CAPTIONER IS PRESENT. PLEASE STAND BY.
[00:00:13]
>> , IT IS NINE '08 A.M., AND THIS JUNE 25TH, 2026 BUSINESS COURT MEETING IS NOW IN SESSION. WE DO HAVE -- I'M SORRY? I THOUGHT SOMEONE SAID SOME SOMETHING.
EXCUSE ME? DO YOU NEED ME TO PAUSE? NO? OKAY.
I AM HEARING MYSELF HERE OH, GOSH.
NEW COMPUTER. WE DO HAVE A NEW FACE IN THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SEAT. SO WELCOME TO THE NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY. [APPLAUSE] WE WILL GO AHEAD AND TRY TO GET EVERYTHING DONE BY 10:00 A.M.
BECAUSE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS TO LEAVE BY THEN.
FOLLOWING SPEAKERS WE WILL GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA PROCESS, SOME ITEMS REQUIRE MINOR CHANGES.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WHEN HE ARRIVES, WILL ACKNOWLEDGE SOME
[Appearances before court]
INTERIMS THAT ARE HERE IN THE AUDIENCE LET'S GO AHEAD AND HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. TIFFANY, IF YOU COULD INTRODUCEUNFORTUNATELY WE'RE HAVING SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES ONLINE BUT I CAN CALL THE SPEAKERS OUT. THE FIRST WE HAVE IS JACOB FOR
ITEM NUMBER 6 AND 7. >> I WANT TO CONGRATULATE COMMISSIONER TOM RAMSEY FOR THE APPOINTMENT FOR PAT PHILLIPS FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO THE HARRIS COUNTY.
HE'S THE RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB. AND ALSO, I WANTED TO CONGRATULATE OUR INCOMING JUDGE FOR RECOMMENDING JEREMY LANGFORD FOR REAPPOINTMENT FOR THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
I AM A CLIENT OF THEIRS. >> THANK YOU.
>> AND CONGRATULATIONS. THINGS ARE GETTING BETTER.
THAT'S GOOD. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS FRANCESCA. SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 43.
YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.
MY NAME IS FRANCESCA, I'M THE PRESIDENT, TEXAS CHAPTER PRESIDENT FOR UNITE LOCAL 23. WE WERE HERE TALKING ABOUT THE CHALLENGES THAT STADIUM CONCESSION WORKERS ARE FACING AFTER WORKING IN THESE STADIUMS SOMETIMES FOR DECADES, WORKERS ARE STRUGGLING TO SURVIVE. LAST WEEK YOU HEARD FROM RUBY WHO SAID SHE WORKS TWO JOBS AND LIVES WITH HER SON BECAUSE SHE CAN'T AFFORD HER OWN PLACE FIG. TODAY YOU WILL HEAR FROM ANOTHER WHO HAS BEEN WORKING FOR THE STADIUM FOR OVER A DECADE AND DESERVES BETTER. WE'VE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH YOUR STAFF AND ARE ASKING FOR YOUR SUPPORT BY SENDING A LETTER TO THE TEAMS ENCOURAGING THEM TO SIT DOWN WITH US TO DISCUSS SOLUTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, ALL.
KEEP UP THE FIGHT. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS TERESA SPEAKING ON ITEM NUMBER 43, ACCOMPANIED BY AN INTERPRETER.
OTHER. >> MY NAME IS TERESA AND I'VEBEL STADIUMS AND I'M GOING THROUGH CRITICAL TIMES.
>> INTERPRETER: I WORK SEVERAL HOURS.
I ONLY MAKE $16 AN HOUR, AND THAT'S NOT ENOUGH.
>> MAINTAINING MY HOME, THIS IS VERY DIFFICULT THEY ARE CUTTING
OFF OUR TIME. >> WE ARE GOING THROUGH
[00:05:12]
HARDSHIP, MY FAMILY IS GOING THROUGH HARDSHIP.IT'S ONLY FOUR HOURS AND WE HAVE TO PAY PARKING.
IS PRETTY DIFFICULT. I BEG YOU TO PLEASE LISTEN TO US. WE ARE STRUGGLING, NOT ONLY ME BUT ALL OF OUR COWORKERS FOR THANK YOU.
>> MAY I ASK YOU GUYS A QUESTION HERE WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE US TO
DO ON ITEM NUMBER 43? >> WE ARE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY. WE DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE A POSITION ON 43 BUT WE FELT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THE COURT AND CONTINUE TO ASK THE COURT FOR THE WORKERS IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES SPEEMAC.ME IF I'M OUT OF LINE, IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY MORE BROADLY, A WHILE AGO I RAISED IN THIS COURT THAT I HEARD FROM EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WERE HAVING TO WORK MORE THAN ONE JOB.
>> IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THIS, JUDGE, WE CAN DO A QUICK SUSPENSION SO YOU COULD ENGAGE WITH THEM AND HAVE
THAT CONVERSATION. >> I'M MORE WONDERING IF AN ADMINISTRATOR OR SOMEONE COULD COMMIT TO COME BACK ON THIS.
BECAUSE I RAISED IT AND I RAISED IT AGAIN.
SO I DON'T KNOW IF ANYONE IS ON THAT PIER.
>> WE CAN LOOK INTO IT. WE ARE NOT IN CHARGE OF HOW THEY ARE HIRED OR PAID, THE COUNTY WRIT LARGE BUT WE CAN GET
INFORMATION ABOUT IT TO YOU. >> BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE TRYING TO GET US OUT BEFORE WE LOSE ONE OF OUR MEMBERS, I THINK YOU WERE ASKING US TO WRITE A LETTER? IS THAT WHAT I HEARD?
>> THERE IS A LETTER THAT WE ARE ASKING ALL COMMISSIONERS TO SIGN ON TO, ENCOURAGING THE TEAMS TO SIT DOWN WITH THE WORKERS.
