[00:00:08]
>> GOOD MORNING, COLLEAGUES. WE ARE WAITING ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA. BUT LET US GO AHEAD AND START.
IT IS 915. I'D LIKE TO CALL THIS MAY 20TH 2026 BUSINESS MEETING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY'S COMMISSIONER COURT TO ORDER. THE COMMISSIONER JOINING US VIRTUALLY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS LEAVING AT 1015, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS LEAVING AT 1015.
DOES NOT MEAN WE HAVE TO GET THROUGH EVERYTHING BY 1015?
IS ALL YOU ARE SAYING? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> SO, READ THE RESOLUTIONS, AND WE WILL TAKE PICTURES AFTER
10:15 A.M.? >> I THINK WE CAN DO THAT.
IF ALL THE SPEAKERS HAVE GONE THROUGH BY 10:15 A.M.
>> OKAY. AND WE ALSO HAVE THAT ITEM WITH
THE CAMERAS, RIGHT? >> SAY THAT AGAIN, JUDGE?
>> WE HAVE AN ITEM WITH THOSE SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS?
>> CORRECT, ITEM 86. IF THE COURT WANTS TO DISCUSS THAT ITEM THAT WE NEED TO HAVE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE ROLES, AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE YOUR DISCUSSION AND DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO. AND E-VOTE ON THAT HAS TO OCCUR
AFTER SPEAKERS FOR THAT. >> RIGHT.
[Appearances before court (Part 1 of 3)]
RIGHT. I THINK IT'S MORE IMPORTANT TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. SO WHY DON'T WE JUST GET STARTED ON THE SPEAKERS. TIFFANY, IF YOU DO NOT MIND, I SAW REPRESENTATIVE WU, IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN.IF I AM MISSING ANOTHER OFFICIAL-- I CANNOT RECOGNIZE YOU VERY WELL, REPRESENTATIVE, PLEASE GO AHEAD.
-- I CAN RECOGNIZE YOU VERY WELL, REPRESENTATIVE.
PLEASE GO AHEAD. [INDISCERNIBLE]
WHAT IS NOT? >> I THINK THE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE WOULD WAIT DURING THE TIME OF THE RESOLUTION.
HE SAID HE WILL WAIT TILL THAT POINT.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE THAT YOU SEE-- I DON'T MEAN TO BE DISRESPECTFUL.
IF THERE IS ANOTHER ELECTED OFFICIAL, I CANNOT SEE YOU.
BUT I WILL WAIT FOR MY COLLEAGUES TO LET ME KNOW.
LET'S GO WITH THE SPEAKERS, THEN.
>> DANIEL SPEAKING ON ITEM 80. MARIA 86.
SARAH, ITEM 86. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> ARE THE SPEAKERS HERE THAT TIFFANY CALLED? ALL RIGHT. WELCOME.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS SARAH.
ITEM 86, THE FLOCK SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
IN CLASSIC ITALIAN FASCISM THAT BENITO WROTE A LOT-- BENITO MUSSOLINI WROTE A LOT ABOUT, CORPORATISM.
I DON'T WANT TO CALL YOU TECHNO- FASCISTS, BUT YOU WILL BE UPHOLDING THE TECHNOCRATS AND THE FASCISM COMING THROUGH.
CORPORATISM IS A CORE TENET OF ITALIAN FASCISM.
AND WHEN CORPORATIONS AND THE GOVERNMENT COME TOGETHER TO SURVEILLED NEIGHBORS AND COMMUNITIES, ESPECIALLY LOW INCOME BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES, IT'S ABHORRENT, VULGAR, AND ENTIRELY FASCIST. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. GO-AHEAD, MA'AM.
>> GOOD MORNING, CORD. MY NAME IS MARIAH.
I'M A PRECINCT FOUR RESIDENT. URGING YOU TO NOT EXTEND THE FLOCK SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT. AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, THIS COURT CONDEMNED DHS AND ICE ACTIVITY IN THE COUNTY.
AND WITH THE-- WITH THIS CONTRACT, THAT MOTION DIES.
AS PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS, YOUR RESPONSE PLEASE NOT JUST EFFICIENCY, IS PROTECTING THE TRUST THAT YOUR CONSTITUENTS PLACED IN YOU. AS CONSTITUENTS WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL ALL ACT IN OUR BEST INTEREST AND KEEP OUR INFORMATION PROTECTED WITH IN HARRIS COUNTY.
BUT AGAIN, THAT CHOICE DIES ONE OUTSIDE AGENCIES LIKE ICE MAC CAN ACCESS OR SHARE THAT DATA CAN BE USED AGAINST OUR OWN RESIDENTS. EVERY TIME THAT DATA IS GIVEN AWAY, IT GIVES AWAY PART OF YOUR POWER TO PROTECT HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT MUST STILL BE ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT. YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES NOT AS PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT PUBLIC TRUST. I URGE YOU TO VOTE WISELY SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE, AS WILL WE, THE CONSTITUENTS, IN NOVEMBER. THANK YOU.
>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FILE POLY RECORD.
>> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS DANA JONES.
I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT TWO. I COME BEFORE COUNCIL HERE ONCE AGAIN ASKING MY COMMISSIONER IF HE COULD FAST TRACK GETTING P1
[00:05:05]
18 TAKEN CARE OF, SO THE CITY CAN COME IN AND DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO WITH THE DRAINAGE. I HAVE JUST RECENTLY MOVED IN TO MY HOUSE THREE MONTHS AGO. AND WE ARE STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE FLOODING IN OUR AREA. AND WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT THIS, COMMISSIONER, BUT WITH ME HEARING ON THE NEWS THAT THE MONEY POTENTIALLY COULD BE LOST BECAUSE THE PROJECTS HAVE NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF, THE MONEY WAS GIVEN FOR THOSE BY THOSE BACK. IT'S BOND MONEY.SO YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS MONEY.
COMMISSIONER ALICE WAS MY COMMISSIONER WHEN WE INITIALLY GOT THAT MONEY TO DO THOSE BIOS. SO LETTING MONEY SIT AROUND, AND NOW SAYING THAT ā YOU DON'T HAVE ENOUGH AND THOSE TYPE OF THINGS.
WE ARE SUFFERING. OUR CITIZENS ARE SUFFERING.
WE ARE OUT OF TIME. AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.
WE NEED TO GET SOMETHING DONE, PLEASE.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. WE WILL HAVE SOMEONE TOUCH BASE.
>> MA'AM,, WHICH ONE IS THAT? I DON'T KNOW THEM ALL BY NUMBER.
DO YOU KNOW WHICH PROJECT? >> THE COMMISSIONER KNOWS.
>> THE REASON I AM ASKING YOU IS I AM THE ONE ADVOCATING FOR A CHANGE AT THE DISTRICT, OR ONE OF THE PEOPLE ADVOCATING FOR THAT. AND I AM ALSO CONCERNED ABOUT WHETHER IT IS ONE OF THE PROJECTS THAT DOES NOT HAVE FUNDING. BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO STRING
YOU ALONG. >> FUNDING CAME, AND THEY HAVE HAD THE FUNDING FOR SOMETIME. SO THE PROJECT SHOULD ALREADY BE HAPPENING, AND HAS NOT. BECAUSE WE GOT OUR MONEY TO DO
OUR NEIGHBORHOOD BACK IN 2018. >> YES.
SO THERE ARE 20-- IS IT 26 OR 28 PROJECTS? THAT IN THEORY, THEY GOT THEIR MONEY IN 2018, BUT THE PAUSE
INDEFINITELY-- >> FOR THE BIOPIC THIS IS WHAT
HIM TRYING TO SAY TO YOU. >> I HEAR YOU.
AND ALL I WANT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE GETTING CLARITY.
SO I WILL FOLLOW UP AND CHECKED. AND OF COURSE I WANT ALL THOSE PROJECTS TO GET DONE. THAT'S WHY I'M PUSHING FOR THAT.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOURS IS NOT ON THAT LIST AT
ALL. >> MY COMMISSION IS AWARE OF IT.
THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO. >> I WILL LET YOU GUYS HANDLE IT. THANK YOU.
>> KIMBERLY, ON ITEM 86, CHRISTOPHER, ITEM 86.
JASMINE, ITEM 86. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. MY NAME IS CHRIS.
WE ARE AGAINST THE REGULATE THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT.
THE COUNTY SHOULD NOT BE CONTRACTING WITH FLOCKE WHO BLURS THE LINES ABETS UNREASONABLE SEIZURE.
THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT OUR RIGHTS, OUR PRIVACY, OR THE RULES OF LAW. THEY WERE REGULATED IN TEXAS FOR FIVE YEARS BEFORE THEY WERE FINED FOR NOT APPLYING FOR AN INVESTIGATOR'S LICENSE. FLOCK IS AN UNTRUSTWORTHY COMPANY WHOSE GOAL IS TO MAXIMIZE PROFITS BY PRIVATIZING OUR DAILY ROUTINES. LET ME ASK YOU THIS, DO YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY PROCEDURES AND HOW FLOCKE IS USED? WHAT JUSTIFIES A SEARCH VERSUS AN UNREASONABLE SEARCH? THERE ARE NONE. WE SENT A REQUEST TO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE WHO CANNOT PRODUCE THEM.
CAN YOU TALK TO ME ABOUT FLOCK PERFORMANCE INDICATORS? THERE IS NO DATA. THE COUNTY CAN PROVIDE THAT.
HOW ABOUT ANALYSING HOW MANY IMAGES WERE CAPTURED COMPARED TO HOW MANY CRIMES ARE SOLVED USING FLOCK.
THE SHARP DOES NOT TRACK THIS INFORMATION.
WE CANNOT REGULATE A RPR IS MORE FLOCK TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT, REMOVE THE DEVICES, PROTECT US, DO NOT SURVEILLANCE.
THANK YOU. >> HELLO, I LIVE INCREASING TO ONE. I LIKE MANY OF THE CONSTITUENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CIVIL LIBERTIES AND COMMUNITY SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF ALLOWING FLOCK CAMERAS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND EXPANDING THEM AT THIS RATE. ISSUES AROUND PUBLIC SAFETY AND EFFICIENT POLICE RESPONSES ARE NUANCED AND COMPLEX TO SAY THE LEAST. BUT I HOPE TO COMPEL YOU TO LOOK TOWARDS OUR COMMUNITIES AND ACKNOWLEDGE THE GRASSROOTS EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT ARE LEGITIMATELY INTERRUPTING VIOLENCE AND IMPROVING PUBLIC SAFETY.
LEANING INTO LOCAL RESOURCES, FUND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTION PROGRAMS, FUND MORE RESEARCH INTO HOW LOCAL COMMUNITIES CAN TAKE SAFETY IN TO THEIR OWN HANDS.
FLOCK IS A BUSINESS FIRST, A PUBLIC SAFETY INITIATIVE SECOND, AND A SLIPPERY SLOPE DOWN A VAST SHADOWY SURVEILLANCE STATE THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE LIMITED CONTROL OVER THIRD.
OUR NEIGHBORS KNOW OUR COMMUNITY'S BEST.
THEY KNOW WHAT STRUGGLES THEY FACE, AND THEY DESERVE PUBLIC SAFETY EFFORTS THAT EQUALLY VALUE THEIR SAFETY AND PRIVACY.
[00:10:04]
LOCK, AT THE BARE MINIMUM, IS A REACTIVE INVESTMENT TOWARDS CRIME CONTROL AND DOES LITTLE TO PREVENT IT.MY NAME IS JOSLYN. I WORK ON THE POLICY TEAM AT THE JUSTICE CENTER. WE ARE A LEGAL AND SOCIAL SERVICES ORGANIZATION THAT SERVES SURVIVORS OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT FOUR, HERE TO URGE YOU TO NOT VOTE TO RENEW THE CONTRACT WITH FLOCKE.
HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, I DON'T KNOW WHERE MY DATA IS BEING SHARED, OR HOW POLICE DEPARTMENTS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS ARE USING THAT DATA.
BUT I DO KNOW THESE CAMERAS HAVE ACTIVELY PUT SURVIVORS ENDANGER.
