Jul 09, 2026 Commissioners Court

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CAPTIONER IS PRESENT. >> IT IS NOW NINE '01 A.M.

WE WILL CALL THIS MEETING TO ORDER.

I KNOW WE'RE A FEW MINUTES -- OUR PASTOR IS A FEW MINUTES LATE. IF YOU WOULD PLEASE RISE IN HONOR OF THE FOURTH OF JULY AND DO THE PLEDGE.

>> IF I COULD ALSO ASK US TO RECOGNIZE A MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR THE FAMILY WHO ARE GRIEVING AND GOING THROUGH SOME INCREDIBLE PAIN, GIVEN THE TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED A COUPLE

OF DAYS AGO. >> VERY APPROPRIATE.

>> THANK YOU. I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> STAFF, YOU WILL LET ME KNOW

[Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

FOLLOWING PUBLIC COMMENTS, WE WILL REVIEW THE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND CONSENT AGENDA. WE WILL THEN PROCEED TO THE DISCUSSION LIST. AGAIN, WITH PRECINCT TWO'S REQUEST FOR ITEM 317 AND 318. AND THEN NEXT, PRECINCT TWO REQUEST THAT WE DO ITEM 448 AND TWO AND THREE BE TAKEN OUT OF ORDER BEFORE LUNCH BECAUSE OF HOW FAST WE ARE MOVING.

WE WILL THEN PROCEED WITH PRECINCT ONE, PRECINCTS ONE AND FOUR-POINT OF ORDER PRIVILEGE TO HIGHLIGHT THE SUMMER INTERNS.

WE ARE SO GLAD TO HAVE SO MANY OF THEM.

THEY LOOK SO GREAT. I SAW A LOT OF THEM UPSTAIRS WITH PASSCODES GETTING INTO ALL OF THE SECRET ROOMS UP THERE UP ONCE WE RECONVENE FROM LUNCH, WE WILL PROCEED TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ALL REMAINING ORDERS.

REMAINING ITEMS. IS OUR PASTOR -- IS TRYING TO PACK SO WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A GOOD PRAYER TODAY WHEN HE DOES GET HERE. WITH THAT, I GUESS WE MAY END UP HAVING THE PRAYER A LITTLE LATER IF HE IS NOT THERE.

J, JUST TO HELP US A LITTLE BIT, WE'VE GOT TO HAVE ALL PUBLIC COMMENTS SO I CAN GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA UP HERE CORRECTIONS, CAN WE DO THAT NOW CAN WE.

>> SURE. LET ME GET TO THE CORRECTIONS SECTIONS HERE ON PAGE 2, ITEM FIVE, THERE'S A CORRECTION TO REPLACE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER POSSIBLE ACTION ON.

IT NOW READS A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION ON TRANSFERRING EXISTING BUDGET APPROPRIATIONS AND THE CREATION OF POSITIONS ACROSS MULTIPLE DEPARTMENTS FOR THE FIVE CIVIL DISTRICT COURTS FOR ITEM 113 IS NOW ACTION ITEM 146, THERE IS A CORRECTION TO REPLACE HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S JUSTICE COMMISSION WITH HARRIS COUNTY -- HARRIS COUNTY WOMEN'S JUSTICE COMMITTEE AND REPLACE COMMISSION WITH COMMITTEE ITEM 165,.CA IS REQUESTING NO ACTION ITEM 305, A CORRECTION TO REPLACE EXEMPT INTERLOCAL COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT WITH NA PERSONAL SERVICES AGREEMENT. ITEM 392 IS A CORRECTION PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT CODE SECTION 551074, AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION. ITEM 393 IS A CORRECTION.

PURSUANT TO GOVERNMENT SECTION 505 -- AFTER EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR ITEM 438, PURCHASING HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION ON THAT ITEM. ITEM 446, IS A CORRECTION, REPLACE AGENDA CAPTION. IT NOW READS REQUEST BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT ONE FOR APPROVAL OF AN INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT FOR COUNTY PARTICIPATION AND MANAGEMENT OF HARRIS COUNTY TAX REINVESTMENT ZONE.

NUMBER 2, NUMBER 3 AND NUMBER 4 BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY NUMBER 2 AND RESPECTIVE JERSEYS REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 2, REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 3 AND

REINVESTMENT ZONE NUMBER 4. >> JUST TO CONFIRM, HOW ABOUT

> CORRECT, 405 IS A "NO" Select to skip to this part of the video">405 AS A "NO" ACTION? >> CORRECT, 405 IS A "NO" ACTION. I BELIEVE ON ITEM 351 CHARACTER IS A SPELLING CORRECTION. SAGE MEADOW.

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>> WHILE WE ARE WAITING ON THE PASTOR, I'M GOING TO LET YOU GO THROUGH THE CONSENT AGENDA VERY QUICK TO SEE IF THERE ARE ANY CHANGES TO WHICH. ARE YOU OKAY? YOU ARE LOOKING LIKE YOU HAVE A QUESTION HERE.

>> JUST AS A REMINDER, WE CANNOT VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA OR ANYTHING UNTIL -- BUT I WILL GO THROUGH THE LIST FEAR I CURRENTLY HAVE, IF I CAN FIND IT HERE -- ITEM TWO, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND RAMSEY.

THIS IS THE REQUEST TO APPROVE THE CHARTER FOR INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATOR PERFORMANCE COMMITTEE.

ANY DISCUSSION? ITEM THREE, COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR REQUEST TO ESTABLISH A CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER.

ITEM FOUR IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO REALLOCATE A TOTAL OF UP TO 772,000 FROM MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET TO REQUEST THE COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE AN ILA BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. ITEM NINE IS FROM H.R., REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION ON THE AETNA SILVERSCRIPT EMPLOYER. ITEM 13 IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO CONDUCT ONE HAS MOBILE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE COLLECTION. THAT'S BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

122 POLLUTION CONTROL, POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING INTEGRATION OF SUSTAINABILITY. ITEM 129, THE COUNTY LIBRARY REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR DEPARTMENT PROCUREMENT.

THAT WAS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

> ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS ON Select to skip to this part of the video">>> THAT IS A "NO." >> ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS ON

ITEM 129? >> NO.

>> SO THERE IS A MOTION -- >> SECOND.

>> MOVED BY ELLIS, SECOND. ALL THOSE APPROVING SAY I.

>> SIX IS ON THE AGENDA DISCUSSION ITEM LIST AS WELL.

I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM IT IS ON IT'S ITEM NUMBER 6.

>> ITEM NUMBER 6. I APOLOGIZE.

I THOUGHT I DID READ IT THAT IS THE REQUEST FOR COUNTY JUDGE TO EXECUTE ILA WITH HARRIS HEALTH. THAT IS ON THERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> ITEM 155, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL AND ORDER AUTHORIZING COUNTY ATTORNEY TO INTEGRATE LEGAL ACTION ITEM 156 FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT COMMENTS OPPOSING PROPOSED OMB.

ITEM 157, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO RETAIN SPENCER FEIN TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND REGULATORY COUNSEL.

ITEM 164 IS TRAVEL AND TRAINING. IS THERE A SPECIFIC THING ON THE TRAVEL AND TRAINING. THIS IS PULLED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. IF THERE ARE SPECIFIC ITEMS.

>> I MOVE TO PASS IT WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEM --

>> LET ME GET YOU THOSE NUMBERS. >> I WANT TO GET US OUT OF HERE

BY THE END OF THE DAY. >> AMEN.

A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL ITEMS EXCEPT 12.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR.

>> AYE. >> MOTION MADE BY RAMSEY, SECOND BY GARCIA. ITEM PASSES 4-0.

I MOVE ITEM 12 ON 164. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS.

>> IS IT 164 OR 161? >> MY APOLOGIES, 161.

>> SO BOTH MOTIONS ARE FOR 161. >> I MAKE THE MOTION FOR THE ITEM THAT WAS LEFT OUT, GARCIA SECONDED.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR, AYE. 31 AND ONE NAY.

NEXT ONE. >> A REQUEST FOR PURCHASING AGENT FOR APPROVAL OF RENEWAL OPTION FOR CONSULTING.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> I MOVE IT'S.

SPEAKERS? >> CORRECT.

>> DID YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT? >> ITEM 294, PURCHASING ITEM FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE BASIS BOWMAN ENGINEERING. ITEM 317, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF FACE PAINTING, HAIR BRAIDING FOOD VENDORS FOR COMMISSIONER

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340 IS -- NO ACTION AS WELL. OKAY.

362 IS THE TRANSMITTAL BY DEPARTMENT OF DEO IN THE EARLY REACH SEMIANNUAL. JUDGE HIDALGO HAD FILED THAT.

>> MAYBE I WILL HOLD THAT UNTIL SHE IS HERE.

NO ACTION ON THAT. >> OKAY.

>> SO NO ACTION. >> NO ACTION.

>> IT'S A TRANSMITTAL. THERE'S NO ACTION ON IT ANYWAY.

>> ANY PROBLEM WITH HOLDING IT? IF NOT, WE CAN LET IT PASS AND

PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. >> WE WILL JUST MAKE IT A "NO"

ACTION ON OUR END. >> ALL RIGHT, NO ACTION.

>> ITEM 401 IS A REQUEST BY THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION FOR DISCUSS POSSIBLE ACTION ON COURT DIRECTION FOR DEO BY

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> WE WILL DISCUSS IT.

>> 375 WILL ALSO REMAIN ON THE LIST FOR I'M SORRY, I MISSED THAT, 375 IS A TRANSMITTAL FROM DEO PREVAILING WAGE MANAGEMENT.

401 IS THE -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, DID YOU WANT TO KEEP IT

ON THE LIST? >> KEEP IT ON THE LIST.

>> 403 IS REQUEST BY OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET FOR DISCUSSION REGARDING THE NON-CONSENT RATES FOR

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> S.

>> 409 IS A REQUEST FOR BUDGET OF APPROVAL FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER FUNDING ON THE SOLAR PROGRAM. 418, REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES APPROVAL BY LEASE AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HARRIS COUNTY EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> REMOVED. >> SECONDS.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. IT'S PASSED THIS.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> 419 A REQUEST FOR PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR APPROVAL TO PURCHASE GIFT CARDS.

>> SO MOVED. >> I SECOND.

>> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECOND BY ELLIS.

>> ITEM 444, REQUEST BY COUNTY JUDGE FOR APPROVAL TO DIRECT HR TO CREATE A SURVEY FOR HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES.

THAT WAS PULLED BY COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS IT?

>> WE DO. >> AND THEN 448 IS A REQUEST BY

COMMISSIONER -- >> WE WILL DISCUSS THAT.

>> AND THEN 454 IS A REQUEST OF THE OFFICE OF PURCHASING AGENTS FOR APPROVAL TO REJECT THE PROPOSAL RECEIVED TO DESIGN AND

INSTALL. >> WHEN WE COME BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION, MAKE SURE WE PRINT OUT ONCE EVERYONE HAS IT.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? WHICH ITEMS ARE THOSE?

317 -- >> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE FIRST ON 317, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM LOOKING AT THE RIGHT ITEM HERE. FIRST OF ALL, I HAVE DONE THIS WITH THE PAST AND WANT TO CONTINUE THIS TRADITION AND HAVE DONE IT SINCE I HAVE BEEN COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT TWO, ALL IN HONOR OF TWO PEOPLE. ONE OF MY OLDER BROTHERS AND MAYOR WILLIAM, LOUIS WELCH OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

MAYOR WELCH HAD A PROGRAM THAT WAS KNOWN AS MAYOR FOR A DAY PACK IN THAT WAS AWARDED TO THE TOP PERFORMING STUDENT AT THE TIME. AND I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MY OLDER BROTHER BERNARDO GOT TO BE THE TOP PERFORMING STUDENT OF HRD.

THIS WAS IN 75, 74 MAYBE. IN ALL REALITY, MY BROTHER IS THE BRAINS OF THE FAMILY AND I HAVE THE MOST INCREDIBLE RESPECT -- I. JUST REMEMBER SEEING HIM STUDY HARD AND PERSEVERE.

WE HAD A DEMANDING FATHER THAT AFTER YOU WENT TO SCHOOL, YOU CAME HOME, WORKED IN THE SHOP, YOU DID WHAT YOU NEEDED TO DO IN

[00:15:02]

AND SOMETIMES IT WAS EASY FOR ME JUST TO GO TO SLEEP BUT MY BROTHER TOOK CARE OF BUSINESS, WORKING ON HIS SCHOOLWORK AND BECAME AN INCREDIBLE SCHOOL LEADER.

NOT ONLY WAS HE PRESIDENT OF THE HONOR SOCIETY, HE WAS PRESIDENT OF STUDENT COUNCIL, HE WAS PRESIDENT OF THE BATTALION COMMANDER OF THE ROTC, HE WAS DRILL TEAM COMMANDER OF THE DRILL TEAM AND PRESIDENT OF THE MEXICAN -- HE WAS JUST THIS AND THAT. AND I REMEMBER SEEING HIM PERFORM A PLAY AT SCHOOL. HE WAS ALSO PART OF THE DRUM CLUB. SO THAT PROGRAM, MAYOR FOR A DAY ALWAYS STAYED WITH ME. AND SO AS COMMISSIONER, I HAVE WORKED TO ESTABLISH COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY.

AND FOR THAT REASON, I AM VERY EXCITED, AND LOOK, THE CHALLENGE I HAVE IS THAT I HAVE, I THINK IT'S 14 SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN PRECINCT TWO, INCLUDING HRC. AND SO IT IS ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TO DECIDE WHO WILL SERVE IN THAT PARTICULAR ROLE DURING THIS T TIME. BUT IT IS SO HEARTWARMING THAT IT IS A CHALLENGE TO FIGURE OUT WHO IT WILL BE.

SO TODAY, I AM IMMENSELY HONORED AND PRIVILEGED TO RECOGNIZE TWO TALENTED STUDENTS THAT ARE GRADUATING FROM PRECINCT TWO SCHOOLS, AND THEY WILL BEGIN THEIR UNIVERSITY STUDIES.

SO I'M VERY EXCITED FOR THEM ON THAT.

OUR FIRST STUDENT IS ANNABELLE AND OUR OTHER STUDENT IS RUBEN.

EACH EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE WORKINGS OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SERVICE AND SO I INVITED THEM TO COME AND BE COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY SO ANNABELLE IS A 2026 GRADUATE OF EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL. I SEE SOME REPRESENTATIVES HERE.

THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING HERE. YES.

AND HER FAVORITE SUBJECT IS ENGLISH, WHICH ALLOWS HER TO EXPRESS HERSELF THROUGH WRITING. SHE PLANS TO STUDY PSYCHOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND THEN BECOME A LAWYER.

SO VERY EXCITED. RUBEN HAS GRADUATED FROM IMPACT EARLY COLLEGE -- EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL PEER GROUP AND ENJOYS HIS GOVERNMENT AND HUMAN CONDITION CLASSES THAT HE TOOK AT COLLEGE WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL AND HE WILL PURSUE A BACHELOR'S DEGREE THIS FALL AT THE APEEJAY SCHOOL OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS, WHERE MY MONEY AND MY BABY WENT SPARE AND SO AT THIS TIME, TO NOT ONLY DECLARE THEM AS COMMISSIONER FOR A DAY, I WANT THEM TO EXERCISE THEIR ROLE.

AND SO FIRST, I WILL SAY TO ALLOW ANNABELLE TO TAKE THE SEAT AND THEN ANNABELLE WILL EXECUTE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA.

ANNABELLE. [APPLAUSE]

I'M SORRY COMMISSIONER. >> YES, I AM COMMISSIONER GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND GUEST SPEAKER AGENT GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COURT. ITEM NUMBER 317 ON THE AGENDA READS REQUEST BY PRECINCT TWO FOR APPROVAL FOR FACE PAINTING, HAIR BRAIDING, FOOD, SPORTS VENDORS AND SPORTS DEMONSTRATION FOR THE BAY AREA RUGBY CLUB COMMUNITY DAY EVENT.

ON AUGUST FIRST 2026. FOR THE CLEAR LAKE PARK SOCCER FIELDS ONE AND TWO. THANK YOU, JUDGE HEAD DOG OR CAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS.

>> SO THAT IS A MOTION, COLLEAGUES.

>> I WILL MAKE THE MOTION AND SHE WILL SECOND IT FOR YOU.

NO OTHER SPEAKERS ON THE ITEM? >> WHAT ITEM WAS THIS?

>> 317. >> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.

FOUR AND A HALF FOR AYE. YOU DID A GREAT JOB.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. [APPLAUSE]

>> NOW 318 AND I WILL HAPPILY HELP -- HAPPILY WELCOME RUBEN TO

[00:20:04]

THE CHAIR. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS AND MEMBERS OF THE COURT AND GUESTS COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE THE COURT TODAY. ITEM NUMBER 318 ON THE AGENDA READS, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL FOR TICKET SALES AND MERCHANDISE VENDORS FOR THE HOUSTON ORIENTEERING CLUB CHALLENGER SEVEN PARK MEET EVENT ON SEPTEMBER 26, 2026, AT THE CHALLENGER SEVEN MEMORIAL PARK PAVILION NUMBER 3.

THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

COMMISSIONERS. >> ANY QUESTIONS? I WANT TO SAY THAT THAT WAS SO BRIEF.

IT WAS WONDERFUL. I MAKE THE MOTION.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF VOTE AYE. WITH NO NAYS, PASSES.

[APPLAUSE] >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> I JUST WANT TO AGAIN CONGRATULATE THEM ON THEIR SCHOOLWORK PRIMARILY.

THEY DIDN'T GET HERE THROUGH ANY PARTICULAR EASY MEANS.

AND FOR THE INTERNS HERE, THE SAME GOES TO YOU BUT I ALSO WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY WILL ALSO BE RECEIVING A CHECK ON BEHALF OF MY OFFICE IN SUPPORT OF THEIR ENDEAVORS AND HOPING THAT THAT MONEY WILL BE WELL INVESTED INTO THEIR FUTURE.

CONGRATULATIONS AGAIN TO THE COMMISSIONERS.

THEY ARE OFF WORKING ALREADY. >> THANK YOU.

[Pastor Mose Jones of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church and Greater Hope Baptist Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 1.]

THE PASTOR IS A HUMBLE AND PROUD PASTOR OF THE CHURCH IN THE FIFTH WARD. HE'S A PRODUCT OF THE FIFTH WARD. HE ALSO IS A PASTOR OF GREATER HOPE BAPTIST CHURCH IN SUNNY SIDE.

HE'S MARRIED TO SYLVIA JACKSON JONES.

HE HAS FOUR CHILDREN, 16 GRANDCHILDREN ONE GREAT GRANDCHILD. THE PASTOR IS A RENOWNED GOSPEL MESSENGER AND RECORDING ARTIST AND HE HAS BEEN AT HOLY LAND TO BE BAPTIZED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS.

WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE TODAY.

IF YOU WERE HERE EARLIER AND I DIDN'T SEE YOU, I WAS TELLING SOMEONE AT A TOWN HALL MEETING THAT THE LAST THREE TIMES I HAD MY EYES CHECKED THERE WERE MINOR CORRECTIONS AND I DIDN'T GET THEM CHANGED SO I CAN'T SEE AS WELL.

THIS YEAR WHEN I GET THEM CHECKED, I'M GOING TO GET NEW PRESCRIPTIONS. WE ARE SO GLAD YOU ARE HERE.

I SEE YOU NOW AND I SEE THE LIGHT.

WELCOME. PLEASE HONOR US WITH A PRAYER.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS, FOR THIS GLORIOUS OPPORTUNITY GOOD MORNING TO ALL. LET US PRAY.

GOD, OUR FATHER, WE COME NOW THANKING YOU FOR THIS, ANOTHER DAY. WE DON'T TAKE IT FOR GRANTED THAT THE ALARM CLOCKS WOKE US UP, YOU WOKE US UP ONE MORE TIME, AND YOU ALLOWED US TO COME TOGETHER FOR YOUR DIVINE PURPOSE BECAUSE EVEN IN THIS PLACE, YOU RULE AND YOU ARE REIGNING.

WE THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU'VE DONE FOR US, FOR THE THINGS THAT HAVE ALREADY TRANSPIRED, SOME GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF YOUR WORLD FOR NOW WE COME PRAYING FOR ALL OF THESE COMMISSIONERS, FOR THEIR FAMILIES AND WE PRAY FOR ALL WHO ARE ON THE SOUND OF MY VOICE THAT YOU WOULD KEEP US, PROTECT US FROM HARM AND DANGER BUT MOST OF ALL, USE US TO YOUR GLORY. IN THIS PLACE TODAY, YOU HAVE PREDESTINED FOR US TO BE HERE, AND NOW WE ASK AND PRAY THAT ALL THAT IS SAID AND DONE WILL BE DONE TO THE GLORY AND HONOR OF YOUR NAME BECAUSE WE SIMPLY SEEK TO BRING GLORY TO YOU AND YOU HAVE THE KING'S HEART IN YOUR HAND ACCORDING TO YOUR WORD FEAR AND SO YOU HAVE ALL OF OUR HEARTS FEAR TAKE THE REINS OF THE HEARTS AND MINDS OF YOUR PEOPLE AND LET THE DECISIONS MADE IN THIS PLACE BE THOSE THAT WOULD BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT BLESS THIS COMING TOGETHER TODAY, BLESS OUR CITY, BLESS OUR STATE, BLESS OUR NATION AND BLESS OUR WORLD SPIRIT HAVE YOUR WAY AND LET YOUR WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN.

IT'S IN JESUS' NAME WE PRAY AND WE ASK IT ALL, EIGHT MEN.

>> AMEN. >> THANK YOU, PASTOR.

[Executive Session]

>> THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> OUR OTHER SPEAKERS, WE NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION PURSUANT TO TEXAS GOVERNMENT

[00:25:01]

SO IT IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT IN PRIVATE.

MY OFFICE IS OPEN AND I'M SURE ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD LET YOU GO TO THE OFFICES. I THINK IT WILL TAKE US ABOUT 30 OR 40 MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK.

SO THERE IS COFFEE, THERE IS FOOD UPSTAIRS.

WE WILL BE BACK IN HERE AS QUICK AS WE CAN, AND THEN WE WILL IMMEDIATELY GO TO THE PUBLIC SPEAKERS.

THE TIME NOW IS 9:27 A.M. >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU SAY

WHICH ITEMS YOU WILL GO BACK ON. >> 394.

IT IS NOW 9:27 A.M. WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON ITEM 394.

>> WE ARE GOING TO GET STARTED IT IS NOW 10:39 A.M. HERE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

WE WILL GO BACK TO PUBLIC SPEAKERS THE FIRST ITEM WE WILL

TAKE UP IS ITEM 447. >> NO ACTION FOR 394?

[Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

>> NO ACTION. >> PUBLIC SPEAKERS.

>> AND DE ESCOBAR SPEAKING ON ITEM 122, 122, ITEM 147, YOU

EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE PER. >> I LOVE GOING FIRST.

GOOD MORNING. AND DE ESCOBAR HERE.

I WORK WITH THE COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S A JOY TO BE HERE TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL IN SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY TO JOIN THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES.

WE THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO ENHANCE THE ESTABLISHED WORK THAT THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES HAS BEEN DOING FOR MANY DECADES IT'S BEEN AN HONOR AND THE HIGHLIGHT OF MY CAREER WORKING WITH LISA, DAVID AND ALL OF THE TEAM ON OUR HARRIS COUNTY CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN AND I BELIEVE THIS IS THE RIGHT MOVE TO MAKE THINGS MORE EFFICIENT AND STRENGTHEN THE WAYS THAT WE CAN TACKLE ALL OF THESE CHALLENGES WE ARE FACING WITH CLIMATE POLLUTION AND OUR ENVIRONMENT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> CAN YOU TURN THAT DOWN FOR US A LITTLE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. MY NAME IS RITA AND I AM A RESIDENT IN PRECINCT TWO. I AM ALSO A CLIMATE LEAD WITH THE COALITION FOR ENVIRONMENT, EQUITY AND RESILIENCE.

I AM HERE TO SPEAK IN SUPPORT OF THE OFFICE SUSTAINABILITY TO BECOME PART OF POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES.

I AM PROUD TO SAY THAT I PARTICIPATED IN THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN. AS A GRANDMA, I AM EXCITED TO KNOW THAT WE ARE WORKING FOR A BETTER ENVIRONMENT FOR MY GRANDKIDS, WORKING WITH POEHLER AND HER STAFF AND HER TEAM HAS BEEN WONDERFUL AND I THINK THAT THEY WILL WORK GREATLY WITH PCS. THESE ARE AN EXAMPLE OF SOMETHING THAT HELPS CONNECT ALL OF THESE COUNTY OFFICES AND

SERVICES FROM MY NEIGHBORHOOD. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS KARA BAKER AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT THREE FOR PROVING MY IDENTITY TO ENTER THIS ROOM IS SOMETHING SO SIMPLE BUT BEYOND THE REACH OF SO MANY HOMELESS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

GETTING A TEXAS ID REQUIRES UNDERLYING DOCUMENTS THAT MOST PEOPLE ON THE STREET DO NOT HAVE.

THAT'S A GAP THAT THE PROGRAM CODED.

, I AM.ORG ENOUGH TO FUND 3500 HOT ID SO THE PROGRAM CAN CONTINUE ON A TIGHT BUDGET YEAR. SEPARATELY AND REGARDLESS OF THIS GIFT, I WANT TO DRAW YOUR ATTENTION TO A POLICY CONCERN.

RIGHT NOW, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE REQUIRES ENROLLMENT AND SERVICES TO RECEIVE A HOT I.D. SOME ONLY NEED AN I.D. TO GET A JOB OR DISABILITY BENEFITS. EVEN THOSE WHO DO WANT SERVICES STILL NEED AN I.D. TO ACCESS PLACES LIKE SHELTERS AND FOOD PANTRY I'M ASKING THIS COURT TO DIRECT A REVIEW OF WHETHER THIS REQUIREMENT COULD BE MODIFIED OR WAIVED BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE NEEDS SOCIAL SERVICES BUT EVERYONE NEEDS AN ID.

THANK YOU. >> BARBARA BENSON, ITEM 155, 248

[00:30:04]

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I AM BARBARA DENSON.

THIS PROPOSAL GIVING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BLANKET AUTHORITY OVER ANY LITIGATION TIED TO THE 2026 ELECTION IS FAR TOO MUCH POWER WITH FAR TOO LITTLE OVERSIGHT FOR ELECTIONS DEMANDS TRANSPARENCY. THIS ITEM DOES THE OPPOSITE.

IT LETS ONE OFFICE LAUNCH LAWSUITS AND OTHERS FILE AMICUS BRIEFS WITHOUT A SINGLE PUBLIC VOTE.

THAT MEANS NO SUNLIGHT, NO ACCOUNTABILITY AND NO RECORD OF WHO APPROVED WHAT. IT'S BASICALLY A LEGAL ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET PAID FOR WITH TAXPAYER DOLLARS.

LET'S BE HONEST, ELECTION RELATED LITIGATION IN TEXAS IS ALREADY SPICY ENOUGH. WE DON'T NEED SURPRISE LAWSUITS POPPING UP LIKE WHACK A MOLE. IF SOMETHING TRULY URGENT COMES UP, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN BRING IT TO THE COURT IN PUBLIC THE WAY GOOD GOVERNANCE IS SUPPOSED TO WORK.

SO VOTE NO ON THIS ITEM. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> IN THE OPEN, WITH CLEAR APPROVAL --

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP ERIC.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I AM A PRECINCT FOUR RESIDENT AND I'M HERE TO ASK THIS COURT TO CANCEL THE CONTRACT, NOT AMENDED.

THE ISSUE IS SIMPLE. HARRIS COUNTY IS EXPANDING A MASS SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM WITHOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE TO REGULATE IT THERE ARE NO CLEAR PUBLIC FACING POLICIES THAT TELL THIS COMMUNITY HOW DATA IS COLLECTED, WHO CAN ACCESS IT, HOW LONG IT IS STORED AND HOW THAT MISUSE IS PREVENTED. THAT IS A FUNDAMENTAL FAILURE OF OVERSIGHT. TECHNOLOGY THIS POWERFUL REQUIRES STRICT ADMINISTRATIVE CONTROLS -- WE ARE CREATING NEW RISKS, PARTICULARLY FOR BLACK AND BROWN RESIDENTS WHO ALREADY BEAR THE BURDEN OF OVER SURVEILLANCE.

WE ARE CALLING FOR A TOTAL RECALL OF THIS CONTRACT UNTIL PROPER SAFEGUARDS EXIST THAT THIS COMMUNITY CAN SEE AND TRACK. THIS COMMUNITY'S RESPONSE IS THE PULSE OF HOW THIS COURT IS GOING.

YOU HEAR US TODAY BUT YOU DECIDE HOW YOU ARE GOING TO LISTEN.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LUKE ON ITEM 253. TRUSTEE SAVANT MOORE ITEM 253.

NOAH, ITEM 253. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE IN PRECINCT FOUR AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM 253.

I'M ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS TO VOTE AGAINST RENEWING THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT. I'M CONCERNED THESE CAMERAS INCREASE MASS SURVEILLANCE, LOSS OF PRIVACY, EXPOSURE OF PERSONAL DATA AND POTENTIAL FALSE ARREST FEAR I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THESE CAMERAS.

CBS STATES IN AUSTIN AN INTERNAL AUDIT REVEAL SYSTEMATIC COMPLIANCE FAILURES AND THAT THE CAMERAS LED TO ARREST IN LESS THAN 0.2 PERCENT OF CASES. GIVEN THESE FINDINGS WE'RE RENEWING THE CONTRACT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF OUR COMMUNITY.

PLEASE DO NOT RENEW THE CONTRACT, PROTECT US.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS SAVANT MOORE. ITEM 253 IS THE FOURTH AMENDMENT TO THIS CONTRACT. FOUR TRIES TO FIX A BAD DEAL PURE CANCEL THAT'S. WE DON'T NEED THESE LICENSE PLATE READERS -- MOVED A QUARTER MILE APART, WE NEED THEM MOVED OUT OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS PERMANENTLY.

SAFETY IS STREET LIGHTS THAT WORK.

SAFETY IS WATER THAT DRAINS. SAFETY IS OFFICERS THAT KNOW OUR NAMES. A BLOCK CAMERA HAS NEVER STOPPED A SINGLE CRIME. YET THEY WERE ASSESSED BY 3,002,100 AGENCIES, 620 IMMIGRATION SEARCHES RAN THROUGH THESE CAMERAS. OUR CHILDREN, NO SAFEGUARDS, NO TRANSPARENCY. THIS IS HOUSTON.

THE STAKES ARE TOO HIGH FOR GOVERNMENT TO BE A SPECTATOR.

WE DESERVE INVESTMENT NOT OBSERVATION.

DON'T ADD TO THE TOOLBOX OF ICE. CANCEL THIS CONTRACT.

END ON ITEMS 447 AND 448, WHY DOES OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR SUDDENLY NEED AN EVALUATION AND A REVISION OF HER POWERS? ASK WHAT WOULD YOU DO IF SOMEONE BROUGHT THAT ITEM ABOUT YOU.

THIS COUNTY HAS REAL WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AND THAT IS NOT ONE OF THEM GOD BLESS YOU AND GOD BLESS HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS.

[00:35:04]

MY SECOND REQUEST IS IF THE COUNTY CAN INVESTIGATE FROM TUESDAY, JULY 11TH FROM 5:00 A.M. TO 6:46 A.M., TO PULL ALL OF THE ALPR DATA FROM THAT TIME.

I WOULD LOVE TO SEE WHO PULLED UP MR. LORENZO'S LICENSE PLATE, LOOK AT WHAT AGENCIES LOOKED AT THAT AND RELEASED IT WITHIN 60 DAYS WE NEED TRANSPARENCY TO UNDERSTAND WHO GAVE THEM THE KNOWLEDGE TO TRACK DOWN AND GUNNED DOWN MR. LORENZO BECAUSE NO ONE DESERVES TO GET SHOT AND KILLED LIKE THAT.

AGAIN, PLEASE GET RID OF ALL OF THEM.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR

NAME. >> ♪

♪ CORTEZ. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS NOAH MELENDRES, I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE.

I'M HERE TO DEMAND THE COMMISSIONERS CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT. IT MAKES US LESS SAFE, PUTS COUNTY RESIDENTS LIVES AT RISK, LOSS OF PRIVACY, PERSONAL DATA, DEPORTATIONS AND POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINALIZATION FEAR REPORTING FROM THE CHRONICLE SHOW THAT TWO-THIRDS DID NOT SPECIFY A LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSE FOR THE FLOCK DATABASE. ALL OFFICERS HAVE TO DO IS TYPE ANYTHING INTO THE TEXT BOX AND THEY GET ACCESS INTO AN EXTREMELY INVASIVE PEOPLE MONITORING SOFTWARE.

EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO CONTRACT WITH FLOCK TO SHARE WITH ICE OVER 170 SEARCHES USED THE TERM IMMIGRATION.

THAT RAISES QUESTIONS OTHER -- WHETHER THIS IS BEING USED AS INTENDED FOR THESE CONCERNS HAVE BEEN EXACERBATED AFTER STATE SANCTIONED MURDER AT THE HANDS OF ICE ON WEDNESDAY.

PLEASE CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT AND REMOVE THESE DEVICES. ALPR DO NOT PROTECT US.

THEY ARE A MASS SURVEILLANCE DEVICE AND USE TO CRIMINALIZE AND DEPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

THANK YOU. >> SARAH RIEMANN, CHRISTOPHER AVERA, ITEM 253. LUIS MENDOZA ITEM 253.

IMRAN GANI 253. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. I WORK WITH -- I. LIVE IN PRECINCT TWO. I'M HERE TO SPEAK AGAINST ITEM 253. I DEMAND COMMISSIONERS CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT FOR CALVING FLOCK IN HARRIS COUNTY MAKES US LESS SAFE, IT PUTS RESIDENTS AT RISK, MASS SURVEILLANCE, LOSS OF PRIVACY, PERSONAL DATA, DEPORTATIONS AND POTENTIAL VIOLENCE AND CRIMINALIZATION.

THIS CONTRACT DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFEGUARDS, PROTOCOLS OR TRANSPARENCY REGARDING HOW FLOCK CAMERAS ARE USED IN HARRIS COUNTY. ALSO DEMONSTRATES THERE WAS NO RHYME OR REASON TO WHERE THESE CAMERAS.

THE COUNTY ESSENTIALLY ALLOWED FLOCK TO TAKE OVER OUR STREETS BY PLACING ALPERS ANYWHERE THEY PLEASE WITHOUT ANY REQUIREMENTS OR NOTIFICATIONS ON WHERE EXACTLY THEY WERE.

