Dec 03, 2019 Commissioners Court

[Call to Order]

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>> GOOD MORNING IT IS 10:01 ON DECEMBER 3 HRD AND I CALL THIS MEETING OF COMMISSIONER'S

COURT TO ORDER. COMMISSIONER? >> LEADING US IN OUR OPENING PRAYER IS PASTOR OR REVEREND BRUCE. THE CHURCH WAS ONE THAT WAS IMPACTED HEAVILY IN THE FLOODWATERS OF HARVEY. IN FACT, ONE OF THE NUMBER OF CHURCHES I WENT TO VISIT AFTER THE HARVEY DISASTER I STOPPED IN AND BRUCE WAS GIVING A SERMON ABOUT HOW IN THE MIDST AFTER ALL OF THE WATERS RECEDED THERE WAS A PURPLE FLOWER THAT GAVE HOPE TO HIM AND THE MEMBERS OF HIS CONGREGATION AS THEY WERE MOVING FORWARD. I REMEMBER THAT MESSAGE, PASTOR.

AND THEIR WHOLE FACILITY WAS DEVASTATED AND DESTROYED, BUT OUT OF THE ASHES OF THAT DISASTER A GOOD THING HAS OCCURRED. THAT IS THE COUNTY PURCHASED THE GYM FACILITY AND THE COMMUNITY FACILITY. I THINK WE RECEIVED A DONATION FROM THE CATARI'S IN THE MIDST OF THAT. THERE WILL BE A COMMUNITY CENTER THAT WILL BE ABLE TO PARTNERSHIP. IN THE SEASON OF THANKFULNESS I THOUGHT IT WAS APPROPRIATE THAT THERE WERE THANKFUL THINGS THAT CAME OUT OF HARVEY. SO PASTOR FROGGE, IF YOU COULD LEAD US IN PRAYER.

>> LET US QUIET OURSELVES AND OPEN UP OUR HEARTS. OH, HOLY ONE, THE SOURCE OF LIFE AND LOVE, I GIVE THANKS THIS MORNING FOR THIS GROUP OF LEADERS WITH THEIR RICH DIVERSITY OF EXPERIENCES AND OPINIONS AND CONVICTIONS. I GIVE THANKS FOR THE EXPERTISE AND THE KNOWLEDGE FOUND HERE IN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BUT ALSO FOR THE CAPACITY OF YOUR WISDOM. I GIVE THANKS FOR THE STRENGTH EACH BRINGS TO THIS MEETING AND THE HUMILITY THAT SPEAKS TO RESPECT THE GIFT OF OTHERS. I PRAY FOR THE WORK OF THE BODY AS IT HONORS THE SHARED VALUES OF COMPASSION AND ENCOURAGEMENT AND EDUCATION AND HEALTH AND WORK AND PLAY AND FAMILY AND FRIENDSHIP. WHERE THERE ARE DISAGREEMENTS AND THERE ALWAYS WILL BE I PRAY FOR YOUR GRACE TO ABOUND, BUT I PRAY WE DO NOT ALLOW FOR SPITEFULNESS OR MEAN SPIRITEDNESS TO BECOME PART OF OUR MEETING, BUT ALWAYS ACKNOWLEDGING THE HUMANITY OF THE OTHER, MAKING SURE THERE IS ROOM FOR EVERYONE AT THE TABLE.

AND WHERE THERE IS SPACE FOR COMPROMISE, LET IT NOT BE PERCEIVED AS A LOSS, BUT AS A MODEL TO THE LARGER COMMUNITY. I GIVE THANKS TO ALL THOSE WHO SERVE THIS COUNTY, WHO QUIETLY AND WITH LITTLE FANFARE DO THE NECESSARY WORK AMONG THEM OR THE FIRST RESPONDERS. ALONGSIDE THOSE AMAZING MEN AND WOMEN AND -- ARE THE JOB THAT'S THE PUBLIC RARELY ACKNOWLEDGES, YET SO MUCH OCCURS BECAUSE OF THEIR TIRELESS WORK WITH TRUE GRATITUDE. I OFFER THESE WORDS IN ALL

THAT BLESSES US WITH LIFE AND JOY AND HOPE AMEN. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

LYNN LINDH

>> THANK YOU. FOR ANYONE WATCHING WE HAVE CLOSED CAPTIONING.

THERE IS A WAYS TO GO, BUT IT IS SOME PROGRESS. THANK YOU TO THE FOLKS WHO MADE THAT HAPPEN AND WE HOPE THAT THAT WILL MAKE IT EASIER FOR SOME FOLKS TO WATCH COMMISSIONERS' COURT. AND AS FAR AS RESOLUTIONS THERE IS ONE HERE UNDER

[Item I (Part 1 of 3)]

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, PAGE 22. COMMISSIONER? >> GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR.

WE HAVE A RESOLUTION HONORING AND IF THEY WILL COME ON -- THEY ARE ALREADY ON THEIR WAY. A FUTURE AND HOPE MINISTRY. WHEREAS A FUTURE AND A HAPPY MINISTRY WAS ESTABLISHED IN DECEMBER OF 2016 IN TEXAS TO OFFER FAITH-BASED COUNCIL TO INDIVIDUALS, COUPLES AND FAMILIES ASSISTING THEM TO EXPERIENCE THE FULLNESS AND

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A FUTURE AND A HOPE MINISTRIES HAS IMPACTED PEOPLE ALL OVER THE WORLD INCLUDING BERMUDA, ENGLAND AND, JUDGE, I PRACTICED THIS WORD, AND MAYBE COMMISSIONER ELLIS CAN HELP ME WITH THIS. JABUDI? EL -- EL P.

>> JABUDI. THEY CAN ACCOUNT FOR THE INTRODUCTION AND TEACHING THE TOOLS AND EXERCISES IN THE HEALING PROCESS AND IT MAKES IT AVAILABLE TO PEOPLE OF ALL FAITH AND IT IS NOT TO THEIR CLIENT'S ABILITY TO HAVE CARE.

WHERE YOU SCHEDULED 1800 CLIENT MEETINGS PER YEAR AND PROVIDE THE SERVICES OF 14 COUNSELORS AND EXPAND YOUR REACH TO THE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND ALL OVER THE WORLD LEADING RESTORED LONGS AND STRONGER IN CONNECTIONS FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY AND INDIVIDUAL RELATIONSHIPS AND THEREFORE WE RECOGNIZE A FUTURE IN COURT OF FUTURES AND

HOPE MINISTRY. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. WE ARE HONORED TO BE HERE.

MY NAME IS DR. PATRICIA RYAN, AND I AM ACCOMPANIED BY PASTOR KEVIN RUDOLPH FROM THE CHURCH. WE ARE A SEPARATE 501C3 FROM THE CHURCH.

WE HAVE BEEN A NONPROFIT SINCE DECEMBER OF 2016. AS YOU SAID, COMMISSIONER, THAT IS OUR GOAL AND THAT IS OUR HOPE AND PRAYER THAT WE CAN ASSIST IN HEALING THE BROKENNESS OF LAWS AND BEING ABLE TO ASSIST GODS AS HE HEALS PEOPLE.

WHAT WE RECOGNIZE IS THAT THE FAMILY UNIT IS THE NUCLEUS OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.

AS SUCH WHEN IT IS BROKEN OR DEAD OR DYING, THE ENTIRE BODY IS IMPACTED.

OUR GOAL IS TO ASSIST PEOPLE IN HAVING THE FULLNESS AND THE JOY IN THEIR LIVES THAT WE KNOW GOD PLANNED FOR THEM. IT IS OUR HONOR TO BE HERE TO PRESENT TO YOU OUR MINISTRY AND THE WORK WE ARE DOING AND WE ARE VERY HONORED TO BE A PART OF THIS COMMISSIONER'S

COURT THIS MORNING. >> JUDGE? LINDH LYNN LYNN

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> I WAS THINKING IT WAS ON EASTERN AFRICA AND IT HAS THE LONGEST FORM OF CHRISTIANITY EXISTING IN THE WORLD WHICH IS ETHIOPIA. THERE IS A MAJOR MILITARY BASE THERE.

>> YES, AND WE HAD A YOUNG PILOT IN THE AIR FORCE WHO WAS STATIONED THERE.

HE AND HIS WIFE'S MARRIAGE WAS IN TROUBLE. SHE WAS STATIONED IN ENGLAND.

I WAS IN HOUSTON. HE WAS IN JABUDI AND SHE WAS IN ENGLAND AND WE WERE ABLE AT 1:30 IN THE AFTERNOON WORKED FOR EVERYONE TO DO SOME COUNSELING.

THEIR MARRIAGE IS IN GREAT SHAPE TODAY AND WE ARE BLESSED TO HAVE BEEN A PART OF THAT.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE A PICTURE. WE MAY HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION LATER, BUT THE HONOREES --

>> WELL, ONE OF OUR WORLD WAR II VETS -- >> WE ARE WAITING ON ANOTHER.

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>> LINA HIDALGO: WE MENTIONED THE PASTOR WHO GAVE THE OPENING PRAYER WAS TALKING ABOUT THE IMPACT OF FLOODWATERS AND FOLKS AFFECTED BY THE AMELDA FLOOD IT IS THE LAST DAY TO FILE FOR FEMA SUPPORT. THEY OFFERED ALL KINDS OF SUPPORT BECAUSE OF OUR ABILITY TO ISSUE A DISASTER DECLARATION AND TO GET THE SUPPORT FROM THE STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS. SO WE HEAR FROM FEMA THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS APPLIED AND THAT AID IS FLOWING. IF ANYBODY ELSE AFFECTED HAS NOT APPLY GO TO READYHARRIS.ORG, TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO APPLY. WE ARE SENDING OUT MESSAGES THROUGH THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AND EVERYTHING IS ONLINE.

HOPEFULLY THE PRESS IS SPREADING THE WORD ABOUT THIS TOO.

TODAY, DECEMBER 3RD, FOR FOLKS TO APPLY FOR FEMA ASSISTANCE.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE AGENDA. I WILL TAKE TWO ITEMS OUT OF ORDER AND THOSE ARE THE COUNTY CLERK'S ITEMS. SHE RUNNING A RUNOFF ELECTION. THEY HAVE AN ELECTION EVERY MONTH UNTIL MARCH. LET'S START WITH SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 4 AND ON PAGE 22 ABOUT THE DISTRICT ELECTION. I BELIEVE WE HAVE SOMEBODY HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT THAT.

>> GORK,

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WANTED TO DO A BRIEF INTRO ON OUR AGENDA ITEM WHICH IS TO BE HERE TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED THE WITH THE RFP PROCESS FOR NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT. I HAVE MET WITH EACH ONE OF YOU. QUH ROY -- AND WE HAVE THE TIMELINE.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAND THESE OUT TO THEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. TROUTMAN,

MAY WE START WITH THE ITEM ON THE DISTRICT B ELECTION? >> WE CAN DO THAT TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT ALL RIGHT? THANK YOU.

>> IF YOU WOULD LIKE ME TO I WOULD MAYBE EXPLAIN THE ITEM. DR. TROUTMAN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE EARLY. I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER JERRY DAVIS WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK AS WELL AND ARE YOU TRYING TO MOVE IT, BUT THEY HAVE A COUNCIL MEETING.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, PARTICULARLY IN DISTRICT B WHO ARE CONCERNED ABOUT BEING DISENFRANCHISED IN THE PROCESS. THE FIRST I HEARD ABOUT IT WAS IN THE NEWSPAPERS. I KNOW FROM TALKING TO YOU AND TALKING TO MR. SWORD AND OTHER PEOPLE THAT I HAVE CALLED THAT THERE IS A LOT OF ANST -- ANGST OVER THE ISSUE.

I KNOW FROM FIRSTHAND EXPERIENCE AND HAVING SPENT A LITTLE TIME IN THE LEGISLATURE THERE IS VERY FEW IF ANY LAWS ON THE BOOKS IN TEXAS THAT ARE CLEAR INCLUDING THE SEVEN I WAS LEAD AUTHOR ON AND THE THOUSANDS I VOTED ON. WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING SOMEONE'S RIGHT TO VOTE THERE ARE A LOT OF LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM WHAT HAPPENED HERE. I PERSONALLY -- IN MY OPINION I THINK SOME SERIOUS MISTAKES WERE MADE AND JUST BY MAKING CALLS THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE DAYS, IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT WHICH MISTAKE? WHO MADE THE DECISION TO PULL THE NAMES OFF THE BALLOT AND WHETHER OR NOT BASED ON LEGAL ADVICE, WHOEVER MADE THE DECISION HAD THE LEGAL

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OBVIOUSLY IF WE HAVE THAT KIND OF UNCERTAINTY AROUND ELECTIONS, WE HAVE SOME OF THE LOWEST VOTER PARTICIPATION LEVELS IN THE COUNTRY BECAUSE OF A HOST OF REASONS INCLUDING THINGS THAT THE LEGISLATURE PD -- PUT IN PLACE. IT REALLY DOES ANGER PEOPLE, AND IT CAN IMPACT WHETHER OR NOT PEOPLE GET A CHANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS I WANT TO TESTIFY TO, BUT I DON'T WANT TO MAKE IT ONE-SIDED. A MORE APPROPRIATE ROUTE WOULD HAVE BEEN TO GO TO COURT ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS TO TRY AND DISMISS THE LAWSUIT TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ELECTION.

I I KNOW I TALKED TO PEOPLE AND UNLESS A DECISION IS MADE -- UNLESS THE ISSUE IS RESOLVED BY NEXT MONDAY IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE PUTTING IT ON THE BALLOT IN JANUARY.

WHICH MEANS IF THE NEW MEXICO OPPORTUNITY IS IN MARCH, COUNCILMAN DAVIS, SOMEBODY VOTING TO TAKE WHAT YOU HOPE IS YOUR OLD SEAT SOON BECAUSE UNDER TEXAS LAW YOU HAVE TO SIT THERE UNTIL A SUCCESSOR IS DULY QUALIFIED, THAT MEANS WHEN PEOPLE ARE RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT SOMEWHERE ON THE TOP OR BOTTOM, YOU WILL HAVE TO PUT DISTRICT B.

AND THEN THE ISSUE COMES UP WHO PAYS FOR IT? WHEN THERE IS A SPECIAL ELECTION THE COUNTY'S ROLE IS JUST AS A VENDOR, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON COULD BUY THEIR OWN VOTING MACHINES AND HANDLE THEIR OWN ELECTIONS AND SO COULD THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE PARTY IS GOOD. I ASSUME THE PARTY HAS PAID FOR THE ELECTIONS IF THIS HAPPENED IN ONE OF THE RACES IN MARCH AND THE ELECTION WAS DELAYED, IF THE PARTY -- IF THE DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN PARTY CONTRACTED WITH THE COUNTY TO DO IT, AND THEN THE COUNTY DIDN'T PUT A RACE ON THE BALLOT, AT SOME POINT THERE WILL BE LITIGATION OVER WHO MADE THE DECISION TO PULL IT OFF AND WHO WILL PAY? A SPECIAL ELECTION FOR DISTRICT B MAY COST HALF A MILLION, QUARTER MILLION TO A MILLION DOLLARS.

THAT COULD BE AN ISSUE SOME TIME DOWN THE ROAD. ALSO REGARDLESS OF HOW SOMEBODY FEELS HAVING A FELONY AND BEING ABLE TO RUN, I HAPPEN TO DISAGREE WITH THE POSITION OF THOSE WHO SAY YOU HOSPITAL BE ABLE TO RUN AND SPENT A GOOD PART OF MY CAREER IN AUSTIN TRYING TO REMOVE THAT. I CHATTED LAST NIGHT WITH SOMEONE I WILL SUGGEST THE COUNTY RETAIN. RANDAL BUCKWOOD IS CONSIDERED THE ELECTION EXPERT ON TEXAS LAW. I KNOW THAT BECAUSE 33 YEARS AGO SOMEONE CHALLENGED MY SISTER'S ABILITY TO BE ON THE BALLOT TO RUN FOR THE SCHOOL BOARD. THEY CHALLENGED HER RESIDENCY.

SHE RECENTLY GOT DIVORCED AND SHE MOVED IN WITH ME. SHE USED THE ADDRESS OF HER BROTHER WHO IS ON CITY COUNCIL WHILE SHE WAS SLEEPING IN HIS GUEST BEDROOM.

THAT WENT TO COURT AND BUCKWOOD REPRESENTED HER AND IT WAS RESOLVED AND THEY HAD THE ELECTION. IN THE CITY OF GALVESTON IN 2006, MARK HOSKIS -- HOSKINS EXPOSED HIS DRUG TRAFFICKING CONVICTION AT THE BEGINNING OF CITY COUNCIL.

HE WARNED THE CITY COUNCIL SEAT. HOWEVER, IN RESPONSE TO THE SUIT FILED BY THE D.A., A DISTRICT JUDGE RULED HE COULD NOT TAKE THE SEAT IN HOUSTON IN 2007 HE RAN FOR DISTRICT I FOR THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL. REVEREND GIBBS WAS INDICTED ON A FELONY IN 19 98. TWO MEN DEEMED BY STATE OFFICIALS AS ELIGIBLE.

IT IS TO STAY ON THE BALLOT AND THEY DID. HIS CONVICTION WAS SET ASIDE, BUT THEY LOST. IN AUSTIN SOMEONE WAS ALLOWED TO RUN AND DID NOT WIN THE

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HE WAS CONVICTED OF VOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER AND IT WAS CHALLENGED BY THE CITY CLERK WHO REQUESTED PROOF THAT MR. CONWAY HAD BEEN PARDONED ORIE LEASED FROM THE RESULTING DISABILITIES FROM HIS CONVICTION. CONWAY SUBMITTED PROOF.

CONWAY COMPLETED THE ELECTION, BUT DID NOT WIN. MIXED RESULTS IN SAN AN -- SAN ANTONIO. SOMEONE RUNNING FOR A STATE REP SEAT AND SOMEONE RUNNING FOR A COUNCIL SEAT. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION, IN THIS CASE, WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED WAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY COULD HAVE ATTEMPTED TO DISMISS THIS LAWSUIT FILED BY THE PLAINTIFF IN THE CASE THE DAY AFTER IT WAS FILED ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS INSTEAD OF DOING WHAT DID HAPPEN. BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ANGRY AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I DON'T BLAME THEM FOR BEING ANGRY. I THINK WE OUGHT TO PUT SOME -- SOMETHING IN PLACE SO THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. IF A COURT DECIDES YOU COULDN'T GO FORWARD, THAT'S ONE THING. I WOULD HATE FOR US TO BE IN THIS POSITION. IN A LOT OF WAYS IT IS UNCHARTED TERRITORY.

WE COULD ASK FOR AN AG'S OPINION. OBVIOUSLY THAT'S JUST AN OPINION. SINCE I SAT HERE FOR THREE YEARS THERE ARE TIMES I AGREED WITH THE ADVICE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. SOMETIMES I DISAGREE.

I HAPPEN TO HAVE DISAGREED WITH THE ADVICE REGARDING THE BAIL LITIGATION.

SO FAR IT LOOKS LIKE THE FEDERAL COURTS HAVE AGREED WITH MY POSITION.

OBVIOUSLY IT HADN'T BEEN SETTLED IT COULD HAVE GONE TO THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT AND IT COULD HAVE CHANGED. THAT'S WHY I TRY TO CALL THESE THINGS OPINIONS INSTEAD OF DECISIONS. UNTIL IT IS FINALLY RESOLVED THROUGH THE COURT SYSTEM OR A THOUGHTFUL OPINION GIVEN BY ONE LAWYER IS JUST THAT.

IT IS AN OPINION. DR. TROUTMAN AS I HATE TO TELL YOU, AS I TOLD YOU SUNDAY, I UNDERSTAND THE POSITION YOU ARE IN, BUT IT IS A HECK OF A PREDICAMENT.

AND FOR SOMEONE WHO SPENT A GOOD PART OF THEIR CAREER IN PUBLIC OFFICE, ADVOCATING FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THEIR ABILITY TO VOTE PROTECTED, THIS IS VERY TROUBLING, AND WE DID SOMETHING, TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THAT NOWHERE ELSE IT HAS HAPPENED.

I WANT TO LET YOU TALK AND WILL GET THE COMMENT LATER, BUT THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM.

IT MEANS IN THE ERA OF A TREMENDOUS INCREASE IN LITIGATION SOMEBODY COULD COME IN AT THE LAST MINUTE AND STOP VIRTUALLY EVERY ELECTION THAT IS HELD.

THAT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I GUESS SOMEBODY CAN CHALLENGE AN ISSUE REGARDING SOMEBODY ON THE BALLOT RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT. AND IN HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER IT IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OR CITY ATTORNEY, THE CLERK OR WHOEVER, OR EVEN IF IT CAME TO THIS BOARD WOULD DECIDE? ARE WE GOING TO -- WE ARE GOING TO TAKE THE ITEM OFF THE BALLOT BECAUSE IT IS CONTESTED. EVEN IN THE CASE OF BUSH VERSUS GORE IT WAS THE COURT'S -- THE COURTS AND NOT THE OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL OR THE STATE OF FLORIDA. IT WAS THE COURTS THAT DID IT. AND EVEN IF IF I DISAGREE WITH A COURT, THE TRAINING I GOT IN LAW SCHOOL CON -- CONVINCED ME THE BETTER COURSE IS TO ABIDE BY A RULING OF A COURT.

WITH THAT SAID, YOU KNOW, I HOPE AND IN NO WAY MY COMMENTS OFFEND YOU, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO ARE ANGRY. AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I'M ANGRY AS WELL. I DON'T KNOW WHERE WE OUGHT TO BE DIRECTED.

I APPRECIATE YOU TALKING TO ME ON YOUR WAY TO CHURCH. I KNOW YOU MADE A COMMENT TO ME THAT MAYBE I SHOULD CALL THEM IN PERSON AND FILE A LAWSUIT, BECAUSE IF THAT IS NOT RESOLVED BETWEEN SUNDAY AND MONDAY, THAT WON'T BE ON THE BALLOT TO WHICH I SAID, WELL THEN I WOULD BE ACCUSED OF TRYING TO INTIMIDATE THAT PERSON.

I COULDN'T DO THAT. THAT PERSON LOST THE ELECTION AND WANTS ANOTHER SHOT.

I AM NOT ARGUING WITH THAT. IN TERMS OF THE PHO NATIONAL -- FINALITY AND RESPECT OF THE ELECTION PROCESS I THINK YOU AGREE WE WERE TALKING.

IT CAN PUT NEW A DILEMMA. WHAT A HECK OF A POSITION. IT REALLY GOES TO NOT MUCH WE CAN DO ABOUT THAT AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET IT BACK ON THE BALLOT AND WHO IS GONNA PAY.

BUT HOW DO WE KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING IN ANY ELECTION WHERE HARRIS COUNTY IS

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CONTRACTED TO RUN THE ELECTIONS? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DO HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM DR. TROUTMAN FIRST.

I WILL CALL UP THE SPEAKERS AFTER YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, COMMISSIONER. DUE TO A LEGAL CHALLENGE CONTESTING THE OUTCOME OF THE HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT B RACE THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ADVISED ME THAT THE DISTRICT B RACE COULD NOT BE ON THE RUNOFF BALLOT PER THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. THAT WOULD BE SECTIO 232.007 ENTITLED "RUNOFF NOT HELD UNTIL FINAL JUDGMENT." IT READS "A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR A CONTESTED OFFICE MAY NOT BEHELD UNTIL THE JUDGMENT IN THE CONTEST BECOMES FINAL" THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS OUR CLIENT. THEY ARE OUR CUSTOMER. I AM JUST ADMINISTERING THIS ELECTION FOR THEM. I AM FOLLOWING THE ADVICE OF OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE LAW. ALL OTHER CITY OF HOUSTON RACES ON THE RUNOFF BALLOT ARE AVAILABLE TO ALL VOTERS WHO ARE REGISTERED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THAT IS ALL I REALLY HAVE TO SAY ON THIS MATTER. I DO BELIEVE MR. SWORD AND MR. GRAY HAVE MORE INFORMATION FOR YOU, BUT AS I SAY, THAT IS -- THAT WAS THE SITUATION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, I AM NOT ANGRY.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COUNCILMEMBER JERRY DAVIS IS

HERE. >> JUDGE I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, WAIT UNTIL YOUR RACE COMES UP,

COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR FOLKS WATCHING THIS IS THE ISSUE WHERE THE ELECTION WAS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN FOR DISTRICT B AND THEN BECAUSE OF A CHALLENGE THE ELECTION WAS NOT PLACED ON THE BALLOT, AND SO THE DISTRICT B RACE WILL NOT BE ON THE BALLOT IN THE RUNOFF. YES, COUNCILMEMBER.

>> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO BE HERE.

I AM JERRY DAVIS. I SERVE AS THE CURRENT COUNCILMAN FOR DISTRICT B.

I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR DOING YOUR JOB AND FOR ADMINISTERING THE FIRST RACE, BUT I TOO AM SOMEWHAT ANGRY. I AM REPRESENTING MY DISTRICT, AND THE MAJORITY OF MY DISTRICT AS THE WORD WAS USED EARLIER, DISENFRANCHISED, MEANS THEY DON'T GET THE RIGHT TO VOTE. THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE ON DECEMBER 14TH.

I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO STAND IN FRONT OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE FOR TWO DAYS, BOTH ABORATION DAYS. THE RE-- REMOVAL OF THE DISTRICT B OFFICE, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL BE. WILL IT BE DISTRICT A AND THEN SKIP B AND C, D, F? WE ARE TALKING 200,000 PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT REPRESENTED. SO, YES, YOU'RE RIGHT.

I HAVE TO SIT AT THE SEAT. I AM GOING TO DO THAT BECAUSE THAT'S MY JOB AND BECAUSE THE PEOPLE PUT ME IN OFFICE ON TWO, THREE OCCASIONS. AND THEY ARE CALLING ON ME TO MAKE SURE THE ONE AGENDA ITEM IN FRONT OF COUPLE -- COUNCIL WON'T BE VOTE OWED AND LOOKED AT BY THE REPRESENTATIVE. I DON MANY WAYS.

AGAIN, I AGREE WITH YOU, COMMISSAR -- COMMISSIONER. YOU KNOW WE HAVE ABOUT 13,000, 14,000 PEOPLE WHO COME OUT AND VOTE AND NOW THEY ARE CONFUSED.

NOT ALL, BUT SOME ARE. MANY OF MY SENIORS RECEIVED THEIR VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT AND WERE LOOKING FOR THE DISTRICT B RACE. THE COMMUNICATION, I DON'T KNOW WHERE IT WAS SUPPOSED TO COME FROM, THE CITY, COUNTY, I DON'T KNOW, BUT IT WAS NOT GIVEN TO THEM. I THINK, AND I WILL ADD MYSELF TO BLAME UNTIL I PUT OUT LITERATURE TO EXPLAIN TO THEM THAT THERE IS STILL A RACE ON THE 14TH.

THERE ARE SEATS YOU CAN HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON, BUT YOU DO NOT GET AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE ON YOUR REPRESENTATIVE TO SERVE YOU FOR THE NEXT FOUR YEARS ON THAT DAY.

NOW, SOME MAY SAY YOU STILL GET A CHANCE TO VOTE. YOU ARE GONNA GET A CHANCE TO VOTE. THEY ARE. BUT IT IS NOT RIGHT BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF EFFORT AND MOTION THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO COME OUT AND VOTE FOR -- IF IT IS JANUARY 28TH, THEY DON'T KNOW ANYONE ON THAT RACE BECAUSE OF THE TWO CANDIDATES. THAT'S. IT AND SO WE UNDERSTAND HOW WE ARE AND THAT SOMETIMES WE JUST DON'T FEEL LIKE GETTING UP. THOUSAND THERE WILL BE MORE DOLLARS PUT IN PROBABLY FROM THE CITY. I'M SURE THE COUNTY WILL NOT

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SUPPRESSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

BELIEVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION. >> DO YOU HAVE RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR US? >> THE FIRST RECOMMENDATION I CALLED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I QUA -- I ASKED COULD WE PUT A SUPPLEMENTAL BALLOT OUT BEFORE -- I GUESS AT THE TIME THE FIRST VOTE BY MAIL WENT OUT. THEY TOLD ME WE COULD NOT.

I STILL AGREE. I DON'T DO IT OFTEN, BUT I AGREE WITH THE COMMISSIONER THAT WE SHOULD HAVE LET IT TAKE PLACE. THEN YOU CAN CONFIRM WITH THE PEOPLE AT CITY HALL. AND THEN THEREFORE IT WILL ALLOW THE COURTS TO DO THEIR JOB. AT THIS POINT IN TIME I DON'T BECAUSE WE ARE WHERE WE ARE AND THE ELECTION WILL BE IN A WEEK AND A FEW DAYS. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? ROD

RODRIGUEZ -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN DID YOU HEAR IF THIS WAS NOT RESOLVED BY THE COURTS ON MONDAY IT WON'T BE ON THE BALLOT ON -- IN JANUARY?

>> I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH MISS TROUTMAN AND SHE ELUDED TO A DAY AND IF IT WAS NOT RESOLVED BY THAT TIME JANUARY 28TH, IF I AM CORRECT, WOULD NOT BE AN

OPPORTUNITY FOR THE DISTRICT B RACE TO BE HELD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT WAS SHE

UNDERSTANDING WAS THE NEXT DATE? >> MAYBE MARCH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE MARCH. >> MAYBE MARCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN YOUR MIND

WHO MADE THIS DECISION? >> I WAS TOLD BY THE CITY -- EXCUSE ME.

I WAS TOLD BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT THE DECISION WAS MADE BY THEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND HIS OFFICE. AGAIN, I AM UNDER THE UNDERSTANDING, AND I COULD BE WRONG BECAUSE I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY, THAT WE ARE -- WE ARE THE CLIENT, AND I WENT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AND VOTED ON -- IN NOVEMBER AND AND -- I THOUGHT DISTRICT B'S RACE WOULD BE ON THE BALLOT. I DO NOT BELIEVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD THE RIGHT TO EXTRACT DISTRICT B OFF. I AM I AM NOT AN ATTORNEY EVEN THOUGH I UNDERSTAND WHAT THE CODE 232 -- I READ IT, BUT IT DIDN'T SAY WHERE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAD THE RIGHT TO

EXTRACT IT FROM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HAVE NOT SEEN IT BECAUSE THE MEMO SAYS ON NOVEMBER 20TH THE CITY OF HOUSTON APPROVED THE BALLOT FOR THE RUNOFF ELECTION.

