Feb 11, 2020 Commissioners Court

[Call to Order]

[00:00:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOOD MORNING. IT IS 10:01 ON FEBRUARY 11TH AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS IN SESSION.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO HAVE THE PASTOR FROM MOUNT HEBRON MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.

I WILL TRUNCATE HIS BIO, BUT HE HAS BEEN THE PASTOR SINCE JANUARY OF 2008.

HE IS A LOCAL FELLOW WHO GRADUATED FROM MILBY HIGH SCHOOL.

I USED TO DEBATE THEM IN HIGH SCHOOL BACK WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

WENT TO PRAYER VIEW A AND M. HE IS A GRADUATE OF THE THEODACIOUS WHICH IS A COMBINATION OF GOD AND AUDACIOUS SEMINARY AND A GRADUATE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AND A MASTERSS IN THEOLOGY FROM SACRAMENTO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND A DOCTORATE FROM NORTH BAY THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY AND AN HONORARY DOCTORATE IN BIBLE COLLEGE AND SERVED AS THE PRESIDENT OF HELPING HANDS OUT REACH MINISTRIES WHICH IS AN ORGANIZATION WE WORK WITH IN THE COUNTY. HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF STEPS OF FAITH LEADERSHIP MINISTRIES AND HE IS ALSO THE PRESIDENT OF THE BAPTIST MINISTRIES ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON IN THE VICINITY ALONG WITH, JUDGE, AS I MENTIONED THERE WON'T -- WOULDN'T BE ENOUGH TIME TO LIST THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS. AND SO DR. MAX A.MILLER, JUNIOR, WOULD YOU LEAD US IN OUR OPENING PRAYER TODAY, PLEASE.

>> LET ME FIRST THANK YOU FOR THIS HONOR THAT YOU HAVE ALLOWED US TO COME JUST TO

PRAY -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I FORGOT. THEY JUST HAD A BIG PASTOR APPRECIATION FOR DR. MAX A .MILLER JUNIOR AND IT WAS A PACKED HOUSE AND YOU COULDN'T

GET IN UNLESS YOU KNEW SOMEBODY. >> THANK YOU.

LET US BOW. LORD HOW WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR LOVE AND KINDNESS AND YOUR GOODNESS, YOUR MERCY AND YOUR GRACE. WE CALL ON YOU, MASTER, BECAUSE YOU ARE OUR GOD, AND YOU HAVE BEEN BOTH GOOD AND GOD TO US.

THAT IF WE HAD ALL DAY WE COULDN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH. SO LORD I ASK THAT WE NOT TRY TO SEND YOU ANYWHERE BECAUSE YOU ARE ALREADY EVERYWHERE. BEFORE WE ASK YOU FOR ANYTHING WE MUST THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING. YOU HAVE BEEN GOD ALL BY YOURSELF AND WE ASK THAT YOU TOUCH EACH AND EVERY HEART AND MIND THAT'S IN THIS ROOM.

THAT YOU BE WITH OUR COMMISSIONERS, BE WITH OUR JUDGE, AND THAT YOU TOUCH NOT ONLY THE HEARTS AND THE MINDS, BUT THAT YOU MAKE SURE THAT WE LISTEN TO YOUR GUIDANCE, BECAUSE MASTER WE REALIZE THAT ALL OF US NEED YOU. SOME NEED YOU FOR ONE THING AND SOME NEED YOU FOR ANOTHER, BUT IN REALITY, WITHOUT BE SHILLY SHACK, WE ALL NEED YOU. GOD BLESS IN -- GOD BLESS THIS MEETING.

GIVE US WHAT WE NEED SO WE CAN BE EFFECTIVE SERVANTS FOR THE PEOPLE.

NOT ONLY DO I ASK YOU, MASTER, TO PLEASE PUT YOUR LOVING ARMS AROUND US INDIVIDUALLY, BUT THAT YOU REPOSITION YOURSELF AND DO THE SAME THING FOR THEM.

WE ASK YOU TO HEAR OUR PEOPLE CRY WHILE WE THANK YOU FOR YOUR MEANINGFUL BLESSINGS IN

THE NAME OF JESUS AMEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, PASTOR.

>> I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK THE PASTOR AS WELL.

HE HAS BEEN MY ADVISER AS COUNCILMEMBER AND STATE SENATOR IN HIS POSITION.

I I COULDN'T MAKE IT OUT TO YOUR AN ANNIVERSARY, BUT I HEARD IT WAS A WONDERFUL EVENT. YOUR SIDEKICK CALLED ME UP TO LET ME NOW THAT IT WAS A GREAT

EVENT. SO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE. >> PASTOR, I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU AS WELL FOR ALWAYS BEING A VOICE OF THE PEOPLE, RAISING ISSUES AND LEADING ON

CONCERNS AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

[Item I]

FIRST COURT AFTER COMMISSIONER CAGLE BIRTHDAY. >> HAPPY BIRTHDAY.

>> 18 -- >> I AM A YOUTHFUL 59 NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: HAPPY

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START WITH COMMISSIONER PRE SINK 2 -- PRE -- PRECINCT 2. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THIS RESOLUTION IS FOR AN INCREDIBLE HUMAN BEING WHO I HAVE THE UTMOST PLEASURE AND PRIVILEGE TO WORK WITH, WORK FOR AND TO SEE HIM DO A PHENOMENAL JOB.

NOW, JUST FOR A POINT PERSONAL PRIVILEGE, I ALWAYS REFERRED TO HIM AS BUDDY.

I I COULD HAVE HAD A WHOLE LOT OF FUN IF I KNEW YOUR NAME WAS EDWIN.

LET ME READ THIS RESOLUTION BECAUSE IT IS SO APPROPRIATE, JUDGE AND MY COLLEAGUES FOR THE INCREDIBLE WORK THAT THIS MEMBER OF OUR NATION'S FINEST HAS DONE FOR OUR COUNTRY AND CITY. EDWIN "BUDDY" GRANTHAM, ARMY RETIRED BEGAN HIS CAREER AS AN ARMY CAVALRY OFFICER AND WAS A CAREER ACTIVE DUTY COMBAT ARMSES LOGISTICS OFFICER CURRENTLY SERVING AS THE DEPUTY COMMANDER ARMY COMPONENT IN THE TEXAS STATE FORCE. AND WHEREAS COLONEL GRANTHAM SERVED AS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY SLEET -- VETERAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 2019 TO DECEMBER OF 2020 TO IMPLEMENT IMPROVEMENTS FOR PROVIDING SERVICE TO THE AREA VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES. AND WHEREAS HE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN SERVING EXISTING AND NEW CLIENTS WITH THEIR REQUEST FOR THE V.A. DISABILITY CLAIMS AND LEGAL NEEDS.

WORKING WITH THE OUTSIDE AGENCIES AND PARTNERS INCLUDING THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION, WOUNDED WARRIOR PROJECT AND LONE -- LONE STAR LEGAL AID.

AND USING THE EXTENSIVE ORGANIZATIONAL SKILLS HE FORMED CUSTOMER INTAKE, HALLELUJAH. THANK YOU. IT WAS A TRACKING AND REPORTING SYSTEM. WHEREAS IN AN EFFORT TO EXPEDITE ASSISTANCE WORKED WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION SERVICES A NATIVE HOUSTONIAN AND GRADUATE OF TEXAS A&M, COLONEL GRANTHAM COMMANDED CAVALRY IN ARMY UNITS AND SERVED IN SEVERAL POSTINGS AS THE PRIMARY OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS STAFF OFFICER. WHEREAS COLONEL GRANTHAM IS A RECIPIENT OF NUMEROUS AWARDS INCLUDING THE BRONZE STAR IN THE ARMY, VALUE LOUR UNIT AWARD FOR COMBAT OPERATIONS IN DESERT STORM. BE IT SO THIS COMMISSIONER'S HONORS EDWIN A."BUDDY" GRA ATHAM U.S. ARMY, ACTIVE, FOR HIS NUMEROUS CONTINUE BUDGETSES FOR THE -- CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE VETERANS COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

[APPLAUSE]. YOU ARE NOT GETTING AWAY THAT EASY.

>> FIRS -- FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU HOW HONORED I AM TO BE HERE.

IN HERE SOMEWHERE I KNOW IS YOUR NEW HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY SERVICE OFFICER DAVE AND HIS ASSISTANT JASON. I WAS HONORED AND PROUD TO GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO TAKE THAT OFFICE AND MOVE IT FORWARD AND TAKE CARE OF OUR CITIZENS AND PREPARE TO -- IT FOR HIS ARRIVAL. I KNOW HE WILL TAKE IT FURTHER AND ASSIST THE VETERANS AND CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY. FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW IN THE FALL OF 2007 MAYOR WHITE ASKED ME TO BUILD A VETERAN'S OFFICE FOR THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.

I NEVER TOOK THAT AS A CITY OF HOUSTON OFFICE. I TOOK IT AS A COMMUNITY OFFICE. THE FIRST THING I DID WAS COORDINATE WITH HARRIS COUNTY. ONE OF MY TWO GUESTS HERE TODAY IS MISS PEGGY BORIS.

PEGGY, CAN YOU RISE FOR A MOMENT? PEGGY, AS YOU KNOW, NOW WORKS WITH THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE AND CONSTITUENT SERVICES. IT WAS QUITE HER SURPRISE WHEN SHE SENT A VETERAN OVER FOR ASSISTANCE I CHIMED IN AND SAID, YOU BET, PEGGY.

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AND SO AGAIN TO GET THE CHANCE TO COME OVER AND HELP THE COUNTY DIRECTLY KIND OF A PAY BACK IT WAS VERY APPRECIATIVE. AND SO MY NEXT GUEST HERE, MS. LIZA GARZA. MS. LIZA GARZA HAS DONE SO MUCH FOR THE AREA THE PRESIDENT OF THE U.S. ARMY CHAPTER AND ADVISES OVER THE COMMITTEE THAT GUIDES THE U.S.

ARMY RECRUITING BATTALION. I WANTED HER HERE AGAIN FOR ALL OF THE WORK SHE HAS DONE FOR VETERANS. AND OF COURSE MY LOVELY WIFE, JULIE, WHO HAS BEEN BY MY SIDE FOR 39 YEARS. [APPLAUSE]. NOT ONLY IS SHE AN INSPIRATION BUT A WONDERFUL TEACHER, BUT RETIRED ARMY, AN ARMY BRAT AND AN ARMY SPOUSE AND NOW SHE IS AN ARMY MOM OF OUR SON WHO IS A CAPTAIN IN THE ARMY RESERVES.

I COULDN'T BE AND DO THE THINGS I CAN DO WITHOUT HER. AGAIN, SIR, COUNCIL, COMMISSION, AS YOU -- I APPRECIATE THIS HONOR AND I APPRECIATE YIT -- APPRECIATE THE PRIVILEGE FOR YOU TO LET ME HELP THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY.

>> BUDDY, THANK YOU, YOU CAME IN WITH A DIFFICULT TASK TO ONLY BE ABLE TO SERVICE TEMPORARILY, BUT YOU DID A HELL OF A JOB. THE FACT THAT YOU FOCUSED ON CUSTOMER SERVICE SYSTEMS MEANT THE WORLD TO US. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE, OUR NATION'S FINEST, THAT THEY SHOULD GET PRISTINE SERVICE.

UNFORTUNATELY THAT'S NOT THE CASE SOMETIMES. I KNEW THERE WAS ONE GUY WHO COULD GET AN ARMY BOOT TO THE PLACES IT NEEDED TO BE AND TO GET THAT PLACE RUNNING IN A

GOOD DIRECTION. I KNEW THAT WOULD BE YOU. >> I'M IMPRESSED WITH THE PLAN THAT THE COUNTY HAS TO MOVE IT FORWARD AND TO EXPAND THE SERVICES.

I TELL YOU, I COULD NOT HAVE DONE THE THINGS WE WERE ABLE TO DO AND CATCH UP ALL OF THE VETERANS WHO NEEDED SERVICE HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR YOUR PRECINCT THROUGH THE VETERAN'S OFFICE. AND SO, YOU KNOW RNTION, I AM NOT A SALESMAN.

I LOOK TO TELL YOU THAT THAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF EXCELLENCE AND WHAT RIGHT LOOKS LIKE.

IT IS WELL WORTH YOUR EFFORT. NOT ONLY DOES IT HELP YOUR CITIZENS, BUT IT ACTUALLY BRINGS DOLLARS INTO THE COMMUNITY, FEDERAL DOLLARS THAT DON'T STOP ONCE THEY

START FLOWING. IT IS A TREMENDOUS PROGRAM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK. THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE].

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, RESOLUTIONS? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, OUR FIRST RESOLUTION IS OAK HAVEN WHICH FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU.

WE ADD LONG COMMISSIONER'S COURT LAST TIME AND THEY GRACIOUSLY AGREED TO BE MOVED FROM LAST COURT SESSION TWO WEEKS AGO TO TODAY. IN PART BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO HAVE TO WAIT TO GET TO THEM BECAUSE WE DID THE BUDGET STUFF BEFOREHAND.

WE THANKED THEM FOR THEIR COOPERATION. AND HOPE HAVEN AS YOU WILL SEE IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS A BLESSING IN PRECINCT FOUR. OTHER PRECINCTS HAVE FOUND THEM AND STARTED TO USE THEM ACROSS THE COUNTY, SO WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THEIR COUNTY WIDE WORK. KRISTEN STILLWELL STARTED HOPE HAVEN TO FEED THE HOMELESS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER THE CAUSE -- THE COST OF HOMELESSNESS.

THEY BECAME A 501C3 ORGANIZATION PARTNERING WITH 10 OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES 3,000 MEALS PER YEAR. HOPE HAVEN ASSISTS IN ATTAINING IDENTIFICATION, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES AND LIFE SKILLS CRANE -- TRAINING AND CREATES LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIPS. HOPE HAVEN HAS ASSISTED 5700 PEOPLE OUT OF HOMELESSNESS -- OUT OF HOMELESSNESS, AND THEY CONTINUE TO HELP PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS TO BE SUFFICIENT.

ESTABLISH THIS ON A SMALL BUDGET THEY LEARNED PARTNERSHIPS WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS. NOW HOPE HAVEN IS PARTNERING WITH 25 PUBLIC ORGANIZATIONS

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TRANSFORMATION STATION WILL ENDEAVOR TO ASSIST THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EVERY YEAR TO CHANGE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES AND SITUATIONS WITH THE ASSISTANCE OF PARTNERS LIKE LOAN STAR COLLEGE, THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, TRANSPORTATION STATION WILL WILL BE A PLACE THAT CHALLENGES HOW OUR SOCIETY HELPS THE HOMELESS AND LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZED -- REC COOK NIGHSES HOPE HAVEN RESTORING HOPE STRUGGLING WITH HOMELESSNESS IN OUR COMMUNITY AND FURTHER ENCOURAGES THEM ON THEIR MOTTO OF MOVING PEOPLE FROM CRISIS TO LIFE-LONG SUFFICIENCIES. THIS RESOLUTION AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AT 11TH DAY OF FEBRUARY. THANK YOU, HOPE HAVEN.

[APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY. IT IS SUCH AN HONOR. JUDGE HIDALGO, I HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND THE GOVERNMENT MUCH BEFORE THIS ENDEAVOR. IN THE LAST YEAR GETTING TO SEE WHAT YOU GUYS DO, AND I THANK YOU. YOU TALK ABOUT THE MARGINALIZED AND THE POOR AND THE HOMELESS, BUT YOU ARE DOING STUFF ABOUT IT, AND I THANK YOU FOR THAT AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING US FOR. IT LET ME INTRODUCE MY AMAZING STAFF. WE ARE SMALL, BUT MIGHTY. THERE ARE JUST A FEW HERE TODAY. DAMON MANDELL WHO STARTED IT WITH ME 10 YEARS AGO AND HE IS BACK. HE REPRESENTS THE GUYS THAT ARE UNDER THE BRIDGES AND IN THE WOODS AND OUT THERE AND TRYING TO FIND OUR HOMELESS. SPENCER LITTLE JOHN WHO CAME ALONG EARLY IN THE JOURNEY. HE IS OUR CHAPLAIN AND HE KEEPS US HONEST AND KEEPS ME IN LINE. AND OUR CHAIR -- CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD ROBERT COSIK, HE IS WHO I ANSWER TO AND KRISTINA KEEPS THINGS GOING. IT IS AN HONOR TO DO IT WITH THEM. I WANT TO RECOGNIZE MY HUB BE OUT THERE.

NONE OF THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF HE DIDN'T LET ME QUIT MY JOB TO START THIS.

THANK YOU AND THANK YOU FOR PUTTING TOGETHER THE TASK FORCE.

THEY HAVE A HEART FOR THIS AND YOU ARE RIGHT ON TASK. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING AND FOR HELPING US TAKE

THIS ON. >> THANK YOU [APPLAUSE]. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OUR NEXT TWO RESOLUTIONS ARE ABOUT ACTIVITIES OCCURRING IN ONE OF OUR COMMUNITY CENTERS AND THIS IS THE MANGUM-HOWL LIEU -- HOWELL AND THE LUNAR NEW YEAR.

CAN YOU COME UP? THEY DRESSED FOR US TODAY, JUDGE.

COME UP TO THE MICROPHONE. THERE YOU GO. JUDGE, I AM A LITTLE TALLER THAN THEY ARE. WE ALREADY HAD SOME OF OUR PICTURES TAKEN EARLIER.

WHEREAS THE LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION -- BY THE WAY, JUDGE.

THIS IS THE YEAR OF THE RAT. DIDN'T KNOW IF YOU KNEE THAT. KNEW THAT.

IT JUST STARTED. IT IS A HOLIDAY AND TRADITION IN ASIAN COMMUNITIES AND CELEBRATED ANNUALLY AT THE MANGUM-HOWELL COMMUNITY CENTER.

IT IS A TRADITION DATING BACK TO THE 14TH SEN -- CENTURY BC BRINGING FAMILIES TOGETHER WITH FOOD AND COLORFUL FESTIVITIES. CELEBRATIONS, DANCE CLASSES AND EXERCISE CLASSES AND ART CLASSES AND FIELD TRIPS ALLOW THE LOCAL ASIAN COMMUNITY AT THE MANGUM-HOWELL CENTER HELPS BETTER UNDERSTAND THE ASIAN CULTURE AND A WONDERFUL WAY TO PRESERVE THE ASIAN TRADITIONS ENTRUSTED TO THE NEXT GENERATION.

WHEREAS PRECINCT 4'S COMMUNITY CENTER ENJOYS CELEBRATING THE CONSTITUENTS IT SERVES AND THE COMMUNITIES SHARED TO THE MANY CLASSES AND PROGRAMS OFFERED, PRECINCT 4 HOSTS ORAGAMI CLASSES -- AND I CAN MAKE A GOOSE, A SWAN -- DANCE CLASSES AND TAI CHI CLASSES AS WELL AS MANY OTHER WONDERFUL PROGRAMS THROUGH THE ASSISTANCE OF OUR ASIAN-AMERICAN FRIENDS AND PARTNERS. PRE SINK 4 IS GRATEFUL TO THOSE WHO SERVE AND TEACH AND PROTECT THE LIVES OF CONSTITUENTS EVERY DAY. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO CELEBRATE THE HERITAGE AND UNSHAKEABLE SPIRIT OF ASIAN-AMERICANS IN OUR COMMUNITY.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES THE LUNAR NEW YEAR AND THE INFLUENCE OF THE ASIAN CULTURE AT THE MANGUM-HOWELL COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYING A PART IN PRESERVING THE ASIAN CULTURE NOT ONLY PRECINCT 4, BUT THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY AND THE SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES. CONGRATULATIONS.

DO YOU WANT TO SAY SOMETHING? >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MY NEXT ONE IS A RESOLUTION FOR

[00:20:02]

DON'T TELL TOO MANY SECRETS, WHAT I WAS HOGGING AT YOUR EVENT.

WE ARE HERE TODAY, YOUR HONOR. IN THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA IS DEDICATED TO BLACK HISTORY MONTH AND HAS BEEN OFFICIALLY RECOGNIZED BY EACH PRESIDENT SINCE 1976. I SHOULD HAVE YOU READ THIS.

YOU READ IT EVERY YEAR SO WELL. WHEREAS BLACK HISTORY MONTH IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO RECOGNIZE THE CENTRAL ROLE OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND THEIR COUNTLESS CONTRIBUTIONS IN MAKING AMERICA GREAT. PRECINCT 4'S OWN MAGNUM-HOWELL'S COMMUNITY CENTER PLAYED A PART IN SHAPING OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY INCLUDING COMMUNITY CENTER BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE IN 2004.

Y'ALL WERE JUST CHILDREN AT THE TIME. WITH ITS FOCUS BEING TO PRESERVE AND SHARE THE RICH TRADITIONS OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN OUR PRECINCT. AND WHEREAS IT IS A JOY TO THANK ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF MANGUM-HOWELL WHO VOLUNTEER IN A NUMBER OF ROLES AND SERVE ON THE BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE.

THE PRECINCT IS THANKFUL TO THOSE WHO SERVE, TEACH, PROTECT AND SAVE THE LIVES OF CONSTITUANTS EVERY DAY. IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO SHARE THE HERITAGE AND SPIRIT OF AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN OUR COMMUNITY. THEREFORE BE IT RE RESOLVED THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES THE MANGUM-HOWELL BLACK HISTORY COMMITTEE FOR PLAYING A ROLE IN CELEBRATING AFRICAN-AMERICAN HISTORY AND CULTURE IN OUR LOCAL COMMUNITIES. CONGRATULATIONS. [APPLAUSE].

>> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS RECOMMENDATION ON THIS MORNING. WE ARE THE BLACK HERITAGE COMMITTEE, AND WE PROUDLY OBSERVE OUR HERITAGE 365 DAYS OF THE YEAR.

BUT IN FEBRUARY WE HAVE ONE PARTICULAR DAY IN WHICH WE OBSERVE OUR HERITAGE.

IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND FROM WHICH YOU'VE COME AND AREAS THAT WERE CROSSED OVER, YOU ARE BOUND TO MAKE ERRORS AGAIN, AND WE DON'T INTEND TO DO THAT.

WE WANT EVERYONE -- AND OUR BLACK HERITAGE DAY IS MULTI-ETHNIC.

WE OBSERVE BLACK HERITAGE AND ARE PROUD OF WHAT THE BLACKS HAVE DONE.

IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THE INFORMATON, I SUGGEST YOU LOOK AT THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF

THE BLACKS IN AMERICA. THANK YOU AGAIN. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, A LOT OF THE STUFF THEY COOK THAT ARE MY FAVORITES, I KNOW THAT YOU CAN'T EAT, BUT IF YOU TALK NICELY TO ME, I MIGHT INVITE

YOU TO SOME OF THE STUFF THEY COOK THAT YOU CAN EAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY ALWAYS SET A LITTLE ASIDE FOR ME TOO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER, ELLIS, YOU HAVE

A RESOLUTION AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO COMMITTED HER LIFE TO THOSE WHO WERE SEXUALLY ABUSED. THE RESOLUTION SAYS ELAINE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION FOR 39 YEARS. SHE SPENT THE LAST 20 YEARS AS AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER.

SHE SERVED WITH INTEGRITY AND PROFESSIONALISM. WHEREAS ELAINE HAS DEVELOPED EXTENSIVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE ORGANIZATIONS OF HARRIS COUNTY WE WILL PROVIDE FUNDING FOR A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP ALLOWING THE CENTER TO THRIVE HELPING SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN IN THE COUNTY. UNDER HER LEADERSHIP THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER HAS GROWN TO 54 PARTNER AGENCIES AND SERVES APPROXIMATELY 5,000 CHILDREN A YEAR. SHE WILL CONTINUE IN A LEADERSHIP ROLE AT THE CENTER AS A DONOR ADVISER AND WORKING WITH THE FOUNDATION TO ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE VITAL DONOR RELATIONSHIPS THAT SHE HELPED DEVELOP OVER 39 YEARS. WHEREAS ELAINE WILL BE DEEPLY MISSED BY COLLEAGUES AND

[00:25:01]

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]. >> THANK YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND JUDGE AND OTHER COMMISSIONERS. I APPRECIATE EVERYTHING. IT HAS BEEN A TRUE PRIVILEGE FOR ME TO WORK FOR ALL OF YOU THESE PAST 20 YEARS. I SINCERELY -- I HOPE YOU KNOW AND APPRECIATE THAT THE CHILDREN'S ASSESSMENT CENTER COULD NOT BE WHAT IT IS WITHOUT YOUR SUPPORT IN OUR INNOVATIVE PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

TODAY JOINING ME I KNOW I HAVE SOME OF OUR BOARD MEMBERS. GERALD CAMPBELL IS HERE AS WELL AS OUR STAFF, A LOT OF OUR STAFF MEMBERS. IF YOU CAN JUST HOLDUP YOUR HANDS. [APPLAUSE]. THEY DO WORK EVERY SINGLE DAY ON BEHALF OF SEXUALLY ABUSED CHILDREN, AND I WANT ALL OF US TO KNOW AND APPRECIATE WHAT A DIFFERENCE WE HAVE MADE FOR SO MANY FAMILIES AND CHILD VICTIMS OF CRIME BECAUSE OF OUR PARTNERSHIP. I ALSO HAVE MY HUSBAND OF 37 YEARS, MIKE, WITH ME.

WE HAVE FOUR AMAZING KIDS AND THEY ARE ALL OVER THE PLACE. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, I AM MOVING ON TO HELP THE FOUNDATION, BUT ALSO NOW HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN.

A LITTLE BOY THAT WAS BORN SIX MONTHS AGO LAWSON AND ELAINA WAS BORN TWO DAYS AGO.

SHE IS COMING HOME FROM THE HOSPITAL TODAY. WE ARE VERY EXCITED.

THANK YOU. >> WELL DONE. WELL DONE AND THANK YOU.

>> ELAINE, I AM STRUGGLING WITH THIS, BUT I AM SO GRATEFUL JUST BECAUSE OVER THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE YOUR WORKUP CLOSE AND ALWAYS IMPRESSED WITH THE ATTENTION YOU GIVE THESE BABIES THAT REGRETFULLY COME YOUR WAY. THEY LEAVE MORE AS A FAMILY THAN AS A CLIENT. WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR WHAT YOU HAVE DONE AS THE TIP OF THE SPEAR, IF YOU WILL AND THANKFUL FOR THE PHENOMENAL WORK YOU YOU -- YOU HAVE DONE THAT WILL KEEP THE ELAINE STULTIE BRAND WELL IN THE ORGANIZATION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, THANK YOU. CARRIE MCCR L.A.

>> CARRIE MCCRACKEN IS AMAZING. >> I APPRECIATE ALL OF YOUR WORK TO CONTINUE THE VISION. WITHOUT YOU, WHERE WOULD WE BE?

>> I KNOW. [INAUDIBLE]. >> I KNOW.

IT IS REALLY AN AMAZING PLACE. [INAUDIBLE].

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU. >> ELAINE, I TOO WANT TO THANK YOU. OF COURSE YOU ARE RIGHT DOWN THE STREET FROM WHERE I LIVE SO WE CAN STOP BY AND THEY WERE VISIONARY TO CHOOSE THAT LOCATION.

YOU DID SUCH A GREAT JOB OF DEVELOPING SUCH PARTNERSHIPS AND A GREAT DONOR FOR FOLKS NEGLECTED IT SO OFTEN. I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T THANK YOUR FAMILY.

IT HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS SACRIFICE. I AM GLAD YOU ARE GOING TO HANG AROUND. YOU PUT A SUCCESSION PLAN IN PLACE.

OFTEN PEOPLE DON'T DO THAT WHEN PUT IN YOUR POSITION. YOU ARE LEAVING IT IN GOOD HANDS AND I'M GLAD YOU WILL BE AROUND TO HELP MENTOR THAT NEXT GENERATION.

THANK YOU AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS ON WHAT YOU

HAVE DONE. [APPLAUSE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GET SOME PICTURES.

[00:38:29]

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. YOU WERE MOVING WITH THE PAPER.

[00:38:44]

[Item III]

IN THAT CASE THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED. IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 BUDGET AS PRESENTED FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT?

>> SECOND. >> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S OPEN THE PUBLIC

[00:40:08]

IS THERE A MOTION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 BUDGET AS PRESENTED FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT? IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET.

FOLKS HAVE ANY SPEAKERS ON THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET? I SEE HERE A FEW SPEAKERS.

SO LET'S START WITH OLGA WATKINS, DIEDRE SCOTT, DIANA WILLIAMS, WILFORD YOUNG.

GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS OLGA WATT QUINTS AND I AM -- WATKINS AND I AM A MEMBER FOR TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. I AM SPEAKING AGAINST THE D.A.'S REQUEST FOR MORE PROSECUTORS. CONSIDERING THAT SHE SAID SHE IS NO LONGER PROSECUTING MARIJUANA MISDEMEANORS HER OFFICE'S CASE LOAD IS THERE BY REDUCED BY MORE THAN 6,000 PER YEAR SO SHE SHOULD NEED FEWER PROSECUTORS.

RATHER, THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WOULD BE BETTER SPENT ON PROGRAMS TO KEEP PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL. PARTICULARLY OUR HOMELESS PEOPLE.

10 DAYS AGO I LISTENED TO AN OFFICER TALKING TO A HOMELESS MAN ON MY STREET.

THE MAN HAD TAKEN AN OUT GOING ITEM OF MAIL, A FLAT LETTER-SIZED ENVELOPE THAT HAD BEEN HANGING FROM A MAILBOX. WHILE KEEPING HIS HAND ON HIS GUN, THE OFFICER WAS ASKING HIM OVER AND OVER AGAIN WHY HE HAD TAKEN IT. OF COURSE THERE IS NO ANSWER TO THAT. THERE WAS PRECISELY 0 PERCENT CHANCE OF THERE BEING ANYTHING OF VALUE TO THE MAN IN THAT ENVELOPE. I'M SURE THAT THE ACT WAS ONE OF PURE IMPULSE. THE SECOND OFFICER ARRIVED AND DEMANDED THE MAN'S FINGERPRINTS. APPARENTLY THE PRINTS DIDN'T WORK AND THE MAN WAS PUSHED AGAINST THE PATROL CAR, SEARCHED, HAPPENED CUFF -- HANDCUFFED AND PUT INTO THE CAR. THE FIRST OFFICER THEN ASKED WHAT I WANTED.

