[Call to Order]
[00:01:51]
>> WE THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRAY, FATHER FOR OUR CITY -- CITY AND COUNTY AND THE STATE AND THE UNITED STATES.
FATHER, WE PRAY FOR THE STUDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.
WE PRAY FOR THEM FOR THEIR STRENGTH.
WE PRAY WITH THE, FATHER AS WE GO ABOUT THESE TROUBLING TIMES.
WE PRAY, FATHER, THAT IN JESUS NAME, EACH AND EVERY CITIZEN WILL BE AND SPRUES -- PROSPERITY WITH OUR HEALTH AND MIND.
THE SPIRIT OF LOVE AND SOUND MIND.
WE THANK YOU, FATHER, THAT EACH AND EVERY PERSON, FATHER WILL DO HIS PART, FATHER IN THIS COUNTY.
WHO ARE GREAT CITIZENS OF A GREAT CON -- COUNTY AND A GREAT STATE.
FATHER, WE WILL DO THE THINGS WE OUGHT TO DO AND SHOULD BE DOING, FATHER.
AS YOU HAVE COMMANDED US, SOCIAL DISTANCING.
HELPING ONE ANOTHER AND WORK TOGETHER AS CITIZENS OF --
>> LINA HIDALGO: PASTOR, WE LOST YOU THERE.
PASTOR MCCRUTCHEON? LET'S WAIT AND SEE IF WE CAN GET HIM.
>> I WAS GOING TO SAY, JUDGE, LET'S JUST ADD AN AMEN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL MENTION IN ACCORDANCE TO THE EXECUTIVE ORDER ON MARCH 19 YOU CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE IN A SINGLE ROOM.
WE ARE MINDFUL OF PRACTICING WHAT WE PREACH AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THAT WE ARE NOT PUTTING OUR OWN GOVERNMENT LEADERS AT RISK.
AND SO WE ARE DOING THIS MEETING VIRTUALLY TO ADVANCE THE PUBLIC HEALTH POLL OF LIMITING FACE-TO-FACE INTERACTIONS AS WE ARE ASKING THE PUBLIC TO DO AS WELL.
I APPRECIATE EVERYBODY WHO WORKED TO PUT THIS MEETING TOGETHER, AND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES FOR PARTICIPATING WITH THIS WORK.
MOVING ON TO FIRST -- EVERY ONE OF YOU AND SO MANY OF THE COUNTY WORKERS AND PEOPLE ALL THROUGHOUT OUR COUNTY WHO ARE HELPING US FIGHT THIS VIRUS.
[00:05:06]
WE ARE LEADING IN A TIME OF CRISIS.WE AT THE COUNTY ARE WORKING SO HARD TO MAKE SURE THAT GOVERNMENT CONTINUES TO PROVIDE ESSENTIAL SERVICES THAT WE ARE PROMOTING THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AND THAT WE ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO BE CREATIVE ABOUT HOW WE CAN STEM THE HARSHEST EFFECTS OF THE ECONOMIC IMPACT.
LET'S TAKE THE COVID-19 -- >> I WOULD LIKE TO CHIME IN AND JUST SAY THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU.
I KNOW THE PRESSURE AND THE ISSUES IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE AN ABUNDANCE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU AND THANK YOUR STAFF AND THE FOLKS AT OEM FOR ALL OF YOUR COLLECTIVE WORK TO HELP US NAVIGATE THESE EXTREMELY UNCHARTED WATERS AND SO WE ARE GRATEFUL TO YOU.
I KNOW THE PRESSURE ON YOUR SHOULDERS HAS BEEN ENORMOUS.
YOU HAVE HANDLED IT EXTREMELY WELL.
VERY PROUD OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING AND JUST SAY A SINCERE THANK YOU TO YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU TO YOU AND ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES.
THERE ARE SEVERAL ITEMS ABOUT COVID-19 AND WE HAVE SPEAKERS SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON CORONAVIRUS.
IF JAMES WILL HELP ME CALL THOSE FOLKS UP I THINK WE SHOULD RUN THROUGH THE ITEMS FIRST JUST SO WE GIVE CONTEXT AS TO WHAT EACH OF THESE IS AND THEN WE CAN HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.
OR I GUESS WE USUALLY TAKE SPEAKERS FIRST.
CAN YOU PLEASE CALL UP OUR SPEAKERS AND THEN WE WILL DISCUSS THE DIFFERENT ITEMS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OF THE ITEMS RELATED TO CORONAVIRUS.
I CAN GO DOWN AND READ THEM OUT FOR YOU.
WELL, HOW ABOUT THIS? LET'S TAKE THEM ONE AT A TIME.
IF THERE IS A SPEAKER ON THE ITEM, WE CAN TAKE THE SPEAKER.
[Item I (Part 1 of 2)]
LET'S START WITH ITEMS 4B AND C ON PAGE 8 UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT.BILL IF YOU WILL WALK US THROUGH THAT.
>> I WILL HAVE SHANE EXPLAIN THEM IN MORE DETAIL AND ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE.
>> SHANE WITH HUMAN RESOURCES AND RISK MANAGEMENT.
ITEM 4B IS SOMETHING WE DID DURING HURRICANE HARVEY.
IT IS PAYING EMPLOYEES INSTEAD OF BURNING COMP TIME FOR THOSE RESPONDING TO THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC.
ITEM 4C IS TEMPORARILY -- TEMPORARY AMENDMENTS TO THE POLICIES PROCEDURES.
BASICALLY THERE ARE FOUR THINGS IT COVERS.
THE FIRST IS WAY -- WAIVES THE 75-DAY WAITING PERIOD FOR NEW EM EMPLOYEES WHO DON'T GET HEALTH INSURANCE.
THEY WILL GET IT THE FIRST PAY PERIOD FOLLOWING THE FIRST SEVEN DAYS OF EMPLOYMENT.
IT RAILSES VACATION -- RAISES VACATION HOURS TO 320, FIRST RESPONDERS SO THEY DON'T LOSE VACATION TIME.
AND THE THIRD THING IS THE DEPARTMENT HEAD OFFICIALS CAN WAIVE THE DOCTOR'S NOTE AFTER FOUR DAYS OF ABSENCES.
OUR EMPLOYEES ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TO GET A DOCTOR'S NOTE DURING THIS PANDEMIC.
AND THE FINAL THING WHICH IS PROBABLY THE MOST SIGNIFICANT, IT IMPLEMENTS THE FAMILY FIRST CORONA RESPONSE ACT SIGNED INTO LAW LAST WEDNESDAY.
THE TWO KEY COMPONENTS IS IT ADDS A QUALIFYING CONDITION UNDER FMLA WHEN AN EMPLOYEE CAN'T WORK DUE TO A SCHOOL CLOSURE OR CHILD CARE ISSUE AND REQUIRES THE COUNTY TO PAY [INAUDIBLE] AND THEN THE OTHER THING IS IT GIVES FULL TIME EMPLOYEES 80 HOURS OF PAID SICK LEAVE FOR COVID-19.
AND THEN PART-TIME EMPLOYEES IT GIVES THEM 60 HOURS.
THAT WAS A SUMMARY AND I WILL ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE GOING OVER BOTH ITEMS ON YOUR AGENDA? EVERYTHING YOU MENTIONED ITEMS B AND C?
[00:10:03]
>> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THESE? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WORKING THROUGH THIS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO -- >> DO YOU NEED A MOTION ON THOSE TWO, JUDGE?
>> MOVE TO ACCEPT ITEMS 4B AND C ON PAGE 8.
I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN HEAR ME OR NOT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
THAT WAS UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT.
AND NOW MOVING TO CO INDIVIDUAL ITEMS WE HAVE ON PAGE 1215A A TRANSMITAL MEMO REGARDING SUCCESSION PLANNING.
ROBERT, PLEASE WALK US THROUGH THIS.
WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAW, IT REQUESTS FOR INSTRUCT OFFICIALS THAT IT MIGHT BE A GOOD IDEA TO APPOINT SOMEONE ON THEIR STAFF, MAYBE THEIR SECOND IN COMMAND AND MAYBE THE CHIEF OF STAFF TO TAKE OVER IN THE EVENT THE PERSON IS TEMPORARILY UNABLE TO PERFORM HIS OR HER DUTIES.
THERE IS VERY LITTLE LAW ON THE SUBJECT, BUT WHAT LITTLE BIT THERE IS WE TRANSMITTED IT TO THE COMMISSION.
THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CONTINUITY OPERATIONS PLAN THAT THE COMMISSIONERS ADOPTED LAST WEEK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT?
>> DO YOU NEED A MOTION TO MOVE ON THAT, JUDGE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND NOW MOVING ON TO ITEM 19 ON PAGE 12.
AS IT RELATES TO TRAVEL AND TRAINING SECTION.
JOHN, CAN YOU PLEASE WALK US THROUGH?
>> WE ARE RECOMMENDING THESE BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE.
SOME OF THESE ITEMS HAVE ALREADY OCCURRED AND SOME ARE NEEDING TO BE REIMBURSED.
SOME SHOULDN'T BE APPROVED BECAUSE THEY WERE PERMISSION WHYED -- PERMISSION
>> LINA HIDALGO: APOLOGIES FOR THE CONFUSION THERE.
>> WE ARE RECOMMENDING THESE BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO BE REVIEWED BY THE CONTINUITY OF THE GOVERNMENT.
THE LONG-TERM THING WE SHOULD MOVE FORWARD WITH SO THEY CAN RESERVE THE HOTELS AND THINGS LIKE THAT, BUT ANYTHING IN THE NEXT TWO MONTHS UNLESS IT IS COVID-19 SHOULDN'T BE APPROVED IS OUR RECOMMENDATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE MOTION WOULD BE THAT ALL TRAVEL AND TRAINING BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE CONTINUITY OF GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE.
>> JOHN ON THIS SIDE OF -- WE'VE GOT IT LOOKS LIKE SOME TRAVEL THAT IS LIKE WITHIN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
SECONDLY WHO IS THE TASK FORCE, AND HOW DO WE MAKE A DECISION ON THESE TRAVEL ITEMS THAT ARE LIKE -- WE HAVE SOME HERE THAT ARE THIS WEEK TO GALVESTON AND GOING TO LAREDO NEXT MONTH.
HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THOSE SPECIFICALLY, AND WHO IS THE TASK FORCE?
>> JUDGE -- JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, IT WAS ASSIGNED LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHICH IS COUNTY ENGINEER AND HHN AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
WE WOULD REACH OUT TO EACH ONE OF THESE INDIVIDUALS AND FIND OUT THE NUMBER OF THESE PEOPLE THAT WON'T BE GOING NOW.
WE WANT TO WORK WITH EACH ONE OF THESE TO FIGURE OUT IF THE EVENT IS STILL GOING ON, AND IF IT IS STILL GOING ON, IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO GO.
CLEARLY IF IT IS AN EVENT IT WILL HAVE A GATHERING OF MORE THAN 10 PEOPLE IT WOULD BE IN PRO -- PROHIBITION OF THE ORDER FROM THE STATE.
WE WILL GO THROUGH EACH ONE OF THESE ITEM BY ITEM AND LOOK AT IT IN THAT LIGHT.
>> SO I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION STATED BY THE JUDGE.
[00:15:05]
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO PAGE 2020 MY AGENDA.
POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING THE PANDEMIC.
>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 20 UNDER COUNTY JUDGE.
WE HAVE SPHIEF SPEAKER -- 5 SPEAKERS SIGNED UP FOR THAT ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.
IF FOLKS CAN PLEASE PUT THEM THROUGH.
>> AND, JUDGE, IF I CAN MAKE A CASUAL REQUEST, I CAN HEAR EVERYONE ELSE QUITE WELL IN THE SYSTEM, BUT YOUR MICROPHONE IS TURNED DOWN JUST A LITTLE BIT FROM THE OTHERS.
AND SO IF YOU ARE -- IF YOUR TECH PERSON CAN BOOST YOUR MICROPHONE UP JUST A TOUCH.
>> IS THIS BETTER? LET ME USE THE COMPUTER -- IS THAT BETTER?
>> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, YOU ARE PUTTING THROUGH THE SPEAKERS, CORRECT?
I AM WORKING THE CLOCK WHEN THEY START SPEAKING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY -- YES, GO AHEAD, DREW.
I JUST WANTED TO QUICKLY -- Y'ALL REMEMBER ME.
I HAD SUBMITTED A LETTER -- >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU STATE YOUR AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
I AM DREW WILLY AND MY UH FILL -- AFFILIATION IS RESTORING JUSTICE TO LOCAL CHRISTIAN NON-PROFIT THAT PROVIDES REPRESENTATION TO THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.
SO I HAVE PROVIDED -- I AM NOT SURE IF Y'ALL RECEIVED EVERYTHING, BUT THERE WAS AN OPEN LETTER I PROVIDED LAST NIGHT, AND ALONG WITH IT THERE IS AN ATTACHMENT FROM DOCTORS TALKING ABOUT HOW HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IS A TICKING TIME BOMB.
AND WITH ALL OF THESE CONTINGENCY PLANS AND ALL OF THE ADJUSTMENTS Y'ALL ARE MAKING FOR EVERYBODY ELSE, EMPLOYEES OF THE COUNTY, THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION IS IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.
THE LETTER, IF YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK AT IT, HIGHLIGHTS A LOT OF -- IT IS A FEW EMERGENCY PLANS THAT YOUR BODY CAN TAKE TO GET WHAT THE SHARE -- SHERIFF HAS BEEN CALLING FOR FOR A LONGTIME.
NEW YORK HAS ALMOST 40 ACTIVE CASES OF CORONAVIRUS AT RUBBINGERS -- AT RUCKOR'S ISLAND.
THE IMPENDING DOOM IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL IS HYPED.
ONE THING THAT HAS NOT BEEN HIGHLIGHTED IN THE MEDIA OR ANYTHING ELSE IS THE SPECIFIC NUMBERS.
IDENTIFYING HIGH LEVELS OF NUMBERS.
THERE IS AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE DISTRICT JUDGES RELEASING LOW-LEVEL FELONIES AND THAT MEANS 60 PEOPLE.
WE WOULD BE GETTING INTO THE THOUSANDS AND THAT IS DOCTOR ADVISED, PHYSICIAN ADVISED.
THE LETTER OUTLINES THE LEGAL ACTION YOU CAN DO -- YOU CAN TAKE TO DO THAT.
THERE ARE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS AS WELL AS IDENTIFYING SPECIFIC NUMBER INMATES THAT CAN BE RELEASED.
I KNOW Y'ALL ARE EXTREMELY BUSY AND I DON'T WANT TO TAKE UP TOO MUCH OF YOUR TIME.
I AM WELCOME TO ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
THE NUMBERS SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES.
THERE WERE SIX DIFFERENT LOCAL ADVOCACY ORGANIZATIONS WHO SIGNED ON TO IT.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WORKING WITH THE SHERIFF IN ADDRESSING THIS.
I APPRECIATE HIS LEADERSHIP IN THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DREW.
>> IF I CAN ADD TO THIS ITEM, I KNOW WE'VE BEEN WORKING A GREAT DEAL ON ISSUES REGARDING A JOINT CITY-COUNTY SHELTER SPECIFICALLY FOR THE HOMELESS POPULATION AND THERE IS A LOT OF WORK DONE ON THIS AND THERE IS A LOT OF WORK TO DO, BUT I THINK THAT WE ARE VERY READY TO BEGIN THE PROCESS OF CONFIRMING THE PROGRAM AND ADDING SOME RESOURCES TO IT SO THAT WE CAN GET MOBILIZED MUCH SOONER AND MUCH FASTER.
I HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM IF THIS IS THE APPROPRIATE TIME TO MAKE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: JOHN, WILL YOU GO OVER -- AND I WANT TO SAY TO DREW AND MY COLLEAGUES THAT THIS IS A VERY BIG CONCERN.
WE HAVE A VERY FRAG -- FRAGILE CREW DOWNTOWN, 85 PEOPLE.
[00:20:04]
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY AND THE JUDGES AND JUST KNOCKING ON EVERY DOOR, EVEN THE GOVERNOR AS OFFICE, THE CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO SEE WHERE WE MAY BE ABLE TO SPLIT THESE FOLKS UP.AND IT TAKES TIME TO BUILD THE SECURITY FUNCTIONS AT THE DIFFERENT POSSIBLE PLACES AND SO IN THAT SPACE OF TIME THERE IS A TICKING TIME BOMB.
THERE IS NOT ENOUGH TO QUARANTINE PEOPLE.
IT IS A BIG PROBLEM AS DREW MENTIONED AND SO WE ARE ACTIVELY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHO THE NEXT STEPS MAY BE AND CREATING ALTERNATE SPACES SO PEOPLE CAN BE IN SMALLER GROUPS.
THERE ARE PEOPLE IN THERE FOR NONVIOLENT OFFENSES.
WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW CAN WE BE SMART AND LEARN FROM OTHER JURISDICTIONS.
JOHN, YOU HAVE BEEN DEEP IN THIS.
IF YOU CAN PROVIDE AN UPDATE TO THE DEPARTMENT MEMBERS.
WE HAVE A NUMBER OF FACILITIES THAT HAVE A POTENTIAL FOR THIS AND WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON THIS AND HAVE A NUMBER OF OPTIONS.
ONE OF THE CRITICAL FACTOR IS NOT FINDING A LOCATION THAT WILL SUPPORT THE OPERATION, BUTTON SURING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT HAS ADEQUATE STAFF TO MAN IT.
THEIR OPERATION IS BUILT AROUND A CENTRALIZED CORRECTIONAL FACILITY.
AND AS YOU -- IT PUTS A BURDEN ON THEIR STAFFING.
SO WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM -- LIKE WE SAID, WE HAVE IDENTIFIED A NUMBER OF LOCATIONS.
