Jul 14, 2020 Commissioners Court

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>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S GET STARTED. IT IS EVEN:01 AND I WOULD -- 10:01 AND I WOULD LIKE TO CALL THE JULY 14TH, 2020 TO ORDER.

>> GOOD MORNING. IS PASTOR WILSON ON THE LINE? >> YES, BUT CAN YOU HOLD FOR A MOMENT? I AM HAVING A TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY.

I AM GOING TO MEET EVERYBODY. PLEASE HOLD. >> ALL RIGHT.

>> UNIVERSAL SERVICES IS CHECKING ON IT, JUDGE. WE ARE HAVING TROUBLE

RECORDING. BEAR WITH ME ONE SEC. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

LUCINDA. >> JUDGE, YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND PROCEED.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: GOOD MORNING, YOUR HONOR. I THINK WE HAVE PASTOR KENT WILSON. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO HAVE THE PRIVILEGE TO INTRODUCE HIM?

AIDE AIDE I -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LOVE TO.

THANK YOU FOR BRINGING HIM WITH US TODAY. THANK YOU JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. IT IS MY PLEASURE AND HONOR TO INTRODUCE PASTOR KENT WILSON.

PASTOR KENT JOINED SOUTH DRIVE BAPTIST CHURCH IN CHANNEL VIEW, TEXAS AS CO-PASTOR IN 2013 AND BECAME PASTOR SOON THEREAFTER IN SEPTEMBER OF SEPTEMBER OF 2014.

KENT WAS RAISED IN NORTHERN MISSOURI AND RECEIVED HIS BACHELOR OF THEOLOGY AND MASTER OF THEOLOGY FROM ANTIOCH BAPTIST SEMINARY. KENT HAS BEEN MARRIED TO HIS WIFE, KAREN, SINCE 1984. THEY HAVE A SON, KYLE, WHO IS A POLICE OFFICER OVER AT PASADENA ISD. THEY HAVE A DAUGHTER, KELSEY, WHO IS A TEACHER AND WORKS WITH COOL KIDS MINISTRIES AS WELL AS THREE WONDERFUL GRANDCHILDREN.

ABIGAIL, ADDISON AND COLTON. KENT SERVES ON THE CHANNEL VIEW ISD BOARD OF TRUSTIES AND WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR THAT. HE SITS ON THE BOARD OF THE COMMUNITY PREGNANCY CENTER IN PASADENA AND SERVES AS CHAPLAIN FOR THE CHANNEL VIEW FIRE DEPARTMENT AND IS A

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FOR BEING WITH US TODAY. >> THANK YOU, SIR. LET'S PRAY, OKAY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> FATHER, WE COME INTO YOUR PRESENCE.

FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT. FATHER, I THANK YOU THAT YOU -- THAT YOU ARE INCREDIBLE AND ARE -- OUR ABILITY TO TRUST YOU, WE COME INTO YOUR PRESENCE BECAUSE YOU ARE AN AWESOME GOD THAT HAS THE ABILITY TO SEE INTO OUR HEARTS AND INTO OUR LIVES. FATHER, DIRECT OUR THOUGHTS AND OUR INTENT.

FATHER, I THANK YOU FOR OUR COUNTY JUDGE AND I ASK YOU GIVE HER AS SOL LOCAL AN ASK EVEN IN FIRST CHRONICLES CHAPTER ONE, I ASK YOU TO GIVE THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT THE THING YOU GRANTED TO SOLOMON. HE ASKED FOR WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE.

I ASK YOU TO DO THOSE INCREDIBLE THINGS OF GRANTING THEM THE WISDOM THAT YOU WOULD LEAD THE COUNTY AND FATHER YOU WOULD GIVE THEM KNOWLEDGE OF THE DECISIONS THAT NEED TO BE MADE FOR THE PROTECTION AND FOR OUR COUNTY TO THRIVE. FATHER, WE ASK YOU THAT YOU WOULD PROTECT OUR COUNTY IN THIS TIME OF THIS PANDEMIC. FATHER, WE ASK YOU THAT YOU WOULD ALLOW THE NUMBERS TO DECREASE AND WOULD BECOME NOT THE FOCUS OF ALL OF OUR ATTENTION, BUT IT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE HAVE MEASURES AND ABILITIES TO WORK THROUGH AND WORK AROUND. FATHER, WE ASK YOU THAT YOU WOULD BE WITH THE FIRST RESPONDERS, THOSE THAT ARE ON THE FRONT LINES WHETHER IT IS A HOSPITAL WORKER OR THOSE THAT ARE RESPONDING TO THE ACTIONS, THOSE THAT ARE IN THE TESTING AREAS THAT ARE ON THAT FRONT LINE THAT ARE VERY SUSCEPTIBLE TO THIS VIRUS. FATHER, I JUST THANK YOU FOR THIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I THANK YOU THAT WE HAVE INDIVIDUALS LIKE RONNIE ELLIS AND MR. GARCIA AND STEVE RADACK AND JACK CAGLE. FATHER, I ASK YOU TO GIVE THEM WISDOM AS I ASKED THAT A MOMENT AGO AND FOR MISS HIDALGO.

FATHER, WE ASK FOR WISDOM THAT COMES ONLY FROM YOU. WE ASK FOR KNOWLEDGE THAT ONLY COMES FROM YOU. THAT THE JUDGMENTS AND THE DECISIONS MADE IN THIS COURT ARE THOSE THAT ARE COMING DIRECTLY FROM YOU. GIVE THEM STRENGTH OF HEART THAT THESE DECISIONS ARE NOT GOING TO BE EASY, BUT GIVE THEM CONFIDENCE FOR MAKING THE RIGHT DECISIONS FOR US AND FATHER WE WILL PRAISE YOU FOR ALL THESE THINGS AND WE THANK YOU FOR LOVING US BECAUSE WE LOVE YOU. FATHER, WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD JUST CONTINUE TO SHOW YOURSELF MIGHTY IN OUR COUNTY AND FATHER WE WILL THANK YOU AND

PRAISE YOU IN JESUS' NAME, AMEN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AMEN.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN AND LADY.

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

>> YOU BET. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. SO LET'S MOVE TO THE

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DID. THIS IS A RESOLUTION FOR RALPH COOPER WHO I HAVE KNOWN SINCE THEY CALLED IT JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL BACK THEN.

WHEREAS HOUSTON NATIVE RALPH COOPER HAS BEEN SELECTIONS INTO INDUCTION FOR THE TEXAS RADIO HALL OF FAME AND MR. COOPER'S ENGAGEMENT WITH JOURNALISM BEGAN AT 10 SELLING PERIOD YOKED CALS -- PERIODICALS DOOR-TO-DOOR IN 1960.

WHEREAS MR. COOPER'S CAREER IN BROADCASTING STARTED IN 1973 WHEN HE JOINED KYOK RADIO AND THEN MOVED TO KCOH IN 1984 AND REMAINED A RESPECTED ON AIR TALENT EVER SINCE, AND WHEREAS MR. COOPER HAS INTERVIEWED MANY SPORTS LEGENDS OVER THE YEARS INCLUDING JESSE OWENS, MA HOE IMMEDIATE ALI AND SATCHEL PAGE AND JOE LEWIS. HE REMAINS FOCUSED ON HIS COMMUNITY PARTICULARLY AFRICAN-AMERICAN YOUTH. WHEREAS MR. COOPER HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED FOR HIS EXCELLENCE IN BROADCASTING AND SERVICE TO HIS COMMUNITY INCLUDING RECEIVING A LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD FROM THE HOUSTON ASSOCIATION OF BLACK JOURNALISTS IN 2010 AND WIDELY REGARDED AS A LOCAL LEGEND. BE IT RESOLVED WE HONOR HIM

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>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE HIM ON THE LINE?

CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH. GOOD MORNING.

YES, THANK YOU. I REMEMBER RODNEY WHEN HE WAS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL AND THE MENTORING WE BOTH RECEIVED. AT THAT TIME, IN MY TIME AND HIS TIME, ALLEN E NORTON, THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL. I THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THIS, BUT I WANT TO SAY THIS.

I WANT TO COMMEND YOU ALL. I WANT TO COMMEND THE COURT. I WANT TO COMMEND COMMISSIONER HIDALGO GARCIA, ELLIS AND ALL YOU DO TO KEEPING OUR CITY SAFE.

I WANT TO ENCOURAGE YOU NOT TO GIVE UP. I WATCH EVERYTHING.

I SAW COMMISSIONER HIDALGO LAST NIGHT ON CNN. I SAW THE COMMISSIONERS JUST TODAY I THINK ON CHANNEL KHOU-TV LIVE. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO KEEP THAT UP. IF YOU REALLY WANT TO SALUTE RALPH COOPER, MAKE HOUSTON SAFE, AS SAFE AS POSSIBLE. I KNOW IT IS A BATTLE YOU ARE GOING UP AGAINST IN REGARDS TO THE GOVERNOR, BUT DON'T GIVE UP. YOU ARE TALKING TO A GUY WHO CAME FROM A NEIGHBORHOOD OF GREAT ATHLETES AND GREAT PEOPLE LIKE RODNEY, AND WE WERE TAUGHT NEVER GIVE UP. NO MATTER HOW BLEAK IT MAY LOOK, NEVER GIVE UP.

THAT'S MY MESSAGE THIS MORNING AND I THANK YOU AGAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: RALPH, WE ARE

SO PROUD OF YOU, MAN. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF I MIGHT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I JUST WANTED TO OFFER MY CONGRATULATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE. YOU HAVE BEEN A VOICE TO US ALL FOR YEARS, BUT YOU HAVE ALSO LEAD AN INCREDIBLE NUMBER OF YOUNG MEN.

THE FACT THAT YOU SAW -- YOU KNOW, RODNEY IS ALWAYS TALKING ABOUT HOW OLD HE IS.

THE FACT -- I DON'T WANT TO THINK ABOUT HOW OLD YOU MIGHT BE.

MY HEART FELT GRATITUDE AND APPRECIATION FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP IN THE COMMUNITY,

MAN. THANK YOU. >> AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ONE OF THE MOST ENJOYABLE DAYS OF MY LIFE IN RECENT YEARS WAS THE DAY OUT IN THE ACRES HOMES WITH THE COMMISSIONER GARCIA AS HE CAMPAIGNED. I NEVER WILL FORGET IT.

HE PICKED ONE OF THE HOTTEST DAYS IN HOUSTON THAT YEAR TO CAMPAIGN.

IT WAS ON JUNE 19TH, IF I'M CORRECT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S

RIGHT. >> I WILL NEVER FORGET IT. AND AGAIN TO SHOW YOU HOW WE CAN TOUCH PEOPLE AND WE ARE NOT REALLY KNOWING WE TOUCH THEM.

GEORGE FLOYD, I HAVE A BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT THAT SAYS 1983.

THE FOCUS ON THE TOURNAMENT IS TO KEEP PEOPLE -- TO GET THE YOUNG PEOPLE NOT ONLY TO THINK ABOUT COLLEGE, BUT TO THINK ABOUT GOING TO HIGH SCHOOL. ONE OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN MY TOURNAMENT BACK IN THE LATE 80S WAS GEORGE FLOYD AT RYAN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

HE PLAYED ON A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM THERE THAT WON THE TOURNAMENT TWO YEARS IN A ROW. HE PLAYED AS A 7TH GRADER AND AN 8TH GRADER.

THE THING I REMEMBER ABOUT HIM WAS, LIKE YOU ALL, HE HAD A RELENTLESS SPIRIT IN REGARDS TO NOT GIVING UP. JUST WANTED TO GET THAT IN THIS MORNING.

AGAIN, THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONERS. COMMISSIONER HUH DOLL -- COMMISSIONER HIDALGO, DON'T

GIVE UP. WE'RE WATCHING YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, GOODBYE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD A COUPLE OF RESOLUTIONS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO, JUDGE, THANK YOU. THIS FIRST ONE IS A RESOLUTION IN HONOR OF OUR VETERANS IN THE FACT THAT WHEN THEY RETURN HOME THAT WE CAN -- CANNOT FORGET THEIR SERVICE AND DO EVERYTHING TO DO OUR BEST TO BRING THEM INTO THE FOLD AS THEY RETURN FROM SERVING IN PLACES ACROSS THE COUNTRY, IF NOT ACROSS THE WORLD.

I AM SO PROUD THAT I HAVE SEVERAL REFERENCED THROUGHOUT MY ORGANIZATION.

ALWAYS HOLD THEM IN HIGHEST ESTEEM. THAT'S WHY THIS RESOLUTION IS WHEREAS NATIONAL HIRE A VETERAN DAY HAS BEEN OBSERVED ON JULY 25TH, SINCE 2017.

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WHEREAS THIS DAY RAISES AWARENESS ABOUT THE HIGH RATE OF UNEMPLOYMENT AND UNDER EMPLOYMENT AS A PROBLEM AFFECTING VETERANS WHEN THEY TRANSITION FROM THEIR SERVICE DUTIES TO CIVILIAN LIFE. IMPACTING THEIR FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES.

WHEREAS EMPLOYERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSIDER VETERANS IN THEIR EMPLOYMENT STRATEGIES, RECOGNIZING THE MANY SKILLS AND TRAITS THAT VETERANS CONTRIBUTE TO THE WORK -- WORKFORCE INCLUDING PROBLEM SOLVING, TEAM BUILDING, LEADERSHIP, LOYALTY AND COMMITMENT TO THE MISSION. WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE OFFICE HELPS VETERANS ACHIEVE THEIR CAREER GOALS, WORKING TOGETHER FOR THE TEXAS VETERANS COMMISSION AND THE TEXAS WORKFORCE COMMISSION TO CONNECT THEM WITH EDUCATION, TRAINING, JOB SEARCH AND EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES.

WHEREAS THE HARRIS COUNTY VETERAN SERVICE -- I'M SORRY. WHEREAS WE TAKE THIS MOMENT TO RECOGNIZE THE SACRIFICE AND DEDICATION RETURNING SERVICE MEMBERS MAKE FOR US IN OUR COUNTRY, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HERE BY CELEBRATES NATIONAL HIRE A VETERAN DAY BY CHALLENGING EMPLOYERS AND BUSINESSES IN HARRIS COUNTY TO SET A GOOD GOAL -- TO SET A GOAL RATHER TO INCREASE HIRING VETERAN MEN AND WOMEN TO THEIR ORGANIZATIONS. I WILL MOVE ON THAT ONE,

JUDGE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY SECOND

RESOLUTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: QUICK COMMENT.

I JUST WANT TO SAY YOU DID A GOOD JOB TO COME IN AND TAKE OVER THE VETERANS OPERATIONS.

I KNOW IN THE ADVENT OF COVID WE ARE GETTING A LOT OF CALLS WITH HEALTH ISSUES.

I DID A PODCAST WITH A NATIONAL GROUP THE OTHER DAY. A GUY CAME ON.

IT IS A NATIONAL ONE. HE HE WAS FROM HOUSTON. HE WAS HAVING AN ISSUE AND I WANT TO COMMIT TO THE WORK AND I KNOW YOU HAVE SOME METRICS TO SEE WHAT ARE WE DOING.

I WANT TO WORK WITH YOU IN THIS TIME I HAVE TO PUSH THE LIMITS.

IF YOU REVAMP THE DEPARTMENT IT IS GOOD, BUT I AM CURIOUS TO SEE WHO MAYBE IN A MILITARY TOWN LIKE BEIGE COUNTY -- LIKE BEXAR COUNTY OR SAN ANTONIO. I AM WORRIED ABOUT THEM NOW.

>> LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE SECOND RESOLUTION, JUDGE AND COLLEAGUES, IS ONE I KNOW HAS TOUCHED US ALL. IT IS ONE THAT AS ROD -- THAT HAS BROUGHT AN UNFORTUNATE DARK CLOUD OVER AN INCREDIBLE INSTITUTION IN OUR COUNTRY AND THAT IS OUR MILITARY. THIS RESOLUTION IS TO COMMEMORATE THE LIFE AND SPIRIT OF VANESSA GUILLEN. THIS RESOLUTION READS, WHEREAS ON APRIL 22ND, VANESSA GUILLEN, A 20-YEAR-OLD ARMY SPECIALIST WENT MISSING FROM FORT HOOD ESSENTIAL TEXAS ARMY POST. AND WHEREAS AFTER MORE THAN TWO MONTHS OF HER FAMILY PLEADING THE MILITARY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO HER DISAPPEARANCE AND HER ACCUSATIONS OF SEXUAL HARASSMENT, VANESSA'S REMAINS WERE FOUND. WHEREAS SADLY VANESSA WAS PART OF A LARGER COMMUNITY OF MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES SERVICES, PRIMARILY WOMEN WHO ARE VICTIMS OF MILITARY SEXUAL HARASSMENT. ALSO TRAUMA AND ASSAULT. MANY OF WHOM MUST TURN TO THE PUBLIC TO BE HEARD IN ABSENCE OF HAVING A SAFE SYSTEM IN PLACE WITHIN THE ARMED SERVICES TO REPORT VIOLATIONS AGAINST THEM. AND WHEREAS HER FAMILY REMEMBERS VANESSA'S CHILDHOOD DREAM OF BEING IN THE MILITARY AND REFLECTS ON HOW SHE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AT THE AGE OF 18. WHEREAS AN AVID ATHLETE, VANESSA WAS ON TRACK AND CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS, PLAYED IN SOCCER TOURNAMENTS, RAN MARATHONS AND WAS A LEADER IN INSPIRATION TO HER FRIENDS AND TEAMMATES.

AND WHEREAS THE CHAVEZ HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATE IS NOW MEMORIALIZED IN MANY MURALS BEING PAINTED IN HOUSTON IN HER HONOR INCLUDING THE PARK PLACE NEIGHBORHOOD IN WHICH

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WHEREAS THE LETTER NOTES THAT SEXUAL VIOLENCE DISPROPORTIONATELY IMPACTS WOMEN OF COLOR WHO ARE ALSO LESS LIKELY TO REPORT SEXUAL HARASSMENT OR ASSAULT OUT OF FEAR OF RETALIATION, HIGHLIGHTING THE NEED FOR THE MILITARY TO EMPOWER VICTIMS TO FEEL SAFE TO SPEAK UP. AND FOR THE MILITARY TO STRONGLY PUNISH THOSE THAT VIOLATE THE RIGHTS OF THEIR FELLOW SERVICE MEMBERS. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT STANDS WITH THE FAMILY OF VANESSA GUILLEN AND VANESSA'S SPIRIT AND WITH OTHERS WHO HAVE FALLEN VICTIM TO SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT INCLUDING SERVICE MEMBERS IN OUR NATION'S MILITARY. RESOLVE THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT CALLS FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION IN FORT HOOD'S HANDLING OF THE GUILLEN CASE.

JUDGE, I KNOW YOU HAVE WITNESSED AND I HAVE BEEN AT A FEW RALLIES FOR VANESSA AND HER FAMILY, THOSE WHO LOVED HER AND WERE CLOSEST TO HER. I JUST -- YOU KNOW, IT ESCAPES MY COMPREHENSION HOW OUR NATION'S FINEST, THOSE WE SEND ABROAD TO SOME OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES TO PROTECT THIS GREAT COUNTRY COULDN'T PROTECT VANESSA, AND REGRETFULLY THERE IS ANOTHER ARMY SPECIALIST WHO WAS ALSO FOUND NEARBY WHERE VANESSA'S REMAINS WERE ULTIMATELY FOUND BRINGING AN INCREDIBLE DARK CLOUD OVER THAT BASE IN PARTICULAR. I AM HOPEFUL THAT WITH THE LEADERSHIP OF OUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS THAT THE APPROPRIATE INDEPENDENT TRANSPARENT INVESTIGATION IS BROUGHT TO THIS PARTICULAR CASE BECAUSE THIS IS JUST ONE POTENTIALLY TWO.

THE INTERESTING THING ABOUT THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MORALES IS THAT IT WAS CLASSIFIED AS A DESERTER. INDICATING THAT THEY ASSUMED HE TRIED TO ABSCOND FROM HIS MILITARY SERVICE. AND SO WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT AND I ALWAYS ENCOURAGE AND SAY THAT ONE OF MY LIFE'S GREATEST REGRETS THAT IF NOT BY A SPLIT SECOND I WOULD HAVE ENLISTED IN THE ARMY. I'VE GOT A BROTHER-IN-LAW WHO RETIRED AS A LIEUTENANT COLONEL IN THE ARMY. I HAVE OTHER BROTHER-IN-LAWS AND MY FATHER-IN-LAW WAS A KOREAN WAR VETERAN, WAS DEAR FRIENDS WITH CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOREE SIP YENT -- RECIPIENT GARCIA. SO VETERANS ARE ALL-AROUND MY FAMILY AND I.

WE HONOR THEM. WE RESPECT THEM. TO HAVE THIS KIND OF TRAGEDY BE -- BEFALL A CHILD LIKE VANESSA WHO ALL SHE WANTED TO DO WAS TO LIVE HER DREAM AND SERVE OUR COUNTRY THAT THE MILITARY COULDN'T EVEN PROTECT HER ON THE BASE.

THIS IS TO REFLECT THAT WE ARE GRATEFUL FOR OUR VETERANS. THIS COUNTRY WOULDN'T BE

ANYTHING WITHOUT THEM. BUT WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER. >> THANK YOU.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I THINK THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH OUR LAST ONE WHICH IS ONE HONORING OUR VETERANS AND IT IS IMPORTANT WE HONOR OUR VETERANS. I WOULD POINT OUT THAT ACCORDING TO THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE THAT AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN ANNOUNCED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY, RYAN MCCARTHY. AND SO THE CALLS FROM THE LOCAL CONGRESS PERSONS AND FROM OUR PRESIDENT HAVE BEEN HEEDED ON THIS.

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WHILE NOT NECESSARY, BUT IT IS POSITIVE TO STATE WE SUPPORT THE INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION THAT HAS BEEN LAUNCHED AS PART OF OUR RESOLUTION. I DON'T WANT IT TO LOOK LIKE WE ARE ASKING FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS NOT HAPPENED, BUT SUPPORTIVE OF WHAT HAS UH COR -- OCCURRED SINCE THAT IS BREAKING NEWS AND I OFFER THAT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL ACCEPT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A GREAT POINT AND GREAT ADDITION.

COMMISSIONER, I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN'T COMMEND JUDGE, CONTROLLER, COMMISSIONER, SENATOR, CONGRESSWOMAN GARCIA. IT SHOWS HOW ONE PERSON CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. IT IS SOMEONE UNPRECEDENTED TO GET AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION. I THINK IT IS WORTH CALLING OUT.

I DID MAKE IT TO THE DEMONSTRATION AT CITY HALL AND I WAS IMPRESSED.

A LOT OF GROUPS AT THE COUNTY CRIMINAL JUSTICE CENTER ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND IT CALLED FOR AN INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AS WELL. I CAME OUT ON MY BIKE AND SAW YOU ON THE STAGE AND FIGURED I DEFIED THE ODDS ON THE OTHER BIG DEMONSTRATION ON COVID.

SO THEY KEPT MOTIONING FOR ME TO COME UP. I THOUGHT IT WAS IMPORTANT TO SHOW SUPPORT. SO I WAS THERE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AT A SOCIAL DISTANCE.

KUDOS TO YOU AND LEADERS FOR JUMPING ON THIS ONE. BRAVO.

I SECOND IT IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS NOT ALREADY DONE SO.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DID. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND THOSE ARE MY RESOLUTIONS, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH. SO LET'S MOVE ON TO THE COVID ITEMS ON SECTION 2 QUUN -- 21 ON THE AGENDA. IT IS ITEM 21A.

AND THIS IS BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER. WOULD YOU WALK US THROUGH

THIS? >> THIS IS REQUESTING FUNDING FOR SEVERAL ITEMS. ONE IS 6.5 MILLION FOR THE CONVERSION OF LITTLE BAKER. IT IS FOR A FULL YEAR OF OPERATION AND FULL CAPACITY AT THE NRG JURY ASSEMBLY AND EXPANDED COURTROOM AND THEN A 1.5 MILLION THAT WOULD BE FOR ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT AND LABOR FOR SANITATION SERVICES.

THIS IS A PROJECTED MAXIMUM FOR THAT YEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: DOES ANYONE

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: HOLD ON, JUDGE.

IF I MIGHT, IN ALL OF THIS WE WILL PROBABLY GET REIMBURSED BY CARES OR FIFA -- OR FEMA?

WHICH IS IT? >> THE BUDGET OFFICE CAN TELL US.

SOME MAY BE FEMA. WHAT IS NOT FEMA WOULD HAVE TO BE CARES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST CURIOUS IF BUDGET KNOWS. I AM FOR. IT BUT -- FOR IT,

BUT IF BUDGE SET ON THE LINE I AM CURIOUS. >> IT DOES FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES LINES FOR THE 426 MILLION, BUT IT HAS TO BE SPENT BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR. SO ANYTHING THAT GOES AFTER DECEMBER 31ST WOULD HAVE TO COME OUT OF THE PICK AND I AM NOT SURE IF FEMA WOULD REIMBURSE THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO CARES IS DECEMBER 31ST OR CARES AND FEMA?

>> CARES IS DECEMBER 31ST. FEMA IT WOULD HAVE TO BE A

REQUEST, AND WE WOULD HAVE TO CHECK ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO OBVIOUSLY, AND I'M SURE YOU TALKED ABOUT THE BILL, BUT THERE WILL BE MORE THAN -- THERE WILL BE MORE THAN MEAT THAN THERE IS MONEY FOR CARES. OBVIOUSLY IF WE CAN GET IT OUT OF FEMA WE OUGHT TO DO IT. IF FEMA TURNS US DOWN, OBVIOUSLY WE STILL HAVE TO PAY FOR IT, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE OUGHT TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO PRESERVE THE CARES MONEY AND

DO STUFF THAT WE CANNOT GET OTHER MONEY FOR. >> ABSOLUTELY.

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>> DID YOU SEE THE GAME THAT WOULD BE PLAYED? EVERYBODY WILL HAVE BUDGETARY ISSUES. IF FEMA DING -- DRAGS US OUT, IT WOULD BE SOMETHING WE COULD HAVE DONE THAT WE CARE ABOUT. IT IS THAT CHICKEN AND THE EGG GAME BECAUSE THEN YOU TAKE IT

OUT OF THE PICK. >> THAT'S RIGHT. AND IT IS OUR GROUP THAT IS HITTING SOME OF THE WORK. WE WILL DISCUSS THAT THIS AFTERNOON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE DID HIRE A FIRM IN GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS -- IN GLOBAL AFFAIRS TO MAKE SURE THEY STILL ARE WORKING ON THAT EARLY. IT IS JUST A QUICK LAST POINT. I KNOW COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS TRYING TO JUMP IN THERE TOO.

HAVE THEY FIGURED OUT TRANSPORTATION ON GETTING THEM FROM DOWNTOWN TO THE NEW JURY ASSEMBLY PLACE? CAN SOMEBODY COMMENT ON THAT TO NRG? I KNOW IT IS ON THE RAIL LINE, BUT WHAT ARE WE DOING IF PEOPLE HAVE TRANSPORTATION

ISSUES? >> THEY ARE WORKING WITH METRO, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FROM NRG TO THE COURTHOUSE, RIGHT? >> YES.

FIRST THEY WILL TRY TO CALL THEM DOWN TO THAT LOCATION. IF THEY ARE NOT, WE WILL HAVE

THE ABILITY TO GET THEM TO THE LOCATION VIA THE TRAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I KNOW -- I HAVE GOTTEN A CALL FROM THE CLERK ASKING ME TO USE SOME OF PRECINCT ONE'S BUDGET WHICH WE WOULD MAKE AVAILABLE, AND I I HADN'T HEARD OF ANYTHING ELSE SO I WONDER WHICH CAME OF IT.

>> THE GOAL IS TO USE METRO BECAUSE OF THE ABILITY OF THE TRAIN OR THE BUS SERVICE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, WE MAY WANT TO -- THERE IS AN ITEM UNDER DISTRICT CLERK ON THE AGENDA FOR FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION WHICH MY TEAM WAS SUGGESTING PERHAPS WE PLAY -- WE MAY WANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. I DON'T KNOW IF IT GOES

THROUGH JIM OR JOHN. ANYWAY, WE MAY DISCUSS THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE GET TO THAT ITEM -- THEY ARE PROBABLY LISTENING. MAYBE THEY CAN CALL BRANDON

AND LET HIM KNOW BEFORE WE GET TO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD A COMMENT. I CAN SEE BILL ALSO RAISING HIS HAND.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS WANTING TO GET A LITTLE BIT OF THE BREAK DOWN ON THE SUNSET OF THE 20 MILLION. 12MILLION IS FOR RELOCATION OF JURY ASSEMBLY AND FUNCTIONS AT NRG AND IF I CAN GET A LITTLE BIT MORE OF THE DETAILS OF THAT 12 MILLION I UNDERSTAND THE DISTRICT CLERK'S ITEM IS FOR 300,000 FOR TRANSPORTATION.

I WAS WANTING TO SEE IF I COULD GET A LITTLE MORE INFORMATION ON WHAT IS THIS $12 MILLION GOING FOR? IS THIS A TEMPORARY STRUCTURE? IS THIS A ONE AND WE'RE DONE? IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WOULD HAVE ON GOING BENEFITS?

WHAT IS THAT 12 MILLION GOING FOR? >> COMMISSIONER, SOME OF IT QUITE FRANKLY IS A LEASE OF THE FACILITY. EVEN THOUGH WE OWN NRG, WE HAVE A CONTRACT WITH SOMEONE WHO RENTS IT OUT. WE ACTUALLY HAVE TO RENT THE FACILITY PART IS A LEASE AND PART IS ITEMS LIKE BUILDING TEMPORARY WALLS.

NOT ONLY DO WE HAVE TO HAVE A JURY ASSEMBLY, BUT WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLACE WHERE THE JURORS CAN BE QUESTIONED AND THE POTENTIAL OF PUTTING UP COURTROOMS. REMEMBER, THESE ARE ALL ESTIMATES. SOMEONE STATED THIS IS LIKE BUILDING AN AIRPLANE WHILE YOU ARE FLYING IT. THESE NUMBERS WERE ALL ESTIMATES. THE 12 IS A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, BUT IT WAS THE ASSUMPTION OF A FULL JURY CALL LIKE WE USED TO DO FOR A YEAR WHICH WOULD BE VERY

SIGNIFICANT. >> JUDGE, THIS IS LUCINDA. WE HAVE CARL SHAW ON THE LINE WITH CONSTABLE ROSEN'S OFFICE. HE HAS MORE INFORMATION ON THE

JURORS IF YOU WOULD LIKE FOR ME TO UNMUTE HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SURE AND JIM BETKEY AS WELL. I KNOW YOU ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE JUDGES.

CHIEF SHAW, FEEL FREE TO ADD AS WELL. >> I THINK, YOUR HONOR, UNDER THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUE IS THAT THE JURORS WOULD SHOW UP AT NRG.

THEY WOULD BE QUESTIONED. ONCE THE PANEL IS SELECTED, THEN THE JURORS WOULD SHOW UP THE NEXT DAY AT THE COURTHOUSE DOWNTOWN. THE NECESSITY OF TRANSPORTING FROM NRG TO DOWNTOWN WOULDN'T BE THE TYPE THAT I THINK THEY ARE ANTICIPATING NOW.

[00:35:07]

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND I THINK WE CAN TAKE UP THAT ITEM NOW IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD SOMETHING TO MAYBE GIVE THEM A CHANCE TO GET WITH THE TEAM. I GUESS ONCE WE GET THERE LET'S TAKE THAT BACK UP WITH THE DISTRICT CLERK AND JIM BETKEY.

ONE THING I HAVE NOTICED ON THESE IS THERE ARE SO MANY DEPARTMENTS WORKING TOGETHER AND WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT COMMUNICATION IS THERE. ON THE PIECE ABOUT THE 12 MILLION, I'LL JUST FILL IN, COMMISSIONER, I WAS ON THE PHONE WITH JUDGE SCHAEFER ABOUT THAT TOPIC JUST LAST WEEK. MY UNDERSTANDING IS THESE ARE THE JURY SYSTEMS THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. THE IDEA IS, YOU KNOW WE WILL SEE WHAT THE STATE ALLOWS WITH THE TRIALS AND CERTAINLY THE JURY SELECTION WOULD ALWAYS BE AT NRG WITH SORT OF EXTREME SOCIAL DISTANCING. THEY HAVE TAKEN EXTRAORDINARY PRECAUTIONS, AT LEAST FOR THE GRAND JURY THAT'S MUST BE EM PANELS -- EM PANELED AS AN ACCESS TO JUSTICE STANDPOINT. THEY ARE STILL WATCHING WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE OTHER JURIES.

JIM -- IS JIM BETKEY ON TO ADD ANYTHING TO THIS? >> HI, JUDGE.

I AM NOT SURE IF I AM -- I THINK I NEED TO BE UNMUTED. >> YOU ARE UNMUTED.

>> VERY GOOD. YEAH, IN REFERENCE TO THE 12, THE NUMBERS WE WERE LOOKING AT , WE HAVE TO BE WARY OF NEXT YEAR AND SO WE ARE LOOKING AT A SIX-MONTH PERIOD AND JOHN SAID PART OF THAT IS THE LEASE. OUR LEASE IS 3.4 MILLION AND THEN THE ADDITIONAL EXPENSES OF CLEANING AND SANITATION AND AS JOHN MENTIONED THE BUILDOUT FOR THE JUDGES, THAT WAS ALL LIKE 2.5 MILLION GETTING TO A TOTAL OF SIX.

THE 12 MILLION, JOHN TALKED ABOUT, IS BASICALLY AFTER THE NEW YEAR AND WE'LL HAVE TO REVISIT WHETHER OR NOT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO CONTINUE USING THOSE OPERATIONS.

THE INITIAL IS JUST OVER SIX MILLION, $6 MILLION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JIM. BILL, WAS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO ADD?

>> IS THAT FOR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> I BELIEVE BACK IF MY MEMORY SERVES ME THAT METRO TRANSPORTATION FOR JURORS, THE FEE IS WAIVED.

WE NEED TO CHECK ON THAT, BUT WE DO HAVE THE MASS TRANSIT THAT GOES ALMOST DOOR-TO-DOOR BETWEEN THE COURTHOUSE AND NRG. AND SO THAT'S JUST A POINT TO

REMEMBER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THOUGHT ABOUT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE BASED ON A REQUEST PERMITTED ME TO LOAN TO PRECINCT 1 AND I THINK WE TOOK 2'S BUSS AND CAGLE OFFERED SOME AS WELL. OUR BUSES RUN HOT.

IT IS NOT AS THOUGH I WAS ACCUSTOMED TO ROLLING BACK AND FORTH.

IT WOULD HAVE BEEN PRETTY EMBARRASSING IF OUR BUS IS BREAKING DOWN.

IT IS A TOUGH EXPERIENCE FOR JURORS ANYWAY TO GO THROUGH THIS WITH THE CHALLENGES.

IF THEY DO IT PRETTY GOOD, IF NOT, LET'S NOT DO IT ON THE CHEAP FOR THE JURORS ANYWAY.

>> AND COMMISSIONER, I WANT TO POINT OUT THE GOAL IS TO CALL THE JURORS AND HAVE THEM SHOW UP AT NRG AND THEN THEY ARE EM PANELED AND THEN SHOW UP DOWNTOWN.

WE HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN WHERE JURORS MIGHT SHOW UP AT THE WRONG LOCATION.

THAT'S WHERE WE WORK WITH METRO TO GET THEM FROM DOWNTOWN TO NRG.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OH THAT'S WHY WE NEED THE BUS. IF THEY GO TO THE WRONG PLACE,

IT IS TO GET THEM TO THE RIGHT PLACE. >> CORRECT.

AND I THINK WE WORKED OUT A DEAL WITH METRO TO SOLVE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND MAYBE WHILE WE MAKE IT TO COVID AND GET TO THE DISTRICT CLERK'S ITEM IS CHECK TO SEE IF WE ARE ALIGNED. SHE HAS $300,000 FOR THIS.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT IS KEPT. IT SOUNDS LIKE THERE MAY ALREADY BE A SOLUTION TO WHAT SHE HAS ON HERE. I MESSAGED MY STAFF AS WELL.

I THINK WE HAVE TIME. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOU HAD A QUESTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I JUST HAD A BRIEF STATEMENT, JUDGE. BACK WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH I WAS A YOUNG TRIAL LAWYER THAT TRIED CASES ACROSS THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT WAS VERY COMMON ESPECIALLY IN RURAL JURY -- JURISDICTIONS TO PICK YOUR JURY ON ONE DAY AND THEN TO ASSIGN THE SELECTED JURORS FOR THEIR DATE

[00:40:01]

THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS OF THIS I AM VERY COMFORTABLE WITH AND HAVE EXPERIENCED.

I STILL WANT MORE INFORMATION REGARDING THIS USAGE OF THIS FACILITY.

BUT IN TERMS OF CHOOSING THE JURORS HERE AND THEN HAVING THEM REPORT SOMEWHERE ELSE, THAT'S NOT NEW OR NOVEL. THAT'S AN OLD TRICK OUT OF AN OLD TRIAL LAWYER'S BAG FROM WAY BACK WHEN. LIEN

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THAT WAS 21A.

21B IS THE BUDGET ITEM WE NORMALLY HAVE. AND THEN THERE IS THE SMALL CITY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WILL SOMEONE FROM BUDGET OR PERHAPS GUIDE HOUSE WALK US THROUGH THIS PROPOSAL? I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN WORKING HARD ON IT.

>> JUDGE, I THINK IT IS NOW A COIN FLIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: SOMEBODY HAS THEIR -- OH, ALL RIGHT. BILL, WERE YOU SAYING SOMETHING.

YOU'RE ON MUTE. >> YEAH, JUDGE. THIS IS SHANE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH, HI, SHANE. GO AHEAD.

>> SO LAST QUARTER THE INTER GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SUBMITTED A SURVEY THAT WE SENT OUT TO THE CITIES. THIS IS THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SMALL CITIES PROGRAM FOR THE SMALL CITIES THAT HAVE NOT OR ARE NOT GOING TO RECEIVE A DIRECT ALLOCATION FROM THE STATE. HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE ALLOCATING MONEY TO THEM.

IT WILL BE A REIMBURSEMENT-TYPE PROGRAM WHERE THEY WILL TURN IN EXPENSES AND THERE WILL BE A CEILING OF $55 PER CAPITA, YOU KNOW, PER CITY.

AND THE OTHER THING THAT THIS WILL PROVIDE IS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE CITIES SO WE CAN HELP THEM AND ASSIST THEM IN APPLYING FOR FEMA AND OTHER GRANTS.

ANYWAYS THAT'S A GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PROGRAM AND WE'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

I BELIEVE GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE CALL AS WELL. >> ROB IS UNMUTED AND TODD YOU

ARE UNMUTED. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE WE CAN COMMENT ON THIS, BUT IT COMES TO ABOUT $ 30 SOMETHING MILLION DOLLARS, RIGHT? IT IS MONEY THAT WOULD GO TO US. AND I KNOW A NUMBER OF JUDGES AROUND THE STATE WERE CONCERNED ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT HAS TAKEN AWAY MONEY FROM US WHEREAS IT COULD COME OUT OF THE STATE'S ALLOCATION OF CARES MONEY. WE JUST DECIDED INSTEAD OF FIGHTING IT, GO AHEAD AND DO IT. I WANT TO GET A SENSE OF HOW

MUCH MONEY IS IT IN TOTAL? >> THE CEILING IS 28.5 MILLION.

BASED ON THE CITIES THAT DID RESPOND, I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET THEIR EXPENSES THEY ARE LOOKING FOR REIMBURSEMENT. I DON'T THINK IT WILL BE THAT HIGH.

WE WILL HAVE TO MONITOR AS WE GO. THE CEILING IS 28.5 MILLION.

>> THEY WILL NEED TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO APPLY FOR IT AND GO THROUGH

A PROCESS, RIGHT? >> YES. WE WILL HAVE TECH ANYTHING -- TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE NOT JUST WITH OUR PROGRAM, BUT MAYBE WITH OTHER GRANTS AS WELL.

SOMETIMES THEY DON'T HAVE THE TECHNICAL SKILLS TO DO THAT. ESPECIALLY THE SMALLER ONES.

THAT'S PART OF THE PLAN AND PART OF THE PROGRAM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE YOU CAN ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK AT SOME OF THE THINGS WE HAVE DONE THAT THEY COULD PUT MONEY INTO, SOME OF THE MONEY TO HELP IN THEIR COMMUNITIES LIKE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM THAT WE JUST DID. THEY CAN ADD SOME MONEY TO THAT ORDER DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. COMPARED TO THE SCALE OF MONEY WE PUT OUT, IT IS NOT NEARLY AS MUCH, BUT OBVIOUSLY WE ARE PUTTING MONEY IN THOSE COMMUNITIES. SO IT WILL AT LEAST ENCOURAGE THEM ON THAT.

THAT'S MY THOUGHT. AND THEN I HAVE ANOTHER QUESTION UNRELATED TO THIS, BUT THERE MIGHT BE QUESTIONS ON THIS, JUDGE, BY SOMEBODY ELSE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD A QUESTION AND I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS FOR SHANE TOO. IS THAT ALL RIGHT, COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. AND THEN I WILL COME BACK AND I WANT TO ASK ABOUT BROADER

POT OF MONEY. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER.

YOU'RE ON MUTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE WE GO.

[00:45:04]

FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD. HAVE WE LOOKED AT THAT TO TO SEE THE WAY WE WILL DISPERSE THIS WILL PROTECT THEEN -- THE ENTIRE ALLOCATION WE HAVE GOTTEN THAT IT WILL PROTECT IT

FROM POTENTIAL CLAW BACKS? >> COMMISSIONER, WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE FUNDS.

THIS IS HARRIS COUNTY'S FUNDS AND ULTIMATELY THE OIG WOULD COME AFTER US.

AS PART OF A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM WE WILL MAKE SURE ALL OF THE PIECES ARE IN PLACE.

SO WHEN THEY ARE SUBMITTING THEIR EXPENSES THAT WE CHECK THOSE EXPENSES AND MAKE SURE THEY ARE ELIGIBLE AND, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE OF THE REASONS WE SET THEM UP THIS WAY. WE ARE THE ONES ULTIMATELY RESPONSIBLE.

WE WILL MAKE SURE THAT'S IN PLACE. YES, SIR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND SHANE, I THOUGHT PART OF THE OTHER COUNTY THAT'S GOT THE FUNDS DISPERSED TO THEIR CITIES, THEY JUST GAVE THEM THE 55 PER CAPITA AND THAT'S IT.

MY UNDERSTANDING IS YOU CAME UP WITH A SYSTEM THAT WAS MORE STRATEGIC THAT THEY CAN CHOOSE FROM A SET OF OPTIONS. IS THAT RIGHT? CAN YOU EXPLAIN HOW THAT WOULD

WORK? >> YEAH, SO SOME OF THE OTHER LARGER CITIES OR THE COUNTY THAT'S RECEIVE A DIRECT ALLOCATION AND SOME DID GET SOME OF THE $55 UP FRONT.

OTHER ONES DID LIKE THE STATE IS DOING WITH THE SMALLER CITIES.

SOME ARE DOING WHAT WE ARE DOING WHICH IS A STRICT REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM.

WE BASICALLY HAVE THREE CRITERIA. WE WILL REIMBURSE THEM THE 25% FEMA MATCH. WE WILL ALSO HAVE AN OPTION IN THERE OR A CRITERIA WHERE IF IT IS JUST REIMBURSED BY THE CARES ACT, THERE ARE CERTAIN THINGS FEMA WILL NOT REIMBURSE. WE HAVE THAT OPTION AS WELL. THE THIRD OPTION I GUESS WHAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS GETTING TO, IF THEY HAVE A BUSINESS CASE ON SOME OTHER PROGRAM OR SOME OTHER EXPENSE THAT THEY WANT TO SUBMIT TO US, WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AND IF IT MEETS THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS WE CAN APPROVE THAT.

>> AND THAT IS BASED ON THE DISCUSSIONS YOU HAD WITH THE CITIES?

SO WE CAN SEE WHAT WORKS BEST FOR THEM? >> YES.

PART OF THIS IS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. THIS IS APPROVED TODAY, THEN WE WE WILL PLAN A KICKOFF MEETING AND WEBINARS TO EXPLAIN THE PROGRAM.

AND SO WE WILL COMMUNICATE THAT TO THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: TWO POINTS.

ONE ON THAT ONE, MY SUGGESTION IS IF YOU ARE A SMALL CITY AND WE CAN OFFER TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE ON WHAT YOU COULD USE UNDER THIS FORMULA. I AM JUST SUGGESTING YOU MAY POINT OUT TO THEM, LIKE WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, YOU COULD TELL THEM, LOOK, YOU CAN TAKE YOUR MILLION DOLLARS IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HELP SOME OF YOUR BUSINESS THAT'S ARE STRUGGLING AND PUT IT IN THAT POT IF THERE IS A WAY TO DO IT AND DIRECT IT TO JUST THOSE BUSINESSES IN YOUR PRECINCT. OR FOR THAT MATTER WITH THE DIRECT ALLOCATION. AND I AM ONLY THINKING THAT I SAW AN E-MAIL THIS MORNING THAT SAID 700,000 PEOPLE INQUIRED OR GOT ONLINE TO ASK ABOUT THE SMALL BUSINESS LINE. I KNOW WE HAD TO TURN DOWN 450,000 PEOPLE ON THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. I'M JUST SAYING, THEY CAN MAKE THAT DECISION ON WHAT TO TRY TO USE THE MONEY FOR. YOU COULD SUGGEST THAT IT MAY BE ONE WAY THAT SOME OF THEM WILL GET TO USE ALL OF THE MONEY INSTEAD OF TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO USE IT ON AND THE CLOCK RUN ON THEM. YOU GOT ME? IT IS A SUGGESTION.

AND THEN ON THE BROADER ISSUE, I WANT TO ASK THE FOLKS ABOUT THIS ONE.

I HAD MY BRIEFING ON ZOOM. WE WENT THROUGH -- I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT THE POTS OF MONEY WE HAVE GOTTEN AND ON THIS CHART I AM LOOKING AT, THE STATE HAS REMAINING UNDERSTATE CONTROL -- UNDER STATE CONTROL UNDER CRF FUNDS, CARES RELIEF FUNDS, 7.46 BILLION.

THE INITIAL PAYMENT TO THE STATE WAS 8.04 BILLION. THERE IS 7.4 THAT IS STILL THERE AND I AM JUST TRYING TO FIGURE OUT, IT IS CARES MONEY AND I ASSUME IT HAS THE DECEMBER 1ST DEADLINE. CAN GUIDE HOUSE GIVE ME SOME SENSE OF WHAT ALL OF THIS NEED OUT HERE AND I'M GLAD THAT WE DECIDED TO GIVE THE MONEY TO THE CITIES.

[00:50:07]

7.46 BILLION IF GUIDE HOUSE KNOWS? >> COMMISSIONER, CAN YOU GUYS

HEAR ME? >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> SO COMMISSIONER, OBVIOUSLY WHAT YOU JUST STATED ARE THE FACTS THAT WE KNOW THE STATE OF TEXAS HAS ALLOCATE SMED FUNDS TO THE -- ALLOCATED SOME FUNDS TO MUNICIPALITIES. WE DON'T KNOW WHAT SOMEBODY FROM THE JUDGE'S OFFICE MAY HAVE SOME ON WHAT TO DO. WE DO HAVE AN IDEA.

WE ARE WORKING WITH OTHER STATES AND THEY ARE ALLOCATING THOSE FUNDS OUTSIDE OF GIVING IT TO THE MUNICIPALITIES THAT DID NOT RECEIVE A DIRECT ALLOCATION.

IT IS FOR BROADBAND PROGRAMS AND TESTING AND CONTACT TRACING AND FOR BULK PURCHASES OF PPE AND STATEWIDE NEEDS AND COMING UP WITH THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL AND COMING UP WITH RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL. THAT'S WHAT WE ARE SEEING OTHER STATES DOING.

WE DON'T HAVE A CLEAR INDICATION OF THE PROGRAMS THAT THEY HAVE EARMARKED THE FUNDS FOR RIGHT NOW. AFTER THE ALLOCATIONS MADE TO THE MUNICIPALITIES HAVE ABOUT 7 BILLION STILL FITTING. AND I THINK THE VALUE OF THE INFORMATION IS THAT I THINK THE NEXT STEP IS FOR THE COUNTY TO IDENTIFY WHAT THE PROGRAMS ARE THAT WILL BE DONE AT A STATEWIDE LEVEL SO THAT YOU AS A COUNTY INSTEAD OF USING YOUR DIRECT ALLOCATION OF CRF FUNDS YOU CAN COORDINATE WITH THE STATE TO USE SOME OF THE FUNDS THAT ARE REMAINING FOR STATEWIDE ACTIVITIES TO SOLVE SOME OF YOUR PROBLEMS SUCH AS CONTACT TRACING AND QUARANTINING AND SHELTERING. THAT COULD BE ANOTHER AVENUE

OF RESOURCES THAT THE COUNTY CAN ACCESS POTENTIALLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M CURIOUS,

DOES IT HAVE THE SAME END OF THE YEAR DEADLINE IT HAS? >> YES IT DOES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IS THERE A CLEAR LANGUAGE ON SUPPLEMENT VERSUS SUPPLANT? RARELY HAVE GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES FOLLOWED IT, BUT IS THERE SUPPLEMENT LANGUAGE AS OPPOSED TO SUPPLANTING? JUDGE I MENTIONED THE PRESS CONFERENCE FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S PROGRAM. THERE IS A TENDENCY FOR GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES TO GO AND TAKE MONEY FROM SOMEBODY ELSE TO DO STUFF THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DOING.

ANYWAY, I MAKE UP FOR THE SHORT FALL THAT IS COMING IN PART BECAUSE OF COVID.

AND THERE WAS GOING TO BE A SHORT FALL ANYWAY. IS THAT LANGUAGE IN THE

STATUTE OUT OKAY? >> YES, SIR. IT WAS SUBMITTED THAT THE

REVENUE LOSS CANNOT BE COVERED USING THE CRF FUNDS. >> AND BUDGETED ACTIVITIES.

ANYTHING IN THE BUDGET MARCH 27TH OF 2020 WHETHER YOU ARE A STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT IF IT WAS A BUDGETED ACTIVITY YOU CANNOT GET REIMBURSED FOR THE ACTIVITY USING CRF FUNDS. THERE ARE MINOR EXCEPTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO SOME PAYROLL FOR EMPLOYEES SUBSTANTIALLY DEDICATED TO PROVIDING COVID SERVICES.

OUTSIDE OF THAT, YOU'RE RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: BASED ON YOUR EXPERIENCE? BASED ON MINE, I WOULD NEVER ADMIT. IT BUT THE ONE SESSION I DID HAVE THE PEN IN MY HAND, IT LOOKED LIKE SOME PRETTY SLICK STUFF WHEN PEOPLE GOT AROUND THAT BY LAW. IS THAT A CHALLENGE AROUND THE COUNTRY?

>> THAT IS A COMAL LENGTH -- THAT IS A CHALLENGE BECAUSE THERE IS SOME FLEXIBILITY IN WHAT IS COMING FROM THE TREASURY. IT IS DEFINITELY WORKING

THROUGH THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I ONLY RAISE IT BECAUSE OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT GOING TO MEET ALL OF THE NEED WE WANT TO MEET. AND WITH 450,000 PEOPLE BEING REJECTED FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE WITH VERY STRINGENT CRITERIA. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE NEEDIEST OF THE NEEDY. ON A SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE REJECTION WILL BE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, BUT IF I READ THAT RIGHT, I MUST ADMIT IT WAS 6:00 A.M.

WHEN I WOKE UP AND LOOKED AT IT. I THINK THEY MEANT QUERIES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, THAT'S HOW MANY HITS THE SITE GOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE NEED TO THINK ABOUT STRATEGY TO ENCOURAGE AS WE WORK WITH OUR PARTNERS STATE -- YOU KNOW, I AM ALWAYS SUBTLE ABOUT IT EVEN WITH THE CITY SO THAT WE ALL DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO HELP PEOPLE GET THROUGH THIS. I JUST WANT TO RAISE THAT. AND WE DON'T WANT TO NECESSARILY DO IT IN AN AN TAG GONE -- AN TAG GONE NISTIC WAY.

BUT IF OTHER STATES ARE USING THIS MONEY TO HELP PEOPLE ON THE GROUND AND WE GOT

[00:55:09]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE STRATEGY IS, BUT I WANT TO RAISE THE ALARM AND THE CONCERN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I AM INSPIRED BY A CONCEPT THAT I THINK I UNDERSTOOD COMMISSIONER ELLIS TO BE GIVING A FEW STATEMENTS BACK. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO GET BACK TO OUR OFFICE, BUT THE CONCEPT WE CAN BE A CONDUIT OF THESE FUNDS TO OUR CITIES. THERE ARE 32 CITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY, AND WHAT THEY CAN DO WITH -- PUT IT INTO THE SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM TO ME IS AN INSPIRING CONCEPT. SO THE RESTRICTIONS, I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THEY ARE, BUT SUPPOSE IN ONE OF THE CITIES IN PRECINCT 4 THEY OUGHT TO COME INTO THE PROGRAM AND WE GO THROUGH THE LOTTERY AND WE HAVE GIVEN THOSE BITS OF ASSISTANCE OUT OF THE CARES ACT THAT WE CAN, AND THEN THOSE CITIES CAN SAY WITHIN MY CITY LIMITS, THESE ARE FOLKS -- THIS IS THE POOL THAT APPLIED THAT DIDN'T GET IT AND WE WANT TO PUT OUR FUNDS INTO THAT POOL TO HELP WITHIN THEIR OWN CITY LIMITS. I LOVE THAT CONCEPT.

AND SO I DON'T WANT TO DO AN AGENDA ITEM NOW, BUT I ASK GRAPH GETS WITH OUR STAFF AND PERHAPS OTHER STAFFS TO SEE IF WE CAN FLUSH OUT THAT IDEA. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I COMMEND YOU. I THINK THAT IS A BRILLIANT APPROACH TO WHERE WE CAN BE THAT CONDUIT AND TAKE SOME OF THAT BURDEN OFF OF OUR SMALL CITIES AND FIND THE POSITIVE

WAY THAT THEY CAN SPEND THEIR RELIEF FUNDS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE REASON I WAS -- JUDGE, I WAS SUGGESTING WE BE A LITTLE SUBTLE WITH IT IS SO THAT THEY DON'T THINK WE ARE TRYING TO GRAB THEIR MONEY, BUT I'M WILLING TO BET YOU THAT SOME OF THEM MIGHT HAVE A CHALLENGE COMING UP WITH COMPLETING AN APPLICATION TO DO IT -- TO SPEND IT BEFORE THE END OF THE YEAR. AND THEY AND WE WILL HAVE EGG ON OUR FACES IF YOU GOT TO TURN SOME MONEY BACK IN. SO JUST A THOUGHT, YOU KNOW WHAT I'M SAYING? YOU TELL THEM, AS LONG AS THEY KNOW, HERE IS A THOUGHT. NOW WHAT I DON'T KNOW -- I THOUGHT OF THIS AS I WAS TALKING. WHAT I DON'T KNOW IS IF THEY CAN HIT THE COMPUTER TO LIMIT IT TO A GEOGRAPHIC AREA. I DON'T KNOW.