WELL, OF COURSE, KEEPING HIS HAND ON HIS GUN. I TOLD HIM IT WOULDN'T HAVE HURT HIM TO HAVE TREATED THE MAN KINDLY. HE CLAIMED NOT TO KNOW WHAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT. WHAT IS TO BE GAINED BY ARRESTING A DESTITUTE MAN FOR A STUPID, IMPULSIVE THEFT OF AN ITEM OF NO VALUE? WAS HE FINED AND RELEASED? NEVER TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE FINE? THE FINE WILL INCREASE UNTIL HE IS PICKED UP AGAIN AND THROWN IN JAIL. ISN'T THIS WHAT HAPPENS IN HOUSTON TO HOMELESS PEOPLE FOR SLEEPING PLACES THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO OR RIDE THE TRAIN WITHOUT A TICKET? WHAT'S THE POINT? DOES IT MAKE THE STREETS SAFER? WHO WOULD SCARE YOU MORE? A HOMELESS PERSON OR A MAN WITH A HAND ON HIS GUN? LET'S USE A FEW OF THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THE D.A.

WANTS TO TEACH OUR POLICE OFFICERS ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS THAT MAKE SENSE WHEN INDIGENT PEOPLE DO THOUGHTLESS THINGS. PRISON DOES NOT MAKE SENSE AND NEITHER DOES ARRESTING SOMEBODY WHO CAN'T BUY A DOLLAR AND A QUARTER TRAIN TICKET.

IT IS MORE THAN NONSENSE. IT IS INHUMANE. LET'S FOLLOW CITIES LIKE PORTLAND AND SEATTLE AND THEIR INNER -- AND MAKE INNER CITY TRANSPORTATION FREE OR STOP ARRESTING THOSE WHO CANNOT PAY. AND LET'S HIRE MORE SOCIAL WORKERS FOR NEW PROGRAMS DEALING WITH MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MYRIAD OF OTHER PROBLEMS

THAT HOMELESS PEOPLE FACE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: DIEDRE SCOTT, DIANA WILLIAMS, WILFORD YOUNG, SINECA MCKEAN, ANGELA

JOHNSON AND CHRISTIAN CABALLERO. >> GOOD MORNING.

[00:45:03]

I AM HERE TODAY TO URGE THE COURT TO WAIT FOR THE DEPARTMENT STUDY BEFORE MAKING ANY DECISIONS ON FINDING -- FUNDING FOR MORE STAFF AND PROSECUTORS.

LOOKING WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT TO DETERMINE HOW THE OFFICE CAN GAIN EFFICIENCY SHOULD BE THE PRIORITY. NOT ADDING STAFF TO AN OFFICE WITH CHALLENGES.

THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT CAN BE DONE. THE PROCESSING -- THE PROCESS FOR THE FILING OF CHARGES SHOULD BE LOOKED AT. IT SHOULD BEHELD HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FILE TIMELY AND ACCURATE PAPERWORK TO AVOID DELAYS IN PROCESSING.

WORKING WITH THE COUNTY CLERK OFFICE AND REVISING THE D.A.'S CURRENT POLICY ON HANDLING MISDEMEANOR CASES. WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF CITE AND RELEASE WHICH WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT HAPPENING HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY, THERE SHOULD NOT BE A REQUIREMENT FOR THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO GET A CALL FROM LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR THE PROSECUTOR TO REVIEW IT TO SAY YAY OR NAY ON A CASE. AND THEN TO LOOK AT THE OVERALL ORGANIZATION OF THE PROSECUTOR WORKLOAD, THE NEED FOR MORE OF THE CURRENT STAFFING AT PEAK TIMES OF THE DAY IS A START TO EFFICIENCY. STAFFING THE D.A. OFFICE WITH MORE PROSECUTORS IS NOT GONNA MAKE HARRIS COUNTY SAFER. HAVING AN EFFICIENTLY-RUN D.A. OFFICE WITH STAFF EQUIPPED WITH THE BEST TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY AND BEING WELL TRAINED IS GONNA CREATE A

SAFER COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> GOOD MORNING, EVERYONE. I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF TOP, THE TOP ORGANIZATION WE ARE HERE. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO

COME HERE TODAY TO SPEAK. WE ALSO HAVE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU STATE

YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD. >> YES, MY NAME IS SENECA MCCLAIN.

WE WANT TO TALK IN REGARDS TO THE INCREASE IN PROSECUTORS. WE DON'T FEEL THERE IS A NEED FOR IT. WE ALSO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A CORRELATION IN THE RESOURCES AND THE PROGRAMS. SPECIFICALLY I WANT TO SAY THAT IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM WE HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS FOR TOO MANY YEARS. MYSELF, WHAT I DID 40 YEARS AGO, I LEARNED TO LOVE. -- LEARNED THE LAW. I SAID I COULDN'T BE THE SMARTEST PERSON IN THE ROOM, BUT I HAD TO KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON.

SO WE, THE PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM, WE KNOW. WE KNOW THE RULES.

WE KNOW THE POLICIES. WE KNOW THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE. WE KEEP GOING AROUND IN CIRCLES AND NO PROGRESS IS BEING MADE. WE HAVE TO ASK OURSELVES WHAT CAN WE DO TO REALLY MAKE A CHANGE? NOT BANDAID THE PROBLEM.

I WENT TO PRISON FOR A CRIME I DIDN'T COMMIT. I SPENT 24 YEARS OF MY LIFE IN THE HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. THEY SENT ME THERE.

THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, COURT-UH POINTED -- COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY AND DIDN'T HAVE A JURY TRIAL. QUITE A BIG PART OF MY LIFE IMPACTED MY CHILDREN, MY GRANDKIDS AND EVERYBODY ELSE. SO WHEN ARE WE EVER GONNA SAY ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND END THIS MADNESS BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE. 1979 I WENT TO PRISON.

2020, NOTHING HAS CHANGED. LIFE IS A PROGRESSION. YOU SAY CHANGE AND I SAY PROGRESSION. THAT'S IS WHAT LIFE GIVES YOU.

IT WILL PROGRESS, BUT IT IS NOT NECESSARILY A CHANGE. WE ARE STILL GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING FOR 200 YEARS. WITH THAT, I WILL LEAVE IT TO ONE OF MY OTHER COLLEAGUES TO

SPEAK. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> MY NAME IS ANGELA JOHNSON AND I AM A REPRESENTATIVE OF TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT WHICH IS KNOWN TO MANY AS TOP. I COME TODAY TO SPEAK ON SOME THINGS THAT IS VERY IMPORTANT. I AM PROUD OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I DO BACK MY BROTHERS IN BLUE. HOWEVER, TODAY MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE MONEY BEING ASKED FOR FOR MORE PROSECUTORS, THAT'S NOT WHAT WE NEED. WE NEED MONEY PUT BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY. WE NEED MONEY FOR MORE OFFICER TRAINING.

THEY CAN BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN THE COMMUNITY AND THE CITIZENS AND THE POLICE BECAUSE THEY ARE OUT THERE ON THE FRONT LINES. WE ARE IN THE COMMUNITY.

WE ARE SEEING THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON. MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, PEOPLE THAT NEED RECOVERY, BUT THEY ARE BEING INCARCERATED. NOT BECAUSE OUR OFFICERS DON'T

[00:50:01]

THEY ARE ONLY THERE TO ENFORCE THE LAW, BUT THE MONEY YOU KEEP PUTTING THERE, WHY PUTTING $5 MILLION MORE DOLLARS INTO A BUDGET FOR SOMEONE WHO HAS NOT DONE WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THE FIRST TIME? WE NEED THAT MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE THAT -- WE HAVE SO MANY PEOPLE INCARCERATED RIGHT NOW DUE TO MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES BECAUSE THERE IS NOWHERE FOR THEM TO GO. PLACES IN AUSTIN, TEXAS -- I'M SORRY. THE MEADOWS MENTAL HEALTH INSTITUTE RECOMMENDED SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT IN AUSTIN. IT COST 2.8 MILLION A YEAR.

LET'S THINK ABOUT THIS. HOUSTON IS BIGGER, MUCH BIGGER. SO IT IS GONNA TAKE DOUBLE THE AMOUNT OF MONEY TO EVEN GET THE PROGRAM STARTED, BUT WE CAN'T DO THAT IF WE KEEP PUTTING MONEY INTO PROSECUTORS VERSUS TRYING TO HELP THE CITIZENS.

INDIGENT PEOPLE ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD TO GET OUT.

THEY ARE THERE BECAUSE THEY CANNOT AFFORD THE TREATMENT. SO WHY NOT -- WHY NOT OUR COUNTY TAKE THE MONIES SHE IS ASKING FOR AND PUT IT BACK INTO OUR CITIZENS AND TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE DEEM AS INDIGENT AND CAN'T AFFORD TO DO IT THEMSELVES? THAT'S WHAT'S IMPORTANT. THE SYSTEM -- SAFEST COMMUNITIES ARE NOT THOSE THAT ARE MOST -- THAT HAVE THE MOST PROSECUTORS, POLICE OFFICERS OR JAILS.

IT IS THE COMIEPT -- COMMUNITY THAT HAS THE MOST RESOURCES. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. [APPLAUSE]. >> THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA CONSTITUTION STATES THAT BE HAVE A RIGHT FOR A SPEEDY TRIAL.

ACCORDING TO THE JUDICIAL RECORDS OF HARRIS COUNTY, IT IS NOT FEASIBLE TO ATTAIN THIS. IF THE D.A. SAYS YOU CANNOT PROSECUTE THE CASES ON THE DOCKET NOW, WHY GIVE THEM MORE TO PUT MORE PROSECUTORS IF SHE IS NOT WILLING TO GIVE THE NUMBER OF CASES. THERE ARE PEOPLE SITTING IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL FOR SIX MONTHS OR MORE TODAY THAT HAVE NOT BEEN SEEN BY THE JUDGE. THERE MAY BE A NEED FOR MORE PROSECUTORS, BUT THERE IS A DEFINITE NUMBER OF CASES THAT NEED TO BE TRIED.

HOW WOULD THE TAXPAYERS KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER OF PROSECUTORS ARE NEEDED FOR THE

DISTRICT ATTORNEY? THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> HI I AM HERE TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF TEXAS APPLE SEED. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME COMMENTS IN REGARD TO THE D.A.'S BUDGET REQUEST FOR MORE PROSECUTORS.

WE STRONGLY FEEL THAT HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD NOT INVEST IN MORE PROSECUTOR THAT'S HAVE BEEN DIRECTLY LINKED IN THE RESEARCH OF MASS INCARCERATION.

INSTEAD HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD INVEST IN DYE VERSION PROGRAMS AND MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMS AND SUBSTANCE-BASED PROGRAMS. HARRIS COUNTY SHOULD REDUCE FINES AND FEES TO RUN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM AND REDUCE GENERAL REVENUE TO REPLACE THESE FEES.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM OFTEN CHARGES EVEN LOW INCOME RESIDENTS FOR DIVERSION PROGRAMS AND DRUG TESTING AND MUCH MORE. THE COUNTY SHOULD PAY THE COST OF COURSES OFTEN REQUIRED DURING PROBATION WHETHER THAT BE ANGER MANAGEMENT, PARENTING AND OTHER FEES CHARGED UNDER A COURT PROVISION. THE COUNTY SHOULD FUND THE JUSTICE SYSTEM RATHER THAN RELY ON PEOPLE BEING PROSECUTED TO PAY FOR IT.

SOME SPECIFIC PROGRAMS WHERE THAT MONEY COULD BE ALLOCATED ELSEWHERE IS TO EXPAND THE CURRENT CRISIS INTERVENTION RESPONSE TEAMS AND BE AVAILABLE 24/7 AND FOR A WIDER RANGE OF EMERGENCY CALLS. THE CRT, CENTRAL TRAINED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND CALLS THAT INVOLVE MENTAL HEALTH CALLS OR SUBSTANCE ABUSE ISSUES, BUT ONLY 9 MAKE UP CRT'S TO DATE. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER IN AUSTIN THEY RECOMMEND THAT PROGRAM TO BE EXPANDED WHICH WOULD COST AT LEAST 2.8 MILLION, BUT IN HARRIS COUNTY IT WOULD COST MUCH MORE. TAKING THAT INTO ACCOUNT OF FUNDING THAT APPROPRIATELY. ANOTHER PROGRAM IS EXPANDING EVIDENCE-BASED SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FOR COUNTY RESIDENTS. THIS INCLUDES ENSURING THAT

[00:55:01]

ANOTHER PROGRAM THAT COULD BE INVESTED IN AND IMPROVED MORE SO IS TO IMPLEMENT A REDESIGN OF THE CITATION FORMS AND A TEXT MESSAGE REMINDER SYSTEM FOR THE NEWLY ANNOUNCED CITE AND RELEASE PROGRAM. STUDY SHOWS FAILURES TO APPEAR CAN BE DRAMATICALLY REDUCED BY PROVIDING INFORMATION CLEARLY IN THE FORMS AND REMINDERS ABOUT COURT DATES FOR THOSE WHO RECEIVED A CITATION OR SUMMONS. WE STRONGLY URGE HARRIS COUNTY TO ALLOCATE THE BUDGET REQUEST FROM PROSECUTES ELSEWHERE AND CREATE A BETTER ACCESS FOR THE NECESSARY RESOURCES AND ELIMINATE THE CYCLE OF DEBT AND INVOLVEMENT WITH THE

CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> HELLO. MY NAME IS MONIQUE JOSEPH AND HERE ON BEHALF OF TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. THEY ARE RECEIVED 7.8 MILLION OVER THE COURSE OF LAST YEAR.

THE OFFICE HAS A RECORD OF MORE THAN 3,000 CASES FROM HER OFFICE THAT WERE DISMISSED BASED ON NOT HAVING PROBABLE CAUSE. THE OFFICE HAS A RECORD OF MORE THAN 3,000 CASES FROM HER OFFICE THAT WAS DISMISSED DUE TO LACK OF PROBABLE CAUSE.

IF SHE BETTER PRIORITIZED HER FUNDS, THEN SHE WOULDN'T BE IN THIS PREDICAMENT.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THE FUNDS SHE ALREADY HAS TO BE USED PROPERLY.

WE ALSO MAY HEAR THAT SHE NEEDS IT FOR STAFFING AND INFRASTRUCTURE.

FOR CITE AND RELEASE. LET ME REMIND YOU WHAT JUDGE JORDAN, A CRIMINAL COURT LAW JUDGE WAS QUOTED AS SAYING, THE ONLY DIFFERENCE HERE IS THAT INSTEAD OF ARRESTING PEOPLE THEY ARE GETTING CITATIONS. WHY WOULD YOU SAY WE NEED MORE PROSECUTORS FOR THAT? WHAT ASSURANCES K YOU ALL -- CAN YOU ALL GIVE US THAT THIS MONEY WILL NOT BE USED TO HIRE MORE PROSECUTORS TO INCARCERATE MORE PEOPLE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

SPEAKERS ON THE HARRIS COUNTY BUDGET? >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T YOU APPROACH THE MIC. >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT ISSUE DID YOU SIGN UP FOR? >> IT IS GOING TO FALL IN LINE WITH APPLE SEED AND THE YOUNG LEAD.

YOUNG LADY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR NAME? >> DEMITRIUS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SHE SIGNED UP ON A NONAGENDA-RELATED ITEM. >> IT IS DEFINITELY RELATED.

IT IS DEFINITELY RELATED TO YOUR BUDGET FOR SURE. >> I THINK IT IS APPROPRIATE

TO TALK NOW. >> ALL RIGHT. WE NEED TO STOP THAT CLOCK,

RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: JUST STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION.

>> I AM DEMITRIUS AND ON BEHALF OF THE ANTI-POVERTY COALITION AS WELL.

I AM THE FOUNDER OF THE FOUNDATION. I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT A FEW THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THE OFFICE AS WELL. I AM RIGHT NOW TODAY A DEFENDANT ON A FALSE ARREST THAT HAPPENED IN OCTOBER. I AM HONESTLY GLAD BECAUSE I CAN WALK THROUGH THE PROCESS AND SEE WHAT THE PROCESS LOOKS LIKE FOR OTHER PEOPLE.

WITH THAT BEING SAID PC WAS NOT ESTABLISHED BY ME. AN ARRAIGNMENT HAS NOT BEEN DONE AND IT HAS BEEN FOUR MONTHS. ALSO, YOU HAVE 90 DAY PHOS ARE A SPEEDY TRIAL, BUT IT IS A MISDEMEANOR SO WE ARE PAST THE 90-DAY PERIOD.

SO I HAVE LEARNED THAT -- I LEARNED HOW THE COUNTY WORKS. WHEN YOU ARRAIGN PEOPLE, THAT CLOCK STARTS. SO YOU HAVE 90 DAYS FOR A MISDEMEANOR AND 286 DAYS FOR A FELONY. THEY CONTINUE ON TO GET THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS TO HELP PROSECUTE WITH THE PROSECUTOR. I UNDERSTAND HARRIS COUNTY ACTUALLY PAYS THE PROSECUTOR, BUT YOU ALSO PAY THE COURT-UH POINTED ATTORNEYS TO DEFEND US. THERE IS NO WAY TO DO THAT. THERE IS A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. THAT MEANS THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WILL DRAG YOU ON MONTHS AFTER MONTHS AFTER MONTHS AND MONTHS AND GIVE YOU RECESS AFTER RECESS AFTER RECESS. PEOPLE HAVE PENDING CHARGES AND WHEN THEY GET PENDING CHARGES THEY CAN'T GET JOBS AND CAN'T RENEW THEIR LICENSE AND CAN'T GET A PLACE TO STAY UNLESS THE ISSUES ARE RESOLVED. WE NO LONGER WANT RECESS.

WE CAN'T A CAP ON RECESS SO PEOPLE CAN GET BACK TO THEIR LIVES.

WE HAVE OTHER EXAMPLES IN HERE, BUT AGAIN THEY DO NOT ESTABLISH PC.

I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY HARRIS COUNTY EVEN TRIED TO CONSIDER FILLING THE OFFICE.

[01:00:02]

THIS IS OUR MONEY. THIS IS THE TAXPAYERS' MONEY. ALL OF THOSE -- IT IS NOT COMING OUT OF OUR POCKET PHYSICALLY, BUT YOU CONTROL OUR MONEY.

THAT BEING SAID, PUT A CAP ON PAYING THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS.

SEE THE WORKFORCE. PUT AN OVER SIGHT COMMITTEE THERE AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ACTUALLY DEFENDING THE CLIENT OR THEY NEED TO GET OUT THE BUSINESS AND LET US REPRESENT OURSELVES AS WELL AND ON TOP OF THAT YOU HAVE A LOT OF THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WHO DON'T WANT TO REMOVE THEMSELVES OFF THE CASE BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WILL FUEL THEM. IF YOU DON'T DO NOTHING, YOU ARE A PART OF THIS PROBLEM.

I AM GONNA DROP MY COURT-APPOINTED NAME. N-E-L-L-L-U-S, LAMBERT.

DO NOT PAY HER ANOTHER PAYCHECK. IF I GO AND SHE IS THERE AND

SHE IS PART OF THE PROBLEM. I AM DEMITRIUS SMITH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> GOOD MORNING. I AM CAROL BAKER AND AN ADVOCATE FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND I AM A MEMBER FOR JUSTICE AND COME BEFORE YOU BECAUSE I HAVE A QUESTION.

MY QUESTION IS DOES HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOY ATTORNEYS AS COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT AND SUPPORT THE DEFENDANT OR TO IMPLICIT BIAS WITHIN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM THUS CAUSING VIOLATIONS OF ONE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS? AFTER LOOKING OVER COURT VIOLATIONS AND OPINIONS CHARGED -- PENDING CHARGES AGAINST ME, THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY WHICH WAS FILED IN SEPTEMBER FALSE UNDER VIOLATIONS OF MY 6TH AMENDMENT RIGHTS. IT STATES THE CITIZENS' RIGHTS TO EFFECTIVE COUNCIL.

THESE ARE THE VIOLATIONS. IN FIVE MONTHS IN COURT NO INFORMATION FORM HAS FILED WITH THE COMPLAINT. NO PC HEARING AFTER 48 HOURS AND NO ARRAIGNMENT AND NO SET DATE IN THE SYSTEM AFTER FIVE MONTHS. ONLY RESETS WITHOUT CAUSE.

I HAVE HAD FIVE RESETS. NO PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT FOUND WITH A CHARGING INSTRUMENT. NO MAGISTRATE SIGNATURE OR DATE ON THE CHARGIG TREUMENT -- INSTRUMENT WHICH IS DEEM EDDIE EFFECTIVE. I HAVE THE INSTRUMENT IN MY HAND. YOU CAN SEE THE SIGNATURE AND THERE IS NO DATE AT THE BOTTOM.

YOU CAN PASS THIS AROUND. NO MOTIONS HAVE BEEN FILED BY THIS COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY TO DISMISS THIS CASE. MY 6TH AMENDMENT RIGHT SAYS THAT I HAVE THE RIGHT TO EFFECTIVE COUNSEL, AND MY ATTORNEY HAS SHOWN TO BE EFFECT -- EFFECTIVE.

THE ATTORNEY HAS OFFERED ME NO PLEA DEAL, HAS OFFERED ME A PLEA DEAL WHEN I AM CLEARLY INNOCENT. SHE HASN'T EVEN ASKED FOR DISCOVERY.

NO MOTIONS HAVE BEEN FILED BY THE COURT OR APPOINTED ATTORNEY TO DISMISS THIS CHARGE. AND SO I ASK YOU TODAY HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO LET THIS CASE BE RESET? THIS IS EATING UP THE TAXPAYER'S MONEY.

AS A SURVIVOR I HAVE OTHER THINGS TO DO GETTING MY LIFE BACK ON TRACK.

THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM HAS CAUSED TRAUMA IN MY LIFE. HOMELESSNESS FOR ONE.

IT IS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO GET HOUSING WITHIN THE CITY OF HOUSTON WITH A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND. MIGHT I ADD ALSO THAT THIS CHARGE IS ALSO ON MY CRIMINAL BACKGROUND AND THERE HAS BEEN NO CONVICTION. MY QUESTION STILL STANDS, DOES HARRIS COUNTY AS COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS TO REPRESENT DEFENDANT OR

IMPLICIT BIAS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER, CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE SHERIFF IS HERE TODAY. IF YOU WOULD HAVE SOMEBODY IN HIS OFFICE VISIT WITH YOU BECAUSE I THINK HE WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH SOMEONE NOT USING THE APPROPRIATE FORCE IN THE PROCESS HE WOULD LIKE TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF IT.

SHERIFF, IF YOU WOULD HAVE SOME -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, CAN

WE -- THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA -- >> I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU CAN

[01:05:02]

REFER A SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> MY NAME IS KIMBERLY GREEN AND I WAS CHARGED WITH A CASE IN 2007. I BLATANTLY DID NOT DO.

MY BIGGEST QUESTION TO ALL OF YOU GUYS IS WHEN DID DUE PROCESS BECOME AN -- SO ELUSIVE TO THE CITIZENS YOU HAVE SWORN TO PROTECT? LIKE WHEN DID THAT HAPPEN? I WENT THROUGH -- BASICALLY I GOT CHARGED WITH THEFT -- FELONY THEFT CHARGES FOR FOOD STAMPS. I WENT THROUGH THE PROCESS OF APPLYING FOR FOOD STAMPS AND WAS APPROVED NO PROBLEM. THEY CHARGED ME WITH THEFT -- FELONY THEFT CHARGES AND THEN THE PAPERWORK -- WHEN I LOOKED AT THE PAPERWORK IT SAYS THE STATE OF TEXAS VERSUS KIMBERLY GREEN. THE STATE OF TEXAS IS NOT A PERSON SO THERE IS NO ACTUAL PERSON TO CROSS-EXAMINE MINUTE ON THE STAND. HOW CAN I ASK FOR A TRIAL IF THERE IS NO ONE TO SET A TRIAL WITH? FROM THE MINUTE I WAS -- FROM THE MINUTE THAT THE COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER TALKED TO ME I TOLD HER I WAS INNOCENT. I TOLD HER ALL THAT INFORMATION.

I TOLD HER I WANTED A TRIAL. I NEVER GOT THAT. SHE RESET IT FOR A WHOLE YEAR, AN ENTIRE YEAR. I CAN'T GET A JOB. I HAVE A SIX-MONTH-OLD BABY.

COULDN'T TAKE CARE OF HER. I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF MY MOM AND I CAN'T DO NONE OF THAT.

WHERE IS THE INTENT ON A FIRST OFFENSE, YET IRRESPECTIVELY DETERMINED BY STATING MY RIGHTS AND LIABILITY HAVE BEEN CREATED FOR ME INSTEAD OF PROVING WITHOUT A REASONABLE DOUBT. THERE WAS NO INTENT. I NEVER COMMITTED A CRIME BEFORE IN MY LIFE. WHERE IS THE INTENT? EXPLAIN THAT TO ME? NO PROBABLE CAUSE AFFIDAVIT BY THE JUDGE GIVING RISE TO THE ELEMENTS PRESENTED.

NONE. IT IS NOT IN THERE. IT DOESN'T EXIST.

IT USUALLY EQUALS NO CRIME. MY 5TH, 6TH AMENDMENTS ARE VIOLATED.

WHERE IS THE DUE PROCESS? THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE FILED. WHERE IS IT? SHOW IT TO ME. I HAVE BEEN ASKING THESE QUESTIONS SINCE 2007.

I CAN'T GET A JOB. MY LIFE -- I HAVE BEEN HOMELESS WITH A KID AND A 68-YEAR-OLD WOMAN BECAUSE OF ALL OF THESE THINGS THAT Y'ALL ARE OVER LOOKING.

I GET WHERE YOU STAND, BUT I AM A CITIZEN. I AM A TAX PAYING CITIZEN.

I HAD A CAREER. I DON'T HAVE THAT ANYMORE. I CAN'T GO BACK TO WHAT I KNOW. HAVE I TO RECREET -- RECREET 80 MYSELF BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU Y'ALL CHOSE. I DIDN'T GET DUE PROCESS. IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW, THE FOOD STAMPS ARE NOT THE PROPERTY OWNED BY THE STATE. I PAY TAXES FAITHFULLY.

SO THESE FUNDS COME FROM TAXPAYERS. BUT IT WAS STATED THAT THE STATE PROVIDES THESE THINGS. MY PAPERWORK STATED THAT WITH INTENT TO FILE A COMPLAINT OF THE PROPERTY. BUT WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CRIMINAL RECORDS? WHAT HAPPENED TO CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE? WHAT HAPPENED TO A KNOWING INTENT OF THE CRIME? ONLY ONE OF THESE ELEMENTS WAS EVEN STATED ON THE DOCUMENT.

NONE OF THESE WERE PROVEN WITHOUT A REASONABLE DOUBT. WHEN DO I GET SOME KIND OF WORD IN THIS? I NEVER EVEN SPOKE. I NEVER GOT A CHANCE.

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

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

SINCE YOU WEREN'T LISTED ON THE AGENDA WE CAN'T DIRECTLY RESPOND TO YOU ALL, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSING THE BUDGET AND APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE.

OH, ONE MORE. GO AHEAD, SIR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS JAMES WALLACE, MINISTER JAMES WALLACE. I AM A FORMER CONTRACTOR BY TRADE. JUST RECENTLY I EXPERIENCED SOMETHING I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED IN MY LIFE. I HAD A PROPERTY THAT I WAS WORKING ON, AND THE CLIENT OWED ME ABOUT $75,000 TO COMPLETE THE PROPERTY. I WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY. IN THE MIDST OF THAT HE -- HE THOUGHT HE WOULDN'T PAY ME SO HE WOULD GO THROUGH THE PROCEDURE TO EVICT ME OUT OF THE PROPERTY.

SO WITH THAT I WENT BEFORE THE COURT, FILED MY STUFF AND CAME DOWN TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COURT FOR AN APPEAL BECAUSE THE JUDGE WAS NOT ABLE TO HEAR IT IN PRECINCT 4 BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT. LONG STORY SHORT, THE CLIENT THAT I WAS WORKING FOR OFFICIALLY -- WITH HIS ATTORNEY HAD ME ARRESTED. AS THEY HAD ME ARRESTS ON FALSE ACCUSATIONS ON DIFFERENT THINGS, THEY HAD A 24-HOUR EVICTION NOTICE POSTED ON MY DOOR, AND AS THE YOUNG LADY STATED WITH NO SIGNATURE BY ANYONE.

WITH THAT THEY TOLD ME I HAD 24 HOURS TO LEAVE THE PROPERTY.

I AM AN ORDAINED MINISTER/PROPH. I AM WORKING ON A PROPERTY ACCOMMODATED BY 41,000 PEOPLE. I DO OUT REACH MINISTRY AND WORK WITH PRISON MINISTRY AND ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE AROUND THIS COUNTRY THAT I WORK FOR AND DO THINGS FOR FOR THE

[01:10:06]

I HAVE THEM ALL HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, SHERIFF. >> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I WAS PRESIDENT GOING TO -- I WASN'T GOING TO SPEAK ON THE ISSUE. IT IS AN ISSUE THAT IS CONCERNING FOR ME AND RUNNING THE LARGEST JAIL IN TEXAS THAT THE WHEELS OF JUSTICE SOMETIMES MOVE VERY SLOW.

I WALK THE JAIL TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TRYING TO BE EFFECTIVE AND RUNNING AN OPERATION EFFICIENT, AND IN CURSORY TALKS WITH SOME INDIVIDUALS THERE, WE TALK TO I BELIEVE IT WAS 45 WOMEN THAT ARE CURRENTLY DETAINED, AND ONLY FOUR HAVE SEEN THEIR ATTORNEYS.

YESTERDAY WE WALKED OUR VETERAN'S TANK AND THAT WAS OVERWHELMINGLY THE ISSUE THAT CAME UP THE MOST. ON SOME THEY SAY THEY HAVE TO COME TO COURT BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY SEE THEIR JUDGES, AND SO THERE IS NOT MUCH OVERSIGHT ON THAT.

I THINK ON THE MISDEMEANOR SIDE, THEY ARE MOVING TOWARD MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL.

I AM NOT HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR EITHER SIDE. I JUST THINK WE NEED AN EFFICIENT CRIMINAL JUSTICE BECAUSE IT COSTS MONEY. WHEN IT TAKES YOU TWO WEEKS TO SEE YOUR HOME JUDGE, THE HOME COURT JUDGE, THAT'S MONEY THAT WE ARE SPENDING ON PRE-TRIAL DETENTION THAT DOES PRESIDENT GO TO THE -- DOESN'T GO TO THE OTHER SERVICES.

I AM ONE IN A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. WHEN WE ARE FORCED TO OUT SOURCE AS YOU KNOW AS A FORMER SHERIFF, IT IS NOT BECAUSE WE HAVE A JAIL POPULATION ISSUE.