WE ARE WORKING AT ALREADY TRYING TO SPREAD OUT THE OPERATION AND SOME OF THE EXISTING FACILITIES, AND WE HAVE IDENTIFIED FACILITIES THAT THEY WOULD NEVER TRADITIONALLY USE.
DO WE KNOW WHAT OPTIONS WE HAVE? I KNOW IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO CONVENE THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COORDINATED COUNCIL, BUT COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS, WHAT CAN THEY DO AND WHAT ARE THINGS YOU CAN DO UNILATERALLY.
YOU ARE WORKING OVER THE LAST 24 HOURS, BUT SINCE WE DON'T MEET AGAIN FOR TWO WEEKS AND A TIME BOMB COULD BE TICKING.
ARE THERE THINGS WE CAN DO INDIVIDUALLY AS A COURT OR A TASK FORCE OR SOMETHING BEFORE THIS NEXT ONE.
OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT JUST THE PEOPLE WHO ARE INSIDE.
MANY OF THEM COULDN'T POST BAIL, BUT THE WORKERS ARE GOING IN AND OUT.
I BELIEVE THE SHERIFF OR SOMEONE CAN SPEAK TO IT TO GIVE US SOME SENSE OF IF THERE IS SOME ACTION WE NEED TO TAKE TODAY.
EVEN IF IT IS JUST ASKING -- PASSING A MOTION TO ASK THE STATE COMMISSION ON JAIL STANDARDS.
I JUST WANT TO GET SOME SENSE -- I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG WE WILL MEET TODAY, BUT WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE.
I THINK WE HAVE ACCOMMODATED ON THE AGENDA IN TERMS OF PHONE CALLS.
IT IS NOT PERFECT, BUT IT IS SOME PROGRESS.
I DON'T WANT TO SHUFFLE THE PAPERS BECAUSE YOU WOULDN'T HEAR ANYTHING, BUT I KNOW WE CAN WORK OUT SOMETHING IN TERMS OF THE PHONE CALLS THAT HELPS AT LEAST.
DO YOU HAVE SOME SENSE OF A STAFF AND WHAT ARE THE OPTIONS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL SAY IN TERMS OF FINDING SITES AND I THINK I HAVE MENTIONED THIS TO PRETTY MUCH EVERYONE ON THIS CALL IS THE NEED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE SITES.
IT SOUNDS LIKE JOHN IS GOOD IN TERMS OF FINDING THEM, BUT IT IS THE TIME IT TAKES TO MAKE IT WORK WITH THE SHERIFF.
I DID TALK TO THE SHERIFF JED -- YESTERDAY OR ON SUNDAY AND HE EXPRESSED THE SAME ISSUE THAT EVEN IF IT IS FEASIBLE FOR HIM TO SPLIT UP HIS STAFF, IT WOULD TAKE TIME TO MAKE SURE THAT'S DONE WELL.
AND WE DON'T HAVE A LOT OF TIME.
I ALSO HAVE -- THE JUDGES HAVE DONE WHAT THEY CAN.
I WILL BE TALKING TO THEM LATER TODAY TO SEE IF THEY WILL HELP OUT WITH OTHER LOW-LEVEL FOLKS.
OF COURSE, THE OTHER THING WE COULD DO IS WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO UNDERSTAND WHAT EXECUTIVE ORDER OPTIONS WE HAVE UNDER MY EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND TO WORK ON ONE IF NEED BE.
THAT'S WHAT I HAVE FOR MY PART.
[00:25:02]
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I KNOW YOU HAD A FEW QUESTIONS.JACK CAGLE: YES, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE LISTEN TO ALL OF THE SPEAKERS BEFORE WE GO TO THE TIME FOR MOTIONS.
SECOND QUESTION IS, IS IT PRECINCT 2 THAT HAD THIS MOTION IN A WRITTEN FORMAT OR IF THIS WAS AN ORAL MOTION THEY WOULD BE MAKING TODAY?
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I DO HAVE A WRITTEN VERSION OF IT I CAN E-MAIL TO YOUR OFFICE VERY QUICKLY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS THEN, LUCINDA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, HI, PLEASE RESTATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD.
MY NAME IS MONIQUE AND I AM A FIELD ORGANIZER FOR TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE.
TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE HAS FOUGHT TO END -- TO PUT AN END TO CAGES.
THERE HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS OTHERS BEFORE US AND WE HAVE TOLD YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN OF THE INHUMANITY OF LOCKING PEOPLE IN CAGES.
OUR CARE, NOT CAGES HIGHLIGHTS THE HISTORICAL PATTERN OF HARM CAUSED TO PEOPLE OF COLOR BY CAGES.
TEXAS ADVOCATES HAVE FOUGHT TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY THRIVES.
WE WILL INVEST IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE THAT WILL PROVIDE ALL HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS ACCESS.
AS OF TODAY, MARCH 23RD, THERE ARE 477 NONFELONY CASES BEING KEPT IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL.
380 ARE BEING DETAINED ON 15,000 OR LESS.
MEANING THEY CAN'T AFFORD [INAUDIBLE].
THERE ARE 237 BEING DETAINED FOR 7500 OR LESS.
22 ARE CHARGED WITH THIRD OFFENDER STATUS.
THIS SITUATION IS OUTRAGEOUS ANYWAY, BUT ESPECIALLY OUTRAGEOUS CONSIDERING THEY COULD POTENTIALLY DIE.
>> ACCORDING TO THE REGISTRY OF EXONERATION TEXAS HAS THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF EXONERATIONS AND THE LARGE MAJORITY ARE FROM HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
NOW IS THE TIME THAT REQUIRES BOLD LEADERSHIP.
THEY HAVE CALLED FOR BOLD ACTION.
HE WALKS THE JAILS AND UNDERSTANDS THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING EVEN THOSE LIVES AND THAT IS A QUESTION.
ARE THOSE LIVES WORTH SAVING? TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE, THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE COALITION AND RESTORING JUSTICE, THE TEXAS PROJECT ARE STANDING TOGETHER AND WE DEMAND MORE.
AS MENTIONED IN THE LETTER FROM SUBMISSION NO PERSON REGARDLESS OF WHAT HE OR SHE IS ACCUSED OF DESERVED TO BE PLACED AT THE HANDS OF A THREATENING ILLNESS ESPECIALLY WHEN REASONABLE MEASURES ARE AVAILABLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
LUCINDA, IF YOU WILL CALL UP THE NEXT SPEAKER.
[INAUDIBLE] AND I JUST WANT TO EXPAND ON THE REPORT.
WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY AROUND 7,000 INMATES THAT ARE BEING HELD IN JAIL ON A PRE-TRIAL BASIS.
AND ALSO THERE IS APPROXIMATELY A THOUSAND INMATES BEING HELD FOR NON-VIOLENT AGO COULD I SAYINGSES.
WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO HELP SPEED UP THE PROCESS TO GET THESE INDIVIDUALS OUT AS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED ON THE NEWS.
IF AN EPIDEMIC DOES HAPPEN IN THE JAIL, IT CAN IMPLODE AND THERE IS NO WAY TO STOP IT.
TRYING TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW TO RELEASE THESE INMATES TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING AND GOING FARTHER.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR UNDERSTANDING.
TO ANSWER THE QUESTION, YOU KNOW, WE ARE DISCUSSING WHETHER WE CAN SPLIT UP THE INMATES AT SMALLER -- AS SMALLER GROUPS SO AT LEAST IF THERE IS AN OUTBREAK IT IS A SMALLER GROUP.
WE ARE FINDING CHALLENGES GIVEN THE STAFFING AND HOW MUCH TIME IT TAKES TO SECURE
[00:30:06]
THE FACILITIES.WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT -- OR THE JUDGES HAVE GONE FORTHWITH RELEASING LOW-LEVEL, NONVIOLENT FOLKS, AND WE ARE TRYING TO SEE WHAT OTHER OPTIONS THERE ARE.
LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE NEXT SPEAKER?
JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU.
I AM THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS HONE AS HAR.COM.
HAR AND I PERSONALLY AND RESPECTFULLY REQUEST THE RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE SALES AND LEASING AND RELATED SERVICES BE CONSIDERED AS ESSENTIAL SERVICES OF THE STAY AT HOME BARTER.
HAR'S FOUR LOCATIONS WERE VOLUNTARILY CLOSED LAST WEDNESDAY WITH THE STAFF WORKING REMOTELY FROM HOME.
WE ARE USING MICROSOFT TEAM, ZOOM, DOCUSIGN AND OTHER TOOLS TO SERVE OUR 38,000 MEMBERS.
THE ABILITY FOR HARRIS COUNTY INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES TO SECURE SHELTER IS TOTALLY ESSENTIAL.
LAST YEAR CONSUMERS BOUGHT AND SOLD 192,000 PROPERTIES WORTH $30 BILLION THROUGH THE HARMLA.
14,000 FAMILIES IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA CURRENTLY HAVE A SIGNED CONTRACT TO BUY OR SELL AND ARE WAITING TO CLOSE.
WE CANNOT LEAVE THEM IN LIMBO.
41,000 SELLERS CURRENTLY HAVE THEIR HOMES LISTED WITH A REALTOR AND 11,000 LISTED FOR RENT.
CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? THERE IS MUSIC.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> SOMEBODY IS PLAYING MUSIC OR SOMETHING.
41,000 SELLERS CURRENTLY HAVE THEIR HOME LISTED FOR SALE WITH A REALTOR AND 11,000 HAD THEIR HOME LISTED FOR RENT.
3,000 FAMILIES HAVE LISTED THEIR HOMES FOR SALE IN THE LAST SEVEN DAYS WITH REALTORS.
THE TRANSACTIONS ARE CURRENTLY PENDING IN HARRIS COUNTY.
800 MILLION ARE SCHEDULED TO CLOSE IN THE NEXT 10 DAYS WHILE THE CURRENT ORDER IS IN PLACE.
SO I ASK YOU TO ALLOW REALTORS TO ASSIST AND SERVE THEIR CLIENTS AND CUSTOMERS SO THE REAL ESTATE DOES NOT COME TO A GRINDING HALT.
PLEASE CONSIDER THAT OTHER STATES LIKE CONNECTICUT AND OHIO AND ILLINOIS AND DEEM REAL ESTATE A ESSENTIAL SERVICE.
IT HAS FLATTENED THE CURVE AND ELIMINATED OPEN HOUSES FROM THE MLS AND HAR.COM.
AND THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING THIS WEEK THE ABILITY OF A REALTOR TO DO A LIVE, VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE SO BUYERS CAN WATCH IT ON THEIR PHONE AND NOT HAVE TO GO THERE IN A LIVE VIRTUAL SHOWING FOR A SINGLE CLIENT SO THE BUYERS WILL NOT ALWAYS BE THERE TO TOUR THE PROPERTY.
IN CLOSING, AND THIS IS MY CRUCIAL POINT, THE STAY HOME ORDER ALLOWS RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION.
IT IS LOGICAL AND FAIR TO ALLOW RESIDENTIAL AND PERSONAL REAL ESTATE SALES AND LEASES.
THANK YOU VERY, VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING TO HELP US IN THIS CRUCIAL TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HAR ON THIS MATTER.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS, AS I READ THE ORDER, THAT PROVISIONS 2E -- EXCUSE ME 2E10 ALLOWS FOR THE REALTORS TO BE INTERPRETED INTO THAT -- INTO THE READY -- INTO THE ORDER.
IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF IT WAS JUST CLEAR.
I KNOW WITH HARVEY YOU AND I WERE TALKING ABOUT THE WORKER SAFETY PROGRAM.
THIS IS A PLACE WHERE ONCE WE HAVE TIME TO WORK ON THIS, THIS IS WHERE THE REALTOR COMMUNITY CAN BE CLEARLY DEFINED WITH THE RIGHT PROTOCOLS IN PLACE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: MR. HILL, THANK YOU FOR PARTICIPATING IN OUR PROCESS.
I RECEIVED YOUR COMMUNICATION LATE YESTERDAY AND I APPRECIATE THAT AS WELL.
JUDGE, I BELIEVE YOUR EMERGENCY ORDER, THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER HAS NOT YET
[00:35:01]
BEEN SIGNED AND YOU ARE STILL WORKING ON THAT.I URGE YOU TO INCLUDE MR. HILL'S CONCERNS IN THAT ORDER.
THANK YOU FOR THAT CONSIDERATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
IN DALLAS OR IN BEXAR COUNTY AND OTHER PLACES, I'M SURE THERE ARE COMPARABLE ORGANIZATION THAT'S HAVE RAISED AN ISSUE.
HOW IS THAT WORKING? I SAW THAT IN THE TEXT YOU SEPTEMBER ME AS WELL, BUT -- YOU SENT ME AS WELL, BUT IN OTHER COUNTIES WHO HAVE DONE SIMILAR ORDERS HOW HAS IT BEEN HANDLED IN TEXAS OR DO YOU KNOW?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS HE STILL ON THE LINE?
>> JUDGE, I THINK IT IS A VALID CONCERN AND I ENCOURAGE YOU TO LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMEWAY TO DO IT SAFELY.
I NOTICED NEW YORK DID NOT DO IT.
HE MENTIONED -- IT IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE REAL ESTATE AROUND, BUT I HOPE YOU TAKE IT INTO CONSIDERATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONERS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO YOUR POINT AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE BROUGHT IT UP, IT IS STILL BEING FINALIZED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO SPECIFICS AS FAR AS THE DRAFT THAT'S WERE CIRCULATING, BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION.
I WILL SAY THAT JUST AS OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE WHEN THEY ISSUED SIMILAR ORDERS WE ARE GETTING WHAT ABOUT THIS? WHAT ABOUT THAT? WHAT ABOUT THAT? WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER IS THE ORDER BASED ON WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO THE MAYORS YESTERDAY AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU RECALL ALL OF THE QUESTIONS AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS PROMISED AND AGREED UPON WILL BE INCORPORATED.
AND KEEP THAT RATHER BRIEF AND THEN WE WILL HAVE A MECHANISM FOR SPECIFIC QUESTIONS TO RUN THAT DOWN INTERNATIONALLY AND ADDRESS THEM.
>> THRZ -- THAT'S A GOOD WAY TO APPROACH IT, JUDGE.
>> I THINK IT HAS BEEN A A THOUGHTFUL PROCESS.
I KNOW I SENT YOU A TEXT OR CALLED YOU ONCE OR TWICE AS SOME OF OUR RELIGIOUS LEADERS ARE TALKING ABOUT EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS AND MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES.
YOU HAVE WORKED THAT IN AND IN THE PRESS CONFERENCE YOU MADE REFERENCE TO IT IN THE OPENING STATEMENT.
I THINK THERE WILL BE A LOT OF LATITUDE.
EVERYBODY IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AN EXCEPTION FOR THEMSELVES.
I RESPECT YOUR JUDGMENT AND THOSE YOU WORK WITH TO BE THOUGHTFUL HOW YOU SORT THROUGH IT.
LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE NEXT SPEAKER?
>> THANK YOU, DISWRUJ -- JUDGE AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK.
I AM ROBERT AND I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4 AND I AM A DIRECTOR -- AN HOA DIRECTOR.
I JUST WANT TO TALK A LITTLE ABOUT THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE BEING IMPACTED REGARDING THIS CORONAVIRUS.
THE CONCERNS I HAVE ALONG WITH MANY OTHER BUSINESS OWNERS, I AM ALSO A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER MYSELF AND THE IMPACT OF CLOSING CERTAIN BUSINESSES OVER OTHER BUSINESSES, I CAN UNDERSTAND THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE MEETING IN CERTAIN BUSINESSES AND HOW THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS CAN HAVE AN IMPACT.
AT THE SAME TIME IF YOU LOOK AT ALL OF THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE STILL OPEN, AND YOU HAVE PEOPLE TRAVELING ACROSS THE COUNTY AND THE CITY AND HOW IS THAT HELPING IN PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS WHEN ANYBODY THAT'S GOING TO A GAS STATION OR CONVENIENCE STORE OR GROCERY STORE OR WHATEVER BUSINESS THAT MAY BE STILL OPEN ARE POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATING ANOTHER PERSON JUST BY COMING IN CONTACT EITHER WITH THE CASHIER OR THE CHECKOUT STATION OR EVEN PUMPING GAS? I HAVE SOME OF THOSE CONCERNS.
SECOND, HAVE YOU CONTACTED THE BUSINESSES BEFORE CLOSING THEM DOWN TO SEE WHAT KIND OF SOLUTIONS THAT THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THESE BUSINESSES CAN COME UP WITH TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS? I THINK IT IS IN THE BEST INTEREST OF THE BUSINESSES TO STAY OPEN AND TO MAKE SURE THEIR PATRONS STAY SAFE.
I THINK THAT IS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST STEP THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SHOULD LOOK AT VERSUS CLOSING DOWN THESE BUSINESSES.
IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT CLOSING DOWN BUSINESSES, JNG YOU SHOULD CLOSE DOWN THE WHOLE THING.
[00:40:01]
IF YOU WANT TO TRY TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, THAT'S WHAT I WANTED TO BRING UP IS SOME POINTS ABOUT THAT.AT THE END OF THE DAY, THESE BUSINESSES BEING SHUTDOWN TEMPORARILY, A LOT OF THEM ARE NOT GOING TO REOPEN.
THEY ARE GOING TO CLOSE PERMANENTLY.
I HOPE THAT IS BEING CONSIDERED WHEN YOU ARE MAKING THESE DECISIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, WE DID -- WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH SEVERAL BUSINESS AND TRADES OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS.
OF COURSE THE CONSIDERATION HERE, THE FIRM CONSIDERATION WAS FROM OUR HEALTH CARE INDUSTRY.
I HAVE TO SAY THAT THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE BUSINESS LEADERS WE SPOKE WITH UNDERSTAND.
THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IS CERTAINLY A VERY, VERY SERIOUS CONSIDERATION.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY REALLY KNOWS WHAT THE ECONOMIC REPERCUSSIONS OF THESE DECISIONS ARE GOING TO BE.
