[Call to Order]
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THERE IS A NUMBER OF ISSUES.AND THE LAST ONE I WANTED TO RAISE IS THAT PEOPLE SAW FINANCIAL REPORTS MADE
[Item I (Part 1 of 2)]
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AVAILABLE AND IT LISTS THE VITAL DEPARTMENT OPERATIONAL REPORTS AND IT WAS PROVIDED TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND REQUESTED THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR AND THEY DID NOT MAKE ANY OF THE REPORTS AVAILABLE TO THE USER DEPARTMENTS UNTIL AFTER A MONTH OF USING THE SYSTEM.WE CONTINUE TO MAKE REQUESTS FOR OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT REPORTS TO HELP OUR PRE SINK -- PRECINCT STAFF EXPEDITE THE FUNCTIONS.
I JUST WANT TO RAISE THESE ISSUES AND GIVE BILL AN OPPORTUNITY OR BRUCE TO RESPOND TO THESE.
>> THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT DOESN'T HAVE -- I AM ON THE STEER COMMITTEE, BUT AS FAR AS REPORTING THAT WOULD BE THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND AS FAR AS FUNCTIONAL PROBLEM WITH THE SOFTWARE ITSELF, I BELIEVE THAT WOULD BE AN AREA THAT BRUCE CAN TALK ABOUT.
THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS BROUGHT UP IN REFERENCE TO THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PEOPLE SOFT.
FIRST OF ALL THIS IS THE FIRST MEETING THAT ANYTHING WAS INTENTIONALLY DONE
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TOWARD CATEGORIZING ANYONE.AND I DON'T THINK ANYWHERE IN MY DEPARTMENT WE WOULD BE A PART OF THAT.
AS FAR AS THE REPORTING, IT WAS AGREED ON FROM THE INITIAL PROJECT WE WOULD DO OUT OF THE BOX.
AND WE HAVE A LITTLE OVER 3,000 REPORTS THAT ARE OUT THERE CUSTOMIZED SPECIFIC TO EVERY PERSON'S NEEDS THAT USE THE SYSTEM.
IT WAS AGREED UPON BY THE STEERING COMMITTEE THAT WE WOULD MINIMIZE THOSE REPORTS AND ILLUSTRATE HOW THE REPORTS THAT ARE OUT OF THE CAN WILL GIVE YOU THE INFORMATION.
IT MIGHT NOT BE AS EASY, BUT THE EFFORT WAS TO GET THE SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING AND THE SYSTEM IS UP AND RUNNING.
THERE WAS SOME -- SOME CONCERNS ON HR'S SIDE AS FAR AS PEOPLE GETTING OVERPAID AND THAT WAS THE ORIGINAL LAUNCH OF THE FIRST PLAY ROLL.
THAT'S BEEN ADDRESSED AND I THINK THE AUDITOR CAN SPEAK TO THAT.
WE FOR SEEING NO OTHER ISSUES -- AND A REMINDER THAT A WEEK BEFORE WE LAUNCHED WE HAD THE FLOOD AND WE HAD TO EVACUATE THE BUILDING AND WORK FROM HOME.
THATMENT THE CONTRACTORS HAD TO BE SENT HOME AND WORK FROM HOME.
WHEN I SAY HOME I MEAN BACK TO THEIR NATIVE STATE AND WORK FROM HOME.
IT WAS A SLIGHT IMPACT, BUT IT DIDN'T IMPACT THE LAUNCH.
AND THEN OUR HR TEAM ON THE PEOPLE'S HEALTH SIDE IS HOPING SHANE AND HR AND THERE ARE MANDATES FROM THE STATE AND THE FEDS AND THE POLICIES THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS REQUESTED.
>> REAL QUICKLY, BRUCE, ON THE -- WELL, ON THE OVERPAYMENT TO STAFF, ARE THEY GONNA START TO SEE DEDUCTIONS FROM THEIR PAYCHECKS AND HOW WILL THE DEDUCTIONS BE HAMMED? ARE -- HANDLED? WELL THEY BE HAMMED ONCE -- HANDLED ONCE? WILL WE SEE VOIDED CHECKS?
>> THAT'S SOMETHING THE AUDITOR IS MANAGING.
YOU RAISED A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT.
PAYROLL BECAUSE THAT'S THE ONE YOU MENTIONED LAST.
WE LEARNED -- I SAY WE AND MY PAYROLL DEPARTMENT AND MYSELF LEARNED THAT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WERE OVERPAID THIS LAST PAYROLL.
I TALKED WITH KEVIN RUSSELL AND THEY UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WAS CAUSED BECAUSE OF SOME PROGRAMMING, I BELIEVE, BECAUSE WE OVERPAID PEOPLE ON THE FIRST PAYROLL AND SOMETHING THEY DID AFFECTED THIS LAST PAYROLL.
IT WAS A SURPRISE AND I KNOW THEY ARE TRYING TO RESOLVE THAT.
WHAT KEVIN TOLD ME WAS THAT U.S.
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DEVELOPED A QUERY THAT GOING FORWARD THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO TEST AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY OF THESE THINGS HAPPENING BEFORE WE GO THE -- WE LET THE PAYROLL GO OUT.IF THEY ARE ABLED TO DEVELOP A TOOL TO PREVENT THIS, I THINK THAT'S GREAT.
AS FAR AS THE PEOPLE WHO ARE OVERPAID, WHAT WE WILL DO IS NOTIFY ALL OF THESE PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE THAT MY PAYROLL DEPARTMENT HAS DONE THAT, AND WE WILL PULL THAT MONEY THEY WERE OVER -- OVERPAID BACK ON THE NEXT CHECK.
>> SO WILL THEY POTENTIALLY SEE A VOIDED CHECK?
>> NO, I THINK THEY WILL GIVE THEIR CHECK -- IF YOU WERE EXPECTING OR SHOULD HAVE BEEN PAID $800 AND THROUGH THIS OVERPAYMENT YOU GOT $900, THEN THE VERY NEXT PAYROLL YOU WILL HAVE A DEDUCTION OF $100 TO RECOUP THE MONEY YOU WERE OVERPAID ON THIS CHECK.
>> BUT IF YOU WERE OVERPAID $2,000, DOES YOUR SYSTEM INCREMENTALLY RECOVER THE MONEY? CAN YOU DO THAT? OR WOULD YOU TAKE AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU NEED BACK VOIDING OUT THEIR CHECKS UNTIL THE $2,000 IS RECOVERED? HOW DOES THAT WORK?
>> I DO NOT BELIEVE ANYBODY WAS OVERPAID TO THE EXTENT THAT WE WOULD HAVE TO VOID OUT A CHECK, BUT YOU BRING UP A GOOD QUESTION.
OBVIOUSLY MY EXAMPLE, AN EXTRA HUNDRED DOLLARS, THAT YOU COULD PROBABLY DASH -- YOU ARE NOTIFIED YOU GOT AN EXTRA HUNDRED DOLLARS AND YOU CAN LIVE WITH THAT COMING OUT OF YOUR NEXT CHECK.
IF WE HAVE ANYBODY WHO WAS PAID TO THE EXTENT THAT IT WOULD VOID THEIR NEXT CHECK, THEN I THINK WE WOULD TRY TO WORK OUT A MORE INCREMENTAL APPROACH.
I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYBODY IN THAT CATEGORY.
>> KEEP THAT IN THE FOREFRONT OF YOUR MIND.
RIGHT NOW IS NOT WHEN WE NEED TO SEE EMPLOYEES GOING HOME WITH A VOIDED PAYCHECK.
AND ALSO I WANTED TO -- I'M NOT SURE WHO THIS IS FOR, BUT THE FACT THAT -- LET'S SEE.
ON THE NON-COMMERCIAL FUNDED PAPER PROJECTS THAT WERE BLOCKED WITH PURCHASE APPROVALS AND PAYMENTS, THE USER DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT NOTIFIED THAT ONLY PROJECTS FUNDED BY COMMERCIAL PAPER WOULD BE AUTOMATICALLY LOADED TO PEOPLE SOFT.
THIS REQUIRED USER DEPARTMENTS TO CONDUCT NUMEROUS BUDGET TRANSFER TRANSACTIONS TO CORRECT THE DELAY.
DUE TO OUR TEAM NOT BEING INFORMED, WE WOULD THEN BE RESPONSIBLE TO LOAD THE PROJECT BUDGETS INTO PEOPLE SOFT.
MANY OF THE PROJECT-RELATED PURCHASE ORDERS WERE DELAYED WHICH IN TURN DELAYS THE PROJECT PROGRESS.
>> THIS MAY BE A BETTER QUESTION FOR DWIGHT.
THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT IS THE DEPARTMENT ISSUES THE PURCHASE ORDERS AND I'M NOT QUITE SURE I KNEW WHAT YOU JUST SAID HAS BEEN THE CASE.
>> COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS DWIGHT.
FROM MY STANDPOINT I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY DELAYS WE ARE AWARE OF.
ONCE IT GETS TO US WE DON'T GET A BUDGET BLOCK IF IT GETS TO US.
IF IT DOES, IT IS USUALLY IN THE REQUEST PHASE.
AGAIN, I WOULDN'T WANT TO THE ONE TO GUESS ON THAT QUESTION.
>> AS FAR AS BUDGET BLOCKS I AM NOT AWARE OF THAT, BUT WE WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO IT THIS AFTERNOON.
>> CAN YOU SEND ME AN E-MAIL ON THAT?
>> AND THEN THE ISSUE OF THE -- OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES AN EMPLOYED POSITION THAT NOW REQUIRES, I UNDERSTAND BOTH THE AUDITOR AS OFFICE AND HUMAN RESOURCES TO COORDINATE WITH THE USER DEPARTMENTS, MY STAFF IN PARTICULAR, TO PROVIDE CORRECTIVE ACTIONS.
AGAIN, THE CORRECTION HAS STILL NOT BEEN PROCESSED A MONTH AFTER THE GO LIVE DATE.
>> WE'LL CHECK ON IT IN OUR HR GROUP AND WORK WITH THE AUDITOR AND UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO SEE WHERE THE HANG UP IS.
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>> FOR A PROJECT THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO ROLL OUT SEEM -- SEEMLESSLY THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS GOING ON.
>> I WANT TO MENTION THAT THERE WAS NEVER EXPECTATION THAT THIS WOULD BE SEEMLESSLY.
WE ASKED COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ALLOW THREE OR FOUR MONTHS TO GET IT WORKED OUT AND WE ARE 37 DAYS INTO IT RIGHT NOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THAT UPDATE.
>> WE HAD FOUR EMPLOYEES IN PRECINCT 4 THAT WERE OVERPAID.
WE WERE NOTIFIED BY THE RELATIVE DEPARTMENTS, AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO COMMUNICATE WITH OUR FOLKS, AND SO I THINK THAT AS LONG AS EVERYBODY JUST LETS THEIR EMPLOYEES KNOW THIS SHOULD ALL WORK ITSELF OUT AS WE ARE TRANSITIONING TO THE NEW SOFTWARE.
BUT I DO WANT TO THANK BRUCE'S DEPARTMENT AND THE BUDGET OFFICE TO LET US KNOW AND SO WE CAN LET OUR FOLKS KNOW IT ALL CAME OUT AND IT IS WORKING FINE IN PRECINCT 4.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> STEVE RADACK: I BELIEVE THE COMPLEXITY OF THIS SYSTEM, THIS HAS GONE EXTREMELY WELL EXPWH -- AND MR. POST, AS FAR AS VENDORS BEING PAID, WHAT IS OUR SITUATION THERE?
THE CONVERSION FROM LIFE AS THE PEOPLE SAW DEFINITELY LEAD US TO GET BEHIND IN OUR PAYMENT TO THE VENDORS AND WE ARE WORKING OUR WAY OUT OF THAT WITH THE HELP OF U.S.
I MEAN, I WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET A REPORT THAT I COULD SEND OUT TO ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS SO THEY KNEW WHAT PAYMENT VOUCHERS I CREATED AND WHAT INVOICES WERE BEING HELD UP, AND WE'RE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS.
WE ARE IN THE HOLE, SO TO SPEAK, AND I KNOW THAT THE LATEST REPORT HERE IS THAT WE HAVE ABOUT 5 MILLION THAT IS 60 TO 90 DAYS PAST DUE.
WE HAVE AROUND 11 MILLION AND THAT'S 30 TO 60-DAYS PAST DUE, AND WE HAVE ABOUT 2.2 MILLION THAT IS 90 OR MORE DAYS PAST DUE.
AND SO EVERY -- EVERYBODY IS FOCUSED ON GETTING THESE VENDORS PAID.
IT WAS A SLOW PROCESS BECAUSE IT WAS A VERY MANUAL PROCESS.
THE INVOICES OR THE PURCHASE ORDERS THAT WERE IN HAD TO BE CREATED BY PEOPLE SOFT AND THAT TOOK BOTH THE DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE TO ENTER THE REQUISITIONS AND REPLACE THE PO'S THAT WERE IN IFUS AND THEN IT WENT ON TO THE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT TO CREATE THE PO'S AND IN SOME CASES IT WAS HARD TO TAKE THE IFUS AND MAKE THE CROSS-REFERENCE TO THE PO AND PEOPLE SOFT.
WHEN THEY CREATED THE REQUISITION THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO THAT FOR US.
THAT WORD OR UNDERSTANDING WASN'T THERE IN MANY CASES.
THERE IS ALSO A RECEIVING FUNCTION IN PEOPLE SOFT THAT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE APPROVAL FUNCTION.
WE ARE FINDING THAT THE DEPARTMENTS ARE STILL IN SOME CASES CONFUSED HOW THAT WORKS, AND WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM.
I HAVE STAFF AND I AM WORKING WITH SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS.
WE ARE HELPING THEM EVERY WAY WE CAN.
THERE IS STILL A LOT TO DO, AND WE NEED TO WORK ON THIS AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE THESE VENDORS -- IT IS NOT FAIR FOR THE VENDOR.
THE VENDOR IS SUFFERING BECAUSE OF THE WAY THAT IT HAS TAKEN SO LONG AND A VERY MANUAL PROCESS.
I DO WANT TO SAY I'LL GIVE YOU SOME NUMBERS BECAUSE THINGS ARE IMPROVING.
THE VERY FIRST COURT AFTER WE WENT LIVE, WE WERE ABLE TO PAY AROUND 20 MILLION.
AND THEN WE HAD THAT SPECIAL COURT WHERE WE ALSO MADE SOME CLAIMS AND THAT WAS
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AROUND 40 MILLION.AND THEN TWO WEEKS AGO WE HAD A COURT AND WE WERE ABLE TO PAY AROUND 70 MILLION.
I JUST GOT THE NUMBER FOR THE COURT TODAY AND IT IS 116 MILLION.
WHEN WE WERE IN IFUS, THE AVERAGE AMOUNT WE PAID PER COURT WAS 130 MILLION.
SO THE FACT THAT WE HAD VENDORS WE COULD PAY INITIALLY AND WORKING OUR WAY THROUGH THAT, THAT MEANS A LOT OF VENDORS DIDN'T GET PAID.
I WORRY ABOUT THIS ALL THE TIME.
PERSONAL SERVICES ARE HELPING.
I HAVE 12 PEOPLE IN MY INTERNAL AUDIT DEPARTMENT NOW ASSIGNED TO THE DEPARTMENTS TO HELP WORK THROUGH THIS.
ONCE WE ARE THROUGH IT THEN WE ARE JUST DEALING IN PEOPLE SOFT AND WE DON'T HAVE THIS CONVERSION ISSUE ANYMORE.
ONCE WE'RE THROUGH IT, I THINK WE WILL SEE THINGS RETURN TO MORE OF A NORMAL SITUATION.
>> MR. POST, REVIEW WHY WE CHANGED SYSTEMS.
WE HAD TO CHANGE SYSTEMS. THE SYSTEM WE PUT IN BACK IN 1999, IFUS, WAS THE PRODUCT OF A COMPANY CALLED BITECH.
BITECH WAS LATER BOUGHT OUT BY SUN GUARD.
SUN GUARD NOTIFIED US I THINK AROUND 2011 THAT THEY WERE NOT GOING TO CONTINUE THIS PRODUCT LINE.
IFUS BECAME A PRODUCT WITH NO FUTURE, NO UPDATES, NO SUPPORT.
SO WE STARTED DOWN THIS PATH TO REPLACE IFUS.
I WAS LOOKING BACK BECAUSE I DO KEEP SORT OF A JOURNAL AND I CAN SEE WE HAD OUR INITIAL MEETINGS IN THE FALL OF 2012 TO DISCUSS THE NEED TO REPLACE IFUS.
IT WAS A LONG ROAD, BUT IT WAS NECESSARY.
IFUS WAS NOT AN OPTION ANYMORE FOR US.
THAT'S WHAT STARTED US DOWN THE ROAD TO REPLACE IFUS.
PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD CHOICE.
I THINK THAT IT WILL PROVE TO BE A GOOD CHOICE.
I DO THINK, AND AGAIN I WILL SPEAK MY MIND ON THIS, I FEEL LIKE WE FELL DOWN SOMEWHAT WITH THESE REPORTS.
I HEARD BRUCE, BUT I ALSO KNOW THAT MIKE ASKED US TWO YEARS AGO, AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS ONLY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TELL ME THE REPORTS THAT YOU USE AND TELL ME IN PRIORITY AND THEY WERE GOING TO TRY TO DEVELOP A NUMBER OF THESE REPORTS BEFORE WE WENT LIVE AND THERE WAS A LOT OF SCRAMBLING AND WE DON'T HAVE THE REPORTS TO PAY THE VENDORS AND WE DON'T HAVE THE REPORTS THE DEPARTMENTS WANT TO HELP THEM DO WHAT THEY NEED TO DO.
IF WE ALL DEDICATE OURSELVES, AND I KNOW U.S.
HAS PUT MORE RESOURCES ON THIS, BUT WE HAVE TO GET SOME OF THESE VITAL REPORTS.
THIS WILL MAKE PEOPLE SOFT WORK.
>> I WOULD BE GLAD TO HAVE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS FREQUENTLY AS WE NEED TO HAVE THEM TO GET THESE PEOPLE PAID.
>> AND LET ME SAY ONE MORE THING.
IF WE CAN HAVE A SPECIAL COURT, NOW THAT I HAVE THE PLATFORM, BETWEEN NOW -- BECAUSE THERE IS A THREE-WEEK GAP WITH THE NEXT COURT, BUT IF WE CAN HAVE A COURT JUST PAY VENDORS BECAUSE NOW THE DEPARTMENTS ARE BEGINNING TO REALLY GET INTO THIS AND GET SOME OF THE REPORTS THAT THEY NEED AND THEY ARE GETTING TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO HELP US PAY THESE VENDORS, I WOULD LIKE TO PAY MORE VENDORS SOONER THAN WAIT FOR THREE WEEKS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL WORK ON THAT SPECIAL COURT.
ONE QUICK QUESTION BUILDING ON THAT, IS THERE ANY OTHER OBSTACLE WE CAN HELP ELIMINATE? I KNOW WE HAD THIS DISCUSSION INITIALLY AND THE INTEREST OF THE SPECIAL COURT A FEW WEEKS AGO.
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I KNOW WE DISCUSSED SOME NEXT STEPS.IT SOUNDS LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN TAKEN, AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THE DEPARTMENT IS COOPERATING.
WHAT ELSE BESIDES THE SPECIAL COURT FOR YOU, DWIGHT, ANYBODY ELSE, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO?
>> I THINK -- I HAVE A LIST HERE FROM MY DEPARTMENT.
I CAN SEE WHICH DEPARTMENTS ARE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING VENDORS AND HAVE MORE OF THESE PAST DUE.
I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT THESE DEPARTMENTS -- SOME DEPARTMENTS, I HEAR FROM THEM A LOT OF TIME AND THEY ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
THERE ARE SOME DEPARTMENTS THAT I DON'T HEAR FROM AND THEY MAY BE OVERWHELMED WITH THE COVID-19 EFFORT, BUT JUST TO URGE THEM TO SEEK HELP AND COMMIT TO GETTING THESE VENDORS PAID BECAUSE IT IS A PARTNERSHIP.
IT IS THE DEPARTMENT WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND IT IS PURCHASING MORE OR LESS OUT OF IT BECAUSE PURCHASING HAS -- NEEDS A PO TO CREATE.
IT IS NOW BETWEEN THE DEPARTMENT AND THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE, BUT I STILL FEEL SOME DEPARTMENTS ARE SO OVERWHELMED WITH THE COVID-19 THAT THEY ARE NOT REALLY DEDICATING THE RESOURCES TO GETTING THE VENDORS PAID.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I DO WANT TO NOTE, MIKE, YOUR OFFICE SHARED THE LIST OF ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS WITH US, AND SO CERTAINLY I WILL WORK TO REMIND THEM IF THAT IS HELPFUL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
ONE OF THE THINGS IS, IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT, WE WILL CHECK THE VIDEO, BUT IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN BRUCE HYDE SAID WE WERE ONLY A COUPLE WEEKS BEHIND ON THESE ITEMS ON THE PURCHASE ORDER FOR THESE PO'S AND GETTING IT TAKEN CARE OF.
BUT THE OTHER QUESTION I HAVE, MIKE OR DWIGHT, HAS THE VENDOR THAT WE ARE RELYING ON FOR PEOPLE SOFT, HAVE THEY BEEN PAID ON TIME?
JUST TO LET YOU KNOW WHAT WE ARE REFERENCING THAT WE HAVE BEEN INVOICED, AND I'LL GIVE YOU A PERFECT EXAMPLE.
WE HAVE BEEN INJOINS -- INVOICED $1.2 MILLION FROM OUR VENDORS THAT HAVE NOT DELIVERED THE PRODUCT YET.
REMEMBER THAT IN THIS NEW SYSTEM THAT IS NEW TO HARRIS COUNTY, YOU MUST RECEIVE THE PRODUCT BEFORE THEY GET PAID.
SO THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID ON THOSE INVOICES THAT ARE SHOWING 90 DAYS LATE.
WE WERE INVOICED A LONGTIME AGO, BUT THEY HAVEN'T DELIVERED THE GOODS YET.
THEY ARE GETTING PAID WHEN THEY DELIVER THEIR GOODS.
AND HOPEFULLY ALL OF THE DEPARTMENTS ARE DOING THAT.
AND ONE OTHER REMINDER -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY QUESTION, BRUCE, ARE THERE -- IS THESE OTHER INVOICES, THEY DONE THEIR SERVICES AND PROVIDED THE PRODUCT AND THE PURCHASE ORDERS DELAYED.
IS THE VENDOR RELATED TO PEOPLE SOFT, THEIR PURCHASE ORDERS, BEEN DELAYED?
THERE IS NO REASON FOR THEM TO BE DELAYED.
MY DEPARTMENT IS UP TO SPEED ON ALL OF THE INVOICED -- INVOICES THAT NEED TO BE PAID, THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED.
LEAN YES COMMISSIONER EL -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I FIGURED THAT OUT.
I DON'T THINK IT IS OKAY TO WAIT THREE WEEKS TO HAVE ANOTHER COURT.
SOME OF THE THINGS I HAVE ON THE AGENDA, I HATE TO WAIT THREE WEEKS TO COME BACK AND TAKE ACTION ON THEM AND THINGS THAT MAY HAPPEN IN THIS COVID ENVIRONMENT.
THE SOONER A DECISION IS MADE, WE WILL CERTAINLY ALL BE IN TOWN.
I NOTICE THE MEETINGS ARE MORE EFFICIENT WHEN WE DO IT BY TELE CONFERENCE ANYWAY.
DO I HAVE TO HIT IT AGAIN TO TURN IT OFF? THAT LITTLE HAND? YOU NOTICE WHEN I HIT IT AND I HIT IT AGAIN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU ARE HITTING.
STEVE MR. SWORD >> STEVE RADACK: MR. SWORD, UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NOTICE NUMBER 6 REQUEST PAYMENTS TO COVID BE APPROVED AND COULD THAT BE MODIFIED TO TAKE CARE OF THE VENDORS BEING PAID IN THE SAME WAY?
FIRST OF ALL, IS MY MICROPHONE WORKING?
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I HAD SOME TECHNICAL PROBLEMS.IT YOU EVER KS THE SAME SUBJECT AND TOPIC MATTER.
>> I WOULD DEFER TO MR. POST AND SEE WHAT ACTION HE NEEDS TO GET THEM PAID.
MY GUESS IS THEY ARE WORKING HARD TO GET THEM PAID ANYWAY.
>> NO, BUT COULD WE -- WHEN WE GET TO THAT COULD WE GO AHEAD AND EXPAND THIS ITEM TO BE ABLE TO ALLOW THE AUDITOR TO BE ABLE TO PAY THE VENDORS WITHOUT HAVING A COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING?
>> IN MY MIND WE CAN BECAUSE OF THE COVID EMERGENCY.
WE CAN COVER BOTH OF THOSE DURING THE COVID CRISIS.
>> WOULD YOU WORK ON A CORRECT WAY TO STATE THAT?
>> I WILL DO THAT AND CHECK WITH THE AUDITOR.
>> STEVE RADACK: I I WILL MAKE A MOTION LIKE THAT WHEN WE GET TO IT.
SO MOVING BACK TO WHERE WE WERE.
I AM TRYING TO SEE IF WE HAVE A MOTION FOR THAT ITEM.
>> YES, JUDGE, FOR ITEM 4C WE HAVE COMMISSIONER ELLIS MADE THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A SECOND?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
IT IS A REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION AND UPDATE FROM BUDGET MANAGEMENT IN TERMS OF COUNTY FINANCES.
BILL, I KNOW WE ARE ALL CONCERNED WITH -- AND WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL WITH THE FINANCES, BUT AN UPDATE WOULD BE GREAT.
>> LET ME JUST START BY SAYING LET'S GO THROUGH THAT PART OF OUR FINANCES.
WHEN THINGS STARTED IT WAS FROZEN UP, BUT WE ARE SEEING THIS RELAXING.
AND RIGHT NOW THE COMMERCIAL PAPERWORK AND THE LONG-TERM DEBT IS IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE ARE MOVING FORWARD TO ISSUE MORE LONG-TERM DEBT AND TAKING DOWN CP LATER THIS YEAR.
WE HAVE BEEN IN CONSTANT CONTACT WITH FINANCIAL ADVISERS AND I SPEND A LOT OF TIME LOOKING AT THE MARKETS AND WHERE WE ARE.
THE RATES ON THAT HAVE COME BACK DOWN.
THEY TEMPORARILY WENT UP AND SPIKED, BUT THEY HAVE COME BACK DOWN ON THAT.
AS FAR AS THE OPERATING EXPENSES GO, THE PICK HAD $300 MILLION IN IT.
THAT THAT WAS WHEN WE APPROVED THE BUDGET IN FEBRUARY.
WE USE THAT FOR A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT REASONS, BUT THIS IS AN EVENT THAT YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVING INVOICES.
MAIN -- MANY OF THESE EXPENSES ARE REIMBURSABLE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
LET ME SUMMARIZE WHERE WE ARE AT.
YEAR TO DATE YOU HAVE APPROVED OR WE HAVE INCOME BETTERED AROUND $19 MILLION.
A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH FACE MASKS AND OTHER MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND I.T.
ITEMS. AS FAR AS ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY, THE LARGEST ONE IS THE NRG EFFORT WHICH IS $60 MILLION.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAVE THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM WHICH IS $11 MILLION AND A COUPLE OF OTHER ITEMS. SO THAT BRINGS THAT UP TO $79 MILLION THAT'S ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
THOSE TWO IS $98 MILLION AND THE GENERAL FUND WE SPENT APPROXIMATELY $11 MILLION ON PERSONNEL AND OTHER KINDS OF COSTS AND MASKS AND MEDICAL SUPPLIES BRINGING OUR TOTAL AMOUNT SPENT TODAY AT 109 MILLION.
AGAIN, THE MASS MAJORITY OF THAT WE WILL BE WORKING IN GETTING REIMBURSED FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ON THAT.
THAT'S BASICALLY WHERE WE STAND.
ALL OF THE OTHER DEPARTMENTS WE MONITOR AND APPEAR TO BE IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE.
WE HAVE, BECAUSE OF THE UNCERTAINTIES, WE HAVE LOOKED AT OUR INVESTMENTS.
WE MADE SURE IN THE PAST YOU MAKE SOME INVESTMENTS SHORT AND YOU MAKE OTHER ONES LONG.
WE ARE ONLY MAKING FAIRLY SHORT-TERM INVESTMENT NOW ON SOME OF THE FUNDS BECAUSE WE MAY NEED THEM MORE RAPIDLY AS THIS THING PROGRESSES.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE VERY, VERY STEADY.
OUR FINANCES ARE IN GOOD SHAPE AND WE ARE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THE BIG TICKET ITEMS IN THE PICK FUND, AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE SUFFICIENT RESOURCE THAT'S IF WE HAVE A WEATHER EVENT THIS SUMMER WE WILL BE ABLE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT TOO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR COMFORT LEVEL IN TERMS OF THE AMOUNT OF MONEY YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE HAVING IN THE PICK?
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>> WHAT I RECOMMENDED TO YOU AND WE DISCUSSED OPENLY WAS TO HAVE TWO EVENTS.
TWO EVENTS WOULD HAVE BEEN $125 MILLION PER EVENT AND 250 MILLION.
WE ACTUALLY HAD MORE THAN THAT THIS YEAR BECAUSE OF BAIL REFORM.
WE ALSO KNEW THAT BAIL REFORM WAS GOING TO BE PAID OVER SEVEN YEARS.
THAT'S HOW WE GOT OVER 300 MILLION.
AGAIN, I FEEL VERY COMFORTABLE BECAUSE MORE OF THE MONEY IS A TIMING ISSUE THAT WE HAVE BEEN -- THE UNDERSTANDING IS LIKE THE NRG, THE $60 MILLION TICKET ITEM, A LOT OF THAT WILL GET REIMBURSED.
I THINK WE ARE IN GOOD SHAPE THERE, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE NRG ITEM, THIS IS FOR MAYBE MR. BLUNT OR MAYBE YOU WILL KNOW, JUDGE YOU MAY KNOW, THE FEDS WILL REIMBURSE US FOR 75% ASSUMING EVERYTHING WILL BE IN PLACE? WE HOPE THEY REIMBURSE 75%? IT IS 60 MILLION NOW, BUT WE NEED OPERATING MONEY, RIGHT? WE DON'T KNOW IF IT IS ONE MONTH, TWO MONTHS, THREE MONTHS?
THE REIMBURSEMENT RATE IS 75% CURRENTLY AND THE 60 MILLION ANTICIPATES TWO FULL MONTHS OF OPERATION AT FULL CAPACITY FOR A 250-BED HOSPITAL.
THAT'S ESSENTIALLY THE WORST CASE SCENARIO AT 250 BEDS FOR TWO MONTHS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE OTHER QUESTION FOR BILL, WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE MARKET WHETHER WE ARE DOING MORE SHORT-TERM DEBT OR LONG-TERM DEBT, I MEAN, OBVIOUSLY IT IS HARD TO PREDICT, BUT THE LAST TIME WE MET THERE WERE CHALLENGES IN TERMS OF HAVING MONEY.
ANY THOUGHTS GOING FORWARD KNOWING WE HAVE GOT OUR RECOVERY PACKAGE WE HAVE TO WORK ON AS WELL? ANY THOUGHTS WHAT MAY HAPPEN IN THE MARKET?
>> IN THE HARVEY RECOVERY, I WAS CONCERNED WE WOULD NEED MORE OF THE PICK.
WE WERE IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING A COMMERCIAL PAPER LINE TO TAKE CARE OF THAT.
AGAIN, THAT'S A TIMING ISSUE, WORKING CAPITAL.
AND THAT'S IN THE PROCESS OF GETTING PUT TOGETHER, AND I THINK WE WILL BE FINE ON THAT WHICH IS WHAT THE FA AND THE STAFF IS TELLING ME.
AS FAR AS THE LONG-TERM, COMMISSIONER, WHAT I'M SEEING IS WE WEREN'T GOING TO GO TO THE MARKET UNTIL JULY OR AUGUST, AND WHAT I AM BEING TOLD IS WE THINK THINGS WILL BE STABILIZED BY THEN AND BE ABLE TO REFUND SOME OF THE SHORT-TERM FINANCING R -- CP TO MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR FLOOD CONTROL AND THE OTHER PROJECTS WE HAVE AND THEN LONG-TERM THAT OUT.
THAT'S WHAT I'M SEEING RIGHT NOW.
AGAIN, IT CAN ALL CHANGE, BUT LIKE THE MARKET YESTERDAY, THE STOCK MARKET WAS UP 1600 AND IT IS UP ANOTHER 800 OR 900 TODAY.
THOSE THINGS ARE STARTING TO LEVEL OFF TO WHERE I THINK WE CAN GET BACK TO NOT NECESSARILY BUSINESS AS USUAL, BUT GO BACK TO OUR PLAN.
AND THE RATES ARE NOT ASTRONOMICAL OR ANYTHING AT THIS POINT.
I FEEL GOOD ABOUT IT AT THIS POINT, AND WE ARE GOING TO SHEPHERD THAT THROUGH.
I WILL TELL YOU THAT THE RATING AGENCIES WILL PROBABLY TAKE A LOOK AT ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND STATE GOVERNMENT AND PROBABLY PUT IT ON WATCH SIMPLY BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY VARIABLES WE DON'T KNOW OF AT THIS TIME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASSUME PROPERTY VALUES ARE GOING TO GO DOWN A BIT.
LET ME TALK ABOUT THAT A LITTLE BIT.
WE TALKED ABOUT THOSE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE.
AS SOON AS THIS TOOK PLACE, WE STARTED LOOKING AT OUR REVENUE.
NOW, REMEMBER 80% OF OUR REVENUE COMES FROM PROPERTY TAXES AND 20% COME FROM OTHER REVENUE.
I PUT A REQUEST INTO THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE TO GO BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR REVENUE ESTIMATE.
THEY PROVIDE NOT ONLY THE REVENUE ESTIMATE, BUT THE AUDITOR KEEPS ALL OF THE BOOKS OF THE COUNTY AND PAYS OFF BILLS.
EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE CALLED AN AUDITOR, THEY ARE REALLY LIKE THE CITY CONTROLLER.
SO WE ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THE REVENUES AND BASED ON WHAT THEY THOUGHT AT THIS TIME, THE REVENUES COULD GO DOWN AS MUCH AS 20 MILLION TO 40 MILLION.
IF YOU WILL REMEMBER ON FEBRUARY 11TH IN THE BUDGET PROCESS THE REVENUE ESTIMATE THAT THEY COME UP WITH IS ABOUT 40 MILLION MORE THAN WE THOUGHT AT THE TIME, BUT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THAT.
WE THINK THE REVENUE ESTIMATE THAT YOU DIDN'T ALLOCATE THAT 40 MILLION TO ANYTHING AND THAT WILL ADD AS THE BUFFER ON THAT.
AS FAR AS PROPERTY TAXES GO, I'M FORTUNATE TO HAVE JIM ROBINSON ON THE STAFF HERE AND A BOARD MEMBER OF HCAT FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
WE ARE GOING BACK AND TAKING A LOOK AT THE EVENTS THAT HAPPENED IN THE 1980S WHEN
[00:45:03]
THE OIL CRUNCH HAPPENED AND BACK IN 2007 AND 2008.THERE ARE SOME UNKNOWNS ON THAT.
AGAIN THE REVENUES AND APPRAISALS ARE BASED ON JANUARY 1ST 2020.
THE QUESTION IS WILL THAT CHANGE BECAUSE OF THE EVENT AND HOW WILL PEOPLE PROTEST THEIR TAXES? RESIDENTIAL HAS BEEN OUT THERE AND MOST PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN THOSE.
HOW ARE THEY GOING TO GO IN AND TALK ABOUT THAT? AND THE QUESTION IS ARE PEOPLE GOING TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR TAXES SINCE A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OUT? A LOT OF SMALL BUSINESSES ARE OUT THEIR RENT.
SO THE RESPONSIBILITY WOULD BE UP TO THE LANDLORDS TO PAY THOSE, AND A LOT OF PEOPLE PAY THEIR MONTHLY MORTGAGE PAYMENTS AND IN ESCROW IT PAYS PROPERTY TAX AND INSURANCE.
IN THE PAST WHEN SOMEBODY DOESN'T PAY ENOUGH IN, THE MORTGAGE COMPANY USUALLY TACKS THAT ON TO FUTURE YEARS.
THESE ARE ALL THE QUESTIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW TO SEE THE OVERALL IMPACT, BUT FOR RIGHT NOW WE ARE OKAY, AND WE WILL CONTINUE EVERY DAY TO TAKE A LOOK AT THIS TO SEE IF WE CAN GET ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
I AM PLEASED JIM ROBINSON IS ON THE STAFF AND CAN HELP GUIDE US THROUGH THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
FIRST I WANT TO THANK BILL AND STEVE BREWER IN YOUR OFFICE.
I KNOW THAT THE OTHER MEMBERS RECEIVED THE REPORT, THEY ARE CCED ON IT.
BUT THE REPORT BREWER SENT OUT HAS BEEN HELPFUL TO OUR OFFICE AND I WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, WE -- SOMETIMES IT IS THE GRUNT WORKER THAT'S ARE DOWN BELOW THAT ARE DOING A LOT OF THE WORK.
WE APPRECIATE THIS GRUNT WORK WE GOT FROM BREWER AND HOPE HE CONTINUES TO DO THAT.
THE SECOND ITEM IS, JUDGE, WE HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE NRG SET UP.
DO YOU WANT TO DISCUSS THAT NOW OR HOLD THE QUESTION ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS LATER?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE GO IN ORDER OF THE AGENDA TO KEEP TABS ON EVERYTHING, COMMISSIONER?
JACK CAGLE: THAT'S FINE WITH ME.
IF WE WERE DISCUSSING IT NOW I DIDN'T WANT TO LOSE MY OPPORTUNITY.
IF WE WILL DISCUSS IT LATER, I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS I DO WANT TO ASK AT THAT TIME.
SO I JUST WANTED TO FOLLOW YOUR GUIDANCE ON THAT.
THANK YOU SO MUCH, BILL, FOR THAT REPORT AND FOR THE INFORMATION.
NOW MOVING ON TO COMMUNITY SERVICES.
THERE IS 19E UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES REQUEST FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING.
IS JOSH OR SOMEBODY FROM CSD AVAILABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 10 UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES, ITEM 9E.
THE COURT WAS PROVIDED $1 MILLION TO CREATE A JOINT OPERATION WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON FOR THE HOMELESS MEDICAL ISOLATION RECOVERY CENTERS.
WE BEGAN THE OPERATION AFTER LAST COURT FROM A STANDPOINT OF GETTING BIDS AND WHAT THE ACTUAL COST WILL BE FOR THE OPERATING COST.
THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS THE ORGANIZATION THAT GOT THE FACILITIES.
WE ARE LOOKING AT IT RIGHT NOW AND SHOULD OPEN ON SATURDAY.
OUR ANTICIPATION IS APPROXIMATELY $1 MILLION PER MONTH PER 100 BEDS.
RIGHT NOW WE ARE OPERATING A FACILITY THAT IS ABOUT 127 BEDS, BUT THE ABILITY TO EXPAND AN ADDITIONAL 60 ON TOP OF THAT.
SO THIS SHOULD COVER APPROXIMATELY 90 DAYS OF OUR OPERATIONS WHICH MATCHES THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S 90-DAY LEASE WITH THESE TWO FACILITIES.
SO THAT'S FOR THREE OF THE FOUR MILLION REQUESTED.
THE OTHER MILLION REQUESTED IS FOR INCREASING CAPACITY TO SUPPORT AND INCREASE DEMAND THAT COULD BE OCCURRING FOR OTHER SIMILAR MEALS ON WHEELS OPERATIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
WILL WE SPLIT THE COST EVENLY BETWEEN THE CITY AND THE COUNTY?
[00:50:01]
AND IS THERE AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE -- IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND A VULNERABLE POPULATION.NOT JUST FOR THEM, BUT FOR THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
I JUST WANT A SENSE OF THE FINANCES OF IT.
IS THERE AN AGREEMENT IN PLACE IN WRITING, AND IS THERE AN AGREEMENT THAT WE WILL SPLIT THE COST 50/50 OR IS IT 6: -- 60 UKES 40 OR -- 60/40.
>> THE CURRENT AGREEMENT IS A 50/50 SPLIT.
IN ORDER TO GET THIS MOVING AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE WE PUT THAT SPLIT AT THE CITY OF HOUSTON ACQUIRING THE PROPERTIES WHILE WE WORKED ON THE OPERATIONS.
THAT BEING SAID I HAVE BEEN IN CONTACT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN DEVELOPING AGREEMENTS THAT WILL PROBABLY -- THAT WILL BE ON THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO CODIFY THOSE VERBAL AGREEMENTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRY AND DO THAT BECAUSE IF THE COST FOR ACQUISITION OF THE LOOSE -- LEASES RUN THEM 5 MILLION AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING FAIR.
ON THE OTHER HAND WE ARE SOMETIMES OPERATING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE BEING FAIR WITH US.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THAT IN WRITING SO FRIENDS DON'T END UP -- THESE HANDSHAKES SOMETIMES DON'T WORK OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
I WANT TO COMEPPED -- COMMEND PEOPLE.
AS WE GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF DEALING WITH THIS VIRUS WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO FOR PEOPLE THAT REGRETTABLY WE OTHERWISE WOULDN'T BE THINKING SO MUCH ABOUT.
THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY IS OBVIOUSLY SO CRITICAL TO OUR SUCCESS IN CONTAINING THE POTENTIAL OF MORE CONTAMINATION AND CURBING THE SPREAD.
THIS IS SUCH A IMPORTANT PART OF THE EQUATION AND PART OF THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE TO WHAT WE ARE CONFRONTING.
I WANT TO COMEPPED -- COMMEND EVERYONE FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS.
MY STAFF HAS BEEN INTIMATELY INVOLVED.
I WANT TO THANK MERCEDES ON MY STAFF FOR HER WORK ON THIS AND JUST TO RECOGNIZE THAT THESE ARE THE TYPE OF THINGS THAT HAVE TO BE DONE.
IT IS IN THE EFFORT TO KEEP THE REST OF OUR COMMUNITY SAFE AND SO IT IS GOOD TO SEE THIS MOVE FORWARD.
I DO WANT TO ALSO TALK ABOUT THE FINANCES TO IT AND LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I DO ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE PROVIDING THE -- A GOOD CONTRACT SO THAT WE CAN BE PROTECTED ON THIS AS WELL.
ENSURING THAT THESE FOLKS HAVE THE RIGHT INSURANCE CAPACITY TO DO THIS.
I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE PRETTY SIGNIFICANT FIRM.
IF THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR THEM TO HAVE MINORITY PARTICIPATION IN THEIR PROCESS, I WOULD ENCOURAGE THEM, BUT I DON'T WANT TO DELAY THE ITEM IN THE PURSUIT OF THAT, BUT I WOULD JUST ASK THAT THERE BEACON VEER SAYINGSES WITH THEM -- BE CONVERSATIONS ON HOW THEY CAN ENGAGE OTHER FOLKS IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE ALSO EAGER TO HELP.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, JOSH, FOR YOU AND YOUR TEAM'S EFFORT.
ANYTHING ELSE OR DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
I BEAT YOU, RODNEY, BUT YOU CAN HAVE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER RADACK.
AND I REQUEST THAT JOSH -- HIS MILITARY BACKGROUND IS COMING FORTH.
WHAT WAS INCLUDED IN OUR PACKETS, THE CHART OF THE PROCESS I THINK IS A VERY HELPFUL CHART.
AND SO MAYBE JOSH YOU CAN FORWARD THAT TO THE JUDGE'S OFFICE SO SHE CAN PUT THAT WITH HER MATERIALS OR WHEREVER IT IS THAT WOULD BE POSTED.
THE JUDGE'S OFFICE OEM AND PUBLIC HEALTH WILL HAVE THAT IN THE CHART.
[00:55:01]
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 13A UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY.
JAMES, YOU SAID WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON THAT? LET'S LET THE ATTORNEY EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS BRIEFLY AND THEN WE'LL CALL UP THE SPEAKER.
I THINK DOUG WAS -- IS IT YOU OR MR. RAY? I THINK I TALKED TO MR. RAY EARLIER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, I THINK YOU'RE ON MUTE.
>> TRY GIVING US HAND SIGNALS, ROBERT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THERE YOU GO.
YES, DOUG RAY IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY DETAILED QUESTIONS, BUT I CAN CERTAINLY TALK ABOUT THE MATTER IN BROAD TERMS. UNDER CURRENT LAW THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE ALLOWS ANY VOTER TO REQUEST A MAIL BALLOT IF THE VOTER HAS A, QUOTE, PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT PREVENTS THE VOTER FROM APPEARING AT THE POLLING PLACE ON ELECTION DAY WITHOUT A LIKELIHOOD OF ENTERING THE VOTER'S HEALTH.
UNDER THE CURRENT COVID CRISIS MANY VOTERS FEEL IF THEY HAVE TO MAKE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE POLLS ON ELECTION DAY, THEY WILL BE POTENTIALLY INJURING THEIR HEALTH.
SO FAR THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS NOT PROVIDED ANY GUIDANCE ON WHETHER FEAR OF COVID IS AN APPROPRIATE DISABILITY THAT ALLOWS ANYONE TO REQUEST A MAIL BALLOT.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE AT SOME POINT MAY PROVIDE THAT GUIDANCE.
IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THE GOVERNOR MAY ISSUE AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO TELL US EXACTLY WHAT THAT STATUTE OUT MEANS.
THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY HAS FILED A LAWSUIT IN AUSTIN TO HAVE A JUDGE IN AUSTIN DETERMINE THAT THAT CLAUSE ALLOWS ANY VOTER TO REQUEST A MAIL BALLOT.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY OFFICE, COUNTY ATTORNEY BEN SHRINE IS REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO ALLOW OUR OFFICE TO FILE AN AMICUS BRIEF ASKING THE JUDGE IN AUSTIN TO DETERMINE THAT THAT STATUTE OUT DOES MEAN THAT SO LONG AS A COVID DISASTER IS IN EFFECT, ANY VOTER COULD ASK FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT AND VOTE BY MAIL.
I THINK IN THE MEMO WE ISSUED EARLIER THIS WEEK IT POINTS OUT THAT THE COUNTY CLERK HAS SOME CONCERNS ABOUT THE ADMINISTRATIVE WORK DEALING WITH A LOT OF MAIL IN BALLOTS AND IT COMES DOWN TO NEEDING MORE MONEY.
I THINK DR. TROUTMAN IS AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTION ON THAT PART OF IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE A SPEAKER, AND THANK YOU.
I CALLED DOUG RAY TO CHECK WITH HIM THIS MORNING ABOUT IT AS WELL.
WHEN I PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I WAS MAKING A REFERENCE TO IN THE FILING UNDER CURRENT LAW IN THE CASES PENDING UNDER CURRENT LAW IF SOMEONE HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH A CRIME INVOLVING SEXUAL ASSAULT, YOU ARE IN JAIL, YOU ARE ABLE TO REQUEST A MAIL IN BALLOT BECAUSE YOUR DISABILITY IS YOU IN JAIL.
MAYBE A GARBLED IT WHEN IT CAME UP TWO WEEKS AGO, BUT I WAS DRAWING AN ANALOGY SAYING IF THAT WOULD COUNT AS A DISABILITY, SURELY SOMEBODY AFRAID TO GO AND VOTE IN THE COVID ENVIRONMENT, WHETHER IT IS IN THIS UPCOMING RUNOFF OR IN THE GENERAL ELECTION OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO REQUEST A BALLOT OUT OF FEAR THAT IT MAY NOT BE SAFE FOR THEM.
FOR THAT MATTER, EVEN IF THEY HAD THE FLU OR THEY THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD PNEUMONIA.
WHEN I WAS TALKING TO MR. RAY,ING AND HE MAY COME ON THE LINE AND SAY SOMETHING ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK DR. TROUTMAN HAD SOME TREPIDATION BECAUSE IT WAS NICE IF THE LAW -- LAWSUIT WAS FILED ON BEHALF OF THE LEGAL WOMEN VOTERS OR SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE ISSUE IN COURT.
MR. SWORD, I THINK THERE ARE TWO OPTIONS.
I THINK YOU CAN ENGAGE SOME OF THE COURT MEMBERS WITH MORE COMFORT AND WE COULD JUST JOIN THE LAWSUIT.
WE ARE DOING IT ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY.
BEFORE I MAKE A MOTION, I AM JUST RAISING THAT AS AN ISSUE AND MAYBE DR. TROUTMAN OR MAYBE MR. RAY OR MAYBE YOU MAY WANT TO COMMENT, MR. SWORD.
>> AS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WE ARE FINE WITH ALSO JOINING IN ON THE LAWSUIT.
I THINK THE NET EFFECT WOULD BE THE SAME AS FILING AN AMICUS.
AGAIN, THAT'S THE CALL OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
[01:00:01]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD BE EASY DOING AN AMICUS.
WE HAVE PLENTY OF ATTORNEYS THOUGH SO WE CAN DO IT EITHER WAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A COMMENT AS WELL.
MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ISSUED AN ADVISORY TODAY THAT MAKES POTENTIALLY THIS ITEM MOOT.
BEFORE WE FILE A BRIEF ON BEHALF OF A POLITICAL PARTY WHICH CAUSES ME GREAT CONCERN, I THINK THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S ADVISORY IS GOING TO BE THAT IF SOMEONE IS CONCERNED ON THE HEALTH BAY SIS OF MAKING AN APPEARANCE, THAT YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO DO A VOTE BY MAIL WHICH IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THAN WHAT POTENTIALLY MAY BE IN THIS SUIT WHICH IS DECLARING THAT EVERYBODY IS IN THE CATEGORY OF BEING ABLE TO VOTE BY MAIL.
SO IF YOU ARE GOING TO BELIEVE OR IF YOU BELIEVE YOU ARE AT RISK AND IF YOU FILE IF YOU ARE AB SIN TEE -- ABSENTEE AND YOU ARE ILL AND IN THAT CAPACITY AND YOU MAKE THAT AFFIDAVIT IF YOU ARE IN THAT CATEGORY AND GO FORWARD, BEFORE WE FILE A BRIEF ON BEHALF OF A POLITICAL PARTY, NOT MINE, I WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE KNOW WHAT IT IS WE ARE ASKING FOR ESPECIALLY SINCE IT -- MY BEST INFORMATION THIS MORNING IS THAT THE CONCERN HAS ALREADY BEEN ADDRESSED.
>> IS MR. RAY AVAILABLE? I KNOW, JUDGE, WE HAVE A SPEAKER, BUT IT IS GOOD TO GET THE FACTS OUT THERE.
>> COMMISSIONER, IF HE DOESN'T CALL IN SHORTLY WE WILL CALL AND GET HIM ON THE LINE.
MR. CAGLE, TO YOUR POINT, I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY NEW ITEMS, BUT IT IS POSSIBLE THAT SOMETHING WAS ISSUED THIS MORNING THAT WE HAVE NOT SEEN.
JACK CAGLE: I HAVE NOT READ IT MYSELF.
I WAS JUST TOLD BY AN INDIVIDUAL THIS MORNING THAT I TRUST THAT THAT IS THERE AND SO IT MAY BE THAT YOUR OFFICE BEFORE WE VOTE ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM MAY WANT TO TAKE A PEEK INTO IT AND TO VERIFY THAT THERE HAS IN FACT BEEN A NEW ADVISORY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION.
I THINK IF SOMEONE HAS A FEAR EVEN IF IT IS PNEUMONIA, EVEN IF IT IS THE FLU, I WANT THEM TO BE ABLE TO GET A BALLOT.
I WOULD LIKE FOR THAT AND IF NOT I CAN DO A MOTION.
IF WE DO AN AMICUS AND IF YOU FEEL MORE COMFORTABLE, I WOULD SAY JOIN THE LAWSUIT AND IT IS MORE POWERFUL.
IF IT DOESN'T MATTER, I WILL JUST MAKE A MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
LOOK, WE ARE MAKING A LOT OF DECISIONS ON THE BEHALF OF A LOT OF PEOPLE TO MAKE THEIR LIVES BETTER UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE ALL UNDER.
I THINK THIS ITEM IS PROBABLY NO DIFFERENT IN THAT REGARD.
TO THAT END I WOULD STRONGLY URGE DR. TROUTMAN TO REACH OUT TO ALL OF OUR OFFICES, AND LOOK, WE ARE HELPING WITH YOUR OFFICE, JUDGE, AND ENGAGING AND SHARING INFORMATION AND HELPING WITH OTHER OFFICES ON FOOD DELIVERY FOR SENIORS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I ENCOURAGE HER TO LEAN ON OUR OFFICES TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS TO HELP IN THIS.
YOU KNOW, A LAWSUIT IN ITSELF WON'T FIX THINGS PROCEDURALLY, IF YOU WILL, OR OPERATIONALLY.
OUR OFFICES CAN ALL BE VERY HELPFUL IN THAT REGARD.
I HOPE THAT THE STAFF ARE LISTENING TO THIS AND ENCOURAGE THEM TO REACH OUT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW THAT -- I READ IN ONE OF THE PRESS ACCOUNTS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE A BIG PUSH TO SEND FEDERAL MONEY TO LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO DO MORE MAIL IN AND THERE IS AN ISSUE AND THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS TO SEND MORE MONEY.
OBVIOUSLY IF NOT THEY WILL HAVE T.O.
IT DO MOCK -- DEMOCRACY COSTS MONEY.
THEY CAN'T HAVE ANY LECTIONS -- ELECTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER AND THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET DOUG ON
[01:05:02]
THE LINE OR WHATEVER HE DOES TO GET A LITTLE MORE CLARITY.>> YES, CORETTA BROWN IS ON THE LINE.
>> CORETTA BROWN, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> HI, MY NAME IS CORETTA BROWN.
[INAUDIBLE] ORGANIZING THE PROJECT THE PROCESS OF THE REASONABLE BAIL AMOUNT SO IT KEEPS JAM EMPLOYEES AND VENDORS -- IT KEEPS JAIL EMPLOYEES AND VENDORS OF NOT CATCHING THE CORONAVIRUS OR COVID-19 DISEASE CAUSED BY THE CORONAVIRUS.
THIS MEANS PUTTING POLITICS ASIDE AND ENCOURAGING THOSE INVOLVED IN THE BILL DECISION MAKING PROCESS TO SET AFFORDABLE BAIL AMOUNTS SUCH AS $1 TO $100.
