Sep 29, 2020 Commissioners Court

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IT IS 12:05 P.M. AND THAT CONCLUDES THE MID-YEAR REVIEW.

AND ALSO IT STARTS THE MEETING OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, IF

[I. Departments (Part 1 of 3)]

IS ANYTHING? >> LINA HIDALGO: I HAVE A NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS -- I HAVE A COUPLE. SO LET ME GO THROUGH A COUPLE.

THE FIRST IS DESIGNATED 2020 AT NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY MONTH.

I KNOW GENERAL NOREAGA HAS BEEN FOCUS OWED THIS AND I APPRECIATE.

I BELIEVE HE IS HERE TO SPEAK ON THIS AND TO BRIEFLY GO THROUGH IT, HARRIS COUNTY REC COG EASY -- RECOGNIZES THEY HAVE A ROLE IN PROTECTING AND RESPONDING TO CYBER THREATS WHERE CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS ARE RELIANT ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO SUPPORT FINANCIAL SERVICES AND ENERGY TELECOMMUNICATIONS AND TRANSPORTATION, ET CETERA.

THIS YEAR'S THEME ENCOURAGES INDIVIDUALS AND ORGANIZATIONS TO OWN THEIR ROLE IN PROTECTING THEIR PART OF CYBERSPACE. WHEREAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY AND THE CENTER FOR INTERNET SECURITY AND THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICERS AND OTHERS HAVE DECLARED OCTOBER AS NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DECEMBER SIG -- DESIGNATES 2020 AS NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND CALLS UPON ALL COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN THIS VITAL STEP.

IT IS AN IMPORTANT ISSUE AND I AM GLAD WE ARE CONTINUING TO FOCUS ON IT.

GENERAL NOREAGA, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> YES, JUDGE.

CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD.

>> THANK YOU. BRIEFLY, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, DO YOUR PART, BE CYBER SMART IS THE OVER ARCHING THEME FROM THE NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY ALLIANCES. THIS OCTOBER CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. IT IS ESPECIALLY FITTING GIVEN THE HEIGHT AND UH -- AND THE AWARENESS GIVEN THIS ELECTION CYCLE AS RECOGNIZED BY ALL. AS COMMISSIONER CAGLE REMINDED ME LAST WEEK AND I THANK MY PREDECESSOR YESTERDAY, I INHERITED A TALENTED PERSON THAT LEADS OUR TALENTED UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND CYBER SECURITY TEAM.

THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPELLING ATTACKS AND ATTEMPTS TO OUR COUNTY SYSTEM 24/7.

I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE FOR A BRIEF WORD OUR UNIVERSAL LEADER FOR WORK.

BUT BEFORE SHE SAYS HELLO, PLEASE REMEMBER ESPECIALLY THIS MONTH WE ARE ALL CYBER WARRIORS. DO YOUR PART AND BE CYBER SMART.

MS. RUSSELL, DO YOU HAVE A WORD? >> YES, I DO.

CAN EVERYBODY HEAR ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD.

>> JUST MAKING SURE I WAS UNMUTED. HELLO, EVERYBODY.

I WANT TO THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS AS MAKING OCTOBER 2020 NATIONAL CYBER SECURITY AWARENESS MONTH AND THANK YOU FOR THE SUPPORT YOU GAVE THE PROGRAM THROUGH THE YEARS. I KNOW YOU ARE AWARE THE GLOBAL THREATS CONTINUE TO RISE AND WE CONTINUE TO SEE AN INCREASED AMOUNT OF ATTACKS AGAINST THE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS. HOWEVER, IT IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER THAT WE CREATE A WORKFORCE IN THE COMMUNITY. MY TEAM IS LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS OPPORTUNITY TO ENGAGE OUR EMPLOYEES AND HELP THEM BUILD THEIR UNDERSTANDING OF CYBER SECURITY BEST PRACTICES AND I AM HAPPY TO SAY WE HAVE SOME EXCITING VIRTUAL LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES PLANNED.

WE ADOPTED OUR PLAN FOR THE WORKFORCE AND SO WE HAVE SOME NEW THINGS PLANNED FOR THE MONTH TO HELP REINFORCE THIS YEAR'S NATIONAL THEME OF DO YOUR PART, BE CYBER SMART.

WE WOULD LIKE TO ENCOURAGE ALL EMPLOYEES TO PARTICIPATE IN THESE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES AS WELL AS OTHER TRAINING AND AWARENESS CAMPAIGNS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

IT IS NOT GOING TO STOP HERE. WE HAVE TO CONTINUE IT EVERY DAY.

EVERYBODY WILL RECEIVE ANNOUNCEMENTS ON HOW TO PARTICIPATE COMING SOON.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR PRESENTING THIS. IN THE MIDST OF THE PANDEMIC WE ARE THINKING ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVES, BUT WITH THIS REMINDER TO BE AWARE OF THE CYBER VIRUSES.

REMEMBER THE CONVERSATION OF VIRUSES STARTED WITH CYBER SECURITY.

I WANT TO THANK GENERAL NOREAGA AND ALL OF THE STAFF THERE FOR YOUR EFFORTS TO KEEP OUR SYSTEMS SECURE. WITH THIS UPCOMING ELECTION, GENERAL, I WOULD LIKE TO -- I

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>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS -- THE LAST ONE I HAVE IS DESIGNATING OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH 102020 AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY.

AND ALWAYS GRATEFUL AND ADMIRING OF CHIEF CHRISTIANSON.

HARRIS COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO ENSURING THE SAFETY AND SECURITY OF ALL LIVING IN AND VISITING HARRIS COUNTY. FIRE IS A SERIOUS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERN.

BOTH LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY. HOMES ARE THE GREATEST RISK OF FIRE AND COOKING IS THE LEADING CAUSE OF FIRES IN THE MID-ATLANTIC STATES. THAT'S -- WHEREAS CHILDREN UNDER 5 FACE A HIGHER RISK OF NON-FIRE BURNS ASSOCIATED WITH COOKING THAN BEING BURNED IN A COOKING FIRE, HARRIS COUNTY RESIDENTS SHOULD STAY IN THE KITCHEN WHEN COOKING.

WHEREAS HARRIS COUNTY FIRST RESPONDERS ARE DEDICATED TO REDUCING HOME FIRES AND HOME INJURIES. AND THE 2020 FIRE PREVENTION THEME IS SERVE UP FIRE SAFETY IN THE KITCHEN. WE ARE REMINDED TO STAY ALERT AND USE CAUTION WHEN COOKING TO REDUCE THE RISK OF KITCHEN FIRES. THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT PROCLAIMS OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH 10TH 2020 AS FIRE PREVENTION WEEK IN HARRIS COUNTY WEEK AND URGES RESIDENTS TO CHECK THEIR KITCHENS FOR FIRE HAZARDS AND USE SAFE COOKING PRACTICES.

THANK YOU, CHIEF CHRISTENSEN, FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK. ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> SHE IS UNMUTED. >> YES, MA'AM. CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> YES, MA'AM.

THANK YOU, JUDGE, FOR BRINGING THIS RESOLUTION. WE REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

AS YOU KNOW. OUR TAG LINE FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL'S OFFICE IS WE WANT A SAFE MISSION FOR HARRIS COUNTY. WE ENJOYED PARTNERING UP FOR SOMETHING AS IMPORTANT AS FIRE SAFETY AND ESPECIALLY IN THE KITCHEN.

AS WE ALL KNOW, MANY OF US ARE HOME COOKING MORE THAN IN THE PAST DUE TO COVID.

WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO THINK ABOUT SAFETY IN THE KITCHEN.

IT IS NOT JUST FIRES. WE MAY HAVE YOUNG PEOPLE COOKING WITH MICROWAVES.

BURN INJURIES AND SCALD INJURIES AS WELL. WE WANT TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO LOOK AT THINGS THAT WILL HELP SERVE FIRE SAFETY. I WANT TO SAY WE THINK ABOUT FIRE SAFETY ALL THE TIME, BUT DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK WE ARE EXCITED TO BE ROLLING OUT A LOT OF SOCIAL MEDIA INFORMATION. WE ARE GOING TO BE ROLLING OUT ADDITIONAL THINGS DURING FIRE PREVENTION WEEK WHICH IS OCTOBER 4TH THROUGH THE 10TH. AND BECAUSE WE CAN'T GET OUT AND GATHER WITH OUR COMMUNITY WE WANT TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE GETTING THE INFORMATION OUT. THANK YOU AND COMMISSIONER'S

COURT FOR ALL YOU DO AND THE SUPPORT OF OUR OFFICE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, CHIEF. THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO, YOU AND YOUR TEAM.

IT IS A GOOD REMINDER. I AM SOMETIMES DISTRACTED AS WELL.

I AM READING THIS AND THINKING THAT WE ALL NEED TO BE CAREFUL.

THOSE WERE MY RESOLUTIONS. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I THOUGHT THE NATIONAL NIGHT OUT

RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. HOW ABOUT -- SHOULD WE JUST -- SHOULD WE GO IN ORDER? I DO COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN WE WILL DO -- I DON'T

KNOW IF COMMISSIONER ELLIS HAS ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND I HAVE ONE AS WELL. WHEN YOU SAID YOU DIDN'T HAVE ANYMORE I WAS GOING TO POINT OUT THAT I DID SEE ONE MORE FROM YOU. HOWEVER YOU WANT TO DO IT, JUDGE. I AM NOT FRY -- TRYING TO INTERFERE WITH YOUR ORDER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OH, I DID POST A NATIONAL NIGHT OUT ONE.

I SEE WHAT YOU ARE SAYING. THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. YEAH -- LET ME FIND THAT ONE.

I GUESS IT WAS A SUPPLEMENTAL. THANK YOU FOR POINTING THAT OUT.

THAT IS OCTOBER 6TH, ACTUALLY, IS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT.

THIS YEAR FOLKS HAVE FIGURED OUT FROM THE NATIONAL LEVEL AND EVERY LEVEL HOW TO DO THIS VIRTUALLY. IT IS THE 37TH ANNUAL NATIONAL NIGHT OUT IN HARRIS COUNTY WILL BE SUPPORTED VIRTUALLY ON THE EVENING OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 6TH,

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IT IS ABOUT EDUCATING THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS AND THE POSITIVE IMPACT PARTICIPATION CAN HAVE ON REDUCING CRIME IN OUR COMMUNITIES. MAY IT BE RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DESIGNATES TUESDAY OCTOBER 6TH 2020 AS NATIONAL NIGHT OUT AND IT CALLS UPON ALL RESIDENTS TO SUPPORT ALL OF OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES BY EDUCATING THEMSELVES ABOUT CRIME PREVENTION MEASURES AND SAFETY AWARENESS.

THAT IS THE RESOLUTION AND I GUESS WE'LL HAVE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF NIGHT OUT THIS YEAR.

IT IS A NIGHT IN, BUT I AM GLAD IT IS HAPPENING. THANK YOU.

THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. THAT'S ALL OF MY RESOLUTIONS.

GO AHEAD, DMITIONER GARCIA -- COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WOULD LIKE TO BEGIN WITH RECOGNIZING THE FACT THAT HARRIS COUNTY IS AMONGST ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE -- RICHLY DIVERSE COUNTIES IN AMERICA. IF NOT IT IS THE MOST. THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE THAT HAVE MADE IT A QUALITY OF LIFE IN MANY REGARDS WHETHER IT IS FOOD OR MUSIC OR CULTURE AND EDUCATION, THE LIKE AND I'M JUST VERY, VERY HONORED AND PROUD TO CALL HARRIS COUNTY HOME. AND TO THAT END THERE IS ONE YOUNG MAN WHO IS ON THE PHONE RIGHT NOW WHO HAS CONTRIBUTED TO OUR POLITICAL STANDING AS IT RELATES TO HISPANIC HERITAGE. I WANT TO THANK THE HONORABLE REYES FOR HIS YEARS OF DEDICATED TENACITY AND UNRELENTING FIGHT FOR ENSURING THE LATINO AND HISPANIC COMMUNITY HAS A VOICE AND A VOTE AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED WITHIN GOVERNMENT. AND SO, I JUST WANT TO THANK HIM FOR ALL OF HIS WORK OVER THE YEARS. AND TO RECOGNIZE HE DOESN'T DO IT ALONE, BUT HE HAS INCREDIBLE PARTNER IN HIS BEAUTIFUL BRIDE, JANE KNEE, AND THEIR LOVELY FAMILY.

AND SO WITH HONOR, JUDGE, JUST BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE TO GROW UP IN POLITICS WITH -- IN PART WITH FRUMENCIO'S COUNCIL, AND SO THIS RESOLUTION READS AS SUCH: WHEREAS SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH, 2020 IS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND AN INTEREST OF PROMOTING THE STORIES OF HISPANICS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WHEREAS FOR NEARLY 50 YEARS THE HISPANIC COMMUNITY OF HOUSTON HAS BENEFITED FROM THE WORK OF MR. FRUMENCIO REYES, LAWYER AND SUPPORTER OF LOCAL SCHOOLS, CHURCHES AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS.

WHEREAS FRUMENCIO, A GRADUATE FROM THE THURGOOD MARSHALL SCHOOL OF LAW AND A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF HOUSTON, AND WHEREAS THROUGHOUT HIS LEGAL CAREER, FRUMENCIO HAS FILED IMPORTANT HOUSTON AREA REDISTRICTING LITIGATION, SUCCESSFUL HELPING HOUSTON WITH REDISTRICTING PLANS RESULTING IN A 1979 DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SETTLEMENT DECISION THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE $ -- 2.1 MILLION PROVISION AND WHEREAS FRUMENCIO HAS WORKED AS A LEAD ATTORNEY IN CASES SUCH AS CAMPOS VERSUS THE CITY OF HOUSTON, SINGLE MEMBER REDISTRICTING CASE, AND PERES, ETAL, FOR SINGLE DISTRICTS.

AND AMONG HIS COUNTLESS LEADERSHIP ROLES FRUMENCIO HAS SERVED ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE HOUSTON METRA POLITIC -- METROPOLITAN INDUSTRIES AND ASSISTING HISPANICS IN HOUSING, WELFARE AND HOUSING PROGRAMS. FOCUSING ON SENIOR CITIZENS AND YOUTH. WHERE -- WHEREAS FRUMENCIO HAS BEEN GIVEN OUTSTANDING LAWYER IN 1992 BY THE MIX CANS -- THE MEXICAN-AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION IN TEXAS AND

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FRUMENCIO, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> YES, I AM.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE FLOOR IS YOURS, COUNSELOR. >> I'M ON THE PHONE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, SIR. YOU MAY APPROACH THE BENCH. WE CAN HEAR YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, MR. RAY -- MR. REYES, YOU ARE ON.

>> YES, I AM HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. GO AHEAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, JUDGE? WHILE HE IS GETTING HIS THOUGHTS TOGETHER, THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS AND I LOVE IT. WE HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO SOCIAL DISTANCE OVER THERE MAYBE IN THAT YARD. I AM GLAD HE IS A TSU GRAD, BY THE WAY, BUT WHAT A DELIGHTFUL HUMAN BEING AND HE HAS CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH.

WE LOVE YOU AND WE LOVE YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY. YOU HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM IN THAT HOUSE. COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND I ARE GOING TO SHOW UP AND WAIVE AT

YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GO AHEAD, FRUMENCIO.

>> THANK YOU, GUYS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AS A LAWYER IN TEXAS, YOU HAVE MORE WORDS

THAN THAT, I'M SURE. >> YEAH. I'LL KEEP ON KICKING ASS.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THIS IS CACTUS JACK CAGLE. I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR WORK OVER THE YEARS. AND THE LEADERSHIP THAT YOU PROVIDED THERE.

IT IS A PRIVILEGE TO BE ABLE TO SEE YOUR NAME HERE ON THIS RESOLUTION FOR THIS MONTH.

I WILL BE VOTING FOR IT TODAY, MY FRIEND. >> I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. I HAVE HAD A LOT OF FUN OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS SO -- DOING

WHAT I DO. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOD BLESS YOU, FRUMENCIO.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN THE NEAR FUTURE. >> THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ALL RIGHT, JUDGE. MY NEXT RESOLUTION IS FOR AN EXAMPLE -- I JUST BEGIN WITH THAT I KNOW SOMEONE IS LISTENING AND THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF THE FRUIT DOESN'T FALL FAR FROM THE TREE. THIS RESOLUTION IS IN HONOR OF A YOUNG LADY WHO RECOGNIZES THE NEED TO PROTECT HISTORY AND TO MAKE SURE THAT IT IS ACCESSIBLE AND AVAILABLE SO THAT WE CAN ALL LEARN FROM IT.

THIS RESOLUTION READS, SEPTEMBER 15TH THROUGH OCTOBER 15TH IS HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH, AND HARRIS COUNTY HAS AN INTEREST IN PROMOTING THE STORIES OF HISPANICS WHO HAVE ACHIEVED SIGNIFICANCE IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WHEREAS MIKAELA SELLLY IN 2013 BEGAN HER WORK AS ARC -- ARCHIVE VIES AT THE HOUSTON METROPOLITAN RESEARCH CENTER OF THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM.

OVERSEAS ITS GROWING COLLECTION OF LETTERS, PHOTOGRAPHS, DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS. WHEREAS MS. SELLEY EARNED HER MASTER OF ARTS IN PUBLIC HISTORY FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON, GO COUGARS, AND SINCE DOWN-- SINCE JOINING THE HMRC, THE HISPANIC ARCHIVAL COLLECTIONS HAVE GROWN IN VOLUME TO INCLUDE PRINT MATERIALS NOW BECOMING DIGITIZED, PHOTOGRAPHS, AUDIO AND FILM RECORDINGS AND RECORDED INTERVIEWS. WHEREAS THROUGH HER LEADERSHIP, MS. SELLEY AS CURATED FOUR MAJOR EXHIBITS OR LARGER VENUES AND SEVERAL SMALLER EXHIBITS FOR BRANCH LIBRARIES IN ADDITION TO HOSTING VARIOUS PROGRAMS EACH YEAR TO SHARE HISPANIC

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IT IS TO PROMOTE HISPANIC COLLECTIONS AND WORKING WITH THE HRMC ORAL HISTORY TEAM AND CREATED THE FIRST AUDIO-VISUAL COLLECTION. THE BODY OF WORK INCLUDES SUCH PRESENT -- PRESENTATIONS SUCH AS THIS ONE. "MUSICA" A HISTORY OF HIS -- HISPANIC SOUND. A TASTE FROM THE ARCHIVE, IN HOUSTON, YOU ARE MAKING ME RUNNING -- HUNGRY, REMEMBERING WORLD WAR II THE LAW SEEN -- LATINO VETERANS.

NORTH SIDE, A MEXICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, THAT'S WHERE I LIVE. AND A COLLECTION OF THE LEAGUE OF UNITED LATIN AMERICAN CITIZENS MEETING NOTES, VERY COOL, CORRESPONDENCE AND LEATHER BOUND VOLUME -- A LEATHER BOUND VOLUME CONTAINING AN HONOR ROLE OF HISPANIC WORLD WAR II VETERANS SIGNED BY THE MEN LISTED IN THE VOLUME.

OUTSTANDING. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HONORS MS. MIKAELA-SELLEY FOR HER VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HISPANIC HERITAGE OF HARRIS COUNTY. WHEN I STARTED WITH THE FRUIT DOES PRESIDENT FALL FROM THE TREE, YOUR HONOR, IT IS BECAUSE I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF KNOWING HER WONDERFUL MOTHER, AND I AM PROUD OF BOTH OF THEM. OBVIOUSLY MIKAELA MUST GET HER INSPIRATION FROM SOMEWHERE, AND I ASSUME IT IS HER MOM. WITH THAT, MIKAELA, ARE YOU ON

THE LINE? >> YES, I'M HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE FLOOR IS YOURS. GIVE US -- WE ARE GOING TO DIG -- DIGITIZE YOU THIS TIME

SO GIVE US SOME ORAL HISTORY. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. I'M SO HUMBLED BY THIS AWARD.

I AM FROM HOUSTON AND BORN AND RAISED IN THE EAST END, AND WHAT AN HONOR TO BE THE HISPANIC ART COLLECTIONS FOR MY HOMETOWN AND TO CARE FOR AND SHARE THE EVIDENCE OF OUR CONTRIBUTIONS AND OUR STRUGGLES AND EXPERIENCE THAT'S HAVE SHAPED THE CITY.

IT IS A GREAT RESPONSIBILITY THAT I DON'T TAKE LIGHTLY AND I THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT.

IT REALLY TAKES A VILLAGE. EVERY MAJOR EXHIBIT, THE ONES YOU LISTED, THEY ARE PROGRAMS THAT HAVE HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE AMAZING SUPPORT OF PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SEE THE HISTORY SAVED AND ON DISPLAY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU PROVIDED FUNDING TO CREATE LAST YEAR'S MUSICA EXHIBIT AND I CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR YOUR HELP IN CREATING SOMETHING MEANINGFUL. I AM EXCITED TO SHARE WHAT THE CENTER IS DOING THIS YEAR.

WE ARE COLLABORATING WITH THE CONSULATE OF MEXICO TO COMMEMORATE THEIR 100TH ANNIVERSARY IN HOUSTON. WE WILL HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DIGITAL EXHIBIT WITH HISTORIC IMAGES FROM THE CENTURY IN HISTORY. WE LAUNCHED A CALL TO HELP IDENTIFY SOME OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HISTORIC PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION.

THESE ARE IMAGES OF PEOPLE DANCING AT THE PAN AMERICAN CLUB.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOW. >> THESE ARE ALL IN THE HOUSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY DIGITAL ARCHIVES. I INVITE YOU TO SEE IF YOU RECOGNIZE SOMEONE AND HELP SAVE THEIR MEMORY. THAT'S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT. WE ALSO HAVE A DIGITAL HISTORY AROUND MEXICAN-AMERICAN CIVIC ENGAGEMENT SINCE THE 1930S IN HOUSTON.

WE HAVE A LOT GOING ON AND WE ARE CONTINUING TO WORK. IT IS MUCH APPRECIATED.

I DEFINITELY -- AS YOU MENTION I STAND ON THE SHOULDERS OF SO MANY WHO HAVE DONE THIS WORK BEFORE ME AND I STAND WITH MY FELLOW ARCHIVISTS LIKE MYSELF WHO ARE SAVING OUR HOUSTON HISTORY. THANK YOU. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: VERY PROUD OF YOU, MIKAELA. I KNOW YOUR MOM IS LISTENING, AND I WOULD JUST SAY THAT SHE IS INCREDIBLY PROUD OF YOU. I GOT A MESSAGE YESTERDAY WHEN SHE WAS AWARE YOU WOULD BE RECOGNIZED TODAY. THANK YOU AND YOUR FAMILY FOR

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STORIES LIKE LINA HIDALGO MUST BE TOLD AND PROTECTED AND SHARED.

STORIES LIKE FRUMENCIO AND THOSE PEOPLE AT THE PAN AMERICA.

JUDGE, THE PAN AMERICA WAS THE NUMBER ONE LATINO HOTSPOT BACK IN THE DAY.

I GREW UP AROUND THE CORNER OF IT. USED TO PARK CARS AT THE GAS STATION FOR A QUARTER A CAR. IT WAS TO HELP WITH THE OVERFLOW OF THE PARKING.

IT IS ALSO THE PLACE WHERE GUYS LIKE SONNY OSUNA AND OTHERS PLAYED.

SOME OF THOSE PICTURES, MIKAELA, YOU MAY SEE ME DANCING.

LISTEN, THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH FOR ALL YOU DO. I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU AND THE HARRIS COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM TO VISIT TO SEE THE WORK YOU ARE DOING BECAUSE I HAVE ACTUALLY TALKED TO THEM ABOUT DOING THE EXACT SAME THING HERE AS WELL.

THANK YOU AGAIN AND CONGRATULATIONS. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU COMMISSIONER GARCIA. SHOW US A LITTLE STEP ON ZOOM

BEFORE WE GO TO LUNCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER.

DO YOU HAVE ANOTHER RESOLUTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DO.

I HAVE -- WHERE DID I -- HERE IT IS. JUDGE, YOU HAVE ALREADY RECOGNIZED THE SIGNIFICANCE OF CREATING AWARENESS FOR CANCER AWARENESS AND CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS. I WANTED TO FOLLOW-UP IN THAT VEIN BECAUSE PRECINCT 2 HAS AMONGST THE HIGHEST RATES OF CANCER IN OUR AREA. AND SO THIS IS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WALK INTO MY ROLE WITH A COMMITMENT TO ADDRESS AND FOCUS ON.

HENCE MY EFFORTS FOR THE HOSPITAL DISTRICT AND WILL CONTINUE TO DO SO THIS YEAR.

AND SO THIS RESOLUTION READ, WHEREAS COUNTY JUDGE, LINA HIDALGO, RECOGNIZED SEPTEMBER AS CHILDHOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH IN HARRIS COUNTY AND WHEREAS THE TEXAS CHILDREN'S CANCER AND HEMATOLOGY CENTER IS ONE OF THE LARGEST PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY AND BLOOD DISEASE CENTERS IN THE UNITED STATES, AND WHEREAS THE FACILITIES OF THE MULTI-DISCIPLINARY CENTER IS AT TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL IN THE TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER INCLUDES A BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT UNIT AND 40 RESEARCH LABORATORIES.

AND EACH YEAR THE HOSPITAL PROVIDES A SPECIALIZED LEVEL OF CARE TO MORE THAN 4,000 CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS NEWLY DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER AND BLOOD DISEASES.

GOD BLESS THEM. AND WHEREAS THE CENTER IS STAFFED BY NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED EXPERTS WHO HAVE MADE MAJOR CLINICAL AND RESEARCH ADVANCES IN THE TREATMENT OF CHILDHOOD AND MA LIG NEN SEES INCLUDING THE RENOWNED DR. ZOANN ECKERT DREYER AND WHEREAS DR. DREYER IS A CLINICAL DIRECTOR OF THE LONG-TERM SURVIVOR OF TEXAS CHILDREN'S CANCER CENTER, AND SHE IS BOARD CERTIFIED WITH THE AMERICAN BOARD OF PEDIATRICS, PEDIATRIC HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY. AND WHEREAS FOR INSTANTS -- INFANTS DIAGNOSED WITH ACUTE LYMPH -- LYMPH NOID LEUKEMIA SHE WAS THE PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR FOR AN INNOVATIVE NATIONWIDE TREATMENT PROTOCOL THAT RESULTED IN DRAMATICALLY IMPROVED SURVIVAL RATES. AMEN. AND WHEREAS DR. DREYER'S PROFESSIONAL ROLES INCLUDE PROFESSOR, DEPARTMENT OF PEDIATRICS AND SECTION OF ONCOLOGY AND HEMATOLOGY AND BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. BE IT RESOLVED THAT HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT HONORS TEXAS CHILDREN'S CANCER AND HEMATOLOGY CENTER FOR INNOVATION AND PATIENT CARE AND DR. ZOANN ECKERT DREYER FOR HER HELP OF YOUNG PATIENTS. DR. DREYER, ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE BEAUTIFUL INTRODUCTION THAT DESCRIBES MY HOME WHICH IS TEXAS CHILDRENS CANCER CENTER. I CAME MANY YEARS AGO AND HAVE GROWN TO LOVE HOUSTON AND

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WE ARE THE LARGEST CANCER CENTER IN THE COUNTRY. WE SEE CHILDREN REGARDLESS OF THEIR ABILITY TO PAY. ALL CHILDREN RECEIVE IDENTICAL CARE AND IDENTICAL MEDICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM AND AID CAL -- IDENTICAL ATTENDING SERVICES.

IT IS FOR THOSE THAT ARE CHILDREN OF THE HOMELESS PEOPLE AND THE CHILDREN OF THE MOST WEALTHY IN THE COMMUNITY WE HAVE. CHILDHOOD CANCER CURE RATES HAVE IMPROVED DRAMATICALLY IN THE 70S. WE CURED ABOUT 50% OF PATIENTS. NOW IN 2020 ABOUT 85% OF ALL CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER WILL BE CURED. WE TALK ABOUT CURED AND WE MEAN THESE CHILDREN HAVE COMPLETED THERAPY AND THEY ARE NEVER GOING TO HAVE THEIR CANCER COME BACK.

THEY WILL GROW UP AS DOCTORS AND LAWYERS AND JUDGES AND COMMISSIONERS, ANYTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY IMAGINE. THAT'S A TREMENDOUS THING TO BE ABLE TO SAY.

IN A MINUTE OR TWO WE WILL HEAR FROM A LONG-TERM PROVIDER WHO IS THE EPITOME OF A VALUED WARRIOR WHO HAS BEEN THERE AS A YOUNG CHILD AND GREW UP TO BE AN INCREDIBLE YOUNG WOMAN WHO WILL BE HERE TO TELL US HER STORY. INCREDIBLY GRATEFUL TO RECOGNIZE CHILDHOOD CANCER MONTH. 11,000 CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE OF 14 ARE DIAGNOSED WITH CANCER. BECAUSE THE CURE RATE IS SO GOOD THERE ARE LOTS OF LONG-TERM SURVIVORS. YOU PROBABLY KNOW A CANCER SURVIVOR THAT IS OUT THERE DOING WONDERFUL THINGS WITH THEIR LIFE.

GRATEFUL FOR THE RECOGNITION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, DR. DREYER.

AND CHLOE, ARE YOU ON THE LINE? >> I AM HERE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: CHLOE, I WANT TO BRING THIS YOUNG MAN INTO THE PICTURE.

JUDGE, CHLOE IS THE DAUGHTER TO MY CHIEF OF STAFF. CHLOE, WE LOVE YOU AND WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOUR FIGHT AGAINST LEUKEMIA. WHEN I FIRST MET YOUR DADDY HE WENT FROM ONE DAY HAVING A FULL HEAD OF HAIR TO THE NEXT DAY NOT HAVING IT.

I JUST MADE A FLIP REMARK FOR WHICH I FOREVER REGRET AND SAY, OH, MAN, WHAT A HAIRCUT.

AND HE SAID I AM DOING IT IN SOLIDARITY FOR MY DAUGHTER. THAT HAS ALWAYS STAYED WITH ME. I THOUGHT, THAT'S A DADDY. AND SO WE LOVE YOU.

THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ANY WORDS? >> YES.

THANK YOU TO THE COUNTY JUDGE AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR YOUR SUPPORT OF THIS RESOLUTION. WHEN I WAS 3 AND GOING ON 4 THERE CAME A SHOCKING AND DEVASTATING TIME OF ME BEING DIAGNOSED WITHLY -- WITH LEUKEMIA CANCER.

I DON'T REMEMBER MUCH OF THIS TIME, BUT I REMEMBER WAKING UP WITH PATCHES ON ME.

I RECALL LAYING IN THE HOSPITAL LOOKING AT THE FLOOR WHEN DOCTORS STICK A NEEDLE IN MY BACK. I RECALL THE OVERNIGHT STAYS IN THE HOSPITAL LASTING SEVERAL DAYS. MOST IMPORTANTLY, I I RECALL THE BATTLE GOING ON IN MY BODY. AT THE YOUNG AGE OF 3 I KNEW MY IMMUNE SYSTEM WAS FIGHTING OFF SOMETHING THAT WAS NOT A SIMPLE FLU OR STOMACH BUG. IT WAS SOMETHING PEOPLE WISHED WOULD NEVER BE UTTERED FROM A DOCTOR'S MOUTH TO THEM. IT WAS ONE OF MANY ILLNESSES THAT BROUGHT DEVASTATION TO MANY PEOPLE, A TYPE OF CANCER MY PARENTS WOULD NEVER IMAGINE APPEARING ON A FRIENDLY VISIT TO THE DOCTOR. YOU CAN IMAGINE THE HEARTBREAK WHEN MY PARENTS HEARD THEIR LITTLE GIRL WHO HAD NOT EVEN LEARNED HER ABC'S YET HAS LEUKEMIA IN HER BODY. IT WAS A DANGEROUS DISEASE THAT MY BARELY DEVELOPED IMMUNE SYSTEM HAD TO BATTLE, BUT MY BODY TOOK IT LIKE A CHAMP.

EVEN THOUGH I WAS HIGH RISK AT MY AGE, MY BODY KEPT FIGHTING.

WHEN THE TIMES WERE GETTING HARDER, MY BODY KEPT FIGHTING.

WHEN I LEARNED THE PAIN AND MISERY INFLICTED TO ME AND MY FAMILY, MY BODY KEPT FIGHTING. FOR AWHILE, I DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY MY BODY FOUGHT SO FIERCELY AGAINST THIS ILLNESS. NOW I DO.

IT WAS BECAUSE I HAD AN AMAZING LIFE TO LIVE. MY BODY KNEW I HAD TO SEE MYSELF BECOME A STRONG AND CARING WOMAN WITH A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE WORLD.

WITH THE HELP OF MY SUPPORTIVE PARENTS AND HARD-WORKING DOCTORS AND NURSES AND TEXAS CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL AS A WHOLE, MY BODY CLAIMS VICTORY AT AGE 5 AND LETTING ME SEE THE BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF ME. AND SO I WOULD LIKE TO TELL

[00:35:01]

I KNOW YOU ALL HAVE BRIGHT FUTURES. DO YOU WANT TO KNOW HOW I KNOW? YOU HAVE ONE -- WON THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE OF THEM ALL. THANK YOU TEXAS CHILDREN'S CANCER CENTER AND THANK YOU DR. DRYER AND THANK YOU FORGIVING ME THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK TODAY.

>> CHLOE, ARE YOU ALWAYS IN OUR PRAYERS. WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU.

I JUST LOVE YOUR VOICE. YOUR DAD WANTS US TO MAKE SURE YOU KNOW YOU HAVE TO STILL CLEAN YOUR ROOM AND DO YOUR HOMEWORK. AND LET HIM THINK HE IS THE

BOSS. EYE -- >> I'LL TRY.

CONGRATULATIONS, DR. DRYER AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GOD-GIVEN TALENT AND WORK.

CHLOE, WE HOLD YOU UP IN PRAYER AND WE KNOW THERE ARE MORE CHLOES BECAUSE OF DR.

DREYER. THANK YOU BOTH. >> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US.

>> THANK YOU, BYE-BYE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU BOTH.

CHLOE, CONGRATULATIONSES ON YOUR FIGHT. YOU ARE SUCH AN INSPIRATION.

YOUR ELOQUENCE IS BEAUTIFUL AND A GREAT TOOL FOR YOU. CONGRATULATIONS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. I APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU,

COMMISSIONER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER, I HOPE WE GET TO MEET HER

SOMETIME SOON, BY THE WAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I AM THINKING MY CHIEF OF STAFF IS WORN OUT. SHE SOUNDS LIKE SHE WOULD MAKE AN ENHANCED VERSION OF A CHIEF

OF STAFF. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THOSE ARE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S RESOLUTIONS. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, DID YOU HAVE ONE TOO?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I DO, YOUR HONOR, AND I CHANGED MY INTERNET CONNECTION.

AM I COMING THROUGH ALL RIGHT? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

LOUD AND CLEAR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH AS WELL, YOUR HONOR. I BELIEVE DR. Z AS WE REFER TO HER IS ONLINE. I READ IT. DR. MARTHA SALAZAR-ZAMORA, TOMBALL WAS SUPERINTENDENT IN 2017 AND MAKING HISTORY TO BE THE FIRST HISPANIC SUPERINTENDENT IN TOMBALL AND ONE OF THE FEW FEMALE HISPANIC SUPERINTENDENTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. AND BEFORE BECOMING THE TOMBALL SUPERINTENDENT DR. ZAMORA WORKED FOR YEARS. JUDGE, SHE STARTED WHEN SHE WAS THREE YEARS OLD.

STARTING IN A NUMBER OF COMMUNITIES. DR. ZAMORA'S CAREER HAS BEEN GUIDED BY HER PASSION TO IMPROVE HER STUDENTS' QUALITY OF EDUCATION.

WHEREAS DR. ZAMORA'S EXAMPLE BEGINS WITH HER OWN EDUCATION HAVING EARNED A DOCTORATE OF EDUCATION AT TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY AND TWO MASTER'S DEGREE AND A BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATION, ADDITIONALLY SHE ACTIVELY PARTICIPATES IN NUMEROUS PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS AND HAS ALWAYS SERVED IN LEADERSHIP POSITIONS.

WHEREAS DR. ZAMORA LEADS THE FASTEST GROWING AND THE HIGHEST ACHIEVING DISTRICTS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS SHE IS AN OUTSTANDING KAW MENS RETE -- COMMENSERATE IMPACTING AS A WHOLE. BE IT RESOLVED HARRIS COMMISSIONER'S COURT RECOGNIZES AND HONORS DR. MARTHA SL -- SALAZAR-ZAMORA, AKA, DR. Z, FOR THE EDUCATION OF HER STUDENTS AND THE LEADERSHIP IN OUR COMMUNITY AND THE EXSWREM -- EXEMPLARY SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY. ARE YOU ON THE LINE?

>> YES, SIR, I AM. CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, I CAN.

GO AHEAD. >> PERFECT. THANK YOU SO MUCH.

FIRST OF ALL I DEFINITELY WANT TO THANK YOU AND THE ENTIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

OF COURSE, JUDGE LINA HIDALGO. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE AN EDUCATOR AND TO BE A LEADER AND NOT JUST IN HARRIS COUNTY. IN HARRIS COUNTY WE SERVE 1.2 MILLION STUDENTS. AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE FASTEST-GROWING STUDENT POPULATION WE KNOW IT IS THE HISPANIC POPULATION. THERE ARE 20 SCHOOL DISTRICTS. I AM A FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ASSOCIATION OF LATINO

[00:40:03]

AND I SERVED, AS YOU MENTIONED, AS THE VICE PRESIDENT FOR THE FAST GROWTH SCHOOL COALITION BECAUSE WE ARE SUCH A FAST-GROWING SCHOOL.

I AM PROUD TO SERVE AS AN EDUCATIONER DURING -- EDUCATOR DURING ALL TIMES.

NOW MORE THAN EVER DURING A GLOBAL PANDEMIC WHERE WE HAVE SEEN SO MANY CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES TO LEARN AND GROW, I AM PROBABLY THE PROUDEST KNOWING THAT WE CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR STUDENTS AND DO OUR VERY BEST TO KEEP THEM HEALTHY AND TO WORK TO EDUCATE THEM WHETHER THEY CHOOSE TO COME FACE-TO-FACE, OR WHETHER THEY ARE CHOOSING TO RECEIVE THEIR EDUCATION REMOTELY. THE THE FIRST EDUCATOR TO ATTEMPT TO GO TO SPACE BEFORE HER ILL-FATED CHALLENGER MISSION SAID TWO IMPORTANT THINGS. SHE SAID "I TOUCH THE FUTURE I TEACH" AND SHE ALSO SAID" EDUCATION IS A PROFESSION THAT MAKES ALL OTHER PROFESSIONS POSSIBLE" AND I ALWAYS REMEMBERED THAT STATEMENT BECAUSE IT IS TRUE. WERE IT NOT FOR EDUCATORS, NONE OF US WOULD HAVE THE CAREERS WE HAVE. I AM FOR GNAT TO BE -- FORTUNATE TO BE ABLE TO DO WHAT I DO, AND NOT JUST IN A COMMUNITY THAT I LOVE, BUT IN A COUNTY THAT I LOVE SO MUCH. I APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT THAT YOU, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, AND ALL OF THE OTHER COMMISSIONER COURT MEMBERS HAVE CONTINUED TO NOT JUST PROVIDE ME, BUT ALL OF THE OTHER DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENTS. IT A LOT WHEN YOU SUPPORT PEOPLE WHEN THINGS ARE GOING WELL. BUT IT DOES SEEN -- BUT IT EVEN MORE WHEN YOU SUPPORT PEOPLE WHEN IT IS NOT. THANK YOU TO ALL OF YOU AND ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE DISTRICTS I AM PROUD TO SERVE -- I AM SAD I AM THE ONLY LATINA SUPERINTENDENT IN THE COUNTY. I HOPE TO SEE MORE IN THE FUTURE.

I CONTINUE TO SERVE TO MY VERY BEST, AND THANK YOU AGAIN FOR THIS PRESTIGIOUS HONOR.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THIS RECOGNITION FORWARD. DR. SALAZAR-ZAMORA, I WAS GOING TO MENTION THAT YOU ARE THE EPITOME OF LEADERS IN EDUCATION BECAUSE YOU ARE THE ONLY LATINA-LATINO SUPERINTENDENT IN OUR AREA. THANK YOU FOR YOUR DEDICATION BECAUSE SOMEONE WITH YOUR TALENT AND CREDENTIALS COULD BE SOMEWHERE ELSE MAYBE MAKING MORE MONEY. YOU ARE CHOOSING TO COMMIT YOURSELF TO THE FUTURE.

AS I LIKE TO SAY, WE ARE VERY, VERY PROUD OF YOU. CONGRATULATIONS FOR THE WORK THAT YOU DO. AS I ALWAYS SAID, I CONCEDE ON THIS POINT TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE IN THIS REGARD. I TALKED TO THE SUPERINTENDENTS OF PRECINCT 2.

I WANT THE NEXT ASTRONAUT -- OR THE ASTRONAUT WHO LANDS ON MARS LIVE IN PRE -- BE FROM PRECINCT 2 AND BE A SCIENTIST THAT CURES ALL CANCERS AND VIRUSES AND PANDEMICS IN THE FUTURE TO COME FROM PRECINCT 2. I WOULD BE PROUD IF THAT PERSON WOULD COME FROM ANY ONE OF OUR DISTRICTS, ANY ONE OF OUR PRECINCTS BECAUSE AN EDUCATOR LEAK YOU HELPED THEM ACHIEVE WHAT THEY WERE BORN WITH.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

GRACIAS. I APPRECIATE IT VERY MUCH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORK.

>> THANK YOU, JUDGE HIDALGO. I APPRECIATE IT. >> STEVE RADACK: STEVE RADACK. THANK YOU FOR THE OUTSTANDING DISTRICT THAT YOU HAVE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND AGAIN, THANK YOU COMMISSIONER CAGLE FOR THE

RECOGNITION. I TRULY APPRECIATE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THAT IS ALL THE RESOLUTIONS. WE HAVE ONE NOTE HERE FROM THE TAX OFFICE.

WE MUST SET THE DATES TODAY FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING TO MAKE THE PUBLICATION DEADLINE.

SO FOLKS HAVE BEEN CHECKING IN WITH COURT MEMBERS AVAILABILITY AND I WOULD LIKE TO PROPOSE A MOTION THAT AS THE RATES. THAT WE HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 20TH, 2020 FOR THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT WITH A MEETING TO ADOPT ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2020 THE RATES FOR ALL TAXING

[00:45:09]

OCTOBER 27TH, 2020. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU WANT THAT AS A MOTION?

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE MOTION IS WE HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON OCTOBER 20TH, 2020 FOR HARRIS COUNTY FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT AND HOSPITAL DISTRICT WITH THE RATES PROPOSED AT

THIS MEETING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THAT WE HOLD A MEETING TO ADOPT THE RATES FOR ALL TAXING ENTITIES ON OCTOBER 27TH, 2020.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: OKAY. I MAKE THAT MOTION, JUDGE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY QUESTIONS, DISCUSSIONS?

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE FOR CLARIFICATION, THOSE WERE THE DATES WE PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED WE WERE FINE WITH?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. THOSE WERE THE DATES THAT EVERYBODY'S AVAILABILITY WORKS

WITH. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. I WILL BE IN FAVOR.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS RADACK.

FINE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR SO THE MOTION CARRIES

UNANIMOUSLY. JAMES, DID YOU CATCH THAT? >> YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. THANK YOU. THANK YOU, FOLKS.

COMMISSIONERS, THE QUESTION IS DO YOU WANT TO BREAK FOR LUNCH , OR DO YOU WANT TO START THE COVID AGENDA? NO? OKAY.

COMMISSIONER GARCIA YOU HAD A POINT BEFORE LUNCH, I BELIEVE.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I HAVE ONE. I'M SORRY, JUDGE. WHERE IS IT? YES. JUDGE, I WANTED TO MAKE THIS EARLY JUST TO RECOGNIZE THAT COVID CONTINUES TO DEVASTATE OUR COMMUNITY AND OUR COUNTRY AND OUR PLANET AND IT IS EVERY SINGLE PERSON THAT HAS FALLEN BECAUSE OF COVID-19 IS A CHILD WHO DIED, AND ALL WHO HAVE DONE SOMETHING INCREDIBLE IN THEIR OWN WAYS, BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ASK FOR A MOMENT OF SILENCE IN RECOGNITION OF DR. ADELINE FAGAN AT JUST 28 YEARS OLD, DR. FAGAN, ADELINE FAGAN, SUCCUMBED AFTER A FIGHT WITH COVID-19. DR. FAGAN WAS IN HER SECOND YEAR OF RESIDENCY AS AN OB/GYN. SHE WAS A DOCTOR HERE LOCALLY. SHE CONTRACTED THE VIRUS IN JULY AFTER WORKING IN THE EMERGENCY ROOM AT A LOCAL HOSPITAL. SHE WAS ORIGINALLY FROM LAFAYETTE, NEW YORK NEAR SYRACUSE AND DREAMT OF BEING A DOCTOR WHO DELIVERED BABIES FROM A VERY YOUNG AGE. ACCORDING TO CNN, ADELINE HAD BEEN DOING WELL IN THE FINAL DAYS OF HER LIFE. THE FAMILY HAD BEEN GIVEN A GOOD REPORT ON FRIDAY NIGHT, THE POST READ. HER PARENTS RESIDE IN NEW YORK, BUT TRAVELED TO HOUSTON TO BE WITH THEIR DAUGHTER AND RECEIVED A PHONE CALL ON FRIDAY NIGHT AFTER ONE OF ADELINE'S NURSES FOUND HER UNRESPONSIVE. A CT SCAN REVEALED MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY A BRAIN BLEED. HER MEDICAL TEAM WAS LOOKING FOR PERMISSION TO PERFORM A PROCEDURE TO RELIEVE THE PRESSURE.