WE HAVE A CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM ISSUE. MY THING IS ALL PARTIES NEED TO WORK TOGETHER TO RESOLVE THIS. THE ONLY REASON I WAS GOING TO BRING THIS TO YOUR ATTENTION IS BECAUSE Y'ALL ARE THE FUNDING SOURCE TO GET THIS RESOLVED. IT IS NOT ME. I DIDN'T WANT THIS TO CONTINUE TO BE A PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT THE COURT SHUTDOWNS AFTER HARVEY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.

TOO MANY HAVE EXPRESSED, AND WE ASK THEM, AND THEY ARE SITTING THERE.

I TALKED TO A 60-YEAR-OLD INDIVIDUAL YESTERDAY, AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE TIME IT HAS TAKEN TO SEE HIS COURT. WE ARE TRYING TO EXPEDITE THAT, BUT WE ARE ONLY ONE COG. I DIDN'T KNOW THEY WERE GOING TO SPEAK ON THIS, BUT IT IS AN ISSUE THAT AT LEAST DESERVES SOME LOOKING INTO. THAT'S ALL I'M SAYING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, TO WHAT EX EXTENT CAN WE SCAWS THIS?

>> -- DISCUSS THIS? >> IF YOU TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET AND THE COST OF THE

JAIL. IT IS OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS AND GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S BUDGET AND ITEMS ARE ON HERE RELATED TO DABBING I KNOW THEY INCREASED THE AMOUNT GOING TO COURT UH POINTED COUNSEL.

MAYBE IT IS APPROPRIATE IN OUR NEXT CRIMINAL JUSTICE COUNCIL MEETING, I THINK EVERYBODY EXPRESSES AN INTEREST. THE STATE DID OFFER US A GRANT FOR THE MISDEMEANOR JUDGES.

IT TAKES A TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE OTHER JUDGES, THE FELONY JUDGES IN ORDER FOR THEM TO SET UP MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL INSTEAD OF THE JUDGE PICKING THEM.

AND I HAVE BEEN TOLL -- TOLD THERE WERE QUIA -- QUIET CONVERSATIONS AND WE COULD GET THE GRANT EXTENDED INTO BOTH. YOU KNOW, I DON'T WANT TO IMPEDE ON THOSE QUIET CONVERSATIONS THAT ARE GOING ON. I HOPE THEY WILL GET THERE.

I THINK THAT WILL HELP. OBVIOUSLY WHETHER OR NOT A JUDGE USES THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OR THEY WILL UNDER THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT IS SOMETHING UNDER THEIR CONTROL AND NOT OUR CONTROL. WE CAN ONLY ENCOURAGE IT, BUT AT LEAST I THINK IF WE ENCOURAGE OUR JUDGES, FELLOW JUDGES, TO GO AFTER THAT MONEY IT WILL HELP WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES. MAYBE OUR NEXT MEETING, IF YOU CAN FIND FROM QUIET CONVERSATIONS, JUDGE, I THINK WE CAN DO AN URGENCY ALLOCATION TO GET MORE IN

HARRIS COUNTY TO MATCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND OF COURSE SO THAT -- IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE COURT-APPOINTED LAWYERS THAT ARE THE KIND OF THINGS THESE FOLKS ARE COMPLAINING

ABOUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM DMOT -- NOT SAYING ALL ARE BAD.

AT LEAST IT TAKES THE ELEMENT OUT AND MAKES IT INDEPENDENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? AIDE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR LENDING YOUR VOICE TO THIS.

THE PROCESS OF JUSTICE DOESN'T MOVE AS SWIFTLY AS IT SHOULD. I REMEMBER -- I DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS THE CASE, BUT I REMEMBER WHEN WE DO THE COURT RUN WE WERE MOVING BACK THEN

[01:15:06]

RELATED TO THE SAME ISSUES THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS LAID OUT WITH THE BUDGET ASSIGNED TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND ASSIGNED TO THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL, JUDGE, I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING IMPORTANT THAT WE NEED TAKE A LOOK AT AND MAKE SURE THAT THE COMMUNITY -- BECAUSE PART OF WHAT WE WERE HOPING TO ACHIEVE AS WHAT WE HAVE HEARD OVER THE YEARS PAST AND HAVING RECENTLY SEEN THE BRIAN BANKS MOVIE, THERE ARE FOLKS OUT THERE BEING PRESSURED INTO MAKING DECISIONS ABOUT HOW TO GET OUT OF JAIL BY TAKING A PLEA.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE NEED TO HAVE HAPPEN. SO, SHERIFF, I LOOK FORWARD TO

WORKING WITH YOU ON THIS ISSUE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

YES, THE NUMBERS YOU SPOKE ABOUT WHEN YOU WERE THERE IN OFFICE, THOSE NUMBERS HAVEY EVAPORATED WHEN THE HOLDING CELL AT THE OLD BUILDING WAS PLUSH -- FLUSHED 8 WAY.

IT HAS -- IT HAS BEEN A LOGISTICS ISSUE. WE KNOW COURT CAPACITY IS AN ISSUE. ANOTHER INDIVIDUAL WE VISITED, HE HAS BEEN IN OUR JAIL 1062 DAYS WITH ONLY THREE VISITS IN THAT WHOLE TIME. AGAIN, I THINK PART OF THE ISSUE IS THERE IS NO OVER -- OVERSIGHT. THEY WILL STILL GET PAID WHETHER THEY GO ONCE OR 20 TIMES OR WHATEVER. AGAIN, I AM NOT DUMPING ON ANYONE. THAT DOESN'T WORK. WE NEED TO LOOK TOGETHER AND SEE HOW THE WHOLE SYSTEM CAN WORK EFFICIENTLY BECAUSE THAT'S GOOD GOVERNMENT.

I WOULD RATHER USE THOSE DOLLARS SO THAT WE CAN TRY SOME OTHER CRIME PREVENTION AND HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES AND WORK WITH THE HAVEN FOR HOPE GROUP THAT WAS HERE AND REDUCE SOME OF THE INCARCERATION. THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE ARE MOVING TOWARD CITE AND RELEASE. HOW CAN WE MAKE IT MORE EFFICIENT INSTEAD OF JUST CLOGGING THE COURTS. I WANT TO PUT IN A PLUG THAT THOSE CASES ARE NOT NECESSARILY GOING AWAY. WHAT WE DID IS WE JUST REMOVED THE INITIAL PRE-TRIAL JAILING OF INDIVIDUALS. THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN STILL BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE SO THERE IS A NEED FOR THE D.A.'S OFFICE TO REVIEW THOSE CASES.

I DO WANT TO MANAGE EXPECTATION THAT'S I DON'T KNOW WHAT FUNDING THAT REQUIRES, BUT FOR THAT PARTICULAR PROGRAM THEY STILL NEED TO REVIEW THOSE CASES.

WE'VE LEARNED THAT OVER TIME MANY OF THOSE CASES GET VERY LITTLE TIME.

LET THEM GO TO THE COURT AND BEHELD ACCOUNTABLE IF THE EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THAT AND LET THEM GET ON WITH THEIR LIVES INSTEAD OF TIEING THEM IN A COURT WHERE WE WILL BE PAYING DOLLARS THAT UNDER PRE-TRIAL THAT WE CAN'T USE IN OTHER THINGS.

I NEED MORE BOOTS ON THE GROUND. ON THE FELONY SIDE THERE IS NO OVERSIGHT. MANAGING SIDE COUNSEL THERE WILL BE SOMEBODY OVERSEEING WHO IS VISITING WHO. THOSE CASES WE HAD TO STEP IN AND ADVOCATE AND THEY HAD TO CHANGE LEGAL COUNSEL. THAT'S NOT MY ROLE. THAT'S NOT OUR ROLE.

WE ARE DOING IT FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK BETTER FOR THE PEOPLE.

WE NEED HELP. >> YOU KNOW, YOU JUST REMINDED ME OF SOMETHING -- I'M SORRY, JUDGE IF I CAN JUST PICK BACK UP REAL QUICKLY. YOU JUST REMINDED ME, SHERIFF, YOU DO A LOT OF WORK AS I DID JUST TO MAKE THINGS WORK BETTER WHEN IT IS REALLY NOT YOUR LANE TO BE IN. BUT YOU DO IT BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A COST AND A CAPACITY ISSUE YOU HAVE TO CONTEND WITH. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE. [INAUDIBLE].

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME FIGURE OUT IF WE HAVE ADDITIONAL SPEAKERRERS.

SPEAKERS. COMMISSIONERS, DO YOU WANT TO ADD SOMETHING TO THIS?

>> SHERIFF, WHOSE QUALITY IS THIS -- WHOSE FAULT IS THIS? WHOSE FAULT IS THIS? WHY AREN'T THESE PEOPLE SEEING -- [INAUDIBLE] IS IT THE JUDGES?

>> WELL, THE FUNDING -- WHEREVER THE FUNDING SOURCE COMES IT IS BETWEEN THE JUDGES

THAT APPOINTS IT -- >> THE JUDGES ARE BEING -- >> CORRECT.

>> WHOSE FAULT IS IT? THE D.A.'S FAULT? >> NO, THE JUDGES.

[01:20:03]

>> IT IS THE JUDGES' FAULT. WELL -- YOU UNDERSTAND MY POINT.

PEOPLE WANT AN ANSWER. >> AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THE CAVEATE IS I DON'T HAVE AN ANSWER. WE HAVE TOKINGLY -- TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM AND SEE WHO IS PAYING FOR IT. ON THE MANAGEMENT SIDE AND THE MISDEMEANOR SIDE AND I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR ONE SIDE OR ANOTHER. THERE IS AT LEAST NOW MY UNDERSTANDING IS SOME OVERSIGHT OVER IT TO MAKE SURE THAT IF THEY ARE NOT MAKING THOSE VISITS AND MOVING THOSE CASES THROUGH, THAT MAYBE THEY DON'T GET PAID OR THEY MOVE THAT COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY OUT. THAT PROCESS IS NOT IN PLACE ON THE FELONY SIDE. HOW THE STRUCTURE IS SET UP, THASES OUTSIDE MY PER VIEW.

I DON'T KNOW WHO MANAGING -- MANAGES THE PROCESS. IT IS THE ADMINISTRATORS AND

OTHERS. >> SOMEBODY IS RESPONSIBLE. PEOPLE ARE BEING PAID.

ATTORNEYS ARE BEING PAID. SOMEBODY IS RESPONSIBLE. SOMEBODY APPROVED THE

PAYMENT. >> THE JUDGES APPROVE THE PAYMENT.

>> SO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT? >> WELL, AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE ISSUE IS NOT HOW MUCH THEY ARE BEING PAID, BUT WHETHER THE ASSIGNED COUNSEL IS

ACTUALLY DOING THE WORK. >> I THINK ULTIMATELY IT WOULD BE THE JUDGES WHO APPOINTS

THEM. >> THEY WANT HELP. HOW ARE WE GONNA HELP THEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME BARGE IN HERE FOR A SECOND. SO YOU GUYS, SOMETHING THAT KEEPS COMING UP IS A NEED TO LOOK AT THE WHOLE SYSTEM. SHERIFF, I APPRECIATE YOUR RAISING THIS. FOLKS THAT ARE HERE TO SPEAK, THE SHERIFF HAS BROUGHT UP THIS ISSUE TO ALL OF US. I KNOW THAT Y'ALL MET WITH JIM BETKEY AND TWO REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE FELONY COURTS TO FIGURE OUT SHORT-TERM WHAT CAN BE DONE.

I GOT A REPORT BACK THAT THEY ARE SHIFTING AROUND SOME HOLDOVER CELLS AND ADDING CAPACITY, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THESE THINGS THEY ARE TRYING TO DO.

MORE BROADLY, THIS IS NOT A QUICK FIX. IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WILL FIX. WE WILL FIX TODAY. THESE ARE DEEP-SEEDED CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WIDE PROBLEMS THAT HAVE GONE UNADDRESSED. IT IS NOT WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT AND WE WILL SOLVE IT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. WE HAVE COMMISSIONED AN OUTSIDE EXPERT GROUP THAT WENT THROUGH A PROCUREMENT PROCESS TO COME AND LOOK AT -- WE ALL KNOW THE PROBLEM. HOW DO WE SOLVE IT? THEY JUST ARRIVED AND THEY ARE BEGINNING TO ANALYZE WHAT WE ARE GONNA DO. I WILL TELL Y'ALL, WE WILL KEEP WORKING AND SHERIFF, I KNOW YOU HAVE A FOLLOW-UP MEETING TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN IDENTIFY RIGHT NOW AND THAT WE CAN EVALUATE AND WORK ON.

YOU ALL KNOW THAT THIS IS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME TO FIGURE OUT THE KINKS AND GET EVERYONE ON BOARD AND GET THAT WORK DOWN. KNOW THAT THERE IS THAT

COMMITMENT. >> HAVE YOU ONE MORE SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE MORE SPEAKER AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> MY CONCERN IS WITH THIS BUDGET IS THAT I KNOW FIRSTHAND THAT THERE HAS BEEN RESET, RESET, RESET. THE MONEY THAT SHE IS ASKING FOR, IF A PERSON THAT IS IN JAIL ALREADY HAS GONE BEFORE THE COURTS AND THEY ARE DEEMED INDIGENT AND THEY HAVE A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY, BUT YOU KEEP RESETTING IT SO MUCH IT ENDS UP IN IMPACT COURT, THAT'S A PROBLEM. AND THE COURT -- I CAN SIT IN THE COURTROOM AND OBSERVE A JUDGE TELL A PROSECUTOR THIS IS LIKE THE OJ ALL OVER AGAIN WITHOUT MONEY.

THE PUBLIC DEFENDER, THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY IS THERE AND THEY ARE JUST SUPPOSED TO BE -- HE'S SUPPOSED TO BE WORKING FOR THAT DEFENDANT, BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT'S HAPPENING. SO NO MORE MONEY. SHOW US THE WORK AND THEN WE WILL PAY YOU. THAT'S HOW IT SHOULD GO. AND SO WITH THE SHERIFF I TOTALLY AGREE WITH HIM. WE DO KNOW AND EVEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WE KNOW IT IS NOT

AN OVER NIGHT FIX. IT IS A NEVER ENDING CYCLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE THINKING BEHIND THE STUDY. ANY MONEY THAT GOES TO THE D.A. OFFICE SHE CAN USE HOWEVER SHE WANTS, RIGHT? WE GIVE HER MONEY FOR ADMINISTRATIVE STUFF AND SHE CAN PUT IT TO PROSECUTORS. THAT'S WHY MY WHOLE COMMENT HAS BEEN WE HAVE THE STUDY.

LET'S HAVE THESE EXPERTS EVALUATE AND GO DEEP IN AND SAY WE NEED SOCIAL WORKERS AND WE NEED EVIDENCE STAFF AND WE NEED HOWEVER MANY PROSECUTORS TO DO THIS AND THAT.

I HEAR Y'ALL. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING TO PROCURE DEFERMENTS.

EACH OF THESE COMMISSIONERS, WE SENT REPRESENTATIVES AND IDENTIFIED MORE HOPEFUL FOLK THAT THEY WILL BRING IN A CLEAR ANSWER. I DIDN'T MEAN TO SPEAK OUT OF

TURN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID ANYBODY ELSE WANT TO SPEAK?

[01:25:04]

>> YOU KNOW WHAT, I'M SORRY. LISTEN, MS. LINA HIDALGO, I HEAR WHAT YOU SAY ABOUT EXPERTS. THEY ARE NOT THE EXPERTS. THE PEOPLE THAT IS GOING THROUGH THIS STRUGGLE RIGHT NOW, WE ARE THE EXPERTS, OKAY? SO DO NOT FUEL THE PROBLEM. AS LONG AS YOU PAY THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS YOU ARE FUELING THE PROBLEM. SO IF YOU WANT PEOPLE TO COME IN AND SIT DOWN, THEN BRING SOME DEFENDANTS IN THERE THAT'S BEEN STRUGGLING AND SIT DOWN AT THE TABLE BECAUSE WE ARE THE EXPERTS. WE HAVE THE ANSWER. Y'ALL DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER, OKAY? AND AS LONG AS YOU TRY TO PRETTY THIS THING UP AND SAY, HEY, WE KNOW IT IS GONNA TAKE SOME TIME. IT IS NOT AN OVER NIGHT FIX, WELL LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING. I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO FEED MY CHILDREN BECAUSE IT IS TAKING TOO MUCH TIME. IT IS NOT AN OVER NIGHT FIX.

WHEN YOU HAVE VIOLATED MY DUE PROCESS RIGHTS YOU NEED TO FIX IT RIGHT NOW AND TODAY, OKAY? WE CANNOT FEED THESE PROBLEMS ANYMORE. GET ON THE JOB OR WE WILL ELECT YOU OUT BECAUSE YOU ARE JUST MAKING ME MAD WITH THIS OH IT HAS -- WITH THIS OH IT IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED OVERNIGHT. IT WILL BE FIXED RIGHT NOW AND TODAY AND STOP PATE -- STOP PAYING THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY.

I LIKE WHAT HE IS SAYING. WHOSE PROBLEM IS IT? WE NEED TO FIX THIS RIGHT NOW. WHERE DOES IT LIE AT? HEAR WHAT HE IS SAYING.

READ BETWEEN THE LINES. FIX IT. FIX IT NOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

DID YOU SIGN UP TO SPEAK? WE CAN'T HAVE EVERYONE TWICE -- I AM TRYING TO FIGURE

OUT PEOPLE'S NAMES. >> MY NAME IS CORETTA BROWN. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU SIGN

UP TO SPEAK, MA'AM? >> NO. COMMISSIONER ELLIS GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY. I AM WITH THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT.

JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, I WANT TO APPLAUD Y'ALL FOR THE WORK Y'ALL ARE DOING.

THIS IS NOT GOING TO BE FIXED TODAY. IT HAS TAKEN OVER 50 YEARS FOR US TO BE IN A SITUATION THAT WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW. NOBODY CAN BE REALISTICALLY EXPECTING IT TO HAPPEN RIGHT AWAY. COMMISSIONER, TO YOUR POINT, TO YOUR POINT, SIR, WHO THE FAULT LIES ON? THE FAULT LIES ON ALL THE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN IN LEADERSHIP PRIOR TO NOW. IT HAS ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN. WE NEED MANAGED OVERSIGHT COUNSELING ON THE MISDEMEANOR COURT AND ON THE FELONY COURT. ONCE WE CAN GET SOME OVERSIGHT GOING ON, THEN WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THESE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS ARE COMING IN AND SHOWING UP AND DOING WHAT THEY NEED TO DO. SO THE FAULT LIES ON WHOEVER PRIOR TO THAT WAS NOT IN

SUPPORT OF MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW LONG HAVE

YOU BEEN HERE, COMMISSIONER? >> I HAVE BEEN HERE 31 YEARS AND TWO MONTHS.

[INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: FIGHTING FOR THIS SINCE DAY ONE.

>> 11 MONTHS. >> I AM KIMBERLY GRANT. AS I TOLD YOU BEFORE I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THIS FIGHT SINCE 2007. I HAVE NO LIFE.

I HAVE SEVERE ANXIETY BECAUSE OF THIS. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WAIT AND PROCESS. WHAT ABOUT MY PROCESS. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT YOUR PROCESS. WHAT HAPPENED TO MY PROCESS? YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT WE HAVE TO DO THIS AND DO THAT AND WE NEED PEOPLE POLICING THEM. THAT'S THE PROBLEM RIGHT NOW.

NOBODY IS POLICING THAT. YOU ARE LETTING THEM GO OUT AND COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY AND DO WHAT THEY WANT. EVEN ON MY CASE. THERE WAS NO DISCOVERY.

THERE WAS NO INFORMATION SHOWING THAT SHE WAS EVEN GOING TO GO FORWARD TO FIND EVIDENCE FOR A TRIAL. IT IS BLATANT THERE. Y'ALL DID NOTHING.

I'M WALKING AROUND WITH A 15-YEAR-OLD I CAN'T PUT THROUGH COLLEGE.

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT? WHEN SHE GRADUATES I'M BROKE AND SHE CAN'T GO TO COLLEGE BECAUSE OF THIS. WHAT ABOUT NOW? WHAT ABOUT MY LIFE? WHAT ABOUT MY MOTHER WHO IS RETIRED.

SHE CAN'T WORK ANYMORE. HAVE I TO TAKE CARE OF HER. WHAT ABOUT HER? DO I HAVE TO WAIT FOR TO YOU DO THIS PROCESS? IS THAT A VIABLE ANSWER TO ME RIGHT NOW. SINCE 2007 I HAVE GONE THROUGH IT.

I CAN'T GET A JOB AND I CAN'T GET AN APARTMENT. I HAVE AN HOMELESS WITH A CHILD AND A 60-YEAR-OLD WOMAN. PUT YOURSELF IN MY SHOES.

I GET WHERE YOU ARE COMING FROM, BUT YOU ARE WALKING A CERTAIN WALK.

I AIN'T NEVER WALK THAT WALK. WHEN I DID WALK THAT WALK YOU DIDN'T RESPECT ME ENOUGH TO DO THE CASE RIGHT. YOU UNDERSTAND? I WAS A VIABLE CITIZEN.

I HAD A CAREER. I DON'T EVEN HAVE THAT NOW BECAUSE Y'ALL DIDN'T PROSECUTE MY CASE. YOU DIDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT TO SEE WAS THERE EVIDENCE PRESENTED? NO. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE ON MY CASE. YOU ARE SAYING WAIT? WAIT? WOULD YOU WAIT? WOULD YOU WAIT? WOULD YOU TELL ME TO GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND WAIT FOR ME TO DO THIS? THIS IS MY LIFE.

IT HAS BEEN THIS LONG AND I CAN BARELY TALK ABOUT IT WITHOUT TEARS IN MY EYES.

HAVE I TO TELL MY DAUGHTER EVERY DAY YOU CAN'T HAVE THIS BECAUSE THE SYSTEM DID ME THIS

[01:30:04]

YOU WANT TO SLAP SOMEBODY WITH SOMETHING, FIX IT. DON'T TELL ME SIX MONTHS FROM NOW OR A YEAR FROM NOW. HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? YOU ARE GONNA WAIT A YEAR WHILE YOUR DAUGHTER HAS TO GO TO COLLEGE? WHENNER IS HER CAREER AND LIFE? YOU RUINED MY LIFE SINCE 2007, AND NOW IT RUINS MINE AND MY DAUGHTER'S. ANSWER THAT QUESTION. PLEASE.

SINCE 2007 NONE OF Y'ALL HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ANSWER THAT QUESTION.

I ASKED PEOPLE IN THE OFFICE AND I ASKED LAWYERS -- THAT'S WHAT THEY TOLD ME.

EXPLAIN THIS TO ME. WHAT IS THE MONEY IN THE SYSTEM? EXPLAIN TO ME HOW Y'ALL ARE GETTING MONEY OUT OF THESE PEOPLE, INDIGENT PEOPLE?

SUPPOSED TO DEFEND THESE PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES, OF COURSE. FOLKS --

>> I THINK -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SOMEBODY HAS NOT SPOKEN WE WILL HEAR.

WE WILL LET YOU SPEAK -- LET ME JUST. LET ME FINISH.

I WILL HEAR YOU. YOU GUYS ALREADY SPOKE EACH TWICE.

WE DON'T NORMALLY DO. I RECOGNIZE HOW YOU ARE FEELING, AND IT IS TERRIBLE WHAT YOU ARE BEING PUT THROUGH. I GET IT.

YOU KNOW, WE ALL GET IT. SO LET'S HEAR FROM THIS GENTLEMAN.

>> AUDITOR, COURT, WE HAVE A MECHANISM NOT TO PAY PEOPLE WHO DON'T DO THEIR JOB.

SOMEBODY NEEDS TO SAY THESE PEOPLE ARE DOING THEIR JOB. SOMEBODY SIGN SOMETHING SAYING THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB, RIGHT? Y'ALL RESEARCH TO SEE IF THEY ARE DOING THEIR JOB. YOU JUST ASSUME SINCE I'M ASSIGNED THEY DID THEIR JOB.

SO IT IS TIME THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GOES AHEAD FIRST IN THIS AND DEMAND THESE PEOPLE

DO THEIR JOB. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ABSOLUTELY LOOKING AT THIS.

IF IT IS JUST BANGING THE TABLE DON'T YOU THINK HE WOULD HAVE DONE IT 20, 30 YEARS AGO? WE ARE WORKING -- WE TAKE THIS VERY SERIOUSLY.

WE'VE GOT PEOPLE WORKING ON THIS DAY AND NIGHT. WE HAVE YOUR INFORMATION AND WE WILL MAKE SURE TO LET Y'ALL KNOW WHEN -- WE NEED TO HEAR FROM THOSE AFFECTED, ABSOLUTELY. WHAT WE DID ON VETERANS IT WAS PUBLIC INPUT.

WE CAN'T KEEP COMING BACK TO -- WE MADE -- WE MAKE GOOD POLICY AND WE WANT TO ADDRESS IT AS BEST AS WE CAN AND WE ARE WORKING ON IT. I KNOW IT IS SO HARD.

WHAT KEEPS US GOING IS THE STORIES LIKE THESE. DON'T Y'ALL LET HIM BE LIKE I AM GOING TO BANG THE TABLE AND FIX IT RIGHT HERE, RIGHT NOW. THAT'S NOT HOW IT WORKS.

I GET IT. I'M JUST SAYING LIKE I DON'T WANT Y'ALL WALKING AWAY SAYING HE BANGED THE TABLE AND WE ARE NOT GOING TO PAY THESE PEOPLE AND IT WILL BE FIXED TOMORROW. THAT'S NOT HOW -- LET'S HEAR FROM YOU UNLESS THERE ARE NEW SPEAKERS. I APPRECIATE YOU BEING HERE AND WE APPRECIATE AND HONOR WHAT Y'ALL HAVE BEEN THROUGH AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO REACH OUT FOR ANY OTHER THOUGHTS YOU

HAVE, OKAY? >> MY NAME IS JAMES. I AM NOT HERE TO DO ANYTHING BUT TELL WHAT MIGHT BE A HELP TO EVERYONE. BEING IN JAIL, OKAY, AND WITH THAT HAVE YOU GUYS PERSONALLY EVER WENT DOWN TO VISIT AND FIND OUT THE COMPLAINTS AND SEE WHAT IS GOING ON THERE? TO SEE WHAT -- WHERE THE BALL IS DROPPED? I DON'T KNOW COLOR. I KNOW LOVE. I AM SAYING THIS FOR A REASON. IT HAS TO BE A WHITE OLDER GENTLEMAN WITH A BEARD DOWN HERE AND HE TOLD ME THE THINGS HE SEES AND HE SAID HE WAS WATCHING ME.

I SAID WHY. HE SAID I HAVE NEVER SEEN A MAN LIKE YOU THAT DON'T SEE COLOR. YOU HELP EVERYBODY. YOU ARE DOING THIS AND THAT.

HE SAID YOU CAN LEAVE HERE AND BE THE RULER OF MILLIONS OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY WILL

[01:35:03]

WITH THIS GENTLEMAN RESPONDING THE WAY HE DID IT WAS HIS WAY OF NOT BEING RUDE I DON'T THINK. I FELT IT SPIRITUAL. I AM A SPIRITUAL BEING.

I AM NOT SAYING NONE OF Y'ALL ARE NOT. WHAT I AM SAYING IS THIS IS NOT THE LAST YOU WILL SEE OF ME. I AM CONNECTED WITH MILLIONS OF PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD THAT CAN HELP YOU OR HURT YOU. SO IT IS NOT A THREAT, BUT I WANT TO BE ABLE TO BE A HELP. I FEED PEOPLE AND CLOTHE THEM AND HAVE PLACES SET UP FOR DRUG TREATMENT AND SUBSTANCE ABUSE, WHATEVER IS GOING ON. I AM A PART OF IT.

MY LIFE IS DEDICATED TO HELP THE PEOPLE WITH ANYTHING I CAN DO EVEN IF IT IS THE JACKET ON MY BACK. THAT'S WHO I AM. I GAVE UP SO MUCH.

I HAVE LOST SO MUCH. EVEN IN THE COURTS WHAT THEY DID TO ME.

THE JUDGE AS I WAS WALKING AWAY AND HE HEARD ALL OF THESE MOITION -- MOTIONS.

HE SAID TO ME YOU CAN'T LIVE FREE. WHAT DO THEY MEAN? THEY OWE ME $75,000. CHECK THE TRACK RECORD. SINCE I HAVE BEEN 11 YEARS OLD AND NOW 60 YEARS OLD. I HAVEN'T ASKED ANYBODY FOR ANYTHING.

I AM HERE FOR THE PLEA OF THE PEOPLE AND WHAT WE NEED AND WHAT GOES ON AND WHAT THEY THINK. TAKING A PLEA DEAL AND THEY SHOULD GET A PLEA DEAL.

THEY SHOULD BE RELEASED. I SIT IN COURT AND SEE THEM. I STUDY THE COURT.

THEY DON'T EVEN KNOW THEIR CLIENT UNTIL THEY GET THERE. WHAT'S YOUR NAME? I AM LOOKING FOR SUCH AND SUCH. WELL I'M NOT HIM.

AND THEY ARE GOING THROUGH THE COURTROOM BECAUSE THEY HAVEN'T EVEN MET WITH THEM AND THEY HAD THE CASE FOR SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS. THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE.

WE HAVE TO BE THE PERSON, THE DOC TO SPEAR HEAD THAT AND SEND IN THE BLOODHOUNDS.

WHOEVER IS NOT RIGHT, GET RID OF THEM AND PUT SOMEBODY THERE FOR THE PEOPLE.

THIS IS A REVOLVING SYSTEM. NO DISRESPECT. IT IS FOR REAL.

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

>> I WOULD LIKE TO SPEECH, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING NOW. THANK YOU, EVERYBODY. YES, SIR?

>> IS THAT AGAIN? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, HE HAS NOT SPOKEN.

YOU ARE SPEAKING ON THE BUDGET, YES? >>

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ON THE PUBLIC HEARING THAT IS ON THE BUDGET.

>> DOCUMENTS. PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.

>> A LONGTIME I HAVE BEEN TO JAIL MANY TIMES SO I KNOW THE JAIL SYSTEM.

I DID A BUNCH OF STUFF. I THROWN EGGS AT CITY HALL, AND I GOT DOCUMENTS FOR ALL KINDS OF STUFF THAT THEY LIKE TO SEND ME. EVEN FROM THE COUNTY Y'ALL SEND ME DOCUMENTS AND WANT TO SURVEY ME LIKE I AM A GUINEA PIG.

I AM NOT A GUINEA PIG. I KNOW WHO I AM. 74TRILLION IN 1993 AND NOW IT IS 2020. LET'S NOT TALKING ABOUT THE COMPOUNDING INTEREST AND STUFF LIKE THAT. SO THAT MEANS I HAVE TO SAY SOMETHING.