THE RACE FOR DISTRICT B WAS NOT INCLUDED. IF YOU VOTED AGAINST THAT, THERE WOULD BE NO BALLOT FOR MAY -- DASH FOR MAYOR OR ANYTHING ELSE.

I ASSUME THIS WAS ADDED TO SOMEHOW SAY THE CITY SIGNED OFF ON THIS.

IN YOUR MIND, DO YOU THINK THE CITY OF HOUSTON SIGNED OFF OR MADE THE DECISION TO DELAY?

>> IN MY MIND, NO, SIR. AGAIN, I VOTED ON ALL OF THE RACES THAT WERE ON THE BALLOT IN NOVEMBER. THAT'S WHAT WE VOTED TO HAVE ON, TO CANVAS THE VOTE AND

CERTIFY THE VOTE AND THEN PUT IT ON FOR THE RUNOFF. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CALLED THE CITY ATTORNEY AND COULDN'T TALK TO HIM ABOUT IT UNLESS I WOKE UP MR. SWORD WHEN I CALLED HIM, THE CITY ATTORNEY ABOUT 9:30, 10:00 LAST NIGHT. HE IS AN OLD FRIEND AND A GOOD LAWYER AS WELL. HAVE YOU ASKED THE CITY ATTORNEY WAS IT THEIR

DECISION? >> I DID CONFER WITH THE CITY AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT THEIR

DECISION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: HAVE YOU TALKED TO THE MAYOR ABOUT IT?

>> NO, SIR, I HAVE NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE. HE TOLD ME IT WAS NOT HIS DECISION. HE THOUGHT THEY SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH THE ELECTION.

FEEL FREE TO VERIFY THAT. HE AND I WENT TO A COUPLE OF FUNERALS AND I DID ASK.

>> THAT'S ALSO THE CITY COUNCIL WHO I HAVE CONTACTED. THEY BELIEVE THAT THIS COULD SET A PRECEDENCE THAT IS NOT IN FAVOR OF ELECTIONS. NOW WE CAN KNOCK SOMEONE OUT

BASED ON I DON'T LIKE A, B OR C. >> COUNCIL, I WAS TOLD IN 1990 AFTER I GOT ELECTED TO A FOURTH TERM, A TWO-YEAR TERM ON THE CITY COUNCIL, THAT I WOULD NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT IN THE STATE SENATE OF TEXAS UNLESS I RESIGN MY OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE LAST WEEK OF MY COUNCIL TERM IN 89, REFUSE TO TAKE THE OATH OF OFFICE FOR THE NEW TERM WHICH I WAS ELECTED TO AND I HAD TO GET MY SUCCESSFUL DUTY FULLY QUALIFIED. I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES WOULDN'T BELIEVE THIS, BUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY -- THE MAYOR WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO GET ME OFF CITY COUNCIL.

I ADVISE THAT YOU BETTER PUT LANGUAGE IN THERE SAYING YOUR SUCCESSOR DULY QUALIFIED IN 30

[00:35:01]

BUKBOARD WAS MY LAWYER AND HE WAS MY SISTER'S LAWYER. MUCH OF THE CONTEST AT THE STATE LEVEL INCLUDING TAKING THE SEAT, IF THE COUNTY DOESN'T DO IT, MAYBE THE CITY AND COUNTY WOULD AGREE, I THINK IT IS WISE TO GET SOMEONE WHO WROTE A GOOD BIT OF STATUTE OUTS TO ADVISE US. YOU MAY BE THERE A LONGTIME. WE WOULD LIKE TO SIT ON THE CITY COUNCIL AND DO THE BEST JOB I COULD WITHOUT A MANDATE FROM THE VOTERS.

WE LINED UP THE VOTES. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE CORETTA BROWN HERE TO SPEAK. NATALIE RUIZ.

GO AHEAD. ARE YOU NATALIE RUIZ? IT LOOKS LIKE YOU ARE ON A DIFFERENT ITEM SO I WILL CALL YOU BACK UP WHEN THAT COMES UP MARIANNE MARTINEZ.

CUT CHARLES -- CHARLES IN -- CHARLES NOBLE. PJ JONES, KATHY BAILEY.

HUBERT HORN, ROSY LIMA CUTCHIN AND DEMITRIUS SMITH. GO AHEAD.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THANK YOU FORGIVING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK OUT ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE. MY NAME IS ROSY MCCUTCHIN AND A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZING PROJECT AND A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT B.

OKAY. I AM A RESIDENT OF DISTRICT B.

I AM A MOTHER AND A GRANDMOTHER AND I HAVE A FELONY CONVICTION.

I VOTED IN DISTRICT B ELECTION FIRST OF ALL BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT MY COMMUNITY.

I WANT TO SEE DISTRICT B THRIVE. I I WANT GOOD SCHOOLS FOR MY GRANDKIDS. I WANT GOOD JOBS AVAILABLE FOR MY CHILDREN.

I WANT GROCERY STORES WHERE I CAN BUY FRESH PRODUCE FOR MY FAMILY.

MY VOTE WAS FOR THE FUTURE OF DISTRICT B SO I TAKE THIS LAWSUIT CHALLENGE RESULTS OF DISTRICT B VERY PERSONALLY. PEOPLE MADE THEIR CHOICE IN NOVEMBER.

MOST RESIDENTS IN DISTRICT B VOTED LIKE I DID FOR JACKSON. OTHERS VOTED FOR CYNTHIA BAILEY KNOWING THAT SHE LIKE SO MANY OF US HAS A FELONY CONVICTION.

THESE LAWSUITS ARE TRYING TO TAKE MY VOICE. ONE FOR LIVING IN DISTRICT B AND THE OTHER IS FOR HAVING A FELONY CONVICTION. I AM A PERSON WHO DESERVES RESPECT AND I DESERVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND I ALSO DESERVE THE CHOICE TO PURSUE ELECTED OFFICE. WHAT THE THIRD PLACE FINISHER IS DOING IS SO WRONG.

SHE IS TRYING TO GIVE A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THAT IS DESIGNED TO CRUSH BLACK PEOPLE AND EVEN MORE POWER TO HOLD US DOWN. AS ANY OTHER PERSON LIKE ME WITH A FELONY CONVICTION HAS A HARD TIME FINDING HOUSING, JOBS AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. THROUGH HER BLIND DESIRE TO FORCE HERSELF ON THE BALLOT SHE WANTS US TO BE BARRED FROM ELECTED OFFICE WHERE OUR VOICE IS GREATLY NEEDED.

THAT'S NOT LEADERSHIP AND THIS IS NOT THE DIRECTION HARRIS COUNTY IS GOING.

LESS THAN TWO WEEKS AGO JUDGE ROSENTHAL APPROVE -- APPROVED A BAIL SETTLEMENT THAT WILL MAKE JUSTICE AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE. WE HAVES A COUNTY ARE MOVING TOWARD JUSTICE. MY HOPE IS THAT THIS ISSUE IS CLARIFIED SOON AND THAT THE COURTS DISMISS THE SOUR GRAPES OF THE THIRD PLACE FINISHER AND ALLOW CYNTHIA BAILEY TO TAKE THE PLACE SHE EARNED ON THE BALLOT. I LOOK FORWARD TO VOTING AGAIN FOR MY CANDIDATE, JACKSON, AND WORKING TO BE ON DISTRICT B AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH. ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM? WE HAVE CORETTA BROWN, MARIANNE MARTINEZ, CHARLES NOBLE, PJ JONES,ING KATHY BAILEY, HUBERT HORN AND DEMITRIUS SMITH.

[00:40:07]

AND WE SEE LARRY DESELCOS. >> MAY I PLEASE, COUNTY JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I AM LARRY

DESALCA, COUNCIL FOR JACKSON -- >> YOU HAVE TO MOVE THE MIC.

I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY HEARING. >> I SELDOM AM ACCUSED OF NOT BEING ABLE TO BE HEARD, BUT I WILL HAPPILY OBLIGE. I WANT TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES RAISED OUTSIDE OF JUST WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN OR HOW WE RESOLVE THIS, BUT AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS RAISED ABOUT HOW TO ADDRESS THESE ISSUES IN THE FUTURE IN A WAY THAT CAN AVOID IT BEING USED TO MANIPULATE THE ELECTIONS. I BELIEVE DISTRICT B DESERVES TO HAVE A RUNOFF ELECTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. IT WAS UNWARRANTED TO SEVER THE ELECTION AT THE TIME WHEN IT WAS DONE WHEN THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A WAY POTENTIALLY TO LEAVE IT ON THE BALLOT. IF THE ELECTION CONTEST WAS OUT OF THE WAY IT COULD HAVE STILL -- PEOPLE COULD HAVE VOTED ON THE 14. IF IT HADN'T GOT OUT OF THE WAY YOU DON'T COUNT THE VOTES. BY THE TIME I WAS ASKED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND CONTACTED MR. RAY AND THE PEOPLE OF THE CITY, THERE WAS NO LONGER A POSITION THAT COULD OCCUR. IT IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED AND MAY BE CONSIDERED AT THIS TIME FOR THE JANUARY ELECTION. IT WOULD BE A SHAME AND DISENFRANCHISING AND DISAPPOINTING TO THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF POTENTIAL VOTERS IN DISTRICT B NOT TO BE ABLE TO BE ON IT. AND IT DOES PUT THE CANDIDATES AT A DISADVANTAGE. HERE IT IS PARTICULARLY PROBLEMATIC.

WE ARE HAVING THE ISSUE RAISED BECAUSE OF THE ELECTION CONTEST THAT IS FILED THAT DOES NOT QUALIFY AS ELECTION CONTESTS. WE WILL TRY TO GET THAT DISMISSED THIS WEEK IF POSSIBLE. IF THAT IS DISMISSED AND IT IS NOT FAIR, THEY POTENTIALLY COULD HAVE COUNTED THE VOTES. AND I ALSO AM CONCERNED GOING FORWARD FOR THE JANUARY ELECTION THAT WE WANT TO BE SURE THAT THE COUNTY DOES EVERYTHING IT COULD TO WAIT AS LONG AS POSSIBLE NEXT WEEK BEFORE IT MAKES A FINAL DECISION SO THAT WE CAN DO THAT. THIS ELECTION CONTEST IS FAULTY. IT DOESN'T HAVE THE RIGHT CONTET.

AND NAME. WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO TRY TO LOOK AT HOW TO DO THIS.

THIS IS THE CITY'S ISSUE. I AM NOT COMPLAINING CERTAINLY ABOUT THE COUNTY CLERK HERE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. THIS IS THE CITY'S ELECTION. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THEIR DECISION WHAT TO DO. AS I UNDERSTAND IT THEY DIDN'T EXERCISE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I UNDERSTAND

THE TIME FRAME. >> I JUST THINK IT WAS THE CITY'S DECISION TO MAKE.

THEY DEFERRED AND THE CLERK WAS CAUGHT BASED ON OPINION. BUT I THINK GOING FORWARD THERE NEEDS TO BE EFFORTS LOOKED AT TO TRY TO FIND A WAY TO AVOID A POTENTIAL FOREMAN

PLAYINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: DO YOU HAVE ANY REQUEST OF THE COUNTY AT THIS TIME?

>> THE REQUEST I HAVE AT THIS TIME IS LOOK AT EVERYTHING THAT CAN CONCEIVE PLEA -- CONCEIVABLY BE DONE NOT TO MAKE MONDAY THE FINAL DAY FORGETTING ON THE JANUARY -- FOR GETTING ON THE JANUARY BALLOT FVMENT IT -- IT IS ONLY A SMALL -- IT IS ONE DISTRICT RACE HERE, AND THEN THERE IS ONE OTHER STATE REP RACE THAT WILL BE ON THERE.

IF WE CAN GET THIS CONTEST RESOLVED WHERE IT IS NOT IN THE WAY, HOPEFULLY WE WILL DO THAT THIS WEEK, BUT IF NOT, WE GOT THAT DONE ON MONDAY OR TUESDAY THERE MIGHT STILL BE A WAY TO DO IT. BECAUSE OF THE LITIGATION I HAVE NOT CONSULTED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK ABOUT WHO COULD OR COULDN'T AND UNDERSTAND THE CALCULATION WAS MADE, BUT I

[00:45:02]

US A CHANCE TO GET THIS RESOLVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN THEY

ARE AVAILABLE SHE IS HERE. >> DOUG IS HERE, BUT I NEED HIM HERE FOR ME TO TALK WITH HER IN LITIGATION. EVEN IF WE ALL START ON THE SAME SIDE TO GET RID OF THE

CONTEST. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I COMPREHEND A LITTLE OF THAT.

>> YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THAT. YES, SIR.

>> I MEAN, YOU SAID SOMETHING IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THE CITY BASICALLY JUST DIDN'T

CARE TO HAVE ANYTHING TO DID WITH IT. >> I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO SEE THE COMMUNICATIONS. FOR THIS MOMENT FOR PURPOSES OF TRYING TO GET RID OF THE CONTEST, THAT'S MY PRIORITY. I DO BELIEVE AND I DO UNDERSTAND FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT THERE WAS CONSIDERATION OF LEAVING THE NAMES ON THE BALLOT TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS. I WASN'T WHO ULTIMATELY MADE THE DECISION.

IT IMPLIED THAT THE CITY SAID THEY WOULD DEFER. IT PUT THE BURDEN ON THE

COUNTY ATTORNEY HERE TO INTERPRET -- TO INTERPRET IT. >> MAYBE I SHOULD ASK -- SORRY. MAYBE I SHOULD ASK MR. SWORD, LOOK, I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA FRIDAY BECAUSE PEOPLE WERE CALLING ME UPSET INCLUDING A NUMBER OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

I COULDN'T IMAGINE, MR. SWORD, THAT I WAS DEFENDING DR. TROUTMAN, YOU AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MADE A COMMENT AND I HAD MY DISAGREEMENTS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT I DON'T BELIEVE WE ARE THE VENDER. THEY THROW ME IN THERE TOO.

THEY SAY YOU ARE THE COUNTY. I SAID I JUST DON'T BELIEVE THE CITY WOULD HIRE US TO HANDLE THEIR ELECTION AND THEN WE JUST UNILATERALLY MAKE THE DECISION.

THAT DIDN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME. I AM OUT THERE DEFENDING IT, AND THEN WHEN I LEAVE TO GO TO A FUNERAL SOMEBODY STOPS ME AND SAID WELL, RODNEY, YOU BETTER CHECK.

YOU JUST GAVE A PASSIONATE SPEECH, BUT I THINK YOU ARE WRONG.

I ASKED THE MAYOR. DID YOU WANT IT? HE SETTED -- HE SAID I GOT A TEXT AND I SAID LET'S GO TO COURT AND LET THE COURT DECIDE.

THAT'S WHEN I STARTED MAKING PHONE CALLS. I DON'T SEE HOW WE WOULD BY THE COUNTY. WHEN I SAY WE THEY PUT US ALTOGETHER.

THE MORE AND MORE I LEARN I THINK THE PUBLIC HAS A RIGHT TO KNOW.

I MEAN, I HAVE ASKED FOR THE E-MAILS AND I WANT TO KNOW WHO DID MAKE THE DECISION.

I CALL BUCKWOOD AND I WAS AN INTERN. YOU WERE A COUPLE YEARS AHEAD OF ME AND I WAS DELIVERING COFFEE. LOOK, ACCORDING TO BUCK WHO IS PRETTY WELL RESPECTED IN THIS SPACE, HE SAID I DON'T THINK THE CLERK NOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO TAKE IT OFF THE BALLOT. A COURT WOULD GO AND DO THAT.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? >> WELL, A COURT WHEN THE ISSUE IS PROPERLY PRESENTED TO IT IF IT WERE A PROPER TIME AND IF IT IS DEALING WITH AN ELIGIBILITY ISSUE WHICH IS NOT AN ELECTION. ELIGIBILITY WOULD BE FOR A TEMPORARY IN -- INJUNCTION.

THE CITY CANVASSED THIS. THEY CANVASSED THE TWO TOP VOTE GETTERS WHICH ARE THE ONES ENTITLED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE RUNOFF. IN A SEPARATE DECISION ON APPROVING THE BALLOT FOR THE RUNOFF LEFT THEM OFF BASED UPON THIS DISCUSSION.

THERE WERE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE INCLUDING THE CANDIDATES AND MY CLIENTS WHO WERE NOT CONSIDERED TO BE LEFT IN AT THAT TIME. I DO BELIEVE IT IS THE CITY'S RESPONSIBILITY TO APPROVE THE BALLOT AND TO TAKE THESE ON. IT SHOULD BE BASED ON ACTIONS BY A COURT AND TAKEN AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME IF IT IS DEALING WITH ELIGIBILITY.

THIS IS A CONTEST WHICH WE BELIEVE IS FAULTY. >> THIS IS TUESDAY, SO THE COURT -- FOLKS IN COURT NOW ARE OBVIOUSLY THERE. WHEN IS THE NEXT COURT

[00:50:02]

MONDAY? >> ACCORDING TO THE LAW THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE A FULL TRIAL WITHIN FIVE DAYS OF THE ANSWER DATE. THEY ANSWERED ON THE 25TH AND THE 26TH. WE ALSO BOTH GOT MOTIONS TO DISMISS PENDING -- POINTING OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND HOW THE CONTEST DOES NOT COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR A

CONTEST. >> SO IT IS UNLIKELY IT IS GOING TO BE DECIDED BETWEEN

NOW AND MONDAY? >> WE ARE HOPING TO GET A HEARING ON THAT THIS WEEK.

>> AND IF IT IS NOT, THEN WHAT HAPPENS, MR. JERRY DAVIS? SOMEBODY COULD COME UP WITH

ANOTHER LAWSUIT ON MONDAY MORNING, RIGHT? >> NOT AS A CONTEST, NO.

THAT DEADLINE HAS PASSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A WAY TO PUT IT ON THE BALLOT NOW AND THEN HAVE THE CONTEST CONTINUE LIKE WHAT COUNCILMEMBER DAVIS AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS ARE OFFERING? ARE WE PAST THAT POINT?

>> THAT'S FOR THE COURT TO DECIDE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THIS A

BETTER QUESTION FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> THE EARLY VOTING --

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOR JANUARY. WHAT THEY ARE SAYING IS -- WE WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT -- I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT GOING FORWARD WHAT IS THE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE SO THIS IS NOT A WAY TO DELAY ELECTION. SPEAKING OF THIS PARTICULAR ELECTION IS THERE A WAY TO PUT IT IN FOR JANUARY AND THEN LET THE CONTEST CONTINUE AND IF

THEY TAKE IT OFF THEY TAKE IT OFF? >> JUDGE IN OUR OPINION IF YOU FOLLOW THE LAW YOU CAN'T DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT IT COMES DOWN TO.

THERE IS SIMPLY NO DISAGREEMENT OVER WHAT SECTION 232.007A SAID.

YOU CANNOT CONDUCT A RUNOFF ELECTION WHILE IT IS UNDERWAY.

I UNDERSTAND HE MAY HAVE ANOTHER OPINION. WE CONSULTED OTHER EXPERTS IN THE FIELD AND THEY FEEL THE SAME WAY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS ADVISING.

WE HAVE ADVISED THE COUNTY CLERK WHAT THE LAW IS. THE COUNTY CLERK HAS CHOSEN TO FOLLOW THE LAW. I DON'T BELIEVE COMMISSIONER'S COURT WANTS AN ADMINISTRATOR TO DECIDE WHICH STATUTE OUT SHE FOLLOWS AND WHICH SHE DOES NOT.

THAT'S THE BOTTOM LINE. I AM ALSO NOT INTERESTED IN POINTING FINGERS AT THE CITY ATTORNEY AND THERE ARE CONSIDERABLE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

WE SIMPLY LOOK AT THE STATUTE OUT. I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU CAN READ THAT STATUTE OUT AND SAY THAT THE COUNTY CLERK RECEIVED AND CONDUCTED A RUNOFF ELECTION

WHEN THE STATUTE OUT SAYS RUNOFF. >> I THINK IT IS A BIT DISINGENERAL -- DISINGENUOUS FOR AN ELECTION TO BE SCHEDULED, TWO PEOPLE GET IN THE RUNOFF AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT IS DELAYED AND TAKE THE POSITION WHEN NOBODY MAKES THE DECISION. SOMEHOW THE ITEM IS NOT ON THE BALLOT.

I'M SORRY IF IT IS UN -- UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT IT IS YOUR OPINION.

WE HAD THE DISCUSSION ON THAT YESTERDAY. WE ARE ASKING FOR AN ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OPINION. IT IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT YOU PUT FORTH IN COURT FOR MAKING A DECISION THAT YOU MAKE. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EVEN THIS BODY WILL DISAGREE WITH THE OPINION OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

OR THERE ARE TIMES WHEN EACH OF US IN OUR INDIVIDUAL LIVES DISAGREE WITH THE ADVICE OF AN ATTORNEY WE HIRE. I MEAN, THAT JUST HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME.

BUT THIS COULD BE A CYCLE -- IT MEANS PEOPLE CAN SPEND MONEY ON A $2.5 BILLION BOND ISSUE. THEY COULD RAISE AN ISSUE THAT IS RELEVANT TO A COURT, AND THEN YOU END UP STOPPING THE ELECTION AFTER YOU SPEND A MILLION DOLLARS CAMPAIGNING ON IT. I MEAN, YOU GOT TO -- SO THE QUESTION IN MY MIND IS WHAT WOULD BE THE LIABILITY IF WE GO FORWARD WITH THE JANUARY ELECTION AND LET A COURT SAY NO, YOU CANNOT DO IT. LOOK, I REMEMBER WHEN I CLERKED FOR THE COURT OF

[00:55:01]

WE MAY NOT HAVE THE ELECTION IN JANUARY, SO WHAT WOULD HAPPEN? AND THEN GO BACK TO -- SOMEBODY HAS TO MAKE A DECISION.

IT DIDN'T JUST NOT END UP ON THE BALLOT. I'M SORRY IF IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT TO VOTE.

>> IT IS NOT UNCOMFORTABLE, COMMISSIONER. IT IS LOOKING INTO THE THOUGHT PROCESSES OF ATTORNEYS FROM OUR OFFICE AND ATTORNEYS FROM THE CITY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WHO

IS NOT HERE. PEOPLE ARE NOT HERE -- >> WHO MAKES THE DECISION? DID THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE MAKE THE DECISION? DID DR. TROUTMAN MAKE THE DECISION? YOU CAN'T BE IN A CIRCULAR ARGUMENT.

SOMEBODY HAS TO DECIDE. >> LINA HIDALGO: BETTER YET WHO WOULD DECIDE TO PUT IT IN

THIS -- IN JANUARY BEFORE WE HEAR BACK FROM THE COURT. >> THE COUNTY CLERK CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT, BUT SHE WOULD HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO THE COURT OR SOMEBODY WHO WOULD CHALLENGE WHY WHY SHE CHOSE TO IGNORE THE PARTICULAR PROVISION OF THE ELECTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT WHAT IS THE WORST THAT COULD

HAPPEN? >> WELL, WE COULD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND DISCUSS PRESIDENT WORST. YOU -- DISCUSSING THE WORST. WELL IF YOU ARE DISOBEYING THE

YOU COULD BE REMOVED FROM OFFICE. >> I HOPE WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE DISCUSSION. MR. SWORD, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, IT IS AN OPINION.

I MEAN WE JUST WENT TO BAIL LITIGATION AND FEDERAL COURT SAYS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CONSTITUTIONAL VIOLATIONS. I SAT HERE BEFORE THE TWO MEMBERS OF THE COURT CAME AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OPINION WAS IT IS -- THE SYSTEM IS OKAY.

HAS THIS EVER HAPPENED? >> IT HAS NOT HAPPENED IN THE STATE BECAUSE NO ONE HAS CHOSEN THE ELECTION CONTEST. TO YOUR POINT THIS MAY HAPPEN AGAIN IT IS HIGHLY UNLIKELY BECAUSE OF THE SHORT TIME FRAME. HE POINTED OUT IT IS REQUIRED

TO RESOLVE THESE INCIDENTS AND THESE KINDS OF CONTESTS. >> WHY COULDN'T IT HAPPEN IN THE CITY ELECTION TWO YEARS FROM NOW OR IN A RACE WHERE SOMEBODY IS RUNNING FOR JUDGE AND TWO PEOPLE END UP IN A RUNOFF. IT WAS KNOWN THAT THE PERSON

INVOLVED HERE HAD A FELONY CONVICTION. >> WE CAN POINT FINGERS.

>> I AM I AM NOT TRYING TO DO THIS. I DON'T WANT US TO HIDE

BEHIND - BEG YOUR PARDON. >> WE CAN TALK ALL DAY LONG ABOUT WHO COULD HAVE DONE WHAT BY WHEN TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING. I DON'T SEE THE BENEFIT IN

HARRIS COUNTY TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADDICK.

>> YES, MR. SWORD, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BASICALLY WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR THE RUNOFF, AND I AM NOT TRYING TO ADDRESS SOMETHING IN JANUARY. I AM TALKING ABOUT JUST THAT.

WHEN IT CAME TIME FOR THE RUNOFF A BALLOT WAS PREPARED. A BALLOT WAS PREPARED FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO APPROVE THAT BALLOT, TO APPROVE THAT BALLOT, THE BALANCE -- BALLOT BEING USED AT THIS MINUTE. IT WAS PREPARED BY THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE.

YOU WERE INVOLVED. AND THEN THAT BALLOT WAS PRESENTED TO THE CITY OF

HOUSTON TO APPROVE. AM I CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> AND THEY APPROVED IT. >> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING, YES, SIR.

>> THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT. THE CITY COULD HAVE YELLED AND SCREAMED RIGHT THERE SAYING WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO THIS. WE ARE THEIR VENDER. THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY. WE WERE ACTING ON THEIR BEHALF.

THEY APPROVED WHAT WENT ON THE BALLOT AND WHAT PEOPLE ARE VOTING ON AS WE SPEAK RIGHT

NOW. >> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING. >> WHAT ARE WE SUPPOSED TO DO

ABOUT THAT? >> I DO WANT TO MAKE THIS COMMENT, IT WOULD MEAN THERE WOULD BE NO ELECTION FOR MAYOR. IT IS IN A CATCH 22. IF THE CITY HAD NOT APPROVED THE LANGUAGE -- THE NAMES WE SENT OVER TO BE ON THE BALLOT, THEN YOU WOULDN'T HAVE MAYOR

GOING ON. >> THE CITY COULD HAVE SAID WE WANT IT ON THERE FOR NOW AND

LET THEM WORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENS. >> THAT'S TRUE.

>> AND AS COMMISSIONER RADDICK SAID, IN RESPONSE TO THE JUDGE'S ISSUES ABOUT WHAT DO

[01:00:05]

THIS TO AVOID THE POTENTIAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND BRINGING THESE QUESTIONS. I THINK GOING FORWARD FOR OTHER ELECTIONS AND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT AND THE SPEAKERS BROUGHT UP AS WELL.

I SUGGEST WE HAVE A COUNTY PROCEDURE, WHAT TO DO IF ANOTHER CHALLENGE COMES UP.

ARE WE GOING TO -- IS THIS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN OR WHAT WILL WE DO? AND THEN IF WE GET THE ELECTION ON JANUARY'S BALLOT WHAT MIGHT WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY CLERK IN DOING TO INFORM THE COMMUNITY SO THEY WOULD COME OUT.

I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TALK ABOUT THIS JANUARY QUESTION.

I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS AND I CAN TELL THEY WILL BE BETTER ANSWERED IN EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> I THINK WE SHOULD GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT I DO WANT TO SAY THAT WE ARE COMING UP ON A HISTORIC PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

WE WILL BE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE COUNTRY IF THIS IS GOING ON AND THERE IS A LAST-MINUTE CHALLENGE AND SOMEHOW WE WILL IMPACT A PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY ON SUPER TUESDAY BECAUSE COMES UP WITH SOME CHALLENGE, AND THEN SOMEBODY SAYS WE ARE GONNA PULL OFF THE D.A.'S RACE OR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S RACE OR THE U.S. SENATE RACE BECAUSE AS AN ELECTION CHALLENGE -- I MEAN IS THERE ANYTHING UNIQUE ABOUT THIS SET OF CIRCUMSTANCES WHERE IT COULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN? I DON'T THINK SO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, ARE WE ALLOWED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THIS QUESTION?

[Item IV (Part 1 of 2)]

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE DO THAT? THANK YOU SO MUCH. IT IS 11:04 AND WE ARE GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ABOUT A

LEGAL QUESTION. >> DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ?

>> I CALLED EVERYONE TWICE. FOLKS HAVEN'T COME UP. I WILL CALL AGAIN WHEN WE

RETURN. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 11:50

[Item I (Part 2 of 3)]

>> I WILL ASK JAMES FOR THE RESOLUTION. WONDERFUL.

WE WANTED TO START THIS MORNING WITH AN ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF HOW DECEMBER FALLS INTO THE INFAMY OF OUR NATION. AND THAT IS THAT ON DECEMBER 7TH THIS YEAR MARKS THE 78TH AN -- ANNIVERSARY OF THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR.

IT WAS ON THE ISLAND OF OAHU, HAWAII. IT OBVIOUSLY SET A CHAIN OF EVENTS THAT LEAD US BY OUR PRESIDENT AT THAT TIME, FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT, AFTER 2390 AMERICAN CASUALTIES WERE REGISTERED DURING THAT ATTACK.