I ALSO WANTED TO SPEAK ON HARRIS COUNTY PROVIDING NON-TRADITIONAL 1099 BUSINESSES WITH AN OPPORTUNITY -- A FINANCIAL OPPORTUNITY AS THESE OPPORTUNITIES ARE GENERALLY NOT GIVEN TO THEM.
IN FACT, 1099 BUSINESS OWNERS HAVE FAMILY AND BILLS.
MANY OF THE 1099 BUSINESS OWNERS ARE PULLING THE HAIR OUT OF THEIR HEAD BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GENERATE REVENUE.
AND THEN LASTLY, I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THERE WAS TWO 1099 BUSINESSES WHO SUBMITTED THEIR REQUEST TO TESTIFY TODAY ON THIS CALL AND THEY WERE DENIED BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T SUBMIT THE REQUEST AT 8:00 A.M.
IF THIS WAS A TRADITIONAL, WHERE WE WOULD MEET FACE-TO-FACE IN THE COURT, THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO -- THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO SPEAK.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT PEOPLE CAN AFFORD BAIL AND THAT THEY CAN GET OUT AND THEY CAN [INAUDIBLE] AND THE 1099 BUSINESSES NEED MONEY TO PROVIDE AS WELL.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
THE CUTOFF I KNOW FOLKS HAVE SAID IS TECHNOLOGICALLY DIFFICULT TO GET THE SPEAKERS LINED UP WITH THE SYSTEM THAT HAS BEEN SET UP.
WE DON'T HAVE A CUTOFF, BUT I KNOW IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WORKED ON AND NOTED ON THE OTHER POINTS.
LUCI IDA, DO WE -- LIEU -- LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY OTHERS ?
>> THE TWO SIGN ETD -- SIGNED UP CANCELED.
WE ARE TRYING TO CONTACT DOUG, BUT HIS LINE IS BUSY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S PUT A PIN ON THAT AND COME BACK WHEN DOUG IS BACK.
I WILL MAKE A NOTE TO RETURN BACK TO THIS ITEM.
NEXT IS MY ITEM A3 ON PAGE 18 AND THAT IS A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO SUBMIT A LETTER REQUESTING FUNDS UNDER THE CARE ACT AND BASICALLY WE FOUND WE NEED TO REQUEST THE AID AND THE REQUEST HAS TO COME FROM THE EXECUTIVE GOVERNMENT.
WE NEED A COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO APPROVE THE LETTER FOR US TO SEND TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
JUDGE, I DID HAVE A QUESTION ON THIS.
RELATED TO ALL THAT'S GOING ON AND OBVIOUSLY WE ARE IN THE EYE OF A INCREDIBLE DISASTER AND HAVING LEARNED FROM HURRICANE HARVEY, HAVE WE GIVEN THOUGHT TO DESIGNATED -- DESIGNATING A SEPARATE PROJECT MANAGER FOR COVID-19, SEPARATE AND APART FROM HURRICANE HARVEY? I DON'T WANT FOLKS OVER THERE TO BE DISTRACTED FROM THEIR IMPORTANT WORK.
HAVE WE GIVEN THOUGHT TO THE NEED OF DESIGNATING A PROJECT MANAGER TO HELP US AND A HALF -- NAVIGATE ALL THAT IS GOING ON WITH COVID-19? IN MY BONES I FEEL THAT THIS WILL BE SO UNPRECEDENTED AND I DON'T WANT US TO REPEAT THE SAME MISTAKES THAT WE DID THROUGH HURRICANE HARVEY BY NOT FOLLOWING SOME OF THE EARLIER RECOMMENDATIONS? LINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S A GOOD POINT AND I WAS WONDER FIGURE BILL HAD THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ECHO THAT.
I THINK IT DOES MAKE SENSE, AND I THINK UNDER YOUR EMERGENCY POWERS THIS CAN BE
[01:10:05]
DONE THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS A LOT MORE EXPEDITIOUSLY.YOU KNOW, WITH SO MUCH MOVING SO QUICKLY IN WASHINGTON AND MAKING SURE WE HAVE THE DOT THE I'S AND CROSS THE T'S, AND I KNOW WE HIRED A NEW OUTFIT TO REPRESENT US IN DC AS WELL.
I JUST THINK IT IS IMPORTANT -- IT WAS COSTLY WHEN IT CAME UP LAST TIME, BUT I THINK IT IS ALSO VERY IMPORTANT, AND WITH THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THAT MAY BE FLOWING, I THINK IT IS JUST REAL IMPORTANT TO TRY TO GET THAT DONE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM ON BOARD WITH THAT, ABSOLUTELY.
BETTER SAFE THAN SORRY, AND TO HAVE ALL OF THE TOOLS.
BILL, DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS AS TO WHERE YOU ARE WITH THIS?
>> ARE YOU CONSIDERING SOMETHING LIKE A GUIDE HOUSE-TYPE OVERSEER?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT THEY WERE GREAT.
IF THEY COULD DO IT OR -- BUT OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE DEEPER IN IT.
I THINK FROM -- AGAIN, TETRA TECH ARE THE ONES DOING THE HURRICANE HARVEY AND OTHER WEATHER EVENTS LIKE THAT.
I DO THINK SOMEBODY LIKE A GUIDE HOUSE TO BE THE AUTHORITY ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS TO ENLIST AND COME IN.
WE HAVE WORKED WITH THEM AND LOOKING AT THE WHOLE REACHING ON THIS AND IT WOULD HELP US.
IT WOULD HELP IF IT WAS AN ON GOING THING DWIGHT WOULD HAVE TO AT SOME POINT LIKE WE DID LAST TIME PUT IT OUT FOR AN RFP.
RIGHT NOW WE COULD USE THE HELP.
JOHN BLUNT IS TAKING A LOT OF THIS.
PURCHASING IS TAKING IT AND I AM TAKING IT.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE SOMEBODY WE COULD WORK WITH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU WILL CONTINUE WORKING WITH MY STAFF ON THAT, BILL.
I THINK WE SHOULD GET THEM ON BOARD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED A MOTION TO DO IT TODAY OR CAN WE DO IT UNILATERALLY?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THAT IS ALREADY IN THE PROCESS, CORRECT, BILL?
>> I BELIEVE IT HAS BEEN MENTIONED.
DWIGHT, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO DO TO GET THEM ON BOARD OR SOMEBODY ON BOARD TO HELP?
>> WE CAN REACH OUT TO HIM NOW AND GET PRICING PROPOSALS AND WORK WITH COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DRAFT UP AN AGREEMENT AND BRING IT BACK TO COURT.
WE CAN START THE PROCESS NOW AND GET THEM ON BOARD IMMEDIATELY AND BRING IT BACK FOR TRANSMITAL.
I DO WANT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT BILL SAID.
WE WANT AT SOME POINT TO PUT AN RFP OUT IF WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP THEM ON FOR ANOTHER YEAR OR SO SO WE ARE REIMBURSED FOR THE SERVICES, BUT WE CAN BRING THEM ON IMMEDIATELY AND GET THEM ON BOARD AND HELP US GET OUR ARMS AROUND THIS.
>> I WOULD BE WILLING TO PUT THAT IN A MOTION.
THE REASON IS I THINK TO DO IT NOW BEFORE THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION AND THERE IS A NEED TO GO THROUGH THE RFP PROCESS TO DO THAT, BUT WE SHOULD GET STARTED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEN THE MOTION WOULD BE TO ENLIST GUIDE HOUSE FOR THESE PURPOSES AND WHATEVER NEEDS TO BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE NEXT COURT AND WE WILL BRING THAT BACK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: OUR DESIGNATED COVID-19 PROJECT MANAGER.
>> JUDGE, WE HAVE DOUG RAY ON THE LINE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WOULD BE THE OTHER ISSUE.
ROBERT, WE ARE RIGHT ON THIS ISSUE?
>> YOU ARE RIGHT ON THIS ISSUE.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND? YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: I THINK ROBERT ANSWERED MY QUESTION.
I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE MOTION TO DO.
AND AS WAS POINTED OUT THE JUDGE CAN DO IT ON HER OWN UNDER THE EMERGENCY POWERS.
CERTAINLY THE COMMISSIONERS CAN ALSO REQUEST A PURCHASING AGENT DO THE SAME THING.
JACK CAGLE: IF ROBERT BLESSES IT, I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS BEEN MOVED AND SECONDED?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE MOVED IT AND SECONDED IT AND WE HAVE THIS WORK READY SO WE CAN MOVE AFTER THIS IN DISCUSSING WHATEVER INFORMATION DWIGHT NEEDS TO BRING IT BACK.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> JUDGE, DO WE NEED A SEPARATE ONE FOR THE RFP PROCESS TO START OR WHAT DOES THAT TAKE?
>> I THOUGHT THIS MOTION WAS FOR THAT?
>> THAT'S TO HIRE THEM NOW, TODAY.
>> WE'LL COME BACK AT SOME POINT AND DETERMINE WHEN THE RIGHT TIME IS TO DO AN RFP FOR THAT.
AT THE CURRENT TIME WE ARE LOOKING AT THE END OF THIS MONTH OR NEXT MONTH BEFORE THE DECLARATION IS OVER.
AT THAT POINT WE WILL GO THROUGH THE NORMAL PROCESS TO GET THEM ON BOARD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I ONLY RAISE IT BECAUSE WE HAVE A THREE-WEEK BREAK.
UNLESS WE COME BACK FOR SOME OTHER REASONS, I AM TRYING TO HAVE CONTINUITY THERE.
IF THIS EMERGENCY DECLARATION ENDS WE WOULD GO RIGHT INTO THE NEXT ONE.
[01:15:02]
I AM GOING TO BRING IT BACK AS A TRANSMITAL.
Y'ALL CAN GO AHEAD AND APPROVE IT SAYING SUBJECT TO THE AGREEMENT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND I WILL BRING IT BACK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON THE OTHER MOTION.
YES? I DIDN'T CATCH WHO THAT WAS.
LET'S VOTE ON THE FIRST MOTION FIRST -- OR IS THIS THE SAME MOTION, Y'ALL?
I DON'T THINK YOU ANNOUNCED THE VOTE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S DO IT AGAIN.
THE FIRST MOTION WAS TO BRING ON GUIDE HOUSE AS THE PROJECT -- PROGRAM PROJECT MANAGER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THAT ONE, JAMES, ARE YOU GOOD WITH THAT?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE SECOND MOTION IS TO GO THROUGH THE PROCESS THROUGH PURCHASING TO BRING ON -- TO BRING ON GUIDE HOUSE ON A CONTINUING BASIS SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY SIGNING OFF ON IT.
PURCHASING ATTORNEYING SIGNING OFF ON IT.
WE CAN GET THE AGREEMENT DRAFTED AND MAKE SURE IT IS ALIGNED WITH THE COUNTY AND BRING IT BACK FOR APPROVAL.
WE CAN AMEND IT AT THAT POINT.
BUT THAT WILL GET US THROUGH THE EMERGENCY PERIOD.
I CAN ALWAYS START ADVERTISING IT AND BRING IT BACK AS A TRANSMITAL ADVERTISEMENT TOO.
SO THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.
I DON'T SEE WHY WE NEED THIS MOTION.
DWIGHT, DO YOU SEE A REASON THIS NEEDS TO BE VOTED ON?
>> WE DON'T HAVE TO COME BACK TO COURT.
IF THE COURT DOESN'T WANT TO APPROVE IT WE CAN DO IT AS A TRANS -- TRANSMITAL.
ROBERT CAN ANSWER IF IT HAS TO BE VOTED ON, BUT I CAN BRING IT BACK TO AUTHORITY AND GET IT APPROVED SUBJECT TO COUNTY CREDIT AGREEMENT.
>> HOW WOULD YOU PREFER TO DO IT?
>> THIS IS FINE, COMMISSIONER.
UNLESS YOU WANT TO APPROVE IT IN THREE WEEKS OR DURING A SPECIAL MEETING.
I CAN HANDLE IT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON AN EMERGENCY BASIS SO WE CAN HANDLE IT.
WE PROCESSED THAT ONE AS WELL.
>> ARE YOU SAYING YOU DON'T NEED ANOTHER VOTE TO CONTINUE THIS AFTER THE EMERGENCY PERIOD IS OVER?
>> WE WILL NEED ANOTHER VOTE AFTER THAT PART.
THIS IS JUST TO GET THE GUIDE HOUSE AGREEMENT COMPLETED AND BACK AND GET THEM ON BOARD IMMEDIATELY.
>> THAT WAS JUST A VOTE TO BRING THEM ON BOARD.
THIS IS ACTUALLY LETTING ME DO THE NEGOTIATION WITH THE VENDOR AND WORK WITH ROBERT TO GET THE AGREEMENT APPROVED RATHER THAN BRINGING IT BACK TO COURT.
UNLESS I AM MISSING SOMETHING?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, ARE WE MISSING ANYTHING?
>> I GUESS I GOT CONFUSED TOO.
AS I UNDERSTAND IT, THE COURT HAS AUTHORIZED DWIGHT TO GET THEM ON BOARD WHICH IN MY MIND ALSO AUTHORIZES THE CONTRACT, AND I THINK WE ARE ALL OKAY.
ONCE THE DISASTER IS OVER OR MAYBE WHEN WE SEE IT IS ABOUT TO BE OVER, IT MAY BE NECESSARY FOR DWIGHT TO COME BACK FOR A RECOMMENDATION ON AN RFP, SOMEBODY TO HANDLE THIS AFTER THE DISASTER DECLARATION IS OVER.
IS THAT WHAT WE ARE SAYING, DWIGHT?
ON THE 29TH THOUGH -- WE WILL HAVE COURT ON THE 29TH AND WE WILL HAVE THEM ON BOARD BY THEN AND THEN WE CAN HAVE DISCUSSION ON WHETHER IT WILL BE EXTENDED ON THAT POINT TO DECLARATION OR NOT.
>> AND WE WILL HAVE A CONTRACT -- OUR OFFICE WILL BE READY -- THE CONTRACT WILL BE SIGNED BEFORE THE 29TH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MY UNDERSTANDING, COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU GUYS WANTED TO JUMP START THE RFP PROCESS JUST IN CASE?
WE WANT TO KEEP THEM ON BOARD AND ALL OF THE DUCKS ARE IN A ROW TO DO THAT.
>> NORMALLY FROM MY STAND POINT, I NORMALLY ADVERTISE STUFF.
IF YOU WANT TO APPROVE ME TO ADVERTISE IT, I AM MORE THAN WILLING TO TAKE THAT RIGHT NOW SO COURT GIVES ME THE BLESSING.
>> THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO DO IN THAT MOTION.
>> DWIGHT, WHEN YOU ADVERTISE IT, THEY MAY NOT NECESSARILY GET IT, CORRECT?
>> I'M SORRY? THEY ARE NOT GUARANTEED THE RFP ADVERTISEMENT.
>> I THINK THAT IS THE INTENT BY SOME HERE TO GO AHEAD AND SAY THIS WILL DEFINITELY CONTINUE.
THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS VOTE.
[01:20:03]
THE FIRST MOTION IS BRING THEM ON BOARD AND OPERATE THEM.THE SECOND MOTION MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT WE WILL HAVE OR WE WILL EMPOWER DWIGHT TO BEGIN THE PROCESS THAT WHEN THE EMERGENCY IS OVER WITH, PUT IT OUT FOR A BID, RFP, BUSINESSES, NORMAL, AND THEN WE GET TO VOTE ON WHATEVER IT IS THAT OCCURS IN PHASE TWO.
AM I CORRECT OR INCORRECT IN MY UNDERSTANDING?
>> THAT'S CORRECT IS THE WAY I AM UNDERSTANDING IT.
UNLESS THERE IS SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
>> UNLESS IT IS OUR SECOND VOTE -- IT DOESN'T DO ANYTHING BUT TO TELL YOU TO GO ABOUT BUSINESS AS NORMAL WHEN THE CRISIS IS OVER WITH.
>> I AM COMFORTABLE WITH WHEN THE CRISIS IS OVER, BUSINESS AS USUAL, DWIGHT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE OTHER ITEM -- >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME FINISH THIS ONE.
I AM IN I AS WELL SO COMMISSIONER IS AGAINST AND THE -- EXCUSE ME COMMISSIONER RADACK IS AGAINST.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: UNDER THIS ONE IS DR. SHAW AVAILABLE? IF NOT, I WANT TO MAKE SURE.
I HAVE A COUPLE OF CONSTITUENTS -- >> WHAT ITEM ARE WE ON?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A BROAD ITEM ON THE RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.
>> FOR EYE -- EYE -- EYE SEEM TESTIFY TEEN.
SECONDED BY GARCIA, BUT YOU NEVER HELD THE VOTE FOR THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: NO, HE IS TALKING ABOUT THE CARE ACT, THE LETTER.
IF YOU GUYS WILL RECALL THIS IS THE LETTER THAT WE NEED TO RECEIVE THE FUNDING FROM THE FEDERAL STIMULUS PACKAGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
DID SOMEONE SAY DOUG RAY IS ON THE LINE FOR THE -- >> YES, MA'AM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE DO THAT BEFORE WE LOSE TRACK OF THIS.
LET'S GO BACK TO COUNTY ATTORNEY ITEM 13E.
>> HI, THIS IS DOUGLAS RAY FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
I JUST HAVE AN INCREDIBLE SERIES OF TECHNICAL GLITCHES THAT KNOCKED ME OFF OF THE MEETING AND I COULDN'T GET BACK ON SO THAT'S WHY I WASN'T AVAILABLE EARLIER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T KNOW IF YOU COULD HEAR US OR NOT.
I COULD HEAR ALL OF THE DISCUSSION.
IT WAS FRUSTRATING TO LISTEN AND NOT BE ABLE TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THE QUESTION IS WOULD IT BE HELPFUL FOR PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO GET MAIL IN BALLOTS IF THEY FEEL IT COULD PUT THEIR HEALTH IN DANGER BY GOING TO A POLLING PLACE AND NOT JUST IN THIS PRIMARY RUNOFF, BUT IN THE GENERAL ELECTION.
WOULD IT BE HELPFUL IF THE COUNTY DO AN AMICUS OR JOIN THE LAWSUIT FILED IN TRAVIS COUNTY TO MAKE IT POSSIBLE FOR PEOPLE TO HAVE THE OPTION OF A MAIL IN BALLOT? UNDER CURRENT LAW YOU RUN THE RISK OF, I GUESS, PERJURY IF YOU ASK FOR A DOCUMENT SAYING YOU WANT A MAIL IN BALLOT AND YOU CANNOT PROVE THAT YOU ARE OUT OF TOWN OR YOU ARE ILL.
IF YOU WANT A MAIL IN BALLOT UNDER CURRENT LAW THERE ARE FOUR METHODS TO CLAIM.
ONE IS OVER THE AGE OF 65 AND ONE IS DISABLED ONE IS YOU ARE GOING TO BE OUT OF THE JURISDICTION AND THE FOURTH IS YOU ARE INCARCERATED.
THE STATUTE OUT THAT DEFINES DISABILITY, I PUT THIS IN THE REPORT THAT HAS BEEN PROVIDED TO EACH MEMBER OF THE COURT IS SECTION 82.02 OF THE ELECTION CODE.
IT READS THAT YOU ARE ELIGIBLE FOR VOTING BY MAIL BECAUSE OF A DISABILITY IF YOU HAVE A SICKNESS OR PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM APPEARING AT THE PLACE ON ELECTION DAY AND A LIKELY HOOD THAT YOU NEED PERSONAL ASSISTANCE OR INJURING THE PERSON OR VOTER'S HEALTH.
I INTERPRET THAT AS MEANING IF YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL CONDITION WHERE APPEARING IN PERSON LEADS TO A LIKELIHOOD OF INJURING THE VOTER EAST -- THE VOTER'S HEALTH YOU QUALIFY UNDER THE STATUTE OUT.
THAT IS THE WHOLE DESCRIPTION OF WHAT THE LAWSUIT HAS BEEN FILED IS
[01:25:03]
SEEKING.THEY WANT TO A DECLARING ACTION THAT IF YOU ARE AFRAID OF BEING EXPOSED TO THE VIRUS BY SHOWING UP IN PERSON, YOU FIT THE DESCRIPTION OF A DISABILITY THAT WILL QUALIFY YOU FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE -- I THINK THAT IS A GOOD INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUTE OUT.
IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE A COURT ACTUALLY DEFINITIVELY SAY THAT.
WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE PARTICIPATING WITH A PARTISAN AGENCY OR NOT I THINK WE SHOULD NOTIFY THE COURT THAT HARRIS COUNTY WOULD LIKE THE INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUTE OUT AS WELL, AND IT WOULD BE FAVORABLE TO THE SAFE CONDUCTION OF OUR ELECTION.
>> MR. RAY MENTIONED 8 CALLED YOU EARLIER AND I DIDN'T HAVE A PREFERENCE OF WHETHER IT WAS A A SIMPLE AMICUS LETTER AND THAT TAKES LESS TIME OR MORE PALLETTABLE TO JOIN THE LAWSUIT.
I DON'T KNOW IF ONE MAKES IT -- >> I THINK THE LETTER MAY BE SUFFICIENT.
JOINING THE LAWSUIT, I MEAN IF THE SUIT HAS BEEN JOINED AND IF WE JOIN IT ON OUR OWN SPEED [INAUDIBLE] IT IS GOOD TO HAVE AN AMICUS LETTER AND SAY WE ARE LIKE THE SAME RULE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WOULD APPLY GOING FORWARD NOT JUST FOR THIS RUNOFF ELECTION, RIGHT? THE COURT RULES ON IT?
>> I THINK THAT WOULD BE APPLICABLE IF THAT IS THE DEFINITION OF DISABILITY UNDER 82.02 TO ANY FUTURE ELECTION WHERE THE EMERGENCY CONTINUES.
WHEREBY PEOPLE WOULD BE AFRAID OF CONTRACTING THE VIRUS IN ANY FUTURE ELECTION.
IF THAT IS THE STATUS IN NOVEMBER AND ALL FUTURE ELECTIONS [INAUDIBLE].
I THINK I HEARD AN ADVISE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A REQUEST FOR YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION FOR YOU.
JACK CAGLE: I THINK YOU ARE ABOUT TO GO DOWN THAT PATHWAY AND I WAS HOPING YOU COULD WORK YOUR MAGIC AND LOOK AT THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S -- I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CALLED A STATEMENT AND ADVISORY OR AN OPINION FROM THE SECRETARY OF STATE, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THEY HAVE ISSUED SOMETHING TODAY THAT WOULD MAKE OUR DISCUSSION MOOT.
SO COULD YOU CHECK INTO THAT BEFORE WE EITHER IN A LAWSUIT OR JOIN IN SUPPORTING A POLITICAL PARTY TO SEE WHETHER OR NOT THIS ISSUE HAS GONE AWAY?
>> YES, AND TWO THINGS ABOUT THAT.
THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE DID ISSUE AN ADVISORY.
IT IS AN ADVISORY 2020-14 AND I ACTUALLY COAT FROM THAT ADVISORY -- QUOTE FROM THAT ADVISORY IN THE REPORT THAT WAS PROVIDED TO YOU.
THE STATEMENT THAT IS QUOTED IN FULL IN THE REPORT IS BASICALLY KIND OF BIG RUSS.
IT IF SOMEBODY FITS THIS DESCRIPTION OF A DISABILITY THEY CAN ASK FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT.
I DON'T THINK THAT RENDERS THE WHOLE THING MOOT.
IT TURNS OVER THE SAME QUESTION.
MY ATTITUDE ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR ADVISORY IS IT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY EASY FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE TO SAY JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE AFRAID OF GETTING THE COVID VIRUS, IT DOES NOT MEAN YOU ARE DISABLED.
THEY MERELY QUOTED THE APPLICABLE SECTION AND SAID THAT WAS A METHOD BY WHICH SOMEBODY IS PLANNING THE RIGHT TO GET A MAIL IN BALLOT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. RAY, AN ADVISORY OPINION IS THAT IN AND OF ITSELF, RIGHT? IT IS ADVISORY.
IF A COURT RULES ON IT, IT IS AN OPINION.
THAT MUCH I REMEMBER TBR -- FROM MY QUICK CLERK SHIP WHEN I GOT OUT OF LAW SCHOOL.
IF A JUDGE RULES ON IT, IT BECOMES THE LAW UNTIL IT IS OVERRULED.
>> BASICALLY THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE IS THE CHIEF ELECTION OFFICER FOR THE STATE OF TEXAS.
I THINK THAT IF THE SECRETARY OF STATE'S OFFICE WERE TO EXPLICITLY SAY THAT YOU COULDN'T ASK FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT BECAUSE YOU WERE AFRAID OF INFECTION, THEN THE OPTION WOULD BE FOR US TO SEEK A COURT ORDER TO OVERRULE THAT IF WE WANTED TO ACTUALLY PROVIDE THAT SERVICE TO OUR VOTERS.
[01:30:03]
HOWEVER, LIKE I SAID, THE ADVISORY IS NOT THAT EXPLICIT.IT BASICALLY REURGES EXAMINING 80.02 AND THE PROVISION FOR DISABILITY IN THERE.
THAT COULD BE INTERPRETED IN LOTS OF WAYS.
THE WAY THE MAIL IN BALLOT PROCESS WORKS IS IF YOU WANT A MAIL IN BALLOT, YOU SEND IN AN APPLICATION FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT TO THE COUNTY CLERK.
AND YOU CAN INSERT ONE OF THE FOUR BASIS FOR RECEIVING A MAIL IN BALLOT.
IF YOU CHECK YOU ARE DISABLED IT DOESN'T ASK FOR ANY SPECIFIC INFORMATION WHY YOU ARE DISABLED AND THE CLERK'S OFFICE DOES NOT GO THROUGH ANY PROCESS TO AFFIRM THAT YOU ARE IN FACT DISABLED.
THEY DON'T CALL YOU ON THE PHONE AND SAY WHAT IS YOUR DISABILITY? OKAY, DISABILITY IS ONE BASIS FORGETTING A MAIL IN BALLOT.
THIS PERSON IS ASSERTING THEY ARE DISABLED.
WE'LL SEND THEM A MAIL IN BALLOT.
I THINK WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS EXPRESSING EARLIER IS IF YOU DID THAT AND YOU WERE NOT REALLY DISABLED, YOU COULD BE LIABLE ON A CRIMINAL BASIS BECAUSE YOU HAVE ASSERTED A CONDITION FALSELY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT'S WHAT I MADE REFERENCE TO.
>> YEAH, BUT ANYWAYS IF YOU READ THE STATUTE OUT I THINK YOU CAN HONESTLY MAKE THIS ASSERTION UNDER THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE.
I THINK IT WOULD BE HELPFUL IF THE COURT WERE TO EXPLICITLY SAY, YES, THAT'S WHAT THE STATUTE OUT MEANS AND THAT WOULD REMOVE ANY DOUBT THE VOTERS WOULD VOTE FOR SURE WHETHER THAT WAS AUTHORIZED BY THE STATUTE OUT OR NOT.
>> MAYBE SOME OF THE OTHER COUNTIES TALKING ABOUT AN AMICUS SOMEBODY IN JAIL CHARGED WITH A SEXUAL OFFENSE AND HAS A DISABILITY AND THEY COULD VOTE.
>> SINCE A PERSON IN JAIL IS QUALIFIED FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT REGARDLESS, THEY COULD ASK FOR ONE ON THE BASIS THAT THEY ARE INCARCERATED.
WHETHER OR NOT SOMEBODY IS A SEXUAL OFFENDER -- THE THING I CAN THINK OF IS SEXUAL OFFENDERS ARE PROHIBITED ON GOING ON SCHOOL GROUND AND MANY OF THE SITES ARE ON SCHOOL GROUNDS.
BECAUSE OF THAT THEY CAN SAY THEY HAVE A DISABILITY THAT ALLOWS THEM TO GET A MAIL IN BALLOT RATHER THAN GO TO THE SCHOOL WHERE THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO VOTE.
THAT REQUIREMENT HAS DROPPED OUT AND WE HAVE VOTING IN SO MANY PLACES.
A SEXUAL OFFENDER COULD GO TO ANY LOCATION WHERE HE IS NOT OTHERWISE PROHIBITED FROM GOING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT THIS WAS IN YOUR MEMO, BUT MAYBE MY STAFF GAVE ME.
THE CARE ACT OF 2020 ALLOCATES 4 MILLION TO THE STATES TO HELP WITH THE COST
OF ELECTIONS -- >> THAT IS IN MY MEMO.
THAT COMES AT THE ADMINISTRATIVE PART AT THE END OF THE MEMO.
I HAVE CONSULTED WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE WOULD BE TREMENDOUS PROBLEMS IN GETTING THE VOTE BY MAIL PROGRAM AND THERE WOULD BE A GREAT DEAL OF EXPENSE INVOLVED AND THERE WOULD BE A LOT OF MAN POWER WHICH WE WOULD EXPECT.
I THINK I IDENTIFIED TWO DIFFERENT PROVISIONS OF THE CARE ACT THAT MAY HELP US OUT ON THAT PROVISION.
ONE IS THE THING THAT YOU WERE ADDRESSING RIGHT BEFORE WE STARTED DISCUSSING THIS, THE CERTIFICATION LETTER THAT THE JUDGE IS GOING TO SEND IN UNDER THE AIR ACT TO GET A SHARE OF THE DIRECT PAYMENTS TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
THAT POT OF MONEY IS VERY LARGE.
I THINK IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE DIVIDED UP PROPORTIONALLY ACCORDING TO POPULATION.
I DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO DIVIDE IT UP, TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH.
THE TRUTH IS WE HAVE OVER 1% OF THE POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THAT WOULD BE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE OTHER THING IS THEY APPROPRIATED $400 MILLION DIRECTLY TO HELPING JURISDICTIONS WITH ELECTIONS.
THAT'S SUPPOSED TO BE DIVIDED UP BY STATE.
WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS $20 MILLION IS BEING GIVEN TO THE STATE OF TEXAS FOR ELECTIONS.
I THINK IT WILL ACTUALLY BE MORE THAN THAT.
BUT IF WE JUST GOT A PORTION OF THAT, THAT MIGHT BE LIKE $3.5 MILLION.
THAT WOULD BE A FRACTION OF WHAT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE TELLS ME IS WHAT THEY WOULD NEED TO RAMP UP IN A SIGNIFICANT WAY BALLOT BY MAIL.
THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO TODAY.
I THINK THAT THE CLERK'S OFFICE WILL COME BACK IN THE FUTURE ONCE, YOU KNOW,
[01:35:02]
SPECIFIC DEMANDS OF THE ELECTION ARE DETERMINED AND THEY WILL PROBABLY WANT YOU TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL MONEY.I AM TELLING YOU THIS SO YOU AS COMMISSIONERS WILL KNOW THIS AND THE BUDGET DEPARTMENT WILL BE PREPARED FOR THIS ASK OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE.
AND IT COULD BE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF MONEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.
LUCINDA IF YOU WILL CALL THEM UP.
I AM UNDERSTANDING THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS CONSIDERING TAKING AN ACTION FOR AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO FILE A BRANCH OF THE COURT WITH TRAVIS COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND TRAVIS COUNTY IN THE STATE OF TEXAS LAWSUIT.
THEY BELIEVE UNDER THE CURRENT LAW VOTERS CAN USE A MAIL IN BALLOT BECAUSE OF THE ON GOING COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
AND THEY CAN -- THEY NEED TO BE ABLE TO START THE REQUEST FOR THE BALLOT NOW SO THAT THE COUNTY CAN HANDLE THE INCREASE IN VOTING BY MAIL.
BECAUSE THE STATE HAS IGNORED THE REQUEST TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT THE LAW ALLOWS THE PEOPLE TO VOTE BY MAIL DURING THIS CRISIS, THEY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS AND THEIR PARTNERS TO APPLY FOR THE VOTE BY MAIL FOR THE FEAR OF BEING REJECTED OR THE PEOPLE BEING PROSECUTED FOR USING THEIR OPTIONS.
SO TEXAS VOTERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT TO VOTE AND ENSURING THEIR OWN SAFETY.
TOPS WANTS HARRIS COUNTY TO JOIN THE CAUSE WITH TRAF -- TRAVIS COUNTY CLEAR TO MAKE IT CLEAR TO VOTERS NOW, NOW MORE THAN EVER.
WE MUST PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WILL MAKE A MOTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION IS THAT THE COUNTY FILE AN AMICUS.
MR. RAY AND MR. SWARD, AN AMICUS IS EASIER THAN A LAWSUIT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL BE FOR THE MOTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE I WANT TO ASK ABOUT YOUR ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S MOVE TO -- BACK TO -- PAGE 18 ITEM A4.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ASK THAT THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO THE EXTENT THEY CAN, THEY COLLECT DATA AND COVID VICTIMS ON AGE AND GENDER AND LOCATION TO THE EX -- EXTENT THEY CAN.
I WANT TO ADD TO THEIR WORK, BUT I GOT A NUMBER OF CALLS FROM PEOPLE HERE AND OUT OF TOWN.
MILWAUKEE HAD A REPORT ON THE IMPACT BASED ON RACE AND ETHNICITY IN THE STATE OF MICHIGAN.
I THINK CHICAGO AND ALSO IN THE STATE OF LAW -- LOUISIANA.
I WANT TO REQUEST IT TO THE EXTENT WE CAN COLLECT THAT DATA.
IT MAY BE HELPFUL WHEN WE HAVE TO DEAL WITH A PANDEMIC LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE.
I DON'T THINK I NEED A MOTION.
PEOPLE ARE ASKING AND I WANT TO SAY THAT I ASKED FOR IT.
IF THEY CAN GET IT, WE OUGHT TO DO IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF IT IS APPROPRIATE, AT THIS TIME I DO WANT TO MAKE A MOTION ABOUT COLLECTING INFORMATION ON BEST PRACTICES.
THE MOTION WOULD BE THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE ANALYST OFFICE BE TASKERRED -- TASKED WITH REVIEWING THE COVID-19 RELIEF FUND IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S AND YOU SHOULD REVIEW THE MOST COMMON CRITERIA FOR SUCH FUNDS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD.
>> CURRENTLY TETRA-TECH, THE ON CALL COMPANY FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT IS ON THE GROUND ON THE MEDICAL SHELTER, AND THEY HAVE BEEN WITH US FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
[01:40:06]
I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT EITHER THEY STAY ON THAT PORTION OF THE COVID RESPONSE OR THERE BE A SUFFICIENT TRANSITION TIME WITH GUIDE HOUSE.I MEAN, THAT'S A SMALL ITEM, BUT IT IS VERY IMPORTANT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE CLEAR THEY STAY ON THAT PORTION.
RIGHT NOW WE DON'T HAVE THE BAND WIDTH TO SHIFT IT AND THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB.
>> THEY ARE DOING A GOOD JOB AND THEY HAVE BEEN RESPONSIBLE AND THEY ARE ON THE GROUND RIGHT NOW AND HAVE BEEN.
>> DO YOU NEED THAT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION? ANYTHING WE DO CONFLICT WITH THAT OR DO WE HAVE THE LATITUDE TO DO THAT UNILATERALLY?
>> I THINK THAT IS JUST A CLARIFICATION FOR DWIGHT.
WE WILL KEEP -- WE'LL WORK WITH GUIDE HOUSE AND TETRA-TECH.
IF GUIDE HOUSE IS OVERSEEING IT THERE ARE EYES ON IT AND WE'LL MAKE IT WORK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DOES THAT WORK, JOHN?
ANYTHING ELSE UNDER MY ITEM A4?
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE -- YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, UNDER YOUR VERY BROAD ITEM, I INTENDED TO BRING A FEW WHAT MY STAFF CALLS FEEL GOOD ITEMS. WE FOCUS ON SO MUCH ON THE THINGS THAT BRING US DOWN DURING THIS PERIOD OF TIME.
SO IF I COULD HAVE THE LATITUDE OF ABOUT THREE MINUTES, JUDGE, JUST TO TELL YOU SOME OF THE GOOD STUFF THAT HAS GONE ON.
YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD DELIVERED TO YOUR OFFICES AND I HAD ONE HERE WHICH IS A GALLON JUG OF WHITMEYER'S DISTILLERY COMPANY.
THERE IS A WHOLE LOT OF JOES -- JOSTLING TO GO TO THE DISTILLERY AND GET THESE JUGS, BUT WE HAVE HAD, OH, JUDGE, 6,000 GALLONS OF HAND SANITIZER MADE BY DISTILLERIES AND WE WERE ABLE TO PASS OUT TO TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AND OTHER PLACE THAT'S ARE OUT THERE -- PLACES THAT ARE OUT THERE.
THESE ARE OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES PARTNERING WITH THE NONPROFITS AND PARTNERING WITH PROFITS OUT THERE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.
WE HAVE BEEN COORDINATING WITH HEB AND OTHER NONPROFITS TO PICK UP 1700 LOAVES OF BREAD FOR USE TO HELP FEED PEOPLE THAT AREN'T BEING ABLE TO GET THEIR FOOD RIGHT NOW.
JUDGE, OUR LONE STAR COLLEGE THAT TRAINS FUTURE NURSES WAS ABLE TO TAKE THEIR 15-BED MEDICAL TRAINING FACILITY AND THEIR PPE'S AND EVERYTHING TO BE ABLE TO HELP OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY.
SO OUR TRAINING FACILITIES THAT HAVE BEEN SHUTDOWN WERE ABLE TO HOPE UP WHAT THEY HAD TO BE ABLE TO PARTNER WITH OTHER ENTITIES.
SO LONE STAR COLLEGE IT TOMAGUA ARE WORKING TOGETHER.
WE HAD 4,000 GLOVES THAT WERE DELIVERED TO BE ABLE TO ASSIST OUR LOCAL NONPROFITS.
JUDGE, OUR SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM THAT WE NOW CALL OUR ENCORE PROGRAM, WE HAVE THESE QUILTERS.
I WAS SPORTING EARLIER MY QUILT.
I AM ISOLATED RIGHT NOW, BUT WE SPORT THESE QUILTS MADE BY LOVING MEMBERS OF OUR SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM.
OUR QUILTERS WHO WHILE THEY WERE SHUT UP THEY HAVE NOT GONE IDLE.
YOU SHOULD HAVE HAD ONE DELIVERED TO THE OFFICE.
WE HAVE ABOUT 150 HANDMADE MASKS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE.
IT IS NOSE WHO ARE SHUT IN ARE NOT ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO BE SHUT IN IN TERMS OF OTHERS.
AND MANY OF THESE HAVE BEEN DELIVERED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE UNDER OTHER FIRST RESPONDERS.
JUDGE, WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANKS, AND WE HAVE A LOT OF VOLUNTEER THAT'S ARE WORKING THERE.
THERE ARE SOME 42,000 MEALS PER DAY THAT OUR PRECINCT 4 AND COUNTY VOLUNTEERS ARE DOING AND ABLE TO ASSIST.
JUDGE, WE HAVE A VERY ROBUST PROGRAM FOR OUR SENIORS THAT INVOLVES OUR BUSES, BUT THOSE BUS DRIVERS WHEN THEY WERE NO LON -- NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE THEY HAVE BEEN VISITING WITH THE SENIORS AND THE SHUT INS AND WE HAVE EXPECTED BY THE END OF THE WEEK FOR THEM T.O.
-- FOR THEM TO HAVE MADE 10,000 CALLS TO THE SHUT INS.
THE PEOPLE WHO ARE STUCK AT HOME AND MANY OF THESE FOLKS ARE LONELY AND THEY DON'T
[01:45:03]
HAVE ANY OTHER CONNECTION IN THE COMMUNITY.OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CALL AND MAKE WELLNESS CHECKS.
I WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO MANY OF THE CHURCHES SPECIFICALLY THE MET CHURCH.
AND WHENEVER WE FIND OUT THERE IS SOMEONE IN NEED FOR SOME SORT OF ASSISTANCE THAT THEY BE ABLE TO STEP IN.
THE REASON I CALL IT THE MET IS THEY HAVE HELPED 30 OF THE SENIOR PARTICIPANTS WHO COULDN'T LEAVE THEIR HOMES WITH SPECIAL NEEDS THEY HAD.
JUDGE, I THINK LIKE THE HAIR CLUB FOR MEN YOU NOT ONLY TALK ABOUT IT, BUT YOU ARE A CUSTOMER TOO.
OUR PARKS ARE HAVING -- YOU HAVE GONE TO A COUPLE OF OUR PARKS.
WE HAVE MAINTAINED SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WE HAVE WALLED OFF THE BENCHES AND THE TABLES AND THE PLAYGROUNDS WHERE PEOPLE CAN TOUCH THINGS.
AND SO IT IS ALL MOBILE, BUT WE HAVE HAD VERY GOOD SUCCESS OF PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE SOACIALG -- THE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES.
OF COURSE THERE ARE THE OCCASIONAL TIMES WHEN SOMEBODY VIOLATES THAT, BUT THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE CALLED BACK TO US AND TALKED ABOUT HOW WHEN THEY ARE GETTING CABIN FEVER, THIS IS A GOOD, POSITIVE SOCIAL PLACE TO -- NOT SOCIAL PLACE, BUT PERSONAL PLACE WHERE THEY CAN GO AND BREATHE THE FRESH AIR AND TO BE OUTSIDE AND WE ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING REPORTS BACK FROM FOLKS AND MANY ARE DISCOVERING THE BEST BEACHES IN TEXAS ARE ALONG THE DREAM WAY AND PEOPLE DIDN'T KNOW IT UNTIL THEY WALKED THE TRAILS AND SAW SPRING CREEK THE SANDY, WHITE BEACHES.
THEY BRING THEIR OWN CLAIRE -- CHAIRS.
THEY BRING THEIR OWN PICNIC BLANKETS AND THEY ARE HAVING PICNICS AT THE BEACH ON SPRING CREEK.
SO I WANTED TO TAKE A COUPLE OF MINUTES DURING THIS ITEM THAT YOU HAVE POSTED TO KIND OF GIVE A FEW OF THE FEEL GOOD THINGS OF HOW NEIGHBORS ARE HELPING NEIGHBORS AND HOW PEOPLE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN THE MIDST OF THE CRISIS.
THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THE BROAD-BASED AGENDA ITEM ON SO WE CAN TALK ABOUT SOME OF THE SUCCESSES OUT THERE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
SORT OF ON THE SAME LINE, I JUST WANTED TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S FOLKS FOR THEIR WORK.
AND I WANT TO ALSO THANK MY STAFF.
EARLY ON IN THIS CRISIS WE BEGAN TO BE VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT THOSE WHO ARE HOME BOUND SENIORS.
WE REPEATEDLY REMIND FOLKS THAT OUR BUILDINGS MAY BE CLOSE BECAUSE WE WANTED -- MAY BE CLOSED BECAUSE WE WANTED TO BE COMPLIANT WITH YOUR ORDERS AND THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS, BUT OUR SERVICES WOULDN'T BE CLOSED.
I JUST WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR PHENOMENAL WORK ON DISTRIBUTING HUNDREDS OF MEALS ON A DAILY BASIS TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITY.
THEY ARE HELPING WITH THAT AND I JUST CAN'T TELL YOU THE FEEL GOOD AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE DESCRIBES IT, IT IS JUST SO AMAZING AND PEOPLE ARE SO GRATEFUL THAT YOU, JUDGE, AND EVERYONE IS AROUND AND MINDFUL AND SHARING INFORMATION AND THE RESOURCES ARE NECESSARY OUT THERE.
AND I MET THE COOKS YESTERDAY.
THEY WERE JUST SO GORGEOUS AND SO UPBEAT AND GRATEFUL FOR THE FACT THAT WE WERE ABLE TO BRING FOOD TO THEM.
AND NOT ENCOURAGE THEM TO EXPOSE THEMSELVES BY MAKING CONTACT WITH OTHERS.
THIS IS A VERY INTERESTING TIME FOR US, JUDGE.
AND I JUST WANT TO COMEPPED YOU -- I JUST WANT TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE APPROACH TO THIS VERY, VERY CHAOTIC SITUATION.
ON MANY OCCASIONS -- I KNOW WE ARE ON A PUBLIC CHANNEL SO I WILL JUST TELL YOU WHAT SOME VERY -- WHAT SOMEONE VERY, VERY, VERY CLOSE TO ME SAID AS THEY HEARD YOUR COMMENTS AND HEARD YOUR CONVERSATIONS AND THE WAY YOU ARE APPROACHING THE WHOLE DIALOGUE IS THAT YOU WERE DESCRIBED AS A BAD BLANK IN HOW YOU ARE
[01:50:01]
APPROACHING ALL OF THIS.I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING TIRELESSLY.
WE WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT YOU ARE IN OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS, JUDGE, BECAUSE I KNOW WE ARE ALL FEELING THE PRESSURE, BUT THE PRESSURE IS MOST CENTERED ON YOU.
AND SO FOLKS ALL OVER THE COUNTY IT IS FROM THREE AND FOUR AND ONE AND TWO.
I TELL YOU WHAT, WITH ALL OF THE CONVERSATIONS OF WHAT AN ORDER IS AND WHAT IT IS TELLING US NOT TO DO AND DO, FOLKS ARE SUPPORTIVE.
I WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR INCREDIBLE WORK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I FEEL LIKE I BETTER JOIN THE PARADE SO LET ME DO IT THIS WAY.
LET ME THANK ALL OF YOU FOR WHAT YOU HAVE BEEN DOING.
I WANT TO THANK YOUR STAFF, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S STAFF AND RADACK'S STAFF AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S STAFF AND MY OWN STAFF.
A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN I SUGGESTED TO PUT THAT ITEM ON THE AGENDA, REALLY TRYING TO GET MONEY TO THE FOOD BANK BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHATNOT FOR PROFIT I SHOULD WORK WITH.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE CHIMED IN AND OTHERS.
OBVIOUSLY THE 240 WILL RUN OUT.
I HAVE AN ITEM COMING UP LATER AND WHAT WE SHOULD DO IN THE BROADER ARENA AND LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE REFERENCE TO EARLIER AND SEE WHAT THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND NOT JUST WHAT THE CITIES AND COUNTIES ARE DOING.
AND WE CAN SEE IF WE CAN LEVERAGE LOCAL DOLLARS WITH THE FEDERAL MONEY AND THE STATE MONEY TO DRAW DOWN EVEN MORE.
INDIVIDUALS FOR RENT AND BUSINESSES AND WHATEVER IT IS AND WE SHOULD DO IT AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.
AND I HOPE WE WILL COME BACK SOONER THAN THE NEXT THREE WEEKS.
I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF IN PARTICULAR.
THEY ARE OUT THERE WITH THAT MASK ON.
IT IS A GOOD WAY TO LET PEOPLE ON THE TIME CLOCK NOT LOSE THEIR INCOME BECAUSE THEY CAN GO AND WORK FOR, I THINK, SOMEBODY IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND WORK IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
THEY CAN DO THE FOOD BANK OR THESE OTHER NOT FOR PROFITS.
I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE PARADE ON TOO LONG.
EVERYBODY IS DOING A GOOD JOB.
AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID, JUDGE, THERE IS NO PLAYBOOK FOR THIS.
WE ARE WRITING IT NOW AND YOU WILL HAVE A BIG CHAPTER IN IT.
IT WILL REFLECT VERY FAVORABLY ON LINA HIDALGO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE TOO KIND AND I APPRECIATE EVERYONE'S SUPPORT.
WE ARE STILL IN THE MIDDLE OF IT SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
ANYTHING ELSE UNDER MY BROAD ITEM? IN THAT CASE WE WILL MOVE TO PRECINCT 2'S AGENDA.
I AM JAMES AND HERE WITH A LAW FIRM AND I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE TESTING BEING DONE.
I HEARD WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID ABOUT COLLECTING DATA ON RACE.
I THINK THAT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL IN HOUSTON.
I ALSO THINK YOU NEED TO LOOK TO OTHER JURISDICTIONS TO SEE HOW TESTING IS DONE.
I DON'T THINK IT IS BEING DONE EFFECTIVELY HERE.
ONE OF THE REASONS IS THE CRITERIA AND THE DOCTORS CAN DO DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS ON SOMEBODY PRESENTED WITH THE SYMPTOMS AND THE HISTORY THAT IS REQUIRED TO GET THE TEST.
WHAT IS NEEDED IS TO GO OUT AND FIND PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY WHO ARE POSITIVE AND NOT THOSE PRESENTING AT THE CLINIC.
I THINK THE GOVERNMENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY AND INTERNATIONALLY WHICH IS MAKING THIS POSSIBLE, AND ONE OF THOSE DEVELOPMENTS IS CALLED COOL TESTING.
I WOULD HOPE THAT THE COMMISSIONERS AS -- ALONG WITH THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT WILL START LOOKING AT THIS TECHNIQUE.
IT IS DONE BY THE BLOOD BANKS TO TEST MULTIPLE DONATIONS FOR VIRAL PATH OWE GENERALS -- PATHOGENS AND IT CAN GREATLY INCREASE THE EFFICACY OF TESTS.
I WOULD ALSO ENCOURAGE THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO GET BEYOND TESTING AT THE VEHICLE DRIVE-THRUS.
THIS IS LEAVING OUT LOTS OF PEOPLE.
[01:55:02]
LOTS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE VULNERABLE.THOSE WHO DON'T HAVE CAR TRANSPORTATION OBVIOUSLY ENOUGH.
I THINK HOUSTON IS ORGANIZED AS YOU KNOW OR DIS DISORGANIZED AS YOU KNOW INTO LOTS OF MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS.
USUALLY ONE, TWO, THREE-STORY APARTMENT BUILDINGS.
AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS.
THAT'S WHERE THE TESTING NEEDS TO GO.
THESE PEOPLE -- THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE, AS JUDGE ELLIS POINTED OUT, IN MILWAUKEE, IN DETROIT, IN -- AND IN LOUISIANA AS WELL ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTED.
AND IT IS MOSTLY MINORITY COMMUNITIES.
THAT'S WHERE THE TESTING HAS TO BE TARGETED SO PEOPLE WHO ARE TARGETED AND PEOPLE MILDLY ILL CAN BE QUARANTINED.
THIRD, I HOPE THE COMMISSIONERS CAN BITE THE BULLET AND REALIZE THAT QUARANTINING, ESPECIALLY THIS POPULATION, AT HOME IS NOT GOING TO WORK.
THEY ARE IN CROWDED APARTMENTS.
THEY ARE PROBABLY NOW LIVING IN MULTI-FAMILY SITUATIONS AS THEIR INCOME CRASHES, AND THEY HAVE TO MOVE IN AND PEOPLE HAVE T.O.
-- HAVE TO MOVE IN WITH EACH OTHER.
YOU CANNOT QUARANTINE IN A SITUATION LIKE THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS AND I WILL MAKE SURE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS YOUR RECOMMENDATIONS SPECIFICALLY.
I WOULD SAY WE HOPE THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS CATCHING UP SOON SO WE CAN GET MORE TESTING MATERIAL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, HE HAD AN INTERESTING COMMENT.
I WENT BIKE RIDING AT A SOCIAL DISTANCE WITH THE DIRECTOR OF THE CITY.
SOME OF THE NEW TRAILS THE COUNTY HAS PUT IN ON THE CITY STREETS AND I WAS ASKING HOW MANY PEOPLE WERE SHOWING UP AT THE TESTING SITES AND MAYBE YOU CAN COMMENT ON IT UNDER YOUR BROAD ITEM, WHEN WILL WE GET MORE TESTING? AND AT SOME POINT IF THE FEDS DON'T PAY FOR IT, SHOULD WE PAY FOR IT SO THAT -- I KNOW A FEW PEOPLE WHO REMAIN NAMELESS WHO TOLD ME THEY DID GO OUT AND SAY THEY HAD SYMPTOMS BECAUSE THEY WERE JUST WONDERING IF THEY WERE ASYMPTOMATIC.
IF THIS IS AN APPROPRIATE TIME TO BRING IT UP, ARE WE THINKING ABOUT WHAT WE CAN DO TO DO MORE TESTING AND SOMEBODY DO IT FOR US? SHOULD WE PAY FOR IT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, ABSOLUTELY.
AND FOLKS WILL RECALL BEFORE THE FEDS ANNOUNCED THEY WERE GOING TO SUPPORT TWO SITES FOR THE COUNTY, WE WERE SEEKING WAYS FOR US TO PAY AND TO DO OUR OWN TESTING.
THE PROBLEM IS THE SUPPLIES JUST WEREN'T THERE.
SO THE BEST OPTION WAS TO TAKE THOSE SITES FROM THE FEDSS IN TERMS OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE FREE TESTING AND DO IT ADEQUATELY.
IN PARALLEL WE HAVE CONTINUED TO EKDZ -- TO EXPLORE ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF SUPPLY THAT WE CAN PAY FOR AND IT LOOKS LIKE MORE ARE COMING ON LINE AND THERE IS MORE PPE AND THAT'S THE LIMITING FACTOR.
IT IS THE TEST KITS AND IT LOOKS LIKE SOON -- AND I VENTURE TO SAY THE NEXT COUPLE WEEKS, BUT OF COURSE -- WHAT I CAN SAY FOR CERTAIN IS AS SOON AS WE HAVE IT WE WILL ABSOLUTELY OPEN MORE TEST SITES.
IT HASN'T BEEN US NOT WANTING TO.
IT HAS BEEN JUST THE SUPPLIES AREN'T THERE.
AND WE HAVE HEARD FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE THAT THERE IS THIS QUICK TEST AND THIS OTHER QUICK TEST AND WE RUN IT DOWN AND SO FAR I WILL TELL Y'ALL IF WE HAD ONE WHICH IS AVAILABLE TO SCALE FOR THE COUNTY WE WOULD BE DOING IT.
WE HAVE A FULL TEAM DEDICATED TO IT.
THE SUPPLY CHAIN IS CATCHING UP.
WHEN THEY LEAVE WE WILL BE ABLE TO CARRY OUT EVEN WITH FEWER STRINGS ATTACHED THAT WE HAD UNDER THEM AND IT JUST HAPPENS TO COINCIDE WITH THE SUPPLY CHAIN CATCHING UP.
SO I THINK THAT WE ARE IN FOR THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A LOT MORE TESTING.
AND I WAS TALKING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ABOUT THIS, IF YOU ARE SICK, ASSUME YOU HAVE CORONAVIRUS.
DON'T SAY I WON'T QUARANTINE BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN TESTED.
EVEN IF YOU ARE TESTED AND IT COMES BACK NEGATIVE, IT COULD BE A FALSE NEGATIVE.
THAT'S SOMETHING WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO SHARE.
WE DO NEED TO BE ABLE TO TEST A LOT MORE SO THAT WE HAVE AN ACCURATE ACCOUNTING OF CASES, AND THAT'S PARTICULARLY IMPORTANT AS HOPEFULLY WE MOVE PAST THE PEAK OF OUR CHOIF AND -- OUR CURVE AND TOWARD A PLACE WHERE WE CAN PARTIALLY LIFT
[02:00:02]
OUR STAY AT HOME ORDER DOWN THE LINE.WE ARE NOT AT THAT PLACE AT ALL, BUT DOWN THE LINE.