DONALD TRUMP -- WHEN BILL CLINTON WAS IN THERE I WAS DOING THE PAPERWORK AND HE WAS GETTING THE PAT ON THE BACK I AM THE BLACK MAN THAT DID THE PAPERWORK.

I WILL HAVE THE BEST DENTIST BECAUSE I SURVIVED AROUND THE GLOBE AND IN AMERICA AND HARRIS COUNTY AND HOUSTON. RIGHT NOW THESE PEOPLE ARE TERRORISTS TO ME.

HAVE I DOCUMENTS. >> THEY GOT ME CLOSE AND CLEAR. AND I HAVE TO PAY HIM.

I WANT IT TO BE INVESTIGATED. THAT'S ALL I HAVE TO SAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. >> HAVE I TO WORRY -- I HAVE

[01:40:04]

TO WORRY ABOUT PAYING TAXES. >> HOW MANY YEARS AGO WERE YOU HERE?

>> EIGHT OR 9 YEARS. I DIDN'T CHOOSE TO BE THAT PERSON.

I DIDN'T EVEN CHOOSE TO BE BORN. I JUST FOUND OUT.

[INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY ARE RIGHT THERE.

>> HAVE I TO RE-WORD STUFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU NEED THEM BACK? THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO THE PUBLIC HEARING IS NOW CLOSED.

WHOA

>> WE DISCUSSED THE BUDGET AT LENGTH LAST COURT SO I WILL LEAVE IT UP TO YOU IF THERE ARE ANY ITEMS THAT A MEMBER OF COURT WANTS TO STOP ON. RIGHT NOW WITH WHAT BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAS PRESENTED WE ARE AT 57 MILLION OUT OF THE 60 MILLION, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BILL, AND THAT INCLUDES $20 MILLION FOR A 2% INCREASE IN SALARIES TO KEEP UP WITH INFLATION. SO THAT IS 57 MILLION THAT WE HAVE ALLOCATED OUT OF THE 60 MILLION WE HAVE TO SPEND. EVERYBODY HAS THE NUMBERS. THERE IS VERY LITTLE CHANGE FROM WHAT WAS DISCUSSED ON JANUARY WHATEVER IT WAS. THE LAST COURT, TWO WEEKS AGO. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. AIDE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. JUST A QUESTION.

WITH RELATION TO THE SPEAKERS WHO CAME BEFORE US AND WHAT IT REMINDS ME AGAIN OF THINGS THAT WE TRY TO GET DONE AND HAD NO SUPPORT TO DO, ONE THING WE TRIED TO DO BECAUSE OF THE JAIL RUN I MENTIONED AND THE TRANSFER OF A THOUSAND PEOPLE A DAY AND LESS THAN HALF WOULD ACTUALLY BE ABLE TO STEP IN A COURTROOM TO VISIT WITH THEIR ASSIGNED JUDGE WAS THE ISSUE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN ONLINE DOCKET TRACKING SYSTEM SO THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY SEE WHICH JUDGES ARE ACTUALLY MOVING THEIR CASES THROUGH. ALL OF THE CASES ARE INDEPENDENT OF EACH OTHER. THEY ARE UNIQUE TO THEIR RESPECTIVE SITUATIONS.

WE ARE LOOKING FOR A WAY TO CREATE SOME LEVEL OF TRANSPARENCY SO THAT WE WOULD KNOW WHERE THINGS WERE HOLED UP. THIS IS ONE ITEM THAT I REMEMBER DISCUSSING. SO, ROBERT, THIS IS NOT IN THE -- WE HADN'T TALKED ABOUT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUCH A SYSTEM, BUT COULD SOMETHING OF THAT NATURE BE UH MIPPED -- AMENDED

TO THE BUDGET AS WE ARE WORKING? >> I SUPPOSE.

I THINK THE DILEMMA WOULD BE I AM NOT CLEAR -- >> I BELIEVE IT IS U.S.

SERVICES. >> IT COULD BE U.S. SERVICES OR CRIMINAL JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. IT MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATE BECAUSE IT ASKS THAT DEPARTMENT TO BRING SOMETHING BACK. YOUR CHALLENGE IS I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY CAN BE ALLOCATED. IT IS CERTAINLY APPROPRIATE TO

ASK. >> JUDGE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM PRETTY SURE THEY ARE DOING THAT ALREADY. I KNOW FOR SURE THE ADVOCATES HAVE ONE. I THINK IT IS ONE OF THE ADVOCACY GROUPS.

THEY HAVE THAT. BUT ANYWAY MAYBE IT IS THE -- YES, COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE, ARE WE GOING IN ORDER? >> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS -- WE CAN. WE CAN GO THROUGH THEM. WE TALKED ABOUT IT SO MUCH AND SO MUCH IS EXACTLY THE SAME BUT I WILL CALL IT OUT. I FEEL AREA THAT'S FOLKS

SUGGEST OR SUGGESTING CHANGE FROM WHAT WAS PRESENTED. >> MR. JACKSON, I KNOW THE REQUEST THAT CAME IN FROM THE DEPARTMENTS AND THEY WERE ASKING FOR 113 MILLION IN

ADDITIONAL MONEY. >> THAT'S CORRECT. >> HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE?

>> NOW WITH THE FINAL REVENUE THAT WE RECEIVED LAST WEEK THAT CAME IN $31 MILLION HIGHER THAN THE ORIGINAL ESTIMATE. YOU HAVE A LOT OF ITEM THAT'S WERE REFERRED IN THE BUDGET PROCESS FOR ADDITIONAL STUDIES YOU WERE GOING TO COME BACK AND BE FUNDED WITH THOSE TYPE OF FUNDS. WE HAD THE TOTAL OF 60 PLUS 28

FOR CONTINGENCY AND NOW WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 41. >> SO 28 WE DON'T WANT TO

TOUCH. AND THEN 60 AND -- >> THE 60 WE HAVE ALLOCATED

OUT ABOUT 56 MILLION. ALMOST THE WHOLE THING. >> THAT'S THREE LEFT.

>> THREE OR FOUR LEFT. >> THE OTHER THING WAS -- >> 41 BILLION.

[01:45:02]

ESTIMATES. >> THAT'S GUESS MONEY. >> WE WON'T KNOW THAT UNTIL WE

CLOSE OUT THE BOOKS IN PROBABLY APRIL OR MAY. >> SO ANYTHING ADDED IS REALLY A GUESS. IF IT DOESN'T COME IN WHAT DO WE DO?

PULL OUT THE CREDIT CARD? >> WE COULD PULL OUT THE CREDIT CARD OR GO INTO OUR

PUBLIC CONTINGENCY FUND AND TRANSFER MONEY. >> SO OUT OF THAT 28 MILLION WE HAVE HO

>> THAT'S THREE EMERGENCIES ? >> THE PUBLIC CONTINGENCY FUND IS GOOD FOR TWO CONTINGENCIES,

BUT BUT IT WAS ALLOCATED FOR WORK. >> IT IS PRETTY TIGHT.

>> IT IS TIGHT. >> I WILL SAY BECAUSE I SENT SO MUCH SUPPORT FOR TRYING TO DO SOMETHING INDIGENT DEFENSE AND JUDGES THAT IT WARMS MY HEART THAT GAVE COUNTIES THE OPTION OF HAVING A PUBLIC DEFDER AND THEN -- DEFENDERS AND THEN THE SENATE HAD THE SUPPORT OF COMMISSIONER LEE, MY PREDECESSOR, BUT I LEAD THE FIGHT TO GET ONE.

WHEN I GOT HERE THREE YEARS AGO IT WAS HANDLING 8% OF THE CASES.

WHAT ARE WE NOW? CLOSE TO 20% OF THE CASES? CAN WE WORK OUT THE SPACE

ISSUES? >> WE ARE WORKING ON THAT NOW.

>> TO THE EXTENT -- I KNOW THERE WAS SOME DISCUSSION ABOUT WHETHER OR NOT SOMETHING GOES TO THE D.A.'S OFFICE OR ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT, AND IF THAT IS THE CASE BECAUSE I SENSE VIBRANT SUPPORT ABOUT DOING SOMETHING AND BANGING THE TABLE SO WHATEVER YOU PUT ON THERE, I WILL RECOMMEND WE PUT THE COMPARABLE AMOUNT IF THERE IS SOMETHING INTO THAT PD OFFICE. IF WE GET THAT GRANT TO DO MATCH ASSIGNED COUNSEL FOR THE FELONY COURTS, THAT GIVES US SOME LATITUDE. AT LEAST -- BECAUSE THERE IS JUST SO MUCH SUPPORT HERE AND IT WARMS MY HEART. I HOPE WE WILL HAVE THAT SUPPORT FOR FELONY BAIL REFORM. THAT IS MEANINGFUL REFORM AND I HOPE I CAN GET THE BANGING ON THE TABLE WHEN THAT COMES. I JUST WANT TO LAY THAT OUT AS

WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS. >> MR. BETKEY, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

THE FACT IS IF WE KNEW THAT PEOPLE WERE GETTING PAID MONEY HIRED BY HARRIS COUNTY AND THEY WEREN'T DOING THE JOB THEY WERE PAID TO DO, YOU CAN ALMOST SAY [INAUDIBLE] MY POINT IS THIS, IF YOU HAVE A GROUP OF LAWYERS THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPRESENTING CLIENTS AND BILLING US AND NOT DOING THEIR JOB, THAT SHOULDN'T TAKE A LOT OF STUDY TO FIGURE OUT. THEY ARE STEALING. THEY ARE STEALING.

I THINK WE CAN STOP THE STEALING. LET ME MAKE A COMMENT.

WE CAN TALK ABOUT STUDIES AND STUDIES AND STUDIES THERE IS A BACKBONE AND SO WHY DON'T WE FIX IT. THE AUDITOR, THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN FIX IT METED -- IMMEDIATELY. DID THEY REPRESENT THEIR CLIENT? CAN THEY PROVE THEIR REPRESENTED THEIR CLIENT? THIS IS HOW MUCH YOU OWE ME FOR MY TIME. I ASSURE YOU WHEN THEY FIND OUT IT IS NOT TRUE YOU WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. YOU ARE GOING TO CALL HIM AND THAT'S ALL I AM TRYING TO DO IS GET IT TO VERIFY THAT PEOPLE ARE DOING A JOB BEFORE YOU PAY.

IT DOESN'T TAKE A STUDY. WHETHER YOU HAVE BEEN HERE ONE YEAR OR 50.

>> I WOULD LIKE -- YOU BROUGHT MR. BETKES HERE, JUDGE IF I MIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. >> MAYBE WE CAN GET THIS SET UP FOR FELONY COURT TODAY.

I AM CURIOUS TO KNOW IF MR. BETKEY FROM YOUR EXPERIENCE ON HOW THIS WORKS AND I KNOW SOME YEARS AGO I PASSED A BILL THAT EACH OF THE COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS HAVE TO SHOW WHICH PERCENTAGE THEY HAVE PRACTICED AND IT IS ALL ONLINE.

THERE IS SO MUCH OUT THERE STATEWIDE AND IS YOUR OFFICE PUTTING TOGETHER A SYSTEM WE WILL KNOW AND THE BROADER QUESTION IS WHAT POW -- POWER WOULD WE HAVE -- I KNOW YOU ARE NOT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, SO I DON'T WANT TO IMPEDE ON THAT SPACE.

[01:50:02]

MIGHT I ADD FOR 31 YEARS THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS HERE NO ASK FOR THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. NO ASK FOR A MAC. I DON'T CALL ANY CALLS IN MY TIME HERE. WHAT HAVE YOU SEEN THAT WE COULD DO TO CRACKDOWN ON THIS

PROBLEM? >> JIM BETKEY WITH THE JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT.

WHAT CAN THE CON -- COUNTY DO? THE COUNTY CAN FUND THE -- NEEDLESS TO SAY AND DOES THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND THE MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL AND REGARDING THE SPECIFIC ISSUE ON COMMISSIONER RADACK BROUGHT UP AND WE CAN'T FORCE THE DISTRICT JUDGES TO ADOPT THE DEFENSE DELIVERY SYSTEM. WE CAN STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THEM

TO DO SO. >> I MISSED SOME OF THAT. WE CAN'T MAKE THEM DO THE

PUBLIC DEFENDER? >> NO. >> IT TAKES THAT TWO-THIRDS VOTE OF THE JUDGES. ASSUMING THAT'S THE JUDICIAL PLAN?

>> THAT'S CORRECT. >> IS THAT VOTE PUBLIC OR IS THAT UNCLEAR? CAN WE KNOW WHO VOTED TO DO IT AND WHO DID NOT VOTE TO DO IT?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS PUBLIC OR NOT. I AM THINKING IT IS NOT PUBLIC.

I WILL NEED TO GET BACK AND MAKE CERTAIN. >> WE CAN PUT PUBLIC PRESSURE ON. WHO ARE THE HIGHEST UH -- UH BOOS -- UH BEERSERS -- ABUSERS

IN TERMS OF WHAT SOMEBODY CAN HANDLE IN A YEAR. >> COMMISSIONER, THAT INFORMATION IS ALL PUBLIC AT THE TEXAS INDIGENT DEFENSE COMMISSION.

IT IS ALSO AVAILABLE THROUGH THE COUNTY. >> MAYBE IF YOU LAID IT OUT WEEKLY OR BI-WEEKLY THAT MAY PUT SOME -- MY POINT IS WHAT CAN WE DO OTHER THAN PUBLIC PRESSURE AND BANG OUR NOTEBOOK? WHICH I BANGED.

>> SINCE THEY ARE AN INDEPENDENT BRANCH, STRONGLY ENCOURAGE THEM AND I THINK -- THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH THE DISTRICT JUDGES THERE MAY BE A FEW OUT LIARS.

I THINK THEY ARE REALLY CLOSE AND THEY CAN BUILD OFF THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE WORK

THAT THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS HAVE DONE. >> WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE

TWO-THIRDS. >> WE DON'T KNOW. >> COULD WE STILL GET BOTH GRANTS? WE HAVE THE GRANTS OF MISDEMEANORS.

ALL OF THEM AGREE. >> THE MONEY THAT IS BEING PROVIDED, THAT INFRASTRUCTURE THAT IS BEING PUT IN PLACE CAN BE USED FOR THE FELONY COURTS.

IN SOME REGARDS I THINK IT MAKES A LOT OF SENSE TO HAVE ONE PUBLIC DEFENDER SYSTEM AND ONE MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNSEL SYSTEM. THAT'S HOW WE DID IT IN LOB --

LUBBOCK. >> DO THEY PUT IT UNDER THE PUBLIC DEFENDER?

OR IS IT SEPARATE? >> IT COULD BE. IT COULD BE A DIVISION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE. YOU HAVE TO PUT A CHINESE WALL. I THINK THE IDEAL SITUATION IS THE WAY Y'ALL HAVE STRUCTURED IT. IS IT A COUNTY DEPARTMENT OR A NONPROFIT? SOME JURISDICTIONS HAVE THE PRIVATE DEFENDER AS PART OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER PROGRAM THEY PUT A CHINESE WALL. THE PRIVATE DEFENDER -- IT IS REALLY DEALING WITH THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CASES. SO THAT ATTORNEY DOESN'T REPRESENT CLIENTS. THEY OVERSEE THE APPOINTMENTS OF ATTORNEYS AND THEY PROVIDE THE EDUCATIONS AND WILL ASSIGN THE INVESTIGATOR. WITH A MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNCIL YOU GET THE QUALITY CONTROLS YOU WOULD WITH A PUBLIC DEFENDER OFFICE, BUT THEY ARE NOT COUNTY EMPLOYEES. YOU ARE STILL USING THE

PRIVATE SECTOR. >> AND IS THE BEST PRACTICE CONSIDERED EXPANDING THE

PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE OR TRYING TO DO IT -- >> THE BEST PRACTICE IF YOU CHECK WITH THE AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION WOULD BE A PUBLIC DEFENDER WITH A PRIVATE

DEFENDER OR MANAGED ASSIGNED COUNCIL. >> AND OUR PD IS 20% OF THE

CASES ? >> 20%. >> WHAT WOULD $3 MILLION DO IF

YOU KNOW? WOULD IT TAKE IT TO 25, 30%? >> I AM GONNA HAVE TO -- I AM

I AM NOT 100% ON THE THREE MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

HAVE YOU SEEN IN YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE A JURISDICTION THAT HAS PUT ON ITS PUBLIC WEBSITE

[01:55:01]

DOCKET? >> ON THE DOCKET, I AM NOT SURE.

AS FAR AS THE ATTORNEYS AND HOW MUCH AN ATTORNEY MAKES AND HOW MANY CASES, THAT'S AVAILABLE AT THE CASE OF INDIGENT DEFENSE. YOU CAN SEE EVERY ATTORNEY THAT GOT AN APPOINTMENT AND HOW MANY CASES THEY WERE APPOINTED AND HOW MUCH MONEY

THEY MADE. >> GOOD DEAL. AND WOULD YOU BE OPEN IF THIS BODY DECIDED IF WE CREATED A WORK PROJECT TO HAVE YOU LOOK AT THE DEVELOPMENT OF SOME TRANSPARENT SYSTEM? AT THE END OF THE DAY I AM NOT ALL FAMILIAR WITH HOW THE JUDGES GO ABOUT MAKING THEIR POLICY CHANGES. AT THE END OF THE DAY A LITTLE SUNLIGHT HELPS TO MOVE SOME THINGS ALONG. SO WOULD YOU BE OPEN TO LEADING THAT WORK PROJECT TO CREATE A WEBSITE PORTAL SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEE HOW FAST

OR SLOW THINGS ARE MOVING? >> WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT.

WE ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH BOTH LEVELS OF COURTS. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE JUSTICE AGENCIES, AND THAT'S PART OF OUR CHARGE. WE WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO.

>> AND JUDGE, JUST TELL YOU THAT I REMEMBER IT WAS WENDELL TREFIO THAT A -- THAT HAD A STORY ON ASSIGNED COUNSEL YEARS BACK. IT DIDN'T FIX ANYTHING AT THAT TIME. I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE DESK POUNDING, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT IS SITTING DOWN AT THE TABLE AND GETTING THE WORK DOWN.

I APPRECIATE MR. BETKEY'S WORK ON THIS. >> JIM, HOW LONG HAVE WE KNOWN

EACH OTHER? >> SINCE PROBABLY 2005 OR 2004.

>> AND I THINK YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I ADMIRE YOUR WORK. MATTER OF FACT, HOW LONG HAS

IT BEEN I HAVE BEEN ENCOURAGING YOU? >> SHORTLY AFTER MY APPOINTMENT. I BEGAN WITH THE STATE IN 2002. IT WAS SHORTLY THEREAFTER.

>> I REALIZE THE VALUE AND THAT'S WHY I WAS THRILLED WHEN YOU FINALLY CAME TO ME.

I REALIZED THE VALUE. YOU AND I TALKED ABOUT INDIGENT DEFENSE.

>> WE HAVE EXTENSIVELY. AND YOUR WIFE IS AN EXPERT IN THAT AREA.

I SERVED WITH HER FOR 11 OR 12 YEARS ON THE STATE COMMISSION.

IT IS AN HONOR TO BE HERE AND I APPRECIATE WORKING FOR ALL OF YOU.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, I HAVE TWO POINTS ON THE CURRENT DISCUSSION AND THEN I DO HAVE AN ITEM WITH REGARD TO THE ACTUAL BUDGET.

THE FIRST ONE IS THAT IN RESPONSE TO THE COMMENT BY PRE SINK 1 THAT AS A SENATOR HE NEVER SAW ANYONE FROM THIS GROUP. BACK WHEN PRECINCT 1 WAS A SENATOR, PRECINCT 4 WAS A JUDGE. I WAS ON THE COMMITTEE THAT WAS TRYING TO BRING IN WHAT WAS REFERRED TO IN THOSE DAYS AS THE SAN -- SAN JOSE --

>> SAN MATEO COUNTY. >> SAN MATEO COUNTY MANAGED ASSISTANCE COUNCIL PROCESSES.

SO YOUR ACCUSATION TO JUST THROW OUT THERE SO NICE AND EASY AND HUG EVERYBODY AND SAYING NOBODY CARES ABOUT ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ARRIVED AIN'T SO.

>> I AM JUST THE GUY WHO SPONSORED IT IN THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GUY WHO

PASSED IT. >> YOU SAID NOBODY HERE DID IT.

NUMBER TWO, PRECINCT THREE RAISES A GOOD POINT. I WOULD BEG TO DIFFER A LITTLE WITH PRE SINK -- PRE -- PRECINCTS 2 INTERPRETATION. WHEN THEY TALKED ABOUT THE FRAUDULENT CHARTS AND IN THOSE DAYS I WAS A PRACTICING ATTORNEY DOING CIVIL SIDE STUFF. I THOUGHT I OBJECT SERVED THAT FOLKS WERE STARTING TO CLEAN UP THEIR ACT A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA AND HAVING TO EXPLAIN SOME OF THOSE THINGS. SOME OF THE JUDGES STARTED TO STRAIGHTEN UP THEIR ACT A LITTLE BIT. I BELIEVE THE FACT THAT WE HAVE NOW HAD SOME FOLKS SHEDDING A LITTLE LIGHT ON THE PROBLEM IS A GOOD THING.

WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS MAKE SURE WE CHECK THE INVOICES. THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT PERIODICALLY COMES UP. IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS THAT IF YOU ARE NOT VIGILANT IT

[02:00:01]

WE NEED TO BE -- COMMISSIONER THERE WERE DAYS WHEN YOU WERE A SHERIFF THAT YOU HAVE TO BEAT THOSE PATROLS THROUGH THE NEIGHBORHOOD EVERY NOW AND THEN TO BE SEEN.

IT IS A GOOD POINT THAT WHEN WE HAVE FOLKS THAT COME IN AND SAY THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT THEY WERE NOT REPRESENTED FOR THE TIME AND THE HOURS, AND WHEN THEY SAY THERE ARE ORDER THAT'S WERE NOT SIGNED BY THE REQUIRED PEOPLE, THAT THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CAN SHED A LITTLE LIGHT ON AND STOP THEM. IT DOESN'T REQUIRE A LOT OF STUDY WITH ALL DUE RESPECT. IT IS SHEDDING THE LIGHT ON IT AND SEE FIGURE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND DO IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE WHEN WE HEAR THERE IS IS A CREEPING BACK IN.

AS IN THE OLD DAYS OF WHEN PRECINCT 2 WAS OUR SHERIFF, YOU NEED TO RUN THE BEAT PERIODICALLY JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS THERE AND IT IS TIME THAT WE RUN THE BEAT AGAIN. SPEAKING OF THE BEAT, JUDGE, THIS IS MY THIRD POINT AND THIS IS THE ONE THAT I ASKED ABOUT EARLY -- EARLIEST. PEOPLE TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY WERE NOT TREATED OKAY WHEN THEY WERE IN THE JAIL. SOMETIMES THE PROBLEM WE ARE HAVING IN THE JAIL OR ON THE BEAT IS THAT WE ARE LOSING SOME OF OUR SEASONED, WISER AND OTHER OFFICERS TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS. I HAVE VISITED WITH THE SHERIFF ON THIS. JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE GOING FOR NEW COPS AND NEW BOOTS, AND WE NEED NEW BOOTS, BUT WE WILL CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS IF WE CAN'T KEEP THE BOOTS THAT WE HAVE GOT. AND I THINK THAT WITH THE ANTICIPATION OF SOME ADDITIONAL FUNDS COMING IN LATER THAT PERHAPS WHAT WE DO RIGHT NOW IS WE TAKE 25% OF THE NEW BOOT BUDGET THAT WE WERE LOOKING AT AND USE THOSE FUNDS TO GIVE AN EXTRA BOOST TO THE CURRENT BOOST SO THAT WE CAN RETAIN OUR TALENT AND THAT WE RETAIN THE WISDOM THAT WE HAVE AND NOT LOSE THAT WISDOM TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT ARE PICKING -- WE CAN OPEN UP AN ACADEMY AND TRAIN EVERYBODY ELSE'S LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES. UNTIL WE TAKE CARE OF OUR OWN BE WILL CONTINUE TO BE GIVING FOLKS TO OTHERS. WE NEED WELL-TRAINED, WISE OFFICERS WHO KNOW HOW TO TREAT PEOPLE WITH RESPECT AND KNOW HOW TO DO THEIR JOB. IT IS NOT AN EASY JOB OUT THERE THESE DAYS. AND SO, JUDGE, I WOULD MAKE THE MOTION WE TAKE 25% OF THE NEW BOOT BUDGET FOR NOW AND USE THAT TO GO INTO COMPENSATION FOR EXISTING

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WOULD BE INCLINED TO SECOND YOUR MOTION WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THE SHERIFF EVERYTHING HE HAS ASKED FOR, BUT WE CAN'T DO IT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO GIVE IN THAT VEIN THE SHERIFF THE DISCRETION OF HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET HE WANTS TO USE TOWARD PAY RAISES. 25% IS NOT GOING VERY LONG. I JUST ASSUME THAT THE -- MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO SECOND AND TO HOPEFULLY PASS YOUR MOTION WOULD BE THAT THE -- WOULD BE THAT WE ALLOW THE SHERIFF TO USE HIS BUDGET APPROPRIATION IN THIS BUDGET AND THAT HE WORKS WITH HIS STAFF TO DECIDE HOW MUCH OF THAT BUDGET HE SHOULD USE FOR PAY RAISES. IT MIGHT BE MORE. IT MIGHT BE TO PATROL OFFICERS. IT MIGHT BE TO INVESTIGATORS. IT MIGHT BE TO THE WHOLE DEPARTMENT OR MAYBE TO THE CIVILIAN STAFF. 25%, I DON'T WANT TO HANDICAP THE SHERIFF TO 25%. I ASSUME GIVE HIM THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE HOW MUCH OF THE BUDGET WE ARE APPROPRIATING THAT HE USES FOR PAY RAISES AND FOR

OPERATIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE ONE QUESTION.

>> AND A CLARIFICATION AND I SECOND IT. >> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE. HE HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR A LONGTIME AND WE SPOKE ABOUT IT IN THE BUDGET. LOOKING AT THE RAW NUMBERS AND PERHAPS OUR INTERPRETATION MAY BE OFF SO WE ARE LOOKING TO THE DIALOGUE.

FRANKLY IT IS GOING TO BE VERY SMALL AMOUNT WITH RESPECT TO THE DOLLARS WE ARE GETTING.

I WANT TO MENTION THAT WE APPRECIATE IT, BUT WHILE IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE BASED ON OUR 2% PAY INCREASE THAT WAS FOR INFLATION, BUT THAT'S FOR

[02:05:06]

US ABSORBING THE HPD SIDE OF THE JOINT PROCESSING SIDE OF THE CONTRACT WHICH WE FOLLOWED INTO OUR OPERATION AS 25.4 MILLION IN BUDGET. SO THAT IS 35.9 MILLION THAT IS BEING ABSORBED. IT IS NOT TRULY AN INCREASE SO TO SPEAK.

IF YOU FACTOR IN WHAT WE ARE GETTING IT IS 2.5 MILLION AND THAT IS REALLY FOR ONE ACADEMY CLASS. I A -- I APPRECIATE THE GESTURE, I JUST DON'T KNOW WHERE THE DOLLARS ARE COMING FROM. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT, BUT I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO OPERATIONS AS WE HOPED AND THAT'S A REALITY.

I APPRECIATE THE GESTURE AND I HOPE SOMETHING COULD BE FOUND.

IF I AM CORRECT BECAUSE I WANT TO MANAGE EXPECTATIONS AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE GETTING A SIGNIFICANT INCREASE. THE PROPOSAL LEAVES US WITH 2.5 MILLION OF AN ACTUAL INCREASE AND THAT FUNDS ABOUT ONE ADDITIONAL ACADEMY CLASS TO THE TWO THAT WE ARE ALREADY

GOING TO FUND OURSELVES. >> SHERIFF, IF YOU ALLOW, I WILL STILL SECOND COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S MOTION WITH A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE OUGHT TO LEAVE THAT DECISION TO YOU, BUT IT WILL ALSO GIVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK ON TRYING TO FIND ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

THAT YOU REALLY NEED TO GROW AND SUPPORT YOUR STAFF. >> AGAIN WE APPRECIATE -- IT IS ONE THING I TALKED TO COMMISSIONER JACKSON ABOUT WAS THE POSSIBILITY OF SOME OF THOSE STEP INCREASES WHEN SOMEBODY EARNED THEIR RANK. THAT INSTEAD OF WAITING MULTIPLE YEARS BEFORE THEY GET THE OTHER STEP INCREASE, JUST GIVE IT TO THEM UP FRONT.

THEY EARNED THE PROMOTION AND THAT WOULD BE AN INCREASE THAT WE WOULD KEEP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST SO I AM CLEAR IT WOULD BE 2.1 MILLION FOR NEW PATROL CARS.

3.1MILLION FOR NEW BOOTS. 3.2MILLION INCREASE, 2% INCREASE FOR INFLATION THAT EVERYBODY IS GETTING. AND NOW WITH THE 25% ADDITIONAL INCREASE FOR PERSONNEL THAT WILL ACTUALLY FOR THE AMENDMENT THAT IS AT THE SHERIFF'S DISCRETION, THAT

WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL $775,000, CORRECT? >> I BELIEVE IT IS ACTUALLY --

I MEAN. IS THAT YOUR NUMBER? >> WE COME UP WITH 2.5 MILLION. ONCE EVERYTHING HAS DN DIFFICULT -- EVERYTHING HAS BEEN DIVIED UP IT IS ONE MORE CLASS. I TRUST YOUR REVIEWS OF THE BUDGET, BUT IT IS ABOUT PRIORITY. SO WHILE YOU ARE SPENDING ON OTHER THINGS, THEN LAW ENFORCEMENT IN HARRIS COUNTY --

>> HERE IS ONE OF THE THINGS WE ARE WORKING ON. LAST COURT THERE WAS AN ITEM ON THERE FOR US TO TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR FLEET. WE HAD IN OUR INITIAL MEETING ON THAT, AND I THINK I HAVE A PLAN PUT TOGETHER TO REPLACE CARS WHEN THEY GET TO 150,000.