CASUALTIES THAT WERE ON THE BATTLESHIPS AND ON THE AIRCRAFT THAT WERE LOST IN THE PACIFIC REGION DURING THAT PARTICULAR ATTACK, AND THEN ON DECEMBER 8TH, PRESIDENT

[01:05:08]

UNFORTUNATELY THIS COURT WOULD NOT BE IN SESSION AT THAT TIME, OTHERWISE WE WOULD BE EXERCISING THE SAME -- THAT SAME HONOR. IT IS IN COMMEMORATION OF OUR FORCES WHO SHOW VALOR AS THEY FOUGHT AND IN DEFINING ONCE AGAIN THE MEDAL OF OUR GREATEST GENERATION EXPL INSPIRING ALL THOSE -- AND INSPIRING ALL THOSE WHO WERE IN WORLD WAR II AND WE HAVE YOU TO REMIND US OF THE YOUNG MEN THAT STEPPED UP AND I MENTIONED ABOUT HOW SOME LIED ABOUT THEIR AGE AND SOME PUT ROCKS IN THEIR POCKETS SO THEY COULD WEIGH JUST ENOUGH TO PASS THOSE EXAMS. SO TO THINK OF THE COURAGE AND THE HEART AND IT WAS IMPORTANT TO FIGHT FOR THIS NATION. AND THAT IS WHAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT PAYS TRIBUTE TO THE MEN AND WOMEN.

WE DID HAVE A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF WOMEN WHO WERE IN SERVICE AT THAT TIME.

AND THEY SURVIVED THE ATTACK. AND TO THOSE WHO PAID THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR FREEDOMS ON DECEMBER THE 7TH, 1941. VINCENT, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. IF YOU HAVE FLY -- ANY REMARKS ON THE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR,

PLEASE. >> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

IT WAS AN HONOR TO SERVE. 75 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH WE WERE READY TO GO INTO BATTLE.

SOME OF US -- MOST OF US WERE VOLUNTEERS. WE WERE ASK HAD -- ASKED TO VOLUNTEER AND WE WERE TOLD WE MAY NOT COME BACK. WE WERE YOUNG AND DIDN'T KNOW BETTER. ONE THING I THINK ABOUT IS 115 OF MY BROTHERS DIDN'T GET BACK. LIKE I SAID, IT WAS AN HONOR AND A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE

SERVED. GOD BLESS AMERICA. >> AMEN.

THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A COMMENT FOR YOU. >> I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND WE HAVE GOTTEN TO WORK TOGETHER ALONG THE WAY, AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER THERE TOO. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, AND I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS MADE BY PRE -- PRECINCT2. IT WAS NOT THE INFAMY OF OUR NATION, BUT THE INFAMY OF THE ENEMIES OF OUR NATION. THANK YOU AGAIN AND THANK YOU FOR REPRESENTING ALL OF OUR WORLD WAR II VETS. WE DON'T HAVE MANY ANYMORE,

BUT WE CELEBRATE AND LOVE AND APPRECIATE EVERY ONE OF YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. COULD WE -- I'M SORRY. CAN WE HAVE YOU COME UP FOR A

PICTURE? >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. LET'S TAKE A PICTURE.

[01:10:01]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WERE DISCUSSING SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM ON PAGE 22 AND THERE IS ONE MORE SPEAK OTHER THAT ITEM AND IT IS NATALIE RUIZ.

OH GREAT. YES. YOU CAN BOTH GO AHEAD AND

SPEAK. >> HELLO. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO

SPEAK. I HOPE THAT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE STATE

YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION. >> MY NAME IS NATALIE RUIZ. I AM JUST A PERSON WHO LIVES HERE AND AFFECTED BY THE DECISIONS THAT ARE MADE IN THIS COUNTY AND IN THIS CITY, AND I HAVE AN OPINION LIKE MR. ELLIS MENTIONED. I HOPE -- THERE IS ANOTHER TOPIC I WANT TO SPEAK ON. I WAS TOLD I GET THREE MINUTES TOTAL, SO I'M HOPING THAT I

CAN SPLIT THE TIME UP OR -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SPEAK YOUR THREE MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL

CALL YOU BACK UP ON THE OTHER ITEM. >> OKAY.

SO REGARDING THE CONTESTING THE VOTE AS FAR AS THE RACES, I AGREE WITH MR. ELLIS ABOUT HOW AN INCONVENIENCE IT CAN BE WHEN WE HAVE A RACE CONTESTED.

ESPECIALLY WHEN IT IS AN ISSUE REGARDING, YOU KNOW, A FELONY CHARGE WHERE THE PERSON WE KNOW IS -- HAS SERVED THEIR TIME AND IT SHOULD BE A NONISSUE.

BUT WHEN WE LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE, I THINK IT IS A LITTLE DISEMPOWERING TO JUST KIND OF GLOSS OVER THE FACT THAT THERE IS A LOT OF RACES THAT SHOULD BE CONTESTED NO MATTER WHAT RACE THEY ARE, AND IT SHOULDN'T MATTER WHAT THE INCONVENIENCE OR THE COST IS BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT OF RACES THAT ARE VERY CORRUPT. ESPECIALLY HERE IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. AS WE ALL KNOW THAT THERE WAS AN ILLEGAL LAST-MINUTE CHANGE ON THE DAY OF ELECTION, AND THAT'S VERY CONCERNING IN ITSELF.

I THINK THERE ARE OTHER ISSUES ABOUT THAT DAY YOU WILL HEAR ABOUT FROM MISS DIMITRI YAW, BUT I WANT TO ASK AND POINT OUT THE FACT THAT WE HAVE A MAYOR WHO IS IN THE RUNOFF WITH A RACE THAT WAS -- THERE WAS SOME FAULT IN THE RACE. AND THERE HASN'T BEEN ANY

[01:15:08]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.

SO WE WILL HEAR FROM MS. SMITH AND THEN DISCUSS THE OUTCOME OF EXECUTIVE SESSION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THREE MINUTES, RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> I AM DIMITRI YAW SMITH. I AM A FORMER MAYORAL CANDIDATE IN THIS 2019 ELECTION AND CONTESTED THE MAYORAL RACE LIKE DISTRICT B WAS CONTESTED.

THE LANGUAGE IS CONTESTED. SO IF THIS OFFICE HAS A DUTY TO FOLLOW THE LAW.

THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW THE LAW IN THIS REGARD AS WELL, AND THAT IS IN SECTION 232.007 OF THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. THAT IS RUNOFF NOT HELD UNTIL FINAL JUDGMENT.

A RUNOFF ELECTION FOR A CONTESTED OFFICE MAY NOT BEHELD UNTIL THE JUDGMENT IN THE CONTEST BECOMES FINAL. THIS RAILS MUST -- THIS RACE MUST STOP AS WELL AND BE PLACED OFF THE BALLOT. ANOTHER THING THAT MS. DYE APP -- DIANE TRUMPMAN, SHE HELD IT OFF EARLIER THAN THE 20TH DAY. IN THE ELECTION CODE 2.025, THE MUNICIPAL ELECTION INCLUDING THE MAYOR'S RACE WAS CANVASSED ON 11/13.

THE LAW SAYS YOU CANNOT HOLD AN ELECTION BEFORE THE 20TH DAY -- A RUNOFF ELECTION BEFORE THE 20TH DAY. SHE HELD IT THE FIRST DAHLEN:27 OF NOVEMBER -- 11/27 OF NOVEMBER. TODAY IS THE 20TH DAY THE RUNOFF ELECTION IS SUPPOSED TO START. SO SHE LOVES TO VIOLATE CODES. I CAN SEE THAT. THEY ALLOW WHAT CODES BENEFITS THEM ONLY. IF IT DISENFRANCHISED THEM -- IT ONLY HAS TO BENEFIT THEM.

THAT'S A PROBLEM. THIS BODY IS OBLIGATED TO MAKE SURE THAT THE LAW IS UPHELD TO THE HIGHEST. THIS IS A TEXAS ELECTION LAW. IT IS NOT A SENATOR RODNEY ELLIS LAW. IT IS NOT A BODY LAW. IT IS NOT ABOUT ANNE TRUMPMAN. IT IS A TEXAS LAW. THIS MAYORAL RACE MUST COME OFF THE BALLOT BY OR BEFORE DECEMBER 14TH. THERE IS NO -- NO SUCH THING IN THE LAW THAT SAYS, HEY, BEFORE THE DROPOUT BALLOT AND BEFORE THEY PUT THE BALLOTS OUT THERE YOU HAVE TO STOP THE RACE. YOU STOP THE RACE ONCE IT IS CONTESTED. THIS RACE MUST STOP WITHOUT A JUDGE RULING AND WITHOUT AN ORDER FROM THE COURT BECAUSE THERE WAS NO JUDGE RULING IN DISTRICT B OR ORDER FROM THE COURT. THEY HAVE TO USE THAT SAME LAW.

DOUGLAS WADE SENT ME ANSWER E-MAIL -- AN E-MAIL THIS MORNING THAT IT DOES NOT APPLY. OH, IT DOES APPLY BECAUSE IT IS A CONTESTED RACE AND IT WILL COMPLY. OTHERWISE HE IS OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE, AND I WILL FILE A

COMPLAINT AGAINST HIM AND HAVE HIM DISBARRED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> [APPLAUSE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE THE SAME CONCERN, AND MY UNDERSTANDING, ROBERT, FROM A DISCUSSION IS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE TIMING HERE THAT MAKES IT DIFFERENT.

>> AND MISS SMITH HAS A COURT DATE SCHEDULED AFTERNOON AND ALL OF THIS WILL BEA WORKED OUT BEFORE -- WILL BE WORKED OUT BEFORE THE DISTRICT COURT JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU CAN VISIT WITH THEM. >> JUDGE, I NEED -- I I KNOW WE NEED TO GET TO THE AGENDA AND HERE IS MY SUGGESTION. THE BUDGET HEARING WE HAVE ON MONDAY BE POSTED IN SUCH A WAY THAT IT IS BROAD ENOUGH WHATEVER LEGAL REQUIREMENTS ARE SO THAT I CAN POST MY ITEM AS WELL AND SO THAT WE CAN HAVE SOME DISCUSSION ON THIS ISSUE OF THIS ELECTION DAY I UNDERSTAND BY 5:00 A DECISION HAS TO BE MADE AS TO WHAT NAMES WILL BE ON THE BALLOT IF THIS RACE IS INCLUDED. I WANT TO GET AN UPDATE ON THAT. HERE IS THE ACTION I WILL SUGGEST IF THERE IS ENOUGH TIME FOR THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO COME UP WITH SOME THOUGHTS ON IT, AND THAT WOULD BE SOME PROCESS IN PLACE SO THAT ANY FUTURE CONTRACTS THAT THE COUNTY DOES TO HOLD ELECTIONS FOR ANOTHER BODY HAVE SOME LANGUAGE THAT ENCOURAGES THEM TO DO WHATEVER BACKGROUND CHECKS AND WHATEVER IS NECESSARY. SOMEHOW IT IS CLEAR WHAT THEIR

[01:20:04]

ALSO SOME LANGUAGE THAT WOULD GIVE DR. TROTMAN SOME COMFORT LEVEL AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT SOME COMFORT LEVEL AS TO WHO WOULD TAKE THE LIABILITY IF WE END UP IN A PREDICAMENT LIKE THIS AGAIN WITH A RUNOFF WHERE THE -- WHERE WE DECIDE TO TAKE THE RISK OR NOT.

SOME LANGUAGE ABOUT WHO PAYS IN THE EVENT ANOTHER ELECTION CONTEST COMES UP AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP SCHEDULING THE DAY. AND ALSO GIVE SOME THOUGHT AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL NEED TO RETAIN SOME EXPERT ON THE TEXAS ELECTION LAW THAT MIGHT BE HELPFUL AND NOT JUST IN CASES LIKE THIS, BUT ALSO IN HELPING TO MAKE THE CASE IF THERE IS A NEED TO CHANGE THE STATE STATUTE OUT. THEY DON'T JUST CHANGE BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAYS THEY WILL HAVE SERVED IN AUSTIN 26 YEARS. WHATEVER THEY THINK THEY CAN END UP WITH THIS IN MARCH ASSUMING AS A RUNOFF THAT THAT WOULD COME UP IN APRIL AND THE FOLKS AT THE CITY APPOINTING OVER HERE AND -- FOLKS AT THE CITY IS POINTING OVER HERE AND FOLKS OVER HERE ARE POINTING OVER THERE. WE DON'T KNOW WHO TO HOLD RESPONSIBLE FOR IF IT HAPPENS

AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I AM PERPLEXED THAT THE CITY TOOK A POSITION ON ACCEPTING THE BALLOT EARLIER ON THIS ELECTION, AND THEN TODAY WE HAVE AN ITEM ON THIS AGENDA FOR THIS COURT TO DECIDE. THERE HAS BEEN NO OFFICIAL VOTE BY THE CITY. DASH NO VOTE -- VOTE TO BY THE CITY TO CHANGE ORIGINAL POSITION. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK TO ENSURE WE FIND CLARITY AS WE MOVE FORWARD THAT THE CITY, WHEN WE GET THIS ITEM -- RATHER, TO GIVE US SOME AFFIRMATION AND SOME CLARITY AS TO WHEN WILL THE ELECTION BEHELD -- BE HELD? IT WILL BEHELD IN JANUARY. WE WOULD LIKE TO GET ALL OF THAT INFORMATION WITH THE CORRESPONDING VOTE FROM THE CITY COUNCIL UH OFFICIALING THAT -- UH OFFICIALING -- AFFIRMING THE JANUARY ELECTION. JUST SO WE CAN ALL HAVE A GOOD UNDERSTANDING HOW THIS PARTICULAR ITEM GOT ON OUR AGENDA.

IS THAT POSSIBLE? >> WE ARE CERTAINLY HAPPY TO WORK WITH -- WE WITH THE CON -- COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL WORK WITH THE DR. TROUTMAN AND THE CITY CLERK AND THE FOLKS OVER AT CITY OF HOUSTON TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO BRING IT BACK ON MONDAY.

I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUST SO I AM CLEAR, IT SOUNDS LIKE ON THE ONE HAND WE ARE THE VENDER FOR THE CITY IN THIS INSTANCE. IT IS ASKING THEM WHAT DO THEY RECOMMEND WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE LAW? WE ARE THE VENDOR AND THEN WORKING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T OPEN OURSELVES UP FOR INDEFINITELY DELAYED ELECTIONS

IN THE FUTURE, IS THAT ABOUT RIGHT? >> YEAH.

WE ARE HAPPY TO LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER. >> I WANT TO SAY, COMMISSIONER, I DID PULSE THIS ITEM FOR DISCUSSION BECAUSE I I DIDN'T WANT IT OUT THERE IN THE AIR WITH FOLKS SAYING IT WAS THE COUNTY'S DECISION IF IT WASN'T THE COUNTY'S DECISION.

I DID MAKE IT BROAD ENOUGH FOR ACTION. WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS COME UP WITH SOMETHING BROAD ENOUGH SO THAT -- WE HAVE ELECTIONS FOR EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY, RIGHT? SCHOOLS, DISTRICTS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES.

IS THAT RIGHT, DR. TROUTMAN? WE HAVE IT FOR MOST FOLKS. IF IT IS A KD SCHOOL DISTRICT OR HISD OR COMMUNITY COLLEGE, AND IF THIS ONLY APPLIES TO RUNOFFS, WE DON'T WANT TO END UP IN THIS POSITION AGAIN. SO IF THERE IS A NEED TO AMEND THE CONTRACTS, WHATEVER CAN BE DONE BECAUSE I'M ASSUMING NOW THAT THE GATE IS OPEN, I DON'T WANT IT TO TURN INTO A FLOOD GATE. I AM HOPING THERE IS SOME PRESS ATTENTION ON IT.

I KNOW THE PRESIDING JUDGE HAS NOT APPOINTED A JUDGE YET, IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT, AS OF THIS MORNING. >> SO I AM HOPING ONE IS APPOINTED SOON BECAUSE THERE IS A LOT TO GET DONE BETWEEN NOW AND MONDAY.

I DON'T WANT THE MOMENT TO JUST PASS AND THEN WE MEET AGAIN IN TWO WEEKS AND PEOPLE

[01:25:01]

>> WE WILL LOOK INTO ALL OF THOSE TOPICS, THOSE POSSIBILITIES.

>> I WANTED TO SAY SOMETHING TO YOUR POINT ABOUT THE TIMING.

ELECTION LAW GIVES YOU 30 DAYS TO FILE A CONTESTED RACE. THE FIRST 10 DAYS IS WHEN THE RESULTS IS UNOFFICIAL BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO CERTIFY THEM NO LATER THAN 11 DAYS.

AFTER THAT WHEN THE RESULTS ARE OFFICIAL, YOU CAN STILL CONTEST THE RACE.

BUT IT IS 30 DAYS. IT IS NOT 10 DAYS. IT IS UNOFFICIAL RESULTS AND YOU CAN CONTEST THE RACE. IT IS OFFICIAL RAILS YOU CAN CONTEST THE RACE.

GO BACK AND LOOK AT THE CODE. I KNOW THEY WILL TRY TO BUMP ME ON THAT ONE.

THEY WON'T WIN THAT ONE UNLESS THEY PAY THE JUDGE OFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU FOLLOW-UP WITH HER AS WELL, ROBERT. THANK YOU.

LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM AND TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS. THANK YOU.

THERE IS ONE MORE ITEM WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE. THAT IS ON THE ELECTION MACHINES. IT IS ON PAGE 10 AND ITEM 15B.

DR. TROUTAN, WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT THIS ITEM? THANK YOU.

>> AS WE SAID EARLIER I THINK EVERYBODY HAS THE TIMELINE. WE HAVE COME TO THE POINT IN THE TIMELINE WHERE WE NEED TO REQUEST AUTHORIZATION TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PURCHASE OF NEW VOTING EQUIPMENT. WE MET WITH THE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE AND RECEIVED WRITTEN FEEDBACK AND WE HAD AN ELECTION MACHINE VENDER FARE WHERE THE COMMUNITY CAME OUT AND IT WAS OPEN TO THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THEY HAD WRITTEN FEEDBACK AND ONLINE. AND SO WE ARE COMPILING THAT AND THE NEXT STEP IS TO START THE RFP PROCESS. THIS IS JUST ASKING FOR AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH AN RFP PROCESS. NOTHING ELSE. QUESTIONS?

SPEAKERS? [INAUDIBLE] >> YES, I DID.

ELLIS HAD A COMMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OBVIOUSLY IT WILL COME BACK FOR A FINAL

VOTE. >> YES. THIS WILL BE THE LONGEST PART OF THE PROCESS IS THE RFP PROCESSING -- PROCESS. IT WILL BE MONTHS BEFORE WE

COME BACK WITH THAT. THIS IS JUST THE RFP. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL ADD BEFORE THE VOTE, OF COURSE THIS WILL MAKE IT EASIER IN LIGHT OF THE STRAIGHT TICKET VOTING. I'M SURE WE WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THAT TO MAKE VOTING MORE EFFICIENT. OF COURSE, WE WON'T HAVE THEM UNTIL 2021.

I WANT TO REITERATE MY CONCERN AND COMMITMENT TO YOU TO SUPPORT WORK TO MAKE THOSE LINES SHORTER AND FAST AND ANYTHING WE NEED TO DO FOR THESE 2020 ELECTIONS GIVEN THAT WE STILL USE THE OLD VOTING MACHINES FOR THOSE ELECTIONS.

>> AND YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. AND THE MAIN WAY WE ARE INTRODUCING THAT IS THE COUNTY WIDE POLLING PROGRAM. PEOPLE DO NOT HAVE TO WAIT IN LINE ANY LONGER. THEY CAN GO TO ANY ONE OF -- ON NOVEMBER 2020 ELECTION DAY AND 705 -- 750 LOCATIONS. WE HAVE RECEIVED DATA BACK FROM THAT THAT SHOWS PEOPLE ARE EXTREMELY FAVORABLE TO THIS KIND OF VOTING, AND THAT THEY USED IT TO VOTE WHERE IT

WAS CONVENIENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: 48%. >> CONGRATULATIONS.

>> IT IS ACTUALLY 52 IS WHAT THEY ARE COMING UP WITH. BOB STEIN'S NEW EVALUATION IS

SHOWING 52%, OVER HALF. >> WHAT DID WE DO WITH THE OLD ONES ? DO WE BUY THEM AND THEN SELL THEM TO SOMEBODY ELSE? HAUL THEM AWAY?

>> WE CAN DEFINITELY SELL THEM TO OTHER COUNTIES. MANY SMALL COUNTIES CANNOT AFFORD THIS NEW EQUIPMENT AT ALL. I THINK THEY WOULD BE VERY

[01:30:03]

HAPPY TO PURCHASE OUR EQUIPMENT. >> GET SOME EXTRAS BECAUSE WE

MAY HAVE A LOT MORE ELECTIONS. >> AND WE PROBABLY WILL, COMMISSIONER. WE WILL PROBABLY BE ASKING FOR THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR -- OH IT LOOKS LIKE -- WE HAVE A COUPLE MORE

SPEAKERS. EDGAR AND BARRY TOMISON. >> HI, GOOD MORNING OR AFTERNOON NOW. MY NAME IS EDGAR SALDOVAR OF THE ACLU OF TEXAS AND WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT THE HARRIS COUNTY CLERK'S EFFORTS TO INITIATE THIS PROCESS, THE RFP PROCESS FOR THE VOTING MACHINESS -- MACHINE MACHINES.

IT IS PRETTY WELL UNDERSTOOD AND IT IS BASED ON RESEARCH AND PARTISAN RESEARCH THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE A MODERN VOTING SYSTEM THAT ALLOWS FOR EVERY VOTE TO BE COUNTED EFFECTIVELY AND THAT'S WHY WE THINK IT IS IMPORTANT. I WILL LAYOUT THREE REASONS WHY WE THINK IT IS AN IMPORTANT PROS -- PROCESS AND WHY WE SHOULD ACT EXPEDITIOUSLY TO MAKE IT HAPPEN. HARRIS COUNTY'S VOTING SYSTEM IS AGING. IT IS NOT SECURE, AND IT CAN'T BE AUDITED.

EXPERTS ARGUE THAT OUTDATED VOTING TECHNOLOGY POSES A SERIOUS RISK OF LEAVING VOTES UNCOUNTED. SYSTEM THAT'S CAST AND COUNT BALLOTS DIGITALLY HAVE MORE FAILURES AND IT CAN'T CATCH -- CAN CATCH MISTAKES THROUGH AUDIT ORIE COUNTS.

THE VOTING SYSTEM IS EXACERBATED BY THE WELL-KNOWN THREATS FACING U.S.

ELECTIONS. REASON NUMBER TWO, THE U.S. CONSTITUTION REQUIRES VOTING SYSTEMS THAT ENSURE EVERY VOTER CAN CAST AN EFFECTIVE VOTE.

THE ONLY WAY TO ENSURE THAT ALL TEXANS' VOTES ARE COUNTED IS TO HAVE A RECORD THAT CANNOT BE ALTERED BY MACHINE FAILURE OR HACKING. EVERY VOTER DESERVES A VOTE.

ON A VOTING STIPPLES THAT MEETS -- VOTING SYSTEM THAT'S MEANS BEST PRACTICE FOR VOTING SYSTEMS. MOST IMPORTANTLY WHATEVER SYSTEM HARRIS COUNTY ADOPTS SHOULD PROVIDE THE MEANS AND OPPORTUNITY TO VERIFY HUMAN, READABLE MARKS ON PAPER THAT CORRECTLY REPRESENT THE INTENDED SELECTIONS BEFORE CASTING THEIR BALLOT.

NOT DOING SO I'M PER MISS BELLY VIOLATES THE RIGHTS OF VOTERS.

AND IT IS VITAL THAT THEY IMPLEMENT THE SYSTEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

WE AT THE ACLU ARE HAPPY TO SERVE AS RESOURCES FOR THE COUNTY AND FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AS EXPERTS ON THESE ISSUES WITH REGARD TO VOTING RIGHTS AND TO ENSURE THAT WE HAVE A RELIABLE, SAFE AND AUDITABLE VOTING SYSTEM. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR

SERVICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO.

BARRY THOMPSON. ALL RIGHT. OKAY.

SO LET'S GO BACK TO THE MOTION AND THE SECOND. >> SO MOVED.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR.

OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

SO THOSE WERE THE TWO OUT OF ORDER ITEMS. LET'S GO BACK THROUGH THE

AGENDA AND START WITH COUNTY ENGINEER. >> THIS IS WHERE WE ARE ASKING THE COURT IN CONJUNCTION WITH FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO GIVE A NEW FLOOD INSURANCE FOR RESERVOIRS AND A NATIONAL RELEASE. IN ESSENCE WE WANT TO SHOW THAT THESE HAZARDS EXIST UP STREAM OF THE RESERVOIR AND THAT'S NOT THE CURRENT

PROCESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO JUST KNOW AND HAVE THE TRANSPARENCY OF IF THEY LIVE IN THE FLOOD POOLS, AND I HAVE HEARD MANY, MANY RESIDENTS THAT JUST WISH TO HAVE THIS INFORMATION.

ONCE IT IS MAPPED, I WILL BE EAGER TO THEIR -- TO SHARE THAT WITH THE COMMUNITY.

AS I UNDERSTAND IT DOESN'T INFLUENCE FLOOD INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS.

>> THAT IS CORRECT. IT IS PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY FOR THE PURCHASE OF INSURANCE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND SO THEY KNOW WHERE THEY ARE LIVING AND ARE NOT SURPRISED THEY LIVE IN SAID RESERVOIR. THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. ANYTHING ELSE, JOHN?

>> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

[01:35:01]

TOLL ROAD. >> I HAVE AN ITEM FOR TOLL ROAD, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ON ITEM B WITH THE WORK BEING DONE, VERY IMPORTANT WORK BEING DONE ON THE FERRY AND THE WASHBURN TUNNEL, IF WE CAN GET SOMEONE FROM THE TOLL ROAD TO COME DOWN AND REAFFIRM THAT -- WE ARE LOOKING AT THE HOLIDAY SEASON AND I WANT PEOPLE TO CONTINUE TO HEAR THAT LAYOFFS ARE NOT BEING QUIETLY PLANNED, AND EMPLOYEES ARE NOT BEING REPLACED AND VERY GOOD TO SEE AND YOU THANK YOU FOR THE IMPORTANT WORK ON THE FERRY AND ON THE TUNNEL. BUT JUST TO GIVE OUR EMPLOYEES IN THOSE TWO OPERATIONS SOME COMFORT IN THIS HOLIDAY SEASON, ARE THERE ANY LAYOFFS YOU ARE DOING?

>> NO. I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AND THESE ARE REQUESTS TO PUT OUT TWO RFP'S, ONE FOR THE TUNNEL AND ONE FOR THE FERRY.

THEY ARE PURE ENGINEERING STUDIES TO BE DONE TO LOOK AT WHAT NEEDS -- TO SEE WHAT CORRECTIONS OR IMPROVEMENTS THAT CAN BE MADE, AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH OPERATIONS OR THE EMPLOYEES ON -- THE EMPLOYEE. OUR PLAN IS TO KEEP EVERYTHING LIKE IT IS AS FAR AS OPERATIONS. THIS IS JUST -- EVEN THOUGH WE DON'T TAKE OVER THE TUNNEL UNTIL MARCH 1ST TO GET THIS PROCESS STARTED, BUT IT

IS PURE ENGINEERING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I APPRECIATE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GIVE THOSE EMPLOYEES AND THEIR IMPORTANT WORK OVER SO MANY YEARS TO KEEP THE OPERATIONS GOING.

I WANT TO GIVE THEM COMFORT THAT THERE IS NO DEVIANT PLAN TO LAY THEM OFF AND SHOVE THEM

OUT THE DOOR. >> WELL, WE HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH MOST OF THE EMPLOYEES, SOME WITH YOU AND OTHER TIMES AND THEY ARE A GREAT BUNCH OF FOLKS.

THAT'S ALL I CAN SAY. >> GOOD DEAL. THANK YOU SO MUCH, GARY.

APPRECIATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MOVING TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

>> JUDGE ON PAGE 7, ITEM E, AFTER WE PUBLISHED THE AGENDA WE LEARNED THAT WE NEEDED TO HAVE A MORE DETAILED DISCLOSURE, SO SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE ITEM 1 IS THAT FURTHER DETAIL. I WILL TAKE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER. >> A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ONE IS THAT UPON THE PROGRAM, HOW DO WE DO MORE OF DESIGNATED -- DESIGNATING

AREAS FOR THE UB5 PROGRAM? >> I WILL HAVE TO GET BACK WITH YOU AND TELL YOU WHAT THE PARAMETERS ARE. THESE USUALLY COME TO US AND WE USUALLY HELP OUT IN THAT REGARD. LET ME FIND OUT HOW WE CAN DO MORE MARKETING OF IT.

>> AND SECONDLY, AND I WILL ASK FOR MR. SWORD TO GIVE GUIDANCE ON, THIS BUT WE ARE LOOKING INTO THE BUDGET HEARINGS COMING UP, AND I WANTED TO LAYOUT A FEW ITEMS TO CONSIDER IN THE PROCESS OF OUR BUDGETING. I AM ASSUMING I COULD -- DOES

IT MATTER WHICH ONE OF THESE ITEMS ? >> I AM LOOKING TO SEE WHAT IS

ON THE -- >> WELL, JUST BASICALLY TO -- >> [INAUDIBLE]

>> YEAH, THANK YOU. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF CONVERSATION WITH THE EFFECTIVE RATE THAT WE WILL BE UNDER, THE STATE CAP THAT'S BEEN OPPOSED, AND THE CHALLENGES OF THE GROWTH OF THE COUNTY. AND IN THE CONVERSATION THAT WE WILL BE LOOKING AT, BUDGETS FOR THE MOST PART, BUT STILL NEEDING TO UNDERSTAND HOW WE WILL MOVE THE COUNTY COURT WITH ALL OF THE GIVEN PRIORITIES THAT WE HAVE.

