEN A REALLY TRYING TIME

[01:05:01]

THANK YOU ALSO MUCH. LET'S GIVE THESE FOLKS AROUND OF APPLAUSE. THEY ARE INTERNATIONAL LEADERS.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU.

>> FOLKS, IT IS 10:31 A.M., WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A

>> WE ARE BACK FROM OUR BREAK. JUDGE HIDALGO SUGGEST THAT WE

[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 4)]

CAN SOMEONE GUIDE ME AS TO WHAT WE ARE DOING.

ARE WE DOING CONSENT? >> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE STILL

DOING SPEAKERS. >> SPEAKERS, OKAY, LET'S CONTINUE WITH OUR SPEAKERS. NEXT ONE.

>> EVEN MEIRELES, ITEM 324, ANGEL REYES, ITEM 342 AND DORIS BROWN ON ITEM 366. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS ANGEL REYES AND I'M A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

I'M HERE JUST TO -- YOUR LIFE SUPPORT ITEM 324 WHICH AGREEMENT BETWEEN STREET SOCCER AND TERRACE COUNTY, THIS AGREEMENT WOULD AUTHORIZE THE INSTALLATION OF MANY PITCH SOCCER FIELDS.

[01:10:05]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MY NAME IS AIDAN MEIRELES.

I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 325, WHICH IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY TO SUPPORT THE FUNDING COORDINATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PARK MASTER PLAN. THIS IS BECAUSE OF HOW IT WOULD IMPROVE THE COMMUNITY'S QUALITY OF LIFE BY MAKING SAFER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE WITH MODERN AMENITIES.

IT WOULD ALSO SUPPORT LONG-TERM NEIGHBORHOOD GROWTH AND BOOST ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES BY INCREASING COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING AND ENHANCING PUBLIC SPACES FOR FAMILIES.

ANOTHER REASON WOULD BE COORDINATION AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CREATING A UNIFIED PARTNERSHIP TO MANAGE FUNDING AND IMPLEMENTATIONS EFFICIENCY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND THE COURT FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO INVESTING IN PROJECTS THAT STRENGTHEN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND AFFORD

OPPORTUNITIES. >> THANK YOU.

>> COLO. MY NAME IS DANIEL LOPEZ, I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT FOUR. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK IN FAVOR OF ITEM 325 BECAUSE THE OVERSIGHT MAINTAINS THE ROADS TO NOT FLOOD WHEN A TURBO STORM APPROACHES US. THE SOUTHWEST AREA IS KNOWN FOR GETTING FLOODED DUE TO THE COST OF THE STREETS.

30 SEWERS AND ALSO CONSTRUCTION SITES THAT NEVER GET COMPLETED.

THE PARTNERSHIP WILL HELP I BENEFITED THE COMMITTEE HAVING BETTER TO MUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER.

MORE SAFER ENVIRONMENTS. AND A ENJOYABLE MOMENT FOR THE PEOPLE. THE FOUNDATION SHOULD HELP BETTERING THE SECURITY FOR THE COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY SINCE PROBLEMS CAN OCCUR TO EVEN WHERE SITUATIONS.

WE MUST ASSURE SAFETY OF OUR COMMUNITY FIRST IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN THE COMMUNITY PARK SAY FOR EVERYONE TO ENJOY.

THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME OUT. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS DORIS BROWN. HOW LONG SHOULD WE TOLERATE THIS BLATANT DISRESPECT. WHERE IS THE ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY THAT IS EXPECTED FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

THE LACK OF PROGRESS HAS ERODED TRUST IN LMI COMMUNITIES AND ALL PRECINCTS. THE DASHBOARD HAS NOT BEEN UPDATED AND THERE ARE NO DETAILS THAT RESTORE OPEN RESIDENTS.

WE PROTESTED FOR MONEY BUT A FLOOD FIRST -- $750 MILLION BUT STILL NO PROGRESS. YET TODAY, WITH DEADLINES LOOMING AND DELAYS, WHICH IS RISKING THE LIVES OF CRITICAL FUNDING AND A LACK OF SPENDING AND PLANS FOR PROJECTS, WE ARE AT A GREATER RISK OF HAVING THE MONEY CLOUD BACK TO THE J.LO.

2027 AND 2028. NO PROGRESS, WHY? THE FLOOD BOUNDS ARE PUBLIC DOLLARS THAT ARE DEDICATED TO LMI COMMUNITIES ADDRESSING THE WORST FIRST AND EVERY PRECINCT.

WE ARE STILL FLOODING AND NO DISASTROUS EVENTS.

>> NEXT IS JOSE VAZQUEZ ON ITEM 395.

CAROLYN RIVIERA ON ITEM 366. JENNIFER ON ITEM 412 AND JAMES SMITH ON ITEM 412. YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I AM A STUDENT, A LEADER AND A DREAMER. I AM CURRENTLY SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF -- WE ARE A USED LEAD CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ORGANIZATION BASED IN PRECINCT FOUR BASED IN THE FORGOTTEN DISTRICT.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ONE OF OUR BIGGEST PROJECTS THAT WE HAVE HAD TO. IT IS OUR POCKET PRAIRIES.

THIS IS PART OF OUR CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN WITH HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE VERY PROUD TO HAVE A TON OF STUDENTS COMING OUT AND HAVE A LOT OF STUDENTS BUILDING SOMETHING BEAUTIFUL.

IT HAS A LOT OF NATIVE PLANTS, A LOSS OF BUTTERFLIES AND

[01:15:03]

THIS. >> THANK YOU.

YOU DID A GREAT JOB. THANK YOU.

>> CAROLYN RIVIERA, NORTHEAST HOUSTON.

IN THE PAST, YOU HAVE REFUSED TO UTILIZE THE FUNDS ALLOWED TO START AND COMPLETE DRAINAGE THROUGH OUR GULLIES AND BY USE TO SAVE LIVES. I AND OTHERS MAY DIE FROM DROWNING IN FLOODWATER. $750 MILLION AND MORE, YOU HAD FUNDS. WHEN IS THE BAYOU AND THE RIVER WATER SHARE SCHEDULED TO BE COMPLETED.

OUR GULLIES ARE IN DEPLORABLE CONDITION FROM LACK OF MAINTENANCE AND UPDATING. THEY SHOULD BE A PRIORITY.

WATER CANNOT LEAVE THE COMMUNITY PROPERTY.

MANY IN OUR AREAS HAVE GONE FROM A NO FLOOD ZONE TO A HUNDRED

YEAR FLOOD ZONE. >> I'M THINK I'M NEXT.

GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK, MY NAME IS JENNIFER HAD DIET, I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON. I'M HERE IN SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REQUEST TO JOIN A KNISH -- COMMISSION ON A ON ENVIRONMENT EQUALITY TO ALLOW COMMUNITY GROUPS LIKE MIND TO PETITION FOR THE REVOCATION OF A BAD AIR PERMITS.

THIS OPTION ALREADY EXISTS FOR WATER AND WASTE PERMITS.

THERE IS CURRENTLY A BACKLOG OF 1400 ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS AT THE TC QUEUE WHILE THEY CONTINUE TO ISSUE THOUSANDS OF NEW AIR PERMITS. AT THIS RATE, TC EQ WILL NEVER CATCH UP WITH INVESTIGATING COMPLAINTS, EXCESS EMISSIONS, VIRUS, LEAKS AND OTHER BAD ACTORS.

THE COMMUNITY HAVING THE ABILITY TO PETITION FOR THE REVOCATION OF A BAD AIR PERMIT GIVES THEM A REMEDY TO CLOSE THIS GAP, ONE THAT IS LONG OVERDUE AS WE CONTINUE TO SEE ROCK PRESSURES AND BADGE PLANTS NEXT TO SCHOOLS AND HOSPITALS WITH TWO CAQ UNABLE TO PROVIDE OVERSIGHT. WE THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ON SUPPORT OF THIS

ACTION. >> JAMES EASTMAN, I'M THE PERSON WHO DRAFTED THE PETITION I WANT TO SUMMARIZE THAT I TOOK THE TIME TO LOOK AT THE TCA CUES RECORDS AND LOOKED AT THE COMPARABLE SOLID WASTE THAT HAS BEEN USED RARELY.

THIS WILL NOT BE A PROBLEM ADMINISTRATIVELY IT'S VERY WELL DESIGNED TO BE SPECIFIC AND TO BE HELPFUL.

OTHER THAN ANSWERING ANY QUESTIONS.

THAT'S ALL I HAVE. >> LAURA SMITH ON ITEM 345.

CAESAR AS PINEDA -- ESPINOZA ON ITEM 328.

YOU EACH HAVE A MINUTE. >> I'M LAURA SMITH WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY WHERE WE ARE WORKING TOWARD CERTIFICATION AS A SUSTAINABLE LIBRARY SYSTEM.

A FRAMEWORK THAT ACKNOWLEDGES UNIQUE ROLE THAT LIBRARIES PLAY IN BUILDING THE RESILIENCY OF THEIR COMMUNITIES, ENSURING THEY THRIVE FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.

THE ABILITY TO PARTNER WITH THE OCA SUSTAINABILITY DIVISION IN CARRYING OUT OBJECTIVES OF THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, STRATEGIC PLAN AND THE CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN HAS INCREASED THE IMPACT THAT WE CAN MAKE THIS WORK. ENSURING EACH LIBRARY BRANCH HAS A SEED BANK IS ONE OF THE MOST RECENT PROJECTS THAT WE'VE COLLABORATED ON. RESIDENTS CAN USE THESE SEEDS IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE BOOKS IN OUR COLLECTIONS AND THE PROGRAMMING COLLECTED BY HARRIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS TO FEEL EMPOWERED AS THEY CONTRIBUTE TOWARD BUILDING OUR REGION'S ENVIRONMENTAL RESILIENCE -- WE LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AS WE MAKE SURE EVERY BRANCH HAS A DIRECT ACCESS TO A VARIETY OF SEEDS.

GOOD MORNING TO YOU COMMISSIONERS.

I'M CURRENTLY THE SENIOR AT ABBA LOW-SPEED TEXT.

STUDENTS NOW MORE THAN EVER NEED WAYS TO STAY AWARE OF CHANGES THAT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS MAKE THE LAWS THAT DIRECTLY AFFECT US. I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DO EXACTLY

[01:20:01]

I SPEAK FROM EXPERIENCES ON HOW OVERWHELMING IT FEELS TO CONSTANTLY BE ON EDGE, TO STEP OUT OF MY HOUSE WITH ICE IN MY CITY. MY FATHER IS AN IMMIGRANT WHO HAS HIS CITIZENSHIP. THIS STILL FEELS A NEED TO GET MY PASSPORT RENEWED AND LECTURE ME ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CARRYING MY PASSPORT ON MY PERSON EVERY TIME I LEAVE MY HOUSE. MY GENERATION WILL BE THE NEXT LAWYERS AND POLITICIANS AND I KNOW THAT MY ENGAGEMENT IS WHAT DIRECTLY CHALLENGES THE WORLD AROUND ME.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE HERE TO

HEAR ME OUT. >> THANK YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN. >> I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.

I'M A PROUD IMMIGRANT. AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, I WASN'T BORN HERE BUT I GOT HERE AS QUICK AS ICE COULD.

HARRIS COUNTY IS A VIBRANT CITY BECAUSE IT IS MIGRANTS.

HARRIS COUNTY, THE WORLD CUP, EVERYTHING IS COMING UP AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER THAT WHATEVER AFFECTS THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN A COUNTY, WE ARE 1 OF 4 -- WHERE 1 OF 4 INDIVIDUALS IS FOREIGN-BORN, IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYTHING.

AND SO I ASK THAT WE HAVE AN OPEN DISCUSSION, THAT WE HAVE A TRUE DISCUSSION, THAT WE SEE THE FACTS THAT WE HAVE 1.5 FOREIGN-BORN PEOPLE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ABOUT 600,000 UNDOCUMENTED FOLKS. AND WE DON'T SHY AWAY FROM IT BUT WALKED TOWARDS IT WITH GOOD AND OPEN ARMS AND OPEN DIALOG.

I WANT TO GIVE A QUICK SHOUT OUT TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE HERE.

I HEAR THERE'S A HIGH SCHOOL UPSTAIRS AND I WANT TO COMMEND THEM FOR COMING HERE AND BEING PART OF THIS PROCESS.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS BARBARA ON ITEM 428.

VERA ON ITEM 428 AND PATRICIA ON ITEM 428.

YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTES. >> ITEM 428 APPEARS AIMED AT ATTEMPTING TO TIE THE HANDS OF I.C.E. AGENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

WE'VE ALREADY SEEN WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THE CITY TRIED THAT.

THE STATE STEPPED IN AND NOW THE CITY HAS TO OBEY THE LAW.

IN LOCAL NEWS, IT WAS RAISED THE ORDINANCE VIOLATES SENATE BILL FOUR, WHICH BANDS CITIES FROM ADOPTING POLICIES THAT LIMIT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT. PERHAPS YOU ARE THINKING SINCE THIS IS A COUNTY AND NOT A CITY, IT MEANS YOU WON'T HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. IF SO, YOU WOULD BE WRONG.

THE SECTION PROHIBITS A LOCAL ENTITY FROM ADOPTING, ENFORCING A POLICY THAT PROHIBITS OR DISCOURAGES THE ENFORCEMENT OF IMMIGRATION LAWS. NOTE IT DOESN'T SAY CITY, IT SAYS LOCAL ENTITY, WHICH MEANS IF HARRIS COUNTY TRIES TO PULL THE SAME STUNT, THEY WILL FACE THE SAME CONSEQUENCES.

THE SYSTEM WE HAVE IS WORKING, IT'S CALM, IT'S ORDERLY AND IT KEEPS US OUT OF THE NATIONAL CIRCUS.

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. >> I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 428, REGARDING I.C.E. I ENTERED THE U.S. AS A RESIDENTIAL EARLY AND IN 1979. MY GREEN CARD AND PASSPORT HAVE BEEN SCRUTINIZED NUMEROUS TIMES AND HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FEDERAL BACKGROUND CHECKS. THOSE OVERSTAYING THEIR STAYS AND/OR NOT PROVIDING PASSPORTS, VISAS OR GREEN CARDS TO SKIP ALL OF THIS --'S COMPROMISES PUBLIC HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL-BEING.

ALL PEOPLE WHO ARE IMMIGRANTS ARE SUBJECT TO SCRUTINY.

I'VE BEEN DETAINED TWICE AND I HAD FEAR NEITHER TIME.

IT'S THE COST OF CHOOSING TO LIVE AND STAY IN THIS GREAT COUNTRY AS A GUEST. IF YOU ARE AN ILLEGAL GAS, THINGS GET RESOLVED. WILL MUCH OF THE WORLD IS EMBRACING GREATER IMMIGRATION SCRUTINY, U.S. IS TAKING A STEP BACKWARDS. I AM PROVE FOR NEXUS, U.K. ETA AND PROGRAMS WHICH MEANS I DON'T HAVE A CRIMINAL RECORD NOR HAVE BEEN FOUND GUILTY OF WAR CRIMES. WORKING WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION HELPS TO WEED OUT THOSE WHO ARE HERE ILLEGALLY AND HAVE OVERSTAYED THEIR STAYS. THAT PUTS LESS BURDEN ON OUR SOCIAL SERVICES SUCH AS HEALTH AND EDUCATION.

IT ALLOWS US TO FEEL MORE AT EASE THAT THOSE LIVING AMONG US ARE NOT CRIMINALS. HOW WAS THIS BAD?

>> AND WITH CITIZENS DEFENDING FREEDOM.

I TOO AM ADDRESSING THE ISSUE THAT CITY COUNCIL HAS RECENTLY ENGAGED IN REGARDING TRAFFIC STOPS AND COOPERATION WITH FEDERAL IMMIGRATION. TEXAS LAW SETS FORTH

[01:25:05]

THIS POLICY PUTS MAJOR STATE FUNDING AT RISK FOR -- USED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. WE CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE THIS, ESPECIALLY WHEN WE HAVE THINGS LIKE THE WORLD CUP COMING.

IF HOUSTON LOSES THOSE FUNDS, THE EFFECTS DO NOT STOP AT THE CITY LIMITS, AND THAT'S WHY I AM AT A CITY COUNCIL MEETING, BECAUSE COUNTY AGENCIES SHARE TRAINING --

>> THANK YOU. TIME IS UP.

>> NEXT IS MARY SPECK ON ITEM 428, CINDY SIEGEL ON ITEM 428 AND A NONAGENDA SPEAKER RODNEY SIMMS.

YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTES. >> I HEARD IT'S GOING TO BE ON THE AGENDA AS BEFORE, WHY ARGUE AGAINST LAW ENFORCEMENT AT ANY LEVEL? YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO BE BACKING THE BLUE. YOU HAVE A NEGATIVE DEFICIT.

THE GOVERNMENT SUPPOSEDLY GAVE YOU THE MONEY ALREADY AND THEY WANTED BACK IF YOU DO ANYTHING TO IT, IF YOU DON'T ABIDE BY THEIR RULES. IT'S NOT A POLITICAL ISSUE, IT'S AN ISSUE OF EVERYONE'S SAFETY. YOU WANT TO SAFEGUARD THE COMMUNITY, YOU WANT TO SAFEGUARD POLICE OFFICERS.

THEY GIVE US 24/7 365 DAY COMMITMENTS.

THEY NEED THAT BACK FROM YOU. DO NOT VOTE THEM LESS AUTHORITY.

WE NEED MORE SO THEY GET THEIR JOB DONE AND THEY GET IT DONE SAFELY. THAT'S ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR.

AND IF YOU DON'T COME IN HERE LEGALLY, YOU HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

MY GRANDPARENTS WERE IMMIGRANTS. I'M A SECOND-GENERATION AMERICAN. I ASK YOU COME HERE LEGALLY.

WHEN SOMEONE WAS IN THE PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE, THEY LET ANYONE PUT IN. WE ARE NOW HAVING TO DEAL WITH THAT. UNFORTUNATELY, THAT IS YOUR

PROBLEM. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE. MY MESSAGE IS SIMPLE, DON'T MESS WITH RESTRICTING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, OUR SHERIFF OR OUR CONSTABLES FROM DOING THEIR JOB.

IF YOU DON'T LIKE THE IMMIGRATION LAW, THEN WORK TO CHANGE IT. BUT THEY ARE HIRED TO DO A JOB TO KEEP ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES SAFER.

WHEN OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN COORDINATE EFFORTS, WHETHER IT'S FROM VOCAL ENTITY TO OUR FEDERAL ENTITIES, OUR COMMUNITIES ARE SAFER. THIS IS ABOUT COMMUNITY SAFETY, IT'S NOT ABOUT POLITICS. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, I'M RODNEY SIMMS OF HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT. RESIDENTS OF CROSBY AND SIEZED HARRIS COUNTY AND PRECINCT THREE HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF A PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT NEAR THE 19,000 BLOCK OF RAMSEY ROAD, DIRECTLY AND JUST ADJACENT TO A PROPERTY ON WILSON ROAD, RESIDENTS HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN FOR POTENTIAL IMPACT TO TRAFFIC CONGESTION, DRAINAGE, INFRASTRUCTURE CAPACITY AND LONG-TERM CARE GROUPS SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL AREAS.

ALL PERSONS IN THESE PETITION OPERATE WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS ARE SUBJECT TO THE CONSTITUTION AND LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES AND TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND NO SEPARATE LEGAL SYSTEM SUPERSEDES THOSE LAWS. BE REQUESTED BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF HARRIS COUNTY TO ENCOURAGE APPROPRIATE LOCAL PLANNING AND REGULATORY AUTHORITIES TO CAREFULLY REVIEW PROPOSED DEVELOPMENT AND ANY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OR IMPACTS RELATED TO TRAFFIC DRAINAGE, INFRASTRUCTURE, CAPACITY AND COMPATIBILITY WITH SURROUNDING RESIDENTIAL PROPERTIES.

WE HAVE FOR THE REQUESTED DEVELOPMENT --

>> THANK YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> WE HAVE NONAGENDA ITEMS. YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTES.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNSEL. I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF ONCE AGAIN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. WHEN I GOOGLED FEDERAL COMMISSIONERS COURT, A NAME CAME UP, LEGALLY, LEGIBLY TO GET THE JOB DONE. I PRESENTED MYSELF ONCE BEFORE AS MY CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT HAD BEEN VIOLATED.

IT'S CALLED CRIMINAL NEGLECT. TRYING TO GET HELP WITH MEDICAL.

[01:30:07]

I AM IN A WARFARE. I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF HARASSMENT, STOCKING, EVERY DAY ALL DAY. I DID POLICE REPORTS, THEY'VE

BEEN TURNED AROUND. >> THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> I'M SARAH CHANTELLE BELL EDWARDS.

>> GOOD MORNING. YOU GUYS SURE HAVE A LOT TO DEAL WITH, SO THANK YOU. AND I'M HERE TO SAY THANK YOU.

MY NAME IS MARY COOK. I'M ATM A LEADER AND A MEMBER OF A CONGREGATION WHICH IS A MEMBER CONGREGATION OF TM OH.

A FEW WEEKS AGO, I WAS HERE ASKING YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE EXPANSION, AND YOU DID THAT, AND THANK YOU FOR THAT'S.

TODAY, I'M HERE TO FOLLOW UP ON A PETITION I MENTIONED DURING MY TESTIMONY THAT WE HAD COLLECTED 2000 NAMES IN SUPPORT OF THE EXPANSION. I DIDN'T HAVE THE PETITION WITH ME. I'M BRINGING IT TODAY TO ENTER IT INTO THE PUBLIC RECORD, AND AGAIN TO SAY THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, PMO AND THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO WILL BENEFIT FROM AN IMPROVED SAFETY NET PUBLIC HOSPITAL.

AND THANKS AGAIN FOR WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO.

IT'S A BROAD EXPANSE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, I'M WITH THEIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON. I'M HERE TODAY TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT A PERMIT MEETING TAKING PLACE THIS EVENING AT 7:00 P.M. AT THE ISD SOUTH CAMPUS AT THE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER. THIS MEETING CONCERNS ITC'S PROPOSED EXPANSION AT 1000TH -- AT 10:30 ETHEL ROAD WHICH WOULD ADD NEW STORAGE TANKS, LOADING INFRASTRUCTURE AND OTHER EQUIPMENT THAT WOULD LEAD TO AIR POLLUTION IN THE COMMUNITY THAT IS ALREADY BURDENED WITH A LOT OF INDUSTRIAL ACTIVITY.

THIS EXPANSION WOULD TAKE PLACE IN PRECINCT TWO.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I APPRECIATE YOUR ATTENTION TO THE ISSUES IN PRECINCT TWO. I ASKED THE URGE MEMBERS OF YOUR STAFF OR YOURSELF TO PLEASE ATTEND THE MEETING TONIGHT AND HELP REINFORCE THE IMPORTANCE OF THOROUGH TRANSPARENT AND COMMUNITY RESPONSE OR REVIEW PROCESS THAT TCE CUTE NEEDS TO BE -- THAT TCAQ NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING ME THIS.

I APPRECIATE YOU SHARING IT. HAVE YOU ENGAGE THE MAYOR?

>> I HAVE NOT. >> I SUGGEST THAT YOU PUT IN A CALL TO THE MAYOR'S OFFICE IN DEER PARK.

HE AND I WORKED VERY CLOSELY TOGETHER WHEN THE FIRE FIRST TOOK PLACE IN 2019. HE IS AN INCREDIBLE LEADER.

PLEASE CHECK IN WITH HIM AS WELL, AND I WILL DO EVERYTHING I

CAN TO MAKE IT TONIGHT. >> WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH

PASADENA CITY COUNCIL. >> THE MAYOR IS PHENOMENAL.

>> THANK YOU. APPRECIATE IT.

>> GOOD MORNING I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT A CRITICAL TIME HAPPENING FOR MANY OF OUR COMMUNITIES, IN PARTICULAR COMMUNITIES IN PRECINCT TWO BUT REALLY ALL COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LOW INCOME THAT ARE FACING A PARTICULAR CRISIS IN THE CITY.

THE KANDER INSTITUTE ESTIMATES THAT THE FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE CITY IS ABOUT 48% RIGHT NOW BUT IN COMMUNITIES SUCH AS MINE WHERE THE AVERAGE INCOME IS $25,000, THAT RATE IS MUCH HIGHER. IT'S OVER HALF OF THE PEOPLE LIVING THERE THAT ARE FOOD INSECURE AND THAT ALSO LEADS TO HOUSING SECURITY. OR IT'S CONNECTED TO HOUSING AND SECURITY. AND SOY WANT TO WORK WITH ALL OF YOU TO FIGURE OUT -- I UNDERSTAND THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT IS A SEPARATE ENTITY THAN THE COMMISSIONERS COURT HOWEVER I NEED TO FIGURE TELL CAN WE ADDRESS THE FACT THAT DESPITE THE FACT THAT MARKET VALUES ARE DECLINING, APPRAISAL VALUES ARE GOING UP AND PEOPLE ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND LOSING INCOME DUE TO DEPORTATIONS AND OTHER ISSUES HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY. AND SO I AM OPEN --

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUGGESTIONS.

>> THANK YOU. SOMEONE FROM MY STAFF WILL BE IN TOUCH WITH YOU. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

[01:35:01]

>> SARAH GONZALEZ ON ITEM 428 AND ACKNOWLEDGING STEVEN K.

EACH OF ONE MINUTE. >> COME ON DOWN.

TRUSTEE THANK YOU FOR BEING H HERE.

>> APPRECIATE THE SHADOW. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

I AM ONE OF TWO CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SPECIALISTS AT THE CIVIC ENGAGEMENT INITIATIVE. OUR MISSION IS TO HELP STUDENTS, STAFF, PARENTS AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS GET EDUCATION AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO THRIVE. OUR COMMUNITY IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED AND WE ARE HERE TO ENSURE EVERYBODY'S VOICES HEARD.

BY FOSTERING CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AND EMPOWERMENT, WE INTEGRATE A SPACE WHERE YOU CAN ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I PERSONALLY HAVE TAUGHT IN THE CLASSROOM, WORKED WITH UNITY CENTERS AND EVEN WORKED HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY. MY CURRENT ROLE HAS BEEN ONE OF THE MOST REWARDING OF MY CAREER. OUR STUDENTS GIVE ME HOPE FOR THE FUTURE AND HAVE EVEN INSPIRED ME TO RUN FOR PUBLIC OFFICE. PROGRAMS LIKE OURS ARE VITAL TO THE COMMUNITY, IN MY DREAM IS TO SEE A CIVIC ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM AT EVERY SCHOOL DISTRICT IN OUR REGION.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SERVICE TO OUR GREAT COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I'M PROUD OF YOUR WORK.

>> MY NAME IS STEPHEN K. I WAS HERE LAST MONTH WHEN THE HARRIS HEALTH PEOPLE WERE LOBBYING HARD FOR JOB SECURITY.

YOU ALL GAVE IT TO THEM. THE HEALTH CARE INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX THAT THEY MAKE UP IS VERY DESTRUCTIVE, AND ALL OF YOU ARE IN THE EPICENTER OF THIS. Y'ALL DON'T SEE THE DESTRUCTION THIS IS HAPPENING. DO IT ALL FOR THEIR JOB SECURITY. THEY TURN IT INTO CASH COWS THAT GUINEA PIGS, FLATBREADS. THEY BANNED ME FROM THERE ARE ACCUSING ME OF HORRIBLE THINGS. I HAVE FILED A CASE, I HOPE WHEN MY HEARING IS SET, ONE OF YOU CAN APPEAR WITH ME.

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. THE CIVIL ATTORNEY'S OFFICE SAYING I SHOULD GO TO DISTRICT ORDER AND FILE IT THERE.

IT'S A COUNTY AND CITY FULL OF HOMELESS PEOPLE.

ALL OF YOU ARE TEST WITH DIVERTING PEOPLE AWAY FROM THE JAIL SYSTEM WITH THE HEALTH ISSUE SO PLEASE DO IT.

YOU INSTALLED THE BOARD, I WENT TO THE BOARD MEETINGS.

VERY DIPLOMATIC. THEY DISCRIMINATED AGAINST ME.

I GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM AND THEY DON'T GIVE ME CARE THERE EITHER. PLEASE HELP ME.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> WE HAVE TWO NONAGENDA AND SARAH GONZALEZ ITEM 420.

YOU EACH HAVE 1 MINUTES. >> GOOD MORNING.

GLAD TO BE HERE. MS. BRIONES, I AM IN YOUR PRECINCT. YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB.

I LOVE HOUSTON BECAUSE OF THE GREAT INTERNATIONAL DIVERSITY AND OPPORTUNITIES BUT SAFETY IS MY NUMBER 1 PRIORITY.

THAT'S WHY I STRESSED TO THE PEOPLE THAT WORK FOR ME, SAFETY AND QUALITY WILL WORK. ON A REGULAR TAXPAYING CITIZEN, IN CASE THE FOLLOWING ISSUE IS PRESENTED TO YOU.

MANY PEOPLE HAVE CONCERNS OF THEIR OWN SAFETY AND BASICALLY I'M SPEAKING ON REGARDING ITEM 428.

I LEFT MY DUTIES TO EXPRESS MY OUTER DISAPPOINTMENT OVER THE RISK OF YOU LOSING $120 MILLION IN PUBLIC SAFETY FUNDING, PUTTING CITIZENS AT RISK DUE TO THE REASON THEY PUSHED IMMIGRATION ORDNANCE. MEMBER OF CITY COUNCIL THAT VOTED FOR THIS ORDINANCE, WHICH SHOULD BE REPEALED IMMEDIATELY, KNEW OR SHOULD HAVE KNOWN CONSEQUENCES OF LOSING THIS MONEY AND THE APPLICATION ON SAFETY.

THEY OWN ALL OF THE CONSEQUENCES RESULTING FROM IT.

THIS ON MY MIND IS GROSS INCOMPETENCE, AND I WISH AS A

CITIZEN -- >> YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE AND I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY ABOUT THE FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE MONEY.

IT WAS PART OF A BOND. YOU HAVE THE MONEY NORTHEAST ACTION COLLECTIVE, DID THE WORK TO IDENTIFY THE WORST FLOOD ZONE LOCATIONS. THEY GAVE YOU THAT INFORMATION YEARS AGO. MY QUESTION IS WHY OUR MONEY IN YOUR BANK ACCOUNT. WE ARE PAYING INTEREST ON A BOND AND KEEPING THE MONEY IN THE BANK WHEN THE PEOPLE ARE SUBJECT TO LIFE AND DEATH FLOODING MATTERS.

ESPECIALLY IN THE POOR COMMUNITIES IN NORTHEAST HOU

[01:40:02]

>> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> OKAY, GREAT.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO SPOKE. LETS ME GO AHEAD AND FIND...

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

IS THAT RIGHT? >> I CAN STAY ON LONGER.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER EL ELLIS.

NEXT WE ARE GOING TO -- DURING THIS TIME, WE WILL CONSIDER HIS REQUEST ON SEVERAL OUT OF ORDER ITEMS. AND SO WE WILL GET TO THAT IN A MOMENT.

PRECINCT FOUR REQUEST THAT WE TAKE ITEM 385 ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY VISITED BETWEEN 12 AND 1:00 P.M.

DURING THIS TIME WE WILL CONSIDER TAKING ALL EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED.

I WILL ASK MY TEAM TO REMIND ME OF THAT AT 12:00.

AND I WOULD APPRECIATE IF WE COULD TAKE ITEM 428 ON THE I.C.E. POLICIES AT 2:00 P.M. TO ACCOMMODATE SCHEDULES.

LET ME GO BRIEFLY THROUGH ITEMS THAT NEED ANY MINOR CHANGES.

ITEM 23, HRT REQUEST, NO ACTION. ITEM 25, NO ACTION.

134, NO ACTION. 150, NO ACTION.

304, PRECINCT ONE REQUEST, NO ACTION.

328, PRECINCT FOUR REQUEST, NO ACTION.

391, OCA REQUEST, NO ACTION. ITEM 435 NEEDS A CORRECTION.

WE NEED TO ADD QUOTE, "AND RECENT ONE -- PRECINCT ONE LOCAL AFTER PRECINCT FOUR. ITEM 436 NEEDS A CORRECTION.

THE SAME ONE, ADDING AND PRECINCT ONE AFTER PRECINCT FOUR. ITEM 438, THERE IS A CORRECTION, WE NEED TO ADD THE WORD HOUSTON AFTER FAIR.

IT SAYS HONORING THE SIDE FAIR HOUSTON CHAMBER OF COMMERCE ON ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY. DID I MISS ANY CORRECTIONS?

>> KNOW, MA'AM. >> OKAY.

HAVING DONE THAT, I WILL GO OVER THE VARIOUS DISCUSSION ITEMS. LET ME KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY FOLKS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA. ITEM 385 WE WILL DISCUSS ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. 386, THAT IS APPOINTMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S COMM COMMISSION.

CAN THAT GO BACK TO CONSENT? 387 IS AN APPOINTMENT TO THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMM COMMISSION.

SHOULD I KEEP THAT ON THE AGENDA OR MOVE IT TO CONSENT, ITEM 387? OKAY. WHAT ABOUT 388, AN APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD.

>> 399, APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY IMMIGRANT AND

REFUGEE COMMISSION. >> 389.

>> EXCUSE ME? >> THAT WAS 389.

IS THERE A MISTAKE? >> I WAS JUST GETTING CLARITY.

>> 390, AN APPOINTMENT TO HARRIS COUNTY IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMISSION. 391 -- PRECINCT THREE REQUEST NO ACTION. SO I'M TAKING THAT ONE OFF.

IS THAT CORRECT, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? 391, IT IS A REAPPOINTMENT TO THE OLD TOWN SPRING IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT. 392, APPOINTMENT TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FINANCE CORPORATION BOARD.

[01:45:07]

394, WE DO NEED TO DISCUSS. ITEM 395 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ACQUIRING FOUR TRACTS OF LAND.

DOES THAT NEED TO BE DISCUSSED? >> NO.

>> OKAY 396. THAT IS A CONTRACT MATTERS

RELATED TO GENERAL PRIVACY. >> NO.

>> OKAY. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA, THAT WAS EXECUTIVE SESSION.

SO ITEM -- DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING STRUCTURE OF THE OFFICE OF COUNTY MINISTRY. ITEM SIX, THE RULES, YES.

ITEM EIGHT, ITEM NINE, BUDGET OFFSET 17, SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDING.

24. OKAY.

74, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 77, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

141, MR. BRIONES. 167.

>> YES. >> 174, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

188, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. PRIORITY PROGRAMS AND THEIR INCLUSION. YES.

236. >> 190.

>> 190, OKAY. I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY WHICH ONE THAT IS TO MAKE SHARON THE SAME HAPPY THAT IS PAYMENT OF AUDITED CLAIMS. PURCHASING ITEM 236,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> 236 OR 263?

>> I HAVE HUNDRED 36. >> IT IS 263.

>> OKAY. SO ONLY 263.

I HAD THEM BOTH. HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS.

AND 201, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WOULD LIKE TO TAKE WITH YOU HUNDRED 63. AUDIT.

299, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. 300, STATUS OF PROGRAMS, YES.

TAKE THAT WITH 366. AND THEN WE HAVE 306, 307, I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS 307 AND 320 TOGETHER.

319, YES. THE EXPANSION.

320, WE WILL DISCUSS WITH 307. 321, GROUP WAIVER PLAN.

322, 324 ON THE STREET SOCCER USA.

345, CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN. 346, STRATEGIC PLAN.

350, 353 TRANSMITTAL OF A SUBSTANTIAL COMPLETION CERTIFICATE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> 363 -- EXCUSE ME, 366, THAT'S THE ONE THAT WILL GO ON ALONG WITH THE OTHER PROJECT ITEM 300. 398 IS COSTS OF OPERATIONS DURING FIFA. YES.

385. 385 IS EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE HAVE THAT ALREADY. IS THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY? WE HAVE THAT ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA.

427, DUAL STREETS LLC FOR A PUBLIC ART MARROW.

428, YES. 429, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'M GUESSING YES. 430 AND 431.

[01:50:06]

OKAY, THAT SHOULD BE -- >> WE CAN MOVE TO CONSENT

AGENDA. >> DID YOU MENTION 17?

>> YES. AND LET ME GO THROUGH THE LIST AND THERE ARE SOME THAT ARE NOT ON CONSENT AGENDA THAT NEED MOTIONS. EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 385 AND 394. REGULAR AGENDA ITEM TWO, SIX, EIGHT, NINE, 17, 24, 74, 77, 141, 167, 174, 188, 190, 263, 271, 299, 300, 206, 307, 319, 320, 321, 322324, 345, 346, 350, FOR HER FIFTYTHREE, 366, 398, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431.

>> ON 428, IF WE COULD GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT.

>> OKAY. I WILL MOVE THAT TO EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> ARE WE GOING TO VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS? ARE WE ASSUMING IT'S ON CONSENT.

>> LET ME GET BACK TO YOU ON THOUGHTS.

I WANT TO MARK THIS EXECUTIVE SESSION LIST BEFORE I FORGET.

ALL RIGHT. 428 IS ON EXECUTIVE SESSION.

LET'S VOTE ON THAT ONE AND WE WILL MOVE ON THE REST OF THEM AS PART. DID YOU CATCH WHICH ITEM THAT

WAS? >> 434.

>> MOTION BY -- MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

HERE ARE SOME MOTIONS, ITEMS NOT ADDED TO DISCUSSION LIST BUT NEEDING A DIRECT MOTION. ITEM ONE, APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

THE MEETINGS CALENDAR. ITEM TEN, BUDGET PROPOSALS APPROVED AS PRESENTED. ITEM 11 ON OFFICIALS NOT RENOMINATED TO OFFICE POLICY, APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER EDITS? >> ITEM SEVEN, IS THAT APPROVED

AS PRESENTED? >> NO ACTION.

IS THERE A MOTION FOR ALL ITEMS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS LISTED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

GREAT. LET'S START, WE HAVE THE OUT OF ORDER SECTION COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO START WITH THE ITEMS THAT YOU FLAGGED BECAUSE I

KNOW YOU HAVE LIMITED TIME. >> I'M LOOKING FOR IT, TO HAVE IT THERE? I'M TRYING TO FIND IT.

>> I KNOW I HAVE IT. I'M ALSO TRYING --

>> IT IS ITEM TWO. >> OKAY, YES.

SO ITEM TO. IF YOU KNOW THE OTHERS, YOU CAN CALL THEM OUT TO MY COLLEAGUES AND THE OTHER ONES NO.

THE ONES I'M ASKING TO BRING UP. >> ITEM TWO, SIX, EIGHT, NINE, 17, 24, 167, 188, 300, 321, 366 AND 428.

>> OKAY. LET'S START WITH ITEM TWO.

THAT IS ON THE DCA STRUCTURE, IF YOU WANT TO GO AHEAD.

>> DOES THE COMMISSIONER WANT TO SPEAK?

>> I THINK YOU WANT TO LAY IT OUT, ADMINISTRATOR.