I THINK THEY CAN BECAUSE AS YOU KNOW I WANTED TO MAKE SURE THE CITY OF HOUSTON SKEW PARTICIPATE. HOUSTON TO PARTICIPATE. THEY ARE HITTING THE COMPUTER

TO SEE IF THEY CAN DO THAT. I THINK THEY CAN DO IT. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YES, YOU CAN DO THIS. THIS COULD BE AN IN -- AN INCREMENTAL PROGRAM. THEY GO THROUGH THE RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS OF THE

CURRENT SMALL PROGRAM. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THEY DON'T LOSE ANY MONEY.

>> CORRECT. YES. IT WILL BE INCREMENTAL.

CORRECT. IT WILL NOT TAKE AWAY FROM WHAT THEY ARE ALREADY GOING TO GET ALLOCATED THROUGH THE RANDOM SELECTION PROCESS. ONCE THE PROCESS IS COMPLETED, WE WILL HAVE THE DATA BY PRECINCT AND BY CITY ON WHO HAS APPLIED FOR THESE GRANTS, AND IF THE CITY SO CHOOSES TO AUGMENT THEIR PROGRAM, THEN WE CAN LIMIT WITH WHATEVER FUNDS THEY ARE PROVIDING THAT GRANT TO GO ONLY TO THE ADVOCATES THAT CAME TO THE CITY.

THAT IS DOABLE WITH THE DATA THAT IS AVAILABLE. WE HAVE TO WORK OUT THE PROCESS OF HOW IT WORKS. THEORETICALLY AND FROM A SOLUTIONS STANDPOINT AND A

DATABASE STANDPOINT, IT IS POSSIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON COULD DO IT AS WELL. IF THEY DO A DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM THEY CAN TAKE SOME OF THE 400,000 PEOPLE WHO WERE REJECTED INTO THE CITY, BY THE

WAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE COULD IN THAT VEIN ALSO GIVE THEM THE PEOPLE WHO APPLIED FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE WHO WERE REJECTED IN CASE THEY WANTED A DIRECT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. WHAT I AM MISSING IN ALL OF THIS IS I THOUGHT IT WAS MORE OF A REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM FOR THE CITY, SO WHY DO WE THINK THERE WILL BE MONEY LEFT OVER? I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA, BUT I AM STILL TRYING TO

FIGURE OUT HOW THEY -- >> JUDGE, THIS IS SHANE. WE SENT OUT THE SURVEY, AND THE RESPONSES WE GOT BACK, MOST OF THE 15 CITIES THAT RESPONDED WEREN'T ANYWHERE NEAR THE $55 CEILING. THE IDEA IS FOR THEM TO GET REIMBURSED WITH EXPENSES RELATED TO COVID AND THEN WHATEVER IS LEFT OF THE $55 AND REQUEST THEY CAN USE THE

[01:00:03]

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, I THINK THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE, YOU KNOW, HOW MANY PEOPLE DID WE

TURN DOWN? IT WAS ENORMOUS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: 250,000.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE THOSE FOLKS -- ANYWAY. GREAT.

THANK YOU GUYS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I DON'T KNOW THE STRATEGY, BUT I JUST WANT TO LAYOUT AND I DON'T KNOW IF GARAPH HAS ANY IDEAS, BUT 7-POINT 46 -- $7.5 BILLION ROUNDING IT OUT, COULD HELP A LOT, YOU KNOW. WE OUGHT TO JUST THINK ABOUT THAT COMMISSIONER CAGLE. OBVIOUSLY YOU HAVE ACCESS AS WELL AND I DON'T WANT TO DO IT IN A CONFRONTATIONAL WAY, BUT HERE WE ARE APPROACHING AUGUST AND THERE IS $7.5 BILLION SITTING THERE. IF IN OTHER STATES IT IS GOING TO TESTING TO TRACING AND A HOST OF OTHER THINGS, YOU KNOW, WE JUST NEED TO THINK THROUGH AND MAYBE INTER GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS SHOULD PLAY A ROLE IN THAT AS WELL. I DON'T MIND BEING SUBTLE, BUT AT SOME POINT WHEN PEOPLE ARE HURTING, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO MAKE SURE THEY KNOW THAT THE 7.5 BILLION IS THERE. IT WOULD BE NICE FOR IT TO BE TRANSPARENT AND KNOW ABOUT

IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ABSOLUTELY. OKAY, SO THAT IS THE PIECE ON THE SMALL CITIES. AND THEN MOVING ON TO ITEM C IS A REQUEST BY PUBLIC HEALTH FOR PICK FUNDS. PUBLIC HEALTH, DO YOU WANT TO WALK US THROUGH THIS?

>> YEAH, JUDGE, WE'RE ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, DR. SHAW.

>> GOOD MORNING, EVERYBODY. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING US THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK THIS MORNING. REALLY WANTED TO JUST HIGHLIGHT WHAT THIS REQUEST IS.

THIS IS FROM THE PICK FUND ITSELF AND WHAT WE ARE REQUESTING IS A TRANSFER OF THE DOLLARS FROM THE PICK FUND TO COVER EXPENSES TO DATE AND/OR INCOME BETTERED EXPENSES THAT ARE EITHER TO DATE OR MOVING FORWARD. THE VAST MAJORITY OF THESE 62% OF THESE ARE ACTUALLY IN THE CONTRACT LABOR SIDE OF THE LEDGER.

IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE ALSO HAVE OBVIOUSLY WITH THE OTHER ACTIVITIES WITH TESTS AND SUPPLIES AND SPECIMENS AND RUNNING SPECIMENS, ET CETERA. SO THAT ACCOUNTS FOR, AS I SAID, THE LABOR SIDE IS ABOUT 62%, BUT IN ADDITION TO THAT, WE HAVE -- LET ME BACK UP.

A TOTAL OF 13.3 MILLION OF THE 15.9 MILLION THAT WE HAVE EITHER SPENT OR INCOME BETTERED, AND THEN WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL 2.6 MILLION THAT IS SPECIAL REVENUE AND GRANT FUNDING THAT WOULD BE DIRECTLY CHARGED TO THE PICK FUND. THIS IS ESSENTIALLY FOR DEED TIME FOR THE EMPLOYEES PART OF THE RESPONSE. THE MAJOR FUNCTIONS OF THE RESPONSE, AND I KNOW YOU ALL KNOW THIS, BUT JUST TO REMIND EVERYBODY THAT THIS, ESPECIALLY ON THE LABOR SIDE, IS RELATED TO OUR STATIONARY TESTING SITES, THE TWO FEMA SITES. WE ALSO HAVE SIX MOBILE TESTING SITES.

OUR CONGREGATE TESTING FOR EXAMPLE IN NURSING HOMES AND EPIDEMIOLOGY AND I KNOW YOU JUST TALKED ABOUT CONTACT TRACING, OUR CALL CENTER, OUR INFORMATION DATA ANALYTIC TEAMS AND ADMINISTRATIVE OPERATIONS AS WELL AS COMMUNICATIONS.

IN TOTAL WE HAVE 931 STAFF MEMBERS WORKING ON THE COVID-19 RESPONSE OF THE EMPLOYEES. THAT'S BROKEN DOWN WITH 270 EMPLOYEES AND WE HAVE 661 -- ACTUALLY IT IS EXACTLY 661 CONTRACTORS. THE MAJORITY IS CONTRACTORS.

WE OBVIOUSLY HAVE EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN THE RESPONSE. THIS REQUEST IS TO TRANSFER THE DOLLARS OVER FROM THE PICK FUND TO COVER THE EXPENSE -- THE EXPENSES THAT WE HAVE ACCRUED TO DATE. AS WELL AS THOSE ADDITIONAL LABOR EXPENSES THAT WOULD CONTINUE FOR -- ACTUALLY IT COULD BE THROUGH AUGUST 31ST OF 2020.

HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

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

[01:05:01]

FOR WHAT IS NEEDED. I AM CURIOUS ABOUT THE CURRENT STATE OF INFECTION AMONG COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AND WHAT IS THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEPARTMENT'S STRATEGY? I SEE YOU'RE REACTING A LOT TO WHAT WE'VE GOT IN FRONT OF US, BUT I WANT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FURTHER AHEAD OF THE CURRENT SITUATION ARE YOU WORKING TOWARD? I KNOW THAT I'VE BEEN TRYING TO GET YOU TO BE RESPONSIVE TO THE EASTSIDE OF HARRIS COUNTY WHERE THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IS VERY PREVALENT. WITH THE INFECTION RATE GOING THROUGH THE ROOF OUT THERE, I WANT TO UNDERSTAND BEYOND THE MOBILE TESTING.

THAT'S TESTING, BUT WHERE ELSE IS YOUR WORK AT AS IT RELATES TO ENGAGING IN THE COMMUNITY? I DON'T THINK I HAVE SEEN A WHOLE LOT OF CULTURAL COMPETENCY COMMUNICATIONS AND ENGAGEMENTS. I MAY BE WRONG, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE STRATEGY TO DEAL WITH THE INFECTION RATE AMONG THE COMMUNITIES OF COLOR.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SO WE HAVE ACTUALLY ABOUT -- BEEN DOING OUT REACH TO THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY IN A NUMBER OF WAYS.

I KNOW YESTERDAY AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WE HAD SOME VERY BASIC DISCUSSIONS RELATED TO THAT. A FEW OF THE STRATEGIES INCLUDE OBVIOUSLY BILINGUAL OUT REACH STAFF THAT HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS AND APARTMENT COMPLEXES. ALSO TO THE FAITH COMMUNITY. WE ARE ASSURING THEM AND SENDING THEM PREVENTION INFORMATION. WE DEVELOPED A BUSINESS TOOL KIT AS WELL THAT IS BEING SHARED WITH THE PARTNERS AS WELL AS WE'RE MAKING CONNECTION WITH THESE DIFFERENT ENTITIES THAT'S BOTH IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH.

WE'VE MADE OVER 10,000 CALLS TO VARIOUS ENTITIES THROUGHOUT THE COMMUNITY.

WE'VE ALSO DONE MEDIA AND RADIO CAMPAIGN WITH UNIVISION AND NOW THERE NOW COMMUNITY ENGAGE -- AND TELEMUNDO AS WELL, TO ENGAGE WITH THEM AND REACH THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY.

OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT JUST IN SPANISH, BUT ALSO IN ENGLISH. SO ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

WE JUST GOT APPROVAL FOR ANOTHER CAMPAIGN THAT WILL START THIS WEEK.

IN FACT, WE HAVE A CALL WITH UNIVISION TODAY. OUR OUT REACH MATERIALS AS YOU KNOW ARE IN SPANISH. WE ALSO HAD SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION THAT WE ARE CONSTANTLY SENDING OUT BOTH IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH. IS A YOU MENTIONED OUR TESTING SITES ARE KEY TO THIS WITH MAKING SURE WE HAVE BUY LING -- BILINGUAL STAFF THERE. AND THE OUT REACH IS NOT JUST PROVIDING INFORMATION, BUT WE ARE ALSO WORKING IN THE COMMUNITIES TO MAKE SURE THOSE COMMUNITIES KNOW THAT TESTING IS IN THEIR AREA OF THE ADDITIONAL FEMA TESTING SITE THAT IS IN PASADENA IN PARTICULAR. OBVIOUSLY WE HAD ONE, BUT IN PARTICULAR PASADENA.

WE HAVE THE DIGITAL CAMPAIGN THAT IS BOTH IN ENGLISH AND IN SPANISH ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND RIGHT NOW THE FOCUS HAS BEEN ON MASK WEARING THE HASHTAG IS # JUST A MASK.

IT IS A CAMPAIGN TO ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS TO WEAR MASKS AND WITH SOME OF THE ADDITIONAL MESSAGES THAT AS THE JUDGE LAID OUT FROM -- AND PRIOR RELATED TO STAYING AT HOME AND REALLY DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY MEMBERS WE ARE MAKING SURE THE MESSAGES ARE BEING TRANSLATED AND SENT OUT IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DOCTOR, LET ME JUST INTERRUPT YOU. ALL OF THIS PRETTY SOUNDS -- SOUNDS PRETTY TYPICAL, SOUNDS LIKE A TRADITIONAL APPROACH. SIMILAR TO THIS YOU HAVE A STRATEGY FOR HARD TO COUNT POPULATIONS. ALL THAT -- ALL OF THE TRADITIONAL AND TYPICAL APPROACHES ARE OUT THE WINDOW BECAUSE THE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE

[01:10:01]

IT HAS ME VERY, VERY CONCERNED AND NOT HAPPY ABOUT IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND COMMISSIONER -- YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, AND I HAVE SOMETHING TO ADD ON TOO

COMMISSIONER GARCIA. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, GO AHEAD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'LL WAIT,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ON THIS POINT SPECIFICALLY YOU'RE RIGHT, COMMISSIONER. WE NEED A MORE COMPREHENSIVE MEDIA CAMPAIGN, AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MY TEAM IS DIGGING INTO. I HOPE TO HAVE SOMETHING FOR THE NEXT COURT. I WAS MENTIONING TO MY STAFF THAT WE KEEP YOU LOOPED IN ON THIS. THE CHALLENGES, WE ARE SEEING SOME GREAT CAMPAIGNS COMING OUT OUT OF OTHER COMMUNITIES. IT IS VERY INNOVATIVE AND AB TESTED.

IT IS NOT GOING TO BE CHEAP SO I WILL COME TO YOU WITH A SUBSTANTIAL ASK, BUT, YOU KNOW, WE SHOULD USE EVERY TOOL AT OUR DISPOSAL. YESTERDAY I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS SAW, BUT WE SENT A BROADCAST ALERT AND A RADIO ALERT THAT INTERRUPTED THE BROADCAST AND IT HAD THE STAY HOME. WE SENT THE ALERTS TO THE CELL PHONES. WE HAVE DONE THIS KIND OF STUFF, BUT WE STILL HAVE THAT ADDITIONAL TOOL OF A REALLY ROBUST, WELL-TESTED CAMPAIGN. AND A PIECE OF IT IS GONNA HAVE TO BE SPECIFICALLY THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY. WE ARE ALSO -- I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS DIRECTED A STUDY BACK IN APRIL, PERHAPS IT WAS, ABOUT DISPARITIES.

IT DID POINT OUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT THESE ARE THE FRONT LINE WORKERS WHO ARE THERE REGARDLESS. OF COURSE, WE AREN'T SEEING THESE TYPES OF RATES WHEN WE HAD THE INFECTIONS UNDER CONTROL. AND WE ARE NOT SEEING THESE KINDS OF NUMBERS IN THE PLACE THAT'S HAVE MANAGED TO BRING THE CURVE DOWN.

THAT'S REALLY THE SOLUTION. I AM AFRAID, YOU KNOW, WE ARE WORKING WITH PUBLIC HEALTH TO TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AGAIN TO SEE IF THERE IS A LOW-HANGING FRUIT AS TO WHAT HAS BEEN DONE. WE WILL KEEP THE OFFICE UH -- ABREAST.

I AM AFRAID THAT THERE IS A BIG INFORMATION COMPONENT WHERE WE DON'T WANT PEOPLE TO BE AFRAID TO BE TESTED AND AFRAID TO GO TO THE HOSPITAL. IN TERMS OF THOSE FOLKS GETTING SICK IN THE FIRST PLACE, WE JUST HAVE TO BRING DOWN THIS DARN CURVE.

WE CAN'T PRETEND WE KNOW WHO IS AFFECTED WHEN WE HAVE THESE NUMBERS.

EVENTUALLY IT IS ALL OF US. THERE IS NOT AN EASY THING, AN EASY, QUICK SOLUTION AND IT IS HEARTBREAKING. WHAT BROUGHT IT HOME FOR ME IS WE HAVE BEEN DOING SO MUCH -- I HAVE BEEN DOING SO MUCH PRESS IN SPANISH. THE CONSULATE HAD THEIR TEST SITE AND YOU SAW THE NEWS AROUND THE BLOCK. AND SOMEHOW FOLKS ARE STILL NOT TRUSTING OUR MESSAGE. AND SO, YOU KNOW, I HAVE BEEN DOING SOME JOINT APPEARANCES WITH HER, BUT THIS IS WHERE WE NEED A CAMPAIGN THAT GOES AND LOOKS AND SAYS ARE PEOPLE TRUSTING THIS MESSAGE A LOT OF CAMPAIGNS AROUND THE COUNTRY, THEY DON'T HAVE A BIG GOVERNMENT LOGO, YOU KNOW. IT IS JUST A REALLY FUN, WELL DONE THING.

THERE'S ROOM FOR SURE THERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

APPRECIATE THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL WAIT UNTIL AFTER COMMISSIONER

RADACK HAS SPOKEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> STEVE RADACK: DR. SHAW, I WANT TO ADDRESS HOW THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT COULD BE ACTUALLY HELPING WITH THE EDUCATION OF ALL OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY, BUT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS TALKING ABOUT OF COLOR. TO ME IT WOULD SEEM THAT ANY RESPONSE TO RESTAURANTS SENDING A FIRE MARSHALL IS ONE THING.

I BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD BE ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN NOT ONLY ENFORCING CERTAIN THINGS IN A RESTAURANT, BUT EDUCATING. TO ME, I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THE FIRE MARSHALL HAS BECOME THE FRONT LINE OF THE RESTAURANTS WHEN IT COMES TO ENFORCEMENT.

THERE IS ANOTHER SIDE TO ENFORCEMENT AND THAT'S EDUCATION.

[01:15:03]

YOU HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE, AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU ARE NOT GETTING YOUR JOB DONE.

>> THANKS, COMMISSIONER. AS I MENTIONED THAT WE DO BELIEVE THAT EDUCATION IS THE FIRST AND FOREMOST TOOL, AND YOU'RE RIGHT. THAT'S THE WAY WE BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT AS WE REACHED OUT AS I MENTIONED, THE REACHOUT TO THE BUSINESSES, WE ARE ALWAYS OPEN TO ADDITIONAL IDEAS. YOU KNOW, ON HOW TO REACH FOLKS BETTER. WE KNOW THAT THE BUSINESSES HAVE A ROLE, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO RESTAURANTS, YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A LIMITED NUMBER OF RESTAURANT INSPECTORS.

THEY DO GO OUT AND EDUCATION AND NOT JUST EDUCATE, BUT THE AWARENESS AND THE CHANGE THAT'S HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE MASK ORDERS AND THE REQUIREMENTS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. AND SO, QUESTION -- AND SO, YES, WE AGREE AND WE BELIEVE EDUCATION IS THE FIRST AND PRIMARY STEP ON HOW TO RAISE AWARENESS AND GET PEOPLE TO

UNDERSTAND HOW TO FIGHT THE PANDEMIC TOGETHER. >>

>> STEVE RADACK: I DON'T CONSIDER WHAT YOU SAID AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER AND I WILL TELL YOU WHY. YOU HAVE SUPERVISORS IN YOUR DEPARTMENT.

HAVE YOU PEOPLE YOU COULD GET OUT ON THE STREET FROM THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE SITTING IN YOUR BUILDING DOING PAPERWORK WHEN WE HAVE A PANDEMIC.

I UNDERSTAND THE IMPORTANCE OF PAPERWORK, BUT WHERE I'M COMING FROM IS THAT'S NOT AN ACCEPTABLE ANSWER. YOU NEED TO REALLOCATE YOUR RESOURCES AND GET TO WORK.

THAT'S MY STRONG OPINION, AND IT HAS REACHED A POINT WHERE YOU ASK PEOPLE AND YOU HAVE ALL OF THESE PEOPLE WORKING FOR YOU, AND SOMEHOW OR ANOTHER SOMETHING HIGHLY IMPORTANT, EDUCATING THE PUBLIC AND TRYING TO PURSUE AND HELP WITH EXACTLY WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA IS SAYING, IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE TO ME THAT YOU HAVE TO HAVE ALL THIS SUPPLEMENTAL HELP FROM THE FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE.

HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DO YOU HAVE, DR. SHAW? >> YEAH, SO BEFORE THE

PANDEMIC WE WERE AT ABOUT 700. >> STEVE RADACK: OKAY.

>> THAT INCLUDED CONTRACT AND NOT JUST -- USUALLY IT IS SOMEWHERE IN THE 550 TO 600 RANGE WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY STAFF. AND THEN WE HAD CONTRACTORS IN

ADDITION. STEVE WHO CAN -- >> STEVE RADACK: I DON'T KNOW IF IT IS BILL JACKSON, BUT HOW MANY EMPLOYEES DOES THE FIRE MARSHALL HAVE?

>> COMMISSIONER, THIS IS BILL JACKSON. I DON'T HAVE THAT ANSWER OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD, BUT I CAN GET IT TO YOU IN FIVE MINUTES.

>> STEVE RADACK: IT IS NOT ANYWHERE NEAR 500, IS IT? >> I WOULD HAVE TO LOOK IT

UP. >> STEVE RADACK: OKAY. THAT'S FINE.

ANYWAY, I AM STILL GONNA BE PUSHING FOR REALLOCATION OF RESOURCES AND GETTING AND FINDING AND CONSIDERING THE ISSUE THAT'S BEEN BROUGHT UP HERE AS A PRIORITY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, BACK ON THE RACIAL DISPARITY ISSUE, I THINK WE MADE SOME PROGRESS EARLY ON THAT WAS RELUCTANCE TO EVEN COLLECT THE DATA. WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP WE CLEARED THAT UP. DR. SHAW, WHAT I WAS TRYING TO GET WHEN I BROUGHT IT UP WAS I THINK THE CITY SAID THEY WERE GOING TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE WHICH IS GOOD.

I GUESS THAT KEEPS THE DIALOGUE GOING. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE US, OR YOUR OFFICE -- AND MY TEAM IS HELPING. THEY WERE JUST LOOKING ON THE INTERNET AND CALLING OTHER CITIES AND CALLING NAY -- NACO, THE COUNTY ASSOCIATION, TO JUST SEE IF -- AND WHEN I SAY BEST PRACTICES, YOU KNOW, IT DOESN'T MEAN WE DON'T COME UP WITH SOMETHING UNIQUE, BUT ARISTOTLE AND PLATO AND SOCK CRAW -- SOCRATESE HAD GREAT IDEAS, BUT WE CAN MAYBE COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE. IT HELPS ME AS A POLICY MAKER -- AND I HAVE ALWAYS DONE THIS. TO SEE WHAT SOMEBODY ELSE IS DOING. WHEN YOU HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS A GLOBAL PANDEMIC, I KNOW THE UNDERLING ISSUES THAT PEOPLE OF COLOR HAVE THOSE SERVICE JOBS WHERE THEY ARE

[01:20:05]

FAR MORE PEOPLE DIED, BUT -- AND WE LEARNED THOSE LESSONS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE DR. SHAW, YOUR TEAM IS DOING IT. EARLY ON THERE WAS A RELUCTANCE NOW TO COLLECT THAT DATA AND PUT IT OUT, AND IT WASN'T JUST SAYING -- I DIDN'T WANT TO SAY COLLECT IT LIKE I WOULD CHECK A RACE BOX. I ASSUME THAT THERE WOULD BE DISPARITIES BECAUSE I KNOW THEY DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE IS WHERE I WAS HEADED IN TERMS OF THE WORKING CLASS AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND HISPANIC.

AND NOW THE HISPANIC NUMBERS ARE GOING OFF THE CHARTS. EVEN AS A PERCENTAGE.

NORMALLY IT IS THE BLACK ONES AND NOW THE -- THEY ARE BOTH BAD, BUT THE HISPANIC ONES, I MEAN, THAT'S A BIG CAUSE FOR ALARM. JUST MAKE SURE WE ARE LOOKING AROUND THE COUNTRY SO IF SOMEBODY ELSE IS TRYING SOMETHING THAT DIDN'T WORK WE KNOW IT. AND MY LAST THOUGHT IS SEE HOW WE CAN TIE THE MESSAGING WITH WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THE CENSUS BECAUSE SOME OF THE SAME PLACES WHERE WE ARE HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH COVID ARE ALSO COMMUNITIES WHERE WE ARE HAVING CHALLENGES WITH PEOPLE REPORTING ON THE CENSUS. AS THE JUDGE WOULD SAY, YOU HAVE TO GET THOSE TRUSTED MESSAGES. AS MUCH AS I HATE TO ADMIT IT, IT IS NOT ALWAYS US. IT MAY BE A SINGER OR A DANCER OR A BALLPLAYER.

YOU GOT ME? ONLY BECAUSE YOU ARE THERE ON THE CUTTING EDGE, AND WE'LL GIVE YOU OUR IDEAS AS WELL AND COORDINATE WITH THE CITY. WE TALK ABOUT THE SIZE OF THE DEPARTMENT, HOW BIG IS YOUR STAFF COMPARED TO THE CITY'S HEALTH DEPARTMENT, BY THE

WAY? >> WELL, YOU KNOW THE ANSWER TO THAT, COMMISSIONER.

PRIOR TO THE PANDEMIC, IT WAS 1100 ON THE CITY SIDE AND ABOUT 650 TO 700 ON THE COUNTY

SIDE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH. I'M JUST SAYING AT LEAST IN TERMS OF RESOURCES WE WANT TO DO AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO PULL IT TOGETHER BECAUSE IT IS EMBARRASSING IN 2020 WE HAVE THIS BIG OF A RACIAL DISPARITY.

THANK YOU. >> COMMISSIONER, IF I CAN JUST MAKE ONE COMMENT.

AS YOU REMEMBER WITH HARRIS CARES FROM LAST YEAR, THAT ONE OF THE DRIVING POINTS THAT WE ALSO MADE WAS THE REAL CONCERN AROUND UN -- UNINSURANCE AND LACK OF MEDIC CADE EXPANSION AND REALLY THE HEALTH CARE ACCESS PIECE THAT DID NOT GO AWAY BECAUSE WE TURNED THE PAGE ON 2019. IN FACT, IT IS REALLY, IF ANYTHING COVID-19 HAS SHOWN US THAT IT HAS ACCENTUATED AND MADE IT WORSE AND WE KNOW THAT THOSE INEQUITIES AND THOSE DISPARITIES THAT BOTH YOU AND OTHERS HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT VERY ELOQUENTLY AND APPROPRIATELY IS THAT THE REAL CONCERN THAT WE HAVE IS THAT ALL OF THESE DECISIONS THAT ARE VERY MUCH ABOUT HOW DO WE FIGHT THIS PANDEMIC, THAT WE ALSO RECOGNIZE THAT IT IS ON TOP OF WHAT ALREADY WAS PRE-EXISTING IN OUR COMMUNITY. AND THAT IS OBVIOUSLY OF CONCERN AND WE HAVE TO ALL WORK TOGETHER ON THAT. YOUR POINTS ARE WELL TAKEN AND WE CERTAINLY HAVE JOTTED DOWN A NUMBER OF NOTES HERE AND WE WILL CIRCLE BACK.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I STRESS AS MUCH AS I CAN AND TRY TO SAY THERE IS $10 BILLION A YEAR FOR 13 YEARS. THAT'S $130 BILLION. THERE ARE PEOPLE, AT LEAST 50, WHO SAID TO ME -- I HAVE TALKED TO THEM AT TESTING SITES AND OTHER PLACES AND THEY WILL SAY TO ME, COMMISSIONER, OKAY, I KNOW I HAVE IT.

I DON'T HAVE INSURANCE. Y'ALL DON'T HAVE A CURE ANYWAY, BUT I CAN'T EVEN GO AND GET SOMETHING -- YOU GOT ME. I CAN'T GET IN SO SOMEBODY CAN MAKE ME MORE COMFORTABLE TO SEE IF I CAN GET THROUGH IT. I JUST WANT TO STRESS IT.

IT IS A HARD REALITY. THEY NEEDY ELECTRIC TIFF SURGERIES -- ELECTI SHA -- ELECTIVE SURGERIES TO MAKE MONEY. WE ARE CLOSE TO $10 BILLION A

YEAR. MR. JACKSON HAS HIS HAND UP. >> JUDGE WISHINGS HAVE LORI -- JUDGE, WE HAVE LORI CHRISTIANSON ON THE LINE IF WE NEED HER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GOT IT. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER AND THEN WE WILL HEAR FROM BILL.

>> GO AHEAD. I HAVE SOME NUMBERS. GO AHEAD, LORI.

I'M FINE. >> YOU ARE UNMUTE ETD -- UNMUTED, LORI.

GO AHEAD. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

[01:25:02]

>> HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL. I HAVE SOME NUMBERS, BUT IF YOU WANT BILL JACKSON TO SAY THEM, I WANT TO MAKE SURE HE GETS TO SPEAK.

>> I WILL LET LORI GO AHEAD. I HAVE THE SAME NUMBERS. >> THANK YOU, SIR.

LORI CHRISTIANSON, HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL. WE HAVE 116 FULL TIME POSITIONS. CURRENTLY THREE OF THOSE POSITIONS ARE OPEN.

THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE 10 POSITIONS WE WERE APPROVED LAST COURT ON COVID.

WE WILL BE COMPLETED WITH OUR INTERVIEW PROCESS THIS AFTERNOON ON THOSE COVID POSITIONS, AND WE WERE EXPECTING TO HAVE OFFER LETTERS OUT BY FRIDAY.

SO AGAIN, 116 AND WHEN WE HAD THE COVID IT WILL MAKE 126. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: I THINK PEOPLE CAN SEE THE POINT HERE.

WE HAVE AN ORGANIZATION THAT IS FIVE TIMES LARGER, FIVE TIMES LARGER, THAT HAS A DIRECT -- A DIRECT MANDATE FOR THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY VERSUS A FIRE MARSHALL THAT HAS THEIR OWN MANDATE. SOMEBODY NEEDS TO IMMEDIATELY, AND I MEAN IMMEDIATELY, REALLOCATE RESOURCES AND GET TO WORK AND HELP.

THAT'S MY OPINION. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JUDGE, THIS IS AMERISHAW AGAIN. I JUST WANT TO SAY, JUST GIVE A REMINDER, THAT OBVIOUSLY COVID INCLUDED, BUT EVEN PRIOR TO COVID THAT WHILE IT MAY -- IF YOU JUST LOOK AT THE NUMBERS AND I DON'T WANT TO GET INTO THE DEBATE ABOUT NUMBERS IN TERMS OF SIZES OF DEPARTMENTS, BUT I WANT TO RECOGNIZE THAT A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR DEPARTMENT IS GRANT FUNDING AND THERE ARE VERY SPECIFIC FUNCTIONS THAT OUR DEPARTMENT IS ENGAGED IN AND REQUIRED TO BE DOING. AND SO WHILE WE ARE ALSO FIGHTING COVID AND DOING ALL OF THESE THINGS, WE ARE ALSO MAKING SURE THAT OUR WICK PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDING SERVICES AND OUR CLINICAL PROGRAMS ARE PROVIDING SERVICES AND WE ARE ALSO SPRAYING FOR MOSQUITOES AND ALL SORTS OF OTHER THINGS. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE NOT DOING AN APPLE TO ORANGE COMPARISON BECAUSE WE DO HAVE A LOT OF REQUIREMENTS WHICH ARE RELATED TO GRANTS THAT ALSO NEED TO BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

WE WOULD BE HAPPY TO FOLLOW-UP WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF ANY OF THE COURT MEMBERS WOULD

LIKE THAT. >> STEVE RADACK: DR. SHAW, JUST HOW MANY GRANT WRITERS DO YOU HAVE? YOU HAVE OVER 500 EMPLOYEES. HOW MANY ARE INVOLVED IN

GRANTS? >> DO YOU MEAN ACTUALLY TO GET GRANTS OR WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY

THAT? >> STEVE RADACK: WELL, I AM TRYING TO FIGURE OUT THAT BASICALLY YOU ARE TRYING TO SAY THAT THIS IS A LOT OF YOUR PERSONNEL THAT DEAL WITH GRANTS. I AM JUST CURIOUS HOW MANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO HAVE TO GET

THE GRANTS AND ADMINISTER THEM. >> YEAH, WE HAVE -- YOU'D BE SURPRISED HOW SMALL OUR GRANT WRITING TEAM IS. IT IS ACTUALLY NOT THAT BIG.

FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE SIDE, YEAH, THERE ARE FISCAL AND GRANT REQUIREMENTS THAT OUR TEAMS HAVE TO COMPLY WITH AS YOU KNOW, SO I CAN'T GIVE UH NUMBER.

WE CAN GET THAT TO YOU IF YOU'RE INTERESTED AFTER THE -- YOU KNOW, AFTER COURT.

>> STEVE RADACK: THAT WOULD BE FINE. MR. POST, I SURE WISH YOU WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT THAT AS AN AUDITOR OF HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE INVOLVED IN THAT PROCESS AND, YOU KNOW, HOW NECESSARY IT IS AS FAR AS THE AUDITOR IS CONCERNED.

>> WE'LL BE HAPPY TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. A LITTLE BIT ON THAT POINT.

DR. SHAW, WHEN I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR MY OWN GRANTS AS A DIRECTOR OF THE ANTI-GANG OFFICE AND WE NEEDED TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS BECAUSE WE WERE SEEING SPIKES IN GANG-RELATED SHOOTINGS AND HOMICIDES AND OTHER CHALLENGES, AND WE -- YOU KNOW, ALL MY STAFF, ALMOST 100% OF MY STAFF WERE GRANT FUNDED, BUT IN WRITING AND IN COMMUNICATING TO THE GRANTING AGENCIES, THEY HAVE ALLOWED ME TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO MY OPERATIONS SO THAT I COULD REDIRECT MY RESOURCES TO THOSE PAIN POINTS I WAS DEEMED WITH.

[01:30:05]

I WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO GO AND VISIT WITH THE AGENCIES THAT ARE GRANTING YOU OR GIVING YOU THESE GRANTS AND ASK FOR PERMISSION TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS TO THOSE OPERATIONS. I WILL BETCHA THAT YOU WILL FIND THEIR WILLINGNESS TO WORK WITH YOU BECAUSE YOU'RE DEALING WITH A PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUE.

IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE ASKING YOU TO TAKE YOUR STAFF AND CHANGE OIL.

YOU ARE GONNA BE -- YOU ARE GOING AFTER THE SAME ISSUE, AND THOSE RESOURCES CAN BE ALLOCATED. PLUS, WHEN I WAS ON CITY COUNCIL AND I WAS CONCERNED AND EXPRESSED THAT TO STEVE WILLIAMS WHEN HE CAME INTO TOWN AND AS A NEW HEALTH DIRECTOR ABOUT THE NEED FOR A MASTER PLAN ON HOW TO BETTER DIRECTORY SOURCES AND -- DIRECT RESOURCES AND GET THE COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE AND PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES, STEVE SHUTDOWN HIS OFFICE AND PUT HIS ENTIRE STAFF OUT TO DO DOOR-TO-DOOR CANVASSING. THAT'S HOW HE CAME UP WITH THE AIM PROGRAM.

THAT'S HOW WE IDENTIFIED A LOT OF WAY PHOS GET ACTIVITY -- A LOT OF WAYS TO GET ACTIVITIES TO THE CLINIC. I AM NOT SAYING TO PUT YOUR PEOPLE ON DOOR KNOCKING, BUT THERE IS FLEXIBILITY TO THE WAY YOU -- YOUR FUNDING IS BEING ALLOCATED TO THE ISSUE IN FRONT OF US THAT YOU COULD -- I'M SURE YOU ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO FIND A WAY TO WORK IT SO LONG AS YOU ARE COMMUNICATING WITH THOSE GRANTING AGENCIES JUST A

LITTLE BIT. >> YEAH, COMMISSIONER. I WANTED TO SAY THANK YOU FOR THAT COMMENT. IT'S -- I WANTED YOU TO BE AWARE THAT THAT IS HAPPENING IN REALTIME AS YOU CAN IMAGINE. WE HAD A NUMBER OF BOTH DISCUSSIONS, BUT ALSO ADVANCEMENTS WITH OUR FADE RAIL AND -- OUR FEDERAL AND STATE AGENCIES RELATED TO THE GRANTS. THAT HAS TO SHOW BE TAKEN INTO CONTEXT THAT WE ARE FIGHTING THE PANDEMIC AND COVID-19 WHILE WE ARE ALSO CHALLENGED, AND THIS IS ACROSS THE COUNTRY WITH THE PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCIES MAKING SURE THEY ARE PROVIDING ESSENTIAL SERVICES, THE VERY SERVICES THAT ARE SERVING OUR CONSTITUENTS.

FOOD INSECURITY IS A BIG ISSUE. IF YOU START TO PULL PEOPLE OFF THE WIC GRANT TO FIGHT COVID, IF YOU DO IT TOO MUCH YOU GO TOO BEAR BONES ON ANY ONE ISSUE, ABSOLUTELY WHAT HAPPENS IS YOU HAVE SECONDARY CONSEQUENCES TO THAT, AND THEN WE GET THE ALTERNATIVE WHICH IS FOOD INSECURITY IN A SENSE OF WIC AND NUTRITION SERVICES FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, THAT THAT IS NOW IMPACTED.

YOU CAN GO DOWN THE LIST. I OBVIOUSLY DON'T WANT TO EXHAUST WITH ALL OF THE EXAMPLES, BUT YOU'RE RIGHT. WE HAVE HAD THOSE DISCUSSIONS. IN MANY WAYS THOSE PARTNERS HAVE ALLOWED US TO DO SOME OF THE MOVEMENT, BUT SOME OF THE ACTIVITIES, IT IS NOT EVEN ABOUT BEING ALLOWED TO DO IT. IT IS AT THAT POINT THAT IT ALSO WILL IMPACT OTHER KINDS OF SERVICE SERVICES THAT ARE FOR THE COMMUNITY. AND THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ACROSS THE COUNTRY OF THIS REAL ISSUE AROUND BALANCING COVID-19 RESPONSE WITH ESSENTIAL PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES. THE ACTIVITIES DON'T GO AWAY.

THOSE ACTIVITIES UNFORTUNATELY HAVE BEEN IMPACTED BY COVID-19 AND THAT IS THE REALITY.

WE ARE DOING THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO MANAGE BOTH. I HAVE TO SAY THAT IT IS A TEST MEANT TO THE PUBLIC HEALTH TEAM. THEY HAVE DONE A FANTASTIC JOB TO DO ALL SORTS OF THINGS. WE HAVE TESTED OVER 100,000 PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: HAVE YOU SOME GREAT PEOPLE AND I AM REALLY PROUD OF YOUR TEAM. MY SIMPLE ASK IS WITH THIS PANDEMIC AND THE NUMBERS GOING IN THE DIRECTION THEY ARE GOING, I'M LOOKING FOR SOMETHING MUCH MORE STRATEGIC.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU

[01:35:01]

GUYS SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. SO THAT WAS THE PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM. NEXT IS ITEM D ON PAGE 23 AND THAT IS A REQUEST FROM CSD FOR GRANT FUNDS FOR A HOUSTON URBANIZED AREA FORMULA PROGRAM.

DO FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS ON THAT? NEXT IS THE ITEM UNDER MY AGENDA ON THE BROADER RESPONSE. DO FOLKS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS?

>> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE ONE SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> RICHARD LIMBRICK. >> YEAH. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. I WAS TALKING TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 4.

WE DON'T HAVE A TEST SITE IN OUR AREA. I HAVE BEEN REQUESTING TO YOUR OFFICE. PEOPLE OVER HERE DON'T HAVE RIDES.

THE NEXT ONE IS FROM THE STUDY I GOT YESTERDAY. IT IS DISPARITY FOR POLICE OFFICERS ARRESTING MINORITIES. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO ABOUT THAT.

AND THEN FOR THE JUDGE, I STILL CAN'T GET MY LICENSE PLATE.

I DON'T KNOW HOW TO GO ABOUT GETTING IT. I SO APPRECIATE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, SIR, FOR CALLING IN. WE WILL MAKE SURE TO CALL UP FOR THE SPECIFIC SITUATION. I DID HEAR Y'ALL SOME REPORTS OF FOLKS UNABLE TO GET THEIR MATERIALS PROCESSED BY THE TAX OFFICE, AND DOUG RAN IT DOWN AND IT SEEMS THAT QUITE A FEW FOLKS WERE OUT BECAUSE OF COVID. I THOUGHT THAT THINGS HAD BEEN ALREADY WORKED OUT, BUT WE WILL CIRCLE BACK WITH YOU SPECIFICALLY AND MAKE SURE

THAT THINGS ARE WORKED OUT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU BECAUSE WE ADDED UNDERNEATH THAT ITEM A SUPPLEMENTAL THAT DEALS WITH THIS ISSUE. I WANT TO COMEPPED -- COMMEND MS. BENNETT'S OFFICE FOR TRYING TO WORK WITH US AND ALLOWING US TO WORK WITH YOUR OFFICE AND TRYING TO HELP THESE FOLKS. ONE OF THE ISSUES SEEMS TO BE, YOUR HONOR, THAT WE ARE DEALING WITH STATE AGENCIES. THAT BECAUSE WE HAVE BEEN HINDERED WITH OUR REGARD TO ACCESS BY THE PUBLIC THAT INDIVIDUALS ARE NOW BEING PUNISHED BY OUR PARTNERS AT THE STATE LEVEL. AND I WOULD MAKE THE RECOMMENDATION THAT -- AND I UNDERSTAND THAT HE IS ALREADY STARTING TO WORK ON IT, BUT THAT WE GET, AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS REFERRED TO HIM AS OUR COMMISSIONER OF INTER GALACTIC AFFAIRS.

IF WE CAN GET HIM TO ASSIST US WITH REGARD TO OUR STATE PARTNERS, BECAUSE WHEN WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER AND IT IS JUST NOT FAIR THAT WHEN WE HAVE EMPLOYEES THAT CAN'T GO TO A WINDOW BECAUSE THEY ARE BEING QUARANTINED OR OTHER ISSUES, THAT OUR CITIZENS ARE THEN IMPACTED BY A STATE LEVEL AGENCY. AND SO, AGAIN, I WANT TO COMMEND OUR LOCAL FOLKS FOR WORKING WITH US. WE ARE WORKING WITH OUR CONSTITUENTS TRYING TO ASSIST THEM. I WOULD LIKE TO ADD TO THIS AS A REQUEST THAT WE TASK INDER TO SEE WHAT HE CAN ASSIST US WITH IN REGARD TO OUR STATE PARTNERS. AS WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, OUR LOCAL CONSTITUENTS AREN'T BEING PENALIZED AS IT WERE BY THE UNFORTUNATE INCAPACITIES BEING

RENDERED IN THE SYSTEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. IS THAT A MOTION,

COMMISSIONER, OR WAS THAT JUST DIRECT -- DIRECTING TO INDER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM FINE JUST DIRECTING HIM TO DO THAT UNLESS SOMEBODY IS IN OPPOSITION TO THAT PLAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT, AND IT DOES SEEM TO BE AN ISSUE.

THE OTHER DISCUSSION WAS MAYBE THEY DON'T HAVE ENOUGH SPACE. I KNOW FOLKS WERE LOOKING INTO DO THEY NEED A BIGGER SPACE SO THEY CAN BE MORE SOCIALLY DISTANCED IN -- DISTANCED.

WE DON'T WANT TO PUT COMMUNITY MEMBERS IN THE SITUATION. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD SAY PROBABLY ON INDER'S BEHALF, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, A STRATEGY MIGHT BE THAT YOU, COMMISSIONER RADACK, OR SOME OF US CALLING SOME OF OUR PARTNERS WITH THE STATE. SENATOR BETTENCOURT OR SOMEBODY, MAKING THEM AWARE TO NUDGE IT A BIT. SO HE CAN WORK IT ON HIS LEVEL, BUT ELECTED OFFICIAL TO

[01:40:01]

I AM GETTING THOSE COMPLAINTS AS WELL AND IT IS A BIG PROBLEM.

JUST WANTED TO ADD THAT TO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> JUDGE, THE OTHER TWO SPEAKERS EITHER CANCELED OR WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA, FOR THAT HEADS UP. SO LET ME KNOW IF YOU GUYS THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ITEM. NEXT IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 1 of 3)]

IT IS THE TRANSMITAL BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE CARES ACT COMMITTEE.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM VERY GLAD THAT WE DID PUT IN THE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOCUSING ON HOUSEHOLDS UNDER 50% OF THE AREA MEDIUM INCOME. I JUST THOUGHT IT WAS A VERY THOUGHTFUL APPROACH TO IT AND I THINK ALL OF OUR STAFF WORK TOGETHER ON IT AND GATHER A STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT.

IN ADDITION TO THIS I HOPE SOMETIME DOWN THE ROAD WITH SOME OF THE REMAINING CARES MONEY, I THINK IT IS ABOUT 200 MILLION LEFT. JUST TRYING TO REMEMBER FROM MEMORY WHEN I MET WITH THEM LAST WEEK. THIS IS IMPORTANT, BUT SO IS THAT DIRECT ASSISTANCE. IT IS HARD FOR US TO TIE THE HANDS OF LANDLORDS WHO ARE STRUGGLING AS WELL. MY PREFERENCE IS TO LET THOSE PEOPLE DECIDE WHETHER THEY WANT TO PAY REPRESENT OR MOVE INTO -- PAY RENT OR MOVE INTO A SISTER-IN-LAW OR BROTHER-IN-LAW'S HOME OR WHAT THEY WANT TO DO. I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT PITCH

BEFORE DIRECT ASSISTANCE, BUT I AM FOR THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. WE JUST CAN'T DO ENOUGH. WE ARE AT 40 MILLION FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND 40 MILLION FOR DIRECT ASSISTANCE. WE ARE NOW ABOUT TO DO THIS FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT EVEN THOUGH ON SOME OF THESE ITEMS WE HAVEN'T HAD UNANIMOUS VOTES ON IT, BUT I'M PROUD OF US AS A COUNTY FOR REALLY FOLLOWING THE PATH THAT WE HAVE. PEOPLE ARE CALLING ME FROM ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND IN THE STATE ABOUT HOW WE ARE DOING IT. AND SO, BUT BY THE SAME TOKEN, I DO WANT TO SUPPORT YOU, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ON ANOTHER DIRECT ASSISTANCE AT SOME POINT. HAVING THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM WILL ALLOW US TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO KEEP PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES.

EVEN THOUGH THE EVIDENCE DOES SHOW THAT WHEN FOLKS DO GET DIRECT ASSISTANCE THEY DO APPLY IT WHERE IT NEEDS TO GO. BUT JUST TO PROVIDE THAT ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF COMFORT IN MY MIND THAT WE DON'T DO THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND THEN STILL HAVE A LONG LINE IN THE EVICTION HEARINGS. I'M EXCITED TO HAVE THIS ITEM

ON THE AGENDA AND SUPPORT IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND COMMISSIONER -- IF I MAY, JUDGE. THAT'S WHY I SUPPORTED IT AND I KNOW MY FOLKS WILL MAKE IT A CASE. AND WE REALLY HAVE BEEN TREND SETTERS, I THINK, IF YOU COMPARE US. AND WE MIGHT ASK GUIDE HOUSE OR SOMEBODY TO DO THAT. OF COURSE, THERE IS STILL A LOT OF MONEY LEFT.

WAS IT ABOUT FOUR SOMETHING OR THREE SOMETHING? 426 AND ABOUT 200 LEFT.

AND OBVIOUSLY WE LOOKED AROUND THE STATE A BIT, BUT THAT'S WHY I AM HOPING WE CAN ENCOURAGE SOME OF OUR PARTNERS WITH THE 30 SOME ODD MILLION THEY HAVE AND IF THEY CAN CHIME IN. BUT ALSO WE ARE THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX.

YOU TALK ABOUT EVICTIONS, IF OTHER COUNTIES OR CITIES ARE DOING SOMETHING ON THE EVICTION SPACE, CAN WE DO MORE? EVEN IF IT STEPS ON SOME TOES, I THINK WE MAY BE GETTING TO THAT POINT. HERE IS A BET I HAVE IN COVID THAT I HAVE WITH SOME OF MY OLD COLLEAGUES IN THE LEGISLATURE.

IT IS A SHAME WE START THOSE LITTLE POTS. WE HAVEN'T PUT A POT TOGETHER YET, BUT A BET. I WILL MAKE YOU A PREDICTION THAT FROM OUR STATE PARTNERS WILL GIVE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS THAT GIVE YOU THE POWER BACK AND THEY HAVE TO TAKE THE HEAT TO GO AND DO IT. UNLESS SOMETHING HAPPENS, MY PREDICTION IS RIGHT AFTER THAT IMPORTANT POLITICAL GATHERING THAT IS COMING UP. YOU ARE GONNA BE GIVING POWER

[01:45:01]

THE ONLY THING WORSE THAN STOPPING WHAT WE WERE DOING THAT WAS WORKING IS TO STOP IT

AND THEN HAVE TO START IT AGAIN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND, JUDGE, IF I MAY RESPOND TO COMMISSIONER ELLIS. FIRST YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY CORRECT. WHEN EVERYBODY WAS CALLING ME AND TEXTING ME AND SAYING HEY, I HEAR THE GOVERNMENT WILL SHUTDOWN THE STATE OF TEXAS. NOW, THE GOVERNOR IS GOING TO GIVE US THE AUTHORITY TO DO WHAT WE HAVE BEEN ASKING TO DO ALL ALONG.

AND WE WILL BE THE ONES WITH THE HARD DECISIONS TO MAKE. TO THAT END AND A LITTLE TO WHAT YOU ARE ELUDING EARLIER, 400 MILLION IN ANYBODY'S POCKET IS A LOT OF MONEY.

BUT IN THIS COUNTY, IT IS BARELY A DROP IN THE BUCKET. IT MAY BE MORE OF WHAT WE COULD BE DOING IF THE GOVERNOR WOULD BE A DIRECT PARTNER IN OUR EFFORTS.

ASSUMING THAT LOCAL GOVERNMENT IS CLOSEST TO THE COMMUNITY AND KNOWS WHERE THE PAIN POINTS ARE AT AND THAT CARES MONEY THAT THE STATE HAS, THAT COULD BE GOING A LONG WAY FOR THOSE HALF MILLION THAT APPLIED FOR YOUR DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND THE 7,000 THAT APPLIED FOR THE INITIAL SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM, AND WHO KNOWS HOW MANY THOUSANDS WE ARE GONNA GET ON THIS SMALL BUSINESS GROUND. IT WOULD BE NICE TO GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE DON'T HAVE TO LEAVE SO MANY PEOPLE WITHOUT. ASSUMING THAT THOSE WHO APPLY WOULD BE ELIGIBLE. WE COULD HAVE A STRONGER PARTNER IN THIS STATE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, MANY PEOPLE ARE GONNA TAKE THIS CARES MONEY, AND THEY ARE GOING TO SUPPLANT THE STUFF THEY ARE PUTTING THEIR MONEY ON.

THAT'S THE ARGUMENT. AND I AM REAL PROUD WHETHER IT IS SMALL BUSINESS AND THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND I AM COGNIZANT OF IT.

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PLUG HOLES THAT ARE COMING IN OUR BUDGET BY THE WAY.

THEY ARE COMING. SO OUR FRIENDS SAY OH THE COUNTY HAS MONEY.

UH-HUH. I MEAN, WHEN THE PROPERTY APPRAISALS COME IN, WE WILL GET A SENSE THAT IT WILL GO DOWN AND WE DON'T GET MUCH IN SALES TAX.

OTHER PEOPLE WILL FEEL IT SOONER, BUT IT WILL HAVE AN IMPACT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR. PUTTING A LITTLE BIT OF THE POLITICAL THINGS ASIDE AND GOING TO THE AGENDA ITEM OF THIS USAGE OF THE CARES ACT FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE, JUDGE, I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PROGRAM. AS WE ARE -- AND I KNOW OUR TEAMS ARE ALL WORKING TOGETHER ON THE COMMITTEES AND AS WE MOVE FORWARD, THIS PROGRAM TO WHERE WE ARE DIRECTLY ASSISTING IN THAT PROCESS AND I BELIEVE THE PROTOCOL IS IN PLACE TO WHERE IF SOMEONE IS A RENTER THEY ARE IN A DEFAULT SITUATION WHEN THE LANDLORD TAKES THE FUNDS THAT THE SUIT IS DONE. AND THAT THEY ARE NOT NOW BEING KICKED OFF FOR SLOW PAY, AND THEY ARE ABLE TO HAVE THE WIN-WIN BETWEEN THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANT SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO MOVE ON OR GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.

AND IT IS DONE. I APPLAUD OUR TEAMS FOR MAKING SURE THAT WE'VE GOT A GOOD PROGRAM IN PLACE THAT IS THE WIN-WIN INSTANCE AND PROVIDE SOME STABILITY FOR US.

IT IS BOTH BAD FOR A LANDLORD AND A TENANT AND FOR A TENANT TO FIND A NEW PLACE AND A LANDLORD TO FIND A NEW TENANT WITH MONEY. THIS I THINK IS A VERY GOOD PROGRAM. IT ALONG WITH OUR SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAM THAT WE HAVE THERE, I THINK, ARE REALLY WHAT THE CARES FUNDS WERE DESIGNED TO BE.

MY HOPE IS THAT WE CONTINUE TO UTILIZE OUR CARE FUNDING IN THESE TYPES OF ACTIVITIES THAT HAVE A DIRECT BENEFIT IN OUR COMMUNITY AND PERHAPS BY BEING GOOD STEWARDS WITH REGARDS TO THESE TWO TYPES OF PROGRAMS THAT WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO PUT OUR FINGER IN THE DIKE WITH WHAT IS GOING ON AND MAYBE WE CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OTHER FUNDING THAT OTHERS ARE NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF AT THIS TIME AND BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT EFFORT TO SAY, LOOK, WE'VE GOT GOOD PROGRAMS. , AND WE -- WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DIRECT IT AND JOIN

[01:50:01]

US IN THIS ADVENTURE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND TO CLARIFY WITH THIS RENTAL PROGRAM, CAN WE SEE THE FOLKS THAT WERE NOT SELECTED AND THE DIRECT ASSISTANCE SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO SUBMIT ALL OF THEIR FULL INFORMATION? IS THERE ANY SORT OF SUPPORT WE ARE PROVIDING FOR THAT OR THAT WON'T COME UNTIL WE REPEAT PROGRAMS?

>> JUDGE WE HAVE A REPRESENTATIVE WITH BAKER RIPLEY AND WE HAVE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND MAYBE [INAUDIBLE] CAN RESPOND TO THAT AS WELL, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IF YOU ARE ON, AND IF NOT IT IS NO BIG DEAL.

AND WE ARE WATCHING THOSE NUMBERS AND WHAT BREAKS MY HEART IS SORT OF I DON'T WANT TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY FALSE HOPE. THAT'S WORSE THAN TELLING THEM THEY HAVE TO GO THROUGH PAIN AGAIN. THE TRUTH IS THERE IS NO EASY WAY OUT OF THIS. I AM GLAD I AM DOING THIS, BUT I HOPE THAT WE ARE GOING TO GET IT TOGETHER FOR THE LONG HAUL TO BRING THAT CURVE DOWN.