SO I WANTED TO HAVE A CONVERSATION OF WHAT I AM HOPING TO SEE AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS THAT ARE GOING TO BE COMING THROUGH THE BUDGET HEARING PROCESS TO HAVE IN

[01:40:05]

AND THAT IS WE OUGHT TO STRIVE TO ACHIEVE AS MUCH AS THE 0-BASED BUDGETING CONCEPT AS POSSIBLE. IT WOULD BE -- SECONDLY THAT WE SHOULD STUDY THE ROLL OVER AND CONSIDER A FREEZE ON THE ROLL OVER AND HOW THAT APPLIES TO THE BUDGETING PROCESS AND TO THE COMING YEARS AS WE ROLL THAT OVER. WE WILL LET THE DEPARTMENTS ASK ABOVE THAT NUMBER. AND THEN THIRDLY TO LOOK AT BUDGETING PRIORITIES WITH RESPECT TO THOSE DEPARTMENT THAT'S HAVE COUNTY WIDE RESPONSIBILITIES.

SO, MR. JACKSON, YOU AND I HAVE HAD THIS CONVERSATION, BUT -- AND I KNOW THIS IS GOING TO BE -- IT COULD BE UNCOMFORTABLE FOR SOME, BUT WITH THE UNKNOWN OF THE FUTURE IN FRONT OF US WHETHER IT IS RECESSION COMING OR NOT, I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE READY TO BUCKLE UP AND MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND HOW THINGS ARE BUDGETED AND TOWARD THINGS THAT CAN BE MEASURED, PRIORITIES LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH AND OTHER THINGS THAT HAVE COUNTY WIDE IMPLICATIONS AND JUST MAKE SURE WE ARE PREPARING THE DEPARTMENTS TO BE READY FOR A VERY GOOD CONVERSATION DURING THE BUDGET

HEARINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IN LIGHT IF I ASKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF THE VISA, INTEREST ON THE COUNTY'S PART IN TERMS OF THE BUDGET ISSUES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO ASK THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO COME BACK AND WHAT WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF OTHER PROGRAMS LIKE OPPORTUNITY ZONES. I DON'T THINK WE ASK IT BE DESIGNATED TO THE EXTENT THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE DID, AND THEY ARE IN THE COUNTY LIMITS, AND WE SHOULD BE PUTTING TOGETHER A STRATEGY. I KNOW WE ARE WAITING FOR A DEPARTMENT TO BE CREATED, AND IT IS TAKING AWHILE TO DO IT. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MAYBE DURING THE BUDGET PROCESS IF, WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION ON HOW TO EXPAND THE EV5 OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS OTHER OPPORTUNITIES. AND THEN ON THE $500 MILLION PACKAGE HERE, OF COMMERCIAL PAPER, IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM IT WILL HAVE REFERENCE TO THE FIRMS INVOLVED. BO WE HAVE A

DO WE HAVE A MINORITY OF WOMEN ON THE FIRMS INVOLVED? >> I DON'T WANT TO HOLD AN ITEM, BUT -- I DON'T CARE WHO, BUT I KNOW THE DISPARITY STUDY IS -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ON EVERY OPPORTUNITY -- I ASSUME SINCE THIS IS COMMERCIAL PAPER, AND I DON'T

KNOW -- >> THESE ARE BIG BANKS. THIS PUT TOGETHER IN

COORDINATION WITH THE FOLLOWING ADVISER. >> DO WE HAVE A M -- A

OFFICIAL INVOLVED? >> THEY ACQUIRED THE ONE WE HAD, AND WE ARE GOING BACK OUT

TO -- LATER THIS MONTH IN JANUARY. >> I DON'T WANT TO HOLD AN ITEM. I GOT THAT -- IN OTHER WORDS I DON'T WANT TO BLAME THE MWBE'S.

I TOLD YOU WHEN I GOT IN THIS BUSINESS AND I BECAME A HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE, IT GAVE ME THE FIRST OPPORTUNITY WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL TO GET IN THE BOND BUSINESS WHEN I COULDN'T GET IN WITH THE STATE OF TEXAS. I DID GO AND TELL SENATOR WASHINGTON AT THE TIME WHO WERE BUILDING THE PRISONS TO ISSUE UH -- ON YOU LOT OF BONDS. MY CONSTITUENTS AND I WERE THE FIRST LOOKED -- LOCKED OUT.

I DON'T WANT TO -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T WAIT UNTIL ALL OF THE BONDS ARE ISSUED AND THEN THEY SAY WE WILL BRING YOU IN. YOU KNOW I KNOW THIS

BUSINESS. >> ON THE FA PART RFA MERGED INTO --

>> OH HAPPY DAY. TELL THEM TO FIND ANOTHER ONE.

>> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT. >> YOU FIGURE THAT OUT. >> YES, SIR I THINK DOUG LAST

[01:45:07]

TOLD ME WE CAN ADD A FIRM ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT. >> I DON'T WANT TO GO -- I AM NOT TRYING TO DO IT AT THE TABLE. AND MR. JACKSON IF YOU CAN YOU SHOULD LOOK. IT HAS BEEN FIVE MONTHS, I THINK.

>> IT HAS BEEN A FEW MONTHS. WE HAVE MADE THAT QUARTERBACK.

>> I THOUGHT IT HAD BEEN DONE. SO TRY TO GET IT DONE.

>> I SHARE THE SAME CONCERNS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

AND NOW LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS. >> I'M SORRY TO INTERRUPT.

DID YOU JUST TAKE ACTION WHERE WHEREAS -- >> WE WENT THROUGH ALL OF THEM.

>> ARE WE ADDING ANOTHER OFFICIAL? >> NO, SIR.

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK INTO IT. >> SO THERE IS NO ACTION THAT IS BEING --

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS WE ARE NOT CHANGING. WE WILL LOOK INTO IT AND WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE COURT IF AND WHEN WE LOCATE IT.

NOT IF -- NOT WHEN, BUT IF. >> TO MAKE IT CLEAR, I MOVE THEY ADD AN MWBE FIRM OF THEIR

CHOOSING. >> CAN YOU UH OFFICIAL THE -- AFFIRM THE LAW --

>> IT WASN'T A BOND PACKAGE. >> IT WAS FOR A BANK. >> I SECOND THE MOTION.

>> THAT WAS LITIGATION. THAT WAS OPIOID LITIGATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION OF WHICH ITEM ON THE 5MILLION, 4E TO ADD A OFFICIAL --

>> AN MWB LAW OFFICIAL AND THEY USE BEST EFFORTS TO ADD IT TO THE FINANCING.

>> DO YOU HAVE ONE IN HIND -- IN MIND, ROBERT? >> I DO NOT.

I DON'T KNOW IF DOUGLAS DOES OR NOT. >> DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING IN

MIND? >> I AM DOUGLAS GRAY WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

I HAVE A NUMBER OF FIRMS THAT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT.

I WOULD MERELY HAVE TO CHECK WITH THEM TO SEE IF THEY ARE WILLING TO DO THE WORK.

WE COULD PASS THIS NOW AND THEN BRING BANG -- BRING BACK THE ADDICTION OF THE FIRM AND

HAVE IT APPROVED NEXT TIME. >> AS I UNDERSTAND IT, ROBERT, YOU ARE THE GUYS THAT MAKE THE CHOICES ON THE ATTORNEYS. WE JUST APPROVE WHAT YOUR CHOICE IS.

>> YES, SIR, THAT'S CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU WILL SELECT A QUALIFIED FIRM?

>> CERTAINLY. AS MR. RAY SAID WE HAVE A NUMBER AND A LIST, BUT WE DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ADD IT TO THIS PROJECT, BUT WE CAN DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO CLARIFY THAT IS ITEM 4E ON PAGE 7, AND IT IS ALSO SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER ONE. THIS PERTAINS TO BOTH ITEMS. WE HAVE A MOTION.

IT IS BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

>> JUDGE QUICKLY BEFORE WE MOVE OI WANTED TO GET SOME INITIAL REACTION FROM

MR. JACKSON ON THE ITEMS FOR THE BUDGET HEARING. >> AS FAR AS PUTTING EVERYTHING OUT AND AS FAR AS TO THE DEPARTMENTS MAY HAVE GIVEN THEIR SUBMISSION OF FACTS DURING THE BUDGET PRESENTATION WE COULD ENCOURAGE THEM AT THAT TIME TO BRING BACK MORE PER -- PERFORMANCE MEASURES. THE ROLL OVER IS SOMETHING THAT AS THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE DEVELOPS THE REVENUE, WE WILL LOOK AT THAT.

IT IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF HOW WE FINANCE PAYROLL AND STAY AWAY FROM USING TAX ANTICIPATION NOTICE. IF WE MOVE BACK TO TAX ANTICIPATION NOTICE AND SEND A NOTICE IT SHOWS WE ARE STARTING TO USE IT. WE ARE MORE THAN WILLING AND WE MET TO TRY TO INTEGRATE IT. WE CAN'T GO TO A PURE 0 BASED BUDGET THIS LATE IN THE GAME, BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF WAYS TO DO 0 BASED BUDGET, BUT THE EL -- THE ELEMENTS ARE BASICALLY WHAT SERVICES ARE WE PROVIDING, AT WHAT LEVEL AND DO WE NEED TO PROVIDE MORE AND CREATE INCENTIVE THAT'S THEY CAN DO MORE WITH LESS MONEY? WE UNDERSTAND THE CONCEPTS. THE BUDGET MEETING IS THE TIME TO ASK.

THEIR THOUGHTS ON THAT TOO. THE WAY WE HAVE DONE IT BY ALLOWING PEOPLE TO SAVE MONEY, IF THEY SAVE THE MONEY THEY CAN ROLL IT OVER. THAT WAS A COVENANT THAT WAS MADE. WE ARE RIGHT AT ABOUT $100 MILLION.

THAT'S REAL MONEY. I HATE TO GET AWAY FROM THAT, BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY STUDY IT AND SHOW YOU THE BENEFITS. A LOT OF TIMES IT IS A CARROT AND NOT A STICK-TYPE BUDGET.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A QUESTION AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

[01:50:06]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU WOULD WHEN WE DO THE BUDGET PROCESS, GIVE AS YOU CHART WHERE WE WERE 8, QUOTE, IN THE LAST 10 YEARS, ON THE USE OF TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES.

SO WHERE WE WERE EACH YEAR TO LOOK AT IT. AND SO THE EXTENT WE WANT TO SPEND MONEY, BUT WE DIDN'T BRING THE MONEY IN. THAT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS A DISCUSSION AND IT MEANS WE ARE PAYING MORE FOR IT, SO IT WILL COST US MORE IN THE LONG RUN IF WE HAD TO PULL OUT THE CREDIT CARD.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DEMISTIFY THAT. >> YOU ARE ACTUALLY SPENDING MONEY IN ADVANCE OF RECEIVING THE MONEY. AND SO YOU ARE BASICALLY SPENDING NEXT YEAR'S MONEY ON THIS YEAR'S ACTIVITY. ONE OF THE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT TANS AND I HAVE TO STUDY MORE IS THAT TANS YOU HAVE TO PAY THEM ALL OFF BY THE END OF THE YEAR. YOU HAVE TO GET THEM ALL PAID OFF BY FEBRUARY 28TH.

YOU WANT TO GO TO SEPTEMBER 30TH. >> CHANGE OF BUDGET CYCLE.

>> THAT'S THE WAY IT SHOULD BE. WHEN OUR BALANCE IS AS LOW AS IT GETS SO YOU WON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO PAY IT OFF THAT WAY. I HAVE TO FIND OUT --

>> TO CHANGE THE BUDGET DON'T YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR THE COMPUTER SYSTEM?

>> I WANT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM TO BE STABLE FOR YON YEAR. THAT -- FOR ONE YEAR.

THAT'S PROBABLY 2022, A FISCAL YEAR. AND THEN IT WILL BE A SHORT YEAR FROM MARCH 1ST TO SEPTEMBER 30TH. AND THEN IT WILL BE FULL RUNNING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I MET ON THIS YESTERDAY AND I CAN UNDERSTAND THE POINTS AND ALL THAT, BUT I WANT TO GIVE YOU THE FACTS SO Y'ALL CAN MAKE THE DECISION. I HAVE GRAPHS I PUT TOGETHER FOR THE BUDGET PRESENTATION TO SHOW YOU THAT. JUST LIKE ONE OF THE THINGS, OUR AUDITOR DOES THE REVENUE.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE COLLECTING RIGHT NOW AND THE REVENUE ESTIMATE HAD A RATE HIGHER THAN IT IS NOW BECAUSE WE WENT TO AN EFFECTIVE RATE. THAT UH FOACTS -- THAT AFFECTS THE BEGINNING CASH BACK. AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE TO WORK THROUGH IS IF WE HAVE THE EFFECTIVE RATE NEXT YEAR HOW DO WE PUT THAT IN THE REVENUES? DO WE USE THE THREE AND A HALF PERCENT? THESE ARE ALL CHALLENGE THAT'S WE ARE TRYING TO WORK THROUGH, BUT WE DO THINK WE WILL HAVE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN $40 MILLION AND $50 MILLION OF NEW MONEY. IT IS NOT LIKE REVENUE WENT DOWN.

IT IS JUST THAT WE ARE NOT HAVING AS MUCH AS WE HAD BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE GOOD GROWTH IN THE COUNTY AND THEN SOME OPERATIONS TO THE TOLL ROADS.

WE HAVE SOME PLUSES THERE, BUT THE INITIAL ASK OR REQUEST FROM THE DEPARTMENT FAR, FAR EXCEEDED WHAT THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD BE. AND THAT'S WHAT THE CHALLENGE IS GOING TO BE FROM WHAT PEOPLE WANT VERSUS WHAT PEOPLE NEED.

COMMISSIONER GASH -- GAR SEE -- GARCIA SAYS YOU NEED MEASURES TO SEE WHAT PEOPLE

NEED. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH REGARD TO THE ROLL OVER THAT'S A REFORM THAT STARTED BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO COME. OUR BUDGETING PROTS -- PROCESS BEFORE THE ROLL OVER IS WE WOULD TELL PEOPLE THIS IS YOUR BUDGET. IF YOU DON'T USE IT, WE WILL CUT YOUR BUDGET NEXT YEAR. THAT'S THE WAY A LOT OF GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES HAVE DONE THEIR THING. WHEN I WAS A JUDGE AT THE END OF THE YEAR WOULD GET CLOSE AND WE ORDERED EXTRA SUPPLIES AND TOILET PAPER AND PENS TO NOT GET THE BUDGET CUT THE NEXT YEAR AND WE HAD TO SPEND EVERYTHING WE HAD. THAT WAS A LITTLE INY -- INEFFICIENT BECAUSE FOLKS WERE SPENDING ON THINGS THEY DIDN'T NECESSARILY NEED, AND THEY WEREN'T MAKING THE BEST BUDGET -- BUDGETARY DECISIONS JUST TO MAKE SURE THEIR NEXT YEAR'S BUDGET WASN'T CUT. WE ACTUALLY STARTED TO FIND THAT THEERS AND OUR DEPA -- WERE ABLE TO SAVE THE DOLLARS INSTEAD OF GOING TO THE EXTRA OFFICE SUPPLIES THEY MAY NOT HAVE NEEDED, BUT THEY SPENT IT ANYWAY TO KEEP THE BUDGET FROM BEING WHACKED NEXT YEAR THEY WERE ABLE TO SAVE UP FUNDS AND THEN REQUEST ANOTHER EMPLOYEE OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT WAS ACTUALLY VERY MUCH BENEFICIAL TO THE PROGRESSION OF THAT DEPARTMENT.

AND THEN THE SECONDARY BENEFIT OF THAT ROLL OVER PROCESS IN ADDITION TO HAVING SMARTER BUDGETING WHERE PEOPLE WEREN'T SPENDING IT OR LOSING IT, BUT THEY WERE SPENDING WHAT THEY WERE NEEDING TO AND KNOWING WHAT THEY DID NOT SPEND WOULD BE A SAVINGS THAT THEY WOULD

[01:55:01]

IT WAS 10S -- 10 MONTHS WE HAD TO BORROW AGAINST TANS WHICH IS TAX ANTICIPATION NOTES. I CALL THEM PAY DAY LOANS. BY HAVING THE ROLL OVER FUNDS THAT MEANT THE COUNTY HAD FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR US TO HAVE IN THE BANK.

WE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO GO OUT AND DO THE PAY DAY LOANS BECAUSE WE HAD IT ALREADY IN OUR ACCOUNT. THAT REFORM WAS ABOUT SEVEN YEARS AGO, JUDGE, AND I THINK IT PAID OFF AND I THINK THE BILL WILL SHOW THAT. I KNOW THAT FROM WHERE MY CIRCUMSTANCES ARE, I DIDN'T LIKE HAVING TO DO PAY DAY LOANS.

HAVING DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS WHERE THEY COULD BE EFFICIENT -- IF WE GO BACK TO THE MODA, IF YOU DON'T USE IT WE WILL TAKE IT AWAY FROM YOU AND WE WILL GO BACK TO THE OLD MODEL OF GOVERNMENT AND EVERYBODY WILL BE THE BUREAUCRAT AND SPEND IT IN THEIR BUDGET AND

NOT LOSE IT THE NEXT YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS WORTH -- I MEAN COMPARING THIS YEAR'S DOCUMENTS OR -- I GUESS EARLIER THIS YEAR -- YOU KNOW TO LAST YEAR'S PROCESS, THE PROCESS WE CAME IN WITH IN JANUARY, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PROGRESS MADE.

THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SUBMITTED DETAILED REQUESTS. THEY ARE PROMOTING METRICS AND PROPOSING GOALS. THAT'S NOT ALL THE WAY TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND I KNOW YOU GUYS, AND I APPRECIATE THAT THIS WILL BE A PROCESS, AND REGARDLESS OF EFFECT OF IT RATE OR NOT, WE ARE MOVING THE COUNTY TO A DIRECTION OF METRICS-BASED BUDGETING AND THE SMARTEST WAY TO BUDGET WHATEVER THAT IS AND WE APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THE DIFFERENT PROPOSALS. THE CONCERN WHEN WE COME AROUND TO BUDGETING IS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS SOME GROWTH IN REVENUES, IT DOESN'T KEEP UP WITH THE GROWTH IN NEEDS AND POPULATION. AND SO WE ARE NOT GONNA BE ABLE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY MUCH LESS THE WANTS. THAT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS WE WILL HAVE OVER THE NEXT TWO MONTHS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE TWO SEPARATE CONVERSATIONS.

ONE IS MAKING THE BUDGET PROCESS SMARTER AND MORE EFFICIENT WHICH IS TO BE DONE REGARDLESS. AND THEN THERE IS THE ISSUE OF WE AREN'T GOING TO HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO KEEP UP WITH THE LEVEL OF SERVICES THAT WE NORMALLY PROVIDE SIMPLY BECAUSE THE POPULATION GROWTH AND PER -- PER CAPITA REVENUE IS DECREASING COMPARED TO THE NEEDS. WE WILL HAVE PLENTY OF TIME FOR THAT.

>> WE PUT A LOT OF EFFORT INTO THIS YEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU MY OFFICE HAS ONLY GROWN FROM 49 TO 51 PEOPLE IN THE LAST SEVEN YEARS.

AND THAT'S TAKING ON A GROUP CALLED TANS, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND WE HAD ADJUSTMENTS FOR A LONGTIME. THEY WERE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK.

I MAY HAVE TO COME BACK AND DO MORE PERFORMANCE MEASURES AND ASK FOR MORE PEOPLE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRYING TO PRACTICE WHAT WE PREACH IN OUR OWN OFFICE.

THERE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF WORK IN OUR OFFICE. WE TALKED TO YOU AND YOU WANTED MORE, AND I THINK YOU WILL SEE THAT IN OUR PRESENTATION THAT'S ARE COMING

UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND LET'S MOVE TO LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS.

COMMISSIONERS -- UNIVERSAL SERVICES. >> 7A AND I DON'T HAVE A CLEAR NOTE ON WHAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH IT. APPROVE A SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL REVIEW

>> BRUCE HIGH, UNIVERSAL SERVICES. WE ARE QUA -- ARE ASKING FOR 2 MORE WEEKS. I KNOW WE DON'T LIKE TO WITHDRAW OR WITHHOLD, BUT WE

WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT OFF AND BRING IT BACK IN TWO WEEKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION.

SO LET NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON ITEM 7A. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: PUBLIC HEALTH. COMMUNITY SERVICES.

>> JUDGE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSION -- YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF HE CAN COME IN AND IT APPLIES TO BOTH OF THEIR DEPARTMENTS, BUT I -- MR. SWORD I KNOW THERE IS A HEARING TALKING ABOUT THE DR MONEY AT TEXAS SOUTHERN NEXT WEEK. I WAS BRIEFED BY, I GUYS MATT

[02:00:06]

BYWAY OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S PAGE 8

AND ITEM 9B. >> B OR D? >> IT IS B AND D.

>> LINA HIDALGO: B AND D, OKAY. >> EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE

HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SINCE IT IS BROAD ENOUGH, I DON'T KNOW IF THEY RAN IT BY YOU. JUDGE AND MEMBERS, THERE IS GOING TO BE A HEARING ABOUT THE CDBG COMMUNICATIONS DRAFT STIT ACTION PLAN DASH STATE ACTION PLAN. THE LAST ONE IS IN HARRIS COUNTY IN EXWEEK.

COUNTY NEXT WEEK. >> CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS ALREADY POSTED AS A STATE HEARING SO IF BROAD ENOUGH FOR A QUARTER OF US TO GO AND INITIALLY THE DEPARTMENT WILL ASK SINCE I SPENT TIME IN AUSTIN FOR YOU AND I TO GO.

I SUGGESTED THEY COME UP WITH THINGS THE DEPARTMENT SHOULD AGREE ON THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE STATE TO CONSIDER THE CHANGE. I THINK IT IS A POWERFUL STATEMENT. IF AS MANY OF US AS POSSIBLE CAN GO AND IF THEY COME UP WITH LANGUAGE THAT PUTS US ON THE SAME PAGE AND COMMISSIONER RADACK AND CAGLE IN PARTICULAR, I THINK IT WOULD BE A POWERFUL STATEMENT. JUDGE, THEY KNOW YOU ARE A GREAT UNIFY YES, SIR, BUT -- UNIFIER, BUT IT IS IMPORTANT STUFF.

THEY DID EXPLAIN TO ME UNDER ONE INTERPRETATION INSTEAD OF GETTING THE BILLION DOLLARS WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET, WE WILL GET A LITTLE UNDER 400 MILLION AND THAT IS COUNTING FROM 2016, 2017 AND NEW MONEY. WE WANT TO BE RM -- RESPECTFUL WITH OUR STATE AND FEDERAL PARTNERS, BUT WE WANT TO BE OFFICIAL -- WE WANT TO BE FIRM IN A BIPARTISAN WAY.

I ASK THEM TO REACH OUT TO COMMISSIONER BUSH'S STAFF. I WILL TEXT HIM TO LET HIM KNOW THE INTERPRETATION WE HAVE APPEARS TO HAVE SOME DRAW CONE YEN -- DRACONIAN IMPACT.

THE CITY HAS THE SAME CONCERNS. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE THOSE OF US WHO CAN GO, AND IT IS BROAD ENOUGH TO COME UP WITH LANGUAGE THAT WE AGREE ON AND WE WANT TO TELL THE STATE IN CHANCE WHAT OUR CONCERNS ARE SO WE DON'T SURPRISE THEM AND MAYBE OUR READING AS I STATE ELDERLY -- STATED EARLIER IS OUR OPINION.

IT IS IMPORTANT PARTICULARLY IF MY REPUBLICAN COLLEAGUE CAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

COMMISSIONER, I THINK THIS IS ONE OF THE ISSUES THAT IF I AM HEARING THE GOVERNOR TALK AND HEARS FRUSTRATION ABOUT OUR SLOW RECOVERY IN THE AREA. THE INTERPRETATION OF WHAT THE RULES ARE DOESN'T ALLOW FOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT WE TALK ON THAT AND SPEAK TO THAT AND JUST TRY TO WIN THEM OVER ON THE FACT THAT IF NOT FOR HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS WOULDN'T GET THE RECOVERY DOLLARS IT HAS GOTTEN.

I THINK IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE LOOK AND REALLY CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO BE UNIFIED ON THIS ISSUE. I THINK THAT WILL SEND A MAJOR, MAJOR SIGNAL TO THE GOVERNOR AND TO THE COMMISSIONER SO THAT WE CAN HOPEFULLY GET A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THE RULES ARE THAT NUMBER ONE APPLIES TO THE SPEED OF RECOVERY AND SPEAKS TO THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS WHETHER IT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING OR THE FLOOD CONTROL PROJECTS SO WE CAN GET TO A BETTER PROTECTED AND A BETTER -- AND A MORE RESILIENT COMMUNITY AS YOU HAVE TALKED SO MUCH ABOUT,

[02:05:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: A FEW THINGS. DRACO IS ONE OF THE AUTHORS OF THE CONSTITUTION OF ATHENS.

I WILL GET UH COPY OF ARISTOTLE'S VERSION. YOU USE THE WORD DRACONIAN.

IF YOU LITTERED YOU WERE EXECUTED. IF IT WAS SOMETHING HORRIBLE, IT WAS THE DEATH PENALTY. I GET NERVOUS WHEN MY COLLEAGUES THROW OUT THE TERM DRACONIAN BECAUSE DRACONIAN WAS REALLY, REALLY BAD. YOU HAD TO LEAVE A NUMBER OF YEARS AS PART OF THE CONTRACT. SOLID WAS THE WISDOM GUY WHO DID BETTER WITH THE CONSTITUTION OF ATHENS. NUMBER TWO, GETTING A THIRD OR LESS OF THE MONIES WE NEED FOR BUYOUTS IS TERRIBLE. I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY SCHEDULE IS JUST YET, BUT IF I CAN BE, THERE I WILL BE THERE AND IF NOT I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO BE SHIRR TO MAKE SURE I SAW -- BE SURE TO SUPPORT YOU GUYS.

WE ARE COUNTING ON THESE BUYOUT FUNDS TO ASSIST AND FOR ALL WE ARE DOING TO THE STATE, YOU NEED TO LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO IN PRECINCT4 TO HELP IN THE PROCESS.

NUMBER THREE, WE ARE TWO YEARS POST HARVEY, AND IT LOOKS LIKE WHEN WE GET TO A THIRD OR LESS OF WHAT WE ARE EXPECTING, IT IS TWO MORE YEARS DOWN THE ROAD.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET YOU WITH MCCASKILL IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON BECAUSE THEY ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES WE ARE HAVING. LET'S POOL -- THIS IS THE TIME TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. LET'S POOL THEIR RESOURCES ALONG WITH OUR RESOURCES. PEEL -- PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO WAIT ANOTHER TWO YEARS.

LET'S SEE IF WE CAN FIGURE OUT A WAY AND UNDOING ALL OF THE RED BUREAUCRATIC TAPE.

WHEN YOUR LIFE IS ON HOLD FOR FOUR YEARS AFTER A DISASTER, IT'S LIKE WHY BOTHER? YOU ARE GONNA LOSE HOPE. WE NEED TO GET HOPE BACK IN THE SYSTEM.

GET WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON. GET WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND LET'S PULL OUR RESOURCES -- POOL OUR RESOURCES. OUR INTERESTS ARE NOT ALWAYS THE SAME, BUT THIS IS ONE WHERE OUR INTERESTS ARE THE SAME AND WE NEED TO GET THESE FOLKS BOUGHT OUT IF THEY NEED TO BE BOUGHT OUT AND NOT TWO YEARS FROM NOW AND NOT JUST A THIRD OF THEM.

>> JUDGE, WHAT I ASK DAPHNE AND MATT TO DO IS WORKUP SOME LANGUAGE THAT WE CAN ALL AGREE ON. AND I ASK THEM TO BREAK IT DOWN FOR THEM.

IT IS FROM MY YEARS OF EXPERIENCE IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I WAS SMILING.

YOU DON'T NEED JAY-Z OR KENNY G OR SOME OF THE OTHERS, THEY MAY WORK, BUT WE WANT TO KEEP -- KEEP IT SIMPLE. MATT GAVE ME FOUR ITEMS BECAUSE I WAS RUSHING TO SEE THE MAYOR. I CAN GIVE HIM AND MAKE IT QUICK.

DAPHNE ADDED THE EXTRA ONE. I WILL JUST READ THE FOURTH. THEY WORKED IT OUT PRETTY QUICK FOR ME TO JUST GIVE IT TO THE MAYOR. NUMBER ONE WAS THE BEST BY A COMPETITIVE APPLICATION AND COVERED PROJECTS ARE 20 AND FOR THE 2016 AND 2 -- 2015 AND 2016 AND HARRY -- HARVEY COMPETITION FUNDS HARRIS COUNTY WILL MAX OUT OR THREE PROJECTS OF $100 MILLION EACH AND TWO APPLICATIONS AT 10 MILLION EACH FOR 2015 AND 2016. THAT'S NOT ENOUGH GIVEN THE DAMAGES WE INCURRED.

NUMBER TWO, TIMING OF PROJECT SELECTION AND AMENDMENT TO INCLUDE COVERED PROJECTS, UNLESS WE CAN GET GLO TO CONSIDER ADDING COVERED PROJECTS AS PART OF THE PERIOD, THEY ADMIT THAT THE AMENDMENTS WILL TAKE TIME. NUMBER THREE, THEY WANT TO

[02:10:01]

I CAN'T REMEMBER THE FIFTH ONE. WHEN YOU TOLD ME I WAS RUSHING OUT THE DOOR. NEW CAN -- IF YOU CAN WALK THROUGH THE THINGS YOU AGREE ON. YOU TOLD ME THAT MATT AND RUSS HAD READ IT AND YOU THOUGHT YOU AGREED WITH THEIR CONCLUSION AND THEN YOU HAVE A FIFTH ONE.

WHATEVER YOU WORKUP, I I WANT TO MAKE IT SIMPLE ENOUGH AND WE WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL TO OUR PARTNERS. WE WOULD BE REMISS TO SIT BACK AND LET IT HAPPEN AND THEN SAY

WE DIDN'T RAISE THOSE CONCERNS. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT'S CORRECT. THE PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEEK WILL ALLOW US TO GET THOSE COMMENTS ON THE PUBLIC RECORD AS WELL AS GET SOMETHING IN WRITING.