[01:55:02]

>> AGAIN, AS I'VE DISCUSSED WITH YOU AT THE MARCH 19 COURT, WE'VE WENT OVER TWO OPTIONS TO IMPROVE GOVERNANCE.

THIS IS THE ORGANIZATIONAL CHART THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOUR CHIEFS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF YOUR TEAM. THIS IS TO ALLOW A MORE STREAMLINED APPROACH TO ENSURE EXCELLENCE AND EXECUTION AND GOVERNANCE TO ENSURE REGULAR FEEDBACK GIVEN TO OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS. THAT I WOULD CERTAINLY BE INVOLVED AND TO RETAIN DIRECT INTERACTION AND PARTICIPATION IN ALL KEY HIGH PARITY DIRECTIVES AND THOSE RELATED TO THE STRATEGIC PLAN. IT WOULD HELP US TO BETTER EFFECTIVELY TRACK AND EXECUTE YOUR LARGE-SCALE INITIATIVES AND TO ENSURE THAT IT'S EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP CAN FOCUS ON LONG-TERM STRATEGIC PRIORITIES AND MEET THE DEADLINES THAT YOU SET WHICH ARE VERY IMPORTANT. I WILL TAKE THE INFORMATION HAS BEEN PROVIDED.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WOULD YOU LIKE TO START.

>> I WILL MAKE A QUICK COMMENT AND A MOTION.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS SOME LATITUDE IN TERMS OF WHAT WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE OFFICE OF POLLUTION CONTROL AND SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE. IT'S MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THROUGH BUDGET PROCESS, THERE WOULD BE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET INPUT FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, IN PARTICULAR IN TERMS OF ANY ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS, ANY IMPACT IT WOULD HAVE.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? THERE IS STILL ROOM? MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WANTS TO WEIGH IN.

>> WHAT THIS VOTE IS ON IS NOT INCLUDING THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY CHANGES. THAT WOULD BE COMPLETELY REVIEWED AND DISCUSSED -- WE DON'T EVEN HAVE IT RIGHT NOW FOR

THE BUDGET OFFICE YES. >> I WILL MOVE THE ITEMS.

>> WE HAVE COMMENTS BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, RAMSEY AND

BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. MY PREFERENCE, AS I SHARED WITH YOU, IS ON THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENTS TO FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING TO ALLOW THEM TO FIND SOME SYNERGY SINCE THEY ARE ALL INTERRELATED TO WORK TOGETHER.

AND SEE HOW WE CAN HELP TO MOVE THAT FORWARD BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS JUST SO MUCH GOING ON WITH THEM, WE ARE ALWAYS DATING UPDATES AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEM.

MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO SEPARATE THOSE OUT.

I HAD SUGGESTED A COMMITTEE OF SOME SORT THAT THEY BE PART OF AND BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE SO THEY COULD FIND AND MAINTAIN BECAUSE I THINK THERE'S STILL A BIT OF DISCONNECT BETWEEN THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS AND WATCH WORK IS INTERRELATED AND WHAT WORK NEEDS TO BE DONE. THAT WOULD BE MY PREFERENCE ON THIS ITEM. OTHERWISE, I APPRECIATE THE WORK

THAT YOU HAVE PUT FORTH. >> THANK YOU.

WE ARE WORKING ON IT. I JUST COULDN'T GET IT PREPARED

FOR THE COURT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I WILL ECHO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S CONCERNS. THOSE ARE MY CONCERNS.

WE'VE GOT FAR TOO MANY PROBLEMS GENERATING FROM THOSE AREAS.

WE NEED TO GET A HANDLE ON IT. SO I UNDERSTAND YOUR NEED TO ORGANIZE WHAT YOU ARE DOING BUT IN TERMS OF PRIORITIES, WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT THOSE SPECIFICALLY GOING FORWARD.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO NEXT STEPS RELATED TO THOSE TWO IN PARTICULAR, FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> FIRST OF ALL, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, YOU'VE HIT THE GROUND SPRINTING, AND I APPRECIATED TREMENDOUSLY. I'VE SEEN THE IMPACT OF YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR PARTNERSHIP SO THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION TO BUILD ON MY COLLEAGUES POINTS RELATES TO SEVERAL THINGS. ONE ARE THE KEY INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT. ANOTHER FOR INSTANCE THE ORG CHART THAT YOU PASSED OUT THE COUNTY AUDITOR AND PURCHASING AGENT. I KNOW THIS IS APPOINTED BY INDEPENDENT BODIES, I THINK OF THE FIRE MARSHAL REPORTING DIRECTLY TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO WHILE I APPRECIATE AND 100% BEHIND COLLABORATION THAT COMMUNICATION AND COORDINATION BETWEEN ALL OF THESE DEPARTMENTS THAT IMPACT SO MUCH, I DON'T THINK THE ORG CHART IS CLEAR ENOUGH IN TERMS OF WHO REPORTS TO WHOM. AND I KNOW YOU ARE TREMENDOUSLY ACTION ORIENTED, WHICH IS MY FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOU BUT THIS ISN'T VERY CLEAR. AND SO I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO

[02:00:03]

THIS NEEDS SOME ITERATION. >> SURE AND I'M SORRY THE COLOR CODING MAY NOT BE CLEAR, IT WAS TO INDICATE THEY WOULD WORK IN CLOSE COLLABORATION. NOT THAT WE WERE EVER RECOMMENDING A CHANGE IN REPORTING.

BOARD PURCHASING AGENTS AND DEPENDENTS, AUDITORS INDEPENDENCE TO INDICATE THE CLOSENESS OF COLLABORATION AND IF YOU CAN READ THE SMALLER PRINT, I'M SORRY IF THAT WASN'T AS CLEAR BUT WE CAN DO ANOTHER ONE THAT IS BETTER.

>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL FOR EVERYONE'S CLARITY.

I RECOGNIZE IT WILL LOOK LIKE A SPIDER WEB WHEN IT'S DONE BUT I DO THINK GIVEN SEPARATE BOARDS APPOINTS SOME OF THESE FOLKS, SOME ARE STRAIGHT TO COMMISSIONERS COURT, SOME ARE STRAIGHT TO YOU. I THINK THIS COULD CREATE CONFUSION AND I APPRECIATE HOW YOU'VE HIT THE GROUND SPRINTING.

>> THIS ITEM IS SOLELY ON THE DCA PCN AND SOME TRY TO SHOW HOW

IT MIGHT WORK TOGETHER. >> QUICKLY -- COUNTY ADMINISTER, AND YOU QUICKLY STATE THE DCA AND WHAT THEY VALUE ADD AND WHY

IT IS SO NEEDED? >> DCA STANDS FOR DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH IS 2021 HAS BEEN PROPOSED AT VARIOUS TIMES AND IMPLEMENT IT SOMETIMES. THIS WOULD ALLOW A SECOND DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. I PROPOSE DESIGNATING MORE FOR COMMITTEE SERVICE UMBRELLA INCLUDING PUBLIC HEALTH POLLUTION, CONTROL, HOUSING COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

THAT ARE IN LINE AND WORK MORE WITH OUR FACING RESIDENT SERVICES IN THE COMMUNITY. BUDGET NEUTRAL.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND?

>> I WILL SECOND IS. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BE HONEST.

ALL IN FAVOR -- COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> THANK YOU, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR YOUR EFFORTS. I NEED MORE CLARITY ON HOW THE REST OF US WILL FUNCTION BEFORE WE START FILLING THE BOXES.

BUT I THINK WE ARE HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

IT -- DON'T TAKE NO NO VOTE IS ANY INDICATION OTHER THAN CONCERN AT THIS STAGE IN TERMS OF THE REST OF THE STORY.

>> SIMILARLY ADMINISTRATOR, I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE TECHNICAL DEPARTMENT PROCESS FLUSHED OUT. I WILL BE UPDATED FROM THIS.

>> I'M IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES. WITH THREE VOTES, ONE NO, AND ONE ABSTENTION. I'M SURE THE ADMINISTRATOR WILL TAKE YOU TO CONCERNS IT WILL HELP PUT THINGS IN PLACE SO YOU COULD BE SUCCESSFUL AS WE HAVE DONE FOR PREVIOUS.

BUT I APPRECIATE THE COMMENTS AND I'M SURE YOU MEET WITH THEIR TEAMS AND SEE IF YOU CAN ADDRESS THOSE CONCERNS.

>> YES, I WILL. THANK YOU.

>> COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, AND WE SEE THE UPDATED VERSION, WHEN YOU HAVE A CHANCE. THANK YOU.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM SIX. IT SHOULD BE A QUICK ONE.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MOTION.

>> FIRST, BEFORE I READ, I SAW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY -- I DID HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THE ROLL CHANGES AND I HAVE SOME

ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE TO PROPOSE. >> MY COMMENTS WERE STRICTLY -- WE ALMOST DID IT TODAY. ON BUSINESS COURT, WE ARE FINDING A WAY THERE. THEY ARE THE FIRST IS THIS COURT THAT WAS A BIT AWKWARD IN TERMS OF TIMING.

AND I GET ALL THAT. BUT ON BUSINESS COURT, ON BUSINESS PROCEDURE I THINK WE'VE GOT TO BE CLEAR.

WE TAKE ALL SPEAKERS ONCE EVEN WANT TO RESOLUTIONS.

THE REASON I SAY MAKE THAT CLEAR, BECAUSE A BUSINESS COURT, PEOPLE, OUR COURT BUDGETS ITS TIME AND THERE MIGHT NOT BE CORA HERE. WE NEED CORN TO LISTEN TO THE SPEAKERS. SOMETIMES IF WE GET TO OFF TRACK

[02:05:07]

WITH -- >> THAT WAS ERRONEOUS.

>> I GUESS MY POINT IS IF WE GET TOO WRAPPED AROUND THE AXLE DOING RESOLUTIONS, WE WANT TO HEAR FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.

WE WILL LOSE QUORUM. IN THE INTEREST OF KEEPING QUORUM, WE HEAR ALL SPEAKERS AT ONE TIME, EVEN THE RESOLUTIONS AND THEN COME BACK AFTER WE HEAR ALL THE SPEAKERS AND WE CAN TALK ALL DAY LONG ON THE RESOLUTIONS. WE JUST MAY NOT HAVE A FULL QUORUM. WHEN WE DO THAT.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, BEFORE ASK A FEW QUESTIONS, TO LEVEL SET, CAN YOU SUMMARIZE THE

UPDATES TO THE COURT RULES? >> THERE IS ONE UPDATE ON THE BUSINESS COURT TO ALIGN WITH THE CURRENT AGENDA AND TO ENSURE ALL SPEAKERS GO BEFORE YOUR COMMENTS, ALTHOUGH YOU ALL COULD ADJUST THAT IN REALTIME IF, FOR SOME REASON, YOU WANTED TO MAKE A DIFFERENT DESIGN FOR BUSINESS WORK.

BUT IT IS CODEFINING THAT DESIGN.

THE SECOND UPDATE WAS TO GET THE FISCAL REVIEW FORM PROCESS.

ONE TO ENSURE THAT THEY RECEIVE ANY SUBMISSION FROM ANY DEPARTMENT SIMULTANEOUSLY. WE WERE RECEIVING IT'S SEVEN DAYS AFTER BUDGET, WHICH WAS CAUSING DELAYS IN OUR ANALYSIS AND FEEDBACK TO THE COURTS. THE SECOND'S PROPOSAL THAT'S UP FOR DISCUSSION WAS TO ALLOW THEM TO KEEP ITEMS COMPLETELY OFF THE AGENDA FOR REPORTING DEPARTMENTS AND OTHER APPOINTED DEPARTMENTS IF IT DID NOT ALIGN WITH YOUR COURT DIRECTIVES, STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS OR OTHER EMERGENCIES.

EVERY COURT THERE WOULD BE STANDING TRANSMITTAL ITEM WITH ALL FISCAL REVIEW FORMS, NO MATTER THE OUTCOME FOR ANYONE TO REVIEW. THIS WOULD NOT APPLY TO A

OFFICIAL LEAD OFFICES. >> THANK YOU.

FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRESS YOU ARE DRIVING.

I'M 100% IN AGREEMENT IF THEY DON'T GO THROUGH THE FISCAL PROCESS, IT'S A DO NOT GO PAST GO PROPOSITION.

SO I'M VERY MUCH IN FAVOR OF THAT.

I'M ALSO IN FAVOR OF ENFORCING DEADLINES.

YOU ALL KNOW HOW MUCH I LOVE DEADLINES AND I DO NOT LIKE DELAYS. THE PART THAT I HAVE ALTERNATIVE LANGUAGE TO SUGGEST. I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING WHETHER OR NOT YOU RECOMMEND SOMETHING BUT I DON'T WANT THAT TO BE A THRESHOLD GATEKEEPER MOMENT.

I WOULD LIKE THOSE ITEMS, AND THEY CAN HAVE A SPECIAL NOTATION BECAUSE I WANT THOSE TO COME TO COURT AND THE FIVE OF US HAVE BEEN ELECTED TO BE THE ULTIMATE DECISION MAKERS.

I WANT TO HEAR WHAT YOU DO OR DO NOT RECOMMEND SOMETHING.

BUT IF A DEPARTMENT HEAD WANTS TO MAKE THEIR CASE DIRECTLY, I WANT TO HEAR THAT. I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT MEETING BECAUSE THAT COULD ENSUE DELAYS. AND SO I WANT TO HEAR BOTH SIDES OF THE ARGUMENTS, ASSUMING, IF AND ONLY THEY'VE GONE THROUGH THE BUDGET BECAUSE TO ME THAT IS A DO NOT GO PAST GO PROPOSITION.

BUT I DON'T WANT THERE TO BE A GATEKEEPER ROLE AND I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THINGS ARE MOVING AND SO I HAVE SOME LANGUAGE AND MY COLLEAGUES, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEIR THOUGHTS ARE BUT I WANT TO SEE THOSE ITEMS WHETHER OR NOT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AGREES OR DISAGREES. HOME.

>> I THINK I SERVE AT THE PLEASURE.

THE REASON I PROPOSED IT IS THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHERE OCA AND OMB WANT TO RECOGNIZE SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

A GOOD EXAMPLE IS MY FIRST COURT WHERE THEY WANTED TO PROPOSE EIGHT -- THE WORKSITE SAFETY IMPLEMENTATION, WE HAD DISCUSSED IT WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEAD ALIGNED ON FOUR BUT THE CAPTION SAID EIGHT AND SO IT CAUSED A LOT OF CONFUSION ON THE FINAL RECOMMENDATION. WITH THIS CURRENT DESIGN, WE COULD HAVE HAD THE CAPTION SAY FOUR.

FOR COURT DECISION, WHICH IN REVIEW BUT I UNDERSTAND YOUR PERSPECTIVE AS WELL. SO WE CAN WORK WITH WHATEVER THE

COURT DECIDES. >> THANK YOU.

>> IT MAKES SENSE TO ME. >> SO IS THERE A MOTION?

>> I DO HAVE A MOTION. IT WOULD BE A MOTION TO AMEND THE RULES OF PROCEDURE, CONDUCT AND FOR QUORUM TO REQUIRE BUDGET REQUEST SUBMISSIONS WITH COMPLETED END ON TIME FISCAL REVIEW REQUEST FORMS BE PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR DISCUSSION AND

POSSIBLE ACTION. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THE MOTION? ALL IN FAVOR.

AYE. ANY OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. LET'S MOVE ON.

[02:10:01]

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

LET'S MOVE TO ITEM EIGHT. >> I THINK YOU NEED TO IMPROVE ALL OF THE BUSINESS COURT UPDATES.

>> TEAM, CAN YOU PLEASE SEND THE REST OF THE LANGUAGE SO THAT WE

ALL HAVE IT. >> AND JUST A QUICK COMMENTS WILBUR DOING THAT, IF I MIGHT, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GET THE LITTLE HAND DOWN. I WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I AGREE WITH YOUR POINT.

I KNOW ALL OF THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS HAVE THE OPTION OF PUTTING ANYTHING ON ANYWAY SO THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME WAY WE SEE WITH THOSE OTHER DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE THINKING, SHORT OF THEM LOBBYING ONE OF US INDIVIDUALLY TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. SO AT LEAST WE KNOW.

ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT, I THINK I WAS THE CULPRIT THERE THE FIRST TIME WE HAD THE NEW PROCESS IN THE BUSINESS COURT.

I WANT TO STRESS AND ENCOURAGE MY COLLEAGUES, IF I PUT A RESOLUTION ON THE AGENDA AND I HAVE A LARGE NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, THEN I'M GOING TO FIND IT INCUMBENT UPON ME TO MAKE SURE I'M THERE FOR WHAT WE STARTED THE BUSINESS COURT TO DO WITH SO WE COULD PASS THOSE NONCONTROVERSIAL ITEMS. AND I WAS ACCUSTOMED COMING IN, I SET THE RECORD.

WE DID IT IN ONE MINUTE ONE TIME.

NOW THAT WE ADDED RESOLUTIONS, IT'S GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE HOLDING THE QUORUM. IF I BRING IN A BUSLOADS OF FOLKS FOR AN IMPORTANT EVENT, IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE TO HOLD IN COURT AND I WOULD HATE FOR US TO NOT BE ABLE TO VOTE WITH THREE PEOPLE IN A ROOM AND POINTING AT THINGS THAT HAVE BEEN WAITING.

IT SLOWS DOWN A HOST OF THINGS. SO I WILL COMMIT THAT IF I BRING IN A NUMBER OF SPEAKERS, I WILL BE ONE OF THE THREE THAT STAY THERE BECAUSE SOME MEMBERS MAY HAVE TO GO.

AS WE KNOW, THREE OF US HAVE TO BE IN A ROOM.

I JUST WANTED TO MENTION THAT. >> I AGREED AND I WILL MAKE THAT COMMITMENT. THE REST OF THE MOTION WOULD BE MOTION TO APPROVE -- MOTION TO MOVE THE AMENDED RULES AS

PRESENTED. >> THAT IS GREAT, COMMISSIONER.

>> OKAY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

NEXT IS ITEM H, THE SPECIFIC DEPARTMENT BUDGET REQUEST.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO LAY THAT OUT, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR

BUDGET DIRECTOR? >> H WAS TO ALLOW IF ANY COURTS REMEMBER WANTED TO DIRECT SPECIFIC DEPARTMENTS TO DO UNIQUE PROPOSALS AS PART OF THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS.

>> I HAVE A COUPLE OF MOTIONS TO READ.

IS THERE ANYTHING COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THAT HE WANTED TO SHARE? OR DIRECTOR?

>> SURE. I DID SEND IT TO YOUR TEAM SOME SUGGESTED PROPOSALS THAT COUNTY ADMINISTRATION WOULD LIKE TO HELP DEPARTMENTS WORK ON. ONE IS FOR POLLUTION CONTROL, AS WE HAVE OUR INTERIM DIRECTOR WHO IS HERE TODAY AS WELL AND HE IS DIGGING INTO THEIR BUDGET, LOOKING AT HOW THEY ARE OPERATING AND TO PROVIDE NEW INFORMATION AS PART OF THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS. ANOTHER AS WE CONSIDER HR TRANSFORMATION, ALL OF THE TREMENDOUS UPDATES AND PROJECTS THAT THEY ARE MANAGING TO HAVE A NEW IDEA SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS RELATED TO OCA BUDGET REPORTING DEPARTMENTS AND THEIR HR PERSONNEL.

>> THANK YOU. THE TWO MOTIONS, COMMISSIONER,

DID YOU WANT TO -- >> JUST SIMPLY TO SAY THANK YOU FOR BEING WILLING TO HELP -- TAKE THE HELM OF POLLUTION CONTROL. THAT DEPARTMENT IS IMMENSELY IMPORTANT TO ME JUST BECAUSE THINGS TEND TO GO POP IN PRECINCT TWO VERY FREQUENTLY. AND THE FACT THAT I HAVE MOST OF INDUSTRY IN MY BACKYARD, I AM LOOKING FOR A DEPARTMENT THAT REMAINS RESPONSIVE. THE DOCTOR DID A GREAT JOB OF BEING THERE EARLY AND OFTEN AND MAKING SURE THAT THINGS MOVE FORWARD. THE DEPARTMENT DOES NEED SOME ADJUSTMENT. SO I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING FOR EFFICIENCIES. BUT I KNOW THAT THE IDEA HAS BEEN FLOATED THAT IT MAY BE MERGED WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.

I'M NOT THERE YET. BECAUSE I JUST SEE IT TO

[02:15:02]

SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT OPENLY BECAUSE THERE IS WAY TOO OFTEN THE NEED FOR POLLUTION CONTROL ALMOST ON A DAILY BASIS, THAT PRECINCT TWO CONSTITUENTS TEND TO NEED.

SO I WILL PUT THAT OUT THERE COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT I WANT TO THANK SARAH HEADLEY, I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF, KRISTEN LEE AND WHO HAVE JUST BEEN THE GO-TO PEOPLE ON WORK-RELATED TO POLLUTION CONTROL AND POLLUTION CONTROL ISSUES.

NOT POLLUTION CONTROL ISSUES BUT JUST ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

I APPRECIATE THE WORK THAT THEY HAVE DONE AND KNOWING THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY, I AM HOPEFUL THAT THERE WILL BE A CONVERSATION WITH SARAH AND THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN REALLY PHENOMENAL TO MEMBERS OF THE TEAM WHEN IT COMES TO POLLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL RELATED ISSUES.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> I WOULD ECHO ON POLLUTION CONTROL. FOR EXAMPLE, THIS WEEK, EPA IS COMING TO THE WASTE PITS. THEY HAVE A PLAN TO ACTUALLY REMOVE THOSE TOXIC WASTE. IT'S BEEN IN THE GROUND IN THE WORST LOCATION ON PLANET EARTH. THERE IS NOW PLAN, THEY ARE -- THE CONTRACTORS ARE BEING ASSEMBLED SO I CAN SEE FOR THE FIRST TIME BLOOM IT THERE. I WOULD CREDIT A LOT OF THE FOCUS BETWEEN DR. BABOONS GROUP AND SARAH POLLEY AND OTHERS IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AS WELL DESERVED A SHOUT OUT.

I WOULD ECHO THAT AS WE LOOK AT THOUGHTS AND YOU GO THROUGH AND LOOK FOR EFFICIENCIES BUT EFFECTIVENESS AS WELL AND SEE WHAT WE COULD DO. IT WOULD BE THE COMMENTS THERE.

I DO THINK HRT DOES NEED HELP, DOES NEED ENCOURAGEMENT.

WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS CONSULTANTS.

SO AS YOU COME TOGETHER WITH YOU YOUR NEW PLAN, HOPEFULLY IT WON'T INVOLVE, I WON'T NAME ANY NAMES, GALLAGHER, WHATEVER, THERE WON'T BE CONSULTANTS. THERE WILL BE PEOPLE.

I THINK OUR PEOPLE RESPOND BETTER TO PEOPLE THAN THEY DO

CONSULTANTS. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> THANK YOU, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, FOR BRINGING FORWARD THESE MOTIONS IN CONJUNCTION WITH HRT AND POLLUTION CONTROL. MR. DICKERMAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING SUCH A TEAM PLAYER, CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW ROLE AND YOU ARE SO SMART AND STRATEGIC AND YOU ARE ALL IN AND HELPING THE COUNTY AND I APPRECIATE HOW ADAPTABLE YOU ARE AND NIMBLE BECAUSE THAT IS A RARE TALENT AND I APPRECIATE YOU PROFOUNDLY. HERE ARE THE TWO MOTIONS.

THE FIRST IS A MOTION TO REQUEST FOR POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES TO PRESENT EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS THAT INCLUDE MOVING THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES AND

OTHER INNOVATIVE MEASURES. >> HAVE YOU PROVIDED THE

EMOTIONS? >> THESE ARE OCA MOTIONS AND

THEY WERE PROVIDED TO ALL TEAMS. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THAT IS THE ONE THAT I MENTIONED EARLIER, IS THERE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO WAIT IN A JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE GET THE HURT IN TERMS OF ENFORCEMENT ISSUES. I KNOW THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN COMES OUT OF THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE AS WELL.

>> WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY ARE INCLUDED AND WAIT IN ON THE PROPOSALS THAT COME BACK. OR DO YOU WANT THEM TO WAIT IN?

>> ARE YOU ALL PREPARED RIGHT NOW FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? OR WE CAN WEIGH IN ON IT LATER.

>>> WE CAN WEIGH IN ON IT LATER, COMMISSIONER.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> IS THERE A FINAL LOAD? DO YOU HAVE EVERYTHING YOU NEED

BEFORE READ THE NEXT MOTION. >> THERE IS NO VOTE YET ON THIS

ONE. >> I MADE THE MOTION.

>> I AM STILL TRYING TO GET THE MOTION.

>> I CAN READ IT AGAIN FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE.

[02:20:01]

MOTION TO REQUEST FOR POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES TO PRESENT EFFICIENCY AND EFFECTIVENESS PROPOSALS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS THAT INCLUDE MOVING THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES AND OTHER INNOVATIVE MEASURES. I WILL ADD TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT, THAT THEY DO SO IN COLLABORATION AND CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SO MOVED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. WHO HAD THE SECOND? SECOND BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. AND HE OPPOSED.

MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY. >> THE SECOND MOTION COMING FROM OCA, THIS IS FOR HRT. MOTION TO REQUEST FOR HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT TO WORK WITH OCA AND OMB TO PRESENT A PROPOSAL FOR CONSIDERATION DURING THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS FOR OCA REPORTING, HUMAN RESOURCES PERSONNEL TO REPORT TO HRT TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL COST SAVINGS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE

FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN. >> SO MOVED.

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

ALL IN FAVOR. >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THESE ARE ON BUDGET CUTS. >> IS THAT NUMBER 9?

>> IT IS NUMBER 9. BUT THOSE WERE THE MOTIONS THAT ADMINISTRATOR CARTER WANTED US TO PASS, CORRECT?

>> YES. >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. PERFECT.

NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM NINE, WHICH IS ON THE BUDGET CUTS.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO -- GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

THE REASON YOU ARE SEEING THIS OUT OF ORDER COMPARED TO OTHER YEARS IS WHEN COURT SHIFTED THE CALENDAR AROUND, WE DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO HAVE CLS FINALIZE IN ADVANCE OF ASKING FOR THIS FEEDBACK. AND BECAUSE WE ARE KICKING OFF THE BUDGET EARLIER THIS YEAR, EARLIER IN MAY AND BY THE TIME WE HAVE TO MAKE WAR, THE DEPARTMENT WILL HAVE STARTED WORKING ON BUDGET PROPOSAL. WE ARE ASKING FOR FEEDBACK ON WHAT PERCENTAGE TO ASK THE DEPARTMENTS FOR CUTS.

WE PRESENTED TWO OPTIONS. ONE IS 8% ACROSS-THE-BOARD.

THAT WOULD GENERATE ABOUT $118 MILLION WORTH OF OPTIONS.

THERE IS ALSO A TIERED APPROACH WHERE THE LARGEST DEPARTMENT OVER 100 MILLION WOULD DO 11 TO 13%.

AND THE SMALLEST APARTMENTS WOULD DO FIVE TO SEVEN.

WE ARE IN FAVOR OF THE FLAT AMOUNT.

I WILL GO INTO SOME DETAILS WHY. THE ISSUE AROUND HAVING SO MUCH OF THE CUTS BE WEIGHTED TO THOSE LARGER DEPARTMENTS IS REALLY WHAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE. WHEN YOU LOOK AT TWO OF OUR THREE BIGGEST ARE THE JAIL AND THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

SURE THOSE ARE ONES THAT HAVE LARGER BUDGETS, AND FIND ROOM BUT THERE'S ALSO AN INVERSE RELATIONSHIP WITH HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING ON OUTSOURCING. YOU LOOK AT JUVENILE PROBATION WHICH HAS STRUGGLED TO MEET ITS BASIC STAFFING STANDARDS.

VERY TIGHT BUDGETS. VERY WEIGHTED TOWARDS LABOR AND ANOTHER DEPARTMENT THAT'S GOING TO BE HARD TO FIND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS. THEN YOU LOOK AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES, ENGINEERING, WHICH DUG DEEP FOUND CUTS IN THE LAST BUDGET CYCLE. AND SO IF COURT IS NOT PREPARED TO CUT THOSE DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE UP THE DEFICIT, WE ARE GOING TO BE FORCED TO GO BACK TO THE SMALLER DEPARTMENTS IN TERMS THOSE TO GET ADDITIONAL SAVINGS. AND REALLY, WHERE I SAW THE WHEELS FALL OFF LAST YEAR WAS WE HAD ASKED FOR THE 10% INDIVIDUAL CORKED OFFICES STARTED ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL.

PSPC CREATED A SEPARATE PROCESS AND IN THAT HOMESTRETCH, WE BROUGHT THE OCA REPORTING DEPARTMENTS BACK IN TO ASK AND THERE WAS SOME ANNOYANCE THAT I PROVIDED THE INFORMATION OR WHY AM I DOING THIS FOR THE THIRD TIME.

AND SO WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT WHEN WE PROVIDE THIS FEEDBACK OR GET THIS FEEDBACK FROM YOU AND WE GET THOSE OPTIONS, THIS IS ALL PREDECISION. YOU WILL REVIEW AND VOTE ON EVERYTHING THAT ULTIMATELY ENDS UP IN THE BUDGET.

THAT WE ARE DOING IT ONCE, WORKING OFF THE SAME SHEET OF

MUSIC THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> DIRECTOR, THANK YOU FOR YOUR

[02:25:01]

I HAVE ALL THE CONFIDENCE THAT YOU WILL HELP US GET THERE AND IDENTIFY WAYS TO MAKE SURE THAT IN SPITE OF ANY RESTRICTIONS OR REDUCTIONS IN TERMS OF VALUE THAT WE ASKED THE DEPARTMENTS TO BRING, WE WILL STILL BE ABLE TO MAINTAIN A QUALITY LEVEL OF SERVICE FOR THOSE THAT WE NEED TO BE SURFING.

WITH THAT IN MIND, A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

NUMBER 1, WHEN WE SAY TO A DEPARTMENT 8 PERCENT, AND I'M NOT GOING TO BE A FAN OF ANYTHING HIGHER BUT IF WE WERE TO SAY 8 PERCENT, IS THAT 8% IN CASH? IS THERE ANOTHER WAY TO CALCULATE THE 8%? IN OTHER WORDS, RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A HIRING FREEZE.

CAN THEY CALCULATE THAT INTO THEIR 8% VERSUS AN ACTUAL

REDUCTION IN BUDGET DOLLARS? >> AT THIS POINT, WHAT WE WOULD RECOMMEND AND IN THAT SUMMARY TABLE THAT WE SENT TO THE COURT OFFICES IN TERMS OF THE PROJECTED DEFICIT, WE TOOK A HIRING FREEZE OUT. I THINK YOU WILL BE DIFFICULT FOR DEPARTMENTS TO GET TO 8% WITHOUT THE VACANT POSITIONS.

SO I WOULD WANT TO GIVE THEM THE FIRST BIT WE'VE DONE THE INTERNAL REVIEW. WE'VE IDENTIFIED WAYS TO FILL THE GAP AND WE ARE WILLING TO GIVE THAT POSITION UP MOVING FORWARD. IS OUR RECOMMENDATION BUT THEY PERCENT IS CALCULATED ON WHAT THE BUDGET WILL BE.

SO IT WILL BE SOMEWHERE, DEPENDING WHERE THE HEALTH CARE NUMBER LANDS, MOST DEPARTMENTS WILL GROW FIVE TO 6% BECAUSE OF HEALTH CARE AND GENERAL INFLATION.

>> IF THE ADMINISTRATOR AND YOU AND THE DEPARTMENTS WORK TOGETHER TO FIND OUT OR IDENTIFY SOME OF THE EFFICIENCIES AND IT COMES TO BE THE PCN'S AND NECESSARY VERSUS GOING STRAIGHT TO THE BUDGET, THEY MIGHT BE ABLE TO COME UP WITH A PERCENT JUST WITH ONE OR TWO PCNS, IN THEORY?

>> THROUGH SOME DEPARTMENT'S. BIG WOULD HAVE TO DIG DEEPER.

WE REALLY TO PUSH THE DEPARTMENTS THAT BEFORE YOU START IMPACTING SERVICE, IS THERE A DIFFERENT WAY? WE DO OUR OWN ANALYSIS ON SAVINGS OPTIONS WHERE WE SAY YOU'RE OUT OF OF WORK WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

EITHER YOU OR TOP-HEAVY OR HAVE MORE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF THAN YOUR PEERS. WE WILL ALSO SUPPORT THEM AND PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.

SEPARATELY, WE COME UP WITH SAVINGS OPTIONS.

WE LEARNED LAST YEAR WHERE TO PUT THEM IN FRONT OF DEPARTMENTS BEFORE THEY COME TO COURT BUT WE DO COME UP WITH OUR OWN OPTION SO COURT HAS A FULL MENU TO DETERMINE ULTIMATELY WHAT AND

WHEN TO ADOPT THE BUDGET. >> LASTLY, AS WE GET INTO YOUR TWO OF THE SALARY INCREASE WE PROVIDED OUR DEPUTIES, I THINK

THE STORES WERE 38 MILLION. >> THAT'S BEFORE ITEM 17 BUT THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL PROJ PROJECTION.

>> GIVEN THAT, AND WE ARE STILL TRYING TO WORK THROUGH PAY EQUITY FOR THE REST OF OUR EMPLOYEES, TELL ME WHAT THAT IS WORTH VERSUS WHAT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT SALARIES ARE

WORTH? >> I HAVE THAT PULLED UP IF YOU GIVE ME A SECOND IN TERMS OF THIS YEAR, THE FINAL NUMBER LANDED ON, ASSUMING ITEM 17 PASSES, 118 MILLION.

NEXT YEAR AN ADDITIONAL 72 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF 191 BETWEEN THE TWO YEARS. WE ARE STILL WORKING WITH HRT ON FINALIZING THE NUMBERS FOR THE PAY EQUITY.

BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF WHERE WE STARTED TO HEAR, WE STARTED WITH 2500 FOR FOLKS UNDER 75,000.

THE MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE AND NOW PAY PARITY.

WE EXPECT THAT TO BE SOMEWHERE IN THE 118 AREA.

THAT NUMBER WILL MOST CERTAINLY CHANGED BY THE TIME HRT RUNS THE FULL GAMBIT, HANDLES THE APPEALS, WE DO THE INVESTIGATIONS. BUT THAT IS OUR BEST NUMBER

RIGHT NOW. >> 118 MILLION.

IT'S A PRETTY BIG NUMBER. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THANK YOU, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE THAT YOU WANT TO CONTINUE GRADING AS MUCH CLARITY AND ALIGNMENT SO ALL THE DEPARTMENTS CAN BE ON THE SAME PAGE.

I FEEL A GREAT AMOUNT OF RESPONSIBILITY IN TERMS OF A STEWARD OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES AND FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY WE ALL NEED TO SHOW, AND WE NEED THE DISCIPLINE.

SO MY QUESTION IS -- BEFORE MY QUESTIONS, TO BE 100% CLEAR FOR

[02:30:07]

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> WHITE EIGHT VERSUS 10% AS WE DID LAST YEAR? CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE

RATIONALE. >> WHEN WE DID IT, WORKING THROUGH THE CLSS, ALL OF THE SUBMISSIONS FROM THE DEPARTMENTS BUT BECAUSE OF THE TIMING, WE HAD TO GET SOMETHING IN FRONT OF YOU. WE LOOK AT OUR PROJECTED REVENUE VERSUS WHAT WE KNOW TODAY, WHAT CORTES VOTED ON, THEY PAY PARITY, THE LAST INSURANCE, THE ACTUARY REPORT WE RECEIVED, CHANGES TO STATE LAW, WE GOT SOMEWHERE IN THE $80 MILLION DEFICIT AND THAT NUMBER WILL ALMOST CERTAINLY CHANGE.

MY EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN IT GETS WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER.

WE NEED A SOME MARGIN. WE PICKED 8% TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF MARGIN TO SAY NO TO SOME OF THESE OPTIONS.

AS YOU KNOW, OMB WORKS WITH ALL OF YOU END COMES UP WITH OPTIONS EITHER FROM THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN OR THROUGH INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS.

WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH OPTIONS, THE COURT IS ABLE TO SAY NO, AND PRESERVE PARTY DEPARTMENTS THE SAME WAY WE DID LAST YEAR WHERE LIBRARY, PUBLIC HEALTH WERE ON THE

CHOPPING BLOCK AND THEN KNOCKED. >> DO YOU BELIEVE 8% GIVES

ENOUGH OPTIONALITY VERSUS 10%? >> IT IS ULTIMATELY UP TO YOU.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE MORE OPTIONS TO MAINTAIN CONSISTENTLY, WE SUPPORT THAT. MY EXPERIENCE IS THE HIGHER THE NUMBER GETS, THE WORSE THE OPTIONS GET AND THE WORSE THE SUBMISSIONS. BUT WE WILL WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PROVIDED WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED. ULTIMATELY, IT'S YOUR DECISION ON WHAT GETS ADOPTED GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO MAKE THAT

DECISION. >> AGAIN, THESE ARE OPTIONS.

>> 100%. THEY ARE OPTIONS.

AND MY TENURE HERE, WE HAVE NEVER DONE ACROSS-THE-BOARD C

CUTS. >> LAST YEAR, WE ASKED LEADERS

MOTION TO EXTEND TIME. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED BY CONTRACT -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I KNOW YOU WANT TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AT NOON.

I'M FLOGGING THAT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I SEE YOUR HANDS UP. DO FEEL FREE TO JUMP IN LIKE YOU HAVE BEFORE BECAUSE SOMETIMES I DON'T SEE IT.

>> JUST A FEW MORE QUESTIONS SO WE ARE CRYSTAL CLEAR.

EVERY YEAR WE ASKED LEADERS TO LEAD.

THESE OPTIONS SHOULD BE AREAS THAT WE WANTED TO KEEP THE LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT IN ALL EXTERNAL FACING SERVICES. AND WE LEARNED WE HAVE LICENSES FOR PEOPLE THAT HAVEN'T BEEN HERE IN YEARS.

SO THERE ARE OPPORTUNITIES FOR STREAMLINING AND BEING STRATEGIC, THAT WE ASK OUR LEADERS OF ALL DEPARTMENTS TO LEAN INTO. BUT ALSO TO MAKE SURE WE'RE ON THE SAME PAGE. BECAUSE OF STATE LAW AND OUR COMMITMENT TO FOLLOWING STATE LAW, TO BE CLEAR, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PATROL OF THE CONSTABLE PRECINCTS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE CLS EXERCISE. [CHEERING]

THAT'S CORRECT. >> WITH REGARD TO THE VACANCIES, I KNOW WE HAVE OUR STRATEGIC HIRING, I KNOW WE GRANT EXEMPTIONS WHEN FOLKS MAKE THE CASE AND WE STILL KNOW THERE ARE VACANCIES THAT HAVE BEEN OPEN FOR MONTHS AND HAVEN'T AFFECTED THE WORK. DO WE HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT THAT OMB WILL KEEP WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT.