WORST CASE SCENARIO, IT COULD BE VERY BAD.
WE ALREADY WERE IN AN OIL SLUMP.
WE RECOGNIZE THE GRAVITY OF THE SITUATION.
WE ALL KNOW PEOPLE -- I PERSONALLY KNOW PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN PUT OUT OF BUSINESS BY THIS AND RECOGNIZE THE IMPACT ON INDIVIDUALS AND LIVELIHOODS.
THE FLIP SIDE OF IT, AND WHAT LEAD TO THE DECISION IS THE HOSPITAL COMMUNITY, THE RESEARCHERS TELLING US IF WE DON'T TAKE ANOTHER STEP RIGHT NOW AND IT MUST BE AN AGGRESSIVE STEP THEN RIGHT NOW WE ARE -- THE CURVE IS NOT BEING FLATTENED.
THE RATE IS DOUBLING SO QUICKLY THAT THIS IS THE STEP WE NEEDED TO TAKE.
NOW, YOU KNOW, WHETHER WE CLOSE ABSOLUTELY EVERYTHING WHERE YOU CAN'T GO TO THE GROCERY STORE AND CAN'T GO TO THE GAS STATION, THAT'S NOT WHERE WE ARE.
WE WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO DO BASIC NECESSITIES TO KEEP ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES GOING TO THE EX -- EXTENT THAT THE STEP WE TOOK TODAY IS SUCCESSFUL IF THE COMMUNITY FOLLOWS IT.
OUR ECONOMY WILL DO BETTER AND RECOVER FASTER.
IF WE END UP IN A PLACE LIKE NEW YORK OR ITALY, THEN YOU HAVE TO SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING.
AND YOUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BEGINS COLLAPSING WHICH, YOU KNOW, IS A PROBLEM FOR HEALTH AND A PROBLEM FOR THE COMMUNITY AND IT ENDS UP BEING A DEEPER PROBLEM FOR THE ECONOMY.
WE DID HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND THAT IS THE LOGIC AND THE HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS.
>> THANK YOU, JUDGE AND TO THE SPEAKER I WILL SAY THAT I KNOW HAVE YOU BEEN -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY DAILY CONTACT AND COMMUNICATION, BUT YOU HAVE BEEN IN HOURLY COMMUNICATION WITH THE FOLKS OVER AT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER OR PUBLIC HEALTH, CEO, AND AS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH MR. KING OVER AT THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER, THE CEO THERE AND I WANTED TO BE CLEAR FOR FOLKS THAT THIS IS A VERY, VERY REAL SITUATION.
AND AS YOU HAVE TOLD US IN PAST COURTS THAT THE DECISIONS HERE HAVE LIVES IN THE BALANCE.
AND SO WE ARE WORKING TO DO THIS AND LEADING US THROUGH IT AND YOU HAVE SPOKEN TO SOME OF THE TOP EXPERTS IN THE COUNTRY AND I WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW THAT THIS IS NOT JUST YOU WORKING IN YOUR OFFICE.
I KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH LEADING EXPERTS ON THIS MATTER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCI IDA, DO WE HAVE -- LIEU SIN DO -- LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
>> NO, MA'AM, NOT ON THIS ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NO OTHER SPEAKERS.
>> JUDGE, IF THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO PUT FORTH A MOTION, I WOULD LIKE TO DO ONE REGARDING OUR VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS, SPECIFICALLY OUR HOMELESS.
THE MOTION SENT TO THE OFFICES READS THAT I MOVE TO ESTABLISH A CITY AND COUNTY
[00:45:02]
PROGRAM FOR VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO LACK THE ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND APPROPRIATE ONE MILLION FOR SAID PROGRAM.>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS.
SO SETTING UP A PROGRAM AND ONE MILLION TOWARD IT, CORRECT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES ANYBODY HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?
>> JUDGE, IMHITIONER -- COMMISSIONER -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, CAN I SAY SOMETHING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
THOSE -- WE ARE PROVIDING A MILLION DOLLARS OUT OF THE FUND FOR THE POPULATION IS NOT ONE I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH.
THE QUESTION IS HOW DO WE IMPLEMENT THAT AND DO WE NOT ALREADY HAVE ESTABLISHED WITHIN THE COUNTY THOSE WHO ARCH -- THOSE WHO CAN TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE.
IS JOHN BLUNT AVAILABLE FOR US TO VISIT WITH? WHEN WE TALK ABOUT A PROGRAM I THINK WE MAY HAVE A PROGRAM IN PLACE AND MAYBE WE DON'T NEED TO GET JOHN BLUNT ON THE PHONE AND MAYBE HIS DEPARTMENT IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSING THIS.
IF THEY HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS -- I DON'T HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THAT.
IT IS THE MECHANISM AND I THINK WE HAVE THE MECHANISM IN PLACE.
>> JOSH STUKEY IS ON THE LINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU WANT TO -- JOSH IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS AND WE WILL TAKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' QUESTION AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU CAN GET CLOSER TO YOUR MIC IT IS A BIT QUIET.
>> CURRENTLY AS IT RELATES TO THE HOMELESS POPULATION THEY ARE DEVELOPING A PLAN.
IN FACT, CONCURRENT WITH WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW WITH COMMISSIONER'S COURT THEY ARE TALKING AT OEM TO HAVE THAT PLAN.
THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT WHAT WRAP AROUND SERVICES WE CAN HAVE.
THERE IS PLANNING BEING DONE BY PUBLIC HEALTH AS IT RELATES TO THE POPULATION THAT LEADS TO SHELTERS.
A BIG PART OF WHAT CSD WILL DO IS ONCE THEY ARE THROUGH THE QUARANTINED SIDE AND THEY LEAVE A SHELTER, THAT'S WHERE WE PUT OUR WRAP AROUND SERVICES WITH THEM.
THE OTHER PIECE IS THE TRANSPORTATION CSD DOES.
IT IS ON THE TRANSPORTATION SIDE FROM WHEREVER THEY ARE AT AND IF THEY ARE
CONSIDERED A POSITIVE CASE AND GETTING THEM TO THE ESTABLISHED SHELTER LOAN >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JOSH.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
RODRIGUEZ IN >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN ADDITION TO CHATTING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA, WE ARE WORKING WITH HIS STAFF ON IT.
I TALKED TO THE CITY AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA TALKED TO HIM AS WELL.
PART OF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE YOU MADE REFERENCE TO WITH THE JAILS, A TICKING TIME BOMB, WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
AND ONE THOUGHT MAY BE TO ADD SOME HOTEL -- FIND SOME HOTEL SPACE IN THIS CRISIS WHETHER WE DO IT WITH THE PICK OR CSD FUNDS WHERE WE CAN GET REIMBURSED AT SOME POINT, THAT'S FOR THEM TO WORK OUT.
I KNOW THE CITY WAS REACHING OUT TO OUR OFFICES AND WE WERE TALKING TO THEM, GARCIA AND ELLIS' STAFF.
IT IS A GOOD -- MOST OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE ARE IN THE CITY RIGHT NOW.
THERE ARE SOME IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS, BUT I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO IT AND SHOW GOOD FAITH.
[00:50:03]
I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT AT FIRST IT WAS A HALF MILLION AND I THINK IT SHOWS -- AND I HOPE IT WILL PROCEED.IT IS A BETTER SOURCE TO GET THE MONEY FROM MAKE THE MOTION BROAD ENOUGH TO DO THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
TO CONFER WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS' REMARKS ON, THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE HERE IS THAT THERE ISN'T A PLAN, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO DEAL WITH THESE THINGS.
HOWEVER, WHAT IS NOT APPROPRIATE -- APPROPRIATED OR IDENTIFIED IS WHERE THIS WOULD HAPPEN.
THIS WOULD ALLOW FOR THE CITY AND THE COUNTY TO JOIN THE LOCK DOWN OF FACILITIES THAT WOULD PROVIDE THAT TYPE OF SECURITY AND PROCESS TO DEAL WITH THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: SINCE WE ARE CRIMINALIZING FOLKS THAT ARE NOT IN PLACE RESIDENTS, I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT THAT WE PROVIDE PEOPLE A PLACE TO BE ABLE TO NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM.
I SUPPORT THE MOTION OF ALLOWING US TO BE BEING ENGAGED IN THIS.
I RECOMMEND WE ADD IT TO THE CSD AND IN -- INCORPORATE JIM NUTTER IN THE PROCESS.
>> JIM NUTTER IS WHO I TALKED TO ABOUT THREE OR FOUR TIMES.
>> HE IS A PART OF THE PROCESS.
YOUR OFFICE HAS BEEN UPDATE OWED THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IF YOU HILLARY STATE YOUR -- WILL RESTATE YOUR MOTION WITH WHATEVER ADDITIONS THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
THE MOTION WOULD READ I MOVE TO ESTABLISH A CITY/COUNTY PROGRAM TO SERVE VOL -- VULNERABLE INDIVIDUALS WHO LACK THE MEANS OR ABILITY TO ENGAGE IN SOCIAL ISOLATION OR QUARANTINE IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19 AND TO APPROPRIATE -- APPROPRIATE ONE MILLION FROM THE PICK FUND OR SET PROGRAM.
>> I SECOND THAT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WITH AN AMENDMENT.
I SAY PICKS OR IF THERE IS SOMEWAY TO GET FEDERAL MONEY OR CSD MONEY, DO IT.
IT IS BROAD ENOUGH SO IF THEY HAVE A BETTER PLACE TO GET IT FROM, TAKE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
MR. POST, UPON HEARING THAT MOTION, BEING AN AUDITOR, IT IS CLEAR WHO WILL ADMINISTER THE MONEY AND APPROVE HOW IT IS SPENT?
>> WELL, LIKE ANYTHING -- THIS IS MIKE POST.
ALL EXPENDITURES HAVE TO HAVE APPROPRIATE BUDGET.
IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A BUDGET SET OUT AND A PROGRAM DEFINED AND THEN WE WILL -- AND THEN THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE WILL ENSURE THAT THE EXPENDITURES WHO ARE IN UH CARD DENSE WITH -- IN ACCORDANCE WITH WHATEVER THE COURT APPROVED AS A PROGRAM AND THE BUDGET HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
>> MY POINT IS THAT CLEARLY WHO IS GOING TO BE IN CHARGE OF THE MONEY? WHO IS GOING TO DETERMINE WHERE THE MONEY IS GOING TO BE SPENT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MY UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER, IS BSD, CORRECT? I THINK IT IS -- WHO IS IT? COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION TOO.
>> MY INTERPRETATION IS JIM NUTTER OUT OF THE OFFICE WOULD BE THE POINT PERSON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE A QUESTION AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
JACK CAGLE: MY FRIENDLY WAS TO ALLOW CSD TO ADMINISTER THIS FUND AND WE UTILIZE JIM NUTTER IN COLLABORATION WITH THEM.
WE HAVE A DEPARTMENT UNLESS YOU DESIRE TO HAVE THE BUDGET OFFICE ADMINISTER THIS.
WE NEED ANEN GNAW TEE TO OPERATE -- AN ENTITY AND I THINK CSD IS THE ENTITY.
>> I ACCEPT THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.
JACK CAGLE: THEN THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT IS IT IS THROUGH THE CSD PROGRAM AND THEN WE INSTRUCT JIM NUTTER TO COLLABORATE WITH CSD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. ELLIS, DO YOU STILL HAVE A COMMENT?
RODRIGUEZ >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT WORKS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO RESTATE THE ORDER, FOLKS, OR ARE WE OKAY?
>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO YOU WANT TO SUBMIT YOUR AMENDMENT IN WRITING AND WE CAN INCORPORATE IT?
JACK CAGLE: WE CAN DO THAT, BUT IT IS A LITTLE DIFFICULT.
MAYBE WHAT I SHOULD DO IS WRITE IT HERE AND THEN I WILL HOLD IT UP.
WE ARE HAVING IT ADMINISTERED THROUGH.
THERE WAS THE EARLIER AMENDMENT FROM CHICKSER ELLIS -- FROM COMMISSIONER
[00:55:03]
ELLIS IT IS FROM THE PICK FOUND AND AS IS MOST APPROPRIATE TO BE REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, COMMA, TO BE ADMINISTERED BY CSD, PERIOD.LEAN SO WE HAVE A >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHILE WE ARE ON THE ITEM I HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE.
16.6% OF THE PEOPLE IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE CONSIDERED FOOD INSECURE.
WITH THIS CO INDIVIDUAL CRISIS -- COVID CRISIS, OUR FOOD BANK HAS FACED A CHALLENGE AND SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES ARE BEING TESTED.
THE LEVEL OF VOLUNTEERS IS NOT WHERE IT WOULD BE NORMALLY.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY IN A HARDSHIP DRAFTED BY HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY AND COVER ESSENTIAL SERVICES AS PART OF THE DISASTER RECOVERY AMOUNT.
THE RECOVERY EFFORTS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, MY STAFF HAS TALKED TO YOURS.
MY MOTION WOULD BE TO FUND IT FOR FOUR WEEKS.
PRECINCT 1 FUNDS TO THE TUNE OF NOT TO EXCEED $280,000.
I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON IT.
IF OTHER PRECINCTS ARE INTERESTED AND SO MUCH IS GOING ON THAT I DIDN'T HAVE A CHANCE TO FOCUS ON THE OFFICES.
IF OTHER PRECINCTS ARE INTERESTED SO I AM NOT ENCOURAGING THEM TO JUST FOCUS ON PRECINCT 1.
IT IS HARD TO DO THAT WHEN I DON'T WORK WITH THE FOOD BANK.
I DON'T WANT TO TIE THEIR HANDS.
I AM WILLING TO MAKE THIS MOTION AND GIVE THEM 280,000.
I THINK THAT WILL LET THEM OPERATE FOR A MONTH, IS THAT RIGHT? YEAH, FOR A MONTH.
IF WE CAN MEET IN A COUPLE WEEKS WE CAN LOOK FOR OTHER FUNDS TO DO IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, GO AHEAD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH YOU ON THAT.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING OUR SENIORS PROGRAM AND THE NEED IS JUST OVERWHELMING.
AND SO I THINK THAT THIS IS AN INCREDIBLE AND AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO AND I WOULD LIKE TO PARTNER WITH YOU ON THAT.
SO THAT I KNOW THEY ARE IN A REAL PINCH.
THIS AGREEMENT WILL GIVE US THE ABILITY TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO GIVE SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES WORKING HOURLY, HOPEFULLY IF THEY SIGN UP, THEY CAN GO AND MAKE UP TIME AS PART OF THE PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FOOD BANK.
THEY WILL ALSO HAVE TO HIRE SOME OF THESE -- MAYBE SOME OF THESE RESTAURANT WORKERS WHO DON'T HAVE JOBS TO GO AND GET THE FOOD OUT.
I THINK RIGHT NOW THEY HAVE A SUPPLY OF FOOD.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I DIDN'T FIGURE OUT, IF WE PUT IN ABOUT -- 72,000 A WEEK, SO THERE IS 288 -- IS THAT RIGHT? 288,000.
SO THAT WE GET PERMISSION FROM THE COURT FROM OUR BUDGETS TO PUT UP A CERTAIN AMOUNT, DO YOU WANT TO SAY BETWEEN THE TWO OF US YOU WANT TO GO UP TO 288 APIECE AND WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH WE CAN LIVE WITH? I WANT TO GET STARTED IF I AM MAKING SENSE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: GO AHEAD -- YOUR HONOR THIS IS A PROGRAM THAT I THINK WE NEED TO EXPAND TO BE AVAILABLE TO ALL PRECINCTS.
IT DOES NEED TO BE RUN THROUGH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T RUN UH FOUL OF THE LAW.
I ALSO THINK THAT THIS IS SOMETHING WHERE WE HAVE SOME EMPLOYEES THAT ARE NEEDING TO WORK AND ARE ALSO WANTING TO SERVE AND PERHAPS ONE OF THE WAYS THAT WE COULD BENEFIT IN THIS PROCESS IS ALLOWING SOME OF OUR FOLKS, FOR EXAMPLE OUR BUS DRIVERS, TO PARTICIPATE IN WORKING WITH THE FOOD BANKS.
WE ALSO, JUDGE, HAVE A LIST OF OTHER NONPROFITS THAT WE THINK THAT THIS PROGRAM SHOULD POTENTIALLY BE EXPANDED TOO -- EXPANDED TO.
WE'LL TRY TO GET A LIST OVER TO YOU, BUT WE HAVE THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK, AND I SHOULD HAVE A COUPLE OF OTHERS THAT ARE HERE, OUR EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE AREA MINISTRIES AND ASSISTANCE AREA MINISTRIES AND NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE
[01:00:08]
MINISTRIES.THERE ARE SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT, JUDGE, WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO SUBMIT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY FOR APPROVAL WHERE OUR EMPLOYEES WHO WHAT WANTING TO SERVE, THEY ARE WIRED TO SERVE.
THAT THEY CAN BE INVOLVED AND PARTICIPATE IN AT THIS TIME.
THAT WOULD BE MY FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO THE PROGRAM TO EXPAND IT TO THE OTHER PRECINCTS, BUT TO ALSO ALLOW OUR EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DESIRING TO SERVE TO BE ABLE TO DO SO AFTER APPROVAL BY THE BUDGET OFFICE AND BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO PARTICIPATE AND LEND THEIR EXPERTISE AT THIS TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK AND THEN -- >> YES, I WOULD SAY BASED ON COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION THAT PRECINCT 2 PARTICIPATE IN THAT AND BE ADDED ON TO HIS AMENDMENT.
ALSO STIPULATING THAT AS I UNDERSTAND IT, HE WILL BE PUTTING UP BUDGET DOLLARS FROM HIS PRE SINK OFFICE.
PRECINCT OFFICE AND I WILL BE DOING IT.