HER SISTER TOLD REPORTERS THAT YOU COULD SEE HER SKIPPING DOWN THE HALLWAYS AND GOING TO DELIVER A BABY, SINGING A SONG AND THAT WOULD BE ADELINE. SMILES FOR HER SISTER.

SHE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON. IF YOU WERE WITH HER, SHE WOULD ALWAYS MAKE YOU FEEL SPECIAL. ADELINE'S SISTER SAID THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO DO NOT THINK THEY WILL GET SICK. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS, ADELINE'S STORY IS A UNIVERSAL ONE RIGHT NOW. WE COULD BE ADELINE.

SO TAKING EVERY PRECAUTION CAN PROTECT YOURSELF AND YOUR NEIGHBOR.

[00:50:03]

YOUR HONOR, IF MY COLLEAGUES WOULD INDULGE ME, FOR A BRIEF MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR DR.

ADELINE FAGAN. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I KNOW WE HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE SIGNED UP TO SPEAK, SO I AM HOPING WE WILL SHORTEN OUR LUNCH BREAK AND MAKE IT MORE OF A SNACK BREAK. OBVIOUSLY THERE IS AN IMPORTANT DEBATE THAT GOES ON TONIGHT AS WELL AND I JUST WANT TO GET TO THE SPEAKERS. I COULD LOSE A LITTLE WEIGHT ANYWAY BY THE WAY, BUT I HOPE WE WILL JUST TAKE A 30-MINUTE BREAK SO WE CAN GET TO THE

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

I KNOW IN THE PAST THE CONCERN HAS BEEN FOR FOLKS TO HAVE ENOUGH TIME TO GO AND GRAB LUNCH AND COME BACK, BUT I GUESS NOW THAT WE ARE VIRTUAL, WHY DON'T WE -- WE WILL AIM FOR 45 MINUTES. IT IS 12:56. LET'S COME BACK AT 1:40 IF THAT WORKS FOR FOLKS. LET'S BREAK UNTIL 1:40 AND WE WILL CONTINUE WITH

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> THANK

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT'S 1:41 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN SESSION.

LET'S START WITH THE COVID AGENDA. IF THAT'S FINE WITH YOU GUYS.

THAT IS SECTION 23 ON PAGE 24. THE FIRST ITEM IS A REQUEST BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

THE SAME ITEM AS USUAL FOR EMPLOYEES TO BE PAID FOR THEIR WORK ON THE RESPONSE.

GRANT FUNDS, INTER LOCAL AGREEMENTS WITH SEVERAL CITIES ON THE CITIES PROGRAM.

AND SCHOOL DISTRICTS FOR DIGITAL ACCESS SERVICES. ITEM C IS A RECOMMENDATION TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM. IS THERE SOMEBODY TO SPEAK ON

THAT? >> ON 23B2? >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM -- PAGE

25, ITEM C. >> NO, MA'AM. WE DON'T HAVE SPEAKERS.

WE DO HAVE GUIDE HOUSE ON THE LINE IF YOU NEED THEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO FOLKS NEED -- HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM?

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER EL -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M GOOD.

I MET WITH THEM OFF LINE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. I AM EXCITED TO SEE THIS ITEM.

MY STAFF AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO GUIDE HOUSE ABOUT THIS FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

AS WE HAVE BEEN DISCUSSING THE ECONOMY TAKING A HIT AND WE HAVE TO GET PEOPLE READY FOR CAREER THAT'S THEY PREVIOUSLY DID NOT HAVE AND GIVE THEM OPPORTUNITIES TO HAVE CAREERS THAT THEY WOULDN'T BE AS VULNERABLE AS THE SERVICE SECTOR HAS BEEN TO THIS PANDEMIC. AND SO I AM GRATEFUL FOR EVERYONE'S WORK ON THIS, GUIDE HOUSE IN PARTICULAR, AND SO LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING THIS WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROM ROLL OUT. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM ROLL OUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW IT IS HARD TO DESIGN A PERFECT PROGRAM IN SUCH A TIGHT TIME FRAME, AND ALSO THE FACT THAT WE HAVE TO SPEND THESE CARES DOLLARS BEFORE DECEMBER MAKE THIS A LITTLE MORE OF A PILOT THAN A MASSIVE PROGRAM. THAT SAID THIS IS THE KIND OF THING THAT I FEEL THE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT SHOULD LOOK INTO ONCE IT STARTS.

IS THERE ANYWAY TO EVALUATE THE IMPACT OR THE SUCCESS OF THE PROGRAM? PERHAPS IT IS SOMETHING FOR THE NEW DEPARTMENT TO DO, BUT AT LEAST MAKE SURE WE ARE COLLECTING THE INFORMATION SO THAT WHEN THEY GET HERE THEY DON'T SAY, WELL, WE HAVE NO WAY OF TRACKING OUTCOMES BECAUSE WE DIDN'T COLLECT, YOU KNOW, FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION OR WHATEVER IT IS. THIS WILL HELP SET IT UP TO WHERE WE CAN LEARN LESSONS

FROM THIS PILOT, SO TO SPEAK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: GUIDE HOUSE IS ON THE LINE, BUT I JUST SAY

[00:55:01]

I WANT TO MAKE SURE THERE IS CORRELATION WITH THE WORKFORCE COMMISSION AND THIS PARTICULAR PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT WE ARE REACHING OUT TO THOSE WHO WERE SPECIFICALLY IMPACTED BY THE PANDEMIC, BUT ALSO TO SEE HOW WE CAN THINK ABOUT THE NEW ECONOMIES AND THE NEW SECTORS. I MENTIONED EARLIER WHILE I I WAS ADAMANT ABOUT REACHING OUT TO LABS, WE KEEP SENDING OUR TESTS TO OTHER PLACES, AND THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO TRY TO CREATE A NEW ECONOMIC SECTOR IN OUR AREA. NECESSITY IS THE MOTHER OF ALL INVENTIONS AND I THINK THESE PROGRAMS WILL WORK WELL TOGETHER, BUT TO YOUR POINT WE WANT TO TRACK SUCCESS AND WE WANT TO LEARN FROM THIS, AND I MAKE SURE MY STAFF WORKS WITH YOUR STAFF TO ENSURE WE ARE CREATING A VERY, VERY SMART MODEL TO ENSURE HOW WE ARE SUPPORTING THOSE WHO NEED HELP TO GET EITHER INTO AN AREA OF EMPLOYMENT THEY PREVIOUSLY WERE NOT IN, OR FIGURE OUT HOW WE ARE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR THEM TO JUMP INTO SECTORS THAT THEY MAY BE THINKING ABOUT AND THINK THEY HAVE TO GO TO AUSTIN AND SOME OTHER

PLACE. >> LINA HIDALGO: ONE OF THE THINGS -- I MAY HAVE SHARED THIS WITH YOU GUYS AT SOME POINT, BUT I THINK WE DID THOSE ANNUAL COUNTY EXECUTIVES MEETING THAT THEY DO, THAT NACO DOES. WHEN I WENT LAST YEAR THEY HAD A PROFESSOR FROM MIT OR HARVARD, A BUSINESS SCHOOL PROFESSOR, AND HE PRESENTED ALL OF THIS RESEARCH ON HOW IF YOU HAPPEN TO GO TO A JOB FAIR, AND YOU HAPPEN TO STOP BY, YOU KNOW, THE PHARMACIST ASSISTANT TABLE AS OPPOSED TO THE TECH ASSISTANT TABLE, YOUR LIFE TAKES A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT TRACK. EVEN THOUGH BOTH PATHS PAY THE SAME AND REQUIRE AS MUCH TRAINING INITIALLY, BUT THIS ONE HAS A LOT OF ROOM FOR GROWTH AND THIS ONE DOESN'T. THINKING ABOUT HOW WE CAN IN THE FUTURE WITH THIS ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY DEPARTMENT THINK ABOUT THE SECTORS IN OUR ECONOMY WHERE WE NEED PEOPLE AND FOLKS THAT ARE STRUGGLING AND CONNECT THE SUPPLY AND DEMAND IN A SMARTER WAY.

I FEEL LIKE FROM THIS WE CAN LEARN WHETHER THIS MODEL OF EXISTING ORGANIZATIONS IS A GOOD WAY TO STEER PEOPLE TOWARD FILLING THE GAPS AND MEETING THE DEMAND AND EMPLOYMENT. IT IS A WAY TO NOT START FROM SCRATCH.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I APPRECIATE THAT, JUDGE. ONE OF THE THINGS I DISCUSSED IS THAT PRECINCT HAS AMONGST THE LOWEST MEDIAN INCOME IN HARRIS COUNTY.

I AM NOT JUST SIMPLY LOOKING TO HELP PEOPLE GET A JOB. I AM TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE BEING THOUGHTFUL ABOUT HOW WE CREATE A CAREER PATH THAT MAY START AT A PARTICULAR POINT, BUT NOT END THERE. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE JUST BECAUSE PRECINCT 2 IS KNOWN FOR THE PORT THAT WE ARE NOT JUST PROMOTING BLUE COLLARED JOBS. WE ARE PROMOTING ALL OPPORTUNITIES THAT I THINK PARENTS WOULD WANT THEIR KIDS TO HAVE. I AM EXCITED ABOUT THIS, BUT YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. IT IS NOT JUST MAKING SURE SOMEONE GETS A PAYCHECK, BUT IT IS ABOUT GIVING THEM A OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL LIFE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT. SOUNDS GOOD. I MAKE MYSELF AVAILABLE TO SEE IF THERE IS ANYTHING WE CAN DO TO SET UP ANY KIND OF AN EVALUATION WITH THIS TIMELINE. THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS,

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ASSISTANCE FUND SIMPLY AN AGREEMENT. I KNOW WE VOTED ON THAT ONE BEFORE, AND FINALLY THE LEAP PROGRAM GRANTS. ITEM B1 ON PAGE 25, PUBLIC HEALTH IS PROPOSING AN AGREEMENT WITH DR. ENSOR FOR A PREVALENCE STUDY. FOR THIS ONE, YOU KNOW AT THE COUNTY WE ARE PURSUING THE SURVEY OF THE CURRENT INCIDENCE OF THE VIRUS.

[01:00:03]

IT DOESN'T MUCH INFORM A CURRENT RESPONSE, BUT IT IS AN IMPORTANT DATA POINT.

SO THE CITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH HAVE DISCUSSED WAYS FOR US TO JOIN THEIR PREVALENCE STUDY.

AND WE ARE WORKING SO THEY WILL JOIN OUR INCIDENCE STUDY TO MAKE SURE IT IS ALL COMPREHENSIVE. MY ONE CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS ABOUT US JOINING THEIR PREF -- PREVALENCE STUDY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T LEARN ABOUT THEIR NUMBERS FROM THE PAPER. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE GET THE DATA SO THAT WE CAN ANALYZE IT AND FORM OUR APPROACH HOWEVER NECESSARY. I WAS WONDERING IF WE CAN APPROVE THIS CONTINGENT ON A DATA SHARING AGREEMENT ON THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HOUSTON.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE ON THAT POINT ARE WE SPENDING COMPARABLE AMOUNTS OR DO WE KNOW WHAT IT WILL COST THEM TO

COLLECT THE DATA AND WHAT IT WILL COST US? >> LINA HIDALGO: I BELIEVE THEY ARE GIVING US A GOOD DEAL ON THIS ONE BECAUSE WE ARE JUST -- WE ARE HIRING THIS PERSON, BUT USING THEIR SORT OF BASE SET UP TO WHERE WE JUST TACK ON A LITTLE PIECE.

IF PUBLIC HEALTH HAS SOMETHING TO ADD. >> JUDGE -- EXCUSE ME.

I DON'T SEE ANYBODY ON THE LINE RIGHT NOW FROM PUBLIC HEALTH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MY STAFF HAS CONFIRMED EARLIER THAT THAT'S THE CASE.

I ASKED THAT QUESTION, COMMISSIONER. I VERIFY AGAIN.

THAT IT -- IF ANYTHING, WE ARE PAYING LESS THAN THEY ARE PAYING IN THIS STUDY.

I VERIFY AS WELL. COMMISSIONER RADACK, ARE YOU ON?

STEVE YES, I AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: WHAT WAS YOUR VOTE ON THIS ONE?

>> STEVE RADACK: THE LAST ONE WAS I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR AS WELL AND SO THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THE NEXT ITEM IS ASSISTANCE

REFERRAL AND OUT REACH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, SO THIS IS THE FACILITATED ASSISTANCE REFERRAL AND OUT REACH. OTHERWISE REFERRED TO AS FARO. AND THIS PROGRAM HAS BEEN INCREDIBLY SUCCESSFUL IN THE GULF TON COMMUNITY. DR. JONES AND DR. DELEISLA ARE THE KEY NAVIGATORS OF THIS PARTICULAR EFFORT. IT KIND OF WORKS WITH WHAT WE ARE JUST TALKING ABOUT.

WORKFORCE COMMISSION TESTING AND HEALTHY BEHAVIOR AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND MAKING SURE THAT THERE IS DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND WHETHER IT IS RENTAL ASSISTANCE THAT THESE FOLKS ARE ENGAGING THE HARD TO REACH COMMUNITY THAT MAY BE STAND OFFISH.

THIS WAS BECAUSE OF THE COMMUNITY AND YOU SAW THEIR WORK THERE.

I AM GLAD TO FINALLY SEE THIS ON THE AGENDA. I AM MAKING SURE WE ARE PUTTING AS MUCH RESOURCES IN THE COMMUNITY. IF HE IS CORRECT AND HE MAY BE IN THE -- HE WILL BE SEEING A THIRD SPIKE, THEN WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE REACHING THE

SAME COMMUNITY THAT WAS THE GREATEST CASUALTIES. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

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

LUCINDA. >> JAIME DE LA ISLA WITH THE FARO INITIATIVE.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS, I WANTED -- ON BEHALF OF DR. JONES AND MYSELF , I WANT TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SAY THIS PARTICULAR ITEM IS ONE I AM PASSIONATE ABOUT.

I AM JAIME DE LA ISLA AND I WORK WITH THE THELY -- WITH THE LIAISON.

MY ROLE IS TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS AND TO BUILD AND IT IS THE WHOLE VILLAGE.

[01:05:07]

DESPITE OUR YOUTHFULNESS AS AN ORGANIZATION, WE ARE ARGUE -- WELL ESTABLISHED IN THE HOUSTON AREA FOR MANY YEARS NOW. IT IS AN ORGANIZATION THAT HAS -- AS MENTIONED BY DR. JONES AND ALL OF THESE OTHER EXPERIENCED HEALTH CARE WORKERS. MY ROLE AS AN EDUCATOR IS TO BUILD ON THOSE RELATIONSHIPS.

I AM PROUD OF IT. PEOPLE LOOK AT FARO IN DIFFERENT WAYS.

IT IS NOT JUST AN ACRONYM. IT IS ALSO A METAPHOR. IT IS A METAPHOR THAT TRANSLATES TO LIGHTHOUSE. LIGHTHOUSE AS WE ALL KNOW IS ONE THAT IS ESTABLISHED THROUGHOUT THE WORLD TO GIVE LIGHT TO THOSE WHO ARE IN TROUBLE WATERS AND WHO ARE IN DARK TIMES AND WHO ARE IN NEED OF SEARCH OF SAFETY AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE.

WE ARE IN THIS COMMUNITY AND ENGAGED IN THIS LIGHT AND HELPING THOSE WITH COVID-19.

WE BEGIN OUR EFFORTS WITH A MODEL THAT WE ARE NOW PROVING TO BE EFFECTIVE.

WE HAVE BUILT RELATIONSHIPS IN MOST FAMILY DWELLINGS, PARTICULARLY APARTMENT COMPLEXES IN THE SOUTHWESTERN COMMUNITY. WE ARE BUILDING ON SERVICE TO

THEM. -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO STOP YOU,

BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. YES, COMMISSIONER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO SAY DR. ISLA, THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK AND I AM EXCITED THAT THIS ITEM IS ON THE AGENDA. QUOPT -- CONTINUE TO DO YOUR WORK TO REACH OUT TO A MUCH UNDER SERVED COMMUNITY AND HELP SAVE LIVES. IT DOESN'T GET EASIER THAN

THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: HANG ON. I THINK THERE IS A QUESTION FOR YOU AS WELL FROM COMMISSIONER CAGLE IF HIS CONNECTION IS UP FOR IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE CAN

HEAR YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THERE YOU GO.

CAN YOU HEAR ME -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> LINA HIDALGO: TRY AGAIN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WANT TO GO

BACK TO ITEM 3 -- >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THAT'S IT FOR THE SPEAKER.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US AND FOR YOUR WORK. COMMISSIONER CAGLE, YOUR CONNECTION IS WEAK. PERHAPS YOU CAN DO THE PHONE WHERE IF YOU HIT THE --

LUCINDA, HOW DO YOU DO IT AGAIN? >> R. JACK CAGLE: SHE SENT IT

TO ME. I -- [INAUDIBLE]. >> IT IS STILL BAD,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: [INAUDIBLE]. >> JUDGE --

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU WERE SAYING SOMETHING, LUCINDA? >> YES, THAT DR. SHAW IS ON

THE LINE IF YOU WOULD LIKE HIM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

YEAH, WELL, COMMISSIONER CAGLE IS WORKING OUT HIS CONNECTION SO PERHAPS DR. SHAW YOU CAN CLARIFY IF WE ARE PAYING LESS -- OR AT LEAST NOT MORE THAN THE CITY FOR THE

PREVALENCE STUDY. >> YES, AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LEADERSHIP. I REALLY WANT TO THANK ALL OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THEIR SUPPORT AS WE GO THROUGH THESE VERY DIFFICULT TIMES WITH COVID -- COVID-19 RESPONSE IN

[01:10:03]

ONE, YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT. A COUPLE COURTS AGO, I BELIEVE LAST COURT, THERE WAS SURVEILLANCE TESTING THAT HAD COME THROUGH AS THE RFP THAT IS GOING TO BE WORKING WITH UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SCHOOL OF PUBLIC HEALTH.

AND THAT'S WHAT WE ARE LOOKING AT IS DOING THE -- GOING INTO THE COMMUNITY WITH HOTSPOT TESTING AND TO REALLY SEE WHERE ELSE WE CAN DISCOVER PATTERNS OF WHERE PEOPLE MAY BE POSITIVE AND WE MAY NOT BE ABLE TO REACH THEM. YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT, JUDGE, THAT THIS IS SIMILAR TO WHAT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN. IT IS A SEPARATE ACTIVITY. WE ARE GOING TO BE SHARING DATA AND IT IS GOING TO BE A SEPARATE ACTIVITY WITH FOLKS AT BAYLOR AND RICE UNIVERSITY WHICH IS WHERE DOCTOR ENSOR IS. THIS IS A SEPARATE ACTIVITY AND I WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT. WE HAVE ASKED WHAT THE PROTOCOLS HAVE BEEN AND WE CAN

JUMP START IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE INTEGRATING WITH THEM, RIGHT? THERE IS NO POINT IN DOING TWO STUDIES. THE WAY IT WAS PRESENTED TO ME

IS WE ARE TACKING ON TO THEIR STUDY. >> YEAH.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST HOLD ON THEN, DR. SHAW. I AM OKAY IF WE WILL TACK --

THAT'S THE WAY I HAVE UNDERSTOOD IT. >> JUDGE, YOU'RE RIGHT.

IT IS TACKING ON FROM THAT STANDPOINT. I JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE THAT IT WAS TWO SEPARATE IN A SENSE THAT WE ARE GOING TO HAVE OUR INFORMATION THAT WE ARE GOING TO LEARN AND THEN WE ARE GOING TO COMPARE THAT WITH WHAT THE CITY HAS LEARNED.

THAT'S HAD GOOD NEWS OF HAVING BAYLOR AND RICE TOGETHER SO WE CAN ACTUALLY SHARE ACROSS THE

SYSTEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO NO ACTION ON THIS?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I WOULD. PART OF THE PROBLEM WITH THE TRACING PROBLEM, ALL OF THIS, IS WE CAN'T HAVE THE COUNTY HERE AND THE CITY THERE. WE NEED TO HAVE THE SAME DATA

AND USE THE SAME PROCEDURES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: ABSOLUTELY. ABSOLUTELY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DO WE HOLD THE PREVIOUS MOTION? >> WHICH ITEM ARE WE ON?

>> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 1 ON PAGE 25, KATHERINE BENSOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: CAN WE HAVE A NO ACTION INSTEAD? THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME MISUNDERSTANDING AND I WANT TO

BE CLEAR IN WHAT WE ARE DOING. >> JUDGE, THIS IS DR. SHAW.

JUST TO CLARIFY, YOU ARE CORRECT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE WORKING WITH THEM.

WHAT I WAS REALLY SAYING WAS THAT THE WORK WITH BAYLOR COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND RICE UNIVERSITY TOGETHER WITH THE INTEGRATION AND WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON IS GOING TO GIVE AS YOU COUNTY WIDE PICTURE ON WHAT'S HAPPENING. SO IT IS CORRECT WHAT YOU SAID EARLIER. I JUST WANTED TO CLARIFY THAT WE ARE ADDING TO WHAT THE HOUSTON HEALTH DEPARTMENT IS ALREADY DOING, AND THEN COMPLEMENTING THAT WITH WHAT

IS HAPPENING OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF HOUSTON JURISDICTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO NO

ACTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, WOULD YOU LIKE FOR US TO APPROVE IT SUBJECT TO SIGNING OFF ON YOUR OFFICE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: EITHER WAY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT -- I DIDN'T MISREPRESENT

IT. IF THAT'S WORKS FOR YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL RIGHT. COMMISSIONER GARCIA, I MOVE WE APPROVE IT SUBJECT TO REVIEW

BY THE JUDGE'S OFFICE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THIS WILL

BE A SUBSTITUTE MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IS YOUR

SIGNAL BACK? >> STEVE RADACK: RADACK IS I. >> I THINK HE IS STILL HAVING

DIFFICULTIES, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM AN I, JAMES.

AND THEN ONCE HE GETS BACK ON WE CAN CHECK HIS VOTE ON IT. >> YES, MA'AM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, CAN I ASK LUCINDA -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I WAS ON THE OTHER LINE. I CAN HEAR YOU ALL, BUT IT WASN'T ALLOWING YOU TO HEAR

ME. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, LOUD AND CLEAR, COMMISSIONER.

GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK. DID YOU HEAR THE SIGH TESTIMONY WE WERE VOTING -- DID YOU HEAR THE ITEM WE WERE VOTING ON? GANG

[01:15:05]

>> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE CAN HEAR YOU. DID YOU HEAR US? DID YOU HEAR THE ITEM WE WERE

VOTING ON? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. ON I4 YOUR LAST MOTION I WAS

DIALING IN ON THE PHONE AND I CAN HERE Y'ALL, BUT -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: MAN, JACK YOU ARE GETTING A BAD CONNECTION, BUDDY. ROUGH

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I WAS GOING TO ASK LUCINDA WILL IT HELP IF WE TURN OFF OUR

VIDEO. >> I AM NOT SURE EXACTLY WHERE HE IS LOCATED AND -- COMMISSIONER, IT IS YOUR CONNECTION AND I SUGGESTED WE SWITCH TO AUDIO AND CALL IN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I AM TRYING TO CALL HIM TOO. LET ME TRY AND PUT YOU ON HERE.

IF YOU HANG UP THE OTHER ONE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. YOU CAN HEAR HIM, RIGHT? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: BARELY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN HERE Y'ALL PERFECTLY, BUT YOU ALL COULD NOT HEAR ME SO --

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. ARE YOU ON HERE THROUGH MY PHONE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: SO RIGHT NOW ON THIS LAST VOTE I'M AN I. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT I WAS TRYING TO TALK ABOUT EARLIER IS IF I COULD GET YOU TO GO BACK TO 3E ON PAGE 25 AND THEN AFTER I DO THIS, I -- I DO HAVE AN ISSUE IN A COUPLE OF AGENDA ITEMS WHICH IS ON PAGE 26E. BUT FOR RIGHT NOW I'LL HANG UP

AND TRY TO DIAL BACK IN WITH LUCINDA AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK THIS IS WORKING. ITEM E AND PAGE 25 IS THE LEAP PROGRAM, CORRECT, COMMISSIONER

CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES. PARTS OF ALL OF THIS ARE FINE. HOWEVER, WE JUST HAD GOTTEN OUR CONTRACT AND I TRY TO HAVE A RESOLUTION FOR HIS RETIREMENT. I WOULD LIKE TO ASK BEFORE WE APPROVE IT WE SEND IT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE FOR THEM TO REVIEW TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T JEOPARDIZE THE CARE ACT FUNDING BECAUSE THERE MAY BE AN ITEM OR TWO IN THERE THAT RAISES A RED FLAG. CAN WE APPROVE IT SUBJECT TO SENDING IT FOR REVIEW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A MOTION FOR ITEM E SUBJECT TO COUNTY ATTORNEY REVIEW?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? I AM IN FAVOR AND MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO --

>> R. JACK CAGLE: OKAY, JUDGE. I HANG UP AND TRY TO DIAL IN

THROUGH THE OTHER NUMBER OF LUCINDA'S AGAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: SOUNDS GOOD.

THANK YOU. SO THEN ITEMS C ON PAGE 25 -- IT IS C1, 2, 3 IN THE COVID SECTION IS COMMUNITY SERVICES. THEY ARE LOOKING FOR APPROVAL ON THE HOUSING PROGRAM WITH SALVATION ARMY BEACON DOWNTOWN AND BAKER RIP PLEA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM TWO IS FOR THE MEDICAL ISOLATION RECOVERY CENTER WITH THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND ITEM 3 IS THE CDBG GRANTS.

ITEM 3 COUNCIL PRECINCT 1 IS LOOKING TO FIX POSITIONS FOR NRG.

AND ITEM E ON PAGE 26 HAS SOME EDITS THIS SHOULD READ, REQUEST FOR AUTHORIZATION TO ACCEPT FROM THE CENTER FOR TECH AND CIVIC LIFE, GRANT FUNDS IN AN AMOUNT OF $9,000,663,446 FOR THE CTCL COVID-19 RESPONSE PROGRAM. THAT'S THE CORRECT WORDING.

ITEM F ON PAGE 26, DISTRICT CLERK IS EXTENDING HER USE OF NRG ARENA FOR JURY ASSEMBLY.

PAGE 26 AND ITEM 1 IS A CONTINUED AGREEMENT WITH QUEST DIAGNOSTICS FOR TESTING.

[01:20:03]

COVID ITEM IF FOLKS HAVE ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS ON COVID. >> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS

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

>> MATTHEW MALEEL. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> YEAH, HELLO.

THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME SPEAK. I WAS CALLING IN TO SPEAK ABOUT THE DISCUSSION YOU ARE ALL HAVING REGARDING COVID-19, THE PANDEMIC RESPONSE TO YOUR FURTHER ACTIONS. I SAY I DEEPLY RESPECT AND APPLAUD WHAT COUNTY JUDGE HIDALGO AND COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND GARCIA ARE DOING TO HELP EVERYONE IN HARRIS COUNTY WHETHER IF YOU VOTED FOR THEM OR NOT AND THAT INCLUDES BLACK AND BROWN AND IMMIGRANTS IN THIS PANDEMIC. LET'S REMEMBER WHY IT IS WHAT IT IS.

IT WILL CALL FOR FURTHER ACTION. WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS AS BAD AS IT IS. IS IT AS BAD AS IT IS BECAUSE TEXAS REPUBLICANS AND THEIR ELECTED OFFICIALS ARE DOING EVERYTHING THEY CAN TO MAKE IT WORSE FOR HARRIS COUNTY.

WHEN THE PANDEMIC FIRST STARTED TEXAS DEMS MADE THEIR COMENGSES ONLINE, BUT THE TEXAS REPUBLICANS WOULDN'T AND MAYOR TURNER HAD TO STEP IN FOR THE SAFETY OF THE COUNTY AND NOW REPUBLICANS ARE SUING TO GET DAMAGES FOR THAT. THEY ARE SUING TO REDUCE VOTER PARTICIPATION AND DROP OUT LOCATIONS. THERE ARE MINOR RESTRICTIONS HE PERMITTED. THEY ARE SUING ALL AT THE SAME TIME TRYING TO GET RID OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT. WHEN THE JUDGE SAID THE CENSUS COUNT SHOULD CONTINUE WHICH IS BENEFICIAL, NONETHELESS THEY SAID THE COUNT WILL END ON OCTOBER 5TH BECAUSE HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE LAW AND WHAT JUDGES TELL HIM TO DO BECAUSE HE DOES NOT WANT BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES TO BE COUNTED. WE KNEW TRUMP WOULD MAKE IT WORSE AND THE "NEW YORK TIMES" INVESTIGATION SHOWS HE IS A CRIMINAL ACCUSED OF TAX EVASION AND MONEY LAUNDERING. IT INCLUDES ALL ELECTED OFFICIALS INCLUDING RADACK AND CAGLE THIS IS ORGANIZED CRIME AND NOT A POLITICAL PARTY. TREAT THEM WITH CONTEMPT THEY DESERVE. DO NOT ON YOU LOU ANY PROVISION EVER TO GO FORWARD WHILE THAT MOB ENTITY CALLED THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS IN ANYWAY -- EVERYTHING SHOULD BE REFUTED AND THEY SHOULD BE REFUTED THEMSELVES. DON'T WORRY ABOUT QUORUMS. THESE FOLKS ARE CRIMINALS. WE MUST CALL THEM OUT FOR WHAT THEY ARE AND TREAT THEM WITH THE CONTEMPT THEY DESERVE. I ASK YOU THREE TO REMEMBER THIS WHEN YOU GO FORWARD WITH

YOUR ACTIONS REGARDLESS OF YOUR PERSONAL FRIENDSHIPS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM, SORRY. DANA CARNEY WITH LONE STAR

LEGAL AID. PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS DONNA CARNEY AND I AM THE MANAGING ATTORNEY WITH THE EVICTION RIGHTS OF COUNCIL UNIT. I WAS ASKED TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR YOUR TIME FOR THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE EVICTION DOCKETS IN HARRIS COUNTY. AND WILL HAVE AN ATTORNEY REPRESENT THEM IN COURT. I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT WE HAVE PULLED THROUGH ON ONE OF OUR PARTNERS AND THAT IS JANUARY ADVISERS AND THEIR WEBSITE HAS BEEN A TREMENDOUS TOOL TO US AND THEY PULLED THEIR INFORMATION THROUGH THE HARRIS COUNTY DOCKET ONLINE.

SINCE THE CARES ACT WAS PASSED, THAT IS MARCH 27TH OF THIS YEAR, 10,000 -- 10,248 EVICTIONS WERE FILED IN HARRIS COUNTY. OF THOSE 3.76 OF THAT POPULATION WAS REPRESENTED BY AN ATTORNEY. SINCE THE JUNE 30TH CHICKS -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT HEARING WHEN I TESTIFIED WE HAD 6,000 EVICTIONS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND ONLY 2.86 OF THE DEFENDANTS WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL.

AND THIS MONTH ALONE THE STATISTIC WAS SHARED WITH US AT THE LAST STABILITY TASK FORCE MEETING THIS PAST FRIDAY. SO FROM SEPTEMBER 1ST THROUGH TODAY 1,731 EVICTIONS HAVE BEEN FILED IN OUR JUSTICE OF THE PEACE COURT SYSTEM AND A LOW 1.44% OF TENNANTS ARE REPRESENTED BY COUNCIL. LONE STAR LEGAL AID HAS COME TOGETHER IN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT WITH FOUR OTHER ORGANIZATIONS NAMELY THE

[01:25:04]

OUR JUSTICES OF THE PEACE -- >> THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR YOUR COMMENTS.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: I KNOW WE DISCUSSED WITH THE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS BEFORE AND HOW HOW WE COULD SUPPORT THIS.

IS THERE ANYTHING YOU ARE NOT GETTING WITH YOUR EFFORTS? >> WE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH POLICY ADVISERS REGARDING AN EVICTION RIGHT TO COUNCIL AND IT IS TO PROVIDE FUNDING TO GROW EVICTION DEFENSE IN GENERAL. WE PROVIDE A RIGHT TO COUNSEL AND THAT INCLUDES EVERY DEFENDANT IN EVICTION COURT TO EVEN OUT THE PLAYING FIELD AND REALLY TRY TO OVERCOME THIS GROSS INJUSTICE. NOT WHEN WE HAVE CDC ORDERS AND TEXAS SUPREME COURT ORDER THAT'S PROVIDE RELIEF TO TENNANTS -- TENANTS THESE

DAYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE DISCUSSED AT THIS COURT THE NEED FOR LEGAL DEFENSE AND IN FACT FUNDED A SMALLER PROGRAM, BUT A SIGNIFICANT ONE, AND THE ISSUE IS JUST GETTING A MORE AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL FROM YOUR COALITION.

PEOPLE HAVE BEEN IN TOUCH WITH THE OFFICE AND TO THE EXTENT YOU CAN HELP SCALE UP AND UH PRY -- AND APPLY A LARGER SCALE PROGRAM. THE PROBLEM IS PINNING DOWN THE OPERATION ALLAH GIST STICK -- THE OPERATIONAL LOGISTICS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK WE PUT 750 UP. I WANTED TO GIVE THEM THE MONEY BEFORE WE HAVE A PLAN TO GET IT DONE. AND THERE WAS SOME TALK ABOUT COULD IT BE DONE OUT OF THE PD'S OFFICE. SO I WOULD JUST ASK YOU TO TALK TO OUR OFFICES AND I COULD DELAY THE EFFORTS A BIT.

AND I KNOW WE HAVE HAD ISSUES GETTING ENOUGH LANDLORDS TO SIGN UP ON ONE OF THEM.

I AM LIMITING MY COMMENTS BECAUSE I WANT TO WATCH THE TV. I THINK WE ALL DO.

IF YOU COME UP WITH SOMETHING ELSE JEREMY BROWN HAS DONE A GREAT JOB.

I THINK YOU FIND A WILLING PARTNER TO PUT MORE MONEY IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP.

IT IS SOMETHING ON THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS. I THINK WE ARE THE FIRST COUNTY IN TEXAS TO ISSUE AN EVICTION MORATORIUM. WE HAVE LEAD IN THAT REGARD.

THE JUDGE IS CORRECT. I WAS TALKING TO MY STAFF RIGHT NOW AND I KNOW MERCEDES SANCHEZ IN MY OFFICE IS WORKING WITH THE VOLUNTEER LAWYERS ASSOCIATION ON HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THE GAP? AS COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAID, WE ARE WORKING WITH THE CITY THROUGH THE LEGAL -- THE LEGAL FOUNDATION. AND WE ARE DOING RENTAL ASSISTANCE, BUT THERE ARE STILL PEOPLE WHO ARE ARRIVING AT EVICTION COURT HEARINGS.

HOW DO WE DEAL WITH THAT GAP? AND SO WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT AND IN FACT MY OFFICE IS

[01:30:07]

>> AND WE ARE WORKING -- LONE STAR LEGAL AID IS WORKING ALONGSIDE WITH THE CONSTABLESS IN PRECINCT 1. WE HAVE BEEN IN CONSTABLE ROSE AND WITH DEPUTY CHIEF SHAW IN THIS PRY LET -- IN THIS PILOT PROGRAM THAT THEY ARE LAUNCHING TO GET THE WORD OUT ON THE EVICTION DEFENSE COALITION COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

PART OF THE GAP WE ARE AIMING TO BRIDGE IS TO HELP TENANTS IN THE EVICTION LITIGATION WHERE THE JUDGES HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH HOW TO APPLY THE VARIOUS ORDERS AND LAW THAT'S COME DOWN FROM WASHINGTON OR AUSTIN. AT THE END OF THE DAY IT IS TO GET BUY IN THAT THERE ARE LEGAL SERVICE PROVIDERS WHO ARE AVAILABLE AND WILLING TO PROVIDE LEGAL SERVICES WHICH ARE SUBJECT TO FUNDING, BUT WE ARE AVAILABLE AND IF THAT'S OUR JOB IN THE COMMUNITY TO PROVIDE LEGAL DEFENSE ON EVICTIONS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST CHECKING IN TO MAKE SURE I AM AUDIBLE. I WOULD ADD TO THIS DISCUSSION THAT I CON TABLGHTED -- CONTACTED ANDY TEASE OF THE HOUSTON APARTMENT ASSOCIATION AND THEY SENT OVER A LIST OF THINGS THAT COULD POSSIBLY HELP THE PROGRAM AND WOULD ALLOW THEM TO GET ANY OF THEIR LANDLORDS TO PARTICIPATE. APPARENTLY THERE ARE A LOT OF ISSUES. IN ORDER FOR THE LANDLORDS TO PARTICIPATE WE NEED TO MAKE IT SO IT IS USER FRIENDLY. I AM NOT SURE WHO I NEED TO FORWARD THAT INFORMATION WITH, BUT IF WE CAN HAVE THIS DISCUSSION GO FORWARD AND WHOEVER IS ASSISTING THAT CONTACT US AND MAYBE CONTACT MR. TEASE SO WE CAN GET THE LANDLORDS TO PARTICIPATE IN

THIS AS WELL AS THE TENANTS. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH I THINK IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAKE NOTE THAT THIS DISCUSSION STARTED OFF ABOUT THE TENANTS NOT SO MUCH THE LANDLORDS. AND IT IS IMPORTANT TO PUT CONDITIONS ON AND MAKE SURE WE ARE HELPING THE MOST VULNERABLE. IF AT SOME POINT I AM HOPING THERE WILL BE THE SUPPORT IF THE MONEY IS NOT THERE UNDER THE PROGRAM THE WAY IT IS STRUCTURED WITH PROTECTIONS IN IT FOR TENANTS, I HOPE WE WILL PUT THE MONEY IN RENTALS AND DIRECT ASSISTANCE AND LET THE TENANTS DECIDE, OR PUT IT IN LEGAL ASSISTANCE.

THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPPORTUNITIES WHERE FOLKS WILL COME IN AND SAY GIVE US THE MONEY. YOU WANT TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE HELPING THOSE PEOPLE WHICH IS WHY COMMISSIONER GARCIA DESIGNED THE PROGRAM WITH THOSE CONDITIONS IN IT.

IT GOT REVIEWS AROUND THE STATE AND PEOPLE CALLED ME TO ASK AND MAKE SURE WE ARE

GETTING TO THOSE PEOPLE ALSO. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

SO THAT'S THE BROAD ITEM. DOES ANYBODY ELSE HAVE ANYTHING ELSE TO DISCUSS UNDER

THE BROAD COVID ITEM? >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU WANT US TO MOVE THE COVID ITEMS

JUST IN CASE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, CAN WE GO TO ON PAGE 26 ITEM E?

>> LINA HIDALGO: PAGE 26 AND ITEM E. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ARE WE THERE

YET? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, WE ARE THERE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: HAVE YOU -- WHILE I WAS TRYING TO GET TECHNICALLY BACK INTO THE SYSTEM I MAY HAVE MISSED THAT. JUDGE, I'M GOING TO BE -- THAT IS A ITEM THAT LAST WEEK WAS NOTICED AS AN APPLICATION FOR A GRANT.

ON MONDAY THIS GOT SHIFTED TO AN ACCEPTANCE OF A GRANT. THIS IS A GRANT BY A GROUP THAT IS FUNDED BY MR. ZUCKERBURG WITH FACEBOOK. I DON'T REALLY KNOW WHAT ALL OF THE STRINGS ATTACHED ARE TO THIS $9.6 MILLION. DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS GOING TO

[01:35:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO MOVE THE ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAVE A MOTION ON THIS ITEM. WOULD IT BE WORTH TALKING TO THE COUNTY CLERK ABOUT IT?

ARE YOU GOOD? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WELL IF WE ARE JUST GOING FOR AN ACCEPTANCE FROM THIS 9 MILLION FROM ZUCKERBURG'S FOUNDATION AND ASK NO QUESTIONS, I MEAN, I HAVE QUESTIONS. I DON'T KNOW IF I COULD HAVE THEM ALL ANSWERED REAL QUICK.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE UNDERLING DOCUMENTATION AND WHAT THE GRANT IS AND WHAT THE

STRINGS ARE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MAYBE IF WE DO IT AT THE END.

IF THE FOUNDATION IS GONNA GIVE US $9 MILLION, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT.

IF NOT, PRECINCT 1 WILL TAKE IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S SAVE IT FOR THE END OF THE AGENDA. AND IS THERE SOMEONE ON WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE THAT

MIGHT EXPLAIN THIS? >> TAU KNEE SHAW IS ON THE LINE AND I CAN UNMUTE HER IF

YOU WOULD LIKE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE HELPFUL.

>> TANISHA, YOU ARE UNMUTED. >> YES, I AM HERE. I THINK I HEARD LAST THAT THERE IS SOME DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THIS GRANT. WE HAVE A WHOLE DOCUMENT WE CAN SEND EVERY COURT MEMBER IN REGARDS TO THE GRANT WITH THE VERY DETAILS OF WHAT IT COVERS AND THE BREAK DOWN OF EVERYTHING. WE ARE MORE THAN HAPPY TO SHARE THAT WITH COMMISSIONER CAGLE AND ALL OF THE COURT MEMBERS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: TANISHA, IS IT FAIR TO SAY IF HARRIS COUNTY DIDN'T WANT IT, ZUCKERBURG FOUNDATION IS MORE THAN HAPPY TO GIVE IT SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE COUNTRY THAT DOES?

>> SAY IT ONE MORE TIME, COMMISSIONER ELLIS? I'M SORRY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE DON'T ACCEPTED -- ACCEPT IT, IS IT FAIR TO SAY THEY WILL GIVE IT

TO SOMEBODY WHO DOES? >> THAT'S FAIR TO SAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T KNOW IF COMMISSIONER CAGLE HAS SOMETHING SPECIFIC HE IS WORRIED ABOUT, BUT DO YOU SEE

ANYTHING IN THERE? WHAT WILL IT HELP YOU DO? >> IT WILL HELP COVER THE COST OF UNFORESEEN NICKS THAT WILL COME -- UNFORESEEN THINGS THAT COME UP IN THE ELECTION WITH COVID AND THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION AS A WHOLE. ANY OTHER INTENTIONAL COST IS WE ARE HIRING MORE STAFFING FOR EXPANDED HOURS. $ALL OF THE THINGS WE -- IT IS ALL OF THE THINGS WE WILL HAVE T.O. -- WE WILL HAVE TO DO. IF WE NEED MORE COVID ITEMS, IT WILL HELP OFFSET THE COST THROUGH THIS GRANT. IT BENEFITS THE ELECTION

OVERALL AND THE HEAVY LIFTING WE WILL TAKE ON. >> IN THE STRINGS ATTACHED IT

IT GOES TO CERTAIN GROUPS AND CERTAIN PARTIES? >> NOT TO MY KNOWLEDGE, SIR.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: TANISHA, THANK YOU FORGETTING ON THE LINE WITH US HERE. I SUSPECT, AND I LET COMMISSIONER CAGLE SPEAK FOR HIMSELF, BUT I SUSPECT THERE MAY BE SOME CONCERN THAT THIS WOULD BE A FACEBOOK PROGRAM OF SOME SORT. CAN YOU GIVE US IN ABOUT THREE OR FOUR POINTS WHAT THE GRANT

IS INTENDED TO DO? >> SURE. SO I WILL DO MY BEST TO KEEP IT SHORT AND SWEET. WE HAVE A TOTAL OF -- CAN YOU HEAR ME WELL? WE HAVE A TOTAL OF 10 ITEMS. FIRST THE PERIOD THE GRANT COVERS WOULD HAVE BEEN BASICALLY ANYTHING FROM JUNE 15TH, 2020 THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, 2020 THAT REPRESENTS DATES AND WILL COVER FOR ELECTIONS OPERATIONS.

THAT IS THE TIME FRAME AS A WHOLE. THAT WOULD INCLUDE THE JULY RUNOFF ELECTION THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST AND THE NOVEMBER ELECTION.

IT ALSO INCLUDES APPROPRIATING , YOU KNOW, THE GRANTS SHALL NOT REDUCE THE BUDGE ELT -- THE COUNTY JUDGE OF COMMISSIONERS. IT OVERALL COVERS ITEMS THAT WOULD BE THE ONLY RELATION TO THE ELECTION PROCESS. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING IN THIS ACTUAL PARTICULAR GRANT LETTER THAT SIGNIFIES FACEBOOK OR ANYTHING SOCIAL MEDIA.

IT IS ALL OF OUR SAFE VOTING PLAN. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO IT IS

[01:40:02]

ALMOST FREE MONEY. >> THAT'S CORRECT. ANYTHING FROM PPE TO THE SAFETY OF EVERY VOTER VOTING FROM THIS POINT THROUGH ELECTION DAY.