I THINK LIKE WE DID WITH BULLETPROOF VESTS A FEW YEARS AGO, THESE OFFICERS, ONE OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT IS IN OUR COMMERCIAL PAPER AND USING NOT WITHIN THEIR BUDGE EXPET REPLACES ALL OF THOSE -- BUDGET AND REPLACING ALL OF THOSE CARS THAT WOULD FREE UP

THE MONEY FOR YOU TO USE. >> ON THE ALARM DETAIL PIECE THOUGH, THE WAY IT WOULD BE STRUCTURED AND I KNOW IT IS NOT BAKED INTO THIS BUDGET PROPOSAL YET, BUT IT WOULD

SIMPLY GO BACK TO FUND THAT PARTICULAR OPERATION. >> WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION AND THEN WE ALSO HAD A DISCUSSION THAT YOU HAD, WHAT, $6 MILLION FOR REPLACEMENT OF CARS NEXT

YEAR? >> YES. >> AND SO I COULD PROBABLY FIGURE A WAY TO DO THAT, THAT INSTEAD OF YOU PAYING ALL THAT FOR NEW CARS THAT WE PAY FOR IT LIKE WE DID FOR THE COMMISSIONERS AND GAVE EACH ONE OF THEM $5 MILLION TO KIND OF A FLAT LINE APPROACH TO REPLACE THESE SOONER SO THERE IS MORE VALUE FOR THE CARS TRADED IN, AND THAT WOULD NOT BE IN YOUR BUDGET. IT WOULD FREE UP SOME MONEY.

>> IF WE COULD ALSO JUST ADVOCATE ON THE BUDGET PIECE GOING FORWARD THAT WE SUCCESSFULLY MANAGED, MY TEAM AND I, THREE BUDGETS IN A ROW WITH YOUR HELP.

AND IF OUR BUDGET CANNOT BE CAPPED AS EARLY IN THE BEGINNING AND SOMETIMES IT IS OVER TIME ON THE HOLIDAYS AND CHRISTMAS AND ALL OF THAT, THE BUDGET CYCLE IS STILL CATCHING UP, AND SOMETIMES WE GET CAPPED SO EARLY AND IT LIMITS OUR FLEXIBILITY.

>> SO WE CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND WORK WITH THE OFFICE TO MOVE THE CAP SO YOU CAN GET THROUGH THE SEASON. IT GOES DOWN LIKE -- IN THE SUMMER MONTHS THE JAIL POPULATION IS THE HIGHEST. IN THE WINTER MONTHS IT IS NOT.

[02:10:01]

POSITION. >> SO THE TOTAL DOLLAR AMOUNT, THE 8.4 MILLION?

>> I HAD 8.3 WAS THE ORIGINAL TOTAL ASK. WE WENT IN WITH 5.1 MIDBUDGET THERE. I DO THINK THAT I COULD FREE UP $3 MILLION OR $4 MILLION ON

THIS CAR PROGRAM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THROUGH CIP. SO THE FINAL IS 8.3 MILLION,

CORRECT? >> 8.3. >> THAT'S WHAT THIS MOTION ACCOMPLISHES. WITH THE FLEXIBILITY TO SPEND IT.

>> I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT'S IN THE WORKS OR BEING PLANNED.

THAT'S NOT FACTORED INTO THIS BUDGET. >> THAT'S WHAT I WAS GOING TO ASK FOR. NOT CLARIFICATION, BUT CONFIRMATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO MOVE THE VEHICLES OUT FROM UNDER THE NUMBER, LEAVE THE NUMBER AS IT IS, BUT MOVE THE

VEHICLES OVER TO COMMERCIAL PAPER. >> ABOUT A HUNDRED OR SO FOR

THE REPLACEMENT. NOT ALL OF THEM. >> HOW MANY CARS ARE WE

LOOKING TO DO CURRENTLY? >> WE WOULD HAVE TO ASK THEM. WE JUST MET THE OTHER DAY AND

TRYING TO GATHER THE NUMBERS. >> THERE ARE ABOUT 150. >> WE WILL MOVE 100 CARS OVER. IT IS OVER TO COMMERCIAL PAPER. AND I WANT TO -- MY MOTION WOULD BE TO LEAVE THE BUDGETED AMOUNT AS STIPULATED, SUPPORT COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S AMENDMENT OR MOTION WITH THE AMENDMENT THAT WE LEAVE IT TO THE SHERIFF FOR DISCRETION ON HOW TO APPROPRIATE THOSE DOLLARS, AND WHETHER HE CAN FIND THE WAY TO REWARD HIS STAFF.

>> THAT'S OUR RECOMMENDATION FROM OUR INTERNAL STAFF. >> SHERIFF, YOU MADE A COMMENT ABOUT SAY TWOG 5 MILLION -- 25 MILLION HPD'S COMMITMENT IN THE PROCESS?

>> I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT -- YEAH, YEAH, YEAH.

I SAID THE COST FROM HPD THAT THEY CONTRIBUTE THAT GOES INTO THEIR SIDE OF THE FUNDING EQUATION AND THE ERROR MARK PIECE WE ABSORBED WHEN WE HAD ISSUES AND NO DIRECT OVERSIGHT, OUR NUMBER IS 25.4 MILLION. I BELIEVE THOSE DOLLARS ARE BEING MOVED OVER TO OUR BUDGET, CORRECT? THAT'S WHY WE MAY SEE A LARGER

BUDGET NUMBER. >> AS FAR AS THE COUNTY -- THE CITY IS PAYING $16 MILLION TO

$18 MILLION A YEAR. >> WHAT THE SHERIFF IS TALKING ABOUT IS THE COMBINATION OF THE -- THE MONEY FROM HPD OR THE CITY AND THE EARMARKED CONTRACTS.

SO IF YOU LOOK TODAY ON THE BUDGET PROPOSAL IT SHOWS LAST YEAR'S ORIGINAL BUDGET AND TODAY'S PROPOSAL. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THOSE TWO IS $48.1 MILLION.

THAT'S WHAT WE RAY TRYING TO EXPLAIN -- THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO EXPLAIN.

WHERE IS THAT DEALT BETWEEN 519 LAST YEAR AND 561 TODAY. 24MILLION IS WRAPPED UP IN THE

BUSINESS. >> HPD IS REDUCING -- [INAUDIBLE].

>> WE JUST HAD TO -- IT IS ALL ON OUR PAYROLL AND THEY SEND US A CHECK.

WE ARE MAKING THEM PAY. >> THEY TAKE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

YES. >> WITH PRECINCT 2 MAKING THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT QUI ID PRO QUO AND SUPPORTING GOING TO AN EMPHASIS ON THE BOOTS AND LEAVING IT TO YOUR DISCRETION, I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT LOOKING AT YOUR -- TAKE CARE OF OUR

BOOTS. >> ABSOLUTELY. WILL THAT MONEY BE DIRECTED TO

THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE ONLY OR SPREAD OUT TO EVERY -- >> NO.

IT IS TO YOUR BUDGET. >> IT IS TO YOUR BUDGET WITH A HUNDRED CARS OR -- I AM JUST TRYING TO GET ALL OF THE CARS TO BE 150 OR LESS THOUSAND MILES.

THAT'S A RISK MANAGEMENT ISSUE. WE WOULD FUND OUT SAID YOUR BUDGET LIKE WE DID WITH BULLETPROOF VESTS ALL -- WE ARE LOOKING AT ALL LAW ENFORCEMENT CARS THAT PEOPLE DRIVE DAILY. AND WE ALSO ENCOURAGED THE PEOPLE THAT ARE NOT USING THEM IN LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUST DRIVING AROUND TO USE SOME MORE FUEL-EFFICIENT CARS AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK ON THAT TOO.

IT IS A COMBINATION. IT SHOULD SAVE YOU THOUGH BECAUSE YOU WON'T MAKE PAYMENTS ON THEM FOR THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. IT WILL SAVE YOU SIGNIFICANT DOLLARS AND THE DOLLARS YOU CAN START TAKING CARE OF THE OTHER ISSUES.

>> WOULD WE HAVE TO PAY THE OUT YEARS THOUGH? AND TO THE BUDGET AMENDMENT THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE OFFERED WITH THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, WHAT FINANCIAL

IMPACT DOES THAT HAVE ON THE BUDGET? >> IT IS 8.3 MILLION MORE THAN

[02:15:01]

THEY FELT IT WAS BETTER TO GIVE TO YOU WITH NO STRINGS ATTACHED AND YOU USED IT TO MANAGE YOUR DEPARTMENT WHERE YOU NEED TO, AND THEN THE CAR THING REALLY DOES HELP.

>> AND THE BODY LANGUAGE, I WILL BE WATCHING YOU, BILL TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T PLAY IN SHOW GAMES ON THE SHERIFF. MY SUPPORT FOR THIS MOTION IS STRICTLY YOU PAY FOR HIS VEHICLES AND THE SHERIFF HAS THE DISCRETION TO DECIDE HOW TO ALOE -- ALLOCATE PAY RAISES WHILE ADDRESSING AUTHORIZATIONS WITH THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT, THE 8.3 STAYING AS IT IS AND LEAVING THAT TO THE SHERIFF'S DISCRETION TO

DISPERSE IN HIS ORGANIZATION. >> LET ME CLARIFY. Y'ALL HAVE 1400, SO THIS IS A

HUNDRED OR SO? >> YES. >> WHAT I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS AS WE HAVE TALKED THE DOLLAR AMOUNT THAT WE DIDN'T -- RATHER WHEN WE WERE GOING THROUGH THE BUDGET WE TALKED ABOUT A PARTICULAR DOLLAR AMOUNT AND THEN I FOUND OUT THAT WHEN YOU AND I SPOKE ABOUT HOW THE SHERIFF'S BUDGET WOULD BE CONSTRUCTED THAT WE TALKED ABOUT PUTTING HIS CARS ON THE CIP AND THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR A SECOND AND SO HE WAS GOING TO BE CHARGED WITH A DOLLAR AMOUNT GOING TO PAY FOR CARS.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT DOLLAR AMOUNT IS BEING PUT ON COMMERCIAL PAPER.

IT DOES PRESIDENT -- DOESN'T IMPACT HIS BUDGET. >> IT IS 2.1 MILLION THAT WAS

IN THE 8.3 AND IT IS NOT IN THE 8.3 ANYMORE. >> AS LONG AS THE 8.3 STAYS ON

THE TABLE. >> IT IS TOTALLY ON THE TABLE.

>> VERY GOOD. >> ONE CLARIFICATION. THE PROPOSAL TODAY SHOWS A COMBINED TOTAL FOR OUR THREE DEPARTMENTS OF 561.4 MILLION. IS THAT NUMBER STAYING THE

SAME, OR IS THAT NUMBER CHANGING? >> THAT NUMBER IS GOING UP BY

8.3 MILLION. >> THAT NUMBER IS GOING UP 8.3 MILLION.

OKAY. JUST WANT TO ASSURE THAT. >> THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.

I WILL DOUBLE CHECK THE NUMBERS AT THE BREAK. AGAIN WHAT KEVIN LEFT ME WITH WAS 2.1 MILLION FOR VEHICLES AND 6.2 MILLION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE SHERIFF TO USE FOR PEACE OFFICERS OR WHATEVER HE NEEDS, CLASSES OR WHATEVER YOU NEED TO SUPPLEMENT. WE HAD A MEETING AFTER THAT. THE MEETING WE HAD WAS THREE OR FOUR WEEKS AGO, AND THAT WAS ON TRYING TO MOVE THESE KIND OF CAPITAL ITEMS OVER TO COMMERCIAL PAPER. I STILL HAVE TO CHARGE THE DEPARTMENT OTHERWISE THEY WILL JUST GET THE CREDIT CARD AND GO OUT THERE. THE POINT IS THERE IS NO CAP ON THE SERVICE. THERE IS ON GENERAL FUND MONEY.

WE ARE TRYING TO SUPPLEMENT AND HANDLE THAT. AND IT IS COSTING THE CARS THAT HAVE OVER 150,000 MILES, WE ARE LOSING VALUE IN THE CAR AND ON TOP OF THAT --

>> THEY ARE DANGEROUS. >> THEY ARE NOT AS SAFE AS A NEWER CAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO

MAKE SURE ARE YOU ON THE SAME PAGE WITH THIS BILL. >> WE ARE ON THE SAME PAGE.

>> JOSH STUCKEY -- WANT TO MAKE SURE KEVIN DID A LOT OF WORK ON THIS.

KEVIN HAD A FAMILY EMERGENCY AND HAD TO HEAD OUT. I BELIEVE THE FINAL NUMBER FOR THE RECOMMENDATION HAS EVERYTHING ALREADY ACCOUNTED FOR EXCEPT THE $2.1 MILLION MAKING SURE THAT WE FINANCE IT IN A WAY THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO AN EXPENSE.

IT BASICALLY PROVIDES AN ADDITIONAL $2.1 MILLION IF WE FINANCE IT.

IT IS BASICALLY TAKING AN EXPEPPED TOUR AWAY -- EXPENDITURE AWAY WHICH IS WHAT WE PLAN TO DO. IF THE AMENDMENT MAKES SENSE TO ME AND ALSO TO IS WE EXPENSE THE 2.1 MILLION FOR VEHICLES AND WORK THAT OUT AND IT STAYS THE SAME AS YOU TALK

WITH KEVIN ABOUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH IS 8.3 MILLION.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEN WHAT DOES THE MOTION HAVE TO BE --

>> ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT? >> THE MOTION WOULD BE WE GIVE THE SHERIFF 8.3 MILLION MORE

[02:20:01]

THERE. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 8.3 MILLION BECAUSE, BILL, THE SHEET HAD A NUMBER ALREADY. THE SHERIFF GETS 8.3 MILLION ADDITIONAL IN HIS BUDGET THIS YEAR, RIGHT? LET'S NOT TALK ABOUT SHEETS.

RIGHT? >> 8.3 MORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE GETS 8.3 IN THIS FISCAL YEAR, THE SHERIFF WILL GET 8.3 MILLION TOTAL AND NONE OF THAT WILL

HAVE TO GO TOWARD VEHICLES. >> THAT WILL NOT HAVE TO GO TOWARD VEHICLES.

ACTUALLY WE WILL REPLACE -- I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS 100 OR 150.

OUR GOAL IS TO REPLACE AS MANY VEHICLE THAT'S ARE OVER 150,000.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THE MOTION IF THIS WORKS TO GIVE THE SHERIFF AN $8.3 MILLION INCREASE THIS YEAR OVER LAST YEAR, AND NONE OF THAT FUNDING WILL HAVE TO GO TOWARD

VEHICLES. >> IT IS OVER WHAT WE PROVIDED TWO WEEKS AGO.

NOT LAST YEAR. WHAT WE PROVIDED TWO WEEKS AGO AS HIS RECOMMENDED BUDGET IS 8.3 MILLION MORE THAN THAT. HE IS ALREADY GETTING MONEY FROM THE CITY OF HOUSTON

COMING IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. BUT LAST YEAR YOU INCLUDED THE

2% RAISE AND THAT'S FACTORED INTO THE 8.3. >> MAYBE THIS WILL HELP, JUDGE. 8.3 ABOVE WHAT NUMBER. WHAT IS THE NUMBER?

>> SO BASICALLY RIGHT NOW ON THE SHEET IT HAS PROPOSED BUDGET AND THIS IS WHAT WE LOOKED AT TWO WEEKS AGO, $240 MANAGE -- $240 MANAGE 606. IS THAT WHAT YOU GOT?

>> FOR LAWEN FORCE MEANT? >> AND ADD 8.3 MILLION. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE TALKING

ABOUT. >> I AM IN FAVOR OF TAKING A BREAK AND FIGURING OUT THE

NUMBERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. SOUNDS GOOD.

LET'S TAKE 20 MINUTES BECAUSE

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:48 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

TO CLARIFY ON THE SHERIFF WE ARE GOING TO LEAVE THE NUMBERS UNDER THE SHERIFF'S PROPOSED BUDGET AS THE NUMBERS ARE PRESENTED IN THE AGENDA. SO THAT IS THE ONLY CHANGE RELATES TO CIP FOR THE VEHICLE PORTION OF THEIR PROPOSED BUDGET.

I WOULD LIKE TO MAGES -- MAKE A MOTION FOR THE DEPARTMENT TO CLASSIFY $2.1 MILLION OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE VEHICLE COSTS FOR REPLACING VEHICLES OVER 150,000 MILES AS A CAPITAL

EXPENSE AS PORT -- PART OF OUR CI PROGRAM. >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> ONE MORE, THAT A PRIOR &-ÚD

[02:42:24]

>> IT IS BECAUSED ON ON THE APPROVED STATUTE OUT. >> OKAY.

[02:42:31]

PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.

[02:42:33]

[02:42:40]

>> THE QUESTION WAS WE HAVE THE FIRE CODE FEE AND THERE IS A $7 MILLION TRANSFER.

HOW MUCH IS GOING TO YOU? OF THE SEVEN MILLION THAT IS BEING TRANSFERRED FROM THAT

PARTICULAR FUND? >> YES, SIR. THAT IS FUND 233, LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 233. I THINK THERE IS 13 MILLION IN THERE.

WE WILL SPLIT THAT EVENLY. WHAT THAT IS FOR IN THE STATUTE OUT WE MUST USE FOR FIRE CODE PURPOSES. JOHN DOES THE PERMIT REVIEW AND THEY GET THE PERMITS.

7MILLION OF THAT WILL COME TO ME. IT IS A LITTLE MORE BECAUSE OF THE COST OF DOING BUSINESS. THEY WILL GO -- THE REST GOES TO HIS FUND.

SO IT IS SPLIT. AT THE END OF THE YEAR THERE IS REALLY NOT MONIES LEFT IN THAT FUND. IT IS USED JUST FOR THE BOOTS.

>> IS THAT THE CURRENT BUDGET THAT YOU CAN TRANSFER INTO YOUR CURRENT BUDGET -- IN THE

CURRENT BUDGET? >> THAT IS KREBLGHT -- THAT IS CORRECT.

>> WE WORKED WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND EVERYTHING FLOWS THROUGH THEM.

THAT'S HOW WE WORKED IF -- WORKED IT OUT. >> THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSFERS DON'T GO DIRECTLY INTO THE GENERAL FUND.

DO YOU CODE THE PCN'S TO THAT FUND OR TO THAT DEPARTMENT? >> WORKING WITH YOLANDA WHO HAPPENS TO BE HERE, OVER THE YEARS THEY HAVE TO KEEP THEM SEPARATE.

THE FUNDS ARE SPENT ON FIRE CODE ACTIVITIES IN CASE THERE WAS AN AUDIT OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. AT THE END OF THE YEAR THEY GET THE INFORMATION AND THEY

TRACK IT. >> AND SO DO YOU WANT TO PROVIDE A REPORT ON ALL THE SPECIAL FUNDS WE HAVE AND WHAT THE REVENUES ARE AND WHAT THE BALANCES ARE AND WHAT THE CURRENT -- WHAT THE TRANSFERS HAVE BEEN FOR THE CURRENT BUDGET AND FOR THE APPLY 21

[02:45:01]

BUDGET? >> JUDGE, SO COMMISSIONER I AM CURIOUS IF YOU DO THAT CAN YOU ALL LET US KNOW IF THIS IS HOW OTHER COUNTIES DO IT AS WELL? WE WONDER IF THAT IS ANYTHING DIFFERENT. I GUESS THERE IS A STATE FEE THAT COMES IN?

>> COMMISSIONER, WHAT HAPPENS IS IN A LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 233, THAT IS A FIRE -- IT IS WHAT IS CALLED FIRE PROTECTION FUND THAT COMES INTO A COUNTY.

I THINK I MENTIONED TO YOU BEFORE I AM ACTUALLY THE PREVIOUS -- THE PRESIDENT OF THE TEXAS FIRE MARSHALL'S ASSOCIATION. YOU KNOW I LIKE TO KEEP UP WITH THE WEIRD STATS. THERE IS 254 COUNTIES AND 56 APPOINTED COUNTY FIRE MARSHALS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AT LAST COUNT THERE WAS 26 COUNTIES THAT HAD ADOPTED A FIRE CODE. EACH ONE FOLLOWS THE SAME REGIMEN.

BEXAR COUNTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY BEING THE LARGEST AND AS CLOSE AS POSSIBLE.

AND THAT'S CORRECT, THAT'S HOW THEY DO IT. WE TALK QUITE A BIT TO ENSURE

-- >> THEY DOT SAME SPLIT? THEY DO THE SAME SPLIT?

>> WE ARE, HARRIS COUNTY IS THE ONLY ONE THAT DOES IT WITH THE POPULATION SIZE.

THEY DO THE FIRE CODE REVIEW AND THE ISSUANCE OF THE PERMITS.

SO THE OTHER COUNTIES, THE FIRE MARSHALL IS DOING THE PLAN REVIEW AND DOING THE INSPECTIONS. FOR US IT WORKED WELL AND BECAUSE OF JOHN'S GROUP THE FLOOD PLAINS AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER THINGS IT WAS A ONE-STOP PERMIT SHOP.

HE EMPLOYS THE FIRE CODE REVIEWERS. THE ANSWER WOULD BE THOSE COUNTIES ARE USING THEIR FUNDS FOR FIRE CODE PURPOSES ONLY. IF THERE IS ANY SPLIT IT WOULD GO TO WHATEVER DEPARTMENT THERE IS. WE ARE THE ONLY ONES WITH AN

ENGINEERING GROUP AND JOHN YOU MAY KNOW MORE ABOUT THAT. >> WE ARE THE ONLY ENTITY THAT HAS A SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENT REGULATION. THE REQUIREMENT FOR FIRE LANES AND WE LOOK AT THE DRAINAGE AND ALL OF THAT. IT MAKES IT A GOOD FIT FOR THE

ECONOMY. >> I AT THE, JOHN AND -- THANK YOU, JOHN AND THANK YOU, FIRE MARSHALL. IS THE FUND ALSO CONTROLLED BY A STATE STATUTE OUT, OR IS

THAT A HARRIS COUNTY -- CONCESSION FEE FUND? >> I'M NOT SURE.

I'M NOT SURE I KNOW WHAT CONCESSION FEE FUND IS. >> THAT'S THE FUND THAT IS USED TO -- WHERE VARIOUS PARTS IN THE COUNTY WHO SELL OR GENERATE A REVENUE IS PLACED IN. AND SO IS THAT A STATE -DEDICATED FUND OR A

STATE-CONTROLLED FUND? >> IT IS A SPECIAL REVENUE FUND WHERE THE COMMISSIONERS CAN OPT IN TO USE IT OR NOT USE IT BASED ON THE STATUTE OUT.

I THINK THAT THERE IS THREE COMMISSIONERS WHO USE IT TODAY.

>> I KNOW MY OFFICE PAID INTO IT AND I WOULD LIKE TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH OF THAT IS COMING

DIRECTLY BACK TO THE PERSON. >> ALL OF IT. IT IS SEPARATED BY THE

DEPARTMENT. >> WHAT WE PAY IN WE GET BACK?

>> YES. >> AND HOW SHOULD WE SEE THAT IN OUR BUDGET?

>> WHEN THE BUDGET OFFICE ASSIGNS YOUR BUDGET BASED ON YOUR DEPARTMENT, HE KNOWS WHAT YOU HAVE THAT WAS LEFT OVER FROM THIS YEAR, AND WHAT WE HAVE ESTIMATED AS REVENUE IF

WE ESTIMATE THE REVENUE. >> GOOD DEAL. IF I CAN ASK YOU TO VISIT WITH MY OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE UNDERSTANDING THAT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON THE CONCESSIONS QUESTION, ROBERT, THERE HAS BEEN SOME QUESTION ABOUT THE CONCESSION FOR OUR INMATES BEING USED FOR THE ACQUISITION OF TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. IS THAT IN THE BUDGET, OR IS THAT ON OUR OTHER AGENDA?

WHERE DO THOSE CROSS BACK AND FORTH? >> ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT

COMMISSARY FUNDS? >> COMMISSARY, YES. >> I DON'T THINK IT HAS ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE BUDGET. THE COMMISSARY FUNDS ARE

PRETTY MUCH IN THE CONTROL OF THE SHERIFF. >> ONCE WE GET TO THAT ITEM AND I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE DIDN'T ADDRESS IT WHILE WE ARE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE BUDGET. I AM GOING TO ASK YOUR OFFICE.

>> THERE IS AN ITEM UNDER PURCHASING. I WILL ASK YOUR OPINION ON THAT ISSUE. JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT FEES AND CONCESSION THAT'S WE DIDN'T GLOSS OVER IT. THANK YOU.

>> TO THAT END I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE FOR ALL OF THE SPECIAL FORCES?

[02:50:01]

>> WE WILL MEET WITH YOU ON THE DETAILS OF WHAT YOU NEED. WE STIPULATED ALL OF THEM AND WE PROVIDED THE REVENUE ESTIMATES AND THE REVENUE FUNDS.

>> IS THERE SPECIFICALLY ONE AUDIT THAT IS MADE OUT OF THE SPECIAL FORCE?

>> THANK YOU. >> THERE IS A SPECIAL REVENUE.

>> WELL THOSE ARE DISCRETIONARY TO THE EXTENT THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOESN'T APPROVE THE BUDGET FOR THOSE TYPE OF FUNDS. WE JUST NEED CLARIFICATION ON

WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR. >> OKAY, WELL, WE WILL GIVE IT.

>> IT WOULD INCLUDE ALL OF THEM, RIGHT? ANY ASSET OR FORFEITURE FUND?

>> WE'LL FIGURE THAT OUT. >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. FOLKS, ANYTHING ELSE ON THE BUDGET?

>> ONE OTHER ITEM, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH? >> YOU KNOW, SINCE THIS IS GOING TO BE A UNIQUE BUDGET YEAR, I WANT TO DETERMINE WHETHER THE ROLL OVER FUNDS CAN BE ENCOURAGED. FOR EXAMPLE IN UNIVERSAL SERVICES, THERE IS ABOUT 2.4 MILLION THAT IS BEING REQUESTED THAT IS NOT AN ON GOING BUDGET ITEM.

BUT IT IS ESSENTIALLY IT CAN BE TAKEN OUT OF THE ROLL OVER.

AND -- IT CAN BE CAPITALIZED IN THAT REGARD. THERE ARE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN THE ROLL OVER ACCOUNTS THAT I WANT TO DETERMINE WHETHER OR NOT THAT STAYS WHERE IT IS AT

OR WHETHER WE CAN CREATE STRATEGIC USE OF THOSE. >> SO ON THE UNIVERSAL

SERVICES IN PARTICULAR? >> YEAH, I GUESS USING THAT AS A TEST CASE, THERE IS 2.4 MILLION THERE THAT I THINK WOULD BE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A ROLL OVER.

THEY HAVE EIGHT MILLION IN A ROLL OVER. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHY WE WOULD BROAP -- APPROPRIATE NEW DOLLARS WHILE THERE ARE STILL MILLIONS OF DOLLARS SITTING THERE. IF IT NEEDS SPECIFIC DIRECTION, THEN I WOULD MOVE THAT WE ZERO OUT THE BUDGET TO -- I THINK THERE IS STILL SOME SALARY DOLLARS AND I DON'T WANT TO TOUCH THOSE, BUT ASIDE FROM THAT THERE IS ABOUT 2.4 THAT IS NOT SALARY OR ON GOING GENERAL COSTS. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN ENCOURAGE THE USE OF THE

REVENUE -- THE ROLL OVER ACCOUNT FOR THOSE. >> I WOULD SECOND THAT AND SAY THAT IF THERE IS A PROBLEM DURING THE CYCLE WE CAN COME BACK AND MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT.

>> I AM OPEN TO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND. CAN YOU REPEAT THE MOTION, COMMISSIONER?

>> YES. THAT WE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: ESSENTIALLY IT IS CHANGING THE -- CHANGING THE BUDGET FROM 2.4 TO 0. THE 2% INCREASE IS NOT PART OF THE 2.4, CORRECT? IF WE CHANGE IT FROM 2.4 TO 0 FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> WE HAVE 2.436244 WHICH IS THE RECOMMENDED UH -- ADJUSTMENT.

ORIGINALLY THERE WAS A REQUESTED HIGHER NUMBER. WE BROUGHT IT DOWN.

FOUR ITEMS WHICH WERE THE FEES AND SOME OF THE NEW SYSTEMS. >> BRUCE HIGH, UNIVERSAL SERVICES. REALLY WHAT WE MADE A POINT WAS THE 2.4 IS THE MINUTE -- MINIMUM WE CAN GET BY WITH THIS YEAR'S INCREASE. IT IS ALL ABOUT MAINTENANCE WHICH I DESCRIBED LAST MEETING WHAT MAINTENANCEMENT. THESE -- MEYNT -- MAIPT -- MAINTENANCE MEANT. IT WAS FARTHER -- PART OF THE FIVE-YEAR PLAN OR SEVEN-YEAR PLAN ARE IN FRUITION AND BEING USED TO KEEP THE LATEST PATCHES FOR SECURITIES AND KEEP THE MAINTENANCE ANYTIME WE NEED. IT THE 24/HOUR MAINTENANCE ON THOSE TYPES OF SYSTEMS. WE NEED THAT 2.4. YES, THE REST OF THE MONEY WE NEEDED WE NEEDED 6.5 TO MAKE IT THROUGH NEXT YEAR AND WE WERE ANTICIPATING USING THE

[02:55:04]

OPERATION BUDGET. >> AND IS THERE ANY REASON WHY YOU CAN'T STILL USE THE --

YOUR ROLL OVER? >> WE CAN USE ROLL OVER. WE ARE JUST NOT GONNA HAVE ANY LEFT. THERE IS A LOT OF THINGS THAT COME UP THAT YOU ASK US THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THAT WE NEED THE MONEY TO GET THE CONSULTANTS IN.

PERFECT EXAMPLE IS 311. SOME OF THE MONEY CAME OUT FOR THAT INITIATIVE.

THE CITE RELEASE PROGRAM, TO GET THINGS UP AND GOING WE HAD TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THOSE KINDS OF FUNDS TO GET THE CONSULTANTS IN HERE AND GET DEVELOPERS IN HERE TO GET SOMETHING PRODUCED TO SUPPORT YOU IN THE TIME YOU WANTED IT DONE.

>> BRUCE, I HEAR YOU, AND I -- BILL, I STILL THINK THAT THERE IS MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF TANGS -- TAXPAYERS' MONEY IN ROLL OVER ACCOUNT THAT'S WE ARE NOT TOUCHING.

I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT PUTTING THAT MONEY TO WORK INSTEAD OF JUST SITTING

THERE. >> I UNDERSTAND, BUT SOME OF THAT ROLL OVER MONEY -- AGAIN. MOST OF THE MONEY DOESN'T COME UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR WITH

PROPERTY TAXES. BEFORE -- >> NO, I KNOW.

I KNOW YOU WORK TO USE IT AS A CASH FLOW FUND, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHY YOUR OFFICE IS AROUND TO HELP THE DEPARTMENTS DEAL WITH CASH FLOW ISSUES AS THEY OCCUR.

BUT DO YOU HAVE AN 8 MILLION CASH FLOW PROBLEM? >> WE ARE LIMITING THINGS WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. WE ARE SAYING NO TO INITIATIVES.

>> BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT BUDGETED, BUT DO YOU HAVE AN $8 MILLION CASH FLOW PROBLEM?