ANYBODY THAT WANTS TO PARTICIPATE WILL NEED TO APPROPRIATE THEIR RESPECTIVE OFFICES.
>> I WILL BE SUBMITTING FOR PRECINCT 3 SOME NONPROFITS FOR YOU TO CHECK OUT AS WELL.
>> YES, SIR, AND I WOULD LIKE, IF I MAY, JUDGE, COMMENT AT THE OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM.
THOSE TWO THINGS, NUMBER ONE, IT ALLOWS PRECINCTS TO IN EFFECT PAY MONEY TO NONPROFITS WHO ARE FULFILLING A COUNTY PURPOSE.
WE BELIEVE THAT FEEDING PEOPLE IS A PROPER COUNTY PURPOSE.
THERE MAY BE OTHER COUNTY PURPOSES THAT WOULD ALSO WORK.
IT ALLOWS EMPLOYEES WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PERFORM THEIR NORMAL DUTIES TO EARN COUNTY TIME BY DOING PUBLIC PURPOSE THINGS LIKE MR. CAGLE MENTIONED.
THE BUS DRIVERS CAN'T DRIVE BUSES FOR HARRIS COUNTY, THEN MAYBE THEY CAN DRIVE BUSES FOR THE FOOD BANK OR DO OTHER VALUABLE SERVICES THAT OTHERS IN THE COUNTY HAVE BEEN DOING.
WE WILL REQUIRE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO REQUIRE THAT EACH AND EVERY NON-PROFIT WITH WHICH YOU ARE DOING BUSINESS WILL HAVE TO HAVE A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY IN LIGHT OF THE COVID EMERGENCY.
WE HAVE WRITTEN IN A COURT ORDER IN SUCH A WAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR ADDITIONAL APPROVAL.
ONCE COUNTY RESOURCES IS APPROVED AND MANAGEMENT HAS APPROVED IT THEY WILL BE ALLOWED TO SIGN OFF ON THESE INDIVIDUAL AGREEMENTS.
THE OTHER POINT I WANT TO MAKE SO WE DON'T LOSE TRACK OF PEOPLE IS THAT WE ARE ASKING THAT HUMAN RESOURCES BE FREE TO DO THIS, BUT KEEP TRACK OF THOSE EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE BEEN IN EFFECT REASSIGNED TO DO WORK WITH THE VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATIONS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WITH THE FOOD BANK, THEY ARE GONNA NEED MONEY AS WELL.
DO I NEED TO MENTION A SPECIFIC AMOUNT FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA? SHOULD THAT BE DECIDED LATER? DO WE NEED A SPECIFIC MOTION ON MONEY?
>> THERE IS A SPECIFIC COURT ORDER IN PLACE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THAT MENTIONS THAT UP TO $280,000 CAN COVER THIS PARTICULAR AGREEMENT AND IN MY VIEW WE CAN DO AN AMENDMENT TO THE AGREEMENT FOR PRECINCT 2 AND REALLY THE AMOUNT OF THE MONEY WILL BE DECIDED BY THE PRECINCT THAT IS COMING OUT OF THE BUDGET.
AND THEN IF WE WANT TO DO ADDITIONAL AGREEMENTS WITH HOUSTON FOOD BANK WITH THE AMENDMENTS TO THE DISAGREEMENT OR IF THERE ARE OTHER NONPROFITS IN THE PARTICULAR AREA THAT WOULD BE MORE APPROPRIATE AND THEN WE WOULD SIMPLY HAVE A SEPARATE AGREEMENT WITH THE INDIVIDUAL COMMISSIONER DETERMINING HOW MUCH THE BUDGET WOULD BE TO THAT NONPROFIT.
>> SO THAT THESE OTHERS CAN COME INTO ACCOUNT, DO I NEED TWO MOTIONS, ONE FOR THE FOOD BANK AND THEN ONE BROADLY WORDED?
[01:05:01]
>> IT BE CAN BE EITHER TWO MOTIONS OR ONE.
JUST SAYING EXACTLY EXACTLY WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
>> I WILL PROBABLY DO IT IN ONE.
MAYBE YOU DO IT AND I WILL MAKE THE MOTION.
>> COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE BETTER AT MAKING MOTION MOTIONS -- MOTIONS THAN I AM.
CERTAINLY THE MOTION IS TO AUTHORIZE AN UGHS CONSTITUTION AND AGREEMENT -- AN EXECUTION AND AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS COUNTY AND THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY PAY UP TO $280,000 TO PRECINCT 1 AND TO ALLOW COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO PERFORM WORK FOR THE FOOD BANK WHILE BEING PAID BY HARRIS COUNTY.
>> LET ME MAKE THAT MOTION FIRST AND GET A SECOND.
CAN I ADD TO THAT AND SAY PERMIT PRECINCT 2 TO PUT IN 280 OR MAYBE DECIDE TO DO LESS AND THEY CAN DO UP TO 280 OR EVEN 288.
>> AND THAT IS FINE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE BEFORE WE FINISH THE MOTION.
JACK CAGLE: THIS IS MY SUGGESTION IS THAT WE BROADER COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION TO WHERE WE SAY THAT EACH COMMISSION ENTER INTO CONTRACTS WITH APPROVED NONPROFIT ENTITIES BY THE COMMISSIONER REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INCLUDING THE FOOD BANK AND INCLUDING THE OTHER NONPROFITS THAT MAY BE ADDED LATER WITH EACH COMMISSIONER BEING ABLE TO BUDGET UP TO $280,000 TOWARD THOSE NONPROFITS, AND THAT THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES OF THE PRECINCTS MAY BE AUTHORIZED TO ENGAGE IN PUBLIC SERVICE OF NONPROFITS.
>> I THINK WE MAKE THAT MOTION IF THAT MAKES SENSE.
>> BEFORE WE VOTE ON IT, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I WAS GOING TO BRING UP INTER FAITH MINISTRIES, THE MEALS ON WHEELS, BUT INSTEAD OF DOING THAT, I WILL ASK CSD -- I HAVE ASKED CSD TO TALK TO THEM -- CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.
>> THIS IS MONEY THAT WE MAY GET REIMBURSED FOR, FOR THE FOOD BANK.
SO IF A COMMISSIONER IS GOING TO DO IT, I RESPECTFULLY SUGGEST YOU CHECK AND SEE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT MAY BE MORE APPROPRIATELY COLLECTED -- CORRECTED TO CSD.
JUST GET A SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN GET REIMBURSED.
IT IS A POSSIBILITY AND THE MONEY IS GOING TO THE FOOD BANK.
WE MAY BE ABLE TO GET REIMBURSED.
YOU WANT TO ASK BEFORE YOU TAKE THE MONEY OUT.
AT LEAST YOU HAVE SOME GUESS AS TO WHETHER YOU WILL GET REIMBURSED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, DID YOU GET THE MOTION?
>> WE HAVE AN ACCOUNT THAT THERE ARE FUNDS IN FOR PROMOTING HARRIS COUNTY.
I WANT TO CONCLUDE IN THIS THAT WE CAN USE THOSE FUNDS THAT ARE IN SEPARATE ACCOUNTS THAT IF WE CARE TO THAT WE CAN USE THOSE FUNDS.
MR. JACKSON, DO YOU -- >> THAT WOULD BE FINE.
>> LOOK, ROBERT, DO WE NEED A MONETARY CAP? LIKE AT SOME POINT IN TWO WEEKS IF WE WANTED TO GO ABOVE THIS, IS THERE A REQUIREMENT LIKE A MONETARY CAP?
>> FROM OUR VIEW POINT JUST TO HAVE A CLEAR GUIDANCE IF THE $280,000 IS AN APPROPRIATE NUMBER MAYBE DO THAT NOW AND THEN LOOK AT IT IN TWO WEEKS.
>> THAT'S OUT OF THE PRECINCT'S BUDGET.
OBVIOUSLY THAT WILL HAVE TO COME BACK FROM CSD OR WHOEVER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE IS FOR EACH COMMISSIONER TO ENTER INTO AN APPROVED TRACK AND BUDGET UP TO $280,000 AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES ARE ALLOWED TO ENGAGE IN ACTIVITIES AND WORK FOR NONPROFIT AND EACH COMMISSIONER WOULD BE ABLE TO USE YOUR ACCOUNT OF PROMOTING HARRIS COUNTY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, SO MOTION FROM CHICKS DASH >> SO MOTION FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DO THEY WANT TO SECOND IT?
IT PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 1 IS ALWAYS READY FOR A GREAT IDEA.
[01:10:06]
>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> I HAVE ANOTHER ITEM ON THIS, ON COVID.
IT IS ACTUALLY A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM.
IT IS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEM 4.
IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR US TO DISCUSS IT AT THIS TIME IF YOU CAN CONCUR WITH THAT.
I AM GOING STRAIGHT DOWN AS TO WHERE THEY APPEAR ON THE AGENDA, COMMISSIONER IF YOU DON'T MIND.
THE NEXT THING GOING DOWN WOULD BE THE DECLARATION FOR LOCAL DISASTER AND MY REQUEST IS WE EXTEND THE DECLARATION UNTIL APRIL 29 OF 2020.
>> YOU MOVE IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I WILL SECOND IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR I MOVE WE EXTEND IT TO THE SAME PERIOD OF TIME HAS HAS BEEN DECLARED BY THE GOVERNOR AND I THINK HIS OFFICE SAID APRIL 3RD AT THIS TIME UNLESS THERE IS A MODIFICATION OF THAT? ARE YOU AWARE OF THEIR OFFICE? I THINK WE SHOULD BE IN LOCK STEP WITH THE STATE SINCE WE ARE AN ARM OF THE STATE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW I SAW THE PRESS CONFERENCE WITH YOU AND THE MAYOR EARLIER.
WHAT IS THE UNDERSTANDING WITH THE CITY AND WHAT OTHER COUNTIES ARE DOING, DALLAS, BEXAR, AND I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING COLLABORATIVELY WITH A LOT OF OTHER COUNTIES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THE CITY'S ORDER, EMERGENCY DECLARATION WAS APPROVED INDEFINITELY.
WE HAD SOME CONVERSATIONS WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT I DO THINK THAT IT IS IMPORTANT AT LEAST TO NOT BE BEHIND THEM.
I AM NOT SAYING INDEFINITE, BUT WE CAN DO A MONTH.
MY CONCERN, COMMISSIONER, WITH GOING TO APRIL 3RD IS I AM TRYING TO STAY LOCK STEP WITH THE GOVERNOR TOO.
THAT'S WHY TODAY'S ORDER WAS ISSUED UNTIL APRIL 3RD.
THE CONCERN IS COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOT UNTIL THE 7TH.
AND SO THERE IS A PROBLEM THERE AND WE HAVE ALWAYS DONE A MONTH.
I ASK MY COLLEAGUES TO SUPPORT ME IN THAT.
IF FOLKS DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING WHAT THE CITY DID AND YOU KNOW I AM WORKING CLOSELY WITH THEM, AT LEAST WE CAN DO WHAT WE USUALLY DO WHICH IS A MONTH.
>> AND, JUDGE, I THINK IN THE PAST WHEN THIS CAME UP, IT WAS NORMALLY 30 DAYS.
DO YOU REMEMBER MR. SWORD? DO YOU REMEMBER JUDGE HIDALGO?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I REALLY DON'T KNOW.
>> MY MEMORY IS IT IS TYPICALLY 30 DAYS, BUT I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS ANY ESTABLISHED RULE ON IT.
>> I AM COMFORTABLE THAT IS -- WITH THE MOTION MADE.
BUT WE EACH HAVE TO MAKE OUR OWN DECISION.
I HOPE WE CAN SHOW SOME WHAT OF A UNIFIED VOICE, BUT SOMETIMES MINDS ARE DIFFERENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: LET ME BE THAT BRIDGE BETWEEN WHAT THE CITY DID AND WHAT THE STATE IS DOING.
WHAT IF WE HAVE YOUR STATE EXIST -- THE STATE OF THE EMERGENCY OF THE COUNTY EXIST FOR AS LONG AS THE STATE IS IN A STATE OF EMERGENCY? THAT WAY WHEN THE GOVERNOR EXTENDS, HE EXTENDS.
IT CAB EXTENDED -- IT CAN BE EXTENDED WITH REGARD TO YOUR POWER.
>> MAY I SPEAK ON THAT? WE WOULD BE CONCERNED ABOUT THAT BECAUSE THE STATUTE OUT SPEAKS IN TERMS OF A DAY IT IS TO BE PRE-DETERMINED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, MY CONCERN WOULD BE, AND I DON'T THINK GOVERNOR ABBOTT WOULD DO THIS.
HE HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUPPORTIVE, BUT I AM AGREEING PLANNING TO ROLL BACK EVERYTHING, I THINK WE NEED TO BE IN A POSITION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING [INAUDIBLE] TO OUR COUNTY.
>> CAN I MAKE A SUGGESTION TO JUST MAKE IT TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING.
THAT WOULD BE APRIL 7TH? AND THEN JUST BE DONE WITH IT.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE SUGGESTION.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT AS AS I PROPOSED.
[01:15:01]
I TRIED IT LAST TIME AND I BROUGHT IT AGAIN.I DON'T LIKE BEING SO FAR BEHIND THE CITY.
I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM TO DO 30 DAYS AND NOW ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS ALL OF THIS ISSUE.
AS I SAID LAST TIME, I HOPE IT IS NOT POLITICAL.
CERTAINLY I AM NOT MAKING ANY POLITICAL DECISIONS, BUT I GOTTA BE ABLE TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY.
>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT ON IT AND CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE.
YOU COULD REDUCE AND ENHANCE AND IMPROVE OR WHATEVER IS NECESSARY.
I THINK AT TIMES LIKE THIS IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO SPEAK WITH A UNIFIED VOICE.
SOMETIMES REASONABLE MINDS CAN DIFFER AND I RESPECT MY COLLEAGUES IF THEY FEEL THAT WAY, BUT I WILL TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT ON IT.
I AM SECONDING THE MOTION FOR THE ISSUE -- FOR THE PROPOSAL THAT IS LAID OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANT TO SAY SOMETHING, BUT WE WERE JUST DISCUSSING HERE THAT THE GOVERNER AND CERTAINLY WITH -- CONVERSATIONS WITH ME AND WITH MY TEAM AND IN PUBLIC HE HAS MADE CLEAR THAT HE IS DEFERRING TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ON THIS.
SO, YOU KNOW, I JUST -- IF YOU WANT THE DIRECTIVE FROM THE GOVERNOR, HE SAYS, YOU KNOW, THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS CAN GO AHEAD AND LEAD THIS! IF YOU WANT TO LOOK AT WHAT THE COUNTY HAS SET, THAT'S 30 DAYS.
I THINK THAT IS ALL ON THE TABLE.
ANYWAY, I DIDN'T MEAN TO STEP IN THE MIDDLE.
COMMISSIONER CAG LE E -- CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE MADE A NUMBER OF REFERENCES TO THE PERIOD OF TIME WE HAD AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION.
I DON'T RECALL HAVING GONE 30 DAYS WITH AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION IN MY SHORT TIME PERIOD HERE.
I DO RECALL DURING HARVEY A DECLARATION AND IN OUR SERVICE THERE.
WHEN WE HAD HARVEY WE DID NOT HAVE ORDERS TO SHELTER IN PLACE.
WE ASKED PEOPLE TO DO WHAT WAS BEST FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOUR HEART IS COMING FROM AND THE DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS, BUT THERE IS A BIG DIFFERENCE BETWEEN AN ORDER THAT CRIMINALIZES NON-COME -- NON-COMPLIANCE AND CALLING ON THE PUBLIC TO RISE TO THEIR BETTER ANGEL OF THEIR NATURE.
WE DID NOT ORDER PEOPLE TO SHELTER IN PLACE.
WE ASKED THEM TO SHELTER IN PLACE AND THEY DID.
I AM VERY CONCERNED THAT IF WE HAVE LONG PERIODS OF THIS MODE, I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS KIND OF SEN THAT WILL LIES -- CENTRALIZED AUTHORITY WHEN THERE IS REALLY REDRESS OF THE PUBLIC IN THESE TIMES OF A DECLARATION.
ORDERING IS SIGNIFICANTLY DIFFERENT FROM ASKING.
AT A TIME WHEN WE HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT HOW ARE THEY GOING TO LIVE.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES? HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO ENGAGE.
WE ASK THEM TO PUT THAT ON HOLD AS WE TRY TO SLOW THE CORONAVIRUS.
SO A SHORTER PERIOD OF TIME AND I SECOND THE SUGGESTION THAT WE PUT THIS OFF TO THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT POLITICIZING AND THEN IN THE NEXT SENTENCE YOU SEEM TO CRITICIZE THE PRESIDENT FOR WANTING TO BEGIN THE COMMISSION RECOVERY.
AND I SAY THE POLITICALIZATION OF THIS IS NOT WHAT ANY OF US ARE DISCUSSING.
WE ARE TRYING TO DISCUSS OR WE SHOULD BE DISCUSSING WHAT IS THE BEST APPROACH FOR KEEPING OUR PEOPLE SAFE AND ALLOWING THEM THE FREEDOMS THEY EXPECT AND CALLING ON THEM, ASKING THEM TO DO WHAT IS BEST FOR THEIR FELLOW PERSON AS -- AS OPPOSED TO ORDERING THEM WITHOUT FREEDOM TO BOUGH -- TO DEBATE AND TO DISCUSS AND IN VERY SHORT ORDER.
AS YOU YOURSELF SAID, THIS IS VERY FLUID.
AND THINGS CHANGE THOUGHT JUST BY THE DAY, BUT BY THE HOUR.
[01:20:03]
>> WE NEED TO ACT ON THIS -- ON THE MOTION ON THE TABLE.