JANUARY 6, 2020 IS THE CLOSING COMMENT PERIOD ON THE PLAN. ESPECIALLY SPEAKING OUT AT THE PUBLIC HEARING NEXT WEEK WILL BE IMPORTANT. THAT SUMMARIZES THE COMMENTS THAT RUSS PROVIDED YOU, SUMMARIZES THE WAY THE PLAN READS.

I WOULD ADD THAT THE WAY THE COMPETITIVE PART OF THE PLAN READS IS IT PENALIZES ANY ENTITIES WITH APPLICATIONS UNDER THE CONTRACT WITH GLO, AND THAT MEANS YOU WOULD GET FURTHER POINTS BECAUSE WE WERE A SUB GRANTEE OF THE STATE. THOSE ARE THE POINTS AND THE ACTION PLAN WE ARE COMMENTING ON AND AN UNDERSTANDING FROM THE GLO OF WHAT THE THOUGHT PROCESS IS. I DON'T WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE GLO BECAUSE THE STATE MAY BE THE FIRST APPLICANT OUT THE DOOR TO GET THE PLAN UNDERWAY.

HUD HAS ADVISED MOST GRANTEES TO DELAY UNTIL HUD HAS GIVEN THE GUIDANCE OUT.

I WANT TO SAY THE STATE WAS QUICK TO RESPOND. UNFORTUNATELY IT IS IN OUR READING OF THE PLAN, IT IS NOT PROVIDING SUFFICIENT FUNDING. HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY COUNTY IDENTIFIED IN THE PLAN THAT WAS AFFECTED ON ALL OF THE DISASTERS IDENTIFIED IN THE LAST THREE YEARS WE ARE THE ONLY COUNTY. DESPITE THE LISTING OF MULTIPLE JURISDICTIONS THEY ARE THE ONES NOTED FOR THE DISASTERS.

IF AMELDA IS REFERENCED, THAT WOULD MEAN IT IS THE ONLY ONE IF IT IS LISTED THERE.

WE WILL ONLY BE ABLE TO ACCESS A VERY MINIMAL AMOUNT AND KEEP IN MIND THAT IS A COMPETITIVE PROCESS. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE WHO WOULD GET THOSE FUNDS.

I WOULD ADD THAT WE ARE WORKING WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS.

WE INVITE THEM UP TO ADD TO THAT. I THINK THEY HAVE WORKED ON COMMENTS THAT AS WE ARE REFINING THE COMMENTS THAT IT CAN BE A UNIFIED MESSAGE FROM THE COURT AND SO WE WILL WORK THOSE UP AND GET THOSE FINALIZED FOR YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? >> LEGISLATIVE RELATIONS.

JUST TO ECHO WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, AS WE LOOK AT. IT IT IS TOO LITTLE AND TOO SLOW. ACCORDING TO THE STATE ACTION PLAN WE HAD 50% OF THE POPULATION THAT WAS IMPACTED BY HARVEY, BUT WE GET 7% OF THE DOLLARS COMING OUT OF THAT. WE ARE LOOKING TO WORK WITH OUR STATE PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS NOT TOO LITTLE AND THAT IT IS NOT TOO SLOW. WE ARE READY TO ROLL WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL TALKING ABOUT THE BIG, COVERED PROJECTS. WE WANT TO GET IT UP TO SPEED. WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET OUR DELEGATION WHO FOUGHT FOR THE FUNDS. IT WAS A GROUP EFFORT FROM OUR CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATES TO GET

THESE FUNDS. >> AND GET THEM QUICKLY. >> ABSOLUTELY.

[02:15:01]

IT IS NOT AN ATTEMPT TO GO AND REPLACE ANYBODY WHO IS THERE, BUT I NOTICE THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS. IN TERMS OF FEDERAL DOLLARS WE WILL COMPETE WITH FOLKS WHO HAVE NATURAL DISASTERS AND WE WILL COMPETE DOWN THE ROAD WITH NATURAL DISASTER THAT'S ARE COMING. THE WAY THAT WORKS, PARTICULARLY DURING A TIME WHEN THINGS ARE MORE DIVIDED THERE THAN THEY ARE HERE BY THE WAY, IN AUSTIN AND IN WASHINGTON, DESPITE WHAT SOME MAY THINK, I KNOW THIS IS SMALL POTATOES COMPARED TO SOME OF THE FIGHTS, AND WE ARE COMPETING WITH OTHER FOLKS AND WE NEED HELP. I WANT YOU TO THINKER -- THINK ABOUT IT -- I DON'T KNOW IF I BUTCHERED WHAT YOU WROTE. THE MAYOR GOT IT. I STARTED READING IT AND HE SAID I CAN READ, RODNEY. IF Y'ALL WANT TO ADD TO. IT I DON'T KNOW IF -- IT IS JUST SO IMPORTANT AND I WANT TO STRESS AGAIN COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER RADACK AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THIS IS THE TIME IF WE SHOW UP, FROM MY VANTAGE POINT AS A FORMER LEGISLATOR, YOU CAN JUGGLE YOUR SCHEDULE AND YOU DO IT AND I THINK THEY WILL WORK WITH US TO GIVE AS YOU TIME. IF THREE OF US SHOWED UP IN PARTICULAR IF WE CAN AND BE RESPECTFUL WHEN WE DO IT BECAUSE THEY HAVE ALL OF THE POWER. EVEN IF AS A CONGRESS OF -- COUPLE OF CONGRESS PEOPLE TOLD ME, THE DEAL IS WHEN THE MONEY WAS ALLOCATED THERE WAS A CLEAR UNDERSTANDING AND THE THOUGHT WAS HARRIS COUNTY WOULD GET A BILLION AND THE HOUSTON WILL GET A BILLION.

BASED ON THE ANALYSIS THAT HAS BEEN DONE, THAT'S NOT THE CASE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS CONCERNING TO ME IS THAT THE ANALYSIS IS, AT BEST, WE WOULD

RECEIVE WHAT IS IT 340 MILLION? >> 340 MILLION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: 340 MILLION. I ECHO THAT AND CAUTION AGAINST TAKING AN AN TAG GONE NISTIC -- AN ATAGONISTIC APPROACH, BUT IF YOU THINK IT IS PRODUCTIVE FOR US TO ALL GO AND WHO ELSE, RIGHT? ALL OF THE DIFFERENT ELECTED OFFICIALS FROM THE REGION, THEIR REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOW NOT GOING TO RECEIVE THE FUNDS WE WERE PROMISED AND THESE ARE OUR CONGRESSIONAL DEL -- DELEGATION THAT'S PASSED THE RULES ON TIME.

WE THOUGHT WE WERE GETTING THIS MONEY EARLY NEXT YEAR AND THAT IT WAS GOING TO BE A BILLION. AND IT IS THE STATE REPRESENTATIVES WHO WORKED HARD AS WELL. ALL OF US ARE LEFT HANGING NOW.

HOPEFULLY WE WON'T BE. I WELCOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE EXTENT IT IS PRODUCTIVE,

RIGHT, TO DO THIS. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WILE RECOGNIZES THAT IT IS AN IMPORTANT PARTNERSHIP WE HAVE WITH THE STATE.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR MAKING THAT POINT TO THE SMALLER MUNICIPALITIES WHICH I HAVE HAD SEVERAL IN PRECINCT2. THIS COULD BE AN INCREDIBLE DEVASTATION TO THEIR EFFORTS TO MAKE THEIR COMMUNITY RESILIENT AND MUCH MORE RESILIENT. WE ARE NOT JUST TALKING ABOUT UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT OUR -- THE CITY CAN FIGHT ITS OWN FIGHTS, BUT WE NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR LAKE VILLAGE AND YOUR PART AND SEE -- SEABROOK AND WEBSTER.

THEY NEED OUR ADVOCACY. >> ABSOLUTELY. AND LOOKING AT THE SCORING CRITERIA IT DOESN'T GIVE ENOUGH OF AN IMPACT TO -- THEY WANT A REGIONAL APPROACH AND OUR MITIGATION HELPS ALL OF THOSE MUNICIPALITIES. IT DOESN'T GIVE ENOUGH IN THE SCORING CRITERIA ENOUGH CREDIT AND THAT'S ANOTHER THING WE WANT FOR THEM TO LOOK AT THE

ASPECTS. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MATT,

ANYTHING TO ADD? >> HOWDY, MATT Z WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

[02:20:06]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. >> THAT'S NEVER HAD A LAWYER? >> AN ACTUAL LAWYER.

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER. NOW I KNOW. >> THEY HAVE HAD A

NONCERTIFIED PARALEGAL. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE SENT ME A GREAT QUOTE HERE.

TIERNEY AND THE KILLING OF SUPPLEMENTS WITH OFFENSES IN THE EYES OF LATTER OFFENDINGS AND DIFFERENT PARTISAN ACCOUNTS OF THE AFFAIR COULD BE PRESENTED.

IS THAT PRETTY GOOD? >> YOU CAN READ. >> YORK -- WORKING ON IT.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. IT IS 1:08.

I PROPOSE IN THE INTEREST OF THE STOMACHS I HEAR GROWLING, WE NEED TO TAKE AN HOUR LUNCH BREAK. WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS FOR THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING.

>> JUDGE, HOW MANY ARE THERE? IF WE WOULD ASK THEM COULD THEY SUMMARIZE IT? IT IS HEALTHY FOOD BEFORE WE EAT. I HATE TO MAKE THEM WAIT.

I HAVE SOME PEANUTS BACK THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE 9 SPEAKERS. SO IT WOULD BE AROUND 30 MORE MINUTES.

IF THE FOLKS ARE OKAY WITH THAT. ALL RIGHT, SO LET'S TAKE THAT

UP THEN. >> MORE NUTS? >> I AM I AM NOT GOING TO

TOUCH YOUR NUTS. >> I WILL WIPE THEM DOWN. >> HAND SOME TO THE ATTORNEY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMUNITY SERVICES LET'S TAKE UP THE ITEM 9S ON PAGE 9.

THAT'S THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE PROGRAM PLAN.

IF COMMISSIONER DAPHNE -- >> DO YOU WANT -- I THINK THEY HEARD ALL THEY WANT TO HEAR

FROM ME. >> DAPHNE AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.

THE ITEM FOR CONSIDERATION IS APPROVAL OF THE PLAN AND THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM WOULD MAKE GRANTS AVAILABLE TO FOR PROFITS AND NONPROFITS AND COLLABORATIONS DO INCREASE ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS AND FRESH FOODS IN WHAT IS KNOWN AS FOOD DESERTS OR UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY. THIS WOULD BE A COMPETITIVE GRANT PROPOSAL PROCESS THAT OUR DEPARTMENT WOULD OPERATE WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TAKING ON THE ROLE OF LOOKING AT OUTCOMES OF THESE PROGRAMS IN THE -- AND THE

ULTIMATE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITIES. >> THIS IS A WORKING GROUP THAT THE COMMISSION VOTED ON A MONTH OR TWO AGO. 4* -- AND THIS IS WHAT YOU

CAME UP WITH. >> THIS IS WHAT YOU PUT US ON AND DIRECTED US TO WORK WITH

AS A WORK GROUP AND THIS IS THE RESULT. >> AND $2 MILLION IS A PILOT

PROGRAM THAT WAS STARTED. >> CORRECT. THIS ITEM TODAY DOES NOT INCLUDE THE FUNDING, SO THAT WILL COME BACK SUBSEQUENT TO APPROVAL OF THE PROGRAM GUIDELINES. WE REQUEST TO FUND THE PROJECT THAT WOULD BE IMPLEMENTED STARTING NEXT YEAR WITH AN AM -- APPLICATION PROCESS TO INVITE APPLY FOR THESE FUNDS.

>> AND I ADD PENNSYLVANIA'S FOOD PROGRAM SHOWED THEY HAD 195 MILLION OF THE STATE MONEY AND WITH 2.3 BILLION IN SOCIAL -- RETURNS THEY PUT UP A MILLION DOLLARS AND THEY HAVE A POPULATION OF ABOUT 840,000 AND THEY PUT 2 MILLION IN IT. IT IS A GOOD START AND I HOPE IT WILLEN -- WILL ENCOURAGE PEOPLE WHO WILL SPEAK TO GO TO CITY AND SAY THEY SHOULD DO IT.

THE STUDY DR. SHAW PRESENTED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, SHOWS THE DISPARITY IN TERMS OF LIFE EXPECTANCY AND IT WAS THE SHORTEST IN THE PRECINCT AND IN YOUR COMMISSION PRECINCT, 20 LESS THAN THE HIGHEST LIFE EXPECTANCY, AND THAT WAS THE SECOND HIGHEST EXPL A -- AND A

COMMUNITY IN MY PRECINCT. OBESITY WAS A BIG PART OF IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S CALL UP

[02:25:01]

>> THANK YOU. I WILL TRY TO BE BRIEF. >> YOU ARE HUNGRY TOO.

>> DEFINITELY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME TODAY.

MY NAME IS KEITH DOWNEY AND I AM A PRODUCT OF FIFTH WARD KASHMIR AND TRINITY GUARD.

I LIVED IN ALL COMMUNITIES. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PASSING THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE SEPTEMBER 25TH OF THAT WORK GROUP.

THANK YOU. PROPER FUNDING FOR THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCING INITIATIVE COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING HEALTHY FOOD ACCESS EFFORTS WOULD BENEFIT OUR COMMUNITIES WHICH AS WE NO ARE LOCATED IN A FOOD DESERT.

THIS WOULD AID RESIDENTS WITH AGO -- ACCESS TO FOODS THAT SUPPORT HEALTHIER EATING PATTERNS AND CONTRIBUTES TO AN INDIVIDUAL'S HEALTH THROUGH YEUT HIS OR HER LIFETIME.

HEALTHY EATING HABITS INCLUDE CONTROLLING CALORIES, EATING A VARIETY OF FOODS AND BEVERAGES FROM ALL OF THE FOOD GROUPS AND LIMITING INTAKE OF SATURATED AND TRANS FATS, ADDED SUGARS AND SODIUM. OUR COMMUNITY PRESENTLY HAS A HIGHER SHARE OF CONVENIENCE STORES AND SMALL FOOD MARKETS. THESE LIMITED OPTIONS HAVE -- TEND TO HAVE LOWER NUTRITIONAL QUALITY AND THAT'S COMPARED -- CLOSER TO A WIDE FOOD CHAIN WHICH HAS A WIDE VARIETY OF HEALTHY OPTIONS AND LOWER PRICES.

HEALTHY EATING CAN HELP LOWER THE RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES. EVIDENCE SHOWS POOR NUTRITION AND UNHEALTHY DIET IS A RISK FACTOR BEHIND HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, DIABETES AND CANCER AND OBESITY WITH HIGHER NORMS IN OUR COMMUNITIES. THERE SHOULD NOT BE BUDGET CONSTRAINTS YEAR AFTER YEAR WHEN IT DEALS WITH VULNERABLE POPULATION THAT'S NEED THE HELP THE MOST. IF RESIDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO MORE NUTRITIOUS FOODS IT WILL BRING DOWN THE NUMBER OF HOSPITAL VISITS AND OVER THE LONG RUN HELPING FAMILIES TO PUT MORE NUTRITION ON THE TABLE AND HELP THEIR FAMILY FEED THE BODY AND MIND

ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN. THANK YOU. >> IS YOU, SIR CASH DASH THANK

YOU -- THANK YOU, SIR. >> THANK YOU. >> NO ALT -- NO SALT ON THESE

ALMONDS. GENE GENE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WILSON AND

HEIDI MCPHERSON. >> GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING US OUT. WE WERE HERE IN SEPTEMBER AND WE WERE HAPPY YOU WERE ABLE TO PASS THE HEALTHY FOOD INITIATIVE.

IT IS PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT BECAUSE WE ARE FOOD INSECURE AND WE ARE NOT WAITING AROUND

FOR PEOPLE TO COME IN AND SAVE US. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU SAY

THE YOUR NAME? >> HUEY GERMAN WILSON. SORRY.

>> WOW. YOU SAID THAT REALLY FAST. >> HUEY GERMAN WILSON.

>> I GOT THAT PART, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF OTHER GOOD STUFF IN THERE.

SUPER -- GARDENS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVISTS, YES. >> WE ARE IMPLORED THAT YOU PLUS FUND THIS PROJECT. IT IS A PRIVATE PROJECT AND IT WOULD GIVE US GREAT INCENTIVE. WE HAVE TRIED AS WE WORK WITH THE ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND URBAN HARVEST. WE ARE TRYING TO FORM THE COLLABORATIONS AND WE HAVE DONE A SUCCESSFUL JOB OF THAT ON OUR OWN WITH BRINGING TOGETHER FUNDS. THAT'S A DIFFICULT TASK WHEN WE LIVE IN A COMMUNITY THAT STRUGGLES WITH FOOD INSECURITY. WE ASK THAT YOU CONSIDER IT AND MAKE IT HAPPEN AT ALL COSTS. WE NEED THAT ADD -- ADDED INCENTIVE TO GET OUR COMMUNITY GARDENS AND OUR FARMERS ONLINE AND WE TOO WERE IMPACTED BY HARVEY. THIS IS OUR TURN TO BRING OUR COMMUNITY BACK.

THANK YOU FOR HAVING US OUT THIS AFTERNOON. I HOPE I WAS BRIEF ENOUGH.

[02:30:02]

THANK YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU. OF.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM JANA ROBINSON.

WE ARE A 25-YEAR-OLD NONPROFIT AND WE DO GARDENING EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS TO ADULTS AND WE OPERATE THREE INARM -- FARMER'S MARKETED -- MARKETS AROUND THE CITY.

I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE NEED OF FARMER EDUCATION. THE INFORMATION I AM PASSING TO YOU IS THE CRUX OF WHAT I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT YOU.

IN LIGHT OF TIME, IT IS THAT LOCAL BROKERS -- GROWERS THAT GROW HAVE 13 FULL TIME JOBS PER ONE MILLION REVENUE EARNED AND THOSE SELLING NOT LOCALLY CREATE THREE.

THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF REVENUE THAT CAN BE CREATED IN COMMUNITIES THAT NEED OUTLETS. THERE IS A LOST GENERATION OF KNOWLEDGE HERE.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO GROW. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT ONCE THE GROWINGPPENS.

THAT LOCAL GROWERS AND LOCAL FARMERS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AND THEY NEED THAT ECONOMIC INCENTIVE AND THE GRANT APPLICATION GIVES THEM THE ABILITY TO FLUSH THAT OUT.

I HOPE YOU HAVE SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE AND I APPRECIATE BEING HERE TODAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: HEIDI MCPHERSON FOLLOWED BY WESLEY MCORDER AND MELANIE PANG AND JEREMY AND ROBERT GORDON.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS HEIDI MCPHERSON AND I AM A SENIOR DIRECTOR WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION AND CO LEAD OF THE COALITION ON THE SOCIAL DETERMINE -- DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH.

A GROUP OF 200 HEALTH AND BUSINESS EVENERS -- BUSINESS LEADERS ACROSS THE COUNTY.

THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS APPROACHES LIKE THE ONES WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY TO ADDRESS ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD AND KEY DRIVERS OF CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH.

HEART DISEASE IS 80% PREVENTABLE AND 20% GENETICS. THAT 80% WE HAVE CONTROL OVER IS NOT JUST IMPACTED BY PERSONAL DECISIONS, BUT ALSO GREATLY INFLUENCED BY OUR SURROUNDINGS. WHETHER THERE IS ACCESS AND SAFE SPACES FOR PEOPLE IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND HEALTHY FOOD OPTIONS EXIST CLOSE TO WHERE THESE FAMILIES LIVE.

WHEN PEOPLE LACK ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS THEY ARE AT A HIGHER RISK OF CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS TYPE 2 DIABETES, OBESITY AND HEART DISEASE.

THE COALITION DEMONSTRATED THAT THEY ARE SCREENING POSITIVE FOR FOOD INSECURITY ACROSS THE COUNTY. THIS IS A COUNTY WIDE ISSUE. THEY HAVE FAR FEWER SUPERMARKETS AND LESS ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOODS. WE KNOW THAT.

STUDIES SHOW THAT AFRICAN-AMERICANS ARE TWO AND A HALF TIMES MORE LIKELY TO LIVE IN THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS WITH LOW ACCESS TO GROCERY STORES.

AND WHEN YOU TRANSLATE THAT TO HEALTH, FOR EXAMPLE WITH HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE ACROSS THE COUNTY 30% OF HOUSTONIANS HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE. YOU NARROW THAT DOWN TO THE CENSUS TRACK AND IT ACTUALLY VARIES WIDELY FROM 9 TO 52% ACROSS THE CENSUS TRACKS.

THOSE AREAS WITH THE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE IS THE AREAS WITH THE LOWEST ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD. IN ADDITION TO HEALTH BENEFITS, FOOD RESALE -- FOOD RETAILERS CAN SPUR FURTHER COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND GENERATE JOBS AND TAX REVENUE AND KEEP THE LOCAL DOLLARS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ACCORDING TO A 2017 REPORT BY THE FOOD TRUST, EVERY 10,000 SQUARE FEET OF RETAIL GROCERY SPACE IS ESTIMATED TO GENERATE 24 NEW JOBS. AT THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION WE KNOW THE FOOD DESERTS AND THE LACK OF HEALTHY FOODS IS A SOLVABLE PROBLEM.

THERE ARE INNOVATIVE APPROACHES WILL REDUCE THE PREFL LENS OF FOOD DESERTS AND INCREASE FOOD SECURITY AND IMPROVE THE MUCH-NEEDED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COMES UP IN THE COMMUNITY AS WELL. PS HERNT -- IT IS IMPORTANT FOR IMPROVING HEALTH AND VITALITY. WE THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR DEDICATION AND URGE COMMISSIONERS TO SUPPORT IT. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM DR. SHRILO-SHARMA AND A DOCTOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND A CO FOUNDER OF BRIGHTER BITES WHICH IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT CREATES COMMUNITIES OF HEALTH THROUGH FRESH FOOD AND ALONG WITH AMERICAN HEART AND HARRIS

[02:35:01]

THE INTAKE OF HEALTHY FOODS SUCH AS FOOD AND VEGETABLES IS DISMALLY LOW WHILE FOOD INSECURITY IS HIGH AT 17%. OUR DATA INDICATES THAT FOOD INSECURE FAMILIES ARE EVERYWHERE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND NOT JUST IN FOOD DESERT AREAS.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT FOOD INSECURITY AND CHRONIC DISEASES SUCH AS OBESITY AND DIABETES CO-EXIST IN THE SAME INDIVIDUALS. LET ME SHARE A STORY.

I WAS AT A SCHOOL THAT WAS CLOSE TO THE CENTRAL CAMPUS, AND WE WERE IMPLEMENTING AND EVALUATING THE IMPACT OF BRIGHTER BITES. THEY HAVE IT FOR 16 WEEKS IN THE SCHOOL YEAR. ONE SAID I LOVE ORANGES. THEY RECEIVED A BAG -- A FIVE-POUND BAG OF ORANGES THE WEEK BEFORE. HE LOOKED AT ME AND SAID I HAVE NEVER EATEN THEM BEFORE. A THIRD GRADER IN HOUSTON, TEXAS NEVER HAD A FRESH ORANGE BEFORE. WE CAN DO BETTER, AND IF WE CAN, WE MUST.

IT IS $5 FOR A FAMILY PER WEEK WHICH IS LESS THAN THE COST OF ONE DOCTOR'S VISIT IT IS PART OF THE GREATER HOUSTON COALITION BY LINKING IT TO SOCIAL SERVICES AND OUR COMMUNITY IS RIPE FOR THE WORK. WE ARE PARTNERING WITH HARRIS HEALTH TO IMPLEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE FOOD PRESCRIPTION MODEL TO IMPROVE DIABETES OUTCOMES AND STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THIS REDUCTION IN TWO POINTS OF HEMOGLOBIN CAN SAVE OVER $16,000 FOR A PATIENT IN HEALTH CARE COSTS. THE RETURN OF INVESTMENT IS MULTIPLITICATIVE. IT IS 1 BILLION AND NOT TO MENTION LOSS OF PRODUCTIVITY.

I AM OUT OF TIME SO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR HIS

EFFORTS. >> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER, I AM ALSO FROM UT HEALTH.

I AM A CHEF AND DIETICIAN. I HAVE THE PLEASURE AND THE HONOR OF TEACHING CULINARY MEDICINE CLASS -- CLASSES TO HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONERS AND STUDENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS. OFTEN WE THINK THIS ONLY AFFECTS PATIENTS OR COMMUNITY MEMBERS, BUT IT IS ACROSS THE BOARD. A QUICK STORY ABOUT A STUDENT I HAD ONE OF MY CLASSES. IT WAS A THIRD YEAR MEDICAL STUDENT.

HE SAID WHAT IS THAT VEGETABLE? I HAVE NEVER SEEN.

IT IT IS CAULIFLOWER. THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TEACHING HEALTH CARE.

THIS IS WHO WE GO TO FOR NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION. WHAT WE ARE DOING AT UT HEALTH IS BRINGING THINGS TOGETHER. WE ARE SAYING YOU CAN'T JUST SAY EAT MORE FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. DO THE NUTRITION. YOU HAVE TO SHOW PEOPLE HOW TO DO THAT WHAT IS CULINARY MEDICINES ? IT IS DIETICIANS AND PHYSICIANS COOKING WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THIS IS HOW YOU COOK FOR A DIABETIC PATIENT AND THIS IS HOW YOU MAKE FOOD HEALTHY AND IT TASTES GOOD WHICH IS IMPORTANT. HEALTHY FOOD IS ONLY HEALTHY IF YOU CONSUME IT.

YOU HAVE TO EAT IT FOR IT TO BE HEALTHY. THE BIG THING HERE IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA IS THE DIVERSITY OF CULTURE AND FLAVORS.

THE COMBINATION OF DOING PROGRAMS WHERE WE HAND OUT FOODS AND DISTRIBUTIONS AND HAVE A HIGHER CULTURE COMBINED WITH THE NUTRITION INFORMATION CAN LEAD TO SEEMINGLY BETTER OUTCOMES. ONE MORE QUICK STORY IN THE TIME I HAVE.

A FEW YEARS AGO I WAS TEACHING A SUMMER CAMP FOR LITTLE KIDS FROM THE HUE AREA.

THERE WAS A FIVE-YEAR-OLD KID AND LIKE MOST AMERICANS HE SAID I HATE VEGETABLES.

CHEF WES, I AM NOT EATING THESE VEGETABLES. THIS IS DISGUSTING.

90% OF THE ADULTS IN THE U.S. DON'T EAT VEGETABLES ON A DAILY BASIS.

I ASSUME YOU GUYS ON THE FRONT, THAT MEANS YOU EITHER. STATISTICALLY SPEAKING.

WE WENT OUT TO THE GARDEN AND ROASTED THEM. HE ATE THEM AND HE ENJOYED THEM. NOT ONLY DID HE ENJOY THEM, BUT HE SHARED THE

[02:40:02]

HEALTHY FOOD AND CONTAGIOUS. WE NEED TO REMEMBER THAT. WHEN WE SHARE THIS WITH PEOPLE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN ALL DO AND ENJOY. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> THANK YOU. PRB

[APPLAUSE]. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. HONORABLE JUDGE H HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER, I AM MELANIE PANG AND I AM THE OFFICER FOR THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK.

THANK YOU FOR BEING INCREDIBLE PARTNERS DURING TROPICAL STORM IMELDA AND WITH THE CRISIS OF THE AMMONIA LEAK. THE COMMUNITY BOUNCED BACK AND GOT BACK TO REGULAR DISTRIBUTION IN NO TIME. WE HAD A FEW DAYS IN OUR WAREHOUSE WHERE WE HAD 2,000 VOLUNTEERS SIGN UP TO ASSIST US THE WEEK OF THANKSGIVING AND EVEN THE DAY OF.

WE ARE SO, SO GRATEFUL. IT IS ALSO OUR PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO GET TO WORK WITH GREAT FOLKS FROM YOUR OFFICE TO COORDINATE GREAT EVENTS IN THE PRECINCT DURING DISASTERS AND HOLIDAYS LIKE THANKSGIVING. THAT ASIDE, I AM HERE TODAY BECAUSE THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK IS EXCITED ABOUT THE PROSPECT OF IMPLEMENTING THE HEALTHY FOOD FINANCE INITIATIVE. THIS TYPE OF COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM TO SUPPORT HEALTHY FOOD RETAIL AND NUTRITION AND EDUCATION AND URBAN AGRICULTURE AND UNDER SERVED COMMUNITIES IS SORELY NEEDED. ALMOST 17% OF RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE FOOD INSECURE WHICH MEANS THEY LACK CONSISTENT ACCESS TO HEALTHY FOOD.

THAT'S WHERE OUR PROGRAM COMES IN LIKE THE FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAM DASH -- COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS HELP WITH SNAP APPLICATIONS. AND OTHER THINGS LIKE THE COMMUNITY RESOURCES IN. A REPORT -- IN A REPORT WE FOUND THAT ON AVERAGE ABOUT 672 PEOPLE IN HOUSTON ARE SERVED. IT BRINGS IN $980 MILLION OF FEDERALLY FUNDED BENEFITS THAT GENERATES OVER A BILLION DOLLARS WORTH IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY.

IF I BREAK THAT DOWN IN TERMS OF AN INVESTMENT IN THE FOOD BANK, 20 OF OUR NAVIGATORS ARE SERVING ABOUT 80 CASES A MONTH ON AVERAGE ABOUT 270 A MONTH AND THEY ONLY STAY ON FOR A FEW MONTHS. THESE ARE FOLKS GETTING BACK HOME.

WHEN YOU MULTIPLY THAT BY EACH DOLLAR THAT IS GENERATED YOU GET ABOUT $7 MILLION FOR THAT $1 MILLION INVESTMENT. THIS PAST FISCAL YEAR THEY GENERATED $64 MILLION IN LOCAL ECONOMIC IMPACT. AND EACH YEAR HOUSTON HAS OVER 110 MILLION DOLLARS OF UNCLAIMED SNAPEFITS THAT COULD OTHERWISE PROVIDE GROCERIES FOR CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILY THAT'S NEED HELP. ONE OUT OF FIVE HOUSTONIANS ARE ELIGIBLE AND NOT ENROLLED. OUR PROGRAM CAN HELP THEM GET ENROLLED. THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK IS PROUD TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS THAT GETS FOOD IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE DURING HARD TIME.