IDEALLY BY THEN WE HAVE ENOUGH TESTING WHERE WE CAN LIFT THE ORDER AND TARGET THE AREAS WHERE THERE IS ANY BURST OF POSITIVES, AND THAT WAY WE DON'T HAVE TO USE THE HAMMER THAT WE HAVE HAD TO USE, BUT WE CAN USE A MORE SURGICAL QUAWRN TEENING.
THAT SURGICAL APPROACH IS ONLY POSSIBLE IF WE HAVE TRULY BROAD-BASED TESTING IN THE COMMUNITY AND IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THAT IS A MATTER OF SUPPLIES WHICH WE ARE TRYING TO GET OUR HANDS ON RIGHT NOW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK THE COUNTY WOULD GET MORE PEOPLE THAN THE CITY, I THINK.
I HOPE THEY WON'T TAKE SOME OF OUR SUPPORT AWAY, BUT THEY ARE FAR OUT AS OPPOSED TO THE FEDERAL CLINICS OR THE FOLKS AT LEGACY AND OTHER PLACES THAT PEOPLE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO GOING TO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE YOU MUTED? COMMISSIONER, YOU ARE MUTED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND THANK YOU FOR RECOGNIZING THE URGENCY OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THIS TESTING PROCESS AS WE DISCUSSED YESTERDAY.
I WOULD ALSO SAY AS I INDICATED I AM READY TO APPROPRIATE BUDGET DOLLARS FOR THIS FROM MY PRECINCT TO HELP SUPPORT WHEREVER THE PRESSURE MAY BE.
BUT I WOULD ALSO JUST ASK YOU AGAIN TO VISIT WITH YOUR FOLKS AND DR. SHAW TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ALL COORDINATED IN WHAT THAT TECHNOLOGY MAY BE THAT WOULD HELP US DO MORE OF THE TESTING.
I HAVE BEEN FORWARDING ALL OF THE INTERESTED PARTIES WHO ARE INDICATING THAT THEY HAVE A PARTICULAR TECHNOLOGY THAT CAN HELP US.
I HAVE BEEN REPORTING ALL OF THOSE TO DR. SHAW.
BUT IF THAT'S NOT THE BEST PLACE TO ANALYZE AND RESEARCH AND VALIDATE THEIR FDA AND THE LAB REQUIREMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT THE PLACES IN YOUR OFFICE TO START THE PROCESS AND THERE IS SUCH A NEED.
SO MANY PEOPLE ARE CONCERNED AND AS I MENTIONED WE HAD SOME TRAGEDIES IN THE PRECINCT RECENTLY AND THE CONVERSATION WE HAD YESTERDAY ABOUT THOSE OTHER FOLKS THAT WERE CONFIRMED YESTERDAY, ALL OF THIS IS JUST RAISING A LOT OF CONCERN, AND I THINK AS PEOPLE SEE THE FACT THAT THE PROCESS OF BEING ABLE TO TEST MORE PEOPLE ULTIMATELY DETERMINES BASELINE WOULD BE CRITICAL FOR OUR LONG-TERM SUCCESS.
AGAIN, THANK YOU AND DOING A HELL OF A JOB.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I MEANT TO RAISE THIS AT THE BEGINNING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
WE ACTUALLY KNOW SOMEONE THAT HAS BEEN TO MANY OF OUR COMMISSIONER'S COURT SESSIONS AND THAT IS MARY HAMMER WHO PASSED AWAY SUNDAY A WEEK AGO.
AND SO I THINK THAT IT IS APPROPRIATE THAT AS WE GO FORWARD THAT WE HAVE ALL BEEN HUGGED BY MARY AND ALL BEEN FUSSED AT BY MARY AND ALL BEEN BLESSED BY MARY THAT THIS DISEASE HAS A FACE, AND THAT FACE IS OUR BELOVED MARY HAMMER.
JUDGE, WHEN WE END TODAY, I WOULD ASK YOU TO CONSIDER THAT WHEN WE EXIT THAT WE EXIT IN HONOR OF MARY HAMMER WHO IS SOMEONE WE ALL HAD SEEN PARTICIPATE IN OUR COURT PROCESS FOR MANY, MANY YEARS.
I JUST WANTED TO RAISE THAT AT THIS POINT BECAUSE I NEGLECTED TO DO SO IN THE VERY BEGINNING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POINT, WE CONTINUE TO NEED THOSE IDEAS, SO IF FOLKS HAVE IDEAS, DO PLEASE AND I CONFIRM WITH DR. SHAW THAT IS BEING ROUTED TO OUR LOGISTICS TEAM WHETHER THROUGH HIM OR MY TEAM AND IT ALL GOES TO THE RIGHT FOLKS WHO ARE RUNNING DOWN THOSE IDEAS AND WE ARE PRO ACTIVELY ALSO SPEAKING -- SEEKING OUT ALL OVER THE WORLD AND FINALLY RECEIVING OUR SHIPMENTS OF PPE THAT WE HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTING THROUGHOUT LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FROM CHINA.
WE ARE GETTING THEM IN SMALLER BATCHES BECAUSE THE LARGER BATCHES HAVE NOT BEEN ALLOWED TO LEAVE THAT COUNTRY.
SO WE ARE 100% TRYING TO GET THE SUPPLIES IN.
[02:05:02]
AND COMMISSIONER'S -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT ABOUT FEMA LEAVING, COMMISSIONER, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THEY WILL LEAVE US WITH TWO WEEKS WORTH OF SUPPLIES.WE BELIEVE GIVEN THE PROSPECTS THAT WE HAVE THAT IN THOSE TWO WEEKS WE WILL BE ABLE TO PROCURE THE SAME SUPPLIES AND MORE SUPPLIES SO WE CAN DO A LOT MORE TESTING THAN WE'VE DONE SO FAR.
THAT IS IDEALLY WHAT WILL HAPPEN.
IN ANY CASE AFTER THAT THEY WILL BE REIMBURSING US AT THAT 75% RATE FOR OUR TESTING.
SO IF THEY ARE PHYSICALLY LEAVING, BUT IN SOMEWAYS IT OPENS US UP TO MORE FLEXIBILITY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE REACTION SOMEBODY HAD WHEN THE ARTICLE CAME OUT ABOUT SOME OF FEMA'S RESOURCES BEING DEPLOYED SOMEWHERE ELSE.
THAT WOULD GIVE PEOPLE FALSE HOPE.
JUST GO AGAINST THE MODELS BECAUSE WE HAVE A DIVERSE POPULATION AND POOR POPULATION AND A LARGE NUMBER OF UNINSURED PEOPLE.
IT IS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF ONE PROBLEM.
IN THOSE POORER NEIGHBORHOODS, THE LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS PEOPLE ARE STACKED UP AND CONDITIONS LIKE THE JAIL OR OTHER PLACES THAT YOU MAKE REFERENCE TO OR THE HOMELESS POPULATION.
JUST THE REACTION THAT SOME PEOPLE HAD ABOUT THE MERE IDEA OF SOME FEDERAL RESOURCES LEAVING, EVEN IF IT WAS TO BE DEPLOYED TO A HOTSPOT RIGHT NOW, YOU JUST GIVE SOME PEOPLE THE IMPRESSION THAT OH, WE ARE GOING TO BE OKAY.
AND THE CONTRACT FROM THE BEGINNING WAS FOR THAT LONG.
WE WERE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED THEY SAID WE WILL DO TESTING AND WE DECIDED WE WOULD DO 10 ACROSS THE CITY AND COUNTY AND IT WAS GREAT.
AND THEN WE REALIZED WE DIDN'T HAVE THE PPE, THE TEST KITS.
THEY WERE NOWHERE TO BE FOUND.
AND THEN FEMA REACHED OUT AND SAID YOU GOT SIX HOURS TO PICK TWO COUNTY SITES AND TWO CITY SITES, GO.
AND THE CONTRACT IS FOR THIS LONG.
AND SO THAT WAS JUST FROM THE START WE KNEW THIS IS HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK.
IT WASN'T SOMETHING THAT JUST SUDDENLY THEY DECIDED THEY WERE GOING TO LEAVE.
OF COURSE, WE WOULD RATHER GET THE SUPPORT UP FRONT, BUT THE BRIGHT SIDE IS THERE ARE MORE THINGS TO GIVE US FLEXIBILITY FOR ADDITIONAL PARTNERSHIPS.
THE LIMITING FACTOR THOUGH, WE WILL BE BACK AT SQUARE ONE AND THAT IS SUPPLIES AND THEY WILL NO LONGER BE PROVIDING THEM.
THEY WILL JUST BE REIMBURSING.
I DO THINK I HAD A MEMO FROM MY TEAM LAST NIGHT AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE WILL BE ABLE TO -- OF COURSE UNTIL WE HAVE THEM ON HAND WE CAN'T SAY YES, BUT IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE ENOUGH NEEDS WHERE WE WILL BE ABLE TO AT LEAST KEEP UP WITH OUR CURRENT TESTING AND AT BEST AND VERY LIKELY DRASTICALLY EXPAND.
THAT'S WHERE WE ARE AND I WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP Y'ALL POSTED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW YOU ARE DOING A GREAT JOB WITH OUR MAYOR IN TERMS OF HAVING A GREAT PARTNERSHIP.
SOME PEOPLE WERE TELLING ME TO GO OUT TO THE SCHOOL STADIUMS AS OPPOSED TO NRG OR SOMETHING ON THE RAIL LINE.
IT IS SO PEOPLE THAT DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION CAN GET THERE.
IT MAY NOT BE NRG, BUT SOMETHING ON A RAIL LINE WHERE PEOPLE CAN GET THERE.
AND WE ARE LOOKING AT BEING ABLE TO MOVE THEM SO WE CAN VISIT DIFFERENT COMMUNITIES.
IT IS REALLY A MATTER OF SUPPLIES.
THE CURRENT LOCATIONS ARE NOT PERFECT.
IT IS A MATTER OF THEY SAID YOU HAVE THIS MANY HOURS TO COME UP WITH THEM.
WE HAVE BEEN TRACKING WHERE PEOPLE ARE COMING FROM ON THE TEST SITES.
I WELCOME YOUR CONTINUED ADVICE AND HEADS UP ON SITES AND TEST IDEAS THAT YOU HAVE HEARD.
IT IS MORE THAN WELCOME AND NECESSARY IN FACT.
I KNOW I PROMISED A BREAK AT NOON.
WHY DON'T WE BREAK FOR TWO MINUTES AND THEN WE WILL COME BACK AND CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA AND THE SPEAKERS? THANK YOU.
>> JUDGE, WE HAVE DR. MOREO WHO ONLY HAD A FEW MINUTES ON THE CALL AND WANTED TO SEE IF WE CAN GET TO HER QUICKLY BEFORE WE TAKE OUR BREAK.
LET'S LISTEN TO DR. MOREO AND THEN TAKE OUR BREAK.
>> HI, THIS IS PATRICIA ON BEHALF OF DR. MOREA.
SHE HAD TO GO ON A CALL WITH A MEMBER.
BUT SHE BRIEFLY WANTED TO MENTION THAT SHE IS IN SUPPORT OF THE 10 MILLION LOAN AND APPRECIATES JUDGE, JUDGE HIDALGO AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND SHE WANTED TO CALL IN WITH REGARDS BEING IN FAVOR OF THAT.
[02:10:06]
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WEIGHING IN, AND WE APOLOGIZE WE DIDN'T GET TO HER SOON ENOUGH.
THANK YOU FOR SHARING HER THOUGHTS WITH US.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
[02:15:28]
WE'RE BACK.>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN FOLKS HEAR ME?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, MA'AM, I CAN HEAR YOU.
>> DID YOU FIGURE OUT THAT HAND DEAL OVER THERE? WE CAN PUSH THAT LITTLE HAND.
SOMEBODY SHOW YOU WHERE THE HAND IS.
>> YES, MA'AM, WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M GOING TO STICK WITH THE OTHER WAY.
YEAH, I FOUND THE HAPPENED, COMMISSIONER -- THE HAND, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK THE REST OF US KNOW OR LET THE OTHER COMMISSIONERS KNOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS HARD TO FIND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU FOUND IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS IT ON THE TOP OR THE BOTTOM?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT -- WHERE THE X IS -- ABOVE THE X THERE IS A LITTLE HAND.
YOU TOUCH IT AND IT RAISE YOUR HAND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS RIGHT ABOVE THE CHAT.
IT IS 12:20 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
[02:20:01]
LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMISSIONER PRE SINK 2'S -- PRECINCT 2 ITEM.>> WE HAVE A COUPLE OF SPEAKERS STILL ON THE LINE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME.
>> GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS.
I AM FROM PRE -- PRECINCT THROUGH, MUSICIAN AND NONPROFIT MEETING THIS MORNING AND I REPRESENT THE NONPROFITS.
IN HOUSTON PROPER ALONE EMERGENCY CALLS HAVE SURGED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS.
WE KNOW HOMICIDE IN THE PANDEMIC AND JOURNALISTS HAVE CALLED FOR ACTION AND OUR LOCAL PROVIDERS HAVE EVEN PUBLISHED AN INVESTIGATIVE REPORT.
SHELTER AND RESCUE PROGRAMS ARE RUNNING OUT OF RESOURCES AND EACH OF THE 450 BEDS AVAILABLE TO VICTIMS IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE FULL AS THEY NORMALLY ARE.
>> THE NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES ALLOWED FOR A BREAK.
BUT WITH THE SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER IN AFFECT THESE VICTIMS HAVE KNOWS SCAPE.
POVERTY IS THE NRM FOR THE VICTIM AND THE ABILITY TO AFFORD HOUSING, PAY BILLS AND FOOD AND MEDICINE ARE NOT WITHIN THEIR REACH.
THAT'S WHY THEY HAVE EMPLOYED THE WRAP AROUND CONCEPT AND HAVE A NEW SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM [INAUDIBLE].
>> I AM HIS MOTHER AND IN 2014 I FOUND THE -- I FOUNDED THE GATEWAY CENTER.
THIS ORGANIZATION WAS FOUNDED IN RESPONSE TO MY -- [INAUDIBLE].
AT 17 I REALIZED HAVING A CHILD WOULD REQUIRE MORE THAN I I COULD PROVIDE AND RESOURCES WERE FEW.
BEYOND FOOD ASSISTANCE SOCIAL PROGRAMS WERE SCARCE.
SINCE OUR FOUNDING WE HAVE EXCITINGLY SERVED THE DEPARTMENT OF FAMILY PROTECTIVE SERVICES AS A CONTRACTOR FOR SOCIAL SERVICES.
BEING AWARDED TWO STATE CONTRACTS FOR FOUR AND FIVE YEARS TO DATE RESPECTIVELY.
SERVING FAMILIES AND CHILDREN.
>> THIS MORNING I JOIN YOU TO HAVE A COMPLETE SOLUTION TO THE RISE OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.
THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY FAMILY SERVICES PROGRAM VIA THE GATEWAY FOUNDATION, A 501C3 ORGANIZATION, OUR SERVICES INCLUDE EMERGENCY AND IMMEDIATE HOME PLACEMENT AND HOME EVALUATION AND TREATMENT DEVELOPMENT AND NUTRITION ASSESSMENT AND PLANNING AND JOB READINESS ASSESSMENT AND TRAINING AND FAMILY MANAGEMENT ASSESSMENT AND PLANNED DEVELOPMENT FOR THE PATIENT AND OUR PARTNERS INCLUDE TECHNOLOGY ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE WORK FROM HOME PARTNERSHIPS AND REALTORS AND BROKERS IMMEDIATELY ESTABLISH SAFE AND PLAUSIBLE RESIDENTS -- RESIDENCES.
HOSPITALITY AND FOOD SERVICE COMPANIES WE ARE CURRENTLY -- THE NUMBER OF LOCALLY
OWNED -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> -- LEAD AND PRINCIPALLED BY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL -- IF THE DEPARTMENT CAN RUN DOWN THIS IDEA -- EXCUSE ME.
WE ABSOLUTELY CAN CONTINUE TO ADDRESS THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, THE NEXT SPEAKER PLEASE.
>> YES, COUNCILMEMBER, THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.
THIS IS GREG A MEMBER OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL.
I SEND MY THOUGHTS AND SOLITAIRE -- SOLIDARITY.
MY OWN FRIENDS AND FAMILY ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF HARRIS COUNTY AS I KNOW MANY OF YOU HAVE LOVED ONES HERE IN AUSTIN AND ACROSS THE STATE.
OUR FIRST PRIORITY IN AUSTIN IS TO SAVE LIVES.
WE ARE ALL TAKING INTERACTIONS TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM GETTING SICK.
PEOPLE ACROSS THE CITY, AND THEIR INCOME AND THEIR JOBS AND FOR WORKING CLASS PEOPLE AND ESPECIALLY FOLKS THAT WORK WITH THEIR HANDS, THEY CAN'T WORK AND HOSPITAL WORK BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THEM TO GET SICK, BUT WE WANT THEM TO SURVIVE AND MANY OF THESE ARE THOSE WHO NEED A REGULAR PAYCHECK TO SURVIVE AND THAT'S WHY COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS TOUCHED BASE WITH ME AND I CALLED TO LET Y'ALL KNOW WHY THE PAYER AND THE
[02:25:04]
CITY COUNCIL THIS WEEK, WHAT IT IS WE ARE UP TO AND WE ARE WORKING TO CREATE AN EMERGENCY $15 MILLION FUND CALLED THE RISE FUND THAT CALLS FOR THE RELIEF IN THE EMERGENCY.IT WILL BE AN EXPANSION OF OUR SOCIAL SERVICE CAPACITY AND GETTING PEOPLE RENTAL SERVICE SO THEY DON'T GET EVICTED.
THEY RAY M RAY PING -- RAMPING UP THE FOOD CAPACITY.
MANY SCHOOLS CAN DELIVER FOOD FOR STUDENTS, BUT MAYBE NOT FOR THEIR FAMILIES OR THEIR PARENTS.
WE WANT TO GET FOOD TO EVERYONE AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BE IN THE FORM OF VOUCHERS OR CARDS OR DIRECT FEDERAL ASSISTANCE LIKE THE GOVERNMENT IS DOING ESPECIALLY FOR THOSE FAMILIES WHO NAY -- MAY NOT BE GETTING A FEDERAL CHECK OR IT MAY BE DELAYED.
THEIR UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE IS NOT GETTING TO THEM YET OR THEY ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY MAY BE A LOW INCOME STUDENT OR AN IMMIGRANT, ET CETERA.
WE ARE ALSO WORKING HARD TO MAKE SURE SOME OF THE FUNDING GETS TO PEOPLE IN VIOLENT SITUATIONS WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO SHELTER IN PLACE AND CAN GET THEM TO A SAFER PLACE.
THEY ARE GETTING ASSISTANCE IN THE MONTH OF APRIL AND MAY.
WE WILL NEED ADDITIONAL FUNDING IN COMING WEEKS.
WE HAVE ASKED FOR AND HAD A RESPONSE FROM TRAVIS COUNTY TO PUT IN AN ADDITIONAL 8 MILLION FOR A TOTAL OF AROUND 25 MILLION.
WE PICKED THAT NUMBER BECAUSE IT IS AN AGGRESSIVE CAPACITY INCREASE THAT WE THINK OUR SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES CAN HANDLE.
THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO THAT NUMBER.
THE FUNDING COMES FROM OUR BUDGETARY SERVE FUND AND WE RECOGNIZE THAT FEDERAL FUNDING CAN REIMBURSE MANY OF THOSE EXPENSES ONCE THE CARE ACT DOLLARS COME TO US.
BUT WE RECOGNIZE THAT WE CAN'T WASTE THE FUNDING BECAUSE PEOPLE HAVE NEEDS NOW.
WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CARS IN DIFFERENT CITIES LINING UP FOR FOOD PANTRIES.
AND BECAUSE IT IS REIMBURSABLE WE KNOW THAT THIS EMERGENCY FUND IS NOT COMPETING AS MUCH WITH FUNDS THAT WE NEED TO KEEP LOCAL GOVERNMENT RUNNING.
WE WANT TO FIND A WAY TO MAKE SURE FOLKS ARE GOING TO WORK BECAUSE THEY NEED TO SURVIVE.
>> JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK THE COUNCILMEMBER.
OBVIOUSLY I SPENT A LITTLE TIME LIVING IN AUSTIN, AT LEAST PART-TIME, SO HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA -- YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY YOU RUN THE RISK -- YOU HOPE YOU GET THE MONEY BACK, BUT YOU RUN THE RISK OF GOING INTO THE RAINY DAY FUND FOR LACK OF A BETTER WAY OF REFERENCING IT, BUT HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THE IDEA TO DO THIS?
>> WE HAVE BEEN BUDGETING AND PUTTING MONEY INTO THIS RAINY DAY FUND FOR EMERGENCIES, AND NOW IT IS A REIN -- NOW THAT IT IS A RAINY DAY, IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHAT IS A RAINY DAY.
LOOKING UP THE CARES ACT WE DO THINK THAT WE SHOULD BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE A BIG CHUNK OF THIS.
EVEN IF WE CAN'T REIMBURSE ALL OF IT, WE HAVE CONSTITUENTS CALLING NOW WHO CAN'T GET FOOD AND THEY DON'T KNOW HOW THEY ARE GOING TO PAY RENT, AND WE KNOW IT IS ONLY GETTING WORSE.
ULTIMATELY I THINK THE MAJORITY OF THE COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR UNDERSTAND THAT WE NEED TO DO THIS NOW BECAUSE THINGS ARE GOING TO TAKE UP A FEW WEEKS TO GET THE MONEY OUT.
IF WE DON'T DO IT, IT IS PART OF OUR PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE AND WE THINK THINGS COULD GEE WORSE BECAUSE WE ARE HEARING OF PEOPLE THAT LOST THEIR JOB AS A COOK AT A HOTEL AND NOW THEY ARE OUT ON THE STREETS CUTTING LAWNS OR REPAIRING PEOPLE'S HOMES AND NOT SHELTERING IN PLACE BECAUSE THEY NEED THE MONEY.
WE THINK THAT FOLKS HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO CITIZENS AND THERE IS A PUBLIC HEALTH AS EXPECT -- ASPECT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COUNCIL VOTED ON IT AND WAS IT A UNANIMOUS VOTE?
>> WE ARE ACTUALLY DISCUSSING IT RIGHT NOW.
WE ARE ON OUR LUNCH BREAK WHICH IS WHY WE ARE ABLE -- I AM ABLE TO TALK TO YOU.
IT SEEMS LIKE FROM THE PUBLIC POSTINGS WE HAVE A MAJORITY SUPPORT AND IT IS UNANIMOUS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW DID YOU FIGURE OUT WHATNOT FOR PROFITS TO WORK -- WHAT NOT FOR PROFITS TO WORK WITH?
>> WE ARE USING OUR EXISTING AGENCIES AND EXPANDING THEIR CONTRACTS.
I DON'T KNOW ABOUT FOR Y'ALL, BUT FOR US IT CAN TAKE WEEKS AND WE DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF TIME.
OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENTS AND PUBLIC SERVICE AND GRANT MAKERS ARE TALKING WITH THE EXISTING SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCIES TO EXPAND THEIR CONTRACT AND THOSE ORGANIZATIONS MAY SUB SUB CONTRACT WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WITH A DEEP REACH IN THE COMMUNITY AND ESPECIALLY WORKING THROUGH OUR SCHOOLS AND THE NONPROFITS AT OUR SCHOOLS.
THAT'S WHERE A LOT OF THE FOLKS IN THE SCHOOLS KNOW WHO IT IS THAT IS GOING TO
[02:30:01]
FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS AND WHO IT IS AND WHICH FAMILIES ALREADY LOST THEIR CAR AND IS ON THE VERGE OF LOSING THEIR HOME.WE KNOW WE NEED TO GET IN TOUCH WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
WE ARE WORKING WITH THE NONPROFITS TO DISTRIBUTE FUNDS TO A LARGER NETWORK OF NONPROFITS THAT HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CITY, BUT NEVER TO THE SCALE -- BECAUSE THERE ARE PEOPLE, LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE UNDER THE GUIDELINES THAT NEVER WORKED FOR.
SO WE HAVE TO GET THOSE TO SCALE AND IT WILL BE A LONG HAUL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: TWO MORE QUICK QUESTIONS BECAUSE I KNOW YOU ARE ON BREAK RIGHT NOW.
YOU ARE SITTING THERE IN THE CAPITOL CITY AND YOU ALL REACHED OUT TO THE STATE AND SEE IF YOU CAN MATCH IT OR PUT SOMETHING IN?
>> OUR GOVERNMENTAL RELATIONS FOLKS ARE SPEAKING WITH THEM AND WE ARE PUSH -- PUSHING HEAVILY FOR THE FOURTH CITY AND RECOVERY BILL IN CONGRESS AND TO INCLUDE MORE MONEY TO CITIES AND COUNTIES THAT IS MORE FLEXIBLE THAN WHAT IS IN THE CARES ACT RIGHT NOW.
WE THINK THAT IF WE GET THE 15 MILLION FROM THE CITY AND 10 MILLION FROM TRAVIS COUNTY, EVEN IF WE COULD GET MORE DOLLARS, WE THINK THAT MAY BE MOST AGGRESSIVE END OF CAPACITY WHETHER NONPROFITS ARE ABLE TO SCALE TO IN A 6-WEEK PERIOD.
THAT'S HOW WE GOT TO THE NUMBER.
LET'S GET TO THE BUDGET NEXT, BUT LET'S START OUT WITH HOW MUCH CAN WE REALLY DO FOR PEOPLE? WE HAVE PASSED THE REQUEST UP THE CHAIN.
I THINK A LOT OF OUR CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE HAS BEEN AROUND THE HEALTH RESPONSE.
AS WE KNOW THERE IS A HUGE ECONOMIC COMPONENT THAT WE NEED TO GET OUR ARMS AROUND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: MY STAFF HAS BEEN LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY.
IN FACT -- I DON'T WANT TO GET ANYBODY MAD, BUT YOURS POPPED UP FROM AUSTIN FIRST.
WE WERE LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY AND THE LAST QUESTION IS HAVE YOU LOOKED AROUND THE COUNTRY TO SEE WHAT OTHER FUNDS, WHAT OTHER COUNTIES OR CITIES ARE DOING IN THIS REGARD? AND WILL YOU ALL DO A BUSINESS COMPONENT AS WELL?
>> YES, WE HAVE ALREADY AUTHORIZED SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS IN HUD FUNDING FOR BRIDGE LOANS FOR BUSINESSES.
THAT'S A SEPARATE FUND AND A LOT OF OUR DOLLARS ARE GOING TOWARD GETTING SOME SMALL BUSINESSES THROUGH THIS GAP AND PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM AND ALL OF THE MONEY FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT CAN COME IN.
SO WE HAVE A SEPARATE FUND AND THERE WILL BE SEVERAL MILLION DOLLARS AND SOME OF WHICH WE HAVE PASSED AT OUR COUNCIL MEETING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND THIS, THE RISE FUND IS GOING TO BE SPECIFICALLY FOR INDIVIDUALS, FOR WORKING FAMILIES.
WE WILL HAVE THOSE SEPARATE FUNDS.
WE ARE IN CONVERSATIONS WITH OTHER CITIES.
WE KNOW CHICAGO, FOR EXAMPLE, IS MAKING DIRECT CASH PAYMENTS TO PEOPLE WHO CAN'T MAKE THEIR RENT OR CAN'T MAKE THEIR MORTGAGE.
HOWEVER, I THINK WE HAVE TO RECOGNIZE IN TEXAS HOW MANY PEOPLE DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE, HOW MANY PEOPLE MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR MUCH OF AN UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT BECAUSE WE HAVE A LESS FUNDED UNEMPLOYMENT SYSTEM.
WE'LL SEE HOW WELL THE ENROLLMENT GOES WITH THE SURGE WE HAVE GOTTEN.
A LARGE NUMBER OF IMMIGRANTS AND OTHER FOLKS THAT IT MAY REQUIRE LOCAL GOVERNMENT TO STEP UP TO FILL MORE OF THE GAP THAN WE MAY HAVE SEEN IN NEW YORK CITY OR CHICAGO.
I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AGAIN.
I OWE YOU A BIKE RIDE, COUNCILMAN.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER.
I WILL FORWARD THE INFORMATION SO IF ANYONE ON THE COURT NEEDS ANYTHING WE ARE HERE IN THAT SERVICE.
THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING, AND FOR TAKING THE TIME OUT OF YOUR BUSY DAY.
>> JUDGE, WE HAVE RICHARD BALANCE 11 -- RICHARD BALLENTINE.
MR. BALLENTINE, GO AHEAD, PLEASE.
[INAUDIBLE] WE ARE LOOKING AT WAYS THAT ONE COULD HELP WITH THE CORONAVIRUS.
ONE OF THOSE THAT WE CAME UP WITH IS BACK IN 73 WHEN WE HAD THE GAS SHORTAGE, WE WENT TO EVEN AND ODD DAYS ON LICENSE PLATE NUMBERS.
WHEN I WAS IN WALMART EVEN THIS PAST SATURDAY THERE WERE HUNDREDS AND HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE THERE.
SO MUCH OF THAT IS ALREADY ON THE BOOKS.
IT WOULD DRASTICALLY REDUCE EACH DAY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN THE BIG BOX STORES THAT WILL REDUCE THE CONTACT AND IT WOULD REDUCE THE SPREAD.
>> LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, [INAUDIBLE] I THINK WE NEED TO REVIEW THE CONTACT OF THE
[02:35:06]
PEOPLE.I'M SURE THE MAYOR AND THE CHIEF JUDGE ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO COME UP WITH A PLAN, BUT MY TWO CENTS IS THERE ARE PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS [INAUDIBLE] AND I AM TALKING TO SOME PEOPLE IN BOSTON AND I THINK THERE ARE BIGGER PICTURES FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH PERSPECTIVE SO WE CAN COME UP WITH A CONCRETE PLAN TO REDUCE THE CONTACT OF OTHER PEOPLE.
I THINK THIS WOULD BE BRN -- [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE COMMENTS.
>> ME AND MY ORGANIZATION ARE AVAILABLE TO HELP IN ANY POSSIBLE WAY WE CAN.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS A GOOD FRIEND, THE ATTORNEYS MOVEMENT.
AND WE WILL MAKE SURE PUBLIC HEALTH RUNS DOWN THE IDEAS AS WELL.
CERTAINLY WE ARE CONTINUING TO THINK ABOUT WHAT THE NEXT STEP MIGHT BE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
RICHARD AND DOCTOR, THANK YOU BOTH FOR WEIGHING IN ON THIS ISSUE.
AND YOU KNOW, THOSE APPROACHES WORKED WELL BACK THEN.
IN FACT, SEVERAL OF THEM -- RATHER THE ODD AND EVEN LICENSE PLATE PROCESS IS STILL BEING USED IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD FOR HELP ON POLLUTION AND TRAFFIC CONTROL AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.
I THINK IT IS WORTH LOOKING AT AND DECIDING WHETHER WE CAN IMPLEMENT IT.
IT WORKED WELL BACK IN THE 70S, AS YOU ELUDED TO WHEN I WAS WORKING AT MY DAD'S AUTOMOTIVE SHOP, AND I HAD A GOOD BUDDY WHO -- WHOSE PARENTS OWNED THE GAS STATION AND SAW HOW IT WAS HANDLED.
IT WAS AN ISSUE EASY TO SELF-POLICE BECAUSE THE GAS STATION DID IT ITSELF.
A LOT OF THESE BIG BOX STORES -- COINCIDENTALLY, JUDGE, I GOT A TEXT FROM A CITIZEN IN PASS DONE GNAW -- PASADENA PLANNING PRECISELY ON THIS ISSUE OF THE WALMART IN THE PASADENA AREA.
I AM GLAD THE CITIZENS ARE WEIGHING IN WITH THEIR IDEAS AND THOUGHTS.
I THINK THIS COULD BE VERY HELPFUL.
THANK YOU AGAIN, GENTLEMEN, FOR TAKING YOUR TIME TO SHARE THAT WITH US.
>> ALL OF THE -- THAT'S ALL OF THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA.
LET'S MOVE ON FROM THIS ITEM TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> IS THIS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S C1?
THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY QUICK TO RECOGNIZE OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR TRADITIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS IN TERMS OF THE LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE FIREFIGHTERS.
WE ALWAYS STAND UP AND SALUTE OUR MILITARY VETERANS, ACTIVE AND FORMER, AND SO I JUST WANT TO TAKE THIS TIME TO RECOGNIZE THIS OCCASION'S FIRST RESPONDERS AND THAT IS OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS.
I AM PROPOSING A RESOLUTION THAT READS AS FOLLOWS: WHEREAS ON A DAILY BASIS THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS IS IMPORTANT.
HARRIS HEALTH SYSTEM SERVES THE NEEDS OF EVERY RESIDENT AND WHEREAS IN THE CURRENT HEALTH EMERGENCY KNOWN AS THE COVID-19 CORONAVIRUS HARRIS COUNTY HEALTH CARE WORKERS ARE CARRYING OUT THE CRITICAL ROLE OF PROTECTING AND ENSURING PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND WHEREAS HARRIS HELP, DOCTORS, NURSES AND STAFF ARE CARING FOR THOSE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 AND OFTEN RISKING THEIR OWN LIVES.
AND WHEREAS THE HARRIS HEALTH TEAM PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED CARE TO SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE AND AT RISK RESIDENTS IN THE COUNTY.
STRIVING TO MINIMIZE THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 AND IMPROVE OUTCOMES OF ALL OF THOSE AFFECTED.
AND WHEREAS THE EMPLOYEES MANY HOSPITALS AND THE CLINICS ACROSS HARRIS COUNTY HAVE SHOWN THE SAME DEDICATION TO PUBLIC HEALTH.
AND WHEREAS THE MOST DIFFICULT DAYS OF THE CO INDIVIDUAL PANDEMIC -- THE
[02:40:03]
COVID PANDEMIC IS AHEAD OF US.AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO RELY ON THE DEDICATION OF THESE HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS.
WHEREAS WE WISH TO SHOW OUR SINCERE GRATITUDE AND COURAGEOUS SERVICE OF ALL HEALTH CARE WORKERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND TIRELESS WORK KEEPING OUR FAMILIES AND OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES HEALTH CARE WORKERS FOR THEIR SERVICE IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THIS CRISIS.
I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IS THAT SECOND STILL THERE? THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY NEXT RESOLUTION, OBVIOUSLY, JUDGE, THERE IS IN THESE CRISIS TIMES A LOT OF DECISIONS THAT HAVE TO BE MADE.
I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND WE WERE BEING MADE AWARE THAT THERE WERE BUSES HEADING TOWARD TEXAS AND HOUSTON IN PARTICULAR, LOUISIANA, AND WE HAD TO MAKE A COURAGEOUS DECISION.
MOST IMPORTANTLY IT WAS MAYOR WHITE THAT HAD TO MAKE THAT DECISION.
TO ABSORB AN ENTIRE CITY INTO HOUSTON PROPER.
THEY ARE NOT MADE WITHIN THE USUAL BUSINESS HOURS.
SOMETIMES THEY ARE MADE -- THEY HAVE TO BE MADE LATE AT NIGHT.
SOMETIMES THEY HAVE TO BE MADE ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WITHOUT THE OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDY AND RESEARCH AND COUNSEL.
SO DECISIONS LIKE THIS ARE ALWAYS DIFFICULT, BUT ALWAYS COURAGEOUS.
RECOGNIZING EVERYTHING YOU IN PARTICULAR AND YOUR STAFF HAS DONE TO GUIDE US IN THIS VERY DIFFICULT TIME, AND RECOGNIZING THE CONVERSATIONS OF SO MANY PEOPLE, SCIENTISTS FOLKS WHO ARE SPEAKING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE, DOCTOR FAUCI IN PARTICULAR, TALKING ABOUT HOW THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THE STAY AT HOME ORDERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE SAVING SO MANY LIVES, IT COMPELLED ME TO SUBMIT THIS RESOLUTION.
THIS RESOLUTION READS: WHEREAS THE SEVERITY OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC HAS LEAD JURISDICTIONS AROUND THE WORLD TO IMPLEMENT SEVERE AND DRAMATIC RESTRICTIONS ON PUBLIC ACTIVITIES TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE PANDEMIC WHEREAS TO PREVENT TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE THE OVERWHELMING HEALTH CARE FACILITIES, AND WHEREAS ON MARCH 24TH, 2020 HARRIS COUNTY JUDGE LINA HUH -- LINA HIDALGO GRANTED EMERGENCY POWERS ISSUED BY THE STATE OF TEXAS THE STAY HOME WORK ORDER THAT UTILIZES FEDERAL GUIDELINES TO ESTABLISH BUSINESSES, PUBLIC FACILITIES AND INDIVIDUALS MUST ALTER THEIR OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITIES TO INCLUDE APPROPRIATE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND COMBAT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS ON MARCH 31ST 2020 JUDGE HIDALGO EXTENDED THE ORDER THROUGH APRIL 30TH WHICH IS CURRENT REALITY FOR THE PANDEMIC.
WHEREAS THROUGH HARRIS COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS HAVE HAD TO MAKE ALTERATIONS IN HOW THEIR NEEDS ARE MET AND THE ORDER ALLOWS RESIDENTS TO MEET THOSE CRITICAL NEEDS INCLUDING NUTRITION, CRITICAL CARE, HEALTH, RECREATION AND THE ABILITY TO WORSHIP.
AND WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY HAS MADE EFFORTS TO ASSIST RESIDENTS WHO ARE HAVING DIFFICULTY MEETING NEEDS UNDER PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES INCLUDING CONTRACTING WITH THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK TO FOOD AND ORGANIZING THE FOOD DISTRIBUTIONS AND COUNTY FACILITIES AND ENTERING A PARTNERSHIP TO PROVIDE SPACE FOR THE RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE THE MEANS TO FIND SHELTER AND NEED TO QUARANTINE AND SELF-ISOLATE.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT SUPPORTS STAY HOME WORK -- WORK SAFE ORDER ISSUED BY JUDGE LINA HUH GAL -- JUDGE LINA HIDALGO AND SUPPORTS DATA DRIVEN EFFORTS AND PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH AND PERMITTING RESIDENTS TO MEET CRITICAL NEEDS.
[02:45:01]
>> JUDGE, I HAD TRIED TO CIRCULATE EARLIER A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WHICH WOULD BE TO SUPPLEMENT ON THE THIRD WHEREAS.
IT ON MARCH 31ST, 2020 GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUED HIS EXECUTIVE ORDERS I'M MA MEANTING -- IMPLEMENTING SERVICES AND JUDGE HIDALGO EXTENDED THE ORDER.
JUDGE, I FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE GOVERN OTHER THESE ITEMS AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE AN APPROPRIATE ADDITION TO THE RESOLUTION AND I WOULD MAKE THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT WE INCLUDE THAT CLAUSE.
I THINK I FORWARDED THAT EARLIER.
>> I I WILL ACCEPT THAT FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, COMMISSIONER.
WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE NEXT ITEM IS THE REQUEST FOR DISCUSSION DIRECTING PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES TO WORK WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT TO PROCURE HAND WASHING STATIONS TO SERVICE INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS.
AGAIN I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR THEIR WORK ON THIS ITEM.
MERCEDES HAS BEEN WORKING VERY, VERY TIRELESSLY ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
WE HAVE GOTTEN SOME WORK AS OF LATE YESTERDAY TO FIND THE RESOURCES NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS HAPPEN.
WE HAVE FOUND SOME COST PER -- COST PERSPECTIVE SOLUTIONS FOR THIS.
I JUST WANT TO PROPOSE THAT I THINK DWIGHT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH MERCEDES AND WITH MY OFFICE AND WE HAVE AN EXISTING VENDOR THAT IS PROVIDING OR HAS THE CAPACITY TO PROVIDE THIS.
AND I THINK THIS WILL GO A LONG WAY IN HELPING TO MINIMIZE THE OPPORTUNITY OF A SPREAD WITHIN THOSE WHO ARE FINDING THEMSELVES IN HOMELESS CIRCUMSTANCES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT, BUT I WANTED TO ASK A QUESTION IF I MIGHT.
WHETHER IT IS YOU, COMMISSIONER OR DWIGHT, IS IT SOMETHING THAT WE CAN PUT OUT IN OTHER AREAS LIKE IN OUR PARKS? I'M JUST CURIOUS.
WHAT IS IT? I KNOW AT SOME POINT WE WILL HAVE A DISCUSSION AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR HAS RECOMMENDED STATE PARKS AND HE IS CLOSING THE STATE PARKS.
WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT EITHER AS A COUNTY, JUDGE EITHER YOU CAN DO IT BY ORDER OR TAKE SOME ACTION, BUT THAT MEANS PEEK WILL BE ON BIKING TRAILS AND WALKING TRAILS.
IS THIS SOMETHING, COMMISSIONER? WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE? I CAN FIND OUT LATER, BUT MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN'T TO DEPLOY IN OTHER PLACES?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN -- IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN -- I'M NOT SURE IF YOU GOT TO VISIT THE TESTING SITES, BUT THEY HAVE STAND ALONE WASHING STATIONS.
MAYBE YOU HAVE SEEN THEM AT THE RODEO?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I I HAVE SEEN THEM.
YOU WASH YOUR HANDS AND THEY ARE OUTSIDE THE RESTROOM FACILITIES.
I THINK WE HAVE FOUND A VENDOR THAT CAN DO IT AT A VERY, VERY COST-EFFECTIVE AND VERY REASONABLE RATE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT'S THE PRICE? WHAT'S A GOOD COST?
I THINK I'VE GOT $225 A MONTH FOR FOUR SERVICES A WEEK OR $300 A MONTH FOR SEVEN SERVICES PER WEEK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: IS THIS SOMETHING THAT -- YOU'VE GOT IT LISTED HERE WITH PUBLIC HEALTH.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
WHY ISN'T THIS MADE AVAILABLE TO ALL OF US AND NOW?
>> COMMISSIONER, PR -- FROM A PROCUREMENT STANDPOINT IF ANYBODY WANTS TO UTILIZE THE HAND WASHING SERVICES WE CAN DO THAT.
IT IS LIKE THE PORTABLE TOILETS AND THAT KIND OF A THING.
[02:50:05]
IT DEPENDS ON WHAT DEPARTMENT WANTS.IT THEY ARE WELCOME TO HAVE IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
JACK CAGLE: THIS ITEM IS ADDRESSED TO PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES WHICH I GUESS WOULD BE DR. SHAW.
SO MY QUESTION IS WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THE ONE HAND THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS UP, BUT DR. SHAW HASN'T PRESENTED ME WITH THIS OPTION OR SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE.
HOW DID YOU COME TO FIND OUT ABOUT THESE? THE RODEO MAY HAVE A FEW LEFT OVER.
MAYBE WE CAN PARTNER WITH THE ROAD -- THE RODEO AND HAVE THEM LOAN THEIR STUFF TO US.
IS DR. SHAW ON POINT WITH THIS?
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH HIS OFFICE ON IT.
THERE HAS BEEN A RECOMMENDATION OF SEVEN STATIONS ACROSS THE COUNTY.
SEVERAL OF THE STATIONS ARE IN FACT IN YOUR -- WELL A COUPLE OF THEM WOULD BE IN YOUR PRE SINK -- PRECINCT COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT THIS IS WITH THE WORK IN THE COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS ALONG WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HOMELESS OUT REACH TEAM TO RECOGNIZE THIS IS A VERY GOOD -- THIS IS CONSIDERED A BEST PRACTICE ACROSS THE COUNTRY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I AM IN FAVOR OF THIS.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A SECOND.
I DON'T KNOW IF I WANT TO DIRECT PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES.
I THINK I WANT TO BYPASS THEM AND GET THEM STRAIGHT TO OUR PARKS.
IN MY EXPERIENCE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I CAN WORK WITH THAT.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO -- >> R.
JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO SEE WHAT ELSE WE CAN DO AND TAP INTO THIS RESOURCE.
ESPECIALLY BECAUSE WE HAVE SO MANY WALKING TRAILS IN PRE -- PRECINCT 4.
THERE ARE PARKS YOU CAN'T WALK AROUND AND WE SHUT THOSE DOWN.
THE IDEA IS TO KEEP PEOPLE MOVING.
AND/OR IT IS TO BE IN WIDE OPEN SPACES WHERE THEY ARE NOT CONGREGATING.
I WOULD LIKE SOME OF THESE, BUT I DON'T WANT TO TINKER TOO MUCH WITH HOW YOU WANT TO DO IT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO FIND A WAY OF GETTING THEM WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH THE SLOW DOWN OF PUBLIC HEALTH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO SLOW DOWN.
WE JUST WORK WITH DWIGHT AND GET THE PURCHASE ORDER EXECUTED AND WEE -- WE CAN START TO IDENTIFY LOCATIONS.
KEEP IN MIND HOWEVER YOU WANT TO PROVIDE DIRECTION ON IT, THAT WOULD BE YOUR DECISION.
OBVIOUSLY THE IDEA HERE IS TO PUT THEM IN PLACES WHERE THE HOMELESS WOULD LIKELY HAVE ACCESS TO IT AND SEE THEM AND USE THEM IS THE HOPE.
ONE IS THE HOMELESS AND THE OTHER IS TO KEEP THEM IN THE PARK SO PEOPLE CAN COMPLY.
I AM NOT TRYING TO DIMINISH THE HOMELESS COMPONENT, BUT I ALSO SEE THIS COULD BE A VERY GOOD EXPANSION.
LOOK, PUBLIC HEALTH IS BUSY ENOUGH.
I THINK THIS IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY AND OBVIOUSLY I WILL PROVIDE INPUT ON WHERE THESE STATIONS SHOULD GO, AND I THINK WE CAN ALL DO THE SAME THING WITH THE IDEA OF CURBING THE SPREAD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST, JUDGE, IF I MIGHT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE MADE A MOTION AND I THINK I SECONDED IT, BUT THEN WE EITHER ASK BLUNT -- IF WE FIGURE IT OUT TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OR SOMEONE TO GO AS QUICKLY AS WE CAN AND GET THEM OUT ON THESE TRAILS.
EACH OF US CAN PUT THEM IN THE PARKS.
SO OUT OF MY BUDGET I WILL FIGURE OUT WHAT WE CAN DO AND MAYBE TALK TO THE RODEO AND PUT THEM IN THE PARKS EVEN IF WE DECIDE WE WILL CLOSE THEM.
IT IS A GOOD THING TO PUT IN THE PARKS, PERIOD, EVEN AFTER THIS PANDEMIC IS OVER WITH.
WE CAN NEVER DO ENOUGH HAND WASHING.
AND THEN ON A SEPARATE ITEM, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE FIGURED OUT TO COME BACK AND FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT THEM ON BIKE TRAILS.
AND MAYBE THE CITY OR CITIES WOULD PARTNER WITH US AND OTHER ENTITIES FOR PLACES IN THE CITY LIMITS AND SEE IF WE CAN PARTNER WITH SOMEBODY TO GET THEM EVERYWHERE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAYBE IN LIEU OF PUBLIC HEALTH, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AGAIN, I WOULD WELCOME YOUR DIRECTION OF WHERE YOU THINK THESE RESOURCES NEED TO BE PLACED,
[02:55:04]
BUT IN THE IDEA TO CURB THE SPREAD AMONG THE HOMELESS POPULATION, I WOULD MAYBE ASK JOHN BLUNT FOR HIS STAFF BECAUSE YOU ARE RESPONDING TO A LOT OF SITUATIONS THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY AS IT RELATES TO HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.MAYBE WE CAN WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE IN THE SAME VEIN.
JACK CAGLE: I THINK IF WE PUT JOHN ON THE SIDE FOR THE PARKS AND JOSH ON THE SIDE FOR THE HOMELESS BECAUSE OF POTENTIALLY ON THE HOMELESS SIDE HE CAN RECEIVE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE ISSUES AND WOULD KNOW HOW TO DO THAT, IF I CAN MAKE THAT SUGGESTION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I CAN DEFINITELY WORK WITH THAT, COMMISSIONER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE A VOTE FOR THE HOMELESS VOTE AND THAT WOULD BE DIRECTING THE COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO WORK WITH PROCURING HAND WASHING STATIONS FOR THOSE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, CORRECT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
AND THERE IS ANOTHER MOTION OF PLACING THEM IN PARKS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WOULD BE WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE INDICATED.
IT IS THAT WE CAN -- I THINK -- I DON'T THINK WE NEED ANOTHER MOTION FOR THIS OTHER THAN TO WORK WITH AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE ELUDED TO, TO WORK WITH JOHN BLUNT AND JOSH TO FIND THE BEST PLACES TO PUT THESE OUT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS BOTH.
IF THEY ARE IN AREAS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE AND MAYBE THEY WILL PAY FOR IT.
I AM THINKING THE PARKS AND THE TRAILS.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS -- THE PARKS ARE CLOSING.
A LOT OF FOLKS ARE ON THE WALKING AND BIKING TRAILS.
>> COMMISSIONER, THIS IS JOSH.
>> JUST A RECOMMENDATION ON THIS AS WELL.
IF WE CAN GET PUBLIC HEALTH TO WRITE A LETTER SAYING THAT IT IS A PUBLIC NECESSITY IN ORDER TO FIGHT C SO VID -- COVID THAT WILL ASSIST US TO GET REIMBURSED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION SHOULD BE PUBLIC HEALTH WORK WITH YOU AND JOHN BLUNT TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE MONEY BACK.
JACK CAGLE: HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR US TO GET A LETTER OUT OF PUBLIC HEALTH? IS DR. SHAW AVAILABLE?
>> HI, THIS IS GWYNN SIMMS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH.
YES, HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH CAN DEFINITELY PROVIDE A LETTER IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
IT IS A CDC BEST PRACTICE TO HAVE HAND WASHING STATIONS, AND THIS HAS BEEN RECOMMENDED BY THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HOMELESS OUT REACH TEAM, SO WE ARE DEFINITELY IN SUPPORT OF THIS.
IT IS TO ACTUALLY HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS.
JOSH, WE CAN GET WITH YOU LATER TO LET US KNOW WHO THAT LETTER NEEDS TO GO TO TO BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT.
>> SO JUST GET IT ADDRESSED TO OEM AND ALSO ADDRESSED TO MYSELF AND JOHN BLUNT.
JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU GET THAT LETTER IN 48 HOURS?
>> COMMISSIONER, I MIGHT RECOMMEND SHANE CARAZEL HELP DRAFT THAT.
HE KNOWS THE SPECIFIC LANGUAGE AND HE HAS DONE ALL OF THE OTHER LETTERS PUBLIC HEALTH HAS BEEN SENDING.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JOHN, I SAW THAT SOME JUDGE WAS WAITING TO GET INTO THE COURTROOM.
YOU KNOW PLACES LIKE WHERE THEY HAVE LONG LINES SO THEY CAN WASH THEIR HANDS.
>> YES, COMMISSIONER WE WILL LOOK AT ALL OF THOSE PLACES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE NEED AN ADDITIONAL MOTION.
>> STEVE RADACK: LET ME TALK TO JOHN FIRST.
JOHN, ARE YOU RECOMMENDING CERTAIN COUNTY PARKS BE CLOSED?
I JUST GOT AN E-MAIL THIS MORNING SAYING THE STATE EFFECTIVE 5:00 P.M.
TONIGHT IS CLOSING ALL OF THEIR STATE PARKS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE, AND I ASSUME THAT'S ANTICIPATING A CROWD THAT MIGHT HAPPEN FOR EASTER.
I AM RECOMMENDING THE COURTS CONSIDER THE SAME THING FOR PARKS.
NOT TRAILS WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT WALK, PARKS WHERE PEOPLE MIGHT GATHER.
>> JUDGE, SURELY WE HAVE ENOUGH PLACE TO VOTE ON SOMETHING LIKE THIS OR YOU
[03:00:09]
CAN MAKE IT AN ORDER, BUT I THINK WE NEED TO TRY TO FIGURE THAT OUT TODAY IN ORDER THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE PLANNING TO COME TO SOME OF THE MAJOR PARKS WOULD KNOW IN ADVANCE IF THE AGREEMENT IS TO CLOSE THE PARKS.>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THERE IS A NEED FOR MORE THEN I WILL SECOND COMMISSIONER RADACK'S MOTION.
>> STEVE RADACK: I AM NOT MAKING A MOTION.
I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING ELSE, BUT SINCE JOHN IS, YOU KNOW, ON THE VIDEO THERE, I JUST WANTED TO GET THAT OUT BECAUSE I HAD SEEN THAT.
WE CAN HAVE A DISCUSSION ON THAT IN A FEW MINUTES.
I JUST WANTED IT TO BE KNOWN THAT WE HAVE MADE THAT RECOMMENDATION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF I MIGHT, COMMISSIONER RADACK, YOU KNOW, OBVIOUSLY EACH COMMISSIONER CAN MAKE THE DECISION, BUT, JUDGE, WHETHER YOU DO IT BY EXECUTIVE ORDER, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE CITY WILL DO, BUT I WOULD BE PREPARED IF COLLEAGUES ARE UH MEANABLE TO IT TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CLOSE ALL OF OUR COUNTY PARKS.
IT WOULD BE AWKWARD IF ONE PERSON HAS THEM OPEN -- ONE PRECINCT HAS THEM OPEN AND ANOTHER HAS THEM CLOSED.
IF IT IS A RECOMMENDATION TO DO IT AT THE STATE PARKS UNLESS MR. BLUNT YOU SAY MAYBE THE STATE PARKS ARE TRYING TO DISCOURAGE PEOPLE FROM TRAVELING, IF YOU WANT TO CHECK ON THAT WHILE WE ARE STILL MEETING.
I DON'T KNOW FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, WAS IT PARKS AND WILDLIFE, WAS IT BASED ON NOT WANTING PEOPLE TO DRIVE OUT SOMEPLACE? THERE ARE SOME STATE PARKS THAT ARE OBVIOUSLY CLOSER IN, BUT MOST OF THEM ARE OUT.
THE RATIONAL IS PUBLIC SAFETY AND PEOPLE GATHERING, AND NOT FOLLOWING SOCIAL DISTANCING.
MY STAFF TOLD ME OTHER PARKS DID IT SO WE PUT MESH UP.
I WENT OUT AND MOST OF THE MESH WAS DOWN.
WE TOOK THE BASKETBALL -- WE TOOK THE BASKETBALL GOALS DOWN, SO PEOPLE ARE PLAYING SOCCER OR THEY ARE JUST DRIBBLING THE BALL AROUND THE COURTS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WOULD BE INCLINED TO SUPPORT YOUR QUESTION ABOUT THE PARKS BECAUSE I HAVE RESISTED THE IDEA OF CLOSING OUR PARKS.