>> NO, BUT THAT MONEY -- >> OKAY. SO I WILL HOLD MY MOTION UNTIL I -- RATHER, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE MOTION GO THROUGH, AND THEN WE WILL WORK OUT TO SEE IF -- HOW MUCH OF A PROBLEM IT BECOMES. IF IT BECOMES AN ISSUE I WILL PUT IT BACK ON THE AGENDA NEXT WEEK, JUDGE. LINE LEAN COMMISSION PLAP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE YOU

HOLDING? >> NO, MY MOTION IS STILL ON THE TABLE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I THINK THIS IS A DANGEROUS PRECEDENT.

ONE OF THE RE -- REFORM THAT'S OCCURRED DURING MY TIME BEING HERE WAS ONE WHERE WE SHRIFTED AND THEY HAD TO USE IT OR LOSE IT. WE SAW A LOT OF WELL INTENTIONED, BUT DON'T WANT TO GO SO FAR AS CALLING IT WASTE BECAUSE PEOPLE BOUGHT THINGS THEY DIDN'T NEED AND THEY WOULD LOSE THEIR ITEMS THE NEXT YEAR IN -- IF THEY DIDN'T LOSE. IT AS A JUDGE GOING THROUGH THE TOUGH TIMES A COLLEAGUE WENT OUT AND BOUGHT TONS OF TOILET PAPER BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ADEQUATE TOILET PAPER DURING THE TIGHT BUDGET TIMES. YOU REMEMBER THOSE DAYS.

SO FOR US TO SAY THAT WE ARE GOING TO -- THE ROLL OVER PROCESS SAYS WE ARE NOT GOING TO CUT YOUR BUDGET IF YOU DON'T SPEND EVERY DIME YOU HAVE.

IT ENCOURAGED OUR DIRECTORS AND IT ENCOURAGED THE PEOPLE THAT WERE STEWARDS OF THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS TO INVEST IN WHAT REALLY WORKED AND WHAT THEY REALLY NEEDED, AND IF THEY DIDN'T REALLY NEED IT, IT WOULD BE IN THEIR ROLL OVER SO THEY COULD PULL IT DOWN THE NEXT YEAR OR THE YEAR AFTER THAT. THAT RENORMAL -- THAT REFORM HELPED US NOT ONLY GETTING OUT OF THE LOOP OF HAVING TO BORROW MONEY EARLY ON EVERY YEAR, AND NOW WE DON'T HAVE TO WORE -- BORROW MONEY TO GET TO THE END OF THE YEAR, BUT MADE OUR DEPARTMENT HEADS MUCH MAURY RESPONSIBLE -- MUCH MORE RESPONSIBLE BUYING WHAT THEY NEEDED WHEN THEY NEEDED IT AS OPPOSED TO BLOWING THE BUDGET FOR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR BUDGET THE NEXT YEAR. AND SO I THINK THIS IS A TERRIBLE SLIPPERY SLOPE.

MAYBE WE ARE DOING IT BECAUSE SOME OF US MIGHT NOT LIKE BRUCE HYDE.

TO RAID HIM WHEN WE ARE ON THE CYBERATTACKS IS A TERRIBLE DECISION.

JUDGE, I WOULD URGE US NOT TO GO DOWN THE PATHWAY OF UNDOING THE VERY VALUABLE REFORM WE HAVE PREVIOUSLY ENGAGED UPON TO MAKE SURE OUR BUDGET DIRECTORS WERE UTILIZING THEIR

[03:00:02]

BUT THEN YOU WILL UNDO THAT VALUABLE REFORM THAT ALLOWED OUR BUDGET PEOPLE -- NOT OUR BUDGET, BUT OUR DIRECTORS TO BE DIRECTORS AND TO BE STEWARDS OF THE DOLLARS THAT WERE IN THEIR CARE. I THINK IT IS A BAD PATHWAY TO GO ON.

I CAN SEE WHERE YOU CAN SAY, HEY, THERE'S CASH. LET'S NOT UNDO THAT REFORM.

I URGE US TO RECONSIDER. I WOULD URGE MY COLLEAGUE TO MAYBE LET'S THINK ABOUT IT A LITTLE BIT. HAVE I NOT TALKED TO ANYBODY ELSE ABOUT THIS.

I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO VISIT WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, TO GIVE YOU MY PERSPECTIVE.

THIS IS SOMETHING WE DID NOT HAVE WHEN I FIRST CAME IN, AND THIS WAS SOMETHING I LIVED UNDER AS A JUDGE ON THE OLD WAY WHICH I DON'T WANT TO SAY WAS BROKEN, BUT NOT AS EFFICIENT AND NOT AS POSITIVE OF THIS BUDGETING APPROACH WHERE WE ALLOW DIRECTORS TO BE

DIRECTORS AND TO SPEND WHAT THEY NEED. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. I GET YOUR POINT. I STILL THINK IT IS AN INTERESTING BUNLETTING PROS -- BUDGETING PROS -- PROCESS TO HAVE CASH ON HAND THAT WE ARE NOT TOUCHING. IT SAYS SOMETHING FOR THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT, IF YOU WILL , OF DEPARTMENTS TO GENERATE A SAVINGS, SO WHAT DOES THAT SAY ABOUT THE BUDGET TO BEGIN WITH? AS A SHERIFF I SOMEWHAT BENEFITED FROM THE SAVINGS.

SOME OF THOSE SAVINGS WERE ARTIFICIAL IN A SENSE THAT I DEVELOPED SOME SAVINGS FROM THE SALARIES BECAUSE GETTING UPC IN WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TABLE.

AND SO IT IS -- I THINK THE ROLL OVER SYSTEM HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT OF A GOOD SYSTEM, BUT TO NOT PUT IT ON THE BUDGETING TABLE I THINK IS A DISSERVICE TO THE CITIZENS WHEN IT IS THEIR MONEY, AND WE ARE -- YET WE ARE GIVING THE DEPARTMENTS BUDGETS THEY ARE ASKING FOR IN PART WITHOUT CONSIDERATION FOR HOW THE ROLL OVER WILL BE USED.

I AM SIMPLY LOOKING TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THAT AND FIND CASES WHERE THE ROLL OVER IS AN

BROAP -- AN APPROPRIATE PLACE TO USE. >> COMMISSIONER, WE HAVE COMMITTED TO 50% OF OUR ROLL OVER THIS YEAR TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF MONEY.

THE 2.5 IS NEW TO US. IT IS A NEW OPERATIONAL BUDGET THAT HIT US THIS YEAR.

SO TO TAKE 6.5 MILLION NOW OUT OF THE 8 MILLION THAT WE HAVE GIVES US A MILLION AND A HALF TO GET THROUGH THE YEAR AND WE TOUCH ROLL OVER THREE MILLION OR FOUR MILLION A YEAR.

THAT WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT TO EITHER SERVICES AND THE MAINTENANCE AND SUPPORT OF OUR PEOPLE -- OF OUR SYSTEMS OR IT WILL -- IT COULD LEAD TO LAYOFFS.

WE HAVE TO PAY FOR MAINTENANCE. THAT'S WHERE IT WILL IMPACT

US. >> BRUCE, I SECOND THE MOTION.

IF AFTER YOU ALL VISIT IF YOU SEE A PROBLEM COME BACK AND ASK AND WE CAN MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT IN THE YEAR. JUST LET US KNOW. DON'T TAKE IT PERSONAL.

>> IT COULD BE TOO LATE. WE WERE GOING TO ASK FOR THE WHOLE ROLL OVER NOW BECAUSE WE

HAVE THINGS WE HAVE TO START DOING. >> BRUCE, YOU ARE -- AS LONG AS I SEE THAT YOU ARE USING YOUR ROLL OVER, AND THAT'S REALLY THE -- I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE DEPARTMENTS ARE USING THE ROLL OVER WHEN IT IS APPROPRIATE AND WE ARE NOT JUST GIVING YOU MORE MONEY ON TOP OF THAT. JUDGE -- COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE THE SECOND, BUT I WILL ASK FOR A CONVERSATION WITH YOU IF MY STAFF APPROVES, AND IF THERE IS ROOM FOR THIS -- THIS WILL BE A CONTINUING CONVERSATION FOR ME, JUDGE. I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE ROLL OVER AND WHEN THERE SHOULD BE -- WE ARE LEAVING IT FOR THE DEPARTMENT'S DISCRETIONS. WE SET THE BUDGET SO TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHERE THE ROLL OVER

[03:05:06]

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> AND THEN HAVE MY STAFF VISIT WITH YOU, AND IF I -- IF I AM NOT YET CONVINCED I PUT ANOTHER EYE -- ITEM ON THE AGENDA FOR NEXT WEEK.

>> LOOK FORWARD TO MEETING WITH YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE YOUR ASKING THIS.

I AM ALSO WONDERING WHAT THE BEST PRACTICES ARE. I MEAN, I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND BILL TALKED ABOUT THIS A LOT. OBVIOUSLY YOU DON'T WANT A SYSTEM WHERE FOLKS ARE INCENTIVIZED TO JUST SPEND IT ALL.

I DID POSE THAT QUESTION TO PF FAM. I APPRECIATE YOUR RAISING THIS. ALL RIGHT. YES?

>> I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT ULTIMATELY THAT MONEY STAYS UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE IS -- OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND IT WOULD COME BACK TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

THE BUDGET IS KIND OF A GUIDELINE THAT WE USE TO TRY TO MAKE OUR GOVERNMENT WORK

MORE EFFICIENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ANY OTHER DEPARTMENTS? DO WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021 THAT APPROVES THE CHANGE TO

5.7 MILLION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH? >> SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT, THANKS, FOLKS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS THE SECOND AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS THE MOTION. NOW LET'S MOVE TO THE AGENDA.

NEVER MIND. THERE ARE MORE PUBLIC HEARINGS.

APOLOGIES. THE THIRD PUBLIC HEARING ON PAGE 25 THAT IS THE ONE THE COUNTY CLERK RECOMMEND WE DO THE SOONER THE BETTER. I -- PAGE 25 AND 28 AND THE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF THE RECORDS ARCHIVE PLAN FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020/2021 AND THAT THE RECORDS ARCHIVE PHEOBE SET TO $-- ARCHIVE BE SET. DO WE HAVE A MOTION.

>> SO MOVED. >> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. I NOW CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING.

I VOTED FOR IT AS WELL. I CLOSE THE PUBLIC HEARING. >> LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 2B14 AND 5. IT IS FOR THE FOLLOWING STREET NAME CHANGES AND CORRECTIONS IN PRE SINK 4. WEST GREENS ROAD TO GREENS BAYOU BASIN ROAD AND BURNHAM TO BE CHANGED TO BURNHAM BOULEVARD AND CHANGED TO WEST MOSS SEE OAKS ROAD AND MOSS SEE OAKS ROAD TO BE CHANGED TO EAST MOSSY OAKS ROAD. ANYONE HERE TO SPEAK FOR ORGANS THESE ITEM -- FOR OR AGAINST THESE ITEMS. IS THERE A MOTION?

>> MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

AND NOW WE ARE CLOSING THE PUBLIC HEARING. SO THAT'S IT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE CAN MOVE TO THE AGENDA OR TAKE THE LUNCH BREAK RIGHT

NOW. >> STOMACH SAYS IT IS TIME TO DO IT.

[Item II]

>> THIS IS ONE -- THIS IS ONE OF THE FACILITIES WE ARE INCLUDING IN OUR BASIS.

WE WILL HAVE THE ABILITY TO RESTORE BETWEEN 70 AND 1 -- 100-ACRES.

IT CAN BE HELD FOR A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME TO ALLOW THINGS SUCH AS NON-POTABLE USE AND THE OTHER BENEFIT IS IN THE ADVANCE OF A STORM WE CAN RELEASE THAT WATER AND CREATE ADDITIONAL STORES SO THAT DETENTION BASE HAS A -- ANOTHER CAPACITY.

[03:10:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S FANTASTIC. WILL IT CONTROL THE WATER

LEVELS AT THE RESERVOIR? >> THAT WAS ONE OF THE CONSIDERATIONS THAT WE HAD IN MIND WHEN WE REVISED THE CRITERIA. IT WAS TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE

WAYS TO RELIEVE THE STRESSES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE ON FLOOD CONTROL? TOLL ROAD. BUDGET MANAGEMENT? INTER GOVERNMENTAL AND GLOBAL

UH FAIRS. >> JUDGE, WOULD YOU SAY THAT AGAIN?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL JUST SAY IGA. >> I LOVED IT WHEN YOU SAID

THE WHOLE THING. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS GOOD.

IT DOES SOUND GOOD. >> I THINK WE OUGHT TO ADD INTER GALACTIC.

>> LINA HIDALGO: UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.

POLLUTION CONTROL. >> JUDGE, ON POLLUTION CONTROL DR. BEVI, ARE YOU AVAILABLE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL WAIT FOR DR. BEVIN TO MAKE HER WAY.

>> SHE'S IN THE BACK? AND THERE IS A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM AND I CAN TAKE IT UP WHEN

WE HIT THE SUPPLEMENTALS SO I DON'T DO IT HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

I WILL MAKE A NOTE THAT THERE IS A SUPPLEMENTAL. >> GOOD MORNING.

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

I KNOW MY OFFICE HAS VISITED WITH YOU AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR COURTESIES AS WE TALK ABOUT THE -- ABOUT THIS ITEM AND THE ONE IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM THAT DEALS WITH THE CONCRETE BATCH. MY CONCERN IS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT GETTING HORSES AHEAD OF THE CART AND WE ARE PROTECTING NEIGHBORHOODS. THE ABILITY FOR US TO BUILD THINGS IS IMPORTANT. FACILITY THAT'S WE HAVE AND THAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO AND TO REPAIR AND SO THAT'S IMPORTANT ON THE OTHER HAND AND WE DON'T WANT ANYBODY DOING ANYTHING IN THOSE COMMUNITIES THAT WILL HARM OUR NEIGHBORS.

>> CORRECT. >> I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS ITEM ON EIGHT AND ON THE SUPPLEMENT THAT YOU ARE ABLE TO ASSURE US THAT WE ARE NOT CONVICTED -- CONVICTING ANYBODY BEFORE THEY HAVE THEIR CHANCE TO SAY. IN OTHER WORDS WE ARE NOT SHUTTING THEM OUT WITHOUT BEING A DANGER AND ON THE OTHER HAND NOT HAVING PEOPLE

DO ANYTHING DANGEROUS. >> CORRECT. >> THERE IS ALWAYS THAT BALANING ACT. WE DEAL WITH WHETHER IT DEALS WITH CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMS OR THESE REFORMS. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T CONVICT BEFORE WE HAVE THE FACTS. IF WE WERE TO BRING THESE SUITS BEING REQUESTED, DO WE HAVE ENOUGH FACTS TO BRING THOSE, OR ARE WE RUSHING TO JUDGMENT BEFORE WE HAVE THE

FACTS? >> I WILL SPEAK ABOUT THE ITEM -- THE GENERAL ITEM AND NOT THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM AND WILL DEFER SOME OF THE CONVERSATION TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE ITEM WE HAVE ON THERE IS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE INITIATIVE I SPOKE ABOUT EARLIER TO INCREASE THE INSPECTIONS AT THOSE FACILITIES. WHAT I HAVE LEARNED IS LOOKING AT THEM -- WE WERE LOOKING AT THEM FOR STORM WATER ISSUES AND THEY WEREN'T BEING COUNTED.

BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND ON OUR STAFF WE SORT OF STOPPED DOING IT EXCEPT WHEN THERE WAS A COMPLAINT THAT WAS ALLEGED AGAINST THE FACILITY. AND NOW WE ARE LOOKING AT THEM BECAUSE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOMETIMES WHEN COMMUNITIES ARE NOT GETTING ACTION THEY STOP COMPLAINING. IT DOESN'T MEAN THEY ARE NOT STILL EXPERIENCING THE ISSUE.

THEY MAY STOP COMPLAINING. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE LOOK AT EXACTLY WHAT'S GOING ON AT THESE FACILITIES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE AIR AND STORM WATER REGULATIONS. THAT'S REALLY WHAT THAT'S ABOUT.

IF WE FIND ANYTHING -- ESPECIALLY IF IT IS EGREGIOUS AND REPETITIVE WE MOVE FORWARD AND MAKE SURE THERE ISN'T SOMETHING WE NEED TO DO TO MAINTAIN.

IT IS AN OVER ALL BENEFIT FOR THE COMPANY. >> WE WANT TO THANK YOU FOR

[03:15:10]

YOU AND YOUR FIRE MARSHALL AND WE ARE ALL SAFER FOR IT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW

HOW LONG IT HAS BEEN SINCE ANY OF THEM HAVE BEEN CHECKED? >> RIGHT NOW WE ARE LOOKING

AT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MEAN IN THE PAST.

YOU HAVE DONE, WHAT, TWO OR THREE OVER HERE OR TWO A THREE A MONTH?

>> IN THE PAST THEY WERE BASED ON COMPLAINTS. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE LIST THERE WERE A FEW WE ARE LOOKING AT NOW AND WE HAVEN'T LOOKED AT A COUPLE SINCE 2017. SO NOT TOO LONG AGO, BUT LONG ENOUGH THAT THERE MAY HAVE

BEEN ISSUES THAT HAVE SPROUTED UP THAT WE ARE NOT AWARE OF. >> WE CAN GET IT THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 10TH TO MARCH THE SECONDS -- MARCH THE 6TH. AFTER THAT UNTIL YOU GO

THROUGH ALL OF THEM. >> WE ARE STARTING OFF SLOW BECAUSE WE ARE USING EXISTING STAFF. WE DIDN'T INCREASE OUR STAFF FOR THAT.

IT IS SO THEY CAN DO THE OTHER INSPECTIONS THAT THEY ARE MANDATED TO DO.

IT TAKES ALL DAY PRETTY MUCH TO DO ONE OF THOSE INSPECTIONS AND THEY LOOK AT WATER AS WELL AS THE AIR ISSUES. IT IS PRETTY COMPREHENSIVE. THIS WEEK WE ARE TRYING TO DO TWO. WE CAN LOOK AT CONCRETE PRO'S AS WELL AS THE FIRST ONE WE ARE TARGETING FOR THE CONCRETE BATCH PLAN INITIATIVE AND WE ARE PLANNING TO EXPAND.

IF WE LOOK TO ADD MORE INSPECTORS WE ARE MAKING THE REQUEST AT THAT TIME.

OTHERWISE WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO CONTINUE ON FOR THIS FOUR-WEEK TIME PERIOD TO SEE

WHAT WE CAN GET DONE. >> SO INITIALLY WE ARE STARTING OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS. RELATED TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER TWO, THAT'S WHAT WE LOOKED AT YESTERDAY. AND WE ACTUALLY DID GET A CHANCE TO GO OUT BEFORE THE RAIN CAUGHT US. THAT'S IN THE CITY. IT DID START THE CONVERSATION, BUT WE NEED A BETTER CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY SO THAT WE ARE NOT JUST BARGING

IN. >> CAN YOU DO THAT OR DO YOU NEED HELP FROM US? IT WOULD MAKE SENSE. HOW MANY DO WE HAVE IN THE COUNTY?

DO WE KNOW THE NUMBER? >> I THINK I FOUND THE LAST NUMBER TO BE 154 AND THAT IS

TOTAL IN COUNTY AND IN THE CITY. >> WE WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO REACH OUT TO THE CITY. IT BO MAKE SENSE -- IT WOULD MAKE SENSE.

WITH THE ATTENTION THE ISSUE HAS GOTTEN IF THEY DO SOMETHING AND WE DO SOMETHING

WE GET MORE DONE SOON. >> YES, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ONE OF THE THINGS I WAS READING IS A LOT OF THESE ARE FAIRLY RECENT, BUT THE PROBLEM IS EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A POSITION TO THEIR CONSTRUCTION, THERE IS NOTHING THAT WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT THEM FROM BEING BUILT.

WHAT WE CAN DO IS HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE. DO YOU FEEL THESE INSPECTIONS

ARE GOING TO RESULT IN MORE ACCOUNTABILITY? >> I FEEL LIKE IT WILL.

AND IF WE FIND SOME ISSUE THAT'S ARE PERVASIVE AND FREQUENT, THEN WE CAN WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND SEE IF THERE SOMETHING WE CAN DO TO PUT LANGUAGE IN TO HOLD THEM MORE ACCOUNTABLE AND MAYBE GET SOMETHING IN THERE PERMANENT

THAT MAKES THEM DO SOME OF THE BETTER HOUSEKEEPING THINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE INITIATIVE WITH US. IF THERE IS SOME SORT OF, YOU KNOW, ROUTINE OR FREQUENCY OF INSPECTIONS YOU NEED TO GET TO SO WE ARE FOLLOWING BEST PRACTICES AND YOU NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING FOR THAT LET US KNOW.

I CERTAINLY DON'T WANT IT TO BE WHERE IT IS SO FEW AND FAR BETWEEN THAT IT DOESN'T HAVE AN IMPACT. IDEALLY WHAT YOU ARE DOING HAS A MEANINGFUL IMPACT AND MAKING

SURE THESE COMPANIES COMPLY WITH REGULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> AND GLOBAL AFFAIRS YOU CAN COME UP WITH SOME RECOMMENDATION AND WE WILL ASK IF WE WILL GET IT OR NOT. WE OUGHT TO ASK. I ASSUME WE HAVE AN ABILITY IN WHAT THE PLANNING PROCEDURES ARE? ANY REQUIREMENTS OR ANYTHING

WE CAN PUT ON THIS UNDER CURRENT LAW? >> NO BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE

CLASSIFIED AS ZONING SO WE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY. >> AT BEST -- ASKING FOR ART

[03:20:02]

MAKING SPACE. >> WE WILL CERTAINLY WORK WITH THE IGA FOLKS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> THERE THERE WAS ONE OTHER ITEM ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ITEM.

WE OUGHT TO TAKE THAT ONE UP. SINCE WE ARE ON THE TOPIC. SUPPLEMENTAL NUMBER 2 PAGE

25. >> THIS IS TO OPPOSE THE ISSUANCE OF CONCRETE, AND I UNDERSTAND THERE IS AN EXTRA LAYER TO IT AND IT IS A REQUEST TO RESEARCH IT.

>> WELL, SARA UTLEY IS HERE AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS AN EXISTING PLAN AND THEY WANT TO ADD A SECOND UNIT. WE WANT TO FILE AN OPPOSITION TO THE SECOND UNIT BASED ON COMPLIANCE FROM THE NEIGHBORS. GO AHEAD, SARA, AND TELL US

MORE ABOUT IT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, SARA UTLEY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S

OFFICE. >> THIS IS IN PRECINCT -- >> PRECINCT 1.

>> HOW CLOSE IS IT TO -- ISN'T IT CLOSE TO -- >> SOUTH OF SUNNY SIDE.

>> CLOSE ENOUGH FOR ME TO GET A LOT OF COMPLAINTS. I WANT YOU TO GET DOWN THERE AND FILE IT QUICK. IT IS CLOSE TO THE HOUSE I GREW UP IN.

>> BECAUSE IT IS IN YOUR PRECINCT I WILL LET YOU RUN POINT.

>> GET AFTER IT. I MOVE IT. >> SO THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY , THEY WERE PREVIOUSLY PERMITTED BY THE TCQ FOR A CONCRETE BATCH PLANT.

THE PERMIT WAS ISSUED IN ABOUT 2015. THE CONCRETE PROS HAS PETITIONED TCQ FOR ANOTHER BATCH PLANT AT THE SAME LOCATION.

THERE WAS A LOT OF COMMUNITY CONCERN WHEN THE ORIGINAL PERMIT WAS ISSUED WITH DUST AND NOISE. THE CITY OF HOUSTON, WE HAVE THEIR RECORDS AND THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING TO GET INFORMATION. THEY ISSUED QUITE A FEW VIOLATION NOTICE HAD TO THE DEFENDANT FOR CREATING NUISANCE ISSUES OFF SITE.

WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT EXPANDING OPERATIONS. AS YOU KNOW WE CAN'T GET PARTY STATUS. IN ADDITION TO FILING THIS REQUEST WITH THE TCQ TO LET THEM KNOW OF OUR CONCERN, POLLUTION CONTROL WENT OUT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON YESTERDAY TO LOOK AT SIDE OPERATIONS THAT ARE CURRENTLY AT THE SITE.

SHE DID FIND A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER OF VIOLATIONS INCLUDING THAT THEY ARE NOT OPERATING WITH -- THEY ARE OPERATING WITHOUT A STORM WATER PER -- PERMIT.

THE HOPE IS WE CAN DO A MULTI-STEP APPROACH TO GET BETTER PERMIT TERMS.

>> I APPLAUD YOU TO DO IT. YOU HAVE TO PASS BY THE SITE. THE CITY IS TRYING TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE OLD SUNNY SIDE DUMPSITE. YOU HAVE A LOT OF HOUSES GOING UP. PEOPLE ARE COMPLAINING AND I APPRECIATE YOU ALL AND I

APPRECIATE THE LEADERSHIP. I MOVE IT. >> SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU. OKAY.

LET'S GO -- WE WERE IN POLLUTION CONTROL. COMMUNITY SERVICES.

VETERAN SERVICES. COUNTY LIBRARY. ON CONSTABLES THERE IS A CORRECTION ON ITEM 12A. THE ITEM SHOULD INCLUDE PRECINCT 7.

SO IT IS 56 AND 7. SHERIFF. >> REAL QUICK, BACK ON CON -- CONSTABLES. ITEM E1 WE ARE AUTHORIZING WE THE -- THE RETAINING OF A DEPUTY THAT IS LIKELY BEING -- THAT WAS UNDER THE CONTRACT FOR THAT HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION. HOW IS THAT DEPUTY'S POSITION FACTORED INTO THE BUDGET?

YOU WOULDN'T HAVE KNOWN IF THAT CONTRACT WAS CANCELED. >>

>> THEY HAVE TO? ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS CONSTABLES. SHERIFF. FIRE MARSHALL.

[03:25:03]

COUNTY CLERK. COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> GEM -- YES, MA'AM AND SARA IS HERE IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ON 16A DEALING WITH THE UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD FACILITY.

WE SENT YOU FOLKS AN UPDATE I THINK YESTERDAY. >> JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM, BECAUSE THIS AREA IS CLOSE TO PRECINCT 2 AND I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES, CAN I JUST MAKE SURE THAT SHE HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT WHAT IS THE RADIUS OF THE

IMPACT OF THIS AND MAKE SURE IT IS BEING CONSIDERED? >> ABSOLUTELY.

AND I WILL ASK SARA TO MAKE SURE WE WORK WITH THE COMMISSIONER STAFF AND SHOW

THEM THE PLUMES AND THE MAPS. >> WE ARE IN SYNC WITH THE CITY SO THEY ARE AWARE OF WHAT

WE ARE DOING? >> THEY ARE AWARE AND I SPOKE WITH THE CITY YESTERDAY.

WE ARE WORKING ON SETTING UP AN INTERNAL MEETING WITH THE COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES AND THE CITY REPRESENTATIVES. SO WE CAN ALL MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING TOGETHER.

>> THE CITY HEALTH DIRECTOR CALLED ME A COUPLE DAYS AGO. THEY TRIED TO COME UP WITH A PROGRAM WHERE THEY WOULD GIVE PEOPLE A MODEST INCENTIVE. SOME ARE BEATEN DOWN SO MUCH THAT THEY ARE DONE TALKING AND I APPRECIATE IF WE LOOK THAT THERE WAS -- IT WASN'T A LOT OF MONEY, BUT I APPRECIATE IF THERE IS A LEGAL WAY TO DO THAT WITH COUNTY FUNDS SO I DON'T HAVE TO RAISE THEM. I THINK ON THE CITY SIDE THEY WERE USE -- USING THAT MONEY.

STEVEN WILLIAMS CALLED ME ABOUT THAT. >> I WILL REACH OUT AND FIND

OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ON ITEM 16E WHICH IS THE REQUEST FOR THE REVIEW, IN THE PROCESS OF THE REVIEW I WOULD LIKE YOU TO INQUIRE WHAT THE GOVERNOR'S POSITION IS AND WHAT THE POSITION IS OF TCEQ IN THE PROCESS OF THE REVIEW SO YOU CAN INFORM US WHERE OUR

PARTNER AND ENTITIES ARE IN THE PROCESS AS WELL. >> OKAY.

I HAVEN'T REACHED OUT AT THIS PARTICULAR STAGE, ARE BUT THERE WAS AN EARLIER STAGE WITH REGARD TO EARLY IN 2017 AND THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION TRIED TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2017 RULE WHILE THEY HAD TIME TO PUT TOGETHER AND WHAT THEY WANTED THE PACKAGE TO LOOK LIKE. AND I DO KNOW THAT THE STATE OF TEXAS FILED IN SUPPORT OF THE DELAY. I AM HAPPY TO REACH OUT.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOMETHING IN THERE TO WHERE YOU REACHED OUT AND WE

KNOW WHERE OUR PARTNERS, WE KNOW WHERE THEY STAND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEY WOULD HAVE -- THEY NEVER DID COME INTO EFFECT, BUT THEY WOULD HAVE MADE IT EASIER FOR US AND THE PUBLIC TO KNOW WHAT IS IN THESE FACILITIES? IS THAT THE CASE.

>> SO THE RULE WAS ACTUALLY FINALIZED AND TECHNICALLY CAME INTO EFFECT JANUARY OF 2017.

IT WAS IN EFFECT FOR A SMALL PIECE OF TIME. IT WAS MAYBE A COUPLE WEEKS, AND THERE WAS ANOTHER RULE THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION PUT INTO PLACE, WHAT WE CALL A DELAY RULE. THE PURPOSE WAS TO DELAY THE IMPLEMENTATION AND SAY WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THIS RULE ON THE BOOKS, BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO ENFORCE IT AND WE ARE NOT ASKING ANYBODY TO IMPLEMENT IT. THAT RULE WAS CHALLENGED IN THE COURTS AND HELD TO BE INVALID. ABOUT THE TIME THAT HAPPENED WE HAVE THIS NEW RULE COME OUT. SO THE OLD RULE NEVER REALLY -- IT NEVER REALLY TOOK OFF. IT WAS ONLY ON THE BOOKS FOR A COUPLE WEEKS.

EVEN THAT RULE HAD SOME IMPLEMENTATION TIMES. IT GAVE PEOPLE TIME TO COME INTO COMPLIANCE. IT NEVER REALLY WAS IMPLEMENTED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE YOU TAKING THE LEAD ON THIS. WE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH TO RESPOND. IT IS ON THE REGULATORY FRAMEWORK.

>> JUDGE, WHAT IS YOUR TIMETABLE? HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO GET IT

IN? >> WE NEED TO FILE BY NEXT TUESDAY.