AND BECAUSE -- SIMS. BECAUSE IT IS THROUGH DECEMBER 31ST, IT WILL ALSO INCLUDE THE REC CON SILL -- THE RECONCILIATION OF THE ELECTION AND WHAT HAS TO BE DONE BY THE STAFF TO KEEP EVERYONE SAFE. I DON'T SEE ANYTHING --

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT OPPORTUNITY, GETTING $9 MILLION JUST TO HELP DO OUR

ELECTION. >> THAT'S CORRECT, SIR. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO IF THEY

WOULD -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO IF THEY CAN SEND THE INFORMATION TO COMMISSIONER CAGLE, BUT I WANT TO VOTE ON IT TODAY. I APPRECIATE THE DEPARTMENT GOING AFTER IT AND I APPRECIATE THE GRANTEE AWARDING IT TO HARRIS COUNTY.

I WANT THEM TO KNOW THAT. IN FACT, I PUT IT ON FACEBOOK. >> LINA HIDALGO: I MAKE A NOTE

TO TAKE THIS ITEM BACK UP TOWARD THE END OF THE DAY. >> AND WITH THAT BEING SAID, COURT MEMBERS, I AM FORWARDING THE INFORMATION NOW TO YOU ALL AND TO YOUR STAFF FOR PROPER

EVALUATION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: CAN YOU JUST POST IT ON FACEBOOK SO

EVERYBODY KNOWS? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE ARE NO RUSSIANS INVOLVED, ARE THERE?

>> I KEEP MY COMMENTS, SIR. WE WILL MAKE SURE WE GET THAT SENT TO YOU ALL.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WE WILL MAKE SURE WEE GET THAT TO YOUR

STAFF AS WELL. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL RIGHT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ON THE BROAD COVID ITEM BEFORE WE MOVE TO THE SUPPLEMENTAL? YES, DWIGHT.

>> JUDGE, I JUST WANTED TO BRING UP TO THE COURT THAT WE HAVE BEEN PROVIDED WITH FREE PHONE CALLS TO THE INMATES AND WE ARE SUBSIDIZING THAT WITH THREE CALLS, SO IT IS A TOTAL OF FIVE. THAT HAS SINCE EXPIRED SEPTEMBER 30TH WHICH IS TOMORROW. I TENTATIVELY ASKED TO CONTINUE SERVICES UNTIL I RAN COMMISSIONER'S COURT, BUT I WANT TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE AGREES THAT WE KEEP PROVIDING THE TWO FREE AND THE COURT IS PROVIDING THREE SUBSIDIZED CALLS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE OR UNTIL YOU DECIDE WHEN YOU WANT TO STOP IT. I WANTED TO GET DIRECTION FROM

COMMISSIONER'S COURT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: DO YOU NEED A VOTE ON THAT, DWIGHT?

>> EITHER WE CAN VOTE ON IT, OR YOU CAN SET UP A DATE THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR.

MR. BERRY WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE SERVICES. I THINK IT IS 2 CENTS A MINUTE FOR THE THREE WE ARE SUB SAW DIEDING. SUBSIDIZING.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I THINK IT IS GOOD TO GET A VOTE. I MAKE A MOTION WE EXTEND THIS

PROGRAM THROUGH THE END OF THE YEAR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND IT.

COMMISSIONER, -- OR JUDGE CAN I ASK A QUESTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: DWIGHT, YOU DID TALK TO ME ABOUT IT. YOU HAVE A ROUGH IDEA WHAT IT WILL COST. AND YOU COULDN'T HAVE SOMEONE COME IN -- IF I REMEMBER OUR DISCUSSION, AND GO AND BID ON THIS NOW BECAUSE THEY CAN'T GET INTO THE JAIL, RIGHT? IT IS PRETTY MUCH LEAVING IT IN PLACE UNTIL THINGS CHANGE AND SOMEBODY CAN GO IN AND

LOOK, AND IT MAY BE SECURIS AND IT MAY BE SOMEBODY ELSE. >> THIS IS JUST ALLOWING THE FREE PHONE CALLS. THE OTHER TOPIC IS THE SHERIFF REQUEST WE DON'T DO ANY PROCUREMENT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR BECAUSE THE JAILS ARE BEING CLOSED TO THE VISITORS.

WE HAVE HELD OFF ON THE PROCUREMENT. IT HAS BEEN ON HOLD SINCE COVID HIT. I THINK HE WANTED TO REASSESS HIS JAIL.

AT THIS POINT WE HAVE TO MAKE A DECISION ON IF YOU ARE BIDDING TO THE FIRST OF THE YEAR WE STILL NEED TIME IF A NEW VENDOR COMES IN TO PUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE IN.

>> AND I THINK YOU MADE THE POINT THAT BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE VISITORS GOING IN AND IT IS A CHALLENGE FOR PEOPLE TO EVEN VISIT WITH THEIR LAWYERS.

THAT'S WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT. I AM PROUD TO SECOND THE MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE I ADD TO MY MOTION THAT WE ALSO ENGAGE GUIDE HOUSE TO MAKE

SURE THAT THIS IS CARES ELIGIBLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A MOTION TO EXTEND TO THE END OF THE YEAR AND WORK WITH GUIDE HOUSE TO MAKE SURE IT WILL -- IT IS REFUNDED. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RADACK, ARE YOU ON? I VOTE IN FAVOR OF THE ITEM AS

WELL. >> PLEASE ENTER YOUR PASS CODE -- [LAUGHING].

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WILL CATCH COMMISSIONER RADACK IN A LITTLE BIT.

[01:45:01]

THOSE ARE FOUR I'S JAMES. >> I RECORD IT AS 4-0 UNTIL YOU GET BACK TO ME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANYTHING ELSE ON THE ITEMS, ON THE COVID ITEMS.

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

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR MOVING THIS FORWARD. I WOULD LIKE TO GO AHEAD AND MOVE ON IT JUST BECAUSE I APPRECIATE YOUR WORK AND YOUR EFFORT TO KEEP THIS MOVING

FORWARD. I MOVE THAT WE ACCEPT IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? DID WE GET COMMISSIONER RADACK

BACK? I AM IN FAVOR. >> STEVE RADACK: ARE YOU

THERE? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR YOU, COMMISSIONER.

>> STEVE RADACK: I COULDN'T HEAR WHAT YOU ARE VOTING ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE ARE VOTING ON THE CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE ITEM THAT BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAS BROUGHT TO THE COURT.

IT IS PAGE 2 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND ITEM 17.

>> STEVE RADACK: LET ME LOOK AT SOMETHING. CAN WE GO BACK TO THAT IN A

MINUTE? CAN WE MOVE ON PLEASE? >> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE'LL GO BACK TO THAT. THE OTHER ONE, JAMES, WAS THE PHONE CALLS.

SO ITEM 18 IS MODIFYING THE RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THAT WOULD BE IN AGREEMENT

WITH BAKER RIP -- RIPLEY. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT SURE IF COMMISSIONER RADACK IS STILL THERE, BUT WE HAD THE VOTE ON THE SECURES ACT THROUGH SEPTEMBER. I THINK YOU WANTED TO INCLUDE HIM ON THAT VOTE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. I WAS JUST WAITING FOR HIM TO TELL US HE IS GOOD TO VOTE EYE ITEMS. COMMISSIONER RADACK, DO YOU WANT US TO UPDATE YOU ON THOSE TWO? THAT YOU MISSED? IT SOUNDED LIKE COMMISSION --

LIKE HE NEEDED A MINUTE. WE WILL COME BACK TO THAT. >> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE ON THE

-- I'M AN I ON THE INMATE PHONE CALL. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

THANK YOU. SO THAT WOULD BE UNANIMOUS. AND SO NOW WE JUST HAVE THE CHILD CARE ITEM. DID ANYBODY HAVE SOMETHING ON THE EDITS TO THE BAKER RIPLEY

AGREEMENT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE IT OR SECOND IT IF ECONOMICS -- IF

COMMISSIONER GARCIA WANTS TO MAKE A MOVEMENT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR TOO.

MOTION CARRIES. >> JUDGE IS THAT UNANIMOUS OR 4-0?

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THOUGHT I HEARD COMMISSIONER RADACK I. >> STEVE RADACK: RADACK IS I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS UNANIMOUS. COMMISSIONER RADACK, ARE YOU GOOD TO VOTE ON THE CHILD CARE ITEM? STEVE I AM I ON THE --

>> STEVE RADACK: I AM AN I ON THE CHILD CARE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT IS UNANIMOUS AS WELL, JAMES. ITEM 13 ON PAGE 2 OF THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA IS ON THE DIGITAL ACCESS PROGRAM. THIS ONE, I HAD A CONVERSATION WITH GUIDE HOUSE OVER THE WEEKEND AND THE CONCERN IS THAT THERE HAS BEEN SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES THAT ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR CONTROL. WE GET THAT. THE INTENT OF THE PROGRAM WAS NOT NECESSARILY THE SUCCESS OF THE TEA PROGRAM OR THE SUCCESS OF THE T-MOBILE PROGRAM, BUT SIMPLY MAKING SURE THAT CHILDREN HAVE THEIR DEVICES AND THEIR HOTSPOTS.

SO I ASKED GUIDE HOUSE AT THE LAST COURT AND I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THIS WEEKEND IS IF THEY COULD COME BACK WITH EXACTLY WHAT THE GAPS ARE RIGHT NOW AND WHICH ONES WE SHOULD PRIORITIZE IN MEETING AND WHAT WE CAN DO AT COMMISSIONER'S COURT ABOUT THAT. SO GUIDE HOUSE, IF YOU WOULD WALK US THROUGH AND WITH AN

[01:50:01]

ON THE GAPS THAT EXIST. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THIS IS G -- GUIDE -- GUIDE HOUSE. WE SENT A BRIEF TO YOUR OFFICE AS WELL AS THE COMMISSIONERS.

WE WILL GIVE UH QUICK OVERVIEW AND THEN TALK ABOUT THE ACTION ITEMS. IF YOU LOOK AT WHAT WE SUBMITTED, THE GOOD NEWS IS THROUGH OPERATION CONNECTIVE TEE THERE WERE 63,000 HOTSPOTS REQUESTED BY THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

100% OF THEM HAVE BEEN DELIVERED OR ARE IN TRANSIT AS WE SPEAK TODAY.

THAT'S THE GOOD NEWS WHEN IT COMES TO THOSE. WHEN IT COMES TO LAPTOPS, A THIRD OF THEM HAVE BEEN DELIVERED AND ABOUT 57% WILL BE DELIVERED IN THE NEXT FOUR WEEKS. SAME THING BY NOVEMBER YOU HAVE 75% OF THE LAPTOPS DELIVERED WHICH LEAVES THE LAST 25% WHICH IS ABOUT 48,000 LAPTOPS, THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICT SELECTED INTENTIONALLY EVEN THOUGH THEY WERE GIVEN AN OPTION TO CHOOSE ANOTHER DEVICE. HOPEFULLY AT A HIGH LEVEL, THE SUPPLY CHAIN THAT THE STATE AND THE PA A PROGRAM HAVE SET UP IS A PRETTY GOOD JOB. FOR CONNECTIVE TEE IT IS IF A CERTAIN SCHOOL DISTRICT IS HAVING ISSUES OR IF THEY HAVE OTHER CONCERNS WITH THE HOTSPOTS OR DEVICES OR EVEN IF THEY ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH HAVING TO TAG THE DEVICES AND PROVIDE THEM TO THE STUDENT, WE HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE THAT WE CAN REACH OUT AND KEEP A LOG OF ANY ISSUES THEY ARE FACING SO WE CAN ADDRESS THEM AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

AND THEN OF COURSE, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, ANOTHER ACTION ITEM IS THE HARRIS COUNTY, TALKING TO THE AGENCY AND IF THERE IS ANYWAY TO EXPEDITE BASED ON SEVERAL CONVERSATIONS AND IT SEEMS LIKE THEY ARE DOING EVERYTHING AND USING THEIR PURCHASING POWER TO BE ABLE TO EXPEW DIET THESE AS QUICKLY SH -- EXPEDITE THESE AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: JUST A QUESTION THERE BEFORE YOU CONTINUE.

SO THOSE -- I MAY BE MISUNDERSTANDING SOMETHING. >>> -- MY SENSE IS THAT THERE ARE -- THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE OFFERED CERTAIN DEVICES. YOU ARE TOLD DEVICE TYPE A IS GOING TO ARRIVE SOONER AND TYPE B WILL ARRIVE LATER. SOME SCHOOL DISTRICTS SELECTED TYPE B EVEN THOUGH THEY KNEW THAT IT WOULD MEAN THEY WON'T HAVE THE DEVICES UNTIL

NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER. THAT'S CORRECT, RIGHT? >> THAT IS CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN SEPARATELY I READ SOMEWHERE AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM NOT MISS UNDERRING ANYTHING THAT THE SCHOOL DISTRICTS WERE INVITED TO BE PART OF THE PROJECT CONNECTIVE TEE AND SOME OF THEM CHOSE TO PROCURE THEIR DEVICES OUTSIDE OF THE PROGRAM. SO NOT THROUGH TEA THAT CAUSED THE DELAYS AS WELL.

IS THAT ALSO THE CASE? >> IN VERY FEW CASE THAT'S IS THE CASE AS WELL, BUT -- BUT

THAT -- THAT IS THE MINORITY DO WE HAVE ANY DATA ON THAT? >> I AM HERE AND I AM HAPPY TO COMMENT. YES, THEY DID CHOOSE TO PURCHASE CERTAIN ITEMS. BUT IT WAS NOT WITH CONNECTIVITY. THAT WAS LUNCH -- LAUNCHED IN JULY. ANYBODY WHO PURCHASED THEIR ITEMS IN LATE MAY OR JUNE IN PREPARATION FOR THE SCHOOL YEAR WOULD HAVE HAPPENED BEFORE THEY HAD THIS OPPORTUNITY. A NUMBER OF THOSE ITEMS WERE NOT DELIVERED YET.

WE HAVE BEEN WORKING ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS FOR THOSE WHO SAID THEY HAVE NOT RECEIVED THE OTHER PURCHASES SO WE CAN GO TO THE SUPPLIERS OURSELVES AND USE OUR LARGER PURCHASING POWER TO URGE THEM TO SPEED THOSE DELIVERIES UP WHERE WE CAN.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THEY KNEW THEY NEEDED HOWEVER MANY LAPTOPS, BUT DIDN'T REQUEST THEM THROUGH YOU BECAUSE THEY FIGURED THEY REQUESTED THEM AND THAT THEY WOULD ARRIVE,

BUT THEY DIDN'T. >> CORRECT. >> LINA HIDALGO: FOR EXAMPLE WHEN YOU SEE HERE ON SLIDE 22, HISD IS ONLY AT 33%. THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE MADE WHOLE UNTIL DECEMBER. IS THAT BECAUSE THEY REQUESTED THE HARDWARE THAT WAS GOING TO

ARRIVE LATER IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING? >> CORRECT.

[01:55:02]

ALTHOUGH WE SAY THEY ARE COMING IN IN DECEMBER RIGHT NOW, OUR HOPE IS THE SPECIALIZED DEVICES WILL BE ABLE TO BE HERE AT THE LATEST IN NOVEMBER.

YES, THE DISTRICT DID KNOW THAT THOSE WERE GOING TO BE DELAYED AS SPECIALIZED ITEMS.

>> AND SO THAT ONE IS ALSO -- THEY REQUESTED SPECIALIZED ITEMS.

>> A NUMBER ARE DEL CHROME BOOKS THAT WILL BE COMING IN LATE OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU HAVE PUT INTO THIS. EVEN OVER THE WEEKEND.

THEY MADE REFERENCE TO THE LEVERAGE BECAUSE OF THE SIGNIFICANT PURCHASING POWER DO YOU ALL THINK THIS WILL GET US AROUND THE PROBLEM? YOU HAVE KIDS AT HOME WHO DO NOT HAVE THE CONNECTIVE TEE. WILL YOUR PURCHASING CLOUT GET US AROUND THIS 1234*.

>> COMMISSIONER, I ANSWER THE QUESTION AND THEN GABBY AND TODD, FEEL FREE TO ADD IN.

ACTUALLY THROUGH THE STATE'S PURCHASING POWER WHEN IT COMES TO THE KEYBOARD-ENABLED DEVICES, ONCE THE CONNECTIVE TEE AND THE LAPTOP FROM THE T-MOBILE COMES THROUGH.

IT IS THE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF.

IT IS NOT A DEVICE ISSUE AT THIS POINT BECAUSE YOU ONLY HAVE A 5% GAP, AND A LOT OF THE 5% GAPS, SOME STUDENTS IN THE POPULATION QUALIFY AS ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED.

THE BIGGER ISSUE IS GOING TO BE THE CONNECTIVE TEE. WITH THE CONNECTION AS WELL AS THE PENAL PROGRAM, MOST HAVE ALREADY BEEN. YOU WOULD ONLY WOULD HAVE SOLVED 40% OF THE GAP. THAT IS A 60% GAP. SO IT LOOKS LIKE THE REASON WHY SCHOOL DISTRICTS DID NOT ORDER MORE HOTSPOTS, ONE IS BECAUSE A LOT OF SCHOOLS WERE ANTICIPATING REOPENING IN PERSON CLASSES, LIVE CLASSES. THAT KIND OF HELD THEM BACK.

THE SECOND REASON IS BEFORE HARRIS COUNTY DECIDED TO PAY IN THE 25% MATCH TO THE STATE PROGRAM THE SCHOOL HAD TO FUND THOSE HOTSPOTS THEMSELVES. THAT WAS A FACTOR IN NOT HAVING -- OR REQUESTING ADDITIONAL HOTSPOTS. AND 10 -- AND THEN OF COURSE THE THIRD THAT LEADS TO THE LONG-TERM INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUE IS THAT THERE ARE GOING TO BE SOME STUDENTS IN CERTAIN ZIP CODES WHERE EVEN IF THEY DO HAVE A HOTSPOT DEVICE, CELL PHONE COVERAGE IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE CLASSES CORRECTLY.

THESE ARE THE THREE FACTORS. I THINK THE PURCHASING POWER IS GREAT FOR THE DEVICES AND THERE IS A HUGE BACKLOG, OR THERE IS A BACKLOG IN THE SUPPLY CHAIN FOR KEYBOARD-ENABLD DEVICES. THE PROBLEMS WITH CONNECTIVE TEE IS HOW DO WE FIX THE 50 TO 60% OF THE STUDENTS WHO DO NOT HAVE HOTSPOTS? I THINK WE HAVE A COUPLE OF ACTION ITEMS TO DESCRIBE THAT AND ONE OF WHICH BEING RECOMMENDING THE SURVEY.

WE KNOW THEY ARE SENDING OUT A SURVEY TO GET MORE DATA. WE RECOMMENDED THE COUNTY CREATE A SURVEY SO ONCE WE ACCOUNT FOR THE PROGRAMS ALREADY IN EXISTENCE AND THE HOTSPOTS COMING THROUGH THEM, WHAT IS THE REMAINING UNMET NEED? ONCE WE CAN QUALIFY THE UNMET NEED, COMMISSIONER WHAT WE CAN DO ESPECIALLY IF THE SCHOOLS ARE STILL GOING TO BE FUNCTIONING REMOTELY AND IF COST WAS A LIMITING FACTOR YOU COULD STILL GET THE HOTSPOT. IT IS QUANTIFYING WHAT THE UNMET NEED IS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO MAKE SURE WHILE THE STATE MONEY IS AVAILABLE AND THE COUNTY IS STEPPING TO THIS SPACE AND WE WILL USE CARES MONEY TO DO IT, EVEN IF SOME

[02:00:10]

WE HAVE A PANDEMIC AND OF ALL THINGS IT GETS US AS CLOSE TO HITTING THE LAST AS POSSIBLE.

THE JUDGE AND NONE OF US HERE WANT TO MISS IT. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU CAN DO? YOU ALL LOOK AROUND THE COUNTRY SO YOU WOULD BE SMARTER. THERE ARE A LOT OF QUESTIONS. ANYTHING ELSE WE OUGHT TO DO?

>> YES, SIR. THE OTHER THING IS WE KNOW IF YOU ARE TRYING TO SOLVE THE ADDITIONAL DIVIDE AND ONE OF THE BIG ISSUES IS THE INFRASTRUCTURE WHICH IS GETTING CELL PHONES INSTALLED SO THERE ARE NO BLACKOUT ZONES OR TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO PUT TABLE -- CABLE. EVEN THOSE -- EVEN THOUGH THOSE ARE THE CORRECT SOLUTIONS, IF YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT SOLVING THIS PROBLEM FOR THE LONGER TERM FOR HARRIS COUNTY, YOU CAN START DOING CERTAIN THINGS WHEN IT COMES TO THAT -- WHEN IT COMES TO THE PERMANENT INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES THAT NEED TO BE MADE RIGHT NOW.

THAT'S GOING TO BE SIX MONTHS, 9 MONTHS AND GABBY CAN SPEAK TO THIS.

WE KNOW THE STATE IS ALSO LOOKING AT A LONGER TERM PLAY AND TALKING ABOUT THE INFRASTRUCTURE AND THE CABLE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE'S PROCESS

THERE? >> ABSOLUTELY. AND I THINK THERE IS A NEAR TERM TO THAT AND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION OF THE LONG OF IT -- LONG-TERM PART WITH THE INFRASTRUCTURE. THEY HAVE ACCESS TO EXISTING FIXED INTERNET AND INFRO STRUNG D.A. D.A. AND INFRASTRUCTURE AND CAN'T AFFORD IT.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE LOOKING AT RIGHT NOW IS TO FIND OUT EXACTLY WHERE THE STUDENTS LIVE AND HOW MANY OF THEM ARE THERE. THAT IS WORK GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND I AM WORKING WITH A NUMBER OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN HARRIS COUNTY AND HISD BEING A NUMBER OF STUDENTS QUALIFYING FOR THAT KIND OF A PLAN. ONCE YOU FILL IN IN HARRIS COUNTY, ALL OF THE STUDENTS WILL HAVE THE HOTSPOT AND THAT IS A MUCH SMALLER OF A PERCENTAGE IN THE STATE THAT ARE MAURY MOAT -- MORE REMOTE AND MORE RURAL.

SOME BEFORE DECEMBER 31ST. THEY LEVERAGED THE NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR THE LAST MONTH. ROTD

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LAST POINT, JUDGE. AS MUCH AS WE CAN DO IN THE LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE. AND KNOWING WE WILL HAVE MORE INFRASTRUCTURE, HAVE WE GOT A COMMISSIONER HERE WHO HAS HAD CONNECTIVE TEE PROBLEMS TOO -- TODAY.

WE ARE NOT GOING TO LOSE ANY MONEY. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE WE DON'T MEET AGAIN FOR A COUPLE WEEKS. EVERYTHING WE CAN DO WE ARE

DOING IT. >> COMMISSIONER THIS IS TODD HOFFMAN, PARTNER AT GUIDE HOUSE. AND GABBY, PLEASE AND THE COUNTY HAS DONE EVERYTHING IT CAN AS IT RELATES TO THE MATCH. I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- GABBY

IS THAT A FAIR STATEMENT? >> THE COUNTY HAS DONE 100% OF WHAT THE COUNTY CAN DO.

WHAT I AM HEARING IS IT IS LOOKING AT WHAT COMES NEXT. >> UNDERSTOOD.

I JUST WANTED TO HAVE THE MATCH PORTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I

[02:05:02]

I DON'T WANT TO LOSE SIGHT OF THE FACT THAT THIS IS THE STATE'S PROGRAM.

THE STATE SHOULD HAVE DONE WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT AND SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT IT OUT.

THEY SHOULD HAVE HAD SOMEONE LIKE YOURSELF AND YOUR TEAM THINKING THROUGH THE DETAILS AND TALKING IN ADVANCE WITH OTHERS THAT ARE THE MANUFACTURERS OF THESE DEVICES. THE STATE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PUTTING A LOT OF THOUGHT INTO THE FACT THAT THEY TURNED THE SWITCH AND GOT THEIR MONEY THAT THE DEVICES WILL BE LANDING AND THERE IS NO CHALLENGE WITH WHY PARENTS ARE CALLING ME IN MY OFFICE SAYING WHY DOES THE KID HAS AN IPAD OR LAPTOP AND MINE DOESN'T. THE STATE SHOULD HAVE DONE A BETTER JOB AT THINKING THROUGH ALL OF THE DETAILS ON THIS. AND RECOGNIZING EARLY ON IN THIS PANDEMIC THAT THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN SOME THOUGHT GIVEN TO CLASSROOMS AND WHAT OPENING SCHOOLS WAS GOING TO MEAN. AND WHAT THE TEACHING ENVIRONMENT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE. THAT IS A COMPLETE FAILURE ON THE STATE'S PART. THE SCHOOLS ARE A DIRECT ELEMENT OF THE STATE.

WE AGREED TO SUPPORT IN THIS ENDEAVOR. I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT AS MUCH AS I'M ALL IN TO ADDRESS THE DIGITAL DIVIDE, I AM JUST AS FRUSTRATED AS EVERYBODY ELSE. NOT NECESSARILY WITH GUIDE HOUSE, BUT I'M FRUSTRATED WITH THE STATE FOR FAILING TO ENGINEER THIS INITIATIVE AND IN GETTING ALL OF THOSE MANUFACTURERS TOGETHER EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GOING WITH NEW DEVICES AND NEVER REFURBISHED THE DEVICES. WE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL HANDS ON DECK.

AND WHEN I SAY WE, THE STATE. THE STATE SHOULD HAVE HAD ALL HANDS ON DECK.

WE ARE PIGGYBACKING ON THE STATE. THE STATE SHOULD HAD ALL OF THIS FIGURED OUT. THEY SHOULD HAVE UNDERSTOOD THE SUPPLY CHAIN CHALLENGES.

THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN THINKING IN MAY ABOUT WHAT AUGUST WAS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.

WHAT THE CHALLENGES WERE GOING TO BE AND THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN PREPARED FOR WHAT THE CHALLENGES OF BRINGING KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL WILL BE. I JUST WANT TO THROW THAT OUT THERE. I WANT GUIDE HOUSE TO HELP US FIGURE THAT OUT.

THE BLAME LIES SOMEWHERE ELSE AS TO WHY THOSE DEVICES ARE NOT HANDED TO THE KIDS WHO

NEED IT THE MOST. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS 1234*.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, IT IS A FAIR POINT. OBVIOUSLY THE PURCHASING POWER OF THE STATE OF TEXAS IS GREATER THAN THAT. SOME OF OUR FRIENDS ARE DOING

SO -- SPENDING TIME -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA, YOU ARE UNMUTED.

RODRIGUEZ

>> RODNEY ELLIS: LOOK, IT IS A FAIR POINT. I THINK THE COUNTY HAS BEEN VERY TRANSPARENT ABOUT HOW WE HAVE BEEN SPENDING THIS MONEY.

I MADE A COMMENT TO THE JUDGE A COUPLE DAYS AGO THAT EVEN WHEN SHE PUT IT OUT, I FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT IT ON MY WEBSITE. I CHALLENGE MY OTHER PARTNERS IN GOVERNMENT TO BE AS TRANSPARENT ABOUT WHERE THE MONEY HAS BEEN GOING.

WE DIDN'T HAVE TO STEP INTO THIS SPACE, BY THE WAY. YOU TOOK THE LEAD TO GO OUT AND CLOSE THINGS DOWN AND YOU ARE TAKING THE LEAD ON PUTTING THIS MONEY UP.

TELL THE SCHOOLS YOU ARE GOING TO FIGURE IT OUT. IT IS GOOD WE DID THAT.

I SPENT A LITTLE TIME IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND IT IS AMAZING HOW GREAT A CONNECTIVE TEE IN CERTAIN PARTS OF THE DEVELOPING WORLD BECAUSE WE HAVE LAND LINES AND WE STUCK WITH THEM. THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY WITH THIS STATE DEAL AND I HOPE IT WILL LEAD TO PRESS COVERAGE. WHERE IS THE STATE MONEY BY THE WAY.

GUIDE HOUSE, THAT'S WHY WE HAVE YOU HERE. IT IS NOT TO BLAME YOU, BUT, YOU KNOW, I AM BLAMING THE PROBLEM WITH IT IS THERE. SOME KID WITHOUT CONNECTIVE

[02:10:02]

AS YOU SAID MANY TIMES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE DON'T WANT TO GO AND SAY, TALK TO THEM WE WANT TO PUT THE PRESSURE ON IT. WHAT ARE THE PROPOSALS?

>> I AM LOOKING AT THIS AND I THINK PUTTING APPRECIATE OTHER GUIDE HOUSE TO TRY TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS REALLY NOT CONTRACTUALLY WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO BE DOING.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES CAN DO A LOT ON THIS HOTSPOT DEAL. UNIVERSAL SERVICES TOOK CARE OF THAT WHEN IT CAME TO PUBLIC SAFETY. I DON'T SEE WHY WE ARE POUNDING ON GUIDE HOUSE. SO FAR AS I'M CONCERNED WE EITHER TRY TO DO IT IN HOUSE WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES, OR Y'ALL CAN CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT THE STATE.

BUT THIS IS NOT GUIDE HOUSE'S PROBLEM. IF THEY TOOK THE TIME TO HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS, YOU KNOW, SORT OF SHIRKING, THAT'S SOMETHING TO KEEP IN MIND.

THE POINT IS BESIDES WHO SOLVES IT. WHOEVER THINKS THEY CAN OR SHOULD DO SNG, THE POINT IS WHAT IS THE THING WE ARE DOING.

WHAT I HEARD IN REVIEWING THE POWER POINT IS HAVING A CENTRALIZED I THINK -- WE WERE JUST COVERING IT AS A REPOSSIBLE TORE AND -- A REPOSITORY AND A SCHOOL WHO IS HAVING ISSUES CAN REACH US. THAT MAKES SENSE IN TERMS OF OBTAINING THEIR DEVICES.

THAT'S THE REPOSITORY FOR THE TROUBLESHOOTING OF DEVICES. AND THEN THERE IS THE SPEEDING UP OF DELIVERIES FOR THE SCHOOLS THAT REQUESTED THE DEVICES OUTSIDE THE PROGRAM.

THAT'S GOOD. BUT IT SOUNDS LIKE THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS STILL CONNECTIVE TEE. WE ARE DOING A SURVEY, BUT WHEN IS THE SURVEY GOING TO BE DONE? WHO IS DOING IT? DO YOU NEED UNIVERSAL SERVICES? DO WE NEED TO EXPAND THE SCOPE? WHAT DO WE NEED TO DO, AND THEN IN THE MEANTIME, WHO WILL GO AND DEAL WITH THE CONNECTIVE TEE ISSUES. YOU PUT SOMETHING ABOUT USING COMMUNITY CENTERS.

SO JUST WANTED TO GO OVER THAT. >> ABSOLUTELY, COMMISSIONER.

WE HAD RECOMMENDED TO THE COUNTY PROBABLY A COUPLE WEEKS AGO TO PUT A SURVEY OUT.

I THINK THERE WAS A LITTLE THESE DENSE ARE REGION 4 AND THE STATE.

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

PRECINCT TWO HAS IMPLEMENTED THE SOLUTION. THE NEXT IS WE TALKED ABOUT THIS FROM GLOBAL REACH WHERE YOU CAN OUTFIT BUSES WITH HOTSPOTS.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT THE HOTSPOTS THAT CAN PROVIDE ACCESS TO THE AREAS OR HOUSES THAT DON'T HAVE IT. FOR ALL OF THIS WORK WE NEED DATA, JUDGE.

WE NEED DATA FROM THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO TELL US WHERE ARE THE KIDS AND GABBY JUST MENTIONED SHE IS WORKING WITH THE SCHOOL DISTRICT TO GET THE DATA.

WHERE IS THE SCHOOL LIVING THAT YOU NEED THIS EXTRA ATTENTION.

ONCE WE GET THAT DATA THEN WE CAN WORK WITH YOU AND THE COUNTY AND DEFINITELY USING

CARES FUNDS FOR THAT. >> IF I MAY, JUDGE, THIS IS TODD, ONE OF THE THINGS WITH GLOBAL REACH, AND WE HAVE BEEN IN CONVERSATION WITH THEM. THEY ARE GOING TO PROVIDE AND

[02:15:08]

WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT IT A LITTLE MORE BROADLY AND ACTUALLY WORK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO TRY TO UNDERSTAND THE ZIP CODES. AND THEN MARRY THAT TO THE DATA ROB IS SPEAKING OF, AND THEN WE CAN GET REAL DETAILED WITH WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE

NEXT. >> COMETIONER ELLIS AND -- COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> I WANT TO SAY THE BROADER ISSUE THAT THEY RAISE ABOUT UNIVERSAL SERVICES, I FOR ONE WILL BE SUPPORTIVE OF GIVING THEM THE FUNDING IF YOU HAVE A PLAN TO DO IT. YOU CAN'T ON ONE HAND CHALLENGE SOMEONE TO DO IT AND THEN NOT GIVE THEM THE FUNDING. IT SOUNDS LIKE IT WON'T BE

CARES FUNDING. IT WOULD BE A GREAT LEGACY. >> COMMISSIONER RADACK AND

THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> STEVE RADACK: TODD, ARE YOU THERE?

>> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS STEVE RADACK.

IF YOU TALK TO OLD RICK OVER THERE AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES BEFORE BRUCE HYDE LEFT HE HAD DEVELOPED A PLAN TO TAKE CARE OF THAT. IF YOU TALK -- IF OLD RICK WOULD TALK TO SOME OF HIS EMPLOYEES, THE PLAN IS THERE AND CAN BE IMPLEMENTED BY

UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO DO IT. >> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD,

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

SORT OF ON THAT POINT, I MEAN, WHEN I RAISED THE ISSUE WITH USING FIRST NET, THE ONLY THING THE PREVIOUS GUIDE SAID WAS IT COULDN'T BE DONE. I WANT TO -- AND I HAVE HAD CONVERSATIONS WITH THE FOLKS WHO ARE THE HOLDERS OF FIRST NET.

FIRST NET IS THE PUBLIC SAFETY BAND FOR EMERGENCIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

I WANT TO ASK ROBERT IF THERE IS SOME LEGAL ACTION THAT WE CAN TAKE TO OPEN THAT UP.

I KNOW IT IS ONLY FOR PUBLIC SAFETY. I GET IT.

THIS IS A DECLARED EMERGENCY. AND I JUST WANT TO ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION AS TO HOW WE CAN OPEN UP FIRST NET TO USE IT FOR CONNECTIVE TEE PURPOSES STRICTLY DURING THE EMERGENCY OF COVID-19 AND AS IT RELATES TO EDUCATION. I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE LEGAL ACTION IS. DO YOU NEED A VOTE FOR A RESOLUTION? I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO ELEVATE THIS CONVERSATION. WHEN THERE WAS A DIRECTOR OF UNIVERSAL SERVICES YOU SAY, OH, THANK YOU. IT IS A LOT OF NON-ANSWER AND THERE IS ONLY ONE THING -- THERE IS NOTHING WE CAN DO. AND I LOOK AND SEE IF IT IS A FEASIBLE PLAN. I REALLY THINK WE NEED TO PUSH THE ENVELOPE TO OPEN UP FIRST NET AND -- I MEAN, REALLY CHALLENGE IT. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS A LAWSUIT WE NEED TO FILE. ROBERT, CAN YOU RESPOND TO THAT AND WHERE WE CAN

POTENTIALLY TAKE THAT? >> SCOTT LAMOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK WE

NEED -- >> WE ARE HAVING A BAD DAY. THIS IS ROBERT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, ROBERT. >> SORRY.

I DON'T HAVE VIDEO. COMMISSIONER, WE ARE HAPPY TO LOOK AT THAT AND STUDY IT.

I DON'T KNOW IF WE NEED PARTICULAR ACTION FROM THE COURT TODAY, BUT IT IS A GOOD FOINT AND WE WILL -- BUT IT IS A GOOD POINT AND WE WILL WORK WITH UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND

SEE WHAT STRATEGIES WE CAN DEVELOP. >> STEVE RADACK: ROBERT, THIS IS RADACK. FIRST NET IS BASICALLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

IT IS FOR EMERGENCY STUFF. IT IS FOR EMERGENCY STUFF. FIRST NET IS NOT GOING TO DO SCHOOL DISTRICTS. IF Y'ALL GET WITH RICK AND GET WITH PEOPLE AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES THERE IS ALREADY A PLAN THERE TO IMPLEMENT IT. FIRST NET IS GO -- FIRST NET

[02:20:04]

>> LINA HIDALGO: A PLAN FOR WHAT? THERE IS ALREADY A PLAN TO

IMPLEMENT. >> STEVE RADACK: THERE IS A PLAN ON CONNECTIVE TEE THAT IS ALREADY THERE THAT HE HAD DEVELOPED JUST BEFORE Y'ALL FIRED HIM.

IT DIDN'T TAKE PLACE BECAUSE HE IS GONE AND YOU HAVE A NEW LEADER OVER THERE.

AT ANY RATE THEY HAVE WHAT THEY NEED. THERE ARE PEOPLE AT UNIVERSAL SERVICES AND HE WAS MADE TO DO IT. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS ASK SOMEBODY AROUND THERE. RICK CAN ASK HIM. THEY WILL TELL HIM THAT THERE

IS A PLAN THAT WILL WORK. >> I HAVE A QUICK QUESTION FOR GUIDE HOUSE AND MAYBE A PROPOSED MOTION. JUST SO I UNDERSTAND ON THE ONE HAPPENED YOU ARE SAYING THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHUNK OF DEVICES AND THE HOTSPOTS HAVE BEEN DELIVERED.

THERE IS A GOOD CHUNK OF DEVICE THAT'S ARE NOT GOING TO BE DELIVERED UNTIL DECEMBER.

ON THE OTHER HAND YOU SAID IT IS THE HOTSPOTS BECAUSE THE SCHOOLS DIDN'T ORDER ENOUGH AND BECAUSE WE HAVE THIS CELL TOWER ISSUE. CAN YOU TELL ME WHY THESE MISSING DEVICES ARE NOT A PROBLEM? I UNDERSTAND WHY THE HOTSPOTS THAT WERE NEVER ORDERED AND THE CELL TOWER ISSUES ARE AN IRN Y, BUT WHY IS IT NOT -- ARE AN ISSUE, BUT WHY IS IT NOT A PROBLEM THAT THEY WON'T GET THEIR DEVICES UNTIL

NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER? >> THE FACT IS THAT WE WILL LOOK AT THIS AND EVEN IF WE LOOK AT THIS AND IT IS BETWEEN NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AND THERE IS A LOT OF PRESSURE WE ARE PUTTING TO GET THE DEVICE QUICKER. AND SO FAR IT IS 100% OF THE IPADS DELIVERED. EVERYTHING IS COMING EARLIER THAN EXPECTED.

THESE ARE BECAUSE OF WHAT THE STATE HAS PUBLISHED. BUT THEY ARE COMING IN SOONER AND THAT'S WHAT WE MEAN BY THE PURCHASING POWER. AND WHAT I MEAN BY THIS NOT BEING A PROBLEM, JUDGE. WE HAVE ACQUIRED THE DEVICE. ONCE THE DEVICES DO ARRIVE, THEN 95% OF ALL OF THE STUDENTS WOULD BE COVERED. AND THAT'S WHAT WE SEE IS THAT WE SHOULD CLOSE THE GAP. I'M SORRY. GO AHEAD.

>> I WANT TO INTERJECT THAT THE PERFECT EXAMPLE IS -- OF ONE OTHER PIECE OF THIS IS HISD. AND DISTRICTS HAD DEVICES PRIOR TO COVID.

ALL THAT GOES INTO IT IS WHAT HAS BEEN ACQUIRED BEFORE COVID.

THERE WAS A DEVICE FOR EVERY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT IN HISD ALREADY THROUGH THEIR HIGH SCHOOL IN THE PROGRAM. THERE ARE A NUMBER OF DISTRICT THAT'S ORDERED THE DEVICE THAT'S ARE COMING LATER THAT THEY KNEW ABOUT AND THEY WERE DOING THAT KNOWING THEY WOULD

HAVE ONE TO ONE COVERAGE. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS SAYS DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN AND IT SOUNDS LIKE ON THE DEVICE FRONT YOU HAVE. I WANT TO MAKE SURE WE ARE NOT SITTING HERE ON THE SURVEY. WHAT I WOULD SAY IS PERHAPS FOR A MOTION IS FOR UNIVERSAL SERVICES TO WORK WITH GUIDE HOUSE AND THE COUNTY ATTORNEY TO BRING PROPOSALS FORGETTING CONNECTIVE TEE TO STUDENTS IN AREAS OF NEED INCLUDING EXPLORING FIRST NET AS AN OPTION. I THINK MY BIGGER POINT IS WE NEED TO PARTNER WITH NONPROFITS TO DO ASSESSMENTS. THERE IS SENDING FOLKS OUT TO DO CALLS.

DO OUR OWN SURVEYS EVEN IF MAYBE IT IS NOT USEFUL TO GO THROUGH THE DISTRICTS.

THEY ARE OVERWHELMED SO WE CAN GO TO THE HOMES. I DON'T KNOW.

IT SEEMS THAT OUR WORK ON THE BACK END, RIGHT, TALK TO THE CELL PROVIDERS AND FIGURE OUT WHERE THERE IS THE BLACKOUT AREAS. THERE HAS TO BE A WAY FOR US TO ESTIMATE ROUGHLY WHERE THE NEED IS. AND THEN GO AND ZONE IN AND

VERIFY THE -- VERIFY IT A LITTLE BETTER. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I

SECOND YOUR MOTION. IF YOU MAKE IT, I SECOND IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: UNIVERSAL SERVICES KNOWS THAT STUFF.

THE COST IS ABOUT $2 MILLION. YOU DON'T NEED TO SURVEY IT. THEY ALREADY HAVE IT.

[02:25:02]

THE PLAN IS THERE. THEY JUST HAVE TO IMPLEMENT IT.

>> WE WOULD GO BACK TO UNIVERSAL SERVICES, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. AGAIN, I I WOULD JUST SAY -- I WOULD JUST I AM GLAD THERE IS A PLAN SOMEWHERE AND WE DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

IT IS WORKED ON WITH THE 311 SYSTEM. THAT WE HAD LAST YEAR.

I JUST WANT TO FIRST SAY THAT THE STATE IS SITTING ON ABOUT $5 MILLION.

THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN PUT TO WORK TO ADDRESS THIS EARLY ON.

THIS IS NOT DIRECTED AT YOU AND SO I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR GOOD WORK HERE IN HELPING US ADDRESS THIS. WE HAVE SITTING ON $5 MILLION AND THAT MONEY COULD HAVE BEEN PUT TO WORK, AND THIS PROBLEM COULD HAVE BEEN A NONCONVERSATION.

I JUST WANT TO MAKE THAT CLEAR. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I THINK WE -- I DON'T HAVE THE EXACT LANGUAGE FOR YOUR MOTION, BUT I THINK IT CAN ACCOMPLISH SOME SECRET PLAN OVER THERE AND THAT CAN BE PART OF IT. I SECOND YOUR MOTION.

I DON'T HAVE A PROBLEM AND I SECOND THE MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS THE UNIVERSAL SERVICES WORKING WITH GUIDE HOUSE AND I BRING BACK THE PROPOSAL FOR THE NEXT COURT. IT IS GIVING CONNECTIVE TEE TO STUDENTS IN AREAS OF NEED INCLUDING FIRST NET AS AN OPTION. AND SO THERE IS A MOTION AND

SECONDED. ALL IN FAVOR? >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? EXPHITIONER CAGLE --

COMMISSIONER CAGLE DID YOU VOTE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS AN I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU TO GUIDE HOUSE FOR YOUR UPDATES AND WORK IN GUIDE HOUSE AND IT IS CLEARLY. LET OUTS -- LET US KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE WE CAN DO TO TWEAK IT SO WE CAN GET THIS CONNECTIVE TEE ISSUE

ADDRESSED. >> THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE.

>> THANK YOU. >> TAKE CARE, THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WAS --

THOSE ARE THE COVID ITEMS. BEFORE MOVING TO THE AGENDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE MOVED THEM. WAS COMMISSIONER CAGLE READY ON THAT ONE? DID HE GET HIS INFORMATION? THERE WAS ONE LEFT OUT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS THE ELECTION GRANT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WE CAN DO IT

LATER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE BEEN A LITTLE BUSY.

I HAVE THIS THING CALLED COMMISSIONER'S COURT I WAS WORKING ON.

MY TEAM HAS GOTTEN SOME INFORMATION. THESE GRANTS ARE NATIONALLY -- [INAUDIBLE] THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME PARTISAN SHIP ASPECTS TO THIS THAT ARE A LITTLE

TROUBLING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T WANT TO HOLD IT UP, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY I WOULD LIKE TO VOTE ON IT. I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE END OF THE COURT. MAYBE DURING THE PUBLIC SESSION YOU CAN TAKE A LOOK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S START WITH THE REGULAR AGENDA AT COUNTY ENGINEER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE I HAD THAT ONE -- WAS THAT A COVID ITEM?

NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. COUNTY ENGINEER.