>> ADMINISTRATOR, YOU SAID THERE IS SOMETHING THAT WE CANNOT DO?
SO WHO CAN DO IT? >> IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE
LETTER, WE CAN COORDINATE -- >> NO, I AM TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE LOOKED INTO IT BUT I HAVE HEARD FROM WORKERS, PROBABLY OVER A YEAR
AGO OR MORE THAN THAT -- >> WE WILL LOOK INTO IT.
I WILL GET SOME INFORMATION TO YOU ON HOW THEY ARE PAID.
>> OKAY. AND WE WILL ALSO GET THE LETTER.
THE NEXT SPEAKER IS ZACHARY MILLER WITH ENERGY CORRIDOR DISTRICT SPEAKING ON ITEM 125. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.
>> GOOD MORNING MY NAME IS ZACH MILLER, I'M THE VICE PRESIDENT OF THE ENERGY CORRIDOR DISTRICT. I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF THE RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES OF THE DISTRICT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR APPROVING MATCHING FUNDS FOR OUR HOMELESSNESS INITIATIVE. WE'VE UNDERTAKEN IN PARTNERSHIP WITH WEST HOUSTON ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES THIS SUPPORT COMES AT A CRITICAL TIME AND WILL MAKE A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES WORKING TO REBUILD THEIR LIVES I ALSO WANT TO THANK THE DISTRICT'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR FORESIGHT AND COMMITMENT TO PROACTIVELY ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE. THE COMMISSIONER AND HER OUTSTANDING TEAM FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND THE DEDICATED STAFF OF WHAM FOR THEIR UNWAVERING COMPASSION AND SERVICE WE ARE PROUD OF WHAT THIS PARTNERSHIP HAS ACCOMPLISHED AND WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH ANYONE INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT THE PROGRAM OR EXPLORING WAYS TO EXPAND AND REPLICATE ITS SUCCESS. I THANK THE COURT.
>> THANK YOU, MR. MILLER. THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS TANYA SCOTT AND I'M THE CEO OF WHAM, AND WE JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN.
THIS PROJECT IS VERY IMPORTANT. OUR GOAL IS SIMPLE.
[00:10:03]
IT'S A SIMPLE PROJECT. OUR GOAL IS TO HELP TRANSITION INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES INCLUDING CHILDREN FROM HOMELESSNESS TO SAFE, STABLE HOUSING.AND WHAT -- WE'VE HELPED ABOUT 43 INDIVIDUALS AND WHAT WE KNOW IS THEY WANT THE SAME THINGS THAT WE WANT FOR OUR FAMILIES, AND THAT IS SAFE, STABLE HOUSING.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR SUPPORT.
>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND PARTNERSHIP.
I JUST WANT TO NOTE, EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS HELP BREAK THE GENERATIONAL CYCLE OF HOMELESSNESS.
I'M STILL ADVOCATING FOR US TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WANT TO CONTINUE OUR SUCCESSFUL EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS THAT SERVE TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.
THESE KINDS OF THINGS ARE GOOD BUT I ALWAYS TALK TO THE COMMUNITY. WE DON'T HAVE TO SETTLE FOR SMALL THINGS WE CAN MAKE A REALLY BIG COMMUNITY CHANGE AND I HOPE YOU WILL ALSO PRAISE THE COMMISSIONER FOR SUPPORTING THAT. THAT IS A REALLY BIG SYSTEMIC ISSUE. ALLOW THE COMMUNITY TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY WOULD LIKE TO INVEST IN EARLY CHILDHOOD FOR VULNERABLE KIDS AS OPPOSED TO THE COURT NOT ALLOWING THEM TO MAKE THOSE CHOICES. I KNOW YOU KNOW THIS.
IT'S A BIG INDICATOR OF HOMELESSNESS IN THE FUTURE.
GO AHEAD. >> DEENA JONES, SPEAKING ON ITEM
MY NAME IS DANA JONES. AND I AM BACK AGAIN SPEAKING TO YOU. JUDGE HIDALGO, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO PRESSURE THE YOUNG LADY TO LEAVE HER JOB. I HOPE THAT DOES NOT CAUSE THE PROJECT FOR MY HOME TO BE PUSHED BACK AGAIN.
WE HAVE BEEN LIVING IN CONDITIONS THAT ARE HORRIBLE AND NOW WITH WHAT HAS HAPPENED, THAT IS GOING TO COST US TO BE PUSHED BACK AGAIN. WE HAVE HAD OUR MONEY TO HAVE THE CITY TO REDO THE STREETS SINCE 2020 AND WE HAVE BEEN WAITING ON THE COUNTY. IT WASN'T THAT YOUNG LADY THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PENALIZED BUT YOU, YOU PERSONALLY HAVE CAUSED US POTENTIALLY TO BE PUT IN A POSITION WHERE WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUOUSLY FLOOD. MY TIME IS NOT UP.
>> IT IS UP BUT I WILL LET YOU CONTINUE.
>> NO IT'S NOT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
BECAUSE THE LAST TIME I CAME AND I TALKED TO YOU, I ASKED YOU NOT TO DO ANYTHING. I CAME TO TALK TO THE COMMISSIONER. WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS EVER SINCE COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS OUR COMMISSIONER.
THIS LAST RAIN THAT WE HAD, WE FLOODED.
AND I DON'T THINK IT'S FAIR THAT WE SHOULD HAVE TO LIVE IN THE CONDITION WE ARE LIVING IN. EACH TIME WE COME AND TALK ABOUT IT AND WHAT HAPPENS, NOTHING HAPPENS.
AND YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON ONE PERSON.
IT IS NOT ONE PERSON'S FAULT, IT IS THE SYSTEM THAT IS AT FAULT, NOT ONE PERSON. BUT NOW WHAT YOU'VE CAUSED IS OUR PROJECT IS GOING TO BE PUSHED BACK AGAIN.