AND THEN REOPEN FOR THE LONG HAUL. I CAN TELL YOU GUYS THAT I AM NOT GOING TO BE ONE OUT THERE TRYING TO SAY THAT WE ARE DONE WHEN WE ARE NOT AND THEN WE NEED EVERYBODY'S SUPPORT WITH THAT BECAUSE PART OF THE CHALLENGE HAS BEEN THE MIXED MESSAGES. EVERYBODY WANTS TO KIND OF HANG ON TO THE HOPE.

THAT'S WHAT FOLKS WANT TO HEAR. IT HURTS MORE EVERY TIME IT IS OPEN AND CLOSED AND OPEN AND CLOSED. IT IS SETTING THEM UP FOR SUCCESS. WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT WITH THAT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT. IF IT IS LEGAL FOR THEM TO GO AND PULL SOME OF THE 450,000 PEOPLE WHO ARE REJECTED, IF IT IS LEGAL, TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT THEM INTO THE POT. I KNOW THE FOLKS OVER AT THE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, WE ARE WORRIED ABOUT PEOPLE CALLING IN SO DISTRAUGHT THAT MAYBE THEY DO SOMETHING.

IF THEY CAN'T DO IT LEGALLY, YOU KNOW, DON'T. THEY OUGHT TO JUST LOOK INTO

IT AND SEE IF THEY CAN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S PART OF THE RENTAL PROGRAM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER KAY -- CAGLE, YOUR MICROPHONE IS ON.

IS SOMEBODY FROM GUIDE HOUSE GOING TO LOOK INTO THIS? HOW DO WE MAKE SURE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH DEPARTMENT DID THIS COME OUT OF?

WE JUST HAVE TO CALL GUIDE HOUSE SO IF SOMEBODY WOULD. >> THIS IS SHANE.

WE CAN COMMUNICATE WITH THE FOUNDATION AND SEE WHAT IT WOULD TAKE AND ALSO

COMMUNICATE WITH BAKER RIPLEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND IF IT IS LEGAL. I DON'T KNOW. THERE COULD BE ISSUES.

I DON'T KNOW. >> WE'LL GET OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY INVOLVED IN IT AS

NEEDED. YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO NEXT IS THE ITEM 13 WHICH IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AMICAS BRIEF TO SUPPORT MAYOR TURNER.

IS ROBERT ON? >> UNMUTE YOUR LINE, SCOTT. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH, SCOTT.

I JUST SAW SCOTT. HOW ARE YOU DOING? >> JUDGE, I'M JUST FINE.

I AM HERE REPRESENTING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE THIS MORNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: RIGHT. GREAT. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONERS, WE ARE ASKING YOUR AUTHORITY TO FILE AN AM MA -- AMICUS BRIEF IN THE CASE OF HOTZE VERSUS TURNER. THAT'S WHERE THEY SUED THE CITY MAYOR AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON OVER ITS CONVENTION TO BE HELD AT THE CONVENTION CENTER.

IF THAT CASE CONTINUES, AND AT THIS POINT WE DON'T KNOW THAT IT WILL, WE WOULD LIKE YOUR PERMISSION TO FILE A BRIEF IN SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR AND THE CITY.

THE ISSUES OF THAT CASE HAVE TO DO WITH THE AUTHORITY OF LOCAL GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS TO ISSUE DISASTER DECLARATIONS AND AS THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS ARGUED WHETHER SUCH ORDERS IN THE SPECIFIC CONTEXT MIGHT VIE FREEDOM OF -- MIGHT VIOLATE FREEDOM OF SPEECH OR LOCAL PROTECTION. THE SUPREME COURT TOOK THE ISSUE UP AFTER A TRO WAS DENIED AND HELD THAT AS YOU MIGHT EXPECT THE FREEDOM OF SPEECH ASSOCIATION AND EQUAL PROTECTION ARE VERY IMPORTANT. AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY CERTAINLY HAS A RIGHT TO HOLD A CONVENTION. IT DOES NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD THAT CONVENTION AT THAT PARTICULAR LOCATION BEING THE CONVENTION CENTER AND THIS IS

[01:55:07]

IF THAT CASE DOES IN FACT CONTINUE, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS NOW LOST THE TRO AND THE SUPREME COURT AND NOW AT TEMPORARY INJUNCTION PHASE. WE WOULD LIKE TO FILE THAT

BRIEF SUPPORTING THE MAYOR AND THE CITY'S POSITION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS WOULD PUT US IN THE COMPANY OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TAKEN THIS POSITION. DID HE DO AN AMICUS? WHAT DID HE DO? I JUST SAW IT IN THE PAPER. IT DOES HAVE US IN LINE WITH --

>> IF I AM NOT MISTAKEN, COMMISSIONER, I BELIEVE THEY WERE BROUGHT IN AS A PARTY.

I BELIEVE SUB HOPKINS AND OUR PARTNERS COULD BE ON THE LINE AND THEY COULD EXPLAIN THE DETAILS OF THE CASE. I BELIEVE THEY WERE SOMEHOW A PARTY IN THE LIT -- LITIGATION. IN ANY CASE THE ATTORNEY GENERAL DID TAKE THE POSITION

THAT THE MAYOR AND THE CITY HAVE THE AUTHORITY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT. DO YOU NEED A MOTION OR WE JUST LEAVE IT? IF IT IS CONTROVERSIAL FOR ANYBODY, I WOULD MAKE A MOTION FOR IT NOW.

IF NOT WE CAN -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS A QUESTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DO EVERYTHING ONLINE.

WHY ARE WE FILING AN AMICUS BRIEF. SUPREME COURT HAS SPOKEN SO I

THOUGHT IT WAS OVER WITH. >> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, I DIDN'T HEAR THE FIRST PART OF YOUR QUESTION. IF I UNDERSTAND IT CORRECTLY, YOU ARE ASKING WHAT IS THE NECESSITY OF AN AMICUS BRIEF BASED ON THE POSTURE OF THE CASE AT THIS MOMENT.

WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THE CASE ULTIMATELY.

WE ARE ASKING FOR THE PERMISSION AT THIS TIME JUST IN CASE THE -- JUST IN CASE

THE LAWSUIT MOVES FORWARD. >> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY, BUT WHERE WE ARE RIGHT NOW IS THAT THERE IS GOING TO BE AN ONLINE CONVENTION. SO ANYTHING THAT WOULD BE PROCEEDING FROM THIS FORTH MAY BE A CONTRACTUAL DISPUTE, BUT I THINK THERE IS GOING TO BE A MOOTINOUS ISSUE THERE. I DON'T THINK THERE IS AN URGENCY.

WE ARE MEETING IN TWO WEEKS. I DON'T THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE NEED TO BE WEIGHING INTO AT THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE'S NO NEED. NOT UNLESS YOU ARE JUST

WANTING TO HAVE FUN WITH IT. >> CERTAINLY NOT, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK THE NECESSITY IS WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW. AND I DO AGREE WITH YOU THAT THERE COULD BE A MOOTNESS . BASED ON WHAT WE HEARD ABOUT THE CONVENTION BEING HELD ONLINE. AT THIS POINT, WE JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT THE PARTIES ARE

GOING TO DO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO EVEN IF THERE IS A CIVIL LAWSUIT, I AGREE WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. WE OUGHT TO MOVE FORWARD.

THIS CONVENTION, WHETHER IT WAS A DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION OR THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION, COULD HAVE BEEN SCHEDULED TO BEHELD IN THE NRG COMPLEX. I THINK WE WANT TO GO ON RECORD MAKING A POINT THAT WE AGREE UNDER THE LAW AS IT EXISTS AND GENERAL PAXTON AGREES, AT LEAST BASED ON THE PRESS ACCOUNTS, THAT THAT AUTHORITY IS ON THE LOCAL LEVEL TO CANCEL A CONVENTION IN A CIRCUMSTANCE LIKE THIS. I FOR ONE WILL MAKE A MOTION TO PER -- PERMIT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO DO. IT IT IS NOT A PARTISAN COMMENT. EVEN IF IT WAS A DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, THERE WERE PEOPLE IN MY PARTY WERE HOPING THE MAYOR WOULD NOT CANCEL IT. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST A MILLION DOLLARS FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IF THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE FORCE MAJOR CLAUSE BEING INSTITUTED BECAUSE THE MAYOR CANCELED IT. LOOK, I HAPPEN TO THINK IT IS A TOUGH CALL. I THINK HAY DID THE RIGHT THING AND I THINK IT WAS SINCERE THINKING ABOUT HIS MOTHER AT A TIME WHEN SHE WAS ONE OF THOSE WORKERS AT THE RICE HOTEL. I THINK WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE MAKE THE POINT THAT IT IS NOT AN IN YOUR FACE KIND OF A THING. ON A SEPARATE MATTER THE ISSUE YOU ALL DID ON ELECTION ISSUES BECAUSE OF COVID. YOU KNOW, YOU ALL MAY GO BACK TO COURT ON THAT. I MEAN, THERE ARE ALWAYS -- THAT'S ONE THING I LEARNED IN LAW SCHOOL. LAWYERS NEVER GIVE UP. EVEN SOME OF THEM ARE FAIRLY

[02:00:03]

OF SOMETHING TO THROW UP. I MAKE THE MOTION. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

IT IS NOT DONE UNTIL IT IS DONE. I WOULD ALSO SAY, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF IT TURNS OUT THAT THE MOOTNESS ARGUMENT COMES UP OR THAT THE CASE IS IN A DIFFERENT POSTURE OR THAT IT IS NOT MOVING FORWARD BY THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, THERE IS CERTAINLY NO REASON FOR US TO FILE AN AMICUS BRIEF, AND WE JUST SIMPLY WOULDN'T DO IT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD MAKE A MOTION BASED ON THAT UNDERSTANDING.

THAT IF IT IS MOOT, YOU WON'T FILE IT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF THAT GIVES YOU SOME COMFORT LEVEL. IF NOT I WILL JUST MAKE A MOTION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM READY TO VOTE, JUDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID YOU

SECOND THAT, JACK? >> R. JACK CAGLE: NOT ME. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I SECOND IT

THEN. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> OPPOSED. >> NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION

CARRIES. >> AND THAT WAS AS PRESENTED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WILL TAKE IT WITH THE CAVEAT. I AM TRYING TO GIVE COMMISSIONER CAGLE SOME COMFORT, BUT IF IT IS MOOT, NO NEED TO DO IT. LEAVE IT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S DIS-- DISCRETION. IF IT IS MOOT, AND NOTHING COMES UP, DON'T DO IT.

>> THAT'S RIGHT. THAT'S OUR POSITION, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. SO AS IS TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: NEXT IS ITEM 14 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND THAT IS AN AGREEMENT WITH UT HEALTH SCIENCE CENTER. THIS ONE WE SHOULD TAKE WITH ITEM ONE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA WHICH IS THE SAME AGREEMENT.

IT IS A PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM IN CASE FOLKS HAVE QUESTIONS. ALL RIGHT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DID YOU WANT TO MOVE ON THOSE RIGHT NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: FOLKS DON'T NEED TO DISCUSS IT, THEN I FIGURE WE WILL TAKE IT ALTOGETHER WITH THE REST OF

THE AGENDA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: OKAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 15 IS FUNDING FOR THE PICK FOR TEMPORARY SECURITY OPERATIONS AND THIS IS FOR THE CONSTABLE

PRECINCT WHICH IS WORKING ON THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS. >> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER

ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. GO AHEAD, LUCINDA.

>> JOE VENAS WITH HCCLA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD MORNING.

>> GOOD MORNING. GO AHEAD. >> GOOD MORNING.

THANK Y'ALL FOR TAKING MY CALL. WE AT HH -- HCCLA THE CRIMINAL LAWYERS ASSOCIATION FOR THOSE NOT FAMILIAR WITH US, WE BECAME AWARE OF ITEM 15 AND HONESTLY SHOULD HAVE INCLUDED IN IT ITEM 21 SPECIFICALLY A OF THE AGENDA THIS MORNING.

IT IS REGARDING THE JURY SELECTION PROCESS AT NRG. HCCLA IS THE LARGEST LOCAL CRIMINAL BAR ASSOCIATION IN THE COUNTRY. WE WROTE Y'ALL A LETTER OVER THE WEEKEND. I BELIEVE IT WAS SENT TO YOU SUNDAY, MAYBE YESTERDAY.

WITH OUR CONCERNS WITH USING THE NRG FACILITY FOR JURY SELECTION AND THE FIRST AND FOREMOST BEING DISTANCE. I HAVE BEEN LISTENING TO THE MEETING THIS MORNING AND EVERYBODY IS -- EVERYBODY'S LEGITIMATE CONCERNS OVER CORONAVIRUS, COVID-19 AND KEEPING PEOPLE CORNEL -- SOCIALLY DISTANCED AND HELPING TO PREVENT THE SPREAD AND SLOW DOWN THE SPIKE THAT WE ARE CURRENTLY IN. THE DISTANCE FOR ONE THAT NECESSARILY HAS TO BE PRESENT IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO BE -- TO HAVE ANY KIND OF SAFETY REALLY MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE IF NOT ACTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO COMMENCE A CONFIDENT DIRE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE TALKED ABOUT THE TRIAL LAWYER AND CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT JURY SELECTION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE JURY.

THEY SAID THAT IS THE ONLY TIME THEY CAN INTERACT WITH THE JURORS.

THEY ARE 84 FEET AWAY WHICH THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE TO HAVE A 65-MEMBER PANEL IN A FELONY CASE COUPLED WITH A FACE MASK AND A PLASTIC SHIELD THAT WILL REFLECT THE GLARE FROM THE LIGHTS, IT WOULD BE VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR US AS LAWYERS TO READ THESE JURORS, TO HEAR

[02:05:09]

ADDITIONALLY THE PARTITIONS THAT WOULD HAVE TO GO UP AS IT STANDS IT -- RIGHT NOW, THE PANELS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO BE OVER OVERLAPPING. IF I AM PICKING A JURY IN ONE ROOM, THE JURORS 40 FEET AWAY WILL BE ABLE TO HEAR WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE OTHER ROOM AND THERE WILL BE CONFUSION. THEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR ME AND I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HEAR THEM. WE REALLY ARE CONCERNED WITH WHAT IS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THOSE COMMENTS. AND I APPRECIATE -- YEAH.

GOT IT, COMMISSIONER. I APPRECIATE THOSE CONCERNS. HOW ABOUT COMMISSIONER CAGLE

GO AHEAD AND THEN I WILL MAKE MY COMMENTS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: A COUPLE OF FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS TO OUR PERSON. FIRST OF ALL, THANK YOU FOR ENGAGING IN THIS PROCESS AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF WE HAVE A JURY SELECTION PROCESS AND THANK YOU FOR PRONOUNCING IT CORRECTLY. YOU CALLED IT A VOI DIRE AS OPPOSED TO THE FANCY PEOPLES WHERE. AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CAN DO OLD SCHOOL. BUT GROUPS OF 12, AND I REMEMBER SOME CONTINUE -- CONTROVERSIAL CASES WHERE WE BRING THEM IN AND AS OPPOSED TO DOING THE WHOLE 64 MEMBER PANEL AT A TIME. I THINK THOSE ARE PROTOCOLS I WILL BE INTERESTED IN AND WOULD WANT TO MAKE SURE YOUR ORGANIZATION WOULD HAVE SOME INPUT ON TO MAKE SURE IT WILL BE HARD TO PICK A JUROR WHEN THEY ARE IN THE BACK ROW WITH A MASK ON.

YOU HAVE TO SEE IF THEY ARE SMILING AT YOUR CLIENT OR FROWNING AT YOUR CLIENT WHEN THE VOI DIRE IS GOING ON. THESE ARE THINGS WE CAN WORK OUT ALONG THE WAY ESPECIALLY IF WE ENGAGE ALL OF THE STAKEHOLDERS AND THE PARTNERS IN THE PROCESS.

MY OFFICE WILL MAKE SURE WEN -- WE ENGAGE THE HBA AND THEIR SUBSET ORGANIZATIONS TO MAKE SURE IF WE MOVE FORWARD WE DO SO -- TO MAKE SURE THERE ARE FAIR TRIALS FOR ALL OF THE

PARTIES IN THE CASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND I JUST WANTED TO POINT OUT PART OF IT IS ACCESS TO JUSTICE AND FRANKLY THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS WHO ARE SITTING IN JAIL BECAUSE THEY CAN'T AFFORD $200 OR $500. THIS IS US WORKING TO KEEP THOSE FOLKS IN THERE. WE ARE TRYING TO HAVE THE NUMBERS CLIMB AND IT IS NOT IDEAL. YOU KNOW, WHAT -- ONE OF THE OPTIONS IS THESE FOLKS JUST STAY THERE AND WE GROW THE BACKLOG. FRANKLY THERE IS SOMETHING THE JUDGES CAN DO UNILATERALLY AND THIS IS WHAT WE ARE LEFT WITH.

I THINK WE SHOULD WORK TOGETHER AND IMPROVE ON THE PROCESS.

I KNOW JIM BETKEY HAS BEEN ROLFED -- HAS BEEN INVOLVED AND JOHN IS INVOLVED AND THE JUDGES ARE INVOLVED. DO YOU GUYS HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THIS, JIM OR JOHN?

>> JUDGE, WE DID -- I WANT EVERYBODY TO UNDERSTAND THAT WE DID HAVE THE PUBLIC HEALTH DEEPLY INVOLVED IN THE WHOLE PROCESS AND WE HAVE DONE A SERIES OF GRAND JURORS.

WE DON'T ANTICIPATE DOING JURORS UNTIL THE END OF THE MONTH AT A TRIAL BASIS.

SO WE ARE NOT GOING FULL FORCE INTO THIS PER SAY, BUT WE ARE GOING SLOWLY TO MAKE SURE WE

[02:10:01]

HAVE IT RIGHT. >> IF I MAY RESPOND TO THAT, JUDGE --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: JOHN, ARE YOU LOOKING OVER THIS ORGANIZATION?

>> COMMISSIONER, JIM WOULD BE WORKING WITH THEM, YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN HEAR AGAIN FROM THE SPEAKER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN ADDITION TO -- MAKE SURE WE BRING IN THE MEXICAN AMERICAN LAWYERS

AND THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN GROUP AS WELL AS ALL OTHERS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS MADA, THE MEXICAN AMERICAN BOARD ADMINISTRATION. MABA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I HOPE WITH YOU WORK WITH THEM ON THIS BOARD.

LOOK, I AM WORRIED ABOUT THE DIVERSITY OF THESE JURORS. I KNOW THEY WANTED TO INCREASE THE PAY AND THAT WILL COME BACK AT SOME POINT. I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT THE LACK OF DIVERSITY. I AM FOR IT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DO AS MUCH AS WE

CAN SO WE DON'T ROLL BACK FARTHER THAN WE ARE NOW. >> WE WILL TELL YOU THAT YOUR CONCERN AND JIM CAN ADDRESS THIS, BUT WE WERE LOOKING AT THAT DURING THE GRAND JURY AND

WHO WAS SHOWING UP BECAUSE THAT WAS A BIG CONCERN. >> DO YOU HAVE THOUGHTS? I KNOW Y'ALL ARE COMING UP WITH SOMETHING TO FIGURE IT OUT.

I DON'T WANT TO PUT YOU ON THE SPOT NOW, AND I KNOW IT HAS BEEN YOUR LIFE'S WORK.

THAT'S WHY I HELD UP THE PAYMENT. I ADVOCATED FOR IT IN MY PREVIOUS JOB. I DIDN'T WANT THE HIGHEST PAID AND LEAST DIVERSE JURORS IN

THE COUNTRY. >> JUDGE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, THIS IS JIM BE TKEY.

BETKEY. IN REFERENCE TO THE JUROR PAY, WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE DISTRICT COURTS AND MY STAFF. OBVIOUSLY FOLKS ON YOUR STAFF.

SO WE ARE WORKING DILIGENTLY TO SEE WHAT IS HAPPENING AROUND THE COUNTRY REGARDING JUROR PAY AND I DO ANTICIPATE THAT THERE WILL BE A RECOMMENDATION COMING BACK TO INCREASE IT. DIVERSITY IS CRITICAL. I APPRECIATE THE CONCERNS.

ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK IS COMMUNICATION IS KEY. AND THERE IS A RESPONSIBILITY FROM OUR OFFICE TO INFORM BOTH THE PUBLIC AND THE BAR ASSOCIATIONS BECAUSE NEEDLESS TO SAY IT IS NOT A CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER CIVIL AND PROBATE.

THERE IS A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT. AS JUDGE HIDALGO MENTIONED, ACCESS TO JUSTICE IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL AND THE POSSIBILITY OF JUST SHUTTING DOWN THE COURTS IS NOT FEASIBLE. THE PROVINCE OF JURY ASSEMBLY IS SOLELY IN THE JUDICIARY. THEY REACHED OUT TO US TO WORK WITH US AND THEY WORKED WITH A MULTITUDE OF OTHER COUNTY DEPARTMENTS INCLUDING WITHHELD AS JOHN INDICATED THE SAFETY AND REALLY THE GUIDANCE FROM THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND THE JUDGE WHICH IS SAFETY. GRAND JURY WENT EXSEALINGLY WELL.

EQUAL -- EX -- EXCEEDINGLY WELL. GRAND JURY WENT WELL.

I BELIEVE CHIEF SAW IN PRECINCT ONE IS SETTING UP A MINI TOUR AND I KNOW THE DISTRICT TORTS ARE PLANNING TO DO AN OPEN HOUSE OF SORTS PRIOR TO JURY ASSEMBLY.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT IS CRITICAL TO KNOW IS THE GRAND JURY SELECTION WAS DONE ON A LIMITED BASIS. THEY WERE GETTING READY TO EXPIRE AND IT WAS CRITICAL.

WE LEARNED ABOUT THAT. IN AUGUST THERE WILL BE POTENTIALLY A HANDFUL OF CASES THAT WAS A DELIBERATE PROCESS, AND WE CAN GO TO TRIAL OR VOI DIRE.

FIRST THERE HAS TO BE A REQUEST FROM A DISTRICT JUDGE AND THEN THE PRESIDING JUDGE AND THEN TO THE TEXAS SUPREME COURT AND THE OFFICE OF COURT ADMINISTRATION.

[02:15:01]

THE CONSTITUTIONAL ENVIRONMENTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE COLLECT

DATA ON THE DIVERSITY FACTOR OF THESE JURORS ? >> THE ANSWER IS I DON'T KNOW 100% IF WE ARE. I DO THINK WE ARE COLLECTING IT.

HOW IT IS BEING COLLECTED I AM NOT 100%. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF YOU WOULD DIG INTO IT. AS IT RELATES TO THIS, THE CONCERN I HAVE AND I THINK JOHN BLUNT -- JOHN BLOUNT WAS TAPPING INTO AS WELL, AS A CHANGE OF GOING TO NRG AS OPPOSED TO DOWNTOWN, AS INCONVENIENT AS THAT IS RIGHT NOW AND EVEN IN THE PAST, WITH THE PARKING ISSUES, WE MAKE THE SWITCH AND IF IT IS LEADING TO DATA IT WOULD BE

LIKE MY DISPARITY STUDY. >> WE DO COLLECT THE DATA. THE DISTRICT CLERK ACTUALLY REPORTED OUT THE PRELIMINARY NUMBERS. IT IS NOT REALLY A LARGE ENOUGH POOL TO REALLY MAKE FIRM THE DETERMINATIONS. I THINK LAST YEAR IT WAS 24 HOUSES AND -- 24,000. WE MAY HAVE HAD A FEW. THE DEMOGRAPHICS, THE ONE THING THAT STOOD OUT WAS THAT THE ASIAN POPULATION, THERE WAS A NOTABLE INCREASE.

THERE WAS A DECREASE ON AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THE LATINO COMMUNITY.

I DON'T REMEMBER EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS AT. BUT THOSE NUMBERS ARE BEING SCRUTINIZED BY THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE JUDICIARY AND DISTRICT CLERK'S OFFICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST MAKE SURE YOU LOOK AT THEM. I KNOW WHEN WE GET TO ONE OF YOUR ITEMS LATER ON TODAY THERE WAS SOME DISCREPANCIES. SOME PEOPLE IDENTIFIED AS HISPANIC, YOU COULDN'T -- THE DATA WAS NOT IN THERE. IT SHOWED THEM AS ANGLO ALTHOUGH THEY IDENTIFIED AS HISPANIC. WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T COME BACK SIX MONTHS OR WHATEVER YEARS FROM NOW AND I GUESS WE HAVE TO WORK IN THE EQUITY ANALYSIS IN TERMS OF WHAT YOU DO SO WE CAN SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF

DIVERSITY. >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, JIM, FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING.

THE NEXT ITEM IS ITEM 16 BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 4 FOR PAID LEAVE.

I HAVE A NOTE HERE TO TAKE THIS WITH ITEM 10 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA WHICH IS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM ON THE SICK LEAVE POOL. OH, COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND

GARCIA, ARE YOU ON? >> WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON ITEM 10.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ITEM 10 AND 16 ARE TWO SIDES OF THE SIMILAR PROBLEM.

TWO DIFFERENT APPROACHES TO THE SAME PROBLEM. QUHA -- WHAT WE HAVE IS A NUMBER OF OFFICERS AND THIS IS ONE IN PARTICULAR THAT BROUGHT THIS TO OUR ATTENTION AND I WANT TO THANK SHANE AND HIS OFFICE FOR WORKING WITH US AND WITH OTHERS IN THAT SOMETIMES IN MAKING YOUR CLAIMS IN THE WORKERS COMP WORLD, ALL OF THE PRESUMPTIONS ARE AGAINST THE EMPLOYEE INSTEAD OF FOR THE EMPLOYEE. WHEN THEY RUN OUT OR WHEN THEY RUN SHORT, THEN THEY ARE KICKED OUT THE DOOR. AND WHAT ITEM 16 DOES IS IT ALLOWS US, AND I UNDERSTAND IF WE CAN HAVE THIS COVERED UNDER THE CARES ACT FUNDING THAT THIS IS REIMBURSABLE. WHAT THIS ALLOWS US TO DO IS ADD FOR OUR EMERGENCY FIRST RESPONDERS AND -- AN ADDITIONAL 80 HOURS OF PAID LEAVE IF THEY ARE DIAGNOSED WITH COVID SO THAT AS THEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO WORK OUT WHERE THEY ARE AND HOW THEY ARE IN THE WORKERS COMP ARENA, THAT THAT GIVES THEM THE EXTRA BIT OF CUSHION BEFORE THEY ARE JUST KICKED OUT TO THE COLD. I KNOW THAT MANY OF OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE A LONG-TERM DISABILITY, BUT THAT DOESN'T KICK IN UNTIL YOU GET PAST THE NEXT STAGE. IF WE PUT IN THE 80 HOURS OF PAID LEAVE WHICH ALLOWS OUR FOLKS WITH OUR FIRST RESPONDERS WHO COME DOWN WITH COVID TO HAVE THAT EXTRA BIT

[02:20:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD A QUESTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I THINK IT IS A GREAT IDEA, AND I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT. WHY WOULD -- WHY WOULDN'T WE DO THE SAME FOR OUR OTHER FRONT LINE EMPLOYEES? OUR CONTRACT TRACERS AND OTHERS, PEOPLE IN THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT, PARTICULARLY DURING A PANDEMIC? HOW DO WE DRAW THE DISTINCTION? WHY WOULDN'T WE DO THEM AS WELL, AND IF APPROPRIATE, I WOULD LIKE TO AMEND -- OFFER AN AMENDMENT THAT WE DO THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR THE WORK OF YOU AND YOUR STAFF ON ITEM 16. SIMILARLY WITH ITEM 10, THIS IS NOT INTENDED TO BE EXCLUSIVE OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL. RATHER, I SEE THIS AS BEING A COUNTY WIDE PROGRAM BECAUSE AS YOU VERY WELL INDICATED, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I HAVE FOLKS IN MY OFFICE THAT ARE TAKING ILL AND SOME HAVE HAD SOME CHALLENGES.

WHEN I CAME INTO OFFICE THIS WAS SOMETHING I WANTED TO SEE DONE.

IT WAS SOMETHING I TRIED TO GET DONE WHEN I WAS SHERIFF. SO I AM GLAD THAT -- I AM TO THE GLAD OF THE CIRCUMSTANCES THAT BROUGHT US TO THIS POINT, BUT I AM GLAD THAT SHANE CAN GET IT DONE. I WOULD SECOND COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S ITEM AND MOVE ON ITEM

10. >> LINA HIDALGO: MY ONLY QUESTION --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, IF I MAY ADDRESS YOUR QUESTION.

I THINK THAT WE APPROACHED IT BECAUSE OF WHERE THE POINT OF THE SPEAR FIRST HIT US.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH EXPANDING THAT TO OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES IF THAT IS THE ITEM 15 I THINK WE WERE CLEAR, AND THIS IS A QUESTION FROM SHANE THAT WE COULD QUALIFY UNDER THE CARES ACT FOR THAT. I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM IF LEGAL TO EXPAND THAT TO OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S MOTION FOR A LITTLE BACKGROUND IS SOMETHING THAT WE ACTUALLY TRIED TO BRING TO BEAR A NUMBER OF YEARS AGO.

ONE OF THE BENEFITS OF PEOPLE SOFT SOFTWARE IS IT ALLOWS US TO DO SOMETHING WE WERE PREVIOUSLY TOLD NO WE COULDN'T AND MADE AN EFFORT. IN FACT, IT SEEMS LIKE I AND SHERIFF GARCIA HAD TALKED ABOUT TRYING TO BRING THIS ABOUT WAY BACK IN THE DAY, AND WE JUST WEREN'T ABLE TO GET IT THROUGH BECAUSE WE DIDN'T HAVE THE TECHNICAL CAPACITY TO MAKE

THIS HAPPEN. AM I REMEMBERING CORRECTLY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE MAY HAVE HAD SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS. YOU ARE GOING BACK. I MEAN, THIS IS SOMETHING I PROPOSED, I THINK, A LITTLE BEFORE YOUR TIME WHEN I FIRST CAME IN HERE.

IT WAS JUST HARD FOR ME TO RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS HAD THIS

PROGRAM IN PLACE FOR MAYBE 20 YEARS OR MORE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND OUR EMPLOYEES HAVE VOLUNTEERED AND WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DO IT.

I AM REALLY GLAD WE ARE NOW DOING THAT. >> THIS IS SHANE.

COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE COULD EXPAND THIS TO PUBLIC HEALTH WORKERS.

THEY MEET THE SAME DEFINITION OF THE COVID SICK LEAVE IF Y'ALL WANT TO MAKE AN

AMENDMENT ON THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NOT JUST PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: EVERYBODY. IF I MIGHT, IF YOUR CHIEF -- I MEAN, WE GOT -- LOOK, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT IT COSTS, BUT YOU GOT -- LOOK, I HAVE SOME FOLKS THAT ARE PRETTY ESSENTIAL AND SOMEBODY IS IN THERE HELPING ME AND PASSING ME NOTES RIGHT NOW.

I WOULD LIKE TO THINK WHAT WE ARE DOING TODAY IS SOMEWHAT ESSENTIAL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXACTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS MY QUESTION WAS THE COST.

AND FOR SHANE AND FOR WHOMEVER, IS IT SOMETHING YOU NEED AN ESTIMATE TO BRING IT BACK? I LOVE THE IDEA. I AM JUST WONDERING WHETHER WE

CAN AFFORD IT AND WHETHER IT WOULD COME OUT OF CARES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I THINK THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE IF I MIGHT, THERE IS A TENDENCY THAT I HAVE SEEN SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR SOMEONE TO GO AND GRAB WHICH EVER GROUP THEY MAY THINK HAS THE POLITICAL GRAVITOS. AND THEN IN TERMS OF THE EQUITY LENS LEAVE OTHERS OFF, AND THERE IS NO DISRESPECT TO LAW ENFORCEMENT OR FIRE OR HEALTH OR ANYONE ELSE, BUT I

[02:25:01]

A PERFECT EXAMPLE WOULD BE THE FOLKS WHO ARE HELPING ME DO WHAT I'M DOING TODAY.

THAT'S WHY I KEEP THROWING THIS MASK ON. ONE OF THEM COULD GET IT.

I COULD BE ASYMPTOMATIC SO I WANT THIS TO APPLY TO THEM AS WELL.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: EXACTLY. AND LET ME JUST SAY THIS, JUDGE, IF I MAY, THAT THE WAY I SEE THESE ITEMS WORKING TOGETHER IS I SEE COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S ITEM BEING AT LEAST A STOP GAP FOR THE IMMEDIATE NECESSITY WHILE THE -- AND THEN THE SICKLY POOL, WHEN THAT GETS UP AND RUNNING, THAT WILL TAKE OVER. IT WILL HELP US KEEP IT FUNDED WITH MONEY DIRECTLY, BUT RATHER WHEN THE PROGRAM GETS UP AND RUNNING, THEN EMPLOYEES WILL BE ABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN IT DIRECTLY THEMSELVES. I CAN SEE COMMISSIONER CAGLE AS BEING AN IMMEDIATE STOP GAP MEASURE IN THE SHORT-TERM WHILE SHANE GETS THE SICKLY

PROGRAM UP AND RUNNING. >> JUST A REMINDER THAT WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH SURE. LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER. >> HANS MARTICEYEK.

>> CLOSE ENOUGH. THANK YOU. >> SORRY.

>> THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO SPEAK THIS MORNING.

I DO APPRECIATE YOUR CONVERSATION THIS MORNING. IT IS VERY POSITIVE.

I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP LAST YEAR WHEN I HAD A BRIEF MEETING WITH THE JUDGE AS WELL AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA. BOTH WERE INTERESTED. I APPRECIATE YOU BRINGING IT UP NOW. WE HAD OVER AT THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT, NOT SURE ABOUT THE REST OF THE CITY, BUT CERTAINLY AT THE POLICE DEPARTMENT FOR A MINIMUM OF 15 YEARS. IT HAS WORKED OUT VERY WELL. WE HAVE BEEN ALLOWED TO DONATE PARTICULAR TIME BANKS INTO A SICK LEAVE POOL. WHETHER IT IS PTO, PAID TIME OFF, OR OF COURSE WE DON'T HAVE SICK TIME OVER THERE ANYMORE, OR VACATION TIME OR COMPENSATORY TIME, SICK TIME, WHATEVER IT IS. IT HAS ALLOWED PEOPLE TO GET THROUGH THEIR CHALLENGES, THEIR HEALTH CHALLENGES, AND FOR THE MOST PART GET THEM BACK TO WORK. WE THINK IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT CERTAINLY OUR DEPUTY SHERIFFS AND DEPUTY CONSTABLES AND THE FIRST LINE RESPONDERS TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO THIS AND TO DONATE TIME FOR THEIR FELLOW EMPLOYEES. CERTAINLY WE DON'T HAVE ANY GRIPE ABOUT ANY OTHER HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE COMING UNDER THE SAME POLICY.

I AM VERY ENCOURAGED BY YOUR CONVERSATION THIS MORNING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU,

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

>> THANK YOU. IF YOU DON'T MIND, I WOULD -- I'M SORRY.

IF YOU DON'T MIND I WOULD LIKE -- I WILL SENTED YOU -- SEND YOU A COPY OF THE HPD GENERAL ORDERS REGARDING NATION TIME AND THE CONFER AGREEMENT AND THAT LANGUAGE OF TIME. AND YOU CAN USE THAT AS A FORMAT TO SHAPE YOUR POLICY TO

HELP OUR FOLKS. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. APPRECIATE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. DID YOU HAVE A COMMENT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- I AM FOR IT IF IT APPLIES TO EVERYONE.

I JUST DON'T -- THERE IS ALWAYS THE TENDENCY TO GO AND GRAB ONE GROUP AND NOT THE OTHERS. I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME SENSE OF WHAT IT COSTS.

I WILL CERTAINLY MAKE THE MOTION TO HAVE IT APPLY TO EVERYBODY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A WAY TO MAKE A MOTION TO WHERE IT IS LIKE WHAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAYS IT IS A STOP GAP. WE DON'T WANT TO LEAVE FOLKS OUT RIGHT NOW.

WE CAN MAKE A MOTION AND IT WILL TRANSITION TO THE POOL OR WE WILL GET A REPORT THAT WE CAN AFFORD IT FOR THE LONG HAUL. I DON'T KNOW IF THAT IS A SHANE QUESTION OR WHO CAN HELP US PUT TOGETHER THAT MOTION. WE CAN CERTAINLY COME BACK TO

IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT SOUNDED REAL GOOD.

I WILL JUST OFF AREA FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND COMMISSIONER GASH

DASH -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S AMENDMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS COUNTY

WIDE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S IS COUNTY WIDE NOW.

MINE WAS NOT MADE COUNTY WIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT I WOULD LOVE FOR IT TO BE COUNTY WIDE.

THE QUESTION WAS WE WERE SURE THAT WE COULD BE REIMBURSED WITH IT BEING TARGETED AS WAS PHRASED. I DON'T KNOW WHETHER WE KNEW WE WOULD BE REIMBURSED IF WE WENT COUNTY WIDE. I THINK THAT'S WHERE THE QUESTION WAS.

SHANE NOW BELIEVES WE CAN BE REIMBURSED IF WE GO COUNTY WIDE.

I WILL ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO MAKE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST HAVE

[02:30:09]

TO ASK WHAT WILL IT COST? >> THE CARES ACT IS LIMITED TO CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF FOLKS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH CARE WORKERS. NOT ALL WILL BE REIMBURSED.

THIS IS ONLY AVAILABLE FOR FOLKS WHO HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL OF THEIR TIME, PAID LEAVE, VACATION AND COMP TIME. I DON'T KNOW IF WE WILL HAVE A LOT OF THOSE FOLKS.

THE COST MAY BE MINIMAL. THE SICK LEAVE POOL WILL BE OPEN FOR EVERYBODY.

WE HAVE TO BY STATUTE OUT. THAT WILL COST US MORE IN THE LONG RUN, AND WE CAN GET THAT

FOR YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S DID INCLUDE EVERYONE,

RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO, SHANE, DO WE NEED THE MOTION OR IS IT JUST AUTOMATICALLY -- BECAUSE PRESUMABLY YOU WOULD EXPENNED THE -- S -- EXPED THE -- EXPEND THE SICK LEAVE POOL FIRST.

>> IT IS A QUESTION OF IF YOU WANT THE REIMBURSEMENT PIECE FROM THE CARES ACT WHICH IS MAINLY LIMITED TO LAWEN -- LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

YOU CAN AMEND IT TO INCLUDE HEALTH CARE WORKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WANT IT TO INCLUDE EVERYONE. THE QUESTION IS THERE WAS THIS SUGGESTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHICH I THINK IS COMPLETELY VALID THAT THIS OUGHT TO BE A STOP -- STOP GAP

UNTIL WE FIGURE OUT THE POOL. MAYBE I AM HUNG UP ON THAT. >> SO THE 80 HOURS, IT IS ONLY -- IT ONLY GOES THROUGH DECEMBER, I BELIEVE, 18TH.

IT WILL END. BY THAT TIME THE SICK LEAVE POOL WILL BE UP AND RUNNING TO

PICK UP FROM THERE ON. >> SO THE 80 HOURS PROVIDES THAT SUNSET TO COMMISSIONER

CAGLE'S EFFORTS? >> YES, SIR. DECEMBER 18TH IT ENDS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE DATE. COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WOULD YOUR ITEM BE EFFECTIVE ONLY UNTIL THE CARES MONEY RUNS OUT, OR WAS IT

GOING BEYOND THAT? >> NO, IT WAS ONLY UNTIL THE CARES MONEY RUNS OUT.

THE WAY WE CAN PHRASE IT IS TO TAKE CARE OF THE CARES ACT. THAT'S WHY IT DOESN'T APPLY THE BROAD BASE. WE APPLY THE INDIVIDUAL FUNDS THAT CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOME OF OUR EMPLOYEES. I WOULD BE UH MEANABLE TO THIS.

LET'S GO FORWARD WITH TAKING ADVANTAGE OF WHAT WE CAN UNDER THE CARES ACT, AND THEN ASKING SHANE TO COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS TO TELL US WHAT WOULD IT COST TO INCLUDE OUR OTHER EMPLOYEES. THAT WILL NOT BE COMING OUT OF THE CARES ACT.

THAT WON'T BE REIMBURSED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU HAVE A COST FOR YOUR ITEM AS IT WAS

ORIGINALLY SUBMITTED? SHANE MAY HAVE THAT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE DON'T KNOW THAT. SHANE MAY. THE POOL WAS NOT ALL 17,000 OF

OUR EMPLOYEES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I GET IT. SO WITH THE CARES MONEY WE CAN ONLY DO, AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO YOURS, HEALTH AND PUBLIC SAFETY.

IF HE HAS AN ESTIMATE ON PUBLIC SAFETY, JUST ASKING WHAT IS IT, AND THAT MAY GIVE US SOME IDEA WHAT IT MAY COST FOR HEALTH. IT MAY BE A GUESS, BUT DOES HE

KNOW? >> I DON'T HAVE THAT, COMMISSIONER, BUT I WOULD TRY TO LOOK IT UP BY THE END OF THE DAY. IT WOULD BE MINIMAL.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT EXHAUSTED ALL OF THEIR TIME. THEY WOULDN'T HAVE ANYTIME

WHATSOEVER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS IT YOUR GUESS THAT IT IS MINIMAL FOR

HEALTH WORKERS AS WELL? >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I OFFER THAT AS AN AMENDMENT AND THEN WE WILL FIGURE OUT IN TWO WEEKS, AS YOU SAID.

I OFFER IT AS A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT TO YOUR ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I ACCEPT THE FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT WE MAKE THIS AVAILABLE TO ALL THOSE WHO QUALIFY UNDER THE

CARES ACT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN, SHANE, YOU WILL COME BACK AT THE NEXT COURT WITH AN ESTIMATE AND PROPOSAL SO WE CAN EXTEND IT TO EVERYBODY ELSE THROUGH DECEMBER IF WE SO CHOOSE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND EVEN IF WE HAVE TO TAKE THAT, I THINK WITH WHAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH

WE OUGHT TO DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. BUT IT WOULD BE GOOD TO KNOW HOW MUCH IT COSTS. SHANE, YOU BRING THAT BACK. LET'S VOTE ON COMMISSIONER

CAGLE'S ITEM. YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: LET'S PLEASE

CLEARLY STATE WHAT THE MOTION IS NOW. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S DO THAT. COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, THE MOTION IS AS HAS BEEN LISTED ON ITEM 16, BUT WHERE WE END WHERE IT COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES, WE ADD THE OTHER TWO CATEGORIES THAT QUALIFY UNDERNEATH CARES ACT

[02:35:05]

CATEGORY, SHANE? >> LAW ENFORCEMENT AND HEALTH CARE WORKERS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT THE -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE FOLKS WHO FUND THE -- QUALIFY FOR THE

CARES ACT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THOSE WHO QUALIFY FOR CARES ACT SPECIFICALLY INCLUDING LAW ENFORCEMENT AND PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY EMPLOYEES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T SEE THE DATE ON THIS ONE. WHERE DOES IT SAY THROUGH TO

DECEMBER 18TH? >> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S NOT IN THE MOTION.

THAT IS WHAT IS AVAILABLE UNDER THE CARES ACT. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS --

>> IT IS IN THE ORDER. IT IS IN THE ORDER IN THE BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO COMMISSIONER, THE MOTION WILL BE --

>> JUDGE. SORRY TO INTERRUPT. COULD WE DELAY THE VOTE FOR A

FEW MINUTES AND HAVE SOMEBODY HAVE JAMES GET INVOLVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T HAVE TO READ IT, COMMISSIONER. I GOT IT. WHEN YOU SAID IT I WAS GOING TO CALL COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO READ IT AND I CAN WRITE IT DOWN.

I GOT IT. IT IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT FOUR FOR APPROVAL OF AN ADDITIONAL 80 HOURS OF PAID LEAVE EFFECTIVE JULY 18TH FOR CERTAIN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT EMPLOYEES AND OTHER EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES WHO QUALIFY FOR CARES ACT REIMBURSEMENT WHO WOULD HAVE OTHERWISE BEEN DOCKED DUE TO ABSENCES FOR COVID-19 POSITIVE TEST RESULTS OR POSITIVE ILLNESSES SUBJECT TO DISCRETION.

ALL I ADDED WAS AND OTHER EMPLOYEE CATEGORIES WHO QUALIFY FOR CARES ACT

REIMBURSEMENT. DOES THAT WORK, SHANE? >> YES, IT DOES, JUDGE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT ME TO SECOND IT, OR GARCIA, DO YOU WANT TO SECOND IT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WILL SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A

MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOUR ITEM 10 ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, GUNNEL -- JUDGE. MY MOTION IS TO DIRECT THE OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES TO IMPLEMENT A POLICY AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR A SICKLY POOL AND BRING TO THE

COURT FOR CONSIDERATION ON JULY 28TH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE

ALREADY SECONDED THAT AND I WILL SECOND IT AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER

COMMENTS ON THAT OR SPEAKERS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I AM FOR.

IT I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE SHANE KNOWS TO COME BACK WITH THE ITEM FOR OTHER EMPLOYEES

IN TWO WEEKS. >> YES, COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: A MOTION AND A SECOND FOR COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S ITEM 10 ON THE

SUPPLEMENTAL. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ONE MORE COVID ITEM AND SO LET'S TAKE THIS ONE AND BREAK

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

ONLINE PORTAL FOR NGO'S TO GET PPE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. IT IS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES AND NGO'S.

TO GET PPE. WE MODELED THIS AVER -- AFTER WHAT BEXAR COUNTY HAS DONE.

THIS IS AVAILABLE TO EVERY PRECINCT TO HELP ADMINISTER AND MAKE SURE THAT THOSE RESOURCES GET OUT TO THE COMMUNITY IN BEXAR COUNTY. IT WOULD BE HANDLED BY THE DELIGHT OF BEXAR COUNTY. HE DOESN'T HAVE THE STAFF TO DO THAT.

AND SO TO A SMALL EX -- EXTENT HE CAN HELP IN THAT REGARD. TO A LARGE EXTENT THE COMMISSIONERS WOULD HAVE TO BE VERY ENGAGED IN THIS PROCESS. MY MOTION IS TO MOVE TO DIRECT THE PURCHASE -- THE PURCHASING AGENT, UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TO DEVELOP AN ONLINE PORTAL FROM WHICH NON-GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES MAY REQUEST PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND APPROPRIATE 1 MILLION FROM THE PUBLIC CONTINGENCY FUNTD -- FUND TO PURCHASE SUCH EQUIPMENT AND DISTRIBUTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, HOW DO YOU LIKE THAT SIGN? HERE IS A GOOD IDEA, AND

COMMISSIONER COULD WE DO IT WITH CARES MONEY, BY THE WAY? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DON'T SEE

WHY NOT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO WE WILL DO. IT BUT IF WE CAN GET

[02:40:03]

REIMBURSED BY CARES -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: LOOK UP! >> RODNEY ELLIS: I LOVE IT.

THANK YOU. I THINK WE CAN GET REIMBURSED BY CARE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND MY STAFF SAYS FEMA CAN BE A POSSIBLE RESOURCE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE CAN GET FEMA, GET IT FROM FEMA. TELL DWIGHT TO LET US KNOW HOW ARE WE DOING ON SUPPLIES IF WE END UP WITH -- I WILL MAKE A BET WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA ON WHAT WILL HAPPEN, BUT I HAVE MADE THAT BET WITH A FEW PEOPLE ON WHAT WILL COME FROM THE STATE PARTNERS. HOW ARE WE DOING ON -- I DON'T WANT TO BE --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WAS ABOUT TO SAY THAT KNOWING THE RESPONSIBILITY OF WHAT TO DO IN OUR COUNTY IS COMING AND SETTING UP THIS PORTAL IS OPPORTUNE.

>> JUST TELL US LATER AND DROP US A NOTE HOW WE ARE DOING ON INVENTORY.

I KNOW I WAS TRYING TO GET SOME OF THE FACE SHIELDS THAT I SAW YOU HAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I MAY DECIDE TO GET THEM TWO. NOT THE MASK, BUT THE PLASTIC

THING. HE CAN TELL US LATER. >> I DO HAVE ONE, JUDGE.

I HAVE A QUESTION WHEN I HAVE A CHANCE, PLEASE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

DWIGHT. >> IS THERE A SPES -- SPECIFIC TYPE OF PPE IN THIS PROGRAM OR IS IT JUST FACE MASKS AND ARE WE DOING THERMOMETERS AND OTHER THINGS?

DO WE WANT TO PRESENT THAT BACK FOR APPROVAL LATER ON? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK WE SHOULD INCLUDE THE FACE MASKS, BUT I THINK WE OUGHT TO INCLUDE THE THERMOMETERS AS

WELL. >> OKAY. I JUST WANTED A

CLARIFICATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN I SUGGEST THAT MAYBE THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT NOW. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY WILL COME UP WITH -- SOMEBODY TOLD ME ALL THIS STUFF -- EVERYBODY IS SELLING SOMETHING. IT IS SOMETHING YOU PUT QULOR FINGER IN AND -- PUT YOUR FINISHING NEITHER AND IT TELLS YOU HOW MUCH GOOD OXYGEN YOU HAVE. FIGURE IT OUT ON NOT WASTING MONEY, BUT SOMETHING THAT

MAKES SENSE IS MY GUESS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD SAY THE THREE TOP PRIORITIES ARE

THE FACE MASK, THE THERMOMETER AND THE GLOVES. >> AGREED.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WONDERFUL.

THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, BEFORE WE GO AT TREND STAR I SAW THAT LITTLE MACHINE WE ARE LOOKING IN. ARE WE LOOKING AT GETTING THOSE FOR OUR OFFICES? SO EVEN LIKE IN THIS BUILDING THE YOUNG PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO FEEL A LITTLE UNCOMFORTABLE WHEN ONE OF US WALKS IN HERE, IN THE MAIN BUILDING.

I LIKE THE MACHINE IF IT IS ACCURATE WHEN I WAS AT TREND STAR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH, AND IS THAT -- I'LL RUN IT DOWN. I DON'T KNOW, COMMISSIONER.

I KNOW SOMEBODY DONATED IT. IT WAS LIKE, YOU KNOW, THE NEW THING AND LET'S SEE HOW IT WORKS. I DON'T ACTUALLY KNOW IF IT IS GOOD OR NOT.

DOES JOHN KNOW? DO YOU KNOW? I WILL FOLLOW-UP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I TOLD YOU YESTERDAY WHEN I WENT TO TREND STAR TWO WEEKS AGO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS COOL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU CALLED ME TWO DAYS LATER AND SAID YOU

HAD BAD NEWS. IT DIDN'T WORK FOR SOMEBODY. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JOHN BLOUNT. WE ARE LOOKING INTO THAT AND RUNNING DOWN THE VARIOUS

MODELS AND WORKING TO SET UP A TEST. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

GREAT. THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND, JUDGE, WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO WHEN WE COME BACK? A COUPLE OF ELECTED OFFICIALS WANT TO TESTIFY ON AN ITEM. IF YOU KNOW WHAT WE WILL TAKE UP?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I FIGURED WE WOULD TAKE UP THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATIVE.

WE HAVE SO MANY SPEAKERS. WE COULD, YOU KNOW, COME BACK AT 1:45 AND START WITH THAT AND THEN WE WILL GO BACK DOWN THE REST OF THE AGENDA. THIS IS IT FOR THE COVID

ITEMS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE NEED TO MOVE THEM OR WAIT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: EITHER WAY. WE CAN. NORMAL -- NORMALLY WE MOVE ALL

OF IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET'S MOVE ALL OF IT SO THOSE PEOPLE CAN STOPWATCHING. THE COVID ITEMS WE HAVE NOT MOVED ALREADY THIS MORNING.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. DO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? ALL IN FAVOR? >> WAIT, JUDGE.

WHAT ITEMS ARE WE SPECIFICALLY? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ONLY THE ONES

WE WENT THROUGH THIS MORNING, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL OF THE ITEMS UNDER SECTION 21 WHICH IS THE REGULAR COVID SECTION ON THE AGENDA AND THEN THE SUPPLEMENTAL COVID WHICH IS ITEMS 12 TO 16, AND THEN INCLUDING ITEM 10 WHICH WAS RELATED TO YOUR ITEM ON THE -- THAT'S THE POOL, THE SICK LEAVE POOL AND THEN PLUS ITEM

[02:45:05]

>> JUDGE, THIS IS LUCINDA. BRUCE HAS AN ANSWER IN REGARDS TO THE SCAN EVERIES AT TREND

STAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH SURE. GO AHEAD, BRUCE.

>> BRUCE, YOU ARE UNMUTED. WE'LL HAVE TO COME BACK TO HIM.

SORRY ABOUT THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I ONLY MAKE THE SMOGS SO THOSE -- A MOTION

SO THEY CAN LEAVE. >> I AM HERE. >> GO AHEAD, BRUCE.

>> HI, SO JUST TO LET YOU KNOW THAT WE HAD PROOF OF CONCEPT OF TWO PIECES OF EQUIPMENT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. THERE IS ONE AT FAMILY LAW BEING USED AT THE ENTRANCE AND THE OTHER IS AT OUR RADIO SHOP. IT IS A DIFFERENT TYPE OF TECHNOLOGY, BUT IT IS PROVEN WORKING WELL. WE HAVE ONE FOR DEPLOYMENT ANYWHERE YOU WANT AND WE CAN WORK WITH DWIGHT ANYTIME TO PROCURE MORE IF YOU SEE IT NECESSARY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND COST? >> DWIGHT, DO YOU HAVE AN ANSWER ON THAT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF Y'ALL FIGURE IT OUT AS A BULK, I WOULD LIKE TO PUT THEM AT MY OFFICES WHERE PEOPLE HAVE TO GO. I KNOW HOW UNCOMFORTABLE IT IS FOR ONE OF MY STAFFERS TO -- YOU KNOW, I CAN TELL IF I KEPT WALKING THEY WOULD LET ME GO.

>> I WILL GET THAT INFORMATION AND GIVE IT TO THE COURT MEMBERS AND GET THAT OUT TO

YOU THIS AFTERNOON. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. AND THEY DO WORK, RIGHT?

>> THEY DO WORK, YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THAT THE SAME -- THE THING ARE YOU

RUNNING DOWN, JOHN? >> YES. BRUCE IS DOING THE TWO -- I WILL CALL THEM PROTOTYPES BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGIES.

WE ARE LOOKING AT -- WHAT WE WOULD LIKE TO DO IS COME TO A CONCLUSION AND DO WHAT WE NEED TO HOLISTICALLY. IT IS SIGNIFICANTLY EXPENSIVE TO HAVE THE STAFF CHECKING INVENTORY. WE'RE WORKING WITH BRUCE AND DWIGHT ON THIS.

>> ONE OTHER THING I WANT TO ADD IS THAT ESPECIALLY FOR EMPLOYEE ENTRANCES, IF IT COMES BACK THAT THEY HAVE A FEVER, THEN IT WILL DISABLE THEIR BADGE IMMEDIATELY BEFORE

THEY CAN EVEN GET TO THE DOOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: OH WOW.