IF IT'S A VACANCY THAT MUST BE FILLED TO SERVE THE PEOPLE, ABSOLUTELY. BUT IF IT'S A VACANCY THAT HAS BEEN OPEN FOR A LONG AMOUNT OF TIME, WE HAVE YOUR COMMITMENT THAT YOU WILL FLAG THOSE IN A DISCIPLINED FASHION.

>> 100%. AND WE WILL SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT IN IDENTIFYING THOSE ONES THAT HAVE BEEN VACANT FOR LONG-TERM, MAY HAVE BEEN A PRIORITY IN PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS BUT NOT THE NEW ADMINISTRATIONS.

YOU YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENTS. I HOPE MY FELLOW DEPARTMENT ELECTED OFFICIALS AROUND THE COUNTY WILL LOOK TO THOSE FIRST BEFORE IDENTIFYING SERVICE CUTS.

ONE OTHER QUESTION, YOU TOUCHED ON THIS A LITTLE BIT, IN TERMS OF THE OPTIONS. PUBLIC DEFENDER, IF WE CUT THEM, THERE'S A DOWNSTREAM AFFECT -- OFTEN TIMES WE FIND GREAT IDEAS THAT DON'T IMPACT SERVICE. BUT IF YOU ARE IN A DEPARTMENT, ESPECIALLY ONE OF THE LARGER ONES THAT CAN IDENTIFY ONE THING YOU CAN DO BETTER ONE THING YOU CAN SAVE MONEY ON.

SO WE ASKED THE QUESTION, EVEN FOR THOSE APARTMENTS WE KNOW ARS

THERE IS SOMETHING. >> IT'S A HEALTHY EXERCISE.

MY LAST POINT/QUESTION THAT I WOULD LIKE MY COLLEAGUES TO

[02:35:03]

THERE IS DIFFERENT SCENARIOS DEPENDING ON THE PROGRAM.

I WOULD PLEASE LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO IDENTIFY UP TO 10 MILLION UNSPENT IN INTEREST FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE FY27 BUDGET, EXCLUDING FUNDS FROM THE INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND TO RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON JUNE 11TH OF 2026. THAT WOULD BE MY ASK.

THANK YOU. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY CAN LOOK LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THE OPTION IS TO START WITH A BLANK SHEET OF PAPER.

I HAVE HEARD THAT BEFORE. YOU JUST START, YOU HAVE TO JUSTIFY EVERYTHING YOU ARE SPENDING AND GO FROM THERE.

SO WE ARE ALL EXERCISING SOME DISCERNMENT IN TERMS OF, WE WILL START WITH MAJORITY OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

YOU WILL AGREE IS JUSTIFIED AND NEEDED.

TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND SEE HOW MUCH MORE YOU CAN BE IN TERMS OF EFFECTIVE. WHEN I TALK ABOUT CUTS, I TYPICALLY TALK ABOUT BEING MORE EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT.

THE JAIL IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF OUTSOURCING.

WE KNOW WE HAVE A $50 MILLION POT OVER THERE.

IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONVERGE OR QUIT DOING THE OUTSOURCING AND START DOING ONE THING, THOSE ARE ALL CONTAINED WITHIN IT. THOSE SHOULD BE ALL PART OF THE CONVERSATION. I KNOW THEY ARE FROM YOUR CHAIR.

ALL THOSE KINDS OF BUDGET ISSUES.

I AM SURE YOU ARE BEING THE GOOD MENTOR, DIRECTOR IN TERMS OF HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT AS YOU GET INTO ALMOST WARRANT A CLEAR LOOK AT HOW THEY MIGHT GET TO THE AGE PERCENT AND NOT IMPACT

LEVEL SERVICE. >> WE CERTAINLY PROVIDE THE TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE THERE AS WELL AS IN OUR REVIEWS, WE PROVIDE IT. I ONE THING THAT HELPS ME TREMENDOUSLY IS WHEN THOSE BUDGET PROPOSALS ARE NOT UP TO SNUFF, THEY HEAR DIRECTLY FROM COMMISSIONERS.

I CAME UP IN BALTIMORE CITY FIRE EVERY YEAR THAT THEY WERE ASKED FOR CUTS. THEY DIDN'T LOOK AT FLEET MAINTENANCE. THEY LOOKED AT CLOSING THE FIREHOUSE. TO ME, THAT IS DISINGENUOUS.

FRANKLY, IT'S DISRESPECTFUL TO THE GOVERNING BODY.

THEY ARE NOT DIGGING DEEP. IT'S VERY HELPFUL FOR ME IF YOU ARE THE ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER TO FORCE A DEPARTMENT TO GIVE REALISTIC OPTIONS. I HEARD FROM A DEPARTMENT LAST YEAR IN THE BUDGET HEARINGS. WE PUT IT ON BUT NEVER THOUGHT IT WOULD GET EXCEPTED. IF YOU ARE GOING TO PROPOSE IT, YOU SHOULD BE READY TO IMPLEMENTED.

>> WE ALSO HEARD THAT IF ONE DOESN'T SUBMIT A BUDGET, WE CUT THEM A PERCENT AND WE GET TO PICK.

>> THAT'S WHAT WE DID. >> I SUPPORT THE PERCENT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> IS THAT WHAT THEY USED TO

CALL ZERO-BASED BUDGET. >> IT IS.

IF THE COMMISSIONER WOULD LIKE TO GO DOWN THAT PATH, I WOULD WARN IT'S A YEARLONG PROCESS. IF WE'RE GOING TO GO DOWN THAT PATH, LET'S GO AHEAD AND START IN OCTOBER BECAUSE IT'S A MASSIVE AMOUNT OF WORK. MOST JURISDICTIONS PUSH IT ASIDE BECAUSE THE AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT THAT WOULD GO INTO IT JUST WASN'T WORTH IT BY THE SECOND OR THIRD YEAR.

BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE A HELPFUL EXERCISE TO DO, ESPECIALLY AS WE TRANSITION INTO THE NEWCOURT.

>> IT IS INTERESTING, EVEN IF WE DID IT BY STATE LAW, A GOOD HALF OF THE SPENDING IS ALREADY OFF THE TABLE.

>> ABOUT 44% IS LAW ENFORCEMENT. THAT INCLUDES CDA AND THE FIRE MARSHAL WHICH ARE NOT COVERED BUT IT'S AROUND 40 WOULD BE

DIRECTLY UNDER SP 23. >> FOR THE MINUTE -- WHEN I TRIED IT, I FOUND IT WAS MORE TALK THAN ACTION.

IT WAS A TALKING POINT. EVERYONE WAS FOR IT UNTIL THEY WERE AGAINST IT WHEN THEY FOUND OUT WHAT IT MEANT.

[02:40:02]

>> LOOKING AT FIXED COSTS, LOOKING AT THE ELECTRICITY, OUR MAINTENANCE, FLEET, WE WILL DO INDEPENDENT ANALYSIS OF ANY OF THE BIG COST DRIVERS. ESPECIALLY THE ONES WE ARE SEEING ABOVE NORMAL INFLATION. IN TERMS OF A MODEL, I'VE HEARD A LOT OF FOLKS TALK ABOUT BUDGETING.

IF I CAME FROM A JURISDICTION THAT PIONEERED IT BACK WE DO ALL OF THE THINGS. WE DO A CLS, WE DO BUDGET PROPOSALS BROKEN DOWN BY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES.

WE ASK FOR PERFORMANCE MEASURES. WE HAVE GROUPS, A RUBRIC THAT WE USED TO DO IT ALL. SO AT SOME POINT, WE'VE GOT TO GENERATE OPTIONS FOR YOUR REVIEW AND THEN COMES THE NEGOTIATION BETWEEN THE COURT OFFICES. BUT OUR AIM IS TO BRING TO YOU SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 180 TO $280 MILLION WORTH OF OPTIONS SO THAT YOU CAN BE AS DISCERNING AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE

ON WHAT TO CUT AND WHAT NOT TO. >> WHAT WOULD IT COST US IF WE WERE TO TRACK ZERO-BASED BUDGETING.

HOW MUCH -- CAN WE DO IT WITH EXISTING.

DOES AI HELP US DO IT? >> YES, I SAID THAT'S WOULD BE SUPER HELPFUL. I HAVE DONE A COUPLE OF DEMOS

WITH FIRMS THAT DO THAT WORK. >> DO WE HAVE TO BRING IN A CONSULTANT? I WILL MAKE A MOTION I'M JUST GOING TO ASK YOU TO COME BACK THROUGH THE PROCESS WITH THE RECOMMENDATION GOING FORWARD. IF WE CAN TAKE OUT HOW WE CAN USE -- I DON'T WANT TO GET ANOTHER CONSULTANT.

IF THERE IS SOME WAY, YOU WON'T SOLVE THE PROBLEM THIS YEAR BUT I CAUGHT WHAT YOU WERE SAYING IT'D PUT IT BACK IN MY HEAD.

BUT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO KEEP HAVING THIS PROBLEM.

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION TIME?

MOTION CARRIES. >> I WOULD BE INTERESTED IN YOU COMING BACK TO US WITH SOME OPTIONS ON SOMETHING.

I THINK IT'S GOING TO GET WORSE BECAUSE AT THESE FROM THE POLITICAL CHATTER, WHEN THEY GO BACK IN SESSION, IT'S GOING TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON OUR REVENUES FOR INCOME.

I AM SO IMPRESSED AND HONORED TO BE HERE.

ALL THESE BRIGHT IDEAS WE HAVE. BUT MOST OF THEM COST MONEY.

SO WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME WAY WITH LISTENING RESOURCES TO GO DO IT. WE'VE GOT TO FIND SOME

EFFICIENCIES. >> I WILL TAKE THAT DIRECTION AND WORK WITH YOUR TEAM ON GETTING A PROPOSAL TOGETHER.

I THINK WE CAN GET PRETTY FAR WITH INTERNAL RESOURCES IF WE CHANGE THE CALENDAR. I MAY ASK FOR SOMEONE IN YOUR STAFF, HAVING SOMEONE DETAILED TO US TO HELP SUPPORT THE WORK BUT WE CAN LOOK AT DIFFERENT MODELS.

I AGREE WITH YOU. I DON'T THINK BRINGING IN A CONSULTANT WILL HAVE TO LEARN THE COUNTY ON THE FLY.

I THINK THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CONSULTANTS AND OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS IS A LITTLE AFRAID RIGHT NOW.

WE WILL COME UP WITH A MODEL THAT LIMITS.

WE MAY ASK FOR A COUPLE OF EXTRA BODIES ON CONTRACT OR SOMETHING TO SUPPORT THE WORK BUT OMB IS READY TO DO IT.

>> HAVE YOU ALL GOTTEN SOME INFORMAL -- OF YOU HAD AN INFORMAL SURVEY OF YOUR DEPARTMENT HEADS, OF THESE TWO OPTIONS YOU HAVE ON THE TABLE. WHICH ONE OF THE DIFFICULT, WHICH ONE OF THE CHOICES THEY DON'T LIKE.

>> I THINK IT REALLY DEPENDS. WE'VE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH DEPARTMENTS BUT I CAN TELL YOU IT DEPENDS WHAT SIZE OF THE DEPARTMENT. THE SMALLER ONES FAVOR THE TIERED APPROACH. THE BIGGER ONES FAVOR A FLAT

ACROSS THE BOARDS. >> DOES THE FLAT ACROSS THE BOARD TO GIVE THEM MORE PREDICTABILITY.

ALTHOUGH IF WE DO IT IT COMES BACK AND CHANGES ANYWAY.

WHICH IN YOUR JUDGEMENT, AND THEY WANT TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS WELL, GIVES THEM MORE PREDICTABILITY?

>> I THINK THE FLAT AMOUNT ESPECIALLY BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE THE CLS NUMBER YET. ADMINISTRATOR CARTER?

ANY THOUGHTS. >> WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE FLAT AMOUNTS. WE JUST WANT TO PROVIDE ANOTHER

[02:45:04]

BUDGET PROCESS. >> IN MY LAST ON THE LIST.

>> YES, AND I HAVE SOME COMMENTS.

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.

>> BUILDING OFF OF WHAT COMMISSIONER ALICE SAID ON THE ZERO-BASED, I KNOW THAT WE COULD CALL WHAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO DO PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING BUT WE HAVEN'T ENTIRELY PULLED IT OFF. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> YES. >> I WOULD REQUEST, IF IT'S OKAY WITH YOU, THAT WHEN THEY CAME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL FOR HOW WE COULD DO ZERO-BASED BUDGETING, YOU ALSO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT HOW WE GET TO PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SECOND ONE IS POSSIBLY WHERE WE WANT TO BE, ACCORDING TO THE PEOPLE THAT KNOW THESE THINGS.

BUT I KNOW IT'S BEEN A CHALLENGE SO MAYBE IT'S JUST NOT FEASIBLE.

>> WE HAVE ALL OF THE PIECES. I THINK IT'S JUST PUTTING IT TOGETHER INTO THE FINAL DECISION MAKING.

>> OKAY. SO I GUESS -- I DON'T WANT TO DISCUSS ZERO-BASED BUDGET VERSUS THE INCOMPLETE PROCESS WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. I JUST WANT TO GET PERFORMANCE-BASED BUDGETING A FAIR POSITION TO WHERE WE ARE PRESENTING THE IDEAL VERSION OF DATA.

SO COULD YOU PROPOSE BOTH, IF THAT IS OKAY.

I KNOW WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT MOTIONS RELATED TO THIS.

LET'S START WITH THE DEPARTMENT OFFSET.

COMMISSIONER ALICE PROPOSES AN 8% CUT.

DO YOU HAVE THESE EMOTIONS? >> I HAVE THEM BUT FOR RECORD,

IF THEY COULD BE READ OUT. >> WHAT I HAVE HERE IS A MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET TO REQUIRE COVER DEPARTMENTS TO IDENTIFY A PERCENT OF POTENTIAL BUDGET OFFSETS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE FY27 BUDGET PROCESS.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALICE, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

IDENTIFYING UP TO $10 MILLION IN UNSPENT FLOODS.

I THINK THIS MOTION WAS MADE. >> CORRECT.

>> DID WE HAVE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

DO YOU NEED ME TO READ THE REST OF IT?

>> FOR CLARITY, YES MOTION TO DIRECT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION IN -- TO IDENTIFY UP TO $10 MILLION IN UNSPENT FLECKS AND INTEREST FUNDS AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT THE FY27 BUDGET EXCLUDING FUNDS FROM INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND RETURN TO COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH ITS RECOMMENDATION ON JUNE 11TH, 2026. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

MOTION TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET AND CORONATION WITH RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS INC. CONFERENCE REVIEW OF POSITIONS CURRENTLY VACANT UNDER THE STRATEGIC POLICY THE FY27 BUDGET OFFSET PROCESS PRIORITIZING THE IDENTIFYING -- LONG-TERM VACANCIES FOR POTENTIAL ILLUMINATION AND COST-SAVING. SHOULD I ADD ANY VACANCIES WILL COUNT AS AN OFFSET PROPOSAL TOWARD THE DEPARTMENT REQUIRED A

PERCENT OF OFFSETS? >> WE CAN HANDLE THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION.

>> LETS ME ASK A QUESTION. DOES THAT ESSENTIALLY AMOUNT TO A CLIP ON THOSE APARTMENTS. IF THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT ABOUT NOT FILLING POSITIONS, WILL THIS MOTION PUT A CUT ON THEM IN ADDITION TO A PERCENT?

>> NO, IT WOULD BE PART OF THE 8%.

THEY WOULD CHOOSE WHAT TO SUBMIT AS PART OF THEIR 8%.

>> SO THEY WON'T GET HIT TWICE. >> NO, SIR.

>> OKAY I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.

I GO BACK AND POLICE TAPES UP. >> I WAS THE VICTIM OF A REPLAY

VERY RECENTLY. >> I'M LEARNING HOW TO WORK THAT. HOOKED THAT UP ON AI FOR ME.

WILL IT HELP ME FIND IT? I'M JOKING.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES MADE THE MOTION.

YOU NEED CLARIFICATION? >> KNOW, MA'AM.

IT WAS THE EMOTION SENT IN THE EMAIL YOU READ.

DID WE HAVE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR.

ANY OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

THIS IS ITEM NINE. TO BE CLEAR, IT'S REALLY PROPOSED CUTS. IT DOESN'T MEAN I'M SUPPORTING CUTTING EACH DEPARTMENT BY 8 PERCENT, IS JUST A BUDGET EXERCISE TO SEE WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE.

BUT I CONTINUE TO BE A LITTLE BOTHERED BY THE DOUBLESPEAK

[02:50:03]

ANYWAY, I WILL KEEP POKING AT YOU WITH THAT.

IT SOUNDS LIKE WE ARE IN A GEORGE ORWELL BOOK.

IT'S A LITTLE SILLY. >> ONE COMMENTS BEFORE WE MOVE ON. AS YOU WORK WITH DEPARTMENTS AND THEY ARE ABLE THROUGH THE YEAR TO FIND DOLLARS, SAVINGS, IF THAT THEY CAN DO WITHIN THEIR BUDGETS, I DON'T WANT TO MICROMANAGE THEM ONCE THEY HAVE A BUDGET.

>> I 100% DEGREE. >> THERE ARE TIMES THAT MEAN -- WE MAY NOT WANT TO MICROMANAGE BUT SOMETIMES WE END UP BEING MICROMANAGER'S. SO IF THEY EARN A SAVINGS, IF THEY STOP SPENDING HERE SO THEY CAN DO ANOTHER GOOD THING, LEGITIMATE THING IN THEIR PROCESS, I THINK THEY WANTED.

OTHERWISE THEY'RE GOING TO BUILD INTO THEIR BUDGET CONTINGENCY, THEY WILL PLAY THE 8% GAME AND WE WILL ALL BE HAPPY AND THEY WILL HAVE A BUDGET. BUT ALL OF THEM, I, TRY TO HAVE A CONTINGENCY HERE AND THERE. IF WE ALLOW THEM TO FUNCTION WITHIN WHAT THEY HAVE BUDGETED AND NOT SAY NO, YOU CAN'T SPEND MONEY ON THAT PCN OVER THERE, YOU MUST SPEND IT OVER HERE.

>> I 100% AGREE. ONCE THE BUDGET IS PASSED, I VIEW MY JOB IS MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE -- THAT THERE ISN'T SURPRISES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR AND THERE ARE SURPRISES THAT WE ARE HAVE A PLAN TO GET TO BALANCE BY THE END OF YEAR.

A LOT OF A LOT OF WHAT WE HAVE DONE ON CLARITY IS NOT HAVING THE TRACK WITH ME, ON WHETHER THEY CAN HIGHER OR IF THE AND ISSUE A PO, WHENEVER STARTED HERE, DEPARTMENT HEAD WOULD CALL ME RANDOMLY AND SAY CAN HIGHER THIS POSITION? IS IT A FUNDED NOT FUNDED? THAT WAS AN OPEN QUESTION. I 100% DEGREE.

THE ONLY TIME WE WILL STEP THEN IS WHEN WE SEE THEY ARE MOVING MONEY FROM WHAT WE KNOW IS THE PRIORITY, I'M NOT SAYING THAT THIS IS A REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE BUT JUST AS AN EXAMPLE, YOU HAVE THE BDO, CUTTING PUBLIC DEFENDERS TO FUND EXECUTIVE RAISES, I THINK COMMISSIONERS COURT WOULD HAVE SOME ISSUES WITH THAT AND WE WILL SAY YOU HAVE TO GO. COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR REVIEW.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> SO WE VOTED ON THE ITEM,

[Executive Session (Part 1 of 2)]

ELLIS, FOR THE SAKE OF TIME IF WE CAN CONSIDER GOING TO THE

SECOND SESSION ON ITEM 420. >> RIGHT -- SO I FIGURED SINCE WE ARE GOING TO BE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ANYWAYS, IT WOULD BE 385, 394 ON... WHAT IS THIS...

NO, 428 ON THE ICE ITEM. OKAY.

THOSE ARE THE TWO ITEMS. ALL RIGHT.

SO WE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SECTION, BOTH 31:00 P.M., WE'RE

GOING TO EXECUTIVE >> IT IS 1:24 P.M., WE ARE NOW BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS ARE YOU ON THE LINE? LET'S JUST GIVE HIM ANOTHER MINUTE HERE. ANYWAY, AFTER THIS WE HAD ITEM

24. >> I AM HERE.

>> OKAY GREAT. WE WENT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON TWO ITEMS, RIGHT NOW WE WILL BE DISCUSSING ITEM 385, ON ITEM 428, WE ARE GOING TO GIVE IT MORE TAN POSSIBLY BRING IT UP LATER IN THE DAY. SO LET'S GO FOR 385,

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> REGARDING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AN APPOINTMENT, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR YOUR YEARS OF SERVICE IN THIS OFFICE, UNDER THIS TEN YEARS AND YOU TOOK, THE MONTH THAT YOU TOOK OFFICE. AND I HAVE BEEN THE KEY DRIVER FOR THESE YEARS AND AS A LAWYER, YOU'RE ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT STRATEGIC LAWYERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH AND SAME WITH

[02:55:02]

[APPLAUSE] TRULY.

AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN WORK TOGETHER FOR MANY YEARS TO COME.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE MOST BRILLIANT LAWYERS I HAVE EVER WORKED WITH, WORKING ALONGSIDE YOU AND KRISTEN, THE CONGRESSMAN, IT HAS BEEN A GREAT HONOR.

THE TEAM HE HAVE ASSEMBLED, IT IS TOP TALENT DOING THE PEOPLE'S WORK. MY PROFOUND GRATITUDE.

SO MOVING TO THIS NEXT CHAPTER, I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THESE NEXT CHAPTERS COMING UP FOR YOU. IT GIVES ME GREAT PRIDE AND JOY TO MAKE A MOTION TO A POINT ABBY CAME IN TO SAVE AS OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY EFFECTIVE JUNE 15TH, 2026.

SHE WILL BE OUR FIRST FEMALE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN HISTORY OF HARRIS COUNTY, SHE IS A CIVIL RIGHTS LAWYER, SHE HAS FOUGHT FOR VOTING RIGHTS, CIVIL RIGHTS, SHE HAS DONE CIVIL LITIGATION FOR YEARS, THE ASSOCIATED, SHE HAS BEEN A COMMUNITY DIRECTOR AND CLERK AT THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE, THIS -- AND OF COURSE SHE HAS BEEN SERVING AS CITY COUNCIL MEMBER FOR DISTRICT C FOR MANY YEARS, IT IS THE DISTRICT THAT I LIVE IN AND I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO WORK ALONGSIDE HER IN DISTRICT C SHARED JURISDICTION. IS IT LEGAL, PUBLIC EXPERIENCE HAVE A PUBLIC SERVANT THAT IS A LEADER AMONGST LEADERS TO TRANSITION INTO THIS ROLE WILL BE A WIN FOR JUST AS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND A WIN FOR THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

SO I HAVE THE HONOR OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HER FOR YEARS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THE HONOR OF WORKING ALONGSIDE HER FOR MANY YEARS, SHE IS SMART, RELENTLESS, FEARLESS, SHE IS ONE OF THE MOST HARDWORKING PEOPLE I HAVE EVER MET, SHE WORKS AROUND THE CLOCK AND A GIVES ME PRIDE THAT WE'RE MAKING HISTORY TODAY, AND THAT WE WILL HAVE YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WE MOVE FORWARD AND CONTINUE ADVANCING JUST AS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND MAKING HAIRS COUNTY A MODEL FOR THIS COUNTRY. WITH THAT I WILL REREAD THE MOTION, AND IT FILLS ME WITH PRIDE.

MOTION TO APPOINT ABBY AS HIS COUNTY ATTORNEY EFFECTIVE

JUNE 15TH, 2026. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN WE

HAVE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU, I TOO, MEMBER AND COUNTY ATTORNEY THANK YOU -- SOON TO BE ELECTED -- THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE, FOR YOUR ADVICE AND COUNCIL YOU HAVE PROVIDED ME BUT THANK YOU MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE FOR THE PEOPLE OF YOUR DISTRICT.

VERY EXCITED TO SEE YOUR TRAJECTORY, AND I KNOW THE CITIZENS OF HIS COUNTY WILL IMMENSELY BENEFIT FROM YOUR LEADERSHIP, I CANNOT WAIT TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU.

VERY EXCITED AND I AM SECONDING THIS MOTION.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> YES, I WAS QUITE TAKEN ABACK WHEN I RECEIVED JUST THIS WEEK THE RESIGNATION OF THE PREVIOUS MEMBER, I THOUGHT HE WOULD BE THERE FOR THE DURATION OF THE COMPLETED COUNTY ATTORNEY TERM.

SO I AM SITTING HERE I GUESS MANY TIMES, ALWAYS THE LAST TO KNOW MAYBE, I GUESS I GOT A CLUE WHEN IT ENDED UP ON THE AGENDA LAST WEEK. I THINK IT MATTERS HOW YOU DO SOMETHING. I DON'T THINK THIS IS THE CORRECT WAY TO DO THIS. I DON'T THINK PUTTING SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA LAST WEEK AND THEN SURPRISE, SURPRISE, JONATHAN RESIGNS THIS WEEK, IT IS JUST NOT THE WAY WE SHOULD DO THESE THINGS. I THINK IT SHOULD BE MUCH MORE CLEAR, MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING IT.

COUNCIL MEMBER DO NOT TAKE THIS PERSONALLY, I JUST DON'T LIKE THE PROCESS. WE CAN DO BETTER AND HOPEFULLY WE WILL LEARN FROM THIS, I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO -- HE HAS DONE GREAT WORK HERE, HE HAS EARNED THE RESPECT OF EVERYONE IN THE COMMUNITY, AND WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT AS WE MOVE ON TO THE NEXT PHASE, WE HAVE BEEN WITH

[03:00:01]

ALBERT CALLED AS AN UNFORCED ERROR, WE WILL MOVE ON FROM T

THIS. >> THANK YOU COMMISSION RAMSEY, COMMISSIONER ELLIS DID YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS?

>> YES, I'M SORRY I'M MULTITASKING.

I WANT TO SAY HOW PROUD I AM OF THE WORK THAT WAS DONE ON A NUMBER OF ISSUES BY JONATHAN, AND WHAT THE CONGRESSMAN DARED.

I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING UNDER TWO COUNTY ATTORNEYS, MY JUDGEMENT, THE TEAM PULLED TOGETHER WAS JUST FANTASTIC.

SO MANY THINGS -- I KNOW THE POLITICS OBVIOUSLY, BUT THE FOUR YEARS THAT I WAS THERE, IT WAS SUCH A BREATH OF FRESH AIR.

MR. FOMBONNE, SO THEY BIG PART OF THAT.

AND THE TEAM THEY PULLED TOGETHER.

I HAVE NOW THAT COUNCILMEMBER LONG BEFORE SHE ENDED UP IN OFFICE. I AM SURE SHE WILL DO A GOOD JOB AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE HER TO DO AS MUCH AS SHE CAN TO KEEP SOME OF THOSE TEAM MEMBERS AND TO THE EXTENT PEOPLE LEAVE BECAUSE CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE. TRYING TO TRACK THAT SAME HIGH-CALIBER OF PEOPLE WHO UNDERSTAND THE LAW, BECAUSE FIRST AND FOREMOST THAT IS THE ROLE IS TO BE OUR LAWYER, NOT THE POLICY SIDE ABOUT THE LAW, AND I KNOW SHE IS CAPABLE OF THAT, SHE CERTAINLY HAD A DISTINGUISHED CAREER, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS UNTIL IT ENDED UP ON THE AGENDA AS WELL. AND THERE ARE ALWAYS BETTER WAYS TO DO THINGS, BE THAT AS IT MAY HAVE WE MOVE FORWARD.

I THINK MR. FOMBONNE TO STEP IN AND DO THAT, HE COULD HAVE LEFT ONE CHRISTIAN LEFT, MY FEAR WOULD HAVE BEEN A LOT OF FOLKS ON THE TEAM WOULD HAVE LEFT AS WELL.

WHICH IS WHY I WAS SUPPORTIVE OF HIM BEING IN THE BAYS AND WHEREVER HE GOES IN LIFE I THINK THAT HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY OH HIM A LOT FOR HIS LEADERSHIP DURING HIS TIME THAT HE WAS HERE. I WILL SO -- WILL BE SUPPORTING PUTTING COUNCILLOR CAYMAN IN THIS POSITION AND I THINK THAT IS GOOD THERE IS SOME TRANSITION TIME.

I WENT TO THAT COUNCIL AS WELL, THE CONSTITUTION, STATE CONSTITUTION WAS THERE IS, YOU HAVE TO HOLD OVER UNTIL YOU HAVE A SUCCESSOR IS DULY QUALIFIED. SO WE CAN HAVE A HOST OF CHALLENGES, YOU CAN HOLD TWO PUBLIC OFFICES AT THE SAME TIME, UNLESS YOU ARE A UNITED STATES SENATOR.

QUICK NOTE. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THE PAST THAT RULE SO DRAWN TOMMY COULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT.

HE WAS ON THE BALLOT IN TWO PLACES AT THE SAME TIME, RUNNING FOR VICE PRESIDENT AND ELECTION TO THE SENATE BUT I WILL BE

SUPPORTING THIS ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU. I WANT TO APOLOGIZE, I GOT EXCITED ABOUT SEEING ABBY HERE, BUT I ALSO WANT TO OFFER MY APPRECIATION YOUR WORK. YOU HAVE ALWAYS PICKED UP THE PHONE WHEN I NEEDED SOMETHING, YOU WORKED ON SOME RECENT POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR US, AND YOU ARE ALWAYS WORKING TO UNSTUCK ANYTHING THAT NEEDED TO BE MOVED.

ARE REALLY APPRECIATE YOU. NOT TO MENTION THE WORK YOU AND KRISTIAN -- WHEN I WAS ON A CITY COUNCIL, THERE WAS A GROUP OF THREE GUYS, ONE OF THEM HAD TO LEAVE MY CAMPAIGN MANAGER, ANOTHER ONE WAS THE CHIEF OF STAFF, ANOTHER WAS CHIEF OF STAFF TO THEN COUNCIL MEMBER, AND THE OTHER I THINK BECAME DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF. ALL GUYS IN THEIR EARLY PART OF THEIR CAREER IN LIFE. WE WILL ALWAYS REFER TO THEM AS THE YOUNG GUNS. YOU AND KRISTIAN CAME IN AS THE YOUNG GUYS, AND YOU MADE IT LOOK EASY.

YOU REALLY, REALLY DID. SO I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR

[03:05:01]

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU AGAIN CONGRESSMAN MENEFEE AND MR. FOMBONNE, I APPRECIATE YOU.

YOU TOOK THIS OFFICE TO NEW HEIGHTS, IT WAS ENERGIZING TO MY SOUL TO SEE WHAT CAN BE DONE TO ADVANCE JUST AS.

AND I KNOW WE WILL CONTINUE BUILDING ON THAT MOMENTUM TOGETHER AND THE BEST WILL CONTINUE TO COME BECAUSE THIS IS OUR COUNTY, AND THAT IS WITH THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THEIR SON WHO IS AT SCHOOL RIGHT NOW, THANK YOU IT IS A FAMILY AFFAIR AS IT HAS BEEN AND WILL BE IN THE COUNTY DAYS. SO I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU, WE APPRECIATE YOUR. TODAY AGAIN IT JUST GIVES ME SO MUCH PRIDE BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY IS MAKING HISTORY, WITH OUR FUTURE COUNTY ATTORNEY, CAYMAN, WE WILL BE SURE HARRIS COUNTY CONTINUES TO BE IN THE RIGHT SIDE OF HISTORY.

IT IS WITH TREMENDOUS PRIDE TO MAKE TODAY'S MOTION.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I WILL MAKE A COMMENT HERE, AND ALSO MR. FOMBONNE, YOU HAVE DONE INCREDIBLE WORK UNDER MR. MENEFEE, I AM RELIEVED THEY WILL BE AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF JUNE 15TH, PART OF YOUR RESIGNATION LETTER. SO THAT IS GREAT.

AND OF COURSE COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN, YOU ARE AN INCREDIBLY TALENTED, AND I REALLY ENJOYED SUPPORTING YOUR CAMPAIGN FOR THE PRIMARY, AND I THINK HE WILL BE JUST EXCELLENT AT THIS.

I THINK THEY ARE TWO WAYS TO LOOK AT IT, ONE WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID.

I HAVE LEARNED A COUPLE DAYS LATE -- TOO LATE THAT THE REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY JUDGE HAD BEEN APPOINTED, AND I SAW A STATEMENT FROM ONE OF THE CANDIDATES, AND YOU KNOW, IT IS AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION.

PART OF ME THINKS, THIS GIVES AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE TO THE CANDIDATE OF ONE PARTY, IT HAPPENS TO BE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. THE OTHER WAY TO LOOK AT IT IS, IF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY DOES IT AND THE DEMOCRATS DON'T DO IT, THEN WE ARE SORT OF TRUMPS. -- CHUMPS.

ON ALL THE VOTES ARE THERE, COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN FOR YOU TO BE ATTORNEY SOON, OBVIOUSLY AS ELECTED MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO THIS, EYE OF IS NECESSARILY A RIGHT ANSWER, BUT IT DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT.

I WAS SO APPALLED WHEN I READ THE NEWS.

IT DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT FOR ME TO DO THE SAME THING THAT APPALLED ME. SO I AM NOT GOING TO SUPPORT THIS PATTERN HE HAVE THE VOTES AND I SUPPORT YOU OBVIOUSLY, SO THAT IS MY VOTE. THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> I WANT TO SAY YES ON THE RECORD SINCE IT IS VIRTUAL.

I KEEP POPPING ON AND OFF. >> SILENCES YES.

WHY DON'T WE GIVE A BIG ROUND OF APPLAUSE TO COUNCIL MEMBER CAYMAN. [APPLAUSE]

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A FEW WORDS.

[APPLAUSE] GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE, FIRST AND FOREMOST, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TRUST AND BELIEVE YOUR PLACING IN ME. I COMMITTED TO EACH OF YOU TO EVERY DEPARTMENT, EVERY EMPLOYEE AND ABOVE ALL, TO THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, THAT I WILL WORK HARD EVERY SINGLE DAY TO DEFEND AND PROTECT OUR COUNTY AND OUR COMMUNITIES.

I AM PROFOUNDLY MINDFUL OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS MOMENT AND STAND BEFORE YOU WITH CONVICTION AND WITH COMMITMENT, AS THE FIRST MOTHER TO SERVE AS HIS COUNTY ATTORNEY.

[03:10:03]

I AM GRATEFUL TO EACH OF YOU AND I SAY THIS NOT ONLY AS A COUNCIL MEMBER AND AN ATTORNEY WHO HAD THE PRIVILEGE TO WORK IN COLLABORATION WITH YOU, BUT ALSO AS A RESIDENT MYSELF.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU AND I GO THE FURTHEST BACK, IN A FEDERAL COURTROOM IN D.C. DEFENDING THE RIGHTS OF TEXANS TO VOTE.

YOUR UNWAVERING STANCE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND FOR THOSE WHO TOO OFTEN DO NOT HAVE A VOICE, HAS BEEN AN EXAMPLE THAT MANY OF US STRIVE TO FOLLOW AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO THE FIGHT ALONGSIDE YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR EXTENSIVE RECORD OF PUBLIC SERVICE, YOUR LEADERSHIP ON SAFETY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS HAVE USHERED IN AN UNPRECEDENTED BOLSTERING OF PUBLIC SAFETY THROUGH COMMUNITY POLICING PARTNERSHIPS, BROADENING THE REACH OF VETERANS SERVICES AND SECURING CRITICAL INVESTMENTS THAT SUSTAIN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS AND OUR ECONOMY. I RESPECT YOUR COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIVE AND STEADY GOVERNMENT AND SUFFICED ME TO SAY, I AM VERY EAGER TO WORK WITH YOU AS WELL.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. YOUR DEDICATION TO YOUR PRECINCT AND THE COMMON SENSE APPROACH THAT ONLY AN ENGINEER CAN BRING AS A MODEL OF PUBLIC SERVICE. YOUR SUCCESS DELIVERING ON CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS AND FLOOD MITIGATION TO ROAD SAFE -- ROAD SAFETY IS SOMETHING I HAVE SIMILARLY STRIVE TO ACCOMPLISH FOR MY OWN DISTRICT. YOU ARE A MAN OF DEEP THINKING.

I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A PARTNER IN ME, AND I WILL REPRESENT EACH OF YOUR OFFICES WITH INTEGRITY AND IN THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP. COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

AS THE FIRST WOMAN ELECTED TO YOUR PRECINCT AND THE FIRST MOTHER ON COMMISSIONERS COURT, YOU HAVE NOT ONLY BROKEN BARRIERS IN YOUR OWN RIGHT, YOU HAVE CREATED OPPORTUNITIES FOR SO MANY OTHERS. YOU HAVE BEEN A FIERCE ADVOCATE FOR FAMILIES AND WORKING PARENTS, YOU HAVE PRIORITIZED MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH INITIATIVES, EXPANDED ACCESS TO PARKS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES, DEMANDS NEIGHBORHOOD SAFETY INFRASTRUCTURE AND WORKED TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR ALL OF US. IT HAS BEEN A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE WORKED SO CLOSELY WITH YOU FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS, END OF THIS NEW CAPACITY, I KNOW THERE IS EVEN ONE THAT WILL BE ACCOMPLISHED SERVING THIS COUNCIL.

AND JUDGE HIDALGO, IS THE FIRST WOMAN AND LATINO TO LEAVE COUNTY, YOUR LEADERSHIP THROUGH CRISES AND LONGER-TERM CHALLENGES HAS BEEN TRANSFORMATIVE, FROM A DATA-DRIVEN RESPONSE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC WHICH I WITNESSED FIRSTHAND SERVING AS THE CITY'S SHARE OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY, TO SECURING CRITICAL ADVANCEMENT OF FLOOD MITIGATION AND DISASTER RESILIENCE, YOU HAVE CONSISTENTLY PUSHED FOR EQUITABLE REFORMS THAT PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE RESIDENTS. YOUR DEDICATION TO ETHICAL, RESULT ORIENTED GOVERNANCE, IS A STANDARD I AM HONORED TO UPHOLD.

AND I ALSO WANT TO RECOGNIZE THE SURFACE AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF CONGRESSMAN CHRISTIAN MENEFEE, MY CONGRESSMAN, AND COUNTY ATTORNEY, JONATHAN FOMBONNE VISUAL DURING THEIR TENURE AS WE HAVE SEEN INCREDIBLE PROGRESS, INCREASED SERVICES AND FEARLESS PROTECTION FROM TARGETED ATTACKS AIMED AT OUR COUNTY AND COMMUNITIES WE SERVE. I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE HARD WORK AND DEDICATED STAFF OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THESE PUBLIC SERVANTS COMMITTED TO GOOD GOVERNANCE, STERLING REPRESENTATION, AND DEEP RESPECT FOR THE LAW, AND I CANNOT WAIT TO WORK ALONGSIDE YOU. TOGETHER, WE WILL ENSURE THE SAFETY AND WELL-BEING OF OUR RESIDENTS DEFEND LOCAL AUTHORITY, AND KEEP THE WORK OF THE COUNTY MOVING.