SO WHAT HAPPENS TO US? >> WHICH PROJECT IS THIS?
>> IT IS P. -- P. 118. I HAVE IT RIGHT HERE.
WHAT YOU DID IN PRESSURING THE YOUNG LADY TO LEAVE, THAT COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLED DIFFERENTLY BUT YOU CHOSE NOT TO THINK ABOUT THE CONSTITUENTS WHO WOULD BE SUFFERING.
YOU CHOSE TO PRESSURE HER. >> I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND IF
IT'S GETTING DELAYED. >> I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND
ADMINISTRATOR? >> AND AGAIN, WHAT HAPPENS IS I'M GOING TO GO HOME AND WAIT A COUPLE OF MONTHS.
>> I HOPE NOT. >> I HOPE NOT TO BECAUSE --
>> I LET YOU FINISH AND I GAVE YOU MORE TIME SO MAY I FINISH MY SENTENCE. I WOULD LIKE ADMINISTRATOR CARTER TO RUN DOWN WHICH PROJECT IT IS BECAUSE I THINK YOU AND I SPOKE LAST TIME. THERE'S $400 MILLION IN FLOOD MONEY WORTH OF FLOOD PROJECTS, ABOUT 26, 28 OF THEM THAT ARE NOT FUNDED. AND SO WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO IS GET THE FUNDING. AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOUR PROJECT
[00:15:02]
IS ONE OF THEM. AND THE COURT GAVE THESE RAISES WITHOUT ASKING THE COMMUNITY OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WHEN THERE ARE PROJECTS PROMISED THAT WE HAVEN'T DONE.I AGREE ALL THE PROBLEM IS NOT ON ONE PERSON.
AND IF YOU WANT TO PUT IT ON ME, THAT IS ABSOLUTELY YOUR
PREROGATIVE. >> YOU MISUNDERSTOOD.
I SAID WHAT YOU DID CAUSED THE PROBLEM.
ALL THE MONEY HAS BEEN THERE. THE MONEY IS ALREADY THERE.
>> WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU BECAUSE IT IS NOT THERE.
ARE WE NOT 400 MILLION SHORT OF COMPLETING ALL OF THE PROJECTS
>> WE WILL VISIT WITH YOU BUT I WANT TO SAY IS I AM WITH YOU THAT ONE PERSON, FOR EXAMPLE THE DIRECTOR, IT'S NOT THEM, IT'S
THE SYSTEM. >> ARE YOU NOT PART OF THE
SYSTEM? >> I'M NOT SAYING I NOT.
LET ME HEAR FROM OTHER SPEAKERS. >> I NEED TO GET THIS DONE BECAUSE WE ALMOST FLOODED THIS WEEK.
>> MY FOLKS ARE WORKING ON IT RIGHT NOW.
WE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU. >> WE NEED TO GET IT DONE,
>> HELLO, COMMISSIONER. YOU KNOW ME.
HAVE A GREAT DAY. >> JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO REMIND THE COURT GENERALLY THAT WITH BUSINESS COURT, THE RULES STATE THAT WE DON'T HAVE DISCUSSION AMONGST OURSELVES AND WITH THE SPEAKERS AND IN SOME CASES YOU DO BUT IF YOU WANT TO HAVE DISCUSSION, WE SHOULD SUSPEND THE RULES TO HAVE THAT
DISCUSSION. >> NOTED, LET'S KEEP IT GOING.
>> THE NEXT SPEAKERS ARE ON RESOLUTIONS.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO TAKE THOSE UP NOW?
>> LET'S TAKE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS LUPE WASHINGTON, SPEAKING ON ITEM 138.
>> GOOD MORNING. LUPE WASHINGTON, WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH. I'M STANDING HERE WITH MY ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AND MY SENIOR HEART PROGRAM MANAGER.
WE ARE JUST HERE TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT OF OUR DIVISION AND THE WORK THAT WE DO.
I STARTED IN THIS ROLE FOUR AND A HALF YEARS AGO AS A TEAM OF ONE AND NOW WE ARE A TEAM OF OVER 75.
OUR RIDE TEAM WOULD HAVE LOVED TO HAVE BEEN HERE BUT THEY ARE ON MANDATORY TWO-DAY TRAINING TO ENHANCE COGNITIVE BEHAVIOUR AND INTERVENTION SKILLS BECAUSE WHILE WE HAVE A GOOD FOUNDATION FOR THE WORK WE'VE BEEN DOING, WE KNOW THAT WE WANT TO GET BETTER TO BE ABLE TO DO MORE AND SERVE MORE OF THE RESIDENTS THAT ARE HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED IN OUR COUNTY.
I REALLY DO WANT TO THANK MY STAFF BECAUSE IT REALLY DOES TAKE A SPECIAL HEART TO BE ABLE TO DO THE WORK THAT WE DO EACH AND EVERY DAY. SO WE JUST WANTED TO THANK YOU AND YOUR TEAMS FOR THEIR UNWAVERING SUPPORT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IN TRYING TO WORK WITH THOSE AT THE HIGHEST RISK OF BEING PERPETRATORS OR VICTIMS OF CRIME.
>> GOOD TO SEE YOU. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE
DOING AND YOUR TEAM. >> THANK YOU, MISS WASHINGTON.
>> JUST TO CLARIFY, SINCE I KNOW WE HAVE DIFFERENT TALKING POINTS ON EACH OF THE RESOLUTIONS FROM EACH OF THE OFFICES, THAT WILL
BE DONE AFTER THE SPEAKERS? >> THAT IS CORRECT.
>> NEXT WE HAVE DEBORAH BLACKLOCK SLOAN SPEAKING ON ITEM
141. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO, AND TO ALL THE COMMISSIONERS. I'M DEBORAH BLACKLOCK SLOAN.