>> THAT'S WHY WE HAD TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE TECHNOLOGY BECAUSE IT HAS TO TIE IN WITH

THE BADGING PROCESS. >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH. GREAT.

LET US KNOW WHEN YOU COME TO A CONSENSUS SO WE CAN DO IT APPROPRIATELY.

>> WE WILL. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE DON'T WANT TO RUSH IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF YOUR TEMPERATURE IS WRONG THEY DISCONNECT YOUR BADGE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. IF YOUR TEMPERATURE IS OVER THE SET -- WHATEVER WE SET IT

AT, IT WILL DISABLE YOUR BADGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THE TEMPERATURE IS NOT THE BE ALL END ALL LIKE COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID.

WE HAD SOMEONE THERE WHO OBVIOUSLY PASSED THE TEMPERATURE TEST, SO WE STILL HAVE TO WEAR THE MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCE IN OUR OFFICES.

DID WE HAVE THE MOTION FOR THE AGENDA? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS MAKES A MOTION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST THE

COVID AGENDA, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: THE COVID AGENDA AND HAPPY TO RUN BACK

WHAT THE ITEMS ARE. >> JUDGE, COULD YOU? WE DO HAVE VOTES ALREADY ON FOUR ITEMS AND ONE OF THEM WAS NOT UNANIMOUS. SO I WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR COURT RECORD WHAT WE ARE ACTUALLY VOTING ON AT THIS POINT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE VOTING ON ALL OF SECTION 21, ALL THE COVID SECTION.

AND JAMES JUST LIKE WE NORMALLY DO, THE ONES THAT ARE NOT UNANIMOUS, JUST MARK IT AS NOT UNANIMOUS. FOR ALL OF THE OTHER ONES UNDER SECTION 21.

AND THEN THE -- AND THEN ALSO THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA, THE COVID PART OF THAT, SO THAT IS ITEMS 12 THROUGH 16 AND PLUS SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 10 WHICH WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S POOL, SICK LEAVE POOL ITEM. AND THEN IT IS INCLUDING ITEM C3 UNDER COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S REGULAR AGENDA WHICH WAS THE PPE FOR NONPROFITS AND SMALL BUSINESSES ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE ONLY DISAGREED ON THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S ITEM.

I THINK EVERYTHING ELSE PASSED IF MEMORY SERVES ME RIGHT. WE WERE IN AGREEMENT ON

EVERYTHING. >> JUDGE, THERE IS SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. AND SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 1 WHICH WAS THE SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH ITEM, THE AGREEMENT THAT PUBLIC HEALTH HAD. IT TIED INTO ITEM 14.

SO THERE IS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR I AM IN FAVOR OF EVERYTHING EXCEPT WHAT I HAD PREVIOUSLY VOTED NO ON.

[02:50:04]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT WAS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY. AND SO COMMISSIONER RADACK WAS

NO ON EVERYTHING. >> STEVE RADACK: YEAH. I AM THE SAME AS CAGLE.

EXCEPT WHAT I ALREADY PUT A NO ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM AN I.

MOTION CARRIES. IT IS 12:50. LET'S COME BACK AT -- IT IS 12:52. LET'S COME BACK AT 2:00 AND WE WILL START WITH THE ELECTIONS ADMINISTRATOR ITEM. THANK YOU. HERE IS COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

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I BELIEVE WE HAVE SPEAKERS ON ITEM O, RIGHT? >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO.

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THAT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS FOR THE NAVIGATION OF THE

[05:09:20]

SHERIFF'S OFFICE. >> BEFORE WE GET TO THAT, ITEM M AS IN MIKE, WE ARE ASKING NO

[05:09:27]

ACTION BE TAKEN. >> ITEM O WE ARE COMMITTING TO THE COURT FOR EXTRA APPROVAL

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ENHANCEMENT AND THAT'S PART OF THIS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

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YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WELL, LET'S LET THE SPEAKERS GO.

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>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. >> JOSH MICAH. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR

[05:11:20]

[05:11:24]

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>> THANK YOU, SIR. SALINA VA LLIRILLI. >> I GREW UP IN MAGNOLIA PARK

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I AM HAPPY YOU ARE CONSIDERING EDUCATION, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CULTURAL CENTER THERE AND I WOULD LIKE A ROBUST COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS BEFORE A DECISION IS MADE.

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

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM DIANA MARTINEZ ALEXANDER AND I HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE $79 MILLION FACILITY PROPOSED FOR 5910 NAVIGATION.

WOULD IT AUGMENT THE STOREFRONT? IS IT PRUDENT TO PROVIDING RESOURCES TO THE COMMUNITY? SHOULD THESE FUNDS BE USED FOR THE EAST END? WITHIN BLOCKS THERE IS AN OIL FIELD AND EQUIPMENT SUPPLIER AND A RECYCLING CENTER.

THE LARGEST PLANT IN THE WORLD AND ABUTS A COMMUNITY PARM -- FARM.

INSTEAD OF PROVIDING MEDICAL CARE, THE COMMUNITY COURT FOR THE HOMELESS, IT SHOWS THE UNDO BURDEN THAT INDUSTRIALIZED AREAS LIKE THE EAST END CARRIES AND IT IS REFLECTED IN POOR HEALTH OUTCOMES. YET, NO COUNTY CLINIC IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO REMEDY THESE NEEDS. IT IS POOR OFFENSE TO PUSH FORWARD WITH A PROJECT USING $79 MILLION THAT CAN BE UTILIZED IN MORE RELEVANT WAYS ESPECIALLY GIVEN THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE PANDEMIC.

MOREOVER SIGHT AND COMMUNITY INPUT IS IMPERATIVE BEFORE ANY APPROVAL.

THANK YOU AND I YIELD MY TIME. >> BRIAN BARASS!

>>

>> >> RIGHT NOW WE DON'T INVEST WITHOUT LISTENING TO THE NEEDS

[05:15:05]

WE HAVE CANCER CLUSTERS AND HOMES WITH MOLD THREE YEARS AFTER HARVEY AND DISPARITY FROM COVID-19, POLICE VIOLENCE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION IN OUR AIR, SOIL AND WATER AND EVEN WHEN OUR CHILDREN OVERCOME ALL OF THESE OBSTACLES, THERE -- THEY ARE STILL TAKEN FROM US PREMATURELY MANY TIMES AT THE HANDS OF THOSE WHO ARE MEANT TO PROTECT US. I DEMAND FOR ACCOUNTABILITY THIS PAST WEEKEND.

IT WAS A REMINDER OF THE SAME HARD -- HARDSHIPS I STRUGGLED WITH.

I GREW UP ON THE SAME STREETS AS NICHOLAS CHAVEZ, GUNNED DOWN HPD.

VANESSA GUILLEN AND GEORGE FLOYD, A COVID-19 SURVIVOR KILLED BY MINNEAPOLIS POLICE

ON MAY 25TH. ALL HOUSTON RESIDENTS IN UH. >> SEPTEMBER NEIGHBORHOODS TO WHERE I WAS RAISED. ALL OF THE HARDSHIPS CONTINUED AND THEY WERE EXACERBATED.

AND CHAVEZ DIDN'T MAKE IT OUT. OUR NEIGHBORHOODS ARE CRYING FOR HELP. OUR COMMUNITY NEEDS HEALING AND TREATMENT.

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE ANYMORE OF MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS AND NEIGHBORS AND FELLLY HUE STONE -- FELLOW HOUSTONIANS. WE DON'T NEED MORE MONEY INVESTED IN A NEW BUILDING FOR POLICING. I WANT TO HELP FIX THIS PLACE I CALL HOME.

I WANT TO SEE THIS MONEY INVESTED THAT BRINGS US TOGETHER AND FEEDS US TO MAKE IT WHOLE. I AM FEELING LIKE I NEED TO BREAK MY ISOLATION BECAUSE THE COMMUNITIES HAVE BEEN SOCIALLY DISTANCED FOR FAR TOO LONG. I DON'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING RISKY, BUT I WILL CONTINUE TO ORGANIZE AND I WILL GET LOUDER AND I AM NOT GOING TO GIVE UP UNTIL I SEE REAL CHANGE. DRIVING DOWN THE SAME STREETS THAT I HAVE BEEN LEADING TOXIC TOURS ON THE EAST END REMINDS ME OF HOW LONG I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR CHANGE.

OUR COMMUNITIES DESERVE TO BE PRIORITIZED FOR ONCE. LET'S SEE HOW WE CAN ACCOMPLISH A PROSPEROUS FUTURE FOR OUR NEXT GENERATION OF YOUTH RIGHT HERE.

HTOWN PROUD, BLACK LIVES MATTER, JUTS -- JUSTICE FOR VANESSA GUILLEN AND JUSTICE

FOR NICHOLAS CHAVEZ. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU

MR. BARROS. >> DANIEL COHEN. >> HI, THANK YOU.

THE UNDERLING ISSUE WITH A MILLION DOLLAR EXPENDITURE AND THE MORAL ARGUMENTS THAT NEEDS TO BE WITH RACIALLY DEVISED OUTCOMES. THEY LIVE ON THE MOON AND SOMETIMES LIKE BACKING UP RIOT GEAR THAT WAS USED TO BRUTALIZE DURING THE GEORGE FLOYD PROTESTS. THEY WERE MYSTERIES -- MISTREATED AND EXPOSED TO COVID AND TOOK THEM HOME WITH THEM. MAYBE THE SHERIFF DIDN'T FEEL IT WAS APPROPRIATE TO WEIGH INTO CITY BUSINESS THEN WHY WEIGH IN ON RIOT GEAR AND NOW THERE IS PLENTY OF ACTS TO PUT OUT THERE. PARK IMPROVEMENTS AND ARC GARDEN AND DISASTER SHELTERS AND FOOD PANTRIES AND OTHER PROCESSES.

THIS IS HARRIS COUNTY. THERE ARE PEOPLE HERE WITH VISIONS.

THEY SHOULD NOT BE -- NOT ONLY BE BROUGHT TO THE TABLE, BUT OWN IT.

IT BECOMES IMPOSSIBLE. COVID-19 HAS THROWN EVERYONE FOR A LOOP.

THE ONLY EXECUTIVE THAT PITCHED A GOOD GAME ON THIS TRIED TO DO ANYTHING REASONABLE. THERE IS NOBODY OUTDOORS. THEY HAVE A 35% CONNECTION RATE WITHIN THAT PERCENTAGE AND HAS TO BE COMMUNITY INPUT HERE.

AND TODAY IS A BUSY DAY BECAUSE IT IS A -- IT IS ELECTION DAY.

WE DON'T DON'T KNOW WHAT IT WILL LOOK LIKE CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND BECAUSE OF COMMUNITIES HAVING ROBUST MUCH-NEEDED LONG OVERDUE CONVERSATION.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID AS MUCH IN A RECENT POSTED FOR Y'ALL TIME FOR CHANGE IS NOW.

WHY CONSTRUCT BUILDING IN A HISTORIC NEIGHBORHOOD. IT IS A 11 OVER.

A THIRD OF AMERICANS BELIEVE IN DEFUNDING MEASURES. YOU CAN SEE CHANGES IN MINNEAPOLIS, L.A. AND RURAL COMMUNITIES IN ALASKA WHERE SAFETY PATROL OFFICERS HAVE HAD A A DAY WITH NO POWER TOEN -- TO ARREST. GIVE US MORE MONEY, GIVE US MORE MONEY. LOOK AT THESE SCARY CRIMINALS ON TV.

WE ARE NOT TOUGH ON CRIME. WE ARE HARD ON PEOPLE. AT WHAT POINT DO WE LISTEN TO COMMUNITIES AND PUSHING EXPENSIVE TAXPAYER FUNDED [INAUDIBLE].

WE ARE LOOK AND SET -- IT IS AN OUT OF CONTROL WHITE HOUSE AND UNHINGED AND UNMASKED AND

[05:20:10]

ADD IN THE CLIMATE CRISIS. ADD IN THE COUNTY'S LAST LINE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE BEVER -- BEFORE CALLING ON QUARANTINE AND WE ARE SUPPOSED TO DECIDE BASED ON A RUSH OF INFORMATION AND WRITE AN $80 MILLION CHECK? I WILL LET YOU KNOW.

YOUR HOMEWORK COMES FIRST. GATHER INFORMATION AND COME BACK LATER.

BLACK LIVES MATTER AND BROWN LIVES MATTER AND LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. THAT WAS FAST.

>> LALY ALVAREZ, EAST END RESIDENT. >> HI.

I AM -- THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME ON TODAY. MY PRONOUNS ARE THEY, THEM.

I GROUP UP COMING THROUGH THIS NEIGHBORHOOD QUITE A BIT. I CAME HERE TO HOUSTON UNDOCUMENTED. I AM A PHD STUDENT AT HARVARD AND AN ORGANIZER.

IN MY CAPACITY AS A RESEARCHER AND AN ORGANIZER I WORK TACKLING THE EXPANSION OF THE PERSONAL INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX AND PART OF THE OVERLAPPING INDUSTRY THAT USES SURVEILLANCE POLICING AS ECONOMIC, SOCIAL AND POLITICAL PROBLEMS. HOPEFULLY THERE IS A LITTLE DELAY TO WHAT I AM SPEAKING AND SOME OF THE FOLKS WHO HAVE ALREADY SPOKEN. I DO WANT TO UNDERSCORE THE COMMUNITY'S CONCERNS AND ELEVATE OUR DEMANDS FOR INPUT ON THE $80 MILLION PROJECT PROPOSED FOR NAVIGATION.

OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS HISTORICALLY OVER POLICED. AS IS THE CASE OF OTHER BLACK AND BROWN NEIGHBORHOODS. IT REPRESENTS A MASSIVE INFRASTRUCTURE AND FINANCIAL INVESTMENT IN POLICE. IT DOESN'T TAKE ALL OF US SAYING IT FOR YOU TO KNOW THAT IT WILL HAVE DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES FOR MARGINALIZED PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

SO THAT'S BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE AND UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITIES AND YEAR AND TRANS PEOPLE AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND THOSE WITH MENTAL ILLNESS AND PEOPLE EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. BY MOVING FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT THE COUNTY WOULD SHOW ITS TRUE COLORS AND PUT INVESTMENT IN POLICING OVER THE WELLNESS OF THE COUNTY'S COMMUNITIES. I KNOW WE ARE COMING OFF A HISTORIC INTERNATIONAL UPRISING FOR BLACK LIVES AND THESE ARE ON GOING. OUR CITY IS DEEPLY IMPLICATED. I AM PERSONALLY DISAPPOINTED IN OUR LEADERSHIP POSITION THAT CONTINUES TO REGISTER AS BUSINESS AS USUAL AND MASS -- MASSIVE OVERHAUL OF HOW WE THINK OF POLICE AND INCARCERATION. IT IS THE BUILDING UP OF OUR COMMUNITY. I AM SEEKING TO IMPLORE ANY PROGRESS ON THE NAVIGATION FACILITY AND TO CREATE A PROCEDURE THAT INSTEAD TAKES INTO CONSIDERATION WHAT COMMUNITY LEADERS ESPECIALLY ARE USED WHO KNOWS BEST WHAT THEY NEED TO SURVIVE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THANK YOU. I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JEFFREY KAPLAN. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> HI. I AM IN COMMUNITY FINANCE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

I RECENTLY BECAME AWARE OF THIS PROJECT AND FEEL LIKE THE COMMUNITY DESERVES SOME SORT OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO SPEND $80 MILLION OF PUBLIC MONEY AT THIS MOMENT RIGHT WHEN THE WORLD IS CHANGING BEFORE OUR EYES JUST DOESN'T SEEM SMART.

WE HAVE A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS AND HOW WE ARE TREATING MENTAL HEALTH AND THE MOVEMENT IS RIGHT HERE AND WE HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO DO SOMETHING RIGHT.

WE ASK THAT WE HAVE SOME SORT OF ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. TO MY UNDERSTANDING IT WAS THE ORIGINAL HOME OF THE HOWARD HUGHES TOURING COMPANY. HOWARD HUGHES SUFFERED FROM ILLNESS AND ENDED UP WITH A PRETTY GOOD LEGACY. IT ADDRESSES THE CITY AND THE

[05:25:06]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> MICHELLE STAFF.

>> GARCH -- GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM MICHELLE STAFF AND A TEACHER.

I AM SEEKING TO REQUEST THAT THE CURRENT SITE PLAN FOR 5910 NAVIGATION PEA RECONSIDERED -- BE RECONSIDERED TO BE A HELP INSTEAD OF A HINDRANCE. THE PLAN TO BUILD NEW SHERIFF OFFICE FACILITIES AT 5910 NAVIGATION IS TONE DEAF IN THIS CURRENT PERIOD OF CHANGE. CONTINUED INVESTMENT IN THE POLICE IS NOT WHAT HOUSTONIANS WANT. LAST MONTH 60,000 OF US BRAVED THE TEXAS HEAT AND COVID-19 TO COME TOGETHER TO ASK THAT YOU INVEST IN ITS CITIZENS IN ASSISTED.

ALLOCATING 5910 NAVIGATION TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT IS REACTIVE.

IT DOES NOTHING TO SOLVE SOCIAL PROBLEMS. AN EFFECTIVE AND ETHICAL COMMISSIONER'S COURT WOULD UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF BEING PRO ACTIVE.

THAT MEANS PREVENTING SITUATIONS THAT LEAD TO CRIME AND HEALING COMMUNITY RATHER THAN DESTROYING THEM WITH SYSTEMATIC RACISM AND INJUSTICE.

I STRONGLY SUGGEST CREATING A COMMUNITY CENTER AT 5910 NAVIGATION.

STUDIES HAVE SHOWN THE EFFECTIVENESS OF COMMUNITY CENTERS IN RE -- IN REDUCING CRIME AND POVERTY RATES. SHERIFF'S OFFICES DO NOT REDUCE EITHER.

FOR EXAMPLE, CHILDREN INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY CENTER IN LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS OFFERS AFTER SCHOOL CARE AND TUTORING AND MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, COLLEGE AND CAREER PREP WORKSHOPS AND FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS. SHERIFF'S OFFICES OFFER NONE OF THESE. SCHOOL-AGE PARTICIPANTS SHOWED A 19% INCREASE IN READING AND MATH SCORES. THE SHERIFF'S OFFICES BY THE WAY HAVE NEVER INCREASED READING AND MATH SCORES. PLEASE USE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO INVEST IN YOUR COMMUNITY INSTEAD OF POLICING BECAUSE WE HAVE SELFISHLY FAILED TO PROVIDE APPROPRIATE RESOURCES. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> DREW WILEY WITH RESTORING JUSTICE.

>> HI. THANK Y'ALL FOR HAVING ME. I AM DREW WILEY, CEO OF RESTORING JUSTICE. I HAVE TWO TOPICS SO I WILL BE BRIEF.

WANTED TO OFFER ANOTHER QUICK SOLUTION WITH WHAT TO DO WITH THE NAVIGATION PROPERTY.

ALONG THE LINES WITH WHAT EVERYONE ELSE IS TALKING ABOUT, I THINK THE HARMS OF THE CURRENT PLAN FOR THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IS PRETTY OBVIOUS AND FOR A SOLUTION I WANT TO OFFER THE IDEA OF A RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE CENTER. RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE CENTERS WILL HOPEFULLY BE A BEACON FOR WHERE OUR JUSTICE CENTER IS HEADING IN HARRIS COUNTY.

THE GROUPS OUT OF CALIFORNIA ARCHITECTURALLY DESIGNED THESE IN MIND WITH RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE, AND IT IS WHERE THE FIRST FLOOR IS A RESOURCE CONNECTION.

THE SECOND FLOOR IS NON-PROFIT RESOURCE PROVIDER OFFICE SPACE AND THIRD FLOOR IS SPACED WHERE YOU CAN HAVE HEALING CIRCLES AND TRAUMA INFORMED COUNSELING AND SPEAKING TO THE MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN TO AS WELL AS HOLD RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE COMMUNITY COURT SESSIONS AS WELL ON THOSE. THAT'S ONE POTENTIAL SOLUTION I AM HAPPY TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION IF ANYBODY WANTS TO KNOW MORE.

THE OTHER THING I CAME TO TALK TO Y'ALL ABOUT WAS THE COUNCIL PROGRAM.

I KNOW I AM DIVERTING OFF TOPIC, BUT I AM ONLY ONE PERSON TO TALK ABOUT TWO THINGS. THE MANAGER TIME COUNCIL PROGRAM, MY ONLY INPUT FROM RESTORE TIFF JUSTICE'S VEE POINT, AS -- VIEW POINT, AS YOU KNOW WE ARE TRYING TO

[05:30:01]

THEY BELIEVE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE REPORTED HOW FEW CASES ARE APPOINTING TO THEM. THIS DEFENSE BAR THAT IS PROVIDING INDIGENT DEFENSE RIGHT NOW ON A SOLO COURT APPOINTED BASIS, FEE -- THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RESPONSE -- RESPONSIVE TO THE CO -- COVID RELEASE. THEY ARE TRYING TO GET THESE ATTORNEYS TO FILE MOTIONS FOR CLIENTS TO BE RELEASED WHO ARE VULNERABLE IN THE JAIL.

WE EVEN HAVE GONE AS FAR AS LITERAL CASH. WE HAD CASH AND WE TOLD THESE ATTORNEYS THAT WE WILL GET YOUR CLIENT OUT OF JAIL IF YOU JUST CALL US.

THE RESPONSE RATE HAS BEEN NEGLIGIBLE TO NEAR ZERO. THESE COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR CLIENT AND THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT FREEDOM.

THEY JUST WANT THE STATUS QUO TO CHEW UP AND LINES TO CONTINUE.

I WANT TO VOICE ANOTHER KEUN -- COUNCIL TO ESTABLISH THAT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. JANET OROSCO WITH NEW LIGHT

DIRECTOR. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THIS IS JANET OROSCO OF -- AND CURRENT RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2. A POSITION THAT WAS HELD BY MS. SIENNA. I COME TO YOU AS A CONCERNED CITIZEN AS -- OF THE INVESTMENT OF $79 MILLION USED AT THE NAVIGATION PROPERTY. THE INFORMATION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE COMMUNITY TO REVIEW, BUT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION LISTENING TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT LAST WEEK ON JUNE 30TH WHEN THE PUBLIC SPEAKER BROUGHT IT FORWARD. I WONDER IF WHAT THE PUBLIC INVOLVED IN THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS WOULD BE A PUBLIC FORUM AND IF SO WHAT WAS THE RESULT OF THE DATA COLLECTED? I THINK MOVING FORWARD ALL STAKEHOLDERS SHOULD BE BE INVOLVED IN RESOURCES AND RECREATION CENTERS AND SERVICES THAT WOULD BE BEST SERVED FOR OUR FAMILIES IN THE EAST END. AS A LOCAL ADVOCATE AND BEING RAISED IN THE EAST END I KNOW SERVICES OUR FAMILIES WOULD BENEFIT FROM AS IT RELATES TO SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND HEALTH NEEDS. MY ASK IS YOU CONSIDER MULTIPLE SOURCES TO GATHER COMMUNITY FEEDBACK BE IT SURVEYS AND VIRTUAL FORUMS INCLUDING ADULT AND YOUTH ADVISORY BOARDS ON THIS COMMITTEE.

I AM COMMUNICATING IT IN MULTIPLE LANGUAGES BEFORE BEGINNING THE PROJECT.

IT CAN BE BEST UTILIZED FOR RECREATION CENTERS, INDOOR SOCCER, PHYSICAL FITNESS OR A FACILITY WHERE YOUTH CAN GATHER OR AS A COMMUNITY TO ENGAGE IN VOTER ACTIVITIES.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO MENTION SOME TOWNS AND CITIES AND STATES ARE RESTRUCTURING THEIR CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM BY INCLUDING ADDITIONAL MEDICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ALONG WITH PROMOTING COHESIVENESS SO THAT THE YOUTH CAN MAKE A BETTER DECISION FOR THEMSELVES AND FOR THEIR FAMILIES AS THEY ARE ENCOUNTER ING CRISIS SITUATIONS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND COMMITMENT FOR OUR COMMUNITY. WE RECOMMEND PUBLISHING THE PROCESSES THAT HAVE TAKEN PLACE THUS FAR AND PROVIDING THE OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COMMUNITY TO BE PART OF THE DECISION MAKING PROCESS ESPECIALLY THE YOUTH.

ENGAGEMENT IN THE DECISION OF HOW THE FUNDS SHOULD BE SPENT.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU. >> LUCINA-SALDOVAR.

>> I AM CHRISTINA SAL DOUGH VAIR A RESIDENT OF PRECINCT 2.

PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR SITE UTILIZATION PLAN SO THE COMMUNITY CAN PROVIDE INPUT BEFORE EMBARKED ON A HUGE EXPENDITURE. WE SHOULD RECONSIDER AN $80 MILLION LAW ENFORCEMENT BUILDING IN THESE TIMES. WITHOUT INPUT FROM THE COMMUNITY. AS AN EDUCATOR IN OUR COUNTY, I ALWAYS TELL MY STUDENTS DO YOUR RESEARCH BEFORE MAKING HUGE DECISIONS. HARRIS COUNTY HASN'T DONE ENOUGH RESEARCH WITH CONSULTING THE COMMUNITY ON WHETHER THIS IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST AND IF THIS IS WHAT WE NEED. WE CAN USE FUNDS TO PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY WITH SERVICES FOR MENTAL HEALTH WHICH HAS A FARBER -- FAR BETTER OUTCOME.

THEY CAN RECEIVE HEALTH SERVICES AND IT CAN PAY SOCIAL WORKERS AND LIVABLE WAGE.

WE NEED A PLACE WHERE YOUTH CAN PLAY SPORTS AND HAVE WI-FI ACCESS AND OTHER FORMS OF RECREATION. THESE SUGGESTIONS AMONG OTHERS WOULD BETTER SERVE OUR COMMUNITY RIGHT NOW. WE HAVEN'T BEEN ASKED. I ASK THAT YOU AT LEAST ALLOW

[05:35:03]

IT IS A CALL TO ACTION THAT THEY HAVE ASKED OF OUR OFFICIALS.

AS A LIFE LONG COUNTY RESIDENT I ASK YOU TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING TO DECIDE WHAT THE COMMUNITY WANTS BEFORE INVESTING $80 MILLION IN A LAW ENFORCEMENT BUILDING IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD. LET'S REALLOCATE FUNDS TO SERVE THE COMMUNITY IN A WAY THAT NO LONGER KILLS BLACK AND BROWN LIVES. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> YES, GOOD MORNING. I AM LIZA-HUERTA AND THE CHAPTER 1145 AND DISTRICT 18. THE PURPOSE OF MY CALL IS BEING REPRESENTATIVE OF THE MEMBERS THAT HAS 70 MEMBERS AND REPRESENT THE YOUTH AS WHOLE ON WHAT WE FEEL AND OUR IDEAS ABOUT THE FACILITY ON NAVIGATION. WE REALIZE WE HAVE LACK OF COMMUNICATION DUE TO OUR IDEAS. DTS -- $79 MILLION IS SOMETHING WE WANT TO BE A PART OF. THE LAND IS CLOSE TO MY HIGH SCHOOL AND WANT THIS TO BE AN AREA FOR STUDENTS TO ENJOY. SOME IDEAS ARE OUTDOOR PROGRAMS AND GYM AND THEATER AND AFTER SCHOOL TUTORING AND GARDEN WORK.

OUR SCHOOL AND MANY OTHERS IN THE AREA COULD BENEFIT. WE ARE MAINLY FOCUSING ON THE DEDICATION OF FINISHING HIGH SCHOOL AND GRAJ -- GRADUATING. THE BALANCE OF HAVING WORK IS NEEDED. IT WILL BE A GREAT PLACE FOR KIDS TO ENJOY IF KIDS -- THAT KIDS CAN ENJOY WHILE PARENTS ARE PICKING THEM UP. WE FEEL LIKE THE AREA AROUND OUR COMMUNITY COULD DEFINITELY USE RENOVATION TO MAKE SURE THE COMMUNITY IS SAFE.

THE AREA IS NOT ALWAYS MAINTAINED. IF WE DIDN'T HAVE THE AVAILABILITY TO CONVERT THE SPACE IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE THE COMMUNITY NEED TO BE CHANGED TO USE THE ENVIRONMENT. IF IT ENDS UP BEING FOR THE COUNTY SHARE -- SHERIFF WE ASK THE YOUTH BE INVOLVED. WE COULD HAVE THE SHERIFF COME AND INFORM THEM ON WHAT IT TAKES TO BE A PART OF THE POLICE DEPARTMENT AND IT WOULD BE GREAT TO INCLUDE PLACES THE YOUTH CAN GO FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS.

COMING FROM AN ALL HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL I FEEL WE ARE ABLE TO CHANGE THE COMMUNITY AND IT WOULD GIVE A SENSE OF MIND KNOWING WE CAN USE THIS SPACE TO PUSH THE COMMUNITY UP FOR FUTURE ENDEAVORS. WE WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE DECISION MAKING PROS -- PROCESS OR MAYBE STABILITY IN THE FUTURE. WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS NOTED BY VOICING OUR OPINIONS AND SELF-FUNDING AND IT WOULD BE BEST INVESTED IN.

WE WANT TO SHOW THAT THE COMMUNITY CAN DEFINITELY INPUT TO MAKE IT BENEFICIAL.

>> THANK YOU COMP -- THANK YOU, SO MUCH. >> JUDGE, THE NEXT SPEAKER CANCELED THEIR REQUEST, BUT I HAVE CHIEF ON THE LINE IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T KNOW IF -- THAT WOULD BE GOOD FOR CHIEF TO SEE IF ANY OF MY COLLEAGUES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR HIM. CHIEF, THANK YOU FOR CALLING

IN. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU AND THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP AND SUPPORT. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK JOHN BLOUNT FOR WORKING DILIGENTLY WITH US ON THIS PROJECT FOR THE LAST FOUR

YEARS AND YES, MA'AM, I AM READY FOR ANY QUESTIONS. >> THANK YOU TO ALL OF THE

SPEAKERS. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, I CAN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WOG US THROUGH THE NEED -- WALK US THROUGH THE NEED FOR THE FACILITY. I UNDERSTAND ONE OF THE BIG DRIVING FACTORS IS THE PROPERTY ROOM. IF WE WANT TO HAVE FAST, FAIR TRIALS, IF WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE THAT ARE IN THE SYSTEM ARE ABLE TO BE EITHER EXONERATED OR CONVICTED DEPENDING UPON WHAT HAS OCCURRED WE NEED TO HAVE GOOD PROPERTY ROOMS SO THAT EVERYTHING CAN BE HANDLED IN A SECURE AND APPROPRIATE WAY. THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND BEGAN THE DRIVE OF THIS PARTICULAR FACILITY. CAN YOU WALK US THROUGH WHAT THE NEED IS IN THAT REGARD AND WHAT THE CONDITIONS OF THE CURRENT PROPERTY ROOM ARE

SPH. >> ABSOLUTELY. LET ME START WITH THE CONDITIONS. THE CONDITIONS OUR GUYS WORK IN ARE DEPLORABLE.

FOR THE LAST 30 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE, 31 YEARS, THEY HAVEN'T GOTTEN ANY BETTER.

[05:40:02]

THERE IS NO WAY WE CAN ASK OUR GUYS TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITIONS.

RECENTLY THE FLOORS WERE BUCKLING IN THE BUILDING. UPON REPAIR WE FOUND THERE WAS ASBESTOS IN THE BUILDING. THEY HAD TO RE -- REMEDIATE AND THEY HAD TO WORK ANYWHERE THEY COULD FIND A SPOT TO SIT. AND SO THAT'S A BIG CONCERN.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ACTUALLY, JOHN BLOUNT, I WANT TO COMMEND HIM FOR HELPING ME.

I HAD A COMPLAINT -- WELL NOT A COMPLAINT, BUT REACHED OUT TO BECAUSE THERE THERE WAS BROKEN WINDOWS. APPARENTLY EVEN THE WINDOWS AND THE SEALANT HAD ASBESTOS.

YOU WEREN'T IN A NORMAL BUILDING ABLE TO REPLACE THE WINDOWS.

THEY HAD TO DO AN ABATEMENT BEFORE THEY COULD REPLACE THE WINDOWS?

>> YES, SIR. AND THAT'S TRUE AND CORRECT. I WILL LET JOHN TOUCH ON THAT. I CAN'T THANK JOHN AND HIS CREW ENOUGH FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE FOR US. FIRST OF ALL, THAT IS VERY TRUE.

A LOT OF THE WINDOWS OUT THERE HAVE BULLET HOLES IN THEM. WE CAN LIVE WITH THAT, BUT IT IS THE POSSIBLE LEAD THROUGHOUT THE ENTIRE BUILDING , THE ASBESTOS.

JOHN, IF YOU DON'T MIND TOUCHING ON THAT AND THEN I CAN TOUCH ON THE REST.

>> YES, CHIEF AND COURT MEMBERS, THE BUILDING IS IN AWFUL SHAPE.

AND IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE TO MOVE EVERYBODY OUT AND FIND LEASE SPACE FOR THEM AND REHABILITATE THE BUILDING AND BRING IT TO ACCEPTABLE STANDARDS AND THEN MOVE THEM BACK IN. IT IS ALWAYS LESS EXPENSIVE TO BUILD A NEW FACILITY.

COMMISSIONER, YOU MENTIONED THE PROPERTY ROOM. ON THE PROGRAMMING FOR THIS, THE PROPERTY ROOM IS THE VAST MAJORITY OF THE SQUARE FOOTAGE IS THE PROPERTY ROOM.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WITH REGARD TO THE SYSTEMS WE HAVE IN PLACE, I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED -- I WANT US TO MAKE SPACE AVAILABLE POTENTIALLY TO OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT ENTITIES, BUT THERE WAS A WORD "COMBINED" IN THE LATEST ITERATION OF THIS AGENDA ITEM.

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT ALTHOUGH I DON'T MIND IF THE CITY OF HOUSTON WANTS TO BE A CUSTOMER AND CONTRACT WITH US TO ASSIST THEM WITH REGARD TO THEIR PROPERTY ISSUES.

I DON'T MIND IF THEY WANT TO WORK WITH US, BUT I WANT TO MAKE VERY, VERY MUCH SURE THAT WE DON'T CAUSE A PROBLEM THAT WE WILL CONSOLIDATE WHERE WE ARE THE VERY HIGH STANDARDS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS BEEN EMPLOYING AND HAS EMPLOYED FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS AND THE FORENSIC SCIENTISTS WHERE THEY USE SCIENTISTS TO MAKE SURE ALL OF THE EVIDENCE IS TESTED AND MANAGED IN AN APPROPRIATE WAY AND WE DON'T STEP BACK ON THE STANDARD AND SUBJUGATE OTHERWISES IN ANOTHER PROPERTY ROOM AND OTHER ENTITY.

WE HAVE DRIVEN TO BE I THINK ONCE UPON A TIME WE REFERRED IT TO BE THE SCOTLAND YARD OF TEXAS TO BE THE GOLD STANDARD AND WHAT WE DO WITH REGARD TO OUR TESTING AND SCIENCE AND MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS DONE RIGHT AND PROPER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CAREFUL IN THIS LANGUAGE OF CONSOLIDATED AND WE ARE NOT TALKING CONSOLIDATED, BUT WE ARE PROVIDING AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OTHER ENTITIES TO JOIN IN.

THAT'S A VOLUNTARY ARRANGEMENT AND THOUGHT ONE TO WHERE THE SHERIFF IS PUTTING THEMSELVES AND WHAT THEY ARE MAINTAINING IN THE PROPERTY ROOM. CAN YOU ASSURE ME WE ARE NOT GOING TO BE TRYING TO COMBINE, COMBINE, BUT WE ARE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS ROOM

FOR ALL WHO NEED TO BE THERE. >> THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER MODEL IS ONE I SUGGESTED THAT IF WE DID SOMETHING IT WOULD NEED TO FOLLOW THAT WITH THE CITY AND THEY WERE UH MEANABLE TO THAT. WE ARE IN CONTROL AND THE SHERIFF IS IN CONTROL, BUT THE

CITY PARTICIPATES. >> ONE LAST THING FOR CHIEF. CHIEF, IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU FEEL WE NEED TO KNOW ABOUT WITH REGARD TO THIS FACILITY. THERE HAS BEEN SOME REGARDS

[05:45:07]

>> ABSOLUTELY. THANK YOU. WE HAVE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE PAST 31 YEARS I HAVE BEEN HERE AND THAT IS APPROXIMATELY SIX BLOCKS FROM THE NEW LOCATION AT NAVIGATION. WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY AND A POSITIVE PRESENCE IN THE COMMUNITY.

THAT IS ALREADY IN PLACE. SO I WANTED TO POINT THAT OUT.

THAT BEING FACTUAL AND BEING A FACT THAT WE ARE SIX BLOCKS FROM THAT LOCATION AND HAVE BEEN THERE THE 31 YEARS I HAVE BEEN THERE HERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SO THAT IS A POSITIVE. TOUCHING ON THE PROPERTY ROOM, WE TAKE PRIDE IN OUR PROPERTY ROOM AND THE STANDARDS WE HAVE FOR MAINTAINING OUR PROPERTY ROOM AND WE ARE JUST ABOUT OUT OF SPACE. YOU KNOW, WE PLAN FOR FUTURE GROWTH, BUT WE ARE HERE AND ABSORBING PRECINCT 4 AND PRECINCT 5 OF -- YOU KNOW, WE ARE WILLING TO WORK WITH THE POSSIBLES AND IF THEY WOULD LIKE FOR US TO TAKE THE PROPERTY ROOM ON WE ARE READY TO DO THAT, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE THE ROOM RIGHT NOW. THAT'S BENEFICIAL FOR THE ENTIRE COUNTY. TO TOUCH ON YOUR NEED THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IT IS A NEED AT THIS TIME. IT IS NOT A WANT AND IT IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT IS NICE TO HAVE. WE TOUCHED ON THE ASBESTOS PROBLEM, BUT L IS ALSO A RAT AND ROACH INFESTATION PROBLEM THERE AND IT HAS BEEN THERE FOR YEARS.

IT IS SAD THAT IN THE HALLWAYS THERE ARE SIGNS THAT SAY BEWARE OF FALLING CONCRETE.

I HAVE PICTURES OF THAT THAT I WOULD LIKE TO SEND YOU ALL SO YOU CAN LOOK AT THAT.

THE BUILDING IS IN SUCH DEPLORABLE CONDITIONS THAT THERE IS CONCRETE FALLING FROM THE CEILING. HOW IS THAT SAFE FOR OUR PEOPLE TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITIONS? HOW IS IT AGO -- ACCEPTABLE WE HAVE THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION TEAM THERE WE BRING IN WITNESSES AND WE BRING IN VICTIMS THAT ARE IN TRAUMA BASICALLY ON SEXUAL ASSAULTS AND WE BRING THEM INTO A BUILDING THAT IS IN THAT KIND OF A DEPLORABLE CONDITION. I THINK THAT IS UNAGO -- ON ACCEPTABLE AND UNACCEPTABLE TO ASK OUR GUYS TO WORK IN THOSE CONDITIONS.

WHERE WOULD WE PUT OUR PEOPLE IF WE HAD TO FIX THIS BUILDING. THE AC IS AN ESTIMATED TWO MILLION TO GET RUNNING. AC IN HALF OF THE BUILDING DOESN'T WORK HALF OF THE TIME. THAT'S SAD WE HAVE OUR GUYS WORKING IN THAT CONDITION.

RIGHT NOW WE HAVE 356 PERSONNEL ASSIGNED TO THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS BUREAU , BUT WE HAVE THEM FRAGMENTED IN SUB STITION -- SUBSTATIONS WHERE THEY ARE IN DIRE NEED AS THERE IS. WE HAVE DISTRICTS RIGHT NOW WHERE THREE OR FOUR SERGEANTS HAVE TO SHARE AN OFFICE. THEY HAVE TO ASK THE OTHER TWO SERGEANTS TO LEAVE.

THAT'S THE CONDITIONS WE ARE LIVING IN AND HAVING TO WORK IN AND SO IF WE HAVE TO GO BACK TO LOCK WOOD, WE WOULDN'T FIT. THE SPACE IS JUST NOT ADEQUATE FOR 356 EMPLOYEES. THIS IS A NEED AND THIS IS LONG OVERDUE.

WE HAVE BEEN IN THE COMMUNITY FOR THE LAST 31 YEARS OF THAT I HAVE KNOWN OF AND WE WANT TO CONTINUE TO BE. THAT IS WHAT THE SHERIFF'S GOAL IS AND THAT IS WHAT OUR GOAL IS AS AN AGENCY AND THAT IS TO WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY.

I THINK WE HAVE PROVEN THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: QUESTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP ON THIS ISSUE. YOU'RE RIGHT.

SOME OF THE BEWARE OF FALLING CONCRETE WERE SIGNS I PUT UP. THIS IS A -- I GUESS THE CHIEF

[05:50:10]

IF YOU WANT TO HAVE A GOOD JUSTICE SYSTEM WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT EVIDENCE AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS MAINTAINED. THEY CAN COME OVER AND TAKE A LOOK AT OUR PROPERTY WROOM -- PROPERTY ROOM FOR HPD THAT LEAD TO THE BUILDING OF THEIR NEW PROPERTY ROOM. AND WE FOUND AND WE FOUND RAPE KITS THAT HADN'T BEEN TESTED.

WE FOUND CIROLOGY INFORMATION THAT WAS CONTAMINATED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO -- I FORGET WHAT THE TERM IS -- FREEZER TECHNOLOGY TO PRESERVE THAT EVIDENCE.

WE FOUND WEAPON THAT'S NOBODY KNEW WHO THEY BELONGED TO BECAUSE THEY WERE MISPLACED.

ONE IS THIS BUILDING IS CRITICAL FOR ENSURING JUSTICE FOR EVERYONE THAT IS ATTACHED TO SOME CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION BEING SEEN AND HANDLED BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

SECONDLY, THE NEW FOR -- THE NEED FOR A NEW BUILDING -- I SHOULDN'T SAY STARTED WITH ME, BUT I WAS A BIG PROPONENT ACTUALLY VISITING WITH DR. RAYCRAFT ABOUT HOW DO WE GET TO A BETTER PLACE WITH A PROPER FACILITY FOR OUR GUYS. SECONDLY THE CONDITIONS THAT THE CHIEF TOUCHED ON IS THAT THERE IS ASBESTOS IN THE BUILDING.

I THINK THERE IS ALREADY A LAWSUIT RELATED TO THE ASBESTOS.

MAYBE, SCOTT, IF YOU HAVE INFORMATION REGARDING THAT. I THINK AN EMPLOYEE ALREADY FILED A LAWSUIT IN THAT REGARD. THIRDLY THE CHIEF MENTIONED LOCK WOOD, THE CURRENT FACILITY IS SIX BLOCKS AWAY FROM THE PROPOSED SITE SO IT IS NOT LIKE WE ARE BRINGING SOMETHING NEW TO THE COMMUNITY. ALTHOUGH, I WILL SAY FOR THE RECORD, JUDGE, I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A COMMUNITY CENTER IN THE AREA.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A HOSPITAL -- A THIRD PUBLIC HOSPITAL IN THE AREA.

I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE MORE COUNTY HEALTH CLINICS IN THE AREA, AND I THINK WE DO NEED TO DO A BETTER SERVICE TO THE CITIZENS AND TO OUR EMPLOYEES ABOUT HOW WE DO PLAN FOR THE FUTURE, BUT WITH THE CURRENT NEEDS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS AT THAT PLACE -- I SHOULDN'T SAY CURRENT NEEDS. THE ON GOING NEEDS THAT THEY HAVE HAD FOR NEARLY NOW, IN MY PERSONAL HISTORY, FOR ALMOST A DECADE AND MAYBE EVEN TOMMY THOMAS CAN ADD SOMETHING TO SAY ABOUT THAT PARTICULAR FACILITY IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE ACT NOW.

SO TO LISTEN TO THE FOLKS THAT WEIGHED IN, NO PROBLEM. IF WE DON'T THINK THIS IS A PROPER INVESTMENT, I WOULD BE HAPPY TO TABLE THIS WITH THE EXCEPTION THAT WE HAVE AN IMMEDIATE PROPOSAL TO REPLACE IT. I DON'T THINK THAT'S THE CASE UNFORTUNATELY. I WOULD SAY THAT WE NEED TO ACT ON THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ANY THOUGHTS, BUT UNFORTUNATELY THIS HAS BEEN A ON GOING ISSUE.

THE EMPLOYEES AND THE INVESTIGATOR THAT'S WE ASKED TO HANDLE THE DELICATE INVESTIGATIONS, THE CRIME VICTIMS THAT NEED TO BE TREATED WITH DIGNITY AND RESPECT ARE BEING ASKED TO COME TO A WAREHOUSE. SUSPECTS WE NEED TO INTERROGATE SO THAT WE CAN SOLVE CRIMES AND GIVE CLOSURE TO VICTIMS OF CRIME AND THEIR

[05:55:01]

SUSPECTS WHO HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF CRIMES HAD WEAPONS TAKEN FROM THEM OR OTHER PROPERTY AND THEY HAVE TO WALK THROUGH THE CUBICLES OF INVESTIGATORS TO GET THEIR PROPERTY BACK AND WALK OUT THROUGH THEIR SAME WORKING CONDITIONS. JUDGE, THAT WOULD BE LIKE, YOU KNOW, IF I WERE TO SHUTDOWN A SEXUALLY-ORIENTED BUSINESS OR BAR OR SOMEBODY AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO WALK THROUGH MY OFFICE TO PICK UP THEIR PAPERWORK AND THEN WALK RIGHT BACK OUT.

THAT'S NOT GOOD FOR THOSE EMPLOYEES THERE. I AM REALLY JUST BLOWN AWAY THAT NOTHING WORSE HAS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE WAY THOSE CIRCUMSTANCES ARE.

SEX OFFENDERS HAVE TO COME OVER, OR THEY USED TO HAVE TO COME OVER AND REGISTER AT THAT BUILDING WHILE WE ARE CO-MINGLING YIEM -- CRIME VICTIMS AND WITNESSES AND INVESTIGATORS THERE. THAT CURRENT CONFIGURATION AND THAT CURRENT FACILITY HAS A LOT OF ISSUES. I WOULD ASK JOHN THAT IF WE TABLE THIS AND SAY WE ARE NOT GOING TO DO IT WHICH BASED ON THE ISSUES THAT THE COMMUNITY HAS RAISED I HEAR THEM AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THEM AND I TEND TO AGREE WITH MOST OF THEM, BUT THOSE INVESTIGATORS NEED SOMETHING TODAY. DO WE HAVE ANYTHING TO REPLACE THIS POTENTIAL PROJECT? DO WE HAVE ANYTHING IN THE WORKS THAT COULD BE A PLAN B THAT WOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE ON GOING NEEDS THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE HAS CURRENT -- CURRENTLY?

>> NO, WE DON'T. THIS HAS BEEN -- IF YOU SAID THE NEED HAS BEEN THERE A DECADE, THIS HAS BEEN PLANNED FOR YEARS. WE HAD TO ACQUIRE THE PROPERTY, WE HAD TO WORK WITH THE URBAN FARMERS TO INTEGRATE THEIR OPERATION AND AN EDUCATIONAL COMPONENT INTO THIS FACILITY. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE DONE A MAJOR COUNTY FACILITY WHERE THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS WERE KIND OF DRIVING THE TRAIN ON INTEGRATING IT SO THAT WHEN PEOPLE COME BY AND LOOK AT IT THEY SAY WOW.

IT INCLUDES RESTORING THE USED TOOL OFFICE BUILDING AND THE CREDIT UNION.

THIS WILL TRULY BE AN ASSET TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD. WE HAVE IT SET UP FOR NOT ONLY AN OPEN AIR EDUCATION PAVILION, BUT A LOCATION FOR THE FARMERS TO RUN A FARMER'S MARKET. THERE WAS A YOU LOT OF THOUGHT.

WE UNFORTUNATELY DON'T HAVE A PLAN B, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANOTHER POINT I WANTED TO MAKE IS THAT , YOU KNOW, I GO AND EAT AT THE RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA QUITE OFTEN. PROBABLY MORE THAN I SHOULD. I PROBABLY HAVE NOT STEPPED INTO ANY ONE OF THE RESTAURANTS IN THE AREA WHERE I DO NOT BUY A SHERIFF DEPUTY LUNCH OR DINNER OR BREAKFAST BECAUSE THEY ARE EATING THERE.

THEY ARE EATING THERE BECAUSE THEY ARE COMING TO OR COMING FROM THE LOCK WOOD LOCATION.

IT IS GOOD TO SEE THAT EITHER THEY OR I ARE CONTRIBUTING TO THE LOCAL ECONOMY BY EATING AT THOSE AREA RESTAURANTS. JUDGE, I WOULD JUST SAY THAT I HEAR WHAT FOLKS HAVE HAD TO SAY, BUT THIS SITUATION HAS A LONG, LONG HISTORY TO IT. I HAVE PERSONALLY WITNESSED THE CHALLENGES THAT THE FOLKS ARE DEALING WITH IN THAT PARTICULAR FACILITY.

CHIEF MAY NOT GET TO SEE THIS BUILDING -- HE MAY NOT GET TO SEE IT OR GET TO WORK IN IT OR SOME OF THE CURRENT INVESTIGATORS BECAUSE THEY ARE ABOUT TO RETIRE.

HE MENTIONED HE HAS SEEN IT FOR 33 YEARS. I I WOULD JUST LIKE TO ENSURE THAT, NUMBER ONE, THAT THIS IS NOT A CONTRIBUTION TO GROWING THE FOOT PRINT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE IN TERMS OF, YOU KNOW, MAN POWER AND GUNS. THEY ARE NOT BUYING TANKS OR MILITARY EQUIPMENT OR ANYTHING OF THAT NATURE. RATHER, THIS WILL HANDLE SENSITIVE INFORMATION THAT COULD EXONERATE PEOPLE FROM CRIMES THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSED OF. THIS WILL PROVIDE DEFINITELY CLOSURE TO VICTIMS OF CRIMES WHO THEY OR THEIR LOVED ONES HAVE BEEN SUBJECTED TO. AND IT WILL GIVE EMPLOYEES WHO WE ARE CHALLENGING TO DO A INCREDIBLY TECHNICAL JOB WITH WORKING CONDITIONS TO ENSURE

[06:00:12]

I WANT TO BE A PART OF THE PROCESS OF HOW WE PLAN OUT THE REPLACEMENT OF AGING FACILITIES IN THE COUNTY. WE HAVE A LOT OF THAT. I KNOW I PERSONALLY ADVOCATED IN 2009 AND I WOULD HATE TO SEE US SIDELINE IT WITHOUT A PLAN B.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAD A SECOND.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAD A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

MR. BLOUNT, HOW LONG WAS THIS PLAN IN THE WORKS? I THINK I HEARD MY COLLEAGUE COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAY HE WAS TWRYING TO -- TRYING TO GET IT DONE IN 09 OR 10?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: 09. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS HAS BEEN IN THE WORKS THAT LONG?

>> THERE HAVE BEEN REQUESTS SINCE THAT LONG. WE DIDN'T HIRE THE ARCHITECT -- WE DID SOME INITIAL STUDIES AND FOUND WE NEEDED TO BUY MORE PROPERTY.

AS WE BOUGHT THE INITIAL FACILITY THAT WE CALL 5900 CANAL, WE KEPT ON ADDING TO THE PROPERTY AND BONDED THE PARCEL SO IT WOULD BE BIG ENOUGH.

AND SEVERAL YEARS AGO WE HIRED THE ARCHITECT AND THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT TO PUT THE

PROGRAMMING AND SITE PLAN TOGETHER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID YOU DO A FORMAL ASSESSMENT OF THAT LOCK WOOD PROPERTY IN TERMS OF WHAT IT WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR IT?

I MEAN, IF THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 09 OR 10. >> WE LOOKED AT IT AND IT WAS VERY OBVIOUS QUHU -- WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE BUILDING AND IN OUR EXPERIENCE OF DOING A LOT OF OLD BUILDINGS THAT THE MERE FACT THAT YOU HAVE TO MOVE EVERYBODY OUT TO REHAB IT MAKES IT NO LONGER COST EFFECTIVE TO REHAB BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO BUILD ANOTHER PROPERTY ROOM TO MOVE ALL OF THE PROPERTY INTO -- IN TO REHAB THE PROPERTY --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM ONLY ASKING BECAUSE IF IT HAS BEEN GOING ON A DECADE DID YOU JUST SAY LET'S LEAVE IT ALONE OR WAS A DECISION MADE WE WILL MOVE IT?

>> THE AGREEMENT EARLY ON IS IT HAD TO BE REPLACED. EVERYBODY AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD THAT. IT TOOK A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE COURT TO AGREE , THREE, FOUR, FIVE YEARS. I DON'T HAVE THAT IN FRONT OF ME, THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO

SUBMIT TO THE FUNDING. IT IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS.

IT IS INDEED. I WAS THINKING EARLIER SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES -- THEY WERE SO WORRIED ABOUT WHAT THE COST WAS. I'M JUST THINKING -- FIRST OF ALL I APPRECIATE THE FOLKS WHO TESTIFIED. PARTICULARLY THOSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORMERS. I DON'T GET INTO THE NIMBY ISSUE BECAUSE THAT IS ALWAYS A PROBLEM. IT COULD BE AFFORDABLE HOUSING. IT COULD BE SOME OF THE OTHER STUFF WE WANT TO DO. MENTAL HEALTH SOBERING CENTER.

I GET THE NIMBY THING. I AM PARTICULARLY SINCE -- SENSITIVE TO THE CRIMINAL JUS TESS ADVOCATES. WE STAYED IN THIS MEETING UNTIL 1:00 A.M. UNTIL -- BECAUSE WE WENT TO GEORGE FLOYD FUNERAL. WE -- ALL OF THE DISCUSSION WAS ABOUT REIMAGINING WAS THE PHRASE LAW ENFORCEMENT. AND IT IS JUST INTERESTING THAT AS A CIP PROJECT FOR $79 MILLION, AND NOT TALKING ABOUT YOU, COMMISSIONER GAR SEE -- GARCIA, BUT SOME OF MY COLLEAGUES WILL BE THE FIRST ONE WHEN IT IS LAW ENFORCEMENT TO OPEN UP THE CHECKBOOK. AND ON MY CALCULATION, WE SPEND $776 MILLION OUT OF GENERAL REVENUE FOR THE SHERIFF AND CONSTABLE HAD. I KNOW THIS IS CIP MONEY.