NOW THE BURDEN IS ON TAXPAYERS TO PLAY FLOCK TO -- THIS IS NOT HOW YOU BUILD PUBLIC SAFETY OR TRUST.

SECRECY IS -- PLEASE CANCEL THE CONTRACT AND REMOVE THESE DEVICES. ALPERS DO NOT PROTECT US.

THEY ARE A MASS SURVEILLANCE DEVICE AND ARE USED TO DECRIMINALIZE AND DEPORT OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY

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

>> GOOD MORNING. I LIVE IN PRECINCT FOUR.

I AM A DIRECTOR AT CARE TEXAS. I AM TESTIFYING IN STRONG OPPOSITION TO ITEM 253. JUST DAYS AGO, OUR -- HOUSTON WAS SHAKEN WHEN I.C.E. AGENTS SHOT AND KILLED A MAN DURING AN ENFORCEMENT OPERATION IN HOUSTON'S EAST END.

I KNOW SOME OF YOU HAVE BEEN CLOSELY CONNECTED TO THE ISSUE.

HIS FAMILY IS GRIEVING AND THE COMMUNITY LIVING WITH FEAR HAS BEEN LEFT WITH EVEN MORE UNCERTAINTY.

THAT IS EXACTLY WHY NOW IS NOT THE TIME TO EXPAND MASS SURVEILLANCE. REPORTING HAS SHOWN THAT FEDERAL IMMIGRATION AUTHORITIES CAN ACCESS FLOCK CAMERA DATA THROUGH LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT ALLOWING LOCAL SURVEILLANCE SYSTEMS TO BE USED TO FACILITATE IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT.

PUBLIC SAFETY SHOULD NEVER COME AT THE EXPENSE OF CIVIL RIGHTS OR COMMUNITY TRUST NO ONE SHOULD HAVE TO WONDER WHY THEY'RE DRIVING TO WORK, TAKING THEIR CHILD TO SCHOOL OR GOING TO THEIR PLACE OF WORSHIP COULD END UP WITH THEIR LIFE ENDING.

WE URGE YOU TO REJECT THIS CONTRACT.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS LUIS MENDOZA.

I'M A MEMBER OF PEER JUSTICE AND I LIVE INSIDE PRECINCT TWO.

TODAY, THERE'S ABOUT 3800 INSTALLMENTS OF THESE PREDATORY DEVICES WITHIN THE GREATER CITY OF HOUSTON, KNOWN AS FLOCK CAMERAS THESE FLOCK CAMERAS, IF YOU'VE DRIVEN IN HARRIS COUNTY,

[00:40:03]

ALTHOUGH MAJORITY OF THE PEOPLE HERE ARE AGAINST FLOCK CAMERAS, THEY ARE STILL HERE WHICH I BELIEVE IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM.

ALTHOUGH THEY PUSHED TO SAY THAT IT IS PUBLIC SAFETY, 99% OF PEOPLE THAT GET THEIR DATA ARE INNOCENT OF WRONGDOING.

I ASK THAT YOU ABOLISH THIS COMPLETELY.

THANK YOU. >> ITEMS 331 AND 362.

CRYSTAL HILL HERNANDEZ, ITEM 362.

AMY ITEM 375 AND 401. YOU EACH HAVE A MINUTE TO.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. COUNTY CONTINUES TO LEAD WITH INNOVATION, INVESTMENTS IN YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.

TODAY'S AGENDA ITEMS 331, 362 AND 444 DEMONSTRATE THAT COMMITMENT ITEM 331 AS A RESULT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY EARLY CHILDHOOD COALITION WORK WILL ENSURE THAT CHILD CARE PROVIDERS CAN CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN THEIR BUSINESSES, IMPROVING INSTRUCTIONAL QUALITY AND RECEIVE THE TAILORED MENTORSHIP TO SERVE FAMILIES WHILE. THAT WERE COMPLEMENTS ITEM 362, WHICH EVALUATES THE CURRENT CONTRACTED MODEL, EXPANDING ACCESS TO CHILD CARE AT A TIME WHEN CARE CAN COST MORE THAN COLLEGE TUITION. THE RESULTS SHOWED THESE INVESTMENTS ARE WORKING. TEACHER TURNOVER HAS REMAINED BELOW THE NATIONAL AVERAGE, PROVIDING GREATER STABILITY FOR CHILDREN. 80% OF PARTICIPATING FAMILIES REPORT LITTLE TO NO FINANCIAL BURDEN FROM CHILD CARE COSTS FOR FAMILY IS SPENDING MORE THAN 40% OF THEIR INCOME ON CHILD CARE

HAS DROPPED BY 23%. >> DID YOU SAY YOUR NAME?

>> SAM JONES, CHILDREN AT RISK. THANK YOU.

CONTINUE STRONG LEADERSHIP. >> HELLO, I'M AMY ZACH MEYER, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND A MEMBER OF THE WORKSITE SAFETY COMMITTEE. IT'S NOT CONTROVERSIAL TO SAY THAT WORKING PEOPLE OF OUR COUNTY SHOULD BE PAID WHAT THEY ARE OWED AND CONTRACTORS SHOULD NOT FILE FRAUDULENT CERTIFIED PAYROLL. UNFORTUNATELY, MONITORING FOR COMPLIANCE IS NECESSARY BECAUSE ISSUES LIKE THOSE SEEN AT LBJ ARE NOT UNCOMMON FOR BUDGETS AND SPENDING ARE OFTEN HOW WE CAN KNOW WHAT ORGANIZATIONS VALUE. IF THE ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING TAXPAYER MONEY WANT TO TRULY EXPRESS THEIR VALUES IN TREATING WORKERS FAIRLY, THEY HAVE TO SHOW THAT BY INVESTING IN COMPLIANCE. AS A MEMBER OF THE WORKPLACE SAFETY COMMITTEE, I WORK CLOSELY WITH DEO AND ADMINISTRATOR CARTER REGULARLY. THIS PUBLICLY ACCOUNTABLE DEPARTMENT IS THE RIGHT TEAM TO ENSURE OUR TAX FUNDED PROJECTS ARE IN COMPLIANCE. I ENCOURAGE HARRIS HEALTH TO FOLLOW THE AUDITOR'S RECOMMENDATION FOR MORE INVESTMENT AND REQUIRE FUTURE PARTNERS INVEST IN DEO CAPACITY AS WELL. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS BODY CONTINUES TO VALUE WORKERS AND ENSURE TAXPAYER MONEY IS SPENT RESPONSIBLY AND WORKERS SEE THE BENEFIT.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M CRYSTAL HERNANDEZ. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE.

I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 362. PEOPLE OFTEN ASSUME FAMILIES WHO RECEIVE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE CAN'T PROVIDE FOR THEIR CHILDREN. THAT WASN'T MY STORY.

I WAS LOOKING -- I. WASN'T LOOKING FOR ANYONE TO RESCUE ME.

I JUST NEEDED A LITTLE HELP DURING A DIFFICULTIES IN MY FAMILY'S LIFE I NEEDED THE CHANCE TO KEEP BUILDING THE LIFE I KNEW I WAS CAPABLE OF CREATING FOR MY CHILDREN.

EARLY REACH DIDN'T MAKE ME CAPABLE.

IT CONTINUED FOR THE CAPABILITIES I HAD.

GAVE ME THE PEACE OF MIND TO GO TO WORK EVERY DAY KNOWING MY SON WAS SAFE, LOVED AND LEARNING. BECAUSE OF THAT SUPPORT, I BOUGHT MY FIRST HOME, I'M HALF WAY THROUGH MY DOCTORATE DEGREE AND MY SON ENTERED SCHOOL READY TO THRIVE.

THE GREATEST GIFT EARLY REACH GAVE ME WAS A NEW SENSE OF PURPOSE. BECAUSE OF THIS PROGRAM, MY ADVOCACY FOR IT AND MY INVOLVEMENT ON ITS COMMITTEE, I FOUND MY CALLING IN EDUCATION. TODAY, I HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING STUDENTS AND FAMILIES, HELPING THEM CREATE THESE SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT WERE GIVEN TO ME.

THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS JOHNNY GARROW SPEAKING VIRTUALLY. YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER. WE ARE ON A 15-ACRE ANIMAL FARM

[00:45:04]

YESTERDAY, A DOCTOR INITIATED MEETINGS WITH US AND THE

DEVELOPER FOR THESE CONCERNS. >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS

>> NEXT IS JULIE MCSHEA ON ITEMS -- JACKIE ANDERSON, DARRELL DOUGLAS, TAMARA BELL ON ITEMS 447 AND 448.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS JULIE. I'M A -- ITEMS 447 AND 448.

122 DAYS AGO THIS BODY UNANIMOUSLY VOTED IN SUPPORT OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MRS. ERICA CARTER, A CAREER POLICY PROFESSIONAL AND EXPERT TO LEAD AS THE THIRD HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. AS A PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR MYSELF MY EDUCATION AND COLLEGE PROFESSOR FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT, I HAVE A UNIQUE UNDERSTANDING AND APPRECIATION FOR THE NECESSITY OF SUCH A ROLE FOR A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ENTITY OF THE MAGNITUDE OF HARRIS COUNTY. MR. GARCIA, WHAT IF ANYTHING HAS OCCURRED IN THESE PAST 122 DAYS THAT PRECIPITATED ITEMS 447 AND 448 ON TODAY'S AGENDA? I ASK BECAUSE YOU STATED EARLIER THIS YEAR IN MARCH, I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HER TO MAKE OCA IN HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT MORE EFFICIENT AND

STREAMLINED. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS DARRELL DOUGLAS AND I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE WHERE COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS IS MY COMMISSIONER. I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE MONTHS AGO YOU TOOK A GREAT STRIDE IN APPOINTING ERICA LEE CARTER AS HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. HARRIS COUNTY BEING THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE, A COUNTY THAT IS CONSTANTLY FACING NATURAL DISASTERS AND OTHER ISSUES.

COUNTY THAT STUDIES PROVED 30 YEARS AGO MOST RECENTLY AS MUCH SO DISJOINTED. SO AS A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY, SEEING FIRST THE CREATION OF THIS OFFICE IN 2021, EVENTUALLY APPOINTING ERICA LEE CARTER AS THE HARRIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, GREAT STRIDES PICK I ASK WE NOT PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE. JUST MONTHS AGO YOU VOTED

UNANIMOUSLY. >> THANK YOU.

YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. JACKIE ANDERSON PRESIDENT OF HOUSTON FEDERATION OF TEACHERS AND HARRIS COUNTY LABOR ASSEMBLY. TODAY I'M SPEAKING AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN. WE KNOW WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WORKING PEOPLE UNDER FRAGMENTED MANAGEMENT CAUSES CHAOS AT THE TOP THAT ROLLS DOWN HILL TO THE WORKFORCE PA CASE IN POINT -- THOUSANDS OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES DELIVER FOR THIS COMMUNITY EVERY DAY AND DESERVE AN ADMINISTRATION WITH A CLEAR LENS OF AUTHORITY AND QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE WHOLE OPERATION. THIS COURT BUILT THAT STRUCTURE ON THE RECOMMENDATION OF TWO INDEPENDENT STAYS AND IN FEBRUARY RATIFIED IT WITH A 50 VOTE WHEN YOU HIRED ERICA LEE CARTER APPEARED FROM WHERE I COME FROM, UNANIMOUS VOTE MEANS SOMETHING. REOPENING IT FOUR MONTHS LATER AT ONE MEMBER'S REQUEST WITH NO STUDY TO SUGGEST IT BREAKS FAITH WITH THE WORKFORCE AND WITH THE PUBLIC.

HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS ASK YOU TO VOTE ITEMS NO ON 447 AND 448.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I'M HERE TODAY BECAUSE OF ITEM 447 AND 448 BECAUSE I REMEMBER WHEN YOU STARTED THIS PROGRAM IN 2021 AND I WAS

[00:50:02]

I UNDERSTAND THE COUNTY OF TEXAS ESPECIALLY LARGE ONES ALREADY HAVE FOR 30 YEARS WE'VE BEEN WORKING, WE DIDN'T HAVE ONE BUT NEVERTHELESS YOU MOVE FORWARD AND DID NOT DO A NATIONAL SEARCH. YOU SAID EENY MEENY MINY MO AND PUT SOMEBODY IN A POSITION YOU DID IT A SECOND TIME THE SAME THING, BUT THIS TIME YOU DID A NATIONAL SEARCH AND YOU PICKED ONE OF THE BEST CANDIDATES YOU'VE EVER HAD BECAUSE YOU SEE BEING A FORMER MEMBER OF CONGRESS AND A FORMER ELECTED, YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK AT ME BECAUSE YOU KNOW I'M LOOKING -- TALKING TO YOU. YOU PICKED A FORMER COUNTY ELECTED TRUSTEE AND SOMEONE WHO HAD DONE PUBLIC POLICY FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY DEGREE TO BE IN THE POSITION TO DO WHAT I WANT TO SEE DONE AND THAT IS TO GET THIS COUNTY ALIVE AND LINED UP BUT NEVERTHELESS FOUR MONTHS LEFT BECAUSE SHE MADE A MOVE YOU DID NOT APPROVE AND USUALLY WHEN IT HAPPENED IS WHEN YOU WANT SOMEBODY MOVED BUT SHE DID WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE AND YOU DIDN'T

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

CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> CAN I STATE MY NAME FOR THE RECORD? I'M TAMARA BELL IN CASE YOU DON'T KNOW.

LET ME WRAP UP WITH THIS. IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT WE'RE HERE. I'M NOT KIDDING.

IT'S EMBARRASSING THAT WE'RE HERE.

BECAUSE SHE IS THE MOST QUALIFIED PERSON AND YOU DID THE RIGHT THING FOR THE FIRST TIME. YOU DID A NATIONAL SEARCH FOR SOMEBODY WHO'S GOING TO BE OVER 4 MILLION PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO BUT YOU DIDN'T DO THAT IN WITH THE TOLL ROAD BUT YOU HAVEN'T SAID NOTHING ABOUT THEM. HAVE A GOOD DAY.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I WAS GOING TO SAY YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO STATE YOUR NAME IF

YOU'VE TAKEN A PICTURE WITH ME. >> NEXT WAS HAPPY BLUFORD DANIELS, JANICE HARRIS, JOY DAVIS, CYNTHIA COLE ALL ON ITEMS 447 AND 448. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON. I'M KATHY WILFORD DANIELS AND I'M A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE OUT THERE IN PRECINCT ONE.

TEXAS BY THE WAY -- AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN, COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, FORMER HISD TRUSTEE, RESIDENT, I WANT TO EXPRESS MY DEEP DISAPPOINTMENT AND ALARM OVER THE RECENT ACTIONS THAT APPEAR TO UNDERMINE THE VERY PURPOSE FOR THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHICH WAS CREATED JUST FIVE YEARS AGO, NOT A LONG TIME AGO AND WE SPENT A MONEY DOING SURVEYS OUT OF OUR MONEY TO GO BUY -- FIND THE RIGHT PERSON.

THE VOTE COUNTED. I'M TRYING TO KEEP FROM BEING REDUNDANT FROM WHAT WAS ALREADY SAID.

BUT WE HAD A 5-0 VOTE TO ACCEPT MISS CARTER AND NOW WE WANT TO DO AWAY WITH THE POSITION. THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S ROLE SO ONE STEWARD IS AVAILABLE EVERY DAY.

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

>> A QUICK WRAP UP. JUST REAL QUICK.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT VERY CLEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THAT. AS A FORMER MANAGER FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, WE DID NOT TAKE ACTION AGAINST EMPLOYEES UNTIL WE HAD A REVIEW. AND I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE HAS BEEN A REVIEW AND OPPORTUNITY FOR CORRECTIONS IF THERE IS A DEFICIENCY BEFORE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN.

WHY ARE WE HERE, GUYS? AN ELECTION WE'RE CONCENTRATING ON AS OPPOSED TO PETTY FIGHTING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> GOOD POINT. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS JANICE. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE IN HARRIS COUNTY. ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS CONSULTING FIRMS RECOMMENDED THAT THE COUNTY LEADERS HAVE A NEED FOR A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. THE ROLE THAT'S CURRENTLY IN PLACE THAT MISS CARTER HAS. THERE WERE NO EXPERTS SAYING IT SHOULD BE CUT OR CHANGED IN ANY WAY.

AFTER A NATIONAL SEARCH, ALL FIVE MEMBERS VOTED TO HAVE MISS CARTER IN THIS POSITION AND NOW JUST FOUR MONTHS LATER WE SOMEHOW WANT TO CHANGE THAT. WHY CHANGE IT NOW? PLEASE VOTE NO ON ITEMS 447 AND 448.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

I'M CYNTHIA COLE, I. -- HERE ON BEHALF OF MYSELF.

COMMISSIONERS AREA -- I. LIVE AT.

I WILL SAY THIS BECAUSE I WON'T REPEAT EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN

[00:55:03]

DON'T REEVALUATE. IF THE PROCESS IS WRONG, CHECK OUT THE PROCESS. DON'T ATTACK THE CHARACTER.

DON'T ATTACK THE PEOPLE. THERE'S NO NEED FOR ANY OF THAT PIER KEEP WHAT YOU'VE GOT. WHO SAID IT'S AN OVERREACH? WHAT IS THAT MEASURED BY? IT'S NOT A MEASUREMENT.

IF THE CANDIDATE OF CHOICE WAS WHAT FIVE OF YOU DECIDED YOU WERE GOING TO DO, THEN KEEP IT. BUT HOW DARE YOU COME RUNNING LATER TO CHANGE YOUR MIND BECAUSE OF ONE PERSON'S THOUGHTS. IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHAT I GET UP EARLY IN THE MORNING TO DO, I GET UP EARLY FOR THIS CRAZINESS BECAUSE YOU'VE GOT OTHER THINGS YOU NEED TO BE WORRIED ABOUT.

FOLKS DYING IN THE STREETS BEHIND ICE.

PEOPLE DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO LIVE.

WATER CONTAMINATED. AIR CONTAMINATED AND YOU'RE WORRIED ABOUT OVERREACH. LET HER DO HER JOB.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

I'M HERE BECAUSE I BELIEVE LEADERSHIP IS TRULY MEASURED BY SERVICE, NOT BY POLITICS, PERSONALITIES OR HEADLINES.

TOO OFTEN WERE NOT QUICK ENOUGH TO RECOGNIZE PUBLIC SERVANTS AND EVEN SLOWER RECOGNIZING THE PEOPLE WHO QUIETLY KEEP OUR COUNTY MOVING FORWARD EVERY SINGLE DAY.

ERICA CARTER HAS EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE TO MANAGE ONE OF THE LARGEST COUNTY GOVERNMENTS IN AMERICA. MORE IMPORTANTLY SHE UNDERSTANDS EVERY DECISION MADE IN THIS BUILDING AFFECTS REAL PEOPLE, FAMILIES TRYING TO STAY IN THEIR HOMES, SENIORS DEPENDING ON SERVICES AND YOUNG PEOPLE'S OPPORTUNITIES.

NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DESERVE INVESTMENT.

SOMEONE WHO HAS SPENT YEARS ORGANIZING DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES, SHE'S BEEN A CONSISTENT AND CONSTANT VOICE JUST LIKE HER MOM WAS. THE COMMUNITY HAS WATCHED HER GROW UP AND ARE HERE TO SUPPORT HER.

I KNOW THAT GOOD GOVERNMENT DOESN'T HAPPEN BY ACCIDENT IT HAPPENS BECAUSE DEDICATED PUBLIC SERVANTS ARE WORKING HARD TO TURN POLICY INTO ACTION. WE SHOULD EXPECT TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY AND EXCELLENCE AND WHEN SOMEONE DEMONSTRATES THE VALUES LIKE ERIKA, WE SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

WE'VE SEEN ATTACKS ON BLACK WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP ACROSS OUR

COUNTRY. >> THANK YOU.

>> IF I CAN ASK YOU NOT TO CLAP. WE HAVE ABOUT 45 SPEAKERS AND WE WANT TO GET THEM ALL IN. WE WANT TO HEAR EVERYTHING

EVERYONE HAS TO SAY. >> NEXT IS LORRAINE ON ITEMS 447 AND 448. THEN NON-AGENDA SPEAKERS REEM TARIQ. DOUGLAS HAMRICK AND TRINITY --

YOU ALL HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M LORRAINE WINSLOW. VISE PRESIDENT EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION OPERATIONS -- WHICH I REPRESENT TODAY.

LET ME START BY SAYING THAT HOUSTON AREA URBAN DOES NOT SUPPORT REVISITING THE JOB OFFER AND ACCEPTANCE OF ERIKA LEE CARTER AS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WITH THE JOB DUTIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB OFFER, ELIMINATING THE CABINET ADMINISTRATOR POSITION. WHY DO WE HOLD THE POSITION? TWO SEPARATE STUDIES SUPPORT THE NEED FOR THE ROLE TO HELP ENSURE HARRIS COUNTY'S SUCCESS. WAS NOT CREATED IN HASTE.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTED UNANIMOUSLY THAT THEY WERE THE BEST CANDIDATE FOR THE ROLE AND NO EVIDENCE THE INCUMBENT HAS FAILED TO MEET THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE POSITION.

FINALLY WHAT MESSAGE DOES THIS CHALLENGE SEND NATIONALLY OF THOSE IN LEADERSHIP ROLES OF -- HARRIS COUNTY IF THEIR JOB WILL BE PLACED IN JEOPARDY WHILE ANY PERFORMANCE DEVIATIONS ARE CONCERNED. WE THINK THAT THIS SETS A TERRIBLE PRECEDENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND SHOWS THE DISRESPECT FOR ADMINISTRATOR ERIKA LEE CARTER.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. I SERVE AS THE -- FOR AIRLINES HOUSTON. I LIVE IN PRECINCT ONE BUT I WANT TO BRING AWARENESS TO SOMETHING HAPPENING IN PRECINCT TWO. HERE TO BRING AWARENESS AND RAISE CONCERN ABOUT A PROPOSED NEW CONCRETE IN CHANNEL VIEW CALLED BATTLEGROUND CONCRETE. THEY ARE SEEKING A PERMIT TO OPERATE A PLANT ON MARKET STREET POTENTIALLY 24 HOURS A DAY, 365 DAYS A YEAR. MORE THAN 1200 HOMES ARE LOCATED WITHIN THE 1 MILE RADIUS OF THIS PLANT.

THERE ARE EIGHT SCHOOLS, FOUR CHILD CARE FACILITIES, A NURSING HOME IN 28 PLACES OF WORSHIP THAT ARE WITHIN THE 2-MILE RADIUS OF THIS FACILITY. THIS IS NOT A FACILITY THAT'S IN ISOLATION. THIS IS -- WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

IT'S A LOT OF INDUSTRIES. WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT CUMULATIVE IMPACT AS WELL SO WE ARE URGING CERTAINLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS WELL AS COMMISSIONERS.

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> ON JULY 16TH AT AMERICAN LEGION. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN PIERRE COINCIDENTALLY IT'S SOMETHING I'VE JUST VISITED WITH OUR NEW COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT.

MAKING SURE THAT IT'S BEING PUT ON HER RADAR AS WELL AS OUR

[01:00:04]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> GOOD MORNING.

DOUGLAS HAMMER FROM PRECINCT THREE.

I'M HERE AGAIN ABOUT CODE 240 OF TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODES, SPECIFICALLY 240.002 AND 822. YOUR PREDECESSORS PASSED A REGULATION FOR THIS WITHOUT KNOWING LAW, DILLON'S LAW DOES NOT ALLOW IT BECAUSE THEY SUPERSEDED THE LAW.

THEY'VE BASICALLY ANIMAL CONTROL HAS BANNED WITHOUT BANNING IT.

IF WE GO BY THE DATA RIGHT NOW, HARRIS COUNTY -- THIS IS 2018 CURRENT DATA NOW TO GO OVER BUT 2018 WAS 1 MILLION -- 1.5 MILLION PARCELS. IF YOU DO THE MATH AND ENTER ALL THE DATA, THERE'S 464 PROPERTIES THAT COULD POSSIBLY MEET THIS CRITERIA. THAT'S EFFECTIVELY A -- .00 3% OF THE POPULATION ALLOWED TO HAVE MULTIPLE ANIMALS.

LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THESE ANIMALS ON THE LIST.

>> THANK YOU. YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS TRINITY AND I'M A PUBLIC RELATIONS COORDINATOR FOR -- AND SINCE 2007 WE'VE HAD OVER 4000 GALLONS OF TRASH PICKED UP BY OUR VOLUNTEERS. ACTION ON THIS SUNDAY JULY 12TH WERE HOSTING FOUR SIMULTANEOUS CLEANUPS IN PRECINCT TWO AND FOUR AND WE'LL BE CLEANING AREA WEST HARDEE.

CHELSEA BOULEVARD. ESPLANADE PARK.

WE'VE REACHED OUT TO THE CITY COUNCIL AS WELL SEEKING SUPPORT FOR VOLUNTEERS SO THEY DON'T OVERHEAT AND HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH CLEANING. WE'RE REQUESTING ICE WATER AND FOOD FOR OUR VOLUNTEERS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> SPEAKERS JACOB CLEMENT, MARY SPEC. LUPE MENDEZ AND RICHARD HYDE.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. BUY GO! WE DID A GOOD JOB WITH THE FIFA COMING HERE AND THEN WHEN YOU HAVE THE HARRIS COUNTY -- SOME CAME FROM...

THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO MENTION. SO REMEMBER -- BYE BYE.

>> MY NAME IS MARY SPEC. WHAT I'VE BEEN HEARING THE LAST 24 HOURS HOW DARE YOU ALL INSULT HPD.

THEY ARE NOT INVOLVED WITH ICE. HOW DARE YOU TELL THEM TO DO SOMETHING THEY DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO DO HOW DARE YOU CREATE RHETORIC SAYING HATE PEOPLE.

STIR THE POT RIGHT NOW. REALLY BAD.

SUPPOSEDLY. I'M GOING TO SAY SOMETHING HORRIBLE. I HEARD IT ON THE INTERNET, DON'T KNOW IF IT'S TRUE AND I HOPE IT'S NOT BUT THEY SAID THE GENTLEMAN SHOT SAID I WON'T BE DEPORTED, I'LL HAVE SOMEONE KILL ME. SO LET THEM DO THEIR JOB.

DON'T HAVE POLITICAL PRESS CONFERENCES PUTTING EVERYBODY FORWARD. THEY'RE GOING THROUGH ENOUGH.

THIS WHOLE SITUATION HAS BEEN CREATED BY YOUR PARTY.

WE ARE HAVING TO DEAL WITH IT. WE HAVE FOUR YEARS OF UNCONTROLLED BORDER PATROL. YOU HAVE EVERYBODY.

HPD, CITY COUNTY STATE HAVING TWO --

>> YOUR TIME IS UP. >> THANK YOU FOR COMING.

>> I DO DARE TO SAY TRANSPARENCY ACCOUNTABILITY WHEN YOU DON'T DO

IT? >> NEXT SPEAKER PIERRE COME ON

UP. >> PROPOSES CONCRETE SWELLS ACROSS -- DRAINS THE NEIGHBORHOOD IN RESERVOIR INSTEAD OF CHEAP DIRT OR PIPES TO PRESENT BACK UP THE NEIGHBORHOOD. THEY ALSO PROPOSED CONCRETE AT JUNCTIONS ALL ALONG INCLUDING ACROSS THE CREEK FOR EROSION.

THESE DITCHES ARE NOT RIVERS. THEY DO NOT ERODE LIKE RIVER DOES AND THEY PROPOSE ALL WEATHER ROADS ON EACH SIDE.

WE'RE ONLY -- THESE COMPLEXES WILL NOT PREVENT FLOODING IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. THE BYPASS WOULD INCREASE TWO OR

[01:05:04]

INVESTIGATION OF THIS MATTER. >> DID YOU SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> RICHARD- >> THANK YOU.

>> COME ON UP HERE YES, SIR. >> I COME TO YOU THIS MORNING TO MAKE A SIMPLE REQUEST HERE PLEASE IN YOUR CAPACITY AND SUPPORT OF THE CITIZENS AND RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY, PLEASE ADVOCATE FOR AN INVESTIGATION CLEAR AND UNFETTERED INTO THE DEATH OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT LORENZO.

HIS DEATH IS ALL OVER THE NEWS AND HIS FAMILY HAS NO REAL DETAILS AS TO HOW THIS HAPPENED. THE POLICY AND POLITICS OF HIS DEATH NOTWITHSTANDING HIS FAMILY DESERVES ACCESS TO ALL THE DETAILS THAT PRODUCED THIS TRAGIC OUTCOME.

THE PUBLIC HAS NO TRUST IN THE ACTIONS OF IMMIGRATION AND CUSTOMS ENFORCEMENT AND I BELIEVE YOU CAN HELP US KNOW THE TRUTH. NO ONE WILL REST UNTIL THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS -- REST UNTIL THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS OUT IN THE OPEN AND THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS DEATH ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. AND BROUGHT TO JUSTICE.

HELP HIS FAMILY. HELP THE PUBLIC.

>> THANK YOU. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR

NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> TEXAS POET LAUREATE AND

EMERITUS. >> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS.

>> THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> I'M GOING TO GO THROUGH THESE TWO PUBLIC HEARINGS REAL QUICK AND THEN CONSENT AGENDA AND THEN ITEM 447. I JUST WANT TO GO BACK -- ONE IS ON PAGE 46 ITEM 342 REQUEST BY THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ALLOW THE PROCESS FOR REVISION TO SUBDIVISION PLAN ENTITLED SECTION ONE TO PROCEED WITH COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THAT COMMISSIONERS COURT HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED PLANT ON THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009C ONE PRECINCT FOUR.

I OPEN PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR THE SUBDIVISION PLAN EATON ONE TO PROCEED -- UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 232.009 C ONE PRECINCT FOUR.

ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, END OF DISCUSSION HERE THANK YOU, SPEAKERS AND THANK YOU.

WE NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. I MOVE THAT WE APPROVE THIS ITEM IN FAVOR. IS THERE A SECOND.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? ALL OPPOSED? SO IT IS APPROVED 4-0.

REVISION OF SUBDIVISION PLAN ENTITLED -- ENTITLED EATON SECTION ONE. NEXT ONE IS OPEN TO PUBLIC HEARING CONSIDERED APPROVED FOR THE REVISION OF SUBDIVISION PLAN TO PROCEED AND COMMISSIONERS PUBLIC HEARING FOR CODE 232.009 C ONE PRECINCT FOUR. ARE THERE ANY SPEAKERS? SINCE THERE ARE NO SPEAKERS, THANK YOU.

ANY DISCUSSION. SINCE NO DISCUSSION, THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAKES A MOTION PIR COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? ALL THOSE OPPOSED. ITEM PASSES.

WE APPROVED REVISION OF SUBDIVISION PLAN BINDING ROAD SECTION ONE. NOW ON THE CONSENT AGENDA WE ARE CLEAR ON IT. WE'VE ALREADY MADE TWO

CORRECTIONS. >> CORRECT.

>> COMMISSIONER. I WANT TO VERIFY, I DON'T -- ITEMS 531-1404 AND 406 WILL BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED?

>> YES. I MOVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS.

>> SECOND. >> COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS.

ALL IN FAVOR. CONSENT AGENDA PASSES.

>> MY APOLOGIES. >> THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> I WANTED TO VERIFY BECAUSE I WANTED TO VERIFY AGAIN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 392, 393 AND 447 WILL COME BACK.

[Emergency/Supplemental Items]

NOT APPROVED THE CONSENT. >> NO.

ON THOSE ITEMS ON THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WHICH ONE IS IT WE CANNOT GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON?

>> ITEM 447. >> SO WE WILL BRING UP ITEM 447

NOW. >> SORRY IT'S ITEM 448.

>> 448. THANK YOU.

I DIDN'T WANT TO GO BACK INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE'LL BE BACK IN ONE HOUR. THIS ONE IS U.S. COMMISSIONER GARCIA. 448, NOT 447.

>> 448. >> THIS ONE IS ON REVISION OF

POLICY DUTIES. >> 447.

[01:10:04]

>> 448. >> ON THIS ONE, SINCE IT HAS -- I'D LIKE TO ATTACH IT TO 447 WHEN WE GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE RELATED HAS TO DO WITH TERMINATION OF EMPLOYEE.

>> BUT WE CANNOT DO 448. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

WE ARE A LITTLE BIT LIMITED. ON 448 YOU REALLY JUST -- IF YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT THE FUNCTIONS OF THE OFFICE WRIT LARGE IT HAS TO BE DONE IN OPEN COURT.

>> OBVIOUSLY THERE'S SOME OVERLAP.

>> THERE IS. SO ON THIS ONE, THE TRANSITION PLAN THAT WAS CREATED FOR THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR LAID OUT THE DUTIES AND THE POWERS OF THE OFFICE.

THIS INCLUDED WITH SOME EXCEPTIONS POWER TO HIRE AND DISMISS EMPLOYEES INCLUDING DEPARTMENT HEADS.

SINCE APPROVING THE DOCUMENT, WE'VE ONLY SEEN THAT POWER TO DISMISS DEPARTMENT HEAD WITHOUT COURT APPROVAL TWICE.

IN THE FIRST INCIDENT THERE WAS AN INVESTIGATION AND SIGNIFICANT EVIDENCE. I CAN'T SAY I WAS ENTIRELY COMFORTABLE WITH THE PROCESS BUT I WAS SATISFIED WITH THE OUTCOME. THE SECOND WHICH HAPPENED A FEW WEEKS AGO, I'M ENTIRELY UNCOMFORTABLE WITH.

THE ADMINISTRATOR DID CALL ME THE MORNING OF BUT I WASN'T SURE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS WHEN WE HUNG UP.

IN FACT I DID ASK THAT LET ME GET BACK WITH YOU.

TO A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT WAS GOING ON.

JUST TO DISCOVER LATER THAT TERMINATION HAD ALREADY TAKEN PLACE. SO WHEN I'M ELECTED, IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ME TO HAVE OVERSIGHT OF OPERATIONS AND BE INVOLVED IN DECISIONS BECOME A FULL TIME COMMISSIONER, SO I DO PARTICIPATE VERY ACTIVELY IN ALL OF MY JOB AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

SO MAKING CRITICAL DECISION LIKE THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME BECAUSE IT AFFECTS HOW THE COUNTY OPERATES.

I'VE NEVER BEEN COMFORTABLE WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR PRIOR TO MISS CARTER LEE SO IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE PERSON THEY'RE. JUST NEVER REALLY CARED FOR THE OFFICE. BUT I WAS WILLING TO EXPERIMENT WITH IT AND BETTER UNDERSTAND IT AND SO WITH THAT BEING SAID, IT STILL REMAINS IN A VERY BIG? FOR ME.