IN MARCH OF THIS YEAR A POLICE OFFICER RESIGNED AFTER USING THE FLOCK DATABASE TO STOCK AND TRACK HIS EX-PARTNER 180 TIMES OVER A TWO MONTH PERIOD. THE FLOCK DATABASE HAS ALLOWED POLICE OFFICERS TO TRACK A WOMAN ACROSS STATE LINES FOR SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE CARE. OUR HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES ARE BEING TARGETED FOR DEPORTATION BY POLICE DEPARTMENTS HUNDREDS OF MILES AWAY. THE ISD HAS EIGHT FLOCK CAMERAS THAT RESEARCHED OVER 700,000 TIMES OVER A ONE MONTH PERIOD BY 3000 POLICE AGENCIES. LET ME BE CLEAR THAT THESE FLOCK CAMERAS DO NOT PREVENT VIOLENCE, BUT WHAT WE SEE THESE CAMERAS DO
RATHER IS ENABLED-- >> YOU ARE OUT OF TIME.
THANK YOU. >> PERPETUATE VIOLENCE.
THANK YOU. >> NEXT, MR. ANDERSON ON ITEM 86. EVELYN, SICILIA.
BOTH ON ITEM 86. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING COUNCIL MEMBERS. I'D BEEN DEALING WITH COMPUTERS AND COMPUTER SECURITY FOR SEVERAL DECADES.
HOW MANY OF YOU RECEIVED A NOTICE THIS YEAR ABOUT RECEIVING FREE CREDIT MONITORING? DO YOU KNOW WHY? COMPUTER SECURITY IS DIFFICULT. THE DEFENDERS HAVE TO BE PERFECT, THE ATTACKERS ONLY NEED A SINGLE MISTAKE.
ANY DATA THAT A COMPANY STORES IS EVENTUALLY HACKED OR ACCESSED. THE FLOCKS HAVE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS, INCLUDING UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO DATA.
MULTIPLE POLICE AGENCIES HAVE STATED ON PUBLIC RECORD THAT EVEN THOUGH THE AGREEMENT SIGNED, FLOCK WAS ONLY FOR LOCAL USE, AND THE CAMERA ACCESS WAS NATIONWIDE.
ONE CITY HAD 29 CAMERAS ACCESSED OVER 600,000 TIMES BUT NATIONALLY BY OVER 250 DIFFERENT AGENCIES.
WOW. THE THING IS THAT MOST BAD ACTORS ARE EXTERNAL-- ARE NOT EXTERNAL.
THEY ALREADY HAVE LEGIT ACCESS, BUT USE IT FOR LEAK-- EVIL PURPOSES. CAN ANY OF YOU SAY THAT ALL 600,000 TIMES AT THOSE 29 CAMERAS IN THAT CITY WERE ACCESSED, BY SOME CASES UNKNOWN PEOPLE, WERE ACCESSED FOR GOOD, MORAL, LEGAL AND UPRIGHT PURPOSES?
>> HELLO, I AM HERE TODAY TO URGE CHAIRS COUNTY TO COUNCIL THE REINSTATEMENT CONTRACT WITH FLOCK SAFETY.
THIS SYSTEM DOES NOT MAKE OUR COMMITTEE SAFER.
IT MAKES THEM MORE SURVEILLED, MORE TARGETED, MORE VULNERABLE.
WE CANNOT IGNORE THE REALITY THAT SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN HISTORICALLY USED TO DISPROPORTIONALLY BE USED AGAINST BLACK AND BROWN COMMITTEES.
COMMITTEES ARE ALREADY OVER POLICE, THE TECHNOLOGY BECOMES ANOTHER TOOL FOR MONITORING SUSPICION.
BLACK, LATINO RESIDENTS IN HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY FACE DISPARITIES IN TRAFFIC STOPS, ARRESTS AND POLICE INTERACTIONS.
EXPANDING THE AUTOMATED SURVEILLANCE RISK IN DEEPENS THOSE INEQUITIES. A SINGLE MISTAKE OR A FLAWED DATA MATCH, OR BIASED POLICE PRACTICES CAN ESCALATE INTO DANGERS THAT IMPACT INNOCENT PEOPLE.
AND ONCE THIS DATA IS COLLECTED WE LOSE CONTROL OVER HOW IT IS SHARED, STORED OR USED IN THE FUTURE.
PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE COST OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY. REAL SAFETY COMES WITH INVESTMENT IN TO HOUSING, MENTAL HEALTH CARE, YOUTH PROGRAMS, ADVANCING FLOOD PROTECTION, EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITY. >> YOUR TIME IS UP AGAIN YOU
STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> EVELYN.
>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.
COUNTY JUDGE, COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
MY NAME IS SICILIA, AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE.
I'D LIKE TO SEE RESOURCES SPENT FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE HOUSING AND FOOD INSECURITIES. FUNDING FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY ALREADY TAKE UP THE MAJORITY OF OUR BUDGET. WE NEED MORE FUNDING FOR PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. NOT ANOTHER TWO FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. OUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE TO HELP US AND NOT TO BE USED TO OVER POLICE AND KEEP US UNDER SURVEILLANCE. WHY SPEND MILLIONS OF $ FOR
[00:15:02]
SURVEILLANCE, AND THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY OF WHERE ALL THE CAMERAS ARE LOCATED? THANK YOU VERY MUCH.>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> HELLO, GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS AUDREY.
I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE AND A CO-CHAIR OF THE PROGRESSIVE HOUSTON CAUCUS. I'M ASKING THAT HARRIS COUNTY CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT AND REMOVE ALL DEVICES IN HARRIS COUNTY'S JURISDICTION. MY CONCERN IS THAT REPORTING FROM THE CHRONICLE, LESS THAN 33% OF ALL FLOCK INQUIRIES WERE TIED TO ANY ACTIVE CASE NUMBER. AND WE HAVE EXAMPLES OF THE FLOCK DATA BEING USED TO TARGET WOMEN SPECIFICALLY.
WOMEN SEEKING REPRODUCTIVE CARE, AS WELL AS POLICE OFFICERS USING THEIR ACCESS TO STOCK EX GIRLFRIENDS AND WIVES.
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH CRISIS, AND WE CANNOT ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE WITH CONTINUED FLOCK DATA ACCESS THAT IS TARGETING WOMEN. THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO, MY NAME IS MIKHAIL.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON THE AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 86. I ALSO DEMAND THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COUNCIL-- THE COMMISSION CANCELS THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT, AND BEGIN THE PROCESS OF REMOVING THE CAMERAS IN OUR DISTRICT, IN OUR PRECINCT.
HAVING FLOCK IN HARRIS COUNTY MAKES US LESS SAFE, AND NOT MORE. IT INCREASES THE RISK OF MASS SURVEILLANCE. WE KNOW THIRD PARTIES ARE ALREADY INTERESTED IN OUR PRIVATE INFORMATION.
WE ARE NOT COMFORTABLE AS PEOPLE WHO LIVE IN THIS PRECINCT WITHOUT REALITY. I WOULD LIKE TO CALL TO YOUR EMPATHY ABOUT HOW WE ALREADY HAVE ISSUES WITH ICE INVOLVEMENT. IN OUR CITY.
YOU HAVE TAKEN DECISIONS AGAINST-- WE HAVE TAKEN DECISIONS AGAINST ICE IN OUR CITY.
WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU OF THAT, AND AS YOU CONTINUE TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT STAND AGAINST ICE INVOLVEMENT IN THE CITY. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. ONE RUBIO, ITEM 86.
MAXIMILIAN... ITEM 86, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JUAN, ON THE POLICY COORDINATOR AT THE WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT.
I'M HERE TO REPRESENT THE VOICES OF OUR MEMBERS, HISPANIC IMMIGRANT WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES.
I'M ASKING YOU TO POKEY COUNCIL-- COUNTIES CONTRACT WITH FLOCK. OUR MEMBERSHIP IS COMPOSED OF MANY MIXED STATUS FAMILIES. FAMILIES WHO LIVE WITH THE CONSTANT THREAT OF SEPARATION BY ICE.
WE KNOW THAT SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGIES LIKE LICENSE PLATE READERS ARE BEING USED TO SUPPORT IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. EXPANDING THE SURVEILLANCE INFRASTRUCTURE IN HARRIS COUNTY DEEPENS FEAR IN IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND MAKES MANY RESIDENTS FEEL THAT SIMPLY DRIVING TO WORK, SCHOOL, CHURCH, OR THE GROCERY STORE WILL PUT THEIR FAMILIES AT RISK. PERSONALLY I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE COUNTY HANDING ACCESS AND CONTROL OF SO MUCH DATA TO A PRIVATE ENTITY WITH SO MUCH OVERSIGHT.
THESE CAMERAS ARE INVASIVE AND THE INFORMATION THEY COLLECT GOES FAR BEYOND LICENCE PLATES. FLOCK HAS BEEN BUILDING A MASSIVE SURVEILLANCE NETWORK CAPABLE OF TRACKING PEOPLE'S MOVEMENTS, ROUTINES, AND LOCATIONS ACROSS ENTIRE REGIONS.
THAT TYPE OF POWER SHOULD NOT EXIST.
THANK YOU. >> IN MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT FOUR.
I'M ASKING YOU TO VOTE NO ON AGENDA ITEM 86, BECAUSE FLOCK IS NOT JUST CAMERAS. IT IS A SURVEILLANCE NETWORK.
FOR IMMIGRANT FAMILIES, ICE TURNS A NORMAL DRIVE TO WORK, SCHOOL OR FAMILY INTO EVIDENCE AGAINST SOMEONE WHO HAS DONE NOTHING WRONG. FLOCK HAS A HISTORY OF APPROVING UNAUTHORIZED DATA REQUESTS. IT IS WHY MOUNTAIN VIEW CALIFORNIA CHOSE TO CANCEL THEIR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK.
FLOCK HAS ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO BE HOT COUPLE.
SOMETHING YOU CAN SEARCH UP ON YOUTUBE-- TO BE PACKABLE.
REGULAR FLOCK IS NOT AN OPTION WITH THE HISTORY THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS. COMMISSIONER, LET ME KEEP TELLING MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS HOW GOOD YOU BEEN TO OUR PRECINCT WITH IMPROVING SIDEWALKS AND MAKING IT MORE WALKABLE. PLEASE DON'T MAKE THIS A BLEMISH ON YOUR RECORD. PLEASE PROTECT US, NOT SURVEILLED US. VOTE NO ON FLOCK.
>> A MORNING JUDGE, IN MORNING COMMISSIONERS.
I LIVE INCREASING FOUR. WE BELIEVE FAMILIES DESERVE TO FEEL SAFE IN THEIR COMMUNITIES, WITHOUT GIVING UP A RIGHT TO
[00:20:03]
PRIVACY OR LIVING IN FEAR OF PUBLIC SAFETY OFFICIALS.LET US BE CLEAR. FLOCK IS A SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM THAT WILL COST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO TRACK AND MONITOR COMMUNITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
WHICH IS HAPPENING WHEN ICE TARGETS IMMIGRANT FAMILIES WITHOUT DUE PROCESS. WHEN WE PUT THESE CAMERAS ON EVERY CORNER, YOU ARE BUILDING A DIGITAL FENCE THAT TRACKS PEOPLE. IT TRACKS OUR EVERY MOVEMENT LIKE THE ROUTE WE TAKE TO WORK, FAMILIES, SCHEDULES AND OUR PRIVATE LIVES. THIS DOES NOT BUILD SAFETY AND IT FUELS THE TRUCK-- DISTRUST AND FEAR.
WE ARE ASKING THE COURT TO STOP INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY THAT MONITORS OUR NEIGHBORS AND PUT THOSE TAX DOLLARS INTO REAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT HELP US THRIVE.
THOSE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS COULD BE BETTER SPENT ON IMPROVED DRAINAGE, AS WE ARE ENTERING HURRICANE SEASON AND WE CAN SEE RECENT STORM CAUSING FLOODS.
>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS LAURA. I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE.
ARE YOU ALL LISTENING? I MET WITH A FLOCK REPRESENTATIVE LAST WEEKEND I LEARNED THAT THE COUNTY HAS NOT TAKEN THE BASIC FREE STEPS-- THREE STEPS TO MAKE IT TRANSPARENT VIA A PORTAL. AND TO PREVENT UNAUTHORIZED USE.