OUR NEW VISION IS A WORLD THAT DOESN'T NEED FOOD BANKS AND WE ACKNOWLEDGE THAT FOOD ACCESS CAN'T WORK JUST ONE WAY. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR PROVIDING FOR THESE

INNOVATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE]. WE HAVE JIMMY AND ROBERT. >> HOW ARE YOU.

MY NAME IS JEREMY PEACHES. I AM THE EXTENSION AGENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

THAT MEANS I WORK WITH ALL THE YOUTH THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND IN ALL OF YOUR PRECINCTS.

MOST OF THE YOUTH ARE FROM THE RURAL PART OF THE COUNTY AND THEY COME FROM AN AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND, FARMERS AND RANCHERS PRODUCTION BACKGROUND.

IN THE URBAN AREAS, WE SEE A FEW CHALLENGES BECAUSE THE YOUTH DOES NOT HAVE ACCESS TO WHERE THERE IS FARMLANDS. THERE HAS BEEN A HEAVY INCREASE IN SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES AND ORGANIZATIONS AND THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS. THEY WANT TO START OPERATIONS. BUT IT IS HARD. THEY LOOK AT THE AGO IT IS -- TO THE ACCESS FOR FUNDING AND IT MAKES IT HARD FOR THEM TO GET INVOLVED.

AS WE SEE FROM A NATIONAL PERSPECTIVE, THE RESOURCES ARE THERE, AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THE ORGANIZATION, BUT WE NEED MORE UH -- MORE ASSISTANCE FROM THE COUNTY AND ALSO BRINGING THESE PROGRAMS TOGETHER IS -- IT IS GOING TO LOOK AT THIS AS PLANTING THE

[02:45:03]

THERE IS A LOT OF MONEY THAT IS INSIDE THE SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE.

LOOK AT ALL OF THESE THINGS I JUST NAMED AND HOW CAN WE ACTUALLY GIVE A MORE SUSTAINABLE MODEL? NOT JUST FOR THE PROGRAM, AND THE COMMUNITY, BUT FOR THE KIDS. THE KIDS LOVE IT. I WAS BORN IN GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI. THAT'S THE BIRTH BIRTHPLACE OF THE BLUES AND THE SOY BEAN.

IN 1999 A SINGLE PARENT AND I KNOW YOU HEARD IT A LOT, BUT MY MOM CAME HERE BECAUSE SHE WANTED A BETTER LIFE. I HAD A PASSION FOR AGRICULTURE.

I WENT THROUGH A LOT OF CHEAL LENGTHS. CHALLENGES.

ME BEING INVOLVED IN AGRICULTURE AND 4H AND THESE PROGRAMS ALLOWED ME TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS AND I WORKED FOR THE USDA. I CAME BACK TO MY COMMUNITY AND BUILT THE LARGEST GREENHOUSE. SOME OF THESE THINGS I HAVE DONE AND ACCOMPLISHED, IF WE SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE AND GIVE SOME OF THESE GRADUATING SENIORS AN OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THESE PROGRAMS THIS SIDE OF THE CITY, I GUARANTEE YOU,

YOU WILL BENEFIT MORE THAN THIS RIGHT HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> GOOD JOB. THANK YOU. >> [APPLAUSE].

>> ROBERT [INAUDIBLE]. I WAS A HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER AT AUSTIN HIGH SCHOOL IN THE SECOND WARD FOR ABOUT 10 YEARS. I DID A PROJECT WITH MY KIDS.

IT WAS AN EXPERIMENT. EVEN MY MOST TROUBLED KIDS I HAD REAL ISSUES WITH WERE FOCUSED ON THIS PROJECT. I WAS AMAZED. I THOUGHT LET ME DO THE -- DO ANOTHER ONE AND THE SAME RESULT. KIDS GET INTO GARDENING AND FARMING LIKE WE WOULDN'T BELIEVE. IT CHANGED THEIR LIVES.

WE HAD A GARDEN BEHIND THE SCHOOL AND A CLUB THE KIDS WERE CLAMMERRING TO GET INTO.

IT CHANGED MY LIFE. IT IS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND THEY MADE A

CAREER OUT OF THE AGRICULTURE. >> WE NEED THIS FUNDING TO GIVE THESE KIDS OPPORTUNITIES TO DO SOMETHING WITH THEMSELVES.

THESE FARMS THEY COULD BE CREATED BY THE FUNDS AND COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE REGION. THEY ARE CONSUMED IN THE FOOD AND HARRIS COUNTY EVERY YEAR THAT'S 3.25 BILLION DOLLARS THAT WE ARE NOT GROWING THAT WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE FARM ENFORCEMENT OF THE FOOD AND TAKE ADVANTAGE IN THIS COUNTY. IT IS FOR FARMERS TO SELL AND IT IS A LOT OF MISSED OPPORTUNITY. YOU GUYS REALLY -- PLEASE CONSIDER THIS FAVORABLY.

YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE IT IS GOING TO STRIKE. IF YOU HAVE ENOUGH FOOD GOING TO DIFFERENT PLACES YOU KNOW THERE WILL BE OTHER PLACE THAT'S WILL PICK UP THE SLACK. THIS IS PROBABLY THE MOST IMPORTANT A MEASURE COULD TAKE FOR FOOD SECURITY IN THIS REGION. I IMPLORE YOU TO IMPLEMENT

THIS AND FUND IT THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND I DO WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR LEADING THIS. IT IS A PLAN FOR -- TO SUPPORT NEW FOOD BUSINESSES AND

FARMER'S MARKETS AND IT IS JUST WONDERFUL. >> I KNOW THESE BLACK BEANS AND BROCCOLI EATERS, I WANT TO MOVE AN ADOPTION. I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO THE CITY AND THE STATE BY THE WAY, SO WE ARE GETTING AHEAD OF THE CITY ON THIS.

THEY OUGHT TO GO AND DO IT. AND A LOT OF FOLKS WENT. SENATOR WHITMEYER, YOU SENT

[02:50:01]

I AM ON THE LIQUID STUFF AGAIN. I TOOK FEN-FEN AND I ASKED THE SIDE EFFECTS AND THEY SAID MEMORY LOSS AND WEIGHT LOSS AND I SAID GIVE IT TO ME.

>> I HAVE SOME INCREDIBLE URBAN FARMERS IN MY AREA AND I THINK THIS WILL BE PHENOMENAL FOR THEM. WE HAVE A LOT OF OTHER FOLKS WHO COME FROM PARTS OF THE WORLD WHO UNDERSTAND HOW IMPORTANT IT IS TO WORK THE LAND AND PROVIDE THE RESOURCES.

THEY ARE DOING A LOT OF GREAT THINGS. I HAD TRIED BEYOND BEEF.

I AM SOLD. I AM SOLD. I AM THERE.

>> DO WE HAVE A MOTION? >> GETTING HOPING -- HUNGRY HERE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> YOUR HONOR, THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I AM PASSION -- PASSIONATE ABOUT. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED THAT IN MY FAMILY WE TRIED TO STAY CLOSE TO THE EARTH. DURING THE DEPRESSION MY GRANDFATHER DIDN'T HAVE TWO PENNIES TO RUB TOGETHER, BUT HE GOT A DEAL WITH THE RAILROAD, AND THEY ALLOWED HIM TO PLANT A FARM -- PLANT A GARDEN ALONG THE RAILROAD RIGHT AWAY.

WHEN NO ONE ELSE HAD FOOD PEOPLE WOULD COME AND HE AND MY GRANDMA HAD A POT.

THEY FED THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS BECAUSE HE KNEW HOW TO -- HE DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY, BUT HE KNEW HIGHWAY -- HOW TO GROW CROPS. WHEN WE MOVE INTO THESE THINGS -- I STILL DO THIS MYSELF. I SHOULD BRING YOU SOME OF MY VEGGIES, BUT TURNIPS, I CAN GROW THE TURNIPS, THE CARROTS -- I CAN'T GROW COLLIE -- CAULIFLOWER, BUT EGGPLANTS AND PEPPERS AND OAK -- OCHRA, POTATOES I TRIED THIS YEAR AND THEY ARE PRETTY GOOD. THEY WILL FILL YOU UP WITH SQUASH AND I CAN GROW ORANGES. JUDGE WHEN WE DEAL WITH THESE ISSUES THERE ARE THREE THINGS THAT HAVE COME OUT. WE TALK ABOUT THE FOOD DESERT AND BE TALK ABOUT WORKING ON THE SYMPTOMS, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT SOLUTIONS AND NOT JUST SYMPTOMS. I THINK WE -- PART IS THE EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT.

ONE OF THE THINGS WE STARTED TO COOPERATE WITH AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO THE SAME THING AND WE NOW DO A TOOL LIBRARY. IF YOU WANT TO DO YOUR OWN GARDEN AND THE COMMUNITY PLOT YOU CAN CHECK OUT GARDEN TOOLS.

IT IS EXPENSIVE TO START ON YOUR OWN. THAT'S AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT THAT IS THERE THAT THESE FOLKS CAN HELP WITH. THE SECOND COMPONENT WAS THE SAFE SPACES PROBLEMS. IN OUR PARKS WE HAVE A NUMBER OF PLACES THAT WE MADE AVAILABLE. THAT'S NOT A COUNTY PARK, BUT A NUMBER OF OUR COUNTY PARKS HAVE THE SAFE GARDENS. IT IS A SAFE SPACE. AND IF SOMEONE HAS A COMMUNITY GARDEN THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THE NEIGHBORHOOD IS SAFE ENOUGH THAT YOU CAN FEEL COMFORTABLE AFTER WORK GOING THERE AND WORKING IN THE COMMUNITY GARDEN, AND IT IS NOT GOING TO GET MUGGED AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO GET BEAT UP AND YOU WILL NOT BE IN TROUBLE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ENOUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT AROUND OUR AREA. THERE IS NOTHING MORE DISAPPOINTING THAN TO HAVE SOMEBODY COME THROUGH AND JUST BECAUSE THEY THINK IT IS FUNNY TO DESTROY YOUR CROP.

THE LOCUSTS OF THE SOCIETY ARE STILL OUT THERE. THEY GO WITH THE FOOD DESERTS. BUSINESSES DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE OPENING UP.

AND SO JUDGE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE KEEP NOT ONLY THE FOOD DESERTS THAT WE SOLVE THE PROBLEM OF THE FOOD DESERT. I DIDN'T GIVE YOU THE BOOK EARLIER AND THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT HOW CIVILIZATION WERE ABLE TO PROSPER AND PEOPLE DID WELL WHEN THEY HAD A SAFE PLACE TO DO TRADE. IF WE NEED TO STOP THE FOOD DESERTS WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT IS A SAFE PLACE FOR PEOPLE TO SELL THEIR STUFF AND OTHER PEOPLE TO GO AND BUY.

[02:55:05]

NEIGHBORS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> AND OF COURSE IT TAKES MONEY TO DO THAT. ON A BIPARTISAN NOTE I MAKE A MOTION.

>> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? IT IS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY. IT IS 1:42 AND DMIE LETS -- LET'S GET TARTED -- STARTED. 2:51 AND COURT IS BACK IN

SESSION. >> IF DAFFY -- DAPHNE COULD COME BACK, THERE WAS ONE ITEM I SKIPPED. IF WE ARE WAITING FOR HER, IF SHE CAN HEAR IN THE BACK ROOM, MY WIFE SENT ME A TEXT AND I WANT TO ANNOUNCE THAT OUR OWN JUDGE, JUDGE HIDALGO IS ON FORBES MAGAZINE. 30 PEOPLE UNDER 30 WHO ARE OUTSTANDING LEADERS OF THE COUNTRY. AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU

TO BE ON THAT LIST AND TO KNOW PEOPLE ON THAT LIST. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> AND FOR THE UNDER 30 PART. >> THEY NEED ONE FOR OVER 65. >> WAIT, YOU ARE OVER 65?

>> I AM OVER 65 AND ABOUT TO GET MY EXEMPTION, BY THE WAY. I KNOW I I DON'T LOOK IT AND AS WE GET INTO THE CAMPAIGN SEASON, YOU WILL BE AMAZED HOW MUCH WEIGHT I WILL LOOSE AND HOW MUCH YOUNGER I WILL LOOK. ITEM AD I WANTED TO REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF RESOLUTIONS OF SUPPORT IN CONNECTION WITH THE LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROGRAM FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING PROJECTS. THAT'S THE ONE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT UNDER OUR POLICY -- I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER. I REMEMBER SOMETHING. WE CHANGED OUR POLICY THAT OBVIOUSLY WHEN YOU WANT TO DO TAX CREDITS, THE DEPARTMENT MAKES A RECOMMENDATION AND IT COMES TO THE COURT. WE NO LONGER HAVE A PARTY EACH ECONOMICS -- COMMISSIONER CAN

VETO. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT. >> THERE WAS SOME LANGUAGE IN THERE THAT SAYS YOU HAD TO -- THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO GET A LETTER OF SUPPORT FROM A STATE REP IN SUPPORT OF A 9% TAX CREDIT AND A 4% TAX CREDIT. WE DIDN'T HAVE TO DO THAT FOR BOTH. MY NOTES BECAUSE I'M TIRED AND -- I AM NOT AS ALERT, BUT WHICH DO WE DO? I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T REQUIRE IT FOR BOTH.

>> CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. THE DAPHNE COMMUNITY SERVICES PROJECT.

ACCORDING TO THE POLICY THAT WAS ADOPTED IN JUNE, IN THAT POLICY BASICALLY ADOPTED THE STATE OF TEXAS QUALIFIED ALLOCATION PLAN REQUIREMENTS FOR 9% LOW INCOME HOUSING TAX CREDIT PROJECTS. AND IT INCLUDES THE STATE REP LETTER OF SUPPORT.

>> IT IS NOT REQUIRED FOR A 4% TAX CREDIT. >> IT IS NOT.

BOTH OF THESE PROJECTS ON THE AGENDA ARE 4% TAX CREDITS. THEY DID MEET THE REQUIREMENTS, BUT OUR UNDERSTANDING IS SOME OF THE OTHER PROJECTS HAVE QUESTIONED

THE NEED FOR THE LETTERS. >> HERE IS MY MOTION. >> THIS IS 8E UNDER CSE.

I MOVE THE REQUIREMENT AND LEVEL OF SUPPORT FROM THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE --

>> PAGE 8, ITEM 9E. >> OH IS THAT WHAT IT IS? I HAVE 8E.

OKAY, 9E. I'M SORRY. I WANT TO MOVE THE LETTER OF SUPPORT AND IN WHOSE DISTRICT THE DSM MEANT BE REMOVED FROM THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT'S MULTI-FAMILY RENTAL HOUSING AND TAX CREDIT APPLICATION REVIEW AND RESOLUTION CRITERIA. IT IS NOT JUST FOR THIS ONE, BUT FOR ALL OF THEM. WE WELCOME THE VOTE ON IT. AS A STATE LEGISLATOR I FOUGHT FOR A GOOD 15 YEARS TO TRY TO REMOVE FROM STATE LAW THE REQUIREMENT THAT IS ONLY IN

[03:00:02]

I ASSUME BY TAKING THE SENATORS OUT AND IT PASSED, I BELIEVE UNANIMOUSLY, GO BACK AND CHECK IT. IT IS AT LEAST TWO-THIRDS AND WE NEED TO TAKE IT OUT AND THERE IS NOWHERE ELSE IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THAT IS REQUIRED.

IN MY JUDGMENT IT VIOLATES STATE HOUSING LAWS. I AM CERTAINLY LOOKING AT TRYING TO SUE AND GET SOMEONE TO SUE TO GET THAT OUT. IT CLEARLY DOES DISCRIMINATE.

IT IS CREATING A CHALLENGE FOR US BECAUSE EVEN WHEN SOMEBODY WANTS TO DO AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN TEXAS, THEY DON'T EVEN APPLY FOR IT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WON'T GETTING LETTER FROM THE STATE REP. THERE HAS BEEN AN INSTANCE WHERE A STATE REPRESENTATIVE WENT TO JAIL OVER THE PROVISION BEING IN THE LAW. IT OUGHT TO COME OUT AND WE HAVE CHANGED OUR TAX APPLICATION AND REVIEWED THE RAYS -- THE RESOLUTION CRITERIA. EACH COMMISSIONER NO LONGER DECIDES BECAUSE IT WAS NICE AND QUIET. IN THE OLD DAY IS -- OLD DAYS THE COMMISSIONER WOULD SAY YOU DON'T NEED TO COME OUT HERE AND THE WORD IS STILL OUT THERE WHERE THE FOLKS WANT TO GET THE TAX CREDITS DON'T EVEN GO TO THE CERTAIN PRECINCTS. AND THAT'S WHY MOST OF THEM ARE IN MY PRECINCT, NUMBER ONE. I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO TAKE THEM. I KNOW THAT THERE IS A CRISIS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

PARTICULARLY -- IT IS WRONG AND IT IS DISCRIMINATORY. I APPLAUD THE LOW INCOME ADVOCATES BECAUSE WE CAN'T PUT THE HOUSING IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD BECAUSE THE ARGUMENT WHICH THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS SUPPORTING BY THE WAY, IS YOU CAN'T CONCENTRATE POVERTY LIKE THAT. THEY KEEP PUTTING ALL OF THE PROJECTS IN THE SAME NEIGHBORHOODS. THEN YOU RUN INTO THE POSITION WELL WHERE DO THEY GO? THAT'S WHY I AM MAKING THE MOTION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I MAKE THE MOTION. WE CAN DISCUSS IT ALL WE WANT, BUT AT SOME POINT WE HAVE TO VOTE ON IT. IF IT DOESN'T PASS JUST PUT IT ON THE RECORD I SAID IT.

IF I CAN'T FILE A LAWSUIT, SOMEBODY IS GONNA FILE ONE. I AM GONNA DO AN ANAMECUS SAYING IT VIOLATES THE FAIR HOUSING ACT AND IT WILL BE PUT IN EFFECT OVER 50 YEARS AGO.

>> ARE WE MAKING A RESOLUTION TODAY TO CHANGE OUR POLICY? >> YES.

>> BECAUSE THAT IMPACTS A POLICY THAT IMPACTS THE STATE REPS OF THIS COUNTY?

>> YES. >> I'M GONNA OBJECT. THIS AGENDA ITEM DOESN'T GIVE OUR STATE REPS IN ANY KIND OF NOTICE THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO CHANGE OUR POLICY.

I HAVE 12 STATE REPS IN PRECINCT FOUR. YOU HAVE SIMILAR NUMBERS IN YOUR PRECINCTS AND WE ARE ABOUT TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING THAT THEY HAVE PARTICIPATED IN. HALF OF MY STATE REP ARE ON ONE SIDE OF THE AISLE AND THE OTHER HALF ARE ON THE OTHER SIDE. I LIKE WORKING WITH MY STATE REPS. I DON'T THINK THIS GIVES US ANY NOTICE THAT WE ARE ABOUT TO CHANGING -- CHANGE THOSE POLICIES. [INAUDIBLE].

>> ON THE AGENDA FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, ARE

WE OKAY TO VOTE ON THIS? >> [INAUDIBLE]. >> OKAY, I WILL POST IT ON MONDAY. WE WILL MAKE IT BROAD AND POST IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NORMALLY, THIS IS THE CDGB FUNDS WHICH WE CAN AFFECT.

THE OTHER ARE THE STATE FUNDS. THESE ARE UP TO THE COUNTY, SO

WE CAN SET OUR POLICIES AS TO WHAT QUALIFIES, RIGHT? >> YES, SO JUDGE, FOR THE ORIGINAL POLICY WE LOOKED AT THE QAP. WE WERE LOOKING FOR THE TAX CREDITS THAT THE STATE REQUIRES THE REQUIREMENTS. WHAT WE DID AT THE TIME IS THE 4% TAX CREDITS THAT AREN'T COMPETITIVE DO NOT NEED THE STATE REP LETTER AND WE

ADOPTED THE STATE REP LETTER FOR THE 9% AND THE 4%. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THIS OUR

CHOICE TO ADD THE STATE REP LETTER? >> FOR THE 4%.

THE 9% IS A REQUIREMENT. AND I WOULD ADD ALSO JUST TO INFORM THE COURT THAT THERE IS THE -- THE QUALIFIED ACTION PLAN FOR 2020 CAME OUT AND THERE ARE ADDITIONAL CHANGES FOR STATE REP NOTIFICATION AND IT WOULD AFFECT THE POLICY THAT WE APPROVED, AND SO THERE

WOULD BE FURTHER CHANGES WE WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK WITH. >> YOU KNOW WHAT I WILL DO

[03:05:02]

MONDAY? >> YES, I WOULD LIKE -- >> WHY I AM GOING TO WORK WITH MY STAFF SOMETHING BROAD ENOUGH TO DO BOTH. AND I WANT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A POWER THAT THE STATE REPS DON'T HAVE UNDER STATE LAW. THEY ONLY HAVE THE POWER TO DENY PERCENT POLICY. WE, UNILATERALLY, I THINK BY ACCIDENT, ADDING IT TO 4%.

I WANT DAPHNE TO MAKE A POINT AND I WILL HOLD IT FOR MONDAY.

I WANT TO MAKE A CASE THAT WE NEED TO LET THE FOLKS WHO DO THESE HOUSING CREDITS KNOW THAT THEY CAN APPLY IN ANY PRECINCT. IN THE PAST -- LOOK, I TALKED TO THEM. THEY TOLD ME. THEY SAID WE ONLY GO TO YOUR PRECINCT AND OCCASIONALLY PRECINCT 2 BECAUSE THEY WON'T LET US PUT THEM IN OTHER PRE SINKS. PRECINCTS. THAT'S NOT FAIR TO POOR PEOPLE WHO NEED A PLACE TO LIVE. WHEN WE HAVE SUCH A LARGE POPULATION IN UNINCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY, POOR PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT IN AMERICA NOW, EVEN 50 YEARS AFTER LBJ'S FAIR HOUSING ACT TO LIVE WHEREVER THEY WANT TO LIVE. WE DON'T WANT TO CONCENTRATE THEM IN CERTAIN PRE SINKS. PRECINCTS. I WILL DO IT MONDAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, AND WE HEAR ABOUT IT A LOT,

POST HARVEY ESPECIALLY. >> AND I KNOW EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING, BUT WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT AND NOT JUST TALK ABOUT IT.

THAT'S SOCK CRAW TEASE -- SOCK CRAW TEASE. >> ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU CAN

PREVENT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE LEFT AFTER COMMUNITY SERVICES.

LET'S GO BACK TO COUNTY LIBRARY, YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES, CONSTABLES, SHERIFF, INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES, COUNTY CLERK, COUNTY ATTORNEY.

WE HAVE SPEAKERS FOR ITEM 16C. THERE IS ONE SPEAKER, CORETTA BROWN, ON PAGE 10.

CORETTA BROWN? WE WILL CALL HER UP IF SHE GETS HERE.

PRE-TRIAL SERVICES. BE -- PROBATE COURT, DISTRICT COURT, TRADING, GRANTS.

WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON ITEM D PAGE 15, NATALIE RUIZ. >> WHICH ITEM ON PAGE 15,

JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: D, 21D. >> 14D, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M SORRY. OH, OKAY. OKAY, THANK YOU.

READY? >> I AM NATALIE RUIZ AND I AM A RESIDENT HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM KIND OF NEW TO THIS, BUT I THINK WHAT I AM LOOKING AT HERE IS THE MONEY THAT IS BEING FUNDED TOWARD CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES, ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND SO FORTH AND IF WE ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO WHAT IS GOING ON, ESPECIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF CHILDREN FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS, FAMILIES FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS AND CHILDREN WHO ARE BEING ABUSED, SEXUALLY ABUSED AND IN CUSTODY OF CPS AS WELL AS IN THE FOSTER CARE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE CHILDREN WHO ARE NOT HAVING A SAFE PLACE TO BE WHEN THEY ARE IN CUSTODY OR THEY ARE BEING PUT IN DETENTION CENTER. MY QUESTION IS WHY ARE WE CONTINUING TO FUND AN AGENCY THAT IS TRAFFICKING CHILDREN? AND TWO, IF ANY ENTITY IS IN PLACE TO ASSURE THAT THE FUNDS THAT ARE BEING ALLOTTED TOWARD THESE DIFFERENT PROGRAMS ARE ACTUALLY BEING DELIVERED EFFICIENTLY, AND ASSURED THAT THESE CHILDREN ARE GETTING

[03:10:08]

THEY ARE TO THE BEING HUMAN TRAFFICKED OUT WHICH WE HAVE SEEN A LOT OF THAT BEING EXPOSED FROM THE TOP IN THE NATIONAL LEVEL TO THE LOCAL LEVEL.

I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS WORKS, BUT I DO NOT AGREE THAT WE SHOULD CONTINUE TO FUND AN AGENCY THAT IS HARNL -- HARMING CHILDREN WITHOUT SOME PLAN OF ACTION AND PROTOCOL TO ENSURE THAT WHEN THESE FUNDS ARE GIVEN TO THIS AGENCY, THAT THEY ARE ACTUALLY USED IN A

SAFE WAY TO HELP THE CHILDREN. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> YOU JUST HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS. >> NO, I'M GOOD.

>> YOUR EXPERIENCE IS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY CPS OR THE STATE CPS?

>> IT IS WITH HARRIS COUNTY. >> THERE ARE TWO TITLES OF CPS THAT SOMETIMES GET CONFUSED.

>> HARRIS COUNTY FOR SURE. I'M NOT SURE ABOUT THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE STATE, BUT YES DEAF -- DEFINITELY HARRIS COUNTY.

>> BACK IN THE DAY I USED TO DO CPS WORK. SOMETIMES WE REPRESENTED KIDS CAUGHT IN THE SYSTEM. AT THE END OF DAY THE PURPOSE OF THE FUNDING IS TO PROTECT KIDS. IF WE ARE FAILING IN THE PURPOSE, WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT IT. THIS IS MR. SHANKLIN OVER HERE.

AT THE END OF THE DAY IF YOU DON'T MIND VISITING WITH HIM AND HE WILL VISIT WITH OUR BOARD MEMBER WITH CPS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.

THE PURPOSE IS TO PROTECT. WE ARE FAILING IN THE PURPOSE.

>> IS THERE SOMETHING IN PLACE ALREADY? WE ARE FAILING.

THE INFORMATION IS OUT THERE. I DON'T NEED TO RECALL ALL OF THE LAWSUITS WHETHER IN HARRIS COUNTY OR TEXAS OR THE STATE OR THE NATION. I'M PRETTY SURE EVERYONE IS AWARE THAT IT IS NOT WORKING. IF SOMETHING IS IN PLACE, WHY ISN'T IT WORKING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WILL INVITE YOU TO VISIT WITH OUR DIRECTOR AND JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT ISSUE SPECIFICALLY YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. I DON'T KNOW IF JOEL IS HERE.

>> YES. >> WE ARE GIVING YOU THE PUBA OF THE DEPARTMENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU CAN VISIT WITH HIM. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> AND JUDGE, TO INTERRUPT, TIFFANY REA DARK DASH R

REEDY IS ON HER WAY OVER AND SHE IS AVAILABLE TO TALK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS

GRANT. >> DID WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER?

[INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK YOU SIGNED UP NOT ON ANY AGENDA ITEM. IF THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE SPEAKING ON -- SABLE

THORNTON? WHY DON'T YOU GO AHEAD. >> SO TO GO FROM WHAT SHE WAS SAYING IS -- WELL I GUESS I WELL TELL YOU MY STORY BECAUSE I MYSELF IS A VICTIM OF

TRAFFICKING OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU STATE

YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. >> SABLE THORTON AND A RES DEBT OF -- RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH CPS AND ONLY ONE REALLY WAS UNPLEASANT. IN THE HANDS OF CPS AND IN A LOCK DOWN FACILITY CALLED RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT CENTERS I WAS RAPED, BEATEN, DRUGGED, STARVED AND ISOLATED. THIS WENT ON APPROXIMATELY SEVEN YEARS FOR THE ENTIRE DURATION I WAS IN CPS. I'M SORRY IF I GET A LITTLE EMOTIONAL.

I JUST KNOW FOR A FACT THROUGH MY OWN PERSONAL EXPERIENCES AND THE EXPERIENCES OF -- WELL

[03:15:02]

WE DIDN'T SEE ANY OF THE MONEY ON TOP OF THE MONEY OF MY OWN FROM MY MOTHER'S SOCIAL SECURITY THAT WAS BEING STOLEN FROM ME BY CPS. I REALLY JUST CAN'T AGREE WITH, AND I CAN'T SUPPORT THE FUNDING OF THE VERY AGENCY THAT LEAD TO THE DAMAGE THAT I ENDURED TODAY, AND THE TRAUMATIC ISSUES AND THE THINGS THAT I HAVE TODAY BECAUSE IN ALL ACTUALITY IT WAS BECAUSE OF THEM. AND I PLAYED NO PART IN CAUSING MYSELF TO BE IN THESE TREATMENT CENTERS. I HAD DEPRESSION.

I DID HAVE ISSUES WITH SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM, AND THE WAY TO FIX THAT IS NOT LOCKING CHILDREN IN CAGES, AND IT IS NOT HAVING THEM BEING ABUSED BY PEDOPHILES AND BY PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO REGARD FOR INTEREST OR SAFETY. AND I JUST -- I AM NOT SURE WHERE THIS MONEY IS BEING ALLOCATED TO, BUT I AM ALMOST 100% SURE THAT THE CHILDREN WILL NEVER SEE IT AND IT WILL NEVER BENEFIT THEM. I CAN'T AGREE WITH SUPPORTING AN AGENCY AND FUNDING AN AGENCY THAT ALLOWS FOR THE ABUSE OF CHILDREN AND THE TRAFFICKING OF CHILDREN. IT IS JUST NOT FAIR TO THEM AND TO THEIR FAMILIES TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS TO THEM AND THE MONEY THAT LINES THE POCKET OF THE PEOPLE THAT DO IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND I DO SUGGEST THAT IF JOEL COULD ALSO VISIT WITH HER, I THINK THERE IS A DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE STATE CPS AND THE

COUNTY CPS. >> SEVERAL OF THE TREATMENT CENTERS THAT I HAVE

PERMANENTLY -- PERSONALLY BEEN TO ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT.