UNDER THIS CHANGE, THE -- WILL BE MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO HIRE. DOESN'T TAKE ANY OF THAT OVERSIGHT AWAY. BUT SIMPLY TO BE SURE THAT THERE IS CONFIRMATION BY COMMISSIONERS COURT.

SO WITH THAT, IT IS WHAT ITEM 447 HAS TO DO WITH SIMPLY -- 448, I'M SORRY YOU'RE GIVING COMMISSIONERS COURT THE OVERSIGHT THAT WE ULTIMATELY HAVE FOR ALL COUNTY OPERATIONS PICCOLO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO MAKE THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS, CONDUCT THE PERFORMANCE REVIEWS. LET US KNOW WHAT THE ISSUES ARE THAT ARE EMERGING AND THEN LET US HAVE SOME SAY IN THAT REGARD BECAUSE WHEN I GOT THE CALL, IT WAS I THINK -- I. HEARD DIFFERENT THINGS RELATED TO THIS STUDY WHICH THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT ISSUES ATTACHED TO THE DISPARITY STUDY.

THE DIRECTOR HAD SHARED WITH ME HER CONCERNS WITH THE DISPARITY

STUDY. >> COMMISSIONER I. WOULD URGE WE WILL GO INTO SOME OF THE SPECIFICS OF THE TERMINATION THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE SEPARATELY.

>> SO IN THAT REGARD, THIS IS WHY -- I. WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE AS A COURT AND A BODY THE OPPORTUNITY TO UNDERSTAND WHEN THOSE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE MADE AND THIS WAS A POSITION THAT I HAD FROM THE VERY, VERY BEGINNING OF CREATING THIS OFFICE. SO THAT'S THE MOTION THAT I HAVE AND IT IS TO REVISE ALL DOCUMENTS AND PROCEDURES TO REQUIRE COURT OF THE HIRING AND DISMISSAL OF ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS REPORTING TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

THAT WOULD BE ONE MOTION. SECOND MOTION WOULD BE TO REVISE ALL DOCUMENTS AND PROCEDURES TO REFLECT THAT THE COUNTY ENGINEER -- THAT'S A DIFFERENT THING. BUT REALLY IT'S JUST TO BRING THE DECISION OF TERMINATION TO THIS BODY.

BECAUSE ULTIMATELY THERE'S A WRONGFUL TERMINATION CACTUS BODY ULTIMATELY HAS TO CONTEND WITH THE LIABILITY OF ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS. SO THAT'S A MOTION.

I DON'T KNOW IF I HAVE A SECOND BUT I JUST THOUGHT BASED ON WHAT HAD HAPPENED, I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO MAKE SURE THERE'S

[01:15:01]

>> JUST A QUICK COMMENT IF I MIGHT.

SHE HAS A HEALTH ISSUE AND SHOULD NOT SPEAK.

SHE HAS A MASK ON. DON'T START RUNNING.

SHE'S OKAY BUT ON THIS ITEM -- FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA LET ME SAY THAT I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR YOU AND THE THINGS THAT YOU DO.

I DO KNOW THAT AFTER WE SPENT COUNCIL STATE GOVERNMENT -- WE SPENT A GOOD $5 MILLION LOOKING AT A HOST OF ISSUES WHEN YOU CAME TO THE COURT AND THE JUDGE AS WELL.

OVER A GOOD. OF TIME.

SOME OF THEM WE ADOPTED, SOME WE DIDN'T.

I EVEN PIGGYBACKED OFF OF THAT CONTRACT TO GET IDEAS ON HOW TO SET UP MY OFFICE. AND A LOT OF THINGS CAME OUT OF IT. INCLUDING THE DEO OFFICE WHICH I MADE THE MOTION TO CREATE. THE SUSTAINABILITY OFFICE.

I THINK THAT APPOINTMENTS THAT WE SET UP AND I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS, SOMETHING YOU TOOK THE LEAD ON AS WELL AND EVEN SOMETIMES COLLEAGUES DIDN'T AGREE WITH THE REPORT, THERE WERE SOME THINGS IN IT THEY AGREED TO.

I KNOW WHEN OFFICE WAS CREATED -- INITIALLY THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I THINK THE JUDGE MADE THE MOTION AND HAD BEEN ADVOCATING FOR IT FOR SOME TIME.

YOU SECONDED IT. AND IT PASSED ON A CLOSE NOTE.

THEN I THINK WHEN WE BROUGHT THE THIRD ADMINISTRATOR IN, -- I.

COULD BE WRONG. IT WAS CHATGPT.

THOUGHT ABOUT IT LAST NIGHT AND I THINK YOU MADE A MOTION TO WIND DOWN OFFICE. I RESPECT THAT EVEN IF YOU CHANGE YOUR MIND. SOMETIMES PEOPLE TELL ME I OUGHT TO CHANGE MY MIND ALL THE TIME. I THINK IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE IT, IT WOULDN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO HAVE THE OFFICE AND ESSENTIALLY NEUTER IT AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE'D BE DOING IF WE DID THIS. AND I HAVEN'T AGREED WITH DECISIONS OF SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATORS.

OBVIOUSLY IT WAS QUICK. I THINK WAS THERE TWO AND A HALF YEARS. DIANA RAMIREZ WHICH I THINK WHEN WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT QUICKLY, I THINK IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN YOU AND I KIND OF TOOK THE LEAD.

AND I THOUGHT WE MADE A GOOD CHOICE.

IT WAS A HISTORIC CHOICE BUT A GOOD CHOICE AS WELL.

I DIDN'T AGREE WITH CLOSING DOWN.

I THINK IT WAS JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION OFFICE WHICH WAS SOMETHING THAT I MADE THE MOTION TO CREATE.

BUT SHE HAD TO GO AND WHEN I TELL HER I STRONGLY DISAGREED SHE SAID YOU MAY HAVE A GOOD POINT BUT FOR VOTES FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT. THAT ONE WON'T MAKE IT.

I THINK SHE DISSOLVED THE RESEARCH ANALYST OFFICE OR WHATEVER WE CALL IT. THAT WAS NOT IN THE REPORT BUT THAT'S WHAT THEY DID IN THE TEXAS LEGISLATURE AND THE RESEARCH OFFICE SENATE RESEARCH OFFICE.

ALL OF US TO HAVE TO HAVE POLICY SHOPS AND THEY TOOK SOMEBODY FROM MY OFFICE. IT WAS MY POLICY DIRECTOR, I CAN'T REMEMBER. AND SHE RAN IT.

ADMINISTRATOR RAMIREZ DECIDED TO MOVE IT IN HER OFFICE BUT I HAD TO LIVE WITH IT. IF WE CREATED IT, I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT IF WE CREATED IT, WHY HAVE IT? THE THREE VOTES TO SHUT IT DOWN, I'D BE ON THE LOSING SIDE, WILL SHUT IT DOWN BUT WHY DO IT AND ACT LIKE IT'S THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IF IT'S JUST WINDOW DRESSING IN MY JUDGMENT.

I WON'T BE ABLE TO VOTE. >> I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS MOTION. I WAS PROUD TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF ADMINISTRATOR CARTER AND I'VE BEEN BLOWN AWAY.

YOU'VE BEEN THE STRONGEST WE'VE HAD DURING MY TENURE AND AS THE THIRD LARGEST COUNTY WE MUST PROFESSIONALIZE AND OPERATIONALIZE AND STREAMLINE THE WORK AND LEVEL OF EXCELLENCE THAT I'VE SEEN YOU REQUIRE OF OTHERS AND THAT YOU HOLD YOURSELF TO. REALLY HAS -- I'VE BEEN A STRONG PROPONENT OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OFFICE AND I'M AN EVEN STRONGER PROPONENT NOW. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND I AGREE IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE THIS OFFICE, WE NEED TO LEAN INTO ITS ABILITY. I SEE IT AS WE ARE FIVE CEO'S AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, THE WAY I SEE IT AS THE CEO WE PASS THE POLICY AND YOU IMPLEMENT IT.

AND I HAVE BEEN VERY PLEASED AND APPRECIATE YOU AND I WILL NOT BE

SUPPORTING THE MOTION. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

[01:20:02]

>> ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I'VE SAID WE DON'T NEED A COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. OF COURSE I SUPPORTED OUR CURRENT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN TERMS OF HER APPOINTMENT.

CLEARLY I THINK THERE'S PROBABLY SOME THINGS WE NEED TO LOOK AT WITHIN THAT RESPONSIBILITY PEER CLEARLY I THINK IF YOU LOOK AT THE TENURE OF THE PREVIOUS COUNTY ADMINISTRATORS, THERE'S BEEN SOME COMMON THEMES WE PROBABLY NEED TO ADDRESS AND TRY TO CLEAN UP. MY BIGGEST IS IF WE CAN ELIMINATE COMMITTEE MEETINGS, I WOULD ONE DAY MAY MAKE A MOTION ON THAT PEER EVERYTHING THAT THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR DOES EXCEPT COMMITTEE MEETINGS. I THINK SHE'S MADE PROGRESS EVEN ON COMMITTEE MEETINGS. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THIS SPECIFIC ONE, ALTHOUGH I THINK THERE ARE SOME THINGS THAT WOULD HELP MAKE THE JOB MORE EFFECTIVE AND ADMINISTRATOR CARTER NOT HAVE -- AND I HAD MANY CONVERSATIONS ON THE POSITION AND WHAT WE STRUGGLED WITH. IT'S BEEN A BIT OF AN EXPERIMENT. WHEN YOU LOOK AT RAMIREZ AND JESSE -- INTERIM CAPACITY, THERE'S BEEN KIND OF FINDING OUR WAY IF YOU WILL. I THINK WE ALL HAVE AT LEAST THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT WE'VE ALL GOT I THINK SOME GOOD THOUGHTS ON HOW WE CAN MAKE IT. AS WE SAY IN EAST TEXAS HOW WE CAN MAKE IT MORE BETTER. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO THAT BUT I

WON'T BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION. >> SO THE MOTION PASS.

I WANT TO MAKE THIS BRIEF COMMENT IF I MIGHT FROM SOME -- I. DON'T WANT TO PUT ADMINISTRATIVE CADRE.

I'VE KNOWN HER FOR VIRTUALLY MY WHOLE LIFE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE OUR FRIENDS AND THE PRESS TO DO A LITTLE DEEPER DIVE AND DON'T JUST REACT BECAUSE SOMEBODY MIGHT FEED YOU SOMETHING YOU THINK IS -- AS A QUICK MEDIA BITE BUT FOR ME, BEING FROM SUNNY SIDE -- A. HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA AND A SIXTH GRADE EDUCATION, I DO KIND OF RESENT THE IMPLICATION SOMETIMES THAT'S MADE BECAUSE I HAPPEN TO BE BLACK.

THAT SOMEHOW ANYTHING I GET WAS GIVEN TO ME.

I WON'T GO OVERBOARD ON IT BUT I USED TO TELL PEOPLE IN THE LEGISLATURE AFFIRMATIVE ACTION GOT ME IN BUT DIDN'T GET ME OUT.

GOT ME INTO THE UT LAW SCHOOL BUT DIDN'T GET ME OUT.

DIDN'T TAKE THE BAR. DIDN'T PASS 700 BILLS.

MANY OF WHICH EVEN GOVERNOR BUSH WOULD TELL ME WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO PASS WHILE HE SIGNED THEM BUT THAT JUST THE TONE OF A LOT OF THAT. IF YOU LOOK AT MANY OF THE PEOPLE WE'VE PUT IN KEY POSITIONS JUST IN THIS AGE OF SUCH DIVISION, JUST SOME OF THE PRESS ACCOUNTS I'VE SEEN, I'D BE REAL CAREFUL WITH THAT. I KNOW YOU DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES YOU USED TO HAVE BUT DON'T JUST WRITE IT BECAUSE SOMEBODY GAVE IT TO YOU AND DON'T JUST PUT IT ON TV BECAUSE SOMEBODY SAID IT. JUST A LITTLE RESEARCH.

DON'T TRUST CHATGPT. IT MIGHT BE WRONG.

BUT ON SOME OF THIS STUFF YOU COULD JUST PLUG IT IN THERE.

AT LEAST IT WOULD TELL YOU WHERE TO GO.

THERE'S TWO ITEMS I WANT TO BRING UP BECAUSE YOU SHOULD TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEALTH. I THINK YOU WANT 362 THE -- JUST SAY WHAT'S IN IT BECAUSE I GUESS YOU SHOULDN'T TALK UNLESS YOU

PASS ME A NOTE. >> COMMISSIONER BEFORE THAT I

DON'T KNOW IF SHE WANTS TO -- >> I PASSED ON THE CONSENT

AGENDA. >> YES BUY AND FOR THE TWO HEARINGS. DID I SKIP ANYTHING?

>> I THINK THAT'S IT. >> YOUR STAFF, I CAN'T LET THEM TALK BUT YOU WANTED ME TO PULL UP 362?

>> THOSE ARE THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS.

>> OKAY. WAS IT TRANSMITTAL? CAN THE TRANSMITTER JUST TELL US BRIEFLY WHAT'S IN IT? WHO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA? NUMBER 362.

[Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

>> WAS IT 375? ITEM FOUR.

>> ITEM FOUR. I'LL PULL THAT UP.

[01:25:04]

THIS ITEM NUMBER 4. >> SURE.

DIRECTOR IS COMING DOWN BUT WE HAD TO BRING IT BACK.

THE UPPER PMO REVIEWED AND ALL THE MOTIONS FROM JUNE COURT.

THIS WAS ONE OF THE ITEMS. WASN'T OFFICIALLY VOTED ON AND DUE TO TIMING OF CONTRACTS AND DECISIONS, THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME DECISION WHICH COULD BE STATUS QUO BUT TO MEET THE ORIGINAL GOALS AND REALLOCATION THAT WENT THROUGH THE ENTIRE PROCESS. THIS WOULD BE PART OF IT.

EXPLAINING THE AMOUNT IN DET DETAILS.

>> THIS WAS IN APRIL WE WERE ASKED TO IDENTIFY UP TO $10 MILLION IN OUR INTEREST FUNDS AND COME BACK TO COURT FOR RELIEF OF THE FY27 GENERAL FUND. WE BROUGHT THOSE BACK AT THE LAST COURT AND ALL OF THOSE REALLOCATIONS WERE VOTED UPON AND APPROVED AND NOW WE'RE COMING BACK WITH THE ONE REMAINING ONE WHICH WAS RECOMMENDED BY CIERCO.

THESE ARE EXAMINED -- EXAMINED BY DEPARTMENTS AND RECOMMENDED BASED UPON AVAILABLE PROJECT BALANCES, PROGRAM PERFORMANCE, SPENDING PACE AND OPERATIONAL NEEDS.

>> WAS AT A WHOLE BUTTON PUSHED -- YES.

>> I THOUGHT WE VOTED THIS DOWN AT THE LAST COURT? WE CHECKED MULTIPLE TIMES WITH THE CLERK'S RECORD AND THERE WAS NO VOTE EITHER WAY. THAT'S WHEN WE HAD TO PUT IT

BACK ON. >> SO IT'S NOT THAT IT WAS APPROVED AND NOW IT'S NOT BEEN APPROVED.

IT WASN'T DISCUSSED AT THE LAST COURT.

>> IT WAS DISCUSSED. THERE WAS NO DECISION BUT THERE HAS TO BE -- THE DECISION CAN BE TO CONTINUE THAT FUNDING AS IS.

ANY OF THE DECISIONS ARE POSSIBLE BUT WE JUST NEED A DECISION SO THAT OUR -- WE CAN MOVE FORWARD.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR THIS TAKES $1 MILLION FROM THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAM THAT IN THE SAME AGENDA WE HAVE A SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION FOR? SO THIS AGENDA, IT'S A FOURTH SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION OF THIS PROGRAM AND IN THE SAME BREATH WE WANT TO TAKE A MILLION DOLLARS AWAY FROM IT.

THIS IS THE SAME PROGRAM THAT THE VOTERS WANTED TO SEE ON THE BALLOT. BUT THE COURT WOULD NOT PUT ON THE BALLOT. HENCE IT WILL END.

SO I GUESS THE QUESTION IS, WE'VE BROKEN THE TRUST OF THE PEOPLE BY BREAKING THE PROMISE THAT WE WOULD PUT THIS ON THE BALLOT. LET'S NOT ACCELERATE THAT AND ACCELERATE THE DAMAGE BY ENDING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS MONTHS BEFORE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO END.

THAT IS LITERALLY ADDING INSULT TO INJURY AND INJURY TO INSULT.

WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT STURCKOW BRINGING -- BEING KIND OF QUIET ABOUT IT, THAT MEANS THE REPRESENTATIVES OF THREE OF THE OFFICES VOTED TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM EARLY CHILDHOOD JUST AS THE LAST COURT THEY VOTED TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS. I CONTINUE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUES, INSTEAD OF ENDING PROGRAMS SOONER THAN THEY SHOULD THAT HELP KIDS GET IN LESS TROUBLE, LESS LIKELY TO DEVELOP AS IT TURNS OUT DEMENTIA LATER IN LIFE, LESS LIKELY TO END UP INVOLVED IN VIOLENCE HELPS PARENTS WORK, I CAN BET THAT EVERY PARENT IN THIS ROOM HAD THEIR KIDS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD.

LET THE VOTERS DECIDE. TRUST THE VOTERS.

I'D BE HAPPY TO LIVE WITH THE VERDICT OF THE PEOPLE AND THE VOTERS ON THIS. TRUST THE VOTERS.

AND AT THE BARE MINIMUM, DON'T DESTROY THE PROGRAMS. THE WHOLE ARGUMENT WAS THAT THEY WEREN'T EVALUATED.

WERE AT THE FOURTH SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION.

SO I JUST OBVIOUSLY I DON'T SUPPORT THIS AND JUST A NOTE ON

[01:30:03]

JUST REMEMBER, WE FIRED THE BLACK PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR.

UNDER UNFOUNDED AND SINCE DISMISSED ALLEGATIONS OF PAY TO PLAY. SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO VOTED FOR THAT ACTUALLY DO EVERY DAY. ALL THE ENDORSEMENTS ALWAYS AGAINST THE BLACK CANDIDATE FOR THE BIG POSITIONS WHETHER IT'S MAYOR, WHETHER IT'S COUNTY JUDGE, CONGRESS.

SO I HOPE YOU GUYS CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION BECAUSE WE HAVE EMINENTLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES AND DIRECTORS.

THAT'S HOW YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

AND I HOPE YOU GUYS WILL CONTINUE TO PAY ATTENTION ON THIS EARLY CHILDHOOD ISSUE. WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF FAMILIES WHERE THE PARENTS HAVE BEEN SENDING THE KIDS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD THEY'VE BEEN GOING TO WORK.

AND THEY'RE ABOUT TO CUT THOSE PROGRAMS EVEN SHORTER THAN THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO THEN THEY DECIDED TO ALREADY CUT THEM BECAUSE THEY WERE AFRAID THE VERDICT OF THE VOTERS.

I DON'T KNOW WHY, FRANKLY. WHY DON'T THE VOTERS VOTE FOR -- THANK YOU. BUY ON ITEM FOUR IS THERE ANY RISK OF THIS MONEY BEING LOST? IN OTHER WORDS IS IT AN ISSUE OF HAVING TO RE -- REALLOCATE IT OR IS IT TIME TO SPEND IT IF IT

STAYS WHERE IT IS. >> THERE'S NO -- THIS IS FLEX

AND INTEREST FUNDING. >> SO WE COULD LEAVE IT WHERE IT IS AND IT COULD BE SPENT ON THOSE EARLY CHILDHOOD INITIATIVES. AND TO BE HONEST WITH YOU -- AT THE LAST COURT I CAN'T REMEMBER. ON THIS ITEM HAVE WE VOTED ON IT? WAS IT ON CONSENT AGENDA.

>> IT WAS ON DISCUSSION LIST. >> THE OTHER THING JUST BRIEFLY COMMISSIONERS, WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHY ARE WE NEEDING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM PUBLIC PROGRAMS THAT ARE VITAL VITAL. ENORMOUS PERCENTAGE OF THE POPULATION DOESN'T HAVE ACCESS TO EARLY CHILDHOOD EVEN WITH EVERYTHING THAT ALREADY EXISTS. SO WHAT'S THE REASON, ADMINISTRATOR FOR HAVING TO TAKE MONEY AWAY FROM THESE PROGRAMS. WHERE DO WE WANT THIS MONEY TO GO INSTEAD?

>> IT'S NOT RECOMMENDING A CHANGE THIS WAS TO MEET THE ORIGINAL DIRECTIVE TO FIND POTENTIAL MONEY FROM -- TO

GENERAL FUND. >> WHY ARE WE WANTING TO REALLOCATE OUR MONEY TO THE GENERAL FUND.

>> THERE WAS A COURT DIRECTIVE. WE DID A PROCESS TO IDENTIFY POTENTIAL OPTIONS. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE OPTIONS.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE REALLOCATED.

IT CAN REMAIN AS IS. >> MY POINT IS AND I'M JUST TRYING TO LIMIT HERE MY OWN PARTICIPATION, THE REASON WE'RE HAVING TO ALLOCATE -- CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG ADMINISTRATOR.

THE REASON WE'RE HAVING TO EVEN LOOK TO CUT OUR PROGRAMS EARLIER, SUCCESSFUL EVALUATED PROGRAMS EARLY IS BECAUSE EGREGIOUS BUDGET DECISIONS WERE MADE THAT MEAN WE'RE IN A DEFICIT AND CUTTING PROGRAMS TO INCREASE POLICE SALARIES.

IS IT NOT THAT WE'RE HAVING TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO REDUCE OUR EXPENSES BECAUSE WE COMMITTED EXPENSES BEFORE?

IS THAT NOT THE CASE? >> WE WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSION.

>> THERE'S A PROJECTED FY27 BUDGET DEFICIT SO THERE ARE DIFFERENT STRATEGIES THAT WE'VE BEEN DIRECTED.

>> SO THIS IS A COMPLETELY SELF-INFLICTED PROBLEM NUMBER 1.

THERE'S A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM. THE VOTERS WANT TO VOTE ON CONTINUING IT. A REFUSAL TO HEAR THE VERDICT OF THE VOTERS. NUMBER 2, WITHOUT THE VERDICT OF THE VOTERS, A DECISION TO SPEND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN INCREASING POLICE SALARIES. NUMBER 3, BECAUSE OF THOSE DECISIONS, A MAJOR DEFICIT. THE THIRD TIME IN A ROW THAT THE FORCE IS CUT TO THE VERY PROGRAMS THAT WE WERE ELECTED TO

[01:35:02]

AND PEOPLE CATCH ON SOON ENOUGH. IT'S RARE SOMETHING COMES BACK.

THEY DON'T HAVE A CHANCE TO DEFUND THE PROGRAM LAST TIME SO BRING IT BACK AND DEFUND IT THIS TIME.

FOR THE RECORD. >> IS THE RECOMMENDATION TO MOVE THIS MONEY BECAUSE IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SPENT BY THE TIME

THE TIMELINE EXPIRES? >> NO THE RECOMMENDATION IS COMING BECAUSE WE WERE DIRECTED BY COURT TO WORK WITH STURKO SINCE THIS IS FLEX AND INTEREST MONEY, IT'S NOT DEFINED BY THE DECEMBER 31ST 2026 U.S. TREASURY DEADLINE.

>> IT TAKES A LITTLE WHILE BUT WE'VE GOT 127 BILLION --

>> 129. >> SO WE'RE LOOKING FOR MONEY AND IN TERMS OF WHAT WE DID ON RETIREE BENEFITS, THE MOTION I'M GOING TO MAKE, WE COULD SAVE 9 MILLION.

I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WANTS TO DO THAT.

OR WE COULD SPEND 9 MILLION TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT WAS BUT I'M PRETTY MUCH CONVINCED, I HOPE THE RETIREES ARE.

THEY GET PRETTY MUCH THE SAME DEAL BUT THERE'S DIFFERENT HOOPS THEY GO THROUGH. SO IT COST ABOUT 2.7, 2.9 MILLION. BUT ON THIS 1I JUST COULDN'T REMEMBER. SO WHEN YOU ALL DIRECTED TO COME UP WITH MONEY, THIS IS A COST SAVINGS MEASURE SO I'D SUGGEST -- I. HAPPENED TO BE ON THE LOSING SIDE ON.

THAT'S WHAT THE JUDGE IS MAKING REFERENCE TO IN HIS OWN -- SO WE'VE GOT A LOT MORE CUTS TO MAKE BUT IF SOMEBODY MAKES A MOTION WE CAN APPROVE THE ITEM AS BEING HELD FOR DISCUSSION, SO IT'S ON THE DISCUSSION LIST. IS THERE A MOTION TO PASS IT.

MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER -- ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE.

I VOTE NO. THERE ARE THREE NO'S.

THREE NO'S AND TWO YESES. ITEM PASSES.

SO YOU JUST HAVE TO FIND -- >> NO ITEM FAILS.

>> DOES NOT PASS. IT DOES NOT PASS.

I DID SAY IT DOES PASS. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. THIS AUDIENCE, MY GOODNESS.

THANK YOU. >> YOU ASKED 362 WAS TRANSMITTAL. I THINK YOU WANTED THAT JUST TO

MAKE THIS POINT SO I'D SAY -- >> THIS IS A TRANSMITTAL OF THE

REPORT EVALUATION. >> YOU NEED TO TRANSMIT IT.

SO I THINK -- WAS HOLDING IT FOR HER SO I THINK YOU CAN -- WE WILL ACCEPT THE TRANSMITTAL. IS THAT THE PROPER TERM?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO VOTE ON IT.

SO NO ACTION AT -- JUST GOT ACTED ON.

THE OTHER ONE IS 444. JUDGE DIRECTING HR TO SURVEY EMPLOYEES THAT CARE FOR CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE.

NUMBER 444. >> THAT'S VERY SIMPLE.

IT'S ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS WE DID, COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND ELLIS AND I. PERHAPS OUR COLLEAGUES BACK THEN VOTED FOR IT AS WELL. I CAN'T REMEMBER.

BUT WE'VE MADE SOME POLICIES AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO SEE HOW THEY'RE WORKING AND WHAT ELSE EMPLOYEES WANT TO SEE HERE GO

AHEAD. >> SO THE MOTION TO APPROVE IT? COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. OR JUDGE.

>> I JUST SAW OUR HR. >> HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY

QUESTIONS. >> I'M SORRY.

I TOLD YOU AT THE TOWN HALL MEETING WE WERE GOING TO GET OUT

OF HERE EARLY. >> I'M WITH YOU.

I'M JUST HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> IS YOUR PREFERENCE ON THIS TO MAKE A MOTION?

>> IT'S SIMPLY TO HELP COLLECT MORE DATA ON IMPLEMENTING MORE

FAMILY-FRIENDLY POLICIES. >> INTERPRETER: I SECOND.

ANY OBJECTION? THE MOTION PASSES.

>> I VOTE YES. >> I VOTE NO.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. JUDGE MAKES A MOTION I'LL SECOND

IT. >> I'M SORRY, JUST FOR CLARIFICATION CAN WE REPEAT THE MOTION.

IS THE ITEM -- >> 444.

>> AS PRESENTED. >> AND I WAS -- ALL THOSE OPPOSED VOTE NAY. FOUR AYE AND ONE NAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER AND COLLEAGUES.

I WILL LISTEN AND WHEN I LOSE MY ENERGY -- I. KNOW SOME FOLKS HAVE BEEN MISSING SOME CALLS AND I'M SORRY, I'VE BEEN SO SICK.

THEY THINK MAYBE MONO. THEY DON'T KNOW.

>> IT'S CALLED THROAT COAT. BE QUIET.

RESPECTFULLY. SAVE THE VOICE.

LET'S GO BACK TO THE CONSENT AGENDA.

>> DISCUSSION ITEMS NOW WE START WITH NUMBER 2.

[01:40:01]

>> ITEM TWO, THAT IS. >> REQUEST TO APPROVE THE CHARTER FOR THE INFRASTRUCTURE COORDINATION PERFORMANCE

COMMITTEE. >> YES, AND.

>> CAN THAT BE TAKEN UP WITH ITEM NUMBER 3 SINCE IT SEEMS LIKE THERE IS SOME POTENTIAL SYNERGY OR POTENTIAL CONFLICTS?

>> OKAY. AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -- YOU

WANT TO LAY THESE OUT? >> KEEP CHANGING THE ORDER.

I'M CATCHING UP. I DO HAVE SLIDES I DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE PRESENTATION. I DID WANT TO PUT UP ONE SLIDE OF IT JUST FOR VISUAL. BUT AGAIN, THIS WAS PROPOSED TO ENSURE IT REMAINS LASER FOCUSED ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

THE COORDINATION, THE COLLABORATION AS I'VE WORKED WITH EACH OF YOU I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS FOR RESILIENCE, FOR OUR COMMUNITY. FOR TRANSPORTATION.

SORRY SLIDE THREE. AND FOR EACH OF YOU IN YOUR OWN WAY BECAUSE I TALKED TO YOU THIS IDEA DEVELOPED WHERE WE WOULD HAVE AN OVERARCHING -- I. KNOW YOU DON'T WANT ANOTHER COMMITTEE, COMMISSIONER NAY -- RAMSEY.

AN EFFECTIVE COMMITTEE THAT WOULD MEET ONLY SIX TIMES PER YEAR. YOU KNOW ME, I'M ABOUT STRUCTURE AND I WOULD WANT IT TO BE A VERY PRODUCTIVE WORKING COMMITTEE WITH REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH OF YOUR OFFICES.

OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS FOR ENGINEERING, TOTAL AUTHORITY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE CONTROL DISTRICT AS WELL.

I'VE COMMUNICATED WITH EACH OF THEM.

THEY'VE FOUND IT COULD BE VERY USEFUL.

THERE ARE MANY THINGS THAT OVERLAP.

THEY DO TRY TO CONNECT WHEN THEY CAN BUT SOMETIMES A FEW THINGS DON'T CONNECT AND THEY WANT A SPACE WHERE THEY CAN MAKE SURE ALL OF THE SYNAPSES ARE CONNECTING.

I THINK I WANT SLIDE FOUR MAYBE. SORRY.

SLIDE FIVE. I WILL GO THROUGH THIS SLIDE.

THESE ARE THE MEMBERS PIG I WAS ASKED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE INCLUDING AN A COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE PURCHASING THE -- OF COURSE L AND B WOULD BECOME AS NEEDED BECAUSE SOME TOPICS WON'T RELATE TO EACH OF THOSE DEPARTMENTS.

THEIR THINGS WITH PROJECT TIMELINES AND DELIVERY THAT MAY NOT RELATE TO EVERY DEPARTMENT THAT IS KIND OF SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT. WITH OFFICIAL MEMBERS LISTED IN THE BOX AND WOULD ALLOW FOR PROTOCOLS AND CONSISTENCY ON SOME PRACTICES, VENDOR COMMUNICATION, ET CETERA.

ANYTHING THAT NEEDED YOUR DIRECTIVE WOULD COME IMMEDIATELY TO COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR YOUR DECISION.

THAT IS TWO AND THEN THREE RELATES TO LOOKING ACROSS SEVERAL COUNTIES. JUST DESIGNATING FOR A ONE YEAR.

THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER.

PROPOSED AS THE FIRST ONE DIRECTOR ROBERTO, I TALKED TO HIM. HE'S PREPARED.

HE'S READ THE BACKGROUND. AGAIN, IT WOULD COME BACK IF YOU AUTHORIZED IT IT WOULD AUTOMATICALLY COME BACK TO COURT. THIS WOULD DECIDE TO DESIGNATE SOMEONE ELSE, IT COULD ROTATE. IF YOU DECIDE THIS DESIGNATION DID NOT ACHIEVE THE GOALS THAT WE SET FORTH IN THIS PROPOSAL.

>> WAS AT A NEW TOUCH OR OLD ONE? WILL YOU FINISH AT -- WHERE YOU FINISHED AT, ADMINISTRATOR?

>> I'M FINISHED. I WANTED TO LEAVE THIS UP HERE.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU FOR THE PURSUIT OF MAKING IT BETTER. I CERTAINLY AGREE WE NEED MORE FOCUSED CONVERSATION ON INFRASTRUCTURE.

WHAT WE DON'T NEED IS MORE MEETINGS.

I THINK THIS HAS THE GREAT POTENTIAL OF ADDING ANOTHER LAYER OF BUREAUCRACY. SINCE MY TENURE ON THE COURT WHERE ARE YOU GOING YES -- HAS WORKED BETTER TOGETHER THAN THEY DO WITH THAT. AND EACH ONE OF OUR CORE WHETHER IT'S PRECINCT TWO PRECINCT ONE. PRECINCT FOUR JUDGE'S OFFICE.

WE TACKLE ISSUES. WE DEAL WITH ISSUES.

MUCH OF WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WITHIN THOSE OFFICES HAS TO DO WITH INFRASTRUCTURE. TO CREATE A -- ANOTHER SET OF MEETINGS THAT WILL SIMPLY -- THEY WILL TAKE NOTES.

I'M NOT SURE WE ACCOMPLISHED A LOT THERE.

I THINK EVERY HOUR SPENT BY ONE OF OUR SENIOR INFRASTRUCTURE FOLKS SERVING ON A COMMITTEE IS AN HOUR NOT SPENT ON GETTING JOBS OUTDOOR. WE HAVE CURRENTLY EIGHT INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEES FUNCTION, EXISTING COMMITTEES

[01:45:03]

THE DIVISION ZERO WORK. HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY CLUBS.

THERE ARE COMMITTEES WORKING THERE.

THEY KEEP US POSTED. THE COURT OFFICES.

I THINK INTERACTING DIRECTLY WITH COURT OFFICES ON THE ISSUES, IF WE WANT TO GIVE ROOM AND TALK ABOUT DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN WHICH I LOOK FORWARD TO BEFORE I DIE TO SEE THE MASTER PLAN DOWNTOWN. I KNOW WE'RE TALKING ABOUT IT AND WE HAVE GREAT EXPECTATIONS OF ONE DAY WE WILL HAVE A DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN. BUT WE DON'T HAVE ONE TODAY.

AND OTHER ISSUES THAT WE DEAL WITH.

SO I THINK WE START -- CERTAINLY DO NEED TO BE SURE THAT WE DELIVER. I THINK HOLDING OUR FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE IN TERMS OF DELIVERING FLOOD RELATED ISSUES, WHETHER IT'S DRAINAGE RELATED ISSUES, VISION ZERO ISSUES, WE NEED FOLKS TO SIMPLY DELIVER. WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER SET OF MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES THAT REALLY I HONESTLY TALKED TO MY PEOPLE WHEN THEY COME BACK HERE WHAT WAS DECIDED TODAY IN THE COMMITTEE AND NINE TIMES OUT OF TEN, MAYBE THIS IS HOW IT WAS IN THE PAST -- THE PAST IS AN INDICATOR OF WHERE WE'RE GOING.