DURING THIS CRITICAL TIME IN OUR NATION'S HISTORY, WE WILL PROTECT THE RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND OF OUR DEMOCRACY. AND I WILL CLOSE WITH MY PROFOUND GRATITUDE FOR THOSE THAT I LOVE, AND WHOSE GIFT IN MY LIFE GIVES ME STRENGTH. MY FAMILY IS MY EVERYTHING.

TO MY HUSBAND MATT, WE MET IN LAW SCHOOL, AND HE HAS TO HEAD AT ANY MINUTE BECAUSE HE HAS HIS OWN WITNESS INTERVIEWS TO DO, YOU ARE THE ESSENCE OF EVERYTHING THAT IS PARTNERSHIP, AND I LOVE YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART.

MY SON, THE LIGHT AND JOY OF MY LIFE, IT IS HIS AND EVERY OTHER CHILD FUTURE THAT INSPIRES OUR WORK.

MY LITTLE SISTER JENNY AND MY PARENTS WHO RAISED ME TO MAKE

[03:15:01]

[APPLAUSE] >> CONGRATULATIONS, YOU GUYS ARE ADORABLE. [LAUGHTER]

CONGRATULATIONS. >> I JUST WANT TO OFFER MY WORDS TO YOUR HUSBAND AS WELL, THANK YOU.

JUST AS I ALWAYS APPLAUD MR. BRIONES', IT IS ALWAYS -- IT IS TYPICALLY A GUY THAT SITS IN SOME KIND OF PUBLIC ROLE, TYPICALLY IT HAS BEEN THAT WAY, OR AND MORE LEADERS LIKE THE COMMISSIONER AND THE JUDGE, AND NOW THE FUTURE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THEY STEP INTO THESE ROLES WHETHER AS A COUNCIL MEMBER OR OTHERS, AND THEY DO PHENOMENAL JOBS.

BUT IT TAKES -- IT IS REALLY APPRECIATED HAVING THE HUSBAND AT THE SIDE SUPPORTING AND ENCOURAGING, JUST LIKE IT HAPPENS IN MY HOUSE, SOMEHOW DISPATCHING ME UP AFTER A TOUGH DAY. I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS INCREDIBLE LEADER, AND BECAUSE OF YOUR SUPPORT, THIS COUNTY WILL BE BETTER OFF SO THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ALL RIGHT GUYS, I KNOW IT IS LUNCH TIME, I AM THINKING WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, IT IS 1:47, LET'S SAY WE ARE BACK AT A QUARTER TO THREE? IS THAT OKAY? WE ARE BREAKING FOR LUNCH

[Appearances before court (Part 4 of 4)]

>> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS. I'M AN IMMIGRANT AND NATURALIZED U.S. CITIZEN. I'M THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE FOR STATE REP HOUSE DISTRICT 1:30 SEVEN.

THE ZIP CODES, THERE ARE TWO ZIP CODES IN MY DISTRICT, RANKED AS THE MOST DANGEROUS IN THE CITY ON THE FBI'S LIST.

WE HAVE A HIGH RATE OF MURDER, DRUG TRAFFICKING AND CHILD TRAFFICKING. AT A TIME WHEN WE -- THERE'S A NEED FOR US TO BE SERIOUS ABOUT PUTTING CRIMINALS BEHIND BARS, THE CITY OF HOUSTON JUST PASSED PROPOSITION A AT THE VOCAL OPPOSITION OF HOUSTON POLICE OFFICERS UNION.

THIS ORDINANCE TIES THE OFFICER'S HANDS, UNDERMINES PUBLIC SAFETY, CONFLICTS WITH STATE LAW, WITH TEXAS LAW, AND RISKS LOSING OVER 100 MILLION IN STATE FUNDING.

PUBLIC SAFETY MUST COME FIRST AND WE DESERVE BETTER.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT SPEAKER.

>> HOW ARE Y'ALL DOING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN MY NAME IS TOM AND I WANTED TO SPEAK ABOUT AGENDA ITEM 428 FROM MR. ELLIS.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN PULLED OVER FOR A SPEEDING TICKET OR GOTTEN A SEAT BELT VIOLATION OR HAD A PARKING TICKET? IF YOU DON'T TAKE CARE OF THAT THEY CAN ISSUE A WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST. A POLICE OFFICER CAN PULL OVER YOU OR YOUR LOVED ONE BECAUSE YOU HAVE A WARRANT OUT FOR A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR BUT WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR, A CIVIL VIOLATION AND SOMEBODY WHO'S HERE ILLEGALLY IN THE COUNTRY THAT IS SUPPOSEDLY A CIVIL VIOLATION, IT'S NOT THAT BIG OF A DEAL. IT'S A CLASS A MISDEMEANOR, RIGHT? SO WHY WILL YOU TREAT AMERICAN CITIZENS WORSE THAN ILLEGAL ALIENS IN THIS COUNTRY? THAT'S A DOUBLE STANDARD. I THOUGHT THE DEMOCRAT PARTY WAS ABOUT EQUALITY. IS THIS NOT THE PARTY OF EQUALITY WHERE YOU TREAT PEOPLE EQUALLY? ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE DEFERENCE TO ILLEGAL ALIENS BREAKING THE

LAW. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

NEXT SPEAKER. >> THANK YOU MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MY NAME IS SHEILA BERNARD AND I'M HERE THIS AFTERNOON TO SPEAK TO GIVE YOU -- THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME

[03:20:04]

I COME WITH NOT ANY POLICY DEBATE, BUT WITH A SOUL CRUSHED BENEATH THE SUFFOCATING WEIGHT OF OUR COMMUNITY'S COLLECTIVE UNENDING AGONY AND TO HONOR THE LIVES OF FIVE HEROIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS FROM HARRIS COUNTY WHO WERE VICIOUSLY STOLEN FROM US WHILE FEARLESSLY SHIELDING OUR FAMILY'S, CHILDREN AND NEIGHBORHOODS FROM HARM. THESE ARE NOT STATISTICS OR FACELESS CASUALTIES, THEY'RE DEVOTED HUSBANDS AND UNBREAKABLE BROTHERS IN BLUE WHOSE SELFLESS COURAGE DEFINED THE VERY SOUL AND BEATING LIFEBLOOD OF HARRIS COUNTY.

EACH WAS BRUTALLY AND UN FORGIVABLY CUT DOWN IN THE LINE OF DUTY BY AN ILLEGAL ALIEN WHO HAD NO RIGHT TO SET FOOT ON OUR SOIL AND UNLEASH THAT UNIMAGINABLE HEART SHATTERING HORROR AND I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR CONSIDERING ALL OF THESE

FEELINGS. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE. ANYONE ELSE?

>> MY NAME IS CAITLIN HENSLEY. THIS IS THE STORY OF SERGEANT HAROLD LLOYD PRESTON OF THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT BORN JUNE SECOND 1955. SERGEANT PRESTON WAS 65 YEARS OLD AT 41 YEAR VETERAN, HPD ACADEMY CLASS OF 79.

WHEN HE WAS MURDERED ON OCTOBER 20TH 2020 WHILE RESPONDING TO A DOMESTIC DISTURBANCE IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. HE AND FELLOW OFFICERS WERE AMBUSHED BY ELMER RWANDA MANZANO, AN ILLEGAL ALIEN FROM EL SALVADOR WITH A RAP SHEET OF HORRORS AND HAD NO RIGHT TO BE HERE. SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE HEAD AND UPPER BODY, SERGEANT PRESTON DIED AT THE HOSPITAL.

HIS LIFE WAS UNWAVERING SERVICE SINCE -- OFF DUTY HE TENDERLY CARED FOR HIS ELDERLY PARENTS WHO A MAN WHOSE COMMITMENT KNEW NO BOUNDS. SURVIVED BY ANNIE MAY AND ROBERT PRESTON HIS FIANCEE, WHITNEY, DAUGHTER ALLISON AND HER MOTHER HAS LOST -- HIS LOSS PLUNGED THEM INTO A NIGHTMARE OF AGONY SO BLACK AND SUFFOCATING THAT THEY BARELY BREATHE.

GLENDA AND... HE WOULD BE 70 YEARS OLD TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. ANYONE ELSE?

>> I AM CANDIDATE FOR COUNTY JUDGE.

IF SOMEONE BROKE INTO YOUR HOUSE, I'M HERE IN OPPOSITION TO 48. IF SOMEONE BROKE INTO YOUR HOUSE, WOULD YOU ENCOURAGE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO IGNORE IT? WOULD YOU? THESE ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS BROKE INTO OUR COUNTRY. WE HAVE TO SUPPORT ICE.

WE HAVE TO SUPPORT THE LAW. YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A ROUGH PATCH WITH SOME OF THESE ORDINANCES THAT YOU'VE PASSED.

DON'T MAKE YOURSELF LOOK ANY WORSE BY PASSING THIS CRAZY LEGISLATION OR RESOLUTION OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT.

LET'S MAKE HARRIS COUNTY A LAW ABIDING COUNTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

WE WERE ON -- IF SOMEONE CAN REMIND ME, WE WERE ON ITEM 17.

THAT WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ON THAT ITEM? YOU ARE MUTED, SIR. YOU WOULDN'T HAPPEN TO KNOW SIGN LANGUAGE WOULD YOU? [LAUGHTER]

>> THERE WE GO. THEY HAVE TO UNMUTE ME.

I THOUGHT I WAS HITTING THE SAME BUTTON I HAD ALREADY HIT EARLIER. MR. RAMOS, CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THE INITIAL NUMBER WAS, WHERE WE ARE NOW, AND WHAT IT WILL BE IN THE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND AFTER THAT TO GET A SENSE OF HOW WE GOT TO WHERE WE ARE?

>> WHEN THIS CAME TO COURT, I BELIEVE IT WAS MAY OF LAST YEAR.

THE INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS 140 MILLION.

AT THAT TIME, THE CONTRACT BETWEEN THE FOP AND CITY OF HOUSTON WAS NOT PUBLICLY AVAILABLE SO WE BASE IT OFF OF THE PRESS RELEASE. ONCE WE WERE GIVEN ACCESS TO THE CONTRACT WE WERE ABLE TO COMPARE APPLES TO APPLES AND LOOK AT OUR INTERNAL HR DATA TO IDENTIFY A CLOSER MORE DETAILED ANALYSIS OF

[03:25:01]

WHERE WE ARE TODAY AND WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING IS THE DELTA BETWEEN THE COST OF A VACANT POSITION AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE CLEAR NOT FULLY BUDGETING FOR POSITIONS WAS A PRACTICE THAT I INHERITED FROM MULTIPLE PREDECESSORS, THE IDEA BEING -- THE MATH BEING THAT MOST DEPARTMENTS DON'T INCREASE HEAD COUNT THROUGHOUT A YEAR SO THERE'S ALWAYS SOME AMOUNT OF TURNOVER SO BUDGETING THE FULL AMOUNT FOR THE FULL YEAR DOESN'T NECESSARILY MAKE SENSE BECAUSE YOU WOULD JUST BE PUTTING IT AS A SURPLUS AT THE END OF THE YEAR.

WHERE WE ARE TODAY COMMISSIONER, LET ME PULL IT UP.

FOR THIS YEAR'S COST, WE WERE AT 118 MILLION WHICH IS THE 104 PLUS THE 12 UNDER CONSIDERATION TODAY AND THEN NEXT YEAR WITH THE PROJECTED 8% COST AND THE FULLY FUNDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT VACANCIES WE'RE LOOKING AT 72 MILLION SO A TOTAL OF 191 MILLION BETWEEN THE TWO YEARS.

>> WILL IT GO HIGHER AND THAT ONE YEAR BEYOND THAT?

>> THE YEAR THREE IF WE WERE TO -- IF COURT WERE TO CONTINUE TO MATCH THE RAISES IN THE HPD CONTRACT PACKET WOULD BE 6% AFTER THAT WHICH IS 33 MILLION YEAR FOR IS 6 PERCENT, WHICH IS 35 MILLION AND THEN YEAR FIVE IS 6.5% WHICH WOULD BE 31 MILLION.

>> I JUST WANT US TO HAVE SOME SENSE OF IT BECAUSE I KNOW THIS MOVES VERY QUICKLY WHEN IT CAME UP.

I JUST DON'T WANT US TO GO THROUGH THIS EXERCISE AGAIN AND ASSUME IT'S ONE NUMBER AND THEN IT GOES UP SO AT LEAST WE OUGHT TO KNOW, I DON'T WANT US TO DO IT ON THE FLY AND THEN FIND OUT WE'VE GOT A BIGGER DEFICIT THAN WE THOUGHT WE HAD.

>> UNDERSTOOD. >> THANK YOU.

>> SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOLLOWED BY COMMISSIONER

BRIONES. >> CLEARLY THIS IS ALL

JUSTIFIED. >> I THINK THE REST OF THE

COUNTY IS NOT DOING IT. >> I MOVE ON.

>> SECOND. >> SLOW MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> I PROUDLY SUPPORT THIS. THIS I WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT A FEW THINGS. THE REASON FOR THIS DELTA ESSENTIALLY IS THAT OWENB DID NOT HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL SO WE ULTIMATELY HAVE LOWER ATTRITION RATES AND WE ARE BACKFILLING THESE BIG -- VACANT POSITIONS. TO PUT THIS TO LEVEL SET, WHEN WE MADE THIS HISTORIC INVESTMENT IN PAYING OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AT MARKET, TO CREATE THE PAY PARITY FOR OUR SHERIFF'S DEPUTIES AND CONSTABLES, THIS IS WHAT WE WERE HOPING FOR.

WE DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE EXPERIENCED OFFICERS BECAUSE WHEN YOU CALL 911 AND AN INCORPORATED WE WANT SOMEONE TO SHOW UP SO THIS SHOWS -- THIS IS THE OUTCOME WE HOPED FOR, SO VACANCIES HAVE DECREASED BY OVER 30%.

THE PAY ADJUSTMENT IS WORKING, AGENCIES GROWING SWORN RANKS FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOUR YEARS. BASICALLY THIS IS SAYING WE'RE NOT ONLY KEEPING OUR TALENT AND WE'RE LOSING FEWER AND WE HAVE CLASS SIZES AND APPLICANTS FOR EACH CLASS SIZE THAT WE HAVEN'T HAD IN YEARS. NOW WE ARE PAYING AT MARKET, FAIRLY, SO THIS IS JUST TESTAMENT TO WHAT THE INVESTMENT WE'VE BEEN MADE WORKING TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE INVESTING IN PUBLIC SAFETY IN HARRIS COUNTY SO AS SUCH, I SUPPORT THIS ITEM

AS PRESENTED. >> ANY OTHER COMMENTS ON THIS ONE? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR. ANY OPPOSED? SO MY THOUGHTS ON THIS OBVIOUSLY WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO ASK THE VOTERS WHAT THEY THOUGHT ABOUT THIS AND I SUPPORT IT OF COURSE, THESE RAISES, SO MUCH SO THAT I PROPOSE THEM IN 2022.

SO IT WOULD BE AND I DISCUSS WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES LAST YEAR, WHAT WOULD YOU THINK IF WE PUT THIS TO THE VOTERS, I'LL EVEN SACRIFICE SO WE CAN ONLY PUT ONE THING ON THE BALLOT AND WE ALL SHOOK HANDS AND THEY CAME DOWNSTAIRS AND THEN OUT OF THE BLUE WITH NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, SOME

[03:30:02]

THE PROPOSAL THEN TURNED INTO $118 MILLION FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026, 12 MORE MILLION, NOW THERE'S $38 MILLION REQUEST PLUS $23 MILLION SO FISCAL YEAR 27 WILL BE $179 MILLION FOR THIS INITIATIVE. THEN THE ESTIMATES FOR YOUR THREE FISCAL YEAR 28, THERE WILL BE $211.6 MILLION GOING TO THIS FISCAL YEAR 29, $246 MILLION GOING TO THIS SO THAT'S AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. TO PUT THINGS IN PERSPECTIVE, THE INITIATIVE TO TRY TO RENOVATE THE ASTRODOME WAS ABOUT $100 MILLION, EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVE FOR FOUR YEARS, $150 MILLION AND THAT WAS THE LARGEST INVESTMENT WE HAD FROM THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN. THE DEFICIT THIS YEAR ABOUT $87 MILLION SO PROFOUNDLY IRRESPONSIBLE FROM A FISCAL SENSE. WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO FUND THIS IN A WAY THAT WAS FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE BUT INSTEAD, WE'VE BEEN CUTTING SERVICES FOR THE COMMUNITY AND LOOKING TO CUT MORE THIS YEAR TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, THEN THEY SAID WE CAN NOW PUT EARLY CHILDHOOD ON THE BALLOT BUT THEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO NOT PUT EVEN THAT ON THE BALLOT.

INEXPLICABLY. SO THE TOTAL COST FOR ALL FIVE YEARS TO DO THIS ENDS UP BEING $295.8 MILLION CACTUS IS YEAR TO YEAR BECAUSE IT HAS TO GROW EVERY YEAR AS YOU PHASE IN MORE AND MORE COSTS AND REMEMBER, THIS HAS ALREADY GROWN BY TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN LESS THAN ONE YEAR.

SO WE EXPECT THIS NUMBER TO BE EVEN MORE BLOATED.

IT'S ELECTION YEAR TACTIC. VERY IRRESPONSIBLE USE OF MONEY, AND FRANKLY PART OF THE REASON WHY I DECIDED NOT TO RUN FOR REELECTION BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO BE PLAYING AROUND IN A SINKING SHIP. WE WILL SEE SOME TAX RAISES HERE IN A COUPLE OF YEARS, CONVENIENTLY AFTER THEY RUN THEIR REELECTION RACE. SO I'M A NO ON THIS ONE BECAUSE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT. AND WE COULD HAVE IF WE PUT IT TO THE VOTERS. COMMISSIONER, WHAT'S YOUR VOTE?

>> I VOTE YES. >> SO WE ARE VOTING FOUR TO ONE, I AM NO ON THIS ONE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WANTED -- I. KNOW YOU WANTED TO GO OVER ITEM 188.

>> YES GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE, THAT WAS A VERY SHORT PRESENTATION, ARE WE GOING TO JUST TALK ABOUT IT?

>> GO AHEAD AND DO THIS. >> PLEASE DO.

>> THIS IS ON OUR PROPRIETARY PROGRAMS.

>> THANK YOU. NEXT SLIDE.

THANK YOU TO THE COURT FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO THESE PROJECTS AS A REMINDER, WE RECEIVED A DIRECT ALLOCATION OF $915 MILLION.

YOU ALL INVESTED IT AND IT'S YIELDED OVER $80 MILLION IN INTEREST EARNINGS TO 995 MILLION TOTAL ACROSS 167 PROJECTS.

YOU ALL VOTED AND AGREED TO HEALTH, HOUSING JOBS AND EDUCATION JUSTICE AND SAFETY COUNTY OPERATIONS WITH FIVE PILLARS. SINCE 2021 WE'VE NOTED THAT SOME OF THESE PROGRAMS WILL HAVE TO SUCCESSFULLY CONCLUDE IS VERY IMPACTFUL ONE TIME INVESTMENTS. AS DIRECTED BY COMMISSIONERS COURT, DEPARTMENTS SUBMITTED CONTINUING SERVICE AND SPENDING REQUESTS FOR HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMS AND THESE WERE ALSO PROPOSED BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE.

OCA IS HERE PRESENTING THE STEERING COMMITTEES PROPOSAL TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR INCLUSION IN THE FY27 BUDGET PROJECTIONS. DIRECTOR HADAS AND DOCTOR SOLIS WILL TELL YOU THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THAT.

>> THANK YOU GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE COMMISSIONERS.

I'M TOM HARGIS, DIRECTOR OF GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIPS IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND CAN YOU GO TO THE NEXT SL

[03:35:04]

IN LATE 2025, AT THE REQUEST OF THE STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE AND STEERING COMMITTEE, WE KICKED OFF THE WORK TO IDENTIFY THE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMS FOR POTENTIAL IN THE FY27 BUDGET.

IN FEBRUARY 26TH, COMMISSIONERS COURT CONSIDERED THE PROGRAMS, RECOMMENDED BY THE UPPER STEERING COMMITTEE.

THE COURT THEN DIRECTED DEPARTMENTS TO DEVELOP AND SUBMIT CONTINUED LEVEL OF SERVICE IN SPENDING REQUESTS THE PROGRAMS APPROVED BY COURT TO MOVE FORWARD FOR CONSIDERATION.

AT THE END OF MARCH, FOLLOWING THE ARPA GOVERNANCE PROCESS, DEPARTMENT SUBMITTED THESE REQUESTS WITH AN INPUT FROM THE FOCUS AREA TEAMS AND STEERING COMMITTEE AND TODAY FOR COURT'S CONSIDERATION, THERE ARE NINE PROGRAMS TO CONSIDER FOR POTENTIAL INCLUSION IN FY27 BUDGET PROJECTIONS.

FOR ANY PROGRAMS THAT SEEMS TO MEET YOUR APPROVAL, THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS WOULD THEN KICK OFF THE NECESSARY CONTRACT COMMITMENTS, -- REPROCUREMENT WHILE THE BUDGET PROCESS ENSUES.

AS THE COURT LATER THIS YEAR TAKES UP APPROVAL OF THE ENTIRE BUDGET, THE PROGRAMS THAT DIRECTORS ARE GOING TO WALK THROUGH, THESE WOULD THEN BE CONSIDERED FOR INCLUSION IN THE FY27 GENERAL FUND BUDGET AND YOU CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> I'M DIRECTOR OF THE ARPA PORTFOLIO IN THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION. THE FIVE PROGRAMS THAT ARE OUTLINED HERE HAVE EXISTING CONTRACTS OR POSITIONS THAT COULD CONTINUE THROUGH A CONTRACT AMENDMENT OR EXTENSION OF CURRENT POSITION. THIS INCLUDES THE MATERNAL AND CHILD HEALTH PROGRAM WHICH HAS SERVED CLOSE TO 500 PARTICIPANTS SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2022. WITH HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATING THIS WEEK AS BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK, WE WANT TO RECOGNIZE HOW PUBLIC HEALTH HAS CONTINUED TO PROVIDE CRITICAL RESOURCES, EDUCATION AND SUPPORT TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH OUTCOMES. JUST YESTERDAY HOUSTON STYLE MAGAZINE PUBLISHED AN ARTICLE IN HONOR OF BLACK MATERNAL HEALTH WEEK, STATING HARRIS COUNTY IS TURNING AWARENESS INTO ACTION, FOCUSING ON THE INVESTMENTS OF THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.

THIS REQUEST ALSO INCLUDES THE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE PROGRAM WHICH THROUGH PARTNERSHIP WITH AFL-CIO AND EMPOWER HAS ENROLLED OVER 1700 PARTICIPANTS IN WORKFORCE TRAINING AND CAREER PATHWAYS FOR HIGH DEMAND INDUSTRIES.

IF WE CAN GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. THESE FOUR PROGRAMS WOULD NEED TO BE RE PROCURED SINCE THEY NEED UPDATED CONTRACTS FOR ADDITIONAL POSITIONS, THE FOOD AND NUTRITION PROGRAM HAS SERVED ALMOST 600,000 HOUSEHOLDS SINCE 2023 THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK COMMON MARKET, SMALL PLACES AND URBAN HARVEST. THE CONTINUATION OF THIS PROGRAM WHICH FOCUSED ON FOOD DISTRIBUTION WITH THE ADDITION OF BENEFIT ENROLLMENT SERVICES. COORDINATED HOMELESS RESPONSE WOULD SERVE OVER 1500 INDIVIDUALS EACH YEAR PROVIDING OUTREACH CASE MANAGEMENT, EMERGENCY SHELTER OR TEMPORARY HOUSING. THE COMBINED TOTAL FOR ALL OF THE ARPA REQUESTS IS APPROXIMATELY 14 MILLION.

IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE ON THIS ITEM COMMISSIONERS COURT COULD TAKE UP THE PROGRAMS TOGETHER OR INTRODUCE INDIVIDUAL MOTIONS TO INCLUDE EACH PROGRAM IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 PACKET GENERAL

FUND PROJECTIONS. >> I WILL JUST ADD OUR THANKS TO THE DEPARTMENT TO FOCUS AREA STEERING COMMITTEE, STRATEGIC PLANNING COMMITTEE, PURCHASING OMB IN OUR ARPA PMO AND MANY OTHERS FOR THEIR DILIGENT WORK ON THIS PROCESS TO IDENTIFY THESE HIGH PRIORITY PROGRAMS AND RESCOPE THEM FOR POTENTIAL CONTINUATION HAS BEEN EXTENSIVE SO I WANT TO THANK ALL THOSE STAKEHOLDERS AND IF YOU COULD GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE, I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT A SEPARATE BUT RELATED MATTER.

EACH FISCAL YEAR THE ARPA PORTFOLIO HAS PROVIDED ONE TIME SUPPORT TO THE GENERAL FUND THROUGH FY26 AS YOU'LL SEE ON THIS SLIDE, THAT TOTAL COMES TO 49.6 MILLION REPRESENTING 5% OF THE 995 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS AND INTEREST EARNED IN THE ARPA PORTFOLIO. FOR FY27, RIGHT NOW, WE

[03:40:03]

IT ALSO INCLUDES 3 MILLION, WE EXPECT IN ARPA INTEREST EARNED BY THE BEGINNING OF 2027 IN 2.5 MILLION, WE EXPECT TO HAVE IN MID 2027 FROM ADDITIONAL COST SAVINGS AND CONSTRUCTION CONTINGENCY. MOST OF ALL, WE WANT TO THANK SINCERELY THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR GUIDANCE AND DIRECTION IN INVESTING THESE FUNDS WHICH HAVE HAD HISTORIC IMPACTS ON RESIDENTS AFFAIRS COUNTY AND FOR THE GOVERNANCE PROCESS TO ESTABLISH WHICH HAS ENSURED THE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACROSS ALL INVESTMENTS MADE THROUGH ARPA FUNDING. SO THANK YOU, AND WE WOULD BE

HAPPY TO TAKE ANY QUESTIONS NOW. >> YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND

THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> DID YOU SAY NINE PROGRAMS?

IN MY NOTES I HAVE TEN. >> IT'S NINE PROGRAMS BUT THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CENTER HAS TWO REQUESTS BECAUSE THERE'S ONE FROM HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH WHICH INCLUDES THE ACCESS REENTRY PROGRAM AND THEN THERE'S ANOTHER REQUEST FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ALSO FOR THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CENTER.

>> OUT OF THESE NINE OR TEN PROGRAMS, THE WOMEN'S CENTER HAD TWO, THEY ALL WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS.

DO YOU REMEMBER IF THE VOTES WERE UNANIMOUS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH EACH ONE BUT DO YOU REMEMBER?

>> THEY WERE NOT UNANIMOUS FOR EVERY SINGLE ONE.

THESE ARE THE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE A MAJORITY SUPPORT SO AT THE FUNDING LEVEL PRESENTED, EACH OF THESE HAD AT LEAST THREE COURT

OFFICERS. >> DO YOU REMEMBER WHICH ONES WERE UNANIMOUS? YOU'VE GOT THE CHRONIC PREVENTION FOOD NUTRITION MATERNAL HEALTH, COORDINATED HOMELESSNESS, APPRENTICESHIP, I ASSUMED THAT WAS UNANIMOUS, ACCESS REENTRY, FOR THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CENTER AND THE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CENTER ADMIN AND YOUTH DIVERSION.

WAS THERE ANY THAT WERE UNANIMOUS OTHER THAN THE

APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE? >> I BELIEVE APPRENTICESHIP ADVANTAGE WAS THE ONLY ONE THAT WAS UNANIMOUS.

>> I DO WANT TO SAY, I'M SO PROUD OF OUR COURT COMING UP WITH ARPA PROCESS OF PUTTING YOUR MONEY AND INTEREST ACCOUNT TO COME UP WITH A PLAN THROUGH A FRAMEWORK ON HOW WE WOULD SPEND THIS MONEY AND THE HOPE WAS THAT WE WOULD PUT A DENT IN GENERATIONAL POVERTY. THERE WAS A TIME WHEN OUR COUNTY WE SHOULD TURN DOWN FEDERAL MONEY WHEN THE GETTING WAS GOOD, WHEN A TEXAN WAS IN THE WHITE HOUSE SO IT WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY, POLITICAL LIFETIME AT LEAST TO DO IT AGAIN AND MY PREFERENCE AND I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO GO WITH OPTION ONE TO ADOPT ITEM 188 AS PRESENTED.

>> ALL RIGHT. A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON ADOPTING ITEM 188 IS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. LET'S HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> WE CAN VOTE ON THESE

INDIVIDUALLY YES, SIR,. >> IS THAT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE

TO DO? >> THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT WE WERE

DOING. >> I'M SORRY.

>> IS THIS AN EXTENDED TIME MOMENT?

IS THAT WHAT THE BEEPING WAS? >> I'M GOING TO EXTEND IT.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- IS THERE A SECOND, I WILL SECOND EXTENDING THE TIME. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> ALL OPPOSED. >> WE ARE TAKING ALL OF THE

ITEMS UP? >> NO WE JUST EXTENDED THE TIME THAT'S UNANIMOUS. SO WE CAN TAKE ITEM BY ITEM IF

THAT'S ALTERNATE. >> LET ME UNDERSTAND, DOES THIS BUY US ANOTHER YEAR, THIS FUNDING THAT WE'RE VOTING ON TODAY, IS THIS ANOTHER YEAR ESSENTIALLY?

>> YES OF THE PROGRAMS PRESENTED, THEY WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE SALES PROCESS FOR CONSIDERATION IN THE BUDGET

FOR THE COMING YEAR. >> THIS GETS THROUGH FISCAL YEAR

27. >> WE'RE ESSENTIALLY ADDING IT INTO THE BASELINE SO IT WOULD STAY IN THERE UNLESS COURT WERE TO TAKE IT OUT BUT YOU ALSO GET ANOTHER BITE AT THE APPLE DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS IF THERE ARE ONES THAT DON'T GET PRIORITIZED

OVER OTHER THINGS. >> UNDERSTOOD.

>> I WILL MAKE A MOTION, I MAKE A MOTION FOR THAT -- DOES THAT

MAKE SENSE? >> YES COMMISSIONER.

SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THEY'RE LISTED IN A CERTAIN ORDER HERE

[03:45:01]

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I'M JUST GUESSING, WHY DON'T I SOMEBODY MAKE A MOTION FOR HIM APPRENTICESHIP AND THEN I'LL

MAKE A MOTION FOR THE OTHERS. >> I MOVE ON APPRENTICESHIP.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON APPRENTICESHIP, ALL IN FAVOR ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU TELL ME IF I'M OUT OF LINE.

I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION FOR THE OTHERS UNLESS THERE'S ONE IN

PARTICULAR, YOU WANT TO VOTE. >> I WAS GOING TO VOTE NO ON THE

CHRONIC DISEASE. >> LET'S MAKE A MOTION FOR

CHRONIC DISEASE. >> I'LL MAKE IT.

>> MOTION COMMISSIONER SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES 3-2. >> IS THAT ANOTHER ONE

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> THE ACCESS WOMEN'S

EMPOWERMENT CENTER ACCESS. >> BOTH OF THEM WERE JUST ONE OF THEM? I WILL MAKE A MOTION...

>> ALL RIGHT MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ACCESS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

>> THAT WAS OKAY I WILL MAKE A MOTION FOR THE REMAINING ONES.

>> THERE'S ONE MORE. >> I'M SORRY.

>> IT IS THE EVICTION SUPPORT AND DIVERSION LEGALAID.

>> OKAY MOTION BY. >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-2. COMMISSIONER, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION FOR THE OTHER ONES THAT WE HAVE?

>> I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION YES, MA'AM,.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU GUYS. >> IF WE GET IT OVER...

>> I LIKE IT, I'M LEARNING. THANK YOU GUYS.

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

WE GO BACK TO 428? >> YES.

>> THAT'S THE ITEM ON ICE THAT WE DISCUSSED IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION, GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> YOU KNOW WE HAD A GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE MEETING ON IT AND I KNOW MEMBERS HAVE SOME CONCERNS ABOUT LEGAL ISSUES.

I'M NOT AS CONCERNED BUT AS OPPOSED TO MAKING A MOTION, I WILL SIMPLY DIRECT ITEM 428, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DEVELOP GUIDELINES FOR HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT ENGAGEMENT WITH ICE THAT PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, ADVANCED COMMUNITY SAFETY, ALIGNED WITH BEST PRACTICES AND COMPLY WITH TEXAS SENATE BILL FOUR, PARTICULARLY RELATED TO THE ENFORCEMENT OF CIVIL ADMINISTRATIVE ICE WARRANTS. I'M JUST REQUESTING THAT THEY DO THAT AND BRING IT BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

I WON'T GIVE THEM A DEADLINE BUT I WOULD JUST SAY DO IT WITH ALL DELIBERATE SPEED. THAT'S MY REQUEST.

>> DID YOU GET THAT COUNTY ATTORNEY?

YES THAT'S FINE. >> WE ARE TAKING NO ACTION ON

428. >> THE ONLY ACTION I'M TAKING IS JUST REQUESTING THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COME BACK WITH DEVELOPED DEADLINES AND BRING THOSE BACK.

>> LEARNING ALSO WHAT THE POLICIES ARE RIGHT COMMISSIONER? WOULD THEY HAVE TO DO THAT AS PART OF IT?

>> I'M THINKING THE PROCESS THEY WOULD HAVE TO INQUIRE, THEY WOULD HAVE TO ASK, I'M GOING TO TRUST OUR CURRENT AND ANY FUTURE COUNTY ATTORNEYS TO USE GOOD JUDGMENT HOW SHOULD THEY TALK TO ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE SHERIFF AND THE CONSTABLE'S, OUR OFFICE'S, WE CAN ONLY TALK TO ONE ANOTHER IN PUBLIC, ONE PERSON PRIVATELY, ONE OF THE COMMISSIONER PRIVATELY.

SO I WOULD LEAVE IT TO THAT GOOD JUDGMENT TO MAKE SURE THEY TOUCH

ALL WITH APPROPRIATE BASIS. >> ALL RIGHT SO THERE'S A DIRECTIVE FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND AS TO THE ITEM, THERE'S NO ACTION AS FAR AS THE COURT.

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

DOES THAT MAKE SENSE? >> YES.

>> LET'S GO BACK TO THE ITEM 24, PRECINCTS ONE AND THREE FLAG THIS ONE. HRT.

>> I'M IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 24. IF WE EVER NEEDED AN ANALYST POSITION, WE NEED IT NOW. PARTICULARLY COMPENSATION WITH WHAT WE'VE BEEN THROUGH ON THIS PAY PARITY DISASTER.

SO I'M IN SUPPORT OF THE TWO POSITIONS, HOPEFULLY THAT MEANS WE WON'T HAVE ANY MORE CONSULTANTS.

>> I'LL SECOND YOUR MOTION IF THAT WAS A MOTION.

>> SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS THAT OKAY? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

[03:50:01]

ALL RIGHT THANK YOU. NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO 167, THAT IS ON THE FORENSIC SCIENCES PAC DIRECTOR RAMOS OR ADMINISTRATOR CARTER WOULD YOU LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT OR WOULD YOU WANT SOMEONE FROM IFS? OH, ALL RIGHT.

WELCOME. >> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING FORMALLY WRITTEN I WAS HERE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ON BEHALF OF

THE COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE SO... >> THANK YOU.

>> MY COMMENT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I APPRECIATE YOU PUTTING THIS ON THE ITEM. I THINK TO BE CLEAR, THIS HAS NO BUDGET IMPACT YOU'RE NOT ASKING FOR A BUDGET INCREASE,.

>> NOT FOR FY26. >> YOU'RE LOOKING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS WITHIN YOUR FUNDS. THIS IS KIND OF LIKE WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT EARLIER, DIRECTOR IN TERMS OF, YOU GOT MONEY BUDGETED, AND THEY'RE CHOOSING TO USE IT THIS WAY 2% INCREASE.

>> THERE'S IMPLICATION FOR FISCAL YEAR 27.

>> THIS IS THIS YEAR.

>> IT'S ALWAYS AN IMPLICATION OF NEXT YEAR BASED ON OUR CONTINUED

LEVEL OF SPENDING. >> AND SERVICE.

>> IF COURT WANTS -- THEY CAN AFFORD IT IN THIS FISCAL YEAR BUT COURT WILL NEED TO FIND THAT MILLION DOLLARS FOR NEXT YEAR SO IF COURT IS COMFORTABLE WITH MAKING -- FINDING THAT ADDITIONAL DOLLARS, I WON'T BE ABLE TO SUPPORT AND I'LL FIGURE

IT OUT. >> I'M IN FULL SUPPORT OF IT, I

MOVE ON TO ITEM. >> MOTION -- YES GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO FIRST OF ALL AGAIN THANK DOCTOR SANCHEZ FOR HIS WORK AND I APPRECIATE HIM COMING BY AND VISITING WITH ME AND ADVOCATING FOR THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION AND IN THAT CONVERSATION, I STILL HAVE THE HOPE AND MAYBE ME AND ANOTHER COLLEAGUE COULD WORK ON THIS TO CREATE THE CONVERSATION TO MERGE CRIME LABS.

I THINK THAT'S SORELY NEEDED, THIS ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, EVEN IN PRIOR ADMINISTRATIONS HAS BEEN CLEAR THAT HOUSTON CRIME LAB IN PARTICULAR IS STRUGGLING QUITE A BIT WITH THE PROCESSING OF ITS EVIDENCE. ALL THAT BEING SAID IS THAT AS WE GROW AND AS OPERATIONS GROW, AS AGENCIES GROW, THERE WILL BE MORE WORK COMING IN OUR DIRECTION SO I WANT TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT WORKING TOWARDS THE FUTURE AND SO I RECOMMENDED TO DOCTOR SANCHEZ THAT WE SHOULD INCLUDE IFS IN THE ASSET FORFEITURE CONVERSATIONS AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THAT WORK IS

ALREADY TAKING PLACE. >> YES.

>> I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THAT AGREEMENT COME BACK AND THE THING I WILL SAY ABOUT THE ASSET FORFEITURE, ASSUMING THAT IT HAPPENS, THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE'S ENCOURAGEMENT TO USE IT IN THE SMARTEST WAY ON A REGULAR BASIS.

IT'S NO GOOD TO HAVE THAT CHUNK OF CHANGE AVAILABLE IF IT'S JUST COLLECTING INTEREST. SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THE NEXT ADMINISTRATION HEARS THAT IF YOU START TO RECEIVE THAT ASSET FORFEITURE, I WANT TO SEE IT GETTING SPENT IN A GOOD, SMART WAY AS WELL. THANK YOU AND I SUPPORT THE

ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> MY QUESTION TO THE DEPARTMENT WOULD BE, WHAT WILL YOU DO NEXT YEAR IF WE DON'T HAVE THE MONEY?