[I. Departments (Part 2 of 3)]

TOLL ROAD. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I HAVE AN ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S ALL RIGHT. WE CAN COME BACK.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: WHAT PAGE? ON PAGE 5, I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS ITEM AND I AM GOING TO ASK FOR NO ACTION OR TO HOLD IT. WE HAVE ALL OF THE TOOLS NECESSARY TO DO THE RIGHT THINGS AND SUPPOSEDLY THE STUDY THIS IS COMING FROM ELUDES TO SOMETHING ELSE, BUT

I AM GOING TO HOLD THIS ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT IS ITEM -- WHERE IS THAT

[02:30:14]

COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: WHAT ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: I TESTIMONY R

ON PANEL 5 -- ITEM R ON PAGE 5. >> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT.

AND YOU -- THE REQUEST IS FROM COMMISSIONER GAR -- GARCIA IS JUST THAT WE TAKE NO ACTION AT

THIS TIME? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I'M HOLDING THE ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO ACTION FOR THE LEGAL PURPOSES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M OKAY.

>> LINA HIDALGO: FOOD CONTROL DISTRICT. FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT.

ACTUALLY, WE HAVE TO CELEBRATE PROJECT GRAY DID WELL. TOLL ROAD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: ON PAGE 7 AND ITEM E3 I BELIEVE IT IS A NO ON THIS ITEM AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. PAGE 7 THERE IS NO ACTION.

AND TOLL ROAD, THERE IS ALSO A REQUEST FOR NO ACTION. THAT'S ON PAGE 8.

>> JUDGE, WE DO HAVE SPEAKERS ON THE ITEMS AND THEY ARE LINED UP.

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, LUCINDA. THANK YOU.

>> BECKY E DIS M --ED MONSON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> HI, GOOD AFTERNOON.

JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A BRIEF MOMENT TO SAY I AGREE WITH THE JUDGE. PROJECT BRAVE FUNCTIONED SO WELL DURING TROPICAL STORM BETA AND WE THANK HARRIS COUNTY FOR ALL OF THE WORK THAT HAS BEEN DONE ON THE WATER SHED. I AM BECKY EDMONSON AND I AM WITH THE IMPROVEMENT CORPORATION AND A CO-PRESIDENT OF THE SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD. I HAVE LIVED WITHIN TWO MILES OF THE PROPOSED TOLL ROAD EXTENSION FROM -- FOR ALMOST 60 YEARS.

I AM REALLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS AREA AND THE TRAFFIC SITUATION.

I AM HERE TODAY TO TELL YOU I BELIEVE THIS TOLL ROAD EXTENSION IS A BAD IDEA.

OTHERS WILL SPEAK ABOUT QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE IMPACT ON OUR 300-ACRE JEWEL.

I WANT TO TALK ABOUT OUR AREA NEIGHBORHOODS. THAT'S WHAT SOUTHWEST HOUSTON IS ALONG THIS CORRIDOR. THE ORIGINAL HOUSTON SUBURBS BACK IN THE 50S AND THE 60S WAS FULL OF MEADOWS DOWN DOWN TO -- DOWN TO HIGHLAND. IT IS ALL THE WAY TO BELT WAY 8. AIR QUALITY WILL DECLINE AND TUITION WILL GO UP.

THERE WILL BE LITTER, PROSTITUTION, VIA GRANN SEE AND -- VAGRANCY AND MORE.

AND OUR SURFACE STREETS WILL BECOME MORE CROWDED. WORST OF ALL IT WILL EXTEND THE FREEWAY. IF THERE IS ANYTHING ABOUT COVID THERE IS WAY LESS TRAFFIC. IN DECEMBER OF 2019, THEY REPORTED THAT FOR THE FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW THEY HAVE BEEN CROWNED THE MOST CON -- CONGESTED HIGHWAY SEGMENT IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. IT IS IN THE WHOLE STATE. AND IT IS FROM THE TOLLWAY AND IT COMES TO THE 10. IT IS NOT A WELL THOUGHT OUT OR WELL-RESEARCHED PLAN.

AND JUST BECAUSE SOMEBODY HAS MONEY TO SPEND IT DOESN'T MEAN IT SHOULD BE BUILT.

I RESPECTFULLY ASK THAT YOU NOT SUPPORT THE BILL -- BUILD THIS EXTENSION OF THE ROAD.

IT NOT ONLY WOULD NOT HELP THE PARENTS, BUT IT WILL HURT THE QUALITY OF LIFE.

THANK YOU. STEVE MA'AM, THIS IS STEVE RADACK.

ARE YOU THERE? >> COMMISSIONER RADACK, YES. >> STEVE RADACK: MANY, MANY

[02:35:03]

I GUESS THEY CONTINUE TO LOOK. AS YOU CAN SEE SINCE IT WAS TALKED ABOUT MANY, MANY YEARS AGO THERE HAS BEEN NO ACTION TO BUILD IT.

I TOTALLY AGREE THAT IT IS NOT NECESSARY, AND IT WOULD HAVE A DETRIMENTAL EFFECT IN THE AREA. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THERE IS NO REASON FOR THAT PROJECT TO PROCEED. IT REALLY HAS NEVER BECOME A PROJECT.

IT WAS JUST FRANKLY A LINE ON A PIECE OF PAPER. IT HAS BEEN LIKE THAT FOR A LONG, LONGTIME. I IMAGINE THAT LINE WILL STAY THERE, BUT I SEE NO REASON FOR ANY CONSTRUCTION TO TAKE PLACE. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN PETER KEY FOR A MINUTE. IT GOES THROUGH MY PRECINCT AS WELL.

IT HAS BEEN IN DISCUSSION, AS COMMISSIONER RADACK SAID, FOR 20 YEARS.

THERE WAS NEGATIVE FEEDBACK FROM THE COMMUNITY. THERE WAS A PAUSE ON THIS PROJECT RVEGHTS -- AND THEN IN 2018 IT WAS RE -- RESTARTED. THERE IS NOTHING THAT SAYS THE COMMUNITY INPUT HAS CHANGED. WHAT I DO AT THE END OF THE DISCUSSION IS MAKE THIS MOTION AND I HOPE COMMISSIONER RADACK WILL SECOND. IT I MOVE THIS COURT DIRECT THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY NOT TO PROCEED WITH THE DEVELOPMENT OF A TOLL -- TOLL ROAD UNLESS THE TOLL ROAD AUTHORITY RECEIVES EXPLICIT COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL

TO DEVELOP THIS PROJECT. I WOULD LIKE PETER -- >> STEVE RADACK: I SECOND YOUR

MOTION RIGHT NOW. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. PETER IF YOU ARE THERE.

>> THIS IS PETER KEY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WERE MY COMMENTS CORRECT THAT IT WAS HALTED AND THEN STARTED UP IN 2018? I I WAS NOT ASKED PRIOR TO BEING OVER THERE WHAT MY THOUGHTS WERE. IT IS JUST HAPPENING.

IS THAT YOUR UNDERSTANDING? >> AS YOU AND COMMISSIONER RADACK STATED THEY BELIEVE SOME OF THE NEWSPAPER STUFF, THERE WAS MENTION OF A HIGHWAY BACK IN THE 60S, BUT IT TOOK ON THE ASSUMPTION OF THE TOLL ROAD ABOUT 2,000. AND IN 2007, THE PROJECT WAS GRANDFATHERED IN STATE LAW AS A HARRIS COUNTY TOLL ROAD PROJECT.

THE COUNTY ENGINEER BACK AROUND 2010 MADE THE STATEMENT THAT UNLESS IT CAN BE TO CONFIRM THAT THIS TOLL ROAD WOULD NOT ADD TO CONGESTION LEVELS ON THE WEST LOOP AND THE SOUTH LOOP, THE COUNTY IS NOT GOING TO PROCEED ON IT. THE AGENCY DID NOT MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT. AND THEN IN 2 -- IN 2018 THEY HIRED A CONSULTANT TO LOOK AT VARIOUS SCHEMATICS ON HOW IT COULD BE BUILT. ALL OF WHICH WOULD TAKE RIGHT OF WAY. SOME OF WHICH WOULD INVOLVE HAVING AN ELEVATED TOLL ROAD ADJACENT TO NEIGHBORHOODS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR DECADES. GEE IS NOT CANCELED THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR THE PROJECT, BUT BACK IN THE SPRINGTIME WE ASKED THE PROJECT WE STOPPED. FROM A POLICY PER SEEK -- PERSPECTIVE WE NEED GUIDANCE AND WHETHER TO PROCEED WITH THE PROJECT OR JUST STOP THE PROJECT.

>> I HOPE MY STAFF IS SENDING IT AROUND THAT YOU WOULD CAN SELL THE ENGINEERING CONTRACT,

IS THAT CORRECT? >> YES, SIR. >> AND I WON'T DO IT NOW, COMMISSIONER RADACK, BECAUSE I WANT TO LET THESE OTHER FOLKS SPEAK.

MOST WILL APPRECIATE THE MOTION. FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, WHO IF ANYBODY WOULD BENEFIT FROM THAT BEING A TOLL ROAD? WOULD ANYBODY IN HARRIS COUNTY

BENEFIT FIRST OF ALL? AND THEN WHO WOULD BENEFIT? >> I WENT TO PUBLIC MEETINGS OUT THERE MANY MOONS AGO AND DIDN'T FIND MANY PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY THAT WANTED SUCH A PROJECT. IF YOU GET OUT A MAP YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS CALLED THE FOUR

[02:40:04]

A HIGHWAY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I APPRECIATE IT.

I WAS WITH OUR GOOD FRIENDS, SOME EFFECTED OFFICIALS, THIS WEEKEND FOR 31 MILES ON A BICYCLE. I GUESS I SO HAVE MENTIONED TO THEM THAT I WAS GOING TO MAKE THIS MOTION. THEY DIDN'T BRING IT UP, AND I DIDN'T BRING IT UP.

I APPRECIATE THE SECOND FROM COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: PETER, YOU MAY FIND OVER THERE ONE DAY IN SOME DRAWER THERE WAS ACTUALLY A PLAN THAT WAS DISCUSSED TO BUILD A TOLL ROAD NEAR K -- NEAR KEEGAN'S BAYOU AND BUILD A ROAD ELEVATED ON TOP OF BRAZE BAYOU INTO THE MEDICAL CENTER AREA. IF YOU FIND THAT PLAN LAYING

AROUND THERE, YOU MIGHT WANT TO CANCEL THAT TOO. >> COMMISSIONER, I HAVE HEARD THAT MULTIPLE TIMES, AND I HAVE LOOKED FOR SUCH A WILD IDEA.

IF WE DO FIND IT, WE WILL BRING IT TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS IN UNIVERSE SERVICES PLAN. >> STEVE RADACK: ONE THING ABOUT UNIVERSAL SERVICES PLAN, IS IT DID GREAT UNTIL YOU SHOWED UP.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUST LIKE PEOPLE SOFT DID AND JUST LIKE SUPERION DID.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE MORE PUBLIC SPEAKERS, IS THAT RIGHT, LUCINDA?

>> YES, MA'AM. CINDY CHAPMAN WITH WEST BURR RECIVIC CLUB.

>> CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

MY NAME IS CINDY CHAPMAN AND I AM THE PRESIDENT OF THE WESTBURG CIVIC CLUB THAT SERVES 5,000 HOMES IN SOUTHWEST HOUSTON. I LIVED IN WEST BURR REFOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS AND I AM A CO-PRESIDENT OF A SUPER NEIGHBORHOOD.

ABOUT A YEAR AGO I PARTICIPATED IN A MEETING FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY LEADERS REGARDING A POSSIBLE FUTURE TOLL ROAD TO CONNECT THE PORTMAN COUNTY TOLL ROAD TO THE 610 WEST LOOP. AFTER ATTENDING THE MEETING I STILL HAD MANY CONCERNS AND UNANSWERED QUESTIONS. THE ENTIRE TIME I LIVED IN HOUSTON THE WEST LOOP HAD MAJOR TRAFFIC PROBLEMS. FOR MANY YEARS IT WAS CONSIDERED A BAD IDEA AND IT IS A BAD IDEA TO BRING A TOLL ROAD TO CONNECT. ADDITIONALLY THE PRELIMINARY TOLL ROAD DESIGN I SAW AND IT IS OVER THE NEEDS OF THE MANY LOCAL RESIDENCIES IN SOUTH POST OAK. MY HUSBAND AND I USE IT FREQUENTLY.

I AND OTHER LOCAL RESIDENCE ALREADY EXPERIENCE TRAFFIC DELAYS AND NOISE AND TRASH AND STRUGGLING BUSINESSES. IN MY OPINION, A TOLL -- TOLL ROAD WOULD MAKE THE ISSUES WORSE AND NOT BETTER. ELEVATED ROADWAYS BRING NEW PROBLEMS AND HOMELESSNESS AND DRUG DEALS AND PROSTITUTION AND TRASH AND MANY OTHER LONG-TERM PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK HARRIS COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THE DETENTION FACILITY IN WESTBURY. IT IS TRULY A MARVELOUS PLACE.

I KNOW IT DEFINITELY SAVES HOMES FROM FLOODING TWO WEEKS AGO.

OVER THE YEARS IT IS A REFUGE OF QUIET AND PEACE AND THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CROSS COUNTRY RUNNERS. THE TOLL ROAD WOULD GO OVER THE HIKING TRAIL.

INSTEAD OF A QUIET REFUGE THE NOISE AND TROUBLES WOULD REPLACE IT.

I URGE YOU TO PLEASE RESPECT THE WISHES OF THE LOCAL COMMUNITY AND THE USERS OF THE WILL BOW -- THE WILLOW WATER HOLE FACILITY AND DO NOT BUILD THE TOLL ROAD.

>> THANK YOU, MA'AM. >> BEN BREWER, BRAZE OAKS MANAGEMENT DISTRICT.

PLEASE GO AHEAD. >> I AM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DISTRICT.

[02:45:06]

IT WOULD DESCRIBE THAT THE LAST WOULD BE IF THE VICINITY OF WILLOW BEND AND THAT CAUSES GREAT CONCERN FROM A TRAFFIC STANDPOINT. POTENTIAL USERS GETTING OFF AND ON THE TOLL ROAD. AFTER LEAVING 610 OR JOINING THE TOLLWAY.

JUST A CONCERN THERE IS A TOLL FACILITY ADJOINING THE LOOP SYSTEM.

WE HAD SOME PROPERTY OWNER THAT'S WOULD FAVOR THE TOLL ROAD EXTENSION.

THEY WERE CONCERNED ABOUT BRINGING THE TOLL ROAD NORTH AND MAKING A CONNECTION.

THE CONCERN IS WITH THE ALIGNMENTS AND GREEN SPACE CONSERVE -- CONSERVE VEN SEE PROPERTY. IT IS A PART OF THAT DISCUSSION.

NO ONE REACHED OUT TO US SPECIFICALLY. FROM THE COUNTY, WE WOULD CERTAINLY LIKE TO BE INVOLVED IN THE FUTURE GOING FORWARD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

THE BOARD HAS NOT TAKEN A POSITION ON THIS ONE AND IS SOUNDS LIKE WE MAY NOT HAVE TO. APPRECIATE IT. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HOWARD SACKS WITH WILLOW WATER HOLD GREEN WATER.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. I AM HOWARD SACKS, PAST PRESIDENT OF WILLOW WATER HOLE CONSERVE -- CONSERVE VEN SEE. A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR MUSIC PAVILION CURRENTLY PLANNED FOR THE WEST SIDE OF WILLOW WATER HOLE GREEN WAY.

WRIL -- WILLOW WATER HOLE IS A DUAL USE DETENTION PROJECT IN GREEN SPACE.

OUR USERS MIRROR THE DIVERSITY OF HARRIS COUNTY. MANY ARE UNDER SERVED.

THEY USE IT TO IMPROVE THEIR HEALTH AND ENJOY QUALITY TIME WITH THEIR FAMILY AND MUCH MORE IN A NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL AND TRANQUIL SETTING. THE EXTENSION WOULD BUFF -- RUN ABOVE THE TRAIL AND BASINS OF THE PARK. THESE TRAILS ARE WELL USED AND THE BASINS AND FRAG -- FRAGILE WET LANDS ARE HOME TO 200 PLUS SPECIES OF BIRDS.

IT WOULD BRING UNTOLD NOISE, AIR, WATER AND AIR POLLUTION TO THE GREEN WAY.

THE WILLOW WATER -- WATER HOLE GREEN SPACE CON DASH DARN -- CONSERVE VEN SEE.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT COMMISSIONERS ELLIS AND RADACK.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SACKS, I ASSUME YOU WILL BE HAPPY WITH THE MOTION AND THE CANCELING OF THAT ENGINEERING CONTRACT FOR THIS PROG EXPWRECT -- PROJECT SOME WOULD SAY IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, BUT SOMEBODY WAS STUDYING IT. THIS WILL END IT.

I WOULD ASSUME YOU WOULD BE FOR THE MOTION. >> 100%, COMMISSIONER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. WE'LL HAVE TO RIDE SOME TIME. >> YES, SIR.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT THE LAST ONE? >> YES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE THE MOTION WE CENTERED AROUND.

>> STEVE RADACK: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: THERE IS A MOTION AND A SECOND.

[02:50:04]

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSE SNED MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. SO THAT WAS ON TOLL ROAD. BUDGET MANAGEMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, CAN I ASK A BIG FAVOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: YEAH.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: FIVE MINUTES. >> LINA HI ARE WE WAITING ON ANYBODY? IT IS 3:52 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IF SESSION.

WE JUST DISCUSSED TOLL ROAD. ON TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. STEVE JUDGE

>> STEVE RADACK: JUDGE, PAGE 8 AND ITEM 4B. MR. RIPLEY, ARE YOU THERE?

CAN Y'ALL HEAR ME? >> WE CAN HEAR YOU. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME ON YOU KAY,

RADACK? >> STEVE RADACK: I CAN NOW, SIR, THANK YOU.

PAGE 8 AND ITEM 4B, YOU GAVE A REPORT SAYING BUILDING CONSOLIDATION IS LESS EXPENSIVE THAN THE STAT -- STATUS QUO ASSUMING A FULL REMODELING THAT WILL MAKE THEM OF COMPARABLE QUALITY TO THE NEW OFFICE SPACE. WOULD YOU AGREE THAT MAKING THESE BUILDINGS TO THE PUBLIC IS ACCESSIBLE. YOU WOULD AGREE WITH THAT.

AND WE NEED BUILDINGS I THINK THAT ARE ACTUALLY UP-TO-DATE WITH CURRENT ADA STANDARDS.

DO YOU AGREE THAT IS IMPORTANT? >> I DO.

>> STEVE RADACK: IT IS IRONIC THAT WHEN A HURRICANE APPROACHES THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT HAS TO MOVE OUT OF THEIR BUILDING FOR FEAR IT WILL FALL DOWN IN A WIND EVENT. YOUR REPORT DIDN'T EVALUATE THE EFFICIENCIES GAINED BY

CONSOLIDATION, DID IT? >> I WOULD SAY WE DID OUR BEST TO CAPTURE ALL THE FINANCIAL EFFICIENCIES. IF YOUR POINT IS THERE IS ANOTHER ASSET FROM OUR EMPLOYEES HAVING A BETTER PLACE TO WORK THEY DON'T HAVE TO EVACUATE FROM, I AGREE THAT

IS ANOTHER THAT DOESN'T SHOW UP IN THE SPREAD SHEET. >> STEVE RADACK: I THINK IT IS LOGICAL BASED ON YOUR REPORT WE PROCEED WITH THE CONSOLIDATION OF THE FACILITIES. DO YOU SOMEWHAT AGREE WITH THAT?

>> I DO. I THINK IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE 12 BUILDINGS NOW, I THINK IT WOULD BE WISE FOR US TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO CONSOLIDATE.

THAT'S BEFORE WE HAVE TO INVEST THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE MONEY.

WE DON'T WANT TO INVEST IT AND THEN MOVE FOLKS OUT SIX MONTHS LATER.

THAT'S A BAD OUTCOME FOR EVERYBODY. >> STEVE RADACK: EARLIER IT WAS TALKED ABOUT BUILDINGS THAT MAYBE WE WILL SEE IN THE LONG-TERM PEOPLE MAYBE WANTING TO SELL BUILDINGS AS THE ECONOMY IS CHANGING. I CAN TELL YOU BACK MANY, MANY YEARS AGO WHEN THE BIG DOWNTURN, I GOT INVOLVED AND WE PURCHASED CONGRESS PLAZA.

WE PURCHASED THE ECONOMY EXCHANGE BUILDING. WE PURCHASED THE RSTC BUILDING.

THAT BUILDING IS PROBABLY DOWN A LITTLE BIT, BUT NOTHING COMPARED TO WHAT WE PAY FOR IT. I AM JUST SAYING THAT IF YOU ARE GONNA TRY TO WAIT IT OUT, SO TO SPEAK, I THINK IT COULD BE MANY MONTHS OR YEARS BEFORE SOME OF THESE PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND UNLOAD THEIR BUILDINGS. I MEAN THEY ARE GOING TO DO THEIR BEST TO GET THE BEST PRICE THEY CAN. AT ANY RATE, THE TIME IS COME. YOU HAVE THE PINE LOT AREA. IS SOUNDS LIKE THINGS ARE TAKEN CARE OF AS FAR AS THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT. AT ANY RATE I HOPE THAT YOU WORK TOWARD CONSOLIDATING AND GETTING SOME OF THE COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN THE BUILDINGS

[02:55:03]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. BERRY, I WANT TO ASK SOME QUESTIONS, BUT DO YOU WANT TO MAKE SOME OPENING COMMENTS ON THE ITEM YOU PUT ON THE AGENDA. WHAT IS YOUR PREFERENCE?

>> THIS ISSUE HAS COME BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT IN TERMS OF BUILDING CONSOLIDATIONS.

AND PAGE ARCHITECTURE AND ENGINEERING PREPARED A REPORT ON IT.

IT OUTLINES SOME OPTIONS AND SHORT LISTED SOME OPTIONS TO BUILD A NEW BUILDING ON PROPERTY TO -- ON PROPERTY THE COUNTY ALREADY OWNS. IT WAS TWO COMMISSIONER'S COURTS AGO THEY PRESENTED THE ITEM. LOOK AT THE COST IMPLICATIONS OF ALL THIS. IT IS THE PRO'S AND THE CONS FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

AND WE WILL CONTINUE TO FINE-TUNE SOME NUMBERS, I DO THINK WHAT THIS IS TELLING US IS IS THIS IS CONSOLIDATION AND SOME OF THE RIGHT STRATEGY.

IT WILL MAKE FOR BUILDING AND WHAT OPTIONS DO WE HAVE TO GO AND TRY TO EXECUTE ON.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I'M SORRY TO CUT YOU OFF. >> YOU DID NOT.

I WAS DONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO LOOK I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND YOU, JUDGE, BECAUSE I THINK IT WAS COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHEN THIS ITEM CAME UP ABOUT DOING SOMETHING AT PINEMONT. YOU CAME TO THE COURT AND IF I REMEMBER THE DISCUSSION ITSELF WAS ALONG THE LINES OF THE CLINIC AND WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING AS WELL. HE WAS MAKING A POINT THAT WE WANT TO TRY TO PUT OUR COUNTY OFFICES SOMEWHERE CLOSE TO THE CORE. I THOUGHT ABOUT IT WHEN I CAME I KNEW THE HISTORY OF THE PINEMONT FACILITY AND WHAT THE FOLKS WERE REVIEWING AND IT WAS THE LOGIC OF CONSOLIDATING. I JOKINGLY SAID A COUPLE WEEKS AGO GO TO THE AS STROW DOME. ASTRODOME. I WAS MAKING A POINT THAT OTHER PROPERTIES THE COUNTY OWNS AND IT IS BECAUSE OF COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S INITIAL THESE 10 SEE -- INITIAL THESE -- HESITANCY WE MADE THE DECISION TO ACCEPT A GRANT FROM THE HOUSTON ENDOWMENT AND A GRANT FROM THE GOVERNMENT OF QATAR, ONE OF THE HARVEY GRANTS, THE RIVERSIDE SITE THAT'S MORE IN. THE MORE I THOUGHT ABOUT IT, REALLY FROM THAT DISCUSSION I CAN SENSE? -- SENSE SOME FRUSTRATION ON MR. BARNES PART AND I GET IT. WHEN WE DECIDED TO MOVE ON FROM THE CON SEE OF RIVERSIDE, THEY ARE FALLING APART. I STILL BELIEVE THE BULK OF OUR EMPLOYEES ARE NOT PEOPLE LIKE YOU, MR. BERRY OR MR. BLOUNT OR MR. POPPY WHO ARE DEPARTMENT HEADS.

I THINK A LOT OF THEM WHEN I GO AROUND THE PARKING LOTS ARE PEOPLE WHO ARE DRIVING CARS FROM SOME DISTANCES FROM TIME TO TIME TO GET IN. I THINK TO THE EXTENT WE CAN CONSOLIDATE THE COUNTY OFFICES AND FOR THAT MATTER CITY OFFICES WE OUGHT TO TRY TO DO IT IN ACCORDANCE. I THINK WE ARE IN THE MIDST OF A TREMENDOUS DOWNTURN.

I AM GLAD DOWNTOWN HOUSTON IS COMING BACK TO LIFE. A LOT OF THESE BUILDINGS WILL

[03:00:01]

DOWNTOWN OUGHT TO BE AN OPTION. TO MATTER WHERE YOU LIVE AND WHAT KIND OF MONEY YOU HAVE OR DO NOT HAVE, THAT IN OUR REGION IS THE BEST PLACE TO HAVE ACCESS TO MASS TRANSIT. WHETHER IT IS BY BUS OR BY RAIL OR WHATEVER.

I WANT TO HELP THE EMPLOYEES WHO WANT TO BE THE BUDGET DIRECTOR ONE DAY.

THEY MAY NEED TO GO TO THE HOUSTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE. IT IS EASIER TO DO THAT IF YOU ARE DOWNTOWN. I THINK THIS -- I THINK IN THIS ENVIRONMENT WE WILL LOOK AT SOME JOINT OPPORTUNITIES. IT IS INTERESTING WHEN YOU GO TO COOK COUNTY, CITY HALL IN CHICAGO AND THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING ARE THE SAME BUILDING.

EVEN IF THEY DON'T GET ALONG, THEY DON'T EVEN HAVE TO MAKE A PHONE CALL.

THEY CAN CATCH ONE ANOTHER IN A SOCIALLY DISTANCED ELEVATOR.

THE PRESIDENT OF COOK COUNTY AND THE MAYOR OF CHICAGO, TOTALLY SECURE, BUT IN THE SAME BUILDING. IT WAS THAT WAY THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO CHICAGO AND I THINK THAT WAS PROBABLY ABOUT 1975. I THINK YOU CAN FIND SOME REAL OPPORTUNITIES DOWNTOWN.

THERE IS AN ITEM LATER ON THE AGENDA WHERE WE WILL TALK ABOUT THE FAMILY LAW CENTER WHICH I AM TOLD IN ABOUT FOUR YEARS WILL NEED TO DO SOMETHING.

YOU CAN'T GO IN THERE AND HAVE A MEETING UNLESS THE FIRE MARSHALL IS ON EVERY FLOOR BECAUSE IT IS A FIRE HAZARD. THAT'S THE ONLY WAY WE CAN BE IN IT.

I AM HAPPY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS, BUT AT THE PROP -- APPROPRIATE TIME I MAKE THIS MOTION AND HOPING IT HAS SOME SUPPORT. I WANT TO MOVE THAT THE CENTER PERFORM A SEARCH TO IDENTIFY AN APPROPRIATE CENTRAL AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATION FOR THE CONSOLIDATION OF COUNTY FACILITIES AND RETAIN THE SERVICES OF A REAL ESTATE AGENT IF NECESSARY.

I SAY IF NECESSARY BECAUSE WE NEVER LOOKED AT UH QUARE -- AT ACQUIRING A BUILDING.

I THINK THE PRIVATE SECTOR HAS. I WANT TO PUT ALL OF THE OPTIONS ON THE TABLE AND NOT JUST RESTRICT US TO THE PINEMONT FACILITY, THE THOMAS CLINIC, THE ASTRODOME OR ANYTHING ELSE. JUST LOOK AROUND AND SEE WHAT MAKES THE MOST SENSE AND COME BACK QUICK SO WE CAN MAKE SOME DECISIONS.

MY HEART GOES OUT TO FOLKS AT CSD IN PARTICULAR. I HAVE BEEN TO THEIR OFFICES.

THEY ARE IN PRETTY BAD SHAPE. YOU CAN JUST GO -- YOU HAVE TO BUILD A BUILDING AND BUILD IT OVER THERE. I THINK WE OUGHT TO THINK ABOUT THE EMPLOYEES AND NOT JUST THE DEPARTMENT HEADS. I WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS, MR. BARRY.

I SPEND MOST OF MY TIME IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS? ANY DOWNSIDE TO THIS? I THINK LOOKING AT BUYING A BUILDING MAKES SENSE.

I WOULD LIKE TO GET MOVING ON IT. I AM SENSITIVE TO THE FACT THAT I DON'T WANT TO HAVE THE SAME CONVERSATION A YEAR FROM NOW, 18 MONTHS.

BUT I THINK IF WE HIRED AN AGENT AND WE REALLY STAFFED THE RIGHT PEOPLE ON IT, WE COULD HAVE A VERY GOOD IDEA OF WHAT IS OUT THERE. AND WE COULD COME BACK.

I DO THINK IT IS HARD TO KNOW WHEN PEOPLE ARE GOING TO GO, BUT I CAN TELL YOU THAT YOU CAB -- YOU CAN GET PRETTY GOOD OFFICE PAY AND THAT COULD BE BETTER FOR THE TAXPAYERS.

IT IS WORTH SPENDING SOME PERIOD OF TIME RUNNING IT TO THE GROUND TO SEE IF THERE IS AN OPTION THAT YOU CAN SAVE MONEY AND IT IS A LOCATION THAT IS GOOD FOR EMPLOYEES.

>> I TRIED TO MAKE THE MOTION BROAD ENOUGH SO I DIDN'T ELIMINATE THE OPTION OF LEASING. NOT LEASING JUST FOR THE SAKE OF LEASING IF IT WAS A 30-YEAR , 40-YEAR LEASE FOR THE RIGHT PRICE AND THE RIGHT CONDITION ITSELF MAY BE WORTH IT.

[03:05:04]

I WANT TO LEAVE ALL OPTION OPTIONS ON THE TABLE. I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RUSH -- PARDON THE EXPRESSION, BUT A RUSH TO JUDGMENT OR A RUSH TO PINEMONT AS OPPOSED TO LOOKING AT ALL OF THESE OTHER OPTIONS TO SEE WHAT WOULD MAKE SENSE. IT DOESN'T MEAN WE STILL WOULD NOT USE THE PINEMONT FACILITY. FROM WHAT I READ AND THE RESEARCH I DID, INITIALLY WHEN THE COUNTY BOUGHT IT FROM METRO, IT WAS GOING TO BE FOR A COMMUNITY CENTER.

OR IT CAN BE GREEN SPACE. I KNOW IT WAS CONTROVERSY. THEY DIDN'T WANT IT TO BE USED FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING. I GET THAT. WITH THE CHALLENGES TO AFFORDABLE HOUSING WE OUGHT TO LOOK AT HOUSING ON THE METRO BOARD BECAUSE THERE ARE FEDERAL DOLLARS WE CAN LEVERAGE THROUGH A TRANSIT AUTHORITY NEAR PARK AND RIDE TO USE SOME OF THE TRANSIT MONEY FOR HOUSING RELATED PURPOSES COMBINED WITH OUR MONEY AND THE CITY'S MONEY. THERE IS A REAL CHALLENGE WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING.

I SHOULD ALSO ADD THAT BY CENTRALIZING INSIDE THE LOOP EVERY TIME IT WOULD REDUCE THE NUMBER OF CARS AND AT SOME POINT WE NEED A CLIMATE ACTION PLAN.

SO WE ARE NOT PUTTING THAT STUFF IN THE AIR THAT BRINGS THESE RAIN, WIND AND HURRICANE EVENTS TO US AND ENCOURAGE OUR FOLKS EVEN IF WE SPEND MONEY TO GIVE THEM RAIL PASSES AND BUS PASSES. WE BUILT ALL OF THE ROADS TO GO OUT.

THAT LEAD TO FLOODING. PEOPLE ARE GLAD AND THEN MAD WHEN IT RAINS.

>> PIGGY -- PIGGY BACKING OFF OF THAT, THE WAY I UNDERSTAND IT IS THAT -- THE RUSH TO PINEMONT AND SO COULD THERE BE OTHER OPTIONS THAT ARE BETTER? I AM HAPPY TO SUPPORT THE MOTION WITH THE ADDENDUM THAT I WOULD LIKE TO HIGHLIGHT CONSIDERING A LEASE AND THEN YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT IT BEING A GOOD DEAL.

ON THE ONE HAND IF WE CONSOLIDATE THE SERVICES INTO ONE BUILDING AND THEN PUT IT INTO AN OUT LYING AREA, IT IS GOOD FOR THAT OUT LYING AREA, BUT NOT THE OPPOSITE OUT LYING AREA. BUT GIVEN WE DON'T HAVE THE TRANSIT WE NEED IT HAS ITS OWN CHALLENGES. I THINK THERE CONTINUES TO BE A NEED FOR US TO LOOK AT THE BEST WAY TO GET SERVICES TO PLACE SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY IN A WAY THAT IS ACCESSIBLE TO PEOPLE. MY CONCERN IS THE EMPLOYEES MOVING INTO A NEW BUILDING, PERHAPS SOME OF THOSE NEED TO BE CONSOLIDATED TO A CENTRAL BUILDING AT THE CENTER OF TOWN. AND IT MIGHT BE THAT SOME OF THEM -- SOME OF THE SERVICES SHOULD BE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY. AND HE HAS ALL OF THE CLINICS AND BUILD ON EXISTING BUILDINGS AND ASSETS TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT, YOU KNOW, AND EVALUATE WHETHER IT MAKES SENSE TO HAVE, YOU KNOW, THREE CENTERS THAT PROVIDE DIFFERENT SERVICES AND DIFFERENT CORNERS OF THE COUNTY OR MAYBE THAT'S NOT WHAT THE COUNTY NEEDS.

AND EVEN BY MAKING IT SO AND THERE IS DECENTRALIZED SERVICES MODEL AND IT MAY NOT BE. I SUPPORT COMMISSIONER ELLIS' MOTION AND I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO WORK WITH MY STAFF AND PERHAPS WE WILL BRING IN AND STARTING ANALYSIS OF JOHN BLUNT AS WELL -- JOHN BLOUNT AS WELL. WHERE IS THE COUNTY GOING WITH THE GOAL OF PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WHERE THEY ARE AT. WE CAN'T -- THIS CAN'T WAIT UNTIL THAT QUESTION IS ANSWERED. THAT'S WHY I WOULD PREFER A LEASE -- OR THAT'S NOT FEASIBLE, THEN IT IS NOT FEASIBLE.

I DO THINK THAT'S A QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE PURSUED EVEN IF IT TAKES US A YEAR TO ANSWER IT. YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

[03:10:02]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I ABSOLUTELY THANK YOU ON THE RIGHT TRACK. BASICALLY WHAT WE ARE -- YOU KNOW, WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT IS ALL OR NOTHING. I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME ELEMENTS -- IT IS JUST LIKE THE COMMISSIONERS. MY OFFICE -- PART OF MY OFFICE IS HERE AND THROUGHOUT THE PRECINCT I HAVE ONE OFFICE SERVICES -- SERVICING THE ENTIRE PRECINCT.

IT IS A WAY TO DISTRIBUTE TO THE ACCESSIBILITY TO THE COUNTY.

I THINK WE NEED TO EXPLORE THE EXISTING FACILITIES FOR -- OR THE COMMERCIAL PROPERTY THAT IS LIKELY TO BECOME AVAILABLE. I ABSOLUTELY THINK IF YOU WANT TO USE A BIT OF THE POLICE MODEL IT IS EXACTLY WHY THE DEPARTMENTS HAVE SUBSTATIONS AND STOREFRONTS THROUGHOUT THEIR AREA. IT IS A WAY TO MAKE SURE THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST SERVING THOSE AREAS OF GEE -- GEOGRAPHY ARE NEEDING THE SERVICES IN THE AREAS. THERE IS A MODEL THERE THAT WE SHOULD BE CONSIDERING AND IT

SHOULDN'T BE AN ALL OR NOTHING APPROACH. >> COMMISSIONER ELLIS AND THEN

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I DID WANT TO SAY THAT I WANTED TO GIVE MR. BLOUNT AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET HIS THOUGHTS. HE HAS TAUGHT ME A LOT WHEN IT HAS COME TO ISSUES INVOLVING BUILDINGS. I THINK FROM THE BUDGETARY STANDPOINT IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO PUT MR. BLOUNT IN CHARGE OF THIS AND WORK CLOSELY WITH JOHN BLOUNT. WHEN I FOUND MY STAFF WORKED UP THE LANGUAGE, I DID CALL HIM, AND HE SAID BE SENSITIVE TO CERTAIN DEPARTMENTS LIKE I THINK HE SAID PEOPLE -- SOME PEOPLE WHO DON'T GET ONLINE AND THEY GO IN AND I THINK THEY GET CERTAIN PERMITS.

WE TALKED ABOUT -- WHATEVER HAPPENS WITH THOMAS STREET AS AN EXAMPLE.

I AM SENSITIVE TO THAT. MR. BLOUNT, WHEN I THOUGHT ABOUT THIS, I CALLED YOU BECAUSE I COULD SENSE THE FRUSTRATION. YOU AND BUDGET MANAGEMENT HAD ALL OF THE ABOVE ON IT. WE OPTED TO NOT PICK ONE TODAY , BUT MR. BLOUNT I WOULD LIKE YOUR OPINION ON THIS. IN NO WAY WE WANT TO LEAVE YOU OUT AND I AM SENSITIVE TO WHAT

YOU TAUGHT ME SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE. >> COMMISSIONER, WE NEED TO BE CAREFUL ABOUT THE CONSTITUENTS WE SERVE. THERE IS A PERCENTAGE AND PRE-COVID IT IS ABOUT A HUNDRED PEOPLE A DAY COME DOWN TO THE PERMIT OFFICE.

THESE ARE PEOPLE THAT EITHER DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO INTERNET OR DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE THE INTERNET OR NOT NATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKERS AND NEED ASSISTANCE. AND IT WAS A BIG PROBLEM FOR CONSTITUENTS THAT COULDN'T FIND PARKING AND THEY COULDN'T WALK HALF A MILE FROM THE PARKING. WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT THOSE INDIVIDUALS ARE SERVED APPROPRIATELY. AS YOU KNOW WHEN THE ISSUE FIRST CAME UP IT WAS ASKED THAT COMMISSIONER GARCIA DELAY THE ITEM AND WE WERE LOOKING AT THOMAS STREET AND IT DIDN'T WORK OUT. THEN I HEARD FROM CITY HALL WHO SAID REGARDLESS WHETHER THE CITY AND COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS EVER MERGE OR NOT IT WOULD BE NICE IF THEY TALKED MORE. WE WERE TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO GET THE CITY HEALTH DEPARTMENT. THEY HAD DEPARTMENTS THREE TIMES THE SIZE OF OURS.

I CHATTED WITH THE MAYOR ABOUT IT AND THEY COULD PUT UP A TALLER BUILDING.

[03:15:12]

ONE THING I LEARNED FROM THE PANDEMIC IS I NEED A BIGGER HOUSE WITH SO MANY PEOPLE IN THERE AND I DON'T NEED. PEOPLE DON'T HAVE TO COME TO THE OFFICE AS MUCH AS I THOUGHT THEY HAD TO. AND THAT'S WHY THE DISCUSSION OF THE LAST MILE OF CONNECTIVE TEE THAT MAY BE ONE THING WE GET COMING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.

THERE ARE A LOT MORE THINGS PEOPLE CAN DO REMOTELY. IF WE TEACH THEM AND GIVE THEM

ACCESS TO THE TECHNOLOGY AND THE CAPACITY TO GET ON. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

CAGLE AND THEN COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR, I HAVE BEEN LISTENING CLOSELY TO OUR DISCUSSION AND THERE ARE FOUR THINGS THAT KEEP BEING REPEATED. THE FIRST ONE IS ONE THAT WE DO NEED TO CONSIDER OUR EMPLOYEES. AND TO THINK THAT WHEN THEY ARE IN SUB STANDARD FACILITIES AND WHEN THEY ARE IN FACILITY THAT'S ARE NOT SAFE, I THINK THAT IS IMPERATIVE.

THAT SORT OF GOES WITH THE FOURTH THEME. WE NEED TO WORK WITH SOME KIND OF QUICKNESS. THERE IS A REFERENCE TO RUSH THE TIMELINE.

I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A RUSH TO PINEMONT EXCEPT THAT WE HAD THE PROPERTY AND WE WERE UNDER WAY WITH REGARD TO A STUDY TO MAKE THAT WORK. ONE OF THE OIR -- ONE OF THE OTHER THINGS IS WE NEED SOMETHING THAT IS CLOSE AND CONVENIENT TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS OUR EMPLOYEES. THAT'S WHY THE PINEMONT PROPERTY IS VERY UH -- VERY ATTRACTIVE IN THE BEGINNING. IT HAS A HUGE PARKING LOT BECAUSE THIS WAS THE METRO PARK AND RIDE. WHEN WE TALK ABOUT LOOP 610, IT IS RIGHT THERE AT LOOP 610. IT IS BARELY ON THE OUTSIDE. IT HAS ACCESS FROM THOSE WITHIN THE CITY, 610 AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE CITY. AND MORE THAN HALF OF THE POPULATION ACTUALLY LIVES OUTSIDE BELT WAY 8. AND SO BEING OFF 290 AND CLOSE TO LOOP 610 AND HAVING BEEN A CORRIDOR FOR METRO I THINK MAKES IT SOMETHING THAT IS CLOSE AND CONVENIENT BOTH FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS AS WELL AS FOR OUR EMPLOYEES WHO NEED A PLACE TO BE. THE THIRD CRY -- CRITERIA IS ONE OF COST.

WHEN THEY FORCE US TO PUT OUR DEPARTMENT THAT'S NEED TO BE IN A CENTRAL LOCATION WERE PUT TOGETHER THE IDEA OF COST WAS BENEFICIAL. WE ALREADY OWN THE LAND.

AND IT APPEARS TO BE CHEAPER FOR US TO BE ABLE TO BUILD AND DESIGN A FACILITY THAT WILL TRY TO BUY AN OLDER BUILDING THAT MAY HAVE BEEN OUT ON THE MARKET AND THEN HAVING TO CONVERT IT. THAT'S PART OF THE PROBLEM THAT WE HAVE WITH SOME OF OUR EXISTING FACILITIES IS THE CONVERSION COST. SO THEY ARE SAFE AND SO THEY ARE ADA COMPLIANT AND SO THAT THEY CAN MEET THE EFFICIENCIES. WHEN WE COME TO THE CON -- CONCEPT OF BEING QUICK, I DON'T MIND US DOING THE STUDY TO SEE IF THERE IS AN EXISTING BUILDING THAT MAY BE OUT THERE THAT IS CAPABLE OF MEETING THE NEEDS AS LONG AS WE DON'T CONTINUE TO PUT THE PUBLIC AND CONTINUE TO PUT OUR EMPLOYEES ON THE BACK BURNER.

I AM NOT ON A RUSH TO PINEMONT. I AM IN A RUSH TO PROVIDE FOR OUR OWN EMPLOYEES PROVIDE SOMETHING THAT IS CLOSE -- [INAUDIBLE] I AM ACTUAL LIE SAW -- ACTUALLY SUPPORTIVE OF SOMETHING -- [INAUDIBLE] AND THAT IS -- THERE ARE SOME FUNCTIONS THAT NEED TO BE CENTRAL -- CENTRALLY LOCATED. [INAUDIBLE].

BUT TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT IS ALSO NOT EITHER OR MAYBE ABOVE AND WE PROVIDE SERVICES SO

[03:20:03]

CONTINUE TO CONSIDER. THOSE ARE MY COMMENTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

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

THESE ARE SOME OF THE REASONS WHY I DON'T THINK WE HAVE CHALLENGED OURSELVES TO REALLY THINK THIS THROUGH. YOU TOUCHED ON ONE OF THOSE POINTS, JUDGE.

WE ARE INCREDIBLY SPRAWLED OUT. WE ARE LARGE AND WE HAVE A LOT OF LAND TO COVER. PEOPLE FROM ALL AREAS OF THE PRECINCT DEPEND ON THESE RESPECTIVE SERVICES. AS A RESULT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE OUTSIDE OF PRECINCT 2 THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE METRO SERVICE AREA. WE WANT TO THINK ABOUT THE HUMBLEST OF INDIVIDUALS THAT IS GOING TO NEED THESE SERVICES AS MR. BLOUNTY -- BLOUN 2* ELUDED TO. YOU HAVE TO THINK ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. IT DOESN'T EXIST AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE WE ARE THINKING ABOUT THOSE DETAILS. PUTTING THESE SERVICES ON ONE SIDE OF THE COUNTY I THINK DOES A DISSERVICE TO OTHER AREAS OF THE COUNTY. I REALLY WANT TO MAKE SURE WE THINK ABOUT IT AND THAT WE THINK ABOUT ALL OF THE USERS OF THIS AND NO DISRESPECT TO MR. BLOUNF -- B WEATHER OUNT, BUT THE -- MR. BLOUNT, AND THE USERS OF OUR SERVICES, I HAVEN'T SEEN A STUDY OF THAT. I WHAT -- I WOULD LIKE TO SEE HOW THE DATA IS BEING CAPTURED AND WHAT WE COULD BE DOING REMOTELY. THE CITY OF HOUSTON HAS LAUNCHED, I THINK, TO SOME DEGREE OF SUCCESS AN ONLINE PERMITTING APPLICATION PROCESS. I THINK THERE ARE THINGS WE HAVE NOT YET DONE.