HOWEVER, WITH EASTER COMING, I AM CONCERNED, ESPECIALLY ABOUT ONE OF MY PARKS WHERE I HAVE BEEN HAND STRONG BY THE VIRUS FOR LIFEGUARDS AND THAT NATURE.
IN THIS EVENT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE SOME DEGREE OF CONSISTENCY ACROSS THE COUNTY OF I WOULD JUST SEE IF THE JUDGE -- IN FACT, I WAS TRYING TO ASK THIS VERY SAME QUESTION EARLIER TODAY TO SEE IF THE JUDGE WAS PREPARING TO MAKE ANY CALL ON FOLLOWING THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THINK IN RESPONSE -- YES.
JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, WE HAVE A CAR AND WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SEND IT TO COLLEAGUES.
PRECINCT 4 PARKS, MANY ARE EITHER SPORTS PARKS AND THE SPORTS PORTIONS HAVE ALL BEEN CLOSED DOWN.
WE HAVE ALREADY CLOSED THE BENCHES AND THE PICNIC TABLES AND THE PLAYGROUNDS.
NOW WE HAVE AGENTS -- WE HAVE A LITTLE CARD THAT WE HAVE PREPARED AND WE WILL BE HANDLING -- HANDING OUT THAT INSTRUCTS FOLKS TO HANDLE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WE HAVE HAD VERY, VERY GOOD SUCCESS IN OUR PARKS WITH FOLKS, AND WHAT WE ARE LEFT WITH ARE MOSTLY THE WALKING AREAS WHERE FOLKS CAN GET OUT AND WALK.
I THINK WE NEED TO BE VERY CAREFUL THAT WE DON'T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER.
I UNDERSTAND THERE MAY BE DIFFERENT DYNAMICS IF YOU ARE TRAVELING TO A PARK AND YOU HAVE TRAVEL, HOTEL, GAS, EATING, THOSE ISSUES IN A STATE PARK SYSTEM.
BUT IN OUR SYSTEM WHERE FOLKS JUST NEED TO BE ABLE TO GET OUT SO THAT THEY DON'T SUFFER THE CABIN FEVER, WE'VE HAD A FEW VIOLATIONS, BUT AS A GENERAL RULE OUR CONSTABLES HAVE BEEN VERY GOOD IN HELPING US WHENEVER WE EXPLAIN AND WITH OUR CARTS THAT ARE THERE.
MY REQUEST IS THAT IF YOU HAVE AN ORDER WITH REGARD TO OUR PARKS THAT YOU BE A LITTLE MORE RESTRICTIVE WITH REGARD TO THAT ORDER AND NOT SHUT THEM DOWN SO PEOPLE CAN'T RIDE THEIR BIKES AND RIDE THEIR TRAILS OR WALK, BUT THAT WE BE CONSISTENT
[03:05:05]
WITH REGARD TO -- AND THIS IS WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE IN PRECINCT 4.I DON'T KNOW WHAT MY COLLEAGUES HAVE DONE, BUT NOT ALLOW TEAM SPORTS OR GATHERINGS WHICH WOULD BE INCONSISTENT WITH WHAT ALREADY EXISTS.
THAT WOULD BE MY URGING AND I WOULD BE DELIGHTED TO SHARE -- I KNOW YOU CAN'T SEE.
I WAS TOLD TO RAISE IT UP HIGHER.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT CAN BE SEEN ON THE SCREEN.
THE PUSHCART WE HAND OUT AND WE HAVE A PARKS DIVISION WITH THE CONSTABLE'S OFFICE AND THE SHERIFF ARE UH MEANABLE IN WORKING WITH THAT AND ASSISTING WHEN FOLKS SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO FOLLOW THE RULES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUMP IN THERE BRIEFLY ON THE POINT THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK RAISED.
I RECOGNIZE, COMMISSIONER RADACK, WE NEED TO GIVE THIS GUIDANCE SOON BEFORE PEOPLE MAKE PLANS.
MY ASSESSMENT AND WE HAVE BEEN EVALUATING THIS DAY BY DAY AND I WELCOME JOHN'S THOUGHTS ON THIS.
FOR THE LONGER TERM, IT SEEMS TO ME THAT Y'ALL KNOW BETTER THAT FOLKS HAVE BEEN DOING QUITE WELL AT NOT CONGREGATING AND NOT PLAYING SPORTS.
CERTAINLY I KNOW EVERYONE HAS CLOSED DOWN THEIR BENCHES AND THEIR EXERCISE AREAS.
I DO HAVE THE CONCERN THOUGH THAT FOR THE EASTER WEEKEND, I DO THINK IT WOULD BE PRUDENT TO SHUT THEM DOWN, AND HERE IS WHY.
EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE ONES WHERE IT IS WALKING -- I MEAN, IT IS NOT JUST A TRAIL WITH NO GRASS AND THAT KIND OF A THING.
I THINK WE ARE INVITING PROBLEM.
WE MAY AS WELL CUT THAT OUT FOR THIS WEEKEND AND THEN WE CAN GO BACK TO WHAT YOU ARE SAYING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THE MORE RELAXED STANDARDS THAT WE ARE A LOT MAURY LAXED -- MORE RELAXED IN THAT WE SHOULD TREAT PEOPLE WITH THE AGENCY TO BE ABLE TO KEEP THE DISTANCING AND RESPECT THE NEED TO NOT CONGREGATE.
I JUST THINK WITH THE EASTER WEEKEND IT IS A RISK WE SHOULDN'T RUN.
WE CAN'T RISK EVERYONE COMING TOGETHER FOR A WEEKEND, AND THEN IF WE CAN HELP IT, WE OUGHT TO.
ONE IN TERMS OF THE EASTER WEEKEND, THERE WILL BE SECURITY ISSUES.
THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY TAXED AND THE CONSTABLES ARE AS WELL.
THE OTHER ISSUE IS MAYBE BEFORE WE DECIDE YOU WOULD, ARE IF YOU WANTED TO TOUCH BASES WITH YOUR COLLEAGUE OVER AT THE CITY, BECAUSE IT WOULD BE KIND OF AWKWARD OBVIOUSLY IF YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHUT THEM ALL DOWN.
I THINK THAT'S WITHIN YOUR POWER, CITY AND CON -- COUNTY.
BUT CHECKING IN WITH THE MAYOR BEFORE WE DO IT.
I KNOW AUSTIN IS CLOSING ALL PARKS FOR THE EASTER WEEKEND.
USING THE SAME ANALYSIS YOU ARE USING.
CLOSING APRIL 9TH AT SUNSET AND LASTS UNTIL SUNRISE ON APRIL THE 13TH.
THAT'S CITY PARKS, TRAILS, GREEN BELTS AND PRESERVES AND THE POPULAR ROY AND ANNE BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL IS PART OF THE CLOSURE.
SOME TRAILS LIKE THE MEMORIAL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHITE OAK, YOU KNOW I AM A SERIOUS BIKE RIDER.
I KNOW MY STAFF THOUGHT I LOST MY MIND WHEN I SAID I WOULD SPLIT THE COST IF THE CITY WANTED TO CLOSE STREETS.
THE REASON I WANTED TO DO THAT WAS BECAUSE WHITE OAK TRAIL AND BUFFALO RIDING TRAILS ARE PACKED.
WHETHER YOU ARE WALKING OR JOGGING OR RIDING, SOCIAL DISTANCING IS JUST NOT -- YOU KNOW, SO IT IS SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.
JUDGE, IF WE END UP TAKING A LUNCH BREAK AT SOME POINT, I WOULD BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION BECAUSE -- BASED ON THE RECOMMENDATION YOU HAVE, OR YOU CAN DO IT UNILATERALLY.
IF YOU WANTED TO CHECK IN WITH SOME OF THE MAYORS OF SOME OF YOUR CITIES I WOULD BE UH MEANABLE TO THAT.
>> WE HAVE SEVEN CITIES IN PRECINCT 4 TOO JUDGE YOU MAY WANT TO CHECK WITH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS JUST A SUGGESTION.
WHEN THAT POPPED UP, AND MY STAFF JUST GAVE IT TO ME ON AUSTIN, I THINK YOU GO TO WHITE OAK QUITE A BIT.
THE CHILDREN -- IT IS GREAT TO TO SEE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT, BUT THEY ARE NOT SOCIAL DISTANCING ON THE MORE POPULAR TRAILS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK?
>> STEVE RADACK: JOHN, WHEN YOU TAKE A LOOK AT THE -- PRECINCT 3 WHERE WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF ACRES OF PARK, THEY WILL HAVE LITERALLY THEN -- TENS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE AS YOU KNOW COMING IN THROUGH THE BEAR CREEK, GEORGE BUSH LANDING AND SOME
[03:10:06]
OF THOSE ALSO HAVE TRAILS.I THINK AS FAR AS SOME OF THE ALONG BUFFALO BAYOU, IT WILL BE A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN WHERE WE HAVE HUGE PARKING LOTS WHERE A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COME AND IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY HEAVY AMOUNT OF PEOPLE.
I AM ASKING FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE IN COMING UP WITH SOMETHING WHERE IT SHOULD LOOK LIKE FRIDAY TO SUNDAY, YOU KNOW.
WE HAVE PAVILIONS AND WE KNOW PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE COMING AND IN MASSIVE NUMBERS.
I THINK WE NEED TO GET THIS ALL CLARIFIED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: JOHN, WHAT DO YOU THINK?
>> YES, SIR, AND I AM GIVING THE ORDER TO SEE EXACTLY WHAT THE STATE DID THEIR E-MAIL IS COMING IN RIGHT NOW.
BUT I DO THINK THE EARLIER WE GIVE NOTICE THE BETTER.
THE PEOPLE ARE MAKING PLANS RIGHT NOW.
THAT'S WHY THE GOVERNOR SAID EFFECTIVE 5:00 THIS EVENING.
I DON'T NECESSARILY THINK THAT HAS TO BE DONE, BUT THE SOONER THE BETTER SO EVERYBODY CAN MAKE PLANS ACCORDINGLY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL TOUCH BASE WITH THE MAYOR AND SEE IF THERE IS RESEARCH SO FAR.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS POLITICS TO TOUCH BASE WITH SOME OF YOUR MAYORS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW IF I WILL BE ABLE TO DURING -- BEFORE WE COME
BACK TO COURT, BUT I WILL CERTAINLY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE YOUR STAFF.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS?
NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 4 ON MY -- FROM MY OFFICE.
AND THAT IS TO REQUEST THE APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM TO PROVIDE AND ADMINISTER AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT THE SUPPORT HAS BEEN OVERWHELMING.
A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE BEEN SENDING IN LETTERS OF SUPPORT AND NOT TWEETING ABOUT THE NEED AND THE EXCITEMENT THAT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT IT.
AND I WANT TO THANK THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH MY OFFICE DILIGENTLY TO GET THIS PROGRAM UP AND GOING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE TO GIVE SOME BACKGROUND BECAUSE I WAS ON HOUSTON CITY COUNCIL AND WE WERE DOING A STREET RECONSTRUCTION IN ONE OF MY AREAS AND IT BEGAN TO WIPE OUT THE TOLL -- THE TOTALLY FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES.
MAYOR WHITE SUPPORTED ME AND WORKING TO BUILD A SIMILAR PROGRAM WHICH WE GOT DONE, AND IT WASN'T EASY, BUT IT ULTIMATELY SAVED MANY OF THOSE FAMILY-OWNED BUSINESSES IN DISTRICT 8 AT THE TIME.
THAT PROGRAM, WHEN WE STARTED THE METRO LIGHT RAIL EXPANSION, THE SECOND PHASE OF LIGHT RAIL EXPANSION, I THOUGHT ABOUT THE IMPACT WE HAD WITH THE CONSTRUCTION ON THE STREET AND RECOGNIZE THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE THE SAME IMPACT THROUGH METRO'S CONSTRUCTION FOR LIGHT RAIL EXPANSION.
I MADE A MOTION TO RELATE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH METRO THAT IT WOULD INCLUDE A CONSTRUCTION -- MITIGATION PROGRAM.
AND THAT PROGRAM CONTINUES WITH METRO.
IT IS A 25,000 FORGIVABLE LOAN TO BUSINESSES WHO QUALIFY IN THE AREA.
AND SO THAT'S WHERE I GOT THE IDEA FOR THIS.
WITH ALL THAT IS OCCURRING AND GETTING THE BUSINESS TO THE RESOURCES THAT NEEDS IT IS MOST IT CRITICAL FOR MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE.
AND AS WE WORK TO FLATTEN THE CURVE ON THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS, THIS IS AN EFFORT TO FLATTEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT CURVE IN HARRIS COUNTY.
[03:15:03]
THE APPLICATION IS GOING TO BE ONLINE.THEY ARE TESTING THE SITE NOW TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WILL WITHSTAND THE APPLICATION BEING SUBMITTED.
THE BUSINESSES WOULD NEED TO BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH THE PROPERTY TAXES IN HARRIS COUNTY.
THEY COULD QUALIFY FOR UP TO 25,000 OR LESS.
IT WOULD BE A 0% INTEREST FORGIVABLE LOAN.
IT WOULD BE A FIVE-YEAR LONG-TERM -- FIVE-YEAR LOAN TERM.
THE PAY BACK WOULD BE 20% OVER THE FIVE-YEAR PERIOD OR IN COUNTY TAX FORGIVENESS.
AND ULTIMATELY WE WOULD MAKE SURE THE PROGRAM IS A FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE BASIS.
I HAVE BEEN HEARING THE INFORMATION OF THE STIMULUS PACKAGE COMING FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IT IS ALSO AN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNT, BUT THEY ARE OFF TO A SLOW START.
MANY ARE STRUGGLING AND MAKING DECISIONS A -- AS WE SPEAK AND IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTY IN ALL OF THE PRECINCTS AND SO I AM EXCITED TO PROPOSE THIS AND WRECK -- RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS WE WOULD LIKE TO DO.
THIS IS A GOOD PLACE TO START BUILDING A PROGRAM THAT IS THOUGHTFUL ABOUT SOME OTHER OF THE ISSUE THAT'S ARE IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU IN THAT REGARD.
LASTLY THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON HAS A PROGRAM FOR GAL REIS -- GALVESTON COUNTY FOR THE SAME PURPOSES OF HARVEY-RELATED ECONOMIC IMPACT PURPOSES.
THEY HAVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE TO DO IT AND THEY ARE WORKING QUICKLY TO HELP STAND UP.
I THINK THIS WOULD BE VERY, VERY IMPORTANT SHOT IN THE ARM.
OBVIOUSLY THE 10 MILLION I AM PROPOSING IS NOT NEAR ENOUGH TO COVER THE NEEDS OF THE COUNTY, BUT IT IS, I THINK, AN IMPORTANT SHOT IN THE ARM FOR BUSINESSES ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND IT WILL ALSO ALLOW FOR THEM TO USE THIS AS A BRIDGE BETWEEN NOW AND WHENEVER THE STIMULUS DOLLARS ARRIVE.
THAT IS WHAT I AM PUTTING FORWARD.
I WANT TO THANK MY COLLEAGUES FOR HAVING TO APPROVE THE PROCESS TO NEGOTIATE THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA AT THE LAST MEETING.
I THINK THE AGREEMENT HAS EITHER GOTTEN CHAIRED BY OR WILL BE GETTING CHAIRED BY A BODY VERY SOON.
I THINK COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAVE A A QUESTION.
JACK CAGLE: YES, FIRST OFF I WANT TO COMPLIMENT ONE OF YOUR STAFFERS, COMMISSIONER GASH -- GARCIA.
CHRIS BANKS HAS BEEN VERY PRO ACTIVE IN REACHING OUT TO MANY OF THE CHAMBERS IN PRECINCT 4, MAKING SURE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROCESS AS WELL AS MY STAFF.
SO I WANT TO PASS THE COMPLIMENT ON THE WORK MR. BANKS HAS BEEN DOING ON THIS.
NUMBER TWO, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING IN ONE OF THE SUGGESTIONS THAT WE HAVE, AND THAT IS THAT THESE BE DIVIDED TO EACH OF THE PRECINCTS AND SO EACH OF THE PRECINCTS WILL HAVE A FOURTH OF IT -- OF THIS OPPORTUNITY.
THAT WAS ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE HAD EARLIER, AND THAT WAS ADDRESSED IN THE DRAFT THAT WE GOT EARLY, EARLY THIS MORNING.
THERE IS A SECOND ITEM THOUGH THAT DID NOT MAKE IT INTO THIS DRAFT AND THAT I WOULD MAKE A SUGGESTION THAT OUR 501C-4 AND OUR 501C-6'S WHICH ARE CHAMBERS THAT NEED SOME OF THE SEAT FUNDS TO HELP OTHER BUSINESSES, IF IT IS LEGAL, IT OUGHT TO BE INCLUDED AS THOSE THAT WOULD BE ELIGIBLE.
AND SO I WOULD OFFER THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT, BUT TO BE REVIEWED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN BE A PART OF THIS PROGRAM.
BUT I WOULD ADD THE 50C-4 AND THE 50C-6'S INTO THAT.
AND THEN MY LAST POINT, YOUR HONOR AND MY COLLEAGUES IS THAT BECAUSE THIS FINAL DRAFT WE DID GET EARLY, EARLY THIS MORNING, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WORKING
[03:20:02]
HARD ON.IT WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY HAS A CHANCE TO HAVE A FULL REVIEW OF IT BEFORE WE LOAD ON IT AS A FINISHED -- WE VOTE ON IT AS A FINISHED PRODUCT.
I SUGGEST THAT AS WE VOTE ON IT THE C-4'S AND THE C-6'S, WE DO SO WITH A THOROUGH REVIEW BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S SHOVES -- OFFICE TO MAKE SURE THAT IF SOMETHING DOESN'T GET SIGNED IT WOULD END UP CAUSING A PROBLEM DOWN THE ROAD.
ESPECIALLY IF WE ARE GOING TO TRY TO GET GRANT FUNDS IN TO COVER SOME OF THE COSTS ON IT.
THOSE ARE MY THREE COMMENTS, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR WORKING SO DILIGENTLY ON THIS.
I HAVE LOOKED AROUND TO SOME OTHER CITIES AND CITY-COUNTY FORMS OF GOVERNMENT AND SEE WHAT THEY ARE DOING IN THIS REGARD AS WELL.
A COUPLE OF CONCERNS I HAVE AND I WOULD LIKE -- I WILL OFFER THESE IN THE FORM OF AN AMENDMENT TO IT.
ONE WOULD BE THAT THE ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES, THOSE WITH AN ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE OF LESS THAN THREE MILLION AND LESS THAN 50 EMPLOYEES.
THE REASON IS I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TRY -- WE ARE TRYING TO HIT SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
THE 550 BILLION THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS PUTTING OUT AS QUICK AS THEY CAN, BUT NOT QUICK ENOUGH, WORRY ABOUT SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO WON'T MAKE THE CUT.
IN TERMS OF WORKFORCE PROTECTION, I WANT TO SUGGESTION THAT LONG PRO -- PROCEEDS MUST BE USED AS WORKING CAPITAL AND 30% MUST BE APPLIED TOWARD PAYROLL.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REALLY HELPING WORKERS AND PUTTING A DEBT -- A DENT IN PEOPLE WHO HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS.
I THINK HAVE YOU SOME -- THEY DON'T NEED A PHYSICAL ADDRESS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE IN GOOD STANDING WITH HARRIS COUNTY PROPERTY TAX.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO GET RID OF THE CREDIT SCORE REQUIREMENT.
A LOT OF THE SMALL MINORITY-OWNED WOMEN BUSINESSES, THEY DON'T MAKE IT IN TERMS OF THE CREDIT SCORE.
I WOULD LIKE TO COMMIT AT LEAST 30% GOING TO AN EQUITY RESERVE FOR LMI RESIDENTS.
BUSINESS OWNERS MUST HAVE A LOW TO MODERATE INCOME OF ABOUT 80% OF AREA MEDIUM INCOME AND THAT THE BUSINESS MUST HAVE FIVE EMPLOYEES OR LESS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HITTING SOME OF THOSE LITTLE FOLKS BEFORE THE RONA SHOWED UP THEY WERE ALREADY DEVASTATED.
BEFORE HARVEY SHOWED UP THEY WERE IN A BAD PLACE.
AND THEN SOME CLEAR PROCESS AND PROCEDURE FOR LOAN APPROVAL AND MONITORING AND THEN I KNOW THIS STARTED OFF AS LYFT, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEY WERE ASKING FOR -- OFF A 10 MILLION DEAL.
ARE THERE OTHER ENTITIES THAT CAN DO THIS OTHER THAN HDECK.
THIS IS A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY.
THE OTHER CONCERN IS A SEPARATE MOTION THAT I WILL MAKE WHEN MY INCOME COMES UP.
I THINK WE HAVE TO BE AS COMMITTED TO HELPING OUR BUSINESSES GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND PARTICULARLY THROUGH THEIR EMPLOYEES.
I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE EQUALLY AS COMMITTED TO FOLKS WHO HAVE UTILITY ISSUES AND ALL OF THOSE OTHER ISSUES THAT GREG KAZAR WAS TALKING ABOUT.
I DIDN'T NOAH STEIN HAD -- KNOW AUSTIN HAD, BUT I AM GLAD.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE PUT THE SAME AMOUNT IMPACTING THOSE COMMUNITIES.
I KNOW I AM PUTTING PRESIDENT 240,000 -- PUTTING THE 240,000 IN.
I THINK YOU WILL DO IT FOR PRECINCT 2, BUT THAT WILL RUN OUT PRETTY QUICK.
AND IN TERMS OF FORECLOSURES, IT IS COMING BACK.
THE LANDLORDS -- WHAT CAN THEY DO? THERE A -- THERE ARE FOLKS OUT THERE IN THE TERMS OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE -- WE MAY GET REIMBURSED BY THE FEDS AND WE MAY NOT.
IN TERMS OF THE UTILITIES, I MEAN WE HAVE SOME OF THESE WORKERS AND EVEN IF THEY GET THEIR JOB BACK, THEY WON'T HAVE WATER OR LIGHTS OR AIR, YOU KNOW, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE FAIR AND HOPEFULLY WE ARE REAM BEERSED TO BOTH.
EQUITY HAS BEEN A DRIVING FORCE IN WHAT WE DO.
5 MILLION HERE, 10 MILLION HERE, 30 MILLION HERE, I WOULD SAY -- I AM GOING TO MAKE A MOTION AT LEAST THAT WE DO THE SAME AMOUNT ON THE OTHER SIDE AND TAKE IT PRO
[03:25:04]
THE RESERVE FUND HOPING THAT WE WILL REIMBURSE, BUT BEING HONEST, WE JUST DON'T KNOW.I DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE HOSPITAL EARLIER, COMMISSIONER, BUT I THOUGHT SOMETHING CAME UP ON SOME HARVEY MONEY AND SOME OF THE PROCUREMENT RULES, THEY WERE RELAXED BECAUSE OF THE EMERGENCY.
AND THEN THERE WAS A CLAW BACK.
DWIGHT, YOU MIGHT HELP ME HERE, BUT THEY DIDN'T FOLLOW THE MWB GUIDELINES.
WAS I DREAMING OR WAS THAT TRUE, DWIGHT?
>> THEY BROUGHT THAT UP WHEN THEY INSPECTED US LAST TIME.
THOSE WERE ACTUALLY RESOLVED, BUT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THOSE ARE MOVING FORWARD AND JUST TO MAKE SURE WE CROSS OUR BASES.
RODRIGUEZ I WANT TO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE HOSPITALS AND THE OTHER ISSUES -- IF YOU CAN'T DO IT, DON'T DO IT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SENSITIVE TO THOSE FOLKS.
I THINK YOU KNOW WHO I AM TALKING ABOUT.
BEFORE HARVEY AND BEFORE CORONAVIRUS, THEY WERE ALWAYS LEFT ON THE SIDELINES.
I DON'T WANT TO LET THE NEED TO DO IT WITH SPEED AS IMPORTANT AS THAT IS, LEAD THOSE FOLKS -- I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT I AM HEARING FROM FOLKS WHO ARE SELLING MEDICAL SUPPLIES AND GAUZE AND HAND SANITIZER, ANYTHING.
AND WE ARE IN A RUSH AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO MAKE A DECENT LIVING OFF A CRISIS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SENSITIVE TO THOSE LITTLE FOLKS WHO GET LEFT BEHIND.
WHEN THERE IS THIS MUCH STATE AND LOCAL AND FEDERAL MONEY BEING SPENT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT? THANK YOU, JUDGE.
IN THE FIRST TWO -- IN FIRST TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE OF INCLUDING THE C-4'S TO BE QUITE HONEST WITH YOU, WE DIDN'T THINK OF THE C-4'S THEMSELVES BECAUSE WE WERE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLKS THAT THEY DO HAVE EMPLOYEES AND OPERATIONAL COSTS AND ALL OF THAT, BUT WE WERE JUST SIMPLY THINKING ABOUT THE TRADITIONAL BUSINESSES, IF YOU WILL THAT ARE MEMBERS TO THE C4'S AND IN MANY RECORD -- MANY REGARDS.
I AM JUST NOT SURE THAT WITH THE NEED OF THE AREA BUSINESSES THAT EXIST, AND TO BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE -- OR TO BE IN POTENTIALLY CONFLICT WITH THE -- COMPETING FOR THE SAME DOLLARS THAT THEIR CHAMBERS WOULD BE GOING AFTER.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE IF WE CAN WORK ON THAT MAYBE THROUGH A DIFFERENT STRATEGY.
I DO WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW WE CAN BE HELPFUL WITH THEM AND HOW WE CAN FIGURE OUT ANOTHER GRANT PROGRAM TO ESTABLISH AND WOULD BE SPECIFICALLY HELPFUL TO THOSE CHAMBERS.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOUR THOUGHT ON THAT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT US TO BE FOCUSED ON THE PURSUIT OF ULTIMATE PERFECTION ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM AND IN THE HOPE OF GETTING IT IMPLEMENTED AND MAKING A DIFFERENCE FOR SO MANY IN THE AREA.
AND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS ON SEVERAL OF THE ITEMS YOU MENTIONED, I THINK A LOT OF THESE CAN BE CONTINUED TO A GRANT PROGRAM THAT COULD ULTIMATELY HELP THOSE MICRO-BUSINESSES AND HELP THEM AND ALL OF THE -- I THINK WE CAN PULL TOGETHER THE UTILITY ISSUES AND THE RENTAL ISSUES TOGETHER IN A VERY COMPREHENSIVE GRANT PROGRAM.
I HAVE BEEN HAVING MY STAFF WORK ON THAT AS WELL.
I THINK WE HAVE SOME IDEA THAT'S WE CAN SHARE WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THAT.
BASED ON WHAT I DID FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON, THERE IS SOMETHING WE HAVE A FRAMEWORK TO BUILD ON.
AND WE CAN WORK WITH YOU ON -- AGAIN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE -- I THINK WE HAVE CHUCK WHIPPLE WITH THE HOUSTON-GAL REIS STONN AREA -- HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.
WE WENT TO BEXAR COUNTY ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION ON WHAT WAS BEING DONE WITH LYFT.
THE INITIAL PROPOSAL WAS 18% ADMINISTRATED -- ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS WHICH IS STILL HIGHER THAN WHAT THEY ARE RAW POSE -- PROPOSING.
BY THE TIME WE GOT THE PROPOSAL IT WAS 33%.
AND THAT WAS JUST -- I JUST COULDN'T -- I COOPERATE IN GOOD -- I COULDN'T IN GOOD FAITH BRING THAT TO YOU IN CONSIDERATION.
IF THERE IS SOMEBODY ELSE OUT THERE WE WILL BE LOOKING FOR THEM AND SEEING HOW WE
[03:30:03]
CAN CREATE A SIMILAR PROGRAM.RIGHT NOW, AGAIN, IN THE PURSUIT OF GETTING THIS HELP TO THOSE WHO NEED IT YESTERDAY, THIS IS THE PROGRAM THAT I THINK WILL HELP US GET STARTED RIGHT AWAY.
I THINK CHUCK IS ON THE LINE, AND I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE HIM AN OPPORTUNITY TO MAYBE RESPOND TO SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS.
>> HE IS NOT ON THE LINE AS OF YET.
HE IS IN THE CUE TO BE CALLED.
MAYBE IF WE CAN GIVE HIM A CALL.
>> MR. SWORD? MR. SWORD CAN YOU TELL ME THE SAFEGUARDS THAT ARE BUILT INTO THIS PROGRAM?
THERE ARE SEVERAL SAFEGUARDS THAT WERE BUILT IN THE AGREEMENT WITH HDAC.
I CAN'T TELL YOU THEM PRE -- PRECISELY.
THE ASSISTANT COUNTY ATTORNEY WORKED ON.
IT GENERALLY IT WILL BE ADMINISTERED BY HDAC.
THEY WILL BE THE ONES MAKING SURE THAT THE RIGHT PEOPLE GET THE LOANS, GET THE GRANTS AND THEY PAY THOSE BACK THE WAY THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO OR DESERVING OF THE GRANT.
>> DO YOU THINK THE CONTRACT OR THE INFORMATION WE GOT THIS MORNING, I MEAN, HAVE YOU GONE OVER THAT?
>> I BELIEVE KRISTI GILBERT HAS, BUT TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S POINT, IT DOESN'T HURT TO LOOK AT IT ONE MORE TIME.
SHE IS CERTAINLY PREPARED AND THEY WILL BE PREPARED TO GO OVER IT BEST.
>> WHO WOULD ACTUALLY MAKE IT -- MAKE THE DECISION.
>> HGAC IS THE ONE TO ACTUALLY MAKE THE DECISION.
WHATEVER COMMITTEE THEY SET UP.
WE HAVE CHRISTIE GILBERT AVAILABLE.
>> HOW MUCH ARE THEY GOING TO CHARGE?
>> MY UNDERSTANDING IS $1 MILLION.
IT IS A $10 MILLION PROGRAM AND -- >> IT IS ACTUALLY CLOSER TO 700,000, APPROXIMATELY.
>> SO NO ONE FROM COUNTY GOVERNMENT WOULD HAVE INFLUENCE OVER WHO WOULD GET A REGULAR LOAN?
>> I WOULD HAVE TO CHECK WITH CHRISTIE GILBERT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS ACCURATE.
THAT IS MY GENERAL UNDERSTANDING.
>> WHILE CHUCK GETS ON THE LINE -- IF I AM HEARING CORRECTLY IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS AT LEAST TWO DIFFERENT IDEAS.
ONE IS WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING RIGHT NOW AND THE OTHER IS LIKE WHAT GREG KAZAR WAS DISCUSSING.
IF WE PUT ASIDE THE DISCUSSION ABOUT INDIVIDUALS AND WE FOCUS ON THE SMALL BUSINESSES I WONDER -- THERE ARE TWO THINGS I HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE IS A WAY TO PUT THAT IN ON THE FRONT END.
ONE IS THE ELIGIBILITY AND MAKING SURE SOME PORTION OF IT OR WHATEVER -- IF THERE IS A PORTION I THINK IS WHAT YOU GUYS DISCUSSED GOES TOWARD PAYROLL AND THEN SECOND -- SORRY.
THAT IS LOAN CONDITIONS AND THE SECOND IS ON ELIGIBILITY.
AND THAT IS HOW DO WE ENSURE THAT WE ARE NOT GIVING THIS TO A BIG SMALL BUSINESS.
YOU SNOW -- YOU KNOW, SOME SORT OF, LESS THAN 50 EMPLOYEES IS WHAT I HAVE HERE.
>> CHICKS -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK LANGUAGE HAS GROSSED 5 MILLION A YEAR.
I CAN'T REMEMBER WHICH CITY IT WAS.
I TRY TO TAKE WHAT WAS IN THE MIDDLE.
I THINK WE LOOKED AT A FEW, COMMISSIONER.
WE LOOKED AT SEATTLE, CHICAGO -- I CAN'T THINK OF THE THIRD ONE OFF THE TOP OF MY -- DENVER.
I WOULD SAY GROSS REVENUE IS THREE MILLION.
KNOWING ALL OF THE FEDERAL MONEY IS SLOW AND IT IS COMING.
IT OVERWHELMED THEIR WEBSITE, BY THE WAY.
[03:35:01]
AND EVEN AFTER WE -- IF WE 10 MILLION YOU WILL HAVE A LOT MORE NEED OUT THERE.SO THAT IS WHY I WAS SAYING ELIGIBLE BUSINESSES ARE THOSE THAT HAVE AN ANNUAL GROSS REVENUE OF LESS THAN THREE MILLION, JUDGE.
I AM SUBJECTING LOAN PROCEEDS MUST BE USED FOR WORKING CAPITAL AND 30% OF THE PROCEEDS MUST BE APPLIED TOWARD PAYROLL.
I GUESS I COULD -- I THINK I SENT IT TO YOUR OFFICE.
I TRIED TO PULL OUT, JUDGE, THE CREDIT SCORE.
I THINK I'VE GOT A DECENT CREDIT SCORE, I THINK.
A LOT OF THESE BUSINESSES, WHATEVER THE CREDIT SCORE WAS, IT IS A LITTLE LOWER AND THEY HAD TO CHECK THE BALANCE WITHIN THE LAST THREE WEEKS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GOT IT AND I JUST WANTED TO INDICATE THAT I THINK WHEN WE GET CHUCK ON THE CALL HE CAN LET US KNOW.
I WOULD BE WILLING TO SUPPORT THE ADJUSTMENT ON THE REVENUE SO LONG AS -- AND I HOPE THAT WE CAN ALL APPRECIATE SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T SLOW THE PROGRAM DOWN FROM LAUNCHING.
WE CAN GET CHECKS INTO THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WITHIN TWO WEEKS WITH THE SUPPORT OF THIS BODY AUTHORIZING THE PROGRAM TODAY.
AGAIN, WORK WORKING -- WORKING TO BUILD ANOTHER SUPPORTIVE PROGRAM, MAYBE WORKING TO -- WORKING WITH JOSH BECAUSE THAT'S HOW I DID IT ON CITY COUNCIL.
I WORKED WITH MILTON WILSON BACK THEN.
I THINK THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO BUILD THAT VERY, VERY COMPREHENSIVE GRANT PROGRAM.
>> WHAT I WAS WORRIED ABOUT IS 10 MILLION SOUNDS GOOD AND ALL OF OUR FRIENDS, ANYTHING SOUNDS GOOD WITH WHAT IS GOING ON OUT THERE RIGHT NOW.
AT SOME POINT SOMEBODY IS GOING TO COME BACK AND ASK FOR AN AUDIT OF WHERE THIS MONEY WENT.
SOMETIMES THE ONES BETTER PREPARED ARE THE ONES WHO HAVE BEEN MORE SUCCESSFUL AT WHAT THEY -- THEY WOULD KNOW IT BETTER THAN SOME OF THE OTHERS AND THAT'S WHY I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT SOME OF THE BELLS AND WHISTLES UP.
I ASSUME THAT'S WHY CHICAGO, DENVER, SEATTLE, AND I AM NOT SUGGESTING GO AS FAR AS SEATTLE.
THEY WERE PRETTY DEEP IN, BUT THAT'S WHY I SUGGEST.
AND IN TERMS OF A SECOND PROGRAM, WHEN WE ARE GOING INTO THAT RAINY DAY FUND HOPING WE WILL GET REIMBURSED FOR A LOT OF THINGS WE DON'T KNOW THAT.
WHATEVER WE DO HERE, I WILL BE PREPARED TO SUGGEST -- WE MAY NOT GET THE SUPPORT, BUT OUR VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHICH IS WHAT CAZAR WAS CALLING IN ABOUT AS WELL.
>> JUDGE, I THINK IF WE ARE LOOKING AT HIRING SOME GALVESTON COUNCIL TO ADMINISTER THIS PROGRAM, THAT WE OUGHT TO HEAR WHAT THEY HAVE TO SAY ABOUT THE PROGRAMS THEY HAD AND HOW IT WORKED.
I THINK WE CAN DISCUSS THIS FOR A LONGTIME, BUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE WE COME UP WITH LIKE A THREE MILLION BASIS OR WHATEVER.
I THINK IT WOULD BE APPROPRIATE TO HEAR, I GUESS, THE EXPERT WE ARE THINKING ABOUT HIRING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO GET THE DIFFERENT SPEAKERS IN THE CUE.
WHY DON'T WE JUST CALL UP THE SPEAKERS AND WE WILL GET TO CHUCK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CHUCK JUST CALLED ME SAYING HE HADN'T BEEN CONTACTED.
HE IS WAITING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CONVERSATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, IF YOU CAN CALL UP THE SPEAKERS.
LET ME FIRST THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND YOUR HARD WORK AND TO HELP YOU TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE.
WE ARE ALL PRAYING COVID-19 ENDS SOON SO YOU CAN REST AND BE WITH YOUR FAMILY.
I AM ASKING TO YOU GO A STEP FURTHER AND APPROVE THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM PROPOSED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
I CAN SEE THE CONCERN AND THE PANIC OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE KNOW SYSTEMS TO HELP ARE IN PLACE, BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE CLOSED BECAUSE THEY ARE OVERWHELMED WITH THE APPLICATIONS RECEIVED.
[03:40:01]
THOSE ONES THAT WERE ABLE TO GO THROUGH HAD TO WAIT FOR APPROVAL AND WON'T HEAR BACK UNTIL WEEKS FROM NOW.THIS PROGRAM, THEY -- THE ONE COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS PROPOSING WILL HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY FOR SOME OF THESE TO SURVIVE THIS CRISIS KEEP GOING AND KEEP CONTRIBUTING TO THE ECONOMY.
REMEMBER, THIS IS NOT ONLY BENEFITING THE OWNER OF THE BUSINESS, BUT ALSO THE EMPLOYEES AND THE CONSUMERS.
ALSO IT WILL HELP TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN BY KEEPING THE EMPLOYEES ACTIVE WHICH IT WILL HELP THE UNEMPLOYED PERCENTAGE RATE GO DOWN.
WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER AND IT WILL BE ALREADY SANCTIONED AND EASIER TO GET BACK TO THEIR SEAT.
THEY WILL GO BACK TO WHAT WE WILL CALL THE NEW NORMAL.
$25,000 MIGHT NOT BE A LOT FOR A LOT OF US, BUT FOR THIS BUSINESS, FOR SOME OF THIS BUSINESS IT WILL BE THE LIGHTENED -- BE THE LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL.
I ASK YOU ONE MORE TIME TO HELP US TO KEEP THE ECONOMY IF NOT BETTER AS IT IS FUNCTIONING AND THANK YOU ALL FOR LISTENING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> MR. MITCHELL,ING BOB MITCHELL?
THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE TESTIMONY TODAY.
I AM BOB MITCHELL, PRESIDENT OF THE BAY AREA HOUSTON ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP.
IT IS ONE OF THE LARGEST ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND WE HAVE FOR DECADES SUPPORTED HARRIS COUNTY BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
ON BEHALF OF OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND THE MORE THAN 270 MEMBERS AND COMPANIES, PLEASE KNOW WE STRONGLY SUPPORT THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM.
CLEARLY THE RECENTLY PASSED CARES ACT WITH ITS PROVISIONS FOR PAYROLL PROTECTION AND ECONOMIC INJURY DISASTER LOANS IS VERY IMPORTANT.
THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CRITICALLY IMPORTANT TOO.
THE RAPID RECOVERY IN THE CHALLENGES FACING THE SMALL BUSINESSES, OUR COUNTY GOVERNMENT ASK -- ASKS FOR THE BUSINESSES MORE FREQUENTLY AND PROVIDE RELIEF.
IT IS DESIGNED TO HELP BUSINESSES IMPACTED BY COVID-19 BY OFFERING 0 INTEREST LOANS FOR NECESSARY OBLIGATIONS AND THIS IS THE KIND OF MEASURE THAT IS NEEDED NOW TO ASSIST OUR AREA OF BUSINESSES.
THE PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO BE NIMBLE AND RESPONSIVE AND BRING RELIEF TO THE SMALL BUSINESSES WHO FACE ECONOMIC INJURY.
THE BUSINESSES THAT WILL BE ABLE TO USE THE FUNDS TO COVER WORKING CAPITAL COSTS SUCH AS PAYROLL AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND THE GOAL IS TO BE A RESOURCE TO MAKE SURE THE BUSINESSES TO HELP THEM SURVIVE DURING THE CRISIS AND RESUME NORMAL ACTIVITIES.
WE REGULARLY ASSIST SMALL BUSINESSES AND ENTREPRENEURS AND WE ARE HELPING SOME COMPANIES WITH INNOVATIVE IDEAS FOR THE COVID IN PLACE.
THIS IS THE 501C-6'S MENTIONED EARLIER.
I DON'T KNOW IF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS AWARE THAT THE DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THESE ECONOMIC DISASTER LOAN PROGRAMS OR THE PAYROLL PROTECTION PROGRAM.
I WORKED EIGHT HOURS LAST THURSDAY AND SUBMITTED ALL OF THE DOCUMENTATION TO GET A PHONE CALL ON FRIDAY MORNING THAT SAYS THESE ORGANIZATIONS ARE NOT SUPPORTED THROUGH THIS PROGRAM OF COURSE I HAVE BEEN ON THE PHONE WITH MY ELECTED OFFICIALS -- FEDERALLY ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR DAYS.
IN FACT, I HAVE ANOTHER CALL WHEN THIS IS OVER TO GET THEIR SUPPORT TO HELP US GET THOSE FUNDS.
I WOULD SUGGEST THAT THE MONEY BEING PROVIDED BY HARRIS COUNTY, THAT THAT MONEY BE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND NOT FOR US 501C-6'S.
THE SMALL BUSINESSES NEED THE MONEY MUCH MORE THAN WE DO RIGHT NOW.
THAT DOESN'T MEAN WITHIN TWO OR THREE WEEKS WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE IN THE EXACT SITUATION.
THE THE HISPANIC CHAMBER AND OTHER CHAMBERS ARE GOING TO BE DESPERATE IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO GET SOME OF THE LOANS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
SO I WOULD ASK THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO PLEASE BE AWARE OF THAT AND SUPPORT THESE 501C-6'S TO BE INVOLVED IN THE NEXT STIMULUS PACKAGE.
I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION TO THE SMALL BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
WE STAND READY TO ASSIST THE COUNTY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE TO STOP YOU AT TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS.
[03:45:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: I APPRECIATE THE WORK YOU DO AND I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT.
>> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY.
I WANTED TO CALL IN AND THANK YOU FOR REACHING OUT TO ME ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC THAT YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU TODAY.
THERE WERE A FEW QUESTIONS FROM SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS.
I WILL START OFF FIRST BY SAYING WE ARE EXCITED TO PARTNER WITH HARRIS COUNTY AS WE TAKE ACTION ON THIS.
OUR TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING VERY WELL TOGETHER TO COME TO A LOCAL AGREEMENT AND ALSO ONLINE APPLICATION PROCESS AND LOAN PERMITTING AS WELL.
THE OFFICERS OF THE HOUSTON GALVESTON BOARD ARE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION THIS AFTERNOON AND AUTHORIZE -- TO REACH AN AGREEMENT IF YOU SO CHOOSE TO TAKE THAT ACTION.
WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT ORGANIZATIONALLY WE ARE PREPARED TO ACT QUICKLY.
AND ALSO WE HAVE THE LAW OF OPERATIONAL COMPONENTS THAT ARE CURRENTLY BEING TESTED TODAY AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED.
WITH REGARD TO THE QUESTION ON DECISION MAKING ON THE LOANS, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE WORKED CLOSELY WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM BOND.
WE WOULD USE A STANDARD APPROACH OF HAVING A LOAN COMMITTEE THAT WOULD HAVE PEOPLE WITH ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LENDING BACKGROUNDS AND THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM BACKGROUND ASSOCIATED WITH IT AND HARRIS COUNTY WOULD BE THE MAJORITY OF THE SEAT OLDERS -- SEAT HOLDERS ON THAT COMMITTEE, AND SO THEY WOULD MAINTAIN CONTROL OVER THE FUNDS OF THE LOAN.
THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON COUNCIL WOULD MANAGE THE APPLICATION INTAKE AND ALSO DO THE UNDERWRITING.
WE HAVE ADDED CAPACITY TO OUR TEAMS BY COMPLETING A PROCUREMENT THAT WE ARE READY TO EXECUTE AND HAVE THIRD PF PARTY -- THIRD-PARTY CONTRACTORS INVOLVED IN THE UNDERWRITING AND WE WOULD HANDLE OTHER PARTS OF THE LOAN COMPLETION AND SERVICES -- SERVICING AS WELL ON PART OF THIS.
THE DECISION ON THE FINAL APPROVAL RESTS WITH THE LOAN COMMITTEE ON WHICH HARRIS COUNTY WOULD BE THE MAJORITY PARTS -- PARTICIPANTS ON THAT.
I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY OTHER QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I'M WONDERING WOULD IT BE A PROBLEM TO SET UP AN ADDITIONAL CRITERIA AND Y'ALL CORRECT ME IF I GOT THEM WRONG, BUT WHAT IS BEING DISCUSSED IS ENSURING THAT AT LEAST 30% OF THE LOAN GOES TOWARD PAYROLL, AND THEN THE -- THOSE WHO QUALIFY HAVE TO HAVE REVENUES OF LESS THAN $3 MILLION AND LESS THAN 50 EMPLOYEES A WAIVING OF CREDIT SCORE RECOMMENDATIONS.
IN OTHER WORDS, CAN -- WILL THESE TWO OR THREE THINGS DELAY IT?
>> I THINK WE NEED TO LOOK AT THAT AND MAKE SURE WE DISCUSSED IT WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY TEAM TO SEE HOW WE CAN IMPLEMENT THAT.
THE TWO TEAMS HAVE WORKED WELL ON A VARIETY OF IDEAS TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
A COUPLE THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS COMMISSIONER RADACK THAT WANTED TO KNOW WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED FROM SOME OF THE OTHER LOAN PROGRAMS WE HAVE MANAGED AND WE HAVE FOUND THROUGH EXPERIENCE THE HARD WAY OFTENTIMES IS THAT THE MORE CONDITIONS AND THE SUB CATEGORIZING OF PARTICIPANTS, IT DOES ADD MORE TIME, AND IT CAN RESULT IN A SLOWER DEPLOYMENT OF THE FUNDS.
JUST MAKING SURE YOU ARE AWARE OF THAT AND IF THESE ARE TARGETS YOU THINK ARE IMPORTANT TO ACHIEVE.
IT WOULD CERTAINLY BE LOOKED AT.
THE CREDIT SCORE REMOVAL, RIGHT NOW THERE IS THE CREDIT SCORE CRITERIA IN THE CURRENT PROCESS.
IF SOMEBODY WAS 700 OR ABOVE THERE WOULD NOT BE COLLATERAL FOR THE LOAN.
IT WOULD BE A COLLATERAL OR A SECURITY THING TO HELP MAKE THAT HAPPEN.
THAT TAKES CARE OF THE -- THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS MOST CONCERNED ABOUT OR IF HE FELT IT SHOULD BE A TOTAL REMOVAL OF CREDIT SCORE.
OUR EXPERIENCE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS SUGGESTING REMOVING THE CREDIT SCORE.
OBVIOUSLY YOU COULD DRAW DOWN THE BULK OF THE MONEY WHO ARE OVER THAT -- WHO HAVE THE HIGHER COUNTRY SCORE.
WHAT IT IS HEADED TOWARD IS TRYING TO FIGURE OUT -- I DON'T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF IF YOU HAVE ANOTHER POINT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH HAVE YOU ADMINISTERED IN THE PAST, ARE AND HOW DIVERSE IS
[03:50:04]
YOUR POOL OF APPLICANTS BEEN IN THE PAST?SO THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PROGRAMS IN THE PAST.
THE TWO MOST SUBSTANTIVE IS THE CURRENT LOAN PROGRAM THAT WE ADMINISTER.
AND WE HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF LOANS PUT THROUGH THAT PROGRAM.
WELL OVER $100 MILLION OVER THE PROGRAM AS WELL.
THAT ONE HAS VERY SPECIFIC CRITERIA ASSOCIATED WITH IT, COMMISSIONER, THAT KIND OF RESTRICT THE APPLICANT POOL TO CERTAIN TYPES OF BUSINESSES AND CERTAIN TYPES OF USE OF THOSE FUNDS.
THEY INTENDED TO LARGER BUSINESSES AND NOT AS MUCH THE MOM AND POP-TYPE BUSINESSES.
WE HAVE ALSO GIVEN TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CITY OF GAL -- GALVESTON AND HELP ADMINISTER A SMALL RELIEF PROGRAM THAT WAS MORE CHARACTER BASED THAN SECURED.
AFTER HURRICANE IKE THERE WERE ALSO SMALL LOANS.
AND THEN WE WORKED THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION ON A LARGE REVOLVING LOAN FUND THAT WAS INTENDED TO HELP PEOPLE RECOVER AFTER HURRICANE IKE AS WELL.
AS FAR AS THE DIVERSITY -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: [INAUDIBLE] >> THE GALVESTON PROGRAM WAS PRIVATELY FUNDED, AND THAT WAS ON THE ORDER ABOUT $200,000.
THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION WAS A DEN MILLION PROGRAM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE 100 MILLION, WAS THAT ONE YEAR OR OVER FIVE YEARS?
>> THAT WAS ACTUALLY THE FULL SIZE OF THE PROGRAM.
THEY WERE SMALL MICRO-LOAN PROGRAMS AND THEY WERE ABOUT A THREE TO FIVE-YEAR NOTE DEPENDING ON THE APPLICANT'S ABILITY TO REPAY WHICH IS REALLY WHY IT IS IMPORTANT -- IF THESE ARE GOING TO BE LOANS AND EVEN THOUGH THEY CAN BE FOR GIVEN AT THE END, IF THERE ARE GOING TO BE LOANS, IT IS CRITICAL WE MAKE SURE WE DON'T DO MORE HARM BY PUTTING A PAYMENT ON SOMEBODY THAT THEY CAN'T AFFORD.
AND SO THE UNDER WRITING AND THE UNDERSTANDING THE APPLICANT'S FINANCIAL SITUATION WHICH ISN'T SOLELY A CREDIT SCORE.
AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO SEE IF THEY CAN MAKE THE PAYMENT.
IF SOMETHING WILL HAVE A $400 A MONTH PAYMENT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY CAN AFFORD THAT PAYMENT GOING FORWARD.
THOSE ARE THE IMPORTANT PARENTS -- PARTS OF THE UNDERWRITING.
WE WILL HAVE UH OF -- A LOT OF APPLICANTS THAT WILL NOT BE SERVED BY A LOAN PROGRAM BECAUSE EITHER THEY WON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO REPAY AND/OR THEY MAY NOT HAVE COLLATERAL IF THESE ARE SECURED LOANS THAT'S SUFFICIENT, OR THEY MAY NOT HAVE ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS THAT ARE REQUIRED SO THAT WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT THIS IS A VIABLE BUSINESS THAT IS NOT GOING TO SUDDENLY DEFAULT ON THEIR LOAN AND BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE IMPORTANT UNDERWRITING.
IT IS NOT UNCOMMON TO HAVE A TON OF APPLICATIONS AND THEN HAVE A SMALLER NUMBER BE SERVED.
WE ALSO FOUND THROUGH THE FEDERAL PROGRAM, THROUGH THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION, THAT PROGRAM HAD A LOT OF STRINGS ON IT THAT IS REQUIRED BY THE FEDERAL FUNDS.
WE CAN BE MORE FLEXIBLE WITH THE LOCALLY FUNDED PROGRAMS. BUT WE FOUND THAT SOME OF THE SPAWL BUSINESSES -- SOME OF THE SMALL BUSINESS THAT'S DIDN'T HAVE BORROWING EXPERIENCE HAD CHALLENGES WHEN IT CAME DOWN TO ACTUALLY AGREEING TO TAKE THE LOAN.
IT WAS UNCOMFORTABLE WITH HAVING THE PAYMENT OR HAVING COLLATERAL SECURE.
THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE WORKED THROUGH BEFORE.
WHAT HAPPENED IN THE END IS YOU END UP HELPING PEOPLE, BUT ALSO THERE IS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT DON'T GET HELPED AS WELL.
THERE IS ALWAYS A LARGE DIVERSITY OF TYPES OF APRIL PLANTS -- APPLICANTS AND THERE WERE BUSINESSES THAT ARE VIABLE AND THEY CAN AFFORD TO REPAY THE LOAN.
>> COMMISSIONER RADACK, A QUESTION?
>> STEVE RADACK: THANKS FOR JOINING OUTS.
I WANT TO ASK YOU WHY WOULD HARRIS COUNTY HAVE THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE ON THE BOARD? MY QUESTION IS IT IS HARD TO KEEP THIS ABOVE BOARD, AND YOU HAVE DONE THIS BEFORE AND I DON'T KNOW IF YOU THINK IT IS A $3 MILLION BUSINESS OR WHATEVER, BUT WHAT I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS THIS.
WHAT IS THE CAPACITY AND THE CLEANEST WAY TO DO THIS PROGRAM?
[03:55:07]
>> THAT IS AS FAR AS DISPERSING FUNDS, BUT NOT NECESSARILY HAVING A HIGH LEVEL OF REPAYMENT.
IT IS TO PUT AS FEW RESTRICTIONS AS POSSIBLE ON THE ELIGIBILITY AND THE
UNDERWRITING OF THE LOANS -- >> STEVE RADACK: LET ME RESTATE THAT.
WHAT I WAS SAYING IS, YOU KNOW, YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT PUTTING MORE RESTRICTIONS ON OR WHATEVER.
WHERE I AM COMING FROM IS THIS.
WE HAVE SOME SMALL BUSINESSES OUT THERE WITH NEED.
HOW IS THE BEST WAY TO SEE IF THEY ARE QUALIFIED AND BE ABLE TO GIVE THEM THE FUNDS AND FOR IT TO BE DONE BY A QUESTION -- BY A COMMITTEE THAT IS TOTALLY OBJECTIVE BEYOND ANY POLITICAL RE -- REPROACH, IF YOU WILL.
>> WELL, ONE WAY -- IF YOU ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE LOAN COMMITTEE WHICH IS ONE OF THE THINGS THEY LET YOU DISCUSS, COMMISSIONER, THEN TYPICALLY LOAN COMMITTEES ARE COME PRIZED OF THE ENTITY THAT IS MAKING THE LOAN AND THEY HAVE TO HAVE THE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DECLARATION AND THE OTHER ITEMS AS WELL.
AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY VESTED INTEREST IN WHERE THE FUNDS GO.