>> MY APOLOGIES, YOUR HONOR FOR SPEAKING, YOUR HONOR, AND MR. GARCIA FOR MY COMMUNITY TO SPEAK DURING COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK, OR ANYONE -- OKAY, I DO WANT TO MAKE THE NOTE THAT THE MAJORITY OF COURT CAN ALSO PULL THE ORDER DOWN.
I AM TRYING TO HAVE THE AUTHORITY AND THE STRENGTH AND SUPPORT.
AS AS SOON AS AS YOU DON'T WANT THIS WE CAN END IT.
IF IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 30 DAYS IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE 30 DAYS.
IF THERE ARE THREE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO END THE EMERGENCY ORDER, IT WILL BE SO.
COMMISSIONER GAR -- GARCIA, DO YOU WANT TO MAKE A MOTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON YOUR ITEM AND I ALSO ADD THE COMMENTARY THAT, YES, IN PAST DEBATES WE HAVE ASKED THE COMMUNITY TO COMPLY AND WE HAVE ASKED THEM, BUT NEVER HAD WE DEALT WITH A DISEASE RELATED TO DISASTER.
I THINK THIS IS FROM ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD AND FOLKS WHO DEAL WITH THE EPIDEMICS IN MY PAST WORK ON EBOLA AND PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS, I UNDERSTAND THE NECESSITY TO GIVE YOU THE LATITUDE TO HAVE THE DECLARATION IN PLACE AND WE CANNOT BE DEALING WITH EMERGENCIES ON A WEEK TO WEEK BASIS.
THERE IS A PLANNING THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE INTO THE FUTURE.
>> I SECOND IT AND I ENCOURAGE ALL COLLEAGUES TO THINK LONG AND HARD.
I KNOW THIS CAME UP AT OUR LAST MEETING, BUT I ASKED AND WE DIDN'T KNOW THE ANSWER OF HOLDING BACK ACTION.
I WANT TO ENCOURAGE COLLEAGUES TO THINK LONG AND HARD.
WE SHOULD SHOW UNITY AND STRENGTH WHERE WE CAN.
IF THERE ARE THREE MEMBERS THAT WANT TO PULL IT IT BACK THEY CAN.
>> THE LATEST ISSUE OF PULLING IT BACK THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THAT.
IT IS NOT CERTAIN THAT COMMISSIONERS COULD PULL IT BACK.
IT IS FRANKLY ONE OF THOSE ISSUES THAT HAS NEVER RISEN.
THERE IS NO CLEAR LAW THAT SAYS ONCE THE EMERGENCY IS DECLARED IT CAN BE CANCELED BY COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
THE JUDGE IS THE KEY PERSON TO MAKE A DECISION.
I ASKED THAT LAST WEEK AND I WAS WONDERING.
I KNOW YOU SAID IT WAS NOT CLEAR.
>> WE CAN MAKE IT UNCOMFORTABLE.
>> I WOULDN'T IF THEY JUST -- I WOULDN'T DO THAT.
THEY WOULD ASK FOR THE MAJORITY -- >> I SECOND IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> JUDGE, BEFORE WE VOTE I THOUGHT COMMISSIONER RADACK MADE A MOTION AND I SECONDED HIS MOTION TO MAKE IT TO THE NEXT AMENDMENT AND I THINK YOU NEED TO VOTE ON THE AMENDMENT.
LOAN LEAN ALL >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M OPPOSED AS WELL SO THAT MOTION FAILS.
SO AS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
[01:25:01]
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION.
>> EXCUSE ME, HOW DID COMMISSIONER CAGLE VOTE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOVING ON WE WILL MOVE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.
THESE THINGS ARE FAST MOVING AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH PHIL JACKSON AND IT IS AN ITEM ON QUICK PURCHASES AND EMERGENCY SUPPLIES AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU CAN LAY IT OUT OR IF YOU WANT ME TO.
>> I WAS GOING TO ASK THAT DWIGHT LAYOUT ITEMS -- ITEM TWO.
>> DO WE TALK ABOUT EYE 2 WHICH IS AN INMATE PHONE SYSTEM FIRST OR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM WITH THE EMERGENCY SUPPLIES.
YOU WILL JUST CLARIFY WHICH ITEM?
>> I WAS GOING TO BRING IT UP UNDER ITEM TWO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES LET'S MOVE TO SUPPLEMENTAL.
STILL ON ITEM TWO UNDER MY AGENDA.
>> THE ISSUE WE ARE FINDING IS WE ARE FINDING A MULTITUDE OF SUPPLIERS AND EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE PAID BEFORE IT IS SHIPPED AND WHEN IT ARRIVES ON THE GROUND.
HAVE I BEEN WORKING WITH MIKE POST AND FOUND AN OPTION WE CAN DO TO GET THIS NEEDED SUPPLY.
AS EVERYONE KNOWS THE N95 ARE THE LARGEST ITEMS WE CANNOT FIND AND LOCATE.
WE HAVE FOUND SOME, BUT HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO NEGOTIATE BECAUSE THEY WANT THEIR MONEY UP FRONT.
SO WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF THERE IS A WAY TO GET AUTHORIZATION TO PAY THESE IMMEDIATELY IF THE SUPPLIES ARE ON THE GROUND, AND WE CAN GET THE SUPPLIES AND MAKE SURE IT IS WHAT WE ORDERED AND CUT A CHECK IMMEDIATELY TO THEM IF THAT IS POSSIBLE TO DO A WIRE TRANSFER.
>> YES, SIR, THAT IS THE CHALLENGE.
I THINK HER MIKE OR BILL CAN DO A WORK AROUND ANSWER OF WHAT WE NEED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: GARCIA AND THEN WE CAN CONTINUE.
THE PROBLEM IS THAT WE CAN LEAVE THE DETAILS TO THE UH BITTER'S OFFICE AND THE BUDGET OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT DWIGHT HAS THE SUPPORT TO ACT ON THIS, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION THAT MAYBE MR. SWORD CAN PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE FOR GIVING THE AGENT THE AUTHORIZATION TO MAKE -- I GUESS YOU CAN CALL IT IN ADVANCE PAYMENT -- FULL PAYMENT WITH WHATEVER -- IT IS HOW WE WOULD RAISE THE MONEY.
I THINK THE DETAILS CAN BE HANDLED BY THE STAFF, BUT JUST TO PROTECT DWIGHT AND ALTHOUGH HE IS WORKING WITH THE EMERGENCY, I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT HE'S GOT THE APPROPRIATE PROJECTION TO ACT ON THESE ITEMS.
WHAT WE ARE DOING IS USING A MECHANISM TO MOVE MONEY ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER.
AND BRIEFLY THERE IS CURRENTLY IN PLACE WITHIN HARRIS COUNTY A SPECIAL IMPRESSIVE OUT WHICH THE COUNTY HAS UP TO $15 MILLION TO BUY REAL ESTATE AS REAL ESTATE COMES UP FOR SALE AND THE COUNTY NEEDS TO QUICKLY.
THE AUDITOR HAS PUT PROCEDURES IN PLACE SO BLUNT AND PHIL JACKSON HAVE TO SIGN THE CHECK AND AUTHORIZE THE WIRE TRANSFER AND THEN THEY COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO REPORT THAT.
THE MOTION THAT WE WILL DRAFT AND THE ORDER WILL ALLOW THE IMPRESS OF $15 MILLION RARELY BE USED BY THESE TYPES OF SUPPLIES SO THAT THESE THREE GENTLEMEN WOULD BE AUTHORIZED TO ACTUALLY WRITE THE CHECK AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING.
WE CAN GET WHERE WE NEED TO BE AND MAYBE OVER TIME WE WANT TO ESTABLISH A DIFFERENT FUND AND THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT TODAY AND ALLOW IT.
>> WOULD THIS BE REPORTED BACK TO COURT? THIS REMINDS ME A LITTLE OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL LAWSUIT AUTHORITY THAT COURT GRABTED -- GRANTED WITH ITC.
IS THAT SIMILAR TO WHERE YOU CAN DO IT AND YOU CAN REPORT BACK TO US?
[01:30:03]
IT WOULD BE DONE AND THEN YOU WOULD GET THE REPORT AT NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE AUDITOR WHO IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO WRITE THE PROCEDURES, THAT'S PART OF THE PROCEDURE THAT THE AUDITOR WROTE ON THE REAL ESTATE ACCOUNT.
>> AND THIS WILL ALL GO THROUGH PURCHASING AND THE AUDITOR AND BE REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY?
>> THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND MR. JACKSON.
>> JUDGE IS THAT -- >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN DWIGHT HAD A CLARIFICATION.
>> IS THERE A SPECIFIC MOTION?
THE MOTION IS TO REMOVE THE RESTRICTION ON THE HARRIS COUNTY IMPRESSED CHECKING ACCOUNT FUNDED FOR THE PURPOSE OF ACQUIRING REAL PROPERTIES AT AUCTIONS AND OTHER MEANS, AND THAT THE FUNDS BE REDESIGNATED TO INCLUDE PURCHASING SUPPLIES THAT WOULD ENABLE HARRIS COUNTY TO MITIGATE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 DURING THE CURRENT PUBLIC HEALTH DISASTER.
THIS AUTHORIZED REQUEST IS ALSO A REQUEST TO THE HARRIS COUNTY AUDITOR TO DEVELOP PROCEDURES INCLUDE -- INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO ELECTRON -- ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: BEFORE WE VOTE I WANTED TO GIVE A CHANCE TO DWIGHT.
>> ROBERT, DOES THAT MEAN ALL SUPPLIES HAVE TO BE DELIVERED BEFORE A PAYMENT CAN BE MADE WHETHER A PARTIAL OR HALF TO THESE MANUFACTURERS ?
>> IN MY VIEW THAT WOULD BE PART OF THE PROCEDURES THAT THE AUDITOR CAN WRITE THAT -- THOSE.
AS TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT THE DETAILS WOULD BE WORKED OUT BY THE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUDITOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> YOUR HONOR? COMMISSIONER RADACK MADE THE SECOND EARLIER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ALL IN FAVOR? OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANY OTHER MOTIONS UNDER THAT ITEM, MY ITEM.
ONE OTHER THING WE WANT TO DO IS OUR FINANCIAL GROUP IS WORKING FROM HOME, AND WE NEED AN AMENDMENT TO OUR BLOOMBERG CONTRACT TO ALLOW THEM TO ACCESS IT ON THEIR HOME COMPUTER.
I JUST NEED A MOTION TO ALLOW US SO YOU CAN AMENDMENT THE AGREEMENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THE MOTION WOULD BE TO ALLOW THE COUNTY JUDGE TO AMENDMENT THE CONTRACT OF BLOOMBERG FOR ADDITIONAL SERVICES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
UNDER YOUR ITEM I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION TO SUSPEND [INAUDIBLE] FOR THE MOTION WOULD BE FASTER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE HAVE AN IDEA OF THE COST?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY SUSPICION, IF I -- EXPWRUJ -- JUDGE, IF I MAY, MY SUCCESS -- SUSPICION IS IT WOULD NOT HAVE THE SAME IMPACT AS IT WOULD UNDER NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
NUMBER ONE, THE ORDER IS DOING -- GOING TO DISCOURAGE A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND SECONDLY THE TRAFFIC IS DIMINISHED SIGNIFICANTLY.
AND SO I THINK WE ARE SEEING AN IMPACT TO TOLLS RIGHT NOW.
I THINK THAT THIS WILL JUST ALLOW FOR MOBILITY FOR THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE STILL GETTING AROUND AND ARE AUTHORIZED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MEANT TO ASK YOU.
I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT OR I WOULD HAVE ASKED YOU.
[01:35:01]
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I WOULD RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH THE LOGIC OF THIS MOTION.
IF WE ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM GETTING OUT AND DRIVING AND MAKING THE TOLL ROADS FREE, I THINK SENDS THE WRONG MESSAGE.
AND SO I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE.
I UNDERSTAND -- WELL I THINK I UNDERSTAND THE HEART AND THE COMPASSION BEHIND IT, BUT I THINK THAT IS THE WRONG SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SOMEONE FROM THE TOLL ROAD THAT CAN SPEAK TO THIS?
THE TOLL ROADS HAVE BEEN WATCHING THE ACTIVITY AND AS OF YESTERDAY IT IS DOWN -- THERE IS ABOUT 60% FROM PREVIOUS TYPICAL DAYS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT IS THE TAKE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW -- I MEAN, I SEE WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE -- WE WANT TO ALLEVIATE THE ECONOMIC IMPACTS AND THEN WE DON'T WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO BE OUT.
DO YOU GUYS -- I MEAN, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT IT WON'T ENCOURAGE, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
DO YOU HAVE ANY INPUT ON THIS? COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAYBE WHAT YOU GOT -- I'M JUST CURIOUS WHAT Y'ALL GOT OUT OF THE TOLL ROAD.
>> YES, JUDGE, I DID SPEAK WITH PETER KEY ON IT, AND HE SAID THAT THE IMPACT -- OBVIOUSLY THERE WILL BE AN IMPACT.
THEY DIDN'T ANTICIPATE IT BEING SIGNIFICANT.
AGAIN THIS IS FOR AN INDUSTRY THAT MOVES AROUND AND THEY USE OUR ROADS.
WE HAVE TO KEEP A PORTION OF OUR ECONOMY MOVING AND THAT IS THE COMPASSION BEHIND MY ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MR. CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
JACK CAGLE: ON THAT LAST ISSUE, I HEARD FROM JOHN.
I DON'T KNOW IF PETER KEY IS AVAILABLE FROM THE POLL ROAD, BUT THAT DOES RAISE THE SECOND QUESTION.
ONE OF ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GET ON THE ROADS WHO MAYBE SHOULDN'T, BUT NUMBER 2, WE ARE GOING TO POTENTIALLY HAVE SOME SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL IMPACTS TO THE COUNTY.
I THINK 80% OF OUR REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY COMES FROM PROPERTY TAX, BUT WE DO HAVE OTHER SOURCES OF REVENUE AND SO I HAVE A CONCERN IN TERMS OF, ESPECIALLY ON A USER FEE WHICH OUR TOLL ROADS ARE WHICH IS A VOLUNTARY TAX OF REDUCING THE REVENUE STREAM AT THIS TIME.
THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR RAISING THAT ISSUE, BUT I THINK THAT IS A LEGITIMATE ISSUE.
I AM TRYING TO CLARIFY SOME STUFF WITH THE ORDER.
I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS WANTED TO SPEAK AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
RODRIGUEZ >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, I WAS KIND OF THINKING COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THE COMPASSIONATE SIDE WAS THE REVERSE.
I WAS THINKING -- YOU KNOW, TOUGH TIMES YOU ARE A DISHWASHER OR WHATEVER AND NORMALLY TO SAVE MONEY YOU TAKE A SIDE ROAD INSTEAD OF THE TOLL ROAD.
IF YOU ARE A DELIVERY PERSON, YOU CAN ARGUE IT BOTH WAYS.
I WAS REALLY THINKING OUTSIDE.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL HAVE THAT MUCH OF A RESULT IN 30 DAYS.
I WAS THINKING ABOUT THE AREAS WHENNER YOU HAVE MORE TOLL ROADS.
I DON'T HAVE TIME TO CHECK, BUT A FEW PEOPLE HAVE TO GET OUT AND IN NEW YORK AND NEW JERSEY AREA, I KNOW PEOPLE, OTHER FOLKS WHO TAKE THE BACKROADS.
I WAS REALLY THINKING OF THE OTHER SIDE OF IT.
TYPICALLY THEY $70 MILLION IN A MONTH.
AND IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS CLOSER TO 25 MILLION AS WE CURRENTLY SIT.
OBVIOUSLY IF YOU ORDER THOSE IN EFFECT IT WILL BE LESS THAN THAT.
WHEN THE ORDER GOES INTO EFFECT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS HOPING TO BETTER DEFINE THE OPPORTUNITY IN THIS MOTION.
YOU KNOW, IT IS THOSE IN THE INDUSTRIES THAT ARE PART OF OUR CYBER SECURITY, CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE BUILDING THE TOLL -- THE TOLL BRIDGE OVER THE SHIP CHANNEL.
AT THIS POINT I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE DEMONSTRATE TO EVERYBODY THAT WE ARE RECOGNIZING THAT GOVERNMENT HAS TO MAKE TOUGH DECISIONS, BUT THAT WE ARE
[01:40:06]
MAKING IT ON BEHALF OF THOSE WHO ARE ALREADY FEELING THE IMPACT.WE WILL FIGURE A WAY TO GET THROUGH THIS, BUT BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE OWNERS OF THOSE FREIGHT VEHICLES AND ARE MOVING PRODUCT AND ISSUES FROM THE PORT.
WE NEED TO BE COMPASSIONATE FOR THEM.
WE ARE ALREADY SEEING AN IMPACT.
IT IS THE ADDITIONAL IMPACT BY THIS MOTION WILL BE MAJOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM LOOKING AT MY NOTES FROM MY STAFF.
CALIFORNIA, BAY AREA TELL THE AUTHORITIES TEMPORARILY SUSPENDED TOLLS AND SEVEN STATE OWNED TOLL BRIDGES.
CALIFORNIA AND FLORIDA EXPRESS HAS SUSPENDED TOLLS.
PENNSYLVANIA TURNPIKE COMMISSION LOOKS LIKE THEY SUSPENDED TOLL OPERATIONS.
SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE SWITCHED TO LICENSE PLATE, BUT IT IS NOT CLEAR.
I THINK FOR 30 DAYS -- OUR TOLLS ARE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
I DON'T THINK IT WILL KILL US.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CORRECT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR.
YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON YOUR ITEM BECAUSE IT IS BROAD ENOUGH, I HAVE ONE ADDITIONAL ONE AND I WHAT -- I WANT TO ASK, I TALKED TO MR. SWORD AND MR. TROTMAN.
I KNOW AS WE GET TO THIS RUNOFF ELECTION, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE WORRIED ABOUT -- THIS IS NOT OVER, BUT I HOPE IT IS.