I DON'T THINK WE HAVE INCLUDED OTHER ASSETS THAT WE HAVE LIKE THE ANNEX BUILDINGS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR PRECINCTS THAT PROVIDE SOME OF THE SERVICES PRIOR TO THE COUNTY CLERK THAT WAS NOT PART OF THE JIM FONTINO EXAMPLE AS IT IS TODAY.

I WANT TO OPEN THOSE, BUT YOU HAVE A JP THERE AND YOU HAVE A CONSTABLE AND YOU HAVE A SHERIFF'S OFFICE THERE. AND SO THERE IS NO REASON WHY WE SHOULDN'T BE CHALLENGING OUR WAY TO BETTER SERVE ALL OF THE CONSTITUENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY.

AND I WOULD, YOU KNOW, BEG TO ARGUE THAT AREAS LIKE PRECINCT 1 AND PRE -- PRECINCT 2.

IF YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE AN ECONOMIC INVESTMENT OF THIS MAGNITUDE, IT OUGHT TO BE IN THE AREAS THAT THE INVESTMENT CAN CREATE JOBS AND UNEMPLOYMENT AND SERVE THE SURROUNDING ECONOMY. SO THAT IS WHY I SUPPORT THIS MOTION BY COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

I JUST DON'T THINK WE HAVE CHALLENGED OURSELVES WELL ENOUGH.

IT IS A MODEL WE HAVE USED FOR 20 YEARS. I REALLY THINK THAT WE HAVE TO THINK THROUGH WHY ONE APPROACH IS NECESSARY OVER SOMETHING MUCH MORE CONTEMPORARY AND EVEN NOT SO CONTEMPORARY. USING THE SUBSTATION MODEL THAT EXISTS TO A CERTAIN DEGREE. I THINK WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BETTER SERVE OUR

CONSTITUENTS DIFFERENTLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE TO WRAP UP AND THEN I MAKE A MOTION. YOU MAKE A VERY VALID POINT.

[03:25:02]

SOMETIMES I TALK ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CATCH THE EARLY BUS. THAT'S WHY I AM GLAD YOU EXPAND ETD -- EXPANDED THE BUS SERVICE IN THE UNINCORPORATED AREA.

WITH THAT SAID, MR. BERRY, IT SHOULDN'T TAKE FOREVER. WE NEED TO TAKE THOSE FOLKS AND WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION. AT LEAST SINCE I HAVE BEEN HERE, PINEMONT HAS BEEN ON THE TABLE. I WANT US TO FIGURE IT OUT AND KEEP US UPDATED AND DO IT QUICK. JUDGE, THE LANGUAGE I HAVE AND MY INTENT IS FOR IT TO INCLUDE LEASING AS AN OPTION. DO YOU WANT ME TO ADD THAT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. IF IT IS OKAY, COMMISSIONER. I AGREE.

IF IT IS ALL RIGHT, WHAT I WOULD PROPOSE AT THE END IS JUST SO THAT THE INTENT IS CLEAR IS INCLUDING LEASING -- INCLUDING THE OPTIONS INCLUDING THE LEASING OPTIONS.

AND FOR THIS TO ALLOW THE FLEXIBILITY TO OFFER UNIFORM SERVICE HUBS ACROSS THE COUNTY UPON STUDYING THAT OPTION. IN OTHER WORDS, WHAT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT IS THAT LATER ON WHEN WE FINALLY HAVE A CHANCE -- I KNOW EVERYBODY IS BUSY WITH THE PANDEMIC AND A MILLION THINGS, BUT MY CONCERN IS WHEN WE FINALLY GET AROUND TO EVALUATING THE NEEDS AND WHETHER WE NEED THESE SERVICE HUBS AND WHAT EACH HUB SHOULD PROVIDE WE SAY WE ALREADY INVESTED ALL OF THESE MONEY AND STICKING EVERYBODY INTO THIS ONE BUILDING.

AND THEN IT IS NOT POSSIBLE. RECOGNIZING WE NEED TO GET THESE PEOPLE OUT OF THE BUILDINGS THEY ARE IN. HAVING THAT IN MIND THAT THERE MAY BE AN OPTION LATER ON TO SPLIT SOME OF THE PEOPLE BACK OUT IF IT IS EVENLY DONE AND INTELLIGENTLY DONE.

>> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONER, WE DO HAVE A SPEAKER ON THE LINE BEFORE YOU MAKE YOUR MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MIGHT JUST MAKE IT SO THEY WILL HEAR IT AND THEN TELL ME IF I NEED TO CLEAN IT UP. THE MOTION WILL BE I MOVE THAT THE RELEVANT COUNTY DEPARTMENTS PERFORM A SEARCH TO IDENTIFY AN APPROPRIATE, ESSENTIAL AND ACCESSIBLE LOCATION AND THE REAL ESTATE AGENT IF NECESSARY AND IT INCLUDES LEASING AS AN OPTION AND WE WILL TAKE THE LEAD ON THIS PROCESS. DID I GET IT ALL?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WOULD YOU ACCEPT A FRIENDLY AMENDMENT THAT I THINK WE SHOULD INCLUDE THE ANALYST OFFICE TO LOOK AT A GOOD WAY TO UNDERSTAND SERVICES OF THE REMODELS?

>> I ADD THAT PHRASE. I HOPE I GET IT RIGHT. I SAY THE ANALYST OFFICE --

SAY IT FOR ME. >> TO INCLUDE THE ANALYST OFFICE TO STUDY SERVICES OF

REMODELS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. JAMES, IS THAT OKAY?

DID YOU GET ALL THAT? >> YES, SIR. >> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD MAN.

>> STEVE RADACK: RODNEY, WOULD YOU -- YOU WERE SAYING HIRE A REAL ESTATE AGENT IF NECESSARY. I MEAN, I THINK YOU OUGHT TO GET SHANNON WATSON WHO I THINK IS VERY TALENTED TO LET HER BE PART OF THE REAL ESTATE SITUATION.

I THINK WE ACTUALLY HAVE A REAL ESTATE AGENT THAT SHE HAS WORKING WITH HER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK THAT WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THERE, COMMISSIONER.

I THINK IT IS INCLUDED. IF YOU WANT ME TO ADD IT -- >> STEVE RADACK: I AM JUST SAYING SHE SHOULD ACTUALLY BE THE ONE WHO WOULD GET THE REAL ESTATE AGENT INVOLVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU HAD A COMMENT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: THAT'S THE

MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN'T HEAR YOU.

>> WE ARE HAPPY TO COORDINATE HERE, BUT WE ARE NOT URBAN PLANNERS AND REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT TEAMS. THAT'S IN MR. BLOUNT'S OFFICE.

WE CAN CERTAINLY HELP QUARTERBACK THIS AND IT IS FINE IF IT IS MY HEAD ON THE BLOCK, MR. ELLIS, BUT ABSOLUTELY THIS WON'T BE A SOLO EFFORT, AND WE COULDN'T

DO IT AS A SOLO EFFORT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND I CALLED JOHN.

SOMEBODY HAS TO LEAD IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE URGENCY IS GETTING THE DEPARTMENTS OUT

[03:30:09]

WE SHOULD KEEP THAT DOOR OPEN. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, IF I MIGHT SAY, MY INTENT IS FOR DAVE AND MR. BLOUNT TO GET CONNECTED.

IF I WERE GUESSING I WOULD GUESS THERE IS NO ADDITIONAL REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY'S GENERAL OPERATING BUDGET. MONEY DOES COME INTO PLAY EVEN IF IT IS A CAPITAL EXPENSE TO BUILD ONE. YOU HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT. THEY CAN ONLY DO AS MUCH AS THE GOVERNING BOARD GIVES HIM THE FINANCES TO DO IT WITH. THAT'S WHY I THINK IT IS

IMPORTANT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THE MODEL INCLUDES JUST HOW MUCH OF OUR EXISTING WORK CAN BE PUT ONLINE.

HOW MUCH MORE CAN FOLKS GO TO OUR WEBSITE AND FILE PERMITS AND PAY FOR WHATEVER AND SUBMIT WHATEVER AND DO THOSE THINGS ONLINE I JUST DON'T THINK WE SHOULD CHALLENGE OURSELVES ON HOW TO DO BUSINESS IN THE 21ST CENTURY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: GOOD POINT. >> STEVE RADACK: MR. BLOUNT, ARE YOU THERE?

>> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: I HEAR THIS TERM USED, RUSH TO PINEMONT.

DO YOU RECALL WHEN WE PURCHASED THE PINEMONT PROPERTY.

>> YES, COMMISSIONER. IT WAS APRIL OF 2015. >> STEVE RADACK: SO OVER FIVE

YEARS AGO. >> YES. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO WE HAD SOME SPEAKERS, LUCINDA? >> YES, MA'AM, WE DO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. >> MERICK GOMEZ WITH LINK

HOUSTON. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON.

THANK YOU, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS FOR THE TIME FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.

I AM THE COMMUNITY EVENTS AND OPERATIONS MANAGER FOR LINK HOUSTON.

LINK HOUSTON IS A NONPROFIT THAT ADVOCATES FOR A MORE ROBUST TRANSPORTATION NETWORK SO ALL PEOPLE CAN REACH OPPORTUNITY. TODAY I AM ADDRESSING THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT REGARDING THE RELOCATION OF COUNTY OFFICES OUTSIDE OF DOWNTOWN HOUSTON. HOUSTONIANS USE MULTIPLE FORMS OF TRANSPORTATION INCLUDING PUBLIC TRANSIT, WALKING AND BIKING TO ACCESS MATTERS OF CIVIC ENGAGEMENT.

WE URGE THE COUNTY TO CONSIDER TRANSPORTATION OPTION THAT ALLOWS EASY ACCESS FOR RESIDENTS WHO MAY NOT OWN A CAR OR UNABLE TO DRIVE ONE. CENSURING -- ENSURING THEY ARE -- ACCESSIBLE BY PUBLIC TRANSIT AND PEOPLE CAN FULLY ENGAGE IN THE CIVIC ENGAGE -- ENGAGEMENT PROCESS. WE URGE YOU TO CONSIDER THE GREAT NETWORK EVER BIKE LANES THAT CURRENTLY EXIST AND MAKE IT EASY AND SAFE TO COMMUTE BY BIKE IN PARTS OF THE COUNTY AS YOU DELIBERATE THE RELOCATION OF ANY OFF THE -- OFFICES. AND DOWNTOWN HOUSTON IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CON TUNE WHERE MULTIPLE MODES OF TRANSPORTATION CONVERGE AND THUS MAKE IT EASIER FOR CONSTITUENTS WITHOUT CARS TO AGO'S -- ACCESS OFFICES.

AS A RESIDENT WHO DOES NOT OWN A CAR I VALUE HAVING ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT OFFICES VIA PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION. IT IS IMPORTANT TO CONSIDER HOUSTONIANS THAT ARE MOST LIMITED WHEN MAKING THESE DECISIONS. AS ELECTED LEADERS REPRESENTING HOUSTON AND THE SURROUNDING CITIES WITH A BROAD EXPAND OF RESOURCES RCHTION, THE CHOICE SHOULD BE REFLECTIVE SO ALL PEOPLE CAN BENEFIT FROM THE COUNTY

SERVICES. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> THANK YOU, MA'AM.

THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

SO WE HAVE THE MOTION, COMIG -- COMMISSIONER, I BELIEVE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YES. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> STEVE RADACK: I'M I BECAUSE BERRY IS IN CHARGE. THAT'S WHY I AM VOTING YES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM WITH RADACK ON THE LAST VOTE.

[03:35:05]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM WITH RADACK TOO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR

SO THE MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> JUDGE, SO THAT WAS A MOTION

BY COMMISSIONER AND SECONDED BY GARCIA? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THAT WAS ALL IN BUDGET.

NOW WE HAVE BUDGET ALSO ITEM J ABOUT THE DATE OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT MEETINGS. THAT IS RELATED TO ITEM 22E2 ON PAGE 24, COMMISSIONER CAGLE'S ITEM. WE CAN DISCUSS THEM TOGETHER. DAVE, WOULD YOU LIKE TO

PRESENT THIS ONE OR COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> I THINK IT WOULD MAKE SENSE FOR COMMISSIONER CAGLE TO PRESENT HIS IDEA OF MOVING THE MEETING, THE DAY OF THE MEETING, AND THEN I CAN ADD ON. WE PROPOSED A CALENDAR AND SUGGEST WE MOVE TO THURSDAY. I THINK WE SHOULD TALK TUESDAY VERSUS THURSDAY BEFORE WE GET

INTO THE DETAILS. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER CAGLE, ARE YOU ON?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS MOVING THE MEETINGS TO

THURSDAY, I THINK? >> R. JACK CAGLE: YES, YOUR HONOR.

I HAD THAT AND I LIKE THE IDEA OF US ON THURSDAYS. WE TEND TO HAVE A LOT OF SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA ITEMS. IT IS DIFFICULT TO WORK OVER THE WEEKENDS ESPECIALLY WITH THE DEMANDS UPON THE STAFF I THINK IF WE MOVE OUR HEARINGS TO THURSDAYS IN ASSISTED OF ON TUESDAY WHEN WEE HAVE -- WHEN WE HAVE OUR SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS WE WILL HAVE IN OUR 72 HOURS THOSE ARE BUSINESS DAYS AS A POSED TO WEEKEND -- AS OPPOSED TO WEEKEND DAYS.

I THINK THERE WILL BE OTHER BENEFITS TO THE SEWS -- TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH MOVING TO THURSDAY. ONE OF THEM WOULD BE WE CAN HAVE MORE TIME TO -- OUR TIMELINES WILL BE THE SAME, BUT I THINK IT MAY FIT A LITTLE BETTER WITH SOME OF OUR HOLIDAY SCHEDULES. I HAVE SUBMITTED A PROPOSED FULL SCHEDULE FOR THE YEAR SHOWING IF WE WENT TO THURSDAYS IN ASSISTED OF TUESDAYS AND SO I WOULD URGE US TO CONSIDER MOVING OUR COURT DATES FROM TUESDAYS TO THURSDAYS.

I THINK IT WILL ALSO HELP US WITH THE PUBLIC. WE WANT TO BE OPEN AND TRANS -- TRANSPARENT. WITH SO MUCH OF OUR STUFF HAPPENING IT WOULD GIVE THE PUBLIC MORE OF A CHANCE TO SEE WHAT WE ARE DOING AND TO BE ABLE TO REVIEW OUR AGENDA

ITEMS IN ADVANCE AS WELL. THAT WOULD BE MY PROPOSAL. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF THE ISSUE IS WE NEED TO MEET MORE, WELL, WE CAN MEET EVERY WEEK. FROM MY LITTLE SURVEY, MOST COMMISSIONERS COURTS AROUND THE STATE OUT OF THE 254 COUNTIES, THEY TEND TO MEET ON TUESDAYS.

I DO KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN AROUND SO LONG, I GUESS, COMMISSIONER RADACK AND I HAVE BEEN AROUND A LONGTIME. AT CITY HALL THEY USED TO HAVE A LUNCH ON TUESDAYS BEFORE OPEN MEETINGS AND WORK OUT ALL OF THE DEALS. AND THEN THEY GO IN ON WEDNESDAY AND RATIFY THEM. AND THEN THEY STARTED THE TRADITION OF MEETING TWO DAYS A WEEK WHEN THE OPEN MEETINGS PASSED. THEY COULDN'T GO IN OVER LUNCH AND WORK IT OUT. THERE ARE JUST FIVE PEOPLE THERE, BY THE WAY.

THEY TURNED THAT INTO A MEETING ON TUESDAY. THEY WOULD HEAR FROM THE PUBLIC AND VOTE ON STUFF ON WEDNESDAY. I DIDN'T KNOW ANY BETTER AND I WAS TRYING TO BE EFFICIENT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE, WHEN I WENT ON CITY COUNCIL.

I GOT WITH BEN LOVE AND YOU MIGHT REMEMBER THAT NAME. RADACK DOES TO COME UP WITH A BLUE RIBBON COMMITTEE. I WAS TRYING TO SHORTEN THE WEEK AND CONSOLIDATE IT IN ONE DAY. OF ALL PEOPLE, COUNCILMAN WEST AGREED WITH ME.

I WAS THE PROGRESSIVE AND HE WAS THE MUCH MORE CONSERVATIVE.

THEN SOMEBODY GAVE THE BRIGHT IDEA THAT WE LENGTHEN THE TERM AND THAT'S WHAT BLEW IT UP.

THEY SAID, YOU WANT TO LENGTHEN THE TERM AND SHORTEN THE WEEK.

[03:40:05]

IF WE HAVE TO MEET MORE WE SHOULD DO IT. I KNOW IT IS TOUGH ON THE STAFF, BUT COMPARED TO THE OTHER OFFICES, I HAVE BEEN IN, IT IS NOT A BAD DEAL TO MEET TWICE A MONTH EVEN IF IT IS TURNING IT INTO A 10-HOUR OR 20-HOUR DAY.

IF YOU THINK THIS IS HARD, ASK MY DASH -- ASK MY STAFF WHAT IT WAS LIKE WHEN THE LEGISLATURE WAS IN SESSION. I PREFER WE LEAVE. IT IF YOU WANT TO MEET EVERY WEEK, MEET EVERY WEEK. IT DOESN'T BATH -- BOTHER ME. BUT I PREFER TO MEET ON

TUESDAYS. >> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING ELSE?

COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: NO. I'M JUST LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION. COMMISSIONER ELLIS MENTIONED, I COME FROM CITY HALL WHERE WE MEET EVERY WEEK, A FEW DAYS A WEEK. WE MET ON TUESDAYS AND WEDNESDAYS. I'M NOT SURE HOW LONG THE TUESDAY SCHEDULE HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOR HARRIS COUNTY. IT SEEMS TO HAVE WORKED WELL. IT SEEMS TO BE WORKING WELL.

I TRY TO REFRAIN FROM THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND PUT IT ON THE CONTENDING AGENDA.

I AM NOT -- I AM LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION, BUT I AM NOT YET CONVINCED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, I THINK -- >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUST TO BE CLEAR, I'M MOVING ON THE PROPOSAL FOR HAVING OUR HEARINGS -- OR HAVING OUR MEETINGS ON THURSDAYS. I THINK WE HAVE HAD SIGNIFICANT ADDITION TO OUR COURT. I THINK HAVING THE EXTRA WORK DAYS WOULD BE MUCH MORE BENEFICIAL TO OUR STAFF SO THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORK ON THE WEEKENDS, ESPECIALLY SINCE SO MUCH OF OUR STUFF IS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL. I APPRECIATE COMMISSIONER GARCIA'S OFFICE TRYING TO DO THINGS NOT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA, BUT IT IS VERY DIFFICULT BOTH OUR STAFF AND I WOULD ARGUE THAT IT IS MORE DIFFICULT FOR THE PUBLIC WHO WANTS TO WATCH AND SEE WHAT IT IS THAT WE DO. IN THE NAME OF EFFICIENCY AS WELL AS IN THE NAME OF OPENNESS AND PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT, I WOULD MAKE THE ARGUMENT THAT WE WOULD BETTER SERVE THE PUBLIC IF WE DO OUR MEETINGS ON THURSDAYS AS OPPOSED TO DOING THEM ON TUESDAYS UNLESS WE MAYBE TIGHTEN DOWN THE NUMBER OF

THINGS WE DO ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

GARCIA AND THEN COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE I CHECK WITH MY STAFF TO ENSURE I WASN'T SPEAKING OUT OF TURN.

WE GOT ZERO ITEMS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA. TOMATO, TOMATO, WE MOVE THIS TO THURSDAY, THIS IS ASSUMING THAT A SUPPLEMENTAL PROCESS STAYS IN PLACE.

RIGHT NOW WE ARE GIVING THE PUBLIC TWO DAYS NOTICE OF THINGS THAT WILL BE ON THE AGENDA BECAUSE OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. TWO EXTRA DAYS.

IF WE MOVE TO THURSDAY THE PUBLIC ACTUALLY LOSES TWO DAYS AWARENESS THAT THEY ARE SEEING IN CONVERSATION THAT I AM HAPPY TO TAKE CALLS FROM. I DO TAKE CALLS WHEN THINGS POP UP ON THE AGENDA OVER THE WEEKEND. I THINK THE PUBLIC GETS TWO EXTRA DAYS, BUT WE PUT THIS ON THURSDAY, THE TIME FRAME FOR POSTING THE AGENDA DOESN'T CHANGE. THE PUBLIC DOESN'T GAIN ANYMORE.

I THINK BY USING THE ANALOGY OF SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AS A WAY FOR THE PUBLIC TO BE AWARE THAT THINGS ARE BEING POSTED ON FRIDAY. WE TALK THROUGH THEM ON FRIDAY

[03:45:01]

WE DO THIS ON THURSDAY, THEN PRESUMABLY THE REQUIRED LEGAL TIME FRAME FOR POSTING THE AGENDA DOESN'T CHANGE. IT BECOMES A MUCH TIGHTER TIME FRAME.

I MAY BE MISTAKEN, BUT I DON'T THINK WE ARE APARTMENT TO POST ON MONDAY BECAUSE WE ARE MEETING ON THURSDAY, OR WE WILL POST ON FRIDAY BECAUSE WE ARE MEETING ON THURSDAY.

I APPRECIATE THE EFFORT OR THE THOUGHT GIVEN TO THIS ITEM, BUT I JUST -- IT SEEMS TO HAVE

WORKED WELL FOR SO MANY YEARS. I THINK WE ARE IN A GOOD PLACE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM CURIOUS, I GUESS, MR. BERRY, DOES YOUR OFFICE HAVE A HAND IN THIS? LUCINDA, WHAT WORKS BETTER FOR THEM? FOR THAT MATTER WHY NOT MEET ON FRIDAY? OR MEET EVERY WEEK? MAYBE BEFORE WE DO IT I SAY DELAY IT AND DO A SURVEY AND AT LEAST GET A SENSE FROM THE FOLKS WHO HAVE TO GET ALL OF THAT STUFF PREPARED. IF YOU WANT MORE TIME, DO IT ON FRIDAYS. IF THIS WILL GO HALF THE NIGHT THEN YOU CAN SLEEP ON SATURDAY. I'M JUST SAYING IF PEOPLE DO A SURVEY AND PEOPLE HAVE TO -- I USED TO BE ON THAT EARLY BUS WHEN I WAS AN INTERN. I REMEMBER SECRETARY SENATE FOLKS, WE WOULD GET PAGES AND MESSAGES AND THERE WAS A LOT OF STUFF -- A WHOLE LOT OF STUFF WE HAD TO PUT IN ORDER. IT IS DIFFERENT HERE, BUT AFTER THE MEMBERS WOULD VOTE

ON IT, THE NEXT DAY THEY WANT IT ALL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'M UH MEANABLE TO THAT -- I'M AMEANABLE TO THAT DISCUSSION -- SUGGESTION.

LET'S ASK THOSE WHO ARE UH MEANABLE TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE PUBLIC MAY SAY GO ON -- BACK WHEN I COULD GET ON AN AIRPLANE, CABBING PUS, -- CABBING -- CACTUS JUST ZOOM ON IN. FEEL THE LOVE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, DID YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD ON THIS? >> NO.

I DO NOT. >> LINA HIDALGO: I MEAN, I'M HAPPY TO REVIEW THE -- WE HAD DISCUSSED WHETHER IT BE USEFUL TO HAVE A CONSENT AGENDA AND HOW WE MIGHT CHANGE THINGS.

IT WAS TOO COMPLICATED. I THINK ANY OF THESE CHANGES WE MAY THINK ABOUT.

IT MAY TURN OUT TO BE HARDER AND NOT WORTH THE SQUEEZE. I'M HAPPY TO LOOK INTO IT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: RODNEY, DID YOU WANT TO REFER IT TO THE BUDGET OFFICE OR THE ANALYSTS? WHO DID YOU WANT TO SEND IT TO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO SEND IT TO YOU AND THE JUDGE. YOU WORK IT OUT.

BECAUSE YOU WANT TO BE SO TRANSPARENT, I WOULD VOTE FOR A MEETING EVERY WEEK.

I MISS YOU ALL SO MUCH. I MISS BEING WITH PEOPLE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM NOT -- I

AM NOT SURE I WANT ANOTHER -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO GET OUT OF HERE BY THE

DEBATE. >> LINA HIDALGO: TAKE YOUR TIME WITH IT.

WE ARE PUTTING A LOT ON YOU GUYS. I TELL YOU ALL, WE TRY.

THIS IS ANOTHER ONE JUST LIKE THE BOARD -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEND IT TO

JOHN BLOUNT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS A HARD -- IT IS NOT AN EASY QUESTION. EVERYBODY HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION ON IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: PROPOSE WE MEET IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE COUNTY AS WELL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SERIOUSLY, DIFFERENT DAYS, TWICE A WEEK, EARLIER, LATER, YOU KNOW, IT JUST -- THERE IS NOT REALLY A SCIENCE BEHIND THIS STUFF. DAVE, IF YOU CAN -- IF YOUR GUYS CAN TAKE YOUR TIME AND THINK OF A WAY TO THINK ABOUT IT IN A STRUCTURED WAY, BUT COMMISSIONER ELLIS, I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO PUSH BACK ON YOUR SENDING IT OVER TO MY OFFICE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM JUST TRYING TO GET TO THE DEBATE, JUDGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DAVE, YOU GOT THAT? AND WE CAN PASS ON THE NOTES FROM THE WORK WE TRY TO DO ON THIS. IT JUST WASN'T GETTING

ANYWHERE. >> WE WILL TAKE A LOOK AND COME BACK WITH SOME POTENTIAL SUGGESTIONS. JUDGE, WE HAVE BEEN LOOKING AT SOME SOFTWARE OPTIONS TO

[03:50:03]

AND THEN GET FEEDBACK FROM THE OFFICES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, I KNOW IT IS A LITTLE SOONER THAN NORMAL FOR A BREAK, BUT DO YOU MIND -- I KNOW WE WANT TO GET TO THE DEBATE, BUT DO YOU MIND IF WE TAKE A 15-MINUTE BREAK?

>> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S BE BACK AT -- >> JUST FOR CLARITY.

ITEM 4J AND E2, THEY ARE BEING REFERRED TO BUDGET MANAGE NENT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. WE WILL BE BACK AT 5:10 AND CONTINUE WITH THE AGENDA.

LEAN LOON IT IS 5:14

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 5:14 AND COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS BACK IN COMMISSION.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: EARLIER ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES SAID WHERE AM I BECAUSE I WAS CONDUCTING COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I AM IN MY HOME AND I HAVE BEEN SELF-QUARANTINING THE LAST COUPLE DAYS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING MEETINGS ONLINE.

I WENT AND HAD A TEST THAT WAS DONE AND I JUST GOT MY RESULTS BACK AND IT IS A GOOD THING I WAS SELF-QUARANTINING AND I TESTED POSITIVE. I TESTED POSITIVE FOR COVID-19. I FEEL GREAT. I AM ASYMPTOMATIC.

I HAVE BEEN TALKING WITH MY DOCTORS AND I HAVE BEEN TALKING TO DR. SHAW ON HOW TO DO IT. THERE WILL BE A PRESS RELEASE THAT IS GOING OUT IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES. I HAVE BEEN OUT WITH MY LITTLE BANDANNA AND HAPPENED SANITIZERS AND I SQUIRT MY HANDS ALL THE TIME. I HAVE BEEN DOING THE PROTOCOL, BUT I HAVE BEEN EATING A LOT AT FAST-FOOD RESTAURANTS.

WHO KNOWS WHAT COMES ON THE BAGS? IT IS A LESSON THAT YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL AND EVEN IF YOU ARE CAREFUL YOU CAN PICK UP THESE THINGS.

I FEEL GREAT. I CONTINUE TO PARTICIPATE. I THINK EVEN YOU COMMISSIONER ELLIS EARLIER WAS COMMENTING ABOUT HOW GOOD I LOOK. I LOOK GOOD BECAUSE I FEEL

GOOD. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HOPE YOU KEEP LOOKING GOOD.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WISHING YOU THE BEST, MAN. WISHING YOU THE BEST.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IF WE CAN DO ANYTHING, LET US KNOW. IT WON'T BE FAST-FOOD, BUT IF WE HAVE TO DROP OFF SOMETHING ON YOUR SIDE OF TOWN AND WE CAN SANITIZE BEFORE DOING IT,

AND ANY OF US WILL BE HAPPY TO DO IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ONE OF THE GOOD THINGS ABOUT BEING AT THE HOUSE FOR THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS IS I HAVE BEEN RECEIVING THE BENEFIT OF THE LOVE MRS. CAGLE.

THERE IS NO BETTER COOK ON THIS EARTH THAN HER. AND SO THE SOPA -- THE SOUPS SHE HAS BEEN MAKING AND THE OTHER THINGS SHE HAS BEEN MAKING, COMMISSIONER GARCIA KNOWS THIS, SHE GREW UP IN EL PASO DEL NORTE. IF YOU WANT GOOD, UH -- AUTHENTIC -- G -- DID I SAY GOOD FOOD? THAT'S THE LADY TO GET IT FROM. I PROBABLY GAIN WEIGHT DURING MY QUARANTINE BECAUSE MY -- AS I WAS JOKING WITH MY COLLEAGUE A LITTLE WHILE AGO IT IS TACO BELL.

HOME COOKING IS A WHOLE LOT HEALTHIER FOR YOU. I AM NOT SLAMMING TACO BELL, IT IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE FOODS. I PROBABLY GAIN WEIGHT OVER THE NEXT 10 TO 14 DAYS AS WE FOLLOW THROUGH THE PROTOCOLS THAT ARE RECOMMENDED.

AND BY THE WAY, MY WIFE HAS BEEN TESTED AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE IT.

MY DAUGHTER WHO HAS BEEN WITH US HAS BEEN TESTED AND SHE DOES NOT HAVE IT.

WE ARE TESTING OTHER FOLKS THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN CLOSE CONTACT WITH.

SO FAR I'M IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JACK, WE WISH YOU THE BEST, MAN.

YOU LOOK AND SOUND GREAT. LISTEN, ONE OF THE THINGS I HEARD IS THAT IN ORDER TO GET THROUGH THE VIRUS AND IF YOU START TO FEEL A LITTLE DOWN, YOU GET THE LUNGS WORKING.

ONE WAY TO DO THAT IS TO VACUUM AND WASH DISHES AND WASH THE CLOTHES.

THAT PART IS FOR MRS. CAGLE TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHILE YOU ARE AT HOME.

[03:55:01]

SHE CAN GET YOU TO DO THAT AS A WAY OF KEEPING YOU HEALTHY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SHE IS NOT LISTENING TO THIS PART OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT. I I PROBABLY NOT NOT RECOMMEND SHE WATCH IT ON THE REWIND. THANK YOU FOR THAT, COUNCIL.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: BE CAREFUL, COMMISSIONER. I TALKED WITH FOLKS WHO STARTED OFF ASYMPTOMATIC AND THINGS COULD CHANGE. HAVE A PLAN IN PLACE.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: I HAVE BEEN ON TOP OF IT FROM THE BEGINNING.

BEING A MEMBER OF THIS COURT WHERE WE KNOW WHAT GOES ON, I RECOMMENDED THAT EVERYONE TAKE THINGS SERIOUSLY. I WILL BE TAKING THIS VERY SERIOUSLY AS WELL.

MY PHYSICIAN HAS PRESCRIBED ME THE MEDICATIONS AND WE ARE UNDERWAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WISHING YOU THE BEST, MAN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I FORGET WHICH ONE OF YOU WAS ASKING WHERE WAS I. NOW YOU KNOW.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GET BETTER, MAN. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, STAY HEALTHY, COMMISSIONER. SO, FOLKS, WE ARE SAYING THAT WE OUGHT TO VOTE ON THE CALENDAR ANYWAY JUST SO THAT PEOPLE CAN BEGIN PLANNING ON IT.

IF THERE IS A MOTION -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MOTION WE HAD EARLIER?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE DIRECTED BOTH ITEMS TO BUDGET TO LOOK AT WHAT PROCESSES WOULD BE -- COULD BE IMPROVED INCLUDING POTENTIAL DATE CHANGES. I FORGOT THAT WE NEED TO ADOPT A CALENDAR NOR -- FOR NEXT YEAR. IT IS DAVE'S ITEM, ITEM J ON PAGE 9. THOSE ARE THE PROPOSED HOLIDAYS AND AND MEETINGS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

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

MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE I WAS DISTRACTED.

WHAT WAS THE LAST VOTE ON? >> LINA HIDALGO: AIMS -- I'M SORRY, COMMISSIONER.

THAT WAS THE VOTE ON THE CALENDAR THAT BUDGET MANAGEMENT PROPOSED.

IT IS ITEM 4J ON PAGE 9. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND WE REFERRED THAT BACK TO BUDGET

MANAGEMENT? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE REFERRED THAT AND YOUR ITEM TO BUDGET MANAGEMENT. THEN OVER THE BREAK FOLKS WERE TEXTING ME THAT WE NEED TO

ADOPT A CALENDAR SO THEY CAN BEGIN PLANNING FOR THINGS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF HIS ITEM COMES BACK TO MOVE TO THURSDAYS THEN OBVIOUSLY WE HAVE TO CHANGE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE NEED TO ADOPT A CALENDAR. >> R. JACK CAGLE: AND HOW LONG

DO WE HAVE IF WE WANT TO CHANGE IT? >> LINA HIDALGO: I DON'T THINK

THERE IS A -- >> JANUARY. IT IS JANUARY.

THIS IS LUCINDA. >> R. JACK CAGLE: SO IF I UNDERSTAND THE MOTION, THE MOTION IS TO ADOPT THE CALENDAR AS PRESENTED, COMMA, BUT TO REFER IT TO BUDGET

MANAGEMENT TO REVIEW WITH POSSIBLE CHANGES. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES.

THANK YOU. >> IS THAT THE MOTION? >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S

RIGHT. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IF THAT'S THE MOTION I SECOND IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO LET'S VOTE ON THAT MOTION. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? STEVE THIS IS RADACK --

>> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS RADACK AND I ABSTAIN. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. IT IS 4-0. OKAY, IGA.

UNIVERSAL SERVICES. PUBLIC HEALTH. COMMUNITY SERVICES.

VETERAN SERVICES. AID JUDGE, I'M SORRY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, CAN WE GO BACK TO COMMUNITY SERVICES QUICKLY AND ITEM B? THAT'S THE DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE THAT WE DO AND THERE ARE THREE GRANTS WE ARE PROVIDING AND ONE IS IN PRECINCT 2. THERE IS NO NEED TO HAVE JOSH GET ONLINE, BUT I DO WANT COMMUNITY SERVICES TO CONTINUE TO LOOK AT THIS PROGRAM AND SEE IF WE ARE STILL -- THAT WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ACCELERATE IT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE. WHEN I BROUGHT THIS ISSUE UP LAST YEAR, WE WERE ABLE TO GIVE COMMUNITY SERVICES SOME LEEWAY AS TO HOW TO NAVIGATE THIS WITHOUT HAVING TO COME TO COURT WITH JUST SINGLE ITEMS. WE HAVE THREE OF THEM HERE. I AM NOT SURE -- I DON'T KNOW

[04:00:03]

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE WERE AT VETERANS. YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICES.

CONSTABLES. SHERIFF. FIRE MARSHALL.

COUNTY CLERK. DISTRICT CLERK. WE HAVE A REQUEST NO ACTION BE TAKEN ON ITEM 15 AND PAGE 12. CON TEEN -- COUNTY ATTORNEY. JUSTICE ADMINISTRATION.

PRETRIAL. TRAVEL AND TRAINING. GRANTS.

FISCAL SERVICES AND PURCHASING. PURCHASING THERE IS A CORRECTION ITEM L ON PAGE 17. A CORRECTION CHANGE TO THE FLOOD CONTROL DISTRICT TO ENGINEERING. NEXT IS COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND UNDER MY AGENDA I HAD THE RESOLUTION AND ACCEPTING HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS. PRECINCT 1.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: IN -- WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO DO IS MR. BETKEY GIVE US AN UPDATE AND MAYBE HE AND THE PUBLIC DEFENDER ON WHERE WE ARE ON THE DASHBOARD ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN TALKED ABOUT AND WHERE WE ARE ON UTILIZATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

I WOULD LIKE SOME SENSE OF WHETHER OR NOT WE HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT A CAP ON THE CASE MOST STANDARDS AND WHETHER OR NOT THE TERM CONTRACT THAT'S HAVE BEEN AWARDED ARE LEGAL OR NOT. MAYBE I WILL START OFF WITH YOU.

I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF PRESS COVERAGE ABOUT TOO MANY PEOPLE ABOUT GETTING PEOPLE IN THE CASES THEY ARE MAKING. I WOULD LIKE TO GET SOME INPUT FROM THEM.

WHAT'S YOUR PREFERENCE. ONE OF YOU GUYS GIVE US AN UPDATE.

>> COMMISSIONER THIS IS JIM BEVKEY. I AM HAPPY TO GO FIRST.

REGARDING THE INDIGENT DEFENSE DASHBOARD, WE HAVE COMPLETED OUR FIRST MODULE.

IT IS GOING TO BE PROBABLY THREE OR FOUR FOR THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD.

THE FIRST NODULE PERTAINS TO COURT APPOINTMENTS. PRIVATE ATTORNEYS GETTING APPOINTED AS WELL AS THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. I HAVE A TRANSMITAL LETTER SENT TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE COURT TOMORROW. NOTHING HAS BEEN DISTRIBUTED YET. AND IT IS TO MAKE SURE OUR DATE IS GOOD.

WE WANTED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS CORRECT. I AM REALLY PROUD OF OUR I.T.

TEAM AND THE WORK THEY DID. WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS WEE WILL HAVE THE -- WEEKS WE WILL HAVE THE SECOND NODULE THAT WILL TIE INTO THE REQUESTS WE RECEIVED FROM COMMISSIONER GARCIA, CAGLE AND RADACK AND ELLIS REGARDING FINANCIALS, CASE LOADS, THINGS OF THAT NATURE. WE ARE TESTING IT NOW AND ENSURING THAT THEY ARE READY AT NEXT COURT. REGARDING WHAT WE ARE SEEING IS THE UTILIZATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. IT IS 8% OR MAYBE 7% FOR THE DISTRICT COURTS AND THE NUMBERS DO VARY. I THINK WHEN THE JUDGES ADD SUBSTANCE TO THE DATABASE AND THEY ARE ABLE TO MONSTER -- MONITOR KIND OF WHERE THEY ARE AT, THEY CAN LEAD AND, YOU KNOW, GO AHEAD AND APPOINT ACCORDINGLY. RIGHT NOW WE ARE NOT SURE WHO

[04:05:09]

WE HAVE A RULE THAT SAYS IF AN APPOINTMENT LASTS FOR SEVEN DAYS OR LONGER IT IS A CONTRACT AND THE CONTRACT STANDARDS THAT THE STATE IS FROM IS COLLECTIVE.

I DON'T THINK IT EVER GOT IMPLEMENTED. I KNOW THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING

WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MIGHT JUST TO MAKE SURE WE ARE CLEAR, AND YOU TELL ME IF I AM RIGHT OR WRONG.

ONE OF THE FORMS REINITIATED, I THINK THE DAY OF MR. FLOYD FUNERAL, WAS A GOAL TO INCREASE THE UTILIZATION OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE TO 30%.

THAT'S IMPORTANT BECAUSE THERE ARE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEMS WITH INDIGENT DEFENSE IN HARRIS COUNTY. THREE ARE INNER RELATED PROBLEM WITH THE INDIGENT DEFENSE IN THIS COUNTY. ONE-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS AND HIGH PRIVATE ATTORNEY CASE LOADS AND UNDER UTILIZATION OF PUBLIC IN THE OFFICE. IS THAT A FAIR COMMENT?

>> ABSOLUTELY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WITH THESE ONE-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS, IS THAT -- DO WE AS A COMMISSIONER'S COURT HAVE THE ABILITY TO STOP THOSE BY VOTING NO TO GIVE OUT

THESE CONTRACTS ? >> RIGHT NOW YOU DON'T HAVE THE ABILITY, BUT ARE YOU SUPPOSED TO HAVE THE ABILITY. SOME OF THE ONE-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS TURN INTO 26 AND MORE, AND SOME ARE EVEN 52 WEEKS WHERE THE DISCOUNT IS STACKED ON ONE ANOTHER.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: HOW DO WE GET THE ABILITY? >> MY UNDERSTANDING AND I TALKED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEYS IN PREPARATION OF THIS YOU -- OF THIS AGENDA ITEM, AND MY UNDERSTANDING IS THAT THE DISTRICT COURTS ARE WORKING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE TO HAVE A CONTRACT. THE LAWYERS THAT ARE PARTICIPATING FOR THE WEEK OR LONGER, WHAT IS HAPPENING IS EVERY MEMBER IS COMING BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT. THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO HAVE OVERSIGHT AND CHECK ON THIS, BUT THE WAY IT HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED, YOU ALL HAVE BEEN BYPASSED.

I SAY LIKE -- WITH THE COUNTY CRIMINAL BOARD THIS RULE DOES NOT APPLY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS. >> THE MISDEMEANOR COURTS.

THE ASSIGNMENT OF CASES ARE WITH THE OTHER ATTORNEY. IT IS INDEPENDENT OF JUDICIAL AND POLITICAL INFLUENCE LIKE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE. THERE IS NOT GOING TO BE A NEED FOR YOU TO REVIEW ANY CONTRACTS THAT ARE MANAGED BY THE PROGRAM.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: ON THE MAC IT WON'T BE A PROBLEM WITH MISDEMEANORS, BUT ON THE FELONY SIDE I WANT TO MAKE SURE I AM CLEAR, FOR THE AGENCY YOU USED TO RUN, ARE

THOSE ONE WITH ASSIGNMENTS PERMISSIBLE? >> THEY ARE PERMISSIBLE PROVIDED YOU HAVE A WRITTEN CONTRACT WITH STANDARDS AND CASE -- CASE LOAD LIMITATIONS AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE. THAT IS PART OF THE TEXAS INDIGENT COMMISSIONER.

[04:10:01]

>> I DON'T WANT TO SPEAK TO THEM. THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED THEIR

REPORT YET. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO THEY WOULD BE MATCHING THE MONEY THEY

GAVE US? >> THE STATE HAS NEVER DONE THAT, BUT THEY CAN GO BACK AND

SEE THE FUNDS THAT WERE PROVIDED THE FUND. >> THE GUY WHO AUTHORED THE

BILL I WOULD ADVOCATE THEY TAKE IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT ARE YOU SEEING NOW? SOMEBODY WROTE ME A LETTER SAYING IT IS OVER THE STANDARD TO MAKE 900,000 ON COURT APPOINTMENTS. PEOPLE HAVEN'T SEEN THE

LAWYER. >> THE FINANCIAL CASE WILL COME IN A FEW WEEKS.

THAT WILL HIT ON CASE LOADS. WHAT THIS DASHBOARD WILL DO, IT WILL SHOW REALTIME DAILY WHAT THE APPOINTMENT RATE IS FOR PRIVATE ATTORNEYS AND WHAT THE APPOINTMENT RATE IS THROUGH PUBLIC DEFENDERS. IT MAY BE HAPPENSTANCE, BUT SKINS -- SINCE THE COURTS WERE AWARE IT WENT FROM 5% TO 7 AND 8% IN A MONTH PERIOD. WITH SUNSHINE ON THE PROCESS IT WILL GIVE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE COURTS TO UTILIZE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE.

RIGHT NOW THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE IS BEING UNDER UTILIZED.

MAYBE NOT IN ALL AREAS, BUT SOME AREAS THEY ARE BEING UNDER UTILIZED.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE, TO SET THE STAGE, I KNOW WE ALL UNDERSTAND IT, BUT FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE WATCHING, NONE OF US ON THIS COURT WOULD LET ONE OF OUR LOVED ONES BE ACCUSED OF SOMETHING, AND THEN LET THE JUDGE HEARING THAT CASE PICK THE LAWYER.

WE WOULD HAWK OUR HOME AND OUR CAR OR WHATEVER IT TOOK. POOR PEOPLE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO GO THROUGH THAT. IT HAS BEEN ANESS FORUM -- ANESS FORUM -- A NECESSARY FORUM. THE NEPHEW WAS IN THE "NEW YORK TIMES," AND THAT WAS THREE MONTHS AGO THAT DIDN'T HAVE MUCH IMPACT. I AM HOPING THAT AT LEAST WITH THIS IT IS OUT THERE. MAN, I WANT TO MAKE SURE SOMETHING COMES SO I FOR ONE WILL VOTE NO ON THAT OLD SCHOOL SLEEZY SYSTEM THAT WE HAVE IN PLACE.

IT HAS BEEN THERE FAR TOO LONG. IT USED TO BE YEARLY

CONTRACTS. IT IS WEEK TO WEEK. >> AND IT IS STAGGERED.