AS FAR AS GEOGRAPHICALLY AND WHAT TYPES OF BUSINESSES OR ANY OTHER FACTOR.
AND SO, YOU KNOW, HAVING A LOAN COMMITTEE THAT CAN BE ANYMORE BELL AND -- NIBLE AND -- NIMBLE AND QUICK, AND WE DO HAVE THE LOAN COMMITTEES IN PLACE RIGHT NOW.
IT HAS BEEN EXPRESSED THAT HARRIS COUNTY WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A SEAT ON THE COMMITTEE AND ALSO HAVE A MAJORITY.
WE ARE OPEN TO DISCUSSING THAT AS ALL OF YOU SEE FIT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO ADD, COMMISSIONER RADACK THAT GIVING HARRIS COUNTY A SEAT WAS RECOMMENDATION FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKER DAS ARE -- SPEAKERS -- OR ACTUALLY ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.
HOWEVER ALL THIS COMES OUT, WE ARE HERE TO HELP IN ANYWAY WE CAN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE MORE QUESTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR ONE, DID THE FEDS PUT IN -- THAT WAS FEDERAL MONEY, RIGHT?
>> YEAH, $10 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDS, YES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID THEY HAVE SOME REQUIREMENT TO KNOW WHAT PERCENTAGE WENT TO MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES? NOT A CERTAIN AMOUNT, BUT DID YOU HAVE TO LET THEM KNOW WHAT WENT TO MINORITY-OWNED WOMEN BUSINESSES?
>> I DO NOT RECALL THAT REQUIREMENT LOOKING AT THE PROGRAM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU KNOW IN GALVESTON -- MAKING REFERENCE TO DIVERSITY, I WANT TO TO SEE WHAT WENT TO MOM AND POP AND MINORITY-OWNED BREAK DOWN.
YOU KNOW THAT FOR THE PROGRAM IN GALVESTON?
>> GAL SAYS -- GALVESTON, THAT WAS A RELATIVELY SMALL PROGRAM, COMMISSIONER.
THAT WAS ALL SMALL MOM AND POP.
SO IT RANGED FROM RESTAURANTS TO HARDWARE STORES TO FLORAL SHOPS.
THERE ARE A FAIR NUMBER OF RESTAURANTS.
THAT WAS A PRETTY GOOD SPREAD.
THEY WERE ALL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS AND VERY MUCH MOM AND POP ORIENTED.
AND THERE WAS A DIVERSITY WITHIN THAT GROUP THAT WAS REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AREA.
RORD ROD >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
WILL YOU KEEP GOING WITH THE SPEAKERS, PLEASE?
MY NAME IS JAMES MALTABANO AND I AM THE DIRECTOR OF THE NORTH SIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THIS HONORABLE COURT TO ALLOW OUR CHAMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS FORUM.
THE REASON FOR THE PARTICIPATION IS TO ALLOW OUR CHAMBER SUPPORT TO PRECINCT 2 COMMISSIONER ADRIAN GARCIA'S REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT BY THE HOUSTON-GAL -- GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR A SMALL ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER A RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
OUR SMALL BUSINESSES ARE IN MANY WAYS A REFLECTION OF OURSELVES AND OUR -- AND AN INTEGRAL PART OF WHAT SHAPES OUR INDIVIDUAL COMMUNITIES.
[04:00:02]
THESE BUSINESSES ARE MORE THAN MERE STOREFRONTS.OUR RESTAURANTS AND TAVERNS PROVIDE US WITH AN OUTLET IN WHICH FOR US TO FIND COMFORT AND RELAXATION AND AN OUTLET WE CAN SIMPLY BE OURSELVES AND BEING GREETED BY THE SMILING FACES WE DEVELOP WITH THE WAITERS AND THE WAITRESSES AND THE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WE DEVELOP WITH FELLOW CUSTOMERS.
THE SAME APPLIES FOR OUR HAIRDRESSERS AND THE BARBERS AND THE NAIL SALON EMPLOYEES THAT HELP US BUILD OUR SELF-ESTEEM BY PROVIDING US WITH A NICE AND DAPPER APPEARANCE.
LISTENING TO THE STORIES AND OPINIONS AND BEING OUR THERAPIST IN MANY WAYS.
BUT THESE ARE JUST A FEW EXAMPLES.
THE POINT IS BEING THAT MANY OF THESE DEDICATED FOLKS HAVE BEEN THERE FOR US, AND NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO BE THERE FOR THEM.
THIS PROGRAM IS PRESENTED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND CAN OFFER A PROCESS THAT OUR SMALL BUSINESSES CAN RECEIVE THE MUCH-NEEDED FINANCIAL RELIEF THAT WILL ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO BE THERE FOR US.
WE AT THE GREATER NORTH SIDE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE RESPECTIVELY ASK THIS COURT THAT THIS PROGRAM APPROVE PUTTING INTO PLACE AND THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JAMES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, MUCH APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ONCE AGAIN ON THIS VERY VITAL AND MUCH-NEEDED MONEY FOR OUR SMALL BUSINESSES IN THE HARRIS COUNTY REGION.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR LEADERSHIP.
WE HAVE BEEN INUNDATED WITH E-MAILS AND CALLS FROM FOLKS WANTING TO KNOW HOW QUICKLY THEY CAN APPLY.
WE ARE EAGERLY AWAITING AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND FOR ALL OF YOU SUPPORTING THE MANY SMALL BUSINESSES INCLUDING OVER 90,000 HISPANIC-OWNED BUSINESSES IN THIS REGION.
THANK YOU ON BEHALF OF THE HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DR. MOREO.
THANK YOU FOR CALLING IN EARLIER AND WE APOLOGIZE WE COULDN'T GET TO YOU AS FAST.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR WANTING TO BE BACK ON THE RECORD WITH YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM.
>> HELLO, EVERYBODY AND THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS.
THE HOUSTON EASTERN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS LOCATED IN PRECINCT 2.
WE WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA FOR BRINGING THIS FORWARD.
OUR STAFF IS WORKING REMOTELY AND WE ARE WORKING HARDER AND LONGER HOURS TO HELP OUR MEMBERS STAY IN BUSINESS.
I HEARD TODAY THAT ABOUT 54% OF SPONSORSHIPS ARE CLOSED DUE TO COVID-19 AND THE NUMBER WILL GO UP ON -- GO UP.
THEY STARTED A EAST END STRONG FACEBOOK PAGE TO ALLOW BUSINESSES OPEN TO SHARE THEIR HOURS AND SERVICES SO TOGETHER WE CAN SUPPORT THEM WITH SOCIAL DISTANCE AND SAFETY.
IT HURTS WHEN WE HAVE TO POST A RESTAURANT OR BUSINESS CLOSED MESSAGE, BUT IT IS COMFORT -- COMFORT -- COMFORTING TO SEE THE REPLIES.
I PROUDLY SHARE THAT IN THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT DISTRICT THEY ARE DOING THEIR PART TO STOP COVID-19 INCLUDING GULF COAST DISTILLERY THAT IS MAKING HAND SANITIZER AND GIVING TO HOSPITALS AND CLINICS IN THE EAST END COMMUNITY.
MATTER OF FACT I AM JUST IN MY CAR READING AND WE JUST GAVE AWAY A PALLET TO NONPROFIT CLINICS HERE IN THE EAST END.
WE ALSO HAVE TSRX WHO IS MAKING FACE SHIELDS AND N95 MASKS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND WE HAVE MATTRESS MAKERS WHOSE TRANSITION FROM MAKING FACE MASKS FOR FIRST RESPONDERS.
WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS MAKING MASKS AT THEIR HOME AND GIVING THEM AWAY.
WE HEARD THAT A FEW RESTAURANTS THAT CLOSE WERE IN A POSITION TO PAY EMPLOYEES ABOUT TWO WEEKS.
AND WE HAVE RESTAURANTS WHO CLOSED AND ARE ABLE TO PAY THEIR EMPLOYEES.
WE HAVE BEEN ON NUMEROUS CALLS FROM THE FDA AND THE U.S.
CHAMBER AND ELECTED OFFICIALS AND LOCAL COMPANIES AND THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL.
IT IS TO KEEP THE BUSINESSES AND BUSINESS.
MANY BUSINESSES WHO TRIED TO APPLY FOR THE FEDERAL PPP LOAN WERE TOLD THEIR BANKS ARE NO LONGER TAKING APPLICATIONS.
MANY THOUGHT THEY COULD HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THEIR BANKER TO BE AT THE TOP OF THEIR LIST FOR SUPPORT.
MANY DID NOT EVEN RECEIVE A CALL FROM THEIR BANKER TO HELP THEM APPLY.
IN MY OPINION THAT IS WHY THE SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE FUND PROGRAM BROUGHT TO YOU BY OUR COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SO IMPORTANT.
EVERY LITTLE BIT IS GOING TO HELP.
AND THAT IS WHY THE HOUSTON EASTERN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE IS IN SUPPORT OF THIS PROGRAM.
WE SUPPORT IT BECAUSE IT MATTERS.
IT MATTER THAT'S SMALL BUSINESSES GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY AND THE
[04:05:05]
OPPORTUNITY TO THRIVE.THANK YOU ALL IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR -- FOR SUPPORTING THIS PROGRAM AND GIVING BUSINESSES THE HELP THEY NEED, THE HOPE THEY NEED AND THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO STAY OPEN.
>> THANK YOU, FRANCIS AND GOD BLESS YOU.
OUR CHAMBER REPRESENTS 7500 BUSINESSES AND IT IS IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND A LARGE PORTION OF HARRIS COUNTY.
IT INCLUDES CON CREED REPRESENTED BY PRECINCTS 1, 2 AND 4.
WE ARE ONE OF THE BIGGER IN THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA.
I AM SPEAKING MORE IN PART OF THE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
IT PLAYS THE PIVOTAL ROLE IN FEASIBILITY TO RECOVER FROM ECONOMIC DISASTER.
OUR ORGANIZATION HAD FIRSTHAND CRASH COURSE IN DEPLOYING AND FACILITATING A VARIETY OF THE PROGRAMS FOLLOWING HURRICANE HARVEY.
SO WE AND OUR COUNTY PARTNERS WHICH IN THREE MONTHS WE DISPERSED $1.25 MILLION TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS IN THE LAKE HOUSTON AREA.
AFTER THAT WE CREATED THE SMALL BUSINESS HARVEY RECOVERY GRANT PROGRAM AND RECOVERED $200,000 IN GRANTS AND SMALL BUSINESSES FROM THAT.
WE HAVE ALSO PARTNERED AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY TO HELP WITH THE RECOVERY PROGRAM AND ACTUALLY HELPED BUSINESSES WALKING THEM THROUGH APPLY FOR FDA LOANS.
I AM SAYING THIS NOT JUST TO SAY THAT, HEY, WE DID A GREAT JOB OF PROVIDING A LOT OF RESOURCES TO OUR BUSINESSES, BUT MY POINT IS IT TAKES ALL OF THESE DIFFERENT TYPES OF RESOURCES AND GRANTS AND LOANS, FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL.
IT TAKES EVERY ONE OF THESE TO BE ABLE TO PULL A BUSINESS COMMUNITY UP AND TO BE ABLE TO CREATE A CLIMATE OF RECOVERY AND SUCCESS FOLLOWING AN ECONOMIC DISASTER.
I WANTED TO ALSO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO REQUEST THAT YOU DO CONSIDER THE PROGRAM'S ELIGIBILITY TO INCLUDE 501C-6 AND 501C-4 AND LET ME TELL YOU WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT.
CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE ARE THE FIRST RESPONDERS TO THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY.
I DON'T LIKEN MYSELF TO A FIREFIGHTER OR A POLICE OFFICER OR A HEALTH CARE WORKER RIGHT NOW THAT IS PUTTING THEIR LIFE ON THE LINE.
WHEN IT COMES TO THE ECONOMIC HEALTH OF THE COMMUNITY, AND WHEN IT COMES TO BUSINESS LIFELINES, WE ARE THAT FIRST RESPONDER FOR BUSINESSES.
WE ARE THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT PROVIDES THE PORTFOLIO FOR THE SMALL BUSINESSES.
WE GIVE THEM ITEMS. WE CONNECT THEM WITH THE RESOURCES THEY NEED.
WE DISCUSS AND HAVE SEMINARS GOING OR TAX INCENTIVES AND REGULATION GUIDANCE.
AS YOU HAVE HEARD ALREADY IF YOU WERE EXCLUDED FROM ELIGIBILITY FROM THE FEDERAL PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM, THIS IS JUST SOMETHING THAT I WANT YOU TO CONSIDER.
REGARDLESS OF A DECISION THAT YOU MAKE WHETHER WE ARE INCLUDED OR NOT, WE ARE
GOING TO BE THERE FIGHTING AND HELPING OUR BUSINESS STATE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE WILL GO INTO CHAMBERS -- YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT WE WILL LOOK AT IT IN A GRANT PROGRAM.
FOR THE SUCCESS OF THIS PROGRAM AND FOR THE SUCCESS OF OUR DEVELOPMENT FUTURE SO THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.
>> I AM CALLING TO SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE DRAFT FOR SMALL BUSINESS LOANS AS WELL.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF ISSUES THAT CAUSE A CONCERN.
THE TWO BIGGEST PIECES ARE THE EQUITY OF HOW THE MONEY IS BEING DISPERSED ACROSS THE PRECINCT.
THERE ARE EQUAL REPRESENTATION OF BUSINESSES BEING FUNDED ACROSS THE PRECINCTS.
[INAUDIBLE] FOR ECONOMIC AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.
I WORKED IN THE THIRD WARD COMMUNITY AND THIRD WARD BUSINESSES AND PARTICULARLY SMALL BUSINESSES.
MANY OF THEM [INAUDIBLE] MOST PEOPLE IN AMERICA DON'T HAVE A 700 CREDIT SCORE.
[04:10:04]
AND SO I SEE THE OPTION FOR COLLATERAL, BUT MANY OF THESE SMALL BUSINESSES WON'T HAVE ENOUGH COLLATERAL TO COVER THAT CREDIT.IT IS TO COVER WHAT THEY ARE ASKING FOR.
I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU ALL TO CONSIDER NOT MAKING CREDIT SCORE A HARD REQUIREMENT.
MAYBE SOFT ON CREDIT AND MAYBE HELP SOMEBODY FIGURE OUT THEIR CREDIT AS WE NAVIGATE THE PANDEMIC TOGETHER.
IF THE CREDIT SCORE IS A HARD THING, THEN IS THERE A POSSIBILITY TO LOWER THE FUNDING AMOUNT IN THE FORM OF A GRANT? SO IT MAY BE A 5,000 OR 10,000, SOMEBODY -- SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THIS.
SO I THINK WITH THE BUSINESSES I WORK WITH NOW AND THEY ARE NOT PROVIDING FUNDING FROM A TWRAW -- FROM A TRADITIONAL WAY.
THAT'S WHAT WE CAN SEE ALL BUSINESSES STRUGGLE WITH WHEN TRYING TO CONFRONT THEM.
WE ARE LOOKING AT THE SMALL BUSINESSES THAT EMPLOY THE BULK OF THE COMMUNITY AND HAVING THE ABILITY BECAUSE THEY ARE SMALL TO BE FLEXIBLE AND THEY PROVIDE SERVICES AND IT IS WHO WE GO TO WHEN WE TRY TO DISSEMINATE INFORMATION OR PROVIDE SUPPORT.
TYPICALLY A LOT OF THAT WORK IS DONE ON THE GROUND WE ARE THINKING OF MAKING EDITS TO WHAT THE CREDIT SCORE REQUIREMENT LOOKS LIKE.
AND THERE ARE 5,000 AND 6,000 ALLOWED AND IT IS NOT CONTINGENT ON MY CREDIT SCORE.
WE HAVE SEEN SEVERAL MODELS ACROSS THE U.S.
THEY DON'T HAVE A HARD CREDIT REQUIREMENT.
CAN WE HAVE CONVERSATIONS AROUND IT? YES.
>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.
>> MR. NICHOLS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR WEIGHING IN AND I AM HEARING YOUR POINTS AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS ADVOCATING SOME OF THOSE IT IS INCLUSIVE AND FOCUSED ON SOME OF THE ISSUES.
>> RAY SHACKELFORD? RAY SHACKELFORD?
>> GOOD AFTERNOON, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, MY NAME IS RAY SHACKELFORD AND I AM SPEAKING AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND COMMUNITY LEADER AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE URBAN LEAGUE.
WE CONTINUE TO MAKE PREPARATIONS TO SERVE OUR CLIENTS.
AND WE ARE MAKING [INAUDIBLE] THE FOOD PROGRAM.
WHILE I AM IN FAVOR OF THE PASSING I WOULD OFFER THE FOLLOWING AMENDMENT I.
-- I BELIEVE THERE IS A AMERICA -- MECHANISM THAT NEEDS TO BE PUT IN PLACE.
EVEN AT THE HIGHEST LEVELS IT IS A CON 10 -- CONTENTIOUS TOPIC.
THE SMALL BUSINESSES ARE CONTINUING TO KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED.
THEY ARE AT THE REGULAR LEVEL AND SECONDLY I BELIEVE THAT THE RESTRICTIONS AND THE REQUIREMENTS THAT RELATE TO THE CREDIT PIECE AS WELL AS THE COLLATERAL WOULD PREVENT A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, ESPECIALLY COMMUNITIES OF COLOR, FROM GETTING ACCESS TO THIS MONEY.
AND WHEN YOU LOOK AT SOME OF THE REQUIREMENTS THAT ARE BUILT IN, WHETHER IT IS A 700 CREDIT SCORE OR THE COLLATERAL THAT WOULD EQUATE TO THE LOANS REQUESTED, THESE TYPES OF PEOPLE TYPICALLY WOULD BE ABLE TO GET MONEY FROM LENDING INSTITUTIONS AND WOULD NOT NEED TO GAIN ACCESS THROUGH THE COUNTY.
IT IS CRITICAL THAT WE ENSURE THAT THIS MONEY GOES TO THOSE THAT ARE IN THE GREATEST NEED AND GET ACCESS TO IT.
THEY NEED THE MONEY NOW AND NOT LATER.
AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE IT AS INCLUSIVE AS POSSIBLE ON THE FRONT END SO THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO BE AS REACTIVE ON THE BACK END.
AND THE LAST THING I WILL POINT OUT IS ALSO THE NEED FOR THE BOARD THAT DOES THE
[04:15:04]
MONITORING TO CONSIST OF INDIVIDUALS FROM THE PRECINCT AS WELL AS MEMBERS FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAVE SEEN AGAIN AND IT WOULD NOT HAVE A PLACE -- OR TO HAVE THEIR VOICES HEARD AND LET THEM MAKE PHONE CALLS MYSELF TO REACH OUT TO THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS TO GET THEIR FEEDBACK AND THAT'S WHY I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TO GET THE MONEY IN THE HANDS OF PEOPLE WHO NEED IT.I WILL OFFER IT UP MYSELF TO CONTINUE IT IN THIS PROCESS AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR TIME.
PLEASE GIVE MY REGARDS FOR HIS SUPPORT.
AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ADVOCATED FOR SOME OF THESE SAME POINTS AND I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH HIM TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN ADDRESS THESE ISSUES.
THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT.
THANK YOU FOR BEING AHEAD OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON -- THE HEAD OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND ALLOW US TO ADDRESS THE COURT REMOTELY.
AND BEFORE I FORGET, I WANT TO SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
AGAIN, LINDA MORALES, REPRESENTING THE GULF COAST AREA LABOR FEDERATION OF THE AFOCO.
WE REPRESENT 60,000 PLUS PROUD UNION MEMBERS TRADE SERVICING MANUFACTURING AND TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATIONS AND PUBLIC SECTORS.
WE ARE HERE TO SAY THAT WE SUPPORT COMMISSIONERS GARCIA AND IT IS A SMALL BUSINESS RELIEF PROGRAM.
WE KNOW WE WILL KEEP THE WORKERS ON PAYROLL AND IT IS NOW ON THE BOOKS.
AND THE I'M PLAW MEN -- IMPLEMENTATION OF THE PROGRAM HAS YET TO START.
WE ARE PLEASED TO SEE THAT THE COURT IS ACTING TO FILL THE GAPS.
THE AREA LABOR FEDERATION SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES AND SUPPORTS THE RELIEF DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
BUT WITH A HISTORIC UNEMPLOYMENT RATE INCREASING EVERY DAY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT ANY AID WILL GO TO PROTECT THE JOBS AND THE INCOME AS A REQUIREMENT AND NOT A WOULDN'T IT BE NICE.
275,597 TEXANS ARE APPLYING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS.
THAT'S A 604% INCREASE OVER THE 16,176 TEXANS WHO FILED WEEKENDING MARCH 14TH AND THAT'S FOUR TIMES MORE THE NUMBER WHO FILED THE WEEK AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY.
WORKING FAMILIES IN HARRIS COUNTY ARE STRUGGLING TO UH -- TO UH -- TO AFFORD THINGS LIKE FOOD AND RENT.
THEY NEED TO KNOW THEIR COMMISSIONERS WILL PUT THEM FIRST.
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THE PROPOSAL BE AMENDED TO SAY ANY BUSINESSES THAT RECEIVE RELIEF MUST USE HALF OF THE FUND TO KEEP WORKERS ON PAYROLL FROM NOW UNTIL THREE MONTHS AFTER THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION ENDS.
THAT FAILURE TO DO SO WILL RESULT IN THE REVOCATION OF ANY ASSISTANCE.
AND THE COMPONENT WILL ENSURE THAT THE PROGRAM BENEFITS WORKERS WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN THE PROCESS.
AND AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA STATED IT WILL HELP FLATTEN THE UNEMPLOYMENT CURVE.
WORKING FAMILIES ARE THE BACKBONE OF OUR ECONOMY.
WE NEED TO MAKE THEM THE FIRST PRIORITY.
WORKING TOGETHER TO WORKERS TO MAKE GOOD BUSINESS SENSE.
THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US TO SPEAK.
COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS DOING GREAT WORK AND WE CERTAINLY WANT TO SUPPORT HIM.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, LINDA.
I WAS TRYING TO BEAT YOU TO WISHING MY YOUNGSTER COLLEAGUE A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
HE IS LOOKING A SPRY 21, 22, SOMEWHERE AROUND THERE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU NOTICE I SHAVED MY HEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
WITH THE SOCIAL DISTANCING I COULDN'T GET A HAIRCUT.
I COULDN'T GET THE CUTOFF THE SIDES SO I CUT IT OFF MYSELF.
THE JUDGE IS GONNA FORCE ME TO LOSE WAIT SINCE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO EAT.
I AM LOSING WEIGHT FOR MY BIRTHDAY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LINDA, THANK YOU ON YOUR POINTS AND WE ARE GONNA BE WORKING ON THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LINDA, THANK YOU.
[04:20:01]
THIS IS INGRID ROBINSON AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE HOUSTON MINORITY DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL.WE ARE A 46-YEAR-OLD MINORITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATION IN HOUSTON THAT IS CONSIDERED TO BE CORPORATE AMERICA'S LEADING CONNECTOR TO MINORITY BUSINESSES.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS IS MADE UP OF MAINLY CORPORATIONS AND GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES.
THE PRIMARY EMPLOYER FOR HOUSTON AND HARRIS COUNTY.
I AM GLAD TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY.
THANK YOU, JUDGE FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY.
I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO ALL OF THE CONVERSATION.
THERE ARE A COUPLE OF POINTS I WOULD LIKE TO BRING UP AND HOPE THAT WE COULD ADDRESS IT AS WE WORK THROUGH THESE ISSUES.
I THINK THAT THE PROGRAM IS GREAT, AND WE DO SUPPORT THE PROGRAM.
HOWEVER, WE DO HAVE SOME CONCERNS.
AS WE REPRESENT MINORITY-OWNED BUSINESSES WHO ARE SMALL AND WHO WORK IN PROVIDING PRODUCTS AND SERVICES TO THE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES AND MAJOR ORGANIZATIONS THOSE COMPANIES ARE HURTING RIGHT NOW AND WE ARE TRYING TO ASSIST THEM.
I THINK SOME OF THE CRITERIA IN THE LOAN PROGRAM, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE CREDIT SCORE IS DIFFERENT BETWEEN A BUSINESS CREDIT SCORE AND A PERSONAL CREDIT SCORE.
IN BOTH OF THOSE CASES THE CRITERIA FOR THE LOAN FOR COLLATERAL AND A 720 CREDIT SCORE NOT TO PROVIDE COLLATERAL WILL CUT A LOT OF OUR BUSINESSES WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND WHO HAVE ALREADY BEGUN TO LAYOFF AND WHO ARE CALLING US FOR ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THEY ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MAINTAIN THEIR EMPLOYEES WHO HAVE THE EXPERTISE AND TRAINED TO DO THEM AND ENDURE NOT ONLY THE COST OF REVENUE, BUT RETRAINING AND HIRING NEW WORKER WHEN'S WE GET PAST THIS CRISIS.
THESE SAME BUSINESSES ARE STRUGGLING BECAUSE THEY ARE IN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES WHICH IN MANY CASES THEY ARE PROVIDING FRONT LINE BUSINESSES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HANDLING THE CLASS 1 AND CLASS 2 BUSINESSES WHICH HAVE REVENUE.
CLASS ONE IS UNDER A MILLION DOLLARS.
SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE STATISTICS OF THE BUSINESSES IN HOUSTON THAT ARE MINORITY OR WOMEN-BUSINESS OWNED WE DON'T WANT TO PUT THAT AS A BARRIER.
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME ISSUES.
THEY ARE READY TO GO THROUGH WITH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL.
WE WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST THAT ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS WHO HAVE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY AND SERVICES -- SERVICING THESE BUSINESSES AND BEING A A LIAISON TO THE GOVERNMENTAL AN P ENTITIES AND THE MAJOR CORPORATIONS TO BE PART OF THE REVIEW BOARD AND TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE MAKING SURE THOSE FUNDS ARE BEING ALLOCATED TO A VERY DIVERSE GROUP OF BUSINESS OWNERS WHO UNDERSTAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DIFFERENT INDUSTRIES.
TYPICALLY IT IS SECTOR TO SECTOR AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ADDRESSING THOSE ISSUES AND WE ARE READY TO ASSIST WHEREVER WE CAN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, INNING -- INGRID FOR WEIGHING IN.
DID YOU FINISH ALL OF YOUR COMMENTS?
>> YES, WELL I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE IF WE COULD ADDRESS ONE OTHER THING BESIDES THE LOAN COMMITTEE AND THE UNDERWRITING, MAKING SURE THAT MAKING SURE WE INCLUDE 501C3 AND THE 501C6.
WE DON'T DO LOBBYING WHICH IS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE TWO GROUPS.
WE ARE ON THE FRONT LINE AND HELPING THOSE BUSINESSES AND MAKING LOANS AND DIRECTING THEM TO THE RESOURCES.
MAKE SURE THE 501C3'S ARE GIVEN CONSIDERATION.
>> SO YOU WANT 501C3'S? THE FIRST SUGGESTION WAS C6'S?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FROM WHAT I HEARD FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE, 4'S?
ONE OTHER QUESTION FOR MS. ROBINSON.
I JUST WANTED TO KNOW WHAT THE MARKET HAS ON WHO ELSE HAS ADMINISTERED? YEARS AGO, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK YOU SAID -- IS IT A REDEVELOPMENT THING? I CAN'T REMEMBER WHAT IT WAS.
BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHO ELSE OUT THERE -- HE IS SHAKING HIS HEAD.
IT BUT WHO ELSE DOES THIS? IT IS JUST SO WE KNOW.
[04:25:02]
AND THE LYFT GROUP WANTED A HIGH FEE.>> YES, THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS.
WE WORK WITH OTHER ORGANIZATIONS.
HCMC IS READY TO MANAGE THE PROGRAMS. WE DO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH ENTITY THAT'S COULD TAKE A PORTION OF THE $10 MILLION AND MAKE SURE IT IS ALLOWING THE SAME CRITERIA TO GET SERVICE BY THE ORGANIZATIONS AND THE ENTITIES THAT THEY TYPICALLY DEAL WITH ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
>> WHAT DID YOU CALL IT? PDFI? WHAT IS A PDFI?
>> THOSE ARE -- A PDFI IS A COMMUNITY THAT IS A NONPROFIT BANK.
THEY GIVE LOANS TO ORGANIZATIONS WHO DON'T NEED YOUR TYPICAL BANKABLE CRITERIA.
IT IS YOUR SECOND LEVEL NONPROFIT BANK.
SO YOU WOULD HAVE ORGANIZATIONS LIKE GIVING MONEY TO THE NONPROFIT BANKS TO MAKE THE LOANS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT WHY THEY WERE GOING THROUGH THOUS BANKS AND ONLY SERVICING PEOPLE THAT HAD AN OCTOBER? THAT HAD AN ACT.
>> AND THAT'S WHY THEY DON'T HAVE CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS.
SO THOSE PEOPLE WHO SUBMITTED THE APPLICATIONS EARLY OR HAD RELATIONSHIPS -- STRONGER RELATIONSHIPS WERE PROCESSED FIRST.
THERE ARE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF FUNDS -- OUR BUSINESSES ARE SAYING THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO SUBMIT THE APPLICATIONS TO THE BANKERS, YOU HAVE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND YOU DON'T HAVE THE RELATIONSHIP.
>> IF YOU APPROACHED AND I SAY HE MADE REFERENCE TO IT, BUT HAD YOUR MEMBERS BEEN TALKING TO THE CITY AS WELL? AND ARE OTHERS PUTTING MONEY IN AS WELL?
>> WE ARE TRYING TO STAY IN CONTACT AND HAVE MORE ENTITIES WITH THE CITY AND MAKE SURE THEY GET FINANCES.
WE STARTED SOCIAL DISTANCING AND I GOT CALLS FROM BUSINESSES WHO SAID I HAVE ABOUT TWO WEEKS OF WORKING CAPITAL TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MY BUSINESS FUNDED.
THEY SAID OUR BUSINESS IMMEDIATELY SHOD -- SHUTDOWN.
I KNOW ONE COMPANY WHO CAN GET RESULTS IN 24 HOURS AND IT IS TESTS THAT HAVE BEEN ORDERED.
IT IS A COUPLE MILLION IN NEW YORK, BY THE NEW YORK HOSPITALS AND OTHERS.
WE CAN HELP SOME BUSINESSES THAT HAVE CHOSEN TO DIVERSITY AND THEY HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY AND THE RELATIONSHIPS AND IT HELPS THOSE BUSINESSES THAT CAN'T GO MORE THAN TWO WEEKS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE MORE QUESTION.
DO WE HAVE JUST CAUSE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT MINORITY, WOMEN-OWN OWED BUSINESSES BEING ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IF WE DON'T SOMEHOW DO SOME -- ADD IN SOME CRITERIA? I AM JUST WONDERING, IS THAT MY PARANOIA, OR WHEN THESE PROGRAMS HAVE BEEN DONE YOU HAVE HAD SOME EXPERIENCE AROUND THE COUNTRY WHEN YOU WERE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR.
USUALLY IT IS A CHALLENGE GETTING THE MINORITY BUSINESSES.
ONE IS THEY DON'T HAVE THE RELATIONSHIPS WITH SOME OF THE ENTITIES.
AND THEY COME TO ORGANIZATIONS LIKE OURS AND THEY KNOW THEY HAVE RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM.
IT IS IN ORDER TO GET ASSISTANCE.
AND THEY FIND A CHALLENGE THAT BECAUSE OF SOME OF THE CHALLENGEDS -- SOME OF THE CHALLENGES.
YOU CAN HAVE $50 MILLION IN REVENUE AND STILL BE CONSIDERED A SMALL BUSINESS.
AND SO THOSE BUSINESSES WHO HAVE MORE COLLATERAL AND ARE BETTER AND HAVE MORE CREDIT AND MORE CAPITAL TEND TO GET THE LOANS THAT ARE PUT OUT TO REALLY HELP SMALLER COMPANIES, BUT THEY ARE FROZEN OUT.
AS ENTITIES MAKE SURE THEY HAVE A SIGNIFICANT LOAN REPAY MEANT PERCENTAGE, SOME WOULD TAKE DID -- TAKE IT AND JUST AFFECT THOSE WHO THEY WERE INTENDING TO SUPPORT.
THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE SOME SUPPORT AND WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE ENGAGED IN THE COMMUNITIES INVOLVED IN THE PROCESS.
[04:30:04]
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION AS FAR AS CLARIFICATION.
IT THESE ARE FORGIVABLE LOANS.
DO WE KNOW IF WE WOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR ANYTHING WE GIVE OR ONLY FOR THE LOAN?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS WE WOULD BE -- THE BUSINESSES HAVE TO MAKE A PAYMENT AND SHOW -- AND STAY IN BUSINESS AND SHOW SUCCESS, AND THEN ULTIMATELY THAT'S HOW WE RECOVER A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF OUR INVESTMENT.
IN ACCOUNT FA, OUR ESTIMATES IS THAT WE WILL PROBABLY RECOVER ABOUT -- SOMEWHERE AROUND 5 MILLION, 6 MILLION OF THIS.
THE WAY THIS IS CURRENTLY STRUCTURED, THERE IS A WAY FOR US TO RECOVER SOME OF THE INVESTMENT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, DID SHE MEAN FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OR ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT THE LOANS BEING REPAID, JUDGE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I MEANT THE FEDERAL REIMBURSMENTS.
WE HOPE THEY WILL BE REPAID, BUT IF I AM READING CORRECTLY, THERE IS SOME SORT OF A A FORGIVENESS OPTION WHEN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF TIME GOES BY WHERE WE WOULDN'T BE REPAID BY THE BUSINESS.
SO I WONDER ARE WE REPAID BY FEMA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M NOT SURE.
IN ALL HONESTY THIS IS A RISK ON OUR PART TO DO.
WE ARE NOT SURE IF WE WILL BE ABLE TO RECOVER THIS THROUGH THE DISASTER DECLARATION.
WITH THAT, JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO SAY AGAIN TO MY COLLEAGUES THAT I HEARD THE INTEREST ON THE BRINGING DOWN THE INVESTMENT OF THE BUSINESSES OR THE REVENUE OF THE BUSINESSES AND THE SIZE OF THE BUSINESSES AND THE COMMITMENT TO THE PAYROLL ASPECT OF IT ELIMINATING THE CREDIT SCORE AND THE COMMITMENT OF 30% EQUITY COMMITMENT.
THESE ARE ALL THINGS THAT WE CAN WORK THROUGH ON A TRUE GRANT ON THE C4'S AND THE C3'S.
AND I THINK MAYBE THROUGH THAT PARTICULAR PROCESS WE COULD WORK WITH JOSH AND THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CREATE A TRUE GRANT PROGRAM THAT WOULD BE INCLUSIVE OF THESE ISSUES.
IN THE SPIRIT OF URGENCY I THINK THIS SHOT IN THE ARM AS I HAVE OFTEN REFERRED TO WILL HELP A LOT OF OUR AREA BUSINESS HAD THROUGH THIS DIFFICULT TIME AND WILL HELP THEM KEEP THEIR EMPLOYEES ON THE THE PAYROLL.
WE MAY NOT HAVE THE STIPULATION IN THE PAYROLL, BUT I REALLY DO BELIEVE MANY OF THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAVE HAD, THEY ARE GETTING A SHOT IN THE ARM AND THEY ARE KEEPING THEIR EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL.
IT ULTIMATELY ACHIEVES THE SAME GOAL.
I AM READY TO WORK WITH ALL OF MY COLLEAGUES ON ANOTHER TIER TO THIS.
AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT I WOULD BE LOOKING FOR US PASSING THIS TODAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S TAKE THIS FROM THE BASELINE AND THEN IF MONEY IS AVAILABLE FROM CVBG IS AVAILABLE OR SOMEWHERE ELSE, I WOULD STRONGLY URGE IF WE'RE GONNA DO IT, WE DO IT ON THIS PROGRAM BECAUSE IF NOT, WE WILL ESSENTIALLY BE TELLING THE OTHER FOLKS, THAT'S A BIG IF NOW, OR I WOULD SAY IN TERMS OF GOING TO THE RAINY DAY FUND WE WILL NEVER KNOW IF WE ARE GETTING IT BACK.
I WOULD BE WILLING TO ADMIT THAT EVEN ON THE ITEM I HAVE COMING UP NEXT.
I SUGGEST GET A SENSE FROM YOU AND OUR OTHER COLLEAGUES WHERE YOUR HEADS ARE ON IT.
I PREFER TO DO IT ON THIS ONE OR SPLIT THIS IN HALF AND FIVE UNTIL -- FIVE MILLION THAT WAY AND FIVE MILLION WITH THESE PROVISIONS IN IT TO MAKE
[04:35:01]
SURE WE ARE GETTING IT TO SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ON THE SIDELINES.OR FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH TAKE ANOTHER 10 MILLION AND DO 10 MILLION FOR THIS ONE AND 10 MILLION FOR THE OTHER ONE.
SINCE WE HAVE NO EARTHLY IDEA IF WE WILL GET REIMBURSED.
I HOPE WE DO AID AITD >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I SUGGEST THAT'S THE WAY WE SHOULD GO SO WE CAN BUILD ALL OF THE ELEMENTS INTO THAT PARTICULAR STRUCTURE.
I WOULD TOTALLY SUPPORT THAT AND SECOND YOUR MOTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHY I AM SAYING IT.
I AM SENSING NOT TO GO ON A SPENDING SPREE, BUT ALL OF THE ISSUES OF EQUITY THAT YOU AND I LONG -- HEY, SINCE THE BEGINNING WE FOUGHT FOR.
I WOULD HATE TO GO AND SAY WE ARE GONNA DO SMALLER BUSINESSES, WORKFORCE PROTECTION AND PEOPLE WHO HAVE A TOUGH CREDIT SCORE.
I KNOW THE WHOLE SYSTEM OF CREDIT SCORING IS DISCRIMINATORY.
I MEAN, FOR YEARS I TRIED TO BAN THAT WITH A STRONG BIPARTISAN COALITION.
CREDIT SCORING COMPANIES WOULD COME IN AND FIGHT BECAUSE THEY MAKE A LIVING OF IT.
WHATEVER WE DO FOR BUSINESS, BY THE WAY, MY PREFERENCE WOULD BE AS IMPORTANT AS THEY ARE BECAUSE THE SMALL BUSINESSES DO FEEL LIKE IT IS THE JOB MARKET IN THIS COUNTRY.
WE ALSO NEED TO DO THAT FOR A PROGRAM OF HELPING PEOPLE WHO CAN'T PAY UTILITIES AND CAN'T PAY RENT.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE MY COLLEAGUES KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT.
I WANT EVERYBODY TO GET REIMBURSED.
THAT'S WHY I WAS SUGGESTING WHY WOULD WE SPLIT THIS? WE CAN ALWAYS COME BACK AND SEE HOW IT IS GOING IN TWO WEEKS.
LET'S DO FIVE WITH THE RESTRAINTS AND THEN FIVE WITH.
WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE HURTING.
BOTH THE ONES THERE -- THAT WE WANT GOING TO THE BARBECUE PLACE AND THE SMALL BUSINESS.
THEY GOTTA MAKE MONEY TO PAY THEIR RENT AND UTILITIES OR THEY ARE NOT GONNA GO AND EAT THE FOOD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER, I TELL YOU I AM EXTRAORDINARILY COMMITTED TO THE ISSUES OF EQUITY, BUT WITH TIME BEING OF THE ESSENCE FOR MANY OF THESE BUSINESSES AND IN OUR AREAS AND YOU ARE -- AND I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THAT OF MY COLLEAGUES THAT I THINK WE WILL BE PROBABLY VERY PLEASED AND PROUD OF THE BUSINESS THAT'S DO GET HELP.
I STAND COMMITTED TO WORK WITH YOU AND I WILL SECOND YOUR MOTION TO ANOTHER 10 MILLION THAT WOULD BE TO AN LMI DESIGN TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES WE CARE ABOUT.
BECAUSE OF THE ESSENCE OF TIME I WOULD ASK YOU TO -- LET'S GET THIS ONE UP AND GOING SINCE THE OTHER THINGS WILL HAVE A LOT OF ISSUES OF COMPLIANCE AND THINGS OF
THAT NATURE THAT WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO -- >> WELL, I WILL BE PREPARED TO MAKE A MOTION TODAY.
IF YOU DON'T WANT IT ON THIS, UNLESS I GET SOME FEEDBACK FROM THE REST OF OUR COLLEAGUES, I WOULD MAKE -- I WOULD MAKE THIS IS -- THIS A DUAL MOTION TO DO THIS 10 AND THEN DO 10 WITH THE LMI -- WITH THE SIX ITEMS I LISTED ON HERE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU HAVE MY FULL SUPPORT ON.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOPEFULLY BOTH WILL BE REIMBURSED, BUT I HAVE TO BE HONEST.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WITH THE FORGIVENESS PARK -- PART, THAT'S A BIG QUESTION MARK.
HAVE I TO ASK YOUR STAFF OR SOMEBODY ELSE'S STAFF TO GUIDE US, THE WASHINGTON LOBBYISTS CAN TELL US ABOUT.
I AM ALSO SENSITIVE TO PEOPLE PAYING RENT AND PEOPLE WHOSE UTILITIES WILL GO OFF.
I DO THINK THAT IS AN AREA WE WILL HAVE TO GET REIMBURSED.
I DON'T WANT TO WAIT UNTIL WE FIGURE IT OUT.
I THINK THAT WILL BE MORE THAN AN EMERGENCY IN A COUPLE WEEKS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WELCOME YOUR SECOND ON THIS ITEM.
YOU CAN WELCOME MY SECOND ON YOUR ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TIE THEM ALTOGETHER.
I WANT TO SEE IF OUR COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY OTHER THOUGHTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK?
>> STEVE RADACK: MR. SWORD, AS I UNDERSTAND THIS IF SOMEONE DOES GET ONE OF THESE LOANS, GRANTS, THAT IF THEY PAY IT BACK, AFTER FIVE YEARS THEY ACTUALLY GET THE MONEY GIVEN BACK TO THEM AS A GRANT.
[04:40:06]
THEY CAN USE THAT TO GET CASH OR THE PROPERTY CAN USE IT TO PAY PROPERTY TAX OR WHATEVER.>> COMMISSIONER, I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS OF THE PROGRAM.
I CAN GET CHRISTIE GELBERT ON THE LINE AND SHE CAN TELL US THAT.
>> STEVE RADACK: YOU DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS?
OUR ATTORNEY CHRISTIE GELBERT HAS BEEN WORKING ON IT AND SHE CAN GET THAT INFORMATION.
>> STEVE RADACK: I APPRECIATE THAT.
I CANNOT SUPPORT EITHER ONE OF THOSE MOTIONS.
I THINK THIS HAS BECOME WAY TOO POLITICAL.
I THINK IT HAS BECOME WAY TOO MUDDY.
I ALSO BELIEVE AS FAR AS THE GAL SWRIS -- GALVESTON-HOUSTON COUNCIL IS CONCERNED THEY SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN WRITING THIS BECAUSE THEY SHOULD ADMINISTER IT.
IT SHOULD BE VERY CLEAR AND THIS IS AS CLEAR AS MUD AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED.
I WILL PUBLISH THOSE MOTIONS WHEN WE VOTE.
JACK CAGLE: WHEN ARE WE MEETING NEXT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD THINK -- WE HAVE TO CHECK WITH THE AUDITOR, BUT I THINK WE WANT TO DO A -- AN INTERIM MEETING PROBABLY NEXT WEEK OR SO IN CASE THEY
HAVE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: TUESDAY?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT RIGHT, MR. POST, OR WOULD YOU NEED A COUPLE WEEKS TO FIGURE THAT OUT?
JACK CAGLE: THE DIRECTION OF THE PROPOSITION HAS BEEN PROPOSED AND OF COURSE WE JUST GOT THE LATEST DRAFT THIS MORNING.
AND SO HAVE NOT HAD A CHANCE TO REVIEW THAT CLOSELY.
AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT ALL IS IN THIS OTHER BATCH.
$20 MILLION TOWARD THE COUNTY STIMULUS STARTS TO MAKE ME A LITTLE NERVOUS.
ESPECIALLY SINCE IN OUR EXPERIENCE, AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WERE HERE.
I WAS A JUDGE AND YOU WERE A SHERIFF WHEN WE HAD TO BUY TOILET PAPER OUT OF THE PERSONAL FUNDS.
THE COUNTY COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THAT.
YOUR DEPARTMENT ONLY GOT AN INCREASE A LITTLE BIT.
CONSTABLES WERE 17% REDUCTION.
EACH OF THE FOUR PRECINCTS WERE REDUCED 25%.
I WANT US TO BE VERY CAREFUL ON WHAT WE DO WITH REGARD TO OUR EXPENDITURES BECAUSE WE MAY NEED THAT AS WE MOVE INTO THIS POST CRISIS MODE BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THE ECONOMICS ARE.
I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THIS, OF THE 10 MILLION, BUT THE FORGIVENESS ISSUE IS A QUESTION FOR ME.
10 MILLION TO BRIDGE FOR FOLKS TO BE MANAGED BY HGAC.
WHAT I WOULD ASK IS WE GIVE THE LAWYERS A CHANCE MAYBE TO VISIT AND OUR STAFF HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THIS AND WE PUT IT ON THE VERY, VERY NEXT AGENDA.
I KNOW THERE IS A NEED FOR SPEED FOR THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE OUT THERE, AND MOR -- MORE THAN LIKELY IF WE CAN RESOLVE SOME OF THESE ISSUES WE MAY HAVE AN ARM WRESTLE OVER WHO CAN DO THE SECOND ESPECIALLY IF I CAN INCLUDE MY 50C4'S AND THE 50C6'S INTO THE MIX, BUT THE KEY FEATURE AT THIS TIME IS THAT I THINK APPROVING SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T HAVE THE KINKS WORKED OUT, AND IT IS A $10 MILLION ITEM.
I AM SUPPORTIVE OF HGAC AND SUPPORTIVE OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
GOT SOME QUESTIONS ON THE FORGIVENESS ASPECTS OF IT.
I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS ON THE WRITING, AND -- TO ME $10 MILLION IS A LOT OF MONEY.
$20 MILLION IS A WHOLE LOT OF MONEY.
I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO MAYBE IF WE HAVE ANOTHER MEETING, MAYBE IT WOULD BE A MORE LIMITED MEETING THEN WE CAN PUSH THIS TO WORK OUT THE KINKS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST FOR A SECOND.
I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE WILLING TO TALK ABOUT THE WHOLE PIE.
WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS SAID ELOQUENTLY, WHAT WE DO TO HELP THESE BUSINESSES WHO HAVE BEEN SHUTDOWN THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN AND NO FAULT OF OURS BECAUSE OF THIS WAR THAT THE PRESIDENT HAS MADE REFERENCE TO THAT WE ARE WAGING AGAINST THIS VIRUS.
I THINK WE OUGHT TO BE WILLING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO SOMETHING TO HELP THOSE BUSINESSES THAT WERE ALREADY INFECTED WITH YEARS OF BEING DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BECAUSE OF THEIR ETHNICITY OR THEIR RACE OR GENDER OR A HOST OF OTHER FACTORS WHEN
[04:45:03]
THE MIDDLE CLASS WAS CREATED WHEN WE HAD ANOTHER WAR.FDR -- I MEAN THE RECESSION, THE GREAT DEPRESSION WE HAD, FDR CAME ALONG AND CREATED THE MIDDLE CLASS IN THIS COUNTRY.
AND ALSO WE NEED TO WORRY ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ALWAYS BEEN MARGINALIZED, AND SOME WHO GOT OUT OF IT AND GOT INTO THE MIDDLE CLASS, BUT THEY GOT BACK.
THEY NEED ASSISTANCE, APARTMENT UH -- ASSISTANCE AND HOUSE NOTES AND UTILITY AND WATER AND SEWER AND ALL OF IT.
SO I AM SAYING THAT I THINK FIRST WE OUGHT TO STEP BACK AND DECIDE HOW MUCH ARE WE WILLING TO COMMIT? NOT JUST WAITING FOR MONEY FROM UNCLE SAM.
WHETHER YOU ARE A BUSINESS OWNER OR THE PERSON WHO IS WASHING THE DISHES AT THE RESTAURANT AND CAN'T PAY YOUR RENT.
YOU CAN'T PAY YOUR LIGHT BILL.
SO I AM THINKING IN MY MIND AT LEAST WE OUGHT TO FIRST DECIDE WHAT THAT FIGURE IS.
I DON'T WANT TO LEAVE ONE GROUP IN THE BACKGROUND SAYING, WE WILL DO THAT AND GET TO YOU IF WE FIND SOME MONEY.
AND IF THAT FIGURE IS FROM OUR RAINY DAY FUND, WE HAVE NO IDEA.
WE DON'T KNOW THAT WE ARE GONNA GET REIMBURSED FOR THE HOSPITAL.
WE HOPE WE WILL WE HONESTLY DON'T KNOW.
IT WILL MAKE A COMMITMENT IF YOU DOT THE I'S AND CROSS THE T'S.
I AM SAYING THAT FIGURE IS 10 MILLION AND IT IS 15 MILLION AND IF IT IS 25 MILLION AND IF IT IS 30 PL -- 30 MILLION, WHATEVER IT IS WE OUGHT TO FIRST DECIDE HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE? WITHIN THAT, THIS IS HOW WE WILL DISTRIBUTE.
IT I DON'T THINK WE SHOULD JUST DECIDE ONE GROUP OUGHT TO BE THE WINNER AND ANOTHER GROUP OUGHT TO BE THE LOSERS.
WE WILL DECIDE HOW MUCH WE ARE WILLING TO SPEND.
YOU HAVE THE ARM WRESTLE AND WHICH IS MORE IMPORTANT.
AM I MAKING SENSE? I AM PREPARED TODAY.
I TOOK THE HEAT ALONG WITH THE OTHERS ON THIS VIDEO CONFERENCE AND SAYING WE NEED TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY.
I WAS ABLE TO TAKE THE HEAT AND NOT HITTING THE RAINY DAY.
WE SHOULD DECIDE HOW MUCH TO LEAVE THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND THE UTILITIES ON THE SIDELINES OR THE SMALL MWBE PEOPLE OR THE LARGE OR SMALL BUSINESS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IF I MIGHT, AND I WAS THINKING SIMILAR, I MEAN, I DON'T KNOW IN TERMS OF THE CURRENT 10 MILLION, I DON'T KNOW.
AND CERTAINLY THE REPORTING MECHANISMS AS I UNDERSTAND ARE STRONG.
AND SO THAT WOULD BE GOOD IN TERMS OF MAKING SURE THAT THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED APPROPRIATELY.
I AM THINKING ALONG THE SAME LINES IS GREG CAZAR SAID THEY PUT IN 25 MILLION
[04:51:23]
ACROSS THE COUNTY, AND THAT SOUNDS LIKE A BEGINNING.OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T BAIL OUT OUR ENTIRE COUNTY'S ECONOMY.
THAT'S WHY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS TRYING, AND AS WE ALL ASSESS THEIR PACKAGE AND READ THE ANALYSIS, WE KNOW THAT IT WILL BE HARD DEPENDING ON HOW DEEP THIS CRISIS GOES FOR ANY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT TO FULLY BAIL OUT THE ECONOMY.
THAT'S WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT FOR FOLKS TO STAY HOME SO WE CAN GET OVER THIS QUICKLY AND GO BACK THROUGH THE ECONOMY.
AND I DO THINK AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN TAKE IT UP AND I DO THINK JOSH IS WORKING WITH EACH OF OUR OFFICES TO COME UP WITH A LOGICAL WAY TO ASSESS WE ARE GOING TO PUT IN THIS MUCH IN AN EMPLOYED SERVICE.
HOW DO WE FIGURE OUT A NUMBER BECAUSE THE NEED IS ENORMOUS AND IT IS WELL BEYOND AND IT MEANS WE MUST BE THOUGHTFUL FOR WHAT THE UPPER LIMIT IS.
WE CAN FIGURE OUT HOW TO ARRIVE AT A LOGICAL ANSWER.
I WANTED TO SEE IF OTHER JURISDICTIONS HAVE SOME SORT OF A MATH AND IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE IT, BUT IF WE CAN COME UP WITH SOMETHING THAT IS AT LEAST LOGIC.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE WOULD BE WILLING TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE AND YOU WANTED TO LOOK TO DEVELOP THAT PROGRAM.
AS IT RELATES TO THOSE THINGS WE COULD HAVE TO DEFINE THE FRAMEWORK TO DEFINE THAT.
AND I PROPOSE THAT WE GET THIS INITIAL PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING.
AND WE WILL RERN -- LEARN FROM IT WILL WORK TO DEFINE ALL OF THE EQUITY ELEMENTS AND I AM FULLY COMMITTED TO BEING SUPPORTIVE AND A PARTNER IN MAKING SURE THAT HAPPENS.
IT WILL SAVE A LOT OF THE SAME PEOPLE AND IT WILL ALLOW FOR THOSE BUSINESSES TO DO BUSINESSES WITH FOLKS IN THOSE UNDER SERVED AREAS.
THERE IS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO START THE RIPPLE EFFECT HERE AND DEMONSTRATE THAT WE ARE WILLING TO DO THOSE THINGS THAT THERE IS NO PLAYBOOK FOR.
I WOULD PROPOSE WE MOVE ON THIS ITEM AND BEGIN TO WORK ON THE OTHER ONE BECAUSE TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE.
I WOULD BE COMMITTED TO TRYING TO BRING BACK ANOTHER PROGRAM AS SOON AS WE POSSIBLY COULD.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, HERE IS WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO -- IN THE INTEREST OF TRYING TO FIND A COMPROMISE TO GET IT DONE, WE ALL HAVE TO SOCIAL DISTANCE AND BY THE END OF THE DAY WE MAY HAVE A RECOMMENDATION AND WE MAY BE VOTING TO MAKE A DECISION ON CLOSING THE PARKS THIS WEEKEND ANYWAY.
I THINK WE CAN -- I DON'T WANT TO GO TO ONE *6 -- GO TO ONE AND THEN WE DON'T HAVE MONEY FOR THE OTHER.
I AM PREPARED TO MEET ON THURSDAY OR GOOD FRIDAY.
NOT GOING -- NOT DOING ANYTHING ELSE ANYWAY.
THE MOST I CAN DO IS RIDE A BIKE ON THE TRAIL WITH A MASK ON, TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME TO GO SEE WHAT CHICAGO, SEATTLE AND ASK OUR FRIENDS AT THE CITY, YOU KNOW, THERE ARE ITEMS ON THE AGENDA TODAY.
THE HOSPITAL, I UH -- ASSUME WE ARE PAYING FOR NRG.