$776 AND I HEARD THE CONVERSATIONS EARLIER ABOUT PUBLIC HEALTH AND THEY GET 35 MILLION. HARRIS CENTER 22 MILLION. SO YOU JUST TAKE THAT 776 AND THAT'S 10 TIMES THE GENERAL FUND SPENDING THAT WE PUT ON PUBLIC HEALTH AND SO I AM JUST MAKING THE CASE IF WE REALLY WANT TO REIMAGINE IT, THE CITY OF HOUSTON WHERE YOU AND I SERVE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, FOR A DECADE OR SO THEY WERE PUTTING $20 MILLION IN THEIR

[06:05:01]

IT IS A BROADER DISCUSSION THIS -- SOME PEOPLE -- WHEN IT ADDRESSES THE SOCIAL VULNERABILITY INDEX, LOW AND MODERATE INCOME EQUITY, THEY ARE THE FIRST ONES TO START SCREAMING. YOU HAVE TO DRAG THEM INTO THE CENTURY KICKING AND SCREAMING. I AM WILLING TO BET THE FOLKS ARE THERE ANYWAY.

IN THIS CIP WE NEED TO PUT SOME MONEY INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

ALL OF IT WAS STUCK IN MY PRECINCT AND THEY SAY YOU CAN'T KEEP STICKING THE LOW INCOME HOUSING. WE HAVE TO CHALLENGE THAT WITH A LAWSUIT TO KEEP IT FROM GOING INTO THOSE NEIGHBORHOODS AND THE PEOPLE NEED HOUSING AFTER HARVEY.

THEY DON'T WANT TO GET OUT. SO THEN WE HAVE TO HAVE MONEY TO PUT IT IN.

THEN WE HAVE THE COLLEAGUES WITH THE STUFF THAT IS IN STATE LAW WITH THE STATE REP SIGNING OFF SO YOU YOU CAN'T GET TAX CREDITS. I AM PUTTING THE MARKET DOWN NOW FOR THE BIG SPENDERS ON THIS BOARD. WE NEED TO BE WILLING TO COMMIT AS MUCH TO ALTERNATIVES TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, I HAVE A LITTLE EXPERIENCE ON WHAT IT TAKES TO GET PEOPLE EX -- EXONERATED.

IT MIGHT BE BOLD QUITE A BIT. I WAS ON THE BOARD OF INNOCENCE PROJECT.

YOU HAVE ITEMS ON THIS AGENDA INDIRECTLY RELATED. HOW ABOUT OUR FEDERAL FELONY JUDGES GETTING OUTSIDE COUNCIL TO REPRESENT THEM SO THEY CAN SETTLE THE LAWSUIT.

NOT ALONG THE TERMS OF WHAT THE PLAINTIFFS WANT, BUT CERTAINLY NOT ALONG THE TERMS OF WHAT THE STATE IS GONNA ADD VAW KIT. GONNA ADVOCATE.

YOU HAVE THE OMNI WHATEVER IT IS CONTRACT AND LIVES ARE OUT OF CONTROL.

WE NEED TO BE AS COMMITTED TO REIMAGINING LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WE WERE A MONTH AGO.

I COULDN'T LOT -- LET THIS PASS WITHOUT SAYING THAT. I KNOW SOME OF THE ADVOCATES WHO CAME IN WHO ON SO MANY ISSUES WERE SPEAKING LOUT AND MAKING POINTS THAT.

AND I WANT TO SAY EACH OF THE CONSTABLES HAVE THEIR OWN PROPERTY ROOM, RIGHT?

AND WE PAY FOR IT. MR. BLOUNT, RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YOU ARE ON

MUTE. >> SORRY ABOUT THAT. EACH HAS THEIR OWN PROPERTY ROOM. IF WE HAVE A MILLION DOLLARS ON THE FACILITY WE NEED TO INCENTIVIZE OR SOMEHOW WE NEED TO STOP PUTTING SO MUCH MONEY -- WHERE IS THE MONEY GOING TO COME FROM. TWO PEOPLE WON'T SHOW UP IF YOU WANT FOR MORE MONEY.

IT IS NOT COMING FROM HEAVEN OR HELL. IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO RAIDS REVENUE AND YOU ARE NOT GOING TO CONSOLIDATE, COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU HAD AN OBJECT ON THE SUBJECT. THE SKY FELL IN. WE NEED TO FIND WAYS THAT WE COME UP WITH MONEY SO WE CAN INVEST IN ALTERNATIVES TO PUTTING PEOPLE IN JAIL AND THEN MAYBE THEY WON'T BE SHOOTING THE WINDOWS OUT ON LOCK WOOD.

HIGHWAY DOES THE CIP -- HOW DOES THE CIP WORK? WHEN IS THE NEXT 80 MILLION GOING TO POP UP? IS THIS PAID FOR WITH COMMERCIAL PAPER.

>> THE -- COMMISSIONER, THE BUDGET OFFICE HAS THAT. >> LET'S HAVE THAT MEETING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT SOMETHING IF YOU DON'T MIND.

JOHN, I HAVE BEEN ALMOST FROM DAY ONE MEETING WITH THE PREVIOUS CEO OF HARRIS HEALTH ABOUT REPLACING THE HOSPITAL AND THAT WOULD COST 450 MILLION TO BUILD.

[06:10:06]

I AM STILL PUSHING. HOW DO WE -- TO THAT POINT IF YOU RECALL THE BUDGET HEARING I PUSHED BACK ON APPROVING HIS CIP BECAUSE HE WAS BRINGING TO THE BUDGET PROCESS A PLAN THAT HAD NO PLAN TO REPLACE WHAT WAS LOST BY HURRICANE HARVEY IN PRECINCT 2.

WHAT IS OUR PROCESS OF PLANNING HOLISTICALLY WHETHER IT IS ONE OF MY BUILDINGS AND ONE OF CAGLE'S BUILDINGS AND RODNEY'S OR ONE OF OVER -- ONE OF THE PLAN OF ANY SORT AND WHILE WE LOOK AT GROWTH. DEMOGRAPHICS AND EXPANSION AND DENSITY.

ARE WE USING ANYTHING FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD SCIENTIFICALLY TO PLAN OUT WHERE WE SHOULD GO OR DO WE JUST HAPPEN TO IDENTIFY PROPERTY OPPORTUNITIES IN AREAS OF THE COUNTY AND THEN WE JUMP ON IT AND SAY THIS WILL BE A GOOD PLACE FOR THE CLINIC OR ENGINEERING OR WHATEVER. HOW DO WE APPROACH OUR OWN

COUNTY GROWTH? >> COMMISSIONER, TWO SEPARATE WAYS.

FOR A COUNTY FACILITY AND NOT COMMUNITY CENTERS OR ANYTHING THAT THE INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR, THE COUNTY DOES MASTER PLANS. WE HAVE A DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN.

THIS IS LOOKING AT A LAW ENFORCEMENT MASTER PLAN AND LOOKING AT THEIR NEEDS AND IDENTIFYING A LOCATION. IN THIS CASE IT IS OVER SEVERAL YEARS BUYING THE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY WE NEEDED TO DO THAT. AND SO WE HAVE A SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACILITY MASTER PLAN AND WE HAVE A DOWNTOWN MASTER PLAN.

WE HAVE AN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE MASTER PLAN. WE ESSENTIALLY TAKE IT BY CATEGORIES. WHAT WE DON'T HAVE IS A MASTER PLAN FOR EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL PRECINCTS FACILITIES. BECAUSE WE DON'T MAINTAIN THEM. AND THAT IS AN ISSUE. EVERY BUILDING MAINTAINING THEIR BUILDINGS AND THEN SO ALL OF THAT IS TO SAY WE DO HAVE INDIVIDUAL PLANS FOR

DIFFERENT AREAS OF. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS A MATTER OF WORKING THESE THINGS OVER A NUMBER OF YEARS TO FINALLY VISUALIZE OR REALIZE WHATEVER THAT PARTICULAR PLAN

MAY LOOK LIKE TODAY. >> YES, SIR. MASTER PLANS TAKE AN AMOUNT OF TIME. YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE USERS AND THE CONDITIONS OF THE

BUILDING. IT IS NOT SHORT-TERM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND AS WE -- AS I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH SOME EMPLOYEES REGARDING THE LOCK WOOD FACILITY AND THEY GOT -- THEY GAVE A HINT THAT THERE MORE ON THE PROPOSED BUILDING THEY WERE COOL WITH IF IT IS GOING TO BE DELAYED AND WE HAVE CONDITIONING NEEDS, ONE OF MY STAFF IS REMEMBERING THAT YOU LITERALLY CAN PUT YOUR HAND UNDER SOME OF THE WINDOWS BECAUSE THE SILLS, THE WINDOWSILLS OR WHATEVER YOU CALL IT ARE ROTTED OUT.

AND SO WITH ALL OF THE IMPROVEMENTS -- WE WOULD HAVE DELAYED THIS AND SAID WE WILL THINK THROUGH A NEW PROPERTY ROOM LOCATION AND WHETHER -- HOW THE CITY WOULD PLAY POTENTIALLY IN THIS HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD IT TAKE TO IMPROVE LOCK WOOD TO SAY -- TO BRING IT UP TO CODE. TO MAKE IT -- TO ADDRESS THE ISSUES AND THE CONCERNS THAT

EMPLOYEES ARE EXPRESSING TODAY. >> I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT NUMBER. WHAT I CAN TELL YOU, COMMISSIONER, IT IS SIGNIFICANT. TO DO THAT YOU HAVE TO MOVE EVERYBODY OUT OF LOCK WOOD.

[06:15:02]

IT IS ALWAYS MORE ECONOMICAL WHEN THE FACILITY IS IN THE CONDITION THAT LOCK WOOD IS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY LAST POINT WOULD BE THE COST TO IMPROVE THE FACILITY TO BE ACCEPTABLE, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD -- I MEAN, TO REALLY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND WE WON'T TRY TO DO A RENOVATION PROJECT, BUT JUST TO MAKE IT EQUITABLE FOR WORKING CONDITIONS, UH BEES TOES -- ASBESTOS ABATEMENT AND PUTTING IN THE AIR CONDITIONING THEY NEED, AND THAT'S JUST THE WORKING CONDITIONS.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE SHERIFF NEEDS FOR EVIDENCE MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL AND SECURITY, BUT AS I MENTIONED THEY DON'T HAVE THE KIND OF TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY NEED TO MAINTAIN CERTAIN TYPES OF EVIDENCE WHEN IT IS NARCOTICS, BUT ASSUMING THAT'S PART OF THE DELAY WE WOULD HAVE TO ACQUIRE ANOTHER PIECE OF PROPERTY THAT IS SUITABLE FOR REPLACING THE CURRENT PLAN. AND THEN START, YOU KNOW, START -- JUST START THE PROCESS ALL OVER AGAIN. AND THEN BEFORE I FORGET I DID WANT TO MENTION THAT THE LOCK WOOD FACILITY IS -- ONE THING I DO WANT US TO GET AWAY FROM AND I DO APPRECIATE YOU HAVING -- MAKING THE POINT, JOHN, OF WORKING WITH THE USERS, THE LOCK WOOD FACILITY IN ALL HONESTY WAS, HEY, WE HAVE A BUILDING AND LET'S STUFF THE INVESTIGATORS IN THERE, AND THEN WE'LL FIGURE IT OUT. IT WAS NEVER DESIGNED TO BE A REAL WELL-DESIGNED INVESTIGATIVE FACILITY THAT WE WOULD HAVE.

AND IF WE ARE GOING TO PARTNER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON, I WOULD ENCOURAGE COMMISSIONER RADACK TO PARDON THE JOINT POSSIBLE SUCCESSING CENTER BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH -- PROCESSING CENTER BUSINESS NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE CITY. I WELCOME THE CONVERSATION WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON SO LONG AS THEY PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE.

THIS IS A PRE -- PRECINCT 2 ITEM, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I SEE YOU,

BILL. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO BE RESPECTFUL OF CONCERNS

RAISED, BUT WE ALSO HAVE SOME IMMEDIATE NEEDS. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND IF I CAN JUST JUMP IN, Y'ALL. I I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO SAY ABOUT THIS AND I KNOW COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS A QUESTION AS WELL. LET ME SAY MY PEACE AND THEN WE'LL HEAR FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN HEAR FROM BILL.

I AM FEELING THE SAME FRUSTRATION WE HAD WITH SEVERAL OF THESE CIP ITEMS THAT WERE DECIDED ON A LONGTIME AGO AND PERHAPS IT WASN'T THE CORRECT PROS -- PROCESS THAT WASN'T DONE AND THAT'S WHY IT IS IMPORTANT WE FINISH THE REFORM OF OUR BUDGET SYSTEM. IDEALLY WE WOULD HAVE A PLACE WHERE PEOPLE COULD SEE WHAT ARE ALL OF THESE CIP PROJECT THAT'S WERE APPROVED GOD KNOWS WHEN.

AND WE CAN GET IN THERE AND BEGIN UPDATING THE DESIGN AND THE PLAN BEFORE IT COMES AS A SURPRISE. I ALSO DIDN'T HAVE IN MIND THAT THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD COME. I UNDERSTAND COMMISSIONER ELLIS' POINT.

WHAT ELSE? I JUST WANT TO SAY, YOU KNOW, AT LEAST UNTIL WE ARE COMFORTABLE WITH THE NEW BUDGET PROCESS AS A MATTER OF COURSE, I WOULD SAY I AM NOT OKAY WITH THESE PROJECTS THAT WERE RUN AT A DIFFERENT TIME AND WHERE THERE WAS NOT THE SAME CONCERN FOR COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THINKING HOLISTICALLY ABOUT HOW THESE PROJECTS IN TAU GRATE WITH THE COMMUNITY AND THE SAME RECOGNITION THAT BUILDING A BUNCH OF NEW BUILDINGS IS NOT SMART. SOMEBODY SAID IT.

IT NEEDS TO BE PART OF AN OVER ALL PLAN AND I ASKED THIS SEVERAL TIMES.

WHAT ARE THE ASSETS WE HAVE AND WHY IS THIS THE BEST IDEA AND WHY HERE INSTEAD OF THERE. I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS AS I HAD WITH SEVERAL ITEMS AND THAT'S WHY I HAVE BEEN ADAMANT ABOUT CHANGING THE BUDGET PROCESS.

[06:20:01]

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK IS WHAT CAN WE DO AND HOW CAN WE PUT OUR HEADS TOGETHER HERE AND FIGURE OUT HOW WE MAKE THIS MORE UH MEANABLE TO CURRENT COMMUNITY CONCERNS.

PERHAPS THE COURT WASN'T LISTENING TO IT WHEN THEY FIRST DESIGNED THIS.

I THINK IT IS TOO LATE TO SAY LET'S NOT ADDRESS THIS. THAT'S WHY WE ARE REFORMING THE PROCESS GOING FORWARD. WE ARE WORKING ON IT. IT JUST TAKES TIME.

BUT WHAT CAN WE DO? CAN WE ASK THAT THE -- THAT THEY WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY ON THE USE OF THE GREEN SPACE? CAN WE HAVE A WING DEDICATED TO COMMUNITY THAT IS SEPARATE. I UNDERSTAND SOME FOLKS PARTICULARLY IMMIGRANT, THEY ARE NOT GOING TO WANT TO HANG OUT WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.

WHAT CAN WE DO? CAN WE COMMIT SOME PART OF IT TO SOMETHING THAT IS WALLED OFF? I AM SPIT BAWLING HERE -- SPIT BALLING.

WHAT CAN WE FIND THAT IS A MIDDLE GROUND. I DO FEEL A LITTLE HEARTBURN

WITH THIS TO BE HONEST. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF I CAN JUST LET JOHN RESPOND, BUT IF I CAN ADD TO YOUR COMMENTS, I SUPPORT YOU ON THAT, JUDGE. I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO SEE CYNERGY BETWEEN OUR PUBLIC INVESTMENTS WHETHER IT BE LIBRARIES OR CLINICS OR FACILITIES. I WANTED THE PUBLIC TO HAVE ACCESS TO BOTH OF THOSE PLACES IN A SIMPLE WAY. IT WAS VERY SUCCESSFUL. I SUPPORT YOU ON THAT AND I WILL WORK WITH YOU AND JOHN TO INNED FOO -- TO FIND WINS IN THIS PARTICULAR PROJECT WITHOUT CREATING REAL DELAY ON IT. THE INVESTIGATORS NEED THIS.

WE PUT A LOT ON THEIR SHOULDERS. WE CAST STONES AT THEM WHEN THEY GET IT WRONG, BUT THEY REALLY DESERVE THIS BECAUSE THIS IS -- THIS HAS BEEN, FOR ME, A CONVERSATION SINCE 2009. IT WAS ONE OF THE FIRST CONVERSATIONS I HAD WHEN WHEN I TOURED THE FACILITY. IT WAS BAD THEN.

IF YOU TOUR IT TODAY, I THINK YOU WOULD BE SHOCKED. JOHN?

>> JUDGE, WE CAN CERTAINLY HAVE SOME COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AS WE MOVE FORWARD ON THE DESIGN. WE HAVE THE LANDSCAPE ARCHITECT.

IF YOU SEE THE SITE PLAN THEY HAVE INTEGRATED A LOT OF GREEN SPACE.

THEY HAVE INTEGRATED A COMMUNITY ACCESS AREA, PAVILIONS.

I THINK, QUITE FRANKLY, WHEN WE ENGAGE THE COMMUNITY AND SHOW THEM WHAT WE ARE PROPOSING I THINK THEY WILL BE IMPRESSED. I WILL REMIND OARVE THAT WE -- RE -- REMIND EVERYBODY WE REDID 5900 CANAL. THEN WE HAD A GRAND OPENING AND NOT ONLY WAS IT A GRAND OPENING, BUT WE WON A GOOD BRICK AWARD AND RESTORED THE

MURAL ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND YOU USED

THE GRAFFITI ARTIST I USED TO CHASE. >> THE COMMUNITY WAS ECSTATIC. WE ARE PLANNING ON ONCE AGAIN RESTORING THE USED TOOL BUILDING AND INTEGRATING IT. WE WILL COMMIT TO HAVING COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT MEETINGS ON THE GREEN SPACE AND THE COMMUNITY ASPECT OF THIS FACILITY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JOHN, QUICKLY TO TAKE IT BACK ON THIS, WHAT ARE THE PLANS FOR

THE LOCK WOOD FACILITY ASSUMING WE BUILD THIS ONE? >> WE DON'T HAVE DETAILED PLANS. WHAT I WILL TELL YOU IS WE ARE WORKING WITH A COUPLE OF --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD PLAN. >> WE ARE WORKING WITH A PARTNERSHIP THAT IS PUTTING A TRAIL SYSTEM ON OUR PROPERTY. IN FACT, I THINK IT WAS LAST COURT THE COURT APPROVED US WORKING WITH THEM TO EXPAND THE TRAIL SYSTEM AND PUTTING IN A PARKING AREA FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GO ON HIKE AND BIKE TRAILS.

IT ALL INTEGRATES ON THE LOCK WOOD PROPERTY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER,

YOU HAD COMMENTS ON THIS AS WELL. >> RODNEY ELLIS: REALLY ON YOUR POINT, AND THEN I I WILL LET IT GO TO THE FINANCES. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I'M FOR YOU HAVING A $79 MILLION BUILDING. YOU GOT ME? I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT. WHAT I AM SAYING IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE JUDGE SAYS HERE IS HOW THIS PROCESS LOOKS LIKE IT WORKS.

UNLIKE THE CIP WHEN YOU AND I WERE IN CITY HALL AND THEY DO A FIVE-YEAR PLAN, JUST OFF THE TOP OF MY HEAD WHEN I THINK OF MASSIVE INVESTMENTS ON BUILDING ITSELF WAS THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER -- SINCE I HAVE WATCHED ACCOUNTING. IT WOULD BE THIS BUILDING.

IT WOULD BE THAT OFFICE BUILDING THAT THE COUNTY TOOK BECAUSE IT WAS GOING TO BE

[06:25:01]

THEN LET ME THROW OUT A COUPLE OF BUILDINGS OUT THERE SOMEWHERE FLOATING AROUND.

WE NEED A NEW D.A. BUILDING AT SOME POINT. THERE ARE THOSE THAT ADVOCATE FOR A NEW COURTHOUSE. SO WHEN I START TALKING ABOUT THE MONEY ISSUE, I AM JUST SORTING THROUGH THE COUNTY CAN GO AND ISSUE BONDS, AND MR. JACKSON WILL COMMENT ON IT LATER, AND WE HAVE TO DO IT ON THE CITY COUNCIL. SOMETIMES THEY OPT TO GO TO THEM ANY -- ANYWAY LIKE THE ASTRODOME AND THE JOINT PROCESSING CENTER, ALTHOUGH THEY DIDN'T REALLY HAVE TO. IF WE ARE GOING TO DO THIS, WE NEED TO FIND A WAY TO LEVERAGE OUR RESOURCES AND ASSETS SO WE HAVE MONEY TO DO OTHER THINGS, TO INVEST IN THE OTHER THINGS THAT DON'T GENERALLY HAVE THE SUPPORT AROUND THIS TABLE. THAT'S WHY I AM RAISING THE ISSUE OF HOW CAN WE INCENTIVIZE THE CONSTABLES BECAUSE WE ARE PAYING FOR PROPERTY ROOMS FOR MOST OF THEM. HOW DO WE TAKE THAT MONEY AND PUT IT INTO THE ALTERNATIVES TO THE, QUOTE LAW ENFORCEMENT CIRCLE AND TO DO OTHER THINGS AND WITH THE CITY. WE DON'T HAVE THE FINANCIAL PROBLEMS THEY HAVE NOW, BUT WE WILL. THEY ARE COMING. I AM RACES -- I AM RAISING THE ISSUES BECAUSE IF WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE ALTERNATIVES, THE STUFF YOU SPEAR HEADED AS A COUNCIL MEMBER, AND YOU ARE THE PERFECT ONE TO DEAL WITH A LAW

ENFORCEMENT BACKGROUND. IS IT A COMMERCIAL PAPER? >> IN THE CIP THAT Y'ALL ACCEPTED LAST SEPTEMBER THAT CIP IS A FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND THEY SHOWED THE CASH FLOWS IN IT. IT IS NOT JUST SOMETHING THAT POPPED UP.

IT WAS PART OF THE CIP PLAN. LOCK WOOD IS IN A CONDITION THAT WAS BUILT IN THE 40S AND 50S. JOHN AND I GET TOGETHER AND FIND THE PROJECT THAT'S ARE EITHER COSTING SO MUCH TO MAINTAIN OR SO EXPENSIVE THAT IT IS CHEAPER TO BUILD

SOMETHING ELSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DID WE CHANGE ANYTHING IN THE CIP IN SEPTEMBER? DID WE ACCEPT IT AS GIVEN TO US?

>> YEAH, IT WAS A PLAN PRESENTED BY JOSH STUCKEY AND YOU ACCEPTED TRANSMITTAL AND

IT LAID OUT ALL OF THESE PROJECTS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHEN DO WE GO THROUGH IT AGAIN. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT ELSE IS COMING.

>> IT IS COMING IN SEPTEMBER AGAIN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENED IN THIS CASE IS JOHN AND I GET TOGETHER AND HE WILL TELL ME NOT ONLY IS THE BUILDING EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN, BUT THE BUILDING ITSELF IS INEFFICIENT. PERSONNEL COST IS THE NUMBER ONE COST.

70% OF THE GENERAL FUND. SO IF YOU CAN GET MORE PEOPLE IN A SMALLER SPACE THEN YOU WILL BE MORE EFFICIENT. AND THEN IT GOES TO CI AND LONG-TERM DEBT.

IT WILL COST $6 MILLION A YEAR FOR THE PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENT.

THIS IS A LONG-TERM ASSET. IT LASTS 40 TO 50 YEARS AND THEN AFTER 20 YEARS YOU HAVE TO DO A GOOD REFRESH ON IT. WE WENT UH -- AHEAD AND WORKED WITH JOHN'S GROUP.

IT IS FAR LESS THAN 6 MILLION A YEAR. AS THE COMMISSIONER SAID IT IS

[06:30:01]

WORK THERE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ARE THE OTHER BIG PICK -- BIG TICKET

ITEMS ON THE CIP WE ACCEPTED. >> YOU HAVE TO ASK JOHN ABOUT THAT.

>> I DON'T HAVE THEM COMMITTED TO MEMORY. CURRENTLY WE ARE LEASING SPACE FOR THE SHERIFF. FROM METRO. AND -- AND SO WE ARE GETTING -- I WOULDN'T CALL IT A BARGAIN, BUT IT IS A FAIR PRICE OF $600,000 A YEAR.

AND SO THERE ARE OFFSET COSTS AND AS BILL SAYS THERE IS A PERSONNEL AND THERE IS A LEASE

SPACE AND THE FACILITIES THAT ARE INEFFICIENT. >> I AM NOT ARGUING ABOUT THIS FACILITY, BUT MAKING A CASE WITH THE MONEY TO DO HOUSING AND A HOST OF OTHER THINGS AND AN ALTERNATIVE TO WHAT TRADITIONALLY WOULD GO TO LAW ENFORCEMENT.

MY QUESTION IS WHAT DO WE PAY ON RENT FOR THE CONSTABLES. DO WE OWN THOSE CON --

CONSTABLE ROOMS. >> ALL OF THE BUILDINGS ARE OWNED EXCEPT THE STRIP CENTER AND WE RENT THAT SPACE. IT IS A MINIMAL AMOUNT AND A SMALL PROPERTY ROOM.

MAYBE 500 SQUARE FEET OR SO. >> WOULD IT SAVE MONEY IF ALL OF THAT MONEY WAS CONSOLIDATED

TO IS A -- TO A CENTRAL LOCATION? >> CERTAINLY BECAUSE OF THE

PERSONNEL COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT. >> I HAVE NEVER RUN THE TAB ON

THAT. >> HOW WOULD THAT COME ABOUT. IS IT THE DECISION OF EACH CON -- CONSTABLE AND IS OUR ONLY INPUT THAT WE ARE WILLING TO PAY FOR A PROPERTY ROOM?

>> THE WAY I WOULD HAVE DONE IT HAD I CONTINUED ON AS THE BUDGET OFFICER IS I WOULD MEET WITH THE CONSTABLES AND THEY HAVE A MEETING AND THEY JUST ARE THROWING OUT SOME IDEAS ON HOW WE WOULD GO ABOUT THAT AND GET THEIR INPUT. IT IS WHAT IS CONTROLLED IN

THE ROOMS THAT HAVE TO BE SUPERIOR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT HAPPENED

TO MONEY? 105? >> WE DIDN'T SPEND ANY OF THAT. ONE WAS GOING TO BE THE GENERAL FUND.

AND AGAIN IT WAS ABOUT $33 MILLION AND THE HOT FUND WAS TWO MILLION.

IT WAS A SIX MILLION TO 7 MILLION A YEAR PROJECT. AGAIN, HAVE YOU TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT CONFUSING THE GENERAL FUND AND THE ANNUAL REVENUE EXPENDITURES WITH THE LONG-TERM ASSETS. AND AGAIN I ALWAYS TRY TO GET IT TO WHERE WE WOULD PAY IT OFF OVER 20 YEARS AND THEN YOU HAVE TO DO A REFRESH AND THEN YOU HAVE TO SPEND ANOTHER CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY. IT IS THE 9 TENNESSEE -- 1910 COURTHOUSE AND IT COST $20 MILLION IN 19TENT AND 60 MILLION TO REFURBISH 100 YEARS LATER.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE ADD TO THE ITEM THEY WORK WITH THE COMMUNITY ON HOW IT WILL LOOK AND DEVELOPED. I DO WANT TO SAY THAT I GET IT THAT THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT NEEDS A PLACE THAT IS NOT FALLING APART.

I ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT REFORMING THE CIP PROCESS AND IT MAKES ME THINK OF THE TYPICAL STORY OF THE BIG CORPORATE BUILDING GOING UP WHERE THERE WAS A PARK ONCE.

I AM UNCOMFORTABLE WITH IT, BUT I DON'T SEE AN ALTERNATIVE.

YOU REALIZE MY INCLINATION IS I AM NOT OKAY WITH THESE LONG-STANDING CIP THINGS POPPING UP THAT HAVEN'T BEEN RUN DOWN. RIGHT NOW YOU SHOULD GO BACK AND SEE WHAT ELSE WILL POP UP AND FIGURE OUT HOW YOU WILL BEGIN TO REIMAGINE IT SO IT WILL NOT COME AND SAY, SORRY, THIS IS THE ONLY OPTION WE GOT.

I HAVE MADE THAT PRETTY CLEAR BEFORE. IF THAT NEEDS TO BE A MOTION TOO, I DON'T KNOW HOW ELSE TO IMPRESS IT. IT CAN'T BE WE HAVE OTHER

[06:35:05]

OPTIONS AND THERE YOU GO. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT WOULD BE A GOOD MOTION IF WE BROUGHT THAT CIP BACK AND DISCUSSED IT. YOU KNOW, PAY A LITTLE MORE ATTENTION TO IT INSTEAD OF -- I WOULDN'T SAY TRANSMIT IT AND ACCEPT IT. IN SEPTEMBER WHEN IT CAME UP SO MUCH WAS GOING ON WE SAID OH THIS IS GREAT. I THINK WE OUGHT TO REVISIT IT AND SOON AID

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GREATY. JUDGE I MOVE THAT WE ACT ON ITEM O WITH THE ADDENDUM THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THERE IS A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO SPECIFICALLY LOOK FOR AREAS OF OPPORTUNITY. COMMUNITY AREA OPPORTUNITIES ON THIS PROBLEM.

AND I WOULD ALSO ADD THAT THE CURRENT LOCK WOOD FACILITY THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT IT FITS YOUR CONCERN OF ADDING ENHANCEMENTS TO THE AREA FROM A COMMUNITY SERVICE OR A

PUBLIC HEALTH STANDPOINT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BUT IT NOT BE USED FOR LAWEN FORES MEANT.

FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT. THE OLD LOCK WOOD FACILITY NOT BE USED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT SO

WE ARE NOT ADDING A LAW ENFORCEMENT BUILDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD SECOND, BUT ADD TO THAT TO BRING THE CIP BACK FOR REVIEW IN 30 DAYS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AGREE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ALMOST CIP TIME, RIGHT? I AM ALMOST THINKING WE ARE DISCUSSING IT WITH THE BUDGET DIRECTOR SO WE MAY AS WELL WAIT UNTIL CIP, BUT DON'T BRING ANOTHER $80 MILLION PROJECT BETWEEN NOW AND THEN.

IF YOU KNOW ONE IS COMING -- YOU KNOW THESE PROJECTS, JOHN.

GO AND SEE IF THERE IS ONE ON THE BOARD THAT WILL LET US KNOW.

I THINK IF CIP IS IN SEPTEMBER ANYWAYS SO WE MAY AS WELL DO CIP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: MY MOTION IS ACCEPT ITEM O WITH THE AMENDMENT OF OF A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO LOOK FOR SHARED OPPORTUNITIES ON THIS SITE WITH -- AND TO BRING THE CIP BACK TO THE COURT FOR REVIEW AND TO ADDRESS THE JUDGE'S POINT ABOUT LOOKING AT ANY FORESEEABLE PROG -- PROJECT THAT'S ARE IN THE CURRENT CIP THAT NEED TO BE LOOKED AT FROM A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS AND PERSPECTIVE AS WELL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND LOCK WOOD NOT BE USED --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LOSING -- CLOSING WITH LOCK WOOD NOT BE USED FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT PURPOSES AGAIN. I THINK LAW ENFORCEMENT GUYS WOULD APPRECIATE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU KNOW, YOU VOTED FOR THIS CONTRACT IN 2018.

AND THEN IN 2019 WE BEGAN GETTING THINGS FROM ENGINEERING AND DIFFERENT STEPS THAT WERE BEING TAKEN AND THINGS ON THE AGENDA. JOHN, YOU THERE?

>> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROCESS, HASN'T

IT? >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: DIFFERENT

THINGS ON THE AGENDA? >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: SOME OF US HAVE BEEN HERE LONGER AND SOME ARE SHORTER, BUT THE REALITY IS ALL THE MEMBERS OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAVE BEEN HERE SINCE THIS -- IN 19 AND NOW 20.

SO FOR A YEAR AND A HALF THIS PROJECT HAS BEEN MOVING ALONG, CORRECT?

>> I KNOW THAT, COMMISSIONER, BUT AS FAR AS MEMBERS OF THE COURT TODAY.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS WAS THERE. THERE WAS DISCUSSION ABOUT THIS.

IN 2017 IT WAS ON GOING. THIS SHOULDN'T BE A SURPRISE TO ANYBODY.

EVERYBODY HAS BEEN INVOLVED FOR A YEAR AND A HALF. >> THERE ARE A LOT OF THINGS I DID WHILE I WAS BY MYSELF. I DIDN'T HAVE MUCH SUPPORT. IT IS A NEW DAY BROKE.

[06:40:07]

>> A NEW DAY DOESN'T GIVE YOU A RIGHT TO FORGET THE PAST AND THINGS YOU VOTED ON AND THEN MAKE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS A BIG CHANGE. IT IS A BIG CHANGE BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR MIND. THAT'S WHY IT IS A BIG CHANGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: CIP WAS NEVER PRESENTED TO ME AS AN APPROVAL.

AND THIS IS NOT -- THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO CHANGE WHICH WE HAVE BEEN TRYING FOR A YEAR AND A HALF, BUT IT TAKES A MINUTE. IT SHOULD BE EASY FOR US AND FOR THE COMMUNITY TO RATTLE OFF OKAY THIS IS THE GRAND PLAN FOR COUNTY BUILDINGS.

THIS IS THE GRAND PLAN FOR GREEN SPACE. THIS IS WHAT THE COUNTY WILL LOOK LIKE IN FIVE, 10, 20 YEARS, AND THIS IS WHERE THE MONEY IS.

WAIT A MINUTE, THAT ONE DIDN'T HAVE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT AND THAT ONE IS BUILDING A BUNCH OF JAIL SPACE THAT WE KNOW WE DON'T NEED ANYMORE. THAT'S THE CONVERSATION WE NEED TO HAVE. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE THAT CONVERSATION RIGHT NOW.

IT IS BITS AND PIECES AND IT CREATES A MIRAGE THAT WE KNOW THAT THE PUBLIC KNOWS.

WE DON'T HAVE THE INFORMATION IN A FORMAT OR A SYSTEM OR IN A COMPREHENSIVE WAY THAT HAS A VISION OR A PLAN AND CAN EASILY BEHELD TO ACCOUNT. THAT BATTLE HAS BEEN FOUGHT.

THAT IS WHY WE HAVE BEEN TRYING TO REFORM THIS PROCESS AND THAT'S WHY THINGS ARE CHANGING ON BUDGET. IT IS NOT THAT THINGS HAVE BEEN BAD, BUT THEY HAVE NOT BEEN GOOD. AND SO THE THING THAT BOTHERS ME IS JUST THAT, YOU KNOW, THE FOLKS THAT THE DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN HERE AND HAS HEARD THIS CONVERSATION AND YET THIS THING COMES BACK LIKE THIS. I BARELY SLEPT LAST NIGHT SO I REALLY SHOULD STOP.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BLOUNT, DO YOU NEED ANY FORM OF LANGUAGE OR IS IT IMPLICIT

WITH THE $79 MILLION FACILITY. >> IT ENGAGE THE STAKEHOLDER

SO THAT IS IMPLICIT IN MY MIND. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND DOES

THAT INCLUDE THE CITY OF HOUSTON? >> YES, SIR.

ABSOLUTELY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THE CHECKBOOK.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: A BIG ONE. >> JOHN, IN REFERENCE TO PROJECT THAT'S JUST SUDDENLY APPEAR, THE PROCESSING CENTER, IT BEGAN -- THE CONVERSATIONS WITH THE CITY BEGAN WHEN BOB LANIER WAS MAYOR AND SAM DOOCHEY WAS POLICE CHIEF. IT DIDN'T GET OPEN AND DIDN'T GET GOING UNTIL THE END OF PARKER'S TERM. OVER 20 YEARS, RIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. >> IT JUST DIDN'T POP UP. IF IT POPPED UP IT WAS AN AWFUL STALE POPCORN. IT TOOK 20 YEARS FOR PEOPLE TO SAY, OH IT JUST SUDDENLY OCCURRED, THAT'S NOT TRUE AT ALL. IF YOU RECALL THE BUFFALO BAYOU COALITION, AS FAR AS THE CITY PARTICIPATING THERE IS A BOND ELECTION AND THE VOTERS VOTED AGAINST IT. IT TOOK YEARS AND YEARS TO GET IT GOING AGAIN.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, GUYS.

I DON'T SEE, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHAT YOU ARE HOLDING UP.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IT IS THE SEPTEMBER 24TH, 2019 TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR THE MID-YEAR REVIEW AND CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM. IT TALKS ON HERE ABOUT THE FIVE-YEAR FUNDING PLANS AND EXECUTIVE SUMMARIES AND IT IS FROM ALL OF THE DIFFERENT DEPARTMENTS. I WOULD JUST ADD THAT WE DO HAVE A MID-YEAR CIP AND EVERY YEAR WE HAVE AN APPROVAL OF THE PROCESS AND THERE IS MENTIONED THE FIVE-YEAR FUNDING AND THAT IS IN THIS AND I JUST THINK THAT THE WAY I AM GOING TO RECEIVE YOUR COMMENTS IS THAT WE ARE ALL GOING TO PAY BETTER AND CLOSER UH TENSION TO THESE ITEM THAT'S ARE PRESENTED TO US IN THE CIP PROGRAMMING AND IF YOUR OFFICE DOESN'T HAVE IT WE WILL SEND UH COPY OF OURS. WE KEEP TWO COPIES. AND WE USE THAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I'LL SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE. IT WILL GET A WHOLE LOT BETTER AND THEN I'LL SHOW YOU. THAT DOESN'T COUNT AS A FIVE-YEAR PLAN IN MY MIND, BUT I'LL SHOW YOU. OBVIOUSLY WE DON'T HAVE THAT YET.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I LOOK FORWARD TO IT. DID WE VOTE ON THIS ITEM?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S VOTE. WHAT IS THE MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS TO ACCEPT ITEM O WITH THE AMENDMENT OF ENSURING A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS TO FIND A SHARED COMMUNITY SPACE OPPORTUNITIES TO ENSURE THAT THE LOCKWOOD FACILITY IS

[06:45:11]

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID CIP, BUT CIP IS COMING UP ANYWAYS.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE'LL LEAVE THE CIP ITEM OFF. I THINK THAT WAS THE TWO

CHANGES. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS THE ITEM --

>> STEVE RADACK: I HAVE A QUESTION. YOU KNOW, Y'ALL USUALLY LIKE THINGS TO COME BACK IN TWO WEEKS OR FOUR WEEKS. HOW FAST ARE YOU WANTING THIS TO COME BACK? MEANING WHEN WILL YOU DO THE ENGAGEMENT? I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW LONG FROM NOW IT IS GOING TO BE BEFORE I DECIDE HOW I AM GOING

TO VOTE? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JOHN? >> WE -- WELL, ONCE IT IS APPROVED WE CAN HAVE THE DESIGN TEAM -- WHEN THEIR DESIGN CONTRACT COMES BACK WHICH IT WILL SHORTLY IT WILL INCLUDE THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN THE CONTRACT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY GOOD. >> STEVE RADACK: WHEN DO YOU ANTICIPATE WE WOULD KNOW THE COMMUNITY'S REACTION AND THEIR INPUT. WHEN WOULD THAT BE COMPLETE?

JUST A WILD GUESS. >> FOUR MONTHS, FIVE MONTHS, BY THE TIME THE CONTRACT COMES BACK AND PUBLIC MEETINGS ARE SCHEDULE AND DEPENDING ON THE PANDEMIC.

GETTING PUBLIC INPUT RIGHT NOW IS -- IT HAS BEEN CHALLENGING ON COMMUNITY MEETINGS.

WE ARE DOING THEM, BUT IT IS A NEW WAY OF DOING THEM. I WOULD SAY PROBABLY WITHIN

THREE TO FOUR MONTHS WE WOULD HAVE THE COMMUNITY INPUT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD SAY THAT WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU HAVE GOOD VIRTUAL PARTICIPATION IF IT NEEDS TO

BE DONE THAT WAY. YES, SIR. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE ITEM IS AS IS WITH THE ADDITION OF A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROCESS FOR COMMUNITY SPACE WITHIN THE PROJECT AND THAT LOCKWOOD NOT BE RE-CONSTITUTED INTO A LAW ENFORCEMENT FACILITY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. Y'ALL, IT IS TIME FOR A BREAK.

>> I PULLED UP THE CIP DOCUMENT AND THE COST SAID TBD.

I THINK THAT MEANS TO BE DETERMINED FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH.

>> IT WAS DETERMINED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WHEN IT WAS TRANS MATED IT -- TRANSMITTED IF IT WAS 79 MILLION IT WOULD HAVE GOT MORE ATTENTION.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BREAK UNTIL 6:25 AND WE WILL LEAN ALL RIGHT.

IT IS BACK TO THE -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS BACK TO THE THREE OF US.

IT IS 6:26 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION. THAT WAS COUNTY ENGINEER.

ANYTHING ELSE ON COUNTY ENGINEER? >> RODNEY ELLIS: ITEMS AT THE

END? IS THAT ROBERT E LEE STREET? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S IN PUBLIC HEARINGS, COMMISSIONER. FLOOD CONTROL.

TOLL ROAD. BUDGET MANAGEMENT. >> TAKE ANY QUESTIONS.

>> JUDGE, WE HAVE A SPEAKER ON ITEM 4J. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT.

LET'S SEE. LET'S GO AHEAD AND TAKE THAT SPEAKER 4J UNDER BUDGET

MANAGEMENT, LUCINDA. >> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE

THE PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK. >> DEBBIE ALLEN.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI. GOOD EVENING, MY NAME IS DEBBIE ALLEN AND I AM A CURRENT HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE THANKS TO THE KINDNESS AND GRACE OF FORMER HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF ADRIAN GARCIA. WITH THAT SAID I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONERS GARCIA, ELLIS, CAGLE AND RADACK FOR ALLOWING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO GET THIS ITEM FINALLY PLACED ON THE AGENDA FOR A VOTE. I AM SPECIFICALLY ASKING THAT THE COMMISSIONERS APPROVE ADDING THE HOUSTON FOOD BANK AND THE 100 CLUB TO THE HARRIS COUNTY PAYROLL DEDUCTION FORM TO AFFORD ANY AND ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES THE RIGHT TO CHOOSE A MONTHLY END OR A ONE-TIME CONTRIBUTION TO THESE WONDERFUL ORGANIZATIONS AND

[06:50:02]

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, MA'AM. THOSE ARE THE ONLY SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

SO THAT WAS THE COUNTY ENGINEER. EXCUSE ME.

THAT WAS BUDGET ITEM. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, MAY I HAVE A QUESTION OF

MR. JACKSON? >> LINA HIDALGO: OF COURSE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MR. JACKSON,

ARE YOU THERE? >> I'M HERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I DON'T SEE -- THERE. I WAS LOOKING FOR YOUR PRETTY FACE.

THESE YEARS OF SERVICE, SOMETIMES WE AGREE AND SOMETIMES WE DIDN'T AGREE.

BUT WE WERE ALWAYS AGREEABLE. WHAT WAS YOUR HIGH MOMENT OVER THESE YEARS OF SERVICE IN

BUDGET OFFICE? >> THE HIGH MOMENT? IT WOULD PROBABLY BE BEING

APPOINTED THE BUDGET OFFICER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND IT WAS DOWNHILL EVER SINCE?

>> NO, I WORK WITH A TREMENDOUS TEAM OF INDIVIDUALS AND THEY HAVE DONE A FABULOUS JOB THESE LAST 9 YEARS. WE START WITH 30 MILLION NEGATIVE IN THE GENERAL FUND AND WE WERE ABLE TO PAYOFF THE DEBT AND GET TO A PLACE WHERE WE ARE FINANCIALLY PRETTY SECURE NOW AND WE CAN TAKE ON SOME OF THE MAJOR ISSUES OF THE EPIDEMIC AND THINGS LIKE A HURRICANE. I'M REALLY PROUD OF THAT. THOSE ARE THE HIGH MOMENTS AND I REALIZE THAT THE -- SOME OF THE COURT MEMBERS WANT TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION.

I ACCEPT THAT AND LIFE IS FULL OF CHAPTERS. I'M READY FOR THE NEXT

CHAPTER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.

YOU BECAME BUDGET OFFICER SHORTLY AFTER I HAD THE PRIVILEGE OF BECOMING A COMMISSIONER AT THE TIME. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WAS SHERIFF GARCIA AND WE WERE IN A DROUGHT AND DOING PAY DAY LOANS. BASICALLY WE WERE BORROWING MONEY, TANS IS THE TECHNICAL TERM, SIX MONTHS TO 10 MONTHS OUT TO BE ABLE TO MAKE THE BILLS AND NOW WITH THE PICK FUND AND WE ARE NOT IN A DROUGHT ANYMORE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO THANK MR. JACKSON. IT IS A PLEASURE TO WORK WITH YOU AND I HOPE I CAN STILL GET THE INVITE TO MAKE IT UP TO THAT HOME WHEN WE CAN TRAVEL

AGAIN AND GET YOU ON THOSE FANCY SWIM BICYCLES. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BILL, YOU ARE A GOOD MAN AND YOU HAVE DONE AN OUTSTANDING JOB AND YOU WILL CONTINUE TO DO THAT. I ASSURE YOU THAT WE'RE GONNA MISS YOU.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: LIKEWISE, BILL. I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO WORK WITH YOU WHEN I WAS SHERIFF AND I ALWAYS CAME TO YOU WITH HAT IN HAND ABOUT HOW WE NEED TO PAY FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND WE NEED TO FIX THIS AND FIX THAT.

I STARTED WITH DR. RAYCRAFT AND I WOULD SEE HIM ON OCCASION AT HOV -- HOBIE AIRPORT. AND HE ALWAYS HAD A BRIEFCASE FULL OF FILES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ALWAYS SAID -- OR MOST PEOPLE ALWAYS SAID EVERYTHING ABOUT THE COUNTY'S BUDGET WAS IN BETWEEN HIS EARS. GOD FORBID HE WAS HIT BY A BUS. I WILL JUST SAY I HAVE SEEN YOU COME AND GO ON VARIOUS OCCASIONS SINCE I HAVE COME INTO THE OFFICE AND I HAVEN'T SEEN YOU WITH A BULGING BRIEFCASE SO THINGS MUST HAVE GOTTEN A LITTLE BETTER ORGANIZED SINCE HIS DAYS.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

I WILL SAY ON THAT THAT I WAS BLESSED. GOD BLESSED ME WITH A BRAIN.

UNFORTUNATELY, I REMEMBER EVERYTHING. THAT CAN BE A CURSE AND A BLESSING. THAT KNOWLEDGE, BUT I HAVE STARTED TO DEFRAG MY HARD DISK

AND HOPEFULLY I WILL HAVE SOME FREE SPACE FOR MY GRANDSON. >> LINA HIDALGO: BILL I WANT TO ECHO THAT. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.

YOU HAVE KEPT US IN STRONG FINANCIAL POSITION. WE ALL RECOGNIZE HOW SMART YOU

[06:55:08]

THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH MY TEAM THIS PAST YEAR AND A HALF TO MAKE THE CHANGES AND THANK

YOU SO MUCH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WELL, WE WILL MISS -- WE HAVE MORE OF THE AGENDA TO GET THROUGH. SO LET'S SEE -- WE ARE PRETENDING LIKE WE ARE ALMOST DONE. I AM NOT GONNA -- I KNOW

BETTER THAN THAT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, BEFORE WE LEAVE ENGINEERING, I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT I AM CATCHING UP WITH YOU, COMMISSIONER, ELLIS.

WE'VE GOT A PARTNERSHIP WITH EAST END MANAGEMENT DISTRICT FOR THE EAST WAY BIKE WAY PLAN AND CONNECTIVE TEE FROM -- WHAT IS IT? VICKREY STREET TO CROWLEY PARK AND PUTTING IN THE EIGHT-FOOT SIDEWALK SO PEOPLE CAN BIKE AND WALK TO AND FROM THE PARK. WE GOT ANOTHER EAST END DISTRICT REPORT ON BIKE TRAILS. WE ARE CATCHING UP WITH YOU, MAN.

WE ARE NOT THERE YET, BUT WE ARE CATCHING UP. I WANT TO SAY TO JOHN THANK YOU FOR THE FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM PROJECT. AS MANY OF YOU RECALL DURING HURRICANE HARVEY THAT WE LOST A HOUSTON POLICE OFFICER, A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, SERGEANT PEREZ, WHO REGRETFULLY DROVE INTO A DEEP AREA OR AN UNDER PASS AND SO IF THIS SYSTEM COMES TO BE AS I HOPE IT WILL, IT WILL ALLOW US TO PUT ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS INSTEAD OF HAVING OUR STAFF GO OUT THERE AND PUT HORSESHOE BARRICADES AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIMES. SO THAT ONE WILL BE AN INCREDIBLE GAME CHANGER FOR THE PUBLIC SAFETY. CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR COMMUNITY DURING THOSE VERY DIFFICULT FLOOD CONDITIONS. ANYWAY, I JUST WANTED TO SAY SPECIFICALLY ON THE BIKE

TRAILS AND THE PLANS, WE'RE GOING TO CATCH UP WITH YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, JUDGE, IF IF I MIGHT, YOU HAVE A GREAT PRECINCT. ALL OF OUR PRECINCTS ARE GREAT. I THINK THEY ARE PUTTING THOSE CEMENT BLOCKS DOWN ON AUSTIN STREET TODAY. IF WE GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE IT IS DARK OR CAGLE DOESN'T RUN OVER ME -- HE MAY NOT HAVE REMEMBERED WHAT HE SAID WHEN THE MIC WAS ON, I THINK HE CAN CONNECT IN PRECINCT TWO. I HEAR COMMISSIONER RADACK WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE CENTER POINT EASE MENTS AND I -- EASE MEANTS AND IT WILL HELP ALL OF US.

IT IS GREAT SPACE. IF WE GO INTO ANOTHER LOCK DOWN LIKE THE RUMORS ARE ABOUND, I WOULD BE GLAD TO RIDE WITH YOU. I HAVE AN ELECTRIC BIKE AND I

WILL STAY 10 FEET AWAY FROM YOU. >> GET ME A REAL BIKE, MAN.

I DON'T NEED ONE OF THOSE ELECTRIC ONES. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS -- WE WERE ON BUDGET MANAGE MEANT. LET'S GO TO IGA.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ON ITEM D I HAD CONTACTED MR. SOARD WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND I DO WANT TO RAISE TO OUR ATTENTION THAT ON THIS ITEM ALTHOUGH IT IS NOT A LARGE AMOUNT, 3,588, IT IS FROM ANONYMOUS DONORS AND I JUST GOT A LITTLE NERVOUS WHEN I SAW ON HERE WHERE IT IS ANONYMOUS DONORS.

I KNOW THAT WE, WHENEVER WE GET DONORS THERE IS ALWAYS THAT QUESTION OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY. AND WE HAVE MR. LAMOND HERE WHOSE DADDY I USED TO BE -- I WOULD PRACTICE OPPOSITE OF BACK IN THE DAY WHEN GIANTS WALKED THE FACE OF THE EARTH. BUT THEY SAID THIS IS SOMETHING THAT WE DON'T TRADITIONALLY DO IN TERMS OF ACCEPTING ANONYMOUS DONORS, BUT IT IS TO OUR DISCRETION.

JUDGE, I JUST -- I'M NOT WANTING TO BE THE FLY IN THE OINTMENT, BUT -- AND I WANT TO

[07:00:06]

THAT CORRECTS THIS PARTICULAR ITEM. THEY WANT TO CHANGE THIS BY ANONYMOUS -- FROM ANONYMOUS TO VERY -- VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS.

CAN I MAKE A MOTION WE CHANGE THE AGENDA FROM SAYING ANONYMOUS DONORS TO SAYING DONATIONS BY VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS? THAT WAY WE ARE NOT RUNNING UP

AGAINST THE TRANSPARENCY ISSUE? >> LINA HIDALGO: SO VARIOUS COMMUNITY -- AUTHORIZATION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION TO ACCEPT FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BRILLIANT ENERGY LLC DONATIONS OR DELETE BRILLIANT ENERGY?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: BRILLIANT ENERGY IS ONE DONOR AND THE OTHER PART IS ANONYMOUS DONORS. WHERE IT ANONYMOUS DONORS REPLACE ANONYMOUS DONORS WITH VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS BECAUSE APPARENTLY THERE IS A RECORD OF WHO THEY ARE AND THEY ARE SMALLER DONATIONS. THEY JUST DIDN'T WANT THEIR NAME TO COME AND BE PUT OUT IN THE WORLD. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO A PIA AND THE PUBLIC CAN STILL FIND OUT

WHO THEY ARE. THERE IS STILL TRANSPARENCY. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM D WILL READ REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZE -- FOR THE VETERINARY PUBLIC HEALTH DIVISION TO ACCEPT FROM VARIOUS COMMUNITY MEMBERS AND BRILLIANT ENERGY, LLC, DONATIONS IN THE AMOUNT OF

$3,588. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT. SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. ANYONE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU NEED A SECOND? >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WOOER A GOOD. WE'RE GOOD. OKAY, SURE.

MOTION BY CAGLE AND SECONDED BY GARCIA. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I, I, I. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY.

THANK YOU FOR THAT, COMMISSIONER. SO THAT WAS PUBLIC HEALTH.

COMMUNITY SERVICES. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICE SERVICES.

CONSTABLES. COUNTY CLERK. WHERE IS THE SHERIFF?

DID HE NOT HAVE AN ITEM ON THIS COURT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I GUESS

NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. COUNTY CLERK.

DISTRICT CLERK. OH THIS WAS THE TRANSPORTATION FUND -- THE TRANSPORTATION FOR JURY DUTY. I BELIEVE JIM HAS AN UPDATE ON THAT OR JOHN?

>> JUDGE, JIM TALKED TO THE CLERK AND WE CAN TAKE NO ACTION ON THIS.

IT APPEARS THAT THIS ITEM WAS ACTUALLY INCLUDED IN THE 20 MILLION ITEM.

WE THE -- WE HAD 1.5 MILLION FOR JURY MEALS AND TRANSPORTATIONS.

JIM TALKED TO HER AND NO ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN ON THIS ITEM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M JUST CURIOUS IS METRO GIVING IT OR ARE WE PAYING?

>> THERE ARE TWO-FOLD COMMISSIONER. WE ARE DOING WORK WITH METRO AND THEN WE ARE ALSO -- THE BIGGEST COMPONENT OF IT IS WE ARE CONTRACTING WITH THE VENDOR THAT COMMUNITY SERVICE -- THE HARRIS TRANSIT VENDOR.

METRO IS WORKING WITH US ON THEIR NORMAL ROUTE. WE HAVE TO HAVE SOME AUXILIARY SERVICES AVAILABLE. WE ARE CONTRACTING WITH THE PROVIDER FOR HARRIS TRANSIT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THAT'S NO ACTION ON ITEM 12 UNDER DISTRICT CLERK.

NEXT IS COUNTY ATTORNEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, THAT'S ALL RIGHT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DISTRICT ATTORNEY IS NEXT. I HAVE A NOTE HERE FOR

SPEAKERS, LUCINDA. ARE THEY UP? >> ONE CANCELED AND THE OTHER

DOES NOT ANSWER. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET ME KNOW IF THEY CALL BACK.