THEY TELL ME WE TALKED ABOUT A LOT OF THINGS BUT DIDN'T REALLY DECIDE ANYTHING. SO WE DON'T NEED ANOTHER SET OF MEETINGS WHERE WE GET IN A ROOM, DON'T MAKE ANY DECISIONS, DOESN'T MOVE THE BALL DOWN THE FIELD.

I THINK THIS WOULD NOT BE A GOOD APPROACH TO DEALING WITH INFRASTRUCTURE. I THINK DEALING WITH THE OFFICE

WOULD BE BETTER. >> COMMISSIONER BROWN, I'M NEXT BUT DO YOU WANT TO GO? I WAS GOING TO ASK IF THE OTHER ONE AS WELL COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I. WANT TO TRY THIS ONE.

I WILL SAY THIS. IF THEY RUN THE COMMITTEE -- WHOEVER'S RUNNING THE COMMITTEE MEETING, IF THEY RUN IT LIKE I RUN IT, IT WON'T LAST THAT LONG. BUT I'M KIND OF WONDERING AND I DON'T KNOW WHERE YOU ARE BUT IF YOU FAVOR THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE, I WORRY ABOUT A BOTTLENECK WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS OF WHAT THEY DO. AND I'VE ASKED THEM, WHAT IS N NEW. I ASKED MILTON, HE HAD SOME -- CONCERNS. BUT I THINK IT'S BEEN DELAYED NOW. SO HERE'S WHAT I'M THINKING.

IF YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE A CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER, THEN I WANT TO MEET YOU BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMEBODY WORRIED ABOUT SOME BOTTLENECKS, DON'T JUST -- NOT JUST ONE CALLED THE OTHER ONE. THEY'RE NOT RESTRAINED BY THE RULES WE ARE. THE ONE THING I'M SURE THE LEGISLATOR -- THE ONE THING I DO MISS SINCE THE EXEMPT OF MEETINGS, I CAN TALK TO A COUPLE OF MY COLLEAGUES AND THEY CAN USE SOME CHOICE WORDS ABOUT ME. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? WITH YOU ALL I CAN ONLY TALK TO ONE AND THEN I HAVE TO WRITE DOWN AND HOPEFULLY I REMEMBER A PIECE OF PAPER SO I DON'T TALK TO ANOTHER ONE AND FORGET I TALKED -- SO ASSUMING YOU ARE FOR THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE, I WAS ABOUT TO DEVOTE -- I'M JUST GUESSING. I WAS GOING TO BE ON THE LOSING SIDE OF THE SECOND ONE ON THE PREVAILING SIDE OF THE FIRST ONE. I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE JUDGE IS BUT I'M JUST SAYING, I DON'T KNOW HOW I. -- IT WOULD BE AWKWARD TO ME TO HAVE ONE AND NOT THE OTHER.

THEY OUGHT TO REDUCE THE MEETINGS.

BUT ONE REASON WHY WE CREATED THIS COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, SEPARATE ISSUE BUT RELATED WAS TO STOP THESE SILOS.

I WAS JUST TELLING YOU -- YOU TALKED TO ME ABOUT FOUNTAINS AND I'M TRYING TO THINK HOW TO GET THEM.

YOU'RE TELLING ME YOU GOT THEM. I TOLD MY STAFF I THOUGHT YOU TOLD ME YOU WERE TALKING TO THE OTHER OFFICES BUT EVEN -- THE CULTURE OF HARRIS COUNTY HISTORICALLY IS VERY SILOED HERE IT'S A SHAME THAT MEETINGS BREAK DOWN SILOS BUT THEY DO.

THAT'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME WHEN I WAS IN COUNSELING BEFORE I GOT DIVORCED. [LAUGHTER]

[01:50:04]

>> THAT WAS A DIFFERENT SILO. >> I THINK IT WAS SEPARATE

MEETINGS THAT GOT YOU DIVORCED. >> I'D SAY YOU OUGHT TO KIND OF THINK LET'S HEAR THE OTHER ONE BECAUSE I DON'T WANT -- IF WE'RE GOING TO DO ONE, DOES IT MAKE SOME SENSE?

>> MAYBE. >> YOU MIGHT NOT GET A SECOND ONE. CAN YOU LAY OUT THE SECOND ONE

COMMISSIONER BROWN? >> I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> THE SECOND ONE I DEVELOPED BECAUSE INSTEAD OF HAVING A DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, WE WOULD DESIGNATE THE REQUIREMENTS THAT THEY HAD TEN YEARS PLUS INFRASTRUCTURE EXPERIENCE BUT IT COULD BE ANY CURRENT COUNTY EMPLOYEE WHO DOESN'T INVOLVE INCREASED PAY AND IS A DESIGNATION AND THAT THEY WOULD HAVE FOR THAT YEAR A DESIGNATION.

SO INCREASED RESPONSIBILITY OF COORDINATION ENSURING COLLABORATION ON KEY PRIORITIES THAT YOU ALL HAVE DESIGNATED.

SOME OF THESE ARE THE SUBCOMMITTEES, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BECAUSE I'M GLAD YOU GET INFORMATION.

I'VE HEARD FROM OTHERS THEY DO NOT KNOW THEY'RE GETTING CONSISTENT INFORMATION FROM THESE VARIOUS INFRASTRUCTURE COMMITTEES AND WORK GROUPS. SO THE CIO ALONG WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ENSURING THAT THEY PROCEED ON TIMELINES APPROPRIATELY TRANSMITTED FOR DECISION MAKING TO THE COURT.

CONVENING IF THIS WORKGROUP IS APPROVED, CONVENING, HELPING SET THE AGENDA FOR THE GROUP AND MAKING IT ACTUALLY PRODUCTIVE, WHICH IS MY GOAL. I DON'T LIKE NONPRODUCTIVE MEETINGS AT ALL SO I DO WANT ALL OF YOUR STAFF TO COME BACK AND SAY SOMETHING ACTUALLY HAPPENED THAT'S GOING TO IMPROVE THE DELIVERY AND SAFETY AND SECURITY OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN OUR COUNTY.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES. >> BEFORE I SHARE SOME COMMENTS AND ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS, ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE PROS AND CONS? DO YOU SEE IT AS A BOTH -- DO THEY COEXIST OR IS THERE A WAY THEY COULD EXIST IF THE END GOAL IS BEING ABLE TO DELIVER PRODUCTS EFFICIENTLY, EFFECTIVELY AND ETHICALLY AND WE DO NEED THE BIG THREE DEPARTMENTS. FLOOD CONTROL, ENGINEERING COUNTY ENGINEERS DEPARTMENT TO SHARE BEST PRACTICES, PRESSURE TESTS, PROBLEMS WE WANT THEM TO COLLABORATE AND COMMUNICATE AND WE DON'T WANT TO ADD BUREAUCRACY. WHAT BALANCE DO YOU THINK WOULD BEST ACHIEVE IT? DO YOU NEED BOTH THE COMMITTEE AND THE CIO OR COULD THEY EXIST INDEPENDENTLY OR ONE UP, ONE NO? WALK US THROUGH WHAT YOU SEE AS THE PROS AND CONS AND

OPPORTUNITY COST. >> I SEPARATED IT BECAUSE IT COULD EXIST INDEPENDENTLY. HAD IT COMBINED AND FOR OUR DISCUSSIONS I REVIEWED IT AND SAID IT COULD EXIST.

THE REASON I ORIGINALLY HAD IT TOGETHER, THE PRO TO INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY ON INFRASTRUCTURE SO IT'S NOT JUST OCA LED.

IT REALLY IS TO BENEFIT THEIR WORK, USE THEIR SUBJECT MATTER EXPERTISE AND SO THAT'S WHY I WOULD PROPOSE POTENTIALLY THE CIO TO GIVE THEM MORE SKIN IN THE GAME ON THIS WORKGROUP BECAUSE A LOT OF THE TIME WORK GROUPS ARE IMPOSED ON THEM AND THEY'RE NOT HELPING LEAD IT. THAT'S WHAT MY THOUGHT WAS ON THE CIO. BUT IT COULD EXIST IN THE PENALTY AND DOESN'T HAVE TO BE APPROVED FOR ME TO FEEL I CAN MAKE AND COLLABORATE TO HAVE THE WORK GROUP, THE COMMITTEE WORK.

>> I WANTED TO HEAR ALSO YOUR THOUGHTS BECAUSE WE ALL OF US WORK SO CLOSELY WITH ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL AND THESE ARE SOME OF THE MOST CRITICAL PROJECTS.

EVERYTHING FROM OUR FLOOD BOND PROJECTS TO OUR PROJECTS, SUBDIVISION DRAINAGE PROJECTS, ROADS, SIDEWALKS, TRAILS, PARKS, ALL OF IT IS SO CRITICAL THAT WE DELIVER.

BASED ON YOUR TIME AS OUR ADMINISTRATOR, WHAT DO YOU THINK IF WE'RE REALLY TRYING TO REDUCE BUREAUCRACY, CUT RED TAPE AND INCREASE DEFICIENCY EFFECTIVENESS AND EQUITABLE DELIVERY, WHAT COULD BE YOUR KIND OF BEST-IN-CLASS RECOMMENDATION. KNOWING WE ALREADY HAVE ALL

THESE COMMITTEES ET-CETERA. >> HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN THE ROLE MEDIATING AND I THINK IT'S NOT INTENTIONAL THAT PEOPLE

AREN'T INCLUDED. >> MOTION TO EXTEND.

>> HEARING NONE -- WILL CONTINUE.

>> DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE BUSY AND HAVE STATUTORY AND DIRECTED ACTIVITIES AND DON'T ALWAYS REALLY THINK ABOUT OR MAYBE KNOW HOW THEIR WORK OVERLAPS OR SHOULD INVOLVE OTHER DEPARTMENTS

[01:55:02]

SO YOU KNOW, THEY'RE OBVIOUSLY INFORMAL WAYS BUT I DO BELIEVE WE NEED ACTUAL FORMAL WAY OF -- DESIGNATED WAY TO ENSURE THAT COMMUNICATIONS HAPPENING ON A CONSISTENT BASIS IF YOU'RE GIVEN AMONGST ALL THESE OTHER SUBCOMMITTEES WHERE SOME PEOPLE WANTED TO BE MEMBERS AND WEREN'T MEMBERS FOR WHATEVER REASON AT THE START AND NOW THERE'S AN OVERLAY AND OVERLAP IN

INFRASTRUCTURE WORK. >> THANK YOU.

>> WHAT DID CSG CONSULTANTS RECOMMEND? THEY RECOMMENDED COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE OR DID THEY RECOMMEND THIS CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER.

>> I CAN SAY THEY DID NOT RECOMMEND THE CIO BUT I'D HAVE

TO CHECK ON THEIR ACTUAL -- >> YOU KNOW I CHECKED.

I DIDN'T CHECK THIS ON CHATGPT.

SO IT WAS A RECOMMENDATION. WAS ANYBODY ELSE AROUND?

DO YOU REMEMBER? >> THAT WAS BEFORE MY TIME BUT I

BELIEVE THEY RECOMMENDED THREE. >> YOU WERE AROUND.

DID YOU READ IT? >> THEY DID RECOMMEND THAT.

>> SO IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT THIS CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OF -- IS BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T THINK THERE WAS SUPPORT TO HAVE A DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE?

I'M JUST ASKING. >> IT'S AN ALTERNATIVE TO THAT,

YES. >> FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I THINK THE BEST PRACTICE WOULD BE DEPUTY COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR FOR INFRASTRUCTURE. I JUST REMEMBER THE DISCUSSIONS WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH IT. I'D LIKE TO ASK -- I. WORRY ABOUT FIRST OF ALL ANY SLOWDOWNS IN THOSE OTHER TWO BIG INFRASTRUCTURE ENVIRONMENTS AND I WANT TO ASK THOSE TWO DIRECTORS ON THE RECORD. THE OTHER CONCERN I HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, IT'S NOT SOMETHING I'D FALL ON A SWORD ON WOULD BE MR. TREVINO WILL HAVE MORE THAN HE CAN SAY WHEN HE GETS TO AUSTIN AND I'D HATE TO HAVE SOME ENTERPRISING LEGISLATOR LIKE I WAS DRAG HIM BEFORE COMMITTEE AND SAY WELL YOU'RE THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER. YOU TELL ME WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH THEE -- TOLL ROAD. WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND THOSE ENGINEERING PROJECTS IF YOU THINK IT WON'T HAPPEN, GO BACK AND LOOK AT MY 26 YEARS OUT THERE YOU'RE JUST TELLING YOU FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH SOMETIMES TITLES CAN PUT YOU IN A POSITION WHERE YOU'VE GOT TO ANSWER STUFF YOU CAN'T ANSWER.

AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE A VERY CHALLENGING SESSION AGAIN AS IT RELATES TO TOLL ROAD ISSUES. IF YOU THINK WE WON'T, I'LL JUST SAY WE THOUGHT WE WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM.

BUT DR., IF YOU COULD COME ON VIRTUALLY.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON MEMBERS. I HAD THE CONVERSATION COMMISSIONER I. THINK WHAT YOU'RE ASKING IF THIS COMMITTEE COULD SLOW DOWN OUR PROJECTS. OF COURSE THE DEPARTMENT'S WELCOME MANY INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS WITH A LOT OF SIMILARITIES AND A LOT OF DISSIMILAR AS WELL.

FOR EXAMPLE YOU JUST MENTIONED TOLLING POLICIES AND YOUR PRACTICES. WHICH ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE POLICIES WE PUT IN.

SO IT COULD WORK AND AGAIN, CONCERN THAT YOU MENTIONED I DON'T HAVE CONCERN BUT MY COMMENTS WOULD BE SIMILAR TO COMMISSIONERS -- THERE'S A LOT MORE COMMITTEES AND COMMITTEES

-- SHOULD WE FORGET THAT. >> I HAVE BOTH OF THEM.

I'M TALKING ABOUT BOTH ISSUES. THE POSITION OF CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER, WHATEVER THAT MEANS AS WELL AS THE

COMMITTEE. >> AGAIN YOUR QUESTION I DO SEE THAT AGAIN THE DESIGNATION OF THE COURT BUT OUR DEPARTMENT HAD UNIQUE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES SO I THINK WE

NEED SOME INDEPENDENT -- >> SO YOU READ BETWEEN THE LINES. I KNOW YOU'RE NEW.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE YOU ON VIRTUALLY AT.

[02:00:02]

>> HE'S ACTUALLY HERE. SO WE CAN --

>> WE'VE GOT SOME OTHER FOLKS ON THE LIST FOR -- WHILE WAITING FOR HIM TO COME DOWN. THEN I THINK COMMISSIONER BROWN

-- >> APPRECIATE THAT.

YOU MAKE ALL GOOD POINTS. BUT WHEN I THINK ABOUT I'M JUST TOO MUCH AN ENGINEER AND I'M LOOKING AT WHAT'S ON THE PIECE OF PAPER. AND YOU SAY SIX TIMES A YEAR WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE, REPRESENTATIVE OF PRECINCT ONE, TWO, THREE AND FOUR, WILL HAVE REPRESENTATIVE FLOOD CONTROL.

REPRESENT COUNTY ENGINEER, REPRESENTATIVE OF TOLL ROAD AND WE WILL HAVE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

I JUST PICTURE THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE GETTING IN A ROOM AT LEAST SIX TIMES A YEAR IN WHAT THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT.

I ASSUME THERE WILL BE AN AGENDA BUT I COULD GET WARM TO THE IDEA OF REGULAR MEETINGS WHERE YOU HAVE THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ENGINEER IN THE ROOM WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER IN THE ROOM WITH THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND THEY TALK ABOUT COMMON ISSUES.

THAT IS SOMETHING, OF COURSE WE AS COMMISSIONERS CAN'T ATTEND THAT BECAUSE OF OUR QUORUM ISSUE.

BUT IF I HAD THAT GROUP OF PEOPLE, IF I HAD THE COUNTY ENGINEER ON THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY DIRECTOR AND THE FLOOD CONTROL DIRECTOR MEETING TOMORROW, I'M GOING TO HAVE MY BEST INFRASTRUCTURE GUY IN THAT ROOM WITH HIM.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THIS PIECE OF PAPER SAYS THIS PIECE OF PAPER SAYS WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A MEETING AND WE'LL SEND REPRESENTATIVES. THE PROBLEM IS YOU DON'T SEND DECISION MAKERS TO THE MEETING. YOU SEND NOTE TAKERS TO THE MEETING. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING THAT MATTERS AND TAKE TIME, GET THE DECISION MAKERS IN THE ROOM RECOGNIZING WE AS COMMISSIONERS CAN'T GET IN THAT ROOM BUT I THINK ALL OF US WOULD SEND OUR NUMBER 1 INFRASTRUCTURE PERSON TO ANY MEETING WHERE THE THREE OF THOSE FOLKS WERE IN THE ROOM.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU CALL THAT BUT I THINK YOU COULD GET SOME THINGS DONE. I'D LIKE TO KNOW -- I'M NOT ASKING THIS QUESTION TO BE CRITICAL.

I WONDER HOW MANY TIMES A YEAR THOSE THREE OFFICES GET IN THE ROOM AT THE SAME TIME. I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT.

I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT OFTEN. I DON'T THINK IT'S THAT PLANNED.

>> THEY COULD DO IT EVEN WITHOUT THIS.

>> THAT'S WHAT MY POINT IS. IF YOU HAD A CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER AND HE SAYS ALL RIGHT FOLKS, WE ARE GOING TO -- I. WOULD THINK THAT IT'D BE TREMENDOUS PROGRESS IF THE THREE OF THOSE PEOPLE GOT IN A ROOM TOGETHER UNDER THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER WITH OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THEY ONCE A MONTH GET TOGETHER AND HAVE BACON AND EGGS AND BISCUITS. AND THEY HAVE SOME REAL CONVERSATIONS ON THESE ARE THE PROBLEMS. HERE'S THE PROBLEMS WE'RE HAVING IN PURCHASING.

HERE'S THE PROBLEMS WE'RE HAVING WITH DEO IN TERMS OF APPROVAL.

THEY'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO TALK ABOUT THE REAL PROBLEMS, NOT SOME VAGUE AGENDA ITEM THAT'S GOING TO TALK ABOUT VISION ZERO WHICH NO ONE CAN EXPLAIN TO ME. I KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO DO WITH IT, BUT IT'S NOT REALLY ACCOMPLISHING ANYTHING.

SO I DO THINK THERE'S MUCH EFFORT THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE IN COMMUNICATIONS IN BREAKING DOWN THE SILOS.

WE'LL BREAK DOWN THOSE SILOS IF YOU GET SENIOR PEOPLE IN THE ROOM ON A REGULAR BASIS AND TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE IMPACTING OUR ABILITY TO MOVE PROJECTS OUT.

>> AS AN ENGINEER CAN YOU SHARE YOUR OWN THOUGHTS ON THE PROS AND CONS OF THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER? OF THE THREE DEPARTMENTS BUY I THINK THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER HAS MERIT, I THINK ROBERTO'S BEEN BROUGHT UP ON THE AGENDA. THAT'S WHO WE TALK ABOUT.

I THINK THAT MORE THAN ANYTHING I ADVISE HIM AS THE CHAIR OF THE MEETINGS THAT ARE GOING TO BE HAPPENING BETWEEN FLOOD CONTROL AND COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE, I THINK HE'D PROVIDE MUCH GOOD SENIOR LEADERSHIP IN TERMS OF DIRECTION FOR THEM.

THESE WILL BE HAPPENING WITH COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR IN THE ROOM. I THINK IT DOES BRING A BIT OF FOCUS BUT IF YOU SET UP A DEPUTY INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER AND I

[02:05:03]

PROBABLY SHOULDN'T THINK OF... >> WHY YOU WANT TO MESS --

>> IF GOT HIS BULLET TO DE -- I. DO LIKE THE CONCEPT OF CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR BUT MORE TEETH IS NEEDED IN TERMS OF THOSE MEETINGS PICK I THINK YOU BRING THAT TO THE TABLE.

WHEN YOU HAVE THE OTHER TWO MAJOR INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENTS

IN THE ROOM. >> MR. STUCKERT IS HERE I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAUGHT THE DISCUSSION AND I'M TORN -- READY TO LET IT GO BY THE WAY. WOULD SAY THEY CAN VOTE AND MEET REGARDLESS. I'D HATE TO THINK IF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR ASKED -- MAYBE SIX TIMES A YEAR BUT IF SHE CALLED THE MEETING IF I HEARD THEY DIDN'T GO, I'D HAVE MY GUN OUT FOR WHOEVER WOULDN'T GO. THE OTHER ISSUES WOULD BE FLOOD CONTROL. DID YOU HEAR DISCUSSION ON BOTH ITEMS. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD SLOW DOWN ANY OF THE WORK HERE YOU'VE GOT A TOUGH JOB HERE SO DID YOUR PREDECESSOR IN MEETING THOSE DEADLINES.

EITHER THE COMMITTEE OR POSITION OF CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICE IN ANY WAY WITH THAT -- WOULD THAT IMPEDE YOUR ABILITY TO DO WHAT YOU HAVE TO DO SO YOU DON'T COME IN HERE -- CONGRATULATIONS.

IT'S A GREAT DAY. >> THANK YOU.

DIRECTOR STUCKERT HAS CONTROLLED DISTRICT.

I THINK IT WOULD HELP ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WANTED TO PRIORITIZE WAS MAKING SURE WE AS INFRASTRUCTURE ARE ON ONE PAGE AND I THINK IT WOULD HELP HAVING SOMEONE TO SORT OF -- TO MAKE SURE WE'RE TOGETHER TALKING ABOUT DIFFERENT PROJECTS.

>> I'M GOING TO VOTE FOR BOTH -- >> I TEND TO FALL ON THE SIDE OF COMMISSIONER TRENT POINT. HAVING THE CHIEF INVOLVED IS HELPFUL. I DO KNOW THAT AND I'VE HEARD DIRECTORS HAVE BEEN MEETING OVER BREAKFAST HERE THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR. I'M LOOKING FOR A CENTRAL POINT OF CONVERSATION AND SUPPORT. SEVERAL TIMES -- NOT TO PICK ON HIM, HAS SOME INNOVATIVE IDEAS. TALKED ABOUT -- NOT BROKERAGE.

THE PROCESS SO THAT SMALLER FIRMS COULD DO MORE CONSTRUCTION JOBS. AND INNOVATIVE IDEA.

I ENCOURAGE FLOOD CONTROL AND COUNTY ENGINEERING TO LOOK AT THE SAME POLICY AND IMPLEMENTING THAT.

THERE'S SOMETHING ELSE, I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS AT THE MOMENT. GREAT IDEA -- THERE'S ALWAYS A LOT OF WORK GOING ON. HAVING SOMEONE BRING THE PRINCIPALS TOGETHER, HAVE THE CONVERSATION, SHARING IDEAS, BEST PRACTICES, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR.

THE COMMITTEE STRUCTURE, MY CHIEF AND MY STAFF JUST LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY STAFF I THINK THEY ARE ALREADY OVERWHELMED WITH THE NUMBER OF MEETINGS AND TO THE POINT A LOT OF THE MEETINGS AREN'T REALLY PRODUCING ANYTHING.

I WOULD BE SUPPORTIVE OF THE CHIEF'S POSITION AS I'VE JUST HEARD YOU SAY IT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

I'M LOOKING FOR THAT COORDINATED SUPPORT TO HELP MOVE OUR WORK FORWARD IN A MOST EXPEDITIOUS WAY COUPLED WITH THE FACT THAT WE CAN CREATE IDEAS FOR MORE SMALL BUSINESSES.

WE CAN COME UP WITH IDEAS TO STREAMLINE THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS SO WE CAN GET THINGS DONE WITHIN THE LAW AND MOVE THINGS ALONG. WE CAN FIND SYNERGY WHEN WE'RE GOING TO A SESSION AND MAKING SURE WE'RE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE.

I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT. I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF THE CHIEF.

TO ME THERE'S REALLY NO HARM, NO FOUL IN CREATING IT.

[02:10:03]

I THINK THEY'VE EXPRESSED WILLINGNESS TO TAKE ON THE CHALLENGE. BUT THE COMMITTEE PROCESS I THINK IS WHAT'S GIVING EVERYBODY THE MOST HEARTBURN SO I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND I THINK WE ARE IN THE RIGHT SPACE

AND CREATING SOME PROGRESS. >> COMMISSIONER BROWN.

>> WELCOME DIRECTOR AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ADVICE AND RECOMMENDATION. COLLEAGUES, WHAT DO YOU THINK WE IT SEEMS EVERYONE'S TIRED -- WE WANT ACTION ORIENTED COLLABORATION, CONSISTENCY. THE BIG THREE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR -- WHATEVER IT IS WE'RE GETTING THIS BATTLE RHYTHM OF TRADING IDEAS, SOLVING PROBLEMS TO GET IT DONE BETTER AND FASTER. AND I HEAR COMMISSIONER IN THIS UPCOMING SESSION HOW CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE TITLE MIGHT BE TRIGGERING ON THE VARIOUS FRONTS THAT WE'D BE WORKING ON TOG

TOGETHER. >> I'M SURE NICER THAN I WAS --

>> I WONDER. YES.

I WONDER. IF THE CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER SEEN AS OVER THE BIG THREE DEPARTMENTS, WHICH IT'S EASY TO SEE HOW ONE COULD CONFUSE THAT, I WONDER IF IT'S THE TASK FORCE, THE STRIKE FORCE OF THE BIG THREE.

IF IT'S A CHAIR OF THE TASK FORCE -- TASK FORCE AND THAT CHAIR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT YEAR TO BE DRIVING AND THEN WE'VE SWITCHED CHAIR VERSUS CHIEF INFRASTRUCTURE OFFICER COULD MAYBE LESSEN THE TEMPERATURE.

>> MY GUESS FROM HAVING BEEN THERE.

I'D SEE THAT AS AN OPPORTUNITY SITTING AT SOME OF MY BEST BILLS. SEE SOMEBODY SITTING IN THE

AUDIENCE -- >> EVERYTHING WE'VE BEEN

PREPARING FOR. >> LET ME OFFER THIS.

THE ADMINISTRATOR AND I TALKED ABOUT THIS IDEA AND I APPRECIATE IT BEING PUT ON THE AGENDA. I CALLED AT COMMITTEE COUNSEL -- I. DON'T THINK THE NAME OF THE WORKING GROUP MEANS A WHOLE LOT BUT JUST SAYING THAT TO DESIGNATE MR. TORINO AS THE CHAIR OF AN INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING GROUP.

>> I FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THAT. >> SAYING INFRASTRUCTURES AREN'T

WANTING TO MESS WITH US ANYWAY. >> I THINK CALLING IT A CHAIR OF

THE STRIKE FORCE. >> NOTHING THAT GETS US TO THE

SAME PLACE. >> THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION TO

AMEND THE ITEM NUMBER 3. >> SO AS PASSED --

>> IT WOULD BE ITEM NUMBER 2. AMENDED TO READ -- MOVE TO AMEND -- MOVED TO CREATE THE DESIGNATION OF CHAIR TO THE

INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING GROUP. >> THE CHAIR WOULD REPORT TO

COURT. >> IT WOULD BE A ONE YEAR REVOLVING CHAIR AND TO BE CLEAR THE WORKING GROUP IS

COMMISSIONER FOR CLARITY. >> THE WORKING GROUP WOULD CONSIST OF HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY AND HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.

>> LET ME ASK THIS AS ITS OWN AGENDA RIGHT NOW WHO IS IT

REPORTING. >> TO THE COURT.

>> THE ADMINISTRATOR COULD BE A MEMBER OF THE WORKING GROUP.

>> I'M ASKING THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED HERE WAS IT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR. TO THE COURT.

>> AS LONG AS THE AGENDA I'M CO-CHAIR.

COMMITTEE'S REPORT TO THE COURT. >> WOULD YOU STILL BE THE

CO-CHAIR? >> THE OFFICIAL MEMBER -- IT'S A WORKING GROUP. JUST A MEMBER OF THE WORKING

GROUP. >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING BECAUSE WE JUST WENT THROUGH THE ISSUE OF TAKING ANY POWER FROM THE ADMINISTRATOR.

SOMETIMES WHEN WE MOVE QUICK, I'M A SLOW LEARNER.

>> WE WERE TRYING TO GET POWER TO THE THREE DEPARTMENTS TO MOVE

FASTER. >> AT LEAST FOR ME I WANT TO MAKE SURE I'M NOT DOING ANYTHING THAT IF IT CAME TO THE AGENDA, INITIALLY IT WAS HERE. AND IT WAS YOU CO-CHAIR.

SO IF I'M NOT VOTING FOR IT I STILL WANT TO DO THAT.

>> SO WE PUT IN TIME ON IT. A REPORTING TIME YOU MEAN.

>> SETTING A TIME -- SETTING THE COMMITTEE UP AND THERE OUGHT TO

[02:15:06]

BE A SIX MONTH REVIEW -- >> I THINK YOU COULD SAY TO HAVE AN ANNUAL REPORTING TO COMMISSIONERS COURT OR AS

NEEDED. >> I THINK YOU GET THOSE THREE IN A ROOM HAVING CONVERSATIONS ON COMMON ISSUES, THEY'RE PROBABLY GOING TO WANT TO BRING STUFF TO COURT.

THE THREE OF US GOT TOGETHER AND THIS IS ONE ISSUE THAT'S REALLY DELAYING US. LOOKING AT COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WOULD BE HAPPY I'M SURE TO GET THOSE THINGS ON THE AGENDA.

IF WE SET THIS THING UP AND WE NEVER HEAR FROM ANYBODY, THAT'S

NOT GOOD. >> ANNUAL REPORTING OR AS

NEEDED. >> REPORTED -- BUT IF IT WAS INITIALLY ON THE AGENDA AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WAS A CO-CHAIR, I DON'T WANT TO BE A PARTY TO.

>> I WILL MAKE A SECOND. HERE WE GO --

>> SO WE'RE NOT REDUCING ANY POWER OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. MAYBE COMMISSIONER YOU SHOULD

MAKE YOUR MOTION. >> SO WE DON'T GET INTO THE MOTION LACK OF CLARITY, CAN WE PLEASE BE REALLY CLEAR WHO'S PART OF THIS WORKING GROUP? FIRST AND WHO'S THE CHAIR OR

CO-CHAIR SO WE ARE VERY CLEAR. >> THE MOTION TO CREATE AN INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING GROUP CONSISTING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT, THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY WITH THE CHAIRS BEING MR. TURINO FOR THE FIRST TERM, FIRST YEAR TERM AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AS THE CO-CHAIR WITH REPORTING REQUIREMENT EVERY SIX MONTHS OR AS OFTEN AS NEEDED.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> IN GENERAL WE HAVE THIS -- I.

DON'T WANT TO READ THE SITU SITUATION.

IF YOU COULD SEND IT IN WRITTEN FORM SO THE CLERK'S OFFICE -- MORE IMPORTANTLY ALL OF YOU HAVE IT IN ADVANCE TO MAKE IT EASIER TO GO -- MAKE SURE THERE'S NO CONFUSION OR WE HAVE TO REVISIT

IT. >> I APPRECIATE THAT AND SPEAKING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE'RE WORKING ON A NEW SYSTEM.

>> AS FAR AS THIS MOTION GOES I THINK WE HAVE IT BUT I WANT TO CONFIRM IN THE ORIGINAL STRUCTURE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR HAD, THERE WAS PARTICIPATION.

WITH PURCHASING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND O AND B I THINK. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU GUYS

ENVISION? >> AT THE MOMENT I THINK RIGHT NOW LET'S HAVE A CONVERSATION AND THEN YOU WILL LEARN THINGS

AS YOU HAVE CONVERSATIONS. >> BRING IT BACK ON AGENDA --

>> EXACTLY. >> THE TECHNOLOGY WILL LET US DO THIS AND THEN I DON'T HAVE TO WRITE IT.

WHO GOT WHAT EMAIL. THERE'S A TECHNOLOGY, THE SAME TECHNOLOGY, I KNOW BECAUSE I'M THE ONE WHO PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA. YOU COULD PUT IT IN THERE.

>> WE ARE AWARE OF THAT. >> YOU COULD TURN THAT ON.

AND IT COULD TELL US WHO'S SPEAKING.

JUST SAYING -- IS THE MOTION CLEAR.

>> YOU WANT TO SAY IT IF YOU SAY WHAT YOU HEARD.

>> COMMISSIONER, USUALLY WE TAKE A FEW NOTES AND GO BACK TO MAKE

SURE -- >> I MAKE THE MOTION AGAIN.

MOTION IS TO CREATE THE INFRASTRUCTURE WORKING GROUP CONSISTING OF THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HARRIS COUNTY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AND TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY WITH THE CHAIRS BEING IDENTIFIED AS MR. ROBERTO CERINO

AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. >> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER --

>> AND ONE MORE THING. TO HAVE AN ANNUAL REPORTING TO

[02:20:03]

AS NEEDED. >> SECOND.

>> ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF VOTE AYE.

ALL THOSE OPPOSED VOTE NAY. FIVE AYE, NO NAY.

ITEM PASSES. >> THANK YOU.

>> IS ED FOR TWO AND THREE -- THAT APPLIES TO ITEM TWO? IS THAT HOW WE'RE DOING IT THREE IS NO ACTION.

>> THE NEXT 1I HAVE IS GOING TO ITEM SIX.

HOSPITAL DISTRICT SUPPORT GOVERNMENTAL SERVICES.

>> I PULLED ITEM SIX BECAUSE I WOULD LOVE AN UPDATE FROM ONVN COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. LAST YEAR DURING BUDGET SEASON WE WORKED TOGETHER WITH DIRECTOR BARTON -- THE BOTTOM LINE IS LAST YEAR WE ASKED HARRIS HEALTH TO PARTNER EVEN MORE DEEPLY WITH HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THAT $4 MILLION WOULD BE TRANSFERRED FROM HARRIS HEALTH TO HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND THE ILA, HASN'T BEEN SIGNED YET? ALMOST. COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> WAITING ON YOU GUYS. >> THE ILA FOR WHAT WE APPROVED LAST YEAR FOR THIS CURRENT FISCAL YEAR IS ALMOST FINALIZED AND AS WE HEAD TO THE NEW BUDGET YEAR WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CLARITY FOR ALL PARTIES AND I HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE AND THE MOTION WOULD BE MOTION TO DIRECT O AND B TO COORDINATE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN HARRIS HEALTH TO DEVELOP A LONG TERM PLAN FOR FUTURE ILAS TO INCORPORATE RECURRING FUNDING INTO THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL BUDGET.

LET ME AMEND THAT MYSELF. TO DIRECT OMB TO COORDINATE WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, HARRIS HEALTH AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH TO DEVELOP A LONG TERM PLAN TO INCORPORATE FUNDING INTO THE COUNTY'S ANNUAL BUDGET.

