Oct 15, 2026 Commissioners Court

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>> SO GOOD MORNING. IT'S 9:02.

[Pastora Xiomara Ventura Guitierrez of Iseri Jerusalem Church in Houston introduced by the Commissioner of Precinct 4.]

AND I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER BRIONES TO INTRODUCE OUR PASTOR OF THE DAY.

>> YES GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE.

I AM SO HONORED THAT LA POSITIVE FOR A XIOMARA VENTURA GUITIERREZ HAS DECIDED TO GRACE US WITH PRAYER.

HER LIFE'S WORK HAS BEEN DEDICATED TO UPLIFTING FAMILIES AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES. BORN IN LIMON, A COMMUNITY IN HONDURAS POSITIVE FOR A MOVED TO NEW YORK IN 1986 WHERE SHE CONTINUED HER EDUCATION AND BECAME DEEPLY INVOLVED IN SERVING THE HONDURAN COMMUNITY, THERE SHE MET HER HUSBAND CARLOS VENTURA AND THEY HAVE 4 CHILDREN.

IN 1998 THEY MOVED TO HOUSTON AND FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES THEY HAVE FLAIT IF FAITHFULLY SR COMMUNITY WHILE EXTENDING THEIR MINISTRY WITHOUT CENTRAL AMERICA, BELIZE, MEXICO AS MISSIONARIES. ORDAINED IN HOUSTON IN FEBRUARY 2016, PASTORA XIOMARA AND HER HUSBAND WENT TO ESTABLISH NEW JERUSALEM CHURCH LOCATED IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON IN THE HEART OF PRECINCT 4 WHERE THEY CONTINUE TO MINISTER THROUGH FAITH, SERVICE AND DEEP COMMITMENT TO THE COMMUNITY.

PASTORA XIOMARA IS ESPECIALLY PASSIONATE ABOUT PRESERVING AND CELEBRATING HER HONDURAN HERITAGE -- AND I KNOW YOU'VE TAUGHT ME AND MY TEAM SO MUCH, THANK YOU -- AND YOU HAVE BEEN SHARING THESE TRADITIONS WITH OUR ENTIRE HARRIS COUNTY REGION.

I WAS SO HAPPY THATWE'RE SO PROO HAVE YOU HERE TODAY TO LEAD US IN PRAYER, NOT ONLY IN ENGLISH BUT ALSO IN SPANISH.

WELCOME. >> GOOD MORNING.

I AM HONORED TO BE HERE THIS MORNING.

I LOOK TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND I AM SO GRATEFUL TO BE GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY IN THE THREE LANGUAGES FOR OUR COMMUNITY. LET'S PRAY... HEAVENLY FATHER, WE COME BEFORE YOU THIS MORNING WITH HUMBLE HEARTS, ACKNOWLEDGING THAT YOU ARE THE SOURCE OF OUR WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING. LORD, WE THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO GATHER HERE AND FOR THE PRIVILEGE OF SERVING THE PEOPLE OF THIS COMMUNITY. WE ASK THAT YOU [INDISCERNIBLE] THIS COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THAT YOUR WISDOM DIRECTS EVERY DISCUSSION, DECISION AND ACTION TAKEN TODAY.

FATHER, GRANT OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONER JUDGES AND ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS THE WISDOM OF SOLOMON, THE COURAGE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND THE INTEGRITY TO SERVE WITH HONESTY, FAIRNESS AND COMPASSION. HELP THEM TO MAKE DECISIONS THAT PROMOTE PEACE, JUSTICE, PROGRESS AND THE WELLBEING OF EVERY RESIDENT. MAY THEY LISTEN WITH UNDERSTANDING, SPEAK WITH RESPECT AND WORK TOGETHER WITH A SPIRIT OF UNITY AND PEACE, EVEN WHEN THERE ARE DIFFERENCES OF OPINION AND PRESSURE. BLESS OUR FAMILIES OF THIS COMMUNITY, PROTECT THOSE WHO ARE VULNERABLE AND THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES TO OUR COUNTY TO GROW AND PROSPER. AMEN.

LET'S PRAY IN [INDISCERNIBLE].

LET'S PRAY IN SPANISH.

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, PASTORA.

>> THANK YOU, PASTOR. IF WE WEREN'T BLESSED WHEN WE GOT UP AFTER ENGLISH, SPANISH AND GARAFINA, I CERTAINLY FEEL BLESSED NOW. IF I DIDN'T MENTION THE TIME IT WAS 9:02 WITH YOU WE'RE IN SESSION, IT IS NOW 9:09 AND THE JUDGES AND COMMISSIONER -- [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THAT WAS BEAUTIFUL.

SO LET'S GO AHEAD AND RECITE THE PLEDGE.

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.

FINNA HONOR THE TEXAS FLAG; I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THEE, TEXAS, ONE STATE UNDER GOD, ONE AND

INDIVISIBLE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I KNOW WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS FINNA LET'S GET GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE'LL GO OVER THE.

[Additional Item]

>> SO YOU WANTED US TO DO -- WE SHOULD DO ONE MINUTE OF SILENCE IN HONOR OF DR. PIERCE AND [INDISCERNIBLE] WOULD YOU PLEASE BOW YOUR HEADS. AND I DIDN'T ANNOUNCED ORDER OF

THE DAY. >> JUST TO EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, DR. PERCE WAS THE LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY AND THE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC HEALTH FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON UNTIL RELATIVELY RECENTLY. IN FACT WE CELEBRATED HIS RETIREMENT HERE NOT LONG AGO, COLLEAGUES, LIKE THREE MONTHS.

AND I WORKED WITH HIM VERY CLOSELY DURING COVID.

AND I WAS REALLY EXCITED THAT HE WAS GOING TO TAKE SOME TIME TO ENJOY HIMSELF AND HIS FAMILY. HE WAS AT THE TIME ALL OF US WERE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK AND WE WERE JUST HOPING THAT THE SCIENTISTS WERE WORKING JUST AS MUCH TO FIGURE OUT THE VACCINE.

SO ANYWAY, I WAS SADDENED AND SURPRISED WHEN WE FOUND THAT HE HAD PASSED AWAY. CERTAINLY TOO YOUNG.

AND FRANKLY EVEN THOUGH HE WAS NO LONGER THE LOCAL HEALTH AUTHORITY, WE LOST AN IMPORTANT ADVISOR WITH EXPERIENCE AND AN IMPORTANT NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIPS THAT ARE ALWAYS THE KEY WHEN EMERGENCIES HAPPEN A.

AND THEN AND I KNOW THAT THIS IS MORE PROMINENT AND CERTAINLY TOUCHES PEOPLE IN A DIFFERENT WAY AND FOLKS HAVE HEARD ME ADVOCATE MANY TIMES FOR CHILDREN AND WE'VE TALKED ABOUT OUR HOSPITAL SYSTEM AND THE WORK WE NEED TO DO THERE, AND OF COURSE

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HE DID INCREDIBLE WORK AT THE STATE LEGISLATURE ON PROGRAMS THAT IMPACTED THE ENTIRETY OF TEXAS AND HE WAS AN ADVISOR TO ME AS WELL, PARTICULARLY WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR RE-ELECTION.

SO WE LOST HIM ALSO TOO SOON, HE HAD HAD SOME HEALTH STRUGGLES BUT IT WAS REALLY HARD AND ESPECIALLY COMING ON THE HEELS OF THE PASSING OF MAYOR CONGRESSMAN SYLVESTER TURNER AND CONGRESSWOMAN SHEILA JACKSON-LEE.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT YOU AND HE WORKED TOGETHER, KNEW EACH OTHER MUCH BETTER THAN I KNEW HIM, SO PLEASE, IF YOU WOULD MAKE SOME COMMENTS AND A MOMENT OF SILENCE.

>> OKAY, JUDGE. HE HAD GREAT SERVICE AND WAS A DEAR FRIEND. HIS HOME GOING WILL CONTINUE NEXT WEEK IN AUSTIN SO HE'LL LIE IN STATE AT THE STATE CAPITAL HOUSE FLOOR WHERE HE DID HIS WORK FOR MANY YEARS, AND THEN HE WILL BE INTERRED AT THE STATE CEMETARY.

BUT IT WAS JUST A WONDERFUL SERVICE HERE DOWNTOWN AND WE WILL MISS HIM GREATLY BUT LEFT A GREAT LEGACY ON SO MANY PROJECTS, RIVERSIDE HOSPITAL IN PARTICULAR WAS ONE THAT HE SPEARHEADED. AND DR. PERST, STEVEN WILLIAMS ON MY STAFF WAS VERY CLOSE TO HIM SO HE GOT TO WORK [INDISCERNIBLE] AND UNTIL DAVID PERST WAS ACTUALLY OUT SURFING AND HE RETIRED, HE HAD MADE THE COMMENT THAT HE WANTED TO MAKE SURE HE TOOK SOME TIME TO ENJOY THE REST OF HIS LIFE INSTEAD OF JUST WORKING EVERY DAY AND OBVIOUSLY IT WAS A ROUND-THE-CLOCK JOB WHAT HE DID, BUT JUST AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING, WHICH TELLS ALL OF US WHEN YOU THINK ABOUT THE WAY HE PASSED, IN GOOD SHAPE AND JUST SOMETIMES THOSE THINGS HAPPEN AND HE WAS OUT IN CALIFORNIA SURFING WHEN IT DID HAPPEN SO IT'S INSTRUCTIVE OF US TO MAKE SURE WE TAKE TIME TO DO THINGS IMPORTANT TO US. BUT THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES?

>> AND YES TO DR. PERST I WANT TO JUST THANK HIM AND HIS FAMILY FOR ESPECIALLY HIS FAMILY FOR LENDING HIM TO US FOR SO MANY YEARS. I WORKED WITH HIM WHEN I WAS ON COUNCIL. WE WORKED WITH HIM AND STEVEN WILLIAMS TO COME UP WITH THE HOUSTON CARES PROGRAM AND I WILL TELL YOU THAT AT EVERY MAJOR EVENT THAT CONFRONTED THE CITY, DP HE WAS THERE.

THEN WHEN I BECAME SHERIFF WE WORKED TOGETHER HELPING TO DEAL WITH THE INORDINANT NUMBER OF AMBULANCE RUNS THAT WERE BEING MADE FROM THE COUNTY JAIL TO EITHER [INDISCERNIBLE] AND ST.

JOSEPHS AT THE TIME AND HE WAS JUST ALWAYS A REMARKABLE PROBLEM SOLVER, JUST SOMEONE WILLING TO CUT THROUGH THE NOISE, FIGURE THINGS OUT AND COME UP WITH THE BEST SOLUTION POSSIBLE.

SO TO HEAR THAT HE HAD PASSED WAS ABSOLUTE SHOCK TO ME.

I JUST -- IT PAINED ME TO THINK THAT HE UNPLUGGED FROM THIS WORK TO GO AND ENJOY HIMSELF AND THEN EVENLY GOT TO DID IT BRIEFLY.

SO TO HIS FAMILY, YOU GAVE HIM TO US, YOU LENT HIM TO US, HE GAVE HIMSELF ENTIRELY, AND HE SERVED OUR CITY AND OUR ROWND OY AND THE REGION INCREDIBLY WELL SO I HOPE THAT HIS FAMILY IN THEIR PAINFUL MOMENT TAKES SOME RELIEF TO KNOW THAT HE MADE AN INDELIBLE IMPACT ON OUR COMMUNITY AND HE WILL ABSOLUTELY BE MISSED. AND TO GARNET, YOU KNOW, SENATOR, YOU KNEW HIM WELL. KNEW HIM PROBABLY BEST.

AND I GOT TO KNOW HIM WHEN I FIRST JOINED COUNCIL AND I TELL YOU WHAT, GARNET HAD A LOT OF SIDES.

HE ALWAYS KNEW WHAT NEEDED TO BE DONE TO HELP FOLKS AND

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GARNET BECAME AN ADVISOR TO ME, ALWAYS A FRIEND AND A SUPPORTER AND I AM GLAD THAT PART OF HIS OFFICE IS NOW PART OF THE PRECINCT 2 OFFICE AND THAT CAME THROUGH, YOU KNOW, GARNET REALLY MAKING THE POINT OF HOW GRATEFUL HE WAS FOR THE FOLKS THAT HELPED HIM AND THAT HE JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY WAS TAKEN CARE OF, AND THAT WAS GARNET. HE WAS ALWAYS THINKING MORE OF OTHERS THAN OF HIMSELF AND SO MY BROTHER GARNET, YOU'VE BEEN MISSED, YOU'VE BEEN MISSED IN THE LEGISLATURE.

YOU DIDN'T GO AWAY AFTER YOU STEPPED DOWN FROM THE LEGISLATURE. YOU CONTINUED TO WORK ESPECIALLY ON HEALTH CARE MATTERS, AND I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT WE'RE HERE JUST TRYING TO PICK UP YOUR BATON AND DO THE BEST WE CAN AS YOU DID. SO GOD BLESS YOU, MY FRIEND, AND

TO HIS FAMILY. >> COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> YES, WE HAVE DEFINITELY LOST TWO GIANTS. SO DR. PERSE FOR HIS NEARLY THREE DECADES OF HELPING IN DISASTERS, ADVANCING PUBLIC HEALTH, FOR EVERYTHING HE DID FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

YOU KNOW, WE THANK HIM. AND TO HAVE JUST RETIRED IN APRIL AND NOW TO BE GONE SO SOON, WE THANK HIS FAMILY FOR SHARING HIM WITH OUR COUNTY FOR DECADES AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE. AND FOR REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN, A GIANT, AND I'M -- TO ANGELIQUE AND AUSTIN AND EVAN TO ALL WHO LOVED HIM, OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

AND I GOT KNOW HIM BECAUSE SEVERAL OF MY TT MEMBERS... HE WAS THEIR MENTOR, HE BECAME A MENTOR TO ME AND TO SO MANY.

BUT I MEAN, WHAT HE HAS DONE, WHETHER IT IS TO HELP CREATE TEXAS CHIP, WHAT HE HAS DONE TO -- FOR EMANCIPATION, PARK RESTORATION, FUNDING FOR TSU AND PRAIRIEVIEW AND HELPING TO ESTABLISH THE U OF H HOBBY SCHOOL, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND SO MUCH MORE. HIS LEGACY WILL LIVE ON FOR MANY DECADES TO COME. AND MAY WE CONTINUE TO LIVE IN THEIR SPIRIT. SO TO EVERYONE WHO LOVED THEM BOTH, OUR HEARTS AND OUR PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> YEAH, I DID NOT KNOW REPRESENT REPRESENTATIVE COLEMAN THAT WELL BUT I KNEW HIM PRETTY WELL, AND THE THING I WOULD SAY WOULD BE SOMETHING I THINK ALL OF US WOULD LIKE TO HAVE SAID ABOUT US... WHEN WE FINISH THE RACE, THERE WILL BE SOMEONE THAT IS AN ENCOURAGER. ANYTIME I EVER TALKED TO HIM THROUGH THE YEARS, WORKING WITH 50 CITIES, 20 COUNTIES THROUGHOUT THE STATE AND I WOULD RUN INTO HIM IN DIFFERENT VENUES AND DIFFERENT PLACES, HE ALWAYS HAD A KIND WORD TO SAY.

HE ALWAYS HAD AN ENCOURAGING WORD TO SAY.

SO THAT'S PROBABLY A FOOD WAY TO START THE MEETING -- GOOD WAY TO START THE MEETING, IS REMEMBERING THAT WE CAN BE THAT, STILL TAKE CARE OF BUSINESS, STILL FOCUS ON THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT, BUT BE THAT ENCOURAGER AND REPRESENTATIVE

COLEMAN WILL BE MISSED. >> THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES.

[Appearances before court]

YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> I'VE GOT AN EMPLOYEE THAT IS PART OF THE SPEAKERS. I DO NEED TO GET HER BACK TO WORK, SO IF WE WOULDN'T MIND HERE FROM LUCE LOPEZ FIRST.

>> GO AHEAD, MA'AM. GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LUCE LOPEZ. I AM THE PRESIDENT AND ADVOCATE FOR CLOVERLEAF CIVIC CLUB. I SPEAK TODAY AS A RESIDENT AND AS A COMMUNITY ADVOCATE. NOT ON BEHALF OF PRECINCT 2.

I VOLUNTEER ON OUR JAILS HERE IN DOWNTOWN, ADVOCATE FOR IMMIGRANT RIGHTS AND WORK WITH COUNCILATES THROUGHOUT HOUSTON.

AS A DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVOR I KNOW FIRST HAND THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING LAW ENFORCEMENT WE CAN TRUST.

CLOVERLEAF RESIDENTS HAVE LONG ASKED FOR ADDITIONAL PUBLIC SERVICE RESOURCES. OUR NEIGHBORHOOD CANNOT AFFORD MULTIPLE CONTRACTS LIKE OTHER COMMUNITIES.

COMMISSIONER AGENT GARCIA LISTENED AND WORKING WITH SHERIFFS GONZALEZ, THEY DELIVERED TOOLS LIKE FLOCK

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(BEEP) MISTAKES CAN HAPPEN BUT NOTHING --

>> YOU COULD WRAP UP. >> -- SOMETHING ABOUT -- THAT WE CAN DO -- IT MATTERS WHAT WE CAN DO ABOUT IT.

TO THOSE OPPOSING FLOCK, I CHALLENGE YOU TO VISIT CLOVERLEAF AT 1 O'CLOCK IN THE MORNING.

SEE WHAT OUR FAMILIES FACE. THESE CAMERAS AREN'T ABOUT BEAUTIFUL NEIGHBORHOODS, PARKS OR COMMUNITY CENTERS.

THEY ARE ABOUT PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOODS LIKE MINE.

I RESPECT THAT OTHERS HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THESE CAMERAS, BUT PLEASE, DON'T MAKE THOSE DECISIONS ABOUT SAFETY OF MY NEIGHBORHOOD WITHOUT LISTENING TO FAMILIES WHO WE ACTUALLY LIVE THERE. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> NORMALLY WE STOP FOLKS RIGHT AT TIME SO OUT OF FAIRNESS I WILL LET FOLKS FINISH THEIR SENTENCES, BUT WE'RE GOING TO BE HERE LONGER. THANK YOU.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> CODY ANTHON SON SPEAKING ON ITEM 2. DAVID SMITH ITEM 40.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> HELLO, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CODY ANTONSIGNED I'VE LIVED IN STONE RIDGE FOR OVER 16 YEARS.

DURING THAT TIME, TRAFFIC HEADING NORTH ON -- U.S. 290 HAS BECOME MUCH WORSE. RECENT CHANGES SERVING THE NEW WAREHOUSE HAVE ADDED DELAYS. I'M SPEAKING ON ITEM 32, ROUND ROAD INTERSECTION NEAR GREENHOUSE.

I APPRECIATE THIS INVESTMENT AND THE FUTURE RELIEF THAT IT WILL PROVIDE, BUT WE NEED THESE MISSING CONNECTIONS COMPLETED AT MOUNT ROAD AND MUSHKEY ROAD TO NORTH U.S. 290.

I'VE STARTED A COMMUNITY PETITION, I'M ASKING THE HEY, TO IDENTIFY WHAT'S BLOCKING THESE CONNECTIONS -- TO PROVIDE UNITS WITH TIME LINES TO HELP OUR TRA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. WE'LL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

APPRECIATE YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THE DEPUTY CAN HAND THOSE OUT TO US.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU.

>> ANNA BETH TURS IUS ON ITEM 40, DAVID SMITH ITEM 40, LINDA SMITH, ITEM 40. WALLEDDER WRECKER ITEM 260, YOU

EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> I'M THE DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

THE DISTRICT WAS CREATED TO PROMOTE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, ENHANCE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNERS. WE'RE HERE TO SUPPORT ITEM 40 UNDER COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 2 REGARDING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT SIDEWALKS, INSTALL TWO RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEAK CONS AND A NEW CROSSWALK AT THE INTERSECTION OF JENSEN DRIVE ANDAL DEAN WEST FIELD ROAD.

THIS PROJECT WILL IMPROVE CONNECTIVITY FOR BUSINESSES, RESIDENTS AND VISITORS WHILE ENHANCING MOBILE AND SAFETY FOR THESE SECTIONS AND COMMUNITY. THIS PROJECT WAS IDENTIFIED THROUGH PLANNING EFFORTS, SUCH AS NORTH SIDE ON THE MOVE AND OUR CURRENT JENSEN CORRIDOR STUDY DESIGN CONCEPT REPORT.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXTEND OUR GRATITUDE TO COMMUNITY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND HIS TEAM, THE GOODMAN CORPORATION, OUR GNDT TEAM AND OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT AND COLLABORATION. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR COMING DOWN. APPRECIATE YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COUNTY JUDGE AND TO ALL OUR COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS DAVID SMITH. I'M THE PASTOR AT THE LOCAL BAPTIST CHURCH AND I'VE BEEN A LONG TIME FAITH LEADER AND ADVOCATE IN THE COMMUNITY. WE SUPPORT ITEM 40 ON THE COMMISSION PRECINCT 2 REGARDING THE INTERLOCAL AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT TO DESIGN AND CONSTRUCT APPROXIMATELY 750 LINEAR FEET OF SIDEWALKS, INSTALLED TWO RECTANGULAR RAPID FLASHING BEACONS AND ADD NEW SIDEWALKS AT THE INTERSECTION OF JENSEN DRIVE ANDALDEAN WEST FIELD. THESE IMPROVEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL FOR THE SAFETY OF OUR CURRENT RESIDENTS AND INCREASE PEDESTRIAN TRAFFIC ANTICIPATED FOR THE FUTURE OF CATHOLIC CHARITIES DEVELOPMENT. PROVIDING SAFER SIDEWALKS AND WALKWAYS AND CLEARLY MARKED CROSSINGS WILL HELP PROTECT OUR NEIGHBORS AND SAVE LIVES. SO ON BEHALF OF OUR COMMUNITY, WE THANK YOU AND MY GOD BLESS AND KEEP YOU IS MY PRAYER.

>> THANK YOU, POSITIVE FOR AND I'M SO EXCITED WE'RE GETTING CLOSER AND CLOSER ON THAT PROJECT.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS LINDA SMITH AND I'M THE FIRST LADY OF THE NEW BETHLEHEM MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED PARTNERSHIP IN THE EAST JENSEN

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AFTER REPEATEDLY RAISING THESE CONCERNS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHERS, I WAS ECSTATIC TO LEARN THAT THE PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 2 AND THE GREATER NORTH SIDE MANAGEMENT DISTRICT. AS A FAITH BASED COMMUNITY MEMBER AND A BOARD MEMBER -- (BEEP).

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

APPRECIATE YOU COMING DOWN. THANK YOU.

>> HI, GOOD MORNING. I'M WALTER RUTGER AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF HIV CASE MANAGEMENT AT THE MONTROSE CENTER.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. THE FUNDS NEEDING APPROVAL TODAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTING HOMELESSNESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS LIVING WITH HIV. WITH MANY OF OUR CLIENTS BEING OLDER ADULTS WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOMES AND ALREADY FACING EVICTION BY THE TIME WE RECEIVE THEIR REFERRAL.

THESE DOLLARS ALLOW OUR CLIENTS TO PRIORITIZE THEIR MEDICAL CARE WHICH DECREASES THE LIKELY NED OF HIV INFECTIONS SO WE THANK

YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT. >> THANK YOU.

>> SPEAKING ON ITEM 313, BEN WINE STEIN ITEM 313.

DAVID LUMPKINS ITEM 313. DOSHI PIPER ITEM 313.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING COUNTY JUDGE.

I'M DIRECTOR OF LOCAL PUBLIC AFFAIRS FOR THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS FOR HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY OR C FTH.

WE WOULD LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR SUPPORT FOR ITEM 313.

IT WILL OFFER AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE CRITICAL GAP IN OUR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTINUUM FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE PERSISTENT MENTAL HEALTH. MENTAL ILLNESS WHOSE NEEDS MAY EXCEED WHAT TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES CAN EFFECTIVELY SUPPORT. WHILE THIS IS PRIMARILY A BEHAVIORAL HEALTH ISSUE ACROSS MULTIPLE PUBLIC SYSTEMS, WHEN THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE -- INDIVIDUALS CAN CYCLE THROUGH HOSPITALS, EMERGENCY ROOMS, HOMELESSNESS SERVICES AND OTHER CRISIS SYSTEMS. THAT IS WHY CFTH IS SUPPORTING ITEM 313 AND THE COUNTY'S EFFORTS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS POPULATION, IDENTIFY GAPS AND IN THE CONTINUUM AND USE LOCAL DATA AND EXPERIENCE TO HELP INFORM THIS INITIATIVE.

THANK YOU. >> I'M THE CHAIR OF PSYCHIATRY AT HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM 313, HELPING A WAY TO CARE FOR SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS OUTSIDE THE HOSPITAL. PATIENTS COME TO THE HOSPITAL OFTEN ACUTELY ILL AND WE GIVE THEM MEDICATIONS AND KINDNESS AND TRY IT GET THEM BETTER AND WE GET THEM TO THE POINT WHERE THEY'RE SAFE BUT ONLY SAFE, THEY ARE NOT WELL.

THEN WE RELEASE THEM TO THE COMMUNITY WITH VERY LITTLE SUPPORT, WE HAVE GOOD PEOPLE OUT THERE TRYING BUT THERE'S JUST NOT ENOUGH SUPPORT. WE RELEASE THEM AND WE BASICALLY SAY TO THE ILLNESS, DECIDE IF YOU WANT TO BE TREATED.

WE ASK THE TIGER DOES IT WANT TO BE TAMED? WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO THESE HUMAN BEINGS TO PROVIDE THEM A PATHWAY TO A LIFE FULL OF MEANING AND PURPOSE AND --

(BEEP). >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> -- WE WORKED WITH THE MONARCH COMMUNITY TO HELP DEVELOP THAT.

IT'S A NATIONAL MODEL. >> THANK YOU.

>> I OFFER YOU MY SERVICE AND SUPPORT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IMPORTANT MATTER.

MY NAME IS DAVID LUMPKINS AND I'M HERE BECAUSE I'M THE FATHER OF A DAUGHTER WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA WHO PASSED AWAY TWO YEARS AGO.

BUT IN THE 20 YEARS THAT WE CRISSCROSSED THE COUNTRY TRYING TO FIND HELP FOR HER WE CAN GOT A VERY VALUABLE ALBEIT UNWANTED EDUCATION IN THE TREATMENT OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.

BUT WE WERE VERY FRUSTRATED IN THE LACK OF RESOURCES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS AND THE SURROUNDING FOUR STATES FOR THAT MATTER FOR OPPORTUNITIES TO GET CARE FOR THESE ILLNESSES.

BUT THE RESULT OF THE JOURNEY THAT WE WENT ON IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE MONARCH COMMUNITY HERE IN HOUSTON, IN PARTNERSHIP WITH HOUSTON METHODIST HOSPITAL AND DR.

WEINSTEIN AND IT IS A RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT PROGRAM FOR PEOPLE WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS.

THESE ILLNESSES TECHNICALLY ARE NOT CURABLE BUT THEY ARE

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MOST FAMILIES SIMPLY CANNOT AFFORD TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES. SO -- (BEEP).

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> I WOULD JUST ADD TO YOUR AGENDA HOW TO GET ASSISTANCE TO FAMILIES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD THESE SERVICES, EITHER THROUGH THE STATE OR THE COUNTY OR INSURANCE, AND IF YOU WANT TO SEE A PILOT PROGRAM, COME VISIT THE MONARCH COMMUNITY IN MONTROSE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR, FOR

YOUR WORK. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM DR. DOSHI PIPER THE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE COORDINATOR AT TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 313, THE MENTAL HEALTH DASHBOARD.

PEOPLE LIVING WITH PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS SHOULD NOT BE TRAPPED IN A REVOLVING DOOR OF EMERGENCY ROOMS, HOSPITALS, HOMELESSNESS AND THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL SIMPLY BECAUSE TEXAS LACKS APPROPRIATE LEVEL OF CARE. JAILS ARE NOT MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES, AND INCARCERATION SHOULD NOT BE OUR DEFAULT RESPONSE TO UNMET HEALTH CARE NEEDS.

PLEASE APPROVE 313 AND URGE THE STATE TO INVEST IN LONG-TERM TREATMENT, STABILITY AND CARE. OUR COMMUNITIES NEED A PATHWAY TO WELLNESS, NOT ANOTHER PATHWAY INTO JAIL.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> SONIA BURNS SPEAKING VIRTUALLY ON ITEM 313, YOU HAVE ONE MINUTE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> OKAY, SORRY, THANK YOU.

HI, THIS IS SONIA BURNS. I AM THE AUTHOR OF "RIDER 56" FROM LAST SESSION, I WAS DIRECTED BY LEGISLATIVE OFFICE TO ADDRESS THE INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF CARE BETWEEN HOSPITAL PLACEMENT AND COMMUNITY PLACEMENT.

UNFORTUNATELY ANOTHER LEGISLATOR REWORDED IT SO EVEN THOUGH HARRIS COUNTY DID SO MUCH WORK, TWO PEOPLE MET CRITERIA.

BUT I WANTED TO JUST TOUCH ON QUESTIONS -- INCOMPETENCE TO STAND TRIAL, UNLIKELY TO RESTORE, YOU CANNOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT CASE AND [INDISCERNIBLE] THE INCLUSION UNDER MEDICAID, IF YOU HAVE MEDICAID YOU CANNOT STAY MORE THAN 15 CONSECUTIVE DAYS IN A PSYCHIATRIC FACILITIES OF MORE THAN 16 BEDS, WHICH MOST OF THEM ARE SO THIS IMPACTS WHAT WE'RE SEEING IN THE STREETS, IN THE JAILS, THE CYCLING THROUGH THE HOSPITALS. MEDICARE, YOU CAN QUARTER BETWEEN AGES 21 AND 64 AND IT HAS 190 DAY LIFETIME LIMIT OF IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE. SO THAT IS IMPACTING THAT SAME POPULATION THAT JUST CYCLES AND CYCLES ENDLESSLY.

WE FUND -- >> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP.

>> PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS. >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> OKAY, WE FUND PSYCHIATRIC -- PRIVATE PSYCHIATRIC BEDS EVERY SESSION, ALMOST ALL OF THEM IN THE STATE HAVE EXCLUSIONARY CRITERIA FOR INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, AUTISM, NON- VERBAL. SO THEY HAVE NO PLACE TO GO IN CRISIS. WE DON'T HAVE PSYCHIATRIC NURSING LEVEL CARE THAT ADDRESSES PEOPLE WITH EXPECTED BEHAVIOURS SO WE SEE THEM IN OUR JAILS, YOU ALL SAW THEM.

THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM REDESIGNED DID NOT INCLUDE CHILDREN SO AT $2.6 BILLION, WE DID NOT GO UPSTREAM AND START WITH THE CHILDREN THAT NEED THAT HIGHER LEVEL OF CARE.

BUT WE DO NOT HAVE AN INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY AND WHAT YOU JUST HEARD FROM THE PSYCHIATRISTS AND THE OTHER MAN RUNNING MONARCH, WE DO HAVE -- COLLECTING THIS DATA IS SO IMPORTANT AND YOU CANNOT SOLVE THE PROBLEMS OF HOMELESSNESS, THE ENDLESS CYCLE WITHOUT THE PARTNERSHIP OF THE STATE AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND WE NEED A RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED THAT MORE ACTIVE TREATMENT AND THAT WOULD PROBABLY FALL UNDER INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY LIKE WE HAVE FOR IDD AND I LOOK FORWARD TO PARTNERING WITH ALL OF YOU ON THIS, BECAUSE AGAIN WE ARE WORKING IN SILOS AND THE LEGISLATURE HAS SHOWN IN THE REWRITING OF RIDER 56 THAT THEY HAVE NO INTENTION TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, SO WE HAVE TO PRESENT THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN PARTNER EFFECTIVELY.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. AND THEN COULD YOU EXPLAIN BRIEFLY THE 190 DAY LIFETIME LIMIT RELATED TO MEDICAID AND

MEDICARE? >> YES AND ACTUALLY SENATOR COOK IN THE INTERIM CHARGE HEARING OF MENTAL HEALTH AND HOMELESSNESS ASKED WHEN -- OF A HOSPITAL, PRIVATE HOSPITAL ON THE PANEL, ARE Y'ALL SEEING PEOPLE WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED THEIR 190 DAYS UNDER MEDICARE AND THE WOMAN FROM THE HOSPITAL RESPONDED, YES, ACTUALLY, WE HAVE A PERSON WHO IS 27 YEARS OLD RIGHT NOW WHO HAS ALREADY EXHAUSTED THEIR DAYS.

SO IF YOU HAVE DETERIORATED ENOUGH, WHEN YOU HAVE MEDICAID AND LIKE I SAID, YOU'RE GETTING SHORT STAYS, THESE ARE BAND-AID STAYS OF NO MORE THAN 15 DAYS UNLESS YOU GET IN ON THE 16TH OR 17TH OF THE MONTH. MAYBE YOU GET 30 DAYS OF IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE. YOU CAN BE SO DETERIORATED THAT NOW YOU'RE GOING TO BE QUALIFIED, YOU'LL BE DUAL-ELIGIBLE AND QUALIFIED FOR MEDICARE.

AND MEDICARE HAS A LIFETIME LIMIT OF 190 DAYS OF IN-PATIENT

[00:35:01]

AND I MIGHT ARGUE THAT INSTEAD OF CREATING A NEW PATHWAY FOR EXTENDED TREATMENT, WE COULD WORK IF WE'RE REALLY COLLECTING THOSE NUMBERS AT GETTING A DIFFERENT EITHER HOUSING SUBSIDY OR WHAT I'M SAYING, LIKE PUSH FOR INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY -- WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS FOR INTERMEDIATE CARE FACILITY UNDER THE IDD OFFICES, INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES, IT'S ACTIVE TREATMENT, IT'S ABOUT ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIFE, SOCIALIZATION, EMPLOYMENT.

AND I THINK THAT EVERYBODY IN THE ROOM WHO IS TALKING RIGHT NOW KNOWS THAT THESE HIGHER NEEDS INDIVIDUALS NEED THAT.

IT'S NOT JUST MEDICATION STABILIZATION, IT'S LOOKING AT THE WHOLE PERSON AND YOU KNOW, THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM THAT WE'VE NOW REDESIGNED, PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THIS, IT IS DESIGNED AS ACUTE CARE, AND THIS WAS A HUGE SURPRISE TO EVERYONE, ESPECIALLY ATTORNEYS AND JUDGES WHO HAD BEEN IN THE SYSTEM FOR A LONG TIME. AND LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO NOW WE DON'T HAVE THAT SAFETY NET AND THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM WAS RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT WAS NO TIME LIMIT, AND UNTIL WE FILL THAT GAP AGAIN, WE -- WE ALL KNOW, YOU ARE SEEING THE MOST DETERIORATED PEOPLE JUST ON THE STREET CORNERS.

>> RIGHT. >> WHEN YOU GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM, I TELL PEOPLE, PUT YOUR BACK TO THE WALL BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IS SITTING IN THE WAITING ROOM WITH YOU.

AND THEY'RE NOT SURE WHAT THEY'RE CAPABLE OF DOING, UNFORTUNATELY, BECAUSE LIKE THE DOCTOR SAID, WE'RE ASKING THE ILLNESS, WE'RE NOT TALKING TO THE PERSON AND DOING WHAT'S BEST

FOR THEM. >> RIGHT.

OKAY. WELL, LET ME JUST REALLY BRIEFLY [INDISCERNIBLE] WHAT THIS IS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF DETAILS IN WHAT THE SPEAKERS ARE SAYING.

SO THERE'S A LACK OF DATA ON THL ILLNESSES, SO THE SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS AND INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES AND THE IDEA IS FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO COLLECT THAT INFORMATION SO THAT AT LEAST ACADEMICS CAN STUDY IT AND THE STATE CAN WORK WITH IT. AND ALL KINDS OF ORGANIZATIONS CAN BEGIN TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. I THINK IT'S A GOOD TIME FOR US TO DO THIS. IT'S UNMIGHT HAVABLEMIGHT UNBELT ALREADY EXIST BUT IT'S A NATIONAL PROBLEM, SO HOW CAN YOU ADDRESS A ISSUE IF YOU CAN'T EVEN QUANTIFY IT AND GET THE DETAILS. SO THAT'S WHY THIS IS A BIG DEAL FOR US TO HAVE THIS DASHBOARD. THE OTHER THING IS AND RIDER 56 -- AND WE JUST SPOKE TO THE AUTHOR OF IT -- IT REQUIRES THE STATE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO SUBMIT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE FOR THE NEXT SESSION TO SEE IF THERE CAN BE A PILOT PROGRAM IN THE STATE TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM. SO IT REALLY IS A BIG DEAL.

IT'S A HUGE PROBLEM, BUT LIKE ANYTHING, YOU'VE GOT TO START SOMEWHERE, AND SO I'M REALLY PROUD OF THE PARTNERSHIPS FOR THIS. AND AS FAR AS, YOU KNOW, WHAT IT MEANS TO HAVE TREATMENT FOR SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS, YOU KNOW, LIKE ONE OF THE SPEAKERS MENTIONED, SOME OF THESE MENTAL ILLNESSES, THEY DON'T GO AWAY, BUT YOU CAN TREAT THEM AND YOU JUST -- AND YOU LEARN TO LIVE WITH THEM, AND IT'S TOTALLY MANAGEABLE. AND A LOT OF THE TIME, YOU NEED MORE CONSISTENT CARE. I KNOW FOR THE FOLKS THAT SUFFER FROM DEPRESSION, FOR EXAMPLE, YOU CAN'T JUST SEE SOMEBODY ONCE FOR A COUPLE DAYS AND SUDDENLY FEEL BETTER, ESPECIALLY IF IT'S REALLY SEVERE. AND SO YOU KNOW, IN MY EXPERIENCE I WAS AT THE MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT FACILITY FOR ABOUT SIX OR SEVEN WEEKS AND I COULD DO MY WORK, I WAS OKAY, I JUST NEEDED THE TREATMENT FOR DEPRESSION BECAUSE I WAS REALLY, YOU KNOW, FEELING A LOT OF THOUGHTS OF SUICIDE, ET CETERA.

JUST TO THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN EVEN WORSE CONDITION DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO PROPER TREATMENT, IT REALLY EXPLAINS WHY WE HAVE SUCH ISSUES OUT IN THE COMMUNITY.

SO ANYWAY, I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WORKING ON THIS AND I KNOW I HEAR A LOT FROM THE COMMUNITY ABOUT WHAT ARE WE DOING FOR MENTAL ILLNESS, I KNOW WE'RE DOING SOMETHING ABOUT HOMELESSNESS BUT WHAT ABOUT THE MENTALLY ILL.

SO THANK YOU, EVERYBODY, WHO IS WORKING ON THIS.

GO AHEAD, TIFFANY. >> NEXT IS AMAH SHERIFF ON ITEM 313. SHIRLEY ATWATER ITEM 313.

[00:40:20]

>> I THINK THE SPEAKERS ARE MAKING THEIR WAY.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONER. GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY.

ON JUNE -- I'M SORRY, I'M A LITTLE NERVOUS.

ON THE 10TH OF JULY MY LIFE CHANGED, IT BECAME A NIGHTMARE.

MY 38-YEAR-OLD SON WHO SUFFERS FROM PARANOID SCHIZOPHRENIA HEARS VOICES 24/7. OVER THE YEARS I TRIED TO GET HIM HELP, HE'S IN AND OUT OF THE MENTAL FACILITIES.

THEY ONLY HELP HIM FOR BRIEF DAYS, NOT LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GET BETTER. AND DURING THAT TIME OF THAT DAY ON THE 20TH, WE LOST OUR APARTMENT AND LIFE HAS BEEN DRASTICALLY TURNED UPSIDE DOWN. AND I LOST MY OLDEST SON DURING THAT TIME. AND I FEEL LIKE ONLY -- IF THE FACILITIES THAT HE WAS IN, IF THEY WOULD HAVE KEPT HIM LONGER, BUT THEY DIDN'T, AND HE WOULD HAVE HAD THE CHANCE TO LIVE A DECENT LIFE. (BEEP).

>> BUT BECAUSE THEY ONLY KEPT HIM FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THIS AND RIGHT NOW HE'S SITTING IN JAIL WITH A MURDER CHARGE BECAUSE OF THIS.

AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED.

ONLY IF THE HOSPITALS WOULD TAKE HEED AND HELP THESE PEOPLE THAT HAVE MENTAL ILLNESS, KEEP THEM LONGER TO GIVE THEM THE HELP THAT THEY NEED INSTEAD OF CHARGING THEM ONLY IN A COUPLE

OF DAYS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM.

SO SORRY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR SON AND THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE. THANK YOU.

>> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR THAT I AM FOR THE RECORD.

>> MY NAME IS SHIRLEY ATWATER. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

AND JUST FOR THE RECORD, MY MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT COST LIKE $80,000. SO I HAD MY BOYFRIEND AT THE TIME AND A FRIEND HELP PAY FOR IT.

THERE'S NO WAY I COULD AFFORD $80,000 AND WE HAVE GREAT INSURANCE AT THE COUNTY SO IT BARELY COVERED ANYTHING.

SO I UNDERSTAND WHY IT WAS AS MUCH AS YOU WANTED TO HELP, IF THE PUBLIC SYSTEM ISN'T THERE, YOUR HANDS ARE VIRTUALLY TIED.

THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE.

THERE'S A PACKET -- THERE YOU GO.

[INDISCERNIBLE] COFOUNDER OF TEXAS JAIL PROJECT.

WE'RE HERE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 313.

WE'RE VERY GRATEFUL FOR THE PROPOSAL OF A MENTAL HEALTH CASH BOARD [INDISCERNIBLE] IT'S LONG OVERDUE.

WE'VE ALREADY SHARED A DETAILED LIST OF DATA POINTS THAT WE BELIEVE THE COUNTY NEEDS TO BE COLLECTING IN ORDER TO UNDERSTAND WHY OUR COUNTY JAIL HAS BECOME THE ONLY ZERO [INDISCERNIBLE] PROVIDER IN THE ENTIRE MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY SYSTEM.

WE BELIEVE THE QUALITY OF THE QUESTIONS WE ASK AS A COMMUNITY DETERMINE WHAT KIND OF SOLUTIONS WE CREATE AND FUND.

IN YOUR PACKETS WE PROVIDED A COUPLE OF EXAMPLES OF VERY EXPENSIVE REVOLVING DOOR. WE HAVE DOZENS OF EXAMPLES OF CURRENT AND PAST CASES BUT WE PICKED JUST TWO WHERE THE INDIVIDUALS ARE ALREADY DECEASED AND THEY DIED IN THE CUSTODY OF THE JAIL. YOU WILL SEE THE RIDER 56 SURVEY RESPONSES FROM THE MOTHER OF CHRISTOPHER MCGREGOR WHO DIED IN JAIL. SHE ASKED ME TO SHARE THAT WITH THE COURT, YOU'LL SEE HER RIDER 56 RESPONSES (BEEP) .

>> YOUR TIME, GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> -- WHO FOR 47 YEARS CYCLED THROUGH THE STATE HOSPITALS, COMPETENCY RESTORATION, JAIL, PRISON, GROUP HOMES AND THE STREETS.

BEFORE DYING LAST YEAR IN OUR JAIL OF PNEUMONIA, HE DIED JUST THREE DAYS BEFORE HIS 63RD BIRTHDAY, THESE ARE NOT ISOLATED CASES, THESE ARE PATTERNS OF PRACTICE.

WE KNOW THE STATE HAS INTENTIONALLY PUSHED THE MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS ONTO COUNTIES. WITH THE DATA THE COUNTY COLLECTS, WE HOPE YOU CAN LEAD THE WAY IN MAPPING OUT THE CONTINUUM OF CARE BASED -- COMMUNITY BASED CONTINUUM OF CARE THAT SERVES PEOPLE BASED ON THEIR TRUE LEVEL OF NEED AND NOT SIMPLY ON CAPACITY. WE'VE BEEN EXPANDING RESPONSES FOR OVER A DECADE WITH LEGISLATION S V-6 AND SV9.

IT'S TIME TO ADDRESS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH ARENA AND NOT IN THE CARS SYSTEM.

I ALSO INCLUDED IN THE PACKET IDD DATA.

[00:45:02]

THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE AN ENTITLEMENT TO BE IN THE STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTERS, BUT INSTEAD WE'RE GATEKEEPING THAT, WHEN I SAY WE, I MEAN THE STAY AND WE'RE PUSHING THEM 000 THE JAILS TO GO TO [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I WANT TO LEAVE YOU WITH THIS LAST DATA POINT BECAUSE HARRIS COUNTY IS THE DRIVER FOR THIS POPULATION. ACCORDING TO DATA, THE LARGEST NUMBER OF TRANSFERS OF PEOPLE WITH IDD TO STATE SUPPORTED LIVING CENTERS IS HAPPENING FROM COUNTY JAILS.

THIS IS ALREADY AN ENTITLEMENT FOR THEM BUT WE'RE PUSHING THEM THROUGH THE JAILS TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE THEY HAVE AN INTIEMGHTSMENT TO ENTITLEMENT TO GO TO TO BEGIN WITH. THAT'S A REALLY SCARY DATA POINT THAT WE'RE DOING WITH SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION SO I HOPE THIS WOULD BE PART OF THE DASHBOARD SO TAXPAYERS CAN SEE WHAT WE'RE ACTUALLY FUNDING AND WHOSE PROBLEMS THE COUNTY IS PAYING FOR. THIS IS THE STATE'S RESPONSIBILITY REALLY. BUT I HOPE WE CAN PARTNER WITH THEM IF WE HAVE APPROPRIATE DATA, BECAUSE THIS NEEDS TO BE

PUSHED BACK ONTO THE STATE. >> MAY I ASK JUST BRIEFLY WHAT'S THE CIVIL COMMITMENT VERSUS FORENSIC COMMITMENT WAITLIST AND WHY SHOULD WE BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT?

>> SO IF YOU ASK YOURSELF WHY THE JAIL IS A ZERO REJECT PROVIDER, AND IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FROM THE STATE HOSPITAL LONG-RANGE PLANNING REPORT, OUR STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM NOW IS 71% FORENSIC COMPARED TO 21% CIVIL. IN THE LAST TWO DECADES.