WHAT HAPPENS TO THESE PEOPLE? >> SORRY I FORGOT, INTERIM DIRECTOR OF CHIEF MEDICAL EXAMINER OF THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, AS EVERY DEPARTMENT HEARD TODAY, WE WILL HAVE TO ATTEMPT TO CUT POSSIBLY 8% AND LOOK FOR AREAS TO SAVE 8% ON THE BUDGET AND SOMETHING WE CAN LOOK FORWARD TO DOING POSSIBLY WITH -- SEVERAL OPEN THAT WERE REFERRED TO AS BEING LONG-STANDING, LONG TIME DIFFICULT TO FILL POSITIONS, WE WILL ATTEMPT TO LOOK AT THOSE FOR POSSIBLE DOSE FOR THE FUTURE YEAR IF NECESSARY.

>> YOU'D NEED THIS FOR NOW KNOWING THERE'S A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY THAT YOU WOULD HAVE TO CUT THAT IN MORE MONEY COMING

[03:55:03]

INTO THIS CYCLE. >> YES RETENTION RIGHT NOW IS UTMOST IMPORTANCE TO US. WE ARE SEEING OUR ATTRITION RATE GO UP IN THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF AND TWO YEARS AND MOST OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO NEIGHBORING OFFICES WHERE WE TRAINED THEM, WE ARE REALLY HIGH QUALITY INSTITUTION THANKS TO THE SUPPORT THE COMMISSIONERS HAVE GIVEN US OVER THE YEARS AND THEN WE TRAINED THESE PEOPLE TO STAY WITH US FOR ONE TO TWO YEARS AND THEN THEY GO TO SURROUNDING OFFICES FOR EQUAL

PAY, LESS WORK. >> WHEN YOU LOSE THEM IS IT GENERALLY TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON CRIME LAB OR WHERE?

>> WE'VE SEEN SOME LEAVE TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON CRIME LAB, SEEN SOME LEAVE TO DPS, WE'VE SEEN SOME LEAVE TO NEIGHBORING COUNTY

MI OFFICES. >> I AGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE'S COMMENTS ABOUT DOCTOR SANCHEZ, HE DID A GREAT JOB AND I'M GLAD TO SPEND ALL THE TIME WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS.

I ALSO HAVE A LITTLE EXPERIENCE WITH HOUSTON CRIME LAB IN MY NOT FOR PROFIT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT WAS A CASE THAT WE HANDLED THE MINISTER'S BUDGET THAT PROMPTED -- YOU WERE LEADER ON THAT TO MAKE SOME SUBSTANTIAL CHANGES BUT I THINK FROM TALKING TO PEOPLE IN THE INDUSTRY, USUALLY THE VERACITY OF THE TESTING COMING OUT OF THE COUNTY'S CRIME LAB IS GENERALLY BETTER THAN THAT OF THE CITY SO IF THEY WERE TO MERGE, I'D BE WORRIED ABOUT THE FUNDING ISSUE FIRST OF ALL AND ABOUT COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE GREAT PROCESS THAT I THINK THE COUNTY HAS PUT IN PLACE, IT WAS JUST INTERESTING, WHAT A THOUGHT THAT WE WOULD HAVE BEEN CHALLENGED IN THE COUNTY CRIME LAB INSTEAD OF THE CITY CRIME LAB BUT IT WAS THE OPPOSITE OF THAT. SO I JUST RAISE IT AS A CAUTION TO MY COLLEAGUES, IF WE DO IT, MAKE SURE THAT IT COMES WITH EYES OPEN AND FUNDING ISSUES AND INTEGRITY OF THOSE LABS, THE QUALITY OF THAT WORK BECAUSE NOTHING'S WORSE THAN TO MAKE A MISTAKE IN THAT REGARD. I WANT TO ASK MR. RAMOS, HOW ARE WE TREATING OTHER DEPARTMENTS WHO ASK A REQUEST IN THE SAME SITUATION. WAS THAT ON THE DAY'S AGENDA BY

THE WAY? >> THIS ISSUE IN PARTICULAR WHICH IS USING CURRENT YEAR VACANCIES TO PAY FOR FUTURE RAISES THE LAST TIME I CAN REMEMBER DEALING WITH THIS WAS WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S WHERE THEY GAVE RAISES AND NEEDED TO COME BACK AND ASK CAUGHT BACK FILL POSITIONS THAT THEY COULD NO LONGER AFFORD. WE TYPICALLY HAVE NOT FUNDED

THIS MID-YEAR. >> AND IF WE DO THIS FOR THIS GREAT ENTITY AND THEY DO GREAT WORK, IF ANOTHER DEPARTMENT COMES IN, WHAT -- YOU OR COUNTY ADMINISTRATION -- ADMINISTRATOR

ON THAT? >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

MY RECOMMENDATION ON THIS IS ACTUALLY TO WAIT UNTIL FY27 BUDGET PROCESS TO REVIEW IT WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF THEIR OVERALL BUDGET. AND THAT WOULD BE THE SAME FOR ANY DEPARTMENT COMING WITH ADDITIONAL SALARY INCREASES AND ALSO REMIND THAT THE PAY EQUITY WILL ALMOST COMPLETE, HAS NOT HIT THE PAYCHECKS OF OUR EMPLOYEES WHICH IS NOT UNTIL MAY

22ND. >> THAT IS TRUE.

AND SO, HOW LONG WOULD THIS WAIT TAKE? BE ON PAY EQUITY AND THE BUDGET PROCESS, HOW MANY MONTHS WOULD

THAT TAKE? >> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE

QUESTION. >> HOW LONG WOULD IT TAKE US TO BE AT A POINT WHERE WE COULD VOTE ON IT, WHERE YOU COULD RECOMMEND IT ONE WAY OR THE OTHER WHEN WE COMPLETE THE

BUDGET PROCESS? >> IF IT WERE IN THE BUDGET PROCESS YOU WOULD DO FINAL VOTES IN AUGUST IN SEPTEMBER'S FINAL BUDGET ADOPTION SO IT WOULD BE LIKE OCTOBER FIRST.

>> MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE TO WAIT UNTIL THEN BECAUSE IF NOT, SOME OTHER DEPARTMENT CAME IN AND THEY HAD THE SAME ISSUES, I DON'T KNOW HOW WE WOULD -- IF WE LET THE FLOODGATES DOWN FOR ONE WHY WOULDN'T WE DO IT FOR OTHERS?

>> ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONER AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THE WORK IFSHE DOES IS TREMENDOUS AND I ECHO THE SENTENCES ABOUT DR. SANCHEZ AND THANK YOU FOR BEING AT THE HELM NOW AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO LOOKING AT YOU.

MY QUESTIONS WERE RELATED TO THE PAY EQUITY STUDY.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS IFS IS SIGNED OFF ON THE PAY EQUITY

RECOMMENDATIONS IS THAT CORRECT? >> WE HAVE YES.

AND THE PAY EQUITY ADJUSTMENTS WILL HIT IN APPROXIMATELY A

MONTH, IS THAT CORRECT? >> MAY 22ND.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO MAKING THOSE ADJUSTMENTS FOR THIS DEPARTMENT AND ALL THE OTHERS THAT WE WILL BE MAKING ADJUSTMENTS FOR AND IF THERE ARE NEEDS THAT YOU CAN PRESENT IN THE NEW FISCAL YEAR AS WE PREPARE, PLEASE AND I KNOW THAT

[04:00:02]

>> IS THERE MOTION TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION?

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> IF YOU LOOK AT HOW FORENSICS IS SET UP AND WHAT THEY'RE DOING, IT'S EXTRAORDINARY.

THEY'RE GOING THROUGH A CHANGE, TRANSITION, I THINK ANY TIME YOU GO THROUGH TRANSITION, THERE WILL BE MORE MONEY SPENT, I SUSPECT EVEN WHEN WE TALKED ABOUT THIS MORNING, THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES, TRANSITION, THERE WILL BE A NEED TO SPEND MONEY SO THIS IS IN A CATEGORY OF MY MIND, OF TRANSITION, THAT'S ONE POINT AND THE FACT THAT THEY HAVE FIGURED OUT THE FUNDING FOR THIS YEAR, THE FACT THAT WE STILL HAD TO PAY EQUITY ON THE TABLE, RELATED TO THIS ITEM, ANYWAY I THINK WE ARE TRYING TO HOLD THE SHIP TOGETHER BUT IF THERE IS NO CONCERN ABOUT TRANSITION, THERE SEEMS TO BE A LOT MORE CONCERN IN A LOT OF OTHER AREAS AND NOT SO MUCH IN SOME OTHERS.

I THINK THERE SHOULD BE CONCERN HERE, I THINK HE NEEDS TO SUPPORT AND I WOULD STAND WITH HIM ON THE INQUIRIES.

>> ALL RIGHT, ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THIS?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO NOTE MOST RECENTLY WE DID FINISH AND SIGN OFF ON THE INITIAL PHASE OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY DURING THAT INTERACTION WE REALIZED A OF THE EMPLOYEES ONLY TEN RECEIVED ANY CHANGES IN THEIR PAY FROM THE PAY EQUITY STUDY.

>> GOOD POINT. >> SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU DON'T AGREE WITH THE RESULTS OF THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, IS THAT WHAT

I'M HEARING? >> I'M LITERALLY TRYING TO UNDERSTAND WHAT I'M HEARING, I'M NOT PUSHING BACK.

>> IT'S NOT THAT I DON'T AGREE WITH THE FINDINGS FROM THE PAY EQUITY STUDY, THE PAY EQUITY STUDY DID A GREAT JOB OF ATTEMPTING TO FIT FORENSIC INDIVIDUALS OF A VERY UNIQUE CATEGORY AND SKILL SET INTO AN OVERARCHING HUGE GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE. THE PAY EQUITY STUDY NEEDED TO BRING FORTH ITS UNIQUE CATEGORIES JUST FOR OUR OFFICE THAT WE HAD TO SWOT INTO AND IN THAT PROCESS, THE CONSULTANT LOOKED AT TEN CITIES NATIONWIDE, AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES WITHIN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

SO THERE'S A DIFFERENCE IN COST OF LIVING WHICH I WASN'T CLEAR IF THAT COST OF LIVING WAS EVEN CALCULATED VERSUS HOUSTON VERSUS OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES AND THAT'S HOW WE'RE LOSING PEOPLE TO, OUR NEIGHBORING CITIES BECAUSE NO ONE WANTS TO MOVE TO TEXAS. SO WHEN WE SAW THE RESULTS OF THE STUDY, THAT'S WHEN WE BECAME CONCERNED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT AFFECTING THE SALARIES AS WAS PREDICTED.

>> SO MY TAKE ON THIS OBVIOUSLY, IT'S HARD BECAUSE I'M A BIG FAN OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ALSO VERY PLEASED WITH THE WORK THAT YOU AND DOCTOR SANCHEZ HAVE BEEN DOING AND THAT HE DID OVER TIME.

I'VE BEEN VERY CONSISTENT IN SAYING, DEPARTMENTS SHOULD NOT COME FORWARD WITH ONE OFF REQUESTS.

I'VE BEEN ACROSS THE BOARD, THE WHOLE YEAR SINCE LAST YEAR SO I'M NOT ABOUT TO START WOBBLING ON THESE THINGS BECAUSE THAT CONSISTENCY KEEPS ME SANE. THAT SAID, I DON'T KNOW YOU GUYS BUT THE RECOURSE IS BECAUSE I'VE HEARD OF SOMETHING SIMILAR WHERE IT'S LIKE, THEY SORT OF UNDERSTOOD BUT THEY SORT OF DIDN'T, IS THERE A WAY IN TERMS OF BEING THE CONSULTANTS THAT -- IS THERE A WAY FOR THERE TO BE -- I. DON'T WANT TO BOG US DOWN BUT A TINY APPEAL PROCESS WHEREBY SAY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR COULD GO AND BE LIKE YO YOU REALLY SHOULD HAVE

LOOKED AT YOU KNOW. >> I THINK CHIEF RALEIGH CAN

TELL YOU ABOUT PHASE TWO. >> OKAY THANK YOU.

>> YOU'RE RIGHT JUDGE. WE ARE CONTEMPLATING THAT AND SO AFTER THE STUDY WE WILL DIVE IN ON THOSE THAT WE HAD UNRESOLVED SO THAT'S ABOUT 5% OF THE TOTAL AND THEN THOSE SUCH AS WHAT THE DOCTOR IS EXPLAINING WILL FALL INTO OUR THIRD EVERY YEAR THAT WE ARE REVIEWING AND THEY ARE ONE OF THE FIRST TO GO BECAUSE

[04:05:01]

>> THAT I REMEMBER FROM YEARS AND YEARS AGO THAT WE LOSE FOLKS THAT WE TRAIN, HAS A LOT OF TIME BEEN IS, JUVENILE PROBATION, SOME OF THE MAYBE POLLUTION CONTROL AND SO WHEN YOU SAY A THIRD A THIRD A THIRD, WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

>> SOME OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS YOU MENTIONED ARE GETTING SOME OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT INCREASES SO JUST BY WAY OF COMPARISON.

MAYBE WHAT IT MEANS FOR THEM IS THEY'VE DONE VERY GOOD BENCHMARKING AND VERY GOOD PAY PRACTICES SO WHAT WE ARE SAYING ON JUST A SMALL NUMBER OF INCREASES IS THAT THEY'RE IN A GOOD SPOT SO THAT'S ALSO POSSIBLE EXPLANATION.

WHAT WE WILL DO IS OVER EVERY THREE YEAR.

TO MAINTAIN THAT EVA.GREEN AND QUALITY OF OUR COMPENSATION PROGRAMS WE WILL REVIEW A THIRD OF THE JOBS EACH YEAR FOR EVERY THREE YEAR. WE WOULD REVIEW JOBS AND WE'LL MAKE SURE TO PUT HOT SKILLS OR EMERGING NEEDS EARLY ON IN THAT

PROCESS BUT WE'LL DEFINITELY. >> SO OUTSIDE OF THAT THIRD A THIRD A THIRD, BEFORE THAT, WILL THEY HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO OVER WITH YOU THIS YEAR -- THESE ISSUES THAT.

>> WE WILL START LOOKING IN AUGUST AT THEIR ISSUES.

>> OKAY, ALL RIGHT. WELL IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU GUYS ARE ALREADY CHATTING, I'LL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW UP IN CASE THERE'S SOMETHING THERE THAT NEEDS BRIDGING.

AND THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> JUST BRIEFLY, I WON'T GIVE A KEYNOTE ADDRESS ON IT AGAIN BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF WHAT WE DID WITH PAY EQUITY.

I DIDN'T PICK ON THE CONSULTANTS THAT DID IT BUT I JUST WANT TO STRESS THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE A PROTRACTED DISCUSSION ON PAY EQUITY WHEN WE TOOK CARE OF DEPARTMENT HEADS, EVEN WHEN WE TOOK CARE OF OUR IMPORTANT LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS, BUT WE GOT A MONEY COMPLEX AND LET'S JUST FACE IT SO ALL OF US, WE JUST GOT CAUGHT UP, WE'VE GOT TO MAKE SOME TOUGH DECISIONS AND OUR FORENSICS DEPARTMENT IS SO IMPORTANT BUT SO IS EVERY DEPARTMENT SO I DON'T WANT THAT DEPARTMENT TO FEEL LIKE THEY'RE SLACKING BUT THEY'RE WHOLE DEPARTMENTS WHO DON'T HAVE NEARLY THE RESOURCES THAT YOU ALL HAVE GOTTEN OVER THE YEARS BECAUSE THE COUNTY MADE HISTORIC INVESTMENTS BUT THEIR OTHER DEPARTMENTS THAT DID NOT GET THAT OVER THE YEARS BUT EVERYBODY'S FOR EQUITY, AS LONG AS THEY THINK IT MEANS THEY GET SOME MORE. WHEN THEY DON'T GET SOME MORE, IT'S TO BE FAIR. IT'S HARD.

AND IT'S COMPLICATED. AND YOU GOT WINNERS AND LOSERS.

BUT WE TRY TO MAKE UP THE HISTORICAL WRONGS SO I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY DID YOU WANT TO VOTE ON

YOUR ITEM OF NO ACTION? >> I MADE A MOTION.

>> OKAY. >> I HAVE GARCIA AND BRIONES HERE ON THE LIST. DID YOU GUYS STILL HAVE

COMMENTS? >> YES, I HAD A COUPLE QUICK QUESTIONS. CHIEF ROWLEY ON THIS POINT OF LOOKING AT OTHER TEXAS CITIES AND COUNTIES, I KNOW YOU'VE HEARD AN EARFUL FROM COURT, MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CLEAR, CONSISTENT COMMS AND OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS THAT THE TEXAS CITIES AND COUNTIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE DATA THAT

WAS USED, IS THAT CORRECT? >> PART OF BROADER STUDIES THAT THEY HAD ACCESS TO SO IT WASN'T A DIRECT ONE TO ONE COMPARISON BUT IT WAS PART OF THE BASELINE INFORMATION THAT THE CONSULTANT

HAS. >> SURROUNDING CITIES AND COUNTIES WERE INCLUDED IN THE ANALYSIS, IS THAT CORRECT? [INAUDIBLE] DID YOU WANT TO JOIN TO ADD

ANYTHING? >> I JUST YES OR NO IS FINE, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF ITEMS TO GET TO BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE -- JUST IN TERMS -- WE'RE ALL TALKING FROM THE SAME BASELINE OF FACTS. I KNOW WE'VE GIVEN THIS ADDITIONAL 1.2 MILLION BECAUSE OUR UNDERSTANDING WAS THE FEDERAL DNA BACKLOG GRANT WAS NOT GOING TO CONTINUE SO THEN COMMISSIONERS COURT ADDED THAT 1.2 INTO THE BUDGET BECAUSE WE NEEDED TO CONTINUE THAT DNA BACKLOG WHERE -- BY THE FEDERAL GRANT WAS GIVEN SO TO YOUR POINT THERE IS THIS FUNDING BUT WE WERE IN THIS PRECARIOUS SITUATION WHERE WE DIDN'T KNOW IF WE WOULD GET THE FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS CRITICAL DNA

BACKLOG GRANT, IS THAT CORRECT? >> 1.2 MILLION IN THERE THAT WAS FOR THE GRANT SHORTFALL WHICH DID EVENTUALLY COME THROUGH.

>> I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY. SO I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING ALL OF WHAT YOUR REQUESTS ARE AS WE PREPARE FOR THIS NEXT BUDGET CYCLE BUT SIGNING OFF ON THE PAY EQUITY STUDY AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE ADJUSTMENTS ARE MADE AND I ALSO JUST FOR MY

[04:10:03]

>> HOW DO WE BRIDGE THIS GAP ABOUT WHETHER WE TALK TO NEIGHBORING CITIES OR WE DIDN'T? WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE

DISCONNECT THERE? >> IT'S WE DIDN'T -- CUSTOM SURVEY OF JUST NEIGHBORING CITIES PACK SOME LIKE HOUSTON WERE PARTICIPATING IN SOME OF THE BROADER STUDIES THAT

GALLAGHER USED TO BENCHMARK. >> IT MAY BE THE CASE THAT IS THERE AN EXTENSION OF... MOTION, ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY BE A CASE IN WHICH NEIGHBORING CITIES NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER.

>> WE'RE HAPPY TO DO THAT SO WHAT WE CAN DO IS I CAN BRING YOU MORE INFORMATION WHEN WE COME BACK TO DISCUSS...

>> WHO MADE THE MOTION ON THIS ONE?

>> I DID. >> WAS IT ELLIS -- GARCIA -- ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> SUPPOSED, I'M OPPOSED. SO THE MOTION FAILS THREE TO TWO. I WILL SAY THANK YOU GUYS.

JUST BACK TO ITEM EIGHT ON THE 8% COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS THINKING ABOUT AS WE'RE ASKING ALL THESE DEPARTMENTS TO TIGHTEN THEIR BELTS AND WE KNOW THESE ARE VERY REAL ISSUES THAT THEY'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR YEARS.

I THINK YOU'RE SORT OF A SYMBOL FOR MANY DEPARTMENTS IN YOUR SITUATION AND YOU JUST HAPPENED TO BE HERE TODAY.

I THINK THAT WE OUGHT TO AS MEMBERS OF COURT LOOK AT OUR OFFICES FOR THE 8% CUTS AS WELL AND THAT WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE ROLLOVER MONEY THAT THE OFFICE HAS -- OFFICES HAVE AND WE SHOULD LOOK AT THE FACT THAT THERE ARE FIVE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENTS, ONE IN EACH PRECINCT PLUS THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, WE'RE ASKING FOR SERVICES TO BE CUT AT THE SAME TIME AS WE GIVE POLITICALLY FAVORABLE RAISES WITHOUT THE COMMUNITY'S INPUT, AT THE SAME TIME AS WE -- THE DO AS I SAY NOT AS I DO, WE'RE EXEMPT FROM EVERYTHING WE'RE ASKING THE DEPARTMENTS TO DO SO I WOULD REQUEST THAT THAT BE AN OPTION AND THAT WOULD BE ON ITEM EIGHT. SO I'LL BRING IT BACK UP FOLKS, I'M NOT MAKING A FORMAL MOTION BUT I AT LEAST WANT THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE THAT WE'RE ASKING FOR ALL THESE CUTS AND STRUGGLES FOR THE EMPLOYEES AND THE MEMBERS OF THOSE EXEMPT AND ABLE TO SIT ON MILLIONS OF DOLLARS, IT JUST SEEMS UNFAIR.

THEN WE HAD ITEM 174 -- I'M SO SORRY -- ACTUALLY THERE WAS -- THE FLOOD ONES. SO 30366, DIRECTOR PETERSON.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE. GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

I CAN PROVIDE A QUICK UPDATE ON THE CDBG PROGRAM BASED ON THE TRANSMITTAL THAT WE PROVIDED TO COURT AND I KNOW JUDGE YOU ALSO HAD SOME ITEMS YOU WERE INTERESTED IN AS WELL.

SO FIRST LET ME GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.

BECAUSE SINCE WE LAST PROVIDED A TRANSMITTAL TO COURT, THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS. SO CERTAINLY, WE KNOW THAT WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE CDBG PROGRAM FOR MANY MONTHS, WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE WORK AND THE NEED AND THE PROGRESS TO ADVANCE THESE CRITICALLY IMPORTANT PROJECTS AND WE'VE MADE SIGNIFICANT MEASURABLE PROGRESS AND WE'RE SEEING PROGRESS ON THE GROUND, SO WE KNOW THERE ARE DEADLINES, WE KNOW THEY'RE CHALLENGING, AND WE ALSO WERE IMPLEMENTING A PLAN AND WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS ON THAT PLAN.

WE SET A GOAL TO GET ALL OF THE CDBG PROJECTS FOR DISASTER RECOVERY OUT TO BID IN THE FIRST QUARTER.

AND WE ACHIEVED THAT GOAL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS VERY CHALLENGING.

IT TOOK A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM COURT TO CLEAR RED TAPE, IT TOOK A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM THE GLO AND LEVERAGING THE PARTNERSHIP

[04:15:04]

OUR NEXT GOAL IS TO HAVE ALL OF THE DOCTOR PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION BY THE END OF JUNE. THIS IS A VERY AGGRESSIVE CHALLENGE BUT WE ARE COMMITTED TO DOING IT.

WE ALREADY HAVE SEVEN OF THE 11 PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITH CONSTRUCTION AWARD ISSUES. WE HAVE FOUR MORE REMAINING.

I WILL NOTE THAT WE UTILIZE THE AUTHORITY THAT WAS GRANTED TO OUR PURCHASING AGENT THIS MORNING TO MAKE SURE WE GOT THE GREENS BAYOU MID REACH CONSTRUCTION AGREEMENT AWARDED SO IT IS MAKING A SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE.

WE HAVE FOUR MORE PROJECTS TO GO.

TWO PROJECTS, WE ARE WAITING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL CLEARANCE FROM HUD AND WE HAVE TWO PROJECTS THAT ARE STILL OUT FOR BID AND WE ARE WAITING FOR THOSE BIDS TO COME IN SO THAT WE CAN EVALUATE THEM AND AWARD THOSE CONTRACTS. WE ARE ALSO ADVANCING OUR MITIGATION PROJECTS. WE HAVE THREE PROJECTS THAT HAVE ALSO BEEN AWARDED DURING THAT SAME TIME SO WE'RE MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING THE MOST URGENT CRITICAL TIMELINE WHILE WE ARE ADVANCING THE MITT PROGRAM AND KEEPING THAT MOMENTUM GOING. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT TO TALK ABOUT MOMENTUM BECAUSE TRULY, THE HARDEST PART OF THIS WORK IS GETTING TO THE POINT WHERE WE CAN INITIATE CONSTRUCTION AND WE ARE AT THE PRECIPICE OF THAT POINT WITH ALL OF THE PROJECTS FOR THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM.

I ALSO WANT TO STRESS, THE THING THAT DRIVES US, THE THING THAT WE HEAR AND WE HEARD TODAY IS THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS WORK TO OUR COMMUNITY. THESE AREN'T JUST DATES AND NUMBERS AND PROJECTS ON A PIECE OF PAPER, THIS IS FLOOD MITIGATION FOR THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

PROJECTS THAT WILL MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER AND THIS WORK IS ABOUT MAKING SURE THERE'S VISIBLE PROGRESS ON THE GROUND AND THESE PROJECTS GET DONE. SO I HAVE TO AGAIN HIGHLIGHT THE IMPORTANCE OF THE SUPPORT OF THIS COURT.

COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS DONE A TREMENDOUS JOB OF MAKING SURE AND MAKING IT CLEAR TO US THAT YOU WILL HELP US WITH THE THINGS THAT WE NEED. THERE'S BEEN UNANIMOUS SUPPORT ON THIS. YOU HAVE FULLY FUNDED ALL OF THE CDBG PROJECTS, YOU'VE MADE SURE TO HELP US CLEAR THE RED TAPE AND MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN GET THIS WORK DONE.

I ALSO HAVE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE GLOW.

THEY'VE BEEN A CRITICAL PARTNER FROM THE VERY BEGINNING, STRATEGIZING, HELPING US SOLVE PROBLEMS, LOOKING FOR DIFFERENT WAYS TO DO THINGS AND BRINGING IDEAS TO US TO HELP US EXECUTE THIS WORK. WE ALWAYS KNOW THERE'S ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT AND WE'RE CONTINUING TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THAT AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ADDRESSING CONCERNS AND CONTINUING TO PUT THIS PROGRAM FORWARD. AND SO REALLY, LOOKING FORWARD WHERE WE'RE AT, WE ARE AT A PIVOTAL POINT FOR THE DISASTER RECOVERY PROGRAM IN TERMS OF PROGRESS THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN SEE, WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO DELIVER, TO ACCELERATE, WE'RE ACTUALLY BEATING OUR PLANNED MILESTONES.

WE'RE DELIVERING FASTER THAN WE ANTICIPATED AND AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ARE FOCUSED ON THE WORK AND WE'RE CONFIDENT IN OUR ABILITY TO DELIVER AND WE RECOGNIZE THESE ARE CHALLENGING DEADLINES AND WE BELIEVE THAT THE WORK WE'RE DOING IS DEMONSTRATING THE COMMITMENT THAT WE HAVE TO GET THIS WORK

DONE. >> I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TAKE

QUESTIONS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THEN

GARCIA, RAMZI, BRIONES. >> COMMISSIONER, YOU'RE ON MUTE.

>> THANK YOU DOCTOR PETERSON. YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND THE WORK YOU'VE DONE. KNOWING THAT WE HAVE CHALLENGES WITH GLO IN THE BEGINNING OF THIS PROCESS, BUT WE DID COME UP WITH UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT OF LOCAL MONEY TO HELP WITH THIS, KNOWING WE HAD TO DEAL WITH THE DECK OF CARDS THAT WE WERE GIVEN, I'M JUST CURIOUS TO KNOW ALONG THE WAY, WHAT THINGS WOULD YOU DO DIFFERENTLY NOW JUST LOOKING BACK FROM WHAT WE HAVE DONE, KNOWING THAT JUDGMENT DAY WILL BE COMING SOON IN TERMS OF

POSSIBLE EXTENSIONS. >> THAT'S SUCH AN INTERESTING QUESTION AND TO BE HONEST, I WILL TELL YOU, I'M IN EXECUTION MODE. I AM FOCUSED ON GETTING THE PROJECTS OUT TO BID AND GETTING THEM UNDER CONSTRUCTION.

[04:20:04]

WHAT I WOULD SAY IS THAT I WILL JUST STRESS HOW CRITICAL THE SUPPORT OF THIS COURT HAS BEEN TO HELP US CLEAR THE RED TAPE AND HELP US MAKE SURE THAT THE OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PUT A PRIORITY ON THIS WORK. IT'S TREMENDOUS.

THAT'S BEEN HUGELY SUPPORTIVE AND HUGELY CRITICAL TO OUR PROGRESS SO I THINK THAT'S ONE THING THAT I WOULD SAY.

THE SUPPORT OF THIS COURT HAS BEEN CRITICAL.

AS I'VE SAID MANY TIMES WE'VE MET PRIVATELY AND PUBLICLY AT LEAST IN MY CAREER, WHENEVER AS A POSSIBILITY OF LOSING FEDERAL MONEY, IT'S A REAL CHALLENGING SITUATION SO I'M KEEPING MY FINGERS CROSSED BUT I'M VERY CONCERNED.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> DOCTOR PETERSON, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH AND APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE DOING. I WANT TO GO BACK AND JUST RELIVE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY. NUMBER ONE, THESE PROJECTS WERE NOT WELL THOUGHT THROUGH. AND WE DIDN'T THINK ABOUT HOW MANY OF THEM WOULD REQUIRE RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION, HOW MANY WOULD REQUIRE -- HAVE LIKELY MAJOR ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES, MAYBE JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THEN ON TOP OF IT, GLO UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION PULLED OUT AND STOLE SOME TIME AWAY FROM US.

A TIME THAT WORKS AGAINST THE VERY MONEY YOU'RE TRYING TO SPEND. SO I JUST WANT TO FIRST OF ALL THANK YOU AND I DO WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES BECAUSE YOU'VE HAD SEVERAL UNANIMOUS VOTES AS IT RELATES TO CDBG AND.

WE'VE GIVEN YOU DIRECTION TO TAKE YOUR BUSINESS GET THINGS DONE, YOU'VE SOUGHT OUT THE HELP OF KIMBERLY WILLIAMS TO FIND CREATIVE WAYS TO ACCELERATE THE CONTRACTING PROCESS SO YOU COULD GET THESE ITEMS ON THE STREET AND GET A BID ON SO WE CAN START WORKING ON THEM. YOU'VE DONE A NUMBER OF THINGS TO HELP US GET THERE AND YOU'VE BEEN WORKING TO MANAGE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE NEW ADMINISTRATION OF GLO, WE TALKED ABOUT. I STAY IN CONTACT AND I HEAR THAT THINGS ARE WORKING WELL. SO I APPRECIATE ALL YOU'VE DONE AND LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE'VE GOT TO LET YOU GET TO WORK. I APPRECIATE YOU COMING TO COURT, A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE WERE ASKING YOU TO BUILD ALL KINDS OF DIFFERENT SPREADSHEETS AND YOU WERE KILLING ALL KINDS OF TREES, WE'VE GOT TO LET YOU WORK ON THE WORK SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE TO GET US TO THIS POINT AND YES, IT WILL BE A VERY TIGHT DEADLINE, ABSOLUTELY, BUT WE KNEW THAT GETTING INTO THIS. WE ABSOLUTELY KNEW WHEN I WORKED WITH DOCTOR BUCKINGHAM TO GET THAT MONEY BACK TO HARRIS COUNTY, WE KNEW WE WOULD HAVE A VERY TIGHT DEADLINE.

I KNEW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONSTERNATION OVER WHEN I KEPT SAYING SHOVEL READY PROJECTS BUT THE PROJECTS REGARDLESS OF HOW READY THEY WERE, WE DIDN'T KNOW -- STILL DIDN'T KNOW THE DETAILS

OF THOSE. >> I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE AN

EXTENSION DEAL. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER, ALL IN FAVOR? THE -- THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> WE DIDN'T KNOW EVEN AT THAT TIME WHEN YOU LOOKED AT THESE PROJECTS AND THOUGHT, THESE ARE PROJECTS THAT ARE NEAR SHOVEL READY, THEY WERE NOT. THE ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES POPPED UP ON UKHQ THE JURISDICTIONAL ISSUES POPPED UP ON LUCAC THE RIGHT OF WAY ACQUISITION ISSUES POPPED UP ON YOU, SO IT WAS ABSOLUTELY A SURPRISE THAT MOST EVERY TURN BUT YOU'VE KEPT THINGS MOVING SO I APPRECIATE YOU.

AND LASTLY YOU'VE HAD TO NAVIGATE PRIMARILY A FEDERAL PURCHASING PROCESS WHICH ISN'T SIMPLE IN ITSELF.

AND SO, AND THAT REQUIRES ALL KINDS OF HOOPS AND HURDLES FOR YOU TO HAVE TO COVER. SO I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE PROGRESS BEING MADE PACK YES, WE ARE ALL HOLDING OUR BREATH BUT THERE IS A HISTORY FOR WHY THIS IS AS TIGHT AS IT IS AND I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR JUST PUSHING FORWARD.

[04:25:09]

>> ALL RIGHT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> THANK YOU. THIS IS QUITE THE EFFORT.

IT'S ALMOST LIKE DOING A DOCTOR'S THESIS I THINK IN TERMS OF GETTING THROUGH THE DETAILS OF IT.

I WANT TO CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS REFERENCED. I DON'T KNOW THAT SINCE I'VE BEEN ON COMMISSIONERS COURT, THE OFFICE IS WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER IN A MORE FOCUSED MANNER TO TRY TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN TERMS OF GETTING THESE PROJECTS DONE, IT'S BEEN A REAL EFFORT ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR OFFICES SO I THINK THERE'S MUCH WE APPRECIATE, WE'RE CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON WHAT WE NEED TO.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT NOW, BECAUSE OF SOME EXPERIENCES I'VE HAD, I'VE TRIED WITH ME AND ERIC AND OTHERS, HELPED TAKE A BIT OF -- WORKING DIRECTLY AND TRYING TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNICATIONS BEING SURE THAT THAT WAS ALL IT SHOULD BE.

COMMENTS THAT I WILL MAKE NOW HAVE TO DO WITH, THERE'S NO TIME FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN SPECIFICS.

THESE COMMENTS ARE MADE IN CONTEXT, WE'VE GOT TO BE SURE WE GET THE DETAILS CORRECT. YOU GAVE AN ACCURATE ASSESSMENT.

WE HAVE A PLAY ON THE TITLE, THE PROJECTS OUR BID, NOW WE'RE GONNA GO TO CONSTRUCTION AND YOU GET THOSE PROJECTS MOVING RIGHT ALONG IN CONSTRUCTION AND WE'LL BE CLOSER TO OUR OBJECTIVE BUT IT'S HARD TO ASK OR TALK ABOUT ANYTHING UNLESS YOU HAVE YOUR PROJECTS MOVING FORWARD. THE THINGS WE WILL FOCUS ON GOING FORWARD WITH THESE PROJECTS THAT THE CONSTRUCTION COST ARE ACCURATE, EXAMPLE OF MAYBE WHAT WE NEED TO IMPROVE ON, GESTURES LISTED AS 23.3 MILLION, THE ACTUAL AWARD WAS 18.5 MILLION. WE NEED TO BE TALKING ABOUT 18.5 MILLION, NAUGHT 23.5 MILLION.

THE RANGE IS LISTED AT 28.8 MILLION, ACTUAL REWARD WAS 16.6 MILLION SO AS WE KNOW MORE, WE NEED TO HAVE THAT KIND OF WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH GLOW TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE CLEARLY THESE ACCURATE NUMBERS, IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE COMMUNICATE BASIC PROJECT INFORMATION, CONSTRUCTION START TIMES, DURATION, TENTATIVE COMPLETION, NONE OF THOSE CAN BE LEFT BLANK, ALL OF THAT NEEDS TO BE BUILT IN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE 2018 HARRIS COUNTY BOND PROJECT, BREAKDOWN PROJECTS WITHIN BOND IDS LAST YEAR YET WE CAN'T SEE THEM BY PROJECT.

MISSING WOODRIDGE, WE'RE STILL BEING A LITTLE OBTUSE AND USING BOND IDS RATHER THAN PROJECT, PEOPLE UNDERSTAND A PROJECT, THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND A BOND I.D.

AS WE COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER, I THINK THAT'S WHAT DRIVES THE PUBLIC CRAZY, WE COMMUNICATE THEM IN ENGINEERING SPEED AND I TRY TO AVOID THAT, NOT SUCCESSFUL SOMETIMES BUT SOMETIMES WE HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO START PROJECTS IN A TIMELY MANNER, FLOOD CONTROL HAS BEEN TAKEN UP 24 MONTHS TO EXECUTE NEW CONTRACTS, YOU JUST CAN'T DO THAT.

WHEN WE GET A CONTRACT IN, IF IT'S IN PURCHASE AND, IF IT'S IN SOMEBODY'S OFFICE, IF IT'S IN LEGAL, YOU'VE GOT THE WHOLE COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE READY TO ENGAGE ON YOUR BEHALF, I HAVE EXAMPLES, I MIGHT GO INTO THOSE. BUT WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CBG CONCERNS, THE SPENDING DEADLINES, NOT ONLY IS IT GIVING THESE PROJECTS BID BUT THE SPENDING TECHHQ WHEN ARE YOU SPENDING, HOW MUCH ARE YOU SPENDING, ALL THOSE DETAILS MATTER. THEY'RE LOOKING AT 5 PERCENT, 2, 75 PERCENT, I'M GOING INTO THESE DETAILS BECAUSE THAT'S THE DETAILS THAT WE NEED TO KNOW AND SO -- SINCE I'M HELPING WITH THE SUPPORT OF OUR COURT, WHEN WE NEED THOSE NUMBERS, WE NEED THOSE NUMBERS. SO THAT'S THE ESSENTIAL PART OF WHAT WE NEED TO DO, WITH THAT SAID I WILL MAKE A MOTION AND YOU CAN CONSIDER AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES MUST SPEAK AND THE JUDGE MUST SPEAK BUT THE MOTION THAT I'M GOING TO MAKE IS I MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PROVIDE COMMISSIONERS COURT WITH MONTHLY PROJECT LEVEL SCHEDULES AND

[04:30:03]

>> THE MONTHLY REPORT SHALL INCLUDE FOR EACH PROJECT THE ESTIMATED DESIGN COMPLETION DATE, ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION START DATE AND ACTUAL START OF CONSTRUCTION, TOTAL EXPECTED CONSTRUCTION DURATION AND CALENDAR DAYS, ESTIMATED CONSTRUCTION COMPLETION DATE, TOTAL PROJECT BUDGET, AMOUNT ENCUMBERED, BID AWARD, AMOUNT SPENT TODAY, IN ANY PROJECT DELAYS, START AND END DATES SHOULD BE IN MONTH, DAY, YEAR FORMAT. I SO MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WAS -- THIS INFORMATION IN A CONSISTENT MONTHLY FORMAT THAT CLEARLY IDENTIFIES ANY SCHEDULED CHANGES, DELAYS OR FINANCIAL VARIANCES FROM PRIOR MONTHS SO COMMISSIONER'S COURT CAN EXERCISE MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT AND ENSURE TRANSPARENCY IN A PROJECT DELIVERY.