THERE ARE NOT AND CAN'T BE ENOUGH GUARDRAILS AROUND UNAUTHORIZED USE OF ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE.
VOTE AGAINST FLOCK. THERE IS EVIDENCE OF SUCH UNAUTHORIZED USE TO ELECTRONICALLY JOYRIDE ALONG WITH EVERY DAY RESIDENTS BY FLOCK EMPLOYEES, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS. THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS SHOWN, CURRENT FLOCK IMPAIRS COMMUNITY TRUST. VOTE AGAINST THE FLOCK CONTRACT.
AND REMOVE ALL FLOCK SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS.
NEXT IS MARILYN ALLEN ON ITEM 86.
I'LL-- ALFREDO DOMINGUEZ, ITEM 86.
FELIX, ITEMS 86 AND 125 AND JACOB, ITEM 99.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> THE REASON WE ARE DOING THAT IS BECAUSE IN THEORY WE CANNOT DISCUSS ITEMS ON THE BUSINESS COURT. THE BUSINESS COURT ITEMS ARE ROUTINE ITEMS THAT WE WANT TO PAST-- PASS, THAT HAVE A SHORTER TIME LINE SO CANNOT WAIT UNTIL COMMISSIONERS COURT.
SO THIS ITEM IS ON HERE BECAUSE THE CONTRACT IS EXPIRING.
SO I'M HOPING TO DO IS TO SUSPEND THE RULES SO WE CAN DISCUSS THE ITEM. WITH YOU ALL, AND WITH THE FO FOLKS, THE LAW ENFORCEMENT FOLKS, SO BEFORE WE SWITCH TO AN ITEM OTHER THAN 86 I'M GOING TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW DISCUSSION ON ITEM 86.
SO IF THAT IS OKAY, WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THIS ONE BEFORE WE MOVE ON TO OTHER SPEAKERS. THANK YOU.
GO-AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS MARILYN ALLEN.
I LIVE IN PRECINCT FOUR. I URGE THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO NOT REVIEW THE FLOCK SURVEILLANCE CONTRACT.
FLOCK CAMERAS DO NOT MAKE OUR COMMUNITY SAFER.
THEY INCREASE MASS SURVEILLANCE, THREATEN OUR PRIVACY AND PUT RESIDENTS AT RISK OF OVER POLICING AND CRIMINALIZATION.
WE CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP SPENDING PUBLIC DOLLARS ON PRIVATELY OWNED SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS THAT HARM TRUST IN OUR COMMUNITIES. WE DO NOT WANT TO REPEAT THE SAME FINANCIAL PREDICAMENT AS LAST YEAR BY INVESTING IN PROGRAMS THAT DO NOT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF VIOLENCE AND INSTABILITY. INSTEAD INVESTING COMMITTEE BASED PROGRAMS, HOUSING YOUTH SERVICES AND SUPPORTS.
RESOURCES THAT KEEP OUR COMMUNITIES SAFE.
IN THE CONTRACT...-- END THE CONTRACT AND REMOVE THE DEVICES,
I'M WITH THE PEOPLE'S COUNCIL. I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE.
I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE I'M STUNNED BY-- ONE I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS IS ON THE BUSINESS AGENDA AND NOT THE COMMISSIONERS REGULAR COURT AGENDA.
THIS DESERVES A LOT OF PUBLIC DISCOURSE AND DISCUSSION.
WHEN I THINK ABOUT FLOCK SAFETY HAVE YET TO HEAR AN ARGUMENT FROM ANYONE HERE, SPEAKING TO THE COMMISSIONERS WE SPOKE TO ABOUT HOW IT'S NOT A MASS SURVEILLANCE TECHNOLOGY AND THE ONLY REAL ARGUMENT I HEAR IS THAT THERE'S ANECDOTES ABOUT PEOPLE FINDING STOLEN CARS OR SOLVING SOME CRIMES USING SOME OF THESE CAMERAS. BUT THAT IS NOT A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE GROSS COST TO THE PEOPLE AND HIT PARIS COUNT-- HARRIS COUNTY THAT HAPPED TO HAVE THEIR DATA AND ACTIVITY AND LOCATION TRACKED AT ALL TIMES. IN A CITY WHERE YOU HAVE TO DRIVE EVERYWHERE TO SEE YOU ARE A CAR IS GOING YOU ARE EFFECTIVELY BILLY ABLE TO WHERE EVERYONE'S GOING.
FLOCK IS NOT COLLECTING THE DATA OF CRIMINALS, IT'S COLLECTING
[00:25:04]
EVERYONE'S DATA AND IT STORING IT IN A CLOUD BASED SERVER THAT DOES HAVE NEBULOUS ACCESS ABOUT IF THAT DATA IS GETTING DELETED.SO WHAT IS THE REAL COST BENEFIT FOR THIS?
I'M PERSONALLY NOT SEEING IT. >> THANK YOU.
>> MY NAME IS FELIX. I LIVE IN PRECINCT TWO, AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM NUMBER 86.
WE ARE DEMANDING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS CANCEL THE FLOCK CONTRACT, HAVING FLOCK IN HARRIS COUNTY MAKES US LESS SAFE, IT PUTS OUR COUNTY RESIDENTS LIVES AT RISK OF MASS SURVEILLANCE, LOSS OF PRIVACY, PERSONAL DATA, DEPORTATIONS, POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINALIZATION, I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RACIAL IMPACT THAT FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS WILL HAVE IN NEIGHBORHOODS. THERE WAS A STUDY DONE RECENTLY, THAT REPORT STATE OF THE TEN FLOCK CAMERAS WERE PLACED IN BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS. THESE AREAS HAVE FOUR TIMES THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS COMPARED TO PREDOMINANTLY WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS, ADDING MORE SURVEILLANCE AND UNDERSERVED AND OVER POLICE COMMUNITIES WILL UNDOUBTEDLY LEAD TO MORE CRIMINALIZATION OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE.
ONCE AGAIN THAT WILL LEAD TO MORE CARAMELIZATION OF BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE. WHICH ARE REPRESENTED IN EVERY SINGLE PRECINCT HERE. IN HARRIS COUNTY THERE WAS NO TRANSPARENCY AND HOW FLOCK WAS USED.
WHERE IT'S LOCATED. THIS MAKES ME FEEL UNSAFE.
I THINK WE SHOULD CANCEL THIS CONTRACT, THANK YOU.
>> ARE THOSE ALL THE SPEAKERS ON ITEM 86?
[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]
SO I'D LIKE TO PROPOSE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES TO ALLOW DISCUSSION ON ITEM 86, IS THERE A SECOND VOTE?
>> I'M HERE AND I WANT TO MAKE A SUGGESTION.
I DON'T WANT TO TURN A BUSINESS COURT INTO SOMETHING WHERE WE JUST DISCUSS ITEMS. WHAT MY PREFERENCE TO DO IS IF THE SENTIMENT IS THERE IS TO HAVE A SPECIAL COURT MEETING.
>> YOU ARE CUTTING IN AND OUT, COMMISSIONER.
BUT I HEAR THAT YOU ARE SUGGESTING A SPECIAL MEETING, WHICH I ACTUALLY WAS HAVING THE DISCUSSION WITH MY STAFF ABOUT THAT LAST NIGHT. WHEN DO YOU THINK WE COULD DO
IT, COMMISSIONER? >> I WAS SCHEDULED TO NOT BE AT THE NEXT MEETING. I'M GOING TO BE GONE.
THIS CANNOT WAIT THAT LONG. SO WHATEVER DAY-- ARE ALL IN THE ROOM, WHATEVER DATE WORKS FOR YOU ALL, I WOULD COME IN.
BUT THE ISSUE IS THAT THIS CONTRACT IS GOING TO EXPIRE IF WE DON'T DO SOMETHING. BUT IN TILL LANGUAGE COULD BE CHANGED IN THERE TO ADDRESS CONCERNS THAT SOME MEMBERS MAY
HAVE. >> DO WE NEED TO MAKE A VOTE ON MY ITEM BEFORE I KEEP TALKING ABOUT THIS?
OR CAN I KEEP TALKING ABOUT IT? >> IN TERMS OF SUSPENDING THE ROLES? IF THERE IS A SECONDARY.
>> I WILL SECOND THAT. SINCE I'M OUT OF THE ROOM, I DON'T WANT TO BE SO RUDE. I WILL SUSPEND THE RULE, BUT I MIGHT VOTE AGAINST THE SUSPENSION.
I DON'T WANT TO DRIVE YOU ALL CRAZY, WHEN I'M OUT HERE AT THE PARK AND YOU ARE ALL IN THE ROOM.
>> PEOPLE ARE LAUGHING HERE. I THINK THAT IT WAS-- YEAH,, ANYWAY. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL PARK YOU GUYS.
THE HILL AT SANDS. WE WILL BE ABLE TO VISIT IT'S IN, AND IT IS FABULOUS. THE QUESTION BEING, WHEN DOES THE CONTRACT EXPIRE, AND WHY CAN WE NOT MAKE EDITS TO IT NOW?
>> CAN WE VOTE TO HAVE THIS MOTION AND DISCUSSION?
>> DO I NEED TO VOTE OR CAN I KEEP TALKING?
>> IF YOU WANT TO SUSPEND THE RULE.
>> TO ANSWER THE QUESTION... >> THE CONTRACT EXPIRES ON JUNE
6TH. >> WHY CAN'T WE MAKE CHANGES TO
IT TODAY? >> ANY CHANGES OF CONTRACTS HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE VENDOR. WE WOULD HAVE TO GO BACK TO THAT PROCESS. IT'S A NORMAL PROCESS TO CHANGE
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THERE IS PROBLEMATIC PIECES WITH THE CONTRACT, AND THERE ARE TWO THINGS TO THAT.
ONE, I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT WE DISCUSS IT AT OPEN FORUM, AS WELL AS WITH THE COMMUNITY. TWO, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS MIGHT BE ADDRESSED WITH CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT. SO THE QUESTION IS, CAN WE DISCUSS THE CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT TODAY, OR WHEN WOULD WE HAVE TO DISCUSS SO THE CHANGES CAN BE ACHIEVED?
[00:30:11]
>> I THINK THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS SORT OF LOOKING AT THAT.
>> CAN WE HEAR FROM PURCHASING ON THAT, PLEASE? OR IF THERE IS ANYBODY HERE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, I WILL PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE. AND OOF WE COULD HEAR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, PURCHASING, AND OTHERS WORKING TOGETHER TO TIGHTEN THE DATA PRIVACY LANGUAGE, WHICH IS WHY IT COMES SO LATE. COULD YOU SPEAK TO THAT AND WHAT IMPACT MIGHT HAPPEN WITH THE CONTRACT EXPIRING, PLEASE?
>> CURRENTLY IF THE CONTRACT EXPIRES THOSE CAMERAS WOULD BE TURNED OFF. BUT A LOT OF THOSE CAMERAS ARE NOT BEING PAID FOR BY TAX DOLLARS.
A LOT OF THOSE CAMERAS ARE BEING PAID FOR BY HOMEOWNER ASSOCIATIONS, DISTRICTS, ENTITIES THAT PAID FOR THOSE.
WE JUST ARE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THOSE CAMERAS.
ABOUT 400 OF THEM. THEY WON'T COME OUT OF THE TAX
>> YES. >> I THINK WHAT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW CONSTITUTES DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM.
IF YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IT YOU HAVE TO DISK-- SUSPEND THE ROLES AND HAVE DISCUSSION ON THE BUSINESS COURT.
>> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES TO DISCUSS IT.
SO, WOULD SOMEBODY LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULE SO
WE CAN DISCUSS THE ITEM? >> JUDGE, I BELIEVE YOU MADE THE
MOTION. >> I DON'T THE GUY HAVE A
>> ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR OF BEING ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS TODAY? OPPOSED? SO YOU DON'T WANT TO ALLOW DISCUSSION, JUST LIKE YOU DIDN'T WANT TO ALLOW DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU DESTROYED OUR BUDGET BY GIVING MONEY THAT WE COULD'VE PUT TO THE VOTERS? WHO EVER SAID THAT THERE IS A BLEMISH, I THINK THE BLEMISH HAS
BEEN THERE. >> IT WAS JUST A VOTE TO NOT
HAVE DISCUSSION. >> YES, COMMISSIONER.