STWRAI -- >> YOU MAKE SURE YOU LET THE PARTNERS KNOW WE NEAT TO

GED -- TO GET IT IN. >> THERE IS A 60-DAY DEADLINE FROM THE PUBLICATION OF THE

RULE. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON THE CANCER CLUSTER STUDY AND THAT ISSUE ITEM A, THIS IS THE NEXT STEP.

BEFORE A FEW WEEKS AGO YOU ASKED FOR EXPERT -- SOME EXPERTS AND SOME INFORMATION.

CAN YOU GO OVER HOW THIS BUILDS ON -- WHAT IS THE NEXT STEP RIGHT NOW? IT IS TWO PARTS. IT IS THE CANCER CLUSTER THAT EVERYBODY IS CONCERNED ABOUT

[03:30:03]

SO ONCE WE GET THAT INFORMATION WE'LL GET IT TO THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND POLLUTION CONTROL SO WE CAN START LOOKING AT THE INFORMATION AND SEE FIGURE THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO EITHER MOVE FORWARD OR IF THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE DATA THAT HELPS US DETERMINE THE NEXT STEP. ON THE UP SITE WE HIRED EXPERTS TO HELP US LOOK AT WHAT'S BEEN DONE AT THAT SITE AND WHAT THE DOCUMENTS CURRENTLY -- WHAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE IN THEM. WE ARE CURRENTLY LOOKING CLOSELY NOT ONLY AT PLUME MIGRATION, BUT SOURCE IDENTIFICATION TO MAKE SURE THEY REMOVED ALL OF THE CONTAMINATION ON SITE. WE ARE GETTING CLOSER TO

HAVING SOME TECHNICAL COMMENTS TO SUBMIT. >> GREAT.

THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. THIS ITEM IS BEING -- ITEM 17 IS IT HELD? WHAT IS THE TECHNICAL TERM AGAIN, ROBERT? NO FURTHER -- NO ACTION.

NO ACTION ON THAT ONE. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS.

>> JUDGE, A QUESTION. BILL, ON THE GRANTS THAT VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS ARE REQUESTING OR FILING FOR AND WHERE THEY HAVE CASH MATCH, WHERE DOES THE MATCH COME

FROM? DOES IT COME FROM THEIR BUDGET? >> THEIR BUDGET.

>> I CAN'T TELL YOU WHAT CASE, BUT I'LL CHECK. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON GRANTS. MONIQUE DISWROA -- MONIQUE JOSEPH.

I DON'T THINK SHE'S HERE ANYMORE. I THINK SHE SPOKE EARLIER.

FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. ON 2B ON PAGE 20, THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IS REQUESTING THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON THAT ITEM.

IT IS ONE ABOUT A 48-PASSENGER BUS FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> THAT WAS ONE I HAD A QUESTION ABOUT, BUT IF NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN AT TIME TIME I I WILL HOLD MY QUESTIONS. AND JUDGE, WHILE ON PAGE 20, WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS I

THINK YOU ARE AWARE OF. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. PAGE 20 WE HAVE PERK WALL --

WALDRON AND DAVID OGIMAN. >> WE WAITED PATIENTLY. WE HAVE COME TO TALK ABOUT THE

PROPOSED BUILDING -- >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU PLEASE STATE YOUR NAME AND

AFFILIATION. >> I AM KURT WALDRON AND THE VICE PRESIDENT OF FOREST WEST COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION WHICH BRIEFLY IS AN HOA FOR FOREST WEST.

WE HAVE COME TO TALK THE PARK AND RIDE. >> CAN YOU GET A LITTLE CLOSER TO THE MICROPHONE? YOU ARE TALL AND YOU HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM I HAVE.

>> HOW ABOUT THAT? ALL RIGHT. SO ANYWAY WE ARE DISTURBED BY THE FACT THAT THIS BUILDING SEEMS TO HAVE GONE AWAY. AND IN THE PROCESS OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN DERAILED. WE WENT BACK AND LOOKED AT THE VIDEOS OF THE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER MEETINGS WHERE THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED.

WE WERE ALL DISMAYED AND AS A MATTER OF FACT WE WERE ANGRY ABOUT IT.

THERE WAS DISCUSSION MADE ABOUT THE FACT THAT THE WAY IT ORIGINALLY HAPPENED WAS BECAUSE UNDERHANDED BICKERING AND FOOLISHNESS BETWEEN METRO AND THE COUNTY.

YOU MADE THE ASSERTION, JUDGE, AND YOU MADE THE ASSERTION COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS THAT

[03:35:08]

YOU HEARD ABOUT THAT BECAUSE SOMEBODY CAME TO YOUR OFFICE AND WINED THAT THE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT DIDN'T GO THROUGH. I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE LIVED IT. WE THOUGH EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED.

WE WERE THERE. WE WERE A PART OF IT. I CAME TO THIS VERY MEETING AND DISCUSSED WHAT WE THOUGHT ABOUT IT. THE FACTS ARE THAT METRO PUT IT OUT FOR SALE AND WE FOUND OUT ABOUT IT AND THE HOUSTON HOUSING AUTHORITY HAD THEN TOLD METRO THAT IF THEY PUT IT OUT TO BIDS IN A PRIVATE -- AND A PRIVATE ENTITY BOUGHT IT HE WOULD EXERCISE THE RIGHTS OF DOUGH -- OF DOMAIN AND WOULDN'T ALLOW IT TO GO THROUGH AND EMINENT DOMAIN WOULD SEIZE THE PROPERTY AND HE WOULD FORCE THEM TO SELL IT.

WE DIDN'T WANT THE HOUSING. WE HAD A CAMPAIGN NOT TO HAVE HOUSING.

WE HAD PLENTY, MORE THAN WHAT WE NEEDED. IT WAS NOT NECESSARY AND WE PROVED THAT ALREADY. NOW I GUESS WE WILL HAVE TO PROVE IT AGAIN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> WE ARE NOT HAPPY ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> WE DON'T THINK THAT'S THE

RIGHT THING. >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, I'M SORRY.

WE STOPPED THE TIME. THANK YOU. >> I WILL LET MR. OGIMAN.

>> YES, MY NAME IS DAVID OGIMAN AND I AM PRESIDENT OF THE FOREST WEST CIA.

I AM ENTERING MY 12TH YEAR AS PRESIDENT. I WOULD LIKE TO REYIT EAT MR. -- REITERATE WHAT MR. WALDRON IS TALKING ABOUT. WE LEARNED THAT METRO WAS WANTING TO SELL THE PROPERTY TO HHA TO PUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN THERE.

OUR POINT IS THAT WE BELIEVE PEOPLE HAVE THE RIGHT TO AFFORD AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

OUR PROBLEM IS OUR PARTICULAR NEIGHBORHOOD, FOREST WEST IS SURROUNDED BY APARTMENTS.

WE ARE IN THE AN AN EDGE 1 CORRIDOR AND TO THE NORTH OF PINE LOT AND TO THE DIRECTLY TO THE WEST OF ANTOINE. WE HAVE APARTMENTS ON PINEMONT.

WE HAVE APARTMENTS ON ANTOINE AND WE HAVE APARTMENTS ON TIBBLE TO THE NORTH OF US.

OUR RESIDENTS WERE NOT WANTING A COMPLEX OF ANY KIND IN THE AREA.

THERE WAS A LARGE GROUND SWELL OF OPPOSITION. THEN WHEN WE FOUND OUT THE COUNTY CAME IN AND WAS WANTING TO PURCHASE THE PROPERTY WE WERE HAPPY AND WANTING TO PUT FACILITIES IN THERE AND COUNTY OFFICES. THAT'S GREAT.

AND NOW BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A POLITICAL CHANGE ON THE COURT THAT ALL THAT HAS GONE AWAY. I CAN ASSURE YOU THAT IF THE COUNTY MOVES FORWARD WITH PUTTING -- WITH PLANS OF PUTTING HOUSING ON THE SITE AGAIN THERE WILL BE ANOTHER

HUGE GROUND SWELL. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND I WOULD URGE YOU FOLKS TO VISIT WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE. HE IS A STRONG ADVOCATE FOR NOT HAVING OVERCONCENTRATION OF HOUSING IN ONE AREA. I HEARD HIM SPEAK OF THAT MANY TIMES.

HE MAY ACTUALLY BE A BIG ADVOCATE FOR YOU THAT WE DON'T HAVE OVER POPULATION OF HOUSING IN ONE AREA. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO HIS OFFICE.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE AND FOR TALKING TO US TODAY. >> JUDGE, I NOTICE -- ONE COMMENT I NOTICED IN THE PAPER, AND THIS WAS ON THE NEWS, MR. WALDRON.

HE SAID BACK ON APRIL 20TH, 2015, WE HAVE WAY TOO MUCH TRAFFIC AND CONGESTION ALREADY. WHATEVER IT WOULD BE WE ARE OPPOSED IF IT INVOLVED A LOT OF PEOPLE. I AM WONDERING IN -- IF THE COMMUNITY CONCERN WAS TRAFFIC CONGESTION, WOULDN'T YOU HAVE THE SAME CONCERN IF HUNDREDS OF EMPLOYEE BRZ -- WERE

SHOWING UP IF THIS WAS A COUNTY BUILDING? >> THAT'S TRUE, BUT THE BUS

FARM ACROSS THE STREET -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THIS TO YOU AND I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOU. WE DO HAVE A CHALLENGE WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN OUR CITY AND IN OUR COUNTY. WHAT WE HAVE NOW IS THE VAST

[03:40:08]

THEY CAN GET FEDERAL DOLLARS TO DO THAT. I AM GOING TO BE ONE THAT ADD VAW -- ADVOCATES WE LOOK AT THE PARK AND RIDES. WE GOT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT CAN BE MIXED USE. IT BE K SENIOR HOUSING AND IT CAN BE VETERAN HOUSING. WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, WE HAVE TO GET AWAY FROM THE NOT IN MY BACKYARD MENTALITY. TO THE EX -- EXTENT THAT THE CITY HAS BEEN SUED FOR OVERCONCENTRATION FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING IN CERTAIN NEIGHBORHOODS AND THAT IS CONSIDERED HOUSING DISCRIMINATION. WE WILL BE LOCKED OUTCOME PLEATLY IF WE DON'T -- LOCKED OUT COMPLETELY IF WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO LIVE TOGETHER AND SOME EQUITY IN TERMS OF WHERE IT GOES. WE NEED MORE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO VISIT WITH YOU DOWN THE ROAD.

>> JUDGE, CAN I HAVE ANOTHER MINUTE? >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE.

>> THANK YOU. WELL, WE THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS NOT ENOUGH DISCUSSION TO DEFEND THE BUILDING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO GO THERE RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE THINKING. I WATCHED ALL OF THE VIDEOS FROM OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER, AND I SAW THE DISCUSSIONS AND I DIDN'T HEAR VERY MUCH DEFENSE IN DEFENSE OF THE BUILDING THAT JOHN BLUNT'S OFFICE HAS, WOULDED SO HARD ON. THAT WE WANTED TO HAVE THERE.

I HAD -- I HEARD A LOT OF DISCUSSIONS THAT WE COULD GO TO ALL THESE OTHER PLACES.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYTHING WRONG WITH WHAT WE WANT TO DO THERE NOW.

I THINK IT IS FINE. I THINK A LOT OF EFFORT WAS PUT INTO IT.

THAT WAS DISMISSED. THAT HAPPENED FAST. I WANTED TO EXPLAIN TO YOU WHY IT DID BECAUSE METRO DIDN'T PARTICULARLY LIKE TO BE THREATENED IN THE DOMAIN.

THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT. WE CAME HERE TO THIS COURT AND CONVINCED THIS COURT TO BUY THE PROPERTY BECAUSE WE THOUGHT THAT WAS A WAY TO PREVENT THE IMMINENT DOUGH

INANE. >> YOU CAME AND CONVINCED COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO KEEP

THEM FROM PUTTING AFFORDABLE HOUSING THERE. >> THAT'S RIGHT.

WELL TO KEEP THE HOUSING COMMISSION FROM EXERCISING THE IMMINENT DOUGH -- DOMAIN THEY THREATENED TO DO. THEY SAID IF THEY SOLD IT TO A PRIVATE INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATION, THAT HE WOULD EXERCISE EMINENT DOMAIN AND SEIZE IT.

>> THAT WAS IN 2015? >> YEAH. WE DIDN'T TAKE REAL KINDLY TO THAT. METRO DIDN'T TAKE KINDLY TO IT.

THIS COURT DIDN'T TAKE KINDLY TO IT. WE DID THAT BECAUSE PARTICULARLY WITH COMMISSIONER RADACK THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD DEAL.

THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A NICE PIECE OF PROPERTY THEY COULD ACQUIRE FOR A DECENT PRICE AND SO WE ARRANGED THE DEAL AND IT WAS A LITTLE QUICKER PROBABLY THAN PEOPLE THOUGHT.

>> PRETTY QUICK. >> WE HAD A TIME LIMIT BECAUSE WE WERE THREATENED ABOUT

IMMINENT DOUGH -- DOMAIN. >> HOW MUCH WAS IT, DO YOU REMEMBER?

>> IT WAS ABOUT $5 MILLION. >> THANK YOU. >> AND SO THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH WHAT'S BEING PROPOSED TO BE DONE WITH IT RIGHT NOW.

I WANT SOMEBODY TO DEFEND THAT, AND I WANT US TO DEFEND THE PROCESS THAT WE ALL WENT THROUGH TO GET TO THIS POINT AND NOT HAVE TWO MONTHS OF DEBATE KILL THE WHOLE THING.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT. WE TRUSTED ALL YOU PEOPLE TO BUILD THAT BUILDING.

WE DIDN'T LOOK TO SEE WHAT YOU WERE DOING. I CALLED IN THE OTHER DAY TO JOHN BLUNT'S OFFICE BECAUSE I WANTED TO SEE WHERE WE WERE WITH THAT PROJECT.

WHEN WE WERE GOING TO START CONSTRUCTION. IT'S BEEN FOREVER.

PEOPLE WOULD BE IN THAT BUILDING RIGHT NOW WORKING IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR HURRICANE HARVEY. WE HAD TO DEFER THE FUNDS AND WE HAD TO DO ALL OF THE OTHER THINGS WE HAD TO DO, AND THAT'S OUR CIVIC RESPONSIBILITY TO DO THAT.

[03:45:05]

WE WERE GOOD CITIZENS. WE DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING. WE -- THEY SAID, WELL, WE'LL

GET TO IT WHEN FUNDS ALLOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A COMMENT FOR YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, IT IS A COMMENT TO MY COLLEAGUES.

WE HAD A GOOD PRICE THAT WE WERE ABLE TO A -- ACHIEVE ON THIS PROPERTY.

JOHN BLUNT'S OFFICE DID A GOOD JOB AND THERE WAS A PARKING LOT IN PLACE THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR. A PARKING LOT IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE THINGS ON THE BUILDING BECAUSE IT USED TO BE A PARK AND RIDE FACILITY. WE HAVE THE D BUILDING WHICH IS FALLING ALL APART ON US. WE ARE PUTTING OUR EMPLOYEES IN A BUILDING THAT LEAKS AND IS BEING STRAND -- STRAPPED TOGETHER AND NOT A FAIR PLACE TO PUT OUR EMPLOYEES.

JUDGE, I KNOW THIS WAS HELD BACK FOR AWHILE BECAUSE EVERYBODY WANTS TO HAVE SOMETHING IN THEIR OWN PRECINCT. I GET THAT DESIRE.

IT IS A GOOD LOCATION BECAUSE IT IS SOMEWHAT CENTRAL FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO GET TO.

YOU CAN GET ON 290 AND YOU CAN GET ON -- GET ON THE 610 QUITE QUICKLY AND GET AROUND.

WE ARE ALREADY IN THE PROCESS. WE HAVE ALREADY SPENT -- JOHN

HOW MUCH MONEY HAVE WE SPENT IN THIS DESIGN? >> I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXACT AMOUNT, BUT WE SPENT MONEY ON PROGRAMMING. PROBABLY $600,000, $700,000 IN PROGRAMMING. BUT PROGRAMMING CAN BE USED IN ANY FACILITY.

>> AND SO FROM MY PERSPECTIVE, JUDGE, WE ARE -- THE ONLY REASON WHY WE WOULD NOT DO THIS IS BECAUSE ONE OF US DECIDED THAT IT WOULD BE COOLER FOR IT TO BE IN THEIR PRECINCT INSTEAD OF THIS LOCATION THAT WE ALREADY HAD IT IN.

IT HAPPENS TO BE IN PRE SINK 4. PRECINCT 4.

I WAS NOT THE ONE WHO ORIGINALLY FOUND THE PROPERTY.

COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS AWARE OF THE GOOD PRICE AND WAS ABLE TO BE INVOLVED IN THAT.

IN THOSE DAYS WE WEREN'T AS TERRITORIAL AS WE MIGHT BE THESE DAYS.

IT HAPPENED TO BE IN MY PRECINCT EVEN THOUGH HE IS THE ONE THAT FOUND THE PROPERTY.

IT IS IN A GOOD LOCATION. OUR EMPLOYEES WILL BENEFIT AND THIS MOTION TODAY IS ONE WE REJECT THE PROPOSAL FOR CONSTRUCTION MANAGER. WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION SOON OR WE LOSE THIS PROJECT. JUDGE, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT INSTEAD -- TO REJECT THE PROPOSALS THAT WE PROCEED WITH OUR PURCHASING OFFICE OF GOING FORWARD IN CONJUNCTION WITH ENGINEERING TO BUILD OUT THIS FACILITY AS IT WAS ORIGINALLY DESIGNED BY THE COUNTY.

OUR EMPLOYEES DESERVE TO HAVE A GOOD, SAFE DRIVE, BUILDING TO WORK IN AND NOT ONE THAT HAS ISSUES WITH THE HVAC AND THE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY HAVE IN THE D BUILDING.

I WOULD URGE THAT INSTEAD OF REJECTING THE PROPOSALS, THAT WE MOVE FORWARD AS WE NORMALLY WOULD IN THE APPROACH THAT PURCHASING AND THE BUDGET OFFICE WOULD DO.

>> WHAT HE WANTS TO DO, SPEAKING OF PURCHASING, HE WANTS TO CONTRACT WITH A CONSTRUCTION MANAGER AT RISK. THAT'S WHAT THEY ARE TRYING TO DO RIGHT NOW.

THEY WANT TO TAKE PROPOSALS AND THEY ARE READY TO DO IT TO GET A CONTRACT WITH A

CONTRACTING MANAGER. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHERE ARE WE IN THE PROCESS? IF I RECALL CORRECTLY PART OF THE CONCERN IS WE DO NEED SOMEWHERE TO HOUSE THE EMPLOYEES, BUT THEN THERE THERE WAS SOME CONCERNS AND I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT THEY WERE, BUT THERE WERE SOME CONCERNS THAT WE COULD HOUSE THEM -- WE COULD DO SOMETHING ELSE.

THIS BUILDING PUT THEM SOMEWHERE ELSE AND YOU WOULD LOOK TO RUN THOSE DOWN,

RIGHT? >> RIGHT, JUDGE. WE HIRED PAID ARCHITECTS TO LOOK AT THAT AND THEY HAVE BEEN RETAINED AND ARE UNDER CONTRACT AND ARE CURRENTLY WORKING. THEY ARE LOOKING AT LOCATIONS IN THE AREA, FLOOD CONTROL,

PUBLIC HEALTH. >> AND FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I WOULD OPPOSE MY DISTINGUISHED COLLEAGUES -- COLLEAGUE'S MOTION BECAUSE WHAT WE ALSO HAVE -- WE HAVE THE FACILITY THAT THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT GAVE US. I THINK IT WAS FOR $10 MILLION. IS THAT RIGHT? IT IS CLOSE IN.

THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR GAVE US $2 MILLION AND THEY RECENTLY ASKED FOR AN AUDIT

[03:50:01]

WHAT IS IT WORTH TODAY? IT IS SUCH A GOOD DEAL AT $5 MILLION, WHAT CAN BE SOLD

FOR TODAY? NOT THAT WE WOULD DO THAT. >> WE HAD IT UH PRAISED AND I DON'T REMEMBER THE NUMBER. MAYBE AROUND 10 MILLION. I KNOW IT HAS GONE UP IN VALUE

QUITE A BIT. >> IS -- AS I RECALL, BUT YOU RAISED THE ISSUE TO SLOW IT DOWN AND LOOK AT IT, AND I RECALL SOME CONTROVERSIAL -- CONTROVERSY OVER THE PROPERTY.

I DID THE RESEARCH AND THAT'S WHEN I KNEW THE ISSUE WAS OVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE A CRISIS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING. WE CANNOT DO IT IN THE CITY LIMITS UNLESS IT WAS SOMEHOW TIED TO DISASTER RECOVERY MONEY THAT WE CAN JUSTIFY TEAMING UP WITH THE CITY ON. I DON'T KNOW IF THE CITY IS INTERESTED, BUT MY SENSE WAS IT CAME ABOUT -- THE ISSUE WAS THE WAY TO AVOID A POLITICAL PROBLEM SO THE COUNTY WENT IN THERE AND GRABBED -- AND BOUGHT THE LAND FOR $5 MILLION.

IT MAY HAVE BEEN A GOOD DEAL, BUT WE HAVE OTHER PLACES -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU NEED

TO DO THIS WHILE JOHN FINISHES HIS ASSESSMENT? >> NEGOTIATIONS AND PROPOSALS HAVE COME IN. IF IT WILL TAKE SIX MONTHS TO A YEAR I CAN'T HAVE THEM WAITING IN LIMBO. WE HAVE TO KNOW WHETHER TO KEEP THE CONTRACTORS.

>> I UNDERSTAND FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS IF WE WERE NOT DOING THE EXACT SAME BUILDING AT THE SAME FACILITY WE HAVE TO START OVER.

THE CONTRACTORS APPLIED FOR THAT LOCATION AND THAT BUILDING.

IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE NOT TO HANG ON TO THE VENDORS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS DOESN'T MEAN THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO END UP HAPPENING OR NOT HAPPENING WITH THE BUILDING, RIGHT IT IS JUST WHILE YOU RUN DOWN THE QUESTIONS THAT MY COLLEAGUES HAD IN TERMS OF

WHAT GOES WHERE. >> WE WILL HAVE THE RESULTS BACK -- I UNDERSTAND BEFORE JUNE OR EARLIER. IT IS A COMPLETE ANALYSIS. AND WE DID INCLUDE

DEVELOPMENT. >> IF WE DON'T DO THIS IT WILL LOCK US IN ONE DIRECTION.

MY POINT IS IF WE DON'T GO FORWARD WITH THE ITEM ON THE UH JEJ -- AGENDA IT DOESN'T

LOCK US IN. >> I DON'T SEE HOW WE CAN GO FORWARD.

>> BY GOING FORWARD WITH THE ITEM WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA IT GIVES US FLEXIBILITY.

IT GIVES US FLEXIBILITY. YOU DECIDE RIGHT NOW IF WE WILL PULL THE ITEM PLACED ON THE AGENDA THE WAY IT IS PLACE. YOU WILL HAVE TO GO FORWARD

WITH THAT BUILDING AND I AM AGAINST THAT. >> I WILL DISAGREE WITH THE

BUILDING. >> I THOUGHT THE BUILDING WAS FINE, BUT THAT WAS BEFORE WE ENDED UP WITH THE RIVERSIDE PROPERTY WHICH REQUIRES A PUBLIC HEALTH, ARE PUBLIC SERVICE OR COMMUNITY SERVICE COMPONENT IN IT. WE HAVE A FAIRLY LARGE INVESTMENT THAT WE HAVE TO PUT SOMETHING IN. I UNDERSTAND DR. SHAW IS WILLING TO GO THERE AND I SUSPECT THE STUDY WILL SAY THAT'S WHERE SHE SHOULD G.

THE STUDY MAY SHOW THAT IT MAKES SENSE FOR FLOOD CONTROLLEN AND GIN NEARING TO GO TO THAT -- FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING TO GO THERE. BUT I THINK FLOOD -- I THINK

THE PROPERTY HAS A B DESCRIPTION. >> I KNOW WE HAVE TO USE THE

MONEY OR WE WILL LOSE IT. >> I WOULD SAY WE GREAT. SAY THAT WE AGREE AND THAT IS PROBABLY WHERE COMMUNITY SERVICES SHOULD GO. WE THINK THEY SHOULD GO TO RIVERSIDE TOO. WE THINK FLOOD CONTROL AND ENGINEERING SHOULD GO TO THIS BUILDING. IT IS A GOOD BUILDING AND THE CYNERGY THAT YOU WANT.

YOU HAVE COMMON ROOMS AND THEY HAVE COMMON MEETINGS AND COMMON PEOPLE AND COMMON SECRETARIES. IT IS ALL THE WAY YOU REALLY WANT TO BE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE ARE WAITING ON THE RESULTS

OF WHAT GOES WHERE AND SO UNTIL THEN WE CAN'T -- >> WE CAME TO DEFEND THE BUILDING. WE CAME TO DEFEND THE BUILDING.

I DIDN'T SEE ANY DEFENSE GOING ON AROUND HERE TO DEFEND THE BUILDING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I HEAR YOU. >> SO WE WANT TO YOU HEAR THAT WE ARE DEFENDING THE BUILDING AND THERE IS REALLY NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. YOU'RE A COMMON SENSE PERSON, JUDGE. YOU ARE A MATHEMATICAL SHOW ME THE MONEY GIRL.

I KNOW WHAT YOU ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM NOT A GIRL, SIR.

BUT I AM A -- >> YOU'RE A JUDGE. YOU ARE A COMMON SENSE JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S STOP YOU RIGHT THERE AND HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> REJECT THE PROPOSAL. WE WILL GO AHEAD AND CONTINUE TO PURSUE THE OTHER BUILDINGS

[03:55:04]

AND IT IS A STUDY [INAUDIBLE]. >> THAT'S WHERE THE -- WHEN WE LOOKED AT THE PERMIT ACTIVITY WHICH WAS BOTH OURS AND WE DO FLOOD CONTROLS AND JUDGE I THINK WE SHARED WITH YOUR OFFICE THAT'S WHERE EVERYBODY WAS SITUATED AND WHERE EVERYBODY CAME FROM. WE MOVED A LITTLE FURTHER NORTH AND A LITTLE FURTHER

EAST. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE HAVE A MOTION ON THE TABLE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE A MOTION. >> I ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY

AMENDMENT, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ARE YOU GUYS CLEAR ON WHAT THE MOTION IS? CAN YOU ALL CLARIFY?

>> THE MOTION, YOUR HONOR, INSTEAD OF REJECTING THE PROPOSAL THAT'S WE GO FORWARD WITH WHAT WE HAVE BEEN PLANNING AT THIS LOCATION. THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, AS I UNDERSTOOD IT, WE GO FORWARD WITH THIS BUILDING, BUT ONLY TO THE EXTENT OF ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL AND WE PROCEED WITH THE STUDY OF RIVERSIDE FOR HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICES. AM I UNDERSTANDING YOUR MOTION?

>> WE HAVE TO REJECT. YOU HAVE TO RELEASE THE VENDORS.

SO WE REJECT -- WE ARE CONTINUING WITH THE OTHER BUILDINGS.

>> JUDGE, I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SPEAK AGAINST THE MOTION. I PREFER WE VOTE IT DOWN AND VOTE TO GO WITH THE RECOMMENDATION BEFORE US AND IT STILL GIVES US THE LATITUDE WHEN THEY COMPLETE THE SURVEY TO DO WHAT YOU WANT TO DO AND WHAT I AM SUGGESTING.

I AM NOT TRYING TO ARGUE WITH YOU TODAY. >> IT APPEARS WE MAY HAVE THE

-- >> YOU MAY GET THERE, BUT INSTEAD OF LOCKING OURSELVES IN ON IT TODAY, I AM SAYING WE WOULD BE BETTER OFF VOTING YOUR MOTION DOWN OR VOTING TO LEAVE IT THE WAY IT IS. THAT DOES PRESIDENT TAKE -- THAT DOESN'T TAKE OFF THE TABLE WHAT YOU WANT TO DO. IF WE VOTE FOR YOUR MOTION IT LOCKS US IN TO ONLY DO THOSE TWO ENTITIES. YOU MAY GET THEM, BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO DECIDE IT TODAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> WHAT ARE YOU PROPOSING? WITH ALL OF THAT THAT WAS

THERE WHAT ARE YOU SEEING BEHIND THAT? >> I WOULD MOVE WE ACCEPT THE

RECOMM. >> IT WAS AN APPEAL TO TRY TO GET ME TO GO ALONG WITH IT AND

I AM TRYING TO CATCH WHAT WAS THAT ETHOS APPEAL? >> YOU MAY GET WHAT YOU WANT, BUT I THINK WE SHOULD GO THROUGH THIS PROCESS AND THEN MAKE THE DECISION.

IF WE GO WITH YOUR MOKES -- YOUR MOTION WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS TRYING TO LOCK US IN AND

PUT THE BUILDING THERE. >> PRECINCT 3 PERSUADED ME TO EASE OFF OF THAT AND SAY LET'S CONTINUE TO EXPLORE THIS BUILDING AND THE OTHER BUILDING.

>> YOU CAN DO THAT ANYWAY. THAT WOULD HAPPEN ANYWAY. IT DOES PRESIDENT TAKE THAT

BUILDING -- IT DOESN'T TAKE THAT BUILDING AWAY. >> I THINK WE ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THIS MOTION NEEDS TO BE STOPPED BECAUSE IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY PUBLIC HEALTH'S -- IT WOULD END UP IN RIVERSIDE BASED ON THE FACT THAT WE OWN THE PROPERTY AND IT HAS RESTRICTIONS. IT WOULDN'T BE APPROPRIATE TO HOLD.

LIKE THE COMMISSIONER IS SAYING IT IS MORE THAN LIKELY IF IT HOLDS TRUE THAT ENGINEERING AND FLOOD CONTROL SHOULD BE THERE IT WILL SHOW THAT.

AND IT SHOULDN'T THE REPORT WOULD SHOW THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON THE MOTION. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

WE HAVE HAD PLENTY OF DISCUSSION. YOUR MOTION, COMMISSIONER.

>> WITH MY COLLEAGUE AGREEING WITH WHAT JOHN JUST SAID, I WILL GO WITH IT AS IT IS

WRITTEN. >> THANK YOU. CAN WE DO IT QUICKLY?

>> IS THAT A YES? >> INA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A MOTION?

>> DO WE HAVE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? >> LET THE RECORD REFLECT HE

NODDED YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU GUYS THANK YOU, FOLKS.

>> WE ARRIVED AT VIOLENT AGREEMENT IT IS TIME FOR US TO GO.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING DOWN. >> SIR, YOU WILL NOT OFFEND ME

IF YOU CALL ME A BOY. >> [INAUDIBLE]. YOU GIVE ME EVERYTHING I NEED

TO KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: AS IT SHOULD BE.