AND THE REASON THIS IS DRIVING THESE COMMON THEMES WE DON'T HAVE PATIENCE AND NEED TO GET THINGS DONE, IT'S ALMOST THE END OF THIS FISCAL YEAR AND THE AGREEMENT STILL HASN'T BEEN SIGNED. A LEVEL SET AND HAVING CLARITY IN ALIGNMENT WE EXPECT. ONGOING COLLABORATION BETWEEN HARRIS HEALTH AND HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ALL THOSE IN FAVOR VOTE AYE. ITEM PASSES.

THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM NINE AND THIS IS -- I. WILL PULL THIS ONE. I WANT TO THANK THE HR FOLKS FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID AND THE BUDGET OFFICE.

GOT TO GET EYES CHECKED BUT 200 -- PEOPLE ON THE LINE AND I THOUGHT SOMETHING WAS WRONG. 2244 -- THEY WEREN'T COMING TO THANK ME. THEY'D BE MAD AND IT MEANT AT SOME POINT WE HAD 2244 PEOPLE DOING A GOOD JOB ANSWERING THE QUESTIONS. WE WERE MOVING QUICKLY AND MADE SOME DECISIONS ON THE FLY BECAUSE OF THE NATURE OF WHAT WAS HAPPENING. AND WE DUG A PRETTY DEEP HOLE AND THIS WAS ONE OF THE THINGS YOU WERE COMING UP WITH TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAKE UP FOR THAT.

SOME OF THE RETIREES MAY BE UPSET BUT I THINK YOU ALL HAVE CONVINCED ME AS A RETIREE ON THE STATE MY COUNTY INSURANCE IS FIRST BECAUSE I'M HERE. AT SOME POINT IF THE COUNTY DOESN'T HAVE IT, I GO BACK -- I'M SENSITIVE ABOUT THE ISSUES.

I ASKED ON THE CALL A GREAT HR PERSON WHO CAME FROM A PRIVATE SECTOR. WAS YOUR INSURANCE BETTER THERE OR BETTER HERE? IT'S CLEARLY BETTER HERE AND MADE THE COMMENT AND THAT'S WHY MANY PEOPLE STAY WITH THE GOVERNMENT INSTEAD OF MAKING MORE MONEY SOMEWHERE ELSE.

I KNOW YOU TOLD ME. WOULD YOU TELL ME 40, 50 MILLION, 60 AT SOME POINT. THESE OTHER CREATIVE IDEAS.

TO REDUCE OR CHANGE SOME OF OUR HEALTH CARE BENEFITS.

I'M REAL SENSITIVE ABOUT THAT. LETTING MY COLLEAGUES KNOW WHEN THAT COMES UP I WILL FIGHT IT VIGOROUSLY.

BALANCING THE BUDGET ON THE BACKS OF OUR EMPLOYEES FOR SOME

[02:25:02]

THE INSURANCE AND STAYED ON MY $600 -- SO AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME THE MOTION THAT I'M GOING TO MAKE IS TO APPROVE HR T. S OPTION THREE PROPOSAL TO MODIFY PLAN DESIGN AND FORMULARY TO EXPAND COVERED MEDICATIONS AND ADD RETIREE ADVOCACY SERVICES AND AN ESTIMATED ANNUAL COST OF $2.6 MILLION.

>> FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK DONE.

HOWEVER I'M STILL NOT SATISFIED. I KNOW THERE'S AN OPTION TO FIND SOME BALANCE I GUESS BUT I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THAT.

BY NOT PLANNING THE PROCESS AS WELL -- GIVING THE INFORMATION.

LEARNING FROM THE RETIREES -- FOR THAT REASON I WON'T BE

SUPPORTING THE ITEM. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> YES.

WE'VE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THIS AND I'M STILL DEEPLY DEEPLY TROUBLED THAT WE FIND OURSELVES HERE BECAUSE RETIREMENT, ESPECIALLY WHEN INDIVIDUALS SPEND DECADES OF THEIR LIVES WORKING AT THE COUNTY, IT'S A SACRED PROMISE, THE BENEFIT.

I VERY MUCH SHARE THE SENTIMENT THAT THIS WILL NOT BE DONE ON OUR RETIREES BACKS. WE RELY ON YOU AS EXPERTS AND MADE A DECISION BASED ON INFORMATION THAT CLEARLY WAS INCORRECT. I'M STRUGGLING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL ON THE SAME PAGE AND BEING CRYSTAL CLEAR TO OUR RETIREES, HOW WE'RE FIXING THIS.

EXACTLY AND BY WIN. AND I HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.

I WILL STOP HERE PIERRE COULD YOU CLEARLY LAY OUT WHAT HAPPENED, WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO FIX IT.

>> MAY WE PLEASE HAVE OUR BACKUP -- WE DO HAVE A PRESENTATION AND THERE'S A LOT OF INFORMATION IN IT THAT WE MAY WANT TO REFER TO.

WE MADE THE DECISION TO MOVE FOR MULTIPLE REASONS AND YOU'RE RIGHT, WE DID IT QUICKLY AND DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND IT OURSELVES SO WHAT WE'VE LEARNED QUITE A BIT, A LOT OF IT FROM OUR RETIREES AND WE DID FOLLOW THE DIRECTIVES.

WE'VE ENGAGED QUITE A BIT WITH RETIREES AND WE'VE ENGAGED BY EMAIL CATCALLS, DISCUSSIONS WITH OFFICES -- EXTREMELY SUPPORTIVE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT SUPPORT. THERE ARE THREE MAJOR ISSUES FOR RETIREES. PREDICTABILITY OF -- PRESCRIPTION DRUG COSTS AND TWO THEY WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DRUGS THEY KNEW ARE COVERED BY OUR FORM.

THREE, THEY -- REALLY NEED ASSISTANCE ESPECIALLY THROUGH CHANGES. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE'RE FULLY EXPLAINING THEM AND WE DID NOT MANAGE ANY ONE OF THOSE THREE VERY WELL IN THE INITIAL CHANGE SO WHAT WE'RE PROPOSING GOING FORWARD DOES ADDRESS ALL THREE OF THOSE.

AND OUR BENEFITS DIRECTORS HERE, SHE CAN WALK YOU THROUGH IT AT A HIGHER LEVEL SPECIFICALLY HOW EACH ONE DOES AND THERE'S A SPECIFIC PAGE -- I. WILL LET YOU START WHERE YOU'D LIKE.

THAT'S THE COMPARISON CHART. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND IF WE REVERT TO THE COMMERCIAL PLAN IN THE UPCOMING YEAR, WHICH IS THE OLD PLAN THE ACTIVE EMPLOYEES ARE ON AND THESE ARE THINGS THAT WILL NOT BE AS GOOD FOR RETIREES COMPARED TO THE RECOMMENDATION WE'RE MAKING.

AND AGAIN THIS IS ALL CURRENT. CAN CHANGE HEALTH AND WELFARE PLAN -- SO WE'RE TELLING YOU EXACTLY WE UNDERSTAND TODAY WITH FULL DUE DILIGENCE THAT WASN'T THE CASE PRIOR TO MAKING THE

DECISION. >> CAN YOU NAVIGATE TO SLIDE TEN. THIS HAS ALL THE PROPOSED OPTIONS AND WHAT WE'D IDENTIFIED AS HIRING PRIORITIES.

OPTION ONE IS CHANGING THE PLAN DESIGN OF THE CURRENT GRIP PLAN AND WHAT THAT DOES IS LOWER ALL THE COPAYS TO ZERO UP TO 50 FOR 30 DAY SUPPLY. RIGHT NOW THE WAY THE PLAN IS DESIGNED MIRRORS OUR COMMERCIAL PLAN AND SET WITH COINSURANCE AND WITH MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM AMOUNTS.

WHEN WE MOVED WITH THAT TYPE OF STRUCTURE AND ELIMINATED THE ABILITY TO USE MANUFACTURED COUPONS THAT REALLY CREATED THAT PAIN POINT OF NOT HAVING LOWER CROSS BRANDING DRUGS.

[02:30:03]

THEY BASICALLY GET A COPAY SITUATION.

VERY COST EFFECTIVE FOR THEM. OPTION TWO IN THE FORMULARY THAT ACCESS ISSUE, IT'S A COMPREHENSIVE PLUS FORMULARY THAT COVERS 99.9% OF THE DRUGS ARE TAKING AND IT'S JUST THREE DRUGS ON THERE TAKEN BY FOUR MEMBERS.

ONE BEING VERY ACUTE THAT WOULDN'T COME ACROSS IN THAT FORMULARY. THAT IS VERY WRAP-AROUND FORMULARY SO WE FELT THAT MEETS THE NEEDS OF ACCESS BEFORE OPENING UP. OPTION THREE IN THAT RETIREE ADVOCACY SERVICE WE ACTUALLY HAVE THIS BAKED INTO OUR MEDICARE ADVANTAGE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN -- BY RETIREE FIRST.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT A LOT OF OTHER PUBLIC SECTOR PEERS IMPLEMENT FOR THEIR RETIREE SERVICES AND MAKING SURE THAT THEY GET THE ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE.

I THINK IF ANY OF US HAVE FAMILY MEMBERS OR SUCH THAT ARE OLDER IN AND OUT OF HEALTH CARE SITUATIONS, MY MOM AND GRANNY GOING THROUGH STUFF LIKE THAT A LOT OF TIMES IT'S CONFUSING AND IT'S WHERE THE ADVOCATES SIT -- WITH CMS MEDICARE PROVIDER, PHARMACIST TO MAKE SURE PRIOR OFFICER PUT IN.

SO IT DOES PROVIDE THAT CONCIERGE LEVEL SUPPORT.

OPTION FOUR IS RETURNING TO THE COMMERCIAL PLAN SO ON THE SIDE THERE ON THE LEFT SIDE WE HAVE ALL THE PRIORITIES LINED OUT AND HOW THEY'RE IMPACTED BY THE OPTIONS.

MAKING A RECOMMENDATION FOR OPTION THREE BECAUSE IT ALIGNS WITH THE PRIORITIES THE BEST AS WELL IN THE END HELPING US KEEP OUR HEALTH PLAN SUSTAINABLE MOVING FORWARD.

TO OUR RETIREES BOTH CURRENT AND FUTURE.

THE PROTECTIONS THAT COME WITH A MEDICARE PLAN WE DO HAVE MEMBERS WITH A TRUE OUT OF POCKET. A COURT SESSION THE CATASTROPHIC PHASE MEMBERS CAN HIT AND IT'S PROTECTIVE FACTOR WITH PART D WE'VE HAD ALMOST 300 FOLKS IF NOT MORE 300 FOLKS THAT ARE NO LONGER PAYING ANYTHING FOR THEIR MEDICATIONS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THIS YEAR. IT'S ONLY BEEN ABOUT THREE MONTHS SINCE THAT PLAN. SOME FOLKS HIT IT ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITH THE TYPES OF SPECIALTY DRUGS THEY TAKE SO THIS IS TRULY A PROTECTIVE ELEMENT THAT CMS MEDICARE PUT IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES AGO AND WE'RE -- MONTHS AGO AND WE'RE ABLE TO LEVERAGE THAT WITH A PLAN.

IT'S BEEN EMPLOYEE SPONSORED, EMPLOYER SPONSORED THAT WE ARE ABLE TO MAKE SURE WE CAN ADJUST THOSE COPAYS AND MAKE IT A ROBUST PLAN STILL. THE OTHER THING IS THERE'S A DRUG CLASS THAT'S BEEN ADDED THAT WE DON'T HAVE IN OUR PLAN

CURRENTLY. >> MOTION TO EXTEND TIME.

>> HOLD ON. THERE'S A MOTION TO EXTEND TIME?

>> ONE OF THE DRUG CLASSES WE EXCLUDE IN OUR PLAN WHICH IS WEIGHT LOSS AND SPECIFICALLY THOSE EXPENSIVE GLP ONES AND SO WITH CMS THEY ADDED IN A BRIDGE PROGRAM THIS YEAR IN PART D PLANS CAN ACCESS THOSE FOR $50 A MONTH -- TRUE OUT-OF-POCKET SO NOT ACCUMULATING THERE AND IT GIVES THEM ACCESS AND WE KNOW JUST BASED ON THE FORMULARY ANALYSIS WE HAD DONE THAT WE HAD MEMBERS TAKING THOSE DRUGS SO THEY WOULD NO LONGER BE ELIGIBLE TO TAKE THOSE ANYMORE IF WE MOVED THEM BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR EXPLAINING THAT.

TO BREAK IT DOWN A LITTLE BIT SO EVERYONE CAN BE ON THE SAME PAGE AND WE GET THE CONFIRMATION AND CLARITY THAT WE NEED.

SO YOUR OPTION THREE IS YOUR EXPERT RECOMMENDATION TO DO RIGHT BY THE RETIREES AND MAKE THEM.

IF I'M HEARING EVEN IF WE GO BACK TO THE OLD ONE THEY WOULD BE NOT MADE HOLE. THIS WOULD MAKE THEM BETTER.

OPTION THREE -- AT THE END OF THE DAY I WANT TO THANK THE HUNDREDS OF RETIREES WHO TOOK THE SURVEY, WENT TO THE

[02:35:01]

WE'VE ALL HAD GRANDPARENTS, AUNTS UNCLES IN RETIREMENT AND FIXED INCOME SO THE PRESCRIPTION AFFORDABILITY AND CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY IS NON-NEGOTIABLE AND WILL NOT GET IT WRONG AGAIN SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR. WE SAID OPTION THREE WILL ALLOW MORE MEDICATIONS TO BE COVERED AND MENTIONED A 99-POINT.

REITERATING THE NUMBER OF ALL MEDICATIONS THAT WOULD BE COVERED, I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE IS CLEAR.

FROM YOUR DUE DILIGENCE AND WORK, WHAT IS THAT NUMBER.

>> 99.93% ARE COVERED HERE CAN YOU NAVIGATE TO THE 26TH SLIDE? WE HAVE OUR CHART THAT DETAILS THIS.

>> DO YOU WANT TO EXPLAIN WHAT IT'S BASED UPON AS WELL?

>> IT'S BASED UPON CLAIMS ANALYSIS FOR THE FIRST THREE MONTHS -- FEBRUARY THROUGH THE END OF APRIL ALL OF THAT AND RAN IT THROUGH THE COMPREHENSIVE FORMULARY TO DETERMINE HOW THEY WOULD BE COVERED MOVING TO THAT. SO ONLY THREE DRUGS LISTED ON THAT SLIDE 26, I CAN'T STATE THEM.

THEIR LARGE NAMES BUT ONLY THREE DRUGS IMPACTING FOUR MEMBERS WOULD SEE IT AS A NON-COVERED DRUG AND THERE'S AN EXCEPTION PROCESS THEY CAN WORK WITH SILVERSCRIPT AND IF THIS OPTION THREE IS IMPLEMENTED EVEN RETIREE FIRST TO MAKE SURE THOSE CAN BE ADDED AND COVERED. THE IMPACT OF THE NEW FORMULARY CHART ON THE SIDE, WHAT WE ARE IN THE CLASSIC PLUS, THE MEMBERS IN THE CLASSIC PLUS SO RIGHT NOW THERE'S A LITTLE OVER 3% NOT COVERED. MEANING THE FOLKS TAKING THOSE DRUGS HAVE EXCEPTIONS IN PLACE, SO WHAT THAT MOVEMENT TO COMPREHENSIVE ELIMINATES -- THE -- THE EXCEPTION TO BE THERE SO

THAT WAY THEY'RE COVERED. >> TO BE CLEAR, 99.93% OF DRUGS ARE COVERED IN THIS OPTION THREE.

THAT YOU'RE RECOMMENDING. AND TO BE CLEAR, THE COVERAGE IS ONE THING AND THE CONSISTENCY AROUND AFFORDABILITY AND COST -- I. KNOW YOU'VE ALREADY STATED IT BUT COULD YOU PLEASE BE CRYSTAL CLEAR IN HOW OPTION THREE WOULD CREATE THE AFFORDABILITY AND -- INCONSISTENCY PLEASE?

>> GOING BACK A SLIDE GIVES A BETTER VISUAL.

ONE MORE PLEASE. 24.

23. THERE WE GO.

ON THIS CHART WHAT'S CONSIDERED -- 365 PLAN FOR OUR PHARMACY COVERAGE. IN PURPLE SILVERSCRIPT.

THEY'RE BOTH SIMILAR BECAUSE THEY ARE COINSURANCE -- THERE CAN BE VARIABILITY WHEN YOU GO TO PHARMACY.

THE PIECE OF THAT IS THE COMMERCIAL THE MANUFACTURER COUPON. FOLKS THAT HAVE BEEN TAKING BRAND NAME DRUGS THAT HAVE ELIMINATED THE EXPERIENCE HOWEVER THEY ARE STILL A POTENTIAL FOR THAT BRAND NAME DRUG TO NO LONGER HAVE A COUPON THERE AND IT GIVES THAT VARIABILITY -- FOR THE SILVERSCRIPT THOSE ARE SET COPAYS. WE HAVE $0 FOR THE TIER ONE OVER

88% OF MEDICATIONS. >> PARDON THE INTERRUPTION.

TO BE CLEAR THE SS PROPOSED AS OPTION THREE.

>> YES. >> CONTINUE.

>> OVER 88% OF MEDICATIONS FILLED ARE GENERIC SO THE MAJORITY OF OUR MEMBERS, A GOOD MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS MAINLY WITH GENERICS. TO SAVE IMMEDIATELY BY HAVING A $0 OUT OF POCKET -- PREFERRED BRAND IS $20 OF CO-PAY.

YOU CAN SEE IT CHANGES FROM THE CO-INSURANCE WITH BEING 25 ALL UP TO 150 TO SOMETHING VERY MANAGEABLE.

AND SOMEWHAT MIRRORS IF THEY HAVE A COUPON IN PLACE BECAUSE AGAIN THOSE COUPONS WERE LOWERING THE OUT OF POCKET TO SOMETHING EITHER BETWEEN $0.35 FOR A FILL.

THE SILVERSCRIPT PROPOSED MAKES THAT VERY COST CONTROLLED.

THE PREFERRED BRAND GOES UP A LITTLE MORE $35 AND ESPECIALLY 50. THE OTHER PIECE TO THIS, THE TRUE OUT OF POCKET OR MAXIMUM OUT OF POCKET THAT HELPS PROTECT

[02:40:04]

SO VERY PROTECTIVE FOR THOSE FOLKS THAT HAVE A LOT OF CONDITIONS AND HIGH COST DRUG NEEDS AND THEY'RE NOT HAVING TO PAY THESE LOWER COPAYS FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE YEAR.

>> JUST IN CONCLUSION, THANK YOU FOR THIS INFORMATION.

I'M SURE YOU CAN UNDERSTAND OUR SENTIMENT AFTER WHAT WE WERE TOLD LAST TIME AND WHAT OUR RETIREES EXPERIENCED, BASED ON THE DUE DILIGENCE AND WORK YOU HAVE PUT IN, IS THIS INFORMATION THAT WE'RE BEING RECOMMENDED TODAY CORRECT, ACCURATE AND

COMPLETE? >> YES.

I DO WANT TO COMMENT ON ONE THING.

TO MAKE SURE WE'RE SUPER TRANSPARENT WITH YOU.

THERE'S ONE THING THAT WON'T CHANGE AS WE GO AND THAT IS THE PART D PREMIUMS THAT ARE HIGHER INCOME.

THOSE ARE SOME ADDITIONAL MEDICARE PREMIUMS OF THE HIGHER

INCOME RETIREES. >> DEFINED HIGHER INCOME

RETIREES PLEASE. >> DO WE HAVE THE CHART IN HERE?

>> I WANT EVERYONE LISTENING -- TO BE AS CLEAR AND TRANSPARENT.

>> WE HAD THIS IN PRIOR COURT SECTIONS BUT APPROXIMATELY $128,000 A YEAR OR MORE FOR AN INDIVIDUAL.

I DON'T WANT TO QUOTE THE WRONG NUMBERS --

>> IF YOU RETIRED AND GET MORE THAN 128,000 A YEAR.

>> YES, AND I THINK THE PREMIUMS ABOUT 1450 A MONTH IN THAT CASE AND IT GOES UP AS INCOME LEVELS -- OR COMBINED INCOME.

>> BUT ARE THEY STILL SUBJECT TO THE SS PROPONENT.

-- >> THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND. THE ADDITIONAL PREMIUMS PAYING AT THAT LEVEL, I CAN DOUBLE CHECK BUT THOSE WON'T GO AWAY.

IF WE STICK WITH OPTION THREE. THEY WOULD GO AWAY IF WE WENT

BACK TO COMMERCIAL. >> AND AGAIN I'M PURPOSEFULLY BEING REDUNDANT GIVEN I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES AND I -- THIS IS WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO US AND WE'VE HEARD LOUD AND CLEAR FROM OUR RETIREES. PLEASE BE CLEAR.

EXACTLY -- >> BE CLEAR EXACTLY REGARDING

WHAT? >> SO YOUR EXPERT RECOMMENDATION IS TO GO TO OPTION THREE SO WE CAN MAKE OUR RETIREES HOLE? AND YOU WENT THROUGH THE CONSISTENCY OF COST, THE PRESCRIPTIONS COVERED, THE 99.3% ET-CETERA.

AT THE VERY END YOU STARTED WITH A CAVEAT ABOUT THOSE.

SO FOR THOSE PEOPLE IN THAT BRACKET WHO MAKE THE AMOUNT WHICH I'D LOVE FOR YOU TO CONFIRM, EXACTLY WHAT CAN THEY

EXPECT? >> IT'S 109.

WE CONFIRMED THAT. IT'S 109 FOR THE INDIVIDUAL.

>> UNDER OPTION THREE WHAT CAN THEY EXPECT?

>> THEY CAN EXPECT TO CONTINUE TO HAVE AS THEY MOVE TO MEDICARE

PART D PREMIUM WHICH IS -- >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> 1450 A MONTH. >> SINCE WE MAKE THE CHANGE, PEOPLE IN THAT CATEGORY HAVE TO PAY COMMISSIONER 1450 A MONTH.

>> THAT'S $14.50 A MONTH. YES.

>> AND THEY WILL CONTINUE. >> YES.

IT'S BASED ON THE IRMA FEDERAL GUIDELINES FOR YOUR CORRECT? IT'S NOT A CHOICE -- WE CANNOT CHANGE THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES

BECAUSE THAT CORRECT? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> SO LAST POINT AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY HAS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WILL BE JOINING YOU IN THE P ONE MOTION FOR OPTION THREE AND I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT IT LAST TIME AND IT WAS A DIRECTIVE, BUT JUST AGAIN FOR CLARITY AND CONSISTENCY, A SECOND MOTION TO DIRECT HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT TO LAUNCH A RETIREE ADVISORY COUNCIL TO SERVE AS A STRUCTURED FORUM FOR RETIREE FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS AND HR SHOULD PLEASE PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THESE EFFORTS BOTH THE COUNCIL AND THE SHIFT TO OPTION THREE ASSUMING IT PASSES MOMENTARILY

AT THE OCTOBER 6TH COURT. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

[02:45:04]

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES HAD ALL OF MY QUESTIONS BUT CHIEF ROWLEY, DIRECTOR OF COST, THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE TO DIG INTO THIS. AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS SAID. MY NOTES HERE WAS BE SURE EVERYTHING IS PUBLICLY DISCLOSED.

YOU JUST DID THAT. I WILL BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION AS PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I'M ALSO GOING TO SUPPORT A MOTION HERE SHORTLY RELATED TO THE ADVISORY COUNCIL. THE LAST MEETING THAT I'M AWARE OF THE TOWN HALL 626, THIS IS NOT -- THIS IS MEANT FOR INFORMATION IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW.

IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW, THERE NOTIFICATION OF MEETING AND RETIREE SURVEY, THEY DIDN'T HAVE.

NO PRESENTATION MATERIALS OR HANDOUTS WERE PROVIDED TO TO AATTENDEES. DIRECTOR RAMOS APPEARED VIRTUALLY. THERE WERE QUESTIONS, BUT NOT A LOT OF ANSWERS. AETNA REPRESENTATIVE APPEARED DISMISSIVE. EVERYBODY HAD A BLANK LOOK ON THEIR FACE SO I THINK THERE IS A NEED F FOR A GROUP SO WE CAN LISTEN AND PAY ATTENTION. THE MOST COMPLICATED THING IN AMERICA TODAY IS HEALTH CARE. WE ARE TRYING TO MANAGE THAT AS BEST WE CAN. IT SOUNDS LIKE Y'ALL HIT A SWEETSPOT HERE WITH OPTION NUMBER 3.

IT DOES PROVIDE IMPROVED BENEFITS IN SEVERAL MAJOR CATEGORIES. THERE MIGHT BE A CASE OR TWO WHERE-- BUT I THINK YOU HAVE REACHED A GOOD RETIREE ORIENTED PLAN HERE, AND I WILL SUPPORTING OPTION NUMBER 3.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> I DID WANT TO ASK THIS QUESTION, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES HAS A NUMBER OF PRODUCTS THAT THEY OFFER COUNTIES.

ARE WE LOOKING AT ANY OF THOSE OR LEVERAGING ANY OF THOSE BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME THAT I THINK ARE SPECIFIC TO

MEDICATIONS. >> THERE IS THE P.M.M. THING THAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT. WE DO HAVE AETNA CBS THAT DOES A REVIEW ALONG THAT CO-OP THE WAY WE HAVE OUR PLAN STRUCTURED.

SO IN THE LAST TWO TIMES, I THINK THAT IT'S COME UP OR IT'S ANNUAL THAT IT'S COME UM TO WHERE WE HAVE THE STRONGER CONTRACT, AND SO IT WOULDN'T BENEFIT US TO MOVE TO THAT CO CO-OP. WE HAVE THAT EVALUATED EACH

OTHER. >> I KNOW THAT SEVERAL YEARS AGO I HAD VISITED WITH A FEW FOLKS THAT WERE OFFERING SOMETHING THAT WAS VERY BENEFICIAL OR WAS OFFERED SOME VERY COST-EFFECTIVE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEDICATION. I DON'T RECALL WHERE IT LANDED AT. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS WAY BEFORE YOUR TIME, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE LOOKING AT EVERYTHING AVAILABLE TO SOFTEN THE BLOW TO OUR RETIREES.

>> OF COURSE. >> THANK YOU ALL.

TO TWO MOTIONS WERE MADE. >> JUST ONE CLARIFICATION.

WOULD YOU LIKE THEM TO WORK WITH BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS AT ALL ON

THE ADVISORY? >> YES.

IT WOULD BE NICE SO EACH OFFICE HAS REPRESENTATIVES, AND THERE CAN BE AT LARGE. MR. SANTA MARIA THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR HELPING. DO YOU NEED ME TO READ THE

COUNCIL MOTION AGAIN. >> JUST FOR CLARITY.

>> MOTION TO DIRECT HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT AND BOARDS AND COMMISSIONERS DEPARTMENT O.C.A. TO LAUNCH A RETIREE ADVISORY COUNCIL AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO SERVE AS A STRUCTURED FORUM FOR RETIREE FEEDBACK AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

HRT SHALL PROVIDE AN UPDATE ON THESE EFFORTS, AND SPECIFICALLY BOTH THE COUNCIL AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF OPTION 3 AT

THE OCTOBER 6TH COURT. >> SECOND.

>> ANY OBJECTION? MOTION PASSES UNANIMOUSLY.

YOU HEARD MY MOTION EARLIER. >> GARCIA IS.

NO MY MOTION PRECINCT. FOUR AYES AND ONE NAY.

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR WORK. COMMISSIONER BROWN YOU HAVE SOME

[02:50:02]

>> YES, I AM SO HAPPY THAT OUR PRECINCT INTERNS ARE HERE TODAY.

Y'ALL HAVE BEEN JUST INCREDIBLE CONTRIBUTORS AND THOUGHT PARTNERS, AND HAVE BEEN REALLY BEEN PUSHING OUR THINK SOMETHING WE CAN BETTER SERVE THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY.

YOU COULD PLEASE STAND UP RIGHT BEFORE WE BREAK FOR LUNCH, I WILL INVITE YOU UP SO YOU CAN TAKE A PHOTOS WITH MY COLLEAGUES AND I. THANK YOU.

>> I THINK I HAVE MY PRECINCT 1 INTERNS AS WELL.

PLEASE STAND UP.

>> ANY OTHER INTERNS. >> ANY OTHER INTERNS HERE? Y'ALL OUR FUTURE ARE HERE FOR HARRIS COUNTY, FOR TEXAS, FOR THE U.S. IS BRIGHT WITH Y'ALL. Y'ALL ARE AMAZING, AND THANK YOU FOR SPENDING YOUR SUMMER WITH HARRIS COUNTY, AND WE APPRECIATE YOU AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU AND WE ARE IN YOUR CORNER FOR LIFE. THANK YOU.

ARE WE GOING TO DO ANY OTHER. >> NO.

COME DOWN AND TAKE PICTURES. COME ON DOWN.

SO WE'RE GOING TO TAKE A BREAK FOR LUNCH, AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND DISCUSS OTHER ITEMS THAT ARE ON THE SPEAK LIST OR WHATEVER WE CALL IT. WE'LL COME BACK IN ONE HOUR AND THEN WE'LL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION AFTER WE FINISH THE AGENDA. IT IS NOW 1:05.

WE'LL TAKE A BREAK AND COME BACK AT 2:05.

. >> OKAY.

IT IS 2:10 AND WE'RE BACK IN SESSION.

JAY, I THINK YOU TOLD ME WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO ITEM 6, RIGHT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. WE NEED TO PASS THE MAIN ITEM.

THE ITEM AS IT WAS. >> MOVE AS PRESENTED.

>> I SECOND IT. >> ALL IN FAVOUR SAY AYE.

>> TOGETHER: AYE. >> ITEM PASSES.

>> THANK YOU, TEAM. >> ITEM 13.

>> ITEM 13, AND WHO PRECINCT-- MAYBE WE BETTER WAIT.

LET'S GO TO ITEM 15. >> ITEM 122.

PAGE 15, ITEM 12. POLLUTION CONTROL.

COMMISSIONER, I'M IN SUPPORT OF WHAT THEY WANT TO DO.

I JUST KNOW THAT MY STAFF AND I CHAMPIONED THE CREATION OF THAT OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY IN 2021.

PROUD OF THE WORK THAT THEY DONE.

I KNOW THEY'RE SUPPORTIVE OF THIS MOVE.

WE'VE ADOPTED THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN FOR INTERNAL AND THE PLAN IN 2025. I THINK IT IS A GOOD MOVE, AND SO I JUST MOTION FOR TO INCLUDE IN THE FISCAL YEAR 2027 PROPOSED BY BUDGET OCA OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY INCLUDING ALL GRANT AND SPECIAL FUNDS WITHIN THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES

OF FISCAL YEAR 2027 BUDGET. >> I WILL PROUDLY SECOND IT AND I JUST HAD A FEW QUICK COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS.

>> OKAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY AND THEN

COMMISSIONER BROWN. >> NO.

I'LL FOLLOW HER. >> YES.

I SHARE-- I KNOW MANY OF OUR INTERNS ARE HERE, BUT WE WERE VERY PROUD TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS'-- CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WHEREAS A COUNTY WE COMMITTED TO REDUCING OUR OWN EMISSIONS BY 40% BY 2030, AND THEN WE WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND A COALITION OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS, COMMUNITY ADVOCATES AND LEADERS TO ALSO DO A CLIMATE ACTION JUSTICE PLAN THAT REFLECTS WHAT THE COMMUNITY'S PRIORITIES ARE AND SO WITH THIS ITEM IS IS TO-- WE HAD A POLLUTION CONTROL DEPARTMENT AND AN OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY BUT THEY WERE SEPARATE, SO THIS IS A MERGER SO THAT WE CAN MAXIMIZE THE SYNERGIES AS WE WORK ON ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ON AIR AND WATER QUALITY MONITORING, REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT AS A COUNTY.

SAVING MONEY THROUGH ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND JUST GENERALLY BEING BETTER STEWARDS OF NATURAL RESOURCES.

AND SO THIS IS A GREAT WAY TO BREAKDOWN SILOS AND FURTHER ENHANCE COLLABORATION. A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW IF MR. DICKERMAN OR...

>> WE BOTH CAN ANSWER. >> I'LL ASK ADMINISTRATOR CARTER PLEASE. SO CAN YOU VERY HIGH LEVEL KIND OF TALK ABOUT THE IMMEDIATE 90, 120 DAYS HOW WE FEEL WE'RE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FURTHER MAXIMIZE SYNERGY AND MAKE PROGRESS ON THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN. SOLAR FOR ALL AND SOME OF THE

OTHER KEY PROJECTS. >> THE PLANNING I'M SURE.

[02:55:15]

>> SURE. >> PLANNING UNDERWAY.

I ALREADY KNOW IT'S UNDERWAY. BUT CAN YOU TALK AT THE HIGH LEVEL WHAT YOU SEE AS THE HUGE VALUED AND HOW WE'LL BE MORE IMPACTFUL. THAT IS THE QUESTION.

>> SURE. THANKS, COMMISSIONER.

THANKS TO ADMINISTRATOR CARTER. WE THINK THE BIGGEST PART HERE IS REAL MISSION ALIGNMENT BETWEEN BOTH SECTIONS.

AS ADMINTRAITOR CARTER SAID THE TRANSFER WOULDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL OCTOBER UNTIL THE NEW FISCAL YEAR.

SO NOTHING CHANGES UNTIL IT CHANGES, BUT EVEN WITH THE CHANGE, RIGHT, WE THINK THESE ARE STILL SEPARATE FUNCTIONS.

THEY BELONG UNDER THE SAME UMBRELLA BUT SUSTAINABILITY WOULD REMAIN STAND ALONE VERTICAL WITHIN THE DEPP.

THE OTHER PART, OF COURSE, VERY IMPORTANT PART OF POLLUTION CONTROL IS ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE.

THAT IS WHAT WE'RE FOCUSED ON TODAY, MAKING THAT AS GOOD AS WE CAN BE. WE HAVE A PLAN TO IMPROVE ENFORCEMENT AND COMPLIANCE. NEXT TO THAT, SUSTAINABILITY WILL COME IN. THE BIGGEST PLACE I THINK THAT WE SEE SOME SYNERGY IS AROUND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAS NOT BEEN A STRENGTH IN POLLUTION CONTROL NECESSARILY. BUT WITH WHAT LISA AND HER TEAM HAVE DONE. THEY'VE DONE A GREAT JOB OF REACHING OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. BEING THERE, HAVING GIVE-AND-TAKE AND I THINK WHAT HAPPENS IF POLLUTION CONTROL CAN BENEFIT FROM. THAT THE EXAMPLE I LIKE TO GIVE IS WE RESPOND TO A LOT OF COMPLAINTS LIKE WE HAVE A WHOLE TEAM, A FIELD TEAM THAT RESPONDS TO COMPLAINTS WITHIN 24 HOURS, BUT THE QUALITY OF COMPLAINTS WE GET IS RELATIVELY LOW.