IT IS REALLY A CONVOLUTED SYSTEM. I WANT TO THANK THE COURT FOR ALLOWING ME TO BUILD OUT MY TEAM AND GET SOME COMPETENT PEOPLE.

I WAS REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO WORKING ON KIND OF THE INDIGENT DEFENSE ISSUES AND WORKING WITH THE COURTS AND OTHERS TO IMPROVE THE SYSTEM. AND NOW WE ARE FINALLY GETTING TO IT. I AM EXCITED WE ARE FINALLY THERE AND WE WILL HAVE A

MEANINGFUL DELIVERABLE WE WILL SEND YOU TOMORROW MORNING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUDGE I ONLY RAISE THIS BECAUSE THIS PART SHOULD BELOW HANGING FRUIT.

IT SHOULD BE BIPARTISAN UNIVERSAL SUPPORT. IT SHOULD BE WHAT HAPPENS WITH THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNSEL OUTSIDE, MR. BETKEY, THE CRIMINAL MATTERS.

IT IS WRONG. >> AND THE CONTRACTOR DEFENDER RULES THAT WE WERE TALKING ABOUT, SOMEBODY HELD TO HIGH ESTEEM AND ONE OF MY BOARD MEMBERS IS THE WIFE OF COMMISSIONER RADET. SHERRY RADET AND SHE ADOPTED THE STANDARDS.

[04:15:03]

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DIDN'T WANT TO CUT YOU OFF. I KNOW WE ARE TIRED AND SHAKEN TO HEAR OUR COLLEAGUE'S DIAGNOSIS. ANYTHING ELSE?

>> I APPRECIATE TO WORK ON THAT AND LOOKING AT THE FUTURE NODULES OF BUSINESS FIRST AND THREE OR FOUR OF THE OTHER ONES AND WE ARE MAKING SURE IT IS TRACKED BEFORE WE PUBLISH

IT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IF I MIGHT, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM MR. BUNAN, AND YOU CAN DO IT BETTER THAN I CAN. WHY A PUBLIC DEFENDER? WHY DOES IT MATTER WHY WE SHOULDN'T HAVE WHAT WE HAVE NOW.

>> I JUST WANT TO ADD TO WHAT JIM SAID AND IT IS NOT TO CONTRADICT HIM, BUT I BELIEVE THE COURT HAS AUTHORITY OVER THESE CONTRACTS. THE TYPE OF APPOINTMENT PROGRAM THAT HARRIS COUNTY HAS CALLS FOR AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM.

UNDER THE ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM, IT IS PERFECTLY LEGAL. THE IDEA OF HAVING THESE CONTRACTS, BUT WHAT IT IS THAT -- AND I AM QUOTING THE ACT ITSELF.

IN ESTABLISHING AN ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM UNDER SUBSECTION G, THE JUDGES OF THE COURT ESTABLISHING THE PROGRAM MAY NOT WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF COMMISSIONER'S COURT OBLIGATE THE COUNTY BY CONTRACT OR THE CREATION OF NEW POSITIONS THAT COULD INCREASE THE EXPEPPED TOUR OF -- THE EXPENDITURE OF COUNTY FUNDS. YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY OVER

THE CONTRACTS WHETHER IT IS A WEEK OR A YEAR. >> THIS IS JIM.

I DON'T NECESSARILY DISAGREE, BUT I DON'T THINK WE HAVE CONTRACTS WITH LAWYERS RIGHT

NOW, DO WE? >> I PRACTICE CRIMINAL LAW, BUT IN THE FIRST YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL THEY TELL ME THAT TWO PARTIES HAVE AN AGREEMENT AND THERE IS CONSIDERATION AND WE

HAVE CONTRACT. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, ARE YOU ON MUTE.

>> I AGREE WITH THAT AND I DON'T DISAGREE THAT IT IS NOT A CONTRACT.

I AM JUST SAYING WE DON'T HAVE CONTRACTS WITH COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS IT RELATES TO THE MONEY MR. BETKEY? >> SAY THAT AGAIN.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: AS IT RELATES TO THE MONEY, CAN I ASK THE AUDITOR -- I MAKE THAT REQUEST NOW, TO DO AN AUDIT OF THOSE PAYMENTS, AND THEN BRING TO THIS COURT IN TWO WEEKS ALL OF THE INCIDENTS WHERE IT WAS DEFACTO AND I FOR -- FORGOT ALL THOSE TERMS. I WANT THEM ON THE NEXT AGENDA SO I CAN VOTE NO ON GOING FORWARD AND FIND OUT IF THEY ARE MAIMENT -- PAYMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE. I WOULD LIKE THE AUDITOR TO

LOOK AT THAT AND HAVE IT ON THE NEXT AGENDA. >> GREAT.

WE WILL WORK WITH THE AUDITOR'S OFFICE. >> I THINK ALT -- ALEX HAS A

POINT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANT TO SAY? WHY WOULD A PD MATTER BY THE WAY?

>> WHY WOULD A PD MATTER? I MEAN, WE HAVE TWO REPORTS ON OUR OFFICE.

ONE DONE IN 2013 AND ONE DONE THIS YEAR. TONY WORKED ON BOTH OF THEM AND THEY BOTH SAID THEY GET BETTER RESULTS. YOU CAN BUDGED FOR -- YOU CAN BUDGET FOR US AND YOU CANDY PENNED ON THE QUALITY OF THE WORK.

IT IS KNOWN THAT GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE A BETTER SYSTEM. THAT'S ALL I GOT.

>> STEVE RADACK: JIM, YOU ARE GIVING PEOPLE PUBLICITY TODAY BECAUSE OF THE CITE AND RELEASE. YOU ARE GETTING IT DONE. YOU ARE INVOLVED IF DECEMBER

AND YOU GOT IT GOING. >> I CAME IN ON THE BACK END. >> IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS MOVING

SO I WANTED TO BRING THAT UP. >> JUDGE I WANT TO CONGRATULATE JIM.

[04:20:05]

JUDGE, THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP. >> LINA HIDALGO: LUCINDA, YOU

SAID WE HAVE A SPEAKER? >> WE HAVE A FEW. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

>> MONIQUE JOSEPH WITH RESTORING JUSTICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> GOOD MORNING, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. ACTUALLY IT IS AFTERNOON OR EVEN EVENING. BEFORE COMING TO WORK IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM I WORKED AS A PHLEBOTOMIST. NOT TO BE ARROGANT, BUT I TOOK PRIDE TO HIT HARD VEINS.

WE WOULD DO SCREENING FOR THE STAFF AND THEIR SPOUSES, DRAWING BLOOD FOR 150 PEOPLE IN A DAY WAS PLAUSIBLE. WHAT MAKES A GOOD PHLEBOTOMIST IS THE CONFIDENCE AND THEIR ABILITY TO PERFORM TO AN INDIVIDUAL ARM. I LEARNED EARLY IN MY PHLEBOTOMY CAREER THAT MOST VEINS ARE PREPPING. YOU CAN'T JUST DIVE IN AND EXPECT RESULTS. I HAVE TO LISTEN TO WHAT PATIENTS TELL ME.

IF MY FOCUS WAS GETTING THROUGH AS MANY STICKS AS POSSIBLE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A JOB. I HAD TO ENSURE I GAVE EACH PATIENT UH -- ASSURANCE THAT I CARE AND FIND A VEIN AND APPLY A TOURNIQUET AND APPLY ALCOHOL AND WAIT FOR IT TO DRY AND PLAN THE NEEDLE ANGLE AND SPEED. WHEN I MENTION PHLEBOTOMY, MANY OF YOU MAY HAVE PROBABLY THOUGHT ABOUT THE WORST EXPERIENCE, BUT MAYBE RECALL A TIME WHERE YOU HAD A GREAT PHLEBOTOMIST. SIMILARLY, NEEDED COURT APPOINTED COUNSEL ARE HAVING A HARD TIME TO HAVE A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY WHO FOUGHT FOR THEM. SINCE THE CURRENT SYSTEM IS NOT OPERATING EQUITABLE, REALLY GREAT ATTORNEYS ARE NOT GIVEN CASES AND BAD ATTORNEYS ARE GETTING FAT RICH OFF OUR TAX DOLLARS ON THE BACKS OF THE MOST VULNERABLE. WE DISCOVERED IT HAD LIFE ALTERING AND DEADLY CONSEQUENCES. WE CAN STOP THE HARMFUL ABUSES. IT IS IN THE LOOPHOLE OF ONE-WEEK ASSIGNMENTS THAT EXACERBATES THE RACIAL DISPARITIES IN THE SYSTEM THAT HAS LIFE ALTERING AND EVEN DEADLY CONSEQUENCES AS YOU READ IN THE REPORT. MANY OF OUR JUDGES ARE DROPPING THE BALL ON REFORM ON ENSURING INDIVIDUALS CARE EVEN FOR THOSE WHO ARE TOO POOR.

THEY THEY CAN'T SEE THEIR ATTORNEY UNTIL THE DAY IN COURT.

IMAGINE IF I HAD TO CLOSE MY EYES UNTIL I WAS READY TO STICK.

I WOULD RUSH THROUGH THE DAY OF THOSE MOST VULNERABLE. JUST POKING AWAY.

THE SAME SHOULD BE TRUE FOR THOSE ACCUSED OF THE MOST SERIOUS CRIME AND MOST VULNERABLE. THANK YOU FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE TO MAKE HARRIS COUNTY MORE EQUITABLE. LET'S KEEP MOVING FORWARD WITH HIGH STANDARDS OF COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> JOE VAN -- GIOVANNI WITH

RESTORING JUSTICE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON, COMMISSIONERS.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING MY BROTHERS BEFORE ME TO SPEAK BEFORE YOU.

I WANT TO THANK THEM FOR BRINGING A LEVEL OF EXPERTISE IN OUR COUNTY.

I THINK A LOT OF OUR CITIZENS DON'T KNOW THE STAW -- THE STATISTICS.

I AM THE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, AND UNFORTUNATELY I DISCOVERED IT IN MY SHORT 18 MONTHS AND I HAVE MET TIME AND TIME AND TIME AGAIN MEN AND WOMEN BEING AFFECTED BY OVER LOADED COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS. WHEN I HEARD COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEYS WAS AN ISSUE I DIDN'T NECESSARILY UNDERSTAND THE GRAVITY OF THE ISSUE UNTIL I LOOKED ACROSS THE AISLE -- ACROSS THE EYES OF A MAN WHO SAID HE HAD NOT SEEN HIS ATTORNEY FOR 16 MONTHS AND

[04:25:03]

IT IS TIME WE TAKE PRIDE IN THAT. I WANT TO THANK YOU ALL FOR HEARING US OUT AND I PLEAD WITH YOU FOR DOING SOMETHING WITH THE OVERLOADED COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEY AND US SPECIALLY THE CONTRACTS THAT WERE LOOKING AT THE LOOPHOLE

WE WERE TRYING TO HOLD ACCOUNTABLE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU

FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS. APPRECIATE IT. >> DREW WITH RESTORING

JUSTICE. GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> GOOD EVENING.

THIS IS DREW AND I AM WITH RESTORING JUSTICE. IF YOU DON'T KNOW THE ORGANIZATION WAS CREATED BECAUSE OF THE CASE LOAD ISSUE FIVE YEARS AGO.

THERE IS NOT MUCH I CAN ADD FROM WHAT WAS ALREADY SAID. WHAT I SAY FOR AT LAST 10 TO 20 YEARS THERE WERE LEGAL PRINCIPALS AND CASE LAW AND STATUTE OUTS PASSED AND LAURIE -- LAW REVIEW ARTICLES AND A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE FROM THE ADA AND NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES THAT SCREAM THESE EMPLOYMENTS NEED TO BE INDEPENDENT AND THERE NEEDS TO BE CASE LOAD STANDARDS. I HAVE PROVIDED THE COMMISSIONERS ARE REPORTS THAT SPEAK TO THAT. HOW THEY DON'T RECOGNIZE THE NATIONAL BEST PRACTICES, THERE IS ONE WAY AND THERE ARE JUDGES HANGING ON TO POWER WRONGFULLY.

THERE ARE FORCES ACTING AGAINST THE REFORM THEY ARE TRYING TO IMPLEMENT.

I THANK YOU FOR DOING THAT. TO SHARE SOME MORE REAL WORLD IMPACT, I AM A PRACTICING ATTORNEY AND WE KNOW WHICH COURTS LIKE US AND DON'T. ONE MAN WAS SITTING FOR SIX MONTHS WITHOUT SEEING HIS ATTORNEY. WE WALKED IN AND READ THE REPORT. I ASKED THE PROSECUTOR ONE QUESTION.

DO YOU THINK YOU COULD GO PUBLIC AND SEE IF THEY RECOGNIZE THE GUY? THE PROSECUTOR WALKED IN THE BACK AND SAID HE DOESN'T RECOGNIZE HIM.

CASE OVER. ANOTHER GUY WAS IN JAIL FOR 9 MONTHS.

WE DID AN INVESTIGATION. WE HAVE A HOLISTIC MODEL LIKE THE PUBLIC DEFENDER'S PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE DOES. WE SAW THE VICTIM AND SAT WITH THE VICTIM.

SHE SAID YOU MEAN TO TELL ME THAT HE HAS HAD A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY FOR 9 MONTHS AND THEY HAVE NOT COME AND VISITED ME EVER? YOU TOOK THE CASE AND ONE DAY LATER CAME AND SAW ME? I WENT OUT THE NEXT DAY. THE VICTIM NEEDED HIM.

THEY WANTED THE CASE DROPPED. AFTER TWO DAYS OF REPRESENTATIVE WE GOT THE CASE DROPPED. THERE WAS ANOTHER MAN WHO SAT FOR TWO YEARS IN HARRIS COUNTY JAIL WITH THE COURT-UH PONTED ATTORNEY -- COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY WHO SAID WE CAN'T DO ANY BETTER THAT -- BETTER THAN 25 YEARS. AFTER A SOCIAL WORKER GETTING HIM BACK TO WORK AND PREPARING HIS DEFENSE WITH HIS DEFENSE TEAM WE FOUND OUT THAT HE

[04:30:03]

25 YEARS OF PRISON UNDER THE CURRENT OPTION AND A LIFE RENEWED UNDER WHAT YOU CAN

IMPLEMENT TODAY. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU.

AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> NICKY LO UELLE -- LOU ELLEN.

TEXAS ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. >> YES, HELLO. IN A LANDMARK 1963 CASE, THE JUDGE WROTE THAT ANY PERSON HAULED INTO COURT WHO IS TOO POOR TO HIRE A LAWYER CANNOT GUARANTEED A FAIR TRIAL UNLESS COUNSEL IS PROVIDED. EVEN TODAY THEY ARE DENIED A FAIR TRIAL, BUT NOT BECAUSE THEY LACK REPRESENTATION, BUT THE ATTORNEY THEY WERE APPOINTED ON -- APPOINTED IS OFTENTIMES SO BOGGED DOWN AND MORE INTERESTED IN MONEY THAN THEIR CLIENT. 43% OF HARRIS COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS ARE UNABLE TO COVER BASIC NEEDS. GIVEN THE SAD REALITY WE MUST ASK OURSELVES WILL THESE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO CANNOT AFFORD THEIR BRISK NEED BE GIVEN A FAIR TRIAL? WITH THE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CASE LOADS ON A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY AND WHERE FELONY JUDGES RECEIVE CONTRIBUTIONS FOR GIVING CASES TO LAWYERS, THE ANSWER IS NO.

PAY TO PLAY IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN HARRIS COUNTY AND PROBLEMATIC ACROSS THE STATE.

ALTHOUGH THEY BEGAN REQUIRING THE CASE LOAD MAXIMUM TO COMBAT THIS ISSUE THAT WOULD CONTRIBUTE TO POOR DEFENDANTS WITH LESS REPRESENTATION AND SHORT OF PRISON SENTENCES.

THIS MEASURE HAS BEEN VIOLATED BY MANY JUDGES WHO ARE USING ONE WEEK ASSIGNMENTS TO BRING IF LAWYERS OVER LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I STRONGLY REQUEST YOU IMMEDIATELY INVOKE YOUR SUPERVISORY RIGHTS ON THESE CONTRACTS AND MANDATE CASE LOAD MAXIMUM FOR COURT APPOINTED ATTORNEYS. IN CONCLUSION, ALL RESIDENTS OF HARRIS COUNTY DESERVE FAIR AND JUST TREATMENT. THESE HARMFUL PRACTICES SHOULD

BE DISMANTLED IMMEDIATELY. THANK YOU. >> R HAYES WITH TEXAS

ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. MY NAME IS RUTH HAYES.

I HAVE EXPERIENCED MY OWN PERSONAL STORY ON INDIGENT DEFENSE WHEN MY FAMILY MEMBER WAS FACED WITH A CHARGE OF AN OFFENSE AS FAR BACK AS 1991. INDIGENT DEFENSE IN HARRIS COUNTY HAS LONG BEEN IN CRISIS. OUR CURRENT SYSTEM NOT ONLY AFFECTS BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE, BUT ALL POOR PERSONS WHO ARE LIKELY TO LEAVE WITH A COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY. WE NEED THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ACT.

LET'S GET THE ATTORNEY APPOINTMENT PROCESS OUT OF THE HANDS OF THE JUDGE AND AT THEIR DISCRETION. STOP JUDGES WHO PUSH BACK ON REFORMS. CONSTITUTIONS OF ADEQUATE REPRESENTATIONS ARE BEING VIOLATED.

IT IS COUNTY CASE LOADS AND ANYONE CAN SEE IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.

THE INFORMATION SHOWS THE MAGNITUDE OF CASE LOADS BY LAWYERS.

STOP THE JUDICIAL OVERSIGHT. WE NEED OUR COURT TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT AND FAIR.

LAMB MEN STATIONS -- LAMENTATIONS SAYS YOU HEARD MY CREE -- PLEA.

DO NOT IGNORE MY CRY OF RELIEF. THANK YOU FOR HEARING ME

TODAY. >> THANK YOU. HENRY PRICE WITH TOP.

>> YES. GREETINGS, JUDGE HIDALGO AND COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.

MY NAME IS DR. HENRY PRICE. I AM A PASTOR IN SUNNY SIDE AND A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS ORGANIZING PROJECT AS WELL AS HOUSTON MINISTERS AGAINST CRIME.

I SIGNED UP TO SPEAK TO YOU TODAY BECAUSE I CARE ABOUT JUSTICE.

MANY TIMES I HAVE COME BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND ASKED MY ELECTIVE

[04:35:03]

I OPPOSED MORE PROSECUTORS AND SUPPORTED FIGHTING THE END OF CASH BAIL BECAUSE OF SYSTEM OF MASS INCARCERATION. A SYSTEM THAT IMPACTS BLACK PEOPLE.

AS BLACK PEOPLE IN A RACIST SOCIETY WE ARE OVER POLICED, OVER ARRESTED, OVER PROSECUTED AND OVER INCARCERATED. WHEN IT COMES TO THE LEGAL DEFENSE WE ARE UNDERREPRESENTED. IT IS ESPECIALLY TRUE FOR THE POOR.

THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD AN ATTORNEY SHOULD NOT ACCEPT COURT-APPOINTED LAWYERS WHO HAVE NO CAPACITY AND OFTEN NO DESIRE TO PROVIDE THEM WITH A VIGOROUS DEFENSE.

THE POSH SHOULD NOT BE FORCED -- THE POUR SHOULD NOT BE FORCED FOR THE COURT-APPOINTED ATTORNEY. THE IT SHOULD BE INDEPENDENT FROM THE JUDGES WHICH THE CASE IS BEING HERD. AND THEN THE CASE LOAD SHOULD BE ENFORCED AND ALL LOOPHOLES TO ALLOW THE JUDGE TO GET AROUND THE LIMITS MUST BE CLOSED.

I AM ASKING YOU TODAY TO DO SOMETHING FOR THE POOR TRAPPED IN THIS INJUST SYSTEM.

MATTHEW SAYS BARELY I SAY TO YOU AND AS MUCH AS YOU HAVE DONE IT UNTIL ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE MY BRETHREN, YOU HAVE DONE IT UNTO ME. THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME

SHARE. >> THANK YOU. >> LEAH BROWN WITH TEXAS CIVIL

RIGHTS PROJECT. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

I AM A FORMER PUBLIC DEFENDER WHO PRACTICED AS A PUBLIC DEFENDER SERVICE FOR THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FOR A DECADE. THE TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT CARES ABOUT INJUSTICES AGAINST POOR AND LOW INCOME PEOPLE AND BLACK PEOPLE AND INDIGENOUS PEOPLE AND OTHER PEOPLE OF COLOR. ONE INJUSTICE IS THE RECKLESS ABANDON TOWARD THE LIVES AND THE LIVELIHOOD AND THE OUTCOMES THAT POOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ACCUSED OF CRIME FACE. THE RECKLESS ABANDON OF THE VIOLATION OF WHAT IS THE SPIRIT OF THE DEFENSE ACT. IT ISMENT TO ESTABLISH INSTITUTIONAL DEFENDERS SO THE APPOINTMENT OF COUNCIL IS INDEPENDENT OF ANY FINANCIAL INTEREST.

SO THOSE WHO ARE COMMITTED TO INDIGENT DEFENSE AND WHO SPECIALIZE AND WHOSE OFFICES HAVE THE CAPACITY TO SUPERVISE AND TO INVESTIGATE AND TO INVEST IN A HOLISTIC AND INSTITUTIONAL INDIGENT DEFENSE. THIS IS VIOLATED BY THE ONE-TERM ASSIGN LENTZ AND -- ASSIGNMENTS AND INCLUDING CASH BAIL.

WE ARE ASKING THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO EXERCISE THE OVERSIGHT OVER COUNCIL IN INDO JNT CASES -- IN INDIGENT CASES. QUUN ONE WAY IS TO LOOK AT WHAT IS GOING ON. WHAT IS -- WHAT ARE THE FINANCIAL ENTANGLEMENTS AND WHAT ARE THE OUTCOMES IN PEOPLE'S CASES? WE ARE LOOKING FOR TRANSPARENCY AND OVERSIGHT OF THE BODY.

IT IS WHAT WE CARE ABOUT AND IT IS FOR PEOPLE WHO DESERVE SPECIALIZED AND TRAINED FOCUSED PEOPLE COMMITTED TO THEIR CASES. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

[04:40:01]

>> THANK YOU. NATHAN FENNEL WITH TEXAS FAIR DEFENSE PROJECT.

GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> I AM AN ATTORNEY WITH THE TEXAS FAIR DEFENSE PROJECT.

PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THE DISPARITY OF THE DIFFERENT FORMS OF COUNCIL AND THE CORRELATIONS WITH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS. IT IS FOR MONTHS AT A TIME WITHOUT BIDDING OUT THE CONTRACT AND IT MAY HAVE STOPPED.

THE JUDGES WERE PLAGUING THE THE SYSTEM WITH ONE-WEEK APPOINTMENTS.

AND THEY ARE VIOLATING THE FAIR DEFENSE ACT FOR TWO REASONS.

IF THIS SYSTEM HAS INCREASED EXPENSES FOR THE COUNTY, THEN IT WOULD REQUIRE COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVAL TO IMPLEMENT IT. THE COUNTY'S PLAN FOR APPOINTING LAWYERS MUST ENSURE THAT, QUOTE, APPOINTMENTS ARE REASONABLY AND IMPARTIALLY ALLOCATED AMONG EQUAL FILED ATTORNEYS. VIOLATING THE ACT CAN HAVE CONSEQUENCES. MORE IMPORTANTLY IT HURTS THE CITIZENS THEY ARE INTENDED TO PROTECT. IN 2016 A REVIEW OF THE INDIGENT DEFENSE SYSTEM THAT PROVIDES SIGNIFICANT FUNDING FOR INDIGENT EXPENSES BY AN ILLEGAL SYSTEM AND GETTING A HYPERS TEG OF CASES RESULTING IN SUB PAR REPRESENTATIONS AND AN UNFAIR SYSTEM FOR THE OTHER ATTORNEYS. YEARS LATER THE PROBLEMS PERSIST.

GUNNELS APPOINT KAHN SILL, BUT THEY -- JUDGES APPOINT KAHN SILL, BUT THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO FALL THE LAW. COMMISSIONER'S COURT SHOULD EXERCISE FUNCTION UNTIL DATA BEING COLLECTED NOW SEE THEY ARE FOLLOWING THE CRIMINAL DEFENSE ACT INCLUDING APPOINTMENT OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER AND THE SO-CALLED LIMITED TERM ASSIGNMENTS OF PRIVATE LAWYERS FOR A WEEK OR A DAY. COMMISSIONER'S COURT SHOULD DETERMINE IF THERE ARE INCREASED COSTS AND WOULD THEREFORE REQUIRE APPROVAL FOR EACH CONTRACT MOVING FORWARD. I ENCOURAGE YOU TO BE PREPARED TO EXERCISE YOUR AUTHORITY TO ASSIGN FUNDING IF THEY ARE REFUSING TO USE THE PRE-FUNDED AND MORE EFFECTIVE OFFICE AND LOOKING AT ILLEGAL SYSTEMS TO PRIVATE ATTORNEYS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

>> JUDGE, THOSE ARE ALL THE SPEAKERS. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY, THANK

YOU, LUCINDA. >> YOU'RE WELCOME. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU,

JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THE NEXT ITEM IS MINE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THE NEXT ITEM IS MINE, JUDGE? >> 21B IS JUST DISCUSSION?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: JUST DISCUSSION. I DID MAKE A REQUEST.

DID YOU WANT ME TO MAKE A MOTION AS A REQUEST? YOU MIGHT BE MUTED.

>> WHO DO YOU WANT? >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SOARD, CAN I JUST MAKE A REQUEST? YOU ARE MUTE -- MUTED. SHAKE YOUR HEAD YES OR NO. DO MAKE A MOTION OR DO NOT

NEED A MOTION. >> HE SAID YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHICH IS IT?

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN COME BACK TO THIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: LET ME KNOW IF I NEED TO MAKE A MOTION. THE OTHER ITEM IS THE QUEBEDEAUX PARK ITEM.

IMHITIONERY -- COMMISSIONER'S COURT APPROVED THE ITEM AND I ASKED THAT WE BRING THE REMEMBER -- REMEMBRANCE PROJECT TO HOUSTON. A MEME -- MEMORIAL TO THE LYNCHING VICTIMS. THIS COURT AGREED WHEN I HAD AN ITEM ON THE AGENDA TO PUT IT AT QUEBEDEAUX PARK. AND THEN I THINK AS A SEPARATE ITEM, THREE TIMES WE VOTED TO INCORPORATE THE OLD BUILDING SITE TO MAKE IT A PART OF THE REMEMBRANCE PROJECT INSTEAD OF

[04:45:03]

THEY SPENT SOME MONEY TO COME UP WITH A PLAN. IT IS A PARK.

I KNOW MY COLLEAGUES HAD SOME LEGITIMATE HEARTBURN ABOUT IT.

I WANT TO MOVE THAT PRECINCT 1 CON INCORPORATE THE OLD BUILDING SITE, QUEBEDEAUX PARK ALONG WITH THE FAMILY LAW CENTER AND TO A PRECINCT 1 FUNDED AND MAINTAINED PARK THAT WILL BE THE SITE OF THE REMEMBRANCE PROJECT. PRECINCT 1 WILL PAY FOR AND MAINTAIN TURNING THAT INTO WHAT I HOPE WILL BE A SIGNIFICANT GREEN SPACE AND ALSO A MEMORIAL TO VICTIMS OF LYNCHINGS AND A PLACE WHERE ALL PEOPLE CAN REFLECT ON HOW FAR WE HAVE COME AND HOW FAR WE HAVE TO GO. I HOPE IN FOUR YEARS OR WHENEVER THE COUNTY MAKES A DECISION TO REPLACE THAT FAMILY LAW CENTER, IT WILL HAVE TO BE TORN DOWN. I DON'T THINK IT CAN BE REHABBED FROM MR. BLOUNT HAS BEEN TEACHING. I HOPE WE WILL SELECT ANOTHER SITE AND MAKE ALL OF THAT GREEN SPACE ON OUR END OF DOWNTOWN. I SENT THE MOTION OUT.

THE SHORT OF IT IS PRECINCT 1 WOULD LIKE TO TAKE IT OVER. PRE SINK 1 -- PRECINCT 1 WILL MAINTAIN THE SITE. PRE SINK 1 WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF A SMALL PORTION. IT ALL LOOKS PRETTY BAD. I KNOW MOST OF US HAVE NOT BEEN DOWNTOWN. MR. BLOUNT, DO YOU WANT TO ADD TO THAT?

>> R. JACK CAGLE: MAY I? WITH THAT CLARIFICATION I SECOND THE MOTION.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WE HAVE SIMILAR THINGS IN PRECINCT 4 WE NEED TO DO THAT WE ARE WORKING ON. WE HAVE THE CEMETERY, AND I THINK JUDGE MAY HAVE BEEN BY THERE AND THERE IS STUFF WE ARE TRYING TO DO OFF MEMORIAL. I APPLAUD YOU TO TAKE THAT ON.

AS WE CONTINUE TO DEVELOP THESE THINGS THAT'S A GOOD THING.

I MADE THE SECOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND JUST TO HELP MY CASE, WHAT IS YOUR SENSE OF THE BUILDING? IS IT ABOUT READY TO FALL DOWN?

>> THE FAMILY LAW CENTER IS NOT ONLY OUTDATED AND IT IS CONCRETE, IT IS NOT ECONOMICAL TO REMODEL IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY IT WAS BUILT. IT IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE DO MONTHLY LEARNED. IT IS -- BE DE MONTHLY LEARNED.

DEMOLISHED. WE WE HAVE A FIRE WATCH GOING ON IN THERE.

THE BUILDING IS IN BAD SHAPE. IT NEEDS TO BE REMOVED JAM

>> R. JACK CAGLE: IF I CAN JM -- JUMP IN, WE USED TO CALL IT THE TOASTER BUILDING.

AND ON THE TOP FLOOR PEOPLE WERE CATCHING THAT OLD LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE.

THAT IS NOT A HEALTHY BUILDING. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DON'T TELL THEM THAT, CACTUS. I AM GLAD WHEN THE COUNTY BUILT IT THEY PUT WINDOWS IN IT. IT MAY GET HOT IN THERE AND I'M SURE IT IS NOT WEATHER

WISE -- WEATHER RISED, BUT IT IS A MAGNIFICENT VIEW. >> WHAT FLOOR IS BETKEY ON?

>> I BELIEVE THE TOP FLOOR. >> I THINK HE IS ON 7, COMMISSIONER.

JAM

>> R. JACK CAGLE: ALL RIGHT. I MAY NEED TO HAVE A PRIVATE CHAT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ME TOO. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I'M IN FAVOR.

ANY OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MEMBERS IF YOU HAVE ANY MONEY LAYING AROUND AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REMEMBERED, YOU CAN PUT SOME IN THE REMEMBRANCE PROJECT. WE'LL PUT YOUR NAME ON THE WALL.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER IT IS AN IMPORTANT PROJECT.

RODRIGUEZ I -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE THE OTHER ITEM.

[04:50:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT WAS THE ONE WITH ROBERT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SOARD DID I MAKE A MOTION FOR THE AUDIT? MR. POST?

I THINK THEY ARE BOTH OUT. >> YOU DON'T NEED A MOTION, SIR.

WE WILL DO THAT. >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS FOR THE COURT, RIGHT?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: YOU HEARD THE QUESTION -- THE REQUEST. WE'LL WRITE IT UP.

THOSE ARE PRE SINK 1 -- PRECINCT ITEMS. NOW PRECINCT 2.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. I WANT TO MOVE ON ITEMS 2 AND 3. ON ITEM 4 I WANT TO FIRST RECOGNIZE THE WORK OF DR.

BANDON AND HER DISAF -- STAFF IN THE POLLUTION CONTROL SERVICES FOR HELPING PRECINCT 2 WITH THE NUMBER OF CHALLENGES WE HAVE AS IT RELATES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERNS. THIS AGREEMENT IS VERY EXCITING FOR ME.

THIS IS WITH THE HOUSTON ADVANCED RECENTER. I AM PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THIS PARTNERSHIP. THE DISAGREEMENT ALLOCATES 200,000 FROM THE MILLION DOLLAR GRANT WE RECEIVE FROM THE CHEMICAL COUNCIL FOUNDATION.

HEART WILL CONVENE A MULTI-DISCIPLINARY EXPERT. IT IS POLLUTION CONTROL AND THESE PAM LISTS -- THESE PANELISTS WILL PARTICIPATE AND SIMULATE THE COUNTY'S ANALYSIS NEEDS DURING AN EMERGENCY RESPONSE. IT TAKES US BACK TO WHEN YOU ASSEMBLE THE MONITORS AND SO WE LEARNED FROM THAT AND WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE CONTINUE AND ENSURE THAT THE PUBLIC HAS GOOD DATA AND IN A DEPENDABLE -- IN AN -- ACCESSIBLE PLACE.

SHOULD ANOTHER INDUSTRIAL INCIDENT OCCUR, THE PANEL WILL UH -- ASSIST IN ANALYZING THE DATA AND IMPROVE PREPARATIONS. I AGAIN WANT TO THANK THE COMMISSIONING COUNCIL FOUNDATION. AND IT PRIORITIZES THE HELP AND THE SAFETY OF OUR PRECINCT AND ALL OF HARRIS COUNTY. I I WOULD LIPE TO THANK HEART FOR THINK WILLING -- FOR THINKING CREATIVELY. I WANT TO LOOK AT THE WILLINGNESS TO ANALYZE DATA AND PROVIDE ADVICE BASED ON THEIR EXPERTISE.

A BIG THANK YOU TO THE STAFF FOR BEING PART OF THIS ON A DAILY BASIS.

I WANT TO THANK YOU AND SAY IT WAS A PLEASURE TO WATCH YOU WORK WHEN THE ITS -- ITC FIRE OCCURRED AND IS IT SAFE TO COME OUT? UNDERSTANDING THAT SOME OF THE AREAS WERE UNDER A SHELTER IN PLACE ORDER AND OTHERS WERE NOT.

WE WERE LOOKING AT THOSE WHO WERE AND SAYING IS IT SAFE? ARE MY KIDS SAFE? AND THEN NOT HAVING AT LEAST IN THE EARLY DAYS THE INFORMATION WE NEEDED TO GUIDE THE PUBLIC. YOU HAVE CREATED THE PLAYBOOK IN BOTH OF THESE SITUATIONS.

WE WANT TO GROW OUR CAPACITY AND WE HAVE UNDERSTOOD OUR CHALLENGES.

I AM EXCITED IT WILL BE ONE OF THE TOOLS IN THE TOOLBOX. AND A PANEL OF EXPERTS DURING THE ITC EVENT, AND WE WITH TRYING TO FIGURE OUT ARTICLES -- PARTICLES PER MILLION AND THOUSAND AND BILLION AND FINDING OUT WHAT WAS BAD AND WHAT WAS REALLY BAD AND WHAT

[04:55:05]

WE ARE PURCHASING THE AIR MONITORS WE SO DESPERATELY NEED IN THE AREA I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU FOR YOUR PARTNERSHIP AND THANK YOU FOR BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOR AND THANK YOU FOR WORKING WITH MY OFFICE AND I LOOK FORWARD TO CONTINUING TO DO MORE.

ON A CLOSING POINT, YOUR HONOR, THIS IS SO IMPORTANT BECAUSE MY OFFICE BROUGHT UP THE OTHER DAY THAT VALERO WAS LOOKING TO FILE A PERMIT TO RELEASE HYDROGEN SIGN OUT.

NOW THERE IS ANOTHER COMPANY THAT IS LOOKING TO DO THE SAME.

THIS IS THE CHALLENGE MY PRE SINK IS UNDER. THERE IS A CONSEQUENCE IN ORANGE COUNTY. IF WE DON'T DO A GOOD JOB IN PRECINCT 2 WE CAN PUT THE REST OF HARRIS COUNTY IN HARM'S WAY. WITH THE COLLABORATION WITH ACC AND EKMA AND POLLUTION CONTROL AND WITH YOUR LEADERSHIP WHEN WE HAVE THE EMERGENCIES THIS IS A MUCH BETTER DAY THAN HOW YOU AND I FOUND IT BACK ON JANUARY 1ST. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS AND WHEN PEOPLE HEAR THE AIR AND WATER AND OUR LAND AND THEN WE HAPPEN TO HAVE PARTNERS LIKE THE OIL AND GAS INDUSTRY IN OUR BACKYARD AND, YOU KNOW PEOPLE WONDER WHETHER WE ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THE COMMITMENT.

TODAY THE FACT THAT THIS IS IN PART BEING MADE POSSIBLE BECAUSE OF THE INDUSTRY ITSELF, I WANT TO SAY TO FOLKS THAT, YOU KNOW, PROTECTING JOBS AND PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT IN MY OPINION, AND I KNOW I SHARE THIS WITH YOU, JUDGE, THEY ARE NOT MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE OF EACH OTHER. THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW WE ARE DOING BOTH WELL.

I AM EXCITED AND I WANTED TO ACCENTUATE THE POINT THAT I WAS PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR WORK DURING THE ITC FIRE. YOU DIDN'T LET UP. YOU DIDN'T ACCEPT SIMPLE ANSWERS. YOU KNEW WE NEEDED BETTER DATA AVAILABLE TO GUIDE THE PUBLIC AS WELL AS TO GUIDE OUR DECISIONS. YOU ASSEMBLED WHAT WE DID HAVE AND YOU MADE IT AVAILABLE. WE STRUGGLED WITH THE CONVERSATION OF WHAT WAS BAD? I THINK THAT WILL PUT A LOT OF THAT TO REST. IT WILL SAY TO FOLKS THAT ALTHOUGH ITC HAS BEEN AWAY FROM US FOR OVER A YEAR WE HAVE NOT FORGOTTEN.

WE ARE PUTTING THE EXPERIENCE TO WORK AND WE ARE PUTTING SYSTEMS IN PLACE TO NOT LET US GET BACK TO THE DAYS WHEN WE DIDN'T HAVE A WHOLE OTHER THINGS AVAILABLE TO US AT THIS LEVEL. JUDGE, THAT'S MY ITEM AND I AM VERY EXCITED TO PROPOSE IT

[05:00:01]

HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? RAD RAD THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THANK YOU. I JUST TOLD MY STAFF, WHATEVER YOU ARE DOING OVER THERE WE WANT TO DO IT AS WELL IN PRECINCT 1 AND HOPEFUL -- HOPEFULLY THROUGH THE COUNTY.

THANK YOU. LET'S DO IT. LET'S GET IT DONE.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR THIS, COMMISSIONER. >> JUDGE UNDER COMMISSIONER

GARCIA'S ITEM FOR C2, IS THAT A NO ACTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES.

>> THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. WE DID THE RESOLUTIONS.

NO ACTION ON 2 AND I MOVE ON 3 AND 4. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 3?

>> STEVE RADACK: MOTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: PRECINCT 4? >> R. JACK CAGLE: MOTION, YOUR

HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE WENT OVER THE COVID-19 ITEMS. MISCELLANEOUS IS COUNTY CLERK CORY SPAWN -- CORRESPONDENCE FROM TECQ.

AND THEN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN HARRIS PARK ISD. ITEM 1 IS CORRECTIONS.

>> YOUR HONOR, IF I COULD HAVE YOU GO BACK TO PAGE 26 JUST BEFORE MISCELLANEOUS.

I AM READY TO VOTE ON THAT COUNTY CLERK ITEM. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: THAT'S THE FUNDING FROM MR. ZUCKERBURG. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MADE A

MOTION EARLIER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: MY VOTE ON THAT IS A NO.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MOVE FOR ADOPTION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND.

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

>> I. >> >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> NO, NO. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

THE MOTION CARRIES 3-2. WE HAVE THAT ONE PENDING AND WE VOTED ALREADY ON THE COMMISSIONER ELLIS' ITEM. WE DIDN'T MEED -- NEED A MOTION THERE.

BACK TO MISCELLANEOUS. EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. FIRST IS COUNTY ENGINEER AND

[II. Emergency/supplemental items (Part 2 of 3)]

>> YES, MA'AM, WE DO. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER UNLESS JOSH, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD, JOSH, BEFORE WE HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER?

>> JOSH IS UN -- UNMUTED. >> THANK YOU, LUCINDA. JUDGE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER, BUT ON THIS ITEM, THE TEXAS HOUSING OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS IS PROPOSING A CHANGE THAT WOULD ALLOW SUPPORTIVE HOUSING TAX PROPERTIES TO REFUSE HOMES TO INDIVIDUALS WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDS FROM TESTIMONY -- TEMPORARILY TO PERMANENTLY.

WE HAD GREAT CONVERSATIONS WITH THE COMMUNITY OF -- COMMUNITY LEADERS AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY TOMORROW TO SPEAK WITH THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS TO DISCUSS THIS.

THIS RESOLUTION WOULD GO A LONG WAY IN THE DISCUSSION. WROARK WORK WOULD GO WITH THEM TO FIND OUT WHY IT IS IN THERE AND REMOVING THE ABILITY FOR

INDIVIDUALS TO GET INTO SUPPORTIVE HOUSING. >> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AND I UNDERSTAND IT IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON OUR RES -- RESPITE CENTER IF IT

MOVES FORWARD. >> YES, MA'AM. IT DEPENDS ON HOW IT IS FUNDED , BUT BOTH IN THE PAST IT WOULD NOW MAKE IT EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FOR US TO SUPPORT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANTED TO THANK JOSH AND HIS TEAM OVER THERE FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP ON THIS.

IT IS IMPORTANT AND I THINK WE NEED AN ALLOUT EFFORT TO IMPACT THIS ISSUE.

I APPRECIATE HIM SHOWING LEADERSHIP. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR,

WE NEED TO VOTE ON THIS ONE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKER.

WE HAVE A SPEAKER, COMMISSIONER, AND THEN WE'LL TAKE THE VOTE.

>> MICHAEL NICHOLHOLTZ WITH THE COMMISSION OF THE HOMELESS.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. CAN I BE HEARD? >> YES, SIR, GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> THANK YOU SO MUCH. FIRST I WANT TO AGAIN THANK

[05:05:05]

THIS IS AN ISSUE THE CITY OF HOUSTON AND THE HOUSING PARTIES OF HARRIS COUNTY AND THE CITY OF HOUSTON ARE WORKING TOGETHER ON. WE WERE SURPRISED AND SHOCKED BY THEIR POSITION. IT HAS IMPACTED THE ABILITY OF OUR LOCAL HOMELESS RESPONSE SYSTEM ACROSS THE STATE. THIS PUTS A MAN -- A MANDATE ON SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT SAYS PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO LIVE IN THE SUPPORTIVE HOUSING THAT RECEIVES THESE TAX CREDITS. IT IS HARD TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THEY ARE THINKING BECAUSE IT WILL INCREASE RAW DID -- RECIDIVISM.

IT IS CONCERNING, BUT EVEN MORE SO DURING THE PANDEMIC. THE CONTINUING CARE FOR THE THREE COUNTIES MADE UP OF A HUNDRED AGENCIES STRONGLY OPPOSES WHAT THIS COURT IS DOING. IT IS PART OF THE SUCCESS WE HAVE HAD IN HOUSING PEOPLE IN SUPPORT OF REDUCING THE OVERALL HOMELESSNESS BY 53% SINCE 2011.

THIS ONE REALLY IMPACTED. THE PROGRESS WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE IF THIS DRAFT HAD BEEN IN PLACE IN THE LAST FIVE OR SIX YEARS. THEY PROPOSED CHANGES.

THEY REFUSED TO HOUSE THE PEOPLE WITH CRIMINAL BACKGROUND.

THIS WOULD STAY IN PLACE FOR THE PROPERTIES THAT COME ON UNTIL THE RULE IS CHANGED.

EVEN ONCE THE RULE IS CHANGED AGAIN, THOSE PROPERTIES WILL BE UNDER THIS REQUIREMENT.

THE SHOCK IS IT ONLY WORKS ON SUPPORT -- SUPPORTIVE HOUSING.

IT MAKES OPPOSITE SENSE OF WHAT THEY ARE DOING BECAUSE WE NEED SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE POPULATION. WE DON'T UNDERSTAND THIS AT ALL, THEY WOULD PUT IN PLACE SOMETHING THAT WOULD HURT OUR SYSTEM TO THIS DEGREE. THE LAST THING I WANT TO MAKE SURE IS WE RECOGNIZE THAT THIS A DISPROPORTIONATE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO EXPERIENCE HOMELESSNESS DO HAVE A CRIMINAL BACKGROUND. THERE IS NOT A COINCIDENCE IN THIS BECAUSE MANY PEOPLE FALL ON HOMELESSNESS BECAUSE THEY HAVE NOWHERE TO GO.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS. THANK YOU.

YES COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANTED TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP ON THIS. IF YOU WANT TO BRIEFLY WANT TO MAKE A 30-SECOND COMMENT I

WOULD LOVE TO HEAR IT. >> THANK YOU TO THE HARRIS COUNTY FOR THEIR LEADERSHIP IN HOMELESSNESS AND THANK YOU TO HARRIS COUNTY IN SUPPORTING PEOPLE IN A SECOND CHANCE.