>> YES, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: PUBLIC DEFENDER.

ANY SPEAKERS? >> NOT ON THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: JUSTICE

ADMINISTRATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE A COUPLE OF QUESTIONS.

[07:05:04]

JIM IF YOU'RE THERE? MR. BETKEY. >> I AM HERE, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE GIVING YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED.

WE DON'T NEED A MOTION I AM TOLD TO ACCEPT YOUR REPORTS. THESE ARE PRELIMINARY.

THESE ARE ITEMS WE ASKED YOU TO LOOK INTO AND THAT I AM MAKING REFERENCE TO.

AND THAT'S IN VIEW OF THE GEORGE FLOYD TRAGEDY AND THIS NEW ENVIRONMENT FOR CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. BUT ARE WE GIVING YOU EVERYTHING YOU NEED BUDGET WISE? FOR BELLO OR ANY GROUPS THAT COME IN AND HELP YOU COME IN WITH THE RECOMMENDATIONS, IS EVERYTHING IN PLACE? WE WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU HAVE THE CASE NOW OR IN THE NEXT COURT SO YOU CAN MOVE ALONG AT AN EXPEDITIOUS PACE.

>> THE STAFF AND THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S ANALYST OFFICE WE PUT TOGETHER SOME GOOD INITIAL REPORTS. SOME OF THESE ARE OVER THE THRESHOLD AND WE MAY NEED ASSISTANCE OF A CONSULTANT TO HELP EXPEDITE THE PROCESS. ALTERNATIVELY THERE IS A NUMBER OF GOOD REPORTS THAT WE HAVE GOT CITED AND I THINK THERE ARE SOME REALLY STRONG RESEARCHERS. WE CAN BRING RECOMMENDATIONS THAT I THINK WOULD BE HELPFUL AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THERE IS ONE CAHOOTS THAT IS A NON-LAW ENFORCEMENT AND IT OVERLAPS THE TYPES OF REFORM. I HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO GO THROUGH THAT THOROUGHLY. AND I THINK THERE IS SOME EXTREMELY PROMISING OPPORTUNITIES FOR US TO REALLY KIND OF BEGIN IMPLEMENTATION. NEXT COURT WE MAY NEED TO BE COMING BACK FOR A CONSULTANT, BUT I WANT TO DO THAT JUDICIOUSLY AND NOT JUST SAY, OKAY, WE DON'T NEED THIS. I AM REAL PROUD OF MY STAFF FOR PULLING TOGETHER AND

REALLY HUNKERING DOWN TO GET AN INITIAL DRAFT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MY SECOND QUESTION IS I READ THE REPORTS. I DID GO THROUGH THEM QUICKLY WHEN I GOT THEM.

AND I SAW A COUPLE OF REFERENCES TO NOT HAVING DATA.

AND I KNOW THAT ALL OF US ARE DATA DRIVEN. PARTICULARLY YOU, JUDGE.

AND I WANT YOU TO TAKE

>> MAN: I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF THERE IS SOMETHING THAT UNIVERSAL SERVICES NEED TO DO THEY'RE WELCOME TO COME IN. WHAT CAN WE DO #WE HAVE TO DO IT BETTER WHEN I FIRST GOT HERE IT WAS UNRELATED ISSUES. MAYBE SOMEONE RELATED ON THE DISPARITY REPORT.

EVERYBODY TALKED ABOUT HOW THE NUMBERS ARE SO GREAT BUT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE DATA.

YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE DATA. I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN WE DO AND IS IT CAN BE WORKED OUT BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO HAVE THE DATA SO WE KNOW WHAT WE'RE TALKING ABOUT.

>> THIS REALLY STARTED PROBABLY IN THE MIDDLE OF MARCH RIGHT AT THE HEIGHT OF THE BEGINNING OF COATED. WE HAVE A REALLY INCREDIBLE AM. HE HAS GONE THROUGH VARIOUS TRAININGS SO WE HAVE ACCESS TO THESE VARIOUS DATABASES. THERE IS OF COURSE INFORMATION THAT THEY WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE ACCESS TO. REALLY WERE THINGS HAVE GOTTEN HELD UP AS THE HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT SUBCOMMITTEE. WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THEM ONTO INDICATIONS. WE HAD A MEETING WITH HIM A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO AND WE ARE STILL BLEEDING ON THE RESPONSE. I KNOW WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC.

BUT IT'S NOT JUST ONE INCIDENT. THE COMMITTEE IMPACTS OUR RACIAL ETHNIC SENT DISPARITIES.

HE HAS GOT THE TRAINING. THAT'S THE AREA WHERE THEY ARE RUNNING INTO A ROADBLOCK AND

[07:10:01]

DEFINITELY FRUSTRATES THE TECHNOLOGY. >> WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO SUGGEST IS IF IT'S NOT WORKED OUT BY THE NEXT COURT DATE ENDED UP AT THE ITEM ON THE AGENDA SO WE CAN HAVE THE PARTIES HERE. WE JUST CAN'T HAVE THAT.

I SAY MANY TIMES WE MEAN WE CAN'T GET THE DATA RUSSIANS HAVE IT.

THEY KNOW EVERYTHING. WE'RE TALKING ABOUT RACIAL DISPARITIES AND ISSUES.

THAT'S JUST SO OLD SCHOOL TO TRY TO HIDE IT. WHEN PEOPLE DON'T GIVE IT UP IT

MUST INDICATE THEY HAVE SOMETHING TO HIDE. >> I WILL DEFINITELY REPORT BACK AND WE WILL SEE IF WE GET A RESPONSE AND ACCESS. IDEALLY WE WILL.

THERE'S BEEN OTHER ASPECTS WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN COMPLETE ACCESS AND AS A RESULT WE ARE ABLE TO PUBLISH SOME REPORTS AS A RESULT OF IT. WE WILL DEFINITELY HAVE AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA IF WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN INFORMATION THAT WE NEED OR ACCESS TO.

>> THINK YOU.>> THANK YOU SIR. >> SPEAKER: COMMISSIONER ALICE

YOU ARE STILL ON. WE HAVE NOTES HERE. >> MAN: IS BRUCE AROUND MAYBE

I'LL ASK ABOUT THAT ISSUE. >> SPEAKER: BRUCE? >> BRUCE ION MUTED.

>> BRUCE ARE YOU ONE DOUBLE MEAT? >> WE CAN JUST COME BACK AND

I'M NOT SURE IF I MUTED OR NOT. >> YOU ARE NOT WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> THE ONE ITEM AND YOU MAY HAVE GOTTEN NOTICE OF THIS, I DID REQUEST TAKE NO ACTION.

>> THAT'S NOT WHAT I WAS ABOUT TO SAY ON BE. >> WHATEVER IT WAS FOR OFFICE

FURNITURE. >> SO NO ACTION ON ITEMS 60 BE UNDER JUSTICE AND MINISTRATION?

>> YES MA'AM. >> WHEN BRUCE GETS BACK ON COMMISSIONER WE WILL PUT HIM

THROUGH. PLEASE LET US KNOW. >> YES MA'AM.

>> SPEAKER: TRAVEL AND TRAINING. HE IS ON THE PHONE.

LOOSENED I THINK YOU HAVE ON MUTED YOURSELF TO. GLAD COMMISSIONER.

>> JUDGE ON THE TRAVEL AND TRAINING I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT UNDER 17 B AND ITEM 14 WHERE IT INDICATES IMPLICIT BIAS AND MICRO-AGGRESSION TRAINING BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I JUST WANT TO COMMEND THAT THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE HEARD THE ISSUES AND CONCERNS ACROSS THE COUNTRY. AS WELL AS HERE LOCALLY.

THEY ARE THE THAT I CAN TELL THE FIRST AGENCY TO REALLY ACTIVELY PURSUE THE IMPLICIT BIAS ASPECT OF THE CONVERSATION. I JUST WANT TO POINT OUT THAT THIS IS A GOOD ITEM TO SEE HERE. THE SHERIFF IS COMMITTED TO THIS SENDING OVER 100 PEOPLE SUBJECT TO BEING TRAINED ON THIS.

AGAIN I JUST WANT TO COMMEND THE SHERIFF FOR HEARING ISSUES AND CONCERNS IN THE COMMUNITY AND WORKING TO GET THE TRAINING DONE. I WANT TO HAVE US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT HIM AND GETTING AS MANY AS THE DEPARTMENT TRAINED ON IMPLICIT BIAS IS.

>> WE HAVE BRUCE ON THE LINE GO HEADFIRST. >> MAN: YES, SIR COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. I HAD TO COOK MY SHRIMP. >> THAT'S ALRIGHT DON'T FRY THEM. ON THE REPORT THAT CAME FROM THE JUST AS A MINISTRATION DEPARTMENT WHEN I READ THEM ABOUT LIMITATIONS ON ACCESS TO THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN LOOK AT ISSUES RELATED TO HOMELESSNESS AND POVERTY AND MENTAL HEALTH WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND RACIAL DISPARITIES CAN YOU SOLVE THAT IN THE ISSUE IS SUPERIOR ON DATA THAT COMES IN AND OUR TASK

[07:15:06]

>> ABSOLUTELY WE CAN WORK IT OUT. THE THING IS WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES THAT CONTRIBUTE THAT ON THE DATA.

PERMISSION HAS TO BE GRANTED BY THE AGENCIES I THINK WE'VE GOTTEN MOST OF THAT.

ALSO THE QUALITY OF THE DATA AND WHAT GOES IN AND IS WHAT COMES OUT DETERMINE WHAT YOU'RE LOOKING AT WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT AND WHAT AGENCIES HAVE.

SOME OF THAT MIGHT SHOW INACCURACIES. I THINK JIM CAN WHAT HE SAID HE'S GOTTEN HERE WITH WHAT SOME OF THE CONCERNS ARE ABOUT THE DATA THAT'S IN THERE.

>> WHATEVER WE DON'T HAVE AT THE NEXT COURT THEY WON'T GIVE IT UP.

I WAS THERE WHEN THE PASS A LOT OF STUFF ABOUT STOPS. I SAW THEY ACCOUNTS AND HOW THE DATA COULD BE USEFUL. THEY WORK WITH HIS COLLEAGUES THEY CLEARED UP AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T RUN INTO A BRICK WALL WHEN PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO GIVE UP THE DATA FOR FEAR IT MIGHT MAKE THEM LOOK BAD. I PREFER TO HAVE IT OUT THERE

AND KNOW IT. >> I'M WITH YOU. WHATEVER IT TAKES MY TEAM IS ALIGNED AND LOOKING AT EMAILS THAT COME THE LAST THREE DAYS. IT IS GIVEN ACCESS TO THE DATA AND TEAM. I THINK IT'S JUST A MATTER OF PUTTING A FORMAT THAT IS USABLE

IN A TIMELY MANNER WHERE WE CAN TAKE A MINUTE OF IT. >> WE MAKE SURE YOU TALK TO

HIM. >> JIM ARE YOU THERE? >> I ON THE PC.

>> YOU ARE OFF ME. CAN YOU SETTLE THE ISSUE AND IS NOT I WILL PUT THE ITEM ON THE NEXT COURT TO EXPLAIN WHY. IT'S KIND OF THE LAST ONE THE REAR STUMBLING IN.

I'M HAPPY TO WORK WITH YOU ON THE I DON'T KNOW WHERE THE HOLDUPS ARE BUT THERE IS

DEFINITELY COLDER. >> WAS TO GET BY FOR PARTIES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THAT.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT WE ARE SEEING. >> WE HAVE STRINGS.

THEY GET MONEY FROM US? >> I'M SURE THEY'RE LISTENING RIGHT NOW SIR.

>> I LIKE TO SEE THOSE AGENCIES AND WHAT THEY GET FROM THE PARTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO FIGURE OUT HOW WE COULD USE THE POWER OF THE STRINGS TO GET THE START IT'S

VERY IMPORTANT. >> ABSOLUTELY. WE ARE GLAD GEMS HERE.

>> JUDGE? YOU ARE MUTED JUDGE. >> SPEAKER: THANK YOU

COMMISSIONER GO AHEAD. >> YOUR HONOR ON THAT ITEM THAT MISTER GARCIA POINTED OUT ABOUT THE TRAINING FOR THE MICRO AGGRESSIONS. I THINK THAT THE SHERIFF IS SENT IN 100 FOLKS IN THE CLASSROOM FORMAT BECAUSE IT COST THEM $2000.

I'D LIKE TO EXPAND THAT. I WAS CHATTING WITH SOME OF MY STAFF MEMBERS.

I MIGHT EVEN WANT TO GO TO THE CLASS. >> EVERYONE CITY WHICH IS MAKE

SURE IT'S ONLINE. >> I MAKE THAT AS A MOTION AND MAKE IT THAT IT'S ABOUT AVAILABLE TO COURT MEMBERS AND STAFF. I GUESS WE WOULD NEED TO VOTE

ON IT SINCE WE'RE CHANGING THE ITEM. >> JUDGE YOU ARE MUTED THAT'S

[07:20:03]

THE MOTION CARRIES. >> IS COMMISSION ERRATIC ON THE LINE?

>> IT LOOKS LIKE HE'S NOT. WE MAY COME BACK TO IT THAN JAMES.

>> FOR NOW I WILL RECORDED AS 40? >> THAT'S CORRECT.

>> JAMES IF I DIDN'T SAY YES ON SOMETHING EARLY ON FOR IT. I'M GOING BACK TO MY SANITY'S.

SOLACE USUALLY MEANS YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT. >> I KNOW I DIDN'T VOTE ON

SOMETHING EARLIER BUT I WAS. >> GOING BACK TO TRAVEL AND TRAINING GRANTS.

>> THERE'S A REPRESENTATIVE WITH THE SHERIFF DEPARTMENT THAT IS STATING THAT THE TRAIN

IS BEING FUNDED THROUGH LEO'S. >> SO WE CAN'T GO IS THAT THE REP?

>> WHAT IF WE PAY FOR WHATEVER OUR PARTIES? >> MAN: IF NOT TELL US HOW WE

CAN SIGN UP FOR IT IS THAT A RIGHT? >> I'M NOT ASKING FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO PAY FOR MY PART. IF I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT I'M WILLING TO PAY FOR IT AND I

WANTED TO GO. >> IT DOESN'T LOOK TO COMPLICATED.

$2000 FOR HUNDRED FOLKS. I GET THE $20 PER PERSON. I THINK WE CAN AFFORD THAT AND

PRECINCTS FOR. >> THE TRAINING IS NOT UNTIL AUGUST SO YOU MIGHT WANT TO PUT

IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. >> CAN WE DO THAT? >> LET THE PROOF THE SHERIFF'S EXPENDITURE AND THE OTHER WHEN WE CAN BRING IT BACK. IT'S SOMETHING WE NEED TO SEND

BACK AND WORK ON THAT. >> THEY MAY JUST ALLOW THE FROM THE COMMISSIONER IN A

COUPLE OF STAFF MEMBERS TO STROLL IN IF IT IS A CLASS. >> IS ZOOM I BELIEVE BUT HOPEFULLY WILL BE ABLE TO JOIN. I WOULD NOT GO IF IT WAS NOT ZOOM.

>> SHORT OF ANYBODY'S SUGGESTING WHAT THE AMENDMENT AS I PROPOSE THAT FOLKS BRING A

SIMILAR ITEM IN THE NEXT QUARTER. >> IS THE PREVIOUS MOTION BEING WITHDRAWN AND YOU WILL REVOTE ON THE ACTUAL TRAVEL ITEM?

>> I THINK WE COULD PROBABLY LEAVE IT ALONE. IT WILL PASS WITH EVERYTHING.

>> WILL JUST LEAVE IT ALONE SO THE MOTION THEN WILL BE WITHDRAWN AND WE WILL LEAVE THE

SHERIFFS ITEM AS IS. AS I WRITE COMMISSIONER? >> MAN: THANK YOU FOR

WITHDRAWING MY MOTION JUDGE. >> JUDGE: BACK TO GRANTS. THE FISCAL SERVICES AND

PURCHASING. COMMISSIONERS COURT. >> JUDGE I DID HAVE ONE ITEM

THAT I NEED TO ADDRESS PLEASE. >> JUDGE: YES. >> ON PAGE 18 ITEM 90.

WE REQUEST NO ACTION AND WE'RE GOING TO REVIEW WITH THE INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES HAVE AND

WILL BRING IT BACK TO THE NEXT QUARTER. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU.

9B ON PAGE 8 YOU SAID WE GOT T. NO ACTION ON THAT. >> UNDER MY AGENDA THIS IS

BOTH ROUTINE S FOR MY PART. COMMISSIONER PRECINCT 1. >> JUDGE I'M SORRY AM TRYING TO UNMUTE HERE. I DO WANT TO GO BACK TO PAGE 20 ITEM 18.

UNDER PURCHASING. AN ITEM 18 WE ARE DOING A LOT OF THINGS AND INTERNET AUCTIONS. WHY CAN'T WE NOT INCLUDE OUR TAX PROPERTIES OR FORECLOSURE

PROPERTIES? >> COMMISSIONER BLUNT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WILL BE BETTER TO ADDRESS THAT BUT THERE ARE LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS ON PROPERTY TAX.

FOR ONE AS I UNDERSTAND THEY HAVE TO DECIDE IF THEY WANT TO DO IT AND NOT ONLY THAT BUT CERTAIN KIND OF SALES CAN'T BE DONE BASED ON THE STATE LAW. SOMETHING WE'RE GOING TO HAVE CHANGES. WE HAVE LOOKED AT THAT BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT WE WANTED TO DO.

[07:25:02]

>> NOT SPECIFICALLY OTHER THAN TO SAY THAT THE AGENDA ITEM HAS TO DO WITH SURPLUS ITEMS.

>> TO MEETING. >> YES, SIR. >> THANK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER SCOTT MAY NOT BE AWARE OF THIS BUT THEY PUT TOGETHER AN EXPLANATION OF WHAT

CANNING CAN BE DONE ON TAX SALES. >> I WILL LOOK FOR THAT THANK

YOU. >> HAVE A COPY AS WELL. >> WE APPRECIATE IT.

>> IT WAS TECHNICAL TO PROCEDURES. YOU HAVE A IN.

>> I THINK WE SHOULD PROBABLY GET MORE MONEY. >> ABSOLUTELY THINK YOU.

>> I'M SORRY COMMISSIONERS. IF I CAN INTERRUPT AGAIN. MAYBE I MISUNDERSTOOD YOUR QUESTION. ARE YOU ASKING US TO LOOK AT WHETHER THE PROPERTY TAX SALES

CAN BE HELD ONLINE. >> CORRECT. >> I WILL MAKE SURE WE DO

THAT. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE: ONTO COMMISSIONERS WITH THE MENTIONED ITEMS. WE ARE HAPPY TO ANSWER QUESTIONS.

PRECINCT 1. >> MAN: MY SECOND ITEM IS A REQUEST FOR UPDATES FROM SCOTT ON DISTRICT B. ANOTHER MAY BE PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK ON IT.

SCOTT WHAT I'M REALLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IN ADDITION TO UPDATES IS WHAT CAN WE DO TRYING TO THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX. BECAUSE OF THE COURT AND STATE LAW WHEN AS A CHALLENGE RUNOFFS FOR A NEW ELECTION. AS LONG AS THERE IS HIS LIVE LITIGATION AS I UNDERSTAND IT THE OFFICEHOLDER WHO IS THERE IN THE CASE OF COUNCILMEMBER DAVE JUST SITS THERE AND IS NOW SEVEN MONTHS. IT'S AFTER THE TERM EXPIRES AND

MORE THAN THAT I GUESS BECAUSE THE ELECTION WAS SOONER. >> HE'S SITTING THERE AND THE

ELECTION WAS IN NINE MONTHS, LONG ENOUGH TO BIRTH A CHILD. >> HE SITS THERE AND IT'S JUST IN LIMBO. AND GETTING CALLS AND COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE.

THEY'VE GIVEN US AN UPDATE.F YOU CAN GET WITH WHAT WE DO. DO WE GO PAST THE RESOLUTION OR SOMETHING? FIGURE HOW TO GET THIS OFF. COUNCILMEMBER DAVIS IS IN THE ELECTION TODAY WITH REPRESENTATIVE. .

IF DAVIS WERE TO WIN OR IF YOU STILL SITTING THERE COME JANUARY HE WILL BE ELIGIBLE TO SIT IN THE LEGISLATOR. IT COULD HAPPEN WITH ONE OF OUR SEATS I GUESS.

HE WILL HAVE MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY AND IF SOMETHING IS CONTESTED, IT'S NOT A RUNOFF BUT IF IT WAS SOMETHING CONTESTED HE WOULD BE SITTING THERE.

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS NEEDS TO WORK UP SOME POSITION TO TRY TO PUSH THE HEARINGS DURING THE INTERIM TO GET THE LAW CHANGED BECAUSE THEY'RE GOING TO BE VERY BUSY.

WITH THIS LIVE CASE GIVE US AN UPDATE AND IF YOU HAVE SOMETHING OUT-OF-THE-BOX AND IF YOU EVER WANT TO HIRE SUGGEST YOU DO IT ON YOUR OWN. YOU HIRE ELECTION LAWYERS WHAT

DO WE DO. >> COMMISSIONER I'M IN A DEFER TO DOUG RAY ON THAT ONE.

HE'S OUR SPECIALIST I THINK I KNOW JUST ENOUGH TO BE DANGEROUS.

DOUG IF YOU'RE ON THE PHONE IF YOU CAN JUMP AND I APPRECIATE IT.

>> BASICALLY THE RUNOFF THAT WAS SCHEDULED FOR LAST DECEMBER TO FILL THE DISTRICT OFFICE WITH THE TERMS WAS CONTESTED. THEY ENVISION A LAW THAT SAYS YOU CAN'T HOLD A RUNOFF ELECTION OR CONTESTED OFFICE UNTIL THEY FILE A JUDGMENT ENTERED.

WE HAD A TRIAL AND THE JUDGES BEEN APPEALED BY ONE OF THE PARTIES BUT DID NOT PREVAIL.

[07:30:01]

>> THE CITY AND COUNTY WERE JOINED AS NECESSARY PARTIES BECAUSE IT'S A CITY ELECTION AND THE COUNTY WAS ADMINISTERED. WE ARE KIND OF LIKE SIDE PLAYERS TO THE THREE PARTIES THAT ARE ACTUALLY CONTESTED IN SUIT.

THE MOST RECENT THING I CAN TELL YOU ABOUT IT IS THAT THEY HAVE NOT TREAT IN THIS AND THIS NEXT MATTER AND ONE OF THE PARTIES OF INTEREST CAME TO US ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO WITH A DRAFT OF A MOTION TO EXPEDITE IT. THAT'S NOT BEEN FILED YET.

WE LOOKED AT IT WE SAID WE WERE GOOD WITH IT. THEY HAVE NOT FILED IT YET.

I THINK THAT ONE OF THE MAIN PROBLEMS AS WE ANTICIPATED IT WITH THE JUDGE ORDER ONCE A DECISION WAS MADE THAT THE ELECTIONS FOR THE DISTRICT WILL BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 3.

THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CHAPTER THAT DEALS WITH THIS BASICALLY STATES THAT THE COURT CAN ONLY ORDER IT BE HELD ON THE SAME DAY AS THE ORIGINAL ELECTION WHICH WAS A SATURDAY.

IT CANNOT BE ON NOVEMBER 3. THE CITY ACTUALLY OBJECTED IT BEING HELD.

THERE IS NO MOTION TO EXPEDITE THE APPEAL TAKING PLACE. THE COURTS MOVE AT THEIR OWN SPEED AND IT'S HARD TO ENFORCE THEM TO TAKE ACTION WITH NONEMERGENCY SITUATIONS.

COUNCILMAN DAVIS CONTINUES TO SERVE IN THAT CAPACITY. THIS IS TECHNICALLY VACANT BECAUSE OF THE CONSTITUTION PROVISION. HE IS SERVING RELUCTANTLY BUT I FEEL IS HIS DUTY TO REPRESENT PEOPLE IN DISTRICT BE UNTIL THAT HAPPENS.

WE WILL KNOW SHORTLY WHETHER OR NOT HIS ATTEMPT TO WIN THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE SEAT IS SUCCESSFUL OR NOT. WE WILL BE ABLE TO BE PERCEIVED FROM THERE.

IF YOU KNOW BETTER THAN ME AND I'VE BEEN PRACTICING LAW FOR 38 YEARS NOW.

A METHOD WHICH YOU CAN GET IN THE COURT IS FASTER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THAT WILL BE.

>> IS THERE ANYTHING THE CITY CAN DO. >> OTHER THAN TO JUST RAISE HELL ABOUT IT. OF COURSE THE CITY IS NOT PART OF THAT SO THEY CAN FILE THEIR OWN. THEY CAN GET A JUDGMENT SO THAT THEY CAN RESCHEDULE THE

ELECTION FOR SOME TIME. >> THE CITY CAN DO THAT BUT WE COULD NOT THOUGH.

>> WE COULD DO IT BUT THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS WE REALLY DON'T HAVE A DOG IN THIS MATTER AND I DON'T THINK THE COURT IS IN THE PAST. PRIMARILY IN THE CITY IS SECONDARY AND THEY LOOK AT US AND SAY WHETHER IT'S TODAY OR 10 YEARS AGO.

>> THIS IS JUST IN NO WAY WHEN I TRY TO USE LITTLE EDUCATION THAT I HAVE.

IT'S JUST A SUGGESTION. IF WE FILED ONE AND ASKED THE CITY TO CO-FILE IT WITH US MAYBE THAT WOULD AT LEAST NUDGE SOME ACTION. THE CITY CONTRACTED US TO

HANDLE THE ELECTION FOR THEM. >> I AGREE WITH YOU 100% WHICH IS WHY IT WAS SO OPTIMISTIC A FEW WEEKS AGO. THERE'S A JOINT MOTION WITH THE PARTIES JOINING TASK THE COURTS EXPEDITE THE APPEAL. IT'S THE CITY NEGOTIATING AND JOINING THAT NOTION.

IT HAS NOT BEEN FILED. >> WE DON'T NEED A MOTION. I JUST WANT TO ASK, I'M JUST TRYING TO BE HONEST WITH YOU. MAYBE FOLKS HAVE SIGNED UP. I JUST WANT TO SHOW THAT I'M HERE AND TRYING TO RESPOND. COULD WE PREPARE SOMETHING TO FILE?

[07:35:01]

SAY WHAT A CITY SHOULD BE. IT MAKES US LOOK SILLY. >> IF WE GOT THE CITY TO INVOLVE THEY HAVE THEIR OWN INTEREST IN THEIR OWN OPINIONS ON WHAT WOULD BE THE BEST WAY TO PERCEIVE. I THINK THAT THE OTHER PART IS US ON THE CITY.

>> I JUST WANT TO SHOW WE ARE DOING SOMETHING. >> IT'S ABOUT 200,000.

>> ABOUT 200,000 PEOPLE WHO CALL MY OFFICE AND FEEL AS THOUGH THEY ARE BEING DEPRIVED

OF THEIR VOICE BECAUSE THEY CAN'T MOVE FORWARD. >> I DON'T THINK IT'S IN ANY WAY A REJECTION OF THE COUNCILMAN. HE'S DONE A GREAT JOB AND SAYS HE STILL SERVING. IF THE CITY WON'T DO IT I'M NOT ABOVE US SAYING WE'RE READY TO FILE IT IF THE CITY WON'T JOIN IN AND JUST DECIDE. DON'T PEOPLE JUST KEEP CALLING ME AND SAID HE WILL SIGN UP ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT BECAUSE YOU ARE IN CHARGE OF THE ELECTION AND I'M TRYING TO EXPLAIN THAT THEY PAID US TO HANDLE THE ELECTION.

>> I WILL CERTAINLY LOOK INTO IT. >> THINK YOU HISTORY B3 WE DO

HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE LINE. >> IS GOING TO LISTEN TO. >> MICHELIN BROWN WITH TEXAS

ORGANIZING PROJECT PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> WOMAN: HELLO AND THANK YOU COMMISSIONER AND JUDGES FOR ALLOWING ME THE TIME TO SPEAK. MY NAME IS LUCILLE AND BROWNED.

I'M CALLING IN SUPPORT TO BE RAISED ON THE BALLOT. I WANT TO SUPPORT ADDITIONAL FUNDS FOR THE OFFICE. MANY PEOPLE DEPEND ON ADJUSTMENTS AND DECISIONS.

I WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE A STUDY PLAN OVARY IN THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

IT CAUSES FOR HIGH RATE. THANK YOU SO MUCH THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO DO.

>> ALEXANDER WARREN WITH TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT FOR PLEASE. >> IS ALEXANDER WARREN.

I AM MULTITASKING AND DOING MY JOB. I JUST WANT TO SAY HI MY NAME IS ALEXANDER WARREN AND I AM A MEMBER. IN A TIME OF POLICE MURDERS OF INNOCENT BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN A TIME OF SOCIAL DEPRESSION FOR OUR MOST VULNERABLE BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES IN A TIME OF CORE QUALITY AND PUBLIC EDUCATION AS WELL AS UNCERTAINTY ROUNDING THE CORONAVIRUS WITH LACK OF FUNDS AVAILABLE FROM THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY AS WELL AS HER HOUSING. WE BELIEVE OUR COUNTIES AND TAX INVESTMENT SHOULD BE BETTER ALLOCATED TO ADHERING TO LOCAL DEMAND CALLING FOR MORE PROTECTION AND PPE EQUIPMENT FOR OUR CHILDREN'S HEALTHCARE AND FRONTLINE CHAMPION.

WOULD LIKE TO REQUEST A STUDY ON WHY THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE HAS SUCH A HIGH TURNOVER AND WHAT CAN BE DONE TO SLOW DOWN TURNOVER ASIDE FROM FINDING MORE PROSECUTORS.

THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. >> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> JUDGE: THIS IS NOT FOR THE CURRENT ITEM CORRECT? THIS IS ACTUALLY RESUMING FOR THE DA ITEM QUESTIONNAIRE.

>> NO MA'AM THIS IS FOR ITEM 20 B2. DISTRICT BE RUNOFF ELECTION.

SPEED HELLO AND THANK YOU EVERYBODY FOR LISTENING. THINK EVERYBODY FOR LISTENING TO ME. I'M A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY. I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE FOR YEARS. RIGHT NOW WE'RE IN THE MIDDLE OF A PANDEMIC WE DON'T FEEL AT CITY HALL. DESPITE THE LAWSUIT AND THE ONGOING ISSUES THE PERSON SITTING IN OUR COUNSEL IS CONCERNED WITH THE RUNOFF. WHERE EXACTLY IS THE DISTRICT QUESTION MARK WE ARE MEMBERS OF THE COUNTY. WE WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO SOME COMMUNICATION. WE HAVE NOT GOTTEN ANY OF THE HOMES.

[07:40:03]

I THINK THAT THAT IS TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION ESPECIALLY WHEN WE'RE DEALING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE BELOW THE INCOME BRACKET AND ARE IN EVERY SLOT WE'RE GETTING NOTHING.

NO KIND OF RECOMMENDATION. WE'VE DROPPED AT THE DOWNTOWN SO THAT WHEN THERE ARE THINGS THAT COME UP WITH SOMEONE WHO CAN TALK TO US ABOUT IT. WE SEEM TO NOT SEE ANY OF THE THINGS THAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT COVID 19. THEIR LISTENER IS A CAUSE BUT WE DON'T SEE ANY PUBLIC DISPLAY ON PERMANENT PUBLIC INTEREST IN MAKING SURE THAT WE CONTINUE AND THAT THE FOOD CONTINUES. WE ARE WORKING WITH THEM AND WE'RE NEVER GOING TO STOP

HELPING. >> THAT'S WHAT I HAVE TO SAY THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR LISTENING

. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU MA'AM. KATHY GUNTER WITH HOUSTON

GARDENS PACIFIC ASSOCIATION PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> HELLO I'M KATHY GUNTER.

NORTHEAST HOUSTON. WE LIKE TO SAY NORTH AND EAST 59TH AND NORTH OF 16 WE CONTINUING DISTRICT BE AND IT TOOK BROWN. I KNOW THAT YOU KNOW THAT IT'S 95% OF PEOPLE OF COLOR IN OUR COMMUNITY. AT THIS TIME WITH COVID 19 DEVASTATING OUR COMMUNITY THERE IS A DISPROPORTIONATE RATE. OUR BLACK LIVES MATTER.

IT HAS BECOME A GLOBAL MOVEMENT NOW AND WE FINALLY GET THE PUBLICITY AND THE PUBLIC ATTENTION THAT IT DESERVES. WE HAVE LIKE YOU SAID OVER 200,000 BLACK AND BROWN HISTORIANS HERE. WE FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN SHUT OUT IN OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS.

DISTRICT BE AS ONE OF THE CORES IN THE CITY. WE HAVE A MEDIAN INCOME OF ABOUT 31,000 THAT'S THE REASON THERE'S MORE CRITICAL TO ENSURE OUR RESIDENCE HERE WITH CONCERNS. THAT WAY OUR CONCERNS ARE NOT OVERSHADOWED.

THEY RECOGNIZE THAT OUR VOICES ARE AHEAD IN OUR VOTES TO MATTER.

WE ALSO ADD THAT WE HAVE A DETENTION POND OVER HERE IN THE NORTHEAST SIDE AND IT'S A DETENTION BASIN THAT HAS NOT BEEN WITH AMENITIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROMISED TO US.

WHEN WE GOT WORD THAT THERE WAS A PLAN BEING PROPOSED IN THE PLAN WAS GOING TO BE READY BY THE END OF THIS YEAR WHICH IS 2020 ALREADY RECEIVED THE PLAN IN 2019 BY MISS JEANETTE CARMOUCHE. ALSO WANDA FOLLOWED UP AND NOW I HAVE ANOTHER EMAIL FROM MISTER LAWRENCE BATTLES THAT SAYS THEY ARE JUST NOW IN THE PLANNING STAGES WHEN I ALREADY HAVE A PLAN. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THAT IS ADDRESSED AND WE DON'T WANT THE REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND RESOLUTION FOR THE FLOODING PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE.

WE NEED EXCAVATION AND ENGINEERING AND A PLAN. >> THANK YOU FOR LISTENING.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH THOSE OF THE SPEAKERS ON THIS PARTICULAR ITEM.

>> ALRIGHT. >> JUDGE BEFORE I GO TO MY NEXT ITEM.

WITH MY RESOLUTION FOR RALPH COOPER WE HAD A RESOLUTION ON PAGE 21 ITEMS WITH A TYPOGRAPHICAL ERROR. WE MAKE SURE THAT THE RECORD IS CORRECT AND I'D LIKE TO READ THE PROPER LANGUAGE. THE PROPER LANGUAGE WOULD BE BEST.

[07:45:02]

WE DON'T WANT TO GET THE RESOLUTION WITH THE WRONG LANGUAGE.

THEY TOLD ME TO READ THAT INTO THE RECORD. MY LAST ITEM WOULD BE ITEM FOR.

THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM ISSUE. I THINK IT'S GOOD THAT WE TAKE IT UP 30 DAYS AFTER THE FUNERAL. THE CITY OF AUSTIN THAT THIS AND IT HAS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT. IT IS A PROPOSAL IN LINE WITH THE LEGISLATORS THAT IS REPEALING TO DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY PROGRAM IN 2019 SUPPORT ADVOCATED FOR.

THE LEGISLATOR DID THAT AND ASSESSED EXTRA SURCHARGES AGAINST PEOPLE CONVICTED OF SEARCH FOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES EVEN AFTER THE STATEWIDE CHANGE WAS STILL SUSPENDING DRIVERS LICENSES WHEN PEOPLE CAN PAY THEIR COURT FINDS THROUGH THEIR OMNI BASED FAILURE TO APPEAR PROGRAM. PEOPLE DO NOT COME TO COURT AND PETER FINDS THE JUDGE CAN PUT A HOLD ON THE DRIVERS LICENSE SO THEY CANNOT RENEW A LICENSE UNTIL PLANS ARE PAID.

THIS HAS A DOMINO EFFECT. WITHOUT A LICENSE PEOPLE CANNOT GET JOBS SO THEY CAN'T PAY OFF THEIR FINDS, DRIVE TO WORK OR TAKE THEIR KIDS TO SCHOOL. IF SOMEONE DRIVES WITHOUT A LICENSE THEY CAN GET MORE TICKETS. IT'S TRAPS PEOPLE INTO A CYCLE OF POVERTY. I MIGHT ADD THEY CANNOT VOTE BECAUSE HAVING A LICENSE IS THE BEST WAY TO VOTE. THERE ARE MORE THAN 23,000 OPEN CASES WITH AN OMNI BASED PROBLEM IN HARRIS COUNTY PLACING HOLES ON DRIVERS LICENSES THAT ARE DISPROPORTIONATELY HURTING BLACK. IT'S A REPORT THAT WAS RELEASED YESTERDAY BY THE TEXAS DEFENSE PROJECT. IT SHOWS THAT IN HOUSTON 40% OF THE PEOPLE WITH DRIVERS LICENSES ARE HELD BASED ON BLACK AND 20% OF THE CITY'S POPULATION IS AFRICAN-AMERICAN. STATEWIDE 20% IS ON BLACK INDIVIDUALS DESPITE BEING 11% WITH LICENSED DRIVERS. THE ODDS OF BEING ARRESTED BY HAVING AN INVALID LICENSE IS FIVE TIMES HIGHER. THE NUMBER FOR HISPANICS ARE EQUALLY AS BAD.

>> FORT WORTH IN PASADENA DO NOT USE OMNI BASED PROGRAMS WHEREAS DALLAS AND HOUSTON FREQUENTLY USE IT. FORT WORTH COLLECTS THE SAME AMOUNT OF REVENUE PER CASES IS DALLAS. THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS HALF 1 MILLION ISSUES BUT WITH THE COURTS OPERATING IN HARRIS COUNTY I HOPE THE CITY WILL FOLLOW OUR LEAD ON DOING THIS.

I KNOW NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO SIGNED UP TO SPEAK BUT THE COURT WILL ADOPT THE ITEM AS I PLACE IT ON THE AGENDA WHICH WILL HAVE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY GO THROUGH THE PROCESS OF

COUNSELING. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BRINGING IT UP COMMISSIONER.

>> WE HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? >> COMMISSIONER.

>> I WANT TO COMMEND THE COMMISSIONER FOR FORWARDING THIS.

WE QUITE UNDERSTAND IT AND THEN WHEN I REALIZED HOW IT WAS ATTACHED TO KEEPING PEOPLE FROM RENEWING THEIR LICENSES IN SPITE OF THEIR DRIVING RECORD. I WANT PEOPLE TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY REALIZE THAT THIS DOESN'T MAKE THE WARRANTS GO AWAY. THE WARRANTS ARE STILL ACTIVE.

IT'S JUST THE PROCESS OF ALLOWING PEOPLE TO RENEW THEIR LICENSES AND SPITE OF.

I TALKED TO SO MANY PEOPLE. IT'S AN UNDOCUMENTED COMMUNITY IN PARTICULAR.

THEY WANT TO PAY FOR IT BUT THEY ARE SO DEFINITELY AFRAID TO STEP INTO THAT COURTROOM AND PRESENT THEMSELVES. THEY THINK THAT THEY JUST ASSUME AND TAKE THEIR CHANCES TO STAY AWAY. FORTUNATELY WITH THE GOVERNOR HAS DONE BY NOW THIS ALLOWS THEM TO GET THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE AND IT'S CRAZY IN ITSELF.

THE OTHER SIDE OF IT IS THERE'S A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THIS ECONOMY AND I JUST WANT TO TELL YOU THIS ECONOMY IS GOING TO CREATE MORE SITUATIONS WHERE PEOPLE WILL HAVE OUTSTANDING WARRANTS BUT WILL STILL BE DOING THEIR VERY BEST AT WORK TO PAY FOR THEM AND TAKE CARE OF THE

[07:50:06]

DOING THIS. >> COMMISSIONER WHEN THE STATE PASSED THE RESPONSIBILITY BILL IN 2003 THIS IS PART OF THAT. THIS INDUSTRY OF COLLECTION AGENCIES GREW OUT OF THAT PART AROUND THE COUNTRY AND IT WAS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE IT PUTS SO MANY SURCHARGES ON PEOPLE.

THE NUMBER FOR EL PASO COUNTY AND PARTICULAR IS SOMETHING RIDICULOUS.

I WANT TO SAY SOMETHING LIKE 50% OF THE PEOPLE LOST THEIR LICENSE.

IT WAS A RIDICULOUS NUMBER. THE LUNCH THAT WHO CARRIED IT CAME BACK AND SAID IT WAS THE WORST BILL PASSED BY THEN HE WAS AHEAD IT TO GET THAT BILL PASSED AND YOU HAVE PROGRESSIVE AND FAR RIGHT GROUPS WITH THE AMERICAN LEGISLATIVE CHANGE PROGRAM WHICH I FOUGHT THROUGHOUT MY CAREER. IT SAYS IN THE GREAT PLACES WHICH THEY HAVE CONFERENCES I WAS GOING GET IDEAS AND SPEND TIME WITH MY MORE CONSERVATIVE COLLEAGUES.

THEY HAVE COME OUT AGAINST IT. I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA AND I THINK MAYBE A MONTH AGO I HAD IT ON THE AGENDA AND PULLED IT DOWN. SOME OF YOUR OFFICES ASK

QUESTIONS AND THEN THEY WANTED TO FINISH THEIR REPORT. >> THAT WE ASK QUESTIONS? I THINK THAT IS THE SPEAKER BUT IF YOU WANT TO ASK A QUESTION YOU CAN.

>> I JUST WANT TO KNOW HAS ANYBODY TALK TO ED WELLS OR CLAY BOWMAN? MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THIS IS A TOOL THAT JUDGES HAVE IN THEIR TOOL CHEST WHICH IN SOME INSTANCES MAY UTILIZE THIS INSTEAD OF JAIL TIME OR SOMETHING ELSE THAT MIGHT BE MORE SEVERE. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW. IT'S KIND OF LIKE IF YOU TAKE ONE TOOL AWAY FROM THE JUDGE WHAT ARE THEY GOING TO THEN USE IN ITS PLACE WHEN THEY ARE TRYING TO DO THE RIGHT THING IN THEIR COURTS. I'M A LITTLE RETICENT TO TAKE TOOLS AWAY FROM JUDGES AND AGAIN HERE I AM THE REPUBLICAN WITH EVERY JUDGE IN THIS COUNTY RIGHT NOW THAT'S COUNTYWIDE IS A DEMOCRAT. I AM ADVOCATING FOR THESE JUDGES TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THE TOOLS THAT THEY NEED AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF WE HAVE TALKED TO ED WELLS AND CLAY BOWMAN TO SEE WHETHER THESE JUDGES ARE HAPPY OR NOT HAPPY WITH HAVING THIS PARTICULAR TOOL REMOVED FROM THE TOOL CHEST AND TRYING TO MAKE SURE

THAT WE HAVE A GOOD AND SAFE SOCIETY. >> I WILL SAY THIS.

THIS ISSUE IS PART OF WHAT CAME OUT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

WE HAD A LITTLE SPEED TRAP DOWN RIGHT OUTSIDE ST. LOUIS MISSOURI.

IT IS A WELL-RESPECTED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND I RESPECT THE RIGHT TO DISAGREE.

I'VE NOT TALKED TO THOSE TWO INDIVIDUALS BUT EVEN IF THEY DO WANT TO I FEAR THAT THEY TAKE IT AWAY FROM THEM. MY OFFICE HAS REACHED OUT TO THEM BUT I HAVE NOT PERSONALLY TALK TO THEM. I KNOW THAT THERE ARE ONLY SIX OF THE GPS WHO HAVE USED IT ON A REGULAR BASIS. WE JUST MAY HAVE A DIFFERENCE OF OPINION BUT I'M GOING TO TAKE THE ADVICE OF ALEC ON THE FAR RIGHT WITH ACLU TEXAS WHICH IS A GOOD BIPARTISAN COALITION.

IT'S TIME FOR THEM TO STOP. I'M LOOKING FORWARD TO HEARING FROM THE WITNESSES.

>> WE HAVE SPEAKERS RIGHT? CAN YOU PLEASE CALL THEM. >> MARY WITH TEXAS CAN YOU

PLEASE COME FORWARD. >> GOOD EVENING. MIGHT NAME IS MARY.

I'M TOWN COUNCIL FOR THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROCESS WITH THE ARMY BASE PROGRAM.

ALSO KNOWN AS THE FAILURE TO APPEAR PROGRAM. I'VE SPOKEN TO YOU PREVIOUSLY ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS BUT I WANT TO SHARE MORE INFORMATION BEFORE THE REPORT PUBLISHED YESTERDAY ABOUT THE IMPACT ON HOUSTON SPECIFICALLY THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED.

[07:55:03]

I COMMEND THE COMMISSIONERS COURT FOR ASKING WHETHER THE ENFORCEMENT TOOL IN THE JUSTICE COURT ALLOWS AND IS BOTH FAIR AND EFFECTIVE. WITH ONLY BASED IS CRYSTAL CLEAR THAT THE HARM FOR HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS PARTICULARLY HAVE LOW RESIDENCE IN COMMUNITIES OF COLOR VASTLY OUT WEIGHING ANY POTENTIAL BENEFIT OF THE PROGRAM.

THIS PROGRAM PUNISHES PEOPLE FOR POVERTY AND RESEARCH SHOWS THAT IT'S CONCENTRATED IN LOW INCOME NEIGHBORHOODS WITH HIGHER POVERTY RATES AND IT'S DISPROPORTIONATELY HARMING BLACK PEOPLE IN HOUSTON. THE JUSTICE COURT SUBMITS THAT THEY CAN'T CALCULATE RACIAL DISPARITY. WE LOOKED AT ANOTHER CASES STATEWIDE.

BLACK PEOPLE ARE MUCH MORE LIKELY TO RECEIVE THE HOLDS AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS STATED.

THE HARMS AND INJUSTICES ASSOCIATED ARE WELL-DOCUMENTED. BEYOND THAT THERE'S NO PRIVET BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM. THE GOAL IS TO GET TO THE COURT AND INCREASE COMPLIANT JUDGMENT. IT'S NOT ACCOMPLISHING THAT GOAL.

NO POSITIVE RELATIONSHIP EXISTS WITH THE COLLECTION. THE AVERAGE AMOUNT COLLECTED BY THE JUSTICE COURT DID NOT ISSUE THE HOLD IN 2018 WITH MORE THAN $158 PER PAY PERIOD COURTS THAT DID ISSUE THE HOLD HAD $115. COURTS AND OTHER LARGE AREAS OF THE NOT PARTICIPATE HAVE SOME OF THE HIGHEST COLLECTION RATES AMONG THE CITY. CLEARLY THE PROGRAM IS NOT NECESSARY AS A TOOL FOR COURTS TO COLLECT THE COST. THE FACT THAT IT HINDERS PEOPLE FROM GETTING A JOB AND EARNING A LIVING INDICATES THAT IT MIGHT ACTUALLY BE DECREASING COMPLIANCE AND COLLECTIONS. I WOULD URGE YOU TO END THE PROGRAM AND LIFT EXISTING HOLDS. BY DOING SO IT WILL ALLOW FOR THOUSANDS OF RESIDENTS TO THE

STORE LICENSES TO GET BACK TO WORK. >> IF SHE WOULD STAND IN LINE FOR A SECOND ONLY BECAUSE I'M TRYING. I'M GETTING TIRED.

I ASKED MYSELF WHY DID THEY GIVE ME THE HISPANIC NUMBERS AND THEY THOUGHT ON OUR RESEARCH IT WAS HARD TO COUNT BECAUSE THE DATA WAS NOT BEING KEPT THAT WAY.

THEY WERE NOT CLASSIFYING THEM AS HISPANIC DO YOU HAVE OTHER HISPANIC NUMBERS?

>> WOMAN: THAT'S CORRECT. GENERALLY HISPANIC PEOPLE ARE GROUPED IN WITH WHITE PEOPLE AND ARE NOT BREAKING OUT SO WE DON'T HAVE NUMBERS. WITH THAT POPULATION THERE'S

ONLY BLACK. >> I SAW ANOTHER FACT TO IT. T WAS RELATED TO NEW JERSEY.

IT'S AT 42% OF THE DRIVERS WITH SUSPENDED LICENSES LOST THEIR JOBS ONCE THE LICENSE WAS SUSPENDED. WAS A HIGH PROBABLY IN TEXAS AS WELL?

>> I DON'T KNOW IF IT WAS SPECIFIC TO TEXAS BUT ANECDOTALLY IT'S CLEAR THAT NOT HAVING A LICENSE MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO KEEP EMPLOYMENT AND TO GET EMPLOYMENT SPEAKING WITH SOMEONE AT THE WORKFORCE OF HARRIS COUNTY AND HE TOLD ME THAT NOT HAVING A DRIVERS LICENSE WAS ONE OF THE MAIN BARRIERS THAT HE FACED WHEN TRYING TO PLACE PEOPLE ANY POSITIONS. GETTING PEOPLE THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE BACK WILL HELP REMOVE

THE BARRIERS THAT THEY HAVE. >> I KNOW THERE WAS A LOT OF CONCERN ON COMMISSIONER CABLES PART EARLIER ABOUT PEOPLE EXERCISING THEIR RIGHT TO VOTE. YOU COULD HAVE A HOLD ON YOUR LICENSE AND YOU CAN GO TO DPS AND GET ONE OF THOSE. IT'S A STATE ID BY THE TROOPER.

YOU HAVE TO BE A LITTLE DERANGED TO WELCOME YOU TO GET ONE.

OBVIOUSLY THE EASIEST WAY TO VOTE IS HAVING A DRIVERS LICENSE.

>> THAT'S WHAT I UNDERSTAND CERTAINLY IS MAKING IT MUCH EASIER TO VOTE WHEN YOU DO HAVE

YOUR DRIVERS LICENSE. >> IF I MIGHT JUST ADD ONE MORE THING ABOUT THE TOOLS.

[08:00:03]

>> THERE WAS A QUESTION BEFORE I STARTED ABOUT HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET PEOPLE TO SHOW UP TO COURT IF TOOLS LIKE ON THE BASE ARE TAKING AWAY FROM JUDGES.

I THINK THE COURT NEEDS TO RELY ON THE RESEARCH ONE FIGURE OUT THE WAYS TO GET PEOPLE TO COURT AND THAT REALLY POINTS TO TWO THINGS. ONE OF THE INFORMATION FROM THE COURT ABOUT WHAT THE OBLIGATIONS ARE, WHEN AND WHERE TO GO AND WHAT TO EXPECT WITH COURT TO REDESIGN THE FORMS WHICH SHOWS INCREASE RATES. ALSO REMINDERS.

THEY GO A LONG WAY. TEXT MESSAGE REMINDERS HAVE BEEN SHOWN TO IMPROVE APPARENT RATES SIGNIFICANTLY. ANECDOTALLY I WOULD SAY WE HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN ABOUT HOW AFRAID PEOPLE ARE GOING TO COURT WHEN THEY HAVE HOLDS AND WARRANTS.

PEOPLE WANT TO RESOLVE BUT THEY ARE AFRAID. INSTEAD OF RECEIVING THESE HOLDS AND WARRANTS THEY CAN BE RECEIVING CLEAR INFORMATION ABOUT WHAT THE OPTIONS ARE FOR THEM TO RESOLVE WHAT THEY OWE AND THEY HAVE MORE CONFIDENCE AND GOING TO THE COURT AND

TAKING CARE OF THESE TICKETS. >> BECAUSE YOU ARE MAX BUT I WANT TO ASK.

WE DON'T LOSE ANY MONEY FROM THIS. THIS IS MAINLY A VENDOR PROCESS. WE DON'T PAY THEM THEY MAKE THAT MONEY OFF OF THE COLLECTIONS.OBVIOUSLY THE VENDORS WILL BE PRETTY MAD AND PRETTY HARD TO KEEP THIS IN

PLACE. >> THE VENDOR IS VERY INVESTED IN KEEPING THE PROGRAM IN PLACE. THEY GET COMPENSATED THROUGH FREEZE EVERY TIME A HOLD IS LISTED THEY GET THE FEES. THAT'S THE MONEY THAT GOES DIRECTLY TO THE VENDOR.

>> THE VENDORS THAT ARE FIGHTING TO KEEP IT FROM BEING APPEALED HAD ALLIES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS. LISTEN TO ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> YES MA'AM. >> EMILY GARRETT WITH THE DEFENSE PROJECT GO AHEAD.

>> MY NAME IS EMILY AND I'M AN ATTORNEY. I'M HERE TO BE IN SUPPORT OF ITEM 24 WHICH WAS FOR THE PARTICIPATION IN THE HOLD PROGRAM.

ON THE BASE HOLDS WHAT YOU CAN RENEW YOUR LICENSE IF YOU MISS A COURT DATE OR PAYMENTS YOU CAN'T RENEW OR CHANGE YOUR LICENSE UNTIL EVERYTHING IS COMPLETELY PAID OFF.

THE RACE IS REALLY STUNNING FOR THIS. THE NUMBERS THAT WE HAVE ACTUALLY PROBABLY MUCH WORSE BECAUSE ANYTIME RACE ISN'T REPORTED TO DPS IT DEFAULTS TO WHITE INSTEAD OF DEFAULTING TO UNKNOWN. I WANT TO TAKE ABOUT SOME OF THE HARM BECAUSE IN SOME WAYS THIS PROGRAM IS ACTUALLY MUCH WORSE THAN THE RESPONSIVITY PROGRAM BECAUSE UNLIKE THE DRP THERE IS NO ADDITION PROGRAM AND UNLIKE THE DRP THERE ARE NOT LIFTED UNTIL EVERYTHING IS COMPLETELY PAID OFF. NOT JUST A $30 FEE FOR THE HOLD BUT EVERY SINGLE CENT OF YOUR QUARTET HAS TO BE PAID FOR YOU CAN GET YOUR LICENSE.

THAT MEANS IF EVEN IN THE RELIGION OF THE HOLD WAS FAILED TO APPEAR YOU CAN GET IT BACK THE ENTIRE TIME. PEOPLE HAVE TO KEEP DRIVING IN ORDER TO PROVIDE THEMSELVES AND THEN THEY GET MORE TICKETS. LOTS OF PEOPLE END UP OWING THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND AGAIN THOSE HOLES DON'T LIFT THE ENTIRE TIME ANYTHING IS OUTSTANDING.

NOT HAVING LICENSE AND MAKES IT VERY HARD FOR PEOPLE TO COMPLY IN THE FIRST PLACE.

>> THE HARMS OF THIS PROGRAM ARE REALLY VERY CLEAR. THERE NOT CLEAR BENEFITS THE PROGRAM WHATSOEVER. ONLY FIVE OF THE COURTS USE THE OMNI BASE PROGRAM AND AS MENTIONED THOSE COURTS ACTUALLY COLLECT LESS MONEY PER CASE AS THOSE THAT DO NOT ISSUE HOLDS.

WE REPRESENT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE PER YEAR WHO HAVE THESE HOLDS AND I'VE NEVER TALKED TO ANYBODY WITH AN ARMY BASE HOLD WHO LIVES IN THE WORLD AND LIVES AND KNOWS WHAT IT IS.