VERY RARELY DO COMPLAINTS RESULT IN-- PEOPLE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO SAY OR WHAT KIND OF COMPLAINTS TO MAKE.

TO DRIVE ENFORCEMENT ACTION. WE THINK THROUGH INCREASED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH SUSTAINABILITY TEAM.

WE'RE GOING TO EDUCATE THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK SOMETHING SMELLS BAD THERE.

IS AN OUTO ODOUR OUT HERE. CITE VIOLATIONS WORK WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO INCREASE COMPLIANCE.

THAT IS ONE PLACE THAT I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT OF BENEFIT FOR THE SUSTAINABILITY TEAM.

I THINK DIRECTOR IS HERE AND CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS, BUT IN SHORT WE'VE GOT DATA RESOURCES, ADMINISTRATIVE RESOURCES THAT ARE DIFFERENT THAN WHAT O.C.A. HAS, BUT IT COULD BE PARTICULARLY BENEFICIAL FOR SUSTAINABILITY.

>> TWO QUICK ITEMS THAT I WOULD LOVE TO SEE AS THE TRANSITION OCCURS. ONE IF YOU COULD PLEASE COME ONE A NAME THAT ENCOMPASSES POLLUTION CONTROL AND SUSTAINABILITY. E.P.A. OF HARRIS COUNTY.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND JUSTICE OR SOMETHING THAT TRULY ENCOMPASSES, AND TWO WHILE I KNOW HISTORICALLY IT'S BEEN WITHIN THE O.C.A. OFFICES I BELIEVE TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE, I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GO INTO THE AREAS, AND I KNOW WE ALL HAVE COMMUNITY CENTERS ON BEHALF OF MYSELF, AND I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK FOR MY COLLEAGUES, BUT IF YOU COULD BE IN THE COMMUNITY WHERE THESE ISSUES ARE REALLY AFFECTING FAMILIES AND THERE IS A VARIETY OF PLACES, RIGHT, WE ALL KNOW, THE CHALLENGES WE HAVE IN HARRIS COUNTY, BUT I WOULD SUGGEST YOU GET OUT OF DOWNTOWN. OUT OF A HIGH RII HIGH-RISE OFFE VERY PRESENT IN THE COMMUNITY TO HELP US WITH THIS ONGOING REPORTING AND COMPLIANCE AND HOLDING FOLKS ACCOUNTABLE.

SO THOSE ARE MY TWO THINGS. PLEASE GET A BETTER NAME AND BE MORE DEEPLY EMBEDDED THE COMMUNITY AND I OFFER ANY

PRECINCT SPACE. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> YEAH. QUESTIONS, DIRECTOR.

GOOD TO SEE YOU. OFF AND RUNNING.

SO POLLUTION CONTROL I AGREE, I DON'T KNOW WHAT WE'RE CONTROLLING. IT'S LIKE FLOOD CONTROL.

IT'S A MISNOMER. REALLY PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE USING THAT. IS THIS PRIMARILY-- START FIRST WITH POLLUTION CONTROL. IS THIS PRIMARILY IN

INCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY. >> POLLUTION CONTROL DOES MOST OF THEIR WORK IN INCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THERE IS NO REDUNDANCY WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

>> THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS A SMALL POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION THAT WE TALK TO WITHIN THE CITY, BUT MOST OF OUR WORK IS OUTSIDE

OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON. >> DO THEY DO THE SAME TYPES OF

THINGS THAT Y'ALL DO? >> THEY DO SIMILAR THINGS.

I MEAN THE TWO BIGGEST THINGS IS COMPLAINTS, RIGHT, WE ARE MOSTLY RESPONDING TO COMPLAINTS OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

THE OTHER IS AROUND WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS, RIGHT, WHERE

[03:00:04]

IS A GREATER NUMBER OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.

THE CITY HAS A FEW LARGE WASTEWATER PLANTS THAT THEY HANDLE THEMSELVES. BUT POLLUTION CONTROL IS OUT

THERE IN THE 500. >> DOES IT REQUIRE YOU INSPECT

THOSE PLANTS. >> ONCE EVERY TWO YEARS.

EACH PLANT ONCE EVERY THREE YEARS.

WE HAVE IT ON A CYCLE. >> FOR THEM TO BE IN COMPLIANCE.

>> CORRECT. >> THERE IS A COMPLIANCE ELEMENT

TO WHAT YOU DO. >> YES.

>> WHEN THEY AREN'T IN COMPLIANCE.

>> WE CAN SENDING A VIOLATION NOTICE AFTER ONE REALLY BAD VIOLATION NOTICE OR A NUMBER. WE WORK REALLY CLOSELY WITH THE COUNTY'S ATTORNEY OFFICE. THE ENVIRONMENTAL DIVISION IS AMAZING. WE WORK WITH THEM.

WE HAVE A LOT OF CASES THAT MOVE FORWARD AND WE REFER TO

COMPLIANCE TO ENFORCEMENT. >> SO YOU-- ARE YOU SAYING 100% OF THE TIME YOU GET THEM IN COMPLIANCE.

>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S 100%. WE'RE DOING SOME WORK NOW, LOOKING AT NUMBER WHERE IS WE'VE HAD SPECIFIC ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS TO SEE HOW MUCH CHANGE WE'VE DONE OVER TIME.

BUT WHEN SOMEONE IS IN VIOLATION, WE AUTOMATICALLY WILL REININSPECT. IT'S OFTEN THOSE TIMES WHEN THEY GET CITED FOR A VIOLATION. WE REININSPECT.

THE VIOLATION HASN'T BEEN CURED. THAT IS WHEN WE BRING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN AND GO TO ENFORCEMENT.

>> SO AT SOME POINT YOU ARE GOING TO GET INVOLVED.

I'M ASSUMING. >> IT CAN OR IT CANNOT, COMMISSIONER. AS IT PERTAINS TO THE ENFORCEMENT, AND I JUST WANTED TO ADD, OUR OFFICE STANDS READY AND WE'RE WORKING VERY CLOSELY TO INCREASE ENFORCEMENT EFFORTS AND PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TRAININGS FOR THOSE INSPECTIONS BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING THE FACT-FINDING AND THEN WE ARE TAKING THAT ON.

OFTEN TIMES IT DOES GO BEFORE FOR EXAMPLE TCEQ.

IT'S NOT AN ABSOLUTE. >> THE STATE HAS THE OPTION, COMMISSIONER TO,, TO TAKE CASES- WHEN THEY BRING A CASE, THE STATE HAS AN OPTION TO TAKE THAT CASE.

SOMETIMES IN LARGE EARN CASES THEY DO.

MANY TIMES IN SMALLER CASES THEY DON'T, AND SO IF WE WANT TO BRING A CASE IN THE STATE DECIDES AGAINST TAKING IT, THEN

WE CAN BRING FORWARD A CASE. >> I THINK THERE IS AN INITIATIVE HERE AT SOME POINT. THAT IS WAY TOO MANY PLANTS AND UNINCORPORATED. I HAVE OVER IN 200 IN MY PRECINCT. THEY ARE ALL OPERATING IN MANY CASES DIFFERENT PLANTS, SOME ARE WAY TOO SMALL.

THERE SHOULD BE AN EFFORT MORE FROM A REASONABLE STANDPOINT COMBINING THOSE PLANTS. WHATEVER WE CAN DO FROM AN ENFORCEMENT REGULATORY WHERE THERE IS I THINK SOME OPPORTUNITY THERE, MAYBE SOME LEGISLATION.

THE MUD ORGANIZATIONS ARE PRETTY ACTIVE.

SO WE NEED TO BE EQUALLY ACTIVE IN TERMS OF WHAT WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH. SO IN POLLUTION CONTROL, IF YOU HAD TO LOOK AT THE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE INVOLVED.

>> I'M HOPING TO CONTINUE DISCUSSION UNTIL WE FINISH.

WE'LL CONTINUE. UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> SO IN TERMS OF THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE INVOLVED, WHAT PERCENT ARE DOING AIR. WHAT PERCENT ARE DOING WATER? WE HAVE ABOUT 70 F.T.E.S, ABOUT 45 OF THEM ARE IN THE TECHNICAL DIVISION. THAT INCLUDES FIELD, AIR, WATER, AND THE LAB. SO AIR-WISE, THE AIR TEAM, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE TEAM, THOSE ARE WITHIN THE TECHNICAL DIVISION. SO THAT IS 65% OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL STAFF. THE WATER TEAM IS THE LARGEST.

I THINK WE HAVE FIVE PEOPLE ON THE WATER TEAM CURRENTLY, ANOTHER FIVE PEOPLE ON THE FIELD TEAM PLUS SUPERVISOR.

SO THOSE ARE THE LARGEST INDIVIDUAL TEAMS. SO WATER COMMISSIONER, THERE ARE FIVE PEOPLE.

>> SO WE HAVE A POLLUTION CONTROL, USES A RAPID AMBIENT AIR MONITORING UNIT, AND IT MEASURES AIR QUALITY.

WHAT DOES A POLLUTION CONTROL DO WITH THE DATA ONCE THEY COLLECT

IT? >> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

NOT ENOUGH IS THE ANSWER, COMMISSIONER.

WE HAVE PUBLIC DASH BOARDS, SO WE'VE GOT OUR STATIONARY MONITORS. YOU CAN LOOK ANY TIME.

THERE ARE 32 STATIONARY MONITORS.

10 OF WHICH ARE OZONE AND THE OTHER ONES ARE V.O.C.S AND PARTICULATE MATTER. THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR THE PUBLIC AT ANY TIME. RESULT OF THE I.T.C. INCIDENT

[03:05:04]

LET'S NOT JUST DO STATIONARY MONITORING, IT'S HARD TO HAVE ENOUGH, THE DENSITY WE REALLY WANT.

LET'S GET OUT ON THE ROAD AND MOVE AROUND.

AN ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSE. ACTIVITY.

WE CAN CHECK OUT INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES, AND SO THAT IS WHY THE RAM WAS ESTABLISHED. WE DON'T HAVE A RAM DASHBOARD.

THE RAM IS NOT ALWAYS OUT THERE. WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO LOOK AT SOMETHING AND SAY IT'S NOT TH THERE.

WE'RE DOING SORT OF LONGER-TERM STUDIES WITH THE RAM.

WE'VE TARGETED FIVE COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE COUNTY.

WE'RE SORT OF TRYING TO SET A BASELINE WHERE THAT RAM WILL DRIVE AROUND AND MEASURE A WHOLE LOAD OF DIFFERENT MEASURES.

AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK TO COURT WITH A REPORT LOOKING.

>> ONE OF THE LARGEST PARKS IN PRECINCT 3.

IT'S IDENTIFIED AS A SOME OF THE HIGHEST AIR POLLUTION IS RIGHT THERE. YOU CERTAINLY IT'S PRETTY OBVIOUS YOU DON'T EVEN NEED A MACHINE TO SEE THE BIG LANDFILL.

WE HAVE A LOT OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES THERE.

A LOT OF KIDS PLAYING. SO IT'S IDENTIFIED AS A HIGH POLLUTION AREA, AND AGAIN WHAT ARE WE DOING ABOUT IT.

IT'S ONE THING TO MEASURE AND THEN THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE TO

BE DONE ABOUT IT. >> WELL AGAIN WE WORK CLOSE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IS EXTREMELY

INNOVATIVE -- >> I WOULD ASSUME NOT MEASURE ANYTHING IF REAREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT.

IF WE GET DATA AND TURN THAT OVER TO T.C.E.Q., IT COULD BE OTHER. IT COULD BE E.P.A.

THERE COULD BE OTHER THINGS THAT WE SHOULD DO, BUT THERE ALWAYS OUGHT TO BE A PLAN. WE'RE GATHERING DATA.

IT COULD BE A QUARTERLY REPORT. IT COULD BE-- I CAN GIVE YOU A LIST OF ALL THE INDUSTRIES AROUND THERE.

THEY WOULD BE CERTAINLY INTERESTED IN WHAT WE THINK.

SO THAT IS MY BIG DEAL IN TERMS OF-- AND THE OTHER POINT THAT WE DON'T DO A VERY GOOD JOB OF, WE LIVE IN AN AREA THAT HAS NATURALLY OCCURRING PROBLEMS. EVERY TIME ANNUALLY THEY BURN OFF THE AG THINGS DOWN IN MEXICO DRIFTS ACROSS THE GULF, AND WE GET THOSE MEASUREMENTS, AND WE GET DINGED BECAUSE WE JUST HAPPEN TO BE IN THIS PART OF THE WORLD.

WHAT I'M SAYING IS THERE IS A BASE ENVIRONMENTAL AIR INDEX.

THIS-- WE AREN'T IN SEATTLE OR COLORADO OR MAYBE SOME AREAS THAT HAVE BETTER AIR QUALITY. SIMPLY BECAUSE OF WHERE WE ARE.

WE SHOULD BE PUNISHED BECAUSE OF WHERE WE ARE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. SHOULDN'T.

I THINK A COUNTY EFFORT TO ESTABLISH THAT BASE IS GOOD.

SO THAT WOULD BE THAT PART OF IT.

SO THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY BESIDES ADMINISTERING THE REVOLVING ENERGY EFFICIENCY FUND, WHAT IS THE OTHER DUTIES

OF THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY. >> THERE IS THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN WHICH COMMISSIONER ELLIS DISCUSSED WHICH IS LOWERING EMISSIONS FOR LOWERING COUNTY EMISSIONS PRIMARILY IN BUILDING ENERGY AND VEHICLES, AND CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN WHICH WAS PASSED BY COURT LAST YEAR. IN APRIL OF LAST YEAR.

WHICH HAS A LOAD OF ACTIONS THAT ARE REALLY INTENT.

ON CLIMATE AND ENERGY ISSUES. THOSE TWO ARE THE TWO BIG TENT

POLES. >> SAME SET OF QUESTIONS.

YOU CAN HAVE INITIATIVES IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY.

HAVING A DEGREE IN THAT, AND WORKING IN THAT FIELD FOR 40-SOMETHING YEARS IF IT'S NOT ACTION ORIENTED, YOU ARE COLLECTING A BUNCH OF DATA. YOU ARE PUTTING IT ON THE FOLDER. IF WE'RE GOING TO DO SUSTAINABILITY, WE CAN PROBABLY DEBATE WHAT THAT WORD MEANS, BUT IT'S MORE THAN JUST COLLECTING SOME DATA AND SENDING A MEMO.

LIKE THE VISIONS ZERO PLAN. >> THE CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

WE ARE SAVING-- LOWERING CARBON EMISSIONS.

SAVING DOLLARS. VERY ACTION ORIENTED.

>> WHAT THE COUNTY DOES. >> ABSOLUTELY.

[03:10:03]

>> WHAT% OF THE CARBON IMPACT IN THE COUNTY IS RELATED TO WHAT

THE COUNTY DOES. >> FOR OUR OWN ACTIONS, WE ARE O'FOCUSED ON SCOPE 1 EMISSIONS IN THE CAP.

>> NOT OTHER INDUSTRY. >> CORRECT.

>> NOT OTHER MAJOR CONTRIBUTORS. JUST THE VERY FEW THINGS WE DO

IN THE COUNTY. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> OKAY. IT'S A START.

>> EVERY LITTLE BIT HELPS. >> BUT YOU ARE GOING TO COMBINE THESE TWO GROUPS TOGETHER, AND HOPEFULLY WE'LL HAVE I THINK THE POINT IS WHEN THESE ARE COMBINED AND WELL DESIGNED ACTION ORIENTED-- NOT JUST PIECES OF PAPER ACTION, BUT ACTUALLY-- I'M GOING TO TELL ONE STORY, COMMISSIONER, AND THEN I WILL BE DONE. WHEN I SAMPLE THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL IN 1972, THAT WAS A PART OF AN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT AT A.&MVMENT AND DR. BAWL GOT IT. 1972.

I DON'T KNOW WHY THEY SAMPLE IT. THE SAMPLING PROTOCOL WAS DON'T LIGHT A CIGARETTE WITHIN 100 YARDS.

THEY WERE AFRAID OF SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

WE COULD HAVE DONE THE AIR AT THE SAME TIME, BUT WE DIDN'T NEED THE MACHINE. YOU COULD SEE THE AIR IN PASADENA IN 197. THE RESULTS FROM THAT SAMPLE WAS THAT IS A DEAD BODY OF WATER. CITY OF HOUSTON WAS DUMPING RAW SEWAGE UPSTREAM. CITYINDUSTRY WAS GREATLY CONTRIBUTING. IT WAS A DEAD BODY WATER.

WE'LL GO BACK THERE TODAY. AND MEASURE IT AND WE'LL GO FISHING. IT'S CLEANED UP.

THAT WAS 1972 TO TODAY. I CALL THAT ACTION.

I CALL THAT MEASURABLE ACTION. NOT A PIECE OF PAPER.

NOT A FEEL GOOD. DON'T TAKE A PICTURE.

BUT ACTUALLY STARTING IN '72. IN IT'S 2026 NOW.

SOMEBODY SHOULD BE ABLE TO LOOK BACK, IN 30 OR 40 YEARS AND SAY MAN THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE THAT THE OFFICE OF SUSTAINABILITY, POLLUTION CONTROL, WHATEVER WE'RE GOING TO CALL IT.

THIS IS WHAT RESULTED IN THAT. I WOULDN'T HAVE THAT KIND OF

VISION FOR IT. >> UNDERSTOOD.

UNDERSTOOD. >> COMMISSIONER?

>> YEAH. >> THANK YOU.

122. >> JESSIE, THANK YOU, AND LISA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR RESPECTIVE WORK, AND JESSIE THANK YOU FOR TAKING OVER THAT OFFICE. I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE UNRAVELING A BUNCH OF THINGS, AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE FOLKS GET UP TO SPEED, AND I HAD THE CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ABOUT INSPECTIONS AND THINGS AND NATURED.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS NEW CONVERSATION.

AS YOU PROBABLY ALREADY-- UNFAIR SHARE OF INCIDENTS RELATING TO YOUR SCOPE OF WORK, AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR LOOKING UNDER THE HOOD, AND REALLY UNDERSTANDING IT, AND THEN COMING UP WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON HOW TO MOVE FORWARD IN A MUCH BETTER WAY. WITH THE ROLLBACK OF E.P.A.

LAWS, WHERE ARE YOU FINDING THAT WE WILL BE MOST VULNERABLE TO DO ANYTHING FOR OUR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS.

>> THERE IS A LONG LIST, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK ONE PLACE IN PARTICULAR WAS THE P.M. STANDARD WHERE IT WAS GOING TO BE SET AT P.M. 205, A LONG HISTORY OF E.P.A. MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION. WE SET UP OUR MONITORS.

WE WANT TO BE ACTIONABLE. WE AREN'T TRYING TO MOVE PAPER.

SO WE HAVE P.M. SENSORS ALL OVER THE COUNTY.

MOBILE SENSORS. THAT STANDARD WAS MOVING TO 2.5 MILLIMETRES. SO THAT ROLLBACK THIS YEAR BY THE ADMINISTRATION SO THE STATES ARE NO LONGER GOING TO SET THOSE STAND OURS. THAT IS THEIR BIGGEST SOURCE OF EMISSIONS, AND REALLY THAT-- IT'S A SERIOUS PROBLEM.

WITHOUT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TELLING THE STATES TO SET STANDARDS, COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WROTE A LETTER.

IT'S BEEN FILED, BUT IT'S A LONG FIGHT TO MAKE THAT CHANGE.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST PLACE. THE OTHER ONE, DR. BABIN WAS INSIGHTFUL LOOKING AT FOREVER CHEMICALS IN THE WATER.

AGAIN THERE IS NO STANDARD YET FOR WHAT IS SAFE AND WHAT IS HEALTHY. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HAS STOPPED IN ITS TRACKS THAT WORK AS WELL SETTING A NATIONAL

[03:15:04]

THOSE ARE TWO PLACES. ONE IN AIR AND ONE IN WATER THAT WE WERE MOVING TOWARDS ALONGSIDE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO BE ABLE TO ENFORCE FEDERAL STANDARDS WITHOUT WE HAVE LESS.

>> WELL I KNEW THE ANSWER, BY THOUGHT IT WAS WORTH OTHER FOLKS HEARING. I DO WANT TO ENCOURAGE THAT MY OFFICE AND POLLUTION CONTROL WORK CLOSELY TOGETHER.

WE HAVE WORK TO BUILD A VERY GOOD WORKING RELATIONSHIP WITH A.C.C., WITH T.C.C., WITH AETNA, AND I WANT TO BELIEVE IN MY GUT THAT IN SPITE OF WHAT RULES ARE THERE OR NOT THERE.

THAT THE PLANT MANAGERS WILL DO THE RIGHT THINGS THAT THEY WILL BE COGNIZANT. THAT WE HAVE FENCELINE COMMUNITIES. THAT WE HAVE PEOPLE IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING THEIR RESPECTIVE FACILITIES, AND SO AS I'VE ALWAYS SAID, WE WANT THEM TO BE GOOD NEIGHBOURS.

SO I WANT TO CONTINUE THAT DIALOGUE, AND OF COURSE I CAN ALREADY SEE WHEN A CATASTROPHIC EVENT HAPPENS, IT'S GOING TO BE OUR BIGGEST TIME OF FRUSTRATION BECAUSE WE'LL HAVE VERY LITTLE ROOM TO WORK TO HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR OUR

CONSTITUENTS. >> I THINK YOU ARE RIGHT.

I THINK THE RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRY IS KEY WHEN WE HAVE THOSE DEFENCE. NO ONE KNOWS WHAT IS HAPPENING IN THE PLANS LIKE THOSE COMPANIES AND THE PLANS DO.

IF WE DON'T HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM.

WE DON'T KNOW, AND F.M.O. WHO DOES A GREAT JOB WORKING WITH THE PLANTS IN THE SAME POSITION. WE HAVE TO HAVE A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP SO WE HAVE TEAMS THAT CAN RESPOND APPROPRIATELY THAT THEY FEEL COMFORTABLE LETTING US KNOW WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT IS THE IMPACT OF A RELEASE IS SO WE CAN RESPOND.

>> YEAH. THEN AS IT RELATES TO THE ALIGNMENT OF SUSTAINABILITY UNDER POLLUTION CONTROL, I STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO PLUG THAT INTO MY BRAIN, BUT I KNOW THAT YOU WILL COME ONE A GOOD PLAN AND A PROCESS TO WORK WITH AND TO MAKE IT SEAMLESS TO THE OVERMISSION.

I'M. >> SEAMLESS COMMISSIONER.

>> I LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING MORE ABOUT THAT, BUT I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU, LISA, FOR THE PROGRESS WE HAVE MADE ON OUR SOLAR PROGRAMS, AND IT'S SO EXCITING TO FINALLY SEE THOSE PROJECTS GET ON-LINE, AND BRING IN MORE BENEFITS TO COUNTY.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

>> JUST BRIEFLY, I READ THE MOTION OUT EARLIER SO I'LL READ IT OUT AGAIN. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT, LOOK, WE CREATED THE OFFICE AS A SEPARATE ENTITY BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT WAS THE BEST WAY TO GET A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN, AND TO GET A CLIMATE JUSTICE PLAN, AND INITIALLY I WAS RELUCTANT TO SUPPORT MERGING THE TWO, BUT JESSIE WITH THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE, YOU KNOW, I'M GOING TO SUPPORT IT.

IN FACT I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO MERGE IT INTO IT, BUT, LOOK.

I THINK THE OFFICE IS WHAT YOU MAKE OUT OF IT.

THE OLD POLLUTION CONTROL AND THE NEW OFFICE WITH THE NEW FUNCTIONS. IT'S NO SECRET.

HOUSTON HAS SOME OF THE DIRTIEST AIR IN THE COUNTRY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WE AREN'T L.A.

PART OF THEIR PROBLEM IS IT'S TRAPPED BETWEEN A MOUNTAIN RANGE AND OCEAN. THERE IS NOWHERE FOR IT TO GO.

A LOT OF IT FROM AUTO EMISSION. WE'RE THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WORK CREATIVELY ON A POLICY PERSPECTIVE, EVEN THINGS THAT YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OVER AS AN EXAMPLE.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. -- OUTSIDE OF THE PARK-- RIGHT ACROSS L.B.J. HOSPITAL. BEFORE YOU GET TO L.B.J.

BEFORE YOU GET TO WALKING TO THE PARK TO AVOID L.B.J.

THERE IS A ROCK-CRUSHING PLANT. SO YOU ARE GOING TO GO TO CAMPUS BECAUSE YOU HAVE MAYBE LUNG CANCER, AND THEN IF YOU GET OUT AND WANT TO TAKE A WALK, YOU WALK IN THE PARK, AND YOU BREATHE IN CEMENT DUST COMING IN, BE CREATIVE ON WHAT WE CAN DO INSTEAD OF EVERYBODY RUNNING UP TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH A STATE THAT YOU KNOW IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

YOU GOT TO HAVE THE CONCRETE. IN DALLAS BECAUSE IT'S OWNED.

YOU ARE GOING TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO CONSTRUCT.

YOU ARE GOING TO GET IT OUTSIDE OF THE CITY.

BUT THAT CREATED THINGS WE CAN DO WITH UNDER THE RULES THAT THEY HAVE, AND IT TAKES SOME COOPERATION WITH THE CITY.

SO YOU OUGHT TO RAISE THOSE ISSUES SO CLIMATE ACTION.

CLIMATE JUSTICE. POLLUTION CONTROL AND THE WHOLE

[03:20:02]

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER. ALL IN FAVOUR.

AYE. ALL OPPOSED NO.

ITEM PASSES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE HELD YOUR ITEM 13. HAS.

>> I'M PROUD TO BRING AWARENESS TO AN ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROPOFF EVENTS TO EVERY HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT A LITTLE BIT TO THE CONVERSATION OF MR. DICKERMAN AND MS. LYNN AS WELL AS DIRECTOR BARTON.

THESE EVENTS OFFER INDIVIDUALS IN INCORPORATED HARRIS COUNTY, A SAFE, CONVENIENT, AND RESPONSIBLE METHOD FOR DISPOSING OF HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS AND OTHER HAZARDOUS MATERIALS.

SINCE 2007 WE'VE HOSTED THESE COMMUNITY EVENTS EACH SPRING AND FALL IN AREAS NOT SERVED BY OUR PERMANENT COLLECTION FACILITY INCREASING ACCESS FOR MORE NEIGHBOURHOODS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT OUR UPCOMING PRECINCT EVENT SCHEDULED TO TAKE PLACE AT THE ANNEX ON OCTOBER 3RD. WE ENCOURAGE RESIDENTS TO PARTICIPATE AND HELP SAFEGUARD THEIR FAMILIES, COMMUNITIES, AND OUR ENVIRONMENT. COLLECTIVELY THESE EVENTS PREVENT APPROXIMATELY 4 TONS OF HAZARD HOUSEHOLD MATERIAL WASTE FROM ENTERING OR LAND FILLS EACH OTHER, AND IMPORTANT INVESTMENT IN A CLEANER HEALTHIER HARRIS COUNTY AND A STRONG EXAMPLE OF HOW LOCAL GOVERNMENT CAN DELIVER PRACTICAL COMMUNITY FOCUS SOLUTIONS. FINALLY I WANT TO THANK THE OFFICE OF ENGINEER FOR TAKING ON THIS YEARLY INITIATIVE IN HELPING MAKE THESE EVENTS POSSIBLE AND VERY, VERY PRODUCTIVE. SO PLEASE FOR FOLKS LIVING IN THE UNCORPORATED AREA OF THE COUNTY, BE READY TO GET RID OF ALL THAT STUFF WE MAY HAVE IN OUR GARAGES IN A SAFE WAY SO THAT WE CAN CONTINUE TO LIVE OUR COMMUNITIES BETTER FOR THE NEXT GENERATION. I MOVE ON THIS ITEM AS

PRESENTED. >> SECOND.

>> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BROWN. ALL FOR A.

NO NAYS, ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM 155.

>> YES. THE ITEM BEFORE YOU SIMPLY ALLOWS MY OFFICE TO MOVE EXPEDITIOUSLY IF NEEDED TO PROTECT THE INTEGRITY OF OUR ELECTIONS AND THE RIGHT OF HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS. THIS AUTHORIZATION IS SYSTEM TO WHAT YOU HAVE PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED WHERE URGENCY DEMANDED IT. FOR EXAMPLE IN FEBRUARY OF LAST YEAR. YOU PROVIDED THIS OFFICE.

BROUGHT AUTHORITY TO SUE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OVER EXECUTIVE ORDERS ISSUED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP PERTAINING TO RULES THAT MIGHT IMPACT HARRIS COUNTY.

BACK IN MAY OF 2021. AUTHORIZATION WAS PROVIDED TO ALLOW OUR OFFICE TO FILE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS OF THE WATER CODE, AND I WANT TO REITERATE.

THAT THIS ITEM IS MORE NARROWLY TAILORED THAN THAT.

IT IS NOT CREATING AUTHORIZATION INIMPER OPPORTUNITY.

KEEP ELIGIBLE VOTERS FROM CASTING BALLOTS.

WE HAVE EFFORTS TO UNDERMIND THE TRUST OF HARD WORKING GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES AND DEPARTMENTS, AND THESE ATTEMPTS ARE HAPPEN WILLING QUICKLY. THAT IS THE POINT OF THIS.

HAPPENING WITHOUT NOTICE AND REQUIRE THE ABILITY TO RAPIDLY RESPOND, WAND YOUR AUTHORIZATION, WE WILL BE ABLE TO DO THAT WHEN IT COMES TO ANY FEDERAL OR STATE ACTION THAT THREATENS THE RIGHT OF VOTERS OR COUNTY RELATED TO THE MIDTERM ELECTION, AND THAT INCLUDES INITIATING, INTERVENING IN LITIGATION AND FILING AMICUS BRIEFS.

SEVERAL EXAMPLES INCLUDING THE D.O.J. RECENT LETTER THREATENING THE PROSECUTION, CRIMINAL NAS PROSECUTION OF LOCAL ELECTION OFFICIALLESS IF NONCITIZENS HAVER FOUND TO HAVE VOTED OR THE SEIZING OF BALLOTS IN OUR JURISDICTIONS.

AGAIN THIS IS ABOUT ENSURING WE CAN ACT WITH URGENCY THAT MAY BE REQUIRED TO ADDRESS WHATEVER COMES OUR WAY IN AN EVER-CHANGING ENVIRONMENT WHERE ELECTION LAWS ARE BEING ALLOWED TO CHANGE LITERALLY IN THE MIDST OF ELECTIONS AS WE SAW WITH THE CALAIS DECISION. SAFEGUARDING OUR ELECTIONS IS ABOUT PROTECTING AS YOU ALL THOUGH TOO WELL THE FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY, AND I KNOW THAT THAT IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO EACH OF YOU AS IT IS TO MYSELF AND OUR DEDICATED STAFF, AND YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT WE WILL CONTINUE TO WORK IN CLOSE PARTNERSHIP WITH THIS COURT WAND ALL OF OUR COUNTY

[03:25:04]

>> AS WE GO TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I DO WANT TO MENTION SOMEBODY WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS ALWAYS CALLED ME LATE AT NIGHT TO GIVE ME A HEADS-UP SO I DON'T READ IT IN THE PAPER.

I ASSUME YOU DO THAT WITH ALL OF THE MEMBERS SO THAT WILL

CONTINUE. >> YES, SIR.

>> YEAH. I DON'T-- IT'S A BLANK CHECK.

THAT IS THE BEAUTY. VERY SPECIFIC.

THIS IS WAY TOO GENERIC PENDING LITIGATION.

AMICUS BRIEFS IN CONNECTION WITH ANY LAWSUIT.

I CAN TELL YOU THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TONE OF THIS, ASSUMING THAT WHAT GOES ON IN AUSTIN IS REALLY BAD, WHAT GOES ON IN WASHINGTON IS REALLY BAD.

WE KNOW WE'RE GOING TO BE ALL LOADING UP GOING TO AUSTIN NEXT YEAR, TRYING TO CONVINCE THEM WE WANT TO BE PARTNERS.

WE WANT TO BE GOOD PARTNERS. WE WANT TO WORK WITH YOU.

THE FIRST THING WE DO ON A REGULAR BASIS-- I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SUE YOU BECAUSE WE'RE GOING TO ASSUME-- I DON'T THINK THIS HELPS OUR PEOPLE WHO ARE TRYING TO RUN ELECTIONS HERE.

I THINK IT PUTS EVERYBODY IN A POSITION TO WANT TO WRITE 10 MORE BILLS, AND FROM MY TIME IN AUSTIN LAST YEAR, THE NUMBER OF ELECTION BILLS THAT HAD BEEN WRITTEN, A LOT OF THEM WRITTEN FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THIS IS GOING TO I THINK NOT BE HELPFUL.

I WILL ALSO SAY TIS THE SEASON. IT'S POLITICAL.

I THINK THIS IS SAUL PARTISAN. I THINK THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE ON THE BALLOT, THIS WOULD BE A GOOD WAY TO GENERATE A LITTLE CAMPAIGN INTEREST. I'M OPPOSED TO IT.

WE SHOULDN'T BE DOING IT FOR ANY OTHER REASONS OTHER THAN A PROBLEM. SO IF WE HAVE A PROBLEM, WE HAVE A CONVERSATION. THERE ARE ENOUGH MEETINGS TO WHERE WE CAN ENGAGE AND DO THINGS IF WE FEEL LIKE IT'S REALLY NECESSARY, BUT TO MAKE THESE ASSUMPTIONS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH WE'RE SPENDING.

WHAT IS THE BLANK CHECK THAT WE'RE WRITING.

SO I WILL BE OPPOSED TO IT. I DON'T THINK THIS WILL BE HELPFUL, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T THINK THIS IS GOING TO HELP US WHEN WE ALL LOAD UP AND GO TO AUSTIN NEXT YEAR TRYING TO GET

HELP FROM THE STATE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

COMMISSIONER BROWN. >> YES.

THANK YOU, COUNTY ATTORNEY CAYMAN FOR BRINGING FORWARD THIS ITEM WHICH I WILL BE SUPPORTING. JUST A FEW QUESTIONS TO LEVEL SET FOR THE COMMUNITY. COULD YOU PLEASE-- REITERATE WHY THIS BROAD AUTHORIZATION IS NEEDED.

>> YES. SO TAKING A STEP BACK SEVERAL YEARS WITH THE GUTTING OF THE VOTING RIGHT ACT.

COMMISSIONER ELYITION. NO LONGER YOU GOING UP TO D.C.