AND THEY MAY STILL BE STATE FACILITIES. IF YOU VISIT WITH THE DIRECTOR AND HE WILL GET TO US IF ANY OF THESE CONCERNS RELATE TO HARRIS COUNTY SPECIFIC THAT WE

OWN AND OPERATE. >> JUDGE, THANK YOU. SABLE, THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. REGARDLESS OF WHETHER IT IS A STATE OR COUNTY-OWNED OPERATION, FROM OUR STANDPOINT, IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW.

REGARDLESS OF THE FACT, YOU ARE HERE AND SHARING YOUR STORY AND IT IS IMPORTANT.

FROM MY STANDPOINT, I THINK WE HAVE A TRUSTED DIRECTOR IN CHARGE OF THOSE OPERATIONS, BUT NONETHELESS, HE LISTENS TO THESE TYPES OF CONCERNS AND I KNOW HE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT A PART OF THAT UNFORTUNATE EXPERIENCE THAT YOU HAVE BEEN THROUGH.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR COMING.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO THAT WAS GRANT. FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. I DO WANT TO STOP ON THE AUDITOR'S ITEM.

I BELIEVE IT IS PAGE 16. IT IS ITEM 22A-3. IT IS VERY EXCITING.

IT IS FRAUD WASTE AND ABUSE HOTLINE THAT I BELIEVE YOU HAVE HIGH LATED, BUT NOW ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE INITIATIVE AND ENCOURAGE YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT ONCE IT COMES ONLINE WE PUT IT ON THE COUNTY'S MAIN PAGE AND SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THIS. TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE PROGRAMS HAVE EASY ACCESS.

>> VERY GOOD. >> WE ARE PLANNING TO LAUNCH THIS FIRST OF THE YEAR IN JANUARY,ING AND WE WILL -- IN JANUARY AND WE WILL LET IT BE ON THE COUNTY'S HOME PAGE AND WE WILL GET INFORMATION OUT TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS IN HARRIS

COUNTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN SUPPORT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTING.

>> JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> WHILE ON PURCHASING, I KNOW IT HAS BEEN I'M PAINED THAT OUR VERY OWN DWIGHT HERE HAS BEEN THROUGH A LOT LATELY, AND I AM APPRECIATIVE THAT HE HAS COME THROUGH OKAY. I DON'T THINK HE IS GOING TO BE COACHING THE LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL FOR AWHILE, BUT I THINK HE IS ON THE MEND, AND I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY APPRECIATION THAT HE IS BACK IN THE SADDLE AND WORKING FOR

US AGAIN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. LIKEWISE, DWIGHT.

[03:20:03]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. MOVING TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT

I MOVE MY ITEMS. COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1. >> MOTION LEAN WE HAVE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE ONE PRECINCT 1. THERE IS ONE SPEAKER ON YOUR

ITEM AND THAT IS MARY GLOVER. >> HELLO. I AM MARY GLOVER AND I WORK FOR HARRIS COUNTY, DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CASE FOR KIDS. AFTER SCHOOL DIVISION OF HCDE. MY DIVISION PROVIDES RESOURCES, TRAINING AND FUNDING FOR STUDENTS IN PRE-K THROUGH 12 AND AFTER -- AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS AND CHILD CARE FACILITIES. AS A BRANCH OF HCD -- HCDE, THE AFTER SCHOOL DIVISION HAD A GOAL TO KEEP KIDS SAFE AND HELP WORKING FAMILIES AND IMPROVE ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT. THE PROGRAM ALLOWS KIDS TO WORK WITH COLLABORATORS AND INVEST IN OUT OF SCHOOLTIME AND SUPPORT OVERALL PROGRAM QUALITY IMPROVEMENT THROUGH A PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON GAL REIS SON -- GALVESTON COUNCIL.

HOUR HGAC. THEY ARE PARTNERED TO CERTIFIED FUNDS DEDICATED TO OUT OF SCHOOLTIME PROGRAMMING. IN RETURN CASE GIVES EACH PARTNER THE OPPORTUNITY TO ACCESS THE FOLLOWING RESOURCES AND SERVICES.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES, ENRICHMENT VENDOR PLACEMENT AND STUDENT FIELD EXPERIENCES. ALL RESOURCES AND SERVICES ARE TAILORED TO MEET THE NEEDS OF THE PARTNERING ORGANIZATION WITH THE VALUE OF SERVICES BASED ON THE ORGANIZATION'S CAPACITY. AS REQUIRED BY HGAC IT SERVES CHILDREN AGE FOUR TO 12 OR STUDENTS WITH A DOCUMENTED DISABILITY UP TO 19 YEARS OF AGE. THE QUALITY PROGRAM HELPS STUDENTS BUILD SOCIAL

EMOTIONAL SKILLS. >> JUDGE, ONE OF THE THINGS MS. GLOVER IS INVOLVED WITH IS SOMETHING WE CAN BE VERY PROUD OF IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND IT IS SOMETHING WE HAVE JUST STARTED IN THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. AS YOU HEARD ME SAY MANY TIMES BEFORE THEY ARE IN THE POVERTY RANGE. A LOT OF THE KIDS THAT ARE IN THAT ZONE, IF THEY WANT TO ACHIEVE THE GREAT GOALS LIKE OTHERS THAT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACHIEVE, THEIR AVENUE TO GET INTO COLLEGE IS USUALLY SPORTS. THERE IS A PROGRAM THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS HAD FOR AWHILE WHICH IS HUDDLE, THE HOUSTON URBAN DEBATE LEAGUE, THEY WILL FUNNEL THEM WHERE IT WAS COOL TO BE SMART AND WHERE THEY WERE ABLE TO PICK UP AT A HIGH SUCCESS RATE WITH THE SKILLS AND COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS TO GO ON AND CONTINUE TO HAVE THAT WAY OF CHANGING THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES IN LIFE.

NOT EVERYBODY CAN BE NUMBER FOUR OR OTHERS THAT ARE ABLE TO HAVE THE TALENT.

THEY HAVE DIFFERENT TALENTS. THAT HUDDLE PROGRAM THEY WILL DO IT, BUT IT WAS NOT AVAILABLE TO KIDS THAT WEREN'T IN THE HOUSTON SCHOOL DISTRICT UNTIL THREE AND A HALF, FOUR YEARS AGO. NOW THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION HAS EXPANDED THE PROGRAM AND NOW KIDS CAN BE COOL TO BE SMART AND GET INTO COLLEGE NOW THAT MAY NOT HAVE THE ATHLETIC CAPACITY ON THE PHYSICAL SIDE, BUT HAVE THE COMPETITIVE DRIVE AND THAT IS A WONDERFUL THING THAT WE CAN BE PROUD OF AND PROVIDING ADDITIONAL AVENUES FOR THE UNDER SERVED TO BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES AND IN THEIR OWN LIVES. I CAN INTRODUCE YOU TO THAT MORE LATER ON, JUDGE. THIS IS EXCITING. I WAS A DEBATER IN HIGH SCHOOL. IT CHANGED MY LIFE. I AM REALLY GLAD TO SEE THE CHANGE THAT'S THIS IS MAKING AND IN THE LIVES OF THESE FOLKS THAT WOULD NOT HAVE THAT

OPPORTUNITY, BUT FOR THIS PROGRAM. >> THANK YOU.

>> SUGGEST A WALK THROUGH THE NUMBERS. THANK YOU FOR BEING SO

[03:25:02]

CASE FOR KIDS WOULD PROVIDE 32,000. AND THEN WHAT ARE THE OTHER --

ARE THERE OTHER MATCHES? >> THE 300,000 IS -- YOU'RE NOT PUTTING UP NEW FUNDS.

IT IS EXISTING FUNDS. IT IS THE FUNDS YOU ALREADY SPEND ON AFTER SCHOOL

PROGRAMMING. FOR EXAMPLE, AT LINKIN PARK. >> SO IT LETS ME DRAW DOWN THE

INITIAL 32. >> YEAH. SO CASE HAS THE CONTRACT WITH HGAC, AND WE DRAW DOWN -- WE HELP THEM DRAW DOWN THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

ACTUALLY WHAT WE ARE SPENDING ON THIS PROGRAM IS THE RETURN CASE GETS -- FOR EVERY DOLLAR WE DRAW DOWN WE GET A RETURN DOLLAR AND WE RE-INVEST IT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY.

AND WE ARE ABLE TO DO THIS THROUGH THE PROGRAM. WITH PRECINCT ONE WE ALLOCATE $32,000 FOR THE RESOURCES. WE ALSO HAVE A STAFF PERSON AVAILABLE THAT GOES OUT AND COACHES THE SITES. I WANT TO LOOK AT HOW WE CAN EXPAND.

THE JUDGES MADE PART OF THE STATE COUNTY ADDRESS AND TRYING TO DO MORE IN TERMS OF PRE K AND IT IS ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS THAT COMES FROM HGAC.

A LOT OF MONEY GOES TO HGAC MEMBERS BECAUSE OF THE SIZE OF HOUSTON AND THE POPULATION OF HARRIS COUNTY. WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET MORE AND IT TAKES MONEY.

THIS IS A MAJOR STEP. GIVING THEM HOUSING AND A HOST OF OTHER ISSUES.

IT IS UNINCORPORATED. >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. NOW LET'S MOVE TO PRECINCT 2, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. ON ITEM TWO, YOU KNOW, HAVING HAD THE LIFE THAT HAS BECOME A POINT OF REFLECTION FOR MANY OF US AND LOOKING TO CONTINUE TO HONOR HIS LEGACY, AND THE FACT THAT HAD HE NOT BEEN TAKEN AWAY FROM US SO PREMATURELY, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT WE WOULD STILL BE HAVING THE CONVERSATION.

THE ISSUE IS WITH THE EXPERIENCE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO HE ENCOURAGED THE INVOLVEMENT OF OTHERS WHO ARE MEMBERS OF THE SIKH COMMUNITY TO STEP FORWARD.

ONE OF THE MOST POWERFUL MOMENTS THROUGH THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE OF HIS DEATH WAS BEING IN HIS HOME WITH HIS FAMILY, AND THEN BEING AROUND SEVERAL OTHER SIKH FAMILIES.

THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS DONE A GOOD JOB AND BEING MUCH MORE INCLUSIVE.

I THINK HARRIS COUNTY CAN CATCH UP. SO THIS ITEM IS INTENDED TO -- AND FIRST I HAVE A CORRECTION ON THE ITEM. WHERE IT STATES THE FIRST REFERENCE TO THE RELIGIOUS, THAT SHOULD BE STRUCK BECAUSE IT IS A REDUNDANT THEREAFTER.

THAT'S THE ONLY CORRECTION ON THAT ITEM. I WANT TO HAVE A CONVERSATION TO SEE COUNTY ATTORNEY ASSISTANCE. I KNOW WE HAVE ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT ARE A PART OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. CONSTABLES IN PARTICULAR.

BUT IF THE COUNTY IS GOING TO HAVE AN INCLUSIVE POLICY I THINK IT SHOULD BE A MATTER OF OUR APPROACH OF GROWING THE TALENTS WITHIN THE RANKS OF EVERY AREA OF THE COUNTY CLERK. I AM LOOKING FOR JUST HOW MUCH WE CAN CHALLENGE OURSELVES TO BE MORE INCLUSIVE JUST BEYOND COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. AND IF BEING INCLUSIVE IS PART OF OUR -- SHOULD BE PART OF OUR HR PROCESS GENERALLY SPEAKING, AND IN THOSE

[03:30:05]

THAT'S THE QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO LOOK AT IT. IT IT HAS COME TO THE BASIC PREMISE THAT PEOPLE WHO ARE ELECTED BY THE VOTERS GET TO SET MOST OF THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT AND HOW THEY OPERATE THEIR OFFICE AND HOW THEY RUN THINGS ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS BECAUSE THEY ULTIMATELY ANSWER TO THE VOTERS AND NOT TO THE COMMISSIONER.

ALL OF THAT BEING SAID, PART OF WHAT WE WANT TO DO IN OFFICE IS TO WORK WITH EACH CONSTABLE AND EACH ONE OF THE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS.

MY NOTION IS THAT THIS IS THE SORT OF THING THAT THEY WOULD WANT TO DO, AND IT MAY NOT BE NECESSARY TO ADOPT A UNIFORM POLICY. I'M TALKING ABOUT A BROAD POLICY. I KNOW THE SHERIFF HAS DONE IT.

YOU DID IT WHEN YOU WERE SHERIFF. CERTAINLY THAT'S HIS PREROGATIVE AS AN ELECTED OFFICIAL. YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN GETTING A LITTLE FEEDBACK. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS MUCH OPPOSITION TO THIS NOTION.

IT MIGHT BE DIFFICULT FOR THIS BODY TO MANDATE A SET OF RULES THAT EVERY ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS TO FOLLOW. WE WOULD RATHER NOT GO THERE, BUT WE CAN LOOK AT IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN YOU MENTION AN LGBTQ ISSUE, I PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO AMEND OUR PERSONNEL POLICY IN THAT REGARD. IT WAS MY ASSUMPTION THAT IT APPLIED TO EVERY DEPARTMENT, EVERY COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE, EVERYBODY ELSE'S OFFICE, OR IN MY LIFETIME, HAVING BEEN BORN IN 54, THERE WAS A TIME IF YOU LOOKED LIKE ME YOU YOU COULDN'T WORK IN CERTAIN PLACES. WHEN THE POLICY WAS PUT IN PLACE YOU COULDN'T DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, RELIGION -- I MEAN HOW DID THIS BODY PUT THAT -- I

MEAN WHY WOULD -- I AM TRYING TO -- >> IF YOU LOOK AT THE PERSONNEL REGULATIONS AND I HAVE TO PULL THEM OUT, THERE IS A BIG EXCEPTION IN THE BEGINNING THAT INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED OFFICIALS DON'T HAVE TO COMPLY WITH EVERY PART OF THE PERSONNEL REGULATIONS. WE KNOW AS A MATTER OF PRACTICE IT IS DIFFERENT

POLICIES. >> IS THAT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT OUR

POLICY IN? >> IT IS THE POLICY THAT APPLIES TO THOSE WHO ARE ANSWERABLE TO THE COMMISSION. THAT IS THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. IF YOU GET TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS THEY GET TO MORE OR LESS SET THEIR OWN RULES IN THE LAW.

BACK TO THE LGBT NOTION FOR YEARS THEY ADVISED ALL ELECTED OFFICIAL THAT'S FEDERAL LAW REQUIRES CERTAIN THINGS WITHIN THEIR DEPARTMENT, SO THEY HAVE TO TREAT PEOPLE CERTAIN WAYS REGARDLESS OF SUCH THINGS. IN THE SAME -- THE SAME WOULD APPLY TO THE UNIFORMS. IF THERE ARE LEGITIMATE RELIGIOUS REASONS FOR SOMEONE NOT TO NECESSARILY FOLLOW THE RULES SET EVEN BY ELECTED OFFICIALS, THAT ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS TO COMPLY WITH

FEDERAL LAW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THIS BY TRADITION OF COMMISSIONER'S

COURT, OR ARE YOU SAYING THAT IT IS A STATE LAW? >> BY STATE CONSTITUTION, THE WAY COUNTY GOVERNMENT HAS -- IS SET UP AND THE WAY PEOPLE ARE SELECTED IN HARRIS COUNTY CONTRASTED WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHERE EVERYONE IN THE CITY WORKS FOR THE MAYOR OR

[03:35:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE LGBTQ ISSUE, IS IT YOUR ADVICE THAT IT IS NOT LEGAL FOR ME TO ASK -- OR THIS ISSUE, TO ASK OR MAKE THEM REPORT WHETHER OR NOT THEY WILL COMPLY WITH IT? IF THEY REPORT ON IT, THAT WOULD BE -- AT LEAST IT WOULD BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE IN

THE BACK OF EVERYBODY'S MIND. >> I MEAN, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE -- WELL.

WE CAN CERTAINLY RESEARCH THE ISSUE MORE IN DEPTH, BUT IF YOU THINK ABOUT IT, IF YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO REQUIRE SOMEONE TO REPORT TO YOU, THEN YOU ARE IN EFFECT TELLING THAT ELECTED OFFICIAL, THAT THEY ARE SOME -- SOMEHOW SUB SERVE YENT TO YOU FOR COMMISSIONER SUPPORT. AND ACCORDING TO THE ELECTED CONSTITUTION THESE FOLKS WHO

ARE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED ANSWER TO THE PEOPLE. >> ROBERT, IF I UNDERSTOOD WHAT YOU JUST SAID, WITHIN OUR PERSONNEL POLICY GUIDELINES THAT THE ELECTED OFFICIAL HAS

THE DISCRETION NOT TO FOLLOW ALL? >> THERE ARE SOME, AND I AM NOT AN EXPERT IN THAT AREA. WE HAVE EXPERTS WE BRING IN, BUT THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW BECAUSE IT IS A MATTER OF FOLLOWING FEDERAL LAW AND FEDERAL MANDATES AND EVEN STATE LAW. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THEY HAVE A LITTLE MORE PREROGATIVE IN, LEE WAY, BECAUSE -- AND AGAIN, I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THAT'S WHY I WANTED TO PREF PHYSICIAN -- PREFACE IT BY SAYING THERE IS NOTHING STRONGLY ACCOMPLISHING WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH AND WE

MAY HAVE TO GO ABOUT IT A DIFFERENT WAY. >> WHAT ABOUT THE WAY OF -- WELL, JUST ESTABLISHING THE POLICY AS A COUNTY WIDE POLICY FOR ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS AND ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS -- WELL, ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS TO DO AND ALL OF THE ELECTED

OFFICIALS TO CONSIDER. >> WHICH WOULD BE SIMILAR TO ALMOST ALL OF THE PERSONNEL

REGULATIONS. >> EXACTLY. WHY COULD WE NOT ADOPT THIS

ITEM IN THAT -- >> I BELIEVE YOU COULD. AS LONG AS IT IS NOT

CONSIDERED A MANDATE ON THE ELECTED OFFICIAL. >> SO IS THERE AN AMENDMENT TO THIS ITEM? I DO WANT IT TO BE A REQUIREMENT OF ALL COUNTY DEPARTMENTS? CAN I AMEND IT TO SAY AND TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICES

OF ELECTED OFFICIALS? >> I WOULD THINK YOU COULD BECAUSE THAT'S THE LAW ANYWAY. IF AN ELECTED OFFICIAL WANTS TO ADOPT THE SAME POLICY THAT APPLIES TO OTHERS -- NOW IT MAY BE BETTER TO TALK TO THE ELECTED OFFICIALS FIRST TO GET SOME NOTION OF WHAT THEY ARE INTERESTED IN DOING RATHER THAN JUST TELLING THEM THIS IS

A TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT-TYPE SITUATION. >> I THINK THEY WILL COUNSEL WITH YOU BEFORE THEY WOULD COUNSEL WITH ME. THE FACT THAT WE ADOPT THIS --

IT IS THERE FOR THEM TO -- IT IS MORE -- >> AND MAYBE YOU WANT TO ADOPT IT AT THIS STAGE AND THEN COME BACK LATER WITH THE AMENDMENT AND THAT'S JUST THE SUGGESTION. WE HAVE REVIEWED THE FIRE MARSHALL'S POLICY.

WE ARE FINE WITH IT AS COUNTY ATTORNEYS. WE THINK IT RESTATES FEDERAL LAW. THAT MAY BE THE EXAMPLE THAT OTHERS WILL LOOK AT.

IN FACT, I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT OTHERS ARE LOOKING AT THAT.

>> GOOD DEAL. SO I WILL MAKE THAT SUGGESTED AMENDMENT TO THE ITEM.

I SEE THE FIRE MARSHALL HERE AND, LAURA, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME UP, I DO WANT TO COMMEND YOU, AND ASK YOU TO TALK THROUGH -- YOU, LIKE LAW ENFORCEMENT -- AND PROBABLY MORE SO THAN LAW ENFORCEMENT, YOU HAVE AN INCREDIBLE -- MORE AREAS OF TECHNICAL CHALLENGES. YOU HAVE WORKED EFFECT LIVELY TO ADOPT THIS.

>> YES, LORI HARRISON, COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL. GOOD AFTERNOON.

THAT IS CORRECT. IT WAS INTERESTING WHEN THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION BECAUSE WE HAVE A VERY STRICT DRESS CODE POLICY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE DO BECAUSE BY STATUTE WE ARE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND NOT A FIRE DEPARTMENT.

WE ALWAYS MAKE SURE OUR POLICIES MATCH TEXAS POLICE CHIEF ASSOCIATION AND TRY TO REFERENCE CALIA BECAUSE WE WANT TO BE IN LINE WITH BEST PRACTICES.

WHEN IT WAS BROUGHT TO US I CHECKED AROUND AND AN IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT AND I CALLED UP MY COUNTERPARTS THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND SAID CAN YOU SHARE ANY OF YOUR POSSIBLE -- POLICIES? THEY SAID, WE DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ON THAT.

IT WAS A LITTLE CHALLENGE TO DO THE RESEARCH, BUT IT WAS EASIER THAN ONE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED BECAUSE OF THE FACT THAT EVERY FIRE THAT OCCURS IS A HAZARDOUS MATERIALS INSURANCE DEPARTMENT. INCIDENT. WE KNOW WE HAD AN APARTMENT FIRE. WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE THOSE CHANGES -- AND IT IS NO THE A

[03:40:03]

WE TALK ABOUT MEDICAL CONDITIONS IN OUR POLICY AND WE HAVE ADDED THAT IN AND IT WAS EASY TO DO. WE CONTINUE TO REFERENCE THE NATIONAL STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES WE ARE REQUIRED TO FOLLOW IN THE TEXAS COMMISSION.

YOU ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE TEXAS COMMISSION ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT WE ALSO ARE REGULATED BY THE FIRE COMMISSION. OIR POLICY ALLOWS FOR THE DISCRETION OF MYSELF TO REGULATE COME COMBINATIONS. SO IF SOMEBODY IS WORKING IN A SPECIFIC ROLE AND THEY HAD TO PUT ON A RES SPIR RATER AND THEY HAD A BEARD, WE CAN TRANSFER THEM TO ANOTHER ROLE AND MAKE THE MODIFICATION NEEDED.

IT WAS EASY AND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT TO OUR ATTENTION AND ASKING US TO LOOK INTO IT. AS ROBERT SCHWARTZ SAID I AM GETTING A LOT OF CALLS WITH,

HEY, CAN YOU SHARE THAT WITH US. >> THANK YOU.

AND I APPLAUD YOU, LORI, FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THAT REGARD.

IT HAS BEEN REGARDER FOR OTHERS TO CONSIDER, AND FOR YOU IT IS FAIRLY EASY.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WILLINGNESS TO WORK THROUGH THAT. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND THEN I JUST HOPE THAT OTHERS WOULD LOOK TO THE FIRE MARSHALL'S LEADERSHIP AND CONSIDER AS SHE DID HOW TO WORK THROUGH IT AND BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY TO REFLECT YOUR RANKS WITH THE DIVERSITY THAT IS PART OF HARRIS COUNTY.

IN THAT REGARD, JUDGE, I WILL PROPOSE THAT WITH THE AMENDMENT OF THE CORRECTION OF DELETING THE FIRST TERM -- THE FIRST REFERENCE OF RELIGIOUS THAT THE ITEM READ AFTER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, COMMA, AND TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> I SECOND. >> I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION BEFORE WE VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUST READ THE MOTION ITSELF. IT SAYS A REQUEST -- WHAT IS

THE MOTION? >> REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING A POLICY FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS TO UNIFORM AND APPEARANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS, COMMA, AND TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS.

PERIOD. >> I SECOND IT, BUT I WANT TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU WANT TO TAKE OUT POSSIBLE SO IT SAYS ACTION REGARDING -- CREATING A POLICY? YOU CAN JUST TAKE OUT THE BEGINNING AND TAKE -- START

WITH ACTION. >> THERE YOU GO. >> WHO WOULD YOU WANT TO WORK

ON THAT FOR US, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE? >> YES.

>> SO YOU WANT TO REFER THAT TO THEM? >> NO.

WE ARE PASSING THE POLICY, AND -- BUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS CAN GUIDE --

>> IS IT A WRITTEN POLICY ATTACH SNED. ATTACHED.

>> [INAUDIBLE]. WE HAVE REVIEWED IT AND IT SEEMS WORKABLE FOR LAW

ENFORCE -- ENFORCEMENT AND IT COMPLIES TO THE LAW. >> WELL, MY CONCERN IS THAT THE ISSUE THAT'S ADDRESS THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE, THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT CONCERNS FOR OTHER DEPARTMENT THAT'S MAY NEED TO HAVE A TWEAK OR TWO THAT'S IN THERE THAT WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THE ONE SHIRT FITS ALL BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY HAS TO HAVE ACCOMMODATIONS.

>> I GET YOU, COMMISSIONER. THE FACT THAT IT IS A POLICY DOESN'T MAKE IT STRICT.

IT ALLOWS FOR THE DEPARTMENTS TO NAVIGATE IT AS THEY NEED. >> I AM NOT SURE WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THAT. IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE IT A POLICY, THAT'S GOING TO BE PART OF OUR RESOURCES POLICY, AND IT WOULD BE A BASIS OF SOMEBODY VIOLATING AND COULD

BE TERMINATED. >> ANY PART OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT MUST COMPLY TO

OTHER THAN OFFICES -- >> DEPARTMENTS -- THERE IS NO OTHER TECHNICAL OFFICE.

>> [INAUDIBLE] ADOPTING POLICY FOR THE FIRE MARSHALL

>> THEY CAN LOOK AT IT AND SAY YES WE LIKE THIS AND WE DON'T LIKE THIS AND TO YOUR POINT

ADOPT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUT SEE PART OF THE -- WHAT IS SO POWERFUL IS THAT THERE WILL EXIST A POLICY THAT OBVIOUSLY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL REVIEW.

JUST LIKE THE LGB ONE -- LGBT ONE, SO THERE IS NO DISCRIMINATION POLICY AND THEY WILL BE C T.O. DIFI SH -- CODIFIED THAT WERE THERE TO BE UNIFORMED INDIVIDUALS IN ANOTHER DEPARTMENT THIS IS THE POLICY THEY ABIDE BY. AND FOR ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT

[03:45:05]

IS FOR CONSIDERATION. >> IF I UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE, WE ARE APPROVING WHAT THE FIRE MARSHALL HAS DONE AND COMMENDING HER AND ASKING OTHERS TO LOOK AT HER MODEL.

>> THAT'S THE WAY I READ IT. >> THAT IS IMPARTED. THE DEPARTMENT WOULD HAVE A

UNIFORM REQUIREMENT THAT THIS COULD APPLY TO. >> FIRE MARSHALL, ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT THAT HAS UNIFORMS THAT IS A COUNTY DEPARTMENT?

>> WE DID LOOK AT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT POLICY AS A GUIDE, AND WE LOOKED AT THE

MILITARY. >> THEY ARE ELECTED. ARE THERE ANY OTHER COUNTY OR

ARE YOU IF -- ARE YOU IT? >> I KNOW SOME OF MY COUNTERPARTS IN ENGINEERING HAVE UNIFORM SHIRTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS CONSIDERED A UNIFORM.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE OTHER COUNTIES THAT HAVE A POLICY.

>> IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FOLKS THAT DRESS THE SAME WE MIGHT OUGHT TO LOOK AT THAT CLOSER TO MAKE SURE IT MAKES SENSE. MY GUESS IS IT WOULD CARRY

OVER, BUT MAYBE MORE THAN NEEDED. >> TO MY EARLIER POINT, THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ARE PRETTY HIGH THRESHOLDS FOR THIS POLICY TO APPLY TO. IT IS VERY HIGH. IF FPM OR SOME OF OUR TOLL OPERATORS, THEY WEAR A UNIFORM AND THIS IS SOMETHING FOR THEM TO CONSIDER.

THE THRESHOLD DROPS DRAMATICALLY AFTER YOU LEAVE LAW ENFORCEMENT.

>> IS THE PLACE WHERE YOU ARE TRYING TO GET SUCH THAT IF SOMEONE IS WORKING IN A TOLL BOOTH AND THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A UNIFORM AND FOR SOMEONE'S RELIGIOUS REASONS THEY ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR A TURBINE THEY OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO WEAR THE TURBIN.

>> I WOULD SAY THE ADVICE FROM THE COUNTY, THEY HAVE TO ALLOW THAT.

>> FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH I DID SECOND THE MOTION, BUT SINCE THE INITIAL ITEM SAID DISCUSS ON POSSIBLE ACTION CREATING A RELIGIOUS POLICY AND I WANT TO TAKE OUT RELIGIOUS.

ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID FOR COUNTY POLICY, COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE NONCHRISTIAN EMPLOYEES HAVE TO USE A FLOATING HOLIDAY OR VACATION TO TAKE OFF ON RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS. THIS IS A CALENDAR -- COUNTY THAT GIVES CHRISTMAS EVE AND CHRISTMAS OFF AND NOT JEWISH HOLIDAYS. I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE SENSITIVE TO IT. I ASSUME IT CREATES A VIOLATION OF SOME LAW ANYWAY,

BUT WE OUGHT TO BE SENSITIVE TO THAT. >> WE ARE CERTAINLY SENSITIVE

TO IT AND WILL REVIEW THE ISSUE. >> IF WE CAN ASK, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS TRANSPARENT. IS THERE ANY REASON WHY I

CAN'T ASK WHEN THIS IS DONE, OR WHAT IS YOUR POLICY? >> YOU CAN CERTAINLY ASK.

I DON'T KNOW YOU REQUIRE AS A BODY THEY REPORT. >> IF THEY DON'T I WILL MAKE NOTE OF IT. IF THEY DON'T, I WILL MAKE NOTE OF IT.