A LAWSUIT WAS FILED ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO GIVE PEOPLE THE OPTION OF VOTING BY MAIL IF THEY THINK COVID-19 THREATENS THE PHYSICAL VOTER AND THEY HAVE TO VOTE IN PERSON.
I WAS TOLD THERE IS AN AG OPINION THAT SAYS IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A SEXUAL OFFENSE AND THEY ARE IN JAIL THEY CAN DO A MAIL IN BALLOT BECAUSE IT IS CONSIDERED A DISABILITY.
I DON'T WANT TO ASK THE COUNTY -- I WANT US TO CONSIDER IT, BUT I WANT TO ASK MR. SWORD TO LOOK AT IT AND GIVE US A RECOMMENDATION IN A COUPLE WEEKS.
I KNOW THERE ARE A COUPLE OF BILLS WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH CONGRESS THAT WILL HAVE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT PICK UP THE TAB IF MORE PEOPLE ASK FOR A MAIL IF BALLOT.
THOSE OF US ON THIS CALL WHO ARE OVER 65, WE CAN GET ONE ANYWAY.
IT SEEMS TO ME STRANGE THAT SOMEBODY IS CHARGED WITH A SEX CRIME AND IS INTERRED IS JUST CAUSE TO GET A MAIL IN BALLOT IF YOU ARE INCARCERATED, BUT IF SOMEBODY IS AFRAID TO GET IN A LINE.
I WANT TO LOOK AT IT AND COME BACK WITH SOME THOUGHTS IF THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO DO A LETTER ON THIS LAWSUIT ENCOURAGING THE STATE TO CONNECT THIS SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO TELL THEM WITH A MAIL IN BALLOT.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I WANT CLARIFICATION.
ARE WE VOTING ON WHETHER TO SEND TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DISCOVER A PROCESS OF GIVING PRIVILEGE TO SEXUAL OFFENDERS TO VOTE BY MAIL?
IT IS AN AG'S OPINION THAT ALREADY SAYS THE STATE ATTORNEY GENERAL THAT SAYS YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A MAIL BY VOTE BALLOT BECAUSE YOU ARE IN JAIL, AWAITING TRIAL ON THAT ISSUE.
I AM JUST ASKING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO LOOK AT THAT LAWSUIT THAT WAS FILED I THINK MARCH 17TH.
I GOT A LETTER FROM SOME LOCAL ADVOCACY GROUPS ASKING IF HARRIS COUNTY CAN JOIN THE LAWSUIT.
WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE A VOTE ON IT.
SOMEBODY ON THE AGENDA WILL COME BACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
JACK CAGLE: I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR THAT I AM AGAINST ALLOWING SEX OFFENDERS IN OUR JAILS TO HAVE SPECIAL WAYS OF VOTING.
I AM SAYING THE REVERSE OF THAT.
I AM SAYING SOMEBODY IS AFRAID TO GO AND VOTE BECAUSE THEY FEEL THEY MAY GET INFECTED WITH CO INDIVIDUAL -- WITH COVID FROM THIS SPECIAL ELECTION.
[01:45:01]
I DON'T WANT THEM TO HAVE TO TELL A LITTLE LIE AND SAY THAT THEY HAVE A DISABILITY.I WANT -- I DON'T WANT FEAR TO -- OF GETTING IN A LINE TO VOTE OF COVID TO STOP SOMEBODY FROM GETTING A MAIL IN BALLOT.
IN CURRENT LAW YOU CANNOT DO THAT.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I WILL WAIT TO SEE SOMETHING COME BACK AS A MOTION LATER ON.
I THINK I'M CLEAR ON WHERE I STAND, AND MY APOLOGIES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS IF YOUR
MOTION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE USING THE ANALOGY I THREW YOU OFF.
WHEN I LOOK AT THE LAWSUIT IT SAYS IF SOMEONE CHARGED WITH A SEX OFFENSE CAN USE THAT AS A DISABILITY ARGUMENT TO GET A MAIL IN BALLOT, SURELY SOMEBODY AFRAID TO STAND IN A LINE FOR FEAR OF GETTING COVID, THE CORONAVIRUS, OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO ASK FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL WAIT TO HEAR BACK FROM LEGAL ON THAT.
SO MOVING ON TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA WE WILL GO OVER ITEM 2.
>> JUDGE, BEFORE WE MOVE OFF OF YOUR ITEM, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR TAKING INPUT AND YOUR STAFF HAS BEEN TAKING INPUT FROM SOME OF THE BUSINESS CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND THOSE IN THE PRE SINK.
I KNOW YOU WERE LOOKING TO ISSUE AN ORDER THIS AFTERNOON.
IS THERE A PREFERRED PLACE YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR OFFICE TO BE REACHED FOR INPUT FROM OUR COMMUNITY? MAYBE YOU CAN SHARE -- I DON'T WANT TO GIVE YOUR OVERALL ADDRESS OUT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT YOU TO GET CRASHED.
IS THERE A PREFERRED CONTACT POINT THAT YOU HAVE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER AND THANK YOU SO MUCH.
FOLKS, I WILL ASK THAT -- I THINK WE CAN FINISH GOING THROUGH THE COVID ITEMS, ON THAT NOTE I WILL ASK IF WE CAN BREAK AT NOON FOR LUNCH AND DO AN HOUR AND A HALF JUST SO I CAN GO AND FINISH THAT AND PUT THAT CONTACT POINT TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND RUN THOSE TRACKS SO WE CAN GET IT OUT TO THE COMMUNITY.
>> I WILL TRY TO MAKE A SUGGESTION AS WE TRY TO END THIS REAL QUICK IS NOT TO HAVE A BREAK.
I THINK WE CAN MOVE THROUGH IT RIGHT QUICK.
LET'S KEEP -- >> WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO COMMISSIONER RADACK'S REQUEST IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES I WILL NEED A TWO MINUTE BREAK.
>> LET'S SHOOT FOR FIVE MINUTES.
>> I NEED A TWO-MINUTE BREAK IN THE NEXT 10 MINUTES, JUDGE.
I JUST -- HERE IS MY CONCERN, Y'ALL.
I PROMISED THE ORDER WITHIN THE NEXT HOUR AND A HALF.
MAYBE WE FINISH IN 30 MINUTES, BUT WE COULD SAY, LOOK, IF WE FINISH BY -- >> JUDGE, THAT ORDER IS SO IMPORTANT.
IF YOU WANT US TO STOP NOW I PREFER TO LET YOU DO THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GO UNTIL NOON AND SEE WHERE WE ARE.
I THINK AT THE VERY LATEST WE CAN BREAK AROUND 12:15, BUT IT IS JUST THAT I MADE A COMMITMENT TO THE MAYORS TO GET IT OUT AT A CERTAIN TIME.
I HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT IT MYSELF.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
BEFORE WE MOVE OFF YOUR ITEM AS WELL I DO WANT TO RAISE A QUESTION AS TO SHOULD WE BE THINKING ABOUT, AND IS THERE THOUGHT BEING GIVEN TO BRINGING IN SOMEONE TO GUIDE US AND HELP US NAVIGATE AND COLLECT ALL OF THE INFORMATION TO ENSURE THAT WE DO NOT LOSE ANY OPPORTUNITIES FOR REIMBURSEMENT? YOU KNOW, IF THERE IS A -- IF THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE THAT MOTION, I WOULD DO IT, BUT I WOULD STICK TO YOUR GUIDANCE ON THAT.
I THINK THAT NOW WE ARE IN A REAL CRITICAL PLACE OF ENSURING THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE TO PULL ALL OF THIS TOGETHER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT IS A GREAT POINT.
WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT AND WE WILL CONTINUE CONVERSATIONS WITH BUDGET.
WE ARE NOT QUITE THERE YET, BUT ABSOLUTELY IT IS SOMETHING TO GET AHEAD OF.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MENTIONED YOUR ORDER, I JUST GOT A TEXT FROM SOMEONE.
I KNOW IN NEW YORK AT YOUR CONFERENCE YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO SOCIAL DISTANCING IN THE PARKS AND HAVING TO SHUTDOWN SOME BALLPARKS AND PLAY FIELDS AND GYM COURTS AND ALL THE -- AND ALL.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MAKE A MOTION TO ASK LEGAL IF I CAN WORK OUT AN AGREEMENT WITH FUNDS OUT OF PRECINCT 1 SO THAT WE CAN OPEN UP SOME OF THE SUNDAY STREETS.
I AM WILLING TO PUT SOME MONEY UP TO PAY FOR IT.
I KNOW IN NEW YORK IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.
I AM WORRIED ABOUT COMING UP ON EASTER, ON THE WEEKEND IN PARTICULAR.
[01:50:04]
I KNOW THE CITY HAS FISCAL ISSUES.I WILL BE PREPARED TO PUT PRECINCT MONEY UP TO OPEN UP SOME OF THE STREETS SO PEOPLE CAN GET OUT AND WALK AND NOT OVERLOAD MY -- MY PARKS.
I JUST WILL MAKE THAT IN A FORMAL MOTION AND LOOKING AT PRECINCT 1 FUNDS THAT THE CITY WILL MATCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE A QUESTION.
JACK CAGLE: WHILE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PARKS, JUDGE, IF YOUR OFFICE MAY DECIDE THAT YOU WANT TO ISSUE A PARKS ADVISORY, A LOT OF WATER FOUNTAINS WE HAVE AND ON OUR JOGGING TRAILS WE HAVE WATER STATIONS BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM OF POINTS IN CONTACT WE ARE NOT OFFERING WATER IN OUR PARKS ANYMORE.
WE WERE NOTIFIED BY JOHN BLUNT'S OFFICE.
YOU MAY WANT TO ADVISE WHEN PEOPLE ARE COMING AND DOING THEIR WALKING THEY NEED TO BRING THEIR OWN WATER, THEIR OWN CHAIRS, THEIR OWN BLANKETS.
WE ARE NOT PURSUANT TO THE COVID HAVING POINTS OF CONTACT, TABLES, ET CETERA.
AND SO AS YOU ARE ADVISING WHAT WE ALLOW IN THE PARKS YOU MAY WANT TO ADVISE FOLKS WITH REGARD TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO HOW THEY CAN MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE HYDRATED WHEN THEY ARE IN THE PARKS SO AS TO PREVENT THE PASS -- THE PASSAGE OF POINTS OF CON -- CONTACT.
>> DO I NEED A DOLLAR AMOUNT? I AM THINKING LIKE EASTER SUNDAY.
IF I NEED A DOLLAR AMOUNT IS THERE A WAY TO FIGURE THAT OUT? IS IT BROAD ENOUGH TO TAKE PRECINCT 1?
>> IT IS A MATTER OF WOKING -- WORKING OUT SOMETHING WITH THE CITY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION -- YES.
>> CAN YOU HAVE SOMEBODY RESTATE THE MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: PRECINCT 1 WILL COMMIT MATCHING FUNDS TO WORK WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON TO OPEN UP SOME OF THE SUNDAY STREETS ACTIVITIES ON SUNDAYS OR WEEKDAYS IF THE CITY WILL MATCH IT.
I WILL TAKE PRECINCT 1 FUNDS TO GO INTO.
I WILL WORK WITH THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO FIGURE OUT ALL OF THE DETAILS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? IS MIKE -- NO.
IS THERE A SECOND TO THE MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> IN FAVOR OF PRECINCT 1 DOING WHAT THEY FEEL IS BEST.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO NOW LET'S GET TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEM 2.
[Item II (Part 1 of 2)]
DWIGHT IF YOU CAN WALK US THROUGH THAT.>> YES, MA'AM, WE ARE WORKING WITH SECURITY THAT PROVIDES IN MATE PHONE SYSTEM TO OFFER FREE PHONE SERVICES TO THE INMATES.
WE HAVE NEGOTIATED BACK AND FORTHWITH THEM, AND WE'VE GOT TO A POINT WHERE WE'VE GOTTEN TWO OR THREE PHONE CALLS A WEEK -- TWO FREE PHONE CALLS A WEEK FOR EACH INMATE.
AND WITH THE NATIONWIDE EPIDEMIC THEY ARE HAVING A HARD TIME GIVING US A FULL SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.
THEY WILL GIVE US TWO CENTS A MINUTE FOR ANY OTHER DAY ASIDE FROM THE TWO FREE CALLS WE GET FOR THE OTHER INMATES.
THAT'S THE OPTION WE HAVE AT THIS TIME.
THE SHERIFF ASKED ME TO BRING THIS TO YOU TO DETERMINE HOW MANY DAYS WE WANT TO OFFER IF IT IS THE TWO FREE DAYS OR ADDITIONAL DAYS.
I CAN'T SPEAK ON HIS DESIRES, BUT THAT'S THE OFFICE WE HAVE RIGHT NOW.
THE VENDORS WANT TO GIVE US TWO FREE DAYS AND THEN ANY OTHER DAY IT IS TWO CENTS A MINUTE FOR EACH INMATE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?
>> DWIGHT, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE TIME YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS.
I KNOW MY STAFF HAS BEEN TALKING TO YOU QUITE A BIT.
I THANK THE SHERIFF FOR BRINGING IT UP.
WE HAVE THE THIRD LARGEST JAIL POPULATION IN THE COUNTRY.
WHEN I LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY I THINK SHELBY COUNTY, TENNESSEE HAS BEEN THE ONLY JAIL THAT'S WAIVING ALL PHONE CALLS AND VIDEO VISITATION FEES FOR THE JAILED INMATES DURING THIS CRISIS.
UTAH, THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS, IS GIVING PEOPLE IN PRISON 10 FREE PHONE CALLS PER WEEK.
EACH CALL IS LIMITED TO 15 MINUTES.
I THINK IT SAYS HERE THAT JAIL CALLS IN NEW YORK'S RIKOR'S ISLAND IS THREE.
CAN WE GET THE SHERIFF ON THE LINE? I DON'T WANT TO TIE US UP SO WE CAN TAKE A BREAK, BUT I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER, AND I DON'T SEE IT IN MY NOTES.
WAS THE COST THAT WE DID MORE? AM I DREAMING OR DID IT SAY SOMETHING LIKE 20,000? WAS THAT A -- WAS THAT A MONTH OR SOMETHING?
[01:55:01]
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS.>> COMMISSIONER, WE WORKED WITH THE BUDGET OFFICE.
I THINK IF WE ESTIMATED 9,000 INMATES AND WE OFFERED THEM ALL ONE FREE PHONE CALL A DAY FOR 20 MINUTES IT WAS LIKE 40,000 A MONTH OR ROUGHLY 10,000 A WEEK.
SO AGAIN, I DON'T KNOW IF THE INMATES CAN GET THROUGH THAT IN ONE DAY, BUT THAT IS THE ESTIMATED COST BASED ON THE SKETCHES I HAVE OF THE POPULATION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DOES THE SHERIFF HAVE A RECOMMENDATION? HE IS OVER THERE WITH THE POPULATION, AND YOU HAVE A HOST OF ISSUES THAT WOULD LEAD TO SECURITY ISSUES AND WE VEM EMPLOYEES.
>> WE PROVIDED HIM WITH INFORMATION ABOUT OFFERING THREE ADDITIONAL DAYS.
HE WANTED THOSE DAYS FOR SURE.
IT SEEMS LIKE HE WANTED THE THREE EXTRA DAYS.
HE MAY HAVE WANTED THE FULL FIVE DAYS, BUT HE NEVER GAVE ME GUIDANCE ONE WAY OR ANOTHER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN WE ASK? DO YOU NEED THE ACTION ON THIS NOW? DO WE NEED ACTION PENDING AND WAITING TO SEE IF WE CAN CATCH HIM BEFORE WE ADJOURN?
>> I CAN CALL HIM NOW AFTER THE MEETING AND HAVE HIM SIGN BACK ON.
I CAN SEE WHAT HIS OPTIONS ARE AND LET THE COURT KNOW WHEN WE COME BACK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED ACTION ON THIS NOW?
>> YOU CAN WAIT -- IT CAN WAIT UNTIL WE COME BACK.
THEY ARE CURRENTLY GETTING THE TWO FREE PHONE CALLS.
WE ARE LOOKING TO EXPAND THIS RIGHT NOW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY I DIDN'T CALL IT EARLIER.
I WAS A LITTLE DISTRACTED, BUT I THINK YOU CALLED AND ASKED.
>> I WILL TOUCH BASE WITH HIM AT THE LUNCH BREAK.
IF HE WANTS TO CALL IN HE CAN CALL IN, OR I CAN SPEAK ON HIS BEHALF.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IF IT'S OKAY IF WE CAN JUST BRIEFLY RUN THROUGH ITEMS THREE AND FOUR ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA SO WE CAN GET THROUGH COVID BECAUSE I KNOW THE PRESS WILL ASK ABOUT WHAT CAME OUT OF THESE.
THEN WE CAN TAKE BACK THE SHERIFF -- OR THE JAIL CALL ITEM WHEN WE RETURN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE FLOOR IS MINE I THINK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AFTER TALKING WITH JOSH, I DON'T WANT TO PUT HIM ON THE LINE BECAUSE I KNOW HE IS TRYING TO GET WELL, BUT I ASKED HIM TO COME BACK TO US WITH A RECOMMENDATION.
I WAS IN -- INCLINED TO ASK FOR SOME GR FOR EMERGENCY RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
I THINK CSD'S ANALYSIS SHOWS THAT AS OF 3/19 THEY HAVE ABOUT FIFER .
8 MILLION IN -- 5.8 MILLION IN UNCOMMITTED FUNDS.
IT WILL REQUIRE A HUD REALLOCATION AND THE WAIVER IS PENDING AS OF THE 19TH.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS JUST HOLD THAT ITEM AND SEE IF THEY COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION.
I WENT THROUGH THE NUMBERS AND I WILL SEND THEM.
I THINK THE GENERAL FUNDS IN THE PAST WE PUT THE EMERGENCY UTILITY ASSISTANCE AT 5.7 MILLION AND 700 IS GR.