THERE IS NO DISCUSSION ON THE ITEM.
>> THIS IS NOT WHAT BUSINESS COURT IS FOR THOUGH.
IF WE DON'T AGREE WITH AN ITEM ON BUSINESS COURT, WE REQUEST TO
PUT IT ON REGULAR COURT. >> THAT IS CORRECT, JUDGE.
>> WE DON'T GET TO JUST RAMP SOMETHING THROUGH-- EXCUSE ME, COMMISSIONER, I'M FINISHING. I'M FINISHING MY COMMENTS HERE.
THE WHOLE POINT OF BUSINESS COURT IS IF ANY OF US HAS A CONCERN ABOUT ANY ITEM, AND CERTAINLY IF THERE WAS THIS MUCH COMMUNITY CONCERN, THEN YOU WILL NOT DISCUSS IT AT BUSINESS COURT. ANYONE OF US CAN FLAG, HEY,, I'D LIKE TO PUT THAT ON REGULAR AGENDA.
OTHERWISE BUSINESS COURT BECOMES A WAY TO CHEAT THE SYSTEM OF PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND PUBLIC DISCUSSION.
BECAUSE IT IS FRAMED AS A VOTING ONLY SITUATION.
AND THEN ACTUALLY IT TURNS INTO A VOTING SITUATION WHERE THERE IS NO DISSENT AMONG THE PEOPLE THAT REPRESENT THE VOTERS.
SEE I REPRESENT ALL THE VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY, ON LIKE MY COLLEAGUES. AND I OPPOSE A LACK OF DISCUSSION. I MYSELF NEED TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS THIS TO FIGURE OUT WHERE I AM.
SO THAT'S NOT WHY WE CREATED BUSINESS COURT.
I DON'T AGREE TO JUST PASS IT WITHOUT DISCUSSION.
IT SHOULD BE IN A REGULAR COURT. >> SO IT MOVES TO THE RAIL OR
COURT. >> IF THE JUDGE WANTS IT TO THE NEXT COURT IT GOES TO THE NEXT COURT.
>> MORE CLARIFICATION, THAT MEANS WE DON'T VOTE ON ANY ITEMS? IF YOU WANT TO VOTE NO OR YES ON
AN ITEM? >> YOU CAN VOTE YES OR NO
WITHOUT DISCUSSION. >> WE COULD VOTE ON THE ITEM
TODAY WITHOUT DISCUSSION? >> UNDERSTOOD, BUT THE RULES ALLOW FOR ANY ONE OF THE FIVE OF YOU TO PUSH IT.
>> COMMISSIONER ALICE? >> I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST THAT AN ITEM HAS NOT BEEN PULLED, AND WE DON'T HAVE TO DO IT HERE.
BUT IF THERE IS SOME RATIONALE ON WHY IT HAS BEEN VOTED ON, I'M JUST SUGGESTING THAT WE PLAN A SPECIAL COURT MEETING IF WE ARE GOING TO LOSE THE CONTRACT. BUT THIS COULD BE A SPECIAL COURT MEETING THREE ARE FOUR DAYS FROM NOW.
WE HAVE TO FIND A TIME THAT WORKS FOR MEMBERS.
I CAN DO IT UP UNTIL TUESDAY. IF YOU WANT TO DO A SPECIAL COURT MEETING. JUST ON THIS ONE ITEM.
AND HOPEFULLY A CONSENSUS COULD BRING MORE IN.
AND WE CAN VOTE ON THAT. >> CAN WE DISCUSS THIS?
[00:35:04]
I THOUGHT YOU JUST STOP THE DISCUSSION.THESE ARE THE QUESTIONS I HAD. BUT YOU SAID WE HAD TO VOTE OR
I CAN ANSWER THE QUESTION. WE JUST HAVE ADDITIONAL SPEAKERS
TALKING. >> I WAS ASKING WHEN DOES IT EXPIRE AND DO WE NEED TO MAKE CHANGES, AND YOU SAID PURCHASING AND SHARE FOR THE ONES TO ANSWER THIS QUESTION.
THAT'S WHY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CAME UP.
>> THAN THAT IS MY ERROR, BY JUNE 6 IS WHEN THE CONTRACT EXPIRES. IT HAS TO BE PRIOR TO THAT.
>> IN THAT CASE I'D LIKE TO HEAR, IF YOU DON'T MIND, AND IF
YOU DON'T MIND SAYING YOUR NAME. >> JUDGE, I THINK THE ISSUE IS THAT THAT WOULD CONSTITUTE A DISCUSSION WITH YOU GUYS.
>> EVEN IF I'M ASKING THE SAME QUESTIONS THAT WE ARE ASKING YOU THAT YOU SAID YOU DID NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO.
> I ASK YOU WHEN CAN I-- I'D Select to skip to this part of the video">>> IS JUST A "YES" OR NO. >> I ASK YOU WHEN CAN I-- I'D LIKE TO FINISH ASKING MY QUESTION HERE.
I ASKED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHEN DO WE NEED TO MAKE CERTAIN CHANGES TO THE CONTRACT FOR THOSE TO APPLY.
AND I HEARD I DON'T KNOW, YOU HAVE US PURCHASING, AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. CAN I ASK THAT QUESTION SINCE YOU DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER OR NOT? IF THAT'S A "YES" OR NO QUESTION?
>> I THINK THAT'S FAIR. UNDER THE RULES YOU COULD
PROBABLY ASK. >> I'M ASKING A QUESTION ON IT
LIKE THE ANSWER, COMMISSIONER. >> I'M WILLING TO OFFER A MOTION FOR US TO SUSPEND THE RULES SO WE CAN DISCUSS THIS ITEM, AND ONCE DISCUSSION IS COMPLETE WE CAN DECIDE ON THE BOAT.
>> SECOND. >> YOU ARE ALL PLAYING GAMES HERE. CLEARLY.
ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU ARE POOR AT. EVERYONE IS WATCHING.
I DON'T-- I DON'T KNOW WHAT GAME YOU'RE PLAYING.
YOU CAN ALL VOTE ON IT. MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER ALICE, ARGUE FOR OR AGAINST IT?
>> I'M FOR IT, THAT IS FINE. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY ORIGINAL
THE USUAL. MOTION CARRIES AND I WILL ABSTAIN. ALL RIGHT.
LET'S LEE'S GO-AHEAD, IF HE WOULD NOT MIND SAYING YOUR NAME
AND WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO SAY? >> MAJOR ANTHONY MCCONNELL WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
ONE THING I WOULD LIKE TO SAY HIS FLOCK HAS A PICTURE OF YOUR CAR. IT DOES NOT RUN REGISTERED OWNERS. IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY INFORMATION OTHER THAN A PICTURE. EVERYTHING ELSE THAT COMES FROM THAT IS IN A DIFFERENT DATABASE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
THAT IS WHERE WE GET REGISTERED OWNER INFORMATION.
FLOCK IS NOTHING BUT A PICTURE. OF THE CAR.
AND IT'S OF THE BACK OF THE CAR. SO 90% OF THE PICTURES WE HAVE WE CANNOT SEE THE DRIVER, MALE, FEMALE, RACE, NONE OF THAT.
WE GET THE BACK OF THE PICTURE AND THAT IS IT.
BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SAY, JUST THIS WEEK, WE STOPPED A ROBBERY IN PROGRESS WITH FLOCK. WE FOUND A STOLEN VEHICLE ON FLOCK, RESEARCH THE AREA AND FOUND THE VEHICLE OCCUPIED BY THREE MALES THAT WERE CHASING THE PARKING LOT OFF THE BELTWAY.
PRIOR TO GETTING ADDITIONAL MARKS IN THERE TO GET THEM IN CUSTODY, THEY FLED THE AREA. WE GOT A SHORT PURSUIT.
AND WE ENDED UP GETTING THREE SUSPECTS IN CUSTODY.
RECOVERED THE STOLEN VEHICLE. TWO WEAPONS WERE IN THE CAR, OR ON THE SUSPECTS. THEY HAD GLOVES AND MASKS, THEY WERE NOT UP TO GOOD. SO WE STOPPED A ROBBERY IN
PROGRESS. >> SO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW, IF YOU DON'T MIND, AND I WANT TO ASK A FOLLOW-UP ON WHAT YOU SAID. IF YOU DON'T MIND, JUST SO WE ARE NOT WASTING YOUR TIME HERE. BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT CHANGES CAN BE MADE TO THE CURRENT CONTRACT.
AND I'D LIKE TO KNOW IF THAT'S THE CASE ARE NOT.
BECAUSE IF IT'S NOT THE CASE, THEN I'M GOING TO SAVE A LOT OF
TIME FOR ALL OF US. >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT KIND OF CHANGES YOU WANT TO MAKE TO THE CONTRACT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE.
>> MY QUESTION IS CAN CHANGES BE MADE? THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SAYS HE DOES NOT KNOW AND REFERRED THIS TO YOU. IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU DON'T KNOW EITHER. DO YOU KNOW IF CHANGES CAN BE
MADE? >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT CHANGES YOU
WOULD WANT MADE. >> ARE YOU SAYING IT DEPENDS ON
THE CHANGES? >> I AM SURE IT DOES.
THE VENDOR WILL ONLY AGREE TO SO MUCH AND COUNTIES WILL ONLY
AGREE TO SO MUCH. >> OF COURSE.
BUT I THINK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY KNOWS, ALL OF US KNOW, THE QUESTION IS IF THERE IS ANY-- WHY WERE YOU NOT SURE THEN, IF
IT IS THAT OBVIOUS? >> CAN I JUST SUGGEST WE ASK THE
PERSON. >> THIS IS RELATED TO A
PURCHASING PROCESS. >> SO IS THE PURCHASING-- IS
[00:40:03]
THERE A PURCHASING AGENT ON THAT COULD ANSWER THE QUESTION?>> GOOD MORNING. I AM ON THE LINE.
THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS YES, WE CAN SEEK AN AMENDMENT TO THE CONTRACT, BUT THE VENDOR WOULD HAVE TO AGREE TO ANY CHANGES THAT WE MAKE TO THE CONTRACT.
BUT WE CANNOT SPEAK TO AN AMENDMENT TO ADDRESS THE
CONCERNS. >> WHAT'S THE LATEST DATE TO
SEEK AN AMENDMENT? >> THE CONTRACT EXPIRES ON JUNE 6TH. THAT IF IT'S RENEWED, WE CAN START THAT CONVERSATION WITH THE VENDOR.
IF THE CONTRACT EXPIRES, THAT MAKES THAT CONVERSATION MORE
DIFFICULT. >> YOU ARE GIVING TWO OPTIONS.
ONE IS TO APPROVE THE CONTRACT AND OFFER AMENDMENTS.
AND THE OTHER OPTION YOUR OFFERING IS TO LET THE CONTRACT EXPIRE. WHAT I WAS TRYING TO PROPOSE IS THAT WE AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES.
IN OTHER WORDS, IS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND? MY QUESTION IS, IF WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES, AND WHY WE WOULD DO THAT.
BECAUSE THERE IS NO NEGOTIATING ROOM IF YOU HAVE ALREADY AGREED TO THE CONTRACT. SO IF YOU WANT TO DO THAT, WHEN WOULD WE HAVE TO OFFER AMENDMENTS BY?
>> WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IT BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES ON THE
SIXTH. >> IT COULD BE ON THE FIFTH?
GOT IT. AND REAL QUICK, I'LL PASS IT DOWN TO MY COLLEAGUES HERE. YOU WERE COMMENTING, RESPONDING TO SOME OF THE COMMENTS THAT WERE MADE.
I WANTED TO PUT THAT IN TO BUCKETS.
ONE OF THE CONCERNS IS-- FROM WHAT I HEARD, ONE CONCERN IS THE DATA SECURITY PART OF THINGS. SOMEBODY MENTIONED THAT IT'S EASY TO OBTAIN THIS DATA. THE OTHER CONCERN IS COULD THIS BE USED FOR ICE ENFORCEMENT, WHICH I THINK IS VALID RIGHT THERE. WE'RE GOING TO GO AFTER THE CRIMINALS, AND INSTEAD THEY ARE GOING AFTER THE PEOPLE THAT ARE CLEANING THE HOMES AND BUILDING THE THINGS.