IF SOMETHING ELSE. FAR BE IT FROM ME TO SEEK RETRIBUTION, BUT I WILL BE

AWARE. >> AND WE ARE WORKING WITH THOSE INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED

OFFICIALS. >> I I JUST DON'T THINK WHEN I WAS ELECTED, AND I AM A RELIGIOUS PERSON, THAT IT MADE MIMI GOD AND I CAN GO -- MADE ME GOD AND I WON'T GO OUT AND

MISTREAT SOMEBODY. >> I WILL REPEAT THEY ANSWER TO THE VOTE -- VOTERS AND THEY

HAVE TO FOLLOW STATE LAW. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

REPEAT THE MOTION. >> CAN YOU RE-- REREAD THE MOTION 1234* IF WHAT WE ARE DOING IS SAYING GOOD JOB, FIRE MA -- FIRE MARSHALL AND OTHERS THAT THIS MAY APPLY LOOK AT THIS STELLAR MODEL. I'M ALL IN. THAT'S KIND OF WHAT I UNDERSTAND WE ARE DOING BECAUSE NOBODY ELSE IS UNIFORM.

>> WELL, YOUR CAMPS MIGHT HAVE UNIFORM. I KNOW MINE DO.

>> IF THEY WEAR MY RODNEY ELLIS LOCAL SHIRTS THEY CAN WEAR A TURB -- TURBIN.

THEY DON'T HAVE TO PUT MY LOGO ON THE TURBIN. >> I DON'T WANT ANYBODY

IMPINGING ON MY BELIEFS. >> I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS -- CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT IT SAYS ACTION REGARDING CREATING A POLICY FOR RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS TO UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS FOR COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND TO BE

CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICES OF ELECTED OFFICIALS. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

[03:50:02]

>> WHAT IS THE POLICY? >> THE POLICY IS THE BACK UP THAT THE FIRE MARSHALL HAS INCLUDED AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CAN WORK WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> ARE WE VOTING ON HER POLICY NOW OR SOME FUTURE POLICY? >> I AM SECONDING THE MOTION.

I AM JUST SECONDING THE WORDS. >> WOULD YOU PLEASE PUT OUT ON

A PIECE OF PAPER EXACTLY WHAT THE MOTION IS. >> I THINK IT HAS BEEN DONE.

>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS -- >> MAYBE THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING.

IF IN FACT YOU ARE ADOPTING THE POLICY APPLICABLE FIRE MARSHALL AS THE STANDARD POLICY FOR HARRIS COUNTY. PERSONALLY I CAN SEE SOME DEPARTMENT THAT'S MAY NEED TO COME BACK AND SAY THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR US. LET'S SEE IF WE CAN CHANGE

IT. >> I AGREE. >> I SEW WE WILL ADOPT IT?

>> CAN I READ IT AGAIN. >> WE CAN READ IT, BUT WE CAN'T UNDERSTAND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S KEEP GOING DOWN THE AGENDA. JAMES WILL WRITE THIS AND THEN SORT IT OUT. THAT WAS COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2.

COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 3. PRECINCT 4. >> MOTION.

[Item II]

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A SPEAKER HERE. LET ME SEE.

SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 WHERE WE DISCUSSED -- LET ME STOP ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 2.

IF THE DISTRICT CLERK IS HERE OR JIM B ETHKE -- BETHKEY. WE RECEIVED A REQUEST FOR A SIGNED RELEASE IMPLEMENTATION AND THAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

IT HAS BEEN DONE IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND IT WOULD MAKE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM MORE EFFECTIVE. THE IDEA IS TO BEGIN WITH THE PILOT AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IT MEANS FOR HARRIS COUNSELING -- HARRIS COUNTY. SHE SENT A LETTER SAYING WHAT SHE NEEDS IN THE INTERIM PILOT POSITION IS NOT FIVE POSITIONS, BUT ONE FULLY FUNDED POSITION AND NOT $17,200 FOR EQUIPMENT, BUT INSTEAD $9800 IN EQUIPMENT AND THAT WILL BE UP UNTIL WE COME BACK WITH THE ANALYSIS OF THE PILOT.

GO AHEAD. IF I MISSED ANYTHING, JIM? >> YOU GOT EVERYTHING, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THIS IS SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN WORKING THROUGH AT GJCC.

>> JIM BETHKEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WILL YOU FILL US IN WITH ANYTHING ELSE?

>> WE HAD GOOD MEETINGS WITH THE CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE PLANNING COMMITTEE.

THE ONE POSITION IS NEEDED AND SO WE ENJOYED WORKING WITH THE CLERK.

WE WILL LOOK AT IT FOR THE NEXT THREE MONTHS AND COME BACK TO Y'ALL IN APRIL AND

GIVE AN ASSESSMENT ON IT. >> JUST ONE POSITION? >> JUST ■ONE,YES.&-Ú>> WAS IT$9.

[04:05:23]

[04:05:27]

[04:05:32]

WE NEED VETS. WHY DON'T WE NEED -- Y'ALL WANTED TO DO IT THE OTHER WAY IMMEDIATELY FOR 25. LET'S GO AHEAD. THEY DESPERATELY NEED VETS.

WE ARE PAYING MORE MONEY FOR CONTRACT, AND WE CAN AGREE -- THIS IS NOT A FAIR QUESTION,

BUT SOMETIMES CONTRACT PEOPLE AREN'T QUITE AS DEDICATED. >> EXACTLY.

THAT'S A HUGE PROBLEM. >> WHY DON'T WE PROVE -- APPROVE FOUR VETS FOR THESE

PEOPLE. >> IF THE BUDGET SESSION IS NEXT WEEK -- THIS IS ALMOST

RIDICULOUS. >> LET THE DEPARTMENT COME OVER AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION. ARE YOU FEELING THE HEAT OVER THERE? DID SOMEBODY CALL YOU UP AND PLAYED THE SONG "WHO LET THE DOGS OUT."

>> YOU STARTED THIS LAST COURT. WE DIDN'T WANT THE 25 AND NOW

THEY WANT THREE MORE SO GIVE THEM THE VETS. >> IF THE DEPARTMENT HEAD CAME

IN WITH THE RECOMMENDATION. >> THE DEPARTMENT HEAD LAST WEEK WAS HAPPY --

>> IT IS AMAZING. WE NEED VETS. YOU CAN HIRE VETS AT THAT

PRICE, CAN'T YOU? >> WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR? WE ARE PAY MORE FOIN TO CON --

MORE MONEY TO CONTRACTS, VETS, WHO AREN'T AS DEDICATED. >> AND PRETTY MUCH HAVE US

OVER A BARREL AND CAN NAME THEIR PRICE. >> IT IS NOT ROCKET SCIENCE

HERE LYNN LYNN COMMISSIONER? . >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSION

SNEER. >> THANK YOU. I DO ANYTHING TO SUPPORT OUR DEPARTMENT GET BETTER AND HAVE THE RIGHT PEOPLE IN PLACE AND IS THAT NOT ENOUGH AND THIS IS

HAMMERING -- HAMPERING MY OTION -- HAMPERING MY MOTION. >> UNFORTUNATELY HE HAS A FUNERAL. DR. SHAW HAS A FUN -- FUNERAL.

>> IT DIDN'T COME FROM THE DEPARTMENT AND I DO THINK IT IS IMPORTANT -- THE PRECEDENT IS PROBLEMATIC. THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE A NEED. THEY NEED TO COME WITH IT.

IF IF IT IS THAT URGENT IS IT SOMETHING THAT COULD BE PUT ON? THERE IS A DOUBLE STAN -- STANDARD HERE, JUDGE. WHEN I TRUCK -- TALK TO DR. WHITE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN EVERYTHING IS BAD. BUDGET HEARINGS ARE SACRED.

IF PRE SINK FOUR ACTS IF WE HAVE ASKED THE FOLKS AND IDENTIFIED A PROBLEM, EITHER I AM LYING OR YOU ARE BEING POLITICAL. MY POSITION IS I WORK WITH THE LEADERSHIP. I HAVE TALKED TO THE EMPLOYEES IN THE RANKS OF THE DEPARTMENT, BUT HAVE YOUR BOSS CALL ME. IF THAT IS SOMETHING YOUR BOSS WANTS CALL ME. THAT'S MY POSITION. I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM DOCTOR SHAW. HE IS THE LEADER FROM THE DEPARTMENT.

IT IS FAIR. OTHERWISE THE -- HOWEVER WE ARE DOING IT AT THIS TABLE FOR ME IS BESIDES THE POINT. WHAT IS DANGEROUS IS THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO START MAKING AND PUTTING ITEMS ON THE AGENDA AND BASED ON WHAT RANK AND FILE THEY ARE ASKING FOR,

THAT IS DANGEROUS. >> DON'T TAKE THAT AS AN INSULT.

[04:10:04]

>> I DID CALL DR. SHAW ON ANOTHER MATTER. AND BECAUSE THIS ITEM HAD BEEN POSTED I ASKED HIM ABOUT IT. AND I THINK WE ARE ABOUT TO GO THROUGH THE BUDGET PROCESS.

>> SOME DIDN'T WANT IT. DR. SHAW -- IS THAT DR. SHAW'S POSITION? HE SAID THE ISSUE IS COMING UP. YOU GUYS CAN KEEP TALKING.

>> I HAVE AN IDEA. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE SHOULD ONE AT A TIME.

>> I AM GOING TO THE BROADER ISSUE OF THE PRINCIPAL. IF I GO TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT OR FLOOD CONTROL AND I FEEL AS THOUGH THEY NEED MORE EMPLOYEES, WHAT I WOULD DO WOULD BE FIRST TAKE THAT TO THE DEPARTMENT HEAD, AND THEN IF I DISAGREE WITH THE DEPARTMENT HEAD -- THIS IS HOW I WOULD OPERATE AND THEN I WOULD PUT IT ON THE TABLE.

I WOULDN'T JUST GO AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND I DON'T THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR ANY OF THE FIVE OF US -- EVERYBODY CAN HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION TO GO OUT AND TRY TO MICROMANAGE THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY IN THE COUNTRY. IF YOU DISAGREE THEN YOU GO AND MAKE THAT CASE. I JUST THINK IN TERMS OF RUNNING AN ORGANIZATION -- COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF I FELT A CERTAIN CATEGORY OF EMPLOYEES IN YOUR SHOP OUGHT TO BE PAID MORE THAT DO A BETTER JOB? AND THEN I GO AND PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA SO THE ISSUE TWO WEEKS AGO WAS IF DR. SHAW -- WHAT GOT MY ATTENTION WAS YOU SAID YOU NEGOTIATED A COMPROMISE. I'M THINKING, WELL COMPROMISE IN TERMS OF WHAT? WHAT EMPOWERED YOU TO GO -- I TOOK THAT TO MEAN YOU SQUEEZED A BIT AND SAID I WILL VOTE FOR IT. AND THEN IT CHANGED.

I THINK IN TERMS OF GOVERNMENT -- IF YOU DISAGREE WITH WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING, YOU CAN'T GET RID OF THE DEPARTMENT HEAD, THEN MICROMANAGE THE DEPARTMENT.

IT INHIBITS ONE'S ABILITY TO LEAD AN ORGANIZATION IF ONE OF THE FIVE OF US WANT TO

MICROMANAGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER? >> I HAVE A SUGGESTION.

WHY DON'T WE GO AHEAD AND APPROVE WHAT HE PUT ON THE AGENDA SUBJECT TO DR. SHAW DECIDING IF HE WANTS TO FILL THOSE POSITIONS. THAT WAS -- WE DO IT ALL THE TIME. GO AHEAD AND APPROVE IT AND IF DR. SHAW WANTS THOSE VETS, ONCE THE -- WANTS THE NEW POSITION, HE HAS IT. IF HE DOESN'T WANT TO DO. IT

HE JUST DOESN'T DO IT. IT GIVES HIM FULL DISCRETION. >> IT PUTS HIM BEHIND THE

EIGHT BALL. >> HOW? >> MY SUGGESTION TO THE COURT WOULD BE LET THE DEPARTMENT MAGES A RECOMMENDATION. IF WE DISAGREE THEN WE CAN MAKE A DECISION AS A BODY. IF WE WILL DO IT, I TELL YOU WHAT I'M GONNA DO.

I WILL FIND A LITTLE FREEDOM TIME TO PUT ITEMS ON AND PUT YOU BEHIND THE VOTE.

>> ARE YOU WELCOME TO COME TO MY PRE SINK ANYTIME. PRECITK -- PRECINCT.

>> YOU HAVE MINE TODAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO GET OUT OF HERE AS QUICK AS I COULD.

>> BASED ON THIS NEW PRINCIPAL, DOES THAT MEAN YOU ARE GONNA VOTE AGAINST PRECINCT 2'S MOTION ON THE FIRE MARSHALL'S UNIFORM POLICY BECAUSE THE FEAR MARSHALL

SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT IT UNDER HER SECTION. >> NO, IT DOES NOT.

>> IT IS THE SAME, BUT IT IS DIFFERENT. BECAUSE -- BECAUSE.

>> THE PRINCIPAL BEING PROPOSED IS YOU ARE BRINGING AN ITEM THAT ADDRESSES CONCERNS WITH THE FIRE MARSHALL, AND IT IS UNDER PRECINCT TWO.

IF I ADDRESS A CONCERN OF THE ANIMAL SHELTER IT IS DIFFERENT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WOULD IT MAKE A DIFFERENCE -- WHAT IS TODAY, TUESDAY?

[04:15:02]

DR. WHITE IS ON VACATION. THE BRIEF CONVERSATION SOUNDED LIKE -- THEY DIDN'T PUT THIS ON HERE. CAN WE ASK DR. SHAW OR DR. WHITE PUT ON THE MONDAY AGENDA WHATEVER IT IS THAT THEY URGENTLY NEED? EVERYTHING WILL GO THROUGH BUDGET HEARINGS. IT LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS URGENT POSITIONS THAT WE HAVE TO MAKE UP FOR AND NOW IT LOOKS LIKE THERE COULD BE POSITION THAT MAY BE AN ISSUE, BUT THEY ARE NOT HERE. ARE YOU GONNA BE OKAY LESS THAN ONE WEEK FOR THEM -- FOR

THE LEADERSHIP TO COME PUT THIS ON THE -- >> I ACCEPT THAT.

I'M FINE WITH THAT. >> I THINK WE ARE FINE WITH THAT.

I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THIS COURT HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE SHELTER.

IT IS NICE TO BE FOUGHT OVER, BUT WE DEFINITELY WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THATTING ALL OF THE -- THAT ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS HAS BEEN SUPPORTIVE OF THE SHELTER AND WE APPRECIATE EVERYTHING. THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS. BEING A SHELTER VET IS A VERY, VERY TOUGH JOB. WORKING AT THE SHELTER IS VERY TOUGH.

WE ARE NO KILL NOW, BUT WE COULD GO BACK TO -- THAT COULD CHANGE DRASTICALLY.

THERE ARE A LOT OF NEEDS AND ISSUES. >> HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?

HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS? >> FOR ALL OF THE POSITIONS? THE TOTAL --

>> DO YOU KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY

UNDERSTANDING IS IT PAYS FOR THE CONTRACTS. >> SO WE DON'T KNOW THE DOLLAR AMOUNT. JUST SAYING. IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW.

LEAN

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO REFER THIS BACK TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND ANIMAL SHELTER AND THEY BRING BACK THEIR REQUEST RELEVANT TO THIS ON

MONDAY. >> SO MOVED. NEEDING YOU NEED TO POST IT TO

THE AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. SECOND?

>> WAIT A MINUTE. THAT'S NOT PARLIAMENTARY, JUDGE.

I ACCEPT YOUR FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. YOU WOULD BE SECONDING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT AM I SECONDING? SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> YOU MADE A REQUEST TO AMEND MY MOTION. I ACCEPT THAT REQUEST IF -- AND IF COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO DO SOMETHING, HE CAN SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I MAKE THE MOTION AND NOW WE VOTE ON

IT. >> IT IS MY MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS YOUR

MOTION AND I MADE THE AMENDMENT. >> YOU MADE THE FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT. >> WE ARE GETTING TIRED HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON IT. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU GUYS. LET'S GO BACK TO THE RELIGIOUS

[Item I (Part 3 of 3)]

EXCEPTION ITEM WHICH I BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS READ BY NOW. >> WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN

BROUGHT UNDER THE FIRE MARSHALL'S AGENDA ITEM. >> DO YOU WANT TO READ IT

AGAIN, COMMISSIONER? >> THE ITEM READS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY IS REQUESTING ACTION REGARDING CREATING A POLICY OF RELINL JUS EXEMPTIONS -- RELIGIOUS EXEMPTIONS AND TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE OFFICES OF THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

>> JUST FOR CLARIFICATION, WE ARE ADOPTING THIS LANGUAGE AND NOT WHAT WAS IN THE BAG.

>> THIS IS LANGUAGE WE ARE ADOPTING. >> IF THIS IS ALL WE ARE

DOING, I WILL SECOND THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

>> ALTHOUGH BECAUSE WE ARE NOT DIRECTLY ADDRESSING THE FIRE MARSHALL WE WOULD NOT NEED TO HAVE THIS UNDER THE FIRE MARSHALL'S DEPARTMENT AS A SUGGESTED -- AS SUGGESTED BY

MY COLLEAGUE IN PRECINCT 1. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES YOUR SECOND STAND?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE SECONDED IT.

ALL IN FAVOR. OPPOSED. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

LET'S KEEP GOING. THAT WAS IS UP -- SUPPLEMENTAL AND WE WILL GET TO THE PUBLIC

[Item III]

THERE IS A PUBLIC HEARING ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER 7 FOR APPROVAL TO APPLY FOR A GRANT FOR PROPOSED DEVELOPMENTS FOR JAMES DRIVER PARK IN PRE SINK 2.

IS THERE ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK OR ORGANS THIS ITEM -- OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

NO SPEAKERS. IS THERE A MOTION? >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO THE PUBLIC HEARING ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 7.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

[04:20:05]

IS THERE ANYONE HERE THAT WANTS TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THE ITEM? OR AGAINST THE ITEM. THERE BEING NO SPEAKERS, I AM CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING.

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM? >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? OKAY. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU.

[Item IV (Part 2 of 2)]

BAYOU WATER DIRECTOR. >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

LET'S TAKE THIS WITH THE WHOLE AGENDA. DO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE

AGENDA? >> SO MOVED. SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION OF GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? PASSES. WE NOW HAVE SPEAKERS ON NONAGENDA-RELATED ITEMS.

[Item V]

FREDERICK MORTAYER. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> FREDERICK AND HERE FOR PUBLIC EASE MEANT AND REFORM FROM JAIL STANDARDS.

I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO EXERCISE MY RIGHT TO USE A PUBLIC COMPUTER BECAUSE I HAVE INDIVIDUALS MAKING AN TAG GONE NIGHING -- ANTAGONIZING HEAR SAY.

YOU CAN TELL I HAVE BEEN HERE QUITE AWHILE. I KNOW HOW TO ACT BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN INCOURSE RATED -- INCARCERATED BEFORE. WHAT I AM PROMIGATING IS THE INSURANCE OF REFORM DASH -- I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT FOR 18 YEARS.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON IT. MY INFORMATION THROUGH THE COMPUTER TECHS HAVE BEEN RENDERING ALL OF MY INFORMATION. I HAVE BEEN WORKING CONCERNING ISSUES ON STATE, FEDERAL AND CITY WHERE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT COMES IN AND WRITES A REPORT. WELL I AM KEEPING A TAB ON WHETHER I AM WRITING AND PROMELGATING SO I CAN RENDER A CONFIDENCE TO COMPROMISE BASED ON THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF TEXAS TO RECOMMEND MY BRIEF IN CONGRESS IN CASE I DON'T GET THE RIGHT AMOUNT OF FUNDING FOR WHAT I -- FOR WHAT I AM ASKING FOR.

THERE ARE ABOUT 10 ISSUES I HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTABLE FOR, BEING BLACKBALLED, SCHOLARSHIP FUND [INAUDIBLE] PUBLIC INTEREST, RELIGION PREFERENCE AND COMPENSATION FOR METRO AND SERVICE GUIDELINES. I CAN ADJUDICATE THE INFORMATION, BUT AS FAR AS MY VOTING RIGHTS AND BECOMING TO A PUBLIC INTEREST, I HAVE BEEN DISCRIMINATED OF ALL OF THE UNIVERSITIES AND ALL OF THE COUNTIES AND IN PUBLIC BASED ON CIVIL RIGHTS 42 SUBSECTION 1983 CIVIL RIGHTS. I AM COMING TO THE BOARD TO SPEAK WITH THE CHIEF JUDGE ROSENTHAL SO I CAN ACCOMMODATE MY INJURIES AND ACTIONS. I AM QUITE SURE BY ME SPEAKING

[04:25:01]

I HAVE PREPARED SOME ISSUES OF THE FUNDING THROUGH THE ANTITRUST LITIGATION.

THE ACTION THAT'S I AM -- THAT I AM ABIDING TO ADJUDICATE IS BEING DISCRIME GNAW TIFF.

MY DAD WAS IN THE WAR -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> IN WORLD WAR II SO WHAT I

AM TRYING TO DO AND SAY IS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE STOP ALL OF THE SPEAKERS AT TIME.

I'M AFRAID WE HAVE TO STOP YOU. WE CAN'T COMMENT ON ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA. IF A COUNTY ATTORNEY WITH VISIT WITH YOU --

>> I HAVE RECENTLY IN THE LAST FIVE YEARS, I AM CONSISTENT AND I HAVE BEEN DOING THIS EVERY DAY ALMOST TO 5/8 OF THE DAY UH -- ADJUDICATING MY WORK.

I WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE BECAUSE THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE TO MY LIFE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MAKE SURE THEY TOUCH BASE WITH YOU BEFORE YOU LEAVE.

THANK YOU. >> I HOPE I GET A POSITIVE RESULT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. >> LINA HIDALGO: PLEASE STATE

YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD. >> MY NAME IS DORIS EPSTEIN.

THANK YOU ALL FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. I AM PREVIOUSLY A PROBATION

OFFICER WITH JUVENILE PROBATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN'T HEAR

YOU VERY WELL. IS THE MIC ON. >> I HATE SPEAKING.

IT IS ME. IT'S ME. I AM PREVIOUSLY AN EMPLOYEE WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY JUVENILE PROBATION. I USED TO BE A PROBATION OFFICER. I ALSO CURRENTLY WORK WITH THE ELECTIONS AS A CLERK.

BUT I AM HERE TODAY AND SPEAKING ON OF BAY OF MY SON. ON BEHALF OF MY SON WHO IS CURRENTLY INCARCERATED. UNFORTUNATELY IN ALL -- ON AUGUST 21ST OF LAST YEAR I MADE A RELUCTANT CALL TO HPD. THE SITUATION TURNED INTO AN UNFORTUNATE ONE WITH MY SON AND HE IS IN -- INCARCERATED NOW. SINCE HIS INCARCERATION -- I DEALT WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH. HE HAS MENTAL ILLNESS. I DEALT WITH THAT BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. SO WHEN I MAKE THE CALL ON AUGUST 21ST, IT WAS REACHING OUT FOR HELP. INSTEAD IT TURNED FOO -- INTO ANOTHER SITUATION WHY I AM HERE TODAY. HE HAS BEEN IN -- INCARCERATED FOR A YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS.

HE IS NOT TAKING MEDICATION, WHICH I TRIED TO INFORM THE STAFF THAT HE WILL NOT TAKE THE MEDICATION. THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS I HAD PREVIOUSLY.

I HAVE HAD HIM COMMITTED. HE WILL TAKE THE MEDICINE AND THEN HE GETS HOME AND HE WON'T TAKE IT. SINCE HE HAS BEEN IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL HE HAS BEEN -- HE HAS NOT RECEIVED COUNSELING. HE HAS NOT RECEIVED MEDICATION. HE MAY BE HOARDING THE MEDICATION, BUT HE WILL NOT TAKE THE MEDICATION. I HAVE BEEN TRYING TO INFORM THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT FOR THE WHOLE YEAR AND FOUR MONTHS. HE HAS BEEN ATTACKED, ASSAULTED. HE RECEIVED SERIOUS INJURIES BACK IN MARCH.

I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE WAY I FOUND OUT ABOUT IT IS I RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MALE -- IN THE MAIL THAT MY SON WAS INJURED SEVERELY. HIS FACE WAS REALLY SWOLLEN.

AND THEN THE INCIDENT ON THE 15TH, HE DIDN'T GO TO THE HOSPITAL UNTIL THE 16TH.

THAT MEANS TO ME AS A MOTHER THAT MY SON LAID IN PAIN ON THE 15TH TO THE 16TH OF MARCH AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT MY SON WAS -- HAD BEEN INJURED.

I HAVE TALKED TO SHARE ROUGH GONZALEZ -- SHERIFF GONZALEZ. WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED IN AUGUST, WE DISCUSSED HIS MENTAL ILLNESS AND WE DISCUSSED HIS DESIRE TO BE ISOLATED WHICH IS WHAT HE ALWAYS DID. DO NOT PUT HIM IN A GP POPULATION, BUT THEY -- BUT HE HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED BACK AND FORTH FROM GENERAL POPULATION TO MENTAL HEALTH. I BELIEVE HE IS IN THE MENTAL HEALTH UNIT.

WHEN THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED I WAS INFORMED THAT THE DOUGH THANE KNEES -- THE DETAINEES ARE ARBITRARILY MOVED OUT OF CERTAIN AREAS FOR NO APPARENT REASON.

WHEN THEY MOVED HIM TO WHERE HE WAS ASSAULTED -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> I WILL HAVE SOMEBODY OF MY STAFF OUT TO VISIT WITH YOU.

WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT YOUR ISSUE, BUT THERE IS NOTHING LIKE A MOTHER'S LOVE.

WE CAN MAYBE GET SOMEBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO WALK YOU THROUGH.

[04:30:05]

RIGHT BEHIND YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ALSO HAVE KIM RICHARDSON AND JACOB. >> RANDY HUEGLER.

I HAD A QUESTION REGARDING LEGISLATIVE ITEM 6, COMMISSIONER COURT ANALYST OFFICE. I HAVE NOT SEEN THAT BEFORE ON THE AGENDA.

IS THAT NEW? WHAT IS ITS PURPOSE? >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT?

>> OKAY. I WANTED TO COMPLIMENT THE COURT TODAY THAT WE MIGHT GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE 5:00. THE CONSENT AGENDA STARTED AT 10:15.

MOST TIMES IT WAS WELL AFTER 2:00 TO 3:00. SO I APPLAUD THE COURT TODAY FOR GETTING US OUT OF HERE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE, BUT WHEN YOU ARE HEREAFTER 6 -- HERE AFTER 6:00, THE DOOR ON THE STREET -- WHAT IS THAT, I DON'T REMEMBER WHICH, PRESTON, CLOSES AT 6:00. IF YOU ARE HERE AFTER 6:00 IT MEANS YOU HAVE TO GO OUT AND WALK AROUND THE BUILDING IN THE DARK AND THERE ARE A LOT OF CREATURES WHO ARE AROUND AT THAT TIME. SO PLEASE CONTINUE GETTING THIS OUT -- CONTINUE TO GET US

OUT EARLY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> AFTER I AM DONE IT MAY BE EASIER FOR THEM ALSO. [INAUDIBLE].

I IMPOT THE LETTER -- I GOT THE LETTER. I AM JACOB AND WHAT I AM GOING TO DO TODAY IS TALK ABOUT THE ST. FRANCIS SEALS [INAUDIBLE] 2019.

IT SAYS BE WHO YOU ARE AND BE THAT WELL. I WILL BE THAT WELL ALSO.

AND THEN THERE IS A LESSON IN HERE ABOUT INCOME FOR THE GAY FOR THE GALA. WHILE YOU CAN SEE THAT THE INCOME FROM THE GALA OUTWEIGHED THE EXPENSES FOR THE GALA AND IF YOU LOOK SOME POLITICIANS GAVE ME SOME MAIN TO THE GALA AND THERE WERE BUSINESSES [INAUDIBLE] A LAW FIRM AND THE PARTNER OF THE LAW FIRM GAVE ME THE DONATION. AND ALSO -- THERE WERE ALSO OTHER PEOPLE LIKE TONY BUSBY. HE GAVE A DONATION. AND HE IS A POLITICIAN.

AND THEN THIS OTHER, HE IS A COUNCIL MEMBER ALSO GAVE MONEY TO THE GALA.

THEY GAVE THE MONEY TO THE GALA. I HAPPENED TO HOBB KNOB WITH THEM. WHAT I WANT TO DO NOW IS GET OUT MY HO, HO, HO BAG AND GIVE PRESENTS TO LENA HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER RADACK AND COMMISSIONER CACTUS JACK

CAGLE. >> WHAT ABOUT US? WHAT ABOUT US? NO? HO, HO, HO TO YOU THEN. [LAUGHING].

>> YOU ARE NOT REPUBLICANS. >> NEITHER IS SHE. [LAUGHTER].

>> WE SHOULD PASS AN INCLUSIVE POLICY. YOU NEED TO INCLUDE US ALL IN IT. I WANT MY POLICY TO APPLY TO YOU, JACOB.

>> I TAKE THAT AS A BLUE [INAUDIBLE]. RADACK AND CAGLE -- WHATEVER

THIS IS CALLED. >> I AM GLAD C RADACK HAS BEEN LSU PIGGY

BANK. >> I GOT A SHIRT FOR -- IT IS A RUGBY POLO SHIRT FOR

COMMISSIONER RADACK. I MEAN -- >> MR. RADACK MONEY WENT THERE

BECAUSE OF HIS KIDS. >> HERE IS A TMZ POLL WHERE SHE IS INTERVIEWED.

[04:35:04]

I WENT HER TO -- I WOULD LIKE HER TO AUTOGRAPH IT FOR ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. THANK YOU FOR COMING. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND I HAVE A CARD. >> WHO IS THAT FOR? >> THE COUNTY JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS 4:30. IT LOOKS LIKE WE SET A NEW RECORD. [APPLAUSE]. IT IS

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.