THERE WILL BE PEOPLE THAT I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE GETTING MONEY FROM ANY OF THE CITIES.
WHOA MAY GET 75% BACK, BUT IF IT ENDS UP COSTING $100 MILLION AND TO ASK OUR FRIENDS AT THE CITY WILL THEY COME UP THE WAY AUSTIN DID, COMMISSIONER, I JUST DON'T WANT TO LOSE THE MOMENTUM AND I'M PREPARED TO COME BACK AND WRAP IT ALL UP.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS A SEPARATE PROGRAM, BUT THEY ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT WE WILL DO IN TERMS OF -- BUT I'M SAYING, I DON'T WANT ONE -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY ONE GROUP IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE OTHER.
WHAT IS THAT AMOUNT OF MONEY? I PUT 10 IN EACH ONE.
I GO UP TO 30 HOPING WE GET IT BACK, BUT WE MAY NOT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I WOULD -- I'M SUPPORTIVE OF LOOKING AT THOSE AREAS.
WHEN I PROPOSED THIS AND THE NEGOTIATION OF IT AND WHAT THE FOCUS OF THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE, THAT WAS A COUPLE WEEKS AGO, AND WE HAVE BEEN VERY FOCUSED ON GETTING THIS UP AND GOING BECAUSE I SEE IT AS FLATTENING THE JOBLESS CURVE AND FLATTENING THE HOMELESS CURVE.
PEOPLE ARE BEING LAID OFF AND CLOSING THEIR DOORS AND THEY WILL BE LOOKING FOR HAPPENED WASHING STACTES -- HAND WASHING STATIONS AT THE HIKING TRAILS AND THE PARKS.
SO I THINK THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM HAS BEEN WELL THOUGHT THROUGH.
WE HAVE INCORPORATED MANY OF THE SAFEGUARDS TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ALL LEGALLY VETTED AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION
[04:55:08]
OF THE AGREEMENT.ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE READY TO GO.
AND AS SOON AS WE VOTE FOR THIS, THEN I WOULD SECOND YOUR MOTION TO DO THE STUDY FOR THE INEQUITY SIMILAR TYPES OF PROGRAMS.
>> JUDGE, WE HAVE CHRISTIE GILBERT ON THE LINE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT A SPEAKER?
>> CHRISTIE GEL BETTER IS THE CON -- GELBERT IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS MUSIC BACK THERE.
CHRISTIE IS HERE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MIGHT HAVE ON THE DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL CATCH HER WHEN SHE GETS BACK ON.
I THINK -- I UNDERSTAND WHERE EVERYONE IS COMING FROM.
ON THE ONE HAND WE'VE GOT TO HAVE SOME SORT OF LOGIC TO WHAT WE CAN DO -- LONGER-TERM LOGIC.
ON THE OTHER HAND WE HAVE PUT THE ECONOMY IN A DIFFICULT POSITION.
FROM MY BRIEF TEXT TEXAS CHANGES -- FROM MY BRIEF TEXAS CHANGES I DON'T THINK OTHERS HAVE MORE INFORMATION.
THAT SAID I AM CONCERNED ABOUT $10 MILLION GOING TO THESE -- PROBABLY TO THESE LARGER SMALL BUSINESSES, AND THEN WHAT ABOUT THE SMALL ONES AND WHAT IF WE DON'T ALLOCATE ANY ADDITIONAL DOLLARS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS COMFORTABLE WITH THE OVER -- OVERSIGHT AND IT IS GOOD TO GET THE ATTORNEY ON THE LINE.
IT SOUNDS LIKE BUDGET IS INVOLVED AND THE HGAC IS INVOLVED AND IT IS APPROPRIATE FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND THAT IS GOOD TO MOVE FORWARD.
PERHAPS WE SPLIT THE DIFFERENCE.
WE DO 5 MILLION FOR NOW AND EVENTUALLY 10 MILLION WOULD GO TO THE LARGER, QUOTE, UNQUOTE, SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT WE START WITH -- WE ARE NOT DIS-- DISPENSERRING IT ALL AT ONCE, AND THAT WILL GIVE US TIME TO DECIDE WHAT THE UPPER LIMIT IS AND THEN WE DECIDE IF IT GOES TO THE SMALLER SMALL BUSINESSES OR IN THE END OVERALL WE PUT IN 20 MILLION OR WHATEVER THE SMART PEOPLE COME UP WITH AS A NUMBER THAT IS NECESSARY AND NOT ENDLESS.
COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND I TALKED ABOUT THE FACT THAT THERE IS LIMITATIONS TO THE MONEY WE HAVE AND SO 10 WILL GO TO THIS AND PRESUMABLY 10 GOING TO SOMETHING ELSE AND 10 GOING TO SOMETHING ELSE AND WE HAVE NOT LOOKED AT IT HOLISTICALLY.
THAT'S WHAT I PROPOSE FOR PERHAPS SPLITTING THE DIFFERENCE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO ASK AND -- SO IF WE WERE TO TALK ABOUT SPLITTING THE POSSIBILITY AND GO TO 20 AND IT COULD BE 5 WITH THE SAFEGUARDS THAT DEAL WITH EQUITY THAT I'M SUGGESTING.
WHAT ABOUT RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE? I AM TRYING TO GO BACK TO THE BROADER DISCUSSION.
YOU CAN STILL GET TO 10 IF WE DO FIVE NOW AND THEN MEET LATE THEY ARE WEEK OR NEXT WEEK AND DO THE OTHER 5.
IF THERE IS A REPORTING MECHANISM, SO WE CAN SEE IF SOME OF THE BUSINESSES I AM WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER IT IS A VALID WORRY OR NOT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE -- I WILL SUPPORT THAT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WITH THE CONDITION THAT WE ARE APPROVING 10 MILLION AND WE WILL WORK TO SEE IF WE CAN BUILD -- AGAIN, PART OF THE CHALLENGE THAT WE HAVE -- I CAN TELL YOU THAT THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND THE UTILITY PAYMENTS AND ALL OF THAT IT IS NOT SOMETHING WE WORK THROUGH ON THIS.
THEY WILL USE IT FOR THEIR RENTAL AND THEY WILL USE IT FOR THE UTILITY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WASN'T TALKING ABOUT UTILITY ASSISTANCE.
SOME OF YOUR CONSTITUENTS OUT THERE ARE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING RENT.
PRESUMPTION IS THEY ARE ON PAYROLL AND GET PAID AND THEY CAN PAY THEIR LIGHTS
[05:00:06]
AND RENTS, BUT ON THE INDIVIDUAL SIDE WE CAN MAKE SURE TO HAVE THE CONVERSATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON HOW IT COULD BE DONE.I RESPECTFULLY SAY LET'S APPROVE THE 10 MILLION AS IS, AND WE WILL WORK TO GET THOSE ANSWERS.
IF WE CAN DO THAT I WILL IMMEDIATELY COMMIT TO FIGURING OUT HOW WE CAN EITHER WORK WITH CSD TO DO THAT OR BUILD SOME OTHER ELEMENT INTO THIS AS WE LEARN FROM IT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT THE JUDGE SAID FIVE MILLION WITHOUT EQUITY PROVISIONS AND FIVE MILLION WITH THEM.
WE CAN COME BACK AND MAKE A DECISION.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AGAIN, IT IS ALL A MATTER OF COMPLIANCE.
WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE MECHANISMS IN PLACE TO ENFORCE IT.
WHEREAS THE APPLICATION PROCESS IS SELF-ENFORCEABLE IN TERMS OF WHO APPLIES FOR THE MONEY AND WHAT CONDITIONS ARE PUT ON THEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MEAN THINGS LIKE NO MINIMUM CREDIT SCORE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I REMEMBER PART OF THE CONVERSATION ON THE CREDIT SCORE BECAUSE I RAISED THAT QUESTION AS WELL, BUT THAT HELPS US DETERMINE HOW WE RECOVER SOME OF THE MONEY BACK.
WE CAN MEET THE CREDIT SCORES AND THOSE WHO CAN'T, IT IS ALL PART OF THE EQUATION OF HOW THE INVESTMENT GETS REDONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO YOU ARE SAYING YOU CANNOT AGREE TO REMOVING THE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT SAYING THAT.
I AM SAYING I HAVE TO GET BAY -- BACK TO THE HOUSTON COUNCIL OR COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND IF WE CHANGE THE CREDIT SCORE PROCESS WHETHER THAT THROWS THE WHOLE PROGRAM INTO A TAILSPIN.
THAT'S WHAT I DON'T WANT TO DO.
YOU HAVE MY COMMITMENT THAT I WILL TAKE A LOOK AT.
IT I DON'T HAVE THE ANSWER FOR YOU RIGHT NOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: DO WE -- ROBERT, DO YOU HAVE YOUR OTHER ATTORNEY ON THE LINE?
JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH SOME OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT? I'M GOING TO BACK TO I AM VERY GRATEFUL THAT SOME OF THE CHANGES THAT HAVE BEEN DISCUSSED ABOUT HOW THIS WILL BE ALLOCATED AMONG THE PRECINCTS THAT WAS DONE.
THE NEXT SET OF QUESTIONS COMES ON THE FORGIVENESS ASPECT WHICH HAS RAISED SOME QUESTIONS AND HOW THAT NETS OUT TO THE COST OF THE COUNTY.
IF WE GET THE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT AND IF WE HAVE THEM MAKING PAYMENTS WHAT IS THE COST OF THIS $10 MILLION OUT OF POCKET TO THE TAXPAYERS ?
>> I DON'T HAVE AN EXACT ANSWER TO THE QUESTION.
THERE ARE A LOT OF FACTORS THAT GO INTO THAT.
THE WAY THE FORGIVENESS WAS INITIALLY PRESENTED AND THAT WAS AN IMPORTANT ASPECT EVERYBODY WANTED IN THE PROGRAM.
THE WAY THEY WORKED IT OUT IS AFTER FIVE YEARS IF THEY HAVE COME -- COMPLIED WITH THE TERMS OF THE LOAN THEN IT WOULD BE FOR GIVEN.
IT IS BY THE TERMS WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.
ALL OF THE MONEY WAS USED FOR PAYROLL AND FOR ELIGIBLE EXPENSES.
THEY PROVIDE AND THEY STAY IN BUSINESS FOR THE FIVE YEARS.
IT IS TERMS SUCH AS THAT AND THE MONEY CAN BE CONVERTED TO A GRANT.
JACK CAGLE: AND MAYBE PAY PROPERTY TAX WHICH CAN FEED INTO THE COUNTY.
JACK CAGLE: ARE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IT -- THIS $10 MILLION OVER THE COST OF FIVE YEARS WOULD COST US $10 MILLION MINUS WHAT WE GET POTENTIALLY REIMBURSED BY THE FEDS?
[05:05:01]
JACK CAGLE: HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU THINK YOUR OFFICE -- WE RECEIVED THIS AGREEMENT EARLY THIS MORNING.
HOW MUCH TIME DO YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THE I'S DOTTED AND THE T'S CROSSED WITH BEING IN COMPLIANCE AND GETTING THE POTENTIAL FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT?
>> WE CAN LOOK AT THAT UNTIL THIS AFTERNOON AND GIVE IT A CLEAR ANSWER TO Y'ALL BY THE END OF THIS EVENING.
THERE IS A STATUTORY AUTHORITY THAT COULD DEVELOP A LOAN OR A GRANT OF PUBLIC FUNDS AND ADMINISTER SUCH A PROGRAM.
JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE ANYMORE SPEAKERS, BUT I WILL BEG YOU FOR A PERSONAL COUPLE OF MINUTES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE SHOULD PROBABLY TAKE A LUNCH BREAK SOON.
DO YOU WANT TO BREAK FOR AN HOUR AND THEN WE CAN COME BACK?
JACK CAGLE: THAT WORKS FOR ME, JUDGE.
MAYBE WE DON'T NEED AN HOUR BECAUSE I AM GOING TO CONFESS THAT I SNACKED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BREAK UNTIL 4:00.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BACK AT WHAT TIME, JUDGE?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE TURN THIS OFF?
>> YOUR AUDIO AND VIDEO WILL GO OFF.
AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.
WE WERE DISCUSSING COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: GUNNEL -- I -- JUDGE, I CAN'T SEE COMMISSIONER GARCIA -- HE BEAT ME DOWN AFTER HAVING MY LUNCH ON MY BIRTHDAY.
WHAT I WANT TO DO, COMMISSIONER, IS SIMPLY ASK YOU AS PART OF YOUR MOTION WHICH I WOULD BE PROUD TO SECOND IF YOU WOULD MOTION SOME OF THE THINGS I SENT YOU ON THE ISSUE OF EQUITY AND I DON'T HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF ME, BUT THEY WOULD HELP.
IF NOT, I WON'T BEAT THAT HORSE TO DEATH.
I WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST THAT YOU ADD A REPORTING SYSTEM JUST SO WE KNOW.
YOU GOT ME? YOU CAN GO AND PULL IT TO SEE SOMEBODY'S M WBE -- MWBE AND I HOPE THAT THERE WILL BE SUPPORT.
AND WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT THE STRUCTURE.
INSTEAD OF ME TRYING TO MAKE A CASE ON THE WMBE'S ON THIS I WILL DO OUT REACH FOR YOU AND EVERYBODY ELSE TO DO THE BEST WE CAN.
I PREFER TO TRY AND AT LEAST TRY AND MATCH AUSTIN WITH WHAT WE DO FROM THE GENERAL HOPE THAT WE ARE REIMBURSED FROM THE FEDERAL SOURCES AND I AM NOT GONNA -- YOU BEAT ME DOWN! COMRADES, I GIVE UP.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: FIRST OF ALL, I APPRECIATE YOUR SUPPORT AND I THINK THAT HISTORY WILL BE KIND TO ALL OF US ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.
ALSO I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE ISSUES YOU HAVE RAISED AND MY STAFF AND I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK ON THOSE AND IF WE CAN'T ACCOMPLISH IT IN THIS ONE I WILL DEFINITELY HELP MAKE IT POSSIBLE UNDER YOUR ITEM.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED TO, AND JUDGE IF THIS IS GOOD WITH YOU AND THEN I REQUEST THE APPROVAL IN AGREEMENT WITH THE HOUSTON-GALVESTON AREA COUNCIL FOR A SMALL BUSINESS LOAN PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER THE ECONOMIC -- AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT WITH THE CAVEAT THE ISSUES THAT CAN BE INCORM OPERATED DO SO, BUT ADD THE REPORTING MECHANISM SO WE ALL KNOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A COMMENT.
JACK CAGLE: IS THE FORGIVENESS ELEMENT A NECESSARY PART OF THE TRANSACTION? I THINK THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR US TO HAVE SOME PUBLIC INPUT ON? I KNOW WE HAVE BEEN RUSHED AROUND ON THIS AND WHAT THIS DOES IN ESSENCE INSTEAD OF
[05:10:03]
BEING A LOAN WE ARE EXPEDITING AND BRIDGING TO WHERE THIS IS A GRANT.I HAVE A CONCERN ON THE FORGIVENESS COMPONENT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD JUST SAY THE FORGIVENESS ELEMENT OF THIS ONLY KICKS IN AFTER FOLKS COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF THE LOAN ITSELF.
AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, WE ARE LOOKING TO RECOVER A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THIS INVESTMENT THROUGH CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT AND PROPERTY TAX PAYMENTS AND OTHER MEASURES.
I AM EXCITED THAT THIS PROGRAM ISN'T JUST A GRANT.
IT IS A LOAN PROCESS WITH THE OPPORTUNITY TO FORGIVE -- THEY HAVE TO KEEP THE DOORS OPEN WHICH MEANS THEY HAVE TO KEEP PAYING THEIR TAXES.
JACK CAGLE: STILL AT THE END OF THE DAY -- I MEAN WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GIVING THEM A GRANT IN THE FRONT AND THIS LOAN PROCESS BECAUSE OF THAT FORGIVENESS COMPONENT THAT'S ON IT? AND THAT'S REALLY -- AT THE END OF THE DAY IF WE WERE HELPING BUSINESSES BY HAVING A BRIDGE LOAN FOR FIVE YEARS AND THEN HELPING THEM GET BACK ON THEIR FEET FOR FIVE YEARS, THAT'S ONE THING.
WE ARE IN ESSENCE SAYING, OKAY, WE ARE GIVING THIS MONEY TO YOU, BUT YOU HAVE TO STEP THROUGH CERTAIN STOOPS.
IT WILL STILL COST US THE $10 MILLION.
IT IS GONNA COST US THE $10 MILLION NOW AND IF THEY START TO REPAY IT WE HAVE TO PAY IT AGAIN AT THE END OF THE FIVE YEARS?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T SEE IT THAT WAY.
I WILL JUST SAY, AGAIN, WE STILL DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE WILL BE REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
I AM HOPING TO FIND WAYS TO ACCOMPLISH THAT.
AGAIN, YOU KEEP PEOPLE EMPLOYED, YOU KEEP PEOPLE -- YOU KEEP THEIR DOORS OPEN AND YOU ALLOW THEM TO CONTINUE TO PAY THEIR REPRESENT -- THEIR RENT, THOSE ARE ALL THINGS THAT COME BACK TO OUR BOTTOM LINE.
I DON'T SEE IT AS STRICTLY AS A GRANT.
IT WOULDN'T HAVE ANY CONDITIONS.
THE PROGRAM WOULDN'T HAVE CONDITIONS.
IT WOULD ALLOW US THE OPPORTUNITY TO -- IF SOME FOLKS HAPPEN TO SEE THE PROGRAM THROUGH.
JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO COME BACK TO MY APPEAL TO THE JUDGE THAT WAS EARLIER WHICH IS I UNDERSTAND THE NEED FOR SPEED, BUT IF WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A PROGRAM THAT HAS A FORGIVENESS COME PONE INEPT TO IT WHICH MAKES IT ULTIMATELY A GRANT, IS THIS NOT -- COME PONE -- COMPONENT WHICH MAKES IT A GRANT AND IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A MEETING IN A WEEK SO WE CAN HAVE PUBLIC INPUT ON THAT COMPONENT.
I AM IN FAVOR OF HAVING THE LOANS TO THE BUSINESS.
I AM IN FAVOR OF THE HGAC COMPONENT, BUT I HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ON THAT ONE ASPECT.
I KNOW THERE IS A NEED OF SPEED.
THE CON -- THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GOT IT TO US A LITTLE LATE LAST NIGHT AND I HAVE SOME CONCERNS.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, OBVIOUSLY AS WE HAVE DONE IN THE PAST, WE APPROVE THINGS SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S FULL REVIEW WHICH I AM IN SUPPORT OF.
AND ALTHOUGH WE DID WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE HAND IN HAND AND THROUGH THE HOURS AND PUTTING THIS TOGETHER I FEEL CONFIDENT THAT THEY ARE FULLY ENGAGED IN THE PROGRAM AND OBVIOUSLY WITH THE REPORTING, THESE ARE WAYS FOR YOU TO SEE THE CHALLENGES OF THE PROGRAM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK.
>> STEVE RADACK: WELL, AS I UNDERSTAND THIS $10 MILLION, THAT'S BELOW $25,000.
YOU CAN HAVE 400 BUSINESS THAT'S GOT 25,000.
OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT MORE BUSINESSES OUT THERE WHO WILL ALSO BE TRYING TO APPLY FOR THE MONEY.
THE GENTLEMAN FROM HGAC POINTED OUT -- HERE WE ASKED HIM SOME QUESTIONS AND SAID,
[05:15:09]
WELL, THIS IS THE WAY WE NORMALLY HAVE DONE IT AND THINGS LIKE THAT.IT IS NOT DEFINED AT ALL HOW THIS WILL OPERATE.
WE DON'T KNOW HOW MANY MEMBERS OF THE LOAN COMMITTEE THERE WILL BE OR THAT THE MAJORITY WILL BE FROM HARRIS COUNTY GOVERNMENT.
SO ANYBODY PAYING ATTENTION TO THIS, THE MEDIA, WHATEVER, IS GOING TO SEE THAT WE ARE VOTING ON SOMETHING WE REALLY DON'T KNOW -- WE KNOW AN AMOUNT, BUT WE DON'T DON'T KNOW HOW THIS IS GOING TO WORK.
AND I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE WAY TO DO BUSINESS.
I ASSUMED GET THIS DONE TODAY.
I WILL SAY THIS THAT THERE IS SOMETHING INHERENTLY WRONG IF HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEES, THE ONES WHO ARE DECIDING AND HAVE THE MAJORITY OF THE VOTE ON WHO GETS THE LOAN.
ANYWAY, I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THE LACK OF TRANS -- TRANSPARENCY ON THIS.
I THINK WE ARE A LONG WAY FROM THAT.
SO I THINK AS TO THE TIMING, YOU KNOW, IT IS JUST -- IT'S TOUGH.
I DO THINK WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THIS ALREADY TWO WEEKS AGO.
AND THESE FOLKS -- IT IS GONNA TAKE AWHILE FOR THE LOANS TO BE PROCESSED.
I DON'T KNOW IF THERE ARE BEST PRACTICES ON THIS.
EVEN MEETING WITH KOLL -- COLLEAGUES AND JURISDICTIONS WE ARE ALL IN UNCHARTED TERRITORY WHICH IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT IN THE INTERVENING TIME BETWEEN NOW AND WHEN WE MEET AGAIN THAT WE DO RECONVENE WITH CSD AND WITH THE DIFFERENT STAFF OF OUR OFFICES AND TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE LONGER TERM VISION IS IN TERMS OF WHAT THE ROLE SHOULD BE.
IT IS THE GENERAL IMPACT THAT COVID HAS HAD THROUGHOUT ALL OF SOCIETY.
I THINK IF WE CAN MOVE FORWARD WITH THE 10 MILLION WITH THE PRO VISIONS AND -- PROVISIONS AND ENSURE THAT WE ARE GIVING IT TO THE BUSINESSES THAT ARE AT MOST NEED, I THINK IT IS ALSO -- NOW -- YOU KNOW, FROM MY STAFF IT IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT FOR THE COUNTY TO HAVE A SEAT AT THE TABLE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE REPRESENTATIVES COME FROM BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND CSD AND COUNTY ATTORNEY AND NOT FROM THE PRE SINK OFFICES OR MY OFFICE.
THAT'S THE WAY WE KEEP IT TRANSPARENT AND NO POLITICAL INFLUENCE.
IT SHOULD BE THE TECHNICAL FOLKS SITTING AS COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES.
I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM THAT WOULD BE THE CASE.
I THINK IN TERMS OF THE REPORTING I WELCOME -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS, WE SHOULD COLLECT ALL DEMOGRAPHIC DATA.
EVEN THOUGH WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE OUR OWN PLAYBOOK ON THIS, WE COLLECT DATA THAT WILL INFORM ANY FUTURE STEPS ON WHAT TO DO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ADD BEFORE WE VOTE THAT OBVIOUSLY THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO GET INVOLVED IN THE ISSUE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WHICH I DON'T THINK WE HAVE DONE AS A COUNTY.
THE UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCE THAT WE FACE NOW, IT REALLY DOES MAKE A CASE.
THAT'S WHY THE OFFICE OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND EQUITY THAT WE AS A COURT VOTED TO CREATE IS SO IMPORTANT.
I KNOW THAT WE ALL ARE MOVING FORWARD AND WE ARE TRYING TO GET SOMEONE TO HEAD THAT OFFICE AND AS SOON AS THAT IS DONE THAT WILL BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT BEST PRACTICES.
WE HAVE A LOT MORE FOLKS WHO WILL NEED HELP AND A LOT MORE STUFF WE HAVE NOT DONE IN THE PAST AND WE HAVE TO DO IN THE FUTURE.
I COMMEND YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR JUMPING OUT THERE AND ARE PREPARED TO VOTE WHENEVER JUDGE DECIDES WE SHOULD VOTE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: HOW CAN WE MAKE SURE THAT THE -- IN TERMS OF FROM HGAC AND WHERE THEY ARE?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT PART WOULD BE VERY SIMPLE.
I WILL HAVE MY STAFF ENGAGE HGAC, BUT I THINK WE CAN HAVE WEEKLY IF NOT BI-WEEKLY
[05:20:03]
REPORTING.>> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA EACH TIME WE MEET.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE YOU GO.
AND THEN I WOULD SAY TO JOSH IF HE CAN TRY AND WORK WITH OUR OFFICES AND WHOEVER ELSE CAN START DISCUSSING NOW FOR THE FUTURE WHAT AMOUNT ARE WE EVENTUALLY WILLING TO TO HAVE AN ECONOMIC SUPPORT TIED TO COVID AND WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS, IF ANY, SHOULD WE BE DEVELOPING TOGETHER?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DIDN'T CATCH JOSH, BUT I CAUGHT MS. LAMEL DURING THE BREAK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I MEANT TO SAY THE ANALYST OFFICE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY HAVE ABOUT 2.5 OR 3 MILLION IN SOME CDBG MONEY THAT MAY BE ABLE TO PUT SOME -- CREATE A SMALLER FUND THAT WOULD HAVE ALL OF THE LMI LANGUAGE AND OF COURSE THAT IS CDBG MONEY.
THAT COULD BE USED FOR SOME OTHER PROGRAM OF PEOPLE THAT QUALIFY.
AND IT GOES WITH THE BROADER ISSUE WHEN WE TALK ABOUT IT.
THERE IS ALWAYS A TENDENCY AND WE TRY TO TAKE THE FEDERAL MONEY THAT IS EARMARKED FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION AND DO CREATIVE THINGS WITH IT.
IT TAKES A GENERAL REACH -- IT TAKES A GENERAL REVENUE TO DO IT.
SOME THE ISSUES WE TALKED ABOUT LIKE EARLY CHILDHOOD DEVELOPMENT.
THE STATE WON'T PAY FOR IT AND WE HAVE TO DECIDE IF IT IS IMPORTANT ENOUGH THAT WE'LL PAY FOR IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
I WANT TO MAKE A A FORMAL REQUEST THAT WE POSTPONE THIS VOTE UNTIL WE HAVE OUR NEXT SPECIAL MEETING ON -- SO THE AUDITOR CAN HAVE THE BILLS DONE.
THAT COULD BE ONE WEEK OFF OR TWO WEEKS, WHATEVER IT WAS YOU DECIDED.
I THINK YOU WERE WILLING TO HAVE ONE WEEK, AND THAT WOULD BE MY MOTION.
IT IS THAT WE POSTPONE THIS SO WE CAN GET THE DETAILS OUT THERE, AND WE CAN HAVE SOME EXTRA PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON.
IT I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE DETAILS.
I KNOW THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING VERY HARD.
THE GLOBAL ASPECTS OF IT HAVE BEEN COMMUNICATED QUITE WELL.
I THINK I ALREADY COME -- COMPLIMENTED MR. BANKS, CHRIS BANKS FORGETTING THAT OUT THERE.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE DETAILS AND MAYBE PUT SOME OF THE DISCUSSION ON THE FINER POINTS WHETHER THIS IS A GRANT VERSUS A LOAN AND VERSUS HOW IT WILL BE MONITORED AS OPPOSED TO VOTING FIRST AND THEN MAKING UP THE RULES LATER.
>> STEVE RADACK: SECOND THE MOTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE ON THAT ONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS THAT A SUBSTITUTE TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION? JUST ASKING BECAUSE THERE WAS A MOTION ON THE TABLE.
>> THERE IS A MOTION AND I HAVE A -- IT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION OR AN AMENDMENT THAT THIS BE BROUGHT BACK IN -- I BELIEVE NEXT WEEK IS WHEN WE ARE GOING TO HAVE THE SPECIAL SESSION FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE AUDITOR THAT WILL BE BROUGHT BACK IN ONE WEEK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE THAT ONE UP BECAUSE IT IS A SUBSTITUTE MOTION.
WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND I JUST IN THE INTEREST OF TIME AND REALIZING FROM THE OTHER JURISDICTIONS THAT EVERYONE IS WORKING THIS OUT AS THEY GO ALONG.
I WILL ALSO OPPOSE IT BUT MOVE FORWARD IT SOONER RATHER THAN LATER.
I AM A NO WHICH MEANS THE MOTION FAILS.
LET'S GO BACK TO THE INITIAL MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
IF YOU HILLARY STATE THE MOTION -- WILL RESTATE THE MOTION FOR THE COURT RECORD.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOTION FOR APPROVAL FOR A SMALL BUSINESS ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE LOAN PROGRAM TO DEVELOP AND ADMINISTER AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN THAT WE RESEARCH THE OPPORTUNITIES TO INCLUDE
[05:25:08]
LMI AND EQUITY COMPONENTS TO THE -- TO THIS PROGRAM.IT IS INTENDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU ARE ON MUTE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT I KNEW HOW TO WORK THIS THING.
COMMISSIONER, THE REPORTING REQUIREMENT WILL BE INCLUDED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT IS CORRECT.
I WAS TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT THE THIRD PIECE WAS AND THAT THERE BE A REGULAR REPORTING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
AND I WOULD LIKE TO STATE THAT THIS IS $11 MILLION IN LOCAL TAXPAYERS MONEY.
WE DON'T HAVE THE RIGHT TO GIVE IT AWAY, ESPECIALLY WITHOUT CLEAR SPECIFICS AND GUIDELINES.
AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED THIS ACTION DISCRIMINATES AGAINST HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF HARRIS COUNTY TAXPAYERS AND CITIZENS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM INTERESTED IN FLATTENING THE CURVE AND SUPPORT THE BEST WE CAN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING THE VOTE ON THIS.
I WANT TO SAY TO YOU COMMISSIONERS RADACK AND CAGLE, I THANK YOU FOR YOUR DIALOGUE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT US ALL TO ASK OUR FRIENDS AT THE CITY TO SEE TO WHAT EXTENT THEY CAN CONTRIBUTE TO THIS EFFORT AS WELL, AND EVEN IF THEY DON'T HAVE MONEY, I KNOW MR. BLUNT HAS A HOST OF ISSUES LIKE THE RIVERSIDE PROPERTY AND SOMETIMES IF YOU DON'T HAVE MONEY, OTHER THINGS ONE CAN BARTER WITH.
IN THESE CHALLENGING TIMES IT IS IMPORTANT TO HELP THESE STRUGGLING BUSINESSES.
JACK CAGLE: I WILL EXTEND MY COMPLIMENT.
I THINK IT WAS 12:09 THIS MORNING WHEN WE GOT THE DRAFT.
THERE WERE SOME BUSY PEOPLE WORKING HARD ON THIS.
I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE OF THE EFFORT THAT WENT IN.
I JUST THINK THAT WITH THE LEVEL OF FUNDING WE ARE DOING WE NEED TO MAYBE PUT A LITTLE MORE TIME IN.
I AM NOT OPPOSED TO THE GENERAL DIRECTION.
I AM JUST OPPOSED TO VOTING WITHOUT HAVING THE DETAILS THAT WERE IN PLACE, AND I WILL ONCE AGAIN EXTEND MY COMPLIMENTS TO YOUR STAFF, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR REACHING OUT AND TRYING TO AT LEAST GIVE US THE HEADS UP ON THIS, EVEN THOUGH WE WEREN'T ABLE TO GET THE DETAILS -- AND NOT EVEN ALL OF THE DETAILS RIGHT NOW, UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE.
[Item II (Part 1 of 2)]
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, FOLKS.
LET'S MOVE ON TO THE NEXT COVID-RELATED ITEM.
THAT IS ITEM 3 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.
THAT'S ON THE NRG NONCONGRESS GRAW GET -- NON-CONGREGATE SHELTER.
JOHN, IF YOU WILL WALK EVERYONE THROUGH THIS.
I KNOW FOLKS HAVE A LOT OF QUESTIONS.
>> $60 MILLION IS WHAT IT WOULD COST IF WE HAVE TO OPEN ALL 250 BEDS FOR TWO MONTHS.
ESSENTIALLY IT IS $30 MILLION A MONTH WHICH IS NOT ONLY THE EQUIPMENT, BUT THE MEDICAL STAFF AND THE CONSUMABLES, ARE THE PPE, AND IV BAGS AND ALL OF THOSE TYPES OF ISSUES.
WE HAVE ASKING YOU APPROVE THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT POSSIBLE FOR TWO MONTHS FOR 250 BEDS ONLY BECAUSE THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT WE MIGHT HAVE TO EXTEND IT TO 500 BEDS.
WE JUST DON'T KNOW AT THIS POINT.
WE DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO WAIT TO BE ABLE TO EXPAND IT.
OBVIOUSLY WE CAN COME BACK TO COURT, BUT WE WOULD LIKE THE PRE-AUTHORIZATION OF THE 250 BEDS FOR TWO MONTHS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
JOHN, I THINK I ASKED THIS QUESTION OF YOU OR THE JUDGE.
THIS IS ONE OF THE INSTANCES TO HAVE IT AND NOT NEED IT THAN NEED IT AND NOT HAVE IT, SO TO SPEAK.
IN THE EVENT WE LOOK UP AND WE DON'T NEED IT, ARE WE STILL ELIGIBLE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR UP TO 75% BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
IF I WAS SOCIAL DISTANCING, THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER AND THE JUDGE'S ORDER, AND IF ALL OF THESE THINGS WORK AND WE DON'T NEED IT, WE ARE STILL ELIGIBLE IF WE DOT THE I'S AND CROSS THE T'S.
[05:30:01]
AND WE ALREADY HAVE A LETTER FROM THEM ACKNOWLEDGING THAT.>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM CURIOUS.
HEALTH CARE IS IMPORTANT TO ALL OF US.
WE DO HAVE THE FACILITY, BUT NEW YORK, THEY GO TO JAVITS AND THE CONVENTION CENTER AND IN NEW ORLEANS, ARE WE PAYING FOR IT ALL AS A CITY OR CHIPPING IN ON IT? I AM TRYING TO GET A RUNNING TAB TO KNOW IS THIS ONE THAT WE DO ALONE, OR DO WE HAVE PARTNERS? BAY TOWN, OTHER COMMUNITIES, PASADENA, EVERYONE WILL BENEFIT INCLUDING OTHER COUNTIES.
>> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER, BECAUSE THIS IS A REGIONAL FACILITY.
BUT IT IS THE COUNTY AND THE STATE AND FEMA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT DOES THE STATE PUT IN?
>> THE STATE GETS THE MONEY FROM FEMA AND THEY ASSIST US AND GET THE MONEY FOR THE FUNDING.
THE MONEY IS COMING FROM FEMA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST ASKING SO WE KNOW.
IS IT -- HOW MUCH OF A LOCK IS IT THAT WE WILL GET REIMBURSED?
>> I DON'T UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, COMMISSIONER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THE LIKELIHOOD WE WILL NOT GET REIMBURSED THE 75%?
>> I CAN TELL YOU THAT TRADITIONALLY WHEN WE FOLLOW OUR PROCESSES LIKE WE FOLLOW THIS TIME WE SHOULD GET REIMBURSED.
WE GOT THE PRE APPROVAL FROM FEMA AND THEY LOOKED AT THE PROCESS.
WE HAVE THE THIRD PARTY COMPANY, TETRA-TECH, MAKING SURE OUR FEES ARE FAIR AND REASONABLE, SO THERE IS A VERY GOOD CHANCE WE SHOULD GET REIMBURSED.
THIS IS THE TYPE OF THING WE WOULD ALWAYS GET REIMBURSED OF.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE ARE TAKING SOME RISK OBVIOUSLY.
I WANT OUR POTENTIAL PARTNERS TO KNOW WE ARE STEPPING UP.
RIGHT NOW WE HAVE TO TAKE THIS OUT OF THE PICK FUND.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST POINT, BE SENSITIVE TO MENTION TO YOU EARLIER, I MENTIONED A POTENTIAL CALL BACK I THINK OF DWIGHT AND SOME OTHER ISSUE.
LIKE I TOLD YOU, I AM HEARING FROM ALL THESE PEOPLE.
I NEVER KNEW SO MANY PEOPLE WERE MARKETING FOR BROKERS AND MASKS AND TESTING EQUIPMENT.
I TALK TO FRIENDS AT THE CITY AND PEOPLE I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM IN 10 YEARS AND ARE REPRESENTING SOMEBODY SELLING SOMETHING.
A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MAKING A MONEY OFF DISASTERS BECAUSE THE PRICES GO UP.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE SENSITIVE TO OUR SMALL, WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES.
>> I SENT A COPY IN THE CONTRACT THAT IT IS THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE WE CAN PUT IN THE CONTRACT AND ENCOURAGING THE PRIME BUSINESSES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW ON THIS ONE -- COMMISSIONER, I'M SORRY.
I THINK WHEN YOU CALLED ME YOU HAD ALL TO MOVE QUICK AND THE JUDGE HAD TO MOVE QUICK THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS HOSPITAL OR THE FIRM THAT DOES IT ALL-AROUND THE WORLD WOULD HAVE GONE SOMEWHERE ELSE.
>> THAT'S RIGHT, COMMISSIONER.
WE WERE TOLD THIS WAS THE LAST OF THIS TYPE HOSPITAL IN THE UNITED STATES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, MY UNDERSTANDING IS THIS IS A STAIR STEP INVESTMENT.
WE ARE NOT COMMITTED TO ALL OF THE 16 MILLION UP FRONT.
AND JOHN YOU CAN CORRECT ME, BUT I UNDERSTAND OUR INITIAL INVESTMENT IN THIS IS 11 MILLION, AND THEN IF SOME OF THE OPTIMISTIC PROJECTIONS TURN OUT AND OUR LOCAL HOSPITALS, THE BEDS ARE NOT FILLED UP AND MAXIMIZED AND WE ARE NOT COMMITTED TO THE FULL 60 WE CAN JUST NOT IMPLEMENT THE NEXT LEVEL.
IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING, CORRECT OR INCORRECT?
AND THAT GIVES YOU THE FULL SET UP AND 30% OF THE STAFF.
YOU HAVE TO HAVE INITIAL STAFF ON HAND WHETHER IT IS -- WHETHER YOU NEED THEM OR NOT.
YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO GET THEM.
IF WE DON'T NEED THIS AND IF IT CLOSES IN 30 DAYS, THE FULL COST WILL BE 17 MILLION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: TO YOUR QUESTION IF THIS IS A STAIR STEP, YES.
WE WOULD NOT USE THE 60 MILLION UNLESS WE NEEDED IT.
WE GET REIMBURSED FOR THE 17 MILLION WE DIDN'T USE AND THAT WOULD BE THE BEST CASE
[05:35:03]
SCENARIO.>> THIS IS IN ESSENCE A $17 MILLION INSURANCE POLICY UNLESS THINGS GO VERY, VERY SOUTH FOR US.
WE WILL HAVE THE HOSPITAL IN PLACE TO BE AVAILABLE.
IF IT GOES VERY, VERY SOUTH FOR US, THEN WE WILL HAVE AN ANTICIPATED $60 MILLION FOR THE NEXT 2 MONTHS, CORRECT?
AND THE DEAL -- I DO THINK THAT IS THE RIGHT WAY TO FRAME IF -- THE FRAME OF IT.
THE COMPANY THAT HAS BUILT THESE, THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE.
WE GOT THE PEOPLE MA REAM -- THE FEMA REIMBURSEMENT AND IF WE DIDN'T LOCK IN, WE CAN'T THEN SEE HOW WE CAN BUILD THEM.
THE EQUIPMENT AND THE STAFF WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN AVAILABLE.
JACK CAGLE: WHEN IS THE DECIDING POINT FROM THE 17 MILLION AS AN INVESTMENT AND RATCHET IT UP.
AT WHAT POINT DO WE MAKE THAT DECISION TREE? IS THAT WHEN OUR HOSPITALS ARE TO CAPACITY?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WHAT I HAVE BEEN HAMMERING DOWN WITH THE HOSPITAL LEADERS AND I NEED EVERYONE'S SUPPORT, AND JOHN, EVERYBODY HAS BEEN WORKING ON THIS.
IT IS MAKING SURE THAT -- THEY ARE PUTTING PRESSURE ON US TO SAY, HEY, WE ALREADY NEED TO USE UP YOUR BEDS.
WE'RE SAYING NO BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT AT FULL CAPACITY INCLUDING THE SURGE.
WE NEED TO HOLD FIRM ON MAKING SURE THAT EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS THAT THIS IS A LAST RESORT.
WE WILL NOT -- WE SHOT -- WE SHOULD NOT BE USING THESE BEDS FOR COVID PATIENTS OFF LOADING PATIENTS FROM THE HOSPITALS UNTIL AND UNLESS THEY HAVE ALREADY REACHED THEIR FULL SURGE CAPACITY INCLUDING USING THE COMMON AREAS THAT SHOULD BE TURNED INTO THE HOSPITAL AREAS AND SINGLE ROOMS AS DOUBLE ROOMS AND DOUBLE ROOMS AT TRIPLE ROOMS. THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE LAST RESORT AND THAT'S NOT TO LIFT A BURDEN FROM THEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD QUESTIONS AS WELL.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK JOHN, ON AN ITEM LIKE THIS, WHAT IS THE POSSIBILITY OF ENSURING THAT THERE IS AN END PARTICIPATION?
>> COMMISSIONER, IN THE CONTRACT WE REQUESTED THE CONTRACTOR DO THAT, BUT PURSUANT TO FEMA GUIDELINES WE CANNOT DEMAND THEY DO IT AND HAVE A PERCENTAGE.
THEY HAVE IMPLIED THEY INTEND TO DO THAT, BUT IT IS IN THE CONTRACT REQUESTING IT.
WE ASKED THE MAXIMUM EXTENT POSSIBLE UNDER FEDERAL LAW.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JOHN, TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN AND OBVIOUSLY IT IS UP TO THEM, AS I STATE ELDERLY -- STATED EARLY, YOU HAVE A LOT OF FOLKS IN TROUBLE BEFORE CO INDIVIDUAL.
YOU HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOME LOCAL PEOPLE.
I HAVE NO IDEA WHO, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK FOR SOME LOCAL PEOPLE.
I ASSUME THIS IS A BIG, NATIONAL OUTFIT.
THEY DON'T NEED COMMERCIAL PLANES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE A MOTION AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A SECOND? ALL RIGHT -- ALL IN FAVOR.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK ARE YOU IN FAVOR OR OPPOSED?
MOTION CARRIES FAN -- UNANIMOUSLY.
NEXT IS ITEM 4 AND THAT'S A REQUEST BY CONSTABLE PRECINCT 1 FOR COVID-RELATED EXPENSES.
IS THERE SOMEBODY FROM CONSTABLE TO EXPLAIN THIS?
>> THERE IS, BUT I THINK JOHN BLUNT CAN HANDLE IT.
IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, I CAN ANSWER ANY QUESTION.
>> YES, JUDGE, THIS IS THE SAME APPROACH.
IT IS A MAXIMUM OF TWO MONTHS WITH FULL -- THIS ASSUMES WE HAVE 250 PATIENTS IN THE BEDS AND OVER FLOW CAPACITY.
THEY ARE NOT JUST BROI -- PROVIDING SECURITY, BUT THEY WILL BE DOING THE CHECKING IN AND HELPING ASSIST WITH THE PATIENT RECORDS.
THIS IS A WORST CASE SCENARIO AS WELL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL MOVE IT.
[05:40:03]
>> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST WANT TO CLARIFY THAT THIS IS A -- WHAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE WAS SAYING, IT IS A STAIR STEP AS WELL.
IT IS NOT LIKE THEY ARE GOING TO USE THIS UNLESS THEY NEED TO FIRST.
>> YOU'RE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN SECOND THAT THERE IS A MECHANISM TO ENSURE THE FUNDS SOLELY GO TOWARD THESE SPECIFIC ITEMS SO THESE FUNDS CANNOT BE USED FOR ANYTHING ELSE?
>> THEY CAN ONLY BE BILLED AS THEY ARE USED.
>> JUDGE, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR A SECOND?
>> LINA HIDALGO: WHO -- >> SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I GOT TO GIVE THIS TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT, THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM 6 AND THAT IS A COUNTY AUDITOR ITEM.
I PUT THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO HELP WITH WHAT I SEE AND THERE IS SOME CONVERSATION AND THE OFFICE, AND I THINK AS WE ARE TRYING TO SEAL THESE DEALS AND GET WHAT WE NEED IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19, TO BE ABLE TO PROCESS THESE PAYMENTS FASTER I THINK WILL HELP DWIGHT AND HELP JOHN AND THE VENDORS ARE GETTING PICKY ON HOW LONG THEY WANT TO WAIT FOR THE MONEY.
WE WILL PUT THIS AS SOMETHING WE CAN DO UNTIL THE END OF THE DISASTER DECLARATION.
WE CAN GO TO COURT TO RATIFY AFTER THE PAYMENTS ARE MADE.
THAT'S WHAT I AM THINKING WITH THIS ITEM.
I KNOW EARLIER WE TALKED ABOUT ALL OF THE INVOICES WERE HAVING TROUBLE PAYING.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF COVID-19.
AND THAT'S BECAUSE OF THE IFUS TO PEOPLE SOFT.
I MENTIONED IF THERE COULD BE A COURT BETWEEN NOW AND THE NEXT COURT BECAUSE THAT'S A THREE-WEEK PERIOD.
I HAD A DAY THAT I WOULD SAY MADE THE MOST SENSE IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
WE CAN KIND OF HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF VENDOR PAYMENTS TO PROCESS, I WOULD SAY THE 16TH WHICH IS A THURSDAY AND IT IS RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE.
WE ALSO -- AND COMMISSIONER RADACK SAYING THAT WE CAN DO SOMETHING TO THIS ITEM TO AMEND IT.
IT WILL INCLUDE PROCESSING SOME OF THE PAYMENTS I AM HOPE TO THAT AS WELL.
IF THE COURT WISHED, WE COULD -- AMEND THIS AND SAY PAYMENTS RELATED TO COVID-19 AND PAST DUE PAYMENTS.
WE'VE GOT THAT BUCKET OF PAYMENTS WHERE THE VENDORS REALLY SHOULD HAVE GOT PAID.
I COULD PAY THOSE WITH THE SHORTCUT METHOD.
TALKING ABOUT TWO THINGS RELATED TO MAKING AN IMPACT ON INVOICES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF LEGAL AGREES WITH IT I OPT THAT COMMISSIONER RADACK MAKE THAT MOTION.
I SEE COMMISSIONER RADACK IS ABOUT TO TALK, BUT I DIDN'T QUITE HEAR THE LANGUAGE, BUT IF LEGAL WOULD WORD SMITH.
IT I WOULD DEFINITELY SECOND IF COMMISSIONER RADACK WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT.
JAIL ACTUALLY I HAVE HAD -- >> ACTUALLY I HAD A COUNT OF -- A COUPLE OF E-MAIL EXCHANGES WITH ROBERT, AND I SUGGESTED INSERTING AFTER COVID-19, JUST INSERT THE
WORDS "AND PAST DUE PAYMENTS." >> WE AGREED TO THAT AS A COUNTY ATTORNEY.
>> THEN I MAKE THAT MOKES -- THAT MOTION AND PAST DUE PAYMENTS BEING HANDLED BY THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
[05:45:02]
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
NEXT IS ITEM 20 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA TRANSMITAL OF NOTICE BY THE AGENT FOR THE HOMELESS ISOLATION AND RECOVERY SHELTER.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID YOU SAY ITEM 20?
>> LINA HIDALGO: EXCUSE ME EYE -- ITEM 7 ON PAGE 20.
>> THIS IS JUST THE AGREEMENT YOU SIGNED ALREADY IN REGARDS TO THE HOMELESS ISOLATION AND THE JOB THEY ARE WORKING ON.
I WANTED TO PRESENT IT TO COURT THE AMOUNT WE APPROVED.
>> ITEM 7 ON PAGE 20 OF THE IS UP -- SUPPLEMENTAL.
>> THERE IS NO ACTION NEEDED AT THIS TIME.
WE DECIDED TO DOT DECLARATION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO NO ACTION ON ITEM 7 THEN.
MOVING ON TO ITEM 9 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA.
I BELIEVE THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE NRG ITEM WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS FOR JOHN OR DWIGHT ON THIS ONE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
JACK CAGLE: I WAS AN I ON THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 10 ON THE IS UP PLAW MEN -- SUPPLEMENTAL IS A PRECINCT 1 ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS AN ITEM THAT AUSTIN MADE REFERENCE TO.
WE ARE DEALING WITH AN UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC CHALLENGE.
SOME PEOPLE ARE COMPARING THE ON -- THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BEING AS HIGH AS IT WAS DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION.
HOPEFULLY THAT DOES NOT END UP BEING THE CASE.
WE HAVE SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE RUNNING INTO PROBLEMS THAT MAY NOT BE COVERED ON THE ISSUES OF FEDERAL MONEY BECAUSE THE STRINGS ATTACHED SOME WILL BE.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS HAVE US SET UP A FUND, A PILE OF MONEY.
HOPEFULLY WE WILL BE REIMBURSED FOR MOST OF IT.
WE MAY NOT BE REIMBURSED FOR ALL OF IT WHILE WE ARE WAITING TO SEE WHAT WILL COME DOWN FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.
PEOPLE WON'T BE ABLE TO PAY UTILITY BILLS AND ALL SORTS OF ISSUES.
IT COMPLEMENTS WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA TOOK THE LEAD ON.
I DON'T HAVE IT ALL WORKED OUT.
WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MAKE THIS MOTION.
THE MOTION THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT'S ANALYSTS OFFICES BE TASKED WITH REVIEWING THE ADMINISTRATION OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S RISE FUND.
THE REVIEW SHOULD CONSIDER THE MOST COMMON CRITERIA FOR SUCH FUNDS AND ANY IDENTIFIABLE BEST PRACTICES FROM LOCAL JURISDICTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS.
IT REPORT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE COURT'S EFFORT TO ESTABLISH A DEDICATED HARRIS COUNTY COVID-19 COMMUNITY RELIEF FUND BLENDED BY COUNTY GENERAL REVENUE UP TO $15 MILLION ON PURPOSES INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO PROVIDING EMERGENCY RENTAL, UTILITY AND FOOD ACCESS ASSISTANCE OF HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS AND A FOCUS ON THOSE NOT OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR THE COUNTY ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS. THE REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AT OR BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING FOR APPROPRIATE ACTION.
I AM ASKING KATIE TO LOOK AROUND.
I LOOKED AT SEATTLE, CHICAGO, ATLANTA, NEW ORLEANS, AUSTIN, PHILADELPHIA, A NUMBER OF PLACES.
I WANT TO TASK THEM WITH DOING IT.
OBVIOUSLY THEY WORK IN CONJUNCTION WITH OTHER APPROPRIATE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS LIKE THE COMMUNITY SERVICES.
I WANT THAT RESEARCH OFFICE COMING BACK TELL US WHAT THE BEST PRACTICES ARE AROUND THE COUNTRY AND I WANT TO EARMARK GENERAL REVENUE.
I WANT IT TO BE REIMBURSED, BUT TO BE HONEST WE DON'T KNOW.
[05:50:06]
THAT'S MY MOTION.I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: MY LEARNED COLLEAGUE, I AM IN FAVOR OF REQUESTING AN ANALYSIS, BUT CAN WE HAVE THE PRICE TAG BE SOMETHING THAT WE LOOK AT WHEN WE SEE WHAT THE PRODUCT IS AS OPPOSED TO SAYING THAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND $15 MILLION UP FRONT? I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT THE PROGRAM IS BEFORE WE MAKE THE COMMITMENT.
I I KNOW I AM SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD, BUT I HAVE BEEN HERE -- DIFFERENT POSITIONS, BUT I WAS HERE WHEN THE MONEY RAN SHORT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SEE WHAT IT IS BEFORE WE MAKE A COMMITMENT AT THIS TIME TO A FINANCIAL PRICE TAG.
I WOULD BE VOTING FOR THIS IF WE LEFT IT OFF WITHOUT COMMITTING TO THAT WE ARE GOING TO SPEND $15 MILLION.
IF WE HAVE TO PUT A PRICE TAG ON RIGHT NOW, I WOULD NOT BE SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE OF THAT WITHOUT A CHANCE TO VET THAT WITH THE NUMBER AND I HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW WHAT IT IS.
THE LANGUAGE I QUOTED SAID UP TO $15 MILLION.
I -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SAID WE HAVE TO FIRST HAVE A DISCUSSION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOUR SIGNAL IS OFF.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU ARE BACK, BUT LET'S WAIT AND SEE IF WE CAN GET ELSE BACK.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE A DIP IN THE BAND WIDTH.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN THE OFFICE.
THAT'S WHY I HAVE THE MASK ON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, ONE THING, DO WE HAVE TO PUT THE UPPER
LIMIT -- WHAT SHOULD THE OMENT -- AMOUNT BE AND THAT'S -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I
[05:55:08]
CAN LIVE WITH THAT.THE REASON I WANTED -- I SAID WHEN I WANT TO PUT SOME DOLLAR AMOUNT IN -- I DON'T WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE WE WERE WILLING A COUPLE WEEKS AGO TO AGREE TO COMMIT 10 MILLION FOR BUSINESSES AND OUR UTILITY ASSISTANCE, BUT I CAN LIVE WITH IT EITHER WAY.
OBJECT -- OBVIOUSLY WE CANDY PENNED ON WHERE THEY -- CAN DEPEND ON WHERE THEY ARE FIVE, FOUR, THREER VOTES -- THREE VOTES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AM I BACK ON? CAN YOU HEAR ME? COMMISSIONER GARCIA, CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> I CAN HEAR YOU, BUT I CAN'T SEE ANYBODY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LOOKS LIKE WE ARE ALL BACK.
THANK YOU FOR TROUBLESHOOTING THAT.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WAS GOING TO SAY AUSTIN -- THE CITY COMMITTED 15 MILLION AND -- AND THE COUNTY IS SUPPOSED TO PUT UP 10 MILLION.
LET ME TELL YOU, I HAVE TROUBLE SLEEPING GOING ABOVE 15 MILLION.
IF YOU WANT TO MAKE IT A HIGHER NUMBER, WE CAN, BUT I WANT TO EARMARK SOMETHING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I ADDED IT UP WRONG.
25, 15 AND 10 AND WE ALREADY PUT IN 10.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TRY THE MOTION AS I SAID IT.
I HOPE YOU CAN VOTE FOR IT, BUT IF NOT I RESPECT YOU AND I UNDERSTAND.
JACK, I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN HEAR YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?
JACK CAGLE: IS THERE A QUESTION OF ME ON THE TABLE?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I I WAS JUST SAYING MY LANGUAGE IS UP TO 15.
I WANT TO GIVE SOME PARAMETERS.
IT CAN BE ONE MILLION AND IT CAN BE TWO MILLION.