I'M NOT ASKING FOR THIS TO WASTE ANYBODY'S TIME.

I'M ASKING THIS BECAUSE THIS IS WHAT THE G-L-O NEEDS TO KNOW.

THIS LEVEL OF DETAIL, THAT'S MY MOTION.

>> LAST PART. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THERE'S ONE OTHER. >> I MOVE THAT IT BE DUE ON MAY 1ST 2026 AND ALL OTHER MONTHLY REPORTS BE DUE ON THE THIRD MONDAY OF EVERY MONTH THEREAFTER TO GIVE YOU KIND OF A TIMELINE. I THINK THIS WILL BE HELPFUL AS WE COMMUNICATE WITH THE PUBLIC AND AS WE HELP THE GLO BE SURE THEY HAVE ALL THE DATA SO THEY CAN PROPERLY SUPPORT US.

>> I PROUDLY SUPPORT THIS MOTION.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> IT'S A YES, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I PROUDLY SUPPORT THIS MOTION AND I FIRST OF ALL WANT TO -- I. WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS COMPLETELY BEEN HELPING US SAVE THE DOCTOR AND THE MIGHT PROJECTS PIERCY'S LEANED IN, SPENT COUNTLESS HOURS AND SO EVERY SINGLE WEEK AND HIS EXPERTISE AND DECADES OF KNOWLEDGE IS WHAT'S MAKING ALL THE DIFFERENCE SO ON BEHALF OF ALL OF OUR CONSTITUENTS, TRULY THANK YOU. YOUR CHAMPIONING IT AND YOUR SAVING US SO THANK YOU. I PROUDLY SUPPORT YOUR MOTION.

DOCTOR PETERSON I. KNOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM ARE WORKING REALLY HARD AND I KNOW YOU AND I TALK ALL THE TIME.

YOU KNOW THAT MORAL OBLIGATION WE ALL FEEL GIVEN HOW IMPORTANT FLOODING IS, THE DESTRUCTION, THE TRAUMA THAT ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY HAS EXPERIENCED WITH THE DESTRUCTION WE'VE HAD.

WE KNOW THAT WE'RE UNDER VERY TIGHT TIMELINES AND I'M VERY SUPPORTIVE BUT WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS.

WE NEED CLEAR, CONSISTENT INFORMATION IN THE MOST TIGHT WAY. AND I KNOW ALL OF OUR TEAMS HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH YOU, I KNOW SOME OF US HAVE REALLY BEEN LEANING IN HEAVILY WITH THE GLO AND I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM, AARON, ALL THE TEAM BECAUSE AT THE END OF THE DAY, GIALLO IS OUR PARTNER. WE'RE TOGETHER IN THIS, WE WANT TO SUCCEED KAKU WE'RE SAVING LIVES WE'RE SAVING TEXANS PROPERTY AND WE'RE KEEPING RESOURCES HERE IN TEXAS AND WE DON'T WANT TO SEND THEM BACK TO THE FEDS SO I KNOW AND I'M SO THANKFUL TO COMMISSIONER BUCKINGHAM FOR HER FAIRNESS AND PARTNERSHIP AND THE COLLABORATION THAT WE'VE HAD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EXECUTING WITH EXCELLENCE, EVERY MINUTE OF EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY OF EVERY WEEK OF EVERY MONTH AND I DON'T MEAN TO BE DRAMATIC BUT TRULY THERE'S -- FAILURE IS NOT AN OPTION, WE MUST GET IT DONE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIRELESS

EFFORTS AND. >> MOTION TO EXTEND.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER -- SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

>> YOU WILL EXTEND UNTIL THE REMAINDER OF THIS SO YOU DON'T

HAVE TO KEEP DOING IT. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. CAN WE SAY THAT AGAIN? ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THIS CONSISTENT MONTHLY FORMAT AND INFORMATION IN GETTING INTO THIS BATTLE RHYTHM THAT ALL FIVE OFFICES PLUS FLOOD CONTROL AND GLO, I THINK IT WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL TO THE SUCCESS IN SOME -- AS TEXANS OUR SUCCESS IS INTERLINKED AND INTERTWINED AND REPRESENTING WESTERN HARRIS COUNTY WHERE WE HAVE ATTICS AND BARKER AND WE REMEMBER VIVIDLY THE DESTRUCTION, WE JUST MUST BE PRESSING FORWARD AND AGAIN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TRULY THANK YOU FOR SAVING THESE PROGRAMS.

[04:35:07]

>> SO DIRECTOR, PETERSON, I RECEIVED THIS HANDOUT AND THEN I SEE A BACKUP THAT'S -- HAS A MAP AND I WILL MAYBE SPIN IT AROUND, YOU CAN MAYBE SEE. AND THERE'S ANOTHER TABLE BENEATH SO IS THERE ANYTHING I'M MISSING, ANY OTHER COLLATERAL THAT YOU SENT? NO WE HAVE THE BACKUP THAT WAS SUBMITTED AND THEN BASED ON FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED FROM YOUR OFFICE, AND SEVERAL OTHER OFFICES THERE WERE SEVERAL -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PREPARED BUT WE DO FEEL LIKE AT THE END OF THE DAY MR. RAMSEY I APPRECIATE YOUR SPECIFICITY.

I APPRECIATE... >> I'M TRYING TO TALK TO YOU.

SO DID YOU SEND ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO.

>> BECAUSE I REQUESTED A TIMELINE AND I'M NOT SEEING A

TIMELINE. >> WE HAVE ON THE TRANSMITTAL, THE TIMELINE WHEN PROJECTS WERE AMENDED INTO THE CONTRACT, WE

HAVE TIMELINES. >> WHAT'S THE TRANSMITTAL?

IS IT THIS DOCUMENT WITH. >> YES, IT'S THE DOCUMENT THAT WAS SUBMITTED AS PART OF THE ITEM THAT WE PREPARED FOR COURT.

>> OKAY SO YOU DO UNDERSTAND THE COMMUNITY KNOWS THAT THERE ARE ALL THESE PROJECTS THAT ARE DELAYED TO WHERE THEY POSSIBLY WOULD LOSE FUNDING AND I REQUESTED AND I SHARED WITH THE PRESS THAT I REQUESTED AND WITH THE CONSTITUENTS THAT I REQUESTED AND AS STRESSED TO YOU THAT I REQUESTED A TIMELINE THAT SHOWED WHERE WE ARE, WHAT THE DEADLINES ARE, AND WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO TO MEET THOSE DEADLINES.

I CAN'T MAKE SENSE OF THIS CHART.

WHERE IS THAT? >> THERE ARE A COUPLE PIECES OF INFORMATION THAT ARE PRESENTED ON THE HANDOUT AS WELL AS THE TRANSMITTAL. THE TIMELINE FOR THE OVERALL

PROGRAM IS ON THIS SHEET. >> THAT WAS NOT THE QUESTION.

IT WAS FOR EACH PROJECT, WHERE ARE WE -- WHEN IS THE DEADLINE, WHY ARE WE BEHIND AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO MEET THE DEADLINE?

>> BUT WHERE IS THAT? I DON'T SEE IT LIKE -- WOULD YOU SEND THIS TO THE COMMUNITY AND TELL THEM THIS IS HOW YOU'RE UPDATING THIS AND WE'RE GOING TO FINISH THIS ON TIME? BECAUSE IT MAKES NO SENSE, MUCH LESS AS A LAYPERSON.

>> WE CAN CERTAINLY PUT THAT TOGETHER, WE CAN CERTAINLY PUT THAT TOGETHER. IT WAS MY INTENT THAT THE MATERIALS WE HAD ALREADY PROVIDED TO COURT WERE RESPONSIVE TO THE REQUESTS THAT YOU HAD MADE AND I UNDERSTAND.

>> WE'D ALREADY PROVIDED A REPORT BECAUSE WHEN I TALKED TO

YOU. >> WE SUBMIT TRANSMITTALS TO

COURT. >> SINCE TRANSMITTAL AND I'M

SEEING THIS IS NOT A TIMELINE. >> UNDERSTOOD WHICH IS WHY WE ALSO PREPARED A TIMELINE AND THE ONE PAGE HANDOUT.

>> WHERE'S THE TIMELINE? THIS IS A TIMELINE? THIS TIMELINE SAYS -- THIS TIMELINE IS BACKWARDS LOOKING TIMELINE. I'VE GOT TO BE MISSING SOMETHING HERE BECAUSE WE'RE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE WILL FINISH THESE PROJECTS ON TIME. THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT I HAVE AND THAT'S THE QUESTION THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS.

I ASK FOR TIMELINE AND WHAT I SEE HERE IS THE TIMELINE BETWEEN FEBRUARY 2018 AND JULY 2024. THAT ALREADY PASSED.

HOW IS THAT HELPFUL TO EXPLAINING WHAT THE COMMUNITY NEEDS TO KNOW AND WHAT I NEED TO KNOW WHICH IS HOW ARE YOU ON TRACK TO FINISH THESE PROJECTS, EACH OF THEM, THE DOCTOR PROJECT'S, BY THE DEADLINE, BUT I DON'T SEE ANY DEADLINES AND I

DON'T SEE ANY OF THAT. >> THE DEADLINES ARE ON THE FRONT PAGE OF THE.

>> WHERE ARE THE DEADLINES, JUST READ IT OUT.

YOUR ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE TO CONSTITUENTS SO PLEASE GO OVER

THE DEADLINES. >> ON THE CDBG AND CDBG PROGRAM

STATUSUPDATE. >> IS THAT THIS DOCUMENT OR IS

IT. >> NO CAN YOU CHOOSE A PROJECT FROM HERE AND SHOW ME HOW THIS SHOWS THAT WE'RE ON TRACK AND WHAT THE DEADLINE IS AND HOW YOU'RE GOING TO MEET IT?

>> WHAT WE HAVE IS THE CURRENT PROGRAM DEADLINE.

IN THE TABLE UNDERNEATH THE MAP. >> CAN YOU CHOOSE A PROJECT AND WALK ME THROUGH WHAT YOU'RE SAYING.

>> THEY'RE ALL SUBJECT TO THAT SAME DEADLINE SO EACH PROJECT THAT'S AMENDED INTO THE CONTRACT WITH THE GLO.

>> YOU ASKED ME TO LOOK AT THIS TABLE.

[04:40:02]

>> NO I SAID TO LOOK AT THE FRONT -- THIS IS RIGHT HERE.

>> WE JUST GOT DONE TALKING ABOUT THIS.

THERE'S NOT A PROJECT BY PROJECT SUMMARY HERE.

>> YES. >> SO WHAT'S THE POINT.

THE PUBLIC IS SEEING THAT WE MIGHT MISS THE DEADLINE AND YOU'RE SAYING, HERE'S THE DEADLINE.

HOW IS THAT HELPING? DIRECTOR, I REALLY -- I SAID TO THE PRESS AND COMMUNITY, JUST AS IT'S SO EASY FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO NOT TELL US UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE THAT PROJECTS MIGHT NOT MEET DEADLINES OR THAT THERE MIGHT NOT BE FUNDING, IT'S EASY FOR US TO THROW THE DEPARTMENT HEADS UNDER THE BUS AND THEY SAID, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE DIRECTOR, I SAID I DON'T KNOW, I'M NOT ABOUT TO JUST THROW UNDER THE BUS BUT I CANNOT UNDERSTAND THIS. I REQUESTED A TIMELINE.

THE TIMELINE GOES BACK IN TIME. I REQUESTED TO SEE BASICALLY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS ASKED FOR IN SIMPLER TERMS, THAT'S NOT ANYWHERE HERE AND IF YOU ARE NOT LAUGHING AT ME, IT'S THE CONSTITUENTS, THERE ARE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO WERE FLOODED OR IMPACTED IN ANY WAY IN SOME WAY BY THIS.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I WERE IN D.C. MANY TIMES AND WE SECURED A DIRECT ALLOCATION OF $750 MILLION FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

UNHEARD OF. WE FOUGHT, WE SENT SOME $300 MILLION BACK THAT WE THEN RECEIVED AGAIN WITH BUCKINGHAM.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THESE PROJECTS, WE REPORT THE PROJECTS ARE BEHIND AND YOU ARE NOT -- YOU'RE NOT PROVIDING ANYTHING THAT PROVIDES ANY SORT OF ASSURANCE TO THE COMMUNITY, MUCH LESS TO ME THAT YOU'RE ON TRACK.

WHAT ARE WE PLAYING? WHAT AM I MISSING BECAUSE I DON'T UNDERSTAND. AND YOU'RE A SMART PERSON, I KNOW YOU GET WHAT I'M SAYING SO WHEN YOU KEEP SAYING -- WHEN I SAY -- YOU SAY GO LOOK AT THE TABLE AND I LOOK AT THE TABLE AND I SAY WHERE'S THE TIMELINE AND YOU SAY THE TIMELINE IS IN THE OTHER DOCUMENT. IT'S NOT FUNNY.

>> AGREED. I WANT TO BE RESPONSIVE TO YOUR REQUEST AND I APPRECIATE THIS FEEDBACK SO THAT WE CAN GET THIS INFORMATION HOWEVER WHEN I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS, THIS LEVEL OF

INFORMATION WAS NOT CLEAR. >> I SPOKE WITH YOU DIRECTLY, SEVERAL TIMES THAT I WANTED TO SEE A TIMELINE AND I SHARED THAT WITH THE PRESS SO THE NEWSPAPER KNOWS THIS, HOW DO YOU NOT KNOW THIS DIRECTOR? I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY.

I WOULD BE EMBARRASSED TO SHOW THIS TO ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC. WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT THE PROJECTS ARE ON TIME, HERE'S A SPREADSHEET WITH THE HEADERS PROJECT ID, PROJECT TITLE, STATUS CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AWARDED ESTIMATED COST, BID ADVERTISEMENT ACTUAL PLAN CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS, CONTRACTOR, APPLICATIONSTATUS AMENDED INTO CONTRACT, DATE AMENDED INTO CONTRACT, 624, 225, WHAT? I MEAN LOOK, HOPEFULLY YOU'RE BRINGING THE ACTUAL TIMELINE AND RESPONSIVE INFORMATION THAT YOU KNOW THE PUBLIC IS ASKING FOR AND THEY DESERVE ON MAY 1ST BUT I'M TOTALLY BAFFLED BY THIS. I ALSO ASK THAT YOU BRING IN ANY DELAYS SO THAT IF THERE ARE DELAYS, AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT THEY ARE SO THAT WE CAN THEN UNDERSTAND IF IT'S A STRUCTURAL ISSUE THAT'S OUTSIDE OF OUR HANDS IN WHICH CASE MAYBE WE CAN ADVOCATE OR AT LEAST WE TRY OR IF IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE CAN DO HERE, TO MAKE THINGS WORK AND I...

I DON'T KNOW DIRECTOR, UNLESS I'M MISSING SOMETHING, I THINK I JUST LOST MY CONFIDENCE IN YOU. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT THIS IS ABOUT. BUT I WILL LET MY COLLEAGUES GO

FORTH AND MAKE THE MOTIONS. >> MAY WE PLEASE TAKE A TEN MINUTE RECESS, I REALLY HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM.

>> FOR 26 AND WE ARE BREAKING

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS I'M NOT SURE IF YOU WERE THERE WE ARE ABOUT TO GET STARTED. IT'S 4:40 O'CLOCK, COMMISSIONER COURT BACK IN SESSION. I HAVE ALICE AND RAMSEY HERE ANNE GARCIA DID YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS?

[04:45:02]

YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.

DR. PETERSON THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND THE TRANSMITTAL THAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY THAT TRANSMITTAL HAS TIMELINES ON IT,

IS THAT CORRECT? >> IT DOES OUTLINE THE CURRENT

PROGRAM DEADLINES. >> YOU HAVE MET WITH ME I KNOW ON A REGULAR BASIS, YOU HAVE MET WITH MY STAFF ON A REGULAR BASIS SO I APPRECIATE THE COMMUNICATION THAT WE HAVE HAD.

AND I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE BEEN MEETING WITH OTHER OFFICES AS WELL. SO I KNOW THAT SOMETIMES WHEN YOU WERE MEETING ONLINE BUT I KNOW IT'S ONE THING TO TALK TO STAFF AND IT'S ONE THING TO TALK TO PRINCIPAL OR I SHOULD SAY TALK TO MEET FACE-TO-FACE IS ALWAYS THE BEST WAY TO COMMUNICATE. I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THAT TRANSMITTAL DOES HAVE SOME TIMELINES ON IT.

AND JUST TO REMIND US THAT CBDG IS NOT CDBG-MIT AND IT IS NOT MAINTENANCE, THEY ARE ALL DIFFERENT PROJECTS, THEY HAVE DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS AND DIFFERENT TIMELINES AS A CONSEQUENCE. SO AGAIN THANK YOU FOR YOUR W

WORK. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> THANK YOU AGAIN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FOR BRINGING THESE MOTIONS TODAY I THINK THIS SPECIFICITY, CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY IS EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED TO EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENCE AS TO MAKE SURE THESE PROJECTS GET DONE WITHIN THE TIMELINES.

I KNOW WE TALK AND MEET REGULARLY, THANK YOU AND I CANNOT AGREE MORE. WE NEED TO BE ALIGNED AND TRANSPARENT AND AS CLEAR AS POSSIBLE WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I KNOW WE SHARE THAT. SO THIS FIRST REPORT ON MAY 1ST WILL ACHIEVE THAT I NOTE YOU WERE UPDATING THE DASHBOARD, PLEASE KEEP THAT CURRENT, CONSISTENT AND CLEAR AND I WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS. WE MUST DELIVER THESE PROJECTS AND WE WILL DELIVER THESE PROJECTS AND I THANK YOU AND

FOURMAC AGAIN, THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU GET COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY TO READ HIS MOTION AGAIN? >> I THINK WE ARE OKAY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS MADE HIS MOTION, IS THERE A SECOND? YOUR SECOND ALREADY? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND LET ME JUST ADD DIRECTOR, AGAIN MAYBE I AM LIVING I DON'T KNOW, I'M REALLY BAFFLED AT THIS BUT FROM OUR EMAIL RECORDS WE RECEIVED BOTH THIS INFORMATION I HAVE ON THE COMPUTER AND THE TWO PAGES I WAS SHOWING EARLIER.

AT FIVE IN THE MORNING TODAY. IF I MAY.

>> IF I MAY WE MET WITH THE TEAM ON FRIDAY, WE DID MEET WITH YOUR TEAM I BELIEVE ON TUESDAY AND I BELIEVE WE MET WITH THEM YESTERDAY AS WELL. SO WE HAVE MET WITH THEM AND SHARED THE INFORMATION AND I APOLOGIZE IF I MAY I WANT TO APOLOGIZE THAT WE CLEARLY MISSED THE MARK HERE AND WE WILL COME BACK WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

WE HAVE THE INFORMATION WE JUST MISSED THE MARK MISINTERPRETED THE REQUEST. I HAVE A DETAILED TABLE OF YOUR EXACTLY WHAT YOU WERE ASKING FOR AND LOOKING EXACTLY AS YOU PROVIDED AND IT REALLY IS WE MISINTERPRETED AND WE WILL GET

YOU THE INFORMATION. >> I HOPE SO DIRECTOR.

YOU HAVE TO SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT, TRUST IS EARNED AND I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE ENDED UP HERE.

OF COURSE HE MET WITH MY STAFF AND I WAS BRIEFED AND THE LATEST COMMUNICATION THEY HAD WAS THERE WILL BE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BUT OF COURSE THE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WAS WHAT WAS RECEIVED AT FIVE IN THE MORNING. I WILL NOT CHANGE THE MOTION BUT I WOULD REQUEST THAT THE INFORMATION THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSAY HAS REQUESTED PLEASE BE SENT TO US AHEAD OF THE AGENDA DEADLINE AHEAD OF COURT DATE, THE DATE THAT WE WILL DISCUSS IT SO WE HAVE TIME TO READ THE MATERIALS BECAUSE IF WE HAD RECEIVED THIS EARLIER THEN FIVE IN THE MORNING THE DAY OF COURT THEN WE MIGHT HAVE SAID DIRECTOR, WHAT'S UP WITH THIS.

ANYWAY, I JUST THINK OF ALL THE COMMUNITIES, THE FOLKS THAT

[04:50:04]

TIME. >> THAT MOTION FOR ITEM 30366 BEING ACCEPTED AS THE TRANSMITTAL.

>> SURE, THANK YOU. SO THEN I HAVE WON 74 OUT OF TEXAS IT WAS FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSAY.

THE ORDER HERE IS A LITTLE FUNKY.

THESE ARE THE ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS NEEDS TO REVIEW BUT BECAUSE HE'S IN AND OUT OF THIS CONFERENCE WHERE HE'S BEEN ASKED TO SPEAK. SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> THERE WAS AN ADD ON ON FLOOD CONTROL AND IN CONCERT WITH THE CORPS OF ENGINEERS GOING TO OBSERVE TUNNELS IN JAPAN EVEN THOUGH THIS IS TECHNICALLY A QUALITY LOOK I'M JUST NOT SURE AND RECOGNIZE THAT THE CORPS IS PAYING FOR 18,000 OF IT, THEY WILL PAY 2700 OF IT, BUT I WOULD MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL

ITEMS EXCEPT NUMBER 5. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TO ACCEPT ALL MOTION ALL EXCEPT FIVE, ALL IN FAVOR.

>> AYE. >> MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> I THINK IT'S GOOD TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT, IT SAYS A LOT TO THE FEDS THAT ARE WILLING TO GO AND LOOK.

>> SECONDED. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I'M SUPPORTING IT. THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS IN THE CONTINUED ISSUE -- INTEREST IN THE DEEP CORPS INTEREST.

PAYING THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE COST AS A WAY A POSITIVE SIGNAL FOR THE INTENSE FEDERAL INVESTMENT THAT WE WILL NEED TO MAKE THE DEEP TUNNELS A REALITY AND WE NEED THEIR ONGOING PARTNERSHIP AS WE WORK TOWARDS 2026 AND ALL OF THE ACTIONS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT AND MEETING WITH THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS. IN SOME THAT IS WHY I AM SUPPORTING THIS ITEM AND I APPRECIATE THE ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS INVITATION AND CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP.

>> APPRECIATE THEIR EFFORT TO AND NO ONE HAS SUPPORTED TUNNELS MORE THAN I HAVE, IT'S THIS ONE THAT I AM NOT SUPPORTING.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA DID YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL COMMENTS ON THIS ONE MEG LET ME JUST TO SUM UP, THE U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS REQUESTED A FLIGHT CONTROL GO TO JAPAN TO LEARN MORE ABOUT UNDERGROUND TUNNEL FLOOD MITIGATION.

AND IS PAYING FOR THE VAST MAJORITY OF THIS EXPENSE, 18,000 WORTH OUT OF THE 20,710. 2710 WILL BE SPENT BY THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT I.E. THE COUNTY FOR INCIDENTALS ONLY AS NECESSARY. JAPAN HAS THE WORLD'S LARGEST UNDERGROUND FLOOD SYSTEM IT'S A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR HAMAS TO LEARN FOR THE BEST AND THROUGH MY EXPERIENCE DURING THE TRADE MISSIONS THAT I'VE PAID FOR ON MY CAMPAIGN I HAVE SEEN HOW MEETING WITH COMMUNITIES AROUND THE WORLD CAN HELP DRIVE INNOVATION AND THAT INFORMATION EXCHANGE.

SUPPORT IT'S ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT CAN BE SPUN TO SOUND BAD BUT I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE SUPPORTING THIS FACT FINDING AND INFORMATION EXCHANGE INITIATIVE. WE GOT THE MOTION AND SECOND DID WE ALREADY VOTE ON THIS ONE SPECIFICALLY?

>> YOU HAVE NOT YET. >> LET'S VOTE ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA THE SECOND IS THAT RIGHT?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES 4-1.

WE ARE GOING TO 188188 WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT, 190.

COMMISSIONER ALSO HAD 321 THAT'S A LAST ONE SO LET'S DO 321 AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK SO COMMISSIONER GO AHEAD THIS IS

THE SILVER EMPLOYER GROUP. >> YES.

[04:55:04]

I WANT US TO DO WHAT WE SAID WE WERE GOING TO DO AND I THINK THERE MAY BE SOME OTHER MOTIONS THAT MY STAFF TOLD ME WERE GOING AROUND. I DON'T WANT TO MESS UP ANYTHING THAT THEY ARE DOING SO I'M ASKING MY STAFF TO SEND A RANDOM MOTION I WILL ADD IN ADDITION TO SOME THAT I'VE JUST GLANCED AT THAT COMMISSIONER BROWN -- THAT FOUL SAYS AS WELL.

I DON'T THINK IT WILL MESS UP ANYTHING.

MY MOTION WILL BE TO DIRECT THEM TO EVALUATE AND PRESENT AS A POTENTIAL OPTION FOR BUDGETARY OPERATIONAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACTS OF REINSTATING THE PRIOR -- BENEFITS PLAN.

THIS ANALYSIS INCLUDES FEASIBILITY COST IMPLICATIONS IMPLICATION AND KEY FACTORS THE COURT SHOULD WEIGH TO DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH REVISION IS NECESSARY.

I DON'T WANT TO TIE THEIR HANDS BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS FOR US TO DO WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE DOING.

AFTER THE OTHER MOTION I WILL MAKE THAT ONE.

WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE I WANT TO MAKE SURE I ASK THEM TO WRITE THIS IN SUCH A WAY IT GIVES YOU MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY BECAUSE I THINK YOU ALL WANT IT WITH THE AMOUNT OF TIME WE GAVE YOU WHEN WE MET LAST SUMMER, THREE WEEKS OR WHATEVER IT WAS BUT I THINK I WROTE THIS BROADLY ENOUGH SO IT JUST SAID ONE OF THE OPTIONS I WANT IS FOR US TO DO WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE DOING.

>> I COULD NOT AGREE MORE I SUPPORT THAT.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ANY DISCUSSION ON THIS?

>> YES. I WANT TO GIVE YOU AND YOUR TEAM SOME APPRECIATION FOR YOUR WORK. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER ANYBODY ELSE HAS HAD THIS PARTICULAR CHALLENGE BUT MY FSA CARD HAD BEEN FROZEN FOR TWO OR THREE YEARS AND HAS WORKED WITH MY WIFE BECAUSE I'M GRATEFUL BECAUSE EVERY DAY I COME HOME AND I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER FOR HER, SHE WOULD SHE WANT ME BUT THANK YOU, YOU HAVE GOTTEN ME OUT OF THE DOGHOUSE.

BUT THANK YOU FOR THAT WORK AND I GUESS A LITTLE BIT TO TO MAX POINT -- TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINT, WE WANT TO BE CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTATED WHEN I STARTED BEING INVOLVED WITH INSPIRE INSPIRE, IS NOT AN EASY SITE TO USE.

I SEE SOME HEADS NODDING I WILL JUST MAYBE HAVE A CONVERSATION AT SOME POINT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE PRESENTING SYSTEMS TO VENDORS, TO CLIENTS THAT ARE VERY CUSTOMER FRIENDLY.

BUT JUST TO SAY THANK YOU TO YOUR STAFF, THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE THAT. MY WIFE IS VERY GRATEFUL.

IT IS FINALLY UNFROZEN, IT WAS TWO AND A HALF YEARS.

OH, MY GOD, ANYWAY, I AM HAPPY I CAN GO HOME SAFELY.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS I. SUPPORT THAT MOTION AND I HAVE SOME OTHERS TO MAKE THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS THAT WE MADE A DECISION WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT RETIREES WOULD NOT SEE THIS ADDITIONAL INCREASE AND WOULD NOT LOSE COVERAGE AND THE IMPACT WE WERE TOLD WOULD BE MINIMAL AND WE WATCHED SOME TAPES LAST TIME IF YOU KEEP WATCHING THE TAPES WE ASKED FOR CONVERSATION OVER AND OVER AGAIN YET WHAT WE HAVE HEARD FROM OUR RETIREES IS VERY DIFFERENT THAN THE INFORMATION WE WERE GIVEN AND I STILL WANT TO UNDERSTAND HOW EXACTLY THAT OCCURRED OTHER THAN THE ADDITIONAL INCOME WHICH IS ONLY ADDRESSING A PORTION OF THE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES AND I SEE IT AS WE'VE MADE A SACRED PROMISE TO INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE WORKED IN THIS COUNTY AND HAVE RETIRED AND WE NEED TO HONOR THAT SACRED PROMISE. I NOTE YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING ACTION SINCE THE LAST MEETING, I NOTE YOU WILL TAKE MORE ACTION BECAUSE WE NEED TO GO BACK TO WHERE WE WERE/WE WERE UNDER THE IMPRESSION WE WERE DOING BASED ON THAT INCORRECT INFORMATION WE WERE GIVEN AND WE NEED -- THE HORROR STORIES I KNOW YOU HEAR THEM BY FOLKS WHO CANNOT AFFORD THE MEDICINE ANY MORE, THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS OF INCREASE THEY'RE HAVING TO SKIP MONTHS OF

[05:00:03]

SYSTEMIC FIXES. >> COMMISSIONER WE HAVE SOME BACKS UP FOR THIS ITEM IF YOU DON'T MIND WE WILL BRING THAT UP AND WE WILL LEAVE IT TO YOUR DISCRETION WHERE YOU WANT TO

DRILL DOWN. >> NEXT PAGE PLEASE.

I WILL LET SARAH GO AHEAD ABBOT BONIFACE DIRECTOR.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME, GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

AND SO WHAT WE WILL COVER IS JUST AGAIN REITERATE WHAT THE BENEFITS ARE IN THE A GWP -- ON THAT EGWP, IT'S WHAT WE'VE BEEN WORKING ON TO DETERMINE SOME NUMBERS BEHIND THE FEEDBACK WE RECEIVED AND THEN GOING THROUGH THE SOLUTIONS THAT WE HAVE UNDER REVIEW, THERE ARE LONGER TERM ONES THAT WE ARE NOT READY TO BRING TO COURT JUST YET, THAT'S WHERE WE ARE SAVING THOSE FOR MAY 14TH. NEXT SLIDE.

SO AS A REMINDER THE LIABILITY IMPACT FOR OUR OTHER POST-EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS IS IMPACTED BY IMPLEMENTING THIS EGWP AND SO CURRENTLY WE ARE ABOUT 2.6 BILLION IN LIABILITY AND SO BY PUTTING THIS IN IT ACTUALLY LOWERED IT TO THAT AMOUNT. WHAT THAT DOES IS LOWERING OUR LIABILITY HELPS US TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE QUALITY HEALTH INSURANCE. AS WELL AS THOSE THAT WILL RETIRE IN THE FUTURE. IT'S IMPORTANT WE TAKE AN EFFORT TO, AND NOT SAYING IT'S THE ONLY EFFORT THAT WE MAKE AN EFFORT TO IMPACT THAT LIABILITY. AND THEN WE'VE BEEN KEEPING TRACK WITH I.T. FINANCE TEAM SO THEY GAVE CLAIMS DATA FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH AND SO FOR OUR OPERATIONAL COSTS WE ARE ON TRACK FOR THAT PROJECTED 9 MILLION THAT WAS PUT IN THAT SUPPORT LEVEL -- SUPPORT LEVEL OF SAVINGS.

THIS IS ONE OF THE IDENTIFIED IMPACTS, THIS IS GIVING YOU A PIE CHART IT GIVES YOU A VISUAL OF THOSE THAT RECEIVED LETTERS AT THE START OF THE PLAN SO THOSE WERE IN FEBRUARY AND APPROXIMATELY 30 MEMBERS OR 30% OF MEMBERS RECEIVED LETTERS THAT DID NOT MEAN THEY ALL HAD CHANGES AND SAW THAT 25% IS A MIX OF LOW AND HIGH IMPACT. A LOT OF MEMBERS HAD PRIOR AUTHORIZATIONS THAT WERE TRANSITIONED OVER.

THEY EVEN HAD MAYBE A TIER CHANGE THAT WENT DOWN WITH A HIGHER IMPACT FROM WHAT SILVERSCRIPT HAS SHARED IT WAS MINIMAL BUT THEY DID NOT GIVE US A TRUE NUMBER FOR THAT PERCENTAGE. AND THEN YOU CAN SEE THERE'S ABOUT 2.3% THAT HAD A DRUG THAT WAS NOT ON FORMULARY BUT THERE WERE ALTERNATIVES AND THEY COULD CHOOSE FROM AND THERE WERE A FEW OTHER MEMBERS THAT HAD NO DRUG ON THAT FORMULARY SO IT WAS A SMALLER PERCENTAGE OF THAT BUT IN THE LETTER IT WAS GRIFFIN THAT THEY COULD WORK WITH THEIR PROVIDER TO HAVE AN EXCEPTION MADE. I KNOW RACHEL THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS REFERRED TO WORKING ON A LOT OF ESCALATIONS IN THIS PART AND HAS BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH SILVERSCRIPT.

>> JUST NOTING WE ARE COMING ON THE TEN MINUTE MARK, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

I MORE MEANT IT AS YOU MAY HAVE LOST OUR ATTENTION SPAN OR WILL

SOON. >> I AM LOCKED IN BECAUSE WE ARE GETTING SO MANY COMPLAINTS, THIS IS A CRITICAL IMPORTANT TO THE

RETIREES,. >> THE FIRST SLIDE WAS WHAT YOU

WERE REFERENCING. >> GO AHEAD.

>> IS A POSITIVE IMPACT AND THIS IS A PLANNED DESIGN FEATURE THAT IS UNIQUE TO THESE PLANS AND THIS IS THE PROTECTED ENHANCEMENT THAT COMES WITH HAVING ONE OF THESE PLANS AND SO IT'S WHAT'S CALLED A CATASTROPHIC PHASE THE MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET IT IS SET AT $2100 BUT WHAT IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING IN THE BACKGROUND IS WHAT'S CALLED TRUE OUT-OF-POCKET.

BECAUSE WE ARE A GROUP PLAN AND AGAIN WE CAN CHANGE THE PLAN DESIGN AND MAKE IT RICHER WHAT HAPPENS IN THE BACKGROUND IS THAT CMS AND MEDICARE IS TAKING WHAT IS THE STANDARD BENEFIT.

-- THE STANDARD BENEFIT IS A DEDUCTIBLE, WE DON'T HAVE A DEDUCTIBLE. THAT'S $615 AND THEY'RE TAKING 25% OF THE DRUG COST AND THEY ARE APPLYING THAT TO THE TRUE OUT-OF-POCKET. WHAT THAT MEANS IS A MEMBER REACHES THEIR MAXIMUM AND -- AMOUNT OF POCKET QUICKER AND

[05:05:02]

AND SO NOT $2100. >> THIS IS ONE THAT'S A POSITIVE. MOST RETIREES WILL NOT HAVE EXPERIENCED IT YET WE'RE JUST BEGINNING TO SEE THE FULL EXPERIENCE IT'S ONE POSITIVE PEER.

>> WE CAN GO ON TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

>> THIS IS AN ESTIMATED IMPACT, THIS IS A FEEDBACK THE EXPERIENCE THAT WE'VE BEEN GETTING MOSTLY FROM OUR OFFICE NOW IS THAT MANUFACTURER COUPONS THEY CANNOT USE THOSE AND SO THAT IS WHAT TAKES AND LOWERS THAT COST FOR THE BRAND NAME DRUGS. WE DO NOT HAVE LINE ON SITE THAT IS HARD TO ESTIMATE BECAUSE THAT DATA IS NOT GETTING PASSED THROUGH TO OUR PBM SO WE DON'T HAVE UTILIZATION AS TO EXACTLY WHO USES THOSE BRANDS OR COUPONS.

ONE PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE BAKED INTO OUR COMMERCIAL PLAN SO WE DO KNOW THERE IS 289 MEMBERS TAKING SPECIALTY DRUGS THAT WERE IMPACTED. AGAIN PLAN DESIGN, LOOKING AT THAT TRUE OUT-OF-POCKET ACTUALLY CAN HELP ALLEVIATE A LOT OF THIS FROM HAPPENING. NEXT IS WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THE LAST ELAPSED, THAT WILL IMPACT THOSE HIGHER INCOME MEMBERS BUT IT DOES NOT MEAN IT IS NOT SIGNIFICANT AND SO THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DO NOT HAVE LINE OF SIGHT ON BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE TAX FILINGS BUT WE WERE ABLE TO ESTIMATE DISBURSEMENTS FOR 2024 APPROXIMATELY HOW MANY MEMBERS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED ABOUT 212 AND CMS DOES A REPORT EACH YEAR AND SO THEY ESTIMATE APPROXIMATELY SEVEN TO 8% OF MEMBERS THAT ARE TYPICALLY IMPACTED.

WE BELIEVE 423 MEMBERS COULD BE SUBJECT TO THIS.

AND THE NEXT SLIDE IF YOU GO TO THAT, IT DETAILS WHAT EACH INCOME BRACKET IS AND THAT SURCHARGE THAT IS APPLIED PER SO YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

I THINK THIS LAST ONE, IS ANOTHER POSITIVE IMPACT AND AGAIN BAKED INTO WHAT IS PART OF A PART D PLAN IT'S THE LOW INCOME SUBSIDY. THOSE THAT ARE TRULY LOW INCOME MOST OF THE TIME THEY AUTOMATICALLY QUALIFY.

THEY ARE GIVEN REDUCED OUT OF POCKET DRUG COSTS AND SO SILVERSCRIPT HAS SHARED WITH US THE REPORT THAT SHOWS WE DO HAVE MEMBERS THAT WERE IDENTIFIED IN RECEIVING THIS SO THIS IS AN ADDED BENEFIT OF HAVING THIS PART D PLAN.

AND THEN IMMEDIATE ACTION, WE ARE ACTIVELY INTERNALLY HAVE ALREADY MET AND HAVE THESE ITEMS ON TRACK SO UPDATING OUR WEB PAGE WE ARE DUE TO EXPAND OUR WEBSITE SO WE WILL EXPAND WHAT RETIREES SEE AS A HUB, RETIREE EMAIL ADDRESSES WE HAVE A COUPLE PIPELINES OF ACQUIRING MORE OF THOSE, WE HAVE 6000 PLUS RETIREES WE ONLY HAD ABOUT 200 EMAIL ADDRESSES SO ONCE WE OPENED THAT CHANNEL UP THAT GIVES US MORE FLEXIBILITY AND EFFICIENCY WITH COMMUNICATING WITH THEM.