THE THINGS PEOPLE ARE LINING UP TO DO.
AND ARE RAISING FAMILIES HERE. AND THEY ARE TAKING PEOPLE AND WHO GO IN FOR IMMIGRATION APPOINTMENTS AND DROP THEIR KIDS OFF AT SCHOOL. SO DOES ICE USE THIS? AND THE THIRD ONE, AND I MAYBE MISSING THINGS HERE.
SO AFTER MY COLLEAGUES SPEAK, I WILL ASK IF THERE IS A CONCERN FROM THE PUBLIC THAT I DID NOT MENTION, IS ON THE-- THIS KIND OF SURVEILLANCE IDEA, WHERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PICTURE.
THERE IS A SENSE THAT OKAY, IF THEY IDENTIFY YOUR VEHICLE, ALL OF US-- OUR VEHICLES, ARE OUR LIVES.
SO THAT MEANS YOU CAN TRACK EVERYTHING ELSE.
SO WOULD YOU HIT ON THOSE? >> THAT WAS A LOT, JUDGE.
I'LL TRY TO KEEP THEM ALL. IN REFERENCE TO PHOTOS, IT'S BEEN HELD IN SUPREME COURT THAT YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TRYING IT PRIVACY OUTSIDE IN THE PUBLIC. A CAMERA, A PICTURE, WALMART HAS VIDEO OF YOUR CAR PULLING INTO THEIR PARKING LOT.
THE SAME WITH A SECOND AMENDMENT PERSON STANDING IN FRONT OF A GOVERNMENT BUILDING. IT HAS BEEN HELD THAT THERE IS NO RIGHT TO PRIVACY AND STANDARD OUT IN THE PUBLIC.
BUT I WANT TO SAY THAT EVERYONE IS CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR INFORMATION. THERE IS NO INFORMATION THAT IS HELD OTHER THAN THE PHOTO OF THE VEHICLE.
AND AS FAR AS EVERYTHING SHARING ICE, WE SHARE WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT HAVE FLOCK.
THE QUESTION FOR THE OFF-- AUTHORIZATION HAS TO COME THROUGH FLOCK. THAT'S WHEN I KNOW THAT THEY ARE A LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY. CURRENTLY THE ONLY FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICE THAT HAS FLOCK IS THE POSTAL POLICE.
THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY FEDERAL AGENCY THAT CAN REQUEST
INFORMATION THROUGH OUR CAMERAS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND MISSIONER BRIONES.
>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND THANK YOU FOR TRYING TO WALK US THROUGH THIS INFORMATION OF THIS ITEM.
YOU GIVE ONE EXAMPLE OF A ROBBERY IN PROGRESS.
YOU HAVE SOLVED THE-- WE HAVE SOLVED THE MURDER OF A DEPUTY.
AND WE HAVE SOLVED A NUMBER OF OTHER CASES.
BUT TO THE SECURITY CONCERN AND PRIVACY CONCERNS, THIS-- THE DATA THAT IS COLLECTED OFF THE FLOCK CAMERAS IS ONLY RESEARCHED WHEN THERE IS AN ACTIVE INVESTIGATION.
[00:45:02]
PROMPTING A GEOGRAPHIC REVIEW OF ACTIVITY IN A PARTICULAR AREA.WHEREVER I MAYBE DRIVING, IF THERE IS NO SERIOUS VIOLENT CRIMES, OR ANY OTHER ACTIVITY, THE DATABASE IN THAT PARTICULAR AREA WILL NOT BE REVIEWED. HOWEVER, TO UNDERSTAND IT, WHEN CERTAIN INVESTIGATIONS OCCUR, JUST LIKE THE EXAMPLE OF THE DEPUTY WHO WAS MURDERED. THE HOMICIDE OCCURRED IN ONE PARTICULAR LOCATION. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHERE THAT INDIVIDUAL WAS UNTIL FLOCK GAVE US THE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT OF WHERE THAT VEHICLE WAS GOING. WE KNEW THE VEHICLE IT WAS IN.
WE WERE ALL-- ULTIMATELY ABLE TO TRACK THAT VEHICLE THROUGH A DIGITAL FOOTPRINT FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO APPREHEND THAT INDIVIDUAL. THIS IS TURNED OUT TO BE A VERY VALUABLE TOOL TO HELP SOLVE CRIMES, TO HELP VICTIMS OF CRIMES COULD-- WHILE THERE IS A CONCERN, I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANYONE BY OUR AGENCIES-- I WILL NOT SPEAK FOR OTHER AGENCIES ACROSS TEXAS, OR ACROSS THE COUNTRY WHO MAY HAVE DONE SOME INAPPROPRIATE THINGS. BUT THE POLICIES ARE THERE TO HELP CONTROL THIS, AND ULTIMATELY, IF SOMEONE VIOLATES THESE POLICIES, I KNOW THAT OUR SHERIFF WILL HOLD HIM ACCOUNTABLE. SO I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED APPROPRIATELY.
I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT THE RULES AND POLICIES ARE IN PLACE TO CONTROL THE ACCESS OF THIS INFORMATION.
AND I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE THAT THIS TOOL IS USED FOR THE MAXIMUM BENEFIT OF OUR COMMUNITY, ESPECIALLY THOSE VICTIMS OF CRIMES. THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE.
>> THANK YOU, SERVICE. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.
AND FOR ALL THE TESTIMONY ON THE GREAT BENEFITS AND CRIMES THAT HAVE BEEN SOLVED THROUGH THIS TECHNOLOGY.
JUST A-- A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, A LADY WAS STANDING IN HER KITCHEN. A GUN WAS FIRED THAT HIT HER IN THE BACK AND SHE PASSED WITHIN THREE DAYS.
THEY WERE ABLE TO FIND THE PERSON THAT KILLED HER IN A MATTER OF HOURS. AND JUSTICE IS SERVED.
SO I THINK THEY HAVE GREAT TECHNOLOGY.
AND EITHER YOU TRUST LAW ENFORCEMENT OR YOU DON'T.
SAFE NEIGHBORHOODS MATTER. PEOPLE TALK TO ME ABOUT THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS BEING SAFE. IF YOU LIVE IN AMERICA, NEIGHBORHOOD SHOULD BE SAFE. AND I THINK THIS TECHNOLOGY IS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN MAKING NEIGHBORHOODS SAFER.
>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTEND TIME?
>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES TO EXTEND THE DISCUSSION TIME.
COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> THANK YOU FOR THE INFORMATION THAT YOU PROVIDED. JUST TO LEVEL SET CACTUSES A CONTRACT FOR EXISTING TECHNOLOGY THAT WE HAVE.
THIS IS A RENEWAL. AND IT'S NOT ONLY OUR CAMERAS, BUT IT HAS HOA CAMERAS, ET CETERA.
AND THE INFORMATION, YOU SAID THE LICENSE PLATE READER, ESSENTIALLY, WE ARE ONLY GATHERING THE DATA IF AND WHEN THERE IS AN ISSUE WE NEED TO INVESTIGATE.
SO I'M SEEING THESE CAMERAS ARE ACTUALLY AND VERY HIGH DEMAND BECAUSE OF THE DESIRE FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
I KNOW THAT A COUPLE OF MY TEAM MEMBERS WERE SHOT NEAR ONE OF OUR PARKS, AND IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE FLOCK CAMERAS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO APPREHEND THE PEOPLE WHO SHOT MY TEAM MEMBERS.
WE'VE HAD MURDERS AND KIDNAPPINGS, ASSAULTS, AND THESE HAVE BEEN INSTRUMENTAL TOOLS. AND AS A LAWYER AND FORMER CIVIL COURT JUDGE, OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS ARE NONNEGOTIABLE TO ME.
THE PRIVACY MUST BE RESPECTED. AND I KNOW WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PURCHASING IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THAT'S WHY THIS TOOK SO LONG. BECAUSE WE ARE TIGHTENING THE DATA PRIVACY LANGUAGE. THAT IS THE UNDERSTANDING WE'VE HAD BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
IS THAT CORRECT? ABERNATHY HAS BEEN THE KEY LAWYER ON THIS. IS THAT CORRECT?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. PAGE HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
>> SO IT'S ALWAYS A BALANCE. INTO ME THIS IS A MULTIPLIER
[00:50:02]
EFFECT. SO IF WE DO HAVE AN INVESTIGATION, WE NEED TO BE APPREHENDING WHO MIGHT BE RESPONSIBLE, BUT DOING IT IN A WAY THAT IS STRATEGIC AND HAS THIS MULTIPLIER EFFECT. GIVEN THAT I KNOW THIS LANGUAGE HAS BEEN IS TIGHTENED AND IS THOUGHTFULLY WORDED AS POSSIBLE, AND TO THE COMMISSIONER'S POINT, IF AND WHEN ANYONE IN OUR JURISDICTION ABUSES IT, THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.UNTIL THEN, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER 1.
SO FOR THAT REASON, I WILL BE SUPPORTING IT.
I KNOW WE ARE ABOUT TO LOSE CORAM IN A FEW MINUTES.
I AM READY TO VOTE AFTER. I SEE COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS HIS
HAND UP. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> MY SUGGESTION IS WE AGREED TO DO A SPECIAL COURT MEETING, OR WITH THE PURCHASING ITEM, AND THE CONTRACT BE EXTENDED FOR 30 DAYS. THESE ARE THE ISSUES THAT NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE OPTIONS THAT I SEE IN FRONT OF US, I THINK THEY ARE IS ONCE IT'S PULLED, THE CONTRACT WILL EXPIRE. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A DRAWN-OUT PROCESS OR START ANOTHER ONE, OR CAN BE EXTENDED FOR 33 DAYS OR SCHEDULE A SPECIAL MEETING JUST ON THIS ONE ITEM SO PEOPLE CAN VOTE IT DOWN? IF THEY NEED DISCUSSIONS-- PEOPLE CAN SIGN UP.
BUT THE OPTIONS BEFORE US NOW IS THE TREND ENDS IF IT IS NOT APPROVED DAY ON EXTENSION, APPROVED TODAY.
SO THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION. I'M IN A PARKING LOT.
I'M GOING TO STEP OUT, AND I MIGHT LOSE CONNECTION.
BUT I THINK THIS IS WHERE WE ARE.
SO YOU SCHEDULE THE MEETING WITH THREE DAYS NOTICE.
YOU HAVE THREE DAYS AND THEN YOU CAN HAVE ANOTHER MEETING.
>> CORRECT. >> AND YOU HAVE THREE-MEMBER SHOWING PRESENT. COULD WE APPROVE IT TODAY WITH A 30 DAY EXTENSION? BECAUSE WE CAN VOTE ON IT TODAY.
>> THIS PARTICULAR CONTRACT DOESN'T HAVE A HOLDOVER CLAUSE.
YOU COULD APPROVE THE RENEWAL, AND IF YOU'RE NOT ABLE TO REACH TERMS ON THE AMENDMENT YOU CAN CONTINUE THE CONTRACT.
>> IF YOUR POLLING COMES OFF, IT COULD BE RENEWED AND PUT BACK ON THE AGENDA. IF THE VOTES ARE THERE.
AND IT WILL EXPIRE, AND YOU HAVE TO GO THROUGH A WHOLE NEW
PROCESS. >> IT WOULD NEED TO BE REBID.
THERE MAYBE ANOTHER OPTION, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND PURCHASING THAT MAY ALLOW US TO BRING IT BACK.
WE ARE STILL FINALIZING THAT IF THAT CAN BE DONE.
>> I WANT TO STRESS THAT IT WILL BE REDUNDANT.
BUT ANY MEMBER OF THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT HAS THE RIGHT TO PULL IT OUT BACK AND IF IT'S POLLED, WE HAVE TO DO A PROCESS. WE CAN DO A SPECIAL MEETING AND APPROVE IT. IF YOU VOTE OUT AND PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA, IF THERE ARE THREE VOTES IN TERMS OF
CONTRACT, IT COULD BE CHANGED. >> AND I WOULD ADD THAT WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE THE AMENDMENT LANGUAGE RIGHT AWAY IN ORDER TO
MEET THIS TIMELINE. >> JUDGE, IF I COULD SUGGEST, WHAT YOU COULD DO IS APPROVE THE RENEWAL CONTRACT SUBJECT TO AN AMENDMENT THAT WE COULD BRING BACK ON THE 11TH.