I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE RESOLUTION.
IS VERY HEARTFELT. FOR ME, THE MEANING OF JUNETEENTH REPRESENTS THE TERMINATION OF NEWLY EMANCIPATED AFRICAN AND BLACK PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE AUDACITY TO LEAVE THEIR FORMER PLACES OF BONDAGE TO EXPERIENCE TRUE FREEDOM.
IT ALSO MEANS REUNION FOR THOSE AFRICAN AND BLACK PEOPLE WHO PLACED ADS IN NEWSPAPERS OR PHYSICALLY SEARCHED FOR THEIR LOVED ONES SEPARATED ON SLAVERY. IT ALSO MEANS AUTONOMY, THE ABILITY TO SEEK EMPLOYMENT, TO BECOME EDUCATED AND TO BECOME PROPERTY OWNERS AND FINALLY, COMMEMORATING JUNETEENTH IS IMPORTANT TODAY BECAUSE IT REPRESENTS RESILIENCE, ACCOMPLISHMENT, PRIDE AND A TEMPLATE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> THANK YOU. >> JORDAN HAROLD SPEAKING ON
ITEM 142. >> I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR
[00:20:01]
BEING MY SPONSOR. I GOT MY STEER A FEW WEEKS AGO, HIS NAME IS BIG MO. WE JUST GOT HIM VALIDATED ONI AM SO PROUD OF YOU. IT WAS AWESOME.
MANY OF US HAVE GONE TO THE RODEO AND WE SEE THE SCRAMBLE AND SOMETIMES WE CHEER ON THOSE KIDS AND THEN WE CRY WITH THEM WHEN THEY LOSE THE TAIL OF THE CALF AND HAVE TO WRESTLE THOSE THINGS. BUT RIGHT IN FRONT OF US IS AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG LADY WHO WRESTLED, CHASED DOWN AND FINALLY ROPED HER CALF AND GOT HIM ACROSS THE FINISH LINE AND IS NOW CONTINUING ON WITH THAT WORK.
SO GOOD TO SEE YOU. DID YOU NAME HIM?
I WILL TELL YOU WHAT, WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW BIG MO PROGRESSES. BUT CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY. I KNOW THEY ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU. THEY WERE BEAMING THAT DAY.
CONGRATULATIONS, KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. THAT'S VERY EXCITING.
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE DANIEL RODRIGUEZ AND
REGINALD THOMAS ON ITEM 147. >> GOOD MORNING EVERYONE.
MY NAME IS DANIEL RODRIGUEZ, I'M THE CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER FOR COMMISSIONER LESLIE BRIONES. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS WE DO IN THE COUNTY IS RECOGNIZE INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE DEDICATED THEIR LIFE TO SERVICE FOR THOSE OF HARRIS COUNTY.
TODAY WE WILL HONOR REGINALD THOMAS FOR 30 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.
HE ACTUALLY STARTED AS A GROUNDSKEEPER AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE PARK AS WELL.
IT'S DIFFICULT TO REALLY SUMMARIZE IN ONE MINUTE THE IMPACT THAT REGGIE HAS HAD. THE BEST WAY I CAN DO IT IS DESCRIBE HIM AS A PERSON. FUNDAMENTALLY HE IS A TEACHER, SOMEONE FOCUSED ON DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF LEADERS AND HE DID THAT CONSISTENTLY. RIGHT AFTER THIS, WE ARE GOING TO PROMOTE GROUNDSKEEPERS TO -- TO PARK FOREMAN AND THESE ARE PROTEGES OF MR. REGINALD THOMAS BECAUSE HE WAS POURING INTO THEM DAY IN AND DAY OUT ON WHAT IT MEANS TO SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, BY DOING IT CONSISTENTLY AND SHOWING UP EVERY DAY. IT'S MY HONOR TO RECOGNIZE HIM AND I LOOK FORWARD TO EVERYONE ELSE RECOGNIZING AND HONORING HIS 30 YEARS OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.
[APPLAUSE] >> FIRST OF ALL, I GIVE HONOR TO GOD AND TO MY WIFE ERIC I. WANT TO THANK HER FOR BEING IN MY LIFE AND PUTTING UP WITH ME FOR OVER 43 YEARS.
THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THANK YOU MR. GARCIA, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
AND TO MY COMMISSIONER, YOU DID SOME AMAZING THINGS WITH PRECINCT FOUR WHEN I WAS WORKING THERE AND I PRAY THAT IT CONTINUES TO BLESS YOU TO DO MORE THINGS BECAUSE WHAT YOU HAVE BROUGHT TO PRECINCT FOUR IS AWESOME.
YOU BROUGHT LOVE, YOU BROUGHT FAMILY, YOU BROUGHT TOGETHERNESS. AND ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS YOU TOLD US IS EVERY DAY WE OUGHT TO WAKE UP AND SEE WHAT WE CAN DO BETTER TO SERVE THE CONSTITUENTS.
>> I DID IT IN LESS THAN A MINUTE.
>> WE HONOR YOU WE THANK YOU, WE CONGRATULATE YOU.
I WILL HAVE MORE COMMENTS IN A SECOND WHEN WE'RE ALLOWED TO SPEAK BUT WE HAVE NOTHING BUT RESPECT AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR DECADES OF SERVICE, AND TO MRS. THOMAS AS WELL, THANK YOU.
MORE TO COME IN A FEW MINUTES. >> CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU
FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> IESHA BROWN SPEAKING ON ITEM
NUMBER 141. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS AND GUESTS. I PROUDLY SERVE WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COURT AND COMMISSIONER AND ESPECIALLY COMMISSIONER LESLIE BRIONES FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE JUNETEENTH RESOLUTION.