[04:00:13]

>> SO THAT WAS PURCHASING. LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> DO YOU HAVE THAT? >> YES. >> WHEN ONE IS IT?

>> 23. PAGE 23. IS THAT THE TOTAL COST? IS THAT FOR LANDSCAPING AND EVERYTHING? THAT IS THE SCULPTURE.

EVERYTHING THAT IS TIED IN WITH IT AND THAT IS PART OF IT.

>> IS THERE A TIMETABLE FOR THIS THAT IS ABOUT A YEAR? 6 MONTHS?

>> IT IS BETWEEN A YEAR AND SIX MONTHS, BUT IT WILL BE DONE PRIOR TO THE JURY

ASSEMBLY. >> WE DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR FEDERAL MONEY?

IF WE GET IT EARLY CAN WE STORE IT SOMEWHERE? >> FEMA APPROVED FUNDING

YESTERDAY. >> OH GOOD. >> WE ARE MOVING FORWARD.

>> ARE THE SAME PEOPLE DOING THIS STUFF? >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. SO THAT'S PURCHASING. ON TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

MINOR RESOLUTIONS. PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 1. >> I HAD THE ONE

SUPPLEMENTAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 2. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

I JUST WANT TO -- COMMISSIONER I AM ASKING FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE DEADLINE ASKED BY THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE. WE HAVE A FEW MORE LOOSE ENDS TO WRAP UP ON AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GATHER SOME MORE INFORMATION AND TALK TO SOME FOLKS THAT ARE COMING IN FROM OUT OF TOWN AND TO GET A DE BRIEFING ON THE NAVIGATION CENTER AND SEE HOW -- I JUST WANT TO MENTION THAT ON ITEM NUMBER TWO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. PRE -- PRE -- PRE SINK 3? RENNE RENNE

>> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 4? GREAT TO SEE THIS EPIC PROGRESS.

THAT CAME OUT GOOD. ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.

THERE IS A CHANGE. WE HAVE TO OUT THE WORD POTENTIAL BEFORE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST. IT WILL READ POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST.

ITEM TWO WE DISCUSSED. ITEM 3, DID FOLKS HAVE TO TALK ABOUT THAT?

>> JUDGE I NEED TO REVISE THE AMOUNT. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL AUDIT AND INCLUDED A SMALL AMOUNT FOR AUDIT, BUT WE NEED TO INCREASE THAT NUMBER FROM

$36,875 TO $111,875. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU NEED THAT NOW OR YOU ARE JUST

LETTING US KNOW? >> WE ARE GOING TO REVISE THE NUMBER NOW.

THEY WILL DO IT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: TO 111,875? >> IT IS TO THE END OF APRIL.

>> ARE WE TAKING NO ACTION? >> I WANT JUST TO REVISE IT FROM $36,875 TO 111,875 AND WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF RE-DOING THE CONTRACT. THIS WILL ALLOW US TO GET THE

WORK DONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 4? ITEM 5? ITEM SIX. I WOULD LIKE TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE INTERIM DIRECTOR. ITEM 7, 8, 9 WAS TAKEN OUT OF ORDER.

>> YOUR HONOR ON 7 AND 8 I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

WE HAD SOME QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS BECAUSE OF SOME ADVISING COUNCIL IN PRECINCT 4 AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE POLICY IS.

[04:05:03]

IS AND WE HAVE HAD THE FUNDRAISERS. >> YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. ITEM 10. >> JUDGE, THIS IS MY ITEM -- THIS IS MY ART PROGRAM WHICH WE PUT TOGETHER. WE DID NOT DO AN APPROPRIATE JOB ON THE PAPERWORK FOR A LOT OF ART I MOVED. WE PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA IN 2018 FOR ABOUT 15, 16 PIECES. A COUPLE MONTHS LATER AFRICAN GLOBAL ART OFFERED LOAN US MORE PIECES FOR FUTURE PUBLIC DISPLAY.

WE HAVE NOT DONE THE PROPER PAPERWORK SO I WANT TO REFER THAT ITEM TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THEY ARE WORKING WITH ME TO CLEAN IT UP AND PUT IT BACK ON

THE AGENDA ONCE IT IS CLEANED UP. >> YES, SIR.

THAT'S WHAT WE ARE ASKING FOR IT TO BE REFERRED TO THE COUNTY.

>> DO YOU WANT PURCHASING TO LOOK AT IT? >> WE CAN CERTAINLY CONSULT

WITH PURCHASING AND WE WILL DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: REFER TO COUNTY ATTORNEY? ALL RIGHT. ITEM 11.

>>Y -- YEAH, TWO WEEKS AGO DURING THE BUDGET THERE WAS A DISCUSSION ABOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE NOT PROPERLY INFORMING THE COURT ON ESTABLISHING SEVERAL TAX 11 KNEWS. I'M SURE YOU HAVE HEARD SO DID YOU PROPERLY INFORM US?

>> YES, SIR, WE DID. WE REVIEWED ALL OF THE CORY SPAWNS -- THE CORRESPONDENCE AND THE COMMUNICATION GIVEN TO THE COURT DURING THAT TIME. WE ARE VERY COMFORTABLE AND CONFIDENT WITH THE ADVICE THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GAVE TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> SO BASICALLY IT WAS A PUBLIC HEARING PROCESS, THERE WAS SOME TYPE OF AN ADOPTION YOU -- OF AN ADOPTION AND RAISE IT TO WHATEVER AMOUNT. ONCE THAT IS SET YOU CAN'T

CHANGING -- CHANGE. >> WE CANNOT CHANGE IT BECAUSE TO DO SO IT HAS CREATED SOME

POTENTIALLY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES TO THE COUNTY. >> YOU DID INFORM US

CORRECTLY? >> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? AIDE

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM THE ONE THAT ASKED AND I FEEL WE WERE NOT PROPERLY INFORMED, BUT I JUST WANT TO GO THROUGH THIS, ROBERT, AND THE -- CAN YOU SHARE WHAT RESEARCH OR CRITERIA YOU USED TO LEAD TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE HOSPITAL TAX RATES WERE SET IN

THE SAME MANNER AS THE COUNTY TAX RATES? >> MAYBE I AM NOT FOLLOWING

THE QUESTION. >> LET ME -- >> ARE WE TALKING ABOUT THE

LIMIT ON THE AMOUNT? >> I AM SAYING THAT THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT TAX RATE HAD TO BE SET IN THE SAME MANNER AS THE COUNTY TAX RATE. LET ME ASK IT THIS WAY.

IS THE COUNTY, THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT, LEGALLY

SEPARATE TAXING ENTITIES ? >> THEY ARE TAXING ENTITIES, BUT BY LAW THE COMMISSIONER'S

COURT SETS THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT. >> ARE YOU REFERRING TO -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT SETS THE TAX RATE FOR EACH. BUT ACCORDING TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE 81.006 WHICH IS EFFECTIVELY THE TAX RATE THAT WE -- THE TAX RATE PROCESS THAT WE WENT THROUGH ON THE COUNTY TAX RATE. THIS IS WHERE IT SPECIFICALLY SPEAKS TO THE FORE PERSON OF THE COURT. CORRECT?

>> CORRECT. >> HOWEVER THE TEXAS HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE WHICH IS 281.107, IT GOVERNS SETTING THE TAX RATE FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT.

[04:10:01]

THE HOSPITAL. >> I DISAGREE WITH THAT. >> WHAT RESEARCH DO YOU HAVE TO DISTINGUISH THE COUNTY TAX RATE AND THE COUNTY AUTHORIZING --

>> OUR RESEARCH IS BASED ON THE TAX CODE. IT IS BASED ON OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE STATE CONTROLLER'S OFFICE AND IT IS BASED UPON OUR KNOWN EXPERTISE

THROUGHOUT THE STATE OF TEXAS. >> COULD YOU SHARE THAT

RESEARCH WITH MY OFFICE? >> I WOULD BE PLEASED TO. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN I SAW THIS, I THOUGHT IT WAS REFERRING TO THE RECENT CHANGE UNDER REVENUE CARE.

THAT'S WHAT I THOUGHT THE REFERENCE WAS TO. I KNOW WHEN IT CAME UP THERE WAS SOME CONCERN ABOUT THE AMBIGUITY WITH THEM PASSING THE LAW SO LATE ON WHETHER OR NOT WE HAD THE OPTION OF A DIFFERENT RATE OTHER THAN THE ONE WE POSTED.

THAT PART IS STILL BIG RUSS. AMBIGUOUS. THAT WAS UNCLEAR.

>> CORRECT. THERE WERE JUDGMENT CALLS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHAT I

THOUGHT THIS REFERENCE WAS TO. >> I WANT TO STRESS THAT THE PENALTY FORGETTING THIS WRONG IS YOU DON'T GET TO COLLECT TAXES.

THAT'S A SIMPLE ANSWER. IN EFFECT ANY TAXPAYER CAN FILE AN INJUNCTION TO STOP HARRIS COUNTY FROM COLLECTING TAXES. REALISTIC -- REALISTICALLY IF YOU GO BACK AND IF THAT HAPPENED THERE WOULDN'T BE A BUDGET SET TODAY BECAUSE WE WOULD BE FIGHTING UP TO THE SUPREME COURT ABOUT WHETHER THIS COURT FOLLOWED THE PROPER PROCEDURES. THERE ARE PRACTICAL REALITIES TO GIVING LEGAL --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ONLY ASK BECAUSE I DON'T REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION IN THIS COURT, AND WHEN WE WERE IN EL PASO, SOME COUNTIES DIDN'T READ IT IS WAY WE READ IT.

THEY LOOKED AT IT AND GOT CHALLENGED. IT IS WHAT YOU POST OR THE

LOWER RATE. YOU GOT ME? >> I UNDERSTAND.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT THAT'S WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. ITEM 12. >>

>> PARDON ME? THANK YOU. WE NEED BALANCE IN THE SYSTEM, JUDGE. WE HAVE HAD A NUMBER OF INSTANCES TO WHERE THERE IS AN ABSENCE OF BALANCE AND WHERE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN HURT. IN PRECINCT 4 RECENTLY WE HAD SOMEONE THAT WAS OUT ON THEIR BOND FOR A SECOND OR THIRD DWI AND IT KILLS A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS AND I AM REQUESTING THAT WE TASK IGA WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF VISITING WITH THE OFFICES AND TRYING TO CRAFT UP SOMETHING THAT COULD ADD A LITTLE BALANCE INTO THE SYSTEM TO MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE REPEAT OFFENDERS AND THOSE THAT ARE

[04:15:05]

HOPEFULLY WE CAN FIND SOMETHING THAT ALL OF US ARE IN AGREEMENT OF AND WE ARE

ESTABLISHING BALANCE. THANK YOU, YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES?

>> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T HAVE ANY DISAGREEMENT SAYING WE OUGHT TO FIND SOMETHING THAT IS BALANCED. CLEARLY THERE IS A NEED FOR REFORMING STATE LAW, BUT I DO THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL IN TERMS OF BAIL REFORM. I JUST FOUND FROM MY EXPERIENCE IN MOST STATES YOU TWRIED -- YOU TRIED TO DO BAIL REFORM AND THE INDUSTRY TAKES OVER A PIECE OF LEGISLATION IN THAT REGARD AND IT IS HARD TO COME UP WITH A MEANINGFUL PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT DOES WHAT WE ALL WANT TO DO. I MUST SAY MY HEART GOES OUT TO THE FAMILY AND THE FRIENDS OF THIS TRAGIC CASE, THIS ACCIDENT.

I DID SEE THE PRESS ACCOUNT THAT THEY HAD A PROSECUTOR WHO CAME BEFORE HER.

I SAW THAT IN THE PAPER AND THEY DID NOT GIVE HER ALL OF THE INFORMATION THEY HAD ACCESS TO. I WILL ADD TO YOUR REQUEST THAT WE INVOLVE HIS OFFICE BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT MAKES SENSE AND WE AGREE TO.

THEY PASSED SOME BAIL REFORM MEASURES. CALIFORNIA DID NOT.

THE JUDGE DID POINT OUT IN CLEARLY STATISTICAL MYTHOLOGY THAT JUST HAVING MONEY AND HARRIS COUNTY COOPERATED AND IT WAS AN 18-MONTH STUDY AND IT CAME TO THE CONCLUSION OF 1600 FEWER FELONIES AND 2400 FEWER MISDEMEANORS WOULD HAVE BEEN COMMITTED IF PEOPLE WEREN'T LOCKED IN THERE BECAUSE THEY WOULD HAVE MONEY.

AND I THINK THEY ARE ON THE SAME PAGE I WON'T RUN THROUGH THIS LONG LIST OF PEOPLE WHO ARE DEPENDENTS CHARGED WITH DWI AND SELECTED VIOLENT OFFENSES WHO GOT OUT ON MONEY BONDS. YOU WOULD BE EQUALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WHO GOT OUT.

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> WITH MONEY AS SOMEBODY WHO GOT OUT WITHOUT IT.

THERE WAS AN OLD SCHOOL ATTITUDE THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE SKIN IN THE GAME.

THERE ARE FAR MORE INSTANCES WHERE TRAGEDIES OCCUR AND SOMEBODY HAD MONEY AND THE STATS. I DON'T WANT TO OBJECT TO YOUR MOTION.

I JUST WANT TO ADD TO IT. >> THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THAT I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN FAVOR OF LETTING PEOPLE OUT JUST BECAUSE THEY HAD MONEY. YOU OFTEN HAVE OMITTED THAT, BUT YOU RECOGNIZED IT TODAY THAT'S -- BECAUSE THAT'S MY CONSISTENT POSITION.

>> ALL OF US SAY IT. I DON'T MEAN THIS TO BE OFFENSIVE OR ARGUMENTATIVE --

>> IT SEEMS LIKE YOU ARE ABOUT TO TAKE THAT COMPLIMENT -- >> SOME PEOPLE SAY THEY SHOULD

BE IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR. >> ARE YOU TAKING YOU AWAY THAT MOMENT WHERE YOU RECOGNIZE MY HEART AND CALLING ME AN EVIL INDIVIDUAL AGAIN?

>> YOU MAY NOT BE -- YOU MAY NOT BE FULLY AWARE OF YOUR POSITION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DO WANT TO MAKE A POINT ON THE ITEM FOR BOTH OF YOU.

>> JUDGE, HE CALLED ME IGG -- IGNORANT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, NO.

LET ME MAKE MY POINT. JIM IS DOING PLENTY OF WORK AS IT IS ON BAIL AND SO MANY OTHER CRIMINAL JUSTICE ISSUES. I LOATHE TO PUT MORE ON HIS PLATE. I'M SURE HE IS ALREADY GOING TO LOOK AT ANY LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY WE WOULD DO THAT CAN HELP US MOVE THE BALL. MY CONCERN IS THIS DOESN'T MEAN WE ARE GOING TO ADVOCATE FOR SOMETHING BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHERE THIS IS HEADED, BUT

[04:20:01]

YOU HAVE SERIAL OFFENDERS, BUT YOU HAVE THE MOMS AND THE GRANDMAS AND THERE ARE 5,000 A YEAR THAT OUR JAIL CAN NEVER FIT. THE FEDERAL COURTS TRY TO ALLOW FOR THERE TO BE NO BONDS AND THEN JUDGES GET NERVOUS AND THEY KEEP EVERYBODY IN JAIL AND YOU END UP THREE-QUARTERS OF THE FEDERAL DEFENDANTS ARE IN THERE PRE-TRIAL. THAT'S MY NOTE. I AM OKAY WITH WHAT YOU ARE

BOTH SAYING. >> LET'S LET EVERYBODY LOSE AND MAKE SURE THOSE WHO ARE DANGEROUS NOT LOOSE. THERE SHOULD BE SOMETHING THE FIVE OF US SHOULD AGREE ON.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NOBODY IS SAYING EVERYBODY LOSES. IN FACT, THIS CASE SHOW THAT'S MONEY DOES PRESIDENT MAKE -- DOESN'T MAKE PEOPLE SAFE. HE PAID $5,000 FROM A -- FOR A BOND ON A FELONY CHARGE. THAT'S WHY WE ARE DOING BAIL REFORM.

>> AND BEFORE ANYTHING COMES BACK I WOULDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO GO UP IN THE INTERIM.

SENATOR JOHN WHIMORE -- WHITMORE, THEY TOOK OVER HIS BAIL AND HE HAD TO STOP IT.

IT DOESN'T GIVE YOU LICENSE TO SAY ANYTHING. HE SAYS LOOK AT IT.

IF YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING, SEE IF YOU GET THREE VOTES. >> YOU SAY LOOK AT IT WITH

BETHKEY. >> AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER. YOU HAVE THE D.A. AS WELL, BUT THERE IS NO CLEAR LATITUDE. I WOULDN'T SAY NOTHING OUGHT TO BE CHANGED.

THEY SHOULD SPEND MORE MONEY DOWN HERE AND WE WOULDN'T BE FACED WITH SO MANY FOLKS WITH US TRYING TO SORT OUT HOW TO GET THEM OUT INSTEAD OF THE LAWYER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SOUNDS LIKE EVERYONE AGREES. WE HAVE A SPEAKER.

DAVID RYAN. GO AHEAD. >> MY NAME IS DAVID RYAN AND I AM SECRETARY OF CRIMINAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION. I AM HERE TO SPEAK FOR OUR 700 MEMBERS THAT OBVIOUSLY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS. ONE OF THE CONCERNS I WOULD SAY FROM LISTENING TO YOUR CONVERSATION IS ONCE AGAIN THE PRIVATE DEFENSE BAR IS BEING CUT OUT OF THE CONVERSATION. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT GOING TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WHICH IS WELL AND GOOD, BUT THEY DON'T HANDLE MOST OF THE CASES.

PRIVATE LAWYERS DO, AND WE NEED TO BE INCLUDED IN ANY DISCUSSIONS YOU ARE HAVING.

NOT JUST LIP SERVICE. WE NEED ACTUAL PARTICIPATION.

DON'T TELL US ABOUT THE MEETING TWO DAYS BEFORE. LET US HAVE THE AGENDA SO THAT WE KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON AND WE CAN BE PREPARED TO. WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO POINT OUT THAT YOU TREAD CAREFULLY HERE. YOU ARE TREADING UPON THE FOUNDATION OF OUR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM. JURY REIS PRUDENCE STARTS OUT BLACK STONE. IT IS BETTER 10 MILTIE -- 10 GUILTY MEN GO FREE THAN ONE GILL -- GUILTY MAN STAY IN JAIL. BENJAMIN FRANK LYNN SAID 100 GO FREE THAN ONE SPEND A DAY IN JAIL. WHEN YOU START TO LOOK AT THESE BAIL REFORMS YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT PEOPLE WHO ARE PRESUMPTIVELY INNOCENT.

THE SYSTEM PRESUMES THEY ARE NOT GUILTY. BAIL IS DESIGNED TO MAKE SURE THEY WILL SHOW UP FOR TRIAL. IT IS DESIGNED TO ASSESS RISK TO THE COMMUNITY THAT THEY WILL NOT SHOW UP FOR THEIR TRIAL ORCAS MORE MAYHEM. UNTIL YOU EXAMINE ALL OF THOSE AND TAKE INTO THAT ACCOUNT AND TO THE ACCOUNT THAT THE JUDICIARY IS SEPARATE AND INDEPENDENT AND IT IS THEIR JOB TO CONSIDER THE EVIDENCE AND THEN SET BAIL.

PLEASE REMEMBER THAT HARRIS COUNTY CRIMINAL LAWYER ASSOCIATION GAVE PRAISE TO THIS BODY WHEN YOU WITHOUT LITIGATION JUST ON THE SUGGESTION FIXED YEARS -- DECADES OF ILLEGAL PRACTICES ON BAIL IN THIS COUNTY BY ALLOWING US TO HAVE LAWYERS PRESENT AT THOSE HEARINGS. NOBODY HAD TO GET SUED. THE PROBLEMS BROUGHT TO THIS BODY'S ATTENTION YOU MOVED TO CORRECT IT. UNFORTUNATELY SOME OF THE PRIOR JUDGES REFUSED TO AGREE THAT WE NEEDED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THE BAIL PRACTICES IN THIS COUNTY. IT COST THIS CON MILLIONS -- COUNTY MILLIONS, AND IT WILL COST MILLIONS MORE TO FIX THAT. SOME OF THE JUDGES ARE MAD WITH THE MEMBERS OF MY BODY BECAUSE WE ENCOURAGE SOMETIMES OUR PEOPLE NOT TO TAKE THE PR BONDS BECAUSE IT IS NOT AS WELL SUPERVISED. THAT WAY THEY CAN CONTINUE TO BE FREE AND INDEPENDENT. MAKE SURE THAT WHEN YOU ARE CONSIDERING ALL OF THESE MATTERS, YOU INCLUDE THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE BAR THAT IS ACTUALLY DEFENDING THESE PEOPLE AND DEALS WITH THESE CONSEQUENCES ON A DAY IN, DAY OUT BASIS.

AND NOT JUST FROM ONE GOVERNMENT ENTITY TO ANOTHER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. YES, COMMISSIONER. >> MR. RYAN, I THINK THAT IS

[04:25:04]

YOU BE THERE ON REPORT DATE AND YOU BEHAVE WHILE ARE YOU OUT.

AND THE ANCIENT DAYS WHEN THEY WOULD TAKE YOUR COAT AND GIVE IT TO YOU AT NIGHT SO YOU WOULDN'T FREEZE AND YOU HAD TO GIVE IT BACK THE NEXT MORNING.

THE PURPOSE OF THAT WAS TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE THERE WHEN IT IS YOUR TIME TO BE THERE, AND YOU BEHAVE WHILE ARE YOU NOT IN THE SYSTEM. THAT'S THE WAY I ALWAYS FELT AND THAT'S THE WAY I CONTINUE TO FEEL. I WILL ASK AS A COURTESY HE

MAKES SURE TO VISIT WITH YOU. >> JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU TOO, MR. RYAN.

AND TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT HAVING SAT HERE FOR THREE YEARS I AM SURE WE WOULD NOT HAVE PUT THOSE LAWYERS IN AT ARRAIGNMENT BUT FOR THE FACT THAT WE HAD BEEN SUED YOU MADE REFERENCE TO ANGLO-SAXON JURY REIS PRUDENCE, BUT THEY HAD THE SENSE TO GET RID OF IT.

I THINK THERE ARE LESSONS TO BE LEARNED FROM THAT. WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY AND THE PRIVATE BAR DOES PLAY A ROLE YOU ARE ALWAYS INCLUDED. IF WE ARE EVER GOING TO TAKE A POSITION ON IT, YOU WILL KNOW WHEN IT COMES UP. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO TO AUSTIN AS WELL AND BE INVOLVED AND BE A VOCAL VOICE. IF SOMETHING HAPPENS, THAT'S WHERE IT WILL HAPPEN. THEY LIS TONE WHAT WE SAY DOWN THERE, BUT NOT TOO MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR COMING. >> THIS IS A POTENTIAL PLAN.

[INAUDIBLE]. >> HERE IS ANOTHER ONE. A DRIVER OF 14 YEARS OLD WITH CHILDREN AND A STOLEN PICK UP AND YESTERDAY WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT HIT A CAR HEAD ON WITH A CHILD. HE SURVIVED. THERE IS A WOMAN WHO WAS 89 YEARS OLD WHO WAS EXTREMELY CRITICAL CONDITION WHEN THEY RAMMED HER.

HER NAME IS ELIZABETH. WRIGHT. SHE USED TO BE A MEMBER OF

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> AGREE WITH PRAYING FOR THE LADY.

THE ONLY THING I WOULD SAY, COMMISSIONER, REMEMBER, ALL OF THESE PEOPLE ARE PRESUMED INNOCENT AND ALL OF THESE THINGS ARE ALLEGED. THEY MUST BE PROOF BEYOND A

REASONABLE DOUBT IN A COURT OF LAW TO A JURY OF OUR PEERS. >> I AGREE.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE ALL DAY AND HAVEN'T SHARED ENOUGH AND WALKED ABOUT A HUNDRED PEOPLE OUT OF JAIL AND WHAT THEY WERE ACCUSED OF.

AND THEN LATER ON THE STATE WOULD HAVE TO SAY I'M SORRY BECAUSE WE MADE A MISTAKE.

WE NEED PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO ARE WILLING TO STAND UP AND REPRESENT ANYBODY WHEN THE -- WHEN THEY ARE ACCUSED OF A CRIME. UNDER OUR SYSTEM WE SHOULDN'T SAY WE BELIEVE THEY ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. WE NEED TO BELIEVE IT.

THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE ALL DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. LET'S MOVE ON TO. YES? SO IS THE MOTION -- IS THE MOTION AS PRESENTED ON THE AGENDA? YES, RIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? THE REST REMAINS THE SAME?

>> KUMBAYA. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

[Item IV]

SESSION FOR THAT? >> I DON'T BELIEVE SO, JUDGE. I MOVE TO ACCEPT THE UH --

APPOINTMENT OF FRANCIS DICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 2? >> SECOND.

>> THANK YOU, COUNCIL, MOVE TO APPOINT THESE MEMBERS. IT IS TO THE BOARD OF THE

SCHOOL DISTRICT. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ITEM 3,

DO FOLKS NEED TO GO BACK FOR THAT? >> I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS HERE INSTEAD OF EXECUTIVE SESSION. THIS IS A MOTION OUR OFFICE

FILED -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO I DON'T NEED TO GO BACK EITHER.

>>

[04:30:03]

HETRO. WE NEED TO GO BACK ON HETRA. >> AND I GUESS SO HE CAN TALK

-- >> I'M SORRY, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER, WE DO NEED ACTION. THIS ACTION WAS FILED IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRAINING AND COME BACK AVER -- AFTER IT WAS FILED WITH THE COMMISSION.

>> I MOVE IT -- IT IS IN PRE SINK 4. LET ME HAVE -- PRECINCT 4.

>> YOU WERE IN SUCH A HURRY ON PRE -- PRECINCT 1 SO I WAS TRYING TO HELP YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON ALL OF THESE, EVERYTHING TOGETHER IF THAT WORKS FOR YOU GUYS. LET'S WORK ON THE WHOLE AGENDA EXCEPT IS UP PLAW MEN --

SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 6. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

ALL IN FAVOR? -- OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.

SO ARE WE GOOD? COMMISSIONER RADACK MADE A POINT THAT A COUPLE THINGS --

>> UNLESS ROBERT INSTRUCTS US THAT SOMETHING WAS EITHER HELD OR PUSHED OFF COMES BACK ON AT

THE END I AM COMFORTABLE. >> SO WHEN YOU MAKE RUER MOTION I MAY WANT -- WHEN YOU MAKE YOUR MOTION I WANT TO MAKE AN ISSUE. IT MAY BE IN ONE OF OUR NEXT

TIME. >> THAT'S FINE. WE CAN DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 6.

THEN EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 3 TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEY. DOES THAT WORK, ROBERT?

>> CONCERNING -- >> LINA HIDA >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 4:22 SPH WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. I HAVE TWO MOTIONS ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 6. THE FIRST IS MOTION TO IN-- TO APPOINT PETER KEYE EFFECTIVE FEBRUARY 12, 2020. IS THERE A SECOND? ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. PETER?

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU. FIRST I WANT TO EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE FOR HAVING FAITH IN MY ABILITY TO PROVIDE STEWARD SHIP IN THIS AGENCY DURING AN INTERIM PERIOD. I THINK ALL OF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE FANTASTICS OF THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST DEPARTMENTS THAT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAS TO RUN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO IMPLEMENT THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT VISION AND WILL DURING THIS INTERIM PERIOD, AND FURTHERMORE I PLEDGE WHATEVER I NEED TO DO TO ENSURE A SMOOTH AND GRACEFUL TRANSITION WHEN THIS COURT FINDS A PERMANENT DIRECTOR FOR THE AGENCY. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: APPRECIATE IT. >> I WANT TO APPLAUD YOU AND THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE BEEN DOING AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.

>> AND KEEP DOING IT. WE WANT THE ENTIRE TEAM HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SECOND MOTION IS TO CONVENE A SEARCH COMMITTEE COMPRISED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF EACH MEMBER OF COURT TO OVERSEE THE HIRING OF A NEW DIRECTOR OF THE HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY. THE SEARCH COMMITTEE SHOULD BE SUBMITTED BY HHRM WITH STRONG CONSIDERATION GIVEN TO HIRING A SEARCH FOR THE -- FOR THE SEARCH.

>> SECOND. >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. SPEAKERS.

[Item V]

SA -- SADIE RUBBING

>> RUCKOR. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SAY A FEW THINGS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ANY SPEAKERS NOT ON THE AGENDA?

GOING ONCE, GOING TWICE? WE HAVE A SPEAKER. >> I HAVE THE MATERIAL.

I AM MOLLY COOK. I AM A PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE AND A MEMBER OF STOCK TECH I45.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

AND I AM HERE TO MAKE YOU AWARE OF THE REIMAGINE ETD I -- REIMAGINED I-4 FAVE PROJECT -- I-45 AND WANT IT TO BE AN ALTERNTIVE TO THE HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.

[04:35:05]

YOU HAVE VISUAL COPIES FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE. IT IS PROPOSED THE TEXT DOT RECONSTRUCT 6 TO BELT -- BELT WAY 8 WITH THE DEDICATED TRANSIT LANES.

MAKE USE AND TRANSITION BOULEVARDS THROUGH DOWNTOWN AS WELL AS SEEING 59 BELOW GRADE. THE CITY AND THE TECHNICAL ADVISERS SAY THE COUNTY AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT TAKE IT INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION AS IT RELATES TO TOLL ROADS.

THEY IMAGINE THE I-45 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NOT AS PIECEMEAL ALTERNATIVES, BUT AS A HOLISTIC OPPORTUNITY TO ATONE FOR MISTAKES AND CREATE A BETTER HOME.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?

>> MOLLY, THANK YOU FOR COME AGO DOWN AND THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING ON THIS ISSUE WHICH I HAVE CONCERNS AS WELL. I ASK FOR ONE CONDITION TO YOUR INFORMATION.

YOU LAYOUT NO DESTRUCTION -- >> LINA HIDALGO: HOLD ON, COMMISSIONER.

THIS IS NOT ON THE AGENDA. >> I WILL SPEAK TO YOU OFF LINE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T RESPOND. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR COMING. ITEM 3 WE VOTED ON.

YES, IT IS ON THE LITIGATION ITEM YOU NEEDED. YES, WE VOTED ON IT.

WE ALL VOTED FOR IT. ALL RIGHT. SO WE HAVE DONE EVERYTHING ON THE AGENDA AND WE HEARD FROM SPEAKERS. IT IS 4:27 AND C

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.