TO TEST IN-- AS WE'RE PASSED BECAUSE WE NO LONGER HAVE PRECLEARANCE. WE NOW NO LONGER HAVE SECTION2 OF THE VOTING ACTS RIGHT. WE NO LONGER HAVE IS A CHECK ON WHAT CAN POTENTIALLY BE DISCRIMINATORY VOTER LAWS THAT ARE CHANGING VERY QUICKLY AS WE HAVE SEEN FEDERAL AGENCIES THAT HAVE RAIDED OUR JURISDICTIONS WITH NO NOTICE THERE.

IS NO FILING THAT IS OCCURRING, AND WE DO HAVE NOT SEVERAL WEEKS TO COME BACK TO COURT TO GET AUTHORIZATION WHEN THESE THINGS ARE HAPPENING NECESSARILY. WE MAY NEED TO FILE IMMEDIATELY WHEN IT COMES TO POTENTIALLY THE SAVE APP ACT.

IF THAT IS PASSED, MANY RIGHT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR ELIGIBLE VOTERS COULD BE JEOPARDIZED. WE HAVE SEEN ATTEMPTS, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY I RESPECT AND APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THIS. IN THE PAST FEW WEEKS THAT I HAVE BEEN HERE POURING OVER STATE LAW AFTER STATE LAW AFTER STATE LAW, THEY ARE CONSISTENTLY TARGETING HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER WE PASSING IS THAT SAYS THAT WE ARE AUTHORIZING ACTION SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. THAT IS WHAT IS HAPPENING.

SO WE WANT TO BE PREPARED. WE WANT TO BE READY IF THE NEED ARISES TO DEFEND THE COUNTY, AND THE VOTERS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE HAVE ALWAYS GOTTEN CALLS BEFORE WHETHER IT'S T.R.O. OR AMICUS OR WHATEVER IS FILED JUST TO RECONFIRM YOU WILL BE REACHING TO ALL FIVE OFFICES PRIOR TO FILING.

>> YOU HAVE MY WORD. >> BUT THE DIFFERENCE IS WE CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER MEETING BECAUSE OF NOTICE POSTING REQUIREMENTS AND OTHERS. WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO ACT URGENTLY, SWIFTIE. IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING.

>> THAT IS ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. YOU DO HAVE MY WORD THAT WE'LL CONTINUE TO WORK IN CLOSE COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OF OUR OFFICES AND ALL OF OUR COUNTEDY DEPARTMENTS.

>> THANK YOU. AND I VERY MUCH RESPECT THE

[03:30:03]

I LOOK FORWARD TO THE DAY WHERE TEXAS IS THE EASIEST STATE TO VOTE. IN NOT ONE OF THE HARDEST, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO BUILD THE BRIDGES AND BUILD THE PROGRESS, AND IT SHOULD BE DONE IN UNITY AND COLLABORATION, BUT WHEN CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT ARE ON THE LINE AND ARE BEING THREATENED. WE HAVE TO ACT WITH URGENCY IN THE INTEREST OF DEMOCRACY AND THE INTEREST OF OUR CONSTITUTION. SO I WILL BE PROUDLY SUPPORTING IT AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> THANK YOU, AND I DON'T WANT TO BE BELABOUR THE POINT, BUT ULTIMATELY YOU AREN'T ON ATTACK. YOU ARE JUST ASKING US TO HELP YOU BE READY IN THE EVENT BECAUSE IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, AND ONE OF THOSE MONTHS THAT WE HAVE ONE COURT MEETING, AND THE NEXT ONE IS NOT UNTIL THE NEXT MONTH, THEN THAT PROHIBITS YOUR ABILITY TO TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IS NECESSARILY TO PROBOTH

PARTIES. >> THAT IS CORRECT, SIR.

>> I APPRECIATE YOUR INITIATIVE. I SUPPORT THIS ITEM.

>> THANK YOU. COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I HEAR YOU AND I'M SENSITIVE TO YOUR COMMENT. I CAN'T REMEMBER THE ISSUE, BUT I DID GET A CALL FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WHEN HE WAS GOING TO FILE AN AMICUS, AND MY ADVICE WAS I WOULDN'T DO THAT ONE AT THAT TIME. I MADE THE COMMENTS, I'VE ALREADY SHOWN A WILLINGNESS TO DO AN AMICUS.

THEY DIDN'T WANT IT, BUT EVERYBODY IS HAPPY THAT I GOT US-- IT'S SAVING A WHOLE BUNCH OF MONEY.

BUT USE YOUR JUDGMENT IS WHAT I WOULD SAY, AND IF SOMETHING IS COMING UP AND AMICUS IS OUR OPINION AND IF IT'S SOMETHING COMING UP, AND ANY ONE OF US COMMISSIONER RAMSEY ESPECIALLY SAYS, I WOULDN'T DO THAT THIS WEEK, YOU KNOW, AND I THINK YOUR PREDECESSOR BY AND LARGE THEY WERE LETTING PEOPLE KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO DO IT. OFTEN TIMES THEY LET SOME LAWYER KNOW. WE FILED SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO READ IT IN THE PAPER AS WELL. USE YOUR DISCRETION.

>> YES, SIR. >> MOTION ON THIS ITEM.

MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOUR AYE, NAY.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO. THREE AYES AND ONE NAY.

ITEM PASSES. NEXT ONE IS ITEM 156.

>> THIS IS FEDERAL GRANT FUNDING, AND EVERYBODY KNOWS THE DIFFICULTIES WE HAVE SOME DAYS WITH FELLOW GRANT NO MATTER WHO IS IN WASHINGTON. SO THIS IS A LETTER WRITTEN, AND SOME PARTS OF IT, I'M FINE, WITH OTHER PARTS OF IT, I GUESS I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SO WE JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> SO MOVED. >> MOVED BY COMMISSIONER.

I WILL SECOND IT. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR AYE.

THREE AYES AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY NO.

ITEM PASSES. NEXT ONE IS ITEM 157.

>> AGAIN WE'RE GOING TO-- COUNTY ATTORNEY I'VE DISCUSSED THIS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HIRE A FIRM TO PROVIDE LEGAL AND REGULATORY COUNCIL AND SUPPORT TO HARRIS COUNTY COMMUNITY SOLAR PROGRAM.

AND I KNOW WE LOST A SIGNATURE GRANT ASSOCIATED WITH THAT.

WE'RE PLOWING FORWARD WITH DOLLARS IN COUNTY JUST A WORD OF CAUTION IN TERMS OF WE DO HAVE BUDGET ISSUES, I'M NOT SURE THIS IS THE BEST INVESTMENT. I LIKE TO BE IN THE GAME.

I DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE ON THE LEADING EDGE OF ANYTHING.

I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING THE MOTION.

>> YES. COUNTY ATTORNEY.

>> IF I COULD JUST BRIEFLY LAY THIS OUT TO EXPLAIN AGAIN THIS IS NOT PERTAINING TO ANYTHING RELATED TO THE LITIGATION.

THIS IS SPECIFICALLY FOR WHAT THE COUNTY PORTION OF THE PROGRAM Y'ALL HAVE VOTED ON TO MOVE FORWARD ON AS WE PROVIDE AFFORDABLE ENERGY TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND THERE IS A VERY COMPLICATED REGULATORY SCHEME AT THE STATE, AND WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO FALL WITHIN THOSE RULES.

HIRING THE EXPERTISE IS CRITICAL TO ENSURING WE DO THIS THE RIGHT WAY IN PARTNERSHIP AND I KNOW, DIRECTOR DICKERMAN, CAN ALSO

[03:35:02]

>> SO MOVED. 157 IS PRESENTED AS WELL.

>> SECOND. ALL IN FAVOUR, AYE.

ALL THOSE NO NAY. ITEM PASSES.

NEXT ITEM 158. >> JUST NEED TO VOTE.

>> COMMERCIALER GARCIA SECOND IT.

THREE AYES. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES.

NO ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM 41.

>> WHICH ONE. >> 294.

>> 188. >> OKAY.

JUMP TO 188. JEU JUST DID 188.

>> YOU PULL THIS ONE. >> 294.

>> THIS IS IMPORTANT WORK FOR MY PARTICULAR AREA OF THE COUNTY GIVEN THE NUMBER OF RAIL CROSSING THAT I HAVE WITH SCHOOL CLOSURES, ONE OF THE SCHOOLS BEING CLOSED IS MCREYNOLDS MIDDLE SCHOOL WHICH IS SORT OF BITTER SWEET.

THAT IS ONE THAT IS PUT ON THE CLOSURE LIST.

I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I WENT TO MCREYNOLDS.

COME OUT OF THAT BUILDING JUST TO HAVE IS A TRAIN STOPPED KIDS STANDING THERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW LONG THEY NEED TO WAIT, AND THEY WAIT AND THEY WAIT, AND ONE TIME I THINK I COUNTED UP TO ABOUT 20 MINUTES OF WAITING THESE KIDS ARE OUT THERE IN THE SUN, BEING RESPONSIBLE, BUT ULTIMATELY MAKING A YOUTHFUL DECISION, AND THEN BEGIN TO EITHER CLIMB UNDER THE TRAIN OR CLIMB OVER ONE OF THE JOINTS, AND JUST TO HAVE THE TRAIN START A FEW MINUTES LATER. AND I REMEMBER IN MY YOUTH HOW WE USED TO DO THIS ALL THE TIME, AND I ALSO REMEMBER HOW MANY PEOPLE-- HOW MANY FRIENDS LOST AN ARM.

LOST BOTH LEGS AS A CONSEQUENCE OF TRYING TO GET THROUGH STOPPED TRAINS. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT NORMALLY GETS TALKED ABOUT IN TERMS OF ECONOMIC ADVERSE ECONOMIC IMPACT. OVER 20 YEARS, THE STOPPED TRAINS COULD HAVE IS A STAGGERING $2.6 BILLION ECONOMIC IMPACT LOSS. BY VIRTUE OF THE COLLISIONS.

THE WASTED FUEL. THE TIME WASTED TRYING TO GET TO AND FROM WORK, AND SO ANY OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO WORK TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IS IMPORTANT TO ME, AND SO I'M EXCITED THAT WE'VE BEEN AWARDED 2 MILLION ALONG WITH A 500,000 LOCAL MATCH TO KICK OFF A MAJOR PLANNING STUDY THAT WILL HELP REDUCE NEGATIVE IMPACTS OF OUR RAILROAD CROSSINGS IN HOUSTON EAST END TRIANGLE, AND IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE EAST END HAS EIGHT OF THE TOP 10 BLOCK CROSSINGS IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

NOT THE COUNTY, THE ENTIRETY COUNTRY.

AND SO WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS TRAPPED DAILY. PEOPLE AS I MENTIONED INCLUDING KIDS ON THEIR WAY TO SCHOOL ARE FORCED TO TAKE DANGEROUS SHORT CUTS. POOR YOUNG MAN THAT WAS TRYING TO GET TO SCHOOL, AND HERE COMES A TRAIN AND HE WAS TRYING TO BEAT THE TRAIN AND LOST HIS LIFE REGRETTABLY BECAUSE HE DID NOT WANT TO BE LATE FOR SCHOOL. AND SO THIS IS SO IMPORTANT, BUT I AM GLAD THAT WE'RE CONTINUING THE WORK IN TRYING TO FIND BETTER WAYS FOR TO US COEXIST WITH SOMETHING THAT IS A PART OF OUR HISTORY, AND THAT IS THE RAIL LIONS, AND SO THIS IS NOT AN ULTIMATE NEGATIVE COMMENTARY ON OUR RAIL INDUSTRY, BUT IT IS A STRONG REALITY THAT AS WE GROW OUR DENSITY GROWS, THIS ISSUE IS GOING TO BE MORE AND MORE SIGNIFICANT AS WE LOOK FORWARD AND IN PARTICULARLY FOR OUR YOUNG PEOPLE.

SO I'M EXCITED TO MOVE ON AS PRESENTED.

>> SECOND. >> SECOND, AND QUESTIONS.

DO THE STUDY, THEN THEY'LL IDENTIFY SPECIFIC PROJECTS THAT CAN HAPPEN-- IS THERE FUNDING OUT THERE.

THIS IS THE STUDY. >> THIS IS THE STUDY.

[03:40:03]

>> IS THERE FUNDING OUT THERE TO ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING.

>> I'M HOPEFUL. WE'VE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH U.P. ABOUT HELPING TO FIND THAT FUNDING, AND SO THERE IS NO FUNDING IDENTIFIED AT THE MOMENT.

BUT THAT IS A PART OF THE CONVERSATION AND HOPEFULLY WITH THE STUDY WILL BE MORE EMPOWERED.

>> DO THEY HAVE STATEWIDE? >> THEY DO, HOWEVER-- I DON'T REMEMBER THE DETAILS, BUT IT DOES HAVE TO MEET A

PARTICULAR -- >> WASN'T THERE TALK ABOUT STATE

FUNDING AFTER A TRAGIC DEATH. >> YEAH.

>> I THINK GOVERNOR PATRICK TALKED ABOUT IT.

>> TALKED ABOUT IT BUT DIDN'T HAPPEN.

>> A LOT OF WORK TO PURSUE SOME KIND OF-- THERE HAS TO BE

FEDERAL. >> I AGREE.

I WOULD LOVE TO DO THAT. THANK YOU.

>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. ALL THOSE IN FAVOUR AYE.

ALL THOSE POE POSED NAY. MOTION PASSES.

WE DID DO THE OTHER ONE. WE DID 188, RIGHT YES.

WE DID AND THEN COMMISSION GARCIA, WE DID YOUR 317 WITH THE

INTERNS, AND 318. >> YES.

WE DID. >> SO NEXT IS COMMISSIONER BRIONIS. 325.

[Departments & Emergency/Supplemental Items]

COMMISSIONER. >> 325 IS FIRST, RIGHT? NO ACTION. OKAY, 375, I THINK WE WANT TO DO 375 AND 401 TOGETHER. SO WHEN IS THE TRANSCENDENTAL.

AND I JUST WANTED THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO BRIEFLY TELL US, JUST GIVE US A QUICK OVERVIEW OF WHAT DID YOU FIND?

>> THANK YOU. >> THIS IS WHERE UNION MEMBERS CAME TO US WITH COMPLAINTS AND TESTIFIED AND A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TO DISCUSS.

SO WHAT CAME OUT OF IT? >> I AM MIKE POST, I AM THE COUNTY AUDITOR APPEARED HERE WITH ME IS GLEN HOLLOWAY AND GLEN IS THE CHIEF ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR OVER THE INTERNAL AUDIT DIVISION. AND GLEN HAS PREPARED A BRIEF OVERVIEW AND SO GLEN, I WILL TURN IT OVER TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU. I'M GLEN HOLLOWAY, CHIEF ASSISTANT COUNTY AUDITOR. AND I WILL GIVE AN OVERVIEW OF OUR PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE REVIEW.

SOME HIGH LEVEL. SO WE HAVE FINISHED THE WORK ON THIS WHICH IS GATHERING INFORMATION AND ANALYZING INFORMATION AND PROVIDING SOME PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS.

SO THESE RECOMMENDATIONS AND THIS WORK IS PRELIMINARY, THAT MEANS THAT IT IS STILL SUBJECT TO ADDITIONS, DELETIONS, AND MODIFICATIONS AS WE MOVE THROUGH THIS PROCESS ON THE REPORTING SIDE. SO, THIS WAS A PROCESS REVIEW.

SO WE WERE LOOKING AT THE CONTROLS REGARDING THE PROCESS.

SO THAT MEANS THAT WE DID NOT LOOK AT A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE DATA OR THE INTERCEPTIONS, BUT WE USE THAT DATA TO SUPPORT THE REVIEW OF THE PROCESS.

SO I WANT TO PROVIDE A VERY HIGH LEVEL REVIEW OF THOSE OBJECTIVES. SO IF WE GO TO OUR FIRST SLIDE, OUR NEXT SLIDE, RATHER APPEARED THE CERTIFIED PAYROLL REVIEW WAS THE FIRST AREA THAT WE LOOKED AT.

END FOR THE CURRENT PROCESSES, WE FOUND THAT THE CPRS WERE SUBMITTED, REVIEWED AND APPROVED AT THE LCP TRACKER WHICH GIVES US A FOUNDATION OR FRAMEWORK FOR THE CERTIFIED PAYROLL REVIEW.

THIS REVIEW STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE EXISTS, BUT THEY LACK DETAIL. SO WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE GAPS, WE FOUND THAT THERE WAS NO MECHANISM TO HELP ENSURE THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS, CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS AND WORKERS ARE INCLUDED IN THE REVIEW.

ALSO, THE CPR REVIEW STEPS WERE NOT STANDARDIZED.

SO GOING ALONG WITH THAT, THERE IS A RECOMMENDATION TO IMPLEMENT CONTROLS TO MAKE SURE THAT ALL OF THE PROJECTS, CONTRACTORS, SUBCONTRACTORS, AND WORKERS ARE INCLUDED IN THAT REVIEW.

ALSO STANDARDIZE THOSE CPR PROCEDURES AND IMPLEMENT SOME RISK-BASED SAMPLING FOR THE PAYROLL VALIDATION TESTING AND IMPLEMENT THE LCP T. TRACKER AUTOMATED EXCEPTION BASED REPORTING HERE AND THEN IF WE LOOK AT OUR NEXT OBJECTIVE, OUR WORKER CLASSIFICATION IS CONFIRMED PRIMARILY BY ON SITE INTERVIEWS. THE SOP NEEDS TO BE FURTHER DEVELOPED WITH METHODOLOGY, SAMPLING, AND DOCUMENTATION.

THE REVIEW PROCEDURES ARE NOT FORMALLY DOCUMENTED.

[03:45:04]

SO THROUGH RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDING UPDATED THE SOP WITH DETAILED PROCEDURES ARE THE REVIEWS TO FIND THE METHODOLOGY AND DOCUMENT THE STANDARDS, AND THE CONTROLS.

DEFINE THE COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS AND CONSTRUCTION TOP TRAINING AND THEN USE THE AUTOMATED EXCEPTION-BASED REPORTING AND LCP TRACKER TO FIND THOSE EXCEPTIONS.

FORMALIZE THE PERIODIC COMMUNICATION WITH SOME ENGINEERING INSPECTORS. AND THEN OUR NEXT AREA IS THE WORKSITE VISITS AND WORKER INTERVIEWS WHICH ARE CONDUCTED TO SUPPORT THE PREVAILING WAGE MONITORING.

SO ON THIS ONE, WE FOUND THAT THE WORKSITE AND WORKER INTERVIEWS WERE NOT CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE PROJECTS, THAT THE MONITORING ACTIVITIES WERE NOT ROUTINELY COMM COMMUNICATED TO E STAKEHOLDERS. AND THE ASSIGNMENTS WERE NOT BASED ON THE RISK OF METHODOLOGY FOR ASSIGNING COVERAGE.

RECOMMENDATIONS GOING ALONG WITH THAT IS THAT THE STANDARDS BE DEVELOPED AND THE COMMUNICATIONS PERIODICALLY TO STAKEHOLDERS AND ALSO SOME USER-BASED RISK-BASED METHODOLOGY TO DETERMINE MONITORING AND ASSIGNING COVERAGE.

AND THEN OUR FINAL AREA WAS THE COMPLAINT INVESTIGATIONS.

SO DEEO INVESTIGATES WAGE COMPLAINTS AS RECEIVED.

A FORMAL PROGRAM WAS REALLY NOT IN PLACE.

THERE WAS NO SYMBOLIZED COMPLAINT TRACKING OR MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE, WORKER AWARENESS, ACROSS STAKEHOLDER COORDINATION.

SO OUR PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS INCLUDE ESTABLISHING A PREVAILING WAGE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM WHICH WOULD BE INCLUSIVE OF FORMS, THE TRACKING, THE TIMELINES, THE ESCALATION PROCEDURES, AND THE SUPERVISOR REVIEW POST WORKER NOTICES WITH ANONYMOUS REPORTING OPTIONS AND IMPLEMENT ACROSS ENTITY COMPLAINT COMMUNICATION AND INVESTIGATION GOVERNANCE PROTOCOL. SO THEN IF WE LOOK AT OUR NEXT STEPS ON THE NEXT SLIDE, WE ARE GOING TO COMPLETE OUR GRAPH MEMO. WE WILL PROVIDE THAT MEMO TO A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS AND GET FEEDBACK, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO US TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE IMPLEMENTABLE AND PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS. WE ARE GOING TO REQUEST AND RECEIVE A MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN AND INCORPORATE THOSE INTO THE MEMORANDUM AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO ISSUE THE FINAL MEMORANDUM.

SO THE GOAL IS TO PROVIDE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR INPUT SO THAT WHEN WE GET FINISHED, WE HAVE A GOOD PRODUCT THAT IS PRACTICAL, IMPLEMENTABLE, AND IMPACTFUL THAT THE STAKEHOLDERS INVOLVED ARE ALL IN AGREEMENT TO IMPLEMENT.

THIS IS THE GOAL AND ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO DOING THAT BY

AUGUST 10TH. >> THANK YOU.

DID THIS COME ABOUT FROM THE ISSUES OF THE LBJ AND THE

COMMUNICATION PEOPLE? >> I THINK THIS WAS FROM THE

COMMISSIONER. >> FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND

THEN COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> MR. HOLLOWAY, THANK YOU FOR THIS EXCELLENT WORK AND VERY TROUBLING FINDINGS AND I MEAN, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PASSING AND IMPLEMENTING POLICIES WITH EXCELLENCE THAT PROTECT OUR WORKERS AND RESPECT THEIR RIGHTS.

AND SO I WAS VERY TROUBLED TO FIND, AND I KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO HEAR FROM OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT, RIGHT? WHAT ACTIONS WE ARE GOING TO TAKE AND BY WHEN, AND THE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY BASED ON THESE FINDINGS IS TROUBLING. SO I HAVE SPECIFIC QUESTIONS COME UP BUT THEY MIGHT BE BETTER SUITED FOR AFTER WE HEAR FROM OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR. BECAUSE THAT IS THE OTHER ITEM WE ARE DOING TOGETHER, SO MAYBE I WILL HOLD MY QUESTION FOR THE AUDITOR. DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS JUST FOR THE AUDITOR, BECAUSE THERE IS AN ACCOMPANYING ITEM WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT BASICALLY? SO I WILL JUST WAIT ON MINE COME I WILL COME BACK. THANK YOU AS THE BOTTOM LINE.

>> THANK YOU MR. HOLLOWAY FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

AND THIS COMES OUT OF A MOTION I MADE TO WORK WITH THE ISSUES THAT WE ARE IDENTIFYING OUT OF THE LBJ.

SO FROM AN AUDITOR STANDPOINT. I KNOW THAT THE COMMISSIONER

[03:50:02]

LOOK WHAT IT TOOK TO FIND THIS ISSUE AND THEN TO LEARN HOW SIGNIFICANT IT IS, WHAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK TO YOU IN THE FUTURE HOPEFULLY? BUT WHAT REALLY NEEDS TO HAPPEN? AND I MEAN THAT IN A SYSTEMIC CONTEXT. HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT A SILO GOVERNMENT LIKE HARRIS COUNTY CAN CLOSE ITS GAPS TO ENSURE

THAT THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN. >> I THINK IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE WORK WITH THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND ANY OTHERS TO DEVELOP WHAT WE CALL MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN.

I MEAN, THAT IS THEIR COMM COMMITMENT.

WHEN WE DO AN AUDIT AND THE PARTY COMES UP WITH A MANAGEMENT PLAN, THEN IT'S ON OUR PLATE TO GO BACK FOUR MONTHS, SIX MONTHS AND IMPLEMENT THAT PLAN AND IF IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED

EFFECTIVELY. >> SO YOU CAN DO LIKE A

PERFORMANCE REVIEW? >> YES.

>> A FOLLOW UP REVIEW WHICH IS OUR STANDARD PROCESS FOR ALL OF OUR AUDIT MAPS THAT ONCE WE HAVE THE MAP COME AND WE ASK MANAGEMENT FOR PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION TIME COME A PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATION PLAN, AND ON A MONTHLY BASIS FOR THE PROGRESS, AND WHEN WE IMPLEMENT THE PLAN, IT WILL EFFECTIVELY

IMPLEMENT. >> WHAT TECHNOLOGY DO WE NEED TO HAVE OR EXISTING DO WE NEED TO DO.

>> IT WILL BE THE LCP TRACKER, BECAUSE I THINK THERE IS SOME SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES FOR AUTOMATION.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK.

ALWAYS GREAT TO HAVE YOU DIG A LITTLE DEEP COME AND TAKE A LOOK AT IT UP HERE DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR FINDINGS IS THERE A COMMENT RELATED TO WHETHER THE FOLKS DOING THE WORK OR TRYING TO

QUALIFY? >> YES.

>> SO WE DID NOT EVALUATE THE TRAINING, BUT WE DID EVALUATE WHETHER THERE WAS A COMPETENCY EXPECTATION THAT HAD BEEN ESTABLISHED. SO WHAT WE ASK FOR IN THE REPORT IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A COMPETENCY EXPECTATION AND THE EXPECTATION OF TRAINING. SO WE ADDRESSED IT FROM A PROCESS POINT OF VIEW RATHER THAN FROM AN INDIVIDUAL COMPETENCY OF INDIVIDUALS. WE ADDRESS THE PROCESS.

WHAT IS THE PROCESS TO ENSURE THAT PEOPLE DOING THE WORK HAVE THE CORRECT COMPETENCIES AND CORRECT TRAINING.

>> THERE IS NOT A COMPETENCY FRAMEWORK.

SO THAT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION TO DEVELOP COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS AND THE COMPETENCY EXPECTATIONS.

>> I WOULD SAY THE MAJORITY WORKS FOR THE ADMINISTRATOR AS WE DIG INTO THE SOLUTION, BUT I KNOW WHEN WE WENT DOWN THIS ROAD, IT SEEMS LIKE ANY TIME ANYTHING CAME UP, WE PUT IT IN DEEO, BUT WE NEED SOME PEOPLE TO GO OUT AND DO THE WAGE.

WE WILL PUT THAT IN DEEO. I. KNOW THAT THERE WERE PEOPLE TAKEN OUT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT WERE DOING A GREAT JOB AND THEY WERE MOVED TO OVER IN DEEO, AND PART OF WHAT THEY WERE DOING WAS CONTRACT COMPLIANCE.

SO IN TAU'S CASE AS AN EXAMPLE, THEY SECURED THE GRANT, THEY MANAGED THE CONTRACT AND DID EVERY PART OF THE CONTRACT EXCEPT FOR THIS VERY GENERIC REVIEW OF SOME OF THE ELEMENTS OF THE CONTRACT. SO IF YOU GO INTO THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE I THINK THAT I WOULD WANT THE ENGINEERS THAT ARE MANAGING THE CONTRACT AND ENGINEERING TO DO THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE. I THINK OF IT AS IN ANOTHER SECTION, SO TO HAVE A GENERIC GROUP OF PEOPLE, I THINK THAT THE FINDINGS ARE GOING TO BE WHAT YOU HAVE.

IT'S GOING TO BE A HARD THING TO DO TO TRAIN PEOPLE IN A GENERIC SAFETY, GENERIC WAGE COMPLIANCE, GENERIC CONTRACT COMPLIANCE.

THAT JUST DOES NOT WORK. YOU REALLY DO NEED EXPERT, WE WERE TOLD THAT DON'T WORRY, YOUR CONCERNS ARE NOT WARRANTED,

[03:55:02]

AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> IF I MAY COME ONLY BECAUSE I JUMPED IN, I THINK THAT YOU KNOW, I PUT THAT ITEM ON THE AGENDA WAY BACK WITH AVAILABLE WAGE AND WORKER SAFETY AND I THINK THAT IT WAS NEIL SARKAR AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT THAT WORKED ON IT, RIGHT? I THINK THAT EITHER IT WAS THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR OR SOMEBODY, NOT YOU, ADMINISTRATIVE CADRE THAT PUT IT THERE.

SO I JUST PUT THE POLICY ISSUE OUT.

AS IT WORKS WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER BIONES WHEN WE GOT IT OUT OF LEGAL TO GET IT PASSED HERE.

SO THAT DECISION WAS NOT MADE IN A VACUUM.

BUT WAS IT 70 OR SO COMPLAINTS? HOW MANY INSTANCES WERE YOU TALKING ABOUT? IF THEY DID INDEPENDENT REPORTS COME I AM WONDERING HOW YOUR CONCLUSIONS ARE DIFFERENT FROM

THEIR INDEPENDENT REPORT? >> SO WE ONLY LOOKED AT THE PROCESSES. WE DID NOT REALLY LOOK AT THE INVESTIGATION AND WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THOSE INVESTIGATIONS.

I THINK THAT DEEO AND THE LEGAL DEPARTMENTS HAVE HANDLED THOSE.

WE DID NOT LOOK AT THOSE. WE LOOKED AT PROCESSES RELATED TO THE PROCESSES THAT WERE ENOUGH.

>> AND I JUST RAISE IT, BECAUSE WHEN PEOPLE WOULD COME IN TO TESTIFY, WE GOT ALL WORKED UP HERE AT THE TABLE AND THEN WENT TO, THERE WAS THIS INDEPENDENT GROUP TO GO DO THE STUDY OF HOW MANY CASES THERE WERE WHERE THEY CAME BACK AND SAID, WELL, THE DEPARTMENT JUST DID NOT HAVE ANY BREAK.

>> THAT IS THE CONCERN. WE REACTED TO WHAT WAS HAPPENING WITH LBJ. AND REALLY SHINED A SPOTLIGHT ON IT AND DIG IN DEEP HERE DO YOU HAVE ANY CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS WE HAVE GOING ON TODAY IN HARRIS COUNTY? A LOT MORE THAN WE ARE DOING WAGE COMPLIANCE AUDITING.

SO HOW DO WE PICK WHICH ONES WE DO AND WHICH ONES WE DON'T DO? I DON'T, THAT GETS BACK TO THE CRITERIA.

WHAT IS YOUR -- WHAT IS YOUR PROCESS? WHAT IS YOUR CRITERIA? ARE WE GOING TO LOOK AT ONE IN 1000? ARE WE GOING TO LOOK AT -- BY NOW IT'S VERY ARBITRARY IN WHAT WE DO OR DON'T DO.

WE HAVE SEVEN WORK SITE SAFETY MONITORS.

THAT WORD MONITOR IS A DANGEROUS WORD THERE.

AND THAT MONITOR WHERE THEY ARE EXPECTING THINGS OR NOT EXPECTING THINGS, BUT I PROMISE YOU SEVEN PEOPLE CAN'T COVER.

>> SO MY GUESS IS COMING IN WE HAVE A FORMER POLICE OFFICER HERE AT, YOU CAN'T BE AT A STOPLIGHT.

BUT IF YOU KNOW THAT EVERYBODY IS JAYWALKING OR SPEEDING PAST ONE, YOU CAN CATCH THAT ON A SIGNAL.

WE CANNOT AFFORD IT. >> NO, AND I AM NOT ADVOCATING, BUT WHAT I AM ADVOCATING, IF YOU CAN'T WRITE IT DOWN COME YOU DON'T KNOW IT. AND I THINK MR. POST ON THAT.

SO EITHER WE HAVE A PROCESS OR WE DON'T HAVE A PROCESS TODAY WE DON'T HAVE A PROCESS. IT IS ARBITRARY, AND I WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT IT IS BEING DONE BY THE WRONG PEOPLE WOULD BE THE OTHER POINT. AND THAT KIND OF SETS UP THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION.

>> M BEFORE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF FINAL QUESTIONS TO KIND OF BUILD OFF OF MY COLLEAGUES JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALL CLEAR. SO TO THE LAST POINT, THERE ARE 7DEO WAGE MONITORS WITH 180 ACTIVE WORK SITES, CORRECT? SO THESE FINDINGS, WHICH IF YOU HAD TO SUMMARIZE IT'S BASICALLY A LACK OF STANDARDIZATION A LACK OF DOCUMENTATION OR PROCESSES, NO CENTRAL COMPLAINT SYSTEM AND NO EXPECTATION OF MONITORS, IN YOUR PROCESS REVIEW, COULD -- IS THIS THE PROCESSES OR LACK THEREOF FOR EVERY SITE? HARRIS HEALTH AND EVERY SITE THAT IS WITH COUNTY DOLLARS, CORRECT?

>> YES, THAT WAS OVERALL THE PROCESS, NOT JUST SPECIFIC.

[04:00:03]

>> SO THIS WAS A MACRO ANALYSIS AND ALL PROCESSES OR LACK THEREOF REGARDING THE WAGE? OKAY.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

>> ADMINISTRATOR, THANK YOU, THEN ONE COMMENT REGARDING THE PROCESS AND PROCEDURES WHICH YOU MENTION DEFINE THE METHODOLOGY TO DO THOSE THINGS. AND THEN DOING SOME RISK-BASED SAMPLING KNOWING THAT CERTAIN PROJECTS COME A CERTAIN CONTRACTORS WOULD BE BASED ON THE RISK INVOLVED SO THAT THE DETERMINATION AND THE COVERAGE IS ADEQUATE?

>> WELL SAID. >> THANK YOU.

>> ADMINISTRATOR CARTER? >> SURE, THANK YOU.

SO I WAS BRIEFED AND HAD BEEN ATTENDING MEETINGS IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS COMING NOT FROM THE INITIAL MOTION, BUT CERTAINLY HAVE DONE A DEEP DIVE IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS AND THEY DO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY CERTAINLY WANT TO BE LASER FOCUSED ON AND MAKING IMMEDIATE IMPROVEMENTS THEY HAVE IMMEDIATELY AND DIRECTOR HERE IN INTERIM AND THE MANAGER GARY IS ALSO HERE.

A LITTLE OVER. SO ANYWAYS, THEY HAVE IMMEDIATELY BEGUN TO ADDRESS SOME OF THE INITIAL CONCERNS PREPARED THEY HELD A REFRESH ALL DAY TRAINING AND IS ABLE TO GET MORE DETAIL BEGINNING TO IMMEDIATELY LOOK AT AND START CREATING AND IMPROVING THEIR STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES.

BUT ONE THING I WANT TO EMPHASIZE AS YOU ARE READING FROM THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS AND SITES WHICH IS SIGNIFICANT TO COME I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT THESE ARE ALL PROJECTS FROM ENGINEERING PRECINCTS ON THE TOLL ROAD HERE IN HOUSTON.

A LOT OF THAT IS DONE THROUGH AN INTERLOCAL.

THAT'S HOW SOME OF THESE MONITORS ARE PAID.

AND IT IS A LEGACY PROGRAM WHERE THE EXPECTATIONS SEE GROWTH OF THE NUMBER OF PROJECTS EXCEEDING THE GROWTH OF THE RESOURCES OF THE INNER LOCALS. AND THEY WEREN'T ALWAYS DOING THE BEST JOB OF CONVEYING THAT TO THEIR PARTNERS.