THEY CAN'T CLIMB OUT FROM UNDER THE DEBT AND THERE ARE FREE TO GO TO COURT.

WHEN THEY FIND OUT THAT THEY CAN GET THE HELP OR THEY WANT TO GET IT AS COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAS SAID IT REALLY HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT. AGAIN PENIS WITH THAT PROGRAM

[08:05:01]

TRAPPED. >> I WANT TO REALLY QUICKLY ADDRESS ANOTHER PART OF WHAT THEY SAID. IT'S ABOUT THE COURT NOTIFICATIONS AND WHAT WE SEE WHEN WE LOOK AT THE NOTIFICATIONS THEY ARE VERY INTIMIDATING.

THEY DON'T SAY WHAT YOUR OPTIONS ARE AND THEY DON'T MAKE IT OUT CLEAR IF YOU GET ARRESTED IF YOU GO TO COURT. FOR US TO REALLY WANT TO IMPROVE APPEARANCE RATES AND

THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> ANY OTHER SPEAKERS?

>> YES MA'AM. >> STEPHANIE TRUONG WITH BEACON LONG AGO PLEASE.

>> GOOD EVENING. AM WITH THE PROGRAM DIRECTOR OF BEACON LAW.

A PROGRAM IS TO BEGIN WHERE THEY ARE BASED HERE IN HOUSTON TEXAS.

WE ARE HOMELESS AGENCY WHO STRIVES TO PROVIDE HOLISTIC SERVICES FOR PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH OR EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS. PARALEGAL PROGRAM OVER THE YEARS HAS REALLY SPECIALIZED IN DIFFERENT TYPES OF CASES IN WHICH WE ADVOCATE FOR COURTS TO HELP FIND AND MENTIONED SO THEY CAN CLEAR THE TICKET AND ALSO LIFT THESE HOLDS.

OVER THE YEARS WE REPRESENTED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE NOT ONLY IN HOUSTON COUNTY BUT EVERYWHERE.

WE DO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE GP COURTS IN PARTICULAR. I WAS JUST RAISED THREE POINTS.

JUST TO GIVE YOU MORE SPECIFIC ANTIDOTES OF HOW THESE CAN AFFECT INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS KNOW THAT THIS IS HAPPENING STATEWIDE NOT JUST IN THE GP COURT.

THE FIRST WOULD BE THAT IN MANY INSTANCES WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE COURT NOT COMMUNICATING TO LIFT THE HOLD AFTER THE POINT OF INSTALLATION OF THE CASE. WHEN THAT HAPPENS THE UNDERLYING CASES ARE DISPOSED OF BUT ON BASED HAS NOT COMMUNICATED AND SO WE HAVE TO DO THAT WORK OF CALLING THE COURT AND LIFTING THE HOLD. ONE CLIENT DIDN'T HAVE IT UNTIL TWO YEARS AFTER HER CASE. I SECOND POINT IS THAT A LOT OF THESE COURTS STATEWIDE ARE GRANTED COMMUNITY SERVICE FOR THESE CLIENTS AS THEY CANNOT PAY THE FINE.

THEY ARE NOT LIFTING THESE ON THE HOLES UNTIL THE SERVICE IS COMPLETED.

WE HAD ONE CASE IN THE GP COURT ACTUALLY THIS MONTH WHERE THE COMMUNITY SERVICE WAS ORDERED OR POSITIVE CLIENT. SHE WAS ORDERED TO DO IT UNTIL DECEMBER BECAUSE OF HER CONDITION. THAT MEANS SHE'S NOT ABLE TO GET HER DRIVERS LICENSE UNTIL DECEMBER AT THE EARLIEST. MY THIRD ANECDOTE WOULD BE THAT MANY TIMES THESE HOLDS ARE AFFECTING RESOLUTIONS AND OTHER COURTS. FOR INSTANCE WE HAVE A CLIENT RIGHT NOW WHO NEEDS PROOF OF VALID DRIVERS LICENSE IN ORDER TO DISMISS HIS CASE IN ONE COURT BUT HE'S NOT ABLE TO GET HIS DRIVER'S LICENSE BECAUSE OF AN FTA HOLD IN ANOTHER COURT.

THERE IS DEFINITELY THAT TRICKLE-DOWN EFFECT AND WE SEE IT MANY TIMES.

THE LAST POINT I WOULD ADD IS COVID 19 IS MAKING THINGS MORE IMPOSSIBLE AT THIS POINT IN

TIME. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> JUDGE WE HAVE LINCOLN

GOODWIN. GO AHEAD SIR. >> MAN: GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE. THINK YOU FOR LETTING ME TAKE A FEW MINUTES TO DISCUSS THE OMNI BASE PROGRAM. FIRST OFF THE FIRST OFF THAT OMNI BASE BEING REMOVED IS A PROGRAM CAME AS A SURPRISE TO MYSELF AS WELL AS MY COLLEAGUES, WE DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND WE WERE REALLY CONSULTED ABOUT IT OR IT BEING AN OPTION.

ULTIMATELY THE GOAL IS TO GUEST AND GET A DESCENDENT INTO COURT TO HANDLE HIS OR HER CASE.

WHEN THEY DO IF THERE IS AN ECONOMIC CHALLENGE THAT THEY ARE FACING THOSE FINES AND FEES ARE WAIVED. THERE TURNED INTO COMMUNITY SERVICE AND THAT INCLUDES THE OMNI-BASED FEES. ANY INDICATION ON THE CONTRARY WAS THE ACCURATE.

OMNI-BASED FEES CAN BE WAIVED BY THE COURT AND THAT WAS ADDRESSED THE LAST LEGISLATOR BEFORE. IT DOES HAPPEN MANY TIMES. LET'S GET TO THE REAL HEART OF

[08:10:04]

KEEPING HARRIS COUNTY SAFE. >> COMMISSIONER REDDICK? >> JUDGE ARE YOU STILL THERE?

>> YES SIR. >> STEVE REDDICK. HAVE A QUESTION.

YOU TALK ABOUT FATALITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY. I CALLED THE OFFICE A WHILE BACK. WHAT PERCENTAGE OF TRAFFIC FATALITIES IN HARRIS COUNTY DO

YOU KNOW ARE PEDESTRIAN? >> A VEHICLE STRIKING THE PRODUCTION I DON'T KNOW THAT

PERCENTAGE. >> ALMOST 30%. >> ALMOST 30%.

I'M NOT TRYING TO TEST YOU HERE. I WAS AMAZED ON HOW MANY

PEDESTRIANS ARE KILLED IN HARRIS COUNTY. >> I UNDERSTAND EXACTLY.

I KNOW ADRIAN GARCIA DOES AS WELL. IT'S THE RESULTS OF TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS. WE NEED EVERY TOOL IN THE BOX. I APPRECIATE YOU COMMENTING.

THANK YOU. >> JUDGE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS. > I JUST WANT TO MAKE A POINT THAT THESE HOLDS ARE NOT RELATED TO DRIVING. THAT'S WHY ALEC IS SUPPOSED TO HAVE THESE FINES. THEY ARE NOT RELATED TO DRIVING SAFELY.

I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT I MADE THAT CLEAR. >> PERHAPS I DID NOT HEAR YOU CORRECTLY. THE DPS HOLD IS ULTIMATELY FOR SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T ACTUALLY TAKE CARE OF OR APPEARED IN COURT. AS EACH OF YOU KNOW THE STATE OF TEXAS ALLOWS WHEN SOMEBODY SIGNS THEIR CITATIONS WITH THE DEPUTY ATTRIBUTED ALLOWING THEM TO GO ON THEY HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO APPEAR ON OR BEFORE A CERTAIN DATE IN COURT.

THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE IS FOR THAT INDIVIDUAL TO GET ARRESTED AND NOBODY WANTS THAT SOLUTION TO BE SURE. UNFORTUNATELY I DON'T HAVE THE PERCENTAGE IN FRONT OF ME BUT IT'S AT LEAST 50% THAT DON'T EVEN BOTHER TO COME INTO COURT AT ANY POINT.

WE DON'T SEE THEM FOR YEARS AND THEN THE ONLY REASON THAT THEY MIGHT COME INTO COURT IS BECAUSE THEY GO TOGETHER DRIVERS RENEWED. AGAIN, THERE ARE PROGRAMS AND THOSE KINDS OF THINGS IN WHICH EVERYONE AND I HEARD SOMEONE FROM THE CAN TESTIFY BEFORE

[08:15:06]

WE NEED TO COMMITTEE GET BETTER WITH OMNI-BASED. HE WILL CERTAINLY OWN THE AND MAKE SURE THAT THAT HAPPENS SO THAT THOSE CASES AS FAR AS DPS IS CONCERNED IS DONE.

>> YOU HAVE 999 HOLDS. THE NEXT CLOSEST JP OF THOSE THAT PARTICIPATE WILL BE TO 24.

ANY REASON WHERE NUMBERS WILL BE HIGHER? >> MY INDIVIDUAL COURT HAS MORE FILINGS IN IT ANNUALLY THAN ANY OF THE OTHER COURTS. NEARLY 25% OF THE FILINGS WITH GP COURTS COMES TO JUST THE ONE COURT ALONE AND THAT'S THE COURT THAT I SIT ANSWER.

>> JUDGE I WANT TO SHOW YOU EVEN IF WE HAVE A DISAGREEMENT OR DIFFERENCE IN AGREEMENT ON THIS I'M COMMITTED TO WORKING WITH YOU ON OTHER STRATEGIES THAT HAVE BEEN PROVEN TO BE EFFECTIVE AROUND THE COUNTRY. THIS PROGRAM IS DISCRIMINATORY AS SUCH A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS. HISPANICS I BELIEVE BUT IT'S JUST NOT COLLECTED PROPERLY.

IT IS PART OF WHAT THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE CAME UP WITH AND IT WAS IN THE PREVIOUS MINISTRATION. AS PART OF THE REASON WHY FERGUSON BLEW UP BECAUSE SO MANY PEOPLE WERE ESSENTIALLY IN TROUBLE FOR DRIVING WHILE BLACK.

THERE ARE OTHER STRATEGIES AND I'M JUST GLAD ALEC WHICH IS A GROUP THAT I MET WITH AND IT'S BEEN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM BACK WHEN I HAD MY OTHER JUDGE. I'M HOPING IT PASSES AND I'M

LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND OTHER ISSUES. >> WHO WANT TO TALK ABOUT SOME OF THOSE FORECLOSURES AND EVICTIONS TO FIGURE OUT A FIGURE THAT OUT.

>> THANK YOU SIR. I ALONG WITH YOU AS WELL AS ANYBODY ELSE WHO MOURN THE LOSS OF A YOUNG LIFE WHETHER THEY ARE BLACK, HISPANIC, WHITE, ASIAN AT A TRAFFIC ACCIDENT.

>> VENDORS TEST OUT THOSE AUTTALKING POINTS. I'M A GUY WHO HAD A DRINKS IN THE FIRST OF 1972. BUT THAT TALKING POINT WAS USED AND IT WAS FAIRLY INEFFECTIVE TO GET THAT DRIVER RESPONSIBILITY BILL REPEALED. THAT WAS A BIG TALKING POINT THAT CAME FROM OMNI-BASED AND OTHER FOLKS WANTING TO KEEP IT IN PLACE.

WE DISAGREE BUT I HAVE TREMENDOUS RESPECT FOR YOU JUDGE.

>> JUDGE: THINK YOU. >> THE NEXT SPEAKER IS CIVIL WITH THE JUSTICE PACK SPEAKING ON 20 BEFORE AND SUPPLEMENTAL TO SEVEN. GO AHEAD PLEASE.

>> WOMAN: I'M SO SORRY I WAS ON IT. I WANT TO EVERYONE ON FAILURE TO APPEAR. I WANT TO SAY THAT I'M FORMERLY INCARCERATED.

I'VE BEEN OUT OF PRISON ALMOST 24 YEARS. WHEN I WAS IN PRISON I DID THE PAPERWORK FOR TICKETS THAT I HAD. WHEN I GOT OUT I HAD MANY TYPES OF SURCHARGES. HOW MY SUPPOSED TO PAY FOR THE SURCHARGES THAT I'M IN PRISON THAT SHOULD'VE BEEN GONE. I HAVE THE RECORD AND I DON'T THEY DIDN'T.

THE PROBLEM IS WHY WE PRESENTING MORE BARRIERS FOR SUCCESS AND FOR INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND. MOST PEOPLE ARE LIVING OR WORKING OR A MINIMUM WAGE. HOW IS THAT MINIMUM WAGE JOB GOING TO MEET THEIR BASIC NEEDS AS WELL AS FEES THAT ARE IMPOSSIBLE? THEY PRESENT ANOTHER BARRIER TO

[08:20:04]

THERE SHOULD BE A WAY THAT BROWNS ARE NOT CLASSIFIED WITH WHITE PEOPLE.

THEY ARE DIFFERENT. WE CANNOT HAVE ACCURATE NUMBERS ON ANYTHING IF WE DO NOT MAKE CHANGES THERE. ONE OF THE LADIES SAID THAT FEAR IS A DRIVING FORCE.

IT IS. I'M AFRAID. I HAD BEEN INTIMIDATED BY THE LEGAL SYSTEM AND I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE IF YOU ARE NOT KNOWLEDGEABLE AND YOU'RE AFRAID. WE HAVE TO LEARN. GOING TO JAIL FOR A TICKET IS ABSURD WHERE I'M TRYING TO GET A JOB OR I DON'T HAVE A JOB AND I'VE ONLY BEEN OUT OF PRISON NOT EVEN ONE MONTH. IT JUST DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.

I WANT TO SAY TO A GENTLEMAN IN COURT THAT WAS TALKING ABOUT LIFE-AND-DEATH WITH OUR STREETS AND SAFETY. THERE ARE SO MANY WAYS TO HAVE OUR STREETS SAVED.

IT DOES NOT MEAN WALKING PEOPLE OUT. WHEN YOU SAY GIVING NOTICES TO PEOPLE AND THEY HAD TO GET ARRESTED BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY IGNORE THE CITATION, WHY DO YOU

THINK THAT IS? >> JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

>> JUDGE WE HAVE ONE MORE EDITION. >> HELLO COMMISSIONER.

THIS IS JUDGE WITH PRECINCT 7. COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS RIGHT. WE HAVE A LOT OF TOOLS TO KEEP FOLKS COMING TO THE COURT TO SATISFY JUSTICE BUT IT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS PEOPLE OF COLOR PARTICULARLY AFRICAN-AMERICANS AND PARTICULARLY FOLKS THAT ARE POOR. IN THIS CLIMATE WHEN HARRIS COUNTY HAVE CONCENTRATED WITH CRIMINAL WAYS THAT WE THAT WE CRIMINALIZE AND KEEP IN MIND THAT A LOT OF THESE TICKETS ARE FOR SPEEDING TICKETS. WE CAN DO A LOT OF THINGS WITH THOSE SPEEDING TICKETS.

FOLKS CAN TAKE A DRIVERS RESPONSE COURSE IN ORDER TO THAT THEY HAVE TO DO MONEY.

YOU CAN PREFER TO DO IT BUT YOU HAVE TO THAT. THOSE BARRIERS THAT WE HAVE FOR FOLKS THAT ARE IMPOVERISHED ARE THERE AND KEEP THAT AN ANOMALY-BASED PROGRAM.

THEY HIGHLIGHT THE ISSUES WE HAVE WITH OMNI-BASED PROGRAMS AND THE FACT THAT WE HAVE CRIMINALIZE POVERTY WITH JUSTICE PARTICULARLY IN THE LIGHT OF THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM EVEN ON A MISDEMEANOR WHICH GOES A LONG WAY. WE CAN REIMAGINE WHAT WE CONSIDER AND AS A JUDGE I GO FOR WHAT IS FAIR INSTEAD OF BEING A GENERATOR FOR THE

COUNCIL. >> I WANT TO THINK YOUR COLIC FOR COMING IN.

I JUST LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU WITH OTHER TOOLS THAT WE CAN COME UP WITH THE HELP PEOPLE GET IN COMPLIANCE. I THINK THIS IS AN IMPORTANT REFORM AND I'M GLAD TO SEE A TEXAS PROJECT AND ALEC. THAT'S A PRETTY BROAD-BASED COALITION WITH THEY COME

TOGETHER AT THIS ISSUE. >> WE HAVE A LOT OF TOOLS IN THE TABLE AND I'M JUST SAYING ON THE BASIS AS THE BATTLE THAT WE USED TO CRIMINALIZE FOLKS THAT ARE ALREADY SUFFERING IN

OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM. >> ANYONE ELSE LISTEN TO? >> JUDGE WE ARE JUST NOW GETTING A CALL BACK FROM ONE OF THE GPS. WE'RE TRYING TO GET THEM ON THE

LINE NOW I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHEN HE'S ON. >> I THINK COMMISSIONER ELLIS THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS. I THINK A LOT OF THINGS ARE GETTING INFLATED.

OBVIOUSLY THERE'S A LOT OF TRAFFIC AND I ALSO HAD A FRONT SEAT TO THAT WHEN I WAS AN INTERPRETER FOR FOLKS INPATIENT REHABILITATION AND HAVE TOLD YOU GUYS THE STORY BEFORE.

[08:25:05]

WE NEED TO CONSIDER PEDESTRIANS AND BUILT SIDEWALKS. THAT'S PART OF THE COUNTY

TRANSPORTATION PLAN. >> AND MASS TRANSIT. >> THERE ROADS THAT DON'T ENCOURAGE SPEEDING IN TRANSIT SO PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO BE DRIVING HALF-ASLEEP BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE AN ALTERNATIVE. IN TERMS OF HOW YOU GET PEOPLE TO COURT YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO ON PRETRIAL. IT CAN'T BE THAT YOU HAVE TO CHOOSE WHETHER YOUR LICENSE OR LOCKING THEM UP. THERE IS OTHER THINGS YOU CAN SEND THEM REMINDERS AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF THINGS WHICH WE DISCUSSED UNDER THE MISDEMEANOR BILL LITIGATION AND THERE ARE PLENTY OF IDEAS OUT THERE. THERE ARE A LOT OF FOLKS THAT SIMPLY CAN'T PAY AND SO I THINK THERE ARE FALSE EQUIVALENCIES HERE. IT MAY BRING SOME FOLKS TO COURT BUT YOU DON'T WANT TO DO THAT WITH THE COLLATERAL CONSEQUENCE OF DESTROYING THE LIVES OF THESE PEOPLE WHOSE LICENSES YOU ARE TAKING AWAY. THE REASON THEY ARE NOT PAYING IS BECAUSE THEY SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THE FINE WITHOUT A REMINDER AND THEY CAN GET THERE

BECAUSE THEY DON'T HAVE A CAR. >> I DON'T THINK THERE'S PLENTY OF BACKING TO THIS.

WE JUST NEED TO BE CREATIVE AND THIS CAN BE WORKED TO DO SO. COMMISSIONER ELLIS I DO SO AND JOINING YOU WITH AN OFFER. WE DON'T FIGURE OUT THE SOLUTIONS THEY ARE THERE WHICH

IS A TEMPLATE SPENT SOMEONE HOW TO GET PEOPLE TO COME TO COURT. >> AND MOST OF THE VW I REST THAT I MADE AND MOST OF THE FATALITY FROM DRIVING CASES THAT I INVESTIGATED AND ROLLED UP AND WAS CALLED TO. IT'S VERY EASY TO UNIFY BECAUSE THEY HAVE DRIVERS LICENSES.

IT'S NOT LIKE HAVING THE LICENSE TAKEN AWAY WHICH KEEPS SOME FOLKS FROM DOING THE WRONG THING. IN MOST CASES WHERE YOU DO FINE SITUATIONS IS WHERE FOLKS ARE MAKING HARD FAMILY DECISIONS OF GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL EVEN THOUGH THEY DON'T HAVE DRIVERS LICENSE BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO WORK. THERE TWO SIDES OF THE EQUATION

IT'S DIFFICULT BUT IT'S A GOOD VERSION. >> I'M HOLDS TO MOVE THE ITEM.

>> I SECOND. >> I HAVE THE ONLINE. >> JUDGE: I HAVE JUDGE

PETRONELLA ON THE LINE. >> GOING TO JUDGE. >> I'M JUST GOING TO SAY THAT WE HEAR OCCUPATIONAL LICENSES ON A PRETTY REGULAR BASIS. WE HAVE DONE QUITE A FEW THINGS TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE IN. THEY RESPOND TO TRAFFIC TICKETS AND ONE OF THE THINGS THAT SOME OF THE OTHERS HAVE GOTTEN INDIVIDUALS TO COME AND TRY TO GET THERE.

THEY GET THEIR MATTERS STRAIGHT. WE DO HAVE A LOT OF GROUPS LIKE BEACON THAT COME TO REPRESENT FOLKS THAT ARE INDIGENT AND IN THOSE CASES WE WRITE THOSE CASES OFF. THERE A LOT OF THINGS DEPENDS ON THE LAST FEW YEARS.

I THINK ANYBODY'S BEEN ARRESTED. THE ONLY CASE OUT OF MY COURT IN DECADES. WE REALLY TO TRY TO DO QUITE A FEW THINGS AND WE ARE UNDER OCA IN YEARS PAST. I THINK THEY HAVE BACKED OFF ON SOME THINGS BUT WE DO HAVE A COMPLICATION TO MAKE SURE THAT WE COLLECT WORDS POSSIBLE. ONE OF THE THINGS I'D LIKE TO POINT OUT IS MANY OF THE FOLKS ARE TRULY DILIGENT WHEN THEY COME TO FORCE THOSE MATTERS TO BE DEALT WITH. IT'S THROUGH THE PROCESS THAT ARE NOT FOLKS THAT ARE THROUGH LOW INCOME AREAS. WE HAVE KIDS THAT ARE REQUIRE A LOT OF TRAFFIC TICKETS WHEN THEY ARE IN COLLEGE THAT HAVE ZIPS LIKE 27 AND 05. THEY ARE FAIRLY HIGH IN COME PARTS OF THE CITY. THAT'S ONE OF THE THINGS WHEN THEY GET A LETTER FROM DPF THEY

[08:30:03]

I DO UNDERSTAND THE CONCERN ABOUT NOT WANTING SOMEBODY TO BE DISENFRANCHISED BY NOT HAVING A DRIVERS LICENSE AND I'M TOTALLY SYMPATHETIC TO THAT CONCERN.

I ALSO DO KNOW THAT WE HAVE BEEN PRETTY CREATIVE IN TRYING TO GET FOLKS TO COME BEFORE US.

DURING THE CREDITORS WE PUT A PAUSE TO ANY TYPE OF COLLECTIVE CASES AND HAVE TOLD FOLKS THAT IF THEY ARE WORRIED TO COME INTO COURT OR IF THEY WANT TO APPEAR BY ZOOM WE WILL TALK TO THEM ABOUT THEIR CASES. EITHER WITH THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY OR IF THEY HAVE IT FINANCIAL SITUATION THAT HAVE ARTIE ENTERED PLEA ON A CASE. THEY HAVE A PLEA THAT THEY COULD TALK TO ABOUT DOING COMMUNITY SERVICE WHERE POSSIBLE OR IF THEY ARE BEING ABLE TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE INDIGENT AND PAY THE FINES TO COST TO CLOSE THE CASE.

>> I DO HAVE TO SAY ONE THING. WITH OMNI-BASED, ANYTIME I FIND DEFENDANTS TO BE INDIGENT I CONTACTED THEM AND SAID I FOUND THIS DEFENDANT TO BE INDIGENT AND HAS A JUDGMENT NOW.

WOULD YOU RECALL THE COSTS AND THEY'VE DONE SO IMMEDIATELY. >> JUDGE: COMMISSIONER RODDICK

THINK YOU JUDGE PETRONELLA. >> STEVE REDDICK. I'M CURIOUS.

HOW MANY OF YOU JUDGE? >> 31 YEARS. >> YOU DONE AN INCREDIBLE JOB

AS A JUDGE. >> THINK YOU COMMISSIONER. >> I WOULD EMPHASIZE THE THAT I BELIEVE, I'VE KNOWN YOU FOR VERY LONG TIME. I FEAR YOU ARE.

I DON'T BEGIN WRONG WHEN I ASK YOU THIS QUESTION. WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO DO WHEN HE USES AGREEMENT CONTRACT TO TRY TO ACTUALLY REDUCE TRAFFIC ACCIDENTS AND YOU NAME IT.

>> I THINK ONE OF THE CONCERNS WE HAVE IS IF THERE IS NOT ANY FEAR CAN BE REINFORCEMENT OF SOME ACCOUNTABILITY THAT PEOPLE WOULD FEEL LIKE SO THAT THEY CAN GET TRAFFIC TO THE GUY

NEVER COME AFTER ME. >>. >> MEDICINE AND RESPECT FOR YOU

AS AS WELL. >> OBVIOUSLY YOU KNOW A LOT OF THINGS HAVE CHANGED AFTER THE FLOOD DO YOU DISPUTE ANY OF THE FINDINGS IN YOUR REPORT? I KNOW YOU WORK WITH APPLESEED BUT YOU ARE NOT RISK DISPUTING ANY OF THE FACTS THAT COME UP WITH THAT REPORT ARE

>> MAN: A LOT OF WHAT THEY SAY DON'T TAKE ISSUE WITH. WHAT I DO THINK IS I DON'T WANT TO THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATHWATER. WE'RE JUST TOTALLY SCRAPPING IT. TO ME EVERY TIME I FINDS A BUDDY TO BE INDIGENT WE CONTACT ON THE BASE AND IN FACT I'VE MADE SOME OF THE CALLS MYSELF. IT'S IMMEDIATELY OFTEN THERE IMMEDIATELY OUT. IF I FIND SOMEBODY TO BE INDIGENT IT'S A BEACON LAW FIRM WHICH IS PRETTY REGULARLY BEFORE THE CRIME OF OURS THEY WERE IN OUR COURTS PHYSICALLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS. THEY CAN ATTEST TO THE FACT THAT 99% OF THE TIME OR 90% OF THE TIME IF THEY HAD A CLIENT THAT WAS INDIGENT I WAS PRETTY MUCH IN AGREEING THAT IT WAS

THE CASE AND WE ZEROED OUT THE CASE. >> FOR THOSE THAT WERE ABLE TO DO IT IT WAS AN ISSUE RIGHT NOW. WITH A VIRUS IT'S NOT AS MUCH AS OPTION. IT'S MORE LIKELY THE CASES THAT WE'RE DEALING WITH I ASSUME NOW IS SOME BECOMES AN THAT FIND TO BE IN JEANETTE WE DON'T TALK ABOUT COMMITTEE SERVICE.

>> I AM LOOKING FOR IT. I'M HOPING WE CAN COME UP WITH SOME IDEAS ON THIS EVICTION ISSUE. PARTICULARLY I WILL MAKE YOU A BET AND CALL YOU TOMORROW.

I CAN PUT A WAGER ON SITE THAT WILL PUT ANOTHER LOCKDOWN IN AND WE WILL HAVE EVEN MORE

PROBLEMS OUT THERE. >> I HAVE SUSPENDED OUR RESIDENTIAL NONPAYMENT ONLY

[08:35:01]

I'M HEARING RESIDENTIAL CASES RESULTING IF THERE IS BALANCE ON THE PROPERTY AND I'M HERE IN COMMERCIAL CASES OF EVICTIONS. I'VE SUSPENDED THROUGH AUGUST 7 OUR NONPAYMENT RESIDENTIAL

CASES. >> I DID WANT TO POINT THAT OUT JUDGE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THAT BECAUSE I KNOW WE'RE ALSO DOING OUR PART NOT JUST A $30 MILLION DIRECT ASSISTANCE BUT THE ADDITIONAL 15 FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE AND FOR SMALL BUSINESS HOPEFULLY WILL HELP IS IT'S ANOTHER $15 MILLION. JUST KNOW THAT WE ARE DOING

EVERYTHING WE CAN AND WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT. >> WE APPRECIATE ANY HELP FROM MY END. ONE OF THE THINGS I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK AT IS A LOT OF OUR LANDLORDS ARE NOT IN THE CORPORATIONS. I HAVE A WOMAN WHO IS BEFORE US AND SHE WAS A WIDOW. HER HUSBAND WAS A STEELWORKER AND SHE SAYS SHE LIVES ON HER HUSBAND'S PENSION AND HE DIED. IT SOCIAL SECURITY AND THE INCOME THAT THEY GET FROM RENTAL PROPERTY. IN THAT CASE THE TENANT WAS ABLE TO HELP SOMETHING OUT WITH THE ENCOURAGEMENT. IN THESE CASES THERE'S ALWAYS TWO SIDES TO EVERYTHING AND I THINK AS JUDGES WE HAVE TO BE REALLY MINDFUL WE WANT TO BE FAIR TO BOTH SIDES.

TO THE LANDLORD AND THE TENANT. WE RECOGNIZE THAT THE PANDEMIC THAT WE ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT

NOW. >> JUDGE: I THINK THAT'S CLEAR AND HOPEFULLY THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL HELP HOPEFULLY WILL HELP THE SMALL BUSINESS AND IF WE SEE THERE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO WATCH KNOW THAT THERE IS A WAY FOR TENANTS AND LANDLORDS WHO CAN'T SUSTAIN IT.

KNOW THAT WE ARE KEEPING A KEEN EYE ON THAT. THANK YOU JUDGE FOR YOUR WORK

AND FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE: WE HAVE A MOTION ON COMMANDER SURE ALLISON ITEM. IS HER SECOND? WE HAVE A SECOND.

THE MOTION A SECOND ALL AND FAVOR. OPPOSED?

NO. >> COMMISSIONER CABLE? >> I WILL VOTE IN FAVOR IN THE

MOTION CARRIES. >> COMMISSIONER ALICE DID YOU HAVE ANY OTHER ITEMS?

>> KNOW, I THINK WE DID EVERYTHING. >> THAT'S IT YES MA'AM.

>> COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> CAPACITY RELATIONS. THE PORTAL HAS ARTY BEEN PASSED

AND I WILL MOVE MY ITEM FORWARD. >> PRECINCTS THREE AND FOUR I SEE NO ITEM ON THE REGULAR AGENDA. IN THAT CASE WE ALREADY COVERED THE COVID 19 AGENDA. MISCELLANEOUS? DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]

>> SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM ONE? WE ALREADY TOOK UP WITH THE COVID 19 ITEMS THAT WAS THE AGREEMENT. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM TO IS A GRANT ITEM.

NUMBER THREE IS A PRECINCT ITEM FOR A GRANT WRITER. NUMBER FOUR IS AN AGREEMENT WITH TSU FOR EVICTION PRODUCTION. NUMBER FIVE IS ASPHALT OVERLAY.

NUMBER SIX IS THE REQUEST FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION FOR THE DISCUSSION POSSIBLE ACTION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF A DIRECTOR OR BUDGET MANAGEMENT. ASKED THAT WE TAKE THAT TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. NUMBER SEVEN, COMMISSIONER ALICE THIS IS YOUR ITEM ON THE

AGENDA. >> WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.

>> DO WE NEED TO TAKE A BREAK? IT'S BEEN TWO HOURS. >> I WAS GOING TO REQUEST COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND ALICE THAT WE WANT TO VOTE ON THE THREE RESOLUTIONS.

[08:40:18]

>> I WOULD RESPECTFULLY ASK IF WE COULD VOTE ON THOSE AGAIN. >> I SECOND.

>> I WILL MOVE ON MY TWO RESOLUTIONS. IT'S A NATIONAL HIRING VETERANS

DAY AND THE RESOLUTION COMMEMORATING VANESSA. >> PLEASE MOVE MINE AS WELL.

REMINDED IF YOU DON'T MIND. >> A SECOND BY COMMISSIONER CABLE.THOSE IN FAVOR?

I. OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES. >> I WAS A MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER CAGLE. THAT'S RIGHT JAMES.

THANK YOU. >> LET'S TAKE A BREAK. IT'S

>>> THE TIME NOW IS A 30 1:00 P.M.. THE COMMISSIONERS COURT IS NOT BACK IN SESSION.

WE WERE JUST GOING THROUGH THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS AND WE WERE ABOUT TO GET TO SEVEN.

COMMISSIONER IS >> MAN: JUDGE I PUT THIS ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE I AM CONCERNED THAT WE ARE NOT FOLLOWING THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT WHICH AFTER 20 YEARS AGO IN THE LEGISLATOR.

IN JUNE THE JUDGE APPOINTED THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE AND ONLY 3% OF THE CASES EVEN THOUGH THE OFFICE HAS THE CAPACITY TO HANDLE 15 TO 20% OF CASES THE STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT IF YOU DON'T USE THE OFFICE YOU HAVE TO GIVE REASON FOR NOT DOING IT.

THAT OFFICE IS THE OFFICE THAT SHOULD BE THE PREFERRED OFFICE IS A PREFERENCE AND STATE LAW.

I THINK SINCE THEY AMENDED IT THEY PROVIDE A PREFERENCE FOR USING THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WHEN YOU HAVE ONE. I WANT ALEX TO MAKE THEM SPEAK FIRST TO GIVE US SOME SENSE OF THAT IF IT'S A PROBLEM. I DO KNOW THAT IF A GRANTEE IS IN THE STATUTE THIS IS IN THE ACT THAT I PASSED. IF THEY FAIL TO COMPLY WITH ANY TYPE OF CONDITION OF A GRANT OR ROLL THE COMMISSION MAY TAKE ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS TEMPORARILY WITHHOLD PAYMENT PENDING CORRECTION OF THE DEFICIENCY BY THE GRANTEE TO WITHHOLD FUTURE, TERMINATE A GRANT AND HOLD. IMPOSE A MINISTRY OF SANCTIONS AND OTHER FINES ON THE GRANTEE.

IT IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. FROM A LEGAL STANDPOINT. NOT ONLY THAT.

IN MY JUDGMENT SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THE DATA CLEARLY SHOWS THE DEFENDANT IS MORE LIKELY TO EXIT THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM WITHOUT A RECORD OF PENALTY IF THERE REPRESENTED BY THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. 34% ASSIGNED COUNSEL. I ALSO LISTED ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE I WANT TO GET AN UPDATE ON WHERE WE AREN'T HAVING A GRANT.

WE COULD HAVE A GRANT FROM THE STATE TO HAVE A PROGRAM FOR OUR SONY JUDGES.

WE TALKED ABOUT THIS A COUPLE WEEKS. IT WAS A COMPREHENSIVE PLAN IN THE NEW YORK TIMES AND THE "WASHINGTON POST" ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE COURT-APPOINTED SYSTEM. THEY'RE LOOKING FOR THESE APPOINTMENTS AND IT IS JUST ONE. IF YOU TO COMMENT ON IT TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.

I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM THEM. >> COMMISSIONER IT'S THE PUBLIC DEFENDER.

[08:45:05]

APPOINTED. >> WITH WE SPENT ON HIS PRIVATE LAWYERS? ALMOST 40 MILLION PER YEAR? WHAT MAY BE THAT MUCH NOW. MANY OF THESE LAWYERS THAT ARE POINTED IS IT FAIR TO SAY I DON'T WANT TO CALL ME OUT AND I'VE DONE IT BEFORE BUT WE HAVE FOLKS THAT ARE WELL ABOVE THE RECOMMENDED CASELOAD THAT MAY COME FROM DOLLARS PER YEAR ON

COURT-APPOINTED MEALS. WITHOUT FAIR COMMENT? >> YES, THAT'S A FAIR COMMENT THAT THE LIMITS ARE NOT EQUALLY DISTRIBUTED AND SOME LAWYERS WORK AT.

WHAT'S THE CHANGE IN THE LAW, WASN'T THERE WHEN IT PASSED? >> IT WAS HIS BUILDOUT.

>> I WAS STILL THERE SO WHAT IS IT DO? WHAT DID HE DO IT BY THE WAY?

>> HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE COUNTY HE WAS WORRIED ABOUT THAT ALTHOUGH COUNTY IN WHICH THEY WERE NOT APPOINTING THE JUVENILE PUBLIC DEFENDER THERE WAS ONE JUDGE THEIR POINT OF COUPLE PRIVATE LAWYERS AND THAT WAS THE ONLY CASE IN WHICH THE COMMISSION IS ANYWAY FROM THE COUNTY. THAT'S WHAT IS AMENDMENT DO? IT PUTS AN AMENDMENT WE CLEARLY SHOULD BE THE PD OFFICE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE WHAT IS THAT IN THE FIRE? REQUIRES THAT WE BE APPOINTED PRIORITY IS THE JUDGE TO DO SOMETHING OTHERWISE YOU HAVE TO GIVE A GOOD REASON. THE OTHER EXCEPTION IF IT'S BEEN CONVICTION WITH PLAN WITH

IT IS NOT. >> IS A JUST GIVING A GOOD REASON?

>> THINK OF NO REASON. THERE'S NO SYSTEM TO TRACK WE HAVE WHAT WE CALL THIS WHEEL EEL SYSTEM. THE WILLAMETTE TO GET IT PASSED 20 YEARS AGO.

I WILL BE THE FIRST TO TESTIFY AND SAY LET'S GET RID OF IT WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE WILL SO WE SHOULD GET EQUAL AMOUNT OF APPOINTMENTS AND A RECORD BUT THAT'S NOT WHAT HAPPENS.

>> DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEAS OF WHAT WE CAN DO? I'M RAISING THE ISSUE.

I KNOW IT'S LATE AT NIGHT BUT WE'RE HOPING TO GET SOME PUBLIC ATTENTION.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO OTHER THAN SAY WHAT'S NOT. IT'S A MESSY WAY TO DO THINGS.

I WOULD RATHER NOT DO THAT. I WOULD RATHER THAT THEY AGREE TO THE SYSTEM WHERE WE GET AN

EQUITABLE AMOUNT OF APPOINTMENTS. >> PHONE IS CONGRUENT WITH THE

NEW COMMENT ON THAT? >> I'M ON THE COMMISSION SO THE GRANT FILTER THE COMMISSION AND I KNOW THAT STAFF MEMBERS ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE JUDGES TO TRY TO GET THAT DONE

'S ARE MEANINGLESS WHEN I? >> AGAIN I THINK IT'S US TO SYSTEMIC PROBLEM.

WE NEED TO FIX THE SYSTEM. >> OBVIOUSLY SO MUCH DEPENDS ON THE QUALITY OF REPRESENTATION THAT SOMEBODY HAS. SO MANY CASES WITH THE STAFF

[08:50:01]

WE COULD END UP IN THE NEW YORK TIMES WRITTEN ABOUT THE NEW YORK TIMES WHAT ARE WE

THINKING? WHAT ELSE ONLY AMERICA? >> THAT'S MY POINT OF THE GHETTO MEALS WAS THINKING. I THINK IT'S A MATTER OF CHANGING THE SYSTEM.

>> DISTRICT COURT JUDGES ARE SOVEREIGN WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS.

COMMISSIONERS COURT, WOULD YOU. DO WE HAVE NO POWER OVER THEM? DO YOU DO THAT?

>> OTHER THAN YOUR FACILITIES NO OTHER POWER. >> YOU AND I BOTH KNOW BUT I

STATE LAW HAVE TO PROVIDE THEIR FACILITIES WE HAVE NO CHOICE. >> WEATHER WE OWNED OR NOT IS IMMATERIAL. WE ARE REQUIRED BY LAW TO PROVIDE IT.

MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS US. HERE YOU ARE, A COUNTY EMPLOYEE, YOU MAY BE ON THE BOARD BUT MY QUESTION FOR YOU IS THIS. IN A WAY YOU ARE CRITICIZING THOSE POOR JUDGES BECAUSE YOU ARE SAYING THAT IN YOUR OPINION IT SHOULD NOT BE THIS WAY BUT STATE LAW ALLOWS IT TO BE THAT WAY WHERE YOU'RE GOING WITH THIS? CAN TRY TO CREATE PUBLICITY BUT THE POINT OF THE MATTER IS THIS IS A LEGISLATIVE FIX.

>> AND THE LEGISLATORS ARTIE SPOKEN. I THINK IT'S A LAW THAT'S

REQUIRED AND WHY DID IT HAPPEN? >> THERE'S TWO REMEDIES IN THE COMMISSIONER ALICE MENTIONED THAT THE COMMISSION CAN TAKE AWAY THE COUNTY FUNDS THAT DOESN'T PUNISH ANY VIGIL.

THE OTHER THING IS I CAN BRING A LITTLE ODD. >> I GUESS YOU CAN.

AS FAR AS A COMMISSIONERS COURT WE CAN TALK ABOUT IT BEFORE BUT I'M JUST SIMPLY SAYING THAT PEOPLE DO WHAT THEY HAVE TO DO. IT'S SOMETHING THAT I DON'T THINK WE WILL SOLVE IN A

MEETING. IN MY OPINION. >> HERE IS A VALID POINT.

WHAT WE HAVE IN THE COUNTY IN MANY PARTS OF THE STATE IS JUST SUCH AN INTOLERABLE SITUATION.

BEING ON A COUNTY LARGER THAN 60 STATES I THINK IT'S SO IMPORTANT THAT IF NOTHING ELSE WE SPEAK OUT ON IT. I THINK THAT'S WHY YOU SAW SO MANY PEOPLE MARCHING IN DEMONSTRATIONS THAT ARE STILL GOING ON BECAUSE MOST OF THE CHANGES RELEASE FOR ME MOST OF THE FREEDOMS THAT I'VE GONE THIS COUNTRY CAME FROM PEOPLE WHO WERE BOLD ENOUGH TO SPEAK UP THAT'S WHY ENCOURAGE AND WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT ON THIS ISSUE.

IN MY DISAGREE AND A LOT OF INJURIES BUT ON A NEED FOR PD OFFICE AND EXTENDING IT, FEEDING HIM BACK AND MOVING AWAY FROM THAT OLD SCHOOL SYSTEM PEOPLE ARE PICKING THEIR SUPPORTERS YOU HAVE BEEN A SUPPORTER AND I DO APPRECIATE IT.

I-4 ONE JUST CAN'T SIT BACK AND LET IT HAPPEN AND PUT MY FINGER TO THE LEGISLATIVE AND NOW THAT IT'S JUST SO DIFFICULT CHANGES. WE COULD LOSE THIS MONEY. I WANT TO MAKE THAT POINT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. I'VE BEEN IN THE MIDDLE IN MY WHOLE LIFE AND IT'S NOT A BIG

[08:55:01]

COMMISSIONER ATTICUS THINK YOU ARE ARE MUTED. >> MAN: COMMISSIONER ALICE I APPRECIATE WHAT YOU'RE SAYING BUT I GUESS OUR BEST THING THAT WE HAVE IN OUR TOOL BACK IS CALLED 1-800 KEY. CAN SEE WHAT WE CAN DO. BY THE WAY WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED

TO CHANGE UNTIL THE CLOCK. >> I WAS AS A COFFEE ON MY SHIRT THAT'S WHY HAD TO CHANGE.

>> THINK YOU. >> TO HAVE SPEAKERS? >> WE HAVE JIM MUTED.

>> I'M WONDERING WITH THIS LITIGATION IS THAT SOMETHING WE BRING TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO DISCUSS NEXT TIME. IF THERE IS AN OPTION WE HAVE NOT TALKED ABOUT I SAY LET'S TALK ABOUT IT. I DOUBT IT'S GONNA BE A SOLUTION BUT YOU KNOW.

>> I JUST THINK WE HAVE TO DO SOMETHING. I WILL SEE WHAT BECKY THINKS

AND WHAT THE SPEAKER SAYS. >> COMMISSION IS A QUESTION. >> MAN: TWO.

>> OBSERVATIONS YOUR HONOR. THE FIRST OF WHICH THAT I THINK THAT THE SOONER WE GET THE DASHBOARD UP WE HAVE HE LIGHT OF SHINING AND I THINK THAT'S CAN BE A POSITIVE FEATURE WITH REGARD TO WHAT OCCURS BECAUSE EVERYONE LIKES TO SEE WHAT THEIR NUMBERS ARE.

AS OUR PUBLIC DEFENDER SAID JUST A FEW MOMENTS AGO, A LOT OF THE JUDGES WHEN HE TALKS TO THEM ARE SURPRISED AT WHAT THEIR NUMBERS ARE OR AT LEAST AS WITH HIS PERCEPTION OF THE NUMBERS ARE. LET'S PUT SOME SUNSHINE ON IT. NUMBER TWO, I AGREE WITH THE SPEAKER SAYS JUDGE. GETTING TO BE CLOSE TO 9:00 AND WE HAVE SOME MORE THINGS THAT

WE HAVE TO GET DONE. >> JUDGE: DO WE HAVE ANY OTHER SPEAKERS BESIDES MISTER BECKY?

>> WOMAN: YES MA'AM. WHY DON'T WE CALL THE SPEAKER SO WE DON'T KEEP THEM WAITING

NATHAN FROM THE TEXAS PROJECT PLEASE. >> MAN: THANK YOU I AM A LAWYER WITH THE DEFENSE PROJECT. I SPECIALIZE IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY AND TAXES.

MY OFFICE GETS LETTERS FROM DEFENDANTS AROUND THE STATE INCLUDING THE HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WITH COMPLAINTS ABOUT THEIR COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS. THE PLANES WE GOT OUT OF HERE COUNTY JAIL OR SIMILAR. THEIR COMMUNICATIVE WITH THE CLIENTS AND THEY VISIT THEM WITH GEL SOMETIMES FOR MONTHS. THEY'VE BEEN A PROBLEM FOR THE CURRENT PANDEMIC.

THE COMPLAINTS COME FROM FOLKS AND REPRESENTED BY INDEPENDENT COURT APPOINTED LEADERS.

PUBLIC DEFENDERS OUT PERFORMS COUNCILMAN BASICALLY EVERY MEANINGFUL MEASURABLE WAY.

THERE'S A LOT OF COURTS THAT ARE NOT FOLLOWING THAT. SUMMIT NUMBERS WENT PUBLIC DEFENDERS OFFICE AND THOSE COURTS ARE VERY LIKELY VIOLATING THE TEXT DEFENSE ACTS. OFTEN THOSE COURTS ARE ASSIGNING THE SAME SMALL NUMBER OF ATTORNEYS WITH HUNDREDS OF CASES. THOSE LAWYERS REPRESENT 70% OF THE ADULT CASES THAT GO TO THE INDIVIDUAL COURT APPOINTED. I WANT TO EMPHASIZE THAT

[09:00:01]

>> SEAN EVANS WITH PEER JUSTICE GO AHEAD PLEASE GOOD EVENING COMMISSIONERS AND COUNTY JUDGE. I'M WITH THE THE JUSTICE AND I WANT TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT THE MAC PROGRAM. WHEN I GOT PUT INTO THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM I WAS 17 YEARS OLD WITHOUT PARENTAL GUIDANCE OR ANY GUIDANCE AT ALL.

I THOUGHT THERE WAS NOTHING ANYONE COULD OR WOULD DO TO ME AS LONG AS I WAS TELLING THE TRUTH, THE WHOLE TRUTH AND NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH. I WAS SURE THAT MY CASE WOULD BE THROWN THROWN OUT. MY LOERZEL ME KNOWING CARED TO HEAR MY STORY OR WHAT HAPPENED.

I THINK ANYBODY CARED ABOUT WAS GUILTY OR INNOCENT. MY LAWYERS SAID IF I WAS IN A CITY ASSURED ME I WOULD GET 15 YEARS IN RISON. I LITERALLY WANTED TO BREAK DOWN AND CRY. I FELT LIKE I HAD A GUN TO MY HEAD FORCING ME TO LIE MYSELF TO ACCEPT THE DEAL IN ORDER TO RECEIVE THE MOST LENIENT SENTENCE.

I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE WEREN'T LISTENING. I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY PEOPLE DIDN'T CARE. I DIDN'T KNOW AMERICAN JAILS AND PRISONS WERE DISPROPORTIONATELY AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND BROWN. I LEARNED ABOUT RACISM IN SCHOOLS BUT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE SCHOOL PRISON PIPELINE. AT ANOTHER WAS A DIFFERENCE BETWEEN FREE AND PAID LAWYERS I WAS ONLY 17 YEARS OLD. I WAS PUSHED TO A PLEA DEAL BECAUSE KNOWING CARED I HAD NO SUPPORT. KNOWING TOOK THE TIME TO YOUR MY CASE ANOINTED THE TIME TO INVESTIGATE MY CASE. THE STATE OVERPAID THE COURT APPOINTED LAWYERS AND OVERLOADED THEM WITH CASES. THE AMOUNT OF CASES LOADED ON A COURT APPOINTED SHOWS NO WAY WE CAN ADEQUATELY RECEIVE THE PROPER REPRESENTATION.

EACH LAWYER SHOULD RECEIVE A MINIMUM OF 12 HOURS WHILE 70 CASES BUT HOW CAN A LAWYER GET THE TIME FOR EACH CASE THEY HAVE 30 CASES PER MONTH. JUST LAST YEAR IN 20 1926 ATTORNEY COUNTED MORE THAN 400 CASES AND ONE OF THEM HAD 706 CASES.

THE 363 YEAR CALENDAR THAT WILL GIVE YOU 8712 HOURS. THAT'S MORE THAN HALF OF THE HOURS AND A FULL YEAR. THE COURT-APPOINTED LAWYER HAS 706 CASES WHEN HE DID THAT MEANS THIS LAWYER SHOULD HAVE WORKED 8472 HOURS OUT OF 8712 HOURS IN A YEAR.

AT WHAT POINT DID THIS BECOME MONEY-LAUNDERING? AT WHAT POINT DOES LAWYERS EVEN SLEEP? THE COURT-APPOINTED LAWYERS FUNNEL MONEY BACK AND SEND

REELECTION OF JUDGES FOR OVERSTOCK POLICIES. >> THANK YOU FOR YOUR

COMMENTS. THEY ARE VERY MUCH APPRECIATED. >> LAURA WILDEN.

>> MY NAME IS LAWYER AND I'M IN PRECINCT I'M A PROFESSOR AT WRIGHT UNIVERSITY AND ND SUPPORTER OF THE PROJECTS ASSOCIATED WITH EXPOSING SUGARLAND 95.

HE MAY BE AWARE THAT HE HAS TO FRIDAY BEFORE LAST. I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT THIS COUNCIL ISSUE. I'VE BEEN FOLLOWING THIS ISSUE IN OUR AREA FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS THROUGH JAY'S WORK MENTORING THE UNDERGRADUATES IN THE LEGAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

[09:05:09]

THE STUDENTS CONTRIBUTED THEIR RESEARCH TO THAT ARTICLE. JAY HAS CO-AUTHORED WHICH STUDIES AND SHOW CORRELATIONS BETWEEN CAMPAIGN DONATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS TO DONATING LAWYERS OF INDIGENT CLIENTS. THIS SEEMS TO ME LIKE ONE OF THOSE ISSUES WHERE ONCE WE KNOW THESE FACTS WE HAVE NO CHOICE. WE MUST ACT THE STATUS QUO. THE STUDY IS UNACCEPTABLE TO EVERYONE OF US I'M QUITE SURE OF THAT.I DON'T KNOW IF MANAGED COUNSEL IS NECESSARILY THE ABSOLUTE WAY TO GO BUT IT DOES SEEM TO ME THAT SOME PROCESS YES AND REMOVING JUDGES FROM THE ASSIGNMENT PROCESS WOULD BRING GREATER TRANSPARENCY AND IT WOULD INCREASE THE PERCEPTION OF FAIRNESS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> JUDGE: COMMISSION. >> > MAN: SHE'S ON THE LINE. >> WOMAN: I CAN HEAR YOU NOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR APPEARING ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS IN PRECINCT 3 OF CONTACTING REGINALD MORRIS IN THE FAMILY. ARE YOU FAMILIAR WITH AN AREA

WHERE HE LIVES? >> YES I'VE BEEN TO HIS HOME. >> WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF CONTACTING THE FAMILY. I WILL JUST TELL YOU THIS NOW. I'M GLAD YOU BROUGHT UP HIS NAME. IT'S A PARKED ON THE STREET LIVES CALLED SAND CANYON PARK.

IT'S IN HIS HONOR. >> IT IS WONDERFUL NEWS. >> I APPRECIATE YOU COMING.

HE WAS A REAL ACTIVIST AND GAVE ME PURE HELL SOMETIMES BUT THAT'S OKAY.

>> WE WILL BE HOPEFULLY GETTING ACCOMPLISHED IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS AND SO I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU APPEARING AND BRINGING UP HIS NAME BECAUSE WE INTEGRATE EVERYTHING BUT I WILL TELL YOU HE WAS A DEDICATED MAN AND REALLY CARED ABOUT HIS COMMUNITY.

>> IT'S WITH THE SPIRIT. >> WANT TO GIVE YOU A SHUTOUT COMMISSIONER THAT IS

OUTSTANDING. IT IS AMAZING. >> WE WILL BE OUT THERE WITH YOUR LOVER. I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT THOSE COLORS ARE.

I WILL STICK WITH THE KHAKI. >> WE DID TRY TO REACH BISHOP DIXON BUT HIS PHONE IS BUSY.

THERE ARE NO OTHER SPEAKERS AT THIS E. >> JUDGE: TO THINK YOU.

>> COMMISSIONER ELLIS ANYTHING ELSE ON THIS ITEM? >> MAN: NO JUDGE.

UNLESS THE THINK OF ANYTHING ELSE I MAY LOOK AT IDEA YOU BROUGHT UP ABOUT SOMETHING IN TERMS OF LEGAL ACTION FROM THE COURT IF IT COMES TO THAT BUT MAYBE I'LL GIVE YOU 30 DAYS TO

SEE IF THE DASHBOARD WORKS. >> THE NICE ADAM IS ALSO FROM COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> MAN: JUDGE FOR ITEMS SEVEN UNDER SUPPLEMENTALS ACTION? >> NO SIR.

THANK YOU. >> WE STILL HAVE JIM ON THE 91 HIM?

>> JIM IS ANYTHING ELSE YOU CANNOT? WHEN WILL THE DASHBOARD YOU

READY? >> MAN: IT WILL BE READY AN HOUR BEFORE AUGUST 31.

WE HAD MEETINGS WITH THE STATE WHO ACTUALLY DESIGNED THE TEXAS DEFENSE COMMISSION WITH THEM TO GET TODAY'S AGO WITH AGES AWAY. THERE'S GOING TO BE A LOT THAT WE CAN BUILD OFF OF THAT AND CHANCES ARE IT'S GOING TO BE OPERATIONAL BEFORE AUGUST 31. I JUST WANT TO GIVE US A LITTLE BIT OF LEEWAY. ALSO I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WAS MENTIONED, THE STATE IS COMING DOWN TO DO A POLICY ASSESSMENT WITH PREVIOUS REVIEWS DEALING WITH THE TERM ASSIGNMENT.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE DOING THAT VIRTUALLY SO WILL BE GETTING ANOTHER ASSESSMENT REPORT FROM THE STATE. THEY ARE RARE IN THIS TO SAY WITH SOME OF THE CHALLENGES

[09:10:03]

THE STATE IS PROVIDED ASCENDING TO THE NATIONAL SEARCH. I HAVE NO DOUBT WE WILL GET SOME INCREDIBLY QUALIFIED CANDIDATES. I'VE HAD SIDEBAR CONVERSATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF CRIMINAL DISTRICT JUDGES. THEIR SUPPORT AND ITS ACROSS-THE-BOARD THAT I AM EXTREMELY OPTIMISTIC. I CAN'T EMPHASIZE THEM KNOW THAT THEY ARE JOINING THE LAWSUIT. THEY MAKE CHANGES DURING THE LAWSUIT BUT I KNOW THAT THE COUNTY CRIMINAL COURTS ARE HUNDRED PERCENT ON BOARD AND I'VE HAD SOME VERY GOOD CONVERSATIONS WITH A NUMBER OF THE CRIMINAL DISTRICT COURTS.