SO THERE'S A GRAPH IN THE REPORT WHICH IS THE CIVIL COMMITMENT GOING DOWN AND THE FORENSIC COMMITMENT LINE GOING UP AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE STATE KEEPS THE IN PATIENT CARE WAITLIST.

AND IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE LONG-TERM CIVIL COMMITMENT, IT COULD BE JUST UNTIL THE PERSON IS STABILIZED, COULD BE A MONTH, COULD BE SIX MONTHS. WHAT WE HAVE SEEN IS TWO YEARS IS WHAT WORKS. SO THE CIVIL COMMITMENT WAITLIST RIGHT NOW STATEWIDE IS ONLY 65 PEOPLE.

AND THE FORENSIC COMMITMENT WAITLIST IS 1,550.

20 YEARS AGO, THIS WAS THE EXACT OPPOSITE.

SO WHEN WE STARTED GATEKEEPING THE FRONT DOOR OF THE STATE HOSPITAL SYSTEM, PEOPLE ARE GETTING PUSHED THROUGH THE JAILS TO THE FORENSIC PATHWAY TO GET TO THE STATE HOSPITALS.

AND IT'S NOT FOR CARE, WE JUST GET THEM THERE FOR COMPETENCY [INDISCERNIBLE] SO WE CAN STABILIZE THEM, SO WE CAN PUNISH THEM FOR THEIR DISABILITY. SO THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE.

SO WE SHOULD BE OUT COLLECTING DATA ON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE ON THE IN PATIENT CARE WAITLIST AND WHY NOT.

WHY ARE MORE PEOPLE NOT QUALIFYING FOR CIVIL COMMITMENT? BECAUSE ALL OF A SUDDEN WHEN THEY COMMIT A CRIME AND CREATE A VICTIM, NOW THEY'RE ON THE FORENSIC WAITLIST.

BUT ALL THESE YEARS WHEN THEY WERE CYCLING, NOBODY QUESTIONED WHY THEY DID NOT MEET CRITERIA FOR CIVIL COMMITMENT.

>> SO THE FORENSIC WAITLIST IS WHEN YOU COME OUT OF THE JAIL --

>> WHEN YOU GO INTO THE JAIL. >> FOR COMPETENCY RESTORATION.

>> AND YOU'RE FOUND COMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL AND YOU GO ON THE WAITLIST TO GO TO THE STATE HOSPITAL, YOU ARE [INDISCERNIBLE] TAKES CARE OF LOW LEVEL CHARGES.

FOR YEARS WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT, WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT, PEOPLE WERE COMING OUT ON THE WAITLIST ON MISDEMEANORS BECAUSE THE WAIT ON THE WAITLIST WAS LONGER THAN THE CONVICTION TIME FOR THOSE MISDEMEANORS SO PEOPLE WERE GETTING RELEASED WITH NO CONNECTION TO CARE OR SERVICES. WE'VE OFTEN TALKED ABOUT THIS, THAT IT SHOULD BE MANDATED IN YOUR CONTRACTS WITH THE HARRIS CENTER BECAUSE YOU HAVE A CONTRACT WITH THEM FOR JAIL SERVICES, WHAT DO THEY DO WHEN PEOPLE ARE LEAVING THE JAIL IN THERE'S NO CONNECTION BACK TO THEIR SERVICES.

EVEN IF THEY WERE A CLIENT OF THE HARRIS CENTER COMING INTO THE JAIL. THERE IS NO CONTINUITY OF CARE PROTOCOL. IN FACT, PEOPLE ARE DROPPED FROM SERVICES IF THEY'RE SITTING IN JAIL LONGER THAN 30 DAYS.

THAT'S A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE. TODAY I'M INCOMPETENT TO STAND TRIAL, TOMORROW MY CHARGES ARE DROPPED, I'M ON THE STREETS WITH NO CONNECTION TO CARE. THAT IS A REAL PUBLIC SAFETY

ISSUE. >> OKAY, I'LL HAVE MY TEAM VISIT WITH YOU ON THAT LAST POINT. AND LET ME KNOW IF MY NUMBERS ARE OUTDATED BUT FROM WHAT I REMEMBER, THE ANNUAL COST OF SOMEBODY AT THE JAIL, IF THEY HAVE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, IT USED TO BE LIKE $70,000 OR SOMETHING -- I DON'T KNOW WHAT

IT IS THESE DAYS. >> WE HEAR SOMETHING BETWEEN 110 AND $150 A DAY IF IT'S A PERSON WITH SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS BECAUSE IT ALSO ADDS MEDICAL COMPLICATIONS.

IT IS CHEAPER TO KEEP SOMEBODY IN JAIL THAN TO ACTUALLY TREAT THEM, BECAUSE THE STATE HOSPITAL IS ABOUT $900 A DAY.

SO SOMEONE DECIDED THIS IS BEST PUSHED TO THE COUNTY SO Y'ALL

CAN PAY FOR EXPANDING YOUR JAIL- >> BUT THEY WON'T BE AT THE JAIL FOR IN THEORY THAT LONG SO IF YOU ADD THIS 375 JAILS WHERE PEOPLE ARE STAYING AT THE JAIL IS $150,000 SO YOU CAN PUT THEM THROUGH COLLEGE A COUPLE OF TIMES FOR THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

HI THERE. I'M SARAH.

[00:50:01]

HEY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. FOR NUMBER 313, DIRECT ACTION OF AT THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY IS WHAT LIKE EVERYONE IS SAYING IS THE CALL FOR UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE, GUARANTEED BASIC INCOME AND DOING THAT THROUGH A SUSTAINED COMMUNITY. NOT THE CAGES OF A NEW FACILITY WHEN THE JAIL ALREADY EXISTS AS THE ONLY PUBLIC MENTAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY WITH ABOUT 78% AS OF THIS MORNING THE POPULATION EXPERIENCING SYSTEMIC INDUCED MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.

AND THEN ON NUMBER 314, I SINCERELY APPRECIATE YOUR AWAKENING AND CAUTIOUSNESS TO DECOMMISSIONING FLOCK.

IT'S THE RIGHT STEP AND I WANT TO ENCOURAGE AND I WANT TO EMPOWER YOU TO RALLY YOUR COLLEAGUES HERE, ALL OF THEM, TO HAVE A UNITED FRONT ON THIS AND TO CANCEL THE FLOCK CONTRACT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

(SNAPPING). >> I DON'T THINK THE GIGGLES WERE APPROPRIATE. YES, GO AHEAD.

>> AMAH SHERIFF ON ITEM 313, REVEREND DR. STEPHANIE WILKINS, ITEM 313. BARBARA DRUMHELLER, ITEM 313.

KEVIN NEWSOM, ITEM 314. AND KATIE MERSTA, ITEM 313.

>> GO AHEAD, MA'AM AND JUST STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> GREAT MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I HAVE REVEREND DR. STEPHANIE WILKINS.

I'M A MEMBER OF PURE JUSTICE AND ASSOCIATE PASTOR AT ST. JOHNS AND DEDICATED TO SOCIAL JUSTICE. AS A REVEREND, I BELIEVE OUR MORAL RESPONSIBILITY IS NOT SIMPLY TO RESPOND TO SUFFERING BUT TO PREVENT IT. TEXAS SB1 RIDER 56 RAISES A CRITICAL QUESTION: WHY MUST INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCE REPEATED PSYCHIATRIC CRISES, HOSPITALIZATIONS AND INCARCERATIONS BEFORE RECEIVING MEANINGFUL CARE? HARRIS COUNTY ALREADY HAS SOLUTIONS, INCLUDING HART, THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVERSION CENTER AND ACCESS HARRIS COUNTY.

I'M ASKING THIS COURT TO CONTINUE TO STRENGTHEN AND EXPAND THESE PROGRAMS, INVEST IN ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY BASED ALTERNATIVES, SUCH AS TREATMENT, HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND CRISIS PREVENTION, RATHER THAN INCARCERATION.

OUR JAILS SHOULD NEVER BECOME SUBSTITUTES FOR MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT. (BEEP).

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> -- FUNDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNMET -- LET ME START THAT AGAIN. WE CANNOT CONTINUE FUNDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF UNMET NEEDS WHILE UNDERFUNDING THE SERVICES THAT COULD PREVENT THEM. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. (SNAPPING) .

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS BARBARA DRUMHELLER. AND I AM THE CHIEF OF THE MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION AT THE HARRIS COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE. AS WE'VE ALL BEEN SAYING, THERE ARE PEOPLE EVERY SINGLE DAY IN THIS COUNTY WHO CYCLE THROUGH A DANGEROUS AND DESPERATE CYCLE OF PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTION, STREETS AND OUR JAIL. SOME OF THESE FOLKS HAVE NOT ONLY SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS BUT ALSO IDD, INTELLECTUAL DISABILITY, TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY, OTHER KINDS OF COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS THAT MAKE IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THEM TO SURVIVE AND DO WELL ON THE STREETS OF OUR COMMUNITY.

WHEN LEFT TO THEIR OWN DEVICES. THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WAS NOT DESIGNED TO PUNISH PEOPLE FOR THEIR ILLNESSES AND IT ALSO IS NOT EQUIPPED TO TREAT THEM, AND YET EVERY SINGLE DAY, THEY ARE IN OUR JAIL. THE REASON FOR THIS IS BECAUSE, SHORT OF FULL HOSPITALIZATION, THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IS THE ONLY PLACE WHERE WE CAN -- SNMENT BEEP) (BEEP) -- HOLD THEM FOR SOME TYPE OF TREATMENT OR HOUSING TO AT LEAST TRY TO MITIGATE [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> THANK YOU, YOUR TIME IS UP. >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

THANK YOU. WERE YOU DONE?

>> YES, THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

TIFFANY, I'M JUST TRYING TO BE FAIR WITH EVERYBODY FROM THE FIRST SPEAKER. ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD, SIR.

>> GOOD MORNING. I'M KEVIN NEWSOM, LOCAL ARTIST AND [INDISCERNIBLE] IT'S NICE TO SEE EVERYBODY HERE.

I'LL KEEP IT SIMPLE. WE NEED TO CANCEL THE FLOCK CONTRACTS. THEY ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THEY ARE ILLEGAL. THE 4TH AMENDMENT IS THE ULTIMATE RULE THAT WE ARE SUPPOSED TO FOLLOW WHEN IT COMES TO SURVEILLANCE, AND SO IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RULES AND REGULATIONS CONCERNING FLOCK, IF WE'RE NOT FOLLOWING THE BIGGEST RULE, WHAT HOPE DO WE HAVE TO FOLLOW THE SMALLER RULES THAT WE'RE PROPOSING TODAY? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

[00:55:04]

FULLY ENDING FLOCK CONTRACTS IS AN IMPORTANT STEP TOWARDS THIS GOAL. THE BARE MINIMUM, BUT HARRIS COUNTY MUST APPLY THOSE SAME VALUES ACROSS THE WHOLE BUDGET, NOT SPENDING A SINGLE CENT MORE THAN WHAT IS LEGALLY REQUIRED BY STATE LAW ON LAW ENFORCEMENT INCARCERATION AND SURVEILLANCE AND PUSHING BACK HOWEVER POSSIBLE ON THESE UNJUST STATE LIMITATIONS THAT DO EXIST. THIS GOES ESPECIALLY FOR YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, TAKING CREDIT FOR THIS DECISION WITH ONE HAND WHILE SUPPORTING LAW ENFORCEMENT BUDGET INCREASES WITH THE OTHER IS A CONTRADICTION THAT HARMS ALL OF OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS. AND ON BEHALF OF MY ORGANIZATION, IT ESPECIALLY CONTRADICTS YOUR STATED SUPPORT FOR IMMIGRANTS AS IN THE CURRENT POLITICAL CLIMATE, ANY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SURVEILLANCE INEVITABLY CONTRIBUTES TO THE FEDERAL IMMIGRATION ENFORCEMENT MACHINE, ESPECIALLY HERE IN TEXAS, WHERE THE ENTANGLEMENT OF THE TWO SYSTEMS IS AT ITS PEAK.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> TERRY CHEN ON ITEM 314.

NICK SALAZAR. CATHERINE AVILA.

[INDISCERNIBLE] ON ITEM 314. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

I'M TERRY CHEN AND I'M THE SENIOR COMMUNITY ORGANIZER WITH [INDISCERNIBLE]. OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE THE ONES THAT GET TO DECIDE WHAT CAMPAIGNS WE FIGHT AND HOW.

THEY HAVE CHOSEN TO FIGHT AGAINST ALPRS, WHICH IN THIS CASE ARE FLOCK CAMERAS, AND WE'RE ASKING YOU TO CANCEL THE FLOCK CONTRACT AND REMOVE ALL OF THE CAMERAS.

THEIR PRESENCE IN OUR COUNTY LEAVE MILLIONS OF COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN FEAR AND AT RISK. AS YOU'VE HEARD FOR MONTHS NOW FROM THE COMMUNITY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN CAUGHT USING THEM TO STALK WOMEN. WE ALSO NOW LAW ENFORCEMENT FEEDS FLOCK INFORMATION TO I.C.E.

OUR COMMUNITIES CAN'T LIVE THEIR LIVES AND THRIVE IN A SPACE WHERE THESE CAMERAS ARE ON EVERY STREET CORNER.

PEOPLE ARE SCARED TO GO TO WORK, DRIVE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL AND GO TO GROCERY STORES. IT'S AN INHUMANE WAY TO LIVE.

OUR MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WILL BE THE VICTIMS OF ALPR ABUSES. KEEP THAT THIS MIND WHEN THIS COMES UP AGAIN FOR VOTE. IT DOESN'T END WITH FLOCK.

SAY NO TO ANY OTHER COMPANY THAT TRIES TO SELL MASS SURVEILLANCE AS A FORM OF SAFETY. SAFETY IS FUNDING HEALTH CARE, HOUSING, CLEAN AIR AND WATER AND ACCESS TO NUTRITIOUS FOOD.

IT DOES NOT END WITH FLOCK. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. (SNAPPING) .

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS NICK SALAZAR, I'M WITH [INDISCERNIBLE] I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3.

I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, COMMISSIONERS RAMSEY AND GARCIA, TO SUPPORT REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR ALPRS HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE KNOW THAT YOU WON'T TAKE DOWN THE CAMERAS IN YOUR PRECINCTS BUT WE COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE IN THE DARK ALSO ON HOW MUCH AND FOR WHAT REASONS OUR PERSONAL INFORMATION IS BEING VIEWED IN VIOLATION OF OUR PRIVACY.

CONSTABLE MARK HARM ON IS ALREADY CALLING FOR STRICTER GUARD RAILS ON LAPR ABUSE. IT'S SOMETHING THAT'S EASILY CONTROLLABLE WHETHER THROUGH CRIMINAL CRACKDOWNS, THEY'RE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO BE USED RESPONSIBLY.

SO YOU ARE BEING EXPECTED BY THE GOVERNMENT TO REGULATE THESE CAMERAS. PUBLIC RELEASING WITH [INDISCERNIBLE] WITH INVESTIGATIONS WHERE THESE DEVICES ARE USED TO GIVE YOU DATA OF HOW OUR PRISONER INFORMATION IS BEING USED AND THESE AUDITS SHOULD ALSO LOOK FOR ANY MISCONDUCT AND LAPR INEFFECTIVENESS AS WELL AS CRIMINAL MATCHES THAT RESULTED IN ARRESTS AND DISCOVERING OF MISSING PERSONS. USING THIS DATA YOU CAN DECIDE TO RISK VIOLATING THE PRIVATE OF YOUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS OR LET THEM DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO HAVE [INDISCERNIBLE] IN THEIR

NEIGHBORHOODS. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 3. I'M WITH THE IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER AND I'M HERE REPRESENTING THE HOUSTON LEADS COMMUNICATION. I'M HERE TO ASK Y'ALL TO CANCEL THE FLOCK CAMERAS. THE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ARE NEARLY NON- EXIST EVERYONE. THE AMOUNT OF SURVEILLANCE ALREADY IN PLACE IS RIDICULOUS IN THE COUNTY, EVEN THIS MORNING JUST TRYING TO WALK IN HERE TO TESTIFY, IT'S A BIT OF OVERKILL.

COPS ARE TOO STUPID TO IDENTIFY MY PILL CASE WAS FULL OF ANTI-DEPRESSANT AND CREATINE AND MADE ME TAKE IT BACK TO MY CAR.

THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING FOR NO NEW JAILS, NO ALPR CAMERAS, NO FLOCK CAMERAS AND BETTER REPORTING REQUIREMENTS SINCE THEY'RE BASICALLY NON- EXISTENT AT THE MOMENT AND I THINK A RECENT ARTICLE CAME OUT SAYING THAT A BUNCH OF HARRIS COUNTY CIVILIANS DID A DOZEN OR SO FLOCK SEARCHES THIS YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

AND I DO THINK -- CERTAINLY FREE SPEECH IS IMPORTANT, AND LET'S JUST TRY TO KEEP LIMITED THE -- ANYTHING THAT WOULD INSULT

[01:00:05]

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS CATHERINE.

I LIVE IN PRECINCT 2. AND I'M A MEMBER OF [INDISCERNIBLE]. I'M BORN AND RAISED IN SOUTHEAST HOUSTON AND I'VE DEDICATED A LOT OF TIME KEEPING MY COMMUNITY INFORMED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. I WAS SHOCKED TO LEARN TO MY COMMISSIONER HAD FLOCK CAMERAS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND SOON ALSO LEARNED THAT NOBODY WAS AWARE OF THAT.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AS WE ASK FOR VOTES AND AS WE ADVOCATE FOR YOU AND FOR THIS NEW ELECTION, WE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY. IF YOU CAN'T TELL US EXACTLY WHICH AGENCIES HAVE ACCESS TO OUR DATA, EVERY TIME THEY TRACK A HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT, EVERY TIME THEY USE IT TO SPY ON OUR [INDISCERNIBLE] THEN YOU CAN'T ALLOW THESE CAMERAS IN OUR COUNTY. WE DESERVE A SAY TO DECOMMISSION THESE CAM REMARKS CANCEL THE CONTRACT AND END MASS SURVEILLANCE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY.

DOES SURVEILL US, INSTEAD PROTECT US.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANDY KHAN ON ITEM 314. ALSO ERIC [INDISCERNIBLE] STEVEN WU, LISA HUNT. JENNIFER CANALES.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS ANDY KHAN. I'M DIRECTOR OF THE VICTIM ADVOCACY FOR CRIMESTOPPERS OF HOUSTON AND ALSO A CONSTITUENT OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES. FIRST OF ALL, I GET ALL THE FRUSTRATIONS AND TREPIDATION REGARDING FLOCK CAMERAS, AND I SHARE YOUR CONCERNS FOR PRIVACY AND WE HAVE PUBLICLY STATED OUR DISAPPOINTMENT AND FRANKLY DISGUST REGARDING THE MISUSE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND WE FEEL IF ANY CRIMINAL CONDUCT HAS BEEN ORIGINATED FROM THAT, THEY SHOULD BE PROSECUTED TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW.

WHILE PRIVACY CONCERNS ARE VALID AND DESERVE STRICT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK, RETREATING ENTIRELY FROM THIS CRITICAL INVESTIGATIVE TOOL IS A STEP BACKWARDS FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.

I'M JUST GOING TO SHARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES IN THE PAST MONTHS OF CASES BEING SOLVED, INCLUDING NUMEROUS MURDERS.

OCTOBER 5TH, TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT --

>> ...(BEEP)... >> CONTINUE.

>> THANK YOU. TWO PEOPLE WERE SHOT TO DEATH ON LIN DALE STREET. CAMERAS CAPTURED THE FLEEING VEHICLE, THE SUSPECTS WERE APPREHENDED IN LIBERTY COUNTY.

ROBBERIES, ABDUCTED CHILDREN, STOLEN CARS, MULTICOUNTY ORGANIZED CRIME RINGS, KIDNAPPINGS, ANOTHER MURDER CASE WAS SOLVED IN A HEIST WHEN THEY CAPTURED THE LICENSE PLATE AND THEY TRACKED THE CAR AT A RESIDENCE.

A FEW WEEKS AGO, CRIMESTOPPERS PROFILED A HIT AND RUN FATALITY.

HIT AND RUN FATALITIES AND ROAD RAGE SHOOTINGS ARE THE MOST DIFFICULT CASES TO SOLVE, THERE'S NO EVIDENCE, THERE'S NO WITNESSES. A FLOCK CAMERA CAPTURED THE IMAGE ON A HIT AND RUN FATALITY AND ARRESTED THE SUSPECT.

ON SEPTEMBER 19TH, A 5-YEAR-OLD GIRL WAS SHOT AND KILLED IN A ROAD RAGE SHOOTING LATE NIGHT.

THERE ARE NO WITNESSES. THERE'S NO EVIDENCE.

IT'S LATE NIGHT, NOBODY CAN SEE ANYTHING.

WITHIN 24 HOURS, INVESTIGATORS USING LOCAL LICENSE PLATE READERS WERE ABLE PINPOINT THE VEHICLE USED TO KILL A 5-YEAR-OLD LITTLE GIRL. I DEAL WITH SO MANY FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES TO ROAD RAGE KILLINGS AND TO HIT AND RUN FATALITIES. AND I WISH I COULD TELL THEM WHEN THEY SAY IF ONLY THERE WERE A CAMERA READER -- 19-YEAR-OLD CODY JOHNSON, TWO YEARS AGO, COMING OFF OF THE GRAND PARKWAY, IT'S YOUR DISTRICT, SHOT AND KILLED IN A ROAD RAGE SHOOTING.

NO ARREST, THERE'S NO WITNESSES, THERE'S NOTHING.

IF ONLY A FLOCK CAMERA WAS THERE.

SAME THING WITH 19-YEAR-OLD LOUISE WILSON.

6:45 IN THE MORNING ON THE PIERCE ELEVATED, SHOT AND KILLED. CASES REMAIN UNSOLVED.

SO I GET THE DEBATE AND I UNDERSTAND PUBLIC SAFETY VERSUS PRIVACY. BUT I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER THE NAMES THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHOSE CASES WERE SOLVED.

THANKS TO TECHNOLOGY BY FLOCK CAMERAS.

I WANT YOU TO REMEMBER TRYLEAN WASHINGTON, DANIELLA CARDONA, ERIC VON GURBUS. FELL TON JOSEPH AND A 5-YEAR-OLD

[01:05:05]

DON'T LET CRIMINALS GET AWAY WITH MURDERS AND VIOLENT CRIMES, WHEN WE HAVE PROVEN TECHNOLOGY TO APPREHEND THEM.

BEFORE THEY KILL SOMEONE ELSE OR MAIM AND HURT SOMEONE ELSE.

SO I WANT YOU TO LOOK AT THE ONLY UNWILLING PARTICIPANTS IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND THAT'S CRIME VICTIMS. AND THE TECHNOLOGY IS HERE TO HELP SOLVE THEIR CASES, SO CONSIDER THAT UNDER THIS DEBATE. AND YES, I UNDERSTAND THE PRIVACY CONCERNS AND I HOPE THIS UPCOMING LEGISLATIVE SESSION, YOU'LL SEE LEGISLATION FILED TO DEAL WITH THAT AND ANYONE WHO IS CAUGHT MISUSING PUBLIC INFORMATION LIKE THAT SHOULD BE PROSECUTED AND THEY SHOULD GO TO JAIL AND/OR PRISON.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS ERIC ESCALA. I'M A MEMBER OF PRECINCT 1.

I'M ALSO HERE AS A MEMBER OF [INDISCERNIBLE] AND ABOUT FACE, VETERANS AGAINST THE WAR. I'M HERE TO QUITE FRANKLY ASK Y'ALL TO GET RID OF FLOCK CAMERAS, DECOMMISSION THEM ALL, CANCEL THE FLOCK CAMERAS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ALONGSIDE THE PRIVACY CONCERNS THAT EVERYBODY HAS BEEN SHARING TODAY AND AS WELL AS OTHER CONCERNS, WE DO NOT KNOW IF THESE CAMERAS THAT WERE BUILT BY PRIVATE COMPANIES, WHAT THE EXTENT OF THEIR PRIVACY -- THEIR SECURITY MEASURES ARE.

AT LEAST I DON'T. SO I ASK EVERYBODY, NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE PRIVACY CONCERNS WITH THE 4TH AMENDMENT BUT AS WELL AS JUST OUR PRIVACY AND DATA THAT CAN BE MISS USED NOT JUST BY THESE COMPANIES BUT ALSO BY BAD ACTORS THAT COULD HACK INTO THESE COMPANIES. SO I ASK Y'ALL AGAIN TO DECOMMISSION ALL THE FLOCK CAMERAS, FOLLOW -- (BEEP) -- COMMISSION BRIONES' LEAD AND CANCEL THEM, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. JUST A REMINDER THAT THE COMMISSIONER FORCED THE EXTENSION ON THE CONTRACT, DID NOT REVEAL THAT SHE HAD CAMERAS AND THEN ONCE PEOPLE NOTICED, SHE SAID SHE HAD A CONSCIOUSNESS MOMENT SO -- ANYWAY, I JUST -- FOR THE RECORD. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS STEVEN WU. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2.

AND I'M HERE TO ASK YOU ALL TO END ALL CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK AND ANY OTHER ALPRS, INCLUDING DECOMMISSIONING, COVERING THEM UP, NOT GETTING RID OF THEM ALTOGETHER.

I ORIGINALLY MOVED TO THE EAST END, IT IS SUCH A WONDERFUL NEIGHBORHOOD, SO VIBRANT, SO WARM, SO KIND.

I LOVE MY NEIGHBORS, I'M GETTING TO KNOW THEM RIGHT NOW.

WE TALK A LOT OF THINGS, WE HELP EACH OTHER WITH GARDENING, WE SHARE MEALS. WE ALSO TALK ABOUT REAL ISSUES, ABOUT WHAT'S ACTUALLY HAPPENING ON THE GROUND, THE FEAR THAT PEOPLE ARE FACING BECAUSE OF I.C.E. AND LAUNCH, THE ISSUES ABOUT RISING GAS PRICES AND GROCERIES.

HOW HARD IT IS TO SURVIVE WITH JUST EVERYDAY ISSUES THAT THEY'RE FACING. WE DON'T TALK ABOUT NEEDING MORE FLOCK CAMERAS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD, ESPECIALLY THOSE COUPLE THAT ARE JUST A FEW BLOCKS AWAY THAT WE ALL DRIVE BY TO WORK AND TO OUR OTHER BUSINESSES.

SO PLEASE, END ALL THESE CONTRACTS, THEY'RE NOT KEEPING US SAFE. OUR NEIGHBORS DO, INVESTMENT AND

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

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, MY NAME IS JENNIFER CANALES [INDISCERNIBLE] I'M ON ATTORNEY WITH THE IMMIGRANT RESOURCE CENTER.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR TAKING THE FIRST STEP IN HELPING END HARMFUL MASS SURVEILLANCE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE HOPE THIS ENERGY STICKS THROUGHOUT THE ELECTIONS. AS Y'ALL KNOW OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY MEMBERS ARE SUFFERING UNPRECEDENTED LEVELS OF VIOLENCE, PERSECUTION BY THE HANDS OF OF AN UNLAWFUL AND ROGE AGENCY CALLED I.C.E. THERE ARE STILL QUESTIONS AS TO HOW THIS TECHNOLOGY IS BEING USED TO HUNT DOWN OUR FRIENDS, OUR FAMILY MEMBERS, OUR HOUSTONIANS, OUR RESIDENTS, AND I BELIEVE THAT THESE ARE ALL QUESTIONS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ANSWERED, THESE ARE ALL SAFEGUARDS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUT IN PLACE BEFORE WE DECIDED TO BRING THESE VERY HARMFUL TECHNOLOGIES TO OUR COUNTY. I MEAN, JUST EARLIER THIS WEEK, WE SAW THAT A MAN WAS STRICKEN DOWN BY I.C.E.

(BEEP) WE DO NOT WANT TO SEE MORE DEATHS, YOU KNOW.

[01:10:01]

SO I ASK YOU ALL HERE TODAY TO TAKE THE STEP AND DECOMMISSION AND CANCEL THE CONTRACTS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> I AM LISA HUNT, A RETIRED HE'S PRIEST AND RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. I'M HERE TO URGE ALL OF YOU TO JOIN COMMISSIONER BRIONES AND CANCEL THE CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK AND OTHER ALPR PROVIDERS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

IN JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES, THERE ARE MANY REFERENCES TO GOD WATCHING OVER US, LIKE PALME 121.

THE LORD WILL WATCH OVER YOUR COMING AND GOING, BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE. IT'S ONE THING FOR GOD TO BE WATCHING OVER US, IT'S QUITE ANOTHER FOR THE POLICE TO DO SO.

ESPECIALLY IF YOU'RE A WOMAN RELATED TO A POLICE OFFICER.

MORE AND MORE REPORTS ARE SURFACING OF POLICE OFFICERS AND OTHERS USING FLOCK CAMERAS TO STALK WOMEN, SPOUSES, EX-WIVES, WOMEN THEY FIND ATTRACTIVE, OFTEN CONTRIBUTING TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. ACCORDING TO WORLD METRICS FEMALE VICTIMS AND INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE ARE 2.3 TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE TARGETED BY A CURRENT OR FORMER POLICE OFFICER THAN THE GENERAL POPULATION. (PEEP) THE TIME IS NOW TO STOP THE INTRUSION INTO WOMEN'S PRIVACY.

STOP THESE CAMERAS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. (SNAPPING).

>> NEXT IS MONTE HILL. ALYSE GOSSEN.

[INDISCERNIBLE] NORMA GONZALEZ. JOHN VALDEZ ON ITEM 314.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MONTE HILL. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1.

I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM 314.

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO REPORT ON ALPRS' USAGE AND WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED. THERE NEEDS TO BE FULL TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNITY INPUT WHEN IT COMES TO NEW TECHNOLOGY LIKE ALPRS AND EVEN DATA CENTERS.

I'M PARTICULARLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RACIAL IMPACT OF THESE FLOCK CAMERAS IN THE SYSTEMS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD.

AT CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY, THERE WAS A STUDY DONE THAT EIGHT OUT OF TEN FLOCK CAMERAS PLACED IN BLACK NEIGHBORHOODS, WHEN WE GO DOWN ELGIN, THE ENTIRE BLOCK, WHEN YOU GO DOWN MCGOWAN, THE ENTIRE BLOCK.

THESE AREAS ARE FOUR TIMES THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS COMPARED TO PREDOMINANTLY WHITE NEIGHBORHOODS.

IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY ON FLOCK CAMERA USAGE OR WHERE THESE DEVICES ARE LOCATED.

THIS MAKES ME FEEL LESS SAFE. PLEASE DECOMMISSION THE CAMERAS AND CREATE A MANDATORY QUARTERLY REPORT FOR ALPR DATA, INCLUDING HOW MANY CAMERAS ARE PLACED IN WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS, AND INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL AUDITS. AND I ALSO WOULD LIKE TO THANK COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR SUPPORTING COMMUNITY AND LISTENING. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS NORMA GONZALEZ AND I AM HERE TODAY WITH [INDISCERNIBLE].

I'M ASKING HARRIS COUNTY TO END ITS USE OF FLOCK.

GOING ABOUT OUR DAILY LIVES SHOULD NOT PUT INNOCENT CIVILIANS INTO A GOVERNMENT TRACKING SYSTEM.

WE ARE ASKED TO ACCEPT THIS SURVEILLANCE FOR OUR SAFETY.

BUT FOOTAGE [INDISCERNIBLE] HASR GUARANTEED JUSTICE FOR US.

IT HAS NOT GUARANTEED ACCOUNTABILITY.

WE HAVE SEEN THIS ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND HERE IN OUR CITY.

ERIC GARNER'S DEATH IN 2014 WAS RECORDED BUT THE OFFICER FACED NO CRIMINAL CHARGES. NICHOLAS TAFF TAVEZ KILLING WAS RECORDED YET THE OFFICERS GOT THEIR JOBS BACK.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE VIDEO OF I.C.E. KILLING [INDISCERNIBLE] AND VIDEO OF AN I.C.E. VEHICLE HITTING [INDISCERNIBLE] HERE IN HOUSTON. EVIDENCE HAS NOT GUARANTEED JUSTICE. WHY SHOULD INNOCENT CIVILIANS SURRENDER OUR PRIVACY WHEN AUTHORITIES THEMSELVES ARE NOT CONSISTENTLY HELD ACCOUNTABLE? END HARRIS COUNTY USE OF FLOCK.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M [INDISCERNIBLE], I'M THE FOUNDER OF WE THE PEOPLE ORGANIZE.

YESTERDAY THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE REPORTED THAT A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE IN PRECINCT 3 CONDUCTED 19 FLOCK SEARCHES.

THEY CONFIRMED CRIMES BUT DID NOT CONFIRM REQUESTING THOSE

[01:15:01]

I REALLY APPRECIATE THAT BUT LICENSE PLATE READERS REMAIN IN USE ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY. IN JULY THIS COURT AMENDED ITS FLOCK CONTRACT TO ADDRESS CAMERAS FACING, MAPPING AND BILLING. IT ADDED NO NEW LIMITS OF WHO CAN SEARCH THE DATA. I'M ASKING FOR THREE SAFEGUARDS.

FIRST, DOCUMENTED AUTHORIZATION AND INVESTIGATIVE REASON FOR EVERY SEARCH. SECOND, INDEPENDENT AUDITS WITH CONSEQUENCES FOR MISUSE. (BEEP).

>> GO AHEAD. >> QUARTERLY PUBLIC REPORTS IDENTIFYING WHICH AGENCIES SEARCHED THE DATA AND WHY.

PUBLIC SAFETY MATTERS. SO DOES PUBLIC ACCOUNTABILITY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND I DO THINK WHILE SPEAKERS ARE HERE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, WHY DID A CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE ACCESS FLOCK CAMERAS, IS THAT ALLOWED?

>> I'LL LOOK FORWARD TO DISCUSSING THAT ON THE AGENDA

ITEM. >> GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS ALIYSE STANHOUSEEN AND I AM AGAINST THE USE OF ALPRS. THE I COLLECTION OF DATA FOR WARRANT LESS SEARCH BLATANTLY VIOLATES THE 4TH AMENDMENT AND OUR REGION EXPECTATION OF PRIVACY AND THE ENTIRETY OF OUR MOVEMENTS. WHILE THAT STATEMENT MAY HAVE BEEN UP FOR DEBATE A YEAR AGO, NOWADAYS I CAN'T GO TO THE GROCERY STORES WITHOUT THE GOVERNMENT KNOWING EXACTLY WHICH ROUTE I TOOK AND WE HAVE ALREADY SEEN DOCUMENTED INCIDENTS OF ABUSE AGAINST AMERICAN SIFT SENSE.

I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT CAN BE FIXED BY MORE REGULATIONS. IF THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE EXISTS, PEOPLE WILL FIND WAYS TO ABUSE IT FOR THEIR OWN GAIN. I DO NOT SUPPORT THE INFRASTRUCTURE FOR MASS SURVEILLANCE UNDER THE GUISE OF PUBLIC SAFETY. PLEASE REMOVE ALPRS FROM HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

I'M JOHN VALDEZ AND I REPRESENT PRECINCT 2 ON THE TEXAS ORGANIZING, PRO COUNTY LEADERSHIP TEAM.

HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS DESERVE TO KNOW WHEN THE FLOCK DATA IS BEING ACCESSED BY I.C.E. OR OUTSIDE AGENCIES.

MY COWORKER AND HIS FAMILY FEAR DEPORTATION SO MUCH THAT THEY CHOSE TO SELF-DEPORT RATHER THAN ATTEND THEIR IMMIGRATION COURT HEARING. SURVEILLANCE WITHOUT TRANSPARENCY KEEPS FAMILIES FROM LIVING THEIR LIVES FREELY.

WE DEMAND QUARTERLY REPORTS IDENTIFYING OUTSIDE AGENCIES AGRICULTURESSING OUR CAMERAS, THEIR SEARCH TERMS, PUMPS AND ANY IMMIGRATION RELATED SEARCHES SEARCHES: UNTIL THESE QUESTIONS ARE ANSWERED DECOMMISSION THE CAMERAS AND CANCEL THE CONTRACTS. THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES. HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD -- I'M SORRY, HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD PROTECT FAMILIES AND NOT SURVEILL THEM. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> DOMINIC ENLES, MICHAEL [INDISCERNIBLE] ALEXANDRA O'NEIL.

AUDREY NAV. CHRISTOPHER RIVERA.

APRIL AGUERI, YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> MY NAME IS DOMINIC AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON RACIAL EQUITY AND COMMUNITY INVESTMENT. HARRIS COUNTY MUST EXAMINE WHERE FLOCK CAMERAS ARE LOCATED AND WHETHER BLACK, LATINO, IMMIGRANT AND LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES ARE BEING WATCHED MORE INTENSELY THAN OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS. THE COUNTY SHOULD PUBLICLY REPORT THE NUMBER OF CAMERAS IN EACH PRECINCT AND ZIP CODE, THE NUMBER OF LICENSE PLATES SCANNED, WHO CONDUCTS THE SEARCHES AND HOW OFTEN THOSE SEARCHES LEAD TO AN ARREST, PROSECUTION OR RECOVERY OF A MISSING PERSON.

WITHOUT THIS INFORMATION THE PUBLIC CANNOT DETERMINE WHETHER THESE CAMERAS ARE EFFECTIVE, EQUITABLE OR WORTH THEIR COST.

PUBLIC DOLLARS SHOULD SUPPORT PROGRAM THAT PREVENT HARM, ADDRESS MENTAL HEALTH CRISES AND STRENGTHEN OUR COMMUNITIES, NOT UNCHECKED SURVEILLANCE. FOLLOW PRECINCT 4'S EXAMPLE, DECOMMISSION ALL ALPR CAMERAS AND ESTABLISH PUBLIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> EYE MICHAEL NASHBY WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AND I'M HERE TO DISCUSS MY COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS AROUND TRANSPARENCY AND

[01:20:01]

AND UNTIL HARRIS COUNTY ESTABLISHES MEANINGFUL OVERSIGHT AND THE PUBLIC CAN EVALUATE THESE SYSTEMS, EVERY PRECINCT SHOULD FOLLOW PRECINCT 4 AND DECOMMISSION AND END THE CONTRACTS WITH THESE ALPR COMPANIES IMMEDIATELY.

BUT ALSO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR SETTING THE BAR, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, AND CANCEL FLOCK CONTRACTS.

DECOMMISSION THE CAMERAS AND MASS SURVEILLANCE IN HARRIS COUNTY. PROTECT US, DO NOT SURVEILL US.

>> THANK YOU. >> I JUST WANT TO JUST CHECK WHETHER -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DOES YOUR PRECINCT -- DID YOUR

PRECINCT EVER GET ALPR CAMERAS? >> NO, WE DON'T HAVE ANY.

>> THANK YOU FOR SAYING THAT FOR THE RECORD.

>> AGAIN JUST TO SEE -- JUST LOOKING WHICH WAY THE WIND IS

BLOWING AND -- ANYWAY, GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS ALEXANDRA O'NEIL AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON AGENDA ITEM 314.

EVERY COMMISSIONER HERE SHOULD NOT ONLY DECOMMISSION BUT REMOVE THEIR ALPR CAMERAS AND CANCEL THE CITY'S CONTRACT WITH FLOCK, AS THERE IS NO TRANSPARENCY AND WHO HAS ACCESS TO OUR DATA AND WHICH AGENCIES ARE USING OUR INFORMATION.

WHEN THE COUNTY INSTALLED FLOCK CAMERAS IT DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE CAPABILITIES OF THESE CAMERAS OR HOW IT WOULD AFFECT OUR COMMUNITY. THE COUNTY STILL DOESN'T HAVE AN UNDERSTANDING OF HOW THIS DATA IS SHARED OR HOW THE MASS SURVEILLANCE WILL EFFECT THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE'RE ALREADY SEEING CASES OF MISUSE WITH FLOCK CAMERAS IN TEXAS AND NATION-WIDE BEING USED TO MONITOR, TRACK AND HARRASS INDIVIDUALS BY BAD ACTORS. FROM THE SPEAKERS WE HEARD FROM TODAY, OUR COMMUNITIES DON'T NEED ALPR CAMERAS TO BRING FEAR INTO OUR COMMUNITIES. THERE ARE OTHER PRESSING COMMUNITY ISSUES THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM TODAY -- (BEEP).

>> -- THAT SHOULD BE FUNDED AND PRIORITIZED.

WE DEMAND FLOCK CAMERAS OUT OF ALL PRECINCTS AND THE CITY'S CONTRACT WITH FLOCK CANCELED IMMEDIATELY.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> MY PRECINCT DID NOT PURCHASE ENTITIES.

THERE ARE OTHER GROUPS THAT DID, BUT THE PRECINCT DID NOT

PURCHASE ANY, JUST -- >> UNLIKE THE OTHER PRECINCTS,

WHICH DID. >> HI.

MY NAME IS AUDREY NAFFF I LIVE IN PRECINCT 1 AND I'M A NEUROLOGIST AND CO-CHAIR. HOUSTON PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS.

I'M ASKING THE COMMISSIONERS TO CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT AND WE CAN FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF MANVILLE TEXAS WHICH JUST LAST MONTH VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO END THEIR CONTRACTS. I HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT SYSTEMIC INACCURACIES IN INFORMATION THAT IT COLLECTS.

WE CAN'T DO MUCH WITH THAT DATA, THAT IT HAS TROUBLE TELLING THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE NUMBER ZERO AND LETTER O.

AND YOU KNOW, AS A PHYSICIAN, I KNOW WE CAN'T TREAT PATIENTS IF WE HAVE BAD DATA. SO I'M ASKING TO CANCEL THE FLOCK SAFETY CONTRACT IN HARRIS COUNTY, ACROSS ALL PRECINCTS, DECOMMISSION THE ALPR CAMERAS IN ALL PRECINCTS, AND REQUIRE REPORTING AND TRANSPARENCY OF ALPR DEVICES.

THANKS SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE.

MY NAME IS CHRISTOPHER ALRERA. I WORK WITH THE TEXAS HUMAN RIGHTS PROJECT. THANK YOU FOR DECOMMISSIONING THE CAMERAS. YOU'VE HELPED YOUR COMMUNITY RESTORE [INDISCERNIBLE] RIGHTS, PROTECT THEM AGAINST THE PRESUMPTION OF INNOCENCE AND IN CASE THEY'RE FALSELY ACCUSED OF A CRIME AS WELL AS FROM INDIVIDUAL LIVES BEING PRIVATIZED FROM THE PRIVATIZATION OF [INDISCERNIBLE] SO THANK YOU FOR THAT AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL THE COMMISSIONERS TO, YOU KNOW, DECOMMISSION THEIR FLOCK CAMERAS AS WELL, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, YOUR STAFF MEMBER RECENTLY USED IT AS THEIR OWN PRIVATE SEARCH ENGINE, WHICH IS INSANE.

GARCIA, YOU KNOW, IF THERE'S THREE SHERIFFS DEPUTIES WHO HAVE YET TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHAT THEY DID, WE'RE IN THE DARK AGAIN, THERE'S NO TRANS ISSUES PA I TRANSPARENCY.

MASS SURVEILLANCE ISN'T HELPFUL. THERE'S ACTUALLY BEEN STUDIES THAT SHOW MORE MASS SURVEILLANCE DOESN'T EQUATE TO A LOWERING OF

[01:25:03]

>> THANK YOU. >> SOME OF THE HARDEST CRIMES TO SOLVE ARE THOSE THAT ARE COMMITTED BY STRANGER TO ANOTHER STRANGER. AND YOUR PRECINCT LESLIE BRIONES, I WANT YOU TO KNOW IF YOU WOULD HAVE TAKEN THIS POSITION TWO WEEKS AGO WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE MURDER OF 5-YEAR-OLD SALIA WALTON WHO WAS ONLY A BLOCK AWAY WHEN A STRANGER DECIDED TO OPEN FIRE. I BELIEVE THAT THESE CAMERAS NEED TO BE [INDISCERNIBLE] AND REGULATIONS PUT IN PLACE TO ENSURE PEOPLE'S PRIVACY IS RESPECTED; HOWEVER, TO TAKE THEM AWAY COMPLETELY, IF YOU WOULD HAVE MADE THIS DECISION TWO WEEKS AGO, WE WOULDN'T HAVE THIS GUY IN CUSTODY.

THE TRUTH IS THAT WE ARE HAVING MORE AND MORE ROAD RAGE SHOOTINGS AND HERE IN HOUSTON, IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN AND HAPPEN AND HAPPEN, A SMALL TRAFFIC INFRACTION CAN CAUSE SOMEBODY TO OPEN FIRE ON YOUR VEHICLE.

AND IF IT WAS YOUR FAMILY MEMBER THAT WAS SHOT, YOU WOULD WANT THE OTHER PERSON CAPTURED, APPREHENDED AND TRIED.

AND UNFORTUNATELY, HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE VIOLENCE HAS JUST SOARED. IT IS A TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO BE ABLE TO APPREHEND PEOPLE THAT COMMIT SUCH VIOLENT, HANEOUS ACTS. WE HAD A MURDER -- (BEEP).

>> GO AHEAD. >> WE HAD A MURDER OF 4-YEAR-OLD [INDISCERNIBLE] AND THE F.B.I. HAS 130,000-DOLLAR REWARD FOR ANY INFORMATION AND GUESS WHAT, WE CAN'T FIND THE GUY.

THAT CASE HAS GONE UNSOLVED SINCE 2023.

AND I BELIEVE THAT THERE WAS MORE CAMERAS IN THAT PLACE, IN THAT AREA WHERE SHE WAS KILLED, MAYBE WE WOULD HAVE GOTTEN A CLUE. BUT MY POINT IS WE CANNOT SOLVE MURDERS WITHOUT HAVING TECHNOLOGY AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME HAVE ABUSED IT, AND THOSE INDIVIDUALS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE. BUT WE SHOULD NOT LOSE THIS

VITAL TOOL FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD.

>> APRIL ARUYE. >> ON ITEM 314, CARMELA WALKER.

JONATHAN ROOMBURG. JEREMY EUGENE.

MO CORTEZ. AMAH SHERIFF.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM.

>> HI. GOOD DAY, EVERYONE.