THIS IS ALL ABOUT A SECOND CHANCE. THIS CHANGE WOULD DISPRO MOTIONER NATALIE -- DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECT BLACK AND HIS -- HISPANIC AMERICANS. THANK YOU FOR DOING THIS AND WE NEED TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE TDHCA AND BE CAN DO IT MORE EFFECTIVELY WHEN THE COUNTY SUPPORTS THIS

OPPOSITION STATEMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU FOR YOUR LEADERSHIP.

ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> NO, MA'AM. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO DO WE HAVE

A MOTION? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND.

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

>> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I'M OPPOSED,

YOUR HONOR. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR.

I BELIEVE THAT IS 4-1, JAMES. ALL RIGHT NEXT IS -- WE WERE ON THE MISCELLANEOUS.

ALL RIGHT. EMERGENCY SUPPLEMENTAL ITEMS. >> STEVE RADACK: WAIT.

HAVE YOU DONE NUMBER 3? SUPPLEMENTAL? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE NOT.

THAT IS NEXT. THERE WAS SOME CONFUSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

[05:10:01]

I I DON'T RECOGNIZE ANY OF THESE COMPANIES, SO I'M HOPEFUL THAT WITHIN THESE COMPANIES THERE IS A COMMITMENT TO SPANISH LANGUAGE COMMUNICATIONS.

IF ANYONE FROM THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IS ON THE LINE, BUT I JUST -- I WOULD

ASSUME SO, BUT I NEED TO HEAR IT. >> STEVE RADACK: CAN I --

>> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD. >> STEVE RADACK: I AM HOLDING THIS ITEM.

I AM OF THE OPINION THAT PROPER PROCUREMENT PROCEDURES WERE NOT USED IN HIRING SOME OF THESE COMPANIES. SO I AM HOLDING IT. IT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME THE COUNTY ATTORNEY WOULD BE DOING THIS ON BEHALF OF THE COUNTY CLERK, BUT I WANT TO

ASK A QUESTION OF DWIGHT. ARE YOU THERE? >> YES, SIR.

>> STEVE RADACK: DWIGHT, FOR THE MAJORITY OF THESE IF NOT ALL HAVE PROPER PROCUREMENT

PROCEDURES BEEN DONE? >> NO, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: THEY

HAVEN'T? >> NO, SIR, NOT ALL OF THEM. WE ONLY HAD FOUR THEY HAD REQUESTS FOR APPEALS SENT OVER AND THE REMAINING HAVE NOT BEEN SENT OVER AND SOME OF

THEM HAVE BEEN WORKING. THAT'S ISSUE AND THE CONCERN. >> STEVE RADACK: WELL I AM HOLDING THIS. THE AUDITOR AND YOU, AND IF THESE PROCEDURES ARE NOT FOLLOWED, THEN IT IS A PROBLEM. WOULD YOU NOT AGREE?

>> YES, SIR. STIVE

>> STEVE RADACK: I AM HOLDING THE ITEM. I DON'T KNOW WHO IS GONNA WORK

IT OUT, BUT GOTTA GO FROM THERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE CLERK'S OFFICE WHAT HARM IF ANY WOULD COME FROM THIS BEING DELAYED. MR. HOLE LINS OR SOMEBODY FROM

THE OFFICE IS ON THE LINE. >> WE ARE TRYING TO REACH MR. HAWLINS.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN COME BACK TO THIS ONE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: AND MR. SOARD, IF YOU WILL CHECK IF THERE IS YOU ARE REMEMBER RABBLE HARM.

WE ARE IN THE MIDDLE OF AN ELECTION. I PREFER TO LET IT GO TOWARD SUBJECT TO A REVIEW BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE OR THE COUNTY JUDGE'S OFFICE IF THIS IS SOMETHING THAT CAN BE CURED THEN WE WILL COME BACK NEXT WEEK.

>> HE'S ON THE LINE. I CAN PATCH HIM IN. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT WOULD BE

GREAT. THANK YOU, LUCINDA. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. HOLLINS, ONE OF MY COLLEAGUES ASKED THIS ITEM BEHELD AND I WANT TO GET A SENSE FROM YOUR STANDPOINT WHAT HARM WOULD COME BY THAT OR WHAT THE ISSUES ARE AND CAN THEY BE SORTED OUT? ARE THERE SOME PROCEDURES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWED?

>> AND JUST SO I AM CLEAR WHEN YOU SAY THIS ITEM, WHAT ARE YOU REFERRING TO?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THIS IS THE REQUEST -- >> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS ITEM

THREE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IT IS AN APPROVAL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS

CONTRACTS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: YEAH, APPROVE ALL OF THE COMMUNICATIONS

CONTRACTS. >> OH, I SEE. SOME OF THESE ARE NOT COMMUNICATIONS CONTRACTS. SOME OF THEM ARE. SOME PR OPERATIONS AND LOGISTICS. WE ARE WORKING ON DRIVE THROUGH VOTING OPERATIONS AND OUR DROP OFF FOR RESULT OZZY ELECTION NIGHT SO WE CAN GET THEM OUT MORE QUICKLY TO THE PEOPLE OF HARRIS COUNTY. IT WOULD BE DEBT PRO MENTAL TO HOLD THIS UP -- DETRIMENTAL TO HOLD THIS UP. I HEARD US WORKING THROUGH THOSE IN THE PROPER MANNER AND I AM OKAY WITH THAT TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE PAPERED PROPERLY.

HOLDING THEM WOULD BE PROBLEMATIC. IT WOULD BE WORK WE COULDN'T

[05:15:03]

THERE IS A LOT OF MISINFORMATION OUT THERE. BEING ABLE TO COMMUNICATE THOSE IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. WHETHER IT IS COMMUNICATIONS OR LOGISTICS IN OPERATIONS AND PRESENTING THINGS LIKE TSU FROM HAPPENING AGAIN, WE NEED THIS WORK DONE.

>> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS STEVE RADACK. WHY DIDN'T YOU FOLLOW THE

RIGHT PROCEDURES TO HIRE THESE PEOPLE? >> THAT IS A GOOD QUESTION,

COMMISSIONER. STEVE I KNOW IT IS A -- >> STEVE RADACK: I KNOW IT IS A GOOD QUESTION. WE ARE DEALING WITH LAW HERE. THE PURCHASING AGENT IS THE CHECKS AND THE BALANCES OF COUNTY GOVERNMENT. IT IS ONE OF THEM.

IT IS QUESTIONABLE IF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY CAN EVEN OVERRIDE HIM.

I AM MAKING IT CLEAR THAT TO ME THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION.

YOU HAVE PEOPLE THAT ARE WORKING THAT DO NOT -- HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED.

THEY DO NOT HAVE A PO AND I DON'T BELIEVE THERE IS ANYWAY POSSIBLE THE UH BITTER WOULD PAY HIM. THE AUDITOR WOULD PAY HIM. THERE IS A BIG PROBLEM.

>> COMMISSIONER, AS YOU KNOW I AM NEW TO THIS OFFICE AND WHEN WE GOT GOING AND WHEN THERE WAS THE OPTION TO HAVE FOLKS COME IN TO DO THIS WORK, YOU KNOW, I ASKED MY INTERNAL PURCHASING TEAM WHAT I NEEDED TO DO. I FOLLOWED THE INSTRUCTIONS AND I WAS INFORMED LATER THAT THERE WERE STEPS THAT WERE NOT TAKEN THAT NEEDED TO BE TAKEN. SO I HAVE BEEN WORKING HAPPENED IN HAPPENED WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE PURCHASING OFFICE TO TRY AND GET THESE THINGS DONE IN A PROPER WAY AND COME UP WITH A REMEDY THAT CAN BE IDENTIFIED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOU SAID YOU HAD ISSUES WITH THIS. WOULD YOU BE OKAY IF WE APPROVE IT IN PURCHASING. IT IS HARD TO MOVE FORWARD IF YOU HAVE ISSUES WITH IT,

DWIGHT. >> YOUR HONOR, I HAVE ISSUES WITH THIS.

A LOT OF THESE CONTRACTS ARE FOR $49,999.99. IT LOOKS LIKE THEY ARE INTENTIONALLY ON A SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND JUST BEFORE AN ELECTION.

WE ARE TRYING TO GET CONTRACTS IN UNDER THE RADAR. IT NEEDS TO GO THROUGH THE AUDITORS. JUST BECAUSE THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ALLOWS IT TO GO ON THE AGENDA, I DON'T THINK IT MAKES IT LEGAL. [INAUDIBLE] AND THIS ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AT THE LAST MINUTE THIS CLOSE TO AN ELECTION WITH FOLKS NOT BROUGHT FORWARD IN COMMISSIONER'S COURT UNTIL THE HAND IS ON THE COOKIE JAR AND WITH THIS CLOSE TO BEING WHERE THERE IS AN APPEARANCE TO CIRCUMVENT IT.

I AM A NO. I AM OKAY HOLDING IT, BUT OTHERWISE I AM A KNOW.

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU, JUDGE. DWIGHT AND/OR ROBERT, THIS ITEM GOT ON THE AGENDA UNDER THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I'M ASSUMING THAT SOMEBODY AGREED THERE IS A PATHWAY TO A RECOMMEND -- REMEDY AS IT RELATES TO THIS ITEMS. I'M CURIOUS ROBERT IS THERE IS THOUGHT ON YOUR PART AND DWIGHT, TO COME UP WITH A REMEDY.

DWIGHT, HAVE WE BEEN GUIDING MR. HOLLINS ON A PATHWAY TO RESOLVE THIS, OR IS THIS JUST

[05:20:03]

THIS HAD TO HAVE GOTTEN ON THE AGENDA BY OUR CON TEEN -- COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE INDICATING SOMETHING IS OKAY WITH IT. ON DWIGHT AND ROBERT, FIRST TELL ME HOW THIS GOT ON THE AGENDA AND IF THERE IS A PROBLEM I ASSUME THIS ITEM WOULD HAVE BEEN PUT ON BY THE CON TEEN ATTORNEY'S OFFICE, BUT NOT TO APPROVE, BUT TO DISCLUES -- DISCLOSE AND ADJUST AND FIX. ROBERT OR DWIGHT, STYL -- TELL ME HOW IT GET ON THE AGENDA AND IS THERE A PATHWAY TO FIXING THIS?

>> I THINK ROBERT IS HUT -- MUTED. >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR SOUND IS

STILL OFF. LET ME SEE IF I CAN CALL YOU. >> WHILE HE WAS SIGNING BACK ON, A LOT OF THE INDIVIDUALS WERE WORKING PRIOR TO THE FIELD BEING ISSUED.

BEING INDIVIDUAL CONTRACTORS I DIDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE CUTTING 50,000 TO WORK ON AN HOURLY BASIS WITH A SCOPE. THAT'S WHERE WE WERE WORKING WITH THEM.

THE ORIGINAL SCOPE OF WORK WERE ONE-LINE EYE FEMME. -- ITEM.

WITHOUT AN HOURLY RATE I COULD NOT DETERMINE WHAT THEY WERE DOING FOR THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS. MORE SPECIFIC ONES IS THE CLERK WORKING WITH THE TEAM.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS WORKING ON AT THIS POINT. AND IT IS WHAT WE CAN DO ON INDIVIDUALS BEING HIRED OR WE SHOULD GO THROUGH A STAFF MEETING.

MY ROLE IS TOETT G TO WORK -- IS TO GET TO WORK ON AN HOURLY DETAIL.

>> ON ANY ONE OF THESE ITEMS WOULD YOU DEEM -- YOU ARE SAYING SOME ARE PROBLEMATIC.

ARE YOU SAYING SOME ARE OKAY TO MOVE FORWARD? >> THEY HAD SMALL PO'S AND KAY N CAN NAME -- PO'S AND I CAN NAME THOSE OUT. I ASKED FOR DETAILED SCOPES AND WE RECEIVED THOSE WITH THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS. THOSE ARE ALLOWABLE.

I WOULD LIKE TO SEPARATE THOSE THAT ARE OKAY TO MOVE FORWARD AND LET'S DEAL WITH THOSE.

ALSO, ROBERT -- >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER, I HAVE ROBERT HERE.

HIS MIC WASN'T WORKING. ROBERT, IF YOU MUTE ME OVER THERE.

>> LET ME MUTE YOU HERE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THIS SHOULD WORK.

>> IS THIS WORKING NOW? GOOD. SORRY.

I AM HAVING MIC PROBLEMS AT THE MOST INOPPORTUNE TIME. LET ME BACK UP A BIT.

IT IS ON THE AGENDA UNDER COUNTY ATTORNEY BECAUSE OF THE TIMING.

WE BECAME AWARE OF SOME SERIOUS ISSUES WITH THESE ITEMS. ONE WAS TO HAVE THEM GO TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND HAVE THEM APPROVED INDIVIDUALLY AND THAT'S WHY IT WAS ON THE AGENDA LATE FRIDAY AFTERNOON. THAT'S AFTER TALKING TO EACH OTHER. IT IS A REQUEST AND I DID PREPARE THE ITEM AND GOT IT OVER TO MEET THE FRIDAY DEADLINE. THAT DOESN'T MEAN COMMISSIONER GARCIA WE ARE ENDORSING THIS, BUT NOT SAYING IT CAN'T WORK. ALL OF THE CONTRACTS COMING IN AND EACH HAS TO BE EVALUATED INDIVIDUALLY. I WAS GOING TO SAY IF GIVEN THE OPPORTUNITY WE WERE SEEKING APPROVAL SUBJECT TO APPROVAL.

[05:25:01]

AND IT IS ON THE EVE OF THE ELECTION. >> IT IS BETTER TO DEAL WITH THE FOUR ITEMS THAT DWIGHT MENTIONED AND GET THOSE OUT OF THE WAY?

AND THEN CAN YOU DEFINE A PATHWAY FORWARD? >> WHAT I AM NOT CLEAR ABOUT, DWIGHT, IF WE ARE ONLY TALKING ABOUT 10,000 IT MAY BE THEY WANT TO DO ADDITIONAL WORK AND WE WILL NEED CONTRACTS WITH THEM. I PERSONALLY DON'T KNOW WHICH

OF THE CONTRACTS ON THE AGENDA ARE THOSE. >> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK YOU SHOULD REVIEW THEM. COMMISSIONER ELLIS, YOU HAD A COMMENT.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I WAS GOING TO SUGGEST IS WHAT YOU WERE SAYING REALLY AND THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION. MR. SOARD COULDN'T COMMENT ON IT EARLIER.

A PROBLEM WITH US -- SOMEONE MAKING A MOTION TO APPROVE THEM SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. I AM ASSUMING THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE WORKED IN CONJUNCTION. I DON'T WANT TO ADD TO THE MOTION, BRUT THEY CAN MEET ALL DAY TOMORROW AND OVER THE WEEKEND. I THINK HE SAID A PATH FORWARD AND TRY TO PUT THEM IN PLACE. WE MOVE IT SUBJECT TO REVIEW TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. EVEN IF WE HAVE TO COME BACK NEXT WEEK AND THEY COOPERATE

GET THEM DONE, WE COME BACK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD AGREE WITH APPROVING THIS SUBJECT TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE. LET ME SAY THOUGH THAT THIS IS NOT THE THE FIRST TIME THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH PURCHASE ORDERS.

I REMEMBER WHEN I BECAME SHERIFF THERE WERE A CRAZY NUMBER.

WE HAD A CRAZY NUMBER OF PURCHASE ORDERS OPENED IMPROPERLY.

IT SOUNDS SIMILAR TO WHAT WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TODAY. THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AT THE TIME AND A BUNCH OF FOLKS MARCHED INTO MY OFFICE IS AND SAID THERE ARE PROBLEMS FNLT -- PROBLEMS. WE MIXED IT. PARTLY BECAUSE MY OFFICE WAS DEALING WITH IT. IN THIS CASE I CAN SEE MR. HOLLINS BEING VERY TRANSPARENT. Y MAKE A -- I MAKE A MOTION TO APPROVE SUBJECT TO REVIEW AND APPROVAL ALONG WITH THE PURCHASING AGENTS THIS IS NOT CHRIS HOLLINS DOING THIS VIDEO. DASH -- DOING THIS INDIVIDUALLY.

FOLKS MISSED A STEP AND WE ARE TRYING TO ADDRESS THIS. I JUST SAW SUM -- ASSUME WE BE SUPPORTIVE AND GET THEM CORRECTED BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE IT HAS BEEN DONE

BEFORE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SECOND THE MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER RADACK. >> STEVE RADACK: DWIGHT?

>> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: YOU KNOW, THIS IS SERIOUS STUFF.

IT REALLY DOES PRESIDENT -- DOESN'T MATTER IF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY APPROVES IT OR NOT.

YOU ARE THE PURCHASING AGENT. I EMPHASIZE THAT TO DO THIS IMPROPERLY IS ILLEGAL.

THIS SHOULD BE STRAIGHTENED OUT AND VOTED ON BEFORE COMMISSIONER'S COUNTER.

IT DOES -- IT SHOULDN'T BE SOMETHING THAT DOES NOT COME BACK TO THE COURT.

I AM NOT ABOUT TO VOTE TO SAY I'LL CHECK IT OUT AND THEN GO AHEAD.

I AM BRINGING THIS UP BECAUSE IT IS SERIOUS STUFF. ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT POTENTIALLY UP TO ABOUT $600,000 ON THESE LAST-MINUTE DEALS.

I AM ASKING YOU AS PURCHASING AGENT, AND MATTER OF FACT YOU MADE A COMMENT ON THE FOUR AND YOU SAID IT WOULD PROBABLY BE OKAY. YOU NEED TO MAKE A DECISION ON

[05:30:02]

IN YOUR OPINION WHAT IS OKAY. >> THERE ARE FOUR INDIVIDUALS ISSUED AND I WON'T GO INTO THE DETAILS. THEY HAVE $10,000 IN PLACE. I HAVE TO VERIFY WHICH ONES STARTED AND WHICH HAVE NOT. I HAVE THE UH -- ABILITY TO DO QUOTES.

I AGREE THAT IT IS A SERIOUS SITUATION. THE FOUR INDIVIDUALS DID HAVE DEALS UP TO 10,000. IF THEY EXCEED UP TO 50,000 THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE WE HAVE

TO ADDRESS. >> STEVE RADACK: MY QUESTION IS THIS: SHOULD THIS COME

BACK TO COMMISSIONER'S COURT? >> IT IS 50,000, BUT WE CAN BRING IT BACK IF NEED BE.

NORMALLY COMMISSIONER'S COURT DOES NOT SEE ANYTHING BELOW $50,000 PER AGREEMENT.

>> FRANKLY, DWIGHT, I HAVE NEVER SEEN YOU SAY YOU ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH SOMETHING THE WAY YOU SAID IT TODAY. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID CONTIN JEPT ON THE PURCHASING AGENTS -- CONTINGENT ON THE PURCHASING AGENTS. ROBERT, CORRECT ME IF I AM WRONG, BUT YOU REVIEWED IT SOMEWHAT AND YOU WERE PROPOSING BY THE ATTORNEY ANYWAY. THAT'S COUNTY ATTORNEY. AS FAR AS PURCHASING IS CONCERNED DWIGHT ARE YOU COMFORTABLE WITH SAYING SUBJECT TO REVIEW?

HOW DO YOU PROPOSE WE DO THIS? >> I CAN REVIEW IT, JUDGE, BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY THERE IS GOING TO BE SOME OF THESE OUT AND WE HAVEN'T GONE TO PROCUREMENT. MY CONCERN IS IF THEY HAVE DONE SERVICES WE WILL ADDRESS THE SERVICES WITH COURT. I DON'T WANT TO BE OUT APPROVING SOMETHING AND SAID I

DID A PROCUREMENT WHEN I DIDN'T DO A FULL PROCUREMENT. >> AND IT IS NOT THE FIRST

TIME A MISTAKE WAS MADE. WE ARE ALL HUMAN. >> I WANT TO BE PART ST RECORD.

>> OBVIOUSLY WE ARE NOT SAYING IT IS UNCOMFORTABLE AND Y'ALL WORK IT OUT.

WE WILL ADDRESS THOSE SEPARATELY IF THE CLERK NEEDS TO PUT IT IN THE NEXT MEETING. IF IT IS TOO LATE WE WILL CALL A SPECIAL MEETING.

I WANT TO BE CLEAR FOR MY PART AND I IMAGINE MY COLLEAGUES AGREE.

NOBODY IS SUGGESTING -- APPROVE THE ONE THAT'S ARE GOOD AND THE OTHER ONES BRING

IT BACK. >> IF I MAY AND I WANT TO MAKE IT CLEAR THAT EVERYTHING WE DO WE WILL BE WORKING WITH THE PURCHASING AGENT. I WANT TO ECHO WHAT YOU SAID, JUDGE, IT IS A BIG COUNTY AND A BIG SYSTEM. ELECTED OFFICIALS MAKE MISTAKES. DEPARTMENT HEADS MAKE MISTAKES.

TYPICALLY WE TRY TO FINKS THE -- FIX THE MISTAKE. NONE OF US WANT TO DO ANYTHING IMPROPER. I DON'T THINK MR. HOLLINS WANTS TO DO ANYTHING IMPROPER. WE JUST HAVE TO GET IT BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK.

THAT'S OUR GOAL IN ALL OF THIS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THERE WERE MISTAKES CORRECTED AND FIXED IN 2009 IN -- INHERITED BY TOMMY THOMAS.

I THINK WE CAN FIND A WAY TO FIX THE ISSUES TODAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS 1234*. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, I WANT TO RAISE A POINT.

I HEARD THE MOTION VERY CAREFULLY. IN FACT, BEFORE COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IT I USED THE SAME LANGUAGE. DWIGHT IS GIVING YOU A VETO AND GIVING MR. SOARD IN THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT A VETO. IF THE TWO OFFICES DISAGREE, IT IS STILL VETOED. I WANT TO MAKE SURE IT IS ON THE RECORD.

I SECOND THE MOTION BY COMMISSIONER GARCIA THAT SAYS THEY CAN BE APPROVAL OR

SUBJECT TO. AND APPROVAL. >> AND THE PURCHASING AGENT.

>> WE DUNT PUT IT INTO MOTION, BUT IT CAN'T BE CURED? LET THE JUDGE KNOW AND SHE WILL BRING US BACK. THE SOONER YOU LET US KNOW SO WE MEET THE POSTING RULES WE CAN COME BACK. FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO MAKE THE PROCESS OF THE ELECTIONS AS

[05:35:09]

FOR THOSE WHO DON'T WANT IT TO BE SAFE AND MAY NOT WANT IT TO OCCUR, THAT'S SEPARATE.

YOU VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER RADACK.

>> STEVE RADACK: THERE IS ANOTHER -- LET'S TALK ABOUT WHERE THIS CONVERSATION STARTED. COMMISSIONER GARCIA SAID IF NONE OF THESE PEOPLE ARE

HISPANIC, HE HAS A PROBLEM WITH IT. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I DIDN'T SAY

THAT, STEVE. >> STEVE RADACK: WHAT DID YOU SAY?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: I ASKED ABOUT BILINGUAL SERVICES. >> STEVE RADACK: OKAY.

YOU ARE SAYING THAT'S IMPORTANT. FINE.

THE POINT I AM SAYING TO YOU IS THIS, TO ALL OF YOU, THIS IS ILLEGAL.

I AM GOING TO VOTE NO. TODAY IS TUESDAY. THIS CAN COME BACK ON SATURDAY, THAT'S FINE. POST IT FOR ANOTHER MEETING. THIS IS WRONG TO PROCEED WITH THIS. IT IS ILLEGAL AND IT IS NOT -- THIS IS MORE THAN A PAPERWORK ERROR. PEOPLE WERE AUTHORIZED TO BEGIN WORK WITHOUT THE PROPER

PROCUREMENT. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION COMMISSIONER GARCIA --

YES JAMES. >> FOR CLARITY, CAN THE MOTION BE READ ONE MORE TIME.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THE MOTION IS THAT WE APPROVE SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COUNTY

ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND BY THE PURCHASING AGENT. >> THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.

ALL IN FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> OPPOSED. >> OPPOSED. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR. THE MOTION CARRIES. THANK YOU ROBERT I AM GOING TO

LET YOU GO. >> I CALL IN A DIFFERENT WAY. THANK YOU.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I THINK, JUDGE, WHEN WE GET TO MY ITEM PRETTY SOON I NEED MR. SOARD.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I CAN CALL HIM BACK. THE NEXT ONE IS COUNTY ATTORNEY. THERE WE GO. CLAIMING APPLICATION FOR TCEQ AMENDMENT. I BELIEVE WE HAVE SPEAKERS LUCINDA?

>> YES. >> LINA HIDALGO: LET'S HEAR FROM THE SPEAKERS.

>> AKIA NELSON. >> YES, I'M HERE. >> GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

THANK YOU. MY NAME IS AKIA AND THE DIRECTOR OF AIRLINE HOUSTON.

>> MS. NELSON -- >> YES, CAN YOU HEAR ME? >> CAN YOU STAY IN ONE PLACE?

IT IS CUTTING OFF WHEN YOU ARE MOVING. >> OKAY.

HOLD ON. HOW IS THIS. >> MUCH BETTER.

THANK YOU. >> IT IS A RESEARCH BASED ORGANIZATION THAT BELIEVES EVERYONE HAS A RIGHT TO BREATHE CLEAN AIR. I AM HERE HERE TO SUPPORT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REQUEST TO OPPOSE THE RENEWAL OF THE AIR QUALITY PERMIT 20246 APPLIED FOR BY THE PASADENA REFINING SYSTEM. THE FACILITY CURRENTLY OPERATED BY THE CHEVRON CORPORATION. AIRLINE HOUSTON HAS BEEN WORKING WITH PASADENA RESIDENTS FOR THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS TO ADDRESS AIR QUALITY CHALLENGES. AFTER HURRICANE HARVEY, WE CANVASSED THE COMMUNITIES IN NORTH PASADENA AND NEAR THE FACILITY AND THERE ARE 1300 RESIDENTS COLLECTING INFORMATION ABOUT THEIR PERSPECTIVE ON AIR QUALITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH CONCERNS.

WE LEARNED THAT OVER HALF OF THE RESIDENTS ARE CONCERNED ABOUT AIR QUALITY.

47% OF RESIDENTS REPORTED THEIR HEALTH IS FAIR OR POOR, AND 30% DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE. THEY HAVE A LONG HISTORY OF VIOLATIONS THAT THREATEN THE SAFETY OF RESIDENTS IN PASADENA AND NEARBY COMMUNITIES.

BETWEEN 2010 AND 2018, THE FACILITY EMITTED 3.2 MILLION POUNDS OF ILLEGAL AIR

[05:40:05]

THE AGENCY MUST MAKE COMPLIANCE TO THE RULE TO PROTECT THE OPERATORS FROM THE BAD AND PROVIDE MORE ACCOUNTABILITY. THE HEALTH AND WELL BEING OF RESIDENTS IN PASADENA FROM PASADENA REFINING -- OPERATIONS IS THE HIGHEST CONCERN AND RESIDENTS LIVING IN THE FACILITY. I HOPE OUR CONCERNS WILL BE SHARED BY HARRIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP AND CHEVRON'S MANAGEMENT.

>> THE FACILITY SAYS IT CANNOT BE TRUSTED TO OPERATE IN A MANNER THAT PUTS COMMUNITIES ABOVE PROCESSES. WE RESPECTFULLY REQUEST ALL HARRIS COUNTY LEADERSHIP SUPPORT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S REQUEST. THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

NAKIA, THANK YOU SO MUCH. THANK YOU FOR SPEAKING UP ON THIS ITEM.

ACTUALLY, JUDGE, THIS IS THE ITEM I WAS TALKING ABOUT EARLIER.

THE BACKGROUND ON THIS IS THAT PRSI IS SEEKING TO AMEND THEIR EXISTING AIR PERMIT TO INCLUDE HYDROGEN CYANIDE. THIS IS PROBLEMATIC ON ITS OWN, BUT ESPECIALLY WITH COMPLIANCE HISTORY. IT IS ALSO CONCERNING IN LIGHT OF THE NEIGHBOR -- NAY LOUR -- NEIGHBORING VALERO. THE COUNTY IS ASKING FOR THE APPLICATION TO BE AMENDED AND REPUBLISHED BECAUSE THE NOTICE GIVEN DOES NOT IDENTIFY THE HYDROGEN -- THE HYDROGEN SIGH SNIDE -- THE HYDROGEN CYANIDE. IT IT HAZARDOUS POLLUTE TENTS AND TO PROVIDE SPANISH TRANSLATION AND A CONTESTED HEARING.

>> I WANT TO THANK SENATOR ALVARADO FOR HER SUPPORT. SHE IS CALLING TO HAVE A PUBLIC MEETING ON THIS. NAKIA AND OTHERS ARE WEIGHING IN ON SOMETHING THAT IS VERY CRITICAL TO THE CITIZENS OF MANCHESTER. THANK YOU.

I THINK WE HAVE A FEW MORE SPEAKERS, BUT I WANT TO THANK EVERYBODY FOR WEIGHING IN ON THIS. I WAS THINKING ABOUT THIS EARLIER AND I FORGOT IT WAS GOING TO BE ON TODAY'S AGENDA. I WANT TO THANK MY STAFF FOR WATCHING THESE ITEMS AND FOR HER WORK ON THIS. THANK YOU, JUDGE.

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: ANY OTHER SPEAKERS? >> YES, MA'AM.

JUAN FLOREZ WITH ARANT RELIANCE HOUSTON. >> I AM JUAN FLOREZ AND A RESIDENT OF GALENA PARK FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS. I AM HERE TO URGE THE COUNTY JUDGE AND THE COMMISSIONERS TO PLEASE VOTE TO UPHOLD THE PERMIT.

I HAVE BEEN WORKING FOR THE PAST COUPLE YEARS. SOUTH BEACH WINDS COME OUT OF HERE A LOT AND A LOT OF THE MISSIONS COME OVER GALENA PARK AND THE SMELLS AND THE CHEMICALS AND EVERYTHING WE HAVE HERE IS SOMETHING THAT HAPPENS A LOT.

WE ARE ASKING TO PULL THE PERMIT AS WE NEED MORE INFORMATION ON WHY THEY ARE BEING SO SECRETIVE AND WE WANT MORE INFORMATION. WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT IS GOING

[05:45:02]

SOMETIMES WE KNOW ABOUT THEM AND SOMETIMES WE DON'T. THAT'S SOMETHING WE WANT TO GET MORE CLARIFICATION ON. THAT'S WHY WE ARE URGING YOU TO PLEASE OPPOSE THE PERMIT.

HOPEFULLY YOU CONSIDER IT TODAY. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU FOR WEIGHING IN. YOU HAVE MY SUPPORT. IT IS TO MAKE SURE WE OPPOSE

THIS. THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> STEPHANIE THOMAS. >> GOOD EVENING.

CAN YOU ALL HEAR ME? >> YES, MA'AM. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS DR. STEPHANIE THOMAS AND I WORK WITH A NONPROFIT CALLED PUBLIC ASSISTANCE AND I AM HERE TODAY TO THANK THE COUNTY COMMISSION FOR TAKING THIS UNDER COMMISSION. I WON'T BE LABOR THE POINT BECAUSE I THINK DR. NELSON AND MR. FLOREZ AND COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAVE TALKED TO THE ISSUE OF THIS PARTICULAR PERMIT. HYDROGEN CYANIDE IS CONCERNING ON TOP OF THE PLAN TO ALREADY HAVING A LOT OF POLLUTION EVENTS THAT HARM THE COMMUNITY. THAT INCLUDES A PARTICULATE MATTER.

IT CAN BE DANGEROUS TO COMMUNITIES AND DANGEROUS TO HUMAN HEALTH.

HYDROGEN CYANIDE IS APPEARING MORE AND MORE. IT IS CRUCIAL TO KNOW EXACTLY WHAT FACILITIES INTEND TO BE RELEASED IN THE ENVIRONMENT. IT IS IMPORTANT TO BE AWARE OF CUMULATIVE HEALTH I'M FACTS. I LEAVE MY 2 CENTS THERE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR

CONSIDERATION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: STEPHANIE, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT. >> THOSE WERE ALL THE SPEAKERS ON THIS ITEM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. DO WE NEED TO TAKE A VOTE ON

THIS? >> AND ROBERT IS AVAILABLE. I CAN UNMUTE HIM.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I THINK -- I DON'T SEE ANYONE ELSE ON HERE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: IF WE NEED

TO VOTE, I MOVE. >> LINA HIDALGO: IS THERE A SECOND?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

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

>> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, ROBERT AND YOUR TEAM. ITEM 5 ON THE IS UP -- IS UP -- SUPPLEMENTAL IS A COUNTY TREASURER TRANS MISS TALL AND EYE -- ITEM 6 IS UNIVERSAL SERVICES.

>> STEVE RADACK: DWIGHT. >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: EXPLAIN HOW

THIS PROCUREMENT TOOK PLACE. >> WE WORKED ON THIS ITEM WITH THE INSTITUTE TO GET QUOTES FROM THE STATE CONTRACTS FOR SERVICES FROM GARDENER. WE TRIED TO GET COATS FROM OTHER VENDORS, GUIDE HOUSE AND OTHERS, BUT THE TURN AROUND TIME WAS TOO SHORT.

THEY WORKED WITH THE COUNTY IN THE PAST AND WE WENT THROUGH THE PROCUREMENT PROCESS.

WE WORKED THIS ITEM. >> STEVE RADACK: AND THEREFORE YOU CAN EASILY RECOMMEND THIS

BECAUSE IT WAS DONE RIGHT? >> YES, SIR. >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS THE DIFFERENCE THAN THE COUPLE PREVIOUS ITEMS. IT IS A LOT DIFFERENT.

>> YES. >> STEVE RADACK: THANK YOU. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> R. JACK CAGLE: DO WE HAVE SOMEONE -- I WOULD LIKE TO ASK A QUESTION TO SOMEONE FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES BECAUSE MY UNDERSTANDING IS THE SECRETARY OF STATE HAS ALREADY UTILIZED AND AT&T TESTED OUR SYSTEMS. IT IS PRETTY CLOSE TO THE ELECTION, BUT THE MORE FOLKS ARE TOUCHING THE SYSTEMS, THE MORE CLOSE TO THE SYSTEM, THE MORE EXPOSURE YOU HAVE. OUR SYSTEM WAS TESTED BY THE M SECRETARY OF STATE AND WE WERE APPROVED. I AM CURIOUS WHY WE ARE DOING THIS AT THIS TIME.

>> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE HAVE THE GENERAL OR ANYBODY FROM UNIVERSAL SERVICES ON THE

[05:50:04]

LINE? >> YES, MA'AM. THE GENERAL IS UNMUTED.

>> COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE, TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION, COMMISSIONER -- CAN YOU HEAR

ME OKAY? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN HEAR YOU FINE.

>> COMMISSIONER CAGLE, TO YOUR QUESTION SPECIFICALLY, YOU ARE CORRECT IN THE REPORT ISSUED TO THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AFTER THIS LAST FALL IN 2019. WE WERE PRIVY TO THAT REPORT.

TO GET INTO DEPTH ANYMORE THAN THAT WHEN WE ARE RIGHT AT THE ENDORSED -- RIGHT AT THE DOORSTEP OF THE ELECTIONS, IF WE CAN TALK ABOUT THIS IN PRIVATE I WOULD PREFER THE COMMISSIONERS AND JUDGE AND IN THIS VENUE NOT TO REVEAL WHY WE ARE REQUESTING YOUR

ASSISTANCE WITH THIS. >> R. JACK CAGLE: IS THIS TIME SENSITIVE?

>> YES, SIR, GIVEN THE ELECTION IS A COUPLE WEEKS AWAY.

MORE THAN ANYTHING ELSE, WE ARE WORKING IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE COUNTY CLERK'S OFFICE AND THE TAX OFFICE TO GIVE ONE LAST SCRUB, IF YOU WILL, ONE LAST SNAP SHOT FOR THE PURPOSES OF MAKING THIS ALL -- MAKING US ALL DOUBLE SURE WE ARE TURNING OVER EVERY ROCK AND EVERY RISK WITHOUT CURRENT OPERATIONS AND DOING OUR COMPLETE DUE DILIGENCE,

COMMISSIONER. >> R. JACK CAGLE: YOUR HONOR? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER CAGLE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: WOULD YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ME HAVING A CHANCE TO VISIT WITH THE GENERAL AS HE SUGGESTED OFF LINE AS TO THOSE SECURITY

CONCERNS BEFORE I HAVE TO VOTE IN FAVOR OF THIS ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HOLD IT UNTIL THE END. IN ACCOUNT FA, -- IN FACT, ROBERT, I DON'T KNOW IF THIS QUALIFIES FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION, BUT THAT'S ANOTHER IDEA.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THAT'S WHAT I WOULD SUGGEST. >> YES, IT DOES.

>> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. SO WE CAN DO THAT, COMMISSIONER CAGLE.

WE WILL TALK IN EXECUTIVE SESSION AND TALK TO HIM AS WELL.

THANK YOU. THE NEXT ITEM IS PURCHASING AGENT CHANGE IN CONTRACT.

NEXT IS ITEM 8 AND THAT'S AN AWARD FOR VOC ANALYZERS. MORE ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING. ITEM 9 WE COVERED. ITEM 10 WE COVERED.

ITEM 11 -- OKAY. SO THIS ONE COMMISSIONER GARCIA HAD BROUGHT SOME VERY POSITIVE CHANGES TO OUR FAMILY LEAVE POLICY. IT IS SIMPLY A REQUEST THAT HR GO AND ASK WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE. WE HAVE DONE A COMPARISON WITH OTHER COUNTIES AND IT LOOKS LIKE WE STILL HAVE QUITE A WAYS TO GO.

THE QUESTION IS WHAT CAN WE DO? WHAT CAN WE AFFORD, AND THEN THE INTENT OF NOT ONLY BEING FAIR, BUT MAKING SURE WE ARE RECRUITING THE BEST TALENT.

WE HAVE PEOPLE WHO COME AND STAY MAYBE BECAUSE THEIR CHILD IS BORN OR WE DON'T HAVE

ENOUGH POLICIES IN THE AREA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE, I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR PUTTING THIS ON THE AGENDA. I SUPPORT IT WHOLEHEARTEDLY. I WANT TO THANK OUR COLLEAGUES FOR REALLY TRANSFORM -- TRANSFORMING WHAT WE HAVE DONE.

IT IS PAID FAMILY LEAVE. IT IS THEN TANS MENTS AND A FEW -- IT IS THE ENHANCEMENTS AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. THIS ONE IN PARTICULAR AND YOUR PURSUIT TO SEE HOW MUCH MORE WE CAN ACCOMPLISH, AND WITH SOME OF THE ITEMS LISTED HERE ON THE AGENDA ITEM, WHEN WE CHANGE THE PAID FAMILY LEAVE, THESE ITEMS IN PARTICULAR THAT YOU LAID OUT HERE BECAME A BIG POINT OF CONVERSATION. IN FACT, AT THAT TIME, ONE OF MY STAFF WAS EXPECTING A BABY AND WE TALKED ABOUT HOW SHE NEEDED TO HAVE THE FLEXIBILITY TO TAKE CARE OF HER CHILD HERE AND TO HAVE ON SITE CHILD CARE ACCESS AND PLACES TO HELP CARE

[05:55:01]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. THANK YOU FOR LEADING ON THIS

ISSUE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED? COMMISSIONER RADACK AND CAGLE, I DIDN'T CATCH YOUR GUYS' VOTE.

>> I. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I WAS AN I. >> LINA HIDALGO: I AM IN FAVOR TOO, SO IT PASSES UNANIMOUSLY. THANK YOU, FOLKS.

NEXT IS ITEM 12. THAT'S A GRANT ADJUSTMENT FOR HOMELAND SECURITY GRANTS.

ITEM 13 WE DISCUSSED. ITEM 14, COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE, IS MR. SOARD ON? THIS REGARDS THE OMNI BASE CONTRACT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: ROBERT, ARE YOU ON OR DO I NEED TO CALL YOU?

>> I AM ON. LUCINDA, CAN YOU UNMUTE ME? >> LINA HIDALGO: WE CAN HEAR

YOU. >> OKAY. I'M HERE.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SOAR D -- MR. SOARD, I WANT TO THANK YOU AND YOUR OFFICE FOR THE WORK YOU HAVE DONE ON THIS. WE VOTED ON THIS SOME TIME AGO AND THEY SENT A NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF THE CONTRACT IN JULY AFTER THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT VOTED TO TERMINATE THE CONTRACT. THIS IS THE FAILURE TO APPEAR PROGRAM.

IT ENDED ABOUT AUGUST THE 21ST. AND THEN THEY SENT CLEARANCE NOTICES FOR ALL ISSUED BY HARRIS COUNTY. THEY FOUND 30,000 CASES IN HARRIS COUNTY THAT WERE NOT CLEARED. 15,000 OF THOSE WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN CLEARED YEARS AGO, BUT SUSPENSIONS WERE STILL IN PLACE.

OBVIOUSLY OMNI BASE WANTED TO FIGHT IT BECAUSE THE STATE WOULD NOT LOSE MONEY.

I'M SURE THE LOBBYISTS WERE WORKING OVER TIME ON IT. AUSTIN DID THIS.

FOR WHAT IT IS WORTH, IF THE CITY OF HOUSTON WERE TO DO IT I THINK WE HAVE 30,000 AND THEY ISSUED 500,000. THIS PROGRAM HAD A DISPROPORTIONATE IMPACT ON THE PEOPLE OF COLOR. IT IS LATIN X PEOPLE AND FOIRT% OF THE PEOPLE DISASH 40% OF THE PEOPLE WITH DRIVER'S LICENSES ON HOLD BASED ON UNPAID FINES WERE AFRICAN-AMERICAN. ALTHOUGH BLACKS MAKE UP 22% OF THE CITY'S POPULATION, STATEWIDE 28% OF THE HOLDS ARE ON AFRICAN-AMERICANS DESPITE BEING 11% OF THE POPULATION.

THE NUMBERS FOR HIS -- HISPANICS ARE EQUALLY AS DISPROPORTIONATE.

MR. SOARD, CAN YOU GIVE US AN UPDATE OF WHAT IS HAPPENING WITH THE STATE SO FAR ON

THIS? >> CERTAINLY I CAN OR MAYBE TOMMY RAMSEY CAN.

BRIEFLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED IS AFTER WE SENT OUR REQUEST TO RELEASE THE HOLD, WE UNDERSTAND A NUMBER WERE GRANTED, BUT AT THE SAME TIME OR ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY REQUESTED AN ATTORNEY GENERAL 'S OPINION ABOUT WHETHER THEY HAD TO RELEASE THE HOLDS WITHOUT COLLECTING THE REIMBURSEMENT FEE OWED TO BOTH THE STATE AND MAINLY TO OMNI BASE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THIS. OMNI BASE IS NOT. THAT'S KIND OF WHERE WE ARE.

WE ARE CONTINUING TO NEGOTIATE. WE THINK WE NEED TO MOVE FORWARD WITH OR WITHOUT THE OPINION OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.

IT COULD TAKE SIX MONTHS TO RESPOND. >> RODNEY ELLIS: MR. SOARD, COULD YOUR OFFICE ATTEND MY OFFICE OR THE OFFICE OF ANY COMMISSIONER SEND NOTICES TO

[06:00:04]

AS I UNDERSTAND IT, WE REQUESTED THE HOLD BE LIFTED AND THEY HAVE BEEN LIFTED.

PEOPLE DON'T KNOW IT. I WANT TO MAKE SURE -- WHERE -- WHEREVER THEY LIVE.

>> ANY COUNTY DEPARTMENT CAN DO THAT INCLUDING THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.

BUT IT IS HELPFUL TO HAVE A MOTION FROM THE COURT IN EFFECT AUTHORIZING THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY DEPARTMENTS AND ELECTED OFFICIALS TO TAKE THOSE KINDS OF ACTIONS.

>> I'LL MAKE THAT MOTION. >> I CAN, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHICH ARE THE APPROPRIATE

DEPARTMENTS. WE CAN SORT THAT OUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT I DO IS -- IF THIS WORKS, MR. SOARD, I MOVE THAT THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN COORDINATION WITH OTHER NECESSARY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS NOTIFY INDIVIDUALS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY DRIVER'S LICENSE HOLDS HAVE BEEN LIFTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN ATTEMPT TO RENEW THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSES. IF YOUR OFFICE NEEDS TO DO ALL 30,000 I SEND THEM. IF I GET THE LIST, I AM GOING TO DO IT AS WELL.

I MAKE SURE THEY KNOW IT. IF EACH COMMISSIONER WANTS TO DO IT IN THE PRECINCTS, IF I FIND OUT ANOTHER COMMISSIONER IS DOING IT, I WON'T DO IT. IF ANOTHER COMMISSIONER IS NOT

DOING IT, IF IT IS LEGAL, I DO IT. >> YES, SIR.

AND WE DON'T MIND TAKING THE LEAD IN THE SENSE OF COORDINATION, BUT FRANKLY THIS IS GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF EQUIPMENT AND MAYBE COMPUTER PROGRAMMING AND WE ARE JUST

NOT SURE THEIR OFFICE SHOULD TAKE THE LEAD ON THAT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: FIND OUT WHO.

>> IT COULD BE UNIVERSAL SERVICES. IT COULD BE JAD.