IF THAT IS SOMETHING THAT THE COURT WOULD WANT.
BUT I WANT TO BE CLEAR, BECAUSE THE RULES HAVE BEEN SUSPENDED.
WE ARE TAKING A VOTE ON THE ITEM TODAY.
IT DOESN'T AUTOMATICALLY GO ANYMORE.
SO NOW WE ARE TAKING A VOTE ON THE ITEM TODAY?
>> I THINK IT VIOLATES THE SPIRIT OF THE RULES.
WE HAVE HAD ONE HOUR AND 15 MINUTES TO DISCUSS.
CLEARLY THERE IS MORE DISCUSSION TO BE HAD.
AND THERE IS A CLEAR INTEREST TO PASS THIS WITHOUT DISCUSSION.
IT'S VERY OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING.
SO WE ARE ALL JUST MAKING A CHARADE OF THIS.
I THINK IT MAKES SENSE, IF WE ARE REALLY OPEN TO ACCOUNTABILITY THEN WE WOULD NOT BE TRYING TO RAM THIS THROUGH, WHICH SOME OF US TRIED TO DO. SO MY CONCERN WITH PASSANT-- PASSING IT TO SUBJECT TO CHANGES, IS WE JUST HEARD FROM COLLEAGUES THAT THEY THINK THAT CHANGES HAVE BEEN MADE AND THIS IS PERFECT, AND WE SAW WITH OUR OWN EYES AND HEARD WITH OUR OWN EARS, THEIR WILLINGNESS, WHICH WE HAVE SEEN BEFORE, TO RAM THINGS THROUGH THAT THE PUBLIC IS NOT HAPPY WITH.
SO I THINK WE SHOULD DISCUSS THIS WHEN THERE IS TIME.
[00:55:01]
AND I THINK IT IS VERY CONVENIENT THAT THE TWO COLLEAGUES HAVE TO LEAVE BY 1015 WHEN THE ITEM IS ON.AND I AM BAFFLED THAT THERE IS SUCH CONCERN WITH THIS ITEM EXPIRING WHEN CONTRACTS BETWEEN AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER FOR 60,000 CHILDREN AND FAMILIES FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ARE EXPIRING, AND NOBODY WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT PROTECTING THAT WHEN ALL THEY HAD TO DO WAS PUT THINGS ON THE BALLOT TO SEE WHAT THE COMMUNITY THOUGHT. BUT THIS, OH, WE ARE JUST LOSING IT OVER SOMETHING EXPIRING. I THINK IT'S TOTALLY FAIR TO HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TIME TO BE THERE.
WE FULLY DISCUSS IT AND WE EYRE THINGS OUT.
PEOPLE WHO ARE WORKING ON THIS, EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO HELP.
EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO BE SAFE. EVERYONE WANTS TO BALANCE SAFETY AND CIVIL LIBERTIES. WE JUST NEED TO HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO TALK ABOUT IT. AND WHEN SOMETHING IS FORCED LIKE THAT, THAT TELLS YOU SOMETHING.
THAT WOULD BE MY REQUEST, AND WE ARE KIND OF MAKING FUN OF THE RULES HERE. YOU ARE TELLING ME YOU HAVE FOUR MORE MINUTES, AND I FOR ONE DON'T HAVE MY QUESTIONS ANSWERED YET. WE HAVE NOT EVEN TALKED ABOUT THE AMENDMENTS. SO HOW CAN WE DO SOMETHING SUBJECT TO AMENDMENTS. WE HAVE NOT HAD TIME, TO THE MAJORS POINT, WE DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT AMENDMENT WE WANT TO MAKE.
>> I THINK THE WAY WE WOULD DO IT IS WORK WITH THE OFFICES TO CAPTURE WHAT IT IS THAT YOU GUYS NEED.
>> BUT THEN WE COME IN ON THE 11TH AND WE CAN'T HAVE A DISCUSSION WITH THE COURT, WHICH IS THE POINT OF THIS.
SO I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC WHO IS HERE, I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE MAJOR, AND I WANT TO HEAR FROM MY COLLEAGUES, MANY TIMES. WE BUILD THINGS OFF OF EACH OTHER. THAT'S WHY THERE ARE FIVE OF US.
MY FOUR COLLEAGUES HAVE IDEAS THAT I DON'T HAVE.
IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO DISCUSS THAT IN THIS ROOM, THERE IS NO WAY FOR ME TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION.
OTHERWISE I WOULD BE BREAKING THE OPEN MEETINGS ACT.
>> WE WILL NOT LOSE CORAM AT 1015.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS HERE. IF YOU WANT TO PROLONG THIS--
>> THE OPTIONS BEFORE US ARE TO VOTE ON IT.
ANY MEMBER CAN PUT IT BACK ON AGENDA FOR A REGULAR COURT MEETING. AND WITH THOSE VOTES THEY CAN BE CANCELED. PURCHASING.
IS NOT CORRECT? YOU WILL PURCHASE VIRTUALLY?
>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> SO THE OPTION WOULD BE, TO CYST-- SINCE WE HAVE SUSPENDED THE RULES, IT CAN BE VOTED ON.
WE HAVE DISCUSSED IT. THERE ARE ABOUT 15 PHILANTHROPIC DONORS I COULD ASK FOR MONEY FROM, BUT I WANTED TO COME HERE.
SO I WOULD JUST ASSUME, LET'S GO AHEAD AND VOTE.
AND IF ANYBODY HAS THAT, THREE VOTES AND WE CAN MAKE AN AMENDMENT. THIS CAME UP YESTERDAY.
I HEARD ABOUT IT AT ABOUT 3:00 IN THE AFTERNOON.
WHETHER THAT IS AN OVERREACTION, I JUST DON'T KNOW.
BUT IF PURCHASING HAD KNOWN THAT THERE WOULD BE SOME CONTROVERSY EARLIER, THEY PROBABLY WOULD HAVE PUT IT ON THE AGENDA EARLIER. BUT SOMETIMES YOU JUST DON'T KNOW UNTIL SOME OF OUR FRIENDS IN THE ADVOCACY COMMUNITY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT. WHEN IT'S ON THE AGENDA, THEN YOU REACT. BUT I DON'T WANT YOU ALL TO LOSE YOUR HAIR. TO SEE WHAT'S HAPPENING TO ME? WHEN YOU GET ALL UPSET ON THESE ISSUES? I DON'T WANT YOU TO LOSE YOUR HAIR ON THIS.
>> THAT WOULD BE A PROBLEM. >> I WOULD SUGGEST WE JUST VOTE ON IT, AND ANY OFFICE CAN TALK TO PURCHASING.
IF EVERYBODY WANTS TO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT IT AGAIN, THEY CAN DO IT. THE REASON WE DESIGNED THESE BUSINESS COURSES SO WE COULD MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY.
SO I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE ITEM.
>> THERE IS A MOTION SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? I ABSTAIN. THIS IS BIZARRE TO NOT WANT TO DISCUSS IT AND ONLY DISCUSS AT FOR AND HOUR.
BUT IT'S PART FOR THE COURSE. MOTION CARRIES FOUR TO ZERO.
>> I WEED ON THE CONSENT AGENDA? >> HE IS NOT THE ONE NOT LETTING PEOPLE DECIDE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND BREAKING THE
BUDGET OVER POLITICAL INTEREST. >> HAVE YOU VOTED ON THE AGENDA YET? HAVE YOU UPLOADED THE AGENDA? I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT WE PASSED THE AGENDA.
[Appearances before court (Part 2 of 3)]
>> COMMISSIONER THERE ARE NO ACTIONS OR CORRECTION.
>> JUDGE, BUT IF WE PUT AN ADDITIONAL SPEAKER ON THE
REGULAR AGENDA. >> WE ONLY HAVE ONE.
I THOUGHT WE HAD MORE. >> WE HAVE SEVERAL ON SOLUTIONS.
BUT WE HAVE ONE LEFT FOR THE REGULAR AGENDA.
[01:00:03]
>> ONE LEFT FOR THE REGULAR AGENDA AND WE HAVE CORRECTIONS.
ALL RIGHT. >> SPEAKER, WHOEVER YOU ARE,
COME ON UP. >> I KNOW WHO WAS LISTED.
HE IS HERE. >> MAKE THIS A BRIEF ON.
I WANT TO BE ABLE TO VOTE ON THE AGENDA.
>> THIS IS ABOUT ITEM 99. I HOPE YOUR RECOVERY FROM THAT KNEE SURGERY GOES WELL, COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? THE ONES FOR THE RESOLUTIONS, WE
DON'T NEED TO HEAR FROM THEM. >> I THINK WE DO, JUDGE.
BUT WE NORMALLY GO THROUGH THE CORRECTIONS AND THE CONSENT, AND
THEN WE GO TO SPEAKERS. >> I HAVE ONE RESOLUTION BEFORE
WE GO. >> SO WHAT I'M ASKING IS DO WE NEED TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS BEFORE WE GO.
>> YES, BEFORE WE VOTE ON THE RESOLUTION WE WILL HAVE TO HERE ON THE SPEAKERS. BUT NOT FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE
[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]
SO ITEM 27. THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY REQUESTS NO ACTION, 72. JUNE 30, 2026, JULY 1, 2026, THROUGH JUNE 302027. AND QUOTE SO IT READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A RENEWAL OPTION WITH LLC FOR REPAIR PARTS, MAINTENANCE, AND RELATED SERVICES OF AIRCRAFT FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR THE PERIOD OF JULY 1ST, 2026 TO JULY 30TH 20-- JULY 30TH, 2027, AT A COST OF $70,000, 240109.
JUSTIFICATION FROM 0%. AND-- MW B, PUSH PARTICIPATION GOALS TO PERCENT. MINIMAL MW B AVAILABILITY.
ITEM 100. ON A ROADSIDE CLEANUP PRECINCT, TO REQUEST NO ACTION. AND ITEM 137, ON API HERITAGE MONTH. THERE IS A CORRECTION.
WE REPLACED "REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION." WITH "REQUEST BY THE COMMISSIONERS ON PRECINCTS ONE THROUGH FOUR." SO IT NOW READS "REQUEST BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF PRECINCTS ONE TO FOUR ON BEHALF OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER COMMISSION, FOR POSSIBLE APPROVAL OF A RESOLUTION CELEBRATING AND RECOGNIZING ASIAN AMERICAN, NATIVE HAWAIIAN, AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY." SO THOSE WERE THE CHANGES THAT YOU NEEDED ME TO GO THROUGH. SO NOW WE CAN VOTE ON THE
AGENDA, BUT NOT THE RESOLUTIONS. >> IS THERE ONE ITEM YOU WANT TO
>> LET'S VOTE ON THE ITEM AND WE WILL HEAL-- HERE SPEAKERS FOR THE RESOLUTION AND VOTE ON THAT. LET'S VOTE ON THE AGENDA.
MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON THE AGENDA, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR? AND HE OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
>> JUDGE, I NEED ONE, ITEM 137, A DISCUSSION OF POSSIBLE
APPROVAL. >> IT'S REPRESENTED ON THE API.
BUT WE ARE NOT AT RESOLUTIONS YET.
>> IF I COULD JUST MAKE SURE, SINCE I HAVE TO STEP AWAY TO GET TO ANOTHER EVENT, IF MY VOTE COULD BE RECORDED FOR ANY ITEM THAT-- RESOLUTIONS OR ANYTHING ELSE THAT MAY COME UP.
>> I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THAT ITEM AS WELL.
WE WANT TO BE SHOWN VOTING. >> I WOULD LIKE TO JOIN THAT AS WELL. I HAVE A HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA
COUNCIL. >> I DON'T THINK WE CAN CONTINUE THE MEETING IF YOU GUYS ARE ALL GONE.
AS I SAID, IF YOU KNEW THAT WE HAD THIS, THEN LET'S DISCUSS
THIS AT ANOTHER COURT. >> I'M GOING TO STAY AS LONG AS
I CAN. >> YOU DID HAVE LIMITED TIME.