APPRECIATE THE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS CARMELA WALKER. I LIVE IN PRECINCT 3 BUT WORK IN PRECINCT 7. AND I THINK THAT THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT NO ONE REALLY LIKES THESE CAMERAS.

YOU KNOW, IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE'S NO TRANSPARENCY ON HOW FLOCK IS USED, WHERE IT'S LOCATED, DOES IT MAKE US FEEL SAFE. WE JUST NEED THE CAMERAS DECOMMISSIONED AND WE NEED TO CREATE MANDATORY QUARTERLY REPORTS OF ALPR DATA, INCLUDING HOW MANY CAMERAS ARE PLACED, WHERE THEY'RE PLACED AND WHICH NEIGHBORHOODS, EXTERNAL AND INTERNAL AUDITS. IN MY PRECINCT, FOR AN EXAMPLE, TWO CAMERAS WENT UP, DIDN'T THOUGH WHERE THEY CAME FROM, HAD TO CALL AROUND TO FIND OUT. I FOUND OUT, YOU KNOW, THE MUD DISTRICTS AND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIONS ARE BASICALLY MAKING DEALS, SO THAT MEANS IT'S A MOVING TARGET.

(BEEP). >> IT'S PRIVATIZATION THAT WE'RE UP AGAINST. AND WE NEED TO KNOW WHO IS MAKING THESE DEALS, HOW THEY'RE MAKING THESE DEALS, WHERE THEY'RE PUTTING THESE CAMERAS AND WE NEED OUR COMMUNITIES TO BE SAFE. I MEAN, TRAINING AND POLICE OVERSIGHT STILL HAS ITS CHALLENGES, SO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW THIS JUSTIFIES SAFETY MEASURES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

(SNAPPING)

>> HI, GOOD MORNING. I'M MO CORTEZ.

I'M REPRESENTING MYSELF. I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1.

LAL, LAND OF LIBERTY, WELCOME TO THE LAND OF UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES. DE FACTO MARSHALL LAW.

ASSUMED GUILTY SINCE THERE IS NO FOOTAGE OF OUR INNOCENCE AND WRONGLY TAGGED RESULTS IN A STOP WITH THE LAW AND A GUN DRAWN SAYING, GET OUT OF THE CAR, YOU FLAGGED OUR SYSTEM, NOW WE'RE CHECKING YOU OUT. THEY MIGHT NOT TELL YOU THE ALPR IS WHAT SET TO PULL YOU OVER, LAND OF LIBERTY NO MORE.

MAY OUR CHILDREN HAVE MORE MONEY, OPPORTUNITY, RIGHTS, ASSETS AND LIBERTY. THANK YOU.

PLEASE VOTE FOR NO ALPRS. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS JONATHAN RUMBERG.

I'M A REST KENT OF PRECINCT 3 AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE USE OF ALPRS IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THESE CAMERAS ARE UNCONSTITUTIONAL.

THE 4TH AMENDMENT GUARANTEES RESIDENTS FREEDOM FROM WARRANT

[01:30:03]

A STUDY FOUND ALPRS HAD TO SURVEILL MORE THAN 330 LAW ABIDING SIT ZONES TO GENERATE EVEN A SINGLE INVESTIGATIVE LEAD, NOT A CONVICTION, NOT AN ARREST, A LEAD.

(BEEP) THERE IS NO INDEPENDENT STUDY WHICH SUGGEST THAT ALPRS REDUCE CRIME. THAT'S WHY THEIR SUPPORTERS TO CLINGING TO A SMALL NUMBER OF SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES INSTEAD OF PROVIDING HARD DATA. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> HELLO, GOOD MORNING.

I'M JEREMY EUGENE, I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR TAKING THESE CAMERAS OFFLINE. I'M ALSO A TEACHER, I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF MYSELF TODAY BUT I TEACH STUDENTS WHO ARE ALSO IN PRIRCHLT PRECINCT 3.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO FOLLOW UP ON THE REQUEST THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I'LL BE LISTENING TO YOUR DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS AND HOPEFULLY YOU WILL AGREE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE THESE CAMERAS OFFLINE. I WANTED TO BRING UP A REPORT OR A LOCAL STORY IN STERN CAMERAS WERE [INDISCERNIBLE] CAMERAS WERE ACCESSED BY 3100 AGENCIES INCLUDING AGENCIES IN FLORIDA AND INDIAN I CAN'T . YOU CAN SEE THIS IN THE GUARDIAN'S RECENT STORY AND I THINK THIS IS UNSAFE FOR STUDENTS. IT WAS ACCESSED BY AN IMMIGRATION SEARCH AND THIS PRESENTS A HUGE RISK FOR OUR CHILDREN. SO I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THAT YOU DECOMMISSION THE CAMERAS AND END THE CONTRACTS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

WE'VE HEARD MANY DIFFERENT SCENARIOS ON WHY THESE THINGS ARE BAD, WHY THEY'VE BEEN TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF.

WE'VE ALSO HEARD SOME INSTANCES WHERE THEY WERE GOOD.

I JUST DON'T THINK THAT'S ENOUGH TRANSPARENCY, IT HAS BEEN DONE, IT HAS BEEN RELAYED TO THE PUBLIC ON HOW THE SEARCHES ARE GOING TO BE MADE, WHO IS GOING TO BE MAKING THE SEARCHES.

SO UNTIL WE GET ENOUGH INFORMATION AND THE TRANSPARENCY THAT THE PUBLIC NEEDS, I THINK YOU SHOULD DECOMMISSION, CANCEL THEM AND JUST DO SOME RESEARCH. BECAUSE THERE'S BEEN MANY INSTANCES ON HOW POLICE CAN TRACK YOU, THEY CAN TRACK POLITICAL OPPONENTS, JOURNALISTS, ACTIVISTS, USING THIS PARTICULAR SYSTEM. SO AGAIN, WE NEED TO GIVE TRANSPARENCY TO THE SYSTEM, SO WE ALL CAN FIND OUT THE GOOD AND

THE BAD IN IT. >> CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR

NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> [INDISCERNIBLE] I'M HERE FOR THE [INDISCERNIBLE] JUSTICE. I'M JUST LISTENING TO EVERYTHING GOING ON AND YOU'RE GOING TO FIND -- IT'S JUST AI.

I MEAN, IF THERE'S GOING TO BE SYMPTOMSOME THINGS ON SOME THINGS ON IT BUT IF PEOPLE USE IT FOR BAD INTENTIONS, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE GOOD. SO LET'S BE TRANSPARENT, LET THE PEOPLE KNOW THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT BECAUSE ALL WE'RE HEARING ABOUT IT IS BAD THINGS RIGHT NOW.

OKAY? >> THANK YOU.

(SNAPPING). >> ON ITEM 314, ALFREDO DOMINGUES. ON ITEM 315, BECKY BEST.

ITEM 343, JULIANA HERNANDEZ. STEPHANIE VALDEZ.

MALL KEYMALL A KEY KEY. >> GOOD MORNING.

[INDISCERNIBLE] POLICY ORGANIZER AND I'M A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. I WANT TO COMMEND LIKE OTHER FOLKS HAVE COMMISSIONER BRIONES HE IS.

IT'S. THERE IS NO REGULATING THESE TECHNOLOGIES, THAT THERE IS A TRUE -- NOT JUST A GROSS VIOLATION OF THE 4TH AMENDMENT BUT THE EXAMPLES AND REAL ANECDOTES ABOUT PEOPLE'S CRIMES, WHO EVERYONE IN THIS ROOM, NO ONE IS STANDING IN THE WAY OF WANTING CHILDREN TO BE MURDERED AND PEOPLE NOT TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT MURDER.

BUT WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THAT THESE TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BEEN AROUND FOR TORY OR FIVE YEARS. WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A MONTH IN, PEOPLE DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THIS TECHNOLOGY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT YEARS AND YEARS OF ABUSE THAT HAS NOT BEEN HELD LIABLE, HAS NOT BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE BUT FOR ME ACTION IS

[01:35:02]

>> THANK YOU. (SNAPPING) .

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M BECKY BEST WITH THE EMPTY SHELTER PROJECT.

WE'RE A NON- PROFIT THAT HAS PROVIDED MORE THAN 35,000 FREE SPAY AND NEUTERS SINCE 2017. WE'RE GRATEFUL TO THE MEMBERS OF THE COURT WHO HAVE PARTNERED WITH US TO BRING THESE SERVICES TO HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES. ANIMAL WELFARE IS A COMMUNITY ISSUE THAT AFFECTS PUBLIC HEALTH, PUBLIC SAFETY AND THE QUALITY OF LIFE OF OUR NEIGHBORHOODS.

PETS ARE FAMILY AND HELPING PETS AND ANIMALS STRENGTHENS OUR COMMUNITIES. FROM PREVENTATIVE SERVICES LIKE SPAY AND NEUTER TO PROGRAMS THAT KEEP PETS IN HOMES, OFF THE STREETS AND OUT OF SHELTERS, ANIMAL WELFARE EFFORTS BENEFIT EVERYONE. THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE IMPORTANCE OF ANIMAL WELFARE AND CONSIDERING ITEM 315, TO PROVIDE RESOURCES TO HELP THE ESSENTIAL WORK OF HARRIS COUNTY PETS.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I'M JULIANA, A [INDISCERNIBLE] MEMBER AND OUR CENTRAL MISSION IS TO FIGHT FOR CLEAN AIR FOR EVERYBODY. THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION -- I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON ITEM 343 REGARDING DATA CENTERS.

THE AMERICAN LUNG ASSOCIATION'S STATE OF THE AIR REPORT RANKED HOUSTON NUMBER 8 IN PARTICULATE MATTER ELIMINATIONS.

IT'S LINKED TO EMISSIONS FROM POWER PLANTS, PETROCHEMICAL FACILITIES AND OTHER SOURCES. HOW IS THIS RELEVANT TO DATA CENTERS? DATA GENERALS CAN EMIT NOT JUST PARTICULATE MATTER BUT CARBON MONOXIDE AND VOLATILE COMPOUNDS WHICH POSE RICK TO PUBLIC HEALTH WHILE CONTRIBUTING TO OZONE LEVELS. WE NEED HARRIS COUNTY TO START ACTING TO PROTECT CLEAN AIR NOW. CURRENTLY THE ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING TO EXEMPT DATA CENTERS FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PUBLICLY REPORT AIR POLLUTION AND ALLOW THEIR EMISSIONS PERMITS TO BE ISSUED BEHIND CLOSED DOORS. I WANT TO THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, FOR BRINGING THIS ITEM FORWARD TO CREATE A CONVERSATION ON THE COUNTY'S AUTHORITY OVER DATA CENTERS, DURING SUCH A CRITICAL TIME BECAUSE NOW IS THE BEST OPPORTUNITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO GET AHEAD OF THE CURVE AND SUFFICIENTLY REGULATE DATA CENTERS.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO SPEAK AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN TO APPLAUD THE COMMISSIONER OF FLOCK. I LIVE IN A HIGH CRIME NEIGHBORHOOD BUT I DO NOT FEEL SAFER AFTER THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FLOCK BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN UTILIZED TO TARGET BOTH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND WOMEN AND NUMBER 2, THIS SURVEILLANCE WILL NOT FIX OUR CRIME OR ROAD RAGE ISSUES, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE STATE RELIVE IN CARES MORE ABOUT GUNS THAN THEY DO THE LIVES OF CHILDREN. I UNDERSTAND SAFETY SHOULD BE A PRIORITY BUT THIS IS NOT FIXING OUR ISSUE.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

MY NAME IS MALAKI KEY. I'M SPEAKING TODAY ON BEHALF OF AIR ALLIANCE HOUSTON IN SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER BRIONES STARTING A CONVERSATION ABOUT DATA CENTERS THAT I THINK IS WELL OVERDUE. AS MY COLLEAGUE JULIANA MENTIONED WE ARE THE LONGEST RUNNING AIR QUALITY FOCUSED NON- PROFIT IN THE HOUSTON AREA. AND DATA CENTERS ARE TOXIC FOR COMMUNITIES. AND WITH THE WAY THAT OUR GRID IS RUNNING THESE BACKUP GENERATORS ARE MORE THAN LIKELY TO BE RUNNING WHO KNOWS FOR HOW LONG.

WE'VE HAD POINTS WHERE THE GRID JUST [INDISCERNIBLE] DATA CENTERS NEED TO BE ON 24/7 AND RECENTLY I HAD THE HONOR TO WORK WITH [INDISCERNIBLE] CITY COUNCIL TO OPPOSE A DATA CENTER PROJECT AND ADVISE ON WHAT THEIR OPTIONS WERE.

THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE CITY DID NOT WANT.

THE CITY COUNCIL VOTED UNANIMOUSLY TO OPPOSE THIS PROJECT. WE EXPLORED EVERY OPTION AVAILABLE WITH THEM, HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE SHOWED UP TO OPPOSE THIS. IT'S RIGHT IN THEIR BACKYARD.

I WOULD ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO GO OUT THERE AND SEE WHERE THIS SITE IS. IT'S OVER ON FIDELITY ROAD.

I'M HAPPY TO GIVE YOU A TOUR OF IT MYSELF.

IT IS LITERALLY RIGHT NEXT TO WHERE THE CITY MANAGER LIVES.

AND THEY RAN OUT OF OPTIONS. SUFFICE TO SAY EVEN WITH LEGAL HELP, EVEN WITH ADVICE FROM NON- PROFITS THAT ARE SLOWLY BECOMING KNOWLEDGEABLE ON THIS, THEY HIT A WALL AND IT'S VERY LIKELY THAT NO MATTER HOW MANY MEETINGS THEY HAVE, A DATA CENTER WILL GO UP EVEN THOUGH HUNDREDS OF RESIDENTS AND THE ENTIRE CITY COUNCIL IS OPPOSING THIS. THIS IS SOMETHING THE COUNTY

[01:40:03]

BUT THESE ARE SMALL CITIES THAT ARE ALREADY DEALING WITH IMMENSE AMOUNTS OF BUILD-OUT AND AIR POLLUTION AND THIS IS ONLY GOING TO BE MADE WORSE IF WE DON'T HAVE MORE SAFEGUARDS.

THE STATE OF TEXAS ALREADY WANTS CITIES TO FEEL POWERLESS, ESPECIALLY SMALL MAJORITY-MINORITY COMMUNITIES.

AND YEAH, AS A COUNTY, I HOPE WE'RE ABLE FIND SOME SOLUTIONS.

THANK YOU ALL. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE.

I'M SELF. I LEAD THE WATER JUSTICE PROGRAM WITH THE COALITION FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, EQUITY AND RESILIENCE. I WANT TO START BY SAYING THANK YOU TO COMMISSIONER BRIONES FOR BRINGING THE CONVERSATION ABOUT DATA CENTERS UP TO THE COURT. AND ALSO TO JUDGE FOR BRINGING UP THE CONVERSATION ABOUT FLOCK, EVEN WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO CENSURE YOU. DATA CENTERS ARE OFTEN PRESENTED AS DEVELOPMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPT OPPORTUNITY, HOWEVER THEY CAN MACE GROWING DEMANDS ON OUR WATER AND ENVIRONMENTAL TO EXISTING ENVIRONMENTAL BURDENSES.

IN A COUPE THAT'S ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH FLOODING AND HOUSING AFFORDABILITY WE CANNOT TREAT THESE DEVELOPMENTS AS ISOLATED INVESTMENTS. WE NEED TO ENSURE THAT CORPORATE EXPANSION DOINGS NOT COME AT THE EXPENSE OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

HARRIS COUNTY MUST MAKE DECISIONS THAT SERVE THE PUBLIC GOOD AND THAT REQUIRES TRANSPARENCY, MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY INPUT AND ENFORCEABLE PROTECTIONS.

WHETHER WE'RE TALKING ABOUT DATA CENTERS CONSUMING OUR RESOURCES LIKE WATER, LAND, ENERGY, OR COMPANIES LIKE FLOCK EXPANDING SURVEILLANCE, INFRASTRUCTURE IN A TIME I.C.E. IS HUNTING DOWN OUR 0 COMMUNITIES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU AND I HAVE BEEN HAVING A CONVERSATION AROUND 287G SINCE LAST YEAR AND YOU HAVE FIRMLY STOOD ON THE SIDE THAT YOU STAND WITH YOUR LATINO COMMUNITY, THAT YOU STAND WITH IMMIGRANTS AND THAT YOU WON'T DO ANYTHING THAT THE STATE DOESN'T FORCE YOU TO DO.

SO WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE THESE CONTRACTS WITH FLOCK? AND WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO HAVE A SOLE CONTRACT WITH PRECINCT 2 AND FLOCK? HARRIS COUNTY MUST ASK THE SAME QUESTIONS. WHO BEARS THE BURDEN AND WHAT SAFEGUARDS CAN WE WORK TO PLACE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITIES, WATER, LAND AND OUR RIGHTS? I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH ALL OF YOU ON THIS. THANK YOU.

>> ON ITEM 313, MARCI MELVIN. ON ITEM 343, USEMAN MAHMOOD.

ON ITEM 382, DR. PAMELA HERNANDEZ EZ.

AND JOSE JIMINEZ. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.

I'M MARCI MELVIN, SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT OF CLINICAL POLICY AND DEPUTY DIRECT FOR FOR THE HACKETTE CENTER AT MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH POLICY INSTITUTE. WE APPRECIATE THE COUNTY'S ATTENTION TO INDIVIDUALS WITH SEVERE NEEDS.

HHC RIDER 56 AND HARRIS COUNTY'S RESPONSE TO THAT RIDER AIM TO ADDRESS AN IMPORTANT GAP. INDIVIDUALS WHO NO LONGER NEED IN-PATIENT PSYCHIATRIC CARE BUT ARE NOT YET READY FOR COMMUNITY PLACEMENT. WE SUPPORT THE COUNTY'S EFFORT TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THIS POPULATION THROUGH LOCAL DATA, INCLUDING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE AFFECTED, WHERE THEY ARE RECEIVING SERVICES AND WHERE THE GAPS EXIST.

THAT INFORMATION CAN HELP US IDENTIFY PRACTICAL COORDINATED SOLUTIONS THAT GET PEOPLE THE RIGHT LEVEL OF CARE AT THE RIGHT TIME WHILE MAKING USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES.

WE WELCOME THE OPPORTUNITY TO SUPPORT THE COUNTY --

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

>> -- AS THIS WORK MOVES FORWARD.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] HERE TO SPEAK ON THE DATA CENTERS ITEM.

TEXAS IS ON TRACK TO HAVE MORE DATA CENTERS THAN ANY OTHER STATE IN THE COUNTRY. THIS HAS HAPPENED THROUGH EXTRACTION OF OUR TAX DOLLARS AND PRECIOUS RESOURCES LIKE CLEAN WATER. THE BIGGEST FACILITIES CAN USE UP TO 5 MILLION GALLONS OF WATER A DAY, WHICH IS ABOUT WHAT A TOWN OF OVER 10,000 PEOPLE CAN USE DAILY.

YET NO ONE IS REQUIRED TO REPORT IT AND NONDISCLOSURE AGREEMENTS OFTEN HIDE THIS, EVEN FROM THE WATER PROVIDERS WHO HAVE TO PLAN AROUND DATA CENTER WATER USE. WE'RE ASKING THE COURT TO RESTRICT NDAS THAT HIDE WATER USE AND WATER SOURCES FROM THE PUBLIC, PROHIBIT TAX ABATEMENTS FOR DATA CENTERS OR AT THE VERY LEAST LIMIT THEM TO PROJECTS THAT COMMIT TO WATER REPORTING, EFFICIENT COOLING SYSTEMS, COVERING IMPACT FEES AND BINDING COMMUNITY BENEFIT AGREEMENTS. AND ALSO ENSURE THAT THE STATE LEGISLATURE GIVES COUNTIES CLEAR AUTHORITY IN DATA CENTER PLANNING AND CITING. COMMUNITIES ACROSS THIS COUNTY ALREADY CARRY THE BURDEN OF FLOODING AND INDUSTRY IMPACTS.

THEY DESERVE A VOICE BEFORE THOSE PROJECTS ARE APPROVED.

NOT AFTER. THANK YOU.

[01:45:10]

>> GOOD MORNING. MY NAME IS DR. PAMELA HERNANDEZ, SPEAKING ON ITEM 382. WE'VE HAD A YEAR FULL OF INPUT FOR THE FLOOD RESILIENCY PLAN. WE REALLY SUPPORTED 21 FLOOD RESILIENCE PLAN SESSIONS ACROSS FOUR PRECINCTS.

THESE INCLUDED COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL SMALL GROUPS, PUBLIC OPEN HOUSES AND IS THAT THE JIMY WORKSHOPS.

WE BROUGHT IN OUR LIVED EXPERIENCE AS WELL AS EXPERTISE AND IN OUR APRIL RETREAT WE CONTINUE TO DISCUSS STRATEGIES DRAFTED IN THE FLOOD RESILIENCY PLAN AND DEVELOPED PRIORITY GROUPS, WHICH REALLY INCLUDE DISCUSSIONS ABOUT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES AND FLOOD RISK ASSESSMENTS, NATURE BASED SOLUTIONS ALONGSIDE ENGINEERED APPROACHES AS WELL AS CROSS-DEPARTMENT COORDINATION AND TRANSPARENCY AS WELL AS COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND EDUCATION.

THIRD WE ALSO EXPANDED REACH INTO THE COMMUNITY.

WE COMPLETED OVER 89 ENGAGEMENT ACTIVITIES, INCLUDING SUPER NEIGHBORHOODS, CIVIC CLUBS, LIBRARIES, ET CETERA.

AND WE REACHED AN ESTIMATED 885 RESIDENTS.

AT THE END, WE ALSO INCLUDED FOUR NEW TASKFORCE MEMBERS AND RE-ELECTED EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP. WE ARE LOOKING FOR OPEN SEATS.

ONE IS THE COUNTY JUDGE'S SEAT AND ALSO TWO MORE THAT WE HOPE TO FILL THIS CLEAR AND NEXT YEAR.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ON ITEM 382, JOSE JIMINEZ.

ON ITEM 417, TONY DIAS. ON ITEM 464, CEASAR ESPINOZA.

DEBBIE CHEN. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GO AHEAD, DIRECTOR. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN BY THANKING COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT MEMBERS FOR RECOGNIZING OCTOBER OF 2026 AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT FOR HARRIS COUNTY [INDISCERNIBLE] SERVICES AND OUR EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN THE CYBERSECURITY POSTURE FOR OUR COUNTDOWN.

I AM JOINED TODAY BY OUR INTERIM INFORMATION SECURITY OFFICER, MS. BRITTANY AUSTIN WHO IS LEADING THE CHARGE OF THE AWARENESS MONTH. YOUR LEADERSHIP HELPS ENSURE THAT WE CAN PROTECT THE TECHNOLOGY SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION FOR THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS.

AS A CENTRALIZED DEPARTMENT, MANAGING THE CYBERSECURITY AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, ONE OF OUR MOST IMPORTANT RESPONSIBILITIES IS SAFEGUARDING THE DIGITAL SERVICES THAT ENABLE THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT TO OPERATE EFFICIENTLY AND SECURELY.

BUT CYBERSECURITY IS NOT JUST [INDISCERNIBLE] RESPONSIBILITY.

(BEEP) IT REQUIRES PARTICIPATION FROM EVERY EMPLOYEE IN EVERY DEPARTMENT AND EVERY DAY.

THAT BELIEF IS THE FOUNDATION OF THIS YEAR'S CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH CAMPAIGN. THROUGHOUT THIS MONTH OF OCTOBER, WE ARE ENCOURAGING EMPLOYEES TO BECOME DETECTIVES AND REMEMBER THE FOUR SIMPLE ACTIONS, PAUSE, VERIFY, PROTECT AND REPORT. CYBERTHREATS ARE BECOMING MORE SOPHISTICATED AND THE BEST DEFENSE IS TO PAUSE, ASK QUESTIONS AND CONFIRM BEFORE ACTION THIS YEAR'S CAMPAIGN INCLUDES INTERNAL [INDISCERNIBLE] AND ENGAGEMENT AND OUTREACH ACTIVITIES SUCH AS THE SECOND ANNUAL CYBERSECURITY DAY FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES, DESIGNED TO HELP EMPLOYEES RECORD AND RESPOND TO THE MOST COMMON CYBERTHREATS.

TACTICS ARE BECOMING INCREASINGLY CONVINCING.

MESSAGES MAY LOOK FAMILIAR, VOICES MAY SOUND FAMILIAR, REQUESTS MAY APPEAR ROUTINE. THIS IS WHY AWARENESS REMAINS ONE OF OUR STRONGEST DEFENCES. OUR CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH CAMPAIGN IS JUST ONE PART OF THE LARGER EFFORTS TO STRENGTHEN HARRIS COUNTY'S CYBERSECURITY POSTURE YEAR ROUND. OVER THE PAST YEAR WE LAUNCHED AI AWARENESS TRAINING PROGRAMS TO HELP EMPLOYEES USE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE RESPONSIBLY, PROTECT OUR COUNTY'S INFORMATION AND RECOGNIZE THE EMERGING THREATS.

WE ALSO DELIVERED COUNTY WIDE CYBERSECURITY AND AI AWARENESS TRAINING, REACHING 92% COMPLIANCE ON BOTH THE PROGRAMS. OUR UPDATED AI POLICY WHICH WILL BE COMING TO THE COURT PRETTY SOON IS ALSO PLANNED TO PROVIDE FURTHER GUIDANCE.

[01:50:01]

THESE EFFORTS REFLECT OUR COMMITMENT TO BUILDING A CULTURE WHERE SIGN CYBERSECURITY IS VIES JUST NOT ONE TEAM'S RESPONSIBILITY ALONE BUT A SHARED RESPONSIBILITY ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT. II AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TEAM'S SUPPORT AND YOUR SUPPORT AS A PARTNERSHIP THAT WE HAVE WITH ALL THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS. AS WE ADVANCE THIS IMPORTANT WORK. THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THE RECOGNITION AND FOR YOUR COMMITMENT TO CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THANK YOU.

>> JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US SAFE AND I KNOW I'LL SEND YOU A TON OF EMAILS OR FLAG THEM ALL.

BUT I'VE CAUGHT SEVERAL SO I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU AND YOUR TEAM DO TO KEEP US AWARE AND ALERT ON THOSE PARTICULAR THREATS. SO THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR COMMISSIONER, YOUR -- MAKING US AWARE OF THOSE. WE WORK VERY HARD TO KEEP THE COUNTY SAFE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I'M DEBRA CHEN HERE REPRESENTING OCA GREATER HOUSTON AND MYSELF INDIVIDUALLY AS A MEMBER OF THE HARRIS COUNTY API ADVISORY COMMISSION TO SUPPORT AND COMMEND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REQUEST -- FOR THE 2030 2030 CES THAT WOULD UNDERCOUNT VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES.

INCLUDING THE AAPI COMMUNITY, ITEM 464.

THE PROPOSED RULES NOT ONLY VIOLATE THE CONSTITUTION REQUIRING EVERY LIVING HUMAN BEING IN THE U.S. BE COUNTED, BUT IT ELIMINATES THE COLLECTION OF KEY DEMOGRAPHIC DATA LIKE RACE, ETHNICITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND IMPOSES UNREASONABLE RESIDENTS' CRITERIA THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN UNDERCOUNT. THIS WILL IMPACT GOVERNMENT AND BUSINESS' ABILITY TO MAKE DECISIONS ON ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES, TO ADDRESS COMMUNITY NEEDS AND IMPORTANTLY, AN UNDERCOUNT MEANS LESS OF OUR HARD EARNED TAX DOLLARS COME BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

EVERY PERSON REMOVED FROM THE LIST WILL BE COUNTED MEANS THEY ARE BEING CHEATED OF THEIR CONTRIBUTE TAX DOLLARS COMING BACK. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. TONY DIAZ, FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR OF [INDISCERNIBLE] LATINOS HAVING THEIR SAY.

WE WANT TO ACKNOWLEDGE NATIONAL BOOK DAY BY EXPANDING HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH TWO EXTRA DAYS AND BREAKING THE MOLD WITH OUR HOUSTON TEXFEST. I'M SORRY THE FIRST ANNUAL ONE THIS SATURDAY OCTOBER 17TH FROM 10:30 A.M. TO 4:30 P.M.

AT 6300 IRVINGTON. THE 30 PANELS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE AT [INDISCERNIBLE]. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT STORYTELLING WOULD BE CELEBRATED IN ALL FORMS TO INSPIRE MORE READERS AND LEADERS AND WANT TO THANK EACH OF YOU FOR LEADING THE WAY AS READERS WHO ARE LEADERS.

JUDGE HIDALGO WE MET THROUGH A FRIEND OVER AT HARVARD, SPEAKING OF HARD BOOKS, SO APPRECIATE YOUR [INDISCERNIBLE] VERY MUCH.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES AS A FORMER SCHOOL TEACHER YOU'VE SUPPORTED SO MANY OF OUR LITERACY EVENTS. APPRECIATE YOUR PRIRCHLT BEING A PARTNER. COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU'VE BEEN HELPING US GET THOSE BOOKS ACROSS, APPRECIATE YOU BEING THERE THIS WEEKEND. COMMISSIONER ELLIS THE MURALS YOU CULTIVATE TELL STORIES TOO. WE HAVE A VISUAL ARTIST THERE TO TELL STORIES AS WELL. AND COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I HAVE NO DOUBT YOU'RE GOING TO IMBUE OUR CULTURE AS THE TEXANS TAKE OVER THE NORTHWEST SIDE AND IF IN A FEW YEARS WE'RE NOT CELEBRATING YOUR AUTOBIOGRAPHIES BEING LAUNCHED, THEN WE'RE NOT DOING OUR JOB. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO TO

SUPPORT LITERACY. >> TONY, DO YOU KNOW THAT RAMSEY IS JUST A VARIATION OF [INDISCERNIBLE]

>>

APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS [INDISCERNIBLE] AND I'M THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF [INDISCERNIBLE] TODAY I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE CENSUS. I KNOW IT'S A LITTLE BIT FURTHER OUT. BUT IT WILL COME TO US NO CLOSER THAN WE REALIZE. IT'S ALREADY HARD ENOUGH TO GET PEOPLE TO ANSWER THE CENSUS AND WE KNOW THE CENSUS DIRECTLY TIES INTO MANY THINGS, HEALTH CARE, ROADS, ET CETERA, ET CETERA.

BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, REPRESENTATION.

AND TO HAVE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONCE AGAIN TRY TO UNDERCOUNT OR NOT COUNT UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS IS UNFOR

[01:55:01]

WE SHOULD ALL BE COUNTED AND WE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS COUNTED.

AND THIS IS NOT ONLY GOING TO AFFECT A CERTAIN PARTY, THIS IS GOING TO AFFECT EVERYBODY. (BEEP) AND A COUNTY SUCH AS

HARRIS COUNTY, WHETHER IT'S -- >> YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND FINISH.

>> WHETHER IT'S 600,000 UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS, THIS IS GOING TO GRAVELY, GRAVELY IMPACT US.

AND WE JUST GOT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO REPRESENT AS BEST AS POSSIBLE AND THAT EVERYBODY, EVERY SINGLE PERSON GETS COUNTED, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, THAT WE PROVIDE THE RESOURCES SO THAT WE CAN GET A GOOD COUNT OF PEOPLE, SO THAT WE CAN GET THE RESOURCES THAT WE SO DESPERATELY NEED.

SO I APPLAUD THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD AND I HOPE THAT YOU ALL GET INVOLVED, AND IF WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS TO LITIGATION, WE WILL. WE BEAT THIS ADMINISTRATION BEFORE. IF Y'ALL HAD SUED THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION ON THIS BEFORE, AND WE HOPE THAT WITH THE COUNTY'S BACKING WE'LL BEAT THEM AGAIN.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> NEXT SPEAKERS, PLEASE. >> NEXT IS CARLOS HUA RTE.

LINDA MORALES ITEM 464. AND [INDISCERNIBLE] ON ITEM 464.

>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CARLOS HUARTE, PRESIDENT OF ALMA, THE EFFORT TO BUILD THE FIRST NATIONAL LATINO MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE. WE BELIEVE EVERY COMMUNITY'S STORY MATTERS. AND DESERVES A PLACE IN THE AMERICAN STORY. THE CENSUS REFLECTS THAT SAME BELIEF. AS A VETERAN OF TWO DECADES OF ENGAGEMENT OF CENSUS ENGAGEMENT, I HAD THE HONOR OF SERVING BOTH ON THE 2010 AND 2020 COMPLETE COUNT COMMITTEES.

ACROSS ADMINISTRATIONS, ACROSS COMMUNITIES AND ACROSS GENERATIONS, THE GOAL HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE SAME: THIS IS ABOUT MORE THAN ANY ONE COMMUNITY.

IT IS ABOUT WHO WE ARE AS A NATION.

THIS DEMOCRACY DEPENDS ON AN HONEST OUNDERSTANDING OF THE PEOPLE IT SERVES. WHEN EVERYONE IS COUNTED, OUR DECISIONS ARE BETTER INFORMED. OUR PRESENTATION IS MORE ACCURATE AND OUR COUNTRY IS STRONGER.

THIS PRESERVES THE STORY OF THE PEOPLE.

AND HELPS TELL THE STORY OF AMERICA.

AN ACCURATE CENSUS IS NOT ONLY A SERVICE TO THOSE BEING COUNTED. IT IS A COMMITMENT TO TRUTH, FAIRNESS AND THE ENDURING PROMISE OF OOAMERICAN DEMOCRACY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I WANT TO ANNOUNCE TO MY COLLEAGUES I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY TOLD US HE HAS TO LEAVE EARLY. HE HAS AGREED WE CAN CONTINUE PUBLIC SPEAKERS THEN VOTE ON THE CONSENT AGENDA.

HE WILL PULL THE ITEMS THAT HE MAY NEED TO VOTE ON SEPARATELY.

BUT WE CAN VOTE ON CONSENT AGENDA AND ADD HIS VOTE WHEN HE

COMES BACK. >> OKAY SO JUST REAL QUICK.

IF YOU HAVE TO RUN, I THOUGHT WE TO INTRAEK ENTIRELY JAY?

>> WE DO. JUST NEED A MOTION TO EXTEND

THE TIME TO COMPLETE SPEAKERS. >> I MAKE A MOTION WE EXTEND THE TIME TO COMPLETE THE SPEAKERS AND VOTE ON THE

CONSENT AGENDA. >> ARE WE ALLOWED TO DO THAT.

>> SURE. >> OKAY MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR.

NOISEED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY? OKAY. YES AND WE ORGANIZED THIS WEEK AGO. THANK YOU COMMISSIONER.

ALL RIGHT SO LET'S CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKERS.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONERS. 20 TO 30 CENSUS IN 2030 MAY SEEM FAR AWAY, TESTIMONY IS-- MUST BE SUBMITTED BY NOVEMBER 2ND. SO WE CERTAINLY APPRECIATE BRINGING THIS ISSUE UP TO US. I'M ON THE TEXAS GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION AND I'M SPEAKING AGAINST THE PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CENSUS. THE CENSUS MUST COUNT NEFRN OUR COUNTRY. INCLUDING VISA WORKERS, REFUGEES, ASYLUM SEEKERS AND UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS.

LEAVING PEOPLE OUT RISKS LOSING MONEY.

FEDERAL FUNDING FOR SCHOOLS. HEALTH CARE, HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION. IT CAN ALSO WEAKEN OUR REPRESENTATION IN CONGRESS AND AFFECT HOW POLITICAL DISTRICTS ARE DRAWN AND WE KNOW THAT. THIS IS ABOUT FAIRNESS, ABOUT REPRESENTATION AND RESOURCES FOR OUR COMMUNITY.

POLITICAL AGENDAS SHOULD NOT DETERMINE WHO COUNTS IN AMERICA. THIS IS OUR AMERICA.

GOD BLESS, THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING.

[02:00:09]

WE STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED EXCLUSION OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER NON-CITIZENS FROM THE POPULATION COUNT IN THE CENSUS. LAST YEAR THE KINDRED INSTITUTE SURVEYED 10,000 PEOPLE IN THE HOUSTON AREA ZBLOOIFRN JOOIFRJTSDZ AND ASKED A SIMPLE QUESTION.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE BEST? THE NUMBER ONE ANSWER WAS DIVE DIVERSITY.

ER IMMIGRANTS AND REFUGEES ARE OUR LIFE BLOOD.

WE SEE IT IN THE BUILDINGS AND TASTE IT IN OUR RESTAURANTS WE KNOW IT IN OUR BONES. TO OMIT OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY AND SWEAR OUR FOUNDATION WOULD SAP FEDERAL FUNDS FROM NECESSARY RESOURCES. REDUCE REPRESENTATION AND UNCONSTITUTIONAL. IN AN AGE WHERE ACCURATE COUNTS MAKES A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN INDUSTRIES LIKE ENERGY, MEDICINE AND SPACE TRAVEL, WE NEED TO APPLY THE SAME RIGOR TO OUR DEMOCRACY. THE LIVELIHOOD OF OUR RESIDENTS DEPENDS ON THIS. THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING ESTEEMED COURT. MY NAME IS-- AND I'M THE INTERIM TEXAS DIRECTOR OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT AT-- EDUCATIONAL FUND. I'M HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE HAVE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO SUBMIT AN OPPOSED COMMENTS ABOUT THE RULES FOR THE CENSUS.

WE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE RULES WOULD UNDERMINE THE CONSTITUTION FIRST AND FOREMOST AND IT WOULD HAVE A DRASTIC AFFECT ON THE COUNT OF LATINOS IN THIS CENSUS.

WE KNOW THAT IN THE PAST CENSUS IN 2020, NEARLY 5% WAS THE UNDERCOUNT OF LATINOS GIVEN THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION IN THIS PREVIOUS FORM AND THE PANDEMIC THAT WE FACE WHICH WAS ALSO FOUR TIMES WHAT IT WAS IN 2010. AND WE UNDERSTAND THAT THESE RULES WOULD AFFECT IT EVEN FURTHER FOR 2030.

WE ALSO KNOW THAT THIS WOULD HAVE $2.8 TRILLION IN EFFECT THAT PEOPLE RECEIVE THAT COMMUNITIES RECEIVE IN FUNDING.

AND THIS VARIES ACROSS VARIOUS SECTORS AND THIS INFORMATION IS INFORMATION THAT YOU ALL NEED TO MAKE THE INFORMED DECISIONS THAT YOUR OFFICES DO FOR OUR COUNTY.

SO I AGAIN SUPPORT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DO THAT AND I RECOMMEND THAT YOU ALL AS INDIVIDUALS, OFFICES, ALSO MAKE COMMENTS BY NOVEMBER 2ND. AND THAT EVERY COMMUNITY MEMBER DOES SO AS WELL. BECAUSE WE MUST OPPOSE THESE RULES. AND WE MUST MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE COUNTED AS PEOPLE FOR HOUSTON, HARRIS COUNTY AND THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP FOR BRINGING THAT IMPORTANT MESSAGE TO US AS WELL AS THE OTHER SPEAKERS.

JUST WANT TO ASK HOW ARE THE BABIES?

>> HE IS DOING WELL COMMISSIONER.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

>> NEXT ITEM 464 FOR MANAGING THE SPEAKERS.

--. YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE.

>> GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS OF THE COURT.

MY NAME IS JESUS-- ELECTION PROTECTION ORGANIZER WITH--.

HERE TO SPEAK ABOUT ITEM 464. ON BEHALF OF MI FAM-- WE OPPOSE COMMENTS OPPOSING THE RO POSED U.S. CENSUS BUREAU ROLE CHANGES THAT COULD UNDERMINE THE FAIRNESS OF THE 2030 CENSUS.

THE CENSUS BUREAU'S MISSION IS TO COUNT EVERY PERSON LISHING IN THE UNITED STATES ONCE AND IN THE CORRECT PLACE.

THE CONSTITUTION MANDATES ACCOUNTING THE WHOLE PERSON'S MEMBER IN EACH SPACE. THE CENSUS IS THE LARGEST PEACETIME FUNCTION OF OUR GOVERNMENT AND ITS OCRACY MATTERS TO EVERY COMMUNITY. A FAIR AND COMPLETE CENSUS HELPS DETERMINE POLITICAL REPRESENTATION AND DISTRIBUTION OF FEDERAL RESOURCES FOR HEALTH CARE.

HOUSING AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES.

RULES INCLUDING THE-- FAMILIES, IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND LOW INCOME HOUSEHOLDS COULD LEAVE OUR COMMUNITIES UNDERREPRESENTED AND OUR NEEDS UNMET.

WE BELIEVE EVERY PERSON DESERVES TO BE COUNTED ACCURATELY REGARDLESS OF THEIR BACKGROUND OR CIRCUMSTANCES

[02:05:01]

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE IN THE LINE OF THE ISSUES WITH HARRIS HEALTH AND OTHER COUNTIES WHO AVOID THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO POINT OUT AS ONE OF COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S BRIONES REPRESENTATIVES HAD ASKED ME RECENTLY IF HARRIS HEALTH HAD EVER REACHED OUT THE ME ABOUT THE ISSUES I HAD BROUGHT HERE.

NOT ONCE HAS ANY REPRESENTATIVE FROM HARRIS HEALTH EVER WANTED TO DISCUSS THE EVENTS I HAVE BROUGHT FORTH TO THE COMMISSIONERS HERE. IT IS EASY TO SEE THE REASONING IS I GO PROVIDE BOTH AUDIO AND VIDEO OF MY ACCOUNTERS WITH BOTH COLLEGE OF MED SXIN HARRIS HEALTH STAFF.

IT IS HARD FOR THEM TO MISREPRESENT OR ABSOLVE THE ISSUES WITHOUT MAKING THEMSELVES LOOK LIKE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. WHICH THEY DO.

YOU WOULD THINK HARRIS HEALTH-- HAVE VIOLATED IN FALSE FIEING MEDICAL RECORDS. HOWEVER HARRIS HEALTH IS NOT HERE. SUBMITTED THE REST.

SO THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING JUDGES.

AND OUR JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, APOLOGIES.

I SERVE AS THE-- JUSTICE OUTREACH COORDINATOR FOR AIRLINES HOUSTON. WE ARE A NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT WORKS TO REDUCE THE AIR POLLUTION BURDEN IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA. I'M HERE TODAY TO BRING AWARENESS ABOUT AN AIR PERMIT EASY WASTE APPLICATIONS SPECIFICALLY. THEY'VE APPLIED FOR A NEW PERMANENT CONCRETE CRUSH ER AND-- ROAD.

IT'S GOING TO BE INCREASING TO IN THE EL DORADO AND THE OLDS PRAIRIE AREA. NOW CONCRETE CRUSHERS, THEY RELEASE A LOT OF PARTICULATE MATTER AND A LOT OF OTHER AIR POLLUTANTS THAT CAN TRIGGER ASTHMA AS WELL AS OTHER CARDIOVASCULAR ISSUES. THERE ARE NEARLY 1200 HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE IN THE 1.5 MILE RADIUS OF THIS FACILITY.

THERE ARE FOUR SCHOOLS. THERE ARE TWO CHILD CARE CENTRES AND NURSING HOMES AS WELL AS EIGHT CHURCHES.

THESE ARE PLACES WHERE PEOPLE SPEND A LOT OF THEIR TIME.

SO WHAT ARE WE ASKING IS THAT YOU ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETING THAT IS NEXT WEEK ON OCTOBER 22ND.

IT'S 7 P.M. AT THE CASATA RECEPTION HALL ON-- FOREST BOULEVARD. ASKING SPECIFICALLY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THIS COURT TO ATTEND.

STAND WITH THE RESIDENTS AND TELL TCEQ THAT THIS COMMUNITY HAS CARRIED ENOUGH AIR POLLUTION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA STAFF WILL FOLLOW UP WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> WHAT TIME IS IT? IT'S TIME FOR THE COMMUNITY---- TALK ABOUT-- DOCUMENTED BECAUSE I'M A MEMBER OF THE ST. JOSEPH CLUBHOUSE.

IN PRECINCT ONE-- PRECINCT AND THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION.

AND IT'S GOING TO BE GOOD BECAUSE THEY ARE GOING TO DISTRIBUTE THE ST. JOSEPH CLUBHOUSE.

>> THANK YOU. >> NEXT IS MANAGING THE SPEAKERS SCOTT-- HE-- JOSETTE DODDLE, ALEXEI-- AND RICK--.

YOU EACH HAVE ONE MINUTE. >> GOOD MORNING.

MY NAME IS MARION SCOTT AND I'M HERE TO SPEAK DIRECTLY TO THE COUNTY JUDGE. I SAW SOME-- WHEN I WAS REALLY YOUNG AND THEN I GOT OUT OF CHILDREN PROTECTION SERVICES WHEN I WAS 18 AND I SUFFERED SOME STUFF WHILE I WAS IN THE STATE'S CARE. I OWN RANDALL'S ON DOWNTOWN AND A COUPLE MORE BUSINESSES AND A LADY PUT THE MONEY IN SOME ACCOUNT AND SHE TOLD ME BECAUSE I JUST WASN'T IN MY RIGHT MIND

[02:10:04]

OPENING. >> GO AHEAD.

>> I'M OPENING THIS THERE SO THAT THE HOMELESS PEOPLE WILL ROB YOU OUT OF THEIR REVENUE. TO MAKE A LONG STORY SHORT, I DO TRUST YOU, I THINK THAT YOUR ETHICS AND MORALS AND PRINCIPLES ARE JUST. JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND THAT I'M NOT JUST SAYING THIS.

I TYPICALLY LIKE-- BECAUSE YOU GUYS HAVE A WAY OF WORKING THAT I'M USED TO IN THE STATE'S CUSTODY EVEN THOUGH I PHASED OUT. I FOUND THE MONEY AND IT WAS AT THE HOUSTON FEDERAL CREDIT UNION SO I WAS GOING TO TAKE SOME CASH THERE AND IT WAS LIKE MR. SCOTT YOU HAVE AN ACCOUNT HERE. AND SHE TURNED THE COMPUTER AROUND AND IT WAS IN-- AND I DO REMEMBER A WHITE LADY SAYING MARION I'M PUTTING IT HERE FOR YOUR PROTECTION.

AND I JUST KEPT CRYING LIKE I NEED THIS MONEY.

AND SHE SAID MARION YOU'LL FIND IT.