EXPANDING OUR EVENT SCHEDULE, AGAIN WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN GREAT SO SOME OF THOSE LOCATIONS, TRYING TO BRING OUT THE RETIRED WELLNESS DATE AND ROTATING THOSE AROUND A DIFFERENT PRECINCTS BUT ALSO JUST EXPANDING A WHOLE SLATE OF WEBINARS THAT TALK ABOUT THESE DIFFERENT TOPICS PERTINENT TO THEM AND REGULAR MAILINGS. WE HAVE ALWAYS HISTORICALLY MAILED STUFF TO OUR RETIREES, BUYING NEWSLETTERS, POSTCARDS, WELLNESSPACKETSBUTAGAINEXPANDIN GTHATANDUSINGTHEMASVEHICLESTOHEL PPROMOTEOURWEBINARSANDWELLNESSDA YSANDALSOONCEWEGETOUREMAILFILEAN DEXPANDHOWMANYPEOPLEHAVEEMAILSIN T H ESYSTEM,WEWILLSTARTPUSHINGOUTT H O S ENEWSLETTERSTOTHEM.THENEXTCOUPLB EENINCONVERSATIONWITHWITHYOUROFF ICES,YOUBROUGHTTHISUPATTHELASTPO RT. THISISTHEBENEFITSADVISORYCOUNCIL ,I'MNOTQUITESUREHOWWEWANTTOCALLI TJUSTYET,INPARTNERSHIPWITHYOUROF FICESAGOODSOUNDINGBOARDTHISISSOM ETHINGTHATWEAREREADYTOIMPLEMENTT H ELASTTIMEWESURVEYEDTHERETIREESW A S2023,IT'STHEBIGMEDICALTHINGAND

[05:10:06]

WHEREMYTEAMSITSANDIAPPRECIATEALL OFTHEIRHARDWORK,ITHASBEENAVERYIN TERESTINGSCHEDULETOPUTTHISINANDI T H INKHINDSIGHTIS20/20INACERTAINW A YANDTHEYWERETHINGSTHATWEREMISSE DBUTIHADPUTINHEREWASWEHAVE1DEDIC ATEDRETIREMENTSPECIALISTANDWESER V EOVER6000RETIREESWESERVEOVERAND H A V I N GJUST1RETIREMENTSPECIALISTT ODOTHERETIREMENTPROCESSFOROURRET I R E DEMPLOYEESBUTALSOHAVINGTHETEA MEFFORTWHICHISSTRETCHEDHEREANDTH E R ETOSERVETHOSEGROWINGNUMBEROFRE T I R E E S

>> WEWORKEDONMOTIONSTOTHE

REGARD. >> WE CAN BE NIMBLE AND RESOURCEFUL AND YOU WILL ABSOLUTELY SEE MORE INTERNAL RESOURCES, TEAM MEMBERS, AND BE VERY CREATIVE IN HOW WE EXECUTE ON THIS AND HELP INFORM AS WE MOVE TO THE NEXT FISCAL SCHOOL YEAR SO I APPRECIATE BOTH OF YOU AND THIS CAN NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND GARCIA.

>> WE BROUGHT THIS, WE COVERED A LOT OF GROUND, I STILL GET PHONE CALLS REGARDING THE 25% AND THE OTHERS MUST HAVE MY PHONE, BUT IT IS REFRESHING TO SEE THE PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AND SOLUTIONS SO QUICKLY AND READILY AND COHERENTLY.

SO BOTH OF YOU THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> LIKE I SAID EARLIER I GOT A HAPPY WIFE I HAVE A HAPPY LIFE. I REALLY DO APPRECIATE YOU ACTING ON THE RETIREE COUNCIL AND I WANT TO SAY I HAVE A VERY DETAILED MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND I WORKED ON, I WANT TO ASK -- ASKED FROM YOU I'LL MOVE TO

CONTINUE. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ALL IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. >> DO YOU NEED A MOTION FOR THAT OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE A SHOT AT IT, THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS THAT I DON'T THINK WERE MENTIONED IN THERE, AND MAYBE SUGGEST THAT WE CAN GO BACK AND WORK ON IT, BRING YOU BACK TO THIS. HOW YOU WANT TO PROCEED, OKAY? SO THE ITEMS THAT ARE -- THAT WE HAVE ADDED TO JUST CREATING THE ADVISORY COUNCIL IS TO THINK ABOUT INCLUDING OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES LIKE THE VETERANS AFFAIRS OFFICE PUBLIC HEALTH, HUMAN RESOURCES TALENT FROM YOUR OFFICE BUT ALSO

[05:15:02]

AND THEN THE LAST THING IS THAT SINCE I'VE BEEN ON CITY COUNCIL WHETHER IT IS CITY OR COUNTY HEALTH INSURANCE IT HAS BEEN A BIT OF A LOVE HATE THING FOR ME IN A SENSE THAT IT'S A BIG CHECK WE WRITE FOR THIS BUT WE -- I. DON'T BELIEVE WE REALLY TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE VALUE, WHEN I TRIED TO DO IT WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL, AN EMPLOYEE CLINIC AT CITY HALL, THAT WAY IF SOMEONE IS NOT FEELING WELL THEY DON'T HAVE TO CALL IN SICK, MAYBE THEY DON'T THINK IT'S THAT SERIOUS BUT YOU COME TO WORK, THEN YOU FIND OUT HOW SERIOUS TO WORK AND YOU CAN MAKE A DECISION THERE. I WANT TO JUST ASK YOU ALL TO THINK ABOUT WHAT ASPECTS OF THIS INSURANCE PACKAGE SHOULD BE EASIER FOR US TO ENGAGE OUR EMPLOYEES AND RETIREES TO BETTER ENGAGE THE VALUE THEY ARE LEAVING ON THE TABLE OR THAT WE ARE MAYBE ALL LEAVING ON THE TABLE.

I SHOULD BE BETTER ABOUT MY REGULAR CHECK UPS, I AM GOOD, I AM NOT GREAT. BUT WHAT MORE COULD WE BE DOING BECAUSE I HATE WRITING THAT CHECK BUT I KNOW WE HAVE TO WRITE THAT CHECK. BUT I JUST HAVE NEVER FELT COMFORTABLE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING MAXIMUM VALUE OUT OF THAT PARTICULAR CHECK TO THE SYSTEM HERE AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS ANY OF THESE, I DON'T CARE WHO IT IS.

I HAVE FELT THIS WAY REGARDLESS. AND SO IF I COULD JUST ASK, WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE LEAVING AT THE TABLE THAT THEY SHOULD BE TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AND AT LEAST GETTING VALUE FOR THE FACT THAT WE ARE WRITING A BIG CHECK ON THIS, IT'S GETTING BIGGER IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR EMPLOYEES ARE TAKING AWAY FROM

IT AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE? >> WE WILL TAKE THAT ON DEFINITELY. WE ARE VERY EXCITED TO DO THAT.

WE ARE GETTING MORE DATA TO UNDERSTAND THE OFFERINGS AND EVALUATING THEM WE WILL BE COMING FORWARD WITH A 457 REFRESH TO PROVIDE A BETTER FINANCIAL ULTIMATE SAVINGS VEHICLE FOR EMPLOYEES. WE ARE LOOKING ACROSS AND LOOKING FOR THOSE OPPORTUNITIES. ARE YOU AWARE WE DO HAVE THAT

CLINIC THAT EMPLOYS. >> I DID NOT KNOW THIS.

>> WE WILL TAKE IT OVER THERE. BECAUSE I WOULD LIKE TO

ENCOURAGE PLEASE GET YOUR TESTS. >> THOSE THINGS, SO OUR EMPLOYEES KNOW AND TAKE FULL ADVANTAGE.

AT LEAST I COULD FEEL BETTER THAN THAT WE ARE MAKING THE VENDOR WORK FOR US THAT IS REALLY WHAT I'M AFTER.

SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND AGAIN THANK YOU MS. HIDALGO.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, I NEED TO SEND YOU SOME FLOWERS. THANK YOU ALL.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH WONDERFUL JOB.

>> WE APPRECIATE YOU. >> WE WILL NOT MAKE THE MOTION

BECAUSE. >> I AM HERE, YOU NEED ME TO FILL OUT? I THINK WE ARE GOOD COMMISSIONER, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE NO ACTION ON THIS ONE THEY ARE ALREADY GOING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION,.

>> ON MY PREVIOUS ONE WE VOTED ON THAT AS AN OPTION.

THE MOTION THAT I MADE EARLIER I THINK WE VOTED ON THAT.

OH GOODNESS I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT WAS IT?

>> THE COMMISSIONER CAN REREAD IT THE COURT CAN VOTE ON IT,.

>> IT SAID, HOLD ON ONE SECOND. HERE IT IS.

HRT TO EVALUATE AND PRESENT AS A POTENTIAL OPTION THE BUDGETARY OPTION AND ADMINISTRATIVE IMPACT OF REINSTATING THE PRIOR PLAN.

THIS ANNOUNCED IT SHOULD INCLUDE FEASIBILITY CARE COST IMPLICATION, IMPLEMENTATION CONSIDERATIONS AND KEY FACTORS THE COURT SHOULD WAIT AND DETERMINE WHETHER SUCH A REVISION IS POSSIBLE. I THINK I HAD A MOTION IN THE

[05:20:05]

SECOND. >> YES.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS COMMISSIONER BRIONES AS THE

SECOND? >> IT COMPLEMENTS WHAT YOU ARE DOING BUT JUST SO WE CAN OVERCOMMUNICATE AND BE EXTRA

CLEAR ON OUR EXPECTATIONS. >> ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> THANK YOU ALL, I WILL LEAVE TO GO BACK TO MY CONFERENCE, DO YOU NEED ANOTHER VOTE? SOMEONE CALLS ME I WILL GET BACK

TO THEM. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER, GOOD LUCK ON YOUR PANEL. SO NOW WE ARE ON ITEM 74 FLAGGED BY THE PRECINCT. THIS IS THE PROJECT AREAS.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FIRST I WANT TO SHARE THAT WE ARE MOVING FORWARD ON A 2025 PRECINCT PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THIS ITEM REPRESENT THE APPROVAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT THAT LEVERAGES MOBILITY DOLLARS TO SUPPORT NEIGHBORHOOD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN. OR THE NTMP.

PROJECTS IN NINE COMMUNITIES ACROSS OUR PRECINCT THIS PLAN IS A THOUGHTFUL COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING AND ADDRESSING TRAFFIC CONCERNS IN ABBOTT RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS AT ITS CORE, THIS PROGRAM IS ABOUT IMPROVING QUALITY OF LIFE, MAKING OUR STREETS SAFER, REDUCING -- EXCESS SPEEDING AND DISCOURAGING TRAFFIC WHERE FAMILIES, LIVE WALK AND PLAY.

SIMILAR TO THE TRAFFIC CALMING PROGRAM APPROVED BY THIS COURT, ON SEPTEMBER 19TH OF 2023, THIS APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED BY ONE OR MORE PROPERTY OWNERS WITH SUPPORT FROM THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND THE CITY DETERMINES ELIGIBILITY BASED ON ESTABLISHED CRITERIA. PRECINCT IS PROUD TO STEP UP AND CONTRIBUTE 640,000 COVERING HALF OF THE TOTAL INVESTMENT.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT REVIVED THE THRIVE IS ABOUT, IT'S ABOUT LISTENING TO OUR CONSTITUENTS, STRENGTHENING OUR PARTNERSHIPS AND MAKING SMART AND MEANINGFUL INVESTMENTS.

AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD.

I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM AMANDA, AND OTHERS FOR ALL OF THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK FOR THE PHENOMENAL WORK AND HELPING TO MOVE THESE ITEMS FORWARD. I WANT TO THANK COUNCILMEMBER FOR HIS COLLABORATION ON THIS. HE'S BEEN WAITING FOR THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND I'M EXCITED THAT WE ARE FINALLY GETTING THIS MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. WITH THAT I MOVE.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND ECHO HER CONGRATULATIONS, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS AT HIS CONFERENCE.

NOW LET'S GO TO ITEM 77 FLAGGED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> CONTINUING IN THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP, THIS IS A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT THAT ENHANCES PUBLIC SAFETY AND BUILDS ON SOMETHING THAT WE STARTED BACK IN 2024.

THIS IS A FOUR PARTY INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SOUTHWEST MANAGEMENT DISTRICT, PRECINCT FOUR AND ALIEF INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT POLICE DEPARTMENT.

HPD AND ALIEF HAS REACHED OUT TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF AND THIS AREA IS FOCUSED ON NEAR BIRTH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN THAT CORRIDOR. AND SO TRAFFICKERS WERE RECRUITING ELEMENTARY STUDENTS AMONGST OTHERS FOR HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND SEX TRAFFICKING PURPOSES.

SO THEY ASKED HOW WE CAN COME TOGETHER TO DOUBLE DOWN ON THIS AREA. SO OUR AMAZING PRECINCT -- PRECINCT TRADES TEAM BUILT THESE DOUBLE SIDED GATES THAT WERE GOING TO HELP CONTROL ACCESS NEAR THIS ELEMENTARY AND KINDERGARTEN IN THIS AREA. AND LOCAL BUSINESSES PARTNERED AND ET CETERA. FAST FORWARD NOW AND THIS HELPED BECAUSE HPD HAD BEEN SENDING FOR OVERTIME HOURS PEOPLE TO STAND IN THIS PARTICULAR AREA. SO WE WERE ABLE TO SAVE APPROXIMATELY $720,000 IN HPD OVERTIME COSTS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROTECT OUR KIDS AND FAMILIES AND SO IN THIS AREA SEX CRIMES HAVE DROPPED BY APPROXIMATELY OVER 80% AND AISD, IS NOW GOING TO HELP WITH THE ONGOING SUPERVISION, OWNERSHIP, MAINTENANCE AND PARTNERSHIP WITH

[05:25:02]

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES FORWARD AS ZERO, I'M SO PROUD OF THIS. WHEN WE MOVE ON TO 141, AN

UPDATE ON THE HARVEY PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU DIRECTOR, CAN YOU

PLEASE UPDATE US. >> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY AND I'M GOING TO ASK TIFFANY TO PUT UP OUR PRESENTATION.

I WANTED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH ALL OF YOU AND GIVE IT QUICK AS POSSIBLE UPDATE WITH WHERE WE ARE WITH THIS.

OUR LATEST DEADLINE OLU'S -- LATEST DEADLINE WAS FEBRUARY 28TH SO MANY OF OUR PROJECTS CLOSED WE HAVE THOUGH THE TRELLO HAS BEEN A GREAT PARTNER AND SUPPORTER IN SUPPORTING US FOR CERTAIN PROJECTS THAT NEED MORE TIME TO COMPLETE AT THE END OF AUGUST SO I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE TIMELY FOR US TO SEE WHERE WE ARE, NEXT SLIDE.

TO GIVE A SENSE OF SCALE, TO GIVE YOU A SENSE OF SCALE OF THESE DOLLARS THAT FLAT BLUE LINE AT THE BOTTOM, IT'S ALMOST LIKE THE X-AXIS, THAT HAD BEEN OUR ANNUAL ALLOCATION AND IT IS STILL THERE. HOWEVER, IT IS THESE MAJOR SPIKES OF THE GREEN AND THEN THE DARKER BLUE THAT IS RELATED TO DISASTERS. NATURAL DISASTERS AS WELL AS THE ECONOMIC DISASTER AS A RESULT OF COVID.

YOU CAN SEE HOW HARVEY REALLY TOOK US ALMOST TO THE MOON.

AND BROUGHT AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF MONEY BUT ALSO A LOT OF CHALLENGES WITH IT. NEXT SLIDE.

THERE WE GO. THIS IS THE TOTAL THAT DR. SPECIFIC FUNDS ARE COMING OR ARE BEING SPENT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE STARTED WITH IF WE CAN GO BACK, ONE BACK TO THIS TABLE, WE STARTED WITH THE SMALLER, WHAT OUR TEAM AFFECTIONATELY CALLS LITTLE HARVEY FROM THE INITIAL FUNDING THAT GOT THEM GOING QUICKLY.

THE MAJOR ALLOCATION BEGAN IN 2019.

IT STARTED AT A BILLION DOLLARS BUT WITH SOME OTHER CHALLENGES THAT WE FACE, THEY GAVE US SOME FUNDS BACK AND WE REALLOCATED SOME OF THAT TO THE CONTROL. FLOOD CONTROL DID NOT GIVE THEIR PART UNTIL TWO WEEKS. FLOOD CONTROL HAVE A DIFFERENT TIMELINE THAN WE DO BUT NOT THAT FAR OFF.

THEY ARE BEING PUSHED. MY FOCUS IS REALLY ON THE HOUSING SIDE. NEXT SLIDE.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL JUMP TO THAT SECOND ONE AFTER THAT.

I'M FOCUSING ON THE HOUSING ACCOMPLISHING -- ACCOMPL ACCOMPLISHMENTS. 887 MILLION IS WHAT WE EXPECT TO SPEND IT BREAKS OUT INTO THESE BIG CATEGORICAL PIECES, HOUSING REPLACEMENT, INFRASTRUCTURE. LET'S GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE. SO, A LOT OF NUMBERS WE ARE THROWING AT YOU. BUT IT'S ABOUT REIMBURSEMENT, REIMBURSING HOUSEHOLDS WHO INCURRED COSTS THAT COULD NOT PAY FOR FULLY BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE FLOOD INSURANCE OR THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO REBUILD SOME OF THEIR RECOVERY NEEDS.

SO THERE WERE SOME REIMBURSEMENT PIECES, SOME HOMES WE REPLACED ALTOGETHER. AND OF COURSE WE CREATED NEW HOMES BECAUSE OF THE LOSSES THAT OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCED.

WE WILL GO AHEAD AND GO TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

SO WHAT I WILL HEAD ON ARE SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE WENT THROUGH QUICKLY FIRST. THE HOME OWNER REIMBURSEMENT.

PEOPLE INCURRED DAMAGES, THEY COULD NOT WAIT FOR THEIR

[05:30:05]

HOME OWNER ASSESSMENT -- ASSISTANCE IS ABOUT REHOMING IT, WE SENT CREWS TO RECONSTRUCT IF THEY NEEDED TO BE COMPLETELY MOVED OUT, REBUILD, THAT HELPED 120 HOUSEHOLDS.

THE TICKET PRICE WAS A MUCH BIGGER DOLLAR AMOUNT.

THIS WAS ALSO HELPING PEOPLE IN HOTELS OR OTHER PLACES, THEY NEEDED TO STAY WHILE THEIR HOME WAS BEING REDONE.

NEXT SLIDE. CAN WE FLIP? IT WAS A NEW PIECE, A NEW ELEPHANT -- ELEMENT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO PROVIDE. FLOOD CONTROL, OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT, AND OTHERS WERE ABLE TO UTILIZE DOLLARS OR UNDERSTAND WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO AND HOW DO WE NEED TO APPROACH REBUILDING OUR COMMUNITY AND PROVIDING SOME FUTURE MITIGATION ACTIVITIES AS WELL. WE SPENT OVER $33 MILLION ON 23 PLANNING SITES AND INCLUDED A TUNNEL THAT FLOOD CONTROL WAS ABLE TO INITIATE THE TUNNEL STUDY.

INFRASTRUCTURE, 28 PROJECTS FOR HARRIS COUNTY ALONE, MOST OF THEM WERE ABOUT DRAINAGE AND SOME MORE ABOUT CREATING NEW FACILITIES. LET'S GO AHEAD AND SHOW WHAT SOME OF THOSE FACILITIES WERE ON THE NEXT SLIDE.

WE HAVE THE WHOLE CLINIC THAT'S IN THE SOUTHWEST AREA, WE FUNDED THE CREATION OF A FIRE STATION OR REPLACEMENT OF A FIRE STATION, CONFIDANT HOUSE IS A TRANSITIONAL HOUSING PROGRAM THERE FOR YOUTH THAT ARE UNHOUSED? CONTRIBUTED SIGNIFICANTLY TO THAT.

THE NEXT SLIDE IS SHOWING BASICALLY THE AMOUNT THAT WE PUT INTO CREATING NEW HOMES, THESE ARE NEW RENTAL HOMES BECAUSE OUR COMMUNITIES DOES NOT HAVE ENOUGH AND UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE TOO HIGH OF A RATE OF EVICTION AND IT IS PARTLY BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE SUFFICIENT PLACES FOR PEOPLE TO RENT AND THEREFORE THE RENTAL COSTS ARE TOO HIGH. NEXT SLIDE.

AND OUR FUNDS ALONE CREATED ALMOST 2500 AFFORDABLE APARTMENT UNITS AND THIS IS ACROSS 16 DIFFERENT APARTMENT COMPLEXES THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY. AND YOU WILL SEE BECAUSE OF YOUR LEADERSHIP DOLLARS. BETWEEN THE TWO AND OTHER DOLLARS THAT WE HAVE, WE BUILD ALMOST 5000 NEW RENTAL UNITS OVER THESE PAST FEW YEARS. AND THEY LOOK BEAUTIFUL.

THERE WE ARE. HEARTWOOD IS ONE OF THESE NEW COMPLEXES, BEAUTIFUL AMENITIES, PEOPLE WILL BE PROUD AND THEY ARE PROUD TO BE ABLE TO LIVE IN THAT.

NEXT SLIDE. AND THERE IS THE NEXT ONE ALL OF YOU ARE VERY PROUD OF, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THE JUDGE AND OTHERS, WE ARE THRILLED THAT BETWEEN THE CITY, THE COUNTY WE ARE SUPPORTING YOUTH WHO ARE AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND WILL HAVE 50 APARTMENTS IN THE COMMUNITY CENTER FOR THEM.

SO WHAT IS COMING UP NEXT IS THE BIG CLOSING.

BETWEEN NOW AND THE END OF AUGUST WE WILL BE FINISHING THAT UP, SO BUY OUT, WE ARE PUTTING ALMOST $236 MILLION IN THE FEDERAL FUNDS AND YOU HAVE APPROVED ALMOST $12 MILLION FOR

[05:35:05]

ACTUALLY WE ARE GOING TO BE PUTTING BACK $800,000 AND THEY WILL BE PUTTING THAT BACK. NEXT SLIDE.

JUST IN QUICK SUMMARY, WE INQUIRED PROPERTIES IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES AND WE RELOCATED 584 HOUSEHOLDS PLUS THROUGH THE GENERAL FUND THEN ANOTHER 72 THROUGH THE SAFE ALLOCATION. AND WE ARE DOWN TO THE LAST TWO CASES, IT WAS A PROPERTY ACQUISITION, AND ONE HOUSEHOLD THAT STILL NEEDS TO MOVE AND WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM.

THANK YOU. >> SHOULD WE DO A MOTION UNTIL WE FINISH DISCUSSING THIS ITEM, COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES, ALL IN FAVOR?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SINGLE FAMILY NEW CONSTRUCTION, $66 MILLION IS GOING INTO BUILDING NEW HOMES AND ALLOWING HOME, THIS IS NOT COMMITTING LAND TRUST, AND THEY ARE ABLE TO REALLY HAVE BRAND NEW HOMES.

YOU WILL SEE THE STATISTIC IS THAT WE HAVE TWO DIFFERENT ACREAGES SIDES PROVINCE PLACES IN THE NORTH PART IN PRECINCT ONE PLACES IN PASADENA, PRECINCT TWO, BUILD INVENTORIES BETWEEN PRECINCT THREE AND FOUR. SO 22 OF THOSE 68 HOMES ARE IN PRECINCT FOUR AND 46 ARE IN PRECINCT THREE.

SO PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MOVED IN, THEY ARE HAPPY, PROVIDENCE PLACE AND ORCHARD PLACE, THEY ARE STILL GIVING PEOPLE A MOTION OF A DEEP, DEEP DISCOUNT OF 46% OFF.

THESE ARE EXTRAORDINARY PRICES THAT PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO QUALIFY.

THIS IS A DRONE VIEW PROMINENCE PLACE, IT IS SO EXCITING TO SEE THINGS IN MOTION. THEY ARE BUILDING THEIR WONDERFUL COLONY HERE. AND IT IS NOT JUST ABOUT THE NUMBERS OR THE BRICKS OR STICKS, IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

IN THIS NEXT SLIDE, IT IS THE VARGAS FAMILY.

THE VARGAS FAMILY HAD BEEN RENTING ALL THEIR LIVES AND THESE CHILDREN NEVER THOUGHT THEY WOULD HAVE THEIR OWN BEDROOM AND A YARD THAT THEY WOULD PLAY IN.

SO THIS IS WHY WE DO IT. AND LASTLY, THE FINAL STEPS IS YES, WE ARE WORKING TOWARDS CLOSING EVERYTHING OUT, FINISHING ALL OF OUR SPENDING, WE EXPECT THAT WE WILL HAVE ABOUT 2 MILLION THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE COMPLETELY SPENT.

WE HAVE TRIED, WE TRIED EVERY ANGLE WITH THAT GLOW TO UTILIZE ALL OF THESE DOLLARS AND 2 MILLION IS 25% OF THE 887.

SO THEY'D RATHER NOT BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS.

PLAN FOR FUTURE RESILIENCY IS, THAT'S THE NEXT BIG STEP BECAUSE UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE GOING TO BE LOSING PEOPLE.

WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO WIND DOWN AND SO WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HOW DO WE KEEP THE KNOWLEDGE IN PLACE THAT WE ABSOLUTELY NEED, BUT CAN WE AFFORD, HOW DO WE INSTITUTIONALIZE AS WE GO ALONG, WHAT ARE THINGS WE HAVE LEARNED AND HOW DO WE PROTECT -- PREPARE FOR THE NEXT DISASTER SO WE CAN MOVE QUICKLY? THAT IS IT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

GREAT PRESENTATION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA THEN COMMISSIONER BRIONES THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> DIRECTOR THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND COINCIDENTALLY I JUST GOT A TEXT TELLING ME HE HAS BEEN A POINT PRESIDENT OF THE VISTA LOCATION. SEEING THOSE SMILES ON THAT FAMILY IS WHAT WE WORK FOR AND IT'S ALWAYS INCREDIBLE TO SEE THE AMERICAN DREAM FINALLY HAPPEN I APPRECIATE ALL YOUR GOOD WORK, THE UPDATE AND I HAVE TO SAY JUST BECAUSE I REMEMBER HEARING YOUR STORY, YOUR DAD HAS TO BE VERY PROUD OF YOU.

JUST TO SAY THAT. THANK YOU.

[05:40:05]

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> DIRECT TO, IS REMARKABLE HOW YOU AND YOUR TEAM WERE ABLE TO DEPLOY AND EXECUTE THESE FUNDS OUT OF SOMETHING SO TRAGIC SUCH AS HURRICANE HARVEY TO REBUILD AND RENEW AND INVEST IN RESILIENCY FOR FAMILIES ACROSS THE FAMILY'S PIG WHEN YOU CAN HAVE THE FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT TAKING ACTION, DELIVERING RESULTS AND DELIVERING OPPORTUNITY AND SO I JUST REALLY APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THE UPDATE.

>> YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I DON'T LIKE POWERPOINTS, THIS IS MY MOST FAVORITE POWERPOINT TODAY, SEVEN YEARS $1.26 BILLION, AMAZING. WE HEAR ALL THE STORIES FROM HOUSING AUTHORITY NOT FAR FROM HERE AND YOU HEAR ALL THESE STORIES, WHAT WE'RE EXPERIENCING OTHERS IN TERMS OF CDBG AND FOR YOU TO COME QUIETLY AND GIVE 1.26 BILLION ON THE GROUND AND A LOT OF THIS IS COMPLICATED. YOU START DOING INDIVIDUAL HOMES, YOU START DEALING WITH THE TYPE OF REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE THERE WITH THE MONEY, IT AN OUTSTANDING JOB, WE APPRECIATE

IT. >> WE HAVE MORE TO DO.

>> DIRECTOR, I SAW THE NUMBER OF SLIDES, BUT IT WAS VERY EFFICIENT. A QUICK QUESTION THE 2.2 MILLION, JUST TO CLARIFY WE CANNOT USE IT FOR SOMETHING ELSE

ENTIRELY? >> WE HAVE TRIED EVERY WHICH

WAY. >> I WOULD SAY IF IT'S LOOKING LIKE IT WILL BE MORE THAN TWO AND A HALF CHARACTERS AS SOON AS IT HAPPENS, WILL YOU LET ME K KNOW? I REMEMBER CUTTING THE RIBBON ON THIS, HOW CHALLENGING IT WAS AT THE BEGINNING AND WE DID NOT HAVE THE RIGHT CONSULTANTS AND WE WERE BEHIND. IT WAS A NIGHTMARE.

HE REALLY TURNED IT AROUND. AS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAID, IT'S A VERY COMPLICATED AND YOU KNOW THOSE FAMILIES NEEDED THE SUPPORT IMMEDIATELY. IT IS VERY CATHARTIC FOR ME TO SEE THIS FINALLY WRAPPING UP, YOU HAVE DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB, I WISH WE HAD DELIVERED ALL OF THIS SOONER BUT I THINK YOU REALLY DID EVERYTHING POSSIBLE AND WERE ABLE TO FINALLY ORGANIZE AND PRESENT THINGS EVERY WHICH WAY THAT YOU ARE DEMONSTRATING THE PROGRESS. I ALMOST WANT TO GET EMOTIONAL ABOUT THIS, IT TOOK LONGER THAN IT SHOULD HAVE, NOT BECAUSE OF YOU, LOTS OF CONSTRAINTS AND SOME FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT BUT I'M VERY PROUD OF THIS. THANK YOU TO YOUR -- THANK YOU FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM AND FOLKS THAT HAVE WORKED ON THIS SINCE 2019. THE 300 MILLION, I REMEMBER WE HAD A MEETING UNDER GEORGE P. BUSH AT THE TIME AND THEY SAID THEY NEEDED TO TAKE $100 MILLION OR SOMETHING BACK, WAS IT 100.

150, ANYWAY THEN IT CAME BACK AS 300 FOR FLOOD CONTROL, ANYWAY I REMEMBER THEY OPERATE IN SUCH GOOD FAITH, I DON'T REMEMBER WHAT THE REASON WAS BUT I REMEMBER WE WERE OKAY WITH IT AND THEN WHEN I SAW IT COME BACK AROUND IT WAS GREAT.

I COMMEND THE GLOW ON THIS, AND THEY CAME THROUGH AND WE EACH DID WHAT WE NEEDED TO DO SO THANK YOU.

>> MAY I PLEASE ASK WE GO TO ITEM 319.

WE'VE HAD GUESTS HERE SINCE THE BEGINNING OF COURT.

>> FOR ITEM 141 THERE'S NO ACTION?

>> CORRECT. >> 319, ITEM 41 GO AHEAD.

>> I HAVE NUMEROUS QUESTIONS FOR HARRIS HEALTH BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT WE RECEIVED A COMPLAINT FROM SMART LOCAL 54 INDICATING THAT WORKERS MAY NOT BE RECEIVING FULL PREVAILING WAGES WHICH WE THEN WANTED TO LOOK INTO RIGHT AWAY AND THE EO IS SERVING AS HARRIS HEALTH THIRD PARTY COMPLIANCE MONITOR AND THE EO IS LEADING THE INVESTIGATION AND IT SEEMS PRELIMINARY FINDINGS SUGGEST VIOLATIONS INCLUDING FAILURE TO PAY THE BENEFIT, AND IMPROPER APPRENTICESHIP CHARACTER

[05:45:06]

WILL DO GOING FORWARD. >> THANK YOU.

WE HAVE CURRENTLY RESOLVED THE INITIAL COMPLAINT, IN COLLABORATION WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND -- LET THEM SPEAK TO THEM, WERE THERE WERE ADDITIONAL WORKERS AND WE ARE VALIDATING, WE HAVE BEEN COOPERATING WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND BEEN -- SUPPORTIVE IN ALLOWING US TO DO THE INSPECTIONS AND MONITOR AND SPEAK WITH THE EMPLOYEES TO CONTINUE TO FIND A RESOLUTION FOR THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE AND THEN LONG TERM WE ARE LOOKING AT HOW TO BE MORE PROACTIVE AND A COMPLIANCE EFFORT SCHEDULING, LOGISTICS, THAT IS ALSO IN ALIGNMENT WITH A REQUEST THAT'S ALIGNED WITH THE SAFETY POLICY THAT YOU ALL APPROVED WHERE WE WILL CROSS TRAIN ALL OF OUR STAFF CURRENTLY WE HAVE 1.5 EMPLOYEES THAT ARE JUST DOING HARRIS HEALTH.

THERE IS A DEFICIT THERE. MY HOPE IS WE CAN CREATE AN ARMY IN SUCH THAT WE CAN BE MORE PROACTIVE ABOUT THE JOBS, AND ALSO WE'RE LOOKING TO COLLABORATE.

>> BEFORE I ASK HARRIS HEALTH QUESTIONS I CAN SEE THIS LBJ EXTENSION AS ONE PIECEIN ADDITIS HEALTH PROJECTS DIRECTLY DEO IS A PARTNER ALONGSIDE ENGINEERING ON THIS ONGOING COMPLIANCE SO WE ARE PAYING OUR WORKERS WHERE THEY ARE DESERVING OF CHARACTERFUL WAGES AS WELL AS THE SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.

I KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON THIS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING ON THE WORKSITE SAFETY POLICY WITH EXCELLENT.

AND SO I SEE THIS AS A CASE STUDY THAT WE MUST RECTIFY AND BE PROACTIVE HARRIS HEALTH FOR THEN BIG PICTURE AS WE SCALE IT ACROSS THE COUNTY AND WE HAVE THIS DEADLINE COMING UP VERY SOON, I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE WILL EXECUTE WITH EXCELLENCE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR VERY SPECIFIC GAME PLAN AS TO WHAT WE WILL DO AND I KNOW THAT OUR WONDERFUL COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IS ALL OVER IT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO RESPECT OUR WORKERS AND HONOR OUR COMMITMENTS.

IN THE INTEREST OF TIME, HARRIS HEALTH IS TO US ABOUT HOW WAGE REQUIREMENTS ARE MONITORED AS WELL AS APPRENTICESHIP

APPLIANCES AND BY TRADE PLEASE. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND WE AGREE WITH YOU, AND WE AGREE WITH THE ADVOCATES WHO ARE HERE ON BEHALF OF THE WORKERS. WAGE COMPLIANCE IS A CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATION, AS YOU MENTIONED WE CURRENTLY OUTSOURCE THE DUE IN TERMS OF CONTRACT COMPLIANCE WE HAVE ALSO ENGAGED WITH THIRD PARTY AUDITOR FOR THE LG B. -- LBJ EXTENSION PROGRAM.

IT'S -- SUPPLEMENTED WITH THE AUDITOR TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL SUPPORT WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN IN THE FIRST COMPLAINT WE RECEIVED WAS THE COUNTY MARCH.

AND THEN MARCH NINTH WE SENT A LETTER OUT TO THE PARTY THAT FILED THE COMPLAINT. WE HAVE OFFICIALLY SENT OUT A LETTER WITH OUR FINDINGS WHICH HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THE CONTRACTOR HAS PAID, MADE PAYMENTS TO THE WORKERS AND THAT IS IN PROGRESS. WE UPDATED YOUR STAFF THIS WEEK ON THE PROGRESS AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN BETTER SUPPORT THE EFFORTS INCLUDING ADDING ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ON THE HARRIS HEALTH TEAM TO HELP MONITOR THIS.

>> I ASK WITH DEO AS A CONTRACTOR ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT, BUT JUST THIS PROACTIVE COMPLIANCE, I WOULD LIKE TO

[05:50:02]

HOW TO INCORPORATE THE WRITTEN -- ROUTINE PAYROLL REVIEWS AND INCREASING EMPLOYEE INTERVIEWS. BECAUSE I THINK IF WE SYSTEMATIZE THAT IN A PROACTIVE WAY THEN WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING PROACTIVE INSTEAD OF REACTIVE.

BUT THANK YOU BOTH FOR BEING HERE I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAVE QUESTIONS AND WE WILL MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING RIGHT BY OUR OWN WORKERS BECAUSE THEY'RE BUILDING OUR HOSPITALS, OUR CENTERS OUR FLOOD MITIGATION PROJECTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU FOR RAISING THESE QUESTIONS.

DIRECTOR THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOUR WORK AND WE GOT A CALL I APPRECIATE YOU GIVING ME THE HEADS UP THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE, HE MENTIONED THAT IT WAS JUST ONE.

HOW MANY MORE HAVE WE IDEN IDENTIFIED?

>> WE FIRST HEARD OF THE POTENTIAL COMPLAINTS WE WERE TRYING TO GET INFORMATION BECAUSE YOU NEED EVIDENCE, YOU NEED DATA AND WE WERE GIVEN A NAME SO THAT WAS ONE THAT HE WAS REFERRING TO. AND THAT WAS RELATED TO THERE WAS A DISCREPANCY WE FOUND WHICH WAS INCIDENTAL AND IT HAD TO DO WITH THE HOLIDAY PAY AND IT WAS REALLY NOT WHAT WE CONSIDERED A WILLFUL CIRCUMVENTION. THEY HAD A MISTAKE IN THEIR ACCOUNTING SYSTEM WHICH THEY HAVE SINCE CORRECTED AND MADE PAYMENTS AND THE OTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY ADDRESSING WITH THE CONTRACTOR IS THEY PROVIDE BENEFITS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES LIKE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS WHICH ARE NOT CHARGED TO THE EMPLOYEES SO THE DISCUSSION WE HAD TO USE, THE OUTSIDE COUNSEL, SO PEOPLE DENIED BENEFITS ARE -- IS A CONTRACT THAT REQUIRED TO PAY THEM LIKE THE CASH EQUIVALENT AND RIGHT NOW THAT IS WHAT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH AND THAT IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED. WE EXPECT TO CONCLUDE THAT FOR

THE NEXT TWO WEEKS. >> HOW MANY?

>> HE ESTIMATED ABOUT 20 WORKERS MAY BE, I'M NOT SURE.

>> I THINK ABOUT 50 OR SO -- 50 OR SO.

WE'RE STILL INTERVIEWING AT THIS TIME.

THERE IS A 50 PLUS. >> WE CURRENTLY HAVE ABOUT 1500 WORKERS ON THE SITE, SO THESE ARE SECOND AND THIRD TIERS OF CONTRACTORS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT AS WELL.

>> COINCIDENTALLY I JUST DROVE BY THERE YESTERDAY, AND THE CONTRACTOR IS MOVING FAST. LET ME ASK, I NOTE YOU GOT FINITE RESOURCES, DO WE NEED TO ASK TO SEE IF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE CAN BE HELPED TO AUDIT PAYROLL OR ANYTHING ELSE TO HELP IDENTIFY THE MAGNITUDE OF THIS BECAUSE I GOT THE CALL ON ONE, I DID NOT GET CALLS ON TWO OR THREE, SO I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOUR THOUGHTS, WOULD THAT BE HELPFUL TO YOU? I WILL ASK THE AUDITOR OFFICE IF YOU'RE ONLINE.

>> I AM ON MUTE AND I WILL START THE VIDEO.