I THINK THESE MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULED WAY AHEAD OF TIME.
SO... ALL RIGHT. LET'S DO WHAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REQUESTED. WHAT WAS YOUR ITEM, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON ITEM 122? TIFFANY?
[INDISCERNIBLE] >> LET'S TAKE A MOTION ON 122.
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA-- COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
[01:05:01]
ALL IN FAVOR? AND HE OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES THREE TO ONE. -- ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES THREE TO ONE. FOUR TO ONE.[Appearances before court (Part 3 of 3)]
NOW LET US GO BACK TO THE SPEAKERS THEN.TIFFANY, IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> SPEAKING ON ITEM 119, DR. ERICA BROWN ON 119 AND 126. JENNIFER ON ITEM 119.
YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
I AM FROM HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PUBLIC RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MAY AS WATER SAFETY MONTH. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT WATER SAFETY IS THAT IT IS NOT SAFE.
THE LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH, ACCORDING TO THE CDC IN THE UNITED STATES FOR CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF FOUR IS ACCIDENTAL DROWNING. AND THE SECOND LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH FOR CHILDREN IN THE UNITED STATES UNDER THE AGE OF 14 IS DROWNING. IN HARRIS COUNTY WE WORK VERY HARD TO ENSURE THAT THERE IS SAFETY OF OUR SWIMMING POOLS, OUR LAKES AND RIVERS. AND THE RESOLUTION PASSING WATER SAFETY MONTH IS TO BRING MORE AWARENESS AND MORE VISIBILITY TO THIS MAJOR ISSUE. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IS STRESSING THE IMPORTANCE OF SWIMMING LESSONS.
LIFEGUARDS. AND MOST IMPORTANT PARENT SUPERVISION. HARRIS PUBLIC-- HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH DOES A LOT OF OUTREACH AND HAS A LOT OF INFORMATION AND OPPORTUNITIES TO PUSH THIS INFORMATION ACROSS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
GO AHEAD, DR. BROWN, AND WELCOME.
>> MY NAME IS DR. ERICA BROWN. I AM THE HEALTH AUTHORITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. AND I'M HERE TO BRING AWARENESS TO SAFETY-- HEAT SAFETY. IT IS THE SUMMERTIME AND IT'S HEATING UP QUICKLY. UNFORTUNATELY BETWEEN 2019 AND 2023, HARRIS COUNTY SAW A 329% INCREASE IN HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS, AND A TEE CONFIRMED HEAT-RELATED DEATHS.
IN THE SHORT TIME THAT WE HAVE, JUST FOR EVERYONE TO BE MINDFUL, CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC DISEASES ARE AT RISK. MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE CHECKING ON THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE OTHERS TO CHECK ON THEM.
MAKE SURE WE ARE PROVIDING AIR-CONDITIONED SPACES, GETTING TO COOLER AREAS. AND IN THE SUMMER MONTHS IT'S WONDERFUL TO BE OUT IN THE POOLS, PLAYING SAFELY.
MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE USING SUNSCREEN, MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE TAKING TIME TO HYDRATE, HYDRATE, HYDRATE.
EVEN WHEN WE ARE NOT THIRSTY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DRINKING WATER. AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, SIMILARLY WE PROVIDE A LOT OF EDUCATION AND INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO NEED SUMMER HEAT TIPS, AND THE KEY IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CHECKING ON EVERYONE. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, PLEASE DO NOT EVER LEAVE PETS AND CHILDREN IN THE CARS.
THANK YOU. >> WHO TEACHES THE LESSONS FOR THE YOUNG KIDS? WE OFFER THAT RIGHT, IN
HARRIS COUNTY? >> WE OFFER EDUCATION WHEN WE GO OUT WITH OUTREACH IN THE SUMMER MONTHS, AND ONE OF THE SWAG BAG THINGS WE OFFER IS SUNSCREEN AS WELL.
EVERYWHERE WE GO WE ARE PROVIDING EDUCATION ABOUT SUMMER
HEAT SAFETY. >> THERE ARE SO MANY FAMILIES, MANY MORE THAN WE WOULD IMAGINE THAT OUR GRIEVING THE LOSS OF THEIR CHILDREN. AND I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET WITH SEVERAL OF THEM OVER THE YEARS.
AND THE STORIES THAT YOU HERE ARE HEARTBREAKING.
AND IT'S THE ASSUMPTION, YOU ARE BAD PARENTS, HOW COULD YOU LEAVE YOUR KID UNATTENDED. BUT THE REALITY OF THE MATTER IS THAT YOU CAN TURN YOUR BACK FOR ONE SECOND.
THE KIDS ARE SO QUICK. AND IT'S LIKE SOMEBODY PROPPED THE DOOR OPEN JUST TO BRING THE PLATE BACK INSIDE, AND THE KID, IN THAT SECOND, FELL IN THE SWIMMING POOL.
SO THE SOLUTION, CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, IS TO TEACH THESE BABIES TO SWIM FIRST THING. AT TWO YEARS OLD, IS IT? EVEN DOWN TO INFANTS. SO IT'S THE KIND OF THING THAT NOBODY THINKS WILL HAPPEN TO US UNTIL IT DOES.
SO IF YOU ARE SOMEBODY WHO HAS A BRAND-NEW BABY, THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. IT HAPPENS A LOT.
SO WHERE IS DROWNING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF UNINTENTIONAL INJURY RELATED DEATH, FOR CHILDREN AGED ONE TO FOUR PACKED
[01:10:04]
IT REMAINS A SIGNIFICANT RISK FOR INDIVIDUALS OF ALL AGES.CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION REPORTS THAT APPROXIMATELY 4000 UNINTENTIONAL DROWNINGS OCCUR EACH YEAR IN THE U.S., AND POOLS, BATHTUBS AND NATURAL BODIES OF WATER.
AND ACROSS-- THIS GOES ACROSS THE ECONOMIC SPECTRUM, ACROSS RACE AND ETHNICITY. IT'S JUST A TRAGEDY.
MAY IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER SAFETY, DROWNING PREVENTION AND LIFE-SAVING SKILLS.
AND WATER RELATED ACTIVITIES SUCH AS SWIMMING, BOATING, FISHING AND BEACH OUTINGS ARE ENJOYED BY MANY COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND VISITORS IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS. MAKING WATER SAFETY EDUCATION ESSENTIAL. WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH JOINS NATIONAL AND LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS IN PROMOTING WATER SAFETY EDUCATION. RESPONSIBLE WATER PRACTICES, ACTIVE ADULT SUPERVISION. SWIMMING LESSONS, CPR TRAINING AND THE USE OF U.S. COAST GUARD APPROVED LIFE JACKETS.
THE HARRIS COUNTY EXPERIENCED LONG PERIODS OF EXTREME HEAT AND HUMIDITY DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS, CREATING A SIGNIFICANT RISK OF DEHYDRATION, HEAT EXHAUSTION, HEATSTROKE AND HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES. DO WE HAVE MUCH OF THAT, DR. BROWN, IN TERMS OF HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES?
>> DO WE HAVE EDUCATION? >> IS IT A REALLY BIG ISSUE THE
WAY THE DROWNINGS ARE? >> IT IS.
SINCE 2019, OUR HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS INCIDENTS HAVE GONE UP 329%. AND WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A TEE DEATHS. SO THIS IS ANOTHER AREA WHERE SIMILAR TO POOLS, SMALL CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE LEFT IN CARS.
THEY SHOULD BE MONITORED BECAUSE THEY VIEW THESE AREAS LIKE CARS AND OTHER HEATED AREAS AS HIDING PLACES FOR PLAY.
SO WE NEED TO BE VERY MINDFUL TO KEEP EVERYONE HYDRATED.
LOTS OF SUMMER ACTIVITIES GOING ON.
BUT TAKE BREAKS. THE OUTDOOR WORKERS, TAKE THEM SOME WATER, SOME COOL WATER, GET THEM TO A SHADED AREA.
WE KNOW THAT GLOBAL WARMING IS REAL, AND THE HEAT IS REALLY, REALLY RISING. AND IT IS A HUGE INCIDENT HERE
IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> I KNOW FOR THE WORLD CUP THAT IS A BIG CONCERN. SO THEY HAVE THE COOLING STATIONS, PLENTY OF SHADE. WILL YOU GUYS HAVE A CAMPAIGN
GOING DURING THE WORLD CUP? >> WE CURRENTLY HAVE ON OUR WEBSITE A PAGE ABOUT HEAT SAFETY.
>> JUNE MARKS THE BEGINNING OF SUMMER HEAT SAFETY SEASON IN HARRIS COUNTY HIGHLIGHTING THE IMPORTANCE OF RESIDENTS AND VISITORS ABOUT THE DANGERS OF EXTREME HEAT AND THE STEPS THEY CAN TAKE TO PROTECT THEMSELVES. HARRIS COUNTY WELCOMES THOUSANDS OF VISITORS EACH SUMMER FOR OUTDOOR EVENTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES. MANY OF WHOM MAYBE UNFAMILIAR WITH THE INTENSITY OF THE TEXAS CLIMATE.
EXCESSIVE HEAT IS A SERIOUS AND GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERN, WITH HEAT-RELATED ILLNESSES AND DEATHS, A TEE IN THE PASSED FEW YEARS, INCREASING IN RECENT YEARS ACROSS TEXAS AND THE UNITED STATES. IN WHICH CHILDREN, OLDER ADULTS, OUTDOOR WORKERS, ATHLETES, PREGNANT INDIVIDUALS AND PEOPLE WITH CHRONIC MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE VULNERABLE TO HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS PICK THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY HEREBY DESIGNATES MAY 2026 AS NATIONAL WATER SAFETY MONTH AND DECLARES THE START OF SUMMER HEAT SAFETY SEASON IN HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS. I KNOW A LOT OF US ARE THINKING ABOUT HURRICANE SEASON IN JUNE, BUT AS IT STARTS TO GET WARMER, I DON'T WANT FOLKS TO FORGET ABOUT WATER SAFETY AND HEAT AWARENESS. AND ONE THING, LAST THING, JUST TO MENTION HERE, CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE.
DOWNTOWN HOUSTON PLUS HAS PLANTED MORE THAN 1000 TREES DOWNTOWN. IF YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WALK DOWN MAIN STREET, IT'S REALLY BEAUTIFUL.
UNLIKE OTHER JURISDICTIONS, PART OF THE REASON WE CAN CONTINUE OUR FAN FEST IS WE HAVE SO MUCH FUNDING FOR SAFETY AND SECURITY.
AND THE HOST COMMITTEE HAS RAISED A LOT OF PRIVATE DOLLARS TO MAKE THE FIFA WORLD CUP EVENTS POSSIBLE HERE IN HOUSTON.
THAT'S WHY WE HAVE THE SECURITY FOR THE FAN FEST AND THE STADIUM. AND WE HAVE THESE BEAUTIFICATION PROJECTS. SO FEDERAL FUNDING, FIFA WORLD CUP FUNDING, PHILANTHROPIC FUNDING.
SO THAT DOESN'T COME OUT OF THAT.
THAT'S THE ORGANIZATION IN AND OF ITSELF.
IT'S GREAT HOW EVERYBODY HAS PITCHED IN.
1000 TREES DOWNTOWN AND THE GOAL IS TO LOWER THE TEMPERATURE DOWN BY MORE THAN 10 DEGREES. SO THANK YOU.
IT'S SO IMPORTANT. AND IF YOU DON'T MIND A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE FAMILIES THAT HAVE LOST MOSTLY KIDS TO THE
[01:15:05]
HEAT-RELATED ILLNESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND
THANK YOU FOR RAISING AWARENESS. >> COMMISSIONER ALICE?
>> WE HAVE 36 RESOLUTIONS ON THE AGENDA I THINK.
I HAVE ANOTHER EVENT AND I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE.
SO HERE'S WHAT I WANT TO SUGGEST THERE MAYBE ONE OR TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT WE CAN DO. I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO EVERYONE HERE. BUT THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE REGULAR COURT MEETING. I HAVE NO SPEAKERS.