SO I DID AND THE PROBLEM IS I FELL AND I BROKE MY PELVIS AND I BROKE MY FOOT FROM 20 STORIES UP IN THE AIR I WAS DANCING AND I LANDED ON MY FEET SO ALL THE BONES THAT I BROKE ARE ALL BONES THAT DON'T REQUIRE A CAST.

RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY ON MY PELVIS.

>> THANK YOU SIR. WE'LL LEAVE THIS WITH YOU.

I'LL HAVE SOMEBODY GO AND CHAT WITH YOU IF THAT'S OKAY.

>> THANK YOU. YOU REALLY WILL.

>> I REALLY WILL. >> THE MAYOR SAID THE SAME.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

MY NAME IS JOSET T E-- AREA ORGANIZING DIRECTOR FOR ASK ME HARRIS COUNTY. OC832 AND SUPPORTER OF HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS. WE WOULD LIKE TO REITERATE OUR GRATITUDE FOR THE COUNTIES INVOLVEMENT WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE CONSULTATION POLICY.

THIS IMPLEMENTATION ON OCTOBER 1 WAS A HUGE STEP FOR THE FUTURE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS.

THE EXCITEMENT IS OVERWHELMING. HARRIS COUNTY WORKERS ARE CONTINUING TO ACHIEVE MAJOR MILESTONES.

WORKERS HAVE BEEN TALKING TO THEIR CO-WORKERS AND ORGANIZING AND THEIR DEPARTMENTS AND IN AN HISTORIC FASHION.

WE'RE JUST GETTING STARTED. ASK ME AND-- IS EXCITED TO CONTINUE WORK AND WITNESS WORKERS STEPPING OUTSIDE OF THEIR COMFORT ZONES TO ACHIEVE THIS HISTORIC OPPORTUNITY.

AND WE JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

AND WE CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT FOR HIM THE PLEMENTATION OF THIS CONSULTATION PROCESS.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

MY NAME IS-- AND I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF YOUNG--.

THANK YOU FOR INVITING ME TO SPEAK ON ITEM 313 PUBLIC SAFETY. THIS INCIDENT HAS COST NOT ONLY A LIFE IN THE IC SXUCHLT MORE T THAN-- DOLLARS OF TAX PAYER MONEY IN MEDICAL HAS SPENT ON HIM. I UNDERSTAND THAT WE HAVE HUMAN BEINGS BUT THESE ARE CRIMINAL. NON-LEGAL CITIZEN AND FAMILY LIKE ME RIGHT NOW INTO UNSAFE. AND SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS ALEXEI-- WHY IS THE HILLS COUNTY JAIL SO OVERCROWDED THAT WE HAVE TO SEND PRISONERS OUT OF STATE? OUR POPULATION HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS GREATLY GROWN BUT JAIL CAPACITY FOR THOSE ARRESTED HAS NOT. THE CRIMINALS ARE OUT COMMITTING MORE CRIMES INSTEAD OF BEING IN THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL. PARTIALLY DUE TO LACK OF SPACE IN THE JAIL. FOR THE JAIL SPACE FOR THOSE ARRESTED IS STATUTORY REQUIREMENT FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

THE JAIL IS-- INSPECTIONS. THE CASE CRIMINALS AREN'T GETTING THE HELP THAT THEY WOULD GET IF THEY WERE IN THIS CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE COUNTY. THERE IS ACCESS TO-- THEY HAVE HERE AND CAN EVEN GET A VISIT FROM THEIR MOTHER BECAUSE IT'S TOO FAR FOR HER TO GO SEE THEM. I'VE BEEN DOWN HERE ABOUT THE JAIL ISSUES FOR SEVERAL YEARS. NO ONE SEEMS TO DISAGREE WITH ME. WILL YOU PLEASE SET ASIDE A

[02:15:01]

>> THANK YOU. >> IT'S SHOW AND TELL TIME.

GOOD MORNING. HAPPY HIGHWAY BEAUTIFYCATION ACT MONTH. OCTOBER 22ND 1965 61 YEARS AGO.

I'M RICK HURT, CITIZEN AGAINST UGLY STREETS.

THANK YOU FOR MY RECENT CERTIFICATION AS A BANDIT SIGN RANGER LAST MONTH. IT WAS AN UPGRADE OF MY PREVIOUS TWO CERTIFICATIONS SINCE 2007 ~.

IN THE PAST COUPLE MONTHS, I HAVE BEEN REMOVING BANDIT SIGNS AS AN ENVIRONMENTAL EFFORT. NOW I CAN TAKE PICS OF SIGNS AND SEND THEM TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

BASICALLY THE STATE ROADWAYS FROM MILLS ON 1960 TO 529.

AND SIX. AND SOON I'LL BE UP IN MS. BRIONES' AREA AND ALL THE SIDE ROADS THAT LEAD AROUND.

THOUSANDS OF SIGNS THESE PAST COUPLE MONTHS.

LAST NIGHT I CLEANED UP THE SAME AREA AND THIS WAS ALL THAT WAS LEFT UP THERE. WE HAD TO BE PERSISTENT.

THEY ARE LIKE ROACHINGS LEAVING DROPPINGS AND WE'RE CLEANING THEM UP. WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT ALSO THE EMERGENCY ISSUE WHEN YOU THINK OF THE EBIKES.

THE BANNERS THAT ARE 7 FOOT HIGH ARE UP TO THE CURBS.

THEY ARE NOT IN-- THEY ARE ALL IN-- SOME OF THEM ARE IN THE RIGHT OF WAYS. YOU CANNOT SEE ANY KIND OF TRAFFIC COMING YOUR WAY. AND INCLUDING AN E BIKE.

SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING DONE ABOUT THAT.

AND I DON'T BELIEVE THAT IT'S THE GOVERNMENT UTILITY BOXES OR POLES OR LIGHT POLES. PROMOTING ADVERTISEMENTS OF BUSINESSES. OUR ROADWAYS HAVE BECOME

NOTHING BUT A PHONE DIRECTLY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[Departments (Part 1 of 4)]

>> THAT'S ALL THE SPEAKERS JUDGE.

>> OKAY, THANK YOU. SO LET ME GO OVER THE CONSENT AGENDA. YES COMMISSIONER, SO FIRST IF ITEM 26 COUNTY ENGINEER REQUESTS NO ACTION.

THEN ITEM 93 PRECINCTS ONE AND TWO REQUEST NO ACTION.

120 UNIVERSAL SERVICES REQUESTS NO ACTION.

126 NEED TO CORRECT PRECINCT FOUR WITH PRECINCT ONE.

SO IT READS IN THE PARENTHESIS HARRIS COUNTY TEXAS-- 90-- PRECINCT ONE, CLOSE PARENTHESIS.

THEN PAGE A 15 ITEM 133 ADD QUOTE HOUSING RELATED AFTER QUOTE REQUIRING UPPER POST. ITEM 183 CAO HAS REQUESTED NO ACTION. ITEM 253 INSTEAD OF OUTREACH STRATEGIST IT SHOULD SAY OUTREACH STRATEGISTS.

ITEM 302 WE NEED TO REPLACE QUOTE FOR PROFESSIONAL SERVICES EXEMPTION LADDER UNQUOTE WITH QUOTE, FOR MEDICAL EXAMINER SERVICES FOR THE INSTITUTE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES.

ITEM 309 REPLACE BEAT CREEK WITH BEAR CREEK.

ITEM 346 REPLACE JOY FOR TOYS DRIVE WITH TOYS FOR JOY DRIVE.

398 WE ADD CONNOR TOM-- PARK AND WILLOW WATER HOPE PARK AFTER SIMS PARK. ITEM 419 WE REPLACE COMMISSIONER-- OF PRECINCT FOUR WITH COMMISSIONERS OF PRECINCT ONE AND PRECINCT FOUR. 456 POLLUTION CONTROL REQUEST NO ACTION. 465 PURCHASING REQUESTS NO ACTION. 471 WE REPLACE THE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER QUOTE PURCHASING AGENT.

REPLACE AGENDA CAPTION AFTER CO-PURCHASING AGENT SO IT READS REQUEST THE OFFICE OF THE PURCHASING AGENT FOR APPROVAL TO EXTEND A SOLE SOURCE EXEMPTION CONTRACT WITH ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS, RESEARCH INSTITUTE-- LICENSING MAINTENANCE AND ONLINE SSS AND PRICE AGREEMENT FOR PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED BY ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE RESEARCH INSTITUTE

[02:20:01]

INCREASE IN PRICING. >> THE DATE IS NOVEMBER 10TH

2026. >> OKAY SO PERIOD OF THAT THROUGH NOVEMBER 10TH 2026. IS THAT WHAT I'M HEARING?

>> YES, MA'AM. >> GOT IT.

OKAY THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, PURCHASING ALSO

REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 485. >> OKAY ALL RIGHT PURCHASING REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 485. CAO REQUESTS NO ACTION ON 487.

CAO REQUESTS NO ACTION ON ITEM 488.

ON ITEM 490 REPLACE QUOTE OCTOBER 27TH 2026 WITH OCTOBER 28TH 2026. AND ITEM 491 PRECINCT ONE REQUESTS NO ACTION. ITEM 494 REPLACE QUOTE PROPERTY WITH QUOTE LOCAL GOVERNMENT. AND SO LET ME GO TO THE-- DID I MISS ANY CORRECTIONS COLLEAGUES?

>> NOT KREKDZ BUT I'D LIKE TO PULL 154 FOR DISCUSSION.

NOT CORRECTION. >> OKAY SO LET ME 154.

IS PRECINCT 7 FINAL INVESTMENT MEMO FOR ILLEGAL DUMPING CAMERA PROJECT. SO I'M ADDING THAT ONE RIGHT NOW. ALL RIGHT AND THEN LET ME, OKAY, THEN LET ME LOOK AT THE REST OF THE, LET ME WALK THROUGH THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION ITEMS. OKAY SO WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS 411.

DO WE NEED TO DISCUSS 411? OKAY? 412? 4413, WE DO NEED TO VOTE ON ITEM 413. DO WE NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE? OKAY.

AND THEN WE HAVE 414--. >> THERE'S A MOTION.

>> OKAY SO THE MOTION TO APPOINT FOLLOWING NOMINEES TO THE TEAM. GARY MARRISH, A NOMINEE FROM COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT ONE JOSE JIMENEZ FROM COMMISSIONER PRECINCT TWO. -- NOMINEE FROM THE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT THREE. REESE MENDEZ NOMINEE FROM PRECINCT FOUR AND JULIA WAGONBUCK NOMINEE FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE FOR TERMS EFFECTIVE UPON THE DESIGNATION OF A CONSULTATION AGENT. AND TO RECOGNIZE THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR-- AUTHORITY DIRECTOR AND CHIEF PEOPLE OFFICER HUMAN RESOURCES AND TALENT DEZZING KNEE AS MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATIVES FOR TERMS EFFECTIVE UPON THE DESIGNATION AGENT. MOTIONED BY ELLIS SECOND BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOR FAVOR ANY OPPOSED? CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 415 DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON-- OR DISCUSS 415 OR VOTE ON IT? THIS IS ON DEPLOYMENT OF SECURITY AND CYBER SECURITY DEVICES. I GUESS THAT'S THE QUESTION FOR

DIRECTOR. >> I THINK THERE'S A DISCUSSION

ON THAT. >> OKAY SO WE'LL GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THAT ONE. AND THEN WE HAVE.

>> 416 WE NEED TO GO BACK JUDGE.

>> OKAY 416 WILL GO BACK TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

AND THEN WE HAVE 429 ALSO RIGHT.

OKAY. SO HERE TEASE DISCUSSION LIST.

ITEM 2, YES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ONE AS WELL.

17 YES. OKAY SO THEN 19 YES COMMISSIONER RAMSEY FLAGGED THAT ONE AS WELL.

ALONG WITH 24. DO FOLKS WANT TO DISCUSS 113? OH ACTUALLY I DO WANT TO DISCUSS 113 AND WHAT I'M HOPING TO DISCUSS HERE IS THE ICE VEHICLE STRIKING THE GENTLEMAN A FEW DAYS AGO. AND WHERE THAT STANDS AND AT ONE POINT A REPORTER ASKED THE FIRST I BELIEVE PRESS CONFERENCE ON THIS TOPIC ASKED A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SOMETHING ALONG THE LINES OF, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAS HAPPENED?

[02:25:01]

OPEN COURT, RIGHT? >> YEAH.

THAT'S CORRECT JUDGE. >> OKAY SO OBVIOUSLY THEY'LL SHARE WHAT THEY ARE ALLOWED TO SHARE.

BUT I THINK IT'S-- I'VE GOT MORE QUESTIONS ABOUT THAT.

OKAY. SO THAT'S WHY 115 IS ON THERE.

EXCUSE ME 113. 115 YES.

118 YES. 119 YES.

154-- PRECINCT TWO REQUESTED 154 YES.

>> YES. >> OKAY.

163 YES. 176 YES.

177 YES. REQUESTED BY PRECINCT THREE.

183 YES. 210, 211, 213, 215 BY PRECINCT THREE. 219 YES.

313 I'VE REQUESTED THIS ONE. THIS IS THE ITEM THAT WE HAD VARIOUS SPEAKERS ABOUT IN TERMS OF COLLECTING THE DATA FOR-- AND SEVERE MENTAL ILLNESS. 314 YES.

315 THAT ONE IS ALSO ON MY ITEMS. SO WE HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR THE $400,000 ON ATTACHING ASSIGNING IT TO PET WELFARE OR OTHER STRATEGIC PLANNED PRIORITIES.

328 SO THAT'S $400,000 ON THE BUDGET THAT'S UNALLOCATED.

AND DIDN'T-- WENT TO CHILDREN OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS.

328 REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION-- YES.

335 YES. 336 YES.

341 YES. HERE WE HAVE 343 REQUESTED BY PRECINCT FOUR. 372 JUST TOUCH ON THAT BRIEFLY.

428 YES. 462 YES.

464, 469 YES, 485 YES. AM I MISSING ANYTHING?

>> JUST THE STAFF-- YES. WE GOT ALL OF THEM?

OKAY. >> SO WITH THAT I'LL MOVE CONSENT AGENDA AND IF WE LEFT ANYTHING OFF I'LL BRING IT BACK

UP. >> SECOND.

>> WHEN RAMSEY GETS BACK. >> OKAY SO THAT WOULD BE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS FOR ALL THE ITEMS 1 THROUGH 494 WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ITEMS ALREADY VOTED ON AND DISCUSSION ITEMS JUST LISTED. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> AYE.

>> ANY OPPOSEED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

SO NOW WE BREAK UNTIL 1 P.M. IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S CORRECT JUDGE. >> YOU WANTED A PHOTO WITH SOMEBODY? WAS THAT HERE?

>> OKAY. SO WE'LL TAKE A PICTURE.

IT'S 11:31. WE'LL BE BACK AT 1 O'CLOCK AND

>> HI. THANK YOU.

SO IT'S NEWS TO ME THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS NOT AVAILABLE UNTIL 2:00. I KNOW COMMISSIONER RAMSEY MENTIONED ALREADY WEEKS AGO ABOUT THE COMMITMENT FROM 11 TO

1. >> CHAIR, CAN YOU ANNOUNCE THE

TIME, PLEASE? >> I'M SORRY.

>> IT'S 1:09. AND COMMISSIONERS COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. AND AS FOLKS KNOW, I HAVE MY 3 TO 4 COMMITMENT THAT I CAN'T MISS.

AND COURT USED ON TUESDAY, SO THAT'S WHY I SCHEDULED THAT THEN. I THINK WE COULD GET STARTED WITH FLOCK, BECAUSE I KNOW IF I WALK OUT, IT IS WITH PRECEDENT THAT THE COURT CONTINUES TO DISCUSS ITEMS THAT I'VE REQUESTED I'D LIKE TO DISCUSS, AND I THINK THAT I'VE WORKED HARD TO HOLD PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE ON THIS.

IF WE WAIT UNTIL 2:00, FOR SURE, THE DISCUSSION DON'T BE OVER

UNTIL -- >> JUDGE, WHAT I'D LIKE TO SUGGEST: IF WE AGREE, WE JUST DO FLOCK AND THE OTHER ITEMS THAT MAY BE CONTROVERSIAL AT 4:00.

EVERYBODY AGREES TO THAT. >> I CAN AGREE TO THAT, OUT OF RESPECT FOR ALL MEMBERS OF COURT.

>> WE HAVE BEEN COMING BACK AT ABOUT 2:00.

THE LAST COUPLE OF REGULAR SESSIONS WE HAD, HE WAS DOING

[02:30:05]

COURT, AND WHEN -- >> WE WOULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS IN THE REGULAR LAST COURT. WE COULD HAVE DISCUSSED THIS IN JUNE IF THREE MEMBERS HADN'T STOPPED THE DISCUSSION ON THIS OR STOPPED THIS FROM GOING TO A REGULAR COURT MEETING.

WE DID NOT NEED TO BE DISCUSSING THIS IN OCTOBER.

SO, I MEAN, I CAN'T BE HERE AT 4:00.

>> 4:15? >> I CAN'T BE HERE AT 4:15, BUT, AGAIN, I THINK THAT THERE'S PEOPLE HERE THAT WANT TO KNOW THE ANSWER TO THIS, AND THEY'RE GOING TO HAVE TO WAIT NOW

LONGER. >> ANOTHER ALTERNATIVE IS WE COULD DO IT RIGHT AT 2:00, WHEN HE'S BACK.

>> RIGHT, BUT WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE DONE -- IF WE'RE GOING TO GIVE HIM AN HOUR, THEN LET'S GIVE ME AN HOUR AND START NOW.

>> OKAY. IF WE DID IT AT 2:00.

SURELY IT WON'T TAKE AN HOUR. >> WELL, WE'RE NOT GOING TO FINISH IN AN HOUR. THERE'S NO WAY.

THAT'S WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME, IN -- IN JUNE.

THREE MEMBERS SAID, I GOTTA GO, I GOTTA GO.

WE CAN'T TALK ABOUT THIS AND THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T TALK ABOUT IT IN JUNE, SO... ALL RIGHT.

ALL I'M SAYING IS I'VE BEEN ASKING FOR DISCUSSION ON THIS SINCE JUNE. GOT CUT SHORT BACK IN JUNE.

>> OKAY, WELL -- >> NOW, TODAY, SUDDENLY, WE ALSO CAN'T TALK ABOUT IT. OKAY.

SO, SO LET ME PASS IT ON TO THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR.

>> WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FLOCK NOW?

>> YES. ITEM 314.

>> OKAY. DO YOU WANT ME TO DO A COUPLE

SLIDES? >> SURE, I MEAN, UNLESS YOU DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO START.

>> IT'S YOUR ITEM. I'M HAPPY TO PROCEED HOW YOU --

>> YES, I THINK THAT SINCE YOU GUYS DID THE REPORT, IT WOULD BE

HELPFUL TO GO OVER IT. >> OKAY.

TIFFANY, CAN YOU PULL UP THE SLIDES FOR ITEM 314.

AND I'LL JUST TOUCH ON A FEW OF THEM.

OKAY. THANK YOU.

SLIDE 3, PLEASE. OCA WERE RETURNING TO COURT AS DIRECTED FROM SEPTEMBER 17TH TO FIELD THE MOTION TO LOOK AT OUR CAMERA ESTIMATES FINANCIAL COMMITMENTS CONTRACTS AND SAFEGUARDS, SO I WANT TO THANK ALL THE PARTNERS.

NEXT SLIDE. THAT ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS.

THIS IDENTIFIES SOME OF THE OUTREACH WE DID TO LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE GRADE OUT COUNTIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT DID NOT RESPOND. WE RECEIVED RESPONSES FROM NINE OF TEN COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

NEXT SLIDE. PURCHASING AUDITOR OFFICE FOR THE CONTRACT REVIEW. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE LED ON THETHE REVIEW AND WE DID A LITERATURE AS WELL.

THIS IS JUST HERE FOR GROUNDING ON WHAT LAPRS CAN DO.

NEXT SLIDE. THEY'RE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT, WHICH HAS BEEN INDICATED IN A VARIETY OF WAYS, FOR INVESTIGATIONS, BUT THERE ARE ALSO COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS FROM PARKING MANAGEMENT TO EVEN TOLL COLLECTION IN SOME CASES.

THE -- JUST WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THAT LPRS CAN ESTABLISH CONNECTIONS BETWEEN VEHICLES. IT'S OBVIOUS A NATIONAL NETWORK, IN CASE THE VEHICLES TRAVEL ACROSS STATE LINES, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. AND THANK YOU.

NEXT SLIDE. SO, IN OTHER WORDS, A SPECIFIC REQUEST ON HOW MANY ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THERE'S NO COMPREHENSIVE VERIFIED SINGULAR SOURCE OF HOW MANY ARE WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY. THIS IS ONE COURSE SOURCE THAT WE'VE FOUND, AND SHE IS ARE SIGNIFICANT NATURED ACTIVE ALPRS AS OF 2025. BUT THIS IS NOT COUNTY OWNERSHIP. ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES COULD BE CONTRACTS, AND IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT WE, OF COURSE, AMENDED -- THIS COURT VOTED TO ATTEMPTED THE CONTRACT SO THAT FLOCK COULD PROVIDE GPS MAPPING TO HELP US BETTER-UNDERSTAND WHERE THEY EXIST IN THE COUNTY. WE DO NOT YET HAVE THAT DATA, SO THIS IS NOT INCLUDED ON THIS MAP.

NEXT SLIDE. SPECIFIC TO WHAT IS ACTUALLY PAID FOR OR OWNED BY THE COUNTY: THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 154 CAMERAS OWNED BY EITHER LAW ENFORCEMENT OR COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS, AND THERE'S AN ADDITIONAL 500 THAT ARE ADMINISTERED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THAT MEANS THAT THEY HAVE CONTRACTS WITH, FOR EXAMPLE, MUDS OR HOAS.

BUT THE CONTRACT WERE NOT PAID BY HARRIS COUNTY DOLLARS AND WE'RE NOT THE CONTRACTING ENTITY.

[02:35:01]

SHERIFF ACTUALLY AUTHORIZED THE VIGILANT CONTRACTS.

FLOCK SAFETY IS A MORE SOUP TO NUTS TURN KEY WITH THE HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE, AND IT'S AUTHORIZED UP TO A LITTLE OVER $1.6 MILLION. NEXT SLIDE.

SO, THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT PARTS.

I KNOW SOMETIMES WE'RE CONFLATING, MAYBE, THE CONTRACT AND THEN POLICIES. SO THERE'S OBVIOUSLY A VENDOR CONTRACT, WHICH WOULD INVOLVE ANY -- THE RIGHTS OF THE CONTRACT HOLDER AND DATA FROM FLOCK PROCEDURES THAT FLOCK PRODUCES, AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD BE INVOLVED WITH ANY CHANGES, AND THERE'S VR CHANGES THAT I WILL BRIEFLY TOUCH UPON. CURRENTLY, DATA OWNERSHIP: THE COUNTY IS THE OWNER OF THE FOOTAGE AND DATA GENERATED BY FLOCK. ACCESS IS LIMITED TO EMPLOYEES AND THOSE AUTHORIZED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

OTHER DATA RETENTION AND DELETION RIGHT NOW IS AFTER 30 DAYS, AND IT CANNOT BE SHARED WITHOUT COUNTY AUTHORIZATION.

NEXT SLIDE. OF THE NINE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES -- AND WE THANK OUR PARTNERS THAT RESPONDED -- FOUR ALSO SUBMITTED POLICIES, FMO, COUNCIL PRECINCTS 2, 7 AND 8.

WE HAVE A RANGE OF RETENTION PERIODS, AS NOTED ABOVE.

ONE HAS 180 DAYS, AND MOST ARE 30 DAYS.

FOR DATA-SHARING, ONE HAS A SPECIFIC PERSON THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THOROUGHLY REVIEWING AND AUTHORIZING REQUESTS, AND THE OTHERS REQUIRE A DETAILED MOU TO ESTABLISH AN APPROVAL PROCESS. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS FINALIZING THEIR POLICY, AND THEY WILL MAKE THEIRS PUBLIC AS SOON AS IT IS FINISHED. THANK YOU.

NEXT SLIDE. WE DID A LIMITED SCAN OF OTHER POLICIES ACROSS THE NATION, AND DATA RETENTION CAN VARY.

CAN BE EVEN AS LONG AS 12 MONTHS IN SOME COMMUNITIES.

SOME DATA-SHARING, SIMILAR TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, AGENCIES, AND THERE ARE A VARIETY OF WAYS FOR OVERSIGHT AND TRANSPARENCY.

INCLUDING AUDITS, QUARREL QUARTY REPORTS AND ANNUAL SAMPLE AUDITS. LASTLY, WE LOOKED AT TEXAS, WHICH IS -- NEXT SLIDE, SORRY. RECEIVED DIRECT RESPONSES FROM A FEW COUNTIES AND LOOKED AT A FEW POLICE DEPARTMENTS.

SO THEY HAVE RANGED IN UPDATES, INCLUDING ABSOLUTE CONTRACT TERMINATION. SOME HAVE ADDED ADDITIONAL RESTRICTIONS TO THE USE OF DATA AND SHARING.

SOME HAVE ADDED ADDITIONAL CREDENTIALING REQUIREMENTS FOR -- TO ADD SAFEGUARDS AND ACCOUNTABILITY.

THAT'S THE BORN POLICE DEPARTMENT, AND LEAGUE CITY EVEN HAS A REFERENDUM ON NOVEMBER 2026 TO ASK THE PUBLIC ABOUT THEIR ALPR DEVICES. AS I CLOSE, THE TOPICS THAT, YOU KNOW, COULD -- NEXT SLIDE -- COULD BE USED IF THERE WERE ADDITIONAL REVIEW ARE NOTED THERE FOR ACCESS, RETENTION, DATA SECURITY, AUDITING, ACCOUNTABILITY TRANSPARENCY AND OUTCOMES ARE THE TOPICS THAT ARE REFERENCED IN POLICIES THAT WE HAVE LOOKED AT ACROSS THE STATE AND NATION.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WORK ON THIS. I'LL GIVE MY COLLEAGUES ON OPPORTUNITY TO -- I'LL MAKE COMMENTS OR ANSWER QUESTIONS AS I NORMALLY DO.

OKAY. SO, ON THIS ONE, YOU KNOW, THE BIG -- THE ISSUE THE WHOLE TIME HAS BEEN TRANSPARENCY.

THERE IS A VERY GOOD ARGUMENT FOR PRIVACY CONCERNS, AND THERE'S A VERY GOOD ARGUMENT FOR THE CRIME-SOLVING BENEFIT OF THESE CAMERAS, OR POTENTIAL BENEFIT.

I, FOR ONE -- WHERE A LOT OF JURISDICTIONS ARE, WHICH IS SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE. AND THAT IS WE CAN -- WE CAN HAVE SOME CAMERAS BUT THAT PROVIDE THE PROPER OVERSIGHT AND THE PROPER PRIVACY PROTECTIONS AND THE PROPER TRANSPARENCY.

THAT'S ABSOLUTELY APPROPRIATE. OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE THIS INFORMATION. IT'S NOT A PROBLEM FOR THEM.

[02:40:02]

I GUESS, FIRST, I WOULD ASK IF THERE'S A REPRESENTATIVE FROM FLOCK OR VIGILANT AVAILABLE OR THAT WE COULD REACH OUT TO?

>> WE DIDN'T REACH OUT FOR THEM TO ATTEND TODAY.

I FIGURED THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DID.

>> I FIGURED THEY MUST BE WATCHING.

>> PAIGE FROM OUR OFFICE CAN CHIME IN.

>> ALL RIGHT. SO, PAIGE, WHEREVER SHE IS.

IF YOU THINK YOU CAN BRING THEM ON.

HI. >> YEAH.

CONFIRMING WE DID NOT ASK FLOCK TO ATTEND EITHER.

>> COULD YOU WANT TO CHECK WITH THEM AND SEE IF -- IF I WERE THEM, I'D BE WATCHING ANYWAY, AND THERE'S VIGILANT AS WELL, RIGHT? FOR THE ALPRS? SO, BASICALLY, WHAT WE'VE FOUND, AND THERE'S A Q&A THAT MY OFFICE HAS PASSED OUT, IS THAT DESPITE THE REALLY GOOD WORK THAT THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION DID WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SO IN THEORY, THEY HAD THE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO DO WHATEVER THEY NEEDED TO DO TO FIND THE INFORMATION.

WE STILL LACK INFORMATION ON WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY, WHO IN TERMS OF WHICH AGENCIES HAVE ACCESS TO THEM.

IN OTHER WORDS, WHICH AGENCIES CAN THE DATA BE SHARED WITH.

IN TEXAS? OUTSIDE OF TEXAS? IMMIGRATION? NON-IMMIGRATION? WHO EXACTLY HAS ACCESSED THE -- HAS SUBMITTED AN INQUIRY.

JUST AS WE FOUND ON THE PRECINCT 3 SITUATION.

WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE, RIGHT? AND THAT'S CERTAINLY -- AS HAS BEEN REPORTED, WHAT HAVE BEEN THE INQUIRIES, AND BY WHOM? WHAT WERE THE SEARCH TERMS EXACTLY? AND I THINK THAT THE DOCUMENTS RIGHT NOW THAT THREE OF THE AGENCIES HAVE PRODUCED ARE HUGELY APPRECIATED TO HAVE A DRAFT OVERSIGHT POLICY. OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T TELL THOSE AGENCIES WHAT TO DO, BUT I THINK HAVING A WORKING GROUP, AS AWE GUYS PROPOSED, AND WORKING WITH AGENCIES AND TRYING TO COME UP WITH A STANDARD THAT MAYBE EVERYBODY CAN FOLLOW WOULD BE POSITIVE. THE CHALLENGE THAT I HAVE STILL OUT THERE IS HOW CAN WE GET THIS BASIC INFORMATION FOR THE PUBLIC? I KNOW THAT HARRIS COUNTY ONLY ADMINISTERS ABOUT A HUNDRED OF THE FLOCK CAMERAS OUT THERE, IF YOU SUBTRACT THE ONES IN PRECINCT 4.

OR 150, ANYWAY. SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

OTHER THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS ARE PURCHASED BY HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATIONS, ET CETERA. ONE OF THE REASONS THAT SOME OF THE AGENCIES GAVE -- AND I'M NOT GOING TO NAME ANY NAMES -- FOR NOT COMING TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO THE COURT, BECAUSE WE DID REQUEST FORT AGENCIES TO JOIN US, AND I STILL HAVE THAT OPEN REQUEST, WAS THAT THEY DON'T WANT FOR THE LOCATION OF THE CAMERAS TO BECOME PUBLIC. THEY COULD BE VANDALIZED.

CRIMINALS MIGHT AVOID THEM. BUT THE THING IS IF CAMERAS THAT ARE USED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, 40, 50, DIVIDE THAT BY EIGHT FOR EACH PRECINCT, IT'S JUST BUT A HANDFUL.

SO I DON'T KNOW WHY THAT CONCERN.

SO, ANYWAY, ALL OF THAT TO SAY WHAT I THINK WE NEED TO DO, COLLEAGUES, I THINK THAT DISH -T WE NEED TO HAVE A WAY, BECAUSE JUST POLITELY REQUESTING HAS NOT GOTTEN US THERE, BUT WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO ENCOURAGE EACH FLOCK AND VIGILANT OR THE AGENCIES THAT HAVE -- THAT HAVE WORKED ON -- THAT ARE PART OF OUR CONTRACT WITH FLOCK AND VIGILANT, TO PROVIDE THIS BASIC INFORMATION THAT WE'RE REQUESTING.

AND SO WHAT I PROPOSE IS TO FOLLOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES' LEAD ON THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER CAMERAS IN TERMS OF PAUSING THEM. I WOULD SAY THAT WE DO SOMETHING LIKE THAT WITH THE OTHER AGENCIES.

UNLESS AND UNTIL THEY PROVIDE THE BASIC INFORMATION OF WHO -- WHO'S ACCESSING THEM? WHAT ARE THEY -- WHAT ARE THEY ASKING? WHO -- WHICH AGENCIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA? WHERE ARE THEY? THIS INFORMATION'S ALREADY PUBLIC IN MUCH OF THE COUNTRY, AND THINGS ARE WORKING JUST FINE.

[02:45:02]

SO I'M ASKING, AND I KNOW THAT FOLKS ARE WORKING IN THE BACKGROUND RIGHT NOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT'S THE EASIEST WAY FOR US TO GET THAT DONE, AND THIS WILL PUT A TIME PRESSURE.

THE LAST THING I'LL SAY ON THIS IS...

WHY? RIGHT? WHY BE SO CONCERNED ABOUT THIS WHEN WE ONLY HAVE A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF THE CAMERAS, THE LICENSE PLATE READERS, IN HARRIS COUNTY? AND THE ANSWER IS, YES, WE MAY ONLY HAVE A FEW DOZEN CAMERAS, BUT WE'RE A BIG COUNTY AND WE SET AN IMPORTANT EXAMPLE. WE REACHED OUT TO SOME HOAS AND SOME MUDS. WE REACHED OUT TO ORGANIZATIONS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT AND, OF COURSE, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS DID A GREAT JOB WITH THIS. SO WHAT WE FOUND IS PEOPLE FEEL DIFFERENT WAYS ABOUT IT. GENERALLY FOLKS ARE -- YOU KNOW, YOU IT'S MIXED. BUT RESIDENTS THAT HAVE CONTRACTS WITH THESE LICENSE PLATE READERS HAVE THE SAME QUESTIONS. SO I THINK IF WE SET THIS EXAMPLE, WE CAN HAVE THE -- WE CAN ALLOW FOR THESE OTHER RESIDENTS TO MAYBE CONSIDER REQUESTING SOME SIMILAR INFORMATION. OTHER JURISDICTIONS NEARBY.

I KNOW THAT LEAGUE CITY HAD AN ELECTION, SO THAT VOTERS -- SCHEDULING AN ELECTION NOVEMBER SO VOTERS CAN DECIDE WHETHER TO KEEP THEM OR NOT, AND IT'S NOT A BINDING ELECTION.

BUT THEY ARE GOING TO -- I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA.

WE CAN'T DO THAT. WE DID ASK ABOUT THAT, AND WE JUST DON'T HAVE AUTHORITY AS A COUNTY TO DO THAT.

MANVILLE HAS SHUT THEM DOWN, OR THE EQUIVALENT, UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE. AND SO THAT'S WHERE WE ARE.

TRYING TO SAY LET'S -- LET'S FIGURE THIS OUT AND HAVE AN INCENTIVE FOR THE ANSWER TO BE PROVIDED.

THE FINAL PIECE -- AND I DO HAVE SOME QUESTIONS, BUT I'LL LET MY COLLEAGUES ANSWER. FOR EXAMPLE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ABOUT THE STAFF MEMBER, BUT I'M HAPPY TO KEEP GOING, AND I HAVE QUESTIONS. BUT THE LAST THING I'LL SAY BY WAY OF PROPOSALS -- AND I KNOW I'VE NOT MADE ANY OFFICIAL MOTIONS. I'LL WAIT UNTIL THE END.

-- IS AN AUDIT. RIGHT? SO WE WORKED IN GOOD FAITH TO REQUEST THIS INFORMATION.

THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION.

NONE OF THE REQUESTS ARE SORT OF OUT OOUT ON-THERE REQUESTS.

IT'S STANDARD INFORMATION THAT IS PROVIDED JUST FINE IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, SO I'M ASKING THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO TAKE A LOOK TO SEE IF IT'S POSSIBLE FOR THEM TO -- IF WE CANNOT PAUSE THE CAMERAS UNTIL THE INFORMATION IS PROVIDED, THEN -- AND EVEN IN ADDITION TO THAT -- HOW CAN THE COUNTY AUDITOR USE THAT AUTHORITY TO GET THE INFORMATION THAT WE AS A COURT, RESIDENTS, THE MEDIA HAVE BEEN REQUESTING FOR A WHILE? SO -- SO, ANYWAY, THAT'S WHERE I'M COMING FROM.

THOSE ARE THE IDEAS. I'LL -- PAIGE, IF YOU GUYS -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU HAD A CHANCE TO REACH OUT ALREADY TO THE COMPANIES, BUT I WOULD SAY, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T HURT TO DO THAT, IF YOU DON'T MIND ME SUGGESTING THAT.

AND THEN I'M HAPPY TO KEEP GOING, COLLEAGUES, IF NOBODY WANTS TO TALK ABOUT THIS. I DON'T SEE ANY REQUESTS HERE ON

THE -- TO TALK. >> OKAY.

THEY WANT TO REACH OUT TO THE COMPANY.

WE HAVEN'T TALKED TO THEM DIRECTLY, AND IF WE DID, IT WOULD PROBABLY BE THEIR LEGAL SIDE, WHICH IS PROBABLY NOT WHO YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANY OPERATIONAL MATTERS.

IF THAT'S WHAT THE COURT WANTS, I'M SURE WE'D BE HAPPY TO DO

THAT. >> PAIGE, I DIDN'T CATCH THAT.

ARE THEY AVAILABLE OR NOT? >> OUR OFFICE HASN'T REACHED OUT. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO DIRECT OCA, I'M SURE THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO FIND SOME OPERATIONAL CONTACTS

TO REACH OUT F TO YOU THERE. >> I'LL HAVE THEM TRY.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT. THANKS.

I'LL HAVE MY STAFF FOLLOW UP ON THAT.

I MEAN, IT'S NOT -- WE'VE DONE THIS BEFORE, YOU GUYS.

LIKE, WE'RE WITHIN OUR RIGHTS TO CALL THEM.

OR I DON'T THINK IT NEEDS TO BE THAT COMPLICATED.

OKAY. SO I THOUGHT -- IS COMMISSIONER

BRIONES GOING TO SPEAK? >> MOTION TO EXTEND TIME UNTIL WE FINISH DISCUSSION ON THIS ITEM.

[02:50:02]

>> SECOND. >> MOTION AND SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED?

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> SO THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ME IS WE HAVE HEARD SERIOUS CONCERNS FROM THE COMMUNITY.

WE HAVE READ AND SEEN SERIOUS CONCERNS, AND THEY KEEP RISING.

NOT ONLY IN OUR REGION, BUT ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND WE HAVE LISTENED. WE HAVE TAKEN EXECUTIVE ACTION.

WE HAVE DECOMMISSIONED THE PRECINCT 4 CAMERAS THAT ARE IN PRECINCT 4 FACILITIES AND PARKS, AND PRECINCT 4 IS PULLING OUT OF THE CONTRACT. NOW, PUBLIC SAFETY IS MY NUMBER 1 PRIORITY. NOT ONLY AS A MOM OF THREE OF, AS SOMEONE WHO'S BEEN THE VICTIM, BUT PUBLIC SAFETY -- PART OF PUBLIC SAFETY IS PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.

RIGHT? AND SO HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE THE BENEFIT OF THIS TOOL, BECAUSE IT IS A USEFUL TOOL.

WE HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS INCIDENTS WHERE IT'S HELPED.

HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE THE PUBLIC SAFETY BENEFIT, WHILE MITIGATING AND MINIMIZING THE RISK TO OUR COMMUNITIES? AND THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO ACHIEVE, AND THE MORE -- AND THIS IS NOW THE LAWYER/FORMER JUDGE HAT.

THE MORE I DELVE INTO THE PROVISIONS OF THE CONTRACT, THE MORE UNCOMFORTABLE I AM, BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT OF LOOPHOLES AND BROAD LANGUAGE THAT I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH ON BEHALF OF MY PRECINCT 4 CONSTITUENTS, WHICH WE ARE ACTIVELY LISTENING TO AND ACTIVELY PARTNERING TO. SO I THINK THEY CAN BE A USEFUL TOOL, AND WE ALWAYS NEEDS TO HAVE CHECKS AND BALANCES, TRANSPARENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY. AND THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO BALANCE. SO THERE'S, TO ME, TWO KEY LEVERS -- AND AGAIN, WE'VE ALREADY TAKEN ACTIONS.

DECOMMISSIONED AND PULLED OUT OF THE CONTRACT.

ONE IS WE NEED CLEAR, CONSISTENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.

WHO, WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY? WHAT HAS ACCESS? TO WHAT DEGREE? WHEN? FOR HOW LONG? AND FOR WHAT? MY TEAM HAVE BEEN IN ACTIVE CONSULTATION WITH SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND WITH THE CONSTABLE THAT IS WE WORK WITH CLOSELY, WHO HELP PROTECT OUR PARKS AND COMMUNITY CENTERS.

THEY WANT A UNIFIED POLICY. THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THESE CHECKS AND BALANCES, AND THEY'RE WORKING ON IT, BUT WE DON'T HAVE THAT YET. AND THEN THERE'S THE CONTRACT, WHICH THE PROVISIONS NEED TIGHTENING EVEN FURTHER, AND I WANT TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BECAUSE THEY DID SPEND MONTHS TIGHTENING IT. RIGHT? THIS IS A BETTER CONTRACT THAN BACK IN 2022-2023, IN THE PAST, BUT THERE'S STILL -- AND I WILL NOT BORE YOU WITH EACH OF THE PROVISIONS AND THE ARTHUR LAING I FIND TROUBLING, BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE HAVE TO MAXIMIZE THE BENEFITS, WHILE MITIGATING THE HARMS, AND I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE BASED ON WHERE WE ARE WITH THE INFORMATION THAT WE HAVE BEEN DIGGING AND DIGGING AND DIGGING. AND I WANT TO THANK MY TEAM, BECAUSE THEY HAVE REACHED OUT TO FLOCK.

THEY HAVE BEEN IN DIRECT COMMUNICATION TO TRY TO BIRD DOG

AND GET. >> AANSWERS.THEY HAVE BEEN IN CT COMMUNICATION WITH OUR SHERIFF PARTNERS AND OUR CONSTABLE PARPARTNERS. THEY WANT TO WORK TOGETHER.

BECAUSE I AGREE WITH YOU, JUDGE , WE NEED TO BE BEST IN CLASS.

FOR PRECINCT 4, I'VE HEARD YOU LOUD AND CLEAR.

THE -- I SHARE YOUR SERIOUS CONCERNS AND WE ARE TAKING ACTION, AND WE'LL CONTINUE TO TAKE ACTION UNTIL WE'VE TOGETHER FIND THIS APPROPRIATE BALANCE, BUT I SEE THESE TWO LEVERS -- THE POLICIES AND PROCEDURES, AND THEN PART OF THAT IS AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT, AND THEN THE OTHER PART IS TIGHTENING THE CONTRACT. AND TOGETHER AS A COMMUNITY, WE NEED TO -- BECAUSE THE ALPRS ARE ONE PIECE, BUT WHEN WE THINK OF TECHNOLOGY GENERALLY AND A.I. AND WHERE WE'RE GOING WITH IT, THIS BRINGS UP MUCH BROADER QUESTIONS FOR ALL OF US TO BE WRESTLING WITH AND DIGGING INTO TOGETHER.

BUT THE BOTTOM LINE IS IS WE NEED TO CONTINUE MAKING HARRIS COUNTY AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE, BUT PART OF SAFETY IS MAKING SURE THAT ALL PEOPLE FROM ALL COMMUNITIES AND ALL BACKGROUNDS FEEL SAFE. AND I'VE BEEN VERY TROUBLED BY THE INCIDENTS WE'VE SEEN EVERYWHERE, F, AND WE NEED TO HE ACCOUNTABILITY AND WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO DO THE BOTH/AND.

BUT UNTIL THEN, WE'VE TAKEN ACTION.

DECOMMISSIONED THE CAMERAS. PRECINCT 4 IS OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONERCOMMISSIONER RAMSEYN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> THANKS, JUDGE.

I APPRECIATE FOLKS COMING TO COURT AND CLEARLY DEFINING AND EXPRESSING CONCERNS, AND THERE IS CONCERNS.

AND WE CLEARLY UNDERSTAND THAT. I AGREE WITH GOVERNOR ABBOTT.

THE STATE NEEDS TO ASSESS AND PROVIDE A PATH FORWARD FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT TOOL. I THINK BODY CAMS ARE AN

[02:55:02]

I HAVE GREAT CONFIDENCE IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLES OFFICE. GETTING THEM IN A ROOM, HAVING THE CONVERSATION, GETTING BEST PRACTICES DEFINED.

WE TALKED A LOT ABOUT THAT OTHER THE YEARS.

DEFINE THOSE BEST PRACTICES. I DON'T KNOW IF THE BEST PRACTICES IN CHICAGO IS NECESSARILY THE BEST PRACTICES DOWN HERE. WE NEED TO DEFINE THAT IN THE CONTEXT OF WHERE WE ARE IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I'D AGREE THERE SHOULD BE A WELL-DEFINED PROCESS IN TERMS OF ACCESS CONTROLS, LEGITIMATE LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES FOR SEARCHES, AUDIT TRAILS, REASONABLE RETENTION LIMITS, ACCOUNTABILITY IN MISUSE. MANY OF THESE ITEMS WERE MENTIONED BY SPEAKERS, AND I REALLY DO -- I TOTALLY AGREE, THERE NEEDS TO BE A BETTER DEFINITION OF THIS NEW A.I.

TECHNOLOGY. AND WHILE WE'RE AT IT, WE MIGHT WANT TO TALK ABOUT THIS: BECAUSE IF YOU THINK BODY CAMS, IF YOU THINK CAMERAS ARE -- FLOCK CAMERAS ARE BAD, THE THINGS THIS IS DOING IN TERMS OF SURVEILLING THE PUBLIC IN GENERAL IS SOMETHING WE SHOULD ALL BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

YET I DON'T HEAR A LOT OF DISCUSSION.

THAT SHOULD BE, I THINK, PART OF THE CONVERSATION.

CONTEXT MATTERS. THE EMPLOYEE THAT'S BEEN MENTIONED IN THE RECENT REPORT IN THE CHRONICLE IS A PERSON IN MY OFFICE. HIS TITLE IS LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON. HE ALSO HANDLES DISASTER PREPARATION. HE'S INVOLVED WITH THE SECURITY IN MY FACILITIES. SO IT'S NOT SOMEONE THAT JUST WALKED IN OFF THE STREET, DECIDED TO GET INTO THE MIDDLE OF DATA. HE ACTUALLY DOES HAVE A CRITICAL JOB, AN IMPORTANT JOB THAT DOES INVOLVE UNDERSTANDING WHAT THESE CAMERAS DO AND HOW THEY OPERATE. THE SEARCH HE CONDUCTED IN 2025 PRIOR TO THE GUIDELINES THAT WERE PLACED IN LAST YEAR.