250 -- IT IS 150,000 GENERAL FUNDS GOING TO TRANSPORTATION.
EMERGENCY REPRESENT CDBG ALLOCATED 2.7 MILLION.
OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO HELP FOLKS, BUT SEE WHAT THEY CAN COME UP WITH.
I THINK IT CAN WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT COURT.
SO THAT ONE IS NO ACTION TAKEN ON ITEM 3 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
ON ITEM 4, I TOO WILL BE PROPOSING NO ACTION ON WHAT IS PRESENTED.
MY GOAL IS TO CREATE A PROGRAM SO THAT WE CAN ASSIST THOSE MICRO AND SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS.
IT IS SOMETHING I CREATED WHEN I WAS ON HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL.
WE HAVE WORKED TO FIND WHAT OTHER COUNTIES IN TEXAS WERE DOING AND IN BEXAR COUNTY IN PARTICULAR.
THEY WERE -- WE WERE STARTING TO ENGAGE THEM AND BY THE TIME WE GOT A PROPOSAL FROM THEM, IT WAS MUCH HIGHER THAN WE EXPECTED.
SO NO ACTION ON THIS ITEM AS PRESENTED.
HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO AUTHORIZE -- MY MOTION WOULD BE TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON COUNCIL ON A SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.
I THINK IT ACTUALLY GOT -- HERE IS THE CORRECT NAME.
IT IS ACTUALLY A FORGIVABLE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN PROGRAM.
AND, AGAIN, WE HAVE DONE THIS, AND WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING IT ON THE LIGHT RAIL EXPANSION PROGRAM UNDER -- ALTHOUGH IT IS -- THAT PROGRAM IS CALLED A CONSTRUCTION DISRUPTION MITIGATION PROGRAM.
SO IT HAS ALREADY DEMONSTRATED SUCCESS SO NO ACTION WITH THE LIFT FUND,
[02:00:06]
BUT TO START THE CONVERSATIONS.I ACTUALLY STARTED THE CONVERSATIONS, BUT TO NEGOTIATE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF A LIFT -- OF A LOAN PROGRAM OF THAT NATURE FOR MICROAND SMALL BUSINESSES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID COMMISSIONER RADACK SAY SOMETHING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> STEVE RADACK: I DON'T NEED ANYTHING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA IT IS A GREAT IDEA AND I COMMIT TO WORKING WITH YOU.
WE ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE -- THERE IS SOME VERSION OF A REQUEST OF INFORMATION OR SOMETHING.
WE WANT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO IT IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE KEEP OUR ADMINISTRATION FEES DOWN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.
THE WAY PEOPLE ARE HURTING, IT IS -- THE QUICKER WE CAN DO IT -- HOPEFULLY THE FEDS WILL DO SOMETHING SOON.
IF WE PUT IT UP QUICK ENOUGH MAYBE WE WILL EVEN GET REIMBURSEMENT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S RIGHT.
AND THE SUCCESS HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED.
IT IS UNDER THE CONCEPT THAT WAS DONE WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL, IT IS JUST -- IT HAS BEEN PHENOMENAL.
IT SAVED A LOT OF FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN MY CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT AT THAT TIME.
AND NOW IT IS A COMPONENT OF THE LIGHT RAIL EXPANSION PROGRAM THAT THE MICROBUSINESSES IN PARTICULAR CAN QUALIFY WITH A P AND L STATEMENT UP TO $25,000 OF A FORGIVABLE LOAN.
THEY JUST PAY THE INTEREST BACK OVER FIVE YEARS.
WE'LL WORK TO PROVIDE ALL OF THE DETAILS AND THE CLARITY ON THIS PROGRAM.
SPEAKING WITH CHUCK OVER AT HDECK HE HAS A FRAMEWORK IN PLACE AND HE CAN GET STARTED VERY QUICKLY.
WE JUST NEED TO PUT -- MY MOTION WOULD BE TO ADD 10 MILLION TO THIS PROGRAM.
RODRIGUEZ >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, WE NEED TO ASK THE CITY TO MATCH BY THE WAY.
WE HAVE GN -- BEEN GREAT PARTNERS.
WHEN SOMEBODY TALKED TO ME ABOUT IT I SAID -- I WOULDN'T SAY OUR FOCUS IS JUST ON THE UNINCORPORATED, BUT WE SHOULD ASK THE CITY TO MATCH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY PUT IN THE MONEY THEN THEY WILL BE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO -- AND LET ME JUST ASK ON THE REST OF THE AGENDA, IS THERE ITEMS -- JUST TO SEE IF FOLKS -- EITHER COURT MEMBERS OR THE DEPARTMENT HEADS, WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE A COUPLE OF NO ACTIONS HERE AND THERE AND I WILL MENTION CHANGE A B TO A Y OR WHATEVER, BUT FOR COMMISSIONER RADACK'S IDEA -- LET ME KNOW IF YOU HAVE ANY ITEMS YOU WOULD LIKE TO STOP AND DISCUSS.
AND IF THERE ARE MORE THAN A COUPLE, THEN WE WILL STOP FOR AN HOUR AND A HALF.
IF THERE ISN'T WE CAN JUST GO AHEAD AND MOVE IT.
>> I MOVE IT ALL AND COMMISSIONER RADACK WILL SECOND IT.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, CAN HE REPEAT HIS MOTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION WILL BE TO TAKE NO ACTION ON THE LIFT FUND AGREEMENT, BUT TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR A FORGIVABLE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN PROGRAM WITH 10 MILLION OF
APPROPRIATE FUNDING WHETHER IT BE FROM CSD OR FROM [INAUDIBLE] RODRIGUEZ >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT.
IT WILL HAVE TO COME BACK TO US.
WE WILL LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN LIVE K -- LIVE WITH.
>> WHAT ABOUT THE INMATE PHONE? DO WE WANT TO MAKE A DECISION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON THIS.
LET ME TAKE UP THE VOTE ON THIS ITEM.
>> I THOUGHT YOU WERE MOVING THE ENTIRE AGENDA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ON COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE HAVE A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
WE HAVE A QUESTION FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: I THOUGHT WE WERE WITHDRAWING COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION AND BRINGING IT BACK LATER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ARE TAKING NO ACTION ON LIFT FUND.
WE ARE AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY TO NEGOTIATE AN AGREEMENT WITH HOUSTON GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR A FORGIVABLE BUSINESS INTERRUPTION LOAN PROGRAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO GIVING COMMISSIONER GARCIA THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLORE WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE AND COME BACK AND PROPOSE IT? IS THAT WHAT THAT IS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, THE REASON WHY I THINK IT IS A GOOD MOTION AND I AM PROUD TO SECOND THIS IS BECAUSE IF WE ARE WILLING TO COMMIT UP TO 10 MILLION WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT A CSD OR A GENERAL REVENUE FUND RNTION I THINK IT
[02:05:02]
ENHANCES THE LIKELIHOOD OF GETTING SOME OTHER PARTNERS LOCKED UP LIKE THE CITY OF HOUSTON.WE MAY HAVE TO PUT UP THE WHOLE 10 MILLION OR MAYBE SOME OTHER CITY WILL GO UNINCORPORATED IF WE CAN SEE WHAT PASADENA PUTS UP IN OTHER PLACES.
JACK CAGLE: I AM GETTING CLARIFICATION ON WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON WHICH IS TO LAUNCH COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO GO AND TALK TO FOLKS AND BRING A RECOMMENDATION BACK?
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: START THE NEGOTIATIONS WITH HDEK AND START AN INTERRUPTION LOAN PROGRAM.
JACK CAGLE: AS LONG AS I GET A CHANCE TO VOTE ON IT BEFORE WE APPROVE.
IT I WILL SECOND LAUNCHING COMMISSIONER GARCIA TO EXPLORE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ACCEPT THAT SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
STEVE >> STEVE RADACK: I AM READY TO VOTE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> JUDGE, ON MY SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM I WILL SUM IT UP THIS WAY.
MR. POST, WE HAVE A TRAIL OF E-MAILS INVOLVING THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY SERVICES AND IT CLEARLY SHOWS THE DEPARTMENT TALKED ABOUT IT AND THAT'S WHY WE ARE NOT GETTING 800,000.
DWIGHT ON YOUR -- YES, MR. CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR OFF THE NO ACTION, I THINK IT DOVE TAILS INTO A COMMENT MADE BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS EARLIER WHICH IS WE NEED TO ENCOURAGE ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENTS THAT WILE THEY ARE SPENDING FUNDS IN THIS EMERGENCY PERIOD OF TIME THAT THEY TRY TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY TOUCH BASE WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN PURCHASING TO MAKE SURE THAT WHERE POSSIBLE WE ARE ABLE TO OBTAIN OUR REFUNDING AND THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO HAVE THIS SAME $800,000 MISTAKE OF SPENDING FUNDS WITHOUT CHECKING WITH OTHER PARTNERS TO MAKE SURE WE CAN GET THE REIMBURSMENTS AND SO I WOULD THINK THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' ADD ADMONISH -- ADMONITION DOVE TALES WITH THE ITEM.
ALTHOUGH IT IS TO THE REALLY A MOTION, JUDGE, BUT TO ALL OF OUR DEPARTMENT HEAD THAT'S ARE OUT THERE LISTENING, LET'S NOT REPEAT THIS PROBLEM.
LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE DOUBLE CHECK WITH THOSE WHO ARE IN PLACE THAT CAN MAKE SURE WE GET THE REIMBURSMENTS AVAILABLE.
DWIGHT, ON THE JAILS, MIGHT I PROPOSE THAT WE DO THE THREE EXTRA DAYS FOR NOW, AND THEN IF THE SHERIFF NEEDS MORE THAN THAT, HE CAN COME AND REQUEST IT AT THE NEXT BOARD.
WHATEVER THE COURT'S DESIRE IS IF THAT'S WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE FTHERE IS SOME EMERGENCY, IF THE SHERIFF SAYS IT IS CREATING A PROBLEM IN TERMS OF SECURITY WITH THE INMATES HE CAN ALWAYS GO TO THE JUDGE AND ASK US.
ONE THING IS FOR SURE IS NONE OF US ARE GOING OUT OF TOWN.
SO IF THERE IS SOME CRISIS, AND WE HAVE TO MEET SOONER I WOULD BE UH MEANABLE TO IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON ONE ITEM -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON THAT, JAMES?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK IS MOVING WE FUND THE THREE
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL DO THREE MORE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER ELLIS? ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
SO NOW IF WE -- WE ARE GOING TO THE CHANGES ON THE AGENDA.
[Item I (Part 2 of 2)]
SO COUNTY ENGINEER ITEM 10 PAGE 7 REQUESTS NO ACTION.FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ITEM 14 ON PAGE 6.
THAT IS THE ID NUMBER BE CHANGED TO THE LETTER B TO A LETTER Y.
AND WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.
WE HAVE FOUR SPEAKERS TOTAL, FOLKS.
WE HAVE ONE SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM, LUCI IDA -- LUCINDA.
>> YOUR HONOR, CAN I HAVE A TWO-MINUTE BREAK?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL HAVE A TWO-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN TAKE THE FOUR SPEAKERS.
>> JUDGE -- JUDGE, I APOLOGIZE.
I GOT A TEXT THAT ALTHOUGH IT IS -- IT HAS ALREADY BEEN PASSED, BUT DR. MURILLO WAS ON THE LINE TO TALK ABOUT THE LOAN PROGRAM.
BUT SHE WASN'T CALLED AS ONE OF THE SPEAKERS.
I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT -- I AM NOT SURE IF SHE IS STILL IN THE CUE, BUT I WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER WILLINGNESS TO CALL AND WEIGH IN ON THIS ITEM.
[02:10:01]
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE THE TWO-MINUTE BREAK AND THEN WE CAN TAKE HER AND THE FOUR OTHER SPEAKERS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GARCIA AND RADACK, IF YOU GUYS ARE IN THE ROOM WE CAN COME BACK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 12:18 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
LUCINDA IF YOU CAN PULL UP DR. MULILLO AND ANY -- -- ANY OTHER SPEAKERS.
>> YES, HELLO, GOOD AFTERNOON COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE HIDALGO.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS.
I HAVE SUPPORT OF HOUSTONIANS WHO ARE SUFFERING DAILY AND NEED THE SUPPORT NOT ONLY OF OUR CITY AND OF OUR COUNTY, BUT ALSO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL AND SUPPORT AND UH FRESH EAT -- AND APPRECIATE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS PUTTING FORWARD.
I KNOW EACH OF YOU ARE DOING YOUR PERSONAL BEST TO GET HOUSTON BACK ON YOUR FEET.
I IMPLORE YOU TO DO EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO GET OUR BUSINESSES UP AND OPERATING.
WE GIVE PRAYERS TO EACH OF YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SACRIFICE.
THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE HAS BEEN TRYING TO PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION THAT YOU ARE SENDING OUT ONCE AGAIN TO KEEP HARRIS COUNTY MOVING.
WE NEED YOUR CONTINUED GUIDANCE.
TO ALL OF THE BUSINESS OWNERS WHO ARE OUT THERE, I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT WE WILL GET BACK ON OUR FEET, AND THAT THERE WILL BE RESOURCES FOR YOU, AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FIGHT.
IT WILL BE A RIGHT TO OPERATE AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
AND AGAIN WE THANK YOU ESPECIALLY FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION REGARDING THE $10 MILLION TO HELP BUSINESSES GET BACK ON THEIR FEET IN A TIMELY MANNER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
DOCTOR, THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN ON THIS ITEM.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES WHO SUPPORTED IT.
WE WILL BE WORKING ON GETTING THOSE CONVERSATIONS GOING TO ESTABLISH A PROGRAM.
WE WOULD LIKE TO LAUNCH IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE PUT THROUGH THE NEXT SPEAKER.
>> JILL BULLON CANCELED HER APPEARANCE, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, THANK YOU.
>> THE OTHERS ARE NON-AGENDA RELATED.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO WAIT WE HAVE TO CONTACT THEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S KEEP GOING THROUGH ITEM 14 ON PAGE 66 THE V BE CHANGED TO Y.
PAGE 10 AND ITEM I, COMMUNITY SERVICES.
COMMUNITY SERVICES SUGGEST THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN.
AND THEN ON TRAVEL AND TRAINING THERE IS A NOTE HERE THAT TRAVEL BE APPROVED SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE GOVERNMENT TASK FORCE.
AND WE ALREADY MADE THAT MOTION EARLIER.
ON PAGE 21 AND SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM NUMBER ONE THERE IS A CORRECTION.
[Item II (Part 2 of 2)]
WE NEED TO CHANGE THE WORD PROFESSIONAL TO THE WORD PERSONAL TO READ PERSONAL SERVICES CONTRACT.AND THAT WOULD BE IT FOR THE AGENDA ITEMS. ANYTHING OTHER COMMISSIONERS WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS?
[Item I (Part 3 of 3)]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I HAVE ONE ON PAGE 9 OF THE POLLUTION CONTROL.
I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT THEY COME UP WITH SOMEWAY TO PUT THAT INFORMATION ONLINE.
THIS IS A BREAK DOWN ON VIOLATIONS FROM SOME OF THESE CONCRETE BATCH PLANS -- BATCH PLANTS.
I WANT TO SEE IF THEY CAN COME UP WITH SOMEWAY TO LET THE COMMUNITY KNOW SO THEY KNOW HOW MANY VIOLATIONS THERE ARE AT A PLANT.
YOU KNOW, IN THAT NEIGHBORHOOD.
I AM THINKING IN PARTICULAR WITH THE COVID ISSUE GOING ON, IF PEOPLE HAVE RESPIRATORY ISSUES, IT CAN BE EXACERBATED, OBVIOUSLY WITH POOR AIR QUALITY.
I WILL JUST MAKE A MOTION THAT THEY COME BACK WITH SOME PLAN IN TWO WEEKS ON HOW TO GET WORD OUT IN THOSE COMMUNITIES ON VIOLATIONS OF THESE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS A COMMENT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WANT TO THANK POLLUTION CONTROL FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS ISSUE.
[02:15:02]
HOWEVER, I DO WANT TO ASK WHETHER ANY IN PRE SINK 2 -- PRECINCT 2 WERE INSPECTED.I WAS SURPRISED TO FIND THAT MAYBE ONE -- I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I SHARE ONE OF THOSE THAT WAS INSPECTED.
WRY -- WE HAVE A HOST OF THESE IN PRECINCT 2 AND NOW WE ARE ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO STAY IN AND THERE ARE SOME FAMILIES THAT ARE LIKELY TO BE A LITTLE MORE CHALLENGED BY SOME OF THE EMISSIONS RELEASED BY THE BATCH PLANTS.
I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE POLLUTION CONTROL TO VISIT WITH MY OFFICE AND TO SHARE WITH HOW MANY IN PRECINCT 2 WERE INSPECTED OR WHETHER THEY HAVE ANY PLANS TO INSPECT ANY OF THOSE IN PRECINCT 2.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET THEM ON THE LINE, BUT THEY DID EIGHT.
I THINK I ONLY HAVE ONE IN MY PRECINCT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I JUST CAN'T REMEMBER RIGHT NOW.
THIS CAME FROM A LEGAL WANTED TO GO OUT AND TRY AND MAKE IT A CASE.
THAT'S WHEN THIS ITEM CAME UP.
I SUGGEST A MOTION WHEREVER THEY ARE.
THEY WILL MAKE SURE TO LET THE COMMUNITIES KNOW.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL PUT IT ONLINE.
BUT THAT'S WHY I WILL MAKE A MOTION.
YOU MAY HAVE TOO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
AIDE AIDE MY NOTES -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY NOTES SAY EIGHT WERE INSPECTED, BUT THE LIST I SAW WAS FOUR.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE THE QUESTION.
I WILL SUPPORT YOUR MOTION AND SECOND IT.