BUT SINCE WE HAD A SOMEWHAT PROTRACTED DISCUSSION TODAY, JAY YOU WERE MY FIRST INTERN WHEN I WENT TO TEXAS IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN. AND IN AUSTIN THE WAY WE WOULD DO THIS IS WE COULD CONTINUE A MEETING SO PEOPLE COULD TALK AND DISCUSS IT. IT'S NOT A FORMAL MEETING.
BUT THAT'S THE WAY WE HANDLE IT AND ALL-- AUSTIN.
BUT I CAN SIMPLY NOT BE HERE TO GO THROUGH TWO HOURS OF RESOLUTIONS TODAY. SOME DAYS I COULD.
BUT I HAVE-- HAVE A PARK FULL OF PEOPLE.
I NEED TO PACK A BAG AND GET A FLIGHT.
>> UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN YOU LEAVE, COMMISSIONER, WE NO
LONGER HAVE A MEETING. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM
CLEAR. >> WE DON'T HAVE A MEETING.
SO WE CAN'T EVEN HAVE THE SPEAKERS PRESENT.
>> FOR THOSE WHO ARE HERE, IF YOU WOULD SHORTEN IT, WE HAVE THIS TRADITION IN THE TEXAS SENATE, SOMEBODY SAYING WHAT YOU WANTED TO SAY, AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY IT AGAIN.
BUT WE WILL BE HERE FOR ANOTHER 30 MINUTES.
>> COMMISSIONER I HAVE TO LEAVE IN A FEW MOMENTS.
AND THE REASON IT SO IN PORTENT AS WE ARE PICKING THE NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. I'M ON NUMEROUS EXECUTIVE COMMITTEES, AND TODAY AND TOMORROW THE FINALIST, THE TOP FOUR CANDIDATES, CAN THIS BE THE LEADER FOR THE 13 COUNTY BOARDS, I HAVE TO BE THERE AT 11. SO I HAVE TO GO.
US HOPING TO SAY IF YOU COOK-- QUICK WORDS ON 133 AND 135.
>> I UNDERSTAND WE HAVE 24 SPEAKERS LEFT.
IF MADE WE CAN GET 15 MINUTES AND EVERYONE GETS 20 MINUTES AND
LET THEM ALL SPEAK? >> WE ARE WAY OUT NUMBERED.
I SERVED FOUR YEARS IN THE HVAC, AND OUR BOAT IS NOT DETERMINANT.
>> I HAVE TO LEAVE SOON. IN HOUSTON THEY WILL SAY WE CAN WORK IT OUT, BUT THE MEETING HAS TO END.
>> WHY DON'T-- WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST THAT WE DO? ALL I CAN THINK OF IS THAT WE TAKE THE SPEAKERS--
>> IF WE COULD JUST ASK THE SPEAKERS, NORMALLY THEY WOULDN'T ONLY HAVE-- THEY WOULD HAVE A MINUTE.
>> AT 1040 I WILL HAVE TO LEAVE. >> WE COULD MOVE THIS TO DISCUSS IT PROPERLY, INSTEAD OF WASTING ALL THE TIME.
>> SOAP TEN WE BRING OUT THE SPEAKERS QUICKLY?
>> I TAKE BACK MY TIME. YOU ARE ALL GOOD.
>> SHE DOESN'T NEED TO STATE HER NAME OR ANYTHING?
>> I DON'T KNOW WHO THAT LAST SPEAKER WAS.
>> I THINK IT WAS JENNIFER. >> IF YOU CALL THEM UP DO THEY NEED TO COME UP AND INTRODUCE THEMSELVES? IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK, JUST PLEASE JOIN US.
GO-AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> DANIEL ON ITEM 120.
SHARAD ON ITEM 126. >> I WANT TO THANK MONICA FOR 42 YEARS OF SERVICE. I THINK THAT DESERVES RECOGNITION. [APPLAUSE]
I WANT TO THANK THE NFP P.A. FOR THE HOUSTON CHAPTER IN ALL THOSE YEARS OF SERVICE. AND THANK YOU FOR THE
RECOGNITION. >> ON ITEM 126, TAMMY.
>> ISABELLE HIDALGO ON ITEM 127. >> TAMMY.
I'M HERE FOR OZZIE. I KNOW HIM FROM AMERICAN RED CROSS. HE'S AN INCREDIBLE HUMANITARIAN.
HE HAS WON THE HIGHEST AWARD IN OUR CHAPTER BECAUSE HE EXHIBITS HEART AND SPIRIT. HE HAS ALSO WON OUR NATIONAL DIVERSITY AND EQUITY INCLUSION. I CANNOT EXPRESS WHAT AN AMAZING HUMANITARIAN HE IS. I SAID WHEN I NOMINATED HIM FOR
[01:20:03]
THE NATIONAL AWARD THAT HE EXHIBITED KIND, CARING, COMPASSIONATE SPIRIT. BUT HE IS ALSO ALL-INCLUSIVE.AND THAT IS THE BEST WE CAN HOPE FOR IN A RED CROSS VOLUNTEER AND HUMANITARIAN. SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU.
AND I THINK THAT DESERVES A ROUND OF APPLAUSE.
>> THE OTHER RETIREE IS MONICA WHO WORKED FOR BUDGET FOR 40 YEARS. IS SHE HERE? CAN WE RECOGNIZE HER? THANK YOU.
>> WE ARE HERE WITH THE WHEELCHAIR ASSOCIATION.
PEOPLE LOVE TO SAY RAISE YOUR VOICE OR RAISE AWARENESS.
BUT GIVING VOICE TO A CAUSE IS MUCH MORE THAN SPEAKING.
AT SERVICE. IT'S HELPING PEOPLE SEE POSSIBILITY AGAIN. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE WITN WITNESSED...-- I'VE WITNESSED OZZIE DO THIS.
LISTENING, GUIDING AND HELPING PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE CHANGED THROUGH ACCIDENTS AND HARDSHIPS. HE HAS CHANGED THE LIVES OF MANY PEOPLE, AND WE THANK YOU, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR IDENTIFYING AND SUPPORTING THIS RECOMMENDATION FOR OZZIE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> AND YOU STATE YOUR NAME?
>> ISABELLE HIDALGO. >> I LIKE THAT LAST NAME.
IS HE HERE? THANK YOU SO MUCH.
AND CONGRATULATIONS. THANK YOU.
LET US CONTINUE, TIFFANY. >> COURTNEY CUNNINGHAM ON ITEM 126. DON JENKINS, ITEM 128.
BARBARA, ITEM 129. >> HELLO, EVERYONE.
I'M COURTNEY CUNNINGHAM, SENIOR ENGINEERING PROJECT MANAGER.
I WANT TO THANK THE COURT, AND ESPECIALLY MY COMMISSIONER, MISS BRIONES, AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, FOR PARTNERING WITH US.
I'M JUST EXCITED TO BE CELEBRATING 40 YEARS WITH THE GREATER HOUSTON CHAPTER. THANK YOU.
>> GOOD MORNING, DON JENKINS. REPRESENTING HARRIS HEALTH.
I WANT TO THANK, I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHO SPONSORED IT, BUT FOR ALL THE COMMISSIONERS THIS YEAR AND JUDGE HIDALGO FOR CONTINUING TO SUPPORT THE WORK WE DO TO SUPPORT PEOPLE AND FAMILIES LIVING WITH HIV IN THE COUNTY.
IT'S THE FIRST FREESTANDING HIV AND AIDS CLINIC IN THE NATION.
PROUD TO HAVE YOU GUYS. WELCOME.
>> BARBARA DENSON. I AM HAPPY TO CELEBRATE A DAY WITH THE TITLE WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY.
KEEPING OUR ENVIRONMENT CLEAN IS ONE OF THE FEW THINGS EVERYONE CAN AGREE ON. CLEAN-AIR, CLEAN WATER, TASHA'S GOOD HOUSEKEEPING FOR PLANET EARTH.
SOMEWHERE ALONG THE WAY, ENVIRONMENTAL CARE GOT BURIED UNDER A FULL-BLOWN ENVIRONMENT INDUSTRY CIRCUS.
BE HONEST, ALL OF THAT NOISE WAS FAR MORE ABOUT MONEY AND POWER THAN ABOUT ACTUAL STEWARDSHIP. EISAI WAS BECAUSE THE U.N. HAS EASED OFF SOME OF IT'S MORE THEATRICAL CLAIMS. THE IPCC IS PHASING OUT IT'S WORST-CASE OMISSIONS SCENARIO AS NO LONGER PLAUSIBLE. FINALLY.
THEY HAVE ALSO ANNOUNCED THAT THEY WILL DROP THE MOST EXTREME MORNING PROJECTION FOR THE SAME REASON.
IMAGINE THAT. A CLEAN ENVIRONMENT BENEFITS EVERYONE. SO LET'S TAKE CARE OF THE ENVIRONMENT IN WAYS THAT ARE REAL.
-- REAL, TANGIBLE AND MAKE OUR SURROUNDINGS BETTER.
THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> AMANDA COLE, ITEM 129. NICOLE, ITEM 129.
RACHEL POWERS, ITEM 129. >> GOOD MORNING, MY COLLEAGUES ARE HERE. AND THE SECOND ROW, THEY WILL BE RELINQUISHING THEIR TIME FOR EFFICIENCY.
I WANTED TO SHARE THAT FOR 55 YEARS, CEC HAS BROUGHT PEOPLE TOGETHER FOSTERING DIALOG, EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION IN ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES IN THE HOUSTON GOLF COURSE AREA.
WITH A VISION OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL COMMUNITY WOVEN INTO FABRIC SOCIETY. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CELEBRATING WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY ON JUNE 5TH WITH US.
THERE IS A FLIER UP THERE FOR YOU.
AND HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHEREBY HER MENTAL ISSUES OUR COMMITTEES AND ECONOMY. WE PROVIDE THAT SPACE AND KEEP-- IN CONNECTING VOICES HELPING OUR MEMBERS AND THE PUBLIC STAY ENGAGED ON ISSUES TOO BIG FOR ANY ONE GROUP TO SOLVE ALONE.
[01:25:02]
REACHING 55 YEARS AS A REMINDER THAT THIS WORK TAKES TIME THAT PROGRESS IS BUILT STEADILY, CONSISTENTLY, WITH EFFORT.IT IS ALSO A REMINDER THAT COMMUNITY IS SOMETHING WE BUILD BY BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND NURTURE BY STAYING IN
[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]
PLEASE LET THE RECORD REFLECT THAT I VOTE IN FAVOR OF ALLRESOLUTION. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAS TO LEAVE, JUDGE. BEFORE SHE LEAVES, ANY RESOLUTIONS THAT WERE SPOKEN THAT WE COMPLETED THE SPEAKERS ON, IF WE COULD TAKE A VOTE ON NOT SO THE VOTE COULD BE
RECORDED. >> WHICH ONES HAVE BEEN SPOKEN ON? WE HAVE NOT BEEN THROUGH ALL THE SPEAKERS, SO WE CAN'T VOTE ON ALL THE SOLUTION.
>> NOT ALL THE RESOLUTIONS, BUT THE ONES THAT YOU HAVE.
>> WHICH ONES HAVE WE SPOKEN ON? >> THAT WAS THROUGH ITEM 129.
>> SO ALL OF THE ONES-- IF YOU LEAVE--
>> IF I ASK THE SPEAKERS IF THEY WAIVE THEIR RIGHT TO SPEAK SO WE CAN VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS NOW AND THEY AGREE TO THAT, CAN WE
DO THAT? >> JUDGE CUT GO-AHEAD, SORRY.
>> LET'S VOTE ON THE RESOLUTIONS THAT PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN ON.
TIFFANY, CAN YOU PLEASE LIST THE NUMBER-- THE NUMBERS THAT PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN ON? I BELIEVE IT'S 119, 121.
WE CAN PASS THOSE. IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS THOSE? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THE MOTION CARRIES THREE TO ZERO PLUS COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
WE CANNOT HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS OR PASS THE REST OF THE RESOLUTIONS TODAY. SO I WILL VISIT WITH YOU GUYS.
IT IS 10:42 A.M. COMMISSIONERS COURT IS
ADJOURNED. >> BEFORE WE GO I WANT TO RECOGNIZE BEEN BROADWAY'S
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.