AGAIN, GUIDELINES ARE DEVELOPING.

THE GUIDELINES WE HAVE IN 2026 -- WE BEING WHAT FLOCK HAS -- HAS ARE DIFFERENT TO THE GUIDELINES IN 2025, BUT PART OF THE GUIDELINES IN PLACE WERE RELATED TO A CAR BURGLARY, IN WHICH HE THEN PROVIDED DATA TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO WHATEVER DATA WAS COLLECTED, WHATEVER THE 19 SEARCHES THAT HE DID, THAT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT, AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ONLY. THE SOFTWARE WAS USED BY HIM AS INTENDED TO SOLVE CRIMES. SO ONCE THE GUIDELINES WERE PUT IN PLACE FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ACCESS, HE HAD DONE THAT.

WE WORK DIRECTLY THROUGH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

SO THERE DO NEED TO BE GUIDELINES.

THERE DO NEED TO BE GUARDRAILS PUT IN PLACE.

WE HEAR THAT FROM EVERY END OF THE SPECTRUM, SO I APPRECIATE THE GOVERNOR CALLING FOR THIS. I THINK THE STATE LEGISLATURE DES --HEAVEN HELP US -- NEED TOT INVOLVED IN THIS.

THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE. WHEN HAD YOU HEAR -- I'VE GOT 220 MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICTS IN JUST MY PRECINCT.

I WON'T EVEN BEGIN TO COUNT THE NUMBER OF HOAS IN MY PRECINCT.

YOU LOOK AT THE NUMBER OF AGENCIES THAT ARE INTRODUCING THE TOOL. TUESDAY USING USING THETOOL. THE SHERIFF HAS 500.

BUT THERE'S OVER 5,000 CAMERAS OPERATING TODAY IN OUR PRECINCT.

SO, -- I MEAN, IN THE COUNTY. I THINK THAT IT'S UNDERSTANDABLE. PERSONALLY, I WANT TO STAY IN THE GAME. PERSONALLY, I WANT TO BE AT THE TABLE WHEN WE'RE AT -- SETTING THE GUIDELINES, AND PART OF THE BEING AT THE TABLE, PART OF SETTING THOSE GUIDELINES IS STAYING INVOLVED WITH IT. STAYING -- KEEPING USING THE CAMERAS FOR THEIR INTENDED PURPOSE.

PUT THE GUARDRAILS ON IT. BEGIN TO DO THE AUDITS THAT YOU NEED TO DO, BUT THEY SOLVE CRIME.

WE HEARD ABOUT THIS PRECIOUS FIVE-YEAR-OLD GIRL THAT WAS MURDERED UNDER A ROAD RAGE, AND THEIR SUSPECT IS LOCKED UP.

I AM NOT WILLING TO SACRIFICE A LEGITIMATE TOOL FOR THIS LITTLE

[03:00:01]

THERE'S NO WAY YOU WOULD KNOW WHO THEY WERE.

ANDY CON DID A GOOD JOB OF LISTING THROUGH ALL THOSE CRIMES. I'LL NOT REPEAT.

THE DOUBLE HOMICIDE THE HOUSTON POLICE USED FLOCK CAMERAS TO TRACK DOWN THE SUSPECTS. SO I DO THINK IT'S IMPORTANT.

I DO THINK WE NEED TO GET IT UNDER CONTROL, BUT I'M NOT WILLING TO SIMPLY THROW THE TOOL AWAY.

WE DO NEED TO GET THE STATE LEGISLATURE.

THEY'RE NOT ONLY HEARING FROM HARRIS COUNTY.

THEY'RE HEARING FROM EVERY ONE OF THE 254 COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. THIS IS A BIG ISSUE.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO ENGAGE.

THE STATE LEGISLATURE NEEDS TO DRAFT SOME OVERSIGHT.

SO I LOOK FORWARD TO TH THEM ENGAGING.

I THINK NEW TECHNOLOGY -- WE'RE GOING TO TALK ABOUT DATA CENTERS LATER AND HOW THEY SHOULD BE DONE, BUT TO SAY WE DON'T EVER WANT A DATA CENTER -- THAT WOULD BE LIKE, LET'S NOT BUILD THE HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL BECAUSE OF ALL THE THINGS THAT THAT MAY CREATE. LET'S NOT LET NASA BE HERE BECAUSE THERE COULD BE SOME BAD THINGS HAPPEN.

SOME OF THIS REQUIRES THAT YOU DO IT AS IT'S DEVELOPED.

I AM SO PROUD THAT WE ARE HOSTING THE ENERGY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD. NOT ONLY DOES IT PROVIDE JOBS; IT PROVIDES IMPORTANT PRODUCT. THINGS THAT ACTUALLY THE WORLD DEPENDS ON. THERE'S NOT A MORE IMPORTANT COUNTY IN AMERICA THAN HARRIS COUNTY.

I DON'T SAY THAT BECAUSE I HAVE THIS POSITION.

I DON'T SAY THAT BECAUSE I LIVE HERE.

I SEE IT. THE LARGEST MEDICAL CENTER ON THE PLANET. THE MOST IMPORTANT PORT BY MANY METRICS. SO ALL OF THIS IS GONNA REQUIRE A.I. A LOT OF THIS IS GOING TO REQUIRE. AS AN ENGINEER WHO'S BEEN PRACTICING IN THIS AREA FOR THE LAST 45 YEARS.

YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN BUFFALO BAYOU IN 1972.

YOU WOULD NOT GO SWIMMING IN BUFFALO BAYOU.

WELL, YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE DONE EITHER.

BUT IT WAS A BAD PLACE TO BE. YOU COULDN'T SEE THE HAND IN FRONT OF YOUR FACE BECAUSE OF THE POLLUTION.

CAN WE JUST EVERY NOW AND THEN STOP AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WE'VE MADE SOME PROGRESS? BUT WE DID NOT KNOW EVERYTHING, AND, UNFORTUNATELY, WHETHER IT'S REFINERY OR WHETHER IT'S A DATA CENTER OR WHETHER IT'S A FLOCK CAMERA, WE HAVE TO GET A HANDLE ON WHERE WE ARE. BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE T TURN OF THE REFINERY UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN ABOUT A REFINERY. JUST LIKE WE SHOULDN'T TURN OFF, I DON'T THINK, THESE CAMERAS, AND I DON'T PLAN ON DOING THAT IN MY PRECINCT. I TRUST THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I TRUST THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE. I TRUST HPD.

BUT PLEASE UNDERSTAND: TRUST DID NOT ELIMINATE ACCOUNTABILITY. AND I BELIEVE WE CAN WORK WITH THE STATE AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PARTNERS TO FIND THOSE IMPORTANT GUIDELINES AND THOSE IMPORTANT CRITERIA IN TERMS OF MANAGING, I THINK, THIS IMPORTANT TOOL. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE. AT PRECINCT 1, THE VENDORS DIDN'T REACH OUT TO US, AS WAS THE CASE WITH -- I THINK IT WAS CALLED SHOT STOPPER. I WASN'T A BIG FAN OF THAT, AND EVENTUALLY, MY HESITANCY TURNED OUT TO BE RIGHT BECAUSE MANY OF THOSE CONTRACTS WERE CANCELED. SO WE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE SOME, BUT DIDN'T PURCHASE 'EM.

I JUST THINK THERE'S SO MANY UNKNOWNS.

AND COMMISSIONER BRIONES, I THINK YOU DID THE RIGHT THING.

IF I HAD PURCHASED SOME -- BECAUSE IT WAS A GOOD SALES PITCH. IT SOUNDED GOOD.

I WOULD PUT A HALT TO 'EM UNTIL THERE WAS SOME GUARDRAILS.

MOST OF THIS IS IN THE STATE LEGISLATURE'S PURVIEW, AND, YOU KNOW, PUT THE GOVERNOR'S NOT LOST ON ME THAT IT'S THE POLITICAL SEASON. SO A LOT OF THINGS ARE BEING SAID. JUST ABOUT EVERYTHING THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO HEAR ON EITHER SIDE IS BEING SAID BECAUSE WE'RE IN THAT TIMEFRAME. BUT I DON'T THINK IT'S ENOUGH TO JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT. ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE MENTIONED A NUMBER OF CASES WHERE CRIMES HAVE BEEN SOLVED, BUT THERE'S BEEN VERY LITTLE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHERE CRIMES HAVE BEEN CREATED BECAUSE OF THOSE FLOCK CAMERAS AS WELL.

OUT STALKING WOMEN. AN EX-WIFE OR BOYFRIEND.

WHATEVER. I DIDN'T PUT OUT A PRESS RELEASE ON IT. DIDN'T CALL A PRESS CONFERENCE, BUT WHEN THINGS WERE HEATING UP, I CALLED THE SHERIFF TO GET HIS INPUT, AND THEN I CALLED THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY AND ASKED, AND THEN I GOT ON A COUPLE OF PHONE CALLS QUIETLY WITH THE TWO OF

[03:05:04]

I'M TALKING ABOUT WHEN LAW ENFORCEMENT DOES IT, TH.

THAT'S A GOOD THING THAT CAME OUT OF IT.

I DIDN'T WANT TO IN ANY WAY IMPEDE WHAT THE SHERIFF'S FOLKS WERE DOING SO THAT'S WHY I DIDN'T RUSH TO PUT A PRESS RELEASE OUT. AND I THINK THEY HAVE COME UP WITH SOME GUARDRAILS. THERE MAY BE OTHERS.

I WOULD BE RELUCTANT TO STEP INTO WHAT ANY COMMISSIONER DOES THIS THEIR PRECINCT, BECAUSE I MENTIONED FROM TIME TO TIME, Y'ALL DO GET INTO MY BUSINESS OTHER THAN I GET INTO YOURS, BUT I HAVE A RELUCTANCE TO GO THAT AND DO THAT, PARTICULARLY SINCE MY DESK MATE IS NOT HERE. BUT I THINK THIS PROPOSED MOTION, I GUESS IS FROM OCA, TO DIRECT THAT A WORKING GROUP BE PUT TOGETHER. LOOK AT THE OUTSTANDING INFORMATION NEEDS. PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO FLOCK CONTRACTS. IF YOU JUST CANCEL 'EM OFF-THE-CUFF, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT LIABILITY IS THAT? USUALLY MOST CONTRACTS -- I MEAN, I HAVEN'T BEEN AN ENGINEER FOR 50 YEARS, BUT I'VE BEEN A LAWYER FOR DARN NEAR 50.

LICENSED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS. MIGHT I ADD.

CAN EVEN ARGUE BEFORE THE SUPREME COURT, IF I CHOOSE TO.

BUT WE OUGHT TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE COST IS OF DOING THAT.

WE OUGHT TO HAVE SOME MODEL DATA USE POLICIES.

THAT WOULD BE A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME YOU COME BACK.

MY FEAR IS ONCE THE ELECTION CYCLE IS OVER WITH, WHETHER IT'S DATA CENTERS OR FLOCK CAMERAS, WHAT HAPPENS THEN? THE LEGISLATURE SPENDS A LOT OF TIME GETTING INTO ISSUES WITH HARRIS COUNTY ALL THE TIME. THERE SEEMS TO BE BIPARTISAN SUPPORT TO DO SOMETHING HERE, BUT HAVING SERVED IN THAT BODY FOR 26 YEARS AND HUNG AROUND IT FOR ANOTHER SIX AS AN INTERN AND THEN A STAFFER, I KNOW PROCRASTINATION IS THE NAME OF THE GAME. BUT I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME VERSION OF A PAUSE UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.

THERE PROBABLY IS SOME NEED FOR SOME FEDERAL LEGISLATION AS WELL, BECAUSE EVEN WHAT WE DO, WHAT IMPACT DO WE HAVE ON THESE OTHER INDEPENDENT GROUPS WHO CAN GO OUT AND DO IT? IT'S AN IMPORTANT TOOL. IT CAN HELP, BUT ALSO CAN HURT.

SO I'M NOT WILLING -- I GUESS YOU SAY DON'T THROW OUT THE BABY WITH THE BATH WATER, BUT I THINK THERE OUGHT TO BE SOME PAUSE UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON.

YOU EVEN SEE SOME OF THE BIGGEST DATA OPERATORS IN THE COUNTRY SAYING -- ON OPENAI, PEOPLE MAKE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OUT OF IT.

AFRAID THAT THESE TOOLS CAN BECOME SO POPULAR THAT THEY CAN'T CONTROL 'EM. I MEAN, REASONABLE PEOPLE MAKE A LOT OF MONEY OFF OF IT, AND THEY EVEN SAY THERE'S AREAS WHERE WE NEED TO MAKE GUARDRAILS. WE NEED TO PAUSE AND LOOK SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES, BUT I DO THINK WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING, AND I'M GLAD THAT WE DIDN'T PURCHASE ANY, BUT IF WE HAD, I THINK KNOWING WHAT WE KNOW NOW, WHAT I KNOW NOW, I WOULD HAVE SAID JUST STOP UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.

THAT'S JUST FROM MY VANTAGE POINT.

BUT I WOULD BE PREPARED -- I THINK WE OUGHT TO LET COMMISSIONER GARCIA VOTE ON IT. HE'S GOING TO BE HERE AT 2:00.

DID THIS COME FROM OCA, WHAT I'M LOOKING AT IN MY BOOK?

>> RECOMMENDED IN CASE A COURT MEMBER --

>> UNLESS SOMEBODY ELSE HAS A BETTER TOOL.

>> YEAH, I THINK FOR NOW -- I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THEM THAT -- THAT'S ONE OF THE MOTIONS THAT I THINK WE SHOULD DO.

I DON'T THINK THAT'S GOING TO HURT.

>> WHY DON'T I MOVE THAT ONE? >> OKAY.

OR DO YOU WANT TO WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA? ALL RIGHT. SO, THEN, IF WE'RE -- IF WE'RE DOING THAT, THEN I WANT TO SEE IF ADMINISTRATOR CARTER, DID YOUR TEAM HAVE ANY LUCK WITH THE COMPANIES?

>> NOT YET. WE'RE STILL WORKING ON IT.

>> OKAY. OKAY.

I MEAN, I THINK -- IF THEY'RE NOT PAYING ATTENTION TO THESE PROCEEDINGS, I DON'T KNOW THAT THEY CARE MUCH ABOUT -- YOU KNOW, BUT THAT WOULD MAKE SENSE, BECAUSE THE WAY WE PASSED THIS IN THE PAST, YOU KNOW, WE TALK ABOUT -- OH, NOW I'VE READ THE CONTRACT AND I REALIZE IT'S NOT ENOUGH.

WELL, I'M N NOT A LAWYER AND I'M NOT A JUDGE, BUT I READ THE CONTRACT THE FIRST TIME IN JUNE, AND I SAID THIS NEEDS MORE OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS. I DID APPOINT THE JUDGE.

[03:10:01]

THE OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS ARE COMING.

SO THAT'S -- THE REASON I MENTION IT IS BECAUSE I'M AFRAID WE'RE DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN, RIGHT? WE'RE WASHING OUR HANDS A LITTLE BIT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, WE'LL WAIT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO MAKE THE MOTION FOR US TO HAVE A WORKING GROUP, BUT ALREADY WE HAD A TASK OUT TO -- A TASK OUT TO FIND SOME SORT OF INFORMATION, AND THE WORKING GROUP WOULD COME BACK IN FEBRUARY, AND WHAT HAPPENS BETWEEN THO NOW AND THEN? SO I WOULD -- I WOULD -- I WOULN FOR THE WORK GROUP.

I'LL PROPOSE A MOTION TO AMEND THE VENDOR CONTRACTS TO SUSPEND THE USE OF ALPRS UNTIL THE COUNTY RECEIVES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE, THE PRECINCTS AND THE ALPR VENDORS.

WHERE ARE ALL YOUR CAMERAS? WHO EXACTLY HAS ACCESSED THEM? WHICH SEARCH TERMS. WHICH AGENCIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA? HOW LONG DO THEY RETAIN THE DATA? IT'S VERY SIMPLE.

THEY HAVE THE INFORMATION. I'M GLAD THAT YOU GUYS HAVE ALL BEEN TALKING TO THEM, BUT YOU'VE BEEN TALKING SO MUCH, WHERE'S THE INFORMATION? BECAUSE WE DON'T NEED TO JUST TALK AND TALK, AND I'M GLAD, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THAT YOU'VE DECIDED NOT TO CANCEL THAT CONTRACT, BUT I THINK WE STILL NEED TO KNOW IF ANYBODY ACCESSED IT.

SOMETHING LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN >> COMMCOMMISSIONER RAMSEY'SPRE.

I'LL LOOK TO -- YOU SHAKE YOUR HEAD, OFFICER.

IF YOU'RE BETWEEN AGENCIES, YOU'RE NOT -- YOU DON'T HAVE A BADGE, RIGHT? IF YOU WERE TO NOT BE WORKING FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND TAKE SOME TIME OFF BEFORE YOU GO TO ANOTHER AGENCY? YOU'RE JUST RIGHT THERE. YEAH.

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE A BADGE IF YOU'RE IN BETWEEN AGENCIES? LIKE, YOU'RE NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AT THAT TIME? RIGHT.

SO YOU JUST SAID YOU'RE NOT A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER AT THAT TIME. I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER RAMSAY, THAT THE STAFF MEMBER WAS A LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON AND HIS INTENTIONS WAS PURE, BUT WE DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE IS OUT THERE. AND IF ANYBODY WHO THINKS THEY HAVE A STAKE IN PUBLIC SAFETY CAN ACCESS THIS AND IT'S NOT LIMITEDLIMITED TO LAW ENFORCEMET OFFICERS, WE HAVE A PROBLEM.

TSO THAT'S WHAT I PROPOSE. I THINK IF WE -- IF WE THINK SO MUCH THAT THE CAMERAS NEED TO END, LET'S NOT -- LET'S NOT THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER AND LET'S NOT JUST END THE CAMERAS, BECAUSE THEY DO HAVE A CRIME-FIGHTING RESULT.

SO LET'S SUSPEND THEM. HURRY UP AND GET US THE ANSWER, AND IT'S UP TO YOU WHETHER YOU CAN CONTINUE USING THE CAMERAS FOR THE PURPOSES THAT WE NEED THEM USED FOR.

>> AGAIN, A COUPLE QUESTIONS. >> EXCUSE ME?

>> A COUPLE QUESTIONS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> SO, LEGAL: DO WE HAVE LEGAL AUTHORITY TO SUSPEND OR CANCEL THESE CONTRACTS, AND IF SO, WHAT'S THE COST? DO WE KNOW THOSE THINGS?

>> PAIGE, DO YOU WANT TO RESPOND?

>> COMMISSIONER, YES. SO, UNDER THE CONTRACT, WE CAN TERMINATE AT ANY POINT IF WE DELIVER NOTICE.

AND SO IF WE WANTED TO SUSPEND THE CONTRACTS, THAT WOULD REQUIRE AN AMENDMENT THAT WE WOULD BE REACHING OUT TO THE FLOCK LEGAL TEAM TO PUT IN PLACE.

AT ANY POINT, ANY OF THE DIVISIONS OF THE COUNTY -- THE OFFICES CAN ELECT TO TURN OFF THEIR CAMERAS WHILE THAT KIND OF CONTRACT NEGOTIATION IS HAPPENING.

BUT THERE'S NOT A SPECIFIC PROVISION THAT SAYS CHECK IN BOX TO SUSPEND, BUT THERE'S NOT A FEE FOR THAT.

>> SO, BUT TO CANCEL, WE HAVE TO GO THROUGH SOME LEGAL PROCESS.

20, 30 DAYS? OR DO WE KNOW?

>> IT DOES NOT REQUIRE 30 DAYS, COMMISSIONER, BUT IT DOES REQUIRE WRITTEN NOTICE, AND THERE WILL BE SOME LOGISTIC TRANSITIONS. ESPECIALLY FOR THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES THAT USE THE SYSTEMS, TO ENSURE THAT THEIR ACCESS AND ACTIVE INVESTIGATIONS WOULDN'T BE

DISRUPTED. >> ANY PENALTIES?

ANY PENALTIES WITH CANCELATION? >> NO, SIR.

THERE IS A FEE THAT IS IN PLACE THAT COULD BE CHARGED FOR FLOCK REMOVING THEIR EQUIPMENT, SO JUST THE SAME AS THERE'S A FEE FOR IF ANY OF.OFFICERS ASKED FLOCK TO RELOCATE FROM, YOU KNOW, ONE LOCATION TO ANOTHER. THERE'S A FEE, BECAUSE IT IS FLOCK'S EQUIPMENT AND THEY COME AND MAKE THOSE MOVES.

SO, IT IS A PER-DEVICE FEE THAT IS ASSESSED IF YOU ASK THEM TO

[03:15:04]

REMOVE OR MOVE THEM. >> OKAY.

OKAY. I WOULD WANT TO ASK LAW ENFORCEMENT. I WANT TO GIVE THEM SOME INPUT.

IF I WAS TO VOTE TO DO THAT, I WANT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO

SAY ABOUT IT. >> YES.

I THINK THAT'S A GREAT IDEA. AND I THINK -- AND I THINK, TO YOUR POINT, YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT THOSE -- YOU KNOW, WE DON'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH ALL THE PROCESS AND CHECK IF THEY HAVE ACCESS IF IT'S GOING TO AFFECT AN INVESTIGATION OR NOT, IF WE JUST GET THE INFORMATION. THE OTHER REASON WHY I DON'T WANT TO MAKE THIS SOMETHING THAT WE'LL WORK ON 30 DAYS FROM NOW, YOU KNOW WHAT'S OVER IN 30 DAYS? ELECTION DAY WILL HAVE PASSED, AND THE FACT THAT YOU SEE THIS FLIP-FLOPPING NOT ON THIS, BUT ON OTHER TOPICS RIGHT BEFORE ELECTION DAY.

SO THAT'S -- THAT'S THE ISSUE. AND WE HAVE A HABIT OF REAL FLIP-FLOPPING, NOT EVEN FROM GREY TO BLACK, BUT FROM BLACK TO WHITE. SO I'M JUST PULLING UP WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT ON THE 28TH. SO, THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA CAN SEE WHAT THE SAME PEOPLE SAID -- PEOPLE WITH LAW DEGREES.

I DON'T HAVE ONE. I DROPPED OUT OF LAW SCHOOL, BUT I DID GO TO STANFORD AND HARVARD BEFORE I DROPPED OUT, BECAUSE I'M JUST -- I WANT TO ASSUME THAT EVERYBODY'S OPERATING AT FAITH, BUT ALSO AT SOME POINT, YOU FORGIVE ABOUT YOU DON'T FORGET, AND I DON'T FORGET. SO, ANYWAY, IF THERE'S ANYBODY FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT THAT WOULD LIKE TO COME TO EXPLAIN, PLEASE, WHAT'S THE -- WHAT'S THE BARRIER TO POLICE SHARING WITH US THE ANSWERS TO THOSE QUESTIONS, WHICH WE'VE BEEN ASKING NOW FOR

A WHILE? >> DON'T FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO RESPOND. YOU'RE JUST HERE PROTECTING US.

WE KNOW THAT. >> YEAH.

SO, I MEAN, THE -- SO, YEAH, IT'S ONE OF THE THINGS THAT -- IN JUNE, WAS -- CAN WE -- I CALLED UP THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

I DIDN'T GET AN ANSWER EVEN THAT TIME.

THE RULES TO -- SO WE CAN'T FINISH THE DISCUSSION.

WE HAVE TO LIMIT THE DISCUSSION. AND THEN LET'S -- WHAT'S REAL

INTERESTING IS -- >> WHAT I WAS TRYING TO PROPOSE IS THAT WE OFFER AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES, AND SO THAT WAS MY QUESTION. IN OTHER WORDS, IS THERE A MIDDLE GROUND? SO MY QUESTION IS IF WE WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS AMENDMENTS BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES, AND WHY WOULD WE DO THAT? BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, THERE'S NO NEGOTIATING ROOM IF YOU'VE ALREADY AGREED TO THE CONTRACT.

SO, IF WE WANTED TO DO THAT, WHEN WITH WOULD WE HAVE TO OFFER

AMENDMENTS BY? >> WE WOULD HAVE TO DO IT BEFORE THE CONTRACT EXPIRES ON THE 6TH.

>> OKAY. SO IT COULD BE ON THE 5TH?

>> YES. AS LONG AS WE HAVE IT --

>> OKAY, GOT IT.

AND LET ME JUST FINISH. I'M TRYING TO SKIP HERE TO THE -- I JUST HAPPENED TO HIT THIS LITTLE PIECE, BUT THE POINT IS, BACK IN JUNE, WE WERE TALKING ABOUT AMENDMENTS TO THE CONTRACT TO ADD OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS.

SO, YOU KNOW, SO WE'LL PASS THAT AFTERWARDS.

THAT'S WHY THE COMPANY'S NOT HERE, AND THAT'S WHY IF THE ELECTED LEADERS SAY, YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE INFORMATION, I'LL GIVE IT LATER, THAT'S JUST ANOTHER EXCUSE.

SO ALL I CAN DO IS ADVOCATE FOR THE COMMUNITY.

THAT'S THE BEST THAT I CAN DO, BUT YOU'RE CERTAINLY NOT GOING TO SEE ME FLIP-FLOPPING. COMMISSIONER BRIONES?

>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU'VE VOTED FOR FLOCK 15 TIMES, AND YOU'VE NEVER VOTED AGAINST IT. SO IF YOU WANT TO GO DOWN MEMORY LANE, AND NOW WE HAVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ALMOST FINISHED WITH THEIR UPDATED POLICY, SO I DON'T KNOW IF THEY HAVE THE ABILITY TO JOIN US, BUT I THINK IT WOULD BE ILLUMINATING FOR THEM TO UPDATE US ON WHERE WE ARE AND WHERE WE'RE NOT.

BUT, AGAIN, THIS IS NOT ASSUMPTIONLINGS.

ASSUMPTIONS. >> BUT WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER CONTRACTS THAT WE HAVE -- THAT WE CAN VOTE ON? WHAT ABOUT THOSE? WHAT ABOUT THE FACT THAT EARLIER NONE OF YOU -- WELL, I ONLY FOUND OUT BY READING THE ACTUAL CONTRACT THAT THREE COUNTY COMMISSIONER PRECINCT HAD

[03:20:06]

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.

I UNDERSTAND THE CONCERNS THAT ARE BEING EXPRESSED.

I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S BEEN A CONVERSATION ABOUT A WORKING GROUP, WHICH DOES MAKE SENSE. HOWEVER, THERE IS A WORKING GROUP ALREADY, AND THE SHERIFF IS LEADING IT.

AND SO WHILE WE ARE FOLKS THAT DECIDE CONTRACTS, THIS IS ONE AREA OF POLICY THAT OUGHT TO BE LEFT TO THE EXPERTS.

AND THAT WOULD BE THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SHERIFF GONZALEZ AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS.

HE FULLY SUPPORTS THE SUCCESS OF FLOCK, BUT HE HAS BEEN TRANSPARENT ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE TECHNOLOGY GOT OUT IN FRONT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND ITS GOTTEN OUT IN FRONT OF OTHER AGENCIES.

SO, THERE IS A WORKING GROUP, AND I WOULD JUST STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THAT WE ALLOW THE WORKING GROUP -- THE EXISTING WORKING GROUP TO CONTINUE ITS WORK.

SHERIFF GONZALEZ IS ALREADY DOING THIS.

HE IS -- YOU KNOW, WHAT WE DO BY INSERTING OURSELVES IS GOING TO BE MORE DISRUPTIVE, I THINK, TO THEIR WORK.

THERE'S BEEN A QUESTION ABOUT THE TRANSPARENCY ABOUT THIS CONTRACT. THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT. I'VE TALKED ABOUT IT SEVERAL TIMES. BACK ON JUNE OF 2023, I BROUGHT ATTENTION TO ITEM 249 IN OPEN COMMISSIONERS COURT, EXPLAINED THE USE OF FLOCK IN CLOVERLEAF, AN AREA THAT WAS FACING SOME CRIME TECHNOLOGY, AND EXPLAINED WHY WE WERE USING THE TECHNOLOGY AND WHAT WE WERE HOPING TO ACCOMPLISH.

THAT WAS NOT SLIGHT OF HAND. THAT WAS NOT HIDING.

THAT WAS NOT BEING UNTRANSPARENT.

AND SO I WANT TO JUST MAKE THE POINT THAT THE TECHNOLOGY IS WORKING. AND THE EXAMPLES OF THE MISUSE OF IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS GOTTEN THE ATTENTION OF ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP. THEY ALL ACKNOWLEDGE IT.

THEY ALL RECOGNIZE IT. AND I THINK EVERYBODY NEEDS TO TAKE A BREATH. ALLOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO BRING A MODEL POLICY TO THIS COURT, AS HE'S DONE WITH USE OF FORCE, AS HE'S DONE WITH THE U-VISA.

WE HAVE ALLOWED HIM TO WORK THROUGH THIS.

HE IS THE DAY-TO-DAY USER. AND HE ALREADY UNDERSTANDS THE NEED TO PUT BETTER GUARDRAILS ON IT.

HE HAS UNDERSTOOD THE CHALLENGES THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY HAS POSED TO THE INTEGRITY OF THIS TECHNOLOGY THAT IS OUT THERE.

NOW, WHEN IT COMES TO VIGILANT, IT'S ALSO BEEN SAID THAT VIGILANT WAS A BIT OF A SLIGHT OF HAND.

THAT'S ALSO A LIE. VIGILANT HAS BEEN AROUND FOR DECADES. AND IT'S SOMETHING THAT I USED WHEN I WAS SHERIFF. SO WE JUST NEED TO TAKE A BREATH. ALLOW THE EXISTING WORKING GROUP TO CONTINUE THEIR WORK AND TO THE PRESENTATION MADE BY OCA: WHILE OCA ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SOME HAVE TERMINATED THEIR CONTRACTS, THERE'S NO INFORMATION ABOUT HOW MANY AGENCIES HAVE RENEWED THEIR CONTRACTS. THERE'S MORE AGENCIES THAT HAVE RENEWED THEIR CONTRACTS THAN HAVE TERMINATED 'EM.

THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN IN THIS PRESENTATION.

SO I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ALLOW THE LAW ENFORCEMENT LEADERSHIP WHO UNDERSTANDS THIS BEST, UNDERSTANDS THE CHALLENGES THAT IT HAS BROUGHT, AND ALLOW THEM TO CREATE A MODEL POLICY, AS WE HAVE ALLOWED THEM TO DO BEFORE.

[03:25:07]

BUT EVERYBODY -- AND I WOULD -- I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY EVERYBODY'S WORKING ON GUARDRAILS, BUT I'D VENTURE TO SAY THAT OUR SHERIFF IS ABSOLUTELY THE MOST PROLIFIC LEADER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. HAVING SAT AT SITTING COUNCIL AND HAVING BEEN IN THIS SAME TYPE OF ROLE, THAT WILL UNDERSTAND BEST THE TYPE OF SAFEGUARDS THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY NEEDS TO HAVE TO ENSURE. MY CONVERSATIONS WITH HIM WAS, WOW, THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL EXAMPLES OF WHERE THIS -- WHERE INDIVIDUALS HAVE MAYBE MISUSED THIS TECHNOLOGY, AND NONE OF IT IS TOLERABLE. LET ME JUST SAY THAT.

NONE OF IT IS TOLERABLE, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT COMES TO THE USE OF IT AGAINST WOMEN. NONE OF IT IS TOLERABLE.

AND SO SHERIFF GONZALEZ IS HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

LEADERS ACROSS THE STATE ARE HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE.

BUT WHAT MY CONVERSATION WAS HIM WAS, WE NEED TO BE A BETTER COMMUNICATOR AS TO THE SUCCESS THAT FLOCK IS BRINGING TO VICTIMS OF CRIME, AND THAT IS WHERE THE CONVERSATION IS ABSOLUTELY LOPSIDED. IT IS PROVIDING GREATER, GREATER SUCCESS IN SOLVING CRIMES, IN PREVENTING THE POSSIBILITY OF VIOLENT CRIMES, AND BEING ABLE TO APPREHEND VIOLENT AND DANGEROUS PEOPLE NEARLY IMMEDIATELY.

AND SO HE -- AND SO THE CONVERSATION HAS BEEN, WE NEED TO TELL THAT STORY BETTER. BUT, ALSO, I WANT TO THANK THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY, BECAUSE HE'S ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS TECHNOLOGY WOULD BE CONSIDERED A PUBLIC RECORD.

A GOVERNMENT RECORD, RATHER. A GOVERNMENT DOCUMENT.

SO ANYBODY PLAYING AROUND WITH IT IN THE FUTURE WILL BE ABLE TO FACE CRIMINAL CHARGES ON BEHALF OF OUR DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

SO THERE ALREADY IS A WORKING GROUP.

AND SO ALL OF THIS OTHER CONVERSATION IS A LITTLE BIT OF HYSTERIA. WHILE WE GET -- WHILE WE CAN CONVOLUTE THIS WORK, THE SHERIFF IS WORKING ON IT.

I AM CONFIDENT HE WILL BRING SOMETHING THAT'S MEANINGFUL, COMPLETE, AND WILL PROVIDE THE NECESSARY GUARDRAILS THAT WILL ANSWER THE CONCERNS. AND THERE'LL BE SOME PEOPLE WHO SAY, YOU KNOW, IT'S -- IT'S OVERREACHING, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT. BUT THE SUCCESS OF IT IN TERMS OF PUBLIC SAFETY, IN MY OPINION, IS SOMETHING THAT OUGHT TO BE

STRONGLY CONSIDERED. >> I WILL SECOND THAT MOTION, IF THAT'S A MOTION, TO HAVE SHERIFF GONZALEZ --

>> I WILL MAKE THAT AS A MOTION. >> CHAIR, IF I MIGHT?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I COULD MAKE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION. I WAS MAKING A MOTION EARLIER BEFORE YOU CAME. BUT I'LL JUST MAKE A COMMENT FIRST, AND YOU CAN DECIDE. I'VE GOT TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR THE SHERIFF. YOU WEREN'T HERE EARLIER, BUT WHEN THIS WAS RAGING AT THE TABLE AND IN THE PRESS, I QUIETLY CALLED THE D.A. AND I CALLED THE SHERIFF TO ASK, GIVE ME SOME INPUT, YOU KNOW. I MEAN, SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN HERE? TAND THE D.A. MADE THE COMMENT O ME THAT A LAW EN A DOCUMENT THAW ENFORCEMENT PERSON WOULD HAVE TO

[03:30:09]

I WAS JUST TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT SHOULD I JUMP INTO THE FRAY? I WOULD SAY THE SHERIFF WOULD HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH THE OCA CONVENING A WORKING GROUP USING ALPR DATA AND COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES PURCHASING -- I DON'T THINK THIS CONFLICTS WITH WHAT THEY DO.

I, FOR ONE, IN MY CAREER -- NEVER BEING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT HAVING A LITTLE IMPACT WHEN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND STATE GOVERNMENTS MADE A FEW MISTAKES ON CONVICTING PEOPLE WHO SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CONVICTED. I JUST -- I WOULDN'T TAKE THE KNEE-JERK REACTION. YOU AND I HAVE WORKED TOGETHER ON USE OF FORCE, AS AN EXAMPLE. BUT WE COULDN'T GET LAW ENFORCEMENT, EVEN WITH AN IDEAL POLICY, ALL OF 'EM, BECAUSE A NUMBER OF THEM INDEPENDENTLY ELECTED TO COME UP WITH THE

POLICY. >> THAT WILL STILL BE THE CASE

ON THIS. >> I KNOW, BUT AT LEAST FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF I VOTED AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE VOTES ON THOSE ISSUES THAT COME UP. FOR ME, EVEN IF THEY'RE MY FRIENDS, IT'S NOT ENOUGH FOR ME TO SAY, JUST TRUST ME.

OR JUST TRUST THEM. SO I DON'T THINK IT CONFLICTS, BUT I WANT MY OFFICE TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE.

IF NOT ME. >> SO MY RECOMMENDATION IS LET THE SHERIFF CONTINUE HIS WORK. LET HIM BRING WHAT IS -- WHAT HE PROPOSES TO THE OTHER STAKEHOLDERS, BUT RIGHT NOW, HE IS WORKING ON IT. AND IT'S MORE COMPLICATED THAN ANY OF US REALIZE. AND WHILE WE PUT MORE CHEFS IN THAT KITCHEN, IT'LL BE A LOT LONGER BEFORE WE GET A POLICY.

AND SO I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT HE BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE HIS WORK GROUP, AND THEN WHEN HE IS COMPLETE, HE CAN BRING IT TO STAKEHOLDERS GROUP, PRESENT IT AT JCAC, IF HE WANTS, BUT I THINK WE STILL NEED TO ALLOW HIM TO HAVE -- TO DO HIS WORK, AND THEN THE STAKEHOLDERS CAN DETERMINE WHETHER THERE'S ANY HOLES STILL IN THE POLICY TO BE MADE.

>> WHEN WILL IT FINISH WHAT THEY ARE DOING?

>> HE'S WORKING ON IT. YOU KNOW, IF YOU WANT HIM TO HURRY, YOU'LL HAVE AN INCOMPLETE POLICY.

>> I -- FROM MY STANDPOINT, I WOULD PREFER THIS PROPOSED MOTION THAT I WAS SAYING "A" LAYING OUTEARLIER, WITH A TIMETT

OF FEBRUARY 2020. >> THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE. IT'S BEEN SECONDED BY

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY. >> NO, WE HAVE A SUBSTITUTE

MOTION. >> COULD YOU RESTATE THE MOTION,

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> TO HAVE SHERIFF GONZALEZ BE THE CHAIR OF HIS INTERNAL WORKING GROUP AND THING ALLOW HIM TO BRING HIS POLICY TO COURT WHENEVER IT'S COMPLETE.

>> OKAY, AND I'LL MAKE A -- THERE'S A SECOND TO IT.

>> RIGHT, COMMI COMMISSIONER RAY MADE THE SECOND, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA CLARIFIED THE MOTION THAT HE MADE ABOUT

THE WORK GROUP. >> IF YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THAT, THEN I'LL MAKE A MOTION ON THE OTHER ONE.

>> WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? AND, ACTUALLY, AS MY DISCUSSION BEFORE I VOTE, I WANT TO PLAY THIS FROM LAST TIME.

>> SO GIVEN THAT I KNOW THIS LANGUAGE HAS BEEN AS TIGHTENED AND AS THOUGHTFULLY WORDED AS POSSIBLE, AND THAT ANYONE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, IF AND WHEN ANYONE IN OUR JURISDICTION ABUSES IT, THEY WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE, BUT UNTIL THEN, PUBLIC SAFETY IS NUMBER --

>> OKAY, THAT WAS ON. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT HOLDING PEOPLE ACCOUNTABLE FOR A WHILE. BUT THIS IS --

>> THAT'S THE UNDERSTANDING WE'VE HAD BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICER.

I BELIEVE PAGE ABERNATHY HAS BEEN THE QUICHE.

DID THREE MONTHS AGO, AND I'M JUST NOT INTERESTED IN THAT, BECAUSE WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND WAITING FOR THEM TO FINISH SOMETHING, AND WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THEM TO FINISH SOMETHING AT LEAST SINCE JUNE.

AND BY THEN, THEY WERE ALMOST DONE.

SO THEY -- WE CAN'T JUST WAIT FOR THEM TO BE ALMOST DONE

TODAY, AND THAT'S WHY -- >> THAT'S WHY THIS TOOK SO LONG, BECAUSE YOU WERE ALL TIGHTENING THE DATA PRIVACY LANGUAGE.

THAT'S THE UNDERSTANDING WE'VE HAD, BASED ON CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IS THAT CORRECT?

>> THAT'S MAY 28TH. SO, IN THEORY, THE SHERIFF HAD

[03:35:02]

I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE THE DECISION TODAY.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKE WE DON'T HAVE THE VOTES TO DISCUSS IT, SO I -- WOULD SOMEBODY LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES SO THAT WE CAN --

>> YOU MADE THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> I DON'T HAVE I HAVE A SECOND. IF I DON'T HAVE --

TO DISCUSS THIS TODAY? >> YEA.

>> OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> SO YOU DON'T WANT TO ALLOW DISCUSSION, JUST LIKE YOU DIDN'T

ALLOW DISCUSSION BEFORE YOU -- >> THEY DIDN'T ALLOW DISCUSSION.

THEN, WHEN THE RULES CHANGE, THEY TALK ABOUT IT, BUT THEN THEY HAVE TO LEAVE. SO, GUYS, I'M GOING TO VOTE "NO" ON THAT. I'M FIRM THAT WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION TODAY. I THINK SOME OF US MAKING LITTLE POSCHANGES IN OUR POSITION RIGHT BEFORE THE ELECTION, BUT WE CANNOT DO WHAT WE ALREADY DID MAY 28TH, WHICH WAS NOT PUT OVERSIGHT ON THE ENTIRETY OF THE FLOCK CONTRACTS.

AND IF YOU WANT TO PROTECT YOUR PRECINCT, YOU ALSO WANT TO PROTECT THE SHERIFFS AND THE CONSTABLES CAMERAS IN YOUR PRECINCT. SO, IF YOU GUYS WANT TO VOTE ON YOUR INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS, I'M HAPPY TO DO THAT, SAYING THAT THE INFORMATION IS ALMOST DONE AND SAYING THAT WE JUST NEED TO -- THAT WE JUST NEED TO WAIT AND SEE.

SO, THE QUESTION IS WHAT SPECIFIC SAFEGUARDS ARE WE PREPARED TO PUT IN PLACE TODAY? WHY DO SOME AGENCIES HAVE -- PROVIDE INFORMATION? SOME DON'T? WHAT IS PREVENTING US FROM ESTABLISHING MINIMUM PRIVACY PROTECTIONS? I'LL LEAVE IT THERE.

MY PROPOSAL IS ALREADY OUT THERE.

I'LL MAKE THE MOTION, BUT I REALLY JUST WANT THE PUBLIC AND THE MEDIA TO SEE. IT'S ALMOST COMICICAL.

I MEAN, YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS STUFF UP.

ESPECIALLY TRYING TO SHUT DISCUSSION ABOUT THE FACT THAT THEY SHUT DISCUSSION BEFORE. ANYWAY...

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND THEN BRIONES.

>> JUDGE , JUST FOR -- >> NOW WE HAVE MULTIPLE MOTIONS.

>> JUST FOR PURPOSES OF THE RECORD, JUDGE HIDALGO, YOU'RE PLAYING EXCERPTS FROM THE MAY 28TH COMMISSIONERS COURT

HEARING? >> MAY 26TH.

SO WE HAVE A MOTION. A SECOND.

ANY ADDITIONAL DISCUSSION ON COMMISSIONERS GARCIA'S MOTION? OKAY, AND THAT IS TO WAIT FOR THE SHERIFF TO COMPLETE HIS WORK AS HE'S BEEN DOING SINCE MAY. OKAY, ALL IN FAVOR?

ANY OPPOSED? >> NO.

>> NO. >> I'M OPPOSED TO THAT MOTION.

IT FAILS, THEN WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION.

>> MY MOTION IS, FIRST OF ALL, THAT THIS NOT IN ANY WAY IMPEDE WHAT THE SHERIFF DOES. IN NO WAY WILL IT IMPACT WHAT HE'S DOING. COMMISSIONERS COURT DIRECTS OCA TO CONVENE A WORKING GROUP USING ALPR DATA.

THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES PURCHASING THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND RELEVANT TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO PARTICIPATE AS NEEDED.

THE WORKING GROUP WOULD -- WOULD DEVELOP PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE COUNTY'S FLOCK AGREEMENT, INCLUDING PROVISIONS CONCERNING DATA RETENTION AND SHARING. INFORM BY LEGAL REVIEW OPERATIONAL NEEDS AND VENDOR CAPABILITIES A MODEL ALPR POLICY ADDRESSING THE FIVE POLICY AREAS IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND OUTLINING CONSIDERATIONS FOR DEPARTMENTAL ADOPTION AND IMPLEMENTATION.

THE WORK GROUP WOULD THEN SUBMIT THE PROPOSED AMENDMENTS AND MODEL ALPR DATA-USE POLICY NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 2027 FOR COMMISSIONERS COURT CONSIDERATION.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WOULD YOU PLEASE ACCEPT AND CONSIDER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT FOR THE SHERIFF TO CHAIR THAT WORKING

GROUP? >> YES.

>> OKAY. >> I WILL SECOND IT THEN.

>> JUST MINOR DETAIL. COMMISSIONER, IF I HEARD YOU CORRECTLY, I HEARD YOU SAY FLOCK, AND JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT'S REPLACED BY ARPL, BECAUSE WE HAVE FLOCK AND VIGILANT AGREEMENTS. THERE'S A FLOCK AGREEMENT AND THERE'S VIGILANT AGREEMENT AND THEY'RE BOTH ALPR.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> WHAT'S IN THE WORKING GROUP?

WHO IS THE WORKING GROUP? >> COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> IT DOESN'T SAY THAT.

>> YEAH. DID I SINNED IT AROUND?

I'M SORRY IF I DIDN'T. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS MODIFIED IT. HE ADDED.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS MODIFIED IT. >> OKAY.

[03:40:02]

>> CAN I READ IT? I'M SORRY.

OCA TO CONVENE A WORK GROUP -- >> JUST GOT THE UPDATED POLICY.

OKAY. >> YOU SEE IT WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE? COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE IN THE ROOM? ANYBODY THAT HAS FLOCK CAMERAS

THIS THIS BOARD VOTED. >> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ANDS OFFICE ISN'T A PERSON. WHO'S THE PERSON?

>> I HOPE IT'S THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, BUT IF NOT, IF SHE CAN'T GO, DESIGNATE SOME SENIOR PERSON.

>> I'VE SEEN HOW THESE -- I'M SORRY.