I PUT IT UP TO 15 BECAUSE I AM HOPING WHEN THE JUDGE TALKS TO THE MAYOR OR WHEN I TALK TO HIM WHICH I AM GOING TO JUDGE CALL HIM AFTER YOU TALK TO HIM, AND I WILL REACH OUT TO HIM TONIGHT TO SAY WE ARE PREPARED TO AT LEAST GO UP TO WHAT THE CITY OF AUSTIN IS DOING.
TRAVIS COUNTY IS ONE FOURTH THE SIZE OF HARRIS CON -- COUNTY AND ENCOURAGE THEM AND SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO.
I HOPE OTHER CITIES CAN STEP UP.
THE STUFF WE DO HERE IN OUR COUNTY, WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOOK AT LINES IN THE AREA THAT'S ARE UNINCORM OPERATED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> CAN COMMISSIONER ELLIS REPEAT THAT MOTION.
I MOTION COMMISSIONER'S COURTS ANALYST OFFICE REVIEW THE ADMINISTRATION OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS AND OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE CITY OF AUSTIN'S RISE FUND.
[06:00:03]
IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED THE FUNDS AND IF POSSIBLE ANY PRACTICES FOR THE LOCAL JURISDICTIONAL ASSOCIATIONS AND OTHER SOURCES.THIS REPORT WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE COURT'S DEDICATED CO -- COVID-19 RELIEF FUND WITH A REVENUE UP TO $15 MILLION FOR PURPOSES AND NOT -- BUT NOT LIMITED TO EMERGENCY WREN IT WILL UTILITY AND -- RENTAL UTILITY AND FOOD ACCESS TO HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS WERE -- WITH A FOCUS THOSE NOT ELIGIBLE FOR THE EXISTING COUNTY EXISTING PROGRAMS. THIS REPORT WILL BE PRESENTED TO THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT BEFORE THE NEXT MEETING.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU HAVE MY SECOND.
>> FOR CLARIFICATION ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT NEXT WEEK OR THE NEXT REGULAR SCHEDULED MEETING?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: NEXT MEETING.
IF THEY DON'T HAPPEN TOGETHER, IF WE DON'T MEET NEXT WEEK, WE WILL HAVE TO DELAY IT TO THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING.
AS WE MENTIONED ON THE PREVIOUS ITEM, IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE QUICKLY.
AS YOU KNOW, PEOPLE ARE HURTING.
I WANT TO SEE WHAT THE PRODUCT IS BEFORE I VOTE ON A PRICE TAG.
AND I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING, AND I THINK SOME OF OUR GOALS ARE THE SAME ON THIS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE I CAN TAKE CARE OF THE PUBLIC, BUT NEED TO SEE A PRODUCT BEFORE VOTING ON A PRICE TAG.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I HOPE WHEN IT COMES BACK YOU VOTE FOR IT IF YOU DON'T VOTE FOR IT TODAY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT, GREAT.
SO -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MADE A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> I AM NO AND I AM -- I AM GOING TO NOT SAY WITH ANY ANALYSIS AND I AM NOT SURE THE DEPARTMENT HAS THE ABILITY TO ANALYZE SOMETHING THAT COMPLEX.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL VOTE FOR THE ANALYSIS.
>> JUDGE YOUR MICROPHONE IS CUTTING IN AND OUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL WORK ON THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ISSUES WITH IT.
THAT IS COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1, ANOTHER ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THEY SIMPLY WANT TO USE THE PARKING LOT AT FINNIGAN PARK FOR SNAP RECIPIENTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
>> I HAVE ELLIS MADE THE MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA MADE THE SECOND.
JACK CAGLE: I HELD UP MY SECOND SIGN.
I WILL DEFER TO COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL SAY COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A MOTION AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
LET'S MOVE ON TO ITEM 12 AND THAT IS BROUGHT BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED TO SUBMIT -- TO PROPOSE THIS ITEM.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR US TO GET INTO AN AGREEMENT WITH BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE FOR TWO NEGATIVE PRESSURE SMARTPOD UNITS, OF COURSE PENDING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S APPROVAL AND FINAL REVIEW OF THE FINAL DOCUMENT.
THE REASON FOR THESE PODS BEING SUCH AN EXCITING OCCASION FOR US IS BECAUSE THESE ARE STANDARDIZED FACILITIES THAT IS ACTUALLY OPTIMAL FOR THE CIRCUMSTANCES WE ARE IN, FOR EPIDEMICS.
FIRST UTILIZED IN 2014 DURING THE EBOLA VIRUS EPIDEMIC IN WEST AFRICA.
THE NEGATIVE PRESSURE CLINICS FOR COVID-19 SCREENING AND DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, THEY WOULD BE TWO NEGATIVE PRESSURE SMARTPOD ISOLATION UNITS WITH BIO
[06:05:06]
CONTAINMENT LABORATORIES.THEY WOULD INVOLVE A TOTAL OF 11 BEDS WITH A BATHROOM WHEN YOU PUT THESE TWO UNITS TOGETHER.
THEY CONTAIN UVC LIGHTING SYSTEMS. IT ELIMINATES 9 FINE.-- 9 FINE -- 99.7% OF PATHOGENS INCLUDING COVID-19.
WITH THE ADDING OF THE UNITS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE AREAS IN THE PRECINCT, LIGHT CHANNEL VIEW -- LIKE CHANNEL VIEW AND LIKE WHERE THE FOLKS HAVE CHALLENGES TO GETTING ACCESS TO MEDICAL FACILITYIES THIS -- MEDICAL FACILITIES AND IT IS COMING OUT OF MY GENERAL FUND AND THEY ARE READY.
THEY JUST NEED TO HAVE SOME FINAL ADJUSTMENTS MADE SO THEY CAN FIT ALL OF THE NEGATIVE PRESSURE AND THE CAPACITIES THAT THESE WILL DO.
IN SHORT-TERM THESE WILL BE OF BENEFIT TO THE RESIDENTS OF PRECINCT 2.
BUT IN THE LONG-TERM THERE WILL BE RESOURCES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND PRECINCT 2 AND THE CONSTITUENTS OF THE AREA.
I AM VERY, VERY EXCITED TO SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA.
WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND I AM EXCITED TO PUT OUR MONEY TO GOOD USE IN THIS RECORD AND LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS BEING LONG-TERM ENHANCEMENTS TO OUR ACCESS TO PUBLIC HEALTH CARE.
I THINK WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS ON IT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD A COMMENT.
JACK CAGLE: I HAD TWO COMMENTS.
FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY THINK THAT THE GRAPHICS AND THE SUPPORT YOU SUBMIT RED GOOD AND HELPFUL.
I AM TRYING TO PUT IT UP ON THE CAMERA WHERE THE PUBLIC CAN SEE SOME OF THE GRAPHICS.
ONE IS I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO THIS TO THE OTHER PRECINCTS TO THE EXTENT THAT THAT MAY BE A DESIRE TO DO SO.
MY SECOND COMMENT OR QUESTION IS, I THINK THIS IS GREAT, BUT WHY IS THIS NOT COMING THROUGH, OUT OF CURIOSITY, PUBLIC HEALTH?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE REALITY OF IT IS, DIDN'T WANT TO COMPLICATE WHAT PUBLIC HEALTH IS GOING THROUGH.
DIDN'T WANT TOIM PACT THEIR BUDGE -- TO IMPACT THEIR BUDGET.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ME AND TO MY CONSTITUENTS.
I WANTED TO EXPEDITE THE PROCESS.
WHEN THE TIME COMES, I WILL BE THE SECOND FOR YOU.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I WILL -- I WILL SAY, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO YOUR POINT, AND I KNOW HAVE EXPLORED THINGS ARE SCALABLE.
IT WORKS FOR IT TO BE DONE IN THIS WAY AS MORE OF A PILOT SO WE CAN FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT SERVICES WILL BE PROVIDED AND HOW MANY PEOPLE AND THAT KIND OF A THING.
RIGHT NOW IT IS NOT AT THE POINT FOR US TO MAKE IT, YOU KNOW -- IT JUST DIDN'T MAKE SENSE INITIALLY, BUT THE WAY IT IS BEING ROLLED OUT MAKES SENSE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT OR DO WE KNOW? JUST LAYING IT OUT THERE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, SO JUST TRY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MEAN, YEAH.
THE INITIAL USE OF IT WILL BE COVID-19 RELATED.
WE WANT TO BE ABLE TO DO TESTING IF IT ALLOWS FOR IT.
WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS USED FOR QUARANTINE OPPORTUNITIES.
WE WILL MAKE IT AVAILABLE FOR THE PURPOSES, AND THE REASON I AM DOING IT THIS WAY, NUMBER ONE IT IS A PROVEN CONCEPT AND IT HAS BEEN DONE -- IT HAS BEEN DONE UNDER THE MOST DIRE CIRCUMSTANCES LIKE IN AFRICA AND DURING THE OBOE LAW -- THE EBOLA CRISIS.
AND MY URGENCY IS TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE PODS HERE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE BECAUSE WE KNOW WE ARE GOING TO HAVE QUARANTINE NEEDS WHETHER IT IS THROUGH THE HOMELESS OR THROUGH OTHER MEMBERS OF THE COMMUNITY AND I WANTED TO HAVE THESE PODS READILY AVAILABLE AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE HERE RATHER THAN SCRAMBLING TO FIND A PLACE
[06:10:04]
TO HOUSE FOLKS.ULTIMATELY MAKE IT A RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR ADDITIONAL TESTING, AND IN THE LONG-TERM, HOPEFULLY WE SHIFT OUT OF THE CRISIS AND TURN THEM INTO A PUBLIC HEALTH RESOURCE SO WE CAN HAVE THE GREATER ACCESS.
AS YOU KNOW WELL, I WAS TALKING ABOUT THE FACT THAT MY FOLKS HAVE HEALTH CARE ACCESS CHALLENGES.
DOCTOR SHAW'S REPORT INDICATES ALL OF THE VARIABLES THAT ARE CHALLENGING MY COMMUNITY ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS.
WE TALK ABOUT THE MORTALITY RATE.
THESE ARE ALL ISSUE THAT'S ARE IMPORTANT TO ME TO IMPACT AND THAT'S WHY IN THE LONG-TERM THAT'S WHAT THESE RESOURCES WILL BE PROVIDED FOR.
BUT RIGHT NOW IT IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT IS TO PROVIDE US WITH RESOURCES AND CAPACITIES -- CAPACITY FOR COVID-19 SITUATIONS.
>> I JUST WANTED TO SAY REALLY QUICK, JUDGE, WE ARE GOING TO WORK WITH THE COMMISSIONER AND OUR CONSULTANT TO TRY TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO GET IT REIMBURSED FROM COMMISSIONER GASH -- GARCIA'S OFFICE.
WE STARTED MEETING WITH A CONSULTANT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
ALL RIGHT SO DO WE HAVE A MOTION?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE SPEAKERS, JUDGE.
IT IS DR. SHARMILA AND I RUN THE GLOBAL HEALTH BAROMETER -- PROGRAM AT BAYLOR.
I AM USED TO WORK UNDER SETTINGS SUCH AS NORTH AFRICA AND WHEN WE DEVELOPED THE CONCEPT WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE WE WOULD BE DOING IT IN THE UNITED STATES.
IN 2014 WE HAD DOCTORS IN THE FIELD DURING THE EBOLA EPIDEMIC.
THEY WERE INFORMING US OF THE CHALLENGES OF DEALING WITH A DEADLY PATHOGEN IN REALTIME.
AND SO WE DESIGNED AND DEVELOPED A UNIT.
THEY ARE ISOLATION CLINICS AND SUBSEQUENTLY A BIO SEARCH -- BIO 7 -- SAFETY LEVEL 2 AND A BIO SAFETY LEVEL 3 WHICH ARE SAFETY LABORATORIES THAT WERE VALIDATED IN HOUSTON AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY DEPLOYED IN WEST AFRICA.
I TELL PEOPLE IF IT CAN WORK IN WEST AFRICA, IT CAN EASILY WORK IN HOUSTON.
WE NEVER THOUGHT WE WOULD BE DEPLOYED IN HOUSTON UNTIL HURRICANE HARVEY HIT.
I GOT CALLS ASKING IF THE PODS WERE AVAILABLE FOR THERE.
I SAID, WELL, THEY ARE IN AFRICA.
THAT'S WHEN WE FIRST THOUGHT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE USED FOR DISASTER MANAGEMENT AND EPIDEMIC RESPONSE IN THE U.S.
WE VALIDATED WITH THE HELP OF INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERS AT THE JOHNSON SPACE CENTER IN NASA WITH OUR OWN CLINICIANS AND OUR INFECTIOUS DISEASE PEOPLE.
THEY WERE REVALIDATED IN LIBERIA WITH DOCTORS, CLINICIANS AND FACULTY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LIBERIA.
THEY ARE REALLY DESIGNED TO BE VERY COST EFFECTIVE, BUT THEY ARE MEANT TO CREATE A PRO-ACTIVE RESPONSE FOR THE COMMUNITY, NOT A REACTIVE RESPONSE.
IN THE SENSE THAT LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN NEW YORK WHERE THEY WERE RAPIDLY PUTTING UP TENTS IN CENTRAL PARK TO ACCOMMODATE THE PATIENTS.
WHAT WE HOPE IS A MODULAR DESIGN WHICH IS LIKE A LEGO.
YOU CAN SWAP IN COMPONENTS ON THE INSIDE, BUT THE SHELL IS STANDARDIZED.
IT EXPANDS IN FIVE MINUTES FROM AN 8 BY 20 CONTAINER INTO A 430 SQUARE FOOT CLINIC, AND IT CAN BE CLOSED UP AND MOVED.
WE PUT IN HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE CONNECTIVE TEE AND WE CAN PUT IN GPS TRACKING SO THE COUNTY CAN TRACK WHERE THEY ARE LOCATED.
THE IDEAL CLINICAL SCENARIO IS WHERE THEY ARE USED EVERY SINGLE DAY FOR PRIMARY CARE, COVID MANAGEMENT OR VACCINATION AND EDUCATION IN THE FIELD.
AND THE NEXT TIME THERE IS AN EMERGENCY OR OUTBREAK THEY CAN BE DEPLOYED TO AN AREA.
THESE ARE REPURPOSED FOR THE APPLICATION.
YOU HAVE AN INSTANT PRO ACTIVE RESPONSE RATHER THAN REACTIVE.
AND WHAT WE KNOW, AND I SAY THIS AS A SCIENTIST AND A PHYSICIAN, THAT THIS VIRUS
WILL PERSIST UNTIL 2021 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU WILL, SHARMILA, FIRST LET ME JUST THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK
[06:15:03]
ON THIS AND I AM EXCITED THAT FROM THE DAY WE WENT OUT THERE TO GO AND SEE THESE PODS AND SEE HOW THEY WERE BEING UTILIZED AND PLACED THERE ON THE BAYLOR CAMPUS, BUT I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE BENEFIT -- TOLD THE BENEFIT IT COULD BRING TO A COMMUNITY.I AM EXTREMELY EXCITED AND GRATEFUL FOR WHAT CAPACITY IT WILL BRING UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES.
IF YOU HAVE A FEW MORE THOUGHTS YOU WANTED TO CONCLUDE WITH?
>> NO, I THINK THAT IS BASICALLY IT.
THE IDEA IS THAT IT WOULD BE RAPIDLY MOVED TO AN AREA OF NEED VERY QUICKLY.
LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU.
>> THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS TIME, JUDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
SO WE HAVE -- DID WE HAVE A MOTION? COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> IS THE MOTION AS WORDED ON THE AGENDA OR WAS IT BEING EXPANDED TO ALL PRE SINKS? PRECINCTS?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE WANTED TO EXPAND IT.
JACK CAGLE: I WANTED TO EXPAND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ALL PRECINCTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR MICROPHONE IS OFF.
I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT CONDITIONAL TO EACH PRECINCT PUTTING IN ITS OWN MONEY.
WITH THAT I SECOND THE ORIGINAL MOTION.
AND YOU WILL KEEP US POSTED IF POSSIBLE, FOLKS, FOR PUBLIC HEALTH TO MAKE SURE -- AS I SAID, IDEALLY WE COULD BUILD THIS INSTEAD OF NRG, BUT IT DOESN'T COME WITH THE STAFF AND THE EQUIPMENT.
THERE IS A REASON THIS WASN'T A COUNTY WIDE INITIATIVE.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MOVE US -- OR TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE NOT TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, FOR EXAMPLE AND IN A CONTAIN GENERAL- CONTAGIOUS-TYPE SITUATION.
THAT SAID, I HAVE AN AMENDED MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND I BELIEVE BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES.
IN TERMS OF THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 14 BY PRE SINK -- BY PRECINCT 4.
>> YOUR HONOR, I AM TRYING TO GET A STATUS OF WHERE WE ARE WITH REGARD TO OUR JAIL POPULATION.
I KNOW WE HAD A NUMBER OF LAW ENFORCEMENTS ENTITIES THAT HAD A PRESS CONFERENCE EARLIER TODAY WHILE WE WERE CONDUCTING OUR BUSINESS.
I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY.
IT IS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN THE VICTIMS OF CRIME.
THEY FEEL THEIR INTERESTS ARE NOT ALWAYS BEING TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION AND SOME OF THE DECISION THAT'S ARE THERE.
I KNOW THAT WE HAVE LITIGATION WITH A FEDERAL -- BEFORE JUDGE ROSENTHAL DEALING WITH FELONY CASE THAT'S ARE STATE CASES, AND WE ARE A COUNTIEN TAU KNEE -- COUNTY ENTITY.
SO THEREFORE I AM A LITTLE -- SOMEWHAT CONCERNED WHY IT IS WE ARE INVOLVED IN A STATE DISTRICT JUDGE DISPUTE OVER IN THE FEDERAL COURTS ANYWAY.
WE DO HAVE COUNTY COURTS, BUT WE DO NOT HAVE ANY POLICY OR OTHER DECISION WITH REGARD TO STATE DISTRICT JUDGES WHO REPORT THROUGH A WHOLE DIFFERENT SYSTEM.
SO I WOULD LIKE AN UPDATE FROM MR. SWORD AS TO WHERE WE ARE ON THESE ISSUES.
I WOULD ALSO MIKE -- LIKE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MAKE SURE THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO BE RELEASING SOMEONE FROM JAIL WE DO IT IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY.
WE DON'T CREATE THREE SETS OF VICTIMS, THE ORIGINAL VICTIM, INDIVIDUALS WHO MAY COME IN CONTACT WITH FOLKS WHO MAY HAVE PICKED UP COVID WHILE GOING THROUGH THE JEW PROCESS -- THE JUDICIAL PROCESS AND OTHER MEMBERS OF SOCIETY AND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUPS WHO ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE OUR RULES ARE ENFORCED AND THEY MAY BECOME DISSPIRITTED IF THEY FEEL THEY ARE NOT BACKED BY US.
[06:20:04]
THERE ARE BALANCING ACTS THAT NEED TO BE DONE.I WOULD LIKE TO FIRST, WITH YOUR PERMISSION HEAR FROM ROBERT AS TO WHAT IS THE STATUS.
I SOME YOU WANT TO HAVE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT AS FAR AS WHERE WE ARE WITHOUT GOING INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR WHERE WE ARE.
>> THE VERY LATEST IS THAT THERE WAS A HEARING BEFORE JUDGE ROSENTHAL STARTED AT 3:30.
I JUST RECEIVED AN E-MAIL THAT THEY CONCLUDED.
THEY TELL ME THEY WILL E-MAIL ME WHAT THEY ACCOMPLISHED.
I FIGURE IF I CAN GET SOME TIME TO GET THAT INFORMATION AND MAYBE COME BACK LATER AND TALK ABOUT THAT PART OF P.
THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE INVOLVED IN THE FEDERAL COURT CALLED THE RUSSELL CASE.
THAT'S WHAT WE CALL THE DISTRICT COURT CASE.
THERE IS CONTINUING CONVERSATIONS BETWEEN THE DISTRICT JUDGES AND THE SHERIFF AND MANY OTHERS G -- ABOUT WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I I KNOW JIM IS ON THE LINE.
IF YOU WANT TO PROVIDE THE LATEST I AM HAPPY TO RUN THROUGH.
I THINK FOR MY PART IT IS WHAT WE DISCUSSED WHICH IS THE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES NOW WITH COVID AT THE JAIL.
I THINK IT IS FIVE IF NOT MORE THAN THAT.
IN TERMS OFEN MATES THEY HAVE -- IN TERMS OF INMATES THEY HAVE THREE DOZEN WITH SYMPTOMS. FROM THE VERY BEGINNING MY CONVERSATION WITH JUDGE RICHIE AND THE CONVERSATION WITH THE JUDGES IS, LOOK, I DON'T NEED TO DO THIS.
JACK CAGLE: I DO WANT TO ADD SOME CLARIFICATION.
THERE WAS AN EPISODE WHERE THERE WAS SOME EXTREMELY LOW BONDS THAT WERE ISSUED IN SOME CASES AND THAT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO YOU.
THE BONDS WERE ISSUED BY THE SITTING DISTRICT JUDGES.
OUR ISSUE IS WHAT YOU WERE DOING AND I DON'T WANT MY CONCERNS AND MY VOCAL OPPOSITION TO IF SOMEONE IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WE ARE IN RIGHT NOW GETS OUT ON A $300 BOND AFTER ENGAGING IN DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH A RECORD, THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND/OR OUR JUDGE HAS ENGAGED IN THAT WAS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EITHER THE MAGISTRATE OR THE JUDGE PRESIDING OVER THAT CASE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO -- I THINK THE PHRASE YOU USED ONCE BEFORE IS CON FLATTING.
THERE IS NO CONFLATIN G OF THE TWO ISSUES.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IN TERMS OF WHAT WE ARE DOING, WE ARE BEING RESPONSIBLE WITH REGARD TO PROTECTING AND WE CAN ADDRESS THAT.
WE ARE PROTECTING THE PUBLIC BOTH FROM RELEASING THE PUBLIC FROM THOSE WHO MAY BE POTENTIALLY CONTAMINATED AND RELEASING FOLKS THAT WILL JEPRODIZE OUR POP -- POPULATION AND/OR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TRYING TO DO THEIR JOB.
>> NOT SURE IF YOU CAN HEAR ME.
THIS IS JIM WITH THE ADMINISTRATION'S OFFICE.
OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING SINCE LAST FRIDAY AND INITIALLY, JUDGE, THERE WAS AN IMPLEMENTATION OF YOUR TEMPORARY EMERGENCY ORDER.
THEY ARE BEING RELEASED FOR LOW-LEVEL NON-VIOLENT FELONY OFFENDERS.
WE SPOKE PRIOR TO RELEASING THAT.
IT IS BOTH CRIMESTOPPERS AND ASKING COORDINATING COUNCIL TO FEED INTO THE ORDER.
BASICALLY THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE.
WE PLACED THE NAMES OF THE INDIVIDUALS ON THE WEBSITE AND IN A PARTICULAR
[06:25:12]
CHALLENGE.SINCE THEN I AM PLEASED THAT THEY CAN INCLUDE OTHER LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS.
YOUR EMERGENCY ORDER AND THE FELONY GOB IS ADDRESSING THE LOWER LEVEL OFFENDERS.
THE D.A.'S OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK SCREENING THE LIST.
I DO KNOW ALL OF THE EMERGENCY EFFORTS DEALING WITH COVID, YOUR RESPONSE AND THE AMENDED RESPONSE IS TARGETING PEOPLE THAT ARE NON-VIOLENT, LOW-LEVEL -- LOW-LEVEL FELONY OFFENDERS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT ON FRIDAY I SPENT MORNING UNTIL LATE IN THE DAY AT THE JBC WORKING WITH PRE-TRIAL SERVICES.
AND THEY ARE COORDINATING THE EFFORTS TO GET OUT.
ONE OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO ENSURE IS EMBEDDED IN THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
IN THAT REGARD I WANT TO THANK MCARTHUR, THE MCARTHUR FOUNDATION WHICH HANDED TO THEM 10 DAYS AGO.
THEY HAD SOME UNSPENT MONEY THIS FISCAL YEAR.
THEY ALLOWED US TO REAPPORTION THAT FOR COMMUNITY SUPPORT AND TRANSPORTATION VOUCHERS AND THE STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING WITH TWO DIFFERENT HOTELS.
THE PURCHASE ORDER HASN'T BEEN SIGNED AND IT IS CLOSE TO BEING SIGNED.
THAT IS GOING TO BE SHORT-TERM.
THAT IS NOT GOING TO BE A LONG-TERM.
WE HAVE BEEN INCLUDING THE PUBLIC DEFENDERS AND OTHERS.
WE HAVE ALSO AND YOUR STAFF HAS MADE CLEAR AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE REGARDING THAT, IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE ARE -- WE WANT TO ALSO MAKE SURE THAT OTHERS ARE NOT BEING VICTIMIZED.
THE MORE TRANSPARENT -- WE ARE DEFINITELY DOING WHAT WE CAN TO BE TRANSPARENT AND WE WILL -- THOSE ARE MY POINTS IN A NUTSHELL.
>> I WANT TO MAKE A COUPLE OF POINTS.
WE ARE IN A DIFFICULT SITUATION AND I THINK YOU HANDLED IT WITH TREMENDOUS ZEAL.
THREE INMATES TESTED POSITIVE AND 33 MORE ARE IN QUARANTINE.
AT LEAST 16 HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE STAFF TESTED POSITIVE AND 161 ARE QUARANTINE.
ONE STAFF MEMBER IS IN CRITICAL CONDITION.
OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE TO BALANCE THE INTEREST THERE.
MOST OF THEM ARE IN THE STATE AND THEY ARE LOOKING AT A PERMANENT FACILITY AND NOT BEEN CONVICTED OF A CRIME.
THE JAIL NEEDS TO DECREASE BY HALF IN ORDER TO BE COMPLIANT WITH THE CDC GUIDELINES OF SOCIAL DISTANCING WHETHER OR NOT WE CAN DO THAT OR NOT GIVEN THAT FACTOID.
AND WE LOOK IN COOK COUNTY AND WITHIN ONE WEEK THE COUNTY JAIL JUMPED FROM TWO TO 134 CONFIRMED CASES.
THERE ARE 300 INMATES AND STAFF THAT TESTED POSITIVE.
THEY INITIALLY IGNORED THE ADVICE OF HEALTH EXPERTS TO DO -- TO RELEASE THOSE WHO DIDN'T POSE A RISK TO THE COMMUNITY.
MORE THAN 273 INMATES AND 374 CORRECTIONS STAFF AND HEALTH CARE PEOPLE HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.
ONE INMATE AND FOUR NYC CORRECTION STAFF MEMBERS ARE DEAD.
[06:30:02]
IT IS A CHALLENGING SITUATION ALL THE WAY AROUND.I AM INTERESTED IN ONE QUESTION, JIM.
CAN YOU GIVE AN UPDATE? I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE ON THE LINE.
THE ISSUE CAME UP IN COURT CAN YOU TELL US ANYTHING? IF NOT THAT'S OKAY.
>> I DID NOT GET ON THAT CALL.
I HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY REPORTS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING TO ADD OR ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
WHY CAN WE NOT QUARANTINE THE JAIL? I RECALL YOU REFERRING TO IT LIKE A CRUISESHIP AND NOT TO BE FLIPPANT OR LIGHT, BUT IN LIGHT OF THE TERMS OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
AND MY QUESTION IS WHAT PREVENTS US FROM BEING ABLE TO TREAT IT AS IF IT WAS A CRUISESHIP WHERE WE DO EVERYTHING WE POSSIBLY CAN TO MAKE SURE THOSE THAT ARE ON THE INSIDE DON'T BRING IT TO THE OUTSIDE AND THAT WE MAKE SURE OUR EMPLOYEES AND THOSE THAT ARE INTERACTING IN THE SYSTEM ARE AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, SHERIFF.
>> THIS IS ED GONZALEZ, SHERIFF.
I JUST WANTED TO GIVE YOU A LITTLE CONTEXT AS WELL IF IT IS OKAY.
GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS.
OUR CURRENT POPULATION TODAY IS 7,612.
CURRENTLY WE HAVE 30 EMPLOYEE THAT'S HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.
20 THAT WORK IN OUR JAIL SYSTEM.
WE HAVE THREE INMATES THAT HAVE TESTED POSITIVE.
WE HAVE 52 THAT ARE SYMPTOMATIC.
THEY WILL PROBABLY -- POSSIBLY BE POSITIVE.
1100 ARE LOW RISK, NO SYMPTOMS, BUT PERHAPS AROUND SOMEBODY.
THAT'S THE KIND OF SCALE WE ARE DEALING WITH.
AS YOU KNOW WE ARE OPERATING ONE OF THE LARGEST SYSTEMS IN THE COUNTRY.
TO ANSWER COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S QUESTION, IT IS A GOOD QUESTION AND SOMETIMES THEY CAN BE COMPLEX.
THAT'S THE COMMON THING WE HEAR.
JUST KEEP EVERYBODY IN-- INSIDE.
YOU WOULD PUT PEOPLE IN HARM'S WAY BY RELEASING FOLKS.
THERE IS A CHALLENGE TO THAT WITH US.
EVERY DAY AS YOU MENTIONED COMMISSIONER CAGLE, LAW ENFORCEMENT AND COMMUNITY PARTNERS, THEY ARE PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL.
WE WANT TO HOLD THE LINE TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY.
WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU HAVE OVER A HUNDRED PEOPLE DAILY THAT ARE COMING INTO THE MIX.
WE HAVE THOUSANDS OF EMPLOYEES THAT COME IN AND OUT OF THAT SAME SYSTEM.
WITH OUR FIXED SPACE WE CAN ONLY QUARANTINE SO MUCH.
EVEN NOW WITHOUT MASS RELEASES AND EVERYTHING, WE HAVE 1100 UNDER OBSERVATION.
WE HAVE BEEN WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH PROFESSIONALS.
I HAVE BEEN FOLLOWING THE DATA AND THE MEDICAL ADVICE AND HE CAN SUPPORT WHAT I AM SAYING.
WE HAVE HAD NUMEROUS CONVERSATIONS ABOUT THIS.
WE ARE ACTUALLY PUTTING OUR COMMUNITY MORE IN HARM'S WAY BY NOT DOING ANYTHING.
WHAT HAPPENS IS WITH THE LIMITED SPACE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM AND I AM NOT GOING TO QUOTE THE NUMBERS, BUT TYPICALLY 50% OF THE CRITICAL BED SPACE, ICU CAPACITY AND THE VENTILATORS AND ALL OF THAT, IT IS TAKEN UP BY EVERYDAY ACCIDENTS, SHOOTINGS, STABBINGS, ALL OF THE ABOVE.
WHAT ENDS UP HAPPENING IS THERE IS ONLY 50% LEFT -- AND I AM JUST ROUNDING OUT SOME NUMBERS, THAT ARE AVAILABLE FOR EVERYBODY ELSE.
NOW WHAT HAPPENS IS 4* -- WHAT HAPPENS IS WE DON'T HAVE THE BENEFIT OF SOCIAL DISTANCING.
WE DON'T HAVE THE BENEFIT OF -- OUR STAFF HAS TO GET CLOSE TO INMATES BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO FEED THEM.
WE HAVE SEVERAL MEDICAL PERSONNEL THAT ARE ALSO POSITIVE AS WELL.
THEY HAVE TO GET CLOSE TO THEM.
IT IS VERY, VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN.
EVERY JAIL AROUND THE COUNTRY IS LOOK -- LOOKING TO RELEASE PEOPLE.
[06:35:06]
IN COOK COUNTY 234 INMATES ARE INFECTED.I COMMEND MY STAFF AND THE SUPPORT WE RECEIVE FROM DWIGHT AND OTHERS TO GET THE EQUIPMENT WE NEED.
OUR DOCTORS AND OUR CORRECTION STAFF AND FRONT LINE WORKERS HAVE DONE PHENOMENAL WORK.
AND WE HAVE NEVER ADVOCATED FOR THE RELEASE OF ANY VIOLENT OFFENDERS.
THE JUDGE'S ORDER WAS WELL CRAFTED AND MEASURED.
AND IT DID FOCUS ON SOME FELONY CASES, BUT THERE WAS A COMPLETE VETTING PROCESS.
WE SUBMITTED LIST THAT'S WE THOUGHT FIT THE MACRO COMPONENT.
FROM THOSE 10% WERE DWINDLED DOWN TO ABOUT 10% THAT MEANS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE INDIVIDUALS BEING CONSIDERED DIDN'T EVEN MAKE THE CUT.
AND THOSE THAT DID WE PRIMARILY CONNECTED THEM TO FAMILIES.
THERE IS A MISUNDERSTANDING THAT EVERYBODY THAT IS IN THE JAIL IS SOMEHOW HOMELESS.
THEY HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED YET.
THEY ARE JUST WAITING FOR THEIR TIME IN JAIL.
ASSUMING THE LIABILITY AND POSSIBLY INFECTING OTHERS WITH A TURNOVER THAT WE HAVE IN THE JAIL EVERY DAY.
WE ARE TRYING TO BUILD A LITTLE COMPASSION INTO THAT.
WE DO HAVE -- IF WE DO HAVE AN OUTBREAK BECAUSE JAILS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE RIPE FOR THE SPREAD OF ILLNESS, I THINK WE HAD THREE OR FOUR PEOPLE DIE DURING EBOLA.
SO FAR NONE, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE WON'T HAVE ONE TODAY OR TOMORROW OR AN EMPLOYEE THAT WILL SUFFER THAT FATE.
WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO STRIKE THE BALANCE.
IT IS TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC INTEREST.
IT IS TO PROTECT THE EMPLOYEES AND IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING OUT FOR THOSE THAT IN PARTICULAR, AND YOU AND I SPOKE ON THE PHONE ABOUT IT WEEKS AGO.
IT WAS TRYING TO GET HOT THOUS MOST VULNERABLE WITH MANY UNDERLING CONDITIONS.
WE HAVE DIABETES ALL OF THESE FACTORS INCREASING THE LIKELIHOOD OF SOMEBODY BECOMING ILL.
OUR ONLY OPTION IS IF SOMEBODY BECOMES ILL GUESS WHAT BED THEY TAKE UP? THE ONES AT THE PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM.
IF AN OUTBREAK BREAKS OUT TOMORROW, YOU WILL QUICKLY FILL THE OTHER 50% OF BEDS THAT ARE AWAITING OTHER COVIK -- COVID BEDS THEY WILL BE TAKING THE PLACE OF
THOSE -- >> A COUPLE OF QUICK QUESTIONS FOR YOU.
BEFORE YOU ARE RELEASING THESE INDIVIDUALS OR ANYBODY, ARE THEY BEING TESTED? DO WE KNOW THEY ARE CARRIERS OF THE COVID OR NOT? MY NEXT QUESTION IS GOING TO BE IF SOMEONE IS POSITIVE OR POTENTIAL CARRIER, WHERE ARE YOU PLACING THEM? WHAT SORT OF SAFEGUARDS DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT TURNING SOMEONE WHO WAS A PRISSER INTO A HOMELESS PERSON THAT THEN CREATES A WHOLE OTHER SET OF MATERIAL OR YOU ARE PUTTING THEM SOMEWHERE WHERE ELSE.
ARE WE TESTING AND NUMBER TWO, HOW ARE WE MAKING SURE THEY ARE INTEGRATING BACK INTO OUR SOCIETY IN A SAFE WAY LET ALONE THE -- THE RAY SAID DO VISM QUESTION IS -- RESAID DO -- RECIDIVISM IS NOT WHAT I AM ASKING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS MENTIONED IN THE ORDER AND IT IS IN THE FAQ'S ADMINISTRATION WEBSITE.
EVERYONE IS PUT THROUGH AN ANALYSIS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT BEING RELEASED TO HOMELESSNESS AND COMPARE THEM WITH HOUSING AND, JIM -- AND JIM REFERRED TO THAT.
IN TERMS OF TESTING, IF YOU KNOW THERE IS FALSE NEGATIVES ALL THE TIME AND WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TESTING EVEN FOR OUR OWN COMMUNITY, WE ARE SCREENING SYMPTOMS AND NOT RELEASING ANYBODY WHO HAS SYMPTOMS. AGAIN, THE POINT IS THOUGH, SOMEBODY IS IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH A BUNCH OF PEOPLE, PRESUMABLY THEY ARE GOING HOME TO QUARANTINE LIKE THE REST OF US.
AND SO IT IS A LOT BIGGER PROBLEM FOR SOME TO BE IN THE JAIL WITH 7,000 OR 8,000 OTHER PEOPLE.
THE FINAL POINT TO THE CRUISESHIP QUESTION, THE CRUISESHIPS HAVE 2,000
[06:40:05]
PEOPLE, RIGHT? THIS IS AN 8,000-PERSON CRUISESHIP.IT WOULD BE IDEAL IF WE REDUCED IT AND MADE IT A 2,000 CRUISESHIP.
EVEN IF WE RELEASED EVERYBODY ON THE LIST PLUS WE WERE ABLE TO ADDRESS EVERY OTHER PERSON.
THEY WOULD NOT GET TO THE SIZE OF AN ACTUAL CRUISESHIP.
AT MOST IN OUR REGION THERE IS ABOUT 4,000 BEDS THAT RL AVAILABLE -- THAT WERE AVAILABLE BEFORE THIS WHOLE THING STARTED IN THE ICU.
IMAGINE A PORTION OF THOSE INMATES IN THE ICU, THEN YOU ARE IN TROUBLE.
SO RIGHT NOW IT IS JUST -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE IN A BIT OF A STANDOFF WHICH IS A PROBLEM AND WE HAVEN'T MOVED FORWARD WITH LEGAL ACTION BECAUSE I AM HOPING THE JUDGES WILL ADDRESS THIS THEMSELVES.
I HAVE BEEN ASKING THEM TO FOR WEEKS.
AND THE ACTION WAS TAKEN BECAUSE WE HAVE TO ACT AND, YOU KNOW AND IT IS IRCH -- IT IS INCUMBENT FOR THE AGENCY TO DO SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT TO DO SOMETHING.
AND SO WHEN I DIDN'T SEE ACTION AND I BEGGED FOR ACTION THESE LAST 10 DAYS WE HAVE TO MOVE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS THE ISSUE THAT EVERY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY IS DEALING WITH.
I THINK IT IS INCUMBENT ON US TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT WE EITHER WANT YOUR NEIGHBOR, LOVED ONE, FAMILY MEMBER, YOUR STAFF, ANYBODY THAT MAY BE INFECTED WITH COVID-19 TO HAVE A PLACE TO BE TREATED AND NOT BE TOLD TO GO HOME BECAUSE THERE IS AN INMATE ALREADY THERE.
THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT STEP BEING DONE.
AND I HAVE ALL OF THE CONFIDENCE THAT THE SHERIFF AND HIS STAFF ARE REALLY UNDERSTANDING WHO THEY ARE RELEASING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE HE HAS COMPETENT PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THOSE CASES AND MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE RELEASING THOSE WHO STRIVE TO RELEASE THE LOW-LEVEL OFFENDERS AND THE NON-VIOLENT WITH NO VIOLENT HISTORY.
THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY AREA OF CONCERN.
IF YOU DON'T DO THOSE WELL, COULD YOU END UP RELEASING SOMEBODY YOU DIDN'T INTEND TO.
AGAIN, I DON'T WANT TO ALSO ALLOW US TO FUSE -- CONFUSE WHAT JUDGES ARE DOING VERSUS WHAT THE SHERIFF AND COUNTY JUDGE ARE DOING.
THOSE ARE VERY -- THOSE ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
I MAY JOIN YOU ON A FEW OF THOSE, BUT WHAT THE JUDGE AND THE SHERIFF ARE DOING ARE TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT CONFUSING THE TWO.
>> I HAVE A FOLLOW-UP QUESTION.
TODAY THERE WAS AN ARTICLE IN THE CHRONICLE.
I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK AT IT TOO CLOSELY, BUT IT DEALS WITH A GUY BY THE NAME OF MIKE EMERY.
ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH HIM AND HIS PR BOND.
IS THAT A COUNTY RELEASE OR A JUDGE RELEASE?
>> THE NAME DOESN'T SOUND FAMILIAR, COMMISSIONER.
I AM FAMILIAR WITH SOME OF THE RECENTLY RELEASES THAT HAPPENED WITH THE DOLLAR AND 10-DOLLAR BONDS.
I RESPECT THE SEPARATION OF LAWS.
I DON'T KNOW THE DELIBERATIONS THAT TOOK PLACE IN THAT, BUT IT IS PROBLEMATIC.
OUR WORK IS BEING VETTED THOROUGHLY.
I DON'T MAKE THE DECISIONS WHO STAYS OR GOES.
IT IS BEING VETTED HEAVILY BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND JIM BET -- BETKEY'S GROUP AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE I THINK.
THEY HAVE BEEN VETTING IT VERY WELL, BUT THE NAME DOES NOT RING A BELL TO ME.
MR. EMERY WAS NOT RELEASED TOOVMENT -- TODAY.
THE ARTICLE WAS FROM LAST WEEK.
[06:45:02]
APPARENTLY HE WAS AN INDIVIDUAL THAT WAS GRANTED -- WAS RELEASED AND HAD SEVERAL FELONIES ON HIS RECORD.I THINK WHAT HE WAS -- WHAT HE WAS PENDING ARREST FOR WAS NOT DEEMED VIOLENT, BUT HE HAD OTHER VIOLENT AND SEVERAL FELONY THAT'S WERE THERE.
THESE ARE THE STORIES THAT I THINK THAT ARE CAUSING A LOT OF CONCERN IN THE COMMUNITY WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BALANCING.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REACHING OUT TO CRIMESTOPPERS AND TO THAT ORGANIZATION AND OUR VICTIM'S ORGANIZATION TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE TOSS BELLY -- POSSIBLY CAN AND WE NEED TO LISTEN CLOSELY TO SOME OF THE CONCERNS THAT WERE EXPRESSED TODAY THE CITY OF HOUSTON'S POLICE CHIEF MADE A STATEMENT THAT WAS DONE EARLIER TODAY THAT I THINK IS TELLING.
THERE IS AN INCREASE ACCORDING TO ACEVEDO OF 20% THEY ARE SEEING OUT THERE.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS DRIVING ALL THAT.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE PROTECTING OUR COMMUNITY.
ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE IS A STAY AT HOME ORDER AND PEOPLE ARE NOT ABLE TO PROTECT THEIR BUSINESSES AND THEY ARE RELYING ON THE FIRST LINE WHICH ARE OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.
WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING THOSE PEACE OFFICERS ALL THE TOOLS THEY HAVE TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB IN VAIN.
WE HAVE SHERIFFS AND CONSTABLES THAT ARE OUT THERE AND THEY ARE OUR -- THEY ARE MY HEROS AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THEY ARE DOING AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE GIVING THEM THE SUPPORT THEY NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT WHEN THEY ARE RISKING THEIR LIVES AND MAKING A STOP THAT THEY ARE NOT ALSO RISKING THEIR LIVES WITH A REVOLVING DOOR AND SOMEBODY THAT MAY GIVE THEM THIS COVID-19 VIRUS AS WELL.
>> I UNDERSTAND, COMMISSIONER.
AGAIN, RESPECTFULLY, THAT'S TOTALLY OUTSIDE THE SCOPE OF WHAT I PERSONALLY HAVE BEEN WORKING ON.
I KNOW THE JUDGE HAS BEEN WORKING ON.
ANYBODY THAT HAS HAD COMMUNICATION ABOUT THIS WITH ME KNOWS THAT I AM ALL -- ALWAYS VERY FIRM ABOUT MAKING SURE WE HAVE ALL OF THE NECESSARY CAVVE -- CARVE OUTS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND BEHAVIORS.
THE BURGLARY OF MOTOR VEHICLES AND THE BUILDINGS AND WHAT HAVE YOU.
I AM MAKING SURE I AM TRYING TO BE PROTECTIVE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS OUT THERE.
HAVE I SUITED UP AND I HAVE DONE THE JOB.
I STILL GO OUT THERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
I WILL DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO MAKE SURE IT IS THROUGH A LENS OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
I CANNOT CONTROL WHAT AN INDEPENDENT JUDGE DOES IN SETTING BOND THAT IS A JUDICIAL FUNCTION.
IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE WORK AND THE CONVERSATIONS GET MIXED UP AND IT CAUSES A LOT OF CONFUSION AND ANXIETY FOR PEOPLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
IT IS RELATED TO A FEW COMMENTS THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE ELUDED TO.
I HAVE HEARD HIS COMMENTS IN THE PAST AND THEY SEEM -- I AM JUST A LITTLE SURPRISED BY SOME OF HIS COMMENTS.
I KNOW THAT -- I WOULD THINK THE SHERIFF AND THE CHIEF ARE HAVING DIALOGUE.
JUDGE -- IT SEEMS LIKE THE CHIEF, THE COMMENTS HE MADE IS THAT HE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE IN THE COUNTY JAIL.
ARE WE SHARING INFORMATION WITH THE CHIEF ABOUT ALL OF THE THINGS WE ARE DOING OR IS HE TRULY BEING CAUGHT BLIND SIGHT CITED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MY STAFF HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH HIM.
HE WORKS FOR THE MAYOR AND I HAVE SPOKEN WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT ALL OF THIS.
I DON'T KNOW AND I THINK TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S POINT AND THE SHERIFF MADE THIS POINT AND A LOT OF PEOPLE MADE THIS POINT.
THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO INSIGHT PANIC.
WE ARE NOT RELEASING ANYONE WITH A VIOLENT BACKGROUND.
WE ARE DOING WHAT WE NEED TO DO TO PROTECT PER THE SHERIFF AND PER THE PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS AND PER HARRIS HEALTH DIRECTOR.
I HAVEN'T SEEN THE LATEST COMMENTS FROM HIM, BUT I AM PUZZLED WHEN THAT KIND OF A
[06:50:06]
THING COMES UP.CERTAINLY IN THE MIDDLE OF A CRISIS IT DOESN'T SERVE ANYONE TO INCITE PANIC.
I KNOW I HAVE SPOKEN TO YOU AND CONSTABLE ROSEN AND SPOKE WITH THE CHIEF ABOUT THE CRIME RATE.
ONE OF THE QUESTIONS THAT HAS COME UP IS SHOULD A CURFEW BE IMPOSED.
THE REASON TO IMPOSE A CURFEW IS NOT -- THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEALTH REASON.
IT WOULD BE A PUBLIC HEALTH -- IT IS A PUBLIC SAFETY REASON.
DO WE NEED TO TAKE THAT STEP IN THE NAME OF PUBLIC SAFETY? WHAT I GOT BACK RECENTLY IS WE ARE SEEING A DECREASE IN CRIME.
I HAVE MY STAFF DIGGING IN WHAT HE IS SAYING.
MOST OF WHAT IS SAID DOES NOT GO WITH THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH THE MAYOR AND NOR WITH THE INFORMATION AND THE REALITIES OF WHAT WE ARE PUTTING OUT.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS UP WITH THAT.
>> STEVE RADACK: IT IS KIND OF AN INFORMATIONAL THING.
I WILL -- I WANT TO TALK ABOUT NUMBER 13 AND THAT IS A DISCUSSION ABOUT HEARING OFFICERS AND PROBABLE CAUSE.
MR. SWORD, CAN YOU GO OVER VERY BRIEFLY PLEASE, SOME PEOPLE ARE OF THE OPINION THAT WE APPOINT THE HEARING OFFICERS.
I BELIEVE THAT IS DONE BY 9 JUDGES.
I WANTED TO GO OVER THAT WITH YOU BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE WERE SAYING WE, MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT, ARE APPOINTING THESE PEOPLE.
I BELIEVE THAT IS IN ERROR, DO YOU AGREE?
THERE IS AN ACTUAL STATUTE OUT THAT ONLY APPLIES TO HARRIS COUNTY THAT TALKS ABOUT A BOARD OF 9 JUDGES.
THREE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS AT LAW AND THREE DISTRICT COURT JUDGES THAT HIRE THE HEARING OFFICERS.
THEY WORK FOR A TERM OF ONE YEAR.
NOW, IT IS TRUE THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT CREATES A COMMISSION LIKE COMMISSIONER'S COURT CREATES POSITIONS FOR ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES.
IT IS OUR OPINION THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOES NOT APPOINT THAT IS HEARING OFFICERS AND CANNOT EVEN TERMINATE THE HEARING OFFICERS IF YOU DISAGREE WITH WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
>> I WANT TO GO OVER WHAT YOU JUST SAID.
IN REALITY I THINK COURTHOUSES ARE PRETTY MUCH CLOSED.
WE DO HAVE THE ABILITY TO POLICY AND POSITIONS IF WE CHOSE.
>> I THINK THE HEARING OFFICERS ARE -- OFFICES ARE CLOSED.
I MEAN WE HAVE A WHOLE LOT OF OTHER JUDGES.
I WOULD IMAGINE THE HEARING OFFICERS ARE THERE PRIMARILY BECAUSE THE JUDGES WANT HEARING OFFICERS.
WE APPROVED THE POSITION FOR THE HEARING OFFICERS.
IF THOSE POSITIONS DIDN'T EXIST SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE TO HEAR THE CASES.
THAT WOULD BE OUR NORMAL JUDGES, CORRECT?
>> AND I'M SURE EVERYBODY KNOW THAT'S THE HEARING OFFICERS DO WORK 24 HOURS A DAY AND 7 DAYS A WEEK.
>> THERE ARE A WHOLE LOT OF PEOPLE THAT PROBABLY DO THAT.
WHERE I AM COMING FROM HERE IS IF THESE JUDGES -- IF THESE ELECTED JUDGES CHOOSE TO DO THOSE HEARINGS, THEY COULD.
THE QUESTION HERE NEXT TIME WOULD BE THIS, ARE THE ELECTED JUDGES INTERESTED AT ALL IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT NOT FUNDING HEARING OFFICERS IN THE FUTURE?
>> WE CAN CERTAINLY COMMUNICATE THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE AND ROBERT, SINCE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY, IS THIS A -- IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH FOR US TO TALK ABOUT BENEFITS AND COVERAGE FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS?
>> I BELIEVE IT IS, AND AS I RECALL THERE IS AN AGENDA ITEM UNDER BUDGET MANAGEMENT THAT TALKS ABOUT SOME OF THOSE BENEFITS.
CERTAINLY I WOULD SAY WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT EVEN UNDER THAT ITEM.
[06:55:03]
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAYBE IF WE ASK SOMETHING YOU CAN GUIDE US THE RIGHT PLACE TO PUT THIS UNDER.
I WANTED TO ASK THE QUESTION ABOUT PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES.
REALLY FIRST RESPONDERS FIRST AND ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL.
THERE IS ALWAYS A DEBATE, ESPECIALLY AMONG FIREFIGHTERS, THAT WHEN THEY CLAIM A CANCER, THE DEBATE OF WHETHER THEY GOT THE CANCER GENETICALLY OR IF THEY GOT THE CANCER BECAUSE OF THEIR WORK.
HOW WOULD YOU GO ABOUT DETERMINING THE INCLUSION OF COVID-19 AS A PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE UNDER OUR HR BENEFITS?
>> COMMISSIONER, WE WOULD HAVE TO LOOK INTO THAT.
I PERSONALLY DON'T KNOW OFFHAND.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE A REPORT BACK ON THIS.
WITH ALL OF THE DEPUTIES AND THE STAFF GOING THROUGH THIS, AND I HAVE NOT HEARD OF CONSTABLE DEPUTIES, BUT ALL I HAVE HEARD OF MAYBE ARE SHERIFF DEPUTIES, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW WE CAN INCLUDE COVID-19 AS A PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE FOR ALL OF OUR EMPLOYEES AND -- IN PARTICULAR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS.
>> WE'LL LOOK INTO IT FOR YOU.
>> JUDGE, THIS IS THE SHERIFF.
MAY I SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK ABOUT THAT?
>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, SHERIFF.
>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THANKS FOR BRINGING THAT UP.
I THINK THERE IS AN ITEM, I DON'T KNOW IF IT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED, BUT ADDING 80 HOURS OF SICK TIME.
WE HAVE BEEN DOING BASED ON EXISTING HARRIS COUNTY POLICY IS WE WERE REQUIRING EMPLOYEES TO QUARANTINE BECAUSE THEY WERE POSITIVE AND TO USE THEIR OWN TIME.
I HOPE THAT YOU WILL CONSIDER THAT FAVORABLY.
IT IS ONLY RIGHT THEY USE THEIR OWN TIME IN THAT SITUATION.
TAKING BACK ON YOUR POINT, I AGREE ABOUT THE PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE.
GOD FORBID THAT ANY HARRIS COUNTY FIRST RESPONDER WERE TO DIE FROM A POSITIVE CASE IT SHOULD BE CARRIED ON AS A LINE OF DUTY DEATH IN MY OPINION.
THAT'S A BROADER DISCUSSION AND I HAVEN'T BROUGHT IT UP YET, BUT I FIGURE I WOULD TAKE THE TIME TO INTRODUCE IT AND MAYBE Y'ALL CAN DISCUSS IT DOWN THE ROAD.
I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT UNDER THE UNIQUE SITUATION OF A PANDEMIC LIKE THIS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THAT WAS -- THAT WAS DEFINITELY DISCUSSED ALREADY IN THE PAST AND I THINK IT WAS ITEM 8C UNDER BUDGET.
BILL, YOU CAN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT WE ALREADY TALKED ABOUT THAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER RADACK.
>> STEVE RADACK: THERE ARE CONSTABLE EMPLOYEES THAT DO HAVE THE VIRUS AND NUMEROUS CONSTABLES DEPUTIES THAT ARE IN QUARANTINE.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU WOULD SUPPORT COVID-19 AS A PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE?
>> STEVE RADACK: I WOULD WANT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT IT.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BILL, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOMETHING BEFORE THE NEXT COURT MEETING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH.
THAT IS IT FOR THE COVID-RELATED ITEMS AND SO NOW LET'S GO BACK UP TO THE AGENDA.
>> JUDGE, FOR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 13 AND 14 IS THERE AN ACTION OR NO ACTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: CAGLE AND RADACK ANY ACTION?
>> HAVE I NO ACTION ON 13 -- I HAVE NO ACTION ON 13.
>> WE'VE HAD THE ACTION ON 14.
>> WHAT WAS THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE? NO ACTION?
NO MOTION OR AGENDA TO GO FORWARD.
[Item I (Part 2 of 2)]
SO WE GO BACK TO THE AGENDA AND STARTING WITH COUNTY ENGINEER.>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, WHILE THE COUNTY ENGINEER IS UP, IF YOU GET ME MORE FEEDBACK ON THE PARK ISSUE, MR. BLUNT?
>> NO, OTHER THAN THE STATES -- THE STATE'S ORDER WAS SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO
[07:00:02]
CROWDS -- TO CONTROL CROWD THAT'S WOULD OCCUR IN A PARK.>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANTED TO ASK BECAUSE I THINK COMMISSIONER RADACK OR SOMEONE WAS SAYING EARLIER THAT WE PROMISED WE WOULD MAKE A DECISION.