>> THANK YOU. I'M NOT SURE IF YOU'VE BEEN HEARING THE CONVERSATION BUT WE ARE TRYING TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF SOME PAYROLL DISCREPANCIES WITH THE LBJ BOND PROJECT.

AND WE HAD IDENTIFIED ONE IT SEEMS LIKE WE ARE BEYOND 50 SO FAR AND THAT IS ONLY I THINK I GOT THE CALL TWO WEEKS AGO.

SO FOR IT TO GROW THAT FAST AND THAT MUCH IS CONCERNING TO ME.

I ASKED THE DIRECTOR IF LEVERAGING THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO ASSIST HER IN AUDITING PAYROLL AND I WOULD ASK FOR A SENSE OF URGENCY BECAUSE THE CONTRACTOR IS MOVING VERY FAST AND I DON'T WANT TO CUT THAT FINAL CHECK UNTIL WE'VE MADE SURE THAT THE EMPLOYEES ARE TAKEN CARE OF.

COULD YOU VISIT WITH DIRECTOR AND WORK OUT A PLAN TO HELP AUDIT THE PAYROLL, IS THAT DOABLE?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU.

>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECOND BY FOUL ALL IN FAVOR? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

[05:55:03]

>> AUDITOR, THANK YOU FOR THAT AND DIRECTOR I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GIVE THEM A CALL PRETTY QUICK BECAUSE I'M BLOWN AWAY THAT IT IS 50 PLUS. I WAS HOPING TO HEAR TWO OR THREE MORE BUT YOU'RE GETTING SOME MAJOR BODY LANGUAGE OVER HERE THAT IS CLOSE TO A NO. SO IF YOU COULD GET TOGETHER WITH THE AUDITOR, YOU CAN JUMP ON IT AS FAST AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE I'M BLOWN AWAY. EVERY TIME I DRIVE BY HERE THERE IS A WHOLE NOTHER SECTION COMPLETING.

WHICH IS FINE AND WELL BUT WE HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF OUR STAFF

OUT THERE. >> THANK YOU.

>> QUICKLY, THANK YOU BOTH FOR WHAT YOU DID, DIRECTOR THANK YOU I APPRECIATE YOU STAYING ON TOP OF IT.

IT'S GOOD TO SEE THE RAPID PROGRESS.

THOSE ARE 23 WELL KNOWN SIGNIFICANT GROUPS I'M ASSUMING THEY ARE FULLY ALERTED AND ENGAGED AND AS YOU MENTIONED WHEN YOU BEGAN THOSE CONTRACT ISSUES.

SO IT'S THEIR RESPONSIBILITY TO BE IN COMPLIANCE.

WE ARE DOING THE AUDIT, GOING THROUGH THE STEPS.

BUT I'M SURE YOU'VE GOT THEIR ATTENTION AT THIS POINT.

>> THEY HAVE BEEN COOPERATIVE. >> THEY ARE EQUALLY MOTIVATED TO GET ATTENDED TO BECAUSE THEY'RE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS WE ARE.

>> IN FACT THE INITIAL LETTER THAT WE SENT OUT THEY MADE THE PAYMENT IN THE NEXT PAYROLL FOR THE WORKERS AND THAT WAS DUE TO THE HOLIDAY PAY NOT BEING CALCULATED CORRECTLY.

SO THEY'VE BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE IT'S BEEN MY EXPERIENCE WHEN THERE'S ONE THING THERE MIGHT BE ANOTHER THING SO THE OTHER THING I WOULD ASK YOU HAVE THERE BEEN ANY ISSUES RELATED TO SAFETY?

>> WE HAVE HAD TWO LOST TIME INCIDENTS, ONE RECENTLY WHICH IS YOU MAY HAVE HEARD OF. IS CURRENTLY IN THE CLAIMS. I'M NOT AT LIBERTY TO TALK ABOUT IT PUBLICLY, BUT WE WILL PROVIDE

ANY INFORMATION OFFLINE. >> THOSE TWO INSTANCES AS LONG

AS WE KNOW. >> WE'VE HAD TWO INCIDENTS, WE ARE AT 2.4 MILLION MAN HOURS ON THE JOB AND THIS MONTH WE WILL EXCEED A BILLION DOLLARS IN COST THAT WE INCURRED AND CONSTRUCTION IN PLACE. WE ARE MOVING VERY WELL.

>> THANK YOU. REALLY QUICK FROM THE ADVOCATES, I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE WOULD LIKE TO ADD, GO AHEAD.

APPROACH THE MICROPHONE IF THAT'S OKAY AND I KNOW YOU KNOW TO STATE YOUR NAME, I THINK THIS IS GOOD FORM, APPRECIATE THE UPDATE FROM HARRIS HEALTH BUT SO IF THERE'S ANY THING WE NEED TO

GET ON THE SAME PAGE ABOUT. >> THEY WENT IN, THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR THE GULF COAST, TRADES COUNCIL.

I DID WANT TO SAY, I'M HERE AT THE CAPACITY AT -- AS EXECUTIVE SECRETARY FOR THE BUILDING TRADES, I AM NOT HERE AS A BOARD MEMBER ON HARRIS HEALTH, I WANT TO MAKE THAT VERY CLEAR.

WE HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH YOU ALL, SENDING OUT A LETTER, THERE WERE A LOT OF FOLKS OUT THERE THAT WERE AFRAID TO SPEAK UP AND WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE THAT THEY ARE EMPOWERED TO BE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH DEO AND EXPRESS TO THEM WOULD THAT MISCLASSIFICATIONS AND THE -- PREVAILING WAGE ISSUES. IT'S UP TO US TO COMMUNICATE TO THEM THE WORKERS ARE JUST AFRAID TO SPEAK UP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS A FORMAL COMPLAINT FILED IN MARCH BUT THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE BEGINNING OF LAST YEAR WITH THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACTOR SENT LAST YEAR APRIL. JUST TALKING TO THE WORKERS ASKING THEM QUESTIONS ABOUT THEIR BENEFITS ASKING THEM ABOUT THEIR BENEFITS WOULD IMMEDIATELY RAISE A RED FLAG AND I KNOW THAT THEY'VE JUST GOT ON AS THE DEO DIRECTOR, SHE HAS BEEN PROACTIVE IN TRYING TO GET AND MAKING SURE ALL OF THE I'S ARE DOTTED AND THE T'S ARE CROSSED BUT LIKE YOU WERE SAYING, THIS JOB IS GETTING

[06:00:03]

I KNOW THAT THE INDIVIDUAL GOT PAID FOR HIS THE VACATION PAY.

AND HAD HE NOT SPOKEN UP WOULD THAT HAVE EVER HAPPENED? HOW MANY THOSE THAT ARE OUT THERE, NOT THE ONLY CONTRACTOR, THERE'S OTHER CONTRACTORS AS WELL THAT MIGHT BE DOING THE SAME THING. THERE'S GOT TO BE A BETTER WAY

OF FINDING THIS STUFF OUT. >> AND I KNOW THE COMMISSIONER HAS MENTIONED HOW CAN WE BE MORE PROACTIVE ABOUT THIS, I DON'T KNOW THAT WE CAN DO THIS UNDER THIS ITEM, MAYBE JUST A COMMON -- A. COMMENT AND I WILL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW UP TO TALK ABOUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER PROJECT. WHAT CAN WE LEARN ABOUT THIS AND MAYBE THERE IS A RANDOM INTERVIEW OF WORKERS AND SURELY

THERE ARE BEST PRACTICES. >> THERE'S A LOT OF BEST PRACTICES AND I THINK WE DID A SIMILAR EVENT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, THEY DO A LOT OF FEDERAL PROJECTS.

WE DO THE TOOLS OF THE TRADE JUST TO EDUCATE THEIR ENFORCERS TO UNDERSTAND THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AND WHAT WORKERS DO SPECIFIC TO THEIR CLASSIFICATION WHEN THEY ARE OUT ON THE JOB SITE. AS WELL AS WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WE MET WITH THEM YEARS AGO AND WE COMMUNICATE WITH OBO -- OBO. I SPOKE WITH THE DIRECTOR AND WE EXPLAINED THAT WE WOULD LOVE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION WITH HER AND OUR ENFORCERS. WE ARE LOOKING AT SOME DATES IN JUNE TO BE ABLE TO HELP EDUCATE THEIR STAFF AND TO IDENTIFY.

>> THANK YOU, WE ARE IN A GREAT POSITION WITH THIS BEING ON THE BOARD AND ALSO YOUR EXPERTISE TO SEE BOTH SIDES.

>> I AM THERE ON BEHALF OF THE COMMISSIONER, GOVERNANCE, TO MAKE SURE THAT HARRIS HEALTH IS MOVING IN THE DIRECTION IT NEEDS

TO BE. >> THERE IS YOUR DAY JOB AND ALL OF THAT. I THINK IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED, I'M GLAD IT'S BEEN IDENTIFIED.

WHETHER IT WAS WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF WE HAD NOT DONE THIS, HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GONE THROUGH THIS.

WE MIGHT NEVER KNOW. I'M LETTING YOU KNOW NOW, AND I THINK IT'S INCUMBENT UPON US TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT WE DO EVERYTHING TO END THE POSSIBILITY NOT JUST WITHIN HARRIS HEALTH BUT JUST ADMINISTRATOR AND OTHER CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS. SO ANYWAY, PERHAPS YOU COULD BRING SOMETHING BACK ON THAT DIRECTOR AND JUST SO WE CAN

LEARN FROM THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY.

I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT WE DO MEET WEEKLY STARTING NEXT WEEK I'VE BEEN INVITED TO ATTEND A LABOR UNION MEETINGS AND SO WE ARE OPENING UP THE LINES OF COMMUNICATIONS SO WE CAN RECEIVE THAT FEEDBACK MORE OFTEN AND MORE TIMELY AND WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS HOW WE CAN ALIGN SO THAT WE CAN DO THIS AS A TEAM BECAUSE WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT LABOR OR THE WORKERS ARE NOT CONFIDENT WITH SPEAKING TO US AND SO WE DO UNDERSTAND THAT THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PARTNER WITH LABOR IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MEETING AND INTERVIEWING THE EMPLOYEES DURING THE SCALP, PART OF THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NO LONGER ON THE JOB. WHILE WE TRIED TO FIX THAT UP, WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AHEAD TO BEING EXTREMELY PROACTIVE WHILE THE WORKERS ARE ON THE JOB TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CATCHING

THEM MORE FREQUENTLY. >> RIGHT NOW IS THERE SOMETHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE FOR US TO BE DOING?

>> ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS I THINK WE SHOULD BE DOING IS THE SENSE OF URGENCY HAS BEEN NOTED BUT WHEN SOMEONE MAKES A COMPLAINT A FORMAL COMPLAINT, IT IS A VERY TEDIOUS PROCESS TO BE ABLE TO CLICK ON THE WEBSITE AND THEN FIND OUT YOU HAVE TO GO TO HARRIS HEALTH, SYSTEM AND THEN YOU HAVE TO FIND THE ADDRESS, AND THEN IT IS JUST IF THERE'S A BETTER WAY TO BE ABLE TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT IS NOT SO FORMAL I GUESS I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S STREAMLINED. IF THERE HAS TO BE A WAY TO STREAMLINE. SO THAT MUNDANE WORKER CAN COMMUNICATE. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT MAY BE FOR WHISTLE-BLOWERS WITHIN THE SYSTEM AND TO HELP PROTECT THOSE INDIVIDUALS. BUT THERE'S GOT TO BE A WAY A BETTER WAY TO DO THIS THAN JUST I GOT ON THAT WEBSITE, I LOOKED AT IT LIKE OH, MY GOD. THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION

[06:05:04]

THAT NEEDS TO BE. >> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE TIME, MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO DIRECTOR, IT SOUNDS LIKE SIMPLIFYING THE PROCESS AND AGAIN ADMINISTRATOR I THINK THIS APPLIES TO A LOT OF COUNTY ACTIVITIES AND THEN THE IDEA OF PROACTIVELY INTERVIEWING WORKERS AND I THINK SURELY THERE ARE EXAMPLES OF SIMPLER PROCESSES TO

YOUR POINT. >> THERE IS.

WE WILL BE WORKING WITH HER OFFICE AND HEALTH AND EDUCATE.

I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY HAS A GREAT VOLUNTARY PROGRAM FOR THE DEPUTIES. I DON'T KNOW MAYBE SOMETHING

THAT PEOPLE CAN LOOK INTO. >> WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THAT FOR YEARS AND DISCUSSING IT.

>> TO HELP WITH INVESTIGATORS OR AT LEAST BE ABLE TO HELP PROVIDE ALL THAT INFORMATION ON THESE PROJECTS.

>> ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> I WANT TO THANK THE WORKER WHO BROUGHT THE INITIAL COMPLAINT IS HERE AND HE TOOK THE DAY OFF OF WORK TO BE HERE AND HE IS FIGHTING THE GOOD FIGHT ON BEHALF OF ALL THE WORKERS, I HAVE RESPECT I KNOW HE DID NOT WANT TO BE MENTIONED

BY NAME BUT THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS.

I CAN'T AGREE MORE WE HAVE TO BE AS PROACTIVE AS POSSIBLE AND MAKE IT AS SIMPLE AND STRAIGHTFORWARD AND THERE IS NO SPACE FOR RETALIATION OF ANY KIND AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE IT EASY, ACCESSIBLE. I KNOW YOU ARE COMING FORWARD WITH A PLAN INTO THE WORKSITE SAFETY POLICY AND I THINK THESE ARE HIGHLY COMPLEMENTARY EFFORTS AND I'M SO HAPPY THAT THE COMMISSIONER HAS YOU ON THE BOARD OF HARRIS HEALTH SO THERE'S ANOTHER ACCOUNTABILITY MECHANISM AND I HOPE THAT WORKERS ARE AS WELCOME WHEN THEY GO.

SPEAK AT HARRODS HEALTH THE WAY THEY ARE ALWAYS HELPFUL.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I WANTED TO ADD, TO THE CONCLUSION OF THIS CONVERSATION. WHEN YOU JOINED THE BOARD I MENTIONED TO YOU I NEED YOUR EXPERTISE ON THE TRADES, AND ALL OF THAT BUT I ALSO NEED YOUR EXPERTISE AS A LABOR LEADER AND YOU ARE DOING IT. AND I THINK THERE'S PEOPLE THAT WILL REALLY APPRECIATE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE YOU THERE SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS.

I KNOW THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THIS POSITION I'M ON THIS BOARD, I'M ON THIS COMMISSION, I'M A POINT HERE AND THERE, I SAID YOU DON'T DO ANYTHING ELSE, YOU SHOW UP TO MEETINGS.

BUT I'M GLAD YOU EXTENDED YOURSELF AND SAW IT WORTHY OF SERVING ON THIS BOARD. WE WERE REALLY GRATEFUL FOR YOU FOR YOU TO BE ON HERE AND WHEN YOU HAVE TWO AND A HALF MILLION DOLLAR BOND BEING PUT INTO ACTION, WE NEED TO HAVE ALL THE EXPERIENCE POSSIBLE TRACKING THIS STUFF.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND YOUR LEADERSHIP.

>> DO YOU HAVE A 10-SECOND COMMENT?

>> NO. >> THANK YOU GUYS.

SO HE'S BEEN ON A LINE ON ITEM 322 AND SHE HAS A COMMITMENT SO CAN WE JUMP TO THAT REALLY QUICKLY THIS WAS FLAGGED BY THE COMMISSIONER. CLARK, I SEE YOU ON CAMERA CAN

YOU HEAR US? >> YES, I CAN HEAR YOU CAN YOU

HEAR US. >> YES.

>> HELLO CLARKC. IT'S GOOD TO SEE YOU AS ALWAYS.

I APPRECIATE YOU AND YOUR TEAM. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE VERY CLEAR STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS THAT WE MUST EXECUTE AND IMPLEMENT ABSOLUTELY. THAT IS VERY CLEAR HOWEVER THE GUIDANCE AND COMMUNICATION COULD BE CLEAR FOR THOSE IMPACTED AND NOT IMPACTED. SO I KNOW THAT VARIOUS HOSPITALS HAVE REACHED OUT OTHER STAKEHOLDERS HAVE REACHED OUT FOR CLARITY I KNOW THAT YOUR OFFICE IS WORKING VERY CLOSELY WITH THE -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I KNOW WE'VE MADE PROGRESS VERY RECENTLY AND THERE'S STILL SOME CONSTERNATION ESPECIALLY WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION DATE.

I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS BUT I'D LOVE TO HEAR AND THANK YOU FOR THE EMAIL THAT YOU SENT AS WELL TO ALL OF US BUT COULD YOU PLEASE GIVE SOME UPDATES AS WELL AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY I KNOW ORGANIZATIONS ARE WANTING SOME

CLEAR WRITTEN GUIDANCE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, FIRST OFF OUT OF THE FIRST 50 HOSPITALS, FIVE HAVE ALREADY REACHED OUT.

SOME HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOUR OFFICE AS, OUR OFFICES HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. SOME OF WHICH ARE NOT EVEN INCLUDED IN THIS FEE SO THERE'S SOME SHARED INFORMATION BUT THE JUDGE'S OFFICE IN SERVICE IN THIS COMING WEEK.

[06:10:02]

WE'VE MET WITH ALL OF YOUR OFFICES WE'VE MET TWICE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS PROVIDED SO WE'RE THANKFUL FOR THE ADOPTION OUR OFFICES HAVE WORKED ON THIS FOR MULTIPLE YEARS TO BE IN FULL COMPLIANCE. WE ARE FINALLY HERE AND ALL OF THE QUESTIONS WILL BE READY AND AT THE END NO FEES HAVE BEEN ASSESSED AT THIS TIME. BUT MY INTEREST IS MAKING SURE I AM COMPLIANT, THIS IS MY STATUTORY DUTY, AND WHAT I DON'T WANT TO SEE IS A MISTAKE GETS INVOLVED BECAUSE WE ARE

NON-COMPLIANT. >> THANK YOU CLARK.

CAN WE PLEASE HEAR AN UPDATE FROM THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THIS MAY ONE COMMISSIONER WHAT EXACTLY DO YOU NEED AN

UPDATE ON. >> I KNOW THERE IS AN INTERIM BUT IN TERMS OF WRITTEN CLARITY, FAQ, WRITTEN GUIDANCE TO CERTAIN ENTITIES I KNOW REQUESTED CLARITY THAT THEY ARE SUBJECT OR

NOT SUBJECT AND SO. >> I BELIEVE THE CLERK HAS PROVIDED THAT GUIDANCE AND IS PLEDGING TO CONTINUE TO DO SO.

FROM A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE I THINK WE ARE DONE.

THE ISSUE IS INFORMING THOSE HOSPITALS I KNOW A LIST OF HOSPITALS I THINK IT'S BEEN PROVIDED AND I KNOW THE CLERK IS

TAKING CARE OF INFORMING THEM. >> I DON'T WANT TO GO BY NAME BUT ALL THE HOSPITALS THAT HAVE REACHED OUT HAVE RECEIVED CLEAR WRITTEN GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER IT APPLIES OR NOT?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. AGAIN, THE HOSPITALS HAVE REACHED OUT, FIVE OF THEM HAVE REACHED OUT, TWO OF THEM ARE NOT EVEN HOSPITALS THAT THIS COMPLIES TO.

IN SESSION SERVICES START THIS WEEK WHICH WILL CONTINUE WITH FAQ, AND THEY CONTAIN THE OUTLINING OF EVERYTHING.

WE'VE GONE ABOVE AND BEYOND -- ABOVE AND BEYOND AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO DO IT IN THIS PROCESS.

>> JUST TO MAKE SURE I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY, THE FIVE THAT HAVE REACHED OUT TO YOU HAVE RECEIVED WRITTEN GUIDANCE AS TO WHETHER OR NOT IT APPLIES TO THEM?

>> ABSOLUTELY YES. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE WILL

HEAR WHEN HE IS BACK,. >> CCLARK, THANK YOU FOR COMING UP I'M SORRY YOU HAD TO WAIT. OBVIOUSLY THE HOSPITAL HAS BEEN REACHING OUT TO US BUT THIS IS A STATE LEGISLATURE DEAL IS THAT

CORRECT? >> YES, SIR.

THEY REQUIRE THAT THESE HOSPITALS PAY THIS FILING FEE, IT IS NOT THE FIRST TIME YOU GIVE A LIST OF OTHER COUNTIES, TRAVIS AND OTHERS WERE ALREADY PAYING THE FEE.

SO AGAIN SURPRISE, THE STATE OF TEXAS PASSES LEGISLATION AND ALMOST AN UNFUNDED MANDATE FROM PRIVATE ENTITY STANDPOINT.

OBVIOUSLY THEM UNDERSTANDING WHAT THIS WILL BE, THEIR IMPACT WILL BE SENSITIVE TO THAT AND STAY ON TOP OF.

PLEASE KEEP US POSTED SO WE CAN HELP IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATING.

>> WILL DO. TO ADD TO THAT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS ARE OBVIOUSLY THE MENTAL HEALTH BOARD AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ALL OF US ARE STILL WORKING AS INTENDED TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY STEP OF THE PROCESS IS CLARIFIED SO WE'RE HAPPY TO COME BACK AND LOOK IF THERE IS A CHANGE OR THOUGHTS OF CHANGE THAT HAS TO HAPPEN ON THAT LEGISLATIVE LEVEL. WE'VE MADE A LOT OF STRIDES IN OUR OFFICES TO GET THIS PROJECT MOVING AND SO WE ARE DOING THAT AND WE ARE HAPPY TO PROVIDE AND IN THE MEANTIME IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS WE'RE HAPPY TO GET BACK TO THAT.

>> THOSE FEES ARE COLLECTED CALCULATED AS THE MONEY GO?

>> IT GOES TO HARRIS COUNTY. THE FINANCE OFFICE HAS BEEN INVOLVED, OCA HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THIS PROCESS, IT COMES TO HARRIS COUNTY AND GOES TO THE PROBATE COURT.

A PORTION OF IT GOES TO DIFFERENT HARRIS COUNTY

DEPARTMENTS. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU CLARK, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

OUT OF CURIOSITY WHEN DID WE -- WHEN DID WE LAST ADJUST THESE

FEES? >> JUST SO YOU KNOW THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED A PROCESS COMMISSIONER.

YOU FORWARDED TO ADOPT IT IN FEBRUARY SO WE COULD GET MOVING.

IT WAS REQUIRED AS OF JANUARY OF 2022 BUT IN BETWEEN THAT TIME OUR OFFICES HAD TO PUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE, PUT IN RESOURCES TO GET THE APPROPRIATE FILING FEE SYSTEM FOR THE MONEY TO COME IN, GET CONSTRUCTION DONE AT THE MENTAL HEALTH FACILITY INCLUDING

[06:15:01]

HAS TAKEN A COUPLE OF YEARS TO GET TO THIS SIDE OF THE PROCESS AND THE LAST PHASE WERE THE ADOPTION IN FEBRUARY WHICH WE HAVE ACCOMPLISHED PIERRE SCHLEICHER SAID, OUR OFFICES, FINANCE AND AUDIT, EVERYONE IS WANTING TO SEE WHAT THE INDIVIDUAL OUTCOME IS BUT WE ARE JUST GETTING THIS KICKED OFF.

THERE WILL BE A TOUCHPOINT TO COME BACK AND SAY THIS IS WHERE WE ARE AT, HERE IS THE HOSPITAL'S, WE WILL COME BACK BUT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE ALL AWARE THAT COMMUNICATIONS ARE ONGOING AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE HOSPITALS ARE REACHING OUT IT APPEARS THAT W WE... AS WELL AS PHONE CALLS

THAT HAVE BEEN MADE BY MY STAFF. >> GOODALE.

-- GOOD DEAL, I ASSUMED WITH ALL THIS WORK AND GETTING THE ENTIRE SYSTEM TOGETHER TO EXECUTE THIS, THE CONVERSATIONS ARE THAT WHY ARE WE HAVING TO PAY NOW THAT ABOUT RIGHT?

>> I'M SURE THEY ARE CORRECT THE LEGISLATION HAS BEEN AGAIN, EFFECTIVE AS OF JANUARY 2022. THE ONLY REASON WHY WE WERE NOT PROCESSING AND DOING THE WHOLE COLLECTION IS BECAUSE WE WERE NOT IN A STATE TO BE ABLE TO DO IT.

WE HAD TO DO A LOT OF WORK TO GET THERE.

MANY OTHER COUNTIES HAD THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND A PROCESS BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IT IS THE BOTTOM LINE AND I HAVE TO BE COMPLIANT IN MY STATUTORY DUTY TO DO THAT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE

ARE DOING THAT. >> WONDERFUL, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND KEEP US POSTED IN WHATEVER WE CAN DO TO BE OF

SUPPORT TO YOU. >> THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH

COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU HAVE A GOOD REST OF

YOUR DAY. >> THANK YOU.

>> DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT ONE? I DON'T THINK SO. NO ACTION.

NEXT I'VE GOT 190, AUDITED CLAIMS.

>> I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS CONSULTING OF

10 MILLION FOR SIX. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED, MOTION CARRIES 4-0. MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR, MOTION CARRIES 3-1. LET'S MOVE ON TO 263 WHICH WE WILL TAKE TOGETHER WITH 271 COMMISSIONER GARCIA THIS IS ON HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS AND SOLAR LIGHTING.

>> ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I AM HAPPY TO ANNOUNCE TO A DIFFERENT CONTRACT AWARDS THAT ARE MOVING FORWARD TODAY, ITEM 263 THE CONSTRUCTION AWARD FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE SOUTH BELT BASIN AND ITEM 271 THE INSTALLATION OF STREET LIGHTS ALONG FREEPORT STREET, TWO DIFFERENT NEIGHBORHOODS. FIRST CONSTRUCTION IS MOVING FORWARD ON A 2023 PRECINCT THAT'S MY PRECINCT TWO PARTNERSHIP PROJECT FOR THE SOUTH BELT BASIN BIKING TRAILS WHEN CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO ENJOY A MILE .6 OF 10-FOOT WIDE CONCRETE WALKING PATH WITH A PARKING LOT, PARK BENCHES, LIGHTING AND TRASH CANS.

PRECINCT TWO AND CLEARBROOK CITY MUD ARE EACH CONTRIBUTING $1 MILLION TO THE PROJECT FOR A TOTAL INVESTMENT OF $2 MILLION.

SECOND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD IN PROVIDING 31 SOLAR LIGHTS ALONG FREEPORT STREET TO ADDRESS THE NEED FOR ILLUMINATION TO IMPROVE NIGHTTIME VISIBILITY AND MAKE THE ROADWAYS SAFER FOR ROADWAYS AND PEDESTRIANS. THE SOLAR LIGHTS ARE A NEEDED IMPROVEMENT, MY TEAM IS BRINGING TO THE COMMUNITY.

BUILDS ON EARLIER IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE CORRIDOR WHERE WE CONSTRUCTED SIDEWALKS IN 2023 AND ADDED BUS SHELTERS.

TOGETHER THESE PROJECTS SHOW HOW REVIVE TO THRIVE CONTINUES TO DELIVER REAL, ON THE GROUND IMPROVEMENTS TO MAKE OUR NEIGHBORS SAFER, MORE ACCESSIBLE AND BETTER CONNECTED FOR THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT TWO. I WANT TO THANK MY ENGINEERING TEAM FOR ALL OF THEIR PHENOMENAL WORK AND I AM SO EXCITED TO MOVE

ON AND PRESENT THESE ITEMS. >> SECOND.

>> CONGRATULATIONS. BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON 263 AND 271 SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0. CONGRATULATIONS COMMISSIONER.

ITEM 99 IS NEXT. PURCHASING FLAGGED BY PRECINCT

THREE. >> THIS HAS NO BUDGET IMPACT?

[06:20:10]

>> CORRECT. >> NO NEXT YEAR BUDGET IMPACT?

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BYE BYE THREE -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES, 4-0.

NEXT ITEM 306. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO SUPPORT THIS ITEM I THINK IT'S GOING TO PROVIDE SOME MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT AND HELP A LOT OF FOLKS, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER LET ME CONTINUE HERE WITH ITEM 306 FLAGGED BY ALL OF THE FOLKS PRESENT ON THE COUNTY'S CURRENT PERFORMANCE BOND POLICIES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU. ON THIS ONE WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO MODERNIZE OUR BARRIERS AND KEEP QUALIFIED LOCAL BUSINESS AND KEEP THE BUSINESSES FROM -- COMPETING FOR COUNTY WORK RIGHT NOW THEY'RE HAVING CONTRACTORS DOING THE SAME WORK IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WITHOUT THESE REQUIREMENTS WHEN WE OVER APPLY BONDING WE LIMIT COMPETITION AND SHUT OUT CAPABLE LOCAL BUSINESSES. BY TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT WHEN BONDS ARE ACTUALLY REQUIRED BY LAW, WE CAN BE MORE CONSISTENT, CUT THROUGH CONFUSION AND OPEN THE DOOR FOR MORE VENDORS AND INCREASE COMPETITION AND AS A CONSEQUENCE I STRONGLY BELIEVE WE WILL DRIVE COSTS DOWN. THUS ALSO PUTS A BETTER SYSTEM IN PLACE TO HANDLE BONDS AND CLAIMS SO PROJECT MANAGERS ARE NOT CARRYING THAT BURDEN. AND WE HAVE THE RIGHT EXPERTISE MANAGING IT. AT THE END OF THE DAY THIS IS ABOUT MAKING OUR PROCESS CLEARER, MORE FAIR, AND MORE ACCESSIBLE WHILE INCREASING COMPETITION AND DEVELOPING BETTER VALUE FOR OUR TAXPAYERS. THEREFORE MY MOTION IS GOING TO BE TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT AND OMB CONSULTATION WITH THE ATTORNEYS GENERAL, ENGINEERING, AND FLOOD CONTROL TO JOINTLY DEVELOP AND RETURN TO COURT BY JUNE 11TH WITH POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS AND WRITTEN PROCEDURES TO MODERNIZE THE COUNTY'S CURRENT PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BOND POLICIES INCLUDING CLEAR DEFINITIONS OF PUBLIC WORKS CONTRACTS THAT REQUIRE PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS, PER TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 2253 WITH EXAMPLES. CLEAR DEFINITIONS OF MAINTENANCE CONTRACTS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE BONDS.

WITH EXAMPLES. A STANDARDIZED CENTRALIZED COUNTYWIDE PROCESS FOR ALL DEPARTMENTS TO RECEIVE SUBMIT, TRACK, AND MANAGE PERFORMANCE AND PAYMENT BONDS INCLUDING CLAIMS MANAGEMENT RECORD RETENTION REPORTING, TIMELINES, AND RESPONSIBLE ROLES. A FORMAL EXCEPTION PROCESS ALLOWING DEPARTMENTS TO REQUEST PERMISSION FROM THE COURT BEFORE THE SUBMISSION OF BONDS, FOR CONTRACTS WHERE THEY ARE NOT REQUIRED BY STATUTE. THE COMPLIANCE FRAMEWORK FOR DETERMINING BOND REQUIREMENTS DURING PROCUREMENT AND ESTABLISHING DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS.

THIS IS TO ME TO STREAMLINE THE PROCESS AND AS I MENTIONED IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR THERE'S ONE PROCESS FOR A VERY SIMILAR TYPE OF WORK AND THEN ON OUR SIDE IT'S A VERY DIFFERENT PROCESS.

ON OUR SIDE WE END UP HURTING COMPETITION AND HURTING SMALL BUSINESSES WHEN WE'RE TRYING TO GET THIS WORK DONE BETWEEN THE THREE ENTITIES, WE CAN COME UP WITH A PROCESS THAT WILL MODERNIZE THIS COORDINATED, STANDARDIZE IT CENTRALIZE THEN R DOCUMENTATION STANDARDS FOR REPORTING AND TRACKING AS WELL AND WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY PURCHASING AGENTS, THIS WILL ALL BE AND MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENT FOR OUR RESPECTIVE BUSINESSES. THAT WILL BE MY MOTION ON THIS.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. COMMISSIONER BRIONES ANY

COMMENTS? >> THANK YOU FOR CHAMPIONING THIS, I PROUDLY SUPPORT YOUR MOTION AND APPRECIATE YOUR

[06:25:02]

AND I PROUDLY SUPPORTED. >> THANK YOU.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION IN A SECOND, ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 4-0, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA. IT'S A GREAT IDEA.

LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 307, AND 320 TO BE TAKEN TOGETHER.

GO AHEAD COMMISSIONER. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO KICK IT

OFF? >> IF YOU COULD PLEASE PULL OUT AT, FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR HIS AMAZING PARTNERSHIP FOR ALL OF OUR COALITION PARTNERS I WANT TO THANK AND FOR THEM FOR CHAMPION THIS THAT WE KNOW THERE IS A CRITICAL NEED WITH REGARDS WITH OUR CHILDHOOD EDUCATION NEEDS, AND IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND BEYOND.

COULD YOU PLEASE SWITCH TO THE NEXT SLIDE.

I'M EXCITED TO SHARE SOME UPDATES THAT WE HAVE BASED ON THIS BROAD COALITION, WOULD YOU PLEASE SWITCH THE SLIDE.

AS YOU SWITCH THE SLIDE, IS DIFFERENT -- IT'S IMPORTANT TO ME AS A PROUD DAUGHTER OF TEACHERS.

THE HERE FOR HOURS TALKING ABOUT HOW CRITICAL THIS IS BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY WE KNOW FOR BRAIN DEVELOPMENT THE EDUCATION RECEIVED BY -- BETWEEN ZERO AND FOUR IS CRITICAL FOR LEARNING AND POSITIONING CHILDREN FOR SUCCESS, HIGH SCHOOL, GRADUATION EARNING POTENTIAL, MAKING SURE THEY STAY OUT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

IT'S IMPERATIVE FROM AN EDUCATIONAL STANDPOINT THAT WE ARE BETTER INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN AND OUR EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE HELPING FAMILIES. THIS IS ULTIMATELY AN EDUCATIONAL IMPERATIVE AND ECONOMIC IMPERATIVE BECAUSE IF WE WANT TO KEEP THE TEXAS DREAM ALIVE WE NEED TO MAKE CHILDREN ARE EDUCATED AND THE FUTURE WORKFORCE IS READY AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THE PARENTS ARE READY.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FOUR ADULTS EITHER LEAVE THEIR EDUCATION OR LEAVE WORK OR DO NOT ENTER WORK.

A QUARTER OF OUR WORKFORCE IS NOT BEING ACTIVATED BECAUSE OF THE INCREDIBLY HIGH COST OF CHILD CARE JUST A LEVEL SET FEDERAL GUIDELINES RECOMMEND APPROXIMATELY SPENDING 7% OF INCOME ON CHILD CARE HERE IS HARRIS COUNTY, CHILD CARE HERE COST APPROXIMATELY 28% MORE THAN IN STATE COLLEGE TUITION.

AS YOU CAN SEE THIS IS NOT SUSTAINABLE AND THERE IS A HUGE GAP BUT THEN WHEN YOU START DRILLING DOWN AS WELL IN TERMS OF THE COMPLEX CHILD CARE PROVIDING MARKET MOSTLY SMALL BUSINESSES AND THEY'RE OPERATING ON -- RAZOR-THIN MARGINS, IT COSTS $52 A DAY TO PROVIDE QUALITY EARLY LEARNING AND EVEN THE WORKFORCE BOARD ONLY REIMBURSES $42 A DAY.

THE NEED IS TREMENDOUS, THERE'S ABOUT 90,000 KIDS IN TEXAS ON THAT WAITING LIST -- WAITING LIST AND IT HOVERS BETWEEN 80,020,000. IF YOU LOOK AT IT THIS, FROM A SUPPLY SIDE, HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY ONLY APPROXIMATELY 55% OF PROVIDERS ARE DOCTORS DESIGNATED.

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? YOU HAVE TO BE A TEXAS RISING STAR DESIGNATED CENTER TO BE ABLE TO GET THE SUBSIDIES, THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT INVESTS APPROXIMATELY $1.3 BILLION IN TEXAS. THAT'S ABOUT 12 BILLION NATIONALLY THE FEDERAL ALLOCATION FOR CHILD CARE 12 BILLION, TEXAS WORKFORCE BOARD GETS ABOUT 1.3 BILLION AND THEN THIS REGION GETS ABOUT 335 MILLION.

BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT ONLY 55% OF THE PROVIDERS ARE EVEN ELIGIBLE TO GET THESE SUBSIDIES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT THAT COMES TO THE STATE THAT COMES TO THE REGION.

WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE OTHER 45% THAT ARE NOT DESIGNATED FROM A SUPPLY SIDE AND IF HE COULD UNLEASH AN ACTIVATE SOME PROVIDERS MAY NOT WANT TO BE TRS DESIGNATED BUT WE'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR AND THE DATA SHOWS THAT MANY OF THESE CANNOT GET THE DESIGNATION BECAUSE IT'S A COMPLEX WAY TO HAVE TO APPLY TO GET THAT DESIGNATION. AND SO THERE'S A MARKET INEFFICIENCY THAT I WILL DRILL DOWN ON AND I WILL DISCUSS IN A SECOND. NOT TO MENTION THE OVERSIGHT CACTUS A LOCAL REQUIREMENT AS WELL AS STATE AND FEDERAL AND WE WILL TALK ABOUT THAT AS THE LOCAL SOLUTIONS WE ARE PROPOSING TODAY. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT'S COMPLEX, DIFFICULT AND INEFFICIENT AND THE TRS CERTIFICATION I JUST ISSUED. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE

[06:30:01]

ULTIMATELY IN TERMS OF THE FUNDING WE KNOW THAT HERE WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY 18,000 KIDS WAITING AND SO WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE WERE ABLE TO GET MORE FEDERAL FUNDS TO THE STATE OF TEXAS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY TO THIS REGION.

THERE IS DOLLARS BEING SPENT NOW BUT HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE THOSE DOLLARS BECAUSE THE BIG PLAY AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE NEED THIS TO BE SUSTAINABLE AND WE NEED THIS TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

AT THE TIME WHEN WE HAVE AN AFFORDABILITY CRISIS, THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS GO ASK TO RAISE TAXES TO ADDRESS A SYSTEM THAT IS ALREADY TOO EXPENSIVE AND UNSUSTAINABLE.

NEXT SLIDE. WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT LOCALLY? WE WANTED TO VERY MUCH CAPITALIZE ON THIS MOMENT HERE IN TEXAS.

THE GOVERNOR HAS A TASK FORCE AND THAT IS IN PLAY, WE HAVE A QUAD AGENCY REVIEW FOR THE MAIN DEPARTMENT IN TEXAS THAT HIT TWC, AND WE KNOW THAT LAST SESSION THEY INVESTED AN ADDITIONAL 100 MILLION AND WE KNOW THAT THERE IS A SUNSET COMMISSION. THE GOVERNOR'S TASK FORCE LEVEL SAID, AND THAT HARRIS COUNTY MEMBER HOWEVER THE GREATER HOUSTON PARTNERSHIP TESTIFIED AND REPRESENTED HARRIS COUNTY AT THE FIRST MEETING AND THEY'RE IN ACTIVE CONVERSATIONS.