I'VE HAD SIX YEARS OF GROUP WORKS AND COMMITTEES AND ENDLESS, ENDLESS -- THAT'S WHY THE JAIL HAS TAKEN 20 YEARS TO DEAL WITH. I AM PESSIMISTIC ABOUT -- IT'S ONE OF TWO THINGS, REFERENCING WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS REFERENCING. EITHER WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HALF-BAKED POLICY OR YOU HAVE A FULLY BAKED POLICY PROBABLY MUCH QUICKER THAN THAT IF YOU LET THE SHERIFF TAKE IT AND RUN WITH IT.

TO GET THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, THE SHERIFF, THE CONSTABLES, OTHER COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USING ALPR.

YOU MIGHT AS WELL GET THE MUDS AND THE HOMEOWNERS' ASSOCIATION.

COMMISSIONER, I GET IT. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT LOOKS GOOD ON PAPER. IT JUST LOOKS UNWIELDY.

>> I'LL SAY THIS TO YOU, COMMISSIONER, SINCERE I DIDN'T, I'VE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 42 YEARS.

RESPONDING,. >> I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR 42 YEARS, AND THIS IS BEEN A LOT OF COMMITTEES I'VE BEEN ON.

A LOT OF 'EM DIDN'T DO MUCH, BUT OUT OF THE 700 BILLS I PASSED, THAT SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS UP THERE CAN'T GET RID OF NOW, OFTENTIMES, THAT WAS A WORKING GROUP, AND THERE WAS MORE TIMES WHEN SOMETHING POSITIVE CAME OUT OF EDMONTON.

'EM. USUAL USUALLY WHEN THE PRINCIPALS SHOW UP, IT HELPS. I'M JUST TELLING YOU.

LOOK... I HATE 'EM TOO, BUT, YOU KNOW -- YOU KNOW, 700 BILLS. SOME OF THEM SOME OF YOUR FRIENDS WONDER TO THIS DAY WHY THEY CAN'T UNDO THEM.

SO I'VE SEEN THE POWER OF PEOPLE WHO CAN MAKE DECISIONS BEING AROUND THE TABLE TOGETHER. EVEN IF THEY END UP BREAKING THE TABLE A TIME OR TWO. I'VE BROKEN A FEW.

SO IT DOES WORK. MAYBE NOT ALL THE TIME.

AND IT'S MORE DIFFICULT. IT'S MESSY.

BUT SO IS JUST HAVING TWO PEOPLE MAKE THE DECISION.

>> SO, IF I CAN PIGGYBACK ON COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT.

BECAUSE I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY BROUGHT UP THE CONSTABLES.

IT IS ACTUALLY BRILLIANT TO ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO WORK WITH THE CONSTABLES, BECAUSE VERY FEW OF THEM HAVE ADOPTED THE USE OF FORCE POLICY. VERY FEW OF THEM HAVE ADOPTED THE U-VISA POLICY. BUT IF WE ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO BE THE CHAIR AND DO THE WORKING GROUP WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT, HE MAY BE THE ONE THAT CAN BRING MORE AGENCIES TO THE TABLE THAN US. AND I THINK THAT'S ULTIMATELY WHAT WE'RE AFTER. SECONDLY, THE SHERIFF IS AT THE BRINK OF PROPOSING A POLICY. WE'RE PROBABLY A WEEK AWAY.

SO, AGAIN, BEFORE -- BEFORE THIS FULL-FLEDGED POLICY WORKING GROUP GETS UP AND RUNNING, WE OUGHT TO ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO PRESENT WHAT HE'S BEEN WORKING ON.

HE'S ABOUT A WEEK AWAY FROM IT BEING READY.

SO LET'S JUST DELAY THIS VOTE FOR THE NEXT COURT AND ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO MAKE HIS PRESENTATION.

>> THERE'S A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

>> AND A SECOND. >> AND I THINK WE'RE IN THE

MIDDLE OF A VOTE. >> WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. WHO WAS THE SECOND? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> ALL IN FAVOR? >> WOULD YOU MIND READING, JUST FOR CLARITY, WHAT THE CHANGE IS --

>> -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AS CHAIR, CONSTABLE OFFICE AND OTHER COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES USING ALPR DATA. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT OFFICES PURCHASING, THE AUDITORS OFFICE AND RELEVANT TECHNICAL PERSONNEL TO PARTICIPATE AS NEEDED. THE WORKING GROUP WOULD DEVELOP A PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE COUNTY'S ALPR AGREEMENT, INCLUDING PROVISIONS CONCERNING DATA RETENTION AND SHARING INFORMED BY LEGAL REVIEW, OPERATIONAL NEEDS, AND VENDOR

[03:45:01]

AND I'LL GIVE YOU OLD-SCHOOL. >> ALL RIGHT, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> ANY OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

I HAVE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AFTER COMMISSIONER BRIONES.

>> WITH THE SHERIFF'S POLICY HOPEFULLY BEING READY WITHIN A WEEK, TWO WEEKS' START THAT IT'S A PERFECT WORK GROUP FOR HIM CHAIRING THIS COMMITTEE. THAT'LL BE A GREAT STARTING POINT TO REALLY EXPEDITE THE PROCESS, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I WANT TO BE CLEAR: PRECINCT 4 HAS TAKEN ACTION.

PRECINCT 4 IS OUT OF AGREEMENT, AND PRECINCT 4 CAMERAS WILL

REMAIN DECOMMISSIONED. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> YEAH, IT'S GOOD INFORMATION, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT THE POLICY WILL BE IN PLACE, EVEN IF WE HAVE TO HAVE IT AS AN INTERIM FOR THE NEXT THREE YEARS, WHILE THE WORKING GROUP WORKS ON IT. THAT'S GOOD.

I'M GOOD WITH IT. >> JUDGE, IF THE SHERIFF IS NOT READY IN A WEEK, IF HE NEEDS MORE TIME TO GET IT RIGHT, PLEASE DO THAT, BUT IF IT'S READY IN A WEEK, HE CAN PRESENT IT TO THE GROUP, AND I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT THIS -- MY INTENT IS NOT FOR THIS WORKING GROUP TO LAST FOR ANOTHER THREE

YEARS. >> I AGREE.

>> UNLESS YOU GOT DIVINE PROVIDENCE AND KNOW THAT YOU AND I ARE GOING TO BE HERE FOR ANOTHER THREE, TOM.

>> I'M OPTIMISTIC. >> THAT'S WHY WE HAVE FEBRUARY 2027, AND WHEN WE SAID OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, I KNOW CHIEF KIRSTEN SON, OUR FIRE MARSHAL, IS INTERESTED IN BEING A PART OF THE WORKING GROUP, AND THAT WOULD BE MY STRONG, STRONG PREFERENCE AS WELL.

SO, THANK YOU, CHIEF CHRISTIANSON, FOR STEPPING UP AND ALWAYS BEING A GREAT TEAM PLAYER.

>> SO I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO THE OTHER CAMERAS, AND I WANT TO APPRECIATE THE CONSTABLES OFFICE AND THE FIRE MARSHAL OFFICE THAT PROVIDED THEIR POLICY. OKAY.

SO IF -- IF WE ARE -- IF THE PRECINCT 4 IS OUT, THEN I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION HERE TO DIRECTS DIRECT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO AMEND THE VENDOR CONTRACTS TO SUSPEND THE USE OF ALPRS IN HARRIS COUNTY PRECINCT 4 UNTIL THE COUNTY RECEIVES THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, CONSTABLES OFFICE, THE PRECINCTS, AS RELEVANT, AND THE ALP VENDORS. ACTUALLY, PRECINCT IS RELEVANT, BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER TO THIS EITHER.

WHERE ARE YOUR CAMERAS? WHO EXACTLY HAS ACCESSED THEM? WHICH SEARCH TERMS? WHICH AGENCIES HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA? HOW LONG SHOULD THEY RETAIN THE DATA. WE CAN DO IT PRECINCT BY PRECINCT, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION, IF WE'RE GOING TO HAVE FLOCK OUT OF PRECINCT 4. ALL THE COUNTY FLOCK.

YES? >> I WOULD TAKE THE POSITION THAT SINCE THE AMENDMENT DID PASS, JUST REFER THAT TO THAT COMMITTEE. YOU KNOW, I'M RELUCTANT TO STEP IN ABSENT AN OVER ALL POLICY, AND WE KNOW THE IMPACT OF CANCELING CONTRACTS NOW. I THINK THAT COMMISSIONER BRIONES DID THE RIGHT THING BY PUTTING A PAUSE ON 'EM.

IF I HAD ANY -- I DIDN'T KNOW IF I HAD ONE.

IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN THE AREA WHEN WE RESTRICTED IT, BY THE WAY, THAT I TOOK IT IN, BECAUSE I'M GLAD I STOPPED IT IF I DID SECOHAVEIT. AND IF I HAD ANY NOW, I'D JUST PULL THE PLUG ON 'EM, UNTIL THE SHERIFF COMES BACK WITH THOSE POLICIES, IF THAT'S IN A WEEK. IF I HAVE ONE COMMISSIONERS GARCIA, AND DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT, THE PLUG IS ABOUT TO GET PULLED.

>> SO, COMMISSIONER BRIONES, WOULD YOU VOTE TO PAUSE THE CONTRACTS OR THE CAMERAS OF -- ADMINISTERED BY THE CONSTABLES AND THE SHERIFF IN YOUR PRECINCT UNTIL THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION ON WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE, WHO'S ACCESSED THEM, WHICH SEARCH TERMS, WHICH AGENCIES, AND HOW LONG DO THEY RETAIN THE DATA?

>> WE HAVE THIS WORKING GROUP. THEY CAN CONTINUE TO COLLECT THE DATA AS THEY COME UP WITH THIS POLICY.

I HAVE TAKEN ACTION, EXECUTIVE ACTION WITH THE CAMERAS THAT ARE ON PRECINCT 4 PREMISES, PRECINCT 4 PARKS.

I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH CLEARER I HAVE TO BE.

SO PLEASE GO TALK TO THOSE INDEPENDENTLY-ELECTED OFFICIALS

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS. >> WE MAKE -- OKAY, AS THE

[03:50:04]

VOTE, IF THERE'S A SECOND. >> THERE'S NO SECOND.

>> BUT IF THERE WAS -- I MEAN, THIS COURT HAS THE -- ALL RIGHT.

I WON'T PUT YOU ON THE -- IT'S NOT LIKE THIS IS NOT HER PURVIEW. OKAY, COMMISSIONER, IN THAT CASE, WOULD YOU PLEASE SHARE -- AND I'M NOT PICKING ON ANYBODY.

IT'S THE DISHONESTY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS.

WOULD YOU PLEASE SAY WHERE WERE ALL YOUR CAMERAS, WHO EXACTLY ACCESSED THEM, WHICH SEARCH TERMS DID THEY USE, WHICH AGENCIES HAD ACCESS TO THE DATA, AND HOW LONG DID THEY RETAIN THE DATA? FOR THE CAMERAS THAT NOW YOUR

PRECINCT HAS CANCELED. >> THE ANSWER IS "YES," AND IF YOU CAN DO THE HOMEWORK, YOU WOULD KNOW THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS THE ONE THAT MANAGES THEM.

SO, "YES" IS THE ANSWER, AND THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, WHEN THEY'RE CHAIRING THE COMMITTEE, CAN HELP PROVIDE THE INFORMATION IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MY PRECINCT AND ALL THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE

WORKING GROUP. >> SO, CAN I NOT GET YOU TO PLEASE SHARE -- YOU'VE CANCELED THE CAMERAS, BUT TO PLEASE SHAR-

>> WE SHARE -- WE'RE AN OPEN BOOK.

>> OKAY. SO CAN YOU PLEASE SHARE THAT WITH US. WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAIR SHARE WHO ACCESSED THE CAMERAS? WE LEARNED THAT COMMISSIONER COR RAMSEY'S EMPLOYEE, NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT, ACCESSED THE CAMERAS. NO ILL INTENT.

HOW DO WE KNOW WHO ACCESSED THE CAMERAS IN PRECINCT 4, WHERE THEY ARE, WHAT SEARCH TERMS THEY USED, AND HOW LONG THEY RETAINED THE DATA. WE WILL KNOW GOING FORWARD, BUT

PEOPLE SHOULD KNOW GOING BACK. >> 100%, THAT IS WHY THIS WORKING GROUP, WHO THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE --

>> SO YOU DON'T HAVE THIS DATA? >> YES.

>> YOU DON'T HAVE THIS DATA AT ALL?

>> AGAIN, PLEASE DO YOUR HOMEWORK.

>> SO YOU'LL PROVIDE IT. SO, THEN, LET ME ASK.

THERE WAS NOT A SECOND TO MY MOTION EARLIER, SO LET ME CALL THE AUDITOR. I DON'T KNOW IF AUDITOR POST IS HERE OR CAN CALL IN? I'LL GIVE HIM A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, AND IT'S SORT OF A COUNTY ATTORNEY QUESTION HERE.

AS WELL. A, OH, AUDITOR, THANK YOU VERY

MUCH. >> HELLO.

YOU'VE GOT A QUESTION? >> YES.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT THE AUTOMATED LICENSE PLATE READERS, AND AROUND THE COUNTRY, THERE HAS BEEN INFORMATION ABOUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE ARE THE CAMERAS? WHO'S ACCESSED THEM? WE'VE SEEN MALFEASANCE IN PEOPLE EVEN IN HARRIS COUNTY, TEXAS, TRACKING THEIR GIRLFRIEND OR SOMEBODY THEY'RE TRYING TO HARASS. SO WHICH SEARCH TERMS. WHO HAS ACCESS TO THE DATA? WE ARE NOT AS A COMMISSIONERS COURT AND THE PUBLIC DOES NOT HAVE THE ANSWER TO ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS FROM ANY OF THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OR ANY OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES. SO I THINK, YOU KNOW, PART OF OUR ROLE IS TO HELP BE THAT LEVEL OF ACCOUNTABILITY.

LET'S WHY WE PROVIDE THEIR -- THE FUNDING.

SO, MR. POST, THANK YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE THERE.

THAT WAS A LITTLE BIT OF KIND OF FRAMING THE THING, BUT MY QUESTION -- MY SPECIFIC QUESTION IS DO YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, THE CONSTABLES OFFICE, THE PRECINCT AND THE ALPR VENDORS, SPECIFICALLY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT PERTAINS FLOCK AND THE ALPR CAMERAS? AND JUST TO ANSWER THESE BASIC QUESTIONS? WOULD YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO CONDUCT AN AUDIT?

>> WELL, LET ME -- LET ME THROW SOME THOUGHTS OUT.

WE HAVE CONTRACTS FOR THESE CAMERAS.

IF THOSE CONTRACTS CONTAIN AUDIT CLAUSES, THEN AS THE AUDIT CLAUSE GIVES US THE RIGHTS TO ACCESS INFORMATION, CERTAINLY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WOULD BE WILLING TO DO THAT IF THAT IS MEANINGFUL. THIS HAS GOT A LOT OF PLAYERS, AND I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO BE DUPLICATING.

I WANT TO BE COMPLEMENTING -- I WANT TO BE COMPLEMENTING ALL THE OTHER EFFORTS THAT ARE GOING ON. I HAVE TOTAL ACCESS -- THE WAY I UNDERSTAND THE STATUTE -- TO ANY FINANCIAL INFORMATION IN THE

[03:55:02]

SO I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS: I'M WILLING TO HELP.

I'VE GOT PEOPLE THAT I CAN DEDICATE TO THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WHAT I'M DOING FITS AND COMPLEMENTS WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS DOING SO I'M NOT DUPLICATING, AND I'M WILLING TO GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY.

AND I COULD COME BACK. I COULD LOOK AT POSSIBLE DATA-GATHERING ROLES FOR THE AUDITOR AND, YOU KNOW, RUN THAT BY THE OTHER PEOPLE WHO'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND SAY, IS THIS GOING TO BE HELPFUL TO YOU? AND THEN I CAN DEDICATE PEOPLE TO GATHER THAT INFORMATION, AND IF I'M CHALLENGED BY, SAY, LAW ENFORCEMENT, THEY SAY, WELL, YOU DON'T HAVE A RIGHT TO THIS BECAUSE IT'S NOT FINANCIAL INFORMATION, THEN I WOULD TAKE THAT UP WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY OR WHOMEVER.

BUT NORMALLY, I HAVE HAD GREAT ACCESS HERE AT HARRIS COUNTY, EVEN ON AUDITS WHERE I'VE BEEN GATHERING WHAT I'LL CALL OPERATIONAL-TYPE INFORMATION. IF THAT HELPS.

>> THANK YOU. NO, IT DOES HELP.

AND I THINK I'VE SORT OF EXHAUSTED MY RECOURSE TO ASK, YOU KNOW, THE PRECINCT THAT HAVE THE CAMERAS, THE PRECINCT THAT JUST TURNED OFF THE CAMERAS. CAN YOU PLEASE PROVIDE INFORMATION? YOU KNOW, OUR COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR'S OFFICE. THEY DID A GREAT JOB, BUT THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF IT IS NOBODY'S BEEN ABLE TO GET THIS INFORMATION, SO I'M JUST TRYING TO BE CREATIVE AND SAY WHO ELSE -- I MEAN, WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY IN TERMS OF WE COULD HAVE AMENDED THE CONTRACT. WE CHOSE NOT TO DO THAT.

SO WHAT'S SOMETHING THAT COULD BE DONE BY SOMEBODY ELSE? I DO BELIEVE THAT THE AUDITOR HAS THE AUTHORITY.

HE WILL GET THIS INFORMATION. AND SO -- SO I WOULD LIKE -- EITHER WAY, I'LL MAKE THE MOTION.

BUT EITHER WAY I KNOW, MR. POST, I KNOW YOU WORK ON -- OH, I SEE HERE A NOTE, ATTORNEY ABERNATHY, IF YOU WOULD TELL ME IF I'M WRONG HERE. I SEE A NOTE FROM MY STAFF THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE CONFIRMED THAT THE FLOCK CONTRACT DOES HAVE AN AUDIT CLAUSE AND IS CHECKING WHETHER THE VIGILANT CONTRACT HAS AN AUDIT CLAUSE.

I'LL WAIT TO HEAR FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

SO, ANYWAY, WOULD YOU -- OH, GO AHEAD.

GO AHEAD, PAIGE. >> I'M JUST GOING TO CONFIRM THAT'S CORRECT. AND IT'S OUR UNDERSTANDING -- AGAIN, THAT'S OUR STANDARD POLICY OF DATA WE OWN WHEN WE CONTRACT WITH VENDOR VEIN, DOOR- VENDORS, SO WE'D BE HAPPY TO

WORK WITH THE AUDITOR. >> I WAS NAMED IN THE MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS AS ONE OF THOSE GROUPS, ONE OF THE PARTIES TO THE WORKING GROUP. I WILL SERVE ON THAT COMMITTEE PERSONALLY, BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE AUDITOR IS DOING EVERYTHING IN COORDINATION WITH THE REST OF THE GROUP THAT WILL HELP GET THE INFORMATION THAT YOU'RE SEEKING.

>> YEAH. I MEAN, AND OBVIOUSLY THAT IS YOUR -- YOUR PREROGATIVE, HOW YOU END UP INVOLVED.

I JUST WANT TO SAY IN THE OPEN FORUM: WE HAVE BEEN REQUESTING THIS INFORMATION.

THE PUBLIC'S BEEN REQUESTING THIS INFORMATION AT LEAST SINCE MAY 28TH. AND BACK THEN, THE SHERIFF WAS ALMOST DONE. AND NOW ALSO WE'RE ALMOST DONE.

AND SO THE REASON I'M TURNING TO YOU RATHER THAN JUST LEAVING IT ALONE IS BECAUSE I BELIEVE THAT YOU WILL BE THE PERSON TO GET THE INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.

I THINK THAT YOU COULD -- THE GROUP COULD SPIN IN CIRCLES UNTIL FEBRUARY AND COME IN FEBRUARY AND SAY THEY'RE ALMOST

[04:00:02]

SO I WOULD JUST REQUEST, MR. AUDITOR, AND OBVIOUSLY IT'S YOUR PREROGATIVE, YOUR AUTHORITY IF YOU -- IF YOU COULD PLEASE HELP US UNDERSTAND, HELP THE RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY UNDERSTAND THE DATA AND OVERSIGHT PROVISIONS IN THESE ALPR CONTRACTS, SO SPECIFICALLY TO FIND FROM ALL THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY CAMERAS THAT REMAIN IN PRECINCT 4, 3, AND 2, WHERE ARE ALL THE CAMERAS? WHO EXACTLY HAS ACCESS TO THEM? WHICH SEARCH TERMS HAVE BEEN USED? WHICH AGENCIES, OTHER THAN THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY, HAVE ACCESS TO THE DATA? AND HOW LONG DO THEY RETAIN THE DATA? SO THAT WOULD BE, MR. POST -- THAT'S THE BEST THAT I CAN DO ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC.

>> I WILL -- IF SO ASKED BY THE COMMISSIONERS, I WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE START THIS PROJECT VERY QUICKLY.

I WILL MAKE SURE THERE ARE DEDICATED PEOPLE.

AND THAT'S ONE OF THE ADVANTAGES I HAVE, I THINK, IN A PROJECT LIKE THIS. MAYBE I HAVE SOME AUTHORITY ADVANTAGES, BUT I CAN PUT A PERSON OR A COUPLE PEOPLE ON A PROJECT LIKE THIS, AND THAT'S ALL THEY'RE DOING.

THEY'RE NOT TRYING TO DO THIS AND 13 OTHER THINGS THAT ARE THEIR NORMAL JOB. SO WE CAN REALLY FOCUS AND CONCENTRATE AND TRY TO BE TIMELY.

>> CAN YOU -- CAN YOU -- DO YOU NEED A MAJORITY OF THE COURT OR IS THE FACT THAT WE HAD A NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEE ACCESS -- USE IT AND WE'VE HAD ABUSES BY LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND THE COMMUNITY'S VERY INTERESTED IN THIS INFORMATION, IS THAT ENOUGH? OF COURSE, THERE'S PLENTY OF NEWS ARTICLES. IS THAT ENOUGH FOR YOU TO -- TO DO THIS WORK, OR DO YOU NEED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO VOTE TO ALLOW YOU TO DO AN AUDIT? -- AN INDEPENDENT AUDIT?

>> I DO NOT NEED THE COMMISSIONERS COURT TO VOTE FOR ME TO DO AN AUDIT. I'VE DONE A NUMBER OF THEM BECAUSE IT'S BEEN SUGGESTED. HOWEVER, THIS IS A -- THIS IS SUCH AN IMPORTANT AUDIT WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT POINTS OF VIEW.

I WOULD LIKE CERTAINLY TO TOUCH BASE WITH ALL THE COMMISSIONERS AND -- AND GET THEIR PERSPECTIVE AND PUT THAT ALL TOGETHER IN COMING UP WITH WHAT I'M GOING TO CALL "THE SCOPE." WHAT I PLAN TO DO. PLUS, I'M ON THIS COMMITTEE WITH OTHER PEOPLE, AND I WILL KEEP THEM IN THE LOOP, TOO.

I WANT TO ADD VALUE. I WANT TO DO THE BEST AND FOCUS IN A WAY THAT PROVIDES THE BEST INFORMATION TO EVERYONE.

SO I'M VERY WILLING TO DO THIS. IF -- I WOULD, I GUESS, LIKE TO KNOW IF ANYBODY HAD A PROBLEM WITH ME DOING IT, BUT -- BUT I DON'T NEED A VOTE TO DO IT. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT I'VE TAKEN ALL POINTS OF VIEW INTO CONSIDERATION.

>> AND JUST REALLY QUICKLY, JUST SO I'M DONE WITH AUDITOR POST AND THEN OTHER FOLKS CAN TALK TO THE AUDITOR.

SIR, I APOLOGIZE FOR BEATING THIS TO DEATH.

I UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE SAYING. I WASN'T QUITE CATCHING IT.

I THINK WHAT I'M HEARING IS, YOU KNOW, YOU DON'T WANT TO COMPROMISE ANYTHING THAT SHOULDN'T BE GOING OUT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. BUT LOOK...

THIS IS YOUR ROLE, SO I STATED MY QUESTION.

THE COMMUNITY'S QUESTION. I'LL BE QUIET AND I'LL LET MY COLLEAGUES COMMENT. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT I UNDERSTAND NOW WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO SAY.

COMMISSIONER BRIONES, THEN GARCIA, THEN ELLIS.

>> SO AUDITOR POST, FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR BEING ON THIS COMMITTEE THAT WILL BE SHARED BY THE SHERIFF, THAT WE JUST PASSED. THANK YOU.

SECOND OF ALL, I KNOW THAT THE SHERIFF'S POLICY THAT THEY WILL SOON BE COMING OUT WITH HAS AN ANNUAL AUDIT AS PART OF THE REGULAR ROUTINE PROCESS AND THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS ALREADY PROACTIVELY REACHED OUT TO YOUR TEAM.

SO THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR THAT AS WELL.

ALL OF US ARE COMMITTED TO TRANSPARENCY, BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT THE PEOPLE DESERVE. SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND SHARING ANY AND ALL DATA REQUESTED BY YOU, AS WE HAVE SHARED THE DATA REQUESTED BY OCA.

SO THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> THANK YOU. MIKE, ARE YOU AWARE THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS ALREADY WORKING WITH YOUR OFFICE TO DO

AUDITS? >> YES.

I DID BECOME AWARE. >> OKAY.

>> NO, I JUST --

[04:05:01]

SECONDLY, I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO REINSTATE THE TIME LIMITS.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION TO REINSTATE THE TIME

LIMITS FOR WHAT, COMMISSIONER? >> FOR DISCUSSION.

>> I'M SORRY, FOR WHAT, COMMISSIONER?

>> FOR DISCUSSION. >> DISCUSSION OF -- DISCUSSION

OF WHAT? >> THE RULES WERE SUSPENDED ON

THE TIME LIMITS. >> SO, NORMALLY, WE SUSPEND THE RULES -- I DON'T KNOW IF WE EVER UNSUSPENDED THEM, ALLOWING DISCUSSION UNTIL WE COMPLETE A DISCUSSION.

SO YOU'RE SAYING YOU WANT TO CUT SHORT THE DISCUSSION ON FLOCK AGAIN. I HAVE ANOTHER PROPOSED ITEM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO GO OVER. THIS IS THE LAST ONE.

THAT. >> MOTION WAS MADE.

THERE'S BEEN A SECOND. >> OKAY, SO WHAT WAS T THE SECOD TO CURTAIL DISCUSSION ON THIS TOPIC?

>> IT HAS BEEN AN HOUR AND 46 MINUTES, AND SO HOPEFULLY BY TWO HOURS, THAT WILL BE PLENTY FOR ONE AGENDA ITEM, SINCE WE STILL HAVE THE REST OF ALL OF THE OTHER ITEMS TO DISCUSS, BUT I

SECONDED IT. >> CAN I BRING UP MY ONE QUESTION? I HAVE ONE LAST QUESTION, AND I'LL FIND PLENTY OF ITEMS THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT FOR OVER AN HOUR, AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT THE REASON IT'S GONE LONG IS YOU DIDN'T LET US TALK ABOUT IT IN JUNE.

>> IF WE PASS THIS, THEY HAVE TEN MORE MINUTES.

>> MOTION BY GARCIA. SECONDED BY BRIONES.

ALL IN FAVOR? ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. NO, ACTUALLY, I'M AGAINST -- THIS IS THE FIRST TIME IT'S BEEN DONE.

WE'VE CERTAINLY TALKED FOR LONGER.

I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER RAMSAY? >> WE VOTE TO EXTEND TIME -- SUSPEND THE LIMITS, AND WE'VE NEVER VOTED TO UNSUSPEND THE TIME LIMIT. WE HAVE ANOTHER VOTED TO SAY NOW WE'VE ALLOWED DISCUSSION UNTIL WE'VE FINISHED.

NOW WE'RE GOING TO STOP IT. SO MY LAST POINT HERE, I UNDERSTOOD -- AND I THINK THIS IS A QUESTION FOR THE LAWYERS.

THANK YOU, AUDITOR. SO I UNDERSTOOD THAT THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE CONTRACT -- AND I ADMIT, I DID NOT READ THIS ONS TO PROVIDE US WITH A MAP OF ALL OF THE CAMERAS FROM THEIR END.

IS THAT -- PAIGE, IS THAT THERE? AM I -- I DON'T KNOW IF I'M NOT

CORRECT ON THAT. >> YES.

THAT IS CORRECT. THAT IS THE LANGUAGE FROM THE AMENDMENT, THE FOURTH AMENDMENT THAT WAS PASSED EARLIER THIS

YEAR. >> AND DO WE HAVE THE SAME

PROVISION FOR VIGILANT? >> SO, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE VIGILANT CONTRACT IS ONLY FOR SOFTWARE.

THERE'S NO HARDWARE ELEMENT TO IT.

SO IF VIGILANT DOES HAVE HARDWARE IN THERE, WE DON'T HAVE

A SIMILAR REQUIREMENT. >> OKAY.

SO IS THERE A REASON WHY WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE MAP FROM FLOCK YET? HAVE THEY GIVEN YOU ANY REASON?

>> JUDGE, I THINK FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND IS THAT WE -- IT MAYBE HAS NOT BEEN CLEAR WHO HAS REQUESTED IT OR HAS NOT REQUESTED IT, PERHAPS. SO I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS THE CASE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT THERE'S BEEN ANY REQUEST THAT HAS BEEN DENIED.

I'M JUST NOT SURE THAT THERE'S A REQUEST THAT HAS BEEN MADE.

>> CAN I REQUEST THAT -- REQUEST YOU AND WHOEVER IS RELEVANT TO ENFORCE THE LANGUAGE OF THE CONTRACT AND HAVE FLOCK PROVIDE A MAP OF WHERE THE CAMERAS ARE THAT WE HAVE CONTRACTED WITH

FROM HARRIS COUNTY? >> ABSOLUTELY.

YEAH. WE'LL WORK WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT AND OCA AND ANYONE ELSE ON THAT.

>> ALL RIGHT. FROM MY ONE YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL, I KNOW THAT I DON'T NEED A VOTE ON THAT.

WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE NEXT ITEM. I THINK THAT I SAID ALL THERE IS TO SAY. SO WE HAVE HERE THE NEXT ONE.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES, AND ALL THE SPEAKERS AND ALL THE OFFICES WHO WORKED SO HARD ON THIS.

SO THE NEXT ITEM WOULD BE -- UNLESS WE WANT TO TAKE EXECUTIVE SESSION. WE HAVE 315, 372, 428, 113.

I KNOW COMMISSIONER BRIONES WANTS TO TAKE 343 AND 464.

ANYWAY, I WILL LET COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAVE MY COMMITMENT, SO I'LL JUST LET YOU DECIDE.

[04:10:01]

>> OKAY. >> I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THE $400,000 THAT ARE UNALLOCATED, BUT IF THAT'S VOTED ON WITHOUT

ME, I'LL GO TO THE MEDIA. >> YOU WANT TO DO THAT ONE NOW? WHY DON'T WE JUST DO THAT ONE NOW?

>> SURE. SO THAT ONE IS 315.

SO THAT ITEM IS TO ALLOCATE THE $400,000 IN FUNDS THAT WERE UNSPENT IN OUR BUDGET AND SO LAST TIME, I MADE THE REQUEST THAT WE ALLOCATE THOSE FUNDS TO CONTINUE TO NOT CLOSE A PROGRAM THAT SUPPORTS CHILD SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH MENTAL HEALTH. AND THE COMMENT WAS THAT WE ALREADY HAVE FUNDS DIRECTED TOWARDS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

THE ISSUE IS THAT 75% EVER DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS WHO SHOW UP TO A SHELTER GET TURNED AWAY.

SO I WOULD STILL LIKE TORE THE FUNDS TO GO THERE.

WE HAD A LOT OF ADVOCATES COME TO SPEAK TO IT, BUT IF WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO THAT, I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT TO LIFE IT JUST BLANK. SO I'M NOT -- YOU KNOW, WHAT I WANTED WAS THAT ONE. WE THOUGHT ABOUT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AS NON-CONTROVERSIAL AS IT GETS.

I THINK ANYTHING TO DO WITH CHILDREN -- SOME FOLKS VOTE "NO." SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE -- THIS COMES FROM THINKING, AGAIN, OF WHAT MIGHT BE A TOPIC THAT NOBODY CAN BE AGAINST.

ON PET WELLNESS, THERE'S A LOT OF RESIDENTS WE HAVE THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THAT. AND SO WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO JUST GO OVER: WE HAVE -- WE HAVE A CHALLENGE IN VARIOUS OF OUR COMMUNITIES WHEN IT COMES TO DOG BITES.

WE HAVE MORE THAN A MILLION STRAY ANIMALS.

WE'VE ALL SEEN THEM. 2500 DOG BITE CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY. HOUSTON IS TOP 5 IN THE NATION FOR POSTAL WORKERS BEING ATTACKED BY DOGS.

WITH 44 LAST YEAR. WE WANT HARRIS COUNTY TO BE A SAFE PLACE FOR RESIDENTS AND BUSINESSES.

LOW-INCOME COMMUNITIES. I MEAN, THERE'S JUST A LOT OF THEM ARE OVERRUN BY THESE STRAY ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY DOGS, THAT CAN BE DANGEROUS. OUR PETS DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY UNDERFUNDED, AND IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET PROCESS, THEY WERE DEFUNDED AGAIN BY MORE THAN 30%. THE $400,000 COULD PROVIDE SPAY AND NEUTER SERVICES FOR MORE THAN 2500 PETS OUT OF A MILLION, BUT, HEY, WE'VE GOTTA START SOMEWHERE.

WHILE THAT'S NOT THE FULL MILLION, WE'LL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE, SO MY MOTION WOULD BE TO ALLOCATE THE $400,000 TO -- TO PUBLIC HEALTH TO USE FOR PET WELLNESS AND WELFARE PROGRAMS. FOR EXAMPLE, SPAY AND NEUTER.

THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION. >> SO, JUDGE?

>> YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS, BECAUSE I KNOW YOU HAVE TO RUN. MR. RAMOS, WHAT IS OUR GENERAL FUND? WHAT HAS OUR GENERAL FUND

BALANCE BEEN IN PREVIOUS YEARS? >> TYPICALLY BETWEEN A MILLION

AND 5 MILLION. >> OKAY.

>> AND IF I WERE -- I KNOW I COULD PUT IT -- IS IT FAIR TO SAY THAT, FOR FISCAL YEAR '28, WE'LL PROBABLY HAVE A -- A GOOD GUESS IS A 70 MILLION-DOLLAR SHORTFALL.

IF THIS COURT AGREES TO THE VAR RATE?

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, IN MY HEAD, IF I HAD TO PUT A NUMBER OUT

THERE, I WOULD SAY SO. >> IT'S ALWAYS A GUESS.

>> THEN IF O'DONNELL GETS REPEALED, WOULD BE IT BE A

HUNDRED MILLION? >> I WOULD GET AT LEAST THAT.

>> AND I WANT TO BE FAIR THAT THESE ARE GUESSES, AND DEPENDS ON A LOT OF DECISIONS THAT WE MAKE OVER THE NEXT YEAR.

I'M NOT EVEN SURE THAT THE VOTES WOULD BE THERE TO GO WITH THE VAR. IT MAY BE NNR NEXT GO-ROUND.

SO -- BECAUSE OF THAT, I JUST THINK IT WOULD BE UNWISE FOR US TO SPEND MONEY. A LOT OF THE PROJECTIONS FROM THE STATE. I THINK I JOKED WITH YOU EARLY LETTER AND TOLD YOU MY FAVORITE BLACK BEAN BURGER PLACE.

THE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY MAY GENERATE THAT AMOUNT OF REVENUE. I MAY BE WRONG.

IF I AM, I'LL GIVE YOU ONE OF THOSE DEALS.

FAKE HAMBURGER AS WELL. I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THAT THE 400KM BE ALLOCATED TO THE GENERAL FUND BALANCE AND USED TO

ADDRESS ONGOING SHORTFALLS. >> OKAY.

MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

ANY COMMENTS? MINE WOULD BE HOW WE END UP DEFUNDING THE EARLY CHILDHOOD AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAMS AND REALLOCATING IT TO THE RESPOND TO CRIME AND NOT PREVENT

[04:15:01]

AND YOU GUYS, A REALLY PERSONAL PRIVILEGE.

MR. HYATT IS HERE. THANK YOU, SIR.

HE'S BEEN WAITING TO SPEAK. WE DIDN'T CALL HIM UP EARLIER.

IF WE COULD JUST GIVE. >> RHIM HISTIME?

MR. HYDE, PLEASE...? >> YES.

I'D LIKE TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER BRIONES ON HER PLAN TO -- WELL, ACTUALLY DECOMMISSIONING SOME OF THESE CAMERAS.

WE DON'T WANT A POLICE STATE HERE.

I LIKE OUR POLICE, BUT WE DON'T WANT THAT KIND OF A COUNTRY.

SECOND, IN THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT IS VERY, VERY OPAQUE.

TO GET ANY INFORMATION OUT OF THEM, YOU HAVE TO FOLLOW FREEDOM OF INFORMATION, AND ALL OF THOSE KIND OF THINGS.

IT'S JUST REALLY DIFFICULT. AND I TRIED TO FIND OUT WHETHER OR NOT THE CHANNELS THAT ARE IN BEAR CREEK VILLAGE LEADING TO LANGHAM CREEK, WHETHER THEY'RE EVEN GOING TO HAVE WATER OR NOT, AND I GET A COMMENT BACK LIKE "COULD BE." THAT'S NOT WHAT AN ENGINEER OR GEOPHYSICIST WANTS TO HEAR.

I WANT TO HEAR SOME NUMBERS. SECOND: THIRD, THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS. IT IS DEADLY IN THIS CITY.

>> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> IT'S DEADLY IN THIS CITY WHEN YOU PULL UP TO A -- IF YOU STOP FOR A RED LIGHT, YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOU'RE GONNA BE RAMMED FROM BEHIND OR NOT.

IT'S -- EVERYBODY HERE KNOWS IT. THEY DRIVE.

IT'S DANGEROUS OUT THERE. WE NEED TO RECOMMISSION THOSE RED LIGHT CAMERAS, BECAUSE OUR PHONES KNOW WHERE WE ARE.

IT'S NOT LIKE, YOU KNOW, WE'RE BEING SPIED ON BY THOSE CAMERAS.

IT'S JUST STOPPING PEOPLE AT THE RED LIGHTS.

AND THAT'S REAL, REAL IMPORTANT. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> THANK YOU, MR. HYDE. >> COULD YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR

NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> YES, IT'S RICHARD HYDE, AND I'D LIKE OUR ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO BE A LITTLE BIT MORE FORTHCOMING TO THE PUBLIC ON WHAT THEY'RE GONNA DO.

>> WELL, IF -- GO AHEAD, SIR. >> BECAUSE THEY'VE BEEN EXTREMELY OPAQUE, AND US JUST YOU JUSTCAN'T GET ANYTHING OUT .

>> IF IT'S OKAY, WE'LL GET SOMEBODY FROM THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT TO SIT WITH YOU, AND SOMEONE FROM MY STAFF.

>> I SPOKE WITH THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT UP THERE.

BUT THESE RED LIGHT PROBLEMS -- >> YEAH, THE RED LIGHT IS A GOOD POINT. THANK YOU.

>> I DON'T SEE WHY WE DON'T TURN 'EM BACK ON.

>> I'LL LOOK INTO THAT. AND, MR. HYDE, OUR PRECINCT 4 ENGINEERING TEAM WILL CONTINUE PARTNERING TO BIRD DOG TO MAKE

SURE YOU GET THE ANSWERS. >> I JUST WANT SOME WATER IN THOSE CANALS SO WE DON'T GET MOSQUITO IN THEM.

IF THOSE CANALS HAVE WATER FROM THE RIVER, THERE WILL BE LITTLE EFFICIENCY. THEY'RE CALLED MOSQUITO FISH, AND THEY WILL KEEP THE MOSQUITOES OUT OF THERE, BUT IF THEY'RE GOING TO BE DRY, THEY'RE GOING TO TURN INTO MUD PUDDLES, AND IT'S -- A LOT OF THAT MONEY COULD BE BEEN SPENT UP IN NORTHWEST HARRIS COUNTY, UP IN RAMSEY'S AREA AND BRIONES' AREA.

BETTER SPENT, FAR BETTER SPENT THAN THESE DITCHES THAT ARE JUST DRAINING WATER OUT OF A CATTLE POND INTO A BIGGER CATTLE POND GONE TO YOU OR YOU IN OTHER AREAS.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. THANK YOU, MR. HYDE.

>> THANK YOU. >> SO NEXT, I THINK WE SAID EARLIER WE WILL GO TO ITEM 343 COMMISSIONER BROINES, THAT WAS YOUR ITEM. DATA CENTERS?

>> YES. CAN WE PLEASE COMMISSIONER, CAN I TAKE A FIVE MINUTE BATHROOM BREAK?

>> SURE. >> THANK YOU.

IT'S 2:R59, WE WILL COME BACK AT 3:10.

IS THAT ALL RIGHT? 3:10.

I NEED A BREAK. I LOVE Y'ALL MINUTE.

>> NOW 3:10. COMMISSIONER BROINES'S ITEM,

>> 343, DATA CENTRE POLICY. DATA CENTERS, EVERYONE, HAS BEEN HEARING MORE AND MORE AND MORE ABOUT THEM.

WE HAVE HEARD VERY LOUDLY FROM OUR RESIDENTS AND WE ARE HEARING FROM FOLKS ACROSS THE STATE AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY, ABOUT DATA CENTRES SPECIFICALLY CONCERNS ABOUT THE IMPACT ON

[04:20:02]

SO WHAT WE WANT TO DO PROACTIVELY AT THIS POINT IN TIME, RIGHT, IS WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE CONVENING THE COMMUNITY, THAT WE WORK WITH OUR EXCELLENCE COUNTY ATTORNEY KAMIN ON THE LEGAL REGULATORY STATE OF PLAY, LOCALLY FROM THE CITY'S PERSPECTIVE COUNTY AND STATE, WHO CAN BE CONTROLLED AND BY WHOM AND WE WANT NOTIFICATIONS FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY -- I MEAN PARDON ME PERK THE ENGINEER, THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE, SO IF A DATA CENTER IS SEEKING A PERMIT IN HARRIS COUNTY, THE FOUR OF US SHOULD KNOW THAT ONE IS ATTEMPTING TO COME IN OUR PRECINCT SO WE CAN BE PREPARED. SO WE WANT TO WORK COLLABORATIVELY IN A BIPARTISAN WAY AS WE HEAD TO THE 90TH SESSION BECAUSE THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE NEED LOCAL CONTROL.

WE ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO OUR RESIDENTS.

WE ARE LISTENING TO RESIDENTS BUT WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO PROTECT OUR PEOPLE, OUR NEIGHBOURS, OUR ENVIRONMENT FROM A DISTANCE PERSPECTIVE, RIGHT, FROM THE WATER USAGE, POWER USAGE BEYOND, SO THE EARLIER VISIBILITY WILL BE HELPFUL. THE LEGAL ANALYSIS WILL BE HELPFUL AND ULTIMATELY IT IS ABOUT GOING TO THE 90TH SESSION TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO BEST PROTECT OUR RESIDENTS.

BUT I DO SEE IT AS A BOTH -- FRAMEWORK FOR GOVERNING BECAUSE WE WANT THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY.

WE WANT THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SO HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY WITH GOOD PAYING JOBS, WITH OTHER COMMUNITY BENEFITS PACKAGES WITH REGARD TO INFRASTRUCTURE, FLOOD MITIGATION AND INVESTMENT IN ROAD, PARKS, TRAILS, APPRENTICESHIPS, RIGHT? HOW DO WE MAXIMIZE BENEFIT WHILE MITIGATING HARM AND RIGHT PLOW ARE SO MANY THINGS WE JUST DON'T KNOW AND TECHNOLOGY IS RAPIDLY EVOLVING. AND SO ULTIMATELY, THIS ITEM COMES FROM US HEARING FROM OUR CONSTITUENTS, LISTENING AND WANTING TO TAKE AXE TO SEE AGAIN WHERE WE ARE CURRENT STATE OF PLAY, TO GET THE NOTIFICATION BUT TO PREPARE TO SEE HOW WE CAN MAXIMIZE BECAUSE WE WANT TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES. AND SO I WANT TO ESPECIALLY THANK COUNTY ATTORNEY KAMIN, WHO HAS ALREADY BEEN LEADING, WHO HAS BEEN GETTING INQUIRIES FROM OTHER MUNICIPALITIES AND JURISDICTIONS, WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN'T WE DO? SO I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WANT TO CHIME IN BUT I THANK YOU FOR DIVING IN AND LOADING ON THIS ISSUE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE FOCUSED ON AS WELL.

THANK YOU. >> I HAVE MOTIONS IN WHILE.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON HERE. I CAN'T THINK OF ANY MORE TIMELY TOPIC THAN THIS, IN LIGHT OF THE TECHNOLOGY DISCUSS EARLIER.

NOT A DAY GOES BY WE DON'T TALK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR ISSUE ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. I REALLY THINK THAT IF YOU ARE GOING TO BUILD A DATA CENTRE, IT SHOULD BE DONE RIGHT.

Y'ALL DO IT IN HARRIS COUNTY. I SAY HARRIS COUNTY BECAUSE THIS IS THE CENTER OF INDUSTRY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS.

WE HAVE THE LARGEST PORT ALMOST IN AMERICA HERE.

THERE ARE SO MANY ACTIVITIES THAT ARE HERE AND FRANKLY, THE NEED FOR THESE IS SIGNIFICANT BUT THEY NEED TO BE DONE TO THE HIGHEST LEVEL OF TECHNOLOGY FROM AN ENGINEERING STANDPOINT, I READ NUMEROUS ARTICLE ON RECIRCULATION OF WATER, THEY HAVE GOTTA DOWN PRETTY CLOSE TO -- GOT THAT DUOWN TO LOW USE O WATER, ABOUT TO GET THE ENERGY SIDE OF IT ADDRESSED, THEN THE COMMUNITY IMPACTS. THIS IS GETTING AHEAD OF IT.

THIS IS PUT SOMETHING ON THE TABLE, HAVING THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY, UNDERSTANDING THE IMPACTS, BEFORE THESE THINGS START POPPING UP HERE AND THERE.

BY THE WAY WE HAVE 62 IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THERE IS 62 AND I WAS A BIT SURPRISED THERE.