I. KNOW SOME OF THESE DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE ABLE TO INVEST MORE BECAUSE THEY WANT THE COMPLIANCE, THEY WANT THEIR CONTRACTORS TO DO RIGHT BY WORKERS.

SO THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE TAKING VERY SERIOUSLY.

AND I WILL PASS IT ON TO GARY A. LITTLE BIT SO HE CAN TELL YOU SOME OF THE STEPS THAT THEY HAVE ALREADY STARTED TO TAKE.

>> I WILL JUST TAKE A FEW MINUTES.

FIRST, THE COMMISSIONER. INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR DEEO. THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT AND THE TRUST. YOU KNOW, THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR ME TO STEP UP AS THE INTERIM DIRECTOR AT THIS MOMENT AND ALSO I WANT TO EXTEND MY GRATITUDE TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR AND THE OFFICE FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT I HAVE RECEIVED. EQUALLY GRATEFUL TO OUR STAFF WHO HAS BEEN COMMITTED TO THE WORK THAT WE DO HERE.

I JUST WANT TO STATE THAT TEMPORARY WAGE COMPLIANCE IS ONE OF THE HIGHEST PRIORITIES FOR DEEO.

HIGHEST OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES, PARTICULARLY FOR THE LBJ EXPANSION PROJECT RIGHT NOW. SO WE WORK TOWARDS HARRIS HEALTH WITH ALSO AUDITORS OFFICE. AND I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR A THOROUGH AUDIT AND WORKING CLOSELY WITH US.

AND OUR STAFF IS WORKING WITH THEM ON THE MANAGEMENT ACTION PLAN AND HOW TO IMPLEMENT THAT WITH SPECIFIC TIMELINES.

ONE THING I WANT TO MENTION IS THAT THERE IS A FUNDING RELATED TO LOCAL REPORTING NUMBER HOTLINE.

THIS IS ONE THING THAT WE ARE ACTIVELY WORKING WITH THE FRAUD

WASTE -- >> AND ABUSE.

>> ABUSE HOTLINE HOPING WE WOULD HAVE A SPECIFIC TIMELINE WHEN WE CAN LAUNCH THAT MODULE. AND I WILL GIVE THE MIC TO MR. GARY GEAR, ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR WORKFORCE COMMUNITY

PROTECTION. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. YES, MY NAME IS GARY GREER.

I AM THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR FOR WORKERS AND COMMUNITY PROTECTION AS A SUBDIVISION UNDER THE BUSINESS AND WORKER SERVICES.

I DO WANT TO POINT OUT THAT WE ARE STILL MANAGING PROJECTS THAT ARE FEDERAL AND WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 32 STAFF HERE WE ARE LOOKING AT WHERE THEY WERE EVALUATING WITH THE AUDIT WAS THE PREVAILING WAGE FROM THE PUBLIC WORKFORCE AND ONCE THAT COMES THROUGH ILA THERE WERE LOCAL AND STATE FUNDED OR FEDERAL FUNDED PROJECTS WHERE THIS WAS NOT PART OF THAT AUDIT AND WE HAVE A LOT OF STUFF IN PLACE FOR THAT. WE RECENTLY, THE COVERING PERIOD STARTED FOR LAST YEAR, BUT WE HAVE DONE SOME MANY THINGS AND

[04:05:04]

SO THAT IS PART OF UNDERRESOURCED.

WE DO USE LCP TRACKER THAT DOES HAVE SOMETHING CALLED CASE VIEW WHICH WE WANT TO IMPLEMENT TO USE THE VIOLATIONS TRACKING AND WE CAN DO THAT FOR ALL OF OUR SYSTEM HERE THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL COST FOR THAT. BUT IT IS A REASONABLE COST.

AND THAT WOULD BE A GOOD HELP ON THAT RECOMMENDATION REGARDING INVESTIGATIONS. THE STAFF ARE TRAINED AND WE RECENTLY COMPLETED A ALL DAY TRAINING SPECIFICALLY ON PREVAILING WAGE WHICH WITH A STRATEGIC CONSULTING GROUP IN PERSON ON JUNE 30TH AND WE HAVE A LOT OF PLANS TO IMPLEMENT THE RECOMMENDATIONS THAT THE AUDITORS PROVIDED.

THEY WERE VERY DETAILED AUDITS AND RECOMMENDATIONS.

I DO WANT TO NOTE THAT WHEN WE COMBINE THE SOPS FOR A, THE SUBSECTION THREE PROGRAMS AND THE PREVAILING WAGE UNDER TEXAS WITH THE CODE 228 WAS ROLLED OUT IN MAY, SO THIS IS SUPPLYING A LOT OF THE DESK MATERIALS AND THEY WERE POINTED OUT THAT WE HAVE BEEN USING A DBRA IN PROVIDING THEM.

AND WE ARE WORKING ON THE CONFIDENTIAL PHONE LINE SO WE CAN RECEIVE THOSE KIND OF COMPLAINTS THROUGH A CONFIDENTIAL PHONE CALL. AND CARRY OUT THE

RECOMMENDATIONS IN THE REPORT. >> SO I HAVE A BUNCH OF QUESTIONS. IN TERMS OF YOU HAVE TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE IMPROVEMENTS, BUT JUST TO BE CLEAR THE DOCUMENTATION AND PROCESSES FOR THE PREVAILING WAGE PIECE ACROSS MULTIPLE SITES, HOW MUCH OF THE WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE TO CORRECT VERSUS HOW MUCH IS YET TO BE DONE? AND I RECOGNIZE THAT THERE WILL BE THE FORMAL PLAN THAT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED AND THEN FURTHER MONITORED, BUT LIKE THE PROCESSES, WHERE ARE WE CANDIDLY?

>> 50%. THE PROCESS IS, THE TRAINING NEEDS TO CONTINUE AND WITH REGARDS TO THE LCP TRACKER SYSTEM, WHEN THE RECOMMENDATIONS IS PULLING AND USING REPORTS, WE DO DO THAT, BUT WE HAVE BEEN FULLY MAXIMIZED, SO THAT WOULD BE A USEFUL NEXT STEP THAT WE HAVE TO HAVE A RESOURCE ON.

ONE OF THE PROBLEMS IS WITH IF WE TALK LIKE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TALKING ABOUT LBJ AND THE EXPANSION, WE HAVE ONE AND A HALF DEDICATED FTES TO THE LBJ PROJECT AND THERE IS ON THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT $1.6 BILLION. AND IT'S A HUGE PROJECT AND WE NEED MORE RESOURCES. WE HAVE BEEN MEETING WEEKLY WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND ARE DISCUSSING WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO RESOURCE THAT AND WITH REGARDS TO THE LABOR UNION, THEY MADE SOME GOOD RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT FOR A FOLLOW UP ON PROVIDING INFORMATION TO THE WORKERS.

>> OKAY, SO BASICALLY THERE IS THE PROCESS WORK THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE, THE MAKING VERY CLEAR EXPECTATIONS FOR THE MONITORS, TRAINING THE MONITORS, IMPLEMENTING THE COMPLAINT PROCESS, AND THEN IDEALLY MOVING FROM A REACTIVE TO A PROACTIVE STRENGTHENING THE INVESTIGATION, THE ON SITE TIME, YOU KNOW, ENHANCING THE ENTIRE RETALIATION PROTECTION, THERE IS SO MUCH TO THIS. MY QUESTION IS RELATED TO WHAT YOU JUST STATED AND WHAT ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, IF WE HAVE THESE AGREEMENTS AND IT IS MORE THAN JUST HARRIS HEALTH, BUT LET'S JUST FOCUS ON LBJ, IF WE MOTION TO EXTEND TIME?

>> SECOND. >> UNANIMOUS CONSENT WITH THE

TWO ITEMS AND GET OUT OF HERE. >> SO HARRIS HEALTH OR THE PORT OR THE OTHER ENTITIES, IF WE HAVE THESE AGREEMENTS --

[04:10:02]

WE KNOW WHAT TO DO TO FIX IT. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER

BIONES. >> FIRST OF ALL WHEN THEY NEGOTIATED THE AGREEMENT IT WAS HARRIS HEALTH, THEY DON'T HAVE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF PROJECTS THAT THE DEO NEEDS TO MONITOR OR IN TERMS OF PREVAILING WAGE MONITORING.

SO AT THE TIME, IT WAS 1.5 FTE IS HOW WE NEGOTIATED AT THE

TIME. >> AND BYE BYE AT THE TIME, HOW

MANY YEARS AGO? >> HOW MANY YEARS AGO?

>> LIKE A YEAR AND A HALF AGO AND BEFORE THAT WE WERE RECEIVING ONLY ENOUGH FOR LESS THAN ONE.

SO IT'S 250% HIGHER. >> GOD BLESS YOU.

>> AND NOW THAT WE HAVE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I KNOW MR. SARKAR WILL BE LASER FOCUSED BUT HOW WOULD WE EVER HAVE SIGNED AN ILA FOR BILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO HAVE ONE MONITOR WHEN WE ARE ON THE HOOK TO MAKE SURE OUR WORKERS ARE PROTECTED, CONFOUNDS ME TO PUT IT NICELY, SO PLEASE, AS WE DO THE DOCUMENTED PROCESSES, THE TRAINING, THE CLEAR EXPECTATIONS, TO ME, AND YES, IN OUR GENERAL FUND, THERE MIGHT BE HARRIS COUNTY STRAIGHT UP PROJECTS AND THAT'S ON US, BUT IF IT IS THE PORT OF HOUSTON AND HARRIS HEALTH, AND ALL OF THESE ENTITIES, BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF PROJECTS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE SET UP FOR SUCCESS SO THAT WE CAN PROTECT OUR WORKERS, SO PLEASE COME AND

PRIORITIZE THAT. >> I AGREE WITH YOU DEFINITELY.

AND WE HAVE ALREADY HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND THEY ALSO AGREED TO REVISIT THIS AGREEMENT.

SO THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO ASK FOR MORE RESOURCES THAT ARE ON THE NUMBER OF THE PROJECT AND THE PROJECT SIZE.

SO MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE ENOUGH STAFF AND RESOURCES TO DO THIS LINE OF WORK. EVERYTHING, THE SCOPE OF WORK IN THE AGREEMENT. AND IN ADDITION TO THAT, THIS IS ALSO AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO REVISIT ALL THE OTHER AGREEMENTS WHICH WE CALL THE USER DEPARTMENTS WHERE THERE ARE TWO COMING UP FOR RENEWAL, SO OUR STAFF WILL WORK CLOSELY WITH THE ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MAKING SURE THAT WE REVIEW LINE BY LINE COMING IN OH, WHAT IS PUT IN THE AGREEMENT TO ENSURE THAT DEEO HAS ENOUGH RESOURCES TO DO THE WORK WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO.

>> THANK YOU. AND PLEASE LET US KNOW HOW WE CAN SUPPORT YOU, BECAUSE WE WANT TO BEST POSITION YOU FOR

EXCELLENCE AND SUCCESS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH EACH ONE OF YOU AND ALSO YOUR

STAFF ON THIS IMPORTANT MANNER. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> WE KEEP ASKING THE SAME KIND OF QUESTION, AND Y'ALL ARE PART OF THE SOLUTION, NOT PART OF THE PROBLEM.

WE GET THAT. HOW DO YOU KNOW WHEN SOMEONE IS TRAINED AND READY TO BE A MONITOR? IS THERE SOME FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL CRITERIA AND ORDER FOR YOU TO GO OUT THERE AND MONITOR SOMETHING? WHAT IS -- IS THERE ANY DEFINED TRAINING? OR IS IT UP TO YOU TO SAY THIS PERSON IS READY TO GO, THEY CAN

[04:15:03]

MONITOR? >> THERE ARE TRAINING AVAILABLE FROM DEPARTMENT OF LABOR THAT EQUATE INTO PREVAILING WAGE PERIODS SOME OF THE ITEMS CAN DEFINITELY BE TRAINED IN THE TRAINING MODULE WHERE WE ARE ADDING SOME TO GET SIGN OFF AND THEN TESTING AND REVIEWING AND HAVING THE ABILITY TO REVIEW THE WORK THAT IS DONE BY EACH OF THE MONITORS IS THE KEY.

AS I MENTIONED, WE DID WORK WITH THE STRATEGIC IMPACT GROUP ABOUT -- AND THEY DELIVERED A TRAINING MODULE. I THINK THERE IS SOME FOLLOW UP WE COULD DO TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT ONLY WERE THEY TRAINED, BUT NOW THEY ARE SUCCEEDING ON THAT TRAINING.

>> BUT THERE IS NOT A CERTIFICATION PROGRAM -- I HAVE GOT THIS COME I HAVE COMPLETED THIS COME I HAVE DONE IT? I THINK WHAT MR. POST AND HIS GROUP DETERMINED, WE DON'T EVEN HAVE IT WRITTEN DOWN NOW IN TERMS OF WHAT IS THE TRAINING REQUIRED TO DO SOMETHING.

SO I GUESS WE WILL START WITH WRITING IT DOWN AND HOW THAT RELATES TO OTHER ENTITIES AND THIS PART OF THE WORLD THAT DOES THAT. I THINK WE PROBABLY NEED TO CHECK THAT OUT. THE FIRST STEP IS TO GET IT WRITTEN DOWN. THEN DECIDE WHAT PERCENT OF THE PROJECTS WE ARE GOING TO DO. OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO STAFF UP TO DO A LOT OF THIS THAT CAN BE RANDOM SAMPLING.

AND THERE NEEDS TO BE SOME CRITERIA FOR THAT IS.

I AM LOOKING AT THE JOB SITES WHERE WE DO WAGE MONITORING AND WE DO SAFETY MONITORING. THEN WE GO AND DO INSPECTION, SAFETY INSPECTION WHICH IS DIFFERENT FROM SAFETY MONITORING. THEN WE DO QUALITY OF THE WORK BEING COMPLETED, THEN WE DO QUANTITY OF THE WORK BEING COMPLETED. THERE IS A LOT OF COUNTY INSPECTION, MONITORING, REVIEW OF WHAT GOES ON OUT THERE.

AND I THINK THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR, I WOULD PUT THIS KIND OF IN YOUR AREA TO GET A HANDLE ON ALL OF IT.

I KNOW THAT IT INVOLVES A LOT OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER.

THEY DO -- AND I DO GET BACK TO I DON'T UNDERSTAND, I'M NOT HARD HEADED, BUT I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW WE CAN SIGN A CONTRACT AND IF WE ARE MONITORING CERTAIN ELEMENTS OF THE CONTRACT AND NOT MONITORING OTHER ELEMENTS OF THE CONTRACT COME I JUST DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO UNDERSTAND, BECAUSE THE COUNTY ENGINEER IS EXPECTING SOME PORTIONS OF CONTRACT APPLIANCE.

THERE ARE THINGS IN THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND A LOT OF THAT IS THROUGH THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE.

ARE YOU COMPLYING WITH THE CONTRACT? SO MAYBE IF WE APPROACH IT FROM CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND NOT SAY WE HAVE THIS MANY WAGE MONITORS AND THIS MANY SAFETY MONITORS, WHAT IS OUR CONTRACT COMPLIANCE GROUP LOOK LIKE? AND ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE DOING THAT QUALIFIED TO DO THAT? AND AS WAS POINTED OUT, DO WE HAVE WRITTEN PROCEDURES? SO WE ARE ALMOST STARTING FROM SQUARE ONE IT SOUNDS LIKE TO ME. AND THE ONLY OTHER COMMENT I WOULD HAVE, DIRECTOR, AS YOU WRAP YOUR ARMS AROUND ALL OF THIS, IT SEEMS LIKE THERE WERE A LOT OF THINGS THAT WERE JUST ARBITRARILY PUT OVER IN DEEO THAT PROBABLY DON'T NEED TO BE AT DEEO. JUST BE VERY SMART ABOUT THAT REVIEW IN TERMS OF WHERE THAT NEEDS TO BE.

COULD BE ENGINEERING, COULD BE OVER AND SOME OTHER AREA.

AND AGAIN, IF I MAKE THE CASE THAT CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT WHERE DOW WAS DOING A GREAT JOB OF IT AND YOU MOVE PEOPLE OUT OF THAT GROUP OVER INTO DEEO TO DO CONTRACT COMPLIANCE OF A CONTRACT AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT THAT JUST DOES NOT MAKE ANY SENSE AT ALL.

>> MAY I RESPOND? >> SURE.

>> THE SECTION THREE TEAMS WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN THE PREVAILING WAGE, WE MEET WEEKLY AND WE DO THE CONTRACT COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 3, AND HAVE STRONG SOPS ON THAT.

WE ADDED THEM TO EXTEND TO THE PREVAILING WAGE WHERE THE PURPOSE NOW IS TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PREVAILING WAGE GROUP WHICH WAS LAGGING A LITTLE BIT BEHIND AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY

[04:20:04]

WOULD BE THE NEXT STEPS. >> MAYBE WE NEED TO CHANGE THE NEXT GROUP TO CONTRACT COMPLIANCE AND NOT DEEO, BECAUSE

THAT DOES NOT SOUND LIKE DEEO. >> I WOULD SAY THAT THE TEAM'S NAME IS CONTRACT COMPLIANCE FOR THE COMMUNITY PROTECTION, INO, AND I WILL LEAVE IT TO THE COURT TO DECIDE HOW TO STRUCTURE THE TEAM AND SERVICES THAT THE COUNTY PROVIDED TO THE COMM

COMMUNITY. >> I THINK WE PUT IT BECAUSE THE COUNTY MANAGER WAS DOING SUCH A GOOD JOB OVER THERE.

I THINK THAT SHE WENT OVER THERE.

I'M GOING TO ASK NEAL LATER, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHY WE PUT IT OVER THERE. NOD YOUR HEAD, NEAL? OKAY. IT COMES BACK TO HIM AFTER A

WHILE. >> THANK YOU.

CLEARLY A LOT OF WORK TO DO, THANK YOU FOR RAISING YOUR HAND AND SAYING WE KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO AND MR. POST HAS PROVIDED GOOD DIRECTION FOR US TO GO. SO WE ARE STARTING ALMOST AT SQUARE ONE, NOT REALLY, BUT THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO BE DONE IF WE CAN GET THIS ORGANIZED, I THINK THAT IT WILL BE SUCCESSFUL. COMMISSIONER GARCIA APPEARED.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WANT TO BEGIN WITH THIS LAST POINT, YOU HAVE A LOT OF STUFF THERE, YOU ARE THE DEPARTMENT OF STUFF, YOU ARE NOT DEEO, YOU ARE THE DEPARTMENT OF STUFF.

STUFF GOT SENT TO YOU. SO I WOULD HIGHLY ENCOURAGE OTHERWISE YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR IT TO MAKE AN ARGUMENT FOR WHAT DOES NOT BELONG IN YOUR DEPARTMENT, AND OH, CASE IN POINT, YOU CURRENTLY HAVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.

AND SO A LOT OF THAT -- SOME OF THAT WILL GO AWAY JUST BECAUSE IT IS OUR BET, BUT I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO -- IN FACT, I WILL ASK YOU FOR A REPORT OF WHAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER THE DEEO PORTFOLIO. AND THEN SECONDLY TO THE QUESTION OF COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT OF WHAT IS THE TRAINING THAT OUR MONITORS OR INSPECTORS ARE GOING TO HAVE? I HAD MADE THIS RECOMMENDATION WHEN WE FIRST STARTED DOING THIS, AND DON'T THINK THAT IT WAS EVER FOLLOWED UP ON, BUT I WILL MAKE THE SUGGESTION AGAIN. I SUGGESTED YOU VISIT WITH OUR LABOR LEADERS, BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHAT TO LOOK FOR.

AND I WOULD ASK THAT YOU WORK WITH THEM TO CONSTRUCT THE CURRICULUM, AND THEN YOU CAN ACTUALLY WORK WITH HCC OR SOMEONE TO MAKE A DAY CERTIFICATE PROGRAM.

AND I THINK THAT THAT WOULD BE -- THAT WOULD GO A LONG WAY TO ENSURING SOME STRUCTURE AND FOCUS TO WHAT OUR MONITORS LOOK LIKE OR ARE LOOKING FOR.

I WAS ALWAYS CONCERNED THAT WE WOULD HAVE GOOD INTENDED INSPECTORS OR MONITORS, BUT THAT WOULD -- THAT MAY BE AT RISK OF OVEREXTENDING THEMSELVES.

AND SO COME I THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SOME PARAMETERS TO THE WORK AND TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS SOME VALIDATION OF THAT THROUGH OUR LABOR LEADERS WHO CAN REALLY HELP YOU DECIDE NUMBER ONE, HOW TO TRAIN THEM.

I AM SURE THAT THEY WOULD BE WILLING TO PROVIDE SOME SUPPORT IN THE TRAINING. BUT THEN TO TAKE IT A STEP FURTHER, WORK WITH H. CC AND TURN IT INTO A CERTIFICATE PROGRAM WOULD BE IMMENSELY UNIQUE.

WE HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE. WE HAVE CREATED THE CERTIFICATION FOR DIGITAL IMAGE REVIEWERS THAT THE TOLL ROAD WAS USING. FOLKS WERE GETTING COLLEGE CERTIFIED CERTIFICATES AND GAVE THEM AN OPEN DOOR TO A BETTER PAYING JOB. SO I WOULD SUGGEST THAT YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE THINGS. THANK YOU.

>> YES, THANK YOU MUCH FOR THAT. >> ONE QUICK QUESTION AND THEN I AM DONE, WHEN WE FIND A PROBLEM, WHO ENFORCES IT? WHEN WE HAVE A WAGE PROBLEM OR A SAFETY PROBLEM? WHEN WE FIND A PROBLEM, WHO IS THE ENFORCER?

>> WELL, WE WORK WITH OUR COMMUNITY PROTECTION TEAM AND PREVAILING WAGE MONITOR SHOULD BE NOTIFIED, AND THEN NOTIFY THE MANAGER SO THAT I AM NOTIFIED AND THEN WE CREATE IN OUR

VIOLATIONS LAW. >> SO YOU ENFORCE IT.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT -- >> I WOULD LIKE, EXCUSE ME, GARY. I WOULD LIKE -- THEY ARE DIFFERENT ENFORCEMENTS OF OPINION.

I WOULD REALLY SAY THAT IT DEPENDS ON THE CONTRACT, BECAUSE

[04:25:02]

>> BUT TO THAT POINT, TO ANOTHER POINT THE CONTRACT FALLS ON DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS, SO DOES IT GO TO THE DIRECTOR AND THEN THE DIRECTOR TAKES IT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY?

WHAT IS THE WORKFLOW? >> WITH THE ITEMS THAT YOU WANT TO TELL US? YOU CAN DO IT RIGHT THERE.

>> SO I THINK IT DEPENDS ON, AND THE HARRIS HEALTH CONTEXT, YOU KNOW, THE WAY IT WORKS IS IT IS UNDER AN ILA IS THAT IT IS FOR DEO TO INFORM HARRIS HEALTH AND THEN HARRIS HEALTH MAKES A DECISION ON WHETHER AND HOW THEY WANT TO ENFORCE THAT WORK.

AND THAT'S HOW IT WOULD WORK UNDER ANY ILA, BECAUSE AS IS SAID, UNDER THE ILA, THE DEO IS A VENDOR-PROVIDING SERVICES THE WAY THAT ANY OTHER VENDOR WOULD PUT AND THEN ON COUNTY PROJECTS IT WOULD DEPEND ON WHETHER IT IS ENGINEERING, FLOOD CONTROL, OR WHOEVER OWNS THE PROJECT. SO DEO WOULD TAKE THE RECOMMENDATION TO THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENT AND THEY WOULD DECIDE, DO WE GO TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND TALK CONTRACT TERMINATION? WHAT ARE THE STEPS? DO WE LOOK AT LIQUIDATED DAMAGES AND TRY TO GO THROUGH ALL THOSE

ANSWERS? >> IS THAT ALL WRITTEN DOWN?

>> I THINK THAT THAT IS A DE QUESTION.

I THINK -- >> YES, I MEAN, IT IS IN THE TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE IT HAS THE REQUIREMENTS THERE.

AND IN OUR NEW SOP THAT WE HAD IT'S MORE OF THE DETAILS AS WE

JUST DISCUSSED. >> THANK YOU.

YOU HAVE THE MOTION. >> I DO HAVE THE LATEST MOTION.

AND THIS IS RELATED TO ONE SEGMENT.

OBVIOUSLY, ALL OF THIS HAS GIVEN YOU A LOT OF THOUGHTS ON THE GO FORWARD AND AUDITOR POST. I SAW THAT SOME OF THE NEXT STEPS FOR YOUR LINE OF WORK IS THAT YOU WILL BE MEETING WITH STAKEHOLDERS AND A VARIETY OF STAKEHOLDERS INCLUDING THE LABOR PARTNERS TO GET THE BEST THINKING AND ACTIONABLE IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN IMPROVE IN TERMS OF ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DISCUSSED BUT SPECIFICALLY TO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING ON THE ILAS, THIS IS THE MOTION AND THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. MOTION TO DIRECT DEEO TO WORK WITH OCA, OMB, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ENSURE THAT ILAS CALLING FOR THE COUNTY TO ASSIST WITH PREVAILING WAGE COMPLIANCE PROVIDE ADEQUATE STAFFING TO ACHIEVE COMPLIANCE

EXPECTATIONS. >> I WILL SECOND.

>> I WILL VOTE AYE. >> I WILL VOTE AYE.

[Emergency/Supplemental Items]

>> THE ITEM PASSES. NEXT ITEM, THANK YOU ALL.

THE NEXT ITEM IS 403. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU PULL THAT ONE. LAW ENFORCEMENT TOLL RATES UNDER

PROPERTY. >> YES, I WANT TO FIRST THANK ROBERTA VILLAFRANCA IN MY OFFICE FOR HIS WORK ON THIS AND WORKING ALONGSIDE MR. RAMOS IN YOUR OFFICE.

THIS ITEM IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE I WANT -- IN FACT I WANT TO ALSO RECOGNIZE A MAJOR MCCONNELL WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE FOR WORKING AND HELPING US WORK THROUGH THIS PROCESS.

THE DIVISION THAT THE MAJOR IS OVER A CLOSELY WORKS WITH THE TOWING INDUSTRY EVERY DAY AND UNDERSTANDS FIRSTHAND THE IMPORTANT ROLE OF THE OPERATORS AND WHAT THEY DO EVERY DAY TO KEEP OUR ROADWAYS SAFE. SO I WANT TO ALSO THANK THE TOWING COMPANIES FOR THEIR RESPECTIVE WORK DOING WORK ON FREEWAYS IS SO DANGEROUS. AND SO I JUST WANT TO THANK THOSE FOLKS, BECAUSE THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR LIVES AT RISK LITERALLY EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT THEY ARE ON THE FREEWAYS.

AND THEN ON THE TOWING INDUSTRY IT IS OBVIOUSLY CRITICAL PARTNER, NOT ONLY IN PUBLIC SAFETY, BUT IN INCIDENT MANAGEMENT. AND SO EVERY DAY THEY ARE DEALING WITH SOME PARTICULAR ISSUE THAT HELPS MOVE OUR ROADWAYS SAFER AND BETTER FOR EVERYONE IN FACT WHEN WE INSTITUTED SAFE CLEAR, WHERE WE HAD THE MARKED DIFFERENCE IN THE MOBILITY OF THE FREEWAYS, SO ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, I WANT TO -- YOU KNOW, THE GOAL WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT THE RATES GET LOOKED AT AS I THINK THAT THIS WAS OUT OF THE REALM OF OUR PREVIOUS WORK AS A CONSEQUENCE, THE RATES HAVE BEEN CHANGED IN LIKE 15 YEARS I THINK IT IS?

[04:30:04]

>> THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR WAS 15 YEARS WHERE THERE'S TWO SEPARATE ITEMS, COMMISSIONER. THERE IS YOUR MOTION WHICH WAS TO INCLUDE THESE FEES AND FINES WHERE THE COUNTY MAY NOT NECESSARILY RECEIVE THE DOLLAR WHICH EXPANDED OUR PORTFOLIO FOR THE SECOND ONE WAS THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS ONE PREVIOUSLY WITH THE SHERIFFS AND WAS ABLE TO BRING THIS BACK VERY QUICKLY TO DO THE NONCONSENSUAL AND THE RECOMMENDATION IS TO MATCH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WHICH WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO VALIDATE IS

A GOOD NUMBER OF. >> YES, SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT THIS IS NOT AN INCREASE OF THE RATES.

THIS IS JUST LOOKING AT WHERE THEY NEED TO BE, AND THEN THERE WILL BE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHETHER WHICH ONES SHOULD BE

RAISED OR NOT, IS THAT CORRECT. >> I THINK THAT IS UP TO YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE ARE READY TO RAISE THEM IF YOU ARE. IF NOT COME A WEEK AND COME BACK

WITH A FURTHER -- >> OKAY.

SO FIRST OF ALL, AGAIN, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK.

AND KEVIN KNOWS THE INDUSTRY PRETTY WELL AND HAS BEEN WORKING IN THE SPACE. QUICK STORY, I WAS WORKING A ONE MAN UNIT YEARS AGO AND WAS DEALING WITH SOME ROBBERY SUSPECTS. HAD NO BACKUP, CLOSEST I WAS WORKING IN THE SECOND WARD AND THE CLOSEST BACKUP WAS IN THE MEDICAL CENTER AREA. SO THE CROOKS SAW ME AND STARTED TO RUN, SO I HAD TO TAKE ACTION, SO ONE WAS A BIG DUDE AND I WAS ABLE TO PUSH HIM AGAINST THE FENCE.

THE OTHER GUY WAS MUCH SMALLER BUT ENDED UP HAVING A BIG OLD BUTCHER KNIFE ON HIM. SO AS I STRUGGLE WITH THESE GUYS, THE BIG GUY STARTED TO GET OFF THE FENCE AND WAS MAKING HIS WAY TOWARDS ME AND I WAS TRYING TO POSITION MYSELF SO THAT I COULD THROW HIM UP, PISTOL AND SHOOT, ALL OF A SUDDEN I SEE A BLUR AND BECAUSE THE TOWING COMPANY, OR TOWING COMPANIES HEAR THE CONVERSATIONS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT HAVING, THEY WERE ABLE TO HEAR THAT I KEPT CHECKING ON THE STATUS OF MY BACKUP, AND THE TOWING COMPANY CAME TO THE SCENE, TACKLED THAT GUY AND KEPT ME FROM HAVING TO SHOOT SOMEBODY.

SO I WILL NEVER FORGET THAT. SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AGAIN TO ALL THE TOWING COMPANIES FOR THEIR DANGEROUS, BUT VERY VALUABLE WORK. AND MOVE ON THE ITEM AS

PRESENTED. >> SECOND.

GLAD YOU MADE IT, COMMISSIONER. THAT IS ENOUGH, THIS ITEM PASSES. NEXT IS ITEM 409.

I MOVE IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDS.

ALL OF THOSE FAVORED, ONE NAY TWO, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY SAYS NO. I HAVE A CHECK BY THAT, DO WE DO

THAT? >> WE ALREADY VOTED ON THAT.

THE LAST ITEM ON DISCUSSION IS 454.

>> YOU PULLED THAT ONE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

RILEY CHAMBERS PARK AND HIGHLANDS PARK.

>> THIS IS VERY CONFUSING. WE PUT SOMETHING OUT FOR A BID AND IT IS TURNED DOWN BECAUSE THEY DID NOT MEET THE GOAL, AND I THINK THAT'S NO LONGER A GOAL, THAT IS A -- THAT'S A REQUIREMENT. THE INTERESTING THING COME WITH THIS PARTICULAR VENDOR HAS BEEN GIVEN WORK RECENTLY.

THIS PARTICULAR VENDOR HAS BEEN GIVEN WORK RECENTLY AND THEY DID NOT HAVE ANY ON THAT. SO IT IS INCONSISTENT ON WHAT IS BEING SOMETIMES THEY TURN VENDORS DOWN, SOMETIMES THEY DON'T APPEAR THE PROBLEM WE HAVE IS THE PROCESS TO GO THROUGH AND GET SOMETHING TO THIS POINT WHERE YOU HAVE A CONTRACT IS MONTHS. SO THIS IS GOING TO COST US MONTHS TO GO BACK. AND THIS VERY SAME CONTRACTOR, COMMISSIONER IS DOING WORK FOR THE COUNTY AT A LOWER PERCENT THAN THIS MWBE. SO THIS IS NOT A DEBATE OVER IS MWBE IMPORTANT? OF COURSE IT IS.

BUT IT'S INCONSISTENT AND HOW IT IS ENFORCED.

AND I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM UNTIL WE CAN AT LEAST LOOK INTO IT.

WE MIGHT EVEN BE ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD WITH IT IF WE EXERCISE SOME JUDGMENT TO SAY THAT THIS IS A PERFECTLY GOOD VENDOR.

WE USE THEM ON OTHERS, WE DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM THERE, DON'T KNOW WHY WE HAVE A PROBLEM THERE. SO RESPECTFULLY ASKING TO TAKE

NO ACTION. >> I AM FINE WITH THAT.

OKAY COME ON YOU GOT IT, NO ACTION ON THE ITEM.

SO THE FOLLOW UP ITEMS I WILL TRY TO DO ONE MOTION.

[04:35:03]

>> COMMISSIONER, THOSE WERE THE ONES I ASKED YOU IF THEY WOULD BE APPROVED AS PERCENTAGE AND I DO HAVE THOSE FIVE, 311, AND

406. >> OKAY, I WILL ALLOW --

>> THEY WERE ALREADY ITEMS. >> I THINK SHE SAID ITEM 3 AND

THAT IS NOT APPROVED. >> FIVE, 311.

>> FIVE, THEN 311, THEN 404, AND 406 ARE THE ONES THAT WAS VOTED ON BEFORE -- SORRY, THE ONES THAT I HAD THAT ARE GOING TO BE APPROVED AS PRESENTED.

>> YES, ANY PROBLEMS WITH THAT? OKAY, YOU GOT IT.

AND WHAT ABOUT ITEM 405 ON MY LIST.

>> THAT WAS ALREADY NO ACTION. THE ONLY THING I HAVE LEFT ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS WHICH IS 392, 393, AND 407.

[Executive Session]

>> YOU HAVE DONE SO WONDERFUL, TODAY.

SO IT IS NOW 3:54 AND WE WILL GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON 392, 393, AND 447. AND IF WE ARE IN THERE TOO LONG, I'M LEAVING.

>> IS THAT 5:05 AND WE'RE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

NO ACTION ON THOSE ITEMS. MEETING IS ADJOURNED.

HAVE A GOOD EVENING. >> COMMISSIONER CAN YOU SAY THE TIME. THAT WE'RE ADD

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.