JUDGE, DO YOU HAVE A PREFERENCE? OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO IT BY DECREE OR ORDER OR WOULD YOU PREFER A MOTION?
I'M HOPING TO HAVE A SET OF ADDITIONAL OPTIONS WE ARE LOOKING AT TOMORROW.
I WAS HOPING I COULD JUST CIRCLE WITH ALL OF THE MAYORS ABOUT IT AND BRING IT ALL TO THEM AT THE SAME TIME.
SO THAT'S WHY I HADN'T TAKEN YOU UP ON A MOTION.
WE CAN DO IT, AND THEN IF -- AND THEN I CAN TALK TO THEM ABOUT THE ORDER FOR THE REST OF THE COUNTY.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE WE CAN MAKE A MOTION RIGHT NOW IN TERMS OF CLOSING ALL OF THE COUNTY PARKS FOR THE WEEKEND OF EASTER WEEKEND.
OUTSIDE OF THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE WHAT WE HAVE BEEN DOING RIGHT NOW WHICH SOUNDS LIKE IT IS WORKING WELL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I HATE TO HAVE A SYSTEM WHERE SOME ARE OPEN AND SOME ARE CLOSED SO IT THERE IS NO STRONG OX I MAKE A -- STRONG OBJECTION I WILL MAKE A MOTION THAT WE CLOSE THEM UNTIL AFTER EASTER WEEKEND.
>> EARLIER YOU STATED YOU WERE TALKING -- YOU WEREN'T TALKING ABOUT TRAILS I THINK
-- >> RODNEY ELLIS: NOT TALKING ABOUT TRAILS.
>> I MEAN SOME OF THEM ARE -- BASICALLY THE MAJOR TRAILS YOU WOULD WANT TO LEAVE AND REMAIN OPEN.
YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE PARKS BEING CLOSED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL I WAS JUST GOING TO MAKE A MOTION ON PARKS.
I WAS NOT GOING TO GO TO -- BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO RUN DOWN A LIST.
WE CAN LEAVE THAT TO THE JUDGE.
WE KNOW THE ONE THAT'S ARE PACKED, RIGHT? WHITE OAK, BUFFALO BRAYS, CERTAIN PARTS.
AND I DON'T WANT TO PICK AND CHOOSE, BUT, I MEAN -- LOOK, I'M FLEXIBLE, STEVE, COMMISSIONER RADACK.
WHAT IS YOUR SENSE? YOU HAVE BEEN AROUND LONG ENOUGH?
>> STEVE RADACK: I AM JUST SAYING THAT THE PARKS YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE -- THE FACILITIES WHERE YOU WILL SEE BIG CROWDS COMING IN TO PICNIC AND I THINK PRIMARILY THE ONE THAT'S HAVE THE -- THE PARKS THAT HAVE THE MAJOR FEATURE THAT'S ATTRACT PEOPLE THERE, THE PLAYGROUNDS, THE YOU NAME IT, THE LAKES.
AT ANY RATE I THINK WHERE YOU WILL SEE HUGE CROWDS WHICH MOST OF US KNOW WHERE THOSE WOULD BE, SOME OF THEM WOULD BE DIFFICULT TO CLOSE BECAUSE OF THE LAYOUT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LIKE I SAID, WE CAN GIVE MORE TIME AND JUST DO SOMETHING COUNTY WIDE.
I THINK IN TERMS OF -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I IF YOU PREFER I CAN LEAVE IT ON YOU AND YOU CAN DO IT ON EXECUTIVE ORDER.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I REALLY THINK THE MINUTE WE START SPLITTING HAIRS WE KNOW TRAILS GET CROWDED.
WE ALREADY HAD THAT DISCUSSION.
I WAS AT TERRY CRUSHY PARK, I AM AT A DIFFERENT ONE EACH SUNDAY, AND THERE WAS SOCIAL DISTANCING GOING ON.
IT IS CROWDED AND EVERYONE WAS OUT THERE.
IMAGINE THE EASTER VERSION OF THAT.
WE ARE CERTAINLY NOT AT THE POINT WE NEED TO CURB THE USE OF PARKS BEYOND WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY DONE FOR JUST A NORMAL DAY.
BUT IF WE'RE GONNA TAKE A STEP FOR EASTER, I WOULD CAUTION AGAINST -- I CAN TELL YOU FROM THE CONVERSATIONS I HAD WITH THE MAYORS AND IT IS SPLITTING HAIRS AND IT IS CONFUSING.
OTHERWISE, FOLKS, IT JUST -- LIKE WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT RESTAURANTS AND SOME SAY WELL, YOU WANT TO DO 50% CHAPS TEE.
HOW DO YOU ENFORCE IT? IT IS CONFUSING.
IF FOLKS NEED MORE TIME TO THINK ABOUT IT, I AM HAPPY TO CIRCLE BACK INDIVIDUALLY WITH EVERYONE TOMORROW AHEAD OF A BLANKET COUNTY ORDER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TRYING TO SEE IF THERE WAS A CONSENSUS.
OBVIOUSLY AT LEAST YOU KNOW -- YOU WOULD KNOW WHAT THREE OR FIVE.
COMMISSIONER GASH -- GARCIA, HATE TO PUT ON YOU THE SPOT.
ARE YOU GOING TO CLOSE YOURS 1234* I AM CLOSING MINE.
I FEEL AWKWARD CLOSING THEM FOR EASTER.
[07:05:01]
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THAT'S WHY I WAS ACTUALLY RAISING THE QUESTION EARLIER WORLD TRADE CENTER -- QUESTION EARLIER WITH THE GOVERNOR.
I HEARD CORRECTLY THAT HE IS CLOSING THE STATE PARKS, BUT HE IS ENCOURAGING PEOPLE TO GO TO CITY/COUNTY PARKS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHAT HIS ORDER DOES?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BELIEVE SO.
AND THAT'S WHY I WAS QUA -- ASKING IF THE JUDGE WAS CONTEMPLATING ANYTHING IN THAT REGARD.
I AM GOING TO HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS AT LEAST ON ONE OF MY PARKS FOR A COUPLE OF REASON REASONS THAT ARE DIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID-19.
AS THE JUDGE JUST TOUCHED ON, WE CAN'T PIECEMEAL THIS ISSUE.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING ON BEHALF OF EVERYONE.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
JACK CAGLE: I HAVE TWO THOUGHTS.
ON THE ONE HAND, I KNOW SOME OF OUR FARKS -- PARKS, FOR EXAMPLE BEAR CREEK WHERE COMMISSIONER RADACK IS, THEY GET EXTREMELY CROWDED ON AN EASTER WEEKEND.
WE HAVE SOME OF OUR PARKS THAT HAVE A HIGHER TRAFFIC ON EASTER WEEKEND, BUT NOT ON A NORMAL LEVEL.
IF WE ARE DOUBLY INUNDATED BECAUSE THE CHURCHES THAT ARE NOW VIRAL AND SHUTDOWN AND THE STATE PARKS ARE SHUTDOWN WE COULD HAVE ADDED VOLUME THAT GO INTO SOME AREAS AND THAT CHANGES THE GAME.
I THINK PRECINCT 4 BECAUSE OF HOW OUR PARKS ARE SITUATED AND THE SIGNS WE ARE PUTTING UP AND THE TRAINING WE HAVE ALREADY PUT IN PLACE WITH REGARD TO A NUMBER OF OUR CON CONSTITUENTS THAT WE COULD HANDLE IT IN MOST OF OUR PARKS.
ON THE OTHER HAND IT IS NOT GOING TO BE PRODUCTIVE FOR THE OVERALL HEALTH OF THE COUNTY IF THREE PRECINCT PARKS ARE SHUTDOWN AND ONE PRECINCT IS OPEN.
SO I DO BELIEVE THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO SHUTDOWN ALL OF THE PARKS IN THREE OF THE PRECINCTS, THEN I THINK IT IS BEST WE SHUT THEM DOWN IN ALL FOUR.
THAT JUST NOT WOULD BE GOOD POLICY.
NOW, I AM COMFORTABLE WITH EACH OF US AS COMMISSIONERS DECIDING WHICH WILL BE OPEN.
WE SHUTDOWN FOUR THAT ARE SPORTS PARKS AND WE SHUTDOWN SOME OF THE PARKS THAT DON'T HAVE WALKING TRAILS.
I THINK THIS -- I DON'T KNOW WHICH ONE OF YOU SAID IT EARLIER, BUT IT IS SOMETHING THAT I THINK WE NEED TO DO CONSISTENTLY ACROSS THE COUNTY OR ALLOW EACH COMMISSIONER TO USE DISCRETION WITHIN THAT ONE AREA.
IF THE GOVERNOR HAS SHUTDOWN HIS PARKS AND PRECINCTS 1 AND 2 SHUTS DOWN THEIR PARKS.
THAT WILL MAKE IT TO WHERE THE TRAFFIC IN THE PRECINCT 4 PARK IS GOING TO BE CRUNCHED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HANDLE THE ADDED VOLUME.
MY INPUT, JUDGE, IS DISCRETION IS THE BETTER PART OF VALUE LOUR -- VALOR IN MOST INSTANCES, BUT IF WE ARE GOING TO START CLOSING PARKS, AND THEY HAVE MEANT SO MUCH TO PEOPLE, LET'S DO IT FOR A TEMPORARY PERIOD OF TIME.
WE WORKED REALLY HARD TO KEEP THE WALKING UP, AND WE WORKED WITH THE CONSTABLES TO HAVE THE SIGNAGE AND THE CARDS AND THE OTHER THINGS THAT ARE THERE.
SO IF WE'RE GOING TO DO IT LET'S BE SPECIFIC TO WHEN WE ARE DOING IT AND WHEN WE START AND WHEN WE END AND WHEN PEOPLE CAN COME BACK AGAIN.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HERE IS MY RECOMMENDATIONS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER RADACK HAS BEEN WANTING TO SPEAK.
>> STEVE RADACK: I AM READING THIS RELEASE FROM THE STATE.
BASICALLY THEY ARE CLOSING THEIR PARK OUTDOOR RECREATION THINGS LIKE HUNTING, FISHING, JOGGING, WALKING, HIKING AND THE LIKE ARE ESSENTIAL ACTIVITIES FOR TEXAS CITIZENS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO ITS PART TO PROMOTE THESE OPPORTUNITIES IN WAY THAT'S ARE SAFE AND CLOSE TO HOME.
SO THEY ARE CLOSING THE PARKS, BUT THEY ARE ENCOURAGING TO JOG, BIKE, HUNT, FISH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT WE DO EVERY DAY WHEN IT IS NOT EASTER.
>> STEVE RADACK: AT ANY RATE I THINK LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, EACH OF US -- EACH COMMISSIONER WOULD KNOW WHAT PARKS WOULD BE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE A WHOLE LOT
[07:10:01]
OF PEOPLE PACKED IN THERE AND NOT HAVE THE SOCIAL DISTANCING AND ALL OF THAT.I THINK IT IS BETTER TO CLOSE THE ONE THAT'S WILL GET HOT AND REALLY CROWDED.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, SOUNDS LIKE I WILL JUST TRUST YOUR JUDGMENT.
I JUST HATE FOR US TO BE IN A POSITION THAT SOME STATES -- OUR FRIENDS IN FLORIDA INCLUDING THE GOVERNOR DENYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM, AND IT MAY WELL BE A HOTSPOT BEFORE WE GET ONE IN TEXAS, BUT FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, THAT'S WHY I SUGGESTED A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WE CLOSE SOME STREETS AND I PUT SOMEBODY FROM PRECINCT 1 SO PEOPLE CAN WALK SOMEWHERE.
THEY DON'T HAVE TO LOAD UP -- YOU CLOSE DOWN THE PARKWAY AND MAYBE THEY WOULDN'T LOAD UP BUFFALO BAYOU.
I WILL LEAVE IT ON YOU TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO.
PIECING IT TOGETHER I THINK COULD BE A PROBLEM.
JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, HAVE YOU VISITED WITH THE MAYOR OF HOUSTON OR ANY OF OUR OTHER MAYORS?
>> LINA HIDALGO: LIKE I SAID, WE ARE TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE OF ISSUES TO ADDRESS WITH THE MAYORS TOMORROW.
I HAVE BEEN HERE WITH Y'ALL ALL DAY.
I WILL TELL YOU WHAT I HEARD FOR THE PAST FEW WEEKS BEFORE WE ISSUED THE ORDER FROM SEVERAL MAYORS WHICH WE HAVE BEEN SHUTDOWN FROM THE BEGINNING.
I WOULD BE SURPRISED IF TOO MANY WANT TO KEEP THEM OPEN FOR EASTER, BUT I DON'T KNOW.
>> STEVE RADACK: I THINK THAT IF YOU -- AFTER YOU TALK TO SOME PEOPLE TOMORROW, BY TOMORROW AFTERNOON IF YOU COULD LET US KNOW THEN WE COULD PUT UP SIGNAGE AND TELL PEOPLE WE WILL BE CLOSED FOR THE WEEKEND LIKE FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY, WHATEVER IT IS.
I THINK THAT WOULD BE A GOOD, FAIR THING TO DO.
GIVE PEOPLE NOTICE AND WE CAN PUT IT ON THE WEBSITES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, ABSOLUTELY.
>> STEVE RADACK: IN THAT'S POSSIBLE.
>> STEVE RADACK: BY THE WAY, THE GOVERNOR IS ALSO MAKING IT CLEAR THAT THERE WILL STILL BE STATE EMPLOYEES WORKING EVEN THOUGH THE PARKS ARE CLOSED FOR UP -- UPKEEP AND MAINTENANCE AND THE CLEANING OF THE FACILITIES.
THERE WILL BE SOME PEOPLE AROUND, BUT THEY WILL BE STATE EMPLOYEES, PROBABLY COUNTY ONES AS WELL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ENJOYING THE PARK.
>> STEVE RADACK: ENJOYING WORKING AT THE PARK.
AND REPLACE CON -- COUNTY ENGINEER WITH FORENSIC SCIENTISTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WANT TO COMMEND DOCTOR BAR -- BABBOT AND THE STAFF.
THEY DID A GOOD JOB ON THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PLAN.
IT WILL LEAD TO GOOD STUFF ON THESE BATCH PLANTS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I MADE REFERENCE TO IT EARLIER SO I AM HOPING THAT JOSH AND DAPHNE WILL SEE WHAT THEY CAN DO IN TERMS OF SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT THEY HAVE THAT HAVE NOT BEEN USED.
I THINK DAPHNE TOLD US TWO OR THREE MILLION.
WE'LL CHECK ON THE SMALL BUSINESS AND TAKE IN THE EQUITY ISSUES I REFERENCED EARLIER.
IN THE EVENT WE DON'T GET A LOT OF PARTICIPATION IN THE BROADER PROGRAM.
MAYBE COME BACK WITH A RECOMMENDATION AT THE NEXT COURT MEETING.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I WOULD LIKE JOSH TO MAKE JUST A VERY BRIEF EXPLANATION OF ITEM D ON PAGE 10.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU SAY D?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS JOSH ON THE LINE?
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD.
>> COMMISSIONER, WHICH ITEM WAS THAT AGAIN?
JACK CAGLE: THAT'S ITEM D -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT ITEM D ON PAGE 10 IS WITH I FUNDS AND A DEPARTMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND IF YOU CAN LAYOUT REAL QUICKLY
[07:15:05]
WHAT THAT IS.>> JOSH STUKEY, COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
COMMISSIONER, THIS PROJECT WAS AUTHORIZED BACK IN 2015.
IT WAS PART OF THE IKE PROJECT AND A PART OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY.
CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE ON THIS.
IN FACT, WE HAVE 189 OF THE 200 UNITS ARE ALREADY LEASED.
THE LAST 220,000 REQUESTED FOR THIS COURT IS TO ACTUALLY CLOSE OUT THE PROJECT FOR THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT AND ARCHITECTURAL AND ENGINEERING FEES.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE OLD FINGER SITE, RIGHT?
>> YES, IT IS THE FINGER SITE AND IT IS GOING TO BE THE SITE OF THE HARRIS COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY OFFICES.
>> STEVE RADACK: JOSH, THIS IS RADACK.
>> STEVE RADACK: ARE YOU -- THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT THIS HAND WASHING STUFF EARLIER.
ARE YOU GOING TO BE INVOLVED IN PAYING FOR THAT IN ANY TYPE OF LOCATION?
>> COMMISSIONER, I AM COMMITTED TO -- I'VE GOT SOME FUNDS SET ASIDE THROUGH CEBG TO PAY FOR THE ONES FOR THE HOMELESS THEY HAVE ASKED ME TO DO.
AS FAR AS THE PARKS, I DON'T HAVE FUNDING FOR THAT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF THERE ARE AREAS THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THEIR CONCENTRATIONS EVEN IF YOU HAVE A LOT OF APARTMENT COMPLEXES ON THE TRAIL AND THE CBD -- CDBG MONEY IS APPROPRIATE WOULD YOU LOOK AT THOSE?
>> I WOULD, BUT THE EARMARK FOR THESE TYPES OF FUNDS ARE FOR HOMELESS AREAS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
JOSH, I WANTED TO JUST REAL QUICKLY ASK ABOUT -- ON THIS TRANSMITAL ON ITEM THERE ARE FOUR REIMBURSEMENT CHECKS ISSUED AND NIB FILES COMPLETED -- 9 FILES COMPLETED FOR APPROVAL BETWEEN FEBRUARY AND MARCH 20TH, FEBRUARY 20TH THROUGH MARCH 20TH.
HOW ARE THINGS LOOKING? ARE WE GETTING ANY SENSE OF TRACTION ON ACCELERATING THE RECOVERY PROCESS?
>> YES, SIR, WE ARE GREETING -- GETTING A LOT OF TRACTION.
OBVIOUSLY THE GROWING PAINS OF WORKING FROM HOME AND ALL OF THE I.T.
NEEDS UNIVERSAL SERVICES HAS BEEN HELPING WITH AND IT HAS BEEN A HUGE CHALLENGE THAT SLOWED US DOWN JUST A BIT, BUT WE ARE WORKING THROUGH THOSE VERY WELL.
IN FACT, I WAS PROUD TO SEE OUR FIRST HAP, HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, MADE IT UP TO THE GLO YESTERDAY.
WE ARE WORKING -- WE ARE STILL WORKING TO MAKE THIS PROGRAM VERY VIABLE AND VERY EXCELLENT AND STILL NEGOTIATING WITH THE GLO ON PROPORTIONS THEY ARE ASSISTING WITH, ARE BUT WE ARE MARCHING ODD HEAD.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
MOVING ON TO VETERANS SERVICES.
SOCIAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING.
FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING.
THE COST SHOULD BE 300,000 AND NOT 20,000.
I BELIEVE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL OF THIS.
ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO MENTION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I ASKED FOR THE BREAK DOWN EARLIER.
IT IS SO LATE IN THE DAY I CAN'T REMEMBER.
I WAS GOING TO DO IT UNDER YOUR ITEM.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I REMEMBER YOU SAYING THAT AND I WROTE IT DOWN AS WELL.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GETTING A LITTLE SENILE NOW.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS ABOUT TO SAY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT Y'ALL WOULD GIVE ME A BREAK AT 66.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK MY ITEMS HAVE BEEN PASSED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 3? PRE -- PRECINCT 4? I THINK THEY GOT UP FOR A MINUTE.
>> LET'S MOVE TO APPROPRIATE ALL OTHER ITEMS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS.
[Item II (Part 2 of 2)]
[07:20:04]
SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 IS ABOUT.JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, SORRY ABOUT THAT.
I HAD TO BREATHE AROUND THE CORNER FOR A SECOND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME RUN THROUGH EACH OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. 1 IS FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TRANSFERRED.
NUMBER TWO IS CONSTRUCTION MANAGER FOR THE DETENTION CENTER UPGRADES.
NUMBER 3 AND FOUR WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.
DOES ANYONE HAVE COMMENTS ON NUMBER FIVE? NUMBER 6, 7 WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.
KNOCK -- NOTHING ON NUMBER 8 AND THEN 9 THROUGH 12 WE ALREADY DISCUSSED.
AND NUMBER 13 AND 14 WE DISCUSSED AS WELL.
AND SO IN THAT CASE ALL THAT IS LEFT IS THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE AGENDA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW DO WE DO THIS? WE GO OFF AND THEN DIAL IN AGAIN?
CAN I GO AHEAD AND CONFERENCE HER IN?
YOU MAY REMEMBER ME FROM MY LAST APPEARANCE AND I WANTED TO WISH COMMISSION -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS A HAPPY BIRTHDAY.
THANK YOU FOR SERVING THE COMMUNITY EVEN ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.
THERE HAS BEEN A LOT SINCE THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO YOU GUYS AND I SENT YOU A LETTER AND I HOPE COMMISSIONER CAGLE WILL READ THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
IT EXPLAINS IN DETAIL THE IMPACT ON NOT ONLY [INAUDIBLE] AND WHAT THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS ARE.
I HAVE LEARNED UH -- A LOT ABOUT FLOODING AND A LOT ABOUT PROBLEMS AND A LOT ABOUT WHAT HAS GONE ON HERE.
THE PURCHASE OF THAT 268 ACRES ACCORDING TO EVERYBODY INVOLVED IN THIS SAYS THAT WOULD STOP NOT ONLY MY NEIGHBORHOOD FROM FLOODING, BUT IT IS ALSO GOING TO STOP LAKE HOUSTON AT LARGE FROM FLOODING.
THERE IS A DOWNSTREAM IMPACT FROM HAVING THIS UP STREAM RETENTION.
THE ESTIMATE IS IT WILL PUT THOUSANDS OF HOMES OUT OF THE 500-YEAR FLOOD ZONE.
AND THAT IS ACCORDING TO A PERRY HOME STUDY AND NOT FROM OUR SIDE OF THE FENCE.
I HOPE YOU WILL SUPPORT US, AND I HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND MR. GARCIA, YOU HAVE BEEN EXCEPTIONAL THROUGHOUT THIS.
AND I REALLY HOPE YOU WILL CONSIDER GOING THE ONE EXTRA MILE IN VOTING TO GET MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND ALSO ALL OF LAKE HOUSTON LIFTED BY PUTTING THIS UP STREAM RE -- RETENTION IN BECAUSE IT IS A REALLY BIG PIECE OF LAND AND IT WILL PROBABLY HELP US A WHOLE LOT.
SO THAT'S KIND OF ALL I WANTED TO SAY.
I JUST WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HELPFUL TO US AND I JUST HOPE YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT ON OUR BEHALF.
>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE?
JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU FOR BEING HIGH PAINT AND THANKING -- FOR BEING PATIENT AND HANGING IN THERE FOR THE COMMUNITY.
I KNOW YOU HAVE BEEN VERY INVOLVED.
WE RECEIVED A FEW E-MAILS ON THIS ITEM.
WE RECEIVED 21 THAT WERE IN FAVOR OF US WITH SOME EXPLANATION AS TO WHY WE SHOULD.
WE DID RECEIVE FOUR THAT SAID THAT THEY WERE OPPOSED TO THE PLAN.
THIS IS A PROJECT THAT I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE REALLY KNEW.
I HAVE SOME TALKING POINTS THAT IT WAS MY INTENT TO SEND TO MY FELLOW COURT MEMBERS.
I THINK WE FORWARDED THIS INADVERTENTLY JUST TO FLOOD CONTROL, AND I THINK WE MEANT TO SEND IT TO THE OTHER COURT MEMBERS SO YOU WOULD HAVE THE BACKGROUND ON THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT.
THIS IS A PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THAT FUNNELS TOWARD OUR TAYLOR GULLY WHICH REALLY NEVER FLOODED UNTIL 2019 WHEN IT WAS HIT TWICE.
WE BELIEVE THAT FROM SOME OF THE STATS AND OTHER ISSUES THAT WE CAN ACTUALLY IMPACT
[07:25:01]
1,306 HOMES, AND WE COULD ACTUALLY TAKE 850 OF THESE 1306 HOMES OUT OF THE 500-YEAR FLOOD PLAIN.AND SO, JUDGE, I ALSO WHEN WE GO TO ANOTHER SESSION WE DO HAVE A COUPLE OF FOLKS WHO DIDN'T SIGN UP AS CALLERS, BUT BOTH REPRESENTATIVE HUBERTY AND REPRESENTATIVE DAVE MARTIN HAVE EXPRESSED AN INTEREST IN PARTICIPATING.
WE DID ASK ROBERT SWORD HOW THAT WOULD BE IN TERMS OF THE DISCUSSION ON THE PURCHASE AND THEN THE SUBSEQUENT POTENTIAL DETENTION THAT WOULD COME ON THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY.
THERE ARE MORE ITEM THAT'S WE COULD -- ITEM THAT'S WE COULD DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
ONE OF THE THINGS I WANTED TO SAY IS THAT BASED UPON SOME OF THE INFORMATION THAT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO US, THESE ARE FUNDS THAT ARE IN THIS WATER SHED ON OUR BOND.
AND THE IMPACT ON THE HOMES IN ELT -- ELK GROVE AND COULD BE IMPACTED BY THIS.
WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT TAX REVENUE TO THE TAXPAYERS, THE COST OF USING OUR BOND FUNDS IN TERMS OF THE CONTRIBUTION IS POTENTIALLY LESS THAN WHAT THE COST WOULD BE FOR THE COUNTY FOR THE DEVALUATION OF THE HOMES THAT ARE THERE.
WE WOULD BE HELPING HOMES, BUT ALSO HELPING OUR STATE STAY IN A FINANCIAL POSITION.
AS FAR AS DISCUSSION AND NEGOTIATION WE WOULD NEED TO DO THAT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT I WANTED TO LAYOUT A LITTLE BIT WHERE THE PUBLIC POLICY ISSUES WOULD BE HERE.
>> CAN I INITTER JECT ONE -- INTERJECT ONE MORE THING.
I SIGNED THAT LETTER ON BEHALF OF MY HOMEOWNER'S SEWS JAGS.
I AM REPRESENTING 1500 PEOPLE.
I DIDN'T WANT TO RELEASE THEM AND HAVE THEM RUN ALL OVER HARRIS COUNTY LIKE THE FIRST TIME THEY DECIDED TO GO DOWN THERE.
I KEPT IT LOW KEY IN RESPECT TO THE FACT THAT 2003 HAVE A PANDEMIC GOING ON, BUT PLEASE ACCEPT MY LETTER ON BEHALF OF REPRESENTING 1500 HOMES AND NOT JUST ME.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.
AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE RIGHT TIME TO ASK OR NOT, BUT DO YOU KNOW WHETHER THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS GOING TO PUT INTO THIS TRANSACTION?
JACK CAGLE: THAT IS WHAT WE NEED TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST CURIOUS COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IS THIS IN THE CITY'S E T.J.? DO WE SIGN OFF ON THE DEVELOPMENT?
JACK CAGLE: I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT QUESTION.
WHAT I DO KNOW IS THAT THE PURCHASE IS ONE STEP IN THE OVERALL PROCESS, BUT AFTER IT IS PURCHASED IT NEEDS TO BE BUILT AND THE COST OF THE BUILDING WOULD BE ANYWHERE FROM AN ADDITIONAL 20 TO 30 ADDITIONAL MILLION DOLLARS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WILL TAKE 30 MILLION TO DO IT! -- TO DO IT.
I KNOW WE TALKED ABOUT EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT IT IS IN THE CITY'S E-T-J AND THE CITY SIGNED OFF ON IT.
MAYBE OUR STATE PARTNERS AS YOU MENTIONED, IT IS A REFERRED PROJECT FOR THE STATE.
I KNOW WE ARE GOING TO RUN OUT OF MONEY.
ALL OF THE PROJECTS AT $2.5 BILLION IS NOT GONNA HANDLE ALL OF THE PROJECTS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE FLOOD CONTROL COMES BACK AS WELL.
IF THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH THE COST OF ISSUING BONDS AGAIN, HOPEFULLY THINGS WILL SETTLE OUT IN THE STOCK MARKET, BUT THERE IS A TREMENDOUS LIKELIHOOD WE WON'T DO ALL OF THE PROJECTS.
WE TALK ABOUT LIKE HOW IT FITS INTO THE EQUITY GUIDELINES AND THE PRIORITIZATION.
I KNOW YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT BEING FISCALLY CONSERVATIVE.
I'M SURE WE CAN ALWAYS COUNT ON YOU TO BRING UP THOSE ISSUES WHEN IT IS TIME TO SPEND MONEY.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE SOMEBODY FROM THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT ON THE LINE THAT MIGHT BE ABLE TO SPEAK TO THE COMMITMENTS WE HAVE AND HOW THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS WORK OR WHETHER -- THIS WOULD BE A PARTNERSHIP PROJECT, CORRECT? HOW DOES THAT WORK? WHAT KIND OF PARTNERSHIPS DO WE NEED IN ORDER TO FIT IT WITHIN OUR FLOOD CONTROL GUIDELINES?
>> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, THIS IS THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.
WE -- WE DO HAVE MONEY IN THE BOND PROGRAM TO HELP DO ACQUISITIONS OF LANDS IN
[07:30:06]
FLOOD PLAINS AND FLOOD WAYS FOR PRESS PURPOSES.>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW MUCH DO WE HAVE IN THERE? I AM JUST CURIOUS.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I REALLY WANT TO GET MY QUESTION ANSWERED.
>> WE HAD A $50 MILLION LINE ITEM FOR ACQUISITIONS COUNTY WIDE FOR PROPERTIES IN THE FLOOD PLAIN.
IT IS TO PRESERVE THE FLOOD PLAIN OR DO PROJECTS ON.
WE HAVE ABOUT $18 MILLION LEFT IN THAT ACT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY QUESTIONS? I SEE WHO YOU LIKE BETTER.
WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH THE PARTNERSHIPS? MY UNDERSTANDING I AM TRYING TO GET IS FOR -- THE FUNDS ARE FOR PARTNERSHIPS, CORRECT?
>> THE 50 MILLION WE HAVE FOR ACQUISITIONS ARE NOT LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIPS, BUT WE WILL TAKE THEM IF WE CAN FIND THEM.
THERE IS ANOTHER BOND ID WORTH MENTIONING AND THAT'S IDC50, AND IT IS A THIRD QUARTILE PROJECT AND WOOS HAVE 75 MILLION IN THE PROJECT AND OF WHICH 18 MILLION WE WOULD PUT UP AS LOCAL MONEY LOOKING FOR AROUND 56 MILLION IN PARTNERSHIP FUNDS AND THAT BOND IDEA IS LOOKING TO IMPLEMENT PROJECTS PRIMARILY IN THE WATER SHED THAT WILL HELP REDUCE THE FLOODING IMPACT COMING DOWN THE WEST FORK AND EAST FORK AND LAKE HOUSTON.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WILL JUST SAY THE CONVERSATIONS I HAVE HAD WITH MARTIN IS THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED.
CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG, BUT THE FUNDS ARE ALLOCATED FOR THE PROJECTS ON THE BOND LIST.
UNLESS WE CAN GET IT TO DISPLAY SOMETHING ELSE, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IT FALLS UNDER THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT AND IN ANY CASE IT IS NOT THE KIND OF THING WE WOULD DO ALONE.
I WOULD HAVE THE SAME QUESTION COMMISSIONER HAS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS WHO IS THE PARTNER GOING TO BE TO GET IT IN THE BROADER FRAMEWORK.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THAT WOULD MEAN THE -- THE PARTNERSHIP PROJECT WOULD COME OUT OF THE IDC? IS THAT WHAT YOU SAID, IDC?
>> NO IT WAS THE SAN YACINTO BOND IDC50.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS ABOUT YOUR QUESTION ON PRIOR TAU SWRAITION THAT IS A -- PRIORITIZATION THAT IS GOING TO BE AVAILABLE AROUND THE NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER TIME FRAME OF THIS YEAR.
IF YOU GO BY THE PRIORITIZATION SCHEME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE KNOW THE UH PRAISED VALUE OF THE LAND?
>> WE DON'T HAVE THE UH PRAISED VALUE.
IT IS THE VALUE GIVEN BY THE PERRY HOMES REPRESENT -- REPRESENTATIVE AND IT IS ABOUT 14 MILLION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM PERRY HOMES.
I KNOW -- THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY WHEN YOU LOOK ONLINE IT IS DIFFICULT TO FIGURE OUT AN UH PRAISED VALUE.
DO YOU KNOW AND IF YOU DON'T KNOW MAYBE MR. BLUNT KNOWS, DID THE CITY APPROVE THIS PROJECT.
SO THEY WOULD HAVE AT LEAST APPROVED THE FLATS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THEY PUTTING ANY MONEY ON THIS? I DIDN'T HEAR AN ANSWER ON THAT.
>> I BELIEVE THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER C -- CAGLE WANTS TO DISCUSS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COULD WE GET STATE MONEY FOR IT COOPERATE THE STATE DO -- COULDN'T THE STATE DO IT? I KNOW THERE ARE CHALLENGES GETTING MONEY FROM THE STATE.
>> THE PROBLEM WITH THAT IS I AM NOT SURE WHAT PROGRAM WE WOULD GO TO.
SOME ARE GOING THROUGH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AND THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD IS STANDING UP WITH THE STATEWIDE FUNDING.
I WOULD NEED MORE SPECIFICS TO BETTER ANSWER THAT QUESTION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM HOPING WHEN WE GO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION I I WILL FIND OUT THE CITY IS PUTTING SOMETHING UP.
IF NOT, THEN I AM WONDERING REPRESENTATIVE HUBERTY WOULD WE HAVE POLITICAL CLOUT TO GET MONEY FROM THE STATE FOR THIS BECAUSE ON THE BROADER QUESTION I MENTIONED HOW ARE WE LOOKING ON DOING ALL OF THE PROJECTS WE ARE DOING KNOWING BECAUSE THE COST MAY BE MORE EXPENSIVE.
I ASSUME IT WILL BE MORE AND WE ARE NOT GETTING AS MUCH MONEY -- IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE WE ARE GOING TO GET AS MUCH AS WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET FROM OUR STATE
[07:35:02]
PARTNERS AND FEDERAL PARTNERS.IS THAT A FAIR COMMENT? DO WE HAVE ANY CONCERNS ABOUT US COMPLETING THE 2.5 BILLION.
>> YES, DO I HAVE CONCERNS AND HOPEFULLY AS WE GET BETTER CLARITY ON THE GLO'S ACTION PLAN THAT HUG JUST APPROVED FOR CBDG MITIGATION FUNDS WE WILL GET A BETTER INDICATION SO HOPEFULLY WE WILL GET MORE CLARITY ON THAT.
YES, WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR UPWARDS OF A BILLION DOLLARS IN PARTNERSHIP FUNDS TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT WE ORIGINALLY PROPOSED TO THE VOTERS AND THAT'S THE BOND PROGRAM TWO YEARS AGO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT AS ALL OF THEM.
ONE REASON WE DP -- DID THE EQUITY GUIDELINES IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN IS WE DON'T HAVE SOME NEIGHBORHOODS THAT DON'T JUST FLOOD WHEN THERE IS A MAJOR EVENT.
THEY FLOOD WHEN THERE IS A SHOWER.
AND THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT BY THE WAY SIDE FOR SO LONG.
THERE ARE CHALLENGES WITH THEM GETTING THINGS LIKE THE MATCH YOU MADE REFERENCE TO OR THEY NEVER QUALIFY UNDER COST BENEFIT RATIO FORMULAS WITH FEMA.
>> I WILL INTERJECT THAT THE M GROVE IS NOT ONE OF THE WEALTHIER NEIGHBORHOODS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM NOT GOING TO ARGUE WITH THAT.
>> SOME OF THOSE EQUITY GUIDELINES WE WERE REFERRING TO EARLIER.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW DID THIS RANK UNDER THE EQUITY GUIDELINES FOR US?
>> THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT WAS NOT IDENTIFIED IN THE BOND PROGRAM WHEN WE FIRST PUT IT TOGETHER.
THIS IS SOMETHING THAT HAS EVOLVED AND COME UP AS AN OPPORTUNITY AS WE HAVE GONE ALONG AND IMPLEMENTED THE BOND PROGRAM.
I DON'T HAVE A GOOD ANSWER FOR YOU AS TO HOW IT WILL FALL INTO THE OVERALL PRIORITIZATION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE REFERENCE TO I THINK IT WAS -- NOT THE IDC50, BUT THE $50 MILLION FOR BUYOUTS.
>> YOU SAID 18 MILLION IS LEFT.
WHAT HAVE WE BOUGHT AND WHAT HAS BEEN THE LARGEST -- WHERE HAS THAT MONEY GONE TO? WITH 18 MILLION LEFT HAVE THEY BEEN LARGE OR SMALL BUYOUTS ?
>> YES, IT VARIES, COMMISSIONER AND I ASKED MY STAFF TO PUT TOGETHER A TALLY OF ALL OF THE PROPERTY WE ACQUIRED SO WE WILL HAVE THAT SHORTLY.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE THAT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> PROBABLY NOT BY EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT THE END OF THE WEEK.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT?
I DID HEAR YOU RIGHT THAT THIS WAS NOT AN ORIGINAL PART OF THE BOND PROGRAM?
>> THAT IS CORRECT, AND IT IS NOT THE ONLY ONE, COMMISSIONER, THAT HAS COME UP LIKE THAT.
A LOT OF THE IDEAS IN THE BOND PROGRAM WERE THAT.
THEY ARE HIGH LEVEL CONCEPTS AND WE ENGAGED THE COMMUNITY AND HAD OUR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND GOT FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY AND WE HAD A COUPLE OF I WILL CALL THEM SUB PROJECTS AND AS LONG AS THEY FIT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE BOND PROGRAM AND WE CAN IDENTIFY THEM GOING BACK TO THE BOND ID.
I WOULD SAY THIS PARTICULAR OPPORTUNITY FALLS IN THAT LATTER CATEGORY.
WE KNOW WE HAVE TO DO SOME WORK TO REDUCE FLOODING ON THE EAST FORK AND THE WEST FORK AND LAKE HOUSTON AND KING WOOD AREA.
WE STARTED GETTING FURTHER INTO THESE ENGINEERING STUDIES AND GETTING THE COMMUNITY FEEDBACK AND SO NOW AS IT IS WE ARE STARTING TO GET THE FEEDBACK AND THIS IS ONE OF THE ONES THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED AS AN OPPORTUNITY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DISCUSSING TODAY.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: BUT IT WAS NOT IN THE ORIGINAL PROJECTS OUT THERE ON THE CAMPAIGN AND COMMITTED TO THAT WAS ORIGINALLY PASSED.
>> IT IS A BRIEF DESCRIPTION SO I WILL READ IT.
THE PARTICULAR ITEM I TALKED ABOUT C50, THE DESCRIPTION WAS FUNDING FOR FUTURE PARTNERSHIP PROJECTS BASED UPON RESULTS OF OUR STUDY FOR RIGHTS OF WAY, ACQUISITIONS, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION OF GENERAL DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS AND SAN YACINTO WATER SHED.
THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT FALLS IN THAT DESCRIPTION.
THAT'S WHY I PROPOSE IT BE FUNDED IF THAT'S THE DIRECTION WE ARE GIVEN.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND SO -- I GUESS PART OF THE DELIBERATION IS THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY OPENING UP THE PROGRAM TO MODIFY.
JACK CAGLE: I DISAGREE WITH THAT CHARACTERIZATION.
WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED.
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THIS IS A PROGRAM NOT IN THE PACKAGE SO WE ARE EACHING -- OPENING IT UP TO INCLUDE IT.
>> AGAIN, THE PROJECT ID WAS VERY BROAD.
[07:40:04]
IT JUST SATISFIED -- IT SAID $75 MILLION OF WHICH 18 MILLION PLUS OR MINUS WOULD BE LOCAL FUNDS.WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR THE REMAINDER PARTNERSHIP FUNDS TO IMPLEMENT THE GENERAL FLOOD RISK PROJECT IN THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED.
I MAKE AN ARGUMENT THAT, A, IT IS IN THE SAN JACINTO WATER SHED AND IT FALLS UNDER THE CATEGORY OF BENEFITS AND CATEGORIES FOR FLOOD RISK REDUCTION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SHOULD WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? YES, CHICKS YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK.
>> STEVE RADACK: JAMES, WAS THERE A MOTION UNDER PRECINCT 3 ON THE AGENDA?
YOU WERE NOT AT YOUR DESK OR NOT IN YOUR CHAIR.
>> STEVE RADACK: I WAS OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROOM.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO HOLD THE AGENDA, COMMISSIONER.
>> STEVE RADACK: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO DO IT AGAIN? MY ASSUMPTION IS WE ARE MOVING EVERYTHING.
WHAT I HAVE ON MY RECORDS IS ELLIS AND GARCIA FOR THE WHOLE AGENDA.
COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS NOT PRESENT FOR THE VOTE.
I WAS OVER THERE AND YOU COULDN'T HEAR ME.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE COVERED HIS ITEM THOUGH? HIS ITEM WAS COVERED.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SOUNDS LIKE YOU WANT A MOTION, YEAH?
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK WILL YOU MOVE YOUR ITEMS?
>> MA'AM, CAN WE -- CAN WE DO THE WHOLE AGENDA? THAT WAY IT IS ALL INCLUSIVE.
WE WILL VOTE ON THE FULL AGENDA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?
>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.
>> THAT WAS FOR THE WHOLE AGENDA.
[Item IV]
>> EXCLUDING EXECUTIVE SESSION.
JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, AS WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION WE DO HAVE TO HAVE -- I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED TO DO IT BEFORE WE GO BACK OR WHEN WE GO BACK, BUT THERE NEEDS TO BE SUPPORT TO HEAR FROM REPRESENTATIVE HUBERDY AND/OR CITY COUNCILMEMBER MARTIN.
AND TO CLARIFY ANYBODY WHO WILL HELP THE COMMISSIONERS DELIBERATE AND DISCUSS MAY BE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT IF THE COURT MEMBERS WISH TO INVITE THE GUESTS THEY MAY DO SO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN DO SO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION?
AND THE OTHER THING WE NEED TO CLARIFY, JUDGE, THIS IS EXECUTIVE SESSION AND IT IS TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASER VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY BECAUSE OF THE DELIBERATION OF AN OPEN MEETING MAY HAVE A DEBT PRO MENTAL AFFECT ON THE -- DETRIMENTAL AFFECT ON THE COUNTY.
THAT'S WHY WE ARE ALLOWED TO HAVE IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS TO DELIBERATE THE PURCHASE OR VALUE OF REAL PROPERTY.
DOES EVERYBODY KNOW HOW TO CALL IN? I THINK WE EACH HAVE THE PHONE NUMBER?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: COULD I ASK FOR A 5-MINUTE BREAK BEFORE WE GO INTO SESSION?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE TIME TO TALK BEFORE WE INVITE OUR COLLEAGUES IN.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S WHAT I WAS TRYING TO SAY.
FOR US TO TALK AND THEN WE CAN DECIDE WHO WE WANT TO INVITE IN AND WHEN TO DO SO.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE HAVE TO VOTE ON THE MOTION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION?
>> WE JUST NEED TO ANNOUNCE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN WE COME BACK AND WE DIAL THIS OTHER NUMBER AND WE ARE ON THIS COMPUTER AGAIN OR JUST ON THE PHONE.
JUST MUTE YOUR MIC NOW AND YOUR VIDEO.
>> LINA HIDALGO: AND WE WILL BE ON -- >> TO THE COMMISSIONER'S POINT HE IS SAYING WHEN WE COME OUT OF EXECUTIVE SESSION IT WILL BE BACK ON THE VIDEO, CORRECT, LUCINDA.
>> SO WE ARE ON THE PHONE FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION AND COME BACK TO THE COMPUTER FOR THE REGULAR MEETING.
SO IT IS 6:43 AND WE ARE BREAKING FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DELIBERATE A PRCH -- A PURCHASER OR VALUE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: BOTH WOULD BE GREAT.
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 7:33 AND WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.
IS COMMISSIONER CAGLE BACK AS WELL?
>> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE GOT LOST.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: HE COULD BE MAKING THE TWO CALLS.
[07:45:07]
>> LINA HIDALGO: GIVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER?
>> THE RESULT OF THE EXECUTIVE SESSION IS THAT WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A REQUEST, A FORMAL REQUEST OF AN EXTENSION FROM PERRY HOMES TO CONTINUE TO NEGOTIATE AND TO GET A FINAL BEST PRICE OF THE PROPERTY.
WHILE WE ARE NEGOTIATING WITH PERRY HOMES, WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A REQUEST FOR TWO AGREEMENTS.
ONE WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE OTHER WITH MONTGOMERY COUNTY THAT THEY WOULD ADOPT ATLAS 14 CRITERIA IN THE E T.J.
WHERE IT IMPACTS HARRIS COUNTY SO WE WILL NOT BE IN A SITUATION WHERE DEVELOPMENT OCCURS STRAINED FROM HARRIS COUNTY AND IMPACTED HARRIS COUNTY.
AND NUMBER THREE WE ARE GOING TO GO FORWARD WITH THE REQUEST THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON BE OUR PARTNER, BUT INSTEAD OF REQUIRING A CASH COMMITMENT FROM THE CITY THERE ARE CERTAIN ASSETS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL IS NEEDING AND THAT ENGINEERING IS NEEDING TO GO FORWARD AND INSTEAD OF REQUIRING THEM TO COME UP WITH CASH BECAUSE AS WE UNDERSTAND IT CASH IS A PROBLEM FOR THE CITY OF HOUSTON RIGHT NOW IN A PARTNERSHIP PROCESS, THEN WE REQUEST THEY PROVIDE ASSETS WHICH THEY ARE NOT CURRENTLY USING THAT WE MIGHT IN THE FUTURE OR CURRENTLY TO PURCHASE FROM THEM.
INSTEAD OF US TO DO THEM CONTRIBUTE CASH, THEM CONTRIBUTE ASSETS WHICH WOULD BENEFIT THE PUBLIC AND WOULD ALSO BENEFIT OUR JOINT CONSTITUENTS WE SERVE.
I THINK THAT IS A FAIR SUMMARY OF OUR DISCUSSION.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSION I -- COMMISSIONER, I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT RUSS OR MR. BLUNT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE WALKED ADOPTING ATLAS 14 WOULD MATTER SO WE END UP IN THIS POSITION AGAIN.
JACK CAGLE: I'LL DEFER TO FLOOD CONTROL ON THAT OR ENGINEERING.
>> WE COLLECTIVELY UPDATED OUR CRITERIA ABOUT A YEAR AGO NOW TO BOTH THE COUNTY AND THE HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO BE KAW MENS RATE WITH THE NEW ATLAS 14 RAINFALL RATES.
IF YOU LOOK AT THE INCREASES IT IS ON AVERAGE FOR A 30% INCREASE FOR THE 100-YEAR EVENT.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO ADOPT CRITERIA THAT ALL THE WORK WE ARE DOING IS NOT UNDONE BY FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS NOT PUTTING IN PROPER DETENTION.
IT IS ACKNOWLEDGING THE INCREASED RAINFALL RATES THAT HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED AND INCREASING THE MINIMUM DETENTION REQUIREMENTS AS WELL AS CLOSING LOOPHOLES THAT WOULD ALLOW POTENTIAL GOVERNMENT TO GO IN WITHOUT DETENTION SUCH THAT WE ARE MAXIMIZING THE PROTECTION OF OUR RESIDENTS AS FUTURE DEVELOPMENT STILL OCCURS.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO ALTHOUGH NOT THIS MAYOR AND THIS TERM LIMIT, NONE OF THEM WERE THERE WHEN GIVEN PERMISSION TO DEVELOP THIS COMMUNITY IN THE CITY'S E.T.J JOIN.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY OR HOUSTON SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE E.T.J.CAN PRODUCE THE SAME PROBLEM.
JUDGE, YOU ARE YOUNG ENOUGH AND CAG LE -- CAGLE AND GARCIA, ARE YOU YOUNG ENOUGH AND MAY BE HERE, BUT WE WANT TO STOP THE CYCLE.
NO FAULT OF THIS MAYOR OR THIS COUNCIL, BUT THERE AROSE A GOVERNMENTAL ENTITY'S PLAYING IN CREATING THIS PROBLEM THAT WE ARE BEING ASKED TO SOLVE.
AND FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, THE CITY HAS A DRAINAGE ISSUE.
I DON'T WANT THE CITY TO KEEP POINTING TO A BOND PACKAGE THAT WON'T BE SUFFICIENT.
AND BY THE WAY IT WAS MENTIONED EARLIER THAT THIS NEIGHBORHOOD DID NOT FLOOD FROM HARVEY.
IT FLOODED MANY TIMES AND IT IS AWFUL, BUT WE WILL HAVE CHALLENGED -- WE WILL HAVE CHALLENGES FULFILLING WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY MADE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER RADACK.
ADD -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND I WANT TO ADD AN ADDENDUM TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S THINGS TO NEGOTIATE WITH.
AND THAT IS ASSETS -- I DON'T WANT TO SAY ASSETS IN LIEU OF CASH.
[07:50:07]
IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT THEY CAN PUT CASH IN ADDITION TO, BUT UP TO A REASONABLE FINGER THAT MEETS OUR NEEDS AND I WOULD MAKE SURE THAT IS ON THE TABLE, CASH AND/OR ASSETS.RENNE RENNE R >> LINA HIDALGO: RADACK?
>> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE, I THINK WHAT WE ARE FACED WITH HERE IS THAT STEVE CASTELLO KNOWS FULL GOOD AND WELL WHAT FLOODS ARE IN THE CITY.
KNOWS FULL GOOD AND WELL THAT THE COUNTY, HARRIS COUNTY NEEDS, AS FAR AS COOPERATION FROM THE CITY AND THEM BEING RESPONSIBLE.
I THINK IT HAS REACHED THE POINT OF BEING GOOD NEIGHBORS LIKE US GOING TO TRY TO BUILD A DAM M AND BUILD THE BACK -- DAM AND BUILD THE BACK WHACK -- BACK WATER UP IN THEIR COUNTY.
THEY NEED TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DOING TO HARRIS COUNTY.
IT HAS REACHED THE POINT THAT WE NEED TO WORK TOGETHER.
WE NEED THE CITY TO COME UP TO THE BAR AND BE READY TO ASSIST AND SPEND MONEY AND ASSIST US AND MONTGOMERY COUNTY NEEDS TO CHANGE THE WAY THEY DO THINGS AND STOP FLOODING.
>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, RUSS, ARE YOU GUYS CLEAR ON THE DIRECTIVES?
I THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT EVERYONE WANTS TO BE REAL PARTNERS IN THIS.
SO I APPRECIATE MY COLLEAGUES.
>> DR. ELLIS, ARE YOU GETTING READY TO GO TO SURGERY?
>> JUDGE, AS WE ARE ABOUT TO RELEASE OUR BIRTHDAY BOY AND HE IS GETTING UP TO GO, I WANT TO BEG YOUR INDULGENCE.
A QUOTE FROM WINSTON CHURCHILL FROM SOME OF THE NEWS THAT'S OUT THERE, I WANT TO END ON A POSITIVE NOTE.
NOW, THIS IS NOT THE END, IT IS NOT EVEN THE BEGINNING OF THE END, BUT IT IS PERHAPS THE END OF THE BEGINNING AS WE ARE FACING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND JUDGE I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT WE ARE GOING TO DISMISS IN HONOR OF A FRIEND.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE NOT FOR GONE -- FORGOTTEN.
>> JUDGE, CAN YOU REPEAT THAT? CAN YOU REPEAT THAT LAST MOTION?
>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS NOT A MOTION.
IT WAS INSTRUCTION TO THE FLOOD CONTROL.
>> SHOULD I START SPEAKING NOW?
>> YES, SIR, YOUR TIME START FOR ONE MINUTE.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS CALLED ME TWO WEEKS AGO.
WE DISCUSSED FLOOD CONTROL'S PLANS TO LOCATE A 6 TEEN-FOOT WIDE -- 16-FOOT WIDE STORM DRAIN.
COMMISSIONER ELLIS WOULD YOU APPROVE [INAUDIBLE] AT THE MAIN ENTRANCE TO YOUR HOME IN SUNSET BOULEVARD? I SUBMIT TODAY A LETTER FROM MY ENGINEERS WITH RESPONSE TO THE FLUE HAD CONTROL'S -- FLOOD CONTROL'S MISLEADING INFORMATION GIVEN TO THE COMMISSIONER TWO WEEKS AGO.
THE PROPOSAL COMPLIES WITH CODE FOR INSPHRAW STRUCK -- INFRASTRUCTURE.
FLOOD CONTROL [INAUDIBLE] COSTS AN ADDITIONAL HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS.
TODAY THE COUNTY ASKED THIS COURT TO APPROVE A DESIGN TO TAKE $150,000 FROM ME.
I AM 67 YEARS OLD AND FOR 40 YEARS I LIVED IN THIS HOME.
WOULD ANY MEMBER OF THE COURT APPROVED PLACING A STORM IN THEIR HOMESTEAD?
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING SO PATIENT.
IF THE CITY WANTED TO PUT ONE IN FRONT OF MY HOME, PLEASE DO IF IT STOPS THE FLOODING.
IT FLOODS WHEN THERE IS DRIZZLE.
YOU WROTE A THOUGHTFUL LETTER AND I SPOKE TO MR. POPPY THREE TIMES AND I KNOW THEY ARE GIVING YOU -- NOT AN IN PERSON MEETING, BUT A TELE CONFERENCE OR A TELL LOAN CALL TO SORT IT OUT.
I DON'T KNOW IF THEY CAN DO IT OR NOT, BUT HAVE I RAISED THE ISSUES.
>> LINA HIDALGO: DID YOU HAVE THIS DISCUSSION?
[07:55:02]
>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK SO BECAUSE THERE WAS AN OPTION ON THE ARDAMOR BRIDGE.
>> LINA HIDALGO: I WAS MAKING SURE WITH ROBERT.
>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE WAS A SUBJECT ON THE BRIDGE.
THEY WILL MEET WITH HIM AND I WILL REFER HIM TO THEM AND SEE IF THEY CAN SORT IT OUT.
I DON'T THINK I CAN GET ON ANOTHER ZOOM CALL ON IT, WHICH IS WHY I REACHED OUT.
THEY WILL MEET WITH YOU AND SEE IF IT CAN BE SORTED OUT.
IF THEY CAN AGREE WITH YOU, THEY WILL.
IF THEY CAN'T, THEY WILL LET YOU KNOW.
>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH.
>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEN LET'S END IN HONOR OF MARY.
AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED.
>> GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBODY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.