[04:25:02]

THE IMPACT IS INCREDIBLE. THE DETAILS OF IT, WE NEED TO BE THERE. I THINK A LOT OF THE -- I WILL JUST SAY THIS AND I WILL BE DONE.

WE DON'T WANT -- AND I GREW UP IN A RURAL COUNTY AND WE HAVE GOT 254 COUNTIES IN TEXAS AND A LOT OF THEM SHOULD NOT HAVE A DATA CENTER IN THEM. THE MOST LOGICAL PLACE TO PUT A DATA CENTER IS WHERE THERE IS GREAT TECHNOLOGY, WHERE THERE IS THE ABILITY TO REGULATE EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE LIMITED CAPABILITY TO SOME DEGREE. SO I'M AN ADVOCATE OF IT.

BUT I'M AN ADVOCATE OF UNDERSTANDING WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO, LET US REVIEW IT. LET US UNDERSTAND IT.

LET US BE SURE THAT IT'S NOT GOING TO BE SOMETHING THAT IMPACTS OUR FOLKS IN A VERY POSITIVE WAY.

SO I'M PREPARED TO SUPPORT THE INITIATIVE.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> THANK YOU.

AND LIKEWISE, GLAD TO SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA.

AND JUST WANT TO SHARE WITH FOLKS THAT WE ARE JUST NOT TALKING ABOUT IT HERE AT THE TABLE BUT RATHER HARRIS COUNTY IS A PART OF THE CONFERENCE OF URBAN COUNTIES OF TEXAS AND THIS IS A PART OF OUR LEGISLATIVE AGENDA.

WE STARTED THIS SEVERAL MONTHS AGO.

AND SO LOOKING FORWARD TO LEVERAGING THAT VOICE.

THIS IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT COMPRISES THE LARGEST COUNTIES IN TEXAS TO BE ABLE TO SWAY OUR MEMBER OF THE LEGISLATURE TO TAKE DECISIVE ACTION. THE LAST THING I WANT TO SEE WITH WHAT THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE, HE'S TAKEN -- HE ESTABLISHED A MORATORIUM BUT I DON'T WANT AND THAT TO GO AWAY JUST WHEN THE ELECTION IS DONE. AND THERE NOT BE MEANINGFUL GUIDELINES TO HELP GIVE COUNTIES AND CITIES A TRUE SEAT AT THE TABLE. GIVE US BACK SOME LOCAL CONTROL, SO THAT WE CAN WORK WITH OUR COUNTIES.

WE KNOW THEM BEST AND WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT A COMMUNITY WILL TOLERATE OR NOT. AND THEN WE HAVE THE RESOURCES HERE TO HELP NAVIGATE THAT THEY BE DONE IN THE MOST APPROPRIATE WAY. SO GLAD TO SEE THIS ITEM DONE AND I WILL TOO WILL BE SUPPORTING THE ITEM.

>> THANK YOU. I SUPPORT ITEM AS WELL.

I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE IT WAS THE STATE THAT CREATED THIS PROBLEM IN TEXAS WITH THE SENTENCE THEY WERE GIVEN, WITHOUT PUTTING SOME GUARDRAIL ON WHAT THE CENTRES WOULD HAVE TO DO TO COME IN AND I THINK BECAUSE IT WAS CREATED BY THE STATE, THE STATE HAS A -- ON THE LOCAL LEVEL, THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO AND OUGHT TO DO AND WE AUGUST TO FIND WAYS, SUBTLE WAYS, TO PUT MORE PRESSURE ON SO IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE ISSUES, THEY ARE HIRING LOCAL PEOPLE, USE OUR SMALL PARTICULAR MINORITY IN WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THE AREA, AND IF THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE CENTRES HERE THEY NEED TO BE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. AND INVEST IN THINGS THAT THAT COMMUNITY AROUND THEM WANTS AND NEEDS.

AND NOT JUST COME IN WITH A LOT OF THIS EQUITY FUND MONEY IN PARTICULAR. AND LEAVE A BIG FOOTPRINT AND BIG HOLE IN THE GROUND BUT NOT DO THINGS FOR THE COMMUNITY.

SO JUST IN ADDITION TO THIS, WE NEED TO PUT PRESSURE ON OTHER WAYS THAT WE CAN DO IT AS WELL. PROUD TO SUPPORT THE ITEM.

>> THANK YOU. BEFORE I MAKE THE MOTION,

[04:30:03]

COUNTY ATTORNEY KAMIN? >> THANK YOU.

I DID AS WE DISCUSSED THIS EARLIER TODAY, WANT TO EMPHASIZE WHAT IS ALREADY HERE TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S POINT.

WE KNOW AT LEAST OF 46 DATA CENTRES OPERATING IN HARRIS COUNTIES WITH SIX MORE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT.

BUT CENTER POINT ITSELF, HAS SAID THAT THEY EXPECT TO CONNECT 8 GIGAWATTS OF NEW DATA CENTER LOAD IN HOUSTON BY 2029 WITH ABOUT 4 MORE GIGAWATTS TO FOLLOW, RAISING PEAK DEMAND IN OUR SERVICE AREA BY ABOUT HALF, SO THIS IS ABOUT THE DEMANDS ON OUR ELECTRIC GRID, WATER SUPPLY, AIR QUALITY AND THE NEIGHBORHOODS AROUND THEM. COMMISSIONER YOU REFERENCED AND I WILL JUST NOTE BECAUSE OF THE STATE LAWS, AROUND THIS, WE ARE VERY LIMITED AND THIS SOMETHING MY OFFICE IS LOOKING AT AND WORKING WITH MULTIPLE MUNICIPALITIES REACHING OUT TO THE COUNTY ASKING WHAT THEY CAN DO BASED ON VARIOUS ZONING LAWS THEY MAY HAVE. WE DO NOT HAVE ZONING LAWS AS A COUNTY. WE ARE LIMITED BUT WE WILL EXPLORE ALL AVAILABILITY TOOLS TAME, THE VOICE YOU ARE BRINGING AT THE STATE LEVEL IS CRITICAL.

WE KNOW THAT THESE FACILITIES ARE RECEIVING TAX BREAKS FROM THE STATE, OFFERING QUALIFYING DATA CENTERS, SALE TAX EXEMPTIONS OF 10, 20 YEARS, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME RESIDENTS ELECTRICITY BILLS ARE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF.

SO THIS IS REALLY ABOUT MAKING SURE THAT GROWTH GOES HAND IN HAND WITH ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THAT ANY FACILITY, THAT IS COMING INTO THE COUNTY IS FOLLOWING THE RULES, BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND BEING TRANSPARENT WITH OUR COMMUNITIES SO WE LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING THAT WORK AND LEVERAGING ALL AVAILABLE TOOLS, AND THE COUNTY'S DISPOSAL TO SEE THIS DONE RESPONSIBLY BUT AGAIN, AT THE IT IS A LEVEL IT IS IMPERATIVE WE SEE THIS ACTION TAKEN.

>> COMMISSIONER, BEFORE WE MAKE A MOTION ON THE ITEM, IF MR. POST IS STILL ON THE LINE? ANYONE FROM THE

AUDITOR-GENERAL'S OFFICE? >> YES, I'M BACK.

>> I ASK FOR AUDIT OF EXISTING TAX ABATEMENTS AND THIS REMINDED ME, I KNOW THAT IS UNDERWAY.

THERE'S BEEN CONVERSATIONS WITH MY OFFICE.

I WANTED TO MAKE SURE AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY MENTIONED, THAT THESE DATA CENTERS AND THEIR ABATEMENTS BE INCLUDED IN THE

AUDIT. >> YES.

GLAD YOU MENTIONED THAT. WE CAN MAKE SURE THEY ARE

INCLUDED. >> GOOD DEAL, THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER BROINES? >> COMMISSIONERS AND THANK YOU ATTORNEY KAMIN. HIGHLIGHT ONE OF THE LAST POINTS WITH REGARD TO THE IMPACT ON THE GRID, AND WHY IT'S SO IMPERATIVE FOR US TO DO THIS RIGHT AND RESPONSIBLY WHEN WE KNOW FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING SO MUCH ON THEIR ELECTRICITY BILLS, RENT, ALL THE COST OF LIVING, HOW CAN WE AS A STATE OF TEXAS AND HOPE ANY THEY GIVE US LOCAL CONTROL, BE AS THOUGHTFUL AS POSSIBLE TO MITIGATE ANY COST IMPACTS TO FAMILIES WITH THEIR ELECTRICITY PRICES, IF WE SEE THEM BEING RAISED YEAR AFTER YEAR AND THEN THERES IS GOING TO BE SUCH A SUBSTANTIAL DEMAND PUT AGAIN. HOW DO WE DRAW THE BENEFITS WITH MITIGATING THE HARMS SO THANK YOU FOR LEADING THIS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH US. I HAVE THREE MOTIONS.

THE FIRST ONE, IS THE DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT NOTIFICATION. AND THIS IS A MOTION TO REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER, FLOOD CONTROL AND THE FIRE MARSHAL'S OFFICE TO NOTIFY COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFICE WHEN A YEAR DATA CENTER SUBMITS A TRAFFIC IMPACT ANALYSIS PERMIT APPLICATION OR FIRE CODE PLAN REVIEW. MOTION ONE.

MOTION TWO, IS THE DATA CENTER LEGAL AUTHORITY REPORT.

REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WORKING WITH THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, TO REPORT ON THE COUNTY'S EXISTING AUTHORITY AND OVERSIGHT OVER DATA CENTER DEVELOPMENT, AND THE THIRD MOTION IS DATA CENTER LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY, REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS TO IDENTIFY AND ADVOCATE FOR STATUTORY CHANGES THAT WOULD STRENGTHEN COUNTY OVERSIGHT OF DATA CENTERS IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS AHEAD OF THE 90TH LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

>> SECONDED. >> MOTION -- ALL IN FAVOR SAY

[04:35:11]

OK. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER CAN WE TAKE 335.

>> JUDGE WANT TO BE HERE FOR THAT ONE.

>> DOES SHE? >> I THINK SHE WILL BE BACK BY 4:15. WE WILL STILL BE HERE.

I WAS GOING GRAB -- WHY DON'T WE RUN DOWN THIS LIST AND GET THROUGH THE REST OF THEM. IS THAT ALL RIGHT?

>> I'M GLAD WITH THAT. SO THE FIRST ONE WAS NUMBER

[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 1 of 3)]

TWO. >> I THINK SHE WANTS TO BE HERE

FOR THAT. >> COMMISSIONER IN THE PREVIOUS WE HAD THE CENSUS ITEM THAT WAS THE NEXT ONE.

OK. IF THAT IS OK.

>> WHAT NUMBER? 464?

>> CORRECT. >> CROWN TIN ATTORNEY KAMIN WOULD YOU PLEASE SET THE STAGE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP

ON THIS. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

ITEM 464ER PERTIELMEIER TAIN D PERTAINED TO THE 2030 CENSUS, OPPOSING NEW PROPOSED RULES TO THE 2030 CENSUS TO MAKE SURE HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE COUNTED.

THAT THEY ARE NOT LEFT BEHIND. THIS IS ALSO ABOUT RESOURCES, THAT THE COUNTY RECEIVES THEIR CONTINGENT UPON AN ACCURATE COUNT. LAST MONTH, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION'S U.S. CENSUS BUREAU PUBLISHED PROPOSED SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO THE 2030 CENSUS THAT WOULD EXCLUDE CERTAIN RESIDENTS FROM CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION COUNTS AND LIMIT DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION COLLECTED ABOUT OUR COMMUNITIES. IT EXCLUDES DOCUMENTED IMMIGRANT AND OTHER NON-CITIZENS WITHOUT LAWFUL PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS FROM THE POPULATION COUNT IS ALSO PROHIBITS QUESTIONS ABOUT RACE,ETTE NECESSITY, SEXUAL ORIENTATION AND LIMITING DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION AVAILABLE, AGAIN THAT IMPACTS REDISTRICTING POLICY DECISIONS AND COMMUNITY MANNING. WON IT GOES AGAINST INSURING PROPORTIONATE REPRESENTATION IN GOVERNMENT, THE COUNTY RELIES ON DIRECT RESOURCES FOR OUR SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS, OUR ROADS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICE AND THE CHANGES WOULD HAVE SIGNIFICANT CONSEQUENCES FOR FAMILIES AND NEIGHBORHOODS ACROSS OUR COUNTRY FOR YEARS TO COME.

THE CENSUS PLAYS A CRUCIAL ROLE FOR FEDERAL FUNDING ALLOCATIONS. GETTING THE COUNT WRONG IMPACTS FUNDING RELATING TO HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION, FOOD ASSISTANCE, EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND MORE.

IF THIS PROPOSED CENSUS EXCLUDED NON-CITIZENS WITHOUT GREEN CARDS FROM THE COUNT, THAT WILL MATERIALLY REDUCE GRANTS AND FUNDING WE RECEIVE, AID IN TERMS OF TIMING OF DISASTERS WHICH WE ALL KNOW WE UNFORTUNATELY ARE NO STRANGER TO. AND 2020, OUR STATE WAS UNDER COUNT BY AN ESTIMATED 548,000 RESIDENTS.

NATIONALLY, 5% OF HISPANIC RESIDENT WERE MISSED.

BLACK RESIDENTS WERE UNDER COUNTED AT RATE OF 3.3% AND NATIVE AMERICANS AT A RATE OF 5.64% IS WE CANNOT AFFORD AS A COUNTY THESE CHANGES THAT PUT EVEN MORE COMMUNITIES AT RISK OFFING OVERLOOKED. I WILL NOTE THOUGH THAT THIS IS NOT JUST ABOUT MONEY. IT DENIGRATES AND ATTEMPTS TO CAST THE SIDE OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES AND OTHER MINORITY COMMUNITIES AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULD NOT STAND FOR AND I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL OF THE SPEAKERS THAT TODAY WITH IMPASSIONED TESTIMONY.

THE CENSUS FALLS TO UNDER ARTICLE ONE, SECTION TWO OF THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION AND ALSO THE 14TH AMENDMENT.

DURING THE CENSUS, WE DID NOT COUNT ENSLAVED INDIVIDUAL.

WE COUNTED THE NUMBER OF INDIVIDUAL AND GAVE THEM THAT COUNT TO SLAVE HOLD OTHERS. AND THIS IS A LONG ROOTED HISTORY THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO RECOGNIZE AND STAND UP AGAINST. SO WE ARE STANDING UP FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENT AND MAKING SURE OUR CONCERNS ARE HEARD AND FORMALLY DOCUMENT AND SPEAKING UP FOR VULNERABLE

[04:40:03]

>> COMMISSIONERS GARCIA, BROINES AND RAMSEY.

>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK ON THIS.

AND SO GLAD WE HAVE YOU IN THE CHAIR HELPING TO ADDRESS THE CRITICAL ISSUES. APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.

TO THAT END, THE -- WHO KNOWS WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN THESE UPCOMING ELECTIONS AND HOW THAT MAY HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHAT WE ARE HEARING CURRENTLY BUT I THINK WE HAVE TO BE WORKING ON THIS NOW IN SPITE OF THE FACT THAT THE CENSUS IS STILL TECHNICALLY AS OF TODAY, FOUR YEARS AWAY.

WE STILL HAVE LOTS OF WORK TO DO.

WE TYPICALLY START WORKING ON THIS, AT LEAST I RECALL WHEN IN 2019 WE STARTED WORKING ON THIS, SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE OF 2019, I THINK OR EARLY 2019, I WANT TO START WORKING ON THIS NOW. AND SO I HAVE A MOTION THAT I WILL BE ADDING TO THIS CONVERSATION AND COMMISSIONER BROINES, DO YOU HAVE A MOTION ON?

>> PLEASE. >> MY MOTION WILL BE TO CONDITION VACCINE A WORKING GROUP INCLUDING REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH COURT OFFICE TO BEGIN WORK ON THE 2030 CENSUS.

THE WORK GROUP WILL IDENTIFY WAYS FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO ENSURE THAT RESIDENTS, ALL RESIDENTS ARE FULLY ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS AND ASSESS THE POTENTIAL BUDGET IMPACT ON CHANGES TO THE CENSUS PROCEDURES BUT ALSO TO IDENTIFY WAYS THAT HARRIS COUNTY IN IT OF ITSELF CAN ENHANCE THE CENSUS PROCESS. SO THAT WE ARE NOT JUST RELYING ON WHATEVER WE ARE TOLD. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, TAKES DID VERY, VERY MINIMALLY IN 2019, AND WE HAD TO PONY UP QUITE A BIT. I WANT THIS WORKING GROUP TO IDENTIFY THE BUDGETARY NEEDS THAT THE COUNTY WILL HAVE TO COME UP WITH TO FILL THE GAPS. AND I'M ALREADY IN CONVERSATIONS WITH I THINK IT IS CALLED CENSUS 2030 TEXAS, AND THEY ARE EXPLAINING TO ME HOW THEY THINK THE CENSUS WILL ACTUALLY BE DONE USING SATELLITE PICTURES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WHICH DO NOT THINK WILL BE ACCURATE AT ALL. WE HAVE TO IDENTIFY OUR COSTS TO ENSURE WE ARE FULLY COUNTED AND WHAT OTHER LEGAL OPPORTUNITIES THAT WE CAN EXPLORE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FULLY COUNTED SO THAT WILL BE MY MOTION TO ADDICT O.C.A. TO PUT THAT GROUP TOGETHER, IDENTIFYING COUNTY BUDGETARY NEEDS, WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT WHAT LEGAL AUTHORITIES AND RULES THAT WE WILL HAVE TO COMPLY WITH AND WORK WITHIN, TO ENSURE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS FULLY PARTICIPATING.

>> EXCUSE ME. ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER.

I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER BROINES AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS WERE VERY INVOLVED IN THE 2020 CENSUS AND WHILE THERE WILL LIKELY BE CHALLENGED IF THE RULES COME INTO PLAY, THE TIMING OF THIS AND THE REASON WHY IT IS BEFORE YOU TODAY, IS BECAUSE OF THE TIMING OF WHEN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION RELEASED THE PROPOSED RULE CHANGE. WE ARE FOLLOWING THE FEDERAL GUIDELINES TO ENSURE WE ARE ABLE TO SUBMIT THAT COMMENT TIMELY AS THE PROPOSED RULES ARE UNDER REVIEW.

>> MOTION HAS BEEN MADE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BROINES.

>> COMMISSIONER WOULD YOU MIND REREAD FOR THE RECORD.

>> WOULD DO THAT TO ME, JAMES. SO THE MOTION IS, AND I AD

LIBBED A BIT. >> BO YOU WANT TO BORROW MY

PHONE? >> THE MOTION IS TO DIRECT O.C.AFTER THE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO CONVENE WORKING GROUP REPRESENTATIVE FROM EACH COURT OFFICE TO BEGIN PREPARING FOR THE 2030 CENSUS, THE WORK GROUP WILL IDENTIFY WAYS FOR HARRIS COUNTY TO FULLY PARTICIPATE IN THE CENSUS AND

[04:45:04]

>> OK. MOTION MADE.

SECONDED. ALL FAVOUR? ITEM PASSES. AND COMMISSIONER BROINES?

>> DO I HAVE SOME COMMENTS. I DIDN'T HAVE A SEPARATE MOTION. WANTED TO MOVE 464 AS

PRESENTED. >> SECOND.

>> >> ALL IN FAVOR VOTE AYE.

>> NO. I HAVE NOT REASONS.

>> THREE AYES AND ONE NO. >> COUNTY ATTORNKAMIN, THANK Y YOUR LEADERSHIP. AS A PROUD AMERICAN, NOT TO MENTION LATINA AND REPRESENTING HARRIS COUNTY, THIS IS A CRITICAL IMPORTANCE. SHOULD BE OF CRITICAL IMPORTANCE TO EVERYBODY. THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION, LET US BE CLEAR, THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PROPOSING TO UNDO DECADES OF PRECEDENT FOR OUR NATION, TO REMOVE UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER NON-CITIZENS FROM THE CENSUS COUNT -- MOTION TO EXTEND.

SECOND. >> UNANIMOUS CONSENT.

>> AND ELIMINATE QUESTIONS ABOUT RACE, ETHNICITY AND SEXUAL ORIENTATION. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE AND UNAMERICAN. AND JUST PAUSE THEY WANT TO REMOVE US FROM COUNTS PEOPLE DO IN THE DISAPPEAR.

THESE PEOPLE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS, ESPECIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY IN SUCH A RICH DIVERSE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY, THESE ARE OUR NEIGHBORS THAT USE OUR HOSPITALS, THAT USE OUR ROADS, THAT USE OUR PARKS THAT USE OUR SERVICES AS A LOCAL GOVERNMENT, AND EARLIER WE HEARD AND I THANK ALL THE SPEAKERS FOR THEIR IMPASSIONED TESTIMONY, THIS COULD AFFECT OUR NATION TO THE TUNE OF 3 TRILLION AND HERE LOCALLY, THE FUNDING THAT WE RELY ON FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO UNDERCUT, NOT ONLY AFFECTS THESE PEOPLE THEY ARE TRYING TO ERASE AND NOT COUNT BUT AFFECT OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY TO ATTORNEY KAMIN'S POINT. THE FUNDING FOR DISASTER RELIEF AND HEALTH CARE AND BEYOND. I HOPE ALL OF US CAN UNITE IN MAKING SURE THIS DOES NOT COME TO BE.

I KNOW WE HAVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2ND TO SUBMIT THE COMMENT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING 100% ON TOP OF EVERYTHING.

AND FIGHTING FOR JUSTICE FOR OUR COMMUNITY, AND FIGHTING FOR THE FUNDING THAT WE ALL NEED. BUT THIS IS JUST -- I LOVE THIS COUNTRY TOO MY CORE AND THIS IS UNAMERICAN SO THIS CANNOT COME TO BE. I HOPE IN ADDITION TO FILING COMMENTS, WE KNOW AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THE COUNTY AND NACO AND ALL THE GROUPS AND YOU AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WE NEED TO BE UNITED IN MAKING SURE JUSTICE IS SERVED FOR THE 2030 CENSUS AND COULDN'T AGREE MORE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE NEED TO BE PREPARED BECAUSE WE NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL TEXANS ARE COUNT.

FOR THE DEMOCRACY, REPRESENTATION, LINES ARE DRAWN AND ALSO FOR THE FISCAL REALITY AND DANIEL, YOU SHOULD.

ON THE FRONT LINE OF THIS BECAUSE WE REALLY NEED THOSE FUNDINGS THAT ARE BASED ON THE COUNTS.

AND SO FOR ALL OF THESE REASONS, ABSOLUTELY SUPPORT THIS. AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING CLOSELY TOGETHER AS A TEAM SO THAT WE CAN BE COMPLETELY READY AND FOR THE 2030 CENSUS. I LOOK -- AGAIN, IT GOES BACK TO BEING A MOM. THIS IS THE COUNTRY WE ARE RAISING OUR KIDS IN AND THIS IS SO UNAMERICAN SO WE NEED TO

FIGHT BACK. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY?

>> THE REASON I VOTED NO IS I DO ANYTHING UNLESS I SEE IT IN WRITING. I'M REMEMBERING THE REASONS WHY WE DID REDISTRICTING ON THE PRECINCT.

THERE A CENSUS BROUGHT UP WHEN WE DID THAT. I VOTED NO BECAUSE I LIKE TO SEE THINGS WRITTEN DOWN BEFORE I WROTE ONMENT.

>> THEM. >> THANK YOU.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE A SPEECH. SOMEBODY SAID SOMETHING ONCE YOU DON'T HAVE TO SAY THE AGAIN.

SO READ MY PRESS RELEASE. OOH YOU WANT ME TO SAY IT?

>> OK. >> NEXT ITEM.

[04:50:05]

WHAT IS THE NEXT ONE NEW >> I THINK THOSE WERE THE ONLY OUT OF ORDER. ITEM 2?

[Departments (Part 2 of 4)]

>> SORRY, 335. >> HOLD THAT ONE.

>> ITEM 17. >> LET'S DO 17.

A BUNG OF THEM. 17, 19, 24, 118, 163, 176,

THOSE ARE ALL YOUR P-CARDS. >> MOTION MADE.

I WILL SECOND. IN YOU GOT ALL THE ITEM?

>> I VOTE -- >> NEED TO GET HIS VOTE?

>> YOU SAID 17, 19, 24, 118, 163, 176.

>> TO APPROVE BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

THREE IN FAVOR, ONE OPPOSED. >> CORRECT.

MR. RAMSEY OPPOSED. >> THANK YOU.

>> OK. AND NEXT ONE IS 115.

>> CON

>> ADMINISTER RAMSEY WOULD LIKE TO BE -- COMMISSIONER RAMSEY WOULD LIKE TO SHOW VOTING YES. OK, NEXT IS ITEM 115.

ECONOMIC EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY ON PAGE 13.

>> COMMISSIONER ITEM TWO WE HAVEN'T GOT TO.

YEE >> ITEM 11.

>> 115? THAT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S.

>> YEAH, THAT IS MINE. >> QUICKLY.

MY MAIN CONCERN ABOUT US MONITORING WAGE RIGHTS AT THE PORT. SOME OF THE ISSUES I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HAS TO DO WITH ONCE WE IDENTIFY AND ISSUE, WE DON'T HAVE ANY AUTHORITY TO ADDRESS OR CONTROL OR WHATEVER, IT WOULD BE NICE TO KNOW IF WE ARE IDENTIFYING ISSUES, WHAT IS DONE ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT WE -- WHAT WE DEAL WITH.

THAT SAME ISSUE ON 119, SO 115 AND 119 -- 119 IS HIRING MORE PEOPLE. TO DO WAGE MONITORING.

AT FLOOD CONTROL. IT'S NOT CLEAR TO ME.

WE HAVE GOT PEOPLE GOING ON THE JOB SITE TO INSPECT WAGES, MONITOR WAGE, MONITOR SAFETY. WE HAVE GOT OTHER PEOPLE COMING ON TO MONITOR QUALITY, QUANTITY, JUST LOOKS LIKE A HODGEPODGE AND WHY THAT'S EVEN IN D.E.O. NOT SURE.

SO THESE ARE FOR NEW POSITION. SIMPLY GOING TO VOTE NO ON BOTH OF THEM. STILL IN THE CLEAR HOW ALL THIS IS WORKING TOGETHER AND I APPRECIATE Y'ALL COMMUNICATING THIS EARLY BUT I STILL DON'T THINK ANY QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ANSWERED. MAYBE YOU CAN GET WITH MY OFFICE AND WE CAN TALK FURTHER ON IT BUT I'M SIMPLY GOING TO

VOTE NO. >> MOVE ITEMS 115, 19.

>> PASSES. >> 154.

>> I HAVE GOT A -- MY QUESTION ON THIS ITEM, WHY ARE WE UTILIZING COMMERCIAL PAPER TO FUND THIS PARTICULAR ITEM?

>> IT WAS AN ELIGIBLE -- WE GOT THE REQUEST FROM THE CONSTABLE AND IT WAS ELIGIBLE FOR COMMERCIAL PAPER.

>> BUT ARE THERE ARBITRAGE REBATE IT IS AN INDICATE THAT DEBT PROCEEDS REMAIN UNSPENT LONGER THAN ANTICIPATEED?

>> SO NOT NECESSARILY. WHAT THE ARBITRAGE IS OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER ON AVERAGE, INTEREST RATE IS 2.5%.

WE ARE INVESTING CLOSER TO 3.5%.

BECAUSE WE BORROWED TAX FREE AND ISSUED TAX FREE, THE I.R.S. DOESN'T ALLOW US TO KEEP THE DELTA SO WE ARE REMITTING IT BACK TO THE I.R.S. PER FEDERAL RULES.

[04:55:10]

>> SO THAT ARBITRAGE? >> WE HAVE TO REMIT THAT DELTA

BACK. >> IS THAT A GENERAL FUND?

>> IN THIS PARTICULAR CASE WOULD BE GENERAL FUND.

NOT NECESSARILY A HURT TO THE BOTTOM LINE.

YOU CAN'T MAKE MONEY THAN YOU BORROWED FOR.

>> OK. SO THIS ITEM QUALIFIES FOR

COMMERCIAL PAPER? >> YES, SIR.

>> ALL RIGHT. >> WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE,

RIGHT? >> HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE IN

COMMERCIAL PAPER CURRENTLY AT? >> FOR THE D.O. SIDE ABOUT $-- FOR THE G.O.SIDE ABOUT 100 MILLION.

WE JUST DID A BOND ISSUANCE OVER THE SUMMER, 200 MILLION IN C.P. WE MADE A DEBT PAYMENT WHICH PAID OFF A LOT OF C.P. AND THAT NUMBER IS ARTIFICIALLY LOW. IT WILL GROW OVER THE COURSE OF THE YEAR BUT TODAY, IT IS ABOUT 100 MILLION.

SPENT AND UNCUMBERED. WHERE WHEN DOES IT BECOME A

PROBLEM IF IT REMAINS UNSPENT? >> IT DOESN'T PAUSE WE DRAW IT DOWN. WE DON'T START PAYING INTEREST UNTIL WE DRAW IT DOWN. WE HAVE A LOT MORE CAPACITY.

WHERE IT BECOMES -- IT IS ON THE BOND SIDE THAT WE RUN INTO THAT. IF WE HEAR, WE ARE GOING TO DO 300 MILLION WORTH OF PROJECT FOR THE NEXT SIX MONTHS WE MAY RUSH TO GO TO THE BOND MARKET TO REPAY OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER.

AND IF WE END UP NOT SPENDING 300 MILLION THEN THERE IS LIKE A LITTLE BIT OF WE ARE PAYING MORE ON INTEREST ON DEBT WE ARE NOT USING BUT THAT IS WHY WE WORK INCREDIBLY HARD WITH ALL THE INFRASTRUCTURE DEPARTMENT, WITH THE PRECINCTS TO GET ACCURATE CASH FLOW SO WE CAN TIE MORE DEBT UP TO MATCH.

>> ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU.

>> SECOND. >> MOTION MADE.

SECOND. THIS ITEM PASSES.

NEXT ONE IS ITEM TRAVEL AND TRAINING ITEM 1777 ON PAGE 20.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY? >> LET YOUR LIST TOGETHER? WHILE YOU ARE LOOKING AT, THE NEXT ONE IS YOUR, TOO, THOUGH.

>> 67. >> YOU HAVE A MOTION ON THAT?

177. >> SORRY.

MOTION TO AN PROVE. REQUEST EXCEPT FOR TWO.

THREE, FIVE, NINE, 14, 23, 24, 25.

>>LY SECOND THAT. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> AYE. >> TO COMMISSIONER RAMSEY'S MOTION. I WILL MOVE THE ITEMS THAT COMMISSIONER RAMSEY REMOVED. IS THAT SECOND?

>> SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BROINES.

>> OPPOSED NO. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO.

>> ITEM 183, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> GIVE NE THOSE ITEM NUMBERS AGAIN?

>> TWO, THREE, FIVE, NINE, 14, 23, 24, AND 25.

>> THANK YOU. >> YOU ALL RIGHT?

I MOVE TOO QUICK THERE. >> NO.

>> OK. NEXT ONE, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY IS YOURS AS WELL. IT IS 183 ON PAGE 23.

>> PARTNERSHIP. >> JUST NED A VOTE.

>> SO MOVED. >> COMMISSIONER BROINES MOVED

IT. >> THREE AYES AND ONE NO.

ITEM PASSES. COMMISSION RAMSEY VOTES NO.

ITEM 210. >> WE WILL JUST VOTE.

>> COMMISSIGARCIA MOVES. >> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NOW. IT PASSES.

. NEXT, SAME THING.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA MOVES. IT WILL SECOND.

IN FAVOR? >> THREE AYES AND ONE NAY.

>> COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO.

>> I WILL SECOND IT. ALL IN FAVOR?

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO. >> NEXT 215, APPROVAL OF

AUDITED CLAIMS. >> PROFESSIONAL TO MOVE ALL

[05:00:02]

DISPERSEMENTS EXCEPT... >> SO MOVED.

>> MOTION MADE BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, I WILL SECOND.

IN FAVOR? NO?

>> NEXT I WILL REMOVE THE ITEM HE REMOVED.

>> IN FAVOR VOTE EYE? >> NO?

>> COMMISSION RAMSEY VOTES NO. >> CHECKS IS -- CZECHS /* /* NEVER

NEXT ONE 313. >> THE ONE THAT HOLDS.

>> HOLD THAT ONE. DON'T LET ME FORGET IT WHEN SHE COMES BACK. NEXT ONE, JUDGE HELD AS WELL.

ITEM 314. >> THOSE ARE THE ITEMS WE WENT

OVER THIS MORNING. >> 315 WE DID, I BELIEVE.

>> YES, I THINK 320. >> YEAH, 315.

28 /* -- 32 # IS THE -- 328 IS THE NEXT.

>> IT IS A TIME TO CELEBRATE MINORITY IN WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS AND BUSINESSES. AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANT ROLE THEY PLAY IN OUR ECONOMY. I WANT TO WELCOME JOSE GIMÉNEZ FROM MY OFFICE, BUT ALSO THE HONORABLE JOSE GIMÉNEZ AS A BOARD TRUSTEE. THE OBSERVANCE OF N.W.B. WEEK BEGAN WHEN PRESIDENT REAGAN ISSUED THE FIRST PROCLAMATION.

I WANT TO THANK OUR PROCUREMENT OFFICE THAT IS UNDER MR. GIMÉNEZ'S LEADERSHIP AND MICK WORKS TEAM, PRECINCT TWO AND THE HARRIS COUNTY PURCHASING AGENT'S OFFICE, THANK MS. WILLIAMS TO WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE THE REQUEST FOR SUPPLIERS OFFER SIDEWALK REPAIR PROGRAM.

I CAN NEVER GET THAT NAME RIGHT.

THIS WORK IS OPENING -- HELPING TO OPEN DOORS FOR N.W.B. FIRMS TO WORK WITH PRECINCT 2. WE WANT MORE LOCAL BUSINESSES TO HAVE A FAIR OPPORTUNITY TO COMPETE, GROW AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE COMMUNITIES AND I WANT TO THANK MR. GIMÉNEZ FOR HIS WORK IN PROCUREMENT, PUBLIC WORK AND PURCHASE AGENT TO WORK TOGETHER. WHEN I CAME INTO THIS ROLE, PRECINCT TWO HAS THE LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME SO FINDING WAY TO CREATE JOB AND TONALWAYS TOP O MIND AND JOSE HELPED ME MAP OUT WHERE THE PROCUREMENT MONEY OF PRECINCTS TWO WAS GOING AND VERY LITTLE OF IT IF ANY BUT I THINK VERY, VERY, VERY LITTLE, WAS GOING TO PRECINCT TWO BUSINESSES.

AND SO THROUGH THIS PARTICULAR STRATEGY, AND JOSE'S WORK, NOW WHEN YOU LOOK AT THAT MAP WE ARE LEAVING MOST OF OUR MONEY IN THE PRECINCT WITH PRECINCT TWO BUSINESSES AND THAT IS IMMENSELY EXCITING TO SEE HAPPEN.

IT'S ALL THROUGH STRATEGIC WORK, YOU KNOW, I KEPT SAYING WHEN I WAS AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON I DID CONTRACT IN FIVE.

HOW COME WE CAN'T DO THIS HERE? DIFFERENT GOVERNMENT CODE SO WE HAD TO BE STRATEGIC ON IT BUT MR. GIMÉNEZ, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND WALK US THROUGH THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS AND ALL THAT IS HAPPENING WITH THIS N.W.W. WEEK.

>> THANK YOU. IN EK ARE

>> I WANT TO HIGHLIGHT THE PROCESS WE MADE BY IMPLEMENTING THE REM DCOMMENDATIONS. THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS BECAME OUR PRECINCT TWO BLUEPRINT TO REDUCE BARRIER, RIGHT SIZE CONTRACT AND CREATE RACE AND GENDER NEUTRAL PATHWAYS FOR MINORITY FIRM TO COMPETE AS PRIME CONTRACTORS.

ONE OF THE STRONGEST EXAMPLES IS R.S.O. SIDEWALK PROGRAM WE CREATED WITH PURCHASING AGENT DOBBLOB, AND NOW IN FULL PARTNERSHIP WITH THE CURRENT PURCHASING AGENT WHICH WE WORKED CLOSELY ON. WE ENDED UP BREAKDOWN AND CREATING UNIQUE ONE TIME SIDEWALK PROJECTS BASED ON REGIONAL DEMAND. ALL COMPLIANT WITH COUNTY PURCHASING ACT, CREATING MORE ACCESSIBLE UNIQUE SCOPES OF WORK AND WE HAVE SEEN VERY STRONG PARTICIPATION IN YOUR NEW N.W.B. FARM. WE POSTED THE SIDEWALK OPPORTUNITY ON BONFIRE OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS, HOSTED 25 OF THEM AND RECEIVE HIGH LEVEL OF COMPETITION ACROSS PROJECTS WITH SOME AS HIGH AS 17 BIDDERS AND 90 DOCUMENT TAKERS.

EVERY TIME WE POST ONE OF THOSE.

OVERALL WE HAVE DONE 25 AND WE ESTIMATED ABOUT 870,000 DOLLARS

[05:05:06]

IN ADDITION TO EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES DIRECTLY TO SMALL BUSINESSES AS DIRECT PRIZE. MULTI SMALL BUSINESSES AND N.W.B. WANT TO WORK THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND INTERNAL MICK WTEAM AND PRECINCT TWO FINANCE TEAM ARE MENTORING THE SMALL BUSINESSES DIRECTLY. WE BRING THEM IN, HAVE ONE-ON-ONE CONVERSATION, TEACH THEM THE WAY OF PRIORPRECINCT HOW TO PRESENT THEMSELVES AS A COMPANY.

BUILDING UP TO ONE DAY EARN LARGER CONTRACTS AND ALSO DISCUSSING THEIR PERFORMANCE CAPACITY TO HELP THEM GROW WITH THE SMALL CONTRACTS. THEY USED THE SMALL P.O.'S TO JUSTIFY THEIR PERFORMANCE BOND TO GROW THEIR ABILITY TO BID ON LARGER PROJECTS. THESE RESULTS SHOW THAT DISPARITY STUDY RECOMMENDATIONS WORK.

AND WHEN WE AS A TEAM REMOVE UNNECESSARY BARRIERS AND RIGHT SIZE OUR CONTRACT, N.W.B. FIRMS CAN AND DO SUCCEED.

RECOGNIZE THE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR JUAN HERNANDEZ.

HE IS THERE. HIM AND HIS TEAM NEED SPECIAL RECOGNITION, NONE OF THIS COULD BE DONE IF THE PUBLIC WORKS TEAM HAD NOT TAKEN ON THE CHALLENGE OF LEARNING A NEW SKILL, CREATING RIGHT SIZED CONTRACT AND ENSURE THAT THE PACKAGES THAT ARE MADE ARE COMPLIANT WITH THE COUNTY PURCHASING ACT. IN ADDITION, AT THE BEGINNING THEY LITERALLY ALMOST HOLD THEIR HAND TO BUILD UP THEIR CA CAPACITY IN A GOOD WAY AND UNDERSTAND WHAT WE AS PRECINCT TWO EXPECT OF THEM AS A CONTRACTOR AND FEEL COMFORTABLE TO COME BACK AND BID STRONGLY FOR THE NECK ONE. MANY TIMES SMALL BUSINESSES BID BASED ON THE PRIVATE SECTOR PRICING.

THEY WILL HAVE TO WAIT FOR MONEY, NO MATTER WHAT IT IS.

IT IS GOVERNMENT WORK AND THEY HAVE TO INCLUDE IN AIR PRICING THE THINGS THAT ARE UNSEEN AS GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS, WHICH IS DEALING WITH CONSTITUENTS OUT IN THE FIELD.

WHICH IS PART OF OUR JOB. SO N.W.B.'S CAN GROW IF WE CHOOSE TO DO PACKAGING FOR THEM SPECIFICALLY AND COULD NOT BE DONE WITHOUT THE PARTNER SHIP OF THE PURCHASING AGENT TO CREATE THE PACKAGES SPECIFICALLY FOR THEM.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> NO, COMMISSIONER, THANK YOU, JUAN, THANK YOUEN AOUAR TEAM AS WELL.

I COULDN'T BE MORE PROUD OF YOUR WORK AND AS THE CONVERSATION ABOUT THE ATTACKS THAT AT N.W.B. HAVE BEEN UNDER WE WERE ANTICIPATING THAT REALITY AND THE REALITY IS THAT THROUGH THE R.S.O. PROGRAM, WE ARE ALREADY HAVING THE SIMILAR IMPACT IF NOT A BETTER IMPACT THAT THE N.W.B. PROM HAS BEEN ABLE TO HAVE. JOSE, I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU YOU. THIS IS NOT YOUR FIRST RODEO BECAUSE YOU HELPED ME OUT WHEN I WAS SHERIFF.

WORKING TO CREATE AN M.W.U. PROGRAM.

THAT WAS MET WITH CON STERNE SENTENCE HAITIAN FROM -- THAT WAS MET WITH CONSTERNATION FROM THIS TABLE.

I WANT TO THANK YOU YOU FOR COMING UP WITH THE PROGRAMS THAT ARE HELPING US PUT PRECINCT TWO BUSINESSES AND N.W.B. BUSINESSES IN GENERAL TO WORK AND PARTICIPATE IN THE OVER ALL PROCESS OF OUR ECONOMY.

SO THANK YOU, JOSE, AND JUAN, I CAN THANK YOU AS WELL.

U CAN'T THANK YOU YOU ENOUGH. SET UP ONE THING TO CREATE A PROBLEM BUT YOU ALWAYS NEED SOMEONE TO EXECUTE IT.

AND JUAN, YOU HAVE DONE THIS. DONE THIS JUST INCREDIBLY WELL.

AND I'M VERY, VERY PROUD OF BOTH OF Y'ALL.

AND RESPECTIVE TEAM. >> COMMISSION REMSY?

>> WELL DONE, COMMISSIONER. I HAVE WORKED THE N.W.B. PROGRAM FOR GOING ON 45 YEARS.

MOST DAYS I WAS A PRIME AND I HAD GOOD OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH MANY AND I CALL THEM SMALL BUSINESSES.

THAT DID HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY. NATHAN KENNEDY IS ONE THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I HAVE TALKED ABOUT.

WHILE WE CELEBRATE THE ADVANCEMENT, THE SUCCESS OF THE N.W.B., I REMAIN CONCERNED ABOUT THE USE OF BLACK FIRMS AND BLACK SMALL BUSINESSES. I DON'T THINK THEY HAVE GENERATED THE NUMBERS THAT WE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED STARTING 40

[05:10:01]

GETTING THE WORK. >> IF MOST SUCCESS IS IN THE WOMEN OWNED BUSINESS, NOT THAT IS A BAD THING, THEN MAKE WE NEED TO TWEAK IT. THE OTHER ITEM I WILL MENTION IS THERE AN AGENDA ITEM, 485, HAS BEEN NO ACTION BUT THAT ITEM WAS TO RESCIND THE AWARD TO A FIRM THAT I DON'T EVEN KNOW, FOR DEBRIS MONITORING. IT IS NOT ABOUT THAT FIRM IN PARTICULAR. BUT AS WE DECIDE TO NOT HIRE A FIRM BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T MEET THE N.W.B. PROGRAM, WE HAVE A POLICY THAT SAYS LET'S WORK WITH THE BIDDER.

CAN YOU GET THE PERCENT? I ION I DON'T KNOW THAT WE DO THAT. TO BE SURE IF YOU DETERMINE THAT SOMEONE CANNOT FULFIL THE N.W.B.E., THERE IS A WHOLE LIST OF THINGS A BIDDER MAY REQUEST A PARTIAL OR TOTAL REDUCTION OF THE CONTRACT. THEY MAY BE GIVEN TIME TO GO MAKE IT RIGHT. GIANT TO BE SURE AND WITH PURCHASING, TOO, TO BE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT JUST SAYING WE ARE ON CANCELLING A BID AND START ALL OVER.

WHEN WE CANCEL A BID AND START ALL OVER WE CAN ALL WRITE A BOOK ON HOW MUCH MONEY THAT COST US AND WHAT I HAVE LEARNED DOING PROJECT FOR MANY YEARS, WHEN YOU REBID SOMETHING, LIKELY IS GOING TO COST MORE THE SECOND TIME.

I'M TAGGING A LONG THIS PROGRAM TO WORK WITH D.E.E.O. AND MAKE SURE GOING FORWARD WHEN WE ARE DOING REVIEW OF A CONTRACT BEFORE WE HIRE THAT CONTRACTOR THAT, OK THEY DIDN'T MEET A REQUIREMENT, CAN THEY MEET THE REQUIREMENT? CAN YOU TAKE A CUP OF THREE DAYS AND GO SEE IF YOU CAN MAKE THAT WORK? RATHER THAN SAY YOU DID MEET THE REQUIREMENT AND IT IS A GOAL, NOT A MANDATE.

BE CAREFUL ABOUT ARBITRARILY, MAYBE A WORD, JUST DISMISSING A CONTRACT JUST BECAUSE ON PAPER THEY DIDN'T APPEAR TO MEET IT AND MAYBE THERE WOULD BE SOME DISCERNMENT BEFORE WE START JUST CANCELLING CONTRACT. SO THAT WAS MY -- I MADE THAT A THREE MIN SPEECH, SO THAT WE WOULD MOVE ON.

I THINK YOU SHARE SOME OF THE CONCERNS ABOUT GETTING THE THINGS DONE. I CELEBRATE WITH YOU THE PROGRESS THAT WE HAVE MADE AND WILL MAKE GOING FORWARD.

>> COMMISSIONER A MOTION? >> DISCUSSION ITEM.

>> CONGRATULATION. >> GOOD JOB.

>> I SHOW NO ACTION. >> THANK YOU.

>> THE NEXT ONE IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

IT IS -- 336. >> NO, 336 IS THE DOWNTOWN

MASTERPLAN. >> M

>> THIS WILL BE REAL QUICK. THERE IS TWO THINGS.