RESOLUTIONS LIKE THIS MATTER BECAUSE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE OUR HISTORY, HONOR THE RESILIENCE OF THOSE WHO CAME BEFORE US AND
[00:25:05]
REMIND OUR COMMUNITIES THAT CULTURE, FREEDOM AND JUSTICE SHOULD ALWAYS BE RECOGNIZED AND CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH REMINDS US THAT FREEDOM IS POWERFUL BUT IT'S ALSO COMMUNITY.IT SYMBOLIZES RESILIENCE AND DELAYED JUSTICE, REMINDING US THAT FREEDOM DID NOT REACH EVERYONE AT THE SAME TIME.
EVEN THROUGH STRUGGLE, PEOPLE FOUND WAYS TO CELEBRATE, TO CONNECT, TO CARE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.
THAT LEGACY STILL LIVES TODAY. THIS YEAR, PRECINCT FOUR CELEBRATED JUNETEENTH THROUGH OUR JUNETEENTH FAMILY REUNION HELD AT THE COMMUNITY CENTRE SPIRIT FAMILIES CAME TOGETHER TO ENJOY LIVE BANDS, FREE FOODS, VENDORS, COMMUNITY RESOURCES, BALLOON MAKING AND FACE PAINTING.
IN PRECINCT FOUR, WE LEAVE -- LEAD WITH HARD -- HEART, HUSTLE AND STANDARDS. WE KNOW IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE.
JUNETEENTH REMINDS US THAT WE EXIST TO ADVANCE OPPORTUNITY AND JUSTICE SO EVERY PERSON HAS A CHANCE TO THRIVE, BE HEARD AND FELT SEEN. THANK YOU.
I SERVE WITH HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT FOUR.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT WE HAVE TAMMY WALLACE AND
MAUREEN SPEAKING ON ITEM 148. >> GOOD MORNING.
FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER BRIONES, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR THIS INCREDIBLE HONOR RECOGNIZING THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQ+ CHAMBER'S TEN YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LGBTQ+ AND ALLIED COMMUNITY. WE LAUNCHED THIS CHAMBER TEN YEARS AGO BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE WHEN IT COMES TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND BUSINESS IN THE CITY AND REGION AND SO WE WANTED TO CHANGE THAT.
TEN YEARS LATER, A DECADE OF IMPACT, WE HAVE CHANGED THAT.
WE ARE IN ROOMS, WE ARE IN SPACES WE HAVE NOT BEEN IN.
WOULD NOT BE WITHOUT THE INCREDIBLE SUPPORT OF SO MANY THAT ARE SUPPORTING US LIKE YOU ALL.
WE ARE SO VERY GRATEFUL. ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD, OUR MEMBERS, OUR TEAM, THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO TO SUPPORT THE LGBTQ+ COMMUNITY, DRIVE ECONOMIC INCLUSION FOR IT.
WE ARE HERE FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO
WORKING WITH YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, I SERVE AS THE OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON LGBTQ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. WHEN I STEPPED INTO THE ORGANIZATION, THE VISION WAS BOLD, THE MOMENTUM WAS UNDENIABLE AND IT WAS CLEAR THE CHAMBER WAS BUILDING SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE A LASTING IMPACT ACROSS OUR REGION.
THE FOUNDATION OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT WOULD CHAMPION LGBTQ AND ALLIED BUSINESSES CAN CREATE OPPORTUNITIES AND FOSTER MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS WAS JUST BEGINNING TO TAKE SHAPE.
EIGHT YEARS LATER, WHAT CONTINUES TO INSPIRE ME MOST IS HEARING DIRECTLY FROM OUR MEMBERS AND PARTNERS ABOUT THE IMPACT THE CHAMBER HAS HAD ON THEIR BUSINESSES, THEIR PROFESSIONAL GROWTH AND THEIR SENSE OF BELONGING.
THOSE STORIES ARE A REMINDER OF WHY THIS WORK MATTERS.
I'M INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE PART OF AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SPENT THE LAST TEN YEARS CREATING OPPORTUNITIES, BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS AND ADVOCATING FOR OUR MEMBERS AND OUR REGION.
THANK YOU FOR THE RECOGNITION AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
>> CONGRATULATIONS. >> THOSE WERE ALL OF THE
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. >> IF I COULD HAVE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE. WE HAVE ALMOST A ROOM FULL OF YOUNG INTERNS, WHETHER HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE.
I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ASK ALL OF THE INTERNS TO STAND SO WE CAN ACKNOWLEDGE YOU. AND LIKE I'VE MENTIONED TO SEVERAL, THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS ON MY STAFF THAT WERE FORMERLY INTERNS BUT NOW ARE EMPLOYEES OF THE PRECINCT.
SO I WOULD JUST TELL YOU YOU MAY THINK IT'S AN INTERNSHIP BUT IT'S ALSO AN INTERVIEW. WE ALWAYS KEEP OUR EYE OUT FOR PROMISING TALENT BUT AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING.
I HOPE THE EXPERIENCE WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING VALUABLE TO TAKE BACK WITH YOU TO UNDERSTAND COUNTY GOVERNMENT BETTER AND UNDERSTAND HOW WE WORK HARD TO DELIVER SERVICES AND PROGRAMS TO THE COMMUNITY THAT PRECINCT TWO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR.
SO AGAIN GOOD TO SEE YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS AND THANK YOU
FOR PARTICIPATING. >> WELCOME INTERNS AND CONGRATS.