>> JUDGE, CAN SOMEONE REPEAT THE MOTION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: POLLUTION CONTROL COME UP WITH A SYSTEM FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND PUT IT ON THE AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT MEETING TO TELL US HOW THEY CAN GO ABOUT GETTING WORD OUT TO THE COMMUNITY GROUPS THAT THERE ARE VIOLATIONS IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS FROM ONE OF THE BATCH FUNDS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION.
DO WE -- COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: TURN YOUR MIC ON, COMMISSIONER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE -- >> R.
JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? ROBERT DO WE NEED A MOTION FOR THAT, OR CAN -- AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST SAID, INSTRUCT THEM TO GO AND DO THAT AND RESPECT THAT BACK? IN OTHER WORDS IS THIS AN APPROPRIATE ITEM IN THE AGENDA THAT WAS POSTED? I THINK ANY OF US AN ANTON CAN ASK THE DEPARTMENT TO COME BACK AND MAKE A RECOMMENDATION.
I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE -- >> AND I GUESS MY ANSWER IS TO YOUR POINT WHETHER ONE COMMISSIONER ASKS AND I AM CONFIDENT IN THE DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP THIS PROGRAM.
AND THEN TO THE EXTENT THEY NEED COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL THEY WILL COME BACK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL LEAD IT -- LEAVE IT AS A MOTION.
WE WILL TIE IT TO COVID ISSUES AND THAT'S MY CONCERN.
JACK CAGLE: ACTUALLY IF IT IS UNDER THE JUDGE'S ITEM I THINK IT MAKES MORE SENSE TO ME.
I THINK IT GOT THE BROAD COVERAGE THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I AS IT COMES UNDER THE JUDGE'S BROAD ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AS WELL.
SO THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
A-2 UNDER THE JUDGE'S SECTION?
IT IS THE ONE -- >> WE WERE WORKING UNDER IT EARLIER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET KNEE JUST CONFIRM.
SO IN THAT CASE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE AGENDA BEFORE I TAKE THE SPEAKERS THAT ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA? YES.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I DO WANT TO CHECK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
THERE ARE THREE POSITIONS FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THAT ARE FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT WILL COME WITH AN ATTORNEY AND AN INVESTIGATOR AND A LEGAL ASSISTANT, AND I AM JUST SIMPLY ASKING THE QUESTION, I KNOW ROCCO WEDNESDAY IS LOOKING -- ROCK OWENS IS LOOKING INTO THE FUTURE AND I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE WORKING HARD TO FIND CONTINUITY OF EXCELLENT SERVICE THAT ROCK HAS PROVIDED IN THIS ARENA.
I JUST HOPE THAT WE ARE WORKING TO GET AS MUCH FROM ROCK AS WE CAN BEFORE HE
[02:20:07]
DECIDES TO [INAUDIBLE].>> WE WILL CERTAINLY DO THAT, COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER.
HE IS NOT RETIRED YET BECAUSE WE WON'T QUITE LET HIM.
ANYTHING ELSE, FOLKS, ON THE AGENDA?
OKAY, SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION -- >> I MOVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR I ON ALL ISSUES EXCEPT FOR PAGE 12 AND ITEM 17.
>> JUDGE RADACK HERE AND I AM ALSO NO ON PAGE 12 AND ITEM 17.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I AM JUST CURIOUS, COMMISSIONER ELLIS -- I'M SORRY, CAGLE.
ON THIS FORM, IF YOU CAN -- I MAY BE CURIOUS AS TO WHY YOU ARE VOTING NO ON THIS ITEM.
YOU DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME, BUT I WOULD BE CURIOUS.
JACK CAGLE: AS I UNDERSTAND THIS, THIS IS THE EXPANSION UNDERNEATH THE BAIL REFORM PROGRAM, AND I HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY AGAINST ASPECTS OF THE BAIL REFORM PROGRAM.
AND SO THAT IS WHY I AM VOTING NO.
JACK CAGLE: THERE ARE ASPECTS THAT I DO SUPPORT SINCE YOU ARE INQUIRING.
I DON'T THINK ANYBODY SHOULD BE IN JAIL BECAUSE BECAUSE THEY ARE POOR.
I DO BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD BE FOLLOWING THE FIFTH CIRCUIT MANDATE AND NOT THE LOWER COURT MANDATE, BUT THAT IS A DISCUSSION FOR ANOTHER DAY WHICH IS WHY I JUST VOTED NO.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST A LITTLE BIT OF INSIGHT.
I HAVE TRACKED THIS AS WELL, AND THIS DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A PART OF BAIL REFORM, ACCORDING TO THE EXPLANATION I GOT, BUT THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WITH THAT THE AGENDA PASSES.
IF WE COULD HAVE LUCINDA GIVE THE SPEAKERS NOT ON THE AGENDA.
[Item V]
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD, SIR.
>> I HAVE BEEN TELLING YOU THAT I AM THE KING OF THE WORLD.
THIS CORONAVIRUS IS REALLY BECAUSE OF ME.
DISRESPECTING ME AND EVERYBODY OWES ME MONEY, AND RIGHT NOW I WANT LIKE $5 MILLION.
I WANT AN ESCALADE AND I WANT A MERCEDES-BENZ AND A BMW BRAND-NEW.
AND I NEED A CARTON -- A CARPENTER TO COME AND WORK AT MY HOUSE AND [INAUDIBLE].
BUT I NEED SOME OF THIS COUNTERFEIT MONEY YOU ARE CIRCULATING TO TAKE FROM PEOPLE I CARE ABOUT AND DO SOME THINGS I LIKE TO DO.
MAYBE WE CAN GET THE ECONOMY BACK MOVING.
POOR JOHNSON OVER THERE IN THE UK AND THE UNITED NATIONS.
I KEEP TELL YOU, I AM VERY IMPORTANT.
Y'ALL ARE VIOLATING MY RIGHTS AND EVERYBODY IS MOVING AROUND.
WHAT MORE DO I NEED TO SAY? Y'ALL ARE ON MY TIME CLOCK NOW.
THE NEW MILL -- MILLENIUM IS HERE NOW.
AND ALL THE GOVERNORS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, THEY GOT ME IN THE SYSTEM AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BARREL.
I AM SUPPOSED TO BE ON TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN.
LIKE I SAID I WOULD LIKE MY 5 MILLION RIGHT NOW.
[02:25:06]
THEY WILL GIVE ME LIKE $700 A MONTH? OH NO.>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?
MY CASE NUMBER IS 162778201010.
IT IS IN THE 183RD OF THE CRIMINAL COURT.
THE THINGS THAT I AM CHARGED WITH IS SEXUAL ASSAULT OF A CHILD AND I HAVE EVIDENCE THAT IS SHOWING -- I HAVE EVIDENCE THAT PROVES THAT ABOUT 140 PAGES OF EVIDENCE THAT PROVES THAT I I DIDN'T DO ANYTHING.
I ALSO HAVE VOICEMAIL RECORDINGS FROM THE DEFENDANT AND HER MOTHER AS WELL.
AFTER EVERYTHING THEY WERE STILL TRYING TO GET ME TO -- TRYING TO GET ME TO CALL AND TRYING TO GET ME TO COME OVER THERE AND EVERYTHING.
I HAVE ALL OF THAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE, AND THE ONLY REASON I PLED GUILTY WAS BECAUSE MY LAWYER -- MY FORMER LAWYER THAT I HAD HE SAID IF YOU GO TO TRIAL -- IF THIS GOES TO TRIAL THAT I WOULD LOSE IT.
AND I SAID, WELL, WHY BECAUSE I HAVE SO MUCH EVIDENCE.
HE SAID, WELL, ARE YOU STILL GONNA LOSE BECAUSE IT IS A CHILD.
I'M LIKE, OKAY, WELL WHAT TYPE OF EVIDENCE DO THEY HAVE? HE SAID THEY DON'T HAVE ANY EVIDENCE AT ALL.
IT IS JUST THAT SOMEONE PUT THEIR -- YOU KNOW PUT THEIR FINGERS [INAUDIBLE].
EVIDENCE OR NO EVIDENCE YOU WILL STILL LOSE AND YOU WILL GET MORE TIME IF YOU TAKE IT TO TRIAL.
THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO DO A SI.
NOW I WILL LOSE ALL OF MY RIGHTS.
AND SO I DID THAT AND I GOT ANOTHER LAWYER THIS MORNING.
AND HE TRIED TO GO WITHDRAW THE GUILTY PLEA.
BUT JUDGE HE SAID THAT I -- HE SAID THAT I -- I WAS GOING TO GO AHEAD AND, YOU KNOW, THAT I KNEW EXACTLY WHAT I WAS DOING WITH THE GUILTY PLEA AND EVERYTHING AND HE ACCEPTED IT.
BUT, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FOR 9 YEARS.
RIGHT NOW I AM WITH A MOVING COMPANY FOR THE LAST NINE MONTHS AND I HAVE NEVER DONE ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE, WHAT I AM BEING ACCUSED OF.
SHE IS JUST UPSET BECAUSE I BROKE UP WITH HER LIKE THREE YEARS AGO.
[02:32:43]
FIRST IT WAS A DOMESTIC DISPUTE, AND NOW IT IS SINCE I STOPPED -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
THANK YOU, SIR FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT ON THE AGENDA WE CANNOT RESPOND TO YOU DIRECTLY.
IF WE CAN REFER HIM TO THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND ANYTHING CONCERNING YOUR OFFICE AS WELL, PLEASE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCI IDA, IS THERE ANYBODY -- LUCI IDA, IS THERE ANYBODY ELSE?
>> YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME? CAN YOU HEAR ME?
RODRIGUEZ KNEE EL -- RODNEY ELLIS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SIR, CAN YOU STATE YOUR NAME AND AFFILIATION FOR THE RECORD SO WE HAVE IT.
I AM STEVE WILLIAMS. I THINK THAT YOUR CAP IS TOO SMALL TO TAKE INFORMATION AND ACT ON THINGS GOING ON AGAINST THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN.
[INAUDIBLE] THERE WAS THE REPUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT PARTY AND HOW TO BEAT THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IN THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AND IN PARTICULAR I AM TRYING TO PARTICIPATE IN SOMETHING THAT I AM PUTTING TOGETHER MYSELF.
I DON'T WANT IT TO GET PAST ME OR ANYONE LISTENING THE FACT OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY JAIL.
HISPANICS ARE ENGAGED IN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY, ORGANIZED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY AGAINST THE AFRICAN-AMERICANS.
IT IS THE MEXICANS AND THEIR ALLIANCE.
IT IS NOT JUST THE ALLIANCE, THE HOE ME SEXUAL AND -- THE HOMO SEXUALS.
IT IS NOT JUST THERE, BUT OTHER PLACES.
I AM HAVING ENCOUNTER, AND ENCOUNTER, AFTER ENCOUNTER THAT THE WHOLE POLICE DEPARTMENT IS COMPOSED OF MEXICANS.
EVERYBODY IN THE COUNTY IS COMING UP TO ME FROM ONE GAY MAN TO THE OTHER SEEMS TO BE A MEXICAN OR HISPANIC THE POINT I WANT TO MAKE IS THIS.
I WANT TO SHOW ONE OF THE PARTIES -- I HAVEN'T DECIDED WHICH ONE HOW TO GET IT DONE AND I AM RAISING MONEY MYSELF THROUGH OTHER PARTIES.
THE OTHER PARTIES ARE IN CONTROL OF THE MONEY, BUT I TELL THEM WHAT TO DO.
WE ARE GOING TO GO TO THE VOTING BLOCK AND GO AFTER A LOT OF THESE PEOPLE IN THE ELECTED OFFICE.
I WANT TO POINT IT OUT THAT DOWN THE ROAD YOU HAVE COME TO REGRET -- A LOT OF YOU WILL REGRET STICKING EVERY WEEK WITH THESE MEETINGS.
THERE IS TOO MANY THINGS GOING ON.
DEADLY, HARMFUL, HURTFUL THINGS.
WE HAVE TO WAIT TWO WEEKS AND THEN YOU HAVE TWO OR THREE MINUTES TO EXPLAIN WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND IN PARTICULAR THE CLINIC.
I KNOW THERE ARE TWO PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT ON THIS INTERNET THING WITH YOU AND JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE HEALTH PERSON FROM THE CDC AND THERE IS NO PERSON FROM HARRIS COUNTY.
I THOUGHT THAT IS INTERESTING BECAUSE NEITHER OF THOSE PEOPLE ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.
WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY -- IN THE CLINIC AND THE COUNTY JAIL WITH ONE OF THE COME FORMS, THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON THERE.
SHE SAID YOU DON'T HAVE A COMPLAINT FORM DOWN HERE? IT IT WAS BECAUSE OF WHAT WAS GOING ON IN THE COUNTY JAIL AND IN THAT CLINIC IN PARTICULAR.
IT IS NOT JUST THERE, BUT IN PARTICULAR.
I THOUGHT IT WAS INTERESTING THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE A FORM DOWN THERE.
THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF GOING ON DOWN THERE.
AT ANY RATE, WE ARE GOING TO BUILD A VOTING BLOCK AND AGAINST STEVE RADACK -- WE ARE NOT BEING SERVED.
WE ARE NOT BEING SERVED -- LEAN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WE NEED TO STOP EVERYBODY AT TIME.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR -- >> OKAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONCERNS.
LUCINDA -- AND SO WE CAN'T RESPOND BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT ON THE AGENDA, BUT YOUR COMMENTS ARE NOTED.
LUCINDA, CAN YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE NEXT SPEAKER.
[02:35:02]
I AM MICHAEL LEE, HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL VIOLATED MY NET COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GUIDELINES AND NEVER COMMUNICATED WITH PROPERTY OWNERS.
THEY WILL BE AFFECTED BY THE BRIDGE PROJECT.
I, MICHAEL LEE LIVED THERE FOR 40 YEARS AND I AM THE WHISTLEBLOWER WHO EXPOSED THE VIOLATION AND REPORTED IT TO THE LEAD RIVERSIDE COMMUNITY.
I BELIEVE JUDGE HIDALGO HAS BEEN RETALIATING AGAINST ME EVER SINCE.
[INAUDIBLE] IN THE MIDDLE OF MY HOMESTEAD AND EVALUATED AT $150,000.
I REPEATEDLY ASKED TO MEET WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE AND NO MEETING HAS BEEN GRANTED.
AUGUST OF 2019, WILLIAM TAYLOR, COMMISSIONER COURT, ASKED ME TO PRESENT AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGN, AND FLOOD CONTROL ORDERED THE ALTERNATIVE BE DONE BY A CIVIL ENGINEER.
SEPTEMBER OF 2019 IN A CONFERENCE CALL WITH ME, THE FLOOD CONTROL CONSULT -- CONSULTANTS AND THEY REFUSED TO ENGAGE THE COUNTY'S CONSULTANTS FOR A FIND.
THEY ORDERED MY ENGINEER TO PRODUCE AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGN COSTING ME $25,000.
IN OCTOBER OF 2019 MY ENGINEERS PREPARED AN ALTERNATIVE AND I SUBMITTED THE ALTERNATIVE PLANS AND NOTED THE DESIGN PHASE IS $40,000.
FLOOD CONTROL MET WITH PROPERTY OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE ALTERNATIVE DESIGN.
THE NAY -- NEIGHBORS APPROVED THE ALTERNATIVE DESIGN AND THEY SAID THE COUNTY APPROVED THE ALTERNATIVE DESIGN AND WILL BE SUBMITTING TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR APPROVAL.
FLOOD CONTROL NEVER SUBMITTED PLANS FOR THE CITY APPROVAL.
DECEMBER 2019 MR. LAND SUBMITTED PLANS TO HOUSTON VIA PARISH LAB, AN ACQUAINTANCE.
JEFFREY RUTHERFORD, CITY OF HOUSTON PUBLIC WORKS FOLLOWING THE INVESTIGATION HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS A SPECIFIC POINT OF CONTACT ON THIS PROJECT.
THIS INDIVIDUAL WAS TALKING TO THE INNER AGENCY GROUP.
HARRIS COUNTY HAS BEEN WORKING THROUGH THE COURSE WITH THE INTERESTER AGENCY GROUP.
MR. LAD IS A PLANNER IN THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLANNING BRANCH AND IS NOT A MEMBER OF THE INTER AGENCY GROUP.
AN ACQUAINTANCE ASKED FOR AN OPINION AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THEY HAVE A VARIANCE RELATED TO THE PROJECT.
THEY BROKE AND PASS ON THEIR GENERAL COMMENTS.
HOWEVER, THIS IS A FULL -- NOT A FULL REVIEW BY HARRIS COUNTY AND MERELY A REQUEST FOR AN OPINION.
THE GROUP HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY REQUEST BY HARRIS COUNTY.
JANUARY 2020 FLOOD CONTROL MEETS WITH ME AT MY HOME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SPEAKING.
>> I HAVE LOTS -- I HAVE 30 SECONDS LEFT IF YOU DON'T MIND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE STOPPED EVERY PEEK -- SPEAKER AT TIME.
WE CAN'T CHANGE THE POLICY FOR ONE PERSON OTHERWISE WE WOULD HAVE TO CHANGE IT FOR EVERYBODY.
SO LET ME JUST SAY THAT WE HAVE NOTED YOUR CONCERN.
WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT, AND I'M SURE THE PRE SINK YOU
ARE -- THE PRECINCT YOU ARE IN -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL CALL HIM, JUDGE.
LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS ?
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE'VE APPROVED THE AGENDA.
WE'VE HEARD FROM ALL OF THE SPEAKERS.
>> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, FOLKS, I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT.
I AM ABOUT TO GO AND FINISH UP THE REVIEWING THE ORDER SO I CAN SEND IT TO TO EVERYONE -- SEND IT TO EVERYONE AND TO OUR MAYORS.
AND THIS MEETING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS ADJOURNED.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.