SAM JUST LET ME SAY, IT IS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU GIVE ANSWERS. BUT MY TWO SIMPLE THINGS AND I AM MAKING THIS A FORMAL THING IN COURT NOT TO EMBARRASS ANYBODY BUT WE NEED A DATE WHEN WE WILL HAVE THE DOWNTOWN MASTERPLAN. THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT IN TERMS OF HAVING A DATE ON WHEN THE DOWNTOWN MASTERPLAN COULD BE DONE. CAN YOU GET US A DATE AND AT LEAST LET US KNOW BY THE NEXT MEETING WHAT THE DATE OF THE SUBMIT TALL OF THE DOWNTOWN MASTERPLAN WOULD BE?

>> YES, SIR. I CAN TELL YOU THAT -- START OVER. YES, SIR.

I WILL GET YOU THAT DATE. WHAT I CAN SAY TO YOU RIGHT NOW, COMMISSIONER, IS THAT THE PLANNING COMMITTEE VOTED FOR P.G.L. TO EXTEND THROUGH THE THIRD QUARTER OF THIS YEAR.

IN SEPTEMBER THEY VOTED TO EXTEND THROUGH THE END OF SEPTEMBER TO GET THE FEEDBACK, BACK.

ALL THAT FEEDBACK FROM THE PRECINCT OFFICE IS BACK TO B.Y.A.L. I WILL GET YOU A DEFINITE DATE BUT THE GOAL IS TO BRING THAT BACK BY NEXT COURT IN NOVEMBER.

[05:15:03]

>> OK. >> YES, SIR.

>> IN TERMS OF THE DATE? THE

>> IN TERMS OF THE DATE, FOR THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

DOWNTOWN MASTERPLAN. YES, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> REGULAR COURT?

NEXT REGULAR NORTH >> NEXT REGULAR COURT.

>> SO TO BE CLEAR THE UPDATE COMING NEXT COURT OR IS THE

PLAN GOING TO BE READY? >> THE GOAL IS TO GET THE UPDATED FINAL DRAFT TO THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICES.

A WEEK AND REVIEW IT AND SEND IT TO THE COMMISSIONER OFFICE FOR FINAL FEEDBACK AT FINAL DOCUMENT IS WE ARE -- THE GOAL IS TO GET IT BACK IN NEXT REGULAR COURT IN NOVEMBER.

>> TO VOTE ON. >> TO VOTE ON.

YES, SIR. >> OK.

>> THAT IS DATE. THANK YOU.

>> THE OTHER ONE IS THE JAIL. I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN MEETING A AND YOU KNOW WHAT I THINK ABOUT MEETING.

WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE JAIL AND RIGHT NOW WE DOING APPROPRIATELY, MAKING PROGRESS. GOT THE 7TH FLOOR, MOVING TO 6TH FLOOR. WHAT WE CAN DO.

BUT THERE HAS GOT TO BE A SOLUTION ON WHAT WE WILL DO ABOUT THE JAIL GOING FORWARD. SO AT THAT SAME MEETING IF SOMEBODY CAN GIVE ME A DATE ON WHEN A RECOMMENDATION WILL BE COMING TO THE COURT, ON WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THE JAIL,

THAT WOULD BE ANOTHER GOOD -- >> YES, SIR.

THE JAIL STUDY BEING LED BY THE COMMITTEE UNDER O.C.A.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE ENGINEER DOCUMENT HAS NOT RECEIVED AN ORDER FROM THE COURT TO COME BACK WITH THE PLAN BUT IF THE COURT DECIDE TO WE WILL BRING BACK A PLAN.

>> OK. SO IT REALLY -- THAT'S A -- SOMETHING OF NOTE THAT WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO DO SOMETHING AT SOME POINT. BUT THERE ISN'T REALLY A DECISION TO COME UP WITH A PLAN.

WE ARE HAVING THE MEETING. I GUESS I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE MEETINGS WE ARE HAVING IN TERMS OF -- THE WHOLE CONVERSATION, IF THERE ISN'T AT SOME POINT, DOWN THE ROAD, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A DECISION ON A YALE. A JAIL PLAN WILL BE RECOMMENDED TO THE COURT.

I WILL SETTLE FOR A YEAR. THE LAST BOND ISSUE FOR THE JAIL WAS 2007. SO WE HAVE NOUN WE HAVE HAD A PROBLEM SINCE 2007. SO I WILL TAKE A YEAR.

IF IT COULD BE 28, COULD BE 29, WHEN WE DO WE THINK WE MIGHT HAVE A PLAN THAT WOULD COME BACK TO THIS COURT? THAT IS FAIR QUESTION TO ASK IN TERM THEY TRAVELLED. THEY HAVE VIEWED OTHER FACILITIES, THEY HAVE DONE TO CREATE SOL DEFINED EXPECTATION -- SOME DEFINED EXPECTATION THAT WILL BE A RECOMMENDATION COMING BACK TO THE COURT. THINK THAT IS WORTH ASKING.

>> YES, SIR. LY DIFFER THAT ANSWERS.

>> SORRY. THE FULL REPORT IS COMING TO COMMISSIONER COURT IN MAY. I CAN GET WITH YOU TO

UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU'RE -- >> MAY '27.

>> WILL GET YOU TO MAKE SURE YOU UNDERSTAND WHAT IS A PLAN.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> ANY ACTION ON THAT ONE. >> NO, NO AXE ON THAT ONE.

>> OK, THE TRIS MITTAL, 372. 428, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER BROINES. 462, THE COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

>> WHAT ABOUT 341? >> SORRY, 34 IS.

>> I HAVE GOT ATTORNEY K KAMIN'S COMMENTS ON THE VICTIM.

I AGREE WITH THOSE. LET ME SET THIS UP.

I SIMPLY -- I THINK IT WOULD BE GOOD IF WE HAD A HARRIS COUNTY CRIME VICTIM NAVIGATION INFORMATION AND IN ANY PARTICULAR WILL BE TO MOVE COMMISSIONER COURT, DIRECT THE OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATION, COORDINATION WITH APPROPRIATE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND IN CONSULTATION WITH WILLING CRIMINAL JUSTICE AGENCIES AND ELECTED OFFICES TO ONE, DEVELOP A CENTRALIZED HARRIS COUNTY PRIME VICTIM NAVIGATION AND INFORMATION INITIATIVE USING EXISTING COUNTY RESOURCES WHERE PRACTICAL. TWO, FOR O.C.A. TO RETURN TO COMMISSION COURT ON JANUARY 14, 2027, WITH THE FOLLOWING, ANDEN

[05:20:06]

IDENTIFICATION OF SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN VICTIM HAND OFFS BETWEEN AGENCIES AND IMPLEMENTATION OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE CREATION OF THE FOLLOWING: A CENTRALIZED VICTIM NAVIGATION WEB PAGE, A PLAIN LANGUAGE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS ROAD MAP AND A WHO DO I CONTACT GUIDE, PRACTICAL INSTRUCTIONAL GUIDE AND SHORT VIDEOS, Q.R. CODE, VICTIM RESOURCE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ESTIMATED COST FOR FUTURE IMPROVEMENT INCLUDING A ONE NAVIGATOR OR CASE MANAGER MODEL, IMPROVED AGENCY HAND OFFS, VICTIM ESCALATION PROCEDURES, PEER SUPPORT PARTNERSHIP, TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS, AND AVAILABLE GRANT FUNDING.

THE OFFICE COUNTY COMMISSIONER SHALL RETURN WITHIN 9 # 0 DAYS WITH PROCESS, NO NEW POSITION WILL BE NECESSARY AT THIS POINT I THINK TO -- WOULD BE PART OF THIS.

AND BY THE WAY, THESE ARE COMING FROM A LARGE NUMBER OF VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTRY AND THEY ARE MORE OR LESS BEGGING FOR US TO DO I THINK A PRETTY STRAIGHTFORWARD THING.

>> I WILL SECOND THAT. >> BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER BROINES.

>> THANK YOU, COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> THANK YOU.

>> WHAT IS THE NEXT ONE YOU HAVE?

>> 372. >>

>> TRANSMIT TALL? >> WE WILL ACCEPT IT IF SHE WANTS TO COME BACK AND TALK ABOUT IT.

[Emergency/Supplemental Items (Part 2 of 3)]

>> 462. >> SORRY, QUICK COMMENT.

THAT IS A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE A.P.A.

TO FILE A LAWSUIT AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY FOR PARTIALLY REPEALING THE 2024 CARBON POLLUTION STANDARDS FOR FOSSIL FUEL, FIRED ELECTRICAL UNITS, ETC., ETC.

MY POINT HERE IS JUST FROM A PERSPECTIVE.

SINCE 2005 TO 2024, WE HAVE LOWERED CARBON DIOXIDE IN HARRIS COUNTY 41%. SULFUR DIOXIDE, FROM 1995 TO 2023, WE LOWERED IT 95%. NITRIC OXIDE, FROM 1995 TO 2023, 89%. JUST TELLING Y'ALL WHAT EVER WE ARE DOING NOW, USING ENVIRONMENTAL TERM, WE ARE DOER TO /* TURSHRARAY TREATMENT.

THERE ALWAYS MORE WE CAN DO. ION I DON'T KNOW /* /* I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE TO THE POINT WE ARE NEEDING TO SUE SOMEBODY.

I WILL NOT SUPPORT 462 FOR THOSE REASONS.

>> COUNTY ATTORNEY KAMIN IN CAN YOU LAY THAT OUT?

>> I RECOGNIZE THE STRIDE WE HAVE IN REDUCING POLLUTANTS.

WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE E.P.A. AGAIN, IN SEPTEMBER, SO ALL THIS IS BEING BROUGHT BECAUSE OF PERTINENT DEADLINES TO FILE TO PETITION AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

BUT E.P.AND THE PART IT MEANS THAT EXISTING POWER PLANTS NO LONGER WOULD HAVE TO REDUCE THEIR CARBON SOLUTION SO IT IS AN ENTIRE REPEAL OF ALL OF THE EMISSIONS GUIDELINES WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOWERING STANDARDS, IT'S A REPEAL OF THOSE.

COAL PLANTS MAKING UPGRADE WOULD NO LONGER HAVE TO CAPTURE 90% OF THE CARBON POLLUTION. THERE IS ADDITIONAL REPEALS.

IT'S A WHOLE SALE REPEAL OF ALL OF THE MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN PUT WILL MACE FEDERALLY TO NOT ONLY COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND WE ARE AT THE POINT OF BASED ON FACTS THAT WE NEED TO GRAPPLE

[05:25:01]

SO AGAIN, WHAT WE ARE SEEKING FOR IS AUTHORITY TO JOIN THE LITIGATION. THERE A HARD DEADLINE ON THIS.

OF NOVEMBER 17TH, VARIOUS STATE INCLUDING NEW YORK, CALIFORNIA AND WASHINGTON AND MANY OTHERS HAVE ALREADY FILED A PETITION FOR REVIEW TO CHALLENGE THIS. BUT WE FEEL THAT IT IS CRITICAL THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS A VOICE IN THIS LITIGATION BECAUSE IT DIRECTLY IMPACTS THE HEALTH, SAFETY, AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

AGAIN AS WE TALK ABOUT MATCH AN R -- NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE CHANGE.

>> WON'T GET INTO THE GEOGRAPHY IN TERMS OF WHERE WE LIVE, ON THE COAST, HIGH HUMIDITY, I WILL JUST SIMPLY SAY, 'TIS THE SEASON. I WILL NOT BE SUPPORTING IT.

>> SO COUNTY ATTORNEY KAMIN I SHARE YOUR SENTIMENT.

LY 462. >> SECOND.

REQ

>> THREE AYES AND ONE NAY. COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTES NO.

NEXT ONE >> 469.

>> 469. THAT IS COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

ENERGY. >> LET'S JUST VOTE.

>> I WILL MOVE ED. >> THREE AYE AND ONE KNOW.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY VOTED NO. >> LAST ONE.

COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, ONE YOU TALKED ABOUT EARLIER.

I THINK THAT WAS NO ACTION, RIGHT?

[Executive Session]

>> YES, SORRY. NO ACTION.

>> WHY DON'T WE RUN TO /* EXECUTI

SESSION. >> 413, 415, 416 AND 429.

DID I SKIP ANY? >> THAT IS WHAT I HAVE, 413,

415, 416 AN >> THIS COURT IS BACK IN

[Departments (Part 3 of 4)]

THINK YOU PULLED THAT ONE. >> TO DIRECT OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT BUDGET, DISTRIBUTE MOBILITY FUNDS CERTIFICATE OF OBLIGATION TO THE PRECINCT USING THREE FACTOR FORMULA, APP APPROVED 421, 25.

THIS IS FOR THE DISTRIBUTION OF THE 2026 FISCAL YEAR, REMINDER WE ARE IN THE 27TH FISCAL YEAR, SO I THINK WE -- THAT'S THE SENSE OF URGENCY IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO DISTRIBUTE THESE FUNDS SO WE CAN DO INFRASTRUCTURE.

>> WHAT IS THE DISTRIBUTION. >> AND HOW ARE THEY BEING

BACKED UP FINANCIALLY? >> CURRENTLY BACKED UP WITH THE FULL FEE AND CREDIT OF THE COUNTY.

THOUGH WE DO HAVE A TENTATIVE PLAN TO REPAY A PORTION WITH EXTRA SURPLUSES. I DON'T HAVE THE MOBILITY IN FRONT OF ME BUT IT GOES FROM 20% IN PROHIBITECINCT 1 IN 31 PRECINCT THREE. YET WILL BE BACK WITH A AD VALOREMS. TAXES. I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF IT.

PRECINCT ONE, AND FOR THAT MATTER, PRECINCT TWO THAT HAVE THE HIGHEST PROPORTION OF LOW INCOME RESIDENTS.

PRECINCT HAS THE LARGEST BLACK PROCLAMATION.

PRECINCT TWO HAS THE LARGEST HIS TANNIC P PASS -- /* HIS TA POPULATION. THEY D DON'T /* I THINK OUR JOB BROUGHT TO BE TO REINFORCE THE INEQUITIES THAT OUR PREDECESSORS WENT PLACE. WE JUST WENT THROUGH A HEATED DISCUSSION ON SETTING OUR TAX RATES AND WERE SET WHERE THEY WERE, BECAUSE OF CUTS FROM STATE GOVERNMENT AND THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AND I FOR ONE DON'T FELL COMFORTABLE

[05:30:03]

AND THE TAX DOLLARS WILL BE WHAT BACKS THIS UP.

I HAVE ASKED FOR A BREAKDOWN ON WHERE THE MONEY COMES FROM, BUT BECAUSE I DO REPRESENT DOWNTOWN, SOME EXPENSIVE BUILDINGS, THAT DON'T GREAT THE BREAKS THAT REFINERIES WILL BET GET. IN PRECINCT WHERE 29% RESIDENTS LIVE BELOW OR I CANNOT IN GOOD CONSCIENCE EXPECT THEM TO SPEND THEIR PROPERTY TAX DOLLARS TO PROP UP ROADS AND BRIDGES IN ANOTHER PART OF THE COUNTY SO I WILL MAKE SURE THAT IS CLEAR.

JUST MAKE NOTE. WHEN IT COMES UP, I TOLD YOU AND YOU TRUST ME YOU TAKE IT TO THE BANK.

>> I THOUGHT THIS WAS YOUR WAY OF LEVERAGING THE SURPLUS

DOLLARS WITH CERTIFICATES? >> SO GENESIS OF THE C.O. PROGRAM WAS WE HAVE BEEN VERY AGGRESSIVE WITH THE EXTRA SURPLUS OVER A FEW YEARS. WE KNOW TO MAINTAIN OUR CREDIT RATING, WE NEED 730 DAYS OF CASH ON HAND IN ADDITION THE REQUIRED DEBT RESERVES AN IN THE BOND COVENANT AND WE HAVE BEEN AGGRESSIVE. LOOKING AT THE CASH FLOWS AND SAID, THAT 2808 MI MILLION NUM WAS NOT SUSTAINABLE.

TO GET THE PRECINCT WHOLE, WHAT IDEA I HAD WAS WE CAN ISSUE THE NON-VOTED DEBT, AND GIVE OURSELVES THE FLEXIBILITY TO SEE IF WE ARE -- WHEN THE DUST SETTLES, WHEN WE LOOK AT THE AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS IN MARCH, GIVE OURSELVES A FLEXIBILITY TO POTENTIALLY PAY THAT DOWN THAT DEBT OR MORE EXPENSIVE DEBT WITH EXTRA SURPLUS.

SO WE WERE GOING TO LOWER THE SURPLUS FROM 283 MILLION DOWN TO 181 MILLION. AND THAT WE WOULD GO AND ISSUE THE NON-VOTED DEBT AND GIVE OURSELVES THE OPTION TO PAY IT BACK. IN FUTURE YEARS WITH SURPLUS.

BUT FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT, IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO BE THE -- TO GIFT TO DOUBLE BOND THEM IN THAT BINDING WAY.

>> THIS HAS BEEN BACKED UP WITH AD VALOREMS. TAX REVENUE. ANY TIME YOU BAKED UP, YOU ARE PUTTING ON THE PRESSURE ON THE BASEBALL TO DO OTHER THINGS WITH THE SAME FINANCING MECHANISM.

AT SOME POINT IT IMPACTS OUR PROPERTY TAX RATE.

>> THINK IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT I HAD 49% OF THE ROADS.

AND THIS WAS A MIDDLE OF THE ROAD DEAL ANYWAY.

SO NOT AT 49. I'M AT 31.

STILL DIFFICULT TO KEEP UP. STILL 37 MILLION UNDER THE 2022 BOND THAT WERE REDISTRIBUTED FOR ALL THE REASONS THAT YOU ARE REFERENCING. SO I THOUGHT WE WERE BEING FAIR WHEN WE WHEN THROUGH THIS IN APRIL OF 2025.

ALL THOSE ISSUES, AND I GUESS THE FINAL POINT IS I DIDN'T DRAW THE PRESTINT LINES TO MAKE THEM THE WAY THEY WERE.

I JUST HAVE TO LIVE WIT. >> JUST LAST QUICK POINT.

SO MY PRECINCT BETWEEN 2009 AND 2019, HAS CEIVED 133,770,000 LESS THAN THE PRECINCT THAT RECEIVED THE LARGEST AMOUNT IN MOBILITY FUND. I WANT TO BE ON RECORD, SO WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE THE DISCUSSION.

YOU CAN START FIGURING IT OUT NOW BECAUSE I WON'T ASK THE PEOPLE IN PRECINCT ONE TO GO SUBSIDIZE WHAT IS CALLED CAN THE BASIC FUNCTION OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT FOR OTHER PART OF TOWN. THAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR FAR TOO LONG. THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> >> YES, DANIEL, BOTH OF MY COLLEAGUES ARE RIGHT ON THE FUNDING SOURCE ARGUMENT -- ON

[05:35:11]

I THOUGHT THAT WE HAD COMMUNICATED THAT IT WAS TOO DIFFICULT TO THE SECURITIZATION BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON THE ISSUE ON THEIR SIDE OF THE LEDGER, THAT WE WAND DISCUSSIONS WITH YOU WHERE YOU SAID THAT WAS AN ABSOLUTE NO.

SO WE WOULD ALWAYS HAVE TO ISSUE THEM WITH THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT. COUNTY.

IT WAS JUST GIVING US THE OPTION TO BUY IT DOWN WITH FUTURE SURPLUSES. THAT WAS MY OVERSIGHT, I

OVERCOMMUNICATED THAT -- >> I'M NOT SURE WHAT YOU JUST SAID, BUT MY PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN I READ THE TRANSCRIPT OF WHEN WE MADE THIS AGREEMENT IN APRIL OF 2025, THE TRANSCRIPT DOES NOT DISCUSS WHAT WILL BACK THE FUNDING THAT THE SPLIT WOULD BE THEN SUBJECTED TO. AND I THINK IT WAS -- I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN MADE AWARE OF HOW THIS WOULD BE DONE.

AND SO THE AGREEMENT AND THEN IN 2025 THAT WE MADE, YOU KNOW, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ABSOLUTELY I AGREE WITH YOU ON PRINCIPLE BUT WHEN I READ THE AGREEMENT WE MADE IN APRIL OF 2025, THERE IS NO CONVERSATION FROM THE BUDGET DIRECTOR AS TO WHAT WOULD THEN CREATE A CHANGE IN THE AGREEMENT, TO YOUR POINT, THAT IF IT WERE TRUE MOBILITY DOLLARS, THEN IT'S ALL THE ORIGINAL FORMULA. IF IT WERE GENERAL FUND DOLLARS, IT WOULD BE SPLIT DIFFERENTLY. THAT'S NOT DISCUSSED IN THIS TRANSCRIPT. AND SO FOR THAT REASON, I THINK THE AGREEMENT WE MADE STANDS, IT HAS TO STAND, BECAUSE WE SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD WITH YOU YOU HOWD WORK THE FINANCING OF THOSE DOLLARS. AND SO ON MY POINT, I'M NOT GOING TO GO BACK ON MY WORD, AND MR. RAMOS, I THINK YOU NEED TO DO A BETTER JOB AT HELPING UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU'RE GOING TO BACK THIS MONEY UP FROM, BECAUSE IT DOES HAVE AN IMPACT ON WHICH FORMULA WE USE, TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT.

BUT AS IT STANDS RIGHT NOW, SINCE IT WASN'T DISCUSSED, IT WASN'T DISCLOSED AND WE DIDN'T HEAR IT IN ADVANCE OF THIS, THEN I GOT TO STAY WITH MY WORD. MY SECOND COMMENT IS WHEN YOU AND I MET ON THE INVESTMENT POLICY, WE IDENTIFIED 177 MILLION ON METRO DOLLARS. THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO BE BROUGHT TO THIS TABLE FOR A SPLIT. WHEN IS THAT COMING TO THIS

TABLE? >> SO THE 177 WE -- THAT MUST HAVE BEEN -- THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SPLIT.

>> THAT HAS ALREADY BEEN SPLIT. IT WAS -- YOU COMMUNICATED TO ME

THAT IT WAS SITTING THERE BUT -- >> THERE'S A -- BALANCE THERE OF 177. SOME OF IT IS INVESTMENT INCOME, AND I WOULD NEED TO CHECK TO GO SEE HOW MUCH, BUT THAT --

>> THAT IS NOT WHAT I HEARD THAT DAY.

BUT WE'LL LEAVE THAT ONE ALONE FOR THE TIME BEING.

BUT I AM -- I'VE GOT TO STAY WITH MY WORD WITH COMMISSIONER

RAMSEY. >> I'LL JUST TRY TO QUICKLY SUMMARIZE MY POINT SO THIS IS THE ITEM TO ISSUE CERTIFICATES OF OBLIGATION TO FINANCE, ROAD AND BRIDGE PROJECTS IN VARIOUS PRECINCTS. AND THE ITEM ON THE TABLE, I'M ASSUMING, COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, WOULD BE A MOTION TO DIVIDE THIS BASIN ON A FORMULA THAT SOME ON COMMISSIONERS COURT, NOT ME -- I WAS NOT IN THE ROOM WHEN THAT AGREEMENT WAS MADE -- TO GO AND DISTRIBUTE THE TOW ROAD MONEY BASED ON A FORMULA [INDISCERNIBLE] COMMISSIONER BRIONES A BIT MORE, COMMISSIONER

[05:40:01]

I THINK THAT IT GOT THE LOWEST AFTER -- I RECEIVED THE NOMINATION TO COME HERE, I GUESS, MY COLLEAGUES -- FUTURE COLLEAGUES WEREN'T THAT CRAZY ABOUT ME BECAUSE THEY VOTED ON IT THE DAY AFTER I WON. BUT -- AND SOME OF IT WAS BECAUSE OF PRESSURE IN THE LEGISLATURE ON WHAT THEY WOULD DO, HAVING SERVED THAT 206 YEARS, I ALWAYS TOOK THE POSITION YOU DON'T GET IN THOSE LOCAL BATTLES, FOR WHATEVER REASON. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT DECIDED THEY WOULD DO IT, NOT ME, BECAUSE I'M NOT GOING TO LET GOVERNOR ABBOTT OR ANYBODY IN THE HOUSE OR SENATE DICTATE WHAT I DO TO CREATE DEEPER INEQUITIES, SO WE NEED TO DIVIDE THE MONEY BASED ON ROAD MILES, THAT MEANS PEOPLE WHO WE'RE GIVING THE MONEY FOR ROADS, HISTORICALLY, YOU JUST REINFORCED THAT INEQUALITY. I THINK -- I DON'T KNOW, I CAN'T PROVE IT, SOME OF THEM WERE NOT AROUND OR SOME OF THEM MAY HAVE AX TO GRIND, BUT I THINK THE FIVE WERE WORKING LITTLE DEALS, YOU GOT THIS, YOU GOT THAT AND WE'LL GIVE YOU MORE IN ROAD BONDS AND -- SOMEBODY ELSE GETS THIS -- ALL THAT WENT AWAY BECAUSE ONCE I WON, A WHOLE LOT OF THINGS THAT PRECINCT 1 USED TO DO DIDN'T DO ANYMORE, BUT I THINK THAT WAS THE RUMOR I HEARD, THEY HAD THE KIND OF GOOD OLD PERSONS' AGREEMENT BUT IT'S MUCH MORE TRANSPARENT NOW. AND PRECINCT 1 HAS GOTTEN $133 MILLION LESS IN MOBILE FUNDS BETWEEN 2009 AND 2019.

I'VE ALWAYS MADE THE COMMENT EQUITY IS JUST A SIX-LETTER WORD AND MOST PEOPLE TREAT IT LIKE A FOUR-LETTER WORD.

BUT YOU KNOW, A LOT OF FOLKS THINK EQUITY MEANS THEY GET MORE, SO THEY'RE FOR IT UNTIL THE NUMBERS COME OUT AND THEY THINK THEY'RE GOING TO GET LESS -- WELL, NO, THAT'S NOT EQUITY, I DON'T FEEL THAT WAY. SOMETIMES I MAY BENEFIT, SOMETIMES I MAY LOSE BUT I BELIEVE IN EQUITY SO I'M GOING TO BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION TO SPLIT THIS MONEY, WHICH WILL BE PAID FOR -- IT WILL BE BACKED UP WITH AD VALOREM, PROPERTY TAXES AND AS ONE OF THE THREE AT THIS DIE AS WHO TOOK THE HEAT TO VOTE ON THAT PROPERTY TAX RATE FOR AD VALOREM TAXES, I AM NOT GOING TO GO AND TELL THE PEOPLE I REPRESENT THAT I WAS A PART OF RAISING YOUR TAXES SO YOU COULD GETS WHAT'S CALLED A BASIC FUNCTION ROAD AND BRIDGE MONEY TO ANOTHER PRECINCT.

I'M NOT GOING TO ENFORCE THAT INEQUALITY.

SO I'M STATING FOR THE RECORD, YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANK.

IF THIS HAPPENS, I WON'T BE FOR NO NEW REVENUE, SO WHATEVER YOU THOUGHT THAT NUMBER WAS, YOU BETTER INCREASE THE HELL OUT OF IT, BECAUSE TRUST ME, YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THE BANKMENT THE BAN.

THE MOTION I WILL MAKE IS 25 EQUALLY --

>> I WAS GOING TO SAY WE'RE AT THE TEN-MINUTE --

>> IS THERE A MOTION TO EXTENSION THE TIME? MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. SECOND BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY.

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. OKAY, WE'LL -- SO COMMISSIONER

GARCIA, RAMSEY AND BRIONES. >> I ALREADY WENT, JUDGE.

>> ALL RIGHT, RAMSEY AND BRIONES.

>> QUICKLY, ARE WE VOTING ON THE DISTRIBUTION THE 2026

DISTRIBUTION? >> SO THE IDEA WAS IF IT'S GOING TO BE -- IT WOULD BE A TWO-YEAR BEING IT'S JUST THE TIMING AND

THAT IT'S TAKING US -- >> I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE UNDERSTAND -- SEEMED HIKE THERE'S CONFUSION ON WHAT WE VOTE FOR. IT WAS PRETTY CLEAR ON APRIL 1ST OF 2025 WHAT WE WERE VOTING FOR. AT LEAST I LEFT THE ROOM THINKING THAT. SO WHAT WE'RE VOTING ON IS THE 2026 DISTRIBUTION OF MOBILITY FUND.

>> IT'S JUST FOR THE ROAD [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> FOR 2026 AND 2027, IT'S A TWO-YEAR DEAL?

>> YES, SIR. >> AND JUST TO CLARIFY, IN APRIL WHEN THIS DISCUSSION CAME UP, COMMISSIONERS COURT HAD NOT TAKEN ACTION TO MOVE FORWARD, THIS WAS AN IDEA THAT WE HAD STARTED TO SHOP AROUND. WE REALLY DIDN'T FORMALIZE IT AS A PROPOSAL TO COMMISSIONERS COURT UNTIL THE BUM WAS BEING FINALIZED IN JUNE-JULY, SO THAT'S WHY THERE MIGHT BE SOME DISCREPANCY RIGHT NOW IN WHAT THE CONVERSATION IS, BECAUSE WE HAD -- THE DECISION TO S YOU. PLANT A PORTION OF HECTRA SURPLUS FOR ROAD COS HAD NOT BEEN MADE.

>> COMMISSIONER BRIONES PRACTICE.

>> DANIELLE, PLEASE BE VERY CLEAR.

HOW WILL THE BONDS BE PAID FOR? >> THEY ARE CURRENTLY BACKED BY THE FULL FAITH AND CREDIT OF THE COUNTY SO AD VALOREM TAXES.

OUR INTENTION, ASSUMING HECTOR HAS THE CASH TO SUSTAIN IT, WE

[05:45:04]

FUNDS USED FOR THE PAYMENTS? >> I THINK THERE'S A HIGH DEGREE OF LIKELIHOOD BUT THEIR REVENUE GOES UP AND DOWN SO I DON'T WANT TO MAKE -- THAT'S WHY WE DIDN'T MAKE ANY PROMISES.

THE IDEA AGAIN WAS LET HECTOR'S CASHFLOW [INDISCERNIBLE] TO PAY ALL OR A PORTION OF SOME ROAD DEBT WE MAY HAVE.

>> LET'S BE SUPER CLEAR ABOUT FY26 AND FY27 WITH REGARD TO MOBILITY AND ROAD COS. COULD YOU SPELL OUT FY26 AND 27.

>> THE ROAD COS THAT ARE BEING DISTRIBUTED TODAY WERE MEANT TO COVER A TWO-YEAR PERIOD SO 26 AND 27.

JUST GIVEN THE NATURE OF -- IT WAS A NEW CREDIT ALONG WITH JUST THE TIMING OF OUR REGULAR BOND ISSUANCES.

THIS DECISION CAME INTO FISCAL YEAR '27.

BUT THAT WAS JUST KIND OF OUR CALENDAR AND THE NATURE OF HAVING A NEW CREDIT. IT COULD HAVE BEEN -- IT COULD HAVE COME SOONER, WE JUST DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY IN THE BANK AT

THAT POINT. >> SO THAT WE'RE CRYSTAL CLEAR, ARE THE ROAD COS ON TOP OF THE MOBILITY DISTRIBUTION --

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> -- OR IS IT A FINANCING

STRUCTURE TO SECURE? >> IT'S IN ADDITION TO.

>> BOTH AND. THE MOBILITY DISTRIBUTION AND

THE COS? >> YES.

>> BOTH AND, FOR FY26 AND 27? >> YES.

>> OKAY. >> WELL, THANK YOU FOR BEING CLEAR. I AGREE THAT THE TIMING, THE LACK OF CLARITY, LACK OF COMMUNICATION IS VERY TROUBLING, AND I ALSO AGREE WITH WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, ON APRIL 21ST, 2025 WHEN WE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED THE THREE-PART FORMULA FOR THE MOBILITY FUNDS, THAT WAS THE COMMITMENT I MAD AND THAT'S MADE COMMITMENT I WILL BE FOLLOWING AND WE NEED TO SEPARATE HOW WE OPERATIONALIZE AND FINANCE IN A WAY THAT WE GO BE AS CLEAR AND PREPARED AND ON THE SAME PAGE.

WE JUST NEED TO PLAN AND COMMUNICATE AS CLEARLY.

BUT IN SUM, SIMILAR TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I THINK ALL THE POINTS ARE VERY VALID, WE JUST NEED TO BE VERY CLEAR WHAT FORMULA FOR WHAT SOURCE OF FUNDS AND WHY, WHAT IS THE RATIONALE. BUT WITH REGARD TO THESE HECTOR FUNDS, I MADE THAT COMMITMENT, THAT THREE-PART FORMULA AND I WILL BE STICKING WITH IT SO I'LL BE READY TO VOTE.

>> IT'S FAIR TO SAY THIS FORMULA WAS DEVELOPED TO TRY TO KEEP THE LEGISLATURE FROM PASSING THE BILL THAT WOULD TAKE THE TOLL ROAD? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE PUT THE ELEPHANT ON THE TABLE.

I FOR ONE WON'T BE BLACKMAILED. I'M NOT GOING TO LET THE GOVERNOR OR ANYBODY IN THE GRAND OLD PARTY COME TELL ME THAT I'M SUPPOSED TO TURN MY BACK ON THE PEOPLE THAT I REPRESENT, BECAUSE THEY'RE THREATENING TO DO SO. IT'S JUST NOT -- IF IT'S AN INEQUALITY, IT'S AN INEQUALITY. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR. IF WE GO WOULD NO NEW REVENUE NEXT CYCLE, GIVE ME A SEVERANCE WHAT THAT DEFICIT WILL BE.

>> 150 MILLION GIVE OR TAKE. >> BUT I'M SURE IT WON'T BE A PROBLEM BECAUSE THOSE WILL GET THE ROADS, THIS FORMULA.

THEY WILL JUST GO VOTE TO MAKE SURE IT'S NOT AS HIGH.

BUT PRECINCT 1 WON'T BE VOTING FOR IT.

THANK YOU. >> OKAY.

THIS IS THE SECOND DEB MAYBE THE THIRD -- I GUESS IT'S THE THIRD ACTION WE TAKE IN ADVANCE OF STATE ACTION.

AND IT USED TO BE -- AND I USED TO TALK ABOUT THIS WHEN I FIRST RAN -- THAT A LOT OF WHAT HARRIS COUNTY DID FOLLOWED WHAT AUSTIN WANTED US TO DO. I DON'T KNOW THAT IT EVER WAS LIKE FOLLOWED IT BEFORE THEY EVEN ASKED US.

THAT WAS ALSO THE EXCUSE GIVEN TO WHY WE COULDN'T GO TO THE VOTERS WITH THE LAW ENFORCEMENT PAY.

AND NOW IT'S THIS. I AM WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I THINK IT'S REALLY PROBLEMATIC AND UNNECESSARY TO EXTEND THIS UNFAIR FORMULA. WE'VE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS SINCE DAY 1. YOU CAN TALK ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE, YOU CAN TALK ABOUT WHETHER THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS A

[05:50:03]

THE BEST WAY WE HAVE TO SOLVE THIS IS TO SPLIT IT 25-25.

SO COMMISSIONER, I -- FRANKLY, JUST FLABBERGASTED BY THIS AND -- YEAH, SO ANYWAY, SO I GUESS I GO BACK TO MY GOP 3 DEAL. SO YEAH, I WILL BE ABSOLUTELY OPPOSED TO THIS. I THINK IT'S UNFAIR.

I THINK IT'S -- FRANKLY IT'S JUST TOO MUCH, ESPECIALLY THE -- ANYWAY, OKAY. THAT'S ALL.

IS THERE A MOTION ON ITEM -- >> WE DIVIDE IT 25 FOR PRECINCT.

>> OKAY, I SECOND THAT MOTION. THAT IS ON ITEM 2, CORRECT? FOR BOTH OF THEM. I THINK WE WANT 335 FIRST.

>> 335 AND -- >> MOTION THAT WE DIVIDE THE FUNDS 25-25-25 AND I MADE THE SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOUR, ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES 3-2.

OH, MY GOD NOW IT'S GOING TO BE FOREVER 3-2.

OKAY, ALLOWED TO MAKE A MISTAKE. AND WHAT ABOUT FOR NUMBER 2?

>> I WOULD MAKE A MOTION ON THIS ONE THE OTHER WAY.

>> I'M SORRY JUDGE, TO MAKE SURE.

THE VOTE WAS 3-2 AGAINST? >> YES.

>> JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE, SO THE ITEM FAILS.

>> YEAH, HE CAUGHT IT. >> -- TO THE PRECINCTS USING THE THREE FACTOR FORMULA, KEYWORD HERE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVED -- ON

APRIL 21ST, 2025. >> SECOND.

>> OKAY. IS THERE AN ALTERNATIVE MOTION?

>> NO, WE VOTED ON IT ALREADY. >> ALL RIGHT.

SO MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RAMSEY, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA, ALL IN FAVOUR? AYE.

>> NO. >> ANY OPPOSED? OKAY, I'M OPPOSED SO THAT ONE PASSES 3-2.

>> AND THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM 2. >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> ALL RIGHT. AND SO -- THANK YOU.

SO NOW WE NEED TO TAKE ITEM 313 BECAUSE THE HAIR CENTER IS HERE

AND THEY NEED TO LEAVE. >> ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD, THANK

YOU. >> THANK YOU.

GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS COURT.

I JUST WANTED TO PROVIDE A LITTLE BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT THE HARRIS CENTER'S INVOLVEMENT WITH THE DATA CENTER AGENDA ITEM. SO DURING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION, RIDER 56 WAS PASSED AS PART OF SENATE BILL 1.

AND THAT RIDER DIRECTED THE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMISSION TO DO A STUDY AND A PILOT PROJECT PROPOSAL ON CREATING AN INTERMEDIATE LEVEL OF CARE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH SERIOUS AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS WHO WEREN'T APPROPRIATE FOR AN IN-PATIENT SETTING BUT NEED MORE INTENSIVE CARE THAN AN OUT-PATIENT SERVICES. SO IN RESPONSE TO THAT, THE THE HARRIS CENTER PREPARED A PRESENTATION AND REPORT AND DID ANALYSIS OF OUR OWN POPULATION THAT MIGHT MEET THAT CRITERIA.

AND DR. HICKEY WHO IS THE HEAD OF OUR HEALTH CARE ANALYTICS IS HERE AND CAN PROVIDE A HIGH LEVEL SUMMARY OF OUR FINDINGS.

>> THANK YOU FOR THE CONTEXT. DR. SCOTT HICKEY, I'M A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND I'M THE DIRECTOR OF HEALTH ANALYTICS AND RESEARCH FOR THE HARRIS CENTER.

AS MS. JONES JUST INDICATED, LAST WINTER, WE WERE ASKED IF WE COULD PLEASE SEE WHAT WE COULD LEARN ABOUT THIS POPULATION THAT FALLS SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN THE NEED FOR HOSPITAL CARE AND OUT-PATIENT CARE. AND DATA IS MY CORNER OF THE

[05:55:02]

THE SECOND IS THAT THESE PEOPLE USE A VARIETY OF SERVICES FROM MULTIPLE SYSTEMS AND OF THE PEOPLE I JUST DESCRIBED, THERE ARE 4,300 OF THEM WHO RECEIVED SERVICES FROM MULTIPLE SYSTEMS AND AS MANY AS 85% OF THEM RECEIVED SERVICES FROM AT LEAST THREE SYSTEM PROVIDERS IN THE COUNTY.

SO AGAIN, THE IDEAS ARE THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WHO FIT THE CRITERIA AND THAT THEY USE SERVICES ACROSS A VARIETY OF SYSTEMS. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE? THESE ARE WORKING AGE PEOPLE FOR THE MOST PART.

THEY'RE SPREAD ACROSS RACE AND ETHNICITY.

THEIR JAIL BOOKINGS ARE MORE OFTEN MISDEMEANORS THAN FELONIES. AND THEY'RE FAR MORE OFTEN NON- VIOLENT OFFENCES COMPARED TO VIOLENT OFFENCES.

SO I WOULD ENCOURAGE THE COURT TO CONSIDER THAT ADDRESSING THIS PROBLEM WOULD BOTH SAVE COSTS TO THE SYSTEM BUT ALSO WOULD ALLEVIATE SUFFERING FOR THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU.

I HAVE THESE REMARKS FROM CHIEF DRAPER FROM THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. DEAR JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONERS COURT, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING ITEM 313 TO COMMISSIONERS COURT. I RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT THESE COMMENTS ON BEHALF OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE.

THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE SUPPORTS THE COURT'S CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN PEOPLE LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND IDD.

OUR MENTAL HEALTH DIVISION REPRESENTS CLIENTS EVERY DAY AT THE INTERSECTION OF SERIOUS MENTAL ILLNESS, HOMELESSNESS AND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND WE NEED THEIR NEEDS FIRST HAND.

AS A PARTNER IN THIS WORK WE SUPPORT COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS THAT ADVANCE MEANINGFUL COMMUNITY BASED SOLUTIONS FOR INDIVIDUALS LIVING WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND IDD.

EFFORTS THAT BRING GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND SUPPORT DATA INFORMED DECISIONMAKING. HELP US SEE WHERE PEOPLE ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS AND WHERE INVESTMENT CAN MAKE THE GREATEST DIFFERENCE. WE SUPPORT THIS WORK AND MORE BROADLY ANY EFFORT THAT ADVANCES OUR UNDERSTANDING OF MENTAL HEALTH, INCREASES CAPACITY FOR TREATMENT AND HOUSING AND INVESTS UP FRONT IN COMMUNITY BASED CARE TO INFORM POLICY AND SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS IN ACHIEVING STABILITY.

SO THANK YOU DR. HICKEY. ANY QUESTIONS, COLLEAGUES, FOR

THE TWO REPRESENTATIVES HERE? >> OKAY.

SO THE MOTIONS ARE TO APPROVE THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC FACING MENTAL HEALTH AND IDD DASHBOARD TO HELP INFORM FUTURE POLICY AND LEGISLATIVE EFFORTS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT INDIVIDUALS AT THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

AND ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH SEVERE AND PERSISTENT MENTAL ILLNESS WHO WOULD BENEFIT FROM RESIDENTIAL INTERMEDIATE LEVEL CARE. THEN THE SECOND ONE -- OR WOULD YOU GUYS LIKE TO VOTE ON THEM SEPARATELY? OKAY, THE SECOND ONE IS TO DIRECT THE HEALTH GOAL AREA COMMITTEE TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATION, THE HARRIS CENTER, THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS, PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND OTHER RELEVANT STAKEHOLDERS TO DEVELOP A PLAN FOR THE DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE DASHBOARD, AND RETURN TO COURT NO LATER THAN THE DECEMBEH RECOMMENDATIONS AND RESOURCE NEEDS. THIS SHOULD INCLUDE CONSIDERATION OF EXISTING DATA PROJECTS THAT TOUCH ON THE INTERSECTION OF MENTAL HEALTH, HOMELESSNESS AND PUBLIC SAFETY THAT COULD INFORM THE DASHBOARD, WHICH ENTITIES COLLECTOR COULD COLLECT THE DATA THAT WILL FEED INTO THE DASHBOARD AND LOGISTICS SUCH AS DATA SHARING AGREEMENTS AND PRIVACY CONSIDERATIONS.

SO IS THERE A MOTION ON THOSE? ALL RIGHT, MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. IS THERE A SECOND? SECOND BY COMMISSIONER BRIONES. ALL IN FAVOUR? ANY OPPOSED? I'M IN FAVOR, SO THE MOTION CARRIES 3-1. SO THANK YOU ALL.

[06:00:08]

WHEN WE GO BACK THROUGH IT -- OKAY, ALL RIGHT.

SO YEAH, 3-1 AND THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. IT'S A TOUGH FIELD BUT ALSO FOR HELPING BRING THIS TOGETHER. IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT.

I KNOW, IT'S HARD TO CONVEY JUST HOW IMPORTANT, BUT YOU'VE MANAGED TO DO THAT, THANK YOU. AND THANK YOU, COLLEAGUES.

OKAY, SO THAT IS -- WE MOVED TO 313 BUT NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO

BACK. >> ITEM 2, JUDGE?

>> ALL RIGHT, GO AHEAD. LET ME SEE, IS THAT YOU, COMMISSIONER BRIONES THAT PULLED THAT ONE?

>> YES IT WAS. >> THAT WAS THE METRO TRANSFERS DISCUSSION. SO MR. RAM RAMOS, WOULD YOU PLEE

JUST BRIEFLY LAY IT OUT. >> THIS IS THE ANNUAL TRANSFER FROM METRO. THIS IS USED TO FUND SIMILAR MOBILITY TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS FOR THE COUNTY.

HISTORICALLY SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE THIS HAS BEEN SPLIT EVENLY

BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS. >> I'M GOING TO MOVE THAT WE --

DID YOU FINISH? >> ANYTHING ELSE? DIRECTOR RAMOS? SO THIS HAS BEEN SPLIT 25% --

>> AT LEAST SINCE I'VE BEEN HERE AND AS FAR BACK AS MY STAFF HAS

BEEN ABLE TO PULL. >> OKAY.

SO I WOULD MOVE TO DIVIDE THE METRO TRANSFERS EVENLY AMONG THE

COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS. >> A QUICK QUESTION.

HOW MUCH MONEY IS THIS? >> THIS IS 56 MILLION.

>> HOW MUCH? >> 56.

>> AND HOW MUCH WAS THE OTHER ONE?

>> IT WAS I BELIEVE 160. >> HOW MUCH?

>> 160. >> WELL, I'M GLAD SINCE WE -- AT SOME POINT ON THIS, DID WE EVER USE EQUITY FRAMEWORK FOR THIS?

>> I DON'T BELIEVE SO, COMMISSIONER.

AT LEAST AS FAR BACK AS MY STAFF HAS --

>> NO, THAT WAS FOR THE TOLL ROAD MAYBE, WE WERE TRYING TO MAKE UP FOR THOSE YEARS OF INEQUALITY.

>> AND JUST TO BE CLEAR. >> IT WAS ON THE BOND MONEY.

>> JUST TO BE CLEAR, O AND B AT LEAST UNDER ME HAS NEVER MADE ALLOCATION RECOMMENDATIONS TO COURT.

THAT -- I BELIEVE YOU OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE MOTION FOR THAT BOND [INDISCERNIBLE]

>> I'LL SECOND THE MOTION. >> ALL RIGHT, SO THERE'S A MOTION. WAS IT COMMISSIONER BRIONES? SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS? ANY OPPOSED IN MOTION CARRIES 4-

4-0. >> YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TELL