[Departments (Part 1 of 2)]
LET ME MAKE SOME QUICK EDITS HERE.[00:30:02]
ITEM 11 REQUEST NO ACTION ITEM 84 PURCHASING REQUEST, NO ACTION ITEM 115, THERE IS A CORRECTION, REPLACE THE AGENDA AFTER QUOTE FOR APPROVAL OF A SECOND SO IT NOW READS REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED IN LOCAL AGREEMENT FOR COUNTY PARTICIPATION. ASSOCIATE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT REGARDING COUNTY PROJECTS ITEM 118, PRECINCT TWO REQUEST NO ACTION ITEM 119, PRECINCT TWO REQUEST NO ACTION.THAT IS IT. IN TERMS OF ITEMS, WE HAVE 148
ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. >> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU'VE MENTIONED PULLING ITEM ONE AND TWO AND 37, 137.
>> I DID NOT MENTION ONE AND TWO AND 37.
WE HAVE 148 ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA WHICH ARE ROUTINE PEER COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO PULL ONE AND TWO AND 37 TO DISCUSS AT THE NEXT COURT. IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING?
>> ONE AND TWO AND 137, CORRECT. >> WHICH ARE THOSE?
>> ITEM NUMBER 1 IS IT IS THE ICPC COMMITTEE, INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATION AND PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE.
ITEM TWO IS THE REQUEST TO ESTABLISH CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER. AND THEN 137 IS THE APPOINTMENT OF A NEW FLIGHT CONTROL DISTRICT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR.
>> I WOULD AGREE TO PULL FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING ONE AND TWO BUT WE NEED TO KEEP 137 ON THIS AGENDA.
>> SO I WILL MOVE TO SUSPEND THE ROOM SO WE CAN DISCUSS 137 IN
EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> IS THAT AN APPROPRIATE
>> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.
ANY OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR SO MOTION CARRIES.
THIS IS A MOTION TO BE ABLE TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION
THIS ITEM. >> AND TAKE ACTION.
>> SO THAT MEANS WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO RUSH THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA
FIRST? >> SO ONE AND TWO, ARE WE OKAY THAT WE WILL HOLD FOR THE NEXT COURT? OKAY. EVERY ITEM FROM THREE TO 148 EXCEPT FOR 137. IS THERE A MOTION.
>> WE JUST NEED TO VOTE ON 138 AND 80.
>> I MOVE WE VOTE ON THOSE ITEMS SEPARATELY.
>> LET'S START WITH COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION OR CONCERN HERE.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS MOVING WE VOTE ON 138.
IS THERE A SECOND? >> SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR?
MOTION CARRIES 4-1. >> WHO MADE THE MOTION?
>> ELLIS. >> THERE WAS A MOTION ON THE TABLE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS ALSO, I BELIEVE, FOR ITEM THREE THROUGH 148, EXCEPT FOR ITEM 137.
I BELIEVE COMMISSIONER BRIAN'S SECONDED THAT ONE.
ALL IN FAVOR ANY OPPOSED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[Executive Session]
OKAY. WE ARE GOING TO GO -- IT'S9:41 A >> IS 9:35, WE HAVE TO DO THREE THINGS BEFORE COMMISSIONER RAMSAY LEAVES.
FIRST WE NEED TO RECONSIDER THE VOTE ON 148 I BELIEVE THERE WAS AN ERROR TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU VOTE HOW YOU WANTED TO VOTE KHAKIS FIND? SECOND IS TO FINISH THIS ITEM ON THE FLOOD CONTROL AND FINALLY COMMISSIONER WILL READ HIS RESOLUTION. SO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY YOU HAVE
A MOTION ON. >> 137, WILL HAVE TO MAKE A MOTION TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF MARCUS AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT WITH AN EFFECTIVE DATE OF HIRE OF
>> CAN I SECOND THIS ONE? ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
[Departments (Part 2 of 2)]
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW DIRECTOR.AND THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS A RESOLUTION.
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>> IS SARAH HERE? SARAH WAS WITH THE MINDFUL MEMORIES INITIATIVE, THEY REALLY CREATE PERSONALIZED MEMORY BOOKS FOR FOLKS, IN THIS RESOLUTION IS RELATED TO THE GREAT WORK OF OUR ALZHEIMER'S FOLKS AND I THINK SOMETIMES WE HEAR ABOUT IT AND A TOPIC BUT WE DON'T SPEND ANY TIME TALKING ABOUT IT AND SIMPLY STATED ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS MOST COMMON CAUSE OF DEMENTIA AFFECTING AN ESTIMATED 7.2 MILLION AMERICANS AGED 65 AND OLDER INCLUDING THOUSANDS OF TEXANS IN HARRIS COUNTY AREAS AND WHEREAS ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE IS CURRENTLY THE SIXTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH IN THE UNITED STATES AND THE FIFTH LEADING CAUSE OF DEATH AMONG AMERICANS OVER 65 AND DEATHS ATTRIBUTED TO THE DISEASE HAVE INCREASED OVER 140% SINCE 2000 MAKING IT ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITIES FACING OUR NATION, AND THE ORGANIZATIONS ARE WORKING THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY INCLUDING THE MINDFUL MEMORIES INITIATIVE ARE COMMITTED TO SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE THROUGH MEMORIES, PRESERVATION CAREGIVING, AND EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH FOSTERING DIGNITY, COMPASSION AND UNDERSTANDING. SITTING WITH FOLKS WHO ARE SUFFERING WITH THIS FROM TIME TO TIME, SOMETIMES I MIGHT BRING IN A HYMN THAT WAS POPULAR 15 YEARS AGO AND THEY MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO REMEMBER A LOT OF STUFF TODAY BUT THEY REMEMBER EVERY WORD IN THAT SONG THAT THEY REMEMBER WITH THEIR YOUTH.
SO THIS IS WHAT THERE WAS A LOT WE DON'T KNOW, THERE IS MORE WE DON'T KNOW THAN WHAT WE DO KNOW. I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT THAT WE TAKE SOME TIME AND RECOGNIZE ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND BRAIN HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT WE DO THAT FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE AND I MAKE THAT MOTION.
