* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning. IT'S 10:01 A.M. [00:00:02] AND I'D LIKE TO CALL THE APRIL 28 MEETING IS BEING RECORDED. [Call to Order] COMMISSIONERS COURT TO ORDER IN YOUR CABLE. GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. THIS WEEK IT IS THE PRIVILEGE OF COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO INTRODUCE OUR PASTORS. AND SO I'LL LET HIM DO THAT INTRODUCTION. THANK YOU, JUDGE. AND THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. WE'RE BLESSED TO HAVE TWO PASTORS TODAY. AND WITH ALL THIS GOING ON IN THE WORLD, WE NEED A DOUBLE OR TRIPLE BLESSING, WHATEVER WE CAN GET. THE WRIGHTS, A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM THAT CO PASTORS OF THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE CHURCH. THEY LET THE CHURCH OF MORE THAN 24,700 MEMBERS SINCE ITS FOUNDING BACK IN 1991. BOTH SPIRITUALLY AND CIVICALLY ACTIVE, LOCALLY, NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY. PASTOR REMUS WRIGHT SERVES ON THE BOARD OF THE MADISON HIGH SCHOOL COMMUNITY RELATIONS COMMITTEE, THE WESTLAND YMCA. HE ALSO SERVES AS THE SPIRITUAL ADVISOR TO OUR NEIGHBORING FRIENDS OVER AT THE FORT BEND COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, AS WELL AS ADVISOR TO MANY ENTERTAINERS AND PROFESSIONAL ATHLETES. HE WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN ESTABLISHING THREE CHURCHES IN ZIMBABWE WHILE SUPPORTING THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE IN NIGERIA. FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE IN BAHIA, BRAZIL. AND MANY LOCAL CHURCHES PAST. AMIRIGHT IS ALSO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF MINISTRY AT THE FOUNTAIN OF PRAISE, AND SHE LEADS THE VOLUNTEER MINISTRIES OF THE CHURCH. SHE'S ALSO A DIRECTOR OF METAMORPHOSIS INCORPORATED, A WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT ORGANIZATION. SHE PARTICIPATED IN A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM ON THE HISTORY AND RELEVANCE OF THE FIRST CENTURY CHURCH IN TUNISIA, NORTH AFRICA. SHE WAS NAMED AS ONE OF THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON'S CONVERSATIONALISTS HOUSTON'S TOP 30 WOMEN. ONE OF THE MOST INSPIRATIONAL PERSONS IN OUR CITY OF THE YEAR, NOMINATED BY STREAMING FAITH INC., WAS A FEATURED CITIZEN IN 2010 WHO'S WHO AND IN BLACK HOUSTON. THEY'RE BOTH GREAT SPIRITUAL LEADERS AND DEAR FRIENDS. WOULD YOU PLEASE WELCOME THEM TO GIVE US OUR PRAYERS? GOOD MORNING. GOOD MORNING, COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO. WHAT AN HONOR IT IS TO BE ABLE TO PRAY FOR TODAY'S MEETING AND AS WELL FOR OUR CITY AND OUR NATION. SHALL WE PRAY? HEAVENLY FATHER, WE KNOW THAT THE WORD OF GOD SAYS BLESSED IS THE NATION WHOSE GOD IS THE LORD. AND SO TODAY, OUR HEARTS ARE TURNED TO YOU AS OUR GUIDE, OUR HELPER, OUR STRENGTH IN TIMES OF CRISIS, SUCH AS TODAY, WHERE OUR WHOLE WORLD IS FACING A PANDEMIC AND WE ARE STILL UNCERTAIN OF WHAT THINGS SHOULD BE DONE, WE KNOW THAT YOUR WISDOM WILL GUIDE US. WE KNOW THAT YOUR HAND IS MERCIFUL. SO WE PRAY TODAY FOR YOUR HEALING UPON OUR LAND. WE PRAY TODAY FOR PEOPLE WHOSE LIVES HAVE BEEN HOLE TRAJECTORY HAS BEEN UPROOTED BECAUSE OF THIS ILLNESS, WHETHER IT'S BEEN ECONOMIC OR HEALTH WISE OR JUST THE DISTANCING, WHATEVER IT HAS BEEN, WE PRAY THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO TOUCH THEM IN THAT PLACE OF NEED THAT THEY HAVE. YOU ARE A GOD WHO HEALS. YOU ARE A GOD WHO MAKES A WAY. YOU ARE A GOD WHO HELPS US TO OVERCOME OUR SHORTCOMINGS AND OUR FAILURES. AND SO TODAY WE CALL UPON YOU IN THE SAME MANNER THAT THE WISEST MAN LISTED IN THE BIBLE, SOLOMON CALLED UPON YOU. WE DID NOT ASK FOR RICHES. WE DID NOT ASK FOR LAND. HE DID NOT ASK FOR ANYTHING OTHER THAN THE WISDOM OF GOD TO GUIDE HIM AS HE LED THE PEOPLE. AND OH GOD, WE PRAY NOW THAT SPECIFICALLY YOU MIGHT GIVE WISDOM, GRANT, WISDOM TO OUR COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. WE PRAY THAT YOU GIVE THEM CONTINUAL INSIGHT AND GOOD DECISION MAKING SKILLS SO THAT AS THEY WATCH OUT OVER OUR COMMUNITIES, LORD GOD, WE MIGHT NOT ONLY PROSPER BUT BE SAFE. THEN WE PRAY THAT YOU BLESS ALL THOSE THAT WORK WITH THEM, THOSE THAT WORK IN LOCKSTEP WITH THEM, PROBABLY TO SEE TO IT TO ENSURE THAT MANY OF THE POLICIES THAT THEY PASS ARE GIVEN TO THE COMMUNITY. THEY PRAY THAT YOU BLESS THEIR FAMILIES AND THAT YOU BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THEM. AND THEN IN PARTICULAR, LORD GOD, WE PRAY THAT YOU BLESS OUR COUNTY JUDGE, JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. WE PRAY THAT YOU MIGHT CONTINUE TO CROWN HER LORD GOD WITH GRACE AND GRIT AS SHE TAKES THE RESPONSIBILITY. LORD AND THE ROLE OF LEADING THIS PEOPLE, LORD GOD, OUT OF THIS STORM THAT WE'RE FACING RIGHT NOW. AND THEN, FATHER, FINALLY, WE PRAY THAT HE'LL BLESS THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE REST OF OUR NATION. BLESS THOSE LORD GOD WHO ARE ON THE JOB EVERY DAY. STAND TO IT AND ENSURING THAT, LORD GOD, WE HAVE THE PROPER FOOD AND WE HAVE THE PROPER NOURISHMENT AND WE HAVE THE PROPER HEALTH AND CARE. THE FATHER, WE PRAY THAT YOU'LL CONTINUE TO BLESS US AND BRING US THROUGH THIS SO THAT ON THE END OF THIS WE MIGHT SEE A BLESSING AND BE STRONGER THAN EVER BEFORE. WE PRAY THIS IN JESUS NAME A MAN. AMEN. THANK YOU, JUDGE. [00:05:01] AND THANK YOU, PASTOR PASTOR'S WRIGHT AND PASTOR WRIGHT. MIA, I DIDN'T HEAR FROM REMUS ON SATURDAY MORNING. I WAS GOING TO TAKE HIM ON A 35 MILE SOCIALLY DISTANCED BIKE RIDE. BUT THERE'S ALWAYS NEXT SATURDAY. YEAH, I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT, RODNEY. I GOT I GOT A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT IT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU GUYS DO. ALL RIGHT. SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO THE CORONAVIRUS RELATED ITEMS. [Item I (Part 1 of 7)] FIRST, WE HAVE A RESOLUTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I DON'T KNOW IF HE'S ON THE LINE ALREADY. NO, MA'AM, HE'S NOT. OKAY. WE'LL TAKE THAT UP AS SOON AS HE LOGS ON. AS YOU GUYS REQUESTED, THE LAST COURT. WE HAVE A SECTION ON THE AGENDA NOW FOR COVID 19, AND SO WE'RE GOING TO BE TAKING ALL THE ITEMS REGARDING COVID 19 OUT OF ORDER, INCLUDING AND WE'LL ADD IN THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM. SO WE'LL JUST GO DOWN COVID 19 BY DEPARTMENT, STARTING WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT. IF WE GO TO PAGE 26, THAT'S UNDER THE COVID 19 SECTION. ITEM ONE IS DISCUSSION AND UPDATE IN CONNECTION WITH COUNTY FINANCES. BILL. YES. JUST A QUICK UPDATE. SINCE OUR LAST MEETING, WE HAVE RECEIVED TWO CHECKS FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, ONE TO HELP OUT ON NRG. CLOSE TO 60 MILLION OF WHICH WE WILL NOT BE. WE WILL HAVE SOME KIND OF MATCH ON THAT. BUT ANYWAY, WE GOT THE FULL 60. THE OTHER CHECK WE GOT WAS FOR 426 MILLION AS PART OF THE CARE ACT, WHICH WE WILL START LOOKING AT THE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE AND TRANSFERRING THOSE EXPENSES OUT OF THE DEPARTMENTS WHICH FIT THE GUIDELINES FOR THE 26. AND THAT WILL HAPPEN ON THE NEXT COMMISSIONERS COURT. IN THE SHORT RUN, WE ARE STILL IN GOOD FINANCIAL SHAPE. WE ARE VERY MUCH TAKING A LOOK AT THE MID RANGE NEXT FISCAL YEAR AND ON OUT AND WHAT THE IMPACT OF ALL THIS IS ON THE APPRAISALS. SO WE ARE CONSTANTLY WORKING ON THAT PIECE. ANY QUESTIONS? YES, COMMISSIONER ROSE. THANK YOU, JUDGE. BILL SO HOW MUCH IS IT TO PICK NOW? WE SENT THAT OUT TO YOU YESTERDAY. THERE IS, AS FAR AS THE CASH BALANCE, ABOUT 260 MILLION. WE DO HAVE ENCUMBRANCES ON THAT. AND SO WE'RE STILL IN VERY GOOD SHAPE. NOW, WHAT WE'LL NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO. WE'LL HAVE TO BRING IT TO COURT IS REIMBURSE THE PIC FOR ANY OF THE 426 THAT'S OUT THERE. THAT GIVES YOU MORE LATITUDE TO USE THE PIC FOR ANY LEGAL PURPOSE. WHEREAS THE 426 I WOULD RECOMMEND THAT WE DO IT THAT WAY BECAUSE THE 426 HAS LIMITATIONS TO IT TO ONLY BE SPENT ON VIRUS RELATED EXPENSES. AND IF I MIGHT JUST GIVE US SOME SENSE OF, YOU KNOW, WHAT I KNOW. SO WE'RE GOING TO GET SOME OTHER FOLKS TO HELP US ON IT. BUT WHAT KIND OF STRINGS ON THE 426 AND WHAT'S THE DEADLINE? SO THE THE THE THIS IS ALL SPELLED OUT AT THE US TREASURY ON THEIR WEBSITE UNDER LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. BUT AS FAR AS THE DATE, IT'S FROM MARCH 1ST, WHICH JUST HAPPENS TO BE OUR FISCAL YEAR TO DECEMBER 31ST OF 2020. AND SO THAT'S WHEN IT CAN BE SPENT. IT'S FAIRLY BROAD RANGING, AS LONG AS IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COVID VIRUS. AND SO IT CAN GO TO HOSPITALS, HEALTH CARE. THE WAY I READ IT AGAIN, WE'D HAVE TO GET THE INTERPRETATION OF THE ATTORNEYS, BUT THINGS LIKE HELPING SMALL BUSINESSES OUT, FOOD AND A VARIETY OF ITEMS. WHAT IT DOES NOT COVER, AND IT'S VERY SPELLED OUT IN THERE, IT IS NOT TO BE USED TO SUPPLANT LOST REVENUE. AND THIS YEAR WE DON'T ANTICIPATE A GREAT AMOUNT OF LOST REVENUES BECAUSE WE'RE ABOUT 80% PROPERTY TAX AND 20%, BUT IT CANNOT BE USED FOR THAT. THAT'S WHAT PUTS US IN A DIFFERENT SITUATION THAN A LOT OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. AND SO ANYWAY, SO THAT'S THAT'S JUST THE BROAD RANGE. AND I WILL MAKE SURE THAT YOU GET A COPY OF THOSE GUIDELINES TODAY. OBVIOUSLY, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS CHALLENGE OF DEALING WITH THE PANDEMIC WILL END. BUT THE 426 WAS BASED ON A. JUST A GUESSTIMATE. ALL FORMULA. YOU HAVE ANY IDEA AT THE RATE WE'RE BURNING? WHAT? JUST. I'M TRYING TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT THE 426 MEANS IN TERMS OF WHAT'S YOUR BEST GUESS. [00:10:07] AND IT'S ALWAYS A GUESS OR THE OVERALL WOULD BE UNDER I MEAN, NOTHING WOULD BE WORSE THAN OBVIOUSLY NOT TO SPEND IT ALL ASSUMING WE NEED IT. BUT I JUST WANT TO GET SOME SENSE OF JUST HOW HOW MANY CARTWHEELS WE OUGHT TO FLIP OVER FOR 26. WELL, I DO THINK THAT WHAT WE'VE RECOMMENDED, I THINK WE'VE BEEN TALKING TO YOUR STAFF IS THAT THE COMMISSIONERS COURT SET UP A COMMITTEE TO START LOOKING AT THE DIFFERENT THINGS THAT YOU CAN SET IT FOR AND THE GUIDELINES. I WOULD THINK SINCE WE SHOULD BUDGET EVERY DIME OF IT BEFORE 26 AND MAKE SURE THAT AND I THINK YOU CAN DO IT WITHIN THE GUIDELINES THAT YOU HAVE. AGAIN, SOME OF THE QUESTIONS I HAD IS THE HOSPITAL, FOR INSTANCE, DOES THIS INCLUDE THE 426? IS THIS FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT? ALSO, SINCE IT'S UNDER THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. SO THERE'S WAYS OF BEING ABLE TO SPEND IT THAT WAY. FOOD BANK THAT YOU AND I HAVE COMPLIED A LITTLE BIT. AND AGAIN, THERE'S AN ITEM IN THERE TO HELP SMALL BUSINESSES OUT THAT HAVE BEEN AFFECTED BY THIS. SO I THINK THERE'S ENOUGH WIDE VARIETY THAT A COMMITTEE MADE BY COMMISSIONERS COURT SHOULD BE ABLE TO IDENTIFY THESE THINGS, PRIORITIZE THEM, AND THEN START GETTING THE FUNDS OUT THERE AS QUICK AS POSSIBLE. I THINK THAT THE WHITE HOUSE AND OTHER PEOPLE WHO ARE GOING TO HELP US THROUGH IT, BUT I GUESS I'M JUST ASKING YOU AS A PERSON, I'M ASSUMING RENTAL ASSISTANCE IS INCLUDED. UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS ARE UP THROUGH THE ROOF. I'M JUST TRYING TO GET A SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE OUGHT TO FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT 426 IS GOING TO I DON'T THINK 426 IS GOING TO COVER IT ALL, WHICH IS WHY THEY'RE STILL TALKING ABOUT OTHER STIMULUS RELATED ISSUES. BUT I'M JUST TRYING TO GET SOME GENERAL SENSE BEFORE WE GIVE THE PUBLIC SOME IMPRESSION. EVERYTHING'S FINE. WE GOT 426 MILLION FROM THE FEDS. I THINK THE DAMAGE, FINANCIAL DAMAGE HERE WILL BE ABOVE THAT HALF HALF BILLION DOLLARS. WELL, CERTAINLY, I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU HAVE TO COME UP WITH PRIORITIES ON THIS. I ALSO THINK THAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AS YOU SET THE PRIORITIES, YOU CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PUBLIC CONTINGENCY FUND THAT WE HAVE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS MAY BE A MORE ACTIVE HURRICANE SEASON. AND SO, AGAIN, WE ALWAYS SHOULD LOOK AT THAT. AGAIN, I CAN SEE THAT IF THIS GOES ON A LOT LONGER, THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WOULD PROBABLY COME BACK AND HELP US OUT MORE. BUT I THINK THIS WAS A WAY TO GET US MONEY. I MEAN, THEY ACTUALLY GAVE US THE MONEY BEFORE THEY GAVE US ANY GUIDELINES, WHICH IS MUCH APPRECIATED. YEAH, THAT WAS MUCH APPRECIATED. AND WE'VE GOT IT SET UP WORKING WITH THE AUDITOR TO MAKE SURE THAT WE IDENTIFY THESE EXPENSES. FOR INSTANCE, THERE'S A LOT OF EXPENSES THAT HAVE BEEN OCCURRING IN THE DEPARTMENTS WHICH WE SENT TO ALL THE CHIEFS YESTERDAY THAT ALL THOSE NEED TO BE REIMBURSED TO EACH DEPARTMENT AND SO THAT THEY CAN OPERATE THEIR NORMAL OPERATIONS AND HAVE THE ORIGINAL BUDGET THAT YOU ALL APPROVED. SO SAY OTHER THINGS THAT ON THE AGENDA TODAY WE'RE TALKING LIKE FACE MASK. AND IF WE DECIDE WE WANT TO GIVE OUT PROTECTIVE SHIELDS OR WHATEVER, THOSE THINGS WOULD BE INCLUDED UNDER THIS, ALL THAT IS INCLUDED ANYTHING THAT HAD TO DO WITH THIS EVENT, THIS HEALTH EVENT. AND I THINK IT'S VERY, VERY BROAD. BUT AGAIN, WHAT WE FOUND IN THE PAST IS, IS THAT WE NEED TO MAKE SURE IN WORKING WITH GUIDEHOUSE AND OUR AUDITOR AND ALL THAT, OUR INTERPRETATION IS SUCH BECAUSE AGAIN, THEY AUDIT THESE THINGS TWO OR THREE YEARS DOWN THE LINE AND IF WE'VE SPENT SOMETHING THAT IS DISALLOWED, THEN WE WILL OWE THEM MONEY BACK TO CLAW BACK, RIGHT TO CLAW BACK. HOWEVER, I DO THINK BECAUSE THIS IS SUCH A UNIQUE EVENT AND ALL THAT, WE JUST NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT FITS THE GUIDELINES. I ACTUALLY NUMBERED THE GUIDELINES IN THE OFFICE HERE, AND SO I CAN SAY THAT'S A NUMBER FOR A AND CODE EACH ONE OF THESE AS THEY COME UP ON THE AGENDA SO THAT YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT GUIDELINES WERE. AND WE SPEND IT ON THAT ACCORDINGLY. AND AGAIN, WE'LL WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AUDITOR AND EVERYBODY TO MAKE SURE THAT WE'RE MEETING THE INTENT OF THAT THAT LAW. THANK YOU. YES, COMMISSIONER RUDDOCK. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT FINANCE. WE COULD TALK ABOUT TOLL ROAD FINANCE HERE, TOO. CAN WE, BILL? THAT WOULD BE UP TO ROBERT SHORT. ROBERT SWORD. AND DO THEY? AND MY ANSWER IS, TO THE EXTENT IT RELATES TO COVID, THEN YES, WE CAN TALK ABOUT. COVID. WE. SUSPENDED TOLLS WERE SUSPENDED ON THE TOLL ROAD. AND I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO START COLLECTING TOLLS AGAIN TOMORROW MORNING, WEDNESDAY MORNING AT 6 A.M.. [00:15:01] JUDGE ELLIS. SO I WAS GOING TO SAY THAT, COMMISSIONER REDDICK. IT WAS MY UNDERSTANDING. I THINK I SECOND THAT MOTION. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S WHEN I SECOND IT. IT WAS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT IT WAS FOR 30 DAYS, AND I DON'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRITTEN UP, BUT IN MY MIND I WAS SICK. I WAS SICKENING. A 30 DAY SUSPENSION, WHICH I THINK ENDS TODAY. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE 30TH DAY OR NOT. MAYBE THE KEY IS ON THE LINE, BUT I HAVE NO PROBLEM WITH REINSTITUTING THE ROLLS, THE TOLLS. I'M ASSUMING THEY'D BE REINSTITUTED ANYWAY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LANGUAGE WAS IN THE RECORD, BUT WHEN I SECOND IT, IT WAS FOR 30 DAYS. AND I ASSUME NOW WE WILL GET REIMBURSED FOR THAT. MR. JACKSON. MR. KEYS, DO YOU KNOW? JUDGE. THIS IS PETER KEY WITH THE TOLL ROAD, THE ORDER THAT WAS WRITTEN UP IN RELATION TO THE SUSPENSION OF TOLLS. STATES THAT TOLL ROAD TOLL SHALL BE SUSPENDED FOR THE DURATION OF THE COUNTY JUDGE'S DECLARATION OF LOCAL DISASTER FOR PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY. >> WE ARE NOW ON DAY 36. THE COUNTY HAD TOTALS IN THE PAST IN RELATION TO EMERGENCY EVENTS. WE HAVE GONE BEYOND THE 30 DAYS AND THAT'S WHY I WILL MAKE MOTIONS TO START COLLECTING TOLLS. I THINK IT IS CLEAR THAT'S WHAT WE ARE GOING TO DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY WANTED TO SPEAK FOR A LITTLE BIT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK? >> I'LL DEFER TO GARCIA. YOU'RE MUTED, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU'RE GOOD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS PLANNING TO MAKE A MOTION TO REINSTATE THE TOLLS. IF COMMISSIONER RADACK WANTS TO DO IT I'LL SECOND IT. EFFECTED -- EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY BY THE WAY. >> I WAS SAYING 6:00 A.M. TOMORROW MORNING. COMMISSIONER RADACK, GO AHEAD. >> STEVE RADACK: THAT WILL CLARIFY. THEY HAVE TO ANNOUNCE IT SO TO SPEAK AND THAT'S WHY I WAS BROUGHT UP. IF YOU WANT TO START NOW, THAT'S FINE. I WAS SAYING 6:00 A.M. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY SAID IT WAS FINE TOMORROW MORNING. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER RADACK AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> JUDGE, I WAS GOING TO CONTINUE ALONG THIS LINE. IS PETER STILL LISTENING? MR. SWORD WE HAVE ON THE AGENDA -- THIS IS THE COVID THING, BUT WE ARE DEALING WITH TOLL ROAD FINANCE. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A COMMENT IF I MAY, MR. SWORD. >> I'M FINE WITH THE COMMENT. >> PETER, ARE YOU THERE? >> I AM, SIR. >> WOULD YOU INFORM THE COURT, PLEASE, ABOUT THE SECRET MEETINGS THAT YOU HAVE BEEN HAVING IN REFERENCE TO SOME TYPE OF REFINANCE OR SALE THAT WAS GOING ON THAT HAS NOT BEEN SHARED WITH ME, BUT I THINK IT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH SOME MEMBERS OF THE COURT DEALING WITH GOLDMAN SACHS AND OTHER INDIVIDUALS AND LAWYERS THAT WORK WITH THE TOLL ROAD AND CONTRACT. CAN YOU EXPLAIN TO ME WHAT YOU ARE DOING? >> COMMISSIONER, I WOULD NOT CHARACTERIZE IT ASSI CREATE MEETINGS -- AS SECRET MEETINGS. I HAVE BEEN ON THREE PHONE CALLS TRYING TO FORMULATE A PLAN THAT COULD BE PRESENTED [00:20:08] TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT ON REFINANCING ACTIVITIES FOR THE TOLL ROAD AS WELL AS FORMULATING A PLAN FOR HOW THE TOLL ROAD CAN HELP THE COUNTY BETTER FINANCIALLY. AND WHAT HAS BEEN PRESENTED ON THREE PHONE CALLS IS A CONCEPT. >> THERE ARE SOME MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT THAT THIS HAS BEEN DISCUSSED WITH, CORRECT? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> STEVE RADACK: OBVIOUSLY -- I MEAN I FOR ONE -- NO ONE SAID A WORD TO ME. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY TOLD THE COUNTY JUDGE. I DON'T BELIEVE THEY TOLD COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THEY DID NOT. STEVE WELL SOME >> STEVE RADACK: SOME PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT IT AND SOME PEOPLE DON'T. AND YES, PETER KEY, SOME PEOPLE WERE TOLD NOT TO TALK ABOUT THIS. WHEN PEOPLE ARE TOLD NOT TO TALK ABOUT SOMETHING IT MEANS IT IS SEE -- SECRET SO I WILL TAKISH -- TAKE ISSUE WITH YOU ON THAT. MY POINT IS WHY WASN'T THIS SHARED PUBLICLY? OBVIOUSLY THERE IS GOING TO BE TREMENDOUS AMOUNTS, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FEES ATTACHED TO WHAT YOU ALL ARE TALKING ABOUT, AND I WANT TO KNOW WHY? WHY HAS THIS GONE ON WITHOUT PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE OR EVEN BEING SHARED WITH MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> WHAT HAS BEEN SHARED WITH ME IS A CONCEPT, COMMISSIONER AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE FORMULATED FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS A PLAN VETTED BY COUNTY STAFF. WE ARE STILL IN THE PROCESS OF WORKING THROUGH NUMBERS TO EVEN SEE IF SUCH A PLAN WAS FORMULATED FOR COURT. I TAKE ISSUE WITH THE ASPECT OF SECRET MEETINGS. THIS IS A CONCEPT THAT WAS GIVEN TO US AND WE ARE WORKING THROUGH IT. >> STEVE RADACK: I TALKED TO BOB COLLEAGUE LAST NIGHT AND I BELIEVE IT IS MORE THAN A CONCEPT. HE SAID I HAVEN'T TALKED TO EVERYBODY ABOUT IT AND I WAS INQUIRING WHY, BUT WHEN YOU ARE DEALING WITH SOMETHING LIKE THIS, THIS SIGNIFICANCE, THIS IS PATHETIC THAT CERTAIN COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS. COMPANIES ARE INVOLVED IN THIS THAT STAND TO MAKE A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY. THAT'S MORE THAN A CONCEPT WHEN THIS IS NOT BEING SHARED PUBLICLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. LOOK, I HAVE GOTTEN A BRIEFING OF WHAT THIS WOULD LOOK LIKE. IT WAS AN ENTIRE CONSPIRACY-TYPE MEETING THAT LASTED ALL OF ABOUT TWO MINUTES ON WHETHER THERE WAS WILLINGNESS TO CONSIDER SOME RESHAPING, IF YOU WILL OF THE SYSTEM. I SAID, YEAH, BRING IT TO ME AND I'LL TAKE A LOOK ALT -- AT IT AND GO FROM THERE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IF THAT DOESN'T HAPPEN, NOBODY STANDS TO MAKE MONEY. IT IS NOT SECRET. THE STAFF HAS TO HAVE THE CAPACITY TO WORK. AT THE END OF THE DAY, IT COMES TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IT CAN'T BE ANYMORE SECRET ABOUT HOW PEOPLE CAME TOGETHER TO TALK ABOUT, YOU KNOW, REBUILDING THE TOLL BRIDGE OVER THE SHIP CHANNEL. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE MAKING A LOT OF MONEY OVER THAT. I IMAGINE THERE IS A TON OF MEETINGS YEARS AGO AS TO WHO WOULD GET WHAT CONTRACT AND HOW IT WAS GOING TO WORK OUT AND WHO WOULD DO WHAT PART. IT CAN'T BE ANYMORE SECRET THAN THAT, BUT ULTIMATELY THAT PARTICULAR PROJECT CAME TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND IT WAS VOTED ON. UNLESS YOU HAVE HARD EVIDENCE, COMMISSIONER RADACK, I TAKE OFFENSE THAT YOU WOULD OPENLY TRY TO INSINUATE THAT STAFF IS WORKING IN SECRET, AND YOU [00:25:01] WOULDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I THINK THAT IS POOR JUDGMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN DO I GET MY TWO-MINUTE BRIEFING? >> COMMISSIONER, YOU CAN GET A TWO-MINUTE BRIEFING WHEN WE CAN VALIDATE A CONCEPT. I AM NOT BRINGING YOU OPEN-ENDED CONCEPTUAL STUFF FROM PEOPLE WHO CALL US ON THE PHONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST -- I HAVE A CONCERN THAT AT LEAST ONE MEMBER OF COURT GETS HIS TWO-MINUTE BRIEFING, AND I WORKED WITH YOU FOR A LONGTIME. I'M DISAPPOINTED. >> YOU HAVE WORKED WITH ME FOR A LONGTIME AND I FOUND MYSELF IN SOMEBODY'S OFFICE GOING OVER OTHER THINGS AND IT CAME UP IN CONVERSATION. THIS WAS NOT SECRET MEETINGS. COUNTY STAFF ALONG WITH THE COUNTY'S FA HAS TO DO SOME TYPE OF VALIDATION BEFORE ANYTHING COMES TO THE COURT'S AGENDA TO SEE IF THIS CONCEPT HAS ANY TYPE OF MERIT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: LET ME ASK MY QUESTION AGAIN. WHEN DO I GET MY TWO MINUTES OF CONCEPT? >> WE WILL BE CALLING YOU SOON. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I UNDERSTAND A LITTLE ABOUT FINANCING. I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE DETAILS OF THIS FINANCING, BUT FROM THE MOMENT I STARTED RUNNING FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT I TALKED TO A NUMBER OF BANKERS IN NEW YORK AND AROUND THE COUNTRY WHO HAVE KNOWN ME FOR A VERY LONGTIME. ONE IDEA THAT WAS HASHED AROUND SOME YEARS AGO WHEN I WAS IN THE BUSINESS IS THE IDEA OF SELLING THE TOLL ROAD. IT WAS LIKE $20 BILLION, SOMETHING LIKE THAT, I DON'T KNOW. 10 YEARS AGO, 12 YEARS AGO. AND I WAS APPROACHED WHEN I WAS RUNNING FOR THIS POSITION ABOUT THE IDEA. I THINK IT WAS A SPANISH COMPANY. I AM NOT SURE. IT WAS BEFORE PETER WAS OVER THERE AND THEY WERE INTERESTED IN MAKING AN EFFORT TO BUY THE TOLL ROAD. IT WAS BEFORE YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WERE ELECTED. ONCE PETER DID GET THERE I DID TELL HIM IF THERE ARE ANY IDEAS THAT COME UP ABOUT HOW WE CAN GENERATE MORE MONEY FROM THE TOLL ROAD LET ME KNOW ABOUT IT. I I DON'T CONSIDER THAT A SECRET MEETING, BUT AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE OR COMMISSIONER RADACK OR YOU, JUDGE, OR COMMISSIONER GARCIA MAY HEAR ABOUT SOMETHING BEFORE I HEAR ABOUT IT, AND YOU CLEARLY CAN'T TALK TO THREE MEMBERS OF THE COURT ABOUT IT NOR WOULD I. IF IT IS A GOOD FINANCING FOR THE COUNTY, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE CHALLENGES FINANCIALLY. OUR FRIENDS AT CITY HALL ARE LOOKING AT LAYOFFS AND HIRING FREEZES AND A WHOLE HOST OF ISSUES. I SUGGEST IN THE FUTURE VALUE WHEN THE PROPERTY VALUES AND APPRAISALS COME IN FOR NEXT YEAR, WE WILL HAVE TO LOOK AT SERIOUS DRAW CONE YEN MEASURES AS WELL. AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA SETTED -- SAID, I'M SURE HOWEVER THE IDEA CAME UP ABOUT A BILLION DOLLAR TOLL ROAD EVERYBODY ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT DIDN'T NECESSARILY HEAR ABOUT IT AT THE SAME TIME. THAT'S THE NATURE OF THE BEAST. IF SOMEONE IS OFFENDED ABOUT THAT, THEY SHOULD CALL AND ASK. I THINK, PETER, IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME CORRECT, I THINK EVEN BEFORE YOU GOT THIS POSITION WHEN YOU WERE FINANCE DIRECTOR, THE ONE TIME I MET WITH YOU I SAID I HAVE A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON FINANCE ISSUES. TALK TO ME IF IDEAS COME AROUND. I HEAR FROM BANKERS ALL THE TIME, AND IT IS NOT A BIG DEAL. IF IT IS GOOD FINANCING DOWN THE ROAD, WE SHOULD LOOK AT IT. IF THERE IS SUPPORT ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT I HOPE WE WILL DO. IT IF SO IT SHOULD BE A BIPARTISAN ISSUE, BUT IF NOT WE'LL CROSS THAT BRIDGE WHEN WE GET THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: COMMISSIONER SOARD, ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, SIR. I AM HERE. >> STEVE RADACK: ARE YOU AWARE OF ANY MEETINGS THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE? >> I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY ONE OF OUR ASSISTANT COUNTY THORPS THAT THERE -- COUNTY ATTORNEYS THAT THERE HAVE BEEN MEETINGS. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY ARE TELEPHONE MEETINGS OR IN PERSON MEETINGS. >> STEVE RADACK: WOULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND GET BACK WITH ALL OF US IMMEDIATELY AND TELL US HOW MANY MEETINGS WHETHER IN PERSON OR ON THE PHONE? THIS TO ME SOUNDS FAR MORE THAN SOME CASUAL LITTLE CONVERSATION ON THE PHONE FOR A COUPLE OF MINUTES. BASED UPON WHAT BOB TOLD ME THERE IS A PLAN. HE WANTED TO EXPLAIN IT TO ME WHEN I CALLED HIM AND ASKED HIM WHY SOME MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT DIDN'T KNOW A THING ABOUT THIS. FRANKLY IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING YOU NOR VINCE RYAN KNEW ANYTHING BRRRR IT [00:30:03] EITHER -- ANYTHING ABOUT IT EITHER. >> WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT IT IN ADVANCE, THAT'S CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? MR. SOARD WHILE YOU'RE AT IT WILL YOU INVESTIGATE THE JENNA THIS OF THE BILLION DOLLAR -- THE GENESIS OF THE BILLION DOLLAR TOLL ROAD? WHAT WAS THE PROCESS? WHO KNEW? DID ALL MEMBERS OF THE COURT FIND OUT ABOUT IT AT THE SAME TIME. IT WOULD BE INTERESTING. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY INVESTIGATIONS AS WE CAN. >> WE CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT. WE CAN INCLUDE THAT IN OUR REPORT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO TALK TO YOU SO WHENEVER WE HAVE A CHANCE TO DISCUSS WITH PETER THAT WOULD BE GREAT. BUT I UNDERSTAND SOMETIMES -- A LOT OF TIMES DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL WALK IN AND SAY, HEY, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THIS WITH OTHER COMMISSIONERS AND I'M LIKE, WAIT, WHY AM I THE LAST ONE OR SOUNDS LIKE THE LAST ONE? ROBERT HAS SOME MARCHING ORDERS. WE HAVE PLENTY OF ITEMS TO MOVE DOWN ON. I DID WANT TO SAY I AM -- OH WHAT I MENTIONED TO PETER. SORRY LONG MORNING ALREADY. DO REACH OUT TO ME FOR DETAILS ON THAT, PLEASE, PETER. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE WILL. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET TO THE OTHER EYE -- ITEM ON BUDGET MANAGEMENT. THAT WAS ITEM 1. ITEM 2 IS THE APPLICATION TO THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. ANYTHING TO MENTION THERE? >> NOME. NO, MA'AM. IT IS JUST AN APPLICATION. BEFORE WE MOVE TO ITEM THREE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A RESOLUTION YOU WANTED TO GET OUT OF THE WAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, THANK YOU. I WOULD BE HONORED TO DO THIS RESOLUTION. I APOLOGIZE BECAUSE I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY COMPUTER. JUDGE, WHETHER IT BE OUR BRIGADE THAT IS SEWING -- OR HELPED TO SEW MASKS FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND FOR OUR CITIZENS OR WHETHER IT BE ILA WHO HAS COME TO THE FOOD DISTRIBUTION LOCATIONS TO HELP US FEED THOSE WHO ARE STRUGGLING OR THE COMMUNITY LOOKING TO HELP ONE ANOTHER, THERE ARE PEOPLE DOING INCREDIBLE THINGS, BUT SOME HAVE A UNIQUE WALK OF LIFE THAT IS WORTH MENTIONING. AND SOMEONE WHO DOES WELL FOR THEMSELVES AND HAS AN INCREDIBLE DREAM LIFE BY BEING ABLE TO COMPETE AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL OR THE PROFESSIONAL LEVEL SPORTS AND REALLY KIND OF HAS IT ALL, AND THERE IS NO NEED TO THINK ABOUT OTHERS WHO ARE STRUGGLING AND COULD SIMPLY ASSUME THAT GOVERNMENT WILL HANDLE IT ALL. THEY WILL TAKE CARE OF IT. WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS LIKE MICHAEL WHO HAS DONE WELL FOR HIMSELF, AND HE HAS CREATED INVESTMENTS FOR HIMSELF. THOSE INVESTMENTS ARE IN PART APARTMENT COMPLEXES. HE HAS A NUMBER OF PEOPLE RESIDING AT THESE APARTMENT COMPLEXES. YOU KNOW, EARLY ON WE ALL WONDERED WHAT THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 WOULD BE TO OUR COMMUNITY AND TO OUR ECONOMY. MICHAEL DIDN'T WAIT TO GET ANY ECONOMIC OR ECONOMIST REPORT OR ANALYSIS. HE DIDN'T WAIT FOR THE GOVERNOR OR US QUITE FRANKLY TO PROVIDE A DIRECTION. MICHAEL DID SOME INCREDIBLE THINGS AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO READ THE RESOLUTION. WHEREAS COUNTLESS HOUSTONIANS ACROSS THE COUNTRY ARE EXPERIENCING LAYOFFS AND FINANCIAL DIFFICULTIES AFFECTING THEIR ABILITY TO PAY FOR MONTHLY LIVING EXPENSES SUCH AS HOUSING, FOOD, MEDICAL CARE AND OTHER DAILY NEEDS RESULTING FROM THE IMPACT OF COVID-19. THE FORMER ASTROS CENTER FIELDER MICHAEL BOURNE SEES THIS HAPPENING ALL-AROUND [00:35:01] OUR LOCAL COMMUNITY AND FELT A NEED TO HELP. BECAUSE AS HE SAYS DURING DIFFICULT TIMES WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER. WHEREAS THE ALUM AND OWNER OF SEVERAL AFFORDABLE INCOME APARTMENT COMPLEXES DECIDED TO WAIT -- TO WAIVE APRIL AND MAY REPRESENTS -- RENTS TO 60 TO 70 TENANTS AND WHEREAS INSPIRED BY THE SPIRIT OF GENEROSITY HE LEARNED FROM HIS PARENTS, MAMA AND DADDY, WHO HELPED HIS SMOKY JASPER LITTLE LEAGUE WITH MEAL EXPENSES WHEN THEY SAW A NEED. TODAY HE CREDITS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN AND BROTHER FOR KEEPING HIM GROUNDED AND THINKING OF HOW HE CAN HELP OTHERS AND WHEREAS THE HOUSTON NATIVE PREVIOUS PREVIOUSLY A HOUSTON COUGAR ATHLETE BELIEVES THAT BEING ABLE TO HELP, HE HOPES TO MAKE A POSITIVE IMPACT IN THE COMMUNITY TO AFFORD TENANTS THE ABILITY TO BUY GROCERIES SUPPLIES AND WHATEVER THEY NEED THE MOST. WHEREAS NEVER MENTIONING HIS ACCOMPLISHED ASTROS CAREER, THE 2009 ASTROS MVP, MULTIPLE GOLD GLOVE AWARDS AND ALLSTAR HONORS, MICHAEL CONTINUES TO PARTICIPATE IN AND CONTRIBUTE TO THE GREATER HOUSTON AREA WHERE HE PROUDLY LIVES TODAY. AND NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES AND COMMANDS MR. MICHAEL BOURNE FOR HIS ACT OF KINDNESS AND GENEROSITY IN HARRIS COUNTY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. MICHAEL, WE'RE PROUD OF YOU. >> SECOND. >> THANK YOU, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OH, YOU'RE ONLINE. MICHAEL! >> YES, I'M HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL, MAN. I WISH WE COULD BE DOING THIS IN PERSON, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE CAN'T. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THINKING ABOUT THOSE FOLKS IN YOUR COMPLEXES. HOW DID IT COME TO YOU THAT THIS NEEDED TO BE DONE? >> WELL, YOU KNOW, AS EVERYBODY KNOWS GOING THROUGH THE PANDEMIC, I WAS JUST THINKING ABOUT IT. ME AND ONE OF MY FRIENDS WAS TALKING ABOUT IT. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT IT I JUST ALL OF A SUDDEN WAS LIKE, MAN, YOU KNOW WHAT? I WANT TO DO SOMETHING FOR MY TENANTS. HE SAID THAT WILL BE NICE. HE HELPED ME GET THERE. AFTER THAT I CALLED MY BUSINESS TEAM AND WE TALKED ABOUT IT. THEY LOVED IT. AFTER THAT I CALLED THE MANAGER OF MY PROPERTIES IN HOUSTON. WE WENT BACK AND FORTH A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE, YOU KNOW, WHEN YOU HAVE APARTMENTS THE MANAGEMENT TEAM LOOKING OUT FOR THE MONEY YOU ARE MAKING AND WHAT YOU WILL NEED IN THE FUTURE. FOR ME I WAS TELLING EVERYBODY, LOOK. IF WE WANT TO STAGGER THIS THING, WE COULD AND THAT WILL BE FINE AND DANDY, BUT THESE PEOPLE NEED THIS NOW. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST -- WE KNEW WAS COMING. THIS HAPPENED RIGHT AWAY. THEY NEED THIS RIGHT NOW. I'M WILLING TO DO IT FOR APRIL AND MAY. THEY SAID OKAY. IT'S YOUR CALL. YES, IT IS MY CALL. I DON'T NEED NO ADVICE ON THIS. I WON'T NOT TAKE YOUR ADVICE, BUT THIS NEED IS BIGGER THAN THAT. LIKE YOU SAID, THIS IS A THING THAT -- WELL, LIKE I SAID, EVERYBODY IS IN THIS TOGETHER. IT IS NOT JUST ONE PERSON, THAT PERSON, THIS PERSON. IT IS ALL OF US IN THIS TOGETHER. EVERYBODY IS LOSING MONEY. ALL BUSINESSES ARE SUFFERING. FOR ME, IT IS LIKE THERE ARE PEOPLE THAT DON'T EVEN HAVE A PLACE TO SLEEP AT NIGHT. FOR ME, I LOOKED AT IT LIKE, I HAVE BEEN BLESSED. HAVE I BEEN ABLE TO MAKE A GREAT LIVING FOR MYSELF. THE LEAST I CAN DO IS DO SOMETHING LIKE THIS. I LOOKED AT IT AND SAID I'M ALL IN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MICHAEL, WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU AND VERY GRATEFUL. PLEASE TELL YOUR FAMILY THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THEY KEPT YOU GROUNDED. I KNOW THE FRUIT DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE. WE'RE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR PARENTS. >> YES, YES, YES, THANK YOU. [00:40:01] >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YES, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR HONORING ME. I APPRECIATE IT. >> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO MOVING ON -- >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: BACK TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT PAGE 26 AND ITEM 3 AND THAT IS OPTING INTO 457B. BILL DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING? >> IT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE DEFERRED COMP PLAN OR LATITUDE IF THEY NEED RESOURCES THEY CAN TAKE SOMETHING OUT. I RECOMMEND IF SOMEBODY HAS EMPLOYEES THEY CONTACT OUR HR DEPARTMENT AND WE WILL BE SENDING OUT SOME INFORMATION. IF THEY NEED HELP FOR THAT WE CAN WORK WITH THEM ON THAT. AND SO WE ARE VERY PLEASED THAT IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO GET THE LOANS OUT AND NOT HAVE BOUNDARIES. >> DO YOU TELL THEM HOW TO DO IT? >> WE WILL SEND THE NOTICES TO THOSE WHO HAVE THE ACCOUNTS. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE ELECTED FOR A 457 DEFERRED COMP PLAN. NOT ALL EMPLOYEES DO THAT. THE ONES THAT DO WILL SET OUT THE GUIDELINES FOR THAT. WHAT IT DOES IS IT BASICALLY -- THESE ARE LIKE IRA'S AND THE SAME CHARACTERISTICS. USUALLY YOU CAN'T TAKE THE MONEY OUT WITHOUT A PENALTY. AND THIS HAS SOME MORE LENIENCE. IF SOMEBODY IS NEEDING FINANCIAL CUSHION, IT ALLOWS PEOPLE TO TAKE MONEY. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOVING TO ITEM 4. BILL, I BELIEVE THIS IS THE SAME THING WE HAVE AUTHORIZED FOR BEFORE. IT IS SO EMPLOYEES CAN BE AUTHORIZED FOR THE DISASTER OVERTIME. CORRECT? ITEM 5, A TRANSMITAL RELATED TO COVID AND WORKERS COMPENSATION. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? AIDE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE GOAL IN THIS REGARD WAS TO MAKE SURE THAT COVID-19 WOULD BE RECOGNIZED AS A PRESUMPTIVE DISEASE FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR EMPLOYEES IN GENERAL. AND SO THIS WILL -- THERE IS LANGUAGE TO SUPPORT THIS ALREADY. AND I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS WAS CLEARLY DEFINED SO THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES HAPPENING IN OTHER AGENCIES IN THE REGION. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IF OUR EMPLOYEES WALKED IN AND SAID THAT THEY WERE AFFECTED BY COVID-19 THAT WORKMAN'S COMP WOULD RESPECT THEM AND RECOGNIZE THEIR DECLARATION. >> I WILL SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. I HAVE A QUESTION. SO THE TRANSMITAL, WE DON'T NECESSARILY KNOW THAT WE CAN DO IT OR CAN YOU WALK ME THROUGH IT? CAN THEY QUALIFY FOR THE WORKER'S COMP RIGHT NOW? >> IS SHANE ON THE LINE? >> YES, BILL. >> GO AHEAD, SHANE. >> TEXAS HAS A PRESUMPTIVE STATUTE OUT THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE. THE STATUTE OUT WAS SET UP TO BEGIN WITH THE FIREFIGHTERS, BUT THEY HAVE EXPANDED TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA MENTIONED EARLIER. BASICALLY IT MEANS YOU ARE PRESUMED TO HAVE RECENT ON THE JOB AND THE ONLY WAY THEY WOULD NOT GET IT IS IF THERE WAS SOME OVERWHELMING CASE WHERE THEY GOT IT SOMEWHERE ELSE. FOR THE MOST PART IT WAS TO QUALIFY WHEN THEY APPLIED FOR WORKERS COMP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S GREAT NEWS. THAT'S FANTASTIC. WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED. IT CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> DID YOU WANT THE PREVIOUS MOTION WITH BILL JACKSON? >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST FIGURED WE WOULD TAKE IT WITH THE AGENDA IF THAT WORKS FOR PEOPLE. SO MOVING DOWN THE ITEMS ON SUPPLEMENTAL THEY HAVE ITEM 11 ON PAGE 28. [Item II (Part 1 of 7)] [00:45:01] AND THIS WAS ON THE TO WORK WITH HR ON THE 426 MILLION. ANYTHING TO ADHERE? >> JUDGE WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE SPEAKERS. >> JUDGE WE DO NOT HAVE ANYBODY SIGNED UP FOR THIS ITEM. FOR 22D1. >> LINA HIDALGO: Y'ALL JUST LET ME KNOW WHEN WE GET TO IT. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: BILL, WALK US THROUGH IT. YOU WANT EACH PERSON ON COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE JUDGE TO APPOINT A PERSON IN HOUSE, SOMEBODY ON THE STAFF, OFF THE STAFF? WHAT'S YOUR SENSE? >> I THINK IT IS UP TO Y'ALL. I WOULD AT LEAST HAVE ONE PERSON FROM EACH COURT MEMBER AND THEN IT IS UP TO Y'ALL. YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE SOME OTHER INDIVIDUALS ON THERE. AGAIN AS YOU SAID 426 WILL NOT GO TO ALL OF THE NEEDS. IT IS A BASIS OF PRIORITIZING. WHEN I WORKED ON THE CO CHAIR ON HURRICANE HARVEY, THERE WERE CERTAINLY A LOT MORE NEEDS THAN THE MONEY WE HAD AND THAT'S BASICALLY HOW WE DID IT ON THAT. WE HAD A SENIOR COMMITTEE BOARD WHICH MYSELF AND TONY CHASE CHAIRED AND THEN WE HAD A COMMITTEE UNDER THAT CALLED THE GRANTS COMMITTEE THAT REALLY WENT OUT AND TOOK A LOOK AT WHAT THOSE NEEDS ARE. THE WHOLE HURRICANE HARVEY THING WAS TO GET THE MONEY OUT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE GOT IT ALL OUT IN 12 MONTHS IN ALL. JIM WAS THE SENIOR PERSON WORKING ON THE GRANT. YOU MAY WANT TO HAVE A SINGLE GROUP LIKE THIS, BUT THERE COULD BE A SUBCOMMITTEE THAT ACTUALLY WORKS LOOKING A GRANTS AND ALL OF THAT. YOU COULD ALSO WORK WITH OUTSIDE ORGANIZATIONS, NONPROFITS TO HELP DISTRIBUTE THE MONEY. IT IS VERY, VERY DIFFICULT TO DISTRIBUTE MONEY TO INDIVIDUALS. IT IS EASIER TO DISTRIBUTE TO NONPROFITS WHO THEN ARE ACCOUNTABLE BACK. THOSE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO LOOK AT LEGALLY, BUT THAT WOULD BE MY RECOMMENDATION. THE MODEL WORKED VERY, VERY WELL ON HURRICANE HARVEY, SO SOMETHING SIMILAR TO THAT CAN WORK. >> WAS THAT FEDERAL MONEY OR NOT FOR PROFIT MONEY IN PHILANTHROPIC MONEY THAT CAME IN FROM THE FOUNDATION? >> THAT PARTICULAR ONE WAS 120,000 PEOPLE GAVE $115 MILLION. THERE WAS NO FEDERAL DOLLARS IN THAT. >> AND I AM ONLY RAISING THAT BILL TO MAKE SURE WE GET A SENSE OF THE DISTINCTION. SO HERE WE ARE TALKING ABOUT $426 MILLION IN CARES MONEY WHICH IS FEDERAL MONEY WHICH WILL HAVE A HOST OF STRINGS ATTACHED TO IT. I KNOW I TALKED TO ONE OF THE BIG DONORS TO THAT RELIEF FUND EARLIER TODAY AS IT RELATES TO THE ITEM I HAVE ON THE AGENDA I WAS CHATTING WITH MR. SOARD ABOUT AND MR. RYAN ABOUT EARLIER TODAY. BECAUSE THIS IS FEDERAL MONEY, IT IS GOING TO BE A REAL CHALLENGE TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW THE STRINGS AND WE DON'T HAVE A CLAW BACK. WE HAD MONEY COMING IN FROM AROUND THE CITY AND AROUND THE NATION AND AROUND THE WORLD. HARVEY WAS A UNIQUE EVENT, AND EVERYBODY SAW THAT TRAGEDY UNFOLDING IN HOUSTON. IN THIS CASE IT IS A PANDEMIC. I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT. THIS IS NOT FEDERAL MONEY. THIS IS MONEY THAT HAS A LOT OF STRINGS AND COMPLICATIONS AND THERE MAY BE STRINGS, I THINK MY STAFF IS LOOKING UP EARLIER ON THE CARES ACT AND EVEN FOR OUR FRIENDS IN THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, AND EVEN IF IT IS JUST ONE PERSON IN THE HOUSEHOLD WHO MAY NOT HAVE PAPERS, THEY WOULD BE INELIGIBLE TO GET THIS MONEY. JUDGE, I AM LEADING TO THIS ITEM OF MINE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE, AND MAYBE YOU HAVE DONE THIS ALREADY. HAVE WE LOOKED AT WAYS THE COUNTIES AND THE CITIES ARE DOING THIS? I AM GETS -- GUESSING 426 TO HOSPITAL, MAYBE NOT THE TOLL ROAD, OVERTIME. I MEAN, THERE WILL BE A LOT OF THINGS COMING IN ON THIS. I LOST MY PIECE OF PAPER, BUT DID YOU SAY 12/21 WE HAVE TO SPEND THIS MONEY OR 1/1? >> 20. >> 12/20, THE 20TH OF DECEMBER? >> NO, IT IS DECEMBER 31ST, 1920. AT THE -- 2020. AT THE END OF THE YEAR. >> I AM GOING TO MENTION AND SUGGEST YOU DO AND IT IS NOT CRITICISM, BUT LOOK AT HOW L.A. COUNTY, AND I THINK THIS IS BASED ON A FORMULA. [00:50:02] THE BIGGER YOU WERE, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A POVERTY INDEX IN IT OR A COVID -- >> SO THE WAY IT WAS SET UP IT WAS BASED ON POPULATION, AND THEN THERE WERE FACTOR THAT'S CAME THROUGH THE STATE, THE CALCULATION. AND THEN IT CAME DOWN. I THINK THE CITY OF HOUSTON GOT 450. SO WE WILL CERTAINLY LOOK AT THAT. I WOULD WANT TO WORK WITH GUIDE HOUSE ALSO BECAUSE THEY ARE MORE OF AN EXPERT IN THIS AREA. BUT IN ORDER TO DRINT -- DISTRIBUTE $426 MILLION YOU WILL HAVE TO USE SOME AGENCIES TO ALLOW TO GET THAT MONEY OUT THERE. AGAIN, I THINK THE GUIDELINES I READ, THEY WEREN'T REAL STRICT. IF IT DID TAKE GIVING IT OUT TO A NONPROFIT THAT IT IS TOTALLY ACCOUNTABLE FOR AND YOU CAN LIST OUT THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED AND ALL OF THAT. I AM JUST SAYING I WANT TO EXPLORE THAT JUST TO SEE. FOR US TO STAND UP AND TRY TO DO THIS AND GIVE MONEY TO INDIVIDUALS YOU RUN INTO THE PROBLEM -- >> >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM I AM NOT SUGGESTING THAT. I JUST SAY LOOK AT WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING. LOS ANGELES COUNTY WAS REALLY THEIR MONEY. THEY USED GENERAL REVENUE MONEY. BUT THEY GAVE OUT AN ANGELINA CARD OR ANGELES CARD, BUT THEY DIDN'T DO IT WITH THE MONEY BECAUSE OF THE STRINGS ATTACHED. >> THIS IS UNIQUE AND I WAS SURPRISED IT IS ONLY A THREE-PAGE DOCUMENT. IT DOES SAY THAT YOU CAN, FOR INSTANCE, WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO REIMBURSE THE TOLL ROAD FOR LOST TOLLS. YOU CANNOT SUR PLANT REVENUES. YOU CAN ONLY USE EXPENSES. IF IT IS SOMETHING RELATED TO THE VIRUS PANDEMIC, THEN WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. BECAUSE THE GUIDELINES ARE SO LOOSE AS FAR AS WHAT YOU CAN SPEND IT ON, IT REALLY WILL TAKE SOME HELP OF ATTORNEYS AND GUIDEOUTS AND ALL OF THAT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE IN THE SPIRIT OF WHAT THE LEGISLATION WAS WRITTEN, OR THE ORDER OF THE EXECUTIVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE IF WE CAN GET -- WE NEED TO LOOK INTO THE BEST PRACTICES AND PRESUMABLY THE COMMITTEE CAN BRIEF US AS A COURT WHEN THEY HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER PLACES. AM I HEARING IT CORRECTLY OR ARE YOU MODIFYING THE ITEMS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD COME BACK TO US TO REIMBURSE THE MONEY. >> THIS IS ALL THE COMMITTEE THAT MAKES THE RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR APPROVAL AND THEN GETS DISPERSED. BUDGET MANAGEMENTS ROLE IS TO FACILITATE AND SET UP THE MEETINGS AND THE NOTE TAKERS AND THEN WORK WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND JUST MAKE SURE WE HAVE OUR T'S AND I'S DOTTED ON THIS. ROOD ROD -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE ONLY ISSUE I TALK ABOUT BEST PRACTICE IS THERE IS AN -- A DISTINCTION WITH NOT FOR PROFIT MONEY WHERE THERE ARE NO STRINGS. I THINK THE ADMINISTRATION SAYS THE TREASURY WILL STILL DEVELOP RULES ON HOW THE MONEY CAN BE SPENT. AM I RIGHT OR AM I MISTAKEN? >> THEY SAID A GENERAL GUIDELINE AND THEY WILL COME BACK WITH MORE SPECIFICS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T GET DELAYED, JUDGE OR BILL, BECAUSE SIX MONTHS TO SPEND THE 426 UNDER GUIDELINES THAT MAY BE COMING, WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE ANYMORE BELL AND WE DON'T HAVE A BURE ROCK RAW -- BUREAUCRACY WAITING TO GET IT DONE. NOTHING IS MORE EMBARRASSING KNOWING WE WILL SPEND HALF A BILLION DOLLARS -- THERE IS CERTAINLY MORE THAN HALF BILLION DOLLARS WORTH OF DAMAGE. NOBODY QUESTIONS THAT, AND IT IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO COVID, AND IT IS STILL COMING IN. THE WORST THING WOULD BE LIKE BACK WHEN I WAS IN THE CITY, BUT NOTHING IS WORSE WHEN YOU DON'T SPEND SOME OF THE MONEY. YOU REALLY ANGER PEOPLE AND I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY. >> SO URGENCY IS THE NAME OF THE GAME ON THIS THING JUST LIKE HURRICANE HARVEY. AND WE NEED TO GET IT UP AND RUNNING AND BACK TO YOU. WE HAVE ONE MEETING IN MAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ON A SEPARATE ISSUE, JUDGE, AT LEAST WE ARE DOING IT -- WHEN I LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THE AGENDA SINCE WE HAVEN'T MET IN THREE WEEKS, ON MY ITEM BECAUSE AFTER TALKING TO LEGAL THIS MORNING THERE ARE SOME CHALLENGES ON THE FUND I WANT TO USE, PICK MONEY WILL GO INTO IT AND I DON'T WANT STRINGS. I WANT TO HELP THE POOREST OF THE POOR THAT KEEP US FUNCTIONING, BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT THREE WEEKS SO THAT ALL OF THE I'S ARE DOTTED AND T'S ARE CROSSED SO LEGAL FEELS COMFORTABLE. THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE, BUT I SUGGEST, WE ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE ANYWHERE -- ANYWAY AND WE ARE GETTING ALONG SO WELL AND AS INDICATED AS HOW WE KICKED [00:55:06] IT OFF, SO EVEN IF WE ARE NOT MEETING IN PERSON I SUGGEST WE PROBLEM -- PROBABLY MEET NEXT WEEK AT LEAST ON MY ITEM. IF NOT I WILL SEND IT TO LEGAL AND SAY YOU ALL FIGURE IT OUT. I DON'T THINK THAT PAIN IS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL WE GET ALL OF THE NUANCES WORKED OUT. THAT'S MY CONCERN, BILL, RESPECTFULLY, WITH THIS COMMITTEE. WE CAN DO IT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT TRYING TO FIGURE IT OUT. WE MAY HAVE TO INTER -- INTERCEDE AND GET THIS DONE. I DON'T BELIEVE WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET SOME STRINGS FROM TREASURY. I HOPE I'M WRONG. >> AND THE COMMITTEE IS ONLY -- COURT MEMBERS CAN PUT AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I PUT MYSELF ON IT. >> THAT'S RIGHT. YOU CAN PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA AND VOTE FOR IT. THE COMMITTEE IS JUST THAT IT TAKES TIME TO GATHER SOME OF THE INFORMATION. MAYBE IT IS A TWO-TIER-TYPE THING THAT YOUR INDIVIDUAL OFFICES IDENTIFY THINGS AND PUT THEM ON THE COURT AS SOON AS YOU CAN. >> AND I WILL CLOSE WITH THIS, THAT'S JUST FROM MY EXPERIENCE OF BEING A CITY COUNCILMEMBER AND BEING SO EMBARRASSED WITH ALL OF THE POVERTY WE HAD THEN AND WE HAVE MORE NOW. AND BECAUSE THE STRINGS -- YOU REMEMBER THE HORROR STORIES, BILL JACKSON. YOU WITH AROUND. YOU WERE AROUND. >> AND I HAVE SEEN WHEN THE COUNTY SPENT $7 MILLION YEARS AGO AND IT GOT CLAWED BACK. WE HAD TO WRITE A CHECK FOR $7 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN MANY WAYS IT COULD COVER THE EXPENSES WE'VE ALREADY MADE JUST IN OVERTIME AND SO MUCH OF THAT. I THINK WE ARE CAUGHT UP TO THAT NUMBER. I DO THINK -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD SOMETHING TO ADD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO, SIMPLY JUDGE TO SAY THAT IT IS CRITICAL WE GET THIS RIGHT. I KNOW WE HAVE FOLKS ON BOARD NOW TO HELP US THROUGH THE PROCESS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO NOT REVISIT THE SLOWNESS WE WERE CHALLENGED BY WITH HURRICANE HARVEY RECOVERY. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE PROCESS DONE RIGHT. GUIDE HOUSE IS ATTACHED TO THIS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE GIVING THE LEEWAY TO DO THE JOB WE HIRED THEM TO DO UNLIKE THE CHALLENGES THAT THEY HAD DURING HURRICANE HARVEY. THEY HAD PROPOSED A LOT OF FRAMEWORK AND PROCESS SYSTEM THAT'S WOULD HAVE ALLOWED US TO BE MUCH MORE EFFICIENT EARLY ON. THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING VERY THOUGHTFUL THAT WE HAVE SOME BRIGHT MINDS ATTACHED TO THIS RECOVERY PROCESS. OUR SUCCESS WILL ONLY BE AS GOOD AS WE ALLOW GUIDE HOUSE AND THEIR EXPERTISE TO FLOURISH. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I HAVE A PROP -- PROPOSITION. NO ONE KNOWS A PRECINCT BETTER THAN THE COMMISSIONER OF THAT PRECINCT. PERHAPS WHAT WE MAY DO IS TAKE THESE FUNDS AND INSTEAD OF CREATING A BIG COMMITTEE TO WORK ON EVERYTHING ON A COUNTY WIDE APPROACH THAT WE DIVIDE IT IN FIVE PARTS AND HAVE EACH MEMBER OF COURT RESPONSIBLE IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND IN CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY BUDGET OFFICE TO TRY TO COME UP WITH THE BEST AND MOST EFFICIENT WAY WITH THE PRECINCTS TO DO IT. AND YOUR HONOR, THE FIFTH SECTION I WOULD HAVE YOU APPROACH TO AGENCIES OR OTHERS THAT ARE COUNTY WIDE THAT ARE NOT SPECIFIC TO A PRECINCT THAT WOULD BE AVAILABLE. I THINK THAT MIGHT BE SOMETHING THAT WOULD BE A WAY TO SPEED THIS PROCESS. I DON'T KNOW WHO NEEDS IT THE MOST IN PRECINCT 1. I DON'T KNOW WHO NEEDS IT THE MOST IN PRE -- PRECINCT 2. BUT I KNOW WHERE IT IS NEEDED IN PRECINCT 4, AND THAT MAY BE A WAY FOR US TO TRY TO HELP TAKE WHAT'S BEEN GIVEN TO US, AS LONG AS WE FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES AND AS LONG AS WE FOLLOW THE RULES AND EACH OF US WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO THOSE COUNSELORS TO DO THAT. I'M JUST THROWING THAT OUT AS A FRAMEWORK FOR MAYBE MAKING THIS PROCESS GO A LITTLE QUICKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: MAYBE WHAT I PROPOSE IS WE NEED TO TALK TO GUIDE HOUSE. WE DO NEED TO SIT DOWN AND TALK TO THE FOLKS WITH THE INFORMATION. THE HARVEY FUNDS WERE DELAYED DURING THE ACTIVITY IN LARGE PART BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE RED TAPE. WHEREAS THIS ONE WE GOT THE DISPERSE MEANT. I AGREE WITH THE COMMENTS THAT WE HAVE THE FUNDS. WE JUST NEED TO BE SMART ABOUT IT. I THINK IF WE TAKE A WEEK OR A COUPLE WEEKS TO -- FOR THE GROUP TO GET TOGETHER [01:00:05] HOWEVER MANY TIMES THEY NEED TO AND PERHAPS THE CONCLUSION THEY REACH IS, LOOK, WE NEED A COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM FOR, I DON'T KNOW, RENTERS OR JUST SOMETHING. I'M WITH YOU IN THAT I DON'T KNOW. THERE ARE JUST SO MANY NEEDS. BUT THEN WE ALSO NEED TO TAKE A PORTION OF THE FUNDS AND DIVIDE THEM ACROSS PRECINCTS FOR WHAT YOU JUST MENTIONED. I WOULD BE HESITANT TO MAKE THE DECISION BETWEEN US RIGHT NOW AT THE TABLE WITHOUT HAVING THE STAFF DIG IN AND TALK TO GUIDE HOUSE AND TALK TO BUDGET, ET CETERA, ET CETERA. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT IT SHOULDN'T GO BEYOND A COUPLE OF WEEKS. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE I'M AT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WITH HARVEY, I MET WITH THE FOLKS FROM GUIDE HOUSE, AND I DO RECALL THEY HAD A LOT OF IDEAS DEALING WITH THE EQUITY LENS WHEN I RAISED THAT ISSUE WITH THEM. I THINK IT WAS FROM NEW YORK. I'M NOT SURE. I THINK THE PERSON I WAS TALKING TO WAS FROM PHILADELPHIA. WHEN THIS SECOND FUND WAS SET UN -- SET UP, THIS WAS A NOT FOR PROFIT. THE DO YOU -- ENDOWMENT PUT MONEY IN AND THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR PUT MONEY IN. MR. JACKSON, THE FIRST TIME I TALKED ABOUT THAT COMMITTEE, EACH COMMISSIONER, THE MONEY WAS GOING TO BE DIVIDED BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS, AND THEN SOMEHOW THAT WENT AWAY. TO BE HONEST WITH YOU, I THOUGHT MAYBE IT WAS ONE OF THOSE MEETINGS THAT NOBODY TOLD ME ABOUT, BUT I DIDN'T RAISE IT OR GET OFFENDED BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW WHEN THAT DECISION CHANGED. MAYBE WHEN OTHERS KNEW, BUT IT CHANGED. I WOULD STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT WHATEVER WE DO WE KEEP THE SAME EQUITY LENS THAT WE HAVE TRIED TO HAVE THROUGHOUT MOST OF THE TOUGH DECISIONS THAT WE'VE HAD TO MAKE. I WOULDN'T NECESSARILY WANT SOMETHING BECAUSE I HAVE A PRETTY GOOD GRASP OF MY PRECINCT AS EACH OF THE COMMISSIONERS DO, AND WE ARE ALSO INFLUENCED BY POLITICS TO SOME EXTENT AND IT OUGHT TO BE TRANSPARENT, BUT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT KNOWING THIS 426 IS NOT NEARLY ENOUGH, AS YOU SAID, JUDGE, YOU CAN TAKE OVERTIME AND THE HOSPITAL. A LOT OF THINGS HAVE BEEN DONE ALREADY THAT CAN EAT UP A GOOD PORTION OF THIS. WE DON'T KNOW. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE ANOTHER FUNDING CYCLE COMING UP. WE CAN EXPAND COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PROGRAM. THIS IS ELIGIBLE. I ASSURE YOU OWN BUSINESSES OUT THERE. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE DO IT FOR THE WORKERS. PEOPLE HAVE TO CLEAN THE DISHES AND SERVE THE FOOD. WITH THAT EQUITY LENS, I WOULD BE VERY RELUCTANT FOR US TO PUT SOMETHING IN PLACE WHERE EACH OF US WHO ARE COMMISSIONERS IN OUR OWN MIND MAKE A DECISION WHEN WE ARE INFLUENCED BY THE POLITICS AS WELL. I DO KNOW SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY WERE A LITTLE TAKEN UH BACK BY SOME OF THE PRESSURE THEY GOT FROM THE HARVEY RELIEF MONEY. DIDN'T GET ANY FROM MY OFFICE, BUT I THINK THEY WERE GETTING PRESSURE FROM PEOPLE THROUGHOUT THE PROCESS. I WAS NOT TOLD FROM WHO, BUT THAT WAS AN ISSUE. I THINK WE SHOULD HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING AND I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN GET GUIDE HOUSE ON THE PHONE LATER TODAY, MAYBE THEY HAVE SOME SENSE AND I WOULD NOT HAVE A PROBLEM DOING IT TODAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T SET UP SOME BUREAUCRACY AND THEN WAITING FOR THEM TO ACT BEFORE WE ACT. WE NEED TO SPEND ALL 426 AND BE IN A POSITION TO ASK FOR MORE AND BE STAUNCH ADVOCATES WITH ALLIES AROUND THE STATE AND THE COUNTRY TO GET AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO GET OUT OF THIS MA -- MALASE WE ARE IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: EVEN IF WE PUT TOWARD SOME TOWARD RENTALS AND RELIEF FUND WE NEED TO RUN IT THROUGH THE ATTORNEYS. I PROPOSE MAYBE WE MODIFY TO SAY THIS GROUP COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL, AND WE ALL HAVE INPUT TOWARD IT, RIGHT? SO COME BACK WITH A PROPOSAL IN TWO WEEKS OR WHATEVER IT IS THAT FOLKS ARE OKAY WITH, AND THEN BASED ON THAT WE CAN MAKE EDITS. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD -- OBVIOUSLY I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE ALL 400 MILLION BROUGHT TO MY PRECINCT, I THINK WE HAVE TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT SLICING IT UP. AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE ARE SYSTEMS LIKE PUBLIC HEALTH THAT TODAY ARE IN THE [01:05:03] SPOTLIGHT MORE THAN EVER BEFORE. AND I AM JUST SO GLAD THAT WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE PUBLIC HEALTH THE FUNDING THEY NEEDED. ALTHOUGH WE DIDN'T GIVE THEM THE TIME TO DO IT, BUT TO HIRE THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE ON THEIR STAFF. THERE ARE GOING TO BE SYSTEMS THAT MAY CHALLENGE US IN OUR THINKING AND THEY MAY NEED A GREAT DEAL OF THIS FUNDING. IT IS KNOTS -- IT IS NOT ONE PRECINCT'S CAPACITY TO DO ALONE. LIKE YOU JUST SAID, WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE THIS COME TOGETHER AND COME UP WITH A GOOD, THOUGHTFUL PROPOSAL. I REALLY HOPE WE WILL BE LOOKING AT THIS THROUGH THE LENS THAT ADDRESSES THE ENTIRE COUNTY AND NOT NECESSARILY LOOKS INTO PARTICULAR PRECINCTS. THERE IS JUST SO MUCH OF AN IMPACT THIS VIRUS HAS HAD, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THOUGHTFUL TOWARD WHAT SHOULD BE THE RESILIENCY TOWARD VIRUSES IN THE FUTURE. I SPLIT UP A FACILITY TASK FORCE AND THEY NEED GREAT ASSISTANCE. YOU LAUNCHED A STRIKE FORCE TO HELP DO THE TESTING, JUDGE, WHICH IS CRITICAL. THERE ARE BROAD, BROAD THINGS THAT NEED TO HAPPEN THAT IS NOT TO ONE PRECINCT'S DECISION ALONE. SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE BEING VERY THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE SUPPORT OUR ENTIRE COUNTY. IF ONE PRECINCT GOES UNDER SO GOES THE REST OF THE COUNTY. SO WE HAVE TO BE THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE MAKE THE ENTIRE COUNTY RESILIENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE -- YEAH, BILL. GO AHEAD. >> JUST TO CLARIFY, THE HURRICANE HARVEY, ED EMMITT AND THE MAYOR GOT TOGETHER ON THAT, AND IT WAS AGREED IT WOULD BE SPLIT 50/50. THE MAYOR AND THE COUNTY JUDGE WERE HELPING RAISE THE MONEY FOR THAT. THERE WAS NEVER ANY DISCUSSION I WAS AWARE OF SPLITTING THAT 50% IN THE PRECINCTS. AND SO I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT IT WAS 50% FOR THE COUNTY AND 50% FOR THE CITY. WHEN THE NUMBERS WERE ALL DONE IT WAS FAIRLY CLOSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? JUDGE >> LINA HIDALGO: JUDGE -- I DIDN'T WANT TO CUT SOMEBODY OFF. >> SHE ADDRESSED YOU FIRST SO I DEFER TO THE JUDGE. JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER. >> THE FOUR-WAY SPLIT WAS NEWS TO ME AND I DIDN'T HEAR ABOUT THAT STARTING OR FINISHING, SO I DON'T KNOW WHERE THAT WAS, BUT I DO LIKE THE IDEA OF US -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WAS ONE OF THE SECRET MEETINGS, COMMISSIONER. >> SECRET TO ME. BUT AS WE LOOK AT THIS I THINK WE ARE ALL ON A SIMILAR PAGE. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO CONSIDER, JUDGE, THAT MAYBE A PART WILL GO OFF TO GLOBAL COUNTY WIDE, BUT THEN ALLOWING US BECAUSE WE KNOW OUR PRECINCTS TO GET INVOLVED. I AM PRETTY SURE THAT EACH OF US WILL TAKE CARE OF THE NEEDS IN OUR PRECINCTS AS THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE GUIDELINES AND FOLLOWING THE RULES AND FOLLOWING THE THINGS THAT ARE THERE, AND I THINK WE CAN BRING TO COURT -- WHAT IS THE PHRASE? MANY HANDS MAKE THE LOAD LIGHTER. WITH FIVE OF US PITCHING IN WITH THOSE ITEMS TO BE PUT ON THE AGENDA ON HOW TO USE THIS TO DIRECTLY IMPACT OUR COMMUNITIES. I MEAN, THE IDEAS ARE FLOWING IN MY MIND. I JUST THINK IT WILL BE A FASTER WAY OF HELPING THOSE WHO ARE IN NEED INDISPED -- INSTEAD OF GOING SUPER LONG-TERM VIA COMMITTEE. I JUST ECHO MAYBE WE PUT PART TO THE SIDE FOR GLOBAL USE AND COMMUNITY APPROACH AND ANOTHER PART WE SAY HALF OF THIS WILL WE PUT RIGHT NOW INTO THE PRE SINKS TO -- PRECINCTS AND HALF WE WILL KEEP FOR COUNTY WIDE. I RECOMMEND THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE WE GET DOWN TO THE NITTY GRITTY THAT WHAT CAN WE DO IN EACH OF OUR PRECINCTS TO SERVE THE NEEDS OF THOSE IN THOSE PRECINCTS. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAD TO LEAVE SO I CAN ASK MY STAFF REAL QUICK, BUT, BILL, I WAS [01:10:03] TOLD THAT THE CITY WOULD GET HALF THE COUNTY HALF. EACH COMMISSIONER WOULD TAKE THE LEAD ON WHAT WOULD BE DONE WITH THEIR PORTION FOR THEIR PRECINCT. SO NOW MAYBE THINGS CHANGED, BUT THAT IS -- I JUST HAVE TO ASK BRANDON WAS I DREAMING? BUT THAT'S WHAT I WAS LEAD TO BELIEVE. BE IT AS IT MAY, I WILL NOT ARGUE THE POINT. HAVE I NO PROBLEM WITH US MEETING EVEN IF WE NEED TO MEET NEXT WEEK WITH GUIDE HOUSE. GUIDE HOUSE ALSO SAID IT WAS SOMETHING DIFFERENT THEY RAN INTO AFTER DISASTERS IN OTHER PLACES WHERE THEY CAN GET IN A ROOM AND TALK TO FOLKS TO FIGURE OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THE MONEY. AS I SAID EARLIER, MY FOCUS WAS ON EQUITY. AND THROUGHOUT THIS PROCESS IT OUGHT TO BE THERE. BUT I DON'T I DON'T WANT US TO BE -- I DON'T WANT US IN A POSITION WITH THIS MONEY WHERE WE ARE NOT ABLE TO SPEND IT ALL. I THINK MORE STRINGS ARE COMING. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE THE POINT THAT WHEN THE MONEY WAS RAISED, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT TO GREAT LEADERSHIP, TO THE COUNTY JUDGE THEN AND THE MAYOR, HARVEY, YOU KNOW, ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE IN PAIN IS WHAT RAISED THE MONEY. PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE LOOKING AT FOLKS AND PITCHING IN TO HELP ONE ANOTHER AND JUMPING ON BOATS. IN THIS GO AROUND, WE WON'T HAVE THAT PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT OUT THERE BECAUSE IT IS A PANDEMIC. A LOT OF FOLKS WHO WROTE CHECKS -- YOU KNOW, I AM TOLD THEY RAISED ABOUT 10 MILLION WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION GROUP AND THEY WILL BE LUCKY IF THEY GET ANOTHER 10 OR 15 MILLION IN BECAUSE ALL OF THOSE PEOPLE WHO WROTE CHECKS FOR THAT 150 -- OVER $100 MILLION WE GOT IN FROM FILL AN -- FROM PHILANTHROPIC CORPORATIONS, YOU KNOW, BIG COMPANIES, IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE THAT WILL HAPPEN THIS TIME. WE WILL HAVE FAR MORE NEED THAN WE WILL HAVE MONEY, AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT GOES TO THE MANY PEOPLE WHO DIDN'T GET THE PPP CHECKS BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO POOR TO FILE INCOME TAXES. I THINK WE SHOULD USE THE EQUITY LENS. THERE WERE SOME PEOPLE WHO HAD A VIRUS BEFORE CORONA CAME AND THAT WAS THE VIRUS OF INEQUALITY. WE OUGHT TO USE THIS AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO TRY TO HELP SOME OF THOSE MOST VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES WHEREVER THEY ARE AND WHATEVER PRECINCT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, DID YOU SAY WE HAVE SPEAKERS AFTER ALL? >> YES, WE HAVE DANIEL STOKER. MR. STOKER? GO AHEAD, SIR. >> YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I AM DANIEL STOKER, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE ALLIANCE. WE ARE A NONPROFIT COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION. WE CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFUGEES AND UNDER SERVED RESIDENTS TO ACHIEVE GOALS OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND IMPROVING THEIR QUALITY OF LIFE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR HOLDING THIS HEARING TO ENSURE EQUITY OF OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL RESIDENTS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. AND ALSO THE RESULT OF ECONOMIC CRISIS. THAT IS GROWING NOW SIGNIFICANTLY EACH WEEK. WE KNOW THAT FOR THE COMMUNITY TO PERSEVERE THROUGH HARDSHIP, ALL SEGMENTS OF SOCIETY WITH NEEDS MUST HAVE EQUITABLE ACCESS TO EMERGENCY RESPONSE RESOURCES. WE ALL SUFFER AND STUMBLE WITH RECOVERY. WE ALSO DON'T WANT TO HURT RESIDENTS WHO ARE FOREIGN BORN AND MAYBE THOSE WHO ARE TRYING TO OVERCOME LANGUAGE AND EQUITY BARRIERS TO GET RESOURCES. AND MANY SOME ARE HERE FOR MANY GENERATIONS ARE ALSO FACING CULTURAL BARRIERS DUE TO INEQUITIES. DISCRIMINATION. MANY PEOPLE WERE LEFT OUT OF THE STIMULUS CHECKS AS YOU HEARD SOME OF THE COMMISSIONERS SHARE ALREADY. NEWLY ARRIVED REFUGEES HAVE BEEN INVITED HERE AND LEFT OUT. MIXED STATUS FAMILIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DIDN'T HAVE INCOME TO FILE TAXES AND OTHERS WHO ARE HERE BY INVITATION TO WORK, BUT DON'T HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION STATUS TO GAIN ACCESS TO DISASTER BENEFITS. THEY ARE ALL STRUGGLING. WE'VE SEEN THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY BECAUSE THE ALLIANCE SERVES ALL OF THE COUNTY AND WE HAVE OFFICES IN THE SOUTHWEST AND MAGNOLIA AND EAST ACRE HOMES. WE SERVED 3,000 PEOPLE WITH 73% OF THEM ARE SPEAKING 24 LANGUAGES AND 75% ARE LOWER INCOME. THE TOP FIVE NEEDS ARE THE THINGS YOU TALKED ABOUT, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, UTILITY ASSISTANCE, DESPERATION OF WHAT TO DO WITH THOSE, JOB SEARCHES. WE ARE HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE OUT OF WORK TO JOBS AND FOOD ASSISTANCE WHICH IS GROWING BY THE DAY. AND THE LAST AREA OF HELP IS SMALL BUSINESSES WHICH WE CALL INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS [01:15:01] AND EVEN THE HOME-BASED BUSINESSES. THOSE ARE PEOPLE WHO GENERALLY SERVE AND THERE IS A CRISIS THERE TOO. SO WE HAVE BEEN GETTING REQUESTS FROM PEOPLE WHO LOST JOBS AND TRYING TO HELP THEM REGAIN EMPLOYMENT. GUS IS A SINGLE FATHER OF TWO AND WORKING AS A JANITOR IN A MESS HALL. HE HAS BEEN OUT OF WORK FOR A MONTH. HE USED HIS LAST DOLLARS TO PAY HALF OF HIS BILLS IN MARCH. HE REACHED OUT SEEKING ASSISTANCE AND WHEN HE HAD NOTHING LEFT OF FOOD TO HELP HIS CHILDREN, WE ARE ROCKER -- WE ARE WORKING HARD TO HELP HIM AND MANY LIKE HIM. SO THE COMMUNITY MEMBERS WHO DO NOT RECEIVE SUPPORT NOW -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> AND FINANCIAL INSTABILITY. SO THANK YOU AND WE ARE HERE TO HELP YOU. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND YOUR EFFORTS TO SUPPORT THE COMMUNITY. THANK YOU. >> NEXT WE HAVE MINISTER JACQUELINE HAYLEY. MS. HAYLEY? >> YES. GOOD MORNING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MINISTER JACQUELINE. GLALATIANS 6:2 SAYS CARRY EACH OTHER'S BURDENS AND IN THIS WAY YOU WILL FULFILL THE LAWS OF CHRIST. HARRIS COUNTY IS RECEIVING $400 MILLION -- MORE THAN $400 MILLION FROM THE CORONAVIRUS RELIEF FUND. I AM HERE TO URGE YOU TO CONSIDER OUR MOST VULNERABLE NEIGHBORS. AS YOU KNOW THE MONEY MUST BE SPENT BY DECEMBER 30TH. IT MUST BE USED FOR EXTRA NON-ORDINARY EXPENSES RESULTING FROM THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, AND IT MUST BE USED FOR EXPENSES NOT ALREADY IN THE CURRENT COUNTY BUDGET. AND OUR CHURCHES AND OUR PASTORS ARE HEARING ABOUT THE NEED FOR RENT AND UTILITIES AND FOOD AND MENTAL HEALTH. ALSO OVER THOWRT -- 40,000 CALLS WERE MADE TO THE 2-1-1 SYSTEM FROM MARCH 1ST THROUGH APRIL 19TH, 15,600 WERE CALLERERS ASKING FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. THEY SAID THERE ARE OVER 70,000 FAMILIES IN HARRIS COUNTY LAST MONTH WHO COULD NOT PAY THEIR RENT. THERE WILL BE EVEN MORE IN PAY. PUTTING $160 MILLION OF COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY INTO RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE WILL EASE THESE URGENT ISSUES. AND SO AS THE CITIES OF AUSTIN, SAN ANTONIO AND DALLAS HAVE ALREADY DONE, TMO IS ASKING HARRIS COUNTY AND THE PHILANTHROPIC COMMUNITY TO INVEST $160 MILLION LOCAL, FEDERAL FUNDS USING CODE -- COVID DISASTER RELIEF FUNDS AND PRIVATE CONTRIBUTIONS TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RENTAL ASSISTANCE OVER THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS. SO BEFORE MAY 1ST, COMMUNITY MEMBERS NEED GUIDANCE. IN OTHER WORDS, COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, IF YOU AGREE PUTTING 160 MILLION OF COVID-19 RELIEF MONEY INTO RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE, THIS NEED HAS TO BE DONE. IT HAS TO BE BY MAY 1ST. HARRIS COUNTY WILL NEED TO INVEST PUTTING 160 MILLION CO -- COVID-19 FUNDS IN RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. HEBREWS 6:10 SAYS GOD IS NOT UNJUST. HE WILL NOT FORGET YOUR WORKS AND THE LOVE YOU HAVE SHOWN HIM AS YOU HAVE HELPED HIS PEOPLE AND CONTINUE TO HELP THEM. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, ANYBODY ELSE? LUCINDA? WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> SCHNEIDER. MS. SCHNEIDER? >> YES, I'M HERE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK WITH Y'ALL. MY NAME IS DENISE SCHNEIDER. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF MISSIONS AND SENIOR ADULTS AT THE METHODIST CHURCH AS WELL AS THE LEADIER OF THE METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO YOU ALL ABOUT THE NEED FACING OUR SPECIFIC COMMUNITY DUE TO THE CORONAVIRUS AND THE STAY AT HOME ORDERS. THE PEOPLE IN OUR AREA ARE ACROSS PRECINCT 3 AND PRECINCT 4, AND MANY OF THEM ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH MEETING THE NEEDS THEY HAVE IN THEIR HOUSEHOLD DUE TO LOW WAGES. THE SCHOOLS THAT ARE IMMEDIATELY SURROUNDING OUR CHURCH ARE TITLE 1 SCHOOLS, AND MANY OF THOSE FAMILIES ARE LIVING AT OR BELOW THE POVERTY LINE. [01:20:03] WE ARE SEEING AN ON GOING NEED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AS WELL AS THE UTILITY SYSTEM. ON ANY GIVEN WEEK TYPICALLY WE RECEIVE 10 TO 15 REQUESTS FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THOSE AREAS. OVER THE PAST FIVE WEEKS THAT HAS GROWN SIGNIFICANTLY TO THE POINT WE CAN NO LONGER MEET THAT NEED. TYPICALLY WHAT WE DO IS WE GO THROUGH A VETTING PROCESS OF THOSE ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE, AND WE WORK WITH NONPROFITS AND OTHER CHURCHES TO HELP MEET THEIR NEEDS. BECAUSE THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE IS SO GREAT AND THE AMOUNT OF MONEY THEY ARE REQUESTING TO BE ABLE TO PAY THEIR RENT AND THEIR Y -- THEIR UTILITY IS SO HIGH WE FIND OURSELVES UNABLE TO MEET THOSE NEEDS. TYPICALLY IN THOSE SITUATIONS THE NONPROFITS IN OUR AREA ARE ABLE TO STEP IN AND HELP RELIEVE THE FINANCIAL STRESS. HOWEVER, THOSE WHO DO EXIST DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO BE ABLE TO DO SO. WE ARE IN A POSITION WHERE WE NEED GREAT NEED. WE NEED TO HUMBLY ASK FOR TO YOU CONSIDER THE NEEDS OF A COMMUNITY OF PEOPLE. WE HAVE A CHURCH MEMBER WHO IS A SENIOR ADULT, 72 YEARS OLD, AND SHE RECEIVES SOCIAL SECURITY AS WELL AS WORKS PART-TIME AT KOHL'S. DUE TO THE STAY AT HOME ORDER SHE WAS RELEASED FROM HER POSITION, AND SHE IS STRUGGLING TO FIND A WAY HOW TO PAY FOR HER RENT TO STAY IN HER HOME. THOUGH THERE IS OPPORTUNITY TO -- FOR HER TO LET HER PAY HER RENT LATE, THERE ARE LATE FEE THAT'S ARE GOING TO ACCUMULATE. THE QUESTION IS HOW CAN SHE AFFORD THE LATE FEES ALONG WITH TRYING TO STOCK UP FOR NEXT MONTH'S BILLS? WE ARE ASKING YOU THROUGH THE METRA POLITIC -- METROPOLITAN ORGANIZATION HOW TO ALLOCATE THE MONEY BEING GIVEN YOU HIGHLY CONSIDER MAKING RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE A RYE YORT, AND WE ARE ASKING FOR YOU TO APPROVE $116 MILLION OF RELIEF TO GO TOWARD THAT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I BELIEVE THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS FOR THIS ITEM, RIGHT, LUCINDA? >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WANT TO MAKE AN EDIT TO THIS ITEM THAT BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAS PUT ON AND ADD ON AT THE END THAT THE COMMITTEE BRING TO OUR NEXT MEETING A FRAMEWORK AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS ON WHERE TO ASSIGN THE FUNDS SO THEY ARE SPENT ON BEST PRACTICES BEFORE THE DECEMBER DEADLINE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I SECOND THAT MOTIONED ITEM, BUT ALSO ADD TO THAT THAT EACH OF US CLEARLY HAVE THE ABILITY TO GO IN AND PUT OUR OWN ROAM DECISION -- RECOMMEND DECISION -- RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL. I GUESS THIS TREASURY MONEY IS NEW, AND I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY IT WHEN SOME OF THE OTHER SPEAKERS WERE UP, BUT AUSTIN PUT UP 15 MILLION, AND THIS WAS THEIR MONEY TO DEAL WITH SOME OF THESE ISSUES, RENTAL ASSISTANCE. SAN ANTONIO 25 MILLION. DALLAS 6.1 MILLION. LOS ANGELES 10 MILLION WHEN THEY DID THE ANGELINA CARD. THEY DID ALL OF THIS BEFORE THE MONEY CAME THROUGH. AND SOMEBODY CAN PROBABLY HELP US SORT THROUGH AND SEE WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE DOING. BUT I'M SURE MOST CITIES AND COUNTIES AND STATES FOR THAT MATTER IN THE COUNTRY, IF THEY LOOK AT ALL OF THE DAMAGE IT IS GOING TO GO WELL ABOVE THIS 400 AND SOMETHING MILLION DOLLARS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T DO ANYTHING THAT SLOWS IT DOWN. OBVIOUSLY WE WANT TO BE ANYMORE BELL ENOUGH NOT TO SPEND IT SO QUICK. WHAT IF WE COME OUT OF LOCK DOWN AND GOD FORBID SOMETHING HAPPENS AND WE HAVE TO GO BACK IN? CERTAINLY WE ARE WATCHING IN OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD, THAT'S THE CHALLENGE. MAYBE IN GERMANY THE ISSUES ARE COMING UP. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY ARE DEALING WITH. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY. I JUST WANT TO STRESS THE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NOT FOR PROFIT MONEY AND THE FUND THAT WAS SET UP. THE FEDERAL MONEY WITH THE STRINGS AND THE ANTI-NEPOTISM RULES AND CONFLICT OF INTEREST RULES, YOU KNOW, A LOT OF THINGS THAT CAN TRIGGER A FALL BACK. THAT'S WHY YOU WERE SMART TO SUGGEST THAT AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND JACKSON SOMEBODY FROM GUIDE HOUSE HELP US SORT THROUGH HOW TO GET OUT OUT OF THIS. SECOND YOUR AMENDMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR -- >> CAN YOU REPEAT THAT SO FOR THE COURT RECORD IT IS CLEAR. WHAT IS THE ACTUAL AMENDMENT? [01:25:03] >> LINA HIDALGO: AT THE VERY END OF THE ITEM THAT THE COMMITTEE BRING TO THE NEXT MEETING A FRAMEWORK AND SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATION ON WHERE TO ASSIGN THE FUNDS SO THEY ARE SPENT BASED ON BEST PRACTICES BEFORE THE DECEMBER DEADLINE. AND I TAKE IT HERE WHEN IT ALL THE RELEVANT DEPARTMENTS, THAT TAKES TO MEAN GUIDE HOUSE AND WHO THEY NEED TO TALK TO, PRESUMABLY THE NONPROFITS. I AM THINKING WE SOUGHT TO GO AND SIT DOWN WITH FOLKS. THE COMMITTEE OUGHT TO DO A LITTLE RESEARCH SO WE ARE QUICK, BUT THOUGHTFUL. IT SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF MONEY, BUT IT IS REALLY NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM SECONDING YOUR MOTION SO WE CAN VOTE ON THE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, DID YOU GET IT? >> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE MAKING A COMMENT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE YOU GO. I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS NEEDS TO MAKE THE MOTION AND I WILL SECOND IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAKE THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID THE COMMISSIONER HAVE A COMMENT? >> NO, YOUR HONOR, BUT I DO THINK $426 BILLION IS A YOU -- IS A LOT OF MONEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECOND BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? [Item I (Part 2 of 7)] CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE NEXT ITEM -- WE ARE DONE WITH COVID ITEMS SO BACK ON 26 UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION THERE IS A MEMO ABOUT BEST PRACTICES FOR RELIEF FUNDS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH PAGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: 26, COMMISSIONER, 22B UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY, YES. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS KATIE SHORE -- >> YOUR HONOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN KATIE. >> A POINT OF ORDER, WE HAVE A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NUMBERING SYSTEM THAN YOU HAVE. WHAT WAS PRESENTED TO US HAS THE OUT OF ORDER COVID ISSUES STARTING ON PAGE 1. AND THEN WE HAVE THE REGULAR AGENDA THAT STARTS UP AND IT HAS A DIFFERENT SORT OF NUMBERING SYSTEM TO THEM. I'M SORT OF HANGING WITH YOU, BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE -- HANG ON A SECOND, JUDGE. >> I WILL CHECK AS WELL. >> WHEN I HAVE HERE ON THE ANALYST OFFICE ON PAGE 1 AND ITEM B -- WE ARE ON A SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT NUMBERING SYSTEM. DID WE GET THIS FROM THE JUDGE'S OFFICE? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK MAYBE THE WAY WE CAN BE CLEAR IS WE ARE IN SECTION 22 WHICH IS THE COVID-19 SECTION. THAT'S WHAT IT IS TITLE ELD. TITLED. DO YOU ALL SEE THAT? >> I AM WITH YOU NOW, JUDGE. WE JUST REPRINTED THAT AND BROUGHT IT UP FRONT. I AM WITH YOU NOW. PRETTY MUCH I NEED TO GET ON THE SAME PAGE EVERYBODY ELSE IS. >> LINA HIDALGO: KATIE YOU WERE SAYING SOMETHING? >> I WAS JUST -- KATIE SHORE WITH THE ANALYST OFFICE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I KNOW WE WERE TAKING MY ITEM 22B JOINTLY WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 15 SO I DEFER TO YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IF WE CAN TAKE THEM TOGETHER, BUT I KNOW YOU ALL ARE TIRED OF HEARING MY SOUTHERN DRAW SO I WOULD LIKE TO LET KATIE WALK THROUGH WHAT HER RESEARCH CAME UP WITH AND I WILL PRESENT MY ITEM WHICH IS SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM ON PAGE -- 16? >> NUMBER 15 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. IS THAT OKAY, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, GO AHEAD, KATIE. >> THANK YOU. AGAIN KATIE SHORT WITH THE ANALYST OFFICE. THIS TRANSMITAL IS IN RESPONSE TO THE APRIL 7TH REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS' OFFICE AND THEN APPROVED BY THIS COURT. THE AM -- THE ANALYST OFFICE REVIEWED THE ADMINISTRATION OF COVID-19 RELIEF FUNDS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS AND THEN CONSIDERED COMMON CRITERIA AND ANY IDENTIFIABLE BEST PRACTICES AND THEN FINALLY ASSESSED AS WAS AMENDED ON APRIL 7TH, ASSESSED THE ABILITY UP TO $15 MILLION TO MEET LOCAL NEED IN HARRIS COUNTY. BEFORE CONTINUING I WANT TO THANK OUR PARTNERS AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND COMMUNITY SERVICES AND REID'S TEAM. [01:30:02] OUR MEMO SUMMARIZES 13 FUNDS ESTABLISHED THROUGH APRIL 13TH. SO NOTABLY FOR EXAMPLE IT DOESN'T INCLUDE THE $25 MILLION FUND SPENT BY THE CITY OF SAN ANTONIO, BUT GIVEN THE TIME CONSTRAINTS WE WERE INTERESTED IN LOOKING AS IN DEPTH AS POSSIBLE AS THE FUNDS SET UP AND I COULD GIVE CONTEXT FOR HARRIS COUNTY AND HOW TO SET UP SUCH FUNDS. THE MEMO INCLUDES FUNDS WITH DIFFERENT ATTRIBUTES. SO IT WOULDN'T INCLUDE FUNDS WITH SIMILAR OR IDENTICAL ATTRIBUTES FOR THE CLARITY OF THE MEMO. THE ATTRIBUTES INCLUDE FUNDS MORE COMMONLY ADMINISTERED BY NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS SO PARTNERSHIPS WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES AND FUND STRUCTURES INCLUDE A FORMAL COMMITTEE WITH GRANT-MAKING DECISIONS. FOR FUNDS THAT WERE ADMINISTERED WITH -- FOR FUNDS THAT WERE GRANTED DIRECTLY TO NONPROFITS AND THEN INDIVIDUALS, SO 9 OF THE FUNDS REVIEWED AND AWARDED TO RECIPIENTS THAT HAD A PROVEN TRACK RECORD SERVING VULNERABLE RESIDENTS. AND THE FUNDS TARGETED KEY POPULATIONS TO MEET LOCAL NEEDS IN MORE WAYS. 13 OF THE 13 FUNDS TARGETED LOW INCOME INDIVIDUALS. ALTHOUGH THOSE INDIVIDUALS WERE DEFINED DIFFERENTLY ACROSS THE MUNICIPALITIES, AND THAT IS CLARIFIED IN THE APPENDIX OF THIS MEMO. AND THEN 8 OF THE 13 FUNDS FOCUSED ON HOUSING AND STABLE RESIDENTS. AND IT INCLUDES SENIORS AS ONE OF THE VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHICH THEY FOCUSED. ALL 13 FUNDS GRANTED TO NONPROFITS AND FOUR OF THE 13 FUNDS GRANTED TO INDIVIDUALS AS WELL AS NONPROCHT. AS WELL AS NONPROFIT. THE RELIEF FUND WHICH THIS COURT DISCUSSED TODAY REFLECTED MANY OF THE COMMON AT THRAW BEAUTS AND ALSO REFLECTED -- ATTRIBUTES. TURNING TO THE PROPOSED $15 MILLION THIS COURT DISCUSSED ON APRIL 7TH THE ANALYST OFFICE HAS 15 MILLION REACHED ABOUT 12,000 HOUSEHOLDS FOR RENTAL AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE. THIS COST CALCULATION WAS DONE IN COLLABORATION WITH BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND WITH COMMUNITY SERVICES USING TYPICAL RENTAL AND UTILITY AMOUNTS FOR HOUSEHOLDS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND TYPICAL USER RATES FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING UTILITY ASSISTANCE. HOW MANY OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS -- FOR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVING THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE, HOW MANY OF THE INDIVIDUALS ARE TYPICALLY NEEDING UTILITY ASSISTANCE. THE COST CALCULATION WAS DONE WITH TYPICAL ASSISTANCE AMOUNTS FOR OUR REGION. BUT FOR CONTENT, WHAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED TODAY, SINCE MARCH 15TH IT IS ESTIMATED THAT THERE ARE ABOUT 290,000 INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS COMING FROM HARRIS COUNTY RES -- RESIDENTS. THIS IS A REVISION FROM THE 170,000 INITIAL UNEMPLOYMENT CLAIMS THAT WAS ESTIMATED IN THE REPORT THAT WAS CIRCULATED, BUT THAT WAS A WEEK AGO. THIS $15 MILLION WOULD ONLY REACH A FRACTION OF THE HOUSEHOLDS ESTIMATED TO NEED RELIEF TODAY. I THINK THAT SUMMARIZES THE HIGHLIGHTS OF THIS REPORT AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. SORRY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO KATIE, THANK YOU, AND IT WAS A VERY GOOD REPORT, ABOUT 2 THREE-PAGE -- 23 PAGES. I THINK I STEPPED IN ON A PHONE CALL MY STAFF WAS DOING WITH YOU WHEN YOU WERE KIND ENOUGH TO WALK THROUGH. A COUPLE OF POINTS. I NOTICED SOMEWHERE IN THE DOCUMENT HERE YOU POINTED OUT ABOUT $115 MILLION WAS RAISED AS A RESULT OF HARVEY. I WAS READING THAT SOMEWHERE HERE. I KNOW FROM MY TALKING POINTS THAT IF WE WERE ABLE TO SET UP THIS FUND I WANT TO SET UP, THEY WOULD CHARGE THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION ABOUT 7% ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. [01:35:07] I THINK THAT'S IN LINE, IF YOU KNOW WHAT THEY DID BEFORE -- I AM LOOKING AT PAGE 11. KEY ATTRIBUTES OF THE HARVEY RELIEF FUND. 114 MILLION RAISED. THIS IS INTERESTING. 126,000 DONORS, INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATE AND FOUNDATION FROM AROUND THE WORLD. I MEAN, PEOPLE SAW THAT FLOODING AND THEY WERE JUST SENDING CHECKS IN. HARRIS COUNTY DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THIS FUND. THE FUND IS ESTIMATED TO HAVE 439,000 INDIVIDUALS AND 115,000 HOUSEHOLDS. OF THOSE SERVED 56%, 41 WERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND 37% HISPANIC AND 15 NONHISPANIC AND 7% OTHER ETHNIC GROUP. IT IS INTERESTING THAT THEY KEPT THAT KIND OF DATA. WHAT MY HOPE WAS, AND I WANT LEGAL TO JUMP IN AT THE PROP -- APPROPRIATE TIME, I WANT TO LAYOUT WHAT I WAS CONTEMPLATING PROPOSING AND THAT IS WE SET UP A HARRIS COUNTY COVID RELIEF FUND AND WE WOULD ESSENTIALLY GIVE THIS MONEY TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, THE GREAT HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FOR THE ADMINISTRATIVE FEE. IT WOULD BE 7%. WE DID TALK TO MR. STUCKEY AND MISS LIMEAUX. THEY DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO GO INTO IT. I THINK WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED ON THE MEMO, THE FEDERAL MONEY, THE $426 MILLION, WAS NOT ON THE TABLE. WHEN I MADE THE MOTION AND ASKED YOU TO DO IT, OF COURSE, WE WERE ON A LEAP OF FAITH. WE KNEW BUSINESSES WERE HURTING AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU WERE INSISTENT. I SECONDED THE MOTION. TO GO AHEAD AND DO IT AND NOT KNOWING IF WE WOULD GET REIMBURSED OR NOT. I THINK YOU COULD FEEL THE PAIN FROM PEOPLE HURTING. I ALSO WANT TO MAKE SURE, AND I MADE THAT POINT THEN THAT WE ARE SENSITIVE TO BOTH OUR SMALL BUSINESSES, BUT ALSO THOSE PEOPLE WHO HAVE TO CATCH THE EARLY BUS TO GO AND WASH THE DISHES AND BUS THE TABLES. THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE STUFF TO TAKEOUT. I KNOW THIS 15 MILLION, IT WAS ARBITRARY BECAUSE YOU HAD 10, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, AND I THINK YOU WERE WORKING ON GETTING IT UP TO 20 EVEN BACK THEN BECAUSE YOU KNEW THERE WAS MORE NEED OUT THERE THAN WE HAD CAPACITY. BUT WE WANT TO DO SOMETHING. I ARBITRARILY TRIED THE 15 MILLION JUST AS A PLACE MARKER. WHETHER IT WAS 5 MILLION, 10 MILLION OR 20 MILLION AS A PLACE MARKER. I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING. MOST OF THESE FUNDS -- KATIE, THIS IS A QUESTION FOR YOU, ALL OF THEM. NONE OF THEM WERE WITH FEDERAL MONEY, RIGHT? ALL OF THESE FOLKS SET THIS UP ESSENTIALLY USING MONEY THAT THE CITY AND COUNTY, SAN ANTONIO, AUSTIN -- AUSTIN WERE NOT USING FEDERAL MONEY, AM I RIGHT? >> I AM NOT -- I AM NOT SURE THAT THEY WEREN'T USING ANY FEDERAL MONEY, BUT THEY WERE ALL USING LOCAL DOLLARS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IN OTHER WORDS, IF AUSTIN CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR RENT, MORTGAGE, UTILITY, THEY'LL TAKE IT, BUT WHEN THEY SET IT UP, THEY DIDN'T KNOW IF THEY WOULD GET THAT BACK FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL. >> I WOULD HAVE TO CIRCLE BACK WITH MY TEAM TO CONFIRM THAT, BUT THEY WERE USING -- BECAUSE I'M NOT SURE EXACTLY WHAT BUCKETS, IF THEY WERE USING LOCAL DOLLARS FOR CERTAIN ACTIVITIES, I AM NOT AT THIS JUNCTURE CLEAR IF THERE WERE LIMITATIONS LIKE THAT IN THE FUNDS STRUCTURE. SOME OF THE INFORMATION WE WERE GETTING WAS AS THEY WERE DEVELOPING THEIR FUND STRUCTURE. AND SO WE DID THE BEST WE COULD TO GET AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE. SOME OF THESE QUESTIONS WERE NOT EVEN ANSWERED IN THE JURISDICTIONS WE WERE REVIEWING AT THE TIME WE PRODUCED THE REPORT. THAT SAID, YEAH, HAPPY TO CIRCLE BACK WITH YOUR OFFICE ON THAT QUESTION. BUT I KNOW THAT ALL OF THESE FUNDS INCLUDE LOCAL DOLLARS. >> AND DO YOU KNOW WHETHER OR NOT THEY PUT IN RESTRICTIONS AS IT RELATES TO IMMIGRATION STATUS? >> FOUR OF THE 13 FUNDS SPECIFICALLY STATE THAT UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS WERE A TARGETED POPULATION FOR THE RELIEF EFFORT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU JUST REMEMBER OFF THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD. I CAN LOOK IT UP. >> YES, SIR. SO THE 400 WERE THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, THE SACRAMENTO REGIONAL RESPONSE, LOUISVILLE AND THE CITY OF UH -- AUSTIN. [01:40:05] JUST TO CLARIFY THE WAY THAT MANIFESTS IS THAT SOMETIMES THEY WILL SPECIFICALLY STATE RESIDENTS THAT DO NOT QUALIFY FOR FEDERAL FUNDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE REASON I RAISE THAT IS BECAUSE SOME OF THEM MAY NOT HAVE SAID IT, BUT I AM TOLD BY A FEW ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT SOME HAVE WANTED TO DANCE AROUND THE ISSUE, BUT THAT'S WHY THEY WERE USING GENERAL REVENUE BECAUSE MOST OF THE FEDERAL PROGRAMS WILL HAVE THAT STIPULATION THAT IT WOULD KNOCK THEM OUT OF BEING ABLE TO USE ANY FEDERAL MONEY FOR IT. MY HOPE, COMMISSIONERS, IS TO MAKE A MOTION AND SET IT AS COVID RELIEF FUND AND HAVE THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT VET IT SO THAT THEY HAVE A COMFORT LEVEL AND WE MOVE FORWARD WITH 15 MILLION, AND IF THEY CAN'T DO IT, WE WON'T DO IT. MY INTENT WAS TO TRY TO SET IT UP IN SUCH A WAY THAT WE COULD GET SOME IMMEDIATE RELIEF PARTICULARLY IN THE AREA OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND UTILITY ASSISTANCE BECAUSE PRETTY SOON, HEY, I AM SENSITIVE TO THE LANDLORDS WHO MAY NOT BE ABLE TOY -- TO EVICT SOMEBODY NOW. AT SOME POINT THEY WILL BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO PAY THEIR RENT. I'M SENSITIVE TO THOSE FOLKS WHO HAVE TO PAY UTILITIES, AND I WANT US TO MOVE FORWARD. WE COULDN'T GET ALL OF THE I'S DOTTED AND THE T'S CROSSED, MR. SOARD AND I THINK THEY WERE TALKING TO ME AT 8:00, 8:30 THIS MORNING, AND WE JUST CAN'T WORK IT OUT. BUT AS A POLICY MAKER, AT LEAST FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF THIS ONE IN MY MIND I'M COMFORTABLE AS A POLICY DECISION WITH MOVING FORWARD, WITH SETTING UP A FUND AND HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET REIMBURSED. IF WE CAN'T, THERE ARE JUST SOME PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO NEED HELP, WHO CONTRIBUTE TO THIS ECONOMY. IT IS NOT ALL OF THEM, BUT THEY WILL FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS. THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IS PART OF IT. THE HOMELESS COMMUNITY, YOU WILL NOT HAVE A LOT OF DOCUMENT -- DOCUMENTATION TO SUBMIT TO GET REIMBURSED FROM THE FEDS ON THAT. AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL ANSWER THE QUESTIONS, BUT THAT'S WHAT I'M GONNA PROPOSE. AND IF WE CAN COME BACK NEXT WEEK, I DON'T WANT TO WAIT TOO LONG, COME BACK AND FIGURE OUT IF WE CAN DO SOMETHING. IF WE COME BACK AND MAKE A POLICY DECISION ON WHETHER OR NOT WE WANT TO DO IT EVEN IF WE ARE NOT -- [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR ON WHAT BATCH OF FUNDS WE ARE USING FOR THIS PROGRAM. IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE DONATIONS, AND I OFFENDS -- UNDERSTAND WHEN WE RECEIVED DONATIONS BEFORE WITH HARVEY, WE WERE HIT, BUT THERE WERE OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY THAT WERE LEND A HAND AND HELP US, AND THERE WERE COMPANIES THAT WERE NOT AS BADLY HIT AND THEY WERE ABLE TO DONATE INTO THE SYSTEM WHO THEY RIGHT NOW ARE SUFFERING AND AREN'T ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE. I GET THAT. THERE ARE FUNDS WE USE FROM THE NONPROFITS. THERE ARE FUNDS LIKE THIS 426 MILLION WE ARE RECEIVING FROM THE FEDS, AND THEN THERE ARE FUNDS THAT WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF EITHER OUR PICK FUND OR OUT OF OUR PROPERTY TAX, AND I THINK THERE THERE WAS AN ILLUSION TO IT THAT WE MAY HAVE A LONG, HARD WINTER AHEAD OF US AND WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL WITH WHAT WE DO WITH OUR PROPERTY TAX FUNDS WHERE WE MAY OR MAY NOT BE ABLE TO HELP EVERYBODY WE WANT TO, BUT IF WE HAVE TO RAISE OUR TAXES WHICH I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF, WE WILL HURT THOSE THAT ARE RIGHT NOW HURTING THE MOST. AND SO I WANT TO BE VERY CAREFUL IN OUR DISCUSSION THAT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THESE FUNDS, WE KNOW WHERE ARE THE FUNDS COMING FROM? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR. ONE THING IS A REPORT FROM THE ANALYSTS COMING IN AND THAT'S GOOD. THE NEXT TWO ITEMS WHICH I DON'T KNOW IF WE ARE CON FLATTING THEM -- CONFLATIG THEM OR NOT, AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WHERE THE FUNDS ARE COMING FROM AND GOING TO AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW WHAT WE ARE VOTING ON TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I KNOW CSD FOR EXAMPLE IS ALREADY DOING A UTILITY ASSISTANCE FUND THAT IS IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF OVER FOUR MILLION. WILL THIS WORK TOGETHER, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, OR WILL THIS BE FOR THAT FOUR [01:45:06] MILLION ALREADY BE, YOU KNOW, CONSIDERED PART OF THE SAME METHOD? >> RODNEY ELLIS: NO. IT WILL BE FEDERAL MONEY AND WILL HAVE RESTRICTIONS. MY HOPE WITH THIS IS TO USE MONEY THAT COMES OUT OF THE PICK. THE MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS I WANT TO PUT IN PLACE ARE THREE FOLD. ONE, BE A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. TWO, HOUSEHOLD INCOME BEFORE MARCH OF 2020 MUST BE 70% OF AMI OR QUALIFY FOR ONE OR MORE FEDERAL PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS SUCH AS NATIONAL SCHOOL LUNCH PROGRAM, HEAD START, SUPPLEMENTAL SOCIAL SECURITY INCOME, HOUSING ASSISTANCE, MEDICAID, GOLD CARD, SNAP, WIC, V.A. PENSION, TRIBAL ASSISTANCE, IN HOUSEHOLDS WITH ACTIVE CASES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SURVIVORS, HOMELESS INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN SHELTERS, YOUTH WHO HAVE AGED OUT OF FOSTER CARE AND DO NOT HAVE THE MEET OF FINANCIAL HELP AND THOSE WITH ECONOMIC IMPACT RELATED TO COVID. WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO IS WHAT AUSTIN DID, I THINK COUNCILMAN GREG KAZAR CAME ON LAST TIME, AND WHAT THEIR COUNTY IS TRYING TO DO, MAYBE SOME OF IT CAN BE REIMBURSED. I AM NOT JUST FOCUSED ON THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE NOT LEFT OUT BECAUSE YOU KNOW THEY PAY A LITTLE UNDER 500 MILLION IN SALES TAXES. I THINK THE FIGURE ON OTHER TAXES COMES CLOSE TO A BILLION DOLLARS. HAVE I TO LOOK AT MY NOTES -- I HAVE TO LOOK AT MY NOTES, BUT THEY ARE A BIG PART OF THIS ECONOMY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND SO THE -- SO AS I UNDERSTAND IT WOULD BE IN PART TO DISPERSE THE FUNDING AMONG THE NONPROFITS THAT ARE ALREADY DOING THIS WORK. WILL THE NONPROFITS ADD AN ADMINISTRATIVE FEE TO THIS BECAUSE WHEN I DID THE BUSINESS LOAN AND THE REASON WE DIDN'T GO WITH LIFT IS THEY WERE CHARGING A FEE AND A CLIMATE FEE WHICH WOULD HAVE LEFT A LOT OF MONEY ON THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE AND REALLY LIMITED I THINK ABOUT $3 MILLION THAT WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE GONE TO HELP PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION WHO DID THIS FOR HARVEY ASSESSED A 7% FEE. AM I ON, ADRIAN? AM I MUTED? >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WAS MINE. THEY WILL CHARGE -- THEY WILL ASSESS A 7% FEE. I DON'T KNOW IF GROUPS LIKE BAKER RIP -- RIPLEY, WHEN THEY GET A GRANT, I DON'T KNOW. I WOULD HAVE TO ASK. IF WE SET THIS UP, I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST THAT WE HAVE SOMEONE FROM -- THAT THE COUNTY APPOINTS AS A REPRESENTATIVE WITH A TASK FORCE TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST WENDY MCCLUNIN. SHE CAME FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE MADE A REFERENCE ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE. I CHATTED WITH ONE OF THE BIG FUNDERS WHO MADE A COMMENT AND SO FAR THEY RAISED $10 MILLION. MAINLY IT WAS FROM PHILANTHROPIC FOUNDATIONS IN OUR AREA. AND THEY THINK THEY MAY GET ANOTHER 10 MILLION ON A GOOD DAY. IT WILL BE NOWHERE NEAR THE $114 MILLION THAT CAME IN. YOU WON'T HAVE A HUNDRED AND SOMETHING THOUSAND DONORS COMING IN THIS GO AROUND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, ON THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN WE REQUIRED PEOPLE TO PROVIDE A COVID ECONOMIC IMPACT TO THEIR BUSINESS OPERATIONS SO THAT WE WEREN'T JUST SUBSIDIZING A BUSINESS THAT WAS DOING WELL REGARDLESS THAT THEY WEREN'T GETTING MONEY. HOW WILL WE DISTINGUISH THOSE FOLKS WHO ARE HAVING UTILITY OR RENTAL CHALLENGES AS PART OF THE PANDEMIC IMPACT TO THE INDIVIDUAL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHY, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WANT TO GIVE IT TO THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION. [01:50:01] HOWEVER THEY DID IT BEFORE AS YOU KNOW SOME OF THOSE FOLKS WE KNOW OUT THERE WHO ARE WASHING DISHES OR WHATEVER, THAT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BIG PAPERWORK COMPLIANCE COMMUNITY. EVEN BEFORE THEY PASSED IT OUT IT IS BECAUSE THEY GAVE A GRANT TO BAKER RIPLEY, OR THEY GAVE IT TO SOME ABUSED WOMEN'S SHELTER. AND THEY WENT THROUGH THEIR PROCESS TO DO IT BECAUSE I'M JUST TRYING TO GET IT ON THE GROUND. IF THE CONCERN IS THEY PAID THE RENT FOR SOMEBODY LIVING LIKE WE LIVE, I MUST ADMIT THAT WE KIND OF BANKED IT ON THEM. WHATEVER THE PROCESSES ARE, YOU TRY AND DO IT. IF YOU SAY SOMEBODY MAY GO OUT THERE ON A BIKE, YOU GET ME ON A BAD DAY UNSHAVEN AND MY HAIR WAS GROWN AND I GET ON A BIKE AND SHOW UP, SOME OF THAT MAY HAPPEN, BUT I DON'T THINK MUCH OF IT. I THINK THEY HAVE A PRETTY GOOD SYSTEM. AND I WAS JUST BUILDING OFF THE MODEL WHEN IT WAS PHILANTHROPIC. WE MAY HAVE SOME SENSE OF HOW THEY WENT THROUGH THAT BEFORE. WHEN IT WAS A BATTERED WOMEN'S SHELTER NEXT TO MY PRECINCT CAMP, I AM NOT SURE WHAT VARIABLES THEY GO THROUGH, BUT I BET THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO DON'T FALL IN THE CATEGORY OF NEED WHO WANT TO GO IN THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK IT IS A GOOD POINT YOU HIGHLIGHTED THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PERSPECTIVE. AS YOU RECALL WHEN WE WERE ALL FIGHTING TO HELP VICTIMS OF CRIME, WE HAD A LOT OF THE NONPROFITS AND ACTUALLY PRECINCTS 3 AND 4 WHO HADN'T GOT ANY HELP, AND MAYBE THIS WILL BE A MECHANISM TO HELP THEIR CLIENTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I AM DOING A TOWN HALL MEETING LATER THIS WEEK AND DOING IT ON MENTAL HEALTH. SOME OF THE MEDICAL EXPERTS THAT HAVE BEEN ADVISING ALL OF US HAVE BEEN TELLING ME THERE IS A BIG SPIKE IN DOMESTIC ISSUES THAT ARE COMING UP BECAUSE PEOPLE ARE IN THEIR HOMES. LOOK, I WANT TO BE CANDID. I AM TALKING ABOUT HITTING COMMUNITIES WHETHER IT IS 5, 10, 15 OR EVEN IF THE COURT AGREES TO 1 MILLION. WHATEVER IT IS. I AM TALKING ABOUT SOME OF THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WHERE WE RUN THE RISK THAT WE MAY NOT GET REIMBURSED. I THINK THIS 426 IS PHENOMENAL AND I AM APPRECIATIVE TO THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION AND ALL OF OUR FEDERAL PARTNERS, THE SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE AND THE LEADERS OF THE SENATE AND ALL OF THEM. AT THE END OF THE DAY, I AM CONVINCED THAT THE NEED IN HARRIS COUNTY, UNINCORPORATED, NOT EVEN TALKING ABOUT THE CITY, IS OVER $426 MILLION ALREADY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE ONE MORE POINT, AND I WOULD ASK COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH THE ANALYST OFFICE TO MAYBE FIND AN OVER LAP BETWEEN WHAT ARE THE NEW, RECORDED UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS IN THE COUNTY AS A WAY TO AND DURING THE PANDEMIC TIME FRAME, IT MAY BE PROBABLY THE BEST WAY TO DETERMINE WE ARE IMPACTING THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN VICTIMS OF DISADVANTAGED VICTIMS AS A RESULT OF THE PANDEMIC. WE HAD A SPIKE IN OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE, AND I THINK THOSE MAY BE THE FOLKS WHO ARE USING THE UNEMPLOYMENT RATE AT ALL, AND IT MAY BE ONE OF THE WAYS TO IDENTIFY THE COMMUNITIES MOST AT NEED AND MAYBE USING THAT AS A PARTICULAR PRPK [INAUDIBLE] RATHER THAN LETTING EVERYBODY APPLY. IF THE INTEREST IS TO HELP THOSE IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC AND AGAIN GOING BACK TO THE SMALL BUSINESS WE ASKED FOLKS TO PROVIDE AN IMPACT STATEMENT AS IT RELATES TO HOW COVID-19, THE STAY AT HOME ORDER, IMPACTED THEM. MAYBE THE NEWLY IDENTIFIED SPIKES MAY BE A GREAT PLACE TO START. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GAY BE GASH GASH >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, HE CHATTED WITH ME EARLIER AND I DON'T KNOW WHEN WE WILL MEET AGAIN. WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE FOUNDATION AND OTHERS TO COME UP WITH THIS ITEM. WHEN I TALKED TO ROBERT AND VINCE RYAN EARLIER, THEY WERE ALSO CONCERNED. [01:55:03] WHAT I WANT TO DO IS SHIP IT TO LEGAL. I THINK I EXERTED ALL OF THE BAND WIDTH. I WANT TO FIND SOMETHING TO HIT THOSE COMMUNITIES. I KNOW IN A LOT OF WE -- WAY IS -- IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET. IT IS INTERESTING TO SEE IF L.A. OR THE OTHER FOLKS WILL GO THAT HIGH. I DON'T THINK SO, BUT IF SO I WILL COME BACK AND CHANGE MY ATTITUDE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHEN WE LOOK AT THESE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE DONE SOMETHING. IF LEGAL CAN TAKE THE FRAMEWORK I GAVE THEM AND WORK WITH IT, IF IT WON'T WORK, FORGET IT. DON'T DO IT. AS MR. SOARD SAID, MR. RYAN, I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING THAT IS NOT LEGAL. BUT I AM SAYING PEOPLE WHO NEED HELP, AND I THINK WE HAVE A MORAL RESPONSIBILITY TO HELP THEM WHETHER WE GET REIMBURSED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OR NOT. I THINK THE 5 TO 15 MILLION I TALKED ABOUT BEFORE WAS WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT WE WOULD PROBABLY NOT GET REIMBURSED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I DIDN'T THINK WE WOULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE 10 WHEN I SECONDED YOUR MOTION. I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO DO IT. I RAISED A POINT WITH YOU, BUT WHAT WILL THE CITY DO? I HOPE THE CITY WILL COME UP, IF THEY CAN, AND MATCH SOME OF THIS. I AM NOT JUST RESTRICTING IT TO FOLKS UNINCORPORATED. EVEN IF THEY CAN'T DO IT. KAZAR WAS SAYING WHEN HE CAME ON THE LINE, THE COUNCILMEMBER, BUT HE HOPED THEY WERE GOING TO PUT IN SOME MONEY. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY DID OR NOT. I DID CALL A COUNTY JUDGE LAST NIGHT, BUT I DIDN'T CATCH HER TO ASK WHETHER OR NOT THEY PUT ANY IN OR NOT. I THINK WE HAVE IT. THIS IS AS MUCH OF AN EMERGENCY IN MY JUDGMENT AS HARVEY, AMELDA OR A BLOW UP AT A CHEMICAL PLANT, AND OTHERS MAY COME DOWN THE ROAD, BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO DO SOMETHING. IT DEPENDS ON THE COMFORT LEVEL OF THIS COURT EVEN IF -- HEY, EVEN IF IT IS ONLY $500, DO IT. I AM SUGGESTING 15 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, JUST TO CLARIFY AND I KNOW WE WANTED TO HEAR FROM ROBERT, BUT THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS IT IS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE DID WITH AMELDA IN THAT THE GREATER USE FOUNDATION KNOWS IT IS A NON-PROFIT. THEY CAN WORK WITH TRUSTED NONPROFITS TO ASSESS WHERE IS THE BIGGEST NEED AND HOW DO WE GET THE MONEY TO THE PLACES WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO, WHERE IT IS BEING TRACED AND WE KNOW THAT EVERY DOLLAR IS GOING WHERE IT NEEDS TO GET. FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH MY STAFF LOOKED AT THE QUESTION THAT I HAD WHICH WAS WHAT WILL PUT US ON PAR WITH THE OTHER COUNTIES AND THE OTHER CITIES AS FAR AS AN AMOUNT? THEY THINK IT IS AROUND 30 MILLION. I THINK IF WE DO 15 AND THEN HOPE THE CITY WILL PUT IN SOME MONEY, WE WOULD BE DOING HALF OF WHAT WE WOULD NEED TO TO BE ON PAR WITH THE SMALLER COUNTIES AND THE SMALLER CITIES. I GUESS WENDY SEEMS LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO ME. WE NEED TO RUN IT BY LEGAL, AND I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA TO PUT IT ON THE FOUNDATION FOR THEM TO DO LIKE WHAT THEY DID WITH AMELDA AND FIGURE OUT -- THEY FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, WHERE IS THE MOST NEED AND HOW DO WE DO THIS IN A ROBUST WAY THAT HAS CHECKS ON ANY POSSIBLE FRAUD OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. WE CAN ALWAYS LEAVE THE DOOR OPEN IF WE HAPPEN TO USE SOME OF THE 400 MILLION TOWARD THIS, GREAT. SOME MAY NOT QUALIFY BY VIRTUE THAT THE FEDERAL FUNDS WILL NEVER COVER THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I SHOULD SAY UNLIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I THINK I HAVE KNOWN THE ATTORNEY SINCE HE WAS SLY AND WE WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED HIM, BUT I DIDN'T LAST NIGHT. I DON'T WANT TO PUT -- IF THEY CAN DO IT, I HOPE THEY WILL. I'M JUST SUGGESTING, AND I WANT TO LET ROBERT SPEAK, AND I WANT TO APOLOGIZE TO THE MAYOR. I SHOULD HAVE CALLED. INSTEAD OF THE COUNTY JUDGE, I SHOULD HAVE CALLED. IT WOULD BE A SIMPLE MOTION TO CREATE HARRIS COUNTY COVID-19 RELIEF FUND TO BE MANAGED BY THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED WAY WITH A $15 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT AND WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT THEY WILL APPOINT WENDY MONTOYA-CLUNIN TO THE ADVISORY BOARD OR WHATEVER IT IS AND BE OUR POINT PERSON AND CONTENTION ON THE LEGAL SIGNING OFF ON IT. [02:00:02] IF THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH CONDITIONS IN THERE TO GIVE THEM A COMFORT LEVEL, DON'T DO IT. FROM THE TONE EARLIER, I DIDN'T HEAR ANYBODY JUMPING AT THE BIT. I HEARD SOMEBODY SAY TWO WEEKS. I JUST WANT TO HELP SOME OF THESE FOLKS. WE ARE NOT L.A. WE ARE FOUR TIMES THE SIZE OF TRAVIS COUNTY, BUT I WANT US TO DO SOMETHING. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I WISH I WAS AS THOUGHTFUL AS YOU WERE. I SHOULD HAVE WRITTEN A LETTER TO THE MAYOR. WHEN WE FINISH IT WE WILL CALL. >> JUDGE, IF I COULD -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER, THAT'S -- WHEN I LOOK AT THE HEAT MAP OF THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, THERE IS A CONSIDERABLE NUMBER OF BUSINESSES THAT ARE INSIDE THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I KNOW THROUGH OUR CONVERSATION THAT'S THEY ARE CONSIDERING PARTICIPATING ONCE THEY -- ONCE THEIR CARE DOLLARS ARRIVE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO SEE THEIR PARTICIPATION. I DON'T KNOW IF WE CAN CARVE OUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON AT THIS PARTICULAR POINT BECAUSE THERE WILL BE SO MUCH NEED ACROSS THE AREA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I HAVE TO DO THAT TO GET THE SUPPORT, COMMISSIONER -- GRANTED I AM 30% UNINCORPORATED. LIKE WITH YOUR PROGRAM, I HINTED AT THAT, DIDN'T I? I COULD FEEL THAT CLUB YOU WERE THROWING THROUGH THIS CAMERA, SO I DIDN'T -- BUT IF THAT'S WHAT IT TOOK I WOULDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. AND EVEN IF WE TRY TO DO A SWAP WITH THE CITY FOR SOME ASSETS, THEY GOT MORE FISCAL CHALLENGES THAN WE HAVE RIGHT NOW. WE MAY GET THERE SO I DON'T WANT TO START SEEMING TOO UPPITY BECAUSE WE MAY GET THERE, BUT WHATEVER WE CAN DO, YOU KNOW, WE WILL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'LL WAIT TO HEAR FROM MR. SOARD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WOULD LIKE TO BY FOR INDICATE THE MOTION -- BIFORCATE IT. ONE PLACE FOR NONPROFITS TO CONTRIBUTE AND ONE PLACE FOR THE 426 MILLION THAT IS COMING IN OR A SECTION OF THAT THAT WE MAY NOT USE WITH REGARD TO THE PRECINCTS. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THAT AS A SEPARATE MOTION FROM WHETHER OR NOT WE PUT PROPERTY TAX FUNDS OR PICK FUNDS INTO THIS ACCOUNT. I AM SUPPORTIVE OF THE CREATION OF THIS ENTITY. I AM NOT SUPPORTIVE OF TAKING PROPERTY TAX FUNDS AND PUTTING THAT INTO IT. I WOULD BY TO BIFORCATE THE MOTION IF I COULD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I AM NOT -- IF SOME OF WHAT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION DOES IS ELIGIBLE FOR REIMBURSEMENT WHETHER IT IS FROM THE 426 OR FROM OTHER CDBG, ANY MONEY WE GET, THAT'S GOOD. I'M REALLY NOT TRYING TO SET UP THIS FUND WITH WENDY AS OUR ADVISER TO GO AFTER DISPERSING THE 426. I DON'T KNOW THAT THERE IS A NEED TO BIFORCATE IT. THE PREVIOUS ITEM WE DID I THINK IS MORE DIRECTED AT THE 426. I'M JUST TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DO SOMETHING WITH THE IDEA OF 7% OUR LABOR FORCE FILING FOR UNEMPLOYMENT IN FOUR WEEKS, AND THAT FIGURE WILL GO UP. SOME OF THE 426 MIGHT GO AT THAT -- REMEMBER THE ANGELINA CARD IN LOS ANGELES COUNTY? IT WAS NOT A LOT OF MONEY. L.A.'S BUDGET I THINK IS SOMETHING LIKE $30 BILLION. THEY DO MEDICAID ON COUNTY LEVEL IN CALIFORNIA. IT IS A NICE PLACE TO LIVE, BUT I DON'T KNOW IT IS $30 BILLION WORTH OF GOOD LIVING TO BE IN L.A. THEY PUT UP 10 MILLION FOR THE ANGELINA CARD. IT IS A CREDIT CARD THROUGH MASTERCARD OR SOMEBODY AND IT GOES DIRECTLY TO LOW INCOME PEOPLE. I AM NOT TRYING TO COMPETE WITH WHAT THEY DO, BUT DO THAT WITH THE GENERAL FUND REVENUE BECAUSE IN L.A. THEY KNOW THAT A LOT OF THE MIGRANT COMMUNITY, THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY BY THE WAY, IS THE BACKBONE OF THAT COUNTY. THEIR SALES TAX, FIXING ROADS, SUBCONTRACTORS. SOME OF THE PROJECTS WE DO, NO MATTER WHAT WE SAY, SOME OF THOSE FOLKS ARE WORKING ON THOSE PROJECTS MAY NOT BE CITIZENS. BUT THAT'S WHY L.A. AND THE OTHER COUNTIES, SOME WANTED TO DANCE AROUND THE ISSUE. I AM NOT TRYING TO DANCE AROUND IT. I KNOW HOW IMPORTANT THAT COMMUNITY IS TO THIS ECONOMY. [02:05:02] I AM JUST SAYING I DON'T THINK THERE IS A NEED TO BIFORCATE IT BECAUSE I AM NOT GOING AFTER THE 426. I KNOW SOME OF THE PEOPLE I WANT TO GET HELPED BY THIS WILL NOT QUALIFY FOR THE 426. I JUST DON'T KNOW HOW MANY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO HEAR FROM ROBERT AS WELL. ROBERT, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? >> FIRST OF ALL I WANT TO SAY THAT VINCE RYAN CERTAINLY DOES SUPPORT THIS PROGRAM IN GENERAL TERMS. THE CHALLENGE AS A LAWYER IS CREATING A PROGRAM AND HAVING SUFFICIENT DETAILS SO THAT THERE ARE ADEQUATE CONTROLS IN PLACE SO THAT THE TAXPAYERS KNOW WHERE THEIR MONEY IS GOING. THE OVER ARCHING CHALLENGE IS WHETHER PROPERTY TAX WILL BE SET UP. AT THIS TIME WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR ANSWER. THAT'S ONE REASON WE WANT TO TALK TO THE CITY OF BOSTON AND OTHERS TO DETERMINE WHAT THE SOURCE OF THAT FUNDING WAS. OUR CHALLENGE IS WE DON'T HAVE THAT MUCH INFORMATION AND WORKING ALMOST CONTINUOUSLY SINCE SUNDAY TO PUT THIS TOGETHER. AT THIS MOMENT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH TO CREATE A DETAILED PROGRAM. I APPRECIATE AND WE CAN MOVE FORWARD FROM THE DISCUSSION WE HAVE HAD TODAY. THE POLICY DECISIONS YOU FOLKS HAVE MADE TODAY CREATE A PROGRAM THAT WE CAN BRING BACK TO COURT AND BE CERTAIN THAT WE CAN SUPPORT THE PROGRAM FROM A LEGAL VIEW POINT SO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE VOTING FOR. THAT'S WHY I MENTIONED TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS THAT IT WOULD BE VERY NICE IF YOU HAVE A COURT VERY SOON SO WE CAN BRING IT BACK AND GET THIS THING -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: ROBERT, I APPRECIATE YOU ALL. I THINK IT WAS 8:00, 8:30 WE WERE TALKING. YOU AND VINCE WERE IN THE OFFICE. I WAS DRIVING IN. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS PRETTY MUCH PUT THE BALL IN YOUR COURT. THAT MATTER WITH THE JUDGE'S OFFICE, ANY OF US, TALKING TO MY STAFF, WHOEVER. AND HOPE LOOFL -- HOPEFULLY, JUDGE, IF ARE YOU WILLING -- YOU CAN CALL US BACK, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HELP THESE PEOPLE. EVEN IF IT IS THE ONLY ITEM ON THE AGENDA, I AM HOPING BACK WE CAN COME BACK NEXT TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY AND LEGAL WILL TELL US, HEY, WE GIVE YOU SOMETHING AND IT LOOKS GOOD. 10-MINUTE MEETING. EITHER YOU ARE FOR IT ORGANS IT. YOU KNOW IT -- FOR IT OR AGAINST IT AND THEN FLIP BACK OFF ZOOM AND GO BACK TO HELPING FOLKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE IT TO LEGAL FOR THEM TO REVIEW. AS SOON AS WE KNOW -- AS SOON AS THEY ARE GOOD WE CAN CALL A MEETING AND APPROVE IT. THAT'S FINE. WE ARE CERTAINLY -- I AM SUPPORTIVE OF IT ANYWAY. MY CONCERN IS JUST THE -- LET'S HAVE A DISCUSSION. IF WE HAVE A WHOLE OTHER 12-HOUR DAY NEXT WEEK, YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN, I NEED THE LAWYERS TO WORK ON ALL OF THIS PURCHASING. >> THE MOTION I MENTIONED EARLIER SUNT -- SUBJECT TO LEGAL MAKING ANY CHANGES THEY WANT AND BRINGING IT BACK TO THE AGENDA FOR OUR NEXT MEETING WHICH I HOPE IS BEFORE THREE WEEKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AS SOON AS FOLKS SAY WE ARE GOOD TO GO, I AM HAPPY TO CALL A MEETING AND JUST FIGURE OUT WITH YOUR GUYS' STAFF WHAT TIME WORKS FOR EVERYBODY AND WHETHER IT IS A COUPLE DAYS OR A WEEK, THE TIMING WILL BE WHETHER FOLKS -- HOW QUICKLY FOLKS HAVE A CHANCE TO REVIEW IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT ALL RIGHT WITH YOU? I HATE I DIDN'T CALL YOU BACK. I HAVE BEEN SITTING HERE THINKING ABOUT IT SINCE WE TALKED. I THINK WE GOT OFF THE PHONE WE WENT INTO COURT ABOUT 20 MINUTES LATER. >> AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR, COMMISSIONER. WE HAVE THE GUIDANCE AND NOW WE CAN GO TO WORK AND FILL IN THE DETAILS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT RESTATE THE MOTION, I DON'T KNOW HOW TO PRINT IT OR E-MAIL TO YOU. JUDGE, DO YOU WANT ME TO RESTATE IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MOTION TO CREATE HARRIS COUNTY COVID 19 RELIEF FUND TO BE MANAGED BY THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED WAY WITH A $15 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROPRIATE LANGUAGE FROM THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT TO COME BACK TO THE COURT WHEN LEGAL IS READY. >> JUDGE, EXCUSE ME. WE DO HAVE A FEW SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. >> ELIZABETH PETERSON. >> HI, YES. I'M HERE. CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> GOOD MORNING AND THANK YOU. I GUESS, GOOD AFTERNOON AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT OF THIS COVID-19 RELIEF FUND. MY NAME IS LIZ PETERSON AND I COORDINATION -- COORDINATE COMMUNICATIONS FOR THE HOUSTON COALITION AGAINST HATE. [02:10:02] WE ARE A NETWORK OF 60 COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS AND LEADERS IN HOUSTON THAT HAVE COME TOGETHER TO COLLECTIVELY ADDRESS AND PREVENT IDENTITY-BASED INCIDENTS OF HATE, BIAS, DISCRIMINATION AND VIOLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR COALITION IS COMMITTED TO FIGHTING FOR SAFETY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL REGARDLESS OF LEGAL STATUS OR SOCIETAL PRIVILEGE. WE BELIEVE THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF EACH OF US IS INEXTRICK BELLY CONNECTED TO THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF OUR NEIGHBORS. MANY OF OUR INDIVIDUALS SERVED BY THIS FUND HAVE BEEN ON THE FRONT LINE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES AND INCREASING THEIR RISK OF EXPOSURE TO COVID-19. WITHOUT HARRIS COUNTY'S HELP THEY WILL ALSO FACE HOMELESSNESS, HUNGER AND ABUSE DUE TO THEIR INABILITY TO ACCESS FEDERAL RELIEF BENEFITS. SEVERAL OF OUR MEMBERS WORK DIRECTLY WITH SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC ABUSE AND THEY SAY THAT THEY ARE FEEDING THE UNUSUAL STRESS RESULTED IN INCREASED VIOLENCE IN HOME. IN HARRIS COUNTY, REPORTS OF AGGRAVATED FAMILY ASSAULTS HAVE INCREASED 150% FROM FEBRUARY TO MARCH. CHILD ABUSE EXPERTS BELIEVE CASES OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT WILL INCREASE AS WELL AS FAMILIES FACE INCREASING FINANCIAL DISTRESS. THE SITUATION IS ESPECIALLY DIRE FOR THE NEARLY HALF A MILLION HOUSTON CHILDREN WHO HAVE AT LEAST ONE NONCITIZEN PARENT AND WHOSE FAMILIES CANNOT ACCESS FEDERAL BENEFITS. THE SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF HARRIS COUNTY'S CHILDREN AND FAMILIES IS A TOP PRIORITY FOR THE COALITION, AND IT SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORITY FOR YOU AS WELL. WE URGE YOU TO [INAUDIBLE] OF ALL PEOPLE AND SUPPORT THE CREATION OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COVID-19 RELIEF FUND. THANK YOU. >> ANDREA. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, THANK YOU SO MUCH. JUST BEFORE IT COMES UP I WANT TO MENTION TO THE COMMISSIONERS AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE QUITE A FEW SPEAKERS ON THE ITEM THAT I WAS JUST INFORMED. SO JUST SO FOLKS KNOW. GO AHEAD. >> ANDREA GOOTIN. >> I AM THE LEGAL DREGHTER FOR THE HOUSTON IMMIGRATION AND COALITION TO CREATE A FUND WHICH IS TO SAW PORLT -- SUPPORT ALL FAMILIES FOR FEDERAL RELIEF. AS YOU ALL KNOW THE HEALTH BRINGS THE IMMIGRATION LENS TO ALL OF THE WORK WE DO AND TRY TO INFORM THE WORK YOU ALL DO. I WANT TO REMIND YOU THAT IMMIGRANTS MAKE UP THE POPULATION AND HAVE A VARIETY OF STATUSES. SOME ARE DOCUMENTED NATURALIZED CITIZENS AND FACE A LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL BARRIER TO ACCESSING FEDERAL AID. IN ADDITION TO THAT FAMILIES MAY NOT WANT TO ACCESS THE FEDERAL AID THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR BECAUSE OF FEARS AROUND PUBLIC CHARTERS HAVE LEAD TO A NUMBER OF U.S. CITIZENS DROPPING OUT OF MEDICAID AND FOOD STAMPS WHICH AGGRAVATES EVERYTHING WITH COVID-19. OUR IMMIGRANT HOTLINE HAS RECEIVED MANY CALLS FROM FOLKS. 78% IS CALLS RELATED TO THE PANDEMIC AND THEY NEED HELP PAYING RENT AND UTILITIES. THEY WANT TO FILE UNEMPLOYMENT FOR BENEFITS. WE HAVE THOSE NEEDING ACCESS TO INTERNET FOR KIDS' SCHOOL LESSONS. H -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED EVICTIONS AND LANDLORDS ARE STILL THREATENING TO EVICT FOLKS DESPITE THAT BEING IN PLACE FOR NONPAYMENT OF RENT. I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF OTHER TESTIMONIES SO I WILL CUT IT SHORT, BUT I WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANYTHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> SYDNEY VALLEY. >> HI, HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING? YES, I'M HERE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS HAVE A VERY ESSENTIAL SUBJECT WE ARE DISCUSSING AND I AM VERY GLAD THAT IT WAS BROUGHT FORTH. I'M SURE MANY EXPERIENCED THE SAME THING I DID WITH THE MONEY. THE PROBLEM WITH THAT WAS WHEN YOU ARE IN BETWEEN JOBS AND YOU HAVE MULTIPLE BILLS TO PAY IN ADDITION TO TAKING CARE OF PERSONAL BUSINESS FOR YOURSELF, YOU NEED TO [02:15:01] EAT, TRAVEL, EXPENSES, THAT DIDN'T LAST LONG. I HAVE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. IT WAS GONE IN A WEEK. I'M SURE A LOT OF PEOPLE EXPERIENCED THAT. IN ADDITION TO THAT THAT -- THAT I WOULD LIKE TO MENTION THE FAMILIES OF THOSE INCARCERATED AND THE ONE THAT IS IN -- INCARCERATED I'M SURE THEY WERE GOING THROUGH SERIOUS AND VERY, VERY ROUGH TIME. FUNDING FOR COME -- COMMISSARY, THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP THOSE GUYS INCARCERATED. AND THE ONES RELEASED, YOU KNOW, THAT WAS A GREAT IDEA, BUT THE PROBLEM IS WHAT DID THEY GO TO WHEN THEY WERE RELEASED? WHAT KIND OF CONDITION DID THEY WALK INTO? IF THE MIND-SET IS NOT CHANGED THEN THE CRIME RATE WAS GOING TO GO BACK UP. IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO RELEASE SOME OF THOSE GUYS, BUT LOOK AT THE CONDITIONS THEY WERE RELEASED TO. MY HEART GOES OUT TO THOSE GUYS. I WAS FORMERLY INCARCERATED MYSELF AND I TRY TO UNDERSTAND THOSE GUYS. I TALK TO THEM IF I GET A CHANCE WITH RECOVERY FROM DRUGS AND ALCOHOL AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE, BUT IT SHOULD BE MENTIONED THAT IT WAS JUST NOT ENOUGH. I AM NOT THE PERSON TO NOT COMPLAIN ABOUT MONEY, BUT IT IS SURVIVAL. IT IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT FOR US TO CONSIDER THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT'S HAVE TO BE TAKEN CARE OF. IT WENT FASTER THAN EXPECTED. MY INSURANCE LAPSED ON MY TRUCK. THERE WERE SOME ADDITIONAL FEES I HAD TO PAY TO GET MY INSURANCE POLICY REINSTATED. I'M SURE THERE ARE OTHER PEOPLE RIDING AROUND WITH NO INSURANCE. THAT'S DANGEROUS TO BE DOING THAT, BUT THAT'S THE THING THAT WE HAVE TO SUFFER FROM BEHIND THIS PANDEMIC. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR. WE WILL HAVE TO STOP THERE. WE HAVE SO MANY SPEAKERS. WILL YOU REMIND US YOUR NAME AND YOUR AFFILIATION JUST FOR THE RECORD? WE DIDN'T CATCH IT AT THE BEGINNING. >> MY NAME IS SIDNEY, VALLIE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU JUST SPEAKING FOR YOURSELF? >> YES, MA'AM. SO I HAD A HARD TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS YOU SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE TIME. I A -- APPRECIATE IT AND APPRECIATE YOUR PERSPECTIVE. WE WILL HEAR FROM THE NEXT SPEAKER NOW, LUCINDA, IF YOU CAN CALL THEM UP. >> EASY -- ISMAEL GARCIA. ISMAEL GARCIA. >> GOOD MORNING. >> GOOD MORNING, MY NAME IS MR. ISMAEL GARCIA. >> >> THIS IS THE INTERPRETER SPEAKING. I AM HAVING A HARD TIME UNDERSTANDING HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: HE SAID HE IS CALLING FROM LIVINGSTON. >> THANK YOU. >> >> I AM A PART OF THE MAYOR'S PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES GROUP. >> >> AND MY COMMENT IS THAT US AS IMMIGRANTS, WE ARE PART OF THE COMMUNITY. >> >> >> THIS PANDEMIC ALSO AFFECTS US IN MANY CASES, IN MANY DIFFERENT FORMS. >> >> WE DON'T RELY ON A GOOD FORM OF HELP. [02:20:01] >> >> AND THE RATE OF BEHAVIOR IS HIGHER BECAUSE OF THE TYPE OF WORK WE DO. >> >> THE TYPE OF WORK WE DO IS IN OPEN AIR, PLUS THE PHYSICAL EFFORTS AND THE PHYSICAL LABOR WE HAVE TO DO. >> >> IT TRANSFORMS INTO THE TIREDNESS. >> >> IT MAKES OUR IMMUNE SYSTEM VULNERABLE. >> >> IT TRANSFORMS ITSELF INTO A MORE VULNERABLE SITUATION WITH THIS COVID-19. >> >> AND IT IS BEING REFLECTED IN HIGH LEVELS OF CONTAGIONS IN THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. >> >> IT ALSO AFFECTS THE BUSINESSES WHERE WE BUY AND REALIZE OUR HYGENIC RE -- RECREATIONS. >> >> I'M SORRY. WHERE YOU ALSO SEE THAT IT IS AFFECTING NOT ONLY THE IMMIGRANTS -- I'M SORRY. >> WHERE YOU ALSO SEE IT IS AFFECTING THE IMMIGRANTS AND NOT ONLY AFFECTING THE IMMIGRANTS. >> >> ALSO IT IS AFFECTING NOT JUST THE IMMIGRANTS, BUT THE WHOLE FAMILY. >> >> I ALSO BRING A CASE OF A CO-WORKER. >> >> FROM LIVING HOPE. >> >> HER HUSBAND BECAME DISABLED AS OF LAST WEEK. >> BURNS. >> >> AND NOW HER BEING A PERSON HAS TO MAKE A TRIP EVERY WEEK TO GALVESTON. >> >> PEOPLE THAT GAVE THE BEST YEARS OF THEIR LIFE TO THE CITY. >> >> AND WHEN THEIR BODIES ARE SICK OR GET SICK IT FEELS WE ARE NOT VALUED OR CARED FOR. >> >> EVEN THOUGH EVERYTHING WE HAVE CONTRIBUTED OR PROVIDED. >> >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. GRACIAS. WE PROMISED FOLKS A BREAK EVERY TWO HOURS AND IT IS 12:27. PERHAPS WE WILL DO A 10-MINUTE BREAK AND COME BACK AND LISTEN TO THE REST [02:25:02] OF THE SPEAKERS. WE HAVE ANOTHER 10 OR 12 OR SO PEOPLE. >> A BREAK, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, LET'S COME BACK AT 12:40. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 12:41 AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE THREE MEMBERS OF COURT. CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? LET'S GET GOING WITH THE REST OF THE SPEAKERS. LUCINDA, IF YOU WILL CALL UP THE NEXT SPEAK. >> JOHN ABODILI WITH HOUSTON ART ALLIANCE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK YOU ARE DOING WITH THE PANDEMIC, BEFORE AND AFTER. I AM THE CEO OF THE HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE. WE ARE AN ORGANIZATION WHOSE JOB IS TO HELP ARTISTS AND NONPROFIT DOES THEIR JOB. SPECIFICALLY WE BUILD THE PUBLIC ART SECTOR. RIGHT NOW AS YOU CAN IMAGINE BY -- BY PROVIDING THE DISASTER RESILIENCE TO THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY. I AM HERE WITH YOU FOR TWO REASONS. FIRST AS YOU KNOW THE COUNTY PROVIDES NO INVESTMENT STRATEGY FOR THE ARTS THOUGH WE ARE A 1.1 BILLION INDUSTRY THAT DRIVES COUNTY INCOME. IT IS FUNDED BY THE STATE AND THE CITY. WHILE MANY KNOW US FOR ONE-TIME PROJECTS I AM HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING TO OIR COMIENT IN LIGHT OF A LACK OF INVESTMENT. WE ARE REPORTING A 7% LOSS OF INCOME. THE MAJORITY ARE REPORTING A 100% LOSS OF INCOME AND ONLY 5% ARE ABLE TO ACCESS UNEMPLOYMENT. THIS MEANS OUR PEOPLE ARE FALLING THROUGH THE CRACKS. IT INCLUDES SOME OF THE SUPPORT PROVIDED BY THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUND THAT DOES NOT REACH FREELANCERS ADEQUATELY ENOUGH. I AM HERE TO URGE YOU TO INCLUDE ARTISTS AND THE CULTURAL COMMUNITY AND FREELANCERS IN PARTICULAR AND ANY RELIEF FUND YOU LAUNCH. I URGE YOU TO CREATE THE RELIEF FUND. AS WE HAVE SEEN OUR ARTISTS HAVE SUFFERING FROM HOUSING INSECURITY AND FOOD INSECURITY ALONG WITH MANY OTHERS IN THE COMMUNITY. I AM NOT HERE TO PUT US BACK TO WORK. HAA HAS YET TO RECEIVE THE PPP REQUEST THROUGH BANK OF AMERICA AND AS SUCH THE LITTLE BIT WE WERE ABLE TO DO TO KEEP OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS FED AND HOUSED AND HEALTHY IS LIKELY TO DRY UP PRETTY SOON. WE APPRECIATE ALL OF THE WORK YOU DO. WE URGE YOU TO PASS THE RELIEF FUND, AND WE URGE YOU TO INCLUDE FREELANCERS FULLY IN ALL YOU DO. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING THAT UP. WE'LL CIRCLE BACK ON YOUR RECOMMENDATION AND ALSO ON THE PPE. THANK YOU. >> PONCHO ALBREAS WITH LIVING HOPE. >> YES, I AM HERE. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. >> OKAY GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR THE LEADERSHIP AND HARD WORK YOU HAVE BEEN DOING TO HELP US FACE THIS CRISIS. I THINK THE FACT THAT OUR REGION IS DOING BETTER THAN MOST IS BECAUSE OF YOU AND I WANT TO THANK YOU. I HAVE BEEN HERE 20 YEARS AND THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF AN ORGANIZATION FOR ANY WHO SUFFER SPINAL CORD INJURIES. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS IS AN EXTREMELY VULNERABLE COMMUNITY AND POPULATION THAT IS FACING A LOT OF CONDITIONS EVEN BEFORE THIS PANDEMIC HIT. AS YOU CONSIDER THE FUND, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO DO IT IN A WAY THAT INCLUDES THOSE WHO ARE MORE VULNERABLE AMONG US. I HAVE BEEN FOR HUMAN RIGHTS FOR MANY YEARS AND SEEN MANY TYPES OF CRISIS. WHEN A BIG CRISIS [INAUDIBLE] OR ANY OTHER CRISIS HIT, WE COME OUT OF THAT BETTER AS INDIVIDUALS, AS COMMUNITIES AND AS SOCIETY AND WE COME OUT WITH WORSE. [02:30:01] AND WE COME OUT BETTER IF WE DECIDE TO PUSH OUR LIMITS AND INCLUDE THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE WITH OTHERS. WE COME OUT WORSE IF WE FIND REASONS TO DO LESS THAN WE CAN DO. THE RESOURCES YOU ARE CONTINUING TO CONTRIBUTE ON THIS FUND BELONG TO THE COMMUNITY AND I CONSIDER WOULD THAT MEAN THEY ARE ESSENTIAL WITHOUT CONSIDERING THE LIVES AND HEALTH AND WELL BEING WHICH IS ESSENTIAL TO OUR COMMUNITY. REGARDLESS OF RECOGNIZING EVERYBODY WHO IS LIVING AND WORKING IN OUR SOCIETY, WE ALL BELONG AND WE LIVE AND LOVE AND DIE TOGETHER AND WE CAN COME OUT A LOT STRONGER IF WE ARE INCLUDED PARTICULARLY WITH THOSE WHO ARE MOST VULNERABLE. I CAN TELL YOU WE HAVE MEDICAL EQUIPMENT TO SUPPLY YOU CITIZEN -- THE CITIZENS. THERE ARE CITIZENS WHO DON'T HAVE THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU ARE DOING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT WE HAVE CLAIRE WITH KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE. I THINK SHE HUNG UP, JUDGE. NEXT IS BRANDON LEWIS WITH TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. BRANDON LEWIS? >> YES, HOW ARE YOU DOING? HI, EVERYONE, HOW ARE YOU DOING? MY NAME IS BRANDON LEWIS. I AM A MEMBER OF TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. I ALSO WANT TO THANK YOU AND COMMEND HARRIS CITY AND THE COMMUNITIES FOR WHAT WE HAVE DONE SO FAR. WE ARE HERE TO DISCUSS THE RELIEF FUND FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN DEEMED NOT ELIGIBLE. THE ECONOMIC PAYMENT EVEN THOUGH EVERYONE WAS AFFECTED HAS ONLY BEEN GIVEN TO CERTAIN GROUPS, BUT EVERYONE HAS BEEN AFFECTED AND IN SOME CASES IT HAS ENDED WHICH IS UNFORTUNATE. EVERYONE IS ASKED TO MAKE NECESSARY SACRIFICES FOR THE GOOD OF OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY AND THE WORLD. I THINK IT WOULD BE IN EVERYONE'S BEST INTEREST IF EVERYONE WAS ELIGIBLE FOR THE AID AND THE ASSISTANCE THEY NEEDED. IT IS A SMALL FINANCIAL SACRIFICE COMPARED TO THE GREAT RESPONSIBILITIES WE AS HUMAN BEINGS AND HOUSTONIANS AND AMERICANS HAVE FOR ONE ANOTHER. IN TIME WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS. BUT IF WE DON'T TAKE THE PROPER PROCESSES AND THE PROPER STEPS TO MAKE THUR -- MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE IS TAKEN CARE OF, IT WILL BE A PROBLEM IN THE FUTURE. AS A VETERAN MYSELF WE HAVE CERTAIN DISABILITIES AT TIMES THAT WHEN WE COME BACK THERE ARE COMMUNITIES THAT ARE LIKE AT A DISADVANTAGE. IT IS A TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THE COMMUNITIES AND GET EVERYBODY ON PACE TO BE TOGETHER. WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER. AND TO BE ABLE TO COVER THEIR BASIC NEEDS WHILE WE WORK TOGETHER TO RESERVE THE CURRENT CRISIS WE ARE IN. AND WITHOUT PEOPLE HAVING TO WORRY OR BECOME DESPERATE. THE BEST WAY TO GO IS FOR EVERYBODY. [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M AFRAID THE CONNECTION IS NOT REALLY GOOD, SIR. WE CANNOT HEAR YOU VERY WELL. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, WHY DON'T YOU KEEP GOING AND WE'LL SEE IF -- >> YEAH, I'M SORRY. I WAS JUST SAYING AS A PERSON IN THE COMMUNITY I HAVE SEEN THE MAYOR [02:35:11] [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THE CONNECTION IS QUITE POOR. I THINK MAYBE LUCINDA IF YOU WANT TO TRY HIM AGAIN LATER. I THINK WE ALL HAD TROUBLE HEARING THE LAST PIECE OF THAT. >> YES, MA'AM. WE'LL CALL HIM BACK. THANK YOU, MR. LEWIS. THE NEXT CALLER IS GLORIA MCNEIL. >> HELLO? THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK ON THIS VERY IMPORTANT SUBJECT ON THE COVID-19 RELIEF FUND. I AM GLORIA BROWN MCNEIL AND I AM PART OF THE HOUSTON JUSTIN -- HOUSTON JUSTICE CHAPTER. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF THE WORK BEING DONE. THERE ARE SOME NOT ELIGIBLE. TO START WITH PEOPLE ARE VULNERABLE AND GOT THE SHORTENED OF THE STICK AND SOMETIMES THEY WILL STICK IT OUT. NOW WITH THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, SOME PEOPLE ARE BEING PUSHED BEYOND THE POINT OF RETURN. MANY WHO DO NOT QUALIFY HAVE NO WAY TO PAY BILLS. IF THEY HAVE CHILDREN THEY ARE STRUGGLING -- [INAUDIBLE]. THEY ARE NEEDING TO PROVIDE EDUCATION AT HOME. HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS. HOWEVER, SOME OF THEM ARE UNRECOGNIZED FROM INDIVIDUALS AND THEY MAY NOT EVEN HAVE A HOME NOW. SOME OF THEM [INAUDIBLE] OF BEING RECOGNIZED AS THEY TRAVEL FROM LOCATION TO LOCATION FOR FOOD, WATER AND CLEANING SUPPLIES. IF WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, NOW IS THE TIME TO START GETTING OVER THE REPRESSION. THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY COVID-19 RELIEF FUND WOULD BE A POSITIVE STEP. WE ASK THAT YOU VOTE ON THIS FINAL STEP, THIS GREAT STEP TODAY. DO ALL YOU CAN TO ASSURE THOSE NOT RECEIVING A FEDERAL STIMULUS CHECK IN HARRIS COUNTY BE PROVIDED AN AMPLE AMOUNT OF RELIEF AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. VOTE FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY FOR ALL. PLEASE ACT TODAY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE WE HAVE BRANDON LEWIS BACK ON THE LINE. MR. LEWIS? >> YES. SORRY ABOUT THE CONNECTION EARLIER. YEAH, MY NAME IS BRANDON LEWIS ONCE AGAIN AND I AM WITH TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. WE ARE HERE IN HOUSTON, TEXAS. AS I HAVE BEEN LISTENING, A LOT OF COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. EVERY COMMUNITY HAS BEEN AFFECTED. WE HAVE ALREADY TAKEN STEPS TO AID PEOPLE WITH FOOD RELIEF. THERE HAS BEEN MASS HANDOUTS BY THE CITY AND BY OTHER CITIZENS AND BUSINESSES AS WELL. WE JUST NEED TO CONTINUE TO TAKE FURTHER STEPS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COVERING ALL BASES. THIS STIMULUS CHECK OR THIS STIMULUS PACKAGE THAT WAS PRESENTED BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS A BIG THING. IT IS A REALLY, REALLY GOOD THING FOR THE WHOLE COUNTRY. WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE TAKING CARE OF EVERYBODY. IF WE DON'T TAKE CARE OF EVERYBODY, THEN THE PROBLEM IS ONLY HALF RESOLVED. IT WILL CREATE FUTURE PROBLEMS. AS A MEMBER OF THE THIRD WARD COMMITTEE, I HAVE SEEN THE BAD AND THE GOOD. IT IS LIKE PEOPLE ARE GETTING DESPERATE AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT WHETHER THEY CAN FEED THEIR FAMILIES AND VOTING ON THE ECONOMIC IMPACT PAYMENT TO REACH THE INELIGIBLE COMMUNITIES AND IT WILL PUT A FINISHING TOUCH TO RESOLVE THIS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. [02:40:02] THANK YOU. BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU. >> WE'VE GOT CLAIRE DUTRY WITH KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE. >> THANK YOU. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO. GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CLAIRE DR -- DUTRY AND THE MANAGER OF KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE. AS KINDS CHECKS IN, ALL EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT NOT HAVING ENOUGH FOOD AND ABOUT PAYING RENT. NOT JUST BECAUSE THEY LOST THEIR JOBS, BUT SOME CAREGIVERS ARE SICK. THE UNDOCUMENTED MOTHER OF ONE OF KIND'S 10-YEAR-OLD CLIENT WAS SO SICK SHE COULD NO LONGER WORK AND COULD NOT LEAVE THE HOUSE TO WAIT IN THE LONG FOOD PAN LINE. -- FOOD PANTRY LINE. THE FAMILY WAS RUNNING OUT OF FOOD SO KIND COORDINATED WITH THE FAMILY TO BUY GROCERIES. HOWEVER, THIS CHILD AND HER FAMILY NEED MORE SUPPORT. BECAUSE OF OUR CLIENT'S EXPERIENCES, KIND SUPPORTS THE CREATION OF THE HIRED COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY RELIEF FUND. SINCE 2009 KIND HAS PROVIDED FREE LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND PRO-BONO SOCIAL SERVICES FOR ACCOMPANIED AND REFUGEE CHILDREN WHO COME TO THE U.S. UNACCOMPANIED REFUGEE CHILDREN HAVE NO REPRESENTATION. WE HOPE TO HAVE THEM QUALIFY FOR EMERGENCY SERVICES. HARRIS COUNTY AND TEXAS STATE ARE CONSISTENTLY ONE OF THE TOP TWO COUNTIES AND STATES IN WHICH UNACCOMPANIED CHILDREN ARE RELEASED FROM FEDERAL CUSTODY TO SPONSOR. CURRENTLY KIND STAFF AND PRO-BONO ATTORNEYS IN HOUSTON WORK WITH OVER 650 CHILD CLIENTS. DURING THIS TIME MY OFFICE AND OUR PRO-BONO NETWORK HAVE REACHED OUT TO ALL 650 CHILDREN GET THEM THE RESOURCES THEY NEED. WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY MORE CHILDREN WE NEED TO HELP. FEDERAL PUBLIC CHARGE EFFECTS HAVE SET IN AND THE PANDEMIC HAS EXACERBATED EXISTING VULNERABILITIES, HEALTH DISPARITIES AND BARRIERS TO SERVICES. SEVERAL CLIENTS AND CAREGIVERS WHO NEED THE FUND TO ASSIST WITH LINGUISTICALLY, APPROPRIATE AND CULTURALLY SERVICES AND COVERING THINGS LIKE RENT, UTILITIES, FOOD AND CHILD CARE. INCREASE THE ACCESS TO TESTING AND VACCINES AS WELL AS OTHER MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH CARRIE SOURCES. TECHNOLOGY TO ASSIST WITH TELE-HEALTH AND DISTANCE LEARNING OPTIONS FOR THE MANY FAMILIES WITHOUT ACCESS TO THE INTERNET AND COMPUTERS. MANY OF OUR CLIENTS WITH FREE COUNSELING THROUGH THEIR SCHOOL DISTRICT, BUT THEY HAVE LIMITED ACCESS RIGHT NOW DUE TO THE SCHOOL CLOSURES. SUPPORTING ON GOING PROGRAM THAT'S WORK WITH IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WHILE PROGRAMS ARE CLOSED TO MONITOR THE POE PEN -- POTENTIAL INCREASE IN CHILD ABUSE AND VIOLENCE. THEY ATTEND OUR SCHOOLS AND PLAYS AND OUR PARKS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO STOP YOU RIGHT THERE SO WE CAN MOVE ON TO THE NEXT SPEAKER, BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOTE AND THE WORK YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ADAN FEW WEAN -- FUENTAS. MR. FUENTAS? >> HELLO, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> AWESOME. SO, HELLO, I AM A MEMBER OF THE [INAUDIBLE] AND I AM HERE TO REPRESENT MY COMMUNITY. FIRST AND FOREMOST I WANTED TO THANK YOU COMMISSIONERS FOR A CHANCE TO SPEAK ON THE COVID-19 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUND. I AM STUDENT AND 20 YEARS OLE. I AM TRYING TO GET -- YEARS OLD AND TRYING TO GET A MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEGREE. AS A STUDENT, YOU KNOW, COVID-19 REALLY CHANGED MY LIFE. IT GAVE ME A HANDICAP. IT IS ON THE MATTER THAT MY CLASSES WERE CHANGED TO ONLINE, RIGHT? IT IS A VERY BIG TRANSITION. ESPECIALLY ME AS A STUDENT WHO IS USED TO BEING IN CLASS. PLUS I AM NOT GETTING A REFUND OR ANY EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE. IT REALLY, REALLY, REALLY, REALLY AFFECTED ME REALLY HARD, ESPECIALLY MY FAMILY. MY FAMILY GOT LITTLE HANDY P QUAS DUE TO COVID-19 -- HANDICAPS DUE TO COVID-19. MY FAMILY IS UNDEUMGHTED -- UNDOCUMENTED AND NOT ABLE TO PAY RENT FOR ALMOST TWO [02:45:01] MONTHS. WE WEREN'T ABLE TO PAY MOST OF OUR BILLS. THEY WERE VERY, VERY, VERY DELAYED. THIS COVID-19 REALLY AFFECTED US IN MANY WAYS, ESPECIALLY OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS WHO ARE DOCUMENTED AND CANNOT GET A JOB. WE ARE ALL PEOPLE AND ALL HUMAN BEINGS AT THE END OF THE DAY. AS MY FAMILY ALWAYS SAYS, EVEN THOUGH THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT SUPPORT US AT ALL TIMES, WE ARE ALWAYS GRINDING AND WE ALL NEED SOME TYPE OF HELP AT SOME TIME. THIS IS ONE OF THOSE TIMES THAT WE ALTOGETHER SHOULD BE COMING ALONG AND GETTING THIS ASSISTANCE. THE ONLY THING IS OUR GOVERNMENT DOESN'T APPROVE IT. I'M A STUDENT. I AM THINKING OF MY FUTURE HERE, RIGHT? IF I AM NOT ABLE TO GET SOME TYPE OF ASSISTANCE, I AM NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE MY EDUCATION, RIGHT? I KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF PROBLEMS OUT THERE FOR THE STUDENTS, BUT SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THAT LUXURY TO BE ABLE TO GET ACCEPTED TO THESE PROGRAMS. THESE ASSISTANCE FUNDS WILL BE A HELP FOR SO MANY OF THE COMMUNITIES. I'M SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THEM. NOT EVERYBODY HAS A LUXURY TO MOVE ON. EVEN WITH THE SETBACKS OF COVID-19. MY COMMUNITY DOES CONTRIBUTE A LOT TO SOCIETY. FOR EXAMPLE, WE MAKE UP 25% OF THE IMMIGRANT POPULATION. WE FACE LANGUAGE AND CULTURAL BARRIERS. WE GO THROUGH EVERYTHING. HALF OF OUR CHILDREN HAVE AT LEAST ONE NONCITIZEN PARENT. BECAUSE OF THAT THE LAW SAYS WE CANNOT GET ASSISTANCE OR ANY TYPE OF FUNDS OR ANY CHECKS BECAUSE THE SPOUSE IS AN IMMIGRANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> WE HAVE KELLY SANCHEZ WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. MS. SANCHEZ? >> YES? >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS KELLY SANCHEZ, AND I'M HERE TO SHARE THE ISSUE OF MY FAMILY THAT ARE FACING WITH THE ROAN -- R THE CORONAVIRUS AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE RELIEF FUND. MY PARENTS HAVE A SMALL BUSINESS. THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR US IN THE PAST YEARS. WITH THIS SMALL BUSINESS THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PAY BILLS AND GET GROCERIES AND ANY ESSENTIAL THINGS. THEY HAVE ALSO PAID THEIR TAXES AND THEY HAVE FILED EVERY YEAR. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE STIMULUS CHECK THE GOVERNMENT WAS PROVIDING. WITH THIS CORONAVIRUS MY PARENTS [INAUDIBLE] AND NOT MAKING THE INCOME TO BUY PURE ESSENTIALS. IT IS UNFAIR FOR MY FAMILY AND OTHER FAMILIES OUT THERE GOING THROUGH THIS SIMILAR SITUATION WITH WORK. THEY HAVE LOST THEIR JOBS MAKING THEM STRUGGLE EVERY DAY AND WE NEED TO BE A PART OF THE COMMUNITY TOO. SOME OF THE FAMILIES ARE NOT ABLE TO QUALIFY FOR THE CHECKS BECAUSE OF THE STRICT REQUIREMENTS, AND IT IS UNFAIR FOR THEM TO GO THROUGH THIS SITUATION. [INAUDIBLE] WE NEED THE RELIEF RIGHT NOW. I HOPE THAT YOU TAKE THIS INTO CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> MARIA BASERA. >> >> WE ARE ALSO AFFECTED WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON. >> >> MY WHOLE FAMILY WITH EVERYTHING THAT IS GOING ON. MY FAMILY IS ALSO UNEMPLOYED. >> [02:50:08] >> I HOPE THAT WE ARE HEARD. I HOPE THAT YOU CAN HEAR US. WE ARE PEOPLE WITH LOW RESOURCES. WE DON'T HAVE THE BACKING OF THE GOVERNMENT. WE ALSO NEED THE ASSISTANCE. >> >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THE INTERPRETER -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE MUTED. >> SORRY. HELLO? >> YES, WE ARE OLDER PEOPLE AND WE HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME, YOU KNOW, IT IS NOTES A -- NOT AS EASY FOR US TO FIND JOBS THAT COME EASY FOR PEOPLE OF OUR AGE. WE ARE ALL UNEMPLOYED AND DON'T HAVE THE RESOURCES AND FINANCIAL ABILITY TO PAY FOR OUR BILLS, OUR FOOD, THE BENEFITS WE REQUIRE LIKE MEDICAL BENEFITS. I MEAN, WE ARE JUST ASKING YOU GIVE US SOME TYPE OF HELP TO BE ABLE TO LEND US A HELPING HAND AT THIS MOMENT. >> >> TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THAT WE ARE HUMAN, WE ARE A HARD WORKING PEOPLE AND WE CONTRIBUTE TOO. HELP US TOO. I MEAN, WE NEED THE BENEFITS. WE DON'T ASK FOR MUCH. BUT WE ARE ASKING FOR JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HELP. >> >> I JUST WANT TO MENTION AND REITERATE THAT WE ALL CONTRIBUTE. WE CONTRIBUTE TO THE UNITED STATES. WE ARE PART OF THIS COUNTRY. WE ARE WORKING, AND THE THING IS WE ARE HAVING A HARD TIME BECAUSE WE ARE NOT RECEIVING ANY TYPE OF BENEFITS IN. THIS SITUATION MORE THAN ANYTHING, I WANT YOU GUYS TO CONSIDER WE DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY TO PAY OUR BILLS. EVERYTHING IS COMING ON TOP OF US. WE HAVE TO PAY OUR BILLS AND WE HAVE TO PAY OUR RENT AND WE HAVE NO MONEY FOR RENT AND FOOD AND ALL OF THIS IS COMING ON TOP OF IT. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS CRUSHING US. AND WE HAVE NO MONEY TO GET -- WE HAVE NO WAY TO GET OUR MONEY. ON TOP OF THAT, I HAVE KIDS. HOW AM I GOING TO PROVIDE FOR MY KIDS? I HAVE KIDS WHO HAS KIDS AND NONE OF US ARE WORKING. I AM NOT WORKING AND THEY ARE NOT WORKING. ALL OF THE PEOPLE IN MY SITUATION, THEY CAN'T WORK AS LONG AS THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT ASSISTING US. >> >> HOPEFULLY YOU HEAR US OUT AND LISTEN TO OUR VOICES AND LISTEN TO US AND RECOGNIZE THAT WE ARE HUMAN. [02:55:01] ALL WE ARE ASKING FOR IS A LENDING HAND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT WE HAVE DONNA MURPHY, DR. DONNA MURPHY. >> HELLO? >> DR. MURPHY? >> YES. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> THANKS. GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I AM A PHYSICIAN SCIENTIST ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR DOCTORS AND A MEMBER OF THE IMMIGRANT AND REFUGEE COMMITTEE. WE HAVE A PRODUCT LIFELINE FOR OUR CHILDREN. I ALSO LOOK THROUGH THE LENS OF HEALTH. TODAY I AM LOOKING FOR FEDERAL RELIEF DURING THE PANDEMIC. THIS INCLUDES UNDOCUMENTED AND MIXED STATUS FAMILIES WHO SUFFER PROFOUNDLY DURING DISASTERS. AMERICANS AND ESPECIALLY TEXANS HAVE CREATED LITTLE IN THE WAY OF SAFETY NETS FOR THEM. WE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THE PRACTICAL REALITY THAT FAILURE TO SUPPORT THE HEALTH AND ECONOMIC NEEDS OF OUR IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES WILL IMPEDE THEIR ABILITY TO SUPPORT EVERYONE ELSE. IMMIGRANTS HOLD 29% OF THE JOBS IN HOUSTON ACCORDING TO THE MIGRATION POLICY INSTITUTE. IN 2018 DURING HURRICANE HARVEY WHILE THE HOUSTON STRONG EFFORT VALIANTLY MANAGED THE IMMEDIATE NEEDS OF THE HARDEST HIT HOUSTONIANS, FEDERAL ASSISTANCE NEVER CAME TO THE UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY WHO SUSTAINED DAMAGE OR LOST WAGES FROM THE STORM. THIS COMMUNITY WAS PARTICULARLY VULNERABLE BECAUSE THEY WERE ALREADY STRUGGLING WITH A LACK OF HEALTH CARE ACCESS. THE STORM RENDERED THEM HELPLESS. THEY ARE US FAKING THE SAME CHALLENGES THEN AS THEY ARE NOW DURING THE CURRENT CRISIS. NOW EXISTING ANTI-IMMIGRANT POLICIES HAVE FEAR OF THE NEW PUBLIC CHARGE RULE THAT THE FEDERAL ADVISORY WON'T APPLY TO COVID-19 SERVICES AND AGAIN WITH MANY WHO ARE UNEMPLOYED FAMILIES CANNOT MAKE RENT. HALF OF THE CHILDREN IN HARRIS COUNTY HAD ONE NONCITIZEN PARENT AND VULNERABLE TO NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT RESOURCES TO WEATHER THE STORM. DURING HARVEY I STARTED A FUND WITH A FEW IMMIGRANTS ACTIVIST THAT'S RAISED $80,000 FOR UNDOCUMENTED AND IN THE LAST WEEK I GOT CALLED FROM TWO OF THE FAMILIES WHO RECEIVED THE GRANT. BOTH SINGLE HOUSEHOLDS. ONE WITH A SICK CHILD FACING EVICTION AS THEY ARE OUT OF WORK DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THE REASON I LEFT CLINICAL CARE AND THE REASON THAT OVER 40% IN THE PROFESSION OF MEDICINE BURN OUT IS RENDER US IMPOSSIBLE. WHEN OUR PATIENTS ARE STRUGGLING WITH INTERRELATED CHALLENGES THAT POVERTY AND LACK OF SECURITY AND HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES THEY COME TO US VERY SICK AND OFTEN UNABLE TO GET BETTER. OUR ABILITY TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OUR DIVERSE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY IN HARRIS COUNTY WILL DEPEND ON YOU. I URGE YOU TO VOTE TODAY IN SUPPORT OF A LOCALLY FUNDED PROGRAM FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. IF EVERYONE ELSE CAN TRY AND MAKE SURE YOU ARE ON MUTE. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY BE SOMEBODY THERE IN THE BACKGROUND WITH A MICROPHONE ON. THANK YOU SO MUCH, DR. MURPHY. >> MEREDITH WITH THE TYREE JUSTICE CENTER. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> THANKS. HI MAY NAME IS MEREDITH AND A LEGAL ADVOCATE WITH THE JUSTICE CENTER IN HOUSTON. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION OF THE RESOLUTION THAT HAS BEEN PROPOSED TO SUPPORT OUR HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES. I AM CALLING TO EXPRESS MY SUPPORT FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA FOR FAMILIES NOT ABLE TO ALONG -- ACCESS THE STIMULUS. WE PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES FOR THOSE WITH GENDER-BASED TRAUMA. AS A VICTIM ADVOCATE DAY AFTER DAY ME AND MY TEAM HELP THOSE SEEKING GUIDANCE EXPAIF TEE AND -- SAFETY AND NAVIGATING THE CRIMINAL JUS -- JUS -- JUSTICE SYSTEM. THEY ARE A VOL -- VULNERABLE POPULATION WITH NO ABILITY TO HAVE ACCESS TO RESOURCES. HOMES ARE NO LONGER SAFE AND TRAUMAS ARE EXACERBATED AND HEALTH CARE IS NOT COVERED, [03:00:06] BUT MONEY IS NOT COMING IN. I CAN SPEAK ABOUT THE EXAMPLES HOW THIS IMPACTED THE COMMUNITY. ONE OF THE SURVIVORS LOST HER JOB AT THE BEGINNING OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. SHE AND HER FAMILY WERE NOT ABLE TO GET ASSISTANCE AND SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO PAY. THE LANDLORD DEMANDED PAYMENT. SHE COULD NOT AND HE DEMANDED SEX WORK AS PAYMENT. WHEN SHE SAID SHE COULD NOT HE EVICTED HER. SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE -- SHE HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO ACCESS FEDERAL ASSISTANCE. SHE IS HAPPY -- SHE HAS BECOME DEPENDENT ON AN ABU -- AN ABUSIVE PARTNER FOR FOOD AND SHELTER FOR HER AND HER CHILDREN. SHE IS FEARFUL FOR HER SAFETY. THIS IS THE HARDSHIP THAT SURVIVORS IN OUR COMMUNITIES ARE FACING. THERE IS A THREAT OF CONTINUED ABUSE AND HOMELESSNESS AND UNSCREW PEW LESS ACTIONS. A COUNTY FOUND FOR THESE SURVIVORS AND COUNTLESS OTHER HARRIS COUNTY FAMILIES TO ACCESS SAFETY FOR THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES. JUST TO CONCLUDE I WOULD SAY A COUNTY FUND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WOULD HELP THOSE IN THIS SITUATION. THEY PROVIDE SAFETY AND PROVIDES HELP TO SO MANY OTHERS FACING ECONOMIC AND EMOTIONAL DIFFICULTIES DURING THIS TIME. I SUPPORT AND URGE YOU TO SUPPORT THE CREATION OF A PUBLIC FUND TO PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO RESIDENTS UNABLE TO HAVE [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WORK. >> SANDRA VAW 11 SEE -- VALECIA. >> YES, MA'AM. >> WITH THE WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. >> OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THE INTERPRETER ON THE LINE? >> IT WAS MUTED ON THE OTHER END. >> I DO APOLOGIZE. I HAVE THE BEGINNING QUESTION. MY NAME IS HECTOR VALENCIA. I WANT TO SPEAK ON THE POINT WE ARE SPEAKING ON TODAY. >> >> YES, I WANTED TO SHARE MY EXPERIENCE AND WHAT I AM GOING THROUGH TODAY. I THINK IT IS A LITTLE SAD. IT IS NOT A LITTLE BIT SAD. IT IS ACTUALLY A LOT SAD, AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE GOING THROUGH IT. I FEEL LIKE A LOT OF US ARE ACTUALLY IN THE PROCESS OF GOING THROUGH THE SITUATION. I AM A SURVIVOR OF -- >> >> I AM A SURVIVOR OF COVID-19 AND A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ON BEHALF OF MY HUSBAND WHO IS A U.S. CITIZEN. >> >> I HAVE NOT WORKED FOR THE LAST SIX WEEKS BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY I GOT SICK WITH THE VIRUS, AND I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK. I SPENT THE MONEY THAT I DID HAVE. >> >> YES, IT CAME TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD NO FOOD. [03:05:02] I HAD NO MONEY FOR FOOD AND NO MONEY FOR MEDICATION. I HAD NO MONEY FOR ANYTHING. BECAUSE I WAS TRYING TO BE RESPONSIBLE AND NOT, YOU KNOW, SPREAD THE VIRUS TO ANYONE ELSE, AND I WANTED IT TO KEEP FROM OTHER PEOPLE, BASICALLY I HAD TO BE AT HOME AND I WAS AT HOME PASSING SOME DIFFICULT TIMES NOT ONLY WITH MYSELF, BUT WITH MY UNDERAGE CHILD. >> >> I WAS VERY DESPERATE. HOW CAN I SOLVE THIS PROBLEM WHERE I BRING FOOD TO THE HOUSE? HOW DO I BRING THE NECESSITIES I NEED FOR MY HOME? THIS IS A DIFFICULT TIME FOR ME. I AM NOT USED TO DEPENDING ON ANYONE ECONOMICALLY. I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN AN INDEPENDENT PERSON. AT THIS MOMENT MY STATUS IS JUST BROKEN. >> >> YES, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A VERY DIFFICULT SITUATION, AND A LOT OF IT HAS TO DO WITH THE ECONOMIC FACTOR. IT HAS BEEN -- I FEEL LIKE WHEN I HAVE BEEN AT HOME I FEEL LIKE I HAVE DONE SOMETHING BAD. NOT ONLY DO I HAVE TO, YOU KNOW, CONTINUE MYSELF, BUT HAVE I TO SHUT MYSELF OFF FROM THE WORLD. I HAVE TO BE SHUT IN INSIDE MY HOME OF FOUR WALLS AND HAVE 0 CONTACT WITH THE OUTSIDE WORLD. >> >> I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WORSE? AT THIS POINT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPRESS MYSELF BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME. THERE ARE NIGHTS I COULDN'T SLEEP BECAUSE I STAY AWAKE AND I WORRY IF I AM ABLE TO PROVIDE, BUT I ALSO WAS WORRYING BECAUSE I DIDN'T KNOW IF I WAS GOING TO WAKE UP THE NEXT MORNING BECAUSE I WAS HAVING SUCH DIFFICULTY BREATHING. I DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WORSE. THE SICKNESS THAT HIT ME SO HARD OR THE WORRY THAT I DON'T KNOW HOW TO COVER MY EXPENSES. I MEAN, I'M NOT WORKING. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEED MY CHILD AT THIS MOMENT AND I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FEED MYSELF AND FEED MY CHILD. I HAVEN'T WORKED IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. >> >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> I FEEL LIKE MY MOST URGENT THING AT THE MOMENT IS TO BE ABLE TO PAY MY RENT AND BE ABLE TO PAY MY BILLS. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN I DON'T HAVE ANYWHERE TO GO. >> LINA HIDALGO: SPEAKING -- >> ONE MORE MINUTE PLEASE? >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN'T GIVE HER ANY EXTRA TIME. >> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING TO ME. HAVE A GOOD DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, I THINK YOU ARE MUTED. >> >> I THINK SHE IS OFF THE CALL. [03:10:04] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO WORRIES. THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> WE HAVE CHELEY GLEYS -- IGLACIAS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM THE HOUGHTON -- HOUSTON CAMPAIGN FOR WORKERS DEFENSE. IT IS AN ORGANIZATION OF LOW WAGE WORKERS AND IMMIGRANT FAMILIES. WE HAVE OFFICES IN HOUSTON AND AUSTIN AND DALLAS. I AM ALSO A PRESIDENT OF PRECINCT 4. OUR MEMBERS ARE CONCESSION WORKERS, ELECTRICIANS, HOUSECLEANERS AND MORE. SOME ARE MEMBERS -- SOME OF OUR MEMBERS ARE WORKING IN ESSENTIAL BUSINESSES, BUT FEAR THEY WILL BE CLOSE TO COVID-19 ON-THE-JOB. SOME OF OUR MEMBERS HAVE BEEN UNEMPLOYED FOR NEARLY A MONTH NOW AND FEAR THEY WON'T BE ABLE TO FEED THEIR FAMILY. COVID-19 HAS AFFECTED OUR COMMUNITY IN MANY WAYS AND MORE PHYSICALLY FINANCIALLY AND MOST OF THE MEMBERS WORK IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY AND CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS IN THE PANDEMIC. AT WORK CONSTRUCTION WORKERS HAVE HISTORICALLY FACED HARD HEALTH AND SAFETY CONDITIONS AT WORK. COVID-19 HAS MADE IT WORSE. OUR MEMBERS ARE TELLING US THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO SOAP AND WATER AND RESTROOMS AND PROPER PRO -- PROTECTIVE PERSONAL EQUIPMENT AND HAVING TO PUT THEMSELVES AND THEIR FAMILIES AT RISK. FINANCIALLY IN TWO WEEKS, 1,506 FAMILIES WITH WORKERS DEFENSE GAVE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HERE IN HARRIS COUNTY. WE WERE ABLE TO HELP OUT SOME, BUT NOT ALL. THEY NEED HELP PAYING RENT, FOOD, WATER AND THEIR ELECTRIC BILL. MANY FAMILIES HAVE BARRIERS IN GETTING FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OF ANY SORT. FINALLY BASED ON THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT GOVERNOR ABBOTT ISSUED YESTERDAY WE ASK YOU TO PLEASE PRIORITIZE WORKER SAFETY PROTECTIONS. IN THE PAST WEEK WE LEARNED OF WORKERS TESTING POSITIVE FOR COVID-19 ON CONSTRUCTION SITES HERE IN TEXAS. THIS IS EVIDENCE THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS CONSTRUCTION SAFETY RULES AND ENFORCEMENT, ESPECIALLY IN HARRIS COUNTY, HOME TO 4.7 MILLION PEOPLE AND ONE OF THE LARGEST WORSE FORCE IN THE COUNTRY. THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER WILL PUT MORE LIVES AT RISK. WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE DANGEROUS CONDITIONS ESSENTIAL WORKERS HAVE FACED IN TEXAS FOR MONTHS. CONSTRUCTION WORKERS WHO RISK THEIR LIVES EVERY DAY ON THE ON-THE-JOB SITE WITHOUT ADEQUATE PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT OR MEASURES TO PROTECT FROM THE VIRUS. HARRIS COUNTY MUST ACT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. WE URGE FOR TO YOU VOTE FOR ITEM 15 TODAY. IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NEXT WE HAVE EL -- ELVA DIAZ WITH WORKERS DEFENSE PROJECT. MS. DIAZ? >> YES, MA'AM. OKAY. >> HELLO. MY NAME IS ALVA AND I AM A RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND I WANTED TO MENTION THAT THIS SITUATION HAS AFFECTED ME A LOT. I HAVE FOUR CHILDREN AND I HAVEN'T WORKED FOR TWO MONTHS. >> [03:15:02] >> YES, THE THING IS I HAVEN'T WORKED. I HAVEN'T WORKED IN THE LAST TWO MONTHS. I USED TO WORK IN THE GALLERIA. I HAVE A SON THAT WORKED IN THE GALLERIA. I HAVE TWO CHILDREN WHO ARE UNDERAGE AND I HAVE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM. THIS HAS AFFECTED ME BECAUSE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO WORK WHICH MEANS I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO PROVIDE THE NECESSITIES AND THE HOUSEHOLD NECESSITIES. >> >> AND THE THING IS I BASICALLY WANTED TO ASK FOR HELP. YOU KNOW, WHEN I GO OUT TO LOOK FOR HELP, IF YOU GO, FOR EXAMPLE, TO A CHURCH, EVERYTHING IS KIND OF SO FULL THAT IT GETS TO A POINT WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. YOU FEEL DESPERATE. YOU ARE ANXIOUS BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. I AM USED TO WHEN YOU GET TO WORK YOU ARE USED TO MAKING YOUR OWN MONEY. YOU GET A CHECK AND USE IT FOR EXPENSES. I GET TO A POINT I AM I'M PAW -- IMPOTENT AND CAN'T PROVIDE FOR MY CHILDREN. WHEN MY CHILDREN ASK FOR SOMETHING AND THINGS THEY NEED PROVIDED FOR THEM -- >> >> THERE IS OTHER FAMILIES AROUND ME WHO ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING. THERE ARE OTHER SINGLE MOTHERS AROUND ME. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO EXPLAIN IT, BUT BESIDES US, WE CAME HERE. WE FEEL DESPERATE AND WE FEEL AT A LOSS AND HOPELESS BECAUSE WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. WE ARE USED TO WORKING. WE CAME TO THIS COUNTRY AS HARD WORKERS LIKE THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE ARE. WE ARE CITIZENS OF HARRIS COUNTY, AND WE FEEL LIKE AT THIS MOMENT WE FEEL UNDIGNIFIED. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO IN THIS SITUATION. THIS SITUATION HAS REALLY AFFECTED US. IF SOMETHING WERE TO HAPPEN WE WOULDN'T KNOW WHERE TO GO. THIS IS A TOUGH SITUATION AND I AM TRYING TO POINT THAT OUT TO YOU. >> WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS BASICALLY NEED HELP WITH THE LIGHT, THE RENT, THE PHONE BULL -- PHONE BILL, CAR INSURANCE. I CAN GO ON ET CETERA, ET CETERA WITH THE THINGS WE NEED. WE WILL NEED THE HELP. I SAY TO THE COMMISSIONERS TODAY TO VOTE YES ON AGENDA NUMBER 15, THE ARTICLE YOU HAVE NUMBER 15 ON THE AGENDA TODAY. PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. GRACIAS. >> >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR LISTENING TO ME AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I REALLY SINCERELY THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND MAY GOD BLESS YOU. >> JUDGE, THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AVAILABLE TO SPEAK AT THIS TIME ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU. SO BEFORE WE LEARN ABOUT THE SPEAKERS WE WERE CONSIDERING A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS AROUND. [03:20:06] >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, ARE YOU BACK ON ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. AS I STATED EARLIER, I THINK I MADE THE MOTION AND I DID PUT IN THE PROVISION ON WHO I WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION IF IT WORKS. I THINK ALL OF THAT CAN BE WORKED OUT. I HOPE IT WAS BROAD ENOUGH. I DID CALL ROBERT SOARD WHILE ON BREAK TO MAKE SURE I DIDN'T MISLEAD HIM FROM WHEN WE TALKED EARLIER. I THINK THE LANGUAGE IS BROAD ENOUGH AND WITH THOSE CONFINES I MAKE A MOTION AT THIS TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK IT WOULD HURT, COMMISSIONER TO -- I KNOW YOU READ IT TWICE, BUT SINCE WE ARE ABOUT TO VOTE ON IT IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WOULD DO THAT, WOULDN'T YOU? I MOVE TO CREATE THE HARRIS COUNTY COVID-19 RELIEF FUND TO BE MANAGED BY THE GREATER HOUSTON COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AND THE UNITED WAY WITH A $15 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT. THIS FUND WILL BE ESTABLISHED IF THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOUR OFFICE AND OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS SIGN OFF ON IT. >> SECOND. >> DID I GET THAT RIGHT? IT WAS A LITTLE KING'S ENGLISH. >> SOUNDED GOOD TO ME. WE WILL BRING IT BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS SOON AS IT IS READY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN COME BAG -- BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? IT LOOKED LIKE YOU HAD A COMMENT. YOU MAY BE MUTED, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU GOT MIGHT SECOND, RIGHT, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> CAN'T HEAR YOU, JACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: TODAY IS TECHNOLOGY DAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SOMETIMES THE WI-FI GETS CRAZY IF HE IS OUT AT HIS CAMP. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONER. WE CAN SEE YOU, BUT WE CAN'T HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TRY AND CALL HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: MAYBE GET A LITTLE CLOSER. >> 7 MILLION IS THAT WHAT IT IS? 7 MILLION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM CALLING HIM, BUT HE IS NOT ANSWERING. >> HE IS TOO BUSY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I CAN WALK TO THE OFFICE NEXT DOOR. GO ON SPEAKER. GO AHEAD. >> THIS 7 MILLION INVESTMENT [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL REPEAT IT. YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT 15 MILLION INVESTMENT. >> IN YOUR MOTION YOU SAID A 15 MILLION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: INITIAL INVESTMENT. >> PROPERTY TAX INVESTMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD COME OUT OF THE EMERGENCY FUND. >> PROPERTY TAX. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I ASSUME THAT'S WHAT IS IN THERE, YES, SIR. CAN YOU ALL HEAR HIM, ADRIAN? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE COMES IN SPORADICALLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT US TO HOLD OFF AND COME BACK TO THIS LATER? >> [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS A NO ON IT. HE IS A NO ON IT. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> RODNEY ELLIS: HE IS NOR -- FOR THE NON-PROFIT DOLLARS AND OTHER DOLLARS, BUT HE IS NOT FOR COUNTY DOLLARS GOING INTO IT, IS THAT FAIR? >> THAT'S FAIR. AIDE AIDE I MEAN, >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE ARE GOING TO BE USING THE PICK, RIGHT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN. I DON'T WANT TO OFFEND COMMISSIONER CAGLE BY PUTTING THIS PROGRAM IN [03:25:04] PLACE THAT MAY GO INTO HIS PRECINCT AND HIM BEING THE VOICE OF HIS COMMUNITY TO SAY THAT IT IS NOT THE THING TO DO. HOW DO WE MAKE SURE THAT THE MONEY ISN'T SPENT IN PRECINCT 4? >> I DON'T KNOW THAT YOU CAN JUST SEGREGATE IT BY PRECINCT, BUT WE CERTAINLY CAN LOOK INTO THAT. >> -- AIDE AIDE IF YOU -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU WOULD, PLEASE. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK RIGHT NOW WE HAVE A MOTION AND WE HAVE A SECOND AND IT IS BASICALLY FOR IT TO COME BACK AS SOON AS IT IS READY TO COME BACK THAT IT CAN COME BACK. WHY DON'T WE DO THAT FOR NOW. AND THEN ONCE IT IS BACK WE CAN DISCUSS FURTHER. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I HAVE A QUESTION. ARE YOU SAY WHG IT COMES BACK -- SAYING WHEN IT COMES BACK TO DETERMINE THEN HOW MUCH MONEY TO PUT IN IT OR ARE YOU DETERMINING HOW MUCH MONEY TO PUT IN IT BEFORE? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT CLARIFICATION. THE FIRST TIME WE RAN IT -- >> CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU'RE BACK. GO AHEAD, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, DID YOU INCLUDE THE 15 MILLION IN YOUR MOTION THIS TIME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I INCLUDED THE INITIAL INVESTMENT OF 15 MILLION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY, JUDGE, I HAVE A COMMENT. IT IS IN RESPONSE TO WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID. SO YOU WANT TO TAX THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4, BUT BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4 SHOULDN'T BE TAXED, YOU ARE GOING TO TAX THEM, BUT NOT ALLOW ANY OF THE REVENUE DRAWN FROM THE PEOPLE OF PRECINCT 4 TO BE ABLE TO RECEIVE THE BENEFIT OF WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN TAXED. ISN'T THAT LIKE A DOUBLE TAX? ARE YOU GOING TO TAX THEM AND THEN DENY THEM WHAT HAS BEEN TAKEN FROM THEM FORCIBLY? IS THAT WHAT THE RESOLUTION WAS FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA? THE DOUBLE TAX? THE DOUBLE WHAMMY ON THE PEOPLE IN PRE SINK -- PRECINCT 4? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JACK, I AM SIMPLY TRYING TO SUPPORT YOUR VOICE FOR YOUR CONSTITUENTS. YOU DON'T THINK THAT THE TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED IN THIS MANNER AND SO I JUST DON'T WANT TO OFFEND YOU BY SEEING THIS PROGRAM BEING IMPLEMENTED IN YOUR AREA IF YOU ARE OPPOSED TO IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF WE EXEMPT THE FOLKS OF PRECINCT 4 FROM THE TAX FOR IT, THEN I THINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT. BUT IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE TAXED FOR IT, THEN TO PUNISHMENT THEM ON TOP OF TAXING THEM BY DENYING THAT BENEFIT, THAT IS A DOUBLE WHAMMY. I THINK IT IS PATENTLY ILLEGAL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU ARE IN SUPPORT OF THE PROGRAM? YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR CONSTITUENTS BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAM? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T WANT LOCAL TAXPAYER DOLLARS BEING PUT INTO THIS PROGRAM. PERIOD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF THEY DO, YOU ARE NOT OPPOSED TO BENEFIT FROM IT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THEY ARE GOING TO BE TAXED, IF YOU WILL FORCE THE MONEY FROM THEM, THEN THEY SHOULD AT LEAST BE ABLE TO RECOVER SOME OF WHAT'S BEEN TAKEN FROM THEM. IF YOU'RE GONNA TAKE IT FROM THEM, THEN YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY ARE IN THE PROGRAM. WHAT I'M SAYING IS IT WILL BE TAKEN FROM THEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM JUST TRYING TO BE CLEAR. YOU WANT YOUR CONSTITUENTS TO BENEFIT FROM THE PROGRAM -- I GOT IT. I GOT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK, DO YOU HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD? >> STEVE RADACK: I WAS JUST TRYING TO CLARIFY. SO YOUR MOTION INCLUDES THE 15 MILLION? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM READY FOR YOU TO CALL THE QUESTION. GO AHEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE'VE GOT A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR THE 15 MILLION USING THE FOUNDATION AND UNITED WAY WITH WENDY AS A LEADER AND FOR IT TO COME BACK TO COURT AS SOON AS IT IS READY UPON THE COMMUNITY ATTORNEY REVIEW, IS THAT RIGHT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR OF THAT MOTION? >> I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> AGAINST. >> I AM VOTING NO. ONE OF THE REASONS I AM VOTING NO IS THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT ANALYST WAS ASKED QUESTIONS SHE COULDN'T ANSWER. WE ASKED COMMISSIONER RODNEY ELLIS, AND YOU ARE ALLOCATING 15 MILLION BEFORE WE EVEN KNOW WHAT THE PROGRAM IS GOING TO BE AT THE END BECAUSE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WON'T TELL US UNTIL LATER WHEN THEY COME UP WITH A LEGAL AGREEMENT SO I VOTE [03:30:02] NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR OF IT SO THE MOTION CARRIES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU JUDGE, AND THANK YOU MEMBERS, ALL MEMBERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL MOVE TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEMS UNDER COVID ON PAGE 27. AND IT IS UNDER PUBLIC HEALTH. NO COMMENTS THERE AND THERE IS A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM ON COVID-19 THAT HAS BEEN PUT ON THERE BY PUBLIC HEALTH AND THAT IS ITEM 12 ON PAGE 28 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. AND THIS I WILL GIVE THE BRIEF CONTEXT. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING AND I HAVE SPOKEN TO -- I THINK ALL OF YOU IF NOT ALL OF YOU ABOUT THE PLAN THAT WE HAD GOING ON FROM WHEN WE OPENED BACK UP. AND SO THAT PROS -- PROCESS WAS NOTWITHSTANDING ANY DECISIONS BY THE GOVERNOR. THIS ITEM WAS BEFORE HIS ANNOUNCEMENT YESTERDAY. THAT SAID WE ALREADY ARE WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK, BUT IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO DO IT FASTER THAT'S WHAT WE ARE DOING NOW. THE TIMELINE HAS BEEN SPED UP. AND SO HAD IDEA IS AND WE UNVEILED THIS TODAY. IF WE WANT TO CONTAIN THE VIRUS ONCE WE BEGIN REOPENING THE ECONOMY WE HAVE TO DO ENOUGH TESTING AND NIGH TRACING AND WE HAVE TO HAVE -- ENOUGH TRACING AND WE HAVE TO HAVE SPACE IN OUR HOSPITALS. THE LADDER IS A LITTLE BIT OUT OF HOUR HANDS RIGHT NOW. THE HOSPITALS ARE ADMITTING ABOUT 200 PATIENTS A DAY WHICH IS HIGHER THAN WHERE THEY WANT TO BE, BUT IT IS WHAT IT IS. WE'LL DEAL WITH IT. IN TERMS OF THE TESTING, WE HAVE DONE VERY WELL WITH THE SUPPORT PROGRAM, THE FEDERAL AND STATE GOVERNMENTS, WITH YOUR GUYS' SUPPORT AND WITH THE MOBILE SITES AND NOW THE STRIKE TEAM WE HAVE GOING INTO NURSING HOMES, AND THEN ON THE TRACING PIECE, THAT'S THE OTHER PIECE THAT WE'VE GOT TO RAMP UP FASTER THAN HUMANLY POSSIBLE, TRUELY. AND SO WE ARE AIMING THIS NUMBER DEVELOPED BY PUBLIC HEALTH ALONGSIDE THE RESEARCHERS AT RICE, AND THE MET CENTER FOLKS, AND PEOPLE EVEN IN OTHER COMMUNITIES WE HAVE BEEN ASKING FOR GUIDANCE ON AND THAT IS THAT WE NEED ABOUT 300 CONTACT TRACERS. THIS IS FOR 43 FULL TIME POSITION THAT'S WILL BE MOSTLY SUPERVISORS, THE MANAGERS AND THE EPIDEMIOLOGISTS AND THE TEAM LEADER THAT'S WILL SUPERVISE THE REST OF THE CONTACT TRACERS THAT WE ARE QUICKLY MOVING TO RECRUIT. WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT EXISTING COUNTY STAFF. WE ARE TRYING TO LOOK AT VOLUNTEERS. WE ARE DOING WHATEVER KEY -- WHATEVER WE CAN WELL AND QUICKLY. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK IT IS A GOOD PLAN AND WITH THESE PHYSICIANS, I HAVE OFFERED ANY SPACE, OPENED MY OFFICE IF THEY NEED THEM. THEY NEED TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO HOUSE THOSE PEOPLE QUICKLY. I AM ALSO IMPORTANT THAT AS THINGS BEGIN TO OPEN UP WE FIND SOME COMPANY OR HELP SET UP SOME COMPANY TO CHECK TEMPERATURES AND THAT KIND OF THING AS WE HAVE IN THIS BUILDING. I AM DOWNTOWN ON PRESTON. I THINK BILL JACKSON TOLD ME THE STORY WHEN THEY STOPPED HIM. HE PUTS THE AIR ON FREEZING IN HIS CAR. SO HIS TEMPERATURE WAS NOT -- I GUESS IT WAS TOO LOW. WE SHOULD FIGURE HOW WE CAN HAVE SOMEBODY CHECK AT OUR LOCATIONS AND NOT NECESSARILY SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT STOP CERTAIN PEOPLE. IT IS KIND OF NICE THE PEOPLE THAT STOP ME COMING HERE TO PRESTON. SO AS WE OPEN UP WE HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO DO THAT SO WE ARE PROTECTING OUR EMPLOYEES AS WELL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LIKEWISE I WANT TO ALSO -- PRECINCT 2 HAS A LOT OF VULNERABLE FOLKS. WE HAVE THE HIGHEST DIAGNOSED CASES. THIS IS ONE OF THE FACTOR THAT'S PLAYS INTO THE COVID VIRUS. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALSO CONSIDERING HOW TO COLLABORATE WITH US ON DOING THE SAME TESTING TESTING AND MONITORING OF THE PRECINCT. >> LINA HIDALGO: JOHN, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THE EVALUATING FOLKS AS THEY WALK INTO BUILDINGS? >> JUDGE, JOHN BLUNT, WE ARE DOING IT FOR COUNTY BUILDINGS AND I KNOW THE PRECINCTS HAVE REACHED OUT. THE ISSUE IS GETTING RESOURCES OR STAFFING TO DO THAT. WE ARE HAVING ENOUGH TROUBLE KEEPING THE COUNTY BUILDING STAFFED. AS RESOURCES BECOME AVAILABLE, WE WILL REACH OUT TO THE PRECINCTS AND SEE IF [03:35:06] THEY NEED THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU GET SPACE? I KNOW I TALKED TO YOU ABOUT MAKING SPACE AVAILABLE. ARE YOU WORKING SOMETHING TOUT -- SOMETHING OUT WITH TEXAS SOUTHERN? >> THEY ARE MEETING TOMORROW AT TEXAS SOUTHERN TO LOOK AT THE SPACE, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. GLAD YOU GOT YOUR MASK ON SINCE SOMEBODY IS IN THERE. >> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT, DOES PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> MIGHT BE MUTED. SHOULD HAVE GREAT COMMENTS ALTHOUGH WE CAN'T HEAR THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL THAT'S BASICALLY WHAT THAT IS. WE WILL CONTINUE TO KEEP YOU GUYS POSTED AS WE TRY AND RAMP UP AS QUICKLY AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. DO I HAVE A MOTION ON THAT ITEM? >> SO MOVED. >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, JAMES. THERE IS A CORRECTION. YES, THANK YOU. THE ITEM SHOULD READ REQUEST BY PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES FOR THE PERMISSION TO CREATE 43 NEW FULL TIME POSITIONS FUNDED WITH THE PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO SUPPORT THE EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CONTACT TRACING TEAM FOR THE COVID-19 RESPONSE AND RECOVERY. WE ADDED FUNDED WITH PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT CON -- CONTINGENCY FUNDS AFTER THE WORD PHYSICIANS. THAT'S THE CORRECTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. YOU HAVE A QUESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY DOUBLE CHECK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THAT AS THEY UNFOLD THESE EMPLOYEES THAT THEY WILL STILL BE ELIGIBLE -- THAT IT BE DONE IN A WAY THEY ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THE REIMBURSEMENT FROM FEMA AND THAT THEY DOUBLE CHECK THE LEGAL PARAMETERS. THAT WE REFER THIS TO LEGAL TO MAKE SURE AS THEY OBTAIN THESE FOLKS THAT THEY DO GET REIMBURSED UNDER THE FEMA PROGRAM THAT IS THERE AND WE DON'T LOSE OUT ON THE OPPORTUNITY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL AMEND IT TO THAT AFFECT SO THAT ALSO THIS BE REFERRED TO LEGAL TO ENSURE TO THE EXTENT POSSIBLE IT IS REIMBURSABLE. DOES THAT WORK, ROBERT? >> YES, MA'AM, THAT'S FINE. WE WILL REVIEW IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. WE HAVE AN AMENDED MOTION. WE WILL SEE COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU MADE -- OR WAS IT -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S MOVE ON TO COMMUNITY SERVICES. PAGE 26 AND 27 UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION. 26 ITEM 1 AND THIS IS TO TRANSFER A HALF A MILLION FUND TO THE EMERGENCY RENTAL UNDER CSD. DO WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM? >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. CARMELO HERNANDEZ. >> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS CARMELO HERNANDEZ. I AM WITH THE CATHOLIC CHURCH WHICH IS A HUGE MIGRANT PARISH. I SPEAK ON BEHALF OF THE [INAUDIBLE] AND WE WANT TO ASK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS [INAUDIBLE] THROUGH THE HEALTH CRISIS. AND I ON THE OTHER HAND, I SPEAK ON THE SIDE OF THE PEOPLE. [INAUDIBLE]. WHO DON'T HAVE UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. [INAUDIBLE] TO FIND OUT THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE. ALL OF THE MONEY FOR RENTAL AND FOR THE TEAM'S ASSISTANCE. WE ARE THE ONES CLOSE TO PEOPLE. [03:40:06] IT WILL BE MORE HEALTH AND FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. THEY REALLY NEED HELP. TO PAY THE ELECTRICITY. THE DOCUMENTATION [INAUDIBLE] AND EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. PLEASE HELP THEM. HELP THE PEOPLE P WHO HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. PLEASE HELP THEM. [INAUDIBLE]. AGAINST THOSE WHO CHEAT EMPLOYEES OUT OF WAGES AND THOSE WHO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WIDOWS, ORPHANS ORGANS THOSE WHO ARE NOT RESPECTING. PLEASE [INAUDIBLE]. THANK YOU. MAY GOD BLESS YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. DO YOU FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM. IT IS ITEM 1 ON PAGE 26? OTHERWISE MOVING ON ITEM TWO IS AN UPDATE TO THE ANNUAL ACTION PLAN. ITEM 3, MEALS ON WHEELS. AND ITEM 4 IS ALSO MEALS ON WHEELS. ITEM 5 IS ON FUNDS FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE EMERGENCY CENTER AND I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SPEAKER, RIGHT, LUCI IDA? >> -- LUCINDA? >> JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. ONE SECOND, LUCINDA. IF WE CAN HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE. ON THE ITEM UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES D1 I WANTED TO MAKE SURE WHEN IT SAID IT WAS A TEMPORARY TRANSFER, THAT THAT IS, THAT WE ANTICIPATE THAT HALF A MILLION DOLLARS WILL BE REIMBURSED, IS THAT CORRECT? IS THAT WHAT TEMPORARY MEANS? >> YES, COMMISSIONER. JACK CAGLE: THAT WOULD BE A QUESTION FOR JOSH. >> YES. IT IS ANTICIPATED TO BE TEMPORARY. HOWEVER, WE DO NEED THAT CASH FLOW UNTIL SUCH TIME ALL FUNDS ARE EXPENDED AND WE GET THE REIMBURSMENTS FROM HUD AND WE WILL GIVE THAT BACK TO THE PICK. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JOSH. LUCINDA WE'LL CONTINUE WITH THE SPEAKER ON ITEM 5 ABOUT THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTER. >> DANA INC. >> I AM THE -- THANK YOU, THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND WE ARE A COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATION THAT HAS SUPPORTED SOUTH ASIAN AND SIMILAR IMMIGRANT SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SINCE 1996. WE PROVIDE SERVICES INCLUDING TRAUMA COUNSELING AND LEGAL ADVOCACY AND HOUSING AND SHELTER SUPPORT AND FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT AND CASE MANAGEMENT. I WANTED TO SPEAK TO THE FUNDS BEING SET ASIDE HOPEFULLY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND ALSO FOR PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FOR THE COVID-19 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUND. I WANTED TO SHARE A HEARTBREAKING, YET INCREDIBLY COMMON TREND WE ARE SEEING WITH OUR CLIENTS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE MAJORITY OF OUR CLIENTS HAVE COME TO THE CITY OF HOUSTON ON A VALID WORK VISA SO THEY ARE PART OF THE WORK COMMUNITY WHICH 25% OF HOUSTONIANS MAKE UP. MANY HAVE CHILDREN THAT WERE BORN HERE IN HOUSTON WHO ARE HUE STONE -- HOUSTONIANS. HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THEIR ABUSE, EMOTIONAL, FINANCIAL, PHYSICAL ABUSE AND SEXUAL ABUSE THEY ARE EXPERIENCING INCREDIBLE INEQUITIES. MOST IMPORTANT, MANY OF THE TIMES THEIR SPOUSE AND THEIR ABUSER HAS KEPT THEM FROM ACCESSING VALID IMMIGRATION OPTIONS SO THEY ARE LEFT TO FALL BETWEEN THE CRACKS. WHAT WE ARE SEEING ESPECIALLY WITH COVID-19 IS THAT MANY OF THESE CLIENTS, THE STIMULUS TAX THAT THEY WERE VERY MUCH ENTITLED TO BEING THE HOUSTONIANS HERE, THEY EITHER DID NOT GET THEM BECAUSE OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS CONTROLLED BY THEIR ABUSE -- ABUSER, OR IF THEY ARE ELIGIBLE TO GET THEM, THE MONEY WENT TO THE [03:45:01] ACCOUNT OF THE ABUSER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RETRIEVE THEM. THIS MAKES AN INCREDIBLY HARD SITUATION EVEN HARDER. AS YOU ALL KNOW FROM THE RESEARCH THAT HAS COME OUT FROM MANY PLACES, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS ARE FACING INCREASED CHALLENGES AT THIS TIME BEING STUCK AT HOME WITH ABUSERS AND VIOLENCE IS INCREASING. THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY FLED ARE FINDING THEMSELVES LOSING JOBS AND WORKING IN RESTAURANT INDUSTRY AND CHILD CARE AND THEY ARE FACING INCREDIBLE LACK OF FINANCES AND LACK OF ACCESS TO ANY SUPPORT. SO FOR THIS REASON WE ARE ADVOCATING FOR THE COVID-19 PUBLIC ASSISTANCE FUND AND FOR FUNDS ESPECIALLY FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS AND DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SHELTERS TO ENSURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY STAYS SAFER AND THAT ABUSERS ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND EVERY VICTIM REGARDLESS OF THEIR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN AND REGARDLESS OF THEIR IMMIGRATION STATUS IS KEPT PROTECTED IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON. I REALLY WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND WOULD HOPE THAT YOU WOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER SUPPORTING THESE FUNDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. SO THAT WAS UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES. P K -- THERE IS ONE MORE ITEM UNDER COMMUNITY SERVICES AND THAT IS NUMBER 6, AGREEMENT FOR MEALS DELIVERED TO SENIORS IN PRECINCT 2. FOLKS DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER COMMENTS THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE SHERIFF'S ITEMS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE DO YOU WANT TO VOTE ON THESE ITEMS AS WE GO OR JUST WAIT TO TAKE IT IN ALL OF THE AGENDA? >> LINA HIDALGO: I WAIT WE CAN -- I FIGURE WE CAN WAIT FOR THE AGENDA. IF THERE ARE COMMENTS WE CAN VOTE. BUT WHATEVER YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THEN, THE FIRST ITEM UNDER SHERIFF IS JUST A PICK FUND -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS PAGE 27 AND ITEM E1 AND 2 UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION. AND THEN ITEM TWO IS AN ORGANIZATION -- IS AN AUTHORIZATION TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO COMPLETE THE REPAIRS TO 1307 BAKER. THIS IS A BIT OF A SAGA. EITHER SHERIFF OR COUNTY ATTORNEY, PLEASE ADD IF I AM WRONG, BUT WE ARE STILL TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO -- WE WOULD LIKE TO REMODEL LITTLE BAKER AND THE CENSUS COUNTY ATTORNEY NEEDS TO WORK OUT A RESOLUTION WITH COMMUNITY SUPERVISION ON THIS SO THAT WE CAN MOVE FORWARD, CORRECT? >> YES, MA'AM, THAT'S CORRECT. IN EFFECT UNDER THE CURRENT AGREEMENT WITH CSD, THE COUNTY DOES NOT HAVE A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT AND SO WE NEED A LONGER TERM COMMITMENT THAT WILL JUSTIFY THE COST OF A REMODEL. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO EDIT THIS ITEM TO SAY WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY? >> THAT WOULD BE FINE. WE CAN SAY SUBJECT TO OBTAINING A LONGER TERM COMMITMENT AND JOHN MAY HAVE TO CHIME IN. I THINK WE ARE LOOKING FOR SIX MONTHS COMMITMENT, IS THAT CORRECT, JOHN? >> YES, ROBERT. >> SO I THINK WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IS A COMMITMENT FROM CSD THAT THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE POSSESSION OF 1307 BAKER FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO WE WILL ADD SUBJECT TO ATTAINING A LONG-TERM COMMITMENT THROUGH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. IS THAT APPROPRIATE? >> YES, MA'AM. WE WILL CERTAINLY KEEP WORKING ON THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. WE SHOULD PROBABLY VOTE ON THIS SINCE IT HAS BEEN EDITED. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JOSH STUKEY. IF WE CAN CLARIFY I BELIEVE HE IS TALKING ABOUT CSCD AND NOT CSD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMUNITY SUPERVISION AND NOT -- SO IT IS TO WORK WITH THE OFFICE OF THE COUNTY ENGINEER AND COMPLETE THE REPORT AT 1307 BAKER STREET SUBJECT TO OBTAINING A LONGER TERM COMMITMENT THROUGH THE CON TEEN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. DO WE HAVE A MOTION? I DON'T KNOW IF SOMEBODY MADE THE MOTION AND THEY ARE MUTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WAS CONTEMPLATING MAKING A MOTION. OUR OFFICE HAS BEEN WORKING TO ESTABLISH A NAVIGATION CENTER, AND I JUST WANT SOME [03:50:06] CLARITY AS TO WHETHER DOING THIS WOULD PROHIBIT US WHEN THE SITUATION OF THE PANDEMIC EASES ITSELF AND MOVES ON, WHETHER WE CAN REVISIT MOVING FORWARD WITH THE NAVIGATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THE INTENTION IS TO USE -- AND JOHN PLEASE CHIME IN OR ANYBODY ELSE. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE INTENTION IS TO USE THIS TO TRY TO ALLEVIATE THE CONGESTION OF THE JAIL TO MOVE CERTAIN INMATES AND ALL OF THE IDEAS AND THE OPTIONS WE EXPLORED FROM MOVING FOLKS DIDN'T QUITE PAN OUT. NOBODY WANTED THEM IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS FOR SAFETY REASONS AND THIS WAS THE ONLY OPTION WE HAD. IT IS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO REDUCE THE OCCUPANCY AT THE LARGE JAIL, AT THE MAIN JAIL, BUT PRESUMABLY AFTER THAT WE WOULDN'T BE NEEDING IT FOR THOSE PURPOSES ANYMORE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WONDER WITH THE BAKER STREET FACILITY, IS THERE ANY POSSIBILITY THAT THE STATE COULD COME IN AND TAKE THAT FACILITY? MAYBE THIS IS A QUESTION FOR -- I DON'T KNOW IF YOU WOULD KNOW, YOUR HONOR OR IF JOHN BLUNT WOULD NOTE. THAT WAS MY RELUCTANCE TO MAKE A MOTION. IF WE SPEND $6 MILLION ON IT, IS THERE A POSSIBILITY THAT THE STATE WOULD COME IN AND TAKE IT OR WILL WE GET THE 6 MILLION BACK? >> I CAN ANSWER THAT, JUDGE. I THINK AT SOME POINT WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO DISCUSS THIS BECAUSE IT IS SUBJECT TO ON GOING DISCUSSIONS WITH THE STATE. THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE STATE COULD RECLAIM THAT PROPERTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING, BUT JUST TO MAKE SURE WE KNOW, COULD WE HOLD THAT ONE UNTIL -- >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HOLD IT AND DISCUSS IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IDAHO >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE THAT VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL HOLD THAT, ITEM 2 FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE NEXT IS ON VOTE BY MAIL. WE HAVE SEVERAL SPEAKERS. DO YOU WANT TO PLOW FORWARD WITH THIS ONE OR BREAK FOR LUNCH AND COME BACK? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO DO THIS ONE IF WE CAN. I AM FLEXIBLE. I'M HUNGRY TOO, BUT I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY SPEAKERS WE HAVE IF WE WANT TO KNOCKOUT ONE MORE. WHATEVER YOU ALL -- >> WE HAVE 11 SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WELL LET'S EAT. I WANT TO HEAR THE SPEAKERS, BUT I HAVE TO EAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE WILL BREAK FOR AN HOUR AND THEN WE'LL COME BACK AND DISCUSS THIS COUNTY CLERK AND IT WILL BE THE COUNTY CLERK COVID SECTION. LET'S COME BACK AT 3:10. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN HEAR YOU, JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN HEAR YOU LOUD AND CLEAR. IT IS 3:11. WE WERE ABOUT TO HEAD TO THE COUNTY CLERKS AND LET'S START TALKING ABOUT THAT. IT IS PAGE 27 AND ITEM 22F. IT IS UNDER THE COVID SECTION. I KNOW WE HAVE SOME SPEAKERS. DR. TROUTMAN, DID YOU WANT TO SPEAK FIRST? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD BE GOOD SO WE CAN -- SO THEY CAN HEAR HER EXPLANATION IF SHE IS AVAILABLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU, DR. TROUTMAN. GOOD AFTERNOON JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I I JUST WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO EACH ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND ALL YOU ARE DOING TO KEEP US SAFE. AS I'M SURE YOU KNOW THERE IS A LOT OF VOTED -- VOTER FEAR AND CONFUSION RIGHT NOW. I THINK VOTERS JUST WANT TO BE REASSURED AND GIVEN CLEAR ANSWERS ON HOW THEY WILL BE ABLE TO VOTE. MY FOCUS RIGHT NOW IS BEING ON PREPARED THAT'S WHY I AM NOT WAITING ON THE STATE FOR ANSWERS. I AM PREPARING FOR AN EXPANDED MAIL IN PROGRAM. IN ADDITION TO A HEAVIER LOAD. [03:55:04] NO MATTER WHAT THE COURTS AND THE STATE DECIDE FOR THE JULY OR NOVEMBER ELECTIONS, WE MUST BE PREPARED FOR AN INCREASE IN MAIL IN BALLOTS WHICH WE ARE ALREADY SEEING IN OUR OFFICE NOW. THAT'S WHY I AM HERE TO GIVE YOU A COST ESTIMATE OF THE PROGRAM AND AN UPDATE ON THE STATUS OF COURT CASES. I JUST WANTED YOU TO KNOW IN PREPARATION FOR THE UPCOMING ELECTIONS IN THE LAST MONTH MY TEAM AND I HELD VIRTUAL MEETINGS COLLABORATING WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS AND THE U.S. ELECTIONS ASSISTANCE COMMISSION AND THE BIPARTISAN POLICY CENTER AND THE CENTER FOR JUSTICE AND THE HARRIS COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, RICE UNIVERSITY AND POLITICAL PARTIES AND WE ARE LOOKING AT A VARIETY AND THEY WILL ENSURE TO PREPARE A SAFE ELECTION AND TO PROTECT OUR CO-WORKERS WITH THE NECESSARY PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. HOWEVER, IN ORDER TO DO THAT AND MEET THE EXPECTED INCREASE IN JULY AND NEVER THEY WILL BE INCREASED COSTS AND WE ARE ASKING FOR FUNDING TO COVER THE COSTS. WE HAVE SPOKEN TO THE BUDGET MANAGEMENT ABOUT THE COSTS AND SENT YOU A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE COURT RULINGS. WITH THAT MR. WYNN AND MR. RAY AND I ARE HAPPY TO TAKE QUESTIONS OR WE CAN GO TO THE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. RAY GIVE US A QUICK OVERVIEW OF THE JUDGE'S RULING IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE DOING WHATEVER WE HAVE TO DO TO COMPLY WITH THAT RULING. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, CAN YOU HEAR ME? ON THE 17TH OF APRIL THERE IS A HEARING IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND THE QUESTION BEFORE THE STATE COURT IS HOW DO YOU INTERPRET THE DEFINITION DISABILITY UNDER THE ELECTION CODE. IT READS IF YOU HAVE A PHYSICAL CONDITION THAT -- WHICH MIGHT BE INJURED BY APPEARING IN PERSON AND THEY ARE DESCRIBING IN COURT THAT THEY WILL FIT ANYBODY THAT FEARS CORONAVIRUS AND THEY PRESENTED A COUPLE OF MEDICAL FOLKS AND THE JUDGE WENT ALONG WITH THEM. FROM REFUSING TO ACCEPT AN APPLICATION FOR A MAIL IN BALLOT OR TO ACCEPT A BALLOT ON THE BASIS THAT THE PERSON WAS CLAIMING A DISABILITY BECAUSE OF COVID. THAT PARTICULAR ORDER WAS 10 ERRED BY THE COURT -- WAS ENTERED BY THE COURT AND THE STATE THAT INTERVENED IN THE CASE AND THEY HAVE FILED AN APPEAL. THE EFFECT OF THE APPEAL IS THAT ALL PROCEEDINGS CURRENTLY STAY. HOWEVER, WE DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER GUIDANCE FROM ANY OTHER COURT THAT WOULD INTERPRET THAT PARTICULAR PROVISION OF THE LAW DIFFERENTLY. SINCE THE LAST TIME WE MET IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND ASKED FOR PERMISSION TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT CASE, A SECOND CASE INVOLVING SIMILAR ISSUES FROM FEDERAL COURT IN SAN ANTONIO, AND SO WE COULDN'T ASK FOR PERMISSION TO INTERVENE IN THAT CASE THE SIMILAR WAY WE INTERVENED IN THE STATE COURT CASE. THE FEDERAL COURT CASE IS BASING ITS CON TENSION THAT -- CONTENTION THAT ANY INTERPRETATION OF THE DISABILITY QUALIFICATION IN ORDER TO VOTE BY MAIL WHICH WOULD EXCLUDE PEOPLE ACCORDING TO AGE OR ANY OTHER STAT -- STATUS OF VOTER WOULD VIOLATE THE VOTING ACT. [04:00:03] AND AN APPLICATION OF THAT KIND WOULD HAVE AN IMPACT ON A PROTECTED CLASSIFICATION OF VOTER. THEY MAY HAVE A HEAVY IMPACT ON AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTERS, FOR EXAMPLE, AND HISPANIC VOTERS, AND THEY FELT IT WAS A VIOLATION OF PEOPLE'S CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND THE VOLTE -- VOTING RIGHTS ACT TO INTERPRET THE LAW. I THINK NOW THAT THE FIRST COURT HAS MADE ITS INTERPRETATION OF STATE STATUTE OUT -- STATUTE IT GIVES THE ABILITY OF THE FEDERAL COURT TO TAKE SOME ACTION TO FORCE THE FEDERAL PARTS THEY MAY HAVE. I CAN ANSWER WE -- QUESTIONS BECAUSE OF THE AFFECT OF THE COURT ORDER, BUT DR. TROUTMAN HAS RESPONDED. THEY ARE MAKING APPLICATIONS FOR BALLOTS BY MAIL AND THEY ARE MUCH LARGER NUMBERS THAN WHAT THEY ARE USED TO. AND I THINK IT IS BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT THE ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR A BALLOT BY MAIL EXISTS AND THERE ARE PEOPLE ENCOURAGING VOTERS OUT THERE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE ALSO HAD A COMMENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU MADE REFERENCE TO THE FEDERAL COURT. I THINK THEY WERE IN SUPPORT OF THE PLAINTIFFS IN THE STATE COURT SO I AM WONDERING IF AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I WILL MAKE A MOTION TO ASK YOUR OFFICE TO DO AN AMICUS IN SUPPORT OF THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT AND FOR PEOPLE TO REQUEST A MAIL IN BALLOT GET IN AS WELL. >> AND WE HAVE AN AGENDA ITEM. IT IS THE NEXT AGENDA ITEM ON PAGE 27 REQUESTING AUTHORITY TO THAT VERY THING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> AND I WANTED TO EXPAND ON THAT A LITTLE BIT, COMMISSIONER. THERE MAY BE OTHER CASES OUT THERE THAT WE WOULD SIMILARLY LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS TO ALLOW US TO PARTICIPATE IN IN THIS COURT. I THINK THAT IT GAVE US GENERAL PERMISSION AND THAT MIGHT HELP AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL ASK MR. SOARD WHILE WE ARE FINISHING THIS ITEM IF WE CAN MAKE SURE THAT ITEM IS BROAD ENOUGH. >> YES, SIR, IT IS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE QUESTIONS AND I THINK THEY WOULD BE BEST ADDRESSED BY DR. TROUTMAN AND I WILL STATE THEM OUT BECAUSE YMG -- I THINK IT IS EASIER IN THIS FORMAT. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH THE BREAK DOWN OF COSTS BETWEEN OUR JULY ELECTION AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU ARE ASKING FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING? NUMBER TWO, DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF OVERALL OUTPUT YOU MAY BE ANTICIPATING IN THIS JULY ELECTION IN TERMS OF HISTORIC NUMBER OF FOLKS THAT ARE IN THE TYPE OF ELECTION WE HAVE WITH REGARD TO THOSE NUMBERS? AND NUMBER THREE IS HAVE YOU TIED IN TO GUIDE HOUSE TO HELP US BETTER UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH FUNDING THE COUNTY CAN ANTICIPATE FROM THE CARES ACT TO HELP PAY FOR THESE ADDITIONAL NEEDS THAT MAY COME TO THE COUNTY BY THE ADDITIONAL VOTE BY MAIL COSTS. AND THE 40 EDITION DEALS WITH THE KOREAN MODEL. I UNDERSTAND THEY JUST HAD A VERY LARGE ELECTION. EVERYTHING THERE WENT QUITE WELL, AND THEIR WHOLE COUNTRY WAS IN A LOCK DOWN EVEN TO A -- SOME WOULD ARGUE MORE AND SOME WOULD SAY LESS OR SOME WOULD SAY SAME CIRCUMSTANCES TEXAS IS RIGHT NOW. BUT TO MAYBE SHARE WITH US WHAT, IF ANYTHING, YOU HAVE LEARNED OR GLEAMED FROM THE BEST PRACTICES THAT HAVE OCCURRED IN SOUTH KOREA. AND THEN I WOULD GO AHEAD AND LET YOU KNOW WHERE I AM GOING WITH SOME OF THIS AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY WE COULD NOT, WHILE YOU ARE MAKING THESE ADDITIONAL REQUESTS, FOCUS FIRST ON JULY AND SEE HOW THAT WENT BEFORE WE COMMIT TO MAKING FUNDING FOR NOVEMBER WHEN WE HAVE TIME TO PLAN FOR NOVEMBER? [04:05:02] CAN WE STAIR STEP THIS AS OPPOSED TO MAKING ALL OF THE DECISIONS NOW WHEN WE HAVE TIME BEFORE NOVEMBER AFTER SEEING WHAT OCCURS IN THE FIRST STEP WHICH WOULD BE HERE IN JULY. AND SO THOSE ARE MY FOUR QUESTIONS, AND SO DR. TRAUTMAN, ARE YOU THERE? >> I AM HERE. LET'S START WITH YOUR FIRST ONE AGAIN BECAUSE I HAVE ALREADY FORGOTTEN IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THE FIRST ONE IS THE ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL REQUEST THAT YOU ARE MAKING BETWEEN THE JULY -- YOU KNOW, WHAT MORE MONEY ARE YOU ASKING FOR FOR JULY VERSUS HOW MUCH MORE MONEY ARE YOU ASKING FOR FOR NOVEMBER. >> MR. WYNN IS MUCH MORE FAMILIAR WITH THE COSTS AND HOW THEY ARE SEPARATED OUT. IT WASN'T A BALLOT COST. MR. WYNN, CAN YOU ANSWER THE FIRST QUESTION. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? TIFF TIFF GENE >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> I WANTED TO SHARE WHAT WE HAVE DONE IN PREVIOUS ELECTIONS LEADING UP TO JULY AND WHY WE ARE ASKING WHAT WE ARE ASKING AND THE THINGS YOU TALKED ABOUT THAT WE ARE RECOMMENDING THE STAIR STEP EFFECT AND GETTING US TO NOVEMBER. LET ME BEGIN BY SAYING IN 2006 WE DID ROUGHLY 112,000 BALLOTS. OF THOSE BALLOTS 92,000 OF THOSE BALLOTS WERE FOLKS 65 AND OLDER. AND THEN ANOTHER 20,000 OF THOSE BALLOTS WERE FOLKS WHO WERE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY. IN 2018 WE DID ROUGHLY 117,000 BALLOTS BY MAIL. AGAIN, 65 AND OVER WERE ROUGHLY 95,000. THOSE WHO WERE ABSENT FROM THE COUNTY WAS AROUND 13,000. LOOKING AT THIS PAST PRIMARY ELECTION WE DID SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF 63,000 BALLOTS BY MAIL. AS OF RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE REQUESTS IN THE HOPPER FOR 75,000 BALLOTS BY MAIL. WE ARE DEFINITELY BEING ASKED TO PROCESS MORE AND OUR ANTICIPATION IS THAT WE MAY LOOK AT TOPPLING OVER 100,000 BALLOTS BY MAIL FOR THIS JULY ELECTION. WHEN WE GO BACK AND START SAYING WHAT IS OUR NEED FOR RIGHT NOW AS WE LOOK DOWN THE BARREL FOR NOVEMBER. WE WILL GET THE INCREASE, HOWEVER IN PREPARATION FOR NOVEMBER THERE IS SOME EQUIPMENT -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'LL BACK YOU UP TO JULY. WHAT IS THE NUMBER WHEN YOU MULTIPLY IT ALL OUT, HOW MUCH IN ADDITIONAL FUNDS ARE YOU ASKING FOR THIS JULY? CAN I GET YOU TO SUM THAT UP? I KNOW YOU MAY NOT BE THE MATH GUY. THAT MAY BE MS. HUDSBETH THAT IS THE MATH PERSON IN YOUR OFFICE. >> I CAN GIVE YOU AN IDEA. WE ARE CROSSING ABOUT A MILLION, A MILLION AND A HALF WE WILL NEED IN ADDITION TO PREPARING FOR JULY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHEN WE DO THAT ARE WE GOING TO HAVE A REDUCTION IN WHAT WE NEED AT THE POLLS OR IS THIS NOT GOING TO BE A TRADE FROM ONE TO THE OTHER. >> IT IS NOT GOING TO BE A TRADE FROM ONE TO THE OTHER. I BELIEVE, AND WE BELIEVE WE WILL HAVE AN INCREASE DUE TO THE INTEREST AND WE WILL STILL CONDUCT VOTING IN PERSON DURING THE JULY RUNOFF AND I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO DO IS PREPARE WITH THE EQUIPMENT WE NEED IN ORDER TO STAND -- TO SCAN AND PROCESS AND IF NECESSARY HAVE THE EQUIPMENT TO PROCESS ALL OF THE INCOMING MAIL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN SUM IT UP, YOU ARE SUMMING -- YOU ARE ANTICIPATING 1,000,001.5 MILLION -- 1.5 MILLION ADDITIONAL DOLLARS FOR THE ELECTION. >> CORRECT. >> WE DON'T KNOW IF IT WILL BE A NICE NOVEMBER OR NOT OR HOW PEOPLE WILL BE FEELING. WHO KNOWS WHAT OUR SOCIETY WILL BE AT THAT TIME. [04:10:05] WHAT IS YOUR GUEST MET. I KNOW THERE IS NO WAY TO KNOW, BUT WHAT IS YOUR GUESTIMATE FUNDS YOU WILL NEED FOR NOVEMBER? >> DEPENDS. WE LOOKED AT A STAIR STEP EFFECT. WE DO KNOW A COUPLE OF THINGS. ONE, WE WILL STILL CONDUCT IN PERSON VOTING. WHAT WE HAVE TO EXPECT IS A CHANCE THAT YOU WILL HAVE MILLIONS OFFED VOTERS WHO WANTS A BALLOT BY MAIL IN NOVEMBER. WHAT WE DID WAS STAIR STEPPED IT. WE DID AN ASK -- AN ASK IF WE HAD TO PROCESS TWO MILLION VOTERS. WE HAD WHERE WE HAD A PROCESS A MILLION . 2 VOTERS AND ANOTHER WITH 700,000. IN THIS STAIR STEP EFFECT WITH PPE'S AND WITH RESOURCES AND ALL OF THOSE THINGS INCLUDED, THE ADDITIONAL ASK IS WE HAVE TO PROCESS TWO MILLION VOTERS AND WE ARE LOOKING AT AN ADDITIONAL $12 MILLION. IF WE ARE LOOKING TO TRY TO PROCESS A MILLION -- 1.2 MILLION VOTERS, THE ASK IS $8 MILLION. IF IT IS 700,000, WE THINK THE ADDITIONAL ASK IS ABOUT $3 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER KEYING GEL, CAN -- CAGLE, CAN I ASK A QUESTION? >> R. JACK CAGLE: ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT YOUR PER BALLOT COST, AND DOES THAT INCLUDE SOMEHOW BOTH THE COST FOR A MAIL IN PLUS THE COST OF THE -- FOR THE HYPER SANITIZED IN PERSON VOTING? YOU MADE IT SOUND LIKE HOW YOU FACTORED BOTH OF THOSE THINGS INTO EACH -- >> WE DID. YES, MA'AM, IT DOES. IT INCLUDES THE STAFFING AND THE RESOURCES AND THE EQUIPMENT AND THE PROTECTIVE GEAR, THE MEDIA CAMPAIGN WE HAVE TO PUT OUT. NOW YOU ARE GONNA HAVE SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND TO A COUPLE MILLION PEOPLE WHO MAY BE VOTING BY MAIL WHO HAVE NEVER DONE IT BEFORE. THAT'S GOING TO BE A VERY BROAD STROKE OF MAKING SURE ALL OF THESE INDIVIDUALS WHO GET THE INFORMATION AND HOW DO WE DO IT THROUGH TV AND MEDIA AND THROUGH PSA'S. IT IS THE WHOLE GAMUT OF EVERYTHING INCLUDED IN THAT PROCESS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO IN TERMS OF MY FIRST QUESTION WHICH IS HOW MUCH IN JULY, 1 MILLION TO 1.5 MILLION. IN TERMS OF NOVEMBER IT IS ANYWHERE FROM 2 MILLION TO 8 MILLION DEPENDING ON WHERE THOSE NUMBERS COME DOWN AND AS NOVEMBER APPROACHES. THE CLARIFICATION -- ARE YOU ASKING FOR APPROVAL FOR THE TWO TO EIGHT MILLION TODAY, OR ARE YOU JUST GIVING US THE INFORMATION THAT IT MAY BE COMING TO US OVER THE HORIZON? >> I AM GIVING YOU THE INFORMATION NOW SO YOU WILL HAVE IT WELL BEFORE WE GET TO THAT POINT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: VERY GOOD. >> CAN I JUST SAY SOMETHING REAL QUICK? IN AN ELECTION SUCH AS NOVEMBER, WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL OF THIS DECIDED BY APRIL 15TH. SO WE ARE BEHIND ALREADY. WE MUST BE PREPARED. YOU CAN'T DECIDE ON A DIME ABOUT THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. NOW IS THE TIME TO MAKE THESE DECISIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WITH A COMMENT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO MAKE A POINT, JUDGE, THAT I BELIEVE THIS MONEY IS REIMBURSABLE UNDER THE NEW FEDERAL RULES, IS THAT CORRECT, MR. SOARD? >> LINA HIDALGO: BILL, IF YOU ARE TALKING -- YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOT QUITE WORKING. >> THEY NEED TO TURN THEIR SPEAKERS OFF IN THE BACKGROUND. WHOEVER IS SPEAKING NEEDS TO TURN THE SPEAKERS DOWN IN THE BACKGROUND, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SPEAKERS? >> IT SOUNDS LIKE CHIPMUNKS ON THIS CALL. [04:15:08] >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU MUTE EVERYONE REAL QUICK? THAT WAS COMMISSIONER ELLIS ASKED A QUESTION ABOUT WHAT IS REIMBURSABLE. IF WE WILL JUST UNMUTE BILL AND SEE, CAN YOU TRY THAT? YEAH, BILL, YOUR MICROPHONE IS ACTING -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT'S UP, DOC? BUGS BUNNY. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE THAT WAS ONE OF YOUR QUESTIONS AND I KNOW YOU HAVE OTHER ONES. LET'S GO THROUGH OTHER QUESTIONS WHILE BILL FIGURES OUT THE MICROPHONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT WAS MY THIRD QUESTION THAT WAS THE REIMBURSEMENT -- >> I WANT TO ANSWER TO THE REIMBURSEMENT QUESTION. I THINK AND I'M SURE BILL JACKSON CAN ANSWER THIS MORE ADEQUATELY, BUT MY UNDERSTANDING IS FROM THE CARES ACT WE ARE LOOKING AT APPROXIMATELY AT ONE OF OUR LAST MEETINGS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE CALL, SOMEWHERE AROUND 1.3 MILLION. YOU CAN CORRECT ME ON THAT, BUT OF COURSE FROM THIS NEW $426 MILLION THAT IS NOW AVAILABLE WE UNDERSTAND THAT SOME OF THAT COULD COME FROM THAT. >> THIS IS BILL JACKSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT SOUNDS LIKE YOU. >> SO THE 426 THAT WE GOT LAST WEEK, THERE IS A REVISION UNDER OPTION NUMBER SIX THAT SAYS ITEMS RELATED TO THIS HAVE TO BE SPENT TO CONTINUE GOVERNMENT OR REIMBURSEMENT. THAT'S VERY VAGUE, BUT I WOULD MAKE THE CASE THAT WE COULD NOT BE DOING THIS IF IT WASN'T FOR THE VIRUS, AND SO THAT IT WOULD BE A REIMBURSEMENT EXPENSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HEARD BETWEEN 2 AND 8, BUT WE HEARD IT IS UP TO 12 MILLION, CORRECT? >> IT IS A QUESTION OF HOW PREPARED DO WE WANT TO BE? IF WE DID AND IF THE GOVERNOR DID DECIDE AND EVERYBODY HAD TO VOTE BY MAIL WE NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR THE LARGEST TURNOUT. >> YOUR HONOR THIS GOES TO AN ANCILLARY QUESTION PREPARING FOR NOVEMBER. THAT IS HOW MUCH TIME DO WE NEED TO PARTICIPATE IN THAT. IT GOES A LITTLE TO THE SOUTH KOREA QUESTION. BUT IT ALSO GOES TO THE QUESTION OF IF WE ARE GOING TO PREPARE FOR NOVEMBER THERE MAY BE RAW MATERIALS IN THINGS THAT WE CAN ACQUIRE WITHOUT PRINTING THE BALLOTS, BUT HAVE THE PIECES OF PAPER AND THE EQUIPMENT AND THE MACHINERY, ET CETERA, THAT'S IN PLAY SO THAT IF WE DO HAVE A BOOST IN OUR NUMBERS OF BALLOT BY MAIL THAT WE -- I MEAN IF WE DON'T HAVE THE BOOST, THOSE PAPERS AND THOSE DOCUMENTS AND THOSE SUPPLIES CAN THEN BE FUNNELED INTO OUR NEXT ROUND OF ELECTIONS THAT WOULD BE COMING UP AFTERWARDS. IN OTHER WORDS, SOME OF THE SUPPLIES -- SOME OF OUR SUPPLY THAT'S CAN'T BE USED FROM ELECTION TO ELECTION UNLESS THEY ARE NOT PRINTED ON, AND THAT'S WHERE I AM TRYING TO GO. LET'S PREPARE IN A WAY THAT WE ARE WISE WITH OUR DOLLARS AND NOT PREPARED IN A WAY THAT WE WILL HAVE FUNDS THAT WILL GO TO WASTE. THAT'S WHY I LIKE THE STAIR STEP APPROACH IS THERE ARE MEASURED RESPONSES AND WE ARE NOT FLAT FOOTED AND WE ARE NOT CAUGHT WITH LONG LINES OR PROBLEMS LIKE THAT, BUT WE ARE PREPARED FOR THOSE THAT WE DON'T SPEND MONEY THAT THEN BECOME WASTED IF IT DOES NOT BECOME -- COME TO PASS. >> AND JUST A REMINDER THAT WE HAVE SPEAKERS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE MORE POINT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID FIND A LITTLE HAND THING. DID YOU NOTICE? DO YOU SEE IT IS ON AND NOW IT IS OFF? IT IS OFF AND NOW IT IS ON. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T SEE YOUR HAND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT WE AS A COURT MIGHT HAVE [04:20:03] PHILOSOPHICAL DIFFERENCES ABOUT THE ISSUE OF MAIL IN BALLOTS. I RESPECT EVERYONE'S OPINION AND THEIR RIGHT TO HAVE THEIR OWN OPINION. BUT WE HAVE HAD TWO ISSUES WITH THE LAST ELECTIONS. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WITH THE RECORD TURNOUT WE ARE GIVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF A RECORD TURNOUT. WE ARE GIVING DR. TRAUTMAN AND MR. WYNN AND OTHERS THE SUPPORT THEY NEED. I AM IN SUPPORT OF THE RECOMMENDATION THAT DR. TRAUTMAN IS MAKING, AND I HEARD HER SAY EARLIER THERE WAS SOME DATE YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR NOVEMBER. THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WOULD LIKE A LOWER COURT -- THE LOWER COURT'S DECISION TO BE OVERTURNED. I WANT US TO DO WHAT WE CAN DO AND WHAT WE OUGHT TO DO TO IMPROVE THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO VOTE. PRECISION PEOPLE WHO VOTE IN THIS COUNTY ARE EMBARRASSING. THERE ARE A LOT OF BARRIERS THE STATE HAS PUT UP OVER THE YEARS. IT HAS BEEN A HISTORICAL PROBLEM FROM THE STATE LEVEL, BUT DR. TRAUTMAN, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO PUT IT ON THE AGENDA. I PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND LET FOLKS VOTE IT DOWN. WE WILL GIVE YOU THE SUPPORT YOU NEED. THERE IS NOTHING WORSE, AND IN A PRESIDENTIAL YEAR, THAN FOR US TO HAVE LONG LINES. WE CAN'T GAMBLE ON THE WEATHER. WE CAN'T WAIT FOR A WEATHER REPORT. WE WON'T KNOW THAT FOR A -- UNTIL A FEW DAYS BEFORE. IT IS TOO LATE TO GIVE OURSELVES THE OPTION. I KNOW THE FEDERAL LEGISLATION SAID THE MONEY IS REIMBURSABLE. I KNOW THAT. I WAS JUST ASKING TO BE RHETORICAL, BUT I KNOW IT. NOW THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN SPEND THAT $426 MILLION ON, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS AND THEN WE CAN GO INTO A DISCUSSION. LUCINDA, IF YOU CAN CALL THEM NOW. >> TARA BUELL -- BUALA. YOU WILL NEED TO TURN YOUR SOUND DOWN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE, MA'AM. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> TURN DOWN YOUR SPEAKERS BEHIND YOU, PLEASE. >> GO AHEAD. >> IS THIS BETTER? HI MY NAME IS TARA BULA AND I AM CALLING TO SPEAK ON AGENDA -- SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEM 20 AND MAIN AGENDA ITEM 22K AND F. I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH -- I CAN HEAR A LOT OF BACKGROUND NOISE. >> ARE YOU ON YOUR COMPUTER, MA'AM? >> NOME, I'M NOT -- NO, MA'AM. I AM NOT. HOLD ON. I'M SORRY. IS THIS BETTER? >> WE HEAR AN ECHO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE SAYING IF YOU WANT TO JUST GO AHEAD. >> ALL RIGHT. SO I'M SPEAKING ON THE VOTING BY MAIL AND THE EXTENSION OF THE DECLARATION OF DISASTER, BUT I THINK THAT HAS BEEN COVERED BY GOVERNOR ABBOTT FIRST OFF I DON'T AGREE WITH THE VOTING BY MAIL. I THINK THERE IS NO ACCURATE CHECKS AND BALANCES TO IT. I THINK THERE IS HUGE ROOM FOR ERROR. I HEARD THING LIKE BALLOT HARVESTING AND THINGS LIKE THAT AND I AM TOTALLY AGAINST IT. AND THEN ALSO I HEARD SOME THINGS EARLIER AS WELL ON, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THANK YOU FORETELLING US POLITICS DO INFLUENCE HOW YOU DECIDE THINGS. I MEAN, THAT'S KIND OF THE JOB. BUT I DON'T LIKE WHAT YOU SAID. YOU SAID THE VIRUS OF INEQUALITY. I HOPE THAT IS NOT ANY KIND OF REASONING TO SPEND ANY OF THESE COVID-19 FUNDS. I THINK THAT IS COMPLETELY I WILL LEGITIMATE. ILLEGITIMATE AND TAKE ISSUE WITH THAT. THE TRANS MEMO BY THE COUNTY ANALYSIS -- ANALYST, THERE WAS NO FOOTING IN WHAT SHE WAS SAYING. THERE WAS NO SOLIDNESS. IT LACKED SUBSTANCE. I DIDN'T SEE THAT PUBLICLY ANYWHERE. I WOULD LIKE TO -- I'LL LOOK SOME MORE FOR THAT TO BE AN ERROR ON MY PART, AND I AM [04:25:01] TRYING TO SPEAK REAL FAST. AND THEN ALSO ON THE MASK THING, JUDGE HIDALGO I DON'T THINK YOU MEANT IT AS MALICE. HOWEVER, IT IS A TOTAL JUST STRIPPING OF OUR FREEDOMS AND I THINK SAYS A LOT HOW YOUR THOUGHT PROCESS IS. AND THEN ALSO I JUST DON'T AGREE WITH IT, AND I APPRECIATE YOU AMENDING YOUR ORDERS. AND THEN ALSO, GOVERNOR -- WELL WHEN Y'ALL VOTED EARLIER, THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER RADACK AND CAGLE FOR VOTING NO ON TAXPAYER FUNDS BEING PUT IN THAT FUNDING POOL OF COVID-19, THE $426 MILLION. I THINK -- I MEAN, CAN YOU KEEP TRACK OF THAT TAXPAYER MONEY THAT IS PUT IN THERE AND THEN POSSIBLY DO NOT LET OUR COURTS SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THAT. I MEAN, THAT TO ME IS NOT -- IT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I REALIZE I COULD BE TOTALLY LIKE, YOU KNOW -- I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I MEAN WE HAVE HAD QUITE SOME TROUBLE WITH THE MICROPHONE. DO YOU WANT -- JAMES, CAN WE GIVE HER AN ADDITIONAL 30 SECONDS? >> YES, MA'AM. >> IS THAT OKAY. THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE IT. SO ALSO I MEAN I APPRECIATE ALL OF THE -- ALL THAT YOU ALL ARE DOING, AND IT JUST REALLY CONCERNS ME SOME OF THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT, AND I'M VERY CONCERNED WITH SOME OF THESE THINGS THAT ARE JUST PASSING BY AND NOBODY IS SAYING ANYTHING. AND NOBODY IS -- I MEAN, SOMEBODY PEOPLE ARE, OF COURSE. I HEARD THE OPPOSITION AND EVERYTHING, BUT I JUST WANT TO RESPECTFULLY SUBMIT MY, YOU KNOW, FREEDOM OF SPEECH TO YOU GUYS AND LET YOU KNOW THAT, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WATCHING, AND WE'RE THANKFUL FOR WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BUT PLEASE DO IT WITH INTEGRITY. OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> KRISTINA QUINTERO WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. MS. QUINTERO? >> YES, GOOD AFTERNOON. I HOPE EVERYBODY HAD A GOOD LUNCH. I KNOW I NEEDED IT. MY NAME IS KRISTINA QUENTERO. I AM A TEXAS VOTER. WE FIGHT TO HELP COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND AND ORGANIZING AND ENGAGEMENT. I FELT RELIEVED THAT A TEXAS STATE DISTRICT JUDGE ISSUED A TEMPORARY INJUNCTION ALLOWING VOTERS LIKE ME TO UTILIZE THE VOTE BY MAIL DURING THE PANDEMIC CITING THE DISABILITY OPTION. THIS NEWS WAS A BIG RELIEF FOR ME BECAUSE I WAS STRUGGLING TO CHOOSE BETWEEN PHYSICAL SAFETY AND CASTING A BALLOT. THANK YOU. HONESTLY, THANK YOU FOR POSTING PUBLICLY THE JUDGE'S RULING AND LET -- LETTING VOTERS KNOW THAT YOU WILL ACCEPT VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS. FOR THOSE WHO CLAIM A DISABILITY ON THEIR APPLICATION. I AM CONCERNED THOUGH THAT THE TEXAS ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS THREATENING CRIMINAL PROSECUTION DESPITE A COURTROOM LOSS. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN. I HAVE A FOUR-YEAR-OLD SON THAT HAS AUTISM AND HAS MORE NEEDS. I AM ALSO A CAREGIVER OF MY GRANDMOTHER WHO IS 81 YEARS OLD THAT HAS MOVED IN WITH US BECAUSE SHE LIVED WITH MY PARENTS. BOTH OF THEM ARE ESSENTIAL WORKERS. MY MOTHER IS AN ICU NEWS AND WORKS WITH COVID PATIENTS. I SHOULDN'T LIVE IN FEAR FOREGOING TO JAIL FOR VOTING. WHAT ABOUT MY RIGHTS AS A CITIZEN? I DON'T WANT TO PUT MY FAMILY'S LIVES AT RISK, AND I DON'T -- I ALSO DON'T WANT MY VOTE EXCLUDED. I AM GOING TO ASK ALL OF YOU FOR CLARITY ON HOW TO GET MY VOTE COUNTED? WHAT IS YOUR PLAN TO LET MORE VOTERS KNOW WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE TO APPLY FOR VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS FOR THE PRIMARY RUNOFF AND FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I DON'T KNOW, DR. TRAUTMAN IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING IN RESPONSE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT WAS A GOOD QUESTION BY THE LAST SPEAKER AND I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM DR. TRAUTMAN. >> YES, THAT WAS A VERY GOOD QUESTION. THANK YOU, MS. QUINTERA. THAT IS PART OF THE ASK WE ARE MAKING IS FOR VOTER OUT REACH AND VERY STRONG AND [04:30:08] ROBUST OUT REACH PROGRAM THAT WOULD INCLUDE ALL FACETS OF THE MEDIA, ENLISTING THE COMMUNITY AS WELL FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A COMPUTER SERVICE OR ANYTHING THEY CAN GO TO THE WEBSITE FOR. WE NEED TO DO A MEDIA BLAST ON THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. THAT'S PART OF THE FUNDING WE ARE ASKING FOR. THAT HAS STARTED ALMOST RIGHT AFTER THE PRIMARY. WE STARTED WITH A PRESS RELEASE AND SHARING THE SOCIAL MEDIA URGING 65 OR OLDER TO PLEASE, PLEASE PLAN TO VOTE BY MAIL FOR THE UPCOMING RUNOFF AS WELL AS NOVEMBER. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. DR. TRAUTMAN, ON THE FINANCIALS YOU ARE ASKING THE COURT FOR DO YOU HAVE THE RESPECTIVE PLANS AND IT IS A COST FOR THE OUT REACH OF THE MAIL BALLOT. DO YOU HAVE THAT DEFINED? >> IT IS IN THE COST PER BALLOT PROCESS. MR. WYNN COULD GIVE YOU A LITTLE MORE DETAIL ON THAT. >> THAT WAS A GOOD QUESTION. IT WAS A GOOD QUESTION FROM THE PERSON WHO CALLED IN. WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PREPARE FOR THE JULY ELECTION. WE ARE MEETING WITH THE POLITICAL PARTIES AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE WANTED TO TRY REFERENCES BACK TO THE KOREA MODELS. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE ARE LOOKING AT DOING SEVERAL THINGS. ONE OF THOSE IS URGING THOSE WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE BY MAIL AND WE WANT TO UTILIZE THE PUBLIC MEDIA AND TWO NEWSPAPERS AND PSA'S AND SOCIAL NETWORKS AND FAITH-BASED NETWORKS AND MAKE SURE WE GET THIS INFORMATION OUT TO THE MASSES. WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH THE TEXAS SECRETARY OF STATE SCWH -- AND IT IS WHAT COSTS ARE COVERED. WE ARE BEING RUN BY SOME OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO DO AND SOME OF THE THINGS WE WANT TO ACQUIRE. IT IS BASED ON OUR INFORMATION ALL OF THE THINGS WE ARE ASKING YOU TO DO IS COVER UNDER THE EMERGENCY FUNDING. WE ARE LOOKING AT POLLING LOCATIONS AND WHERE WE CAN DISTANCE THE EQUIPMENT OUT AND WE CANNOT ONLY MAKE A SAFE HAVEN FOR POLL WORKERS AND FOR THE VOTERS WHO COME INTO CONTACT AT THOSE LOCATIONS. LOOKING AT THE GYMNASIUMS AND BEING ABLE TO UTILIZE THE PARKING LOTS AND THE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE BUILDINGS AND PHASING THE EQUIPMENT OUT AND GETTING PPE'S FOR THE -- FOR THE CO -- FOR THE POLL WORKERS AND FACE MASKS AND THINGS THAT ARE REUSABLE AND REWASHABLE AND THEY CAN COME BACK AND USE IN LATER ELECTIONS. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT SANITIZING THE EQUIPMENT. WHEN WE DO THE TRAINING OF THE POLL WORKERS, HOW DO WE SANITIZE EQUIPMENT WHEN THE VOTERS COME THROUGH AND USE THE EQUIPMENT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MR. WYNN IF I COULD JUST INTERRUPT REAL QUICK. >> SURE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA OF WHAT THE MAIL BALLOT WILL LOOK LIKE VERSUS WALK IN TRAFFIC, AND DO YOU HAVE ANY REASON, ANY EVIDENCE TO INDICATE THAT THAT MAY NOT COME TRUE? [04:35:06] >> I DO NOT HAVE ANY EVIDENCE THAT IT MAY NOT COME TRUE. ALL I KNOW, COMMISSIONER, IS THAT WE HAVE AN UP SWING IN THE MAIL BALLOTS. AND WE KNOW THAT WE ARE GOING TO DO TWO PROGRAMS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO THE REAL EMPHASIS AND IT IS IN THE MAIL IN SIDE OF THE PROCESS. I SUSPECT YOU WILL COME BACK AND SAY WE HAD A THOUSAND PERCENT INCREASE IN THE MAIL IN BALLOT REQUEST AND SO WE MAY NOT NEED THE -- NEED TO STAFF SOME OF THE POLLING LOCATIONS AS ORIGINALLY ANTICIPATED. SOME MAY BE POLLING LOCATIONS ON THE BALLOT SIDE OF THE PROGRAM. WHAT I AM TRYING TO GET TO IS THIS BEING -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> COMMISSIONER, I THINK WHEN WE -- WHEN WE UTILIZE THE POLL WORKERS WE WILL USE JUST AS MANY POLL WORKERS AS WE HAD IN THE PAST IS IN PERSON VOTING AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO CHANGE. WHAT IS GOING TO CHANGE IS THE INCREASE IN THE MAIL IN BALLOT. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO DEAL WITH THAT AND SO WHEN WE START LOOKING AT AND PUTTING TOGETHER OUR FIGURES AND OUR NUMBERS, WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS IN COORDINATION WITH OUR IN MAIL AND IN PERSON PROGRAM, OUR PROGRAM WILL EXPLODE EXPONENTIALLY. >> I WOULD AGREE WITH THAT WITH WHAT MR. WYNN SAID. ALL OF THE ELECTION THINK TANKS WE HAVE BEEN SPEAKING TO IN THE LAST MONTH ALL AGREE YOU SHOULD NOT CUT BACK ON POLLING LOCATIONS. THAT ALLOWS YOU TO SPACE PEOPLE OUT MORE TOO. IT IS JUST LIKE YOU SAID. IT PRETTY MUCH REMAINS THE SAME FOR IN PERSON, BUT THE EXPLOSION IS ON THE MAIL BALLOT SIDE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE DONE SOME WORK WITH A VARIETY OF ORGANIZATIONS AND ENSURING THAT WE HAVE THE BEST PROCESSES OUT THERE BOTH TO MAKE THE MAIL IN BALLOTS SAFE AND SECURE AND TO MAKE THE -- MAKE IT SAFE. THAT'S WHAT HE IS GETTING OUT WITH THE SOUTH KOREA POINT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE APPLY THE RECOMMENDATIONS. THERE IS A CORONAVIRUS TALK ABOUT HOW TO DO VOTE IN MAIL AND IN PERSON VOTING. ARE YOU MAKING THE RECOMMENDATIONS ? >> WE HAD A CALL AND THEY HAD TWO GOOD RECOMMENDATION THAT'S WE HAVE STARTED ON. AND IT WAS TO FORM WORKING GROUPS. ONE TO ESTABLISH POLLING LOCATIONS AND THE OTHER TO RECRUIT POLL WORKERS FROM PERHAPS A YOUNGER SOURCE THAT MIGHT NOT BE AS THREATENED. DIFFERENT STAKEHOLDERS THAT WOULD BE ABLE TO HELP US WITH LARGER LOCATIONS TO SPACE PEOPLE OUT. AND ESPECIALLY ON THE GROUP THAT RECOMMENDED GETTING THE SUPERINTENDENTS, THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS SO WE COULD SEE ABOUT USING ALL OF THE HIGH SCHOOL GYMNASIUMS. THAT WOULD BE A BIG IMPROVEMENT AS FAR AS BEING ABLE TO SPACE OUT THE EQUIPMENT AS WELL AS THE VOTERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OUR PUBLIC HEALTH -- I CAN SEE THE COMMENT -- YES, WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS. COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A COMMENT AND THEN WE HAVE MORE SPEAKERS. BEFORE WE FORGET, ONE THING I AM THINKING ABOUT, DR. TRAUTMAN, IT IS GREAT YOU ARE INCLUDING THE PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERTS IN THIS. PLEASE BE SURE TO LET ME KNOW WHAT WE HEAR BACK FROM OUR PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND HERE IS WHY -- THEY ARE HAVING TO RESPOND TO BOTH THE COMMUNITY SPREAD AND ALL [04:40:02] OF THIS. SO THERE ARE DETENTION FACILITIES AND NOW WHAT EXACT PARAMETERS WILL FOLKS RECOMMEND YOU GUYS USE IN THE POLLING BOOTHS. I KNOW IN SOUTH KOREA THEY GAVE EVERYBODY GLOVES AND THEY HAD MARKERS ON THE FLOOR. THAT KIND OF THING, THAT SPECIFIC PUBLIC HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO WHAT DO YOU SPECIFICALLY DO. I WOULD JUST URGE YOU TO LET US KNOW AND WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH AND LET US KNOW IF WE NEED TO BRING IN AN OUTSIDE PUBLIC HEALTH ADVISER FOR THIS. I KNOW WE HAD TO DO SO FOR THE JAIL AND THE DETENTION FACILITY BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A BIG THING AND PUBLIC HEALTH IS VERY FOCUSED RIGHT NOW ON THE BROADER POPULATION. THAT MAY BE SOMETHING FOR YOU TO CONSIDER AND TO KEEP US POSTED ON. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TWO QUICK QUESTIONS. DR. TRAUTMAN, I HAVE NOT TALKED TO THEM IN A WEEK, BUT WHEN I DID THEY SAID YOU WERE WORKING WELL. TWO QUESTIONS, ARE THERE THINGS THAT THEY ARE SUGGESTING THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH? AND WILL THIS ITEM ON THE AGENDA TODAY BE ALL YOU NEED TO BE PREPARED FOR NOVEMBER, OR YOU SAID SOMETHING ABOUT THE APRIL SOMETHING DATE. IS THERE SOMETHING YOU NEED DONE TO BE READY FOR NOVEMBER? >> THIS IS OUR BEST ESTIMATE OF WHAT WE NEED GOING FORWARD FOR JULY AND NOVEMBER. APRIL 15TH WAS THE DATE THAT THE CENTER AND OTHER GROUPS RECOMMENDED YOU HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE FOR NOVEMBER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THERE THINGS THEY ARE SUGGESTING FOR US THAT YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH? YOU SAID EARLIER THEY HAD TWO RECOMMENDATIONS THAT WERE GOOD. >> THOSE ARE THE TWO THAT WE DISCUSSED LAST TIME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. WE WILL CONTINUE HEARING FROM THE SPEAKERS, LUCINDA. >> TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. MS. WHITE, PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> BEAUTIFUL EVENING. I AM MAKAI WHITE. I AM A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. I AM SPEAKING HERE TODAY BECAUSE I DON'T THINK TEXAN VOTERS SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE BETWEEN THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND OUR HEALTH OR THE HEALTH OF OUR FAMILY. I APPRECIATE THAT THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE HAS ISSUED A NOTICE LETTING VOTERS KNOW THAT BASED ON THE JUDGE'S RULING, IF THEY FEAR BECAUSE OF THEIR HEALTH DUE TO COVID-19, RIGHT NOW IT IS SO IMPORTANT THAT VOTERS KNOW THEIR RIGHTS TO VOTE BY MAIL AND WE ARE MAKING SURE WE HAVE A SYSTEM TO COUNT AND COLLECT EVERY VOTE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT OF THREE UNDER 8. I SAW THE LINES DURING THE PRIMARY ELECTION WHEN I WAS WORKING TO GET OUT AND VOTE. I CANNOT IMAGINE WAITING IN THOSE LINES AND RISKING MY OWN HEALTH AS A CAREGIVER FOR MY CHILDREN. BEING ABLE TO VOTE FROM HOME DURING THIS TIME IS VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE MY VOICE AND MY VOTE IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER SO I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MY VOTE IS COUNTED. I KNOW THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE IN MY COMMUNITY FEEL THE SAME. AS YOU CREATE YOUR PLAN BY VOTING BY MAIL, HOW WILL YOU MAKE SURE THAT THE VOTES -- I MEAN THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE LIKE MINE AND IN MY COMMUNITY ARE INCLUDED IN CREATING THE BEST VOTE BY MAIL PROGRAM THAT WILL NOT LEAD ANYONE OR ANY VOTERS BEHIND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. I THINK THAT'S PRETTY MUCH THE DISCUSSION IS WE WILL CONTINUE DISCUSSING WITH DR. TRAUTMAN THE SPECIFIC MEASURES. DR. TRAUTMAN IF YOU WANT TO CHIP IN ANYTHING, OTHERWISE WE WILL CALL UP THE NEXT [04:45:07] SPEAKER. >> ARNESIA SADLER. >> HI. GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS ARNESIA SADLER AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT. TOP IS A COMMUNITY-BASED NONPROFIT AND FIGHT TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LATINO AND BLACK FAMILIES IN TEXAS THROUGH COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AND COMMUNITY ENGAGE MINT. ENGAGEMENT. AS A TEXAS VOTER I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO CHOOSE IN PARTICIPATING IN THE UPCOMING PRIMARY ELECTION AND RISKING NOT JUST MY FAMILY'S, BUT MY OWN HEALTH AS WELL. I PLAY A VERY IMPORTANT ROLE IN CARING FOR MANY OF MY FAMILY MEMBERS. I HELP MY MOTHER IN RAISING MY NIECE AND NEPHEW BECAUSE SHE IS THEIR GUARDIAN AND SOMETIMES SHE NEEDS AN EXTRA HAND. I AM THE ONE THAT STEPS IN TO CARE FOR MY MOTHER WHEN SHE GETS SICK BECAUSE SHE HAS SEVERAL HEALTH ISSUES. WITH THIS COVID-19 PANDEMIC, I HAVE TO TAKE EXTREME PRECAUTIONS WHEN VISITING MY MOTHER'S HOUSE BECAUSE SHE IS AT HIGH RISK OF CONTRACTING THIS TERRIBLE VIRUS. IN ADDITION TO THAT -- MY HUSBAND HAS AN EVEN HIGHER RISK OF THE COVID-19 VIRUS BECAUSE HE IS ILL HIMSELF. HIS HEART IS SO WEAK THAT HE IS REQUIRED TO WEAR A CPR VEST AT ALL TIMES. HE SHOCKS HIS HEART EVERY TIME IT STOPS BEATING. AND SO TODAY I AM TESTIFYING TO SHOW YOU ALL HOW VOTING IN PERSON PUTS ME AND SO MANY LIVES AT RISK. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE THAT CURRENTLY QUALIFIES GETS AN OPPORTUNITY TO VOTE BY MAIL. BASED ON THE JUDGE'S RECENT RULING IT WOULD INCLUDE SOMEBODY LIKE ME. IN ORDER TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYONE GETS THEIR CHANCE TO VOTE, WE NEED TO MAKE THIS PROCESS EASY AND UNDERSTANDABLE FOR EVERYONE. I AM ASKING THIS COURT ALONG WITH THE COUNTY CLERK IF YOU WILL COMMIT TO VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS TO ALL HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS 65 AND OLDER, AND IF YOU WILL COMMIT TO SENDING VOTE BY MAIL APPLICATIONS TO ALL OTHER REGISTERED HARRIS COUNTY VOTERS SINCE WE CAN NOW ALL QUALIFY TO VOTE FROM HOME. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. I KNOW YOU WILL DO WHAT IS RIGHT FOR OUR TEXAS VOTERS. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND YOUR FAMILIES. BE SAFE AND STAY HEALTHY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. DR. TRAUTMAN. IS THAT SOMETHING YOU ARE CONSIDERING? >> I WILL DEFER TO MR. WYNN ON THAT TO SEE IF THAT IS ACTUALLY FEASIBLE. AS I SAY, YOU REALLY ARE -- [INAUDIBLE] TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THE -- [INAUDIBLE] THE ENTIRE ELECTION STAFF HAS BEEN WORKING ON FROM HOME, AND WE ARE NOT SURE WILL BE BACK. I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE TO DEFER TO MR. WYNN AND SEE IF THAT'S POSSIBLE. >> CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? >> YES. >> THAT'S ANOTHER GOOD QUESTION BY THAT LAST SPEAKER. I THINK WHAT WE CAN COMMIT TO IS LOOKING AT DOING THE APPLICATION TO ALL OF THE VOTERS WHO WERE OVER THE AGE OF 65. I THINK THE OTHER TASK IS A BIT MORE OF A CHALLENGE BECAUSE BECAUSE THERE HAS TO BE SOME LEGISLATION THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE AND SOME MORE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE SECRETARY OF STATE. THE GOVERNOR DOES HAVE SOME LATITUDE TO MAKE A DECISION IN THAT RECORD, BUT I DO THINK IN TAKING CARE OF OUR VOTERS WHO WERE OVER THE AGE OF 65 WE CAN DO IT. >> AND COULD WE ALSO ASK MR. WRIGHT IF THAT PASSES THE LEGAL PROCESS AS WELL? MR. SOARD? >> JUDGE BASICALLY THERE IS NO PROHIBITION AGAINST SENDING AN APPLICATION BY MAIL, BUT THERE ARE ABOUT 2.4 MILLION VOTERS IN HARRIS COUNTY. IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS ADMINISTRATIVE BURDEN ON THE COUNTY. I THINK MR. WYNN WILL TELL YOU IT COSTS A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS TO DO THAT. [04:50:10] THERE IS NO PROHIBITION AGAINST IT. WE ARE REQUIRED TO SEND ONE TO EVERYONE WHO ASKS FOR ONE, BUT NOTHING TO SENDING OUT ADDITIONAL APPLICATIONS IF WE WANT TO. I THINK IT WOULD BE A TREMENDOUS BURDEN AT THIS TIME TO PREPARE THAT MANY MILLIONS OF APPLICATIONS AND SEND THEM OUT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION IN TERMS OF INFORMING PEOPLE. AS YOU SAID THOSE OVER 65. I HADN'T HEARD OF IT. IT PERHAPS NEEDS MORE STUDY, BUT IT PEAKED MY INTEREST. >> I THINK IT DOES BEAR LOOKING INTO. I THINK PARTICULARLY SENDING THE VOTERS 65 AND OVER BECAUSE THOSE ARE THE ONES WE DON'T WANT IN LONG LINES ON ELECTION DAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM. ALLEN VERA WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY. MR. VERA, PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. IN PREPARING CONTINUOUS PLANS FOR THE ELECTIONS UNDER THE COVID-19 CLOUD, THE LION'S SHARE OF THE FUNDING HAS BEEN FOCUSED ON EXPANDED USE OF MAIL BALLOTS. I AM UH -- OBLIGED TO POINT OUT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT THE EXPANDED USE OF MAIL BALLOTS IN A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION WILL CREATE A LOGISTICAL NIGHTMARE AND A HIGH POSSIBILITY OR PROBABILITY THAT ELECTION RESULTS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR DAYS OR EVEN WEEKS FOLLOWING THE ELECTION DAY. HARRIS COUNTY ELECTIONS HAVE BEEN IN THE NEWS FOR THE WRONG REASONS, AND WE DON'T NEED TO REINFORCE THE GROWING PERCEPTION OF THE NEGATIVE PERCEPTIONS OF OUR ELECTIONS. THERE IS ANOTHER APPROACH THAT YOU HEARD ABOUT AND IT IS AN IMPROVEMENT APPROACH. WE DON'T HAVE TO REINVENT THE WHEEL. ON APRIL 15TH, JUST 13 DAYS AGO, THE COUNTRY OF SOUTH KOREA HELD A NATIONAL ELECTION AT THE PEAK OF THEIR COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THE HANDOUTS I SENT EACH OF YOU BY E-MAIL YESTERDAY INCLUDE A LENGTHY ARTICLE FROM THE WALL -- "WALL STREET JOURNAL" ON HOW THEY DID IT. IT INCLUDED A 10-STEP SUMMARY OF THE KEY TO SOUTH KOREA'S SUCCESSFUL ELECTIONS. HERE IS WHAT IS IMPORTANT. WITH ONLY ONE EXCEPTION, THE SOUTH KOREAN MODEL COMPLIES WITH THE TEXAS ELECTION CODE. THERE IS NO NEED TO GO TO DISTRICT COURT TO GET APPROVAL FOR THIS APPROACH. THERE IS NO NEED TO BE WAITING UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE TO SEE WHAT THE COURTS DECIDE. IN CONTRAST THE ALTERNATIVE PREFERRED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT LEAST FOR NOW FOR THE EXPANDED USE OF MAIL BALLOTS WILL BE TIED UP IN THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS FOR SOME TIME AND THERE IS NO KNOWING WHEN A FINAL DECISION WILL BE ISSUED. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ONE OF THE LAST COURT DATES IS DISCUSSING WITH THE PRIMARY ELECTION AND BOTH EXPRESSED FRUSTRATIONS TO THE COUNTY CLERK TO WIT I DON'T KNOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW. WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN. WE BELIEVE THIS COURT DISCI SERVES -- DESERVES MORE THAN ONE OPTION FOR HANDLING ELECTIONS IN THE COVID-19 ENVIRONMENT. WE RESPECTFULLY RECOMMEND THE COURT DIRECT THE COUNTY CLERK TO RETURN PROMPTLY WITH A BUDGET AND METHODOLOGY THAT EMULATES PRECISELY THE SOUTH KOREAN MODEL. THAT WAY YOU WILL KNOW WHAT -- MORE THAN YOU KNOW NOW AND THEN THE COURT WOULD HAVE MORE THAN ONE OPTION TO CONSIDER REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE COURT DECIDES. I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> KRISTEN WILLIAMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HASY REQUESTS. HAS QUESTIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALLEN, WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH EXACTLY WHAT THE SOUTH KOREANS DID? I KNOW MANY OF US HAVE READ IT THE MEDIA AND A FEW OTHER THINGS, BUT CAN YOU TELL US WHAT IT IS THEY DID AND WHY YOU BELIEVE THAT WAS SUCCESSFUL? ALLEN, DID YOU HEAR ME, SIR? >> MIGHT HAVE DROPPED OFF, SIR. >> NO, I'M STILL HERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALLEN, DID YOU HEAR MY QUESTION. >> I THINK I WAS MUTED BY THE HOST. HELLO. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOU WILL TELL US -- >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> ALL RIGHT, VERY SIMPLE, 10 STEPS. THE FIRST IS THE ONE THAT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH TEXAS ELECTION CODE. PEOPLE WITH CORONAVIRUS CAN VOTE BY MAIL INCLUDING A DOCTOR'S STATEMENT AND A PHOTOCOPY WITH THEIR KOREAN ID WITH THE BALLOT. NUMBER TWO, PEOPLE WITHOUT SYMPTOMS AND FAMILY MEMBERS OF SICK PEOPLE ARE ALLOWED [04:55:01] TO LEAVE QUARANTINE TO VOTE. THREE, WORKERS SPRAY DISINFECTANT IN THE POLLING STATION. FOUR DOOR HANDLES ARE CLEANED AND WINDOWS OPENED. FIVE, VOTERS MUST STAND AT TAPE MARKED SPOTS PACED ONE LITER A YOU PART. SIX, WHEN VOTERS ARRIVE THEIR TEMPERATURE IS CHECKED. SEVEN, VOTERS ARE FIRST GIVEN HAND SAN GNAW TIDESSER -- SANITIZER AND THEN GLOVES. EIGHT, PRESENT A PHOTO ID AND THEN PULL DOWN MASK BRIEFLY TO IDENTIFY IDENTITY AND THEN SIGN IN. IN KOREA THAT IS ALSO CONFIRMED BY FINGERPRINT, BUT NOT HERE. 9, VOTERS TAKE THEIR BALLOT TO THE VOTING BOOTH AND THEN DROP THE BALLOT AND THEN THEY CANDICE CARD THEIR GLOVES AS THEY LEAVE. IT IS VERY SIMPLE. AND IT WORKED BEAUTIFULLY. DOES THAT ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT DID. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN I JUMP ON THAT ALSO? JUST TO BE CLEAR, DR. TRAUTMAN BECAUSE I AM CURIOUS AS TO THE PROCEDURES AND THAT'S WHERE MY POINT EARLIER IN TERMS OF CHECKING TO SEE IF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS THE BAND WIDTH OR HOW WE CAN HELP YOU AND CERTAINLY WE CAN WITH GETTING A PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT WHOSE SOLE FOCUS COULD BE THIS, BUT I AM CURIOUS TO I KNOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN, WELL WE WILL ASK EVERYONE TO WEAR GLOVES AND WE WILL PUT TAPE HERE AND THERE, AND WE WILL RECRUIT YOUNGER PEOPLE AT LESS RISK. ARE YOU PLANNING ON BRINGING THAT TO US AT THE NEXT COURT? AND DO YOU NEED THE FUNDS APPROVED AT THIS COURT, OR CAN BOTH COME NEXT COURT? WHAT IS THE TIMELINE THERE? >> WE ARE ASKING FOR APPROVAL NOW, AND ALL OF THOSE ITEMS ARE INCLUDED. WE DID NOT PUT TEMPERATURE CHECKS ON THERE, AND I THINK THAT WOULD BE A LOT MORE EXPENSIVE. DEFINITELY THE SPACING OUT AND WITH TAPE EVERY SIX FEET, I MEAN ALL OF THE THINGS -- THESE ARE ALL THINGS THE CENTER SUGGESTED THAT WE HAVE ALREADY DISCUSSED. THE SOUTH KOREAN MODEL IS REALLY PRETTY CLOSE TO WHAT THE BRENIN CENTER RECOMMENDS. THAT'S ALREADY IN OUR PLAN. ALL OF THE GLOVES, AND WE HAVE ORDERED THE FACE SHIELDS. MR. WYNN CAN TELL YOU ABOUT THAT ORDER. ALL OF THAT IS IN THE PROCESS. WE ARE PREPARING FOR THE MOST AND WE HAVE TO BE. WE HAVE TO BE PREPARED FOR THE INCREASE AND THAT'S WHAT IS ON THE WAY. MR. WYNN DO YOU WANT TO GO INTO MORE DETAIL ON THAT? >> I CAN. PART OF THAT DISCUSSION THAT I WAS HAVING WHEN I WAS TALKING AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTED SOME SPECIFICS, IT DID INCLUDE ALL OF THOSE THINGS. YOU'RE RIGHT, DR. TRAUTMAN. THE ONLY THING IT DID NOT INCLUDE WAS THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE PROGRAM. BUT ALL OF THE THINGS WE TALKED ABOUT WILL BE WHAT WE TALK ABOUT TOMORROW WHEN WE HAVE THE BI-WEEKLY MEETING WITH THE OFFICIALS. WE IDENTIFIED ALL OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN TERMS OF MAKING THE ENVIRONMENT SAFE NOT ONLY FOR THE CO-WORKERS, BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY WITH THE VOTERS. IT DOES INCLUDE GLOVES. IT DOES CL PPE'S. IT DOES INCLUDE DISTANCING OUT THE EQUIPMENT. YOU KNOW, MARKING THEM OFF EVERY SIX FEET. THAT'S PART OF THE DISCUSSION WE WILL HAVE TOMORROW. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW DIFFICULT, JOHN, WOULD IT BE TO DO THE TEMPERATURE CHECKS? I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN DOING A LOT OF THAT. >> I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A GUESSTIMATE FOR THAT TYPE OF EQUIPMENT. >> CHECK WITH THE PEOPLE WHO ARE DOING IT AT BUILDINGS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS A QUESTION FOR JOHN BLUNT. I'M SORRY. >> OH, OKAY. >> JUDGE, IT WOULD BE A MATTER OF -- [INAUDIBLE] AND US BEING ABLE TO ORDER THE EQUIPMENT IN TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE POLL STRATEGY IN CASE YOU -- WE NEED SOMETHING. I WILL TELL YOU -- AND THE REASON I BRING THIS UP IS WE WERE IN A CALL WITH A JUVENILE BOARD LAST WEEK, AND THEY SAID THEY REALLY NEED SOME PPE. DWIGHT AND I WERE ON THE CALL. I I KNOW WE HAD PPE, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THEY NEEDED SOME. I DON'T WANT TO PUT US IN A POSITION AND IT IS THE EVE OF THE ELECTION AND YOU NEED THERMOMETERS AND IT TURNS OUT WE COULD HAVE GOTTEN SOME. IT IS IMPORTANT FOR US TO KNOW WHAT IS THE ACTUAL PLAN AND WHAT DO WE NEED TO HURRY UP AND GET BECAUSE PER EVERYBODY'S POINT, EVERYBODY HAPPENS WITH THE VOTE BY [05:00:01] MAIL, WE WILL NEED A SAFE SYSTEM FOR VOTING IN PERSON. >> YES, WE HAVE THAT, AND WE CAN GET THAT TO YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. LET'S FINISH WITH THE SPEAKERS. >> KRISTEN WILLIAMS. >> HELLO. THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON, COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS KRISTEN WILLIAMS AND I AM THE FIELD ORGANIZER IN HOUSTON FOR MOVE TEXAS. TODAY I AM URGING YOU TO PREPARE FOR AN INCREASED VOTE BY MAIL FOR THE 2020 ELECTION. THANK YOU FOR SHARING CONCERNS AND ASKING PRO ACTIVELY TO PROTECT OUR ELECTIONS. COVID-19 FORCED OUR COMMUNITIES INSIDE AS WE DISTANCE OURSELVES SOCIALLY. ACTIVITIES WE ONCE THOUGHT OF AS STANDING NEXT TO OTHERS AND BEING IN PUBLIC AND TOUCHING SURFACES ARE DANGEROUS AND POTENTIALLY DEADLY. ESPECIALLY DURING THIS TIME OUR CITIZENS DESERVE FREE, FAIR ELECTIONS. IF WE DON'T OFFER THE VOTE BY MAIL WE ARE SIGNAL -- SIGNALING TO THEM AN OUTCOME. WE START ACROSS COLLEGES WITH PAPER VOTING FORMS. IT IS A LEGIT PARTICULAR -- -- LOGISTIC CAL CHALLENGE AND WITH THE CAMPUSES SHUTDOWN IT IS IMPOSSIBLE. SO MANY THINGS ARE ONLINE FROM CLASSES TO WORK TO SOCIAL LIDSING WITH FRIENDS, SO I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE WITH THE RESOURCES IN TEXAS IN 2020 WE CAN'T FIND A WAY TO IMPLEMENT SO LINE VOTER REGISTRATION. PUBLIC SERVANTS MUST SERVE THE PUBLIC IN THE TIMES OF CALM AND IN TIMES OF CRISIS. THIS IS OUR MOMENT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY, THE MOST ACCESSIBLE OPTIONS FOR OUR ELECTION INCLUDING UNIVERSAL SCROAT BY -- VOTE BY MAIL INCLUDING BALLOTS ELECTRONICALLY AND REGISTRATION. WE ALL HAVE A SAW SEPTA BUILT TO COVID 19 AND MUST GIVE EVERYBODY THE RIGHT TO A MAIL IN BALLOTED BY CHECKING THE DISABILITY. I WORRY ABOUT. >>> FRIEND AND NURSE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE PANDEMIC. I WORRY NOT ONLY FOR HER SAFETY, BUT THE PROSPECT OF SCANT ELECTION MEASURES THAT INCREASES THE RATE OF COVID-19 AND STRESSES THE HOSPITAL AND THE STAFF. I WORRY ABOUT THE ELDERLY AND THE IMMUNOCOMPROMISED INDIVIDUALS THAT HAVE INCREASED RISK. IF WE SHARE THE CONCERNS WE MUST PLAN FOR INCREASED CAPACITY TO VOTE REMOTE -- TO VOTE REMOTELY. IT PRESENTS UNIQUE AND UNIVERSAL CHALLENGES AND WE MUST RESPOND WITH THE EXTREME FLEXIBILITY AND RAPID TURN AROUND THIS SITUATION WARRANTS. WE MUST INCREASE THE CAPACITY FOR VOTE BY MAIL AND THE PRINTING AND PACKING THE HIGH VOLUME OF MAIL IN BALLOTS. WE MUST PRIORITIZE AND SCALE THE ONLINE BALLOTS. WE SHOULD INCORPORATE DROPOFFS FOR A VARIETY OF SITUATIONS. WE SHOULD INCREASE STAFFING TO FULFILL THESE REQUESTS AND PREPARE FOR A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN THE POLL WORKER PROGRAM. I THANK YOU FOR SHARING THESE CONCERNS AND MEETING THE UNIQUE NEEDS OF COMMUNITY DURING THIS TIME OF CRISIS. THANK YOU. >> NICHOLAS LITTLE WITH MOVE TEXAS. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HUH -- JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS NICHOLAS LITTLE I AM A MOVE TEXAS VOLUNTEER. I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT ONE. I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TO URGE YOU FOR AN INCREASE VOTE BY MAIL. AS AN ADVOCATE I FIND MYSELF PROMOTING ADVOCACY. I WANT TO THANK YOU ABOUT INVESTING IN MAIL IN BALLOTS. AS A NATION BEING IMPACTED MORE THAN EVER WE SHOULD DO AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE TO PROTECT THOSE AT RISK. I FEEL A MAIL IN BALLOT WILL BE AN ACCENT MORE THAN A HINDRANCE TO THE COMMUNITY. I SAW THEIR EFFORTS ACROSS THE BOARD AND I CONTINUE ENGAGING STUDENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH THE VOTING PROCESS. [INAUDIBLE] THERE I MET A BOARD MEMBER IN THE HOUSTON AREA URBAN LEAGUE. SINCE THEN THEY HAVE TALKED TO SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE REGION TO UNDERSTAND THE ROSS SUCCESS OF VOTING. IT IS THE -- THE PROCESS OF VOTING. IT IS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF EVERYONE'S RIGHT TO VOTE. DO NOT RISK THEIR WELL BEING. [INAUDIBLE] WITH COVID-19 WE SHOULD NOT BE FOCUS OWED POLITICAL INFORMATIONS, BUT SAFETY BY AMERICANS. WE HAVE A CIVIC DUTY TO VOTE AND IT IS YOUR JOB TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A RIGHT TO [05:05:09] VOTE. YES ASKING YOU TO PROTECT US DURING THIS DANGEROUS TIME. I TOO AM A FRONT LINE WORKER. I GO OUT IN SPECIAL OPERATIONS AND EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A PANDEMIC, THERE IS A RISK KNOWING OTHERS CARE BAY THEIR SAFETY AND FAMILY AND FRIENDS ARE IN JEOPARDY TOO. HAVE I BEEN HERE 40 YEARS AND SEEN HARRIS COUNTY DEFEAT DISASTERS AND SO MUCH MORE. I DEFINITELY DON'T WANT TO BE EXPOSED IF I DON'T HAVE TOVMENT -- TO. I HOPE THAT WE ALL CAN WORK ON ANTICIPATING AN INCREASE IN DESIRED STAFFING AND INDIVIDUALS QUARANTINE AT HOME IN. CONCLUSION I AM ASKING EVERY CITIZEN AND FRONT LINE WORKERS TO PUT ASIDE POLITICAL PARTY VALUES AND DO THAT TO ENHANCE OUR COMMUNITY. I BELIEVE AS SO MANY OTHER OF US DO AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COOPERATION AND CONSIDERATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR TIME. THANK YOU FOR DWROR COMMENTS. FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> JULIA SEGURA WITH MOVE TEXAS. >> HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON. COUNTY JUDGE TAU DAHL GO -- HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS, I AM A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 1 AND STUDENT. I AM SPEAKING TO URGE YOU TO PREPARE FOR AN INCREASED VOTE BY MAIL FOR THE JULY RUNOFF AND NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. BECAUSE COVID-19 HAS HAD IMPLICATIONS ON THE GENERAL ELECTIONS I THANK YOU FOR YOUR ACCESS OF PREPARING HARRIS COUNTY. VOTING BY MAIL WILL KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE BY NOT MAKING PEOPLE WAIT IN LONG LINES DURING THIS PANDEMIC AND INSTEAD LETTING THEM VOTE FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR OWN HOME. DURING THE MARCH PRIMARY ELECTIONS THERE WERE CROWDED LINES IN THE POLLING LOCATIONS. THE CORONAVIRUS MADE THOSE PLACES UNSAFE, UNHEALTHY AND DANGEROUS FOR OUR COMMUNITY. MY WORK WITH MOVE TEXAS WILL INVOLVE ENGAGING WITH STUDENTS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON AND HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE ABOUT THE METHOD OF VOTING AND ALTERNATES TO VOTING IN PERSON. I AM UNABLE TO BE A CAMPUS RESOURCE TO MY FELLOW CLASSMATES. VOTERS SHOULD NO THE HAVE TO RISK THEIR HEALTH BY VOTING IN PERSON. I AM ASKING AND REQUEST A MAIL IN BALLOT AND INFORM THEM THEY ARE ABLE TO APPLY FOR MAIL IN BALLOT BY CHECKING THE DISABILITY BOX ON THEIR APPLICATION. THIS WILL ENSURE THAT COVID-19 WILL NOT IMPACT THEIR VOTE. I NORMALLY LIVE ON CAMPUS IN HARRIS COUNTY. I AM DISPLACED IN TRAVIS COUNTY AND CAN NO LONGER GO THERE IN PERSON. DO WE HAVE THE CURRENT CAPACITY FORM OF PRINTING, SCANNING, MAILING, DROPOFF LOCATIONS TO FILL THESE REQUESTS? IT AFFECTS THE SENIOR CITIZENS. MY GRANDPARENTS ARE IN THE HIGH RISK CATEGORY. VOTING BY MAIL WOULD BE A SAFE COURSE OF ACTION FOR THEM. FOR THOSE UTILIZING THE VOTING HOW IS YOUR OFFICE PREPARING WITH SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES. OUR VOTERS MUST BE SAFE -- BE A SAVE WAY TO HAVE THEIR -- TO EXERCISE THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND THIS IS WHY I AM ASKING YOU TO GUARANTEE THE RIGHT OF ALL CITIZENS VOTE BY MAIL. I AM ASKING YOU TO BEGIN PREPARATIONS TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY FROM THIS PANDEMIC. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. TRAUTMAN. HAVE YOU CONSIDERED THAT? AND SOMEBODY BROUGHT UP THE ONLINE VOTER REGISTRATION. THAT'S THE STATE, RIGHT? >> RIGHT. VOTER REGISTRATION IS UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE TAX OFFICE. ONE THING BEING OUT OF THE COUNTY IS ONE OF THE REASONS THAT WOULD ALLOW YOU TO VOTE BY MAIL. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS YOU CAN CHECK ON THE APPLICATION. LIKE SHE SAID, I THINK IT IS A MATTER OF GETTING THE WORD OUT, AND THAT WILL BE PART OF THE VOTER OUT REACH PROGRAM THAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COST FOR THIS EMERGENCY FUNDING. I THINK TOO GOING BACK TO THE TEMPERATURE CHECKS AND MR. DOUG RAY MAY WANT TO [05:10:03] COMMENT ON, THIS BUT WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU HAVE SOMEBODY WITH A HIGH TEMPERATURE. DO YOU NOT ALLOW THEM TO VOTE AND WHERE WILL THE STAFFING COME FROM? IT IS NOT OUR JUDGES AND POLL WORKER THAT'S ARE CHARGED WITH TAKING TEMPERATURES. THERE ARE A LOT OF UNANSWERED QUESTIONS AND WHAT IF SOMEONE REFUSES TO HAVE THEIR TEMPERATURE TAKEN? THESE ARE NOT TYPICALLY WHAT YOU WOULD EXPECT IN VOTING. WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMEBODY HAS A HIGH TEMPERATURE? >> I APPRECIATE MR. -- MS. BARRETT BRINGING FORWARD THE CREATIVE MODEL, BUT WE COULD NOT EXECUTE THAT UNDER PRESENT TEXAS LAW. THE KOREAN MODEL WITH REQUIRE A CERTIFICATION THAT YOU WERE POSITIVE FOR COVID TO GET A MAIL IN VOTE. IT IS POSSIBLY YOU FRAUDULENTLY AND INTENTIONALLY MISREPRESENTED THAT YOU HAVE A DISABILITY THAT YOU COULD BE PROSECUTED AT SOME POINT, BUT THE COUNTY CLERK DOES NOT HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY NOR ABILITY TO EVALUATE ANYBODY'S CLAIM FOR DISABILITY. THAT'S ONE PROVISION OF THAT THAT WE COOPERATE FORCE AT ALL. THE SECOND THING IS THERE IS NO PROVISION PREVENTING SOMEBODY FROM COMING INTO A POLLING PLACE TO VOTE IF THEIR TEMPERATURE IS TOO HIGH. BASICALLY IF YOU ARE COMMITTING A CRIME YOU STILL HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO VOTE AND YOU CAN'T PREVENT A PERSON FROM VOTING EVEN IF THEY ARE SUBJECT TO ARREST. THE LAW PROVIDES YOU ALLOW THEM TO VOTE FIRST. WE MAY WANT THEM TO BE ON A AN ADVISORY PROVISION, BUT WE HAVE NO POWER TO PREVENT THEM FROM COMING INTO THE POLLING PLACE FOR VOTING. THAT'S THE SECOND THING WE WOULDN'T DO. THAT WOULD REQUIRE CHANGING THE LAW BEFORE WE CAN DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT ONE I DID HAPPEN TO READ ABOUT AND I DON'T THINK THEY EVER TURNED ANYBODY AWAY, BUT THEY HAD A SEPARATE MACHINE HOWEVER THEY VOTED. THERE WAS A SEPARATE SPOT IF SOMEBODY CAME BACK WITH A TEMPERATURE. THIS IS JUST WHAT I'M SAYING WE SHOULD RUN DOWN WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH PEOPLE. I AM COMFORTABLE APPROVING THIS CONTINGENT ON RECEIVING A WRITTEN PLAN WITH WHAT THE CONSENSUS WAS ACROSS THE PUBLIC HEALTH EXPERT, THE BRENIN CENTER AND THE COUNTY CLERK AND WHATEVER THE LAWYERS FIGURED OUT. SO AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT THE PLAN IS. DO WE HAVE ANYMORE SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM. KYLE [INAUDIBLE] KYLE? KYLIE, I'M SORRY. >> HELLO AND GOOD AFTERNOON COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERERS. I AM A IS -- I AM A STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON. I AM SPEAKING TO YOU TODAY TO PREPARE FOR AN INCREASED VOTE BY MAIL FOR THE JULY PRIMARY RUNOFF AND NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION. THANK YOU FOR BEING PRACTICAL IN THE VOTING BY MAIL. IT HELPS KEEP OUR COMMUNITY SAFE FROM THE RISKY ENVIRONMENT. [INAUDIBLE] VOTERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO RISK YOUR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY WAITING IN LONG LINES, WITHIN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO OTHERS. DURING OUR MARCH PRIMARY ELECTIONS WE EXPERIENCED LONG POLLING PLACE WAIT TIMES WHERE THEY CONGREGATED. THIS WOULD BE DANGEROUS AND FORCE VOTERS BETWEEN CHOOSING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE AND THEIR HEALTH. I HAVE BEEN TALKING ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF VOTING AND REGISTERING STUDENTS TO VOTE IN PERSON. BECAUSE I AM UNABLE TO INTERACT WITH CLASSMATES IN PERSON, I AM ASKING YOU THAT OUR CITIZENS CAN REGISTER AND VOTE AS SAFELY AS POSSIBLE. IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY AND HEALTH OF THE CITIZENS OF OUR COMMUNITY WE MUST HAVE A MAIL IN BALLOT RIGHT NOW. WE ASK THAT YOU NOTIFY VOTERS THEY CAN CHECK THE DECEMBER BUILT -- THE DISABILITY BOX IN THE APPLICATION AND REQUEST A MAIL IN BALLOT. THIS WILL GUARANTEE COVID-19 WILL NOT IMPACT THE VOTES. [05:15:05] COVID-19 HAS I'M FACTED -- HAS IMPACTED AND AS A CHILD OF A HEALTH CARE WORKER MY MOTHER IS ALWAYS ENDANGERING HER HEALTH TO HELP OTHERS' NEEDS IN THE PANDEMIC. SHE IS ONE OF THOSE ON THE FRONT LINE. I DO NOT RISK PEOPLE SHOULD RISK THEIR SAFETY IN LONS LINES. LONG LINES. THEY CAN CHECK THE DISABILITY BOX ON THE APPLICATION. VOTER DOES NOT HAVE TO PRINT OR MAIL THE REQUEST. INSTEAD THEY CAN DO IT ELECTRONICALLY. [INAUDIBLE] SCANNING AND DROPPING OFF LOCATIONS TO FILL THIS REQUEST. WE ALL DESERVE A SAFE WAY TO EXERCISE A RIGHT TO VOTE AND THIS IS WHY I AM ASKING FOR THE RIGHT OF ALL CITIZENS TO VOTE FOR MAIL. I AM ASKING YOU TO BEGIN PREPARATIONS IMMEDIATELY TO PROTECT OUR DEMOCRACY IN THIS PAN DE -- PANDEMIC. THANK YOU. SAID SOMETHING TOO ABOUT PROVIDING DROPOFF LOCATIONS FOR MAIL BALLOTS AND MR. RAY AND MR. WYNN, I DO NOT THINK THAT IS ALLOWED IN TEXAS. THE LAW WOULD HAVE TO BE CHANGED ON THAT. >> YES, JUDGE, THE LAW PROVIDES A MAIL IN BALLOT CAN BE MAILED BACK OR SENT BACK TO THE CLERK BY A COMMON CARRIER OR DELIVERY SERVICE OR DROPPED OFF AT THE CLERK'S MAIN OFFICE DOWNTOWN. THERE IS NO OTHER PROVISION UNDER PRESENT LAW FOR THE RETURN OF A MAIL IN BALLOT. WE WOULD HAVE TO GET A MODIFICATION TO ALLOW THE DROPOFF BOXES. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> MEGAN BLACKWELL WITH FREEDOM TEXAS NETWORK. >> HELLO. GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS MEGAN BLACKWELL AND I AM A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS NETWORK AND A MEMBER OF TEXAS RISING. WE ARE A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION FIGHTING FOR THE POWER OF YOUNG TEXANS AT THE BALLOT BOX. I AM HERE TO ADVOCATE FOR ALL PEOPLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO A VOTE BY MAIL BALLOT. I DON'T THINK IT SHOULD BE A LIFE OR DEATH SITUATION DUE TO COVID-19. IT SHOULD NOT RISK THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF OTHERS AND OUR FAMILY WHO MAY BE TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE WITH 9 CONDITIONS. THAT'S WHY I AM ASKING THE COUNTY TO ENSURE IT DOES ITS BEST AND THAT ALL TEXANS CAN VOTE BY MAIL AND THAT THE COUNTY WORKS HARD TO ENSURE THAT THE NECESSARY RESOURCES ARE AVAILABLE AND ALLOWED TO VOTE BY MAIL. AROUND -- CAN I COUNT ON YOU TO ENSURE THAT VOTE BY MAIL IS AN OPTION FOR THEM? THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER? JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, BECAUSE THIS JULY IS A RUNOFF ELECTION, AND IT IS SOMETHING THAT WE CONTRACT WITH THE TWO PARTIES. AND I UNDERSTAND THAT THE CLERK'S OFFICE IS GOING TO VISIT WITH THE POLITICAL PARTIES TOMORROW, AND BECAUSE THERE ARE A LOT OF VERY GOOD IDEAS ON THE TABLE THAT WE DON'T HAVE -- FROM WHAT I CAN TELL WE DON'T HAVE A SLAW LID PHO LOCATION -- SOLIDIFICATION TO GO JUST YET. I RECOMMEND THAT WE APPROVE UP TO A MILLION OR THE JULY ELECTION IF IT TURNS OUT THEY NEED MORE MONEY THAN THAT, THEY CAN COME BACK GAUSS -- BECAUSE WE HAVE PLENTY OF TIME. WE HAVE FIVE OR SIX WEEKS AND ANOTHER COURT SESSION THAT IS THERE. AND WE THEN SEE AFTER THE PARTIES HAVE AGREED AND THIS ELECTION THAT COMES IN AND WE CAN SEE THE DIRECTION THAT IS THERE, THEN IN OUR VOTE THAT COMES IN IN THE BEGINNING OF THE -- AFTER OUR JULY ELECTION WE PROCEED TOWARD WHAT WE ARE GOING TO [05:20:01] DO IN NOVEMBER AND THAT IS MY RECOMMENDATION. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> I RESPECTFULLY DISAGREE WITH MY COLLEAGUE. WHAT WE CAN DO THROUGH NO FAULT OF ANY OF US HERE ON THIS VIDEO IT IS AN UNPERCEIVED CIRCUMSTANCE AND THEY ARE CHANGES SO THAT IT CAME IN LATE AND PEOPLE WERE UPSET. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE AS MANY PEOPLE AS WE CAN TO PARTICIPATE IN OUR DEMOCRACY. THAT'S WHY I GO WITH THE RECOMMENDATION THAT DR. TRAUTMAN HAS LAID OUT. IF SHE WANTS TO MAKE SOME CHANGES TO IT WE CAN MAKE THE CHANGES. KNOWING THAT A GOOD BIT OF THIS MONEY IS REIMBURSED. THERE ARE OTHER THINGS WE CAN ASK FOR, BUT I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING MORE IMPORTANT THAN PROTECTING OUR DEMOCRACY. I SAY THAT FROM THE VANTAGE POINT OF SOMEONE WHOSE RIGHTS HAVE BEEN TRAMPLED ON. IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WE SHOULD DO IT BEFORE WE GET TO COURT KICKING AND STREAM -- KICKING AND SCREAMING TO DO THE RIGHT THING. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I THINK THIS IS -- AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS JUST ELUDED TO, THIS IS ONE OF THE FUNDAMENTAL THINGS WE HAVE TO DO AND ENSURE THAT NO MATTER THE CIRCUMSTANCE WHETHER IT IS A FLOOD OR PANDEMIC, THE PROCESS OF EXERCISING OUR DEMOCRACY IS PROTECTED AND WE ARE THINKING THROUGH ALL OF THE DETAILS. I STILL HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT DR. TRAUTMAN'S PLAN. THERE WILL BE A GREAT DEAL OF FRUSTRATION ON MY PART IF ALL OF A SUDDEN WE COME THROUGH AND THERE ARE PLANS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN THOUGHT THROUGH AND THEY WEREN'T LAST MINUTE. I WILL DEAL WITH THAT AND HOPEFULLY IT DOESN'T BY THE SAME TOKEN I CAN'T SEE HOW WE CAN'T PIECEMEAL THIS PROCESS AND EITHER WE TRUST IN DR. TRAUTMAN'S ABILITY TO DO IT AND GET RID OF THE RESOURCE TO DO IT. IF SHE DOES PRESIDENT NEED -- IF SHE DOESN'T NEED EVERYTHING SHE HAS BEEN ALLOCATED IT WILL COME BACK TO THE GENERAL FUND. WHETHER IT IS A WEEK TO WEEK DECLARATION LIKE WAS TO THE THROUGH EARLIER OR A MILLION DOLLARS AT A TIME TO IMPLEMENT COUNTY WIDE UNPRECEDENTED MAIL BALLOT PROGRAMS, WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT DR. TRAUTMAN HAS RESOURCES TO DO WHAT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: DR. TRAUTMAN WHAT IS IT EXACTLY YOU ARE ASKING FOR UNDER THIS ITEM? >> I DO WANT TO SAY ONE THING TOO. IT IS THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF ASK, BUT MR. WYNN CAN GIVE YOU THAT AND ALSO [INAUDIBLE] I WANTED TO SET THIS. THE AMOUNT WE ARE ASKING FOR DOES NOT INCLUDE SENDING MAIL BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO VOTERS 65 AND OVER AS HAS BEEN SUGGESTED DURING THIS MEETING. THAT IS ANOTHER I BELIEVE COUPLE MILLION. MR. WYNN DO YOU WANT TO GIVE THAT FIGURE WE ARE ASKING FOR? >> I CAN, DR. TRAUTMAN. AS I SKATED -- STATED EARLIER, I THOUGHT A MILLION AND A HALF WOULD BE ENOUGH, BUT THAT WAS NOT UNDER THE PREMISE OF MAILING OUT BALLOTS TO 65 AND OVER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS SOMETHING YOU WERE GOING TO RUN DOWN. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY IS SAYING THAT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO HAPPEN. >> WE CAN GET BACK TO THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND PURCHASING AND KIND OF GET YOU THOSE FIGURES AND GET YOU EXACTLY WHAT WE NEED. [05:25:01] >> LINA HIDALGO: 1.5 BILLION? >> MR. WYNN I THINK THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT JULY AND NOVEMBER, EVERYTHING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S WHATY ASKED FOR JULY AND NOVEMBER. >> IF WE HAD TO PROCESS TWO MILLION VOTERS, IF WE HAD TO PROCESS A MILLION.-- 1.2 MILLION IT WAS -- WE DID DID DO THAT AND THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE TO ACQUIRE IMMEDIATELY WITH JULY IN TERMS OF THE SORTERS AND ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT IS THE ASKING? >> 12 MILLION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION, YOUR HONOR IF IT IS APPROPRIATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND I WOULD SAY IT IS CONTINGENT ON A PLAN. I HAVE THE REPORT HERE IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS 13.5 MILLION AND THAT IS NOT 12 MILLION. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE WAIT UNTIL JULY, MY UNDERSTANDING. WE CAN DO IT IN APRIL. IF IT IS SOMETHING LIKE WE DO JULY NOW AND MAYBE YOU COME BACK WITH A PLAN FOR THE NEXT COURT. DID YOU SIT DOWN WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIALS. WHAT HAPPENED LAST TIME IS WE HAD A FEW THINGS AND IT SOUNDED LIKE EVERYTHING WAS UNDER CONTROL. >> I KNOW I HAVE DONE A LOT OF TALKING ABOUT THIS AND I WANT TO POINT OUT THAT IT IS 4:45 AND WE ARE HALFWAY THROUGH THE COVID AGENDA. WE NEED TO TRY TO GET A RESOLUTION ON THIS SOONER RATHER THAN LATER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I MOVE DURING THE NEXT COURT THAT MAY BE NEXT WEEK OR WHENEVER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GIVES US THE OTHER ITEMS, DR. TROUTMAN AND YOU TELL US IF YOU NEED THE OTHER 12 OR THIS 10 AND I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE IT IS TOO LATE TO ORDER THINGS BUT I WILL PREPARE TO GIVE YOU THE WHOLE AMOUNT. I KNOW THE STAIR STEP IS NICE, BUT TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. >> LET ME JUST SAY ONE THING. THE THING WE HAVE TO ORDER NOW THAT WE ARE IN THE PRO IS SUCCESS OF ORDERING IS A BALLOT TRACKING PROGRAM FOR $500,000. THAT EATS UP HALF OF THE MILLION RIGHT AWAY. WE NEED POSTAGE, PRINTING, STAFFING. I WOULD MUCH RATHER GO WITH THE FULL AMOUNT AND WE WILL GET YOU THE PLAN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT IS THE FULL AMOUNT? IS IT 13-POINT -- IS IT 13.5 OR IS IT 12? >> MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS 12, ALL INCLUSIVE OF THE ONE MILLION ALTOGETHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 1 FOIN -- 1.5. >> YES. MR. WYNN? >> YES, THAT'S CORRECT. $12 MILLION ASK IS ALL INCLUSIVE. HOPEFUL -- HOPEFULLY WE WON'T SPEND ALL THAT MONEY, BUT WE DON'T KNOW. I AM JUST TRYING TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT THE COST WILL BE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION FOR UP TO 12 MILLION SO THAT IF THEY DON'T NEED THE 12 THEY DON'T DO IT. I DON'T WANT US TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE IT IS TOO LATE. IF YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION -- >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE GIVE THEM THE AUTHORIZATION TO SPEND UP TO 12 TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER FROM THE COURT IN AUSTIN AS WE KNOW IT NOW FOR THE UPCOMING TWO ELECTIONS, THE RUNOFF COMING UP AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: I WANT TO KNOW THIS $12 MILLION ASK, HOW MANY VOTERS VOTING BY [05:30:07] MAIL IS BASED ON THAT CALCULATION? >> MR. WYNN, IS THAT 2 MILLION? >> DID YOU HEAR ME? >> NO. >> I'M SORRY. TWO MILLION. >> STEVE RADACK: MR. WYNN, YOU AND I KNOW HOW MANY HUNDREDS OF VOTING LOCATIONS WILL YOU HAVE OPEN IN NOVEMBER? 700 AND SOMETHING? >> THAT IS OUR PLAN, YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: OKAY. 700 AND SOMETHING AND PLUS YOU WILL HAVE TWO WEEKS OF EARLY VOTING AT 50 DIFFERENT LOCATIONS? >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: AND YOU ARE GOING TO TELL ME AND TRY TO TELL THIS COURT WITH ALL OF THOSE PLACES AND ALL OF THOSE PLACES OPEN YOU WILL SEND OUT 2 MILLION BALLOTS? YOU KNOW THAT'S NOT RIGHT. >> COMMISSIONER, I CAN'T GUARANTEE THAT. I DON'T KNOW. I HAVE TO ASSUME THAT THOSE VOTERS, IF ELIGIBLE AND WANT TO VOTE BY MAIL UNDER THIS PROGRAM, WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR THEM. AND ALSO WHAT THAT MEANS IS WE HAVE TO OUT SOURCE SOME OF THE INFORMATION TO DO ALL OF THAT AT ONE TIME. YOU ARE ASKING ME TO GIVE YOU A PICTURED LOOK AND THAT'S WHAT I AM TRYING TO DO. >> STEVE RADACK: WHAT YOU'RE TRYING TO DO IS MAX IT OUT IN EVERY WAY. THERE IS NO RESEARCH HERE. THIS IS JUST TAKE A NUMBER OUT OF SOMEWHERE AND SAY IT. >> COMMISSIONER RADACK IN WISCONSIN THEY HAD [INAUDIBLE] PLAN AND THEY WOUND UP OPENING FIVE. NOBODY KNOWS. NOBODY KNOWS EXACTLY WHAT IS GOING TO HAPPEN RIGHT NOW IN NOVEMBER. WE JUST NEED TO BE PREPARED. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS, IF WE DON'T NEED. IT PRAISE BE. I HOPE THAT'S THE CASE. WE DON'T NEED IT, WE DON'T USE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, TWO ADDITIONAL COMMENTS. ONE OF WHICH IS IN 2016 WHICH WAS OUR LAST GENERAL ELECTION WE HAD 2,000,182,981 REGISTERED VOTERS AND TOTAL BALLOTS OF 1 MILLION 338 BALLOTS. IN THE ELECTION WHICH IS A GOVERNOR'S YEAR, 2018 WE HAD 2 MILLION 307 REGISTERED VOTERS. THE TOTAL BALLOTS CAST WERE $1.2 MILLION. WHAT WE ARE SAYING IS THAT IF WE ARE GOING TO MAKE A PLAN FOR TWO MILLION PEOPLE VOTING BY MAIL THAT WE ARE IN ESSENCE GOING TO MAKE THE PLAN THAT MORE THAN ANY VOTER HAS VOTED BEFORE WILL HAVE TO VOTE BY MAIL. JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I LIKE DR. TRAUTMAN AS A PERSON, BUT THE CONCEPT IS FUND ME FIRST AND THEN I WILL COME UP WITH THE PLAN IS DIFFICULT. LET'S STAIR STEP IT. JUDGE, WHEN YOU MADE YOUR COMMENT OF -- ESPECIALLY IN JULY. THAT'S ALL CONTRACT. LET'S GET A PLAN BEFORE WE VOTE ON A BUDGET,Y -- ESPECIALLY WHEN THIS BUDGET IS ANTICIPATING MORE PEOPLE VOTING BY BALLOT THAN WE ACTUALLY HAVE EVER HAD VOTE IN AN ELECTION, PERIOD. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I RESPECT EVERYBODY'S RIGHT TO DISAGREE INCLUDING THOSE WHO ARE JUST AGAINST MAIL IN BALLOTS BECAUSE OF THE PERCEPTION IT MIGHT HELP ONE GROUP OVER THE OTHER. I AM CONVINCED BOTH POLITICAL PARTIES WILL GET VERY ACTIVE AND UNDERSTAND THE NUANCES OF MAIL IN BALLOTS. I DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT, AND BECAUSE TWO OF US ARE ON THIS GOVERNING BOARD ARE OVER 65, WE CAN GET A BALLOT JUST BECAUSE THE GOOD LORD LET US LIVELONG ENOUGH TO GET THAT RIGHT. HAVING SERVED IN THE LEGISLATURE I KNOW WHY THAT LAW WAS PASSED ONLY FOR PEOPLE OVER 65 WITH THE ASSUMPTION THAT CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE WOULD BENEFIT FROM IT. I AM MAKING THIS MOTION. IT IS PERSONAL FOR ME. I AM MAKING THIS MOTION IN HONOR OF MY DADDY AND PEOPLE LIKE HIM WHO HAD TO PAY A POLL TAX TO VOTE. THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO IT NOW. I WILL MOVE THAT WE GIVE DR. TRAUTMAN THE RIGHT TO SPEND UP TO $12 MILLION TO GET READY FOR THESE NEXT TWO IMPORTANT DEMOCRATIC ROLL CALL ELECTIONS. [05:35:01] >> I JUST WANT TO SAY THIS. I REQUESTED A BALLOT BY MAIL AND NEVER USED ONE. I SURRENDER IT. I HAVE GOTTEN ONE. THE REASON I DO THAT IS I DON'T TRUST THE U.S. MAIL. THAT'S WHY I GO VOTE IN PERSON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT THIS MOTION TO PASS BECAUSE I DON'T TRUST THE GOVERNMENT OF TEXAS TO A GREAT EXTENT. PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO PROTECTING PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO VOTE. IN PARTICULAR, THE PEOPLE WHO LOOK LIKE ME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I WILL SAY AGAIN THAT I THINK DR. TRAUTMAN NEEDS TO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO DO HER WORK. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED THAT THERE ARE DETAILS OR LACK OF THEM IN PLACE. NOW THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ENDED HIS INITIAL MOTION FOR IT TO BE UP, IT WILL GIVE HER LATITUDE FOR HER TO USE WHAT SHE NEEDS TO USE AS SHE GOES, BUT I WILL JUST SAY THERE IS A LOT TO TAKE IN THE BALANCE IN THIS ELECTION. I WOULD LIKE MR. WYNN AND MR. TRAUTMAN TO BE THOUGHTFUL OF HOW THIS IS EXECUTED. THERE IS CONFUSION THAT TAKES PLACE IN A REGULAR ELECTION. WE HAVE TO GIVE FOLKS THE CONFIDENCE THEY CAN VOTE, AND THAT THEY WILL GET THEIR BALLOT AND IF THEY DECIDE TO SHOW UP AT A POLLING LOCATION THAT IT WILL BE SAFE AND SECURE AND SANITIZED ENVIRONMENT AND SAFE FOR ALL POLL WORKERS AS WELL AS THE VOTERS. I WANT TO BE CAUTIOUS. I HEARD YOUR CONCERN TOO, JUDGE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT MR. WYNN AND THE STAFF ARE THINKING THROUGH THE DETAILS AND WE JUST NEED THEM TO GET IT RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WILL THAT BE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I APPRECIATE IT. I WAS HARD ON DR. TRAUTMAN AND HER TEAM. I THINK BOTH OF US LEAD THAT DISCUSSION, BUT I DO THINK WE SHOULD GIVE HER THE RESOURCES TO GET IT RIGHT. IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT, I WILL BE WITH YOU AND EVERYBODY ON THIS BOARD ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS. I DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE ON ONE HAND I CRITICIZED SOMEONE WHEN IT DIDN'T WORK OUT RIGHT, BUT I WASN'T WILLING TO GIVE THE RESOURCES TO TRY TO GET IT RIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WONDER IF WE COULD MAKE IT -- I MEAN, I'M FINE APPROVING THE UP TO LANGUAGE. I DO STILL THINK -- I DON'T WANT TO BE IN THE SAME SITUATION WE WERE AT AFTER THE SIX-HOUR LINES. I JUST ASSUMED THE BEST AND THINGS WENT WRONG. I WOULD SAY IF IT IS AT ALL POSSIBLE, COMMISSIONER, PERHAPS WE SAY CONTINGENT ON OR WE ASK THE COUNTY CLERK TO WORKUP A PLAN THAT IS REVIEWED BY PUBLIC HEALTH OR THEIR DISSIG KNEE SO -- D -- DESIGNEE. >> AND THEY CAN BRING IT BACK WHEN WE MEET NEXT WEEK. I JUST WANT HER TO KNOW IF THERE ARE THINGS SHE HAS TO BUY OR ORDER AND IT IS NOT CAUGHT UP IN PUBLIC HEALTH OR CSD OR ANYWHERE ELSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF AT LEAST WE KNOW WHAT WAS ORDERED -- LIKE IF WE HAD KNOWN BACK IN THE DAY THAT THERE WAS BARELY ANY LOCATIONS IN PRECINCT 1, WE WOULD HAVE SAID, HUH, WHERE ARE ALL OF THE DEMOCRATS GOING TO VOTE IN THEY ARE GONNA HAVE LONG LINES. IT IS OKAY IF YOU NEED -- I RECOGNIZE AND MY STAFF RECOGNIZES THAT THERE ARE THINGS YOU HAVE TO START DOING NOW FOR NOVEMBER. BUT I JUST THINK IT IS GOOD TO KNOW WHAT KIND OF OBSTACLES YOU ARE RUNNING INTO. WE CAN HELP TAKE THOSE OUT OF THE WAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AGREE. IN FACT, LEADING UP THIS ELECTION AS FAR AS I'M CONCERNED I CAN WALK AROUND THE ROOM AND COME BACK. IF WE PUT SOMETHING ON THE AGENDA FOR EVERY MEETING TO SEE WHAT IS IN THE PLAN AND [05:40:03] WHAT IS BEING DONE. I DON'T WANT TO BE EMBARRASSED WHERE PEOPLE ARE SUING US AND I AM MAKING CALLS TO ADVOCATES SAYING THAT'S EMBARRASSING IN TERMS OF A POTENTIAL CIVIL RIGHTS VIOLATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I COULD JUST ADD THERE ARE JUST SOME THINGS DR. TRAUTMAN YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAD ON AND YOU WILL PROBABLY BE ALONE ON IT, BUT THERE WILL BE SOME DETAILS YOU WILL HAVE TO LEAD IN CONSTRUCTING THIS UNPRECEDENTED MAIL BALLOT PROCESS. I HOPE YOU WILL. >> I WOULD JUST LIKE TO SAY IT WILL BE AN UNPRECEDENTED PROCESS. NOBODY HAS HAD TO GO THROUGH ANYTHING LIKE THIS. WE DO HAVE A PLAN. WE EXPANDED FROM A MAIL IN BALLOT PROGRAM, BUT IT DOES CARRY OVER TO THE IN PERSON VOTING AS WELL. WE WILL HAVE THAT TOGETHER FOR YOU. SOME OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE HAVE TO BUY NOW, THE HIGH POWERED SCANNERS AND THE BALLOT TRACKING DEVICE, THOSE ARE THINGS THAT WILL EAT UP REAL QUICK A COUPLE MILLION DOLLARS. IF THIS IN-- INCREASE FOR MAIL IN BALLOT APPLICATIONS CONTINUES ALL OF THOSE COSTS WILL ADD UP QUICKLY FOR JUST THE JULY ELECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: DR. TRAUTMAN, WHY IS YOUR BACK UP SO VAGUE? YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT STUFF THAT IS NOT EVEN IN YOUR BACK UP. YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BUYING THINGS THAT YOU DON'T EVEN TELL US WHAT THEY ARE. THIS IS VAGUE. YOU WANT $12 MILLION AND THIS IS EXTREMELY VAGUE. >> NO, ACTUALLY WE DON'T. WE HAVE A LIST OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE WE NEED. >> YOU HAVE ALL OF YOUR COUNTERS AND ALL OF THAT IS ON THERE AND HOW MUCH THEY COST? >> NOT EACH. I MEAN, WE HAVE ONLY HAD BASICALLY 30 DAYS TO LOOK AT THIS. WE HAVE HAD SOME BID OUT ALREADY. >> STEVE RADACK: SO YOU ARE SAYING THIS IS COMPLETE WHAT YOU GAVE US? >> THERE SHOULD BE A LIST OF INFRASTRUCTURE. MR. WYNN, DO YOU HAVE THAT? >> I DO. I DID NOT INCLUDE THAT, COMMISSIONER RADACK. WHAT WE DO HAVE, WE BUILT A COVID FOLDER REQUEST -- WITH ALL OF THE EQUIPMENT. AND WE ARE HAPPY TO SHARE THAT. WE CAN HAVE THAT FOR THE NEXT COURT. >> STEVE RADACK: I MEAN, DO YOU AGREE -- I AM READING WHAT Y'ALL HAVE IN ADDITION TO THE OFFICE IT CONTINUES TO, BUT THE STUFF IS NOT LISTED. >> WE CAN GET YOU THE LIST. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU UNDERSTAND MY POINT HERE. YOU ARE ASKING US TO APPROVE SOMETHING AND AS WE GO THROUGH IT, THEN YOU START ADDING THINGS THAT WE HAVEN'T EVEN HEARD. I JUST THOUGHT I WOULD POINT THAT OUT. >> NO, SIR, I AM NOT ADDING ANYTHING EXTRA, COMMISSIONER RADACK, BUT I CAN GIVE YOU THE LIST. I HAVE TALKED WITH THE OFFICE OF BUDGET MANAGE -- MANAGEMENT AND WE CAN GET YOU THE INFORMATION YOU DESIRE. >> STEVE RADACK: I WOULD THINK YOU SHOULD GIVE IT TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE COURT. >> WE WILL DO THAT. WE WILL GIVE IT TO EVERY MEMBER OF THE COURT, YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER EL -- ELLIS REPEAT YOUR MOTION. >> WE AUTHORIZE DR. TRAUTMAN $12 MILLION TO PREPARE FOR THE TWO ELECTIONS AND THEY COME BACK AND GIVE THE ENTIRE COURT A COMPLETE PLAN OF EVERYTHING THEY HAVE TO DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE DOES THAT MEET YOUR CHANGE OF THE MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT WOULD BE GREAT. AND THEN LATER IF WE NEED CONTINUAL UPDATES WE CAN ASK FOR THAT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IN THAT CASE I WILL SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE TO VOTE FOR IT TO FIND OUT WHAT IT IS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK HE CAN WALK YOU THROUGH IT NOW IF YOU WANT TO HEAR IT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE NOT BEEN GIVEN IT IN ADVANCE AND NOR HAS THE PUBLIC BEEN GIVEN IT IN ADVANCE. WE ARE SUPPOSED TO BE ABOUT TRANSPARENCY AND OPENNESS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT. [05:45:04] I AM NOT GOING TO ALLOW MYSELF TO -- I LIKE THE IDEA OF LET'S PUT IN WHAT WE NEED FOR JULY. LET'S GET A PLAN AND LOOK AT THE PLAN. WE CAN DEBATE OVER THE PLAN AND MAYBE REACH A COMPROMISE OVER THE PLAN OR MAYBE WE GO WITH THE WHOLE THING. THIS PLAN WE HAVE TO GET, WE DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS YET. EXCEPT FOR WE ARE GOING TO ANTICIPATE 2 MILLION PEOPLE VOTING BY MAIL WHEN THE MOST ABSENTEE BALLOTS WE EVER HAD WAS 101,000 AND 98,000. THE ASSUMPTION I GUESS IS WITH THE TOTAL BALLOTS NEVER EXCEEDING 1.3 MILLION, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE MORE PEOPLE VOTING BY MAIL THAN EVER VOTED IN PERSON OR BY ABSENTEE EVER BEFORE. I AM NOT GONNA VOTE FOR SOMETHING AND THEN FIND OUT WHAT IT IS. I CAN VOTE FOR WHAT THE JUDGE SAID EARLIER WHICH IS LET'S VOTE TO GET THROUGH JULY WHICH IS A CONTRACT WITH THE PARTIES, AND THEN GET A PLAN UP. DISCUSS THE PLAN. LOOK AT THE PLAN AND THEN MOVE FORWARD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE THAT. IF I MIGHT I WILL JUST SAY WHAT THIS HAS TURNED INTO IS A PARTISAN ISSUE. WHAT ONE GROUP THINKS THAT THEY WILL BE ADVANTAGED AND ANOTHER GROUP THINKS THEY ARE GONNA BE DISADVANTAGED. WHAT I WANT TO DO IS MAKE IT AS EASY FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE AS POSSIBLE. WE DRINT -- WE DIDN'T HAVE CORONAVIRUS BEFORE. WE HAVE THAT NOW AND WE MAY HAVE IT WHEN THE NOVEMBER ELECTION ROLLS AROUND. THE LAST THING WE WANT TO DO IS BE IN THE POSITION WE WERE IN WITH THE LAST ELECTION UNTIL 2:00 IN THE MORNING AND MACHINES GOING OFF AT MIDNIGHT BECAUSE NOBODY ANTICIPATED THAT SOMEBODY WOULD STILL BE IN LINE TO VOTE AT MIDNIGHT. AND I AM GOING TO DO EVERYTHING I CAN TO ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO VOTE EARLY. THEY CAN VOTE IN PERSON. NOW THAT THE CORONA ISSUE HAS COME UP, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE BY MAIL. I HAVE NEVER DONE IT BY MAIL, BUT I WILL. I WILL DO A VIDEO IF PEOPLE ASK ME HOW TO GET THE MAIL IN BALLOT. NOBODY WILL TRY TO CHANGE IT IF YOU ARE OVER 65 BECAUSE THE ASSUMPTION IS CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE ARE MORE APARTMENT TO USE THAT AND THAT'S THE REAL ISSUE AT PLAY. I RESPECT YOU, BUT I WILL DO AS MUCH AS I CAN TO ENCOURAGE A MAIL IN BALLOT VOTING AND I THINK WE OUGHT TO GIVE TRAUTMAN THE RESOURCES SHE NEEDS. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS THAT NEED TO BE ORDERED AND IF NOT ORDERED IT WILL BE TOO LATE TO DO IT FOR NOVEMBER. DO WE WANT TO WAIT AND THEN GET THE COURT DECISION OVERRULED? THAT'S THE REAL ISSUE WITH THE PARTISAN DIVIDE. WITH THAT WE CAN VOTE, OR WE CAN BE HERE UNTIL 5:00 IN THE MORNING. IT IS BETTER THAN BEING COUPED UP IN THE HOUSE WITH MY LOVELY FAMILY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WILL JUST SAY THAT I DO HAVE SOME DEGREE OF NOT HESITATION, BUT A LITTLE FRUSTRATION. I AM WILLING TO SECOND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION, BUT TO THAT END THIS IS KNOTS THE FIRST TIME -- THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE SAID HERE IS THE MONEY, YOU FIGURE IT OUT. WE DID THAT WITH THE SHERIFF -- I WORKED WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND WE WILL VOTE ON THAT TODAY WHERE THERE IS A 1% INCREASE FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, AND THAT BASICALLY CAME THROUGH AND WE SAID LET'S CAPITALIZE SOME THINGS AND LEAVE THE MONEY WITH THE SHERIFF AND LET THE SHERIFF FIGURE OUT HOW HE WANTS TO DISPERSE IT AMONG HIS GROUPS. HE HAS DONE THAT. WE HAVE DONE THAT BEFORE SO I AM READY TO CALL FOR THE QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT A MOTION CALLED QUESTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE CAN MOVE ON THIS. YOU MADE THE MOTION AND I SECONDED IT. THERE IS MORE DISCUSSION TO BE HAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND AND I DON'T SUPPORT SOMETHING COMING BACK AND DR. TRAUTMAN TALKING ABOUT THE BRENIN CENTER RECOMMENDATIONS AS WELL. I JUST THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO STAY ABREAST AT -- OF AS IT PROGRESSES SO WE AVOID WHAT HAPPENED IN THE PAST. [05:50:03] WITH THAT LET'S CALL ALL IN FAVOR OF THE MOTION? >> I. >> I. I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR AS WELL. OPPOSED? >> NO. >> NO. JUDGE I AM IN FAVOR OF NOT HAVING WHAT HAPPENED BEFORE OCCUR, BUT I AM NOT IN FAVOR OF VOTING FIRST AND THEN FINDING OUT WHAT THE PLAN IS AFTERWARDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. >> I WOULD LIKE TO ADD ONE THING. THE REASON THERE WERE PEOPLE ON THE LINE -- IN LINE IN THE LAST ELECTION IS BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T ASK QUESTIONS AT THE TIME FOR THE ELECTION. COME TO FIND OUT HOW IT WAS REALLY SET UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GLAD TO KNOW THAT. I DIDN'T KNOW THAT. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S SEE HOW WE CAN GET THROUGH THE REST OF THESE ITEMS. NOW WE HAVE THE OTHER -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WAS IT 3-2? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THERE IS AN ITEM UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY THAT WE DISCUSSED, THE LITIGATION PIECE RELATED TO VOTE BY MAIL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ONE QUESTION. MR. SOARD, DO WE NEED TO -- I THINK IT WAS DOUG RAY THAT SAID EARLIER, DO WE NEED TO AMEND THIS SO IT APPLIES TO ANY OTHER LITIGATION, OR IS THIS BROAD ENOUGH? OH IT IS BROAD ENOUGH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S ON PAGE 27 AND IT IS ITEM 1. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS? >> THEY HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN. WE HAVE ONE ON THE NEXT ITEM. G2. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY DISCUSSIONS ON THIS ITEM? I TEAM -- ITEM 1? WE WILL MOVE TO ITEM 2 AND THAT IS THE TAX SALE QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THIS ONE MIGHT BE THE GUY THAT VOTES -- THE KIND THAT VOTES. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHICH ONE, COMMISSIONER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. I WAS JUST GUESSING. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE UP COUNTY ATTORNEY ITEM 1. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE ADOPTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? >> THANK YOU TO MY COLLEAGUE AND HE IS CORRECT. I WOULD BE A NO ON THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? -- WHO SECONDED IT? MR. GARCIA, I THINK YOU ARE MUTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR. >> I. I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED. >> NO. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES. NOW LET'S MOVE TO ITEM 2, THE TAX SALE. MAYBE JOHN OR ROBERT CAN WALK US THROUGH. I KNOW IT WAS CANCELED LAST TIME BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BRING 800 PEOPLE DOGHT -- TOGETHER. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHY THAT'S NOT A GOOD IDEA. >> DO YOU WANT ME TO, JOHN? I HAVE SOME NUMBERS. I THINK THEY ARE CORRECT. >> SURE. >> THE FIRST TUESDAY OF EVERY MONTH THERE IS A SALE HELD. IT IS AT THE BAYOU CENTER. THE SALE INVOLVES EXECUTIONS WHERE YOU ARE SELLING PROPERTY BECAUSE YOU OWE SOMEBODY MONEY AND TAX SALES AND THERE ARE PRIVATE FORECLOSURE SALES CONDUCTED BY THE TRUSTEES. I AM TOLD THAT FOR MAY THERE WILL BE ONE TAX SALE POSSIBLY. THAT'S THE LATEST INFORMATION I HAD, MAYBE ONE EXECUTION SALE. THOSE ARE REALLY NOT A FACTOR ONE WAY OR ANOTHER. I AM TOLD THERE ARE 600 TO MAYBE 700 PRIVATE TRUSTY SALES WHICH IS CONSIDERABLY LESS THAN NORMAL. AND SO IT IS JUST UP TO PRIMARILY THE COUNTY JUDGE AND USING HER POWERS AND WHEN WE CANCELED THE SALE COMPLETELY OR ALLOWED THE SALE TO GO THROUGH WITH SOME RULES IN PLACE AND SOCIAL DISTANCING AND THAT SORT OF THING. WE AS A COUNTY ATTORNEY DON'T HAVE A POSITION ON IT, BUT WE KNOW THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THIS AND THEY WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. AND THIN I -- AND THEN I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS OR MAYBE JOHN CAN ADD TO THAT. >> I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO ADD. IN -- THIS IS EXPECTED TO BE A SMALL SALE, BUT IT DRAWS QUITE A FEW PEOPLE. >> THE NUMBERS I HAVE TO HELP YOU IS A CAPACITY OF THE BUILDING WHERE IT IS CURRENTLY HELD WHICH IS 2500. SO THEY ARE THINKING AT A 25% OCCUPANCY RATE THE SALE THAT WAS POSTED. THAT'S ROUGH NUMBERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A QUESTION? [05:55:03] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ROBERT, IN TERMS OF -- I THINK WE CAN COME UP WITH A DEGREE OF CALCULATION OF HOW MUCH WE LOST IN REVENUE. IS THAT BY CHANCE GOING TO BE REIMBURSABLE TO THE CARES ACT? >> YOU KNOW, I DON'T KNOW THAT IT WOULD BE. I GUESS WE CAN TRY TO CALCULATE HOW MUCH HAS BEEN LOST. IN THEORY ALL THAT HAS HAPPENED IN THE COUNTY IS IT WAS SIMPLY DELAYED AND NOT LOST. EVENTUALLY THESE THINGS WILL CATCH UP. AND THEN I GOT A NOTE FROM SOMEBODY AND THEY SAID THE POSSIBILITY IS TO EXPAND THE SPACE FOR THE TRUSTEES WHICH I THINK THE JUDGE CAN USE WITH HER POWERS AND THAT'S ANOTHER POSSIBILITY. THE IMPORTANT THING IS TO KNOW IF THE SALE WAS CANCELED COMPLETELY OR IF WE WILL GO FORWARD WITH SOME CONDITIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF IT IS ON ME, I WOULD WANT IT TO CIRCLE BACK. MY UNDERSTAND -- UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE. 600 PEOPLE AND LIKE THE WAY IT IS SET UP IT ENCOURAGES CLOSE CONTACT. I WOULD HATE -- I MEAN, Y'ALL, WE HAD 98 CASES TODAY WHICH WE HOPE IS A BLIP. AT MOST WITH OUR TEST AND TRACE, THAT CAN HANDLE AROUND A HUNDRED. I AM NOT TRYING TO GET OUR KISSES -- CASES UP WITH A TRUSTY SALE. MY UNDERSTANDING AND INPUT I HAVE GOTTEN IS THERE IS NO WAY TO BE SAFE IN THIS KIND OF CONTEXT. NATURALLY PEOPLE TRY TO COME TOGETHER TO HEAR WHO IS MAKING THE ANNOUNCEMENTS. I DON'T KNOW, JOHN, IF THERE IS ANYTHING DIFFERENT. MAYBE I NEED TOMORROW TO CIRCLE BACK ON IT. >> I UNDERSTAND WE MAY HAVE A SPEAKER WHO HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. GO AHEAD. I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T MEAN TO INTERRUPT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE'LL TAKE UP THE SPEAKER. LET ME HEAR FROM JOHN REAL QUICK TO SEE IF I MISSED ANYTHING. >> THAT IS THE NATURE OF THE TAX SALES AND THE TRUSTY SALES. EVERYBODY GETS AROUND CLOSE AND HUDDLES AROUND AND FINDS OUT WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE IS BIDDING ON. WE CAN TRY A DIFFERENT TECHNIQUE, BUT IT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT PROCESS THAN WE CURRENTLY USE NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT MIGHT BE WHAT WE DO. AS ROBERT SAID IT WILL CATCH UP WITH US. WE ALL KNEW THE VIRUS WASN'T GOING ANYWHERE, BUT WE HAVEN'T LIVED IT. AND YOU THAT -- AND NOW WE KNOW WE WON'T HAVE A VACCINE ANYTIME SOON. I DON'T KNOW IF WE HAVE THAT PROCESS RIGHT NOW. SO PERHAPS THIS ONE WE POSTPONE AND IN THE MEANTIME, YOU WORK WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO SOMEHOW -- MY UNDERSTANDING IS THERE ARE -- THERE IS A LEGAL REQUIREMENT WHY WE COULDN'T DO IT BEFORE. WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIND A WAY. WE CAN'T POSTPONE THEM FOREVER. WE WILL HAVE TO FIND A WAY AND I THINK IT IS SOMETHING YOU NEED TO DIG IN ON AND BRING BACK A CONCRETE PROPOSAL OF HOW WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T JUST SHOW UP. YOU SEE A PRESS CONFERENCE AND YOU SAY STAY SIX FEET APART AND THE MINUTE THEY GET THERE, THEY DON'T. I DON'T WANT TO TRUST WE ARE 25% OCCUPANCY AND, GUYS, STAY AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER AND HERE COMES A SPIKE OF DAYS -- SPIKE OF CASES FROM THE COUNTY-SPONSORED SALE. I CAN'T STOMACH THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS PROCESS I THINK IN A VERY ARCHAIC WAY. WE ARE STILL DOING IN PERSON AUCTIONS. WHY CAN'T WE SHIFT TO ONLINE? I THINK WE WOULD GET MORE PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE AND WE WOULD GET MORE ACTIVITY THAT WAY. I THINK WE SHOULD LOOK TO UPDATE THE PROCESS. IT FEELS LIKE IT IS STILL BACK IN THE OLDEN DAYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, WASN'T THERE A REASON THAT WAS OUTSIDE OUR CONTROL WHY WE COULDN'T DO IT ONLINE? I REMEMBER ASKING THAT QUESTION. >> I THINK WE WERE ACTUALLY MOVING TOWARD ONLINE SALES AND CERTAINLY FOR THE TAX SALES WHICH IS WHAT THE COUNTY WOULD BE INTERESTED IN. THAT CAN BE LANCH -- LARGELY DONE ONLINE. THE TRUSTY SALES ARE IN EFFECT PRIVATE SALES IN WHICH PEOPLE REPRESENT BANKS AND MORTGAGE COMPANIES THAT SORT OF THING. THE COUNTY ITSELF IS PROVIDING A LOCATION AND WE REQUIRE THE FOR THEIR SALES OTHER THAN DESIGNATING A PLACE, AND THEY DESIGNATED THIS PARTICULAR LOCATION. THEY CAN MOVE THE LOCATION, AND THERE ARE A LOT OF PRACTICAL REASONS WHY YOU [06:00:06] WOULDN'T WANT IT MOVED. I KNOW WE WERE MOVING IN THAT DIRECTION AT ONE POINT. I BELIEVE THE LAW ALLOWS IT NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE ARE NOT -- WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> JUDGE, WE CAN CERTAINLY LOOK AT THAT FOR THE NEXT OPTION. I THINK THERE THERE WAS CONCERNS ABOUT -- IF I RECALL YOU HAD TO GET THE CONSTABLES BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ACCEPT THEM TO AGREE. >> FOR WHATEVER REASON THERE ARE VERY FEW COSTS THAT WILL SELL. THERE ARE JUST NOT MANY SCHEDULED. THE ISSUE AGAIN IS NOT THE SALES. IT IS THE COUNTY THAT IS ACTIVELY INVOLVED. IT IS ALL OF THE PRIVATE-TYPE PLACES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE CAN GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO SENATOR BETTENCOURT. I THINK HE SPEAR HEADED SOME OF THE LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS US TO DO THE RELOCATION AND SOME OF THE ONLINE TAX SALES. I THINK THIS WOULD BE A GREAT THING FOR OUR ANALYST OFFICE AND MAYBE IT WESTBOUND THE NEXT PLACE TO TAKE THE ONLINE SALES. MAYBE WE CAN CONTRACT WITH EBAY AND MAYBE SELL ALL OF OUR STUFF THAT ROUTE. I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS, BUT I KNOW SENATOR BETTENCOURT ASSISTED US IN THE LAST LEGISLATIVE SESSION ALLOWING US TO HAVE MORE FLEXIBILITY IN THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER, BUT I DO THINK THAT IS SOMETHING WE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT ALTERNATIVE WE WILL IMPLEMENT BEFORE THE NEXT ONE. LUCINDA, IS THE SPEAKER ON THE LINE? >> YES, MA'AM. AMANDA? >> YES. YES, I'M HERE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I HAVE BEEN ASKED TO APPEAR AS AN EXPERT ON THE SUBJECT. LIKE THEY SAID I AM AMANDA LOCURE AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE ENLISTING SERVICE. SINCE 1967 OUR COMPANY HAS PUBLISHED LISTS OF PROPERTIES SCHEDULED FOR FORECLOSURE IN HARRIS COUNTY AS WELL AS OTHER COUNTIES THROUGH THROUGHOUT SOUTHEAST TEXAS. WE PUBLISHED FORECLOSURE REPORTS OF PROPERTIES THAT SELL AT FORECLOSURE AUCTIONS. I PERSONALLY HAVE ATTENDED EVERY FORECLOSURE AUCTION IN HARRIS COUNTY FOR OVER 20 YEARS. DESPITE HURRICANES AND OTHER HISTORIC FLOODING, THE NONJUDICIAL TRUSTY SALES IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS NEVER BEEN MISSED OR CANCELED WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE MOST RECENT AUCTION ON APRIL 7TH, 2020. AS YOU'RE PROBABLY AWARE, THE TEXAS PROPERTY CODE DECLARES FORECLOSURE AUCTIONS MUST BE PUBLIC SALES, SO UNLIKE OTHER PUBLIC GATHERINGS, THE PUBLIC SALES FORECLOSURE IS LEGALLY MANDATED. ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2015, YOUR COURT DESIGNATED THE BAYOU CENTER, A NONCOUNTY FACILITY AS THE DESIGNATED SITE FOR VALUE LITED DARN -- VALID REASONS ON THAT DATE AND RECORDED IN CLERK (201)509-2828. ON APRIL 3RD FOR OBVIOUS AND VERY VALID REASONS OF THE COVID-19 EMERGENCY, THE COUNTY STATED THE BAYOU CITY EVENT CENTER MAY NOT BE ACCESSED BY THE PUBLIC. PLEASE BE ADVISED THAT TRUSTEE POSTED 582 PROPERTIES FOR THE MAY 5TH AUCTION AND TO DATE 241 HAVE ALREADY BEEN POSTED FOR THE JUNE SECOND FORECLOSURE AUCTION IRRESPECTIVE OF THE COVID-19 CRISIS. MANY, INCLUDING 35 COMMERCIAL PROPERTIES, ARE NOT PROTECTED BY THE MORATORIUM IMPOSED UPON GOVERNMENT-BACKED LOANS OR THE RECENT APRIL 7TH AUCTION A FEW COUNTIES IN TEXAS RECOGNIZED THE UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE BY FILING SPECIAL PROVISIONS THAT MOVED SALES OUTDOORS DURING THE CRISIS. WE ARE HERE TO BE OF SERVICE REGARDING SUGGESTIONS, OFFER ALTERNATIVES AND CON -- CONTINGENCY PLANS GOING FORWARD SIMILAR TO THAT OF OTHER COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. I WILL MENTION MOST TRUSTY NOTICES INCLUDE A CAVETE -- CAVEATE TO BEHELD IN THE CENTER OR THE CHANGE OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT IF THERE IS A DISASTER OF THE CURRENT BUILDING AND ON GOING COVID CRISIS THAT PROHIBITS ACCESS TO THE BUILDING. WITH THAT SAID HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE DO ATTEND THE REGULAR FORECLOSURE AUCTION WHEN THE FORECLOSURE AUCTION IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED A HURRICANE OR WHEN IT FELL ON [06:05:05] A HOLIDAY SUCH AS JUN 1ST OR JULY 4TH, THE ATTENDANCE WAS SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER, BUT MANY STILL DO ATTEND. I AM NOT HERE SPECIFICALLY TO LOBBY FOR A POSITION. I JUST HAVE DECADES OF EXPERIENCE AND HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS RECORDING -- REGARDING FACILITATING THE AUCTION NOW OR IN THE FUTURE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. I AM REVIEWING SOME E-MAILS HERE AND UPDATES WE HAVE GOTTEN FROM JIM ROBINSON TO OUR STAFF. ROBERT WHAT WOULD BE IN THE BEST INTEREST OF MOVING THIS ALONG IS IF YOU CAN TAKE THIS ALL INTO CONSIDERATION AND I CAN SIGN AN ORDER TOMORROW LIKE I DID LAST TIME. MY SENSE IS WE OUGHT TO POSTPONE THIS ONE -- SIGN THE ORDER TO THAT EFFECT AND WE NEED BY THE NEXT ONE WE HAVE TO HAVE A SOLUTION. YOU NEED TO FIGURE OUT WITH THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE OR PUBLIC HEALTH IT NEEDS TO HAPPEN. WE ARE IN THIS FOR THE LONG HAUL. I JUST CAN'T -- FROM THE INFORMATION WE'VE GOTTEN IT IS JUST -- I DON'T KNOW IF I CAN SAY LET'S HOPE FOR THE BEST AND WE DON'T HAVE THE SYSTEMS FULLY FLUSHED OUT. AND THEN WE HAVE TO HOPE THAT PEOPLE DON'T CONGREGATE BY USING A BIGGER ROOM. I DON'T THINK IT IS WORTH IT. I THINK IF WE POSTPONE IT ONE MORE TIME IT IS ALL RIGHT, BUT MAKE SURE IT DOESN'T GET BEYOND THAT. >> YES, MA'AM AND WE WILL DEAL WITH YOUR STAFF IN THE MORNING, AND THEN WE WILL ALSO -- I'LL WORK WITH JOHN AND HIS FOLKS AND WE'LL COME UP WITH SOME -- PLUS FOLKS WHO DO THIS SORT OF THING, COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS FOR HOW TO CONDUCT THE JUNE SALE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND GARCIA HAVE GREAT IDEAS. THANK YOU. >> THE NEXT COUPLE SPEAKERS HAVE CANCELED. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> THIS IS JAMES. SO FOR ITEM 22G2 IS THERE ACTION ON THAT ITEM OR NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS NO ACTION. THAT'S WHAT WE WERE DISCUSSING ON THE TAX SAILINGS -- TAX SALES, CORRECT, JAMES? >> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S NO ACTION. ITEM 3 ON -- RIGHT AFTER THAT ONE IS SPECIAL COUNCIL SERVICES FOR COVID 19 MATTERS ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? AND THEN THERE IS A SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEM SO WE CAN TAKE THAT UP AND IT IS ITEM 3 -- EXCUSE ME ITEM 13. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I MAY? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICKLY I GUESS FOR ROBERT, DO WE KNOW WHAT THE VALUE OF THIS CONTRACT IS TO BE? >> WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE SPECIAL COUNCIL AGREEMENT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> IT IS 200,000 TOPS. IT IS AN ON CALL AGREEMENT. WE WERE -- LIKE SOME FOLKS WE ARE HAVING BAND WIDTH ISSUES JUST TO MEET THE NEEDS WE HAVE IN THIS TIME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WILL THERE BE A MINORITY PARTICIPATION? >> YES. IN THE BACK UP IT LISTS THE INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS INVOLVED. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE THEM IN FRONT OF ME SANDY GOMEZ, MS. WASHINGTON, CHEVELLE WASHINGTON ARE THE PRIMARY ATTORNEYS INVOLVED IN THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COUNTY ATTORNEY, THERE WAS ANOTHER ITEM AND THAT IS ITEM 13 THAT HAS A [Item II (Part 2 of 7)] SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA RELATED TO THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. >> YES, MA'AM AND THIS IS -- I AM ACTUALLY QUITE PROUD OF OUR FOLKS WORKING WITH PRECINCT 2 BUDGET MANAGEMENT AND OTHERS TO PUT TOGETHER THE SMALL BUSINESS LOAN ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WHICH CAME FROM PRECINCT 2. AS OFTEN HAPPENS THE CONTRACTS WE SUBMITTED TO CORE AFTER WE ACTUALLY GOT ON THE GROUND AND STARTED DOING THINGS SAW THAT SOME OF THE ITEMS WERE UNWORKABLE. WE WANTED THE CONTRACT TO CONFORM WITH WHAT WE BELIEVE OUGHT TO BE DONE. THEY SETTINGED TWO MINOR CHANGES. THE ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR REQUIRED ALL BUSINESSES SUBMIT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND WE FIND OUT THAT IS NOT PRACTICAL FOR SMALL BUSINESSES. THEY HAVE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND NOT AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. WE WANTED TO CHANGE THAT AND TAKE OUT THE WORD AUDITED. THE OTHER CHALLENGE WE FOUND OUT IS THE ORIGINAL CONTRACT REQUIRED THAT ALL MEMBERS ON [06:10:05] THE COUNTY SIDE, ON THE LOAN COMMITTEE BE EMPLOYEES OF THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT AND THEY DISCOVERED THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE TO FILL THAT ROLE. THEY CHANGED THAT AND ALLOWED THE REPRESENTATIVES TO BE KOLL -- KOLL -- VOLUNTEERS. WE DID SAY THAT THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT STAFF NOT BE ON THERE. THAT'S THE ONLY TWO CHANGES WE NEED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU WANT TO MOTION ON THIS NOW? >> WHENEVER YOU ARE READY. YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE TO ACCEPT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >>. >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT. MOTION CARRIES. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I THINK -- YES. HE SAID YES. I THINK YOUR MICROPHONE IS NOT ON. >> I'M A YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? LET'S WAIT ON THE VOTING UNTIL HE COMES BACK ONLINE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HE IS MUTED, JUDGE. ROBERT >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE HIS MIC IS OUT. DO YOU WANT ME TO CALL HIM AGAIN? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. WHY DON'T WE -- I THINK WE -- LET'S COME BACK TO THE VOTE. IN THE MEANTIME THERE WAS A COUNTY AUDITOR ITEM THAT WAS RELATED. IT WAS THE NEXT. SO ITEM 22H UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION. IS THERE SOMETHING FOR YOU TO COVER. >> YES, THIS ITEM IS TO EXPEDITE PAYMENTS OF LOAN PROCEEDS RELATED TO THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM. WE'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE SWITCHING MY MIC OUT AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT PAGE ARE WE ON, JUDGE? I THINK I LOST IT. 27H? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? I AM IN FAVOR OF THE REQUESTED CHANGE. I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT IT DOES NOT CHANGE MY POSITION ON THE ORIGINAL GRANT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO IN TERMS OF VOTING ON -- IN TERMS OF VOTING ON THE ACTUAL ITEM THAT WAS -- THE ITEM OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, ITEM 13 UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA LET'S TRY THIS AGAIN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. THAT IS 13 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. I SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM TRYING TO GET THE COMMISSIONER BACK ON THE PHONE HERE. Y'ALL WE RILL JUST HAVE -- Y'ALL, WE WILL JUST HAVE TO COME BACK AND VOTE. MR. CAGLE SAID YES. SO HE IS A YES. ALL OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THEN LET'S GO BACK TO THE COUNTY UH DUT -- AUDITOR. [Item I (Part 3 of 7)] THE AUDITOR EXPLAINED WHAT THIS WAS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE IS THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S PAGE 27, COMMISSIONER AND ITEM H UNDER THE COVID-19 SECTION AND IT IS A COUNTY AUDITOR'S PIECE. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS THERE? [06:15:03] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE TO ACCEPT, JUDGE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR. >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO COUNTY TREASURER INFORMING US THAT THERE HAS BEEN TWO BANK ACCOUNTS FOR THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM. ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS OR SPEAKERS ? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MOVE TO ACCEPT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> I. >> SPEAKERS HAVE CANCELED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. PURCHASING. THE ITEMS UNDER PRESIDENT BUSH DASH I -- THE ITEMS UNDER PURCHASING ARE ON PAGE 27 AND THERE IS 1 THROUGH 3. ACTUALLY IT IS 1 THROUGH 4. 1 THROUGH 4. DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE 27 UNDER THE PURCHASING AGENT'S COVID SECTION, FOR THE COVID SECTION PURCHASING AGENT PORTION? ALL RIGHT. MOVING ON TO COUNTY JUDGE. I DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD IN TERMS OF THE BROAD ITEM. LUCINDA, DO WE HAVE ANY SPEAKERS UNDER THAT ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE CABLE. IT REMINDS ME OF THE DAYS I PLAYED THE BASE GUITAR. YOU HAVE TO CHANGE OUT THE CABLE EVERY NOW AND THEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A COMMENT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO GO BACK TO ITEM NUMBER FOUR UNDER THE PURCHASING AGENT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE IS THAT, COMMISSIONER? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PAGE 28. IT IS THE AGREEMENT WITH AT THE TIME THRAW -- WITH TETRA TECH. JUST TRYING TO GET A LITTLE CLARITY ABOUT THE ROLE GUIDE HOUSE WILL PLAY AND WHETHER THERE IS ANY INTERCESSION -- INTERSECTION BETWEEN TETRA TECH AND WHAT THEY ARE DOING WITH HARVEY AND WHAT WE ARE GETTING GUIDE HOUSE TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC, AND WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT CREATING ANY BOTTLENECKS. >> I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD 1111 NO, GO AHEAD. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> TETRA TECH WAS ASSISTING AND ASSISTING WITH THE NRG MEDICAL FACILITY. THIS IS GOING TO HELP DO THEIR RECOVERY EFFORTS THROUGH FEMA AND MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS REIMBURSED AND DOCUMENTED. WE WILL MAKE SURE THEY DO NOT INTERSECT. AT THAT POINT IT IS SIMPLE AND WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. WE WILL SET OUT BOTH GROUPS AND MAKE SURE THAT'S WHAT IS HAPPENING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PERFECT. THAT'S WHAT I WAS HOPING TO HEAR. >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM VERY PLEASED WITH BOTH OF THESE GROUPS AND I KNOW WEED IN THEM BOTH, TETRA TECH AND GUIDE HOUSE. I KNOW ON THE FEDERAL LEVEL THAT THERE ARE SOME SERIOUS THINGS FOR MINORITY WOMEN TO PARTICIPATE. MAYBE YOU CAN SEND A BREAK DOWN TO ALL OF US. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MINORITY ON THIS IS IF THEY ARE QUALIFIED IF THEY GET A SHOT AT THIS AS WELL. WHY NOT SEND IT TO US. >> I KNOW THERE ARE REQUIREMENTS AND THE SUB LEVELS WE WILL GET A LIST OF ALL OF THOSE UTILIZED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW SOME ISSUE CAME UP BEFORE. I DIDN'T KNOW IT WAS WAIVED. MAYBE THE OTHER PEOPLE KNEW, BUT I WASN'T TOLD UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS AN ATTEMPT TO WAIVE IT, I WANT TO VOTE NO ON IT. >> YES, SIR. AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT TRYING TO WAIVE ANYTHING. WE CAN PROVIDE THAT INFORMATION TO YOU AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH GUIDE HOUSE WE WILL MOVE FORWARD. [06:20:04] >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S GO BACK NOW TO THE SPEAKERS WE HAD, LUCINDA, UNDER MY BROAD COVID ITEM, ITEM 1 ON PAGE 28. >> WE HAVE MATT MCKEAN WITH MCKEAN LAW FIRM. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, FOLKS. MY NAME IS MATT MCKEAN, I AM A TRIAL LAWYER. I CAUSED -- I USED TO PRACTICE IN FRONT OF JUDGE CAGLE. I GO BACK TO THE 90S WHEN I USED TO WORK FOR PUBLIC CITIZEN AND USED TO FOLLOW SENATOR ELLIS AROUND TRYING TO CHANGE THE CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM LAWS. I AM A LITTLE TROUBLED BY THE RULES, JUN, AS WELL -- JUDGE, AS WELL AS MAYOR. IT LOOKS LIKE YOU GET THE AUTHORITY TO ISSUE THE SHELTER IN PLACE AND THE MAFNG -- MASKS UNDER GOVERNMENT CODE 42. NOW, IT IS A PRETTY LONG STATUTE. IT IS ABOUT 9 THREE-PAGES. I PROVIDED WHAT I BELIEVE ARE THE IMPORTANT SECTIONS OF THE TWO-PAGE BRIEF YOU FOLKS HAVE. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE THE VIRUS DOESN'T GET TO ANYBODY AND YOU KIND OF HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY. I DON'T THINK THE STATUTE ALLOWS THE COUNTY JUDGE TO SET THESE RULES IN PLACE. IF YOU WILL LOOK AT THE SECOND PLACE, THAT ONLY GIVES THE JUDGE SEVEN DAYS TO WORK. AFTER THAT IT GOES BACK TO THE GOVERNOR. I BELIEVE AND I TOLD SEVERAL CLIENTS THAT IF WE HAVE TO FIGHT THESE IN THE COURTHOUSE WE WILL, BUT THE MASK ORDER IS ILLEGAL. IT IS MY HOPE YOU WILL MAKE THAT A VOLUNTARY ORDER AND PUT IT TO THE GOOD FOLKS OF HARRIS COUNTY AND LET THEM DO THE RIGHT THING INSTEAD OF MANDATING IT. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. I HOPE YOU WILL CHANGE THAT ORDER AND I APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK IN FRONT OF YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENT. WE JUST REISSUED THE MASK ORDER, THE FACE COVERING ORDER THIS MORNING. SO IT IS VOLUNTARY NOW TO COMPLY WITH THE GOVERNOR'S REQUIREMENTS. IS THERE ANYTHING TO ADD? >> NO, I JUST ASK THE SPEAKER TO LOOK AT OUR FILINGS THAT WE FILED THAT OUTLINES THE COUNTY ATTORNEY VIEW OF THE AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY JUDGE DURING THE -- CAN YOU SEND ME A COPY OF THAT? >> I CAN. I HAVE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION. >> THANK YOU. I KNOW YOU ARE BUSY AND I WON'T TAKE ANYMORE TIME. >> INTERNATIONAL EUN -- UNION OF PAINTERS. >> HELLO. I AM THE DIRECTOR OF ORGANIZING FOR THE UNION AND WE REPRESENT PAINTERS AND DRYWALL FINISHERS AND FLOOR INSTALLERS. THERE ARE RULES AND REGULATION GZ THAT -- REGULATIONS FOR CONSTRUCTION WORKERS. THEY ARE AN IMPORTANT PART OF KEEPING THE WORKERS SAFE. WE NEED THESE GUIDELINES TO KEEP THE CONTRACTORS IN LINE AND TO GO TO THE JOB SITE. CONTRACTORS NEED GOVERNMENT MANDATED GUIDELINES TO KEEP THEM IN -- THE PEOPLE SAFE. THE LACK OF THE PROPER MEASURES AND THOSE WORKERS HAVE TO GO HOME AND THEY GO HOME TO THE COMMUNITY AND THEY ARE NOT BEING PRODUCTIVE ON THE ON-THE-JOB SITE. IF THEY ARE NOT GIVEN THE PROPER STATIONS TO WASH THEIR HANDS OR GIVEN THE PROPER PPE, THEY ARE GOING TO GO HOME AND SPREAD THAT IN THE COMMUNITY. [06:25:09] IT INCREASES THE DILEMMA BUT WE CAN MITIGATE THE PROGRESS FOR WORKERS AND THEIR FAMILIES AND THE FOUR DRYWALL HANGARS WITH CORONAVIRUS AND IT WAS ALONG WITH THE CITY OF BOSTON AND A COUPLE REPORTERS REPORTED WITH CORONAVIRUS AND THE SITE SUFFERS TO THIS DAY. THERE IS THIS SORT OF GUIDE AND HOW WE KEEP THE WORKERS SAFE. I WILL GUARANTEE A POSITIVE TEST OR WORKERS COMING UP WITH POSITIVE TESTS AND THEY ARE SPEAKING ABOUT NEGLIGENT CONTRACT ERPS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. CONTRACTORS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH AND I CAN TELL YOU HAVE BEEN WATCHING THESE ISSUES AND I HAVE BEEN CERTAINLY WATCHING IT AND HEARING FROM A LOT OF PEOPLE. WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO RUN DOWN IS WHETHER THE ORDER CONFORMS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER. ROBERT, I DON'T KNOW IF HE IS AVAILABLE TO MAKE COMMENTS ON THIS, BUT WE ARE DISCUSSING THE WORKER'S PROTECTIONS AND GUIDANCE FOR EMPLOYERS AS WE OPEN UP RIGHT NOW. I DO THINK LIKE EVERYTHING, IF WE WANT TO KEEP THINGS OPEN WE ALL HAVE T.O. -- WE ALL HAVE TO TAKE STEPS TO DO IT SAFELY. IT IS AN IMPORTANT THING TO DO. MOST OF THE OTHER COUNTIES HAVE DONE THINGS LIKE THAT, OR SEVERAL OF THEM. THE LATEST IS WE DON'T KNOW SO THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE RUNNING DOWN, CORRECT? >> VERY MUCH SO. WE ARE WORKING TO SEE HOW WE ARE GETTING EVERYTHING TO MATCH UP. >> KNOW WE ARE WORKING ON IT AND IT IS NEAR THE TOP OF THE LIST. >> LACEY WOLF WITH AREA LABOR FEDERATION. >> GOOD EVENING JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. HELLO. >> LINA HIDALGO: HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> I AM LACEY WOLF, PRESIDENT OF THE GULF COAST BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE LOCAL 22. I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE FOR YOUR STEDFAST COMMITMENT KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS. TODAY APRIL 28TH IS WORKERS MEMORIAL DAY. IT IS A DAY WE REMEMBER WORKERS WHO DIED OR SUFFERED EXPOSURES FROM HAZARDS AT WORK. IT IS TIME TO REMEMBER THE RESPONSIBILITY TO MAKE OUR WORKPLACE SAFER AND HEALTHIER. THAT SPIRIT I URGE YOU TO ISSUE WORK SAFE RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND RETAIL GROCERY STORES TO THE ESSENTIAL WORK GROUPS AND THE COURT'S ORDER OF APRIL 28TH THIS WEEK. CONSTRUCTION AND GROCERY WORKERS ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC. THEY HAVE A HOSPITALIZATION RISK THAT IS TWO TO THREE TIMES HIGHER THAN THAT OF OTHER WORKERS. PEOPLE LIKE SOUTH TEXAS PROJECT IN WADSWORTH HAVE HAD STANDARDS IN PLACE SINCE MARCH. I WAS WATCHING PEOPLE CHECKED FOR FEVERS EVERY DAY. PLENTY OF HAPPENED SANITIZERS -- HAND SANITIZERS AS WELL AS GIVING MASKS TO THE WORKERS AND CONSTANT COMMUNICATION ON STATUS OF WORKERS WHO FELL ILL. THESE WERE ATTAINABLE TO KEEP OVER 1500 WORKERS INFORMED. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. THE GOVERNOR'S PLAN FALLS SHORT ON WORKPLACE SAFETY MEASURES. THE COUNTY NEEDS TO REQUIRE EMPLOYERS TO PAY FOR AND PROVIDE AN ADEQUATE SUPPLY OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT. THERE IS APPROPRIATE PHYSICAL SPACING AND ALL OTHER SAFETY PRACTICES RECOMMENDED BY THE MEDICAL EXPERTS. IN ADDITION WORKERS WHO REPORT VIOLATIONS OF THE STANDARDS SHOULD BE PROTECTED. FRONT LINE WORKERS UNDER THE ASSUMPTION IF THEY CONTACTED COVID-19 IT SHOULD BE ON THE JOB AND ABLE TO HAVE WORKERS COMPENSATION. IT SHOULD APPLY IF A COMPANY ADMINISTERS ITS OWN ON THE JOB ON-THE-JOB INJURY REINSURANCE PLAP -- INJURY INSURANCE PLAN. AND LASTLY FOR WORKERS TO GO TO A JOB WHEN THEY ARE SICK POTENTIALLY WITH THE VIRUS. [06:30:01] COMPANIES CALLING WORKERS BACK SHOULD OFFER PAID SICK LEAVE. HARRIS COUNTY IS PLAYING CATCH UP. DALLAS COUNTY ENACTED WORK SAFETY RULES A MONTH AGO FOLLOWED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN. THE GOVERNOR'S ORDERS DO NOT FREE UP YOUR AUTHORITY NOT CONSISTENT WITH THE ORDER. THE STATE'S RECOMMENDATION DOES NOT STOP THEM FROM ISSUING STRONGER STANDARDS PROTECTING THE ECONOMY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, DOES HE HAVE A FEW MORE SECONDS OF COMMENTS YOU WANT TO GET ON THE RECORD? >> SURE IF YOU DON'T MIND, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF YOU CAN WRAP IT UP QUICKLY. >> THANK YOU. WE HAVE ONLY BEEN ABLE TO GET THE ECONOMY GOING WHEN WORKERS FEEL SAFE AT WORK AND CONSUMERS FEEL GOOD PURCHASING GOODS AND SERVICES AT THESE WORKPLACES. YOU HAVE PROVIDED -- Y'ALL HAVE PROVIDED LEADERSHIP AT PROTECTING PUBLIC HEALTH WHEN STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS HAVE ACTED RECKLESSLY. YOU HAVE BEEN BOLD WHEN BOLD LEADERS WERE NEEDED. TODAY THEY ASK YOU TO BE EQUALLY BOLD IN PASSING WORK SAFE RULES FOR CONSTRUCTION AND SEN -- ESSENTIAL RETAIL. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, LACEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE WE HAVE TOM SCHWARTZ WITH FOOD AND COMMERCIAL WORKERS UNION. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS. THANKS FORGIVING ME AN OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS TOM SCHWARTZ AND I AM SPEAKING ON BEHALF OF THE UNITED FOOD AND COMMERCIAL UNION AND OUR LOCAL UNION 455 IN HOUSTON. WE REPRESENT MORE THAN 7,000 GROCERY AND FOOD WORKERS IN HAIR -- HARRIS COUNTY. OUR MEMBERS IN GROCERY AND RETAIL AND PROCESSING PLANTS ARE ON THE FRONT LINES OF THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK WORKING AROUND THE CLOCK TO ENSURE YOU HAVE THE SUPPLIES WITH KEEPING OUR COMMUNITIES HEALTHY AND SAFE AND THERE IS STRONG PROTECTION TO DO THESE VITAL JOBS. WE ARE WORKING TO STOP THE OUTBREAK. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF WORKERS THROUGHOUT HARRIS COUNTY. THEY ARE COUNTING ON LOCAL OFFICIALS TO ACT. OUR STATE LIED -- STATE LEADERS HAVE THROWN CAUTION TO THE WIND. SOME HAVE BEEN QUOTED IN THE PRESS AS SAYING THEY WILL NOT ALLOW CUSTOMERS IN THE -- THEY WILL UH LOW CUSTOMERS WITHOUT FACE COVERINGS. OUR MEMBERS WORK HARD EVERY DAY TO PROTECT THE PUBLIC. WE APPRECIATE THE STRONG LEADERSHIP WE HAVE SEEN FROM PEOPLE LIKE JUDGE HIDALGO AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSION. WE NEED BOLD LEADERSHIP AND WE ASK YOU TO IMPLEMENT THE GROCERY AND CONSTRUCTION RULES RIGHT AWAY LIKE DALLAS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF AUSTIN. WE SHOW UP TO WORK EVERY DAY. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD BE HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM AND THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU SO MUCH. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER WE ARE REVIEWING IT WITH THE LAWYERS. THE POINT IS WE HAVE TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IF SOMEBODY CHALLENGES IT WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE IN COURT. WE ARE NOT CLEAR THAT ISSUING RIGHT NOW WOULD PUT US THERE. WE DON'T KNOW WHERE THE OTHER COUNTIES WOULD FALL IF CHALLENGED SO WE WANT TO BE SMART ABOUT THIS AND TRY TO PUT OUR PARAMETERS THAT CAN HOLD WATER, SO WE ARE RUNNING IT DOWN. ROBERT, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE? >> NO, MA'AM, I THINK WE ARE GOOD. LUNE >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCI IDA, ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> IS THERE GOING TO BE ANY ACTION ON THIS ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO UNLESS WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE DO YOU HAVE A POINT TO MAKE? >> R. [06:35:01] JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WANT TO MAKE MY FEEL GOOD REPORT ON WHAT IS GOING ON IN PRECINCT 4. WE HAVE DISTRIBUTED 960 GALLONS OF HAND SANITIZER TO FIRE STATIONS AND PUBLIC WORKS STATIONS ACROSS PRECINCT 4. THE SCHEDULE DELIVERED 1600-GALLONS OF HAND SANITIZERS TO THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND NONPROFITS. OUR SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM HAS DELIVERED FOOD TO SEVERAL ORGANIZATIONS. JUDGE EARLIER TODAY WE HAD FRITO-LAY PRODUCTS AND APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LOT OF FRITO-LAY PRODUCTS THAT COULDN'T BE USED AND SO THEY WERE HANDED OVER TO PRECINCT 4, AND WE HAVE SENT THEM TO SCHOOLS AND BALLPARKS AND VENDING MACHINES WHICH IS WHERE THEY WOULD HAVE GONE TO, BUT WEREN'T ABLE TO BE USED DUE TO THE COVID PANDEMIC AND HAVE BEEN REDISTRIBUTED THROUGHOUT THE PRECINCT TO THOSE WHO ARE SHUT IN AND WOULDN'T NORMALLY BE ABLE TO EAT. WE HAD A COUPLE LEFT OVER HERE FOR DEMONSTRATIVE PURPOSES. THESE ARE BARBECUE FLAVORED. WE WORKED WITH A GROUP CALLED SECOND SERVINGS AND OTHER NONPROFITS TO DISTRIBUTE 12 PALLETS OF THESE FRITO-LAY PRODUCTS. HOPE HAVEN, HOPE CENTER HOUSTON, HUMBLE ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES, KIDS MEALS, NORTHWEST ASSISTANCE MINISTRIES AND TOMWELL ADMINISTRATION SERVICES ARE RECEIVING PORTIONS OF THE 12 PALLETS OF FRITO-LAY PRODUCTS. THEY ARE NOT ALL BOSH -- BARBECUE CHIPS. OUR ROAD AND BRIDGE CREWS DID THE CONES AND THE TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT FOR THE MOBILE TESTING SITE. THIS NEXT WEEK WE WILL ADD THE BARBARA BUSH LIBRARY TESTING SITE AND OUR CREWS ARE GOING DONE THERE. THEY JUMPED OUT OF THEIR TRUCKS TO HELP WHEN HARVEY HIT AND THEY JUMPED IN THEIR TRUCKS TO DELIVER GOODS. TO FURTHER ASSISTING FOLKS IN THEIR TESTING, THE PARKS DIVISION WITH THE 17 MILES OF PAVED TRAILS ARE BUSY EVERY DAY. THE WALKING TRAILS ARE OPEN AND OUR HALF TRAILS ARE OPEN AND OUR FISHING SPOTS ARE OPEN WE HAVE REALLY GOOD PARKS AND BANE IS WHERE WE HAD THE BIG BASS. I CALL IT TROUT FED BASS. WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE COMPLYING WITH THE NO CONTACT RULES. THEY ARE BRINGING THEIR OWN PICNIC BLANKETS. THEY ARE BRINGING THEIR OWN PICNIC BASKETS AND THEY ARE USING THE GREEN SPACES RESPONSIBLY. EVERY NOW AND THEN WE HAVE AN INDIVIDUAL THAT CAN'T COMPLY, BUT THEY ARE DOING REALLY GOOD. WE HAVE MANY OFF-ROAD BIKER THAT'S ARE USING THE TRAILS. AND WE HAD FOUR OF THE PARKS, THE GROUPS OF PERSONNEL PRODUCING ONLINE EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS. THAT'S JONES PARK AND I THINK YOU HAVE BEEN THERE AND BEEN AT MERCER AND THOSE STAFF HAVE BEEN DOING ON -- ONLINE EDUCATIONAL VIDEO SO THEY CAN HAVE SOMETHING TO DO VIRTUALLY WHILE THEY HAVE BEEN SHUT IN. JUDGE, SOUR SEWING AND QUILTING GROUPS ARE VERY BUSY. I GOT ALT OF THAT -- I GOT A LITTLE OF THAT TODAY. WE HAVE APPROXIMATELY MADE AND DELIVERED 1,239 MASKS BY THOSE WHOSE FINGERS HAVE BEEN AT IT, AND I THINK THEY WERE DELIVERED TO THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE AND THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE MOBILE TESTING SITES AND THE 9-1-1 CALL CENTER, THE FAMILY PROTECT SHIV SERVICES AND THE HUE -- PROTECTIVE SERVICES AND THEY ARE COMMITTED TO AN ADDITIONAL 1200 MASKS FOR PEOPLE AND CASEWORKERS AND CHILDREN IN OUR REGION. OUR TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT ASSEMBLED THEM. THEY CAME IN PIECES. 1,900 DISPOSABLE MASKS LAST WEEK. JUDGE, OUR COMMUNITY CENTER HAS BECOME A HOUSTON FOOD BANK SORTING SITE. A LOT OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE BEEN BUSY ON SITE BECAUSE BEFORE THINGS CAN BE HANDED OUT THEY ARE -- THEY HAVE TO BE PUT TOGETHER. [06:40:02] THAT WILL BE A SORTING SITE. THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING BUSILY TOTALING 6,970 MEALS WITH 6,050 BAGS OF PRODUCE WEIGHING 15 POUNDS EACH SORTED AND DISTRIBUTED IN OTHER PLACES. LAST BUT NOT LEAST IS OUR ENCORE CARE CALLS AND OUR STAFF AND THOSE VULNERABLE AND WHO ARE SHUT IN AND ARE ISOLATED AND ON -- 13750 -- AND WE WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO THE MET CHURCH SO THEY CAN GO OUT AND DO SOME DIRECT SERVICE AND THEY NEED HELP IN CROWD SOURCE RESCUE AND THEY HAVE BEEN DELIVERING GROCERIES FOR THOSE WOULD CAN'T GET OUT AND GET THEIR GROCERIES. WE HAVE ASSISTED 120 PARTICIPANTS TO RECEIVE FOOD GROUPS THROUGH THESE GROUPS. JUDGE, THAT'S MY FEEL GOOD REPORT AND WITH ALL OF THE STUFF THAT'S OUT THERE AND ALL OF THE NEWS THAT ARE SOMETIMES DIFFICULT AND I FEEL LIKE IT IS GD TO LET FOLKS KNOW. YOUR HARRIS COUNTY FOLKS ARE PITCHING IN TO HELP OTHER HARRIS COUNTY FOLKS. THERE IS OTHER STUFF GOING ON THERE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH TO YOU AND ALL YOUR TEAMS. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A COMMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHILE WE ARE STILL ON THIS ITEM I DO HAVE A MOTION TO MAKE AND IT IS REGARDING THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE. THEY HAD A REPORT THAT WAS GOING TO BE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AND I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION TO GIVE THEM SOME MORE TIME TO PROVIDE THAT REPORT SO THE COURT WILL PLEASE I MOVE THAT GIVEN THE CURRENT COVID CRISIS I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MORE TIME TO THE HOMELESS TASK FORCE TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THE COURT. I WILL MOVE THAT THE DUE DATE BE MOVE FROM MAY 19TH TO AUGUST 25TH. I ALSO MOVE THAT THE TASK FORCE INCLUDE IN THEIR REPORT SOME RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE COURT ON HOW THE COUNTY CAN SUPPORT AND PROTECT AND HOUSE OUR HOMELESS IN THE EVENT OF A HURRICANE OR NATURAL DISASTER. SO THAT IS A MOTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE CAN TAKE THAT AND THEN I HAVE TWO MORE ITEMS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I BEAT YOU ON THE SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS TAKING NOTES IN THE SPEECH. I'M SORRY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION TO EXTEND THE REPORT ON THE HOMELESS TASK -- TASK FORCE FIRST BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND SECOND BY MR. CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE SECOND ITEM IS I HAVE SOME QUESTIONS AND IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE PUT IN THE FORM OF A MOTION, BUT WOULD LIKE THE HELP OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS, BUT THIS HAS SPECIFICALLY TO DO WITH INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE EITHER COVID-19 POSITIVE OR WHO PERSONS UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR COVID THAT ARE NOT HOMELESS, BUT NEED A PLACE TO ISOLATE AT HOME, OR THEY MAY HAVE SOMEONE WHO IS ELDERLY. THEY MAY HAVE A CHILD WHO HAS SOME IMMUNE CHALLENGES, OR THERE IS SOME OTHER PRACTICAL REASON WHY THEY CAN'T -- AND THIS MORE THAN ANYTHING APPLIES TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND ALL OTHER COUNTY EMPLOYEE THAT'S ARE ON THE FRONT LINES DURING THIS PANDEMIC EVENT. THE REASON I ASK THIS IS IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT WE WANTED TO TRY TO SEND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS TO THE SAME FACILITY THAT WE ARE GOING TO SEND THE HOMELESS. I WANT TO GET CLARITY ON WHAT THE PLAN IS FOR EMPLOYERS AND FIRST RESPONDERS. AND THEN I HAVE ONE MORE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE SOMEBODY ON FROM PUBLIC HEALTH? I THINK EARLIER, LUCINDA, THEY WERE STRUGGLING WITH BEING MUTED. MAYBE YOU CAN MAKE SURE PUBLIC HEALTH IS NOT MUTED. [06:45:08] >> I JUST UNMUTED WILLIAM HUDSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: THEY ARE AT TREND STAR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THEY CAN PROVIDE US A REPORT AT A LATER TIME, BUT I THINK THAT IS AN IMPORTANT QUESTION TO ASK. ALONG THE LINES OF FEEL GOOD AND THINGS PRE SINKS ARE DOING, I -- PRECINCTS ARE DOING I WANT TO COMMEND MY STAFF FOR THEIR PHENOMENAL WORK ON THE COMMUNITY. WE ARE DISTRIBUTING TWO AND A HALF TONS OF FOOD A WEEK TO THE COMMUNITY THROUGH OUR VARIOUS CENTERS. SO PROUD OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE 3,000 BROWN BAG LUNCHES THAT WE ARE PROVIDING PER WEEK. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A THOUSAND HOT MEALS WE HAVE CONTRACTED WITH THE AREA RESTAURANTS AND MOST IN THE PRECINCT 2 AREA. IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 1500 MEALS THAT WE ARE PROVIDING FOR OUR HOME BOUND SENIORS. AND IT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SHELF STABLE BOXES WE ARE GIVING TO RESIDENTS. I AM PROUD OF OUR STAFF AND ALL THEY ARE DOING. THE BROWN BAG IS A POINT OF INTEREST. WE WILL START THOSE AT THE DESIGNATED TIME. AND WITHIN A MATTER OF MINUTES THE ENTIRE SUPPLY WAS DISPERSED. IT IS HEARTWARMING TO KNOW WE CAN DO THIS AND IT IS HEART WRENCHING TO KNOW WE HAD TO DO THIS AND EVEN WORSE IS TO RECOGNIZE WHAT THE NEED IS IN A COMMUNITY AND THEIR FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING WITH. THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THE FACT THAT OUR SENIOR BRIGADE WAS AMONG THE FIRST TO START TO SEW MASKS AND GET THOSE OUT TO THE COMMUNITY. I JUST WANT TO GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO PRECINCT 2 IN ITS TOTALITY INCLUDING PRECINCT 2 EMPLOYEES AND RESIDENTS BECAUSE A LOT OF FOLKS HAVE COME TOGETHER AND THE WORK CONTINUES. I AM VERY, VERY PROUD OF ALL OF THAT. THAT WILL BE MY THREE ITEMS UNDER THIS SECTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER TO YOU AND TO YOUR STAFF. I AM SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYBODY FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP AND THEIR CREATIVITY AND SUPPORT. WE JUST WENT TO SEE ABOUT DR. SHAW AND IT SEEMS LIKE HE HAD TO HOP ON A CALL. AS SOON AS HE IS AVAILABLE HE WILL COME BACK SO HE CAN ANSWER YOUR OTHER QUESTION. IN TERMS OF THE NEXT ITEM UNDER MY AGENDA IS JUST THE EXTENSION OF THE DISASTER DECLARATION. I HAVE SOME INFORMATION FOR YOU GUYS IN ANTICIPATION OF QUESTIONS. SOME OF THE WAYS WE ARE USING THIS IS WE ARE INUNDATED WITH VENDORS AND LEADS ON PPE. AND THAT'S SOMETHING WE ARE STILL TRYING TO RUN DOWN WITH MY TEAM. WE HAVE THE ENTIRE LOGISTICS TEAM HERE AT TREND STAR AND ADDITIONAL STAFF THAT ARE JUST FLOODED BY THE REQUESTS AND THE DISTRIBUTIONS. BASICALLY OUR OEM STAFF IS OPERATING UNDER A EMERGENCY DECLARATION TO GET IT OUT QUICKLY. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT WITHIN THE PROCUREMENT POWER OF THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION. WE ARE USING RESOURCES MORE FLEX -- FLEXIBLY WITH THE NUMBER SAW -- WITH THE PUBLIC SUPPORT. TERRENCE EX -- EXPIRES JUNE 15TH AND EL PASO IS INDEFINITE, ELLIS INDEFINITE, TRAVIS 88M -- MAY 8TH. BEXAR IS DISCUSSING IT TOMORROW AND THE GOVERNOR'S IS IN DAB -- INDEFINITE AS WELL. I AM REQUESTING YOU ALLOW ME TO EXTEND THE DECLARATION UNTIL THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING SO THAT WOULD BE MAY 20TH. THAT IS THE DAY AFTER THE NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETING. >> I WILL MAKE THAT MOTION, YOUR HONOR. >> SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: QUESTION. YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY QUESTION IS I HAVE DONE A LITTLE RESEARCH ON WHAT WE HAVE DONE AND THE DISASTERS BEFORE WITH AMELDA AND HARVEY AND THEN EVEN BEFORE THAT. [06:50:01] THE QUESTION IS ONE OF WITH REGARD TO ASKING THEM TO TAKE CARE OF SOMETHING THAT IS IMPORTANT. MY QUESTION IS WHY DO WE NEED AT THIS STAGE WHEN WE ARE IN THE RECOVERY PROCESS TO CONTINUE UNDER THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION AS OPPOSED TO MOVING INTO WHERE WE WOULD HAVE POSTINGS AND DISCUSSIONS AND THOSE KINDS OF ISSUES. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE MAY BE PROBLEMS WITH REGARD TO FEMA REIMBURSEMENT THAT NEEDS TO BE THERE OR MAYBE SOMETHING ELSE. WHEN CAN WE MOVE TO THE PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO HAVE AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION SO WE CAN GET BACK TO -- I UNDERSTAND THINGS COME UP REAL QUICK, BUT 72 HOURS CAN HAPPEN PRETTY FAST. WHEN DO WE MOVE TO THAT AND WHAT ARE THE REASONS WHY WE ARE GOING INTO THE FUTURE AND IT IS WITH REGARD TO WHERE WE WERE. AND BACK DURING HARVEY, I THINK THE TOTAL PERIOD OF TIME WE WERE IN AN EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS IS WITHIN DAYS. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE QUESTION WHY -- WHAT IS THE PURPOSE FOR CONTINUING IN THE EMERGENCY DECLARATION STATUS? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE REAL ANSWER IS WE ARE IN AN EMERGENCY. YOU KNOW, SO MANY DECISIONS WE ARE HAVING TO MAKE ARE THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO QUICKLY EVERY DAY. AND SO IT IS BOTH IN THE DISASTER DECK AND WE NEED IT FOR FEMA REIMBURSEMENT. WE NEED IT CONTINUALLY EVERY DAY AND SO IT IS UNLIKE ANY DISASTER AND WE DIDN'T KNOW THIS WAS THE LONGEST. AND SO I HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE OTHER COUNTY JUDGES AND I WAS ON A CALL WITH THEM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THE QUESTION, BUT THE CONVERSATIONS WE HAD WITH THEM AND WE ARE LOOKING AT THE FEDERAL AND STATE LEVELS IS WE WOULD BE BEHIND THE 8 BALL AND WE DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY TO BE AS FLEXIBLE. LIKE THE JAIL AND EVEN SOMETHING LIKE UH IT IS A SCOW -- ATASCO. AND IT IS THE ABILITY TO MOVE WITH PURCHASING. >> YOU TOUCHED ON IT, JUDGE AND I WILL ASK A QUESTION THAT SOMEONE HAD INDICATED THAT WE ARE OUT OF THE EMERGENCY PRICES WITH THE PANDEMIC AND THE REMEDY. THE FACT IS IT IS IN THAT ASPECT. MY STANDPOINT FOR MAINTAINING THE LATITUDE ON THE DECLARATION IS NOT SO MUCH WITH PURCHASING, BUT WE COULD START TO SEE SOME THINGS RELATED TO HEALTH AND SAFETY. AND THERE ARE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO DIED AND SO I JUST DON'T THINK WE ARE AT THAT PLACE YET. AND I WOULD JUST WANT TO KEEP THE DECLARATION UNTIL WE HEAR FROM THE PRESIDENT THAT WE ARE NO LONGER UNDER THREAT OF THE VIRUS, BUT I DON'T THINK HE SAID THAT. EVEN THE GOVERNOR SAYS THERE ARE PHASES TO REOPENING THE STATE. I WOULD THINK HE WOULD FEEL COMFORTABLE THAT WE ARE NO LONGER IN A CRISIS, HE WOULD JUST REOPEN WITHOUT PHASING. I WOULD GIVE YOU CONTINUED GUIDANCE ON THIS ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND REMEMBER, ALL, WE ARE NOT IN RECOVERY MODE. WE BRUTE FORCED OUR WAY OUT OF A NEW YORK-STYLE SPIKE BY KEEPING AWAY FROM ONE ANOTHER. IT IS CERTAINLY POSSIBLE THAT WE COULD HAVE A WHOLE OTHER SPIKE AND A WORSE ONE. WE ARE NOT IN ANYWAY OUT OF THE WOODS. THE ONLY THING THAT KEPT US OUT OF A CRISIS IS THE SOCIAL DISTANCING. THE MINUTE PEOPLE START GOING BACK OUT, WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. WE HAVE JUST WHERE WE WERE WHEN WE WERE DISCUSSING THE RODEO. THAT'S EXACTLY WHERE WE ARE. THE VIRUS IS OUT IN THE COMMUNITY. THERE IS COMMUNITY SPREAD. [06:55:02] WE HAVE NO CURE. WE HAVE NO VACCINE. ALL WE HAVE AS LOCAL LEADERS IS -- TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY IS HOPE THAT THOSE AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL FEEL THE SAME WAY. BUT I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS I WILL SUPPORT THE MOTION TO GO FOR -- FOR THE NEXT THREE WEEKS, BUT I WANT TO HAVE A REPORT FROM THE BUDGET OFFICE AND FROM PURCHASING AND FROM THE AUDITOR AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY ON PUTTING INTO PLACE WHAT THINGS WE NEED TO HAVE TO -- AND THE PURCHASING WE NEED TO DO. AND I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE -- WE ARE ON 72 HOURS. I WILL BE AVAILABLE. 72 HOURS ANYTIME TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUES THAT ARE THERE. BUT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO GET TO THE PLACE WHERE WE POST THINGS AND WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCUSS THEM AND DEBATE THEM. THERE ARE EMERGENCY ORDERS I AGREE WITH AND EMERGENCY ORDERS I DON'T AGREE WITH. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET THOSE OUT. WITH THAT CAVEATE I WOULD SUPPORT THE EXTENSION FROM THE EXISTING NUMBER OF DAYS WE HAVE UNTIL OUR NEXT COMMISSIONER'S COURT WHENEVER THAT IS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A REPORT SHOWING YOU WHAT WE CAN DO TO GIVE YOU THE SPECIFIC AUTHORITIES TO BE ABLE TO BUY THINGS AND DO THINGS, ET CETERA. I THINK -- I DON'T SEE SOMETHING THAT WE CAN'T ADDRESS AS A GROUP IN 72 HOURS. I COMMIT ESPECIALLY SINCE WE ARE DOING THIS BY VIDEO EVEN IF SOME OF US LIKE TO TRAVEL EVEN MORE THAN OTHERS THAN TO GIVE 72 HOURS TO PARTICIPATE IN A MEETING IF WE NEED TO DO SO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD TAKE A LOT OF ISSUE WITH THAT AGAIN IF THAT WERE THE CASE. THESE THINGS WOULDN'T EXIST. I BARELY GET SLEEP TO GET THESE THINGS DONE SO WE CAN RESPOND. MY ENTIRE STAFF IS CONSUMED BY COVID. MOST OF THE COUNTY. WE ARE IN AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE RIGHT NOW. SOMETHING COMES UP AND NO WE DON'T HAVE 72 HOURS, NOT BY A MILE. THE THINGS WE ARE DECIDING IT IS LIKE HURRY UP AND GET IT DONE TODAY AND TOMORROW BEFORE THE PRESS. QUICKLY. WE ARE RESPONDING TO KEEP PEOPLE FROM DYING. WE ARE NOT AT THAT PHASE, COMMISSIONER, WE ARE JUST NOT. IT WOULD BE DANGEROUS TO DO THAT. IF YOU WANT TO INVESTIGATE THAT, BUT BEING ON THE FRONT LINES OF THIS, I THINK IT WOULD PUT US IN A DANGEROUS POSITION. IT IS -- AS I SAID IS IT IS FINE TO DEBATE WHEN I AM UP FOR RE-ELECTION WHAT DECISIONS WERE MADE AND THAT IS NO REASON TO PLAY POLITICS WITH THE DECISIONS WE ARE MAKING RIGHT NOW. WHEN YOU HAVE EVERY OTHER COUNTY AND THE GOVERNOR AND THE PRESIDENT TREATING THIS AS THE DISASTER AS IT IS AND YOU HAVE 98 NEW CASES AND ANOTHER DEATH JUST TODAY -- REMEMBER WHEN WE WERE FREAKING OUT OVER ONE CASE? WE SAID WE CAN HANDLE A HUNDRED CASES TODAY AND TODAY WE HAVE 98 JUST IN THE COUNTY LET ALONE THE CITY. WE ARE NOT ANYWHERE NEAR DONE OR ANYWHERE NEAR RECOVERY. FOR ALL I KNOW WE ARE JUST STARTING THIS. I TAKE HUGE ISSUE WITH ALL OF THAT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA. YOU ARE MUTE -- MUTED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE IS A HUGE OUTCRY FOR MORE TESTING. I'M GLAD THAT WE ARE NOW DOING 8 SOIM TOM MAT PARTICULAR -- ASYMPTOMATIC TESTING. WE HAVE TO SEND EVERYBODY THROUGH THE SCREENING BECAUSE WE DON'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO TELL PEOPLE TO COME IN AND TAKE A TEST. I THINK MOST BUSINESSES -- I HAVE TAKEN A NUMBER OF QUESTIONS FROM BUSINESS LEADERS WHO WANT TO OPEN, BUT THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO TEST THEIR EMPLOYEES. IT IS A MATTER OF MAKING SURE THEY ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING BY VIER -- VIRTUE OF THEIR CLIENTS. NONE OF THAT TELLS ME WE ARE IN A BETTER PLACE. >> JUDGE, I HAVE PUBLIC HEALTH ON THE LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. [07:00:01] YEAH, LET'S FINISH THIS ITEM AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM PUBLIC HEALTH. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO COMMEND YOU FOR THE JOB YOU ARE DOING. I THINK ALL OF US ARE DOING A GOOD JOB, BUT YOU'RE ON THE FRONT LINE. YOU GET ALL OF THE BLAME WHEN SOMETHING GOES RIGHT AND VERY LITTLE CREDIT WHEN YOU DESERVE IT. I AM PREPARED TO VOTE FOR IT. YOUR COLLEAGUES AND OTHER COUNTY JUDGES AROUND THE STATE ARE NOT GETTING PUSH BACK ON IT. IT IS A REASONABLE THING TO DO AND I'M PREPARED. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR FOR THE EXTENSION TO MAY 20TH? >> I. I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU X FOLKS. IT IS 6:19. DO YOU WANT TO TAKE A 10-MINUTE NOW OR AFTER WE HEAR FROM PUBLIC HEALTH? WE'LL HEAR FROM PUBLIC HEALTH AT 6:30. LET'S BREAK UNTIL 6:30. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 6:32 CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? WE ARE APPROACHING THE BOTTOM FOURTH OF THE COVID AGENDA. >> CAN WE GO OVER IT AGAIN, JUDGE? I THINK I MISSED SOMETHING THIS MORNING AT 10:30 AND I FORGOT TO ASK IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BACK TO COUNTY JUDGE ITEM 1. DO WE HAVE DR. SHAW ON THE LINE? >> WE DO. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. ARE YOU AVAILABLE? >> YES. I AM AVAILABLE. CAN YOU SEE DR. SHAW WAS TRYING TO JOIN? >> I DO NOT. >> OKAY. WELL, COMMISSIONER GARCIA GWEN SIMMS. YOU HAD A QUESTION ON HOUSING FIRST RESPONDERS WITH THE -- WITH SOME OF THE HOMELESS POPULATION? >> YES. >> MY UNDERSTANDING FROM OUR INCIDENT COMMANDERS IS THAT THAT WAS MORE OF A ONE OFF SITUATION WHERE THEY WERE LOOKING FOR HOUSING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THEY NEEDED IT IMMEDIATELY FOR A FIRST RESPONDER AND THEY ALLOWED THE FIRST RESPONDER TO STAY IN THE HOTEL FOR ONE OR TWO NIGHTS. SINCE THAT TIME THE HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH HAS BEEN WORKING WITH CSD AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS TO RESOLVE THAT ISSUE FOR HOUSING. MOST FIRST RESPONDERS, THE AGENCIES, ARE HOUSING THEIR OWN STAFF. WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDING LETTERS OF SUPPORT SO THEY ARE ABLE TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT FOR THOSE COSTS. >> THANK YOU, BUT THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE MUCH OF A PLAN FROM THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT SO I WOULD STILL LIKE FOR THAT TO BE TIED UP. >> ARE YOU WANTING A REPORT BACK? I CAN ALSO CHECK WITH -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT LOOKING FOR A REPORT. I AM LOOKING FOR A PLAN. SOME OF THE DEPARTMENTS MAY HAVE SOME FINERY SOURCES FOR -- SOME FINE RESOURCES FOR THE STAFF. I DON'T CAN -- DON'T WANT IT TO BE HAPHAZARD. I I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A PLAN PUT IN PLACE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND EMPLOYEES. >> I DO KNOW I THINK MAC MCCLI IDON OR SOMEONE SAID THERE IS A HOTEL FOR COUNTY EMPLOYEES. I'M NOT SURE IF THERE ARE DIFFERENT HOTELS FOR THOSE FIRST RESPONDERS, BUT I WILL CHECK WITH THE INCIDENT COMMANDERS AND WE'LL BE IN TOUCH AND GET AN ANSWER TO YOU, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND, JUDGE, I'M SORRY, BUT I WANTED TO ADD TO THAT, NUMBER ONE IT IS OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND OUR EMPLOYEES. SECONDLY IT IS -- SO THOSE FOLKS THAT ARE BEING RECENTLY RELEASED FROM THE COUNTY JAIL THAT MAY BE POSITIVE AND ARE BEING RELEASED, BUT THEY ARE STILL WITHIN THAT 14-DAY QUARANTINE PERIOD AND I AM NOT SURE IF THE HOTEL IS THE PLACE FOR THAT AND IS THERE A PLAN FOR THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: PERHAPS SHANE IS ON THIS AND HE CAN SEND AN UPDATE TO THE [07:05:09] COMMISSIONER. IS SHANE ON THE LINE? >> JUDGE, THIS IS SHANE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SHANE, DO YOU HAVE A SUMMARY ROUGHLY OF WHAT THIS IS? I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF MOVING PIECES OVER TIME. I'M SORRY I JUST JUMPED ON SO MISSED THE QUESTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE QUESTION IS WHERE WE ARE HOUSING FIRST RESPONDERS WHO HAVE COME INTO CONTACT -- YOU KNOW, WHO HAVE THE VIRUS OR ARE POSITIVE AS WELL AS, YOU KNOW HOW THAT IS A DIFFERENT PLACE FROM WHERE WE ARE HOUSING COVID POSITIVE OR Q U ARANTINE-NEEDING HOMELESS FOLKS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND FOR SECURITY REASONS I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THE LOCATION, BUT I WANT TO KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PLAN. >> SO WE HAVE A HOTEL AT AN UNDISCLOSED LOCATION FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND CERTAIN HEALTH CARE WORKERS. I THINK YOU MENTIONED A CASE EARLIER, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, THAT THE PERSON -- THAT PERSON ALREADY TESTED POSITIVE, SO THIS HOTEL WOULD NOT TAKE THEM SINCE THEY TESTED POSITIVE. THEY HAD TO GO INTO THE OTHER SHELTER YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT BECAUSE IT WAS OVER THE WEEKEND, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO MOVE HIM TO A HOTEL SEPARATE FROM THAT ON SUNDAY. WE DO HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE FOR FIRST RESPONDERS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND WHAT ABOUT THOSE BEING RECENTLY DISCHARGED FROM THE COUNTY JAIL? I'M NOT SURE IF THAT'S FOR YOU, SHANE? IT IS PROBABLY MORE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH. >> I WILL LET PUBLIC HEALTH ANSWER THAT ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: IT IS ON PAGE 7 OF THE AGENDA UNDER PURCHASING FOR $50,000 FOR HOUSE -- HOUSING AND FIRST RESPONDERS AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS EXPOSED. >> YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK, THAT IS THE HOTEL -- THAT'S WHERE THEY WOULD GO, THE FIRST RESPONDERS AND THE HEALTH CARE WORKERS, THAT IS THE HOTEL THAT WE HAVE AN AGREEMENT WITH LOAN LEAN >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW THE IDEA IS NOT TO RELEASE ANYBODY INTO HOMELESSNESS AND I KNOW THEY ARE LOOKING FOR SUPPORT. BEYOND THAT, DO YOU HAVE THE OTHER DETAILS? MAYBE WE NEED TO CIRCLE BACK THROUGH THE SHERIFF AND THE OTHER PUBLIC HEALTH FOLKS. >> I KNOW THERE HAVE BEEN CONVERSATIONS GOING ON. THAT'S BEEN BETWEEN PUBLIC HEALTH AND YOUR OFFICE AND A BUNCH OF OTHER PARTIES INCLUDING THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE, BUT I WOULD HAVE TO DEFER TO PUBLIC HEALTH ON THAT ONE. >> PUBLIC HEALTH IS UNMUTED. >> I HAVE DR. SHAW ON THE LINE AND HE IS GOING TO TRY TO SEE IF YOU CAN HEAR HIM. >> HI, COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU HEAR ME, COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> THANK YOU. I AM HAVING SOME TECHNICAL ISSUES HERE. THEY WERE ABLE TO PATCH ME BACK IN. THANKS FOR THE QUESTIONS. THE ISSUE IS THAT AS SHANE HAS MENTIONED WE ARE WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FROM THE LAW ENFORCEMENT STANDPOINT THEY ARE OFFICERS, BUT WE ARE ALSO WORKING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THE SHERIFF AND THE JAILS ON ALL OF THE STRATEGIES THAT NEED TO BE THERE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE WE DO NOT HAVE RIGHT NOW A SINGULAR SOLUTION FOR WHERE INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INMATES, WHERE THEY ARE BEING DISCHARGED TO. BUT THAT'S IN THE WORKS AS WE SPEAK. I WANTED TO MAKE SURE TO DISTINGUISH THE INMATES OBVIOUSLY WITH WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE OFFICERS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S IMPORTANT. IF YOU WILL GET BACK WITH ME ONCE YOU HAVE THAT. >> SURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND DR. SHAW, THE FACT THAT THERE ISN'T A LOCATION LIKE WE DO WITH EVERYBODY ELSE DOES NOT MEAN WE ARE NOT CONNECTING THEM WITH COMMUNITY RESOURCES WHERE FOLKS CAN BE HOUSED, CORRECT? >> THAT'S RIGHT. I THINK THE DISTINCTION IS OBVIOUSLY WITH SOMEBODY WHO IS COVID POSITIVE WHICH IS DIFFERENT THAN SOMEBODY WHO IS TESTED AS NEGATIVE OR SUSPECTED IT THAT IS DETERMINED TO BE NEGATIVE. WE ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE ONES WHO ARE COVID POSITIVE AND WHERE THEY ARE [07:10:02] GOING UPON DISCHARGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT I -- >> THAT I CAN SPEAK FOR. IF YOU DO RELEASE SOMEBODY WHO DOESN'T HAVE SYMPTOMS AND IS NOT POSITIVE, THAT THEY DON'T BE RELEASED TO HOMELESSNESS [INAUDIBLE] >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOUR SOUND IS MUTED, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN YOU HEAR ME ALL RIGHT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S BETTER. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK I HAD MY HAND OVER THE MIC. AND DH -- THIS WAS MORRELL VENT WITH THE NON-VIOLENT INMATE ISSUE, BUT WE DIDN'T WANT TO RELEASE ANYBODY THAT WAS COVID POSITIVE OR HAD SYMPTOMS. SO THAT HAS BEEN A CLEAR LINE. AND THEN WE ALSO DIDN'T WANT TO RELEASE FOLKS INTO HOMELESSNESS. THERE THE WORK HAS BEEN WITH COMMUNITY GROUPS. THERE ISN'T A DESIGNATED PEOPLE COME OUT OF THE JAIL AND YOU GO INTO A PARTICULAR HOTEL LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE. THERE IS NOTHING LIKE THAT. >> THAT'S WHAT IS BEING WORKED OUT. JUFNLG -- JUDGE, YOU'RE RIGHT. IF SOMEBODY IS COVID POSITIVE THE SHERIFF IS DOING EVERYTHING NOT TO RELEASE THOSE INDIVIDUALS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, DR. SHAW. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS IT FOR MY AGENDA. COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1 HAD A COUPLE OF ITEMS. ONE WAS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL, 14 AND 16. [Item II (Part 3 of 7)] >> 14, JUDGE, IS PRETTY STRAIGHT FORWARD. 15 IS -- WAS THE FUN. THE NEXT ONE WOULD BE 16, IS THAT RIGHT? THE FIRST TWO I THINK -- WE DID 14 AND THAT IS STRAIGHT FORWARD. THAT'S NO BIG DEAL. ON 16 WE WERE TOLD SOME TIME AGO THAT WE COULD NOT ORDER FACE MASKS TO GIVE THEM AWAY TO THE PUBLIC, AND I THINK SINCE LEGAL HAS REVIEWED THAT AND COME UP WITH A WAY IT CAN BE DONE. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT WAS CLEAR THAT EACH COMMISSIONER WITHIN THE GUIDELINES OF WHAT WE DO CAN BUY DURING SOME PERIOD OF TIME, OR I GUESS UNTIL THE JUDGE'S ORDER IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT, IF WE WANT TO BUY FACE MASKS, DISTILLED WATER, ANYTHING ELSE, I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NO CONTROVERSY OVER DOING THAT. DWIGHT IF YOU WANT TO STEP IN. IF I WANT TO GET THE SHIELDS TO PASS AND IF I WANT TO DO IT OUT OF PRECINCT 1 OR TWO, THREE OR FOUR OR THE JUDGE'S BUDGET AND I WANTED IT TO COME OUT OF THE RAINY DAY FUND OBVIOUSLY THAT WOULD BE A DIFFERENT STORY. EITHER WAY YOU HAVE TO HAVE SUPPORT. CAN YOU COMMENT ON THAT, DWIGHT? >> WITH THE DIRECTION YOU GAVE US LAST WEEK, WE CAN PROCURE MASKS WHETHER YOU WANT THE SURGICAL MASKS OR HIGHER UP. I JUST DIDN'T KNOW FROM A PROCUREMENT STANDPOINT HOW MANY YOU WANT TO GIVE AWAY OR HOW MANY YOU PLAN ON DONATING TO THE PUBLIC, AND ALSO THE TYPE YOU WANT. I WANT TO ENSURE THAT NOT ONLY THE COUNTY STAFF, BUT THE LAW ENFORCEMENT IS TAKEN CARE OF AS WELL. I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF LARGER ORDERS OUT THERE. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE OUT LATER THIS WEEK FOR SURGICAL MASKS. WITH THE NEW REQUEST I NEED TO PLAN ACCORDINGLY ESPECIALLY FOR THE PROCUREMENT OF THE MASKS OR THE FACE SHIELDS, IF YOU WANT. I JUST FEED TO -- NEED TO KNOW IF THERE IS A CON SIS ASSISTANCE -- CON -- CONSISTENCY FROM THE COURT. TO BE QUITE HONEST I HAVE BEEN WORKING MOST OF THE DAY TRYING TO NAIL DOWN TWO MORE ORDERS, UP TO A MILLION BECAUSE I KNEW THIS WAS COMING DOWN. I WORKED ON THAT AS WELL TODAY. I JUST NEED TO HAVE SOME DIRECTION FROM COURT ON WHAT WHAT YOUR EXPECTATIONS ARE SO I CAN PLAN FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL WEEKS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU KNOW IS COMING AT LEAST FROM MY STANDPOINT, BEFORE I PUT IN AN ORDER FOR ANY OTHERS I WOULD FIRST WANT TO KNOW WOULD YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE LETTING ME GIVE AWAY -- I WOULD LIKE IT IF MY STAFF COULD WORK OUT SOME STUFF WITH OTHER COMMISSIONERS, ANYONE OR THE JUDGE'S OFFICE. OR THE CITY. IF WE WANT TO DISTRIBUTE MASKS A COUPLE DAYS THIS WEEKEND, WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON YOUR SUPPLY LIST? [07:15:01] I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I APPRECIATE THE ONES, JUDGE, I THINK WE GOT FROM THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE, BUT THEY WEREN'T QUITE -- I DO APPRECIATE IT. MY MOTHER ALWAYS SAYS IF YOU CAN'T SAY ANYTHING NICE, DON'T SAY ANYTHING AT ALL. I HOPE SOMEBODY DONATED THOSE TO THE STATE. I HOPE THEY DIDN'T BUY THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT WASN'T A BIG SHIPMENT. WE GOT A LOT OF REALLY GREAT ONES AND THEN THERE ARE THE ONES COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S FOLKS WERE HELPING POUT TOGETHER. AND I KNOW CERTAIN FOLKS HAVE FOUND USE FOR THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE ONES I GOT I DIDN'T WANT TO BE UNGRATEFUL, BUT YOU HAVE TO PUT THE STRING IN AND EVEN MY STAFF DIDN'T WANT TO -- YOU KNOW, IF I SAID WELL CAN Y'ALL GIVE THEM OUT, THEY SAID WE WANT WANT YOU -- IF I GAVE IT TO THEM, JUDGE, I DIDN'T TELL THEM WHAT IT CAME FROM, BUT THOSE WERE KIND OF FLIMSY. THEY WERE LIKE TISSUE PAPER AND YOU HAVE TO RUN THE STRING THROUGH IT. WHAT DO YOU HAVE IF WE WANT TO TAKE SOME OF THOSE THIS WEEK? >> IF WE WANT TO START THIS WEEKEND I WILL NEED TO VERIFY WITH THE WAREHOUSE. WE HAVE ABOUT 200,000 OF THE KN95'S WHICH IS NOT THE SURGICAL MASK AND NOT THE N95 BECAUSE THEY CAN'T BE FIT TESTED. IF YOU WANT TO DISTRIBUTE THOSE OUT BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS THIS WEEKEND YOU CAN DO THAT. I WOULD SAY THE OTHER ONES MAY NOT ARRIVE BEFORE THE WEEKEND, THE SURGICAL OR THE THREE PLY, THE THIN FACE MASKS OR ANY OTHER ONES. THOSE ORDERS ARE SUPPOSED TO UH -- ARRIVE LATE FRIDAY OR SATURDAY OR EARLY NEXT WEEK. I THINK I HAVE ONE HERE. THESE ARE THE MASKS I AM TALKING ABOUT. IT IS JUST A WHITE MASK THAT ARE JUST -- THEY ARE ALMOST LIKE AN N95, BUT THEY ARE NOT. YOU CAN'T DO A FIT TEST. IT IS LIKE A FACE COVER. THEY ARE THICKER THAN THE PAPER TYPE SO IT MAY LAST FOR SEVERAL DAYS OR A WEEK OR TWO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ARE THEY INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED? WILL PEOPLE HAVE TO REPACKAGE THEM TO GIVE OUT ONE PER PERSON? >> THE MAJORITY OF THEM ARE INDIVIDUALLY PACKAGED IF YOU GIVE THEM OUT, BUT I WILL HAVE TO DOUBLE CHECK DEPENDING ON THE MANUFACTURER. I THINK THEY ARE INDIVIDUALLY PACKED AND EACH ONE YOU CAN HAND THEM OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WOULD LIKE TO ASK YOU, I KNOW WE CAN GET REIMBURSED FOR THESE, BUT WHAT IS A REASONABLE AMOUNT? WE HAVE AT LEAST A MILLION PEOPLE PER PRECINCT. SOME MORE, SOME LARGER THAN OTHERS. DO WE WANT TO LEAVE IT TO EACH COMMISSIONER? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S THE THING WHERE I WOULD ASK BECAUSE REMEMBER Y'ALL WE ARE NOT DONE WITH THIS, RIGHT? WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET -- WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO GET MASKS, BUT IT DOESN'T MEAN WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THEM INDEFINITELY. I WOULD JUST ASK THAT FOLKS CIRCLE BACK WITH DWIGHT AND WITH OEM AND THE LOGISTICS FOLKS TO MAKE SURE. I DON'T HAVE A NUMBER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD RIGHT NOW. WE CAN. I MEAN, EVERYONE CAN WORK TOGETHER WITH PURCHASING AND WITH OUR LOGISTICS PEOPLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS A REASONABLE NUMBER WE CAN DISTRIBUTE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF HE SAID 200,000 WE CAN GIVE OUT THIS WEEKEND, JUST ASKING FOR A SUGGESTION. SHOULD WE SAY DIVEE THAT UP BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS ? WHAT IS THE PREFERENCE? OR WE ORDER ON OUR OWN AND SEE WHAT KEY CAN GET? JUST A QUESTION. YOU CAN ANSWER, DWIGHT. >> IF YOU WANTED TO DIVEE IS UP BETWEEN THE FOUR PRECINCTS AND OTHERS DON'T WANT IT, THAT'S UP TO YOU GUYS. I JUST ASK THAT IF NOTHING ELSE, PHASE IT IN LIKE THE JUDGE IS SAYING. I HAVE SEVERAL BIG ORDERS COMING NEXT WEEK WE CAN PHASE IN EVERY WEEK UNTIL THIS IS OVER WITH, SO WE ARE ENSURING THERE IS PLENTY OF COVERAGE AND MASKS FOR THE COUNTY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO TAKE AWAY ANYTHING FROM OUR EMPLOYEES MANY OF WHOM ARE ESSENTIAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE OTHER THING, COMMISSIONER, TO NOTE IS I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH 25 OF THE MAYORS THE PAST FEW DAYS AND WE HAVE SEVERAL REQUESTS OUT FROM SEVERAL CITIES AND SOME HAVE RECEIVED MASKS THROUGH THE COMMISSIONERS AND PARTICULARLY FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT SOME OF THEM HAVE NOT. SO WE HAVE THOSE ORDERS OUT. I WOULD HATE TO GIVE AWAY THE 200,000 AND IT TURNS OUT WE PROMISED 20,000 TO X, Y, Z CITY. I THINK IF MAYBE DWIGHT CAN WORK WITH EACH OF YOUR OFFICES INDIVIDUALLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL ACCEPT THAT, JUDGE. AND WITH SOME SENSE OF EQUITY BECAUSE I HAVE NOT GIVEN ANYHOW OUT AND I HAVE SOME CITIES AND THERE ARE NEIGHBORHOODS DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTED, WHEN I LOOKED AT A HEAT MAP IT WAS TO A GREAT EXTENT ELLIS PRECINCTS I WAS TOLD I WAS GOING TO PAY FOR MY PRECINCT. I WAS TOLD THAT DEWIGHT, YOU SAID WE WE COULDN'T GIVE THEM OUT TO THE PUBLIC. [07:20:03] I KIND OF FELT LIKE, WELL, NICE TO KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER, I DO -- SORRY, I JUST WANT TO BE CLEAR BECAUSE I KNOW EVERYBODY NEEDS THESE. WE HAVE -- I KNOW DEWIGHT HAS BEEN IN TOUCH WITH YOUR OFFICE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND WE ARE WORKING THROUGH IT AND THE QUESTION IS JUST, THE 200,000 NUMBER -- THE QUESTION IS WORKING THROUGH THE INVENTORY AND MAKE -- MAKING SURE WHAT WE ARE ALLOWED TO GIVE AWAY AND NOT GIVE AWAY DEFINITELY WANT TO GIVE THEM OUT THE DOOR AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY HAS AN EQUITABLE AMOUNT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: NOW THAT WE KNOW WE CAN GIVE OUT ANYTHING RELATED TO COVID WE WANT TO THE PUBLIC, IS THAT -- EVEN IF WE HAVE TO BUY THEM FROM PRE PRECINCT -- PRECINCT 1 WE WILL DO IT BECAUSE I WAS TOLD WE COULDN'T DO IT SO I DIDN'T DO IT WITH PRECINCT 1 MONEY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK THAT QUESTION HAS BEEN RESOLVED WHICH I AM GLAD TO HEAR. WE HAVE 70,000 MASKS IN THE CUE, AND SO I AM HOPEFUL THAT THAT WILL BE REVERSE -- REVERSIBLE. ROBERT, DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS ON THAT? >> I ASSUME IT IS LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, COMMISSIONER. IT SHOULD BE REIMBURSABLE. WHAT I HAVE DONE TODAY SO THE COURT UNDERSTANDS IS I HAVE ISSUED REQUESTS FOR PO'S FOR ANOTHER MILLION OF THE FATE -- THE FACE MASKS, THE CHEAPER VERSION -- NOT CHEAP, BUT THE THREE-PLY VERSION AND THEY ARE 85 CENTS CENTS A PIECE. IT WILL GET US PAST THIS WHOLE THING. IF YOU CAN WORK WITH ME THIS WEEKEND TO GET US THROUGH THE INITIAL WEEKEND OF THE SMALLER SUPPLIES, THEN WE WILL HAVE THE LARGER SUPPLIES AND YOU CAN DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT TO GIVE OUT. I CAN GET WITH OEM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING WITH THE WAREHOUSE TO FIGURE OUT EXACTLY WHAT WE HAVE AND WE CAN DIVEE IT UP FOUR WAYS FVMENT YOU WANT IT -- IF YOU WANT IT, GREAT. IF YOU DON'T WANT IT THE OTHER PRECINCTS CAN HAVE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I MAY JUST PIGGYBACK ON WHATEVER ORDER YOU PUT IN BY THE WAY SINCE WE ARE REIMBURSED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE I I DON'T HAVE AN INCIDENT THAT I AM GIVING THEM A MASK AND THEY ARE UH-HUH OFFENDED BY ME GIVING IT TO THEM. I MAY PIGGYBACK OFF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. WE CAN'T HAVE A SITUATION WHERE THE 426 WILL RUN OUT AT ONE POINT AND ONE PERSON ORDERED 100,000 AND ANOTHER ORDERED 10,000 AND YOU ARE FIGURING OUT WHAT TO DO. I WILL PIGGYBACK ON YOU COMPADRE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: TWO QUICK POINTS. I THINK THIS IS A VERY LEGITIMATE EXPENSE OUT OF THE 426 MILLION. WHATEVER WE ORDER THAT THE PRECINCTS HAVE BEYOND WHAT IS DUE TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND DUE TO OUR FIRST RESPONDERS. I DON'T WANT TO GIVE AWAY ANYTHING THAT IS GOING TO THOSE. AS DEWIGHT IS MAKING THE BIG ORDER WE WOULD LIKE A FOURTH OF WHATEVER THOSE ARE. POINT NUMBER TWO, WE HAVE TEAMS THAT CAN DO THE SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED. IF THERE ARE SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED MASKS THAT WERE DISTRIBUTED AND OTHERS CAN'T USE THEM, SEND THEM TO PRECINCT 4. WE WILL GET THEM ASSEMBLED AND GET THEM HANDED OUT TO FOLKS THAT CAN USE THEM. THOSE ARE MY TWO QUICK POINTS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT? ROBERT, IF YOU ARE SAYING SOMETHING, YOU ARE MUTED. >> JUST SEW IT ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: TODAY IS A DAY WITH THIS THING. IT WORKED GREAT THE LAST TWO TIMES. ROBERT, YOU CAN CALL IN IF NEED BE. >> JUDGE I NEED TO CLARIFY ONE THING. SHOULD WE PROCURE THEM WITH THE LARGE PROCUREMENT OR IS THE COURT WANTING TO GO ON THEIR OWN TO DO A PROCUREMENT. I HAVE A MILLION OR SO MASKS ON ORDER FOR COUNTY STAFF. I JUST NEED TO KNOW WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS CHEAPER TO BUY THEM IN BULK RIGHT, DEWIGHT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM THE VANTAGE OF PRE -- PRECINCT 1, IT DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU WILL BUY. IF I GET SOME AND I WILL OFFEND PEOPLE BY GIVING IT TO THEM, I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS CLOTH. I JUST DON'T WANT TO BE IN A POSITION WHERE PEOPLE ARE TELLING ME I AM GIVING THEM SOMETHING -- AND THEY ARE ANGRY BECAUSE THEY FELT LIKE THEY GOT SOMETHING BETTER FROM SOMEONE ELSE. >> JUST SO YOU KNOW, I ORDERED THE SAME MASK THAT WE GO FROM COMMISSIONER [07:25:03] PRECINCT 2. IT IS THE SAME 3-PLY MASK. IF YOU WANT A HIGHER LEVEL, THE KN95 OR THE HEAVY DUTY COTTON LOOKING ONES WE CAN ORDER THOSE IF THAT'S WHAT YOU PREFER, BUT IT WILL BE MORE EXPENSIVE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS 7:00 AND SO I WANT TO TIDY UP. >> YES, SIR. >> AM I ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> GREAT. THANK YOU. IN SUMMARY, AUDITOR PURCHASING AGENT AND COUNTY ATTORNEY GET NERVOUS WHEN YOU START TALKING ABOUT GIVING AWAY THINGS. THAT'S WHY OUR STANDARD ANSWER IS NO, YOU CANNOT GIVE AWAY ASSETS THAT BELONG TO THE COUNTY. HOWEVER, WE ARE IN AN EMERGENCY. THERE IS AN ORDER OUTSTANDING THAT ENCOURAGES PEOPLE TO WEAR FACE MASKS. SO CERTAINLY IN THIS PARTICULAR SITUATION AND THAT'S WHY WE TOOK ANOTHER LOOK AT IT AND SAID YOU CAN GIVE OUT THE FACE MASKS. I DON'T WANT COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO SAY ANYTHING RELATED TO COVID BECAUSE AT SOME POINT IT MAY GO TOO FAR. WHAT I WOULD LIKE FOR US TO DO IS JUST GET WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE AUDITOR AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND MAKE SURE WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH WHATEVER IS BEING GIVEN OUT. THERE HAS TO BE A PUBLIC PURPOSE. THERE HAS TO BE SOME KIND OF CONTROLS IN PLACE TO KNOW WE ARE GIVING THEM TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, AND THAT'S THE SHORT LESSON ON HOW WE HANDLE THESE THINGS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THAT HAND SANITIZER WOULD BE AN EXAMPLE. >> I BELIEVE IT WOULD. I CAN TALK TO THE PURCHASING AGENT AND THE AUDITOR. LIKE DEWIGHT SAID YOU DON'T WANT TO GIVE AWAY SO MUCH YOU ARE SHORTING THE COUNTY AND KEEPING THE COUNTY FROM DOING ITS JOB. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE IF THERE IS SOMEWAY IN WHICH YOU LET US KNOW WHAT HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR ANY OTHER PRECINCT. I WAS GIVING MY STAFF A HARD TIME SAYING I THOUGHT YOU TOLD US WE CONTINUE ORDER ANY TO GIVE AWAY WHICH IS WHY I PUT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA JUST TO MAKE SURE. I WAS THINKING THE ORDER CAME FROM THE COUNTY AND IT WAS GOOD FROM THE COUNTY JUDGE, AND THEN WHEN I SAW THE CITY AND COUNCIL WAS GIVING THEM OUT I THOUGHT WHAT IS THE DISTINCTION? >> RIGHT. WELL, I MEAN IT IS JUST A MATTER OF CIRCUMSTANCES AND WHREERLY IN -- AND CLEARLY WHEN PEOPLE HAVE TO ACT QUICKLY WE DO THINGS THAT WE NORMALLY DON'T DO OR DON'T DO IN NORMAL CIRCUMSTANCES. THAT'S THE ANSWER SINCE THESE THINGS ULTIMATELY GO THROUGH PURCHASING I HILLARY -- I WILL RELY ON DEWIGHT AND MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS INFORMED SO WE ARE NOT DOING ONE THING FOR ONE PRECINCT AND NOT DOING SOMETHING FOR SOMEBODY ELSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHARE THE GOOD IDEAS. >> YES, SIR. WHAT I CAN DO IS SEE IF WE CAN WORK WITH DEWIGHT AND MAYBE MIKE POST AND MAYBE OTHERS IN BUDGET MANAGEMENT TO COME UP WITH SOME KIND OF GUIDELINES ON THESE MASKS SO WE HAVE A STANDARD. IT IS OBVIOUS. YOU WANT THEM TO GO TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE. YOU DON'T WANT THEM TO GO TO AN AUGUSTS NEAR -- TO AN AUCTIONEER. THAT IS NOBODY'S INTENTION. WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING TO KEEP THAT FROM HAPPENING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, ROBERT. APPRECIATED. >> JUDGE, IS THERE ANY ACTION FOR SUPPLEMENTAL 16? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T THINK SO. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY ACTION. UNLESS, JUDGE, YOU OR SOMEONE CAN THINK OF SOMETHING. >> LINA HIDALGO: NO. WE ARE IN TOUCH WITH YOUR STAFF AND WE WILL MAKE SURE THIS GETS DONE. ROD 14 -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I GUESS I SHOULD MOVE 14. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE ONLY DO -- DOING THE COVID ONES RIGHT NOW SO I DON'T WANT TO -- LET US FINISH WITH COVID AND THEN WE'LL GO BACK TO THE REST OF THE AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO 17 IS MINE AS WELL. SO IT IS 16, 17 -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE ALL SEEN THE PRESS ACCOUNTS ABOUT A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON CERTAIN GROUPS OF PEOPLE AS A RESULT OF COVID. THE SHORT EXPLANATION WOULD BE IT IS PROBABLY PART OF A REFLECTION OF THE IN -- INEQUITIES IN TERMS OF THE LACK OF INSURANCE AND BEING IN NEIGHBORHOODS WITH HIGH RATES OF OBESITY AND OTHER ISSUES. WHAT I DID WAS ASK AROUND AND FIGURE OUT WHAT BEST PRACTICES WERE. I FIGURE THE BEST WAY IS TO MAKE A RECOMMENDATION IS TO GO BACK AND I AM MAKING A [07:30:04] MOTION FOR A STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED TO ADDRESS THE DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT COVID-19 ON LOW INCOME COMMUNITIES. MY HOPE IS THEY WILL COME BACK WITH AN ANALYSIS OF BEST PRACTICES WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. AND SO I AM MAKING THAT AS A MOTION. >> JUDGE WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER AS AN ALTERNATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. >> JESSICA RAMEL. JESSICA? GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE. I AM JESSICA ON -- ANGEL AND OBVIOUSLY I AM CALLING IN REGARDS OF THE LOW INCOME ORDER US -- SYSTEM AND I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THE STAW CYSTICS WE ARE HAVING ON OUR END. WE ARE THE ONLY WORKER CENTER IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WE DO HAVE A LARGE AUDIENCE WHICH IS LOW INCOME THEY ARE MIGRANT. THEY ARE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN HERE AND THEY HAVE ARRIVED TO THE UNITED STATES. ONE OF THE BIGGEST ISSUES WE HAVE BEEN SEEING HAS BEEN OBVIOUSLY AS THE TIME GOES BY QUUN OF THE -- ONE OF THE THINGS WE HAVE SEEN IS THE CALLS ON OUR END DECLINED AND A LARGE AMOUNT WENT THROUGH WHAT'S APP. THE CELL PHONE BILLS WERE GETTING CUTOFF AND SLOWLY WE ARE STARTING TO SEE THE BACK UP. AND SO NOW THE CONTACT IS THROUGH WHAT'S APP BECAUSE IT WAS FREE. ANOTHER THING IS WE HAVE ANOTHER FAMILY OF TWO CHILDREN THAT GO TO A LOCAL MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THEY COME IN OUR OFFICE ON A DAILY BASIS. THEY WALK OVER TO OUR OFFICE AND THEY DO NOT HAVE MONEY TO PAY FOR THEIR WI-FI. THEY COME IN AND HOOKUP TO OUR INTERNET SO THEY CAN LOG INTO THEIR ZOOM CALLS WITH THEIR TEACHERS. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE THERE MOST OF THE TIME AND SO WE HAVE TO SET UP A TABLE OUTSIDE OUR OFFICE CLOSE ENOUGH TO OUR ROUTER AND THE STUDENTS COME AND SIT OUTSIDE TO LOG INTO THE WI-FI IF WE ARE NOT ABLE TO BE THERE. AND THEN LASTLY WE ARE SEEING A LARGE, LARGE, LARGE AMOUNT OF MEMBERS WHOSE LIGHTS ARE CUTOFF. IT IS NOT JUST THE RENTERS -- THE RENTS WE ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH. WE ARE HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE DAILY SMALL BILLS THAT COULD EASILY BE FIXED WITH SOME LOW INCOME WORKER ASSISTANCE. THAT'S HOPEFULLY SOMETHING WE CAN COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION NOW, AND I KNOW YOU GUYS ARE ALL DOING A GREAT, GREAT JOB. YOU CAN STAY UP-TO-DATE ABOUT THE INFORMATION AND WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE EXCLUSIVE TO ALL WORKERS -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. NO PROBLEM. >> THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A MOTION ON THE TABLE. A STUDY OF THE DISPARITIES. IS THERE A SECOND? >> JUDGE WHO IS DOING THE STUDY AGAIN? >> RODNEY ELLIS: KIT -- KATIE SHORT SHOP AND PUBLIC HEALTH. BOTH DEPARTMENTS ARE NECESSARY. >> SO WE ARE NOT SHIPPING IT OUT. IT IS IN HOUSE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER'S COURT'S ANALYST OFFICE IN CONJUNCTION WITH PUBLIC HEALTH. COME BACK IN 30 DAYS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR. >> I. >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. NEXT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I THINK YOU HAVE ANOTHER ONE ITEM 18. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, JUDGE, THAT'S A REQUEST FOR APPROVAL TO HOST A COMMON MARKET, URBAN HARVEST FOOD AT FINISH GNAW BEGAN -- FINNIGAN PARK MAY 8TH AND [07:35:01] JUNE 12TH AT THE COMMUNITY CENTER AND ON MAY 22ND AND JUNE 26TH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON PRECINCT 2 THAT IS PAGE 28 UNDER THE COVID SECTION FOR PRECINCT [Item I (Part 4 of 7)] 2. IT LOOKS LIKE MASKS AND HAND SANITIZER DONATIONS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FIRST RESPONDERS. IS THAT THE ONE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON THAT ITEM, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA IT IS SUPPLIES AND PLUMBING [Item II (Part 4 of 7)] EQUIPMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM I DO WANT TO THANK ROBERT SOARD. I DO HAVE A MINUTE TO MAKE ON MOTION. INSTEAD OF PRECINCT 2 FOR APPROVAL DONATE SPACE THAT IT SHOULD READ REQUEST BY THE COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 FOR APPROVAL OF AN AGREEMENT TO ALLOW PRECINCT TO HOUSE BUILDING SUPPLIES APPLIANCES AND PLUMBING EQUIPMENT AND HOME IMPROVE -- IMPROVEMENT ITEMS AT WADE ROAD FOR THE PERIOD OF APRIL 29TH 2020 THROUGH APRIL 29TH 2021 RELATED TO COVID-19 IMPACTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: DID I HEAR YOU VETTED THIS WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND ROBERT, YOU ARE FINE WITH THIS? >> YES, SIR. AND WE ARE GOING TO DO AN AGREEMENT TO SHOW HOW THE COUNTY IS GETTING VALUE FOR THIS SPOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER DO YOU NEED US TO VOTE ON THIS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THREE DOES NOT HAVE AGENDA ITEMS RELATED TO COVID-19 SO WE WILL GO BACK TO THE [Item I (Part 5 of 7)] NONCOVID ITEMS IN. AND PRECINCT 4 HAS AN ITEM UNDER THE COVID SECTION ITEM 22M. IT IS ON NRG AND THEN THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 20 ON FACE COVERINGS ORDER. >> ON BOTH OF MINE, THEY HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED ON THE NRG FACILITY, I UNDERSTAND THAT WINDING DOWN IS UNDERWAY. IF I UNDERSTOOD YOU CORRECTLY THERE -- CORRECTLY YOU HAVE TASKED A FEW OF OUR EMPLOYEES TO GO IN AND TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS RAISED BY CHANNEL 2 AND OTHER FOLKS TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT GETTING BILLED FOR THINGS WE ARE NOT -- LET'S NOT PLAY WHAT WE DON'T NEED TO PAY AND I APPLAUD THAT. I WILL CONTINUE TO WORK WITH YOU ON MAKING SURE THAT THE TAXPAYERS ARE GUARDED THERE. ON THE SECOND ITEM WHICH REFER TO AS THE BETTER ANGELS ITEM YOU ISSUED ANOTHER ORDER THIS MORNING WHICH WHICH WAS AN INFOR MA TEE -- WAS IN UNIFORMITY [Item II (Part 5 of 7)] WITH THE GOVERNOR'S ORDER SO MY BETTER ANGELS ITEM, NUMBER 20, WAS RESOLVED BY THAT THIS MORNING. AND SO THERE IS NO NEED FOR US TO TAKE ACTION ON EITHER OF OUR ITEMS EXCEPT FOR YOU AND I NEED TO CONTINUE TO WORK TOGETHER ON THE FIRST ITEM OF MAKING SURE THAT WE ARE BEING GOOD WATCHDOGS FOR THE TAXPAYERS ON THE BILLS ON NRG. >> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THAT ALL SOUNDS RIGHT. SO WE'VE -- WE ARE DONE WITH OUR COVID-RELATED ITEMS. [Item I (Part 6 of 7)] AND NOW WE WILL GO TO THE AGENDA. I AM TRYING NOT TO LAUGH. LET'S START WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER. FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I HAVE A COUPLE OF ITEMS AND JUST APPRECIATE THE WORK THE CON -- THE COUNTY ENGINEER OFFICE UNDER SECTION F ON PAGE 2 THAT ARE GONNA BRING A LOT OF GOOD WORK AND IMPORTANT INVESTMENT TO THE PRE SINK ALONG WITH PAGE 3. BARRETT AREA HAS ALWAYS BEEN A NEGLECTED PART OF THE PRECINCT AND WE ARE EXCITED ABOUT BRINGING IN GOODMAN TO HELP US. [07:40:01] THOSE ARE JUST A COUPLE OF COMMENTARIES FOR THE ENGINEER'S OFFICE. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: TOLL ROAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE MADE A MOTION TO REINSTATE THE TOLLS. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUDGET MANAGEMENT. IGA. UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH. >> JUDGE I HAVE A QUESTION ON UNIVERSAL SERVICES. IS BRUCE HYDE AVAILABLE? BRUCE AT 7:12, ARE YOU THERE? >> I AM. >> I CAN HEAR YOU. WHAT ARE ONE OF THE THINGS THAT OCCURS WHEN YOU ROLL OUT A NEW PRODUCT LIKE THE PEOPLE SOFT PRODUCT? IS THERE A PERIOD OF TIME THAT YOU ARE EXPECTED TO HAVE BEFORE IT BECOMES STABILIZED? AND I THINK THAT PART OF YOUR CONTRACTS IS TO HAVE SUPPORT STAFF AND ALL OF THAT STUFF. MY QUESTION IS AND I KNOW WE ARE STILL TRAINING AND -- TRAIN SOMETHING EMPLOYEES ON HOW TO ENTER DATA ON THE DATA ENTRY SIDE, BUT WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF -- I THINK IT IS A SIX-MONTH PERIOD. MY MEMORY MAY NOT SERVE ME CORRECT, BUT WHEN I WAS A JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS A SHERIFF, I THINK WE WERE ON THE COMMITTEE THAT WENT THROUGH THE SELECTION PROCESS AND SOME OF THE PROCESSES IN TERMS OF THE TECHNOLOGY AT THAT TIME, AND THERE IS ALWAYS THAT LOAD IN. I KNOW THIS LOAD IN HAS COME IN A LOT BETTER THAN WHAT WAS THE PRODUCT YEARS AGO THAT DID NOT WORK SO WELL. WHERE ARE WE IN TERMS OF PEOPLE SOFT IN TERMS OF THAT -- I GUESS IT IS A SIX-MONTH WINDOW WHERE YOU WAIT TO GET IT STABILIZED. ARE WE AHEAD OF THE CURVE OR BEHIND THE CURVE OR RIGHT ON THE CURVE? >> REAL QUICK, WE DON'T USE THE WORD WAIT AROUND HERE. AND WHEN I SAY EVERYBODY I AM TALKING ABOUT THE PURCHASING AGENT AND OF COURSE THE AUDITOR AND THE TREASURE -- TREASURER AND BILL JACKSON'S GROUP AND MY TEAM HAVE BEEN WORKING NIGHT AND DAY TO WORK ON THE STABLIZATION OF THIS LAUNCH. I HAVE TWO STUDIES HERE. ONE FROM GARDENER THAT LOOKS AT THE INDUSTRY IN GENERAL WHEN YOU ROLL OUT AN ERT SYSTEM THERE IS A HYPER CARE AREA THAT IS ABOUT THREE MONTHS LONG. THAT'S WHERE EVERYBODY IS THERE TRYING TO ADDRESS ANY ISSUES AND THE STABLIZATION STARTS AT THE THREE MONTHS AND IT GOES TO SIX MONTHS. AND THAT IS THE COUNTY AND CORPORATE AMERICA TOO. THAT IS THE CORPORATE WORLD. THEY ARE A WORLDWIDE ORGANIZATION DOING THIS RESEARCH. I WOULD SAY WE ARE WAY AHEAD. OF COURSE WE ARE FINDING THINGS AS WE GO. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENTS TO HAVE A BETTER UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT THEY ARE RUNNING INTO AND THEIR POLL SEA -- POLICIES PROCEDURE THAT'S WERE CHANGED BECAUSE OF THE NEW TECHNOLOGY AND WE ARE PLUGGING ALONG. I HAVE A GOVERNMENT STUDY THAT TALKS ABOUT THE INFLUENCES AND THE LENGTH OF STABLIZATION. WHEN WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION -- AND WHEN WE SAY ORGANIZATION IN THIS INDUSTRY WE ARE TALKING ABOUT A COUNTY. A COMPANY IS AN ORGANIZATION AND A COUNTY IS AN ORGANIZATION. A SIMPLE STRAIGHT FORWARD, EVERYBODY IS GONNA DO THE SAME EXACT THING THROUGHOUT THE ORGANIZATION IS IN COUNTY GOVERNMENT. IF YOU HAVE A LARGER MORE COMPLEX TIME AND LABOR RULES THAT GOES THROUGHOUT THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT IS UP TO 9 MONTHS. THERE IS REALLY NO COMPARISON WITH THE COUNTY OUR SIZE. SO THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY WE ARE AHEAD. YES, THERE ARE SOME PEOPLE BEING IMPACTED ON SOME THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON WITH THE TRANSITION TO THE SYSTEM, BUT THAT'S WHERE WE ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I THINK MY COLLEAGUE SAW MY E-MAILED ITEM TO THE AUDITOR AS OFFICE THAT THE SURVEY THAT HE PUT OUT FOR SOME OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE-LEVEL FOLKS, I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT SURVEY GO OUT TO HARRIS COUNTY. I WANTED TO GET AN ASSESSMENT ON HOW MANY EMPLOY -- HOW MANY EMPLOYEES ARE BEING IMPACTED ABOUT THE ROLLOUT. AT THE LAST MEETING I ASKED WHO WAS RESPONSIBLE. BILL, YOU SAID UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS RESPONSIBLE. BRUCE, YOU SAID PEOPLE WERE OVERPAID AND THAT WAS ADDRESSED. [07:45:12] WE FORESEE NO OTHERRISH -- FORESEE NO OTHER ISSUES. THEN BRUCE AGAIN YOU SAID NO EX -- NO EXPECTATION OF A PROGRAM THIS MAGNITUDE WOULD WORK SEEM LESLIE AND IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED FOR 37 DAYS. YOU MADE ASSURANCES THAT IT WOULD BE FIXED AND YOU ARE GIVING US MORE ASSURANCE THAT'S IT WILL BE FIXED. I RAISED THIS QUESTION BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN THROUGH THESE IMPLEMENTATIONS BEFORE SUPERI ON -- SUPERION IS ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF PROBLEMATIC INVESTMENTS THAT WE HAVE MADE. THE CHALLENGES IT CREATED FOR OUR FIRST RESPONDERS AND THROWING GOOD MONEY BEHIND BAD MONEY. AND IT IS A GOOD PIECE OF TECHNOLOGY. THE PROBLEM IS THE IMPLEMENTATION. THERE WAS NO PROJECT MANAGEMENT ATTACHED TO THIS AND SO YOUR VERY CASUAL REMARK THAT PEOPLE ARE BEING IMPACTED BY IT, THAT'S JUST WHAT IT IS. AND I WANT TO SEE WHAT THEY ARE UP AGAINST AND I WANT TO SEE IF YOU WANT TO TELL THEM IT IS NO BIG DEAL THAT THEY ARE BEING IMPACTED. >> YES, SIR. WE TALKED TO EVERY ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES THAT HAVE BEEN TOUCHED AND THERE WAS A LOT OF MISUNDERSTANDING OF THE NEW WAY PEOPLE WERE GOING TO BE GETTING PAID. THOSE HAVE BEEN CLEARED UP THROUGH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE AND THE DEPARTMENT THAT WE WERE WORKING WITH TO ADDRESS THOSE ISSUES. SINCE LAST COURT WE HAD ONE PAY PERIOD AND WE HAD 106 ISSUES. ALL OF THOSE ISSUES WERE RESOLVED BEFORE THEY WERE PAID SO NO ONE SAW THAT. AND THEN THIS PAY PERIOD IS COMING ON FRIDAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BRUCE. BRUCE, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN GETTING VOIDED CHECKS AFTER I RAISED THE CONCERN OF WHETHER THIS WAS ALL GOING TO BE WORKED OUT. YOU SAID YOU HAD A GREAT PLAN AND YOU HAD A LOT OF WORK BEING DONE TO ENSURE IT WOULDN'T BE AN ISSUE, DIDN'T FORESEE IT BEING AN ISSUE. THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT EMPLOYEES ARE GETTING VOIDED CHECKS. THAT'S A CONCERN. YOU THROW THAT IN THE EQUATION WITH A PANDEMIC, AND THAT'S NOT A GOOD PLACE FOR OUR EMPLOYEES TO BE AT. >> WELL THAT'S NOT BEING BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION. I THINK THE AUDITOR IS PROBABLY ADDRESSING THAT BEFORE IT EVEN GETS TO US BECAUSE IT IS NOT A TECHNICAL ISSUE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I BEG TO DIFFER WITH YOU. IT IS A -- THERE IS SOMETHING IN THE [INAUDIBLE] WITH THIS TECHNOLOGY THAT IS CREATING VOIDED CHECKS TO OUR HARD-WORKING EMPLOYEES. WE ARE ASKING THEM -- HOLD ON A SECOND, BRUCE. WE ARE ASKING THEM ABOUT THEIR OVERTIME USAGE WHICH WE CAN'T PREDICT. AS A RESULT THOSE FOLKS ARE NOT GETTING PAID FOR WHAT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY DONE. I BEG TO DIFFER THAT THIS IS NOT A TECH NUMBER -- TECHNICAL ISSUE. THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE TECHNOLOGY, AND IT HAS BEEN FAILED. I HEARD THIS QUESTION EARLY ON BEFORE WE STARTED MOVING TO THIS TRACK BECAUSE I SUSPECTED IT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN. I HOPED IT WOULDN'T. I TOOK YOUR WORD THAT IT WOULDN'T HAPPEN AND THAT YOU HAD A SOLID PLAN IN PLACE. THE FACT THAT IT HAPPENED AND IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN IS TELLING ME YOU HAD NO PLAN IN PLACE OR EITHER YOU DIDN'T HAVE THE CAPACITY TO FORESEE TO WHAT EX-- EXTENT THIS WOULD HAPPEN AND HOW TO RESOLVE IT Y EFFECTIVELY -- RESOLVE IT EFFECTIVELY. WE ARE COMING UP TO ANOTHER PAY PERIOD, AND SO I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO THAT SURVEY GOING OUT, MR. POST, AND TO SEE HOW MANY EMPLOYEES -- I AM HEARING FROM DOZENS COMING FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I THINK THE PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES ORGANIZATION HAS RAISED THE ISSUE WITH ME. AND I WILL SAY IT AGAIN. EITHER WE ARE BEING MISS -- MISLED OR THERE IS INCOMPETENCE. I AM NOT SURE WHICH IT IS. >> I FEEL LIKE THAT IS INSULTING AND JUST TO LET YOU KNOW OUT OF THE 130 [07:50:06] INCLUDING WHAT IS GETTING READY TO HAPPEN IN THE NEXT PAYCHECK, EVERY ONE OF THEM WERE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. SO THAT TELLS ME OUT OF THE 74,000 CHECKS THAT WE HAVE WRITTEN SO FAR AND ONLY 813 WERE AN ISSUE WHICH IS 11.1% WHICH IS THE 98.9% SUCCESS RATE THE 136 THAT HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST TWO PAY PERIODS ARE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WE WORKED WITH THEM FROM THEIR COMMUNICATION TO THE DEPUTIES AND THE DEPUTIES ARE COMFORTABLE AS THE COMMUNICATIONS CAME OUT. WE ARE ALSO PUTTING TOGETHER A PLAN BY NOT THE NEXT PAY PERIOD, BUT THE NEXT PAY PERIOD WE WILL BE IMPLEMENTING WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE THE PRE-POPULATION OF THE DATA THAT WAS DECIDED TO BE TAKEN AWAY AS A POLICY. ACROSS THE CON TEEN -- COUNTY DURING IMPLEMENTATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM NOT TRYING TO INSULT YOU, BUT I HOPE THAT THE THOUGHT OF BEING INSULTED IS GOING TO CREATE SOME ACTION TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN ANY LONGER. AGAIN, BRUCE, I WORKED WITH YOU EARLY ON TO RAISE THE CONCERN THAT THIS COULD HAPPEN, AND I TOOK YOUR WORD FOR IT. I ASKED WHO WOULD OWN THIS, AND BETWEEN THE AUDITOR AND BILL JACKSON AND -- THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT. >> THE QUESTION IS WHO -- WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TECHNOLOGY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HOLD ON A SECOND. I AM RAISING THIS ISSUE AGAIN BECAUSE IT WAS -- WE WERE GIVEN VERY CLEAR ASSURANCES THAT EMPLOYEES WOULD NOT BE IMPACTED IN A SEVERE STATE, BUT THEY ARE. THAT'S THE REALITY. >> CORRECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS HAPPENING TO ONE ORGANIZATION IF THAT'S WHAT YOU ARE TELLING ME WHICH I DON'T KNOW YET. IF YOU ARE TELLING ME IT IS HAPPENING IN ONE ORGANIZATION, WHICH HAPPENS TO BE THE LARGEST ORGANIZATION IN THE COUNTY, THEN THERE IS A PROBLEM IN THE IMPLEMENTATION. I WILL JUST END MY COMMENTS THERE. >> IN RESPONSE TO THAT WE HAVE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND THE MEETINGS AND THE PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PAYROLL ENTRIES ADMITTED THEY DIDN'T ATTEND THE CLASSES. I HAVE RECORDS HERE THAT I WOULD BE SHARE WITH Y'ALL IF YOU WANT IT TO BE PUBLIC RECORD SHOWING THE INDIVIDUALS THAT DIDN'T SHOW UP TO TAKE THE CLASSES TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO DO THE PAYROLL. WE ALSO SEND OUT EVERY PAYROLL PERIOD A CHECKLIST FOR PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH. ITEM 7 ON THAT CHECKLIST IS ASKED TO BE REPEATED THREE TIMES WHICH IS THE VALIDATION OF THE TIME ENTRY. THERE ARE CERTAIN INDIVIDUALS ACROSS THE COUNTY THAT HAVE NOT RUN THE PROCESSES AND WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PULL THAT INFORMATION. THAT'S WHAT HAS BEEN IMPACTING THE ABILITY FOR THESE PEOPLE TO GET THE FULL 80 HOURS. AND THERE WAS A POLICY CHANGE IN THE LARGE DEPARTMENT THAT DECIDED THEY WERE NOT GOING TO PAY OVER TIME UNTIL THE NEXT PAY PERIOD IF IT IS AFTER THE MONDAY SUBMITTAL. SO THEY ARE NOT GETTING PAID THEIR TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OVER TIME UNTIL THE NEXT PAY PERIOD. THAT COMMUNICATION WENT OUT THIS WEEK FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TO LET THEM KNOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE WE HAVE A SPEAKER, IS THAT RIGHT, LUCI IDA? >> YES AND WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE THAT WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM BOTH OF THEM. >> SPEAKER FIRST? LINE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE. >> GOOD EVENING. MY NAME IS DAVID CUEVAS AND PRESIDENT OF THE SHARE -- SHERIFF DEPUTY ORGANIZATION AND I AM PROUD TO REPRESENT 3,000 STRONG MEMBERS OF OUR ORGANIZATION AND THAT INCLUDES DETENTION OFFICERS, SUPPORT STAFF, DEPUTY SHERIFFS AND DEPUTY CONSTABLES. WE HAVE HAD AN ON GOING ISSUE WITH THE PEOPLE SOFT SYSTEM. AND DURING THESE UNPRECEDENTED TIMES, THE LAST THING THAT WE NEED TO BE CONCERNED AND WORRIED ABOUT IS WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GONNA GET PAID. CHECKS ARE SHORT. THERE HAVE BEEN MONEY MISSING FROM EMPLOYEES, AND I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT OUR CHIEF DEPUTY HAD TO WRITE HARD COPY CHECKS BECAUSE THEY WERE SHORT. THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE APPROPRIATE OR ACCRUED COMP TIME AND VACATION TIME AND IT IS NOT BEING ACCURATELY REFLECTED. INSURANCE PAYMENTS. SOME INSURANCE ARE BEING PAID. [07:55:02] SOME ARE NOT. THAT IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR OUR EMPLOYEES. CHILD SUPPORT PAYMENTS. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IS EXPECTING THOSE TO BE PAID. WE DON'T HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO WORK SOMETIMES TWO SHIFTS, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK. WE ARE GLAD TO STEP UP AND DO THAT, BUT LOOK AT THE END OF THE DAY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH AND LET ME EXPLAIN THIS A LITTLE FURTHER. I HAVE PERSONALLY SPOKEN TO MY FOLKS WHO I BELIEVE IS A MAN OF INTEGRITY. I HAVE TALKED TO BRYCE HYDE ABOUT THIS AND REPRESENTATIVES FROM ALL OF Y'ALL'S OFFICES WITH THE EXCEPTION OF COMMISSIONER JACK CAGLE. LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT HAS I'M PABSTED OUR EMPLOYEES AND OUR MEMBERS. THERE IS AN EMOTIONAL DRAIN THAT COMES WITH THIS. WE HAVE FAMILY MEMBER THAT'S ARE OUT OF JOBS. OUR DETENTION OFFICERS AND OUR FIRST RESPONDERS ARE HAVING TO SUPPORT. I SPOKE WITH AN EMPLOYEE WHO HAS COVID-19 AND THE CONCERN IS WHETHER OR NOT SHE HAD INSURANCE OR IF THE CHECK WAS GOING TO BE RIGHT. AS I SPOKE WITH THEM WITH A 103 DEGREE FEVER AS SHE REPLIED TO ME. IT IS INSANE AND IT IS INAPPROPRIATE AND THE LACK OF ATTENTION IS DISRESPECTFUL. THIS PROGRAM HAS ERODED THE CONFIDENCE FROM OUR EMPLOYEES AND COUNTY GOVERNMENT. THIS STARS TECHNOLOGY OR THIS STARS PROGRAM IS MIM -- MIMICKING SUPERION AND IT IS ANOTHER FAILED SYSTEM. IN LAW ENFORCEMENT WE CALLED SUPEON, INFERION. THAT'S HOW BAD IT IS. PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO BE WORRIED WHETHER OR NOT THEY ARE GOING TO GET PAID. LET ME SAY THIS. I'M FROM TEXAS. THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS YOU DON'T PLAY WITH AND MONEY IS ONE OF THEM. AN E-MAIL WAS SENT IN FEBRUARY THAT SAID OVER TIME WAS A NONEXEMPT EMPLOYEE SHOULD NOT EXCEPT -- EXCEED 240 HOUSE AND THE MONTH HAD DEL FOR THIS STARS SYSTEM ONE TECHNOLOGY AND GREATER EFFICIENCY IT SHOULD BE BUSTED AND DISGUSTED BECAUSE IT IS HORRIBLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME JUST STOP YOU BECAUSE WE STOPPED ALL OF THE SPEAKERS A THE TIME. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION. FOLKS MAY HAVE QUESTIONS FOR YOU, BUT I APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS AND ADVOCACY. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DAVID, THIS IS JACK CAGLE. YOU GOT MY NUMBERS. IF YOU HAVE ANYBODY NOT GETTING PAID, SEND IT TO ME STRAIGHT UP. DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO SAY? IF YOU HAD SOMETHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO FINISH UP BRIEFLY, PLEASE GO AHEAD AND WRAP UP, BUT PLEASE, IF THERE IS SOMEBODY NOT GETTING PAID, LET ME KNOW. HAVE I BEEN LOOKING INTO THIS SINCE MY COLLEAGUE RAISED THE QUESTION. WE HAVE SOME ISSUES TO BE RESOLVED. IF YOU ENTER THE DATA -- WHAT IS THE OLD PHRASE? WHAT GOES IN IS WHAT COMES OUT. WE'LL HELP YOU FIX THAT, BUT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I AGREE 100% WITH WHAT THE FOLKS SAY ON THE FRONT LINE. CONTACT ME WITH NAMES AND ISSUES. NUMBER TWO IF THERE WAS SOMETHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO DO TO FINISH UP ON YOUR STATEMENT SAY IT AT THIS TIME. >> SIR, THANK YOU FOR THAT. I APPRECIATE. IT LET ME JUST GO ON AND SAY THIS. WE NEED ANSWERS. WE NEED THEM NOW. THERE IS A LOT GOING ON AND WE ARE ALL TRYING TO WORK TOGETHER TO GET THROUGH THIS. THIS STAR SYSTEM IS ANOTHER VIRUS. WE NEED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WE TALK ABOUT HAVING MONEY AND IT IS A DROP IN THE BUCKET. HOW ABOUT GIVING US WHAT WE DESERVE. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS GOING TO DO THE SAME IS GIVE HIM TIME TO WRAP UP. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: MR. POST? >> YES. >> STEVE RADACK: DO YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS YOU WANT TO MAKE ABOUT THIS? >> WELL, I DO WANT TO SAY THAT LIKE COMMISSIONER CAGLE IF THERE IS ANYBODY WHO FEELS LIKE THEY HAVE NOT GOT PAID OR THAT THEIR PAY IS NOT WHAT THIS -- WHAT IT SHOULD BE I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT THAT AS WELL. WE HAVE HAD -- LESLIE HAS BEEN INVESTIGATING AND THERE HAVE BEEN PEOPLE IN THE DETENTION -- FROM THE DETENTION OFFICERS WHO HAVE BEEN CONTACTING EXPHITION -- COMMISSIONERS AND OTHERS AND WE HAVE CHECKED INTO EVERY ONE OF THOSE THAT WE KNOW [08:00:06] ABOUT. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO MAINLY BE WITH THAT GROUP. THE ONE PAY PERIOD IS BEING PAID. PART OF THAT WAS IN THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT AND THE TIMEKEEPERS -- TIMEKEEPER'S ENTRY OF THE OVERTIME AND I THINK THE COMMUNICATION HAS BEEN LACKING. I KNOW LESLIE AND I WILL BE MEETING WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HOPEFULLY IN THE NEXT DAY OR TWO BECAUSE WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO TELL THESE PEOPLE ON THE FRONT LINES WHAT IS THE REAL SITUATION ABOUT HOW YOU ARE BEING PAID? THEY KNOW THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE TOOK STRIDES TO REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DAYS THEY ARE DEFERRED TO THE NEXT PAY PERIOD. I THINK THAT WILL HELP. AND YES, THIS SYSTEM HAS HAD SOME PROBLEMS. I WILL BE THE FIRST TO ADMIT THAT. I HAVE A DEDICATED TEAM HERE AND WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE DEPARTMENT WE WANT TO WORK WITH THE DEPUTY ASSOCIATION. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THIS AND WHEN PEOPLE GET THEIR PAY THEY SHOULD GET -- WE NEED TO GET PAST THESE ISSUES. >> LINA HIDALGO: DID WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER, LUCINDA? I THOUGHT SOMEBODY FROM THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE PERHAPS. >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. JUST A MOMENT. GO AHEAD. ADELA? >> LINA HIDALGO: IF THEY LOG BACK IN WE WILL TAKE THEIR COMMENT. >> YES, MA'AM. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN, IT IS AN INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I THINK WE ALL NEED THE CLEAR INFORMATION AS TO SAY THIS HAS ALL BEEN CASTLE -- BEN -- BEEN SOLVED BASICALLY. WE ARE ALL EXPECTING THAT. LET US KNOW WHAT HURDLES WE CAN HELP REMOVE. >> ARE YOU AVAILABLE? >> YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD. >> THANK YOU. FIRST OF ALL I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU, JUDGE, AND ALL OF THE COMMISSIONERS FOR EVERYTHING YOU DO FOR US. LOOK, HAVE WE HAVE OUR FAIR SHARE OF PROBLEMS? YES. I AM NOT POINTING A FINGER AT ANYBODY. IF WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR PEOPLE BETTER, THAT'S WHAT WE WILL DO. WE ARE COMMITTED TO MAKING THIS WORK. THE SHERIFF IS SOLUTION DRIVEN TO MAKE THIS WORK. I STAND BEHIND THEM ALONG WITH ALL OF OUR STAFF TO MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE GET PAID. I AM NOT GOING TO POINT FINGERS AT ANYBODY. IF WE ARE TO BLAME, THEN LET'S MAKE IT RIGHT. I HAVE HAD CONFERENCE CALLS WITH BRUCE'S TEAM, AND MIKE POST'S TEAM. WE ARE WORKING ON IT. OUR BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE FACT THAT SOME OF THE DETENTION OFFICERS ARE NOT BLESSED TO HAVE ENOUGH TO MAKE IT SO THEY ARE LIVING PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, SO IT IS CONCERNING TO US. WE ARE TRYING TO DO ALL WE CAN ON OUR PART TO WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS AND TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THIS RIGHT. BRUCE AND MIKE, WHATEVER YOU NEED FROM US, WE ARE A PHONE CALL AWAY. WE ALWAYS HAVE BEEN AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO BE. YOU KNOW YOU CAN COUNT ON US AND WE ARE GOING TO WORK TOGETHER ON THIS. I MEAN, I AM NOT POINTING FINGERS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE IT RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND WE ARE A PHONE CALL AWAY TOO. I THINK WE NEED TO KEEP COMMUNICATION WITH EACH OTHER. I THINK WE ALL HAVE THE SAME GOAL, AND WE ALL WANT TO GET THE OFFICERS PAID TIMELY. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYBODY IS PAID FOR EVERY HOUR THEY WORK. I THINK WE WILL GET THROUGH THIS AND I APPRECIATE YOU WORKING WITH US. I THINK WE HAVE HAD A GOOD RELATIONSHIP. >> ABSOLUTELY. >> I'M SORRY GO AHEAD. >> THIS IS BRUCE. I AM JUST SAYING THAT IS THE SAME HERE. OF COURSE I HAVE BEEN DEDICATED TO THIS COUNTY FOR 26 YEARS AND ESPECIALLY IN THE PUBLIC SAFETY AREA, AND WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET DONE AND WE ARE HERE TO GET IT DONE. AND WE DO RECOGNIZE THAT THERE IS SOME CONCERNS, AND WE ARE ADDRESSING THEM AS [08:05:04] SOON AS POSSIBLE ALONG WITH EM -- IMPLEMENTING THE NEW TECHNOLOGY YOU ARE ASKING FOR AFTER THE LAUNCH THAT WAS PLANNED. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. LET'S CONTINUE ON THE AGENDA. WE WERE ON PUBLIC HEALTH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE A QUICK QUESTION ON THE LAST ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR MICROPHONE HAS STOPPED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE NOT HEARD OF ANY OTHER DEPARTMENT, MR. POST YOU MAY HAVE OR MAY NOT HAVE, BUT THE OFFER I HAVE MADE TO DAVID CUEVASS STANDS FOR ANY DEPARTMENT. IF SOMEBODY HAS AN ISSUE, CON -- CONTACT US. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS, JACK. I WON'T CALL YOU, BUT WE'VE HAD PROBLEMS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T THINK WE HAVE HAD ANY IN PRECINCT 4. IF YOU NEED MY HELP, I WOULD LOVE TO HELP. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, AM I CORRECT TO ASSUME WE WERE SPEAKING ON SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 10? >> THAT'S CORRECT. JUDGE WE HAVE ADELE LAW BACK ON THE -- ADELA BACK ON THE LINE AND SHE WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK. >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE, GO AHEAD. >> ADELA GO AHEAD, PLEASE. OKAY. TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO IN THAT CASE LET'S MOVE ON TO PUBLIC HEALTH. POLLUTION CONTROL. COMMUNITY SERVICES. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS HERE, LUCINDA? >> NO, MA'AM, WE DO NOT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE BEFORE I FORGET I WANT TO GO BACK TO ENGINEERING AS ANOTHER MATTER OF APPRECIATION TO JOHN BLOUNT'S OFFICE, BUT TO MY ENGINEER IN THAT ON -- TRYING TO FIND THE PAGE HERE BUT ON PAGE 10 AND ITEM 5, THESE PARTNERSHIP IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS IS BY VIRTUE OF A PROCESS THAT OUR OFFICE PUT IN PLACE. THESE ARE PARTNERSHIPS -- PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENTS AND PROPOSALS, AND WE ARE DOING THEM WITH SIX OF THE CITIES. PASADENA, BAY TOWN, DELA -- DELL LA -- DEL-LAGO. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE THESE ITEMS HAVE BEEN LEFT WITH A HANDSHAKE AGREEMENT OR INFORMAL CONVERSATIONS, BUT IT GIVES US AN OPPORTUNITY TO WORK EFFECTIVELY WITH OUR PARTNERS. THEY PUT IN SOME. WE PUT IN SOME AND WE GET THE PROJECT DONE. WE ARE ABLE TO WEIGH THESE PROPOSALS. EVERYBODY GETS TO PARTICIPATE AND EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS WHY THE RANKING IS THE RANKING AND WHY SOME GET DONE SOONER THAN OTHERS, BUT IT IS A REALLY EXCITING PROCESS THAT WE PUT IN PLACE AND SO WE ARE EXCITED AND WANTED TO HIGHLIGHT IT. I WANTED TO THANK JOHN BLOUNT, BUT TO THANK MILTON ON MY STAFF AND AS WELL AS THE COLLABORATION WE HAVE WITH OUR PARTNERS IN PRECINCT 2. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE IN A SIMILAR VEIN I WANT TO GO BACK TO FLOOD CONTROL FOR A SECOND. THERE ARE A LOT OF PROJECTS ON HERE AND NOT JUST IN PRE -- PRECINCT 1, 2, 3 OR FOUR. IT IS ALL OVER THE COUNTY. IT IS IMPRESSIVE HOW MUCH WORK THEY HAVE DONE AND HOW FAST THEY ARE MOVING. I KNOW THEY SENT OUT AN UPDATE ON WHERE THEY ARE, BUT IF HE IS AROUND IF NOT WE CAN COME BACK TO HIM LATER. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE HIM GIVE A BRIEF UPDATE ON HOW THEY ARE DOING AND GIVE US SOME SENSE. I KNOW BASED ON INTEREST RATES SHORT-TERM TO BORROW MONEY WITH THESE INTEREST RATES IS A GOOD DEAL SHORT-TERM. THE PREDICTIONS ARE THERE WILL BE PROBLEMS DOWN THE ROAD. WE DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE WILL GET FROM OUR PARTNERS, BUT I WANT HIM TO GIVE US AN UPDATE ON HOW WE ARE DOING AND WHAT CHALLENGES HE SEES DOWN THE ROAD IN TERMS OF DOING ALL OF THE PROJECTS WE HAVE GIVEN PEOPLE JUST BEFORE WE GET OUT OF THE DISASTER AND GET TO ANOTHER ONE IN HURRICANE SEASON GOD FORBID. [08:10:06] IF HE IS THERE I WANT HIM TO GIVE US AN UPDATE AND IF NOT -- >> COMMISSIONER I DO NOT SEE RUSS POPPY ON THE LINE, BUT I CAN SEE MATT ZEE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S RIGHT. THEY ARE LIKE TWINS. >> LUCI IDA? THIS IS RUSS POPPY, THE -- COMMISSIONER, WE BID OVER $130 MILLION IN CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS ALREADY AND WE ARE ON TARGET RIGHT NOW TO BID CLOSE TO 500 MILLION IN TOTAL THIS YEAR. ONE OF THE PROJECT THAT'S HELPS US IS THE CLEAR CREEK FEDERAL PROJECT THAT IS INCREASING 1. EVEN EVERYTHING WITH COVID WE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF WORKING REMOTELY, BUT HAVE I TO GIVE KUDOS TO THEM. THEY HAVE STEPPED UP AND USED TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE SURE THESE IMPORTANT PROJECTS HAVE CONTINUED TO MOVE FORWARD. SO WE ACTUALLY ARE REWARDING $30 MILLION ON THIS AGENDA. IT IS UNDER PURCHASING. THEY ARE IN GREEN'S BAYOU. WE COULD -- WE ARE CONTINUING TO MOVE FORWARD. YOU MENTIONED SOMETHING CONCERNING TO ME AND THE ONLY CONCERN I HAVE RIGHT NOW IS OUR ABILITY TO ENGAGE THE PUBLIC AS WE HAVE BEEN DOING WITH OUR COMMUNITY OUT REACH AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT WITH THESE SOCIAL DISTANCING RULES AND LIMITATIONS OF GROUPS 10 OR SMALLER THAT CAN GET TOGETHER AND GATHER. WE ARE LOOKING AT CREATIVE WAYS TO ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY. OUR STAFF IS LOOKING AT A COUPLE OF TOOLS THAT ALLOWS US TO DO VIRTUAL MEETINGS AND HOPEFULLY IT WILL COME BACK TO COURT WITH RECOMMENDATIONS ON THAT IN THE NEAR FUTURE. WE ARE NOT PUTTING PRODUCTS ON HOLD, BUT WE WILL SOON. WE HOPE TO FIND A GOOD WORK AROUND TO GET COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND COMMUNITY INPUT ON THE IMPORTANT PROJECTS. WITH THAT I WILL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS IF YOU HAVE THEM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: RUSS, IF I MIGHT, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THINK ABOUT THE TELETHON NICK TOWN -- TELETHON NICK TOWN HALL MEETINGS WE ARE TALKING ABOUT INFLUENCING THE NEXT WITH THE COUNTY AND STATE. I DON'T WANT YOU TO FALL OFF THE SCHEDULE IF WE CAN AVOID IT. THE DYNAMICS OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT HAVE CHANGED. I DO IT ANYWAY, BUT WHEN YOU HAVE TO GO TO THE NEIGHBORHOODS IT IS A BIT CHEAPER WHEN YOU DO IT ON A SMALLER LEVEL. SOMETIMES I AM TRYING TO CALL THE HOUSEHOLDS IN MY PRECINCT. I KNOW MATT HAS. PLEASE DON'T LAY -- DELAY IT BECAUSE OF THAT. I THINK PEOPLE WILL UNDERSTAND. THAT'S THE VOICE OVER INTERNET PROTOCOL. I KNOW YOU CAN'T TRAVEL TO WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW, BUT IN TERMS OF HOW MUCH MONEY WE WILL GET BASED ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WOULD GET WHEN DECISIONS WERE MADE FROM THE FEDS AND FROM THE STATE. JUST GIVE US AN UPDATE ON THAT IF YOU CAN. >> RIGHT NOW WE ARE TRACKING JUST IN HARVEY FUNDS ALONE WE ARE AROUND $600 MILLION WE HAVE SECURED THROUGH PARTNERS AND WE ARE HOPEFUL TO GET OVER DOUBLE THAT. WE HAVE BEEN FINDING PARTNERSHIP FUNDS WE WANTED TO DO LINED UP IN THE BOND PROGRAM. THERE ARE A COUPLE OF THINGS AT PLAY WE ARE WATCHING CLOSELY. ONE IS THE -- IS THAT HUD JUST ACCEPTED THE PLAN FOR THE MITIGATION FUNDS. WE ARE LOOKING TO GET THE APPLICATION GUIDANCE COMING OUT SOON SO WE CAN MAKE APPLICATIONS FOR THOSE POTS OF MONEY. THERE ARE LIMITATIONS THERE. I KNOW YOU AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA VOICED CONCERNS WHEN THEY DID THE PUBLIC HEARINGS. WE ARE STILL LOOKING AT A CAP SOMEWHERE IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OF $300 MILLION. WE ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ENGINEER'S OFFICE AS WELL AS PARTNERS IN THE CITIES TO GET CREATIVE AND PULL THOSE FUNDS DOWN. MORE TO COME ON THAT. THE OTHER IMPORTANT NOTE TO MENTION THAT WE ARE WATCHING IS ANOTHER POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCE IS THE TEXAS WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE FLOOD INFRASTRUCTURE FUND. IT IS $800 MILLION THE STATE MADE VARIABLE FOR VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES AND WE ARE GETTING GUIDANCE FROM THE WATER DEVELOPMENT BOARD ON THAT. WE ARE LOOKING AT POTENTIALLY MAKING SOME PRELIMINARY APPLICATIONS, PRE-APPLICATIONS TO THE STATE FOR THOSE FUNDS POTENTIALLY AS EARLY AS JUNE OF THIS YEAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT, JUDGE BECAUSE MR. BLOUNT IS LOOKING LIKE THE LONE [08:15:02] RANGER. THAT IS A GOOD MASK. IT IS ALMOST COVERING HIS EYES. HOW IS THAT TRANSPORTATION STUDY COMING THAT YOU ARE DOING, MR. BLOUNT AND THE REASON IS THAT COULD POSSIBLY BE A SOURCE OF FUNDING-RELATED PROJECT CAUSED BY THE TOLL ROADS OVER THE YEARS. >> YES, SIR. THE RFQ WENT OUT FOR THAT ON FRIDAY. THE STAFF HAS BEEN ENGAGED. WE WILL GET TOGETHER AND SELECT A CONSULTANT. IT IS MOVING FORWARD QUITE WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST COMMENT,ING JUDGE, AND EITHER CAN COMMENT ON THAT, BUT I DIDN'T QUITE GET THE NUMBERS. IT IS ALWAYS A GUESS ON HOW SHORT WE MAY BE OR WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET, BUT I DIDN'T GET A DOLLAR AMOUNT IF YOU CAN GET THAT. I KNOW IT IS A GUESS, BUT FOR SOME REASON I THOUGHT WE WERE LOOKING AT A BILLION DOLLARS. I'M TRYING TO RECALL -- THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE WHEN WE MEET VIRTUALLY INSTEAD OF IN OFFICE. I DON'T WRITE THE NOTES DOWN AS MUCH WHEN WE ARE ON THE PHONE. WHEN WE CHATTED YOU HAD SOME FIGURE OF WHAT WE THOUGHT WE WERE GOING TO GET THAT WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENTIAL AND WHAT MAY NOT BE COMING? I KNOW IT IS A GUESS. >> INITIALLY, COMMISSIONER, IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CDBG MONEY WE GOT FOR THE HOUSING PROGRAM, THAT WAS AROUND A BILLION DOLLARS INITIALLY AWARDED. WHEN WE WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CDBG MITIGATION FUNDS THE THOUGHT WAS WE WOULD ALSO GET A BILLION DOLLARS FOR IN -- INFRASTRUCTURE AND MITIGATION ACTIVITIES. OBVIOUSLY THAT DIDN'T QUITE HAPPEN. WE ARE LOOKING AT HOPEFULLY GETTING 300 MILLION OF THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ABOUT 700 SHORT IF THAT IS AN APPROPRIATE PHRASE. >> AT LEAST. WE ARE PROBABLY CLOSER TO A BILLION IN PARTNERSHIP FUNDS THAT WE WOULD LIKE TO PULL DOWN AND DO THE WORK WE WANT TO DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FOR OUR PARTNERS AT THE CITY IS IT A COMPARABLE AMOUNT? I AM TRYING TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT ON THE PHONE THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU. >> WE PUT TOGETHER JOINT APPLICATIONS AND WERE TALKING ABOUT THE CDBG MITIGATION FUNDS AND WE CAME CLOSE TO $3 BILLION IN JOINT PROJECTS ALONE. THE NEED IS THERE. IF WE CAN FIND MORE FUNDING WE HAVE GOOD PROJECTS TO PUT IT ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I J SUS WANT TO MENTION -- JUST WANT TO MENTION LET US KNOW WHAT CHALLENGES WE MAY FACE SO EVERYBODY DOES PRESIDENT THINK 2.5 BILLION AND IT IS ALL OVER. FLOODING PROBLEMS WILL NO LONGER BE WITH US WHEN THOSE PROJECTS ARE DONE. >> COMMISSIONER WE ARE WATCHING THAT CLOSELY ON A MONTHLY BASIS IN FACT. AS WE START WORKING ON THE PROJECT THAT'S ARE LOOKING FOR PARTNERSHIP FUNDS AND WE ADVANCE THEM INTO DESIGN PHASE AND THEN THOSE PARTNERSHIP FUNDS DON'T MATERIALIZE WE HAVE HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEE IF MR. JACKSON IS AROUND AND I WILL BE QUIET, BUT I DIDN'T GIVE MY LONG SPEECH TO THANK THE FOLKS IN MY PRECINCT, BUT THIS IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I WANT TO DWELL ON IT SINCE I SKIPPED IT ANYWAY. MR. JACKSON, GIVE US SOME OF YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE COST OF ISSUING THAT BORROWED MONEY SHORT-TERM, LONG-TERM, IF YOU STILL -- >> THE INDICATIONS ARE IT DEPENDS ON WHEN YOU GO TO MARKET. THINGS ARE STABLING OUT. THE COMMERCIAL PAPER WE NORMALLY ISSUE BEFORE WE GO LONG-TERM, WE ARE STILL IN THE SAME RANGES WE HAVE BEEN BEFORE AND MAYBE ONE, ONE AND A HALF TO TWO. THE LONG EVERY -- THE LONGER TERM STUFF IS WHAT I AM READING. YOU KNOW THIS BUSINESS WELL, BUT IT IS PROBABLY IN THAT FOUR RANGE. BUT AGAIN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS HAVING TO PROP UP TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE THERE ARE THERE TO BUY THE DEBT. I AM NOT SO THUR THAT WE REALLY -- SURE THAT WE KNOW THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION UNTIL THESE THINGS STABILIZE AND THE GOVERNMENT OPENS BACK UP AND ALL OF THAT. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE SO FAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. THANK YOU ALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH. AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR TEAM FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING. WE WERE IN COMMUNITY SERVICES. SO NOW LET'S MOVE ON TO COUNTY LIBRARY. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES. CONSTABLES. UNDER SHERIFF I HAVE A NOTE THAT NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON 13A ON PAGE 15. COUNTY CLERK. COUNTY ATTORNEY. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION. UNDER DISTRICT COURTS, THEY ASKED THAT ITEM 17 ON PAGE 16, THAT NO ITEM BE TAKEN. [08:20:06] SCAWS ME NO -- EXCUSE ME. NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON ITEM 17 ON PAGE 16. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS. FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS HERE, LUCINDA? >> NO, MA'AM. ONLY UNDER THE TAX ASSESSOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TAKE THAT SPEAKER UNDER THE TAX ASSESSOR. I HAVE A NOTE HERE THAT IT IS FOR ITEM 2 ON PAGE 19 IMPOSING TAX PENALTIES FOR IMPENDING TAXES. >> THAT IS CORRECT. JIM WITH WBREA. >> HELLO? >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> [INAUDIBLE] >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CANNOT HEAR YOU VERY WELL. I THINK THE CONNECTION IS PRETTY BAD. DO YOU WANT TO TRY CALLING BACK? >> IS THAT BETTER? >> LINA HIDALGO: TRY THAT AGAIN. >> IS THAT BETTER? >> LINA HIDALGO: NO, IT IS REALLY BREAKING UP. WHEN YOU GUYS ARE ABLE TO CONNECT WE WILL PULL YOU RIGHT IN AS SOON AS YOU ARE ABLE TO, BUT RIGHT NOW WE REALLY CAN'T -- IT IS JUST VERY BROKEN. >> IF YOU WILL HANG UP WE WILL CALL YOU RIGHT BACK, MA'AM. WE'LL CALL YOU RIGHT BACK. >> OKAY, NO PROBLEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I MEANT TO RAISE THIS EARLIER DURING THE COVID ITEMS, BUT ROBERT IS IT OKAY FOR ME TO RAISE A QUESTION ABOUT HCAT'S POSITION ON REAL PROPERTY? >> YES, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I JUST WANT TO ASK JUDGE AND -- OR ACTUALLY MAYBE IT IS MORE FOR YOU, ROBERT, HCAT IS TAKING THE POSITION THAT UNLIKE MUD YOU CAN SEE THE DAMAGE DONE TO REAL PROPERTY AND THERE IS A DEVALUE Y WEIGHINGS OF THE -- DEVALUATION OF THE PROPERTY THAT RELATES TO WHAT TAXES MAYBE PEOPLE OWE IN THE NEXT CYCLE. THE PANDEMIC OFFICIALLY STARTED IN LATE FEBRUARY AND EARLY MARCH. OBVIOUSLY THE PANDEMIC WAS IN EFFECT IN TEXAS AND ACROSS THE COUNTRY. BEFORE JANUARY. JANUARY IS WHEN HCAT TAKES A SNAP SHOT OF PROPERTY VALUES AND ASSESSES THAT THE TAXPAYER'S OBLIGATION WILL BE. WHAT CAN WE DO DRIVE THE ISSUE AND PRESSURE THAT THE PANDEMIC HAS IMPACTED THE REAL PROPERTY. I MEAN IF PEOPLE GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND PEOPLE ARE LOSING THEIR JOBS THEY CAN'T PAY WHAT IS OWED ON THEIR REAL PROPERTY. THE THING IS THERE IS A LINE ON THE PANDEMIC AND IMPACT ON REAL PROPERTY. WHAT CAN WE DO AS A COURT THAT WE SO CHOOSE TO DO WHICH IS PUSH HCAT AND WE COULD AS A COUNTY LOWER OUR TAX RATE, BUT WHAT KIND OF OPTIONS DO WE HAVE AVAILABLE TO CONSIDER AS RELIEF DURING THIS PANDEMIC. >> THERE ARE SEVERAL. THE FIRST THING THAT OCCURS TO ME, IF YOU WANT TO YOU YOU CAN ADOPT A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING THE WILL OF THE COURT. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL WAS ASKED TO REPLY ON THAT VERY ISSUE AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SAID COVID WAS NOT THE TYPE OF DISASTER THAT COULD BE USED TO REVALUE REAL PROPERTY. WE CAN ASK THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO RECONSIDER THE OPINION AND MAYBE HAVING MORE FACTS MAY CAUSE HIM TO HAVE A DIFFERENT IMPACT. [08:25:03] THE COUNTY HAS A REPRESENTATIVE ON THE APPRAISAL DISTRICT AND I THINK THE TAX ASSESSOR IS THE CHAIR OF THAT AS I RECALL. THERE ARE THINGS YOU AS A BODY CAN DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE FOR MY OFFICE TO WORK WITH YOU. JUDGE, I'M NOT SURE WHAT THOUGHT HAS BEEN GIVEN TO THIS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO TRY TO RUN DOWN THE OPTIONS WE HAVE AND SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH THAT WOO -- THAT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD OFFER TO THE CITIZENS OF THE COUNTY. A LITTLE ON WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS TOUCHING ON EARLIER THAT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT COULD IMPACT OUR BOTTOM LINE AS IT RELATES TO THE OPERATION. WE REALLY SHOULD DO THE DUE DILIGENCE TO SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO HELP PEOPLE WHO MAY FIND THEMSELVES GETTING INTO THE UH REARS ON TAXES AS A RESULT OF THIS PANDEMIC AND SEE IF THERE IS ANY RELIEF WE CAN PROVIDE THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A COMMISSION AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? I THINK I MAY BE IN AGREEMENT WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON THIS. NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR US TO ADD 20% PENALTY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. I KNOW WE HAVE A SPEAKER, AND I DON'T WANT TO EXPRESS TOO MUCH BEFORE WE VOTE BECAUSE WE SHOULD HEAR THE SPEAKERS BEFORE WE VOTE, BUT IT IS HARD FOR ME TO UNDERSTAND DURING THIS TIME ADDING AN EXTRA 20% PENALTY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH THEIR PROPERTY TAX. I THINK THAT'S WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SAYING. IF THAT IS WHAT HE IS SAYING I AM IN AGREEMENT ON NOT SUPPORTING THIS AGENDA ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WAS WAITING FOR THE SPEAKER. >> THE SPEAKER IS BACK ON, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAY JUST LAYOUT A FEW THOUGHTS AND THEN I WANT TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER. I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP A NUMBER OF TIMES. IN FACT, WHEN I LOOK BACK AT MY NOTES ON SEPTEMBER 24TH IS WHEN MR. SOARD, IT WAS THE WEEK OF THE 20TH AND I THINK IT IS THE 24TH WHEN THE RECOMMENDATION CAME TO AWARD THREE CONTRACTS REGARDING DEBT COLLECTION. ONE FOR JP'S AND THE OTHERS THAT CAME UP. WHAT I DID WAS SUGGEST WE GO MONTH TO MONTH. WE DIDN'T AWARD THEM AND THEN I MADE A MOTION TO ESTABLISH A WORKING GROUP CONVENED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND COME PRIZED OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE CAO AND THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AND A REPRESENTATIVE OF EACH COMMISSIONER'S COURT OFFICE TO DO THREE THINGS. ONE IS REPORT ON THE FEASIBILITY OF ADJUSTING THE FORECLOSURE EVALUATION TO $150,000. AND THE SECOND REPORT INCLUDING PREFERENCES OF MINORITY WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES TO BE INCLUDED IN CONTRACTS AND THREE REPORT SEPARATELY ON THE FEASIBILITY OF MOVING DEAD -- DEBT COLLECTION SERVICES IN THE COUNTY. AND I REALLY GOT THE IDEA BECAUSE I THINK AT THE LAST COMMISSIONER'S COURT BEFORE JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA CAME I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER RADACK THAT MADE THE MOTION AND I SECONDED IT TO MOVE THE TOLL ROAD COLLECTION IN HOUSE. MY MEMORY MAY BE A LITTLE OFF, BUT I THINK THAT'S WHAT WE DID. I THINK THAT IS GOING PRETTY GOOD. AFTER I MADE THE MOTION ON ON THE 24TH OR SO ON THAT WEEK, THEN ON OCTOBER 2ND A WORKING GROUP MET AND OCTOBER 9TH AND OCTOBER 23RD AND NOVEMBER 20TH AND DECEMBER 12TH. SINCE THEN MY STAFF HAS SENT OUT E-MAILS AND I THINK IF THESE DATES ARE RIGHT ASKING WHAT NEXT STEPS ARE AND FOR A REPORT. THAT WAS ON DECEMBER 16TH AND JANUARY 17TH AND FEBRUARY 7TH AND FEBRUARY 10TH AND APRIL 25TH. THE LAST RESPONSE WAS FROM THE TAX ASSESSOR'S OFFICE AND IT WAS POINTING OUT PER [08:30:08] PROPERTY TAX CODE 33.07 REQUIRES A TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTED TO PROVIDE PROPERTY OWNERS AT LEAST A 30-DAY NOTIFICATION FOR DOWN30TH, 2020 -- FOR JUNE 30TH, 2020 OR HAS NOT ENTERED INTO A PAYMENT PLAN BY JULY 1ST WILL BE ASSESSED A COLLECTION. IF I UNDERSTAND THE LAW IN TEXAS WE HAVE THE OPTION OF 15% OR GO TO THE 20%. I CAN'T REMEMBER RIGHT NOW BECAUSE IT IS SO LATE. IT COULD BE 16 OR 17. YOU ANSWERED, BUT I CANNOT REMEMBER TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. AT THE APPROPRIATE TIME I AM GOING TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE REDUCE THE DELINQUENT TAX COLLECTION PENALTY FEE TO THE LOWEST AMOUNT LEGALLY ALLOWED FOR A RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS DURING THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE WE ALLOWED, ROBERT, TO DO ANYTHING LOWER THAN THE 20? >> YOU CAN DO MORE THAN 20. NOW, THE BACKGROUND ON THIS IS THE CONTRACT THEY HAVE THAT REQUIRES THE PENALTY BESET AT 20%. BE SET AT 20%. THE 20% IS THE FEE THAT'S ARE PAID. AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS POINTS OUT THAT CONTRACT IS ON A MONTH TO MONTH WHICH MEANS IF YOU CHANGE THAT AMOUNT, YOU HAVE IN EFFECT TERMINATED THE CONTRACT OR POTENTIALLY TERMINATED IT. THEN THEY HAVE TO DECIDE WHETHER TO CONTINUE TO DO THE WORK AT 15% OR CANCEL THE CONTRACT AND THEN ALLOW THE COUNTY TO GO SOMEWHERE ELSE FOR THE COLLECTIONS. WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT HERE AND WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION BECAUSE IT DOES INVOLVE SOME NEGOTIATIONS WITH OUTSIDE LAW FIRM. COMMISSIONER ELLIS IS CORRECT. THERE HAS NOT BEEN A DEFINITE RECOMMENDATION FROM THIS WORKING GROUP ON WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT TAX COLLECTIONS. FRANKLY THERE ARE DIFFERENT OPINIONS FROM DIFFERENT OFFICES AND THAT'S WHY THERE IS NOT A CONSENSUS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD BE COMFORTABLE WITH WHATEVER PREFERENCE OF THE COURT. I MEAN, I STATED MY CONCERNS ABOUT THIS REPEATEDLY, AND IF WE NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION I THINK AN ELEMENT ON COMPETITION ON THIS. WE DON'T KNOW WHO ELSE WOULD STEP UP. I MAY SAY FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH FROM WHAT I I RECALL OF THE LAW, ON THE OTHER CONTRACT WITH A COMPETING FIRM -- HELP ME ROBERT AND IT IS 8:00 AND I AM SLIPPING A LITTLE, BUT I THINK THAT IS 30%, AND I AM SLIPPING. >> THAT'S RIGHT. YOU ARE CORRECT. I DON'T REMEMBER THE EXACT NUMBER, BUT IT IS APPROXIMATELY 30%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ONLY IF THE GOVERNMENT WILL HIRES AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WHY DON'T -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WAS 30% I THINK. WHEN WE BROUGHT IT IN HOUSE UNDER THE LAW WE CAN ONLY CHARGE LEGAL FEES. >> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHY DON'T WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER ON THIS ONE AND WE CAN TAKE IT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION IF FOLKS WOULD LIKE TO DO THAT. >> AMELA LYNDSAY. >> YES. IS THIS A BETTER CONNECTION? >> IT IS, YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD. >> GREAT. GOOD EVENING. THANK YOU JUDGE HIDALGO AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR HOLDING THIS SPECIAL HEARING AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU AS WELL. MY NAME IS JAMILA LYNDSAY. I HAVE 19 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE. I AM ALSO A TRUSTY AND SERVE IN THE LEADERSHIP CAPACITY WITHIN THE ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS. I AM ALSO DIRECTOR FOR THE HBREA. ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY REAL ESTATE TAXPAYERS I DON'T -- I OFTEN HAVE CONSIDERATION [INAUDIBLE]. HARRIS COUNTY TAXES REQUEST AN AMENDED EXTENSION OF TAX CODE -- [INAUDIBLE]. 20% FEE TO TAXPAYERS IN ORDER TO PAY THEIR ATTORNEY FEE. [INAUDIBLE]. THEY COULD BE SUBJECT TO FORECLOSURE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK IT IS WORKING, MA'AM. IT IS REALLY BROKEN. LUCI IDA, IS THERE -- LUCID -- LUCINDA, MAYBE YOU CAN SEND HER COMMENTS IN A [08:35:08] WRITTEN MANNER. THE CONNECTION IS BAD WITH THIS NUMBER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I THINK SHE IS OLD SCHOOL. SHE HAS TO GO OLD SCHOOL AND GET A LAND LINE. >> IS THIS BETTER? >> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU CAN STOP MOVING AROUND. >> THANK YOU. I WILL STAND RIGHT HERE. AS THE PROPERTY OWNER IS UNABLE TO PAY TAXES PLUS THE PENALTY THEY COULD BE SUBJECT TO FORECLOSURE AND LOSE THEIR PROPERTY. DURING THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC DURESS WE ASK THAT THE FEES ARE LOWERED AND THE PENALTIES OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENT FOR EACH OF THESE INDIVIDUALS. THE WAY WE SEE IT IF THE COUNTY CAN PROVIDE PROTECTION PREVENTION AND PUT -- THE PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD GET A SIMILAR RELIEF. [INAUDIBLE]. IF PENALTIES ARE IMPOSED. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION. >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, THE CONNECTION IS REALLY BAD. WE HEARD THE BEGINNING OF THAT, BUT YEAH IT IS JUST -- IT IS NOT COMING THROUGH. SO I WOULD RECOMMEND LUCINDA IF THERE IS ANOTHER WAY OR SHE CAN SEND HER WRITTEN COMMENTS. >> I HAVE A CELL PHONE NUMBER YOU CAN CALL. >> YES, MA'AM WE WILL. WE WILL CATCH YOU OFF LINE. WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER, JUDGE. WE CAN MOVE ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, PLEASE. >> MATTHEW MALEAL. MATTHEW? >> HELLO. THANKS FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I AM IN PRECINCT 2 AND I LIVE IN SUNSET HEIGHTS. HAVE I BEEN HERE FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS IN MY HOUSE. I AM FORTUNATE THAT I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABLE TO PAY MY PROPERTY TAXES ON TIME AND NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT IT. A LOT OF OUR NEIGHBORS ARE STRUGGLING. I THINK IN THE SPIRIT OF SHOWING SPIRIT TO ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS WE SHOULDN'T CHARGE PENALTIES FOR FAILURE TO PAY PROPERTY TAXES. SOME PEOPLE DON'T HAVE JOBS OR THAT TYPE OF THING. I HAVE A GARAGE BEHIND AND A RENTAL. HE HASN'T PAID IN A FEW MONTHS AND THAT'S OKAY. WHAT ELSE IS HE GOING TO DO? HE DOESN'T HAVE A JOB. I THINK WE JUST HAVE TO SHARE THAT SPIRIT AMONGST ALL OF OUR NEIGHBORS. I WOULD ASK THAT THIS YEAR THERE SHOULDN'T BE ANY TYPE OF PENALTIES FOR PEOPLE'S FAILURE TO PAY THEIR PROPERTY TAXES ON TIME. I WANT THEM TO OF COURSE IF THEY CAN. BUT I DON'T THINK THAT ANYBODY SHOULD BE PENALIZED WHEN THEY ARE IN DIRE STRAITS. THE SECOND THING I WOULD HAPPEN TO SAY IS I HEARD YOU TALK ABOUT HOW I GUESS THERE IS A CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT REQUIRES THAT THE OFFICIAL THAT HANDLES THIS GETS PAID 20% AND THEY DESERVE THE RIGHT NOT TO. I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THAT, BUT ISM -- I AM A LAWYER MYSELF AND I THINK THAT IS -- THERE SHOULD BE NO OBLIGATION -- OBVIOUSLY THEY SHOULD BE ABLE TO -- I DON'T THINK THE COUNTY OUR TAX DOLLARS SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO BE 20%. IF THEY DON'T WANT TO BE A PART OF IT, THEY DON'T HAVE TO BE A PART OF IT. BUT MANDATING IT BE 20% SEEMS NOT FISCALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY. IT IS JUST TOO HIGH. THERE SHOULDN'T BE DELINQUENT PENALTIES. I THINK IT IS WAY TOO HIGH FOR SUCH A HUGE POPULATION. I JUST WANTED TO SAY THAT MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A COMMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE. FIRST OF ALL, I REALLY WOULD LIKE TO WORK WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ON WHAT OPTIONS WE HAVE FOR OUR CITIZENS. I DON'T WANT TO GET CAUGHT UP IN I ITEM. WE CAN'T TO KEEP IT SEPARATE AND AS A SEPARATE ITEM, BUT I WANT TO FOCUS ON THE OTHER ASPECT. WE ARE GOING TO PULL WEINBARGER INTO THIS, THEN WE OUGHT TO BE NEGOTIATING IN A DIFFERENT VEIN. NOT NOW, BUT I JUST ASSUME WANT TO FOCUS ON WHAT IS THE RELIEF WE CAN PROVIDE OUR [08:40:06] TAXPAYERS BY VIRTUE OF THE PANDEMIC AND LOOK FOR THOSE OPTIONS. IF IT IS WAIVING THE FEES ON A ONE-TIME BASIS, I WOULD BE UH MEANABLE TO THAT. I WANT TO THANK -- THINK WHAT ARE THE REAL OPTIONS AND WHAT ARE THE REAL PROPOSALS THAT WILL BRING BENEFIT TO THE CONSTITUENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT ROBERT SAYS WE NEED TO DISCUSS IT IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. IF WE WAIVE IT IT MESSES WITH THE CONTRACT. I SUGGEST UNLESS WE HAVE OTHER SPEAKS WE SAVE IT FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> I THINK THAT IS A GOOD IDEA. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS -- >> YOU HAVE OTHER SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> I HAVE MISS LYNDSAY BACK ON THE LINE AGAIN. MS. LYNDSAY? >> YES. I'M HERE. IS THIS A BETTER CONNECTION? >> GO AHEAD, MA'AM. >> OKAY, PERFECT. I WILL START OVER, I WANT TO THANK EVERYONE AND ALL OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT, JUDGE HIDALGO FOR HOLDING THIS SPECIAL HEARING AND I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS YOU. JM JAMILA LYNDSAY. I HAVE BEEN -- HAVE I HAD 19 YEARS OF REAL ESTATE EXPERIENCE. I HAVE SERVED IN LEADERSHIP CAPACITY WITHIN THE HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS AND I AM A DIRECTOR FOR THE HOUSTON HBREA. AS A LONG-TIME REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL AND ON BEHALF OF HARRIS COUNTY, REAL ESTATE TAXPAYERS I HUMBLY REQUEST A CONSIDERATION OF ORDERS FOR THE RECENT TAXES PURSUE WENT TO THE TEXAS TAX CODE FOR THE COUNTY. THE TAX ASSESSOR GRANTED A 90-DAY EXTENSION ON TAX BILLS. HOWEVER, THEY COLLECT DELINQUENT TAXES AND ASKING TO CHARGE A TENT -- 20% PENALTY TO PAY ATTORNEYS FEES. IF THE PROPERTY OWNER ARE UNABLE TO PAY THE TAXES PLUS THE PENALTY THEY COULD BE SUBJECT TO FORECLOSURE AND LOSE THEIR PROPERTY. DURING THIS TIME OF ECONOMIC DURESS WE ASK THE FEES BE LOWERED OR PAYMENT ARRANGEMENTS MADE WITH EACH INDIVIDUAL TAXPAYER. THE WAY WE SEE IT IF YOU CAN HAVE PROTECTIONS FOR RENTERS AND PUT A STAY ON EVICTIONS, THE PROPERTY OWNERS SHOULD ALSO GET SOME RELIEF. AS CONSIDERING CLOSING THIS PENALTY I HOPE YOU WILL TAKE MY WORDS TO HEART THIS IS ABOUT CLIENTS WHO NEED HELP AND ARE STUCK IN A HORRIBLE SITUATION IF THIS PENALTY SIM POSED ON THEM. SIM POSED ON THEM. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND YOUR CONSIDERATION. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> YES,. >> CORONA. JAY? >> YES. GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONER AND JUDGE. I CAN ECHO WHAT A LOT OF THE SPEAKERS ARE SAYING. THIS IS NOT THE RIGHT TIME OR PLACE TO HAVE A 20% PENALTY. THE PEBBLE -- THE PENALTY WILL INCREASE COLLECTION FEES. THERE ARE MULTIPLE FIRMS TO BE ON THE SERVICES OR DEMONSTRATING THE INTENTION OF ONE FIRM AND IT DOES NOT APPEAR TO HAVE MINORITY PARTICIPATION. AND THAT THE SERVICES ARE NOT PERFORMANCE BASED. INSTEAD THEY ARE ALLOWING THE TAXES TO ACCRUE BECAUSE OF THE LARGER [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT IS THE CORRECT WAY TO APPROACH THESE THINGS. THE FEES SHOULD BE CHARGED OR MAYBE PROVIDED WITH A MORATORIUM OR CERTAIN PERIOD LIKE SIX MONTHS TO BE ABLE TO CATCH UP TO THEIR PROPERTY TAXES. THAT WOULD BE ONE OF THE CREE I HAVE A -- CREATIVE WAYS TO HANDLE THIS. [INAUDIBLE] DURING A TIME WHEN PEOPLE ARE HAVING ENOUGH OF A HARD TIME PAYING THEIR OWN TAXES ON THEIR PROPERTY AND NOT TO MENTION THE INTEREST ACCRUING ON THE PROPERTY AND THEN 20% PENALTY ON TOP OF THE INTEREST AND THE TAXES. PEOPLE ARE BARELY MAKING IT TO PAY THE TAXES THEMSELVES AND THEN THEY HAVE A FEE. A BETTER OPTION WOULD BE BRINGING IN ANOTHER FIRM OR HAVING THEM COMPETE AGAINST EACH OTHER TO SEE WHAT RATES THEY MAY SHARE OR KEEPING IT IN HOUSE. APPRECIATE YOUR TIME. THANK YOU. >> JUDGE WE HAVE ANOTHER SPEAKER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT LOOKS LIKE ECONOMICKER ELLIS -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A COMMENT. [08:45:01] >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO ASK MR. SOARD AND IT MAY BE HELPFUL TO THE SPEAKERS, HOW DOES IT WORK? IS IT 20% LOS -- PLUS LEGAL FEES OR JUST 20%? WHEN YOU ENGAGE AN OUTSIDE LAW FIRM? >> JUST 20%. THAT IS THE FEE THAT THEY COLLECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF IT IS DONE IN HOUSE LIKE THE TOLL ROAD, HOW MUCH DO OUR LEGAL FEES NORMALLY RUN COMPARED TO SAY 20%? >> AS I UNDERSTAND IT WE WOULD BE ALLOWED TO RECOVER THE ACTUAL ATTORNEYS FEES WHICH WOULD PROBABLY BE LESS THAN 50%. AND THEN I HAVE AMY WHO IS NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS MOMENT, BUT SHE CAN HELP US WHEN WE GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION TO TELL US WHO CAN ANSWER THOSE QUESTIONS BETTER THAN I. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I TAKE A NAP BEFORE WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE STILL HAVE QUITE A FEW ITEMS BEFORE WE GO TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> JOHN COTTER. >> JOHN COTTER. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> HI, THIS IS JOHN COTTER. AS A RES TENT -- RESIDENT OF HARRIS COUNTY AND GIVEN THE CURRENT PANDEMIC SITUATION, I DON'T FEEL NOW IS A GOOD TIME TO INCUR PENALTIES ON OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ESPECIALLY A 20% SURCHARGE ON THE PROPERTY TAXES. AT THIS TIME I DO NOT BELIEVE THE COUNTY SHOULD IMPOSE THE PENALTIES FOR THE DELINQUENT TAXES AND THEY SHOULDN'T -- THEY SHOULD BE IMPOSED -- THEY SHOULDN'T BE IMPOSED ON OUR NEIGHBORS IN THIS CRISIS WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURTING OR OUT OF WORK. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COURT TO CONSIDER PUTTING A STAY ON THOSE FEES AND ACTUALLY PUTTING A STAY ON THE DELAYS -- OR THE PROPERTY TAX. THAT'S ALL I HAVE. THANK YOU FOR TAKING MY COMMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> NO OTHER SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. WE WILL SAVE THE REST OF THE DISCUSSION FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. AND NOW MOVING ON UNDER PURCHASING I HAVE A NOTE THEY THEY ARE ASKING NO ACTION BE TAKEN -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH ITEM IS THAT? >> LINA HIDALGO: 1. >> THAT IS CORRECT JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER'S COURT WE WENT OVER MY ITEMS. PRECINCT 1? >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME GO BACK TO WHERE WE ARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE STILL ON THE MAIN AGENDA. WE ARE ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. PRE -- PRECINCT 2? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I HAVE A RESOLUTION. I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT AND WITH ALL OF THE THINGS GOING ON IT IS FOR EARTH DAY. THE RESOLUTION IS THAT IT WAS FOUNDED AND ENACTED AND MOTIVATED THE PASSING OF THE CLEAN AIR AND CLEAN WATER AND ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT. AND WE ARE CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF EARTH DAY AND NOTE THAT THE CONTRIBUTIONS EARTH DAY HAS MADE TO THE COLLECTIVE UNDERSTANDING OF THE IMPACT THEY ARE HAVING ON THE HEALTH OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND WHEREAS YOU AND CONTINUING CHALLENGES INCLUDING CLIMATE CHANGE, POLLUTION, SEA LEVEL RISE AND LOSS OF WET LANDS AND OTHER WILDLIFE HABITAT REINFORCES THE NEED FOR ADEQUATE PROTECTIONS FOR THE AIR WE BREATHE AND THE WATER WE DRINK AND THE LAND WE INHABIT. MORE THAN EVER IT IS IMPORTANT TO COOPERATE LOCALLY TO DEFEND THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE PROGRESS MADE AND CONTINUE TO MAKE STRIDES TOWARD AND TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE. EARTH DAY IS A REMINDER OF OUR RESPONSIBILITY IN THE GLOBAL EFFORT TO COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE AND TO PROTECT OUR PLANET FOR ALL RECOGNIZING THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATIONS WILL BE AFFECTED CLIMATE CHANGE. WHEREAS EVEN COVID-19 COULD NOT CO -- COHORT THE MANY EARTH DAYS HOST OWED VIRTUAL PLATFORMS IN OUR OWN BACKYARDS. AS FOR WHAT THE EARTH WILL LOOK LIKE 50 YEARS FROM NOW DEPENDS ON OUR ACTIONS [08:50:02] TODAY. WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO CELEBRATE THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET WE CALL HOME. AND BE IT RESOLVED THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT DESIGNATES APRIL 22ND, 2020 AS EARTH DAY IN HARRIS COUNTY AND IT URGES ALL RESIDENTS TO DO THEIR PART TO BE GOOD STEWARDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT. AND THAT IS A RESOLUTION I HAVE BEEN ANXIOUS TO MAKE ALL DAY. [APPLAUSE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I DID HAVE ONE EYE -- ITEM TO MOTION WHEN APPROPRIATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 2. SO PRECINCT 3? >> I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION, BUT I WILL TRY TO -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A QUESTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER RADACK, COULD I GO BACK TO THE -- STEVE STEVE I'M SORRY. COULD I GO BACK TO THE PRECINCT 2. ON THE MOTION YOU REFERENCED A BIPARTISAN APPROACH AND IN THE SPIRIT OF THE BIPARTISAN APPROACH I ASK YOU TAKE A SHORT PHRASE OUT OF THERE BECAUSE ON MY PARTISAN SIDE OF THE TABLE THERE IS A LOADED TERM WHICH MEANS PROBABLY MORE THAN WHAT YOU THINK IT MEANS ON YOUR SIDE OF THE TABLE. BUT I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THE REFERENCES TO CLIMATE CHANGE TAKEN OUT OF THERE AS A FRIENDLY MOTION. THE REST OF THAT IS AWESOME. LET'S PROTECT THE PLANET AND BE GOOD STEWARDS AND DO EVERYTHING WE CAN. I WILL MAKE A RESPECTFUL REQUEST NOT TO GET INVOLVED IN THE POLITICS OF CLIMATE CHANGE. AS AN OLD HISTORIAN, WE USED TO HAVE THE MAMMOTHS. THAT WAS A DIFFERENT CLIMATE THAN WHAT WE ARE IN NOW. GREEN USED TO BE GREEN BECAUSE OF BEING A DIFFERENT CLIMATE. I REQUEST IN THE SPIRIT OF 50 YEARS AGO AND MY PARTISAN SHIP IF YOU CAN TAKE THE WORDS CLIMATE CHANGE OUT OF THAT, THE REST OF ALL OF THIS, I WILL WHOLEHEARTEDLY SUPPORT AND I WILL SECOND IT FOR YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THAT, COMMISSIONER, BUT THOSE MAMMOTHS DON'T EXIST ANYMORE FOR A PARTICULAR REASON. I THINK WE HAD A DEGREE OF CLIMATE CHANGE BACK THEN. IT IS WHAT IT IS. IT DOESN'T STRIKE A NERVE WITH ME OTHER THAN I RECOGNIZE THE TERM. I RESPECT IT AND I UNDERSTAND WHERE YOU STAND, BUT CLIMATE CHANGE IS SOMETHING WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND EARTH DAY WAS FOUNDED WHEN PEOPLE UNDERSTOOD AND THEY MAY NOT HAVE BEEN USING CLIMATE CHANGE AT THE TIME, BUT THEY UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING TOGETHER IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER AND PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT. THE GOAL IS TO RECOGNIZE EARTH DAY AND IT IS NOT TO GET LOST IN THE SEMANTICS. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT SOUNDS LIKE WE OUGHT TO VOTE ON THE MOTION THEN. ON THE RESOLUTION. IS THAT WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM GOING TO GET SOME POPCORN THE WAY THIS CLIMATE IS CHANGING. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S EARTH DAY RESOLUTION. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> STEVE RADACK: I AM IN FAVOR OF EARTH DAY, BUT OPPOSED TO THE RESOLUTION AS PRESENTED. >> I AGREE WITH THAT AND I WILL OPPOSE IT AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RADACK, YOU HAD A POINT ON YOUR AGENDA. >> STEVE RADACK: YES, I WAS GOING TO MAKE A MOTION ON PRECINCT 3, BUT I WANTED TO TALK TO MR. POST ABOUT PEOPLE SOFT. CAN YOU TELL ME HOW EMPLOYEES RECEIVE A VOIDED CHECK? HOW MANY EMPLOYEES HAVE RECEIVED VOIDED CHECKS? >> THIS IS MIKE. I AM NOT AWARE OF ANY EMPLOYEE THAT RECEIVED A VOIDED CHECK. TO BE A VOIDED CHECK MEANS THAT WE DID SOMETHING AFTER IT WAS ISSUED TO VOID IT. WE KNOW THAT EMPLOYEES HAVE, YOU KNOW, BEEN OVERPAID. THE OVERPAYMENT HAS BEEN RECOVERED ON A SUBSEQUENT CHECK. THEY ARE MAKING THE SUBSEQUENT CHECK LOWER. WE HAVE HAD A FEW EMPLOYEES THAT INITIALLY WHEN WE RAN THE PAYROLL. [08:55:03] WE REPLACED THE CHECKS EVEN IF WE HAD TO DO A SEPARATE PAYROLL RUN. TOO AN ACCOUNTANT TO AVOID A CHECK MEANS YOU HAVE ISSUED A CHECK AND THEN YOU SUSEQUENT -- SUBSEQUENTLY VOID IT BECAUSE YOU DON'T WANT IT TO BE PROCESSED IF THAT HELPS. >> STEVE RADACK: SO THEY SHOULD NOT BE RECEIVING ANY VOIDED CHECKS? >> I AM NOT AWARE OF ANYBODY RECEIVING A CHECK THAT HAS BEEN VOIDED, NO. >> STEVE RADACK: IF YOU CAN CHECK THAT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> WE'LL CHECK. >> YOU ARE TRYING TO TELL OUR COUNTY EMPLOYEES YOU NEED TO EXPLAIN THE TERM PEOPLE SOFT. THEY MAY THINK IT IS LINGERIE. WHEN YOU DO YOUR STUDY FIGURE OUT SO PEOPLE UNDER WHAT PEOPLE SOFT IS. >> YES. AND I DO WANT SAY SOMETHING. OVER AT THE DIVISION, SHE AND I DESIGNED THE SURVEY THAT WE SEPTEMBER OUT TO A LITTLE OVER 200 PEOPLE. IT WAS A NARROWLY FOCUSED SURVEY IN THAT THE QUESTIONS WERE AIMED AT THE DEPARTMENTS -- THE DEPARTMENT'S UNDERSTANDING OF THE RECEIVING AND THAT'S WITH PEOPLE SOFT AND THE PAYABLE VENDOR VERIFICATION, BUT WE WORK TO COME UP WITH A SURVEY AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA ASKED WE SEND EMPLOYEES ALL OVER THE COUNTY WHERE WE CAN ASK THEM QUESTIONS AND GET FEEDBACK FROM THEM ON VARIOUS ISSUES SUCH AS PAYROLL AND THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH PEOPLE SOFT PAYROLL. THEY CAN'T SOME FEEDBACK FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE TO MAKE SURE WE ARE COVERING THE RIGHT THINGS. WE WILL SHARE OUR SURVEY TOMORROW WITH THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICES EVEN THOUGH IT WAS NARROWLY FOCUSED. I THINK THERE ARE COMMENTS IN THERE THAT ARE INSIGHTFUL. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER RADACK, ANYTHING ELSE ON YOUR ITEMS? >> STEVE RADACK: NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 4? >> R. JACK CAGLE: TWO THINGS, JUDGE. ONE OF WHICH IS COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1, YOU HAD A B ITEM THAT WE GOT SKIPPED OVER. DO YOU WANT TO MOVE FOR THAT ONE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK I WENT BACK AND MOVED IT. I THINK I DID. IT IS 8:30 AND I THINK I WENT BACK AND MOVED IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE YOURSELF COVERED THERE. YOU LOOKED OUT FOR ME EARLIER ON SOMETHING YOU KNEW I WAS GOING TO FLOAT AWAY ON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THE POPCORN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOU HAVE POPCORN? THIS IS HOW MUCH OF A COUNTRY BOY YOUR FRIEND. YOU KNOW WHAT THAT IS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT LOOKS LIKE CAR -- SARDINES JOOK >> R. JACK CAGLE: UP THERE ON SUNSET I DON'T THINK YOU EAT THAT OFTEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THE FACE MASK I DON'T THINK YOU SHOULD EITHER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I MOVE PRECINCT 4 ITEMS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COVID-19 WE WENT OVERALL OF THOSE ITEMS SO WE CAN SKIP OVER TO MISCELLANEOUS. BEYOND THAT -- >> >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE A CLARIFICATION ON MISS -- MISCELLANEOUS. B THAT IS AT NO COST TO THE COUNTY, I JUST WANT TO CONFIRM. THAT'S MY UNDERSTANDING AND I JUST WANTED TO -- >> THAT IS CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: IF WE MOVE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA LET ME JUST GO DOWN EACH OF [Item II (Part 6 of 7)] THESE. THE FIRST IS ATASKA -- ATASCOCITA AND I SUGGEST WE DISCUSS THIS IN EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> THAT'S FINE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN NUMBER 2 FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT APPROVAL FOR THE [09:00:05] WATER SHED PROTECTION PROGRAM. ARE FOLKS FINE WITH THAT? THAT'S AMELDA REPAIRS. NUMBER THREE IS PURCHASING AGENT AWARDING THE TUNNEL STUDY. DO FOLKS HAVE ISSUES OR QUESTIONS THERE? >> I SAY HOORAY FORGETTING THE TUNNEL STUDY -- FOR GETTING IT UNDERWAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: NUMBER FOUR IS AN AGREEMENT WITH HOUSTON BIKE SHARE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BOTH OF THESE ARE RELATED TO PRECINCT 1 THIS. IS COMING FROM PRECINCT 1 FUNDS. ITEMS 4 AND 5. YES, 4 AND 5. I DO WANT TO AMEND ITEM FINAL AND DEWIGHT, TELL ME IF I AM WRONG BUT TO ADD AN ADDITIONAL 250,000 FOR THE PURCHASE OF ELECTRICAL BIKES WHICH WILL BRING IT TO 842,700 DOLLARS AND REQUEST THAT THE COUNTY JUDGE EXECUTE AN UH DEN -- AN ADDENDUM TO THIS AGREEMENT. >> THAT'S CORRECT, COMMISSIONER. AS LONG AS THE BIKES ARE THE ONES THAT FALL IN LINE WITH THE BIKES THAT IS NOT AN ISSUE. WE CAN WORK WITH THE OFFICE TO DO THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THESE ARE PRECINCT 1 FUNDS. I WROTE TO THE CLEANERS THIS MORNING ON A BIKE THAT WAS SO HOT I HAD TO GO BACK AND TAKE A SHOWER AND I HAD TO ADD THE ELECTRIC BIKES AND IT WILL LET THEM PRESIDENT BUSH DASH -- DASH LET THEM PURCHASE 100 OF THEM. YOU HAVE TO GET TO A DOCKING STATION AND MOST OF THEM ARE IN ONE, TWO AND I THINK THAT'S WHAT MOST OF THEM ARE. AT THE APPROPRIATE -- I WOULD LIKE TO ADD AN AMENDMENT TO NUMBER FIVE IF I CAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO YOU FOLKS HAVE ANY ISSUES WITH THAT AMENDMENT? ALL RIGHT. THE NEXT ONE ITEM 6 IS MY ITEM, AND THIS IS IF YOU WILL REMEMBER THE INITIATIVE DESIGNING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. THIS ORGANIZATION WAS DOING A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THIS IS THE IN-- THE INVOICE HE WILL SUBMIT. WE FOUND OUT HOW TO DO MORE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ONLINE JADE JADE JUDGE, >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I SHARE YOUR PASSION WITH EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION. I AM GLAD HARRIS COUNTY IS BACKING THE LEADING ROLE AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A MOTION ON YOUR ITEM RIGHT AWAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I MOVE ON IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THAT -- YOU SAID THIS IS YOUR ITEM. IS THIS COMING OUT OF YOUR BUDGET? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, THIS IS OUT OF MY BUDGET. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU. AND THEN ITEM 7, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I WANT TO FIRST AGAIN COMMEND ALL OF OUR FIRST RESPONDERS FOR THE WORK THEY HAVE BEEN DOING IN CONJUNCTION WITH YOU AND ALL OF US, PARTICULARLY THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME. FOR YEARS THE HOSPITAL WAS A PILLAR AND A TEST MEANT TO THE CITY AND THE COUNTY. IT WAS A HOSPITAL FOR NEGROS WHERE I WAS BORN IN 1954. THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR AND THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT WERE GREAT ENOUGH TO PURCHASE THE FACILITY AND PULL IT OUT OF A NUMBER OF LEGAL ISSUES AND GIVE IT TO THE COUNTY. I CALLED ANNE STERN FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT. WE WANT TO SEE IF THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT OR CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT CAN GO THAT WAY AND IT CAME WITH THE DISCUSSIONS WITH THE MAYOR OVER AT THE CITY ABOUT MAYBE GIVING US AND THEY ARE MAKING THIS A MORE COMPLETE COMPLEX. ANDY EKIN SAID MAYBE THE CITY COULD SELL SOMETHING AND ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO [09:05:10] ENCOURAGE MORE COOPERATION BETWEEN OUR HEALTH DEPARTMENTS WOULD BE HELPFUL. I HOPE ONE DAY WE WILL GET TO THE POINT WE CAN MERGE THE TWO. I AM NOT USING THE DREADED M-WORD NOW. THEY ARE USING AN ENGINEERING FIRM AND WE HAVE TO LOOK ABOUT IF IT IS FEASIBLE TO PUT THEM THERE. IT MAY SAVE US MONEY TO SIT IN THE COUNTY. SURELY YOU CAN USE SOME FACILITIES JOINTLY. IF THERE ARE BREAK ROOMS AND CONFERENCE ROOMS, BUT THIS IS FOR THE ENGINEERS TO FIGURE OUT. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS BEYOND MY PAY GRADE I'M SURE MR. BLOUNT WILL STEP IN TO TRY TO ANSWER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IS DR. SHAW ON BOARD WITH IT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. AND SO IS -- I CAN'T RIGHT NOW. WILLIAMS, STEVEN WILLIAMS. PLEASE DON'T TELL HIM I COULDN'T THINK OF HIS NAME. IT IS 8:40, BUT THEY ARE BOTH ON BOARD. IT IS NOT MERGING THE TWO. IT IS CO-LOCATING. IT IS THE SAME BUILDING AND MAYBE WHOEVER IS DOING THE FEASIBILITY CAN FIGURE THAT OUT. >> YES, COMMISSIONER, WE WILL LOOK AT THAT WHEN WE DO THE STUDY. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JAMES. ITEM NUMBER 7 YOU ARE APPROVING IT AS WORDED ON THE IS UP -- SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION IS THAT THEY CONDUCT A FEASIBILITY STUDY TO ESTABLISH A COMBINED CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT FACILITY AND FORM A RIVERSIDE HOSPITAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >>. I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE NEXT ONE IS YOURS AS WELL, COMMISSIONER, NUMBER EIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK WE MADE A HISTORIC, AND A DIFFICULT AND AN IMPORTANT DECISION WHEN THIS COUNTY ADOPTED THE RAINFALL RATES. WE HAD A DISCUSSION EARLIER ABOUT PROTECTING THE PLANET AND WHETHER YOU WANTED CLIMATE CHANGE OR SOMETHING ELSE FOR US TO ADOPT THE MORE STRINGENT REQUIREMENTS, PEOPLE TO BUILD IN THE PART OF THE COUNTY THAT WE CONTROL IN AN EFFORT TO REDUCE CHALLENGES RELATED TO FLOOD WE REALLY OUGHT TO JUST DENY THAT IT FLOODS IF WE HAVE TO DO IT ALONE. IF WE CAN'T FIGURE OUT A WAY TO GET PARTNERS AT THE CITY, CITIES, CITY OF HOUSTON AND OTHER CITIES IN THE COUNTY AND THE NEIGHBORING COUNTIES AT THE VERY LEAST AREAS IN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES THAT ARE IN THE CITIES. E T.J., THE CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY, WE OUGHT TO JUST REPEAL OUR PROVISIONS. THEY WOULD BE FOR NOT. WHAT I AM DOING HERE AND I WANT MR. BLOUNT TO COMMENT ON, BUT I MOVE THAT HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT PREPARE A RECOMMENDATION FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT AS TO HOW THE COUNTY CAN MOST EFFECTIVE LIE -- EFFECTIVELY COMPARE OTHER JURISDICTIONS INCLUDING MUNICIPALITIES TO COMPLY WITH DRAINAGE STANDARDS. I WOULD LIKE FOR MR. BLOUNT OR POPPY TO WALK THROUGH AND REMIND US WHAT ATLAS 14 MEANS AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT AND WHY IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR OTHERS TO DO IT AS WELL. >> YES, COMMISSIONER, JOHN BLOUNT. ATLAS 14 IS THE ADJUSTED RAINFALL THAT THE COUNTY NOW USES. IT IS A MUCH HIGHER RATE THAN WHAT THE RAINFALL WAS PREVIOUSLY THOUGHT TO BE. THE FACT IS IT IS THE RAINFALL. WE ARE USING IT, BUT IF INDIVIDUALS DON'T USE IT, IT ESSENTIALLY NEGATES THE BOND, THE FLOOD CONTROL BOND PROGRAM BECAUSE WE ARE PUTTING INFRASTRUCTURE IN [09:10:01] WHILE ADJACENT CITIES OR COUNTIES ARE ACTUALLY CAUSING FLOODING BY NOT USING THE APPROPRIATE RAINFALL RATES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S MY MOTION AND I AM MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. UNANIMOUSLY IT LOOKS LIKE. NEXT IS ITEMS 9 AND 10. WE HAVE ALREADY COVERED. ITEMS 11 THROUGH 20 ARE ALL OF THE COVID-RELATED ITEMS WE ALSO COVERED ALREADY. >> YAG, IS UP PLAW -- JUDGE, SUPPLEMENTAL 10 IS THAT A NO ACTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S SEE. SUPPLEMENTAL 10, IS THAT A NO ACTION? THAT'S THE PEOPLE SOFT DISCUSSION WE HAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE HAVE ALREADY HAD THAT DISCUSSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S NO ACTION, JAMES. >> JUDGE, I DO WANT TO DOUBLE CHECK, AND I MEANT TO ASK THIS EARLIER, BUT I AM IN FAVOR OF THE DISCUSSION WITH REGARD TO RIVERSIDE EARLIER AND I VOTED FOR. IT BUT I DO WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY LOOKS AT THAT SINCE WE DO HAVE SOME FUNDS IN THERE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THAT. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU MAY HAVE ALREADY HAD THAT CHECKED, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE SPECIAL FUNDS AND WE ARE COPA SET PARTICULAR WITH THE LAW AND ALL OF THAT. >> AND WE WILL WORK WITH JOHN BLOUNT. >> THAT'S ALL I AM ASKING. LET'S HAVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY DO A DOUBLE CHECK AND BEFORE WE GET TOO FAR DOWN THE ROAD IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WE BRING IT BACK FOR US. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO VOTE ON IT AGAIN WITH THAT AMENDMENT? >> I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS NECESSARY. IT IS A REQUEST FOR THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND WE WILL HONOR THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IN THAT CASE, SO 11 THROUGH 20 AS I SAID ARE ALL THE COVID-RELATED SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS WE ALREADY DISCUSSED. FOR -- BEFORE WE TAKE ON THE AGENDA LET ME SEE IF THEY NEED TO GO TO EXECUTIVE [Item IV (Part 1 of 2)] SESSION ON THE OTHER TWO ITEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT PAGE ARE THE TWO ITEMS ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 28 AND 29. ONE IS A REQUEST FROM COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 4 FOR THE PURCHASE OF REAL PROPERTY AND THE OTHER IS SETTLEMENT PROPOSAL. >> YES, JUDGE WE DO NEED TO GO INTO EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THE ELM GROVE ISSUE. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT THE OTHER ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT? >> JUDGE, IF WE ARE GOING ANYWAY IT WILL ONLY TAKE A MINUTE OR SO. IT WON'T ADD MUCH TIME TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO HERE IS WHAT I HAVE LISTED FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. I HAVE PAGE 19 ITEM 2 UNDER TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR WHICH IS THE DELINQUENT TAXES AND THAT IS A CONTRACT DISCUSSION. I HAVE GOT PAGE 27 AND ITEM 2 ON -- UNDER CORONAVIRUS WHICH IS THE REPAIRS AT LITTLE BAKER AND THAT'S ALSO TO DO WITH A CONTRACT, CORRECT, ROBERT? >> CORRECT. AND IN BOTH OF THOSE CASES TO CON -- CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND PAGE 28 SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 AND IT IS ALSO TO CONSULT WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY, AND THEN WE HAVE EXECUTIVE SESSIONS ITEMS 1 AND 2 WHICH IS ALSO -- ONE IS ON PENDING LITIGATION AND THE OTHER IS ON CONSULTATION WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY IN TERMS OF THE PURCHASE. >> JUDGE -- >> JUDGE CAN WE TAKE THE BREAK NOW? >> CAN WE TAKE THE LAST THREE SPEAKERS AND THEN DISCONNECT THEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. LET'S VOTE ON THE AGENDA FIRST -- THE SPEAKERS I TAKE IT ARE NON-AGENDA RELATED ITEMS. >> THEY ARE NOT AND THEY ARE ON HOLD. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE A SECOND ON THE AGENDA EXCEPT FOR THESE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS? WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE AGENDA? >> I. >> I. EXCEPT FOR THE ITEM THAT'S WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, JUDGE. AND ALSO I AM A NO ON PAGE 16 AND ITEM 16. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? [09:15:03] >> I AM I ON EVERYTHING. I AM ALSO PAGE 16 AND ITEM 16 I AM GOING TO -- I AM A NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. THANK YOU. WE CAN TAKE -- LET'S TAKE THE LAST THREE SPEAKERS AND THEN TAKE A BREAK AND WE WILL COME BACK FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT WE WERE TAKING A NAP. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL NEVER MAKE IT OUT OF HERE. >> MICHAEL LEE. >> I CAN'T HEAR YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, SIR. >> YOU CAN SPEAK. >> I WOULD LIKE TO SCHEDULE A MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER ELLIS CONSIDERING THE DRAINAGE PLAN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. FLOOD CONTROL HAS TAKEN MY HOMESTEAD AND FLOOD CONTROL HAS FAILED TO APPROVE A REASONABLE ALTERNATIVE PLAN. THE FLOOD CONTROL IS TRYING TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM TIMELY AND PROFESSIONALLY. IT HAS DENIED MY RIGHTS FINANCIALLY AND IT HAS AFFECTED ME EMOTIONALLY AND PUTTING A GREAT STRESS AND NEGATIVELY AFFECTING MY HEALTH. I HAVE A HEART CONDITION AND IT HAS BEEN A VERY STRESSFUL PROCESS AND I BELIEVE THERE IS RETALIATION FROM THE COMMUNITY OF RIVERSIDE OF FLOOD CONTROL VIOLATION OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT GUIDELINES. DECEMBER OF 2018 I MET WITH THE FLOOD CONTROL BUDGET MANAGER AND THEY HAD PLANS TO REACH THE BRIDGE CROSSING [INAUDIBLE] AND PLACING A 16-FOOT WIDE -- IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOOD -- [INAUDIBLE] IN NOVEMBER OF 2019 I COMPLIED WITH FLOOD CONTROL AND THE COMMISSIONER'S OFFICE TO PROVIDE AN ALTERNATIVE DESIGN TO SIGN BY -- HOUSTON CODE. FLOOD CONTROL NEVER HOSTED THE MEETING. THEY REJECTED THE PLANS. THE PROJECT MANAGER NEVER PRODUCED THE NOTES. ON APRIL -- IN APRIL 2 -- IN APRIL 2020 THEY ARE $50,000 IN CONSTRUCTION COSTS. THEY WILL COMPLY WITH ALL FLOOD CONTROLS AND REQUIREMENTS AND FLOOD CONTROLS WITH CORRECT INTERPRETATION TO PLAN AND THE INCORRECT INFORMATION PRESENTED TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. APRIL 2020 ALTHOUGH FLOOD CONTROL HAD A MEETING IN 2019 THE RESIDENTS AFFECTED [09:20:23] CANNOT BE FOR DESIGN. TWO WEEKS AGO FOLLOWING MY NEIGHBOR WHICH I HAD DONE. RECORDS SHOW FLOOD CONTROL MOVED OUT TO BE COMPLY -- COMPLIANT WITH COMMUNITY [09:26:11] ENGAGEMENT. AND THERE ARE NO DOCUMENTS COMPLYING -- LEAN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. [Item I (Part 7 of 7)] THANK YOU. >> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> [INAUDIBLE] MY IMPORTANCE AND IT IS ABOUT MONEY AND IT IS BEING TRANSLATED AROUND THE WORLD. I GOT STUFF FROM THE THE BREDTH OF MINTS. AND THERE IS STUFF GOING ON, RELIGIOUS AND STUFF LIKE THAT. I CAN SEE THAT GOING ON AND -- BUT I HAVE THEM WANTING TO SURVEY ME AND THEY WANT ME TO ASK QUESTIONS AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT Y'ALL HAVE NOT ACCOMMODATED ME THE WAY I NEED TO BE ACCOMMODATED. I AM GETTING YOU ALL ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I CAN START -- I CAN SEND MONEY AND I AM TRYING TO GET YOU OUT ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I HAVE DOCUMENTS FROM THE EXCHANGE AND Y'ALL NEED TO COME TO ME SO I CAN SIGN THE [Item II (Part 7 of 7)] DOCUMENT AND ASK QUESTIONS FOR Y'ALL. [INAUDIBLE] AND THERE IS CHANGES GOING ON AROUND THE WORLD. [INAUDIBLE] I AM TRYING TO HELP YOU PEOPLE CAN GET YOURSELVES BACK ON TRACK. SO I CAN DO FOR MYSELF AND TAKE CARE OF MYSELF -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. >> MR. WILLIAMS. >> YES. I DON'T WANT TO TAKE IT TO A PUBLIC FORUM, BUT I WANT TO TOUCH BASE WITH OFFICER CHABAZ AND THE CITY COUNCIL. I LEFT A MESSAGE AND CALLED HIM BACK AND HE CALLED ME BACK AND YOU CAN ONLY CALL [INAUDIBLE]. THIS MATTER SHOULD NOT BE PUT ON A PUBLIC FORUM. ONCE I EXPLAIN YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND ONCE YOU HEAR IT YOU WILL UNDERSTAND AND YOU CAN APPRECIATE THAT I HAVE BEEN PUT IN A PUBLIC FORUM FOR A PARTICULAR [Item IV (Part 2 of 2)] REASON. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS MATTER. I APPRECIATE THESE PEOPLE WILL GET THE SERIOUSNESS OF THIS TOO THAT YOUR OFFICE CONTACTS THE OFFICE OF THE FELLOW WHO REPLACED WHEN YOU HEAR IT, YOU WILL INSTANTLY REALIZE -- I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING AND I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT IT TO THE PUBLIC FORUM. [09:30:01] THIS IS DEADLY SERIOUS, RODNEY ELLIS, YOU SHOULD NOT BRAG ABOUT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT. IT IS QUITE EMBARRASSING, BUT I WILL SAY IT. THIS IS KNOWN BY THE UNITED STATES ASSISTANT ATTORNEY. I'M SORRY. I THOUGHT YOU SAID SOMETHING. I AM IN MY FOURTH YEAR -- I AM IN MY FIFTH YEAR WAITING FOR AN STD RESULT. SEE HOW EMBARRASSING IT IS TO SAY THAT? DON'T CORY ABOUT ME. DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME. AND RODNEY, DON'T YOU BRAG ABOUT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT. WHEN I SPOKE DECEMBER 17TH BEFORE THE COMMISSION AREA -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT I SHOULD HAVE POINTED TO MY LIP SOMETHING HAPPENED IN THE JAIL. THE GUY THAT IS PIGEON TOWED WITH THE GLASSES AND WHEN I ASKED -- [INAUDIBLE] ASKED FOR A COMPLAINT FORM, BUT DOWN THERE, NOT UP THERE, BUT DOWN THERE, THAT IS ONE OF THE REASONS WHY. IT IS BECAUSE OF HER. THERE IS SOMETHING GOING ON RODNEY ELLIS THAT IT IS RIGHT WITHIN YOUR PER VIEW THAT YOU ARE REALLY -- YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT. WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT IT YOU WILL APPRECIATE EVERYTHING I SAID. I AM GLAD YOU PUT IT IN A PUBLIC FORUM. IT IS BLOODILY SERIOUS. THE POLICE WAS CALLED AND ONE OF THE POLICE WHO ARRIVED, IT WAS AN ACTIVE DUTY POLICE OFFICER AND HE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING. HE DO ANYTHING. WHEN I EXPLAIN IT TO YOU YOU WILL SEE WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. AND THERE THERE WAS A MEXICAN SERGEANT AND THE POLICE OFFICERS DROVE ME: AND THEY DID NOT -- I DON'T CARE, BUT HE DIDN'T TRY TO DO ANYTHING. WHEN I EXPLAIN IT TO YOU YOU WILL REALIZE. IT IS BLOOD SERIES. IT IS BLOODY SERIOUS RODNEY ELLIS. THIS IS HOW DIRTY THE CITY IS. DON'T BE BRAGGING, IT IS MASSIVELY CORRUPTED. ANYWAY, I AM -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOLKS. LET'S BREAK AT 8:55 AND WE WILL BE GOING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. IT IS 8:55 AND WE ARE BREAKING FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. DO WE HAVE TO GO BACK OVER IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE DISCUSSING ITEM 2 ON PAGE 19 AND WE WILL TALK WITH OUR ATTORNEY ABOUT THAT AGREEMENT AND PAGE 27 ITEM 2 ON REPAIRS AT LITTLE BAKER AS WELL AS PAGE 28 ITEM 1 ON ATASCACITA, BOTH ARE CONSULTING WITH AN ATTORNEY ON THE -- ON THOSE NEGOTIATIONS AND THEN EXECUTIVE SESSIONS ITEM ONE IS TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY ON A AGREEMENT AND ITEM 2 IS ON LITIGATION. >> YES, MA'AM, AND WE WILL NEED JOHN BLOUNT ON THE LITTLE BAKER ISSUE AND CERTAINLY BILL JACKSON ON THE TAX ISSUE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO. IT IS 8:56. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND WE NEED JOHN BLOUNT ON THE M GROVE ONE. >> AND WE HAVE RUSS POPPY HERE AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: PERFECT. ALL RIGHT. CATCH YOU GUYS ON THE CALL LINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IT IS 9:57 AND WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION. IS EVERYBODY BACK? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ELLIS IS HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL HERE. >> I THINK I AM CLEAR AND I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> LINA HIDALGO: TAKINGNESS IN ORDER, ON PAGE 19 UNDER THE TAX ASSESSOR COLLECTOR WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO OVER -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SIMPLY -- JUDGE, I SIMPLY MOTION WE REDUCE THE DELINQUENT FEE TO THE LOWEST AMOUNT LEGALLY ALLOWED DURING THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: COMMISSIONER IF YOU WOULD ACCEPT AN AMENDMENT I COULD SAY THE LOWEST AMOUNT -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: 15%. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOWEST ALLOWED AND NO LESS THAN 15%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE OPTION IS 15 OR 20, RIGHT? IT IS LATE. I THINK YOU TOLD ME THAT EARLIER. HE IS NOT BACK. THE AMENDMENT IS FINE. I THINK HE SAID YOU COULDN'T DO 16 OR 17. THAT IS THE LOWEST AMOUNT LEGAL, 15. IS THAT CLEAR, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, WE CAN'T HEAR YOU IF YOU ARE SAYING SOMETHING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. LEEP >> LINA HIDALGO: ARE YOU STILL SILENCED, ROBERT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS COMING BACK. I MOTION WE REDUCE THE TAX DO LINK WENT -- I MOTION WE RE-- REDUCE THE TAX DE LINK WENT -- DELINQUENCY FEE TO 15 DURING THIS ECONOMIC CRISIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE NEXT ONE IS ITEM 2 ON PAGE 27 AND THAT IS THE REPAIRS AT LITTLE BAKER AND THAT IS NO ACTION. THE NEXT ONE IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 ON PAGE 28. IT IS THE ATASCATI -- ATASCACIA AND I MOVE THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH ATASCACITA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. AND THEN WE MOVE ON TO SCUTES -- TO EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM NUMBER ONE AND THAT IS ON ELM GROVE. AND HERE THE IDEA IS FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO WRITE A FINAL OFFER TO THE DEVELOPER. RUSS, IF YOU CAN GO OVER WHAT YOU WILL INCLUDE IN THAT LETTER. >> YES, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. WE WILL BE OFFERING A DOLLAR VALUE TO THE FINGER FOUR PARTNERS CONTINGENT UPON US EXECUTING AN AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON THAT WOULD IDENTIFY ASSETS THAT ARE IN THE AMOUNT AT LEAST 50% OF THE VALUE WE ARE OFFERING IN CASH AND THAT THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND THE COUNTY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO BUILD FLOOD CONTROL AND FLOOD RISK REDUCTION PROJECTS AS WELL AS GET THE CITY'S COMMITMENT TO ADOPT THE SAME CRITERIA THE COUNTY AND FLOOD CONTROL ADOPTED AT A MINIMUM INCLUDING PROPERTIES THEY HAVE ACCESS THROUGH VIA THEIR E T.J. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION -- A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> AND THAT MOTION WAS RUSS POPPY -- >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. FOR RUSS POPPY TO SEND A FINAL OFFER TO THE EFFECT THAT HE MENTIONED. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. FINALLY WE HAVE A PROPOSAL FOR A SETTLEMENT, NUMBER 2 IN THE EXECUTIVE SESSION AGENDA. DO WE HAVE MOTION FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE SETTLEMENT? >> SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTIONED BY ELLIS AND SECONDED BY CAGLE. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> IS MY PHONE WORKING NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. IT IS WORKING. >> THE SETTLEMENT IS 155,$250. $155,250. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SAY WHAT A PRIVILEGE IT HAS BEEN WITH YOU ALL AND GOOD NIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. I ECHO THAT. IT IS 10:03 P.M. AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED. >> I'M SO SORRY TO INTERRUPT. I MISSED THE MOTION ON THE TAX. MY MACHINE WASN'T WORKING. CAN YOU TELL ME WHAT THAT WAS TO MAKE SURE I AM COMFORTABLE WITH IT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME GET IT AND I WILL READ IT AGAIN. >> I APOLOGIZE. COMPUTER PROBLEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I PUT IT AWAY SO QUICK. HERE IT IS. I WAS CLEANING UP MR. SOARD. I MOVED THAT WE REDUCE THE DO LINK -- THE DUE LINK WENT TAX PENALTY FEE TO 15% TO OFFER RELIEF TO TAXPAYERS DURING THE ECONOMIC CRISIS. >> THAT IS CORRECT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: ROBERT JUST SO I AM CLEAR I AM SAYING PUT IT THERE, PERIOD. I WANT IT TO STOP WHEN THE CRISIS IS OVER, ABOUT YOU 15% BECAUSE OF THE ECONOMICS. >> THAT'S HOW I READ IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED TO DO THE MOTION AND THE VOTING AGAIN, ROBERT? >> NO, MA'AM. YOU HAVE DONE THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S TRY IT AGAIN. IT IS EVEN -- IT IS 10:04 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS NOW ADJOURNED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WAIT, DISCUSSION! DISCUSSION! >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD NIGHT, GUYS. * This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.