WE HAVE NOT HAD TIME TO WORK THAT OUT. WE CAN WORK WITH THE GROUPS TO FIGURE IT OUT. IF YOU ARE DEALING WITH 30,000 NOTICES IT IS GOING TO REQUIRE

HIGH VOLUME MAILOUT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SO I WILL MAKE THE MOTION IF I CAN GET A

SECOND. I THINK ARE YOU MUTED, JUDGE. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> BEFORE WE GO, THERE IS A SPEAKER ON THIS ITEM.

EMILY GARRETT WITH TEXAS STAR DEFENSE PROJECT. >> HI, YES, THANK YOU SO MUCH, JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS. I AM EMILY GARRETT WITH THE TEXAS STAR DEFENSE PROJECT.

I WILL BE BRIEF, BUT WANTED TO SPEAK ON THIS PROJECT. WE HELP PEOPLE GET THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSES BACK. IN TEXAS A DRIVER'S LICENSE IS A NECESSITY ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE STRUGGLING TO GET BY. OMNI-BASED PROGRAM, IT KICKS PEOPLE WHILE THEY ARE DOWN AND TRAPS PEOPLE IN A CYCLE. WE HAVE TO HELP PEOPLE GET BACK THEIR LICENSES. WE ARE THANKFUL TO YOU FOR PASSING THIS ITEM.

WE HAD SO MANY OF OUR CLIENTS CRY WHEN THEY GET THEIR LICENSE BACK.

WE HEAR OVER AND OVER AGAIN IT IS LIKE THEY CAN FINALLY BREATHE.

FOR ONCE IN THEIR LIFE THEY DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT GETTING PULLED OVER OR ARRESTED IN FRONT OF THEIR KIDS BECAUSE THEY ARE TOO POOR TO GET OUT OF THE OMNI BASE PROGRAM. THIS PROGRAM IS JUST INCREDIBLY BROKEN.

AS A RESULT OF THE CONTRACT THOUSANDS OF HOLDS WERE LIFTED INCLUDING 15,000 HOLDS THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LIFTED YEARS AGO. WE HAVE SEEN THAT HAPPEN IN SOME OF OUR CASES AS WELL. PEOPLE LOOK AT THEIR LICENSES AND REALIZE THEY HAVE HOLDS IN OTHER JURISDICTIONS. INCLUDING IN THE CITY OF HOUSTON.

I REALLY HOPE JURY LICKS -- JURISDICTIONS LIKE HOUSTON FOLLOW YOUR LEAD TO SECURE

THIS FOR RESIDENTS. THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER

ELLIS? >> RODNEY ELLIS: I AM TRYING TO WATCH THIS DEBATE, BUT I DO WANT TO THANK THE FAIR DEFENSE PROJECT AND THE FOLKS AND THEY HAVE REALLY -- THEY BROUGHT IT TO MY STAFF'S ATTENTION. WHEN YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING.

GO AND TILL OUR FRIENDS. 5 IN 10 PEOPLE ARRESTED FOR DRIVING WHILE LICENSES ARE

[06:05:14]

WE KNOW ALL OF THE OTHER ISSUE THAT'S COME OUT AS A RESULT OF THAT.

THE NUMBERS ARE COMPARABLE FOR HISPANICS AS WELL. IT IS AN AWFUL -- IT IS A VERY ABUSIVE PROGRAM. I APPRECIATE THE COURT AGREEING TO CAN SELL -- CANCEL IT. I HOPE YOU GO AND TALK TO OUR FRIENDS AT THE CITY.

DESPITE WHAT PEOPLE THINK, I DON'T LIKE GETTING INTO OTHER FOLKS' BUSINESS ALL THE TIME.

IF WE HAVE 30,000 AND THEY HAVE A HALF MILLION, YOU NEED TO ENCOURAGE THEM TO LOOK.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: COMMISSIONER ELLIS, WILL YOU REPEAT THAT LAST THING YOU SAID.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I DON'T LIKE GETTING IN OTHER PEOPLE'S BUSINESS, BUT WHEN I SEE WRONG IN THE WORDS OF JOHN LEWIS, I BELIEVE IN MAKING GOOD TROUBLE.

I WANT YOU TO GET WELL AND I WANT YOU TO THINK ABOUT IT WHILE ARE YOU CON VAW LESSING BECAUSE I WANT YOU TO WORK WITH ME. GOOD TROUBLE, CACTUS.

LET'S DO IT. >> LINA HIDALGO: DO WE NEED A MOTION ON THIS ONE?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE WAS A MOTION. COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE IN COORDINATION ON THE OTHER NECESSARY DEPARTMENTS AND COMMISSIONER PRECINCTS TO NOTIFY INDIVIDUALS THAT THE HARRIS COUNTY DRIVER'S LICENSE HOLDS HAVE BEEN LIFTED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND PROVIDE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW THOSE INDIVIDUALS CAN ATTEMPT TO RENEW THEIR DRIVER'S LICENSES. MR. SOARD, JUST KINDLY LET US KNOW WHEN IT COMES TO COMMISSIONER OFFICES. I'LL DO IT.

I SEND IT OUT IN YOUR PRECINCT , COMMISSIONER CAGLE, IF YOU DON'T.

I WANT TO AS A COURTESY GIVE YOU THE OPTION FIRST. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO THERE IS A

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

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

>> I. LEAN MOTION -- >> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. ITEM 15, COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 1 FOR ELECTION

JUDGES. UNLESS SOMEBODY HAS -- >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS NOT

MINE, BUT -- MY ITEM? >> LINA HIDALGO: YOUR 15. PRESENTING ELECTION JUDGES.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I MOVE TO APPOINT -- YEAH. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 16 PRECINCT 3. APPOINTING A MEMBER OF THE COMMUNITY FLOOD RESILIENCE

TASK FORCE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IS THAT ME, JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: NO. IF COMMISSIONER RADACK WANTED TO MOVE IT BUT I ASSUME HE IS MOVING IT. THAT'S HIS ITEM. NEXT IS COVID ITEMS WE COVERED. NO PUBLIC HEARINGS TODAY. MOVING TO EXECUTIVE SESSION I

[IV. Executive Session (Part 1 of 4)]

IRIS GONZALEZ AS MY NOMINEE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: DO YOU NEED A SECOND? I DON'T THINK I MENTIONED MY NAME. EVEN

>> LINA HIDALGO: YOURS IS NOT THERE YET. YOUR ITEM WAS REMOVED.

SO NEXT IS ITEM TWO IN EXECUTIVE SESSION IS YOUR ITEM FOR THE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SEE WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I TRY TO WATCH THIS DEBATE? I GET OFF MY GAME. I APPOINT -- I WOULD LIKE TO

MOVE TO APPOINT DR. NANCE. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND THEN COMMISSIONER OF PRECINCT 2 AND

ITEM 3 ON THE EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES, JUDGE.

AND JUST A QUESTION, DO YOU NEED A MOTION ON YOUR ITEM AND DOES COMMISSIONER ELLIS NEED A

SECOND? >> LINA HIDALGO: UNLESS FOLKS HAVE AN ISSUE, I WAS JUST

GOING TO VOTE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: PERFECT. IN THAT CASE I WOULD BE HONORED TO HAVE ANOTHER GONZALEZ ON THE FLOOD RESILIENCE TASK FORCE BY

NOMINATING LISA GONZALEZ WITH HARK. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

AND THEN -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND ALSO TO MOVE THAT DAVID CONTRERAS, I MENTIONED MY NOMINATION OF HIM, BUT THIS WILL MAKE HIS APPOINTMENT OFFICIAL TO BE A COMMISSIONER ON THE HARRIS COUNTY HISPANIC CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION, POSITION

1, FOR A TWO-YEAR TERM ENDING SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2022. >> LINA HIDALGO: ITEM 4,

[06:10:04]

CULTURAL HERITAGE COMMISSION. >> R. JACK CAGLE: CORRECT, YOUR HONOR AND I JUST MOVE IT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND ITEM 5, REQUEST BY BUDGET MANAGEMENT FOR DISCUSSING POSSIBLE ACTION CONCERNING THE APPOINTMENT OF A CSD DIRECTOR. I SUGGEST WE TAKE THIS ONE TO EXECUTIVE SESSION. THAT BEING THE CASE WE HAVE GONE THROUGH THE AGENDA EXCEPT FOR TWO ITEMS FOR EXECUTIVE SESSION. ONE IS THE ITEM ON CYBER SECURITY ASSESSMENT. THAT WAS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL AGENDA AND THAT IS TO DISCUSS THE CYBER SECURITY ISSUES. ROBERT, HOW SHOULD I PRESENT

THIS? >> YES, MA'AM. IT WOULD BE TO DELIBERATE REGARDING A SECURITY DEVICE OR A SECURITY AUDIT. YOU ARE CORRECT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS TO DISCUSS A SECURITY DEVICE OR SECURITY AUDIT.

AND THE OTHER ITEM IS THE ITEM 5, EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 5 WHICH IS THE CSD DIRECTOR AND THAT IS TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL MATTER. EXCEPT FOR THOSE, IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE ALL AGENDA ITEM THAT'S HAVE NOT PREVIOUSLY BEEN MOVED ON?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> RODNEY ELLIS: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN

FAVOR? >> I. >> I.

>> LINA HIDALGO: MOTION CARRIES UNANIMOUSLY. DO WE HAVE SPEAKERS NOT ON ON

[V. Appearances before court]

OKAY, LET'S HEAR FROM THEM. >> DARLENE KING. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES. [INAUDIBLE]. EXACTLY ALL THAT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED. I JUST THE TAIL END, BUT I KNOW WHEN I SUBMITTED MY REQUEST TO SPEAK I THOUGHT I WOULD SPEAK ABOUT BLACK LIVES MATTER.

THE TERM ITSELF, I DO GREAT -- I DO AGREE WITH, BLACK LIVES DO MATTER.

WHEN I WAS IN GRADE SCHOOL I LEARNED THAT YOU MIX ALL OF THE COLORS IN THE CRAYON BOX TOGETHER IT IS BLACK. IN THE COLOR BLACK THERE IS EVERY COLOR.

AND THAT IS WHY I BELIEVE THAT BLACK LIVES MATTER. ACTUALLY ALL LIVES MATTER, I KNOW MY HISTORY OF THE ORIGINS. THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR COMMISSIONER'S COURT IS ARE THE TEXAS CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS THE BASIS FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION? THE CONSTITUTIONAL LAWS IN TEXAS, ARE THEY THE BASIS OF A LEGISLATIVE ACTION? CAN SOMEBODY ANSWER THAT FOR ME?

HELLO? >> LINA HIDALGO: MA'AM, BECAUSE THE ITEM ARE YOU SPEAKING ON IS NOT ON THE AGENDA, WE CAN'T RESPOND TO YOU DIRECTLY, BUT WE WILL HEAR

YOU OUT AND IF NEED BE WE CAN HAVE OUR STAFF FOLLOW-UP. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I HAVE

SOMEBODY CALL HER AFTER HER TESTIMONY AS WELL. >> OKAY, WELL, YOU KNOW, IT IS A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION, I THOUGHT,. I AM JUST TRYING TO GET A DIRECT ANSWER TO IT, WHETHER OR NOT THE FOUNDATION OF TEXAS LAWS ARE BASED ON THE TEXAS

CONSTITUTION. >> RODNEY ELLIS: WHAT SHE IS SAYING IS THE WAY THE RULES WORK WHICH I GUESS DO COME FROM THE CONSTITUTION, WE CAN ONLY TALK ABOUT ITEM THAT'S ARE ON THE AGENDA. I HAVE TO FIND A WAY TO RELATE IT.

WE WANT TO LET YOU TALK FOR YOUR TIME. THIS IS ROD KNEE ELLIS -- RODNEY EL -- ELLIS. I I WOULD LIKE SOMEBODY TO CALL YOU.

I WOULD CALL YOU, BUT I THINK I WILL BE WATCHING THE RERUNS OF THE DEBATE.

AFTER YOU TESTIFY, SOMEBODY FROM MY STAFF WILL CALL YOU TO SEE IF THEY CAN ANSWER

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS. >> I CERTAINLY HOPE SOMEBODY WILL GET BACK WITH ME.

I HAVE BEEN PATIENT AND WAITING FOR JUSTICE. WE ARE TALKING ABOUT DIS -- DISCRIMINATION AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT EQUALITY AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT ECONOMIC JUSTICE FOR ALL PEOPLE. IN MANY INSTANCES WE FORGET ABOUT THE GOLDEN RULE.

TREAT PEOPLE THE WAY YOU WANT TO BE TREATED. I KNOW IN MY INSTANCE, IT

[06:15:04]

I AM TRYING TO LEAVE A -- AN INHERITANCE FOR MY FAMILY WHICH THEY DESERVE.

I WANT TO GET JUSTICE BECAUSE MY PROPERTY WAS TAKEN AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF TEXAS. I NEED JUSTICE FOR THAT SITUATION TO CORRECT THINGS.

I KNOW WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES, BUT MISTAKES CAN BE CORRECTED.

I AM SEEKING JUSTICE NOT ONLY FOR ME, BUT FOR MY FAMILY AND FOR THE BLACK COMMUNITY IN GENERAL. I FEEL AS THOUGH IT IS A TEXAS CONSTITUTION WHICH IS THE BASIS MORE THAN LIKELY, AND WITH ALL LAWS IN THE STATE ARE BASED AND THEREFORE CAN BE AMENDED THROUGH LEGISLATIVE ORDER AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT IT CAN HAPPEN TO SOMEONE ELSE. FORTUNATELY I GIVE THANKS TO THE MOST HIGH GOD WHO I WORSHIP AND I GLORIFY THAT MY SITUATION WAS NOT MADE WORSE. THE TEXAS CONSTITUTION HOMESTEAD LAWS WERE PUT IN PLACE BEFORE THE AMENDMENT AND IT MADE SURE NO FAMILY WAS HOMELESS. AND IT IS A GOOD POSSIBILITY YOU HAVE LAWS --

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> HELLO? >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, MA'AM. I'M AFRAID I HAVE TO STOP YOU. THAT'S YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU FOR CALLING. WE WILL MAKE SURE YOU GET A FOLLOW-UP CALL AS WELL.

THANK YOU. >> THIS IS JUDGE HIDALGO? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, THAT'S

RIGHT. >> THANK YOU, DEAR. WHO WILL I EXPECT TO HEAR?

>> RODNEY ELLIS: RODNEY ELLIS' OFFICE. >> BE SAFE.

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: BYE. >> PAUL BRUCE WITH HCDO.

>> GOOD EVENING, COMMISSIONERS. I WOULD LIKE TO START OFF BY SAYING THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT FOR THE OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK ABOUT THIS IMPORTANT PUBLIC SAFETY MATTER. I KNOW YOU GUYS HAVE HAD A LONG DAY SO I WILL KEEP IT BRIEF. I KEEP IT TO THREE MINUTES. WE TALK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM. LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SAFETY IS UNPRECEDENTED CHALLENGES NEVER BEFORE FACED. WE ARE THE THIN BLUE LINE THAT STANDS BETWEEN CIVIL SOCIETY AND ANARCHY. WE ARE INDIVIDUALS IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO RUN TOWARD THE GUNFIRE WHILE OTHERS RUN IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. WE PROTECT AND DEFEND THE MOST VULNERABLE IN OUR SOCIETY AND HAVE A VERY TOUGH JOB. I PERSONALLY HAVE LOST BROTHERS IN THE LINE OF DUTY. I LOST MY BEST FRIEND, SANDY DALIWAHL AND DARRIN GOFORTH AND I ALSO LOST MY FATHER IN THE LINE OF DUTY. HE WAS STRUCK BY A CAR THIEF BY A STOLEN VEHICLE. YET, MY TWO BROTHERS AND I STILL HAVE CHOSEN THIS HONORABLE PROFESSION TO SERVE AND PROTECT OUR COMMUNITY KNOWING THE PERSONAL COST OF THIS PROFESSION. AS FORMER POLICE CHIEF BROWN SAID, WE ARE ASKING COPS TO DO TOO MUCH. THEY GRAPPLE WITH ALL OF SOCIETY'S FAILURES.

I AM ASKING YOU AND I AM BEGGING YOU TO PROVIDE US WITH THE RESOURCES SO THAT WE CAN PROVIDE THE COMMUNITY A PROFESSIONAL SERVICE. WE ARE FACING AN UNPRECEDENTED RECRUITING AND RETENTION PROBLEM IN OUR FIELD. HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS FALLEN BEHIND IN OUR PAY COMPARED TO OTHER AGENCIES, WHILE AT THE SAME TIME WITH THE ANTI-POLICE RHETORIC HAS CAUSED THE QUALIFIED APPLICANT POOL TO SHRINK.

LET'S FACE IT. WHO WOULD WANT TO GO INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT RIGHT NOW? POOR PAY, LONG HOURS AND HAVING TO DEAL WITH A NO WIN SITUATION.

I WOULD NOT ENCOURAGE MY FRIENDS, FAMILY OR ANYONE ELSE THAT ASKS ME GOING INTO LAW ENFORCEMENT TO GO INTO THIS PROFESSION RIGHT NOW. THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE PAY HAS BECOME UNCOMPETITIVE WITH OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES.

OTHER LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES HAVE SHIFT DIFFERENTIAL WEEKEND PAY, EDUCATION FEW WISE REIMBURSEMENT AND BETTER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATE PAY.

THE KEY TO PROFESSIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT AND POLICE REFORM IS EDUCATION.

THE 100 CLUB HAS SUSPENDED EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS. WE MUST ENCOURAGE OUR OFFICERS TO GET A DEGREE. EDUCATION HELPS OFFICERS MAKE BETTER DECISIONS.

LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS SOCIETY WANTS TO EMPLOY -- AVOID THE GEORGE FLOYD, BREONNA TAYLOR AND SANDRA BLANCH INCIDENCES. WE NEED MORE EDUCATION.

IT IS SAD YOU NEED MORE TRAINING HOURS TO GET A COSMETOLOGY LICENSE TO DO HAIR AND NAILS IN THE STATE OF TEXAS. A PEACE OFFICER CAN LEGALLY TAKE YOUR LIFE AND FREEDOM, YET IT REQUIRES LESS LICENSING HOURS AND ONLY REQUIRES A GED

[06:20:02]

TO APPLY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING.

THANK YOU. >> THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: COMMISSIONER GARCIA? >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WANT TO THANK THE DEPUTY FOR SPEAKING UP. AS AS IT IS INDICATED, THE RULES ARE, IT DOESN'T ALLOW US TO ADDRESS. I WANT TO THANK YOU AND LET YOU KNOW THAT WE ARE -- WE GOT SOME THINGS WORKING. THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. I REALLY APPRECIATE IT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU. >> SANTOS TORRES.

>> GO AHEAD, SIR. >> YES, I AM COMING FROM A WHOLE FAMILY OF LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I HAVE SEEN WHERE THE EFFECTS HAVE TAKEN A TOLL ON MY FAMILY FROM WHEN I WAS A CHILD FROM SEEING THE PAIN THAT HAS TAKEN A TOLL ON MY PARENTS.

MY HOSPITAL HAS 30 YEARS IN AND I SEE WHERE HE HAS TO TRY AND MAKE UP FOR THE INCOME.

I CONSTANTLY HAVE TO WORK ON -- WORK EXTRA HOURS. I FEEL A PAY INCREASE WOULD BE A GREAT THING TO PROVIDE FOR THE OFFICERS. IT WOULD ALSO GIVE THEM MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH FAMILY. IT WOULD CUT DOWN A LOT OF EXTRA JOBS AND MORE TIME TO SPEND WITH FAMILY. THAT'S PRETTY MUCH ALL I HAVE TO SAY, MA'AM.

LOON

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING. >> BILLY DAVIS.

>> FIRST I WANT TO SAY THANK YOU TO THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TO ALLOW ME TO SPEAK TODAY. I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT I AM A HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF DEPUTY AND YELL OVER 25 YEARS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT EXPERIENCE. I CALLED TODAY BECAUSE I JUST WANTED TO KIND OF BE VOCAL. WHEN I GO OUT THERE ON THE STREETS TODAY, I SEE THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN THAT ARE COMING TO THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE PUTTING A LOT OF WORK IN. THEY ARE DOING THINGS FOR THE COUNTY THAT OTHERS WOULDN'T DARE DO. THIS PAY DISPARITY IS REALLY, REALLY CREATING A PROBLEM FOR THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT. ACROSS THE BOARD.

IT IS NOT JUST FOR ME AS A HOMICIDE INVESTIGATOR, BUT THOSE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN, DEPUTIES, THE DO, NOT ONLY AM AM I EMPLOYED WITH THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, BUT SO IS MY SON AND TWO DAUGHTERS. I WOULD LIKE YOU ALL TO JUST TAKE A MOMENT AND REALLY EMBRACER -- EMBRACE THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT FOR NOT ONLY WHAT WE ARE

DOING, BUT THE CIVILIANS. THAT'S ALL I WANTED TO SAY. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WORK. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU

VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, JUDGE. THANK YOU ALL.

>> TIMOTHY HAYES. >> THANK YOU. >> MR. HAYES, GO AHEAD,

PLEASE. >> OKAY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE COMMISSIONERS AND THE COUNTY JUDGE. I KNOW IT HAS BEEN A LONG DAY FOR Y'ALL. I JUST WANT TO ADDRESS SOMETHING.

I WORK WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE. FIRST OF ALL, YOU KNOW, I WOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND THE DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS WE HAVE.

WE HAVE A FORMER SHERIFF THAT SITS ON THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT AND A FORMER ELECTED CONSTABLE AND A JUDGE AND LEGISLATOR. ALL OF THOSE ARE IMPORTANT POSITIONS AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE IN THOSE POSITIONS.

WHAT I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT TODAY IS A PAY DISPARITY HERE AT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE AND IN ALL OF OUR COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT POSITIONS. WE WILL HAVE INCREDIBLE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE RECRUITING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST WHICH IS WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO DO HERE AND MOVING TOWARD ANY MEAN -- MEANINGFUL POLICE REFORM WE NEED THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. I BELIEVE WE WORK WITH SOME OF THOSE, BUT WE LOSE A LOT TOO TO OTHER AGENCY THAT'S ARE MORE APPEALING IN PAY AND IN WORK ENVIRONMENT.

I BELIEVE WE CAN DO A BETTER JOB AS A WHOLE IN OUR COUNTY NOT ONLY RE -- RETAINING THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST PEOPLE, BUT DRAWING THOSE IN TOO FROM DIFFERENT PROFESSIONS WHETHER IT IS PEOPLE IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR WHO WANT TO DO PUBLIC WORK AND A WHOLE HOST OF PEOPLE COMING FROM DIFFERENT BACKGROUND. IT IS DIFFERENT THINGS LIKE THAT. AND WE HAVE TO BE COMPETITIVE IN TERMS OF PAY.

RIGHT NOW I BELIEVE WE ARE REALLY BEHIND AND I THINK WE GET INTO AN ISSUE IT IS SO FAR BEHIND IT IS A BURDEN -- A -- IT IS A FINANCIAL BURDEN. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME MEANINGFUL STEPS BEING TAKEN FORWARD TO BRINGING US UP TO WHERE WE NEED TO BE SO WE CAN

[06:25:10]

I THINK TO HAVE A MEANINGFUL IMPACT ON THE COMMUNITY WE HAVE TO BE WORKING ON IT AND IMPROVING OURSELVES AS WELL. IF YOU HAVE ANY COMMENTS, WE WOULD APPRECIATE IT.

I YIELD THE REST OF MY TIME. IT HAS BEEN A LONG DALE FOR ALL OF YOU.

-- LONG DAY FOR ALL OF YOU. THANK YOU. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

BE SHARE -- BE SAFE. >> NORMAN FI -- PHIPPS. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

>> YES, MY NAME IS NORMAN PHIPPS. I AM A 29-YEAR VETERAN OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. ADRIAN GARCIA, COMMISSIONER ON THE COURT AND I SPENT TIME WITH HICKMAN AND NOW GONZALEZ. I WANT TO REITERATE THAT WE NEED TO TAKE STEPS AND I HOPE THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TAKES THIS TO HEART.

WE DO NEED A PAY INCREASE. I HAVE SEEN A LOT OF VETERANS GET DOWN TO THEMSELVES AND DISAPPOINTED AT THE LEVEL OF MONEY THEY CAN MAKE WITH OTHER AGENCIES.

I HOPE AND PRAY THE COMMISSIONER'S COURT TAKE HEED.

WE ARE LOSING A LOT OF EXPERIENCE. EXPERIENCE GOES WITH -- GOES WHEN THE YOUNGER GUYS CAN TAKE KNOWLEDGE FROM. I THINK THERE IS A DISPARITY WHEN YOU LOSE A LOT OF VETERAN OFFICERS THAT CAN OFFER THAT MEANINGFUL TOOL TO ADD FOR THESE YOUNGER YOUTH DEPUTIES COMING UP IT WILL ALLEVIATE A LOT OF MISTAKES AS WELL AS THE COUNTY THEMSELVES. I JUST WANT TO OVERRER -- TO OFFER THAT BIT OF ADVICE.

JUST LIKE THE GENTLEMAN BEFORE ME, THERE IS A BIG PAY DISPARITY ON THE COUNTY AND TEXAS AS A WHOLE. I APPRECIATE YOUR TIME TO SPEAK FOR THE BRIEF MOMENT.

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

>> LENNY -- LAMICA WINTERS. >> GOOD EVENING. I JUST WANTED TO SPEAK ON BEHALF -- IN REGARDS TO OUR PAY RAISE. I'M SURE MULTIPLE PEOPLE BEFORE ME HAVE REITERATED THE SAME THING. THE DEPUTIES HAVE WORKED SO HARD FOR SO LONG AND FOR SUCH AN EXHAUSTED AMOUNT OF TIME. I FEEL LIKE WE DEFINITELY NEED THAT PAY RAISE. IT IS ESSENTIAL TO CONTINUE TO GET THE SERVICE WE HAVE PUT OUT. I WANT TO ADVOCATE THAT HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTIES DESERVE A PAY

RAISE. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO

MUCH. >> ERIC BATTON WITH HCDO, NUMBER 39.

>> HELLO, COMMISSIONERS, JUDGE. I AM JUST CALLING TO REITERATE WHAT I CAN -- I NOT REITERATE WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID. I WANT TO ADD A FEW OTHER POINTS. THERE IS ABOUT 900 DEPUTY SHERIFFS WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RETIRE. I BEING ONE OF THEM. I JUST BEGAN MY 30TH YEAR WITH THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE WORKED FOR THEM AND I CAN'T SEE ENOUGH GOOD THINGS ABOUT IT. AS A FORMER -- AS A LIEUTENANT OVER IN THE BACKGROUND RECRUITING DIVISION, I CAN TELL YOU IT IS GOING TO BE DIFFICULT TO REPLACE 900 PEOPLE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS. THAT'S ABOUT THE TIMELINE YOU HAVE BEFORE MOST OF US WHO HIRED ON IN 1991 WILL BE LEAVING THE AGENCY.

[06:30:04]

IF WE DON'T ATTACK THIS PAY RAISE THE WAY WE NEED TO AND AGGRESSIVELY PURSUE SOME EQUALITY AND THE PAY, WE ARE GOING TO LOSE A LOT OF OTHER AGENCIES.

I WANT YOU TO BE MINDFUL OF THAT. I APPRECIATE THE TIME YOU OFFERED US TO VISIT WITH YOU ABOUT THIS. STS -- IT IS MORE OF A CAUTIONARY TO BE AWARE OF WHAT YOU ARE FACING IN THE NEAR FUTURE.

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

>> JANET CUEVAS WITH THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY'S UNION. >> YES.

THIS IS DAVID CUEVAS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HARRIS COUNTY DEPUTY ORGANIZATION.

I REPRESENT 3,000 OF THE BRAVEST, FINEST EMPLOYEES, DEPUTIES, DETENTION OFFICERS AND THE CLERICAL STAFF IN HARRIS COUNTY LAW ENFORCEMENT.

I KNOW IT IS A LONG DAY AND I MAKE IT VERY BRIEF. I ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY HAS SAID BEFORE ME. COMMISSIONER GARCIA WHEN YOU WERE SHERIFF, YOU UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGES THAT TOOK PLACE. COMMISSIONER RADACK, WHEN YOU WERE CONSTABLE, YOU UNDERSTAND THE CHALLENGE THAT LAW ENFORCEMENT IS GOING THROUGH.

I ECHO WHAT EVERYBODY ELSE HAS SAID AND I APPRECIATE Y'ALL ALLOWING ME TO HAVE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO SPEAK. I THINK WE NEED TO REALLY LOOK AT THE BIGGER PICTURE AND DETERMINE WE WILL BE PAY FORGET WHAT WE GET AT THE END OF THE DAY.

WE NEED TO HIRE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO RETAIN THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST. WITH THE CURRENT FEELING LAW ENFORCEMENT IS FACING, WEED NEED TO -- WE NEED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE SURE WE ARE HIRING THE BEST QUALIFIED CANDIDATE, AND RIGHT NOW WE LIVE IN A FREE MARKET SOCIETY WHERE THE MARKET DICTATES THE SALARY AMONG COME PAW STATION. OUR AGENCIES DICTATE STANDARD AND POLICY ALONG WITH THE LAW, AND WE ARE ASKING THAT COMMISSIONER'S COURT HARMONIZE THAT TOGETHER BY PROVIDING THE SALARY AND THE BENEFITS THAT ARE REALLY NEEDED FOR OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL AND SUPPORT STAFF. JUST A FEW NUMBERS HERE.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, THE HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THE DALLAS POLICE DEPARTMENT, WITHIN YEARS ONE THROUGH THREE WE ARE BEHIND DTS14%, HOUSTON 19% AND DALLAS AT 21%. BETWEEN EIGHT YEARS 9 THROUGH 11, WE ARE AVERAGING 29% BEHIND IN SALARY. AND AT YEAR 20 WE ARE 14% DOWN. THAT'S $10,000 LESS THAN OUR COMPETITION.

WE REALLY NEED A GOOD ANALYSIS DONE TO WEIGH OUT THE SALARY AND BENEFITS, AND AT THE END OF THE DAY WE ARE GOING TO PAY FOR WHAT WE GET. I BELIEVE TTS -- IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THE COURT CONSIDER THIS. I KNOW BASED ON Y'ALL'S EXPERIENCE AND WILLINGNESS TO WANT TO LEAD THE COUNTRY AND THINKING FORWARD.

NOW IS THE TIME AND WE ASK YOU ACT ON IT AND THAT YOU CONTINUE TO ANALYZE AND UNDERSTAND THE DIFFICULTIES AND WE UNDER THE DIFFICULTIES AND CHALLENGEDS THAT YOU ARE ALL GOING TO FACE IN MAKING THESE DECISIONS. WE ASK THAT YOU LEAD AND WE APPRECIATE THE TIME AND OPPORTUNITY AND GOD BLESS Y'ALL.

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

BE SAFE. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH, DAVID.

UH -- APPRECIATE IT. >> CRYSTAL ESTRADA. GO AHEAD, PLEASE.

MS. ESTRADA, GO AHEAD, PLEASE. >> CAN YOU HEAR ME?

>> YES, MA'AM, GO AHEAD. >> YES, MA'AM, I JUST WANTED TO GIVE MY INPUT AS MY CAREER IN LAW ENFORCEMENT. BEING A SINGLE MOTHER IT HAS BEEN HARD TO GET MYSELF THROUGH COLLEGE UNIVERSITY AND ALSO HAVING TO PAY EXTRA CARE FOR MY CHILDREN AFTER SCHOOL WHILE I TRY TO DO THAT. BEING A SINGLE MOTHER I HAD TO CONSIDER GETTING ASSISTANCE DUE TO NOT MAKING ENDS MEET DUE TO MY MY LOW SALARY BEING A DEPUTY.

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE MY INPUT THAT IT WOULD BE -- IF MY SALARY WENT UP I WOULDN'T HAVE

[06:35:12]

>> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR CALLING. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: THANK YOU.

BE SAFE. >> THANK YOU. >> JUDGE AND COMMISSIONERS,

THOSE WERE ALL OF THE SPEAKERS WE COULD REACH. >> LINA HIDALGO: THANK YOU, LUCINDA. I APPRECIATE IT. SO WE VOTED ON THE AGENDA AND

[IV. Executive Session (Part 2 of 4)]

EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEM 5 TO DISCUSS A PERSONNEL ITEM. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: AND JUDGE BEFORE WE DO, I WANT TO GO BACK TO THE AGENDA. I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT ON THE

[I. Departments (Part 3 of 3)]

I DO WANT TO JUST MAKE SURE THAT THE CITY OF HOUSTON HEARS ME CLEARLY THAT I DO NOT WANT THIS TEARC -- TERSE TO SUPPORT THE I-45 EXPANSION PROJECT THAT ARE BEING WATCHED AND THAT ARE -- THAT HAVE CONCERN BEING EXPRESSED BY THE COMMUNITY.

THEY REACHED OUT AND I TOLD THEM I HAD CONCERNED -- CONCERNS ABOUT THIS.

THEY CLAIM THAT THIS WILL ONLY IMPACT THE SEGMENT ON THE EASTSIDE OF 59 AND SO I WILL TAKE THEM AT THEIR WORD. I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT I AM WATCHING THIS AND THAT YOU AND I HAVE SPOKEN ABOUT THIS, JUDGE AND I CONTINUE TO RELY ON YOU TO MAKE SURE THAT WE TRY TO PROVIDE POSITIVE IMPACTS TO THE DESIGN AND NO REGULAR -- SEGMENTS OF THE COMMUNITY ARE TOO LARGE TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT.

>> LINA HIDALGO: I ECHO EVERYTHING YOU SAID. YES, COMMISSIONER ELLIS.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: I JUST WANT TO SAY, GO -- GOING BACK TO THE AGENDA.

WE TALKED ABOUT THE TAX RATE EARLIER AND WE ALL KNOW THE DIRECTION WE ARE HEADED.

I WANT TO STATE THAT WHEN WE ARE LOOKING AT WHAT WE CAN PAY FOR, OBVIOUSLY PAY RAISES FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE IMPORTANT. PAY RAISES FOR ALL EMPLOYEES ARE IMPORTANT.

IT IS KIND OF DIFFICULT FOR SOMEBODY ON ONE HAND TO SAY THEY DON'T WANT TO COME UP WITH MORE MONEY, BUT THEN BE THE FIRST ONES TO SAY THEY WANT TO INCREASE THE SALARIES FOR CERTAIN GROUPS. WE HAD THAT DISCUSSION AND I MAKE SURE WE DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO CLEAN THE BUILDINGS AND PUT THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY.

I WANT TO HELP EMPLOYEES ACROSS THE COUNTY. WE DID TALK ABOUT THE TAX RATE. THE TWO ARE CONNECTED. IT IS SO EASY FOR FOLKS TO SAY CUT, CUT, CUT. NO NEW REVENUE. AND THEN BE THE FIRST ONES TO COME IN AND SAY, BUT I WANT TO SPEND MORE MONEY ON SOMETHING.

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

SO THAT -- SO THOSE ARE THE EXECUTIVE SESSION ITEMS. DOES EVERYBODY HAVE THE CALL

[IV. Executive Session (Part 3 of 4)]

IN NUMBER -- YES, COMMISSIONER CAGLE? >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM NOT GOING TO MAKE ANY LAST-MINUTE DOOR HANGAR SPEECHES, I JUST NEED FOR US TO HAVE A THREE-MINUTE PAUSE BETWEEN THE ENDING OF THIS SESSION AND THE STARTING OF OUR EXECUTIVE

SESSION. >> LINA HIDALGO: AGREE. LET'S MAKE IT 5.

RADACK, DO YOU HAVE A COMMENT? >> STEVE RADACK: YES.

I CAN REMEMBER ONE TIME I SUPPORTED A TAX INCREASE OF A PENNY IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT -- SOME GOT A 30% PAY RAISE. THAT WAS MANY YEARS AGO.

I ALSO BELIEVE THAT I THINK SOMETIMES IT GIVES LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OTHER PEOPLE AN INTERESTING PAUSE WHEN WE SPEND SO MUCH MONEY SUPPORTING PEOPLE THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT

[06:40:04]

THANK YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WON'T BE LABOR THE POINT, BUT IT IS A GOOD SUBJECT TO HAVE ON THE NEXT COURT AGENDA.

I WOULD BE MORE THAN HAPPY ANY DAY TO DEBATE THE PRO'S AND CON'S OF THE RACIST, UNCONSTITUTIONAL, INEQUITABLE SYSTEM OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE THAT HAS BEEN IN PLACE IN THIS

COUNTY SINCE THE SLAVE TRADE. THANK YOU. >> STEVE RADACK: I WOULD BE GLAD TO LISTEN TO YOU. THE FACT OF THE MATTER IS THAT WHILE WE --

>> RODNEY ELLIS: A FEW MORE MONTHS AND I CALL YOU. >> LINA HIDALGO: SO IT IS 8:04. LET'S HEAD TO EXECUTIVE SESSION.

WE PLAN TO MEET AT 8:10 ON EXECUTIVE SESSION LEAN IT IS 8

>> LINA HIDALGO: IT IS 8:30 AND WE ARE BACK FROM EXECUTIVE SESSION.

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

>> RODNEY ELLIS: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: OKAY. WE HAVE A MOTION.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SECOND. >> LINA HIDALGO: ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> LINA HIDALGO: OPPOSED?

I THINK FOLKS SOMEONE IS UNMUTED. >> STEVE RADACK: CAN YOU HEAR

ME, JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: MY VIDEO IS CLIPPING UP.

COMMISSIONER RADACK, ARE YOU ON? >> STEVE RADACK: YES, RADACK

IS HERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: JUDGE, THIS IS CAGLE.

I AM IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION. >> LINA HIDALGO: GREAT.

OKAY. ANY OPPOSED? ALL RIGHT.

MOTION CARRIES. THE NEXT HIGH TESTIMONY IS -- ITEM IS --

>> JUDGE, I'M SORRY. I DIDN'T CATCH COMMISSIONER RADACK'S VOTE.

>> STEVE RADACK: I. >> SO THAT IS A 5-0 UNANIMOUS. >> LINA HIDALGO: 5-0, RIGHT.

[IV. Executive Session (Part 4 of 4)]

NUMBER ONE THAT ADRIAN MERCED HOLLOWAY BE APPOINTED DIRECTOR OF THE COMMUNITY SERVICES

DEPARTMENT NOVEMBER 7TH 2020. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: AND NUMBER 2 THE ANNUAL COMPENSATION BESET AT $225,000 AND A $450 MONTHLY

CAR ALLOWANCE. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: NUMBER THREE THAT SHE BE REIMBURSED UNDER THE EXPENSE POLICY IN AN AMOUNT NOT TO EXCEED $SHIV

TEEN,000 AID -- $15,000. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND FOUR A TEMPORARY HOUSING ALLOW YENS NOT TO EXCEED SIX MONTHS IN TIME AND $15,000 TOTAL DURING

THOSE SIX MONTHS. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED. >> LINA HIDALGO: AND ALL HARRIS COUNTY OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES ARE TO DO ANY AND ALL THINGS THAT ARE CONVENIENT

TO ACCOMPLISH THE PURPOSE OF THE ORDER. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: SO MOVED.

>> LINA HIDALGO: WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR?

>> I. >> I. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: JUDGE?

>> LINA HIDALGO: YES, COMMISSIONER GARCIA. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: I WOULD LIKE TO SAY TO JUDGE STUKEY AND TO THE CSD STAFF, JOSH IN PARTICULAR, I WANT TO THANK

[06:45:02]

FOR HIS SERVICES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: JUDGE? >> LINA HIDALGO: YES,

COMMISSIONER ELLIS. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I WANT TO ECHO THAT.

AND NOT ONLY DO WE APPRECIATE. IT BUT WE KNOW THAT THEY WILL MAKE FOR ORDERLY TRANSITION AND THAT SAYS A LOT ABOUT THE ENTIRE DEPARTMENT, AND ALSO I WANT TO WELCOME OUR NEW DIRECTOR DECEMBER SIG KNEE. DESIGNEE AND WE WANT TO MAKE IT AN ORDERLY TRANSITION FOR HER AND HER FAMILY. AND I WANT TO THANK SHANE AND THE FOLKS ON ALL OF OUR STAFFS

FOR THE WORK THAT THEY DID. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YES. >> RODNEY ELLIS: THERE WERE A NUMBER OF VERY CAPABLE PEOPLE WHO APPLIED AND WE APPRECIATE THEIR INTEREST.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD POINTS. >> LINA HIDALGO: THAT'S RIGHT. THANK YOU ALL. AND THANK YOU, JOSH, FOR ALL OF YOUR CONTINUED WORK. AND WELCOME TO MS. HOLLOWAY. THANK YOU.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE WOULDN'T BE ON THE LINE, WOULD SHE? >> RODNEY ELLIS: SHE MAY NOT KNOW THE MEETINGS LAST THIS LONG. SHE MIGHT BE WATCHING THE DEBATE. IDAHO

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: SHE IS PROBABLY THINKING, I SHOULD ASK FOR MORE MONEY.

>> RODNEY ELLIS: WE WILL HAVE TO GIVE MORE. >> LINA HIDALGO: WAS ANYBODY OPPOSED TO THE MOTION? I DIDN'T CATCH IF ANYBODY WAS OPPOSED IT.

OKAY. SO THAT MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.

I THINK THAT'S ALL. >> JUDGE, THIS IS JOSH. >> LINA HIDALGO: YES, JOSH.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. THERE ARE A LOT OF DOCUMENTS I HAVE TO SIGN.

COMMISSIONER ELLIS ELUDED TO THE DESIGNEE STATUS RIGHT NOW.

JUST TO MAKE SURE I CAN STILL SIGN THINGS FOR HUD AND GLO UNTIL SUCH TIME SHE SIGNS INTO

CSD, IT IS CALLED THE INTERIM DIRECTOR, CORRECT? >> LINA HIDALGO: IT STARTS NOVEMBER 7TH, JOSH, SO UNTIL NOVEMBER 7TH WE NEED YOU TO -- AND WE APPRECIATE IT. IS THAT CLEAR, JOSH? MY TECHNOLOGY IS ACTING UP SO

I CAN'T TELL -- >> YES, JUDGE. THAT'S CLEAR.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH. >> THANK YOU, COMMISSIONER. >> LINA HIDALGO: JAMES, DID I

MISS ANYTHING? ROBERT? >> STEVE RADACK: THIS IS

RADACK. ARE YOU THERE? >> LINA HIDALGO: GO AHEAD, COMMISSIONER. YOU KNOW, I THINK THIS IS PART OF THE -- PART OF WHAT WE ARE DOING RIGHT NOW. WHAT ABOUT JOSH? ON NOVEMBER 7TH?

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: WE NEED TO TIME TO DISCUSS JOSH'S CONTINUED SERVICE.

THE 7TH, AND I THINK THAT'S TO FIGURE OUT. I THINK JOSH IS TALENTED AND I THINK HE CAN HELP US A GREAT DEAL. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE JOSH STAY WITH HARRIS COUNTY. I DON'T THINK IT IS -- RIGHT NOW WE WOULD BE MAKING A

DECISION ON A NEW DIRECTOR TONIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IF I MAY, JUDGE, I WOULD JUST SUGGEST UNLESS JOSH OBJECTED, WE OUGHT TO HAVE THAT DISCUSSION IN

EXECUTIVE SESSION. >> ADRIAN GARCIA: RIGHT. >> RODNEY ELLIS: IT IS A

PERSONNEL ISSUE. >> STEVE RADACK: THAT'S FINE. ALL RIGHT.

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

I APPRECIATE YOUR DESIRE TO STAY LATER, BUT I CAN'T SEE YOU GUYS, AND I CAN'T WORK MY VIDEO. SO I AM MORE ON THE SIDE OF CLOSING IT OUT.

>> ADRIAN GARCIA: GOOD DEAL. AGAIN, JACK, IN ALL SERIOUSNESS, YOU KNOW, WE TUT -- WE TUSSLE ON OCCASION IN DEBATING OUR POINTS, BUT REALLY WE ARE SAYING A PRAYER FOR YOU TONIGHT AND WISHING FOR YOUR FULL AND COMPLETE RECOVERY.

AND MAKING SURE YOU AND THE REST OF YOUR FAMILY STAYS OUT OF HARM'S WAY.

GOD BLESS YOU, MAN. >> R. JACK CAGLE: THANK YOU. I APPRECIATE THAT.

RIGHT NOW I FEEL LIKE -- YOU KNOW LIKE JAMES BROWN, I FEEL GOOD.

READY TO -- >> ADRIAN GARCIA: YOU HAVE TO MAKE A SPIN WITH IT TO MAKE IT

OFFICIAL. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I CAN'T DANCE LIKE HE CAN, BUT I AM

[06:50:04]

I AM ALONE IN MY OWN HOUSE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I SEND YOU SOME JAMES BROWN.

BEFORE PAPA GETS A NEW BAG YOU BETTER LAY THERE. >> R. JACK CAGLE: I AM TAKING IT SERIOUSLY. THIS MAY COME AS A SURPRISE, COMMISSIONER ELLIS, BUT I PLAY A LITTLE BASE GUITAR. IF YOU ARE SENDING OVER SOME JAMES BROWN SEND ME SOME

BOOKSIE. >> RODNEY ELLIS: I MAY ZOOM IN EXPENT THANE YOU A LITTLE BIT.

>> R. JACK CAGLE: TAKE CARE TONIGHT. >> LINA HIDALGO: STAY WELL.

IT IS 8:39 AND

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.