>> SECOND. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: MOTION BY
COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THE RESOLUTIONS HAVE BEEN
APPROVED? >> JUDGE HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. WE APPROVE THEM.
I THINK IT'S ALSO CEREMONIAL TO SAY WE MAKE THE MOVE HERE SO
ANYWAY, YES COMMISSIONER? >> VERY BRIEFLY, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY THANK YOU FOR HIGHLIGHTING THIS, I KNOW EVERYONE SEEING THE REACTION WHEN YOU WERE SPEAKING WE ALL KNOW SOMEONE THAT WE LOVE, FRIENDS, FAMILIES, WHO HAVE ALZHEIMER'S OR DEMENTIA SO MY TEAM AND I WANTED TO INVITE, WE'RE HAVING AN ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC JULY EIGHTH AT MARY JO AND ONE OF OUR SENIOR CENTERS AS WELL, TEN WARNING SIGNS OF ALZHEIMER'S, JULY 14TH, EDUCATION. FOLKS AT OUR AGE, WHAT CAN WE DO TO REDUCE ., ACTIVE, DOING COGNITIVE EXERCISES BY THEIRSELF SO MUCH RESEARCH TO BE DONE AND THERE IS -- WE NEED TO BE THERE
TO SUPPORT THOSE SUFFERING. >> JUDGE HIDALGO: THIS IS FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION IS LINKED TO A LOWER RISK OF DEVELOPING ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE AND DEMENTIA LATER IN LIFE HIGH QUALITY EARLY LEARNING CAN MAKE COGNITIVE RESERVE MAKING IT MORE RESILIENT TO DISEASE PATHOLOGY.
I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT WHEN I SAW IT BUT THAT'S ANOTHER WAY TO SUPPORT REDUCTION IN ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE TO ALLOW THE PUBLIC TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT THEY SUPPORT CONTINUING SUCCESSFUL EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS. SAW THAT MOTION HAS ALREADY PASSED, LET ME GO TO MY MOTION, I BELIEVE I ONLY HAVE ONE.
AND I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS I. DON'T THINK YOU HAVE ONE AND THEN WE WILL GO TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. SO MINE IS DESIGNATED JUNE 2026 AS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY.
GUN VIOLENCE IS A THREAT TO THE SAFETY OF LOCAL COMMUNITIES, IT IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF PEOPLE UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE AND ONE CHILD IS SHOT EVERY HOUR OF EVERY DAY.
THE EFFECTS OF FEAR VIOLENCE EXTEND BEYOND VICTIMS AND FAMILIES TO THE COMMUNITIES THEY LIVE IN, THE ECONOMIC IMPACT COSTING OUR STATE TENS OF BILLIONS OF DOLLARS EACH YEAR.
IN 2021 HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT APPROVED THE COMMISSION OF THE COMMUNITY HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES
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DIVISION, IT AIMS TO REDUCE GUN VIOLENCE FOR NON-EMERGENCY NUMBER 1 CALLS TO ADDRESS BEHAVIORAL HEALTH AND SOCIAL WELFARE AND THAT WAY FREE UP THE LAW ENFORCEMENT COMMUNITY FOCUSED ON THE OTHER CALLS. SO SOME OTHER FOLKS WE CELEBRATED EARLIER, RESPONSE TEAM AND THE RISE PROGRAM AND VIOLENCE INTERRUPTER RELENTLESS SERVING EVERYONE WHO FOCUSES ON PEOPLE, MOSTLY YOUTH AT RISK OF BECOMING VICTIMS OR PERPETRATORS OF VIOLENCE. IN JUNE WE ASKED COMMUNITY MEMBERS TO STAND WITH GRASS ROOTS ORGANIZATIONS CALLING TO RAISE AWARENESS OF GUN SAFETY AND GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION.SO, BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY DESIGNATES JUNE 2026 AS GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS.
61% OF AMERICANS, THE MAJORITY SAY IT'S TOO EASILY TO LEGALLY OBTAIN A GUN, 58% SUPPORT TIGHTER GUN LAWS.
WE ALREADY VOTED ON IT, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I
WILL PASS IT ON TO FOUL. >> I DO NOT HAVE ANY MOTIONS BECAUSE I HAVE THESE AS NO ACTION.
HOWEVER I DO WANT TO ASK NUMBER 1 OUR INTERNS TO HANG ON AND THEN JORDAN, IF YOU WOULD HANG ON BECAUSE I WANT TO TAKE A PICTURE WITH YOU AND YOUR FAMILY STILL VERY PROUD OF YOU.
GOOD TO SEE ALL OF YOU GUYS AND I AM SO PROUD OF ALL OF Y'ALL, WHETHER PARTICIPATING WITH THE PROGRAM OR IN THE INTERNSHIP BECAUSE YOU ARE GETTING THE PERSPECTIVE INTO THE OPERATIONS OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE RARELY GET TO SEE.
AND RARELY GET TO SEE ESPECIALLY AT YOUR AGE, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF YOU THAT ARE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND I WILL JUST TELL YOU THAT THIS INTERNSHIP ORIGINALLY STARTED ONLY FOR COLLEGE ENTRY COLLEGE STUDENTS BUT I KEPT MEETING SO MANY BRIGHT YOUNG PEOPLE IN HIGH SCHOOL WHO WERE LASER FOCUSED TO GETTING INTO GREAT INSTITUTIONS AND HARVARD AND OTHER GREAT INSTITUTIONS.
I HAD TO GET WITH MY STAFF AND HAD TO FIGURE OUT TO MAKE SURE OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS CAN PARTICIPATE AS WELL AND THAT'S HOW YOU'VE COME TO BE IN THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM.