I DO THINK THERE IS HOPE ON THE HORIZON. I WAS GLAD TO SEE THE OFFICE GETTING A NEXT BANDED. THERE IS CLEARLY HOPE ON THE HORIZON ON THIS FRONT.

>> IS SIMPLE ENOUGH SO EVERYONE CAN PULL IT UP. IT'S TRANSPARENT AND EVERYBODY KNOWS UNDER THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT. TWO THIRD OF THE HAVE TO AGREE.

WHAT I DON'T THINK IS WHETHER OR NOT THAT'S PUBLIC. OBVIOUSLY PEOPLE CAN ASK THEM IF THAT'S A RELUCTANCE TO DO IT. THE COURT DID THIS ON THE COMMISSIONER READERSHIP AND THEY GET THAT TWO THIRDS VOTE. THEY HAVE TO VOTE ON THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND TO GET THE TWO THIRDS WITH THE JUDGES IT WAS A HEAVY LEFT.

THEY DID GET THERE AND I'M HOPING THIS PART OF THE PACKAGE JIM YOU THINK OF SOME STUFF CHANGES. THEY HAVE PRECEDED YOU OBVIOUSLY BUT THERE ARE THINGS THAT I HAVE TO PUT IN THERE AND EXCEPT TO GET IT PASSED IN 2001.

SOME OF THAT ARE TO BE CHANGED. >> I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS THE PROCESS.

THIS IS THE BILL LAWSUIT. CURRENTLY THE JUDGES ARE REPRESENTED BY ATTORNEY GENERAL PAXTON. I'M ASSUMING THE STATE DECISION IS TO DEFEND THE STATUS QUO.

WE WANT TO MAKE CHANGES TO MAKE SURE IT'S CLEAR THAT THEY KNOW THEY HAVE THE OPTION TO ASK YOUR OFFICE TO REPRESENT THEM OR IN THE CASE OF DALLAS, I THINK THEY HAVE RETAINED OUTSIDE COUNSEL TO REPRESENT THE JUDGES WHO CHOOSE TO ASK FOR IT.

IS THAT PRETTY MATURE OPINION? I TALKED TO MISTER SAWYER ABOUT IT.

>> AS I UNDERSTAND THE ISSUE AND PERHAPS SHE CAN SPEAK AND IF SHE'S LISTENING.

I BELIEVE THAT IF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL HAS TAKEN OF THE REPRESENTATION MAY BE AN ISSUE AS TO WHETHER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR OUTSIDE COUNSEL MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO

THAT AS WELL. >> IS SHE THERE? >> IN THE CASE OF DALLAS WHEN I INQUIRED ABOUT THIS I WAS TOLD MISTER LAMONT THAT IF THEY ASKED AND IF THEY WANTED IT THE CAO OR OUTSIDE COUNSEL IN YOUR OFFICE WILL PROVIDE IT AND THE COURT WILL PAY FOR BOOKS THAT IS MY UNDERSTANDING AS WELL BUT I SAW INFORMATION THIS WELL THAT THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS REPRESENTING THE JUDGES. I'M LOOKING FOR THAT COMMUNICATION AS N AS WELL.

>> AND TRY TO FIND A WAY THAT IF THEY HAVE THE OPTION THEY KNOW IT WHICH IS WHY ONE OF THE ITEM TO BE THERE AND I DIDN'T KNOW THE BEST WAY TO MAKE THAT CLEAR.

THAT MEANS THAT THEY ARE BEING REPRESENTED BUT I'M TOLD THAT TO, THREE OR FOUR OF THE JUDGES

OPTED FOR SEPARATE REPRESENTATION. >> UP ON THE CASE NOW.

[09:15:03]

>> PUT BACK ON THE AGENDA IN TWO WEEKS. I ASSUME THE SAME WOULD BE THE CASE UNDER THE LAW OFFICES ON THE COMMITTEE TO HELL NOT? I'M HEARING YOU RIGHT YOUR ASKING WHETHER INDIVIDUAL JUDGES PUT OFF COUNCILS OTHER THAN THE ENERGY.

>> I DON'T KNOW THE ANSWER THE QUESTION OF THE TOP OF MY HEAD ALTHOUGH I SUSPECT THAT WOULD BE THE CASE IF YOU GIVE US TIME TO RESEARCH AND WE WILL HAVE AN ANSWER FOR YOU AT THE NEXT

COURT. >> WE MAY BE HERE A WHILE. >> IN MY SECRET STASH OF

GUIDANCE HERE. IS THERE. >> YOUR MY BELIEF IS THAT JUDGES ARE ENTITLED TO RELY UPON THE STATE OR RELY UPON COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.

THE OF THE ABILITY TO SELECT INDEPENDENT COUNSEL. THE MAIN THING THAT IS REQUIRED IS THAT THEY NEED TO MAKE A REQUEST. TO THE EXTENT THAT WE MAY HAVE JUDGES THAT WANT TO REQUEST INDEPENDENT COUNSEL THAT WE NEED TO ASK CLAY BOWMAN WHO NORMALLY BE THE ONE TO MAKE THE REQUEST TO US. FOR THE INDEPENDENT ON.

OR WHO IT IS THAT WILL REQUEST TO WORK FOR INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATION.

>> AS AN EXAMPLE I KNOW TWO JUDGES TO HAVE INDEPENDENT COUNSEL.

IF THERE IS ANY QUESTION ABOUT WHETHER THEY COULD BE PRO BONO OR CONTINGENT WE CAN BE THAT LAWYER IS AN EXAMPLE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IF OTHERS WANTED TO HAVE A RIGHT TO BE REPRESENTED BY WHOEVER THEY WOULD LIKE TO BUY. THEY CAN SAY THAT THAT'S A NON-REASONABLE REQUEST IN TERMS OF THAT BUT I THINK IT GETS FILTERED THROUGH THE COUNTIES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. ANY JUDGE IF THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE A CASE AND THEY FEEL THAT THEY NEED TO HAVE INDEPENDENT REPRESENTATION CAN GET THAT. WE'VE APPROVED THAT BEFORE AND I'VE ACTUALLY SEEN THAT BEFORE BACK IN THE DAYS WHEN I SERVED AS A JUDGE AND SO I THINK THE ANSWER TO YOUR QUESTION IS YES BUT IT NEEDS TO BE A FORMAL REQUEST AND HE NEEDS TO BE VETTED TO THE COUNTIES ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. YOU NEED TO PUT ON THE AGENDA BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE IF WE ARE GOING TO BE APPROVING LAWYERS IN

LITIGATION. >> JUDGE: AND INTEREST OF TIME MAYBE SUGGEST THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY BRING BACK AT THE NEXT COURT WHATEVER IT IS WITH THE DEFENDANTS OF HER ESPONSE.

>> IT'S AN ANALOGY FOR WHATEVER THEY DID IN DALLAS. >> DO WE NEED A MOTION.

>> KNOW WE DON'T. >> TWO EVERY COMMISSIONER. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT MOST IS

AVAILABLE NOW IF YOU LIKE TO HER. >> THAT'S ALRIGHT I KNOW THEY

[09:20:08]

WANT TO MOVE ON BEFORE MY PAJAMAS ON. >> WILL HAVE THAT FOR YOU AT

THE NEXT MEETING. >> THANK YOU MELISSA. >> SO ITEM 8 NO RESPONSE.

>> ITEM 9 IS YOURS AS WELL IN DOWNTOWN COMPLEX. >> I WOULD JUST MOVE TO

ADOPTION OF IT IF THERE ARE NO QUESTIONS. >> ITEM 10 IS COMMISSIONER

GARCIAS ITEM WHICH WE ARTY TOOK UP ON THE SICK LEAVE POOL. >> ITEM 11 IS COMMISSIONER

GARCIA ABOUT THE AUDIT OF INVOICES. >> THANK YOU JUDGE.

AS YOU KNOW MY OFFICE HAS BEEN TRACKING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PEOPLESOFT.

WE NOTICED A PROBLEM THROUGH OUR WORK WHERE WE WERE HAVING DOCTORS PAID THAT DID NOT HAVE A RECEIPT THROUGH PEOPLESOFT. WE WERE HAVING VOUCHERS BEING PAID TO INCURRENCE PURCHASE ORDERS OR WE WERE GETTING INCORRECT RECEIPTS. THE PROCESSES OF THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS DO THAT MATCH THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE FUNCTIONALITY OF EOPLESOFT.

WE NOTICE THE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT ADVISED TO ADJUST THEIR PROCESSES.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE FOUND WAS THAT WE HAD SOME PURCHASE ORDERS WERE RUNNING OUT OF MONEY. IS PROVIDED WITH THE OFFENDERS WHO HAVE BEEN ROUTINELY MISMATCHED BY THE PEOPLESOFT SYSTEM. THEY PROVIDE A SHARED FOLDER OR SUBMITTED INVOICES FOR IDENTIFIED TENDERS SO WE CAN CONFIRM THAT.

THE INVOICES WILL BE REVIEWED BY MY OFFICE PRIOR TO THE PEOPLESOFT SYSTEM.

PEOPLESOFT SYSTEM WHICH CAN CONFIRM THAT PRODUCTS AND SERVICES HAVE BEEN RECEIVED.

OVERALL THIS IS JUST AN INCREDIBLY INTERESTING EXPERIENCE BY MULTIMILLION DOLLAR SOFTWARE THAT WE HAVE GOTTEN. MIKE, YOUR OFFICE HAS DONE THE AUDIT. WE HAVE NOT FINISHED GOING THROUGH IT.

WANTED TO GIVE US THE HIGH POINTS OF THAT AUDIT. >> MAN: COMMISSIONER, I THINK EVERYTHING I HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH OTHER DEPARTMENTS BESIDES YOUR DEPARTMENT IS EXPERIENCE.

DEPARTMENTS WERE NOT TRAINED IN PARTS OF THE PROCESS HAD BEEN TESTED.

REPORTS THAT WE WILL NEED BECAUSE I SAY WILL BECAUSE SOME OF THE REPORTS ARE STILL BEING DEVELOPED. WE HAD A NUMBER DEFICIENCY AND I THINK IT'S BEEN HARD ON US.

I KNOW I HAVE HAD TO MOVE PEOPLE FROM OTHER PARTS OF THE OFFICE INTO ACCOUNTS PAYABLE BECAUSE I KNOW THAT WE ARE STILL WORKING OUR WAY OUT OF THE HOMES WITH VENDORS NOT GETTING PAID IS PROBABLY AS THEY DID WHEN WE RAN. WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IN THIS AUDIT AND YOUR RATE WE STARTED IT. I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE A REPORT THAT LISTS THOSE ISSUES THAT HAVE COME UP IN THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AREA A NUMBER OF THEM HAVE BEEN ADDRESS THAT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT PAYMENTS WITHOUT THE DEPARTMENT VERIFYING.

THAT WAS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT IT HAS BEEN CORRECTED.

[09:25:05]

THIS ISSUE ABOUT PO'S NOT HAVING ANY MORE MONEY LEFT ON THEM BECAUSE INCORRECT MATCHING OR CHARGES WERE MADE TO THOSE PO'S. I WILL COME BACK WITH REPORT TO YOU AND TO THE COMMISSIONERS COURT AND I WILL SAY WE HAVE HAD THESE 15 ISSUES.

WITH WHERE WE ARE. 10 OF THEM MAY BE COMPLETELY CORRECT.

FIVE OF THEM WERE STILL WORKING WITH US PRIMARILY. WE HAVE THE EXPERTS ON PAYING AND WORKING TOGETHER. WE ARE MAKING PROGRESS BUT I HAVE TO TELL YOU.

THIS IS NOT WHERE IT WAS WHEN WE WERE AT IBIS AND I'M NOT ABLE TO DO THE WORK WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE I HAD. I DO NOT PEOPLE. IT'S GONNA TAKE A WHILE LONGER AND US WORKING TOGETHER. I THINK IT'S TIME COME OVER 120 DAYS INTO THIS.

I THINK IT'S KIND OF A NORMAL THING TO HAVE A POST GO LIVE FOR.

GOING TO PROVIDE THAT AND I CONTINUE TO WORK WITH WHERE PEOPLE.

>> ANOTHER CONCERN THAT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION IS THAT VENDORS HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY PAID. THAT COULD BE THEM GETTING A PAYMENT THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE OR IT COULD BE OVERPAID FOR AT A PARTICULAR PART OF THEIR WORK.

I WOULD SUSPECT UNDER THE THREE CIRCUMSTANCES WE WILL HEAR FROM THE LENDERS ONLY ABOUT WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN UNDERPAID. WE'RE GOING TO HAVE A HOLD OF DIFFICULTY TRYING TO FIGURE THIS OUT. IN THIS ECONOMY WE ARE PROBABLY NOT GOING TO HAVE PEOPLE SAYING PLEASE TAKE THIS AND DOUBLE PAYMENT BACK WORD TAKE THIS PAYMENT I DON'T KNOW I GOT IT AND I FINISH MY CONTRACT A WHILE AGO. WE ARE PROBABLY NOT HEARING THAT. WE DID HAVE SOME OF THOSE WHERE PAYMENTS WERE ERE MADE AND THE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T AUTHORIZE IT. PAYMENTS WERE MISCALCULATED. AS WE GOT TO THE BOTTOM OF WHAT'S CAUSING THIS WITH THE US TO CORRECT THAT AND SHUT THE DOOR.

THE SYSTEM ISN'T REALLY SET UP TO BE ABLE TO GIVE ME A REPORT OR I CAN SAY I'VE IDENTIFIED THEM. THERE MAY BE SOME THAT WE WILL NOT IDENTIFY.

I DO FEEL LIKE IT'S FAIRLY LIMITED. WE'VE HAD A LOT OF THESE WHEN YOU PAY SOMETHING YOU PUT AN ACCOUNT CODE ON T. USUALLY THAT'S AN EXPENSE E CODE. ONCE IN A WHILE YOU HAVE SET UP A LIABILITY.

AND I'M GETTING INTO ACCOUNTING TALK BUT YOU SET UP A LIABILITY IN YOUR BOOKS AND CHARGES TO

[09:30:09]

IN THE CONFIGURATION OF PEOPLESOFT. IT WASN'T REALLY THOUGHT TO.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TRY TO LIABILITY? WHERE THE SYSTEM WHICH IS

GOING. >> WOODEN THAT HAVE BEEN THE PROCESS OR SHOULD IN THAT PROCESS BEEN WORKED OUT. IT'S FROM A PROJECT MANAGEMENT STANDPOINT.

>> I BELIEVE IN THE ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AREA WITHOUT SUCH A VERY LATE START FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. WE WILL TO BE AND HAVE HANDS-ON WITH THE PROPOSED PEOPLESOFT SOLUTION. WE HAD A VERY LATE START TESTING.

THE TESTING WE WERE ABLE TO DO IS VERY LIMITED. THE TRAINING WAS VERY LIMITED.

I KNOW THE US IS NOW CREATING SOME TRAINING CLASSES AND I KNOW MY PEOPLE JUST WITHIN THE LAST COUPLE WEEKS HAVE GOTTEN SOME TRAINING THAT IDEALLY THEY SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN BEFORE.

>> WHY ARE WE NOT DOING THE TRAINING THAT WE SHOULD'VE DONE AT THE VERY BEGINNING.

>> MISTER TICKELL HAD A QUESTION AS WELL. >> MAN: WE TOO IN PRECINCT FOR HAVE SOME PROBLEMS WITH THE AUTOMATIC PAYMENTS. I THINK MISTER POST DESCRIBED AS THE DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND HAD TALKED ABOUT HOW THEY HAD THIS AUTOMATIC PAYMENT PROCESS WITH INVOICES THAT WERE PAID WITHOUT OUR DEPARTMENTS WRECKED APPROVAL.

ANGEL REPORTS THAT SHE IS WORKING EXTENSIVELY WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE.

IT SEEMS THAT YOU'VE BEEN ABLE TO COME UP WITH A SOLUTION THAT IS SATISFACTORY.

>> I WANT TO SAY THAT WE STUBBED THEIR TOE. THE MARK BETWEEN SOMEONE THAT

IS THE BIG DOG LEASE VERSUS THE MIDDLE DOG. >> I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR BEING BIG IN THIS PROCESS. I THINK BRUCE FOR BEING BIG IN THE PROCESS IN TERMS OF SITTING THERE HAVING A PROBLEM IN HELPING US FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE IT.

>> ARE ANGEL IS VERY COMPLEMENTARY OF BOTH YOU AND THE US FOR COMING UP WITH THE SOLUTION AFTER THE STEPTOE. I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT TO FIND A SOLUTION.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> I APPRECIATE THAT COMMISSIONER. DO APPRECIATE OWNERSHIP OF ISSUES WHEN THEY OCCUR. BUT NOT AFTER YOU'VE BEEN CAUGHT. WHEN WE STARTED RAISING THESE QUESTIONS ABOUT IMPLEMENTATION OF PEOPLESOFT THAT'S ONE I WOULD'VE HOPED THAT THE BIG DOG WOULD'VE STOOD UP.

IT'S CLEAR THAT YOU ARE SPENDING MONEY ON THIS PROJECT THAT YOU OTHERWISE WOULDN'T HAVE SPENT. . THE OTHER CONCERN I HAD WAS THAT WE ARE JUST TOLD TO PUT MONEY INTO A INSTEAD OF SAYING I DON'T KNOW WHY YOU'RE BEING ASKED THAT. LET'S UNDERSTAND THAT. WE HAD TO CHALLENGE THAT PROCESS TO FIGURE OUT THAT THERE WAS SOME DYSFUNCTION IN THE FUNCTIONALITY.

[09:35:01]

WE ARE NOT TRYING TO PUT THE GENIE BACK IN THE BOTTLE AS THEY SAY.

THANK YOU FOR THE WORK ON THIS AND WE WILL BE PRESENT WITH YOU.

>> IS THERE MOTION COMMISSIONER? >> THIS IS JUST WANTING TO

DISCUSS AND I DIDN'T KNOW WHO WOULD HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD. >> COMMISSION ERRATIC?

>> OVERALL FACED WITH THE COUNTY SITUATION, WE HAD TO REACT BECAUSE WE HAD A VENDOR

THAT BASICALLY ABANDON . >> A VENDOR? >> IS A SYSTEM THAT WAS GOING

UNDER. >> WE HAD TO MOVE AWAY FROM IT.

IT WAS A SYSTEM THAT WAS NO LONGER SUPPORTED BY THE ORGANIZATION AND COMPANY THAT OWNED IT. WE HAD ON IT MANY MORE YEARS AND PROBABLY IT WAS PROVEN.

HE GAVE US A LOT OF ISSUES TOWARDS THE END. WE HAD NO CHOICE.

WE HAD TO FIND A REPLACEMENT. IT WAS A DISCONTINUED PRODUCT. >> THERE MANY KINDS OF PEOPLE

INVOLVED IN THE SYSTEM TO GO WITH THAT? >> YES.

>> BASED UPON WHERE WE WERE AND WHERE WE ARE TODAY MANY PEOPLE ARE PARTICIPATING.

WHERE WE FIND OURSELVES TODAY IS IN A CERTAIN POSITION. OVERALL WHAT YOU THINK OF THE

NEW SYSTEM? >> OVERALL WE'RE AHEAD WITH PEOPLESOFT.

IT'S A MUCH MORE ROBUST SYSTEM. I'M GOING TO BE HONEST ABOUT ISSUES WE'VE BEEN HAVING WITH ACCOUNTS PAYABLE. I HAVE TO SAY OTHER PARTS OF THE SYSTEM ARE WORKING VERY WELL. MY GENERAL LEDGER IS WORKING BETTER THAN IT EVER DID WHEN WE RENDER TYPHUS. GRANTS YARD. PAYROLL NO RUNOFF WITH A LITTLE BIT OF A ROCKY START BUT I THINK. LONG THE COUNTY WE DIDN'T GO IN AND SAY PART OF THIS REPORT IN THE NEXT.E ENDED UP WHEN MARCH FAFIRST CAME WE ENDED WIT A LOT OF MODELS OF PEOPLESOFT. A LOT OF ORGANIZATIONS THAT WE WOULDN'T HAVE DONE THAT THAT'S A BIG BUT AT ONE TIME. ARE WE HAVING SOME ISSUES? ES.

OVERALL? PEOPLESOFT IS GOING TO PROVIDE US WITH A MUCH BETTER MEASUREMENT GOING FORWARD IN ITS I'M OPTIMISTIC THAT THIS IS GOING TO TURN OUT WELL.

>> THEIR PEOPLE WITHIN THE SHERIFF'S APARTMENT THAT SAYS TRAINING WAS AVAILABLE.

WE DIDN'T TAKE IT AND WE DIDN'T DO IT. YOU CAN WITH THAT?

>> IN SOME CASES DEPARTMENTS WERE INVITED. I UNDERSTAND THIS MOSTLY FROM US BECAUSE THE HAD THE TRAINING. DEPARTMENTS WERE INVITED TO SOME OF THE TRAININGS AND DID NOT ATTEND. WHEN WE WENT LIVE.

THIS WAS ESPECIALLY IN PAYROLL AND MAYBE IN REQUISITIONS. THE DEPARTMENTS WERE LIKE I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS. YOU CAN COME TO THE TRAINING. IN SOME OTHER INSTANCES LIKE WHAT I WAS TALKING WITH COMMISSIONER GARCIA. THE TRAINING REALLY WASN'T DEVELOPED UNTIL VERY RECENTLY. WE NEEDED TO GET THE TRAINING DEVELOPED.

[09:40:05]

. >> IF THEY HAVE BEEN SHORTED WILL MAKE THEM WHOLE.

IF THEY WERE OVER. THEN WE ARE GOING TO ASK FOR THAT MONEY BACK.

YOU MAKE IT BACK AS A REFUND AND WE MAY TAKE IT OFF THE NEXT PAYMENT BUT WE ARE NOT GOING TO LET ANY OF THESE THINGS GO ONCE WE KNOW ABOUT THEM. WE'RE GOING TO MAKE IT RIGHT FOR THE COUNTY. WE'RE GOING TO TRY TO DO THIS IN EVERY CASE.

I CANNOT 100% GUARANTEED HAS I'VE BEEN TOLD WITH LIMITATIONS WHAT I COULD PULL OUT OF THIS STUFF. WHERE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO DISCOVER EVERY LAST ONE OF

THEM. >> THINK YOU APULD PRECIATE IT.

>> BETTER HAVE A BETTER YSTEM GIVEN THE TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS THAT WE ARE SPENDING ON IT. I'M NOT DISPUTING THAT PEOPLESOFT WILL DO A LOT OF GREAT THINGS FOR OUR ORGANIZATION AND OPERATIONS. THAT'S NOT MY POINT.

MY POINT IS THAT WHEN YOU PURCHASE A FERRARI YOU BETTER NOT TO DRIVE IT.

YOU BETTER KNOW WHERE YOU CAN DRIVE IT. YOU BETTER KNOW HOW TO SHIFT GEARS IN IT. YOU BETTER KNOW HOW TO TAKE TECHNOLOGY INSIDE OF IT TO GET THE VALUE OUT OF THAT CAR THAT YOU ARE SPENDING ON IT. THAT'S MY POINT.

PEOPLESOFT IS OBVIOUSLY A FERRARI IN COMPARISON TO TYPHUS.

WE DID NOT HAVE THE LEADERSHIP AT THE VERY BEGINNING IN FRONT POINT OF THIS IMPLEMENTATION TO KEEP YOU NOT ONLY THE AUDITOR OF THE DEBT COLLECTOR. I APOLOGIZE THAT NOW YOU HAVE TO GO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO COLLECT MONEY THAT HAS BEEN PAID OUT THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PAID OUT. THHAS THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THIS BEEN DONE PROPERLY WE SHOULD NOT OF GIVEN PEOPLE AN OPTION ON WHETHER TO GET TRAINING ON THIS OR NOT.

THERE IS A FAILURE THERE. IF YOU HAVE A ROBUST SYSTEM EVERYONE THAT TOUCHES MONEY AND TRANSACTIONS IN HERE IT'S CONNIE SHOULD HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO BE TRAINED.

[09:45:02]

THOSE ARE MY POINTS. IT'S NOT THAT IT'S BETTER THAN PEOPLESOFT.

I EXPECT PEOPLESOFT TO BE AN INCREDIBLE SYSTEM IN GAME CHANGER FOR US.

THERE WAS FAILURE AND HOW PEOPLESOFT GOT AND THAT'S JUST IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH COMMISSIONER FOR BRINGING THIS UP.

I THINK WE WILL BE WATCHING HOW THIS COMES TOGETHER. IT'S IMPORTANT TO THINK HE.

>> FOR ITEM 11 IT'S NO? >> YES THAT'S RIGHT JAMES. NO ACTION.

[III. Public Hearings ]

>> NEXT IS THE COBIT ITEMS WHICH WE'VE ALREADY GONE OVER. PUBLIC HEARINGS.

THERE IS ONE PUBLIC HEARING. I WILL NOW OPEN THE PUBLIC HEARING TO DISCUSS THE RECOMMENDATION BY THE COUNTY ENGINEER FOR APPROVAL OF A STET NAME CHANGE AND CORRECTION. ROBERT E LEE ROAD TO BE CHANGED FROM JOHN WALTON ROAD TO THE EAST OF N HARLINGEN PRECINCT 1. IS ANYONE TO SPEAK FOR OR AGAINST THIS ITEM?

>> WOMAN: YES MEN WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS ONLINE. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU.

>> LINDA CASTRO? GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> WOMAN: HELLO EVERYONE AND COMMISSIONERS COURT THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME I'M GOING TO CASTRO.

CHAIR OF THE DEMOCRATS. I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME A MOMENT.

I'M A COMMUNITY ACTIVIST GROUP AND WE ARE ALIGNED TO ADVOCATE VOTING WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMITTEE AS WELL. I WAS THANKFUL THAT COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAD REACHED OUT TO GET SOME OPINIONS ON THIS NAME CHANGE. I JUST WANT TO SAY I REALLY ASKED WHATEVER IS CONSIDERED TONIGHT THAT WE HAVE A TASK FORCE FOR US AND TO BE CREATED THAT WOULD CONSIDER IMPLEMENTING ANY NAME CHANGES TO BE CONSIDERED FOR AS A HISPANIC TASK FORCE DEAL. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE COMMISSIONER IS SUGGESTING NEW NEEDLES. TO BE IN UNISON. IT'S IN A SENSE OF IT BEING HE WAS OFFERING. I MADE A SUGGESTION AND GOT SOME FEEDBACK.

THEY OFFER TO NAME IT AFTER PERSON BUT IF NOT THEN GIVING IT SOME HISPANIC FLAVOR OF THE SPANISH NAME OR WORD. WE WANT TO BE AT THE TABLE WHEN THESE THINGS ARE CONSIDERED.

THE TASK FORCE IS BEING CREATED BY THE COUNTY WITH ANY FUTURE NAME CHANGES.

I'M VERY THANKFUL THAT COMMISSIONER REACHED OUT TO US. IT STREAMLINED NOW AND WAS IN UNISON. AND THAT'S NOWHERE BILINGUAL OR ANYTHING.

I DON'T ARGUE THIS POINT BUT ANY CONSIDERATION SET THE TASK FORCE TO BE BUILT TO ANY CONSIDERATION OF PUTTING LATINO FLAVOR WITHIN THE HARRIS COUNTY.

AND ALSO TO STATE THAT I AM A PERSON THAT LIVES IN COMMISSIONERS PRECINCT.

IT'S AROUND THE COUNTY AND NOT JUST THE EAST AND OR NORTH SIDE.

MAY ASKED THAT AND THAT'S WHAT I WANT TO SAY. I REALLY APPRECIATE THE GREAT

WORK YOU ARE DOING. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK MS. CASTRO AND EVERYONE THAT WANT TO SPEAK TONIGHT. I SPOKE ABOUT IT FOR A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO SO I DO WANT TO

[09:50:10]

WE CAME BACK AND SAID THAT'S WHEN ROBERT E LEE STREET THAT WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO FIND AND

THEY SAID YOU ARE A PRECINCT. >> WAS IN THE PROCESS OF TRYING TO CHANGE THE NAME AND THEN HARVEY CAME. JOE MET IN MY POLICY DIRECTOR AT THE TIME SAID WELL, YOU HAVE A LARGE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY OUT THERE AND A LOT OF PEOPLE FLOODED.

NOW STOP THE TIME SO WE WAITED AND EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE I THINK ABOUT IT AND I BRING IT UP AGAIN. THAT'S TRUE MOUNTAIN THAT LEFT OFF THE PLATE JUDGE.

EVERY TIME I THINK ABOUT IT AND THEN AFTER THIS INCIDENT. THE NAME I CAME UP WITH A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO WAS DOLORES WET CUP. MS. CASTRO I APPRECIATE IT.

IT SOMETIMES IT'S SO HARD. I ASKED AND TALK TO MY SWEATER. I ASKED THEM THAT I PUT HER IMAGE ON A BUS WITH C SAFEWAY DAY AND SHE AGREED. THEN I ASKED CAN I PUT YOUR NAME ON THIS TREE. I DID SAY IT'S NOT MAINSTREET. IT IS A ROBERT E LEE STREET AND SHE SAID YES. AND WE FOUND THAT WE DIDN'T HAVE THAT IN WRITING.

WE HAD TO PUT A BUS OR NOT BUT THE STREET. WHEN THIS CAME UP AGAIN WE DECIDED TO DO IT AND I DIDN'T CATCH UP BUT I CAUGHT UP WITH HER AND I THINK MAYBE HER BROTHER, SON AND DAUGHTER. THEN WHEN I STARTED CALLING AROUND TO LET FOLKS KNOW WHAT WE WERE PLANNING AND WE'VE DONE OUTREACH IN THE COMMUNITY. SOME ARE GOING TO TALK AND SOME DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE ANYTHING. THEN I GOT INTO A COMPETITION BETWEEN TWO VERY GREAT WELL-RESPECTED AFRICAN-AMERICAN EDUCATORS. ONE FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT AND ONE FROM AN ADJACENT SCHOOL DISTRICT. BOTH ARE RESPECTED.

MY REACTION WAS I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THIS FOR THREE YEARS.

WE ARE GOING TO DO IT NOW. YOU CAN FIND A CONSENSUS FOR OTHER NAMES.

I DID A CALL WITH PEOPLE ONE NIGHT AND SOMEONE ON THE CALL WHO I THINK INITIALLY DIDN'T WANT THE STREET NAME CHANGED. I SAID I'M GONNA PUT IT ON THE AGENDA AND I'M GONNA TRY TO CHANGE IT. I MAY LOSE BUT I'M GONNA MAKE A MOTION TO GET THIS NAME OFF OF IT. THAT'S JUST SO OFFENSIVE. I DON'T NEED TO GO THROUGH THAT AGAIN. THEY MADE THE COMMENT IF IT WAS NAMED OSAMA BIN LADEN I CHANGE IT AND SOMEBODY TOOK UP ARMS AGAINST AMERICA. AMERICA TO BE A PART OF THE STREET. THE PERSON SAID WHAT IF SOMEBODY ELSE DOES SOMETHING

AFTER YOU NAME IT AFTER THEM. >> APPROACH SINCE THE 20 JUST GIVE IT A GENERIC NAME.

THAT STUCK IN MY HEAD SO I FIGURED OKAY UNION STREET. >> IS A UNION STREET IN FRONT OF UNION STATION. THE SEALED UNION STATION DOWNTOWN.

AND THEN I FIGURED WHAT UNITY? EVERYTHING COMES TOGETHER I WOULD CAN TAKE UNITY.

THEN I TRIED UNIFIED. THAT DIDN'T WORK. SO THEN YOU CAN JUST GO TO THE YELLOW PAGES. UNISON IS WHAT WE CAME UP WITH. WE FOUND NOT OVERWHELMING SUPPORT BUT SOME CONSENSUS. I JUST WANT TO GET IT DONE. IT IS WHAT IT IS.

THAT'S NO PERFECT NAME. I KNOW ROBERT E LEE IS A VERY IMPERFECT NAME.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD A COMMENT ON THAT. >> MISTER GARCIA?

>> BELINDA THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN. I APPRECIATE THE CALL YOU GAVE ME AS YOU STARTED TO THINK ABOUT THIS PROCESS. I JUST WANT TO THANK MISTER

[09:55:09]

OUR COMMUNITY. >> I HOPE WE CAN FIND SOMETHING.

EVEN WHEN WE'RE RUNNING ABOUT SOME SIGNIFICANCE DURING DOLORES.

HOW DOES IT FEEL TO HAVE MY STAFF BACK WITH WHAT'S GOING ON.

I LOVE HER AND I THINK THE WORLD OF HER. I HOPE WE DO SOMETHING BUT THAT WAS A TOUGH CALL. I COULDN'T EVEN MAKE IT. I LEFT A MESSAGE BUT IF YOU CAN

IMAGINE HERE COMES MY FACE OR MY FIGHT. >> MS. SHANAHAN?

>> YES MA'AM GO HEAD. >> MY NAME IS JUDY SHANAHAN AND I DO LIVE ON 1302 ROBERT E LEE. I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 50 SOMETHING YEARS.

I'M AGAINST HAVING THE NAME CHANGED. IT'S GONNA PUT A HARDSHIP AND BURDEN ON PEOPLE. I LIVED ON A DEAD-END STREET. IT'S MOSTLY PEOPLE THAT ARE ELDERLY. I DAD IS 85 YEARS OLD AND MY ANMY DAD IS HERE.

WITH OUR SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS, PENSION CHECKS AND WE DO EVERYTHING ON THAT STREET.

I HAVE MY SOCIAL SECURITY AND IRS STIMULUS CHECK THROUGH THE MAIL.

I GET MY MEDICINE THROUGH THE MAIL. MY NEIGHBOR NEXT DOOR GETS OXYGEN THROUGH THAT ADDRESS. WHEN YOU CHANGE THE ADDRESS THAT STREET NAME, LIKE HE SAID IT'S A SMALL STREET. WHILE THE CALL FROM AN AMBULANCE THEY'RE NOT GONNA COME BECAUSE THEN I CAN FIND THE STREET. THE STREET NAMES DON'T EXIST IN IRAQ TO FIND US. PEOPLE ARE GOING TO DIE OR GET HURT.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO SAY. I NEED TO VOTE IN THE PRIMARY RUNOFF ELECTION.

I DO TAKE TWO PIECES OF IDENTIFICATION AND I HAD TO TAKE MY VOTERS REGISTRATION CARD WITH MY NAME AND ADDRESS. EDITING DRIVERS LICENSE WITH MY NAME AND ADDRESS AND THEY HAD TO MATCH UP WITH WHAT THEY HAD ON THE COMPUTER. THIS IS AN ELECTION YEAR.

I WON'T GET TO GO VOTE BECAUSE THAT'S NOT CAN ADD UP. THE NEXT THING I WANT TO SAY IS YES, CHANGING STREET NAMES IN THE PAST AT WORK BUT THE POST OFFICE HAS BEEN DOWNSIZING AND WE HAVE CUT OUR POST OFFICE CHANGE FOR TIME. I'M NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE MAIL COMES OUT OF IT COMES OFF SOMEWHERE OUT OF 59 FREEWAY. WE DON'T GET MAIL HALF THE TIME. IT WILL GO TWO OR THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY GET US THE MAIL.

THEY CAN'T FIND IS NOW ON THE STREET. WHEN YOU CHANGE IT LIKE I SAID EVEN HE SAID IT. PUTS A STRAIN. WE HAVE COVID 19 AND WE MIGHT BE CALLING FOR AMBULANCES FOR EMERGENCIES. MY NEIGHBOR HAS TO GET HIS SON OUT OF AMBULANCE NOW. I LIVE ON THE STREET. YOU ARE ADDING MORE HARDSHIP AND A BURDEN THAT MIGHT FINISH TAKING UP HIS NEIGHBORHOOD AND STREET.

I'M AGAINST IT. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

>> YES COMMISSIONER. >> I JUST WANT TO THANK HER FOR HER COMMENTS.

WE WILL WORK WITH MISTER BLUNT THAT ITS ORDERLY TRANSITION HAS BEEN DONE BEFORE SO THAT THEY WILL NOW HAVE GOT AN ANSWER YET. TICKETS RIGHT FIRST USING COUNTY RESOURCES TO HELP PEOPLE. WE WILL WORK WITH THEM TO CHANGE ADDRESSES SO THEY STILL GET THEIR MILL. IT'S HAPPENED BEFORE IN THE CITY WHEN IT WENT FROM DARLING STREET TO EMANCIPATION. IT WORKED OUT.

[10:00:04]

WE WILL WORK IT AS SEAMLESS AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. >> MS. SHANAHAN YOU ALSO HAVE

ROBERT SHANAHAN ON THE LINE. >> YES HE IS RIGHT HERE. >> I LIVE ON THE STREET.

I'VE BEEN LIVING HERE SINCE 1960. THE COMMISSIONER KEEPS BRINGING UP STUFF FROM OTHER STATES TO IN THE STREET HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THAT WHILE HE BRINGS IT UP. PEOPLE ON THE STREET DON'T KNOW.

THE ONLY THING THEY KNOW IS THEY LIVE ON ROBERT E LEE. THEY DON'T KNOW WHATEVER FORCE TWO. FOR YEARS I'VE BEEN LIVING OUT HERE AND I DIDN'T REALLY KNOW IT REFERRED TO. OTHER PEOPLE DON'T EITHER. HE BRINGS IT UP.

HE FOUND IT ON THE MAP. IT WAS A LITTLE TINY DEAD-END STREET.

THEY LIVE ABOUT TWO OR THREE BOX AND THAT'S IT. IT'S A LITTLE DEAD-END STREET AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS. WE HAD A TORNADO HERE ONE TIME. IT TOOK THEM TWO DAYS TO FIND US. THE HOUSE WAS TORE UP AND EVERYTHING I HEAR.

THE NEWS CAME ON AND TWO DAYS LATER THEY CAME OUT TO START FILMING IT.

IT'S A LITTLE DEAD-END STREET OUT HERE. THE COMMISSION URGES HAPPENED IN SOMEBODY'S SIDE AND NOW HE WANTS IT CHANGED. HE'S GONNA LIVE ON THE STREET.

PEOPLE: THAT DON'T EVEN LIVE ON HERE THAT WANT TO CHANGE IT. WE ARE ALONE OUT HERE.

>> THANK YOU. >> DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO SAY SIR THOUGHT YOU WERE GODONE. I LIKE TO KEEP THE NAME. MY NAME IS ROBERT TOO.

WHAT HE CAN CAN INTO TAKE ME TO COURT AND MAKE ME CHANGE MY NAME BECAUSE I'M ROBERT?

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> DEBORAH SLOAN WITH HCA A CHC.

GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK.

I CERTAINLY CAN UNDERSTAND MISTER SHANAHAN'S COMMENTS ESPECIALLY SINCE BLACK FOLKS HAD TO LIVE ON THE STREET. LIKE I SAID I'M HOPING THIS IS A CONSENSUS TO CHANGE THE STREET TO UNISON STREET AND IT'S A COMPROMISE. I THINK IT'S A GREAT NAME.

I DO RECALL COMMISSIONER ALICE TALKING ABOUT THREE YEARS AGO. AS A MATTER FACT THAT THERE COMMENTED LAST MONTH I WENT BACK TO MY NOTE AND FOUND THAT LIST IN THE PRECINCT.

IT'S A LONG LIST SO I COMMEND MS. ELLIS FOR ITS EFFORTS AND ENCLOSING UNISON STREET I THINK IS APPROPRIATE. HOPEFULLY THIS IS COME TO FRUITION.

THANK YOU AND CONGRATULATIONS COMMISSIONER. >> THANK YOU DOCTOR.

>> FILL FABRIC GO AHEAD PLEASE. >> MAN: HONORABLE JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS MY NAME IS BILL BUTTRICK. I'M HEARING BEHAVIOR TO CHANGE THE NAME OF ROBERT E LEE ROAD TO USE IN ROAD. CULTURE MATTERS.

THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR IGNORANCE OF AMERICAN HISTORY. I WAS BORN IN 1955 IN ORANGEBURG SOUTH CAROLINA. IN 1955 THEY WERE LYNCHED AND MURDERED FOR ALLEGEDLY FLIRTING WITH A WHITE WOMAN. NOT TOO MANY PEOPLE HAVE LEARNED HEARD OF THE MASTER CARE THAT TOOK PLACE IN 1968 100 HOW WE PATROL OPENED FIRE ON 200 BLACK STUDENT PROTESTERS

[10:05:05]

THESE ARE EXAMPLES OF SYSTEMIC RACISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY. OUR CONSTITUTION WAS WRITTEN BY SLAVEHOLDERS OF THE 11 CLAUSES IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT DEAL WITH OR HAVE POLICY IMPLICATIONS FOR SLAVERY. WE CANNOT CHANGE OUR PAST. BUT WE MUST ACKNOWLEDGE IN ORDER TO CHANGE OUR FUTURE. I'M TESTIFYING TODAY BECAUSE WHITE PEOPLE NEED TO SPEAK UP AND STEP UP. THEY NEED TO TAKE THE LEAD IN PATTING RACISM IN AMERICA.

I WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT'S TRULY LIKE TO BE BLACK IN AMERICA.

I WILL NEVER KNOW THE FEAR OF HAVING A POLICE OFFICER FOR HIS GUN ON ME DURING A ROUTINE TRAFFIC STOP. I WILL NEVER KNOW WHAT IT'S REALLY LIKE TO HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT BEING SHOT WHILE JOGGING WHERE PEOPLE FOLLOW ME BECAUSE OF THE COLOR OF MY SKIN.

BECAUSE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM BLACK PEOPLE HAVE SHORTER LIFESPANS AND COMPROMISED IMMUNE SYSTEM THAT IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE PLAGUE THAT IS COMPROMISING OUR SYSTEM.

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH ROBERT E LEE? THERE IS A NAME FOR AMERICANS THAT TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST OUR GOVERNMENT AGAINST FELLOW AMERICANS.

THEY ARE CALLED TRADERS. ROBERT E LEE FORMER SUPERINTENDENT OF WEST POINT RESIGNED HIS COMMISSION TO TAKE UP ARMS AGAINST THE UNITED STATES IN DEFENSE OF SLAVERY.

TRADERS STRIP YOU OF YOUR AMERICAN CITIZENSHIP. NO AMOUNT OF WHITEWASH CAN CHANGE THE HISTORY OF ROBERT ELY. WHY WOULD WE NAME ANYTHING AFTER A TRAITOR OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA? WHO WOULD SUPPORT SUCH A THING.

ONLY PEOPLE THAT WANT TO REWRITE HISTORY OF WHAT THE GOVERNMENT REFLECTS.

I DON'T MEAN PEOPLE WHO SPOKE ABOUT THE NAME CHANGE EARLIER WHO LIVE THERE.

WE MUST TAKE EVERY OPPORTUNITY. >> JUDGE: LUCINDA CAN YOU PLEASE CALL UP THE NEXT

SPEAKER. >> CODY POLK GO AHEAD PLEASE? >> THANK YOU JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. MY NAME IS CODY POLK I AM A RESIDENT OF SHELTON IN THIS AREA. I LOVE HISTORY AND A TEACHER FOR A LIVING.

IF THERE IS ANYONE WHO IS PASSIONATE ABOUT PROTECTING HISTORY IT'S ME.

I TEACH AT A TABLE WHILE I BELIEVE HISTORY IS ESSENTIAL I ALSO BELIEVE THAT IT'S BEST LEARNED IN BOOKS, CLASSROOMS, MUSEUMS AND CONVERSATIONS. GO TO THOSE RESOURCES TO LEARN ABOUT THE GOOD, BAD AND UGLY ABOUT HISTORY SO WE CAN REAP SURE NOT TO REPEAT THOSE ISSUES. WE DO SO NOT TO LEARN HISTORY BUT CELEBRATE THOSE INDIVIDUALS. HE WAS A MAN NEVER VISITED SHELDON.

HE NEVER LIVED HERE TRAVELED IN THIS AREA. HE PROBABLY DIDN'T EVEN KNOW IT EXISTED. TO NAME A STREET AFTER HIM IN OUR COMMUNITY DOESN'T HE JUST CARESSED HISTORY BECAUSE HE PLAYED NO PART IN OUR HISTORY. ROBERT E LEE WAS A SLAVE OWNER AND A GENERAL OF THE CONFEDERACY WHO FOUGHT A WAR AGAINST THE UNITED STATES SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEING ABLE TO OWN HUMAN BEINGS AS PROPERTY.

NAMING THE STREET AFTER HIM CELEBRATES HIM AND WHAT HE'S DONE IT FOR UNTIL PEOPLE OF COLOR THAT THEY ARE NOT WELCOME IN OUR COMMUNITY WHICH IS NOT TRUE.

IT HAS AN UGLY DARK HISTORY THAT WE LIKE TO OVERCOME. IN NOVEMBER 1948 A BLACK MAN WAS ACCUSED OF A CRIME INVOLVING A WHITE WOMAN HERE IN SHELTON AND AN ARMED POSSE OF WHITE PEOPLE FROM THE COMMUNITY RATED AND TERRORIZED SEGREGATED BLACK COMMITTEE THAT EXISTED ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF OUR SCHOOL DISTRICT. IN SEPTEMBER 1965 THE KKK HELD THE LARGEST RALLY IN TEXAS THAT YEAR IN OUR COMMUNITY ON THE CORNER OF HIGHWAY 90 IN SHELDON ROAD. OVER THOUSAND PEOPLE ENDED. IT'S NOT SOMETHING I WANT TO CELEBRATE IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE. I WANT MY STUDENTS TO BE ABLE TO LOOK AT STREET SIGNS AND SEES THE PEOPLE THEY CAN RESPECT AND LOOK UP TO AS A TEACHER.

[10:10:01]

I SUPPORT CHANGING THE NAME THANK YOU.>> JUDGE: THANK YOU.

>> WOMAN: STELLA NEIL. >> WOMAN: MY NAME IS STELLA NEIL.

A STATE SHOULD REFLECT EQUAL RIGHTS OF EVERYONE NOT ONLY FRIENDS BUT INDIVIDUALS.

I AM IN SUPPORT OF CHANGING THE STREETS BECAUSE ROBERT B LEE DID NOT REPRESENT THIS

POSITION. >> THANK YOU. >> THOSE ARE THE SPEAKERS ON

THIS ITEM. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU LISTEN TO. >> MAN: IN CASE THAT WAS A HEARING ON ANITA MAKE A MOTION. I APPRECIATE THE PEOPLE WHO STAYED UP THIS TIME OF NIGHT.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND HISTORY DOESN'T MATTER SO I JUST APPRECIATE IT.

I THINK WILL ACCEPT ONCE IT'S CLOSED I DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING.

>> WE NEED TO MAKE A MOTION SCARLETT. I'M WRONG.

CALLS FOR MOST ITEM FOR THE HEARING I WOULD OF ITEM THAT WE CHANGE.

>> A SECOND. >> A SECOND. >> IS A MOTION IN A SECOND IN

FAVOR? I, I. >> COMMISSIONER CABLE WERE YOU

AND I AS WELL? >> MAN: I AM AN EYE. >> I AM AND I AS WELL.

THE MOTION CARRIES. >> THAT I DO THE RIGHT MOTION? >> WE ARE IN FAVOR OF IMPROVING A CERTAIN STREET NAME CHANGE AND CORRECTION. ROBERT WROTE TO BE CHANGED.

>> THE MOTION PASSES. I WILL CLOSE A PUBLIC HEARING. THANK YOU TO THE SPEAKERS.

THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. THE FIRST ITEM IS FOR FLOOD CONTROL TASK MEMBER.

>> ARE GOING TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION NOW? >> AND IN A SAFE WE HAVE TO GO

FOR THIS ITEM? >> ITEM NUMBER TWO IS CONNIE ATTORNEY.

DO WE NEED TO GO BACK TO THE SESSION ON THIS ITEM? >> ONLY THEY WOULD LIKE TO JUDGE. WE WERE JUST GOING TO GIVE YOU AN UPDATE.

>> IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US AN UPDATE WOULD BE HELPFUL THAT'S OKAY.

>> OKAY. IN THAT CASE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM TO TO CONSULT WITH OUR ATTORNEYS AND THEN WE WILL TAKE A SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS SIX WHICH IS THE DIRECTOR.

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 3) & II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 3 of 3)]

THE REST OF THE AGENDA? >> MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ALICE SECOND BY GARCIA.

>> IN FAVOR? >> I. >> YOUR HONOR I AM I-4 MANY ITEMS EXCEPT FROM PAGE 25 ITEM 29. I'M A NO ON THAT.

>> I AM THE SAME. >> PAGE 25. >> MY AGENDA DOESN'T HAVE THE

NUMBER. >> WITH THE ITEM I'M JUST CURIOUS TEXT TECHNICALLY MIGHT BE PAGE SUPPLEMENTAL. 29. SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM 29.

>> THAT WAS ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM. >> IN EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WHAT ARE WE GOING BACK? WHAT ITEMS ARE WE GOING BACK TO AN EXECUTIVE SESSION?

>> ARE GOING BACK FOR TWO ITEMS. FIRST ITEM OF THE COUNTY 'S REQUEST ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM NUMBER TWO TO CONSULT WITH THE ATTORNEY.

THE OTHER ONE IS THE SUPPLEMENTAL ITEM WHICH IS ON THE BUDGET DIRECTOR.

[10:15:08]

>> WE HAD A MOTION ON THE REST OF THE AGENDA OF COMMISSIONER ALICE SECONDED BY GARCIA.

EVERYONE IN FAVOR. I AM FOR. >> AND I AM I.

>> CHANGE THAT YOU GET THE QUESTION. >> COMMISSIONER RATIGAN COMMISSIONER K YOU ARE AND EVERYTHING ELSE EXCEPT SUPPLEMENTAL NINE?

>> THAT IS CORRECT. >> EXCEPT FOR WHATEVER ELSE WE VOTED NO DURING THE COURSE OF

COMMISSIONERS. >> TO ME THAT'S NOT INCLUDED IN THIS REST OF THE AGENDA.

>> I AGREE I JUST WANT TO PUT A BELT AND SUSPENDERS ON. >> GOOD EXECUTIVE SESSION

[V. Appearances before court ]

THEN. >> CAN WE DO A NON-ROOT RELATED AGENDA SPEAKERS.

>> THINK YOU FORGET. LET'S DO THAT. >> VIOLET JIMINEZ GO AHEAD

PLEASE. >> WOMAN: YES, I WOULD LIKE TO. >> THREE MINUTES GOING YOUR

CASE. >> I'VE BEEN WANTING TO DIVORCE MISTER DONNA.

I SENT HIM A LETTER ALREADY FOR HIM TO SIGN SO THAT I CAN BE DIVORCED.

THAT'S HOW I WANT. >> THANK YOU MA'AM. WE WILL MAKE SURE AND HAVE SOMEONE FOLLOW UP WITH YOU ON THIS. WE WILL CONTACT YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> STEVE WILLIAMS. >> YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THE SO-CALLED POLICE CHIEF. I SAW THAT THE OTHER DAY AND IF YOU ARE RUNNING FOR MAYOR OR COUNTY COMMISSIONER GOVERNOR WE CAN BEGIN REACHING MONEY NOW IF YOU'LL JUST LISTEN TO ME.

I WANTED TO DEMONSTRATE YOU FOR A TIME. REBECCA BARNETT IS WITH WHITE LIVES MATTER. I DON'T THINK SHE LIVES IN HOUSTON.

I REALLY WANT TO TALK WITH YOU BECAUSE I WANT TO SHOW YOU AND DEMONSTRATE TO YOU HOW TO RAISE AS MUCH MONEY AS YOU WANT. IN THE MILLIONS. THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FBI AND THE US ATTORNEY. THAT'S WHY PUT MY NAME ON THE SPEAKERS US.

CALL THE PHONE NUMBER. WITH THIS GUYS DOING EVEN THOUGH HE WAS ACTUALLY BANNING BARACK OBAMA TO, IT'S HE WAS ATTORNEY WAS ENGINE MAGNETS. THERE IS A SERIAL MURDER KILLING GOING ON IN THE AREA OF RICHMOND KIRBY DOWN TO NORTH STREET BACK DOWN THE STREET TO EAST. IT'S BACK DOWN TOWARDS TO. THAT AREA RIGHT THERE HAS BEEN ACCOSTED. WE CAN EVEN GET A DAMN FBI AGENT OUT THERE.

I CAN'T EVEN GET A CONVERSATION IN THE US DETERMINES OFFICE. I TRY TO GET IN CONTACT WITH THE FORMER ASSISTANT ATTORNEY THOSE ASSOCIATED. WE WERE UNABLE TO DO THAT.

WE CAN THINK OF YOU TO DO ANYTHING. I TALKED TO THREE PEOPLE IN UGANDA FURTHER THAN THAT. I'VE WITNESSED TWO OR THREE OF THESE EVENTS TRANSPIRE.

FOR SOME STRANGE REASON A NUMBER OF THE PEOPLE DOING THE KIDNAPPING ARE FROM AFRICA OR AT LEAST ONE OF THEM MAY BE A GOOD TRANSACTION BUT THE OTHERS ARE NOT.

AT ANY RATE AND MAYBE ONE PAIR OF STUDENTS THAT THIS IS HAPPENING IN THE AREA.

WE CAN GET ANYBODY OUT THERE. I'VE KEPT ONE POLICE DEPARTMENT BUT I REALLY KNOW THE DEPTHS.

STUMPS ARE BEING PULLED AGAINST ME ASSOCIATE PLEASE OFFICERS. YOU WHEN YOU BELIEVE SOME OF THE THINGS BEING PULLED AGAINST ME IF I WERE TO DESCRIBE THEM. WE DON'T WANT TO GO INTO

[10:20:09]

THEY LITERALLY TRIED TO KILL ME ON JANUARY 21 22. A POLICE OFFICER SAID SOMETHING

TO ME BEFORE I WENT TO ST. JOSEPH'S FOR THIS OCCASION. >> JUDGE: THANK YOU SO MUCH

[IV. Executive Session]

SIR. >> WOMAN: THE OTHER SPEAKERS HAVE CANCELED OR HAVE NOT

ANSWERED. >> THANK YOU LUCINDA. >> IN THAT CASE WILL GO TO THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ON THOSE TWO ITEMS.IT IS 10:10 PM. DO YOU NEED ANYTHING ELSE FROM

ME SCOTT? >> MAN: THE JUDGE I THINK YOU'RE GOOD.

>> IS A REALLY HAVE A PHONE

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.