BUT ALSO, I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT WHEN YOU WERE OUT THERE TALKING TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY, THERE WAS A CONVERSATION ABOUT OUR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND THE LEADERSHIP WHETHER OTHER PRESENT LEVEL, THE SENATE, THE CONGRESS, EVERYBODY GETS IT AND THEN YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT THE STATE LEVEL, AND THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, AND MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE.
THEN YOU HAVE A CONVERSATION AT THE LOCAL LEVEL THAT STAYS AT THE MAYORAL LEVEL, CITY HALL COUNCIL MEMBERS.
THERE HAS -- THERE IS RARELY A CONVERSATION ABOUT COUNTY GOVERNMENT. AND SO THE ONE THING I WILL ASK YOU GUYS, AS YOU GO THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR INTERNSHIP AND AS YOU LEARN THINGS AND SEE THINGS AND EXPERIENCE THEM ALL I ASK YOU BEING AN AMBASSADOR TO THE COMMUNITY AND THE CREDIBLE WORK YOUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT IS DOING, CAN DO, AND WANTS TO DO MORE OF AND SO AGAIN, JUST CONGRATULATIONS AND I WANT TO SAY, EXCITED AND WANT TO TAKE SOME PICTURES WITH YOU GUYS.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER BRIONES.
>> WE HAVE TWO RESOLUTIONS THAT WE WILL CELEBRATE TOGETHER TODAY FROM PRECINCT FOUR, WE ARE HONORING REGGIE THOMAS AND THE WHOLE THOMAS FAMILY, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DECADES OF SERVICE TO HARRIS COUNTY. THE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER FOR 16 YEARS AND THEN HE HAS SERVED THE PRECINCT FOR 30 YEARS FROM BEING A CARETAKER TO A PARK MANAGER, TO SUPERINTENDENT AND WHAT HE SAID IS SO TRUE. HE POURS INTO OTHERS ALL THE TIME AND YOU INSPIRE US WITH YOUR HARD -- HARD HUSTLE.
I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN YOUR MUCH DESERVED RETIREMENT, WE THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS YOU HAVE POURED INTO ALL OF US AND HARRIS COUNTY TO MAKE IT A BETTER PLACE.
AND SO WITH THAT IF WE COULD ALL PLEASE GIVE HIM A HUGE THAN
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THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]>> NOTHING BUT LOVE AND RESPECT. >> OUR NEXT ONE, I'M GOING TO GIVE A SPECIAL THANKS BECAUSE I KNOW THIS IS THE SECOND TIME OUR WONDERFUL LEADERS FROM OUR CHAMBER HAVE BEEN HERE BUT WE ARE CELEBRATING THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR LGBTQ+ CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. CONGRATULATIONS ON THE PHENOMENAL FIRST DECADE OF IMPACT AND WE ALL LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE DECADES TO COME AND WE WOULD NOT HAVE THIS CHAMBER WITHOUT TAMMY WALLACE, AND GARY WOOD.
TOGETHER THEY LAUNCHED THE CHAMBER IN 2016 AND ANY ONE WHO KNOWS TAMMY AND GARY KNOW THAT THEY ARE RELENTLESS.
THEY ARE VISIONARIES AND THEY KNOW HOW TO PUT THEIR VISION INTO ACTION. SO IT'S AMAZING TO SEE JUST HOW OUR CHAMBER HAS PERSISTED THROUGH CHALLENGES LIKE COVID, ECONOMIC SHIFTS, NATURAL DISASTERS, NUMBER OF AWARDS YOU HAVE WON IN THIS FIRST DECADE, I WILL NAME A FEW NATIONAL AND ALLIED CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RISING STAR AFFILIATE UNITY AND COMMUNITY AWARD FOR THE HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN, HOUSTON BUSINESS, LEADERSHIP AWARD, AND I CAN GO ON AND ON.
CONGRATULATIONS. THE TRAININGS THAT YOU ALL OFFER, THE WAY THAT YOU HELP BUILD UP OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF YOUR MEMBERS IS JUST TRULY REMARKABLE AND THAT VOLUNTEERISM IN THE COMMUNITY, AND I'VE HAD THE HONOR OF GETTING TO BE AT MANY OF THESE EVENTS, TALK ABOUT HEART HUSTLE AND HIGHER STANDARDS THE WAY YOU SERVE OUR COMMUNITY.
MY TEAM AND I AND I'M SMILING BECAUSE I LOVE ALL MY TEAM BUT I'M SMILING AT MR. AUSTIN GRACE, WHETHER IT IS SHOW YOUR PRIDE CAMPAIGN WHICH WE ARE HAPPY TO PARTNER, WE RECENTLY HAD TOGETHER HELPED WITH 5K RUN AND THEN HOSTING PRIDE WITH OPEN INVITATION ALWAYS AS LONG AS PEOPLE GIVE US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE HERE AND THE TENTH ANNIVERSARY LUNCHEON THAT YOU HAD VERY RECENTLY. I LOOK FORWARD TO MANY DECADES TO COME AND SUPPORTING IN THE LEADERSHIP YOU'RE SHOWING IN OUR COMMUNITY AND IT'S DEEPLY PERSONAL.
I KNOW TO ALL OF US THAT ARE CELEBRATING YOU BECAUSE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WE BELIEVE IN ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM FOR EVERYONE, THAT WE BELIEVE IN EQUALITY AND INCLUSION. AND IS PART OF THE FABRIC OF WHAT HARRIS COUNTY STANDS FOR AND SO YOU REPRESENT THE BEST OF HARRIS COUNTY AND WE CELEBRATE YOU, WE CONGRATULATE YOU AND LOOK FORWARD TO MANY MORE DECADES TO COME SO THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE HIDALGO: ANY OTHER RESOLUTIONS FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO READ WIN WE WILL TAKE PICTURES IN THE ORDER IN WHICH WE READ YOUR RESOLUTION. AM I MISSING ANYTHING?
NO? >> YOU CAN GO
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.